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延笃字叔坚，南阳人也。为京兆尹时，皇子有疾，下郡县出珍药，而大将军梁冀遣客赍书诣京兆，并货牛黄，笃发书收客。曰：大将军椒房外家，而皇子有疾，必应陈进医方，岂当使客千里求利乎。遂杀之，冀惭而不得言，有司承旨欲求其事，笃以疾免归也。 |
| | Yan Du, courtesy name Shujian, was a native of Nanyang. When he served as the governor of Jingzhao, an imperial prince fell ill. The emperor ordered the prefectures and counties to provide rare medicinal ingredients. At that time, Grand General Liang Ji sent a guest with a letter to Jingzhao and also delivered rhinoceros horn as a gift. Dun opened the letter and arrested the messenger. He said, "The Grand General is a relative of the imperial family. Since an imperial prince has fallen ill, he should certainly submit medical prescriptions and remedies. How could it be appropriate for him to send a guest thousands of miles away merely to seek profit?" He then had the messenger executed. Liang Ji was shamed and could not speak out. Officials loyal to him followed orders to investigate this matter, but Dun claimed illness and returned home to avoid it.
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史弼字公谦，陈留人也。为北军中候，是时桓帝弟勃海王悝素行险辟，僭傲多不法，弼惧其骄悖为乱。乃上封事曰：臣闻帝王之于亲戚，爱虽隆必示之以威，体虽贵必禁之以度，如是和睦之道兴，骨肉之恩遂，昔周襄王恣甘昭公，孝景皇帝骄梁孝王，二弟阶宠，终用勃慢，卒周有播荡之祸，汉有爰盎之变，窃闻勃海王悝凭至亲之属，恃偏私之爱，失奉上之节，有僭慢之心，外聚剽轻不逞之徒，内荒酒乐，出入无常，所与羣居，皆有口无行，或家之弃子，或朝之斥臣，必有羊胜，伍被之变，州司不敢弹纠，傅相不能匡辅，陛下隆于友于，不忍遏绝，恐遂滋蔓，为害弥大。 |
| | Shi Bi, courtesy name Gongqian, was a native of Chenliu. He served as Zhonghou of the Northern Army. At that time, Emperor Huan's younger brother Boruo Wang Kui had long behaved recklessly and dangerously, acting with arrogance and committing many illegal acts. Bi feared that his pride and defiance would lead to disorder. He then submitted a sealed memorial, saying: "Minister has heard that when emperors deal with their relatives, although love may be deep, they must demonstrate authority; although status may be noble, it must be restrained by proper limits. Only in this way can harmony flourish and the bonds of kinship endure. In ancient times, King Xiang of Zhou indulged Gan Zhao Gong, Emperor Jing of Han favored Prince Xiao Wang of Liang, and these two brothers, elevated by excessive favor, eventually became arrogant and disrespectful. As a result, Zhou suffered from chaos, and Han experienced the upheaval involving Yuan Ang. I have secretly learned that Prince Kui of Bohai, relying on his close familial ties and taking advantage of your partial affection, has neglected proper conduct toward superiors and harbored rebellious arrogance. He gathers outside with lawless ruffians who are not content in their lives; within, he indulges in wine and music, moving about without regularity. The people he associates with are all talkers without virtue—some are disowned sons of families, others dismissed officials from the court. There is bound to be a crisis akin to those involving Yang Sheng and Wu Bei. Local authorities dare not investigate or correct his behavior, and his attendants and advisors cannot properly guide him. Although Your Majesty cherishes familial bonds and cannot bear to cut off relations with him, I fear that if this continues, the problem will grow worse and cause even greater harm."
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乞露臣奏宣示百僚，诏公卿平处其法，法决罪定，乃下不忍之诏，如是则圣朝无伤亲之讥，勃海有享国之庆，不然，惧大狱将兴，使者相望于路矣。不胜愤懑，谨冒死以闻，帝以至亲，不忍下其事，后悝竟坐逆谋贬为瘿陶王。 |
| | "I respectfully request that Your Majesty reveal my memorial to the officials and issue an edict for the Grand Commanders and Ministers to impartially determine his crimes. Once the law has decided his punishment, then a compassionate decree may be issued. In this way, the holy dynasty will avoid criticism of harming its relatives, and Prince Bohai will have cause for celebration in preserving his fiefdom. Otherwise, I fear that a great legal case is about to arise, with envoys traveling back and forth along the roads." Unable to contain his anger and anxiety, he respectfully risked death in submitting this report. However, the emperor, moved by their close familial bond, could not bring himself to proceed with the case. Later, Prince Kui was ultimately demoted to Yingtao Wang due to plotting rebellion.
