1
○崔敦禮盧承慶劉祥道李敬玄李義琰孫處約樂彥瑋趙仁本
Cui Dunli, Lu Chengqin, Liu Xiangdao, Li Jingxuan, Li Yiyan, Sun Chuyue, Le Yanwei, and Zhao Renben
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崔敦禮，雍州咸陽人，隋禮部尚書仲方孫也。 其先本居博陵，世為山東著姓，魏末徙關中。 敦禮本名元禮，高祖改名焉。 頗涉文史。 重節義，嘗慕蘇子卿之為人。 武德中，拜通事舍人。 九年，太宗使敦禮往幽州召廬江王瑗。 瑗舉兵反，執敦禮，問京師之事，敦禮竟無異詞。 太宗聞而壯之，遷左衛郎將，賜以良馬及黃金雜物。 貞觀元年，擢拜中書舍人，遷兵部侍郎，頻使突厥。 累轉靈州都督。 二十年，征為兵部尚書。 又奉詔安撫回紇、鐵勒部落。 時延陀寇邊，敦禮與英國公李勣瀚海都督回紇吐迷度為其下所殺，詔敦禮往就部落綏輯之，因立其嗣子而還。 敦禮深識蕃情，凡所奏請，事多允會。 永徽四年，代高季輔為侍中，累封固安縣公，仍修國史。 六年，加光祿大夫，代柳奭為中書令，尋又兼檢校太子詹事。 敦禮以老疾屢陳乞請退。 顯慶元年，拜太子少師，仍同中書門下三品。 敕召其子定襄都督府司馬餘慶，使侍其疾。 尋卒，年六十餘。 高宗舉哀於東雲龍門，賜東園秘器，贈開府儀同三司、并州大都督，陪葬昭陵，賻絹布八百段、米粟八百碩，諡曰昭。 子餘慶，官至兵部尚書。 敦禮孫貞慎，神龍初為兵部侍郎。
Cui Dunli, a native of Xianyang in Yong Prefecture, was the grandson of Sui Minister of Rites Cui Zhongfang. His family had originally lived in Boling and for generations ranked among the great clans of Shandong; in the late Wei they moved into Guanzhong. Dunli had originally been named Yuanli; Emperor Gaozu changed his name. He was broadly versed in literature and history. He valued integrity and righteousness and had once admired Su Wu as a model. During the Wude era he was appointed Master of Communications. In the ninth year, Emperor Taizong sent Dunli to Youzhou to summon Li Yuan, Prince of Lujiang. Yuan raised troops in rebellion, seized Dunli, and questioned him about affairs in the capital; Dunli never wavered in what he said. When Taizong heard of it he admired his fortitude, promoted him to Left Guard General, and bestowed fine horses, gold, and other goods. In the first year of Zhenguan he was promoted to Secretariat Drafting Officer, then transferred to Vice Minister of Personnel, and was repeatedly sent as envoy to the Turks. He was repeatedly transferred until he became Military Governor of Lingzhou. In the twentieth year he was recalled to court and appointed Minister of War. He also received an edict to pacify the Uyghur and Tiele tribes. At that time the Yenisei Kirghiz raided the frontier. When Uyghur Hanhai Circuit Protectorate General Tumed was killed by his subordinates, Dunli went with Duke of Ying Li Ji at imperial order to the tribe to restore order, installed the heir, and returned. Dunli understood frontier peoples well; most of what he memorialized won approval. In the fourth year of Yonghui he replaced Gao Jifu as Palace Attendant, was enfeoffed step by step as Duke of Gu'an County, and continued to compile the national history. In the sixth year he was given the added title Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, replaced Liu Shi as Secretariat Director, and soon also served concurrently as acting Supervisor of the Household of the Heir Apparent. Because of age and illness, Dunli repeatedly asked to retire. In the first year of Xianqing he was appointed Junior Preceptor of the Heir Apparent while retaining the rank of Grand Councilor of the Secretariat and Chancellery. An edict summoned his son Yuqing, staff officer of the Dingxiang Protectorate General, to attend him in his illness. He died soon afterward, aged over sixty. Gaozong mourned him at the Eastern Cloud Dragon Gate, bestowed the Eastern Garden secret coffin, posthumously granted him Grand Master of Honor with Equipage equal to the Three Ducal Ministers and Grand Protector General of Bingzhou, ordered his burial near Zhaoling, granted eight hundred bolts of silk and cloth and eight hundred shi of grain as funeral gifts, and gave him the posthumous title Zhao. His son Yuqing rose to the office of Minister of War. Dunli's grandson Zhenchen served as Vice Minister of War at the beginning of the Shenlong era.
