| | 循吏傳: |
漢興之初，反秦之敝，與民休息，凡事簡易，禁罔疏闊，而相國蕭、曹以寬厚清靜為天下帥，民作「畫一」之歌。孝惠垂拱，高后女主，不出房闥，而天下晏然，民務稼穡，衣食滋殖。至於文、景，遂移風易俗。是時循吏如河南守吳公、蜀守文翁之屬，皆謹身帥先，居以廉平，不至於嚴，而民從化。 |
| | At the beginning of the Han dynasty, they rejected the excesses of the Qin and allowed the people to rest and recuperate. All affairs were handled simply and easily, prohibitions and nets were loose and broad, and Chancellor Xiao He and Cao Can led the realm with leniency and quietude; the people composed a song called "Hua Yi." Emperor Hui of Han sat idly on the throne, with Empress Dowager Lu as the principal ruler. She did not leave her chambers, yet the realm remained peaceful; the people devoted themselves to farming and harvesting, and clothing and food became abundant. By the time of Emperors Wen and Jing, they succeeded in transforming customs and changing social mores. At that time, upright officials such as Wu Gong, the governor of Henan, and Wen Weng, the governor of Shu, all conducted themselves with care and led by example. They governed with integrity and fairness without resorting to severity, yet the people followed their moral influence.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
孝武之世，外攘四夷，內改法度，民用彫敝，姦軌不禁。時少能以化治稱者，惟江都相董仲舒、內史公孫弘、兒寬，居官可紀。三人皆儒者，通於世務，明習文法，以經術潤飾吏事，天子器之。仲舒數謝病去，弘、寬至三公。 |
| | During the reign of Emperor Wu, outwardly repelling the four barbarian groups and inwardly reforming laws and regulations, the people became impoverished and weary; corrupt conduct could not be restrained. At that time, few officials were able to earn a reputation for moral governance; only Dong Zhongshu, the prime minister of Jiangdu, Gong Sunhong and Er Kuan, both serving as Neishi (Councillor), held official positions notable enough to be recorded. All three were Confucian scholars, well-versed in worldly affairs and thoroughly familiar with literary and legal matters. They used classical learning to embellish bureaucratic duties, and the emperor valued them highly. Dong Zhongshu repeatedly resigned on grounds of illness; Gong Sunhong and Er Kwan rose to the rank of Three Excellencies.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
孝昭幼沖，霍光秉政，承奢侈師旅之後，海內虛耗，光因循守職，無所改作。至於始元、元鳳之間，匈奴鄉化，百姓益富，舉賢良文學，問民所疾苦，於是罷酒榷而議鹽鐵矣。 |
| | Emperor Zhao was young and immature, so Huo Guang held power. Following the era of extravagance and military campaigns, the realm within the seas had become exhausted; Huo Guang merely maintained his duties without making any changes or innovations. By the years Shiyuan and Yuanfeng, the Xiongnu turned toward civilization, and the people became increasingly prosperous. Officials were selected through the system of recommending virtuous men and literary scholars to inquire into the hardships of the common people; thus, discussions arose about abolishing the liquor monopoly and deliberating on salt and iron policies.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
及至孝宣，繇仄陋而登至尊，興于閭閻，知民事之谡難。自霍光薨後始躬萬機，厲精為治，五日一聽事，自丞相已下各奉職而進。及拜刺史守相，輒親見問，觀其所繇，退而考察所行以質其言，有名實不相應，必知其所以然。常稱曰：「庶民所以安其田里而亡歎息愁恨之心者，政平訟理也。與我共此者，其唯良二千石乎！」以為太守，吏民之本也，數變易則下不安，民知其將久，不可欺罔，乃服從其教化。故二千石有治理效，輒以璽書勉厲，增秩賜金，或爵至關內侯，公卿缺則選諸所表以次用之。是故漢世良吏，於是為盛，稱中興焉。若趙廣漢、韓延壽、尹翁歸、嚴延年、張敞之屬，皆稱其位，然任刑罰，或抵罪誅。王成、黃霸、朱邑、龔遂、鄭弘、召信臣等，所居民富，所去見思，生有榮號，死見奉祀，此廩廩庶幾德讓君子之遺風矣。 |
| | By the time of Emperor Xuan, who rose from humble origins to the imperial throne, having emerged from among common people, he understood how difficult and complex civil affairs could be. After the death of Huo Guang, he personally assumed all state affairs, diligently governing with vigor. He held court once every five days, and from the prime minister down, each official fulfilled their duties accordingly. When appointing cishi (provincial inspectors) and governors, he would personally meet with them to question them, observing their origins. Afterward, he examined their conduct to verify their words; if there was a discrepancy between reputation and reality, he necessarily knew the reason why. He often said: "The reason common people can live peacefully in their fields and homes without sighing or harboring sorrowful thoughts is because governance is just and lawsuits are fairly handled." "Those who share this responsibility with me—could it be only the virtuous You Erqianshi!" He believed that the governor was the foundation of officials and people; frequent changes would cause instability among the populace. When the people knew their ruler would remain for a long time, they could not be deceived or misled, so they obeyed his moral instruction and education. Therefore, whenever a You Erqianshi demonstrated effective governance, the emperor would send an imperial decree to encourage and commend him, increase his rank, grant gold rewards, or even bestow titles up to Guannei Hou (Viscount within the Pass). When vacancies arose among the Grand Commanders or ministers, officials selected from those previously recommended were appointed in order. Thus, during the Han dynasty, virtuous officials flourished at this time, and it was called a period of revival. Officials such as Zhao Guanghan, Han Yanshou, Yin Wengui, Yan Yannian, and Zhang Chang were all well-suited to their positions; however, they relied heavily on punishment, and some eventually committed crimes or were executed. Wang Cheng, Huang Ba, Zhu Yi, Gong Sui, Zheng Hong, Zhao Xinchén and others brought prosperity to the people in their regions; when they left office, the people missed them. They were honored with titles during life and venerated after death—these were indeed the lingering traditions of virtuous and modest gentlemen.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
文翁，廬江舒人也。少好學，通春秋，以郡縣吏察舉。景帝末，為蜀郡守，仁愛好教化。見蜀地辟陋有蠻夷風，文翁欲誘進之，乃選郡縣小吏開敏有材者張叔等十餘人親自飭厲，遣詣京師，受業博士，或學律令。減省少府用度，買刀布蜀物，齎計吏以遺博士。數歲，蜀生皆成就還歸，文翁以為右職，用次察舉，官有至郡守刺史者。 |
| | Wen Weng was a native of Shu, Lujiang. From a young age he loved learning and mastered the Spring and Autumn Annals; he was recommended for office through the local official examination system. At the end of Emperor Jing's reign, he became governor of Shu Commandery and was kind-hearted, fond of moral instruction and education. Seeing that the land of Shu was remote and uncultured, with customs resembling those of the southern barbarians, Wen Weng wished to guide them toward advancement. He thus selected more than ten junior officials from the commandery and counties who were intelligent and talented, such as Zhang Shu, personally trained and encouraged them, and sent them to the capital to study under imperial scholars or to learn legal codes. He reduced expenditures from the Shaofu (a government office), purchased knives, cloth, and other Sichuan goods, and had them delivered by the financial officers to be given as gifts to the scholars. After several years, all the students from Shu had completed their studies and returned. Wen Weng appointed them to important positions, successively recommending some for higher office; some of them eventually attained posts as commandery governors or cishi (provincial inspectors).
