Volume 87 Biographies 37: Pei Yan, Liu Yizhi, Wei Xuantong, Li Zhaode

裴炎劉禕之魏玄同李昭德

Pei Yan, Liu Yizhi, Wei Xuantong, and Li Zhaode

裴炎，絳州聞喜人也。少補弘文生，每遇休假，諸生多出遊，炎獨不廢業。歲餘，有司將薦舉，辭以學未篤而止。在館垂十載，尤曉《春秋左氏傳》及《漢書》。擢明經第，尋為濮州司倉參軍。累曆兵部侍郎、中書門下平章事、侍中、中書令。

Pei Yan was a native of Wenxi in Jiang Prefecture. As a young man he enrolled in the Hongwen Academy; on holidays, when most students went out for pleasure, Yan alone kept to his studies. After a year or more, the authorities prepared to nominate him, but he declined, saying his scholarship was not yet mature enough. He spent nearly ten years in the academy and became especially expert in the Zuo Commentary and the Book of Han. He passed the Mingjing examination and was soon appointed revenue staff officer at Pu Prefecture. He rose through the posts of vice minister of war, grand councilor, palace attendant, and director of the Secretariat.

太后臨朝，天授初，又降豫王為皇嗣。時太后侄武承嗣請立武氏七廟及追王父祖，太后將許之。炎進諫曰：“皇太后天下之母，聖德臨朝，當存至公，不宜追王祖禰，以示自私。且獨不見呂氏之敗乎？臣恐後之視今，亦猶今之視昔。 ”太后曰：“呂氏之王，權在生人；今者追尊，事歸前代。存歿殊跡，豈可同日而言？ ”炎曰：“蔓草難圖，漸不可長。殷鑒未遠，當絕其源。 ”太后不悅而止。時韓王元嘉、魯王靈夔等皆皇屬之近，承嗣與從父弟三思屢勸太后因事誅之，以絕宗室之望。劉禕之、韋仁約並懷畏憚，唯唯無言，炎獨固爭，以為不可，承嗣深憾之。

After the Empress Dowager took power, in the early Tianshou period she demoted the Prince of Yu to heir apparent once more. At that time her nephew Wu Chengsi asked to establish seven ancestral temples for the Wu house and to ennoble his forefathers posthumously as kings, and the Empress Dowager was on the verge of approving. Yan remonstrated: "Your Majesty is mother of the empire. In governing with sagely virtue you should remain utterly impartial. You ought not to ennoble the Wu ancestors, for that would look like self-interest. Have you not seen how the Lü clan came to ruin? I fear posterity will judge our age as we now judge earlier times. "The Empress Dowager replied: "The Lü were made kings while they still held living power. What we seek now is posthumous honor alone, a matter of the past. The living and the dead are not the same case. How can the two be compared? "Yan said: "Weeds spread until they are hard to clear. What grows by degrees must not be indulged. The warning of the recent past is still close at hand. Cut it off at the root. "The Empress Dowager took offense and dropped the proposal. The Princes of Han and Lu, Yuanjia and Lingqi, were close members of the imperial clan. Chengsi and his cousin Sansi repeatedly urged the Empress Dowager to find grounds to execute them and thereby extinguish the hopes of the imperial house. Liu Yizhi and Wei Renyue were afraid and said nothing. Yan alone argued firmly that it must not be done, and Chengsi bore him a deep grudge.

文明元年，官名改易，炎為內史。秋，徐敬業構逆，太后召炎議事。炎奏曰：“皇帝年長，未俾親政，乃致猾豎有詞。若太后返政，則此賊不討而解矣。 ”御史崔察聞而上言，曰：“裴炎伏事先朝，二十餘載，受遺顧托，大權在己，若無異圖，何故請太后歸政？ ”乃命御史大夫騫味道、御史魚承曄鞫之。鳳閣侍郎胡元範奏曰：“炎社稷忠臣，有功於國，悉心奉上，天下所知，臣明其不反。 ”右衛大將軍程務挺密表申理之，文武之間證炎不反者甚眾，太后皆不納。光宅元年十月，斬炎於都亭驛之前街。炎初被擒，左右勸炎遜詞於使者，炎歎曰：“宰相下獄，焉有更全之理！ ”竟無折節。及籍沒其家，乃無儋石之蓄。胡元範，申州義陽人，坐救炎流死瓊州。程務挺伏法，納言劉齊賢貶吉州長史，吏部侍郎郭待舉貶岳州刺史，皆坐救炎之罪也。

In the first year of Wenming, when titles were reorganized, Yan became Director of the Secretariat. That autumn Xu Jingye rebelled, and the Empress Dowager summoned Yan to counsel her. Yan submitted: "The Emperor is already grown, yet he has not been allowed to rule in person. That is why scheming villains have something to say. If Your Majesty returns power to him, this rebel will collapse without a fight. "Censor Cui Cha heard of this and reported: "Pei Yan served the late emperor for more than twenty years, received his deathbed trust, and held supreme power. If he harbored no ulterior design, why would he ask the Empress Dowager to yield power? "She ordered Censor-in-Chief Qian Weidao and Censor Yu Chengye to interrogate him. Vice Director Hu Yuanfan memorialized: "Yan is a loyal servant of the state who has served the throne with devotion and earned merit for the realm. All the world knows this. I am certain he is not a rebel. "General Cheng Wuting sent a secret memorial in his defense. Many officials, civil and military, testified that Yan was no rebel, but the Empress Dowager would hear none of it. In the tenth month of the first year of Guangzhai, Yan was beheaded in the street before the Duting courier station. When Yan was first arrested, his attendants urged him to speak humbly to the investigators. He sighed and said: "When a chief minister is thrown into prison, what hope is there of coming out whole? "He never humbled himself to the end. When his property was confiscated, there was scarcely enough grain to fill a single jar. Hu Yuanfan of Yiyang in Shen Prefecture was exiled to Qiong Prefecture, where he died for having defended Yan. Cheng Wuting was executed. Counselor Liu Qixian was demoted to chief administrator of Ji Prefecture, and Vice Minister of Personnel Guo Daiju to prefect of Yue Prefecture—all punished for having tried to save Yan.

先是，開耀元年十月，定襄道行軍大總管裴行儉獻定襄所獲俘囚，除曲赦外，斬阿史那伏念，溫傅等五十四人於都市。初，行儉討伐之時，許伏念以不死，伏念乃降。時炎害行儉之功，奏云：“伏念是程務挺、張虔勖逼逐於營，又磧北回紇南向逼之，窘急而降。 ”乃殺之。行儉歎曰：“渾、浚之事，古今恥之。但恐殺降之後，無復來者。 ”行儉因此稱疾不出。炎致國家負義而殺降，妒能害功，構成陰禍，其敗也宜哉！

Earlier, in the tenth month of the first year of Kaiyao, Commander-in-Chief Pei Xingjian of the Dingxiang campaign presented the captives taken there. Aside from those covered by a partial amnesty, Ashina Funician, Wen Fu, and fifty-four others were beheaded in the capital market. During the campaign Xingjian had promised Funician his life, and on that promise Funician had surrendered. Yan, jealous of Xingjian's achievement, memorialized that Funician had been driven from camp by Cheng Wuting and Zhang Qianxu and pressed from the north by the Uyghurs, and had surrendered only in desperation. "On that basis he was executed. Xingjian sighed: "What Hun and Jun did has been a disgrace in every age. I fear that after we kill men who have surrendered, no one will ever come again. "After this Xingjian pleaded illness and withdrew from office. Yan made the state break faith by killing surrendered enemies, envied talent and harmed merit, and brought hidden ruin upon himself. Small wonder he came to ruin!