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盧承慶，幽州范陽人。 隋武陽太守思道孫也。 父赤松，大業末為河東令。 與高祖有舊，聞義師至霍邑，棄縣迎接，拜行臺兵部郎中。 武德中，累轉率更令，封范陽郡公，尋卒。 承慶美風儀，博學有才幹，少襲父爵。 貞觀初，為秦州都督府戶曹參軍。 因奏河西軍事，太宗奇其明辯，擢拜考功員外郎。 累遷民部侍郎。 太宗嘗問曆代戶口多少之數，承慶敘夏、殷以後迄於周、隋，皆有依據，太宗嗟賞久之。 尋令兼檢校兵部侍郎，仍知五品選事。 承慶辭曰：“選事職在尚書，臣今掌之，便是越局。” 太宗不許，曰：“朕今信卿，卿何不自信也？” 俄曆雍州別駕、尚書左丞。 永徽初，為褚遂良所構，出為益州大都督府長史。 遂良俄又求索承慶在雍州舊事奏之，由是左遷簡州司馬。 歲餘，轉洪州長史。 會高宗將幸汝州之溫湯，擢承慶為汝州刺史，入為光祿卿。 顯慶四年，代杜正倫為度支尚書，仍同中書門下三品。 尋坐度支失所，出為潤州刺史，再遷雍州長史，加銀青光祿大夫。 總章二年，代李乾祐為刑部尚書，以年老請致仕，許之，仍加金紫光祿大夫。 三年，病卒，年七十六。 臨終誡其子曰：“死生至理，亦猶朝之有暮。 吾終，斂以常服； 晦朔常饌，不用牲牢； 墳高可認，不須廣大； 事辦即葬，不須卜擇； 墓中器物，瓷漆而已； 有棺無槨，務在簡要； 碑志但記官號、年代，不須廣事文飾。” 贈幽州都督，諡曰定。
Lu Chengqin was a native of Fanyang in You Prefecture. He was the grandson of Sui Grand Administrator of Wuyang Lu Sidao. His father Chisong served as magistrate of Hedong in the final years of the Sui Daye era. He had long known Gaozu; when he heard that the righteous army had reached Huoyi, he abandoned his county post and went out to welcome them, and was appointed Bureau Director of War in the Mobile Secretariat. During the Wude era he was repeatedly transferred until he became Director of the Directorate for Imperial Manufactories, was enfeoffed as Duke of Fanyang Commandery, and soon died. Chengqin had fine bearing, was broadly learned and capable, and in youth inherited his father's title. At the beginning of Zhenguan he served as Registrar of the Household Section in the Qinzhou Protectorate General. When he memorialized on military affairs west of the Yellow River, Taizong admired his clear argument and promoted him to Outer Office Director in the Ministry of Personnel. He was repeatedly transferred until he became Vice Minister of the Household. Taizong once asked about registered household counts in successive dynasties; Chengqin answered from Xia and Yin down through Zhou and Sui with supporting evidence, and Taizong sighed in admiration for a long time. Soon he was ordered to serve concurrently as acting Vice Minister of War while still supervising selection for fifth-rank offices. Chengqin declined, saying, "Selection affairs belong to the Ministry of Personnel; for me to manage them now is to overstep my office." Taizong would not allow it and said, "I trust you now—why do you not trust yourself?" Soon he served successively as Vice Prefect of Yongzhou and Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. At the beginning of Yonghui he was framed by Chu Suiliang and sent out as Chief Administrator of the Yizhou Protectorate General. Before long Chu Suiliang again dug up Chengqin's old affairs in Yongzhou and memorialized them, whereupon Chengqin was demoted to staff officer of Jian Prefecture. After more than a year he was transferred to Chief Administrator of Hong Prefecture. When Gaozong was about to visit the hot springs at Ruzhou, Chengqin was promoted to Prefect of Ruzhou and entered court as Minister of Imperial Sacrifices. In the fourth year of Xianqing he replaced Du Zhenglun as Minister of Revenue while retaining the rank of Grand Councilor of the Secretariat and Chancellery. Soon, because of errors in revenue administration, he was sent out as Prefect of Run Prefecture, then transferred again to Chief Administrator of Yong Prefecture and given the added title Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Silver Seal. In the second year of Zongzhang he replaced Li Qianyou as Minister of Justice; because of old age he requested retirement, which was granted, and he was still given the added title Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Gold Seal. In the third year he died of illness, aged seventy-six. On his deathbed he admonished his sons, saying, "Life and death are the ultimate principle, just as morning has its evening. When I die, bury me in ordinary dress; for mourning meals use the usual fare and do not use sacrificial livestock; make the mound high enough to be recognized and need not be large; when the arrangements are complete, bury at once and do not choose days by divination; objects in the tomb, porcelain and lacquer only; a coffin but no outer coffin—simplicity is essential; the stele inscription should record only office and dates and need not be broadly embellished with literary ornament." He was posthumously made Military Governor of You Prefecture, with posthumous title Ding.
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弟承業，亦有學識。 貞觀末，官至雍州長史、檢校尚書左丞。 兄弟相次居此任，時人榮之。 俄坐承慶事左遷忠州刺史。 顯慶初，復為雍州長史。 前後皆有能名。 三遷左肅機，兼掌司列選事，賜爵魏縣子。 總章中，卒於揚州大都督府長史，贈洺州刺史，諡曰簡。 承業弟承泰，齊州長史。
His younger brother Chengye also had learning and knowledge. At the end of Zhenguan he reached the offices of Chief Administrator of Yong Prefecture and acting Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. The brothers in succession held this post, and men of the time honored them for it. Before long, because of Chengqin's affair, he was demoted to Prefect of Zhong Prefecture. At the beginning of Xianqing he again became Chief Administrator of Yong Prefecture. Before and after he always had a reputation for ability. By three transfers he became Left Drafting Officer and concurrently managed selection in the Ministry of Personnel, and was granted the title Viscount of Wei County. In the Zongzhang era he died as Chief Administrator of the Yangzhou Protectorate General, was posthumously made Military Governor of Ming Prefecture, and given posthumous title Jian. Chengye's younger brother Chengtai served as Chief Administrator of Qi Prefecture.
