Tián Chóu appellation Zǐtài was a Yòuběipíng Wúzhōng man. He enjoyed reading books and was good at sword fencing.
田疇字子泰，右北平無終人也。好讀書，善擊劍。
Chūpíng Inaugural Year [190], righteous troops rose, Dǒng Zhuó moved the Emperor to Cháng’ān. Yōu Province Governor Liú Yú sighed and said: “A rebel minister makes chaos, the Court is scattered and swept away, the Four Seas suddenly disturbed, none have assured will. I am the Imperial Clan’s remnant elder, and cannot personally join the masses. Now I wish to send envoy to enact a subject’s integrity, how can I obtain a serviceman who will not dishonor the command?” The mass of commentators all said: “Tián Chóu though his years are few, many praise his uniqueness.” Chóu’s at the time years were twenty-two. [Liú] Yú then prepared gifts and invited and met with him, was greatly pleased with him, and therefore appointed him as Attending Official, preparing chariots and riders. When about to go, Chóu said: “Now the roads are cut off, bandits freely moving, to be declared a government envoy is to be by the masses pointed out and named. I wish to privately go, and hopefully be able to reach and nothing more.” [Liú] Yú followed this. Chóu then returned home and personally selected from his family retainers the young and brave and wiling to follow of twenty riders to together go. [Liú] Yú personally went out to sacrifice and send them off. (1)
初平元年，義兵起，董卓遷帝于長安。幽州牧劉虞歎曰：「賊臣作亂，朝廷播蕩，四海俄然，莫有固志。身備宗室遺老，不得自同於眾。今欲奉使展效臣節，安得不辱命之士乎？」眾議咸曰：「田疇雖年少，多稱其奇。」疇時年二十二矣。虞乃備禮請與相見，大悅之，遂署為從事，具其車騎。將行，疇曰：「今道路阻絕，寇虜縱橫，稱官奉使，為眾所指名。願以私行，期於得達而已。」虞從之。疇乃歸，自選其家客與年少之勇壯慕從者二十騎俱往。虞自出祖而遣之。〔一〕
- (1) Xiānxián Xíngzhuàng states: Chóu was about to go, and was invited to with [Liú] Yú secretly consult. Chóu therefore advised [Liú] Yú saying: “Now the Emperor ruler is young and weak, treacherous minister seizes command, to memorialize above one must wait for reply, I fear it will lose opportunity. Moreover Gōngsūn Zàn opposes with troops and can be merciless, to not early plan against him, is to certainly have later regret.” [Liú] Yú did not listen.
〔一〕 先賢行狀曰：疇將行，引虞密與議。疇因說虞曰：「今帝主幼弱，姦臣擅命，表上須報，懼失事機。且公孫瓚阻兵安忍，不早圖之，必有後悔。」虞不聽。
When on the road, Chóu then went up Xī pass, went out the passes, following the north, directly reaching Shuòfāng, following the small paths to go, and therefore reached Cháng’ān to deliver command. Imperial Order appointed him Cavalry Commandant. Chóu believed that Heaven’s Son was covered in dust and not yet secure, and he could not wear girdle ornaments of glory and favor, and firmly declined and would not accept. The Court praised his righteousness. The Three Offices all recruited him, all he did not accept. He obtained reply, and hurriedly returned, had not yet arrived, when [Liú] Yú already was by Gōngsūn Zàn harmed.
