1
毛碩，字仲權，甘陵人。 宋末，試弓馬子弟，碩中選，調高陽關路安撫司準備差使。 尋辟河間尉，再辟兵馬都監。 宗望軍至，碩以本部迎降。 齊國建，由淮東路第一副將擢知滑州。 劉麟伐宋，充行營中軍統制軍馬。 天眷間，曆汴京路、山東西路兵馬都監。 皇統元年，權知拱州。 宋將張俊據亳州，而柘城酒監房人傑叛以應俊，碩發兵討之。 至柘城，躬扣城門，呼耆老以諭意。 縣人縛人傑以降。 碩徑入縣署，召百姓慰安之，眾皆感悅，刻石紀其事。 四年，真授拱州刺史。 元帥梁王宗弼承制超武義將軍，改知曹州。 有書生投書于碩，辭涉謗訕，僚屬皆不能堪。 碩延之上座，謝曰：「使碩常聞斯言，庶乎寡過。」 士論以故嘉之。 遷鄭州防禦使，尋改通州。 天德二年，充陝西路轉運使。 碩以陝右邊荒，種藝不過麻、粟、蕎麥，賦入甚薄，市井交易惟川絹、幹薑，商賈不通，酒稅之入耗減，請視汴京、燕京例給交鈔通行。 而鞏、會、德順道路多險，鹽引斤數太重，請一引分作三四，以從輕便。 朝廷皆從之。 秦州倉粟陳積，而百姓有支移者，止就本州折納其直，公私便之。 改河東南路轉運使。 上言：「頃者，定立商酒課，不量土產厚薄、戶口多寡及今昔物價之增耗，一概理責之，故監官被系，失身破家，折傭逃竄。 或為奸吏盜有實錢，而以賒券輸官，故河東有積負至四百餘萬貫，公私苦之。 請自今禁約酒官，不得折准賒貸，惟許收用實錢，則官民俱便。」 至今行之。 秩滿，除南京路都轉運使。 大定六年致仕，卒於家。 碩文雅好事，性謹飭，每見古人行事有益於時者，常書置座右，以為蒞官之戒雲。
Mao Shuo, styled Zhongquan, came from Ganling. In the closing years of the Song, Shuo passed the examination for sons of officials trained in archery and horsemanship and was posted as a standby assignee on the Gaoyang Pass Circuit Pacification Commission. He was soon commissioned as prefect of Hejian and then again as military commander. When Prince Zongwang's army arrived, Shuo brought his troops out to welcome them and submit. When the Qi regime was set up, he rose from first deputy general on the Huaidong Circuit to prefect of Huazhou. During Liu Lin's campaign against the Song, he commanded the cavalry and infantry of the field headquarters' central army. In the Tianjuan era he served in turn as military commander on the Bianjing and Shandong West circuits. In the first year of Huangtong (1141) he acted as prefect of Gongzhou. The Song general Zhang Jun held Bozhou, and Fang Renjie, the wine supervisor at Zhecheng, rebelled to join him; Shuo marched out to suppress the revolt. On reaching Zhecheng he went to the gate in person and called the elders to explain his purpose. The county people bound Renjie and submitted. Shuo entered the county seat at once, gathered the people to reassure them, and they were deeply grateful; a stone inscription was carved to commemorate the event. In the fourth year of the reign he received formal appointment as prefect of Gongzhou. Marshal Prince of Liang Zongbi, acting on imperial authority, promoted him to Supervisory General of Wuyi and transferred him to prefect of Caozhou. A scholar sent Shuo a letter couched in insulting language; his staff could hardly bear it. Shuo seated him in the place of honor and said, "If I could hear such words regularly, I might commit fewer faults." Scholars praised him for this. He was moved to defense commissioner of Zhengzhou and soon transferred to Tongzhou. In the second year of Tiande (1150) he became transport commissioner of the Shaanxi West Circuit. Shuo noted that western Shaanxi was a frontier wasteland where farmers grew little beyond hemp, millet, and buckwheat, revenues were thin, markets traded mainly in Sichuan silk and dried ginger, merchants scarcely came, and wine taxes fell off; he asked that paper notes be issued for circulation there as at Bianjing and Yanjing. The routes through Gong, Hui, and Deshun were treacherous and salt certificates carried too much weight per unit; he proposed splitting each certificate into three or four parts to lighten the burden. The court approved all his proposals. At Qinzhou the granaries held aged grain; for taxpayers liable for transport duties, he allowed cash payment at the local rate instead, which benefited both government and people. He was reassigned as transport commissioner of the Hedong South Circuit. He memorialized: "When the commercial wine levy was recently fixed, no regard was paid to local productivity, population, or changes in prices; officials enforced a flat quota. Supervisors were arrested, families ruined, and hired workers fled. Corrupt clerks sometimes kept the cash and paid the government with credit notes, so that Hedong alone accumulated arrears of more than four million strings, to everyone's distress. He asked that wine officials hereafter be barred from accepting credit conversions and required to take only cash, which would benefit both the state and the people." This policy remains in force to the present. When his term ended he was appointed chief transport commissioner of the Nanjing Circuit. In the sixth year of Dading (1166) he retired and died at home. Shuo was cultivated and fond of good works, meticulous by nature; whenever he came upon ancient precedents useful for governance, he copied them and kept them at his desk as reminders for office.
2
李上達
Li Shangda
3
李上達，字達道，曹州濟陰人。 在宋時以廕補官，累東平府司戶參軍。 撻懶取東平，上達給軍須，號辦治。 齊國建，為吏部員外郎，攝戶部事。 劉豫行什一之法，樂歲輸多，歉歲寡取之，蓋古人助法也。 收斂之時，蓄積蓋藏，民或不以實輸官，官亦不肯盡信，於是告訐起而獄訟繁，公私苦之。 上達論其弊，豫改定為五等之制。 齊國廢，以河南與宋人，上達隨地入宋。 宗弼複取河南，上達為同知大名尹，按察陝西、河南。 是時，關、陝、蒲、解、汝、蔡民饑，上達輒以便宜發倉粟賑百姓。 累遷知山東西路轉運使。 上達到官再期，比舊增三十餘萬貫。 戶部以其法頒之鄰路。 上達長於吏事，能治繁劇，猾吏不能欺，所至稱之。 卒官，年六十一。
Li Shangda, styled Dadao, came from Jiyin in Caozhou. Under the Song he entered service by yin privilege and eventually became revenue registrar in Dongping Prefecture. When Talan took Dongping, Shangda provisioned the army and was praised for his efficiency. When the Qi regime was founded he became vice director in the Ministry of Personnel and handled Ministry of Revenue affairs. Liu Yu applied the tithe system, taking more in good harvest years and less in bad—essentially the ancient mutual-aid levy. At harvest time people hoarded grain; peasants underreported and officials distrusted them; informers multiplied, lawsuits piled up, and everyone suffered. Shangda explained the abuses, and Yu replaced the system with five grades of assessment. When Qi was abolished and Henan returned to the Song, Shangda went over with the territory. When Zongbi retook Henan, Shangda became associate prefect of Daming and conducted inspections in Shaanxi and Henan. At that time famine struck Guanzhong, Shaanxi, Pu, Jie, Ru, and Cai; Shangda repeatedly opened granaries on his own authority to feed the people. He was eventually appointed transport commissioner of the Shandong West Circuit. Within two terms of his taking office, revenues rose by more than three hundred thousand strings over the previous level. The Ministry of Revenue extended his methods to neighboring circuits. Shangda was skilled in administration, handled heavy workloads, and could not be fooled by corrupt clerks; he was praised wherever he served. He died in office at sixty-one.
4
曹望之
Cao Wangzhi
5
曹望之，字景蕭，其先臨潢人，遼季移家宣德。 天會間，以秀民子選充女直字學生。 年十四，業成，除西京教授。 為元帥府書令史，補正令史，轉行台省令史。 錄教授資，補修武校尉，除右司都事。 吏部侍郎田玨素薄望之，望之願交不肯納，遂與蔡松年、許霖構致黨獄。 改行台吏部員外郎。
Cao Wangzhi, styled Jingxiao, was descended from Linhuang; in the late Liao his family moved to Xuande. During Tianhui he was chosen from talented families to study the Jurchen script. At fourteen he finished his course and was appointed instructor at the Western Capital. He served as a clerical secretary in the marshal's headquarters, was promoted to regular secretary, and then transferred to the Branch Secretariat. His teaching service was credited, he was appointed Repair-the-Army Commandant, and made chief clerk of the Right Office. Vice Minister Tian Jue had long looked down on Wangzhi, who sought his friendship in vain; Tian then joined Cai Songnian and Xu Lin in framing him in a faction case. He was reassigned as vice director of personnel in the Branch Secretariat.