|
| | 循吏傳: |
又修起學官於成都市中，招下縣子弟以為學官弟子，為除更繇，高者以補郡縣吏，次為孝弟力田。常選學官僮子，使在便坐受事。每出行縣，益從學官諸生明經飭行者與俱，使傳教令，出入閨閤。縣邑吏民見而榮之，數年，爭欲為學官弟子，富人至出錢以求之。繇是大化，蜀地學於京師者比齊魯焉。至武帝時，乃令天下郡國皆立學校官，自文翁為之始云。 |
| | He also established a school in the city of Chengdu, recruiting young men from the lower counties as students. He exempted them from corvée labor; those who performed well were selected to fill positions as local officials, while others received appointments as filial and fraternal role models or agricultural laborers. He often selected students from the school to serve in his private chamber and assist with official matters. Whenever he traveled to the counties, he brought along more learned and virtuous students from the school, instructing them to deliver official decrees and accompany him in and out of his private quarters. The local officials and people saw this and felt honored by it; within several years, they competed to become students of the school. Even wealthy families offered money to secure a place for their sons. As a result, great moral transformation took place; the number of students from Shu studying in the capital rivaled that of Qi and Lu. It was not until Emperor Wu's reign that schools were established throughout all commanderies and states across the empire; this practice began with Wen Weng.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
文翁終於蜀，吏民為立祠堂，歲時祭祀不絕。至今巴蜀好文雅，文翁之化也。 |
| | Wen Weng died in Shu, and local officials and people built a shrine for him, where seasonal sacrifices were offered continuously without interruption. To this day, the people of Ba and Shu value literary refinement—this is due to Wen Weng's moral influence.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
王成，不知何郡人也。為膠東相，治甚有聲。宣帝最先褒之，地節三年下詔曰：「蓋聞有功不賞，有罪不誅，雖唐虞不能以化天下。今膠東相成，勞來不怠，流民自占八萬餘口，治有異等之效。其賜成爵關內侯，秩中二千石。」未及徵用，會病卒官。後詔使丞相御史問郡國上計長吏守丞以政令得失，或對言前膠東相成偽自增加，以蒙顯賞，是後俗吏多為虛名云。 |
| | Wang Cheng was a native of an unknown commandery. He served as prime minister (xiang) of Jiaodong and governed with great reputation. Emperor Xuan was the first to commend him. In the third year of Dijie, he issued an edict: "I have heard that if those with merit are not rewarded and those who commit crimes are not punished, even Tang and Yu could not transform the realm." "Now, Xiang Cheng of Jiaodong has labored tirelessly; more than 80,000 displaced people have voluntarily registered as residents. His administration has achieved extraordinary results." "Therefore, I shall bestow upon Cheng the title of Guannei Hou and grant him a rank equivalent to Zhong Erqianshi." Before he could be summoned for further appointment, he died in office due to illness. Later, an imperial decree was issued ordering the prime minister and chief censor to inquire into local officials in commanderies and states regarding their administrative successes or failures. Some responded by saying that former Xiang Cheng of Jiaodong had falsely inflated figures to gain a prominent reward. After this, many worldly officials began seeking empty reputations.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
黃霸字次公，淮陽陽夏人也，以豪桀役使徙雲陵。霸少學律令，喜為吏，武帝末以待詔入錢賞官，補侍郎謁者，坐同產有罪劾免。後復入穀沈黎郡，補左馮翊二百石卒史。馮翊以霸入財為官，不署右職，使領郡錢穀計。簿書正，以廉稱，察補河東均輸長，復察廉為河南太守丞。霸為人明察內敏，又習文法，然溫良有讓，足知，善御眾。為丞，處議當於法，合人心，太守甚任之，吏民愛敬焉。 |
| | Huang Ba, courtesy name Cigong, was a native of Yangxia, Huaiyang. He was relocated to Yunling due to his status as a powerful and unruly figure who had used his influence to dominate others. Huang Ba studied legal codes from a young age and was fond of becoming an official. At the end of Emperor Wu's reign, he entered government service through a monetary contribution under the system for those awaiting imperial appointment, and was appointed as a Shilang Yezhe (attendant officer). However, he was impeached and dismissed due to his relative committing a crime. Later, he again contributed grain to the Shenli Commandery and was appointed as an officer of 200 dan salary in Zuofengyi. Fengyi appointed Huang Ba to a post based on his financial contribution, but did not assign him an important position; instead, he was put in charge of the commandery's grain and money accounts. Huang Ba maintained orderly records, and was praised for his integrity; he was selected to serve as Junshuchang (officer in charge of equal transport) in Hedong. He was again recommended for his clean conduct and appointed as governor's deputy in Henan Commandery. Huang Ba was a man of keen insight and inner sensitivity, well-versed in literary and legal matters; yet he was warm-hearted, kind, and courteous. He possessed sufficient wisdom and skill at managing people. As a deputy official, he rendered judgments in accordance with the law and in harmony with public sentiment; the governor greatly trusted him, and officials and people alike loved and respected him.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
自武帝末，用法深。昭帝立，幼，大將軍霍光秉政，大臣爭權，上官桀等與燕王謀作亂，光既誅之，遂遵武帝法度，以刑罰痛繩群下，繇是俗吏上嚴酷以為能，而霸獨用寬和為名。 |
| | Since the end of Emperor Wu's reign, legal enforcement had become severe. When Emperor Zhao ascended the throne, he was young, and Grand General Huo Guang held power. High-ranking officials vied for authority; Shangguan Jie and others conspired with Prince Yan to rebel. After Huo Guang crushed them, he strictly adhered to Emperor Wu's legal codes, using harsh punishments to discipline subordinates. As a result, worldly officials valued severity as a mark of ability, yet Huang Ba alone gained fame for his leniency and gentleness.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
會宣帝即位，在民間時知百姓苦吏急也，聞霸持法平，召以為廷尉正，數決疑獄，庭中稱平。守丞相長史，坐公卿大議廷中知長信少府夏侯勝非議詔書大不敬，霸阿從不舉劾，皆下廷尉，繫獄當死。霸因從勝受尚書獄中，再隃冬，積三歲乃出，語在勝傳。勝出，復為諫大夫，令左馮翊宋畸舉霸賢良。勝又口薦霸於上，上擢霸為揚州刺史。三歲，宣帝下詔曰：「制詔御史：其以賢良高第揚州刺史霸為潁川太守，秩比二千石，居官賜車蓋，特高一丈，別駕主簿車，緹油屏泥於軾前，以章有德。」 |
| | When Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, having known from his time among the common people how oppressive officials could be to the populace, he heard of Huang Ba's fair application of law and summoned him to serve as Tingwei Zheng (a senior official in the Supreme Court). Huang Ba frequently resolved doubtful cases, and was praised within the court for fairness. While serving as acting prime minister's chief clerk, he was implicated in a major court debate where the Grand Commanders and ministers discussed that Huang Ba had known of Xiahou Sheng, the Shaofu of Changxin Palace, who had criticized an imperial decree as grossly disrespectful. Huang Ba had not reported or impeached him. As a result, both were sent to the Supreme Court, imprisoned, and sentenced to death. While in prison, Huang Ba studied the Shangshu (Book of Documents) under Xiahou Sheng. He endured two winters and spent a total of three years before being released; this account is recorded in Xiahou Sheng's biography. After Xiahou Sheng was released, Huang Ba once again served as a Jiance Fu (Censor). Left Fengyi Song Ji recommended him under the system of recommending virtuous and literary men. Xiahou Sheng also personally recommended Huang Ba to the emperor, who then promoted him to cishi (provincial inspector) of Yangzhou. After three years, Emperor Xuan issued an edict: "Imperial decree to the chief censor: Appoint Huang Ba, the Yangzhou cishi who ranked highest in the virtuous and literary recommendation system, as Taishou of Yingchuan. Grant him a salary rank equivalent to Erqianshi. When he assumes office, bestow on him an official carriage with a canopy one chi higher than usual, a special chariot for the chief clerk, and crimson oil screens placed in front of the carriage's crossbar, so as to honor those with virtue."
