Volume 90 Biographies 40: Wang Jishan, Du Jingjian, Zhu Jingze, Yang Zaisi, Li Huaiyuan, Doulu Qinwang

王及善，洺州邯鄲人也。父君愕。隋大業末，并州人王君廓掠邯鄲，君愕往說君廓曰：「方今萬乘失禦，英雄競起，誠宜撫納遺氓，保全形勝，按甲以觀時變，擁眾而歸真主，此富貴可圖也。今足下居無尺土之地，守無兼旬之糧，恣行殘忍，所過攘奪，竊爲足下寒心矣。」君廓曰：「計將安出？」君愕爲陳井陘之險，可先往據之。君廓從其言，乃屯井陘山。歲餘，會義師入定關中，乃與君廓率所部萬餘人來降，拜大將軍。頻以戰功封新興縣公，累遷左武衛將軍。從太宗征遼東，兼領左屯營兵馬。與高麗戰於駐蹕山，君愕先鋒陷陣，力戰而死。太宗深痛悼之，贈左衛大將軍、幽州都督、邢國公，賜東園秘器，陪葬昭陵。

Wang Jishan was a native of Handan in Mozhou. His father was Jun'e. At the end of the Sui Emperor Yang's reign, Wang Junguo of Bingzhou raided Handan. Jun'e went to persuade Junguo, saying, "At present the throne has lost its guidance and heroes are rising in rivalry. You truly ought to win over the scattered populace, secure your strategic strongholds, hold your forces in check to observe how affairs change, gather followers and return them to the true sovereign — then wealth and honor can be pursued. Now you possess not a foot of territory, nor food enough for even ten days. You indulge in cruelty wherever you go and plunder as you pass. I fear for you on your account." Junguo said, "What plan do you propose?" Jun'e explained the strategic advantages of Jingxing Pass and advised that he go there first to seize it. Junguo followed his advice and encamped on Mount Jingxing. After more than a year, when the righteous army entered and pacified Guanzhong, he and Junguo led their more than ten thousand followers to surrender and were appointed Grand General. For repeated military achievements he was enfeoffed as Duke of Xinxing County and was promoted in succession to General of the Left Martial Guards. When he followed Emperor Taizong on the campaign against Liaodong, he also commanded the troops of the Left Encampment. Fighting the Goguryeo at Mount Zhubi, Jun'e led the vanguard in breaking the enemy lines and died fighting fiercely. Emperor Taizong deeply mourned him, posthumously appointing him Grand General of the Left Guard, Military Governor of Youzhou, and Duke of Xing State, granting him the Eastern Garden funerary vessels and permitting burial at Zhaoling.

及善年十四，以父死王事，授朝散大夫，襲爵邢國公。高宗時，累遷左奉裕率。孝敬之居春宮，因宴集命宮官擲倒，次至及善，辭曰：「殿下自有樂官，臣止當守職，此非臣任也。臣將奉令，恐非殿下羽翼之備。」太子謝而遣之。高宗聞而特加賞慰，賜絹百匹。尋除右千牛衛將軍，高宗謂曰：「朕以卿忠謹，故與卿三品要職。他人非搜辟不得至朕所，卿佩大橫刀在朕側，知此官貴否？」俄以病免，尋起爲衛尉卿。

Jishan was fourteen years old. Because his father had died in service to the state, he was granted the title of Gentleman for Court Assembly and inherited the dukedom of Xing State. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he was promoted in succession to Left Commander of the Fengyu Guard. When the Crown Prince of Respectful Filiality was residing in the Eastern Palace, at a banquet gathering he ordered the palace officials to perform tumbling. When it came to Jishan, he declined, saying, "Your Highness has your own entertainers. I should only perform my duties. This is not my responsibility. If I obey the order, I fear it will not be fitting for Your Highness's retinue of supporters." The Crown Prince apologized and sent him away. When Emperor Gaozong heard of this, he specially rewarded and comforted him, granting him a hundred bolts of silk. Soon afterward he was appointed General of the Right Thousand-Bull Guard. Emperor Gaozong said to him, "Because you are loyal and conscientious, I have given you this third-rank important post. Others cannot reach my presence unless sought out and summoned. You wear the great horizontal blade at my side — do you know how honored this office is?" Soon afterward he was dismissed on account of illness, but was soon reappointed Minister of the Court of Imperial Regalia.

垂拱中，暦司屬卿。時山東饑，及善爲巡撫賑給使。尋拜春官尚書、秦州都督，轉益州大都督府長史。以老病請乞致仕，加授光祿大夫。後契丹作亂，山東不安，起授滑州刺史。則天謂曰：「邊賊反叛，卿雖疾病，可將妻子日行三十里，緩步至彼，與朕臥理此州，以斷河路也。」因問朝廷得失，及善備陳理亂之宜十餘道，則天曰：「彼末事也，此爲本也，卿不可行。」乃留拜內史。

During the Chuigong era, he served in succession as Minister of the Court of the Imperial Clan. At that time there was famine in Shandong, and Jishan served as commissioner for inspection and relief. Soon afterward he was appointed Minister of the Ministry of Rites and Military Governor of Qinzhou, then transferred to Chief Administrator of the Superior Area Command of Yizhou. On account of old age and illness he requested retirement and was additionally granted the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. Later, when the Khitan rebelled and Shandong was unsettled, he was recalled and appointed Prefect of Huazhou. Empress Wu said to him, "Border bandits have rebelled. Though you are ill, you may take your wife and children and travel thirty li a day, proceeding at an easy pace to that place, and for me administer this prefecture while reclining — to cut the river route." She then asked about the gains and losses of the court. Jishan fully set forth more than ten measures for ordering chaos and governing well. Empress Wu said, "Those are minor matters. This is the fundamental matter. You may not go." He was therefore retained and appointed Inner Scribe.

時御史中丞來俊臣常以飛禍陷良善，自侯王將相被其羅織受戮者不可勝計。後俊臣坐事繫獄，有司斷以極刑，則天欲赦之。及善執奏曰：「俊臣凶狡不軌，所信任者皆屠販小人，所誅戮者多名德君子。臣愚以爲若不剿絶元惡，恐搖動朝廷，禍從此始。」則天納之。俄而則天將追廬陵王立爲太子，及善讚成其計。及太子立，又請太子外朝以慰人心，則天從之。

At that time the Imperial Censor Lai Junchen often used fabricated charges to entrap the good, and the princes, generals, and ministers who were ensnared and put to death were beyond counting. Later Junchen was imprisoned for an offense, and the officials judged him deserving of the extreme penalty, but Empress Wu wished to pardon him. Jishan submitted a firm memorial, saying, "Junchen is vicious and cunning and acts without restraint. Those he trusts are all butchers and peddlers — petty men. Those he executes and slaughters are mostly men of virtue and reputation. In my foolish view, if the chief villain is not utterly eliminated, I fear the court will be shaken and calamity will begin from this." Empress Wu accepted it. Soon afterward Empress Wu was about to recall the Prince of Luling and establish him as Crown Prince. Jishan praised and supported the plan. After the Crown Prince was established, he again requested that the Crown Prince attend the outer court to reassure the hearts of the people, and Empress Wu complied.

及善雖無學術，在官每以清正見知，臨事難奪，有大臣之節。時張易之兄弟恃寵，每內宴，皆無人臣之禮。及善數奏抑之，則天不悅，謂及善曰：「卿既高年，不宜更侍遊，但檢校閤中可也。」及善因病請假月餘，則天都不問之，及善歎曰：「豈有中書令而天子得一日不見乎？事可知矣。」乃上疏乞骸骨，三上不許。聖暦二年，拜文昌左相，旬日而薨，年八十二。廢朝三日，贈益州大都督，諡曰貞，陪葬乾陵。

Though Jishan had no scholarly learning, in office he was always known for integrity and uprightness. In affairs he was hard to sway and possessed the integrity of a great minister. At that time the Zhang Yizhi brothers relied on favor and, at every inner banquet, showed no propriety befitting subjects. Jishan repeatedly submitted memorials restraining them. Empress Wu was displeased and said to Jishan, "You are advanced in years and ought not continue attending amusements. It is enough to inspect affairs within the Secretariat." Jishan requested leave for illness for more than a month, and Empress Wu never inquired after him. Jishan sighed and said, "Can there be a Secretariat Director whom the Son of Heaven does not see for a single day? The outcome can be known." He then submitted a memorial requesting to retire on account of old bones. Three times he submitted it and was not permitted. In the second year of the Shengli era, he was appointed Left Minister of the Department of Literature. Ten days later he died, at the age of eighty-two. Court audiences were suspended for three days. He was posthumously appointed Chief Administrator of the Superior Area Command of Yizhou, with the posthumous title Zhen, and was permitted burial at Qianling.

