1
李渤，字浚之，後魏橫野將軍申國公發之後。 祖玄珪，衛尉寺主簿。 父鈞，殿中侍御史，以母喪不時舉，流於施州。 渤恥其家汙，堅苦不仕； 勵誌於文學，不從科舉，隱於嵩山，以讀書業文為事。
Li Bo, courtesy name Junzhi, traced his line to Fa, Prince of Shen and General of the Transverse Field under the Northern Wei. His grandfather Xuan'gui had served as chief clerk in the Court of the Imperial Guard. His father Jun had been a palace censor, but because he took office without completing the mourning rites for his mother, he was exiled to Shizhou. Bo was ashamed of the stain on his family and steadfastly refused to enter government service; he applied himself to letters, shunned the examination track, withdrew to Mount Song, and devoted his days to reading and writing.
2
元和初，戶部侍郎鹽鐵轉運使李巽、諫議大夫韋況更薦之，以山人征為左拾遺。 渤托疾不赴，遂家東都。 朝廷政有得失，附章疏陳論。 又撰《禦戎新錄》二十卷，表獻之。 九年，以著作郎征之。 詔曰：「特降新恩，用清舊議。」 渤於是赴官。 歲餘，遷右補闕。 連上章疏忤旨，改丹王府諮議參軍，分司東都。 十二年，遷贊善大夫，依前分司。
Early in the Yuanhe reign, Li Xun, vice minister of revenue and salt-and-iron transport commissioner, and Wei Kuang, remonstrance and policy advisor, recommended him again and again, until the court summoned him from reclusion to the post of Left Reminder. Bo pleaded illness and declined the appointment, settling instead in the Eastern Capital at Luoyang. Whenever he saw merit or fault in the court's governance, he submitted memorials setting out his views. He also wrote New Records on Border Defense in twenty scrolls and presented them to the throne. In the ninth year of Yuanhe, he was summoned to serve as Gentleman of Writing. The edict read: "We grant this special favor anew, that old reproaches may be laid to rest." Only then did Bo accept the appointment. A little over a year later he was promoted to Right Reminder. Memorial after memorial ran against the emperor's wishes, and he was reassigned as counselor to the Prince of Dan, with nominal duty at the Eastern Capital. In the twelfth year he was made Mentor of Heirs Apparent, still serving in the Eastern Capital as before.
3
十三年，遣人上疏論時政，凡五事：一禮樂，二食貨，三刑政，四議都，五辯讎。 渤以散秩在東都，以上章疏為己任，前後四十五封。 再遷為庫部員外郎。
In the thirteenth year he had an agent submit a memorial on affairs of state in five parts: ritual and music; food and goods; penal administration; the capital; and the settling of grievances. Though he held only an honorary post in the Eastern Capital, Bo made memorial-writing his calling and sent forth forty-five in all. He was promoted again, to Vice Director of the Treasury Bureau.
4
時皇甫镈作相，剝下希旨。 會澤潞節度使郗士美卒，渤充吊祭使，路次陜西。 渤上疏曰：「臣出使經行，歷求利病。 竊知渭南縣長源鄉本有四百戶，今才一百余戶； 闃鄉縣本有三千戶； 今才有一千戶，其他州縣大約相似。 訪尋積弊，始自均攤逃戶。 凡十家之內，大半逃亡，亦須五家攤稅。 似投石井中，非到底不止。 攤逃之弊，苛虐如斯，此皆聚斂之臣剝下媚上，唯思竭澤，不慮無魚。 乞降詔書，絕攤逃之弊。 其逃亡戶以其家產錢數為定，征有所欠，乞降特恩免之。 計不數年，人必歸於農矣。 夫農者，國之本，本立然後可以議太平。 若不由茲，而雲太平者，謬矣。」 又言道途不修，驛馬多死。 憲宗覽疏驚異，即以飛龍馬數百匹，付畿內諸驛。 渤既以草疏切直，大忤宰相，乃謝病東歸。
At that time Huangfu Bo was chancellor, squeezing the people to please the throne. When Qi Shimai, military commissioner of Zelu, died, Bo was appointed condolence envoy; on the road through Shaanxi, Bo submitted a memorial: "On this mission your subject has traveled the route and everywhere looked into what helps and what harms the people. I have learned in private that Changyuan township in Weinan County once had four hundred households; today barely more than a hundred remain; Qian township once had three thousand households; today barely a thousand remain, and other prefectures and counties are much the same. In tracing these chronic evils to their root, one finds the practice of spreading fugitive households' taxes among those who remain. Of every ten households, most may have fled, yet the tax must still be shared among the five who remain. It is like casting a stone into a well: it does not stop until it hits bottom. The evil of spreading fugitives' taxes is as harsh as this. Such men are revenue-hungry ministers who strip the people to flatter their superiors, draining the pond without a thought for the day when no fish remain. I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict abolishing this practice. Let fugitive households be taxed only according to the property they left behind, and let any shortfall in collection be remitted by special grace. Within a few years the people will surely return to the fields. Farming is the root of the state; only when the root is firm may one speak of great peace. To speak of peace without taking this road is folly." He also reported that the roads were unrepaired and that relay horses were dying in great numbers. Emperor Xianzong read the memorial with alarm and at once sent several hundred Flying Dragon horses to the relay stations of the capital region. Because his blunt memorial had deeply offended the chancellor, Bo pleaded illness and withdrew eastward.
5
穆宗即位，召為考功員外郎。 十一月，定京官考，不避權幸，皆行升黜。 奏曰：
When Muzong came to the throne, Bo was recalled as Vice Director of the Bureau of Merit Evaluations. That November, when the merit reviews of capital officials were due, he spared neither the powerful nor the favored, promoting and demoting as merit required. He submitted a memorial that read:
6
宰臣蕭俛、段文昌、崔植，是陛下君臨之初，用為輔弼，安危理亂，決在此時。 況陛下思天下和平，敬大臣禮切，固未有昵比左右、侈滿自賢之心。 而宰相之權，宰相之事，陛下一以付之，實君義臣行，千載一遇之時也。 此時若失，他更無時。 而俛等上不能推至公，申炯誡，陳先王道德，以沃君心； 又不能正色匪躬，振舉舊法，復百司之本，俾教化大立。 臣聞政之興廢，在於賞罰。 俛等作相已來，未聞獎一人德義，舉守官奉公者，使天下在官之徒有所激勸； 又不聞黜一人職事不理、持祿養驕者，使屍祿之徒有所懼。 如此，則刑法不立矣！ 邪正莫辯，混然無章，教化不行，賞罰之設，天下之事，復何望哉！
"Chancellors Xiao Fu, Duan Wenchang, and Cui Zhi were chosen to assist Your Majesty at the beginning of your reign. Whether the realm stands safe or imperiled, ordered or in disorder, will be decided now. Your Majesty seeks peace for the empire and treats his ministers with sincere respect. You show no wish to cozy up to those at your side or to grow complacent in your own wisdom. You have entrusted chancellors with chancellors' full authority and charge. This is the true relation of ruler and minister—a moment that comes once in a thousand years. If this moment passes, there will not be another. Yet Fu and his colleagues cannot, on the one hand, press for the utmost public good, offer bright warnings, and set before you the virtue of the ancient kings to nourish your mind; nor, on the other hand, keep stern faces, correct their own conduct, revive the old laws, restore the foundations of the hundred offices, and establish great order through teaching. Your subject has heard that whether government flourishes or fails depends on reward and punishment. Since Fu and the others took office, I have heard of no one rewarded for virtue, no upright official commended for keeping his post and serving the public, that officials throughout the realm might be stirred to emulation; nor of anyone dismissed for neglect of duty or for drawing salary while growing arrogant, that idle officeholders might feel fear. If matters stand thus, how can law be upheld? Wrong cannot be told from right; all is confusion without rule; teaching goes nowhere. With reward and punishment hollow, what hope remains for the affairs of the realm?
7
一昨陛下遊幸驪山，宰相、翰林學士是陛下股肱心腹，宜皆知之。 蕭俛等不能先事未形，忘軀懇諫，而使陛下有忽諫之名流於史冊，是陷君於過也。 孔子曰：「所謂大臣者，以道事君，不可則止。」 若俛等言行計從，不當如是。 若言不行，計不從，須奉身速退，不宜屍素於化源。 進退戾也，何所避辭？ 其蕭亻免、段文昌、崔植三人並翰林學士杜元穎等，並請考中下。
Only yesterday Your Majesty visited Mount Li. The chancellors and Hanlin academicians are your arms and your heart—they should have known beforehand. Xiao Fu and the others failed to speak before the deed was done, forgetting themselves in earnest remonstrance, and so left Your Majesty with the name of one who ignored counsel—a stain on the historical record and a fault into which ministers lead their ruler. Confucius said, "What is called a great minister serves his ruler by the Way; if that cannot be done, he withdraws." If Fu and the others had truly been heeded in word and deed, they should not have acted as they did. If their words went unheeded and their plans unfollowed, they should have withdrawn at once and not clung to empty posts at the very source of government. In advance and retreat they were perverse. What excuse is there for holding back the truth? I therefore ask that Xiao Fu, Duan Wenchang, and Cui Zhi, together with Hanlin Academician Du Yuanying and others, all be rated middle-lower.