6
大定初，討窩斡，望之主軍食，給與有節，凡省糧三十萬石，省剉草五十萬石。 帥府以捷入告，議者欲遂罷轉輸，望之以為元惡未誅，不可弛備。 既而大軍追討，果賴以濟。 以勞進一階，兼同修國史。 請於大鹽濼設官榷鹽，聽民以米貿易，民成聚落，可以固邊圉，其利無窮。 從之。 其後凡貯米二十余萬石。 及東北路歲饑，賴以濟者不可勝數。
Early in Dading, during the campaign against Wohela, Wangzhi managed army rations with restraint, saving three hundred thousand piculs of grain and five hundred thousand piculs of fodder in all. When headquarters reported victory, some urged stopping supply convoys, but Wangzhi argued that the chief rebel was not yet dead and vigilance must not slacken. When the main army pursued the rebels, it indeed depended on those supplies to prevail. For his service he was promoted one rank and appointed co-compiler of the national history. He proposed establishing a government salt monopoly at the Great Salt Marsh and letting people trade grain for salt, so that settlements would grow and secure the frontier—a measure of boundless benefit. The court approved. Eventually more than two hundred thousand piculs of grain were stored there. In later years of famine on the Northeast Circuit, countless people were saved by those stores.
7
三年，上曰：「自正隆兵興，農桑失業，猛安謀克屯田多不如法。」 詔遣戶部侍郎魏子平、大興少尹同知中都轉運事李滌、禮部侍郎李願、禮部郎中移剌道、戶部員外郎完顏兀古出、監察禦史夾谷阿裏補及望之分道勸農，廉問職官臧否。 望之還言，乞汰諸路胥吏，可減其半。 詔胥吏如故。 於是始禁用貼書雲。 遷本部侍郎，領複實繕修大內財用，費用大省。 複以勞進階，上召見諭勉之。
In the third year the emperor said, "Since the wars of Zhenglong, farming has been disrupted, and military colony settlements are often mismanaged." An edict sent Vice Minister Wei Ziping, Vice Prefect Li Di, Vice Minister Li Yuan, Director Yelü Dao, Vice Director Wanyan Wugu, Censor Jiagu Alibu, and Wangzhi on separate routes to promote farming and investigate officials' conduct. On returning, Wangzhi proposed cutting circuit clerks by half. An edict left the clerical staff unchanged. At this point the use of attached clerks was first banned. He was promoted to vice minister of his department and oversaw verification and repairs in the inner palace, greatly reducing costs. Again rewarded for his service with a promotion, he was summoned and encouraged by the emperor.
8
望之家奴袁一言涉妖妄，大興府鞫治。 望之恐，使戶部令史劉公輔問其事于大興少尹王全，全具其事語公輔，公輔以語望之。 禦史台劾奏劉公輔言泄獄情。 上曰：「妖妄之言，交相傳說何也？」 於是，望之決杖一百，王全杖八十，劉公輔杖一百五十，除名。
Wangzhi's household slave Yuan made statements involving sorcery; the Daxing prefecture tried the case. Fearing exposure, Wangzhi sent revenue secretary Liu Gongfu to ask Vice Prefect Wang Quan about the case; Quan told him everything, and Gongfu relayed it to Wangzhi. The Censorate impeached Liu Gongfu for leaking details of the investigation. The emperor said, "Why are such deluded rumors being passed around?" Wangzhi was sentenced to one hundred strokes, Wang Quan to eighty, and Liu Gongfu to one hundred fifty strokes and dismissal from office.
9
頃之，運河堙塞，世宗出郊見之，問其故。 主者奏曰：「戶部不肯經畫，歲久以致如此。」 上責望之曰：「有水運不浚治，乃用陸運，煩費民力，罪在汝等，其往治之。」 尚書省奏當用夫役數萬人。 上曰：「方春耕作，不可勞民。 以宮籍監戶及摘東宮、諸王人從充役，若不足即以五百里內軍夫補之。」
Soon the Grand Canal silted up; Emperor Shizong saw it on an outing and asked why. Those responsible reported, "The Ministry of Revenue would not plan maintenance, and over the years it came to this." The emperor rebuked Wangzhi: "With water transport available you failed to dredge the canal and forced costly land transport on the people—the fault is yours; go and fix it." The Imperial Secretariat reported that tens of thousands of laborers would be needed. The emperor said, "Spring planting is underway; the people must not be overburdened. Use palace-register households and detach attendants from the crown prince and princes for labor; if that is not enough, supplement with military corvée within five hundred li."
10
《太宗實錄》成，監修國史紇石烈良弼賜金帶一、重彩二十端。 同修國史張景仁、劉仲淵、望之皆賜銀幣有差。 望之歎賞薄，謂人曰：「栽花接本乃加爵命，勤勞者不遷官。」 無何，張景仁遷翰林學士，望之又曰：「止與他人便遣，獨不及我哉。」 世宗聞之，出望之德州防禦使，謂之曰：「汝為人能幹而心不忠實。 朕前往安州春水，人言汝無事君之義。 朕敕臣下，有過即當諫爭。 汝但面從，退則謗議，此不忠不孝也。 汝自五品起遷四品，《太宗皇帝實錄》成，優賜銀幣，不思盡心竭力，惟官賞是覬。 今出汝於外，宜改心滌慮。 不然，則身亦莫保。」 望之到德州，有惠政，百姓為立生祠。 改同知西京留守事。
When the Veritable Records of Emperor Taizong were completed, supervising compiler Hešilie Liangbi received a gold belt and twenty bolts of heavy silk. Co-compilers Zhang Jingren, Liu Zhongyuan, and Wangzhi received silver and coins in varying amounts. Wangzhi complained that the reward was stingy and said, "Gardeners who graft flowers get titles, while those who work hard get no promotion." Soon Zhang Jingren was made Hanlin academician, and Wangzhi grumbled again, "They hand out easy posts to everyone but me." When Emperor Shizong heard this, he sent Wangzhi out as defense commissioner of Dezhou and told him, "You are capable but not loyal at heart. When I went to Anzhou for the spring hunt, people said you showed no loyalty to your ruler. I have told my ministers to remonstrate when they see fault. You agree to my face and slander me behind my back—that is disloyalty. You rose from fifth to fourth rank; when the Taizong Veritable Records were finished you were generously rewarded, yet you give no full loyalty—you only crave office and gifts. Now that I am sending you away, reform your heart and mind. Otherwise you may not even keep your life." At Dezhou Wangzhi governed well, and the people erected a living shrine in his honor. He was appointed associate military commissioner of the Western Capital.
