1
張鎰，蘇州人，朔方節度使齊丘之子也。 以門廕授左衛兵曹參軍。 郭子儀為關內副元帥，以嘗伏事齊丘，辟鎰為判官。 授大理評事，遷殿中侍御史。 乾元初，華原令盧樅以公事呵責邑人內侍齊令詵，令詵銜之，構誣。 外發鎰按驗，樅當降官，及下有司，樅當杖死。 鎰其公服白其母曰：「上疏理樅，樅必免死，鎰必坐貶。 若以私則鎰負於當官，貶則以太夫人為憂，敢問所安？」 母曰：爾無累於道，吾所安也。」 遂執奏正罪，樅獲配流，鎰貶撫州司戶。 量移晉陵令，未之官，洪吉觀察張鎬辟為判官，奏授殿中侍御史。 遷屯田員外郎，轉祠部、右司二員外。 母憂居喪有聞，免喪，除司勛員外。 交遊不雜，與楊綰、崔祐甫相善。 大歷五年，除濠州刺史，為政清凈，州事大理。 乃招經術之士，講訓生徒，比去郡，升明經者四十余人。 撰《三禮圖》九卷、《五經微旨》十四卷、《孟子音義》三卷。 李靈曜反於汴州，鎰訓練鄉兵，嚴守禦之備，詔書褒異，加侍御史、沿淮鎮守使。 尋遷壽州刺史，使如故。 德宗即位，除江南西道都團練觀察使、洪州刺史、兼御史中丞，征拜吏部侍郎，尋除河中晉絳都防禦觀察使。 到官數日，改汴滑節度觀察使、汴州刺史、兼御史大夫，以疾辭，逗留於中路，征入，養疾私第。 未幾，拜中書侍郎、平章事、集賢殿學士，修國史。
Zhang Yi was a native of Suzhou and the son of Qi Qiu, military governor of Shuofang. He received appointment as Left Guards Army Office Record Officer through hereditary privilege. When Guo Ziyi served as vice commander-in-chief of Guannei, he recruited Zhang Yi as a staff judge, having once served under Qi Qiu himself. He was appointed a reviewer in the Court of Judicial Review and later promoted to Palace Censor. Early in the Qianyuan era, Lu Cong, magistrate of Huayuan, publicly rebuked the local eunuch Qi Lingshen over official business. Lingshen nursed a grudge and fabricated charges against him. Zhang Yi was sent from outside to investigate the case. Lu Cong should have been demoted, but once the matter reached the judicial offices, he faced death by beating. Still in his official robes, Zhang Yi told his mother, "If I submit a memorial to clear Lu Cong, he will surely escape death, but I will surely be demoted in punishment. If I act from private feeling, I fail in my duty as an official; if I accept demotion, I will cause you, my lady, great worry. May I ask where your peace lies? His mother replied, "You will not be burdened in the Way—that is where I find my peace." He then submitted a memorial insisting on the proper penalty. Lu Cong was sentenced to exile, and Zhang Yi was demoted to registrar of Fuzhou. He was transferred by degree to magistrate of Jinling, but before he took up the post, Zhang Hao, observation commissioner of Hong-Ji, recruited him as a staff judge and memorialized for his appointment as Palace Censor. He was promoted to vice director of the Bureau of Public Lands and then transferred to serve concurrently as vice director of the Bureau of Sacrifices and vice director of the Right Office. He became known for the propriety with which he observed mourning for his mother. When the mourning period ended, he was appointed vice director of the Bureau of Merits. He kept his associations selective and was on good terms with Yang Wan and Cui Youfu. In the fifth year of Dali, he was appointed prefect of Hao. His administration was pure and restrained, and the affairs of the prefecture were brought into good order. He recruited scholars of the classics to instruct students, and by the time he left the prefecture, more than forty had passed the Mingjing examination. He authored 《Three Rites Illustrations》 in nine fascicles, 《Subtle Meanings of the Five Classics》 in fourteen fascicles, and 《Phonological Glosses on Mencius》 in three fascicles. When Li Lingyao rebelled at Bianzhou, Zhang Yi trained local militia and rigorously prepared the defenses. An imperial edict singled him out for praise and added the posts of attendant censor and commissioner for defense along the Huai. He was soon transferred to prefect of Shouzhou while retaining his commissioner post. When Emperor Dezong took the throne, Zhang Yi was appointed overall training and observation commissioner of Jiangnan West Circuit, prefect of Hongzhou, and concurrently vice censor-in-chief. He was then summoned to serve as vice minister of the Ministry of Personnel and soon afterward appointed defense and observation commissioner of Hezhong, Jin, and Jiang. Within days of reaching his post, he was reassigned as military governor and observation commissioner of Bian-Hua, prefect of Bianzhou, and concurrently censor-in-chief. He declined on grounds of illness, lingered en route, was recalled to court, and convalesced at his private residence. Before long he was appointed vice director of the Secretariat, Grand Councilor, academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies, and compiler of the national history.
