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卷一百七十四 列傳第一百二十四: 李德裕

Volume 174 Biographies 124: Li Deyu

Chapter 178 of 舊唐書 · Old Book of Tang
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Chapter 178
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1
殿 使使 使
Zhao Yin, whose courtesy name was Dayin, came from Fengtian in Jingzhao commandery. His grandfather was Zhi. At the end of the Jianzhong reign, during Zhu Ci's rebellion, Emperor Dezong fled to Fengtian. The crisis struck so suddenly that the imperial guard had not yet gathered, and within days the rebels were besieging the city. Zhi rallied his household servants and retainers to hold the walls, and also contributed his family wealth to help pay the troops. The emperor commended him. After the rebellion was suppressed, Prince Xianning Hun Jian appointed him investigating officer, and he rose through successive posts to palace censor. Early in the Zhenyuan reign he was made prefect of Zhengzhou. Li Rong, military commissioner of Zheng and Hua, had him appointed deputy commissioner as well. In the tenth year of the reign Rong fell ill, and the affairs of the headquarters were entrusted to Zhi. A senior general, Song Chaoyan, stirred the three armies to mutiny. Fires broke out at midnight. Zhi and the army supervisor drew up their troops and waited. By dawn the mutineers had broken and fled of their own accord, and that same day every one of them was put to death. The emperor issued a gracious edict commending him. He was summoned to court as vice minister of the Court of Imperial Regalia and was promoted three times to vice minister of works. In the seventeenth year he was posted as prefect of Guangzhou, concurrently grand censor and military commissioner of Lingnan East Circuit, and died in office. His sons were Cunyue and Pang.
2
使
Cunyue served as a staff officer at Xingyuan in 829. At that time the army mutinied. Cunyue and the military commissioner Li Jiang were at dinner when a clerk reported, "The new troops have mutinied and broken into headquarters. You should flee." Jiang said, "I am the commander. If I flee, where would I go?" He gestured for Cunyue to escape. Cunyue said, "You have shown me great kindness and honored me on your staff. To turn my back on that kindness and save myself alone is not what I intend." He immediately tried to rally his attendants to resist the rebels, and that day he was killed together with Jiang.
3
使
Because his father had died a violent death, Yin wept and kept vigil at the family graves. For more than ten years he shut himself in to study and refused every appointment. During the Huichang reign, friends of his father who held high office pressed him to take up a career, and only then did he answer the imperial summons and serve repeatedly as a staff officer. In 849 he passed the jinshi examination. He rose through successive posts as prefect, Secretariat director, supervising censor, and mayor of Henan, served as vice ministers of revenue and war, and headed the salt and iron transport commission. Late in the Xiantong reign he was made chief counselor while retaining his existing rank, was also appointed vice director of the Secretariat and minister of rites, and was advanced to special advancement, enfeoffed as Baron of Tianshui with a fief of seven hundred households.
4
退 西使
Yin was by nature benevolent and filial, and he and his younger brother Zhi were especially noted for their brotherly devotion. Orphaned and poor in youth, the brothers farmed with their own hands to support their parents and never in their haste imposed on relatives. Once he had risen to chief counselor, he did not let rank and power go to his head. After court he changed into plain clothes, and he and his brothers waited on their mother. At the seasonal festivals, ministers and grandees thronged the gate with greetings, and the honor shown the minister and his mother had no equal. During the Qianfu reign he was dismissed as chief counselor and appointed acting minister of war, prefect of Runzhou, and observer of Zhexi Circuit. He was recalled as grand minister of ceremonies, then made minister of the civil service, and was eventually promoted to left vice director of the Secretariat. He died during the Guangming reign. His sons were Guangfeng, Guangyi, and Guangyin.
5
使
His younger brother Zhi also passed the jinshi examination. Late in the Dazhong reign he and his elder brother Yin both entered the central secretariat. Early in the Xiantong reign he was made vice director in the Ministry of War with charge of drafting edicts, was promoted to director, and was formally appointed drafting secretary. In the sixth year he was placed in charge of the civil examinations. In the seventh year he selected candidates, many of them celebrated men, and was appointed vice minister of rites and censor-in-chief. He rose through posts as prefect of Huazhou, defender of Tong Pass, and commissioner of the Zhenguo Army, and died in office.
6
殿
Guangfeng passed the jinshi examination in 878 and on entering service became investigating officer at Fengxiang. He entered court as a supervisory censor and left office to observe mourning for his father. When Emperor Xizong returned to the capital, he was appointed erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, served successively as vice director in the ministries of rites, merit records, and civil service, became an academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies, and was made director in the Ministry of Rites. During the Jingfu reign, as director in the Department of Sacrifices he was charged with drafting edicts. He was soon summoned as a Hanlin academician and formally appointed drafting secretary, vice minister of revenue, and chief drafting academician. He was transferred to vice minister of war and left vice director of the Secretariat, while retaining his academician post. In 896 he accompanied the emperor to Huazhou, was appointed censor-in-chief, and was transferred to vice minister of rites.
7
退
After Liu Jishu deposed and enthroned emperors, Chief Counselor Cui Yin and the eunuch faction fought for power, and the moral order of the court collapsed. Guangfeng pleaded illness, withdrew to Luoyang, and for six or seven years lived in seclusion, refusing visitors. When Emperor Zhaozong moved the court to Luoyang, Guangfeng was recalled as vice minister of the civil service, again became left vice director, and served as grand minister of ceremonies. Under the Later Liang he rose through successive posts to chief minister and was enfeoffed as Duke of Qi.
8
使
Guangyi passed the jinshi examination in 887. During the Qianning reign he rose through posts as director in the Ministry of Merit Records and academician of the Hongwen Hall, was made director in the Department of Provisions with charge of drafting edicts, and was granted gold and purple robes. The brothers jointly held the inner and outer drafting posts, to the admiration of their contemporaries. After Jishu's coup, Guangfeng returned to Luoyang. Guangyi traveled south of the Yangzi to escape the turmoil. Liu Yin of Lingnan treated him with great respect, had him appointed deputy commissioner, and he settled his household in the far south.
9
Guangyin passed the jinshi examination in 891. Early in the Tianyou reign he rose through successive posts to director in the Department of Imperial Transport. He entered the service of the Later Liang and rose to eminent posts. At the restoration of the Tang he was made chief minister.
