Volume 94 Biographies 32: Jiaguqingchen, Xiang, Jia Guheng, Wan Yananguo, Yaolibeidie

夾谷清臣

Jiagu Qingchen

夾谷清臣，本名阿不沙，胡里改路桓篤人也。姿狀雄偉，善騎謝。皇統八年，襲祖駁達猛安。大定元年，聞世宗即位，率本部軍六千赴中都會之，以功遷昭武大將軍。從右副元帥紇石烈志甯為管押萬戶，接應左都監完顏思敬，逐窩斡餘黨，敗之柔遠，至抹拔里達悉獲之。賊平，遷鎮國上將軍，知潁順軍事。會宋兵二萬襲陷汝州，殺刺史烏古孫麻發及漢軍二千。河南統軍宗尹遣萬戶孛術魯定方與清臣等領騎兵四千往擊之。宋人棄城遁，遂複汝州。三年五月，從志寧複取宿州，宋將李世輔大敗遁去，志寧複遣清臣等以兵追襲，又敗之。捷聞，授宿州防禦使。移博州，改西北路招討都監，遷烏古十壘部族節度使。十二年，授右副都點檢，遷左副都點檢，出為陝西路統軍使，兼知京兆府事。朝辭，賜以金帶廄馬，仍諭之曰：「卿典禁兵，日侍左右，勤勞久矣，故以是授卿，宜益思勉。」二十六年，改西京留守。閱三歲，遷樞密副使。明昌元年，初議出師，以本職充東北路兵馬都統制使，既而詔止之。俄以其女為昭儀，眷倚益重。二年，拜尚書左丞。頃之，進平章政事，封芮國公，賜同本朝人。四年，遷右丞相，監修國史。

Jiagu Qingchen, whose original name was A'busha, came from Huandu in the Huligai Circuit. He had a commanding physique and excelled at mounted archery. In the eighth year of Huangtong (1148), he succeeded to his grandfather's hereditary meng'an at Bodafa. When Shizong took the throne in the first year of Dading (1161), Qingchen led six thousand men of his unit to Zhongdu to rally to him and was promoted to Zhaowu Grand General for his service. He served under the Right Deputy Commander-in-Chief Heshilie Zhining as supervising commander of ten thousand households, joined the Left Chief Inspector Wanyan Sijing in hunting down Wohe's remaining followers, routed them at Rouyuan, and ran them down to Mobali, where the entire force was taken. After the rebellion was crushed, he was promoted to Zhenguo Grand General and put in charge of military affairs at Yingshun. Song forces numbering twenty thousand then stormed and captured Ruzhou, killing the prefect Wugusun Mafa along with two thousand Han soldiers. The Henan Commander-in-Chief Zong Yin dispatched Pusulu Dingfang, commander of ten thousand households, together with Qingchen and others at the head of four thousand horsemen to attack them. The Song troops abandoned the city and fled, and Ruzhou was retaken. In the fifth month of the third year (1163), he followed Zhining in retaking Suzhou. After the Song general Li Shipu was routed and fled, Zhining sent Qingchen and others in pursuit, and they defeated the enemy again. On report of the victory, he was appointed Defender of Suzhou. He was moved to Bozhou, made Northwest Circuit Pacification Commissioner, and then promoted to Commissioner of the Wugu Shilei tribal command. In the twelfth year (1172) he was made Right Deputy Chief Inspector, then Left Deputy Chief Inspector, and sent out as Commander-in-Chief of the Shaanxi Circuit while also serving as administrator of Jingzhao Prefecture. When he took leave at court, the emperor bestowed a gold belt and imperial horses and told him: "You have long commanded the palace guard and attended me daily with tireless service; that is why I am sending you out—do not slacken your efforts." In the twenty-sixth year (1186) he was appointed Garrison Commander of the Western Capital. Three years later he was promoted to Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. In the first year of Mingchang (1190), when a campaign was first proposed, he was named Commander-in-Chief of Northeast Circuit forces in his current post, but an edict soon called the expedition off. Before long his daughter was made a zhaoyi (imperial consort), and the emperor's reliance on him deepened. In the second year (1191) he was appointed Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. Soon afterward he was promoted to Grand Councilor, enfeoffed as Duke of Rui, and granted the privileges of a native Jin subject. In the fourth year (1193) he became Right Chancellor and was put in charge of compiling the national history.

時議簽軍戍邊，上問：「漢人與夏人孰勇？」清臣曰：「漢人勇。」上曰：「昔元昊擾邊，宋終不能制，何也？」清臣曰：「宋馭軍法不可得知，今西南路人殊勝彼也。」未幾，遷崇進，改封戴。一日，上謂宰臣曰：「人有以《八陣圖》來上者，其圖果何如？朕嘗觀宋白所集《武經》，然其載攻守之法亦多難行。」清臣曰：「兵書皆定法，難以應變。本朝行兵之術，惟用正奇二軍，臨敵制變，以正為奇，以奇為正，故無往不克。」上曰：「自古用兵亦不出奇正二法耳。且學古兵法如學弈棋，未能自得於心，而欲用舊陣勢以接敵，亦以疏矣。」

When the court debated drafting troops for frontier garrison duty, the emperor asked: "Which are braver—Han soldiers or Tangut soldiers?" Qingchen replied: "The Han are braver." The emperor said: "When Yuanhao once raided the frontier, Song could never bring him to heel—why was that?" Qingchen said: "One cannot know how Song controlled its armies, but the troops of our Southwest Circuit today are far better than theirs were." Shortly afterward he was promoted to Honored Advancement and his title was changed to Duke of Dai. One day the emperor told his chief ministers: "Someone has submitted the Eight-Array Diagram—what is it really good for? I have read the Military Canon compiled by Song Bai, but many of the offensive and defensive methods it records are impractical." Qingchen said: "Military manuals lay down fixed methods and cannot adapt to changing circumstances. Our dynasty's way of war relies solely on the regular and extraordinary forces: facing the enemy, one improvises—turning the regular into the extraordinary and the extraordinary into the regular—so that no engagement goes unconquered." The emperor said: "Since antiquity, warfare has never gone beyond the pairing of regular and extraordinary forces. Besides, studying ancient tactics is like learning chess: if you have not internalized them and yet try to meet the enemy with old formations, you are being quite naive."