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弼迁河东太守，当举孝廉，弼知多权贵请托，乃豫敕断绝书属，中常侍侯览果遣诸生赍书请之，并求假盐税，积日不得通，生乃说以他事谒弼而因达览书。弼大怒曰：太守忝荷重任，当选士报国，尔何人而诈僞无状，命左右引出，楚捶数百，即日考杀之，侯览大怨，遂诈作飞章下司隶，诬弼诽谤，槛车徵下廷尉诏狱，得减死罪一等。 |
| | Bi was transferred to serve as governor of Hedong. When it came time to recommend filial and upright officials, Bi knew that many powerful figures would attempt to make requests through intermediaries. Therefore, he issued advance orders to cut off all such communications. As expected, Zhongchangshi Hou Lan sent a scholar with a letter requesting favors and also seeking permission to collect salt taxes temporarily. For several days, the scholar could not get an audience. Eventually, the student approached Bi under another pretext for an audience and secretly delivered Hou Lan's letter. Bi was furious and said, "As governor, I have been entrusted with a heavy responsibility to select worthy officials for the state. Who are you to act deceitfully without cause?" He ordered his attendants to drag the scholar out and had him beaten hundreds of times with canes. On the same day, Bi ordered the man's execution. Hou Lan was greatly enraged and then fabricated an anonymous report to be sent down by the Silu Office, falsely accusing Bi of slander. A barred carriage was dispatched to bring Bi to the Tingwei Court for imperial investigation, where he received a sentence reduced by one degree from capital punishment.
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陈蕃字仲举，汝南人也。为太尉时，小黄门赵津，南阳大猾张泛等奉事中官，乘势犯法，二郡太守刘瓆，成瑨考案其罪，虽经赦令，而并竟考杀之，宦官怨恚，有司承旨，遂奏瓆，瑨罪当弃市，又山阳太守翟超没入中常侍侯览财産，东海相黄浮诛杀下邳令徐宣，超，浮并坐髠钳输作左校，蕃与司徒刘矩，司空刘茂共谏请瓆等，帝不悦，有司劾奏之，矩，茂不敢复言。 |
| | Chen Fan, courtesy name Zhongju, was a native of Ru'nan. When he served as Taiwei , Xiao Huangmen Zhao Jin, Nanyang big ruffian Zhang Fan, and others who served eunuchs took advantage of their power to commit illegal acts. The two prefects Liu Yi and Cheng Jin investigated and punished them for their crimes. Although a general pardon had been issued, they were still executed after being tried. This caused the eunuchs great resentment. Officials loyal to the eunuchs followed orders and then submitted a report accusing Liu Yi and Cheng Jin of deserving capital punishment by public execution. In addition, Taiyuan Prefect Zhai Chao confiscated the property of Zhongchangshi Hou Lan; Huang Fu, Inspector of Donghai, executed Xuping County Magistrate Xu Xuan. As a result, Chao and Fu were both sentenced to 髡钳 (hair-shaving and iron fetters) and sent for labor in the Left School. Fan, together with Sikou Liu Ju and Sikong Liu Mao, jointly advised the emperor on behalf of Liu Yi et al., but the emperor was displeased. Officials then impeached them, and Ju and Mao dared not speak up again.
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蕃乃独上疏曰：臣闻齐桓修霸，务为内政，今寇贼在外，四支之疾，内政不理，心腹之患，臣寝不能寐，食不能饱，实忧左右日亲，忠言以疏，内患渐积，外难方深，陛下超从列侯，继承天位，小家畜産，百万之资，子孙尚耻失其先业，况乃産兼天下，受之先帝，而欲懈怠以自轻忽乎。诚不爱己，不当念先帝得之勤苦邪，前梁氏五侯，毒遍海内，天啓圣意，收而戮之，天下之议，冀当小平。 |
| | Fan then submitted a separate memorial, saying: "Minister has heard that Duke Huan of Qi cultivated hegemony by focusing on internal governance. Now bandits and rebels are outside the capital—like diseases in the limbs—but if internal affairs remain unaddressed, it is like a disease in the heart and abdomen. Minister lies awake at night unable to sleep or eat with peace, truly worried that those close to Your Majesty grow closer day by day while loyal advice grows distant. Internal troubles gradually accumulate, and external difficulties deepen. Although Your Majesty ascended from among marquises to inherit the throne of Heaven, in a common family, if one possesses wealth worth hundreds of thousands, descendants still feel shame at losing their ancestral legacy. How much more so for You, who now possess the entire realm inherited from the late emperor—how could You be careless and neglect it?" "If You truly do not love Yourself, should You not think of how hard the late emperor worked to obtain this realm? Previously, the five Liang marquises poisoned the entire land. Heaven opened Your holy mind to capture and execute them; public opinion hoped for a slight restoration of peace."
