Wang Sengbian (王僧辯)

Overview

Wang Sengbian was a Liang grand commander and father of Wang Ban.

Life and dates

Death

AD 555 為陳武帝所殺
Killed · Authority Chen Baxian (陳霸先)
Dated from the passage context · Book of Sui 72, passage 118
AD 555 紹泰元年九月甲辰
Killed in surprise attack · Authority Chen Baxian (陳霸先)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 6, passage 7
AD 555 陳霸先旣殺王僧辯
Killed · Authority Chen Baxian (陳霸先)
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 32, passage 161
Executed · Authority Chen Baxian (陳霸先)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 18, passage 72
Execution · Authority Chen Baxian (陳霸先)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 25, passage 13
AD 555 天成元年冬
Cause assassinated by Chen Baxian 霸先襲殺
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 33, passage 26

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Killed · Killer Person Id: Chen Baxian (陳霸先)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 46, passage 121
僧辯誅後
Executed
Directly stated · Book of Chen 11, passage 106

Attested activity

AD 551 二年二月
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 29, passage 194
AD 530 chapter narrative
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 30, passage 180
AD 548 to AD 552 Hou Jing rebellion
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 13, passage 13
AD 548 to AD 552 侯景之亂
Directly stated · Book of Chen 10, passage 10; Book of Chen 17, passage 29
AD 548 to AD 555 侯景寇郢州前後
Directly stated · Book of Chen 29, passages 7, 45
AD 549 侯景平
Directly stated · Book of Chen 30, passage 102

Show 30 more source-backed claims

AD 552 侯景平
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 16, passage 11
AD 548 to AD 552 侯景渡江
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 32, passage 119
AD 551 to AD 552 侯景西上
Directly stated · Book of Chen 10, passage 12
AD 552 to AD 555 僧辯被誅時
Directly stated · Book of Chen 25, passage 13
AD 555 僧辯誅後
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 11, passage 105
AD 552 其父平侯景
Dated from the passage context · Book of Sui 72, passage 117
AD 555 其父為陳武帝所殺
Dated from the passage context · Book of Sui 72, passage 118
AD 551 大寶二年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 44, passage 176; Book of Liang 46, passage 5
AD 552 大寶二年三月己丑次年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 4, passage 128
AD 550 大寶元年八月甲午
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 4, passage 90
AD 555 天保六年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 33, passages 16-17
AD 551 to AD 552 往進見王僧辯於巴陵
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 32, passage 31
AD 552 承聖
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 55, passage 174
AD 554 承聖三年十一月
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 6, passage 184
AD 555 承聖四年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 6, passages 3, 5, 7
AD 551 to AD 552 敗宋子仙
Directly stated · Book of Chen 19, passage 14
AD 552 to AD 555 景平之後
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 18, passages 38, 71
AD 552 to AD 555 會於白茅灣...討侯景
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 12, passage 14
AD 552 to AD 553 梁元遣王僧辯討納
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 32, passages 124, 132, 136
AD 525 to AD 549 次子僧辯
Strongly inferred · Book of Liang 39, passage 71
AD 554 江陵陷
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 24, passage 79
AD 552 王僧辯之討侯景
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 24, passage 64
AD 540 to AD 552 王僧辯征文道期
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 11, passage 53
AD 552 王僧辯破侯景
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 38, passage 20
AD 548 to AD 555 王僧辯闕伊尹之才
Directly stated · Book of Chen 2, passage 216
AD 555 聞太尉僧辯敗
Strongly inferred · Book of Liang 39, passage 212
AD 552 軍至蔡洲
Dated from the passage context · History of the Southern Dynasties 54, passage 217
AD 555 陳霸先旣殺王僧辯
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 32, passage 161
AD 555 高祖將討王僧辯
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 16, passage 70
AD 555 to AD 557 高祖誅王僧辯
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 12, passage 114

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of Daughter of Wang Sengbian (王僧辯女)
daughter 女
father 父
Strongly inferred · Book of Chen 12, passage 159; Book of Liang 46, passage 122
Parent of Wang Ban (王頒)
father 父
Directly stated · Book of Sui 72, passage 115
Sibling of Wang Zunye (王尊業)
second son 次子 · Full siblings
Strongly inferred · Book of Liang 39, passages 69, 71
Child of Wang Shennian (王神念)
second son 次子
Directly stated · Book of Liang 39, passage 71
Sibling of Wang Sengzhi (王僧智)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Book of Chen 25, passage 13

Key source chapters

Career and standing

commander-in-chief replacing Bao Quan 都督
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Liang 30, passage 180
Grand Commander 太尉
Held
Directly stated · Book of Sui 72, passage 115
Grand Marshal 大司馬
Held
Directly stated · Book of Chen 24, passage 79
Grand Marshal 太尉
Held
Directly stated · Book of Liang 39, passage 212