尋上表丐閑，不許。固請，乃賜告省親，諭之曰：「聞卿母老，欲令歸省，故特給假五十日，馳驛以往，至彼可為一月留也。」五年二月，上禦凝和殿，清臣省覲還，謁上。上問：「卿母健否？其壽幾何？相別幾年矣？」清臣對曰：「臣母年八十三矣，別十年，幸頗強健。」上曰：「何不來此？」曰：「急於家務，故不欲離耳。」上曰：「老人多如是，所謂'血氣既衰，戒之在得'也。」複謂清臣：「胡里改路風俗何如？」對曰：「視舊則稍知禮貌，而勇勁不及矣。」因言西南、西北等路軍人，其閑習弓矢，亦非複曩時。

He soon memorialized asking to be relieved of duty, but the request was denied. When he pressed the matter, he was granted leave to visit his family. The emperor told him: "I hear your mother is elderly and wish you to go home to see her, so I am granting you fifty days—travel by express relay; you may remain there for a month." In the second month of the fifth year (1194), the emperor held audience at the Ninghe Hall. Qingchen, back from his visit home, came to pay his respects. The emperor asked: "Is your mother in good health? How old is she? How many years have you been apart?" Qingchen answered: "My mother is eighty-three. We have been apart ten years, but fortunately she is still quite hale." The emperor asked: "Why does she not come here?" He said: "She is absorbed in household affairs and does not want to leave home." The emperor said: "The elderly are often like that—it is what the saying means: 'When vigor has waned, beware of clinging to gain.'" He then asked Qingchen: "How are customs in the Huligai Circuit nowadays?" He answered: "Compared with the old days they are somewhat more observant of ritual, but their martial spirit no longer matches what it was." He added that soldiers on the Southwest, Northwest, and other circuits no longer practiced archery in their spare time as they once had.

六年，遷儀同三司，進拜左丞相，改封密。受命出師，行尚書省事於臨潢府。清臣遣人偵知虛實，以輕騎八千，令宣徽使移剌敏為都統，左衛將軍充、招討使完顏安國為左右翼，分領前隊，自選精兵一萬以當後隊。進至合勒河，前隊敏等於栲栳濼攻營十四，下之，回迎大軍，屬部斜出掩其所獲羊馬資物以歸。清臣遣人責其賧罰，北阻珝由此叛去，大侵掠。上遣責清臣，命右丞相襄代之。承安五年，降授橫海軍節度使兼滄州管內觀察使。

In the sixth year (1195) he was promoted to Honorary Three Excellencies and Left Chancellor, and his title was changed to Duke of Mi. Ordered to take command in the field, he conducted the affairs of the Department of State Affairs from Linhuang Prefecture. Qingchen sent scouts to learn the enemy's strength, then advanced with eight thousand light cavalry. He made Palace Secretariat Commissioner Yila Min overall commander, with Left Guard General Chong and Pacification Commissioner Wanyan Anguo leading the left and right wings of the vanguard, while he personally chose ten thousand elite troops for the rear guard. They advanced to the Helle River, where Min's vanguard stormed fourteen camps at Kaoluo Marsh and took them, then turned back to join the main force. Subordinate units broke away on the flank to seize and drive off the captured sheep, horses, and supplies. Qingchen sent officers to impose fines on them for this; Beizu Xu thereupon rebelled and fled, launching widespread raids. The emperor sent envoys to rebuke Qingchen and ordered Right Chancellor Xiang to replace him. In the fifth year of Cheng'an (1200) he was demoted to Military Commissioner of the Henghai Army and Concurrent Observation Commissioner of Cangzhou.

初，上諭宰臣曰：「清臣舊有勞效，罪狀未甚明，若降授，應須告致仕耳。」初擬知廣寧府，上曰：「姑與滄州。」既而又曰：「與則與之，第恐有人言也。」尋複致仕。泰和二年薨，年七十。子麼查剌襲猛安。初議征討，清臣主其事，既而領軍出征，雖屢獲捷，而貪小利，遂致北邊不寧者數歲，天下尤之。

Earlier the emperor had told his chief ministers: "Qingchen has past service to his credit, and his offenses are not altogether clear—if we demote him, we ought simply to let him retire." At first the court proposed making him prefect of Guangning; the emperor said: "For now give him Cangzhou." Then he added: "Give it if we must—but I fear people will talk." Before long he was allowed to retire again. He died in the second year of Taihe (1202), at the age of seventy. His son Machala inherited the meng'an post. When the northern campaign was first proposed, Qingchen took charge; he then led the army in person and, though he won repeated victories, his greed for petty booty left the northern frontier troubled for years, and public opinion blamed him heavily.

內族襄

Inner Clan: Xiang

丞相襄，本名唵，昭祖五世孫也。祖什古乃從太祖平遼，以功授上京世襲猛安，曆東京留守。父阿魯帶，皇統初北伐有功，拜參知政事。襄幼有志節，善騎射，多勇略，年十八襲世爵。大定初，契丹叛，從左副元帥謀衍以本部兵討賊，戰於肇州之長濼。襄先登鏖擊，足中流矢，裹創以戰，氣愈厲，七戰皆勝。謀衍握其手曰：「今日之捷，皆公力也。」賊走渡霿𩃭河，追及之。所駐地多草，賊乘風縱火，襄亦縱火，立空地以俟。戰十餘合，賊益困。襄謂謀衍曰：「今不乘此平殄，後將有悔。」謀衍然之。襄率眾搏戰。大敗之，俘獲萬計。會朝廷遣平章政事僕散忠義代謀衍將，襄複從忠義追賊至嫋嶺西之陷泉，及之，率右翼身先奮擊，賊大潰，人馬相蹂而死，陷泉幾平。賊酉窩斡僅與數十騎遁去，卒就擒，論功為第一。有司擬淄州刺史，詔特授亳州防禦使，時年二十三。

Chancellor Xiang, whose original name was An, was a fifth-generation descendant of Zhaozu. His grandfather Shigunai followed Taizu in the conquest of Liao and, for his service, received the hereditary meng'an of Shangjing; he later served as Garrison Commander of the Eastern Capital. His father Aludai distinguished himself in the northern campaigns at the start of Huangtong and was appointed Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. From youth Xiang showed purpose and integrity, excelled at mounted archery, and possessed bold strategic talent; at eighteen he inherited the family rank. Early in the Dading era, when the Khitan rose in revolt, Xiang followed the Left Deputy Commander-in-Chief Mouyan with his unit to suppress them and fought at Changpo in Zhaozhou. Xiang led the charge into fierce hand-to-hand fighting. An arrow struck his foot, but he bound the wound and kept fighting with growing ferocity, winning all seven engagements. Mouyan took his hand and said: "Today's victory is entirely your doing." The rebels fled across the Mo River, and he overtook them. Their camp stood in tall grass. The rebels set fires downwind, but Xiang did the same and held his men on open ground to wait. After more than ten clashes the rebels were increasingly hard pressed. Xiang told Mouyan: "If we do not annihilate them now, we will regret it later." Mouyan agreed. Xiang led his men into a pitched battle. He routed them utterly, taking prisoners and booty by the tens of thousands. When the court sent Grand Councilor Pusans Zhongyi to replace Mouyan in command, Xiang again followed Zhongyi in pursuit to Xianquan west of Niaoling. He overtook the enemy, led the right wing in a personal charge, and routed them so completely that men and horses trampled one another to death; Xianquan was nearly cleared. The rebel leader Wohe escaped with only a few dozen horsemen but was eventually captured; Xiang was ranked first in merit. The personnel office proposed him for prefect of Zizhou, but an edict specially appointed him Defender of Bozhou when he was twenty-three.

