1
劉幽求劉幽求,冀州武強人也。 聖歷年,應制舉,拜閬中尉,刺史不禮焉,乃棄官而歸。 久之,授朝邑尉。 初,桓彥範、敬暉等雖誅張易之兄弟,竟不殺武三思。 幽求謂桓、敬曰:「三思尚存,公輩終無葬地。 若不早圖,恐噬臍無及。」 桓、敬等不從其言,後果爲三思誣構,死於嶺外。
Liu Youqiu was a native of Wuqiang in Jizhou commandery. During the Shengli reign he entered an imperial special examination and was appointed assistant magistrate of Langzhong. When the prefect failed to treat him with proper respect, he resigned his post and went home. After some time he was appointed magistrate of Chaoyi. Initially, though Huan Yanfan, Jing Hui, and the others had put the Zhang Yizhi brothers to death, they ultimately failed to kill Wu Sansi. Youqiu told Huan and Jing, "As long as Sansi remains alive, none of you will ever have a grave to rest in. If you do not act soon, I fear you will regret it too late even to bite your own navel in anguish." Huan, Jing, and the others ignored his advice; in the end they were falsely accused by Sansi and perished in exile beyond the Ling mountain passes.
2
及韋庶人將行篡逆,幽求與玄宗潛謀誅之,乃與苑總監鍾紹京、長上果毅麻嗣宗及太平公主之子薛崇暕等夜從入禁中討平之。 是夜所下制敕百餘道,皆出於幽求。 以功擢拜中書舍人,令參知機務,賜爵中山縣男,食實封二百戸。 翌日,又授其二子五品官,祖、父俱追贈刺史。
When Empress Wei was about to seize the throne, Youqiu secretly conspired with Prince Lin, the future Emperor Xuanzong, to overthrow her. That night he entered the inner palace with Zhong Shaojing, director of the imperial park, changshang guoyi Ma Sizong, Princess Taiping's son Xue Chongjian, and others, and together they put down the coup. Of the more than a hundred edicts issued that night, every one was drafted by Youqiu. For his services he was promoted to secretarial drafter and assigned to deliberations on state affairs. He was enfeoffed as Baron of Zhongshan, with an actual income fief of two hundred households. The next day his two sons were also given fifth-rank offices, and both his grandfather and father were posthumously honored as prefects.
3
睿宗即位,加銀青光祿大夫,行尚書右丞,仍舊知政事,進封徐國公,加實封通前五百戸,賜物千段、奴婢二十人、宅一區、地十頃、馬四匹,加以金銀雜器。 ,遷戸部尚書,罷知政事。 月餘,轉吏部尚書,擢拜侍中,降璽書曰:「頃者,王室不造,中宗厭代,外戚專政,奸臣擅國,將傾社稷,幾遷龜鼎,朕躬與王公,皆將及於禍難。 卿見危思奮,在變能通,翊贊儲君,協和義士,殄殲元惡,放殛兇徒。 我國家之復存,醫茲是賴,厥庸甚茂,朕用嘉焉。 故委卿以衡軸,胙卿以茅土,然征賦未廣,寵錫猶輕。 昔西漢行封,更擇多戸; 東京定賞,復增大邑。 故加賜卿實封二百戸,兼舊七百戸。 使夫高岸爲谷,長河如帶,子子孫孫,傳國無絕。 又以卿忘軀徇難,宜有恩榮,故特免卿十死罪,並書諸金鐵,俾傳於後。 卿其保茲功業,永作國楨,可不美歟!」
When Emperor Ruizong took the throne, Youqiu was promoted to Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and acting Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs while retaining his role in governance. He was advanced to Duke of Xu, with his actual fief income raised to five hundred households in all, and received a thousand bolts of silk and other goods, twenty servants, a residence, ten qing of land, four horses, and an assortment of gold and silver vessels. He was then transferred to Minister of Revenue and removed from active participation in governance. A little over a month later he was transferred to Minister of Personnel and promoted to Palace Attendant. An imperial letter was issued that read, "Recently the royal house fell into misfortune. Emperor Zhongzong departed this life, maternal relatives monopolized power, treacherous ministers seized control of the state, the altars of soil and grain were nearly overturned, and the throne itself was almost lost. I, together with the princes and nobles, stood on the brink of disaster. You saw danger and resolved to act, adapted skillfully in the midst of upheaval, supported the heir apparent, rallied men of righteousness, destroyed the chief villain, and drove out the wicked. Our state's restoration depended on service such as yours; your merit is great, and I am deeply gratified. Therefore I entrusted you with the helm of state and enfeoffed you with feudal lands, yet the revenue attached to your fief was still limited and the honors bestowed upon you remained insufficient. In the Western Han, when enfeoffments were granted, additional households were often chosen; and when the Eastern Han fixed rewards, great fiefs were again enlarged. Accordingly I am granting you an additional two hundred households of actual fief income, for seven hundred households in all. May your line endure through the ages, from sons to grandsons without end, even as high banks become valleys and great rivers shrink to ribbons. Because you risked your life in the crisis, you deserve special honor. I therefore grant you exemption from ten capital offenses, to be inscribed on metal and iron and passed down to posterity. Preserve this achievement and remain forever a pillar of the state—could anything be finer!"
4
先天元年,拜尚書右僕射、同中書門下三品,監修國史。 幽求初自謂功在朝臣之右,而誌求左僕射,兼領中書令。 俄而竇懷貞爲左僕射,崔湜爲中書令,幽求心甚不平,形於言色。 湜又托附太平公主,將謀逆亂。 幽求乃與右羽林將軍張暐請以羽林兵誅之,乃令暐密奏玄宗曰:「宰相中有崔湜、崔羲,俱是太平公主進用,見作方計,其事不輕。 殿下若不早謀,必成大患。 一朝事出意外,太上皇何以得安? 古人云:『當斷不斷,反受其亂。』 唯請急殺此賊。 劉幽求已共臣作定謀計訖,願以身正此事,赴死如歸。 臣既職典禁兵,若奉殿下命,當即除翦。」 上深以爲然。 暐又泄其謀於侍御史鄧光賓,玄宗大懼,遽列上其狀,睿宗下幽求等詔獄,令法官推鞫之。 法官奏幽求等以疏間親,罪當死。 玄宗屢救獲免,乃流幽求於封州,暐於峰州。
In 712 he was appointed Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, given third-rank status equal to the chancellors, and charged with overseeing the national history. Youqiu initially believed his merit outranked that of the other court ministers and sought the post of Left Vice Director together with the directorship of the Secretariat. Before long Dou Huaizhen was made Left Vice Director and Cui Shi Director of the Secretariat. Youqiu was deeply resentful, and his displeasure showed plainly in his words and bearing. Cui Shi had also attached himself to Princess Taiping and was plotting rebellion. Youqiu then joined Right General of the Feathered Forest Zhang Wei in proposing that the imperial guard be used to eliminate them. He had Wei secretly report to Emperor Xuanzong, "Among the chief ministers are Cui Shi and Cui Yi, both promoted by Princess Taiping. They are already plotting, and the matter is grave. If Your Highness does not act soon, this will surely become a grave disaster. If events take an unexpected turn, how will the Retired Emperor be kept safe? As the ancients said, 'He who ought to act decisively but fails to do so will suffer disorder in return.' I beg that these traitors be put to death at once. Liu Youqiu and I have already settled our plans. I am ready to see this through with my own life and go to my death as willingly as if I were going home. As I command the palace guard, I shall cut them down at once upon receiving Your Highness's order." The emperor was deeply convinced. Wei also leaked the plot to Attending Censor Deng Guangbin. Emperor Xuanzong was greatly alarmed and immediately reported the whole affair. Emperor Ruizong sent Youqiu and the others to the imperial prison by edict and ordered the judges to investigate them. The judges ruled that Youqiu and the others had driven a wedge between close kin and deserved death. Emperor Xuanzong repeatedly intervened on their behalf and saved them from execution. Youqiu was banished to Feng prefecture and Wei to Peak prefecture.
5
歳餘,太平公主等伏誅,其日下詔曰:「劉幽求風雲玄感,川嶽粹靈,學綜九流,文窮三變。 義以臨事,精能貫日; 忠以成謀,用若投水。 茂勛立艱難之際,嘉話盈啟沃之初,存讜直以不顧,爲奸邪之所忌。 釁萌頗露,譖端潛發,元宰見逐,讒人孔多。 既殄群兇,方宣大化,期問政於經始,載登賢於蘿蔔。 可依舊金紫光祿大夫,守尚書左僕射,知軍國事,監修國史,上柱國、徐國公,仍依舊還封七百戸,並賜錦衣一襲。」
More than a year later, Princess Taiping and her faction were executed. That same day an edict was issued: "Liu Youqiu was touched by heaven's signs and endowed with the pure spirit of mountains and rivers. His learning embraced all schools of thought, and his literary skill mastered every form of expression. Righteous in action, his keen insight shone like the sun; loyal in counsel, he acted with the swift certainty of a stone cast into water. He won great merit in a time of peril and offered fine counsel at the founding of the new reign. He preserved honest remonstrance without regard for himself, and the wicked came to hate him for it. The first signs of trouble appeared, slander began to spread in secret, the chief minister was driven out, and calumniators multiplied. Now that the villains have been destroyed and great reform is to be proclaimed, it is time to seek counsel at the founding of the new order and to restore the worthy to office. Let him be restored to his former rank of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, acting Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, with charge over military and state affairs and oversight of the national history, as Senior Pillar of the State and Duke of Xu. Let his former fief of seven hundred households be restored, and grant him one suit of brocade robes."