2
建中三年正月，太仆卿趙縱為奴當千發其陰事，縱下御史臺，貶循州司馬，留當千於內侍省。 鎰上疏論之曰：
In the first month of the third year of Jianzhong, Grand Stable Master Zhao Zong was denounced by his slave Dangqian for secret misconduct. Zhao Zong was sent to the Censorate and demoted to military adjutant of Xunzhou, while Dangqian was retained in the Palace Domestic Service. Zhang Yi submitted a memorial on the matter, saying:
3
伏見趙縱為奴所告下獄，人皆震懼，未測聖情。 貞觀二年，太宗謂侍臣曰：比有奴告其主謀逆，此極弊法，特須禁斷。 假令有謀反者，必不獨成，自有他人論之，豈藉其奴告也。 自今已後，奴告主者皆不受，盡令斬決。」 由是賤不得幹貴，下不得陵上，教化之本既正，悖亂之漸不生。 為國之經，百代難改，欲全其事體，實在防微。 頃者長安令李濟得罪因奴，萬年令霍晏得罪因婢，愚賤之輩，悖慢成風，主反畏之，動遭誣告，充溢府縣，莫能斷決。 建中元年五月二十八日，詔曰：準鬥競律，諸奴婢告主，非謀叛已上者，同自首法，並準律處分。」 自此奴婢復順，獄訴稍息。 今趙縱非叛逆，奴實奸兇，奴在禁中，縱獨下獄，考之於法，或恐未正。 將帥之功，莫大於子儀； 人臣之位，莫大於尚父。 歿身未幾，墳土僅乾，兩婿先已當辜，趙縱今又下獄。 設令縱實抵法，所告非奴，才經數月，連罪三婿。 錄勛念舊，猶或可容，況在章程，本宜宥免。 陛下方誅群賊，大用武臣，雖見寵於當時，恐息望於他日。 太宗之令典尚在，陛下之明詔始行，一朝偕違，不與眾守，於教化恐失，於刑法恐煩，所益悉無，所傷至廣。 臣非私趙縱，非惡此奴，叨居股肱，職在匡弼，斯昌大體，敢不極言。 伏乞聖慈，納臣愚懇。
I observe that Zhao Zong was reported by a slave and sent to prison. Everyone is shaken with fear, unable to discern Your Majesty's intent. In the second year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong told his attending ministers, "Lately slaves have been reporting their masters for plotting rebellion. This is an extremely corrupt practice and must be strictly forbidden." Even if someone were plotting rebellion, he would surely not accomplish it alone; others would naturally report it. Why rely on a slave's accusation. From this time forward, no report by a slave against his master shall be accepted, and all such slaves shall be executed by decapitation." By this the lowly could not interfere with the noble and the inferior could not encroach upon the superior. The foundation of moral instruction was set right, and the seeds of rebellion did not take root. As a fundamental principle of statecraft, it is difficult to alter across generations. To preserve the integrity of the system truly depends on guarding against small beginnings. Recently Chang'an magistrate Li Ji and Wannian magistrate Huo Yan both fell afoul of the law because of slaves and maids. Among the foolish and base, insolence became the fashion; masters instead feared their servants and were constantly subjected to false accusations. Cases overflowed the prefectures and counties, and none could be resolved. On the twenty-eighth day of the fifth month of the first year of Jianzhong, an edict declared, "According to the statute on brawling and litigation, any slave or maid who reports a master for an offense short of plotting rebellion shall be treated under the law on voluntary surrender and punished according to statute." From this point slaves and maids again became compliant, and litigation gradually subsided. Zhao Zong is not a rebel, while the slave is truly treacherous and vicious. The slave remains in the palace while Zhao Zong alone is sent to prison. Examined under the law, I fear this may not be correct. Among generals, none has greater merit than Guo Ziyi; and among subjects, none holds a rank higher than Grand Preceptor. Not long after his death, the earth on his grave had barely dried. Two sons-in-law had already been found guilty, and now Zhao Zong has been sent to prison as well. Even if Zhao Zong truly merited punishment under the law, the accuser was not a slave, and within only a few months three sons-in-law have been punished in succession. Recording merit and remembering old ties might still allow forbearance; moreover, under the regulations, pardon and exemption would be appropriate. Your Majesty is now executing rebels and greatly employing military ministers. Though they are favored in the present, I fear their hopes will be extinguished hereafter. Emperor Taizong's authoritative precedent still stands, and Your Majesty's enlightened edict has only just been promulgated. To violate both at once and not abide with the rest—in moral instruction there will likely be loss, and in penal law there will likely be trouble. The benefit is entirely absent, while the harm is far-reaching. I am not acting privately for Zhao Zong, nor do I bear personal hatred toward this slave. Occupying a place at Your Majesty's right hand, my duty is to assist and correct. On a matter of such broad principle, I dare not speak less than fully. I humbly beg Your Majesty's compassion to accept my earnest plea.
4
上深納之，縱於是左貶而已，當千杖殺之。 鎰乃令召子儀家僮數百人，以死奴示之。
The emperor deeply accepted the memorial. Zhao Zong was merely demoted, and Dangqian was beaten to death. Zhang Yi then summoned several hundred of Guo Ziyi's household slaves and showed them the dead slave.
5
盧杞忌鎰名重道直，無以陷之，以方用兵西邊，杞乃偽請行，上固以不可，因薦鎰以中書侍郎為鳳翔隴右節度使代硃泚，與吐蕃相尚結贊等盟於清水。 將盟，鎰與結贊約各以二千人赴壇所，執兵者半之，列於壇外二百步； 散從者半之，分立壇下。 鎰與賓佐齊映、齊抗及盟官崔漢衡、樊澤、常魯、於頔等七人，皆朝服； 結贊與其本國將相論悉頰藏、論臧熱、論利陁、斯官者、論力徐等亦七人，俱升壇為盟。 初，約漢以牛，蕃以馬為牲，鎰恥與之盟，將殺其禮，乃請結贊曰：「漢非牛不田，蕃非馬不行，今請以羊豕犬三物代之。」 結贊許諾。 時塞外無豕，結贊請以羝羊，鎰出犬、白羊，乃坎於壇北刑之，雜血一器而歃，盟文曰：
Lu Qi resented Zhang Yi's great reputation and upright conduct and had no means to entrap him. As troops were then being deployed on the western frontier, Qi falsely offered to go in person. The emperor firmly refused, and instead recommended Zhang Yi, with the title of vice director of the Secretariat, as military governor of Fengxiang-Longyou to replace Zhu Ci. Zhang Yi then entered into an alliance with the Tibetan minister Shang Jiezan and others at Qingshui. Before the alliance, Zhang Yi and Jiezan agreed that each side would bring two thousand men to the altar site. Half would bear arms and be arrayed two hundred paces outside the altar; and half would be unarmed attendants stationed separately below the altar. Zhang Yi, his staff members Qi Ying and Qi Kang, and alliance officials Cui Hanheng, Fan Ze, Chang Lu, Yu Di, and others—seven men in all—were all in court dress; Jiezan, together with his country's generals and ministers Lun Xibizang, Lun Zangre, Lun Lituo, Siguanzhe, Lun Lixu, and others—also seven men—all ascended the altar to make the alliance. At first it was agreed that the Han side would use an ox and the Tibetan side a horse as sacrificial victims. Ashamed to ally on those terms, Zhang Yi sought to diminish the rite and requested of Jiezan, "The Han cannot plow without oxen, and Tibet cannot travel without horses. I request that sheep, pigs, and dogs be substituted instead. Jiezan agreed. At that time there were no pigs beyond the frontier, so Jiezan requested a ram in place of a pig. Zhang Yi produced a dog and a white sheep. They dug a pit north of the altar and executed the victims there, mixed the blood in one vessel and drank it, and the alliance text read:
