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梁統字仲寧，安定烏氏人，晉大夫梁益耳，即其先也。統高祖父子都，自河東遷居北地，子都子橋，以貲千萬徙茂陵，至哀、平之末，歸安定。 |
| | Liang Tong, courtesy name Zhongning, was a native of Wu Shi, Ding An. Duke Liang Yier of the Jin dynasty was his ancestor. Liang Tong's great-grandfather, Fu Zidou, moved from Hedong to Beidi. Zidou's son Qiao relocated to Maoling with a fortune of ten thousand qian. By the end of the reigns of Emperor Ai and Emperor Ping, they returned to Ding'an.
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統性剛毅而好法律。初仕州郡。更始二年，召補中郎將，使安集涼州，拜酒泉太守。會更始敗，赤眉入長安，統與竇融及諸郡守起兵保境，謀共立帥。初以位次，咸共推統，統固辭曰：「昔陳嬰不受王者，以有老母也。今統內有尊親，又德薄能寡，誠不足以當之。」遂共推融為河西大將軍，更以統為武威太守。為政嚴猛，威行鄰郡。 |
| | Liang Tong was by nature resolute and fond of legal codes. He initially served in the state and commandery administrations. In the second year of Gengshi, he was summoned to serve as Zhonglangjiang and sent to pacify Liangzhou. He was then appointed Tai Shou (governor) of Jiuquan. When the Gengshi regime collapsed and the Chimei rebels entered Chang'an, Liang Tong, together with Dou Rong and the magistrates of various commanderies, raised troops to defend their territory and plotted to jointly appoint a leader. Initially, according to rank, they all recommended Liang Tong. He firmly declined, saying, "In the past, Chen Ying refused kingship because he had an elderly mother." "Now I have a respected relative at home and also possess little virtue or ability; indeed, I am truly unworthy of such an honor." They then jointly recommended Dou Rong as the Grand General of Hexi and appointed Liang Tong as Tai Shou (governor)of Wuwei. His administration was strict and vigorous, and his authority extended to neighboring commanderies.
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建武五年，統等各遣使隨竇融長史劉鈞詣闕奉貢，願得詣行在所，詔加統宣德將軍。八年夏，光武自征隗囂，統與竇融等將兵會車駕。及囂敗，封統為成義侯，同產兄巡、從弟騰並為關內侯，拜騰酒泉典農都尉，悉遣還河西。十二年，統與融等俱詣京師，以列侯奉朝請，更封高山侯，拜太中大夫，除四子為郎。 |
| | In the fifth year of Jianwu, Liang Tong and others each sent envoys with Dou Rong's chief clerk Liu Jun to present tribute at court, expressing their wish to visit where the emperor was residing. The emperor issued an edict bestowing on Liang Tong the title of Xuande Jiangjun (General for Propagating Virtue). In summer, the eighth year of Jianwu, Emperor Guangwu personally campaigned against Wei Qiao, and Liang Tong, along with Dou Rong and others, led troops to join the imperial procession. After Wei Qiao's defeat, Liang Tong was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Chengyi. His full-brother Xun and cousin Teng were both made Guannei Hou (Marquises within the Passes). Teng was appointed Diannong Duwei (Agricultural Administrator) of Jiuquan, and all were sent back to Hexi. In the twelfth year of Jianwu, Liang Dong and Dou Rong, among others, all visited the capital. As marquises, they were granted audience at court. He was re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Gaoshan, appointed Tai Zhong Dafu (Grand Minister of the Center), and four of his sons were appointed Lang officials.
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統在朝廷，數陳便宜。以為法令既輕，下姦不勝，宜重刑罰，以遵舊典，乃上疏曰： |
| | While in court, Liang Tong frequently presented proposals for the public good. He believed that since punishments were already lenient, lower-level evildoers could not be restrained; it was therefore advisable to impose heavier penalties in order to follow the old precedents. He thus submitted a memorial stating:
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臣竊見元哀二帝輕殊死之刑以一百二十三事 |
| | I have observed that Emperors Yuan and Ai reduced capital punishments for 123 offenses.
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，手殺人者減死一等，自是以後，著為常準，故人輕犯法，吏易殺人。 |
| | Those who committed homicide by hand were reduced one rank below death, and since then this has been established as a standard. Therefore, people have become less reverent toward the law, and officials find it easy to execute people.
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臣聞立君之道，仁義為主，仁者愛人，義者政理，愛人以除殘為務，政理以去亂為心。刑罰在衷，無取於輕，是以五帝有流、殛、放、殺之誅，三王有大辟、刻肌之法。故孔子稱「仁者必有勇」，又曰「理財正辭，禁民為非曰義」。高帝受命誅暴，平蕩天下，約令定律，誠得其宜。文帝寬惠柔克，遭世康平，唯除省肉刑、相坐之法，它皆率由，無革舊章。武帝值中國隆盛，財力有餘，征伐遠方，軍役數興，豪桀犯禁，姦吏弄法，故重首匿之科，著知從之律，以破朋黨，以懲隱匿。宣帝聰明正直，總御海內，臣下奉憲，無所失墜，因循先典，天下稱理。至哀、平繼體，而即位日淺，聽斷尚寡，丞相王嘉輕為穿鑿，虧除先帝舊約成律，數年之閒，百有餘事，或不便於理，或不厭民心。謹表其尤害於體者傅奏於左。 |
| | I have heard that the way to establish a ruler lies in benevolence and righteousness. Benevolence means loving people, while righteousness means governing with order. Loving people requires eliminating cruelty as one's duty; governing with order demands removing chaos as one's concern. Punishments should be heartfelt and not merely lenient. Therefore, the Five Emperors had punishments of exile, execution by exposure to the elements, banishment, and killing; the Three Kings had capital punishment and methods that involved carving into the flesh. Therefore, Confucius said, "A benevolent person must be courageous," and also stated, "Managing finances properly and regulating speech, preventing the people from committing wrongdoings is called righteousness." Emperor Gaozu received his mandate to destroy tyranny and pacify the world. He established decrees and laws, which were indeed appropriately formulated. Emperor Wen was lenient and gentle in his governance, encountering a time of peace. He only abolished corporal punishments and the law of collective punishment; otherwise, he generally followed existing regulations without altering old statutes. Emperor Wu encountered a time of great prosperity in the central lands, with ample resources. He launched military campaigns against distant regions and frequently mobilized troops. Powerful individuals violated laws, while corrupt officials abused legal codes; therefore, he imposed severe penalties for concealing crimes and established strict statutes to punish accomplices, in order to break up factions and punish those who concealed wrongdoing. Emperor Xuan was wise and upright, governing the realm effectively. His ministers adhered to the law without failure or omission, following precedents set by previous regulations, and thus the empire praised his governance as orderly and just. When Emperors Ai and Ping succeeded to the throne, their reigns were short, and they had little experience in adjudication. Chancellor Wang Jia recklessly altered established laws of previous emperors, removing long-standing legal provisions within a few years for over one hundred matters—some of which were unreasonable or failed to satisfy public sentiment. I have carefully listed the most harmful examples among them and submitted them in the memorial below.
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伏惟陛下包元履德，權時撥亂，功踰文武，德侔高皇，誠不宜因循季末衰微之軌。回神明察，考量得失，宣詔有司，詳擇其善，定不易之典，施無窮之法，天下幸甚。 |
| | I humbly believe that Your Majesty encompasses the fundamental virtues, wields authority to restore order from chaos, and your achievements surpass those of Emperors Wen and Wu while your virtue matches Emperor Gaozu. Indeed, it is truly inappropriate for you to follow the declining practices of later times. May Your Majesty, with your divine insight and discernment, carefully weigh the gains and losses. Issue an edict to the relevant officials, have them thoroughly select what is beneficial, establish enduring precedents, and enact laws that will last for eternity; this would be a great blessing for all under heaven.
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事下三公、廷尉，議者以為隆刑峻法，非明王急務，施行日久，豈一朝所釐。統今所定，不宜開可。 |
| | The matter was referred to the Three Excellencies and Tingwei (Ministry of Justice). Those who deliberated believed that severe punishments and harsh laws were not urgent priorities for a wise ruler, and that such practices had been in effect for a long time; they could not be changed overnight. Therefore, it was deemed inappropriate to approve Liang Tong's proposed changes.