|
| | 循吏傳: |
時上垂意於治，數下恩澤詔書，吏不奉宣。太守霸為選擇良吏，分部宣布詔令，令民咸知上意。使郵亭鄉官皆畜雞豚，以贍鰥寡貧窮者，然後為條教，置父老師帥伍長，班行之於民間，勸以為善防姦之意，及務耕桑，節用殖財，種樹畜養，去食穀馬。米鹽靡密，初若煩碎，然霸精力能推行之。吏民見者，語次尋繹，問它陰伏，以相參考。嘗欲有所司察，擇長年廉吏遣行，屬令周密。吏出，不敢舍郵亭，食於道旁，烏攫其肉。民有欲詣府口言事者適見之，霸與語道此。後日吏還謁霸，霸見迎勞之，曰：「甚苦！食於道旁乃為烏所盜肉。」吏大驚，以霸具知其起居，所問豪氂不敢有所隱。鰥寡孤獨有死無以葬者，鄉部書言，霸具為區處，某所大木可以為棺，某亭豬子可以祭，吏往皆如言。其識事聰明如此，吏民不知所出，咸稱神明。姦人去入它郡，盜賊日少。 |
| | At that time, the emperor was deeply concerned about governance and frequently issued edicts of grace and favor; however, officials failed to properly convey or implement them. Governor Huang Ba selected capable local officials, assigned them in different districts to proclaim the imperial decrees, ensuring that all the people understood the emperor's intentions. He ordered post stations and local officials to raise chickens and pigs in order to support widows, the poor, and those without means. He then issued regulations, appointing fathers, elders, leaders of five-house units (wuzhang), and distributed them among the people. These measures encouraged moral conduct and crime prevention, as well as promoted farming, sericulture, frugality, wealth accumulation, tree planting, animal husbandry, and discouraged feeding grain to horses for food. These matters of rice, salt, and other minute details initially seemed trivial and burdensome; however, Huang Ba was energetic and capable of implementing them effectively. Officials and people who observed these measures would discuss and analyze them in detail, asking about other hidden matters to cross-reference and verify information. When he wished to investigate or supervise certain affairs, he would select experienced and upright officials to carry out the task, giving them detailed instructions. The officials sent on these missions dared not stay at post stations; they ate by the roadside, where crows would snatch their meat. A local resident who wished to visit the governor's office to speak in person happened to see this and spoke of it with Huang Ba. On a later day, when the official returned to pay respects to Huang Ba, Huang Ba met him and expressed concern, saying: "It must have been very hard!" "Eating by the roadside was so difficult that even crows stole your meat." The official was greatly startled, realizing that Huang Ba knew all about his journey and daily activities. As a result, he dared not conceal even the smallest detail when questioned. For widows, orphans, and the destitute who died without means for burial, local officials would report to Huang Ba. He would then personally arrange details, specifying which large trees could be used for coffins and which post station's piglets could serve as sacrifices. Officials sent on these tasks always found everything exactly as he had described. His ability to manage affairs with such keen insight was so remarkable that officials and people alike were amazed, unable to fathom how he knew all these things. They universally praised him as a man of divine wisdom. Criminals fled to other commanderies; day by day, the number of thieves and bandits decreased.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
霸力行教化而後誅罰，務在成就全安長吏。許丞老，病聾，督郵白欲逐之，霸曰：「許丞廉吏，雖老，尚能拜起送迎，正頗重聽，何傷？且善助之，毋失賢者意。」或問其故，霸曰：「數易長吏，送故迎新之費及姦吏緣絕簿書盜財物，公私費耗甚多，皆當出於民，所易新吏又未必賢，或不如其故，徒相益為亂。凡治道，去其泰甚者耳。」 |
| | Huang Ba emphasized moral instruction before resorting to punishment, always striving to cultivate capable and upright officials for the long term. The chief clerk of Xu was old and had become deaf. The postal supervisor reported to Huang Ba, suggesting that he should be dismissed. Huang Ba said: "Cheng of Xu is an upright official; although he is old, he can still bow in and out when receiving guests. His hearing may be somewhat impaired, but what harm does that do?" "Moreover, you should assist him well; do not lose the goodwill of a virtuous man." Someone asked him the reason, and Huang Ba replied: "Frequent changes of officials lead to great expenses for sending off the old and welcoming the new. Moreover, corrupt officials may take advantage of incomplete records or documents to steal public property, causing heavy losses both publicly and privately—these costs must ultimately be borne by the people. The newly appointed official is not necessarily virtuous; he might even be worse than his predecessor. This only adds to disorder." In general, governance merely requires removing those who are excessively corrupt or extreme."
