Volume 113 Biographies 63: Miao Jingqing, Pei Mian, Pei Zunqing

苗晉卿裴冕裴遵慶子向向子寅寅子樞

Miao Jingqing; Pei Mian; Pei Zunqing; Zi Xiang; Zi Xiang's son Yin; Yin's son Shu.

苗晉卿，上黨壺關人。世以儒素稱。祖夔，高道不仕，追贈禮部尚書。父殆庶，官至絳州龍門縣丞，早卒，以晉卿贈太子少保。

Miao Jingqing was a native of Huguan in Shangdang commandery. His family had long been known for scholarly rectitude and plain living. His grandfather Kui was a man of exalted principle who never entered government service; he was posthumously honored as Minister of Rites. His father Daiyi had served as assistant magistrate of Longmen county in Jiang prefecture and died young; on account of Jingqing's honors he was posthumously made Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent.

晉卿幼好學，善屬文，進士擢第。初授懷州修武縣尉，歷奉先縣尉，坐累貶徐州司戶參軍。秩滿隨調，判入高等，授萬年縣尉。遷侍御史，歷度支、兵、吏部三員外郎。開元二十三年，遷吏部郎中。二十四年，與吏部郎中孫逖並拜中書舍人。二十七年，以本官權知吏部選事。晉卿性謙柔，選人有訴訟索好官者，雖至數千言，或聲色甚厲者，晉卿必含容之，略無慍色。二十九年，拜吏部侍郎。前後典選五年，政既寬弛，胥吏多因緣為奸，賄賂大行。時天下承平，每年赴選常萬余人。李林甫為尚書，專任廟堂，銓事唯委晉卿及同列侍郎宋遙主之。選人既多，每年兼命他官有識者同考定書判，務求其實。天寶二年春，御史中丞張倚男奭參選，晉卿與遙以倚初承恩，欲悅附之，考選人判等凡六十四人，分甲乙丙科，奭在其首。眾知奭不讀書，論議紛然。有蘇孝慍者，嘗為范陽薊令，事安祿山，具其事告之。祿山恩寵特異，謁見不常，因而奏之。玄宗大集登科人，禦花萼樓親試，登第者十無一二；而奭手持試紙，竟日不下一字，時謂之「曳白」。上怒，晉卿貶為安康郡太守，遙為武當郡太守，張倚為淮陽太守。敕曰：「門庭之間，不能訓子；選調之際，仍以托人。」時士子皆以為戲笑。

From boyhood Jingqing was devoted to study and gifted at writing; he passed the jinshi examination. He was first appointed magistrate of Xiuwu county in Huai prefecture, later served as magistrate of Fengxian, and was eventually demoted to registrar of Xu prefecture after a series of entanglements. When his term ended he entered the regular reassignment process, received a top evaluation, and was appointed magistrate of Wannian county. He rose to the post of attending censor and then served in turn as vice director in the ministries of Revenue, War, and Personnel. In Kaiyuan 23 (735) he was made a director in the Ministry of Personnel. The following year he and Sun Di of the Ministry of Personnel were jointly appointed drafting attendants at the Secretariat. In Kaiyuan 27 (739) he was given temporary charge of civil-service selection while retaining his secretariat post. Jingqing was by nature modest and mild-mannered. When candidates came with petitions or demands for favorable appointments—even haranguing him at length or raising their voices in anger—he always received them patiently and never showed irritation. In Kaiyuan 29 (741) he was appointed vice minister of personnel. He oversaw selection for five years in all. Because his administration was lenient, clerks found countless openings for abuse and bribery became rampant. The empire was at peace, and each year more than ten thousand candidates typically presented themselves for examination. Li Linfu, as minister of personnel, kept his grip on court power and left the business of selection entirely to Jingqing and his colleague Song Yao. With so many candidates, each year other knowledgeable officials were also assigned to grade the written examinations together, so that the results might be as fair as possible. In the spring of Tianbao 2 (743), Zhang Yi's son Shi sat for the examinations. Jingqing and Yao, wishing to curry favor with Yi, who had only recently risen in the emperor's grace, ranked sixty-four candidates in three grades—and placed Shi at the top. Everyone knew that Shi was barely literate, and public outcry spread. A man named Su Xiaoyin, who had once been magistrate of Ji in Fanyang and was now in An Lushan's service, reported the whole affair to him in detail. Lushan enjoyed extraordinary favor at court and was not often granted audience; he seized the occasion to present a memorial on the matter. Emperor Xuanzong summoned all the newly passed candidates to the Hua'e Tower for a personal examination; fewer than one in ten proved able to pass; Shi, holding his examination paper, could not write a single character all day long—people at the time called it 'dragging a blank sheet.' The emperor was furious. Jingqing was demoted to prefect of Ankang, Yao to prefect of Wudang, and Zhang Yi to prefect of Huaiyang. An edict declared: 'At home he could not teach his son; at selection time he still had to rely on pulling strings for others. Scholars everywhere treated the edict as a public joke.

