Volume 88 Biographies 26: Geshilieliangbi, Wanyanshoudaobenmingxinilie, Shi Ju, Tang Kuoanli, Yiladaobenmingzhaosan, son: Guangzu

紇石烈良弼

Geshilie Liangbi

紇石烈良弼，本名婁室，回怕川人也。曾祖忽懶。祖忒不魯。父太宇，世襲蒲輦，徙宣寧。天會中，選諸路女直字學生送京師，良弼與納合椿年皆童丱，俱在選中。是時，希尹為丞相，以事如外郡，良弼遇之途中，望見之，歎曰：「吾輩學丞相文字，千里來京師，固當一見。」乃入傳舍求見，拜於堂下。希尹問曰：「此何兒也？」良弼自贊曰：「有司所薦學丞相文字者也。」希尹大喜，問所學，良弼應對，無懼色。希尹曰：「此子他日必為國之令器。」留之數日。年十四，為北京教授，學徒常二百人。時人為之語曰：「前有穀神，後有婁室。」其從學者，後皆成名。年十七，補尚書省令史。簿書過目，輒得其隱奧。雖大文牒，口占立成，詞理皆到。時學希尹之業者稱為第一。除吏部主事。

Geshilie Liangbi, whose original name was Loushi, came from Huipaichuan. His great-grandfather was Hulan. His grandfather was Tebulu. His father Taiyu inherited the post of Punian and relocated the family to Xuanding. In the Tianhui period, Jurchen-script pupils were chosen from the circuits and sent to the capital. Liangbi and Nahe Chunnian were still very young, and both were selected. At that time Xiyin was chief councillor and was on his way to an outer prefecture on official business. Liangbi encountered him on the road, caught sight of him from a distance, and sighed: "We have traveled a thousand li to the capital to study the chief councillor's writing—we really ought to meet him at least once." He went into the post station to ask for an audience and prostrated himself in the hall. Xiyin asked, "Who is this boy?" Liangbi introduced himself: "I am one of the pupils the authorities sent to study your writing, Chief Councillor." Xiyin was delighted. He questioned him about his studies, and Liangbi replied without the least sign of fear. Xiyin said, "This boy will surely prove a pillar of the state one day." He kept him for several days. At fourteen he was appointed instructor at the Northern Capital, where he usually had two hundred pupils. People at the time said of him: "First there was Gushen; now there is Loushi." Those who studied under him all later won distinction. At seventeen he was appointed a clerk in the Secretariat. A single reading of any ledger or document was enough for him to grasp its hidden points. Even lengthy official papers he could dictate on the spot, finished and with every point in order. Among those who studied under Xiyin, he was ranked first. He was appointed principal clerk in the Ministry of Personnel.

海陵死，世宗就以良弼為南京留守兼開封尹，再兼河南都統，召拜尚書右丞。世宗謂良弼曰：「卿嘗諫正隆伐宋，不用卿言，以至廢殞。當時懷祿偷安之人，朕皆黜之矣。今復用卿，凡於國家之事，當盡言，無復顧忌也。」良弼頓首謝。窩斡敗於陷泉，入奚中，詔良弼佩金牌及銀牌四，往北京招撫奚、契丹。還，拜尚書左丞。上言：「祖宗以來未錄功賞者，臣考按得凡三十二人，宜差第封賞。」詔曰：「已有五品以上官者，聞奏。六品以下及無官者，尚書省約量遷除。」自是功勞畢賞矣。進拜平章政事，封宗國公。

After Hailing's death, Shizong immediately appointed Liangbi defender of Nanjing and concurrently prefect of Kaifeng, then additionally commander-in-chief of Henan, and summoned him to serve as Right Vice Director of the Secretariat. Shizong said to Liangbi, "You once warned me against Hailing's Zhenglong campaign against Song. Because I did not heed you, it ended in ruin and death. I have already removed all those who clung to their salaries and cared only for their own comfort. Now that I am using you again, speak your mind fully on every matter of state—have no further scruples." Liangbi kowtowed in gratitude. When Wohuo was defeated at Xianquan and fled into Xi country, the throne ordered Liangbi to carry a gold tablet and four silver tablets and go to the Northern Capital to win over and pacify the Xi and Khitan. On his return he was appointed Left Vice Director of the Secretariat. He memorialized: "Your servant has investigated and found thirty-two men since the founding of the dynasty whose services have never been recorded or rewarded. They should be ranked and granted titles and rewards in due order." An edict replied: "For those who already hold fifth rank or above, report each case to the throne. For those of sixth rank and below, and for men without office, let the Secretariat determine suitable promotions and appointments." From then on, outstanding service was fully rewarded. He was promoted to Grand Councillor of State and enfeoffed as Duke of Zongguo.

初，山東兩路猛安謀克與百姓雜居，詔良弼度宜易置，使與百姓異聚，與民田互相犬牙者，皆以官田對易之，自是無復爭訴。六年十一月，皇太子生日，上置酒於東宮，良弼、志寧同賜酒。上曰：「邊境無事，中外晏然，將相之力也。」良弼奏曰：「臣等不才，備位宰相，敢不竭犬馬之力。」上悅。進拜右丞相，監修國史。世宗謂良弼曰：「海陵時，記注皆不完。人君善惡，為萬世勸戒，記注遺逸，後世何觀？其令史官旁求書之。」又曰：「五從以上宗室在省祗候者，才有可用，具名聞奏。其猥冗不足蒞官者，亦聞奏罷去。」左丞完顏守道奏：「近都兩猛安，父子兄弟往往析居，其所得之地不能贍，日益困乏。」上以問宰臣，良弼對曰：「必欲父兄聚居，宜以所分之地與土民相換易。雖暫擾，然經久甚便。」右丞石琚曰：「百姓各安其業，不若依舊便。」上竟從良弼議。《太宗實錄》成，賜良弼金帶、重彩二十端，同修國史張景仁、曹望之、劉仲淵以下賜有差。

Earlier, in the two Shandong circuits the meng'an and mouke had lived mixed among the common population. The throne ordered Liangbi to assess the situation and resettle them so they lived apart from civilians. Where their land and civilian holdings interlocked in jagged strips, official land was exchanged for it, and from then on such disputes ceased. In the eleventh month of the sixth year, on the crown prince's birthday, the emperor gave a banquet in the Eastern Palace. Liangbi and Zhining were both honored with wine. The emperor said, "The frontiers are quiet and the realm is at peace within and without—this is the work of our generals and ministers." Liangbi replied, "We lack talent yet hold the chief ministerships—we dare not fail to give our utmost, as loyal servants should." The emperor was pleased. He was promoted to Right Chief Councillor and continued to supervise compilation of the national history. Shizong said to Liangbi, "Under Hailing the court diaries were left incomplete. A ruler's conduct, good and bad, is admonition for ten thousand generations. If the diaries are lost, what will later ages have to learn from? Order the historiographers to search widely and set them down." He also said, "For imperial clansmen of the fifth collateral degree and above who are on attendance duty in the capital, if any are fit for office, list their names and report to me. Those who are incompetent or unfit for office should also be reported so they may be dismissed." Left Vice Director Wanyan Shoudao memorialized, "In the two meng'an near the capital, fathers, sons, and brothers often live in separate households. The land allotted them cannot support their families, and they grow poorer by the day." The emperor asked the chief ministers. Liangbi replied, "If we want fathers and elder brothers to live together, they should exchange their allotted land for land held by local civilians. There will be temporary disruption, but in the long run the arrangement will work well." Right Vice Director Shi Ju said, "The common people are settled in their occupations—it is better to leave things as they are." In the end the emperor adopted Liangbi's proposal. When the 《Veritable Records of Taizong》 were completed, Liangbi received a gold belt and twenty bolts of fine colored silk. Zhang Jingren, Cao Wangzhi, Liu Zhongyuan, and the other compilers of the national history received rewards in varying measure.

世宗與侍臣論古今為臣孰賢不肖，因謂宰相曰：「皇統、正隆多殺臣僚，往往死非其罪。朕委卿等以大政，毋違道以自陷，毋曲從以誤朕。惟忠惟孝，匡救輔益，期致太平。」良弼對曰：「臣等過蒙嘉惠，雖譾薄，敢不盡心。聖諭諄諄，臣等不勝萬幸。」良弼請於榷場市馬，毋拘牝牡，「今官馬甚少，一旦邊境有警，乃調於民，不亦晚乎。」上從之。八年，選侍衛親軍，世宗聞其中多不能弓矢，詔使習射。頃之，問良弼及平章政事思敬曰：「女直人習射尚未行耶？」良弼對曰：「已行之矣。」同知清州防禦事常德暉上書言：「吏部格法，止敘年勞，雖有材能，拘滯下位。刺史、縣令，多不得人。乞密加訪察，然後廉問。今酒稅使尚選能吏，縣令可不擇人才，乞以能吏當任酒稅使者，任親民之職。」上是其言，謂宰相曰：「朕思庶職多不得人，中夜而寤，或達旦不能寐。卿等注意選擇，朕亦密加體察。」良弼對曰：「女直、契丹人，須是曾習漢人文字，然後可。方今大率多為黨與，或稱譽於此，或見毀於彼，所以難也。」上曰：「朕所以密令體察也。」上謂良弼曰：「猛安謀克牛頭稅粟，本以備凶年，凡水旱乏糧處就賑給之。」進拜左丞相，監修國史如故。

Shizong discussed with his attendants which ministers of past and present had been worthy and which had not, then said to the chief ministers, "Under Huangtong and Zhenglong many officials were executed, and often they died for crimes they had not committed. I entrust you with the great affairs of government. Do not stray from the Way and bring ruin on yourselves, and do not bend to flatter me and lead me astray. Be loyal and dutiful, correct what is wrong, assist and enrich the state, and work toward an age of peace. Liangbi replied, "We have received far more favor than we deserve. Though we are slight men, how dare we not give our whole hearts? Your earnest instructions are more than we could ever have hoped for—we are overwhelmed with gratitude." Liangbi asked that horses be bought at the border markets without restriction as to sex or gender. "Official horses are now very few. If the frontier should suddenly face danger and we must then levy horses from the people, will that not be too late?" The emperor agreed. In the eighth year, when selecting men for the palace guard, Shizong learned that many could not handle bow and arrow and ordered archery training. Before long he asked Liangbi and Grand Councillor Sijing, "Has archery training for the Jurchen not yet been carried out?" Liangbi replied, "It has already been carried out." Associate Administrator of the Qingzhou Defense Command Chang Dehui memorialized: "The Ministry of Personnel's regulations advance men only by seniority. Even men of talent are kept stuck in low posts. Prefects and magistrates are mostly not the right men. I ask that they be investigated in secret first, and only afterward subjected to integrity review. Even wine-tax commissioners are chosen from capable officials—how can magistrates be appointed without regard to talent? I ask that capable men now serving as wine-tax commissioners be assigned to posts that deal directly with the people. The emperor approved and said to the chief ministers, "I reflect that so many ordinary offices lack the right men. I wake in the middle of the night, or at dawn still cannot sleep. You must pay careful attention to selection. I too will observe and assess in secret. Liangbi replied, "For Jurchen and Khitan men, they must have studied Chinese writing before they can serve. As things stand, most are caught up in factions—praised on one side, slandered on the other. That is what makes selection so hard." The emperor said, "That is exactly why I ordered secret observation and assessment." The emperor said to Liangbi, "The ox-head tax grain collected from the meng'an and mouke was originally meant for famine years. Wherever flood or drought leaves people short of grain, it should be distributed on the spot." He was promoted to Left Chief Councillor and continued to supervise the national history as before.