Places and affiliations

Polity Liang 梁 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 32, passages 31, 119, 132; Book of Liang 29, passage 194; History of the Southern Dynasties 54, passage 217
Polity Liang 梁 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Book of Liang 39, passage 212
At Baling 巴陵 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 32, passage 31

Works and attributed material

Memorial · Author · With Wang Lin (王琳)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 32, passage 124

Events and relationships

Advanced to Cai Isle
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Book of Liang 44, passage 176
Advanced to
Military · Commander · At Caizhou 蔡洲
Directly stated · History of the Southern Dynasties 54, passage 217
Attacked Lu Na
AD 552 to AD 553 梁元遣王僧辯討納 · Military · Commander · With Lu Na (陸納)
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 32, passage 132
Campaigned against Hou Jing
AD 552 王僧辯之討侯景 · Military · Commander · With Hou Jing (侯景)
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 24, passage 64
Campaigned with
Military · Commander · With Chunyu Liang (淳于量)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 11, passages 54, 61
Camped at
AD 555 承聖四年三月 · Military · Commander · At Gudu 姑孰
Directly stated · Book of Liang 6, passage 3

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Defeat reported; caused Yang Kun to turn back
Military · Defeated
Directly stated · Book of Liang 39, passage 212
Defeated
AD 548 to AD 552 侯景渡江 · Military · Commander · With Hou Jing (侯景)
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 32, passage 119
Displayed Wang Lin to army
AD 552 to AD 553 梁元遣王僧辯討納 · Military · Commander · With Wang Lin (王琳)
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 32, passages 136, 138
Installed
AD 555 承聖四年七月 · Political · Agent · With Xiao Yuanming (蕭淵明)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 6, passage 5
Pacified Hou Jing and held the capital
Military victory · With Hou Jing (侯景)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 17, passage 136
Pressed
Military · Commander · With Xiao Lun (蕭綸)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 29, passage 194
Pursued
Military · Commander · With Hou Jing (侯景)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 4, passage 108
Sought Wang Lin execution
AD 552 to AD 553 梁元遣王僧辯討納 · Political · Actor · With Wang Lin (王琳)
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 32, passage 124
Subdued Hou Jing
AD 552 平侯景 · Military · Commander · With Hou Jing (侯景)
Dated from the passage context · Book of Sui 72, passage 117
Wang Sengbian in southern wars
Military · Participant
Directly stated · Book of Chen 11, passages 105-106
Relation Compared unfavorably to · Person Yi Yin (伊尹) · Mode named-source-report Source Person Id Yao Cha (姚察)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 2, passage 216
Relation Subordinate of · Person Emperor Yuan (世祖)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 29, passage 194

Assessments and attributes

Assessment lacked Yiyin's talent yet vainly nursed the Tong Palace grievance · Mode named-source-report Source Person Id Yao Cha (姚察)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 2, passage 216

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 32, passages 31, 119, 161; Book of Liang 29, passage 194; History of the Southern Dynasties 54, passage 217
has a separate biography in another chapter
Directly stated · Book of Liang 39, passage 71

References in the histories

Search passages

History

110 passages

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 32Volume 32 Biographies 24: Lu Fahe; Wang Lin (General) · 6 passages

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法和旣平約，往進見王僧辯於巴陵，謂曰：「貧道已斷侯景一臂，其更何能為，檀越宜卽遂取。」 After Fahe had pacified Yue, he went forward to see Wang Sengbian at Baling and said, "This humble monk has already cut off one arm of Hou Jing—what more can he do? My patron should press the attack at once."

又隨王僧辯破景。 He also followed Wang Sengbian in defeating Hou Jing.

王僧辯禁之不可，懼將為亂，啟請誅之。 Wang Sengbian forbade it but could not; fearing Lin would stir rebellion, he memorialized asking that he be executed.

梁元遣王僧辯討納，納等敗走長沙。 Emperor Yuan of Liang sent Wang Sengbian to attack Na; Na and the rest were defeated and fled to Changsha.

時納兵出方戰，會琳至，僧辯升諸樓車以示之。 At the time Na's troops were out fighting; when Lin arrived, Sengbian mounted the tower chariots to show him.