10
使
Zhang Ti, whose courtesy name was Gongbiao, came from Hejian. His father Junqing passed the jinshi examination in the Yuanhe reign, was celebrated for literary learning, and served repeatedly as prefect. Ti passed the jinshi examination in 844 and on entering service became defense staff judge of Shouzhou. When Yu Cong was still a commoner he visited Shouchun as a guest, and the prefect treated him coldly. Because Cong was the son of an official family, Ti treated him with exceptional courtesy. As Cong was about to leave, he said to Ti, "I paid the innkeeper fifty thousand cash, but the prefect's generosity falls short of that. What am I to do?" Ti was supporting his mother and his household was poor. He had just received fifty bolts of salary silk and gave them all to Cong, saying, "In the future, whether we rise or fall, in want or in prosperity, let us look after each other." Ti was repeatedly recruited as chief secretary at Taiyuan. During the Dazhong reign Cong became a Hanlin academician, soon rose to chief counselor, and took charge of the treasury. Cong summoned Ti to serve as vice director in the Ministry of Merit Records with charge of the treasury. He was soon made a Hanlin academician, promoted to director with charge of drafting edicts, and appointed drafting secretary, vice minister of revenue, and chief drafting academician. Late in the Xiantong reign Cong was framed by Wei Baoheng and expelled from office. Ti was implicated and demoted to militia commander of Fengzhou. After Baoheng was executed, Cong was vindicated. Ti was gradually transferred back to court as mentor to the heir apparent, then promoted to vice minister of the civil service and mayor of the capital district. In 876 he was posted as prefect of Huazhou. That winter he was appointed acting minister of the civil service, prefect of Yanzhou, and military commissioner of Tianping Army. In the fourth year he died in office at the age of sixty-four. His sons were Wenwei, Jimei, and Yixian.
11
使
Wenwei passed the jinshi examination in 875 and served repeatedly on military staffs. Early in the Longji reign he entered court as a Secretariat director. During the Qianning reign, as director in the Department of Sacrifices he was charged with drafting edicts, was formally appointed drafting secretary, and was granted purple robes. Cui Yin dominated the court. He and Wei had passed the jinshi in the same year and were especially close, and Yin appointed him Hanlin academician and vice minister of revenue, then transferred him to the Ministry of War. He accompanied Emperor Zhaozong when the court moved to Luoyang. During the reign of Prince Hui he was appointed vice director of the Secretariat and chief counselor. He entered the service of the Later Liang and died there.
12
Jimei and Yixian both passed the jinshi examination in turn. Yixian failed the reexamination and was struck from the rolls, and served as touring officer in the Ministry of Revenue and collator in the Hall of Assembled Worthies.
13
西 使 調殿
Li Wei, whose courtesy name was Maoxiu, came from Longxi. His grandfather Shanggong served as minister of the imperial granaries and early in the Yuanhe reign was observer of Shan and Guo circuits. His father Jingsu passed the jinshi examination in the Taihe reign. Wei passed the jinshi examination late in the Kaicheng reign and on entering service became a staff officer at Xiangyang. At the end of the Huichang reign, in the civil service selection, he again excelled in the document judgment and was appointed supervisory censor, then promoted to palace supervisor. In 853, as a vice director he was put in charge of censorial business, soon charged with drafting edicts, was promoted to director, and was formally appointed drafting secretary. In 864 he was placed in charge of the civil examinations. In the sixth year he was appointed vice minister of rites and transferred to right vice director of the Secretariat.
14
使 穿 殿 穿 祿
Emperor Yizong honored Buddhism to excess. He often entertained monks within the palace and personally led hymns of praise. He had two high seats made of sandalwood and gave them to the monk Che of Anguo Temple, and on each of the eight feast days fed ten thousand monks. Wei submitted a memorial of remonstrance, saying: Your servant has heard that Confucius, being a sage, in speaking would cite the words of Zhou Ren; Fu Rong, being a worthy man, in remonstrance would always invoke the counsel of Wang Meng. Truly, in affairs one seeks teachers from antiquity; in words one values conveying the true feeling. Your Majesty, since inheriting the imperial design, has been able to exalt Buddhist affairs, yet should cultivate only the outward aspect — not quite hitting the center. Your servant has briefly gathered the memorial words of eminent ministers of this dynasty to demonstrate the essentials of honoring Buddhism from beginning to end. In the time of the Empress, a great image was once built at a cost of a million in labor and expense. Di Renjie remonstrated, saying: "Precious fittings are exhausted in ornamentation, rare materials depleted in carved splendor. Work is not done by ghosts — it must employ men; materials do not come from Heaven — all emerge from the earth; if the common people are not made to suffer, how can materials be obtained? Things are produced in their seasons, yet used without measure; your servant reflects on this each time and is truly grieved. As for the past south of the Yangzi, when image-dharma flourished; Emperor Wu and Emperor Jianwen of Liang gave alms without limit. When the Three Huai boiled in waves and the Five Ridges rose in smoke, temples lined the streets — yet they could not save the calamity of peril and ruin; black-robed monks blocked the roads — how could they aid the armies that rallied to the sovereign? Moreover, in recent years dust and turmoil have repeatedly disturbed; floods and droughts have lost their seasons, and corvée and military service have grown somewhat heavy. If much government wealth is spent and human labor is further burdened, when difficulty arises in one corner, how will it be rescued?" This is the first apt and fitting statement. In the time of Emperor Zhongzong, princesses and maternal relatives memorialized to ordain monks and nuns. Yao Chong remonstrated, saying: "Buddha is not outside — seek him in the heart. Fotudeng was most worthy, yet of no benefit to Later Zhao; Kumarajiva was most accomplished, yet could not save Later Qin. He Chong and Fu Rong both met defeat and destruction; Duke Xiang of Qi and Emperor Wu of Liang could not escape calamity. Only resolve to awaken compassion and in the heart practice benefit — if the common people are secure and happy, that itself is the Buddha-body." This is the second apt and fitting statement. Emperor Ruizong built two Daoist palaces for the Princesses Jinxian and Yuzhen. Xin Tifou remonstrated, saying: "Since summer, unceasing rains have not ceased; grain lies waste in the furrows, wheat rots in the threshing floor. Since autumn began, severe drought has become a disaster; shoots bear no grain, frost harms and insects ravage, grasses and vegetables wither yellow; the common people sigh in distress, yet no relief or loans have been granted. Your Majesty loves two daughters and builds two temples, burning tiles and hauling timber, loading earth and filling sand. Rumors on the roads all say a million in cash is being spent. Your Majesty is a sage — nothing distant is unknown; Your Majesty is an enlightened sovereign — nothing minute escapes notice! Since you know and see, do you know how many years' store the granaries hold? How many years' cloth do the treasuries hold? Do you know whether the common people can survive? Can the troops on the three frontiers be supplied by transport? Now to dispatch one soldier to defend the frontier, to press one trooper to guard the altars of state — most lack food and clothing, all bear hunger and cold; when it comes to rewards and gifts, there is utterly nowhere to draw from. Armies suddenly defeated — none of this is without this cause. Yet Your Majesty breaks a million strings of cash to build temples not urgently needed, purchasing the resentment of all within the six directions and going against the hearts of ten thousand people." This is the third apt and fitting statement. Tifou again remonstrated against building temples, saying: "The Buddhist teaching takes purity as its foundation and compassion as its master. It constantly embodies the Way to aid beings, not benefiting oneself while harming others. It always sets aside the self to preserve wholeness, not cultivating the person to harm the teaching. Now in the months of the three seasons, building mountains and digging pools — this harms life; exhausting treasuries and emptying stores — this harms people; broad halls and long corridors — this cultivates the person. To harm life is not compassion; to harm people is not aiding beings; to cultivate the person is not purity. How could this be the mind of the great sage and supreme spirit? The Buddhist scripture says: 'All conditioned dharmas are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, like dew and also like lightning.' Your servant holds that reducing carving and ornamentation to relieve the poor is to possess the virtue of the Tathagata; ceasing the suffering of digging and excavation to preserve insects is to possess the benevolence of the Tathagata; halting construction costs to supply the frontier is to possess the achievement of Tang and Wu; redirecting salaries not urgently needed to reward integrity is to possess the governance of Tang and Yu. Your Majesty is slow where urgency lies and urgent where slowness lies; cherishing what is not yet come while neglecting what is present, losing what is real while hoping for emptiness. You value what vulgar people do and slight the achievements of the Son of Heaven — your servant is truly pained!" This is the fourth apt and fitting statement. Your servant observes that Renjie was a supreme minister in the time of the Empress; Yao Chong was a worthy chancellor in the Kaiyuan era; Tifou was a straightforward minister of Emperor Ruizong. Your servant, each time reading these words, has never failed to set down the scroll and sigh deeply, grieved that their words were not followed. I humbly note that Your Majesty deeply esteems the black-robed clergy and exquisitely honors Buddhist affairs; in delighting in goodness, you truly surpass former traces. Yet if one carefully examines the safety and peril of the age and distantly perceives the memorials of past worthies, then reflection is more than half the way, and how far is the Way! Your servant has unduly received thick favor; my words fall short of corrective remonstrance, yet I offer only the principle of following the plumb line, to add slightly to the clarity before the screen. In construction and repair, it would be fitting to pause and reduce somewhat.