|
| | 循吏傳: |
霸以外寬內明得吏民心，戶口歲增，治為天下第一。徵守京兆尹，秩二千石。坐發民治馳道不先以聞，又發騎士詣北軍馬不適士，劾乏軍興，連貶秩。有詔歸潁川太守官，以八百石居治如其前。前後八年，郡中愈治。是時鳳皇神爵數集郡國，潁川尤多。天子以霸治行終長者，下詔稱揚曰：「穎川太守霸，宣布詔令，百姓鄉化，孝子弟弟貞婦順孫日以眾多，田者讓畔，道不拾遺，養視鰥寡，贍助貧窮，獄或八年亡重罪囚，吏民鄉于教化，興於行誼，可謂賢人君子矣。書不云乎？『股肱良哉！』其賜爵關內侯，黃金百斤，秩中二千石。」而潁川孝弟有行義民、三老、力田，皆以差賜爵及帛。後數月，徵霸為太子太傅，遷御史大夫。 |
| | Huang Ba won the hearts of officials and people through outward leniency and inner clarity. The population increased every year, and his administration was considered number one in the empire. He was summoned to serve as Jingzhao Yin (governor of Jingzhao), with a salary rank of Erqianshi. He was impeached for mobilizing the people to build a fast road without first reporting it, and also for sending cavalrymen with horses unsuitable for soldiers. He was charged with failing in military preparations and consequently demoted multiple times. An imperial decree later restored him to his former post as Taishou of Yingchua, with a salary rank reduced to 800 dan, but he governed just as effectively as before. For eight years in total, the commandery became even better governed. At that time, phoenixes and divine jiaq birds frequently gathered in various commanderies and states; Yingchuan had the most of them. The emperor, recognizing Huang Ba's long-term virtuous governance, issued an edict praising him: "Governor Huang Ba of Yingchuan has proclaimed imperial decrees and guided the people toward moral transformation. Filial sons, fraternal younger brothers, chaste wives, and obedient grandchildren have grown in number day by day; farmers yield their field boundaries to each other, and lost items are not picked up on roadsides. Widows and orphans are cared for, and the poor receive support. Some prisons have gone eight years without a serious criminal prisoner. Officials and people alike respond to moral instruction and uphold proper conduct—this is indeed what can be called a virtuous gentleman." Is this not recorded in the Book of Documents? "Good indeed are the loyal ministers!" "Therefore, I shall bestow on him the title of Guannei Hou, grant him 100 jin of gold, and raise his rank to Zhong Erqianshi." Filial sons, fraternal brothers with virtuous conduct, exemplary commoners, Sanlao (three elders), and agricultural laborers in Yingchuan were all awarded titles or silk according to their merits. Several months later, Huang Ba was summoned to serve as Taifu of the Crown Prince and later promoted to chief censor (Yushi Daifu).
|
| | 循吏傳: |
五鳳三年，代丙吉為丞相，封建成侯，食邑六百戶。霸材長於治民，及為丞相，總綱紀號令，風采不及丙、魏、于定國，功名損於治郡。時京兆尹張敞舍鶡雀飛集丞相府，霸以為神雀，議欲以聞。敞奏霸曰：「竊見丞相請與中二千石博士雜問郡國上計長吏守丞，為民興利除害成大化條其對，有耕者讓畔，男女異路，道不拾遺，及舉孝子弟弟貞婦者為一輩，先上殿，舉而不知其人數者次之，不為條教者在後叩頭謝。丞相雖口不言，而心欲其為之也。長吏守丞對時，臣敞舍有鶡雀飛止丞相府屋上，丞相以下見者數百人。邊吏多知鶡雀者，問之，皆陽不知。丞相圖議上奏曰：『臣問上計長吏守丞以興化條，皇天報下神雀。』後知從臣敞舍來，乃止。郡國吏竊笑丞相仁厚有知略，微信奇怪也。昔汲黯為淮陽守，辭去之官，謂大行李息曰：『御史大夫張湯懷詐阿意，以傾朝廷，公不早白，與俱受戮矣。』息畏湯，終不敢言。後湯誅敗，上聞黯與息語，乃抵息罪而秩黯諸侯相，取其思竭忠也。臣敞非敢毀丞相也，誠恐群臣莫白，而長吏守丞畏丞相指，歸舍法令，各為私教，務相增加，澆淳散樸，並行偽貌，有名亡實，傾搖解怠，甚者為妖。假令京師先行讓畔異路，道不拾遺，其實亡益廉貪貞淫之行，而以偽先天下，固未可也；即諸侯先行之，偽聲軼於京師，非細事也。漢家承敝通變，造起律令，所以勸善禁姦，條貫詳備，不可復加。宜令貴臣明飭長吏守丞，歸告二千石，舉三老孝弟力田孝廉廉吏務得其人，郡事皆以義法令撿式，毋得擅為條教；敢挾詐偽以奸名譽者，必先受戮，以正明好惡。」天子嘉納敞言，召上計吏，使侍中臨飭如敞指意。霸甚慚。 |
| | In the third year of Wufeng, he succeeded Bing Ji as prime minister and was enfeoffed as Hou of Jiancheng with a fief of 600 households. Huang Ba's talents were particularly suited to governing the people; however, when he became prime minister and took charge of overarching policies and decrees, his abilities did not match those of Bing Ji, Wei, or Yu Dingguo. His reputation suffered in comparison with his achievements as a local governor. At that time, when the phoenix-like Hese quail flew from Jingzhao Yin Zhang Chang's residence to gather at the prime minister's mansion, Huang Ba considered it a divine bird and proposed to report this event to the emperor. Zhang Chang submitted a memorial to Huang Ba: "I secretly observed that the prime minister has requested, together with Zhong Erqianshi and imperial scholars, to question local officials who submit annual reports from commanderies and states. The purpose is to promote benefits for the people and eliminate harm in order to achieve great moral transformation. They have categorized their responses into groups: those mentioning farmers yielding field boundaries, men and women walking on separate roads, no one picking up lost items on the road, as well as those recommending filial sons, fraternal brothers, and chaste wives are considered a superior group and brought before the court first; those who recommend but do not know the exact numbers come next; and those who have not implemented moral instruction must kneel at the back to apologize." Although the prime minister does not speak of it openly, he desires that these measures be carried out in his heart. When the local officials and deputy governors answered questions, my residence had a Hese quail fly and perch on the prime minister's mansion roof; hundreds of people below the prime minister saw this. Many border officials knew about Hese quails, and when asked, they all pretended not to know. Huang Ba submitted a report after deliberation: "I inquired of the local officials submitting annual reports about measures to promote moral transformation, and Heaven responded by sending down divine Hese quails." Later, when it was discovered that they had come from Zhang Chang's residence, the matter was dropped. Local officials secretly laughed at the prime minister for being kind-hearted yet shrewd, and found it strange that such a thing had occurred. In the past, Ji An served as governor of Huaiyang and, before leaving for his post, said to Daixi Li Xi: "Yushi Daifu Zhang Tang is deceitful and flatters imperial will; he has already undermined the court. If you do not report this soon, you will share in the punishment." Li Xi feared Zhang Tang and never dared to speak out. Later, when Zhang Tang was punished for his crimes, the emperor learned of Ji An's conversation with Li Xi and thus held Li Xi accountable while promoting Ji An to a position equivalent to that of a marquis' prime minister, in recognition of his loyal concern. Minister Zhang Chang is not daring to denounce the prime minister, but sincerely fears that no officials will speak out, and local magistrates