1
潘孟陽，禮部侍郎炎之子也。 孟陽以父廕進，登博學宏辭科。 累遷殿中侍御史，降為司議郎。 孟陽母，劉晏女也。 公卿多父友及外祖賓從，故得薦用，累至兵部郎中。
Pan Mengyang was the son of Yan, Minister of Rites. Mengyang entered service through his father's privilege and passed the Boxue Hongci examination. He rose to Palace Censor, then was demoted to Secretariat Drafter. Mengyang's mother was Liu Yan's daughter. Many high officials were friends of his father or associates of his maternal grandfather, so he won recommendations and rose to bureau director in the Ministry of War.
2
德宗末，王紹以恩幸，數稱孟陽之材，因擢授權知戶部侍郎，年未四十。 順宗即位，永貞內禪，王叔文誅，杜佑始專判度支，請孟陽代叔文為副。 時憲宗新即位，乃命孟陽巡江淮省財賦，仍加鹽鐵轉運副使，且察東南鎮之政理。 時孟陽以氣豪權重，領行從三四百人，所歷鎮府，但務遊賞，與婦女為夜飲。 至鹽鐵轉運院，廣納財賄，補吏職而已。 及歸，大失人望，罷為大理卿。 三年，出為華州刺史，遷梓州刺史、劍南東川節度使。 與武元衡有舊，元衡作相，復召為戶部侍郎、判度支，兼京北五城營田使，以和糴使韓重華為副。 太府卿王遂與孟陽不協，議以營田非便，持之不下，孟陽忿憾形於言。 二人俱請對，上怒不許，乃罷孟陽為左散騎常侍。 明年，復拜戶部侍郎。
Near the end of Dezong's reign, Wang Shao, a favorite of the emperor, often praised Mengyang's ability, and Mengyang was made acting vice minister of revenue while still under forty. After Shunzong's accession and the Yongzhen abdication, with Wang Shuwen dead, Du You took sole charge of the revenue bureau and asked that Mengyang replace Shuwen as deputy. Xianzong, newly enthroned, sent Mengyang to tour Jianghuai and inspect revenues, also appointing him deputy salt-and-iron transport commissioner to review governance in the southeastern commands. Mengyang traveled with three or four hundred attendants, and in every command he visited he did nothing but carouse and drink through the night with women. At the transport office he took bribes on a wide scale and did little beyond filling posts. On his return he had lost all public esteem and was removed to serve as minister of justice. In the third year he became governor of Hua, then of Zi, and military governor of Eastern Chuan. An old friend of Wu Yuanheng, he was recalled when Yuanheng became chief minister to serve as vice minister of revenue overseeing the bureau, and as commissioner of the five northern capital farm colonies, with Han Chonghua as his deputy. Wang Sui, grand minister of the imperial granary, opposed Mengyang and argued that the farm colonies were a bad idea, blocking the plan; Mengyang's resentment showed in his speech. Both requested an audience; the emperor refused in anger and demoted Mengyang to left regular attendant. The following year he was reappointed vice minister of revenue.
3
孟陽氣尚豪俊，不拘小節。 居第頗極華峻。 憲宗微行至樂遊原，見其宏敞，工猶未已，問之。 左右以孟陽對，孟陽懼而罷工作。 性喜宴，公卿朝士多與之遊，時指怒者不一。 俄以風緩不能行，改左散騎常侍。 元和十年八月卒，贈兵部尚書。 憲宗每事求理，常發江淮宣慰使，左司郎中鄭敬奉使。 辭，上誡之曰：「朕宮中用度，一匹已上皆有簿籍，唯賑恤貧民，無所計算。 卿經明行修，今登車傳命，宜體吾懷，勿學潘孟陽奉使，所至但務酣飲、遊山寺而已。」 其為人主所薄如此！
Mengyang had a bold, grand manner and scorned petty concerns. His mansion was extravagantly grand. Xianzong went incognito to Leyou Plain, saw the vast unfinished mansion, and asked whose it was. Told it was Mengyang's, Mengyang in fear stopped the work. He loved feasting, and many officials kept his company; at the time criticism of him was widespread. Soon wind paralysis left him unable to walk, and he was reassigned as left regular attendant. He died in the eighth month of Yuanhe 10 and was posthumously made minister of war. Xianzong often sent Jianghuai pacification commissioners when he sought good governance; Left Bureau Director Zheng Jing received such an appointment. On his departure the emperor warned him: "In my palace accounts, every bolt of cloth and more is entered in the ledgers. Only aid to the poor is dispensed without calculation. You are learned and upright. Now you go bearing my commission—honor my intent, and do not imitate Pan Mengyang on his mission, who did nothing wherever he went but drink and visit mountain temples." So lightly did the emperor regard him!
4
李翛，不知何許人。 起於寒賤，以莊憲皇后妹婿，元和已來驟階仕進。 以恩澤至坊州、絳州刺史。 無他才，性纖巧承迎。 常飾廚傳以奉往來中使及禁軍中尉賓客，以求善譽。 治民蒞事，粗有政能。 上以為才，召拜司農卿，遷京兆尹。
Li Xiao's origins are unknown. Born poor and obscure, he became brother-in-law to Empress Dowager Zhuangxian and from the Yuanhe era rose swiftly in rank. Imperial favor raised him to govern Fang and Jiang prefectures. He had no real ability, only a knack for crafty flattery. He often lavishly provisioned relay stations to entertain traveling eunuchs and the guests of the imperial guard commanders, seeking praise. In governing people and handling affairs he showed a rough administrative competence. The emperor thought him capable and made him minister of agriculture, then metropolitan governor of Jingzhao.
5
十年，莊憲太后崩，翛為山陵橋道置頓使。 恃能惜費，每事減損。 靈駕至灞橋頓，從官多不得食。 及至渭城北門，門壞。 先是，橋道司請改造渭城北門，計錢三萬。 翛以勞費不從，令深鑿軌道以通靈駕。 掘土既深，旁柱皆懸，因而頓壞，所不及邅辌車者數步而已。 初欲壞城之東北墉，以出靈駕，中人皆不可，乃停駕，徹去壞門土木而後行。 翛懼，誣奏邅辌軸折，山陵使李逢吉令御史封其車軸，自陵還，奏請免翛官。 上以用兵務集財賦，以翛前後進奉，不之責，但罰俸而已。 逢吉極言其罪，乃削銀青階。 翌日，復賜金紫。 自此，朝廷端士，多遭譖毀，義士為之側目。 時宿師於野，饋運不集。 浙西重鎮，號為殷阜，乃以翛為潤州刺史、浙西觀察使，令設法鳩聚財貨。 淮西用兵，頗賴其賦。 十四年，以病求還京師，未朝謁而卒。
In the tenth year, when Empress Dowager Zhuangxian died, Xiao was appointed commissioner for the tomb road and relay stations. Confident in his thrift, he cut costs at every turn. At the Bashiqiao relay station, many attending officials had nothing to eat. At Wei's north gate, the gate gave way. Earlier the tomb-road office had asked to rebuild Wei's north gate at a cost of thirty thousand. Xiao refused, calling it too costly, and ordered the road cut deeper to pass the coffin through. Digging deep left the side posts hanging; the gate collapsed, and the coffin carriage missed being blocked by only a few steps. He first planned to break the northeast wall to let the coffin through, but the eunuchs objected; the procession halted while ruined gate timbers and earth were cleared away. Fearing blame, Xiao falsely reported a broken coffin axle; tomb commissioner Li Fengji had censors seal the axle and, on return from the tomb, asked that Xiao be removed from office. The emperor, needing revenue for the war and mindful of Xiao's past tribute, did not punish him but only fined his salary. Fengji pressed the case hard, and Xiao lost his silver-purple rank. The next day gold and purple were restored to him. After that, upright court officials were often slandered, and men of principle looked on in dismay. Troops were encamped in the field while supplies failed to reach them. Zhexi was a wealthy key command, and Xiao was made governor of Run and commissioner of Zhexi to devise ways to gather wealth. The Huaixi campaign depended heavily on his taxes. In the fourteenth year he sought to return to the capital because of illness and died before attending court.