15
The emperor issued a gracious edict commending him. He was soon appointed mayor of the capital district and grand minister of ceremonies.
16
使 使 使 使 使
Soon, while retaining his existing rank, he was made chief counselor and vice director of the Secretariat, serving together with Lu Xie and Zheng Tian. Dismissed as chief counselor, he was posted as prefect of Xiangzhou and military commissioner of Shannan East Circuit. He was recalled as minister of the civil service and additionally appointed acting right vice director of the Secretariat, prefect of Bianzhou, and military commissioner of Xuanwu Army. In 873 he was transferred to chief administrator of Yangzhou and deputy military commissioner of Huainan with charge of the circuit. In 876 his term ended, but the people went to court and petitioned to keep him for another year, and the request was granted. In the fourth year he was again made minister of the civil service, and soon was appointed acting minister of works, regent of the eastern capital, and defender of the eastern capital and Ru prefecture. In the sixth year the Hedong army mutinied and killed Cui Jikang. The court ordered Li Kan of Binning to take command at Taiyuan, but the troops would not accept him. Because Wei had once served on the Taiyuan staff, both soldiers and civilians looked to him with affection. In the eighth month Wei was appointed mayor of Taiyuan, regent of the northern capital, and military commissioner of Hedong. He reached his post in the tenth month of that year and died suddenly of illness three days after taking office.
17
His younger brother Wan and his cousin Hui both rose through successive posts to prefect.
18
Wei had three sons: Wo, Xun, and Ze.
19
使
Wo passed the jinshi examination late in the Xiantong reign, entered service as a staff officer at Taiyuan, and rose to drafting secretary and vice minister of rites. In 900 he was placed in charge of selecting examination candidates. Xun rose to observer of Fujian.
20
Cui Yanzhao, whose courtesy name was Siwen, came from Qinghe. His father was Qi. Yanzhao passed the jinshi examination in 849 and on entering service joined a regional headquarters. Early in the Xiantong reign he rose through posts as vice director in the Ministry of War, director with charge of drafting edicts, and drafting secretary, and was then made vice minister of revenue with charge of that ministry.
21
使 使
Yanzhao excelled in state finance, was deeply learned in the Confucian classics, and was highly skilled in administrative affairs. He had previously governed several prefectures, and wherever he served he won renown, leaving behind him much enduring goodwill. In the tenth year he was appointed acting minister of rites, prefect of Mengzhou, and military commissioner of Heyang and Hua, and was advanced to gold and purple robes. In the first month of the twelfth year he was additionally appointed acting minister of justice, mayor of Taiyuan, regent of the northern capital, and military commissioner of Hedong.
22
滿 便
At that time, after the campaigns in Xu and Si, northern peoples frequently raided the frontier, and the Shatuo tribes often breached military discipline. Yanzhao won them with kindness and restrained them with military force. Within three years the northern frontier was well governed, and soldiers and civilians sang his praises. When his term ended and he was to be replaced, several thousand elders went to court and petitioned to keep him. An edict replied, "Yanzhao won an excellent reputation early on and has repeatedly held demanding posts. In charge of national finance, he applied the arts of statecraft; commanding a frontier province, he governed with true mastery of military and civil administration. Since taking charge of Bing province, he has stood firm like a long wall. Yet he first brings harmony among the troops and peace to the people, and does not wish to rely on terrain and cavalry alone. As a result the armies and the people, with earnest tears and one voice, fully described his administrative ability and feared only that he be removed. This is an important post, and we are entrusting it to a man of proven ability. Since order and security have been achieved, no transfer is yet under discussion. You should understand this."
23
使
When Emperor Xizong took the throne, Yanzhao was at once additionally appointed acting minister of the civil service. At that time Zhao Yin and Gao Cong were chief counselors. They and Yanzhao had passed the jinshi in the same year, and they recommended him as especially skilled in managing revenue and taxes. In the third month of the fifteenth year he was summoned as vice minister of the civil service and appointed commissioner of salt and iron transport for all circuits. Early in the Qianfu reign, while retaining his existing rank, he was made chief counselor and placed in charge of the treasury.
24
Earlier, Yang Shou, Lu Yan, and Wei Baoheng had all been punished for factionalism and corruption. Xiao Fang held power and greatly reformed previous abuses. Yanzhao assisted in government for several months. The hundred offices functioned well; he was perceptive yet not overbearing, and men of quality praised him. In the second year, on the occasion of his promotion, Emperor Xizong admonished him, saying:
25
滿 退 便 使
Yanzhao has served through repeated trials with merit, and has nothing to be ashamed of in the judgment of all. For more than six months he has held to one purpose. Cultivate civil affairs and you can raise civil culture; encourage martial affairs and you can accomplish martial achievement. He has reordered former regulations. In the great accounts of the two ministries, integrity and ability stand firm, and good government spreads like the wind. Deceit and fraud are barred from many bypaths; requests and favor-seeking are cut down by upright discussion. Without troubling the inner treasury, he has added every tiny amount; without borrowing from the provinces, he has brought in gains down to the smallest measure. Army provisions left a surplus for the next year; and suburban and temple rites were fully provided for this year. This greatly accords with divine transformation and may truly be called counsel fit for the ancestral temple. Without a worthy minister, how can the state be enriched? He should be rewarded with merit in the chief counselor's hall and be set in the proper place in the imperial secretariat. Reverently heed these admonitions and forever strengthen your flourishing work. Alas! The way of holding the balance—what is difficult about it? The road of ruined armies has lately been all too common! Rather than forming factions, better to cultivate the self; rather than gathering favor, better to hold to uprightness. He who buys a temporary victory bequeaths eternal defeat; he who trades on petty cleverness pockets great folly. He does not value reaching others, but contends only with himself; at first he truly enriches the house, but soon endangers the family. Gold and jade fill the hall, yet none can keep them. Even if by scheming one gains position, by using crooked means one deserves guilt. You alone were chosen from my heart and selected from men's hopes. When the edict of appointment was finished, the inner gate did not yet know. Coming, you at once hurried to your carriage; retiring, you made no private thanks. You alone pushed forward the senior minister and once requested urgent summons; by holding to the Way you attained it yourself—truly the greatest honor to your kin. You must firmly hold to uprightness and truly execute regulations. Only fear the hidden and obscure; you must return to public right. Sweet words are to be feared; recounting the past is to be laughed at. Rewarding the good must be clear; punishing the wicked must be sharp. What benefits the people, though difficult, must be undertaken; what benefits oneself, though easy, must not be done. Frequently think of the orphaned and poor; always think of farming and weaving. Constantly be diligent in several affairs, and then there will be hope for restoration. To display that I know my minister lies with you in supporting the state. You must make grace spread from below and law proceed from above. Only set up a straight marker, and in the end there will be no crooked shadow. If you can bring me to the level of Yao and Shun, I shall compare you to Gao Yao and Kui. He is appointed vice director of the Secretariat and, as before, placed in charge of the treasury.