6
開元初,改尚書左右僕射爲左右丞相,乃授幽求尚書左丞相,兼黃門監。 未幾,除太子少保,罷知政事。 姚崇素嫉忌之,乃奏言幽求郁怏於散職,兼有怨言,貶授睦州刺史,削其實封六百戸。 歳餘,稍遷杭州刺史。 三年,轉桂陽郡刺史,在道憤恚而卒,年六十一,贈禮部尚書,謚曰文獻,配享睿宗廟庭。 ,重贈司徒。 鍾紹京鍾紹京,虔州贛人也。 初爲司農録事,以工書直鳳閣,則天時明堂門額、九鼎之銘,及諸宮殿門榜,皆紹京所題。 景龍中,爲苑總監。 玄宗之誅韋氏,紹京夜中帥戸奴及丁夫以從。 及事成,其夜拜紹京銀青光祿大夫、中書侍郎,參知機務。 翌日,進拜中書令,加光祿大夫,封越國公,賜實封五百戸,賜物二千段、馬十匹。 紹京既當朝用事,恣情賞罰,甚爲時人所惡。 俄又抗疏讓官,睿宗納薛稷之言,乃轉爲戸部尚書,出爲蜀州刺史。
At the beginning of the Kaiyuan reign the Left and Right Vice Directors were redesignated Left and Right Chancellors. Youqiu was appointed Left Chancellor of the Department of State Affairs and concurrently Director of the Palace Gate. Before long he was made Junior Mentor to the Heir Apparent and removed from active participation in governance. Yao Chong had long envied him and memorialized that Youqiu was discontent in a powerless post and had voiced complaints. Youqiu was demoted to prefect of Mu, and six hundred households were stripped from his actual fief. After more than a year he was transferred to prefect of Hangzhou. In the third year he was transferred to prefect of Guiyang commandery but died on the road, embittered, at the age of sixty-one. He was posthumously honored as Minister of Rites, given the posthumous title Wenxian, and granted a place in Emperor Ruizong's temple. He was later posthumously honored again as Minister of Education. Zhong Shaojing was a native of Gan in Qian prefecture. He began as a clerk in the Ministry of Agriculture. Because of his skill in calligraphy he served directly in the Phoenix Pavilion. During Empress Wu's reign the gate inscription of the Bright Hall, the inscriptions on the Nine Cauldrons, and the gate plaques of the various palaces were all written by Shaojing. During the Jinglong reign he served as director of the imperial park. When Emperor Xuanzong moved against the Wei clan, Shaojing led household slaves and corvée laborers to join him in the night. When the coup succeeded, Shaojing was that same night appointed Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Vice Director of the Secretariat, with a role in confidential state affairs. The next day he was promoted to Director of the Secretariat, given the additional title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, enfeoffed as Duke of Yue, granted an actual income fief of five hundred households, and given two thousand bolts of silk and other goods and ten horses. Once Shaojing held power at court, he dispensed rewards and punishments as he pleased and was widely despised. Before long he submitted a memorial declining his office. Emperor Ruizong heeded Xue Ji's advice and transferred him to Minister of Revenue, then sent him out as prefect of Shu.
7
玄宗即位,復召拜戸部尚書,遷太子詹事。 時姚崇素惡紹京之爲人,因奏紹京發言怨望,左遷綿州刺史。 及坐事,累貶琰川尉,盡削其階爵及實封。 俄又歷遷溫州別駕。 ,入朝,因垂泣奏曰:「陛下豈不記疇昔之事耶? 何忍棄臣荒外,永不見闕庭。 且當時立功之人,今並亡歿,唯臣衰老獨在,陛下豈不垂湣耶?」 玄宗爲之惘然,即日拜銀青光祿大夫、右諭德。 久之,轉少詹事。 年八十餘卒。 紹京雅好書畫古跡,聚二王及褚遂良書至數十百卷。 ,重贈太子太傅。 郭元振郭元振,魏州貴鄉人。 舉進士,授通泉尉。 任俠使氣,不以細務介意,前後掠賣所部千餘人,以遺賓客,百姓苦之。 則天聞其名,召見與語,甚奇之。 時吐蕃請和,乃授元振右武衞鎧曹,充使聘於吐蕃。 吐蕃大將論欽陵請去四鎮兵,分十姓之地,朝廷使元振因察其事宜。 元振還,上疏曰:
When Emperor Xuanzong took the throne, Shaojing was again summoned as Minister of Revenue and then transferred to Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent. Yao Chong had long disliked Shaojing's character and memorialized that he had spoken resentfully. Shaojing was demoted to prefect of Mian. After he became implicated in an offense, he was repeatedly demoted until he reached the post of assistant magistrate of Yanchuan, and all his ranks, titles, and actual fief income were stripped away. Before long he was transferred to vice prefect of Wen. He came to court and, weeping, memorialized, "Does Your Majesty not remember what happened in those days? How can you bear to cast me off in the wilderness beyond the frontier, never again to see the imperial court? Of those who won merit in those days, all have now died. I alone remain, old and frail. Will Your Majesty not show me compassion?" Emperor Xuanzong was deeply moved and that same day appointed him Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Right Mentor of the Heir Apparent. After some time he was transferred to Junior Mentor of the Heir Apparent. He died at over eighty years of age. Shaojing was a devoted collector of calligraphy, painting, and antiquities, amassing several dozen or even several hundred scrolls by the Two Wangs and Chu Suiliang. He was later posthumously honored again as Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent. Guo Yuanzhen was a native of Guixiang in Wei prefecture. He passed the jinshi examination and was appointed magistrate of Tongquan. Bold and chivalrous by nature, he paid little heed to minor duties. He seized and sold more than a thousand people under his jurisdiction to entertain guests, to the great suffering of the common people. Empress Wu heard of him, summoned him for an audience, and was greatly impressed. When the Tibetans requested peace, Yuanzhen was appointed an officer of the Right Martial Guard's Armor Bureau and sent as envoy to Tibet. The Tibetan general Lun Qinling requested the withdrawal of troops from the Four Garrisons and a division of the lands of the Ten Surnames. The court sent Yuanzhen to investigate the matter on the spot. Yuanzhen returned and submitted a memorial that read:
8
則天從之。
Empress Wu accepted his advice.
9
又上言曰:「臣揣吐蕃百姓倦徭戍久矣,咸願早和。 其大將論欽陵欲分四鎮境,統兵專制,故不欲歸款。 若國家每歳發和親使,而欽陵常不從命,則彼蕃之人怨欽陵日深,望國恩日甚,設欲廣舉醜徒,固亦難矣。 斯亦離間之漸,必可使其上下俱懷情阻。」 則天甚然之。 自是數年間,吐蕃君臣果相猜貳,因誅大將論欽陵。 其弟贊婆及兄子莽布支並來降,則天仍令元振與河源軍大使夫蒙令卿率騎以接之。 後吐蕃將麹莽布支率兵入寇,涼州都督唐休璟勒兵破之。 元振參預其謀,以功拜主客郎中。
He also submitted a memorial saying, "I believe the Tibetan people have long grown weary of corvée labor and frontier service, and all wish for peace as soon as possible. Their general Lun Qinling wishes to carve up the territory of the Four Garrisons and monopolize military command, and therefore does not wish to submit. If the court sends marriage-alliance envoys every year and Qinling repeatedly refuses to comply, the Tibetan people will resent him more deeply by the day and look to the court's favor more eagerly. Even if he wished to raise a large army, it would be difficult. This would also be a gradual means of sowing discord and would surely make both rulers and subjects estranged from one another." Empress Wu strongly agreed. Within a few years the Tibetan ruler and his ministers did indeed become mutually suspicious, and the great general Lun Qinling was executed. His younger brother Zanpo and his elder brother's son Mangbuzhi both came to surrender. Empress Wu ordered Yuanzhen and Fumeng Lingqing, commander of the Heyuan Army, to lead cavalry to receive them. Later the Tibetan general Qu Mangbuzhi led troops in a raid. Tang Xiujing, military governor of Liang, mustered troops and defeated him. Yuanzhen took part in planning the campaign and, for his services, was appointed Director in the Bureau of Receptions.