6
王遂，宰相方慶之孫也。 以吏能聞於時。 尤長於興利，銳於操下，法頗嚴酷。 累遷至鄧州刺史。 以曉達錢穀，入為太府卿。 潘孟陽判度支，與遂私憾，互有爭論。 遂為西北供軍使，言營田非便，與孟陽會議相非，各求請對。 上怒，俱不見，出遂為柳州刺史。 遂親吏韋行素、柳季常請課料於兩池務。 屬遂罷務，季常等為吏所誣，各笞四十。 遂柳州制出，左丞呂元膺執奏曰：「遂以補吏犯贓，法當從坐。 其除官制雲『清能業官』，據遂犯狀，不宜有『清』字。 柳州大郡，出守為優。 謹封還制書。」 上令喻之，方行。 數年，用兵淮西。 天子藉錢穀吏以集財賦，知遂強幹，乃用為宣州刺史、宣歙觀察使。 淮、蔡平，王師東討，召拜光祿卿，充淄青行營諸軍糧料使。 以光祿職當祠祭，改檢校左散騎常侍、兼御史大夫。
Wang Sui was the grandson of Chief Minister Fangqing. He was known for administrative talent. He excelled at revenue, was severe with subordinates, and ruled harshly. He rose to governor of Deng Prefecture. Skilled in finance, he entered court as grand minister of the imperial granary. Pan Mengyang, overseeing the revenue bureau, bore a private grudge against Sui and they quarreled. As northwest supply commissioner, Sui opposed the farm colonies; he and Mengyang denounced each other in conference and each sought an audience. The emperor refused both audiences in anger and sent Sui out as governor of Liuzhou. Sui's personal clerks Wei Xingsu and Liu Jichang sought operating funds from the two pool offices. After Sui left office, Jichang and the others were framed by clerks and each flogged forty strokes. When Sui's Liuzhou appointment was issued, Left Vice Director Lü Yuanying memorialized: "Sui appointed a corrupt clerk and should be punished as an accomplice by law. The edict calls him 'upright and capable in office'—given his offenses, 'upright' is inappropriate. Liuzhou is a major prefecture; sending him there as governor is already a favor. I respectfully return the edict unopened." The emperor had him persuaded, and Sui then departed. Several years later the court campaigned against Huaixi. The emperor relied on finance officials to gather revenue; knowing Sui was forceful, he made him governor of Xuan and commissioner of Xuanchen. After Huai and Cai were pacified and the army marched east, Sui was made minister of imperial sacrifices and grain commissioner for the Ziqing campaign. Because the minister of sacrifices handled ritual offerings, he was reassigned as supervisory left regular attendant and censor-in-chief.
7
初，師之出也，歲計兵食三百萬石。 及鄆賊誅，遂進羨余一百萬，上以為能。 時分師道所據十二州為三鎮，乃以遂為沂州刺史、沂兗海等州觀察使。
When the army set out, annual grain needs were estimated at three million piculs. When the Yan rebels were killed, Sui reported a surplus of one million piculs, and the emperor praised his ability. Li Shidao's twelve prefectures were then divided into three commands, and Sui became governor of Yi and commissioner of Yi, Yan, and Hai.
8
遂性狷忿，不存大體。 而軍州民吏，久染汙俗，率多獷戾，而遂數因公事訾詈將卒曰「反虜」，將卒不勝其忿。 牙將王弁乘人心怨怒，十四年七月，遂方宴集，弁噪集其徒，害遂於席，判官張實、李甫等同遇害。 及曹華代遂至鎮，盡擒亂黨王弁等誅之。
Sui was narrow-minded and resentful and lacked a broad view. The command's soldiers, officials, and people had long been steeped in corruption and were fierce; Sui repeatedly berated officers and soldiers in official business, calling them 'rebel bandits,' and they could not endure it. Adjutant Wang Bian seized on popular anger; in the seventh month of the fourteenth year, while Sui was feasting, Bian roused his men and killed Sui at the table; Registrar Zhang Shi, Li Fu, and others died with him. When Cao Hua replaced Sui, he captured Wang Bian and the other rebels and executed them.
9
遂器用不弘，僻於聚斂，而非兼撫之才。 但峻威刑，以繩亂俗。 其所制笞杖，率逾常制。 遂既死，監軍使封其杖進呈。 上令出示於朝，以誡廉使。
Sui lacked breadth of mind, obsessed over revenue, and had no gift for governing and comforting men. He relied only on harsh punishments to restrain a lawless people. The beating staffs he prescribed usually exceeded the normal measure. After Sui's death, the army supervisor sealed his staffs and presented them to court. The emperor had them displayed at court as a warning to surveillance commissioners.
10
曹華，宋州楚丘人，仕宣武軍為牙校。 貞元末，吳少誠叛，本軍以華驍果有智算，用為襄城戍將。 蔡賊攻襄城，華屢敗之，德宗特賜旗甲。 元和九年，以功授寧州刺史。 未行而吳元濟叛，朝廷命河陽帥烏重胤討賊。 重胤請華為懷汝節度行營副使。 前後數十戰，大破賊於青陵城。 賊平，授棣州刺史，封陳留郡王。 棣鄰於鄆，賊屢侵逼，華招募群盜之勁者，補之軍卒，分據要路。 其後，賊至皆擊敗之，鄆人不敢北顧。 及李師道誅，分所管十二州為三鎮。 王遂為沂兗海觀察使，褊刻不能馭眾，為牙將王弁所害，朝廷遂授華左散騎常侍、沂州刺史、沂海兗觀察使。
Cao Hua of Chuqiu in Song Prefecture served in the Xuanwu Army as a junior officer. Late in Zhenyuan, when Wu Shaoqing rebelled, the army made the brave and clever Hua garrison commander at Xiangcheng. When Cai rebels attacked Xiangcheng, Hua repeatedly defeated them, and Dezong personally granted him banners and armor. In Yuanhe 9 he was made governor of Ning Prefecture for his achievements. Before he could depart, Wu Yuanji rebelled, and the court ordered Heyang commander Wu Zhongyin against him. Zhongyin asked that Hua serve as deputy campaign commander of the Hua-Ru command. After dozens of battles he routed the rebels at Qingling City. When the rebels were pacified he became governor of Di and was enfeoffed Prince of Chenliu. Di bordered Yan; rebels raided repeatedly, and Hua recruited the strongest bandits as soldiers and posted them along key routes. After that rebels were beaten back whenever they came, and the people of Yan dared not look north. When Li Shidao was executed, his twelve prefectures were divided into three commands. Wang Sui, commissioner of Yi, Yan, and Hai, was narrow and harsh, failed to control his troops, and was killed by adjutant Wang Bian; the court then appointed Hua supervisory left regular attendant, governor of Yi, and commissioner of Yi, Hai, and Yan.