8
御史大夫李絳、左散騎常侍張惟素、右散騎常侍李益等諫幸驪山，鄭覃等諫畋遊，是皆恐陛下行幸不息，恣情無度； 又恐馬有銜蹶不測之變，風寒生疾之憂，急奏無所詣，國璽委於婦人中幸之手。 絳等能率御史諫官論列於朝，有懇激事君之體。 其李絳、張惟素、李益三人，伏請賜上下考外，特與遷官，以彰陛下優忠賞諫之美。
Censor-in-Chief Li Jiang, Left Regular Attendant Zhang Weisu, Right Regular Attendant Li Yi, and others remonstrated against the visit to Mount Li; Zheng Tan and others remonstrated against hunting—all fearing that Your Majesty's travels would never end and your pleasures know no limit; they feared as well the unforeseeable accident of a runaway or stumbling horse, the chill wind and sickness it might bring, the lack of any channel for urgent memorials, and the imperial seal left in the hands of palace women and favored attendants. Jiang and the others led the censors and remonstrance officials in open debate at court, showing the earnest, impassioned bearing of true service to the ruler. As for Li Jiang, Zhang Weisu, and Li Yi, I humbly ask that beyond an upper-middle rating they be specially promoted, that Your Majesty's grace toward loyalty and reward for remonstrance may be made plain.
9
其崔元略冠供奉之首，合考上下； 緣與於翚上下考，於翚以犯贓處死，準令須降，請賜考中中。 大理卿許季同，任使於翚、韋道沖、韋正牧，皆以犯贓，或左降，或處死，合考中下； 然頃者陷劉辟之亂，棄家歸朝，忠節明著，今宜以功補過，請賜考中中。 少府監裴通，職事修舉，合考中上； 以其請追封所生母而舍嫡母，是明罔於君，幽欺其先，請考中下。 伏以昔在宰夫入寢，擅飲師曠、李調。 今愚臣守官，請書宰相學士中下考。 上愛聖運，下振頹綱，故臣懼不言之為罪，不懼言之為罪也。 其三品官考，伏緣限在今月內進，輒先具如前。 其四品以下官，續具條疏聞奏。
Cui Yuanlue, who heads the palace attendants, merits an upper-middle rating; but because he was rated upper-middle together with Yu Hui, and Yu Hui was executed for corruption, the regulations require a reduction. I ask that he be rated middle. Chief Minister of Justice Xu Jitong, who appointed Yu Hui, Wei Daochong, and Wei Zhengmu—all convicted of corruption and either demoted or executed—merits a middle-lower rating; yet when Liu Pi's rebellion engulfed the region, he abandoned his family and returned to court, his loyalty plain for all to see. His merit should now offset his fault. I ask that he be rated middle. Pei Tong, Director of the Palace Manufactories, has performed his duties well and merits a middle-upper rating; but because he sought posthumous honors for his birth mother while setting aside his legal mother, openly deceiving the ruler and secretly wronging his ancestors, I ask a middle-lower rating. I recall that in antiquity a cook entered the sleeping chamber and drank from the cups of Shi Kuang and Li Diao without leave. Today this humble official, merely doing his duty, asks leave to record middle-lower ratings for the chancellors and academicians. Out of love for the sacred age above and desire to revive the failing order below, your subject fears the crime of silence, not the crime of speech. Because the deadline for third-rank evaluations falls within this month, I venture to submit these ratings in advance as above. Ratings for officials of the fourth rank and below I shall continue to set forth in detail in a further memorial.
10
狀入，留中不下。 議者以宰輔曠官，自宜上疏論列，而渤越職釣名，非盡事君之道。 未幾，渤以墜馬傷足，請告，會魏博節度使田弘正表渤為副使。 杜元穎奏曰：「渤賣直沽名，動多狂躁。 聖恩矜貸，且使居官。 而幹進多端，外交方鎮，遠求奏請，不能自安。 久留在朝，轉恐生事。」 乃出為虔州刺史。
When the report reached the throne, it was kept within and never promulgated. Critics agreed that the chancellors' neglect of duty deserved open criticism, but held that Bo had overstepped his office and courted fame—not the whole of a minister's duty to his ruler. Before long Bo injured his foot in a fall from his horse and asked for leave; at the same time Tian Hongzheng, military commissioner of Weibo, memorialized recommending Bo as his deputy. Du Yuanying submitted a memorial: "Bo peddles integrity for reputation; his conduct is often rash and unsteady. By imperial grace he was spared and allowed to remain in office. Yet he schemes for advancement by every path, cultivates ties with regional commanders, and sends petitions from afar. He cannot rest content. If he stays long at court, I fear he will make trouble." Bo was therefore sent out to serve as prefect of Qianzhou.
11
渤至州，奏還鄰境信州所移兩稅錢二百萬，免稅米二萬斛，減所由一千六百人。 觀察使以其事上聞。 未滿歲，遷江州刺史。 張平叔判度支，奏征久遠逋懸，渤在州上疏曰：「伏奉詔敕，雲度支使所奏，令臣設計征填當州貞元二年逃戶所欠錢四千四百一十貫。 臣當州管田二千一百九十七頃，今已旱死一千九百頃有余，若更勒徇度支使所為，必懼史官書陛下於大旱中征三十六年前逋懸。 臣任刺史，罪無所逃。 臣既上不副聖情，下不忍鞭笞黎庶，不敢輕持符印，特乞放臣歸田。」 乃下詔曰：「江州所奏，實為懇誠。 若不蠲容，必難存濟。 所訴逋欠並放。」 長慶二年，入為職方郎中。 三年，遷諫議大夫。
On reaching Qianzhou, Bo memorialized to return two million in liangshui tax monies shifted from neighboring Xinzhou, exempted twenty thousand bushels of tax grain, and cut sixteen hundred subordinate staff. The surveillance commissioner reported these measures to the throne. Before a year was out he was transferred to prefect of Jiangzhou. Zhang Pingshu, acting director of the Revenue Bureau, memorialized to collect long-overdue taxes. From Jiangzhou Bo submitted a memorial: "I have received the edict reporting the Revenue Bureau's request that I devise means to collect the 4,410 strings still owed by fugitive households from the second year of the Zhenyuan era in this prefecture. This prefecture oversees 2,197 qing of fields; more than 1,900 qing have already withered in drought. If I were forced to obey the Revenue Bureau, I would fear the historians would write that Your Majesty collected thirty-six-year-old arrears in the midst of great drought. As prefect I cannot escape blame for what follows. I can neither satisfy the throne above nor bear to flog the people below. I dare not lightly keep seal and commission in hand, and beg to be released to return to my fields." The court then issued an edict: "Jiangzhou's memorial is truly earnest. Without remission the people cannot survive. All the overdue debts described are remitted." In the second year of Changqing he returned to court as Director of the Bureau of Titles and Patents. In the third year he was promoted to Remonstrance and Policy Advisor.
12
長慶、寶歷中，政出多門，事歸邪幸。 渤不顧忠難，章疏論列，曾無虛日。 帝雖昏縱，亦為之感悟。 轉給事中，面賜金紫。
Through the Changqing and Baoli reigns power leaked through many doors, and affairs fell to wicked favorites. Bo ignored the peril to himself and memorialized without cease—scarcely a day passed without a submission. Though the emperor was dull and self-indulgent, even he was moved. He was made Supervising Censor and in audience was personally granted the gold seal and purple robe.
13
寶歷元年，改元大赦。 先是，鄠縣令崔發聞門外喧鬥，縣吏言五坊使下毆擊百姓。 發怒，命吏捕之。 曳挾既至，時已曛黑，不問色目。 良久與語，乃知是一內官。 天子聞之怒，收發系御史臺。 禦樓之日，放系囚，發亦在雞竿下。 時有品官五十余人，持仗毆發，縱橫亂擊，發破面折齒。 臺吏以席蔽之，方免。 是日系囚皆釋，發獨不免。 渤疏論之曰：「縣令不合曳中人，中人不合毆禦囚，其罪一也。 然縣令所犯在恩前，中人所犯在恩後。 中人橫暴，一至於此，是朝廷馴致使然。 若不早正刑書，臣恐四夷之人及籓鎮奏事傳道此語，則慢易之心萌矣。」 渤又宣言於朝云：「郊禮前一日，兩神策軍於青城內奪京兆府進食牙盤，不時處置，致有毆擊崔發之事。」 上聞之，按問左右，皆言無奪食事。 以渤黨發，出為桂州刺史、兼御史中丞，充桂管都防禦觀察使。
In the first year of Baoli the reign title was changed and a general amnesty was proclaimed. Earlier, Cui Fa, magistrate of Hu County, heard a noisy brawl outside the gate. A clerk reported that men sent by the Five Offices commissioners were beating common people. Fa flew into a rage and ordered his clerks to seize them. When the men were dragged in, night had already fallen, and he did not ask who they were. Only after talking at length did he learn the man was an imperial eunuch. When the emperor heard of it he flew into a rage, had Cui Fa arrested, and imprisoned him at the imperial censorate. On the day of the imperial tower amnesty, prisoners in confinement were released—and Fa stood beneath the pardon pole as well. At the time more than fifty ranked officials, wielding clubs, beat Fa in a wild frenzy; his face was torn open and his teeth were broken. Censorate clerks covered him with mats before he was spared further injury. That day every confined prisoner was released; Fa alone was not freed. Bo submitted a memorial arguing: "The magistrate should not have dragged an imperial attendant, and the attendant should not have beaten a prisoner under imperial amnesty—the fault is the same in both. Yet the magistrate's offense occurred before the amnesty, while the attendant's occurred after it. That imperial attendants should be so violent and overbearing shows how the court has indulged and trained them to it. If punishment is not imposed at once, I fear that foreigners and frontier commanders who hear this tale will take it as license for contempt." Bo also proclaimed at court: "On the eve of the suburban sacrifice, two Shence Army units inside the Green City seized the serving trays of food presented by the Jingzhao prefecture; because the matter was not dealt with in time, the beating of Cui Fa followed." When the emperor heard this, he questioned those around him; all denied any seizure of food. Deeming Bo partisan toward Fa, the court sent him out as prefect of Guizhou and concurrent vice censor-in-chief, with charge as Guiguan defense and observation commissioner.