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承泰子齊卿，長安初，為雍州錄事參軍。 時則天令雍州長史薛季旭擇僚吏堪為御史者，季旭以聞，齊卿薦長安尉盧懷慎、李休光、萬年尉李乂、崔湜、咸陽丞倪若水、盩厔尉田崇辟、新豐尉崔日用，後皆至大官。 齊卿，開元初為豳州刺史。 時張守珪為果毅，齊卿禮接之，謂曰：“十年內當知節度。” 果如其言，時人謂齊卿有人倫之鑒。 齊卿好酒，飲至鬥餘不亂，寬厚可親，士友以此善之。 累遷太子詹事，封廣陽縣公，尋卒。 承慶弟孫藏用，別有傳。
Chengtai's son Qiqing, at the beginning of the Chang'an era, served as Recording Officer of Yong Prefecture. At that time Empress Wu ordered Chief Administrator of Yong Prefecture Xue Jixu to select subordinate officials fit to become censors; Jixu reported them, and Qiqing recommended Chang'an Assistant Lu Huaishen and Li Xiuguang, Wannian Assistant Li Yi and Cui Shi, Xianyang Assistant Ni Ruoshui, Zhouzhi Assistant Tian Chongpi, and Xinfeng Assistant Cui Riyong—all later reached high office. Qiqing served as Prefect of Bin Prefecture at the beginning of the Kaiyuan era. At that time Zhang Shougui served as a garrison officer; Qiqing treated him with courtesy and said to him, "Within ten years you will hold a frontier command." It turned out as he said, and men of the time said Qiqing had the discernment to judge character. Qiqing loved wine; even after drinking more than a dou he did not become disorderly; he was generous and approachable, and scholars and friends praised him for this. He was repeatedly transferred until he became Supervisor of the Household of the Heir Apparent, was enfeoffed as Duke of Guangyang County, and soon died. Chengqin's younger brother's grandson Zangyong has a separate biography.
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劉祥道，魏州觀城人也。 父林甫，武德初為內史舍人，時兵機繁速，庶事草創，高祖委林甫專典其事，以才幹見稱。 尋詔與中書令蕭瑀等撰定律令，林甫因著《律議》萬餘言。 久之，擢拜中書侍郎，賜爵樂平男。 貞觀初，再遷吏部侍郎。 初，隋代赴選者，以十一月為始，至春即停，選限既促，選司多不究悉。 時選人漸眾，林甫奏請四時聽選，隨到注擬，當時甚以為便。 時天下初定，州府及詔使多有赤牒授官，至是停省，盡來赴集，將萬餘人。 林甫隨才銓擢，鹹得其宜。 時人以林甫典選，比隋之高孝基。 三年，病卒，臨終上表薦賢，太宗甚嘉悼之，賜絹二百五十匹。 祥道少襲父爵。 永徽初，曆中書舍人、御史中丞、吏部侍郎。 顯慶二年，遷黃門侍郎，仍知吏部選事。 祥道以銓綜之術猶有所闕，乃上疏陳其得失。 其一曰：
Liu Xiangdao was a native of Guancheng in Wei Prefecture. His father Linpu served as Secretariat Drafting Officer at the beginning of Wude; at that time military affairs were urgent and common administration was still being established; Gaozu entrusted Linpu exclusively with these matters, and he was praised for talent and capacity. Soon an edict ordered him, together with Secretariat Director Xiao Yu and others, to compile statutes and ordinances; Linpu thereupon composed Discussions on Law in more than ten thousand words. After a long time he was promoted and appointed Vice Director of the Secretariat and granted the title Baron of Leping. At the beginning of Zhenguan he was transferred again to Vice Minister of Personnel. Initially, in Sui those who came for selection began in the eleventh month and stopped in spring; because the selection term was short, the selection office often did not fully examine candidates. At that time candidates gradually increased in number; Linpu memorialized requesting that selection be heard in all four seasons and that appointments be made as candidates arrived; the age greatly regarded this as convenient. At that time the realm had just been settled; prefectures, circuits, and edict envoys had often granted offices by red warrant; now these were halted, and all came to assemble—nearly ten thousand men. Linpu selected and promoted according to talent; all obtained what was fitting. Men of the time, comparing Linpu's management of selection, likened him to Gao Xiaoji of Sui. In the third year he died of illness; on his deathbed he submitted a memorial recommending the worthy; Taizong greatly praised and mourned him and bestowed two hundred fifty bolts of silk. Xiangdao in youth inherited his father's title. At the beginning of Yonghui he served successively as Secretariat Drafting Officer, Censor-in-Chief, and Vice Minister of Personnel. In the second year of Xianqing he was transferred to Vice Director of the Chancellery, still supervising selection in the Ministry of Personnel. Because the methods of comprehensive selection still had deficiencies, Xiangdao submitted a memorial setting forth their gains and losses. The first reads:
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其二曰：
The second reads:
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其三曰：
The third reads:
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其四曰：
The fourth reads:
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其五曰：
The fifth reads:
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其六曰：
The sixth reads:
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明年，中書令杜正倫亦言入流人多，為政之弊。 高宗遣祥道與正倫詳議其事。 時公卿已下，憚於改作，事竟不行。 祥道尋以修禮功，進封陽城縣侯。 四年，遷刑部尚書，每覆大獄，必歔欷累歎，奏決之日，為之再不食。 龍朔元年，權檢校蒲州刺史。 三年，兼檢校雍州長史，俄遷右相。 祥道性謹慎，既居宰相，深懷憂懼。 數自陳老疾，請退就閑職。 俄轉司禮太常伯，罷知政事。 麟德二年，將有事於泰山。 有司議依舊禮，皆以太常卿為亞獻，光祿卿為終獻。 祥道駁曰：“昔在三代，六卿位重，故得佐祠。 漢、魏以來，權歸臺省，九卿皆為常伯屬官。 今登封大禮，不以八座行事，而用九卿，無乃徇虛名而忘實事乎！” 高宗從其議，竟以司徒徐王元禮為亞獻，祥道為終獻。 事畢，進爵廣平郡公。 乾封元年，又上表乞骸骨，優制加金紫光祿大夫，聽致仕。 其年卒，年七十一，贈幽州都督，諡曰宣。 子齊賢襲爵。
