1
崔光遠，滑州靈昌人也。 本博陵舊族。 祖敬嗣，好樗蒱飲酒。 則天初，為房州刺史。 中宗為廬陵王，安置在州，官吏多無禮度，敬嗣獨以親賢待之，供給豐贍，中宗深德之。 及登位，有益州長史崔敬嗣，既同姓名，每進擬官，皆御筆超拜之者數四。 後引與語，始知誤寵。 訪敬嗣已卒，乃遣中書令韋安石授其子汪官。 汪嗜酒不堪職任，且授洛州司功，又改五品。
Cui Guangyuan came from Lingchang in Huazhou. He was descended from the old Boling aristocracy. His grandfather Jingsi was fond of gambling at chuck-a-luck and of wine. In the early years of Empress Wu, he served as prefect of Fangzhou. When Zhongzong was Prince of Luling and was kept at Fangzhou, most officials treated him without proper respect; only Jingsi received him as kin and as a man of worth and provided for him lavishly, and Zhongzong never forgot his kindness. After Zhongzong took the throne, a chief administrator of Yizhou named Cui Jingsi shared the same name, and on four separate occasions when appointments were proposed the emperor personally marked him for extraordinary promotion. Only when he later summoned the man to court did he discover his mistake. On learning that Jingsi was dead, he sent Chief Minister Wei Anshi to grant an office to his son Wang. Wang drank heavily and could not hold office, so he was first made Registrar of Luozhou and later demoted to fifth rank.
2
光遠即汪之子，雖無學術，頗有祖風，勇決任氣，身長六尺余，目睛白黑分明。 少歷仕州縣。 開元末為蜀州唐安令，與楊國忠以博徒相得，累遷至左贊善大夫。 天寶十一載，京兆尹鮮于仲通舉光遠為長安令。 十四載，遷京兆少尹。 其載，使吐蕃吊祭。 十五載五月，使回。 十余日，潼關失守，玄宗幸蜀，詔留光遠為京兆尹、兼御史中丞，充西京留守采訪使。 駕發，百姓亂入宮禁，取左藏大盈庫物，既而焚之，自旦及午，火勢漸盛，亦有乘驢上紫宸、興慶殿者。 光遠與中官將軍邊令誠號令百姓救火，又募人攝府縣官分守之，殺十數人方定。 使其息東見祿山，祿山大悅，偽敕復本官。 先是祿山已令張休攝京兆尹十余日，既得光遠歸款，召休歸洛。 八月，同羅背祿山，以廄馬二千出至浐水。 孫孝哲、安神威從而召之，不得，神威懼而憂死，府縣官吏驚走，獄囚皆空。 光遠以為賊且逃矣，命所由守神威孝哲宅。 孝哲以光遠之狀報祿山。 光遠閉府門，斬為盜曳落河二人，遂與長安令蘇震等同出。 至開遠門，使人前謂門官曰：「尹巡諸門。」 門官具器仗以迎，至則皆斬之。 領府縣官十余人，於京西號令百姓，赴召者百余人，夜過咸陽，遂達靈武。 上喜之，擢拜御史大夫，兼京兆尹，仍使光遠於渭北召集人吏之歸順者。 嘗有賊剽掠涇陽縣界，於僧寺中椎牛釃酒，連夜酣飲，去光遠營四十里。 光遠偵知之，率馬步二千乙夜趨其所。 賊徒多醉，光遠領百余騎持滿扼其要，分命驍勇持陌刀呼而斬之，殺賊徒二千余人，虜馬千疋，俘其渠酋一人。 賊中以光遠勇勁，常避其鋒。 及扈從還京，論功行賞，制曰：「持節京畿采訪、計會、招召、宣慰、處置等使崔光遠，毀家成國，致命前茅。 可特進，行禮部尚書，封鄴國公，食實封三百戶。」
Guangyuan was Wang's son. He lacked scholarship but had something of his grandfather's temper: bold, impulsive, and over six feet tall, with eyes whose whites and pupils were sharply defined. As a young man he held posts in one prefecture and county after another. Late in the Kaiyuan period he was magistrate of Tang'an in Shuzhou, became close to Yang Guozhong through gambling, and was promoted step by step to Left Guardian of the Heir Apparent. In Tianbao year 11, Metropolitan Governor Xianyu Zhongtong recommended Guangyuan as magistrate of Chang'an. In year 14 he became Metropolitan Vice Governor. That same year he was dispatched to Tibet for condolence rites. In the fifth month of year 15 he returned from his mission. Ten-odd days later, after Tong Pass was lost and Xuanzong fled toward Shu, Guangyuan was ordered to remain as Metropolitan Governor and Vice Censor-in-Chief and to serve as garrison and investigation commissioner for the western capital. As the court left the city, crowds stormed the palace, stripped the Left Storehouse and Great Abundance Treasury, and set them ablaze; from morning until midday the fire grew, and some rode donkeys onto the Zichen and Xingqing palace halls. Guangyuan and the eunuch general Bian Lingcheng directed the populace to fight the fire, appointed temporary prefectural and county officers to hold districts, and had more than a dozen men executed before calm returned. He sent his son Dong to An Lushan, who was delighted and issued a forged edict restoring Guangyuan to his former post. Lushan had already placed Zhang Xiu in charge of the metropolitan government for over ten days; when Guangyuan came over, Xiu was summoned back to Luoyang. In the eighth month the Tongluo rebelled against Lushan and drove two thousand imperial horses out toward Chan River. Sun Xiaozhe and An Shenwei went to recall them without success; Shenwei died of fright, officials fled, and the jails were emptied. Believing the rebels were about to run, Guangyuan ordered men to guard Shenwei's and Xiaozhe's houses. Xiaozhe reported Guangyuan's actions to Lushan. Guangyuan closed the yamen, executed two robbers called yeluohe, and fled with Metropolitan Magistrate Su Zhen and others. At Kaiyuan Gate he sent someone ahead to say, "The metropolitan governor is making his rounds of the gates. The gate guards armed themselves to welcome him—and he had every one of them killed. With a dozen prefectural and county officials he rallied people west of the capital; more than a hundred joined him, crossed Xianyang by night, and reached Lingwu. The emperor was pleased, made him Censor-in-Chief and Metropolitan Governor, and sent him north of the Wei to gather officials and commoners who had come over. Bandits once raided Jingyang County, butchered an ox and poured wine in a temple, and caroused all night forty li from Guangyuan's camp. Guangyuan learned of it through scouts and at the second watch led two thousand horse and foot to the spot. Most were drunk. Guangyuan took a hundred-odd mounted archers to hold the choke point, sent picked men with broad blades to cut them down, killed over two thousand, seized a thousand horses, and captured one chieftain. Rebels knew him for ferocity and generally kept clear of him. On the return to Chang'an, an edict praised "Cui Guangyuan, commissioner for metropolitan investigation, accounting, recruitment, consolation, and disposition, who ruined his household for the state and staked his life at the van. He was to receive Special Advancement, act as Minister of Rites, and be enfeoffed Duke of Ye with three hundred households of substantive fief.