既取道，疇乃更上西關，出塞，傍北方，直趣朔方，循閒徑去，遂至長安致命。詔拜騎都尉。疇以為天子方蒙塵未安，不可以荷佩榮寵，固辭不受。朝廷高其義。三府並辟，皆不就。得報，馳還，未至，虞已為公孫瓚所害。
Chóu arrived, visited and sacrificed at [Liú] Yú’s grave, read out the written reply, wept tears and left. [Gōngsūn] Zàn heard this and was greatly furious, set bounty reward and captured Chóu, and said: “Why did you weep at Liú Yú’s tomb, and not send the written reply to me?” Chóu said: “The Hàn House is declined and fallen, men harbor ulterior hearts, only Excellency Liú did not lose loyal integrity. What the written reply said, had nothing good for you General, and I fear you would not be happy to hear it, therefore I did not advance it. Moreover you General are about to raise a great affair to seek what you wish, have already exterminated a lord without guilt, to also take revenge on a minister holding to righteousness, if you indeed do this thing, then Yān and Zhào’s soldiers and officers will all wade into the eastern sea and die, for how could any bear to follow you General?” [Gōngsūn] Zàn was impressed with this reply, and released and did not execute him. He was restrained below the army, forbidding his old friends so none were able to with him communicate. Someone persuaded [Gōngsūn] Zàn saying: “Tián Chóu is a righteous servicemen, if you are not able to be respectful, and also imprison him, I fear you will lose the masses’ hearts.” [Gōngsūn] Zàn then released and sent Chóu.
疇至，謁祭虞墓，陳發章表，哭泣而去。瓚聞之大怒，購求獲疇，謂曰：「汝何自哭劉虞墓，而不送章報於我也？」疇答曰：「漢室衰穨，人懷異心，唯劉公不失忠節。章報所言，於將軍未美，恐非所樂聞，故不進也。且將軍方舉大事以求所欲，既滅無罪之君，又讎守義之臣，誠行此事，則燕、趙之士將皆蹈東海而死耳，豈忍有從將軍者乎！」瓚壯其對，釋不誅也。拘之軍下，禁其故人莫得與通。或說瓚曰：「田疇義士，君弗能禮，而又囚之，恐失眾心。」瓚乃縱遣疇。
Chóu was able to return north, and led his clansmen and other attached followers of several hundred people, to sweep the ground and make oath saying: “If our lord is not avenged, we cannot stand in the world!” Therefore h entered into Xúwú mountain, camping in deep and rugged level open ground and residing, personally plowing to support father and mother. The Hundred Surnames submitted to him, and within several years it reached over five thousand families.
Chóu said to the elders: “You sirs did not believe me unworthy, and from afar came to join me. The numbers are enough for a city, but none are unified in leadership, and I fear it is not the way to long be secure, may you elect one of your worthy elders to be leader.” All said: “Agreed.”
Together they all elected Chóu. Chóu said: “Now it has come to this, I cannot be at ease and nothing more, and will plan for great affairs, and again seek to take revenge. I humbly fear I cannot yet obtain this ambition. Now my coming here, was not to be at ease and nothing more, it was to plot a great affair, to avenge disgrace. I humbly fear I cannot yet obtain this ambition, and frivolous followers will infringe and insult each other, to steal pleasure for a time, without deep calculations and far-reaching considerations. I Chóu have foolish plans, and hope to with you sirs together enact it, is it acceptable?” All said: “Acceptable.”
Chóu then made laws restricting killing or injuring each other, assaulting and robbing, arguing and disputes, the law in severity reached death, the next in levels of punishment were over twenty articles. Also he regulated rituals for marriage, raised the enterprise of schooling and instruction, and in enacting it to the masses, the masses all followed it, so that on the roads they did not steal dropped things. The northern borders complied with and submitted to his authority and faith, the Wūhuán and Xiānbēi together each sent translator envoys to send gifts, Chóu all comforted and accepted, to have them not plunder. Yuán Shào repeatedly sent envoys to recruit him, and also sent a General’s seal, to calm and gather up those he led, Chóu all refused and did not accept. [Yuán] Shào died, his son Shàng again recruited, Chóu to the end did not go.