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統復上言曰：「有司以臣今所言，不可施行。尋臣之所奏，非曰嚴刑。竊謂高帝以後，至乎孝宣，其所施行，多合經傳，宜比方今事，驗之往古，聿遵前典，事無難改，不勝至願。願得召見，若對尚書近臣，口陳其要。」帝令尚書問狀，統對曰： |
| | Liang Tong again submitted a statement saying: "The officials claim that what I have now suggested cannot be implemented. But upon examining my memorial, it is not about advocating for harsh punishments. I merely believe that from Emperor Gaozu onward to Emperor Xuan, the measures implemented were largely in accordance with classical teachings. It is appropriate to compare current affairs with past precedents and verify them against ancient examples. To follow established precedents would make reforms effortless; this is my earnest wish. I respectfully request an audience with Your Majesty, or at the very least, a meeting with senior ministers of the Shangshu Office and close court officials, to orally present the key points." The emperor ordered the Shangshu (Ministry) to inquire into the matter. Liang Tong responded by saying:
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聞聖帝明王，制立刑罰，故雖堯舜之盛，猶誅四凶。經曰：「天討有罪，五刑五庸哉。」又曰：「爰制百姓于刑之衷。」孔子曰：「刑罰不衷，則人無所厝手足。」衷之為言，不輕不重之謂也。春秋之誅，不避親戚，所以防患救亂，全安眾庶，豈無仁愛之恩，貴絕殘賊之路也？ |
| | "I have heard that sage emperors and wise kings established punishments; thus, even during the flourishing reigns of Yao and Shun, they still punished the Four Foes. The Classic says: "Heaven punishes those who commit crimes; thus five punishments are applied in accordance with their five categories." It also states: "Therefore, the people were governed through punishments that reflected heartfelt justice." Confucius said: "If punishments are not heartfelt and just, then people will have no place to put their hands or feet [i.e., they will be at a loss]." "Zhong," in this context, means neither too lenient nor too severe. The punishments of the Spring and Autumn period did not avoid relatives, for they were intended to prevent disasters and rescue from chaos, ensuring the safety of the people. Could this have been done without benevolence or compassion? It was precisely to value cutting off the path of cruelty and banditry!
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自高祖之興，至于孝宣，君明臣忠，謨謀深博，猶因循舊章，不輕改革，海內稱理，斷獄益少。至初元、建平，所減刑罰百有餘條，而盜賊浸多，歲以萬數。閒者三輔從橫，群輩並起，至燔燒茂陵，火見未央。其後隴西、北地、西河之賊，越州度郡，萬里交結，攻取庫兵，劫略吏人，詔書討捕，連年不獲。是時以天下無難，百姓安平，而狂狡之埶，猶至於此，皆刑罰不衷，愚人易犯之所致也。 |
| | From the rise of Emperor Gaozu to Emperor Xuan, when rulers were wise and ministers loyal, with profound and extensive strategies, they still followed established precedents without lightly initiating reforms. Under such governance, the realm was praised for its order, and fewer criminal cases required adjudication each year. By the reigns of Chuyuan and Jianping, over one hundred legal provisions had been reduced in severity, yet bandits and thieves gradually increased, numbering in the tens of thousands each year. Recently, lawless gangs have run rampant in the Three Fu regions; groups arose simultaneously, even setting fire to Maoling and causing flames visible at Weiyang. Later, bandits from Longxi, Beidi, and Xihé crossed states and commanderies, forming connections across thousands of miles. They attacked arsenals to seize weapons, robbed officials and civilians alike, and despite imperial decrees ordering their pursuit and capture, they remained at large for many years without being subdued. At that time, the empire was supposedly free of difficulties and its people at peace; yet the situation with these lawless outlaws had still deteriorated to this extent. This was all due to punishments not being heartfelt or just, making it easy for the ignorant to commit crimes.
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由此觀之，則刑輕之作，反生大患；惠加姦軌，而害及良善也。故臣統願陛下采擇賢臣孔光、師丹等議。 |
| | From this we can see that reducing punishments leads instead to great disasters; benevolence is extended to evildoers, while harm befalls the virtuous and law-abiding. Therefore, I, Minister Tong, respectfully request that Your Majesty adopt the deliberations of virtuous ministers such as Kong Guang and Shi Dan.
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議上，遂寑不報。 |
| | After the proposal was submitted for discussion, it was ultimately shelved without a response.
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後出為九江太守，定封陵鄉侯。統在郡亦有治跡，吏人畏愛之。卒於官。子松嗣。 |
| | Later, he left court to serve as Tai Shou (Governor) of Jiujiang and received the final enfeoffment as Hou of Lingxiang. Liang Tong also left a record of effective governance in his commandery, where officials and common people both feared and loved him. He died while holding office. His son Song succeeded him.
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松字伯孫，少為郎，尚光武女舞陰長公主，再遷虎賁中郎將。松博通經書，明習故事，與諸儒脩明堂、辟廱、郊祀、封禪禮儀，常與論議，寵幸莫比。光武崩，受遺詔輔政。永平元年，遷太僕。 |
| | Liang Song, courtesy name Bosun, was young when he became a Lang official. He married Princess Wuyin Changgongzhu, the daughter of Emperor Guangwu, and was later promoted twice to become Huben Zhonglangjiang (General Commanding the Tiger 贲 Corps). Liang Song was broadly knowledgeable in the Confucian classics and well-versed in precedents. He worked with other scholars to clarify rituals for the Mingtang (Hall of Illumination), Biyong (Imperial Academy), sacrifices at the suburbs, and the Fengshan ceremonies. He frequently participated in discussions on these matters and enjoyed a level of favor and trust unmatched by others. After Emperor Guangwu's death, he received an imperial bequest to assist in governance. In the first year of Yongping, he was promoted to Taifu (Minister of War).
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松數為私書請託郡縣，二年，發覺免官，遂懷怨望。四年冬，乃縣飛書誹謗，下獄死，國除。 |
| | Liang Song frequently wrote private letters requesting favors from local officials. In the second year, this was discovered and he was dismissed from office, which led to his resentment and discontent. In winter of the fourth year, he anonymously sent a letter containing slanderous accusations; as a result, he was imprisoned and died there. His marquisate was abolished.
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子扈，後以恭懷皇后從兄，永元中，擢為黃門侍郎，歷位卿、校尉。溫恭謙讓，亦敦詩書。永初中，為長樂少府。松弟竦。 |
| | His son Hu, later became the cousin of Empress Gonghuai through marriage. During the Yongyuan period, he was promoted to Huangmen Shilang (Attendant-in-Ordinary) and held successive positions as Qing (Ministerial official) and Jiao Wei (Commander). He was warm, respectful, modest, and courteous, and also devoted to the study of poetry and books. During the Yongchu period, he served as Shaofu (Deputy Minister) of Changle. Liang Song's younger brother was Liang Song.
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竦字叔敬，少習孟氏易，弱冠能教授。後坐兄松事，與弟恭俱徙九真。既徂南土，歷江、湖，濟沅、湘，感悼子胥、屈原以非辜沈身，乃作悼騷賦，繫玄石而沈之。 |
| | Liang Song, courtesy name Shu Jing, studied the "Yi Jing" (Book of Changes) according to Meng's interpretation from a young age and was already capable of teaching others by his early twenties. Later, due to the affairs involving his brother Liang Song, he and his younger brother Gong were both exiled to Jiuzhen. After departing for the southern lands, he traveled through rivers and lakes, crossing Yuan and Xiang. Moved by sorrow at the unjust deaths of Wu Zixu and Qu Yuan who drowned themselves, he composed a "Lamentation Fu" (a type of literary work) and tied it to a black stone before casting it into the water.
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顯宗後詔聽還本郡。竦閉門自養，以經籍為娛，著書數篇，名曰七序。班固見而稱曰：「孔子著春秋而亂臣賊子懼，梁竦作七序而竊位素餐者慚。」性好施，不事產業。長嫂舞陰公主贍給諸梁，親疏有序，特重敬竦，雖衣食器物，必有加異。竦悉分與親族，自無所服。 |
| | Later, Emperor Xianzong issued an edict allowing them to return to their native commandery. Liang Song closed his doors and devoted himself to self-cultivation, finding pleasure in classical texts. He authored several essays titled "Qi Xu." Ban Gu, upon reading it, remarked: "Confucius wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals, causing traitorous ministers and wicked sons to fear; Liang Song composed the Seven Xu, making those who usurped positions and consumed without contributing feel ashamed." By nature he was generous and did not concern himself with accumulating property. His elder sister-in-law, Princess Wuyin, provided for the various Liang family members in an orderly manner according to their closeness. She especially valued and respected Liang Song; even his clothing, food, and daily necessities were always of superior quality. Liang Song distributed all these gifts among his relatives, keeping nothing for himself to wear or use.