3
乾元元年，兼御史大夫。 五月，為河南節度使。 八月，代張鎬為汴州刺史，兼本州防禦使。 十二月，代蕭華為魏州刺史，充魏州節度使。 初，司徒郭子儀與賊戰於汲郡，光遠率汴師千人渡河援之。 及代蕭華入魏州，使將軍李處崟拒賊，賊大至，連戰不利，子儀怒不救，處崟遂敗，奔還。 賊逐處崟至城下，反問之曰：「處崟召我來，何為不出？」 光遠乃腰斬處崟。 處崟善戰有勇，眾皆倚之，及死，人用危懼。 魏州城自祿山反，袁知泰、能元皓等皆繕完之，甚為堅峻。 光遠不能守，遂夜潰圍而出，度河而還。 肅宗不之罪，除太子少保。
In Qianyuan 1 he also served as Censor-in-Chief. In the fifth month he became Henan military commissioner. In the eighth month he replaced Zhang Gao as prefect of Bianzhou and defense commissioner of the prefecture. In the twelfth month he replaced Xiao Hua as prefect of Weizhou and military commissioner of Weizhou. Earlier Grand Marshal Guo Ziyi had fought rebels at Ji, and Guangyuan led a thousand Bian troops across the river to aid him. After replacing Xiao Hua at Weizhou he sent General Li Chuyin against the rebels; they came in strength, fighting went poorly, Ziyi in anger would not help, and Chuyin was beaten and fled back. Pursuing Chuyin to the walls, the rebels shouted, "Chuyin called us here—why won't you come out? Guangyuan had Chuyin cut in two at the waist. Chuyin was a capable, brave fighter whom the army trusted; after his death the men were terrified. Since Lushan's revolt Yuan Zhita, Neng Yuanhao, and others had repaired Weizhou until its defenses were very strong. Unable to hold the city, he broke out at night, crossed the river, and withdrew. Suzong did not punish him and made him Junior Mentor of the Heir Apparent.
4
房琯，河南人，天後朝正議大夫、平章事融之子也。 琯少好學，風儀沈整，以門廕補弘文生。 性好隱遁，與東平呂向於陸渾伊陽山中讀書為事，凡十余歲。 開元十二年，玄宗將封岱嶽，琯撰《封禪書》一篇及箋啟以獻。 中書令張說奇其才，奏授秘書省校書郎，調補同州馮翊尉。 無幾去官，應堪任縣令舉，授虢州盧氏令，政多惠愛，人稱美之。 二十二年，拜監察御史。 其年坐鞫獄不當，貶睦州司戶。 歷慈溪、宋城、濟源縣令，所在為政，多興利除害，繕理廨宇，頗著能名。 天寶元年，拜主客員外郎。 三年，遷試主客郎中。 五年正月，擢試給事中，賜爵漳南縣男。 時玄宗企慕古道，數遊幸近甸，乃分新豐縣置會昌縣於驪山下，尋改會昌為昭應縣，又改溫泉宮為華清宮，於宮所立百司廨舍。 以琯雅有巧思，令充使繕理。 事未畢，坐與李適之、韋堅等善，貶宜春太守。 歷瑯邪、鄴郡、扶風三太守，所至多有遺愛。 十四年，征拜左庶子，遷憲部侍郎。
Fang Guan, a native of Henan, was the son of Zheng Yilang Grandee and Grand Councillor Rong from Empress Wu's court. As a youth Guan loved learning and bore himself with grave composure; by yin privilege he entered the Hongwen Academy. He was drawn to reclusion and spent more than ten years in the Luhun and Yiyang mountains reading with Lü Xiang of Dongping. In Kaiyuan 12, as Xuanzong prepared to perform the Feng and Shan rites at Mount Tai, Guan submitted his 《Fengshan Shu》 and memorials. Chief Minister Zhang Yue admired his talent, had him appointed collator in the Secretariat, and transferred him to be Wei of Fengyi in Tongzhou. Soon he resigned; recommended as fit for county magistrate, he was made magistrate of Lushi in Guozhou, governed with kindness, and won praise. In year 22 he was made investigating censor. That year, for mishandling a trial, he was demoted to Registrar of Muzhou. He served as magistrate of Cixi, Songcheng, and Jiyuan in turn; everywhere he promoted public good, removed abuses, repaired yamens, and gained a reputation for competence. In Tianbao 1 he was made vice director of the Bureau of Receptions. In year 3 he became acting director of the Bureau of Receptions. In the first month of year 5 he was promoted to acting supervising secretary and enfeoffed Baron of Zhangnan. Xuanzong then admired antiquity and often visited the suburbs near the capital; he split off Huichang from Xinfeng below Mount Li, renamed it Zhaoying, turned the Hot Spring Palace into Huaqing Palace, and built offices for the hundred bureaus there. Because Guan was known for elegant ingenuity, he was put in charge of the construction. Before the work was finished, association with Li Shizhi and Wei Jian brought demotion to prefect of Yichun. He then governed Langye, Ye, and Fufeng in succession, leaving affection wherever he served. In year 14 he was summoned as Left Subordinate of the Heir Apparent and made Vice Minister of Justice.