天寶三載閏二月，轉魏郡太守，充河北采訪處置使，居職三年，政化洽聞。會入計，因上表請歸鄉里。既至壺關，望縣門而步。小吏進曰：「太守位高德重，不宜自輕。」晉卿曰：「《禮》：『下公門，式路馬。』況父母之邦，所宜尊敬。汝何言哉！」大會鄉黨，歡飲累日而去。又俸錢三萬為鄉學本，以教授子弟。尋改河東太守、河東采訪使，入為尚書、東京留守，征為憲部尚書。屬祿山叛逆，楊國忠以晉卿有時望，將抑之，乃奏云：「宜以大臣鎮東道。」遂出為陜州刺史、陜虢兩州防禦使。及入對，固辭老病，由是忤旨，改憲部尚書致仕。及朝廷失守，衣冠流離道路，多為逆黨所脅，自陳希烈、張均已下數十人盡赴洛陽，晉卿潛遁山谷，南投金州。會肅宗至鳳翔，手詔追晉卿赴行在，即日拜為左相，軍國大務悉以咨之。既收兩京，以功封韓國公，食實封五百戶，改為侍中。後以賊寇漸除，屢乞骸骨，優詔許之，罷知政事，為太子太傅。明年，帝思舊臣，復拜為侍中。

In the intercalary second month of Tianbao 3 (744) he was made prefect of Wei and commissioner for investigation and disposition in Hebei. After three years in office his good governance was renowned throughout the region. When he traveled to the capital for the annual review of accounts, he submitted a memorial asking leave to visit his home. On reaching Huguan he dismounted and walked as he approached the county gate. A clerk stepped forward and said, 'Your Excellency's rank and standing are too high—you should not humble yourself in this way. Jingqing replied, 'The Book of Rites says: When one leaves a lord's gate, one bows toward the horses on the road. How much more should one show respect in the land of one's parents? What sort of talk is that! He gave a great feast for his kinsmen and neighbors, celebrated for several days, and then took his leave. He also devoted thirty thousand cash from his salary as an endowment for a village school to educate local youths. He was soon transferred to prefect of Hedong and commissioner for investigation there, then recalled to serve as a minister and regent of the eastern capital, and finally summoned as minister of justice. When An Lushan rose in rebellion, Yang Guozhong—wishing to sideline Jingqing, who still commanded wide respect—memorialized that a senior minister should be posted to guard the eastern circuit. Jingqing was accordingly sent out as prefect of Shan and defense commissioner for Shan and Guo. When he appeared at court he firmly pleaded age and illness. The emperor took offense, and Jingqing was made minister of justice in name only and retired from active duty. When the capital fell, officials fled in every direction, many forced into the rebels' service. Dozens of men from Chen Xilie and Zhang Jun on down made their way to Luoyang, but Jingqing slipped into the hills and fled south to Jin prefecture. When Emperor Suzong reached Fengxiang, he sent a personal edict summoning Jingqing to the temporary court. That very day Jingqing was made left counselor, and all major military and civil affairs were entrusted to his counsel. After the two capitals were retaken, he was enfeoffed as Duke of Han with an income of five hundred households and appointed palace attendant. As the rebels were gradually subdued he repeatedly asked to retire. The emperor graciously consented, relieved him of administrative duties, and made him grand tutor of the heir apparent. The following year the emperor, missing his veteran ministers, appointed him palace attendant once more.

晉卿寬厚廉謹，為政舉大綱，不問小過，所到有惠化。魏人思之，為立碑頌德。及秉鈞衡，小心畏慎，未嘗忤人意。性聰敏，達練事體，百司文簿，經目必曉，而修身守位，以智自全，議者比漢之胡廣。

Jingqing was magnanimous, upright, and careful in office. He governed by broad principles rather than petty fault-finding, and everywhere he served left a record of humane rule. The people of Wei cherished his memory and erected a monument in praise of his virtue. When he held the highest offices he was cautious and deferential and never gave offense. He was quick-witted and thoroughly understood how government worked; a glance at any document from any ministry was enough for him to grasp it. Yet he cultivated himself and kept his post by prudence, preserving himself through tact—critics compared him to Hu Guang of the Han.

玄宗崩，肅宗詔晉卿攝冢宰。上表固辭曰：「臣聞古者殷高宗在諒闇之中，百官聽於冢宰，更無事跡，但存文字。且一時之事，禮不相沿。今殘寇猶虞，日殷萬務，皆緣兵馬屯守討襲，善算良謀，立勝擒敵。陛下若行古之道，居喪不言，蒼生何依，百事皆廢。伏讀國家起居註，亦於禮部檢見舊敕，恭惟太宗、高宗、、大行皇帝在位之日，皆有國哀，視事不輟，以為君臨天下，難徇常情。今遺詔有處分，皇帝宜三日而聽政。陛下遵太宗故事，則無冢宰；遵大行皇帝遺詔，便合聽朝。萬姓颙颙，不勝大願。伏惟陛下知理國之重，順人心之切，以義斷恩，從宜無改。今朝臣一命已上，皆言臣心昏貌朽，加以疾病，事有急速，斷在須臾，凡聖不同，豈合受詔。陛下發哀已五日矣，願準遺詔聽政，則四夷萬國，無任悲幸。」肅宗時疾彌留，覽表殞絕，乃許。

