Volume 96 Biographies 46: Yao Chong, Song Jing

姚崇，本名元崇，陜州硤石人也。父善意，貞觀中，任巂州都督。元崇爲孝敬挽郎，應下筆成章舉，授濮州司倉，五遷夏官郎中。時契丹寇陷河北數州，兵機填委，元崇剖析若流，皆有條貫。則天甚奇之，超遷夏官侍郎，又尋同鳳閣鸞臺平章事。

Yao Chong, whose original name was Yuanchong, was a native of Xiashi in Shan Prefecture. His father Shan'yi served as military governor of Suizhou during the Zhenguan era. Yuanchong served as a Filial Piety and Mourning Dirge Officer, passed the "Immediate Composition on Receiving Brush" examination, was appointed registrar of the Suizhou revenue office, and was promoted five times to director in the Bureau of Personnel. At that time the Khitan invaded and overran several prefectures in Hebei. Military affairs piled up, yet Yuanchong analyzed them as though water flowing — every matter had its proper order. Empress Wu thought him extraordinary and promoted him to vice minister of personnel; soon after he also became associate censor-in-chief of the Phoenix Pavilion and minister of state.

聖暦初，則天謂侍臣曰：「往者周興、來俊臣等推勘詔獄，朝臣遞相牽引，鹹承反逆，國家有法，朕豈能違。中間疑有枉濫，更使近臣就獄親問，皆得手狀，承引不虛，朕不以爲疑，即可其奏。近日周興、來俊臣死後，更無聞有反逆者，然則以前就戮者，不有冤濫耶？」元崇對曰：「自垂拱已後，被告身死破家者，皆是枉酷自誣而死。告者特以爲功，天下號爲羅織，甚於漢之黨錮。陛下令近臣就獄問者，近臣亦不自保，何敢輒有動搖？被問者若翻，又懼遭其毒手，將軍張虔勖、李安靜等皆是也。賴上天降靈，聖情發寤，誅鋤兇豎，朝廷乂安。今日已後，臣以微軀及一門百口保見在內外官更無反逆者。乞陛下得告狀，但收掌，不須推問。若後有征驗，反逆有實，臣請受知而不告之罪。」則天大悅曰：「以前宰相皆順成其事，陷朕爲淫刑之主。聞卿所説，甚合朕心。」其日，遣中使送銀千兩以賜元崇。

Early in the Shengli era, Empress Wu said to her attendants, "In the past Zhou Xing, Lai Junchen, and the like investigated cases under imperial edict, and court officials repeatedly implicated one another — all confessed to treason. The state has laws; how could I violate them? Among them I suspected wrongful excess, so I again sent close attendants to the prisons to question them in person. All obtained confessions in their own hand; the accusations were not false. I did not doubt it and approved their memorials. Since Zhou Xing and Lai Junchen died recently, we have heard no more of treason — were those put to death before not wrongfully killed?" Yuanchong replied, "Since the Chuigong era, all who were accused and died with their families ruined were wrongfully coerced into false confession. Accusers did it only for merit; the whole realm called it 'net-weaving,' worse than the Party Proscription of Han. When Your Majesty sent close attendants to question prisoners, those attendants could not even protect themselves — how dare they stir things up? If the questioned reversed their testimony, they feared deadly reprisal — Generals Zhang Qianxun and Li Anjing were among these. Thanks to Heaven sending down numinous aid and Your Majesty's awakening, evil henchmen were punished and cut down, and the court was at peace. From today onward I pledge with my humble person and my household of a hundred mouths that among officials inside and outside there will be no treason. I beg Your Majesty, when denunciations arrive, only take charge of them and do not investigate. If afterward evidence appears and treason is real, I accept the crime of knowing and not reporting." Empress Wu was greatly pleased and said, "Former chancellors all went along and made me a ruler of excessive punishment. Hearing what you say accords greatly with my heart." That day she sent a palace envoy with a thousand taels of silver to reward Yuanchong.

時突厥叱利元崇構逆，則天不欲元崇與之同名，乃改爲元之。俄遷鳳閣侍郎，依舊知政事。

At that time Chilie Yuanchong of the Turks plotted rebellion; Empress Wu did not wish Yuanchong to share the name and changed it to Yuanzhi. Soon he was transferred to vice minister of the Phoenix Pavilion, still directing state affairs.

長安四年，元之以母老，表請解職侍養，言甚哀切，則天難違其意，拜相王府長史，罷知政事，俾獲其養。其月，又令元之兼知夏官尚書事、同鳳閣鸞臺三品。元之上言：「臣事相王，知兵馬不便。臣非惜死，恐不益相王。」則天深然其言，改爲春官尚書。是時，張易之請移京城大德僧十人配定州私置寺，僧等苦訴，元之斷停，易之屢以爲言，元之終不納。由是爲易之所譖，改爲司仆卿，知政事如故，使充靈武道大總管。

In the fourth year of Chang'an, Yuanzhi, because his mother was old, memorialized to resign office and attend to her; his words were very sorrowful and urgent. Empress Wu found it hard to go against his wish, appointed him chief administrator of the Prince of Xiang's household, removed him from directing state affairs, and enabled him to provide for her. That month she again ordered Yuanzhi to concurrently serve as minister of personnel and associate censor-in-chief of the Phoenix Pavilion, third rank. Yuanzhi memorialized, "I serve the Prince of Xiang; holding military authority is inappropriate. It is not that I begrudge death, but I fear it will not benefit the Prince of Xiang." Empress Wu deeply approved his words and changed him to minister of the Spring Office. At that time Zhang Yizhi requested transferring ten eminent monks of the capital to a privately established temple in Dingzhou; the monks bitterly appealed, and Yuanzhi halted it. Yizhi repeatedly spoke of it, but Yuanzhi ultimately would not accept. Thereupon he was slandered by Yizhi, changed to director of the Court of the Imperial Stud, still directing state affairs as before, and sent to serve as grand general of the Lingwu Circuit.

神龍元年，張柬之、桓彥範等謀誅易之兄弟，適會元之自軍還都，遂預謀，以功封梁縣侯，賜實封二百戸。則天移居上陽宮，中宗率百官就閤起居，王公已下皆欣躍稱慶，元之獨嗚咽流涕。彥範、柬之謂元之曰：「今日豈是啼泣時！恐公禍從此始。」元之曰：「事則天歲久，乍此辭違，情發於衷，非忍所得。昨預公誅兇逆者，是臣子之常道，豈敢言功；今辭違舊主悲泣者，亦臣子之終節，緣此獲罪，實所甘心。」無幾，出爲亳州刺史，轉常州刺史。

In the first year of Shenlong, Zhang Jianzhi, Huan Yanfan, and the like plotted to execute the Yizhi brothers; it happened that Yuanzhi returned from the army to the capital and joined the plot; for his merit he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Liang County with two hundred taxable households. Empress Wu moved to the Shangyang Palace; Emperor Zhongzong led the hundred officials to attend at the gate; from princes and dukes downward all rejoiced and celebrated, but Yuanzhi alone sobbed and wept. Yanfan and Jianzhi said to Yuanzhi, "Today is surely not the time for weeping! I fear disaster for you will begin from this." Yuanzhi said, "I served Empress Wu for many years; suddenly to part from her this way, the feeling arises from the heart — endurance cannot obtain it. Yesterday joining you in executing the traitors was the constant way of a subject; how dare I speak of merit; now weeping in parting from my old lord is also a subject's final integrity; if I incur punishment for this, I am truly willing." Before long he was sent out as prefect of Bozhou, then transferred to prefect of Changzhou.