睿宗踐祚，下製曰：“飾終追遠，斯乃舊章；表德旌賢，有光恒策。故中書令裴炎，含弘稟粹，履信居貞，望重國華，才稱人秀。唯幾成務，績宣於代工；偶居無猜，義深於奉上。文明之際，王室多虞，保乂朕躬，實著誠節。而危疑起釁，倉卒羅災，歲月屢遷，丘封莫樹。永言先正，感悼良多。宜追賁於九原，俾增榮於萬古。可贈益州大都督。”

When Emperor Ruizong ascended the throne, he issued an edict: "To honor the dead and remember the distant past is an ancient rule. To display virtue and commend the worthy lends luster to enduring policy. The late Director of the Secretariat Pei Yan was broad in spirit and pure in nature, steadfast in faith and firm in integrity, eminent in the nation's esteem, and outstanding in talent. Perceiving what was subtle, he carried out the work of state and won merit in service to the regent. He served without suspicion and with deep loyalty to the throne. In the Wenming period, when the royal house faced many perils, he protected and comforted Our person and showed true loyalty. Yet suspicion and peril brought strife, and disaster struck him in haste. Years have passed, and no tomb mound has yet been raised. Speaking always of this upright man of old, We feel deep grief and regret. Let him be honored in the realm of the dead and given glory for ten thousand ages. He is posthumously to be made Grand Protector General of Yi Prefecture.

炎長子彥先，後為太子舍人；從子伷先，後為工部尚書。

Yan's eldest son Yanzian later served as attendant to the heir apparent. His nephew's son Youxian later became minister of works.

劉禕之

Liu Yizhi

禕之少與孟利貞、高智周、郭正一俱以文藻知名，時人號為劉、孟、高、郭。尋與利貞等同直昭文館。上元中，遷左史、弘文館直學士，與著作郎元萬頃，左史范履冰、苗楚客，右史周思茂、韓楚賓等皆召入禁中，共撰《列女傳》、《臣軌》、《百僚新誡》、《樂書》，凡千餘卷。時又密令參決，以分宰相之權，時人謂之“北門學士”。禕之兄懿之，時為給事中，兄弟並居兩省，論者美之。

In his youth Yizhi, together with Meng Lizhen, Gao Zhizhou, and Guo Zhengyi, was famed for literary talent, and contemporaries called them the Liu, Meng, Gao, and Guo. Soon he and Lizhen served together on duty at the Zhaowen Hall. During the Shangyuan era he was promoted to Left Historian and resident academician of the Hongwen Hall. He and Yuan Wanqing, Fan Lübing, Miao Chuke, Zhou Simao, Han Chubin, and others were summoned into the inner palace to compile the Biographies of Exemplary Women, the Tracks of Ministers, the New Admonitions for the Hundred Officials, and the Book of Music—more than a thousand scrolls in all. They were also secretly ordered to take part in policy decisions and thereby divide the power of the chief ministers. Contemporaries called them the North Gate Academicians. His elder brother Yizhi was then a supervising secretary. With both brothers serving in the two secretariats, commentators praised the arrangement.

儀鳳二年，轉朝議大夫、中書侍郎，兼豫王府司馬，尋加中大夫。禕之有姊在宮中為內職，天后令省榮國夫人之疾，禕之潛伺見之，坐是配流巂州。歷數載，天后表請高宗召還，拜中書舍人。轉相王府司馬，復遷檢校中書侍郎。高宗謂曰：“相王朕之愛子，以卿忠孝之門，藉卿師範，所冀蓬生麻中，不扶自直耳。 ”禕之居家孝友，甚為士族所稱，每得俸祿，散於親屬，高宗以此重之。則天臨朝，甚見親委。及豫王立，禕之參預其謀，擢拜中書侍郎、同中書門下三品，賜爵臨淮男。時軍國多事，所有詔敕，獨出禕之，構思敏速，皆可立待。及官名改易，禕之為鳳閣侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台三品。

In the second year of Yifeng he became Gentleman for Court Discussion and vice director of the Secretariat, while also serving as steward of the Prince of Yu's household. Soon he was promoted to grand master. Yizhi had an elder sister serving in the palace. When the Empress ordered her to visit Lady Rongguo during an illness, Yizhi secretly went to see her and was banished to Xun Prefecture for it. After several years the Empress memorialized Gaozong to recall him, and he was appointed drafting officer of the Secretariat. He was transferred to steward of the Prince of Xiang's household and later promoted again to acting vice director of the Secretariat. Gaozong told him: "The Prince of Xiang is Our beloved son. Because yours is a house of loyalty and filial piety, We rely on you as his teacher, hoping that, like mugwort growing amid hemp, he will stand straight without propping. "Yizhi was filial and friendly at home and was greatly praised by the gentry. Whenever he received his salary he distributed it among his relatives, and for this Gaozong esteemed him highly. When Wu Zetian took power she favored and trusted him greatly. When the Prince of Yu was made heir, Yizhi took part in the plot and was promoted to vice director and third-rank councilor, enfeoffed as Baron of Linhuai. At that time military and civil affairs were heavy, and all edicts issued from Yizhi alone. His mind was quick, and every draft was ready on the spot. When titles were reorganized, Yizhi became vice director of the Phoenix Pavilion and third-rank councilor.

時有司門員外郎房先敏得罪，左授衛州司馬，詣宰相陳訴。內史騫味道謂曰：“此乃皇太后處分也。 ”禕之謂先敏曰：“緣坐改官，例從臣下奏請。 ”則天聞之，以味道善則歸己，過則推君，貶青州刺史。以禕之推善於君，引過在己，加授太中大夫，賜物百段、細馬一匹。因謂侍臣曰：“夫為臣之體，在揚君之德，君德發揚，豈非臣下之美事？且君為元首，臣作股肱，情同休戚，義均一體。未聞以手足之疾移於腹背，而得一體安者。味道不存忠赤，已從屏退。禕之竭忠奉上，情甚可嘉。 ”納言王德真對曰：“昔戴至德每有善事，必推於君。 ”太后曰：“先朝每稱至德能有此事，逮其終歿，有制褒崇。為臣之道，豈過斯行，傳名萬代，可不善歟！”

At that time Fang Xianmin, vice director of the Department of Justice, had offended and been demoted to steward of Wei Prefecture. He went to the chief ministers to plead his case. Director Qian Weidao told him: "This was the Empress Dowager's decision. "Yizhi told Xianmin: "When someone is demoted for implicated guilt, the change is normally submitted by a minister on the emperor's behalf. "When Zetian heard this, she concluded that Weidao took credit for what was good and blamed the ruler for what was wrong, and demoted him to prefect of Qing Prefecture. Because Yizhi gave credit to the ruler and took blame upon himself, she promoted him to grand master and gave him a hundred lengths of goods and a fine horse. She then told the attending ministers: "The duty of a minister is to exalt the ruler's virtue. When the ruler's virtue shines forth, is that not the minister's finest achievement? The ruler is the head and ministers are the limbs. In feeling they share weal and woe; in duty they are one body. One never hears of shifting an ailment of the limbs onto the trunk and expecting the whole body to be well. Weidao lacked loyal sincerity and has already been dismissed. Yizhi serves the throne with complete loyalty, and that is greatly to his credit. "Counselor Wang Dezhen replied: "In former times Dai Zhide always gave the ruler credit for every good deed. "The Empress Dowager said: "The former court often praised Zhide for this. When he died, an edict commended and honored him. Can the way of a minister surpass such conduct? To leave one's name for ten thousand generations—what could be finer?