14
渤雖被斥，正論不已，而諫官繼論其屈。 後宰相李逢吉、竇易直、李程因延英上語及崔發，逢吉等奏曰：「崔發淩轢中人，誠大不敬。 然發母是故相韋貫之姊，年僅八十。 自發下獄，積憂成疾。 伏以陛下孝治天下，稍垂恩宥。」 帝湣然良久，曰：「比諫官論奏，但言發屈，未嘗言不敬之罪，亦不言有老母。 如卿等言，寧無湣惻！」 即遣中使送發至其家，兼撫問發母。 韋夫人號哭，對中使杖發四十，拜章謝恩。 帝又遣中使慰安之。
Though dismissed, Bo never ceased his upright arguments, and remonstrance officials continued to argue that he had been wronged. Later, when chief ministers Li Fengji, Dou Yizhi, and Li Cheng spoke with the emperor at Yanying and mentioned Cui Fa, Fengji and the others memorialized: "Cui Fa insulted and trampled upon an imperial attendant—a grave lack of respect. Yet Fa's mother is the elder sister of the former chief minister Wei Guanzhi and is nearly eighty years old. Since Fa was imprisoned, worry had piled up into illness. I submit that Your Majesty governs the realm through filial piety; may you show a little mercy and pardon." For a long while the emperor was visibly moved and said: "When remonstrance officials spoke lately, they spoke only of Fa's wronged treatment; never once named the offense of disrespect, nor noted that he had an aged mother. Hearing you put it so, how could I not feel pity!" At once he dispatched palace envoys to escort Fa home and sent others to comfort Fa's mother. Madame Wei wailed and, before the envoys, had Fa beaten forty strokes with the staff, then submitted a memorial thanking the emperor's grace. The emperor once more sent palace envoys to offer her consolation.
15
渤在桂管二年，風恙求代，罷歸洛陽。 太和五年，以太子賓客征至京師。 月余卒，時年五十九，贈禮部尚書。 渤孤貞，力行操尚，不茍合，而阘茸之流，非其沽激。 至於以言擯退，終不息言，以救時病，服名節者重之。
After two years in Guiguan, Bo sought relief from his post because of a wind ailment and withdrew to Luoyang. In the fifth year of Taihe he was summoned to the capital as grand mentor of the heir apparent. After a little more than a month he died, aged fifty-nine; he was posthumously made minister of rites. Bo was solitary and upright, forceful in conduct and unwilling to compromise; vulgar mediocrities were not the audience for his moral zeal. Though driven from office for his words, he never ceased speaking to remedy the ills of the age; men who valued integrity esteemed him.
16
子祝，會昌中登進士第，辟諸侯府。
His son Zhu earned his jinshi degree in the Huichang era and entered the staff of a regional lord.
17
張仲方，韶州始興人。 祖九臯，廣州刺史、殿中監、嶺南節度使。 父抗，贈右僕射。 仲方伯祖始興文獻公九齡，開元朝名相。 仲方，貞元中進士擢第，宏辭登科，釋褐集賢校理，丁母憂免。 服闋，補秘書省正字，調授咸陽尉。 出為邠州從事，入朝歷侍御史、倉部員外郎。
Zhang Zhongfang hailed from Shixing in Shaozhou. His grandfather Jiugao was prefect of Guangzhou, director of the palace domestic service, and military commissioner of Lingnan. His father Kang was posthumously made right vice director of the Department of State Affairs. Zhongfang's great-uncle Jiuling, Duke Wenxian of Shixing, had been a celebrated chief minister under Kaiyuan. Zhongfang passed the civil examinations in the Zhenyuan era and also passed the macro-elocution examination; upon leaving office he became collator in the Palace Library, then left service to mourn his mother. Once mourning was complete he became a proofreader in the Secretariat, then was transferred to magistrate of Xianyang. He served as an aide in Binzhou, then on entering court rose through investigating censor to vice director of the granaries bureau.
18
會呂溫、羊士諤誣告宰相李吉甫陰事，二人俱貶。 仲方坐呂溫貢舉門生，出為金州刺史。 吉甫卒，入為度支郎中。 時太常定吉甫謚為「恭懿」，博士尉遲汾請為「敬憲」，仲方駁議曰：
When Lü Wen and Yang Shifu falsely accused chief minister Li Jifu of secret dealings, both men were demoted. Zhongfang, implicated as an examination protégé of Lü Wen, was sent out as prefect of Jinzhou. After Jifu's death, Zhongfang entered court as director of the revenue bureau. The Court of Imperial Sacrifices had fixed Jifu's posthumous title as "Respectful and Virtuous"; erudite Yuchi Fen proposed "Reverent and Lawful"; Zhongfang answered in a memorial:
19
古者，易名請謚，禮之典也。 處大位者，取其巨節，蔑諸細行，垂範當代，昭示後人，然後書之，垂於不朽。 善善惡惡，不可以誣，故稱一字，則至明矣； 定褒貶是非之宜，泯同異紛綸之論。
In ancient times, to change a name and petition a posthumous title was a ritual norm. One who holds high office should be judged by his great integrity, not petty lapses, so that he may stand as an example to the age and a lesson to posterity—only then should the record be written and made enduring. Praise and blame must not be falsified; a single character should make the judgment unmistakable; it fixes the measure of right and wrong and stills the tangle of conflicting opinion.
20
贈司徒吉甫，稟氣生材，乘時佐治，博涉多藝，含章炳文。 燮贊陰陽，經緯邦國。 惜乎通敏資性，便媚取容。 故載踐樞衡，疊致臺袞，大權在己，沈謀罕成，好惡徇情，輕諾寡信。 諂淚在臉，遇便則流； 巧言如簧，應機必發。
The late minister of works Jifu was heaven-endowed and talented, seized the moment to aid governance, mastered many arts, and bore luminous literary grace. He harmonized yin and yang and wove the fabric of the state together. Yet by nature he was clever and quick, fawning on others and currying favor. Thus he repeatedly tread the hubs of power and piled up ministerial rank; great authority rested with him, deep plans rarely succeeded, private feeling guided likes and dislikes, and promises came lightly while faith ran thin. Flattery sat on his face and flowed whenever it served him; clever words like reeds sounded whenever occasion arose.
21
夫人臣之翼戴元後者，端恪致治，孜孜夙夜，絹熙庶績，平章百揆。 兵者兇器，不可從我始； 及乎伐罪，則料敵以成功。 至使內有害輔臣之盜，外有懷毒蠆之孽。 師徒暴野，戎馬生郊。 皇上旰食宵衣，公卿大夫且慚且恥。 農人不得在畝，緝婦不得在桑。 耗斂賦之常貲，散帑廩之中積； 征邊僥之備，竭運挽之勞。 僵屍血流，胔骼成嶽，酷毒之痛，號訴無辜，剿絕群生，逮今四載。 禍胎之兆，實始其謀； 遺君父之憂，而豈謂之先覺者乎？
A minister who supports the sovereign should be upright and tireless in bringing order, toiling from dawn to dusk, brightening the multitude of tasks and harmonizing the hundred offices. Arms are instruments of violence; one must not be first to take them up on one's own account; when punishing the guilty, one gauges the enemy to achieve success. Yet within, thieves harmed assisting ministers; without, venomous evils harbored poison. Armies ravaged the countryside and war horses foaled in the suburbs. The emperor skipped meals and rose at night; grandees and high officials alike burned with shame. Farmers could not work the furrows; women who reel silk could not tend the mulberry. Ordinary tax levies were drained dry and treasury stores scattered; border defense reserves were exhausted and transport labor worn to the bone. Corpses and flowing blood piled like hills; the agony of cruel slaughter cried out from the innocent; life had been cut off for four years to this day. The omen of disaster truly began in his scheming; he bequeathed worry to ruler and father—yet can such a man be called prescient?
22
夫論大功者，不可以妄取，不可以枉致。 為資畫者體理，不顯不競，而豈妨令美？ 當削平西蜀，乃言語侍從之臣； 擒翦東吳，則訏謨廊廟之輔。 較其功則有異，言其力則不倫。 何舍其所重而錄其所輕，收其所小而略其所大？ 且奢靡是嗜，而曰愛人以儉； 受授無守，而曰慎才以補。 斥諫諍之士於外，豈不近之蔽聰乎？ 舉忠烈之廟於內，豈不近之昵愛也？ 焉有蔽聰昵愛，家範無制，而能垂法作程，憲章百度乎？
In judging great merit, one must not seize it rashly or gain it by bending truth. To plan for the state's structure without display or rivalry—how could that tarnish a fair reputation? When Shu in the west was pacified, he was only a member of the literary entourage; when eastern Wu was captured, he stood as counselor in the hall of state. Compare achievements and they differ; speak of strength and they are not alike. Why discard what is weighty and record what is light, gather the small and pass over the great? He loved extravagance yet claimed to cherish the people through frugality; he accepted office without holding to it yet claimed to choose talent carefully for each post. Driving remonstrating scholars outside—is this not blinding the ears of the ruler nearby? Raising shrines to loyal martyrs within—is this not favoring intimates at court? How can blinding the ears, favoring intimates, and lacking discipline in the family model still set law as standard and regulate the hundred measures?
23
謹按謚法，敬以直內，內而不肅，何以刑於外？ 憲者，法也。 《戴記》曰：「憲章文武。」 又曰：「發慮憲。」 義以為敬恪終始，載考歷位，未嘗效一法官，議一小獄。 及居重位，以安和平易寬柔自處。 考其名，與其行不類； 研其事，與其道不侔。 一定之辭，惟精惟審，異日詳制，貽諸史官。 請俟蔡寇將平，天下無事，然後都堂聚議，謚亦未遲。
I respectfully consult the posthumous norms: "Reverent" means upright within; if within is not solemn, how can one govern without? "Lawful" means law itself. The Record of Rites says: "Take the laws and models of King Wen and King Wu." It also says: "Form plans with law in mind." By "respectful" I mean reverent from start to finish; examining his successive offices, he never once acted as judge or deliberated even a minor case. When he held heavy rank he rested in ease, peace, and softness alone. Weigh the name against the conduct, and they do not match; studying the deeds against the Way—they are not alike. Let the phrase be fixed, refined and examined—with detailed regulation left to the historians on another day. Please wait until the Cai bandits are nearly pacified and the realm is at peace; then the chief ministers may gather in council—the posthumous title need not be rushed.