5
十五年六月，玄宗蒼黃幸蜀，大臣陳希烈、張倚等銜於失恩，不時赴難。 琯結張均、張垍兄弟與韋述等行至城南十數里山寺，均、垍同行，皆以家在城中，逗留不進，琯獨馳蜀路。 七月，至普安郡謁見，玄宗大悅，即日拜文部尚書、同中書門下平章事，賜紫金魚袋。 從幸成都，加銀青光祿大夫，仍與一子官。 其年八月，與左相韋見素、門下侍郎崔渙等奉使靈武，冊立肅宗。 至順化郡謁見，陳上皇傳付之旨，因言時事，詞情慷慨，肅宗為之改容。 時潼關敗將王思禮、呂崇賁、李承光等引於纛下，將斬之，琯從容救諫，獨斬承光而已。 肅宗以琯素有重名，傾意待之，琯亦自負其才，以天下為己任。 時行在機務，多決之於琯，凡有大事，諸將無敢預言。 尋抗疏自請將兵以誅寇孽，收復京都，肅宗望其成功，許之。 詔加持節、招討西京兼防禦蒲潼兩關兵馬節度等使，乃與子儀、光弼等計會進兵。 琯請自選參佐，乃以禦中史中丞鄧景山為副，戶部侍郎李揖為行軍司馬，中丞宋若思、起居郎知制誥賈至、右司郎中魏少遊為判官，給事中劉秩為參謀。 既行，又令兵部尚書王思禮副之。 琯分為三軍：遣楊希文將南軍，自宜壽入； 劉悊將中軍，自武功入； 李光進將北軍，自奉天入。 琯自將中軍，為前鋒。 十月庚子，師次便橋。 辛丑，二軍先遇賊於咸陽縣之陳濤斜，接戰，官軍敗績。 時琯用春秋車戰之法，以車二千乘，馬步夾之。 既戰，賊順風揚塵鼓噪，牛皆震駭，因縛芻縱火焚之，人畜撓敗，為所傷殺者四萬余人，存者數千而已。 癸卯，琯又率南軍即戰，復敗，希文、劉悊並降於賊。 琯等奔赴行在，肉袒請罪，上並宥之。
In the sixth month of year 15 Xuanzong fled in panic to Shu; ministers Chen Xilie and Zhang Yi, bitter over lost favor, did not hurry to his side. Guan joined Zhang Jun and Zhang Ya with Wei Shu and reached a mountain temple south of the city; the Zhang brothers, with kin in the capital, hung back, while Guan alone raced toward Shu. In the seventh month he presented himself at Pu'an; Xuanzong was delighted and that day made him Minister of Culture, Grand Councillor, and gave him the gold-and-purple fish bag. He followed the court to Chengdu, received Silver and Blue Glory Grandee rank, and an office for one son. That eighth month, with Left Chancellor Wei Jiansu and Vice Director Cui Huan, he went to Lingwu to invest Suzong. At Shunhua he delivered the retired emperor's charge and spoke on affairs of the day with passion, and Suzong's face changed. Defeated Tong Pass generals Wang Sili, Lü Chongben, and Li Chengguang were brought to the standards for execution; Guan calmly argued them down, and only Chengguang was killed. Suzong, knowing Guan's long-standing fame, favored him wholeheartedly; Guan in turn trusted his own gifts and took the realm as his responsibility. At the mobile court most affairs were settled by Guan; on major matters the generals hardly dared speak. He soon asked in a memorial to lead troops against the rebels and recover the capital; Suzong hoped he would succeed and agreed. He was given full powers to reconnoiter the western capital and command the Pu and Tong garrisons, and planned advances with Ziyi and Guangbi. Guan chose his staff: Vice Censor-in-Chief Deng Jingshan as deputy, Vice Minister Li Yi as army marshal, Song Ruosi, Jia Zhi, and Wei Shaoyou as judges, and Liu Zhi as adviser. After he marched, Minister of War Wang Sili was added as deputy. Guan divided his force: Yang Xiwen would lead the southern army in from Yishou; Liu Ti the central army from Wugong; Li Guangjin the northern army from Fengtian. Guan himself commanded the central army as vanguard. On gengzi in the tenth month the army camped at Bian Bridge. On xinchou two armies met the rebels at Chentaoxie in Xianyang and were routed. Guan fought by Spring and Autumn chariot rules, with two thousand chariots flanked by infantry and cavalry. In battle the rebels, wind at their backs, raised dust and clamor; oxen panicked, fodder was fired, men and beasts broke, more than forty thousand were killed or hurt, and only thousands remained. On guimao Guan led the southern army again, lost again, and Xiwen and Liu Ti surrendered. Guan and his party rushed to the mobile court, stripped to the waist to beg punishment, and were all pardoned.
6
琯好賓客，喜談論，用兵素非所長，而天子采其虛聲，冀成實效。 琯既自無廟勝，又以虛名擇將吏，以至於敗。 琯之出師，戎務一委於李揖、劉秩，秩等亦儒家子，未嘗習軍旅之事。 琯臨戎謂人曰：「逆黨曳落河雖多，豈能當我劉秩等？」 及與賊對壘，琯欲持重以伺之，為中使邢延恩等督戰，蒼黃失據，遂及於敗。 上猶待之如初，仍令收合散卒，更圖進取。
Guan loved guests and talk; war was never his strength, yet the emperor seized on his name and hoped for deeds. He had no strategy and picked commanders for reputation alone—and so he fell. On campaign he left war to Li Yi and Liu Zhi, Confucian scholars who had never soldiered. Before battle he said, "However many rebel yeluohe there are, can they match my Liu Zhi? Facing the enemy he wanted to wait, but eunuchs such as Xing Yan'en forced action; he lost his footing and was beaten. The emperor still treated him as before and told him to regather troops and try again.