陳霸先旣殺王僧辯，推立敬帝，以侍中司空徵。 Chen Baxian had killed Wang Sengbian and raised Emperor Jing, summoning Lin as attendant and minister of works.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 33Volume 33 Biographies 25: Xiao Yuanming; Xiao Zhi (Liang); Xiao Tui; Xiao Fang (Liang); Xu Zhicai · 7 passages

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是時梁太尉王僧辯、司空陳霸先在建鄴，推晉安王方智為丞相。 At that time Liang grand commandant Wang Sengbian and minister of works Chen Baxian were at Jiankang; they installed Prince of Jin'an Fang Zhi as chancellor.

顯祖賜僧辯、霸先璽書，僧辯未奉詔。 Gao Yang bestowed sealed letters on Sengbian and Baxian; Sengbian did not obey the edict.

上黨王進軍，明又與僧辯書，往復再三，陳禍福，僧辯初不納。 Prince of Shangdang advanced his army; Ming also exchanged letters with Sengbian back and forth several times, setting out fortune and calamity, but at first Sengbian would not accept him.

旣而上黨王破東關，斬裴之橫，江表危懼，僧辯乃啟上黨求納明，遣舟艦迎接。 Then Prince of Shangdang broke Dongguan and beheaded Pei Zhiheng; the lands south of the Yangtze were gripped with fear, and Sengbian then memorialized Prince of Shangdang asking to admit Ming and sent warships to receive him.

以方智為太子，授王僧辯大司馬。 Fang Zhi was made heir apparent; Wang Sengbian was appointed grand marshal.

冬，霸先襲殺僧辯，復立方智，以明為太傅、建安王。 In winter Baxian attacked and killed Sengbian, restored Fang Zhi, and made Ming grand tutor and Prince of Jian'an.

霸先奉表朝廷，云僧辯陰謀篡逆，故誅之。 Baxian submitted a memorial to the court saying Sengbian had plotted treason in secret and was therefore executed.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 38Volume 38 Biographies 30: Xin Shu; Yuan Wenyao; Zhao Yanshen · 1 passage

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及王僧辯破侯景，術招攜安撫，城鎮相繼款附，前後二十餘州。 When Wang Sengbian defeated Hou Jing, Shu won men over and pacified the land; towns and garrisons submitted one after another—more than twenty provinces in all.

Book of Chen, Chapter 2Volume 2: Emperor Wu 2 · 1 passage

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王僧辯闕伊尹之才，空結桐宮之憤，貞陽假秦兵之送，不思穆嬴之泣。 Wang Sengbian lacked the gift of an Yiyin yet brooded on the wrong of the Tong Palace; Zhenyang leaned on northern troops yet never remembered Mu Ying's tears.

Book of Chen, Chapter 10Volume 10: Zhou Tiehu; Cheng Lingxi · 8 passages

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及王僧辯討譽，於陣獲鐵虎，僧辯命烹之，鐵虎呼曰：「侯景未滅，柰何殺壯士。」 When Wang Sengbian attacked Yu, he took Tiehu on the field. Sengbian ordered him boiled alive. Tiehu shouted, "Hou Jing is not yet destroyed—why kill a fighting man?"

僧辯奇其言，乃宥之，還其麾下。 Sengbian was struck by his words, spared him, and returned him to his troops.

及侯景西上，鐵虎從僧辯克任約，獲宋子仙，每戰皆有功。 When Hou Jing marched west, Tiehu followed Sengbian against Ren Yue, took Song Zixian prisoner, and earned merit in every fight.

又從僧辯克定京邑，降謝答仁，平陸納於湘州。 He again followed Sengbian in recovering the capital, took Xie Daren's surrender, and pacified Lu Na in Xiangzhou.

高祖誅僧辯，鐵虎率所部降，因復其本職。 When the Founder killed Sengbian, Tiehu surrendered with his command and was restored to his former post.

仍令靈洗率所部下揚州，助王僧辯鎮防。 He was then ordered to lead his command to Yangzhou to help Wang Sengbian hold the garrison.

遷吳興太守，未行，僧辯命靈洗從侯瑱西援荊州。 He was named administrator of Wuxing, but before he went Sengbian sent him with Hou Tian west to relieve Jingzhou.

高祖誅僧辯，靈洗率所領來援，其徒力戰於石頭西門，[1]軍不利，遣使招諭，久之乃降，高祖深義之。 When the Founder killed Sengbian, Lingxi marched to his aid. His men fought hard at Shitou's western gate. [1] The battle went against them. Messengers were sent to summon and persuade him; only after long delay did he yield. The Founder held his conduct in high esteem.

Book of Chen, Chapter 11Volume 11: Huang Faqu; Chunyu Liang; Zhang Zhaoda · 7 passages

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荊、雍之界，蠻左數反，山帥文道期積為邊患，中兵王僧辯征之，頻戰不利，遣量助之。 On the Jing–Yong frontier the southern tribes rose again and again. The mountain chief Wen Daoqi had long plagued the border. Wang Sengbian campaigned against him without success and sent Liang to help.