24
憲宗方用兵，惡仲方深言其事，怒甚，貶為遂州司馬，量移復州司馬。 遷河東少尹。 未幾，拜鄭州刺史。
Emperor Xianzong was then on campaign; he hated Zhongfang's blunt words on the matter, flew into a rage, and demoted him to secretary in Suizhou, later transferring him to secretary in Fuzhou. He rose to vice governor of Hedong. Not long after he was appointed prefect of Zhengzhou.
25
滎陽大海佛寺，有高祖為隋鄭州刺史日，為太宗疾祈福，於此寺造石像一軀，凡刊勒十六字以誌之。 歲久剚缺，滎陽令李光慶重加修飾，仲方再刊石記之以聞。
At the Dahai Buddhist Temple in Xingyang stood a stone image that Gaozu, while prefect of Zhengzhou under Sui, had made to pray for Taizong's illness; sixteen characters were carved to record it. After many years the inscription had chipped away; magistrate Li Guangqing restored it, and Zhongfang recarved the stone record and reported it.
26
及敬宗即位，李程作相，與仲方同年登進士第，召仲方為右諫議大夫。 敬宗童年戲慢，詔淮南王播造上巳競渡船三十只。 播將船材於京師造作，計用半年轉運之費方得成。 仲方詣延英面論，言甚懇激。 帝只令造十只以進。 帝又欲幸華清宮，仲方諫曰：「萬乘所幸，出須備儀。 無宜輕行，以失威重。」 帝雖不從，慰勞之。
When Emperor Jingzong took the throne, Li Cheng became chief minister; he and Zhongfang had passed the examinations in the same year, and Zhongfang was summoned as right remonstrance and policy advisor. Jingzong in youth was playful and disrespectful; an edict ordered the Prince of Huainan, Wang Bo, to build thirty dragon-boat racing vessels for the Upper Si festival. Bo would fashion the timber in the capital; it was estimated that half a year's transport costs would be required before completion. Zhongfang went to Yanying and argued face to face—his words earnest and impassioned. The emperor ordered only ten vessels built for presentation. The emperor also wished to visit Huaqing Palace—Zhongfang remonstrated: "Where the imperial carriage goes, escort must be complete. One should not travel lightly and thereby lose majesty." Though the emperor did not follow his advice, he comforted and praised him.
27
太和初，出為福州刺史、兼御史中丞、福建觀察使。 三年，入為太子賓客。 五年四月，轉右散騎常侍。 七年，李德裕輔政，出為太子賓客分司。 八年，德裕罷相，李守閔復召仲方為常侍。
At the beginning of Taihe he went out as prefect of Fuzhou and concurrent vice censor-in-chief, Fujian observation commissioner. In the third year he entered court as grand mentor of the heir apparent. In the fourth month of the fifth year he was transferred to right regular attendant. In the seventh year, with Li Deyu aiding governance, he was sent out as grand mentor of the heir apparent in honorary service. During the eighth year, when Deyu left the chief ministry, Li Shoumin again summoned Zhongfang as regular attendant.
28
九年十一月，李訓之亂，四宰相、中丞、京兆尹皆死。 翌日，兩省官入朝。 宣政衙門未開，百官錯立於朝堂，無人吏引接。 逡巡，閣門使馬元贄斜開宣政衙門傳宣曰：「有敕召左散騎常侍張仲方。」 仲方出班。 元贄宣曰：「仲方可京兆尹。」 然後衙門大開，喚仗。 月余，鄭覃作相，用薛元賞為京兆尹，出仲方為華州刺史。 開成元年五月，入為秘書監。 外議以鄭覃黨李德裕，排擯仲方。 覃恐涉朋黨，因紫宸奏事，覃啟曰：「丞郎闕人，臣欲用張仲方。」 文宗曰：「中臺侍郎，朝廷華選。 仲方作牧守無政，安可以丞郎處之？」 累加銀青光祿大夫、上柱國、曲江縣開國伯，食邑七百戶。 二年四月卒。
During the eleventh month of the ninth year, in Li Xun's rebellion, four chief ministers, the censor-in-chief, and the Jingzhao governor all died. On the following day, officials of the two departments entered court. The Xuanzheng gate was not yet open—officials stood confused in the court hall with no clerks to guide them. After a while, gate commissioner Ma Yuanzan partly opened the Xuanzheng gate and proclaimed: "There is an edict summoning left regular attendant Zhang Zhongfang." Zhongfang stepped forward from the ranks. Yuanzan proclaimed: "Zhongfang is appointed Jingzhao governor." Only then were the gates thrown fully open and the guard summoned. Following a little more than a month, Zheng Tan became chief minister; he used Xue Yuanshang as Jingzhao governor and sent Zhongfang out as prefect of Huazhou. In the fifth month of the first year of Kaicheng he entered court as director of the palace library. Outside opinion held that Zheng Tan, partisan to Li Deyu—had squeezed Zhongfang out. Tan feared the appearance of faction, and while reporting affairs at Zichen said: "Vice directors are vacant—I wish to use Zhang Zhongfang." Emperor Wenzong said: "A vice director in the Secretariat is a splendid court appointment. As prefect, Zhongfang showed no good governance—how can he be placed as vice director?" He was repeatedly given silver and blue glory grand master of the palace, upper pillar of the state, baron of Qujiang with a fief of seven hundred households. He died in the fourth month of the second year.
29
仲方貞確自立，綽有祖風。 自駁謚之後，為德裕之黨擯斥，坎坷而歿，人士輩之。 有文集三十卷。
Zhongfang was upright and self-reliant—with ample ancestral bearing. Following the posthumous-title rebuttal he was driven out by Deyu's faction and died in hardship; men of the age pitied him. He had collected writings in thirty scrolls.
30
兄仲端，位終都昌令。 弟仲孚，登進士第，為監察御史。
His elder brother Zhongduan ended his career as magistrate of Duchang. His younger brother Zhongfu earned his jinshi degree and became investigating censor.
31
裴潾，河東人也。 少篤學，善隸書。 以門廕入仕。 元和初，累遷右拾遺，轉左補闕。 元和中，兩河用兵。 初，憲宗寵任內官，有至專兵柄者，又以內官充館驛使。 有曹進玉者，恃恩暴戾，遇四方使多倨，有至捽辱者，宰相李吉甫奏罷之。 十二年，淮西用兵，復以內官為使。 潾上疏曰：「館驛之務，每驛皆有專知官。 畿內有京兆尹，外道有觀察使、刺史叠相監臨； 臺中又有御史充館驛使，專察過闕。 伏知近有敗事，上聞聖聰。 但明示科條，督責官吏，據其所犯，重加貶黜，敢不惕懼，日夜厲精。 若令宮闈之臣，出參館驛之務，則內臣外事，職分各殊，切在塞侵官之源，絕出位之漸。 事有不便，必誡以初； 令或有妨，不必在大。 當掃靜妖氛之日，開太平至理之風。 澄本正名，實在今日。」 言雖不用，帝意嘉之，遷起居舍人。
Pei Lin came from Hedong. From youth he applied himself to study and excelled at clerical script. He took office by hereditary privilege. In the early Yuanhe era he was promoted repeatedly to right reminder and transferred to left supplementation omission. During the Yuanhe era the two He regions were at war. Earlier Emperor Xianzong had favored inner officials, some even monopolizing military power—and also used inner officials as postal relay commissioners. One Cao Jinyu, relying on favor, was violent and arrogant; he treated envoys from the four directions with much haughtiness, sometimes seizing and insulting them; chief minister Li Jifu memorialized to abolish the post. During the twelfth year, with war in Huai west, inner officials were again used as commissioners. Lin submitted a memorial in which he wrote: "In postal relay affairs each station has its dedicated officer. Within the capital circuit there is the Jingzhao governor—outside there are observation commissioners and prefects overseeing in layers; within the censorate there are also censors serving as postal commissioners—specializing in inspecting faults. I know that lately there have been failures reported to Your Sacred Ears. But clearly show the statutes, supervise and hold officials accountable, and according to their offenses heavily demote them—they will not fail to be wary—toiling day and night with diligence. If palace persons are sent to join postal relay duties, then inner officials will meddle in outer affairs—each office has its own sphere; we must urgently block the source of encroachment and cut off the first step beyond one's place. Once affairs are inconvenient, warn as at the start; if an order meets hindrance, the warning need not be made on a grand scale. Once sweeping away demonic mists, open the wind of supreme peace and perfect order. To clarify the root and rectify names—the truth of the matter lies in what we do today." Though the words were not adopted, the emperor was pleased and promoted him to diarist.