11
上書論便宜事：其一，論山東、河北猛安謀克與百姓雜處，民多失業。 陳、蔡、汝、潁之間土廣人稀，宜徙百姓以實其處，複數年之賦以安輯之。 百姓亡命及避役軍中者，閱實其人，使還本貫。 或編近縣以為客戶，或留為佃戶者，亦籍其姓名。 州縣與猛安事干涉者無相黨匿，庶幾軍民協和，盜賊弭息。 其二，論薦舉之法虛文無實。 宰相拔擢及其所識，不及其所不識。 內外官所舉亦輒不用，或指以為朋黨，遂不敢複舉。 宜令宰執歲舉三品二人，御史大夫以下內外官終秩舉二人，自此以下以品殺為差等。 終秩不舉者遇轉官勒不遷，三品者削後任俸三月。 其舉者已改除，吏部以類品第，季而上之。 三品闕則於類第四品中補授，四品五品以下視此為差。 其待以不次者，宰執具才行功實以聞。 舉當否罪當如律。 廉介之士老於令幕無舉主者、七考無贓私罪者，准朝官三考勞敘。 吏部每季圖上外路職官姓名，路為一圖，大書贓汙者於其名下，使知畏慎。 外任五品以上官改除，令代之者具功過以聞。 年六十以上者，終更赴調，有司察其視聽精力，老疾不堪厘務，給以半祿罷遣。 其三，論守邊將帥及沿邊州縣官漁剝軍民，擅興力役，宜歲遣監察禦史周行察之。 邊部有訟，招討司無得輒遣白身人征斷，宜於省部有出身女直、契丹人及縣令丞簿中擇廉能者，因其風俗，略定科條，務為簡易。 征斷羊馬入官籍數，如邊部遇饑饉，即以此賑給之。 招討及都監視事，宜限邊部饋送駝馬。 招討司女直人戶，或擷野菜以濟艱食，而軍中舊籍馬死，則一村均錢補買，往往鬻妻子、賣耕牛以備之。 臣恐數年之後，邊防困弊，臨時賑濟，費財十倍而無益，早為之所，則財用省而邊備實矣。 官給軍箭用盡，則市以補之，皆朽鈍不堪用，可每歲給官箭一分，以補其闕。 邊民闕食給米，地遠負重，往往就倉賤賣而去，可計口支錢，則公私兩便。 陝西正副，宜如猛安謀克用土人一員，隊將亦宜參用土人，久居其任。 增弓箭田，複其賦役。 以廉吏為提舉，舉察總管府以下官。 農隙校閱，以嚴武備。 則太平之時有經略之制矣。
He memorialized on practical reforms: first, that in Shandong and Hebei military colonists lived among commoners, leaving many peasants without livelihood. Between Chen, Cai, Ru, and Ying the land was broad and sparsely settled; he proposed resettling peasants there and remitting several years' taxes to settle them. Fugitives and those hiding in the army to evade corvée should be identified and sent back to their home registers. Those enrolled as clients in nearby counties or kept on as tenant farmers should also be registered by name. When prefectures and military colonies interfered in each other's affairs they should not cover for one another, so that soldiers and civilians might live in harmony and banditry subside. Second, he argued that the recommendation system was empty form without substance. Chancellors promoted only those they knew and overlooked those they did not. Recommendations from court and local officials were often ignored or branded as factionalism, so officials ceased recommending anyone. He proposed that chief ministers recommend two third-rank officials annually, and that officials from the censor-in-chief down each recommend two at term's end, with lower ranks assigned proportionally reduced quotas. Officials who failed to recommend at term's end would be blocked from promotion; third-rank officials would forfeit three months' salary from their next appointment. Once nominees were appointed elsewhere, the Ministry of Personnel would rank them by category and report quarterly. Vacant third-rank posts would be filled from fourth-rank candidates in the same category, with similar rules for lower ranks. For exceptional promotion, chief ministers should report the candidate's talent, conduct, and achievements in detail. Appropriate and inappropriate recommendations, and corresponding penalties, should follow the law. Honest officials long serving in magistrates' staffs without patrons, and those with seven evaluations and no corruption convictions, should receive merit promotion like court officials after three evaluations. Each quarter the Ministry of Personnel should publish charts of outer-circuit officials by circuit, prominently marking corrupt officials beneath their names to inspire caution. When fifth-rank and higher outer officials were reassigned, their successors should report their merits and faults to the court. Officials over sixty, at term's end, would report for reassignment; if examination showed age or illness unfit for duty, they would receive half salary and be dismissed. Third, frontier generals and border officials who exploited soldiers and civilians and imposed unauthorized corvée should be inspected annually by touring supervising censors. Border lawsuits should not be judged by unranked agents of the pacification commission; honest, capable ranked Jurchen, Khitan, and county officials should be chosen to set simple statutes suited to local custom. Sheep and horses from adjudicated cases should be registered; in border famine they should be used for relief. Gifts of camels and horses to pacification commissioners and military overseers from the border should be limited. Jurchen households under the pacification commission sometimes gathered wild plants to survive; when registered army horses died, the whole village shared replacement costs, often selling wives, children, or oxen to pay. I fear that in a few years the frontier will be exhausted; emergency relief would cost ten times as much to little purpose—early action would save funds and strengthen defenses. When government arrows were exhausted, market replacements were rotten and useless; he proposed issuing one-tenth of the official quota annually to fill the gap. Border people given famine grain often sold it cheaply at the granary because transport was costly; cash payment by head count would benefit both state and people. Shaanxi commanders, like military colony officers, should include one local man; squad leaders should also include locals serving long terms. Increase archery fields and restore their tax and corvée exemptions. Honest officials should be appointed inspectors to investigate officials from the general command down. In slack farming seasons conduct drills to tighten military readiness. Then even in peace there would be a system of frontier strategy.
12
又論六鹽場用人，宜令戶部公議辟舉。 論漕運，先計河倉見在幾何，通州容受幾何，京師歲費幾何。 今近河州縣歲稅或六七萬石，小民有入資之費，富室收轉輸之利，宜計實數以科稅入。 論民間私錢苦惡，宜以官錢五百易私錢千，期以一月易之，過期以銷錢法坐之。 論州府力役錢物，戶部頒印署白簿，使盡書之，以俟審閱，有畏避不書者坐之。 論工部營造調發，妨民生業。 諸路射糧軍約量人數，習武藝，期以三年成，以息調民。
He also proposed that the Ministry of Revenue openly deliberate and commission staff for the six salt fields. On grain transport, he proposed first calculating stocks in river granaries, Tongzhou's capacity, and the capital's annual consumption. Nearby river districts paid sixty or seventy thousand piculs yearly in tax; commoners bore capital costs while the wealthy profited from transport—taxes should be assessed on actual amounts. On debased private coin, he proposed exchanging five hundred official coins for one thousand private coins within one month, with penalties for delay under the coin-destruction law. On prefectural corvée funds, the Ministry of Revenue should issue sealed registers for full recording; those who refused to record should be punished. On Ministry of Works construction levies harming people's livelihoods. He proposed estimating grain-shooting soldiers on all circuits, training them in three years, and thereby easing levies on the people.
13
書奏，多見採納。 以本官行六部事於北邊，召拜戶部尚書。 上數之曰：「汝前為侍郎，以不忠外補，頗能練習錢谷，故任以尚書之重，宜改前非，以圖新效也。」
Most of his memorial was adopted. While retaining his rank he managed Six Ministry affairs on the northern frontier, then was summoned as Minister of Revenue. The emperor told him: "As vice minister you were sent out for disloyalty; you know revenue well, so I give you the ministry—reform your faults and prove yourself anew."
14
是時，戶部尚書高德基坐高估俸粟責降，世宗念望之吝出納或懲德基也，既出，使人諭之曰：「勿以高德基下粟直，要在平估而已。」 十五年新宮成，世宗幸新宮，敕望之曰：「新宮中所須，毋取於民間也。」 有良民夫婦質身于東京留守完顏彀英家，期終而不遣，尚書省下東京鞫治。 望之言彀英為留守，其同官必且阿徇，不肯窮竟，當移他州。
Minister Gao Deji had been demoted for overvaluing salary grain; the emperor, thinking Wangzhi's stinginess might have targeted Deji, sent word: "Do not lower grain prices as Deji did—keep valuations fair." In the fifteenth year, when the new palace was completed, the emperor ordered Wangzhi: "Take nothing from the people for the new palace." A worthy couple pledged to Eastern Capital commissioner Wanyan Guying's household; when the term ended he would not release them; the Imperial Secretariat ordered an investigation in the Eastern Capital. Wangzhi said Guying's colleagues would cover for him and the case should be transferred to another prefecture.
15
望之久習事，有治錢谷名，性剛愎，頗沾沾自露，希覬執政。 而刑部尚書梁肅自詳問宋國使還，世宗嘗欲以為執政，久而未用，亦頗炫耀求進。 世宗謂左丞相紇石烈良弼日：「曹望之、梁肅急於見知，涉於躁進。」 遂出梁肅為濟南尹。 數年，乃召拜參知政事。 而望之終於戶部尚書，年五十六。 世宗惜其未及用，賜錢三千貫，敕使致祭，賻銀五百兩、重彩二十端、絹二百匹，以其子淵為奉禦，澤為筆硯承奉。
Wangzhi was experienced in administration and renowned for revenue management, but was stubborn, self-promoting, and coveted high office. Minister Liang Su, returning from interrogating the Song envoy, had long been considered for high office but was passed over and also sought advancement conspicuously. The emperor told Left Chancellor Hešilie Liangbi: "Cao Wangzhi and Liang Su are too eager for recognition and verge on rash advancement." Liang Su was sent out as prefect of Jinan. Several years later Liang Su was summoned as Vice Director of the Secretariat-Chancellery. Wangzhi ended his career as Minister of Revenue at fifty-six. The emperor regretted not using him fully, granted three thousand strings of cash, ordered sacrifices, gave five hundred taels of silver, twenty bolts of heavy silk, and two hundred bolts of silk; his sons Yuan and Ze received palace appointments.
16
其後，尚輦局舉出身人年六十餘可以臨事，世宗曰：「豈為此輩惜官邪，但此輩專以盜取官錢為謀生計，不可用也。」 由是欲更改監臨格式，以問戶部尚書劉瑋。 瑋恐監官謗己，不肯實對。 世宗因思望之，歎曰：「不如望之之敢行也。」
Later the Palace Transport Bureau recommended a man over sixty fit for office; the emperor said, "I would not spare office for them—but they live by stealing official funds and are unusable." He therefore wished to revise supervisory regulations and consulted Minister Liu Wei. Liu Wei, fearing slander from supervisors, would not answer honestly. The emperor sighed, "He was not as bold as Wangzhi."
17
望之初不學，及貴，稍知讀書，遂刻苦自致，有詩集三十卷。
Wangzhi had not studied early in life; after rising high he taught himself to read, applied himself diligently, and left a poetry collection in thirty juan.