杜景儉，冀州武邑人也。少舉明經，累除殿中侍御史。出爲益州錄事參軍。時隆州司馬房嗣業除益州司馬，除書未到，即欲視事，又鞭笞僚吏，將以示威，景儉謂曰：「公雖受命爲此州司馬，而州司未受命也。何藉數日之祿，而不待九重之旨，即欲視事，不亦急耶？」嗣業益怒。景儉又曰：「公今持咫尺之製，真僞未知，即欲攬一州之權，誰敢相保？揚州之禍，非此類耶。」乃叱左右各令罷散，嗣業慚赧而止。俄有制除嗣業荊州司馬，竟不如誌，人吏爲之語曰：「錄事意，與天通，益州司馬折威風。」景儉由是稍知名。入爲司賓主簿，轉司刑丞。

Du Jingjian was a native of Wuyi in Jizhou. In youth he passed the Mingjing examination and was appointed in succession as Attending Censor within the Palace. He went out and served as Registrar of Yizhou. At that time Fang Siye, Vice Military Governor of Longzhou, was appointed Vice Military Governor of Yizhou, but the appointment document had not yet arrived when he already wished to assume duties. He also flogged the subordinate officials to display authority. Jingjian said to him, "Sir, though you have received appointment as Vice Military Governor of this prefecture, the prefectural office has not yet received the appointment. Why rely on a few days' salary and, without awaiting the decree from the Ninefold Height, already wish to assume duties? Is this not too hasty?" Siye grew angrier still. Jingjian also said, "Sir, you now hold an edict of a few inches — whether it is genuine or false is still unknown — yet you already wish to seize the authority of an entire prefecture. Who dares guarantee you? Was the calamity at Yangzhou not of this kind?" He then shouted at those on either side and ordered each to disperse. Siye, ashamed and flushed, stopped. Soon an edict appointed Siye Vice Military Governor of Jingzhou. In the end he did not take office as intended. The officials and clerks made a saying about it: "The registrar's intent reaches Heaven; the Vice Military Governor of Yizhou loses his imposing air." Jingjian thereby gradually became known. He entered the capital and served as Chief Clerk of the Court of Imperial Entertainments, then was transferred to Vice Director of the Ministry of Justice.

天授中，與徐有功、來俊臣、侯思止專理製獄，時人稱云：「遇徐、杜者必生，遇來、侯者必死。」累遷洛州司馬。尋轉鳳閣侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台平章事。則天嘗以季秋內出梨花一枝示宰臣曰：「是何祥也？」諸宰臣曰：「陛下德及草木，故能秋木再花，雖周文德及行葦，無以過也。」景儉獨曰：「謹按《洪範五行傳》：『陰陽不相奪倫，瀆之即爲災。』又《春秋》云：『冬無愆陽，夏無伏陰，春無淒風，秋無苦雨。』今已秋矣，草木黃落，而忽生此花，瀆陰陽也。臣慮陛下布教施令，有虧禮典。又臣等忝爲宰臣，助天理物，理而不和，臣之罪也。」於是再拜謝罪，則天曰：「卿真宰相也！」

During the Tianshou era, together with Xu Yougong, Lai Junchen, and Hou Sizhi he specialized in managing legal cases. People at the time said, "Those who meet Xu or Du will live; those who meet Lai or Hou will die." He was promoted in succession to Vice Military Governor of Luozhou. Soon afterward he was transferred to Vice Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and Concurrent Regulating Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and Crane Terrace. Empress Wu once in late autumn brought out a pear blossom from within the palace to show the chief ministers and said, "What omen is this?" The chief ministers said, "Your Majesty's virtue reaches even to plants and trees, and therefore autumn trees bloom again. Though King Wen of Zhou's virtue reached even to rushes, he could not surpass this." Jingjian alone said, "I respectfully note that the Hongfan Wuxing zhuan states: 'When yin and yang do not usurp each other's proper order, to violate this brings calamity.' The Spring and Autumn Annals also says, 'In winter there is no excessive yang; in summer there is no hidden yin; in spring there is no bleak wind; in autumn there is no bitter rain.' Now it is already autumn. Plants and trees have yellowed and fallen, yet suddenly this blossom appears — a violation of yin and yang. I fear that in promulgating teachings and issuing orders, Your Majesty has fallen short of ritual propriety. Moreover, we your ministers disgracefully serve as chief ministers and assist Heaven in ordering things. If there is order yet no harmony, the fault is ours." Thereupon he bowed again and apologized for his offense. Empress Wu said, "You are a true chief minister!"

延載初，爲鳳閣侍郎周允元奏景儉黨於李昭德，左遷溱州刺史。後累除司刑卿。聖暦二年，復拜鳳閣侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台平章事。時契丹入寇，河北諸州多陷賊中。及事定，河內王武懿宗將盡論其罪。景儉以爲皆是驅逼，非其本心，請悉原之。則天竟從景儉議。歲餘，轉秋官尚書。坐漏泄禁中語，左授司刑少卿，出爲并州長史。道病卒，贈相州刺史。

At the beginning of the Yanzai era, Zhou Yun'yuan, Vice Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion, memorialized that Jingjian was partisan to Li Zhaode, and he was demoted to Prefect of Qinzhou. Later he was appointed in succession Minister of Justice. In the second year of the Shengli era, he was again appointed Vice Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and Concurrent Regulating Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and Crane Terrace. At that time the Khitan invaded, and many prefectures of Hebei fell into the hands of the bandits. When the affair was settled, Wu Yizong of Henei intended to judge all of them guilty. Jingjian held that they had all been driven and compelled and that this was not their true intent, and requested that they all be pardoned. Empress Wu ultimately followed Jingjian's proposal. After more than a year, he was transferred to Minister of the Ministry of Punishments. For leaking forbidden words from within the palace, he was demoted to Vice Minister of Justice and went out as Chief Administrator of Bingzhou. He died of illness on the road and was posthumously appointed Military Governor of Xiangzhou.

子澄，頗以文藻著名，官至鞏縣尉。

His son Cheng was quite renowned for literary talent and rose to the post of Assistant Magistrate of Gong County.

朱敬則，字少連，毫州永城人也。代以孝義稱，自周至唐，三代旌表，門標六闕，州黨美之。敬則倜儻重節義，早以辭學知名。與三從兄同居，財產無異。又與左史江融、左僕射魏元忠特相友善。咸亨中，高宗聞而召見，與語甚奇之，將加擢用，爲中書舍人李敬玄所毀，乃授洹水尉。

Zhu Jingze, styled Shaolian, was a native of Yongcheng in Bozhou. His family was famed for filial piety and righteousness from the Zhou through the Tang — three generations received commendatory tablets, and six gates of the household bore such markers. The district admired them. Jingze was unconventional and valued integrity and righteousness. From early on he was known for literary learning. He lived together with three cousins of his father's generation, and their property was undivided. He was also especially friendly with Left Historiographer Jiang Rong and Left Minister of Works Wei Yuanzhong. During the Xianheng era, Emperor Gaozong heard of him and summoned him for an audience. In conversation he was greatly impressed and intended to promote him, but he was slandered by Secretariat Drafter Li Jingxuan and was therefore appointed Assistant Magistrate of Huanshui.

長壽中，累除右補闕。敬則以則天初臨朝稱製，天下頗多流言異議，至是既漸寧晏，宜絶告密羅織之徒，上疏曰：

During the Changshou era, he was promoted in succession to Right Remonstrating Censor. Jingze, because Empress Wu had at first assumed the regency and issued edicts in her own name and the realm had many slanderous rumors and dissenting views, and because by this time things had gradually become settled and tranquil, held that informers and fabricators of charges ought to be ended. He submitted a memorial:

臣聞李斯之相秦也，行申、商之法，重刑名之家，杜私門，張公室，棄無用之費，損不急之官，惜日愛功，疾耕急戰，人繁國富，乃屠諸侯。此救弊之術也。故曰：刻薄可施於進趨，變詐可陳於攻戰。兵猶火也，不戢將自焚。況鋒鏑已銷，石城又毀，諒可易之以寬泰，潤之以淳和，八風之樂以柔之，三代之禮以導之。秦既不然，淫虐滋甚，往而不返，卒至土崩，此不知變之禍也。

I have heard that when Li Si served as Chancellor of Qin, he applied the methods of Shen Buhai and Shang Yang, valued the school of severe punishments and names, closed private gates and expanded the public office, discarded useless expenditures, reduced non-urgent offices, cherished days and loved achievement, urged farming and pressed warfare — and the people multiplied and the state grew rich, until he slaughtered the feudal lords. This was a method for rescuing a failing age. Therefore it is said: harshness may be applied in advancing and striving; deceit may be displayed in attack and warfare. Armies are like fire — if not restrained they will burn the wielder. Moreover, now that blades and spears have been laid aside and the Stone City has been destroyed, it is fitting to replace severity with generosity, to moisten affairs with pure harmony, to soften them with the music of the Eight Winds, and to guide them with the rites of the Three Dynasties. Qin did not do so. Tyranny and cruelty grew ever worse, going forward without return, until it finally collapsed — the calamity of not knowing when to change.

