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张丞相苍者，阳武人也。好书律历。秦时为御史，主柱下方书。有罪，亡归。及沛公略地过阳武，苍以客从攻南阳。苍坐法当斩，解衣伏质，身长大，肥白如瓠，时王陵见而怪其美士，乃言沛公，赦勿斩。遂从西入武关，至咸阳。沛公立为汉王，入汉中，还定三秦。陈馀击走常山王张耳，耳归汉，汉乃以张苍为常山守。从淮阴侯击赵，苍得陈馀。赵地已平，汉王以苍为代相，备边寇。已而徙为赵相，相赵王耳。耳卒，相赵王敖。复徙相代王。燕王臧荼反，高祖往击之。苍以代相从攻臧荼有功，以六年中封为北平侯，食邑千二百户。 |
| | Zhang Chengxiang Cang was a native of Yangwu. He loved books, laws, and the calendar system. During the Qin dynasty he served as a Yushi (Censor), in charge of the imperial archives stored beneath the pillars. After committing an offense, he fled back home. When Peigong was conquering territories and passed through Yangwu, Cang followed as a guest retainer and joined the attack on Nanyang. Cang was sentenced to death according to the law, and as he took off his clothes and knelt on the execution block, people noticed that he was tall and large in stature, with a fat and white body like a gourd. At that time Wang Ling saw him and found it strange that such an impressive man should be condemned; thus he spoke to Peigong, who then pardoned Cang and spared his life. He therefore followed westward into Wuguan Pass and arrived at Xianyang. Peigong was established as the King of Han, entered Hanzhong, then returned to pacify the Three Qins. Chen Yu defeated and drove away Changshan Wang Zhang Er, who then submitted to Han; thus Han appointed Zhang Cang as the governor of Changshan. Following Hou Huaiyin in his campaign against Zhao, Cang captured Chen Yu. After the territory of Zhao was pacified, King Han appointed Cang as prime minister of Dai to guard against border raiders. Later he was transferred to serve as prime minister of Zhao and served under King Zhao Er. After Er's death, Cang continued serving as prime minister for King Zhao Ao. He was then transferred again to serve as prime minister to the King of Dai. When Yan Wang Zang Chu rebelled, Emperor Gaozu went out to attack him. Cang, as prime minister of Dai, followed in the campaign against Zang Chu and was credited with meritorious service. In the sixth year [of Emperor Gaozu's reign], he was enfeoffed as Hou of Beiping, receiving a fief of 1,200 households.
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| | 张丞相列... : |
迁为计相，一月，更以列侯为主计四岁。是时萧何为相国，而张苍乃自秦时为柱下史，明习天下图书计籍。苍又善用算律历，故令苍以列侯居相府，领主郡国上计者。黥布反亡，汉立皇子长为淮南王，而张苍相之。十四年，迁为御史大夫。 |
| | He was transferred to serve as the Minister of Finance; after one month, he was reappointed in a new position for four years as a marquis overseeing financial administration. At that time Xiao He was the prime minister, while Zhang Cang had served as a historian under the pillars since the Qin dynasty and was well-versed in the maps, records, and financial registers of the empire. Cang was also skilled in mathematics, calendar systems, and legal codes; therefore, he was appointed to serve at the prime minister's office as a marquis, overseeing the financial reports submitted by the commanderies and states. After Wu Guang rebelled and perished, Han enfeoffed Crown Prince Chang as King of Huainan, with Zhang Cang serving as his prime minister. In the fourteenth year [of Emperor Gaozu's reign], he was promoted to Minister of Justice (Yushi Daifu).
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周昌者，沛人也。其从兄曰周苛，秦时皆为泗水卒史。及高祖起沛，击破泗水守监，于是周昌、周苛自卒史从沛公，沛公以周昌为职志，周苛为客。从入关，破秦。沛公立为汉王，以周苛为御史大夫，周昌为中尉。 |
| | Zhou Chang was a native of Pei. His cousin was Zhou Ke, and during the Qin dynasty both served as magistrates in Sishui Commandery. When Emperor Gaozu rose to power in Pei and defeated the governor and military commander of Sishui, Zhou Chang and Zhou Ke then followed Peigong from their posts as magistrates. Peigong appointed Zhou Chang as a clerk and Zhou Ke as a guest retainer. They followed in entering the Guan Pass and helped to overthrow the Qin dynasty. When Peigong was established as King of Han, Zhou Ke was appointed Minister of Justice (Yushi Daif), and Zhou Chang was made Zhongwei.
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汉王四年，楚围汉王荥阳急，汉王遁出去，而使周苛守荥阳城。楚破荥阳城，欲令周苛将。苛骂曰：“若趣降汉王！不然，今为虏矣！”项羽怒，亨周苛。于是乃拜周昌为御史大夫。常从击破项籍。以六年中与萧、曹等俱封：封周昌为汾阴侯；周苛子周成以父死事，封为高景侯。 |
| | In the fourth year of King Han's reign, the Chu forces urgently besieged King Han at Yingyang; King Han fled and left Zhou Ke to defend the city of Yingyang. After the Chu forces captured the city of Yingyang, they wanted Zhou Ke to become their general. Ke scolded them and said, "You had better quickly surrender to King Han! Otherwise, you will become captives today!" Xiang Yu became furious and boiled Zhou Ke to death. At that time, King Han appointed Zhou Chang as Minister of Justice (Yushi Daibu). He often accompanied the forces in defeating Xiang Ji. In the sixth year [of Emperor Gauzu's reign], along with Xiao He, Cao Shen and others, he was enfeoffed: Zhou Chang was enfeoffed as Marquis of Fenyin; Zhou Ke's son Zhou Cheng was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Gaojing because his father died in service.