18
大懷貞
Da Huaizhen
19
大懷貞，字子正，遼陽人。 皇統五年，除閤門祗候，三遷東上閣門使。 丁母憂，起複符寶郎，累官右宣徽使。 正隆伐宋，為武勝軍都總管。 大定二年，除洺州防禦使兼押軍萬戶，改沂州，再遷彰國、安武軍節度使。 縣尉獲盜，得一旗，上圖亢宿。 詰之，有謀叛狀，株連幾萬人。 懷貞當以亂民之刑，請誅其首亂者十八人，餘皆釋之。 嘗以私忌飯僧數人，就中一僧異常，懷貞問曰：「汝何許人也？」 對曰：「山西人。」 複問：「曾為盜殺人否？」 對曰：「無之。」 後三日詰盜，果引此僧，皆服其明察。 改興中尹。 錦州富民蕭鶴壽途中殺人，匿府少尹家，有司捕不得，懷貞以計取之，置於法。 改彰德軍節度使，卒。
Da Huaizhen, styled Zizheng, came from Liaoyang. In the fifth year of Huangtong he became a gate usher and after three promotions was eastern upper gate commissioner. After mourning his mother he returned as talisman attendant and rose to Right Palace Commissioner. During the Zhenglong campaign against the Song he commanded the Wusheng Army. In the second year of Dading he became defense commissioner of Luozhou and commander of ten thousand households, then transferred to Yizhou and promoted to military commissioner of Zhangguo and Anwu. A county constable caught bandits and found a banner depicting the Kang constellation. Interrogation revealed a rebellion plot; tens of thousands were implicated. Huaizhen should have punished the disturbance wholesale; he executed eighteen ringleaders and released the rest. Once on a private memorial day he fed several monks; one seemed unusual, and Huaizhen asked, "Where are you from?" He answered, "From Shanxi." He asked again, "Have you ever robbed and killed?" He answered, "No." Three days later, interrogating bandits, they implicated this monk; all admired his perceptiveness. He was transferred to prefect of Xingzhong. Wealthy Jinzhou man Xiao Heshou killed someone on the road and hid with the associate prefect; officials could not catch him; Huaizhen seized him by stratagem and punished him. He was transferred to military commissioner of Zhangde Army and died.
20
盧孝儉
Lu Xiaojian
21
盧孝儉，宣德州人。 登天眷二年第，調憲州軍事判官，補尚書省令史，累官太原少尹。 大定二年，陝西用兵，尚書省發本路稅粟赴平涼充軍實，期甚嚴迫。 孝儉輒易以金帛，馳至平涼，用省而不失期，並人稱之。 用廉，進官二階，遷同知廣甯尹。 廣寧大饑，民多流亡失業，乃借僧粟，留其一歲之用，使平其價市與貧民，既以救民，僧亦獲利。 累遷山東東路轉運使。 孝儉素褊躁，與同僚王公謹失歡。 其子嘗私用官帑，孝儉不知也。 既而改河北西路轉運使，公謹乃發其事。 孝儉聞被逮，莫測所以，行至章丘，自縊死。
Lu Xiaojian came from Xuande Prefecture. He passed the Tianhui examination of year two, served as military judge of Xian Prefecture, became a Secretariat secretary, and rose to vice prefect of Taiyuan. In the second year of Dading, with war in Shaanxi, the Imperial Secretariat sent that circuit's tax grain to Pingliang for the army on a strict deadline. Xiaojian exchanged grain for gold and silk, reached Pingliang in time at lower cost, and was praised throughout Bing. For integrity he was promoted two ranks and made associate prefect of Guangning. In great famine at Guangning he borrowed monks' grain, reserved one year's supply, stabilized prices, and sold to the poor—saving the people while the monks also profited. He was promoted to transport commissioner of the Shandong East Circuit. Xiaojian was narrow and irritable and quarreled with colleague Wang Gongjin. His son once used the official treasury without Xiaojian's knowledge. When he became Hebei West transport commissioner, Gongjin exposed the affair. Hearing he was to be arrested, Xiaojian could not understand why; reaching Zhangqiu he hanged himself.
22
十一月，夏人掠鎮戎，陷涇、邠，遂圍平涼。 庸矢盡，募人取夏兵射城上箭以濟急用，出府庫賞有功者，人樂為死，平涼賴以完。 貞祐二年，庸移書陝西行省僕散端，大概謂慶陽、平涼、德順陝西重地，長安以西邠為厄塞，當重兵屯守。 詔賞平涼功，庸進官四階，遷按察轉運使。 三年，詔諸道按察司講究防秋，庸陳便宜曰：「自毾延至積石，雖多溝阪，無長河大山為之遮罩，恃弓箭手以禦侮，其人皆剛猛善鬥，熟于地利，夏人畏之。 向者徙屯他所，夏人即時犯邊，此近年深患也。 人情樂土，且耕且戰，緩急將自奮。」 又曰：「防秋之際，宜先清野。」 又曰：「掌軍之官不宜臨時易代，兵家所忌，將非其人，屢代何益？」 無何，有言庸老不勝任者，即罷之。 未幾，改定海軍節度使，山東亂，不能赴，按察司劾之，當奪兩官，審理官直之。 庸以病請求醫藥，遂致仕。 興定三年，卒。
In the eleventh month the Xia raided Zhenrong, took Jing and Bin, and besieged Pingliang. Yong's arrows ran out; he recruited men to collect Xia arrows shot onto the walls, rewarded the meritorious from the treasury, and men fought willingly—Pingliang was saved. In the second year of Zhenyou, Yong wrote to Shaanxi Branch Secretariat Puxian Duan urging heavy garrisons at Qingyang, Pingliang, Deshun, and Bin—the strategic pass west of Chang'an. An edict rewarded the Pingliang defense; Yong was promoted four ranks and made surveillance and transport commissioner. In the third year circuits were ordered to study autumn defense; Yong argued that from Duoyan to Jishi, lacking great rivers or mountains, the frontier relied on fierce local archers whom the Xia feared. When garrisons were moved elsewhere, the Xia immediately raided—the grave affliction of recent years. People love their native soil; farming and fighting together, they will fight fiercely in crisis. He also said that before autumn defense the countryside should be cleared. He also said commanders should not be changed at the last moment—a military taboo—and that frequent replacement without the right man was useless. Soon someone said Yong was too old for duty and he was dismissed. Soon appointed military commissioner of Dinghai Army, he could not go because Shandong was in turmoil; impeached and liable to lose two ranks, a reviewing official vindicated him. Yong requested medicine for illness and retired. In the third year of Xingding he died.
23
李偲，字子友，定州安喜人。 中天眷二年進士，調遼山簿，累官戶部主事。 丁母憂，起復舊職，除同知河東南路轉運使事。 大定初，改同知中都路都轉運使事。 僕散忠義行省事於汴京，奏偲幕府，世宗曰：「李偲方治京畿漕事，行省可他選也。」 三年，權知登聞檢院，再遷戶部侍郎。 上曰：「戶部財用出入，朕難其人。 卿非舊勞，資敘尚淺，勿以秩滿例升三品，因循歲月，若不自勉，必不汝貸。」 偲每朝會與高德基屏人私語。 上聞而怪之，問右丞石琚曰：「李偲果何如人？」 琚曰：「亦幹事吏耳。」 改同知北京留守、沂州防禦使。 沂南邊郡，戶部符借民閒田，種禾取槁秸，備警急用度。 偲曰：「如此則農民失業。」 具奏止之。 轉運司牒郡輸粟朐山，調急夫數萬人，是時久雨泥濘，挽運不能前進。 偲遣吏往朐山刺取其官廩，見儲糧數可支半歲，即具其事牒運司，請緩期，毋自困百姓。 先是，郡縣街陌間聽民作廛舍，取其僦直。 至是，罷收僦直，廛舍一切撤毀。 他郡奉承號令，督百姓必盡撤去，使街陌繩齊矢棘如初時然後止。 偲獨教民撤治前卻不齊一者三五所，使巷道端正即已，民便之。 改陝西西路轉運使，卒。
Li Cai, styled Ziyou, came from Anxi in Dingzhou. He passed the Tianhui year-two jinshi examination, served as recorder of Liaoshan, and rose to chief clerk in the Ministry of Revenue. After mourning his mother he returned and was appointed associate transport commissioner of the Hedong South Circuit. Early in Dading he became associate chief transport commissioner of the Central Capital Circuit. Puxian Zhongyi at Bianjing sought Cai for his staff; the emperor said, "Li Cai is managing metropolitan transport—the branch secretariat can choose elsewhere." In the third year he acted as director of the Petition Office and was promoted to vice minister of revenue. The emperor said, "For revenue receipts and disbursements I find the right man hard to choose. You lack long-standing service, and your rank and seniority are still modest. Do not expect an automatic promotion to third rank when your term ends. Drift along without striving, and I will show you no leniency." At every court session, Si would take Gao Deji aside for private talks. The emperor heard of this, thought it odd, and asked the Right Deputy Minister Shi Ju, "What kind of man is Li Si, really?" Ju replied, "He is just another competent clerk." Si was reassigned as deputy commissioner of the Beijing garrison and military commissioner of Yizhou. Yizhou lay on the southern frontier. The Ministry of Revenue ordered that idle private fields be borrowed to grow grain and harvest straw for use in emergencies. Si said, "That would ruin the farmers' livelihoods." He memorialized the throne in detail and had the policy halted. The transport office ordered the prefecture to ship grain to Qushan, conscripting tens of thousands of laborers. Prolonged rain had turned the roads to mud, and the convoys could not move. Si sent an official to inspect the Qushan granary and found stores sufficient for half a year. He reported this to the transport office and asked for a deadline extension so the people would not be needlessly exhausted. Previously, local governments had allowed people to build shops along city streets and collected rent on them. Now rent collection was abolished and all the shops were torn down. Other prefectures obeyed to the letter, forcing people to tear everything down until the streets were as bare and orderly as before. Si alone told people to pull down and straighten only the few misaligned spots—three or five of them—and stop once the lanes were tidy, which the people found far more manageable. He was appointed transport commissioner for Shaanxi West Circuit, where he died.