and deputy governors will fear the prime minister's authority, abandoning laws and regulations in their offices, each establishing private moral instruction, striving to add more, corrupting simplicity and scattering purity, promoting hypocrisy together, having names without substance, causing instability and slackness, with the worst cases becoming omens of disaster. Even if the capital city first practiced yielding field boundaries and separate roads for men and women, or achieved a road where nothing was picked up by others, in reality it would not improve the conduct of the upright or corrupt, the chaste or licentious; yet promoting hypocrisy before the realm is certainly unacceptable. If feudal lords first practiced this, their false reputation would surpass that of the capital city; it is no trivial matter. The Han dynasty inherited from past ills and adapted to changes, establishing laws and decrees in order to encourage virtue and restrain evildoers. These regulations are detailed and comprehensive; they cannot be further added to. Noble ministers should clearly instruct local officials and deputy magistrates to return and inform the two-thousand-dan officials, recommending three elders, filial sons and fraternal brothers, diligent farmers, virtuous and clean officials—ensuring that those selected are truly worthy. All matters in the commanderies must be handled according to moral principles and legal precedents; no one is allowed to arbitrarily issue moral instructions. Those who dare to use deceit and hypocrisy to falsify reputations must be punished first, in order to clearly establish what is good and evil." The Son of Heaven praised and accepted Zhang Chang's words. He summoned the officials submitting annual reports and ordered Attendant-in-Ordinary to supervise them according to Zhang Chang's instructions. Huang Ba was greatly ashamed.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
又樂陵侯史高以外屬舊恩侍中貴重，霸薦高可太尉。天子使尚書召問霸：「太尉官罷久矣，丞相兼之，所以偃武興文也。如國家不虞，邊境有事，左右之臣皆將率也。夫宣明教化，通達幽隱，使獄無冤刑，邑無盜賊，君之職也。將相之官，朕之任焉。侍中樂陵侯高帷幄近臣，朕之所自親，君何越職而舉之？」尚書令受丞相對，霸免冠謝罪，數日乃決。自是後不敢復有所請。然自漢興，言治民吏，以霸為首。 |
| | Also, Leling Hou Shi Gao, due to his status as a relative by marriage and old favor, held the position of Attendant-in-Ordinary with great prestige; Huang Ba recommended that Gao be appointed as Taiwei. The Son of Heaven ordered the Shangshu to summon Huang Ba and ask, "The office of Taiwei has long been abolished; it is now combined with that of prime minister in order to suppress military affairs and promote civil governance. If the state encounters unforeseen difficulties or there are matters at the borders, all ministers around the throne will serve as generals." To proclaim moral instruction and clarify hidden matters, ensuring that no innocent person is wrongly punished in the courts and that there are no thieves or robbers in the towns—this is your duty as a minister." The offices of general and prime minister are entrusted to me by Heaven. Attendant-in-Ordinary Leling Hou Gao is a close court official in the imperial tent, one I have personally trusted. Why has your minister overstepped his duty to recommend him?" The Minister of the Secretariat received Huang Ba's response as prime minister. Huang Ba removed his hat and apologized for his crime, and it took several days before the matter was resolved. From then on, he dared not make any further requests. Yet since the founding of the Han dynasty, among officials who spoke about governing the people, Huang Ba was considered first in ability.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
為丞相五歲，甘露三年薨，諡曰定侯。霸死後，樂陵侯高竟為大司馬。霸子思侯賞嗣，為關都尉。薨，子忠侯輔嗣，至衛尉九卿。薨，子忠嗣侯，訖王莽乃絕。子孫為吏二千石者五六人。 |
| | He served as prime minister for five years and died in Ganlu 3 (July 15, 50 AD), posthumously honored with the title "Ding Hou." After Huang Ba's death, Leling Hou Gao eventually became Daisima. Huang Ba's son Sihou Shang succeeded him and served as Guan Commandery 尉 (commander of the Guan region). After his death, his son Zhonghou Fu succeeded him and rose to the position of Weiwei among the Nine Ministers. After his death, his son became Zhongsihou; the title line continued until Wang Mang's time when it was extinguished. Five or six of his descendants held official posts as two-thousand-dan magistrates.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
始霸少為陽夏游徼，與善相人者共載出，見一婦人，相者言「此婦人當富貴，不然，相書不可用也。」霸推問之，乃其鄉里巫家女也。霸即取為妻，與之終身。為丞相後徙杜陵。 |
| | Originally, Huang Ba had been a Youjiao of Yangxia when he was young. Once, while traveling together with an expert in physiognomy, they saw a woman; the fortune-teller said, "This woman will become rich and noble; otherwise, our books on face-reading are useless." Huang Ba inquired further and found out that she was a girl from the home of a witch in his own hometown. Huang Ba immediately took her as his wife, and they remained together for life. After becoming prime minister, he moved to Dulang.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
朱邑字仲卿，廬江舒人也。少時為舒桐鄉嗇夫，廉平不苛，以愛利為行，未嘗笞辱人，存問耆老孤寡，遇之有恩，所部吏民愛敬焉。遷補太守卒史，舉賢良為大司農丞，遷北海太守，以治行第一入為大司農。為人淳厚，篤於故舊，然性公正，不可交以私。天子器之，朝延敬焉。 |
| | Zhu Yi, courtesy name Zhongqing, was a native of Shu, Lujiang. When he was young, Zhu Yi served as a Sifu of Tongxiang in Shu. He governed with integrity and fairness without being harsh, conducting himself with love and concern for the people's welfare. He never used caning or humiliation; he visited and cared for elderly men and women and widows and orphans, treating them with kindness. The officials and commoners under his jurisdiction loved and respected him. He was promoted to fill the position of Tai Shou Cushi, and through the recommendation of xianliang (virtuous and capable men), he became a Cheng of Dasi Nong. He later advanced to become governor of Beihai, and due to his first-place performance in governance, he entered court service as Dasi Nong. He was a sincere and kind man who remained loyal to old friends; however, his nature was upright and impartial, so he could not be swayed by private interests. The Son of Heaven valued him highly, and the court respected him.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