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昌为人强力，敢直言，自萧、曹等皆卑下之。昌尝燕时入奏事，高帝方拥戚姬，昌还走，高帝逐得，骑周昌项，问曰：“我何如主也？”昌仰曰：“陛下即桀纣之主也。”于是上笑之，然尤惮周昌。及帝欲废太子，而立戚姬子如意为太子，大臣固争之，莫能得；上以留侯策即止。而周昌廷争之强，上问其说，昌为人吃，又盛怒，曰：“臣口不能言，然臣期期知其不可。陛下虽欲废太子，臣期期不奉诏。”上欣然而笑。既罢，吕后侧耳于东箱听，见周昌，为跪谢曰：“微君，太子几废。” |
| | Zhou Chang was a man of great strength and courage, unafraid to speak bluntly; even Xiao He, Cao Shen, and others regarded him with humility. Once, while Zhou Chang was going to report matters during a banquet, Emperor Gaozu was embracing Qi Ji. Seeing this, Zhou Chang turned and ran away, but the emperor caught up with him, straddled his neck, and asked, "What kind of ruler am I?" Chang looked up and said, "Your Majesty is indeed a tyrant like Jie or Zhou." At this the emperor laughed, but still greatly feared Zhou Chang. When Emperor Gaozu wanted to depose the crown prince and instead establish Qi Ji's son Yurui as heir, the ministers strongly opposed it but could not prevail; The emperor finally stopped due to Liu Hou's strategy. Zhou Chang strongly argued against it in court, and the emperor asked for his reasoning. Since Zhou Chang had a speech impediment and was very angry, he said, "I cannot speak clearly with my mouth, but I am certain that this is not acceptable. Although Your Majesty wishes to depose the crown prince, I will certainly not obey the order." The emperor smiled happily. After the court session ended, Lady Lu listened from behind a screen in the east wing and saw Zhou Chang. She knelt to thank him and said, "Without you, the crown prince would have been deposed."
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是后戚姬子如意为赵王，年十岁，高祖忧即万岁之后不全也。赵尧年少，为符玺御史。赵人方与公谓御史大夫周昌曰：“君之史赵尧，年虽少，然奇才也，君必异之，是且代君之位。”周昌笑曰；“尧年少，刀笔吏耳，何能至是乎！”居顷之，赵尧侍高祖。高祖独心不乐，悲歌，群臣不知上之所以然。赵尧进请问曰：“陛下所为不乐，非为赵王年少而戚夫人与吕后有却邪？备万岁之后而赵王不能自全乎？”高祖曰：“然。吾私忧之，不知所出。”尧曰：“陛下独宜为赵王置贵强相，及吕后、太子、群臣素所敬惮乃可。”高祖曰：“然。吾念之欲如是，而群臣谁可者？”尧曰：“御史大夫周昌，其人坚忍质直，且自吕后、太子及大臣皆素敬惮之。独昌可。”高祖曰：“善。”于是乃召周昌，谓曰：“吾欲固烦公，公强为我相赵王。”周昌泣曰：“臣初起从陛下，陛下独柰何中道而弃之于诸侯乎？”高祖曰：“吾极知其左迁，然吾私忧赵王，念非公无可者。公不得已强行！”于是徙御史大夫周昌为赵相。 |
| | After this, Qi Ji's son Yurui was made King of Zhao. He was ten years old, and Emperor Gaozu worried that after his death the boy would not be safe. Zhao Yao was young and served as an official in charge of seals and imperial documents (Fuxi Yushi). A native of Zhao named Fang Yu Gong told the Minister of Justice Zhou Chang, "Your subordinate Zhao Yao is young in age, but he possesses extraordinary talent. You must treat him differently; this man will soon take your position." Zhou Chang laughed and said: "Yao is young, merely a clerk who handles documents with brush and knife; how could he possibly reach such a position!" After some time, Zhao Yao served Emperor Gaozu. Emperor Gaozu was secretly unhappy and sang sorrowful songs; the ministers did not know why he felt this way. Zhao Yao stepped forward and asked, "Is it because Your Majesty is unhappy due to the fact that King Zhao is still young and there are tensions between Qi Ji and Lady Lu?" "Are you worried that after your passing, King Zhao will be unable to protect himself?" Emperor Gaozu said, "Yes." "I have been privately worried about this and do not know what to do." Yao said, "Your Majesty should appoint a noble and capable prime minister for King Zhao. Only someone who is respected and feared by Lady Lu, the crown prince, and all the ministers will be suitable." Emperor Gaozu replied, "Yes." "I have been thinking of doing just that, but among the ministers, who is suitable?" Yao said, "Minister of Justice Zhou Chang is a man who is resolute, patient, and upright. Moreover, Lady Lu, the crown prince and all the ministers have long respected and feared him." "Only Zhou Chang can do it." Emperor Gaozu said, "Good." He then summoned Zhou Chang and told him, "I want to trouble you once more; please serve as prime minister for King Zhao." Zhou Chang wept and said, "I have followed Your Majesty from the beginning; how can you now abandon me in the middle of my service by sending me to serve a vassal king?" Emperor Gaozu said, "I am fully aware that this is a demotion, but I have private concerns about King Zhao and feel there is no one else suitable except you." "You must go reluctantly!" Thus, the Minister of Justice Zhou Chang was transferred to serve as prime minister for Zhao.