睿宗即位，召拜兵部尚書、同中書門下三品，尋遷中書令。時玄宗在東宮，太平公主干預朝政，宋王成器爲閑廄使，岐王範、薛王業皆掌禁兵，外議以爲不便。元之同侍中宋璟密奏請令公主往就東都，出成器等諸王爲刺史，以息人心。睿宗以告公主，公主大怒。玄宗乃上疏以元之、璟等離間兄弟，請加罪，乃貶元之爲申州刺史。再轉揚州長史、淮南按察使，爲政簡肅，人吏立碑紀德。俄除同州刺史。先天二年，玄宗講武在新豐驛，召元之代郭元振爲兵部尚書、同中書門下三品，復遷紫微令。避開元尊號，又改名崇，進封梁國公。固辭實封，乃停其舊封，特賜新封一百戸。

When Emperor Ruizong took the throne, he was summoned and appointed minister of war and associate director of the Secretariat, third rank; soon he was transferred to director of the Secretariat. At that time Emperor Xuanzong was in the Eastern Palace; Princess Taiping intervened in court politics; Prince Chengqi of Song was director of the imperial stud; Princes Fan of Qi and Ye of Xue all held forbidden troops; outside opinion held it inconvenient. Yuanzhi together with chief minister Song Jing secretly memorialized requesting that the princess go to the Eastern Capital and that Princes Chengqi and the others be sent out as prefects, to calm people's hearts. Emperor Ruizong told the princess; the princess was greatly angered. Emperor Xuanzong then memorialized that Yuanzhi, Jing, and the others had estranged the brothers and requested added punishment; Yuanzhi was demoted to prefect of Shenzhou. He was again transferred to chief administrator of Yangzhou and inspector of Huainan; his governance was simple and stern, and officials and people erected a stele to record his virtue. Soon he was appointed prefect of Tongzhou. In the second year of Xiantian, Emperor Xuanzong held military exercises at Xinfeng Post, summoned Yuanzhi to replace Guo Yuanzhen as minister of war and associate director of the Secretariat, third rank, and again transferred him to director of the Purple Tenuity. To avoid the honored Kaiyuan title, he again changed his name to Chong and was advanced to Duke of Liang. He firmly declined taxable enfeoffment; his old enfeoffment was stopped and he was specially granted a new enfeoffment of a hundred households.

先是，中宗時，公主外戚皆奏請度人爲僧尼，亦有出私財造寺者，富戸強丁，皆經營避役，遠近充滿。至是，崇奏曰：「佛不在外，求之於心。佛圖澄最賢，無益於全趙；羅什多藝，不救於亡秦。何充、苻融，皆遭敗滅；齊襄、梁武，未免災殃。但發心慈悲，行事利益，使蒼生安樂，即是佛身。何用妄度奸人，令壞正法？」上納其言，令有司隱括僧徒，以偽濫還俗者萬二千餘人。

Previously, during Emperor Zhongzong's time, princesses and maternal relatives all memorialized requesting ordination of persons as monks and nuns; there were also those who used private wealth to build temples; wealthy households and strong young men all sought to avoid corvée by such means, and they filled the realm near and far. At this Chong memorialized, "Buddha is not outside; seek him in the heart. Fotucheng was most worthy, yet he did not benefit all of Zhao; Kumarajiva was most versatile, yet he did not save perishing Qin. He Chong and Fu Rong both met defeat and ruin; Emperor Xiang of Qi and Emperor Wu of Liang did not escape calamity. Only awaken compassion in the heart, act with benefit and do not do evil — then the Buddha-body is complete. Why vainly ordain wicked men and let them ruin the true Law?" The emperor accepted his words and ordered the relevant offices to investigate monks; more than twelve thousand falsely ordained were returned to lay life.

開元四年，山東蝗蟲大起，崇奏曰：「《毛詩》云：『秉彼蟊賊，以付炎火。』又漢光武詔曰：『勉順時政，勸督農桑，去彼蝗蜮，以及蟊賊。』此並除蝗之義也。蟲既解畏人，易爲驅逐。又苗稼皆有地主，救護必不辭勞。蝗既解飛，夜必赴火，夜中設火，火邊掘坑，且焚且瘞，除之可盡。時山東百姓皆燒香禮拜，設祭祈恩，眼看食苗，手不敢近。自古有討除不得者，只是人不用命，但使齊心戮力，必是可除。」乃遣御史分道殺蝗。汴州刺史倪若水執奏曰：「蝗是天災，自宜修德。劉聰時除既不得，爲害更深。」仍拒御史，不肯應命。崇大怒，牒報若水曰：「劉聰偽主，德不勝妖；今日聖朝，妖不勝德。古之良守，蝗蟲避境，若其修德可免，彼豈無德致然！今坐看食苗，何忍不救，因以饑饉，將何自安？幸勿遲回，自招悔吝。」若水乃行焚瘞之法，獲蝗一十四萬石，投汴渠流下者不可勝紀。時朝廷喧議，皆以驅蝗爲不便，上聞之，復以問崇。崇曰：「庸儒執文，不識通變。凡事有違經而合道者，亦有反道而適權者。昔魏時山東有蝗傷稼，緣小忍不除，致使苗稼總盡，人至相食；後秦時有蝗，禾稼及草木俱盡，牛馬至相啖毛。今山東蝗蟲所在流滿，仍極繁息，實所稀聞。河北、河南，無多貯積，倘不收獲，豈免流離，事系安危，不可膠柱。縱使除之不盡，猶勝養以成災。陛下好生惡殺，此事請不煩出敕，乞容臣出牒處分。若除不得，臣在身官爵，並請削除。」上許之。黃門監盧懷慎謂崇曰：「蝗是天災，豈可制以人事？外議鹹以爲非。又殺蟲太多，有傷和氣。今猶可復，請公思之。」崇曰：「楚王吞蛭，厥疾用瘳；叔敖殺蛇，其福乃降。趙宣至賢也，恨用其犬；孔丘將聖也，不愛其羊。皆誌在安人，思不失禮。今蝗蟲極盛，驅除可得，若其縱食，所在皆空。山東百姓，豈宜餓殺！此事崇已面經奏定訖，請公勿復爲言。若救人殺蟲，因緣致禍，崇請獨受，義不仰關。」懷慎既庶事曲從，竟亦不敢逆崇之意，蝗因此亦漸止息。

In the fourth year of Kaiyuan, locusts rose greatly in Shandong; Chong memorialized, "The Mao Odes says, 'Take up those crop pests and commit them to blazing fire.' Also Emperor Guangwu of Han decreed, 'Exhort compliance with the season's policies, urge and oversee agriculture, remove those locust swarms and those crop pests.' These are all the meaning of eliminating locusts. Once insects fear men, they are easy to drive away. Also the crops all have landowners; to protect them they surely will not decline labor. Once locusts know flight, at night they surely rush to fire; set fires at night, dig pits beside the fires, burn and bury together — elimination can be complete. At that time the people of Shandong all burned incense and bowed, set offerings and prayed for grace, watching crops eaten while their hands dared not approach. Since antiquity there have been cases where extermination could not be achieved — it was only that men did not obey orders; but if they unite heart and join strength, they surely can be eliminated." He then sent censors by separate routes to kill locusts. Prefect Ni Ruoshui of Bianzhou submitted a memorial, "Locusts are a heaven-sent disaster; one should cultivate virtue. In Liu Cong's time elimination could not be achieved and the harm was deeper." He still refused the censors and would not obey orders. Chong was greatly angered and replied by dispatch to Ruoshui, "Liu Cong was a false ruler; virtue did not overcome demons; today's sagely court — demons do not overcome virtue. Good prefects of antiquity had locusts avoid their borders; if cultivating virtue could avoid them, would they not have had virtue to bring that about! Now to sit and watch crops eaten — how can one bear not to save them? When famine follows, how will you be at ease? I hope you will not delay and invite regret." Ruoshui then carried out burning and burying; locusts obtained were one hundred forty thousand piculs; those cast into the Bian Canal downstream were beyond counting. At that time the court clamored in discussion, all holding driving locusts inconvenient; the emperor heard it and again asked Chong. Chong said, "Mediocre Confucians cling to text and do not know flexible change. In all affairs there are those that violate the classics yet accord with the Way, and also those that go against the Way yet suit expedient power. In Wei times locusts in Shandong harmed crops; because of small forbearance they were not eliminated, causing crops to be utterly exhausted and men to eat one another; later in Qin times there were locusts; grain crops and trees and grass were all exhausted, and cattle and horses even ate one another's hair. Now locusts in Shandong wherever they are flow full, still extremely prolific — truly rarely heard of. Hebei and Henan have not much stored grain; if harvest is not taken, how can wandering displacement be avoided? The matter concerns safety and danger — one cannot stick to the peg. Even if elimination is not complete, it is still better than nurturing them into disaster. Your Majesty loves life and hates killing; this matter please do not trouble issuing an edict — I beg permission to issue dispatches and handle it. If elimination cannot be achieved, I request that my present offices and ranks all be struck off." The emperor permitted it. Director of the Yellow Gate Lu Huaishan said to Chong, "Locusts are a heaven-sent disaster — how can they be controlled by human affairs? Outside opinion all holds it wrong. Also killing insects is too many — it harms harmonious qi. It can still be reversed — please think again." Chong said, "The King of Chu swallowed leeches and his illness was cured; Shu'ao killed a snake and his blessing then descended. Zhao Xuan was most worthy, yet regretted using his dog; Kong Qiu was about to be sage, yet did not spare his sheep. All recorded intent to settle the people, thinking not to lose ritual. Now locusts are extremely abundant; driving them away can be achieved; if they are allowed to eat, wherever they are will be empty. The people of Shandong — how can they be allowed to starve to death! This matter Chong has already reported face to face and it is settled — please do not speak again. If saving people by killing insects, through karmic cause brings calamity, Chong requests to bear it alone and will not implicate others." Huaishan, since all affairs bent to follow, ultimately also dared not go against Chong's intent; locusts thereby also gradually ceased.