疇得北歸，率舉宗族他附從數百人，掃地而盟曰：「君仇不報，吾不可以立於世！」遂入徐無山中，營深險平敞地而居，躬耕以養父母。百姓歸之，數年閒至五千餘家。疇謂其父老曰：「諸君不以疇不肖，遠來相就。眾成都邑，而莫相統一，恐非久安之道，願推擇其賢長者以為之主。」皆曰：「善。」同僉推疇。疇曰：「今來在此，非苟安而已，將圖大事，復怨雪恥。竊恐未得其志，而輕薄之徒自相侵侮，偷快一時，無深計遠慮。疇有愚計，願與諸君共施之，可乎？」皆曰：「可。」疇乃為約束相殺傷、犯盜、諍訟之法，法重者至死，其次抵罪，二十餘條。又制為婚姻嫁娶之禮，興舉學校講授之業，班行其眾，眾皆便之，至道不拾遺。北邊翕然服其威信，烏丸、鮮卑並各遣譯使致貢遺，疇悉撫納，令不為寇。袁紹數遣使招命，又即授將軍印，因安輯所統，疇皆拒不（當）〔受〕。紹死，其子尚又辟焉，疇終不行。
Chóu always was angered that the Wūhuán in the past frequently robbed and killed his prefecture’s officials, and had the intention to suppress them but his strength was not yet able. Jiàn’ān Twelfth Year [207], Tàizǔ [Cáo Cāo] campaigned north against the Wūhuán, had not yet arrived, and first sent envoy to recruit [Tián] Chóu, also ordering Tián Yù to explain and direct. Chóu warned his subordinates to quickly tidy. A follower said: “In the past Excellency Yuán admired you, gifts and orders five times arrived, you righteously did not yield; now Excellency Cáo’s envoy one time comes and you are as if afraid it is not enough, why?” Chóu laughed and answered him saying: “This is not what you can understand.” Therefore he went with the envoy to arrive at the army, was installed as Excellency of Works’ Household Department Official, and called to meet to consult and discuss. The next day the sent out Order said: “Tián Zǐtài is not someone who should be my subordinate official.” At once he was nominated Abundant Talent, appointed as Tiāo Magistrate, did not go to the office, and accompanied the army to Wúzhōng.
疇常忿烏丸昔多賊殺其郡冠蓋，有欲討之意而力未能。建安十二年，太祖北征烏丸，未至，先遣使辟疇，又命田豫喻指。疇戒其門下趣治嚴。門人謂曰：「昔袁公慕君，禮命五至，君義不屈；今曹公使一來而君若恐弗及者，何也？」疇笑而應之曰：「此非君所識也。」遂隨使者到軍，署司空戶曹掾，引見諮議。明日出令曰：「田子泰非吾所宜吏者。」即舉茂才，拜為蓨令，不之官，隨軍次無終。
At the time it was the summer floods and rain, and the coast was low, muddy and not passable, and the caitiffs also screened defenses on the footpaths and critical points, the army was not able to advance. Tàizǔ worried about this, and asked Chóu. Chóu said: “This road in autumn and summer regularly has flooding, the shallows are not passable by chariots and horses, the deeps not cross able by boats, and has been a difficulty for a long time. The old Běipíng prefecture headquarters was at Pínggāng, the road going out Lúlóng, reaching to Liǔchéng; from Jiànwǔ [25-56] onward, it was broken and cut off, it has been two hundred years, but still there is a small path that can be followed. Now the caitiffs believe the main army must come from Wúzhōng, cannot advance and is withdrawing, will slacken and be without preparations. If we slightly return the army, to from Lúlóng’s mouth cross Báitán’s rugged terrain, setting out empty land, the road is narrow and convenient, can surprise their lack of preparation, and Tàdùn’s head can without battle be taken.” Tàizǔ said: “Excellent.” Therefore they led the army back, and installed a large wooden sign on the water beside the road that said: “Right now it is the heat of summer, the roads are not passable, and one must wait for autumn and winter, and then advance the army.” The caitiff scout cavalry saw it, and truly believed the main army had left.