儀鳳中，吐蕃為邊患，高宗謂侍臣曰：“吐蕃小丑，屢犯邊境，我比務在安輯，未即誅夷。而戎狄豺狼，不識恩造，置之則疆場日駭，圖之則未聞上策，宜論得失，各盡所懷。 ”時劉景仙、郭正一、皇甫文亮、楊思征、薛元超各有所奏。禕之時為中書舍人，對曰：“臣觀自古明王聖主，皆患夷狄。吐蕃時擾邊隅，有同禽獸，得其土地，不可攸居，被其憑淩，未足為恥。願戢萬乘之威，且寬百姓之役。 ”高宗嘉其言。

During the Yifeng era Tibet was a border menace. Gaozong told his ministers: "These Tibetan raiders are a petty nuisance who keep violating the frontier. We have lately sought pacification and have not yet destroyed them. Yet these barbarian wolves do not recognize our kindness. If we leave them alone the border is alarmed daily; if we strike, no superior strategy has yet been found. Let each of you discuss the pros and cons and speak your mind fully. "Liu Jingxian, Guo Zhengyi, Huangfu Wenliang, Yang Sizheng, and Xue Yuanchao each submitted memorials. Yizhi was then a drafting officer and replied: "I observe that enlightened kings and sage rulers in every age have been troubled by barbarians. The Tibetans harass the border like wild beasts. Their land cannot be settled, and to suffer their raids is no great disgrace. I ask that Your Majesty restrain the imperial majesty for now and ease the burdens on the people. "Gaozong approved of his advice.

後禕之嚐竊謂鳳閣舍人賈大隱曰：“太后既能廢昏立明，何用臨朝稱制？不如返政，以安天下之心。 ”大隱密奏其言。則天不悅，謂左右曰：“禕之我所引用，乃有背我之心，豈復顧我恩也！ ”垂拱三年，或誣告禕之受歸州都督孫萬榮金，兼與許敬宗妾有私，則天特令肅州刺史王本立推鞫其事。本立宣敕示禕之，禕之曰：“不經鳳閣鸞台，何名為敕？ ”則天大怒，以為拒捍製使，乃賜死於家，時年五十七。

Later Yizhi once privately told drafting officer Jia Dayin: "Since the Empress Dowager could depose a bad ruler and set up a good one, why must she hold court and rule in regency? She would do better to return power and thereby reassure the empire. "Dayin reported this secretly. Zetian was displeased and told her attendants: "Yizhi is a man I myself promoted, yet he turns against me. Does he still care for my kindness? "In the third year of Chuigong someone falsely accused Yizhi of taking gold from Sun Wanrong, regional commander of Guizhou, and of having an affair with a concubine of Xu Jingye. Zetian specially ordered Su Prefecture prefect Wang Benli to investigate. Benli proclaimed the edict to Yizhi. Yizhi said: "If it does not pass through the Phoenix Pavilion and Phoenix Terrace, what makes it an edict? "Zetian was furious, took this as defiance of an imperial commissioner, and ordered him to take his own life at home. He was fifty-seven.

魏玄同

Wei Xuantong

魏玄同，定州鼓城人也。舉進士。累轉司列大夫。坐與上官儀文章屬和，配流嶺外。上元初赦還。工部尚書劉審禮薦玄同有時務之才，拜岐州長史。累遷至吏部侍郎。

Wei Xuantong was a native of Gucheng in Ding Prefecture. He passed the jinshi examination. He rose through the ranks to become Grand Master of the Bureau of Appointments. He was exiled beyond the Ling region for collaborating with Shangguan Yi on literary compositions. At the start of the Shangyuan reign he was pardoned and allowed to return. Minister of Works Liu Shenli recommended Xuantong for his grasp of practical affairs, and he was appointed chief secretary of Qi Prefecture. He rose to become vice minister of personnel.

玄同以既委選舉，恐未盡得人之術，乃上疏曰：

Now charged with civil appointments, Xuantong feared the system still failed to secure the right men, and submitted a memorial:

臣聞製器者必擇匠以簡材，為國者必求賢以蒞官。匠之不良，無以成其工；官之非賢，無以致於理。君者，所以牧人也；臣者，所以佐君也。君不養人，失君道矣；臣不輔君，失臣任矣。任人者，誠國家之基本，百姓之安危也。方今人不加富，盜賊不衰，獄公未清，禮義猶闕者，何也？下吏不稱職，庶官非其才也。官之不得其才者，取人之道，有所未盡也。臣又聞傳說曰：“明王奉若天道，建邦設都，樹後王君公，承以大夫師長，不惟逸豫，惟以理人。 ”昔之邦國，今之州縣，士有常君，人有定主，自求臣佐，各選英賢，其大臣乃命於王朝耳。秦併天下，罷侯置守，漢氏因之，有沿有革。諸侯得自置吏四百石以下，其傅相大官，則漢為置之。州郡掾吏、督郵從事，悉任之於牧守。爰自魏、晉，始歸吏部，遞相祖襲，以迄於今。用刀筆以量才，案簿書而察行，法令之弊，其來自久。

I have heard that those who fashion vessels must choose skilled craftsmen to pick their materials, and those who govern a state must seek worthy men to fill its offices. Without a capable craftsman, the work cannot be done well; without worthy officials, good government is impossible. The ruler exists to shepherd the people; ministers exist to assist the ruler. When a ruler fails to nurture the people, he abandons the duty of kingship; when ministers fail to assist the ruler, they neglect their office. Appointing the right men is truly the foundation of the state and the key to the people's welfare or ruin. Why is it that today the people grow no richer, crime does not abate, the courts remain clogged, and ritual and righteousness are still wanting? The reason is that lower officials do not perform their duties and many posts are held by men unfit for them. When offices lack fit men, the methods of selection have not been fully applied. I have also heard Fu Yue say: "The enlightened king follows Heaven's Way, founds states and establishes capitals, appoints heirs, kings, lords, and dukes, and supports them with ministers and mentors—not for ease and pleasure, but to govern the people. "The feudal states of antiquity are today's prefectures and counties. Men of talent served fixed lords; each lord found his own aides and chose his own worthies. Only the highest ministers received appointment from the throne." When Qin united the empire it abolished the feudal lords and appointed commandants in their place. Han inherited that system, retaining some parts and changing others. Feudal lords could appoint their own officials below the rank of four hundred shi, but tutors, chancellors, and high posts were appointed by the Han court. Prefectural and commandery staff, inspectors, and attendants were all left to the discretion of regional governors. From Wei and Jin onward, appointment authority passed to the Ministry of Personnel, and dynasty after dynasty preserved the practice down to our own day. Talent is measured by paperwork and conduct judged from ledgers—this bureaucratic method has been flawed for a very long time.