量至，與僧辯并力，大破道期，斬其酋長，俘虜萬計。 When Liang arrived he and Sengbian joined forces, crushed Daoqi, beheaded the chiefs, and took tens of thousands of captives.

侯景西上攻巴州，元帝使都督王僧辯入據巴陵。 When Hou Jing advanced west to attack Bazhou, Emperor Yuan sent the commander Wang Sengbian to occupy Baling.

量與僧辯并力拒景，大敗景軍，擒其將任約。 Liang joined forces with Sengbian to resist Jing, badly defeated Jing's army, and captured his general Ren Yue.

仍隨僧辯克平侯景， He then followed Sengbian in defeating and pacifying Hou Jing.

及高祖討王僧辯，令世祖還長城招聚兵眾，以備杜龕，頻使昭達往京口，稟承計畫。 When the Founder moved against Wang Sengbian he sent Emperor Wen back to Changcheng to raise men and stores against Du Kan and repeatedly sent Zhaoda to Jingkou to carry his orders.

僧辯誅後，龕遣其將杜泰來攻長城，世祖拒之，命昭達總知城內兵事。 After Sengbian was killed, Kan sent Du Tai against Changcheng. Emperor Wen held the city and put Zhaoda in charge of the garrison.

Book of Chen, Chapter 12Volume 12: Hu Ying; Xu Du; Du Leng; Shen Ke · 8 passages

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高祖率眾與王僧辯會於白茅灣，同討侯景，以穎知留府事。 The Founder took his army to Baimao Bay to join Wang Sengbian against Hou Jing and left Ying to manage headquarters.

尋領馬軍，從高祖襲王僧辯。 Soon he took command of cavalry and followed the Founder against Wang Sengbian.

高祖平王僧辯，度與侯安都為水軍。 When the Founder struck Wang Sengbian, Du and Hou Andu commanded the river forces.

高祖誅王僧辯，[6]引稜與侯安都等共議，稜難之。 When the Founder prepared to kill Wang Sengbian, he brought Leng, Hou Andu, and the others into council; Leng resisted the plan.

及僧辯平後，高祖東征杜龕等，留稜與安都居守。 After Sengbian was defeated, the Founder marched east against Du Kan and left Leng and Andu to guard the base.

及高祖謀討王僧辯，恪預其謀。 When the Founder planned his move against Wang Sengbian, Ke was in the councils.

時僧辯女婿杜龕鎮吳興，高祖乃使世祖還長城，立柵備龕，又使恪還武康，招集兵眾。 Sengbian's son-in-law Du Kan then held Wuxing. The Founder sent Emperor Wen back to Changcheng to build defenses against him and sent Ke back to Wukang to raise men.

及僧辯誅，龕果遣副將杜泰率眾襲世祖於長城。 After Sengbian was killed, Kan sent his deputy Du Tai to attack Emperor Wen at Changcheng.

Book of Chen, Chapter 13Volume 13: Xu Shipu; Lu Xida; Zhou Fu; Xun Lang; Zhou Jiong · 4 passages

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因隨王僧辯攻郢州，世譜復乘大艦臨其倉門，賊將宋子仙據城降。 He followed Wang Sengbian against Yingzhou. Shipu again brought a great ship under the granary gate, and the rebel Song Zixian surrendered the city.

仍隨僧辯東下，恆為軍鋒。 He still marched east with Sengbian and was always the army's vanguard.

使其弟廣達領兵隨王僧辯討侯景。 He sent his younger brother Guangda with troops to follow Wang Sengbian against Hou Jing.

王僧辯東討，朗遣其將范寶勝及弟曉領兵二千助之。 When Wang Sengbian marched east, Lang sent his general Fan Baosheng and his younger brother Xiao, with two thousand men, to help.

Book of Chen, Chapter 16Volume 16: Zhao Zhili; Cai Jingli; Liu Shizhi; Xie Qi · 3 passages

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高祖平侯景，軍至白茅灣，上表於梁元帝及與王僧辯論述軍事，其文並知禮所製。 When the Founder crushed Hou Jing and the army reached Baimao Bay, the memorials to Emperor Yuan of Liang and the letters to Wang Sengbian on military affairs were all Zhili's work.

高祖將討王僧辯，獨與侯安都等數人謀之，景歷弗之知也。 When the Founder was about to strike Wang Sengbian he plotted alone with Hou Andu and a few others; Jingli knew nothing of it.

僧辯誅，高祖輔政，除從事中郎，掌記室如故。 When Sengbian was killed the Founder assisted the government and made Jingli attendant of the masters of writing, still managing the record office.