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既行久之，高祖持御史大夫印弄之，曰：“谁可以为御史大夫者？”孰视赵尧，曰：“无以易尧。”遂拜赵尧为御史大夫。尧亦前有军功食邑，及以御史大夫从击陈豨有功，封为江邑侯。 |
| | After he had been away for a long time, Emperor Gaozu took the seal of the Minister of Justice and played with it, saying, "Who can serve as Minister of Justice?" Looking carefully at Zhao Yao, he said, "No one is more suitable than Yao." He then appointed Zhao Yao as Minister of Justice. Yao had previously earned a fief through military service, and later, for his meritorious service as Minister of Justice in the campaign against Chen Xi, he was enfeoffed with the title Hou of Jiangyi.
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高祖崩，吕太后使使召赵王，其相周昌令王称疾不行。使者三反，周昌固为不遣赵王。于是高后患之，乃使使召周昌。周昌至，谒高后，高后怒而骂周昌曰：“尔不知我之怨戚氏乎？而不遣赵王，何？”昌既徵，高后使使召赵王，赵王果来。至长安月馀，饮药而死。周昌因谢病不朝见，三岁而死。 |
| | After Emperor Gaozu died, Empress Dowager Lü sent envoys to summon King Zhao, but his prime minister Zhou Chang ordered the king to feign illness and refuse to come. The envoys returned three times, but Zhou Chang firmly refused to send King Zhao away. At this point, Empress Dowager Gao became concerned and sent an envoy to summon Zhou Chang. When Zhou Chang arrived, he paid his respects to Empress Dowager Gao, who angrily scolded him and said, "Do you not know that I have long resented Qi Ji?" "Why did you not send King Zhao here?" After Zhou Chang was summoned, Empress Dowager Gao sent an envoy to call for King Zhao again, and indeed, King Zhao came. After arriving in Chang'an for more than a month, he drank poison and died. Zhou Chang then claimed illness and did not attend court; three years later, he died.
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后五岁，高后闻御史大夫江邑侯赵尧高祖时定赵王如意之画，乃抵尧罪，以广阿侯任敖为御史大夫。 |
| | Five years later, Empress Dowager Lu heard that Minister of Justice Marquis Jiangyi Zhao Yao had devised the plan to secure King Zhao Yurui during Emperor Gaozu's time; she then punished Yao and appointed Guanga Hou Ren Ao as Minister of Justice.
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任敖者，故沛狱吏。高祖尝辟吏，吏系吕后，遇之不谨。任敖素善高祖，怒，击伤主吕后吏。及高祖初起，敖以客从为御史，守丰二岁，高祖立为汉王，东击项籍，敖迁为上党守。陈豨反时，敖坚守，封为广阿侯，食千八百户。高后时为御史大夫。三岁免，以平阳侯曹窋为御史大夫。高后崩，（不）与大臣共诛吕禄等。免，以淮南相张苍为御史大夫。 |
| | Ren Ao was formerly a prison official in Pei. Emperor Gaozu had once been arrested and detained, during which time the officials imprisoned Lady Lu and treated her carelessly. Ren Ao, who was friendly with Emperor Gaozu by nature, became angry and attacked and injured the official responsible for Lady Lu's detention. When Emperor Gaozu first rose to power, Ren Ao followed as a retainer and served as Minister of Justice, guarding Feng for two years. When Gaozu was established as King of Han and marched eastward against Xiang Yu, Ren Ao was transferred to serve as governor of Shangdang Commandery. During the rebellion of Chen Xi, Ren Ao held his position firmly and was enfeoffed as Guanga Hou with a fief of 1800 households. He served as Minister of Justice during the reign of Empress Dowager Lu. Three years later he was dismissed, and Cao Zhu, Marquis of Pingyang, became Minister of Justice. After Empress Dowager Lu died, (not) together with the ministers did they execute Lü Lu and others. He was dismissed from office, and Zhang Cang, prime minister of Huainan, became Minister of Justice instead.
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苍与绛侯等尊立代王为孝文皇帝。四年，丞相灌婴卒，张苍为丞相。 |
| | Cang joined Marquis of Jiao and others in supporting the King of Dai as Emperor Xiaowen. In the fourth year, Chancellor Guan Ying died, and Zhang Cang became chancellor.
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自汉兴至孝文二十馀年，会天下初定，将相公卿皆军吏。张苍为计相时，绪正律历。以高祖十月始至霸上，因故秦时本以十月为岁首，弗革。推五德之运，以为汉当水德之时，尚黑如故。吹律调乐，入之音声，及以比定律令。若百工，天下作程品。至于为丞相，卒就之，故汉家言律历者，本之张苍。苍本好书，无所不观，无所不通，而尤善律历。 |
| | From the founding of Han to Emperor Xiaowen's reign, more than twenty years had passed; at this time, when the empire was just pacified, all chancellors, generals, and high officials were former military officers. When Zhang Cang served as Minister of Finance, he began to regulate the legal codes and calendar system. Since Emperor Gaozu started his campaign in the tenth month, when he arrived at Bashiang, and because the former Qin dynasty had already used the tenth month as the beginning of the year, this system was not changed. He traced the Five Virtues theory and concluded that Han belonged to the Water virtue era; thus, as before, black was still favored. By blowing on pitch pipes to adjust musical tones, he incorporated them into sound theory and used these principles to standardize laws and decrees. Like the various craftsmen, standards were established for all works throughout the empire. By the time he became chancellor, these matters were finally completed; thus, in later Han discussions of laws and calendars, they all traced back to Zhang Cang. Cang had always loved books; he read everything without exception and understood it thoroughly, but was especially skilled in laws and calendar systems.