陸賈、叔孫通之事漢王也，當滎陽、成皋之間，糧饋已窮，智勇俱困，不敢開一說，效一奇，唯進豪猾之材，薦貪暴之客。及區宇適平，干戈向戢，金鼓之聲未歇，傷痍之痛尚聞，二子顧眄，綽有餘熊，乃陳《詩》、《書》，說《禮》、《樂》，開王道，謀帝圖。高皇帝忿然曰：「吾以馬上得之，安事《詩》、《書》乎！」對曰：「馬上得之，可馬上理之乎？」高皇默然。於是陸賈著《新語》，叔孫通定禮儀，始知天子之尊，此知變之善也。向使高皇排二子而不用，置《詩》、《書》而不顧，重攻戰之吏，尊首級之材，復道爭功，張良已知其變，拔劍擊柱，吾屬不得無謀。即晷漏難逾，何十二帝乎？亡秦之續，何二百年乎？故曰：仁義者，聖人之蘧廬；禮經者，先王之陳跡。然則祝祠向畢，芻狗須投；淳精已流，糟粕可棄。仁義尚舍，況輕此者乎？

When Lu Jia and Shusun Tong served King Han, at the time between Xingyang and Chenggao, grain supplies were exhausted and wisdom and courage alike were trapped. They dared not offer a single persuasion or present a single stratagem. They only advanced talents of fierce cunning and recommended guests of greedy cruelty. When the realm had just been pacified and weapons were about to be laid aside, the sounds of drums and gongs had not yet ceased and the pain of wounds was still heard. The two men looked about and had more than enough to do. Then they presented the Poetry and Documents, expounded the Rites and Music, opened the royal way, and plotted the imperial design. The High Emperor said angrily, "I won it on horseback — what need have I of the Poetry and Documents!" They replied, "You won it on horseback — can you govern it on horseback?" The High Emperor was silent. Thereupon Lu Jia composed the Xinyu and Shusun Tong established ritual and ceremony, and they came to know the honor of the Son of Heaven — the good of knowing when to change. Had the High Emperor rejected the two men and not employed them, set aside the Poetry and Documents and paid them no heed, valued officials of attack and warfare, and honored talents of counting enemy heads, and the road of competing for merit had been reopened — Zhang Liang would already have known of the change, drawn his sword and struck the pillar, and we would not have been without schemes. Then how could the sundial's shadow have advanced beyond measure — what of twelve emperors? What of two hundred years continuing the fallen Qin? Therefore it is said: benevolence and righteousness are the sages' roadside shelters; the ritual classics are the former kings' old tracks. When the sacrifices of prayer are finished, the straw dog must be cast away; when the pure essence has flowed forth, the dregs may be discarded. If benevolence and righteousness may still be set aside, how much more may these lighter things be?

自文明草昧，天地屯蒙，三叔流言，四凶構難。不設鉤距，無以應天順人；不切刑名，不可摧奸息暴。故置神器，開告端，曲直之影必呈，包藏之心盡露。神道助直，無罪不除；人心保能，無妖不戮。以茲妙算，窮造化之幽深；用此神謀，入天人之秘術。故能計不下席，聽不出闈，蒼生晏然，紫宸易主。大哉偉哉，無得而稱也！豈比造攻鳴條，大戰牧野，血變草木，頭折不周，可同年而語乎？然而急趨無善跡，促柱少和聲，拯溺不規行，療饑非鼎食。即向時之妙策，乃當今之芻狗也。伏願覽秦、漢之得失，考時事之合宜，審糟粕之可遺，覺蘧廬之須毀。見機而作，豈勞終日乎？陛下必不可偃蹇太平，徘徊中路。伏願改法製，立章程，下恬愉之辭，流曠蕩之澤，去萋菲之牙角，頓奸險之鋒芒，窒羅織之源，掃朋黨之跡，使天下蒼生坦然大悅，豈不樂哉！

From the time when civilization was still in its dawn and Heaven and Earth were in confusion, the Three Uncles spread slander and the Four Evils stirred calamity. Without setting hooks and measures, one could not respond to Heaven and follow the people; without severe punishments and names, one could not crush treachery and quell violence. Therefore the sacred vessel was set in place and the gate of accusation opened; the shadows of right and wrong necessarily appeared, and hearts of concealment were fully exposed. The divine way aided the upright — none guilty was left; human hearts preserved capability — no demon was spared execution. By this subtle reckoning, the depths of creation's workings were exhausted; by this divine stratagem, one entered the secret arts of Heaven and man. Therefore plans could be made without leaving the mat and affairs heard without going beyond the inner gate; the common people were at peace and the Purple Audience changed its master. Great! Magnificent! There is no fitting name for it! How can this be spoken of in the same breath as launching attacks at Mingtiao, fighting the great battle at Muye, blood transforming plants and trees, and heads breaking Mount Buzhou? Yet hasty advance leaves no good tracks; tightening the peg yields little harmonious sound; rescuing the drowning does not prescribe walking; curing famine is not done with tripod feasts. The subtle stratagems of that time are the straw dogs of the present day. I humbly hope that you will review the gains and losses of Qin and Han, examine what suits present affairs, discern what dregs may be abandoned, and perceive that roadside shelters must be destroyed. To see the moment and act — would that require a whole day? Your Majesty must not recline at ease in great peace and linger midway on the road. I humbly hope that you will reform laws and institutions, establish rules and standards, issue words of tranquil pleasure, spread the bounty of open generosity, remove the horn-points of slander, blunt the sharp edges of treachery and danger, stop up the source of fabricated charges, sweep away the traces of faction, and let the common people of the realm be openly and greatly pleased — would that not be joyful!

則天甚善之。

Empress Wu greatly approved of it.

長安三年，累遷正諫大夫，尋同鳳閣鸞台平章事。時御史大夫魏元忠、鳳閣舍人張說爲張易之兄弟所誣構，將陷重辟，諸宰相無敢言者，敬則獨抗疏申理曰：「元忠、張說素稱忠正，而所坐無名。若令得罪，豈不失天下之望也？」乃得減死。四年，以老疾請罷知政事，許之，累轉冬官侍郎，仍依舊兼修國史。張易之、昌宗嘗命畫工圖寫武三思及納言李嶠、鳳閣侍郎蘇味道、夏官侍郎李迥秀、麟台少監王紹宗等十八人形像，號爲《高士圖》，每引敬則預其事，固辭不就，其高潔守正如此。

In the third year of the Chang'an era, he was promoted in succession to Grand Master of Direct Remonstrance, and soon became Concurrent Regulating Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and Crane Terrace. At that time Imperial Censor Wei Yuanzhong and Phoenix Pavilion Drafter Zhang Yue were falsely accused by the Zhang Yizhi brothers and were about to be condemned to heavy punishment. None of the chief ministers dared speak. Jingze alone submitted a firm memorial in their defense, saying, "Yuanzhong and Zhang Yue have always been called loyal and upright, yet the offenses charged against them have no basis. If they are made to suffer offense, will this not disappoint the hopes of the realm?" They were thereby spared death. In the fourth year, on account of old age and illness he requested to resign from managing state affairs. This was granted, and he was promoted in succession to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, while continuing as before to compile the national history. Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong once ordered painters to depict the likenesses of Wu Sansi, Chief Minister of Proclamations Li Jiao, Vice Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion Su Weidao, Vice Minister of the Ministry of War Li Jiongxiu, Assistant Director of the Imperial Library Wang Shaozong, and eighteen others, calling it the Illustrations of Exalted Men. Each time they invited Jingze to participate, he firmly declined and would not attend — such was his lofty purity and upright integrity.