良弼為相既久，練達朝政，上所詢訪盡誠開奏，垂紳正笏不動聲氣，議政多稱上意。以母憂去，起復舊職。是時，夏國王李仁孝乞分國之半，以封其臣任得敬。上以問群臣，群臣多言此外國事，從之可也。上曰：「此非是仁孝本心，不可從。」良弼議與上意合。既而，夏國果誅任得敬，上表來謝。參知政事宗敘請置沿邊壕塹，良弼曰：「敵國果來伐，此豈可禦哉？」上曰：「卿言是也。」高麗國王王晛表讓國于其弟皓，上疑之，以問宰相良弼。良弼策以為讓國非王晛本心。其後趙位寵求以四十州來附，其表果言王皓弑其兄晛，如良弼策，語在《高麗傳》中。

Liangbi had served as chief minister for a long time and knew court affairs inside out. Whatever the emperor asked, he answered fully and sincerely. He sat with sash hanging and tablet straight, never raising his voice, and his counsel usually matched the emperor's wishes. He left office to observe mourning for his mother, then was recalled to his former post. At that time Li Renxiao, king of Western Xia, asked to divide his realm in half and enfeoff his minister Ren Dedei. The emperor asked the ministers. Many said this was a foreign state's affair and that assent would be acceptable. The emperor said, "This is not what Renxiao truly wants. We cannot agree." Liangbi's view accorded with the emperor's. Before long Western Xia did execute Ren Dedei and sent a memorial of thanks. Participating Administrator Zong Xu proposed building border trenches and ramparts. Liangbi said, "If an enemy state truly comes to attack, could trenches defend against them?" The emperor said, "You are right." Wang Xian, king of Goryeo, memorialized that he wished to yield the throne to his younger brother Hao. The emperor was suspicious and asked Chief Minister Liangbi. Liangbi judged that yielding the throne was not Wang Xian's true intent. Later Zhao Weichong asked to submit forty prefectures and come over to Jin. His memorial indeed stated that Wang Hao had murdered his elder brother Xian, just as Liangbi had predicted—the full account is in the 《Goryeo Annals》.

世宗罷採訪官，謂宰臣曰：「官吏之善惡，何由知之？」良弼對曰：「臣等當為陛下訪察之。」以進《睿宗實錄》，賜通犀帶、重彩二十端。是年，有事南郊，良弼為大禮使。自收國以來，未嘗講行是禮，歷代典故又多不同，良弼討論損益，各合其宜，人服其能。上與良弼、守道論猛安謀克官多年幼，不習教訓，無長幼之禮。曩時鄉里老者輒教導之。今鄉里中耆老有能教導者，或謂事不在己而不問，或非其職而人不從。可依漢制置鄉老，選廉潔正直可為師範者，使教導之。良弼奏曰：「聖慮及此，億兆之福也。」他日，上問曰：「朕觀前史，有在下位而存心國家，直言為民者。今無其人，何也？」良弼曰：「今豈無其人哉。蓋以直道而行，反被謗毀，禍及其身，是以不為也。」

Shizong abolished the investigation commissioners and said to the chief ministers, "How are we to know whether officials are good or bad?" Liangbi replied, "We shall investigate on Your Majesty's behalf." For presenting the 《Veritable Records of Ruizong》, he received a rhinoceros-horn belt and twenty bolts of fine colored silk. That year, when the southern suburb rites were performed, Liangbi served as commissioner of the great rites. Since the founding era the rite had never been fully performed, and precedents from successive dynasties differed widely. Liangbi weighed what to add and what to omit until each element fit its place, and people admired his mastery. The emperor discussed with Liangbi and Shoudao how many meng'an and mouke officers were young, untrained in proper conduct, and without respect for elders. In former times the elders of each community would instruct them. Now among the elders in each community who could instruct them, some say the matter is not their concern and stay silent, or say it is not their office and are not obeyed. We could follow the Han system and appoint village elders, choosing men who are honest, upright, and fit to serve as models, and charge them with instruction. Liangbi replied, "That Your Majesty's thought reaches this point is a blessing for all the people." On another day the emperor asked, "When I read the histories of old, I see men in low position who kept the state at heart and spoke bluntly for the people. Today there are no such men. Why is that?" Liangbi said, "How can Your Majesty say there are none today? Men who walk the straight path are slandered instead, and disaster falls on them—that is why they hold back."

大定十四年，歲在甲午，大興尹璋為賀宋正旦使，宋人就館奪其國書，詔梁肅詳問。眾議紛紛，謂凡午年必用兵，上以問良弼，對曰：「太祖皇帝以甲午年伐遼，太宗皇帝以丙午年克宋，今茲宋人奪我國書，而適在午年，故有此語，未必然也。」既而，梁肅至宋，宋主起立授受國書，如舊儀。梁肅既還，宋主遣工部尚書張子顏、知閣門事劉灊來祈請，其書曰：「言念眇躬，夙承大統。荷上國照臨之惠，尋盟遂閱於十年。修兩朝聘問之勤，繼好靡忘於一日。惟是函書之受，當新賓接之儀。嘗空臆以屢陳，飭行人而再請。仰祈眷顧，俯賜矜從。」上與大臣議，良弼奏曰：「宋國免稱臣為侄，免奉表為書，恩賜亦已多矣。今又乞免親接國書，是無厭也，必不可從。」平章政事完顏守道、參知政事移剌道與良弼議合。左丞石琚、右丞唐括安禮以為不從所請，必至於用兵。上謂琚等曰：「卿等所言，非也。所請有大於此者，更欲從之乎。」遂從良弼議，答其書，略曰：「弗循定分之常，復有授書之請。謂承大統，愈見自尊。奈何以若所為，尚求其欲。矧曰已行之禮，靡得而更。」其授受禮儀，終不復改。

In the fourteenth year of Dading, a jiawu year, Zhang Zhang, prefect of Daxing, served as envoy to congratulate Song on the New Year. Song officials came to the embassy lodge and seized the state letter. The throne ordered Liang Su to conduct a detailed inquiry. Opinion was divided, with many saying that every wu year brings war. The emperor asked Liangbi, who replied, "Taizu attacked Liao in a jiawu year, and Taizong conquered Song in a bingwu year. Now the Song have seized our state letter, and it happens to fall in a wu year—hence this talk, but it is not necessarily so." Before long Liang Su reached Song, and the Song ruler rose to receive and return the state letter according to the former ritual. After Liang Su returned, the Song ruler sent Minister of Works Zhang Ziyan and Director of the Office of the Inner Gates Liu Qian to plead. Their letter read: "When I think upon my humble person, I have long borne the great inheritance. Graced by the Upper State's watchful favor, our renewed pact has now spanned ten years. We have kept diligent the exchanges of court visits between the two dynasties, never forgetting friendship for a single day. Only in receiving the sealed letter ought there be a new ceremony for receiving envoys as guests. We have emptied our hearts to state this repeatedly and instructed our envoys to plead again. We look up seeking Your gracious regard and bow hoping You will grant compassionate assent." The emperor discussed the matter with his ministers. Liangbi replied: "Song has already been spared calling itself subject and naming itself nephew, spared presenting memorials and allowed to send letters instead—the favors granted are already many. Now they beg to be spared personally receiving the state letter in hand. This is insatiable—and must on no account be granted." Grand Chancellor Wanyan Shoudao and Participation Councillor Yila Dao agreed with Liangbi. Left Vice Chancellor Shi Ju and Right Vice Chancellor Tang Kuo Anli argued that refusing the request would inevitably lead to war. The emperor said to Shi Ju and the others: "What you say is wrong. If their request were greater than this, would you still wish to grant it?" Thereupon he followed Liangbi's counsel and replied to their letter, in summary: "You do not abide by the settled norms of rank, yet again request changes to the delivery of the letter. You speak of bearing the great inheritance, and all the more show self-exaltation. How, given conduct such as this, can you still seek your desires? How much less may established ritual be altered." The ritual for delivering and receiving the letter was never changed again.

上問宰臣：「嘗求內外官舉賢能，未聞有舉者，何也？」參政魏子平請當舉者每任須舉一人，視其當不，以為賞罰。上曰：「宋制薦舉，其人犯私罪者，舉主雖至宰執，亦坐降罰。人心有恆者鮮，財利怵於前，或喪其所守。宰臣任大責重，豈坐是以為升黜邪？」良弼曰：「前詔朝官六品以上，外官五品以上，各舉所知，盍申明前詔？」從之。上曰：「朕欲周知官吏善惡，若尋常遣官採訪，恐用非其人。然則官吏善惡，何以知之？」良弼曰：「臣等當為陛下訪察。」上曰：「然，但勿使名實混淆耳。」上欲徙窩斡逆黨，分散置之遼東。良弼奏：「此輩已經赦宥，徙之生怨望。」上曰：「此目前利害，朕為子孫後世慮耳。」良弼曰：「非臣等所及也。」於是以嘗預亂者徙居烏古裏石壘部。上問宰臣曰：「堯有九年之水，湯有七年之旱，而民不病饑。今一二歲不登，而人民乏食，何也？」良弼對曰：「古者地廣人淳，崇尚節儉，而又惟農是務，故蓄積多，而無饑饉之患也。今地狹民眾，又多棄本逐末，耕之者少，食之者眾，故一遇凶歲而民已病矣。」上深然之，於是命有司懲戒荒縱不務生業者。

The emperor asked the chief ministers: "We once called on inner and outer officials to recommend the worthy and capable, yet have heard of no recommendations. Why is that?" Participation Councillor Wei Ziping proposed that each official who must recommend others should recommend one person per term of office, and that fitness or unfitness should serve as the basis for reward and punishment. The emperor said: "Under Song regulations for recommendations, if the person recommended commits a private offense, the recommender—even if he reaches the rank of chief minister—is also punished with demotion. Few are those whose hearts hold constancy; when profit and gain are set before them, some lose what they ought to uphold. Chief ministers bear great office and heavy responsibility—should they rise or fall in rank on such grounds?" Liangbi said: "The earlier edict ordered court officials of the sixth rank and above and outer officials of the fifth rank and above each to recommend those they knew. Why not reiterate that edict?" This was adopted. The emperor said: "We wish to know fully whether officials are good or bad. If we routinely dispatch officers to investigate, we fear the wrong men will be employed. How then are we to know whether officials are good or bad?" Liangbi said: "We your ministers shall investigate on Your Majesty's behalf." The emperor said: "So be it—but do not let name and reality become confused." The emperor wished to relocate the Wohuo rebel faction, dispersing them and resettling them in Liaodong. Liangbi replied: "These men have already received amnesty. To relocate them will breed resentment." The emperor said: "This is a matter of immediate advantage and harm. I am thinking of my descendants and future generations." Liangbi said: "That lies beyond what we your ministers can reach." Thereupon those who had once joined the rebellion were relocated to the Wuguli Shilei tribe. The emperor asked the chief ministers: "Yao had floodwaters for nine years, and Tang had drought for seven years, yet the people did not suffer famine. Now one or two years of poor harvest and the people lack food. Why is that?" Liangbi replied: "In antiquity the land was broad and the people simple. They valued frugality and devoted themselves solely to agriculture, so stores were abundant and there was no threat of famine. Today the land is narrow and the population numerous. Many abandon the root and chase the branch—few plow, many eat—so at the first lean year the people are already afflicted." The emperor was deeply convinced and ordered the responsible offices to admonish and punish those who were wasteful, dissolute, and did not pursue their livelihood.