24
贊曰：毛碩、李上達、曹望之、李偲之流，皆金之能吏也。 望之悻悻然以求大用，君子無取焉。
In summary: Mao Shuo, Li Shangda, Cao Wangzhi, Li Si, and their like were all able administrators of the Jin. Wangzhi pursued high office with thinly veiled resentment—a quality no gentleman would admire.
25
徒單克寧
Tudan Kening
26
徒單克寧，本名習顯，其先金源縣人，徙居比古土之地，後徙置猛安于山東，遂占籍萊州。 父況者，官至汾陽軍節度使。 克寧資質渾厚，寡言笑，善騎射，有勇略，通女直、契丹字。 左丞相希尹，克寧母舅。 熙宗問希尹表戚中誰可侍衛者，希尹奏曰：「習顯可用。」 以為符寶祗候。 是時，悼後幹政，後弟裴滿忽土侮克寧，克寧毆之。 明日，忽土以告悼後，後曰：「習顯剛直，必汝之過也。」 已而充護衛，轉符寶郎，遷侍衛親軍馬步軍都指揮使，改忠順軍節度使。
Tudan Kening, whose original name was Xixian, came from ancestors of Jinyuan County who had moved to the Bigutu region. When a military colony was later established in Shandong, the family registered domicile in Laizhou. His father Kuang served as military commissioner of the Fenyang garrison. Kening was steady and solid by nature, quiet and sparing with laughter, skilled in riding and archery, courageous and shrewd, and literate in Jurchen and Khitan script. Left Chancellor Xiyin was his maternal uncle. Emperor Xizong asked Xiyin which of his maternal kin might serve in the imperial guard. Xiyin answered, "Xixian would serve well." Kening was appointed attendant keeper of the imperial seals and regalia. At that time Empress Dowager Dao held power. Her younger brother Peiman Hutu insulted Kening, and Kening struck him. The next day Hutu complained to the empress dowager, who said, "Xixian is blunt and upright—the fault must be yours." He was soon appointed to the imperial guard, then promoted through posts as seal officer and commander of the palace guard cavalry and infantry, before becoming military commissioner of the Zhongshun Army.
27
克寧娶宗幹女嘉祥縣主，同母兄蒲甲判大宗正事，海陵心忌之，出為西京留守，構致其罪誅之，因降克寧知滕陽軍。 曆宿州防禦使、胡裏改路節度使、曷懶路兵馬都總管。 大定初，詔克寧以本路兵會東京。 遷左翼都統。 詔與廣甯尹僕散渾坦、同知廣甯尹完顏岩雅、肇州防禦使唐括烏也，從右副元帥完顏謀衍討契丹窩斡。 趨濟州。 謀衍用契丹降吏颭者計策襲賊輜重，克寧與紇石烈志寧為殿，與賊遇於長濼。 謀衍使伏兵於左翼之側。 賊二萬餘躡吾後，又以騎四百餘突出左翼伏兵之間，欲繞出陣後攻我。 克寧與善射二十餘人拒之。 眾曰：「賊眾我寡，不若與伏兵合擊，或與大軍相依，可以萬全。」 克寧曰：「不可。 若賊出陣後，則前後夾擊，我敗矣，大軍不可俟也。」 於是奮擊，賊乃卻。 左翼萬戶襄與大軍合擊之，賊遂敗，追奔十餘裏，二年四月一日也。 越九日，複追及賊於霿𩃭河。 左翼軍先與賊戰，克寧以騎二千追掩十五裏，賊迫澗不得亟渡，殺傷甚眾。 賊收軍返旆，大軍尚未至，克寧令軍士下馬射賊，賊遂引而南。
Kening married Zonggan's daughter, the Princess of Jiaxiang. His elder half-brother Pujia was vice-director of the Imperial Clan Court. Emperor Hailing, secretly envious, posted Pujia to the western capital, framed him, and had him executed; Kening was demoted to commandant of Tengyang. He served as military commissioner of Suzhou, military commissioner of Huligai Circuit, and grand commander of the Yilan Circuit forces. Early in the Dading era, Kening was ordered to muster his circuit's troops at the Eastern Capital. He was promoted to commander of the left wing. He was ordered to join Guangning prefect Pusan Hondan, deputy prefect Wanyan Yanya, and Zhaozhou commissioner Tangqut Wuye under Vice Marshal Wanyan Mouyan to suppress the Khitan rebel Wohe. They pushed toward Jizhou. Mouyan followed a plan from the Khitan defector Zhanzhe to strike the rebel supply train. Kening and Heshelie Zhining formed the rearguard and clashed with the enemy at Changliao. Mouyan hid troops on the left flank. Over twenty thousand rebels pressed from the rear while more than four hundred horsemen broke through between the left-flank ambush, trying to circle behind the line and strike. Kening and some twenty crack archers held them off. His men said, "The enemy outnumber us—we should either link up with the ambush or fall back on the main force. That would be safest." Kening replied, "No. If they get behind us, we will be crushed between two fires. We cannot wait for the main army." He charged hard, and the enemy fell back. Myriarch Xiang of the left wing and the main force closed in together, routing the enemy and chasing them more than ten li. This was the first day of the fourth month of year two. Nine days later they caught the rebels again at the Menglong River. The left wing met the enemy first. Kening raced fifteen li with two thousand horsemen and pinned them against a ravine they could not cross quickly, inflicting heavy casualties. The rebels regrouped and turned back before the main army arrived. Kening had his men dismount and shoot, driving the enemy south.
28
是時，窩斡已再北，元帥謀衍利鹵掠，駐師白濼。 世宗訝其持久，遣問之。 謀衍曰：「賊騎壯，我騎弱，此少駐所以完養馬力也。 不然，非益萬騎不可勝。」 克寧奮然而言曰：「吾馬固不少，但帥不得人耳。 其意常利虜掠，賊至則引避，賊去則緩隨之，故賊常得善牧，而我常拾其蹂踐之餘，此吾馬所以弱也。 今誠能更置良帥，雖不益兵，可以有功。 不然，騎雖十倍，未見其利也。」 朝廷知其議，召還謀衍，以平章政事僕散忠義兼右副元帥。 師將發，賊聲言乞降。 克寧曰：「賊初困蹙，且無降意，所以揚言者，是欲緩吾師期也。 不若攻其未備，賊若挫衄，則其降必速。 如其不降，乘其怠而急擊之，可一戰而定也。」 忠義以為然，乃與克寧出中路，遂敗賊兵于羅不魯之地。 賊奔七渡河，負險為柵，克寧覘知賊柵之背其勢可上，乃潛師夜登，俯射之，大軍自下攻，賊潰，皆遁去。
By then Wohe had retreated north again. Marshal Mouyan, intent on loot, camped at Bailiao. Emperor Shizong was surprised by the delay and sent an envoy to ask why. Mouyan replied, "Their horses are strong and ours are weak. We are pausing here to rest the mounts. Otherwise we would need ten thousand more horsemen before we could win." Kening spoke up angrily, "We have plenty of horses—the problem is we do not have the right commander. He is always looking for loot. When the enemy appear he pulls back; when they leave he trails far behind. The rebels always find good pasture while they are left with what has been trampled bare—that is why their horses are weak. Replace him with a capable commander and they can win even without reinforcements. Otherwise ten times the cavalry would still do them little good." When the court heard this, Mouyan was recalled and Grand Councilor Pusan Zhongyi was named vice marshal in his place. Just as the army was about to move out, the rebels announced they wanted to surrender. Kening said, "They were cornered and had no real wish to surrender. This talk is meant to stall our advance. Better to strike before they are ready. Beat them once and they will surrender in earnest. If they still refuse, hit them hard while they are off guard and the matter can be settled in one fight." Zhongyi agreed, marched the center route with Kening, and routed the rebels at Luobulu. The rebels fled to the Seven Crossings River and fortified a defile. Kening found a path up the slope behind their stockade, sent men up by night to shoot down while the main force attacked from below. The rebels broke and fled.