The next year, Secretariat Director Du Zhenglun also spoke of the many entering the regular service and the evils of governance. Gaozong dispatched Xiangdao and Zhenglun to discuss the matter in detail. At that time, from dukes and ministers down, they feared reform, and in the end the matter was not carried out. Xiangdao soon, because of merit in revising rites, was advanced in enfeoffment to Marquis of Yangcheng County. In the fourth year he was transferred to Minister of Justice; whenever he reviewed great cases he always sighed repeatedly; on the day a judgment was submitted he twice went without food. In the first year of Longshuo he served as acting Prefect of Pu Prefecture. In the third year he concurrently served as acting Chief Administrator of Yong Prefecture, and soon was transferred to Right Chancellor. Xiangdao's nature was cautious; once he occupied the chancellorship he deeply harbored worry and fear. Several times he himself stated old age and illness and requested to retire to an idle post. Before long he was transferred to Grand Master of Rites in the Ministry of Rites and ceased managing state affairs. In the second year of Qide there were to be rites at Mount Tai. The relevant offices discussed according to old rites that all should have the Minister of Rites as secondary offerer and the Minister of Imperial Sacrifices as final offerer. Xiangdao rebutted, saying, "In antiquity in the Three Dynasties the six ministers held heavy rank and therefore could assist in sacrifice. From Han and Wei onward, power returned to the secretariat and chancellery, and the nine ministers all became subordinate officials of the regular attendants. Now for the great rite of the feng and shan sacrifices, not to have the Eight Seats perform the rites but to use the nine ministers—is this not pursuing empty names and forgetting real affairs!" Gaozong followed his opinion and finally had Minister of Works Prince of Xu Yuanli as secondary offerer and Xiangdao as final offerer. When the rites were complete he was advanced in rank to Duke of Guangping Commandery. In the first year of Qianfeng he again submitted a memorial requesting retirement; by gracious edict he was given the added title Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Gold Seal and permitted to retire. That year he died, aged seventy-one; he was posthumously made Military Governor of You Prefecture, with posthumous title Xuan. His son Qixian inherited the title.
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齊賢，初自侍御史出為晉州司馬，高宗聞其方正，甚禮之。 時將軍史興宗嘗從帝於苑中弋獵，因言晉州出好鷂，劉齊賢見為司馬，請使捕之。 帝曰：“劉齊賢豈是覓鷂人耶！ 卿何以此待之？” 遂止。 齊賢後避章懷太子名，改名景先。 永淳中，累遷黃門侍郎、同中書門下平章事。 則天臨朝，代裴炎為侍中。 及裴炎下獄，景先與鳳閣侍郎胡元範抗詞明其不反，則天甚怒之。 炎既誅死，景先左遷普州刺史，未到，又貶授吉州長史。 永昌年，為酷吏所陷，系於獄，自縊死，仍籍沒其家。 景先自祖、父三代皆為兩省侍郎及典選，又叔父吏部郎中應道、從父弟禮部侍郎令植等八人，前後為吏部郎中員外，有唐已來，無有其比云。
Qixian, at first from Attending Censor went out as staff officer of Jin Prefecture; Gaozong heard of his uprightness and greatly honored him. At that time General Shi Xingzong once followed the emperor in the park hawking and hunting and thereupon spoke of Jin Prefecture producing fine hawks; Liu Qixian was then serving as staff officer, and Xingzong requested that he be sent to capture them. The emperor said, "Is Liu Qixian a man who hunts hawks! Why do you treat him in this way?" Thereupon he stopped. Later Qixian, to avoid the taboo name of Crown Prince Zhanghuai, changed his name to Jingxian. In the Yongchun era he was repeatedly transferred to Vice Director of the Chancellery and Grand Councilor of the Secretariat and Chancellery with the designation "Equal to the Office." When Empress Wu assumed the regency she replaced Pei Yan as Palace Attendant. When Pei Yan was imprisoned, Jingxian together with Vice Director of the Phoenix Pavilion Hu Yuanfan spoke out forcefully to show that he had not rebelled; Empress Wu was greatly angered. After Yan was executed, Jingxian was demoted to Prefect of Pu Prefecture; before he arrived he was again demoted and appointed Chief Administrator of Ji Prefecture. In the Yongchang era he was framed by a cruel official, imprisoned, and hanged himself; his household was still confiscated. From Jingxian's grandfather and father for three generations all served as vice directors of the two secretariats and managed selection; moreover his uncle's son by marriage, Bureau Director of Personnel Yingdao, and his cousin Vice Minister of Rites Lingzhi and eight others before and after served as bureau directors and outer office directors in the Ministry of Personnel—since Tang began there has been nothing comparable, it is said.