是時，上初即位，務修德政，軍國庶務，多訪於崇，同時宰相盧懷慎、源乾曜等，但唯諾而已。崇獨當重任，明於吏道，斷割不滯。然縱其子光祿少卿彜、宗正少卿異廣引賓客，受納饋遺，由是爲時所譏。時有中書主書趙誨爲崇所親信，受蕃人珍遺，事發，上親加鞫問，下獄處死。崇結奏其罪，復營救之，上由是不悅。其冬，曲赦京城，敕文時標誨名，令決杖一百，配流嶺南。崇自是憂懼，頻面陳避相位，薦宋璟皆獲進見。有人於洛水中獲自代。俄授開府儀同三司，罷知政事。

At that time the emperor had just taken the throne, devoted to cultivating virtuous government; military and state affairs mostly consulted Chong; fellow chancellors Lu Huaishan, Yuan Qianyao, and the like only assented. Chong alone bore heavy responsibility, clear in official ways, decisive without delay. Yet he indulged his sons the Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments Yi and Vice Director of the Court of the Imperial Clan Yi in widely receiving guests and accepting presented gifts; thereby he was ridiculed by the times. At that time the Secretariat chief clerk Zhao Hui was trusted by Chong; he received precious gifts from foreigners; when the matter broke, the emperor personally interrogated him, imprisoned him, and put him to death. Chong memorialized his crime yet also worked to rescue him; the emperor was thereby displeased. That winter, in a partial amnesty of the capital, the amnesty text at the time marked Hui's name, ordering a hundred blows with the staff and exile to Lingnan. Chong was thereby anxious and fearful, repeatedly stating face to face his wish to avoid the chancellorship and recommending Song Jing — all obtained audience. Someone recovered a tally from the Luo River. Soon he was appointed grand master of the palace with the honor of acting with the same three ranks and removed from directing state affairs.

居月餘，玄宗將幸東都，而太廟屋壞，上召宋璟、蘇颋問其故，璟等奏言：「陛下三年之制未畢，誠不可行幸。凡災變之發，皆所以明教誡。陛下宜增崇大道，以答天意，且停幸東都。」上又召崇問曰：「朕臨發京邑，太廟無故崩壞，恐神靈誡以東行不便耶？」崇對曰：「太廟殿本是苻堅時所造，隋文帝創立新都，移宇文朝故殿造此廟，國家又因隋氏舊制，歲月滋深，朽蠹而毀。山有朽壞，尚不免崩，既久來枯木，合將摧折，偶與行期相會，不是緣行乃崩。且四海爲家，兩京相接，陛下以關中不甚豐熟，轉運又有勞費，所以爲人行幸，豈是無事煩勞？東都百司已作供擬，不可失信於天下。以臣愚見，舊廟既朽爛，不堪修理，望移神主於太極殿安置，更改造新廟，以申誠敬。車駕依前徑發。」上曰：「卿言正合朕意。」賜絹二百匹，令所司奉七廟神主於太極殿，改新廟，車駕乃幸東都。因令崇五日一參，仍入閤供奉，甚承恩遇。後又除太子少保，以疾不拜。九年薨，年七十二，贈揚州大都督，謚曰文獻。

After more than a month the emperor was about to visit the Eastern Capital, but the ancestral temple hall collapsed; the emperor summoned Song Jing and Su Ting and asked the reason; Jing and the others memorialized, "Your Majesty's three-year mourning is not complete — truly one cannot travel. Whenever calamities and transformations arise, all are to make clear teaching and admonition. Your Majesty should further exalt the great Way to answer Heaven's intent, and for now stop the visit to the Eastern Capital." The emperor again summoned Chong and asked, "I was about to depart the capital; the ancestral temple for no reason collapsed — I fear the spirits admonish that going east is inconvenient?" Chong replied, "The ancestral temple hall was originally built in Fu Jian's time; Emperor Wen of Sui founded the new capital, moved the old halls of the Yuwen dynasty to build this temple; the state again followed Sui's old system — years and months grew deep, rotted and worm-eaten and destroyed. Mountains have rotten decay and still cannot avoid collapse; having long been dead wood, it should be about to break — it happened to coincide with the travel date, not that because of travel it collapsed. Moreover all within the four seas is home; the two capitals connect — Your Majesty because Guanzhong is not very abundant, and transport also has labor and expense, therefore travels for the people — is it without cause that affairs are troubled? The hundred offices of the Eastern Capital have already made preparations — one cannot break faith with all under Heaven. In my foolish view, the old temple is rotten and cannot bear repair; I hope the spirit tablets will be moved to the Hall of Supreme Ultimate for placement, and a new temple rebuilt, to express sincere respect. The imperial carriage should proceed directly as before." The emperor said, "Your words exactly accord with my intent." He granted two hundred bolts of silk, ordered the offices to place the seven temple spirit tablets in the Hall of Supreme Ultimate, rebuild the new temple, and the imperial carriage then visited the Eastern Capital. He then ordered Chong to attend audience every five days, still entering the gate to serve — he received great favor. Later he was again appointed junior tutor of the heir apparent; because of illness he did not accept. In the ninth year he died, age seventy-two; posthumously appointed grand general of Yangzhou, posthumous title Wénxiàn.

崇先分其田園，令諸子侄各守其分，仍爲遺令以誡子孫，其略曰：

Chong first divided his fields and gardens, ordered sons and nephews each to keep their share, and also made a testament to admonish descendants; the gist:

比見諸達官身亡以後，子孫既失覆廕，多至貧寒，鬥尺之間，參商是競。豈唯自玷，乃更辱先，無論曲直，俱受嗤毀。莊田水碾，既眾有之，遞相推倚，或致荒廢。陸賈、石苞，皆古之賢達也，所以預爲定分，將以絕其後爭，吾靜思之，深所嘆服。

Recently I have seen that after many eminent officials die, their descendants having lost protective shade mostly fall into poverty and cold; over a foot's space they compete like Shang and Shen. Not only do they disgrace themselves — they further shame their ancestors; regardless of right and wrong, both receive ridicule. Estate fields and water mills, being jointly owned, push reliance on one another, sometimes causing abandonment. Lu Jia and Shi Bao were both worthy men of antiquity; therefore they beforehand fixed shares, intending to cut off later contention — I ponder this quietly and deeply admire it.