神龍元年，出爲鄭州刺史，尋以老致仕。二年，侍御史冉祖雍素與敬則不協，乃誣奏云與王同皎親善，貶授廬州刺史。經數月，洎代到，還鄉里，無淮南一物，唯有所乘馬一匹，諸子侄步從而歸。敬則重然諾，善與人交，每拯人急難，不求其報。又嘗與三從兄同居四十餘年，財產無異。雅有知人之鑒，凡在品論者，後皆如其言。景龍三年五月，卒於家，年七十五。

In the first year of the Shenlong era, he went out as Prefect of Zhengzhou and soon retired on account of old age. In the second year, Attending Censor Ran Zuyong had long been at odds with Jingze and falsely memorialized that he was on intimate terms with Wang Tongjiao. He was demoted and appointed Prefect of Luzhou. After several months, when his replacement arrived, he returned to his home district. He had not a single item from south of the Huai, only the one horse he rode; his sons and nephews walked behind him on the way home. Jingze greatly valued keeping his word and was good at forming friendships. Whenever he rescued others in urgent difficulty, he did not seek repayment. He also once lived together with three cousins of his father's generation for more than forty years, and their property was undivided. He naturally possessed the discernment to know men. Of all those he evaluated, later events proved his words. In the fifth month of the third year of the Jinglong era, he died at home, at the age of seventy-five.

敬則嘗采魏、晉已來君臣成敗之事，著《十代興亡論》。又以前代文士論廢五等者，以秦爲失，事未折衷，乃著《五等論》曰：

Jingze once collected affairs of success and failure among rulers and ministers from Wei and Jin onward and composed the Treatise on the Rise and Fall of Ten Dynasties. Also, because earlier literary men who discussed abolishing the five ranks all regarded Qin as having erred and the matter had not been settled, he composed the Treatise on the Five Ranks:

昔秦廢五等，崔實、仲長統、王朗、曹冏等皆以爲秦之失，予竊異之，試通其志云。

In former times Qin abolished the five ranks. Cui Shi, Zhongchang Tong, Wang Lang, Cao Jiong, and others all regarded this as Qin's error. I privately differ and attempt to set forth the full intent.

蓋明王之理天下也，先之以博愛，本之以仁義，張四維，尊五美，懸禮樂於庭宇，置軌範於中衢。然後決玄波使橫流，揚薰風以高扇，流愷悌之甘澤，浸曠蕩之膏腴，正理革其淫邪，淳風柔其骨髓。使天下之人，心醉而神足。其於忠義也，立則見其參於前；其於進趨也，若章程之在目。禮經所及，等日月之難逾；聲教所行，雖風雨之不輟。聖人知俗之漸化也，王道之已行也，於是體國經野，庸功勳親。分山裂河，設磐石之固，內守外禦，有維城之基。連絡遍於域中，膠葛盡於封內。雖道昏時喪，澤竭政塞，鄭伯逐王，申侯弑主，魯不供物，宋不成周，吳徵伯牢，楚問九鼎，小白之一匡天下，重耳之一戰諸侯，無君之跡顯然，篡奪之謀中寢者，直以周禮尚存，簡書不隕。故曰：「不敢失墜，天威在顏。」

When an enlightened king governs the realm, he first employs broad love and takes benevolence and righteousness as the root. He extends the four bonds, honors the five beauties, suspends ritual and music in the hall, and sets standards in the central avenue. Then he releases the dark flood to flow crosswise, raises the fragrant wind to fan high, sends forth the sweet rain of kind ease, and soaks the rich soil of open generosity. Correct principle reforms what is licentious and depraved; pure custom softens the marrow of the bones. He makes the people of the realm intoxicated in heart and satisfied in spirit. As for loyalty and righteousness, when they stand forth they appear before one's eyes; as for advancement and striving, they are like standards and rules before one's sight. What the ritual classics reach is as hard to exceed as sun and moon; what sound teaching carries out continues without cease, like wind and rain. The sage knows that custom is gradually transformed and the royal way is already practiced. Thereupon he structures the state and fixes the fields, assigns merit and enfeoffs the kin. He divides mountains and splits rivers, establishing the solidity of bedrock; within he defends and without he repels, possessing the foundation of the protecting wall. Connections spread throughout the domain; bonds of glue and vine fill the enfeoffed lands. Though the way was dark and the age in decline, favors exhausted and government blocked — the Duke of Zheng drove out his king, the Marquis of Shen assassinated his lord, Lu did not supply ritual objects, Song did not complete the Zhou rites, Wu summoned Bo Lao, Chu asked about the Nine Tripods, Duke Xiao of Qi once rectified the realm, and Duke Chong'er of Jin once battled the feudal lords — traces of lordlessness were plainly visible and schemes of usurpation were halted midway, simply because the rites of Zhou still remained and written records had not fallen away. Therefore it is said, "One dare not let them fall — Heaven's majesty is upon the face."

自春秋之後，禮義漸頹，風俗塵昏，愧恥心盡，疾走先得者爲上，奪攘投會者爲能。加以八世專齊，三家分晉，子貢之亂五國，蘇秦之鬥七雄，苛刻繁興，經籍道息，莫不長詐術，貴攻戰，萬姓皆戴爪牙，無人不屬觜距。所以商鞅欺故友，李斯囚舊交，孫臏喪足於龐涓，張儀得誌於陳軫。一旅之眾，便欲稱王；再戰之雄，爭來奉帝。先王會盟之禮，昔時樽俎之容，三代玄風，掃地至盡。況始皇削平區宇，殊非至公，李斯之作股肱，罕循大道，人無見德，唯虐是聞。當此時也，主猜於上，人駭於下，父不能保之於子，君不能得之於臣。欲使始皇分土奸雄，建侯薄俗，若喻晉、鄭之可依，便借賊兵而資盜糧，寄龍魚而助風雨，不可行也。是以秦鑒周德之綿深，懼己圖之不遠，罷侯置守，高下在心，天下製在一人，百姓不聞二主。直是不得行其世封，非薄功臣而賤骨肉也。

After the Spring and Autumn period, ritual and righteousness gradually collapsed, custom grew dusty and dim, and the heart of shame was exhausted. Those who ran fastest and arrived first were esteemed; those who seized by force and seized opportunity were deemed capable. Moreover, the eight generations monopolized Qi, the three families divided Jin, Zigong threw five states into chaos, and Su Qin set seven powers at odds. Harshness and severity flourished, the way of the classics ceased, and all prized deceit and stratagem and value attack and warfare. The myriad people all wore claws and fangs; there was no one who did not possess beak and spur. Therefore Shang Yang deceived an old friend, Li Si imprisoned a former associate, Sun Bin lost his feet at the hands of Pang Juan, and Zhang Yi achieved his wish over Chen Zhen. A single company of men then wished to declare themselves kings; heroes who had fought twice contended to offer allegiance to an emperor. The alliance rites of former kings and the bearing of former times at the feast — the mysterious customs of the Three Dynasties were swept clean to the ground. Moreover, when the First Emperor pacified the realm, it was by no means supremely fair. When Li Si served as his right arm, he rarely followed the great way. The people saw no virtue — they heard only cruelty. At that time the ruler was suspicious above and the people terrified below. Fathers could not preserve their sons; lords could not obtain their ministers. To wish to make the First Emperor divide territory among treacherous heroes and establish marquisates amid shallow custom — if one were to say that Jin and Zheng could be relied upon, it would be like lending weapons to bandits and supplying grain to robbers, entrusting dragons and fish and aiding wind and rain. It could not be done. Therefore Qin took warning from Zhou's virtue extending deep and long, feared that its own design would not reach far, abolished marquisates and established governors. High and low were in its heart; the realm was controlled by one man, and the common people heard not of two masters. It was simply that hereditary enfeoffment could not be practiced — not that it slighted meritorious ministers or despised kin.