十七年，以疾辭相位，不許。告滿百日，詔賜告，遣太醫診視，屢使中使問疾。良弼在告既久，省多滯事，上以問宰相、參政，張汝弼對曰：「無之。」上曰：「豈曰無之。自今疑事久不能決者，當具以聞。」十八年，表乞致仕歸田里，上遣使慰諭之曰：「卿比以疾在告，朕甚憂之。今聞卿將往西京養疾，彼中風土，非老疾所宜。京師中倦於人事，若就近都佳郡居處，待疾少間，速令朕知之。」良弼奏曰：「臣遭遇聖明，濫膺大任，夙夜憂懼，以至成疾。比蒙聖恩，數遣使存問，賜以醫藥，臣之苟活至今，皆陛下之賜也。臣豈敢望到鄉里，便可愈疾。臣去鄉歲久，親識多已亡沒，惟老臣獨在，鄉土之戀，誠不能忘。臣竊惟自來人臣受知人主，無逾臣者，臣雖粉骨碎身無以圖報。若使一還鄉社，得見親舊，則死無恨矣。」上問宰相曰：「丞相良弼必欲歸鄉里，朕以世襲猛安封其子符寶曷答，俾之侍行，何如？」右丞相完顏守道曰：「不若以猛安授良弼，使其子攝事。」上從之。於是授胡論宋葛猛安，給丞相俸傔，良弼乃致仕歸。上謂宰相曰：「卿等非不盡心，但才力不及良弼，所以惜其去也。」其後，尚書省奏差除，上曰：「丞相良弼擬注差除，未嘗苟與不當得者，而薦舉往往得人。粘割斡特剌、移剌綎、裴滿余慶，皆其所舉。至於私門請托，絕然無之。」嘗問良弼：「每旦暮日色皆赤，何也？」良弼曰：「旦而色赤應在東，高麗當之。暮而色赤應在西，夏國當之。願陛下修德以應天，則災變自弭矣。」既而夏國有任德敬之亂，高麗有趙位寵之難，其言皆驗云。是歲，薨。年六十。上悼惜之，遣太府監移剌綎、同知西京留守王佐為敕葬祭奠使，賻白金、彩幣加等，喪葬皆從官給。追封金源郡王，命翰林待制移剌履勒銘墓碑，諡誠敏。

In the seventeenth year he asked to resign the chief ministership on grounds of illness and was not permitted. When his leave reached a hundred days, an edict granted him further leave. Court physicians were sent to examine him, and palace envoys were repeatedly dispatched to inquire after his illness. Liangbi had been on leave for a long time and many matters piled up in the Secretariat. The emperor asked the chief councillors and participation councillors, and Zhang Ruobi replied: "There are none." The emperor said: "How can you say there are none? From now on, whenever doubtful affairs long go unresolved, you shall report them in full." In the eighteenth year he memorialized begging to retire and return to his home village. The emperor sent envoys with words of consolation: "You have lately been on sick leave, and I am much concerned. I hear you are about to go to the Western Capital to nurse your illness. The climate there is not suited to old age and chronic illness. In the capital you are wearied by human affairs. If you take up residence in a fine prefecture near the capital and wait until your illness eases somewhat, inform me at once." Liangbi replied: "Your servant has encountered a sage sovereign and has undeservedly received a great charge. Night and day in worry and fear, until illness arose. Lately, through Your gracious favor, You have repeatedly sent envoys to inquire after me and bestowed medicine upon me. That your servant still clings to life is entirely Your Majesty's gift. How dare your servant expect that reaching his home village alone would cure this illness? Your servant has been away from home many years. Kin and old acquaintances are mostly gone, and only this old servant remains—yet longing for native soil truly cannot be forgotten. Your servant privately considers that among ministers favored by their lord through the ages, none surpasses me. Though I were ground to powder I could not repay you. If only I might once return to my home community and see kin and old friends, I would die without regret." The emperor asked the chief councillors: "Chief Councillor Liangbi is bent on returning home. I would enfeoff his son Fubao Yeda with a hereditary meng'an and have him attend his father on the journey. What do you think?" Right Chief Councillor Wanyan Shoudao said: "Better to grant the meng'an to Liangbi himself and have his son act in his stead." The emperor followed this. Thereupon he granted him the Huolun Songge meng'an, provided a chief councillor's salary and aides, and Liangbi retired and went home. The emperor said to the chief councillors: "You are not without diligence, but your talents and strength do not match Liangbi's—that is why I regret his departure." Thereafter the Secretariat memorialized on appointments. The emperor said: "When Chief Councillor Liangbi drafted appointment orders he never carelessly gave posts to those unfit to hold them, and his recommendations often found the right men. Niancan Wotela, Yila Su, and Peiman Yuqing were all men he had recommended. As for private entreaties at his gate, there were absolutely none." He once asked Liangbi: "Each dawn and dusk the sun's color is red. Why is that?" Liangbi said: "When the sun is red at dawn, the omen corresponds to the east—Goryeo will bear it. When it is red at dusk, the omen corresponds to the west—Western Xia will bear it. May Your Majesty cultivate virtue in response to Heaven, and calamities and portents will themselves be stilled." Before long Western Xia had the turmoil of Ren Dedei, and Goryeo had the crisis of Zhao Weichong—and his words were all fulfilled. In that year he died. He was sixty years old. The emperor mourned him with regret and sent Chief of the Court of the Imperial Treasury Yila Su and Associate Administrator of the Western Capital Garrison Wang Zuo as imperial envoys for funeral rites and libations. Condolence gifts of white gold and colored silks were granted above the usual grade, and funeral and burial expenses were all supplied by the state. He was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Jinyuan Commandery. The Hanlin Academician Yila Lü was ordered to inscribe his tomb tablet, and he was given the posthumous name Chenmin.

良弼性聰敏忠正，善斷決，言論器識出人意表。雖起寒素，致位宰相，朝夕惕惕盡心于國，謀慮深遠，薦舉人材，常若不及。居家清儉，親舊貧乏者周給之，與人交久而愈敬。居位幾二十年，以成太平之功，號賢相焉。明昌五年，配饗世宗廟廷。

Liangbi was by nature clever, loyal, and upright, and skilled in judgment. His words, bearing, and insight exceeded what people expected. Though he rose from humble origins to the rank of chief councillor, morning and evening he was cautious and gave his heart to the state. His plans were far-reaching, and in recommending talent he always seemed to fear he had not done enough. At home he was austere and frugal. When kin and old friends were in want he provided for them. In dealings with others, the longer he knew them the more respectful he became. He held office for nearly twenty years and helped bring about an age of great peace, and was styled a worthy chief councillor. In the fifth year of Mingchang he was granted collateral sacrifice in Shizong's temple hall.

完顏守道

Wanyan Shoudao

守道，本名習尼列，以祖穀神功，擢應奉翰林文字。皇統九年，同知盧龍軍節度使事，歷獻、祁、濱、薊四州刺史。世宗幸中都，過薊，父老遮道請留再任。平章政事移剌元宜舉以自代，於是遷昭毅大將軍，授左諫議大夫。內族晏以恩舊拜左丞相，守道諫曰：「陛下初即位，天下略定，邊警未息，方大有為之時，恐晏非其材。必欲親愛，莫若厚與之祿，俾勿事事。」乃授以太尉，致仕。世宗錄扈從將士之勞，欲行賞賚，而帑藏空竭，議貸民財以與之。守道曰：「人罹虐政，方喜更生，今仁恩未及，而征斂遽出，如群望何，甯出宮中所有，無取於民。」遂從其言。契丹叛，遼東猛安謀克在其境者，或附從之，朝議欲徙之內地，守道極陳其不可。右副元帥謀衍將兵討賊，不即擊，守道力言於朝，詔遣僕散忠義、紇石烈志寧往代之，東方以平。

Shoudao, whose original name was Xinilie, was promoted to Hanlin Academician in Attendance on Imperial Orders through his grandfather Gushen's achievements. In the ninth year of Huangtong he served as associate military commissioner of the Luzhou Long Army. He successively held the prefectures of Xian, Qi, Bin, and Ji. When Shizong visited the Central Capital and passed through Ji, elders blocked the road and begged that Shoudao remain for another term. Grand Chancellor Yila Yuanyi recommended him as his own replacement. Thereupon he was transferred to Grand General of Brilliance and Valor and appointed Left Remonstrating Grand Master. The imperial clansman Yan was made Left Chancellor through old favor. Shoudao remonstrated: "Your Majesty has newly ascended the throne. The realm is broadly settled, but frontier alarms have not ceased—this is a time for great endeavor, and I fear Yan lacks the talent. If You must show him affection, nothing is better than granting him ample salary and leaving affairs to others." Yan was then appointed Grand Preceptor and retired. Shizong wished to reward the generals and soldiers who had followed him in attendance, but the treasury was empty and some proposed borrowing from the people to pay them. Shoudao said: "The people have suffered cruel government and have only just rejoiced at new life. Gracious favor has not yet reached them, yet levies are hurried forth—what will the multitude hope for? Better to spend all the palace possesses and take nothing from the people." His counsel was followed. When the Khitan rebelled, some Liaodong meng'an and mouke within their territory joined them. Court discussion wished to relocate them inland, and Shoudao argued emphatically that this could not be done. The Right Vice Marshal Moyan led troops to suppress the rebels but did not strike at once. Shoudao urged this forcefully at court. An edict sent Pusan Zhongyi and Geshilie Zhining to replace him, and the eastern regions were pacified.

大定二年，宮中十六位火，方事完葺，時已入夏，頗妨民力，守道諫而罷。未幾，改太子詹事，兼右諫議大夫，馳驛規畫山東兩路軍糧，及賑民饑。守道籍大姓戶口，限以歲儲，使盡輸其贏入官，復給其直，以是軍民皆足。拜參知政事、兼太子少保，守道懇辭，世宗諭之曰：「乃祖勳在王室，朕亦悉卿忠謹，以是擢用，無為多讓。」時契丹餘黨未附者尚眾，北京、臨潢、泰州民不安，詔守道佩金符往安撫之，給群牧馬千疋，以備軍用。守道招致契丹骨迭聶合等內附，民以寧息。還進尚書左丞，兼太子少師。嘗從獵近郊，有虎傷獵夫，帝欲親射之，守道叩馬極諫而止。俄拜平章政事。十四年，宋人遣使因陳請手接書事，左丞石琚等議從其請，帝意未決，守道等以為不可許，帝卒從之，詳在《紇石烈良弼傳》中，既而，遷右丞相，監修國史，復遷左丞相，授世襲謀克。

In the second year of Dading, fire broke out in sixteen palace halls. While repairs were underway summer had already begun and labor greatly taxed the people. Shoudao remonstrated and the work was halted. Before long he was made Grand Steward of the Heir Apparent and concurrently Right Remonstrating Grand Master. He rode post-horses to plan military grain for the two Shandong circuits and to relieve famine among the people. Shoudao registered the households of great clans and set limits according to yearly stores. He had them bring all surplus to the state and then paid them fair value—by this both army and people were provided for. He was appointed Participation Councillor and concurrently Junior Mentor of the Heir Apparent. Shoudao earnestly declined. Shizong instructed him: "Your grandfather's merit was in the royal house. I also know your loyalty and care—therefore I promote you. Do not decline overmuch." At that time many Khitan remnants had not yet submitted. The people of the Northern Capital, Linhuang, and Taizhou were unsettled. An edict ordered Shoudao to wear a gold tally and go to pacify them, and a thousand herd horses were provided for military use. Shoudao won over the Khitan Gudie Niehe and others to submit inland, and the people found peace. On his return he was advanced to Left Vice Director of the Secretariat and concurrently Junior Preceptor of the Heir Apparent. He once followed the hunt in the near suburbs. A tiger wounded a huntsman, and the emperor wished to shoot it himself. Shoudao grasped the horse's bridle and remonstrated with utmost force until the emperor stopped. Soon he was appointed Grand Chancellor. In the fourteenth year, Song envoys took the occasion to plead again concerning personally receiving the letter in hand. Left Vice Chancellor Shi Ju and others urged granting the request; the emperor's mind was unsettled. Shoudao and others held it could not be allowed, and the emperor ultimately followed them—the details are in the 《Biography of Geshilie Liangbi》. Thereafter he was transferred to Right Chief Councillor, supervised compilation of the national history, then transferred again to Left Chief Councillor, and granted a hereditary mouke.