昔孔子亞聖，母墓毀而不修；梁鴻至賢，父亡席卷而葬。昔楊震、趙咨、盧植、張奐，皆當代英達，通識今古，鹹有遺言，屬以薄葬。或濯衣時服，或單帛幅巾，知真魂去身，貴於速朽，子孫皆遵成命，迄今以爲美談。凡厚葬之家，例非明哲，或溺於流俗，不察幽明，鹹以奢厚爲忠孝，以儉薄爲慳惜，至令亡者致戮屍暴骸之酷，存者陷不忠不孝之誚。可爲痛哉！可爲痛哉！死者無知，自同糞土，何煩厚葬，使傷素業。若也有知，神不在柩，復何用違君父之令，破衣食之資。吾身亡後，可殮以常服，四時之衣，各一副而已。吾性甚不愛冠衣，必不得將入棺墓，紫衣玉帶，足便於身，念爾等勿復違之。且神道惡奢，冥塗尚質，若違吾處分，使吾受戮於地下，於汝心安乎？念而思之。

In antiquity Confucius was second only to sage; his mother's tomb was destroyed yet he did not repair it; Liang Hong was most worthy; when his father died he buried him wrapped in a mat. In the past Yang Zhen, Zhao Zi, Lu Zhi, and Zhang Huan were all eminent men of their age, broadly knowing past and present; all had dying words, entrusting simple burial. Some wore clothes just washed, or a single cloth headcloth; knowing the true soul departs the body, valuing quick decay — descendants all followed the completed command; to this day it is considered fine talk. All households of lavish burial as a rule are not wise and clear; some are drowned in vulgar custom, not discerning the obscure and bright, all taking lavish thickness as loyal filial piety and taking thrift as stinginess — causing the dead to suffer the cruelty of exposed corpse and hacked body, and the living to fall into the reproach of disloyalty and unfilial conduct. It can be lamented! It can be lamented! The dead have no knowledge, the same as dung and soil — why trouble lavish burial and harm plain estate? If there is knowledge, the spirit is not in the coffin — why use violating lord and father's command and breaking clothing and food resources? After my death, one may enshroud in ordinary clothes; seasonal clothes, each one set only. My nature greatly does not love caps and robes — they must not be put into coffin and tomb; purple robe and jade belt suffice on the body — remember you must not again violate this. Moreover the spirit way hates extravagance; the dark path values simplicity — if you violate my disposition, making me suffer punishment underground, will your hearts be at ease? Think and ponder this.

今之佛經，羅什所譯，姚興執本，與什對翻。姚興造浮屠於永貴裏，傾竭府庫，廣事莊嚴，而興命不得延，國亦隨滅。又齊跨山東，周據關右，周則多除佛法而修繕兵威，齊則廣置僧徒而依憑佛力。及至交戰，齊氏滅亡，國既不存，寺復何有？修福之報，何其蔑如！梁武帝以萬乘爲奴，胡太后以六宮入道，豈特身戮名辱，皆以亡國破家。近日孝和皇帝發使贖生，傾國造寺，太平公主、武三思、悖逆庶人、張夫人等皆度人造寺，竟術彌街，鹹不免受戮破家，爲天下所笑。經云：「求長命得長命，求富貴得富貴」，「刀尋段段壞，火坑變成池。」比求緣精進得富貴長命者爲誰？生前易知，尚覺無應，身後難究，誰見有征。且五帝之時，父不葬子，兄不哭弟，言其致仁壽、無夭橫也。三王之代，國祚延長，人用休息，其人臣則彭祖、老聃之類，皆享遐齡。當此之時，未有佛教，豈抄經鑄像之力，設齋施佛之功耶？《宋書》《西域傳》，有名僧爲《白黑論》，理證明白，足解沈疑，宜觀而行之。

Today's Buddhist scriptures were translated by Kumarajiva; Yao Xing held the original and faced him in translation. Yao Xing built a pagoda in Yonggui Lane, draining the treasury, broadly making adornment — yet Xing's life could not be extended and the state also followed in perishing. Also Qi spanned Shandong, Zhou held Guanzhong — Zhou mostly eliminated Buddhism and repaired military might; Qi broadly installed monks and relied on Buddha's power. When they came to battle, Qi perished — if the state does not exist, what of temples? The reward of cultivating blessing — how slight! Emperor Wu of Liang used ten thousand chariots as a slave; Empress Hu of Northern Wei entered the Way with the six palaces — not only body slaughtered and name shamed, all ended in perishing state and ruined house. Recently Emperor Xiaohé sent envoys to redeem lives, draining the state to build temples; Princess Taiping, Wu Sanzhi, the usurping commoner, Lady Zhang, and the like all ordained people and built temples — talismans filled the streets, yet all could not escape slaughter and ruined house, becoming the world's laughter. The scripture says, 'Seek long life and obtain long life, seek wealth and honor and obtain wealth and honor,' 'Knives seek piece by piece broken, fire pits become ponds.' Compared to those seeking merit through diligent progress who obtained wealth, honor, and long life — who are they? Before death easy to know, yet still felt no response; after death hard to investigate — who has seen proof? Moreover in the time of the Five Emperors, fathers did not bury sons, elder brothers did not weep younger brothers — speaking of their attaining benevolence and longevity, without untimely violent death. In the age of the Three Kings, dynastic fortune extended long, people had rest; their ministers Peng Zu, Laozi, and the like all enjoyed far-reaching years. At that time there was not yet Buddhism — was it the power of copying scriptures and casting images, setting feasts and giving to Buddha? The Song History Western Regions Account has a famous monk's Black and White Treatise — reasoning and evidence clear, sufficient to resolve deep doubt; it should be viewed and followed.

且佛者覺也，在乎方寸，假有萬像之廣，不出五蘊之中，但平等慈悲，行善不行惡，則佛道備矣。何必溺於小説，惑於凡僧，仍將喻品，用爲實錄，抄經寫像，破業傾家，乃至施身亦無所吝，可謂大惑也。亦有緣亡人造像，名爲追福，方便之教，雖則多端，功德須自發心，旁助寧應獲報？遞相欺誑，浸成風俗，損耗生人，無益亡者。假有通才達識，亦爲時俗所拘。如來普慈，意存利物，損眾生之不足，厚豪僧之有餘，必不然矣。且死者是常，古來不免，所造經像，何所施爲？

Moreover Buddha means awakening, residing in the inch-square heart; though there be the vastness of ten thousand images, none exits the five skandhas; only equal compassion, doing good and not doing evil — then the Buddha-way is complete. Why must one be drowned in minor tales, confused by ordinary monks, still taking parable items as real records, copying scriptures and writing images, breaking estate and draining house, even giving the body without stint — it can be called great confusion. There are also those who for the dead make images, called pursuing blessing; expedient teaching though has many sides, merit must arise from one's own heart — can assistance by others obtain reward? Mutually deceiving, gradually becoming custom, harming the living, without benefit to the dead. Suppose there are broadly talented and penetrating knowers — they are also bound by vulgar custom. The Tathagata's universal compassion, intent to benefit things, diminishing the insufficient of the multitude and thickening the surplus of grand monks — surely cannot be so. Moreover the dead is constant; since antiquity unavoidable — scriptures and images made, for what use?

夫釋迦之本法，爲蒼生之大弊，汝等各宜警策，正法在心，勿效兒女子曹，終身不悟也。吾亡後必不得爲此弊法。若未能全依正道，須順俗情，從初七至終七，任設七僧齋。若隨齋須布施，宜以吾緣身衣物充，不得輒用餘財，爲無益之枉事，亦不得妄出私物，徇追福之虛談。

Shakyamuni's original Law is the great harm to the blue-black masses — you each should be vigilant; correct Law in the heart — do not imitate boys and girls, never awakening in a lifetime. After my death one must not do this harmful Law. If one cannot fully follow the correct Way, one must comply with vulgar feeling; from the first seventh to the final seventh, allow setting seven monk feasts. If following feasts requires giving, use my personal clothing to fulfill it; one must not rashly use other wealth for useless vain affairs, also must not rashly expend private goods, pursuing empty talk of pursuing blessing.