6
唐有天下，恢奄禹跡，舟車所至，莫不率俾。 以累聖重光，卜年惟永，恢王者之丕業，被四海以聲教。 與吐蕃贊普，代為婚姻，因結鄰好，安危同體，甥舅之國，將二百年。 其間或因小忿，棄惠為仇，封疆騷然，靡有寧歲。 皇帝踐阼，湣茲黎元，乃釋俘囚悉歸蕃落。 二國展禮，同茲協和，行人往復，累布成命。 是必詐謀不起，兵革不用矣。 彼猶以兩國之要，求之永久，古有結盟，今請用之。 國家務息邊人，外其故地，棄利蹈義，堅盟從約。 今國家所守界：涇州西至彈箏峽西口，隴州西至清水縣，鳳州西至同谷縣，暨劍南西山、大渡河東，為漢界。 蕃國守鎮在蘭、渭、原、會，西至臨洮，又東至成州，抵劍南西界磨些諸蠻、大渡水西南，為蕃界。 其兵馬鎮守之處州縣見有居人，彼此兩邊見屬漢諸蠻，以今所分見住處依前所有不載者，蕃有兵馬處蕃守，漢有兵馬處漢守，不得侵越。 其先未有兵馬處，不得雜置並築城堡耕種。 今二國將相受辭而會，齋戒將事，告天地山川之神，惟神昭臨，無得衍墜。 其盟文藏於郊廟，副在有司，二國之誠，其永保之。
Tang possesses All Under Heaven, broadly covering the traces of Yu; wherever boat and carriage reach, none fail to submit and serve. Through successive sage emperors and renewed glory, the years are divined to be everlasting. The king's great enterprise is restored, and the four seas are covered with civilizing instruction. With the Tibetan tsenpo, generation after generation there has been marriage alliance, and neighborly friendship has been formed. Safety and danger have been shared as one body—a nephew-and-uncle state for nearly two hundred years. In the interval, at times small resentments led grace to be cast aside and enmity to be made. The borders were disturbed, and there were no years of peace. The emperor ascended the throne, pitying the common people, and released captives and prisoners, returning them all to Tibetan settlements. The two states exchanged ritual courtesies and harmonized together. Envoys went back and forth, and repeated edicts were promulgated. By this treacherous plots will surely not arise, and arms and armor will not be used. They still seek permanence in the essentials of the two states. Alliance-making existed in antiquity, and I request that it be used now. The state is intent on giving peace to the frontier people, ceding its former territory, abandoning profit and treading righteousness, and firmly allying under the agreement. The boundaries the state now holds are as follows: from Jing prefecture west to the western mouth of Tansheng Gorge, from Long prefecture west to Qingshui county, from Feng prefecture west to Tonggu county, and including the western mountains of Jiannan and the area east of the Dadu River—this is the Han boundary. Tibet's garrison posts are at Lan, Wei, Yuan, and Hui, west to Lintao, and east again to Cheng prefecture, reaching the western border of Jiannan, the Mosuo tribes, and the area southwest of the Dadu River—this is the Tibetan boundary. At places where troops and horses are stationed, in prefectures and counties where inhabitants presently dwell, and among the various tribes on both sides presently subject to Han—as to present divisions of residence according to prior holdings not recorded—where Tibet has troops and horses, Tibet shall guard; where Han has troops and horses, Han shall guard. Neither side may encroach or overstep. At places where previously there were no troops and horses, none may be mixed in, nor may fortresses be built or fields cultivated. Now the generals and ministers of the two states, having received the words, meet. Having fasted and purified themselves, they shall perform the rite, announcing to the spirits of Heaven, Earth, mountains, and rivers. May the spirits brightly oversee, and may none be neglected or abandoned. The alliance text shall be stored in the suburban and ancestral temples, with a copy held by the relevant offices. May the sincerity of the two states be forever preserved.
7
結贊亦出盟文，不加於坎，但埋牲而已。 盟畢，結贊請鎰就壇之西南隅佛幄中焚香為誓，誓畢，復升壇飲酒。 獻酬之禮，各用其物，以將厚意而歸。
Jiezan also produced an alliance text. He did not add it to the pit but merely buried the sacrificial victims. When the alliance was complete, Jiezan requested that Zhang Yi go to the Buddha pavilion at the southwest corner of the altar and burn incense to swear. When the oath was complete, they again ascended the altar and drank wine. In the rites of offering and return, each side used its own gifts, thereby conveying generous intent before departing.
8
德宗將幸奉天，鎰竊知之，將迎鑾駕，具財貨服用獻行在。 李楚琳者，嘗事硃泚，得其心。 軍司馬齊映等密謀曰：「楚琳不去，必為亂。」 乃遣楚琳屯於隴州。 楚琳知其謀，乃托故不時發。 鎰始以迎駕心憂惑，以楚琳承命去矣，殊不促其行。 鎰修飾邊幅，不為軍士所悅。 是夜，楚琳遂與其黨王汾、李卓、牛僧伽等作亂。 鎰夜縋而走，判官齊映自水竇出，齊抗為傭保負荷而逃，皆獲免。 鎰出鳳翔三十里，及二子皆為候騎所得，楚琳俱殺之； 判官王沼、張元度、柳遇、李漵被殺。 尋贈太子太傅，葬事官給。
Emperor Dezong was about to proceed to Fengtian. Zhang Yi learned of it privately and prepared to welcome the imperial carriage, assembling wealth, goods, and clothing to present at the traveling palace. Li Chulin had once served Zhu Ci and won his confidence. Army marshal Qi Ying and others secretly plotted, saying, "If Li Chulin is not removed, he will surely cause disorder. They then dispatched Li Chulin to garrison at Long prefecture. Li Chulin learned of their plot and, pleading some excuse, did not depart on time. Zhang Yi, preoccupied with welcoming the imperial carriage, assumed Li Chulin had accepted the order and departed, and did not press him to go. Zhang Yi was fastidious in dress and deportment and was not liked by the soldiers. That night Li Chulin, together with his followers Wang Fen, Li Zhuo, Niu Sengqie, and others, raised a rebellion. Zhang Yi lowered himself by rope and fled by night. Staff judge Qi Ying escaped through a water conduit, and Qi Kang fled disguised as a hired porter carrying loads. All escaped harm. When Zhang Yi had gone thirty li out of Fengxiang, his two sons were seized by scouting cavalry, and Li Chulin had them all killed; Staff judges Wang Zhao, Zhang Yuandu, Liu Yu, and Li Qin were killed. He was soon posthumously made Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent, and funeral arrangements were supplied by the state.