蓋君子重因循而憚改作，有不得已者，亦當運獨見之明，定卓然之議。如今選司所行者，非上皇之令典，乃近代之權道，所宜遷徙，實為至要。何以言之？夫尺丈之量，所及者蓋短；鍾庾之器，所積者寧多。非其所及，焉能度之；非其所受，何以容之？況天下之大，士人之眾，而可委之數人之手乎？假使平如權衡，明如水鏡，力有所極，照有所窮，銓綜既多，紊失斯廣。又以比居此任，時有非人。豈直愧彼清通，昧於甄察；亦將竟其庸妄，糅彼棼絲。情故既行，何所不至？髒私一啟，以及萬端。至乃為人擇官，為身擇利，顧親疏而下筆，看勢要而措情。悠悠風塵，此焉奔兢；擾擾遊宦，同乎市井。加以厚貌深衷，險如溪壑，擇言觀行，猶懼不周。今使百行九能，折之於一面，具僚庶品，專斷於一司，不亦難矣！且魏人應運，所據者乃三分；晉氏播遷，所臨者非一統。逮乎齊、宋，以及周、隋，戰爭之日多，安泰之時少，瓜分瓦裂，各在一方。隋氏平陳，十餘年耳，接以兵禍，繼以饑饉，既德業之不逮，或時事所未遑，非謂是今而非古也。武德、貞觀，與今亦異，皇運之初，庶事草創，豈唯日不暇給，亦乃人物常稀。天祚大聖，享國永年，比屋可封，異人間出。咸以為有道恥賤，得時無怠，諸色入流，歲以千計。群司列位，無復新加，官有常員，人無定限。選集之始，霧積雲屯，擢敘於終，十不收一。淄澠雜混，玉石難分，用舍去留，得失相半。撫即事之為弊，知及後之滋失。

Men of principle cherish continuity and shrink from reform, but when necessity demands it, one should apply independent judgment and settle on a bold policy. What the selection bureau now follows is not the permanent law of the founding emperor but a temporary expedient of recent centuries. Reform is urgently needed. Why do I say so? A ruler of feet and spans can measure only so far; a granary vessel can hold far more. What lies beyond their reach cannot be measured by them; what they cannot hold cannot be stored in them. How, then, can the vast empire and its countless men of talent be entrusted to a handful of officials? Even if they were as even as scales and as clear as mirrors, their strength would have limits and their vision bounds. With so many candidates to assess, confusion and error would multiply. Worse, those who hold this office are not always fit for it. It is not only that the unworthy disgrace the discerning and fail at selection; they also indulge their mediocrity to the full and tangle affairs like knotted silk. Once favoritism begins, what limit can there be? Once corrupt private dealings are allowed, a thousand other abuses follow. Officials even choose posts for particular men and profits for themselves, letting kinship guide their pen and influence their judgment according to the powerful. In the restless world of official life, men scramble here for advantage; the turmoil of official ambition becomes indistinguishable from haggling in the market. Add to this that men wear thick masks and hide deep designs, treacherous as ravines—careful scrutiny of words and conduct still falls short. To judge a man's full character from a single impression and let one bureau decide the fate of every official—is this not impossible! When Wei rose to power, it ruled only a third of the realm; when Jin fled south, it did not govern a unified empire. From Qi and Song through Zhou and Sui, war outlasted peace and the realm lay divided, each dynasty holding its own fragment. Sui conquered Chen and ruled for little more than a decade before war and famine struck. Whether because virtue was lacking or because events allowed no other course, this is not to praise the present and condemn antiquity. The Wude and Zhenguan periods differed from our own as well. At the dynasty's founding everything was being built from scratch; not only was there no time to spare, but worthy men were scarce. Heaven has endowed us with sage rule and long years of peace; every household seems worthy of honor, and extraordinary talent appears at every turn. Believing it shameful to remain obscure under enlightened rule and eager to seize the moment, candidates in every category enter the official ranks by the thousand each year. The bureaucracy no longer expands its posts; offices have fixed quotas, but candidates have none. At the start of each selection season candidates swarm like clouds; by the end, fewer than one in ten wins appointment. Good and bad are hopelessly mixed, jade indistinguishable from stone; who is kept and who is dismissed seems a matter of pure chance. Consider the harm of the present system and one can foresee how much worse it will become.

夏、殷已前，制度多闕，周監二代，煥乎可睹。豈諸侯之臣，不皆命於天子，王朝庶官，亦不專於一職。故周穆王以伯冏為太僕正，命之曰：“慎簡乃僚，無以巧言令色便僻側媚，唯吉士。 ”此則令其自擇下吏之文也。太僕正，中大夫耳，尚以僚屬委之，則三公九卿，亦必然矣。《周禮》：太宰、內史，並掌爵祿廢置；司徒、司馬，別掌興賢詔事。當是分任於群司，而統之以數職，各自求其小者，而王命其大者焉。夫委任責成，君之體也，所委者當，所用者精，故能得濟濟之多士，盛芃芃之棫樸。

Before Xia and Shang, institutions were largely incomplete. Zhou learned from the two earlier dynasties, and its model shines clearly before us. Surely not every minister of the feudal lords was appointed by the Son of Heaven—and the court's many offices were not monopolized by a single bureau. King Mu of Zhou appointed Bo Jiong Director of the Imperial Stud and told him: "Choose your subordinates with care. Do not take men of smooth speech, pleasing faces, cunning tricks, perversity, or obsequious flattery—only good men. "This is the charge to choose one's own subordinates." The Director of the Imperial Stud was only a middle-ranking minister, yet even his staff were left to his choice—how much more so for the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers. The Rites of Zhou assigns enfeoffment, salary, dismissal, and appointment jointly to the Grand Steward and the Inner Scribe; while the Minister of Education and the Minister of War separately oversee the raising up of worthies and public appointments. Responsibility was divided among many offices and coordinated through several posts: each minister found his own junior staff, while the king appointed the senior men. To delegate responsibility and demand results is the essence of kingship. When the right men are entrusted and the right talents employed, the state gains a host of able scholars and a rich store of uncarved timber.

裴子野有言曰：“官人之難，先王言之尚矣。居家視其孝友，鄉黨服其誠信，出入觀其誌義，憂歡取其智謀。煩之以事，以觀其能；臨之以利，以察其廉。《周禮》始於學校，論之州里，告諸六事，而後貢之王庭。其在漢家，尚猶然矣。州郡積其功能，然後為五府所辟，五府舉其掾屬而升於朝，三公參得除署，尚書奏之天子。一人之身，所關者眾；一士之進，其謀也詳。故官得其人，鮮有敗事。魏、晉反是，所失弘多。 ”子野所論，蓋區區之宋朝耳，猶謂不勝其弊，而況於當今乎！

Pei Ziye wrote: "The difficulty of appointing officials—the ancient kings spoke of it long ago. Watch a man's filial piety and brotherliness at home, his honesty in the community, his loyalty in public life, and his wisdom in times of trouble or joy. Burden him with work to test his ability; tempt him with gain to test his integrity. The Rites of Zhou begins in the schools, evaluates men in their districts, reports on the six virtues, and only then sends them to the royal court. Han followed much the same course. Prefectures and commanderies first tracked men's service; then the five ministries recruited them, promoting their staff to court; the Three Dukes shared appointment authority; and the Secretariat presented the list to the emperor. Many eyes weighed a single candidate; and his promotion was carefully considered. When offices had the right men, failure was rare. Wei and Jin reversed this practice, and the cost was enormous. "Ziye was writing about the small Song state alone, yet even that system he found beyond repair—how much more so today!"

又夫從政蒞官，不可以無學。故《書》曰：“學古入官，議事以制。 ”《傳》曰：“我聞學以從政，不聞以政入學。 ”今貴戚子弟，例早求官，髫齔之年，已腰銀艾，或童草之歲，已襲朱紫。弘文崇賢之生，千牛輦腳之類，課試既淺，藝能亦薄，而門閥有素，資望自高。夫象賢繼父，古之道也。所謂胄子，必裁諸學，修六禮以節其性，明七教以興其德，齊八政以防其淫，舉上賢以崇德，簡不肖以黜惡。少則受業，長而出仕，並由德進，必以才升，然後可以利用賓王，移家事國。少仕則廢學，輕試則無才，於此一流，良足惜也。又勳官三衛流外之徒，不待州縣之舉，直取之於書判，恐非先德而後言才之義也。

Moreover, no one can hold office and govern without education. The Book of Documents says: "Study the ancients before taking office; discuss affairs according to established norms. "The Commentary says: "I have heard of learning in order to govern, not of governing in order to learn. "Today noble sons routinely seek office while still young. While their hair is still on their temples they already wear silver seals; while still mere boys they already inherit purple robes. Students of the Hongwen and Chongxian academies and men from posts such as Thousand-Ox Attendant face shallow examinations and show thin ability, yet their great-house pedigree lifts their standing. To emulate a worthy father and succeed him is the ancient way. Noble heirs were to be trained in school: taught the six rites to discipline their nature, the seven virtues to cultivate their character, and the eight policies to restrain excess; the worthy were to be advanced and the unworthy removed. They studied in youth and entered service in maturity, advancing by virtue and rising by talent—only then could they serve the throne and turn private duty into public service. Early office means abandoned learning; easy promotion means empty talent. In this path lies real waste. Merit officers, Guardsmen, and men from irregular categories enter through document examinations without local recommendation—this reverses the principle of virtue before talent.