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竦生長京師，不樂本土，自負其才，鬱鬱不得意。嘗登高遠望，歎息言曰：「大丈夫居世，生當封侯，死當廟食。如其不然，閑居可以養志，詩書足以自娛，州郡之職，徒勞人耳。」後辟命交至，並無所就。有三男三女，肅宗納其二女，皆為貴人。小貴人生和帝，竇皇后養以為子，而竦家私相慶。後諸竇聞之，恐梁氏得志，終為己害，建初八年，遂譖殺二貴人，而陷竦等以惡逆。詔使漢陽太守鄭據傳考竦罪，死獄中，家屬復徙九真。辭語連及舞陰公主，坐徙新城，使者護守。宮省事密，莫有知和帝梁氏生者。 |
| | Born and raised in the capital, Liang Song did not take pleasure in his native land. He believed highly in his own talents but remained discontented due to unfulfilled ambitions. He once ascended a high place and gazed into the distance, sighing as he said: "A man of virtue in this world should be enfeoffed with a marquisate when alive, and honored with sacrifices at ancestral temples after death. If not to be so, then a quiet life can cultivate one's aspirations; poetry and books are sufficient for self-entertainment. Positions in the state or commandery are merely burdensome." Later, many official appointments were extended to him, but he declined them all. He had three sons and three daughters; Emperor Suzong took in two of his daughters, both becoming guiren (ladies-in-waiting). The younger Guiren gave birth to Emperor He. Empress Dou adopted the child as her own, and Liang Song's family secretly celebrated in private. Later, the various members of the Dou family heard about this and feared that the Liang clan might gain influence, eventually becoming a threat to themselves. In the eighth year of Jianchu, they therefore slandered and had the two Guiren killed, falsely accusing Liang Song and others of grave crimes against imperial authority. An edict was issued appointing Hanyang Tai Shou Zheng Ju to investigate and examine Liang Song's alleged crimes. He died in prison, and his family members were once again exiled to Jiuzhen. The accusations also implicated Princess Wuyin. As a result, they were punished with exile to Xincheng and guarded by imperial envoys. Court affairs remained secret, and no one knew that Emperor He was of the Liang lineage.
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永元九年，竇太后崩，松子扈遣從兄襢奏記三府，以為漢家舊典，崇貴母氏，而梁貴人親育聖躬，不蒙尊號，求得申議。太尉張酺引襢訊問事理，會後召見，因白襢奏記之狀。帝感慟良久，曰：「於君意若何？」酺對曰：「春秋之義，母以子貴。漢興以來，母氏莫不隆顯，臣愚以為宜上尊號，追慰聖靈，存錄諸舅，以明親親。」帝悲泣曰：「非君孰為朕思之！」會貴人姊南陽樊調妻嫕上書自訟曰：「妾同產女弟貴人，前充後宮，蒙先帝厚恩，得見寵幸。皇天授命，誕生聖明。而為竇憲兄弟所見譖訴，使妾父竦冤死牢獄，骸骨不掩。老母孤弟，遠徙萬里。獨妾遺脫，逸伏草野，常恐沒命，無由自達。今遭值陛下神聖之運，親統萬機，群物得所。憲兄弟姦惡，既伏辜誅，海內曠然，各獲其宜。妾得蘇息，拭目更視，乃敢昧死自陳所天。妾聞太宗即位，薄氏蒙榮；宣帝繼統，史族復興。妾門雖有薄、史之親，獨無外戚餘恩，誠自悼傷。妾父既冤，不可復生，母氏年殊七十，及弟棠等，遠在絕域，不知死生。願乞收竦朽骨，使母弟得歸本郡，則施過天地，存歿幸賴。」帝覽章感悟，乃下中常侍、掖庭令驗問之，嫕辭證明審，遂得引見，具陳其狀。乃留嫕止宮中，連月乃出，賞賜衣被錢帛第宅奴婢，旬月之閒，累資千萬。嫕素有行操，帝益愛之，加號梁夫人；擢樊調為羽林左監。調，光祿大夫宏兄曾孫也。 |
| | In the ninth year of Yongyuan, Empress Dowager Dou died. Liang Song's son Hu sent his cousin Dan to submit a memorial to the Three Offices, arguing that according to Han dynasty precedents, the mother of an emperor should be honored with high status. Since Lady Liang had personally given birth to Emperor He but had not received a title of respect, they requested that this matter be reviewed and reconsidered. Grand Commandant Zhang Pu summoned Dan for questioning about the matter, and when the emperor later received him in audience, he reported on Dan's memorial. The emperor was deeply moved and grieved for a long time, asking, "What is your opinion on this matter?" Zhang Pu replied: "According to the principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals, a mother gains honor through her son. Since the Han dynasty's founding, no mother of an emperor has failed to be honored. In my humble opinion, it would be appropriate to bestow a title of respect upon her, posthumously honoring her spirit and recording her uncles for recognition, in order to demonstrate reverence for close relatives." The emperor wept bitterly and said, "If not for you, who else would have thought of this for me!" At the same time, Lady Yi, wife of Fan Diao from Nanyang and elder sister to the Guiren, submitted a petition on her own behalf: "My younger sister by the same mother, the Guiren, previously served in the imperial harem and received the late emperor's great favor, gaining his affection. Heaven granted her a child who was destined to become a sage ruler. Yet she was falsely accused by the brothers Dou Xian, causing my father Song to die wrongfully in prison with his bones left unburied. My elderly mother and younger brother were exiled far away, over ten thousand li from home. Only I was left behind, hiding in obscurity among the common people, always fearing for my life and having no way to present myself. Now I have encountered Your Majesty's divine reign, where you personally oversee all state affairs and bring order to the world. The wickedness of Dou Xian's brothers has already been punished, and now all under heaven are clear and justly treated. I have finally found relief from my suffering, wiping away tears to see clearly once more; it is only now that I dare risk my life to present this petition on behalf of the heavens. I have heard that when Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, Lady Bo was honored with distinction; When Emperor Xuan succeeded to the throne, the Shi clan rose again. Though my family is distantly related to the Bos and Shis, we alone have not received any lingering favor as an imperial relative; this truly causes me sorrow. My father, having been wrongfully accused, cannot be brought back to life; my mother is now over seventy years old, and my younger brother Tang and others are far away in distant lands, their fates unknown. I humbly request that the remains of my father Song be retrieved and given a proper burial, allowing my mother and brothers to return to our native district. This would be a kindness surpassing heaven and earth, bringing comfort both to the living and the dead." The emperor read her petition and was deeply moved, so he ordered the Zhongchangshi officials and the Yeting supervisor to investigate. Yi's words were verified as true, and she was thus granted an audience, where she fully presented the circumstances. The emperor then kept Yi in the palace, where she remained for several months before being released. He bestowed upon her clothes, bedding, money, silk, a residence, and servants; within weeks, these gifts accumulated to tens of millions. Yi had always been known for her virtue and conduct, so the emperor loved her even more, bestowing upon her the title Lady Liang; and promoted Fan Diao to the position of Left Supervisor of the Yulin Guards. Fan Diao was a great-grandson of Guanglu Daifu Hong's elder brother.
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於是追尊恭懷皇后。其冬，制詔三公、大鴻臚曰：「夫孝莫大於尊尊親親，其義一也。《》云：『父兮生我，母兮鞠我，撫我畜我，長我育我，顧我復我，出入腹我。欲報之德，昊天罔極。』朕不敢興事，覽于前世。太宗、中宗，寔有舊典，追命外祖，以篤親親。其追封謚皇太后父竦為褒親愍侯，比靈文、順成、侯。魂而有靈，嘉斯寵榮，好爵顯服，以慰母心。」遣中謁者與嫕及扈，備禮西迎竦喪，詣京師改殯，賜東園畫棺、玉匣、衣衾，建塋於恭懷皇后陵傍。帝親臨送葬，百官畢會。 |
| | At this time, the title of Gonghuai Empress was posthumously honored to her. That winter, an imperial edict was issued to the Three Excellencies and the Grand Commandant of Ceremonies: "The highest form of filial piety is to honor one's sovereign and cherish one's kin; this is a single principle. The Book of Songs says: 'Father gave me life, mother raised and nurtured me; they cared for me, provided for me, allowed me to grow, educated me, looked after me with concern, and carried me in and out as a child. 'Wishing to repay their virtue, the boundless sky has no limits.' I dare not initiate any action without referring to precedents from previous dynasties. Emperors Taizong and Zhongzong indeed followed established precedents, posthumously bestowing titles on their maternal uncles to strengthen familial bonds. Therefore, the late father of the Empress Dowager, Song, should be posthumously enfeoffed and honored with a title as Baqin Min Hou, comparable to Lingwen Hou and Shuncheng Hou. "If his spirit is aware, he will be pleased by this honor; a noble title and distinguished attire shall bring comfort to his mother's heart." The emperor dispatched a central official, along with Yi and Hu, to prepare rites and travel westward to retrieve Song's remains, bringing them to the capital for reburial. He was granted an elaborately painted coffin from the Dongyuan workshop, jade casket, clothing, and shrouds, and a tomb was built beside the mausoleum of Empress Dowager Gonghuai. The emperor personally attended the funeral, with all government officials in attendance.