二十年，修《熙宗實錄》成，帝因謂曰：「卿祖穀神行事有未當者，尚不為隱，見卿直筆也。」尋請避賢路，帝不許。進拜太尉、尚書令，改授尚書左丞相，諭之曰：「丞相之位不可虛曠，須用老成人，故復以卿處之，卿宜悉此。」未幾，復乞致仕，帝曰：「以卿先朝勳臣之後，特委以三公重任，自秉政以來，效竭忠勤，朕甚嘉之。今引年求退，甚得宰相體，然未得代卿者，以是難從，汝勉之哉。」二十五年，坐擅支東宮諸皇孫食廩，奪官一階。尋改兼太子太師，特錄其子珪襲謀克，充符寶祗候。章宗為原王，詔習騎鞠，守道諫曰：「哀制中未可。」帝曰：「此習武備耳，自為之則不可，從朕之命，庸何傷乎？然亦不可數也。」二十六年，懇求致仕，優詔許之，特賜宴于慶春殿，帝手飲以卮酒，錫與甚厚，以其子珪侍行，又賜次子璋進士第。明昌四年卒，年七十四。上聞之震悼，遣其弟點檢司判官蒲帶致祭，賻銀千兩、重彩五十端、絹五百疋。太常議諡曰簡憲，上改曰簡靖，蓋重其能全終始云。

In the twentieth year, compilation of the 《Veritable Records of Xizong》 was completed. The emperor thereupon said to him: "Where your grandfather Gushen's conduct was improper, you still did not conceal it—this shows your upright brush." Soon he requested to yield the path to the worthy, and the emperor did not permit it. He was advanced to Grand Preceptor and Director of the Secretariat, then reassigned as Left Chief Councillor of the Secretariat. The emperor instructed him: "The chief councillor's post must not stand vacant. It requires a seasoned man of years—therefore I again place you there. You should understand this fully." Before long he again begged to retire. The emperor said: "As a descendant of a meritorious minister of the previous reign, I specially entrusted you with the weighty charge of the Three Excellencies. Since you took office you have served with utmost loyalty and diligence, and I greatly commend you. Now, citing your years, you seek to withdraw—very much in the proper deportment of a chief minister. Yet I have found no one to replace you, and for that reason find it hard to grant your request. Press on!" In the twenty-fifth year he was punished for unauthorized disbursement of the Eastern Palace grain allowances for the imperial grandsons, and one rank of his office was stripped. Before long he was reassigned to serve concurrently as Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent. His son Gui was specially enrolled to inherit the mouke and made attendant of seals and regalia. When Zhangzong was Prince of Yuan, an edict ordered him to practice mounted ball. Shoudao remonstrated: "During the mourning regulations this is not permissible. The emperor said: "This is merely training in military readiness. For you to do it on your own would not do, but to follow my command—what harm could there be? Yet it must not be done too often." In the twenty-sixth year he earnestly sought retirement. A gracious edict permitted it. He was specially granted a banquet in the Hall of Celebrating Spring; the emperor personally handed him a cup of wine to drink. Gifts were exceedingly generous. His son Gui attended him on the journey, and his second son Zhang was granted the jinshi degree. In the fourth year of Mingchang he died at the age of seventy-four. When the emperor heard of it he was deeply shaken with grief. He sent Shoudao's younger brother Puda, vice commissioner of the Inspection Bureau, to offer sacrifices, with funeral gifts of a thousand taels of silver, fifty bolts of heavy silk, and five hundred bolts of silk. The Court of Imperial Sacrifices proposed the posthumous name Jianxian; the emperor changed it to Jianjing, honoring his ability to see things through from beginning to end.

石琚，字子美，定州人。沉厚好學。父皋，補郡吏，廉潔自將，稱為長者。從魯王闍母攻青州，州人堅守不降。闍母怒之，及城破，命皋計州民之數，將使諸軍分掠有之，皋緩其事。闍母讓之，皋曰：「大王將為朝廷撫定郡縣，當使百姓按堵，無或侵苦之。若取城邑而殘其民，則未下者必死守以拒我。皋之稽緩，安敢逃罪。」闍母感悟，乃下令曰：「敢有犯州人者，以軍法論。」指其坐謂皋曰：「汝之子孫必有居此坐者。」皋隨守定州，唐縣人王八謀為亂，書其縣人姓名於籍，無慮數千人，其黨持其籍詣州發之，皋主鞫治。是時冬月，皋抱籍上廳事，佯為頓僕，覆其籍爐火中，盡焚之，不可復得其姓名，止坐為首者，餘皆得釋。

Shi Ju, style name Zimei, was a man of Dingzhou. Steady and deep in character, he loved learning. His father Gao served as a supplemental county clerk, conducted himself with integrity and restraint, and was known as a man of worth. He followed the Prince of Lu, Chanmu, in attacking Qingzhou. The people of the prefecture held firm and would not surrender. Chanmu was angry. When the city fell he ordered Gao to count the prefecture's population, intending to have the armies divide the people among themselves for plunder. Gao delayed the matter. Chanmu reproved him. Gao said: "Your Highness will pacify the commanderies and counties for the court. You should let the people live undisturbed in peace and not allow anyone to harass or harm them. If you take cities and towns yet ravage their people, those not yet subdued will surely defend to the death to resist us. As for Gao's delay, how dare I escape punishment?" Chanmu was moved to understanding and thereupon issued an order: "Whoever dares harm the people of the prefecture shall be dealt with by military law. He pointed to his seat and said to Gao: "Your descendants will surely occupy this seat. Gao followed in guarding Dingzhou. Wang Ba of Tang County plotted rebellion and wrote the names of his county's people in a register—no fewer than several thousand. His confederates brought the register to the prefecture to expose them. Gao presided over the investigation. It was winter. Gao carried the register into the hall, feigned a sudden collapse, and overturned the register into the brazier fire, burning it entirely so the names could never be recovered. Only the ringleaders were punished; all the rest were released.

琚生七歲，讀書過目即成誦。既長，博通經史，工詞章。天眷二年，中進士第一，再調弘政、邢臺縣令。邢守貪暴屬縣，掊取民財，以奉所欲，琚獨一物無所與。既而守以贓敗，他令佐皆坐累，琚以廉辦，改秀容令。復擢行台禮部主事，召為左司都事。累遷吏部郎中。貞元三年，以父喪去官，尋起復為本部侍郎。世宗舊聞其名，大定二年，擢左諫議大夫，侍郎如故。奉命詳定制度，琚上疏六事，大概言正紀綱，明賞罰，近忠直，遠邪佞，省不急之務，罷無名之役。上嘉納之。遷吏部尚書。琚自員外郎至尚書，未嘗去吏部，且十年。典選久，凡宋、齊換授官格，南北通注銓法，能僂指而次第之，當時號為詳明。頃之，拜參知政事，琚辭讓再三，上曰：「卿之材望，無不可者，何以辭為。」右丞蘇保衡監護十六位工役，詔共典其事，給銀牌二十四，許從宜規畫。上謂琚曰：「此役不欲煩民，丁匠皆給雇直，毋使貪吏夤緣為奸利，以興民怨。卿等勉力，稱朕意焉。」徒單合喜定陝西，琚請曲赦秦、隴，以安百姓，上從之。丁母憂，尋起復，進拜尚書右丞。天長觀災，詔有司營繕，有司辟民居以廣大之，費錢三十萬貫。蔚州埰地蕈，役數百千人。琚奏之，上曰：「自今凡稱御前者，皆稟奏。」琚與孟浩對曰：「聖訓及此，百姓之福也。」是時，議禁網捕狐、兔等野物，累計其獲，或至徒罪，琚奏曰：「捕禽獸而罪至徒，恐非陛下意，杖而釋之可也。」上曰：「然。」久之，進拜左丞，兼太子少師。上問宰相：「古有居下位能憂國為民直言無忌者，今何以無之？」琚對曰：「是豈無之，但未得上達耳。」上曰：「宜盡心采擢之。」

Ju was seven when he read. What he saw once he could recite from memory. When grown, he mastered the classics and histories and excelled in literary composition. In the second year of Tianjuan he placed first in the jinshi examination. He was twice transferred as magistrate of Hongzheng and Xingtai counties. The Xing prefect was greedy and violent toward subordinate counties, extorting the people's wealth to supply his desires. Ju alone would not give him a single thing. Before long the prefect was ruined for corruption. The other magistrates and assistants were all implicated. Ju, for his integrity and competence, was transferred to magistrate of Xiurong. He was again promoted to chief clerk in the Branch Secretariat's Ministry of Rites, then summoned as director of affairs in the Left Office. He was repeatedly promoted to director in the Ministry of Personnel. In the third year of Zhenyuan he left office for his father's mourning; soon he was recalled from mourning to serve again as vice minister of his former ministry. Shizong had long heard his name. In the second year of Dading he was promoted to Left Remonstrating Grand Master while retaining his vice ministership. Ordered to work out the regulations in detail, Ju memorialized on six matters: in general he urged rectification of discipline, clarity in rewards and punishments, drawing near the loyal and upright, keeping distant the wicked and fawning, reducing affairs not urgently needed, and abolishing labor service without proper name. The emperor praised and accepted his memorial. He was promoted to Minister of Personnel. From assistant director to minister, Ju never left the Ministry of Personnel for nearly ten years. He long oversaw selection. All the Song and Qi rules for transfer and appointment, and the north-south annotated methods of evaluation, he could enumerate in order. At the time he was styled exhaustive and clear. Before long he was appointed Participation Councillor. Ju declined again and again. The emperor said: "In talent and reputation there is nothing you cannot do—why decline? Right Vice Director Su Baoheng supervised repairs to the sixteen palace halls. An edict ordered Ju to oversee the matter jointly. Twenty-four silver tallies were granted, with permission to plan as circumstances required. The emperor said to Ju: "I do not wish this labor to trouble the people. All craftsmen are to be paid hired wages. Do not let greedy officials use connections to seek illicit profit and stir up popular resentment. You must exert yourselves and accord with my intent." When Tudan Hexi pacified Shaanxi, Ju requested a partial amnesty for Qin and Long to reassure the people, and the emperor followed him. He mourned his mother, was soon recalled from mourning, and was promoted to Right Vice Director of the Secretariat. Fire struck the Tianchang Observatory. An edict ordered the relevant offices to repair it. The offices seized commoners' dwellings to enlarge the compound, at a cost of three hundred thousand strings of cash. At Weizhou, gathering mushrooms on the hills put several hundred or a thousand men to work. Ju memorialized on this. The emperor said: "From now on, whatever is styled 'imperial command' must all be reported for approval. Ju and Meng Hao replied together: "When the sage's instruction reaches this point, it is the people's good fortune. At that time there was discussion of forbidding net-hunting of foxes, hares, and other wild creatures. The catch was totaled, and some offenses reached penal servitude. Ju memorialized: "To hunt birds and beasts yet punish up to penal servitude—this is perhaps not Your Majesty's intent. Beating and releasing them would suffice. The emperor said: "So it shall be. After a long while he was advanced to Left Vice Director and concurrently Junior Preceptor of the Heir Apparent. The emperor asked the chief ministers: "In antiquity there were those in low office who worried for the state and the people and spoke bluntly without reserve—why are there none today? Ju replied: "How could there be none? Only they have not reached Your Majesty. The emperor said: "You should with all your hearts seek them out and promote them."