時方夏水雨，而濱海洿下，濘滯不通，虜亦遮守蹊要，軍不得進。太祖患之，以問疇。疇曰：「此道，秋夏每常有水，淺不通車馬，深不載舟船，為難久矣。舊北平郡治在平岡，道出盧龍，達于柳城；自建武以來，陷壞斷絕，垂二百載，而尚有微徑可從。今虜將以大軍當由無終，不得進而退，懈弛無備。若嘿回軍，從盧龍口越白檀之險，出空虛之地，路近而便，掩其不備，蹋頓之首可不戰而禽也。」太祖曰：「善。」乃引軍還，而署大木表于水側路傍曰：「方今暑夏，道路不通，且俟秋冬，乃復進軍。」虜候騎見之，誠以為大軍去也。
Tàizǔ ordered Chóu to lead his forces to be guides, went up Xúwú mountain, went out Lúlóng, going through Pínggāng, ascending Báilángduī, from Liǔchéng by over two hundred lǐ, the caitiffs then were alarmed. The Chányú personally overlooked the battle lines, Tàizǔ with them engaged in battle, and therefore greatly beheaded and captured, pursued a defeated enemy, reaching Liǔchéng. The army returned to enter the passes, discussed achievements and enacted enfeoffments, enfeoffing Chóu as a precinct Marquis, fief of five hundred households. (1) Chóu himself believed he had previously resided in difficulty, led forces to flee away, ambition and righteousness were not established, and to instead benefit, was not his original intention, and therefore declined. Tàizǔ understood his devoted heart, and agreed and did not force it. (2)
太祖令疇將其眾為鄉導，上徐無山，出盧龍，歷平岡，登白狼堆，去柳城二百餘里，虜乃驚覺。單于身自臨陳，太祖與交戰，遂大斬獲，追奔逐北，至柳城。軍還入塞，論功行封，封疇亭侯，邑五百戶。〔一〕疇自以始為居難，率眾循逃，志義不立，反以為利，非本意也，固讓。太祖知其至心，許而不奪。〔二〕
- (1) Xiānxián Xíngzhuàng records Tàizǔ’s memorial discussing Chóu’s achievement saying: “Civil elegance exceptionally prepared, loyal and martial also made known, harmonious in comforting subordinates, careful in serving superiors, judging times and deciding with reason, advancing and withdrawing in accordance to righteousness. When Yōu province was first disturbed, the Hú and Hàn gathered together, swept away from their residences, without any to depend on. Chóu led his clansmen to flee the troubles to Wúzhōng mountain, to the north resisting Lúlóng, to the south defending critical points, peaceful and quiet in obscurity, plowing and afterward eating, the people were cultivated and followed, all providing for and supporting one another. When Yuán Shào father and sons were powerful in the northern fields, distantly allying with the the Wūhuán, with them forming head and tail, beginning to end they summoned Chóu, to the end he would not be trapped and yield. Later I your servant presented command, the army reached Yì county, Chóu hurried and personally arrived, explained the situation to suppress the Hú, like Guǎng Wǔ’s establishing strategy against Yān and Xuē-gōng’s judging Huáinán. Also he sent his division retainers to wield your servant’s announced declarations, to go out to entice the Hú masses, and of the Hàn people some because of this fled to come, the Wūhuán heard this and were shaken. The ruler’s forces set out the passes, crossing through mountains over nine hundred lǐ, Chóu led troops of five hundred, leading and guiding through the mountains and valleys, and therefore we exterminated the Wūhuán, sweeping away and pacifying beyond the passes. Chóu’s civil and military abilities had effect, his integrity and righteousness is laudable, and truly in answer he should be favored and rewarded, to make manifest his beauty.
〔一〕 先賢行狀載太祖表論疇功曰：「文雅優備，忠武又著，和於撫下，慎於事上，量時度理，進退合義。幽州始擾，胡、漢交萃，蕩析離居，靡所依懷。疇率宗人避難於無終山，北拒盧龍，南守要害，清靜隱約，耕而後食，人民化從，咸共資奉。及袁紹父子威力加於朔野，遠結烏丸，與為首尾，前後召疇，終不陷撓。後臣奉命，軍次易縣，疇長驅自到，陳討胡之勢，猶廣武之建燕策，薛公之度淮南。又使部曲持臣露布，出誘胡眾，漢民或因亡來，烏丸聞之震蕩。王旅出塞，塗由山中九百餘里，疇帥兵五百，啟導山谷，遂滅烏丸，蕩平塞表。疇文武有效，節義可嘉，誠應寵賞，以旌其美。」
- (2) Wèi shū records Tàizǔ’s Order stating: “In the past Bóchéng relinquished state, Xià Hòu did not force it, to wish to have high and lofty servicemen, excellent and worthy rulers, does not stop in one age. Thus listen to Chóu’s wishes.”