臣又以為國之用人，有似人之用財。貧者厭糟糠，思短褐；富者餘糧肉，衣輕裘。然則當衰弊乏賢之時，則可磨策朽鈍而乘馭之；在太平多士之日，亦宜妙選髦俊而任使之。《詩》云：“翹翹錯薪，言刈其楚。 ”楚，荊也，在薪之翹翹者。方之用才，理亦當爾，選人幸多，尤宜簡練。臣竊見制書，每令三品、五品薦士，下至九品，亦令舉人，此聖朝側席旁求之意也。但以褒貶不甚明，得失無大隔，故人上不憂黜責，下不盡搜揚，苟以應命，莫慎所舉。且惟賢知賢，聖人篤論，伊、皋既舉，不仁咸遠。復患階秩雖同，人才異等，身且濫進，鑒豈知人？今欲務得實才，兼宜擇其舉主。流清以源潔，影端由表正，不詳舉主之行能，而責舉人之庸濫，不可得已。《漢書》云：“張耳、陳餘之賓客、廝役，皆天下俊傑。 ”彼之蕞爾，猶能若斯，況以神皇之聖明，國家之德業，而不建久長之策，為無窮之基，盡得賢取士之術，而但顧望魏、晉之遺風，留意周、隋之末事，臣竊惑之。伏願稍回聖慮，時采芻言，略依周、漢之規，以分吏部之選。即望所用精詳，鮮于差失。

I would also compare a state's use of men to a man's use of money. The poor tire of chaff and crave plain cloth; the rich have grain and meat to spare and wear fine furs. In times of decline, when talent is scarce, one may sharpen worn tools and put dull horses to work; in times of peace and abundance, one should carefully choose the finest talent available. The Book of Poetry says: "The firewood stacks high; cut the tallest thorn. "Chu is thorn—the tallest stalk in the stack." The same principle applies to talent: with candidates in such abundance, selection must be all the more careful. I note that imperial edicts repeatedly order third- and fifth-rank officials to recommend talent, and even ninth-rank officials to do the same—this reflects the court's eager search for able men. But because rewards and penalties are unclear and stakes are low, superiors need not fear punishment and subordinates need not search hard; men comply with the order without caring whom they recommend. Only the worthy can recognize worth—the sages said it plainly. Once Yi Yin and Gao Yao were elevated, the unworthy fell away. There is also the problem that though ranks may match, talents do not; how can a man who bought his own way in judge others? To obtain genuine talent, we must also hold recommenders accountable. Streams run clear only from a pure source; shadows fall straight only from a true edge. You cannot fault recommenders for poor choices without first judging the men who recommend. The Book of Han says: "The guests and servants of Zhang Er and Chen Yu were all outstanding men under Heaven. Even such petty men achieved this much; how much more should Your Majesty, with imperial wisdom and national virtue, establish enduring policy, lay a lasting foundation, and master the art of recruiting talent—rather than looking back to Wei and Jin habits and brooding over the late troubles of Zhou and Sui? I confess I am baffled. I humbly ask that Your Majesty turn your attention slightly, heed humble counsel from time to time, and roughly follow the Zhou and Han model by dividing the Ministry of Personnel's selections. Then appointments may be made with care, and mistakes kept rare.

疏奏不納。弘道初，轉文昌左丞，兼地官尚書、同中書門下三品。則天臨朝，遷太中大夫、鸞台侍郎，依前知政事。垂拱三年，加銀青光祿大夫，檢校納言，封钜鹿男。玄同素與裴炎結交，能保始終，時人呼為“耐久朋”。而與酷吏周興不協。永昌初，為周興所構，云玄同言：“太后老矣，須復皇嗣。 ”太后聞之，怒，乃賜死於家。監察御史房濟謂玄同曰：“何不告事，冀得召見，當自陳訴。 ”玄同歎曰：“人殺鬼殺，有何殊也，豈能為告人事乎！ ”乃就刑，年七十三。

The memorial was submitted but not accepted. At the beginning of Hongdao, he was transferred to Left Vice Director of the Wenchang Department, concurrently Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and Third Rank at the Secretariat-Chancellery. When Empress Wu assumed the throne, he was promoted to Grand Master of Palace Attendance and Vice Director of the Luantai Department, continuing as before to manage state affairs. In the third year of Chuigong, he was given the additional title Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Silver Seal, Acting Censor-in-Chief, and ennobled as Baron of Julu. Xuantong had long been friends with Pei Yan and kept their friendship to the end; people of the time called them "enduring friends." But he did not get along with the harsh official Zhou Xing. At the beginning of Yongchang, he was framed by Zhou Xing, who reported that Xuantong had said: "The Empress Dowager is old; the imperial heir must be restored. "When the Empress Dowager heard this, she was enraged and ordered him granted death at home. Supervising Censor Fang Ji said to Xuantong: "Why not inform on others, hoping to be summoned for an audience, so you may plead your own case? "Xuantong sighed: "Whether men kill me or ghosts kill me, what difference does it make? I could never become an informer! "He then went to execution. He was seventy-three.

子恬，開元中為潁王傅。

His son Tian, during the Kaiyuan era, served as tutor to the Prince of Ying.

李昭德

Li Zhaode

李昭德，京兆長安人也。父乾祐，貞觀初為殿中侍御史。時有鄃令裴仁軌私役門夫，太宗欲斬之。乾祐奏曰：“法令者，陛下制之於上，率土尊之於下，與天下共之，非陛下獨有也。仁軌犯輕罪而致極刑，是乖畫一之理。刑罰不中，則人無所措手足。臣忝憲司，不敢奉制。 ”太宗意解，仁軌竟免。乾祐尋遷侍御史。母卒，廬於墓側，負土成墳，太宗遣使就墓弔之，仍旌表其門。後歷長安令、治書御史，皆有能名，擢拜御史大夫。乾祐與中書令褚遂良不協，竟為遂良所構。永徽初，繼受邢、魏等州刺史。乾祐雖強直有器幹，而昵於小人，既典外郡，與令史結友，書疏往返，令伺朝廷之事。俄為友人所發，坐流愛州。乾封中，起為桂州都督，歷拜司刑太常伯。舉京兆功曹參軍崔擢為尚書郎，事既不果，私以告擢。後擢有犯，乃告乾祐泄禁中語以贖罪，乾祐復坐免官。尋卒。