是時張敞為膠東相，與邑書曰：「明主游心太古，廣延茂士，此誠忠臣謁思之時也。直敞遠守劇郡，馭於繩墨，匈臆約結，固亡奇也。雖有，亦安所施？足下以清明之德，掌周稷之業，猶飢者甘糟糠，穰歲餘粱肉。何則？有亡之勢異也。昔陳平雖賢，須魏倩而後進；韓信雖奇，賴蕭公而後信。故事各達其時之英俊，若必伊尹、呂望而後薦之，則此人不因足下而進矣。」邑感敞言，貢薦賢士大夫，多得其助者。身為列卿，居處儉節，祿賜以共九族鄉黨，家亡餘財。 |
| | At that time, Zhang Chang was the prime minister of Jiaodong and wrote to Zhu Yi: "The enlightened ruler is devoted to the ideals of ancient times and widely invites outstanding men; this truly is a time for loyal ministers to present their thoughts. "Zhang Chang, however, governs from afar in a difficult commandery, bound by rules and regulations. My heart is constrained and tied up; indeed, I have no extraordinary achievements. Even if there were any, where could they be applied?" You, with your clear and virtuous character, hold the duties of Zhou Ji; it is like a hungry man content with bran and chaff, while in times of abundance there are more than enough rice and meat. Why is that? Because the circumstances of having or lacking are different. In the past, Chen Ping was indeed virtuous, but he needed Wei Qian to recommend him before advancing; Han Xin, though extraordinary, relied on Xiao Gong for recognition and trust. "Therefore, each story reaches the outstanding men of its time; if one must wait for someone like Yi Yin or Jiang Taigong before recommending them, then these people would not have advanced through you." Zhu Yi was moved by Zhang Chang's words and recommended virtuous scholars and officials, many of whom received his assistance. Though he held the rank of one of the Nine Ministers, Zhu Yi lived a simple and frugal life. His salary and imperial gifts were used to support his extended family and fellow townspeople; there was no surplus wealth in his household.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
神爵元年卒。天子閔惜，下詔稱揚曰：「大司農邑，廉潔守節，退食自公，亡彊外之交，束脩之餽，可謂淑人君子。遭離凶災，朕甚閔之。其賜邑子黃金百斤，以奉其祭祀。」 |
| | He died in the first year of Shenjue (June 10, 57 AD). The Son of Heaven felt pity and regret, issuing an edict to praise him: "Dasi Nong Zhu Yi was clean and upright, observing his principles. He withdrew from official meals for the public good, had no strong external connections or bribes in the form of gifts; he can truly be called a virtuous gentleman. He encountered misfortune and calamity; I feel deeply sorry for him." Therefore, grant his son a hundred jin of gold to support the family's ancestral sacrifices."
|
| | 循吏傳: |
初邑病且死，屬其子曰：「我故為桐鄉吏，其民愛我，必葬我桐鄉。後世子孫奉嘗我，不如桐鄉民。」及死，其子葬之桐鄉西郭外，民果然共為邑起冢立祠，歲時祠祭，至今不絕。 |
| | Initially, when Zhu Yi was ill and near death, he entrusted his son with these words: "I once served as an official in Tongxiang; the people there loved me. I must be buried in Tongxiang. Future generations of my descendants will not honor and remember me as well as the people of Tongxiang." After his death, his son buried him outside the western suburbs of Tongxiang. Indeed, the people jointly built a tomb and established a shrine for Zhu Yi; they offered sacrifices at seasonal intervals, and this tradition has continued without interruption to this day.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
龔遂字少卿，山陽南平陽人也。以明經為官，至昌邑郎中令，事王賀。賀動作多不正，遂為人忠厚，剛毅有大節，內諫爭於王，外責傅相，引經義，陳禍福，至於涕泣，蹇蹇亡已。面刺王過，王至掩耳起走，曰「郎中令善媿人。」及國中皆畏憚焉。王嘗久與騶奴宰人游戲飲食，賞賜亡度，遂入見王，涕泣膝行，左右侍御皆出涕。王曰：「郎中令何為哭？」遂曰：「臣痛社稷危也！願賜清閒竭愚。」王辟左右，遂曰：「大王知膠西王所以為無道亡乎？」王曰：「不知也。」曰：「臣聞膠西王有諛臣侯得，王所為儗於桀紂也，得以為堯舜也。王說其諂諛，嘗與寑處，唯得所言，以至於是。今大王親近群小，漸漬邪惡所習，存亡之機，不可不慎也。臣請選郎通經術有行義者與王起居，坐則誦詩書，立則習禮容，宜有益。」王許之。遂乃選郎中張安等十人侍王。居數日，王皆去逐安等。久之，宮中數有妖怪，王以問遂，遂以為有大憂，宮室將空，語在昌邑王傳。會昭帝崩，亡子，昌邑王賀嗣立，官屬皆徵入。王相安樂遷長樂衛尉，遂見安樂，流涕謂曰：「王立為天子，日益驕溢，諫之不復聽，今哀痛未盡，日與近臣飲食作樂，鬥虎豹，召皮軒，車九流，驅馳東西，所為誖道。古制寬，大臣有隱退，今去不得，陽狂恐知，身死為世戮，奈何？君，陛下故相，宜極諫爭。」王即位二十七日，卒以淫亂廢。昌邑群臣坐陷王於惡不道，皆誅，死者二百餘人，唯遂與中尉王陽以數諫爭得減死，髡為城旦。 |
| | Gong Sui, courtesy name Shaoqing, was a native of Nanpingyang, Shanyang. He began his official career through the examination on Confucian classics and eventually became Langzhongling of Changyi, serving King Wang He. King Wang He's actions were often improper. Gong Sui was a loyal and upright man, firm and resolute with great integrity; he advised the king internally, reprimanded his attendants and ministers externally, citing Confucian principles to explain blessings and misfortunes, even shedding tears in earnest remonstration, persistently and unceasingly. He openly rebuked the king's faults; so incensed was King Wang that he covered his ears and ran away, saying, "The Langzhongling is good at making people feel ashamed." And all within the kingdom came to fear and respect him. Once, King Wang spent a long time playing and feasting with his attendants and cooks without restraint. Gong Sui entered to see the king, weeping bitterly as he crawled forward on his knees; those around him in attendance also shed tears. King Wang asked, "Why is the Langzhongling crying?" Gong Sui replied, "I weep for the danger to our state! May I be granted a moment of quiet to offer my humble advice?" King Wang dismissed his attendants, and Gong Sui said, "Does Your Majesty know why the King of Jiaoxi became a tyrant and perished?" The king replied, "I do not." Gong Sui said: "I have heard that the King of Jiaoxi had a flatterer named Hou De. Whatever the king did, even if it resembled Jie or Zhou, Hou De praised him as Yao or Shun. The king was pleased with his flattery and often slept in the same room with him, accepting only what Hou De said, which eventually led to this outcome. Now, Your Majesty is close to a group of petty men and gradually becomes immersed in evil influences; the turning point between survival and destruction cannot be approached carelessly. I respectfully request that Your Majesty select attendants who are well-versed in Confucian classics and virtuous conduct to accompany you daily. When seated, they will recite the Classic of Poetry and Book of Documents; when standing, they will practice proper etiquette. This should be beneficial." The king agreed. Gong Sui then selected Langzhong Zhang An and ten others to serve the king. After several days, King Wang dismissed and drove away Zhang An and his group. After a long time, there were frequent omens of misfortune in the palace. King Wang asked Gong Sui about them; Gong Sui believed great calamity was coming and that the palace would soon be empty—this account is recorded in the biography of King Changyi. At this time, Emperor Zhao died without