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明鉴未远，覆车如昨，而近习之权，复相扇结，小黄门赵津，大猾张泛等，肆行贪虐，奸媚左右，前太原太守刘瓆，南阳太守成瑨，纠而戮之，虽言赦后不当诛杀，原其诚心，在乎去恶，而小人道长，荧惑圣听，遂使天威为之发怒，如加刑讁，已为过甚，况乃重罚，令伏欧刃乎。又前山阳太守翟超，东海相黄浮，奉公不挠，疾恶如雠，超没侯览财物，浮诛徐宣之罪，并蒙刑坐，不逢赦恕，览之纵横，没财已幸，宣犯舋过，死有馀辜，昔丞相申屠嘉召责邓通，洛阳令董宣折辱公主，而文帝从而请之，世祖加以重赏，未闻二臣有专命之诛，而今左右羣竪，恶伤党类，妄相交构，致此刑谴，闻臣是言，当复啼诉，陛下深宜割塞近习豫政之源，引纳尚书朝省之事，简练清高，斥黜佞邪，如是，天和于上，地洽于下，休祯符瑞，岂远乎哉。陛下虽厌毒臣言，人主有自勉强，敢以死陈。 |
| | "The recent lessons are not yet distant, and the overturned carriage is as if it happened yesterday. Yet again, those close to You have gained power and formed alliances once more. Xiao Huangmen Zhao Jin and big ruffian Zhang Fan have acted with greed and cruelty, flattering those around Your Majesty. Former Taiyuan Prefect Liu Yi and Nanyang Prefect Cheng Jin investigated them and executed them. Although some claimed that after a pardon had been issued they should not be put to death, considering their sincere intentions, it was aimed at removing evil. However, the wicked have grown in influence and misled Your Majesty's judgment, leading You to anger and impose punishments. Even adding corporal punishment is already excessive; how much more so to impose severe penalties that result in execution?" "Moreover, former Taiyuan Prefect Zhai Zhao and Huang Fu, Inspector of Dong Hai, served the public with integrity and unyielding resolve, hating evil as one would an enemy. Chao confiscated Hou Lan's property, while Fu executed Xu Xuan for his crimes; both were punished by law and did not receive pardon or mercy. Hou Lan acted recklessly, yet was allowed to keep his wealth—this is already fortunate enough. Xu Xuan committed faults that endangered the state, and he deserved death more than once. In former times, Chancellor Shentu Jia summoned Deng Tong for reprimand; Luoyang Magistrate Dong Xuan humiliated a princess directly, but Emperor Wen of Han later pleaded on their behalf, while Emperor Guangwu of Later Han rewarded them greatly. No one ever heard that these two officials were punished with capital punishment for acting independently. Yet now those close to You and the eunuch clique, fearing harm to their faction, falsely accuse each other and fabricate charges leading to such punishments. When Your Majesty hears my words, they will surely cry out in complaint again. Your Majesty should deeply cut off the source of interference by those near You in political affairs, instead appointing officials from the Shangshu Department to handle court matters, selecting upright and virtuous men while expelling flatterers and villains. If this is done, harmony will prevail above and below; blessings and auspicious signs will not be far away." "Although Your Majesty may find my words distasteful, as a sovereign You must make efforts to endure and improve. I dare to lay down my life in this submission."