32
憲宗季年銳於服餌，詔天下搜訪奇士。 宰相皇甫镈與金吾將軍李道古挾邪固寵，薦山人柳泌及僧大通、鳳翔人田佐元，皆待詔翰林。 憲宗服泌藥，日增躁渴，流聞於外。 潾上疏諫曰：
In Xianzong's late years he was keen on elixirs—an edict ordered the realm to search for extraordinary men. Chief Minister Huangfu Bo and Gold Crow Guard general Li Daogu, clutching evil to secure favor, recommended the mountain recluse Liu Bi, the monk Datong, and Tian Zuoyuan of Fengxiang—all were retained at the Hanlin Academy. Xianzong took Bi's medicine and daily grew restless and thirsty—word spread outside. Lin submitted a remonstrance memorial in which he wrote:
33
臣聞除天下之害者，受天下之利； 共天下之樂者，饗天下之福。 故上自黃帝、顓頊、堯、舜、禹、湯，下及周文王、武王，鹹以功濟生靈，德配天地，故天皆報之以上壽，垂祚於無疆。 伏見陛下以大孝安宗廟，以至仁牧黎元。 自踐祚已來，刬積代之妖兇，開削平之洪業。 而禮敬宰輔，待以終始； 內能大斷，外寬小故。 夫此神功聖化，皆自古聖主明君所不及，陛下躬親行之，實光映千古矣。 是則天地神祇，必報陛下以山嶽之壽； 宗廟聖靈，必福陛下以億萬之齡； 四海蒼生，鹹祈陛下以覆載之永。 自然萬靈保祐，聖壽無疆。
I have heard said that one who removes the realm's harms receives the realm's benefits; who shares the realm's joys will enjoy the realm's blessings. Thus from above Huangdi, Zhuanxu, Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang, down to King Wen and King Wu of Zhou—all by merit succored the living—virtue matching heaven and earth—heaven therefore repaid them with long life and endless succession. I observe Your Majesty with great filial piety settling the ancestral temple and with utmost benevolence shepherding the black-haired people. Since you took the throne you have cut away age-old demons and opened the grand enterprise of pacification. And yet you honor chief ministers and treat them with constancy from start to finish; within, you decide greatly; without, you are lenient toward small faults. This divine merit and sage transformation—all that ancient sage rulers could not reach—Your Majesty personally performs—it truly shines across a thousand ages. In that case heaven and earth and the spirits must repay Your Majesty with the longevity of mountains and rivers; the ancestral spirits must bless Your Majesty with life beyond counting; the black-haired people all pray that Your Majesty's covering and bearing may never end. In nature the myriad spirits will protect and sacred life be without limit.
34
伏見自去年已來，諸處頻薦藥術之士，有韋山甫、柳泌等，或更相稱引，迄今狂謬，薦送漸多。 臣伏以真仙有道之士，皆匿其名姓，無求於代，潛遁山林，滅影雲壑，唯恐人見，唯懼人聞。 豈肯幹謁公卿，自鬻其術？ 今者所有誇炫藥術者，必非知道之士。 鹹為求利而來，自言飛煉為神，以誘權貴賄賂。 大言怪論，驚聽惑時，及其假偽敗露，曾不恥於逃遁。 如此情狀，豈可保信其術，親餌其藥哉？ 《禮》曰：「夫人，食味別聲，被色而生者也。」 《春秋左氏傳》曰：「味以行氣，氣以實誌。」 又曰：「水火醯醢鹽梅，以烹魚肉。 宰夫和之，齊之以味； 君子食之，以平其心。」 夫三牲五谷，稟自五行，發為五味，蓋天地生之所以奉人也，是以聖人節而食之，以致康強逢吉之福。 若夫藥石者，前聖以之療疾，蓋非常食之物。 況金石皆含酷烈熱毒之性，加以燒治，動經歲月，既兼烈火之氣，必恐難為防制。 若乃遠征前史，則秦、漢之君，皆信方士，如盧生、徐福、欒大、李少君，其後皆奸偽事發，其藥竟無所成。 事著《史記》、《漢書》，皆可驗視。 《禮》曰：「君之藥，臣先嘗之； 親之藥，子先嘗之。」 臣子一也，臣願所有金石，煉藥人及所薦之人，皆先服一年，以考其真偽，則自然明驗矣。
I see that since last year places have repeatedly recommended men of elixir arts—Wei Shanfu, Liu Bi, and others—some praising one another—to this day the madness grows and recommendations increase. I submit that true immortals and men of the Way all hide their names, seek nothing from the age, vanish into mountains and forests, erase their shadows in cloud valleys, dreading only that people see—fearing only that people hear. How would they solicit grandees and hawk their arts? Such who now boast elixir arts cannot be men who know the Way. All come seeking profit, claiming transmutation makes gods—to lure the powerful and noble with bribes. Grand strange talk startles hearing and confuses the age—when fraud is exposed they are not ashamed to flee. Conduct such as this—how can one trust their arts and personally swallow their medicine? The Rites says: "Man is one who lives by distinguishing flavors, sounds—and colors." The Zuo Commentary to the Spring and Autumn says: "Flavor moves qi—qi fills the will." It also says: "Water, fire, vinegar, pickle, salt—and plum cook fish and flesh. The cook harmonizes them and balances them with flavor; the gentleman eats them to settle his mind." The three sacrificial beasts and five grains issue from the five phases and become five flavors—heaven and earth's gift to sustain people—thus sages moderate eating to attain the blessing of health and good fortune. As for drugs and stones, the former sages used them to treat illness—they are not food for ordinary use. Moreover metal and stone contain fierce hot poison—with firing and refining, often over years, joined to fierce fire, they are hard to guard against. Searching former histories, Qin and Han rulers all trusted formula masters—Lu Sheng, Xu Fu, Luan Da—li Shaojun—later all proved false and their drugs achieved nothing. Recorded in the Records of the Grand Historian and Book of Han—all can be verified. The Rites says: "The ruler's medicine—the minister must taste it first; the parent's medicine—the child must taste it first." Minister and child are one—I wish all metal and stone, elixir makers, and recommenders to take it first for a year to test truth and falsehood—then it will naturally be clear.
35
伏惟元和聖文神武法天應道皇帝陛下，合日月照臨之明，稟乾元利貞之德，崇正若指南，受諫如轉規，是必發精金之刃，斷可疑之網。 所有藥術虛誕之徒，伏乞特賜罷遣，禁其幻惑。 使浮雲盡徹，朗日增輝； 道化侔羲、農，悠久配天地，實在此矣。 伏以貞觀已來，左右起居有褚遂良、杜正倫、呂向、韋述等，鹹能竭其忠誠，悉心規諫。 小臣謬參侍從，職奉起居，侍從之中，最近左右。 傳曰：「近臣盡規。」 則近侍之臣，上達忠款，實其本職也。
I submit that the Yuanhe sage cultural divine martial emperor who conforms to heaven and responds to the Way, combining sun and moon illumination, bearing Qian's primordial firm and yielding virtue, honoring the correct as the south-pointing needle—receiving remonstrance as turning the compass—surely will draw the keen metal blade and cut the doubtful net. Every false men of elixir arts—I beg they be dismissed and their illusions forbidden. Let the floating clouds clear away entirely and the bright sun shine with greater radiance; the Way matching that of Xi and Nong, endurance paired with heaven and earth—in truth the answer lies here. I submit that since the Zhenguan era, left and right diarists such as Chu Suiliang, Du Zhenglun, Lü Xiang—and Wei Shu all exhausted loyalty and wholeheartedly remonstrated. This petty official wrongly joins the entourage, duty serving the diary—among attendants I am nearest the person. The Classic says: "Near ministers must exhaust remonstrance." Then near attendants, reaching loyalty upward—is their root duty.
36
疏奏忤旨，貶為江陵令。
The memorial ran against the emperor's intent, and he was demoted to magistrate of Jiangling.
37
寶歷初，拜給事中。 太和四年，出為汝州刺史、兼御史中丞，賜紫。 坐違法杖殺人，貶左庶子，分司東都。
In the beginning of Baoli he was made supervising censor. In the fourth year of Taihe he went out as prefect of Ruzhou and concurrent vice censor-in-chief, granted purple robe. For illegally beating a man to death he was demoted to left mentor in honorary service at the Eastern Capital.
38
七年，遷左散騎常侍，充集賢殿學士。 集歷代文章續梁昭明太子《文選》，成三十卷，目曰《大和通選》，並音義、目錄一卷，上之。 當時文士，非素與潾遊者，其文章少在其選，時論鹹薄之。
In the seventh year he was promoted to left regular attendant and made academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies. He collected writings of successive ages continuing Prince Zhaoming of Liang's Selections of Literature, completing thirty scrolls titled Comprehensive Selections of the Great Harmony, with phonology and catalog in one scroll—and presented them. Literary men not already friendly with Lin had few pieces selected—opinion at the time belittled this.
39
八年，轉刑部侍郎，尋改華州刺史。 九年，復拜刑部侍郎。 開成元年，轉兵部侍郎。 二年，加集賢院學士，判院事。 尋出為河南尹，入為兵部侍郎。 三年四月卒，贈戶部尚書，謚曰敬。
In the eighth year he was transferred to vice minister of justice and soon changed to prefect of Huazhou. In the ninth year he was again made vice minister of justice. In the first year of Kaicheng he was transferred to vice minister of war. In the second year he was added as academician of the Academy of Assembled Worthies, directing academy affairs. Soon he went out as governor of Henan and entered as vice minister of war. In the fourth month of the third year he died; posthumously made minister of revenue, posthumous title Respectful.