世宗將行郊祀，議配享，琚曰：「配者，侑神作主也。自外至者無主不止，故推祖考以配天，同尊之也。《孝經》曰：'郊祀後稷以配天。 '漢、魏、晉皆以一帝配之。唐高宗始以高祖、太宗崇配。垂拱初，以高祖、太宗、高宗並配。玄宗開元十一年，罷同配之禮，以高祖配。宋太宗時，以宣祖、太祖配。真宗時以太祖、太宗配。仁宗時，有司請以三帝並侑，遂以太祖、太宗、真宗並配。其後禮院議對越天地、神無二主，當以太祖配。此唐、宋變古以三帝配天，終竟依古以一祖配也。將來親郊合依古禮，以一祖配之。」上曰：「唐、宋不足為法，止當奉太祖皇帝配之。」琚嘗請命太子習政事，或譖之曰：「琚希恩東宮。」世宗察其無他，以此言告之，琚對曰：「臣本孤生，蒙陛下拔擢，備位執政，兼師保之任。臣愚以為太子天下之本，當使知民事，遂言及之。」因乞解少師。十年二月，祭社，有司奏請禦署祝版，上問琚曰：「當署乎？」琚曰：「故事有之。」上曰：「祭祀典禮，卿等慎之，無使後世譏誚。熙宗尊諡太祖，宇文虛中定禮儀，以常朝服行事。當時朕雖童稚，猶覺其非。」琚曰：「祭祀，大事也，非故事不敢行。」

When Shizong was about to perform the suburban sacrifice and discuss collateral offerings, Ju said: "To offer collateral is to assist the spirit as host. What comes from without has no host and will not rest; therefore one exalts the ancestors and fathers to match Heaven, honoring them equally. The 《Classic of Filial Piety》 says: 'In the suburban sacrifice one matches Hou Ji with Heaven. Han, Wei, and Jin all used a single emperor for the collateral match. Under Tang Gaozong one first honored Gaozu and Taizong together as collateral. In the early Chuigong period Gaozu, Taizong, and Gaozong were all matched together. In the eleventh year of Kaiyuan under Tang Xuanzong the rite of joint matching was abolished, and Gaozu alone was matched. Under Song Taizong the Xuanzu and Taizu were matched. Under Zhenzong, Taizu and Taizong were matched. Under Renzong the relevant offices requested that three emperors be jointly honored, and so Taizu, Taizong, and Zhenzong were all matched. Later the Board of Rites argued that in facing Heaven and Earth the spirits admit no second lord, and that Taizu alone should be matched. Thus Tang and Song altered antiquity by matching three emperors with Heaven, yet in the end they returned to antiquity and matched a single ancestor. When Your Majesty personally performs the suburban rite hereafter, you should follow the ancient rite and match a single ancestor. The emperor said: "Tang and Song are not fit to be taken as models. You should only honor Taizu, the founding emperor, as collateral. Ju once requested that the heir apparent be ordered to study state affairs. Some slandered him, saying: "Ju curries favor with the Eastern Palace. Shizong perceived he had no other intent and told him this. Ju replied: "Your servant was originally a solitary man whom Your Majesty raised and promoted to fill a chief minister's post, with the concurrent charge of mentor and guardian. I am dull, and I hold that the heir apparent is the root of all under Heaven. He should be made to know the people's affairs—therefore I spoke of it. He thereupon begged to be relieved of the junior preceptorship. In the second month of the tenth year, at the sacrifice to the soil god, the relevant offices memorialized requesting that the emperor personally sign the prayer boards. The emperor asked Ju: "Should I sign them? Ju said: "There is precedent for it. The emperor said: "Sacrifice and ritual are great matters. You must be careful that posterity does not mock and reproach. When Xizong was given his honorific posthumous title as Taizu, Yuwen Xuzhong fixed the ritual and had ordinary court dress used for the proceedings. Even then, though I was still a child, I felt it was wrong. Ju said: "Sacrifice is a great matter. Without precedent I dare not act."

上謂琚曰：「女直人往往徑居要達，不知閭閻疾苦。卿嘗為丞簿，民間何事不知，凡利害極陳之。」上與宰臣議鑄錢，或以鑄錢工費數倍，欲採金銀坑冶，上曰：「山澤之利可以與民，惟錢幣不當私鑄。若財貨流布四方，與在官何異。」琚進曰：「臣聞天子之富藏於天下，正如泉源欲其流通耳。」上問琚曰：「古亦有百姓鑄錢者乎？」對曰：「使百姓自鑄，則小人圖厚利，錢愈薄惡，古所以禁也。」

The emperor said to Ju: "Jurchens often rise straight to important posts without knowing the hardships of lanes and wards. You once served as a deputy clerk—what affair of the common people do you not know? Set forth every benefit and harm without reserve. The emperor discussed coinage with the chief ministers. Some held that minting cost several times the coin's worth and wished to mine gold and silver. The emperor said: "The profit of mountains and marshes may be shared with the people, but currency must not be privately cast. If wealth circulates in all directions, how is that different from keeping it in the state's hands? Ju advanced and said: "Your servant has heard that the Son of Heaven's wealth is stored throughout the realm, just as a spring's source must be kept flowing. The emperor asked Ju: "In antiquity did the common people also cast coin? He replied: "If the common people were allowed to cast, petty men would seek thick profit and the coin would grow ever thinner and baser—therefore antiquity forbade it."

時民間往往造作妖言，相為黨與謀不軌，事覺伏誅。上問宰臣曰：「南方尚多反側，何也？」琚對曰：「南方無賴之徒，假託釋道，以妖幻惑人。愚民無知，遂至犯法。」上曰：「如僧智究是也。此輩不足恤，但軍士討捕，利取民財，害及良民，不若杜之以漸也。」智究，大名府僧，同寺僧苑智義與智究言，《蓮華經》中載五濁惡世佛出魏地，《心經》有夢想究竟涅槃之語，汝法名智究，正應經文，先師藏瓶和尚知汝有是福分，亦作頌子付汝。智究信其言，遂謀作亂，歷大名、東平州郡，假託抄化，誘惑愚民，潛結奸黨，議以十一年十二月十七日先取兗州，會徒嶧山，以「應天時」三字為號，分取東平諸州府。及期向夜，使逆党胡智愛等，劫旁近軍寨，掠取甲仗，軍士擊敗之。會傅戩、劉宣亦于陽谷、東平上變。皆伏誅，連坐者四百五十餘人。

At the time the common people often fabricated demonic talk and banded together in factions to plot sedition. When their plots were discovered they were executed. The emperor asked the chief ministers: "In the south there are still many who rebel and waver—why? Ju replied: "In the south, worthless fellows borrow the names of Buddhism and Daoism and use sorcery and illusion to delude people. Foolish people, lacking understanding, thus came to break the law. The emperor said: "Such as the monk Zhijiu. This sort is not worth pitying, but when soldiers hunt them down they seize the people's wealth for profit and harm the innocent. It would be better to cut the evil off gradually. Zhijiu was a monk of Daming Prefecture. Yuan Zhiyi of the same monastery said to Zhijiu that the 《Lotus Sutra》 records that in the age of the five turbidities the Buddha appears in the land of Wei, and the 《Heart Sutra》 has the phrase on dreaming of ultimate nirvana. Your religious name is Zhijiu—it exactly matches the scripture. Your former master, Monk Zangping, knew you had the portion of good fortune and also composed a verse and gave it to you. Zhijiu believed his words and thereupon plotted rebellion. He passed through Daming and the prefectures of Dongping, feigning alms-collection to delude the foolish people and secretly forming a wicked faction. They planned that on the seventeenth day of the twelfth month of the eleventh year they would first take Yanzhou, assemble their followers on Mount Yi, take the three characters "Answering Heaven's Season" as their signal, and divide the prefectures of the Dongping region among themselves. When the appointed night came they sent their rebel confederates Hu Zhiai and others to raid nearby military camps and seize armor and weapons, but the soldiers defeated them. At the same time Fu Zhan and Liu Xuan also reported the plot from Yanggu and Dongping. All were executed. More than four hundred and fifty persons were implicated by association.

宗室子或不勝任官事，世宗欲授散官，量與廩祿，以贍足之，以問宰臣曰：「於前代何如？」琚對曰：「堯親九族，周家內睦九族，皆帝王盛事也。」琚之將順，多此類。

Some sons of the imperial clan could not bear the burden of office. Shizong wished to grant them honorary posts and allot grain salaries in measure to support them, and asked the chief ministers: "How was this in former ages? Ju replied: "Yao cherished his nine kindred; the Zhou house cultivated harmony among the nine kindred—both are great deeds of emperors and kings. In yielding to the emperor's wishes, Ju often did much like this.

十三年，上表乞致仕。十六年，再表乞致仕。皆不許。參知政事唐括安禮忤上意，出為橫海軍節度使，數年不復召。琚對便殿，從容進曰：「唐括安禮忠直，久在外官。」世宗深然之，遂自南京留守召為尚書右丞。琚嘗舉室紹先以為右司員外郎，紹先中風暴卒，上甚惜之，謂琚曰：「卿之所舉也。」感歎者再三。

In the thirteenth year he submitted a memorial requesting retirement. In the sixteenth year he again submitted a memorial requesting retirement. None of these requests was granted. Participating Secretary Tangkuo Anli had offended the emperor and was posted out as military commissioner of the Henghai Army. For several years he was not recalled. Ju met the emperor in the informal palace and said calmly: "Tangkuo Anli is loyal and upright, yet he has long been kept in outer office. Shizong was deeply persuaded and summoned him from his post as defender of Nanjing to serve as Right Vice Director of the Secretariat. Ju had once recommended Shi Shaoxian for Right Bureau Vice Director. Shaoxian died suddenly of a stroke. The emperor was deeply grieved and told Ju: "This was your recommendation. He sighed again and again in regret.