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徵還竦妻子，封子棠為樂平侯，棠弟雍乘氏侯，雍弟翟單父侯，邑各五千戶，位皆特進，賞賜第宅奴婢車馬兵弩什物以巨萬計，寵遇光於當世。諸梁內外以親疏並補郎、謁者。 |
| | Song's wife and children were summoned back, and his son Tang was enfeoffed as Duke of Le Ping. Tang's younger brother Yong was made Marquis of Cheng Shi, and Yong's younger brother Zhai was granted the title of Shandu Marquis. Each received a fief of 5,000 households; all were given the special rank of Tejin. The emperor bestowed upon them mansions, servants, carriages, horses, crossbows, weapons, and other valuables in amounts counted by the ten thousands, granting them unprecedented favor and honor during their time. All members of the Liang family, both inside and outside the imperial circle, were appointed as Lang officials or Yeshi attendants according to their closeness in relation.
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棠官至大鴻臚，雍少府。棠卒，子安國嗣，延光中為侍中，有罪免官，諸梁為郎吏者皆坐免。 |
| | Tang rose to become Grand Commandant of Ceremonial Affairs, and Yong became the head of the Shaofu Office. After Tang's death, his son An Guo succeeded him; during the Yanguang period, he served as a Shizhong but was dismissed from office due to crimes. All Liang clan members who held posts as Lang or officials were also implicated and removed from their positions.
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商字伯夏，雍之子也。少以外戚拜郎中，遷黃門侍郎。永建元年，襲父封乘氏侯。三年，順帝選商女及妹入掖庭，遷侍中、屯騎校尉。陽嘉元年，女立為皇后，妹為貴人，加商位特進，更增國土，賜安車駟馬，其歲拜執金吾。二年，封子冀為襄邑侯，商讓不受。三年，以商為大將軍，固稱疾不起。四年，使太常桓焉奉策就第即拜，商乃詣闕受命。明年，夫人陰氏薨，追號開封君，贈印綬。 |
| | Shang, courtesy name Buxia, was the son of Yong. As a youth, he was appointed as Langzhong due to his imperial kinship and later promoted to Huangmen Shilang. In the first year of Yongjian, he inherited his father's title as Chengshi Hou. In the third year, Emperor Shun selected Shang's daughter and sister to enter the Yeting palace, and he was promoted to Shizhong and Tunqi Jiao Wei. In the first year of Yangjia, his daughter was enthroned as empress and his sister became a guiren. Shang's rank was elevated to Tejin, his fief expanded, and he received an official carriage with four horses; that same year, he was appointed Zhijinwu. In the second year, his son Ji was to be enfeoffed as Xiangyi Hou, but Shang declined and did not accept it. In the third year, Shang was appointed Da Jiangjun (Grand General), but he firmly claimed illness and refused to take office. In the fourth year, the Taichang official Huan Yan was sent with an imperial decree to bestow the title at Shang's residence. Only then did Shang go to court and accept his appointment. The following year, Lady Yin of the household passed away; she was posthumously honored as Kaifeng Jun and bestowed with a seal and sash.
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商自以戚屬居大位，每存謙柔，虛己進賢，辟漢陽巨覽、上黨陳龜為掾屬，李固、周舉為從事中郎，於是京師翕然，稱為良輔，帝委重焉。每有飢饉，輒載租穀於城門，賑與貧餧，不宣己惠。檢御門族，未曾以權盛干法。而性慎弱無威斷，頗溺於內豎。以小黃門曹節等用事於中，遂遣子冀、不疑與為交友，然宦者忌商寵任，反欲陷之。永和四年，中常侍張逵、蘧政，內者令石光，尚方令傅福，冗從僕射杜永連謀，共譖商及中常侍曹騰、孟賁，云欲徵諸王子，圖議廢立，請收商等案罪。帝曰：「大將軍父子我所親，騰、賁我所愛，必無是，但汝曹共妒之耳。」逵等知言不用，懼迫，遂出矯詔收縛騰、賁於省中。帝聞震怒，敕宦者李歙急呼騰、賁釋之，收逵等，悉伏誅。辭所連染及在位大臣，商懼多侵枉，乃上疏曰：「春秋之義，功在元帥，罪止首惡，故賞不僭溢，刑不淫濫，五帝、三王所以同致康乂也。竊聞考中常侍張逵等，辭語多所牽及。大獄一起，無辜者眾，死囚久繫，纖微成大，非所以順迎和氣，平政成化也。宜早訖竟，以止逮捕之煩。」帝乃納之，罪止坐者。 |
| | Shang, considering himself a relative of the imperial family holding such an important position, always maintained humility and modesty. He remained open-minded and promoted virtuous individuals, appointing Ju Lan from Hanyang and Chen Gui from Shangdang as his subordinates, and Li Gu and Zhou Ju as Zhonglang Attendants in charge of affairs. As a result, the capital was unanimous in acclaiming him as an excellent assistant, and the emperor placed great trust in him. Whenever there was a famine, he would transport grain to the city gates and distribute it to the poor without publicizing his benevolence. He strictly managed his relatives and never used his power or influence to interfere with legal matters. However, by nature he was cautious and weak-willed without authority or decisiveness, and was somewhat overly influenced by palace eunuchs. Because the minor Huangmen official Cao Jie and others held power within the palace, Shang sent his sons Ji and Buyi to befriend them. However, the eunuchs resented Shang's favor and position, and instead sought to entrap him. In the fourth year of Yonghe, Zhongchangshi Zhang Kui and Qu Zheng, Neizhe Ling Shi Guang, Shangfang Ling Fu Fu, Rongcong Pushe Du Yong conspired together to falsely accuse Shang as well as Zhongchangshi Cao Teng and Meng Ben, claiming they intended to summon various imperial princes and plot the removal or replacement of the emperor. They requested that Shang and others be arrested for investigation and punishment. The emperor said, "The Da Jiangjun and his sons are personally close to me; Cao Teng and Meng Bin are people I love. They could never do such a thing—it is only that you all envy them." Realizing the emperor would not accept their accusations, and fearing pressure, Zhang Kui et al. issued a forged imperial decree to arrest Cao Teng and Meng Bin in the government office. Upon hearing of this, the emperor was furious and ordered eunuch Li Xi to quickly summon Cao Teng and Meng Bin for their release. He then arrested Zhang Kui et al., who were all executed after being found guilty. The accusations involved many officials and ministers currently in office. Fearing excessive injustice, Shang submitted a memorial stating: "According to the principles of Spring and Autumn Annals, credit belongs to the chief commander, while punishment should be limited to those who instigated evil. Therefore, rewards must not exceed their due, nor should punishments be excessive or unjust—this is how the Five Emperors and Three Kings achieved harmony and peace." "I have heard that in examining Zhongchangshi Zhang Kui et al., their accusations involved many others. "When a major case is initiated, many innocent people suffer; prisoners awaiting execution remain in custody for long periods. Minor matters escalate into great ones—this is not the way to cultivate harmony or achieve just governance." "It would be appropriate to conclude this matter as soon as possible, so as to end the burden of arrests." The emperor accepted his advice and limited punishment only to those directly involved.
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六年秋，商病篤，敕子冀等曰：「吾以不德，享受多福。生無以輔益朝廷，死必耗費帑臧，衣衾飯唅玉匣珠貝之屬，何益朽骨。百僚勞擾，紛華道路，秖增塵垢，雖云禮制，亦有權時。方今邊境不寧，盜賊未息，豈宜重為國損！氣絕之後，載至冢舍，即時殯斂。斂以時服，皆以故衣，無更裁制。殯已開冢，冢開即葬。祭食如存，無用三牲。孝子善述父志，不宜違我言也。」及薨，帝親臨喪，諸子欲從其誨，朝廷不聽，賜以東園朱壽之器、銀鏤、黃腸、玉匣、什物二十八種，錢二百萬，布三千匹。皇后錢五百萬，布萬匹。及葬，贈輕車介士，賜謚忠侯。中宮親送，帝幸宣陽亭，瞻望車騎。 |
| | In the sixth year, during autumn, Shang fell seriously ill and instructed his son Ji et al.: "I have enjoyed much fortune despite lacking virtue. "While alive, I could not assist the court in any meaningful way; upon my death, it would be wasteful to drain the imperial treasury. What good are silk shrouds, food offerings, jade caskets, and pearls for a decaying corpse? "The officials would be burdened with labor and disturbance, the roads filled with ostentation—this only adds to filth. Though these may seem like rites and customs, there are also times when flexibility is needed." "Currently, the borders remain unsettled and bandits have not been pacified. How can this be a time to further burden the state?"! "After my breath ceases, carry me directly to the tomb and bury me at once." "Wrap me in simple garments; use only old clothes, do not make new ones." "After the burial rites are completed and the tomb is prepared, place me into it immediately upon its opening." "Offer sacrifices as if I were still alive, but do not use three sacrificial animals." "A filial son should honor his father's wishes; you must not go against my words." After his death, the emperor personally attended his funeral. Shang's sons wished to follow their father's instructions, but the court did not permit it and instead bestowed upon him twenty-eight kinds of ceremonial items from the Dongyuan Zhusou workshop, silver inlaid objects, huangchang (cypress wood), jade caskets, various goods, 200,000 coins, and 3,000 bolts of cloth. The empress was also granted 500,000 in money and 10,000 bolts of fabric. At the time of his burial, he was posthumously awarded the title Qingche Jieshi and granted the honorific title Zhong Hou. The empress personally accompanied him to his burial, and the emperor visited Xuanyang Ting, gazing at the funeral procession with sorrow.