40
潾以道義自處，事上盡心，尤嫉朋黨，故不為權幸所知。 憲宗竟以藥誤不壽，君子以潾為知言。 穆宗雖誅柳泌，既而自惑，左右近習，稍稍復進方士。 時有處士張臯上疏曰：
Lin conducted himself by moral principle, serving the sovereign with full heart, especially hating factions—and thus was unknown to the powerful and favored. Xianzong ultimately died short-lived from medicine error—gentlemen held that Lin had spoken truly. Though Muzong executed Liu Bi, he soon fell into delusion again—close attendants gradually brought formula masters back. At that time, the recluse Zhang Gao submitted a memorial saying:
41
神慮淡則血氣和，嗜欲勝則疾疹作。 和則必臻於壽考，作則必致於傷殘。 是以古之聖賢，務自頤養，不以外物撓耳目，不徇聲色敗性情。 由是和平自臻，福慶斯集。 故《易》曰：「無妄之疾，勿藥有喜。」 《詩》曰：「自天降康，降福穰穰。」 此皆理合天人，著在經訓。 然則藥以攻疾，無疾固不可餌之也。 高宗朝，處士孫思邈者，精識高道，深達攝生，所著《千金方》三十卷，行之於代。 其《序論》云：「凡人無故不宜服藥，藥氣偏有所助，令人臟氣不平。」 思邈此言，可謂洞於事理也。 或寒暑為寇，節宣有乖，事資醫方，尚須重慎。 故《禮》云：「醫不三代，不服其藥。」 施於凡庶，猶且如此，況在天子，豈得自輕？ 先朝暮年，頗好方士，征集非一，嘗試亦多； 果致危疾，聞於中外，足為殷鑒。 皆陛下素所詳知，必不可更踵前車，自貽後悔。 今朝野之人，紛紜竊議，直畏忤旨，莫敢獻言。 臣蓬艾微生，麋鹿同處，既非邀寵，亦又何求？ 但泛覽古今，粗知忠義，有聞而默，於理不安。 願陛下無怒芻蕘，庶裨萬一。
Once divine thought is tranquil, blood and qi are harmonious; when desire prevails, illness erupts. Harmony then reaches long life—eruption then brings injury and ruin. Thus ancient sages and worthies devoted themselves to nourishing life, not letting outer things disturb eyes and ears—not chasing sound and color to ruin nature. From such harmony peace comes of itself, and blessings gather. Thus the Changes says: "Illness without recklessness—do not medicate—there is joy." The Odes say: "From heaven descends peace—abundant blessings descend." These align principle with heaven and man—fixed in the classics. Yet medicine attacks illness—without illness one must not take it. In Gaozong's reign the recluse Sun Simiao, of keen insight and high Way, deeply mastered nurturing life, authored the Thousand Gold Prescriptions in thirty scrolls—practiced in the age. His Prefatory Discussion says: "For people without cause one should not take medicine—drug qi partially assists and makes visceral qi unbalanced." Simiao's words cut to the heart of the matter. Once cold and heat raid or regimen errs, one relies on medical formulas—still be doubly cautious. Thus the Rites says: "Without three generations of physicians—do not take their medicine." Applied to commoners it is so—how much more the the Son of Heaven; how can he be light with himself? The former emperor in his late years greatly favored formula masters, gathering more than one and trying many; the result was grave illness, heard within and without—a warning clear enough for any mirror. Every Your Majesty has long known in detail—you absolutely must not follow the overturned cart and bring later regret. Now court and countryside whisper in debate, only fearing to offend the intent—none daring speak. I am humble mugwort and wormwood, dwelling with deer—neither seeking favor nor asking anything. But broadly scanning past and present, roughly knowing loyalty and righteousness—to hear and be silent is uneasy in principle. I earnestly wish Your Majesty not anger at rustic counsel—may it benefit one in ten thousand.
42
穆宗嘆獎其言，尋令訪臯，不獲。
Muzong sighed and praised his words, soon ordered a search for Gao—but he was not found.
43
李中敏，隴西人。 父嬰。 中敏元和末登進士第，性剛褊敢言。 與進士杜牧、李甘相善，文章趣向，大率相類。 中敏累從府辟，入為監察，歷侍御史。 太和中，為司門員外郎。
Li Zhongmin came from Longxi. His father's name was Ying. Zhongmin earned his jinshi degree in late Yuanhe; by nature he was stern, narrow, and daring in speech. He was friendly with the jinshi Du Mu and Li Gan—their literary bent was largely alike. Zhongmin repeatedly joined staff of regional offices and entered as investigating censor—serving as attendant censor. In the Taihe era he was director of the gate bureau.
44
六年夏旱，時王守澄方寵鄭註，及誣構宋申錫後，人側目畏之。 上以久旱，詔求致雨之方。 中敏上言曰：「仍歲大旱，非聖德不至，直以宋申錫之冤濫，鄭註之奸弊。 今致雨之方，莫若斬鄭註而雪申錫。」 士大夫皆危之，疏留中不下。 明年，中敏謝病歸洛陽。 及訓、註誅，竟雪申錫，召中敏為司勛員外郎。 尋遷刑部郎中，知臺雜。
During the sixth year summer drought came; Wang Shoucheng then favored Zheng Zhu, and after falsely framing Song Shenxi people glanced sideways in fear. Because of the long drought, the emperor issued an edict seeking methods to bring rain. Zhongmin submitted: "Years of great drought are not because sacred virtue has failed to arrive—they come directly from the flood of injustice against Song Shenxi and the wickedness of Zheng Zhu. The method to bring rain now is none other than to execute Zheng Zhu and clear Shenxi's name." Gentlemen all feared it—the memorial was kept within and not issued. The following year Zhongmin resigned citing illness and returned to Luoyang. When Xun and Zhu were executed, Shenxi was finally cleared; Zhongmin was summoned as director of merits. Soon promoted to director of justice, knowing censorate miscellaneous affairs.
45
其年，拜諫議大夫，充理匭使。 上言曰：「據舊例，投匭進狀人先以副本呈匭使，或詭異難行者，不令進入。 臣檢尋文按，不見本敕，所由但雲貞元奉宣，恐是一時之事。 臣以為本置匭函，每日從內將出，日暮進入，意在使冤濫無告，有司不為申理者，或論時政，或陳利害； 宜開其必達之路，所以廣聰明而慮幽枉也。 若令有司先見，裁其可否，即非重密其事，俾壅塞自伸於九重之意。 臣伏請今後所有進狀及封事，臣但為引進，取舍可否，斷自中旨。 庶使名實在茲，以明置匭之本。」 從之。 尋拜給事中。
That year he was made remonstrance and policy advisor and charged as commissioner of the complaint box. He wrote: "According to old precedent, one who submits a complaint first presents a copy to the box commissioner; if strange or hard to execute, it is not allowed entry. I searched documents and do not see the original edict—those responsible only say a Zhenyuan oral order—perhaps a momentary matter. I maintain that the complaint box was set so daily it is brought out from within and entered at dusk, intending that the wronged with no recourse, whom offices do not redress, or who discuss policy or state harm; should open a path that must reach the throne, thereby broadening intelligence and weighing hidden wrongs. If offices see submissions first and judge yes or no, that is not keeping the matter secret and letting the blocked speak to the intent of the ninefold court. I beg that hereafter all submitted complaints and sealed memorials—I only introduce them—accept or reject rests on central edict. In that case name and reality will be here, clarifying the root of setting the box." The request was granted. Soon he was made supervising censor.
46
李甘，字和鼎。 長慶末，進士擢第，又制策登科。 太和中，累官至侍御史。 鄭註入翰林侍講，舒元輿既作相，註亦求入中書。 甘唱於朝曰：「宰相者，代天理物，先德望而後文藝。 註乃何人，敢茲叨竊？ 白麻若出，吾必壞之。」 會李訓亦惡註之所求，相註之事竟寢。 訓不獲已，貶甘封州司馬。
Li Gan, courtesy name Heding. In late Changqing he earned his jinshi degree and also passed the decree examination. In Taihe he rose repeatedly to attendant censor. Once Zheng Zhu entered Hanlin to lecture and Shu Yuanyu had become chief minister, Zhu also sought entry to the Secretariat. Gan proclaimed at court: "Chief ministers substitute for heaven and order things—first virtue and repute—then literary talent. What sort of man is Zhu to dare such usurpation? If white hemp edict issues—i will surely ruin it. Once Li Xun also hated Zhu's request, the matter of making Zhu chief minister finally slept. Xun had no choice—Gan was demoted to secretary in Fengzhou.
47
又有李款者，與中敏同時為侍御史。 鄭註邠寧入朝，款伏閣彈註云：「內通敕使，外結朝官，兩地往來，卜射財貨。」 文宗不之省。 及註用事，款亦被逐。 開成中，累官至諫議大夫，出為蘇州刺史，遷洪州刺史、江西觀察使。 杜牧自有傳。
There was also Li Kuan, who served as attendant censor alongside Zhongmin. Once Zheng Zhu entered court from Binning, Kuan prostrated at the gate and impeached Zhu: "Within he connects with edict envoys; without he knots with court officials; going between both places, divining and shooting for wealth." Emperor Wenzong did not look into it. Once Zhu held power, Kuan was also driven out. In Kaicheng he rose repeatedly to remonstrance and policy advisor, went out as prefect of Suzhou, promoted to prefect of Hongzhou and Jiangxi observation commissioner. Du Mu has a separate biography.
48
高元裕，字景圭，渤海人。 祖甝。 父集，官卑。 元裕登進士第，本名允中，太和初，為侍御史，奏改元裕。 累遷左司郎中。 李宗閔作相，用為諫議大夫，尋改中書舍人。 九年，宗閔得罪南遷，元裕出城餞送，為李訓所怒，出為閬州刺史。 時鄭註入翰林，元裕草註制辭，言註以醫藥奉召親，註怒。 會送宗閔，乃貶之。 訓、註既誅，復征為諫議大夫。
Gao Yuanyu, courtesy name Jinggui, came from Bohai. His grandfather's name was Zhen. His father Ji served in a minor post. Yuanyu earned his jinshi degree; originally named Yunzhong; in early Taihe as attendant censor he memorialized to change to Yuanyu. He was promoted repeatedly to director of the left bureau. When Li Zongmin became chief minister he was used as remonstrance and policy advisor, soon changed to secretariat drafter. During the ninth year Zongmin offended and was sent south; Yuanyu went outside the city to see him off; Li Xun was angered and sent him out as prefect of Langzhou. At that time, Zheng Zhu entered Hanlin; Yuanyu drafted Zhu's appointment text saying Zhu was summoned close for medicine; Zhu was angered. Once seeing Zongmin off, he was demoted. After Xun and Zhu were executed he was recalled as remonstrance and policy advisor.