十七年，拜平章政事，封莘國公。明年，拜右丞相。修起居注移剌傑上書言：「朝奏屏人議事，史官亦不與聞，無由紀錄。」上以問宰相，琚與右丞唐括安禮對曰：「古者史官，天子言動必書，以儆戒人君，庶幾有畏也。周成王剪桐葉為圭，戲封叔虞，史佚曰：'天子不可戲言，言則史書之。 '以此知人君言動，史官皆得記錄，不可避也。」上曰：「朕觀《貞觀政要》，唐太宗與臣下議論，始議如何，後竟如何，此政史臣在側記而書之耳。若恐漏泄幾事，則擇慎密者任之。」朝奏屏人議事，記注官不避自此始。

In the seventeenth year he was appointed grand councillor and enfeoffed as Duke of Xin. The following year he was appointed right chief councillor. Diarist Yila Jie submitted a memorial: "When the court hears memorials, attendants are dismissed and business is discussed in private. The historiographers are not present either, so there is no way to make a record. The emperor asked the chief ministers. Ju and Right Vice Director Tangkuo Anli replied: "In antiquity the historiographers recorded whatever the Son of Heaven said or did, to warn and restrain the ruler so that he might stand in awe. When King Cheng of Zhou cut a paulownia leaf into a tablet and in jest enfeoffed Uncle Yu, Shi Que said: 'The Son of Heaven must not speak in jest—if he speaks, the historiographers will write it down. ' From this we know that a ruler's words and deeds are all within the historiographers' record and cannot be evaded. The emperor said: "When I read the 《Essentials of Government of the Zhenguan Reign》, I see how Taizong of Tang debated with his ministers—what was first proposed, what was finally decided. That was only because historiographers stood at his side, noted everything, and wrote it down. If you fear that state secrets may leak, choose men who are careful and trustworthy. From that time on, when the court dismissed attendants to discuss business at memorial audiences, the diarists were no longer excluded.

以年老衰病固辭，上曰：「朕知卿年老，勉為朕留，俟一二年，朕將思之。」上謂宰臣曰：「朕為天子，未嘗敢專行獨斷，每事遍問卿等，可行則行之，不可則止也。」琚與平章政事唐括安禮奏曰：「好問則裕，自用則小，陛下行之，天下幸甚。」居一年，復表致仕，乃許。詔以一孫為閣門祗候。即命駕歸鄉里。久之，世宗謂宰臣：「知人最為難事，近來左選多不得人。惟石琚為相時，往往舉能其官，左丞移剌道、參政粘割斡特剌舉右選，頗得之。朕常以不能遍識人材為不足。此宰相事也，左右近侍雖常有言，朕未敢輕信。」又曰：「近日刺史縣令多闕員，當擇幹濟者除之，資級不到庸何傷。」又曰：「惟石琚最為知人。」

He firmly declined on grounds of age and infirmity. The emperor said: "I know you are old, but stay on for my sake a while longer. In a year or two I will think the matter over. The emperor told the chief ministers: "As Son of Heaven I have never dared to act on my own. On every matter I consult you all first—if it can be done, we do it; if not, we stop. Ju and Grand Councillor Tangkuo Anli replied: "He who asks widely grows rich in counsel; he who insists on his own judgment grows small. If Your Majesty acts thus, the realm will be greatly blessed. A year later he again asked to retire, and this time permission was granted. An edict appointed one of his grandsons gate corps attendant. He immediately ordered his carriage and returned home. Some time later Shizong told the chief ministers: "Knowing men is the hardest task of all. Lately the left selection has often failed to find the right men. Only when Shi Ju was chief councillor did he often put forward men who could fill their posts. Left Vice Director Yila Dao and Participating Secretary Niancan Wotela drew from the right selection and often found the right men. I have always felt it a failing that I cannot know every capable man in the realm. That is the chief ministers' business. Though those close at hand often speak up, I have not dared to trust them lightly. He added: "Prefects and magistrates are lately much understaffed. Choose capable men and appoint them—even if their rank is not yet high enough, what does it matter? He also said: "Of all of them, Shi Ju knows men best."

唐括鼎為定武軍節度使，上謂鼎曰：「久不見石琚，精力比舊何如？汝到官往視之。」顯宗亦思之，因琚生日，寄詩以見意。二十二年，以疾薨於家，年七十二。諡文憲。泰和元年，圖像衍慶宮，配享世宗廟廷。

Tangkuo Ding was military commissioner of the Dingwu Army. The emperor said to Ding: "It has been a long time since I saw Shi Ju. How does his strength compare with before? When you take up your post, go and visit him. Prince Xian missed him too; on Ju's birthday he sent a poem to express his regard. In the twenty-second year he died of illness at home, aged seventy-two. He was given the posthumous title Wenxian. In the first year of Taihe his portrait was placed in the Yanging Palace and he was granted paired sacrifice in Shizong's temple.

唐括安禮

Tangkuo Anli

唐括安禮，本名斡魯古，字子敬。好學，通經史，工詞章，知為政大體。貞元中，累官臨海軍節度使，入為翰林侍讀學士，改浚州防禦使、彰化軍節度使。大定初，遷益都尹，召為大興尹，上曰：「京師好訛言。府中奸吏為民患。卿雖年少，有治才，去其宿弊，毋為因仍。」察廉入第一等，進階榮祿大夫。

Tangkuo Anli, whose original name was Wolugu, had the courtesy name Zijing. He loved learning, was versed in the classics and histories, excelled at literary composition, and understood the broad principles of government. In the Zhenyuan era he rose through offices to military commissioner of the Linhai Army, entered court as Hanlin academician reader, then became defender of Junzhou and military commissioner of the Zhanghua Army. Early in Dading he was made prefect of Yidu, then summoned to be prefect of Daxing. The emperor said: "The capital is full of slander. Corrupt clerks in the prefecture plague the people. You are still young, but you have talent for government. Root out their old abuses; do not let things continue as before. In the integrity review he was ranked in the first grade and promoted to Glory and Blessings Grand Master.

七年五月，大興府獄空，詔錫宴勞之。凡州郡有獄空者，皆賜錢為錫宴費，大興府錫宴錢三百貫，其餘有差。久之，拜參知政事，罷為橫海軍節度使，歷河間尹、南京留守。以喪去官，起復尚書右丞。詔曰：「南路女直戶頗有貧者，漢戶租佃田土，所得無幾，費用不給，不習騎射，不任軍旅。凡成丁者簽入軍籍，月給錢米，山東路沿邊安置。其議以聞。」浹旬，上問曰：「宰臣議山東猛安貧戶如之何？」奏曰：「未也。」乃問安禮曰：「於卿意如何？」對曰：「猛安人與漢戶，今皆一家，彼耕此種，皆是國人，即日簽軍，恐妨農作。」上責安禮曰：「朕謂卿有知識，每事專效漢人。若無事之際可務農作，度宋人之意且起爭端，國家有事，農作奚暇？卿習漢字，讀《詩》、《書》，姑置此以講本朝之法。前日宰臣皆女直拜，卿獨漢人拜，是邪非邪？所謂一家者，皆一類也，女直、漢人，其實則二。朕即位東京，契丹、漢人皆不往，惟女直人偕來，此可謂一類乎？」又曰：「朕夙夜思念，使太祖皇帝功業不墜，傳及萬世，女直人物力不困。卿等悉之。」因以有益貧窮猛安人數事，詔左司郎中粘割斡特剌使書之，百官集議於尚書省。

In the fifth month of the seventh year the prisons of Daxing Prefecture stood empty. An edict granted him a feast in reward. Wherever a prefecture or circuit had empty prisons, money was granted for a celebratory feast. Daxing Prefecture received three hundred strings; the others received lesser sums. After some time he was appointed participating secretary, then relieved and made military commissioner of the Henghai Army. He later served as prefect of Hejian and defender of Nanjing. He left office to observe mourning, then was recalled from mourning to serve as Right Vice Director of the Secretariat. An edict said: "Many Jurchen households on the Southern Route are poor. Han tenants farm their land for little return, and their expenses are not met. They do not practice mounted archery and are unfit for the army. All who reach adulthood are to be entered on the military rolls, given monthly pay in money and grain, and settled along the Shandong border. Submit your deliberations in a memorial. Within ten days the emperor asked: "What have the chief ministers decided about the poor meng'an households in Shandong? They answered: "Not yet." He then asked Anli: "What do you think? He replied: "Meng'an and Han households are now one family: they farm this land and plant these fields; all are subjects of the state. To conscript them at once would harm the harvest. The emperor rebuked Anli: "I took you for a man of judgment, yet on every matter you side with the Han way alone. In peacetime one may urge farming, but weigh the Song—trouble is sure to follow. When the state is at war, who has time for the plow? You have learned Han script and read the 《Odes》 and 《Documents》—set those aside for now and learn the ways of our house. The other day the chief ministers all bowed in Jurchen fashion, but you alone bowed in Han fashion. Was that right or wrong? When we speak of "one family," we mean one kind. Jurchen and Han are in truth two. When I took the throne at the Eastern Capital, Khitan and Han did not come—only Jurchen came with me. Can that be called one kind? He also said: "Day and night I think how to keep the founding emperor's achievement from falling and pass it on for ten thousand generations, and how to keep Jurchen strength from being exhausted. You must all take this to heart. He then ordered Left Bureau Director Niancan Wotela to draft several measures to relieve poor meng'an households, and had all officials gather at the Secretariat to deliberate.

十七年，詔遣監察御史完顏覿古速行邊，從行契丹押剌四人，挼剌、招得、雅魯、斡列阿，自邊亡歸大石。上聞之，詔曰：「大石在夏國西北。昔窩斡為亂，契丹等回應，朕釋其罪，俾復舊業，遣使安輯之，反側之心猶未已。若大石使人間誘，必生邊患。遣使徙之，俾與女直人雜居，男婚女聘，漸化成俗，長久之策也。」於是遣同簽樞密院事紇石烈奧也、吏部郎中裴滿余慶、翰林修撰移剌傑，徙西北路契丹人嘗預窩斡亂者上京、濟、利等路安置。以兵部郎中移剌子元為西北路招討都監，詔子元曰：「卿可省諭徙上京、濟州契丹人，彼地土肥饒，可以生殖，與女直人相為婚姻，亦汝等久安之計也。卿與奧也同催發徙之。仍遣猛安一員以兵護送而東，所經道路勿令與群牧相近，脫或有變，即便討滅。俟其過嶺，卿即還鎮。」上已遣奧也、子元等，謂宰臣曰：「海陵時，契丹人尤被信任，終為叛亂，群牧使鶴壽、駙馬都尉賽一、昭武大將軍術魯古、金吾衛上將軍蒲都皆被害。賽一等皆功臣之後，在官時未嘗與契丹有怨，彼之野心，亦足見也。」安禮對曰：「聖主溥愛天下，子育萬國，不宜有分別。」上曰：「朕非有分別，但善善惡惡，所以為治。異時或有邊釁，契丹豈肯與我一心也哉。」

In the seventeenth year an edict sent Investigating Censor Wanyan Digus to tour the frontier. Four Khitan yabula who had accompanied him—Ruela, Zhaode, Yalu, and Wolie'a—fled the border and went over to Dashi. When the emperor heard of it he issued an edict: "Dashi is northwest of the Western Xia. When Wohuo rebelled in the past, Khitan and others rose with him. I pardoned their crimes and restored their old livelihoods, and sent envoys to pacify them, yet their hearts are still unsettled. If Dashi sends agents to entice them in secret, trouble on the frontier is sure to follow. Send envoys to move them and settle them among Jurchen—men marrying women, gifts exchanged in betrothal—until custom is slowly changed. That is the long-term plan. Thereupon he sent Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs Geshilie Aoye, Ministry of Personnel Director Peiman Yuqing, and Hanlin reviser Yila Jie to relocate Khitan of the Northwest Route who had joined the Wohuo rebellion and resettle them in the Shangjing, Ji, and Li circuits. He appointed Ministry of War Director Yila Ziyuan pacification commissioner of the Northwest Route and told him: "Explain to the Khitan being moved to Shangjing and Jizhou that the soil there is rich and they can prosper, and that intermarriage with Jurchen is also your long-term plan for peace. You and Aoye are to press the move together. Send one meng'an with troops to escort them east. Along the route keep them away from the herd stations; if anything goes wrong, destroy it at once. Once they have crossed the pass you may return to your post. After he had already sent Aoye, Ziyuan, and the others, he told the chief ministers: "Under Hailing the Khitan were especially trusted, yet in the end they rebelled. Herd commissioner He Shou, chief commandant of the horse Saiyi, grand general of illustrious martiality Shulugu, and general-in-chief of the golden guard Pudu were all killed. Saiyi and the others were all descendants of meritorious ministers and in office had never quarreled with the Khitan. Their rebellious hearts are plain enough to see. Anli replied: "A sage ruler loves all under Heaven and nurtures every people. There should be no distinction. The emperor said: "I am not making distinctions. I reward the good and punish the evil—that is how one governs. If trouble should rise on the frontier someday, would the Khitan truly stand with us as one?"