10
大足元年,遷涼州都督、隴右諸軍州大使。 先是,涼州封界南北不過四百餘里,既逼突厥、吐蕃,二寇頻歳奄至城下,百姓苦之。 元振始於南境破口置和戎城,北界磧中置白亭軍,控其要路,乃拓州境一千五百里,自是寇虜不復更至城下。 元振又令甘州刺史李漢通開置屯田,盡其水陸之利。 舊涼州粟斛售至數千,及漢通收率之後,數年豐稔,乃至一匹絹粟數十斛,積軍糧支數十年。 元振風神偉壯,而善於撫御,在涼州五年,夷夏畏慕,令行禁止,牛羊被野,路不拾遺。
In 701 he was transferred to military governor of Liang and grand envoy over the army prefectures of Longyou. Previously Liang's territory extended no more than four hundred-odd li from north to south. Pressed by the Turks and Tibetans, the two foes frequently appeared each year beneath the city walls, and the people suffered greatly. Yuanzhen first built Hecheng City at Pokou on the southern border and established Baiting Army in the northern desert to control the key routes. He expanded the prefecture's territory by fifteen hundred li, and from then on the raiders no longer reached the city walls. Yuanzhen also ordered Li Hantong, prefect of Gan, to establish garrison farms and make full use of the region's water and land. Formerly a hu of grain in Liang sold for thousands of cash. After Hantong organized the harvests, within a few years the land grew abundant, until a bolt of silk could buy dozens of hu of grain and enough military grain was stored to supply the army for decades. Yuanzhen was imposing in bearing and skilled at winning loyalty. During his five years in Liang, both barbarians and Chinese feared and admired him. His orders were obeyed, cattle and sheep covered the fields, and no one picked up lost objects on the roads.
11
神龍中,遷左驍衞將軍,兼檢校安西大都護。 時西突厥首領烏質勒部落強盛,款塞通和,元振就其牙帳計會軍事。 時天大雪,元振立於帳前,與烏質勒言議。 須臾,雪深風凍,元振未嘗移足,烏質勒年老,不勝寒苦,會罷而死。 其子娑葛以元振故殺其父,謀勒兵攻之。 副使御史中丞解琬知其謀,勸元振夜遁,元振曰:「吾以誠信待人,何所疑懼,且深在寇庭,遁將安適?」 乃安臥帳中。 明日,親入虜帳,哭之甚哀,行吊贈之禮。 娑葛乃感其義,復與元振通好,因遣使進馬五千匹及方物。 制以元振爲金山道行軍大總管。
During the Shenlong reign he was transferred to General of the Left Valiant Guard and concurrently acting Protector-General of Anxi. At that time the Western Turk chieftain Wuzhile commanded a powerful tribe and came to the frontier seeking peace. Yuanzhen went to his royal tent to discuss military affairs. It was snowing heavily. Yuanzhen stood before the tent and spoke with Wuzhile. Before long the snow had deepened and the wind turned bitterly cold. Yuanzhen never shifted his feet, but Wuzhile was old and could not endure the cold. When the meeting ended, he died. Suoge, Wuzhile's son, believed Yuanzhen had caused his father's death and plotted to raise troops and attack him. The deputy envoy, Censor-in-Chief Jie Wan, learned of the plot and urged Yuanzhen to flee by night. Yuanzhen replied, "I deal with others in good faith—what have I to fear? Besides, I am deep in the enemy's territory; where could I flee?" He then lay down calmly in his tent. The next day he entered the tent in person, wept bitterly, and performed the rites of mourning and condolence. Suoge was moved by his conduct and restored friendly relations with Yuanzhen, sending envoys with five thousand horses and local tribute. An imperial order appointed Yuanzhen Grand Commander on Campaign of the Jinshan Circuit.
12
先是,娑葛與阿史那闕啜忠節不和,屢相侵掠。 闕啜兵眾寡弱,漸不能支。 元振奏請追闕啜入朝宿衞,移其部落入於瓜、沙等州安置,制從之。 闕啜行至播仙城,與經略使、右威衞將軍周以悌相遇,以悌謂之曰:「國家有以高班厚秩待君者,以君統攝部落,下有兵眾故也。 今輕身入朝,是一老胡耳,在朝之人,誰復喜見? 非唯官資難得,亦恐性命在人。 今宰相有宗楚客、紀處訥,並專權用事,何不厚貺二公,請留不行。 仍發安西兵並引吐蕃以擊娑葛,求阿史那獻爲可汗以招十姓,使郭虔瓘往拔汗那征甲馬以助軍用。 既得報讎,又得存其部落。 如此,與入朝受制於人,豈復同也!」 闕啜然其言,便勒兵攻陷於闐坎城,獲金寶及生口,遣人間道納賂於宗、紀。 元振聞其謀,遽上疏曰:
Previously Suoge and Ashina Quechuo Zhongjie had been at odds and repeatedly raided each other's territory. Quechuo's forces were few and weak, and he gradually found himself unable to hold out. Yuanzhen memorialized asking that Quechuo be summoned to court for palace guard duty and that his tribe be resettled in Guazhou, Shazhou, and other prefectures. The emperor approved. When Quechuo reached Boxian City he met the frontier commissioner and General of the Right Martial Guard Zhou Yiti, who told him, "The court honors you with high rank and generous stipends because you command a tribe with soldiers under you. If you go to court alone now, you will be nothing but an old barbarian—who at court will be glad to see you? Not only will you find rank and salary hard to obtain, but your very life may be in others' hands. The chief ministers Zong Chuke and Ji Chune now monopolize power. Why not give them rich gifts and ask to remain instead of going? Then raise the Anxi troops and bring in the Tibetans to attack Suoge, install Ashina Xian as khan to win over the Ten Surnames, and send Guo Qian'gu to Ferghana to levy armor and horses for the army. You will both have your revenge and keep your tribe intact. That would be nothing like entering court and placing yourself at others' mercy!" Quechuo agreed, mustered troops, and captured Khotan Kan City, seizing gold, jewels, and captives. He then sent men by secret routes to bribe Zong and Ji. When Yuanzhen learned of the plot, he immediately submitted a memorial that read:
13
疏奏不省。
The memorial was submitted but ignored.
14
楚客等既受闕啜之賂,乃建議遣攝御史中丞馮嘉賓持節安撫闕啜,御史呂守素處置四鎮,持璽書便報元振。 除牛師獎爲安西副都護,便領甘、涼已西兵募,兼征吐蕃,以討娑葛。 娑葛進馬使娑臘知楚客計,馳還報娑葛。 娑葛是日發兵五千騎出安西,五千騎出撥換,五千騎出焉耆,五千騎出疏勒。 時元振在疏勒,於河口柵不敢動。 闕啜在計舒河口候見嘉賓,娑葛兵掩至,生擒闕啜,殺嘉賓等。 呂守素至僻城,亦見害。 又殺牛師獎於火燒城,乃陷安西,四鎮路絕。
After Chuke and his faction accepted Quechuo's bribes, they proposed sending Acting Censor-in-Chief Feng Jiabin with credentials to pacify Quechuo, Censor Lu Shousu to manage the Four Garrisons, and an envoy bearing the imperial seal to notify Yuanzhen at once. Niu Shijiang was appointed Vice Protector of Anxi and immediately took command of recruitment west of Gan and Liang, also calling in the Tibetans, to attack Suoge. Suoge's envoy Sula, who had come to present horses, learned of Chuke's plan and galloped back to warn Suoge. That same day Suoge dispatched five thousand cavalry from Anxi, five thousand from Bochuan, five thousand from Yanqi, and five thousand from Shule. Yuanzhen was then at Shule and did not dare move from the stockade at the river mouth. Quechuo waited at the mouth of the Jishu River to meet Jiabin, but Suoge's troops fell upon him, captured Quechuo alive, and killed Jiabin and his party. Lu Shousu was also killed when he reached Picheng. Niu Shijiang was killed at Huoshao City as well. Anxi fell, and the routes to the Four Garrisons were severed.
15
楚客又奏請周以悌代元振統眾,征元振,將陷之。 使阿史那獻爲十姓可汗,置軍焉耆以取娑葛。 娑葛遺元振書曰:「與漢本來無惡,只讎於闕啜。 而宗尚書取闕啜金,枉擬破奴部落,馮中丞、牛都護相次而來,奴等豈坐受死! 又聞史獻欲來,徒擾亂軍州,恐未有寧日,乞大使商量處置。」 元振奏娑葛狀。 楚客怒,奏言元振有異圖。 元振使其子鴻間道奏其狀,以悌竟得罪,流於白州。 復以元振代以悌,赦娑葛罪,冊爲十四姓可汗。 元振奏稱西土未寧,事資安撫,逗遛不敢歸京師。
Chuke again memorialized asking that Zhou Yiti replace Yuanzhen in command, summoning Yuanzhen back with the intent to destroy him. Ashina Xian was installed as khan of the Ten Surnames, and troops were stationed at Yanqi to capture Suoge. Suoge wrote to Yuanzhen, "We bear the Han no ill will; our quarrel is only with Quechuo. Yet Minister Zong took Quechuo's gold and plotted falsely to destroy my tribe. Vice Censor Feng and Commander Niu came one after another—are we to sit and await death? I also hear that Ashina Xian is coming, which will only disturb the frontier prefectures. I fear there will never be peace. I beg the envoy to discuss a settlement." Yuanzhen reported Suoge's letter to the throne. Chuke was enraged and memorialized that Yuanzhen harbored treacherous intent. Yuanzhen sent his son Hong by a secret route to report the full situation. Zhou Yiti was ultimately found guilty and banished to Baizhou. Yuanzhen was restored in Zhou Yiti's place. Suoge was pardoned and enfeoffed as khan of the Fourteen Surnames. Yuanzhen reported that the western frontier was still unsettled and required pacification. He lingered on duty and did not dare return to the capital.