26
退 使
Yanzhao served his mother with utmost filial piety. Although he stood as chief counselor, after court he waited on her at meals, mingled with the family, attended her at every turn, and never spoke in a lofty tone. At seasonal celebrations, high ministers bowed at his seat, and men of the time honored him. He was promoted to vice director of the Chancellery, concurrently minister of justice, and appointed commissioner of the Taiqing Palace and grand academician of the Hongwen Hall. Together with Zheng Tian and Li Wei he jointly managed state affairs. Three times additional concurrent offices were added, and in each case he still headed the treasury as before. He was advanced to special advancement and repeatedly held the concurrent post of right vice director of the Secretariat. Dismissed as chief counselor, he served in regional commands and died as mentor to the heir apparent in an eastern capital post. His son was Baoqian.
27
調 西 調 使
Zheng Tian, whose courtesy name was Taiwen, came from Xingyang. His great-grandfather Lin, his grandfather Mu, and his father Ya all passed the jinshi examination. Ya, whose courtesy name was Zizuo, passed the jinshi examination in 820 and also answered the special examination for worthy and upright men and forthright remonstrance. In the civil service selection he again excelled in document judgment, and within several years consecutively passed three examinations. His intelligence and insight were unmatched, and his literary compositions were outstanding. When Li Deyu was in the Hanlin Academy, Ya visited him on the strength of his writing and won his deep regard. When Deyu went out to command Zhexi, he recruited Ya as a staff officer. He repeatedly suffered family bereavements. Many people envied and resented him, and for a long time he received no appointment. Early in the Huichang reign he first entered court as a supervisory censor and rose to director in the Ministry of Justice. Censor-in-chief Li Hui had him put in charge of miscellaneous censorial business, and he was promoted to remonstrance official and supervising censor. In the fifth year Deyu was removed as chief counselor and posted to Zhugong. Ya was appointed rectifier grand master and sent out as prefect of Guizhou, censor-in-chief, and overall defense commissioner of Guiguan. In 848 Wu Runa appealed his grievance. Deyu was again demoted to Chaozhou, and Ya was also demoted to prefect of Xunzhou, where he died.
28
調
Tian passed the jinshi examination at eighteen, entered service as investigating officer of the Bian-Song command, and was appointed collator in the Secretariat. At twenty-two, in the civil service selection, he again excelled in document judgment. He was appointed magistrate of Weinan and given charge of direct service in the Historiography Office. Before he could depart, Ya was sent to Guizhou and Tian accompanied him. During the Dazhong reign, Bai Minzhong and Linghu Tao held power in succession for more than ten years and had long been hostile to Deyu. Li Deyu's relatives and associates were for the most part dismissed and banished, and Tian for a long time could not fit in among his fellow officials. During the Xiantong reign, Linghu Tao took a regional command and Liu Zhan held the northern gate post; both recruited Tian as a staff officer. He entered court as assistant director in the Ministry of Works. Zheng Xun, the right assistant director, belonged to Linghu Tao's faction. He dredged up Tian's past conduct and submitted a memorial against him, blocking his entry into the Secretariat, and Tian again went out to serve as a staff officer. In the fifth year of the reign he entered court as assistant director in the Ministry of Justice and was transferred to magistrate of Wannian. In the ninth year Liu Zhan became chief counselor, recommended him as a Hanlin academician, and had him transferred to director in the Ministry of Revenue.
29
便
Having long suffered ostracism, Tian was fortunate to be promoted, and upon receiving his appointment he stated: "Your subject passed the jinshi examination at eighteen and the document judgment examination at twenty-two. At that time I took up office in the capital region and already harbored hopes of rising to high position. Then fortune turned against me, years passed in exile, I grew weary of provincial banquets, and longed for the rites and music of the imperial court. It was not until the fifth year of Xiantong that I finally returned to court. Had I not encountered a sage ruler, I would have had no way to bring my obscure talents to light. While serving as assistant director in the Ministry of Justice, I repeatedly answered the emperor's questions in the inner chamber. Last winter I was promoted to magistrate of Wannian and was again granted an audience in the Yanzhe Hall to express my thanks. Like humble mallow leaning toward the sun, I was fortunate to receive imperial favor; like a creature leaving its basin, I at last beheld the open sky. Recently, because the capital county was vast and crowded, I toiled at governing it; the weak and exhausted were given some relief, and the violent disappeared. I was just then devoting myself wholly to magisterial duties, seeking to match Your Majesty's concerned and diligent governance. Your Majesty went far beyond what was warranted in noticing and promoting me, raising me from a county magistrate to a post above the Three Pure Ones of the Hanlin Academy. I had scarcely entered the Hanlin Academy when I was suddenly transferred to a director's post in the ministries."
30
使 歿
Soon he was additionally appointed drafter of edicts and again stated: "Your subject passed the jinshi examination in the second year of Huichang and the document judgment examination in the first year of Dazhong. At that time I replaced the former Zhaoyi military commissioner Shen Xun as magistrate of Weinan; after two terms of evaluation I was dismissed, and Yang Shou took my place in office. Shen Xun went on to enjoy every distinction and died several years ago; Yang Shou rose to the summit of power as chief counselor and has already been demoted for three years. Your subject, by contrast, was trapped in provincial staff service abroad and content with minor rank at court, gazing up at high office and sighing in vain at the gulf between heaven and earth. Although one might say my fate was unusually harsh, in truth I was brought low by the envy and hostility of others." On such occasions he vindicated himself in this fashion.