29
契丹平，克寧除太原尹。 未閱月，宋吳璘侵陝右，元帥左都監徒單合喜乞益兵，遣克寧佩金牌，駐軍平涼。 詔合喜曰：「朕遣克寧參議軍事，此其智勇足敵萬人，不必益軍也。」 克寧至，下令安輯，未幾，民皆完聚。 治兵伐宋，右丞相僕散忠義駐南京節制諸軍，左副元帥紇石烈志寧經略邊事，克寧改益都尹，兼山東路兵馬都總管、行軍都統。 四年，元帥府欲遣左都監璋以兵四千由水路進，詔曰：「可付都統徒單習顯，仍益兵二千，擇良將副之。 璋可經略山東。」 於是，克寧出軍楚、泗之間，與宋將魏勝相拒于楚州之十八裏口。 魏勝取弊舟鑿其底，貫以大木，列植水中，別以船載巨石貫以鐵鎖，沉之水底，以塞十八裏口及淮渡舟路。 以步兵四萬人屯于淮渡南岸、運河之間。 克寧使斜卯和尚選善游者沒水，系大繩植木上，數百人於岸上引繩曳一植木，皆拔出之，徹去沉船。 進至淮口，宋兵來拒，隔水矢石俱發。 斜卯和尚以竹編籬捍矢石，複拔去植木沉船，師遂入淮。 與宋兵奪渡口，合戰數四，猛安長壽先行薄岸，水淺，先率勁卒數人涉水登岸，敗其津口兵五百人，餘眾皆濟。 宋兵四百餘自清河口來，鎮國上將軍蒲察阿離合懣以步兵百人禦之。 克寧自與紮也銀術可五騎先行六七裏與戰，銀術可先登，奮擊敗之。 宋大兵整陣來拒，克寧麾兵前戰，自旦至午，宋兵敗，逾運河為陣，餘眾數千皆走入營中。 克寧使以火箭射其營舍，盡焚，逾河撤橋，與其大軍相會。 隔水射之，宋兵不能為陣。 猛安鈔兀以六十騎擊宋騎兵千餘，不利，少卻。 克寧以猛安賽剌九十騎橫擊之，宋兵大敗。 追至楚州，射殺魏勝，遂取楚州及淮陰縣。 是役也，賽剌功居多。 是時，宋屢遣使請和，僕散忠義、紇石烈志寧約以世為叔侄國，割還海、泗、唐、鄧四州。 宋人尚遷延有請，及克寧取楚州，宋人乃大懼，一一如約。
After the Khitan rising was suppressed, Kening was made prefect of Taiyuan. Less than a month later, Song general Wu Lin invaded western Shaanxi. Marshal Tushi Hexi asked for reinforcements, and Kening was dispatched with an imperial gold tally to camp at Pingliang. The emperor told Hexi, "I am sending Kening to advise you. One man of his wit and courage is worth ten thousand—you need no more troops." Kening arrived, issued orders to pacify the region, and soon the people were settled and restored. As forces were marshaled against Song, Right Chancellor Pusan Zhongyi took command at the Southern Capital while Left Vice Marshal Heshelie Zhining managed the frontier. Kening became prefect of Yidu and grand commander of Shandong's forces and the field army. In year four the marshal's headquarters planned to send Left Overseer Zhang with four thousand men by river. The court ordered, "Give the command to Commander Tushi Xixian instead, add two thousand troops, and assign a capable deputy. Zhang may take charge of Shandong instead." Kening marched between Chu and Si and faced Song general Wei Sheng at the Eighteen-Li Pass outside Chuzhou. Wei Sheng took old boats, drilled their hulls, threaded them with great timbers, and planted them in rows across the water. Other boats loaded with boulders were chained and sunk to block the pass and the Huai crossing. He posted forty thousand infantry between the south bank of the Huai ford and the canal. Kening had Xiemao Heshang pick strong swimmers to dive beneath the obstacles, lash ropes to the planted timbers, and haul each one out with hundreds of men on shore until the sunken blockships were cleared. At the Huai mouth Song troops blocked their way, hurling arrows and stones across the water. Xiemao Heshang shielded the work with woven bamboo screens, cleared the obstacles again, and the army entered the Huai. They fought repeatedly for the crossing. Military Administrator Changshou led the way in shallow water with a handful of picked men, routed five hundred Song troops at the ferry, and the rest of the army followed across. Over four hundred Song soldiers approached from Qinghe Mouth. Zhenguo Upper General Pucha Alihemao met them with a hundred infantrymen. Kening himself rode ahead with Zhaye Yinshuhe and three other horsemen for six or seven li to meet them. Yinshuhe charged first and drove them off. A large Song force formed up to block them. Kening attacked from dawn till noon, broke the Song line, and chased several thousand survivors back across the canal into their camp. Kening fired flaming arrows into the camp and burned it out, then crossed the river, destroyed the bridges, and rejoined the main force. They rained arrows across the water until the Song troops could no longer hold formation. Military Administrator Chaowu charged a thousand Song horsemen with sixty riders, got the worse of it, and fell back slightly. Kening sent Military Administrator Saila with ninety horsemen in a flanking charge, and the Song force was routed. They pursued to Chuzhou, killed Wei Sheng with an arrow, and captured Chuzhou and Huaiyin County. In this battle Saila deserved the greatest credit. Song had repeatedly sued for peace. Pusan Zhongyi and Heshelie Zhining agreed to a permanent uncle-nephew relationship between the states and the return of Hai, Si, Tang, and Deng. The Song had still been stalling and bargaining until Kening captured Chuzhou; then they were thoroughly alarmed and agreed to every term.
30
兵罷，改大名尹，曆河間、東平尹，召為都點檢。 十一年，從丞相志寧北伐，還師。 十一月皇太子生日，世宗置酒東宮，賜克寧金帶。 明年，遷樞密副使，兼知大興府事，改太子太保，樞密副使如故。 拜平章政事，封密國公。
After the war he became prefect of Daming, then served at Hejian and Dongping before being recalled as grand commandant. In year eleven he joined Chancellor Zhining's northern expedition and returned with the army. That November, on the crown prince's birthday, Emperor Shizong held a feast in the Eastern Palace and gave Kening a gold belt. The following year he became vice commissioner of the privy council and prefect of Daxing, was made grand preceptor of the crown prince, and kept his privy council post. He was appointed grand councilor and enfeoffed as Duke of Mi.
31
克寧女嫁為沈王永成妃，得罪，克寧不悅，求致仕，不許，罷為東京留守。 明年，上將複相克寧，改南京留守，兼河南統軍使。 遣使者諭之曰：「統軍使未嘗以留守兼之，此朕意也。 可過京師入見。」 克寧至京師，複拜平章政事，授世襲不紮土河猛安兼親管謀克。
Kening's daughter, married to Prince Yong of Shen, gave offense. Unhappy, Kening asked to retire but was refused and instead demoted to eastern capital garrison commissioner. The next year the emperor planned to restore him as chancellor. He was posted as southern capital garrison commissioner and commander-in-chief of Henan. An envoy told him, "No one has ever held the garrison and the frontier command together—that is deliberate on my part. Come through the capital for an audience on your way." At the capital Kening was again made grand councilor and granted the hereditary military colony of Buzhatuhe with direct command of its military households.
32
世宗欲以制書親授克寧，主者不知上意，及克寧已受制，上謂克寧曰：「此制朕欲親授與卿，誤授之於外也。」 又曰：「朕欲盡徙卿宗族在山東者居之近地，卿族多，官田少，無以盡給之。」 乃選其最親者徙之。 十九年，拜右丞相，徙封譚國公。 克寧辭曰：「臣無功，不明國家大事，更內外重任，當自愧。 乞歸田裏，以盡餘年。」 上曰：「朕念眾人之功無出卿右者，卿慎重得大臣體，毋複多讓。」 克寧出朝，上使徒單懷忠諭之曰：「凡人醉時醒時處事不同，卿今日親賓慶會，可一飲，過今日可勿飲也。」 克寧頓首謝曰：「陛下念臣及此，臣之福也。」
Emperor Shizong had meant to present the patent personally, but the protocol officer did not know. After Kening had already received it, the emperor said, "I meant to give you this patent myself—it was handed to you outside by mistake." He added, "I wanted to resettle all your kin from Shandong nearby, but your clan is large and there is not enough official land to go around." So he moved only his closest relatives. In year nineteen he became right chancellor and was re-enfeoffed as Duke of Tan. Kening declined, saying, "I have achieved nothing and do not grasp the weightiest affairs of state. To take on such responsibilities again, inward and outward—I should be ashamed. He asked to retire to the countryside for his remaining years." The emperor said, "No one's service surpasses yours; you have the bearing of a great minister—do not decline again." The emperor sent Tudan Huaizhong to tell him: "You may drink once at today's family celebration; after that, drink no more." Kening bowed and said, "Your Majesty's care for me is my good fortune."