Li Zhaode was a native of Chang'an in Jingzhao. His father Qianyou, in the early Zhenguan era, served as palace censor. At the time the magistrate of Fu, Pei Rengui, privately conscripted gate guards for labor, and Emperor Taizong wished to behead him. Qianyou memorialized: "The laws and ordinances are made by Your Majesty above and honored throughout the realm below—they are shared with all under Heaven, not the sole possession of Your Majesty. Rengui committed a light offense yet would receive extreme punishment—this violates the principle of uniform application. When punishments are not appropriate, people have nowhere to put hand or foot. Your subject disgraces the office of censors and dare not carry out the order. "The Emperor's mind softened, and Rengui was ultimately spared. Qianyou was soon promoted to attendant censor. When his mother died, he lived in a hut beside her tomb and carried earth to build the mound. Taizong sent an envoy to mourn at the tomb and also granted an honorific gate tablet to his household. Later he successively held the posts of magistrate of Chang'an and reviewing censor, winning a reputation for ability in each, and was raised to Censor-in-Chief. Qianyou did not get along with Chief Minister Chu Suiliang and was ultimately framed by Suiliang. In the early Yonghui era, he successively received appointment as prefect of Xing, Wei, and other prefectures. Although Qianyou was forceful, upright, and capable, he was close to petty men; once he governed outer prefectures, he made friends with clerks and exchanged letters back and forth, having them spy on court affairs. Before long he was exposed by a friend and was punished by exile to Aizhou. During the Qianfeng era he was recalled as military governor of Guizhou and successively appointed Minister of Justice and Minister of Ceremonies. He recommended Cui Zhuo, records officer of Jingzhao, for a post in the Secretariat; when the matter did not succeed, he privately told Zhuo. Later when Zhuo committed an offense, he reported that Qianyou had leaked palace secrets to atone for his crime, and Qianyou was again punished and dismissed from office. He soon died.

昭德，即乾祐之孽子也。強幹有父風。少舉明經，累遷至鳳閣侍郎。長壽二年，增置夏官侍郎三員，時選昭德與婁師德、侯知一為之。是歲，又遷鳳閣鸞台平章事，尋加檢校內史。長壽中，神都改作文昌台及定鼎、上東諸門，又城外郭，皆昭德創其制度，時人以為能。初，都城洛水天津之東，立德坊西南隅，有中橋及利涉橋，以通行李。上元中，司農卿韋機始移中橋置於安眾坊之左街，當長夏門，都人甚以為便，因廢利涉橋，所省萬計。然歲為洛水衝注，常勞治葺。昭德創意積石為腳，銳其前以分水勢，自是竟無漂損。

Zhaode was the illegitimate son of Qianyou. Forceful and capable, he had his father's spirit. In youth he passed the Mingjing examination and rose through promotions to Vice Director of the Fengge Department. In the second year of Changshou, three additional vice directors of the Ministry of War were created; at the time Zhaode was chosen along with Lou Deshi and Hou Zhiyi. That same year he was further made Co-Director of the Fengge and Luantai departments, and soon given the additional title of Acting Director of the Secretariat. During Changshou, when the Divine Capital was rebuilt as the Wenchang Terrace and the Dingding, Shangdong, and other gates, as well as the outer city wall, Zhaode devised their designs in each case, and people of the time regarded him as capable. Initially, east of the Luo River at Tianjin in the capital, at the southwest corner of Lide Ward, there were the Zhong Bridge and the Lishe Bridge for passing traffic and luggage. During Shangyuan, Minister of Public Works Wei Ji first moved the Zhong Bridge to the left street of Anzhong Ward, facing Changxia Gate; the people of the capital greatly found this convenient, and the Lishe Bridge was therefore abolished, saving tens of thousands in expense. Yet each year the Luo River rushed against it, and repair was constantly needed. Zhaode devised piling stones as piers and sharpening their fronts to divide the force of the water; from then on there was no drifting damage at all.

時則天以武承嗣為文昌左相，昭德密奏曰：“承嗣，陛下之侄，又是親王，不宜更在機權，以惑眾庶。且自古帝王，父子之間猶相篡奪，況在姑侄，豈得委權與之？脫若乘便，寶位寧可安乎？ ”則天矍然曰：“我未之思也。 ”承嗣亦嚐返譖昭德，則天曰：“自我任昭德，每獲高臥，是代我勞苦，非汝所及也。 ”承嗣俄轉太子少保，罷知政事。延載初，鳳閣舍人張嘉福令洛陽人王慶之率輕薄惡少數百人詣闕上表，請立武承嗣為皇太子。則天不許，慶之固請不已，則天令昭德詰責之，令散。昭德便杖殺慶之，餘眾乃息。昭德因奏曰：“臣聞文武之道，布在方策，民有侄為天子而為姑立廟乎！以親親言之，則天皇是陛下夫也，皇嗣是陛下子也，陛下正合傳之子孫，為萬代計。況陛下承天皇顧托而有天下，若立承嗣，臣恐天皇不血食矣。 ”則天寤之，乃止。

At the time Empress Wu had made Wu Chengsi Left Chancellor of the Wenchang Department. Zhaode secretly memorialized: "Chengsi is Your Majesty's nephew and also a prince of the blood—he ought not to hold further control of critical power, lest he mislead the multitude. Moreover, from antiquity emperors and kings have even among father and son seized power from one another—how much the more so between aunt and nephew? How can power be entrusted to him? If he should seize the opportunity, could the imperial throne remain secure? "Empress Wu started and said: "I had not thought of this. "Chengsi also on occasion slandered Zhaode in return. Empress Wu said: "Since I put Zhaode in office, I can always rest at ease—he takes my burdens upon himself. That is beyond your reach. "Chengsi was soon transferred to Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent and removed from managing state affairs. At the beginning of Yanzai, Palace Secretary Zhang Jiafu had the Luoyang man Wang Qingzhi lead several hundred frivolous young ruffians to the palace to submit a memorial asking that Wu Chengsi be made Crown Prince. Empress Wu did not permit it. Qingzhi pressed his request without cease, and Empress Wu ordered Zhaode to interrogate and rebuke him and have the crowd dispersed. Zhaode immediately had Qingzhi beaten to death, and the rest of the crowd then subsided. Zhaode then memorialized: "Your subject has heard that the way of Wen and Wu is spread in the written records—is there any people whose nephew became Son of Heaven yet built a temple for his aunt? Speaking in terms of kinship, the Heavenly Emperor was Your Majesty's husband, and the imperial heir is Your Majesty's son. Your Majesty should properly transmit the throne to your sons and grandsons for the planning of ten thousand generations. Moreover, Your Majesty received the realm through the Heavenly Emperor's dying trust; if Chengsi were established as heir, your subject fears the Heavenly Emperor would receive no sacrificial offerings of blood. "Empress Wu awoke to this and stopped the matter.

時朝廷諛佞者多獲進用，故幸恩者，事無大小，但近諂諛，皆獲進見。有人於洛水中獲白石數點赤，詣闕輒進。諸宰相詰之，對云：“此石赤心，所以來進。 ”昭德叱之曰：“此石赤心，洛水中餘石豈能盡反耶？ ”左右皆笑。是時，來俊臣、侯思止等枉撓刑法，誣陷忠良，人皆懾懼，昭德每廷奏其狀，由是俊臣黨與少自摧屈。來俊臣又嚐棄故妻而娶太原王慶詵女，侯思止亦奏娶趙郡李自挹女，敕政事堂共商量。昭德撫掌謂諸宰相曰：“大可笑！往年俊臣賊劫王慶詵女，已大辱國。今日此奴又請索李自挹女，無乃復辱國耶！ ”尋奏寢之。侯思止後竟為昭德所繩，搒殺之。

At the time many flatterers in court were promoted, so those who sought favor, regardless of the matter's size, need only draw near with flattery to gain an audience. Someone obtained white stones from the Luo River with several red specks and, on reaching the palace, promptly presented them. The chief ministers questioned him. He replied: "This stone has a red heart—that is why I come to present it. "Zhaode rebuked him: "So this stone has a loyal red heart—must every other stone in the Luo River be a traitor too? "Those on both sides all laughed. At this time Lai Junchen, Hou Sizhi, and others perverted the law, falsely implicating the loyal and good, and everyone was fearful. Zhaode repeatedly presented their abuses at court, and thereby the faction of Junchen was somewhat humbled. Lai Junchen also once abandoned his former wife and married the daughter of Wang Qingyu of Taiyuan. Hou Sizhi likewise memorialized to marry the daughter of Li Ziyi of Zhao Commandery. An edict ordered the chief ministers to discuss it together. Zhaode clapped his hands and said to the chief ministers: "Utterly laughable! In past years Junchen robbed Wang Qingyu's daughter like a bandit—a great dishonor to the state. Today this slave again asks for Li Ziyi's daughter—is the state not to be dishonored once more! "He soon memorialized and the matter was shelved. Hou Sizhi was later bound by Zhaode after all and beaten to death.