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帝得奏愈怒，竟无所纳，朝廷衆庶，莫不怨之，宦官由此疾蕃弥甚，李膺等以党事下狱考实。蕃因上疏谏曰：臣闻贤明之君，委心辅佐，亡国之主，讳闻直辞，故汤，武虽圣，而兴于伊，吕，桀，纣迷惑，亡在失人，由此言之，君为元首，臣为股肱，同体相须，共成美恶者也。伏见前司隶校尉李膺，大仆杜密，大尉掾范滂等，正身无玷，死心社稷，以忠忤旨，横加考案，或禁锢闭隔，或死徙非所，杜塞天下之口，聋盲一代之人，与秦焚书坑儒，何以为异，昔武王克殷，表闾封墓，今陛下临政，先诛忠贤，遇善何薄，待恶何优，夫谗人似实，巧言如簧，使听之者惑，视之者昏，夫吉凶之效，在乎识善，成败之机，在于察言。 |
| | The emperor, upon receiving the memorial, became even more angry and ultimately refused to accept it. Officials in court and common people alike were filled with resentment. From this point on, eunuchs grew even more hostile toward Fan. Li Ying and others were then imprisoned for investigation due to their involvement in the factional matter. Fan then submitted another memorial to advise, saying: "Minister has heard that wise and virtuous rulers entrust their hearts to their ministers for assistance; but the rulers of fallen states are those who shun hearing honest words. Therefore, although Tang and Wu were sage kings, they succeeded because of Yi Yin and Ji Liang. Jie and Zhou perished in confusion due to losing capable people. From this we can see that a ruler is the head, while ministers are the limbs; they form one body, relying on each other to jointly accomplish good or evil." "I have observed that former Silu Jiao Wei Li Ying, Da Pu Du Mi, Da Wei Yuan Fan Pang and others are men of upright character without blemish, who devoted their lives to the state. Yet they offended Your Majesty with their loyalty and were unjustly investigated. Some were banned from office and isolated; others died or were exiled to improper places. This silences the voices of the people and blinds an entire generation. How is this different from the Qin dynasty's burning of books and burying scholars alive? In ancient times, King Wu of Zhou honored virtuous men by erecting memorials at their gates and restoring their tombs after defeating Yin. Now Your Majesty governs but first punishes loyal and virtuous officials—how lightly You treat goodness, how generously You reward wickedness! Slanderers appear truthful; flatterers speak with honeyed words that confuse the ears of those who listen and cloud the judgment of those who see. The effectiveness of auspicious or disastrous outcomes lies in recognizing virtue; the key to success or failure is in discerning speech."
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人君者摄天地之政，秉四海之维，举动不可以违圣法，进退不可以离道规，谬言出口，则乱及八方，何况髠无罪于狱，杀无辜于市乎。又青徐炎旱，五榖损伤，人物流迁，茹菽不足，而宫女积于房掖，国用尽于罗纨，外戚私门，贪财受赂，所谓禄去公室，政在大夫，昔春秋之末，周德衰微，数十年间，无复灾眚者，天所弃也。天之于汉，悢悢无已，故殷勤示变，以悟陛下，除妖去孽，实在修德，臣位列台司，忧责深重，不敢尸禄惜生，坐观成败，如蒙采録，使身首分裂，异门而出，所不恨也。帝讳其言切，托以蕃辟召非其人，遂策免之。 |
| | "As a sovereign, You hold the administration of heaven and earth in Your hands and maintain order over all under Heaven. Every action must conform to sacred laws; every step forward or backward cannot deviate from moral principles. A single mistaken word spoken can bring chaos to all directions—how much more so when innocent people are shaven and imprisoned without cause, and the innocent are executed publicly?" "Moreover, Qing and Xu provinces suffer from droughts; the five grains have been damaged, people are displaced, and even basic food is insufficient. Yet concubines accumulate in the palace quarters, while state resources are exhausted on luxurious silks and fine robes. Relatives of the imperial family at their private gates greedily accept bribes for profit—this is what is called 'rewards leaving the public domain and power falling into the hands of officials.' In the later years of the Spring and Autumn period, when Zhou virtue declined, there were no more disasters or misfortunes over several decades—it was a sign that Heaven had abandoned them." "Heaven's concern for the Han dynasty has not ceased; thus, it diligently sends omens and changes to awaken Your Majesty. To remove evil spirits and eliminate disasters lies in cultivating virtue. As a minister holding an important official position, I bear deep responsibility and cannot afford to merely hold office while fearing death, watching success or failure passively. If You accept my words and allow me to be executed with my head separated from my body, exiting through different gates, I would have no regrets." The emperor was offended by the sharpness of his words and fabricated an excuse that Fan had improperly appointed unqualified individuals, so he dismissed him from office.