33
克寧為相，持正守大體，至於簿書期會，不屑屑然也。 世宗嘗曰：「習顯在樞密，未嘗有過舉。」 謂克寧曰：「宰相之職，進賢為上。」 克寧謝曰：「臣愚幸得備位宰輔，但不能明於知人，以此為恨耳。」 二十一年，左丞相守道為尚書令，克寧為左丞相，徙封定國公，懇求致仕。 上曰：「汝立功立事，乃登相位，朝廷是賴，年雖及，未可去也。」 後三日，與守道奏事，俱跪而請曰：「臣等齒發皆衰，幸陛下賜以餘年。」 上曰：「上相坐而論道，不惟其官惟其人，豈可屢改易之邪？」 頃之，克寧改樞密使，而難其代。 複以守道為左丞相，虛尚書令位者數年，其重如此。 未幾，以司徒兼樞密使。 二十二年，詔賜今名。 二十三年，克寧複以年老為請。 上曰：「卿昔在政府，勤勞夙夜，除卿樞密使亦可以優逸矣。 朕念舊臣無幾人，萬一邊隅有警，選將帥，授方略，山川險要，兵道軍謀，舍卿誰可與共者？ 勉為朕留！」 克寧乃不敢複言。
As chancellor Kening upheld principle and the larger frame; he cared little for routine paperwork and schedules. Emperor Shizong said, "Xixian never once erred in the Privy Council." He told Kening, "A chancellor's first duty is to advance worthy men." Kening replied, "I am fortunate to serve as chancellor, but I am poor at judging men—that is my regret." In year twenty-one Shoudao became Director of the Imperial Secretariat and Kening left chancellor, was re-enfeoffed Duke of Ding, and asked to retire. The emperor said, "You earned your place at court; we still need you—you cannot leave yet." Three days later he and Shoudao knelt and asked, "We are old; grant us our remaining years." The emperor said, "The chief minister discusses policy by virtue of the man, not the title—he must not be changed lightly." Soon Kening became privy council commissioner, and no easy replacement was found. Shoudao returned as left chancellor while the director's post stayed vacant for years—such was Kening's importance. He was soon made grand preceptor and privy council commissioner. In year twenty-two an edict gave him his present name Tudan. In year twenty-three he again asked to retire on account of age. The emperor said, "You toiled long in government; as privy commissioner you may have some ease. Few old ministers remain; if the frontier alarms, who but you can choose generals, set strategy, and know the passes and routes of war? Stay on for my sake!" Kening said no more.
34
二十四年，世宗幸上京，皇太子守國，詔左丞相守道與克寧俱留中都輔太子。 上謂克寧曰：「朕巡省之後，萬一有事，卿必躬親之，毋忽細微，圖難於其易可也。」 二十五年，左丞相守道賜宴北部，詔克寧行左丞相事。
In year twenty-four the emperor went to the Upper Capital; Shoudao and Kening were left at the Central Capital to assist the crown prince. He told Kening, "If anything arises while I am away, handle it yourself; neglect no detail; solve easy problems before they grow hard." In year twenty-five Shoudao feasted in the north; Kening was ordered to act as left chancellor.
35
九月，世宗還京師。 十一月，克寧表請立金源郡王為皇太孫，以系天下之望。 其略曰：「今宣孝皇太子陵寢已畢，東宮虛位，此社稷安危之事，陛下明聖超越前古，寧不察此。 事貴果斷，不可緩也。 緩之則起覬覦之心，來讒佞之言。 讒佞之言起，雖欲無疑得乎？ 茲事深可畏、大可慎，而不畏不慎，豈惟儲位久虛，而骨肉之禍，自此始矣。 臣愚不避危身之罪，伏願亟立嫡孫金源郡王為皇太孫，以釋天下之惑，塞覬覦之端，絕構禍之萌，則宗廟獲安，臣民蒙福。 臣備位宰相，不敢不盡言，惟陛下裁察。」 逾月，有詔起複皇孫金源郡王判大興尹，封原王。 世宗諸子中趙王永中最長，其母張玄征女，玄征子汝弼為尚書左丞。 二十六年，世宗出汝弼為廣甯尹。 於是，左丞相守道致仕，遂以克寧為太尉，兼左丞相，原王為右丞相，因使克寧輔導之。 原王為丞相方四日，世宗問之曰：「汝治事幾日矣？」 對曰：「四日。」 「京尹與省事同乎？」 對曰：「不同。」 上笑曰：「京尹浩穰，尚書省總大體，所以不同也。」 數日，複謂原王曰：「宮中有四方地圖，汝可觀之，知遠近厄塞也。」 世宗與宰相論錢幣，上曰：「中外皆患錢少，今京師積錢止五百萬貫，除屯兵路分其他郡縣錢可運至京師。」 克寧曰：「郡縣錢盡入京師，民間錢益少矣。 若起運其半，其半變折輕齎，庶幾錢貨流布也。」 上嘉納之。 章宗雖封原王，為丞相，克寧猶以未正太孫之位，屢請于世宗，世宗歎曰：「克寧，社稷之臣也。」 十一月戊午，宰相入見於香閣，既退，原王已出，克寧率宰臣屏左右奏立太孫，世宗許之。 庚申，詔立原王右丞相為皇太孫。
In the ninth month the emperor returned to the capital. In the eleventh month he memorialized to establish Prince Jinyuan as imperial great-grandson and fix the succession. He wrote that with the crown prince's tomb complete and the Eastern Palace empty, the succession was a matter of dynastic safety, which the emperor must not ignore. The matter required swift decision, not delay. Delay would breed ambition and slander. Once slander begins, doubt cannot be avoided. The matter was deeply dangerous: without caution, not only would the heir's place stay empty, but kin would begin to destroy one another. He begged the emperor to establish Prince Jinyuan as great-grandson at once, ending doubt, ambition, and intrigue, and securing the dynasty. As chancellor he dared speak fully and asked the emperor to decide. A month later Prince Jinyuan was ordered back to serve as prefect of Daxing and enfeoffed as Prince of Yuan. Prince Zhao Yongzhong was the emperor's eldest son; his mother was Zhang Xuanzheng's daughter; Rubi was left vice director. In year twenty-six the emperor posted Rubi to Guangning. Shoudao retired; Kening became grand preceptor and left chancellor; Prince of Yuan became right chancellor under Kening's guidance. Four days after Prince of Yuan became chancellor, the emperor asked how long he had been at work. He answered, "Four days." Is the capital prefect's work the same as the Secretariat's?" He answered, "No." The emperor laughed, "The capital is vast and the Secretariat sets policy—that is why they differ." Days later he told the prince to study the palace map of the realm and learn its distances and strategic passes. Discussing coinage, the emperor said coin was scarce everywhere; the capital held only five million strings and he wished to draw in funds from the provinces. Kening said moving all provincial coin to the capital would only make it scarcer among the people. He proposed transporting half while converting half to light valuables so coin could circulate. The emperor approved. Though Zhangzong was Prince of Yuan and chancellor, Kening kept pressing to regularize the great-grandson's status; the emperor called him a pillar of the state. On wuwu of the eleventh month, after audience Kening had the ministers withdraw attendants and memorialized to establish the great-grandson; the emperor agreed. On gengshen Prince of Yuan was established as imperial great-grandson.
36
明日，徒單公弼尚息國公主納幣，賜六品以上宴于慶和殿。 上謂諸王大臣曰：「太尉忠實明達，漢之周勃也。」 稱歎再三。 克寧進酒，上舉觴為之酹。 有詔給太尉假三日。 明年正月，複求解機務。 上曰：「卿遽求去邪？ 豈朕用卿有未盡乎？ 或因喜怒用刑賞乎？ 其他宰相未有能如卿者，宜勉留以輔朕。 卿若思念鄉土，可以一往，不必謝政事。 三月一日朕之生辰，卿不必到，從容至暑月還京師相見。」 四月，克寧還朝，入見上。 上問曰：「卿往鄉中，百姓皆安業否？」 克寧曰：「生業頗安，然初起移至彼，未能滋殖耳。」 未幾，以丞相監修國史。 上問史事，奏曰：「臣聞古者人君不觀史，願陛下勿觀。」 上曰：「朕豈欲觀此？ 深知史事不詳，故問之耳。」 初，瀘溝河決久不能塞，加封安平侯，久之，水複故道。 上曰：「鬼神雖不可窺測，即獲感應如此。」 克寧奏曰：「神之所佑者正也，人事乖，則弗享矣。 報應之來皆由人事。」 上曰：「卿言是也。」 世宗頗信神仙浮圖之事，故克寧及之。 宋前主殂，宋主遣使進遺留物，上怪其禮物薄。 克寧曰：「此非常貢，責之近於好利。」 上曰：「卿言是也。」 乃以其玉器五事、玻璃器大小二十事及茶器刀劍等還之。
The next day Tudan Gongbi presented betrothal gifts and officials of the sixth rank and above feasted in the Qinghe Hall. The emperor told the princes and ministers, "The Grand Preceptor is loyal and wise—Jin's Zhou Bo." He praised him repeatedly. Kening offered wine and the emperor poured a libation for him. An edict granted the Grand Preceptor three days' leave. The next first month he again asked to leave state affairs. The emperor asked, "Do you wish to leave so soon? Have I not used you fully? Or is it because of how I use punishments and rewards? No other chancellor equals you; stay and assist me. If you miss home you may visit once without resigning office. You need not come for my birthday on the third month's first day; return by summer and we shall meet." In the fourth month Kening returned and had audience. The emperor asked whether the people were at peace in his homeland. Kening said they were fairly secure but, having just moved, had not yet fully prospered. He was soon made supervising compiler of the national history. Asked about the histories, he said ancient rulers did not read them and asked the emperor not to read them either. The emperor said he had no wish to read them. He only asked because he knew the records were incomplete. When the Lugou River long could not be diked, he was made Marquis of Anping; eventually the water returned to its course. The emperor said even spirits could not be fathomed, yet the response was so clear. Kening said spirits aid what is upright; when human affairs go wrong, they receive no blessing. All such responses come from human conduct. The emperor agreed. Shizong inclined toward immortals and Buddhism, so Kening spoke thus. When the former Song emperor died, the new emperor sent meager condolence gifts, which Shizong found odd. Kening said this was not ordinary tribute and to reprove them would look greedy. The emperor agreed. The jades, glassware, tea sets, swords, and the like were returned.