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张苍德王陵。王陵者，安国侯也。及苍贵，常父事王陵。陵死后，苍为丞相，洗沐，常先朝陵夫人上食，然后敢归家。 |
| | Zhang Cang owed his fortune to Wang Ling. Wang Ling was the Marquis of Anguo. When Zhang Cang rose to prominence, he often treated Wang Ling as a father. After Wang Ling's death, when Zhang Cang was chancellor and took his leave for washing and bathing, he would first visit Lady Ling to offer food before daring to return home.
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苍为丞相十馀年，鲁人公孙臣上书言汉土德时，其符有黄龙当见。诏下其议张苍，张苍以为非是，罢之。其后黄龙见成纪，于是文帝召公孙臣以为博士，草土德之历制度，更元年。张丞相由此自绌，谢病称老。苍任人为中候，大为奸利，上以让苍，苍遂病免。苍为丞相十五岁而免。孝景前五年，苍卒，谥为文侯。子康侯代，八年卒。子类代为侯，八年，坐临诸侯丧后就位不敬，国除。 |
| | Zhang Cang served as chancellor for more than ten years, when Gongsun Chen of Lu submitted a memorial stating that Han belonged to the Earth virtue era and its sign was the appearance of a yellow dragon. The emperor summoned Zhang Cang for discussion on this proposal, but Zhang Cang considered it incorrect and dismissed the idea. Later, a yellow dragon was sighted in Chengji; thus Emperor Wen summoned Gongsun Chen and appointed him as a Doctor to draft the calendar system for the Earth virtue era, changing the first year accordingly. Because of this, Chancellor Zhang Cang fell out of favor and claimed illness, citing old age as a reason to resign. Zhang Cang appointed someone as Zhonghou, who committed many corrupt and profitable acts; the emperor rebuked Zhang Cang for this, and he then resigned due to illness. Zhang Cang served as a chancellor for fifteen years before being dismissed. In the fifth year prior to Emperor Jing's reign, Zhang Cang died and was posthumously honored with the title Wenhoul. His son Kanghou Dai succeeded him but died in the eighth year. Zi Leidai inherited the marquis title, but in the eighth year, he was found guilty of showing disrespect by arriving late and improperly at a mourning ceremony for feudal lords; as punishment, his fiefdom was abolished.
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初，张苍父长不满五尺，及生苍，苍长八尺馀，为侯、丞相。苍子复长。及孙类，长六尺馀，坐法失侯。苍之免相后，老，口中无齿，食乳，女子为乳母。妻妾以百数，尝孕者不复幸。苍年百有馀岁而卒。 |
| | Initially, Zhang Cang's father was less than five chi tall; but when he gave birth to Zhang Cang, Zhang Cang grew more than eight chi in height and became a marquis and chancellor. Zhang Cang's son was also tall. By the time of his grandson Leil, he was more than six chi tall and lost his marquis title due to legal violations. After Zhang Cang retired from the chancellor position, he grew old, had no teeth in his mouth, and drank milk; a woman served as his wet nurse. He had hundreds of wives and concubines, but once a woman became pregnant, he no longer favored her. Zhang Cang lived to be over one hundred years old before dying.
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申屠丞相嘉者，梁人，以材官蹶张从高帝击项籍，迁为队率。从击黥布军，为都尉。孝惠时，为淮阳守。孝文帝元年，举故吏士二千石从高皇帝者，悉以为关内侯，食邑二十四人，而申屠嘉食邑五百户。张苍已为丞相，嘉迁为御史大夫。张苍免相，孝文帝欲用皇后弟窦广国为丞相，曰：“恐天下以吾私广国。”广国贤有行，故欲相之，念久之不可，而高帝时大臣又皆多死，馀见无可者，乃以御史大夫嘉为丞相，因故邑封为故安侯。 |
| | Chancellor Shentu Jia was a native of Liang; he followed Emperor Gao in fighting Xiang Yu as an infantry officer skilled in crossbow techniques, and was later promoted to commander of a unit. He participated in the campaign against Qingbu's forces and became a Duwei (military rank). During Emperor Huai's reign, he served as governor of Huaiyang. In the first year of Emperor Wen's reign, officials who had served as magistrates or high-ranking officers under Emperor Gao were all appointed as Guannei Hou (inner pass marquises), with 24 people receiving fiefs; Shentu Jia received a fief for five hundred households. After Zhang Cang had become chancellor, Jia was promoted to Grand Censor-in-Chief. After Zhang Cang resigned as chancellor, Emperor Wen wanted to appoint his sister's younger brother Dou Guangguo as chancellor and said, "I am afraid the empire will think I have favored Guangguo." Guangguo was virtuous and well-behaved, so the emperor wanted to appoint him as chancellor. However, after much consideration, he decided against it. At that time, many of Emperor Gao's senior ministers had died, and there were no suitable candidates left; thus, the emperor appointed Grand Censor-in-Chief Jia as chancellor and granted him a fief at Guanhou based on his previous title, making him Marquis of Gu'an.