When Emperor Xuanzong died, Emperor Suzong ordered Jingqing to serve as regent during the mourning period. He submitted a firm refusal, writing: 'I have read that in antiquity, when King Gaozong of the Yin was in mourning seclusion, the hundred officials took their orders from the regent—but beyond that tradition we have only written records, not living precedent. Moreover, rites suited to one age are not simply carried forward into another. Today remnant rebels still threaten the realm, and ten thousand urgent matters press upon us daily—all depending on armies in the field, on sound planning and bold strategy to win swift victories and capture the enemy. If Your Majesty were to follow the ancient way, remain in mourning, and hold your tongue, what would become of the people? Every affair of state would come to a halt. I have carefully read the court diaries and found old edicts in the Ministry of Rites showing that Emperors Taizong, Gaozong, Zhongzong, and the late emperor, even during periods of national mourning, never ceased to conduct state business—for one who rules the realm, ordinary private feeling cannot be indulged. The late emperor's testamentary edict expressly provides that the new emperor should assume governance after three days. If Your Majesty follows Emperor Taizong's precedent, no regent is needed; if Your Majesty follows the late emperor's testamentary edict, you should take the throne at once. The people look to you with eager hope—they can scarcely contain their longing. I beg Your Majesty to recognize how heavy is the burden of governing the realm, how urgent the people's need, and to let duty override private grief—to do what the occasion requires and not waver. Today every minister of the highest rank declares that my mind is clouded, my body worn out, and my illnesses many; urgent affairs must be decided in a moment—how can an ordinary man be equal to a sage? I am not fit to receive such an appointment. Your Majesty has already mourned for five days. I pray that you will follow the testamentary edict and take up governance—then the four quarters and all nations will know both grief and boundless relief. Suzong was then gravely ill. When he read the memorial he was overcome with emotion, but he granted the request.

數日，肅宗晏駕，代宗踐祚，又詔晉卿攝冢宰。晉卿上表懇辭曰：「臣以昔者天子居喪之時，百官聽於冢宰者，蓋君幼小，禦極事殷，情理當然。沿革不一，今古異同，而周武、漢文，合於通變，垂範作則，可舉而行。又士或墨缞，時遇金革，豈非銜恤，謂義在斷恩。且百善之至，無加於孝也，其有容瘁心絕，指景悼生，此匹夫守節之常情，殊王者嗣續之大計。昨二十日，陛下於大行皇帝柩前即位，是承先帝遺顧之言，亦前代不易之典。則知所略不為害，所存是適權，防威滅端，所利者大。陛下因心純至，天地明察。伏以報劬勞之恩，申罔極之思，終身之痛，豈計朝夕！但以一日之內，萬務在中，須達宸聰，始成國政。百僚萬姓及僧道耆壽等，相顧聚言，以臣老且無能，愚豈測聖，況久無居攝，臣不敢奉詔。特乞陛下遵遺命，三日而政。臣博聽眾情，不勝懇願，伏望割痛抑哀，則天下悲幸。」上號泣從之。時晉卿年已衰暮，又患兩足，上特許肩輿至中書，入閣不趨，累日一視事。歷三朝，皆以謹密見稱。

Within days Emperor Suzong died. When Emperor Daizong took the throne he again ordered Jingqing to serve as regent. Jingqing submitted another earnest refusal, writing: 'In former ages, when the Son of Heaven was in mourning, the hundred officials took orders from a regent only because the ruler was a child and the burdens of rule were too heavy for him—circumstance made it necessary. Customs have changed from age to age, yet King Wu of Zhou and Emperor Wen of Han adapted rites to circumstance and left models we may follow today. Moreover, a gentleman in deep mourning may still take up arms when the state is at war—he does not cease to grieve, but duty requires him to set private feeling aside. Filial piety is the highest of virtues, yet the common man who wastes away in grief, who can scarcely bear to live—such feeling belongs to private life, not to the great business of a king who must continue the dynastic line. Only twenty days ago Your Majesty took the throne before the late emperor's coffin—fulfilling his final charge and following an immemorial precedent. What is set aside does no harm; what is preserved serves the greater good. To guard against danger at its root brings the greatest benefit. Your Majesty's filial heart is utterly sincere—Heaven and Earth themselves bear witness. To repay a parent's labor, to express boundless grief—such sorrow lasts a lifetime and cannot be measured by days alone. Yet within a single day ten thousand affairs demand the throne's attention; only when Your Majesty's ear is open to them can the state be governed. Officials, common people, monks, Daoist priests, and elders alike declare that I am old and incompetent, far too dull to measure up to a sage ruler—and besides, regency has long been out of use. I dare not accept this appointment. I earnestly beg Your Majesty to follow the testamentary command and assume governance after three days. Having heard the people's voice throughout the realm, I cannot contain my earnest plea: I beg Your Majesty to master your grief for the sake of the empire—then the world will know both sorrow and deliverance. The emperor wept and assented. By then Jingqing was elderly and afflicted in both legs. The emperor specially allowed him to be carried in a sedan chair to the Secretariat, to enter the hall without hurrying, and to conduct business only every few days. Through three reigns he was esteemed for his caution and discretion.