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灵帝即位，窦太后临期，以蕃为太傅，録尚书事蕃与后父大将军窦武同心尽力，徵用名贤，共参政事，天下之士，莫不延颈，想望太平，而帝乳母赵娆旦夕在太后侧，中常侍曹节，王甫等与共交构，谄事太后，太后信之，数出诏命，有所封拜，及其支类，多行贪虐，蕃常疾之，志诛中官，会窦武亦有谋。 |
| | When Emperor Ling ascended the throne, Empress Dowager Dou assumed regency and appointed Fan as Taifu, in charge of Shangshu affairs . Fan worked together with the empress dowager's father, Grand General Dou Wu, wholeheartedly appointing renowned virtuous officials to jointly participate in political affairs. Scholars throughout the land all looked forward eagerly for an era of peace and prosperity. However, Emperor Ling's wet nurse Zhao Rao was constantly by Empress Dowager's side. Zhongchangshi Cao Jie, Wang Fu, and others formed a faction with her, flattered the empress dowager, who trusted them. She frequently issued imperial edicts to appoint officials and bestow honors on their relatives, many of whom acted greedily and cruelly. Fan deeply resented this and was determined to eliminate the eunuchs. At that time, Dou Wu also had a plan in mind.
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蕃乃先上疏曰：臣闻言不直而行不正，则为欺乎天而负乎人，危言极意，则羣凶侧目，祸不旋踵，钧此二者，臣宁得祸，不敢欺天也。今京师嚣嚣，道路喧哗，言侯览，曹节等与赵夫人诸女尚书，并乱天下，附从者升进，忤逆者中伤，方今一朝羣臣，如河中木耳，泛泛东西，耽禄畏害，陛下前始摄位，顺天行诛，苏康，管霸，并伏其辜，是时天地清明，人鬼欢喜，奈何数月，复纵左右，元恶大奸，莫此之甚，今不急诛，必生变乱，倾危社稷，其祸难量，太后不纳，蕃因与窦武谋之，及事泄，曹节等矫诏诛武等，遂令收蕃，即日害之。 |
| | Fan then submitted a memorial first, saying: "Minister has heard that if one's words are not sincere and his conduct is not upright, he deceives Heaven and betrays people. To speak boldly with the utmost sincerity will cause malefactors to glare in anger, and disaster may follow immediately. Between these two choices, Minister would rather suffer misfortune than deceive Heaven." "Now, the capital is in uproar and the roads are filled with loud complaints. People say that Hou Lan, Cao Jie, and others, along with Zhao Fu Ren and her female Shangshu officials, have corrupted the realm together. Those who follow them rise to power; those who oppose them suffer unjust accusations. At present, all ministers in court are like earwigs on a river—drifting aimlessly east or west, content with their salaries while fearing harm. When Your Majesty first assumed rule, You followed Heaven's will and executed Su Kang and Guan Ba, who both perished for their crimes. At that time, the heavens were clear and people rejoiced. How then, after only a few months, have You again allowed those close to You to act recklessly? No evil is greater than this. If we do not urgently execute them now, disturbances will surely arise, endangering the state and bringing immeasurable disaster. However, Empress Dowager did not accept this advice. Fan then conspired with Dou Wu about it. When the plot was exposed, Cao Jie and others forged an imperial decree to execute Dou Wu et al., and immediately ordered the arrest of Fan, killing him on the same day."
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论曰：桓，灵之代，若陈蕃之徒，咸能树立风声，抗论惽俗，而驱驰险坑之中，与刑人腐夫，同朝争衡，终取灭亡之祸者，彼非不能洁情志，违埃雾也。泯夫世士以离俗为高，而人伦莫能相恤也。以遁世为非义，故屡退而不去，以仁心为己任，虽道远而弥厉，及遭值际会，协策窦武，自谓万世一遇也。懔懔乎。伊，望之业矣。功虽不终，然其信义足以携持世心，汉代乱而不亡，百馀年间，数公之力也。 |
| | Commentary: During the reigns of Emperors Huan and Ling, men like Chen Fan were all able to establish a reputation for virtue, boldly opposing corrupt customs. They rushed forward into perilous dangers , contending with eunuchs and castrated officials in court, ultimately suffering the calamity of destruction—not because they lacked the ability to purify their emotions and aspirations or avoid the mists of corruption. Alas, worldly scholars regard detachment from convention as noble, yet they fail to show concern for human relationships and mutual care. They regard retreating from the world as contrary to righteousness, so they often withdraw but do not truly leave. With a heart of benevolence as their own responsibility, even though the path is distant, their resolve grows stronger. When an opportunity arose and they joined forces with Dou Wu in planning, they believed it was a once-in-a-thousand-years encounter. How resolute! This is the legacy of Yi and Wang Zhi. Although their efforts did not achieve final success, their integrity and righteousness were sufficient to rally the hearts of people. The Han dynasty remained in chaos but did not collapse; over more than a hundred years, this was due to the efforts of these several officials.