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會北海太守賀蘭進明自河南至，詔授南海太守，攝御史大夫，充嶺南節度使。 中謝，肅宗謂之曰：「朕處分房琯與卿正大夫，何為攝也？」 進明對曰：「琯與臣有隙。」 上以為然。 進明因奏曰：「陛下知晉朝何以至亂？」 上曰：「卿有說乎？」 進明曰：「晉朝以好尚虛名，任王夷甫為宰相，祖習浮華，故至於敗。 今陛下方興復社稷，當委用實才，而琯性疏闊，徒大言耳，非宰相器也。 陛下待琯至厚，以臣觀之，琯終不為陛下用。」 上問其故，進明曰：「琯昨於南朝為聖皇制置天下，乃以永王為江南節度，潁王為劍南節度，盛王為淮南節度，制雲『命元子北略朔方，命諸王分守重鎮』。 且太子出為撫軍，入曰監國，琯乃以枝庶悉領大籓，皇儲反居邊鄙，此雖於聖皇似忠，於陛下非忠也。 琯立此意，以為聖皇諸子，但一人得天下，即不失恩寵。 又各樹其私黨劉秩、李揖、劉匯、鄧景山、竇紹之徒，以副戎權。 推此而言，琯豈肯盡誠於陛下乎？ 臣欲正衙彈劾，不敢不先聞奏。」 上由是惡琯，詔以進明為河南節度、兼御史大夫。
When Beihai Prefect Helan Jinming arrived from Henan, an edict made him Nanhai prefect, acting Censor-in-Chief, and Lingnan commissioner. At thanksgiving audience Suzong said, "I made Fang Guan and you chief ministers—why are you only acting? Jinming answered, "Guan and I are at odds." The emperor thought that plausible. Jinming then asked, "Does Your Majesty know why the Jin fell into chaos? The emperor said, "What is your view?" Jinming said, "The Jin honored empty fame, put Wang Yifu in the chancellery, and clung to flashy habits until the state collapsed. Now Your Majesty is reviving the realm and should use real talent; Guan is loose and grandiloquent—not chancellor timber. You treat Guan lavishly, yet I do not believe he will ever serve you faithfully." Asked why, Jinming said that at the southern court Guan had made Prince Yong Jiangnan commissioner, Prince Ying Jiannan commissioner, Prince Sheng Huainan commissioner, and written that the heir should march north while every prince held a great fief. The heir goes out as commander and in as regent; Guan gave every collateral prince a great post and left the heir on the border—perhaps loyal to the retired emperor, but not to you. His plan assumed that among the retired emperor's sons, whoever won the throne would still favor him. He planted private men—Liu Zhi, Li Yi, Liu Hui, Deng Jingshan, Dou Shao—to share command. By that logic, would he ever give you his whole heart? I mean to impeach him at court but dared report to you first. The emperor turned against Guan and made Jinming Henan commissioner and Censor-in-Chief.
8
崔圓本蜀中拜相，肅宗幸扶風，始來朝謁。 琯意以為圓才到，當即免相，故待圓禮薄。 圓厚結李輔國，到後數日，頗承恩渥，亦憾於琯。 琯又多稱病，不時朝謁，於政事簡惰。 時議以兩京陷賊，車駕出次外郊，天下人心惴恐。 當主憂臣辱之際，此時琯為宰相，略無匪懈之意，但與庶子劉秩、諫議李揖、何忌等高談虛論，說釋氏因果、老子虛無而已。 此外，則聽董庭蘭彈琴，大招集琴客筵宴。 朝官往往因庭蘭以見琯，自是亦大招納貨賄，奸贓頗甚。 顏真卿時為大夫，彈何忌不孝，琯既黨何忌，遽托以酒醉入朝，貶為西平郡司馬。 憲司又奏彈董庭蘭招納貨賄，琯入朝自訴，上叱出之，因歸私第，不敢預人事。 諫議大夫張鎬上疏，言琯大臣，門客受贓，不宜見累。 二年五月，貶為太子少師，仍以鎬代琯為宰相。 其年十一月，從肅宗還京師。 十二月，大赦，策勛行賞，加琯金紫光祿大夫，進封清河郡公。 琯既在散位，朝臣多以為言，琯亦常自言有文武之用，合當國家驅策，冀蒙任遇。 又招納賓客，朝夕盈門，遊其門者，又將琯言議暴揚於朝。 琯又多稱疾，上頗不悅。 乾元元年六月，詔曰：
Cui Yuan had been made chancellor in Shu; when Suzong reached Fufeng, Yuan first presented himself. Guan assumed Yuan would soon be dismissed and treated him coldly. Yuan courted Li Fuguo, won favor within days, and resented Guan in turn. Guan often pleaded illness, skipped court, and neglected affairs. Both capitals had fallen and the court was in the field; the realm was afraid. When the ruler should mourn and ministers blush, Guan as chancellor showed no diligence—only talked karma and Laozi with Liu Zhi, Li Yi, and He Ji. Otherwise he listened to Dong Tinglan on the qin and held banquets for musicians. Officials reached him through Tinglan, and he took heavy bribes. Yan Zhenqing impeached He Ji for unfilial conduct; Guan protected He Ji, feigned drunkenness at court, and had Zhenqing demoted. The censorate impeached Tinglan for bribes; Guan pleaded at court, was shouted away, went home, and dared not meddle. Censor Zhang Gao said a great minister should not be stained by retainers' bribes. In the fifth month of year 2 he was demoted to Junior Mentor; Gao replaced him. That eleventh month he followed Suzong to Chang'an. At the twelfth-month amnesty he received Gold and Purple Glory Grandee rank and was made Duke of Qinghe. Out of office, courtiers still spoke for him; he claimed civil and military gifts and hoped to be used. He again filled his house with guests, and visitors spread his opinions at court. He often pleaded illness, and the emperor grew annoyed. In Qianyuan 1, sixth month, an edict declared:
9
崇黨近名，實為害政之本； 黜華去薄，方啟至公之路。 房琯素表文學，夙推名器，由是累階清貴，致位臺衡。 而率情自任，怙氣恃權。 虛浮簡傲者進為同人，溫讓謹令者捐於異路。 所以輔佐之際，謀猷匪弘。 頃者時屬艱難，擢居將相，朕永懷反席，冀有成功。 而喪我師徒，既虧制勝之任； 升其親友，悉彰浮誕之跡。 曾未逾時，遽從敗績。 自合首明軍令，以謝師旅，猶尚矜其萬死，擢以三孤。
Favoring cliques and chasing fame harms government at the root; casting off display opens the road to true fairness. Fang Guan rose on literary fame to the highest offices. Yet he indulged feeling and arrogant power. The frivolous advanced; the careful were pushed aside. In counsel his plans were never broad. Raised in crisis, I hoped he would succeed. He lost armies and failed to win; he promoted kin and friends in frivolous fashion. Soon he was beaten. By law he should have died; I spared him and made him one of the Three Excellencies.