高皇帝揭日月之明，懷天地之量，算財不足以分賞，論地不足以受封。邑皆百城，土有千里，人殷國富，地廣兵強。五十年間，七國同反，賈誼憂失其國，晁錯請削其地。若言由大而反也，不若召陵之師、踐土之眾也；若言有材而起也，劉濞非王霸之材，田祿無先、管之略也。是齊、晉以逆禮爲慚，吳、楚以犯上非愧，釁由教起，其所由來遠矣。自此之後，雜霸又衰，中興不能改物創圖，黃初不能深謀遠慮。緬觀漢、魏之際，尋其經緯之初，未有積德重光，澤及萬物。觀其教，偷薄於秦風；察其人，豺狼於漢日。故魏太祖曰：「若使無孤，天下幾人稱帝，幾人稱王！」明竊號議者，觸目皆是。欲以此時開四賜之祚，垂萬代之封，必有通車三川以窺周室，介馬汾、濕而逐翼侯。而王司徒屢請於當時，曹元首又勤於宗室，皆不知時也。

The High Emperor raised the brightness of sun and moon and embraced the measure of Heaven and Earth. Reckoning wealth, it was insufficient to divide rewards; reckoning territory, it was insufficient to receive enfeoffments. Fiefs were all a hundred cities; lands stretched a thousand li. The people were numerous and the state rich; the territory was broad and the armies strong. Within fifty years the seven states rebelled together. Jia Yi worried that the state would be lost; Chao Cuo requested that their lands be reduced. If one says they rebelled because they were large, they were not like the armies at Zhaoling or the hosts at Jiantu; if one says they rose because they had talent, Liu Bi was no material for kingship or hegemony, and Tian Lu lacked the strategies of Guan and Guan. Qi and Jin took violation of ritual as shame; Wu and Chu did not regard offense against superiors as disgrace. The provocation arose from teaching — its origin lies far back. From this time onward mixed hegemony again declined. The restoration could not reform things and create a new design; the Huangchu era could not plan deeply and see far. Looking back at the border between Han and Wei and tracing the beginning of their warp and woof, there was no accumulated virtue shining again and no favor reaching the myriad things. Observing their teaching, it was stingy and thin compared with Qin custom; examining their people, they were wolves amid Han days. Therefore Emperor Wei of Cao said, "If not for me, how many men in the realm would call themselves emperors, how many would call themselves kings!" Those who openly debated usurping titles were everywhere the eye looked. To wish at such a time to open the fortune of the four grants and extend enfeoffments for ten thousand generations, there would necessarily be one who drove chariots through the three rivers to spy on the house of Zhou, or rode a single horse between Fen and Shi to pursue the Marquis of Yi. Yet Minister Wang repeatedly petitioned at that time, and Cao, head of the faction, was also diligent on behalf of the imperial clan — both did not know the times.

當時賢者是之。

The worthy men of that time approved them.

敬則知政事時，每以用人爲先。桂州蠻叛，薦裴懷古；鳳閣舍人缺，薦魏知古；右史缺，薦張思敬。則天以爲知人。

When Jingze was managing state affairs, he always put employing men first. When the tribes of Guizhou rebelled, he recommended Pei Huaigu; when the post of Phoenix Pavilion Drafter was vacant, he recommended Wei Zhigu; when the post of Right Historiographer was vacant, he recommended Zhang Sijing. Empress Wu regarded him as knowing men.

睿宗即位，嘗謂侍臣曰：「神龍已來，李多祚、王同皎並復舊官，韋月將、燕欽融咸有褒贈，不知更有何人，尚抱冤抑？」吏部尚書劉幽求對曰：「故鄭州刺史朱敬則，往在則天朝任正諫大夫、知政事，忠貞義烈，爲天下所推。神龍時，被宗楚客、冉祖雍等誣構，左授廬州刺史。長安年中，嘗謂臣云：『相王必膺期受命，當須盡節事之。』及韋氏篡逆干紀，臣遂見危赴難，翼戴興暦，雖則天誘其事，亦是敬則先啟之心。今陛下龍興寶位，凶黨就戮，敬則尚銜冤泉壤，未蒙昭雪。況復事符先覺，誠即可嘉。」睿宗然之，贈敬則秘書監，諡曰元。

When Emperor Ruizong took the throne, he once said to the attending ministers, "Since Shenlong, Li Duozuo and Wang Tongjiao have both been restored to their former offices; Wei Yuejiang and Yan Qinrong have both received posthumous honors. I wonder whether there are still others who harbor wrongful suppression?" Minister of Personnel Liu Youqiu replied, "The former Prefect of Zhengzhou Zhu Jingze, who in Empress Wu's time served as Grand Master of Direct Remonstrance and managed state affairs, was loyal, faithful, righteous, and fierce, and was esteemed by the realm. During the Shenlong era he was falsely accused by Zong Chuke, Ran Zuyong, and others and was demoted to Prefect of Luzhou. In the Chang'an years he once told me, 'The Prince of Xiang is certain to receive the mandate when his time comes. You must serve him with full integrity.' When the Wei clan usurped and violated discipline, I then faced danger and went to the crisis, supporting and raising the new reign. Though Heaven guided the affair, it was also because Jingze had first opened this heart in me. Now Your Majesty has ascended the precious throne and the evil faction has been executed, yet Jingze still bears wrongful suppression in the springs below and has not received exoneration. Moreover, his service matched prior foresight — his loyalty is truly praiseworthy." Emperor Ruizong agreed and posthumously appointed Jingze Director of the Imperial Library, with the posthumous title Yuan.

楊再思，鄭州原武人也。少舉明經，授玄武尉。充使詣京師，止於客舍。會盜竊其囊裝，再思邂逅遇之，盜者伏罪，再思謂曰：「足下當苦貧匱，至此無行。速去勿作聲，恐爲他人所擒。幸留公文，餘財盡以相遺。」盜者齋去，再思初不言其事，假貸以歸。累遷天官員外郎，暦左右肅政台御史大夫。延載初，守鸞台侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台平章事。證聖初，轉鳳閣侍郎，依前同平章事，兼太子右庶子。尋遷內史，自弘農縣男累封至鄭國公。

Yang Zaisi was a native of Yuanwu in Zhengzhou. In youth he passed the Mingjing examination and was appointed Assistant Magistrate of Xuanwu. Serving as an envoy to the capital, he stopped at a guesthouse. A thief stole his baggage. Zaisi happened to encounter him. The thief confessed his crime. Zaisi said to him, "You must be bitterly poor and destitute to have come to this. Go quickly and make no sound, lest others seize you. I will keep the official documents; the rest of the wealth I give entirely to you." The thief departed in haste. Zaisi at first did not speak of the matter and borrowed money to return home. He was promoted in succession to Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel and served in succession as Imperial Censor of the Left and Right Office for Rectifying Governance. At the beginning of the Yanzai era, he served as Vice Minister of the Crane Terrace and Concurrent Regulating Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and Crane Terrace. At the beginning of the Zhengsheng era, he was transferred to Vice Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion, continuing as before as Concurrent Regulating Minister and also Right Vice Director of the Crown Prince. Soon afterward he was promoted to Inner Scribe. From Baron of Hongnong County he was enfeoffed in succession up to Duke of Zheng State.

再思自暦事三主，知政十餘年，未嘗有所薦達。爲人巧佞邪媚，能得人主微旨，主意所不欲，必因而毀之，主意所欲，必因而譽之。然恭慎畏忌，未嘗忤物。或謂再思曰：「公名高位重，何爲屈折如此？」再思曰：「世路艱難，直者受禍。苟不如此，何以全其身哉！」長安末，昌宗既爲法司所鞫，司刑少卿桓彥範斷解其職。昌宗俄又抗表稱冤，則天意將申理昌宗，廷問宰臣曰：「昌宗於國有功否？」再思對曰：「昌宗往因合練神丹，聖躬服之有效，此實莫大之功。」則天甚悅，昌宗竟以復職。時人貴彥範而賤再思也。時左補闕戴令言作《兩腳野狐賦》以譏刺之，再思聞之甚怒，出令言爲長社令，朝士尤加嗤笑。再思爲御史大夫時，張易之兄司禮少卿同休嘗奏請公卿大臣宴於司禮寺，預其會者皆盡醉極歡。同休戲曰：「楊內史面似高麗。」再思欣然，請剪紙自貼於巾，卻披紫袍，爲高麗舞，縈頭舒手，舉動合節，滿座嗤笑。又易之弟昌宗以姿貌見寵幸，再思又諛之曰：「人言六郎面似蓮花；再思以爲蓮花似六郎，非六郎似蓮花也。」其傾巧取媚也如此。

Zaisi served three rulers in succession and managed state affairs for more than ten years, yet never recommended or advanced anyone. As a man he was artful, fawning, and wicked in flattery. He could grasp the ruler's subtle intent. What the ruler's mind did not wish, he would therefore slander; what the ruler's mind desired, he would therefore praise. Yet he was respectful, cautious, and fearful, and never offended others. Someone said to Zaisi, "Your fame is high and your position weighty — why bend and break yourself so?" Zaisi said, "The path of the world is hard. The upright suffer calamity. If one does not act thus, how can one preserve oneself?" At the end of the Chang'an era, Changzong had already been interrogated by the legal office. Vice Minister of Justice Huan Yanfan judged that his office should be removed. Soon Changzong again submitted a defiant memorial claiming injustice. Empress Wu intended to vindicate Changzong and asked the chief ministers in court, "Has Changzong rendered service to the state?" Zaisi replied, "Changzong formerly because he refined the divine elixir, and the sacred person took it with effect — this is truly a service of the greatest magnitude." Empress Wu was greatly pleased, and Changzong ultimately recovered his office. People at the time esteemed Yanfan and despised Zaisi. At that time Left Remonstrating Censor Dai Lingyan composed the Rhapsody on the Two-Legged Wild Fox to satirize him. When Zaisi heard of it he was greatly angry and sent Lingyan out as Magistrate of Changshe. Court gentlemen added even more ridicule. When Zaisi was Imperial Censor, Zhang Yizhi's elder brother Tongxiu, Vice Minister of Rites, once memorialized requesting that dukes and ministers feast at the Court of Imperial Rites. Those who attended the gathering all became thoroughly drunk and utterly merry. Tongxiu joked, "Vice Minister Yang's face resembles that of a Goguryeo." Zaisi was pleased, asked for paper to cut and pasted it on his headcloth, then threw back his purple robe and performed a Goguryeo dance, winding his head and extending his hands, every movement in time. The whole assembly laughed in scorn. Also, Yizhi's younger brother Changzong was favored for his appearance. Zaisi again flattered him, saying, "People say the Sixth Lord's face resembles a lotus; Zaisi thinks the lotus resembles the Sixth Lord — not that the Sixth Lord resembles a lotus." Such was his artful bending to win favor.