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武字游平，扶风人，拜城门校尉，清身疾恶，时国政多失，内官专宠，李膺，杜密等为党事考逮。上疏谏曰：臣闻明主不讳讥刺之言以探幽暗之实，忠臣不恤谏争之患以畅万端之事，是以君臣并熙，名奋百世，臣岂敢怀禄逃罪，不竭其诚，陛下初从藩国，爰登帝祚，天下逸豫，谓当中兴，自即位以来，未闻善政，梁，孙，寇，邓，虽或诛灭，而常侍黄门，续为祸虐，欺罔陛下，竞行谲诈，自造制度，妄爵非人，朝政日衰，奸臣日强，臣恐二世之难，必将复及，赵高之变，不朝则夕，近者奸臣牢修，造设党议，遂收前司隶校尉李膺，太仆杜密，御史中丞陈翔，太尉掾范滂等，逮考连及数百人，旷年拘録，事无效验，臣惟膺等建忠抗节，志经王室，此诚陛下稷，契，伊，吕之佐，而虚为奸臣贼子之所诬枉，天下寒心，海内失望，惟陛下留神澄省，时见理出，以厌人鬼喁喁之心。 |
| | Wu, courtesy name Youping, was a native of Fufeng. He was appointed Chengmen Jiao Wei (Commander of the City Gate). He maintained personal integrity and hated evil. At that time, many state policies were flawed, and eunuchs monopolized imperial favor. Li Ying, Du Mi, and others had been arrested for their involvement in factional matters. He submitted a memorial to advise, saying: "Minister has heard that an enlightened ruler does not shy away from critical words in order to uncover hidden truths; a loyal minister does not fear the dangers of remonstrating and advising in order to clarify myriad matters. Therefore, rulers and ministers flourish together, their names resounding through generations. How could Minister dare to cherish office while fleeing blame, without exhausting his sincerity? When Your Majesty first ascended from the vassal state to the imperial throne, all under Heaven rejoiced, believing a revival was at hand. Yet since You took power, no virtuous governance has been heard of. Although Liang, Sun, Kou, and Deng have either been executed or destroyed, eunuchs such as Zhongchangshi Huangmen continue to cause harm and oppression, deceiving Your Majesty while competing in deceitful schemes. They fabricate regulations and bestow titles on unworthy individuals. Daily the court's governance declines, and daily the power of villains grows stronger. Minister fears that the calamity of the Second Emperor will surely come again; the upheaval caused by Zhao Gao may arrive either this morning or evening. Recently, villainous minister Lao Xiu fabricated factional accusations, leading to the arrest and investigation of former Silu Jiao Wei Li Yin, Da Pu Du Mi, Zhongcheng Chen Xiang, Da Wei Yuan Fan Pang, and others. Hundreds were implicated in these cases, detained for years without any proven wrongdoing. Minister considers that men like Li Ying have demonstrated loyalty and upheld their principles, devoting themselves to the state—these are indeed Your Majesty's ministers comparable to Ji Qi, Yi Yin, and Jiang Ziya. Yet they have been falsely accused by villains and traitors, causing sorrow throughout the realm and disappointment among all under Heaven. May Your Majesty pay close attention, clarify these matters with care, and release them at an appropriate time in order to satisfy the anxious hopes of both people and spirits."