16
會楚客等被誅,睿宗即位,征拜太仆卿,加銀青光祿大夫。 ,同中書門下三品,代宋璟爲吏部尚書。 無幾,轉兵部尚書,封館陶縣男。 時元振父愛年老在鄉,就拜濟州刺史,仍聽致仕。 其冬,與韋安石、張説等俱罷知政事。 ,爲朔方軍大總管,始築定遠城,以爲行軍計集之所,至今賴之。 明年,復同中書門下三品。 及蕭至忠、竇懷貞等附太平公主潛謀不順,玄宗發羽林兵誅之,睿宗登承天門,元振躬率兵侍衞之。 事定論功,進封代國公,食實封四百戸,賜物一千段。 又令兼御史大夫,持節爲朔方道大總管,以備突厥,未行。
When Chuke and his faction were executed and Emperor Ruizong took the throne, Yuanzhen was summoned as Minister of the Stud and given the additional title of Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He was given third-rank status equal to the chancellors and replaced Song Jing as Minister of Personnel. Before long he was transferred to Minister of War and enfeoffed as Baron of Guantao. At that time Yuanzhen's father Ai was elderly and living at home. He was appointed prefect of Ji on the spot and permitted to retire. That winter he was removed from governance together with Wei Anshi, Zhang Yue, and others. He became Grand Commander of the Shuofang Army and first built Dingyuan City as a base for campaign planning, a fortification still relied upon today. The following year he again received third-rank status equal to the chancellors. When Xiao Zhizhong, Dou Huaizhen, and others attached themselves to Princess Taiping and secretly plotted rebellion, Emperor Xuanzong dispatched the imperial guard to execute them. Emperor Ruizong ascended Chengtian Gate, and Yuanzhen personally led troops to guard him. When the affair was settled and merits were assessed, he was advanced to Duke of Dai, granted an actual income fief of four hundred households, and given a thousand bolts of silk and other goods. He was also ordered to serve concurrently as Censor-in-Chief and, bearing credentials, to become Grand Commander of the Shuofang Circuit to guard against the Turks, but he never departed.
17
玄宗於驪山講武,坐軍容不整,坐於纛下,將斬以徇,劉幽求、張説於馬前諫曰:「元振有翊贊大功,雖有罪,當從原宥。」 乃赦之,流於新州。 尋又思其舊功,起爲饒州司馬。 元振自恃功勛,怏怏不得誌,道病卒。 ,追贈太子少保。 有文集二十卷。 張説張説,字道濟,其先范陽人,代居河東,近又徙家河南之洛陽。 弱冠應詔舉,對策乙第,授太子校書,累轉右補闕,預修《三教珠英》。 久視年,則天幸三陽宮,自夏涉秋,不時還都,説上疏諫曰:
When Emperor Xuanzong held military exercises at Mount Li, Yuanzhen was seated beneath the command banner for disorderly troops and was about to be beheaded as an example. Liu Youqiu and Zhang Yue remonstrated before the emperor's horse, saying, "Yuanzhen rendered great service in supporting the throne. Though guilty, he should be pardoned." He was pardoned but banished to Xinzhou. Before long, remembering his former services, the emperor recalled him and appointed him military aide of Raozhou. Yuanzhen, confident in his achievements, was resentful and unable to achieve his ambitions. He died of illness on the road. He was posthumously honored as Junior Mentor to the Heir Apparent. He left a collected writings in twenty scrolls. Zhang Yue, whose courtesy name was Daoji, came from a Fanyang family that had lived for generations in Hedong and had recently moved to Luoyang in Henan. At twenty he entered an imperial examination by edict, placed second in the policy response, and was appointed collator to the Heir Apparent. He rose in turn to Remonstrance on the Right and took part in compiling the Three Teachings Pearl of Excellence. In 700 Empress Wu visited the Sanyang Palace. From summer through autumn she did not return to the capital on time, and Yue submitted a remonstrance memorial that read:
18
疏奏不省。
The memorial was submitted but ignored.
19
長安初,修《三教珠英》畢,遷右史、內供奉,兼知考功貢舉事,擢拜鳳閣舍人。 時臨臺監張易之與其弟昌宗構陷御史大夫魏元忠,稱其謀反,引説令證其事。 説至御前,揚言元忠實不反,此是易之誣構耳。 元忠由是免誅,説坐忤旨配流欽州。 在嶺外歳餘。 中宗即位,召拜兵部員外郎,累轉工部侍郎。 景龍中,丁母憂去職,起復授黃門侍郎,累表固辭,言甚切至,優詔方許之。 是時風教紊類,多以起復爲榮,而説固節懇辭,竟終其喪制,大爲識者所稱。 服終,復爲工部侍郎,俄拜兵部侍郎,加弘文館學士。
At the beginning of the Chang'an reign, when compilation of the Three Teachings Pearl of Excellence was completed, he was transferred to Right Historiographer and inner attendant, placed in charge of examination and tribute selection, and promoted to Phoenix Pavilion Drafter. At that time Zhang Yizhi, Director of the Lin Platform, and his brother Changzong framed Censor-in-Chief Wei Yuanzhong on charges of rebellion and summoned Yue to testify. When Yue came before the throne, he declared openly that Yuanzhong had not rebelled and that this was Yizhi's false accusation. Yuanzhong thereby escaped execution. Yue, for opposing the imperial will, was exiled to Qinzhou. He remained in exile beyond the Ling ranges for more than a year. When Emperor Zhongzong took the throne, Yue was summoned as Vice Director in the Ministry of War and later promoted to Vice Minister of Works. During the Jinglong reign he left office to mourn his mother. When recalled and appointed Vice Director of the Palace Gate, he repeatedly memorialized to decline, speaking with great earnestness, until an gracious edict finally allowed him to refuse. At that time customs were lax and many regarded recall from mourning as an honor, but Yue steadfastly declined and completed the full mourning period, winning great praise from discerning observers. When mourning ended he again became Vice Minister of Works, and before long was appointed Vice Minister of War and made a scholar of the Hongwen Academy.
20
睿宗即位,遷中書侍郎,兼雍州長史。 秋,譙王重福於東都構逆而死,留守捕系枝黨數百人,考訊結構之狀,經時不決。 睿宗令説往按其獄,一宿捕獲重福謀主張靈均、鄭愔等,盡得其情狀,自餘枉被繋禁者,一切釋放。 睿宗勞之曰:「知卿按此獄,不枉良善,又不漏罪人。 非卿忠正,豈能如此?」
When Emperor Ruizong took the throne, Yue was transferred to Vice Director of the Secretariat and concurrently Chief Administrator of Yongzhou. That autumn Prince Qiao Chongfu plotted rebellion at the Eastern Capital and died. The regent arrested several hundred associates and interrogated them about the plot, but for a long time no verdict was reached. Emperor Ruizong sent Yue to investigate the case. In a single night he captured the chief plotters Zhang Lingjun and Zheng Yin and learned the full circumstances. All who had been wrongly imprisoned were released. Emperor Ruizong commended him, saying, "In investigating this case you neither wronged the innocent nor let the guilty escape. Without your loyalty and integrity, how could this have been done?"
21
玄宗在東宮,説與國子司業褚無量俱爲侍讀,深見親敬。 明年,同中書門下平章事,監修國史。 是歳二月,睿宗謂侍臣曰:「有術者上言,五日內有急兵入宮,卿等爲朕備之。」 左右相顧莫能對,説進曰:「此是讒人設計,擬搖動東宮耳。 陛下若使太子監國,則君臣分定,自然窺覦路絕,災難不生。」 睿宗大悅,即日下制皇太子監國。 明年,又制皇太子即帝位。 俄而太平公主引蕭至忠、崔湜等爲宰相,以説爲不附己,轉爲尚書左丞,罷知政事,仍令往東都留司。 説既知太平等陰懷異計,乃因使獻佩刀於玄宗,請先事討之,玄宗深嘉納焉。 及至忠等伏誅,征拜中書令,封燕國公,賜實封二百戸。 其冬,改易官名,拜紫微令。
When Emperor Xuanzong was crown prince, Yue and Director of Studies Chu Wuliang both served as his lecturers and were treated with deep affection and respect. The following year he became Co-Drafter of the Secretariat and was charged with overseeing the national history. In the second month of that year Emperor Ruizong told his ministers, "A diviner has reported that within five days armed troops will enter the palace. You must prepare for this on my behalf." Those around him looked at one another in silence. Yue stepped forward and said, "This is a slander's plot, intended to unsettle the Eastern Palace. If Your Majesty has the crown prince oversee the state, the roles of ruler and minister will be fixed, ambition will have no opening, and disaster will not arise." Emperor Ruizong was greatly pleased and that same day ordered the crown prince to oversee the state. The following year he ordered the crown prince to ascend the throne. Before long Princess Taiping installed Xiao Zhizhong, Cui Shi, and others as chief ministers. Because Yue would not attach himself to her, he was transferred to Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, removed from governance, and ordered to remain on duty at the Eastern Capital. When Yue learned that Taiping and her faction secretly harbored treacherous designs, he sent a girdle knife to Emperor Xuanzong through an envoy and asked to strike first. Emperor Xuanzong deeply approved. When Zhizhong and the others were executed, Yue was summoned as Director of the Secretariat, enfeoffed as Duke of Yan, and granted an actual income fief of two hundred households. That winter, when official titles were changed, he was appointed Director of the Purple Micro Palace.