49
開成三年，充翰林侍講學士。 文宗寵莊恪太子，欲正人為師友。 乃兼太子賓客。 四年，改御史中丞，風望峻整。 上言曰：「御史府紀綱之地，官屬選用，宜得實才。 其不稱者，臣請出之。」 監察御史杜宣猷、柳壞、崔郢、侍御史魏中庸、高弘簡，並以不稱，出為府縣之職。 尋而藍田縣人賀蘭，進與裏內五十余人相聚念佛，神策鎮將皆捕之，以為謀逆，當大辟。 元裕疑其冤，上疏請出賀蘭進等付臺覆問，然後行刑，從之。
In the third year of Kaicheng he was made Hanlin lecturer. Emperor Wenzong favored the heir apparent Zhuangke and wished upright men as teachers and friends. He was also made grand mentor of the heir apparent. In the fourth year he changed to censor-in-chief; his bearing was stern and ordered. He wrote: "The censorate is the place of discipline; choosing officials should gain real talent. Such unfit—I beg to remove them." Investigating censors Du Xuanyi, Liu Huai, Cui Ying, attendant censors Wei Zhongyong and Gao Hongjian—all unfit—sent out to prefecture and county posts. Before long, Lantian man Helan Jin and more than fifty within the lane gathered to chant Buddha; Shence garrison generals all arrested them as plotting rebellion, capital punishment due. Yuanyu doubted the injustice and memorialized to send Helan Jin and others to the censorate for re-examination before execution—it was followed.
50
會昌中，為京兆尹。 大中初，為刑部尚書。 二年，檢校吏部尚書、襄州刺史，加銀青光祿大夫、渤海郡公、山南東道節度使。 入為吏部尚書，卒。 元裕兄少逸、元恭。
During the the Huichang era he was Jingzhao governor. In early Dazhong he was minister of justice. In the second year he was made acting minister of civil office and prefect of Xiangzhou, added silver and blue glory grand master, duke of Bohai, military commissioner of Shannan East Circuit. He entered as minister of civil office and died. Yuanyu's elder brothers were Shaoyi and Yuangong.
51
少逸，長慶末為侍御史，坐弟元裕貶官，左授贊善大夫，累遷左司郎中。 元裕為中丞，少逸遷諫議大夫，代元裕為侍講學士。 兄弟叠處禁密，時人榮之。 會昌中，為給事中，多所封奏。 大中初，檢校禮部尚書、華州刺史、潼關防禦、鎮國軍使。 入為左散騎常侍、工部尚書，卒。
Shaoyi in late Changqing was attendant censor; for younger brother Yuanyu's demotion he was demoted to mentor; rose repeatedly to director of the left bureau. When Yuanyu was censor-in-chief, Shaoyi was promoted to remonstrance and policy advisor, replacing Yuanyu as lecturer. Brothers stacked in forbidden intimacy; men of the time honored the sight. In Huichang he was supervising censor, many sealed memorials. In early Dazhong he was acting minister of rites, prefect of Huazhou, Tongguan defense, Zhenguo army commissioner. He entered as left regular attendant and minister of works and died.
52
元裕子璩，登進士第。 大中朝，由內外制歷丞郎，判度支。 咸通中，守中書侍郎、平章事。
Yuanyu's son Qu earned his jinshi degree. During the Dazhong court, through inner and outer drafting he served as vice director, judging revenue. In the Xiantong era he held vice director of the Secretariat and grand councilor.
53
李漢，字南紀，宗室淮陽王道明之後。 道明生景融，景融生務該，務該生思，思生岌。 岌已上無名位，及岌為蜀州晉原尉。 岌生荊，荊為陜州司馬。 荊生漢。
Li Han, courtesy name Nanji, descended from Prince Huaiyang Daoming of the imperial clan. Daoming begot Jingrong, Jingrong begot Wugai, Wugai begot Si—si begot Ji. Before Ji the line is untraceable in office; Ji was assistant magistrate of Jinyuan in Shuzhou Ji was the father of Jing; Jing was secretary in Shaanzhou. Jing was the father of Han.
54
漢，元和七年登進士第，累辟使府。 長慶末，為左拾遺。 敬宗好治宮室，波斯賈人李蘇沙獻沈香亭子材。 漢上疏論之曰：「若以沈香為亭子，即與瑤臺瓊室事同。」 寶歷中，王政日僻，漢與同列薛廷老，因入閣，廷奏曰：「近日除授不由中書，擬議多是宣出施行。 臣恐自此紀綱大壞，奸邪恣行。 願陛下各敕有司，稍存典故。」 坐言忤旨，出為興元從事。
Han earned his jinshi degree in the seventh year of Yuanhe and repeatedly joined commissioner staffs. In late Changqing he was left reminder. Jingzong loved building palaces—Persian merchant Li Susha presented agarwood pavilion timber. Han memorialized: "If agarwood is used to build a pavilion, the deed is no different from raising a jade tower or jasper chamber." In Baoli, royal government daily declined—Han and colleague Xue Tinglao, entering the gate, Ting memorialized: "Lately appointments do not pass the Secretariat—deliberation is mostly proclaimed and executed. I fear that from this point discipline will collapse and the wicked will run wild. I earnestly wish Your Majesty to charge each office to slightly preserve statutes." For words that offended the emperor's intent he was sent out as aide in Xingyuan.
55
文宗即位，召為屯田員外郎、史館修撰。 漢，韓愈子婿，少師愈為文，長於古學，剛訐亦類愈。 預修《憲宗實錄》，尤為李德裕所憎。 太和四年，轉兵部員外郎。 李宗閔作相，用為知制誥，尋遷駕部郎中。
When Wenzong took the throne Han was summoned as director of the fields bureau and historiography compiler. Han was son-in-law of Han Yu—Junior Tutor Yu wrote in ancient learning—stern and cutting he resembled Yu. Participating in compiling the Veritable Records of Xianzong—he was especially hated by Li Deyu. In the fourth year of Taihe he was transferred to vice director of war. When Li Zongmin became chief minister he was used as drafting commissioner, soon promoted to director of the imperial carriages bureau.
56
八年，代宇文鼎為御史中丞。 時李程為左僕射，以儀註不定，奏請定制。 先是，太和三年，兩省官同定左右僕射儀註：御史中丞已下，與僕射相遇，依令致敬，斂馬側立待。 僕射謝官日，大夫中丞、三院御史，就幕次參見，其觀象門外立班，既以後至為重。 大夫中丞到班後，朝堂所由引僕射就位，傳呼贊導，始大夫就列之儀。 班退，贊導亦如之。 御史大夫與僕射道途相遇，則分道而行。 舊事，左右僕射初上，御史中丞、吏部侍郎已下羅拜。 四年，中書奏曰：「僕射受中丞侍郎拜，則似太重； 答郎官已下拜，則太輕。 起今後，諸司四品已下官，及御史臺六品已下並郎官，並望準故事，余依元和七年敕處分。」 可之。 至是，因李程奏，漢議曰：「左右僕射初上，受左右丞、諸曹侍郎、諸司四品及御史中丞已下拜。 謹按《開元禮》及《六典》，並無此儀註，不知所起之由。 或以為僕射師長百僚，此語亦無證據，唯有曹魏時賈詡《讓官表》中一句語耳。 且尚書令是正長，尚無受拜之文。 故事，與御史中丞、司隸校尉，號三獨坐。 伏以朝廷比肩，同事聖主，南面受拜，臣下何安？ 縱有明文，尚須厘革。 故《禮記》曰：『君於士不答拜，非其臣則答之。』 況御史中丞、殿中御史是供奉官，尤為不可。 儀制令雖有隔品之文，不知便是受拜否？ 及御史大夫，亦曾受御史已下拜，今並不行。 蓋以禮數僭逼，非人臣所安。 元和六年七月，詔崔邠、段平仲與當時禮官王涇、韋公肅等同議其事，理甚精詳。 今請舉而行之，庶為折衷。」 時程入省，竟依舊儀，議者以漢奏為是。
In the eighth year he replaced Yuwen Ding as censor-in-chief. At the time Li Cheng was left vice director; because ritual was unsettled he memorialized to fix regulations. Earlier, in the third year of Taihe, officials of two departments jointly fixed left and right vice director ritual: below vice censor-in-chief, meeting vice directors, according to statute bow, rein in horse and stand aside waiting. On vice directors' thanks-for-appointment day, grandee, vice director, and three bureaus' censors visit at curtain—outside Observing Elephant Gate they stand in file—later arrival is heavier. Following grandee and vice director reach the file, court ushers lead vice director to place, call and guide; then grandee takes column ritual. Once file withdraws, guiding is likewise. When censor-in-chief and vice director meet on the road they take separate paths. Old matter: when left and right vice directors first ascend, vice censor-in-chief and vice minister of civil office below bow in file. "In the fourth year the Secretariat memorialized: "Vice directors receiving vice director and minister bow seems too heavy; returning the bow of officials below seems too slight. From now, all offices rank four and below and censorate rank six and below and bureau officials—all hope to follow old matter—the rest per Yuanhe seventh year edict." The proposal was approved. At this time because of Li Cheng's memorial, Han argued: "When left and right vice directors first ascend, they receive bow of left and right assistants, various bureau vice ministers, office rank four and censor-in-chief below. I respectfully check Kaiyuan Rites and Six Offices—no such ritual—unknown whence it arose. Some think vice director is teacher to hundred officials—this also has no evidence—only one phrase in Jia Xu's Resignation Memorial in Cao Wei. Moreover director of state affairs is proper chief—no text of receiving bow. Old matter: with vice censor-in-chief and director of convicts they are called Three Sole Seats. Respectfully, I submit the court stands shoulder to shoulder, serving the same sage lord—facing south receiving bow, how can subjects be at ease? Even where there is clear text, the practice still must be reformed. Thus the Record of Rites says: 'The ruler to knights does not return bow—if not his subject then he returns. How much more vice censor-in-chief and palace censor are attendance officials—especially impossible. The ritual statutes contain language on separated rank—it is unclear whether that means receiving bow. And censor-in-chief also once received bow of censors below—now all not practiced. Because ritual number oversteps—not what subjects can bear. During the seventh month of the sixth year of Yuanhe issued an edict Cui Bin, Duan Pingzhong with ritual officials Wang Jing and Wei Gongsu to jointly discuss—reason very detailed. I ask that it now be raised up and put into practice—may that serve as a workable compromise." When Cheng entered the ministry, finally followed old ritual—debaters held Han's memorial correct.