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嘉为人廉直，门不受私谒。是时太中大夫邓通方隆爱幸，赏赐累巨万。文帝尝燕饮通家，其宠如是。是时丞相入朝，而通居上傍，有怠慢之礼。丞相奏事毕，因言曰：“陛下爱幸臣，则富贵之；至于朝廷之礼，不可以不肃！”上曰：“君勿言，吾私之。”罢朝坐府中，嘉为檄召邓通诣丞相府，不来，且斩通。通恐，入言文帝。文帝曰：“汝第往，吾今使人召若。”通至丞相府，免冠，徒跣，顿首谢。嘉坐自如，故不为礼，责曰：“夫朝廷者，高皇帝之朝廷也。通小臣，戏殿上，大不敬，当斩。吏今行斩之！”通顿首，首尽出血，不解。文帝度丞相已困通，使使者持节召通，而谢丞相曰：“此吾弄臣，君释之。”邓通既至，为文帝泣曰：“丞相几杀臣。” |
| | Jia was known for being upright and incorruptible; no private visitors were allowed at his residence. oplevel At that time, Tai Zhongdafa Deng Tong was enjoying great favor and affection from the emperor, receiving continuous rewards amounting to tens of thousands. Emperor Wen once attended a banquet at Tong's home; his favor for Deng Tong was as such. At that time, when the chancellor entered court, Deng Tong sat beside the emperor and showed a disrespectful manner toward him. After finishing his report on official matters, the chancellor said: "If Your Majesty favors me, then bestow wealth and rank upon me; as for court etiquette, it cannot be neglected!" The emperor said, "You need not speak further; I have my private reasons." After the court session ended and he returned to his office, Jia issued a summons for Deng Tong to appear at the chancellor's residence. When Deng Tong did not come, Jia threatened to have him executed. Deng Tong was frightened and went in to speak with Emperor Wen. Emperor Wen said, "You may go ahead; I will now send someone to summon you." Deng Tong arrived at the chancellor's residence, removed his hat, knelt barefoot, and kowtowed repeatedly in apology. Jia remained seated as usual, deliberately ignoring the courtesy, and rebuked him, saying: "The court is the court of Emperor Gao. You, a lowly official, dared to act disrespectfully on the palace floor; this constitutes grave disrespect and you should be executed." "The officials are now ordered to carry out your execution!" Deng Tong kowtowed repeatedly, his head bleeding profusely, but still did not receive a response. Emperor Wen realized that the chancellor had sufficiently humiliated Deng Tong and sent an envoy with a token to summon him, apologizing to the chancellor by saying: "This is my favorite entertainer; you may release him." After Deng Tong arrived, he wept before Emperor Wen and said, "The chancellor nearly had me killed."
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| | 张丞相列... : |
嘉为丞相五岁，孝文帝崩，孝景帝即位。二年，晁错为内史，贵幸用事，诸法令多所请变更，议以谪罚侵削诸侯。而丞相嘉自绌所言不用，疾错。错为内史，门东出，不便，更穿一门南出。南出者，太上皇庙堧垣。嘉闻之，欲因此以法错擅穿宗庙垣为门，奏请诛错。错客有语错，错恐，夜入宫上谒，自归景帝。至朝，丞相奏请诛内史错。景帝曰：“错所穿非真庙垣，乃外堧垣，故他官居其中，且又我使为之，错无罪。”罢朝，嘉谓长史曰：“吾悔不先斩错，乃先请之，为错所卖。”至舍，因欧血而死。谥为节侯。子共侯蔑代，三年卒。子侯去病代，三十一年卒。子侯臾代，六岁，坐为九江太守受故官送有罪，国除。 |
| | Jia served as chancellor for five years when Emperor Wen died and Emperor Jing ascended the throne. In the second year, Chao Cuo became Neishi (Minister of the Interior), gained favor and influence, and proposed many changes to laws and decrees, suggesting that penalties be imposed on feudal lords through demotions. The chancellor Jia fell out of favor as his proposals were not accepted; he thus resented Chao Cuo. Chao Cuo, serving as Neishi, had an eastern gate for his residence that was inconvenient; he therefore dug another southern gate to exit. The southern gate passed through the outer wall of the Temple of Emperor Taishang Huang. Jia heard about this and wanted to use it as grounds for accusing Chao Cuo of illegally digging through the temple wall to build a gate; he submitted a memorial requesting that Chao be executed. One of Chao Cuo's guests informed him, and fearing for his life, Chao hurried to the palace at night to present himself before Emperor Jing. By the time court convened, Chancellor Jia submitted a request to execute Neishi Cuo. Emperor Jing said, "What Cuo dug through was not the actual temple wall but an outer wall; other officials lived there as well. Moreover, I ordered it to be done, so Cuo is innocent." After the court session ended, Jia said to his chief clerk: "I regret not executing Cuo first and instead requesting approval beforehand; I was outwitted by him." When he returned home, he vomited blood and died. He was posthumously honored with the designation Jiehou. His son Gonghou Mie succeeded him, but died in the third year. Zi Hou Qubing inherited the title and died in the thirty-first year. Zi Hou Yu succeeded him; at six years old, he was found guilty for accepting gifts from former officials while serving as governor of Jiujiang and his fiefdom was abolished due to this crime.
