Mí Fāng 麋芳 [Zǐfāng 子方]

Mí Zhú appellation Zǐzhòng was a Dōnghǎi Qú man. His ancestors for generations traded goods, had servant and guests of ten thousand men, with wealth and property in the hundreds of millions. (1) Later Xú Province Governor Táo Qiān recruited him as Aide-de-Camp Attending Official. [Táo] Qiān died, Zhú followed [Táo] Qiān’s legacy order, and welcomed Xiānzhǔ [Liú Bèi] at Xiǎopèi. Jiàn’ān Inaugural Year [196], Lǚ Bù took advantage of Xiānzhǔ going out to resist Yuán Shù, attacked Xiàpī, capturing Xiānzhǔ’s wife and children. Xiānzhǔ moved his army to Guǎnglíng Hǎixī, and Zhú therefore advanced his younger sister to Xiānzhǔ as a consort, slaves and guests of two thousand, gold and silver and cash to help the army’s resources; at the time they were destitute and exhausted, and relying on this they were again roused.

麋竺字子仲，東海朐人也。祖世貨殖，僮客萬人，貲產鉅億〔一〕。後徐州牧陶謙辟為別駕從事。謙卒，竺奉謙遺命，迎先主於小沛。建安元年，呂布乘先主之出拒袁術，襲下邳，虜先主妻子。先主轉軍廣陵海西，竺於是進妹於先主為夫人，奴客二千，金銀貨幣以助軍資；于時困匱，賴此復振。

Later Excellency Cáo memorialized Zhú with office as Yíng Prefecture Administrator, (2) Zhú’s younger brother Fāng as Péngchéng Chancellor, but both refused office, and followed Xiānzhǔ in his travels. Xiānzhǔ was about to take refuge in Jīng Province, sent Zhú ahead to with Liú Biǎo meet and inquire, and appointed Zhú as General of the Left’s Attending Official Internal Cadet. When Yì Province was pacified, he was appointed General Securing Hàn, ranked to the General Master of the Army’s right [immediate superior].

後曹公表竺領嬴郡太守，〔二〕竺弟芳為彭城相，皆去官，隨先主周旋。先主將適荊州，遣竺先與劉表相聞，以竺為左將軍從事中郎。益州既平，拜為安漢將軍，班在軍師將軍之右。

Zhú was graceful and kindhearted, but capability and experience was not his strength. Therefore he was treated with the rites of a superior guest, but was not given control. However the bestowments on him were of exceptional favor, with none that could compare with him.

竺雍容敦雅，而幹翮非所長。是以待之以上賓之禮，未嘗有所統御。然賞賜優寵，無與為比。

• (1) Zōushénjì states: Zhú once from Luò[yáng] returned, had not yet reached home by several tens of lǐ, by the road saw a woman, who followed Zhú asking for a ride. They went several lǐ, the woman thanked and left, saying: “I am Heaven’s Messenger, about to go burn Dōnghǎi’s Mí Zhú’s house. I thank you for the ride, and therefore tell you.” Zhú therefore privately asked [to be spared], the woman said: “It cannot but be burned. However, you can hurriedly go, I will slowly travel, at midday the fire will begin.” Zhú therefore returned home, hurriedly removed his property, and at midday a fire greatly began.

〔一〕　搜神記曰：竺嘗從洛歸，未達家數十里，路傍見一婦人，從竺求寄載。行可數里，婦謝去，謂竺曰：「我天使也，當往燒東海麋竺家，感君見載，故以相語。」竺因私請之，婦曰：「不可得不燒。如此，君可馳去，我當緩行，日中火當發。」竺乃還家，遽出財物，日中而火大發。

• (2) Cáo Gōng Jí records his Excellency’s memorial: “Tàishān prefecture’s borders are wide and far, and of old had many reckless and violent [bandits], considering the times it is appropriate to divide five counties as Yíng prefecture, and select one pure and incorruptible to guard and command it. Supporting General Mí Zhú by nature and conduct is loyal and dependable, civil and military abilities manifest and ardent; I request to have Zhú take office as Yíng Prefecture Administrator, to console the officials and people.”

　　〔二〕　曹公集載公表曰：「泰山郡界廣遠，舊多輕悍，權時之宜，可分五縣為嬴郡，揀選清廉以為守將。偏將軍麋竺，素履忠貞，文武昭烈，請以竺領嬴郡太守，撫慰吏民。」

[Mí] Fāng became Nán Prefecture Administrator, with Guān Yǔ worked together, but privately he had ulterior thoughts, rebelled and welcomed Sūn Quán, and [Guān] Yǔ therefore was overturned and destroyed. Zhú bound himself to ask for punishment, Xiānzhǔ consoled and ordered that the crime of brothers would not reach each other, and well treated him as before. Zhú was ashamed and upset and fell ill, and a little after a year he died. His son Wēi’s office reached Tiger Elite Internal Cadet General. Wēi’s son Zhào was Tiger Cavalry Supervisor. From Zhú to Zhào, all were good with bow and horse, excelling in shooting and riding.

芳為南郡太守，與關羽共事，而私好攜貳，叛迎孫權，羽因覆敗。竺面縛請罪，先主慰諭以兄弟罪不相及，崇待如初。竺慚恚發病，歲餘卒。子威，官至虎賁中郎將。威子照，虎騎監。自竺至照，皆便弓馬，善射御云。