31
Soon he was transferred to drafting secretary of the Secretariat. In the tenth year the imperial army marched against the Xu region, and edicts and proclamations poured from the palace in an unbroken stream. Tian wrote with a flowing pen as if from a spring; his thoughts never stalled, and every phrase hit its mark. His colleagues laid down their brushes and yielded to him. Soon he was promoted to vice minister of revenue. After Pang Xun was suppressed, he was appointed chief imperial secretary while retaining his existing rank. Tian, a man of established virtue and senior standing, had long languished in obscurity. Now that he stood at the head of the Hanlin Academy, he was expected to become chief counselor; upon accepting the chief secretary post he stated: "The Hanlin Academy has always been known for its purity and strictness, and the chief secretary post is especially regarded as solemn and weighty. It alone receives the emperor's consultation and stands first among outstanding men. Of the four chief counselors now in office, three rose through this post; its prestige is greater than that of any ordinary office. Who would have thought that an ordinary man would follow in such distinguished footsteps? That is why your subject fears he is unworthy of the chief secretary's duties. As for matching Liu Zhan's discretion, observing Bao Heng's standards, serving the ruler with full sincerity, and giving unstinting loyalty to assist the sage emperor— taking uprightness as armor and loyalty and faith as a protective barrier— embellishing the emperor's prose and upholding the kingly standard in writing—your subject would not shrink from the chief secretary's duties on that account. Moreover, one who had been as a sunk boat or fallen feather was raised up by the sage ruler; possessing only modest talent, I have received immense grace and favor. In two years I have six times received official honors, rising from a director's clerk to vice minister and from the lowest staff to the upper ranks." His eagerness for high office was evident in this way.
32
使
In the eighth month of that year Liu Zhan was dismissed as chief counselor for remonstrating against the imprisonment of a medical worker's clan and was sent out as military commissioner of Jingnan. Tian drafted the edict of appointment with excessive praise. Emperor Yizong read it and was furious. He reprimanded Tian, saying: "Tian's recent conduct was disgraceful, and the age cast him aside; among his peers on the court rolls he had no path to advance. Yet through back channels he still managed to hold office he did not deserve; his unworthiness is already great, and his cunning corruption is especially grave. Moreover, as chief imperial secretary, he ought to reflect my intentions. When Liu Zhan was sent out to a regional command the other day, do you think I had no purpose in it? You were next to draft the edict, yet you heaped it with excessive praise. You indulged in deceit at the tip of your brush and smuggled private favor and hatred into the text. You knew only how to repay Liu Zhan's slightest favor; did you give any thought to scorning the grace with which I raised you? On closer examination your words are false yet stubborn; clearly you and he were partners in evil. How depraved men can be—to reach such a point! Exile is the fitting punishment, to remove the faction of the corrupt and wicked. He is demoted to prefect of Wuzhou."
33
殿
When Emperor Xizong came to the throne, Tian was recalled to court. He was appointed right regular attendant on the cavalry and then transferred to vice minister of war. In the fourth year of Qianfu he was promoted to vice minister of civil service appointments. Soon an edict was issued, saying: "Recently the proper path was blocked and power fell into the hands of wicked favorites. You, Tian, have held firm without wavering, maintained your integrity though slandered, and upon recall to court have won ever greater public esteem. Already proven in the work of statecraft, you are fit to serve in the chief counselor's office. He is appointed chief counselor while retaining his existing rank." After the ceremony conferring Emperor Xizong's honorific title was completed, Tian was further promoted to vice director of the Secretariat, advanced to special advancement, transferred to vice director of the Chancellery, and concurrently appointed minister of rites and grand academician of the Jixian Hall.
34
使 西使使
In the fifth year Huang Chao rose in Cao and Yun, marched south into Jing and Xiang, crossed east over the Yangtze and Huai, and gathered a following of a million men; wherever he passed he repeatedly captured prefectures and counties. In the sixth year he captured the Annan protectorate and occupied it. He sent a letter to Cui Qiu, the observation commissioner of Zhedong, requesting the military commission of Yunzhou. Cui Qiu argued that the rebels were too strong to defeat and that the court should grant the commission, thereby removing the threat of their turning north. The emperor referred the matter to the officials for deliberation. When Huang Chao first rose, Chief Counselor Lu Xie, noting that Gao Pian, the observation commissioner of Zhexi, had long distinguished himself in military service, memorialized to appoint him military commissioner of Huainan and ordered him to block the rebel advance. Soon Gao Pian was made overall commander of the campaign armies of the various circuits. When Cui Qiu's memorial arrived, the court officials debated the matter. Some argued for temporarily granting Huang Chao a military commission to ease the crisis. Tian weighed the various opinions and proposed restraining Huang Chao by appointing him military commissioner of the South Sea. Lu Xie, having initially backed Gao Pian, wanted Gao to win a decisive victory. Lu Xie said: "Gao Pian's generalship is unmatched, and the Huainan troops are armed and trained to a keen edge. The armies of the various circuits are now assembling; this petty band of rebels is scarcely worth exterminating. Why abandon this course and show weakness, causing the allied armies to lose heart!" Tian replied: "Huang Chao's rebellion originally arose from years of famine. People rallied to him for gain, and so his forces truly swelled. South of the Yangtze and Huai, his forces have devoured nearly half the region. The empire has long been at peace, and the troops have forgotten how to fight; the regional commanders everywhere have shut their gates and held their positions, yet still cannot resist even detached bands of rebels. It would be better to set aside blame, show forbearance, and temporarily grant him favor. They rallied to him only because famine drove them to it; once a good harvest comes, who among them will not yearn for home? Once his followers disperse, Huang Chao will be meat on the cutting board—this is what is meant by defeating the enemy without fighting! If at this moment we rely on force alone rather than strategy, I fear the empire's troubles will not soon end."
35
The assembly largely agreed, but Left Vice Director Yu Cong said: "The South Sea commands the profits of maritime trade and yields yearly tribute of pearls and gems. If these rebels now hold it, the state treasury will soon be drained." The emperor also hoped Gao Pian would succeed, and so adopted Lu Xie's plan. When the Secretariat met to draft the edict, Tian said: "A million rebels are rampaging across the empire; Lord Gao dawdles and indulges the enemy, showing no will to destroy him, and now we would protect him instead—they have gotten exactly what they wanted. The fate of the dynasty rests on the decisions of the few of us here. You are staking everything on Gao Pian's army in Huainan—I do not know where this road will end!" Lu Xie grew angry, flung his sleeves and stood up, smeared his cuff on the inkstone, and threw it aside. When Xizong heard of it he was furious and said: "Chief ministers hurl abuse at one another—what example is this to set for the empire?" Both men were removed from office and sent to the eastern capital as honorary crown prince advisors.
36
使 便
In the first year of Guangming the rebels crossed north from Lingnan into the Yangtze and Zhejiang regions, captured Cui Qiu, and overran the prefectures and counties of Huainan. Gao Pian merely ordered Zhang Lin to hold the strategic points while he shut himself behind his walls. At last the emperor recalled Tian's earlier warning; both men were summoned back to court, and Tian was appointed Minister of Rites. He was soon sent out as military commissioner of Fengxiang and Longright circuits. That winter the rebels took the capital, and Emperor Xizong fled the city. When Tian heard of the disaster, he waited for the emperor at Xiegu Pass to pay his respects, and with tears said: "Your ministers and generals have led Your Majesty astray and brought us to this. I am myself guilty and beg to die as punishment for my failure." The emperor said: "This is not your fault. These mad rebels have overrun the realm, and I must for now make my stand at Xingyuan. You must hold firm at the rebels' line of advance and keep them from spreading further." Tian replied: "I shall serve the state until death. Your Majesty need not worry about the east. But the roads are dangerous and communications uncertain; I cannot wait for distant orders when action is required. I ask permission to act on my own judgment as events demand." The emperor said: "If it serves the realm, do whatever you must." Tian returned to his command, mustered horses and filled the ranks, repaired weapons, and strengthened walls and defenses. He gave his entire family fortune to pay the troops. Day and night he held himself ready as if a major battle were imminent.