〔二〕 魏書載太祖令曰：「昔伯成棄國，夏后不奪，將欲使高尚之士，優賢之主，不止於一世也。其聽疇所執。」
Liáodōng beheaded and sent Yuán Shàng’s head, it was ordered: “In the Three Armies those that dare weep for him are beheaded.” Chóu because he once had been by [Yuán] Shàng recruited, then went to give condolence sacrifices. Tàizǔ also did not investigate. (1) Chóu completely led his family dependents and clansmen of over three hundred families to reside at Yè. Tàizǔ bestowed on Chóu chariots and horses and grain and silk, all he gave out to his clan and his old friends. He followed the campaign against Jīng province and returned, Tàizǔ recalled Chóu’s achievements were especially beautiful, regretted that he had previously listened to Chóu’s declining, and said: “It is to achieve one man’s will, but harm the Ruling Law and Great Regulations.” Therefore he then restored the previous noble rank and enfeoffment on Chóu. (2) Chóu sent up memorial explaining his sincerity, to the death himself swearing. Tàizǔ did not listen, wishing to summon and appoint him, it went to four times, to the end he would not accept. Managers impeached Chóu as impetuous and violating principle, negligently establishing trivial integrity, and it was appropriate to dismiss him from office and apply punishment. Tàizǔ reconsidered this matter, was undecided for a long time, and then sent down the successor son [Cáo Pī] and great ministers to extensively discuss, the successor son believed Chóu was the same as Zǐ Wén declining salary and Shēn Xū evading reward, and it was appropriate to not forcefully take away his exceptional integrity. Secretariat Documents Director Xún Yù, Colonel Director of Retainers Zhōng Yáo also believed they could agree. (3) Tàizǔ yet wished to make a marquis of him. Chóu previously was with Xiàhóu Dūn friendly, Tàizǔ said to [Xiàhóu] Dūn: “Go and explain the situation to him, he will follow what you say, do not report my intentions.” [Xiàhóu] Dūn went to Chóu’s residence, and did as Tàizǔ warned. Chóu guessed and new his aims, and did not again speak. [Xiàhóu] Dūn was about to leave, and then patted Chóu’s back and said: “Sir Tián, the lord’s intentions are eagerly attentive, cano you not once look back?” Chóu replied saying: “Such mistaken words! I Chóu am only a man who turned back on righteousness to run away. To receive favor and preserve life, the fortunes are already many. How can I sell Lúlóng pass to exchange for reward and salary? To have the state give selfish gain to me, can I alone be not ashamed in heart? General you always understand me, yet you are again like this, and if it must be against my will, then I ask to serve by death and cut my throat before you.” His words were not yet finished, when his tears were overflowing. [Xiàhóu] Dūn provided this answer to Tàizǔ. Tàizǔ sighed and knew [Tián Chóu] could not submit, and so appointed him as a Consultant Cadet. Aged forty six years he died. His son also early died. Emperor Wén ascended the steps, praised Chóu’s virtue and righteousness, and bestowed on Chóu’s cousin’s grandson [Tián] Xù noble rank as Marquis Within the Passes, to carry on his succession.