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子冀嗣。 |
| | His son Ji succeeded him.
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冀字伯卓。為人鳶肩豺目，洞精矘眄，口吟舌言，裁能書計。少為貴戚，逸游自恣。性嗜酒，能挽滿、彈棋、格五、六博、蹴鞠、意錢之戲，又好臂鷹走狗，騁馬鬥雞。初為黃門侍郎，轉侍中，虎賁中郎將，越騎、步兵校尉，執金吾。 |
| | Ji, courtesy name Bozhuo. He was a man with hawk-like shoulders and wolf-like eyes, sharp gaze, and eloquent tongue; he could barely read or calculate. As a youth of noble lineage, he indulged in idle pleasures and unrestrained behavior. He had a strong fondness for alcohol and was skilled in drawing the bow, playing chess, engaging in Wu Ge (a board game), Liu Bo (another board game), Cuju (ancient football), Yi Qian (a coin game), as well as keeping falcons and running dogs, racing horses, and cockfighting. Initially appointed as Huangmen Shilang, he later transferred to the post of Shizhong, then became Jiangjun Huiben Zhonglangjiang, Yueqi Jiao Wei, Bubing Jiao Wei, and finally Zhijinwu.
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永和元年，拜河南尹。冀居職暴恣，多非法，父商所親客洛陽令呂放，頗與商言及冀之短，商以讓冀，冀即遣人於道刺殺放。而恐商知之，乃推疑於放之怨仇，請以放弟禹為洛陽令，使捕之，盡滅其宗親、賓客百餘人。 |
| | In the first year of Yonghe, he was appointed Yinyi of Henan. While in office, Ji acted with cruelty and indulgence, committing many illegal acts. His father Shang had a close associate, Luoyang Ling Lü Fang, who often spoke to Shang about Ji's faults. Upon hearing this, Shang reprimanded Ji, but Ji immediately sent men along the road to assassinate Lü Fang. Yet fearing that Shang would discover the truth, Ji shifted suspicion onto Lü Fang's enemies. He requested that Lü Fang's younger brother Yu be appointed as Luoyang Ling to investigate and capture those responsible, resulting in the extermination of over a hundred members of Lü Fang's family, relatives, and guests.
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商薨未及葬，順帝乃拜冀為大將軍，弟侍中不疑為河南尹。 |
| | Before Shang had even been buried, Emperor Shun appointed Ji as Da Jiangjun (Grand General) and his younger brother Buyi as Yinyi of Henan. The emperor also made him the guardian of the imperial household.
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及帝崩，沖帝始在繈褓，太后臨朝，詔冀與太傅趙峻、太尉李固參錄尚書事。冀雖辭不肯當，而侈暴滋甚。 |
| | After Emperor Shun's death, young Emperor Chong was still an infant. The empress dowager ruled in his place and issued an edict appointing Ji along with Taifu Zhao Jun and Taiwei Li Gu to jointly oversee the affairs of the Shangshu Office. Although Ji initially declined, he ultimately accepted the position, yet his extravagance and cruelty grew even more severe.
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沖帝又崩，冀立質帝。帝少而聰慧，知冀驕橫，嘗朝群臣，目冀曰：「此跋扈將軍也。」冀聞，深惡之，遂令左右進鴆加煮餅，帝即日崩。 |
| | After Emperor Chong's death, Ji placed Emperor Zhi on the throne. The emperor was young but intelligent and aware of Ji's arrogance and tyranny. Once, during a court audience with officials, he looked at Ji and said, "This is the bullying general." Upon hearing this, Ji was deeply resentful. He then ordered his attendants to poison the emperor with a poisoned steamed bun, and the emperor died on that very day.
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復立桓帝，而枉害李固及前太尉杜喬，海內嗟懼，語在李固傳。建和元年，益封冀萬三千戶，增大將軍府舉高第茂才，官屬倍於三公。又封不疑為潁陽侯，不疑弟蒙西平侯，冀子胤襄邑侯，各萬戶。和平元年，重增封冀萬戶，并前所襲合三萬戶。 |
| | Ji then placed Emperor Huan on the throne and falsely accused and killed Li Gu as well as former Taiwei Du Qiao, causing lamentation and fear throughout the land. Details of this are recorded in the biography of Li Gu. In the first year of Jianhe, Ji was further enfeoffed with 13,000 additional households. The Da Jiangjun Office was authorized to recommend outstanding talents and high-ranking officials, its staff now exceeding that of the Three Excellencies in number. He also enfeoffed Buyi as Yingyang Hou, his younger brother Meng as Xiping Hou, and Ji's son Yin as Xiangyi Hou; each received a fief of ten thousand households. In the first year of Heping, Ji was again granted an additional 10,000 household fief, combining with his previous inheritance to total 30,000 households.
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弘農人宰宣素性佞邪，欲取媚於冀，乃上言大將軍有周公之功，今既封諸子，則其妻宜為邑君。詔遂封冀妻孫壽為襄城君，兼食陽翟租，歲入五千萬，加賜赤紱，比長公主。壽色美而善為妖態，作愁眉，啼诽，墯馬髻，折腰步，齲齒笑，以為媚惑。冀亦改易輿服之制，作平上軿車，埤幘，狹冠，折上巾，擁身扇，狐尾單衣。壽性鉗忌，能制御冀，冀甚寵憚之。 |
| | Zai Xuan, a native of Hongnong who was naturally sycophantic and evil, wished to please Ji. He therefore submitted a proposal stating that the Da Jiangjun had the merit of the Duke of Zhou; since his sons were already enfeoffed, his wife should be honored as Yijun (a title for noblewomen). The imperial decree then enfeoffed Ji's wife, Sun Shou, as Xiangcheng Jun. She was also granted the revenues from Yangzhi, amounting to 50 million per year, and received a red sash as a gift, with honors equal to those of a princess. Sun Shou was beautiful and adept at displaying alluring behaviors. She would draw her eyebrows in a sorrowful shape, weep with feigned grief, wear the "Duoma" hairstyle, walk with a bent waist, and smile with slightly decayed teeth—these were considered charming and seductive. Ji also altered the regulations for carriages and clothing, creating a Pingshang Pingen carriage, Bi Zhe headdresses, narrow crowns, folded-up headscarves, body-holding fans, and fox-tail single robes. Sun Shou was naturally jealous and controlling; she could dominate Ji, who greatly favored yet feared her.
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初，父商獻美人友通期於順帝，通期有微過，帝以歸商，商不敢留而出嫁之，冀即遣客盜還通期。會商薨，冀行服，於城西私與之居。壽伺冀出，多從倉頭，篡取通期歸，截髮刮面，笞掠之，欲上書告其事。冀大恐，頓首請於壽母，壽亦不得已而止。冀猶復與私通，生子伯玉，匿不敢出。壽尋知之，使子胤誅滅友氏。冀慮壽害伯玉，常置複壁中。冀愛監奴秦宮，官至太倉令，得出入壽所。壽見宮，輒屏御者，託以言事，因與私焉。宮內外兼寵，威權大震，刺史、二千石皆謁辭之。 |
| | Initially, Shang had presented the beauty You Tongqi to Emperor Shun. When Tongqi committed a minor offense, the emperor returned her to Shang, who dared not keep her and arranged for her remarriage. Ji then sent men to secretly abduct Tongqi back. When Shang died, while Ji was in mourning, he secretly lived with Tongqi at a residence west of the city. Sun Shou, upon learning that Ji had gone out with many attendants from the granary (a term for his servants), seized Tongqi and brought her back. She cut off Tongqi's hair, scarred her face, and beat her severely, intending to report this incident in a petition to the court. Ji was greatly alarmed and kowtowed before Sun Shou's mother, begging for mercy. Eventually, out of necessity, Sun Shou relented and stopped her actions. Despite this, Ji continued his secret relationship with Tongqi, fathering a son named Boyu, whom he concealed out of fear and dared not reveal. Soon after, Sun Shou discovered this and ordered her son Yin to exterminate the You family. Ji feared that Sun Shou would harm Boyu, so he often kept him hidden in a secret chamber within the wall. Ji favored his eunuch servant Qin Gong, who rose to become Taicang Ling and was allowed free access to Sun Shou's residence. Whenever Sun Shou met with Gong, she would always have the attendants leave, pretending to consult him on matters of state, and secretly engaged in an affair with him. Gong was favored both inside the palace and outside, and his authority became so great that provincial governors and officials of the rank of 2000-dan salary all paid him visits and sought his approval.