22
自則天末年,季冬爲潑寒胡戲,中宗嘗御樓以觀之。 至是,因蕃夷入朝,又作此戲。 説上疏諫曰:「臣聞韓宣適魯,見周禮而嘆; 孔子會齊,數倡優之罪。 列國如此,況天朝乎。 今外蕃請和,選使朝謁,所望接以禮樂,示以兵威。 雖曰戎夷,不可輕易,焉知無駒支之辯,由餘之賢哉? 且潑寒胡未聞典故,裸體跳足,盛德何觀; 揮水投泥,失容斯甚。 法殊魯禮,褻比齊優,恐非幹羽柔遠之義,樽俎折沖之禮。」 自是此戲乃絕。
From the last years of Empress Wu's reign, a Pot-Han barbarian play was performed in late winter. Emperor Zhongzong had once mounted the tower to watch it. On this occasion, with foreign tribes coming to court, the play was performed again. Yue submitted a remonstrance memorial saying, "I have heard that when Han Xuan went to Lu he saw the rites of Zhou and sighed; and when Confucius met with Qi he repeatedly condemned the offenses of performers. If even the feudal states held such standards, how much more should the imperial court! Now foreign tribes seek peace and envoys have come to court. We should receive them with rites and music and display our military might. Though they are called barbarians, they must not be treated lightly. Who knows whether among them there may not be another Juzhi in eloquence or another Youyu in talent? Moreover, the Pot-Han play has no precedent in the classics. Naked bodies and bare feet—what virtue is there to display? Splashing water and throwing mud—how utterly unseemly! Its customs differ from the rites of Lu and are as unseemly as the performers of Qi. I fear this is not the principle of winning the distant through civil virtue, nor the rite of defeating the enemy at the banquet table." From that time the play was abolished.
23
俄而爲姚崇所構,出爲相州刺史,仍充河北道按察使。 俄又坐事左轉岳州刺史,仍停所食實封三百戸,遷右羽林將軍,兼檢校幽州都督。 ,檢校并州大都督府長史,兼天兵軍大使,攝御史大夫,兼修國史,仍賫史本隨軍修撰。 八年秋,朔方大使王晙誅河曲降虜阿布思等千餘人。 時并州大同、橫野等軍有九姓同羅、拔曳固等部落,皆懷震懼。 説率輕騎二十人,持旌節直詣其部落,宿於帳下,召酋帥以慰撫之。 副使李憲以爲夷虜難信,不宜輕涉不測,馳狀以諫,説報書曰:「吾肉非黃羊,必不畏吃; 血非野馬,必不畏刺。 士見危致命,是吾效死之秋也。」 於是九姓感義,其心乃安。
Before long he was framed by Yao Chong and sent out as prefect of Xiangzhou while also serving as inspector of the Hebei Circuit. Before long he was demoted for an offense to prefect of Yuezhou, had three hundred households of his actual fief income suspended, was made General of the Right Feathered Forest, and concurrently acting military governor of Youzhou. He was made acting Chief Administrator of the Bingzhou Metropolitan Area Command, concurrently envoy of the Tianbing Army, acting Censor-in-Chief, and compiler of the national history, carrying the draft history with the army to continue his work. In the autumn of the eighth year the Shuofang envoy Wang Jun executed more than a thousand surrendered tribesmen of the river bend, including Abu Si. At that time the Datong, Hengye, and other armies of Bingzhou included tribes of the Nine Surnames, Tongluo, Bayegu, and others, all of whom were shaken with fear. Yue led twenty light cavalry, went straight to their tribes bearing credentials, lodged in their tents, and summoned the chieftains to reassure them. The deputy envoy Li Xian believed that barbarians could not be trusted and that one should not lightly venture into uncertainty. He sent an urgent dispatch to remonstrate. Yue replied in a letter: "My flesh is not that of a yellow sheep—I have no fear of being eaten; My blood is not that of a wild horse—I have no fear of being slashed. When a gentleman faces danger, he lays down his life—this is my moment to die in service." Thereupon the Nine Surnames were moved by his loyalty, and their hearts were reassured.
24
九年四月,胡賊康待賓率眾反,據長泉縣,自稱葉護,攻陷蘭池等六州。 詔王晙率兵討之,仍令説相知經略。 時叛胡與党項連結,攻銀城、連谷,以據倉糧,説統馬步萬人出合河關掩擊,大破之。 追至駱駝堰,胡及党項自相殺。 阻夜,胡乃西遁入鐵建山,餘黨潰散。 説招集党項,復其居業。 副使史獻請因此誅党項,絕其翻動之計,説曰:「先王之道,推亡固存,如盡誅之,是逆天道也。」 因奏置麟州,以安置党項餘燼。 其年,拜兵部尚書、同中書門下三品,仍依舊修國史。
In the fourth month of the ninth year the Hu rebel Kang Daibin rose in rebellion, seized Changquan County, styled himself Yehu, and captured six prefectures including Lanchi. An edict ordered Wang Jun to lead troops against him and placed Yue in charge of overall strategy. At that time the rebel Hu allied with the Tangut tribes, attacked Yincheng and Liangu to seize the granary stores. Yue commanded ten thousand cavalry and infantry through Hehe Pass in a surprise attack and routed them completely. Pursuing them to Luotuo Dam, the Hu and Tangut turned on one another in mutual slaughter. Blocked by nightfall, the Hu fled west into Mount Tiejian, and the remaining bands scattered in defeat. Yue gathered the Tangut people and restored them to their homes and livelihoods. The deputy envoy Shi Xian proposed executing the Tangut to prevent them from rebelling. Yue said, "The Way of the former kings was to allow the doomed to perish and strengthen what still endured. To kill them all would be to defy Heaven's Way." He then memorialized for the establishment of Lin Prefecture to resettle the surviving Tangut. That year he was appointed Minister of War and Third Rank at the Chancellery and Secretariat, while continuing to compile the national history as before.
25
明年,又敕説爲朔方軍節度大使,往巡五城,處置兵馬。 時有康待賓餘黨慶州方渠降胡康願子自立爲可汗,舉兵反,謀掠監牧馬,西涉河出塞。 説進兵討擒之,並獲其家屬於木盤山,送都斬之,其黨悉平,獲男女三千餘人。 於是移河曲六州殘胡五萬餘口配許、汝、唐、鄧、仙、豫等州,始空河南逆方千里之地。 説以討賊功,復賜實封二百戸。 先是,緣邊鎮兵常六十餘萬,説以時無強寇,不假師眾,奏罷二十餘萬,勒還營農。 玄宗頗以爲疑,説奏曰:「臣久在疆場,具悉邊事,軍將但欲自衞及雜使營私。 若禦敵制勝,不在多擁閑冗,以妨農務。 陛下若以爲疑,臣請以闔門百口爲保。 以陛下之明,四夷畏伏,必不慮減兵而招寇也。」 上乃從之。
The next year Yue was again appointed military governor of the Shuofang Army and sent to inspect the Five Cities and manage the disposition of troops. At that time Kang Yuanzi, a remnant follower of Kang Daibin and a surrendered Hu of Fangqu in Qing Prefecture, declared himself khan, rebelled, plotted to seize the imperial stud horses, and intended to cross the Yellow River westward and flee beyond the frontier. Yue advanced, captured him, and also seized his family at Mount Mupan. He sent them to the capital for execution, fully pacified the rebel band, and took more than three thousand captives, men and women. Thereupon more than fifty thousand remnant Hu from the six prefectures of the river bend were relocated to Xu, Ru, Tang, Deng, Xian, Yu, and other prefectures, finally clearing the thousand-li stretch of rebellious territory south of the river. For his merit in suppressing the rebels, Yue was again granted an actual income fief of two hundred households. Previously frontier garrison troops had numbered more than six hundred thousand. Yue argued that with no strong enemy at hand there was no need for so large a host, and memorialized to dismiss more than two hundred thousand troops and return them to garrison farming. Emperor Xuanzong was quite skeptical. Yue memorialized: "I have long served on the frontier and know border affairs thoroughly. Military commanders care only about protecting themselves and using subordinates for private profit. Victory over the enemy does not require maintaining idle hordes of troops at the expense of farming. If Your Majesty still has doubts, I pledge the lives of my entire household as guarantee. With Your Majesty's wisdom, the Four Barbarians submit in awe—there is no danger that reducing the army will invite invasion." The emperor assented.
26
時當番衞士,浸以貧弱,逃亡略盡。 説又建策,請一切罷之,別召募強壯,令其宿衞,不簡色役,優爲條例,逋逃者必爭來應募。 上從之。 旬日,得精兵一十三萬人,分系諸衞,更番上下,以實京師,其後彍騎是也。
At that time the rotating palace guards had grown progressively poorer and weaker, and deserters were nearly all gone. Yue also proposed abolishing the old system entirely and instead recruiting able-bodied men for garrison duty, without screening by corvée status and with favorable regulations, so that fugitives would compete to enlist. The emperor agreed. Within ten days he raised one hundred and thirty thousand elite troops, assigned them to the various guard corps on rotating shifts to reinforce the capital. This was the origin of the Kuoriders.