裴冕，河東人也，為河東冠族。天寶初，以門廕再遷渭南縣尉，以吏道聞。御史中丞王鉷充京畿采訪使，表為判官。遷監察御史，歷殿中侍御史。冕雖無學術，守職通明，果於臨事，鉷甚委之。及鉷得罪伏法，時宰臣李林甫方竊權柄，人鹹懼之，鉷賓佐數百，不敢窺鉷門。冕獨收鉷屍，親自護喪，瘞於近郊，冕自是知名。河西節度使哥舒翰表為行軍司馬，累遷員外郎中。

Pei Mian was a native of Hedong and belonged to one of the region's foremost families. Early in the Tianbao era he entered office through hereditary privilege and was twice promoted to magistrate of Weinan, where he won a reputation for administrative skill. Wang Hong, vice censor-in-chief and metropolitan investigation commissioner, recommended him as an administrative aide. He rose to investigating censor and then served as attending censor in the palace. Though Mian had little formal learning, he was clear-minded and capable in office and decisive when action was required; Wang Hong relied on him heavily. When Wang Hong was condemned and executed, Chief Minister Li Linfu held unchecked power and everyone lived in fear. Hundreds of men who had served under Hong did not dare even approach his house. Mian alone recovered Hong's body, personally conducted the funeral, and buried him in a suburban grave—and from that day his name was known. Geshu Han, military commissioner of Hexi, appointed him campaigning marshal, and he rose through several posts to vice director.

玄宗幸蜀，至益昌郡，遙詔太子充天下兵馬元帥，以冕為御史中丞兼左庶子，為之副。是時，冕為河西行軍司馬，授御史中丞，詔赴朝廷。遇太子於平涼，具陳事勢，勸之朔方，亟入靈武。冕與杜鴻漸、崔漪等勸進曰：「主上厭勤大位，南幸蜀川，宗社神器，須有所歸，天意人事，不可固違。若逡巡退讓，失億兆心，則大事去矣！臣等猶知之，況賢智乎！」太子曰：「南平寇逆，奉迎鑾輿，退居儲貳，侍膳左右，豈不樂哉！公等何言之過也？」冕與杜鴻漸又進曰：「殿下藉累聖之資，有天下之表。元貞萬國，二十余年，殷憂啟聖，正在今日。所從殿下六軍將士，皆關輔百姓，日夜思歸。大軍一散，不可復集，不如因而撫之以從眾，臣等敢以死請。」凡勸進五上，乃依。肅宗即位，以定策功，遷中書侍郎、同中書門下平章事，倚以為政。

When Emperor Xuanzong fled to Shu and reached Yichang commandery, he issued a distant edict making the crown prince commander-in-chief of all forces, with Mian as vice censor-in-chief and left guardian of the heir apparent to serve as his deputy. At the time Mian was still campaigning marshal in Hexi; he was appointed vice censor-in-chief and ordered to the capital. He met the crown prince at Pingliang, explained the situation in full, and urged him to go to Shuofang and enter Lingwu without delay. Mian, together with Du Hongjian, Cui Yi, and others, urged him to take the throne, saying: 'The emperor has grown weary of rule and gone south to Shu. The altars of state and the imperial regalia must have a lord; Heaven's will and the people's need cannot be defied. If you hesitate and hold back, you will lose the hearts of the people—and the cause will be lost! Even we understand this—how much more those who are wise! The crown prince replied: 'To crush the rebels in the south, welcome the emperor home, and remain heir apparent at his side—would that not be happiness enough? Why do you speak so extravagantly? Mian and Du Hongjian pressed again: 'Your Highness inherits the virtue of generations of sage rulers and bears the countenance of one destined to rule the realm. For more than twenty years your steadfast virtue has sustained the realm; it is through deep trial that the sage is revealed—and that moment is today. The soldiers of your six armies are all men from the Guanzhong region who long day and night to return home. Once the army scatters it cannot be reassembled. Better to win them over now and follow the will of the troops—we beg this at the cost of our lives. They pressed their appeal five times before he finally agreed. When Emperor Suzong took the throne, Mian was promoted to vice director of the Secretariat and made a chief minister in recognition of his role in the succession, and the emperor relied on him in governing.

冕性忠勤，悉心奉公，稍得人心。然不識大體，以聚人曰財，乃下令賣官鬻爵，度尼僧道士，以儲積為務。人不願者，科令就之，其價益賤，事轉為弊。肅宗移幸鳳翔，罷冕知政事，遷右僕射。兩京平，以功封冀國公，食實封五百戶。尋加御史大夫、成都尹，充劍南西川節度使。又入為右僕射。永泰元年，與裴遵慶等並集賢待制。代宗求舊，拜冕兼御史大夫，充護山陵使。冕以幸臣李輔國權盛，將附之，乃表輔國親昵術士中書舍人劉烜充山陵使判官。烜坐法，冕坐貶施州刺史。數月，移澧州刺史，復征為左僕射。元載秉政。載為新平縣尉，王鉷辟在巡內，冕常引之，載頗德冕。會宰臣杜鴻漸卒，載遂舉冕代之。冕時已衰瘵，載以其順己，引為同列。受命之際，蹈舞絕倒，載趨而扶起，代為謝詞。冕兼掌兵權留守之任，俸錢每月二千余貫。性本侈靡，好尚車服及營珍饌，名馬在櫪，直數百金者常十數。每會賓友，滋味品數，坐客有昧於名者。自創巾子，其狀新奇，市肆因而效之，呼為「僕射樣」。初代鴻漸，小吏以俸錢文簿白之，冕顧子弟，喜見於色，其嗜利若此。拜職未盈月，卒，大歷四年十二月也。上悼之，輟朝三日，贈太尉，賻制五百匹、粟五百石。