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冀用壽言，多斥奪諸梁在位者，外以謙讓，而實崇孫氏宗親。冒名而為侍中、卿、校尉、郡守、長吏者十餘人，皆貪叨凶淫，各遣私客籍屬縣富人，被以它罪，閉獄掠拷，使出錢自贖，貲物少者至於死徙。扶風人士孫奮居富而性吝，冀因以馬乘遺之，從貸錢五千萬，奮以三千萬與之，冀大怒，乃告郡縣，認奮母為其守臧婢，云盜白珠十斛、紫金千斤以叛，遂收考奮兄弟，死於獄中，悉沒貲財億七千餘萬。 |
| | Ji followed Sun Shou's advice, dismissing or removing many Liang clan members from their official positions. On the surface, this was framed as an act of humility and yielding, but in reality, it elevated the relatives of the Sun family. More than ten people falsely claimed titles as Shizhong, Qing, Jiao Wei, Ju Shou, and Chang Li. These individuals were greedy, cruel, and licentious; each dispatched private agents to register wealthy families in the counties under their jurisdiction, falsely accusing them of other crimes, imprisoning them, and subjecting them to brutal interrogations, forcing them to pay money for release. Those who could not afford sufficient wealth often faced death or exile. Sun Fen, a wealthy but stingy native of Fufeng, was given a horse by Ji as a gift. Ji then asked for a loan of 50 million coins from him. Sun Fen gave only 30 million, which enraged Ji. He reported to the local authorities and falsely claimed that Sun Fen's mother had once been his servant in charge of treasures, accusing her of stealing ten hu of white pearls and one thousand jin of purple gold before rebelling. As a result, Sun Fen and his brothers were arrested and subjected to interrogation, dying in prison. All their assets, totaling over 710 million coins, were confiscated.
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其四方調發，歲時貢獻，皆先輸上第於冀，乘輿乃其次焉。吏人齎貨求官請罪者，道路相望。冀又遣客出塞，交通外國，廣求異物。因行道路，發取妓女御者，而使人復乘埶橫暴，妻略婦女，敺擊吏卒，所在怨毒。 |
| | All tributes and seasonal offerings from the four directions were first delivered to Ji as top-tier gifts, with only the remaining portions reaching the imperial court. Officials and commoners carrying goods to seek official positions or request pardons for crimes were so numerous that they could be seen along the roads in constant succession. Ji also sent men beyond the frontier to establish contact with foreign countries, seeking rare and exotic goods. During their travels along the roads, these men seized female entertainers and attendants at will. They also rode about with arrogance and violence, abducting women, beating officials and soldiers, causing widespread resentment and hatred wherever they went.
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冀乃大起第舍，而壽亦對街為宅，殫極土木，互相誇競。堂寢皆有陰陽奧室，連房洞戶。柱壁雕鏤，加以銅漆；吓牖皆有綺疏青瑣，圖以雲氣仙靈。臺閣周通，更相臨望；飛梁石蹬，陵跨水道。金玉珠璣，異方珍怪，充積臧室。遠致汗血名馬。又廣開園囿，採土築山，十里九阪，以像二崤，深林絕澗，有若自然，奇禽馴獸，飛走其閒。冀壽共乘輦車，張羽蓋，飾以金銀，游觀第內，多從倡伎，鳴鍾吹管，酣謳竟路。或連繼日夜，以騁娛恣。客到門不得通，皆請謝門者，門者累千金。又多拓林苑，禁同王家，西至弘農，東界滎陽，南極魯陽，北達河、淇，包含山藪，遠帶丘荒，周旋封域，殆將千里。又起菟苑於河南城西，經亙數十里，發屬縣卒徒，繕修樓觀，數年乃成。移檄所在，調發生菟，刻其毛以為識，人有犯者，罪至刑死。嘗有西域賈胡，不知禁忌，誤殺一兔，轉相告言，坐死者十餘人。冀二弟嘗私遣人出獵上黨，冀聞而捕其賓客，一時殺三十餘人，無生還者。冀又起別第於城西，以納姦亡。或取良人，悉為奴婢，至數千人，名曰「自賣人」。 |
| | Ji then built a grand mansion, and Sun Shou also constructed a residence directly across the street. They exhausted great resources on architecture and decoration, competing with each other in ostentation. Their halls and sleeping quarters all featured hidden chambers arranged according to yin-yang principles, with interconnected rooms and arched doorways. The pillars and walls were carved and inlaid, further adorned with copper and lacquer; windows and doors were all fitted with latticed patterns of brocade and green locks, painted with images of clouds, immortals, and spiritual beings. The pavilions and towers were interconnected and arranged in a circular layout, overlooking one another; Bridges arched overhead and stone steps crossed over waterways. Gold, jade, pearls, and other rare treasures from distant lands filled their treasure chambers. They also brought in famous blood-sweating horses from afar. They also expanded their gardens and hunting grounds, excavating soil to build artificial hills. The landscape featured ten li with nine slopes, resembling the Double Xia Passes; deep forests and precipitous ravines gave it a natural appearance, while tamed exotic birds and animals flew or roamed freely within. Ji and Sun Shou rode together in a palanquin carriage, with an ornate canopy decorated with gold and silver. They toured their mansion accompanied by many musicians and entertainers, ringing bells, playing flutes, and singing loudly as they paraded along the roads. Sometimes these revelries continued day and night, indulging in endless pleasures. Visitors who arrived at the gate were not allowed to enter unless they first paid tribute to the gatekeepers; these gatekeepers accumulated wealth in the thousands of gold coins. They also greatly expanded their forested hunting grounds, which were restricted like those of the royal family. These lands extended west to Hongnong, east to Yingyang, south as far as Luyang, and north to the rivers He and Qi. They encompassed mountains and marshes, stretching across distant hills and wastelands; the total area under their control nearly spanned a thousand li in circumference. They also built the Tu Yuan hunting park to the west of the city in Henan, spanning dozens of li. They conscripted laborers and convicts from subordinate counties to construct and repair pavilions and towers, which took several years to complete. They issued orders to all local authorities, mobilizing forces to capture hares and marking their fur with engraved symbols as identification. Anyone who dared to violate this order was punished by corporal punishment or even execution. Once, a foreign merchant from the Western Regions, unaware of these restrictions, accidentally killed one rabbit. The news spread quickly, and over ten people were implicated in the case and executed as punishment. On one occasion, two of Ji's younger brothers secretly sent men to hunt in Shangdang. Upon learning about this, Ji arrested their guests and executed more than thirty people at once; none were allowed to return alive. Ji also built a separate mansion in the western part of the city, where he housed criminals and fugitives. Some were taken from innocent families and made into slaves and servants, numbering as many as several thousand; they were called "self-sold people."