宋人犯南鄙，襄為潁、壽都統，率甲士二千人渡潁水，敗敵兵五千，複潁州，生擒宋帥楊思。次濠州，宋將郭太尉退保橫澗山，襄攻之，伏弩射中其膝，督攻愈急，拔之，獲郭太尉。既而趨滁州，襄為先鋒，將至清流關，得宋偵者，知敵欲三道夜出，掩我不備。左副元帥紇石烈志甯問計。襄曰：「今兵少地隘，儻不得關，敵至，我無所據，必先取之。」曰：「我與若孰往？」襄曰：「元帥國家大臣，詎宜輕動？襄當為公往取。」志寧韙之。襄率騎二千，分二道，一由沖路，自以千兵間道潛登。既近，敵始覺。襄攻克之，據其關，志寧履行戰地，顧謂曰：「克敵於不可勝之地，真天下英傑也。」及宋乞盟，班師，召為拱衛直都指揮使，改殿前右衛將軍，轉左衛，出為東北路招討都監，遷速頻路節度使，移曷懶路兵馬都總管。

When Song forces invaded the southern frontier, Xiang, as commander of Ying and Shou, led two thousand armored troops across the Ying River, defeated five thousand enemy soldiers, retook Yingzhou, and captured the Song commander Yang Si alive. At Haozhou the Song general Guo the Grand Commandant fell back to Hengjian Mountain. Xiang besieged him; a hidden crossbow bolt struck Guo's knee, but Xiang pressed the assault harder, took the position, and captured Guo. He then pressed on toward Chuzhou as vanguard. Near Qingliu Pass he captured a Song scout and learned the enemy planned a three-pronged night attack to catch them off guard. The Left Deputy Commander-in-Chief Heshilie Zhining asked his advice. Xiang said: "We are few in number and the terrain is tight. If we do not hold the pass, we will have nowhere to stand when the enemy arrives—we must take it first." Zhining asked: "Which of us should go?" Xiang said: "You are a senior minister of state—how could you risk yourself? I should go in your place and take it." Zhining agreed. Xiang led two thousand horsemen in two columns: one along the main road, while he himself took a thousand men by a hidden path to climb the pass unseen. The enemy only realized what was happening when he was already upon them. Xiang stormed the pass and held it. Zhining walked the battlefield and said to him: "To defeat the enemy where victory seemed impossible—truly you are a hero of the age." When Song sued for peace and the army withdrew, he was summoned as Commander of the Archway Guard Direct, made Right Guard General of the Hall Army, then Left Guard General, sent out as Northeast Circuit Pacification Commissioner, promoted to Commissioner of the Supin Circuit, and finally transferred to Commander-in-Chief of Yilan Circuit forces.

左丞相志甯疾甚，世宗臨問之，志寧薦襄「智勇兼濟，有經世才，他人莫及，異時任用，殆勝於臣」。即召授殿前左副都點檢。為宋生日使，宋方祈免親接國書，襄至，宋人屢來議，皆折之，迄成禮而還。授陝西路統軍使，賜之尚服、廄馬、鞍勒、佩刀。改河南統軍使。

When Left Chancellor Zhining fell gravely ill, Shizong visited him in person. Zhining recommended Xiang: "He combines wisdom and courage and has the talent to govern an age; no one else equals him, and if employed later he would likely surpass me." Xiang was immediately summoned and appointed Left Deputy Chief Inspector of the Hall Army. As envoy for the Song emperor's birthday, when Song was petitioning to be excused from receiving the state letter in person, Xiang went. The Song side negotiated repeatedly, but he rebutted every proposal until the ceremony was completed and he returned. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Shaanxi Circuit and granted court robes, imperial horses, saddle and bridle, and a ceremonial sword. He was transferred to Commander-in-Chief of the Henan Circuit.

入為吏部尚書，轉都點檢，賜錢千萬。世宗謂宰執曰：「襄為人甚蘊藉，非直日，亦入宮規畫諸事，事有所付乃退，其公勤如此。若襄之才豈多得哉！」擢御史大夫。逾月，拜尚書右丞，諭之曰：「卿在河南經制邊事，甚有統紀，及在吏部，至為點檢，尤奉公守法，朕甚嘉之。近長憲台，亦以剛直聞，是用委以機政，其益勉之！」未幾，進拜左丞。襄在外任，治有異效，至是朝廷以褒賞廉吏詔天下，列其名以示獎勵。二十三年，進拜平章政事，封蕭國公。

He was recalled to serve as Director of the Ministry of Personnel, then promoted to Chief Inspector and granted ten million in cash. Shizong told his chief administrators: "Xiang is deeply self-possessed. Even on days when he is not on duty he comes to the palace to discuss affairs and leaves only after matters are settled—such is his public diligence. How rarely one finds talent like Xiang's!" He was promoted to Censor-in-Chief. A month later he was made Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. The emperor told him, "In Henan you kept border affairs in good order; in the Ministry of Personnel and as Chief Inspector you were scrupulously fair and law-abiding. I am deeply pleased with your service. Since you recently headed the Censorate and are known for your uncompromising integrity, I am entrusting you with core state affairs. Apply yourself all the more!" Soon afterward he was promoted to Left Vice Director. While serving in provincial posts, Xiang had achieved outstanding results. The court now issued a nationwide edict honoring upright officials and named him among them as an example. In the twenty-third year he was promoted to Grand Councilor and enfeoffed as Duke of Xiao.

世宗以金源郡王世嫡皇孫，將加王爵，詔擇國號。襄曰：「為天下大計，必先正其本，原者本也，請封原。」從之。故事，諸部族節度使及其僚屬多用颭人，而頗有私縱不法者，議改用諸色人。襄曰：「北邊雖無事，恆須經略之，若杜此門，其後有勞績，何以處之？請如舊。」他日，議及古有監軍之事。襄曰：「漢、唐初無監軍，將得專任，故戰必勝，攻必克。及叔世始以內臣監其軍，動為所制，故多敗而少功。若將得其人，監軍誠不必置。」並嘉納之。詔受北部進貢。使還，世宗問邊事，具圖以進，因上羈縻屬部、鎮服大石之策，詔悉行之。進拜右丞相，徙封戴。

Shizong, the principal imperial grandson of the Prince of Jinyuan, was to receive a princely title, and the court ordered a state name chosen for the enfeoffment. Xiang said, "For the good of the empire we must first fix what is fundamental. Yuan means root—I propose the title Yuan." The emperor agreed. By custom, commissioners of the tribal departments and their staffs often used Khitan, many of whom had abused their positions. Officials debated replacing them with men of other backgrounds. Xiang said, "Even when the north is quiet we must still cultivate frontier talent. Close this avenue of advancement and we will have nowhere to reward future merit. Let the old practice stand." On another occasion the court discussed the old institution of army supervisors. Xiang said, "Early Han and Tang had no army supervisors. Generals held full command, so they fought to victory and stormed to success. Only in decadent times did inner-court officials begin supervising armies, tying the generals' hands and producing more defeats than victories. Appoint the right commander and there is no need for supervisors at all." The emperor approved both recommendations. He was ordered to receive tribute from the northern frontier. On his return Shizong questioned him about frontier affairs. Xiang submitted detailed maps and proposed policies to keep dependent tribes loyal and to subdue Dashi of the Qara Khitai. The emperor ordered all of it carried out. He was promoted to Right Chancellor and his fief was changed to Dai.