10
或云緣其切直，遂見斥退。 朕示以堂案，令觀所以，鹹知乖舛，曠於政事。 誠宜效茲忠懇，以奉國家，而乃多稱疾疹，莫申朝謁。 郤犨為政，曾不疾其迂回； 亞夫事君，翻有懷於郁怏。 又與前國子祭酒劉秩、前京兆少尹嚴武等潛為交結，輕肆言談，有朋黨不公之名，違臣子奉上之體。 何以儀刑王國，訓導儲闈？ 但以嘗踐臺司，未忍致之於理。 況秩、武遽更相尚，同務虛求，不議典章，何成沮勸？ 宜從貶秩，俾守外籓。 琯可邠州刺史，秩可閬州刺史，武可巴州刺史，散官、封如故； 並即馳驛赴任，庶各增修。 朕自臨禦寰區，薦延多士，常思聿求賢哲，共致雍熙。 深嫉比周之徒，虛偽成俗。 今茲所譴，實屬其辜。 猶以琯等妄自標持，假延浮稱，雖周行具悉，恐流俗多疑，所以事必縷言，蓋欲人知不濫。 凡百卿士，宜悉朕懷。
Some say blunt honesty caused his dismissal. I showed him records of his errors in government. He should serve loyally, yet claims illness and skips court. Xi Que did not fault roundabout ways; Zhou Yafu harbored gloom serving his lord. He secretly joined Liu Zhi and Yan Wu in reckless talk, factional and disloyal. How can he model the realm or instruct the heir? Because he once held high office I have not prosecuted him. Zhi and Wu flatter each other in emptiness—what example is that? They should be demoted to outer prefectures. Guan to Binzhou, Zhi to Langzhou, Wu to Bazhou; ranks unchanged; each is to hurry by post to his post and reform. Since I took the throne I have sought worthy men for peace. I hate factions and falsity. Today's punishments fit their guilt. Though the court knows them, I speak in detail lest the crowd think me arbitrary. All ministers should understand my intent.
11
孺復，琯之孽子也。 少黠慧，年七八歲，即粗解綴文，親黨奇之。 稍長，狂疏傲慢，任情縱欲。 年二十，淮南節度陳少遊辟為從事，多招陰陽巫覡，令揚言已過三十必為宰相。 德宗幸奉天，包佶掌賦於揚州，少遊將抑奪之。 佶聞而奔出，少遊方遣人劫佶令回，孺復請行，會佶已過江南，乃還。 及少遊卒，浙西節度韓滉又辟入幕。 其長兄宗偃先貶官嶺下而卒，及喪柩到揚州，孺復未嘗吊。 初娶鄭氏，惡賤其妻，多畜婢仆，妻之保母累言之，孺復乃先具棺櫬而集家人，生斂保母，遠近驚異。 及妻在產蓐三四日，遽令上船即路，數日，妻遇風而卒。 孺復以宰相子，年少有浮名，而奸惡未甚露，累拜杭州刺史。 又娶臺州刺史崔昭女，崔妒悍甚，一夕杖殺孺復待兒二人，埋之雪中。 觀察使聞之，詔發使鞫案有實，孺復坐貶連州司馬，仍令與崔氏離異。 孺復久之遷辰州刺史，改容州刺史、本管經略使。 乃潛與妻往來，久而上疏請合，詔從之。 二歲餘，又奏與崔氏離異，其為取舍恣逸，不顧禮法也如此。 貞元十三年九月卒，時年四十二。
Rufu was Guan's bastard son. As a boy he was clever; at seven or eight he could compose, and kin marveled. Older, he was wild, rude, and self-indulgent. At twenty Chen Shaoyou made him an aide; shamans said he would be chancellor after thirty. When Dezong reached Fengtian, Bao Ji managed Yangzhou taxes and Shaoyou meant to seize them. Ji fled; Shaoyou sent men to force him back; Rufu volunteered, but Ji was already south of the river. After Shaoyou died, Han Huang of Zhexi took him on staff. His brother Zongyan had died in exile; when the coffin reached Yangzhou Rufu did not mourn. He married a Zheng, despised her, kept maids; when her nurse complained he buried the nurse alive—shocking all. While his wife lay in childbirth he put her on a ship; days later she died in a storm. As a chancellor's son with a name, though wickedness was hidden, he became Hangzhou prefect. He married Cui Zhao's daughter; she beat two attendants to death and buried them in snow. Investigation proved it; he was demoted to Lianzhou Sima and divorced. Later he was Chenzhou prefect, then Rongzhou prefect and commissioner. He secretly reunited with his wife and later won permission to remarry. Two years later he divorced her again—heedless of ritual. In Zhenyuan 13, ninth month, he died at forty-two.
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式，琯之侄，舉進士。 李泌觀察陜州，辟為從事。 泌入為相，累遷起居郎，出入泌門，為其耳目。 及泌卒，再除忠州刺史，韋臯表為雲南安撫使，兼御史中丞。 臯卒，詔除兵部郎中。 屬劉辟反，式留不得行。 性便佞，又懼辟，每於座中數贊辟之德美，比之劉備，同陷於賊者皆惡之。 高崇文既至成都，式與王良士、崔從、盧士玖等白衣麻蹻銜土請罪，崇文寬禮之，乃表其狀，尋除吏部郎中。 時河朔節度劉濟、王士真、張茂昭皆以兵壯氣豪，相持短長，屢以表聞，叠請加罪。 上欲止其兵，李吉甫薦式為給事中，將命於河朔。 式歷使諸鎮諷諭之，還奏愜旨，除陜虢觀察使、兼御史中丞，轉河南尹。 時討王丞宗於鎮州，配河南府饋運車四千兩，式表以兇旱，人貧力微，難以征發，憲宗可其奏，既免力役，人懷而安之。 明年，移授宣歙池觀察使。 元和七年七月卒，贈左散騎常侍。
Shi was Guan's nephew and a jinshi. Li Bi at Shaanzhou made him an aide. When Bi became chancellor Shi became Attendant and served as his eyes and ears. After Bi's death he was Zhongzhou prefect; Wei Gao made him Yunnan pacification commissioner. When Gao died he was made director in the Ministry of War. Liu Pi rebelled and Shi could not leave. Fawning and afraid of Pi, he praised Pi like Liu Bei—hated by loyalists. Chongwen pardoned Shi and soon made him Personnel director. Hebei commissioners Liu Ji, Wang Shizhen, and Zhang Maozhao were strong and quarrelsome. The emperor wanted peace; Li Jifu recommended Shi as envoy. His mission pleased the throne; he became Shaan-Guo commissioner, then Henan governor. During the Zhenzhou campaign he won relief from impossible levies. Next year he became Xu-Xuan-Chi commissioner. In Yuanhe 7, seventh month, he died; posthumously Left Regular Attendant.