27
是歳,玄宗將還京,而便幸并州,説進言曰:「太原是國家王業所起,陛下行幸,振威耀武,並建碑紀德,以申永思之意。 若便入京,路由河東,有漢武脽上後土之祀,此禮久闕,歷代莫能行之。 願陛下紹斯墜典,以爲三農祈谷,此誠萬姓之福也。」 上從其言。 及祀後土禮畢,説代張嘉貞爲中書令。 夏四月,玄宗親爲詔曰:「動惟直道,累聞獻替之誠; 言則不諛,自得謀猷之體。 政令必俟其增損,圖書又藉其刊削,才望兼著,理合褒升。 考中上。」
That year the emperor planned to return to the capital but also to visit Bingzhou en route. Yue submitted advice: "Taiyuan is where the dynasty's royal enterprise began. When Your Majesty tours there, displaying majesty and martial splendor, you should also erect a stele to commemorate its virtue and express your enduring gratitude. If you then proceed to the capital, the route passes through Hedong, where Emperor Wu of Han once offered sacrifice to Houtu at Shimao. That rite has long been abandoned, and no dynasty since has been able to perform it. I urge Your Majesty to revive this fallen rite and offer sacrifice for the harvest on behalf of the farmers—it would be a true blessing for the common people." The emperor accepted his advice. After the sacrifice to Houtu was completed, Yue replaced Zhang Jiazhen as Director of the Chancellery. In the fourth month of summer the emperor personally composed an edict: "In conduct he holds steadfastly to the upright Way; I have repeatedly heard his sincere counsel for improvement; in speech he never flatters, naturally possessing the substance of true counsel. Government orders await his revisions; books and records depend on his editing. Both talent and reputation are distinguished—promotion is only fitting. Evaluation: upper-middle."
28
説又首建封禪之議。 十三年,受詔與右散騎常侍徐堅、太常少卿韋縚等撰東封儀註。 舊儀不便者,説多所裁正,語在《禮志》。 玄宗尋召説及禮官學士等賜宴於集仙殿,謂説曰:「今與卿等賢才同宴於此,宜改名爲集賢殿。」 因下制改麗正書院爲集賢殿書院,授説集賢院學士,知院事。
Yue was also the first to propose the feng and shan rites. In the thirteenth year he was ordered to compile the ritual regulations for the eastern fengshan together with Right Regular Attendant Xu Jian, Vice Minister of Rites Wei Shao, and others. Where the old rites proved inadequate, Yue made numerous corrections; details are recorded in the Rites Treatise. Before long the emperor summoned Yue, ritual officials, and academicians to a banquet in the Hall of Assembled Immortals and said to Yue, "Now that I feast here with you and other men of talent, this hall should be renamed the Hall of Assembled Worthies." An edict was then issued renaming the Lizheng Academy as the Academy of the Hall of Assembled Worthies. Yue was appointed Academician of the Academy of Assembled Worthies and placed in charge of its affairs.
29
及將東封,授説爲右丞相兼中書令,源乾曜爲左丞相兼侍中,蓋勒成岱宗,以明宰相佐成王化也。 説又撰《封禪壇頌》以紀聖德。 初,源乾曜本意不欲封禪,而説因贊其事,由是頗不相平。 及登山,説引所親攝供奉官及主事等從升,加階超入五品,其餘官多不得上。 又行從兵士,惟加勛,不得賜物,由是頗爲內外所怨。 先是,御史中丞宇文融獻策,請括天下逃戸及籍外剩田,置十道勸農使,分往檢察。 説嫌其擾人不便,數建議違之。 及東封還,融又密奏分吏部置十銓,融與禮部尚書蘇颋等分掌選事。 融等每有奏請,皆爲説所抑,由是銓綜失敘。 融乃與御史大夫崔隱甫、中丞李林甫奏彈説引術士夜解及受贓等狀,敕宰臣源乾曜、刑部尚書韋抗、大理少卿胡珪、御史大夫崔隱甫就尚書省鞫問。 説兄左庶子光詣朝堂割耳稱冤。 時中書主事張觀、左衞長史範堯臣並依倚説勢,詐假納賂,又私度僧王慶則往來與説占卜吉兇,爲隱甫等所鞫伏罪。 説經兩宿,玄宗使中官高力士視之,回奏:「説坐於草上,於瓦器中食,蓬首垢面,自罰憂懼之甚。」 玄宗憫之。 力士奏曰:「説曾爲侍讀,又於國有功。」 玄宗然其奏,由是停兼中書令,觀及慶則決杖而死,連坐遷貶者十餘人。 隱甫及融等恐説復用爲己患,又密奏毀之。 明年,詔説致仕,仍令在家修史。
When the eastern fengshan was imminent, Yue was made Right Counselor and concurrent Director of the Chancellery, and Yuan Qianyao was made Left Counselor and concurrent Palace Counselor—symbolically inscribing achievement on Mount Tai to show that the chief ministers assist in the kingly transformation. Yue also composed the "Ode to the Fengshan Altar" to commemorate imperial virtue. Yuan Qianyao had originally opposed the fengshan, but Yue supported it, and for this reason the two were quite at odds. When ascending the mountain, Yue brought his personal associates—acting supply officers and clerks—to accompany him, promoting them by rank into the fifth grade, while most other officials were denied ascent. Moreover, the soldiers in the procession received only honors and no gifts, for which he was much resented at court and beyond. Earlier, Censor-in-Chief Yuwen Rong had proposed registering all fugitive households and surplus fields outside the tax rolls empire-wide, establishing ten Agricultural Encouragement Commissioners, and dispatching them to conduct inspections. Yue considered it disruptive and repeatedly submitted memorials in opposition. After returning from the eastern fengshan, Rong secretly memorialized to divide the Ministry of Personnel into ten selection boards, with Rong, Minister of Rites Su Ting, and others each managing appointments. Whenever Rong and his faction submitted requests, Yue blocked them, throwing the appointment process into disorder. Rong then joined with Censor-in-Chief Cui Yinpu and Vice Censor Li Linfu in impeaching Yue for consulting shamans, divining by night, and accepting bribes. An edict ordered Chief Minister Yuan Qianyao, Minister of Justice Wei Kang, Vice Minister of Justice Hu Gui, and Censor-in-Chief Cui Yinpu to interrogate him at the Ministry of State Affairs. Yue's elder brother Guang, Left Sub-Prefect of the Crown Prince's Household, went to the court hall, cut off his ear, and pleaded his brother's innocence. At that time Chancellery Clerk Zhang Guan and Left Guard Commandant Fan Yaochén had exploited Yue's power to accept bribes and issue fraudulent credentials. The privately ordained monk Wang Qingze also came and went with Yue to divination sessions. All were interrogated by Yinpu and confessed. After two nights of interrogation, the emperor sent the eunuch Gao Lishi to observe him. He reported back: "Yue sits on a mat of straw, eats from earthenware bowls, his hair unkempt and face grimy, punishing himself in the utmost grief and fear." The emperor took pity on him. Lishi memorialized: "Yue once served as lecturer-in-waiting and has rendered great service to the state." The emperor approved. Yue was removed from his concurrent post as Director of the Chancellery. Guan and Qingze were beaten to death, and more than ten others implicated in the case were demoted and banished. Yinpu, Rong, and their faction feared that if Yue were restored to power he would threaten them, and submitted secret memorials to denigrate him further. The next year an edict ordered Yue to retire, while still directing him to compile history at home.
30
初,説爲相時,玄宗意欲討吐蕃,説密奏許其通和,以息邊境,玄宗不從。 及瓜州失守,王掞死,説因獲巂州鬥羊,上表獻之,以申諷諭。 其表:「臣聞勇士冠雞,武夫戴鹖,推情舉類,獲此鬥羊。 遠生越巂,蓄性剛決,敵不避強,戰不顧死,雖爲微物,誌不可挫。 伏惟陛下選良家於六郡,求猛士於四方,鳥不遁才,獸不藏伎。 如蒙效奇靈圃,角力天場,卻鼓怒以作氣,前躑躅以奮擊。 趹若奔雲之交觸,碎如轉石之相叩,裂骨賭勝,濺血爭雄,敢毅見而沖冠,鷙狠聞而擊節。 冀將少助明主市駿骨、揖怒蛙之意也。 若使羊能言,必將曰『若鬥不解,立有死者』。 所賴至仁無殘,量力取勸焉。 臣緣損足,未堪履地,謹遣男詣金明門奉進。」 玄宗深悟其意,賜絹及雜彩一千匹。
When Yue was chief minister, the emperor planned to campaign against Tibet. Yue secretly memorialized proposing peace to quiet the frontier, but the emperor refused. When Guazhou fell and Wang Han was killed, Yue obtained a fighting ram from Yizhou and submitted a memorial presenting it as an oblique admonition. The memorial read: "Your servant has heard that brave warriors wear roosters on their caps and martial men don the headdress of the crested myna. Following this principle of likeness, I have obtained this fighting ram. Born far away in Yuexi, it possesses a fierce and resolute nature—it does not shrink from strong foes, it does not flinch from death in battle. Though a small creature, its spirit cannot be broken. Humbly considering that Your Majesty selects good families from the Six Commanderies and seeks fierce warriors from the four directions—no bird hides its talent, no beast conceals its skill. Were it permitted to display its marvel in the imperial garden and contest strength in the heavenly arena, it would rear back in fury to gather its spirit and advance stamping to strike with all its might. Their clashes would be like rushing clouds colliding, their impacts like rolling stones striking together—staking bones for victory, splashing blood in contest for supremacy—enough to make the bold flush with rage and the fierce beat their hands in approval. I hope this may in some small measure echo the enlightened lord's purpose in buying the steed's bones and bowing to the angry frog. Were the ram able to speak, it would surely say, 'If the fight does not stop, death will follow at once.' It depends on the utmost benevolence without cruelty—measuring one's strength before offering counsel. Your servant, having injured his foot, cannot yet walk, and respectfully sends his son to present it at the Jinming Gate." The emperor deeply grasped his meaning and granted him one thousand bolts of silk and colored fabrics.