世宗不豫，與太尉徒單克甯、平章政事張汝霖宿內殿，同受顧命。章宗初即政，議罷僧道奴婢。太尉克甯奏曰：「此蓋成俗日久，若遽更之，於人情不安。陛下如惡其數多，宜嚴立格法，以防濫度，則自少矣。」襄曰：「出家之人安用僕隸？乞不問從初如何所得，悉放為良。若寺觀物力元系奴婢之數推定者，併合除免。」詔從襄言。由是二稅戶多為良者。

When Shizong fell ill, Xiang stayed in the inner hall with Grand Commandant Tudan Kening and Grand Councilor Zhang Rulin and together received the emperor's deathbed charge. Soon after Zhangzong ascended the throne, the court debated abolishing the household slaves held by Buddhist and Daoist clergy. Grand Commandant Kening argued, "This practice is deeply entrenched. To abolish it at once would unsettle public sentiment. If Your Majesty finds their numbers excessive, set strict rules against indiscriminate ordination and the problem will shrink on its own." Xiang replied, "What need have renunciants for servants? Regardless of how they were acquired, release them all as free commoners. Any temple endowment calculated from slave quotas should be abolished as well." The emperor issued an edict adopting Xiang's proposal. Many secondary tax households were thereby made free commoners.

未幾，遣西北路招討使完顏安國等趨多泉子。密詔進討，乃命支軍出東道，襄由西道。而東軍至龍駒河為阻珝所圍，三日不得出，求援甚急，或請俟諸軍集乃發。襄曰：「我軍被圍數日，馳救之猶恐不及，豈可後時？」即鳴鼓夜發。或請先遣人報圍中，使知援至。襄曰：「所遣者儻為敵得，使知我兵寡而糧在後，則吾事敗矣。」乃益疾馳。遲明，距敵近，眾請少憩。襄曰：「吾所以乘夜疾馳者，欲掩其不備爾。緩則不及。」向晨壓敵，突擊之，圍中將士亦鼓噪出，大戰，獲輿帳牛羊。眾皆奔斡里劄河。遣安國追躡之。眾散走，會大雨，凍死者十八九，降其部長，遂勒勳九峰石壁。捷聞，上遣使厚賜以勞之，別詔許便宜賞賚士卒。九月，赴闕，拜左丞相，監修國史，封常山郡王。宴慶和殿，上親舉酒飲，解所服玉具佩刀以賜，俾即服之。

Before long Wanyan Anguo, Pacification Commissioner of the Northwest Circuit, and others were sent toward Duoquanzi. A secret edict ordered a punitive advance. A detached force marched by the eastern route while Xiang took the western route. The eastern force reached the Longju River and was surrounded by Beizu Xu. Trapped for three days, it sent urgent appeals for help. Some urged Xiang to wait until the full army had gathered. Xiang said, "Our men have been trapped for days. Even if we ride hard we may arrive too late—how can we wait?" He ordered the drums beaten and marched that very night. Others suggested sending a messenger ahead to tell the besieged troops that relief was coming. Xiang said, "If the enemy captures our messenger and learns how few we are—and that our supplies are still behind us—everything is lost." He pressed the march all the harder. Near dawn they drew close to the enemy, and the men asked for a short rest. Xiang said, "We rode through the night to take them by surprise. Hesitate now and we miss our chance." At first light he closed on the enemy and struck. The trapped garrison burst out with shouts and drums. In the fierce battle they seized wagons, tents, cattle, and sheep. The enemy fled toward the Wenlizha River. Xiang sent Anguo in pursuit. The enemy scattered. A downpour followed, and eight or nine in ten died of exposure. Their chiefs surrendered, and the victory was carved on the stone cliff at Nine Peaks. When news of the victory arrived, the emperor sent envoys with rich rewards. A separate edict authorized Xiang to reward the troops at his discretion. In the ninth month he returned to court, was made Left Chancellor and Supervisor of the National History, and enfeoffed as Prince of Changshan Commandery. At a banquet in Qinghe Hall the emperor personally offered him wine, took the jade-mounted sword from his own belt and gave it to him, and told him to wear it immediately.

十月，阻珝複叛，襄出屯北京，會群牧契丹德壽、陀鎖等據信州叛，偽建元曰身聖，眾號數十萬，遠近震駭。襄閒暇如平日，人心乃安。初，襄之出鎮也，至石門鎮，密謂僚屬曰：「北部犯塞奚足慮。第恐奸人乘隙而動。北京近地軍少，當預為之備。」即遣官發上京等軍六千，至是果得其用。臨潢總管烏古論道遠、咸平總管蒲察守純分道進討，擒德壽等送京師。

In the tenth month Beizu Xu rebelled again, and Xiang marched out to encamp at Beijing. At the same time the Khitan herding-office leaders Deshou and Tuosuo seized Xizhou, declared a reign title of Shengsheng, and claimed an army of hundreds of thousands, throwing the region into alarm. Xiang remained as calm as on an ordinary day, and public morale steadied. When Xiang first set out to take command, he reached Shimen Town and told his staff in confidence, "Raids from the northern frontier are nothing to fear. What I fear is treacherous men exploiting the moment to rise. Beijing is close at hand and thinly garrisoned. We must prepare in advance." He immediately ordered officials to mobilize six thousand troops from Shangjing and elsewhere. When the crisis came, those men proved indispensable. Wugulun Daoyuan, Administrator of Linhuang Circuit, and Pucha Shouchun, Administrator of Xianping Circuit, advanced on separate routes, captured Deshou and his fellows, and sent them to the capital.

契丹之亂，廷臣議罷郊祀，又欲改用正月上辛，上遣使問之，對曰：」郊為重禮，且先期詔天下，又籓國已報表賀，今若中罷，何以副四方傾望之意？若改用正月上辛，乃祈穀之禮，非郊見上帝之本意也。大禮不可輕廢，請決行之，臣乞於祀前滅賊。」既而賊破，果如所料。郊禮成，進封南陽郡王。始討契丹，自龍虎衛上將軍、節度使以下許承制授之。襄以為賞罰之柄非人臣所預，不敢奉詔。賊平，請委近臣諭旨將士，使知上恩。乃遣李仁惠持宣三十、敕百五十，視功給之。

During the Khitan uprising some ministers proposed canceling the suburban sacrifice or moving it to the first xin day of the first month. The emperor sent to ask Xiang's view. He replied, "The suburban sacrifice is a supreme rite. Edicts have already gone out to the empire, and the tributary states have sent congratulatory memorials. To halt it now would betray the expectations of the realm. The first xin day of the first month is the grain-prayer ceremony, not the true suburban audience with Heaven. Such a great rite must not be cast aside lightly. Hold it as planned—I ask only to destroy the rebels before the ceremony." Before long the rebels were crushed, just as he had predicted. After the suburban rite was completed, he was further enfeoffed as Prince of Nanyang Commandery. At the outset of the Khitan campaign, Xiang was authorized to appoint officers from Tiger-Dragon Guard Senior General and military commissioner downward at his discretion. Xiang held that the power to reward and punish was not a minister's to wield and declined the commission. After the rebels were suppressed he asked that imperial envoys announce the emperor's will to the troops so they would know the throne's favor. Li Renhui was then dispatched with thirty imperial proclamations and a hundred fifty edicts to distribute rewards according to merit.