9
馮河清者，京兆人也。 初以武藝從軍，隸朔方節度郭子儀，以戰功授左衛大將軍同正； 隸涇原節度馬璘，頻以偏師禦吐蕃，甚有殺獲之功。 歷試太子詹事、兼御史中丞，充兵馬使。 建中四年，節度使姚令言奉詔率兵赴關東，以河清知兵馬留後，判官、殿中侍御史姚況知州事。 及令言至京師，所統兵叛，上幸奉天，河清與況聞之，乃集三軍大哭，因共激勵將吏，誓敦誠節，眾頗義之。 即時發甲仗、器械、車百余輛，連夜送行在所。 時駕初遷幸，六軍雖集，蒼黃之際，都無戎器，及涇州甲仗至，軍士大振，特詔褒其誠效，拜四鎮北庭行軍涇原節度使、兼御史大夫； 姚況兼御史中丞、行軍司馬。 俄加河清檢校工部尚書。 賊泚及姚令言累遣間諜招誘，河清輒拘而戮焉。 及駕幸梁州，其將田希鑒潛通泚，使結兇黨害河清。 尋贈尚書左僕射，葬事官給。 興元元年，贈太子少傅。
Feng Heqing was a native of Jingzhao. He first entered the army through martial skill and served under Shuofang military governor Guo Ziyi. For battle merit he was appointed Left Guard Grand General with irregular status; he then served under Jingyuan military governor Ma Lin, frequently repelling Tibet with detached forces and achieving great merit in killing and capturing the enemy. He successively served as provisional Grand Steward of the Heir Apparent, concurrently vice censor-in-chief, and as army commander. In the fourth year of Jianzhong, military governor Yao Lingyan, obeying an edict, led troops east to the passes. Feng Heqing was made acting rear army commander, and staff judge and Palace Censor Yao Kuang administered prefectural affairs. When Yao Lingyan reached the capital, the troops under his command rebelled and the emperor proceeded to Fengtian. Feng Heqing and Yao Kuang heard the news, gathered the three armies, and wept aloud. Together they roused the officers, swearing to uphold loyal integrity, and the troops largely approved. They immediately dispatched armor, weapons, equipment, and more than a hundred carts, sending them overnight to the traveling palace. At that time the imperial carriage had just moved in haste. Though the Six Armies were assembled, in the sudden emergency there were no weapons at all. When Jingzhou armor and arms arrived, the soldiers were greatly heartened. A special edict praised their loyal effectiveness and appointed Feng Heqing military governor of Jingyuan with the Four Garrisons and Northern Court campaign army, concurrently censor-in-chief; Yao Kuang was concurrently appointed vice censor-in-chief and campaign army marshal. He was soon additionally made provisional minister of the Ministry of Works. The rebel Zhu Ci and Yao Lingyan repeatedly sent spies to entice him, and Feng Heqing always seized and executed them. When the imperial carriage proceeded to Liangzhou, his general Tian Xijian secretly communicated with Zhu Ci and caused wicked partisans to kill Feng Heqing. He was soon posthumously made Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and funeral arrangements were supplied by the state. In the first year of Xingyuan, he was posthumously made Junior Preceptor of the Heir Apparent.
10
劉從一，中書侍郎林甫之玄孫也。 祖令植，禮部侍郎。 父孺之，京兆府少尹。 從一少舉進士，大歷中宏詞，授秘書省校書郎，以調中第，補渭南尉，雅為常袞所推重。 及袞為相，遷監察御史。 居無何，丁母憂。 服除，宰相盧杞薦之，超遷侍御史。 居數月，以親避除刑部員外郎。 建中末，普王之為元帥也，遷吏部郎中、兼御史中丞，為元帥判官。 德宗居奉天，拜刑部侍郎、平章事，從幸梁州。 明年六月，改中書侍郎、平章事。 歲中，加集賢殿大學士、修史。 上遇之甚厚，以容身遠罪而已，不能有所匡輔。 無幾，以疾請告，至是，病甚辭位，章疏六上，乃許，除戶部尚書。 尋卒，年四十四，輟朝三日，贈太子太傅。 初，林甫生祥道，麟德初為右相，祥道即從一曾伯祖也。 令植從父兄齊賢，弘道初為侍中。 自祥道至從一，劉氏凡三相。
Liu Congyi was the great-great-grandson of Vice Director of the Secretariat Lin Fu. His grandfather Lingzhi was vice minister of the Ministry of Rites. His father Ruzhi was junior administrator of the Jingzhao Metropolitan Prefecture. Congyi passed the jinshi examination in his youth. During the Dali era he passed the hongci examination and was appointed collator of the Secretariat. Through the transfer examination he placed in the middle rank and was made assistant magistrate of Weinan. Chang Gun held him in high esteem. When Chang Gun became chief minister, Congyi was promoted to investigating censor. Before long he entered mourning for his mother. When the mourning period ended, Chief Minister Lu Qi recommended him, and he was promoted by exception to attendant censor. Within several months, because of kinship avoidance he was transferred to vice director of the Bureau of Punishments. At the end of the Jianzhong era, when the Prince of Pu served as commander-in-chief, Congyi was promoted to director of the Ministry of Personnel and concurrently vice censor-in-chief, serving as the commander-in-chief's staff judge. When Emperor Dezong resided at Fengtian, Congyi was appointed vice minister of the Ministry of Punishments and Grand Councilor, and accompanied the emperor to Liangzhou. In the sixth month of the following year, he was reassigned as vice director of the Secretariat and Grand Councilor. Within the year he was additionally made grand academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies and compiler of history. The emperor treated him very generously, but he sought only to preserve himself and keep clear of blame and could not offer meaningful corrective assistance. Before long he requested leave on grounds of illness. By this time, gravely ill, he resigned his post. After six memorials he was permitted to step down and was appointed minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He soon died at the age of forty-four. Court was suspended for three days, and he was posthumously made Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent. Lin Fu's son Xiangdao served as right chief minister at the beginning of the Longde era; Xiangdao was Congyi's great-great-uncle. Lingzhi's paternal cousin Qixian served as Palace Attendant at the beginning of the Hongdao era. From Xiangdao to Congyi, the Liu clan produced three chief ministers in all.
11
蕭復，字履初，太子太師嵩之孫，新昌公主之子。 父衡，太仆卿、駙馬都尉。 少秉清操，其群從兄弟，競飾輿馬，以侈靡相尚，復衣浣濯之衣，獨居一室，習學不倦，非詞人儒士不與之遊。 伯華每嘆異之。 以主廕，初為宮門郎，累至太子仆。
Xiao Fu, courtesy name Lvchu, was the grandson of Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent Song and the son of Princess Xinchang. His father Heng was Grand Stable Master and Commandant of the Horse. In youth he upheld pure conduct. His cousins and brothers vied in adorning carriages and horses and prided themselves on extravagance, while Fu wore plain washed clothes, lived alone in one room, studied tirelessly, and associated only with literary men and scholars. Bohua often sighed in admiration of him. Through imperial consort privilege he was first made gate officer and successively rose to steward of the Heir Apparent.