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| | 张丞相列... : |
自申屠嘉死之后，景帝时开封侯陶青、桃侯刘舍为丞相。及今上时，柏至侯许昌、平棘侯薛泽、武强侯庄青翟、高陵侯赵周等为丞相。皆以列侯继嗣，娖娖廉谨，为丞相备员而已，无所能发明功名有著于当世者。 |
| | After Shentu Jia's death, during Emperor Jing's reign, Marquis of Kaifeng Tao Qing and Liu She, Marquis of Tao, served as chancellors. And during the current emperor's reign, Chancellor Marquis of Baizhi Xu Chang, Marquis of Pingji Xue Ze, Marquis of Wuqiang Zhuang Qingzhai, and Marquis of Gaoling Zhao Zhou served as chancellors. All of them inherited their titles through the ranks of marquises, were cautious and upright in conduct, but served merely as nominal chancellors without distinction; none achieved notable accomplishments or fame during their time.
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| | 张丞相列... : |
太史公曰：“张苍文学律历，为汉名相，而绌贾生、公孙臣等言正朔服色事而不遵，明用秦之颛顼历，何哉？周昌，木强人也。任敖以旧德用。申屠嘉可谓刚毅守节矣，然无术学，殆与萧、曹、陈平异矣。 |
| | Grand Historian said: "Zhang Cang, with his knowledge of literature and calendar systems, was a famous chancellor of Han. Yet he dismissed Jia Sheng, Gongsun Chen, and others who proposed reforms on the new calendar and ceremonial dress without following their advice—why did he insist on using Qin's Zhuanxu calendar instead?" Zhou Chang was a native of Muqiang. Ren Ao was appointed due to his past virtue and reputation. Shentu Jia could be said to have been resolute and steadfast in his principles, but he lacked strategic knowledge; thus, he was quite different from Xiao He, Cao Can, and Chen Ping.
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| | 张丞相列... : |
孝武时丞相多甚，不记，莫录其行起居状略，且纪征和以来。 |
| | During Emperor Wu's reign, there were many chancellors; their detailed biographies and daily activities are not recorded here. Only a brief account of those since the Zhenghe period is provided.
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| | 张丞相列... : |
有车丞相，长陵人也。卒而有韦丞相代。韦丞相贤者，鲁人也。以读书术为吏，至大鸿胪。有相工相之，当至丞相。有男四人，使相工相之，至第二子，其名玄成。相工曰：“此子贵，当封。”韦丞相言曰：“我即为丞相，有长子，是安从得之？”后竟为丞相，病死，而长子有罪论，不得嗣，而立玄成。玄成时佯狂，不肯立，竟立之，有让国之名。后坐骑至庙，不敬，有诏夺爵一级，为关内侯，失列侯，得食其故国邑。韦丞相卒，有魏丞相代。 |
| | Yue Chengxiang was a native of Changling. After his death, Wei Chengxiang succeeded him as chancellor. Chancellor Wei Xian was a native of Lu. He became an official through his knowledge and study, eventually rising to the position of Dahanlu (Minister of Rites). A fortune-teller once read his face and predicted that he would rise to become chancellor. He had four sons, and he sent the fortune-teller to examine them; when it came to his second son, whose name was Xuancheng, the fortune-teller said: "This son will be honored with high rank and should receive a fief." Chancellor Wei remarked, "Even if I become chancellor, my eldest son will inherit the honor—how could this younger one receive it?" Later, he indeed became chancellor and died of illness. His eldest son was found guilty and thus could not inherit the title; instead, Xuancheng succeeded him. At that time, Xuancheng pretended to be mad and refused to accept the position, but was eventually installed as heir; he gained a reputation for yielding his fief. Later, Xuancheng was found guilty of riding to the temple in an undignified manner and showing disrespect. By imperial decree, his title was reduced by one rank; he became a Guannei Hou but lost his status as a marquis, though he retained the fiefdom of his former state. After Chancellor Wei died, Hui Chengxiang succeeded him.