Book of Chen, Chapter 17Volume 17: Wang Chong; Wang Tong; Yuan Jing · 2 passages

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侯景之亂，梁元帝於荊州承制，沖求解南郡，以讓王僧辯，并獻女妓十人，以助軍賞。 During Hou Jing's rebellion, when Emperor Yuan of Liang assumed the provisional regime at Jingzhou, Chong asked to give up Nan commandery for Wang Sengbian and sent ten female entertainers as a gift toward the army's expenses.

王僧辯平侯景，鎮京城，衣冠爭往造請，樞獨杜門靜居，不求聞達。 When Wang Sengbian took the capital after defeating Hou Jing, the elite flocked to him; Shu stayed indoors and sought no advancement.

Book of Chen, Chapter 18Volume 18: Shen Zhong; Yuan Bi; Liu Zhongwei; Lu Shancai; Wang Zhi; Wei Zai · 8 passages

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景平，王僧辯表泌為富春太守，兼丹陽尹。 After Jing was suppressed, Wang Sengbian recommended Bi as administrator of Fuchun and intendant of Danyang.

承聖元年，王僧辯授山才儀同府西曹掾。 In Chengsheng year 1 (552), Wang Sengbian appointed Shancai western bureau clerk in the Yitong office.

高祖誅僧辯，山才奔會稽依張彪。 When the Founder killed Sengbian, Shancai fled to Kuaiji and attached himself to Zhang Biao.

尋為建威將軍、尋陽太守，隨都督王僧辯東討侯景。 He was soon made general who establishes might and administrator of Xunyang, marching east under Wang Sengbian against Hou Jing.

是時僧辯軍于湓城，而魯悉達、樊俊等各擁兵保境，觀望成敗。 Sengbian then lay at Pencheng; Lu Sidada, Fan Jun, and others each held their districts with troops and waited to see who would win.

及大軍東下，載率三郡兵自焦湖出柵口，與僧辯會于梁山。 When the main force moved east, Zai led the three commanderies' men from Jiao Lake through Shankou to meet Sengbian at Mount Liang.

高祖誅王僧辯，乃遣周文育輕兵襲載，未至而載先覺，乃嬰城自守。 After the Founder killed Wang Sengbian he sent Zhou Wenyü with light troops against Zai. Zai saw it coming first and shut the city to resist.

仍遣載族弟翽賷書喻載以誅王僧辯意，并奉梁敬帝敕，敕載解兵。 He then sent Zai's cousin Hui with a letter explaining why Wang Sengbian had been killed and with an edict from Emperor Jing of Liang ordering Zai to lay down arms.

Book of Chen, Chapter 19Volume 19: Shen Jiong; Yu Li; Ma Shu · 4 passages

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及子仙為王僧辯所敗，僧辯素聞其名，於軍中購得之，酬所獲者鐵錢十萬，自是羽檄軍書皆出於炯。 When Zixian fell to Wang Sengbian, Sengbian, who had long known his name, bought him out of the ranks for one hundred thousand iron coins. After that every dispatch and army paper bore Jiong's hand.

及簡文遇害，四方岳牧皆上表於江陵勸進，僧辯令炯製表，其文甚工，當時莫有逮者。 After Emperor Jianwen was killed, governors everywhere sent memorials to Jiangling urging a new throne. Sengbian had Jiong draft them. None of the age could match his craft.

高祖南下，與僧辯會于白茅灣，登壇設盟，炯為其文。 When the Founder marched south he met Sengbian at Baimao Bay. They mounted the altar and swore alliance; Jiong wrote the words.

僧辯為司徒，以炯為從事中郎。 When Sengbian became minister of education he made Jiong a secretariat retainer.

Book of Chen, Chapter 24Volume 24: Zhou Hongzheng; Yuan Xian · 3 passages

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王僧辯之討侯景也，弘正與弘讓自拔迎軍，僧辯得之甚喜，即日啟元帝，元帝手書與弘正曰：「獯醜逆亂，寒暑亟離，海內相識，零落略盡。 When Wang Sengbian campaigned against Hou Jing, Hongzheng and Hongrang broke out on their own to welcome his army. Sengbian was greatly pleased and that day reported to Emperor Yuan. Emperor Yuan wrote Hongzheng in his own hand: "The savage rebel has torn cold from heat again and again; acquaintances within the seas are nearly all gone.

及侯景平，僧辯啟送祕書圖籍，敕弘正讎校。 When Hou Jing was pacified, Sengbian reported and sent the secretariat's books and registers. An edict ordered Hongzheng to collate them.