方德壽之叛，諸颭亦剽略為民患，襄慮其與之合，乃移諸颭居之近京地，撫慰之。或曰：「颭人與北俗無異，今置內地，或生變奈何？」襄笑曰：「颭雖雜類，亦我之邊民，若撫以恩，焉能無感？我在此，必不敢動。」後果無患。尋詔參知政事裔代領其軍。入見，賜錢五千萬。明年，以內艱免。翌日，起複視事。時議以契丹戶之驅奴尚眾，乞盡鬻以散其黨，襄以為非便，奏請量存口數，餘悉官贖為良，上納之。

While Deshou was in revolt, other Khitan bands were raiding the countryside. Fearing they would join the rebels, Xiang resettled Khitan groups near the capital and treated them with conciliation. Someone objected, "The Khitan share the customs of the north. Move them into the interior and what if they turn against us?" Xiang smiled and said, "The Khitan may be of mixed origin, but they are still our frontier subjects. Treat them with kindness and they will respond. While I remain here, they will not dare move." In the end there was no trouble. Soon the emperor ordered Associate Administrator Yi to assume command of his army. When he came to audience he was granted fifty million in cash. The following year he left office to observe mourning for a close relative. The very next day he was recalled from mourning to resume his post. Some argued that Khitan households still held large numbers of dependent slaves and urged selling them off to break rebel networks. Xiang disagreed and memorialized that fixed household quotas be preserved while the rest were redeemed by the state as free commoners. The emperor accepted.

北部複叛，裔戰失律，複命襄為左副元帥蒞師，尋拜樞密使兼平章政事，屯北京。民方艱食，乃減價出糶倉粟以濟之。或以兵食方闕為言，襄曰：「烏有民足而兵不足者？」卒行之，民皆悅服。時議北討，襄奏遣同判大睦親府事宗浩出軍泰州，又請左丞衡於撫州行樞密院，出軍西北路以邀阻珝，而自帥兵出臨潢。上從其策，賜內庫物即軍中用之。其後斜出部族詣撫州降，上專使問襄，襄以為受之便。賜寶劍，詔度宜窮討。乃令士自齎糧以省挽運，進屯於沔移剌烈、烏滿掃等山以逼之。因請就用步卒穿壕築障，起臨潢左界北京路以為阻塞。言者多異同，詔問方略。襄曰：「今茲之費雖百萬貫，然功一成則邊防固而戍兵可減半，歲省三百萬貫，且寬民轉輸之力，實為永利。」詔可。襄親督視之，軍民並役，又募饑民以傭即事，五旬而畢。於是西北、西南路亦治塞如所請。無何，泰州軍與敵接戰，宗浩督其後，殺獲過半，諸部相率送款，襄納之。自是北陲遂定。

When the north rebelled again and Yi failed in battle, Xiang was again named Left Deputy Commander-in-Chief to take the field. He was soon made Commissioner of Military Affairs and Grand Councilor concurrently, and encamped at Beijing. The people were going hungry, so he sold grain from the state granaries at reduced prices to relieve them. When some warned that army rations were already low, Xiang replied, "If the people are provided for, how can the army be wanting?" He carried out the policy anyway, and the people submitted willingly. As a northern campaign was debated, Xiang proposed sending Zonghao, Deputy Director of the Great Closer-of-Kin Office, to lead troops from Taizhou; sending Left Vice Minister Heng to establish a mobile Military Affairs Commission at Fuzhou to march Northwest Circuit forces against Beizu Xu; and leading his own army out from Linhuang. The emperor approved his plan and granted goods from the inner treasury for use in the field. Later the Xiechu tribe came to Fuzhou to surrender. The emperor sent a special envoy to ask Xiang's view, and Xiang advised accepting them. He received an imperial sword and an edict authorizing him to pursue the enemy as far as he judged necessary. He ordered the troops to carry their own rations to reduce supply trains and advanced to encamp on Gan Yila Lie, Wumansao, and neighboring heights to press the enemy. He also proposed deploying infantry to dig trenches and build barriers from the Linhuang frontier through Beijing Circuit as a blocking line. Opinion in court was divided, and the emperor asked for his strategic assessment. Xiang said, "This project will cost a million strings of cash, but once finished the frontier will be secure, garrison strength can be cut in half, and three million strings will be saved each year while easing the people's transport burden. The long-term gain is clear." The emperor approved. Xiang personally oversaw the work. Soldiers and civilians labored together, and hungry locals were hired as laborers. The project was finished in fifty days. The Northwest and Southwest circuits then built frontier defenses along the same lines. Before long the Taizhou army met the enemy in battle. Zonghao commanded the rear guard and killed or captured more than half the foe. One tribe after another submitted, and Xiang accepted their surrender. From that point the northern frontier was pacified.

襄還臨潢，減屯兵四萬、馬二萬疋。上以信符召還，遣近臣迎勞於途。既至，複撫問於第，入獻邊機十事，皆為施行，仍厚賜之，複拜左丞相。初，襄至自軍，上諭宰臣曰：「樞密使襄築立邊堡完固。古來立一城一邑，尚有賞賚，即欲拜三公，三公非賞功官，如左丞相亦非賞功者，雖然可特授之。」遣左司郎中阿勒根阿海降詔褒諭。四年正月，進拜司空，領左丞相如故。

Xiang returned to Linhuang and cut stationed forces by forty thousand men and twenty thousand horses. The emperor recalled him with an imperial tally and sent close ministers to welcome and honor him on the road. On his arrival the emperor visited his residence to inquire after him. Xiang presented ten proposals on frontier affairs, all of which were adopted. He was richly rewarded and reappointed Left Chancellor. When Xiang first returned from campaign, the emperor told his chief ministers, "Commissioner of Military Affairs Xiang has built frontier fortifications that are complete and strong. In antiquity even the founding of a single town brought reward. I would promote him at once to the Three Excellencies—but those are not mere merit titles, and neither is Left Chancellor. Even so, an extraordinary appointment is warranted." He sent Left Department Director Aleigen Ahai with an edict of commendation. In the first month of the fourth year he was promoted to Minister of Works while continuing as Left Chancellor.