Mian was loyal and diligent, devoted himself wholly to public service, and gradually won people's confidence. But he lacked a grasp of larger policy. Believing that amassing people was the same as amassing wealth, he ordered the sale of offices and ranks, the licensing of Buddhist and Daoist ordinations, and made hoarding revenue his chief aim. Those who resisted were forced by decree to comply anyway. Prices kept falling, and the practice became a growing abuse. When Emperor Suzong moved the court to Fengxiang, Mian was removed from office as chief minister and made right vice director. After the two capitals were recovered, he was enfeoffed as Duke of Ji with an income of five hundred households. He was soon made censor-in-chief and prefect of Chengdu, and appointed military commissioner of Jiannan West Circuit. He was later recalled to serve again as right vice director. In Yongtai 1 (765) he and Pei Zunqing and others were appointed scholars on call at the Hall of Assembled Worthies. Emperor Daizong, seeking veteran ministers, appointed Mian censor-in-chief and commissioner for guarding the imperial tombs. Wishing to curry favor with the powerful favorite Li Fuguo, Mian recommended Fuguo's close associate, the drafting attendant and technician Liu Xuan, as administrative aide on the tomb commission. When Liu Xuan was convicted, Mian was implicated and demoted to prefect of Shi. After several months he was transferred to prefect of Li, then recalled to serve as left vice director. Yuan Zai was then in control of the government. Zai had once been magistrate of Xinping. When Wang Hong recruited him into his inspection staff, Mian had often spoken well of him, and Zai felt deep gratitude toward Mian. When Chief Minister Du Hongjian died, Zai recommended Mian to succeed him. Mian was by then aged and ill, but Zai, knowing he would not oppose him, brought him into the chief ministry as a colleague. When he received the appointment he performed the ritual dance and collapsed in a faint. Zai rushed forward to support him and delivered the words of thanks on his behalf. Mian also held military authority and the post of regent, with a monthly salary of more than two thousand strings of cash. By nature he was extravagant, fond of fine carriages and robes and of preparing rare delicacies. He kept a dozen or more famous horses in his stables, each worth several hundred gold pieces. Whenever he entertained guests, the dishes were so numerous and exotic that those seated at table could not even name them all. He designed a new style of official headcloth so striking in form that shops across the city copied it, calling it the 'vice director style.' When he first succeeded Du Hongjian, a clerk presented the salary ledger. Mian turned to his sons and brothers with unmistakable delight on his face—such was his love of gain. He had held office less than a month when he died, in the twelfth month of Dali 4 (769). The emperor mourned his death, suspended court for three days, posthumously made him grand marshal, and granted five hundred bolts of silk and five hundred piculs of grain for the funeral.

裴遵慶，絳州聞喜人也。代襲冠冕，為河東著族。遵慶志氣深厚，機鑒敏達，自幼強學，博涉載籍，謹身晦跡，不幹當世之務。以門廕累授潞府司法參軍，時年已老，未為人所知。隨調吏部，授大理寺丞，剖斷刑獄，舉正綱條，理行始著。遷司門員外、吏部員外郎，專判南曹。天寶中，海內無事，九流輻輳會府，每歲吏部選人，動盈萬數。遵慶敏識強記，精核文簿，詳而不滯，時稱吏事第一，由是大知名。

Pei Zunqing was a native of Wenxi in Jiang prefecture. His family had held high office for generations and ranked among the leading clans of Hedong. Zunqing was deep-spirited and keen-witted. From childhood he studied hard and read widely, yet he kept a low profile and did not thrust himself into public affairs. Through hereditary privilege he rose to legal administrator in the Lu prefecture office, but he was already advanced in years and still little known. After entering the regular transfer process at the Ministry of Personnel, he was appointed assistant director of the Court of Judicial Review. In judging criminal cases he upheld the law firmly, and his reputation for good governance began to spread. He was promoted to vice director of the Gate Office and vice director in the Ministry of Personnel, with sole charge of the southern bureau of selection. During the Tianbao era the empire was at peace, and candidates of every sort thronged the capital. Each year those presenting themselves for selection at the Ministry of Personnel routinely numbered more than ten thousand. Zunqing was quick-witted and possessed a formidable memory. He scrutinized documents with precision, thorough yet never bogged down, and was acclaimed the foremost man of administrative affairs—winning wide fame.