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元嘉元年，帝以冀有援立之功，欲崇殊典，乃大會公卿，共議其禮。於是有司奏冀入朝不趨，劍履上殿，謁讚不名，禮儀比蕭何；悉以定陶、陽成餘戶增封為四縣，比鄧禹；賞賜金錢、奴婢、綵帛、車馬、衣服、甲第，比霍光：以殊元勳。每朝會，與三公絕席。十日一入，平尚書事。宣布天下，為萬世法。冀猶以所奏禮薄，意不悅。專擅威柄，凶恣日積，機事大小，莫不諮決之。宮衛近侍，並所親樹，禁省起居，纖微必知。百官遷召，皆先到冀門牋檄謝恩，然後敢詣尚書。下邳人吳樹為宛令，之官辭冀，冀賓客布在縣界，以情託樹。樹對曰：「小人姦蠹，比屋可誅。明將軍以椒房之重，處上將之位，宜崇賢善，以補朝闕。宛為大都，士之淵藪，自侍坐以來，未聞稱一長者，而多託非人，誠非敢聞！」冀嘿然不悅。樹到縣，遂誅殺冀客為人害者數十人，由是深怨之。樹後為荊州刺史，臨去辭冀，冀為設酒，因鴆之，樹出，死車上。又遼東太守侯猛，初拜不謁，冀託以它事，乃腰斬之。 |
| | In the first year of Yuangjia, the emperor, recognizing Ji's merit in supporting his ascension to the throne, wished to bestow a special honor upon him. He therefore convened a grand assembly of senior officials and ministers to jointly deliberate on the appropriate rites. As a result, the relevant officials presented a proposal stating that Ji should be allowed to enter court without hurrying his pace, carry his sword and wear his shoes upon entering the palace, and be addressed by title rather than name when paying homage—his ceremonial honors were to be equal to those of Xiao He. All the remaining households from Dingtao and Yangcheng were added to his fief, increasing it to four counties, a status comparable to Deng Yu's. He was also lavishly rewarded with gold, money, slaves and servants, brocade, carriages and horses, clothing, and a grand mansion—honors equal to those bestowed upon Huo Guang—to distinguish his unparalleled meritorious service. During each court assembly, he was seated separately from the Three Dukes in a distinct place of honor. He entered court once every ten days to oversee and handle matters of the Shangshu Office. The decree was proclaimed throughout the empire, intended as a model for all future generations. Ji, however, still considered the conferred honors insufficient and remained dissatisfied. He monopolized authority and power, growing increasingly arrogant and tyrannical; matters of state—great or small—were all submitted to him for consultation and decision. The palace guards and attendants close to the emperor were all personally appointed by Ji, and he knew every detail of the imperial household's daily activities. Whenever officials were promoted or summoned to office, they had to first visit Ji's residence with formal letters of thanks for his favor before daring to proceed to the Shangshu Office (Ministry). Wu Shu of Xiapi was appointed as the magistrate of Wan. Before taking office, he paid his respects to Ji, who had many guests stationed in the county and entrusted them with matters to be handled through Wu Shu. Shu replied, "The wickedness of petty men is so widespread that it could fill every house; they should all be punished." A distinguished general, you hold the esteemed position of a high-ranking commander. You should honor virtuous and capable individuals to help rectify the shortcomings of the court. Wan is a major city, a gathering place for scholars. Since I have been seated in your presence, I have not heard you praise even one upright person, yet many matters are entrusted to unworthy individuals. This is truly something I dare not hear!" Ji fell silent and was displeased. After arriving in the county, Wu Shu executed dozens of Ji's guests who had been causing harm to people. Because of this, Ji harbored deep resentment toward him. Later, when Wu Shu was appointed as the governor of Jingzhou and came to bid Ji farewell before leaving, Ji hosted a banquet for him. During the meal, he poisoned him. After Wu Shu left, he died on his carriage. Another case involved Hou Meng, the governor of Liaodong, who failed to pay his respects upon assuming office. Ji fabricated other charges against him and had him beheaded at the waist.
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時郎中汝南袁著，年十九，見冀凶縱，不勝其憤，乃詣闕上書曰：「臣聞仲尼歎鳳鳥不至，河不出圖，自傷卑賤，不能致也。今陛下居得致之位，又有能致之資，而和氣未應，賢愚失序者，埶分權臣，上下壅隔之故也。夫四時之運，功成則退，高爵厚寵，鮮不致災。今大將軍位極功成，可為至戒，宜遵懸車之禮，高枕頤神。傳曰：『木實繁者，披枝害心。』若不抑損權盛，將無以全其身矣。左右聞臣言，將側目切齒，臣特以童蒙見拔，故敢忘忌諱。昔舜、禹相戒無若丹朱，周公戒成王無如殷王紂，願除誹謗之罪，以開天下之口。」書得奏御，冀聞而密遣掩捕著。著乃變易姓名，後託病偽死，結蒲為人，市棺殯送。冀廉問知其詐，陰求得，笞殺之，隱蔽其事。學生桂陽劉常，當世名儒，素善於著，冀召補令史以辱之。時太原郝絜、胡武，皆危言高論，與著友善。先是絜等連名奏記三府，薦海內高士，而不詣冀，冀追怒之，又疑為著黨，敕中都官移檄捕前奏記者並殺之，遂誅武家，死者六十餘人。絜初逃亡，知不得免，因輿櫬奏書冀門。書入，仰藥而死，家乃得全。及冀誅，有詔以禮祀著等。冀諸忍忌，皆此類也。 |
| | At that time, Yuan Zhuo of Ru'nan, a young man of nineteen years old and an official in the Langzhong Office, was deeply angered by Ji's cruelty and arrogance. He went to court and submitted a memorial stating: "Minister, I have heard Confucius sighing over the absence of the Feng bird and the Yellow River not producing its map, lamenting his own low status and inability to bring about such signs. Now, Your Majesty holds a position capable of summoning such signs and possesses the resources to do so. Yet harmony has not yet manifested, and the order between the wise and the foolish is inverted—this is due solely to power being divided among powerful ministers, causing obstruction between ruler and subject. The cycle of the four seasons teaches that when a task is accomplished, one should step back; high rank and heavy favor rarely fail to bring disaster. Now that the great general has reached the pinnacle of rank and achieved his goals, he should be most cautious. He ought to observe the rites of retirement from office, rest in peace, and preserve his spirit. The Classic says: "When a tree bears too much fruit, its branches droop and harm the heart of the tree." If his excessive power is not curtailed, he will be unable to preserve himself. Those around the throne may resent and hate my words when they hear them, but I am merely a young man who has been unexpectedly promoted; thus, I dare not remain silent out of fear or restraint. In the past, Shun and Yu warned each other not to be like Dan Zhu; Duke of Zhou warned King Cheng not to become like King Zhou of Yin. I pray that Your Majesty will abolish the crime of defamation so as to open the mouths of all under heaven." After Yuan Zhuo's memorial was submitted, Ji heard about it and secretly sent men to arrest him. Yuan Zhuo then changed his name and pretended to be someone else, later feigning illness and faking his death. He tied reeds together as a person and bought a coffin for burial rites. Ji investigated discreetly, discovered the deception, secretly captured him, had him beaten to death, and concealed the matter. Liu Chang of Guiyang, a renowned scholar of his time who had always been close to Yuan Zhuo, was summoned by Ji and appointed as a minor clerk in order to humiliate him. At that time, Hao Qie of Taiyuan and Hu Wu were both known for their bold words and lofty ideals; they had also been close friends with Yuan Zhuo. Previously, Hao Qie and others had jointly submitted a memorial to the Three Offices recommending virtuous men from throughout the land without paying homage to Ji. This greatly angered him, who then suspected them of being part of Yuan Zhuo's faction. He ordered the central authorities to issue warrants for the arrest of those who had previously submitted the memorial and have them killed. As a result, Hu Wu's family was exterminated, with over sixty people put to death. Hao Qie had initially fled into hiding but, realizing he could not escape punishment, carried a coffin and presented a memorial at Ji's gate. After the memorial was submitted, Hao Qie drank poison and died, thus saving his family from further harm. When Ji was later executed, an imperial decree posthumously honored Yuan Zhuo and others with a ceremonial sacrifice in accordance with proper rites. Ji's various acts of cruelty and jealousy were all of this nature.
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不疑好經書，善待士，冀陰疾之，因中常侍白帝，轉為光祿勳。又諷眾人共薦其子胤為河南尹。胤一名胡狗，時年十六，容貌甚陋，不勝冠帶，道路見者，莫不蚩笑焉。不疑自恥兄弟有隙，遂讓位歸第，與弟蒙閉門自守。冀不欲令與賓客交通，陰使人變服至門，記往來者，南郡太守馬融、江夏太守田明，初除，過謁不疑，冀諷州郡以它事陷之，皆髡笞徙朔方。融自刺不殊，明遂死於路。 |
| | Liu Buyi loved Confucian classics and treated scholars well, which secretly angered Ji. Taking advantage of the emperor's trust in a eunuch, he had Liu transferred to the position of Guangluxun. Ji also hinted to others that they should jointly recommend his son Yin as governor of Henan. Yin, also known by the name Hu Gou, was only sixteen years old at that time. He had an unattractive appearance and could barely support his official headgear and sash; those who saw him on the road all sneered and mocked him. Liu Buyi was ashamed that there were divisions between his brothers, so he resigned from office and returned to his residence. He shut himself away with his younger brother Meng, living in seclusion. Ji did not want Liu Buyi to associate with guests, so he secretly sent men disguised in different clothes to his residence to record those who visited. When Ma Rong, the newly appointed governor of Nanjun, and Tian Ming, the new governor of Jiangxia, paid their respects to Liu Buyi upon assuming office, Ji hinted to local officials to fabricate charges against them, resulting in both being publicly shaven, flogged, and exiled to Shuofang. Ma Rong attempted suicide by stabbing himself but did not die; Tian Ming died on the way to exile.
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永興二年，封不疑子馬為潁陰侯，胤子桃為城父侯。冀一門前後七封侯，三皇后，六貴人，二大將軍，夫人、女食邑稱君者七人，尚公主者三人，其餘卿、將、尹、校五十七人。在位二十餘年，窮極滿盛，威行內外，百僚側目，莫敢違命，天子恭己而不得有所親豫。 |
| | In the second year of Yongxing, Liu Buyi's son Ma was enfeoffed as Yingyin Hou (Marquis of Yingyin), and Yin's son Tao as Chengfu Hou (Marquis of Chengfu). From Ji's family, seven members were successively enfeoffed as marquises. Three became empresses, six became imperial concubines of high rank, and two served as grand generals. Seven women—his wife and daughters—held fiefdoms and bore the title "Jun." Three married princesses. In addition, fifty-seven others held positions such as Qing (minister), general, Ju Shou (governor), or Jiao Wei (military officer). For more than twenty years in power, Ji reached the height of influence and authority. His will was obeyed both within and outside the court; officials looked on with fear and dared not defy his orders. The emperor remained passive and could not personally intervene or take part in governance.