37
西
In the second month of the first year of Zhonghe, the rebel generals Shang Rang and Wang Fan led fifty thousand men against Fengxiang. Tian foresaw the attack and ordered his generals, led by Li Changyan, to set ambushes at the key passes. The rebels assumed that Tian, a scholar-official, could not put up a fight, and marched forward at speed with ranks in disarray. Tian drew up several thousand crack troops on a hilltop and arrayed banners along the ridge for miles. A dozen li from the enemy, he beat the drums and drew up his battle line. Unable to tell how many men he had, the rebels began to deploy their line; before the rear guard could catch up, Li Changyan sprung the ambush and threw them into panic. By late afternoon Qi forces closed in from every side and pursued them to Longwei Slope. The rebels abandoned their arms and fled in collapse. Tens of thousands were killed, and the Qi army seized their armor and weapons in a great victory. When the emperor heard the news, he told his chancellors: "I knew Tian was no mere scholar in courage. This heartens me greatly." He immediately appointed Tian acting Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, chief councilor, and supreme commander of the western circuits' campaign forces.
38
使西沿 羿 綿 使使 輿
At that time tens of thousands of imperial troops from the capital region were still at large; after Huang Chao's sack of the capital, they had nowhere to go. By imperial order Tian summoned them, and commanders from every garrison rallied at Qiyang. He distributed his funds to win their loyalty, swore binding oaths with them, and pledged to restore the dynasty. He also circulated a proclamation throughout the realm, saying: Zheng Tian, Military Commissioner of Fengxiang and Longyou, Acting Minister of the Left, Co-Grand Councilor, Supreme Commander of the Western Capital Circuit Expeditionary Forces, Supreme Pillar of State, and Duke of Xingyang with a fief of two thousand households, issued a dispatch to all frontier commands, prefectures and counties, marquises and earls, prefects and magistrates, and military officers, saying: Prosperity and adversity have their allotted measure; fortune and misfortune follow in succession, like the eclipse and waning of sun and moon, like the excess and concealment of yin and yang. Thus when the Han dynasty was at its height, Wang Mang and Dong Zhuo unleashed their treachery and violence; when the way of Xia had not yet declined, Yi and Zhuo rode forth their cruelty. Usurpation was never absent, yet soon they too were executed and destroyed. From this one knows that the rise of evil spirits is hard to avoid in any age. In every age there are loyal and steadfast men who strive to restore and rectify the realm. Our state, responding to the Five Movements to receive Heaven's mandate and treading in the line of the Three Kings, has spread civilization across the realm and drawn all within the four seas to benevolence. The great designs of eighteen emperors are inscribed upon the sacred tripod; three hundred years of sagely grace are spread in the songs of the people. Moreover, government has prized leniency and magnanimity, punishments have been without wrongful excess, diligently practicing the kingly way and tirelessly seeking to comfort the people. Truly it could transmit the imperial succession through endless ages and guard the jade chart unto immortality. In recent years locusts wrought harm and drought spread disaster, causing worthless fellows to rise suddenly in lawless violence. Though pursuit and suppression were ordered, they still ran rampant. The grass-bandit Huang Chao, a menial of base talent, an ugly breed of wolf and jackal. In cold he did not plow, in heat he did not weed — he did not exert himself in the fields; he stole food and went without clothes, seeking only to live by plunder. He joined with vicious factions, drove and pressed ordinary people, first disturbing villages and lanes, then invading and oppressing prefectures and counties. Because frontier ministers were not martial and soldiers were greedy for wealth, pursuit and suppression were only in name, and in the end the campaign became protracted. This caused the evil to spread and multiply, with repeated demands and exactions. The sage sovereign's love and nurture run deep, his forbearance and magnanimity are broad; he blamed himself before all regions and took the common people as his heart. He lent them banners of command and entrusted them to frontier commands, hoping they would reform and spare the weary and weak. Yet they showed not the least loyalty of hound or horse, but only indulged the poison of insects and serpents. They plundered our expeditionary commands, overthrew our capital, humiliated our officials and gentry, and slaughtered our scholars and commoners. They regarded human lives as no different from grass and husks, and said the great treasure was as easy to seize as a game of chess. Then they usurped the palace quarters and falsely assumed titles. They ennobled men for boiled sheep heads and appointed officials by stringing dog tails. Like swallows nesting on a curtain they boasted of security; like fish still sporting in the cauldron. They little knew that when the Five Marquises twisted in rage, they would expect to divide the corpse of Xiang Yu; when the Four Mounds were completed, they would await burying the bones of Chiyou. Still they broadly seized fields and houses, wantonly defiled goods and wealth, like streams and ravines impossible to fill, like kites and crows let loose to snatch. Across the vast Red County, it was scarcely different from the lands of barbarians; the trembling common people were as if within a prison. Already men and spirits alike were enraged, and travelers on the road were heartsick. Tian wrongly holds frontier command, honored with both general and minister — each night he sleeps upon his spear awaiting dawn, often weeping blood and forgetting his meal; he vows with righteous men and loyal ministers jointly to cut down fox-calling, dog-stealing bandits. Recently he received imperial orders to assemble all armies. The emperor personally leads the Six Armies, having just departed the Three Shu; frost-bright spears in ten thousand ranks, iron horses in a thousand hosts; carved tigers roar and the wind rises, responding dragons prance and clouds ascend. The Excellency Gao of Huainan will assemble a million stalwart troops from the eastern circuits, planning to meet within the passes at the beginning of summer. Tian, together with Cheng Zongchu, Military Commissioner of Jingyuan, Qiu Gongyu, Military Commissioner of Qinzhou, and others, have already driven their drilled troops and greatly gathered within the passes; eagerly brandishing the serpent spears of Longyou, awaiting to sweep the ant swarms of Guanzhong. Meanwhile the Tibetans and Tanguts, long subject to imperial civilization, deeply resent the national enemy and wish to offer the armies of the desert to present together the triumph of total pacification. At this moment Chinese and barbarian combine their strength, frontier commands link in alliance; banners blaze brilliant as cloud and mist, swords and halberds gleam like frost and snow. None fail to hold the cord awaiting the test, selling their courage to vie for the fore; thinking to leave achievements upon bamboo and silk, vowing to wash away the court's shame. How much more so this remnant evil — it is scarcely worth the effort of extermination. Moreover, all circuits for generations have received the state's grace, their persons bound to fine ranks; all store strategies to restore the state and pour forth devotion to the sovereign. Since trouble arose at Hangu and Luoyang and the imperial carriage fled the barbarians, none have failed to point at the bronze camel and rend their hearts, or gaze toward Yumen and feel their souls dissolve. Hearing this call to aid the sovereign, it is fitting indeed to fling aside one's sleeves. Further we hope for indignant zeal to speedily exterminate the bandit enemy. Ever seek merit for altars of state, to repay the virtue of sovereign and parent; welcome the carriage's return and restoration of order — would this not be glorious?