襄重厚寡言，務以鎮靜守法。每掾有所稟，必問曰：「諸相雲何？」掾對某相如是，某相如是。襄曰：「從某議。」其事無有異者。識者謂襄誠得相體。時上頗更定制度，初置提刑司，又議設清閒職位，如宋朝宮觀使，以待年高致仕之官。襄言：「年老致仕，朝廷養以俸廩，恩禮至渥。老不為退，複有省會之法，所以抑貪冒，長廉節。若擬別設，恐涉於濫。」又言：「省事不如省官，今提刑官吏，多無益於治，徒亂有司事。議者以謂斯乃外台，不宜罷。臣恐混淆之辭，徒煩聖聽。且憲台所掌者察官吏非違，正下民冤枉，亦無提點刑獄、舉薦之權。若已設難以遽更，其採訪廉能不宜隸本司，宜令監察御史歲終體究，仍不時選官廉訪。」上皆聽納。俄乞致仕，不許。

Xiang was grave and taciturn, relying on calm restraint and strict adherence to law. Whenever a clerk brought him a matter, he always asked first, "What do the other chancellors say?" The clerk would report what each chancellor had said. Xiang would say, "Follow that chancellor's view." In such cases he never acted otherwise. Those who knew him well said Xiang truly had the temperament of a chancellor. The emperor was then overhauling the institutions: he first established the Office of Judicial Inspection and also debated creating honorary sinecures, modeled on the Song dynasty's palace-attendant commissioners, for officials who had retired in old age. Xiang said, "When officials retire in old age, the court supports them with salary and provisions, and the grace shown them is already very great. The requirement that the old not linger in office, together with the provincial reporting system, exists to check greed and foster integrity. If we propose separate posts on top of that, I fear we will invite abuse." He also said, "It is better to reduce officials than to reduce institutions. Most of the officials in the judicial inspection offices do nothing for good governance and only interfere with the work of the regular offices. Those in the debate argued that this was a circuit-level office and should not be abolished. I fear this confused argument will only weary Your Majesty's attention to no purpose. Moreover, the Censorate's charge is to investigate official misconduct and redress the grievances of the people; it has no authority to oversee criminal trials or make recommendations. If the new office cannot be abolished at once, then the search for upright and capable men should not be placed under it. Instead, Investigating Censors should conduct a full review at year's end, and officials should still be chosen from time to time for integrity tours." The emperor accepted all his recommendations. Before long he asked to retire, but the request was denied.

時方旱，命有司祈雨，襄及平章政事張萬公、參政僕散揆等上表待罪。上召翰林學士党懷英草罪己詔，仍慰諭襄等視事。泰和元年春，承命馳禱於亳州太清宮及後土方嶽。以其世封遠，特改授河間府路算術海猛安。明年，皇子生，襄複自請報謝。既祀嵩嶽，還次芝田之府店，遂以疾薨，年六十三。訃聞，輟朝，遣使祭于路，葬禮依太師淄王克寧。諡曰武昭。命張行簡銘其碑。

A drought was then afflicting the realm. The court ordered the relevant offices to pray for rain, and Xiang, together with Grand Chancellor Zhang Wannu, Vice Grand Chancellor Pusan Kui, and others submitted memorials accepting blame. The emperor summoned Hanlin Academician Dang Huaiying to draft an edict of self-reproach, but still comforted Xiang and the others and told them to remain at their posts. In the spring of the first year of Taihe, he received orders and hastened to offer prayers at the Taiqing Palace in Bozhou and at the sacred mountains of earth. Because his hereditary fief lay far away, he was specially reassigned to Suanshu Hai in Hejian Prefecture Circuit as meng'an. The next year, when a prince was born, Xiang again volunteered to go and offer thanks on the court's behalf. After performing the rites at Mount Song, he halted at the postal station at Zhitian on the return journey and there died of illness, aged sixty-three. When word of his death arrived, court was suspended. Envoys were sent to offer sacrifices along the road, and his funeral followed the precedent set for Grand Preceptor Prince Zi of Linzi, Kening. He was given the posthumous title Wuzhao. Zhang Xingjian was ordered to inscribe his stele.

襄明敏，才武過人，上親待之厚，故所至有功。其駐軍臨潢也，有以偽書遺西京留守徒單鎰，欲構以罪。書聞，上以書還畀襄，其明信如此。既而果獲為偽書者。在政府二十年，明練故事，簡重能斷，器局尤寬大，待掾吏盡禮，用人各得所長，為當世名將相。大安間，配享章宗廟廷。

Xiang was quick and perceptive, and his martial talent surpassed that of others. The emperor personally favored him deeply, and wherever he was sent he achieved results. While he was encamped at Linhuang, someone sent a forged letter to Western Capital Intendant Tudan Yi, hoping to frame him with a crime. When the letter came to light, the emperor returned it to Xiang. Such was the trust the throne placed in him. Before long the forger was indeed caught. He spent twenty years in the central government, thoroughly versed in precedent, concise and grave in manner, and decisive in judgment. His breadth of mind was especially large: he treated clerks with full courtesy and placed each man where his strengths could serve. He was accounted one of the age's great generals and ministers. During the Da'an era he was granted a place in collateral sacrifice in Zhangzong's ancestral temple.

夾谷衡

Jiagu Heng

夾谷衡，本名阿里不，山東西路三土猛安益打把謀克人也。大定十三年，創設女直進士舉，衡中第四人，補東平府教授。調范陽簿，選充國史院編修官，改應奉翰林文字。世宗嘗謂宰臣曰：「女直進士中才傑之士蓋亦難得，如徒單鎰、夾穀衡、尼龐古鑒，皆有用材也。」遷修起居注。章宗立，為侍御史，轉右司員外郎，敷奏稱旨，升左司郎中。明昌二年，擢御史中丞，未幾，拜參知政事。三年八月，以病，表乞致仕，詔撫慰不許。

Jiagu Heng, whose original name was Alibu, came from the Sandu Meng'an Yida baimouke in Shandong West Circuit. In the thirteenth year of Dading, when the Jurchen jinshi examination was first instituted, Heng placed fourth and was appointed professor at Dongping Prefecture. He was transferred to assistant magistrate of Fanyang, selected as a compiler in the National History Institute, and then made a Hanlin text attendant. Shizong once told his chief ministers, "Truly outstanding men among the Jurchen jinshi are hard to find, but men like Tudan Yi, Jiagu Heng, and Nipanggu Jian are all useful talent." He was transferred to compiler of the Diary of Activity and Repose. When Zhangzong took the throne, he became Attending Censor, then was transferred to Assistant Director of the Right Department. His memorials pleased the throne, and he was promoted to Director of the Left Department. In the second year of Mingchang he was promoted to Vice Censor-in-Chief, and before long was appointed Vice Grand Councilor. In the eighth month of the third year he submitted a memorial asking to retire on account of illness. An edict comforted him and refused the request.

衡久在告，承詔始出，上見其羸瘠，複賜告一月。四年，詔賜今名，諭之曰：「朕選大臣，俾參機務，必資謀畫，協贊治平。其或得失晦而未形，利害膠而未決，正須識見純直，方能去取合公。比來議事之臣，鮮有一定之論，蓋以內無所守，故臨事而惑，致有中失，朕將何賴？卿忠實公方，審其是則執而不回，見其非則去而能果，度其事勢，有若權衡。汝之所長，衡實似之，可賜名衡。古者命名，將以責實，汝先有實，可謂稱名，行之克終，乃副朕意。」

Heng had long been on sick leave and came out only when he received the edict. Seeing how wasted he was, the emperor granted him another month of leave. In the fourth year an edict granted him his present name and addressed him: "When I choose great ministers to share in state affairs, I rely on their counsel and planning to help bring about good order. When gains and losses are still obscure and benefits and harms remain entangled and unresolved, what is needed is pure, upright judgment—only then can one choose and reject in the public interest. Of late the ministers who debate affairs rarely hold to a settled view, mostly because they have no inner convictions. When matters arise they grow confused, and errors follow midway. Whom then can I rely on? You are loyal, sincere, and upright. When you see what is right you hold to it without turning back; when you see what is wrong you withdraw and can be resolute. In weighing the force of affairs you are like a balance scale. What you excel at, the word heng truly resembles; you may be granted the name Heng. In antiquity names were given to demand reality from the bearer. You already have the reality, and so the name fits. Carry it through to the end, and you will fulfill my intent."