13
張鎬，博州人也。 風儀魁岸，廓落有大志，涉獵經史，好談王霸大略。 少時師事吳兢，兢甚重之。 後遊京師，端居一室，不交世務。 性嗜酒，好琴，常置座右。 公卿或有邀之者，鎬仗策徑往，求醉而已。
Zhang Gao was from Bozhou. Imposing in bearing, ambitious, learned, fond of grand strategy. In youth he studied under Wu Jing, who valued him. In the capital he lived alone and shunned worldly affairs. He loved wine and the qin and kept them at hand. When invited he went staff in hand seeking only drink.
14
天寶末，楊國忠以聲名自高，搜天下奇傑。 聞鎬名，召見薦之，自褐衣拜左拾遺。 及祿山阻兵，國忠屢以軍國事咨於鎬，鎬舉贊善大夫來瑱可當方面之寄。 數月，玄宗幸蜀，鎬自山谷徒步扈從。 肅宗即位，玄宗遣鎬赴行在所。 鎬至鳳翔，奏識多有弘益，拜諫議大夫，尋遷中書侍郎、同中書門下平章事。 時供奉僧在內道場晨夜念佛，動數百人，聲聞禁外。 鎬奏曰：「臣聞天子修福，要在安養含生，靖一風化，未聞區區僧教，以致太平。 伏願陛下以無為為心，不以小乘而撓聖慮。」 肅宗甚然之。 時方興軍戎，帝註意將帥，以鎬有文武才，尋命兼河南節度使，持節都統淮南等道諸軍事。 鎬既發，會張巡宋州圍急，倍道兼進，傳檄濠州刺史閭丘曉引兵出救。 曉素愎戾，馭下少恩，好獨任己。 及鎬信至，略無稟命，又慮兵敗，禍及於己，遂逗留不進。 鎬至淮口，宋州已陷，鎬怒曉，即杖殺之。 及收復兩京，加鎬銀青光祿大夫，封南陽郡公，詔以本軍鎮汴州，招討殘孽。 時賊帥史思明表請以范陽歸順，鎬揣知其偽，恐朝廷許之，手書密表奏曰：「思明兇豎，因逆竊位，兵強則眾附，勢奪則人離。 包藏不測，禽獸無異，可以計取，難以義招。 伏望不以威權假之。」 又曰：「滑州防禦使許叔冀，性狡多謀，臨難必變，望追入宿衛。」 肅宗計意已定，表入不省。 鎬為人簡淡，不事中要。 會有宦官自范陽及滑州使還者，皆言思明、叔冀之誠愨。 肅宗以鎬不切事機，遂罷相位，授荊州大都督府長史。 後思明、叔冀之偽皆符鎬言。 尋征為太子賓客，改左散騎常侍。 屬嗣岐王珍被誣告構逆伏法，鎬買珍宅坐累，貶辰州司戶。
Late in Tianbao Yang Guozhong sought extraordinary men. Hearing Gao's name he summoned him—from commoner to Left Reminder. When Lushan rebelled Guozhong consulted Gao, who recommended Lai Tian for frontier command. When Xuanzong fled to Shu Gao followed on foot. Suzong's accession sent Gao to the mobile court. At Fengxiang his advice helped; he became remonstrating censor, then vice director and councillor. Monks in the inner chapel chanted day and night by the hundreds, heard outside the palace. Gao wrote, "A ruler's blessing lies in nurturing life and settling custom—not in petty Buddhist teaching for peace. Take non-action as your heart and do not let small teachings disturb your mind. Suzong strongly agreed. With war rising, the emperor noted Gao's civil and military gifts and made him Henan commissioner with powers over Huainan. Marching out, he learned Songzhou under Zhang Xun was besieged; he rushed and ordered Chuzhou's Yan Qiu Xiao to rescue. Xiao was obstinate, unkind to subordinates, and self-willed. He barely obeyed, feared defeat would ruin him, and lingered. At the Huai mouth Songzhou had fallen; Gao angrily had Xiao beaten to death. After recovering the capitals he was made Silver and Blue Glory Grandee and Duke of Nanyang, garrisoning Bianzhou. Shi Siming offered submission from Fanyang; Gao saw the fraud and secretly warned, "Siming is a rebel beast—strong when followed, deserted when weak. He is unknowable as a beast; take him by stratagem, not by righteousness. Do not lend him your authority. He warned that Xu Shuji of Huazhou was crafty and would turn in crisis—recall him to the guard." Suzong's mind was set; the memorials were ignored. Gao was simple and did not court favorites. Eunuchs from Fanyang and Huazhou said Siming and Shuji were sincere. Suzong thought Gao inept and made him Jingzhou chief. Later both proved Gao right. He was later Mentor of the Heir Apparent, then Left Regular Attendant. When Prince Zhen was executed for treason, Gao bought his house and was demoted to Chenzhou Sima.
15
代宗即位，推恩海內，拜撫州刺史。 遷洪州刺史、饒吉等七州都團練觀察等使，尋正授江南西道都團練觀察等使。 廣德二年九月卒。
Daizong's grace made him Fuzhou prefect. He became Hongzhou prefect and Jiangnan West commissioner. In Guangde 2, ninth month, he died.
16
鎬自入仕凡三年，致位宰相。 居身清廉，不營資產，謙恭下士，善談論，多識大體，故天下具瞻，雖考秩至淺，推為舊德云。
In only three years of service he reached the chancellery. Upright, without wealth, humble and wise, he was honored as an elder though his rank was low.
17
高適者，渤海蓚人也。 父從文，位終韶州長史。 適少濩落，不事生業，家貧，客於梁、宋，以求丐取給。 天寶中，海內事幹進者註意文詞。 適年過五十，始留意詩什，數年之間，體格漸變，以氣質自高，每吟一篇，已為好事者稱誦。 宋州刺史張九臯深奇之，薦舉有道科。 時右相李林甫擅權，薄於文雅，唯以舉子待之。 解褐汴州封丘尉，非其好也，乃去位，客遊河右。 河西節度哥舒翰見而異之。 表為左驍衛兵曹，充翰府掌書記，從翰入朝，盛稱之於上前。
Gao Shi was from Boling Tiao. His father Congwen died as chief of Shaozhou. Young Shi was unsettled and poor, living by favor in Liang and Song. In Tianbao men sought office through letters. Past fifty he took up poetry; soon each poem won praise. Songzhou's Zhang Jiugao recommended him for the dao examination. Li Linfu slighted letters and treated candidates coldly. Made Wei of Fengqiu, he disliked it and wandered west. Ge Shu Han of Hexi was struck by him. Han made him secretary and praised him at court.