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臣闻近臣尚书令陈蕃，仆射胡广，尚书朱寓，荀绲，刘佑，魏朗，刘矩，尹勋等，皆国之贞士，朝之良佐，尚书郞张凌凌作陵，，嬀晧，范范作苑，康，杨乔，边韶，戴恢等，文质彬彬，明达国典，内外之职，羣才并列，而陛下委任近习，专树饕餮，外典州郡，内干心膂，宜以次贬黜，抑夺宦官欺国之封，案其无状诬罔之罪，信任忠良，平决臧否，使邪正毁誉，各得其所，宝爱天官，唯善是授，如此，咎徵可消，天应可待，间者，有嘉禾芝草黄龙之见，夫瑞生必于嘉士，福至实由善人，在德为瑞，无德为灾，陛下所行，不合天意，不宜称庆，书奏，因以疾上还城门校尉槐里侯印绶，帝不许，有诏原李膺，杜密等，其冬帝崩。 |
| | "Minister has learned that near-ministers such as Shangshu Ling Chen Fan, Puye Hu Guang, Shangshu Zhu Yu, Xun Qian, Liu You, Wei Lang, Liu Ju, Yin Xun, and others are all upright men of the state and capable assistants in court. Shangshulang Zhang Ling (the original text has "Zhang Ling" but it should be "Zhang Ling"), Gui Hao, Fan Kang, Yang Qiao, Bian Shao, Dai Hui, and others possess both literary refinement and moral integrity, are well-versed in state regulations, and hold positions inside and outside the court with a multitude of talents. Yet Your Majesty entrusts power to those close at hand, favoring greedy and gluttonous individuals who govern provinces from within while interfering directly in matters of the heart and mind. These should be successively demoted or dismissed; the titles granted by eunuchs for deceiving the state must be revoked. Their unproven accusations and false charges must be investigated and punished. Trust in loyal and virtuous men, fairly judge their merits and faults, so that villains and upright men, praise and blame, each receive what is due them. Treasure official positions and grant them only to those of virtue. In this way, omens of misfortune may be dispelled, and Heaven's response awaited. Recently, there have been sightings of auspicious grains, lingzhi mushrooms, and yellow dragons—auspicious signs that appear with virtuous men; blessings arrive through good people. When virtue is present, these are omens; when it is absent, they become disasters. Your Majesty's actions do not align with Heaven's will, so such events should not be celebrated." After submitting this memorial, Wu cited illness and returned the seal of Chengmen Jiao Wei and Huaili Hou to the emperor. The emperor did not permit this. An imperial decree was issued pardoning Li Ying, Du Mi et al. That winter, the emperor died.
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灵帝立，拜武为大将军，常居禁中，武既辅朝政，常有诛翦宦官之计，太傅陈蕃亦素有谋。武乃白太后曰：故事黄门常侍但当给事省内，典门户，主近署财物耳，今乃使与政事而任权重，子弟布列，专为贪暴，天下匈匈，正以此故，宜悉诛废，以清朝廷，长乐五官史朱瑀盗发武奏。駡曰：中官放纵者自可诛耳，我曹何罪而当尽见族灭。因大呼曰：陈蕃窦武奏白太后废帝为大逆，曹节闻之，惊起白帝，请出御德阳前殿，拜王甫为黄门令，甫将虎贲羽林追围武，武自杀，枭首洛阳都亭，收捕宗亲宾客姻属悉诛之，迁太后于云台也。 |
| | Emperor Ling ascended the throne and appointed Wu as Grand General, allowing him to reside within the palace. After Wu began assisting in court affairs, he often planned for the elimination of eunuchs. Taifu Chen Fan also had long harbored such intentions. Wu then advised the empress dowager: "According to past precedent, Huangmen Changshi were only responsible for serving within the palace, managing gates and doors, and overseeing nearby financial matters. Now they are allowed to participate in political affairs and hold great power; their sons and relatives occupy positions throughout the land, acting greedily and brutally. This is precisely why the realm is in turmoil. All of them should be executed or dismissed to purify the court." The Wuchang Wu Guan Shi Zhu Yu stole and submitted Wu's memorial. He cursed, saying: "Only those eunuchs who have acted recklessly should be executed! What crime have we committed to deserve total extermination?" He then shouted loudly: "Chen Fan and Dou Wu have advised the empress dowager to depose the emperor, which is a great act of treason!" Cao Jie heard this and rushed in to inform the emperor. He requested that the emperor go out to receive an audience at Dayang Front Hall and appointed Wang Fu as Huangmen Ling (Head Eunuch). Wang Fu led Hu 贲 and Yulin troops to surround Dou Wu. Dou Wu committed suicide, his head was displayed on a pole at Luoyang Du Ting, and all of his relatives, guests, and in-laws were captured and executed. The empress dowager was moved to Yuntai.
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