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帝既不平之。延熹元年，太史令陳授因小黃門徐璜，陳災異日食之變，咎在大將軍，冀聞之，諷洛陽收考授，死於獄。帝由此發怒。 |
| | The emperor had long been dissatisfied with this situation. In the first year of Yanxi, Tai Shi Ling Chen Shou used a small eunuch named Xu Huang to report an unusual celestial event and solar eclipse, attributing it as a divine punishment for the sins of the great general. Upon hearing this, Ji hinted at having Chen arrested in Luoyang; he was interrogated and died in prison. The emperor became greatly angered by this incident.
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初，掖庭人鄧香妻宣生女猛，香卒，宣更適梁紀。梁紀者，冀妻壽之舅也。壽引進猛入掖庭，見幸，為貴人，冀因欲認猛為其女以自固，乃易猛姓為梁。時猛姊婿邴尊為議郎，冀恐尊沮敗宣意，乃結刺客於偃城，刺殺尊，而又欲殺宣。宣家在延熹里，與中常侍袁赦相比。冀使刺客登赦屋，欲入宣家。赦覺之，鳴鼓會眾以告宣。宣馳入以白帝，帝大怒，遂與中常侍單超、具瑗、唐衡、左悺、徐璜等五人成謀誅冀。語在宦者傳。 |
| | Initially, Deng Xiang, a man from the Yeting Office, had a wife named Xuan who bore him a daughter named Meng. After Xiang died, Xuan remarried to Liang Ji. Liang Ji was the maternal uncle of Sun Shou, Ji's wife. Sun Shou introduced Meng into the Yeting Palace, where she gained imperial favor and was made an imperial concubine of high rank. Ji then wished to claim Meng as his own daughter in order to strengthen his position, so he changed her surname to Liang. At that time, Meng's sister was married to Bing Zun, who held the position of Yilang. Ji feared that Zun might oppose or undermine his plans regarding Xuan, so he arranged for assassins in Yancheng to kill him and also planned to murder Xuan. Xuan's family lived in Yanxi Li, a neighborhood adjacent to that of the eunuch Yuan She. Ji sent assassins to climb onto Yuan She's roof with the intent of entering Xuan's home. Yuan She discovered them, sounded a drum to gather people and warned Xuan. Xuan hurried to the palace and informed the emperor, who was furious. The emperor then conspired with five eunuchs—Dan Chao, Ju Yuan, Tang Heng, Zuo Guan, and Xu Huang—to plot Ji's downfall. The details of this are recorded in the biography of Eunuchs.
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冀心疑超等，乃使中黃門張惲入省宿，以防其變。具瑗敕吏收惲，以輒從外入，欲圖不軌。帝因是御前殿，召諸尚書入，發其事，使尚書令尹勳持節勒丞郎以下皆操兵守省閣，斂諸符節送省中。使黃門令具瑗將左右廄騶、虎賁、羽林、都候劍戟士，合千餘人，與司隸校尉張彪共圍冀第。使光祿勳袁盱持節收冀大將軍印綬，徙封比景都鄉侯。冀及妻壽即日皆自殺。悉收子河南尹胤、叔父屯騎校尉讓，及親從衛尉淑、越騎校尉忠、長水校尉戟等，諸梁及孫氏中外宗親送詔獄，無長少皆棄市。不疑、蒙先卒。其它所連及公卿列校刺史二千石死者數十人，故吏賓客免黜者三百餘人，朝廷為空，唯尹勳、袁盱及廷尉邯鄲義在焉。是時事卒從中發，使者交馳，公卿失其度，官府市里鼎沸，數日乃定，百姓莫不稱慶。 |
| | Ji suspected Dan Chao and others, so he sent Zhang Yun, a eunuch from the Zhonghuangmen Office, to stay in the palace quarters as a precaution against any sudden changes. Ju Yuan ordered officials to arrest Zhang Yun on charges of 擅自 entering from outside without authorization and plotting treasonous acts. Taking advantage of this situation, the emperor personally went to Qian Dian Hall and summoned all the Shangshu officials. He revealed Ji's conspiracy, ordering Shangshu Ling Yin Xun to hold a token of authority and command all clerks and lower-ranking officials to arm themselves and guard the palace offices, collecting all official seals and tokens for safekeeping in the central administration. The emperor ordered Ju Yuan, the Huangmen Ling (Head of the Yellow Gate), to lead a force consisting of stable guards, Hu Bin soldiers, Yu Lin troops, and sword-and-spear-bearing officers from the Du Hou unit, totaling more than a thousand men, along with Zhang Biao, the Sili Jiao Wei (Inspector General under the Ministry of Justice), to surround Ji's residence. The emperor also ordered Yuan Xu, the Guanglu Xun (Minister of Ceremonies), to hold a token and seize Ji's seal as Grand General, demoting him from his title and regranting it as Bi Jing Duxiang Hou. On the same day, Ji and his wife Shou both committed suicide. All of Ji's son Yuan, the governor of Henan Commandery; his uncle Tanqi Jiao Wei Ran; and close relatives such as Shu, the Weiyi (Minister of Public Works); Zhong, the Yueqi Jiao Wei; and Ji, the Changshui Jiao Wei—along with all other members of the Liang family and Sun clan, both inside and outside the bloodline—were arrested and sent to prison. Without exception, regardless of age, they were executed in public. Bu Yi and Meng had already died earlier. Dozens of other officials, including high-ranking ministers, military commanders, provincial governors, and magistrates at the level of 2000-dan salary, were also executed. More than three hundred former subordinates, guests, and associates were dismissed or demoted as a result. The court was left nearly empty, with only Yin Xun, Yuan Xu, and Han Dan Yi, the Tingwei (Minister of Justice), remaining in office. At that time, the events unfolded suddenly from within the palace. Messengers were rushing back and forth constantly; ministers lost their composure, while government offices and city streets were in a state of uproar. It took several days for order to be restored, and the common people all celebrated joyfully.
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收冀財貨，縣官斥賣，合三十餘萬萬，以充王府，用減天下稅租之半。散其苑囿，以業窮民。錄誅冀功者，封尚書令尹勳以下數十人。 |
| | The government confiscated Ji's wealth, which was auctioned off and totaled more than thirty million strings of coins. These funds were used to replenish the imperial treasury, allowing for a reduction in half of the taxes and rents levied from across the land. The emperor also distributed Ji's private hunting grounds and estates among the poor to provide them with livelihoods. Those who had contributed to Ji's downfall were rewarded, and dozens of individuals—including Yin Xun, the Shangshu Ling (Minister of State Affairs)—were granted titles or honors.
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論曰：順帝之世，梁商稱為賢輔，豈以其地居亢滿，而能以愿謹自終者乎？夫宰相運動樞極，感會天人，中於道則易以興政，乖於務則難乎御物。商協回天之埶，屬彫弱之期，而匡朝卹患，未聞上術，憔悴之音，載謠人口。雖輿粟盈門，何救阻飢之厄；永言終制，未解尸官之尤。況乃傾側孽臣，傳寵凶嗣，以至破家傷國，而豈徒然哉！ |
| | Commentary: During the reign of Emperor Shun, Liang Shang was regarded as a virtuous minister. Could this be because he occupied an exalted position yet managed to maintain humility and caution throughout his life? A prime minister, who controls the central mechanism of state affairs and mediates between heaven and humanity, can easily promote good governance if he aligns with the Way. However, if his actions deviate from practical matters, it becomes difficult for him to manage worldly affairs effectively. Liang Shang, possessing the power to influence destiny, served during a time of decline and weakness. Although he assisted the court in alleviating crises, there was no record of his employing superior strategies; instead, songs lamenting hardship were sung by the people. Although grain wagons filled his gates, how could this alleviate the suffering of a starving populace? Though he spoke often about upholding proper governance until death, it did not resolve the blame for holding office in vain. Moreover, by favoring wicked ministers and passing on power to a vicious heir, he ultimately led to the destruction of his family and harm to the state—was this truly without cause!
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贊曰：河西佐漢，統亦定筭。褒親幽憤，升高累歎。商恨善柔，冀遂貪亂。 |
| | Eulogy: Assisting Han from the western regions, Liang Tong also laid solid plans. Honoring his relatives and venting deep resentment, he ascended to higher ranks while sighing over accumulated grievances. Shang regretted his excessive gentleness; Ji then proceeded with greed and chaos.
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