37
二十八年十一月癸丑，上幸克寧第。 初，上欲以甲第賜克寧，克寧固辭，乃賜錢，因其舊居宏大之。 畢工，上臨幸，賜金器錦繡重彩，克寧亦有獻。 上飲歡甚，解禦衣以衣之。 詔畫克寧像藏內府。
On guichou of the eleventh month, year twenty-eight, the emperor visited Kening's home. The emperor had wished to give him a grand mansion; Kening declined, so cash was granted and his old house enlarged. When it was finished the emperor visited, gave gold and silks, and Kening made offerings in return. The emperor drank happily and gave Kening his own robe. An edict ordered his portrait painted for the inner palace.
38
十二月乙亥，世宗不豫。 甲申，克寧率宰執入問起居。 上曰：「朕疾殆矣。」 謂克寧曰：「皇太孫年雖弱冠，生而明達，卿等竭力輔之。」 又曰：「尚書省政務權聽于皇太孫。」 克寧奏曰：「陛下幸上京時，宣孝太子守國，許除六品以下官，今可權行也。」 上曰：「五品以下亦何不可。」 乙酉，詔皇太孫攝行政事，注授五品以下官。 詔太孫與諸王大臣俱宿禁中。 克寧奏曰：「皇太孫與諸王宜別嫌疑，正名分，宿止同處，禮有未安。」 詔太孫居慶和殿東廡。 丙戌，詔克寧以太尉兼尚書令，封延安郡王。 平章政事襄為右丞相，右丞張汝霖為平章政事。 戊子，詔克寧、襄、汝霖宿於內殿。
On yihai of the twelfth month the emperor fell ill. On jiashen Kening led the ministers to inquire after his health. The emperor said, "My illness is nearly fatal." He told Kening, "The great-grandson is young but bright; assist him with all your strength." He also said Secretariat affairs should temporarily be heard by the great-grandson. Kening said the crown prince had once been allowed to appoint officials below the sixth rank and the great-grandson might do the same. The emperor said officials below the fifth rank might also be appointed. On yiyou the great-grandson was ordered to govern and appoint officials below the fifth rank. The great-grandson, princes, and ministers were ordered to lodge in the palace. Kening said the great-grandson and princes should observe proper separation and not lodge together. The great-grandson was lodged in the eastern wing of the Qinghe Hall. On bingxu Kening was made grand preceptor and director of the Imperial Secretariat and enfeoffed Duke of Yan'an. Xiang became right chancellor and Zhang Rulin grand councilor. On wuzi Kening, Xiang, and Rulin were ordered to lodge in the inner hall.
39
二十九年正月癸巳，世宗崩于福安殿。 是日，克寧等宣遺詔，立皇太孫為皇帝，是為章宗。 徙封為東平郡王。 詔克寧朝朔望，朝日設坐殿上。 克寧固辭，詔近臣勉諭。 克寧涕泣謝曰：「憐憫老臣，倖免常朝，豈敢當坐禮。」 其後，每朝必為克寧設坐，克寧侍立益敬。 即位詔文「凡除名開落官吏並量材錄用」，張汝霖奏真盜枉法不可恕，克寧曰：「陛下初即位，行非常之典，贓吏誤沾恩宥其害小，國之大信不可失也。」 章宗深然之。 無何，進拜太傅，兼尚書令，賜尚衣玉帶。 乞致仕，不許。 詔譯《諸葛孔明傳》賜之。 詔尚書省曰：「太傅年高，旬休外四日一居休，大事錄之，細事不須親也。」 賜金五百兩、銀五千兩、錢千萬、重彩二百端、絹二千匹。
On guisi of the first month, year twenty-nine, Emperor Shizong died in the Fu'an Hall. That day Kening proclaimed the testamentary edict and established the great-grandson as emperor—Emperor Zhangzong. He was re-enfeoffed as Prince of Dongping. An edict required Kening to attend on the first and fifteenth; on court days a seat was set for him in the hall. Kening firmly declined; close attendants were ordered to persuade him. Weeping, he thanked the emperor: "You spare an old man regular court—how dare I take a seat?" Afterward a seat was always set for him, yet Kening stood by even more respectfully. Zhang Rulin argued corrupt officials should not be pardoned; Kening said the new emperor's amnesty must not break the state's great trust for the sake of minor harm. Zhangzong strongly agreed. He was soon made grand tutor and director of the Imperial Secretariat and given the imperial robe and jade belt. He asked to retire but was refused. An edict ordered the Biography of Zhuge Liang translated and presented to him. The Secretariat was told the Grand Tutor should rest one day in four besides regular leave, handle only great affairs in person, and leave small matters to others. He received five hundred taels of gold, five thousand of silver, ten million strings of cash, and lavish silks.
40
尚書省奏猛安謀克願試進士者聽之，上曰：「其應襲猛安謀克者學於太學可乎？」 克寧曰：「承平日久，今之猛安謀克其材武已不及前輩，萬一有警，使誰禦之？ 習辭藝，忘武備，于國弗便。」 上曰：「太傅言是也。」 章宗初即位，頗好辭章，而疆埸方有事，故克寧言及之。
When the Secretariat proposed letting military colonists take the jinshi exam, the emperor asked whether heirs to military colonies should study at the Imperial University instead. Kening said that in long peace today's colonists lacked their forebears' martial skill—if alarm came, who would defend the realm? To study letters and forget arms was bad for the state. The emperor agreed with the Grand Tutor. Zhangzong at first loved literature while the frontier was troubled, so Kening spoke to this.
41
明昌二年，克寧屬疾，章宗往視之。 克寧頓首謝曰：「臣無似，嘗蒙先帝任使，陛下即位，屬以上相，今臣老病，將先犬馬填溝壑，無以輔明主綏四方。 陛下念臣駑怯，親枉車駕臨幸，死有餘罪矣。」 是日，即榻前拜太師，封淄王，加賜甚厚。 是歲二月，薨，遺表，其大概言：「人君往往重君子而反疏之，輕小人而終昵之。 願陛下慎終如始，安不忘危，而言不及私。」 詔有司護喪事，歸葬於萊州，諡曰忠烈。 明昌五年，配享世宗廟廷，圖像衍慶宮。 大安元年，改配享章宗廟廷。
In the second year of Mingchang Kening fell ill and Zhangzong visited him. Kening bowed and said he had served the late emperor and Zhangzong as chief minister, but was old and ill and could no longer aid the throne. The emperor's visit, he said, shamed one who deserved death even without it. That day, at his bedside, he was made Grand Preceptor, enfeoffed Prince of Zi, and richly rewarded. He died in the second month, leaving a final memorial warning that rulers often honor gentlemen yet distance them and slight petty men yet keep them close. He urged the emperor to be as careful at the end as at the beginning, secure yet not forget danger, and spoke without private interest. Offices were ordered to conduct his funeral; he was buried in Laizhou with the posthumous name Zhonglie. In the fifth year of Mingchang he was enshrined in Shizong's temple and his portrait placed in the Yanging Palace. In the first year of Da'an he was moved to Zhangzong's temple.
42
贊曰：徒單克寧可謂大臣矣，功高而身愈下，位盛而心愈勞。 《經》曰：「在上不驕，高而不危，制節謹度，滿而不溢」，所以長守富貴。 故曰忠信匪懈，不施其功，履盛滿而不忘，德之上也。 孜孜勉勉，恪守職業，不居不可成，不事不可行，人主知之，次也。 諫期必行，言期必聽，為其事必有其功者，又其次也。
In summary: Tudan Kening was a great minister—his merit rose while he lowered himself, his rank grew while he toiled more. The Classic says that those who are high yet not arrogant, full yet not overflowing, long preserve wealth and honor. Thus loyal faith without slackness, not parading merit, remembering fullness without pride—that is the highest virtue. Diligently keeping one's office, attempting only what can succeed—when the ruler knows this, it is next in rank. Remonstrance that must be followed, counsel that must be heard, and deeds that must succeed—this is lower still.