他日，上又曰：「薦舉，大臣之職。外官五品猶得舉人，宰相無所舉，何也？」安禮對曰：「孔子稱才難。賢人君子，世不多有。陛下必欲得人，當廣取士之路，區別器使之，斯得人矣。」上曰：「除授格法不倫。奉職皆閥閱子孫，朕所知識，有資考出身月日。親軍不以門第收補，無廕者不至武義不得出職。但以女直人有超遷官資，故出職反在奉職上。天下一家，獨女直有超遷格，何也？」安禮對曰：「祖宗以來立此格，恐難輒改。」

On another day the emperor again said: "Recommendation is the duty of great ministers. Outer officials of the fifth rank may still recommend men. Why do chief councillors recommend no one? Anli replied: "Confucius said that talent is hard to find. Worthy men and gentlemen are never abundant in any age. If Your Majesty truly wants men, broaden the paths by which talent is gathered, distinguish their capacities, and employ each accordingly. Then you will find them. The emperor said: "The rules for appointment by grade are inconsistent. Palace attendants are all sons of eminent houses whom I know personally; they have dates of entry by qualification and examination. The personal guard does not recruit by family standing. Without hereditary privilege one cannot leave office until reaching Martial Righteousness. Yet because Jurchen alone have accelerated promotion in office grades, when they leave office they rank above palace attendants. The realm is one family—why should Jurchen alone have accelerated promotion regulations? Anli replied: "Our founding ancestors established this regulation. It would be hard to change it rashly."

轉左丞，與右丞蒲察通同日拜，上謂之曰：「朕今年五十有五，若過六十，必倦於政事。宜及朕之康強，凡女直猛安謀克當修舉政事，改定法令。宗族中鮮有及朕之壽者，朕頗習女直舊風，子孫豈能知之，況政事乎。卿等宜悉此意。」上又曰：「大理寺事多留滯，宰執不督責之，何也？」安禮對曰：「案牘疑難者舊例給限。」上曰：「舊例是邪非邪，今不究其事，輒給以限邪？」參政移剌道曰：「臣在大理時，未嘗有滯事。」上曰：「卿在大理無滯事，為宰執而不能檢治，何也？」道無以對而退。上問宰臣曰：「御史臺官，亦與親知往來否？」皆曰：「往來殊少。」上曰：「台官當盡絕人事。諫官、記注官與聞議論，亦不可與人遊從。」安禮對曰：「親知之間，恐不可盡絕也。」上曰：「職任如是，何恤人之言。」

He was transferred to left vice director and on the same day as right vice director Pucha Tong received appointment. The emperor told them: "This year I am fifty-five. If I live past sixty I shall surely weary of governing. While I am still strong, every Jurchen meng'an and mouke should improve their administration and revise the laws. Few in the imperial clan live as long as I. I am well versed in old Jurchen ways—can my sons and grandsons know them, let alone affairs of government? You must all take this to heart. The emperor also said: "The Court of Judicial Review leaves many cases pending. Why do the chief executives not press them? Anli replied: "For doubtful and difficult dossiers the old rule grants a time limit. The emperor said: "Is the old rule right or wrong? Today you do not investigate the matter but simply grant a time limit? Participating Councillor Yila Dao said: "When I served at the Court of Judicial Review there were never pending cases. The emperor said: "You had no pending cases at the Court of Judicial Review, yet as chief councillor you cannot correct this. Why? Dao had nothing to say and withdrew. The emperor asked the chief ministers: "Do censors of the Censorate also keep company with kin and acquaintances? All said: "Very rarely. The emperor said: "Censors should cut themselves off from all private ties. Remonstrating officials and diarists who sit in on deliberations must likewise cut off social ties with others. Anli replied: "Among kin and close acquaintances, I fear one cannot sever ties altogether. The emperor said: "When your office demands as much, why worry about what people say?"

進拜平章政事，封芮國公，授世襲謀克。上諭安禮，前代史書詳備，今祖宗實錄太簡略。對曰：「前代史皆成書，有帝紀、列傳。他日修史時，亦有帝紀、列傳，其詳自見於列傳也。」安禮嘗議科目，言於上曰：「臣觀近日士人不以策論為意。今若詩賦策論各場考試，文理俱優者為中選，以時務策觀其器識，庶得人也。」上曰：「卿等議之。」上謂宰臣曰：「賞有功不可緩，緩賞無以勸善。」安禮對曰：「古所謂賞不逾時者，正謂此也。」

He was promoted to Grand Chancellor of the Chancellery, enfeoffed as Duke of Rui State, and granted a hereditary mouke. The emperor told Anli: "The histories of earlier dynasties are full and complete, yet our Veritable Records of the imperial ancestors are too spare." He replied: "The histories of earlier dynasties are finished works, with imperial annals and arranged biographies. When our own history is compiled, there will be annals and biographies as well; the particulars will naturally appear in the biographies." Anli once discussed the civil examinations and said to the emperor: "I have noticed that scholars lately pay little heed to policy essays. If we now examine poetry, fu, policy essays, and general essays in separate sessions, select those superior in both literary skill and reasoning, and use essays on current affairs to gauge their talent and judgment, we may yet find the right men." The emperor said: "Let the ministers discuss it." The emperor told the chief ministers: "Rewards for merit must not be slow; slow rewards cannot encourage virtue." Anli replied: "What the ancients meant by 'rewards must not miss their season' is exactly this."

二十一年，拜右丞相，進封申國公，固辭曰：「臣備位宰相，無補于國家，夙夜憂懼，惟恐得罪，上負陛下，下負百姓。臣實不敢受丞相位，惟陛下擇賢于臣者用之。」上曰：「朕知卿正直，與左丞相習顯無異。且練習政事，無出卿之右者。其毋多讓。」安禮頓首謝。是歲，薨。泰和元年，配享世宗廟廷。

In the twenty-first year he was appointed Right Chief Councillor and advanced to Duke of Shen State. He firmly declined, saying: "I hold a seat among the chief councillors yet have done nothing for the state. Day and night I live in dread of giving offense—failing Your Majesty above and failing the people below. I truly dare not accept the chancellorship. I beg Your Majesty to choose a worthy man in my stead." The emperor said: "I know you are upright—as upright as Left Chief Councillor Xixian. Moreover, in seasoned mastery of government, none surpasses you. Do not decline so often." Anli bowed his head in thanks. That year he died. In the first year of Taihe he was granted paired sacrifice in Emperor Shizong's temple.

移剌道

Yila Dao

移剌道，本名趙三。其先乙室部人也，初徙咸平。為人寬厚，有大志，以篤孝著名。通女直、契丹、漢字。皇統初，補刑部令史，轉尚書省令史，再遷大理司直。丁母憂，起復，遷戶部員外郎。正隆三年，徙臨潢、咸平路、畢沙河等三猛安，屯戍斡盧速。還奏，海陵謂侍臣曰：「道骨相異常，他日必登公輔。」明年，遷本部郎中。

Yila Dao, whose original name was Zhao San. His ancestors belonged to the Yishi tribe and had first moved to Xianping. He was generous and far-sighted, famed for deep filial devotion. He was literate in Jurchen, Khitan, and Chinese. At the beginning of Huangtong he was appointed a clerk in the Ministry of Punishments, then transferred to the Secretariat, and after two promotions became direct agent of the Court of Judicial Review. When his mourning for his mother ended he was recalled to office and promoted to Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue. In the third year of Zhenlong he moved three meng'an—Linhuang, Xianping Circuit, and Bissha River—to garrison Walusu. When he returned to report, Hailing told his attendants: "Dao's bone structure is extraordinary. In time he will surely rise to chief minister. The next year he was promoted to director in the same ministry.

海陵伐宋，為都督府長史。海陵死，師還，無復紀律，士卒掠淮南，百姓苦之。有男女二百餘人，自願與道為奴，道受之，至淮，俟諸軍畢濟，乃悉遣還。大定二年，復為戶部郎中，與梁銶安撫山東，招諭盜賊。民或避盜避役者，並令歸業，不問罪名輕重皆原之，軍人不得並緣虜掠。僕散忠義討窩斡，道參謀幕府事。賊平，元帥府以俘獲生口分給官僚，道悉縱遣之。

When Hailing campaigned against Song, Dao served as chief secretary of the command headquarters. After Hailing's death the army withdrew without discipline. The troops plundered Huainan, and the people suffered terribly. More than two hundred men and women volunteered to become his slaves, and he accepted them. At the Huai he waited until every unit had crossed, then sent them all home. In the second year of Dading he again became Director of the Ministry of Revenue and, with Liang Quan, pacified Shandong and won over the bandits. People who had fled bandits or corvée labor were ordered back to their occupations; all were pardoned regardless of the gravity of their offenses, and soldiers were forbidden to seize and plunder under any pretext. When Pusan Zhongyi campaigned against Wohuo, Dao served as an adviser on his staff. After the rebels were suppressed, the marshal's headquarters distributed captives among the officials. Dao released every one of them.