及江陵陷，弘正遁圍而出，歸於京師，敬帝以為大司馬王僧辯長史，行揚州事。 When Jiangling fell, Hongzheng broke through the siege and returned to the capital. Emperor Jing made him chief clerk to Grand Marshal Wang Sengbian, acting for Yang province.

Book of Chen, Chapter 25Volume 25: Pei Ji; Sun Yang · 2 passages

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及高祖誅王僧辯，僧辯弟僧智舉兵據吳郡，高祖遣黃他率眾攻之，僧智出兵於西昌門拒戰，他與相持，不能克。 After the Founder killed Wang Sengbian, Sengbian's brother Sengzhi seized Wu commandery. The Founder sent Huang Ta with an army against him. Sengzhi marched out the Xichang Gate to fight. Ta held him at bay and could not break him.

王僧辯之討侯景也，王琳為前軍，琳與瑒同門，乃表薦為戎昭將軍、宜都太守，仍從僧辯救徐文盛於武昌。 When Wang Sengbian attacked Hou Jing, Wang Lin led the van. Lin and Yang were schoolmates; Lin recommended him as martial-announcements general and administrator of Yidu, and he followed Sengbian to relieve Xu Wensheng at Wuchang.

Book of Chen, Chapter 29Volume 29: Zong Yuanrao; Sima Shen; Mao Xi; Cai Zheng · 4 passages

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及司徒王僧辯幕府初建，元饒與沛國劉師知同為主簿。 When Minister of Works Wang Sengbian first established his headquarters, Yuanrao and Liu Shizhi of Pei both served as chief clerks.

及侯景寇郢州，申隨都督王僧辯據巴陵，每進籌策，皆見行用。 When Hou Jing attacked Yingzhou, Shen followed commander Wang Sengbian in holding Baling; every plan he advanced was adopted.

僧辯歎曰：「此生要鞬汗馬，或非所長，若使撫眾守城，必有奇績。」 Sengbian sighed and said, "This man wants the saddle and a sweating horse—perhaps not his strength; if one had him pacify troops and hold a city, there would surely be extraordinary achievement."

僧辯之討陸納也，申在軍中，于時賊眾奄至，左右披靡，申躬蔽僧辯，蒙楯而前，會裴之橫救至，賊乃退，僧辯顧申而笑曰：「仁者必有勇，豈虛言哉！」 When Sengbian campaigned against Lu Na, Shen was in the army; at that time the rebel masses suddenly arrived and those left and right were scattered; Shen personally shielded Sengbian, covered himself with a shield and went forward; when Pei Zhiheng's rescue arrived, the rebels withdrew. Sengbian looked back at Shen and laughed, saying, "The humane surely have courage—is this an empty saying!"

Book of Chen, Chapter 30Volume 30: Xiao Ji; Lu Qiong; Gu Yewang; Fu Zai · 1 passage

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侯景平，太尉王僧辯深嘉之，使監海鹽縣。 After Hou Jing was crushed, grand marshal Wang Sengbian praised him deeply and made him overseer of Haiyan county.

Book of Liang, Chapter 4Volume 4: Emperor Jianwen · 5 passages

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八月甲午，湘東王繹遣領軍將軍王僧辯率衆逼郢州。 On jiawu in the eighth month Prince Yi of Xiangdong sent Army Inspector General Wang Sengbian with troops to press Yingzhou.

閏月甲子，景進寇巴陵，湘東王繹所遣領軍將軍王僧辯連戰不能剋。 On jiazi in the intercalary month Hou Jing pressed on Baling; Wang Senbian, the commanding general Prince Yi of Xiangdong had sent, fought again and again but could not win.

乙巳，景解圍宵遁，王僧辯督衆軍追景。 On yisi day Hou Jing broke the siege and fled under cover of night; Wang Senbian led the combined armies in pursuit.

辛丑，王僧辯軍次湓城，賊行江州事范希榮棄城走。 On xinchou day Wang Senbian's army camped at Pencheng; Fan Xirong, the rebel officer in charge of Jiangzhou, abandoned the city and fled.

明年，三月己丑，王僧辯率前百官奉梓宮升朝堂，世祖追崇為簡文皇帝，廟曰太宗。 The next year, on jichou in the third month, Wang Senbian led the former hundred officials to raise the coffin to the audience hall; Shizu posthumously honored him as Emperor Jianwen with temple name Taizong.

Book of Liang, Chapter 6Volume 6: Emperor Jing · 5 passages

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三年十一月，江陵陷，太尉揚州刺史王僧辯、司空南徐州刺史陳霸先定議，以帝爲太宰、承製，奉迎還京師。 In the eleventh month of the third year, Jiangling fell. Wang Sengbian, grand commandant and inspector of Yangzhou, and Chen Baxian, minister of works and inspector of South Xuzhou, agreed on a plan: the emperor would serve as grand steward, acting with imperial authority, and be escorted back to the capital.