39
西
The emperor was then in the southwest, and all word from court had been cut off, so many assumed the dynasty could not recover. When Tian's proclamation went out, the regional powers were roused and each began raising armies to rescue the throne. Huang Chao's rebels were seized with fear. From then on the rebels' cavalry did not venture west of the capital region. But for Tian's blocking of the rebels' main thrust, Hanzhong and Shu would have been in grave danger. He was soon promoted to acting Minister of Works.
40
That winter Tian fell suddenly ill. With Qishan still holding the rebels' line of advance, he needed a skilled general to hold the post and recommended Li Changyan; the emperor approved. Tian was ordered to the emperor's camp. In the first month of the second year he reached Chengdu; Wang Duo replaced him as commander of the recovery campaign. He was soon named vice director and chief councilor, but his illness kept him from taking office for a long time, and he repeatedly asked to be relieved of state duties. In the winter of the second year he left the chancellorship and was made Junior Mentor to the Heir Apparent. The emperor made Tian's son Ningji, a supervising attendant in the Secretariat, prefect of Long Prefecture and ordered Tian to retire there for his health. He died at the prefectural mansion at fifty-nine.
41
使
At the end of the Guangqi era Li Maozhen was appointed military commissioner of Fengxiang. When Tian was gathering his forces, Maozhen had been a junior officer in the Boye Army at Fengtian. Tian brought that entire unit to Qishan, took notice of Maozhen's zeal in military matters, and put him in charge of patrol and reconnaissance. At this time, Maozhen, mindful of Tian's favor and treatment, submitted a memorial discussing him, saying: Your servant respectfully observes the former Acting Minister of Works and Co-Grand Councilor Zheng Tian of this circuit — an auspicious response of stellar essence, good omens opening at the moon's horn; He raised a great furnace in the sage age and accomplished many achievements in bright prosperity. Phoenix down had just bathed in the spring pool when the dragon tally suddenly shifted to the right assistant. Then owls gathered in screaming flocks and ten thousand hedgehogs massed their points; in haste the jade carriage toured the regions, and in succession the golden gate was unbarred. The nine regions looked to one another, at first hesitating to follow the wind; the hundred ministers had nowhere to turn, half in doubt yet submitting their allegiance. Yet Tian, cap-strings flying in rage, flung his sleeves and marshaled troops; he arrayed swords and halberds before the wine cup and drilled fierce troops beyond the command post. He cut sacrificial victims to swear the host and beat the blood-stained drum to march forth; he galloped feathered dispatches to the four quarters and spread imperial majesty for ten thousand li. His person upheld the earth's axis; he decided the crosscurrent and sent it all into the eastern sea; his hand rectified the heavenly gate, swept away the evil star and again honored the Northern Pole. When it came to filling sacks with sand and reducing cooking stoves, beating drums and raising banners; the Four Evils were just swelling in beastly hearts, and one battle array was entirely smeared at Dragon Tail. A great triumph like tipping the jar from on high was achieved in the turn of a hand. Unexpectedly the pillar of heaven was shattered at dawn, the general's star fell by night; bamboo and silk merely record his flourishing merit, yet pines and cypresses have not been brightened by a changed posthumous name. Your servant began his career in the army and received his guidance, bearing the admonitions given thrice and five times, taking part in the plan of one restoration and nine unifications. Now by mistake for slight merit I have obtained a great command. Seeking the lingering love of Marquis Wu, the walls and ramparts stand as before; recalling the lofty traces of Unclezi, how boundless are the falling tears? I humbly hope he may be specially granted posthumous honors to comfort his spirit beneath the gate.
42
Emperor Zhaozong approved the request and posthumously conferred on Tian the title of Grand Mentor, with the posthumous name Wenzhao, "Illustrious and Broad."
43
Tian's learning was deep and his literary skill exceptional; he was magnanimous and forbearing. He had a handsome presence and jade-like elegance, and was especially gifted at poetry. In friendship he treated others the same in fortune and in misfortune alike. Early in his career, as an outer-secretariat director, he was blocked from entering the inner Secretariat by Zheng Xun, yet Tian held no grudge. When Tian became chancellor, Xun's son was a low-ranking court officer; Tian singled him out for promotion to supervising attendant and then vice minister. Returning good for ill was typical of his conduct.
44
His son Ningji served as vice minister of justice and of revenue during the Jingfu era.
45
使 殿
Lu Xie, courtesy name Zisheng, was from Fanyang. His grandfather was Sun. His father Qiu passed the jinshi examination at the start of the Baoli reign and entered service through various official commissions. He ended his career as a prefect. Lu Xie passed the jinshi examination in the ninth year of Dazhong, was appointed collator at the Hall of Assembled Worthies, and then joined a military governor's staff. In the Xiantong era he entered court service as a remonstrance adviser and palace censor, rising through outer-secretariat director, magistrate of Chang'an, and prefect of Zheng. He was recalled and appointed grand remonstrance adviser. At the start of Qianfu he was summoned as a Hanlin academician and appointed drafting secretary. Late in Qianfu he was also made vice minister of revenue and academician-in-attendance. In the fourth year he became chief councilor, and was subsequently promoted to vice director of the Chancellery while also serving as minister of war and grand scholar of the Hongwen Hall.
46
西使 使
In the fifth year Huang Chao overran the outer defenses of Jingnan and Jiangxi and the prefectures of Qian, Ji, Rao, and Xin; from Zhedong he seized Fujian, pushed into Lingnan, took Guangzhou, killed the military commissioner Li Yao, and demanded a commission as military governor. When Wang Xianzhi first rose in Henan, Lu Xie had recommended Song Wei, Qi Kerang, Zeng Gun, and others as men of military talent, and they were appointed pacification commissioners. But when Song Wei executed Shang Junzhang, the rebels spread unchecked. The court then named chief minister Wang Duo supreme commander, to Lu Xie's deep displeasure. Cui Qiu, military governor of Zhejiang, and others petitioned to offer Huang Chao a nominal commission as governor of Guangzhou, and the emperor ordered the chancellors to deliberate. With Wang Duo already in command, Lu Xie hoped to goad Huang Chao and insisted that no military commission be granted—only the empty title of Bearer of the Left Golden Belt Guard. He quarreled with his fellow councilor Zheng Tian and hurled an inkstone to the floor. Both men were dismissed and sent into nominal service as honored guests of the heir apparent.
47
In the sixth year Gao Pian's general Zhang Lin won repeated victories over the rebels. Lu Xie had long favored Gao Pian and had repeatedly urged that he be made supreme commander. With Gao Pian's successes, the emperor recalled Lu Xie to the chancellorship. When Wang Duo failed to hold the line, he was removed as supreme commander and Gao Pian replaced him. Thereafter every military governor from Tong Pass eastward—in Ru, Shan, Xu, Deng, Bian, Hua, Qing, and Yan—was replaced. Every appointment made by Wang Duo and Zheng Tian was overturned. Lu Xie relied on the eunuch Tian Lingzi within and Gao Pian without, and major policy turned on his whim. By then Lu Xie was stricken with paralysis; his mind wandered. All decisions passed through his private secretary Wen Jixiu, and bribery ran unchecked. When the rebels overran Huainan, Zhang Lin was killed, Xu Prefecture drove out its governor, and the Wenshui army collapsed. The court was shaken with fear, and blame fell on Lu Xie. When the rebels took Tong Pass, Lu Xie was dismissed and made honored guest of the heir apparent; that night he swallowed poison and died.