天寶末，楊國忠當國，出不附己者例為外官，遵慶亦出為郡守。肅宗即位，征拜給事中、尚書右丞、吏部侍郎。恭儉克己，遲重謹密，頗有時望。上元中，蕭華輔政，素知遵慶，每奏見，累稱之，遷黃門侍郎、同中書門下平章事。廣德初，仆固懷恩阻兵汾上，指中官為詞，上以遵慶忠純，特遣往汾州宣慰懷恩。遵慶既見懷恩，具陳朝旨，懷恩引過聽命，將隨遵慶朝謁，為副將範誌誠以邪說惑之，懷恩遂以懼死為詞。會蕃寇陷京師，乘輿幸陜，遵慶自汾州奔赴行在。及乘輿還京，以遵慶為太子少傅。永泰元年，與裴冕等並於集賢院待制，罷知政事。尋改吏部尚書、右僕射，復知選事。時選人天興縣尉陳琯於銓庭言詞不遜，淩突無禮，代宗詔付遵慶於省門鞭三十，貶為吉州員外司戶參軍。遵慶敦守儒行，老而彌謹。嘗為風狂族侄撾登聞鼓告以不順，上知遵度，不省，其見信如此。大歷十年十月薨於位，年九十余。

Late in the Tianbao era Yang Guozhong dominated the government and routinely posted opponents to provincial office. Zunqing too was sent out as a prefect. When Emperor Suzong took the throne, Zunqing was summoned and appointed drafting attendant, right assistant in the Secretariat, and vice minister of personnel. He was respectful, frugal, and self-restrained, grave and discreet in manner, and enjoyed considerable standing at court. During the Shangyuan era Xiao Hua, who had long known Zunqing's worth, repeatedly praised him at audience. Zunqing was promoted to vice director of the palace gate and made a chief minister. Early in the Guangde era Pugu Huai'en held his army on the Fen River and made the eunuchs his excuse for defiance. The emperor, trusting Zunqing's loyalty, specially dispatched him to Fen prefecture to reassure Huai'en on the court's behalf. When Zunqing met Huai'en he explained the court's position in full. Huai'en admitted his error and agreed to obey, and was preparing to accompany Zunqing to court—but his deputy Fan Zhicheng turned him with seditious counsel, and Huai'en then pleaded that he feared for his life. When Tibetan forces took the capital and the emperor fled to Shan, Zunqing hurried from Fen prefecture to join the court in exile. When the emperor returned to the capital, Zunqing was appointed junior tutor of the heir apparent. In Yongtai 1 (765) he and Pei Mian and others were appointed scholars on call at the Hall of Assembled Worthies and were removed from the chief ministry. He was soon made minister of personnel and right vice director and again put in charge of civil-service selection. When a candidate named Chen Guan, magistrate of Tianxing, spoke insolently and behaved outrageously at the selection bureau, Emperor Daizong ordered Zunqing to have him flogged thirty times at the ministry gate and demoted him to outside registrar of Ji prefecture. Zunqing steadfastly upheld Confucian conduct and grew only more careful in his old age. Once a deranged kinsman beat the Denunciation Drum at the Gate of Imperial Audience and accused him of disloyalty. The emperor, knowing Zunqing's character, paid no heed—such was the trust he enjoyed. In the tenth month of Dali 10 (775) he died in office at more than ninety years of age.

遵慶初登省郎，嘗著《王政記》，述今古禮體，識者覽之，知有公輔之量。

Early in his career as a capital bureau officer he wrote Record of Royal Government, treating ritual institutions past and present. Readers of discernment recognized in it the makings of a chief minister.

子向，字傃仁，少以門廕歷官至太子司議郎。建中初，李紓為同州刺史，奏向為從事。硃泚反，李懷光又叛河中，使其將趙貴先築壘於同州，紓來奔奉天，向領州務。貴先因脅縣尉林寶役徒板築，不及期，將斬之，吏人百姓奔竄。向即詣貴先軍壘，以逆順之理責之，貴先感悟，遂來降，故同州不陷。向由是知名。累為京兆府戶曹，轉櫟陽、渭南縣令，奏課皆第一，朝廷亟聞其理行，擢為戶部員外郎。

His son Xiang, courtesy name Siren, entered office through hereditary privilege and rose to senior remonstrator of the heir apparent while still young. Early in the Jianzhong era Li Shu, as prefect of Tong, recommended Xiang as his administrative aide. When Zhu Ci rebelled and Li Huai'guang rose in Hezhong, Huai'guang sent his general Zhao Guixian to build fortifications at Tong. Li Shu fled to Fengtian, and Xiang was left in charge of the prefecture. Guixian forced the county magistrate Lin Bao to press the laborers in building the ramparts. When the work fell behind schedule he was about to execute Lin, and officials and common people fled in terror. Xiang went at once to Guixian's camp and rebuked him on the grounds of loyalty and rebellion. Guixian was moved to repentance and surrendered, and so Tong prefecture was saved. From that time Xiang's name became known. He served in the metropolitan revenue office and then as magistrate of Liyang and Weinan, earning top ratings in every evaluation. The court soon took note of his governance and promoted him to vice director in the Ministry of Revenue.