以太尉王僧辯爲中書監、錄尚書、驃騎將軍、都督中外諸軍事。 Wang Sengbian, grand commandant, was made director of the secretariat, manager of the Masters of Writing, general of agile cavalry, and commander-in-chief of all armies within and without.

太尉王僧辯率衆出屯姑孰。 Grand marshal Wang Sengbian led troops out to camp at Gudu.

七月辛丑，王僧辯納貞陽侯蕭淵明，自採石濟江。 On xinchou in the seventh month Wang Sengbian received Zhenyang marquis Xiao Yuanming and crossed from Caishi.

九月甲辰，司空陳霸先舉義，襲殺王僧辯，黜蕭淵明。 On jiachen in the ninth month Minister of Works Chen Baxian rose in revolt, killed Wang Sengbian in a surprise attack, and deposed Xiao Yuanming.

Book of Liang, Chapter 29Volume 29: Three Princes of Gaozu · 1 passage

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元帝聞其強盛，乃遣王僧辯帥舟師一萬以逼綸，綸將劉龍武等降僧辯，綸軍潰，遂與子躓等十餘人輕舟走武昌。 When Emperor Yuan heard how strong he had become, he dispatched Wang Sengbian with ten thousand river troops to press Xiao Lun. Xiao Lun's general Liu Longwu and others surrendered to Wang Sengbian; Xiao Lun's army collapsed. He fled in a light boat to Wuchang with his son Zhi and more than ten others.

Book of Liang, Chapter 30Volume 30: Pei Ziye; Gu Xie; Xu Chi; Bao Quan · 5 passages

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世祖乃數泉罪，遣平南將軍王僧辯代泉爲都督。 Emperor Yuan then enumerated Quan's crimes and sent General Who Pacifies the South Wang Sengbian to replace Quan as commander-in-chief.

僧辯至，泉愕然，顧左右曰：「得王竟陵助我經略，賊不足平矣。」 When Sengbian arrived, Quan was startled and, turning to those at his side, said, "With Wang of Jingling to assist me in strategy, the rebels are not worth pacifying."

僧辯旣入，乃背泉而坐，曰：「鮑郎有罪，令旨使我鎖卿，卿勿以故意見期。」 Once Sengbian had entered, he sat with his back to Quan and said, "Master Bao is guilty; by command I am to lock you up — do not expect old friendship."

世祖尋復其任，令與僧辯等率舟師東逼邵陵王於郢州。 Emperor Yuan soon restored him to his post and ordered him, together with Sengbian and others, to lead the fleet east and press Prince Shaoling at Yingzhou.

後景攻王僧辯於巴陵，不克，敗還，乃殺泉於江夏，沉其屍于黃鵠磯。 Later Hou Jing attacked Wang Sengbian at Baling but could not overcome him and returned defeated; he then killed Quan at Jiangxia and cast his corpse into the Huanghe Ford.

Book of Liang, Chapter 39Volume 39: Yuan Faseng; Yuan Shu; Yuan Yuanda; Wang Shenian; Yang Hua; Yang Kan; Yang Kun; Yang Yaren · 2 passages

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次子僧辯，別有傳。 His second son Sengbian is treated in another chapter.

聞太尉僧辯敗，乃還，爲侯瑱所破，於豫章遇害，時年二十八。 When word came that Grand Marshal Sengbian had fallen, Kun turned back. Hou Tian routed him, and Kun was killed at Yuzhang at the age of twenty-eight.

Book of Liang, Chapter 44Volume 44: Eleven Princes of Taizong; Two Princes of Shizu · 1 passage

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王僧辯軍至蔡洲，景遂害之。 When Wang Sengbian's army reached Cai Isle, Jing killed him.

Book of Liang, Chapter 46Volume 46: Hu Sengyou; Xu Wensheng; Du Ze; Du An; Du You'an; Du Kan; Yin Zichun · 15 passages

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大寶二年，侯景寇荊陝，圍王僧辯于巴陵，世祖乃引僧祐於獄，拜爲假節、武猛將軍，封新市縣侯，令赴援。 In Great Treasure year two Hou Jing raided Jing-Shan and besieged Wang Sengbian at Baling; Shizu freed Sengyou, made him acting staff bearer, General of Martial Ferocity, and Marquis of Xinshi, and sent him to relieve the siege.

令隨王僧辯東討侯景。 He was ordered to follow Wang Sengbian east against Hou Jing.