11
華至鎮，視事三日，宴將吏，伏甲士千人於幕下。 群校既集，華喻之曰：「吾受命廉問，奉聖旨，以鄆州將士分割三處，有道途轉徙之勞。 今有頒給，北州兵稍厚。 鄆州士卒處右，州兵處左，冀易以區別。」 分定，並令州兵出外。 既出闔門，乃謂鄆卒曰：「天子深知鄆人之勞，然前害主帥者，不能免罪。」 甲士自幕中出，周環之，凡鄆一千二百人，立斬於庭，血流成渠。 是日，門屏之間，有赤霧高丈余，久之方散。 自是海、沂之人，重足股栗，無敢為盜者。
Hua reached the command and on his third day in office feasted the officers with a thousand armored soldiers hidden beneath the tent. When the officers had gathered, Hua addressed them: "I am commissioned to investigate, and by imperial order the Yanzhou troops are divided among three posts after the hardship of relocation. There are distributions today; soldiers of the northern prefectures receive somewhat more. Yanzhou soldiers stand on the right and prefecture soldiers on the left, so they may be easily distinguished." Once the division was set, he ordered the prefecture soldiers outside. After they had left and the gate was closed, he told the Yan soldiers: "The Son of Heaven knows the labors of the people of Yan; yet those who killed their commander cannot escape punishment." Armored soldiers emerged from beneath the tent and surrounded them; all twelve hundred Yan soldiers were beheaded in the courtyard until blood formed a channel. That day a red mist more than ten feet high rose between gate and screen and lingered long before dispersing. From then on the people of Hai and Yi trembled with fear and none dared turn bandit.
12
華惡沂之地褊，請移理於兗，許之。 初，李正己盜有青、鄆十二州，傳襲四世，垂五十年，人俗頑驁，不知禮教。 華令將吏曰：「鄒、魯儒者之鄉，不宜忘於禮義。」 乃躬禮儒士，習俎豆之容，春秋釋奠於孔子廟，立學講經，儒冠四集。 出家財贍給，俾成名入仕，其往者如歸。
Hua disliked Yi's cramped territory and asked to move his seat to Yan; the request was granted. Li Zhengji had seized Qing and Yan's twelve prefectures, passing them through four generations for nearly fifty years; the people were stubborn and knew no ritual instruction. Hua told his officers: "Zou and Lu are the homeland of Confucian scholars; ritual and righteousness must not be forgotten." He personally honored scholars, practiced ritual forms, performed spring and autumn sacrifices at Confucius's temple, established schools for lecturing on the classics, and scholars gathered from all sides. He spent private wealth to support them so they might win fame and enter office; those who came felt as if returning home.
13
及鎮州軍亂，殺田弘正，華表請以本軍進討，就加檢校工部尚書，升兗海為武寧節度，賜之節鉞。 李絺叛於大梁，華不俟命赴討。 絺方遣兵三千人取宋州，華逆擊敗之。 由是，宋、亳不從絺亂。 絺平，以功加檢校尚書右僕射。 以河朔拒命，移華為滑州刺史、義成軍節度使。 長慶三年七月，卒於鎮，時年六十九。
When the Zhenzhou army rebelled and killed Tian Hongzheng, Hua asked to advance with his own troops; he was made supervisory minister of works, Yan and Hai were elevated to the Wu-Ning command, and he received the command baton. When Li Xi rebelled at Daliang, Hua marched to suppress him without waiting for orders. As Xi sent three thousand men to take Song Prefecture, Hua intercepted and defeated them. Because of this Song and Bo did not join Xi's rebellion. When Xi was pacified, Hua was additionally made supervisory right vice director for his achievements. Because Hebei defied orders, Hua was transferred to governor of Hua and military governor of the Yicheng Army. He died in command in the seventh month of Changqing 3, aged sixty-nine.
14
華雖出自戎行，而動必由禮。 尤重士大夫，未嘗以富貴驕人； 下迨仆隸走使之徒，必待之以誠信，人以為難。 贈司空。
Though Hua came from the ranks, his conduct always followed ritual. He especially valued scholar-officials and never flaunted wealth or rank; even servants and runners he treated with sincerity and trust, which people found remarkable. He was posthumously made minister of works.
15
韋綬，字子章，京兆人。 少有至性，喪父，刺血寫佛經。 初為長安縣尉，遭硃泚之亂，變服乘驢赴奉天。 於頔鎮襄陽，辟為賓佐。 嘗因言政，面刺頔之縱恣。 入朝為工部員外，轉屯田郎中。 元和十年，改職方郎中，充太子諸王侍讀，再遷諫議大夫。
Wei Shou, styled Zizhang, was from Jingzhao. From youth he was deeply filial; when his father died he pricked his finger and copied a Buddhist sutra in blood. He first served as magistrate of Chang'an; during Zhu Ci's rebellion he changed clothes and rode a donkey to Fengtian. When Yu Di governed Xiangyang, he recruited Shou as an aide. Once, discussing government, he openly reproached Di's indulgence. He entered court as assistant in the Ministry of Works and became bureau director of imperial parks. In Yuanhe 10 he became bureau director of appointments, lectured to the crown prince and imperial princes, and was twice promoted to censor.
16
時穆宗在東宮，方幼好戲。 綬講書之隙，頗以嘲誚悅之。 嘗密賫家所造食，入宮餉太子。 憲宗嘗召對，綬奏曰：「太子學書，至『依』字，輒去旁『人』。 臣問之，太子云：『君父以此字可天下奏事，臣子不合全書。』」 上益嘉太子之賢，賜綬錦彩。 綬無威儀，時以人間鄙說戲言以取悅太子。 太子因入侍，道綬語。 憲宗不悅，謂侍臣曰：「凡侍讀者，當以經義輔導太子，納之輒物，而綬語及此，予何望耶？」 乃罷侍讀，出為虔州刺史。
At the time Muzong was in the Eastern Palace and, still young, loved games. Between lectures Shou often amused him with mockery and jest. Once he secretly brought homemade food into the palace for the crown prince. Xianzong once summoned him, and Shou reported: "When the crown prince studies writing, whenever he reaches the character yi he removes the side element ren. I asked why, and the crown prince said: 'Sovereign and father may use this character in memorials throughout the realm; a subject should not write it whole.'" The emperor was all the more pleased with the crown prince's virtue and rewarded Shou with brocade and silk. Shou lacked dignified bearing and used vulgar street tales and jests to please the crown prince. The crown prince repeated Shou's words while attending the emperor. Xianzong was displeased and told his attendants: "Lecturers should guide the crown prince with classical meaning. He brings trinkets as gifts, yet Shou's words reach even this—what hope can I have?" Shou was dismissed from lecturing and sent out as governor of Qian.
17
穆宗即位，以師友之恩，召為尚書右丞，兼集賢院學士，甚承恩顧，出入禁中。 綬以七月六日是穆宗載誕節，請以是日百官詣光順門賀太后，然後上皇帝壽。 時政道頗僻，敕出，人不敢議。 久之，宰臣奏古無生日稱賀之儀，其事終寢。 綬在集賢，遇重陽，賜宰臣百官曲江宴； 綬請與集賢學士別為一會，從之。 長慶元年三月，轉禮部尚書，判集賢院事。
When Muzong took the throne, Shou was summoned as right vice director and academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies for their teacher-friend bond, and enjoyed great favor within the palace. Because the sixth day of the seventh month was Muzong's birthday, Shou asked that officials first congratulate the empress dowager at Guangshun Gate and then wish the emperor long life. Government was then quite perverse, and when the edict issued no one dared object. Eventually the chief ministers reported that antiquity had no birthday congratulation ritual, and the matter was dropped. While Shou was at the Hall of Assembled Worthies, on Double Ninth the emperor granted a Qujiang banquet to chief ministers and officials; Shou asked that assembled-worthies academicians hold a separate gathering, and this was granted. In the third month of Changqing 1 he became minister of rites with charge of the Hall of Assembled Worthies.