德宗季年，天下方鎮副亻卒多自選於朝，防一日有變，遂就而授之節制。向已選為太原少尹，德宗召見喻旨，尋用為行軍司馬、兼御史中丞，改汾州刺史，轉鄭州。又復為太原少尹，兼河東節度副使。改晉州刺史，充本州防禦使，遷虢州刺史。入為京兆少尹，拜同州刺史，充本州防禦使。入為大理寺卿，出遷陜虢都防禦、觀察使。三歲，拜左散騎常侍，自常侍復為大理。

Late in Emperor Dezong's reign, deputy commanders for the regional armies were often chosen in advance at court, so that if trouble arose they could immediately be given full military commission. Xiang had been selected as junior prefect of Taiyuan. Emperor Dezong summoned him, explained his intentions, and soon appointed him campaigning marshal and vice censor-in-chief, then prefect of Fen and later of Zheng. He was again made junior prefect of Taiyuan and deputy military commissioner of Hedong. He was made prefect of Jin and defense commissioner there, then transferred to prefect of Guo. He was recalled as junior metropolitan prefect, appointed prefect of Tong, and made defense commissioner of that prefecture. He was made director of the Court of Judicial Review, then sent out as defense and investigation commissioner for Shan and Guo. After three years he was made left regular attendant of the cavalry, then returned from that post to serve again as director of the Court of Judicial Review.

向本以名相子，以學行自飭，謹守其門風。歷官仁智推愛，利及於人。至是，以年過致政，朝廷優異，乃以吏部尚書致仕於新昌裏第。內外支屬百余人，向所得俸祿，必同其費，及領外任，亦挈而隨之。有孤煢疾苦不能自恤，向尤周給，至今稱其孝睦焉。大和四年九月卒，年八十。贈太子少保。

Xiang was born the son of a famous chief minister and disciplined himself through learning and conduct, carefully preserving his family's reputation. In every office he governed with benevolence and wisdom, bringing benefit to those under him. When he grew old he retired from office. The court treated him with exceptional honor, allowing him to retire with the title of minister of personnel at his home in Xinchang Lane. More than a hundred kinsmen, close and distant, depended on him. Whatever salary he received he shared with them all, and when he took provincial office he brought them with him. Orphans, the destitute, and the sick who could not care for themselves he especially supported. To this day he is praised for his filial devotion and kindness to kin. He died in the ninth month of Dahe 4 (830) at the age of eighty. He was posthumously made junior guardian of the heir apparent.

子寅，登進士第，累官至御史大夫卒。

His son Yin passed the jinshi examination and rose through several posts to censor-in-chief, in which office he died.

子樞，字紀聖，咸通十二年登進士第。宰相杜審權出鎮河中，辟為從事，得秘書省校書郎，再遷藍田尉。直弘文館。大學士王鐸深知之，鐸罷相失職，樞亦久之不調。從僖宗幸蜀，中丞李煥奏為殿中侍御史，遷起居郎。中和初，王鐸復見用，以舊恩徙為鄭滑掌書記、檢校司封郎中，賜金紫，入朝歷兵、吏二員外郎。龍紀初，擢拜給事中，改京兆尹。宰相孔緯尤深獎遇。大順中，緯以用兵無功貶官，樞坐累為右庶子，尋出為歙州刺史。乾寧初，入為右散騎常侍，從昭宗幸華州，為汴州宣諭使。

His son Shu, courtesy name Jisheng, passed the jinshi examination in Xiantong 12 (871). When Chief Minister Du Shenquan went out to command Hezhong, he recruited Shu as administrative aide. Shu was appointed collator in the Secretariat and later promoted twice to magistrate of Lantian. He served on duty at the Hongwen Hall. Grand Academician Wang Duo thought highly of him. When Duo lost the chief ministry and fell from power, Shu too went long without a new appointment. He accompanied Emperor Xizong to Shu. Vice censor-in-chief Li Huan recommended him as attending censor in the palace, and he was promoted to diarist. Early in the Zhonghe era Wang Duo returned to power. Out of old friendship Shu was made secretary to the Zheng-Hua command and investigating director in the Bureau of Enfeoffments, granted the gold-and-purple insignia, and after returning to court served as vice director in the ministries of War and Personnel. At the beginning of the Longji era he was promoted to drafting attendant and then made metropolitan prefect. Chief Minister Kong Wei especially favored and promoted him. In the Dazhun era Kong Wei was demoted for military failure. Shu was implicated and made right guardian of the heir apparent, then sent out as prefect of She. Early in the Qianning era he was recalled as right regular attendant of the cavalry, accompanied Emperor Zhaozong to Hua, and was appointed commissioner to proclaim the court's will at Bian.

初，樞自歙州罷郡歸朝，路經大梁，時硃全忠兵威已振，樞以兄事之，全忠由是重之。及樞傳詔，全忠皆稟朝旨，獻奉相繼，昭宗甚悅，遷兵部侍郎。時崔胤專政，亦倚全忠，二人因是相結，改樞吏部侍郎。未幾，換戶部侍郎、同平章事。其年冬，昭宗幸華州，崔胤貶官，樞亦為工部尚書。天子自岐下還宮，以樞檢校右僕射、同平章事，出為廣南節度使。制出，硃全忠保薦之，言樞有經世才，不可棄之嶺表，尋復拜門下侍郎，監修國史，累兼吏部尚書，判度支。崔胤誅，以全忠素厚，相位如故。從昭宗遷洛陽，駐蹕陜州，進右僕射、弘文館大學士、太清宮使，充諸道鹽鐵轉運使。