仍隨僧辯追景至石頭，與賊相持橫嶺。 He followed Sengbian in pursuit to Stonehead and faced the bandit at Heng Ridge.

是月，齊將郭元建攻秦州刺史嚴超遠於秦郡，王僧辯令崱赴援。 That month Qi general Guo Yuanjian besieged Yan Chaoyuan at Qin; Wang Sengbian sent Ze to relieve him.

時世祖執王琳於江陵，其長史陸納等遂于長沙反，世祖徵崱與王僧辯討之。 Shizu held Wang Lin at Jiangling; Lu Na rebelled at Changsha; Shizu called Ze and Wang Sengbian to suppress him.

後納等降，崱又與王僧辯西討武陵王於硤口，至卽破平之。 When Na surrendered Ze went west with Wang Sengbian against the Prince of Wuling at Gorge Mouth and broke him at once.

令與平南將軍王僧辯討河東王譽於長沙，平之。 He was ordered with Wang Sengbian to campaign against the Prince of Hedong at Changsha and pacify him.

與叔幼安俱隨王僧辯討河東王，平之。 With his uncle You'an he followed Wang Sengbian against the Prince of Hedong and pacified him.

又隨僧辯下，繼徐文盛軍至巴陵，聞侯景襲陷郢州，西上將至，乃與僧辯等守巴陵以待之。 Following Sengbian downriver he took over Wensheng's line at Baling; hearing Jing had taken E and was coming west, he and Sengbian held Baling to meet him.

仍隨僧辯追景至江夏，圍其城。 He followed Sengbian in pursuit to Jiangxia and besieged the city.

承聖二年，又與王僧辯討陸納等於長沙，降之。 In Chengsheng year two he again followed Wang Sengbian against Lu Na at Changsha and forced surrender.

會陳霸先襲陷京師，執王僧辯殺之。 Then Chen Baxian seized the capital, took Wang Sengbian, and killed him.

龕，僧辯之婿也，爲吳興太守。 Kan was Sengbian's son-in-law and governor of Wuxing.

及僧辯敗，龕乃據吳興以距之，遣軍副杜泰攻陳蒨於長城，反爲蒨所敗。 When Sengbian fell Kan held Wuxing against him and sent Du Tai to strike Chen Qian at Changcheng—but Qian beat him.

屬侯景亂，世祖令子春隨領軍將軍王僧辯攻邵陵王於郢州，平之。 When Hou Jing rebelled Shizu ordered Zichun to follow Wang Sengbian against the Prince of Shaoling at E and pacify him.

Book of Liang, Chapter 55Volume 55: Zong, Prince of Yuzhang; Ji, Prince of Wuling; Zhengde, Prince of Linhe; Yu, Prince of Hedong · 2 passages

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後世祖又遣領軍將軍王僧辯代鮑泉攻譽，僧辯築土山以臨城內，日夕苦攻，矢石如雨，城中將士死傷者太半。 Later Shizu also sent Commandant of the Army Wang Sengbian to replace Bao Quan in attacking Yu. Sengbian raised earthworks overlooking the city and assaulted bitterly day and night until arrows and stones fell like rain and more than half the soldiers in the city were dead or wounded.

會其麾下將慕容華引僧辯入城，譽顧左右皆散，遂被執，謂守者曰：「勿殺我！ Then his officer Murong Hua admitted Sengbian into the city; Yu's followers scattered and he was taken. He cried to his guards, "Do not kill me!

History of the Southern Dynasties, Chapter 54Volume 54 Biographies 44: Sons of Emperor Jianwen of Liang, Sons of Emperor Yuan of Liang · 1 passage

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王僧辯軍至蔡洲，景遂害之。 When Wang Sengbian's army reached Caizhou, Hou Jing killed him.

Book of Sui, Chapter 72Volume 72 Biographies 37: Filial Piety · 4 passages

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父僧辯，太尉。 His father Sengbian held the rank of Grand Commander.

其父平侯景，留頒質於荊州，遇元帝為周師所陷，頒因入關。 His father subdued Hou Jing and left Ban as a hostage in Jingzhou; when Emperor Yuan was overrun by Zhou armies, Ban crossed into the Guanzhong region.

聞其父為陳武帝所殺，號慟而絕，食頃乃蘇，哭泣不絕聲，毀瘠骨立。 When he heard his father had been killed by Emperor Wu of Chen, he cried out and collapsed; after the space of a meal he revived, wept without stopping, and wasted away until only bone remained.

及陳滅，頒密召父時士卒，得千餘人，對之涕泣。 When Chen fell, Ban secretly gathered more than a thousand of his father's former soldiers and wept before them.