既而昭德專權用事，頗為朝野所惡。前魯王府功曹參軍丘愔上疏言其罪狀曰：

Before long Zhaode monopolized power and managed affairs, and was greatly disliked by court and countryside alike. Qiu Yin, former records officer of the Prince of Lu's household, submitted a memorial stating his crimes, saying:

臣聞百王之失，皆由權歸於下。宰臣持政，常以勢盛為殃。魏冉誅庶族以安秦，非不忠也。弱諸侯以強國，亦有功也。然以出入自專，擊斷無忌，威震人主，不聞有王，張祿一進深言，卒用憂死。向使昭王不即覺悟，魏冉果以專權，則秦之霸業，或不傳其子孫。陛下創業興王，撥亂英主，總權收柄，司契握圖。天授已前，萬機獨斷，發命皆中，舉事無遺，公卿百僚，具職而已。自長壽已來，厭怠細政，委任昭德，使掌機權。然其幹濟小才，不堪軍國大用。直以性好淩轢，氣負剛強，盲聾下人，芻狗同列，刻薄慶賞，矯枉憲章，國家所賴者微，所妨者大。天下杜口，莫敢一言，聲威翕赫，日已熾盛。臣近於南台見敕日，諸處奏事，陛下已依，昭德請不依，陛下便不依。如此改張，不可勝數。昭德參奉機密，獻可替否，事有便利，不預諮謀，要待畫旨將行，方始別生駁異。揚露專擅，顯示於人，歸美引愆，義不如此。州縣列位，台寺庶官，入謁出辭，望塵習氣。一切奏讞，與奪事宜，皆承旨意，附會上言。今有秩之吏，多為昭德之人。陛下勿謂昭德小心，是我手臂。臣觀其膽，乃大於身，鼻息所衝，上拂雲漢。近者新陷來、張兩族，兼挫侯、王二仇，鋒銳理不可當，方寸良難窺測。

Your subject has heard that the failures of the hundred kings all came from power returning to those below. When chief ministers hold power, excessive strength often becomes a calamity. Wei Ran executed the collateral clan to secure Qin—not because he was disloyal. Weakening the feudal lords to strengthen the state also had merit. Yet because he came and went at his own discretion, struck and judged without restraint, his awesomeness shook the ruler, and the king heard no one—Zhang Lu once advanced deep counsel, and in the end Wei Ran died of worry. If King Zhao had not quickly awakened, and Wei Ran had indeed monopolized power, then Qin's hegemony might not have passed to his descendants. Your Majesty founded the enterprise and raised the throne, a heroic ruler who quelled disorder, gathering all power and seizing the reins, holding the tally and grasping the map. Before Tianshou, you alone decided the myriad affairs; every order hit the mark, every undertaking was complete, and the high officials and hundred ranks merely fulfilled their duties. Since Changshou you have wearied of detailed government and entrusted Zhaode, making him hold critical power. Yet his talent for practical management is small; he cannot bear great use in military and state affairs. It is simply that by nature he likes to bully and humiliate; his spirit relies on stubborn force; he deafens and blinds his subordinates and treats colleagues like straw dogs; he is harsh in rewards and punishments and twists the statutes—what the state may rely on from him is slight, what he obstructs is great. Under Heaven mouths are sealed; none dare speak a word. His renown and power blaze ever more fiercely day by day. Your subject recently at the Southern Censorate saw an edict-day document: on memorials from all quarters, when Your Majesty had already approved, if Zhaode asked that they not be approved, Your Majesty then did not approve. Such reversals are beyond counting. Zhaode participates in confidential matters and should offer approval or dissent—but when something is expedient, he does not consult beforehand; he waits until the imperial decision is marked and about to be executed, then raises separate objections. To expose one's monopoly and display it before others, taking credit while shifting blame—that is not how duty should be done. Prefectural and county officials, bureau clerks, and staff of every rank—entering audience and taking leave—all bowed to his shadow and breathed his air. All memorials and legal opinions, all decisions of grant and denial, follow his intent and echo it upward. Now most officials of rank are Zhaode's men. Your Majesty must not think Zhaode is careful—that he is my arms. I see that his arrogance outgrows his body; his very breath seems to brush the Milky Way. Recently he newly ruined the Lai and Zhang clans and also humbled his enemies Hou and Wang; his edge is sharp and cannot be withstood, and his inmost mind is truly hard to fathom.

書曰：知人亦未易，人亦未易知。漢光武將寵龐萌，可以托孤，卒為戎首。魏明帝期司馬懿以安國，竟肆奸回。夫小家治生，有千百之資，將以托人，尚憂失授。況兼天下之重，而可輕忽委任者乎！今昭德作福專威，橫絕朝野，愛憎與奪，旁若無人。陛下恩遇至深，蔽過甚厚。臣聞蟻穴壞堤，針芒寫氣，涓涓不絕，必成江河。履霜堅冰，須防其漸，權重一去，收之極難。臣又聞輕議近臣，犯顏深諫，明君聖主，亦有不容。臣熟知今日言之於前，明日伏誅於後。但使國安身死，臣實不悔。陛下深覽臣言，為萬姓自愛。

The Documents say: To know men is not easy, and men are not easy to know. Emperor Guangwu of Han was about to favor Pang Meng and trust him with his orphan heir, yet Pang ended as leader of rebellion. Emperor Ming of Wei looked to Sima Yi to secure the state, yet Yi in the end indulged treachery and deceit. Even a small household with a few hundred or thousand in savings, about to entrust its fortune to another, still fears choosing the wrong man. How much more when the weight of the empire is at stake—can such power be entrusted lightly! Today Zhaode monopolizes favor and power, towering over court and countryside, dispensing rewards and punishments as though no one else existed. Your Majesty favors him deeply and shields his faults generously. I have heard that an ant hole can ruin a dike, a needle prick can drain strength, and trickles that never stop become rivers. Tread on frost and solid ice follows—guard against things while they are still small. Once great power slips away, it is almost impossible to reclaim. I also know that to speak lightly of a close minister and risk one's life in blunt remonstrance—even enlightened rulers sometimes will not bear it. I know well that what I say today may bring execution tomorrow. Yet if the realm is secure though I die, I shall not regret it. May Your Majesty weigh my words deeply and, for the sake of the people, guard yourself.