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| | 张丞相列... : |
魏丞相相者，济阴人也。以文吏至丞相。其人好武，皆令诸吏带剑，带剑前奏事。或有不带剑者，当入奏事，至乃借剑而敢入奏事。其时京兆尹赵君，丞相奏以免罪，使人执魏丞相，欲求脱罪而不听。复使人胁恐魏丞相，以夫人贼杀待婢事而私独奏请验之，发吏卒至丞相舍，捕奴婢笞击问之，实不以兵刃杀也。而丞相司直繁君奏京兆尹赵君迫胁丞相，诬以夫人贼杀婢，发吏卒围捕丞相舍，不道；又得擅屏骑士事，赵京兆坐要斩。又有使掾陈平等劾中尚书，疑以独擅劫事而坐之，大不敬，长史以下皆坐死，或下蚕室。而魏丞相竟以丞相病死。子嗣。后坐骑至庙，不敬，有诏夺爵一级，为关内侯，失列侯，得食其故国邑。魏丞相卒，以御史大夫邴吉代。 |
| | Chancellor Wei Xiang was a native of Jiying. He rose to the position of chancellor through his career as an official skilled in literature and administration. This man loved martial arts, and ordered all officials to wear swords; they presented reports before the emperor while wearing their swords. If any official did not have a sword, when entering to present matters at court, they would borrow one before daring to enter. At that time, the Jingzhao Yin Zhao Jun was accused of a crime by the chancellor and ordered to be executed; someone tried to arrest Chancellor Wei in order to seek clemency for Zhao, but he refused. They then sent others to intimidate Chancellor Wei, falsely accusing him of having his wife murder a female servant and secretly requesting an investigation. Officials were dispatched to the chancellor's residence to arrest the servants and beat them for interrogation; in reality, no weapon had been used in the killing. Meanwhile, Chancellor Sizhi Fan Jun submitted a memorial accusing Jingzhao Yin Zhao Jun of coercing the chancellor and falsely accusing his wife of murdering a servant. He also reported that officials had been sent to surround and arrest people at the chancellor's residence—an act of impiety. Furthermore, Zhao Jun was found guilty of illegally dismissing mounted soldiers; as a result, Jingzhao Yin Zhao was sentenced to be executed by decapitation. There were also officials such as Shiyuan Chen Ping who impeached the Zhongshangshu (Ministry of Works), suspecting them of acting independently and committing acts of coercion, which was considered a grave disrespect. As punishment, all clerks and lower-ranking officials were sentenced to death or castration. And yet Chancellor Wei ultimately died of illness while still serving as chancellor. His son succeeded him. Later, he was found guilty of arriving at the temple on horseback in an undignified and disrespectful manner. By imperial decree, his rank was reduced by one level; he became a Guanneihou but lost his status as marquis, yet retained the right to collect revenues from his former fiefdom. After Chancellor Wei died, Yushi Daifu Bing Ji succeeded him in office.
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| | 张丞相列... : |
邴丞相吉者，鲁国人也。以读书好法令至御史大夫。孝宣帝时，以有旧故，封为列侯，而因为丞相。明于事，有大智，后世称之。以丞相病死。子显嗣。后坐骑至庙，不敬，有诏夺爵一级，失列侯，得食故国邑。显为吏至太仆，坐官秏乱，身及子男有奸赃，免为庶人。 |
| | Chancellor Bing Ji was a native of Lu Guo. He became Yushi Daifu through his dedication to studying and mastering legal codes. During the reign of Emperor Xiaoxuan, because of old connections, he was enfeoffed as a marquis and subsequently appointed chancellor. He was clear in his understanding of affairs and possessed great wisdom; later generations praised him. He died while serving as chancellor due to illness. His son Xian succeeded him. Later, he was punished for riding to the temple in a disrespectful manner; by imperial decree, his title was reduced by one rank. He lost his status as a marquis but retained the right to receive revenues from his former fief. Xian served as an official up to the position of Taifu, but was dismissed from office due to corruption and mismanagement. Both he and his adult sons were found guilty of embezzlement and were demoted to commoners.
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| | 张丞相列... : |
邴丞相卒，黄丞相代。长安中有善相工田文者，与韦丞相、魏丞相、邴丞相微贱时会于客家，田文言曰：“今此三君者，皆丞相也。”其后三人竟更相代为丞相，何见之明也。 |
| | After Chancellor Bing died, Huang Chengxiang took over the position. In Chang'an, there was a skilled physiognomist named Tian Wen. When Chancellor Wei, Chancellor Wei, and Chancellor Bing were still obscure and lowly, they met at a guesthouse. Tian Wen remarked: "These three men will all become chancellors." Later on, the three of them indeed succeeded each other in the position of chancellor—what remarkable insight he had!
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| | 张丞相列... : |
黄丞相霸者，淮阳人也。以读书为吏，至颍川太守。治颍川，以礼义条教喻告化之。犯法者，风晓令自杀。化大行，名声闻。孝宣帝下制曰：“颍川太守霸，以宣布诏令治民，道不拾遗，男女异路，狱中无重囚。赐爵关内侯，黄金百斤。”徵为京兆尹而至丞相，复以礼义为治。以丞相病死。子嗣，后为列侯。黄丞相卒，以御史大夫于定国代。于丞相已有廷尉传，在张廷尉语中。于丞相去，御史大夫韦玄成代。 |
| | Chancellor Huang Ba was a native of Huaiyang. He became an official through studying, and eventually served as Tai Shou (governor) of Yingchuan. While governing Yingchuan, he instructed the people in rites and righteousness to transform their conduct through education and persuasion. Those who broke the law were given a gentle warning and ordered to commit suicide. His moral influence spread widely, and his reputation became well known. Emperor Xiaoxuan issued an edict stating: "Tai Shou Ba of Yingchuan governed the people by proclaiming imperial decrees; his administration was so effective that lost items were not picked up on roads, men and women walked separately along different paths, and there were no serious prisoners in the prisons." "He is hereby granted the title of Guanneihou and awarded 100 jin of gold." He was summoned to serve as Jingzhao Yin and eventually became chancellor, continuing to govern through rites and righteousness. He died while serving as chancellor from illness. His son succeeded him and later became a marquis. After Chancellor Huang died, Yushi Daifu Yu Dingguo took over the position of chancellor. The story of Chancellor Yu had already been recorded in the biography of Zhang Tingwei, as mentioned in Zhang Tingwei's account. After Chancellor Yu left office, Yushi Daifu Wei Xuancheng succeeded him as chancellor.