31
十七年,復拜尚書左丞相、集賢院學士,尋代源乾曜爲尚書左丞相。 視事之日,上敕所司供帳,設音樂,內出酒食,御制詩一篇以敘其事。 尋以修謁陵儀註功,加開府儀同三司。 時長子均爲中書舍人,次子垍尚寧親公主,拜駙馬都尉,又特授説兄慶王傅光爲銀青光祿大夫。 當時榮寵,莫與爲比。
In the seventeenth year he was again appointed Left Counselor of the Ministry of State Affairs and Academician of the Academy of Assembled Worthies, soon replacing Yuan Qianyao as Left Counselor. On the day he assumed office, the emperor ordered provisions and pavilions arranged, music performed, wine and food sent from the inner palace, and composed an imperial poem to commemorate the occasion. Before long he was given the additional title of Grand Master of Glorious Affairs with the same privileges as the Three Excellencies for his work compiling the rites for visiting the imperial tombs. At that time his eldest son Jun served as Attendant Drafting at the Chancellery; his second son Jiao married Princess Ningqin and was appointed Captain of the Feathered Forest; and Yue's brother Guang, Tutor of the Prince of Qing, was specially granted Grand Master for Splendid Happiness with the Silver Seal. No one of the time could match his honors and favor.
32
十八年,遇疾,玄宗每日令中使問疾,並手寫藥方賜之。 十二月薨,時年六十四。 上慘惻久之,遽於光順門舉哀,因罷十九年元正朝會,詔曰:
In the eighteenth year he fell ill. Each day the emperor sent palace eunuchs to inquire after his health and personally wrote out prescriptions for him. He died in the twelfth month at the age of sixty-four. The emperor grieved deeply for a long time, hastened to perform mourning rites at the Guangshun Gate, and canceled the New Year's court assembly of the nineteenth year. An edict read:
33
始玄宗在東宮,説已蒙禮遇。 及太平用事,儲位頗危,説獨排其黨,請太子監國,深謀密畫,竟清內難,遂爲開元宗臣。 前後三秉大政,掌文學之任凡三十年。 爲文俊麗,用思精密,朝廷大手筆,皆特承中旨撰述,天下詞人,咸諷誦之。 尤長於碑文、墓誌,當代無能及者。 喜延納後進,善用己長,引文儒之士,佐佑王化,當承平歳久,誌在粉飾盛時。 其封泰山,祠脽上,謁五陵,開集賢,修太宗之政,皆説爲倡首。 而又敦氣義,重然諾,於君臣朋友之際,大義甚篤。 時中書舍人徐堅自負文學,常以集賢院學士多非其人,所司供膳太厚,嘗謂朝列曰:「此輩於國家何益,如此虛費。」 將建議罷之。 説曰:「自古帝王功成,則有奢縱之失,或興池臺,或玩聲色。 今聖上崇儒重道,親自講論,刊正圖書,詳延學者。 今麗正書院,天子禮樂之司,永代規模,不易之道也。 所費者細,所益者大。 徐子之言,何其隘哉!」 玄宗知之,由是薄堅。 説既遭訕鑠,罷知政事,專集賢文史之任,每軍國大事,帝遣中使先訪其可否。 説嘗自制其父《贈丹州刺史騭碑文》,玄宗聞之而御書其碑額賜之曰「嗚呼,積善之墓」。 有文集三十卷。 太常謚議曰「文貞」,左司郎中陽伯誠駁議,以爲不稱,工部侍郎張九齡立議,請依太常爲定,紛綸未決。 玄宗爲説自制神道碑文,御筆賜謚曰「文貞」,由是方定。 説子均均、垍皆能文。 説在中書,兄弟已掌綸翰之任。 居父憂服闋,均除戸部侍郎,轉兵部。 二十六年,坐累貶饒州刺史,以太子左庶子征,復爲戸部侍郎。 九載,遷刑部尚書。 自以才名當爲宰輔,常爲李林甫所抑。 及林甫卒,依附權臣陳希烈,期於必取。 既而楊國忠用事,心頗惡之,罷希烈知政事,引文部侍郎韋見素代之,仍以均爲大理卿。 均大失望,意常郁郁。 祿山之亂,受偽命爲中書令,掌賊樞衡。 李峴、呂諲條疏陷賊官,均當大辟。 肅宗於説有舊恩,特免死,長流合浦郡。 説子垍垍,以主婿,玄宗特深恩寵,許於禁中置內宅,侍爲文章,嘗賜珍玩,不可勝數。 時兄均亦供奉翰林院,常以所賜示均,均戲謂垍曰:「此婦翁與女婿,非天子賜學士也。」 天寶中,玄宗嘗幸垍內宅,謂垍曰:「希烈累辭機務,朕擇其代者,孰可?」 垍錯愕未對,帝即曰:「無逾吾愛婿矣。」 垍降階陳謝。 楊國忠聞而惡之,及希烈罷相,舉韋見素代,垍深觖望。 正月,范陽節度使安祿山入朝。 時祿山立破奚、契丹功,尤加寵異。 祿山求帶平章事,下中書擬議。 國忠進言曰:「祿山誠立軍功,然眼不識字,制命若行,臣恐四夷輕國。」 玄宗乃止,加左僕射而已。 及祿山還鎮,命中官高力士餞於浐坡。 既還,帝曰:「祿山慰意否?」 力士曰:「觀其深心郁郁,必伺知宰相之命不行故也。」 帝告國忠,國忠曰:「此議他人不知,必張垍所告。」 帝怒,盡逐張垍兄弟。 出均爲建安太守,垍爲盧溪郡司馬,埱爲宜春郡司馬。 歳中召還,再遷爲太常卿。
From the time the emperor was crown prince, Yue had already enjoyed his favor. When Princess Taiping held power and the heir's position grew perilous, Yue alone opposed her faction, petitioned for the crown prince to supervise the state, and through deep planning and secret counsel finally resolved the internal crisis, becoming a founding minister of the Kaiyuan era. He thrice held the highest governance and directed literary affairs for thirty years in all. His prose was brilliant and elegant, his thought refined and meticulous. The court's major compositions were all composed at special imperial command under his hand, and poets throughout the realm recited them. He excelled especially at stele inscriptions and tomb epitaphs—no contemporary could match him. He delighted in nurturing younger scholars, making good use of his talents, and drawing in literary men to assist the kingly transformation. In those long years of peace, his ambition was to adorn the flourishing age. The feng on Mount Tai, the sacrifice at Shimao, the visit to the Five Tombs, the founding of the Academy of Assembled Worthies, and the restoration of Emperor Taizong's policies—all were initiatives that Yue led. Moreover he cherished integrity and valued his promises—in relations between ruler and subject and among friends, his devotion to righteousness was profound. At that time Attendant Drafting Xu Jian, proud of his literary ability, often complained that many academicians at the Academy of Assembled Worthies were unworthy and that their provisions were too lavish. He once said to the court assembly: "What use are these people to the state? Such wasteful expenditure." He was about to propose abolishing the academy. Yue said: "Since ancient times, when emperors achieved success they fell into extravagance—some built ponds and terraces, others indulged in music and women. Now the sage emperor honors Confucianism and esteems the Way, personally lecturing, correcting books, and extensively recruiting scholars. The Lizheng Academy is the Son of Heaven's office of rites and music—a model for all ages and an unchanging institution. The cost is small; the benefit is great. Master Xu's words—how narrow-minded!" When the emperor learned of this, he came to regard Xu Jian with disfavor. After Yue suffered slander and was removed from governance, he devoted himself to the Academy's literary and historical duties. For every major military or state matter, the emperor sent palace eunuchs first to consult him. Yue once composed the stele inscription for his father, Zhi, posthumously enfeoffed as Governor of Danzhou. When the emperor heard of it, he personally wrote the stele title and granted it: "Alas, the Tomb of Accumulated Goodness." His collected works comprised thirty volumes. The Minister of Ceremonies proposed the posthumous title Wen Zhen. Left Department Director Yang Bocheng objected that it was unsuitable, while Vice Minister of Works Zhang Jiuling argued that the Minister of Ceremonies' proposal should stand. Debate continued without resolution. Emperor Xuanzong personally composed Yue's spirit-way stele inscription and in his own hand granted the posthumous title Wen Zhen, settling the matter. Yue's sons Jun and Jiao were both accomplished writers. While Yue served in the Secretariat, the brothers already held charge of imperial drafting. When Jun's mourning for his father ended, he was appointed Vice Minister of Revenue and then transferred to the Ministry of War. In the twenty-sixth year he was demoted for accumulated offenses to prefect of Raozhou, then recalled as Left Mentor to the Heir Apparent and restored as Vice Minister of Revenue. In the ninth year he was transferred to Minister of Justice. He believed his talent and reputation qualified him for the chief ministership, but Li Linfu constantly blocked him. After Linfu died, he attached himself to the powerful minister Chen Xilie, expecting to secure the post. Before long Yang Guozhong came to power and took a strong dislike to him. He removed Xilie from governance, brought in Vice Director of the Secretariat Wei Jiansu to replace him, and made Jun Director of the Court of Judicial Review. Jun was deeply disappointed and often despondent. During the An Lushan rebellion he accepted a false appointment as Director of the Secretariat and managed the rebels' central administration. Li Xian and Lu Jin listed officials who had joined the rebels; Jun was judged deserving of death. Emperor Suzong, out of old regard for Yue, specially spared Jun from death and banished him for life to Hepu