18
帝嘗問：「禳災祈福，其可必乎？」 綬對曰：「昔宋景公以一善言而法星退之三舍，此禳災以德也。 漢文帝除秘祝，每於祠祭，盡敬而已，言無所祈，以明福不可以求致也。 而二君卒能變已變之災，享自致之福，著於史傳，其理甚明。 如失德以祈災消，媚神以祈福至，神茍有知，當因以致譴，非祈禳之道也。」 時人主失德，綬因以諷之。
The emperor once asked: "Can prayer to avert disaster and seek blessing be made certain?" Shou replied: "In antiquity Duke Jing of Song, with one good word, made the baleful star retreat three lodges—disaster averted through virtue. Emperor Wen of Han abolished secret prayers; at every sacrifice he was fully reverent and prayed for nothing, showing fortune cannot be sought. Yet both finally transformed disasters and enjoyed self-won fortune, as history records—the principle is clear. If one loses virtue yet prays for disaster to vanish, or flatters spirits to seek blessing, and spirits have knowledge, they will bring reproof—this is not the way of prayer and ritual." The ruler then lacked virtue, and Shou offered indirect reproof.
19
二年十月，檢校戶部尚書、興元尹、山南西道節度使。 辭日，請門戟十二，自將赴鎮。 又訴家貧，請賜錢二百萬。 又面乞授子元弼官。 上皆可之。 綬禦事無術，洎臨戎鎮，庶政隳紊。 二年八月卒，贈尚書右僕射。 博士劉端夫請謚為「通」，殿中侍御史孟琯上言以為非當。 博士權安請謚為「繆」，竟不施行。
In the tenth month of the second year he was made supervisory minister of revenue, governor of Xingyuan, and military governor of the Western Mountain South circuit. On his farewell audience he requested twelve gate halberds and set out for his command leading his own troops. He also pleaded family poverty and asked for two million cash. He also asked in person that his son Yuanbi receive office. The emperor approved all of these. Shou had no gift for governing; once he took field command, civil administration fell into disorder. He died in the eighth month of the second year and was posthumously made right vice director. Erudite Liu Duanfu proposed the posthumous title "Tong"; palace censor Meng Guan argued this was inappropriate. Erudite Quan An proposed the title "Miu," but in the end it was not granted.
20
鄭權，滎陽開封人也。 登進士第，釋褐涇原從事。 節度使劉昌符病亟，請入覲，度軍情必變，以權寬厚容眾，俾主留務。 及昌符上路，兵果亂。 權挺身入白刃中，抗辭喻以逆順。 因殺其首亂者數人，三軍畏伏。 德宗聞而嘉之。 時天子厭兵，籓鎮將吏得軍情者，多超授官爵。 自試衛佐擢授行軍司馬、御史中丞。 入朝為倉部郎中，累遷至河南尹。 十一年，代李遜為襄州刺史、山南東道節度使。 十二年，轉華州刺史、潼關防禦、鎮國軍使。 十三年，遷德州刺史、德棣滄景節度使。
Zheng Quan was from Kaifeng in Xingyang. He passed the jinshi examination and first served as an aide in Jingyuan. When Military Governor Liu Changfu fell gravely ill and asked to attend court, judging that army sentiment would change, he put the broad and tolerant Quan in charge of remaining affairs. Once Changfu was on the road, the soldiers mutinied. Quan threw himself into naked blades and with stern words explained loyalty and rebellion. He then killed several chief mutineers, and the three armies submitted in fear. Dezong heard of it and praised him. The emperor was weary of war; officers who won army sentiment were often promoted far beyond normal rank. From trial guard aide he was promoted to campaign deputy and censor-in-chief. He entered court as granary bureau director and rose to metropolitan governor of Henan. In the eleventh year he replaced Li Xun as governor of Xiang and military governor of the Eastern Mountain South circuit. In the twelfth year he became governor of Hua, Tong Pass defense commissioner, and Zhenguo Army commander. In the thirteenth year he became governor of De and military governor of De, Di, Cang, and Jing.
21
時朝廷用兵討李師道，權以德、棣之兵臨境。 奏於平原、安德二縣之間置歸化縣，以集降民。 滄州刺史李宗奭與權不協，每事多違，不稟節制。 權奏之，上令中使追之。 宗奭諷州兵留己，上言懼亂，未敢離郡，乃以烏重胤鎮橫海，代權歸朝。 滄州將吏懼，共逐宗奭。 宗奭方奔歸京師。 詔以悖慢之罪，斬於獨柳之下。 其弟宗爽，長流汀州。 授權邠寧節度。 會天德軍使上章論宗奭之冤，為權誣奏，權降授原王傅。 尋遷右金吾衛大將軍，充左街使。
While the court campaigned against Li Shidao, Quan pressed the armies of De and Di against the border. He memorialized that Guihua County be established between Pingyuan and Ande to gather surrendered people. Cang Prefecture Governor Li Zong'ao opposed Quan on every matter and did not follow command. Quan reported this, and the emperor ordered a palace eunuch to recall Zong'ao. Zong'ao incited prefectural soldiers to detain him; he reported fear of disorder and dared not leave, and Quan was replaced by Wu Zhongyin at Heng-Hai and returned to court. Cang's officers and officials, afraid, together drove out Zong'ao. Zong'ao was then fleeing back to the capital. An edict condemned him for insolence and beheaded him beneath the Lone Willow. His younger brother Zongshuang was exiled to Ting Prefecture. Quan was appointed military governor of Bin-Ning. When the Tiande Army commander memorialized that Zong'ao had been wronged and falsely reported by Quan, Quan was demoted to tutor of the Prince of Yuan. Soon he became grand general of the Right Gold Crow Guard and commander of the Left Street.
22
穆宗即位，改左散騎常侍，充入回鶻告哀使。 憚其遠役，辭以足疾，不獲免，肩輿而行。 權器度魁偉，有辭辯。 既至虜廷，與虜主爭論曲直，言辭激壯，可汗深敬異之。
When Muzong took the throne he became left regular attendant and envoy to announce mourning to the Uyghurs. Fearing the distant mission, he pleaded foot ailment but could not be excused and traveled in a litter. Quan was imposing in bearing and eloquent. At the barbarian court he argued right and wrong with the khan; his words were fierce and strong, and the khan deeply respected him.
23
長慶元年使還。 出為河南尹，入拜工部侍郎，遷本曹尚書。 以家人數多，俸入不足，求為鎮守。 旬月，檢校右僕射、廣州刺史、嶺南節度使。 初，權出鎮，有中人之助。 南海多珍貨，權頗積聚以遺之，大為朝士所嗤。 四年十月卒。
He returned from his mission in Changqing 1. He served as metropolitan governor of Henan, entered court as vice minister of works, and rose to minister of that bureau. Because his household was large and his salary insufficient, he asked for a frontier command. Within ten days he was made supervisory right vice director, governor of Guang, and military governor of Lingnan. When Quan first went out to command he had eunuch backing. The South Sea held many precious goods; Quan amassed them to present to eunuchs and was greatly ridiculed by court officials. He died in the tenth month of the fourth year.