14
李敬玄，亳州譙人也。 父孝節，穀州長史。 敬玄博覽群書，特善五禮。 貞觀末，高宗在東宮，馬周啟薦之，召入崇賢館，兼預侍讀，仍借御書讀之。 敬玄雖風格高峻，有不可犯之色，然勤於造請，不避寒暑，馬周及許敬宗等皆推薦延譽之。 乾封初，曆遷西臺舍人、弘文館學士。 總章二年，累轉西臺侍郎，兼太子右中護、同東西臺三品，兼檢校司列少常伯。 時員外郎張仁祎有時務才，敬玄以曹事委之。 仁祎始造姓曆，改修狀樣、銓曆等程式，處事勤勞，遂以心疾而卒。 敬玄因仁祎之法，典選累年，銓綜有序。 自永徽以後，選人轉多，當其任者，罕聞稱職，及敬玄掌選，天下稱其能。 預選者歲有萬餘人，每於街衢見之，莫不知其姓名。 其被放有訴者，即口陳其書判失錯及身負殿累，略無差殊。 時人咸服其強記，莫之敢欺。 選人有杭州參軍徐太玄者，初在任時，同僚有張惠犯贓至死，太玄哀其母老，乃詣獄自陳與惠同受。 惠贓數既少，遂得減死，太玄亦坐免官，不調十餘年。 敬玄知而大嗟賞之，擢授鄭州司功參軍，太玄由是知名，後官至秘書少監、申王師，以德行為時所重。 敬玄賞鑒，多此類也。 咸亨二年，授中書侍郎，餘並如故。 三年，加銀青光祿大夫，行吏部侍郎，依舊兼太子右庶子、同中書門下三品。 四年，監修國史。 上元二年，拜吏部尚書，仍依舊兼太子左庶子，監修國史、同中書門下三品。 敬玄久居選部，人多附之。 前後三娶，皆山東士族。 又與趙郡李氏合譜，故臺省要職，多是其同族婚媾之家。 高宗知而不悅，然猶不彰其過。 儀鳳元年，代劉仁軌為中書令。 調露二年，吐蕃入寇，仁軌先與敬玄不協，遂奏請敬玄鎮守西邊。 敬玄自以素非邊將之才，固辭。 高宗謂曰：“仁軌若須朕，朕即自往，卿不得辭也。” 竟以敬玄為洮河道大總管，兼安撫大使，仍檢校鄯州都督，率兵以禦吐蕃。 及將戰，副將工部尚書劉審禮先鋒擊之。 敬玄聞賊至，狼狽卻走。 審禮既無繼援，遂沒於陣。 俄有詔留敬玄於鄯州防禦，敬玄累表稱疾，乞還醫療。 許之。 既入見，驗疾不重，高宗責其詐妄，又積其前後愆失，貶授衡州刺史。 稍遷揚州大都督府長史。 永淳元年卒，年六十八，贈兗州都督。 撰《禮論》六十卷、《正論》三卷、文集三十卷。 子思沖，神龍初，曆工部侍郎、左羽林軍將軍，從節湣太子誅武三思，事敗見殺，籍沒其家。 敬玄弟元素，亦有吏才，初為武德令。 時懷州刺史李文暕將調率金銀造常滿尊以獻，百姓甚弊之，官吏無敢異議者。 元素抗詞固執，文暕乃損其制度，以家財營之。 延載元年，自文昌左丞遷鳳閣侍郎、鳳閣鸞臺平章事，加銀青光祿大夫。 萬歲通天二年，坐與洛州錄事參軍綦連耀交結，為武懿宗所陷，被殺，神龍初雪免。
Li Jingxuan was a native of Qiao in Bo Prefecture. His father Xiaojie served as Chief Administrator of Gu Prefecture. Jingxuan broadly read the classics and was especially skilled in the Five Rites. At the end of Zhenguan, when Gaozong was in the Eastern Palace, Ma Zhou recommended him; he was summoned into the Hall of Exalted Worthies, concurrently participated in lecturing the heir, and was still lent imperial writings to read. Although Jingxuan's bearing was lofty and stern and had the look of one not to be violated, yet he was diligent in paying calls and did not avoid cold or heat; Ma Zhou and Xu Jingzong and others all recommended and extended praise for him. At the beginning of Qianfeng he served successively as Drafting Officer of the Western Terrace and Scholar of the Hongwen Academy. In the second year of Zongzhang he was repeatedly transferred to Vice Director of the Western Terrace, concurrently Right Guardian of the Heir Apparent, Grand Councilor of the Eastern and Western Terraces, and acting Grand Master of Personnel in the Ministry of Personnel. At that time Outer Office Director Zhang Renyi had talent for current affairs; Jingxuan entrusted bureau affairs to him. Renyi first devised the surname register, revised the forms of dossiers and the procedures of the selection calendar, and was diligent in handling affairs; he thereupon died of heart illness. Jingxuan, following Renyi's methods, managed selection for many years and comprehensive evaluation was orderly. From Yonghui onward candidates increasingly grew in number; those holding the post rarely were heard to be competent, but when Jingxuan managed selection the realm praised his ability. Those participating in selection each year numbered more than ten thousand; whenever he saw them in the streets he knew none whose names he did not know. Those rejected who appealed, he immediately stated orally the errors in their written judgments and the demerit records they bore—without the slightest discrepancy. Men of the time all submitted to his powerful memory and none dared deceive him. Among candidates there was Hangzhou Assistant Xu Taixuan; when he first held office a colleague named Zhang Hui committed bribery punishable by death; Taixuan pitied his mother's old age and thereupon went to the prison and himself declared that he had received bribes together with Hui. Because Hui's amount of illicit goods was small, he thereupon obtained reduction from death; Taixuan also by sitting was dismissed from office and for more than ten years received no appointment. When Jingxuan learned of it he greatly sighed in admiration and promoted him to Registrar of the Merit Section in Zheng Prefecture; Taixuan thereby became known, and later reached the offices of Vice Director of the Secretariat and Tutor to Prince Shen, and by virtue and conduct was honored by the age. Jingxuan's discernment in judgment was mostly of this kind. In the second year of Xianheng he was appointed Vice Director of the Secretariat; the rest remained as before. In the third year he was given the added title Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Silver Seal, served as acting Vice Minister of Personnel, and still concurrently served as Right Vice Director of the Household of the Heir Apparent and Grand Councilor of the Secretariat and Chancellery. In the fourth year he supervised compilation of the national history. In the second year of Shangyuan he was appointed Minister of Personnel, still concurrently serving as Left Vice Director of the Household of the Heir Apparent, supervising compilation of the national history, and Grand Councilor of the Secretariat and Chancellery. Jingxuan long occupied the selection department and many men attached themselves