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| | 张丞相列... : |
韦丞相玄成者，即前韦丞相子也。代父，后失列侯。其人少时好读书，明于诗、论语。为吏至卫尉，徙为太子太傅。御史大夫薛君免，为御史大夫。于丞相乞骸骨免，而为丞相，因封故邑为扶阳侯。数年，病死。孝元帝亲临丧，赐赏甚厚。子嗣后。其治容容随世俗浮沈，而见谓谄巧。而相工本谓之当为侯代父，而后失之；复自游宦而起，至丞相。父子俱为丞相，世闲美之，岂不命哉！相工其先知之。韦丞相卒，御史大夫匡衡代。 |
| | Chancellor Wei Xuancheng was the son of the former Chancellor Wei. After succeeding his father, he later lost his title as marquis. As a young man, he loved reading and was well-versed in the Classic of Poetry and Analects of Confucius. He served as an official up to Weiyi, later transferring to serve as Taifu (Grand Tutor) to the Crown Prince. After Yushi Daifu Xue Jun was dismissed from office, Wei Xuancheng became Yushi Daifu. When Chancellor Yu requested retirement on grounds of old age and was dismissed from office, Wei took over as chancellor and was thus enfeoffed with his former fief as Fu Yang Hou. Several years later, he died of illness. Emperor Xiaoyuan personally attended his funeral and bestowed generous rewards. His son succeeded him afterward. He governed in a manner that flowed with the customs of the times, rising and falling as circumstances dictated, and was therefore regarded as sycophantic and cunning. Yet the physiognomist had originally predicted that he would inherit his father's marquis title, but this did not come to pass; He later rose again through self-directed official service and eventually became chancellor. Father and son both served as chancellors; the world praised them, was it not fate! The physiognomist indeed foreknew this. After Chancellor Wei died, Yushi daifu Kuang Heng succeeded him as chancellor.
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| | 张丞相列... : |
丞相匡衡者，东海人也。好读书，从博士受诗。家贫，衡佣作以给食饮。才下，数射策不中，至九，乃中丙科。其经以不中科故明习。补平原文学卒史。数年，郡不尊敬。御史徵之，以补百石属荐为郎，而补博士，拜为太子少傅，而事孝元帝。孝元好诗，而迁为光禄勋，居殿中为师，授教左右，而县官坐其旁听，甚善之，日以尊贵。御史大夫郑弘坐事免，而匡君为御史大夫。岁馀，韦丞相死，匡君代为丞相，封乐安侯。以十年之闲，不出长安城门而至丞相，岂非遇时而命也哉！ |
| | Chancellor Kuang Heng was a native of Donghai. He loved reading and studied the Classic of Poetry under a Doctor (Boshi). łoży His family was poor, so Kuang Heng worked as a laborer to support his food and drink. Initially of modest talent, he failed several examinations; it was not until the ninth attempt that he passed at the Bingke level. His mastery of classical texts became thorough precisely because of his repeated failures in the exams. He was appointed as a Wenyue Zhushi (literary clerk) to supplement the staff of Pingyuan. After several years, the local officials did not show him respect. The Yushi (Imperial Censorate) summoned him and recommended him as a Lang officer to fill a position of the rank Baishi. He was later appointed as a Doctor, then enfeoffed as Taishao Fu (Deputy Tutor) to the Crown Prince, serving under Emperor Xiaoyuan. Emperor Xiaoyuan loved the Classic of Poetry, and thus promoted Kuang Heng to Guanglu Xun. He resided in the palace as a teacher, instructing those around him; officials sat beside him listening, greatly admiring his abilities. His status grew increasingly respected and noble day by day. Yushi Daifu Zheng Hong was dismissed from office for misconduct, and Kuang Jun became Yushi Daifu in his place. After more than a year, Chancellor Wei died, and Kuang Jun succeeded him as chancellor, being enfeoffed as Le'an Hou. Within a span of ten years, he rose from never leaving the gates of Chang'an to becoming chancellor—was this not due to both opportunity and fate!
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| | 张丞相列... : |
太史公曰：深惟士之游宦所以至封侯者，微甚。然多至御史大夫即去者。诸为大夫而丞相次也，其心冀幸丞相物故也。或乃阴私相毁害，欲代之。然守之日久不得，或为之日少而得之，至于封侯，真命也夫！御史大夫郑君守之数年不得，匡君居之未满岁，而韦丞相死，即代之矣，岂可以智巧得哉！多有贤圣之才，困妯囡者众甚也。 |
| | Grand Historian said: Deeply considering the subtle reasons why scholars who traveled for official careers could rise to marquis titles, they are indeed very obscure. Yet many of them stopped at becoming Yushi Daifu and did not go further. Among those who became Daifu (high-ranking officials) but were next in line for chancellor, their hearts secretly hoped that the current chancellor would die. Some even secretly plotted to slander and harm each other, hoping to take over the position. Yet some held their positions for a long time without advancement, while others achieved it in a short period and were enfeoffed as marquises—truly the result of fate! Yushi Daifu Zheng Jun held his position for many years without promotion, while Kuang Jun had not even served a full year when Chancellor Wei died and he immediately succeeded him—how could such an outcome be achieved through wisdom or scheming! Many possessed the talent of sages, yet a great number remained trapped in obscurity.
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