時長上果毅鄧注又著《碩論》數千言，備述昭德專權之狀，鳳閣舍人逢弘敏遽奏其論。則天乃惡昭德，謂納言姚璹曰：“昭德身為內史，備荷殊榮，誠如所言，實負於國。 ”延載初，左遷欽州南賓尉，數日，又命免死配流。尋又召拜監察御史。時太僕少卿來俊臣與昭德素不協，乃誣構昭德有逆謀，因被下獄，與來俊臣同日而誅。是日大雨，士庶莫不痛昭德而慶俊臣也。相謂曰：“今日天雨，可謂一悲一喜矣。 ”神龍中，降制曰：“故李昭德勤恪在公，強直自達。立朝正色，不吐剛以茹柔；當軸勵詞，必抗情以歷詆。墉隍府寺，樹勣良多，變更規模，歿而不朽。道淪福善，業虧嫉惡，名級不追，風流將沫。式旌壞樹，光被幽明，可贈左御史大夫。 ”德宗建中三年，加贈司空。

At that time Senior Commander Deng Zhu also wrote a lengthy Great Discourse detailing Zhaode's monopoly of power, and drafting officer Feng Hongmin quickly submitted it to the throne. Zetian then turned against Zhaode and told Counselor Yao Shuo: "Zhaode served as director of the Secretariat and received extraordinary honor. If what they say is true, he has truly betrayed the state. "At the start of Yanzai he was demoted to defender of Nanbin in Qin Prefecture. Within days he was spared execution but sentenced to exile. Soon he was summoned back and appointed investigating censor. Vice Minister of the Imperial Stud Lai Junchen had long been at odds with Zhaode and framed him for treason. Zhaode was thrown into prison and executed on the same day as Lai Junchen. That day a great rain fell, and scholars and commoners alike mourned Zhaode and rejoiced at Junchen's death. People said to one another: "Heaven weeps today—one sorrow and one joy together. "In the Shenlong era an edict declared: "The late Li Zhaode was diligent in public service and forthright in making himself heard. He stood in court with stern dignity and would not trade his firmness for flattery; when he held power he spoke boldly and always resisted pressure to denounce others unjustly. In walls, moats, offices, and temples he left many achievements; the plans he changed endure though he is gone. Fortune failed the good man, jealous enemies marred his work, no posthumous rank was granted, and his renown nearly faded away. Let him be honored though his tree is broken; may his light reach both the living and the dead—he is posthumously to be made Left Censor-in-Chief. "In the third year of Jianzhong, Emperor Dezong further posthumously made him Minister of Works.

史臣曰：裴炎位居相輔，時屬艱難，歷覽前蹤，非無忠節。但見遲而慮淺，又遭命以會時。何者，當是時，高宗晏駕尚新，武氏革命未見，炎也唯慮中宗之過失，是其淺也；不見太后之苞藏。是其遲也。及乎承嗣請封祖禰，三思勸殺宗親，然後徒有諫章，何嘗濟事，是辜遺托，豈痛伏誅。時論則然，遲淺須信。況聞睹構逆則示其閑暇，俾殺降則彰彼猜嫌，小數有餘，大度何足，又其驗也。

The historiographer writes: Pei Yan served as chief minister in a time of hardship. Looking back on his career, he was not without loyal integrity. Yet he was slow to act and shallow in judgment, and fate caught him at the wrong moment. Why? At that time Gaozong had only recently died and Wu's seizure of power was not yet plain. Yan worried only about Zhongzong's faults—that was his shallowness. He failed to see the Empress Dowager's hidden designs. That was his slowness. Only when Chengsi sought to ennoble his ancestors and Sansi urged killing the imperial kin did he offer remonstrance—and what good did it do? He betrayed the late emperor's trust. Was it any wonder he was executed? Contemporary opinion says as much, and his slowness and shallowness are credible. Moreover, when rebellion arose he showed unconcern; when surrendered enemies were killed he revealed his jealousy. He was clever in small matters but lacked great breadth—that too is proof.

禕之名父之子，諒知其才，著述頗精，履歷無愧。師範王府，秉執相權，咸有能名，固愜群議。何乃失言於大隱，取金於萬榮，潛見內人，私通嬖妾，使濁跡玷其清譽，淫行汙於貞名。若言俗困濫刑，公行誣告，即又自昧周防之道，人非盡戮之冤。賜死於家，猶為多幸，臨終不撓，抑又徒勞。

Yizhi was the son of a famous father, and his talent was well known. His writings were polished and his career unblemished. He tutored the princely household and wielded ministerial power, winning a reputation for ability that satisfied public opinion. Why then did he speak rashly to Dayin, take gold from Wanrong, secretly visit palace women, and consort with a favorite concubine, staining his clean reputation and defiling his upright name? If one says the age suffered from excessive punishment and false accusations, he himself ignored prudent self-defense, and not every man executed was innocent of him. Death by imperial gift at home was still a mercy; his unyielding at the end was vain pride.

玄同富於詞學，公任權衡，當為典選之時，備疏擇才之理。但以高宗棄代之後，則天居位之間，革命是懷，附己為愛，苟一言之不順，則赤族以難逃。是以唐之名臣，難忘中興之計；周之酷吏，常謀並進之讒。玄同欲復皇儲，固宜難免，死而無過，人殺何妨。

Xuantong was learned in letters and held public office. When he should have directed personnel selection, he laid out the principles of choosing talent in full. But after Gaozong's death, while Zetian held power, she sought revolution and loved only those who sided with her. One disloyal word could bring extinction to an entire clan. Thus Tang's great ministers could not forget plans to restore the dynasty. While Wu's cruel officials constantly plotted mutual advancement through slander. Xuantong wished to restore the heir apparent and naturally could not escape punishment. He died without fault—what matter if men killed him?

昭德強幹為臣，機巧蒞事，凡所製置，動有規模。武承嗣方持左相權，將立為皇太子，尋更所任，復寢其謀，咸由昭德之言，能拒則天之旨。又觀其誅侯思止，法王慶之，挫來俊臣，致朋黨漸衰，諛佞稍退。又則天謂承嗣曰：“我任昭德，每獲高臥，代我勞苦，非汝所及也。 ”此則強幹機巧之驗焉。公忠之道，亦在其中矣。不然，則何以致是哉！若使昭德用謙御下，以柔守剛，不恃專權，常能寡過，則復皇嗣而非晚，保臣節而必終。蓋由道乏弘持，器難苞貯，純剛是失，卷智不全。所以丘愔抗陳，鄧注深論，瓦解而固難收拾，風摧而豈易扶持。自取誅夷，人誰怨懟？

Zhaode was a forceful, capable minister, clever in affairs; whatever he undertook was done on a planned scale. Wu Chengsi then held power as left chief minister and was nearly made heir apparent, but his appointment was soon changed and the plot shelved—all because Zhaode's words could resist Zetian's intent. Observe too that he executed Hou Sizhi, punished Wang Qingzhi, checked Lai Junchen, and caused factions to weaken and flatterers to retreat. Zetian also told Chengsi: "When I put Zhaode in office I can rest at ease. He bears my burdens—something beyond your reach. "That is proof of his force and cleverness. Public loyalty was part of it as well. Otherwise, how could he have achieved such things! Had Zhaode governed subordinates with humility, tempered firmness with softness, not relied on monopoly of power, and kept his faults few, he could have restored the heir without delay and preserved his integrity to the end. But his way lacked breadth, his vessel could not hold all, pure stubbornness was his flaw, and he did not fully restrain his wit. Hence Qiu Yin's bold memorial and Deng Zhu's deep treatise—once he crumbled he was hard to salvage, once the wind struck him he could not easily be propped up. He brought execution on himself—who could blame others?

讚曰：政無刑法，時屬艱危。裴炎之智，慮淺見遲。禕之履行，貸色自欺。昭德強猛，何由不虧？死無令譽，孰謂非宜。玄同不幸，顛殞亦隨。

Encomium: Government lacked firm law; the times were perilous. Pei Yan's wisdom was shallow and slow. Yizhi's conduct lent color to self-delusion. Zhaode was fierce and forceful—how could he not come to ruin? Death without fair fame—who would call that unjust? Xuantong was unfortunate, and ruin followed in his wake.

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