an heir; King Wang He was to succeed him as emperor, and all his officials were summoned into the capital. The king's prime minister, Anle, was transferred to become the Weiwei of Changle. Gong Sui met with Anle and wept as he said: "Now that King He has been enthroned as emperor, his arrogance grows daily; when I advised him, he no longer listens. Even before mourning for Emperor Zhao is complete, he already indulges in feasting and music with his close attendants, fights tigers and leopards, summons carriages of fine leather, drives them in all directions, and behaves in ways that defy the moral path. "In ancient times, the system was lenient; ministers of high rank could quietly retire if they wished. Now we cannot leave without permission. Pretending madness is feared to be discovered, and death would bring disgrace for all time—what can we do?" "You are the former prime minister of the late emperor; you should strongly remonstrate." After ascending the throne for twenty-seven days, King He was ultimately deposed due to licentiousness and disorder. The officials of Changyi were punished for having led the king into wickedness and immorality, and more than two hundred were executed. Only Gong Sui and the Zhongwei Wang Yang avoided execution due to their repeated remonstrations; they were instead sentenced to 髡刑 (shaving of hair) and assigned to labor as Chengdan convicts.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
宣帝即位，久之，渤海左右郡歲飢，盜賊並起，二千石不能禽制。上選能治者，丞相御史舉遂可用，上以為渤海太守。時遂年七十餘，召見，形貌短小，宣帝望見，不副所聞，心內輕焉，謂遂曰：「渤海廢亂，朕甚憂之。君欲何以息其盜賊，以稱朕意？」遂對曰：「海瀕遐遠，不霑聖化，其民困於飢寒而吏不恤，故使陛下赤子盜弄陛下之兵於潢池中耳。今欲使臣勝之邪，將安之也？」上聞遂對，甚說，答曰：「選用賢良，固欲安之也。」遂曰：「臣聞治亂民猶治亂繩，不可急也；唯緩之，然後可治。臣願丞相御史且無拘臣以文法，得一切便宜從事。」上許焉，加賜黃金，贈遣乘傳。至渤海界，郡聞新太守至，發兵以迎，遂皆遣還，移書敕屬縣悉罷逐捕盜賊吏。諸持鉏鉤田器者皆為良民，吏無得問，持兵者乃為盜賊。遂單車獨行至府，郡中翕然，盜賊亦皆罷。渤海又多劫略相隨，聞遂教令，即時解散，棄其兵弩而持鉤鉏。盜賊於是悉平，民安土樂業。遂乃開倉廩假貧民，選用良吏，尉安牧養焉。 |
| | After Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, after a long time, surrounding commanderies of Bohai suffered from annual famines and bandits arose simultaneously; two-thousand-dan magistrates could not suppress them. The emperor sought a capable official to manage the situation, and the prime minister and Yushi Daifu recommended Gong Sui as suitable. The emperor appointed him governor of Bohai. At that time, Gong Sui was over seventy years old. When summoned for an audience, he appeared short and unimpressive in appearance. Emperor Xuan saw him and felt his looks did not match the reputation; inwardly, he looked down on him. He said to Gong Sui: "Bohai is in chaos, and I am greatly concerned about it. What measures do you intend to take to quell the bandits and satisfy my expectations?" Gong Sui replied: "The Bohai region is remote and distant, not yet touched by the emperor's virtue. Its people suffer from hunger and cold while officials show no concern; thus, they have become bandits playing with Your Majesty's soldiers in shallow pools." "Now, does Your Majesty wish me to defeat them by force or pacify them?" The emperor was pleased upon hearing Gong Sui's response and replied, "Selecting virtuous officials is precisely to pacify the people." Gong Sui said: "I have heard that governing a disorderly people is like untangling a knotted rope; it cannot be done in haste; Only by proceeding gently can order be restored. I respectfully request that the prime minister and Yushi Dafu not bind me with legal formalities, so I may act as circumstances require." The emperor agreed. He bestowed additional gold and sent him off in a state-provided carriage. Upon arriving at the Bohai border, the commandery heard that the new governor had arrived and sent out troops to greet him. Gong Sui dismissed them all and issued a letter ordering every county under his jurisdiction to stop pursuing bandits with their officials. Those carrying farming tools such as hoes and sickles are all good citizens; officials must not question them. Only those holding weapons are considered bandits. Gong Sui traveled alone in a single carriage to the governor's office, and the entire commandery responded with calm. The bandits also ceased their activities. Bohai had many robbers who traveled together; upon hearing Gong Sui's orders, they immediately dispersed and abandoned their weapons for hoes and sickles. The bandits were thus completely pacified, and the people found peace in their land and joy in their work. Gong Sui then opened the granaries to lend grain to poor people, selected capable officials, and comforted and nurtured the populace.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
遂見齊俗奢侈，好末技，不田作，乃躬率以儉約，勸民務農桑，令口種一樹榆、百本筹、五十本蔥、一畦韭，家二母彘、五雞。民有帶持刀劍者，使賣劍買牛，賣刀買犢，曰：「何為帶牛佩犢！」春夏不得不趨田畝，秋冬課收斂，益蓄困實蔆芡。勞來循行，郡中皆有畜積，吏民皆富實。獄訟止息。 |
| | Gong Sui observed that the people of Qi were extravagant, fond of trivial skills, and did not engage in farming. He personally led by example with frugality, encouraging the people to focus on agriculture and sericulture, ordering each household to plant one elm tree, a hundred clumps of flax, fifty bunches of scallions, and one bed of leeks, as well as keep two female pigs and five chickens per family. For those villagers who carried swords or knives, he ordered them to sell their swords and buy oxen, sell their knives and buy calves, saying: "Why carry a sword when you could wear an ox?!" In spring and summer they were required to work the fields, while in autumn and winter their harvests were assessed; additionally, they accumulated more stored food such as chestnuts, lotus seeds, and water caltrops. Through diligent efforts and regular inspections, the entire commandery had accumulated reserves; both officials and commoners became wealthy and prosperous. Litigation in the courts ceased entirely.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
數年，上遣使者徵遂，議曹王生願從。功曹以為王生素耆酒，亡節度，不可使。遂不忍逆，從至京師。王生日飲酒，不視太守。會遂引入宮，王生醉，從後呼，曰：「明府且止，願有所白。」遂還問其故，王生曰：「天子即問君何以治渤海，君不可有所陳對，宜曰『皆聖主之德，非小臣之力也』。」遂受其言。既至前，上果問以治狀，遂對如王生言。天子說其有讓，笑曰：「君安得長者之言而稱之？」遂因前曰：「臣非知此，乃臣議曹教戒臣也。」上以遂年老不任公卿，拜為水衡都尉，議曹王生為水衡丞，以褒顯遂云。水衡典上林禁苑，共張宮館，為宗廟取牲，官職親近，上甚重之，以官壽卒。 |