to him. Three times he married, all into Shandong gentry clans. He also merged genealogies with the Li clan of Zhao Commandery; therefore important posts in the secretariat and departments were mostly held by families related to him by marriage or kinship. Gaozong knew but was displeased, yet still did not expose his faults. In the first year of Yifeng he replaced Liu Rengui as Secretariat Director. In the second year of Tiaolu the Tibetans invaded; Rengui had earlier been incompatible with Jingxuan and thereupon memorialized requesting that Jingxuan guard the western frontier. Jingxuan himself considered that he had never been talented as a frontier general and firmly declined. Gaozong said to him, "If Rengui needs me, I myself will go at once—you may not decline." Finally Jingxuan was made Grand Commander of the Taohe Circuit, concurrently Pacification Commissioner, still acting Military Governor of Shan Prefecture, leading troops to resist the Tibetans. When battle was about to begin, Vice General Minister of Works Liu Shenli struck first as vanguard. When Jingxuan heard the enemy had arrived he fled in disorder. Shenli, having no follow-up support, thereupon perished in the battle line. Before long there was an edict keeping Jingxuan at Shan Prefecture on defense; Jingxuan repeatedly submitted memorials stating illness and begged to return for medical treatment. This was granted. Once he entered audience his illness was examined and found not serious; Gaozong reproached him for deceit and also accumulated his former and later faults and demoted him to Prefect of Heng Prefecture. Gradually he was transferred to Chief Administrator of the Yangzhou Protectorate General. In the first year of Yongchun he died, aged sixty-eight; he was posthumously made Military Governor of Yan Prefecture. He compiled Discussions on Rites in sixty scrolls, Correct Discussions in three scrolls, and a collected writings in thirty scrolls. His son Sichong, at the beginning of Shenlong, served successively as Vice Minister of Works and General of the Left Feathered Forest Army; following Prince Jiemin he executed Wu Sansi; the affair failed and he was killed; his household was confiscated. Jingxuan's younger brother Yuansu also had talent for administration; at first he served as magistrate of Wude. At that time Prefect of Huai Prefecture Li Wenhan was about to levy gold and silver to cast an ever-full goblet to present as tribute; the common people were greatly harmed by it and officials none dared dissent. Yuansu spoke out forcefully and firmly held to his view; Wenhan thereupon reduced its specifications and used his own family wealth to build it. In the first year of Yanzai he was transferred from Left Vice Director of the Wenchang Terrace to Vice Director of the Phoenix Pavilion and Grand Councilor of the Phoenix Pavilion and Crane Terrace, with the added title Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Silver Seal. In the second year of Wansui Tongtian he sat because of association with Recording Officer of Lu Prefecture Qi Lianyao, was framed by Wu Yizong, and was killed; at the beginning of Shenlong he was cleared posthumously.
15
李義琰，魏州昌樂人，常州刺史玄道族孫也。 其先自隴西徙山東，世為著姓。 父玄德，癭陶令。 義琰少舉進士，累補太原尉。 時李勣為并州都督，僚吏皆望風懾懼，義琰獨廷折曲直，勣甚禮之。 義琰，麟德中為白水令，有能名，拜司刑員外郎。 上元中，累遷中書侍郎，又授太子右庶子、同中書門下三品。 時天後預知國政，高宗嘗欲下詔令後攝知國事，義琰與中書令郝處俊固爭，以為不可，事竟寢。 義琰身長八尺，博學多識，高宗每有顧問，言皆切直。 章懷太子之廢也，高宗慰勉官僚，盡舍罪，令復其位。 庶子薛元超等皆舞蹈謝恩，義琰獨引罪涕泣，時論美之。 義琰宅無正寢，弟義璡為司功參軍，乃市堂材送焉。 及義璡來覲，義琰謂曰：“以吾為國相，豈不懷愧？ 更營美室，是速吾禍，此豈愛我意哉！” 義璡曰：“凡人仕為丞尉，即營第宅，兄官高祿重，豈宜卑陋以逼下也？” 義琰曰：“事難全遂，物不兩興。 既有貴仕，又廣其宇，若無令德，必受其殃。 吾非不欲之，懼獲戾也。” 竟不營構，其木為霖雨所腐而棄之。 義琰後改葬父母，使舅氏移其舊塋，高宗知而怒曰：“豈以身在樞要，淩蔑外家，此人不可更知政事。” 義琰聞而不自安，以足疾上疏乞骸骨，乃授銀青光祿大夫，聽致仕。 乃將歸東都田裏，公卿已下祖餞於通化門外，時人以比漢之二疏。 垂拱初，起為懷州刺史。 義琰自以失則天意，恐禍及，固辭不拜。 四年，卒於家。 義琰從祖弟義琛，永淳初，為雍州長史。 時關輔大饑，高宗令貧人散於商、鄧逐食。 義琛恐黎人流轉，因此不還，固爭之。 由是忤旨，出為梁州都督，轉岐州刺史，稱為良吏。 卒官。
Li Yiyan was a native of Changle in Wei Prefecture, a clansman several removes distant of Prefect of Chang Prefecture Xuandao. His ancestors moved from Longxi to Shandong and for generations were a prominent clan. His father Xuande served as magistrate of Yingtao. Yiyan in youth passed the jinshi examination and by successive steps was appointed assistant in Taiyuan. At that time Li Ji was Military Governor of Bing Prefecture; subordinate officials all feared and submitted at sight, but Yiyan alone argued right and wrong in court; Ji greatly honored him. Yiyan, in the Qide era served as magistrate of Baishui, had a reputation for ability, and was appointed Outer Office Director in the Ministry of Justice. In the Shangyuan era he was repeatedly transferred to Vice Director of the Secretariat and was also appointed Right Vice Director of the Household of the Heir Apparent and Grand Councilor of the Secretariat and Chancellery. At that time the Empress Dowager already participated in knowing