12
廣德中，連歲不稔，谷價翔貴，家貧，將鬻昭應別業。 時宰相王縉聞其林泉之美，心欲之，乃使弟竑誘焉，曰：「足下之才，固宜居右職，如以別業奉家兄，當以要地處矣。」 復對曰：「仆以家貧而鬻舊業，將以拯濟孀幼耳，倘以易美職於身，令門內凍餒，非鄙夫之心也。」 縉憾之，乃罷復官。 沈廢數年，復處之自若。 後累至尚書郎。 大歷十四年，自常州刺史為潭州刺史、湖南觀察使。 及為同州刺史，州人阻饑，有京畿觀察使儲廩在境內，復輒以賑貸，為有司所劾，削階。 朋友唁之，復怡然曰：「茍利於人，敢憚薄罰。」 尋為兵部侍郎。 建中末，普王為襄漢元帥，以復為戶部尚書、統軍長史，以復父名衡，特詔避之，未行。 扈駕奉天，拜吏部尚書、平章事。 復嘗奏曰：「宦者自艱難已來，初為監軍，自爾恩幸過重。 此輩只合委宮掖之寄，不可參兵機政事之權。」 上不悅，又請別對，奏云：「陛下臨禦之初，聖德光被，自用楊炎、盧杞秉政，惛瀆皇猷，以致今日。 今雖危急，伏願陛下深革睿思，微臣敢當此任。 若令臣依阿偷免，臣不敢曠職。」 盧杞奏對於上前，阿諛順旨，復正色曰：「杞之詞不正。」 德宗愕然，退謂左右曰：「蕭復頗輕朕。」 遂令往江南宣撫。
During the Guangde era, harvests failed for successive years and grain prices soared. His family was poor, and he was about to sell his secondary estate at Zhaoying. Chief Minister Wang Jin heard of the beauty of its woods and springs and desired it. He had his younger brother Hong entice Fu, saying, "Your talent truly ought to occupy a high post. If you present the secondary estate to my elder brother, you will be placed in an important position. Fu replied, "I am selling my old estate because my family is poor, intending only to rescue widows and children. If I exchanged it for a fine post for myself and left those within my gates to freeze and starve, that would not be the heart of an honorable man." Wang Jin resented this and dismissed Fu from office. He remained out of office for several years, yet Fu remained as composed as before. He later rose successively to director in the Secretariat. In the fourteenth year of Dali, he moved from prefect of Changzhou to prefect of Tanzhou and observation commissioner of Hunan. When he became prefect of Tongzhou, the people were suffering from famine. Granaries belonging to the Capital Region observation commissioner lay within the prefecture, and Fu repeatedly used them for relief loans. He was impeached by the relevant offices and stripped of rank. When friends consoled him, Fu said calmly, "If it benefits others, how dare I shrink from a light punishment. He was soon made vice minister of the Ministry of War. At the end of the Jianzhong era, when the Prince of Pu served as commander-in-chief of Xiang-Han, Fu was made minister of the Ministry of Revenue and chief secretary of the unified army. Because Fu's father's name was Heng, a special edict ordered name avoidance, and he did not take up the post. While escorting the imperial carriage at Fengtian, he was appointed minister of the Ministry of Personnel and Grand Councilor. Fu once memorialized, saying, "Since the times of hardship, eunuchs were first made army supervisors. From then on their favor and privilege have been excessive. These men should only be entrusted with palace affairs and ought not participate in military planning or governmental administration. The emperor was displeased. Fu again requested a separate audience and memorialized, saying, "When Your Majesty first assumed the throne, sage virtue shone abroad. Since Yang Yan and Lu Qi were entrusted with government, they have befouled the imperial design and brought about the present crisis. Though the situation is now critical, I humbly wish Your Majesty would deeply reform your deliberations. Your humble servant dares undertake this charge. If you order me to fawn and seek exemption, I dare not neglect my duty." Lu Qi answered before the emperor, flattering and following his intent. Fu said sternly, "Qi's words are not upright." Emperor Dezong was startled. Withdrawing, he told his attendants, "Xiao Fu rather looks down on me." He thereupon ordered Fu to go to Jiangnan as pacification commissioner.
13
先時，淮南節度陳少遊首稱臣於李希烈，鳳翔將李楚琳殺節度使張鎰以應硃泚，鎰判官韋臯先知隴州留後，首殺豳叛卒數百人，不應楚琳。 復江南使回，與宰相同對訖，復獨留，奏曰：「陛下自返宮闕，勛臣已蒙官爵，唯旌善懲惡，未有區分。 陳少遊將相之寄最崇，首敗臣節； 韋臯名宦最卑，特建忠義。 請令韋臯代少遊，則天下明然知逆順之理。」 上許之。 復出，宰相李勉、盧翰、劉從一方同歸中書，中使馬欽緒至，揖從一，附耳語而退，諸相各歸閣。 從一詣復曰：「適欽緒宣旨，令與公商量朝來所奏便進，勿令李勉、盧翰知。」 復曰：「適來奏對，亦聞斯旨，然未諭聖心，已面陳述，上意尚爾，復未敢言其事。」 復又曰：「唐、虞有僉曰之論，朝廷有事，尚合與公卿同議。 今勉、翰不可在相位，即去之； 既在相位，合同商量，何故獨避此之一節？ 且與公行之無爽，但恐浸以成俗，此政之大弊也。」 竟不言於從一。 從一奏之，上浸不悅。 復累表辭疾，請罷知政事，從之，守太子左庶子。 三年，坐郜國公主親累，檢校左庶子，於饒州安置。 四年，終於饒州，時年五十七。
Earlier, Huainan military governor Chen Shaoyou was the first to declare himself subject to Li Xilie. Fengxiang general Li Chulin killed military governor Zhang Yi to join Zhu Ci. Zhang Yi's staff judge Wei Gao, who had earlier served as acting rear commander of Long prefecture, was the first to kill several hundred mutinous soldiers from Bin and refused to follow Chulin. When Fu returned from his Jiangnan mission, after answering together with the chief ministers he alone remained and memorialized, saying, "Since Your Majesty returned to the palace, meritorious ministers have already received ranks and titles, yet in honoring good and punishing evil there has been no distinction. Chen Shaoyou held the highest trust of general and minister and was the first to destroy loyal integrity; Wei Gao's official rank was the most humble, yet he specially established loyalty and righteousness. I request that Wei Gao be ordered to replace Chen Shaoyou, so that All Under Heaven will clearly understand the principle of rebellion and submission. The emperor approved. Fu went out. Chief ministers Li Mian, Lu Han, and Liu Congyi together returned to the Secretariat. Palace envoy Ma Qinxu arrived, bowed to Liu Congyi, whispered in his ear, and withdrew. The ministers each returned to their offices. Liu Congyi went to Fu and said, "Just now Qinxu announced the imperial intent, ordering me to consult with you and immediately advance this morning's memorial. Do not let Li Mian and Lu Han know. Fu said, "In the audience just now I also heard this intent, but I had not yet understood the emperor's mind. I already stated it face to face, and the emperor's intent is still unchanged, so I did not dare speak of the matter." Fu also said, "Tang and Yu had the doctrine of collective assent. When the court has business, it ought still to be jointly deliberated with the high ministers. If Li Mian and Lu Han ought not be in chief minister posts, then remove them; since they are in chief minister posts, they ought to deliberate together. Why alone avoid this one matter? Moreover, to carry it out with you would be without error, but I fear it will gradually become custom. This is a great defect in government." In the end he did not speak of it to Liu Congyi. Liu Congyi reported it, and the emperor gradually became displeased. Fu repeatedly memorialized citing illness and requested to be relieved of participation in government. The request was granted, and he remained as left assistant to the Heir Apparent. In the third year, because of kinship entanglement with Princess Guo, he was made provisional left assistant to the Heir Apparent and settled at Raozhou. In the fourth year he died at Raozhou at the age of fifty-seven.