24
盧士玫，山東右族，以文儒進。 性端厚，與物無競，雅有令聞。 始為吏部員外郎，稱職，轉郎中、京兆少尹。 奉憲宗園寢，刑簡事集，時論推其有才，權知京兆尹事。 會幽州劉總願釋兵柄入朝，請用張弘靖代己。 復請析瀛、漠兩州，用士玫為帥，朝廷一皆從之。 士玫遂授檢校右常侍，充瀛、漠兩州都防禦觀察使。
Lu Shimei came from a distinguished Shandong clan and advanced through literary learning. He was upright and generous, did not contend with others, and enjoyed an excellent reputation. He first served as assistant in the Ministry of Personnel, performed well, became bureau director, and junior metropolitan governor of Jingzhao. He attended Xianzong's imperial park tomb with simple punishments and efficient affairs; opinion praised his talent, and he was given acting charge of the metropolitan governorship. When Liu Zong of Youzhou wished to relinquish military power and enter court, he asked that Zhang Hongjing replace him. He also asked that Ying and Mo be separated out with Shimei as commander; the court approved all of this. Shimei was appointed supervisory right regular attendant and overall defense and surveillance commissioner of Ying and Mo.
25
無何，幽州亂，害賓佐，縶弘靖，取裨將硃克融領軍務，遣兵襲瀛、漠。 朝廷慮防禦之名不足抗兇逆，即日除士玫檢校工部尚書，充瀛漠節度使。 士玫亦罄家財助軍用，堅拒叛徒者累月。 竟以官軍救之不至，又瀛漠之卒親愛多在幽州，遂為其下陰導克融之兵以潰。 士玫及從事皆被拘執，送幽州，囚於賓館。 及朝廷宥克融之罪，士玫方得歸東洛。 尋拜太子賓客，留司洛中，旋除虢州刺史，復為賓客。 寶歷元年七月卒，贈工部尚書。
Soon Youzhou fell into disorder; aides were killed, Hongjing was seized, deputy Zhu Kerong took military affairs, and troops attacked Ying and Mo. Fearing the defense title was insufficient against the rebels, the court that same day made Shimei supervisory minister of works and military governor of Ying and Mo. Shimei also exhausted family wealth for military supplies and firmly resisted the rebels for months. In the end imperial relief did not arrive, and because many Ying and Mo soldiers had kin in Youzhou, his subordinates secretly guided Kerong's troops and the defense collapsed. Shimei and his staff were seized, sent to Youzhou, and imprisoned in the guest house. When the court pardoned Kerong's crimes, Shimei was finally able to return to eastern Luoyang. Soon he became crown prince's mentor, remaining in Luoyang; he was then made governor of Guo and again mentor. He died in the seventh month of Baoli 1 and was posthumously made minister of works.
26
韓全義，出自行間，少從禁軍，事竇文場。 及文場為中尉，用全義為帳中偏將，典禁兵在長武城。 貞元十三年，為神策行營節度、長武城使，代韓潭為夏綏銀宥節度，詔以長武兵赴鎮。 全義貪而無勇，短於撫禦。 制未下，軍中知之，相與謀曰：「夏州沙磧之地，無耕蠶生業。 盛夏移徙，吾所不能。」 是夜，戍卒鼓噪為亂，全義逾城而免，殺其親將王棲巖、趙虔曜等。 賴都虞候高崇文誅其亂首而止之，全義方獲赴鎮。
Han Quanyi came from the ranks; in youth he served in the imperial guard under Dou Wenchang. When Wenchang became army supervisor he made Quanyi a partial general in his headquarters commanding imperial guard troops at Changwu Fort. In Zhenyuan 13 he became campaign commander of the Divine Strategy Army and commander of Changwu Fort, replacing Han Tan as military governor of Xia, Sui, Yin, and You; an edict ordered the Changwu troops to proceed to command. Quanyi was greedy, lacked courage, and was poor at governing troops. Before the edict issued the army learned of it and plotted together: "Xia Prefecture is sandy desert; there is no farming or silkworm industry. To move in the height of summer—we cannot do it." That night garrison soldiers mutinied; Quanyi climbed over the wall and escaped, and his close officers Wang Qiyan and Zhao Qianyao were killed. Only because Chief Commandant Gao Chongwen executed the ringleaders was the mutiny stopped, and Quanyi finally reached his command.
27
明年，吳少誠拒命，詔征十七鎮之師討之。 時軍無統帥，兵無多少，皆以內官監之，師之進退不由主將。 十五年冬，王師為賊所敗於小溵河。 德宗以文場素待全義，乃用為蔡州四面行營招討使，仍以陳許節度使上官涚副之。 諸鎮之師，皆取全義節度。 全義將略非所長，能以巧佞財賄結中貴人，以被薦用。 及師臨賊境，又制在監軍，每議兵出，一帳之中，中人十數，紛然爭論莫決。 蔡賊聞之，屢求決戰。 十六年五月，遇賊於溵水南廣利城。 旗鼓未交，諸軍大潰，為賊所乘。 全義退保五樓，賊對壘相望。 潰兵未集，乃與監軍賈英秀、賈國良等保溵水縣。 賊距溵水五六里而軍，全義懼其淩突，退保陳州。 其汴宋、河北之軍，皆亡歸本鎮，唯陳許將孟元陽、神策將蘇光榮等數千人守溵水。 全義誘潞州大將夏侯仲宣、滑將時昂、河陽將權文度、河中將郭湘等誅之。 由是軍情稍固。 少誠知王師無能為，致書幣以告監軍，願求昭洗。 德宗召大臣議，宰相賈耽曰：「昨全義五樓退軍，賊不追擊者，應望國家恩貸。 臣伏恐須開生路。」 上然之。 又得監軍等奏，即下制洗滌，加其爵秩。
The next year Wu Shaoqing defied orders; an edict mobilized armies of seventeen commands against him. The army had no supreme commander; regardless of troop numbers, all were supervised by inner officials, and advance and retreat did not depend on the chief commander. In the winter of the fifteenth year the imperial army was defeated by rebels at the Xiao Yin River. Because Wenchang had long favored Quanyi, Dezong made him campaign commander on all sides of Cai and Chenxu Military Governor Shangguan Shui his deputy. Armies of all commands took orders from Quanyi. Quanyi was not skilled in strategy but used crafty flattery and bribes to win inner favorites and recommendation. Once the army reached rebel territory, army supervisors again held control; whenever they discussed marching out, a dozen eunuchs argued noisily in one tent and no decision could be reached. The Cai rebels heard of this and repeatedly sought decisive battle. In the fifth month of the sixteenth year they encountered rebels at Guangli City south of the Yin River. Before banners and drums met, the armies collapsed in great disorder and were pursued by rebels. Quanyi retreated to defend Wulou; rebels faced his camp across the field. Routed troops had not yet been gathered, and he joined army supervisors Jia Yingxiu and Jia Guoliang in defending Yinshui County. Rebels encamped five or six li from the Yin River; Quanyi feared assault and retreated to defend Chen Prefecture. Bian-Song and Hebei armies fled back to their commands; only Chenxu commander Meng Yuanyang, Divine Strategy commander Su Guangrong, and several thousand others held Yinshui. Quanyi induced Lu commander Xia Houzhongxuan, Hua commander Shi Ang, Heyang commander Quan Wendu, and Hezhong commander Guo Xiang to execute them. Because of this army morale gradually stabilized. Shaoqing, knowing the imperial army could do nothing, sent letters and gifts to army supervisors seeking rehabilitation. Dezong summoned chief ministers to discuss; Chief Minister Jia Dan said: "When Quanyi retreated from Wulou the rebels did not pursue—they likely hope for imperial grace. I fear we must open a path to life." The emperor agreed. He also received memorials from army supervisors and immediately issued rehabilitation and added to Shaoqing's rank.