長安四年，以本官檢校京兆府長史，又遷檢校揚州大都督府長史。中宗即位，拜戸部尚書，兼中書令，轉侍中，以宮僚封鄭國公，賜實封三百戸。又爲冊順天皇后使，賜物五百段，鞍馬稱是。時武三思將誣殺王同皎，再思與吏部尚書李嶠、刑部尚書韋巨源並受製考按其獄，竟不能發明其枉，致同皎至死，眾冤之。再思俄復爲中書令、吏部尚書。景龍三年，遷尚書右僕射，加光祿大夫。其年薨，贈特進、并州大都督，陪葬乾陵，諡曰恭。子植、植子獻，並爲司勳員外郎。再思弟季昭爲考功郎中，溫玉爲戸部侍郎。

In the fourth year of the Chang'an era, in his existing office he was made Acting Chief Administrator of the Metropolitan Prefecture of Jingzhao, then transferred to Acting Chief Administrator of the Superior Area Command of Yangzhou. When Emperor Zhongzong took the throne, he was appointed Minister of Revenue and Concurrent Secretariat Director, then transferred to Palace Attendant. As a palace aide he was enfeoffed Duke of Zheng State and granted three hundred households of actual fief. He also served as envoy for enfeoffing the Empress of Shuntian and was granted five hundred lengths of goods and saddled horses in fitting measure. At that time Wu Sansi intended to falsely accuse and kill Wang Tongjiao. Zaisi, together with Minister of Personnel Li Jiao and Minister of Punishments Wei Juyuan, all received edicts to examine and try the case. In the end they could not clarify his wrongful treatment and caused Tongjiao to die. All regarded it as a grievous injustice. Soon afterward Zaisi again became Secretariat Director and Minister of Personnel. In the third year of the Jinglong era, he was promoted to Right Minister of Works and granted the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Silver Seal. That year he died. He was posthumously appointed Special Advanced and Chief Administrator of the Superior Area Command of Bingzhou, permitted burial at Qianling, with the posthumous title Gong. His sons Zhi and Zhi's son Xian both served as Vice Directors in the Ministry of Personnel. Zaisi's younger brother Jizhao was Director in the Ministry of Personnel; Wenyu was Vice Minister of Revenue.

李懷遠，邢州柏仁人也。早孤貧好學，善屬文。有宗人欲以高蔭相假者，懷遠竟拒之，退而歎曰：「因人之勢，高士不爲；假蔭求官，豈吾本誌？」未幾，應四科舉擢第，累除司禮少卿。出爲邢州刺史，以其本鄉，固辭不就，改授冀州刺史。俄暦揚、益等州大都督府長史，未行，又授同州刺史。在職以清簡稱。入爲太子左庶子，兼太子賓客，暦遷右散騎常侍、春官侍郎。大足年，遷鸞台侍郎，尋同鳳閣鸞台平章事。歲餘，加銀青光祿大夫，拜秋官尚書，兼檢校太子左庶子，賜爵平鄉縣男。長安四年，以老辭職，聽解秋官尚書，正除太子左庶子，尋授太子賓客。神龍初，除左散騎常侍、兵部尚書、同中書門下三品，加金紫光祿大夫，進封趙郡公，特賜實封三百戸。俄以疾請致仕，許之。中宗將幸京師，又令以本官知東都留守。

Li Huaiyuan was a native of Bairen in Xingzhou. Orphaned early, poor, and fond of learning, he was skilled at literary composition. A clansman wished to lend him high hereditary privilege for office. Huaiyuan ultimately refused and withdrew, sighing, "To rely on another's power — a lofty man will not do it; to borrow privilege and seek office — is that my original intent?" Before long he passed the four categories of examination with highest marks and was appointed in succession Vice Minister of Rites. He went out as Prefect of Xingzhou. Because it was his home district, he firmly declined and did not accept, and was instead appointed Prefect of Jizhou. Soon he served in succession as Chief Administrator of the Superior Area Commands of Yang and Yi, but did not go. He was again appointed Prefect of Tongzhou. In office he was known for purity and simplicity. He entered the capital as Left Vice Director of the Crown Prince and Concurrent Tutor of the Crown Prince, and was promoted in succession to Right Regular Attendant and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. In the Dazu year he was promoted to Vice Minister of the Crane Terrace and soon became Concurrent Regulating Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and Crane Terrace. After more than a year he was granted the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Silver Seal, appointed Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, and made Concurrent Acting Left Vice Director of the Crown Prince. He was enfeoffed Baron of Pingxiang County. In the fourth year of the Chang'an era, on account of old age he resigned from office. He was permitted to relinquish the Ministry of Punishments and was formally appointed Left Vice Director of the Crown Prince, then soon appointed Tutor of the Crown Prince. At the beginning of the Shenlong era, he was appointed Left Regular Attendant, Minister of War, and Third-Rank Minister of the Secretariat and Chancellery, granted the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with Gold Seal, advanced to Duke of Zhao Commandery, and specially granted three hundred households of actual fief. Soon afterward, on account of illness he requested retirement and was permitted. When Emperor Zhongzong was about to visit the capital, he was again ordered to serve in his existing office as Acting Protector of the Eastern Capital.

懷遠雖久居榮位，而彌尚簡率，園林宅室，無所改作。常乘款段馬，左僕射豆盧欽望謂曰：「公榮貴如此，何不買駿馬乘之？」答曰：「此馬幸免驚蹶，無假別求。」聞者莫不歎美。神龍二年八月卒，中宗特賜錦被以充斂，輟朝一日，親爲文以祭之，贈侍中，諡曰成。子景伯。

Though Huaiyuan had long held an honored position, he all the more valued simplicity. His gardens and dwelling were unchanged. He always rode a plain-paced horse. Left Minister of Works Doulu Qinwang said to him, "You are so honored and wealthy — why not buy a fine horse to ride?" He replied, "This horse fortunately escapes stumbling — there is no need to seek another." Those who heard it all sighed in admiration. In the eighth month of the second year of the Shenlong era he died. Emperor Zhongzong specially granted brocade quilts for his shroud, suspended court audiences for one day, personally composed a text to offer sacrifice, posthumously appointed him Palace Attendant, with the posthumous title Cheng. His son was Jingbo.

景伯，景龍中爲給事中，又遷諫議大夫。中宗嘗宴侍臣及朝集使，酒酣，令各爲《回波辭》。眾皆爲謅佞之辭，及自要榮位。次至景伯，曰：「回波爾時酒卮，微臣職在箴規。侍宴既過三爵，喧嘩竊恐非儀。」中宗不悅，中書令蕭至忠稱之曰：「此真諫官也。」景雲中，累遷右散騎常侍，尋以老疾致仕。開元中卒。子彭年。

Jingbo, during the Jinglong era served as Supervising Secretary and was later promoted to Remonstrating Censor. Emperor Zhongzong once feasted the attending ministers and assembly envoys. When the wine was deep, he ordered each to compose a Huibo lyric. All composed fawning and flattering words and sought their own glory and position. When it came to Jingbo, he said, "Huibo, at that time the wine cup — this humble servant's duty lies in admonition and regulation. Attending the feast has already passed three rounds of wine — clamor and noise, I fear, are not proper." Emperor Zhongzong was displeased. Secretariat Director Xiao Zhizhong praised him, saying, "This is a true remonstrating official." During the Jingyun era he was promoted in succession to Right Regular Attendant and soon retired on account of old age and illness. He died during the Kaiyuan era. His son was Pengnian.