14
復門望高華，誌礪名節，與流俗不甚通狎。 及登臺輔，臨事不茍，頗為同列所嫉，以故居位不久。 性孝友，居家甚睦，為族子所累，晏然屏退，口未嘗言。
Fu's clan prestige was lofty and splendid. He resolved to sharpen his reputation and integrity and did not mingle closely with common society. When he ascended to the highest council, he was unyielding in affairs and was much envied by his colleagues. Therefore he did not long remain in office. By nature he was filial and fraternal, and at home he was very harmonious. When implicated by a clansman, he calmly withdrew and never spoke of it.
15
郜國公主者，肅宗之女也，出降駙馬蕭升，升於復為從兄弟，升早卒。 貞元中，蜀州別駕蕭鼎、商州豐陽令韋恪、前彭州司馬李萬、太子詹事李升等出入主第，穢聲流聞。 德宗怒，幽主於別第，李萬決殺，升貶嶺南，蕭鼎、韋恪決四十，長流嶺表。 又言公主行厭禱，其子位為禱文，位弟佩、儒、偲及異父兄駙馬都尉裴液，並長流端州。 公主女為皇太子妃，即順宗也。 太子懼，亦請與妃離婚。 六年，郜國薨，位兄弟及液詔還京師。 液父徽，初尚郜國； 徽卒，降蕭升。
Princess Guo was the daughter of Emperor Suzong. She was given in marriage to the Horse Commandant Xiao Sheng, who was Fu's cousin. Sheng died early. During the Zhenyuan era, Assistant Governor of Shu prefecture Xiao Ding, magistrate of Fengyang in Shang prefecture Wei Ke, former military adjutant of Peng prefecture Li Wan, Grand Steward of the Heir Apparent Li Sheng, and others came and went at the princess's residence, and scandalous reports spread. Emperor Dezong was enraged. The princess was confined in a separate residence. Li Wan was executed by decapitation. Li Sheng was demoted to Lingnan. Xiao Ding and Wei Ke were sentenced to forty blows and long exile beyond the Ling mountains. It was also said the princess practiced curse-prayer. Her son Wei wrote the prayer text. Wei's younger brothers Pei, Ru, and Si and her half-brother the Horse Commandant Pei Ye were all long exiled to Duanzhou. The princess's daughter was consort to the Crown Prince—that is, the future Emperor Shunzong. The Crown Prince was afraid and also requested divorce from the consort. In the sixth year Princess Guo died. Wei and his brothers and Pei Ye were ordered by edict to return to the capital. Pei Ye's father Hui was first married to Princess Guo; when Hui died, she was given in marriage to Xiao Sheng.
16
柳渾，字夷曠，襄州人，其先自河東徙焉。 六代祖惔，梁僕射。 渾少孤，父慶休，官至渤海丞，而誌學棲貧。 天寶初，舉進士，補單父尉。 至德中，為江西采訪使皇甫侁判官，累除衢州司馬。 未至，召拜監察御史。 臺中執法之地，動限儀矩，渾性放，不甚檢束，僚長拘局，忿其疏縱。 渾不樂，乞外任，執政惜其才，奏為左補闕。 明年，除殿中侍御史，知江西租庸院事。
Liu Hun, courtesy name Yikuang, was a native of Xiang prefecture. His ancestors had moved there from Hedong. His sixth-generation ancestor Tan was Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs under Liang. Hun was orphaned young. His father Qingxiu reached the post of assistant magistrate of Bohai, yet Hun resolved to study while living in poverty. At the beginning of the Tianbao era he passed the jinshi examination and was made assistant magistrate of Shanfu. During the Zhide era he served as staff judge to Jiangxi investigation commissioner Huangfu Shen and was successively appointed military adjutant of Quzhou. Before he arrived he was summoned and appointed investigating censor. The Censorate is a place of law enforcement, where conduct is constantly constrained by ritual rules. Hun's nature was free and he did not much restrain himself. His senior colleagues, bound by convention, resented his laxness. Hun was unhappy and requested an outside post. The chief ministers valued his talent and memorialized for his appointment as left remonstrance official. The following year he was appointed Palace Censor and put in charge of the Jiangxi Tax and Corvée Office.