28
十七年，全義自陳州班師，而中人掩其敗跡，上待之如初。 全義武臣，不達朝儀，托以足疾，不任謁見。 全義司馬崔放入對，德宗勞問，放引過，言招撫無功。 德宗曰：「全義為招討使，招得吳少誠歸國，其功大矣。 何必殺人乃為功耶！」 旋命還鎮，令中使就第賜宴，錫賫頗厚。 自還至辭，都不謁見而去。 議者以隳敗法制，從古已還，未如貞元之甚。 憲宗在籓，常惡其事。 及即位，全義懼，求入覲，詔以太子太保致仕。 其年七月卒。
In the seventeenth year Quanyi withdrew from Chen Prefecture while eunuchs concealed his defeat and the emperor treated him as before. Quanyi was a military man who did not understand court ritual; he pleaded foot ailment and avoided audiences. Quanyi's aide Cui Fang entered for audience; Dezong expressed sympathy, and Fang accepted blame, saying pacification had achieved nothing. Dezong said: "Quanyi as campaign commander pacified Wu Shaoqing's return to the state—his achievement is great. Why must killing people count as achievement?" He was immediately ordered back to command, and a palace eunuch was sent to his residence with a banquet and generous gifts. From return to farewell he never performed audience and departed. Critics said law had never been so thoroughly destroyed since antiquity as in Zhenyuan. Xianzong, while still a prince, often detested this affair. When Xianzong took the throne Quanyi was afraid and asked to enter court; an edict made him retired grand guardian of the heir apparent. He died in the seventh month of that year.
29
高霞寓，范陽人。 祖仙，父棲鶴，皆以孝聞。 凡五代同爨。 德宗朝，采訪使洪經綸奏旌表其門閭，鄉里稱美其事。 霞寓少讀《左氏春秋》及孫、吳《兵法》，好大言，頗以節概自許。
Gao Xiayi was from Fanyang. His grandfather Xian and father Qihe were both famed for filial piety. For five generations they shared one hearth. In Dezong's reign Investigation Commissioner Hong Jinglun memorialized to honor their household, and the neighborhood praised it. In youth Xiayi read the Zuo Commentary and the military works of Sun and Wu; he loved grand talk and prided himself on integrity.
30
貞元中，徒步造長武城使高崇文，待以猶子之分，擢授軍職，累奏憲宗，甚見委信。 元和初，詔授兼御史大夫，從崇文將兵擊劉辟，連戰皆克，下鹿頭城，降李文悅、仇良輔。 蜀平，以功拜彭州刺史，尋繼崇文為長武城使，封感義郡王。 元和五年，以左威衛將軍隨吐突承璀擊王承宗，又加左散騎常侍。 明年，改豐州刺史、三城都團練防禦使。 六遷至檢校工部尚書。
In Zhenyuan he went on foot to Changwu Fort commander Gao Chongwen, who treated him like a nephew, promoted him to army office, and repeatedly reported to Xianzong, winning great trust. Early in Yuanhe he was made concurrent censor-in-chief; he followed Chongwen against Liu Pi, won successive battles, took Lutou City, and received the surrender of Li Wenye and Qiu Liangfu. When Shu was pacified he became governor of Peng for his achievements; he soon succeeded Chongwen at Changwu Fort and was enfeoffed Prince of Ganyi. In Yuanhe 5 he followed Tuxing Chenghui as left Weiwu general against Wang Chengzong and was additionally made left regular attendant. The next year he became governor of Feng and overall training and defense commander of the Three Cities. He was promoted six times to supervisory minister of works.
31
元和十年，朝廷討吳元濟，以霞寓宿將，乃析山南東道為兩鎮，以霞寓為唐鄧隋節度使。
In Yuanhe 10 the court campaigned against Wu Yuanji; because Xiayi was a veteran general, Eastern Mountain South was divided into two commands and Xiayi became military governor of Tang, Deng, and Sui.
32
霞寓雖稱勇敢，素昧機略； 至於統制，尤非所長。 及達所部，乃率兵趣蕭陂，與賊決戰。 既小勝，又進至文城柵。 賊軍偽敗而退，霞寓逐之不已，因為伏兵所掩，王師大衄，霞寓僅以身免。 坐貶歸州刺史。 後以恩例，征為右衛大將軍。
Although Xiayi was called brave, he had never understood strategy; in command and control he was especially deficient. Once he reached his command he led troops straight to Xiaobo for a decisive battle with rebels. After a small victory he advanced again to Wencheng Stockade. Rebels feigned defeat and retreated; Xiayi pursued relentlessly, was ambushed, the imperial army suffered a great rout, and Xiayi barely escaped. He was demoted to governor of Gui for his offense. Later, by grace precedent, he was summoned as grand general of the Right Guard.
33
十三年，出為振武節度使，入為左武衛大將軍。 長慶元年，授邠寧節度使。 三年，就加檢校右僕射。 四年，加檢校司空，又加司徒。
In the thirteenth year he was sent out as military governor of Zhenwu and entered court as grand general of the Left Martial Guard. In Changqing 1 he was appointed military governor of Bin-Ning. In the third year he was additionally made supervisory right vice director. In the fourth year he was additionally made supervisory minister of works and then minister of education.
34
寶歷二年，疽發首，不能理事，求歸闕下。 其夏，授右金吾衛大將軍、檢校司徒，途次奉天而卒，年五十五，贈太保。
In Baoli 2 a carbuncle broke out on his head and he could not govern; he asked to return to court. That summer he was appointed grand general of the Right Gold Crow Guard and supervisory minister of education; he died on the road at Fengtian, aged fifty-five, and was posthumously made grand guardian.
35
霞寓卒伍常材，始因宦官進用，遂階節將。 位望既高，言多不遜。 朝廷知之，欲議移罷。 霞寓頗懷憂恐，舍私第為佛寺，上言請額為「懷恩」，用資聖福。 大率奸妄兇狡如此。 又非斥朝列，侮慢僚屬，鄙辭俚語，日聞於時。
Xiayi was common timber from the ranks; he first advanced through eunuch patronage and rose to command rank. Once his position rose, his words were often disrespectful. The court knew this and intended to transfer and dismiss him. Xiayi grew fearful; he converted his private residence into a Buddhist temple and asked that it be named "Cherishing Grace" to aid imperial blessing. In general he was treacherous, false, fierce, and cunning. He also insulted court ranks and slighted colleagues; vulgar words were heard daily.