彭年有吏才，工於剖析，當時稱之。開元中，暦考功員外郎、知舉，又遷中書舍人、給事中、兵部侍郎。天寶初，又爲吏部侍郎，與右相李林甫善。慕山東著姓爲婚姻，引就清列，以大其門。典銓管七年，後以贓汙爲御史中丞宋渾所劾，長流領南臨賀郡。累月，渾及第恕又以贓下獄，詔渾流嶺南高要郡，恕流南康郡。天寶十二載，起彭年爲濟陰太守，又遷馮翊太守，入爲中書舍人、給事中、吏部侍郎。十五載，玄宗幸蜀，賊陷西京。彭年沒於賊，脅授僞官，憂憤忽忽不得志，與韋斌相次而卒。及克復兩京，優製贈彭年爲禮部尚書。

Pengnian had talent for administration and was skilled at analysis. People at the time praised him. During the Kaiyuan era he served in succession as Vice Director in the Ministry of Personnel and Director of Examinations, then was promoted to Secretariat Drafter, Supervising Secretary, and Vice Minister of War. At the beginning of the Tianbao era he again served as Vice Minister of Personnel and was friendly with Right Chancellor Li Linfu. He admired taking marriage with eminent surnames east of the mountains and drew them into clear ranks to enlarge his house. He managed personnel selection for seven years. Later he was impeached for corruption by Imperial Censor Song Hun and was exiled far to Linhe Commandery in Lingnan. After several months, Hun and his younger brother Shu also went to prison for corruption. An edict exiled Hun to Gaoyao Commandery in Lingnan and Shu to Nankang Commandery. In the twelfth year of Tianbao, Pengnian was recalled as Prefect of Jiyin, then transferred to Prefect of Fengyi, and entered the capital as Secretariat Drafter, Supervising Secretary, and Vice Minister of Personnel. In the fifteenth year, Emperor Xuanzong went to Shu. The rebels seized the Western Capital. Pengnian fell into the hands of the rebels, was compelled to accept a false office, and died in grief and dejection without achieving his intent, following Wei Bin in dying one after another. When the two capitals were recovered, a generous edict posthumously appointed Pengnian Minister of Rites.

豆盧欽望，京兆萬年人也。曾祖通，隋相州刺史、南陳郡公。祖寬，即隋文帝之甥也。大業末，爲梁泉令。及高祖定關中，寬與郡守蕭瑀率豪右赴京師，由是累授殿中監，仍詔其子懷讓尚萬春公主。高祖以寬曾祖萇魏太和中例稱單姓，至是改寬爲盧氏。貞觀中，暦遷禮部尚書、左衛大將軍，封芮國公。永徽元年卒，贈特進、并州都督，陪葬昭陵，諡曰定。又復其姓爲豆盧氏。父仁業，高宗時爲左衛將軍。

Doulu Qinwang was a native of Wannian in Jingzhao. His great-grandfather Tong was Military Governor of Xiangzhou and Duke of Nanchen Commandery in Sui. His grandfather Kuan was the nephew of Emperor Wen of Sui. At the end of the Daye era he was Magistrate of Liangquan. When the High Ancestor pacified Guanzhong, Kuan together with the prefect Xiao Yu led the local magnates to the capital and was therefore appointed in succession Supervisor of the Palace and also ordered that his son Huairang marry Princess Wanchun. The High Ancestor, because Kuan's great-grandfather Chang in the Wei Taihe era was by precedent called by a single surname, at this time changed Kuan's surname to Lu. During the Zhenguan era he was promoted in succession to Minister of Rites and Grand General of the Left Guard, and was enfeoffed Duke of Rui State. In the first year of the Yonghui era he died, posthumously appointed Special Advanced and Chief Administrator of the Superior Area Command of Bingzhou, permitted burial at Zhaoling, with the posthumous title Ding. His surname was also restored to Doulu. His father Renye was General of the Left Guard during the reign of Emperor Gaozong.

欽望，則天時累遷司賓卿。長壽二年，代宗秦客爲內史。時李昭德亦爲內史，執權用事，欽望與同時宰相韋巨源、陸元方、蘇味道、杜景儉等並委曲從之。證聖元年，昭德坐事，左遷涪陵尉，則天以欽望等不能執正，又爲司刑少卿皇甫文備奏欽望附會昭德，罔上附下，乃左遷欽望爲趙州刺史，韋巨源自右丞爲鄜州刺史，陸元方自秋官侍郎爲綏州刺史，蘇味道自鳳閣侍郎爲集州刺史。其年，欽望入爲司禮卿，遷秋官尚書，封芮國公。出爲河北道宣勞使。俄而廬陵王復爲皇太子，以欽望爲皇太子宮尹。聖暦二年，拜文昌右相、同鳳閣鸞台三品，尋授太子賓客，停知政事。

Qinwang, during Empress Wu's time, was promoted in succession to Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments. In the second year of the Changshou era he replaced Zong Qinke as Inner Scribe. At that time Li Zhaode also served as Inner Scribe, wielded power and managed affairs, and Qinwang together with the chief ministers of the time Wei Juyuan, Lu Yuanfang, Su Weidao, and Du Jingjian all bent and followed him. In the first year of the Zhengsheng era, Zhaode was punished for an offense and demoted to Assistant Magistrate of Fuling. Empress Wu, because Qinwang and the others could not uphold what was right, and because Vice Minister of Justice Huangfu Wenbei also memorialized that Qinwang had attached himself to Zhaode and deceived superiors while attaching to inferiors, demoted Qinwang to Prefect of Zhao, Wei Juyuan from Right Vice Director to Prefect of Fu, Lu Yuanfang from Vice Minister of Punishments to Prefect of Sui, and Su Weidao from Vice Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion to Prefect of Ji. That year Qinwang entered the capital as Minister of Rites, was promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, and was enfeoffed Duke of Rui State. He went out as Commissioner for Proclaiming Comfort on the Hebei Circuit. Soon afterward the Prince of Luling was again made Crown Prince, and Qinwang was appointed Director of the Crown Prince's Palace. In the second year of the Shengli era he was appointed Right Minister of the Department of Literature and Third-Rank Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and Crane Terrace, then appointed Tutor of the Crown Prince and stopped managing state affairs.

中宗即位，以欽望宮僚舊臣，拜尚書左僕射、知軍國重事，兼檢校安國相王府長史，兼中書令、知兵部事、監修國史。

When Emperor Zhongzong took the throne, because Qinwang was an old minister of the palace staff, he was appointed Left Minister of Works, Manager of Important Military Affairs, Concurrent Acting Chief Administrator of the Princely Mansion of Anguo and Xiang, Concurrent Secretariat Director, Manager of the Ministry of War, and Supervisor of Compiling the National History.

欽望作相兩朝，前後十餘年，張易之兄弟及武三思父子皆專權驕縱，圖爲逆亂。欽望獨謹其身，不能有所匡正，以此獲譏於代。神龍二年，拜開府儀。景龍三年五月，表請氣骸，不許。十一月卒，年八十餘。贈司空、并州大都督，諡曰元，賜東園秘器，陪葬乾陵。則天時，宰相又有張光輔、史務滋、崔元綜、周允元等，並有名績。

Qinwang served as chief minister across two reigns for more than ten years in all. The Zhang Yizhi brothers and the father and sons Wu Sansi all monopolized power and were arrogant and unrestrained, plotting rebellion. Qinwang alone kept himself cautious and could not correct them. For this he received reproach from his generation. In the second year of the Shenlong era he was appointed Grand Marshal of the Palace. In the fifth month of the third year of the Jinglong era he submitted a memorial requesting to retire on account of declining health. This was not permitted. In the eleventh month he died, at more than eighty years of age. He was posthumously appointed Minister of Works and Chief Administrator of the Superior Area Command of Bingzhou, with the posthumous title Yuan, granted the Eastern Garden funerary vessels, and permitted burial at Qianling. During Empress Wu's time there were also chief ministers Zhang Guangfu, Shi Wuzi, Cui Yuanzong, Zhou Yun'yuan, and others, all of whom had fame and achievement.