遼東斬送袁尚首，令「三軍敢有哭之者斬」。疇以嘗為尚所辟，乃往弔祭。太祖亦不問。〔一〕疇盡將其家屬及宗人三百餘家居鄴。太祖賜疇車馬穀帛，皆散之宗族和知。從征荊州還，太祖追念疇功殊美，恨前聽疇之讓，曰：「是成一人之志，而虧王法大制也。」於是乃復以前爵封疇。〔二〕疇上疏陳誠，以死自誓。太祖不聽，欲引拜之，至于數四，終不受。有司劾疇狷介違道，苟立小節，宜免官加刑。太祖重其事，依違者久之。乃下世子及大臣博議，世子以疇同於子文辭祿，申胥逃賞，宜勿奪以優其節。尚書令荀彧、司隸校尉鍾繇亦以為可聽。〔三〕太祖猶欲侯之。疇素與夏侯惇善，太祖語惇曰：「且往以情喻之，自從君所言，無告吾意也。」惇就疇宿，如太祖所戒。疇揣知其指，不復發言。惇臨去，乃拊疇背曰：「田君，主意殷勤，曾不能顧乎！」疇答曰：「是何言之過也！疇，負義逃竄之人耳，蒙恩全活，為幸多矣。豈可賣盧龍之塞，以易賞祿哉？縱國私疇，疇獨不愧於心乎？將軍雅知疇者，猶復如此，若必不得已，請願效死刎首於前。」言未卒，涕泣橫流。惇具答太祖。太祖喟然知不可屈，乃拜為議郎。年四十六卒。子又早死。文帝踐阼，高疇德義，賜疇從孫續爵關內侯，以奉其嗣。
- (1) Your Servant Sōngzhī believes Tián Chóu not answering the summons of Yuán Shào father and sons, was because they were not upright. Therefore he exhaustively planned for the Wèi founder, establishing the Lúlóng strategy. It led to Yuán Shàng fleeing away, and losing head at Liáodōng, it all was because of Chóu. It was already clearly that he was a rebel, why did he again give condolence sacrifices to his head? If it was because he was once recruited, and righteousness was in that, then he should not have set plans for another, to cause them to come to this. Chóu in this action, was very much withdrawing and advancing without appropriateness. With Wáng Xiū weeping for Yuán Tán, the appearance was the same but the heart was different.
〔一〕 臣松之以為田疇不應袁紹父子之命，以其非正也。故盡規魏祖，建盧龍之策。致使袁尚奔迸，授首遼東，皆疇之由也。既以明其為賊，胡為復弔祭其首乎？若以嘗被辟命，義在其中，則不應為人設謀，使其至此也。疇此舉止，良為進退無當，與王脩哭袁譚，貌同而心異也。
- (2) Xiānxián Xíngzhuàng records Tàizǔ’s mandate stating: “Tiāo Magistrate Tián Chóu is of utmost integrity and lofty esteem, happened to encounter warfare in his home and chaos in the heartlands, led himself deep into the mountains, thoroughly studying feeling, the Hundred Surnames followed him, to complete a city. The Yuán rebels were flourishing, summoned him and he would not submit. He fervently defended will, as the border’s true master. When I received Imperial Order to campaign and settle the Hé’s north, then reached Yōu capital, about to settle the Hú bandits, at the time I applied courteous mandates. Chóu at once accepted appointment, explained and established how to take the road to attack the Hú, leading all the mountain peoples, the whole time turned to cultivation, opened the passes to guide and escort, providing transport and conscription, the road was near and convenient, causing the caitiffs to be unaware. Beheading Tàdùn at Báiláng, then driving on to Liǔchéng, was Chóu’s strength. When the army entered the passes, the officers charted this achievement, memorialized to enfeoff him as a precinct marquis, fief of five hundred, but Chóu was earnest and sorrowful, beginning to end declining reward. Going out and in for three years, for accumulated years he was not rewarded, this was to achieve one man’s loftiness, extremely in violation of the ruling standards, the faults are many. It is appropriate to follow the memorial to enfeoff, to not prolong my mistake.”