Earlier, when Shu left his post at She and returned to court, his route took him through Daliang. Zhu Quanzhong's military power was already formidable, and Shu treated him with the deference due an elder brother—whereupon Quanzhong came to esteem him. When Shu delivered the imperial edict, Quanzhong obeyed the court's every instruction and sent tribute in unbroken succession. Emperor Zhaozong was greatly pleased and promoted Shu to vice minister of war. Cui Yin was then dominant at court and also relied on Quanzhong. The two formed an alliance, and Shu was made vice minister of personnel. Before long he was transferred to vice minister of revenue and appointed a chief minister. That winter Emperor Zhaozong went to Hua. When Cui Yin was demoted, Shu was made minister of works. When the emperor returned to the capital from Qi, Shu was made investigating right vice director and chief minister, then sent out as military commissioner of Guangnan. When the appointment was issued, Zhu Quanzhong intervened on his behalf, declaring that Shu possessed talent to govern the realm and should not be banished to the far south. Shu was soon made vice director of the Chancellery, put in charge of compiling the national history, and eventually also minister of personnel with charge of revenue. After Cui Yin was executed, Shu retained his chief ministry unchanged, thanks to his long-standing ties with Quanzhong. He accompanied Emperor Zhaozong to Luoyang and, when the court halted at Shan, was promoted to right vice director, grand academician of the Hongwen Hall, commissioner of the Great Pure Palace, and transport commissioner for salt and iron across all circuits.

哀帝初嗣位，柳璨用事，全忠嘗奏用牙將張廷範為太常卿，諸相議，樞曰：「廷範勛臣，幸有方鎮節鉞之命，何藉樂卿？恐非元帥梁王之旨。」乃持之不下。俄而全忠聞樞言，謂賓佐曰：「吾常以裴十四器識真純，不入浮薄之伍，觀此議論，本態露矣。」切齒含怒。柳璨聞全忠言，尋希旨罷樞相位，和陵祔享，拜尚書左僕射。五月，責授朝散大夫、登州刺史，尋再貶瀧州司戶。六月十一日，行及滑州，全忠遣人殺之於白馬驛，投屍於河，時年六十五。

When Emperor Aidi first took the throne, Liu Can was in power. Quanzhong once recommended his military officer Zhang Tingfan as director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. The chief ministers deliberated, and Shu said, 'Tingfan is a meritorious officer who may yet receive a regional command—why does he need the directorship of the Court of Sacrifices? I fear this is not what the Prince of Liang, our commander-in-chief, intends. He therefore withheld the appointment and would not issue it. When Quanzhong heard of Shu's words he told his staff, 'I always thought Pei the Fourteenth was genuinely upright and would never join the frivolous crowd—but this opinion shows his true colors. He ground his teeth in fury. Liu Can, hearing Quanzhong's anger, soon had Shu removed from the chief ministry in accord with his wishes. At the joint offering at He Mausoleum Shu was made left vice director of the Secretariat. In the fifth month he was demoted to grand master of palace leisure and prefect of Deng, then soon further demoted to registrar of Long prefecture. On the eleventh day of the sixth month, when he reached Hua prefecture on his way into exile, Quanzhong sent men to kill him at Baima Post and throw his body into the river. He was sixty-five years old.

史臣曰：晉卿謹身蒞事，足為純臣，避寇全忠，固彰大節。然博達精審，豈不知寬猛之道哉！奉林甫之旨，順胥吏之意，悅附張倚，欺罔時君。生為重臣，諂林甫之勢也；歿改美謚，引元載之恩焉。或言晉卿不為巧宦者，誠不信也。冕力贊中興，名居大位，奉公抱義，可以致身；賣官度僧，是何為政？及其老也，貪冒尤深。遵慶學術貞明，為國忠所出；恭儉謹密，遇蕭華素知。位重行純，老而彌篤，彼二公固有慚德。向克荷堂構，不墜門風。樞因盜而振，盜憎而亡，宜哉！君子守道遠刑，蓋慮此也。

The historiographer comments: Jingqing conducted himself with scrupulous care in office and may truly be called a loyal minister; in fleeing the rebels he preserved his integrity and displayed great moral courage. Yet he was learned, penetrating, and exact in judgment—how could he not have known the balance of leniency and severity! He carried out Li Linfu's wishes, indulged the clerks, curried favor with Zhang Yi, and deceived his sovereign. In life he rose to the highest office by flattering Li Linfu's power; after death he received a flattering posthumous title through Yuan Zai's favor. Those who claim Jingqing was no crafty courtier simply cannot be believed. Mian vigorously supported the restoration and rose to the highest rank. In serving the state with integrity he might have won lasting honor; yet what sort of governance is it to sell offices and sell ordinations? In his old age his greed knew no bounds. Zunqing's learning was upright and his conduct clear, yet Yang Guozhong had him posted to the provinces; he was respectful, frugal, and discreet, and won recognition from Xiao Hua, who had long known his worth. He held high office with pure conduct and grew only more steadfast in old age—beside him, the other two men had reason to feel ashamed. Xiang upheld the family estate and did not let its reputation fall. Shu rose through the rebel's favor, and when the rebel turned against him he perished—as was only fitting! The gentleman holds to the Way and keeps clear of punishment—surely he takes warning from such examples.

贊曰：奧矣晉卿，貪哉裴冕。遵慶父子，及之者鮮。

In summary: Jingqing was deep in cunning; Pei Mian was deep in greed. As for Zunqing and his sons, few could equal them.

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