道士者，本以玄牝爲宗，初無趨競之教，而無識者慕僧家之有利，約佛教而爲業。敬尋老君之説，亦無過齋之文，抑同僧例，失之彌遠。汝等勿拘鄙俗，輒屈於家。汝等身沒之後，亦教子孫依吾此法云。

Daoists originally take the mysterious female as ancestor; at first there was no teaching of striving for gain; yet the unenlightened admire the profit of Buddhist households and model Buddhism as profession. Respectfully seeking Old Master's teaching, there is also no text of excessive feasts; suppressing it like the monk example, the error goes further. You must not be bound by base vulgar custom and rashly bend to the household. After your bodies perish, also teach descendants to follow my method.

十七年，重贈崇太子太保。

In the seventeenth year Chong was again posthumously appointed junior tutor of the heir apparent.

崇長子彜，開元初光祿少卿。

Chong's eldest son Yi, early Kaiyuan vice director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments.

次子異，坊州刺史。少子弈，少而修謹，開元末，爲禮部侍郎、尚書右丞。天寶元年，右相牛仙客薨，彜男閎爲侍御史、仙客判官，見仙客疾亟，逼爲仙客表，請以弈及兵部侍郎盧奐爲宰相代己。其妻因中使奏之，玄宗聞而怒之，閎決死，弈出爲永陽太守，奐爲臨淄太守。

Second son Yi, prefect of Fangzhou. Youngest son Yi, in youth cultivated caution; late Kaiyuan vice minister of rites and right vice director. In the first year of Tianbao, Right Chancellor Niu Xianke died; Yi's son Hong was attending censor and Xianke's case officer; seeing Xianke critically ill, he forced Xianke's memorial requesting Yi and Vice Minister of War Lu Huan as chancellors to replace himself. His wife through a palace envoy reported it; Emperor Xuanzong heard and was angry; Hong was sentenced to death, Yi was sent out as prefect of Yongyang, Huan as prefect of Linzi.

玄孫合，登進士第，授武功尉，遷監察御史，位終給事中。

Great-grandson He, passed the jinshi examination, appointed Wugong district captain, transferred to investigating censor, ended as director of the Secretariat gate.

宋璟，邢州南和人，其先自廣平徙焉，後魏吏部尚書弁七代孫也。父玄撫，以璟貴，贈邢州刺史。璟少耿介有大節，博學，工於文翰。弱冠舉進士，累轉鳳閣舍人。當官正色，則天甚重之。長安中，幸臣張易之誣構御史大夫魏元忠有不順之言，引鳳閣舍人張說令證之。說將入於御前對覆，惶惑迫懼，璟謂曰：「名義至重，神道難欺，必不可黨邪陷正，以求茍免。若緣犯顏流貶，芬芳多矣。或至不測，吾必叩閤救子，將與子同死。努力，萬代瞻仰，在此舉也。」說感其言。及入，乃保明元忠，竟得免死。

Song Jing, a native of Nanhe in Xing Prefecture; his ancestors moved from Guangping; seventh-generation descendant of Bian, minister of personnel of Later Wei. His father Xuanfu, because of Jing's eminence, was posthumously appointed prefect of Xing Prefecture. Jing in youth was upright with great integrity, broadly learned, skilled in literary composition. At twenty he passed the jinshi examination, repeatedly transferred to draftsman of the Phoenix Pavilion. In office he was stern in countenance; Empress Wu greatly valued him. In Chang'an, favored courtier Zhang Yizhi falsely constructed that Censor-in-Chief Wei Yuanzhong had disloyal words, and brought in Phoenix Pavilion draftsman Zhang Shuo to testify. Shuo was about to enter before the emperor for re-examination, fearful and pressed; Jing said to him, "Fame and righteousness are most heavy; the spirit way is hard to deceive — one absolutely cannot join the wicked to trap the upright, seeking careless escape. If because of offending the countenance one is exiled, fragrant examples are many. Or if to the unforeseen, I will knock at the gate to save you and die with you. Strive — ten thousand generations look up; in this act it lies." Shuo was moved by his words. When he entered, he then vindicated Yuanzhong; ultimately obtained escape from death.

璟尋遷左御史臺中丞。張易之與弟昌宗縱恣益橫，傾朝附之。昌宗私引相工李弘泰觀占吉兇，言涉不順，為飛書所告。璟廷奏請窮究其狀，則天曰：「易之等已自奏聞，不可加罪。」璟曰：「易之等事露自陳，情在難恕，且謀反大逆，無容首免。請勒就御史臺勘當，以明國法。易之等久蒙驅使，分外承恩，臣必知言出禍從，然義激於心，雖死不恨。」則天不悅。內史楊再思恐忤旨，遽宣敕令璟出。璟曰：「天顏咫尺，親奉德音，不煩宰臣擅宣王命。」則天意稍解，乃收易之等就臺，將加鞫問。俄有特敕原之，仍令易之等詣璟辭謝，璟拒而不見，曰：「公事當公言之，若私見，則法無私也。」

Jing soon transferred to left assistant director of the censorate. Zhang Yizhi and his brother Changzong grew ever more wanton and overbearing; the whole court attached to them. Changzong privately brought in physiognomist Li Hongtai to observe fortune and misfortune; his words touched on disloyalty and he was reported by anonymous letter. Jing memorialized at court requesting thorough investigation; Empress Wu said, "Yizhi and the others have already reported themselves — one cannot add crime." Jing said, "Yizhi and the others exposed themselves — the feeling is hard to forgive; moreover plotting rebellion and great treason cannot be pardoned at the head. I request ordering investigation at the censorate to make clear state law. Yizhi and the others long received driving, extraordinarily receiving grace — I surely know words bring disaster following, yet righteousness stirs the heart; though death I do not regret." Empress Wu was displeased. Director of the Palace Secretariat Yang Zaisi, fearing to offend the intent, hastily proclaimed an edict ordering Jing out. Jing said, "The imperial countenance is within a foot — personally receiving virtuous words; no need for chief ministers to usurp proclaiming royal command." Empress Wu's intent slightly eased; then Yizhi and the others were taken to the bureau, about to be interrogated. Soon there was a special edict pardoning them; still ordered Yizhi and the others to go to Jing to apologize; Jing refused and would not see them, saying, "Public affairs should be spoken publicly; if private meeting, then law has no private."

璟嘗侍宴朝堂，時易之兄弟皆為列卿，位三品，璟本階六品，在下。易之素畏璟，妄悅其意，虛位揖璟曰：「公第一人，何乃下座？」璟曰：「才劣品卑，張卿以為第一人，何也？」當時朝列，皆以二張內寵，不名官，呼易之為五郎，昌宗為六郎。天官侍郎鄭善果謂璟曰：「中丞奈何呼五郎為卿？」璟曰：「以官言之，正當為卿；若以親故，當為張五。足下非易之家奴，何郎之有？鄭善果一何懦哉！」其剛正皆此類也。自是易之等常欲因事傷之，則天察其情，竟以獲免。

Jing once attended banquet at the Hall of Morning Audience; at that time the Yizhi brothers were all ranked ministers, third rank; Jing's original rank was sixth rank, below. Yizhi always feared Jing; falsely pleased his intent, vacated seat and bowed to Jing, "You are first man — why below seat?" Jing said, "Talent inferior, rank low — Director Zhang takes me as first man — why?" At that time the court array all because the two Zhang had inner favor did not name offices, calling Yizhi Fifth Lord and Changzong Sixth Lord. Vice Minister of the Bureau of Personnel Zheng Shanguo said to Jing, "Assistant Director, how call Fifth Lord 'you'?" Jing said, "Speaking by office, properly should be 'you'; if by kinship, should be Zhang Fifth. You are not Yi's household slave — what 'lord' is there? How cowardly is Zheng Shanguo!" His stern uprightness was all of this kind. From this Yizhi and the others often wished to harm him through affairs; Empress Wu perceived their intent and he ultimately escaped harm.