17
大歷初，魏少遊鎮江西，奏署判官，累授檢校司封郎中。 州理有開元寺僧與徒夜飲，醉而延火，歸罪於守門瘖奴，軍候亦受財，同上其狀，少遊信焉。 人知奴冤，莫肯言。 渾與崔祐甫遽入白，少遊驚問，醉僧首伏。 既而謝曰：「微二君子，幾成老夫暗劣矣。」 自此以公正聞。 及路嗣恭領鎮，復以為都團練副使。 十二年，拜袁州刺史。 居二年，崔祐甫入相，薦為諫議大夫、浙江東西黜陟使，累遷尚書左丞。 及駕在奉天，微服徒行，遁終南山谷，逾旬方達行在。 扈從至梁州，改左散騎常侍。 初，渾之歸行在，賊泚籍其名甚，願以致之，猶疑匿在閭裏，乃加宰相。 及克復，渾尚名載，乃上言：「頃為狂賊點穢，臣實恥稱舊名，矧字或帶戈，時當偃武，請改名渾。」
At the beginning of the Dali era, Wei Shaoyou governed Jiangxi and memorialized to appoint him staff judge. He was successively granted provisional director of the Bureau of Enfeoffments. In the prefectural administration, monks of Kaiyuan Temple drank with their disciples at night, became drunk, and spread fire. They shifted blame to the mute gatekeeping slave. The military inspector also accepted bribes, and all together submitted the report. Wei Shaoyou believed it. People knew the slave was wronged, but none would speak. Hun and Cui Youfu hurried in to report. Wei Shaoyou asked in alarm, and the drunken monk confessed first. Then he apologized, saying, "But for you two gentlemen, I would nearly have become a dim and incompetent old man. From this he became known for fairness. When Lu Sigong took command of the garrison, Hun was again made deputy overall training commissioner. In the twelfth year he was appointed prefect of Yuanzhou. After two years, Cui Youfu entered the chief ministry and recommended him as remonstrance official and promotion-and-demotion commissioner for Zhejiang East and West. He was successively promoted to left vice director of the Secretariat. When the imperial carriage was at Fengtian, he traveled in plain clothes on foot, fled into the Zhongnan mountain valleys, and only after more than ten days reached the traveling palace. Escorting the progress to Liangzhou, he was reassigned as left regular attendant. At first, when Hun returned to the traveling palace, the rebel Zhu Ci greatly desired to win him over. Still suspecting he was hidden among the common folk, Ci added him as chief minister. When recovery was achieved, Hun's name was still listed. He submitted, saying, "Recently I was stained by the mad rebel. I am truly ashamed to use my old name. Moreover the character may carry the spear radical, and now is the time to rest arms. I request to change my name to Hun."
18
貞元二年，拜兵部侍郎，封宜城縣伯。 三年正月，加同平章事，仍判門下省。 時上命玉工為帶，墜壞一銙，乃私市以補； 及獻，上指曰：「此何不相類？」 工人伏罪，上命決死。 詔至中書，渾執曰：「陛下若便殺則已，若下有司，即須議讞。 且方春行刑，容臣條奏定罪。」 以誤傷乘輿器服，杖六十，余工釋放，詔從之。 復奏：「故尚書左丞田季羔，公忠正直，先朝名臣。 其祖、父皆以孝行旌表門閭，京城隋朝舊第，季羔一家而已。 今被堂侄伯強進狀，請貨宅召市人馬，以討吐蕃。 一開此門，恐滋不逞。 討賊自有國計，豈資僥幸之徒？ 且毀棄義門，虧損風教，望少責罰，亦可懲勸。」 上可其奏。
In the second year of Zhenyuan he was appointed vice minister of the Ministry of War and enfeoffed as Baron of Yicheng county. In the first month of the third year he was additionally made Associate Grand Councilor and continued to oversee the Secretariat. At that time the emperor ordered a jade artisan to make a belt. One link fell and broke, and the artisan privately bought one on the market to replace it; When it was presented, the emperor pointed and said, "Why are these not alike? The artisan confessed guilt, and the emperor ordered immediate execution. When the edict reached the Secretariat, Hun held it and said, "If Your Majesty wishes to kill him at once, so be it. If the matter goes to the relevant offices, then judgment must be deliberated. Moreover, it is spring, when executions are carried out. Allow me to itemize and memorialize the fixed penalty. For accidentally damaging the imperial carriage's utensils and apparel, the artisan was sentenced to sixty blows. The remaining artisans were released, and the edict followed this. Fu again memorialized, "The late Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs Tian Jigao was public-spirited, loyal, and upright—a famous minister of the former court. His grandfather and father were both honored at their gate and lane for filial conduct. Of the old Sui-dynasty residences in the capital, Jigao's household alone remains. Now his paternal cousin Boqiang has submitted a petition requesting to sell the residence and hire market men and horses to campaign against Tibet. Once this door is opened, I fear it will encourage reckless opportunism. Suppressing rebels follows the state's own plan. How can it rely on opportunists? Moreover, to destroy a gate of righteousness damages moral instruction. I hope for a light punishment, which may also serve as warning and encouragement. The emperor approved his memorial.
19
先時，韓滉自浙西入覲，朝廷委政待之，至於調兵食，籠鹽鐵，勾官吏贓罰，鋤豪強兼並，上悉仗焉。 每奏事，或日旰，他相充位而已，公卿救過不能暇，無敢枝梧者。 渾雖滉所引，心惡其專政，正色讓之曰：「先相公以狷察為相，不滿歲而罷； 今相公搒吏於省中至死，且非刑人之地，奈何蹈前非而又甚焉？ 專立威福，豈尊主卑臣之禮！」 滉感悟愧悔，為霽威焉。 及白誌貞除浙西觀察使，渾奏曰：「誌貞一末吏憸人，縱稱廉謹，不當頓居重職。」 適遇渾以疾稱告，即日詔下。 疾間，因乞骸骨，優詔不許。 其判門下，主吏白當過官，渾愀然曰：「列官分職，復更撓之，非禮法也。 千里辭家，以幹微祿，邑主辭辦，豈慮無能，矧旌善進賢，事不在此。」 故其年註擬，無退量者。
Earlier, Han Huang came from Zhexi to attend court. The court entrusted him with government and relied on him for adjusting troops and provisions, controlling salt and iron, investigating official corruption, and uprooting powerful families' encroachments. The emperor wholly depended on him. Whenever he reported on affairs, it sometimes lasted until sundown. The other chief ministers merely filled their posts. The high officials had no leisure to remedy their faults, and none dared resist. Though Hun had been introduced by Han Huang, he hated Huang's monopoly of power at heart and said sternly in rebuke, "The former chief minister served through narrow scrutiny and was dismissed before a year had passed; now you beat an official to death within the ministry—and this is not a place for punishing men. Why repeat the former fault and make it even worse? To monopolize authority and favor—is this the ritual of honoring the ruler and lowering the minister! Han Huang was moved to awareness and shame and thereupon eased his severity. When Bai Zhizhen was appointed observation commissioner of Zhexi, Hun memorialized, saying, "Zhizhen is a petty official and a treacherous man. Even if he is called honest and careful, he ought not suddenly occupy a heavy post. It happened that Hun requested leave on grounds of illness, and the edict was issued that same day. Between bouts of illness he requested to retire on account of old age. A gracious edict did not permit it. In his oversight of the Secretariat, the chief clerk reported that he should call on officials. Hun said with a somber face, "Officials are arrayed with divided duties. If I further interfere, that is not ritual and law. Having left home for a thousand li to seek a small salary, the local chief handles affairs—why worry about incapacity? Moreover, honoring good and advancing the worthy—the matter is not here. Therefore in that year's appointments, none were rejected for insufficient qualifications.