18
祿山之亂，征翰討賊，拜適左拾遺，轉監察御史，仍佐翰守潼關。 及翰兵敗，適自駱谷西馳，奔赴行在，及河池郡，謁見玄宗，因陳潼關敗亡之勢曰：「僕射哥舒翰忠義感激，臣頗知之，然疾病沈頓，智力將竭。 監軍李大宜與將士約為香火，使倡婦彈箜篌琵琶以相娛樂，樗蒱飲酒，不恤軍務。 蕃渾及秦、隴武士，盛夏五六月於赤日之中，食倉米飯且猶不足，欲其勇戰，安可得乎？ 故有望敵散亡，臨陣翻動，萬全之地，一朝而失。 南陽之軍，魯炅、何履光、趙國珍各皆持節，監軍等數人更相用事，寧有是，戰而能必勝哉？ 臣與楊國忠爭，終不見納。 陛下因此履巴山、劍閣之險，西幸蜀中，避其蠆毒，未足為恥也。」 玄宗嘉之，尋遷侍御史。 至成都，八月，制曰：「侍御史高適，立節貞峻，植躬高朗，感激懷經濟之略，紛綸贍文雅之才。 長策遠圖，可雲大體； 讜言義色，實謂忠臣。 宜回糾逖之任，俾超諷諭之職，可諫議大夫，賜緋魚袋。」 適負氣敢言，權幸憚之。
In the rebellion he became Left Reminder and censor, aiding Han at Tong Pass. When Han fell he raced to the mobile court and told Xuanzong Han was loyal but ill and failing. Supervisor Li Dayi had troops gamble and drink with singing women, heedless of war. Tangut and Qin-Long soldiers in summer heat lacked even rice—how fight bravely? So they broke before the enemy and lost a secure pass in a morning. Nanyang commanders each held seals and quarreled—could they win? I argued with Yang Guozhong in vain. You fled to Shu to avoid poison—no shame in that. Xuanzong praised him and made him attendant censor. At Chengdu an edict praised Shi's loyalty and letters. Long plans are great principle; loyal words make a loyal minister. Make him remonstrating grandee with crimson fish. Shi spoke boldly and the powerful feared him.
19
二年，永王璘起兵於江東，欲據揚州。 初，上皇以諸王分鎮，適切諫不可。 及是永王叛，肅宗聞其論諫有素，召而謀之。 適因陳江東利害，永王必敗。 上奇其對，以適兼御史大夫、揚州大都督府長史、淮南節度使。 詔與江東節度來瑱率本部兵平江淮之亂，會於安州。 師將渡而永王敗，乃招季廣琛於歷陽。 兵罷，李輔國惡適敢言，短於上前，乃左授太子少詹事。 未幾，蜀中亂，出為蜀州刺史，遷彭州。 劍南自玄宗還京後，於梓、益二州各置一節度，百姓勞敝，適因出西山三城置戍，論之曰：
In year 2 Prince Yong raised troops for Yangzhou. Earlier Shi had warned against dividing the princes' commands. When Yong rebelled, Suzong recalled Shi's earlier advice. Shi explained Jiangdong; Yong would fail. The emperor made him Censor-in-Chief, Yangzhou chief, and Huainan commissioner. He and Lai Tian were to pacify Jiang-Huai at Anzhou. Before crossing, Yong fell; he summoned Ji Guangchen at Liyang. Li Fuguo slandered him; he was made Junior Mentor. Shu rebelled; he was Shuzhou prefect, then Pengzhou. After Xuanzong's return Zi and Yi each had a commissioner; the people were exhausted; Shi memorialized on western garrisons:
20
劍南雖名東西兩川，其實一道。 自邛關、黎、雅，界於南蠻也； 茂州而西，經羌中至平戎數城，界於吐蕃也。 臨邊小郡，各舉軍戎，並取給於劍南。 其運糧戍，以全蜀之力，兼山南佐之，而猶不舉。 今梓、遂、果閬等八州分為東川節度，歲月之計，西川不可得而參也。 而嘉、陵比為夷獠所陷，今雖小定，瘡痍未平。 又一年已來，耕織都廢，而衣食之業，皆貿易於成都，則其人不可得而役明矣。 今可稅賦者，成都、彭、蜀、漢州。 又以四州殘敝，當他十州之重役，其於終久，不亦至艱？ 又言利者穿鑿萬端，皆取之百姓； 應差科者，自朝至暮，案牘千重。 官吏相承，懼於罪譴，或責之於鄰保，或威之以杖罰。 督促不已，逋逃益滋，欲無流亡，理不可得。 比日關中米貴，而衣冠士庶，頗亦出城，山南、劍南，道路相望，村坊市肆，與蜀人雜居，其升合鬥儲，皆求於蜀人矣。 且田士疆界，蓋亦有涯； 賦稅差科，乃無涯矣。 為蜀人之計，不亦難哉！
Jiannan's two rivers are really one circuit. From Qiong Pass, Li, and Ya it borders southern tribes; west of Maozhou through Qiang lands it borders Tibet. Border counties raise troops all fed from Jiannan. Supplying garrisons takes all Shu and Shannan—and still fails. Eight prefectures now form Eastern Chuan; Western Chuan cannot share the accounts. Jia and Ling were ravaged; wounds remain. Farming ceased; Chengdu feeds them—levies are impossible. Only Chengdu, Peng, Shu, and Han can pay tax. Four broken prefectures bear tenfold corvée—how long can that last? Profit-seekers invent schemes—all from the people; corvée bearers face a thousand documents daily. Officials fear punishment and squeeze neighbors or beat men. Endless pressure breeds flight—peace is impossible. Gentry flee dear Guanzhong to Shu, buying every grain measure there. Fields have limits; tax and corvée have none. For Shu, is it not hard?