〔二〕 先賢行狀載太祖命曰：「蓨令田疇，至節高尚，遭值州里戎夏交亂，引身深山，研精味道，百姓從之，以成都邑。袁賊之盛，命召不屈。慷慨守志，以徼真主。及孤奉詔征定河北，遂服幽都，將定胡寇，時加禮命。疇即受署，陳建攻胡蹊路所由，率齊山民，一時向化，開塞導送，供承使役，路近而便，令虜不意。斬蹋頓于白狼，遂長驅于柳城，疇有力焉。及軍入塞，將圖其功，表封亭侯，食邑五百，而疇懇惻，前後辭賞。出入三載，歷年未賜，此為成一人之高，甚違王典，失之多矣。宜從表封，無久留吾過。」
- (3) Wèishū records the successor son’s commentary stating: “In the past Wěi Áo avoided employment, records recorded his beauty, in order to arouse troubled ages, stir the greedy, worthier than the men in sinecures only eating. Therefore what can be gained is yet small, and what cannot be gained is yet ruined. As for Tián Chóu, he is similar to this. To dismiss him from office or apply punishment, by law it is too heavy.”
- Wèilüè records instructions stating: “In the past [Bó] Yí and [Shū] Qí abandoned noble rank and ridiculed King Wǔ, it can be called foolish and ignorant, but Kǒng-zǐ yet believed it ‘seeking benevolence and obtaining benevolence.’ Chóu in maintaining this, though it is not in accord to the way, yet is only to wish to be pure and high. If Heaven’s Under was all like Chóu’s will, it would be the matter of Mò Dí’s universal love and esteeming the same, and the way of Lǎo Dān causing the people to bind rope. Though the outside commentary calls it good, again have the [Secretariat Documents] Director [Xún Yù] and the Director of Retainers [Zhōng Yáo] decide it.”
- Wèishū records Xún Yù’s commentary, believing: “The gentleman’s way, is sometimes going out and sometimes staying, hoping to do good and nothing more. Therefore when an ordinary fellow holds to will, the sagely men each because of it completes it.” Zhōng Yáo believed: “Yuán Sī declined grain, Zhòngní did not agree. Zǐlù refused ox, [Kǒng-zǐ] said it would stop the doing of good. Though it can arouse purity and stir filth, yet the insufficiency is many. Chóu though does not conform to great righteousness, it has benefit in encouraging manners of yielding, it is appropriate to follow the successor son’s commentary.”
- Your Servant Sōngzhī cites Lǚshì Chūnqiū: “In Lǔ state’s law, Lǔ men that were prisoners of other lords, those able to ransom them obtained the gold from government office. Zǐgòng ransomed someone and yet declined and did not take gold, Kǒng-zǐ said: ‘Cì was mistaken in this. From now onward Lǔ people will not ransom.’ Zǐlù rescued someone drowning, the person paid respects with oxen, Zǐlù accepted it. Kǒng-zǐ said: ‘Lǔ men will certainly rescue the drowning.'” Citing this story it does not agree with [Zhōng] Yáo’s example, it is uncertain if Yáo’s story is mistaken, or if the story came from somewhere else.
〔三〕 魏書載世子議曰：「昔薳敖逃祿，傳載其美，所以激濁世，勵貪夫，賢於尸祿素餐之人也。故可得而小，不可得而毀。至于田疇，方斯近矣。免官加刑，於法為重。」魏略載教曰：「昔夷、齊棄爵而譏武王，可謂愚闇，孔子猶以為『求仁得仁』。疇之所守，雖不合道，但欲清高耳。使天下悉如疇志，即墨翟兼愛尚同之事，而老聃使民結繩之道也。外議雖善，為復使令司隸以決之。」魏書載荀彧議，以為「君子之道，或出或處，期于為善而已。故匹夫守志，聖人各因而成之」。鍾繇以為「原思辭粟，仲尼不與，子路拒牛，謂之止善，雖可以激清勵濁，猶不足多也。疇雖不合大義，有益推讓之風，宜如世子議。」臣松之案呂氏春秋：「魯國之法，魯人有為臣妾於諸侯，有能贖之者取其金於府。子貢贖人而辭不取金，孔子曰：『賜失之矣。自今以來魯人不贖矣。』子路拯溺者，其人拜之以牛，子路受之。孔子曰：『魯人必拯溺矣。』」案此語不與繇所引者相應，未詳為繇之事誤邪，而事將別有所出〔耳〕？
Three States Records 