state affairs; Gaozong once wished to issue an edict ordering the empress to administer state affairs in his stead; Yiyan together with Secretariat Director Hao Chujun firmly contended that it could not be done, and in the end the matter was dropped. Yiyan was eight chi in height, broadly learned and knowledgeable; whenever Gaozong had inquiries his words were all direct and cutting. When Crown Prince Zhanghuai was deposed, Gaozong consoled and encouraged the officials, fully pardoned their offenses, and ordered their posts restored. Vice Director Xue Yuanchao and others all danced in thanks for grace; Yiyan alone acknowledged guilt and wept; opinion of the age praised him. Yiyan's house had no main bedroom; his younger brother Yijin served as Registrar of the Merit Section and thereupon bought hall timber and sent it to him. When Yijin came to audience, Yiyan said to him, "With me as chief minister of state, do I not feel shame? To build a fine house moreover is to hasten my calamity—is this your intent to love me!" Yijin said, "Ordinary men, once they serve as assistant or sheriff, at once build mansions; elder brother, your office is high and salary heavy—how should you be mean and cramped to press down on subordinates?" Yiyan said, "Things are hard to complete entirely and objects do not flourish twice. Having both noble office and broadening one's dwelling—if one lacks outstanding virtue, one is sure to receive calamity. It is not that I do not desire it—I fear obtaining offense." In the end he did not build; the timber rotted in rain and was discarded. Later Yiyan reburied his parents and had his maternal uncle move their old grave mound; when Gaozong learned of it he angrily said, "Does he, because he is in a pivotal post, despise his wife's family? This man may not again manage state affairs." When Yiyan heard of it he was ill at ease; because of foot illness he submitted a memorial requesting retirement and was thereupon granted Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Silver Seal and permitted to retire. He was about to return to his fields in the eastern capital; from dukes and ministers down they saw him off with a farewell feast outside Tonghua Gate; men of the time compared him to the two Shus of Han. At the beginning of Chuigong he was recalled to serve as Prefect of Huai Prefecture. Yiyan himself considered that he had lost the favor of heaven and feared calamity would reach him; he firmly declined and did not accept appointment. In the fourth year he died at home. Yiyan's clansman several removes distant Yichen, at the beginning of Yongchun, served as Chief Administrator of Yong Prefecture. At that time Guanzhong suffered great famine; Gaozong ordered the poor to scatter to Shang and Deng to seek food. Yichen feared the common people would drift away and thereby not return and firmly contended against it. Thereby he offended the imperial intent and was sent out as Military Governor of Liang Prefecture, then transferred to Prefect of Qi Prefecture, and was called a good official. He died in office.
16
高宗時宰相，又有孫處約、樂彥瑋、趙仁本。 並有名跡。
Among Gaozong's chancellors there were also Sun Chuyue, Le Yanwei, and Zhao Renben. All had noted reputations.
17
孫處約者，汝州郟城人也。 貞觀中，為齊王祐記室。 祐既失德，處約數上書諫之。 祐既誅，太宗親檢其家文疏，得處約諫書，甚嗟賞之。 累轉中書舍人。 其年，中書令杜正倫奏請更授一舍人，與處約同知制誥，高宗曰：“處約一人足辦我事，何須多也。” 處約以預修《太宗實錄》成，賜物七百段。 三遷中書侍郎，與李勣、許敬宗同知國政。 尋避中宮諱，改名茂道。 坐事左轉司禮少常伯。 顯慶中，拜少司成，以老疾請致仕，許之，尋卒。 子佺，睿宗時為左羽林大將軍，征契丹戰歿。
Sun Chuyue was a native of Jia Prefecture in Ru Prefecture. In the Zhenguan era he served as secretary to Prince of Qi You. When You had already lost virtue, Chuyue several times submitted memorials remonstrating with him. After You was executed, Taizong personally examined the family documents and found Chuyue's remonstrance memorials; he greatly sighed in admiration. He was repeatedly transferred and became Secretariat Drafting Officer. That year, Secretariat Director Du Zhenglun memorialized requesting appointment of another drafting officer to manage edicts together with Chuyue; Gaozong said, "Chuyue alone is sufficient to handle my affairs—why need more?" Because Chuyue participated in completing compilation of Veritable Records of Taizong, he was granted seven hundred bolts of goods. By three transfers he became Vice Director of the Secretariat and together with Li Ji and Xu Jingzong managed state affairs. Soon, to avoid the empress's taboo name, he changed his name to Maodao. Because of an affair he was demoted to Junior Grand Master of Rites in the Ministry of Rites. In the Xianqing era he was appointed Junior Director of the Directorate of Education; because of old age and illness he requested retirement, which was granted, and soon he died. His son Quan, in the Ruizong era served as General of the Left Feathered Forest Army and died in battle campaigning against the Khitan.