還京師，入見，既退，世宗目送之，曰：「此人有幹才，可大用也。」遷翰林直學士，兼修起居注。頃之，世宗曰：「道清廉有幹局，翰林文雅之職，不足以盡其才。」中都轉運繁劇，乃改同知中都路都轉運事。詔道送河北、山東等路廉察善惡升降官員制敕，上曰：「卿從討契丹，不貪俘獲，其志可嘉。故命卿為使。卿其勉之。」是歲，以廉升者，磁州刺史完顏蒲速列為北京副留守，濰州刺史蒲察蒲查為博州防禦使，威州刺史完顏兀答補為磁州刺史。治狀不善下遷者，登州刺史大磐為嵩州刺史，同知南京留守高德基為同知北京轉運事，衛州防禦使完顏阿鄰為陳州防禦使，真定尹徒單拔改為興平軍節度使，安國軍節度使唐括重國為彰化軍節度使。仍具功過善惡宣諭，毋受饋獻。遷大理卿。五年，宋人請和，罷兵。道往山東，閱實軍器，振贍戍兵妻子。再除同知大興尹。

When he returned to the capital and had an audience, Shizong watched him withdraw and said: "This man has real ability. He can be used on a large scale. He was made Hanlin Academician Reader and concurrently compiler of the Veritable Records. Before long Shizong said: "Dao is upright and capable. A literary post in the Hanlin cannot exhaust his talents. The transport administration of the Central Capital was complex and demanding, so he was appointed Associate Commissioner of the Central Capital Circuit Transport Commission. An edict ordered Dao to carry out the commissioner's instructions on promoting and demoting officials in Hebei, Shandong, and other circuits according to the findings of the integrity inspectors. The emperor said: "When you campaigned against the Khitan you did not covet captives. That intent is admirable. That is why I appoint you envoy. Do your utmost. That year those promoted for integrity included Cizhou Prefect Wanyan Pusulie, made Associate Administrator of the Northern Capital; Weizhou Prefect Pucha Pucha, made Defender of Bozhou; and Weizhou Prefect Wanyan Wudabu, made Cizhou Prefect. Those demoted for poor administration included Dengzhou Prefect Da Pan, reduced to Songzhou Prefect; Associate Administrator of the Southern Capital Garrison Gao Deji, made Associate Commissioner of Northern Capital Transport; Weizhou Defender Wanyan A'lin, made Chenzhou Defender; Zhending Prefect Tudan Bage, made Military Commissioner of Xingping Army; and Anguo Army Military Commissioner Tangkuo Zhongguo, made Military Commissioner of Zhanghua Army. He was also to announce merits, faults, and the full record of conduct, and was forbidden to accept gifts. He was transferred to Chief Judge of the Court of Judicial Review. In the fifth year the Song sought peace and the fighting ended. Dao went to Shandong to inspect military stores and provide relief for the wives and children of garrison troops. He was again appointed Associate Prefect of Daxing.

親軍百人長完顏阿思缽非禁直日帶刀入宮，其夜入左藏庫，殺都監郭良臣，盜取金珠。點檢司執其疑似者八人，掠笞三人死，五人者自誣，其贓不可得。上疑之，命道參問。道持久其獄，既而阿思缽鬻金事覺，伏誅。上曰：「箠楚之下，何求不得。奈何點檢司不以情求之乎！」賜掠死者錢人二百貫，周其家，不死者人五十貫。詔自今護衛親軍百人長、五十人長，非直日不得帶刀入宮。

Wanyan Asibofei, a hundred-man captain of the personal guard, carried a sword into the palace on a day when he was not on palace duty. That night he entered the Left Treasury, killed Chief Storekeeper Guo Liangchen, and stole gold and jewels. The Office of Inspection arrested eight suspects. Under the rod three died and five confessed, yet the stolen goods could not be recovered. The emperor was doubtful and ordered Dao to join the investigation. Dao prolonged the case. Before long Asibo's sale of gold came to light and he was executed. The emperor said: "Under the lash, what confession cannot be forced? Why did the Office of Inspection not investigate with proper care? He granted two hundred strings of cash to the family of each man beaten to death and provided for their households; fifty strings to each survivor. An edict declared that from then on hundred-man and fifty-man captains of the guard and personal guard might not carry swords into the palace except on their duty days.

遷戶部尚書。上曰：「朕初即位，卿為戶部員外郎，聞卿孳孳為善，進卿郎中，果有可稱。及貳京尹，亦能善治。戶部經治國用，卿其勉之。」道頓首謝。改西北路招討使，賜金帶。故事，招討使到官，諸部皆獻駝馬，多至數百，道皆卻之，數月皆復貢職。父喪去官，起復參知政事。初，諸部有獄訟，招討司例遣胥吏按問，往往為奸利。道請專設一官，上嘉納之，招討司設勘事官自此始。上謂宰臣曰：「比聞大理寺斷獄，輒經旬月，何邪？」道奏曰：「在法，決死囚不過七日，徒刑五日，杖刑三日。」上曰：「法有程限，而輒違之，此官吏之責也，嚴戒約以去其弊。」進尚書右丞。乞致仕，上曰：「卿孝於家，忠於朕，通習法令政事，雖逾六十，心力未衰，未可退也。」乃除南京留守，賜通犀帶。上曰：「河南統軍烏古論思列為人少戇，凡邊事須與卿共議。卿以朕意諭思列也。」入拜平章政事。

He was transferred to Minister of Revenue. The emperor said: "When I first took the throne you were Vice Director of Revenue. I heard that you strove diligently to do good, promoted you to director, and you proved worthy of praise. As deputy prefect of the capital you governed well too. The Ministry of Revenue oversees the state's finances. Do your utmost. Dao bowed his head in thanks. He was appointed Commissioner for Receiving Submission of the Northwest Route and granted a gold belt. By custom, when a commissioner for receiving submission took office every tribe presented camels and horses, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. Dao refused them all, and within months every tribe resumed its tribute duties. When his father died he left office, but was recalled to serve as Participation Secretary. Earlier, when tribes had lawsuits the receiving-submission office routinely sent clerks to investigate, often for illicit gain. Dao requested a dedicated investigating official. The emperor approved the proposal, and from this the receiving-submission office's investigator was first established. The emperor told the chief ministers: "I have lately heard that the Court of Judicial Review often takes ten days or a month to decide cases. Why is that?" Dao replied: "By law, capital cases may not exceed seven days, penal servitude five days, and flogging three days." The emperor said: "The law sets deadlines, yet they are violated. That is the officials' fault. Warn them strictly and remove the abuse." He was promoted to Right Vice Director of the Secretariat. He asked to retire. The emperor said: "You are filial at home and loyal to me, thoroughly versed in law and government. Though past sixty, your mind and strength have not failed. You may not withdraw." He was therefore appointed Military Governor of the Southern Capital and granted a belt of pure rhinoceros horn. The emperor said: "Wugulun Silie, commander-in-chief of Henan, is rather simple-minded. On all border affairs you must consult with him. Convey my intent to Silie." He entered court and was appointed Grand Chancellor.

道弟臨潼令幼阿補犯罪至死，道待罪於家。皇太子生日，宴于慶和殿，上問道何故不在，參知政事粘割斡特剌奏曰：「其弟犯死刑，據制不合入內。」上曰：「此何傷也。」即詔道起視事。是時縣令多闕，上以問宰相，道奏曰：「散官宣武以上借除以充之。」上曰：「廉察八品以下已去官者，錄事丞簿有清幹之譽者，縣尉入優等者，皆與縣令。散官至五品，無貪污曠職之名者，亦可與之。俟縣令不闕，即如舊制。」

Dao's younger brother You'abu, magistrate of Lin Tong, committed a capital crime. Dao kept himself at home awaiting punishment. On the crown prince's birthday a feast was held in the Hall of Celebrating Harmony. The emperor asked why Dao was absent. Participation Secretary Niancan Wotela reported: "His brother has committed a capital crime. By regulation he may not enter the palace." The emperor said: "What harm is there in that?" An edict at once ordered Dao to resume his duties. At that time many county magistracies were vacant. The emperor asked the chief councillors. Dao memorialized: "Unattached officials from Xuanwu rank upward may be lent to fill the posts." The emperor said: "Former officials of eighth rank and below who left office after integrity inspection, registrars and assistants with a reputation for clarity and ability, and county constables rated in the superior grade—all may be given county magistracies. Unattached officials up to the fifth rank who have no record of corruption or dereliction may likewise receive them. When the magistracies are no longer vacant, then revert to the old regulations."

子光祖

Son: Guangzu

光祖字仲禮，幼名八狗。以廕補閣門祗候，調平晉令、衛州都巡河、內承奉押班，累轉東上閤門使，兼典客署令。大安中，改少府少監。丁母憂，起復儀鸞局使，同知宣徽院使事，秘書監右宣徽使。興定二年十一月，詔集百官議所以為長久之利者，光祖等三人議曰：「募土人假以方面權任，俾人自勸，各保一方。」由是公府封建之論興焉，語在九公傳。三年，轉左宣徽使。五年，卒。

Guangzu, courtesy name Zhongli, childhood name Bagou. By yin privilege he was appointed palace gate attendant, then served as magistrate of Pingjin, river patrol of Weizhou, and inner attendant duty officer, and was cumulatively promoted to Eastern Upper Palace Gate Commissioner and concurrently Commissioner of the Office for Receiving Guests. In the Da'an era he was made Vice Director of the Palace Ateliers. When his mourning for his mother ended he was recalled as Commissioner of the Office of Imperial Insignia, Associate Commissioner of the Palace Secretariat, and Right Commissioner of the Imperial Secretariat with concurrent Director of the Secretariat. In the eleventh month of the second year of Xingding, an edict gathered all officials to discuss measures for lasting benefit. Guangzu and three others proposed: "Recruit local men and grant them regional authority, so that each may spur himself on and each may hold his own territory." From this the court's talk of enfeoffment arose; the account is given in the 《Nine Lords Biographies》." In the third year he was transferred to Left Commissioner of the Imperial Secretariat. In the fifth year he died.

贊曰：良弼、守道、琚、安禮、道，皆無聞正隆時，及其簉治朝，佐明主，諫行言聽，膏澤下於民，豈非遇其時邪。官序無闕，上下相安，君享其名，臣終其祿，可謂盛哉。海陵能知移剌道有公輔之器，而不能用，故其治績亦待大定而後著焉。人才之顯晦，有系于世道之汙隆也，尚矣。金世內燕，惟親王公主駙馬得與，世宗一日特召琚入，諸王以下竊語，心蓋易之。世宗覺之，即語之曰：「使我父子家人輩得安然無事，而有今日之樂者，此人力也。」乃曆舉近事數十顯著為時所知者以曉之，皆俯伏謝罪。君臣相知如此，有不竭忠者乎！大定末，世宗將立元妃為後，以問琚，琚屏左右曰：「元妃之立，本無異辭，如東宮何？」世宗愕然曰：「何謂也？」琚曰：「元妃自有子，元妃立，東宮搖矣。」世宗悟而止。且人主家事，人臣之所難言者，許敬宗以一言幾亡唐祚，琚之對，其為金謀者至矣。

Commentary: Liangbi, Shoudao, Ju, Anli, and Dao were all obscure in the Zhenlong era. When they took their places in the governing court and served a luminous sovereign, remonstrance was offered and counsel heeded, and benefits flowed down to the people—was this not simply meeting their time? The official hierarchy was complete; superior and subordinate lived in harmony; the ruler enjoyed his renown and ministers kept their stipends to the end—can one call such an age anything but flourishing? Hailing could see that Yila Dao had the makings of a chief minister yet could not employ him. His record in government therefore had to wait until the Dading era before it fully showed itself. Whether talent shines or stays hidden depends on whether the age's Way is in decline or on the rise—a truth as old as history. At Jin palace banquets only imperial princes, princesses, and imperial sons-in-law were admitted. One day Shizong specially summoned Ju to attend. Below the princes they whispered among themselves, their hearts no doubt holding him cheap. Shizong noticed and said at once, "That my father, my sons, and our household could live in peace and enjoy what we have today is this man's doing." He then recounted in order dozens of recent deeds, well known to all, to make them understand, and everyone prostrated themselves in apology. When ruler and minister understand each other like this, who would not give his utmost loyalty! Near the end of the Dading era, Shizong was about to make the Primary Consort empress and asked Ju. Ju sent attendants away and said, "Making her empress would in itself provoke no dissent—but what of the crown prince?" Shizong was startled. "What do you mean?" Ju said, "The Primary Consort has a son of her own. If she is made empress, the crown prince's position will be shaken." Shizong understood and abandoned the plan. A sovereign's family affairs are what subjects find hardest to speak of. Xu Jingzong with a single remark nearly destroyed the Tang dynasty; Ju's reply was counsel on Jin's behalf at its deepest.

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