36
高瑀，渤海蓚人。 少好論兵，釋褐右金吾胄曹，累辟諸府從事，歷陳、蔡二郡刺史，入為太仆卿。 太和初，忠武節度使王沛卒，物議以陳許軍四征有功，必自擇帥； 或以禁軍之將得之。 宰相裴度、韋處厚議瑀深沈方雅，曾刺陳、蔡，人懷良政，又熟忠武軍情，欲請用瑀。 事未聞，陳許表至，果請瑀為帥，乃授檢校左散騎常侍、許州刺史、忠武節度使。 自大歷已來，節制之除拜，多出禁軍中尉。 凡命一帥，必廣輸重賂。 禁軍將校當為帥者，自無家財，必取資於人； 得鎮之後，則膏血疲民以償之。 及瑀之拜，以內外公議，搢紳相慶曰：「韋公作相，債帥鮮矣！」
Gao Yu was from Su in Bohai. In youth he loved military discussion; he first served in the Right Gold Crow Guard office, was recruited to various staffs, governed Chen and Cai, and entered court as minister of imperial studs. Early in Taihe, when Zhongwu Military Governor Wang Pei died, opinion held that because the Chenxu army had fought four campaigns with achievement it would choose its own commander; some thought an imperial guard general would get it. Chief Ministers Pei Du and Wei Chuhou considered Yu deep, steady, and refined; he had governed Chen and Cai to popular approval and knew Zhongwu army sentiment—they wished to recommend him. Before the matter was heard, a Chenxu memorial arrived asking for Yu as commander, and he was appointed supervisory left regular attendant, governor of Xu, and military governor of Zhongwu. From the Dalu era onward, military commissioner appointments mostly came from inner army supervisors. Whenever a commander was appointed, heavy bribes had to be paid widely. Imperial guard officers slated for command, lacking family wealth, necessarily borrowed from others; once in command they drained the people's blood and sweat to repay it. When Yu was appointed, with consensus inside and outside court, officials congratulated one another: "When Lord Wei became chief minister, debt-commanders became rare!"
37
三年，就加檢校工部尚書。 比年水旱，人民薦饑。 瑀召集州民，繞郭立堤塘一百八十里，蓄泄既均，人無饑年。 加檢校右僕射。 六年，移授徐州刺史、武寧軍節度等使。 議者以徐泗王智興之後，軍士驕恣，宜得雄帥鎮之。 乃以太府卿崔珙代瑀，征為刑部尚書。 以疾求分司，拜太子少傅。 其月，復授檢校右僕射、陳許蔡節度使。 八年六月卒，贈司空。
In the third year he was additionally made supervisory minister of works. In successive years flood and drought brought repeated famine. Yu gathered prefectural people and built embankments and ponds encircling the city for one hundred and eighty li; storage and drainage were balanced, and the people knew no famine year. He was additionally made supervisory right vice director. In the sixth year he was transferred to governor of Xu and military governor of the Wu-Ning Army and related posts. Critics said that after Wang Zhixing in Xu and Si the soldiers were arrogant and a fierce commander should govern them. Grand Minister Cui Gong was therefore made to replace Yu, and Yu was summoned as minister of justice. He asked for separate office on account of illness and was appointed junior tutor of the heir apparent. That same month he was again appointed supervisory right vice director and military governor of Chen, Xu, and Cai. He died in the sixth month of the eighth year and was posthumously made minister of works.
38
瑀性寬和，有體量，為官雖無赫赫之譽，所至皆理，尤得士心，論者美之。
Yu was mild and generous with breadth of bearing; though his service won no resounding praise, everywhere he went was well governed and he especially won scholars' hearts—critics praised him.
39
崔戎，字可大。 高伯祖玄暐，神龍初有大功，封博陵郡王。 祖嬰，郢州刺史。 父貞固，太原榆次尉。 戎舉兩經登科，授太子校書，調判入等，授藍田主薄，為籓鎮名公交辟。
Cui Rong, styled Keda. His great-granduncle Xuanwei had great achievement early in Shenlong and was enfeoffed Prince of Boling. His grandfather Ying was governor of E Prefecture. His father Zheng'gu was magistrate of Yuci in Taiyuan. Rong passed both classics examinations, became crown prince's proofreader, was judged superior in evaluation and appointed chief clerk of Lantian, and was repeatedly recruited by famous frontier commanders.
40
裴度領太原，署為參謀。 時王承宗據鎮州叛，度請戎單車往諭之，承宗感泣受教。 入為殿中侍御史，累拜吏部郎中，遷諫議大夫。 尋為劍南東、西兩川宣慰使。 西州承蠻寇之後，戎既宣撫，兼再定征稅，廢置得所，公私便之。 還，拜給事中，駁奏為當時所稱。 改華州刺史，遷兗海沂密都團練觀察等使。 將行，州人戀惜遮道，至有解靴斷登者。 理兗一年，大和八年五月卒，贈禮部尚書。
When Pei Du governed Taiyuan he appointed Rong staff planner. When Wang Chengzong held Zhen Prefecture in rebellion, Du asked Rong to go alone to instruct him, and Chengzong wept and accepted instruction. He entered court as palace censor, rose to bureau director of personnel, and became censor. He was soon made pacification commissioner of Eastern and Western Sichuan. Western prefectures, having suffered barbarian raids, were pacified by Rong; levies were reassessed, abolitions and establishments were appropriate, and public and private alike benefited. On return he became drafting attendant; his memorials of rejection were praised at the time. He became governor of Hua and overall training and surveillance commissioner of Yan, Hai, Yi, and Mi. As he was about to depart, reluctant people blocked the road; some even pulled off boots and broke carriage steps. After governing Yan one year he died in the fifth month of Dahe 8 and was posthumously made minister of rites.
41
陸亙，字景山，吳郡人。 祖元明，睦州司馬。 父持詮，惠陵臺令。 亙以書判授集賢殿正字、華原縣尉。 應制舉，授萬年縣丞。 自京兆府兵曹參軍拜太常博士。 寺有禮生孟真，久於其事，凡吉兇大儀，禮官不能達，率訪真。 真亦賴是須要姑息。 元和七年，冊皇太子，將撰儀註，真亦欲參預； 亙笞之，由是禮儀不專於胥吏。 自虞部員外郎出為鄧州刺史。 其後入為戶部郎中、秘書少監、太常少卿，歷刺兗、蔡、虢、蘇四郡。 遷越州刺史、浙東團練觀察等使。 移宣歙觀察使，加御史大夫。 太和八年九月卒，年七十一，贈禮部尚書。
Lu Gen, styled Jingshan, was from Wu Prefecture. His grandfather Yuanming was vice magistrate of Mu Prefecture. His father Chiquan was magistrate of Huiling Terrace. Gen was appointed proofreader of the Hall of Assembled Worthies and magistrate of Huayuan through document evaluation. He answered the special examination and became vice magistrate of Wannian. From metropolitan prefecture army adjutant he became erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. In the temple was ritual attendant Meng Zhen, long in the work; for all great auspicious and inauspicious ceremonies ritual officers could not master them and always consulted Zhen. Zhen also relied on this and constantly demanded indulgence. In Yuanhe 7, when the crown prince was to be installed and ritual notes drafted, Zhen also wished to participate; Gen beat him with the staff, and from then on ritual was not monopolized by clerks. From assistant in the Ministry of Revenue he was sent out as governor of Deng. He later entered court as revenue bureau director, junior director of the secretariat, junior minister of imperial sacrifices, and governed Yan, Cai, Guo, and Su. He was transferred to governor of Yue and overall training and surveillance commissioner of Zhedong. He was moved to surveillance commissioner of Xuan and She and additionally made censor-in-chief. He died in the ninth month of Taihe 8, aged seventy-one, and was posthumously made minister of rites.
42
亙強明嚴毅，所至稱理。 初赴兗州，延英面奏曰：「凡節度使握兵分屯屬郡者，刺史不能制，遂為一州之弊，宜有處分。」 因詔天下兵分屯屬郡者，隸於刺史。 越之永喜郡，城於海閆，常陷寇境，集官吏廩祿之半，以代常賦，因循相踵，吏返為幸。 亙按舉贓罪，表請郡守以降，增給其俸，人皆賴之。
Gen was forceful, bright, strict, and resolute; everywhere he went was praised as well governed. When he first went to Yan he addressed the emperor at Yanying: "Whenever military governors hold troops garrisoned in subordinate prefectures, prefects cannot control them, and this becomes a prefecture's affliction—there should be disposition." An edict therefore ordered troops garrisoned in subordinate prefectures throughout the realm placed under prefects. In Yongjia command of Yue a seashore city often fell within raider territory; officials and clerks had half their salaries and grain stores collected to replace regular levies; this continued by inertia and clerks came to regard it as fortune. Gen investigated corruption, memorialized that prefects and below should have salaries increased, and the people all relied on him.