18
樂彥瑋者，雍州長安人。 顯慶中，為給事中。 時故侍中劉洎之子詣闕上言，洎貞觀末為褚遂良所譖枉死，稱冤請雪，中書侍郎李義府又左右之。 高宗以問近臣，眾希義府之旨，皆言其枉。 彥瑋獨進曰：“劉洎大臣，舉措須合軌度，人主暫有不豫，豈得即擬負國？ 先朝所責，未是不愜。 且國君無過舉，若雪洎之罪，豈可謂先帝用刑不當乎？” 然其言，遂寢其事。 彥瑋尋丁憂，起為唐州刺史。 及入辭，高宗記其言直，復拜東臺舍人。 累遷西臺侍郎、同東西臺三品。 乾封元年，代劉仁軌為大司憲，官名復舊，改為御史大夫。 上元三年卒，贈秦州都督，永昌年，以子思晦貴，重贈揚州大都督。 思晦，則天時官至鸞臺侍郎，兼檢校天官尚書、同鳳閣鸞臺三品，為酷吏所殺。
Le Yanwei was a native of Chang'an in Yong Prefecture. In the Xianqing era he served as Supervising Secretary. At that time the son of the late Palace Attendant Liu Ji came to the palace gate and submitted a statement that Ji at the end of Zhenguan was slandered by Chu Suiliang and wrongly died, claiming injustice and requesting vindication; Vice Director of the Secretariat Li Yifu also supported him. Gaozong questioned nearby ministers; the multitude hoped to follow Yifu's intent and all said he was wronged. Yanwei alone advanced and said, "Liu Ji was a great minister; conduct must accord with standards; when the ruler for a time is displeased, how can one at once presume treason against the state? The former court's reproof was not unsatisfying. Moreover a ruler has no improper acts; if Ji's offense is cleared, can one say the former emperor's use of punishment was improper?" Because of his words, the matter thereupon was dropped. Yanwei soon entered mourning and on recall was appointed Prefect of Tang Prefecture. When he entered to take leave, Gaozong remembered his forthright words and again appointed him Drafting Officer of the Eastern Terrace. He was repeatedly transferred to Vice Director of the Western Terrace and Grand Councilor of the Eastern and Western Terraces. In the first year of Qianfeng he replaced Liu Rengui as Grand Minister of Justice; the office names returned to the old forms and he was changed to Censor-in-Chief. In the third year of Shangyuan he died; he was posthumously made Military Governor of Qin Prefecture; in the Yongchang era, because his son Sihui was honored, he was again posthumously made Grand Protector General of Yang Prefecture. Sihui, in the Empress Wu era reached the office of Vice Director of the Crane Terrace, concurrently acting Minister of Personnel in the Ministry of Heaven, and Grand Councilor of the Phoenix Pavilion and Crane Terrace, and was killed by a cruel official.
19
趙仁本者，陝州河北人也。 貞觀中，累轉殿中侍御史。 自義寧已來，詔敕皆手自纂錄，臨事皆暗記之，甚為當時所伏。 會有敕差一御史遠使，同列遞相辭托，仁本越次請行，言於治書侍御史馬周曰：“食君之祿，死君之事。 雖復跋涉艱險，所不敢辭也。” 及回，事又稱旨，擢吏部員外郎。 乾封中，曆遷東臺侍郎、同東西臺三品，尋轉司列少常伯，知政事如故。 時許敬宗為右相，頗任權勢，仁本拒其請托，遂為敬宗所構，俄授尚書左丞，罷知政事。 咸亨初卒官。
Zhao Renben was a native of Hebei in Shan Prefecture. In the Zhenguan era he was repeatedly transferred and became Attending Palace Censor. From Yining onward edicts and commands were all copied by his own hand; when affairs arose he memorized them in secret—all greatly submitted to this at the time. Once there was an edict assigning one censor as distant envoy; colleagues in turn declined and made excuses; Renben out of turn requested to go and spoke to Supervising Imperial Censor Ma Zhou, saying, "Eating the ruler's salary, dying for the ruler's affairs. Even if I must travel through hardship and danger, I dare not decline." When he returned the affair again accorded with intent and he was promoted to Outer Office Director in the Ministry of Personnel. In the Qianfeng era he was repeatedly transferred to Vice Director of the Eastern Terrace and Grand Councilor of the Eastern and Western Terraces, and soon was transferred to Junior Grand Master of Personnel in the Ministry of Personnel, managing state affairs as before. At that time Xu Jingzong was Right Chancellor and greatly wielded power; Renben refused his requests and entreaties and thereupon was framed by Jingzong; soon he was appointed Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and ceased managing state affairs. At the beginning of Xianheng he died in office.
20
史臣論曰：崔、盧數公，皆以忠清文行，致位樞要。 恪恭匪懈，以保名位，誠所謂持盈守成，太平之君子。 然敬玄之擢太玄，可謂能舉善者矣。 義琰腐材而不營第舍，可謂有儉德矣。 彥瑋獨遏奸臣，仁本請當遠使，終升輔相，不亦宜乎！
The historian's comment says: The several gentlemen Cui and Lu all by loyal purity, literary conduct, and virtue reached pivotal posts. Reverently respectful without slackness, thereby preserving name and position—they are truly what is called holding fullness and guarding accomplishment, gentlemen of peace. Yet Jingxuan's promotion of Taixuan can be called one who could raise the good. Yiyan let timber rot and did not build a mansion—this can be called having frugal virtue. Yanwei alone checked a treacherous minister; Renben requested to take the distant mission—they finally rose to auxiliary ministers: is this not fitting!
21
贊曰：盧、劉兩族，奕世名卿。 二李、二樂，俱號公清。 權臣獨抗，美第不營。 以茲輔弼，無愧德聲。
The encomium says: The two clans Lu and Liu, generation after generation famous ministers. The two Li and two Le all were called public and pure. Alone resisting powerful ministers, not building fine mansions. With these as auxiliary ministers, without shame to their reputation for virtue.