21
今所界吐蕃城堡而疲於蜀人，不過平戎以西數城矣。 邈在窮山之巔，垂於險絕之末，運糧於束馬之路，坐甲於無人之鄉。 以戎狄言之，不足以利戎狄； 以國家言之，不足以廣土宇。 奈何以險阻彈丸之地，而困於全蜀太平之人哉？ 恐非今日之急務也。 國家若將已戍之地不可廢，已鎮之兵不可收，當宜卻停東川，並力從事，猶恐狼狽，安可仰於成都、彭、漢、蜀四州哉！ 慮乖聖朝洗蕩關東掃清逆亂之意也。 倘蜀人復擾，豈不貽陛下之憂？ 昔公孫弘願罷西南夷、臨海，專事朔方，賈捐之請棄珠崖以寧中土，讜言政本，匪一朝一夕。 臣愚望罷東川節度，以一劍南，西山不急之城，稍以減削，則事無窮頓，庶免倒懸。 陛下若以微臣所陳有裨萬一，下宰相廷議，降公忠大臣定其損益，與劍南節度終始處置。
Tibetan posts that weary Shu are only a few cities west of Pingrong. Grain goes on deadly roads to empty peaks. It does not profit Tibet; it does not broaden the realm. Why weary peaceful Shu for pinpoints? It is not today's urgent task. Stop Eastern Chuan and unite effort; do not lean on four prefectures alone. Lest you thwart recovering Guandong. If Shu troubles again, will it not grieve Your Majesty? Hong and Juanzhi long ago warned against overreach on the frontier. Abolish Eastern Chuan, cut unurgent western posts, end the strain. If useful, let the chancellery and Jiannan commissioner decide.
22
疏奏不納。
The memorial was rejected.
23
後梓州副使段子璋反，以兵攻東川節度使李奐，適率州兵從西川節度使崔光遠攻於璋，斬之。 西川牙將花驚定者，恃勇，既誅子璋，大掠東蜀。 天子怒光遠不能戢軍，乃罷之，以適代光遠為成都尹、劍南西川節度使。 代宗即位，吐蕃陷隴右，漸逼京畿。 適練兵於蜀，臨吐蕃南境以牽制之，師出無功，而松、維等州尋為蕃兵所陷。 代宗以黃門侍郎嚴武代還，用為刑部侍郎，轉散騎常侍，加銀青光祿大夫，進封渤海縣侯，食邑七百戶。 永泰元年正月卒，贈禮部尚書，謚曰忠。
Duan Zizhang rebelled; Shi and Cui Guangyuan beheaded him. Huajingding plundered Eastern Shu after killing Zizhang. The emperor replaced Guangyuan with Shi as Chengdu governor and commissioner. Daizong's accession saw Tibet take Longyou and press the capital. Shi trained troops in vain; Song and Wei fell to Tibet. Yan Wu replaced him; he became Punishments vice minister, Regular Attendant, Marquis of Bohai. Yongtai 1, first month, he died; posthumously Minister of Rites, loyal.
24
適喜言王霸大略，務功名，尚節義。 逢時多難，以安危為己任，然言過其術，為大臣所輕。 累為籓牧，政存寬簡，吏民便之。 有文集二十卷。 其《與賀蘭進明書》，令疾救梁、宋，以親諸軍； 《與許叔冀書》，綢繆繼好，使釋他憾，同援梁、宋； 《未過淮先與將校書》，使絕永王，各求自白，君子以為義而知變。 而有唐已來，詩人之達者，唯適而已。
He loved grand strategy, fame, and integrity. In crisis he took safety as his charge, but talk exceeded skill and ministers slighted him. As frontier governor he ruled leniently and people were at ease. He left collected works in twenty juan. His letter to Helan Jinming urged rescuing Liang and Song to steady the armies; his letter to Xu Shuji sought to end old grudges and aid Liang and Song together; his letter before the Huai made officers break with Yong and seek pardon—men judged him righteous and adaptable. Of Tang poets who reached high office, only Shi.
25
暢璀，河東人也。 鄉舉進士。 天寶末，安祿山奏為河北海運判官。 三遷大理評事，副元帥郭子儀辟為從事。 至德初，肅宗即位，大收俊傑，或薦璀，召見悅之，拜諫議大夫。 累轉吏部侍郎。 廣德二年十二月，為散騎常侍、河中尹，兼御史大夫。 永泰元年，復為左常侍，與裴冕並集賢院待制。 大歷五年，兼判太常卿，遷戶部尚書。 十年七月卒，贈太子太師。
Chang Cui was from Hedong. He passed the provincial examination. Late in Tianbao Lushan made him Hebei maritime transport judge. Promoted thrice to Dali judge; Guo Ziyi made him aide. When Suzong gathered talent, Cui was summoned, pleased, and made remonstrating grandee. He rose to Vice Minister of Personnel. Guangde 2, twelfth month: Regular Attendant, Hezhong governor, Censor-in-Chief. Yongtai 1: Left Regular Attendant with Pei Mian at Hongwen Academy. Dali 5: judged Court of Sacrifices, then Minister of Revenue. Dali 10, seventh month, he died; posthumously Mentor of the Heir Apparent.
26
璀廓落有口才，好談王霸之略，居職責成屬吏。 齪齪無過而已。
Cui was open, eloquent, fond of strategy, and demanded results from staff. He merely avoided fault.
27
史臣曰：祿山寇陷兩京，儒生士子，被脅從、懷茍且者多矣； 去逆效順，毀家為國者少焉。 如光遠勇決任氣，會權變以立功； 房琯文學致身，全節義以避寇。 阽危之時，顛沛之際，有足稱者。 然光遠居重籓，掌軍政，琯登相位，奪將權，聚浮薄之徒，敗軍旅之事，不知機而固位，竟無德以自危。 孺復兇狂，式之便佞，獲令終者幸焉。 鎬直躬居位，重德鎮時，其為人也鮮矣。 適以詩人為戎帥，險難之際，名節不虧，君子哉！ 璀擢第居官，守分無過，又何咎焉。
The historian writes: When Lushan took the capitals, many scholars clung to expediency; few ruined their households for loyalty. Guangyuan used bold opportunism to win merit; Guan rose by letters and kept integrity fleeing rebels. In peril each had something to praise. Yet Guangyuan and Guan held power without skill and ruined armies. Rufu was vicious; Shi fawning—lucky were those who died in bed. Gao was upright and rare. Shi the poet kept integrity in war—a gentleman! Cui kept bounds without fault—what blame?
28
贊曰：光遠、房琯，有始有終。 張鎬國器，適、璀儒風。
Praise: Guangyuan and Guan had beginning and end. Gao was state vessel; Shi and Cui Confucian wind.