神龍元年，遷吏部侍郎。中宗嘉璟正直，仍令兼諫議大夫、內供奉，仗下後言朝廷得失。尋拜黃門侍郎。時武三思恃寵執權，嘗請托於璟，璟正色謂之曰：「當今復子明辟，王宜以侯就第，何得尚幹朝政？王獨不見產、祿之事乎？」俄有京兆人韋月將上書訟三思潛通宮掖，將為禍患之漸，三思諷有司奏月將大逆不道，中宗特令誅之。璟執奏請按其罪狀，然後申明典憲，月將竟免極刑，配流嶺南而死。

In the first year of Shenlong he transferred to vice minister of personnel. Emperor Zhongzong praised Jing's uprightness and still ordered him to concurrently serve as censor and palace attendant; after dismissal from attendance he spoke of court gains and losses. Soon he was appointed vice director of the Yellow Gate. At that time Wu Sanzhi relied on favor and held power; he once requested favors from Jing; Jing sternly said to him, "Today the son is restored and the ruler enlightened — the prince should take a marquisate and go to his residence; how can he still meddle in court politics? Has the prince alone not seen the affair of Chan and Lu?" Soon a person of Jingzhao, Wei Yuejiang, memorialized accusing Sanzhi of secret communication with the inner palace, the gradual approach of calamity; Sanzhi prompted the relevant offices to memorialize Yuejiang for great treason; Emperor Zhongzong specially ordered execution. Jing memorialized requesting investigation according to his crimes, then declaring canonical punishment; Yuejiang ultimately escaped extreme punishment, exiled to Lingnan and died.

中宗幸西京，令璟權檢校并州長史，未行，又帶本官檢校貝州刺史。時河北頻遭水潦，百姓饑餒，三思封邑在貝州，專使征其租賦，璟又拒而不與，由是為三思所擠。又歷杭、相二州刺史，在官清嚴，人吏莫有犯者。

Emperor Zhongzong visited the Western Capital, ordered Jing to act as chief administrator of Bingzhou; before departing, again with his original office acting as chief administrator of Beizhou. At that time Hebei repeatedly suffered floods; the people were hungry; Sanzhi's enfeoffment was in Beizhou; he specially sent envoys to levy his rent and tax; Jing again refused and would not give — thereby he was squeezed by Sanzhi. He also served as prefect of Hang and Xiang; in office he was pure and stern; officials and people had none who offended.

中宗晏駕，拜洛州長史。睿宗踐祚，遷吏部尚書、同中書門下三品。玄宗在春宮，又兼右庶子，加銀青光祿大夫。先是，外戚及諸公主干預朝政，請托滋甚。崔湜、鄭愔相次典選，為權門所制，九流失敘，預用兩年員闕註擬，不足，更置比冬選人，大為士庶所嘆。至是，璟與侍郎李乂、盧從願等大革前弊，取舍平允，銓綜有敘。

When Emperor Zhongzong died, he was appointed chief administrator of Luozhou. When Emperor Ruizong took the throne, he transferred to minister of personnel and associate director of the Secretariat, third rank. Emperor Xuanzong was in the Eastern Palace; he was again concurrent right vice director and silver-gleam grand master of the palace. Previously, maternal relatives and various princesses intervened in court politics; requests for favors grew extreme. Cui Shi and Zheng Yin successively directed selection; they were controlled by power gates; the nine streams lost order; they used two years of vacant posts for appointment — still insufficient, further set winter selection candidates; greatly sighed by scholars and commoners. At this Jing together with Vice Minister Li Yi, Lu Congyan, and the like greatly reformed former abuses; taking and rejecting were fair; comprehensive review had order.

時太平公主謀不利於玄宗，嘗於光範門內乘輦伺執政以諷之，眾皆失色。璟昌言曰：「東宮有大功於天下，真宗廟社稷之主，安得有異議！」乃與姚崇同奏請令公主就東都。玄宗懼，抗表請加璟罪於等，乃貶璟為楚州刺史。無幾，歷魏、兗、冀三州刺史，河北按察使。遷幽州都督、兼御史大夫。尋拜國子祭酒，兼東都留守。歲餘，轉京兆尹，復拜御史大夫，坐事出為睦州刺史，轉廣州都督，仍為五府經略使。廣州舊俗，皆以竹茅為屋，屢有火災。璟教人燒瓦，改造店肆，自是無復延燒之患，人皆懷惠，立頌以紀其政。

At that time Princess Taiping plotted harm to Emperor Xuanzong; she once at Guangfan Gate inside rode palanquin waiting for those directing government to admonish them; the multitude all changed color. Jing spoke openly, "The Eastern Palace has great merit for all under Heaven — truly the lord of the ancestral temple and altars; how can there be different opinion!" He then together with Yao Chong memorialized requesting the princess go to the Eastern Capital. Emperor Xuanzong feared; he resisted with a memorial requesting added punishment for Jing and the like; Jing was demoted to prefect of Chuzhou. Before long he served as prefect of Wei, Yan, and Ji and inspector of Hebei. He transferred to military governor of Youzhou and concurrent censor-in-chief. Soon he was appointed chancellor of the national university and concurrent Eastern Capital regent. After more than a year he transferred to metropolitan governor; again appointed censor-in-chief; because of an affair sent out as prefect of Muzhou, transferred to military governor of Guangzhou, still five-circuit frontier commissioner. Guangzhou's old custom all used bamboo and thatch for houses; repeatedly there were fires. Jing taught people to fire tiles and rebuild shops; from this there was no further spreading-burn calamity; people all cherished his grace and erected praise to record his governance.

開元初，征拜刑部尚書。四年，遷吏部尚書，兼黃門監。明年，官名改易，為侍中，累封廣平郡公。其秋，駕幸東都，次永寧之崤谷，馳道隘狹，車騎停擁，河南尹李朝隱、知頓使王怡並失於部伍，上令黜其官爵。璟入奏曰：「陛下富有春秋，方事巡狩，一以墊隘，致罪二臣，竊恐將來人受艱弊。」於是遽令舍之。璟曰：「陛下責之，以臣言免之，是過歸於上而恩由於下。請且使待罪於朝，然後詔復其職，則進退得其度矣。」上深善之。俄又令璟與中書侍郎蘇颋為皇子制名及封邑，並公主等邑號。璟等奏曰：「王子將封三十余國，周之麟趾，漢之犬牙，彼何足雲，於斯為盛。竊以郯、郟王等傍有古邑字，臣等以類推擇，謹件三十國名。又王子先有名者，皆上有『嗣』字，又公主邑號，亦選擇三十美名，皆文不害意，言足定體。又令臣等別撰一佳名及一美邑號者。七子均養，百王至仁，今若同等別封，或緣母寵子愛，骨肉之際，人所難言，天地之中，典有常度。昔袁盎降慎夫人之席，文帝竟納之，慎夫人亦不以為嫌，美其得久長之計。臣等故同進，更不別封，上彰覆載無偏之德。」上稱嘆之。

Early Kaiyuan he was summoned and appointed minister of punishments. In the fourth year he transferred to minister of personnel and concurrent director of the Yellow Gate. The next year office names were changed; he became chief minister; repeatedly enfeoffed as Duke of Guangping. That autumn the emperor visited the Eastern Capital, stopped at Yongning's Qiaogu Pass; the imperial road was narrow, carriages and horses halted crowded; Metropolitan Governor Li Chaoyin and provision commissioner Wang Yi both lost order in ranks; the emperor ordered stripping their offices and ranks. Jing entered and memorialized, "Your Majesty is rich in years, just undertaking inspection tour — because of one narrow place, causing crime to two ministers; I fear later people will suffer hardship." Thereupon he hastily ordered releasing them. Jing said, "Your Majesty blamed them; because of my words you released them — fault returns to above and grace comes from below. I request for now making them await punishment at court, then decree restoring their offices — then advance and retreat obtain their measure." The emperor deeply approved. Soon he ordered Jing and Vice Director of the Secretariat Su Ting to make princes' style names and enfeoffments, also princesses' fief names. Jing and the others memorialized, "Princes about to be enfeoffed more than thirty states — Zhou's Linzhi, Han's canine teeth, those how compare; in this it is abundant. I observe Princes of Tan and Jia and the like have nearby ancient fief characters; we by category selected — respectfully itemizing thirty state names. Also princes who already have names all have 'Heir' above; also princess fief names, also selecting thirty fine names — all text not harming meaning, words sufficient to fix form. Also ordered us separately to draft one fine name and one fine fief name. Seven sons equally nurtured — hundred kings' utmost benevolence; now if equal separate enfeoffment, perhaps because mother favors child love — between flesh and bone, what men find hard to speak; within Heaven and Earth, canon has constant measure. In the past Yuan Ang lowered Consort Shen's seat; Emperor Wen ultimately accepted it; Consort Shen also did not consider it offense, praising his obtaining the long-lasting plan. We therefore jointly advance, further not separately enfeoffing, above manifesting covering and carrying without partial virtue." The emperor praised it.