commandery. Yue's son Jiao, as the emperor's son-in-law, received exceptional favor from Emperor Xuanzong. He was permitted to maintain an inner residence in the palace, attended the emperor in literary matters, and received countless precious gifts. At that time his elder brother Jun also served in the Hanlin Academy. Jiao often showed Jun what he had received, and Jun joked to Jiao, "These are gifts between father-in-law and son-in-law, not the emperor bestowing favors on a scholar." During the Tianbao reign Emperor Xuanzong once visited Jiao's inner residence and said, "Xilie has repeatedly declined confidential duties. I am choosing his replacement—who would be suitable?" Jiao, startled, did not reply. The emperor at once said, "None surpasses my beloved son-in-law." Jiao descended the steps and expressed his thanks. Yang Guozhong heard of this and resented it. When Xilie was removed as chief minister and Wei Jiansu was chosen to replace him, Jiao was deeply embittered. In the first month the Fanyang military governor An Lushan came to court. Lushan had recently won merit by defeating the Xi and Khitan and received especially lavish favor. Lushan requested the concurrent title of Co-Drafter of the Secretariat, and the matter was sent to the Secretariat for deliberation. Guozhong said, "Lushan has indeed won military merit, yet he cannot even read. If such an appointment is issued, I fear the foreign peoples will look down on the empire." Emperor Xuanzong then stopped the appointment and made him Left Vice Director only. When Lushan returned to his command, the emperor ordered the palace eunuch Gao Lishi to give a farewell feast at Chan Slope. When Lishi returned, the emperor asked, "Was Lushan satisfied?" Lishi said, "He seemed deeply gloomy. He must have learned that the chief minister's appointment did not go through." The emperor told Guozhong. Guozhong said, "No one else knew of this deliberation—it must have been Zhang Jiao who told him." The emperor was enraged and drove out all the Zhang brothers. Jun was sent out as prefect of Jian'an, Jiao as military aide of Luxi commandery, and Shang as military aide of Yichun commandery. Within the year Jiao was recalled and again promoted to Minister of Ceremonies.
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祿山之亂,玄宗幸蜀,宰相韋見素、楊國忠、御史大夫魏方進等從,朝臣多不至。 次咸陽,帝謂高力士曰:「昨日蒼黃離京,朝官不知所詣,今日誰當至者?」 力士曰:「張垍兄弟世受國恩,又連戚屬,必當先至。 房琯素有宰相望,深爲祿山所器,必不此來。」 帝曰:「事未可料。」 是日,琯至,帝大悅,因問均、垍,琯曰:「臣離京時,亦過其舍,比約同行,均報雲『已於城南取馬』。 觀其趣向,來意不切。」 既而均弟兄果受祿山偽命,垍與陳希烈爲賊宰相,垍死於賊中。 附陳希烈陳希烈者,宋州人也。 精玄學,書無不覽。 開元中,玄宗留意經義,自褚無量、元行沖卒後,得希烈與鳳翔人馮朝隱,常於禁中講《老》、《易》。 累遷至秘書少監,代張九齡專判集賢院事。 玄宗凡有撰述,必經希烈之手。 李林甫知上睠待深異,又以和裕易制,乃引爲宰相,同知政事,相行甚歡。 而林甫居位日久,雖陰謀奸畫足以自固,亦希烈佐佑唱和之力也。 累遷兼兵部尚書、左相,封潁川郡開國公,寵遇侔於林甫。 及林甫死,楊國忠用事,素忌嫉之。 乃引韋見素同列,罷希烈知政事,守太子太師。 希烈失恩,心頗怏怏。 祿山之亂,與張垍、達奚珣同掌賊之機衡。 六等定罪,希烈當斬,肅宗以上皇素遇,賜死於家。 史臣曰史臣曰:劉徐公負不羈之材,逢抵巇之運,遂能奮命決策,扶力中興,朝爲徒步之人,夕據公侯之位,茍非輕死重利,不恥不義之富,安及此哉! 郭代公、張燕公解逢掖而登將壇,驅貔虎之師,斷獯戎之臂,暨居衡軸,克致隆平,可謂武緯文經,惟申與甫而已。 惜乎均、垍務速,失節賊廷。 自武德已來,稱賢相者,房、杜、姚、宋四公,皆遭無賴子弟汙圮先業,非獨燕國之不幸也。 希烈柔而多智,長於名理,竟死於名。 所謂離婁不見其眉睫,與夫平叔、太初,同膏肓耳。 贊贊曰:箕、微去紂,閎、散扶昌。 謀不近義,旋踵而亡。 幽求不令,道濟允臧。 偉哉郭侯,勛德煌煌。
During the An Lushan rebellion Emperor Xuanzong fled to Shu. Chief ministers Wei Jiansu, Yang Guozhong, Censor-in-Chief Wei Fangjin, and others followed him, while many court officials did not. Stopping at Xianyang, the emperor said to Gao Lishi, "Yesterday we left the capital in haste and officials did not know where to go. Who should arrive today?" Lishi said, "The Zhang brothers have received the state's favor for generations and are connected by marriage. They will surely arrive first. Fang Guan has long been regarded as chief-minister material and is highly valued by Lushan. He will surely not come." The emperor said, "That remains to be seen." That day Fang Guan arrived. The emperor was greatly pleased and asked about Jun and Jiao. Guan said, "When I left the capital I stopped at their residence. We had arranged to travel together, but Jun replied that he had already gone south of the city to fetch horses. Judging by his behavior, he had no real intention of coming." Before long Jun and his brothers did accept false appointments from Lushan. Jiao and Chen Xilie became rebel chief ministers, and Jiao died among the rebels. Appendix: Chen Xilie was a native of Songzhou. He was versed in arcane learning and had read widely in every field. During the Kaiyuan reign Emperor Xuanzong devoted attention to classical learning. After Chu Wuliang and Yuan Xingchong died, he found Xilie and Feng Chaoyin of Fengxiang, who often lectured on the Laozi and the Book of Changes within the palace. He rose in turn to Vice Director of the Secretariat Library and replaced Zhang Jiuling in sole charge of the Academy of Assembled Worthies. Every composition of Emperor Xuanzong passed through Xilie's hands. Li Linfu knew the emperor favored Xilie deeply and that he was gentle and easy to control. He therefore brought him in as chief minister to share governance, and the two got on very well. Though Linfu held office for a long time and his secret schemes were enough to secure his position, this was also due to Xilie's support and cooperation. He rose in turn to concurrent Minister of War and Left Chief Minister, was enfeoffed as Duke of Yingchuan, and received favor equal to Linfu. When Linfu died, Yang Guozhong came to power and had long envied him. He brought in Wei Jiansu as a colleague, removed Xilie from governance, and had him serve as Grand Preceptor to the Heir Apparent. Xilie lost favor and grew resentful. During the An Lushan rebellion he, together with Zhang Jiao and Daxi Xun, jointly managed the rebels' central administration. Under the six-rank system of sentencing, Xilie deserved execution. Emperor Suzong, because the Retired Emperor had long favored him, granted him death at home. The historian remarks: Duke Liu of Xu possessed untamed talent and met a perilous age. He was able to risk his life in decisive action and help restore the dynasty—from a commoner in the morning to a noble by evening. Had he not held death lightly and profit dearly, and disdained unrighteous wealth, how could he have reached such heights? Duke Guo of Dai and Duke Zhang of Yan left the scholar's robe for the general's platform, commanded armies like tigers and leopards, and broke the power of the northern barbarians. When they reached the helm of state they helped bring about an age of peace. They combined military and civil excellence as few have—only Yi Yin and Yan Ying compare. Alas, Jun and Jiao sought advancement too hastily and lost their integrity in the rebel court. Since the Wude era, the four chief ministers widely called worthy—Fang, Du, Yao, and Song—all suffered worthless sons who ruined their fathers' achievements. This was not the misfortune of the House of Yan alone. Xilie was gentle and clever, excelled in philosophical disputation, and in the end died because of reputation. This is what is meant by the saying that even Li Lou cannot see his own eyebrows—like He Yan and Xi Kang, he suffered the same fatal blindness. The eulogy says: Jizi and Weizi left King Zhou; Hong Yao and San Yisheng supported the rise of the Zhou. Plots that stray from righteousness perish in an instant. Youqiu lacked virtue; Daoji was truly worthy. Grand is Marquis Guo—his merit and virtue shine brilliantly.