20
及渾瑊與吐蕃會盟之日，上御便殿謂宰相曰：「和戎息師，國之大計，今日將士與卿同歡。」 馬燧前賀曰：今之一盟，百年內更無蕃寇。」 渾曰：「五帝無誥誓之盟，皆在季末。 今盛明之代，豈又行於夷狄！ 人面獸心，難以信結，今日盟約，臣竊憂之。」 李晟繼言曰：「臣生長邊城，知蕃戎心，今日之事，誠如渾言。」 上變色曰：「柳渾書生，未達邊事； 大臣智略，果亦有斯言乎！」 皆頓首俯伏，遽令歸中書。 其夜三更，邠寧節度韓遊瑰飛驛叩苑門，奏盟會不成，將校覆沒，兵臨近鎮，上驚嘆，即遞其表以示渾。 詰旦，臨軒慰勉渾曰：「卿文儒之士，而萬里知軍戎之情。」 自此驟加禮異。 時張延賞與渾同列，延賞怙權矜己，而嫉渾守正，俾其所厚謂渾曰：「相公舊德，但節言於廟堂，則重位可久。」。 渾曰：「為吾謝張相公，柳渾頭可斷，而舌不可禁也。」 自是為其所擠，尋除常侍，罷知政事。 貞元五年二月，以疾終，年七十五。 有文集十卷。
On the day when Hun Zhen allied with Tibet, the emperor attended the informal hall and told the chief ministers, "Making peace with the barbarians and resting the armies is a great plan of state. Today soldiers and ministers rejoice together with you. Ma Sui stepped forward in congratulation, saying, "With this one alliance, within a hundred years there will be no more Tibetan raids." Hun said, "The Five Emperors had no alliances of proclamation and oath. All such came at the end of ages. In this flourishing and enlightened age, how can it again be practiced with barbarians! Human faces with beast hearts—they are hard to bind by trust. Your servant privately worries over today's alliance." Li Sheng continued, saying, "Your servant grew up on the frontier and knows the Tibetan mind. Today's matter is truly as Liu Hun says." The emperor changed color and said, "Liu Hun is a bookish man and does not understand frontier affairs; great ministers with wisdom and strategy—can there truly be such words as well!" All knocked their heads and prostrated themselves. He immediately ordered them to return to the Secretariat. That night at the third watch, Binning military governor Han Yougui sent a fast courier to knock at the park gate, reporting that the alliance meeting failed, generals and officers were wiped out, and troops pressed the nearby garrison. The emperor exclaimed in alarm and immediately forwarded the memorial to show Liu Hun. At dawn the next day, facing the hall he comforted and encouraged Liu Hun, saying, "You are a literary and Confucian gentleman, yet you knew the feelings of the army a thousand li away. From this point the emperor suddenly added special honors. At that time Zhang Yanshang served in the same rank as Liu Hun. Yanshang relied on power and prided himself on his person, yet envied Hun's uprightness. He had one he favored tell Hun, saying, "The chief minister's old virtue—if you only restrain your words in the court hall, then a high post may last long. Hun said, "Give my thanks to Chief Minister Zhang. Liu Hun's head may be cut off, but his tongue cannot be silenced. From this he was squeezed out by Yanshang. He was soon appointed regular attendant and relieved of participation in government. In the second month of the fifth year of Zhenyuan he died of illness at the age of seventy-five. He left collected writings in ten fascicles.
21
渾母兄識，，篤意文章，有重名於開元、天寶間，與蕭穎士、元德秀、劉迅相亞。 其練理創端往往詣極，當時作者，鹹伏其簡拔，而趣尚辨博。 渾亦善為文，然趨時向功，非沈思之所及。 渾警辯，好諧謔放達，與人交，豁然無隱。 性節儉，不治產業，官至丞相，假宅而居。 罷相數日，則命親族尋勝，宴醉方歸，陶陶然忘其黜免。 時李勉、盧翰皆退罷居第，相謂曰：「吾輩方柳宜城，悉為拘俗之人也。」
Hun's elder maternal brother Shi was devoted to literature and had a great reputation during the Kaiyuan and Tianbao eras, ranking alongside Xiao Yingshi, Yuan Dexiu, and Liu Xun. In refining principles and opening beginnings he often reached the utmost. Writers of the time all submitted to his concise elevation, yet his bent favored disputation and breadth. Hun also wrote well, yet he bent to the times and sought achievement—not what deep reflection could reach. Hun was alert in debate and fond of jest and free openness. In dealing with people he was expansive and hid nothing. By nature he was frugal and did not manage estates. Though he reached chief minister, he borrowed a residence to live in. Within days of leaving the chief ministry he would order kin to seek scenic spots, feast until drunk before returning, and forget his dismissal in contentment. At that time Li Mian and Lu Han had both retired and lived at their residences. They said to each other, "Compared with Liu of Yicheng, we are all people bound by convention."
22
史臣曰：張鎰、蕭復、柳渾，節行才能訏謨亮直，皆足相明主，平泰階，而盧杞忌之於前，延賞排之於後，管仲有言：「任君子，使小人間之，害霸也。」 德宗黜賢相，位奸臣，致硃泚、懷光之亂，是失其人也，豈尤其時哉！ 河清歿於王事，乃顯忠貞； 從一舉自奸人，固宜循默。
The historiographer says: Zhang Yi, Xiao Fu, and Liu Hun—in integrity, conduct, talent, and outspoken, bright uprightness—all were sufficient to assist an enlightened ruler and level the grand stairway. Yet Lu Qi envied them before and Yanshang excluded them after. Guan Zhong said, "Employ the gentleman and let petty men come between—this harms hegemony. Emperor Dezong dismissed worthy chief ministers and placed treacherous ministers in rank, bringing about the disorders of Zhu Ci and Huai Guang. This was losing the right men. How can one blame the times alone! Feng Heqing died in royal service and thereby displayed loyalty and steadfastness; Liu Congyi was raised by treacherous men and properly ought to have kept silent.
23
贊曰：得人則興，失人則亡。 鎰、復、渾去，宗社其殃。
The encomium says: Gain the right men and flourish; lose them and perish. When Yi, Fu, and Hun departed, the altars of state met calamity.