張光輔者，京兆人也。少明辯，有吏幹。累遷司農少卿、文昌右丞。以討平越王貞之功，拜鳳閣侍郎、知政事。永昌元年，遷納言。旬日，又拜內史。皆有名。其年，洛州司馬房嗣業、洛陽令張嗣明坐與徐敬業弟敬真陰相交結。敬真自流所繡州逃歸，將北投突厥，引虜入寇。途經洛下，嗣業、嗣明二人給其衣糧而遣之。行至定州，爲人所覺。嗣業於獄中自縊死。嗣明與敬真多引海內相識，冀緩其死。嗣明稱光輔征豫州日，私說圖識天文，陰懷兩端，顧望以觀成敗。光輔由是被誅，家口籍沒。

Zhang Guangfu was a native of Jingzhao. From youth he was clear in debate and had administrative ability. He was promoted in succession to Vice Minister of Revenue and Right Vice Minister of the Department of Literature. For the achievement of suppressing Prince Zhen of Yue, he was appointed Vice Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and Manager of State Affairs. In the first year of the Yongchang era he was promoted to Chief Minister of Proclamations. Ten days later he was again appointed Inner Scribe. All were famous posts. That year, Vice Military Governor of Luozhou Fang Siye and Magistrate of Luoyang Zhang Siming were punished for secretly associating with Xu Jingye's younger brother Jingzhen. Jingzhen escaped from exile in Xiuzhou and returned, intending to go north and join the Turks and lead the barbarians in invasion. Passing through Luoyang, Siye and Siming supplied him with clothing and grain and sent him on. When he reached Dingzhou he was discovered by others. Siye hanged himself in prison. Siming and Jingzhen implicated many acquaintances throughout the realm, hoping to delay their deaths. Siming said that when Guangfu campaigned at Yuzhou, he privately discussed prognostications and astronomy and secretly harbored two minds, looking about to observe success or failure. Guangfu was thereby executed, and his household was registered and confiscated.

史務滋者，宣州溧陽人。累至內史。天授中，雅州刺史劉行實及弟渠州刺史行瑜、尚衣奉禦行感，並兄子左鷹揚將軍虔通，並爲侍御史來子珣誣以謀反誅。又於盱眙毀其父左監門大將軍伯英棺柩。初，務滋素與行感周密，意俗寢其反狀。則天怒，令俊臣鞫之，務滋恐被陷刑，乃自殺。

Shi Wuzi was a native of Liyang in Xuanzhou. He rose in succession to Inner Scribe. During the Tianshou era, Regional Inspector of Yazhou Liu Xingshi and his younger brother Regional Inspector of Quzhou Liu Xingyu, Palace Attendant for Imperial Vestments Liu Xinggan, and his elder brother's son Left General of the Hawkish Guard Liu Qiantong were all falsely accused of plotting rebellion by Attending Censor Lai Zixun and were executed. Also at Xuyi they destroyed the coffin of their father, Grand General of the Left Gate Guards Bo Ying. At first Wuzi had long been on intimate terms with Xinggan and expected that the charges of rebellion could be suppressed. Empress Wu was angry and ordered Junchen to interrogate him. Wuzi, fearing he would be trapped in punishment, then killed himself.

崔元綜者，鄭州新鄭人也。祖君肅，武德中黃門侍郎、鴻臚卿。元綜，天授中累轉秋官侍郎。長壽元年，遷鸞台侍郎、同鳳閣鸞台平章事。元綜勤於政事，每在中書，必束帶至晚，未嘗休偃。好潔細行，薰辛不暦口者二十餘年。雖外示謹厚，而情深刻薄，每受製鞫獄，必披毛求疵，陷於重辟。以此故人多畏而鄙之。明年，犯罪配流振州，朝野莫不稱慶。尋赦還，復拜監察御史。中宗時，累遷尚書左丞、蒲州刺史，以老疾致仕。晚年好攝養導引之術，年九十餘卒。

Cui Yuanzong was a native of Xinzheng in Zhengzhou. His grandfather Junsu was Vice Minister of the Secretariat and Grand Minister of Diplomacy during the Wude era. Yuanzong, during the Tianshou era, was promoted in succession to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Punishments. In the first year of the Changshou era he was promoted to Vice Minister of the Crane Terrace and Concurrent Regulating Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and Crane Terrace. Yuanzong was diligent in government affairs. Whenever he was in the Secretariat he always wore his belt until evening and never rested reclining. He loved purity in small conduct and for more than twenty years did not let pungent or acrid flavors pass his lips. Though outwardly he showed cautious generosity, inwardly his feelings were harsh and mean. Whenever he received edicts to interrogate cases, he always split hairs seeking flaws and trapped people in heavy punishment. For this reason many feared and despised him. The next year, for a crime he was sentenced to exile in Zhenzhou. Court and common people alike all called it a celebration. Soon he was pardoned and returned, and was again appointed Investigating Censor. During the reign of Emperor Zhongzong he was promoted in succession to Left Vice Director of the Secretariat and Prefect of Pu and retired on account of old age and illness. In his later years he loved nourishing and guiding practices and died at more than ninety years of age.

周允元者，豫州人也。弱冠舉進士。延戴初，累轉左肅政御史中丞，俄除鳳閣鸞台平章事。嘗與諸宰臣侍宴，則天令各述書傳中善言。允元曰：「恥其君不如堯、舜。」武三思以爲語有指斥，糾而駁之。則天曰：「聞此言足以爲誡，豈特將爲過耶？」證聖元年卒，贈貝州刺史。則天爲七言詩以傷之，又自繕寫，時以爲榮。

Zhou Yun'yuan was a native of Yuzhou. In his early twenties he passed the jinshi examination. At the beginning of the Yanzai era he was promoted in succession to Left Imperial Censor and soon appointed Concurrent Regulating Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and Crane Terrace. He once attended a feast with the chief ministers. Empress Wu ordered each to recite a good saying from books and records. Yun'yuan said, "To be ashamed that one's lord is not like Yao and Shun." Wu Sansi held that the words contained pointed criticism and impeached and refuted him. Empress Wu said, "Hearing these words is enough to serve as a warning — how could it be taken only as an offense?" In the first year of the Zhengsheng era he died and was posthumously appointed Military Governor of Beizhou. Empress Wu composed a seven-character poem to mourn him and copied it out herself. People at the time regarded it as an honor.

史官曰：王及善在孝敬東宮，誠能奉職。當俊臣下獄，力諫除凶，是憂濫及賢良，而欲明彰羽翼，興復之誌，不謂無心。杜景儉五刑有濫，濟活爲心，四氣不和，歸罪在己，則天謂曰「真宰相。」然奈柔順李昭德，不無吐剛之過也。朱敬則文學有稱，節行無愧，諫諍果決，推擇精真，苟非洞鑒古今，深識王霸，何由立其高論哉？惜乎相不得時矣。楊再思佞而取貴，苟以全身，掩不善而自欺，謂無十目十手也。李懷遠名不苟於假蔭，貴不衒於故鄉，無改陋居，常乘劣駟，亦一時之善矣。然匪躬之道，未之聞也。豆盧欽望、張光輔、史務滋、崔元綜、周允元等，或有片言，非無小善，登於大用，可謂具臣。

The historiographer says: In the Eastern Palace of Respectful Filiality, Wang Jishan truly was able to perform his duties. When Junchen was imprisoned, he forcefully remonstrated to eliminate the villain — this was concern that harm would spread to the worthy, and the wish to make clear the support of wings. The intent of restoration was not without heart. Du Jingjian, when the five punishments were abused, took saving lives as his heart; when the four seasons were out of harmony, he attributed the fault to himself. Empress Wu called him a "true chief minister." Yet in yielding to the compliant Li Zhaode, he was not without the fault of spitting out what was hard. Zhu Jingze was famed for literature, his conduct was without shame, his remonstrance was decisive, and his selection of men was precise and true. Had he not thoroughly discerned past and present and deeply understood kingship and hegemony, how could he have established such lofty discourse? Alas, as chief minister he did not meet the right time. Yang Zaisi was fawning and thereby gained honor, preserving himself as he could, covering what was not good and deceiving himself — as though there were not ten eyes and ten hands. Li Huaiyuan's fame was not tainted by borrowed privilege; his honor did not flaunt his home district; he did not alter his humble dwelling and always rode a poor horse — this too was a goodness of the time. Yet the way of not sparing oneself — of this one has not heard. Doulu Qinwang, Zhang Guangfu, Shi Wuzi, Cui Yuanzong, Zhou Yun'yuan, and the like — some had a phrase, and none were without small goodness. Raised to great employment, they may be called complete ministers.

贊曰：及善奉職，非無智力。景儉當權，不謂不賢。雄文高節，少連爲絶。守道安貧，懷遠當仁。欽望之屬，片善何足。諂媚再思，隻宜遄速。

Praise says: Jishan performed his duties — he was not without intelligence and strength. Jingjian held power — he cannot be called unworthy. Mighty writing and lofty integrity — Shaolian stands supreme. Keeping the way and content with poverty — Huaiyuan met the standard of benevolence. The sort of Qinwang — what small goodness is enough? To fawn on Zaisi — one ought only to hurry away.

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