七年，開府儀同三司王皎卒，及將築墳，皎子駙馬都尉守一請同昭成皇后父竇孝諶故事，其墳高五丈一尺。璟及蘇颋請一依禮式，上初從之。翌日，又令準孝諶舊例。璟等上言曰：

In the seventh year Grand Master of the Palace with the Honor of Acting with the Same Three Ranks Wang Jiao died; when about to build the tomb, Jiao's son Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant Shouyi requested following the precedent of Empress Zhaocheng's father Dou Xiaochen — the tomb height five zhang one chi. Jing and Su Ting requested following ritual form; the emperor at first followed. The next day he again ordered following Xiaochen's old example. Jing and the others memorialized:

在外或云竇太尉墳甚高，取則不遠者。縱令往日無極言，其事偶行，令出一時，故非常式。又貞觀中文德皇后嫁所生女長樂公主，奏請儀註加於長公主，魏征諫云：「皇帝之姑姊為長公主，皇帝之女為公主，既有『長』字，合高於公主。若加於長公主，事甚不可。」引漢明故事云：「群臣欲封皇子為王，帝曰：『朕子豈敢與先帝子等。』」時太宗嘉納之。文德皇后奏降中使致謝於征。此則乾坤輔佐之間，綽有余裕。豈若韋庶人父追加王位，擅作邦陵，禍不旋踵，為天下笑。則犯顏逆耳，阿意順旨，不可同日而言也。

Outside some say Grand Marshal Dou's tomb is very high — take it and not far. Even if in past days there was no extreme speech, the matter happened to proceed — order came from one time, therefore not constant form. Also in Zhenguan Empress Wende's own-born daughter Princess Changle memorialized requesting ceremony and regulations added above the elder princess; Wei Zheng admonished, 'The emperor's paternal aunt and elder sister is elder princess, the emperor's daughter is princess — already having "elder," should be higher than princess. If added above elder princess, the matter greatly cannot be.' Citing Emperor Ming of Han's story, 'Ministers wished to enfeoff princes as kings; the emperor said, "How dare my sons compare to the former emperor's sons."' At that time Emperor Taizong gladly accepted. Empress Wende memorialized sending palace envoy to thank Zheng. This then between Heaven and Earth assisting — ample surplus. How like Consort Wei's father being posthumously granted princely rank, usurping making state tomb — calamity did not turn heel, becoming the world's laughter. Then offending the countenance and grating the ear, pleasing intent and following words — cannot be spoken of the same day.

況令之所載，預作紀綱，情既無窮，故為之制度，不因人以搖動，不變法以愛憎。頃謂金科玉條，蓋以此也。比來蕃夷等輩及城市閑人，遞以奢靡相高，不將禮儀為意。今以後父之寵，開府之榮，金穴玉衣之資，不憂少物；高墳大寢之役，不畏無人。百事皆出於官，一朝亦可以就。而臣等區區不已以聞，諒欲成朝廷之政，崇國母之德，化浹寰區，聲光竹素。倘中宮情不可奪，陛下不能苦違，即準一品合陪陵葬者，墳高三丈已上，四丈已下，降敕將同陪陵之例，即極是高下得宜。

Moreover what is recorded today pre-establishes regulation; feeling has no end, therefore making its system — not shaking because of persons, not changing law because of love and hate. Recently called golden rules and jade strips — mostly because of this. Recently foreigners and the like and idle men of cities, in turn taking extravagance as high, not taking ritual and ceremony as intent. Now with the empress's father's favor, the glory of acting with the same three ranks, gold-cave jade-garment resources — not worrying few things; high tomb great dwelling labor — not fearing no men. Hundred affairs all come from officials — one morning also can be completed. Yet we petty ones unceasingly report — surely wishing to complete court government, exalt the empress's virtue, transformation saturating the realm, fame and light on bamboo and silk. If the empress's feeling cannot be taken, Your Majesty cannot bitterly go against, then follow first rank combined accompanying-tomb burial — tomb height three zhang and above, four zhang and below; decree making it the accompanying-tomb example — then extremely high and low obtain fitness.

上謂璟等曰：「朕每事常欲正身以成綱紀，至於妻子，情豈有私？然人所難言，亦在於此。卿等乃能再三堅執，成朕美事，足使萬代之後，光揚我史策。」乃遣使賫彩絹四百匹分賜之。

The emperor said to Jing and the others, "I in every affair always wish to correct the person to complete regulation; regarding wife and children, how can feeling have private? Yet what men find hard to speak is also in this. You able repeatedly to firmly hold, completing my fine affair — sufficient to make after ten thousand generations, brightly raise my history and annals." He then sent envoys bearing four hundred bolts of colored silk to divide and bestow.

先是，朝集使每至春將還，多有改轉，率以為常，璟奏請一切勒還，絕其僥求之路。又禁斷惡錢，發使分道檢括銷毀之，頗招士庶所怨。俄授璟開府儀同三司，罷知政事。明年，京兆人權梁山構逆伏誅，制河南尹王怡馳傳往長安窮其枝黨。怡禁系極眾，久之未能決斷，乃詔璟兼京兆留守，並按覆其獄。璟至，惟罪元謀數人，其余緣梁山詐稱婚禮因假借得罪及脅從者，盡奏原之。十二年，駕又東巡，璟復為留守。上臨發，謂璟曰：「卿國之元老，為朕股肱耳目。今將巡洛邑，為別歷時，所有嘉謨嘉猷，宜相告也。」璟因極言得失，特賜彩絹等，仍手制曰：「所進之言，書之座右，出入觀省，以誡終身。」其見重如此。俄又兼吏部尚書。十七年，遷尚書右丞相，與張說、源乾曜同日拜官。敕太官設饌，太常奏樂，於尚書都省大會百僚。玄宗賦詩褒述，自寫與之。

Previously, assembly envoys each spring when about to return mostly had transfers — rate took it as constant; Jing memorialized requesting all be ordered back, cutting off their path of lucky seeking. Also prohibited bad coin, sent envoys by separate routes to inspect and destroy — greatly inviting scholars and commoners' resentment. Soon Jing was appointed grand master of the palace with the honor of acting with the same three ranks and removed from directing state affairs. The next year a person of Jingzhao, Quan Liangshan, constructed rebellion and was executed; an edict ordered Metropolitan Governor of Henan Wang Yi to ride express post to Chang'an to exhaust his branch party. Yi imprisoned extremely many; long unable to decide; then an edict ordered Jing to concurrently serve as metropolitan regent and jointly review the case. When Jing arrived, only several chief plotters were guilty; the rest who because of Liangshan's false claiming wedding and borrowing were guilty and coerced followers — all memorialized pardoned. In the twelfth year the emperor again toured east; Jing again served as regent. When the emperor was about to depart he said to Jing, "You are the state's elder, my arms, legs, ears and eyes. Now about to tour Luoyi — parting for a time; all fine plans and fine strategies, should be told each other." Jing thereby exhaustively stated gains and losses; specially granted colored silk and the like; still hand decree, 'Words advanced — write at the seatback; entering and exiting view and examine, to admonish lifelong.' He was valued thus. Soon he again concurrently served as minister of personnel. In the seventeenth year he transferred to right chancellor, with Zhang Shuo and Yuan Qianyao appointed office the same day. An edict ordered the Court of Imperial Entertainments to set feast, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to present music, at the Ministry of Works headquarters greatly assembling the hundred officials. Emperor Xuanzong composed verse to praise and narrate, personally writing and giving to them.