57
七年，轉禮部侍郎。 八年。 改戶部侍郎。 九年四月，轉吏部侍郎。 六月，李宗閔得罪罷相，漢坐其黨，出為汾州刺史。 宗閔再貶，漢亦改汾州司馬，仍三二十年不得錄用。 會昌中，李德裕用事，漢竟淪躓而卒。
In the seventh year he was transferred to vice minister of rites. That was in the eighth year. Changed to vice minister of revenue. In the fourth month of the ninth year transferred to vice minister of civil office. During the sixth month Li Zongmin offended and left the chief ministry; Han sat in his faction and was sent out as prefect of Fenzhou. Zongmin was demoted again—Han also changed to secretary in Fenzhou, still two or three decades without employment. In Huichang Li Deyu held power—Han ultimately stumbled and died.
58
漢弟浐、洗、潘，皆登進士第。 潘，大中初為禮部侍郎。 漢子貺，亦登進士第。
Han's younger brothers Chan, Xi, and Pan all earned jinshi degrees. Pan in early Dazhong was vice minister of rites. Han's son Kuang also earned jinshi degrees.
59
李景儉，字寬中，漢中王瑀之孫。 父褚，太子中舍。 景儉，貞元十五年登進士第。 性俊朗，博聞強記，頗閱前史，詳其成敗。 自負王霸之略，於士大夫間無所屈降。
Li Jingjian, courtesy name Kuanzhong, was grandson of the Prince of Hanzhong, Yu. His father Chu was mentor in the heir apparent's household. Jingjian earned jinshi degrees in the fifteenth year of Zhenyuan. By nature handsome and bright, broadly read with strong memory, quite perused former histories—detailed in success and failure. Self-confident in hegemon-king stratagems—among gentlemen he bowed to none.
60
貞元末，韋執誼、王叔文東宮用事，尤重之，待以管、葛之才。 叔文竊政，屬景儉居母喪，故不及從坐。 韋夏卿留守東都，辟為從事。 竇君為御史中丞，引為監察御史。 群以罪左遷，景儉坐貶江陵戶曹。 累轉忠州刺史。
In late Zhenyuan Wei Zhiyi and Wang Shuwen wielded power in the Eastern Palace and especially valued him—treating him as Guan and Zhuge talent. Once Shuwen seized government Jingjian was in mourning for his mother and thus did not sit in the punishment. Wei Xiaqing, remaining at the Eastern Capital, recruited him as an aide. Dou Qun as censor-in-chief led him as investigating censor. Once Qun was demoted for crime Jingjian sat and was demoted to revenue clerk in Jiangling. He was transferred repeatedly, ending as prefect of Zhongzhou.
61
元和末入朝。 執政惡之，出為澧州刺史。 與元稹、李紳相善。 時紳、稹在翰林，屢言於上前。 及延英辭日，景儉自陳己屈，穆宗憐之，追詔拜倉部員外郎。 月余，驟遷諫議大夫。
At the end of the Yuanhe era he entered court. The administration disliked him and sent him out as prefect of Li. He was on close terms with Yuan Zhen and Li Shen. Once Shen and Zhen were in Hanlin they spoke repeatedly before the emperor. On Yanying leave day Jingjian stated his own wrong; Muzong pitied him and recalled edict making him vice director of granaries. After a little more than a month he was suddenly promoted to remonstrance and policy advisor.
62
性既矜誕，寵擢之後，淩蔑公卿大臣，使酒尤甚。 中丞蕭俛、學士段文昌相交輔政，景儉輕之，形於談謔。 二人俱訴之，穆宗不獲已，貶之。 制曰：「諫議大夫李景儉，擢自宗枝，嘗探儒術，薦歷臺閣，亦分郡符。 動或違仁，行不由義。 附權幸以虧節，通奸黨之陰謀。 眾情皆疑，群議難息。 據因緣之狀，當置嚴科； 順長養之時，特從寬典。 勉宜省過，無或徇非。 可建州刺史。」 未幾元稹用事，自郡召還，復為諫議大夫。
Nature proud and unrestrained, after favor he looked down on grandees and great ministers—especially given to wine. Vice censor-in-chief Xiao Xian and academician Duan Wenchang jointly aided government; Jingjian slighted them, shown in jest. Both complained—Muzong had no choice and demoted him. The edict said: "Remonstrance and policy advisor Li Jingjian, raised from the clan branch, once explored Confucian arts, recommended through terraces and pavilions, also shared prefect's tally. Conduct sometimes strayed from benevolence—action did not follow righteousness. He clung to the powerful and lost his integrity, connecting with the secret plots of wicked factions. All feelings suspect—group debate hard to quiet. Given the circumstances of his associations, strict punishment would be fitting; yet following the season of nurturing, leniency under statute is especially appropriate. Exert yourself to examine faults—do not follow wrong. He may serve as prefect of Jianzhou." Before long Yuan Zhen held power; recalled from prefecture, again remonstrance and policy advisor.
63
其年十二月，景儉朝退，與兵部郎中知制誥馮宿、庫部郎中知制誥楊嗣復、起居舍人溫造、司勛員外郎李肇、刑部員外郎王鎰等同謁史官獨孤朗，乃於史館飲酒。 景儉乘醉詣中書謁宰相，呼王播、崔植、杜元穎名，面疏其失，辭頗悖慢。 宰相遜言止之，旋奏貶漳州刺史。 是日同飲於史館者皆貶逐。
That twelfth month Jingjian after court withdrew with director of war and drafting commissioner Feng Su, director of stores and drafting commissioner Yang Sifu, diarist Wen Zao, director of merits Li Zhao, vice director of punishments Wang Yi together visited historiographer Dugu Lang, then drank in the historiography office. Jingjian drunk went to the Secretariat to visit chief ministers, calling Wang Bo, Cui Zhi, and Du Yuanying by name, face to face stating their faults—words quite rude. Chief ministers with modest words stopped him—soon memorialized demotion to prefect of Zhangzhou. That day those who drank in the historiography office were all demoted and driven.
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景儉未至漳州而元稹作相，改授楚州刺史。 議者以景儉使酒，淩忽宰臣，詔令才行，遽遷大郡。 稹懼其物議，追還，授少府少監。 從坐者皆召還。 而景儉竟以忤物不得誌而卒。 景儉疏財尚議，雖不厲名節，死之日，知名之士鹹惜之。
Jingjian had not reached Zhangzhou when Yuan Zhen became chief minister—changed to prefect of Chuzhou. Debaters held Jingjian used wine, insulted chief ministers—edict just issued, suddenly moved to great prefecture. Zhen feared public debate, recalled, made vice director of the palace domestic works. Such who sat with him were all recalled. And yet Jingjian ultimately for offending others did not achieve his will and died. Jingjian was loose with wealth and valued debate—though not strict with integrity, on the day he died noted gentlemen all regretted him.
65
景儉弟景儒、景信、景仁，皆有藝學，知名於時。 景信、景仁，皆登進士第。
Jingjian's younger brothers Jingru, Jingxin, and Jingren all had artistic learning—noted in the time. Jingxin and Jingren both earned jinshi degrees.
66
史臣曰：仲尼有言：「不得中行而與之，必也狂狷乎！」 若渤論考第，仲方駁謚，誠知後悔，不能息言，可謂狷歟？ 當賊註挾邪之辰，群公結舌而寢默，而中敏、李甘、元裕，或肆其言，或奮其筆，暴揚醜跡，不憚撩須。 謂之為狂，即有遺恨，比夫請劍斷佞，亦可同年而語也。 南紀有良史才，足以自立，而協比權幸，顛沛終身。 君子慎獨，庸可忽諸。 景儉自負太過，蕩而無檢，良驥中年跅弛之患也。
The historian writes: Confucius said: "If I cannot walk with the balanced, I must with the reckless and the principled!" When Bo debated examination ranks and Zhongfang rebutted a posthumous title—knowing regret yet refusing silence—can this be called principled? Once the villain Zhu clutched evil, the grandees were tongue-tied and silent, while Zhongmin, Li Gan, and Yuanyu—some unleashed speech, some wielded the brush, exposing ugly tracks, not fearing to pull the beard. To call them reckless leaves regret—compared to begging the sword to cut the flatterer, they can speak in the same year. Nan Ji had good historian talent enough to stand alone—yet joined the powerful and stumbled all life. The gentleman is cautious even when alone—how can such a thing be neglected? Jingjian's self-confidence ran too far; dissolute and unrestrained, he suffered the fine steed's midlife lapse.
67
贊曰：張、李切言，利刃決云。 裴諫方士，深誠愛君。 言排賊註，高、李不群。 漢、儉朋比，夫何足云。
The encomium says: Zhang and Li cut speech—sharp blade deciding cloud. Pei remonstrated against formula masters with deep sincerity and love for his lord. They spoke out against the villain Zheng Zhu; Gao and Li would not herd with the corrupt. Li Han and Li Jingjian trafficked in faction—scarcely worth a word.