| | After several years, the emperor sent an envoy to summon Gong Sui, and Yicai Wang Sheng wished to accompany him. The Gongcao Office considered that Wang Sheng had always been fond of alcohol and lacked restraint, so they deemed it unwise to allow him to go. Gong Sui could not bear to refuse and allowed him to accompany him to the capital. Wang Sheng drank heavily every day and paid no attention to the governor. When Gong Sui was led into the palace, Wang Sheng was drunk and called out from behind, saying: "Your Honor, please stop for a moment; I wish to say something." Gong Sui returned to ask the reason, and Wang Sheng said: "If His Majesty asks you how you pacified Bohai, you must not offer any detailed response. You should say, 'It is all due to Your Majesty's virtue; it was not my own effort.'" Gong Sui accepted his advice. After arriving before the emperor, His Majesty indeed asked about the situation of governance, and Gong Sui responded as Wang Sheng had advised. The emperor was pleased by his humility and smiled, saying: "How did you come to hear the words of a senior gentleman and repeat them?" Gong Sui stepped forward and said, "I myself do not know this; it was my Yicai officer who instructed me." The emperor, considering Gong Sui too old to serve as a high-ranking official, appointed him Water Balance Duwei (Water Balancer), and Wang Sheng of the Yicai Office was made Water Balance Cheng (Deputy Water Balancer) in order to honor and commend Gong Sui. The Water Balance Office was in charge of the Shanglin Imperial Park, managing palace accommodations and providing sacrificial animals for ancestral temples. It was a position close to the emperor with important duties; the emperor held it in high esteem, and Gong Sui served until his death at an old age.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
召信臣字翁卿，九江壽春人也。以明經甲科為郎，出補穀陽長。舉高第，遷上蔡長。其治視民如子，所居見稱述。超為零陵太守，病歸。復徵為諫大夫，遷南陽太守，其治如上蔡。 |
| | Zhao Xinchén, courtesy name Wengqing, was a native of Shouchun, Jiuhuang. He entered government service as a Lang official through the Mingjing examination and later served as the magisterial officer (Chang) of Guyang. Recommended for his outstanding performance, he was promoted to magisterial officer of Shangcai. He governed with the people as his own children; wherever he served, he received praise and commendation. Later promoted to governor of Lingling, he resigned due to illness and returned home. He was again summoned to serve as Jian Daifu (Censor-in-Attendance) and later promoted to governor of Nanyang, where he governed in the same manner as during his time in Shangcai.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
信臣為人勤力有方略，好為民興利，務在富之。躬勸耕農，出入阡陌，止舍離鄉亭，稀有安居時。行視郡中水泉，開通溝瀆，起水門提閼凡數十處，以廣溉灌，歲歲增加，多至三萬頃。民得其利，畜積有餘。信臣為民作均水約束，刻石立於田畔，以防分爭。禁止嫁娶送終奢靡，務出於儉約。府縣吏家子弟好游敖，不以田作為事，輒斥罷之，甚者案其不法，以視好惡。其化大行，郡中莫不耕稼力田，百姓歸之，戶口增倍，盜賊獄訟衰止。吏民親愛信臣，號之曰召父。荊州刺史奏信臣為百姓興利，郡以殷富，賜黃金四十斤。遷河南太守，治行常為第一，復數增秩賜金。 |
| | Zhao Xinchén was a diligent and capable man with sound strategies; he loved to promote benefits for the people, always striving to enrich them. He personally encouraged farming and moved among the fields and paths; he stayed in temporary lodgings away from his hometown, rarely having time to rest at home. He personally inspected the water sources throughout the commandery, opened and connected irrigation ditches, and constructed dozens of sluices and dams to expand irrigation. Year by year, the irrigated land increased significantly, reaching as much as 300,000 mu at its peak. The people benefited from these improvements and had more than enough stored grain and resources. Zhao Xinchén created regulations for the equitable distribution of water, carved them on stone tablets, and erected them by the fields to prevent disputes. He prohibited extravagant customs in weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies, insisting that all be conducted with frugality. He dismissed the sons and younger relatives of local officials who were fond of idleness and did not take farming seriously, and in serious cases, he investigated their illegal activities to demonstrate his standards of right and wrong. His influence spread widely, and throughout the commandery no one failed to work diligently in farming. The people flocked to him; household numbers doubled, and banditry and litigation declined and ceased. Officials and commoners loved and trusted Zhao Xinchén deeply, calling him "Father Zhao." The Inspector of Jingzhou submitted a report praising Zhao Xinchén for promoting benefits to the people and enriching the commandery, and as a reward, he was granted 40 jin of gold. He was promoted to governor of Henan, where his administrative performance consistently ranked first; he received multiple promotions and additional gold rewards.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
竟寧中，徵為少府，列於九卿，奏請上林諸離遠宮館稀幸御者，勿復繕治共張，又奏省樂府黃門倡優諸戲，及宮館兵弩什器減過泰半。太官園種冬生蔥韭菜茹，覆以屋廡，晝夜然蘊火，待溫氣乃生，信臣以為此皆不時之物，有傷於人，不宜以奉供養，及它非法食物，悉奏罷，省費歲數千萬。信臣年老以官卒。 |
| | During the Jingning period, he was summoned to serve as Shaofu and ranked among the Nine Ministers. He submitted a proposal that distant palace lodges in Shanglin which were rarely visited by the emperor should no longer be maintained or prepared for use. Additionally, he recommended reducing the number of musicians, court entertainers, and theatrical performers under the Yuefu and Huangmen offices, as well as cutting military equipment and weapons at the palaces to more than half their previous levels. The Tai Guan gardens cultivated winter-grown leeks, chives, and herbs by covering them with sheds and burning smoldering fires day and night to maintain warmth for their growth. Zhao Xinchén considered these unnatural products harmful to people and inappropriate for imperial consumption; he also recommended abolishing other foods that violated regulations, thus saving millions of coins annually. Zhao Xinchén died in office at an old age.
|
| | 循吏傳: |
元始四年，詔書祀百辟卿士有益於民者，蜀郡以文翁，九江以召父應詔書。歲時郡二千石率官屬行禮，奉祠信臣冢，而南陽亦為立祠。 |
| | In the fourth year of Yuanshi, an imperial decree ordered sacrifices to be made for officials and ministers who had benefited the people. Shu Jun recommended Wen Weng, while Jiuhuang recommended Father Zhao in response to the decree. At regular intervals, the regional governor and his officials performed rituals at the tomb of Zhao Xinchén to honor him, while Nanyang also established a shrine in his name.
|