二十年，以年老上表曰：「臣聞力不足者，老則更衰；心無主者，疾而尤廢。臣昔聞其語，今驗諸身，況且兼之，何能為也。臣自拔跡幽介，欽屬盛明，才不逮人，藝非經國。復以久承驅策，歷參試用，命偶時來，榮因歲積。遂使再升臺座，三入冢司，進階開府，增封本郡。所更中外，已紊彜章，逮居端揆，左叨名職。何者？丞相官師之長，任重昔時；愚臣衰朽之余，用慚他日。位則愈盛，人則浸微，盡知其然，何居而可？頃僶俯從政，蒼黃不言，實懷覆載之德，冀竭涓塵之效。今積羸成憊，沈錮莫瘳，耳目更昏，手足多廢。顧惟殞越，寧遂宿心？安可以茍徇大名，仍屍重祿，且留章綬，不上闕庭。儀刑此乖，禮法何設？伏惟陛下審能以授，為官而擇，察臣之懇詞，矜臣之不逮，使罷歸私第，養疾衡門，上弭官謗，下知死所。則歸全之望，獲在愚臣；養老之恩，成於聖代。日暮途遠，天高聽卑，瞻望軒墀，伏深感戀。謹奉表陳乞以聞。」手敕許之，仍令全給祿俸。璟乃退歸東都私第，屏絕人事，以就醫藥。二十二年，駕幸東都，璟於路左迎謁，上遣榮王親勞問之，自是頻遣使送藥餌。二十五年薨，年七十五，贈太尉，謚曰文貞。

In the twentieth year, because of old age he memorialized, "I hear strength insufficient — old then further declines; heart without master — illness then especially disabled. I formerly heard this saying; now verify it on my body — moreover both together, how can it be done? I formerly pulled myself from obscure low station, admired the flourishing clarity; talent does not reach men, arts not governing the state. Again because long receiving driving, repeatedly participating in trial use; fate chanced time's coming, glory because years accumulated. Thereby twice ascending the terrace seat, thrice entering the tomb office, advancing rank to acting with the same three ranks, increasing enfeoffment in original commandery. Offices changed inside and outside already disordered canonical regulations; reaching occupying the summit, wrongly obtaining famous post. Why? Chancellor is head of officials and teachers, responsibility heavy in former times; foolish subject in decayed remnant years — use ashamed of other days. Position then ever more abundant, person then gradually slight — all know it is so; how dwell and can? Recently bending to follow government, flustered not speaking — truly cherishing covering and carrying virtue, hoping to exhaust tiny dust effect. Now accumulated weakness becomes exhaustion, sunken affliction not cured; ears and eyes further dim, hands and feet mostly disabled. Looking to falling over — how can long-cherished heart be fulfilled? How can one carelessly seek great name, still corpse heavy salary, yet retain seal and ribbon, not ascending the court gate? Model and punishment thereby violated — ritual and law how established? I humbly wish Your Majesty examining ability to grant, choosing officials for office, observing my earnest words, pitying my inadequacy, making me retire to private residence, nurture illness at my gate, above stopping official slander, below knowing place of death. Then the hope of returning whole obtains in foolish subject; nurturing old grace completes in sagely generation. Sunset road far, Heaven high hearing low — gazing at the court steps, bowing deep feeling and attachment. Respectfully offering memorial stating request to report." Hand edict permitted it; still ordered full salary paid. Jing then retired to Eastern Capital private residence, screening off human affairs, to seek medicine. In the twenty-second year the emperor visited the Eastern Capital; Jing at the road's left met and attended; the emperor sent Prince Rong personally to comfort and inquire; from this frequently sent envoys delivering medicine. In the twenty-fifth year he died, age seventy-five; posthumously appointed grand marshal, posthumous title Wénzhēn.

子昇，天寶初太仆少卿。次尚，漢東太守。次渾，與右相李林甫善，引為諫議大夫、平原太守、御史中丞、東京采訪使。次恕，都官郎中、劍南采訪判官，依倚權勢，頗為貪暴。渾在平原，重征一年庸調。作東畿采訪使，又使河南尉楊朝宗影娶妻鄭氏。鄭氏即薛稷外孫，姊為宗婦，孀居有色，渾有妻，使朝宗聘而渾納之，奏朝宗為赤尉。恕在劍南，有雒縣令崔珪，恕之表兄，妻美，恕誘而私之，而貶珪官。又養刺客李晏。至九載，並為人所發，贓私各數萬貫。林甫奏稱璟子渾就東京臺推，恕就本使劍南推，皆有實狀，渾流嶺南高要郡，恕流海康郡。尚，其載又為人訟其贓，貶臨海長史。其子華、衡，居官皆坐贓，相次流貶。其後渾會赦，量移至東陽郡下，請托過求，及役使人吏，求其資課，人不堪其弊，訟之，配流潯江郡。然兄弟盡善飲謔，俳優雜戲，衡最粗險，廣平之風教，無復存矣。廣德後，渾除太子諭德，為物議薄之，乃留寓於江嶺卒。

Son Sheng, early Tianbao vice director of the Court of the Imperial Stud. Second Shang, prefect of Handong. Third Hun, friendly with Right Chancellor Li Linfu, introduced as censor, prefect of Pingyuan, assistant censor-in-chief, Eastern Capital investigating commissioner. Fourth Shu, director in the Bureau of Justice and Sword-South investigating case officer — relying on power, quite greedy and violent. Hun at Pingyuan heavily levied one year's corvée and tax. As Eastern Capital investigating commissioner, he also made Henan district captain Yang Chaozong act for him to marry Lady Zheng. Lady Zheng was granddaughter of Xue Ji; elder sister was Zong's wife, widowed living with beauty; Hun had a wife, made Chaozong betroth and Hun received her, memorialized Chaozong as red-uniform district captain. Shu in Sword-South had Luoxian district captain Cui Gui — Shu's maternal cousin; wife beautiful; Shu enticed and privately took her, and demoted Gui's office. Also kept assassin Li Yan. By the ninth year all were reported by others; illicit wealth each several ten thousand strings. Linfu memorialized saying Jing's son Hun was pushed at Eastern Capital bureau, Shu at his own commission Sword-South — all had real circumstances; Hun exiled to Lingnan Gaoyao Commandery, Shu exiled to Haikang Commandery. Shang, that year again was sued by others for his illicit wealth, demoted to chief administrator of Linhai. His sons Hua and Heng, in office all sat for illicit wealth, successively exiled. Later Hun met amnesty, quantitatively moved to Dongyang Commandery lower; requesting favors over-seeking, and employing and driving officials and clerks, seeking his tax levy — people could not bear the harm, sued; assigned exile to Xunjiang Commandery. Yet the brothers all excelled at drinking and jest, actors and mixed plays; Heng was most crude and dangerous — Guangping's wind and teaching, no longer existed. After Guangde, Hun was appointed junior tutor of the heir apparent; public opinion slighted him; he then lodged at rivers and ranges and died.

史臣曰：履艱危則易見良臣，處平定則難彰賢相。故房、杜預創業之功，不可儔匹。而姚、宋經武、韋二後，政亂刑淫，頗涉履於中，克全聲跡，抑無愧焉。

The historiographer says: Treading danger then good ministers easily appear; dwelling in peace then hard to manifest worthy chancellors. Therefore Fang and Du's merit in founding enterprise cannot be matched. Yet Yao and Song after Empress Wu and Zhongzong, government chaotic punishment excessive, quite treading the middle, completely preserving fame and traces — also without shame.

贊曰：姚、宋入用，刑政多端。為政匪易，防刑益難。諫諍以猛，施張用寬。不有其道，將何以安？

Praise says: Yao and Song entered use, punishment and government many-sided. Governing is not easy, guarding punishment harder still. Admonition and remonstrance with sternness, application and expansion with breadth. Without their Way, how obtain peace?

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