參知政事胥持國言區種法。衡曰：「若苟有利，古已行之，且用功多而所種少，複恐荒廢土田，徒勞民，無益也。」進尚書右丞。舊制，久曆隨朝職任者，得奉使江表。衡未使而拜執政，特賜錢六千貫。六年，遷尚書左丞，尋出行省於撫州。洎還入朝，聞父憂去，上亟召回，起複本職。承安二年，出為上京留守，尋改樞密副使，行院規畫邊事。三年，以修完封界，賜詔褒諭。四年正月，就拜平章政事，封英國公。薨，年五十一。上聞之惻然，為輟朝，命官致祭，賻贈有加。遣使敕葬，諡曰貞獻。

Vice Grand Councilor Xu Chiguo advocated the plot-cultivation method. Heng said, "If it were truly profitable, the ancients would already have practiced it. Moreover, it demands much labor for little planted ground, and I fear good farmland would be left idle while the people toiled in vain to no benefit." He was promoted to Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. Under the old system, officials who had long served at court were entitled to be sent on missions south of the Yangtze. Heng had not yet gone on such a mission when he was appointed to the council, so he was specially granted six thousand strings of cash. In the sixth year he was transferred to Left Vice Director, and soon went out as regional commissioner at Fuzhou. When he returned to court and heard of his father's death, he left office. The emperor urgently recalled him and had him resume his former post from mourning. In the second year of Cheng'an he went out as Intendant of Shangjing, and soon was changed to Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, where he planned frontier affairs. In the third year, for completing and repairing the border demarcations, he received an edict of commendation. In the first month of the fourth year he was appointed Grand Chancellor on the spot and enfeoffed as Duke of Ying. He died, aged fifty-one. The emperor, hearing of it, was deeply moved and suspended court on his account. Officials were ordered to perform the sacrifices, and funeral gifts were especially generous. Envoys were dispatched with orders governing the burial. He was given the posthumous title Zhenxian.

完顏安國

Wanyan Anguo

完顏安國，字正臣，本名闍母。其先占籍上京，世有戰功。祖斜婆，授西南路世襲合劄謀克。安國沉雄有謀畫，尤善騎射。正隆元年，從軍為謀克，常以少擊眾。大定中，為常山簿，轉虹縣令。會王府新建，選充虞王府掾。再遷儀鸞局副使。明昌元年，改本局使。會大石部長有乞修歲貢者，朝廷許其請，詔安國往使之。至則率眾遠迓至帳，望闕羅拜，執禮無惰容。

Wanyan Anguo, courtesy name Zhengchen, whose original name was Shemu. His ancestors were registered in Shangjing, and the family had won military distinction for generations. His grandfather Xiepo was granted the hereditary hezha baimouke of the Southwest Circuit. Anguo was grave and resolute, skilled in planning, and especially adept at horsemanship and archery. In the first year of Zhenglong he entered military service as baimouke and often fought with few against many. During Dading he served as assistant magistrate of Changshan, then was transferred to magistrate of Hong County. When the princely establishment was newly built, he was selected as a clerk in the household of the Prince of Yu. He was promoted again to Deputy Commissioner of the Ceremonial Guard Bureau. In the first year of Mingchang he was made Commissioner of that bureau. When a chief of Dashi's tribe asked that the annual tribute be restored, the court granted the request and ordered Anguo to go as envoy. On Anguo's arrival the chief led his people far out to meet him and escorted him to the tent. Facing the direction of the imperial court they kowtowed in rows, observing the rites without the least slackness.

時北阻珝迫近塞垣，鄰部欲立功以誇雄上國，議邀安國俱行討之。安國以未奉詔為辭。強之，不可。或以危言怵之，安國曰：「大丈夫豈以生死易節。暴骨邊庭，不猶愈於病死牖下。」眾壯其言，饋贐如禮。既還，以奉使稱旨，升武衛軍都指揮使。出為東北路副招討，未赴，改西北路副招討。

At the time Beizu Xu in the north pressed close to the frontier. A neighboring tribe wished to win merit and show its prowess to the great state, and proposed that Anguo join them in a punitive expedition. Anguo declined on the grounds that he had received no imperial order. They pressed him, but he would not yield. Some tried to frighten him with dire threats. Anguo said, "Would a true man exchange his integrity for life or death? To leave one's bones on the frontier—is that not still better than dying of illness beneath one's own window?" The assembly admired his words and sent him off with parting gifts according to ritual. On his return, because his mission had pleased the throne, he was promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the Martial Guard Army. He was sent out as Deputy Pacification Commissioner of the Northeast Circuit, but before he took up the post was reassigned as Deputy Pacification Commissioner of the Northwest Circuit.

六年，左丞相夾谷清臣用兵，以安國為先鋒都統。適臨潢、泰州屬部叛，安國先討定之，以功遷本路招討使，兼威遠軍節度使。承安元年，大鹽濼之戰，殺獲甚眾，詔賜金幣。既而右丞相襄總大軍進，安國為兩路都統，大捷於多泉子。襄遣安國追敵，僉言糧道繼，不可行也。安國曰：「人得一羊可食十餘日，不如驅羊以襲之便。」遂從其計。安國統所部萬人疾驅以薄之，降其部長。捷聞，進官四級，遷左翼都統。

In the sixth year, when Left Chancellor Jiagu Qingchen took the field, Anguo was made Vanguard Commander-in-Chief. Just then dependent tribes under Linhuang and Taizhou rebelled. Anguo suppressed them first and, for his merit, was transferred to Pacification Commissioner of that circuit, concurrently Military Commissioner of the Weiyuan Army. In the first year of Cheng'an, at the battle of Great Salt Marsh, he killed and captured in great numbers, and an edict granted him gold and silks. Before long Right Chancellor Xiang led the main army forward. Anguo served as Commander-in-Chief of both circuits and won a great victory at Duoquanzi. Xiang sent Anguo to pursue the enemy, but all said the supply lines would not keep up and the move was impracticable. Anguo said, "If each man takes one sheep he can eat for more than ten days. Better to drive the sheep along and strike the enemy that way." They followed his plan. Anguo led ten thousand men of his command in a forced march to close with the enemy and received the surrender of their chief. When news of the victory arrived, he was promoted four ranks and made Commander-in-Chief of the Left Wing.