43
張正甫，字踐方，南陽人。 曾祖大禮，坊州刺史。 祖紹貞，尚書右丞。 父泚，蘇州司馬。 正甫登進士第，從樊澤為襄陽從事，累轉監察御史。 於頔代澤，辟留正甫。 正甫堅辭之，遂誣奏貶郴州長史。 後由邕府征拜殿中侍御史，遷戶部員外郎，轉司封員外、兼侍御史知雜事。 遷戶部郎中，改河南尹。 由尚書右丞為同州刺史，入拜左散騎常侍、集賢殿學士判院事。 轉工部尚書。 五年，檢校兵部尚書、太子詹事。 明年，以吏部尚書致仕。 正甫仁而端亮，蒞官清強。 居外任，所至稱理。 太和八年九月卒，年八十三，累贈太師。 子毅夫。
Zhang Zhengfu, styled Jianfang, was from Nanyang. His great-grandfather Dali was governor of Fang Prefecture. His grandfather Shaozhen was right vice director. His father Ci was vice magistrate of Suzhou. Zhengfu passed the jinshi examination, followed Fan Ze as staff in Xiangyang, and rose to investigating censor. When Yu Di replaced Ze he recruited and retained Zhengfu. Zhengfu firmly declined and was falsely reported and demoted to long chief of Chen Prefecture. Later summoned from Yong staff as palace censor, he rose to assistant in the Ministry of Revenue and assistant in the Bureau of Honors with concurrent charge of investigating censor and miscellaneous affairs. He rose to revenue bureau director and became metropolitan governor of Henan. From right vice director he became governor of Tong; he entered court as left regular attendant and academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies with charge of the academy. He was transferred to minister of works. In the fifth year he was made supervisory minister of war and mentor of the heir apparent. The next year he retired as minister of personnel. Zhengfu was benevolent, upright, and bright; in office he was clear and forceful. In outer appointments everywhere he went was praised as well governed. He died in the ninth month of Taihe 8, aged eighty-three, and was repeatedly posthumously made grand preceptor. His son was Yifu.
44
毅夫，登進士第。 初正甫兄式，大歷中進士登第，繼之以正甫，式子元夫、傑夫、征夫又相次登科。 太和中，文章之盛，世共稱之。 元夫，太和初兵部郎中、知制誥，遷中書舍人，出為汝州刺史。 毅夫位至戶部侍郎、弘文館學士判院事。 諸群從登第者數人，而毅夫子祎最知名。
Yifu passed the jinshi examination. At first Zhengfu's elder brother Shi passed the jinshi in the Dalu era, followed by Zhengfu; Shi's sons Yuanfu, Jiefu, and Zhengfu passed in succession. In the Taihe era the flourishing of literary talent was praised by the age. Yuanfu, early in Taihe, was war bureau director and drafting drafter, rose to drafting attendant, and was sent out as governor of Ru. Yifu rose to vice minister of revenue and Hongwen Hall academician with charge of the academy. Several cousins passed the examination; among them Yifu's son Yi was most renowned.
45
祎，字冠章，釋褐汴州從事、戶部判官，入為藍田尉、集賢校理。 趙隱鎮浙西，劉鄴鎮淮南，皆辟為賓佐。 入為監察御史，遷左補闕。 乾符中，詔入翰林為學士，累官至中書舍人。 黃巢犯京師，從僖宗幸蜀，拜工部侍郎，判戶部事。 奉使江淮還，為當塗者不協，改太子賓客、左散騎常侍，轉吏部侍郎，歷刑部、兵部尚書。 從昭宗在華，為韓建所構，貶衡州司馬。 昭宗還京，征拜禮部尚書、太常卿，充禮儀使，遷兵部尚書。
Yi, styled Guanzhang, first served as staff in Bian and revenue judge, entered court as magistrate of Lantian and collator of the Hall of Assembled Worthies. When Zhao Yin governed Zhexi and Liu Ye governed Huainan, both recruited him as staff. He entered court as investigating censor and rose to left reminder. In the Qianfu era an edict summoned him to the Hanlin Academy; he rose repeatedly to drafting attendant. When Huang Chao attacked the capital he followed Emperor Xizong to Shu and was appointed vice minister of works with charge of revenue. Returning from a Jianghuai mission he was at odds with the man in power and was changed to crown prince's mentor and left regular attendant, then vice minister of personnel, and successively minister of justice and minister of war. Following Emperor Zhaozong at Hua he was framed by Han Jian and demoted to vice magistrate of Heng. When Zhaozong returned to the capital he was summoned as minister of rites and grand minister of imperial sacrifices and ritual commissioner, then promoted to minister of war.
46
祎苦心為文，老而益壯。 為刑部時，劉鄴子覃，當巢寇時避禍於金吾將軍張直方之第，被害。 僖宗還京，而惡覃者以托附逆黨，死不以義，下三司詳罪。 祎上章申理，言覃父子並命於賊廷，豈附逆耶？ 其家竟獲洗雪，覃亦贈官。 其行義始終，皆如此類。
Yi labored at writing; in old age his work grew stronger. When he was minister of justice, Liu Ye's son Tan, during the Huang Chao rebellion, had taken refuge in Gold Crow Guard commander Zhang Zhifang's residence and was killed. When Emperor Xizong returned to the capital those who hated Tan accused him of attaching himself to rebels and dying without righteousness; the Three Offices were ordered to examine the crime. Yi submitted a memorial in his defense, saying father and son both met death in the rebel court—how could this be joining rebellion? His family finally obtained rehabilitation and Tan was also posthumously granted office. His righteous conduct from beginning to end was all of this kind.
47
史臣曰：孟陽、王遂儒雅之曹，才有可稱，竟以財媚時君，陷為俗吏。 蹈道之論，可不懼耶！ 全義官由妄進，霞寓位以卒升，勇毅不足以啟行，謀慮不足以應變，敗亡之辱，不亦宜乎？ 朝無責帥之刑，蓋自恥也。 權、瑀長者，末塗喪真，雖牽於食貧，純則偽矣。
The historiographer says: Mengyang and Wang Sui were men of refined learning with praiseworthy talent, yet they finally used wealth to flatter the ruler and fell into being vulgar officials. The discourse on treading the Way—should one not fear it? Quanyi's office came from reckless advancement; Xiayi's rank rose from the ranks; courage was insufficient to open the way and planning insufficient to meet change—the shame of defeat was not fitting? The court had no punishment for failed commanders; this was rather its own shame. Quan and Yu were elder men; in their final years they lost integrity—though dragged by poverty, if pure it was false.
48
贊曰：蘊仁則哲，蘊利則狂。 搢紳之胤，勿效潘、王。 全義逃責，貞元失策。 霞寓薄刑，元和復興。
The encomium says: To store benevolence is wisdom; to store profit is madness. Descendants of the gentry—do not imitate Pan and Wang. Quanyi escaped responsibility; Zhenyuan lost its way. Xiayi received light punishment; Yuanhe revived.