承安二年，以營邊堡功，召簽樞密院事。賜虎符還邊，得以便宜從事。時並塞諸部降，諭使輸貢如初。進拜樞密副使。泰和元年，特授世襲西南路延晏河猛安，兼合劄謀克。帝幸慶甯宮，命安國嚴飭邊備。奏西南路邊戍私竄者乞招誘以安人心，上是其言。三年，以疾致仕，封道國公。四年，起複前職，卒。上聞之，輟朝。敕有司葬以執政禮。贈特進。

In the second year of Cheng'an, for his merits in building frontier fortresses, he was summoned to sign Bureau of Military Affairs documents. Granted a tiger tally and sent back to the frontier, he was empowered to act at his own discretion. At the time all the frontier tribes submitted, and they were instructed to deliver tribute as before. He was further appointed Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. In the first year of Taihe he was specially granted the hereditary meng'an of Yanyan River in the Southwest Circuit, concurrently hezha baimouke. When the emperor visited Qingning Palace, he ordered Anguo to tighten frontier defenses. He memorialized that those who had slipped away from the Southwest Circuit border garrisons should be invited back to reassure the people, and the emperor approved his proposal. In the third year he retired on account of illness and was enfeoffed as Duke of Daoguo. In the fourth year he was recalled from retirement to his former post and died. When the emperor heard of it, he suspended court. He ordered the relevant offices to bury him with the rites due a councilor. He was posthumously granted the rank of Special Advancement.

安國在軍旅幾十五年，號令嚴明，指麾卒伍如左右手。又善伺知敵人虛實及山川險易，戰必身先士卒，故所向輒克。諸部入貢，安國能一一呼其祖先弟侄名字以戒諭之，諸部皆震悚，甚為鄰國所畏服。

Anguo spent nearly fifteen years in military service. His orders were strict and clear, and he directed his troops as easily as his own hands. He was also skilled at reading the enemy's strength and weakness and the dangers and advantages of the terrain. In battle he always led from the front, and wherever he turned he prevailed. When the tribes came to pay tribute, Anguo could call out each man's ancestors, brothers, and nephews by name to warn and instruct them. Every tribe was awestruck, and neighboring states held him in deep respect and fear.

瑤里孛迭

Yaoli Beidie

瑤里孛迭，北京路窟白猛安陀羅山謀克人也。以軍功曆海濱令，遷徐王府掾。以稱職，再任御史台。察廉，升同知震武軍節度使事。明昌初，為唐州刺史，尋授西北路招討副使。未幾，改東北路。六年正月，北邊有警，聚兵圍慶州急，孛迭率本路軍往救，敵解去，州竟無患。承安元年，丞相襄北伐，孛迭為先鋒副統，進軍至龍駒河，受圍，會襄引大軍至，得解。後授鎮甯軍節度使，以六群牧人叛，改寧昌軍。孛迭為都統，領步騎萬次懿州，敵數萬來逆戰，兵勢甚張，孛迭親陷陣，奮力鏖擊卻之，身中二創，捷聞，遷一官。承安二年，颭軍千餘出沒剽掠錦、懿間，孛迭追敗之，複獲所掠，悉還本戶。三年，從同判大睦親府事宗浩為左翼都統，戰移密河，勝；戰骨堡子西，殺獲甚眾。五年，授知廣寧府事，俄改東北路招討使。以捍邊有功，賜詔褒諭，三遷為崇義軍節度使。泰和六年，卒。訃聞，遣官致祭，賜銀五百兩，贈金紫光祿大夫。

Yaoli Beidie came from the Tuoluo Mountain meng'an in the Kubai meng'an district of the Beijing Circuit. For his military service he rose through the post of magistrate of Haibin and was transferred to a clerkship in the household of the Prince of Xu. His competent performance won him a second appointment to the Censorate. After an integrity inspection he was promoted to Vice Commissioner of the Zhenwu Army Military Commission. Early in Mingchang he became prefect of Tangzhou, and soon afterward was made Deputy Pacification Commissioner of the Northwest Circuit. Before long he was transferred to the Northeast Circuit. In the first month of the sixth year the northern frontier was alarmed when enemy forces massed and pressed Qingzhou hard. Beidie led his circuit's army to the rescue, the enemy withdrew, and the prefecture escaped harm. In the first year of Cheng'an, when Chancellor Xiang marched north, Beidie served as deputy vanguard commander. He advanced to Longju River and was surrounded, but was relieved when Xiang brought up the main army. He was later appointed Military Commissioner of the Zhenning Army, then transferred to the Ningchang Army when the Six Herd-Pasturage peoples rebelled. As commander-in-chief Beidie led ten thousand foot and horse to Yizhou. Tens of thousands of the enemy came out to fight with imposing force. Beidie charged into the line himself, fought them off after a fierce struggle, and took two wounds. On report of victory he was promoted one rank. In the second year of Cheng'an more than a thousand Khitan horsemen raided back and forth between Jin and Yi. Beidie pursued and defeated them, recovered the booty, and returned everything to the original households. In the third year he followed Associate Director of the Great Mujin Office Zonghao as commander of the left wing, fought at the Yimi River, and won; then fought west of Gubao Fort, killing and capturing a great many. In the fifth year he was put in charge of Guangning Prefecture and soon afterward made Northeast Circuit Pacification Commissioner. For his service in defending the frontier he received an edict of commendation and was promoted three ranks to Military Commissioner of the Chongyi Army. He died in the sixth year of Taihe. On report of his death the court sent officials to perform sacrifices, granted five hundred taels of silver, and posthumously awarded him Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon.

孛迭勇決善戰，自幼以軍功顯，任兵鎮十餘年，所向克捷，凡再遷官，賜金幣，甚為上倚注雲。

Beidie was bold, resolute, and skilled in battle. He had distinguished himself by military merit from youth, held frontier commands for more than ten years, and won wherever he went. He was twice promoted and granted gold and coin, and the emperor relied on him heavily.

贊曰：《易·師》之初六：「師出以律，否臧凶。」蓋初為師之始，出師之道，當慎其始。清臣首議出師，遽以貪小利敗。襄雖賢，竭力而後勝其任。衡、安國、孛迭之功又亞於襄者也。然而兵連禍結，以終金世。故兵無常勝，制勝在勢。勢制兵者強，兵制勢者亡。跡襄之開築壕塹以自固，其猶元魏、北齊之長城歟？金之勢可知矣。勢屈而兵勝，亡國之道也。金以兵始，亦以兵終。嗚呼！用兵之始，可不慎歟，可不慎歟！

The encomium says: In the first line of the Army hexagram in the Book of Changes: "An army sets forth only under discipline; without it, ill fortune and harm follow." At the very beginning of raising an army, the way one takes the field must be approached with caution from the start. Qingchen was the first to urge a campaign and swiftly failed through greed for petty booty. Though Xiang was capable, only after exhausting himself did he meet the demands of his post. The achievements of Heng, Anguo, and Beidie ranked still below Xiang's. Yet war linked disaster to disaster until the Jin dynasty came to its end. Thus armies do not win forever; victory depends on strategic position. When strategic position controls the army, a state is strong; when the army tries to control position, it perishes. Consider Xiang's digging of moats and ramparts to secure the realm—is this not like the long walls of Northern Wei and Northern Qi? From this one can read the Jin dynasty's strategic position. When strategic position weakens while armies still win battles, that is the path to national ruin. The Jin rose by the sword and fell by the sword. Alas! At the outset of war—can one not be cautious? Can one not be cautious!

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