48
His son Yan served as magistrate of Henan County at the start of Tianyou and was murdered by Liu Can.
49
殿
Wang Hui, courtesy name Zhaowen, was from Duling in Jingzhao; his family traced its origins to the state of Wei during the Warring States period. After Qin conquered Wei, the First Emperor resettled powerful families from east of the pass into Guanzhong, and the princes of Wei were relocated to Baling. As descendants of the old royal house, they took the surname Wang. Xiong, prefect of Tongzhou under the Later Zhou, was Hui's ancestor ten generations removed; buried at Fengqi Plain near Xianyang, his descendants settled there. His great-grandfather was Ze; his elder clan cousin Yicong passed the jinshi under Empress Wu. His cousins Mingcong and Yancong both passed the jinshi under Emperor Ruizong. Four kinsmen of their generation reached high office; three became attendants of the Phoenix Pavilion in the Kaiyuan era, earning the clan the nickname "the Wangs of the Phoenix Pavilion." In later generations Yicong's son Ding, Ding's son Feng, Feng's brother Zhongzhou, Ding's brother Mi, Mi's son Xingu, Xingu's son Shou, and Shou's son Chao all passed the jinshi. From Yicong's generation down to the Dazhong era, eighteen members of the Wang clan passed the jinshi; and more than thirty served in the censorate and secretariat or as prefects, governors, and staff officers. Zecong passed the jinshi in the third year of Dazu; in the Xiantian era he also passed the special civil-service examination for worthies, was promoted to the second rank, rose to clerk in the capital commandery, and became an academician of the Hall of Correct Principles. His grandfather Cha passed the jinshi in the second year of Zhide and ended his career as prefect of Lian Prefecture. His father Zili served as magistrate of Gou Shi and died in that office.
50
Wang Hui passed the jinshi in the eleventh year of Dazhong and took his first post as collator in the Secretariat. When Shen Xun, vice minister of revenue who also oversaw the finance commission, recruited staff, he brought Wang Hui on as an inspection officer. Chief Minister Xu Shang, who controlled the salt and iron monopoly, then had him appointed as an assistant on his staff. Emperor Xuanzong then ordered chancellors to nominate jinshi from good families as consorts for the princesses, and someone put Wang Hui's name forward. Wang Hui was retiring by nature and shunned power; when he heard of this, his distress showed plainly on his face. Already over forty when he passed the examination, he went to Chancellor Liu Chan in anguish and explained that he was too old and too frequently ill to be a fitting match for an imperial consort. Liu Chan pleaded his case before the emperor, and only then was Wang Hui spared. He followed Linghu Tao as chief secretary at the Xuanwu and Huainan circuits in turn, and was appointed judicial reviewer in the Court of Judicial Review. Summoned to court, he was appointed Right Reminding Censor. He submitted twenty-three memorials on state affairs, and on topics others dared not broach he always spoke bluntly against the throne. Men of standing everywhere praised and respected him.
51
殿
When Xu Shang left the chief ministership to take command at Jiangling, he wanted to recommend his former subordinate Hui for appointment but did not dare say so outright. Hui sensed what he meant and spoke up on the spot: "When I was among the jinshi graduates, I owed you a great debt of favor. Now you wear the seal of command and take the field—how could I not follow you?" Xu Shang was delighted and memorialized for his appointment as Palace Diaries Attendant, with crimson robes and a post as administrative assistant to the Jingnan military commissioner.
52
簿
Gao Shi, who then held the reins of the censorate, had him appointed Attendant Censor with combined duties, concurrently vice director in the Bureau of Appointments, and then transferred him to vice director in the Bureau of Evaluations. Evaluation records at the time marked the grades of upper, middle, and lower in vermilion ink, which clerks exploited for fraud, often rubbing out entries and altering them. Hui reported to the vice director of the Department of State Affairs and asked that the records be kept in black ink instead, thereby putting an end to the clerks' fraud. Chief Minister Xiao Fang especially valued Hui for his mastery of administrative affairs. Early in the Qianfu reign he was made director of the Bureau of Seals in the Ministry of Rites and magistrate of Chang'an County. When the Hanlin Academy needed a scholar, Fang had Hui appointed Hanlin Academician, then made him director in the Bureau of Personnel with charge of drafting edicts, and formally appointed him vice director of the Secretariat. He gave thanks in the Yanying Hall, was personally granted the gold seal and purple robe, and was promoted to vice minister of revenue and chief Hanlin Academician. He was transferred to vice minister of war and left vice director of the Department of State Affairs, while retaining his post as chief Hanlin Academician.
53
輿
On the third day of the twelfth month of the first year of Guangming (880), he was made vice minister of revenue and associate grand councilor. That same day Huang Chao broke through Tong Pass, and that night Emperor Xizong fled the capital. Hui, together with his colleagues Cui Hang, Dou Lu Zhuan, and Vice Director Yu Cong, did not learn until dawn that the emperor had fled, whereupon they all raced off to join the court in exile. That night Hui fell among thorn thickets and tumbled into a ravine. Captured by rebels, he was forced back to the capital. When the rebels tried to invest him with a false office, Hui displayed his broken leg and speechless mouth. Though naked blades ringed him about, he never showed fear. The rebels had him carried in a litter back to his home and sent a physician to treat him. After more than a month the guards slackened their watch. Hui mingled with porters and peddlers, slipped away to Hezhong, and sent a messenger by a secret route to deliver a silk memorial to the emperor in Shu.
54
祿 使
The emperor commended him and issued an edict appointing him Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and acting minister of war. As he was preparing to join the court in exile, an edict soon also appointed him, in his existing office, commissioner for pacification and battle-line urging on the eastern front. Wang Duo then held overall command of the field armies at Hezhong, but for years had failed to defeat the rebels. Hui plotted with the field army chief overseer Yang Fuguang to grant amnesty to the three Shatuo tribes and summon them to the dynasty's aid. That summer the armies from north of the Pass arrived. After a series of decisive victories the capital was recovered, and for his contribution Hui was promoted to right vice director of the Department of State Affairs.
55
使 退 使
During the Guangqi reign the Lu prefecture army mutinied and killed its commander Cheng Lin. Vice Minister of War Zheng Changtu was made provisional commander of Zhaoyi army affairs. Meng Fangli then held the three Shandong prefectures as his own domain, forming a separate military circuit. Of Shangdang's subordinate prefectures only Zezhou remained, yet many in the army sided with Fangli, and Changtu could not control them. The chief ministers memorialized that a senior minister should be sent to take command, and Hui was appointed honorary left vice director of the Department of State Affairs, associate grand councilor, grand prefect of Lu Prefecture, and military commissioner of Ze, Lu, Xing, Ming, and Guang circuits. The imperial carriage had not yet returned to the capital, and bandits were gathering east of the Pass. Meanwhile Li Keyong of Hedong and Meng Fangli were contending for control of Ze and Lu. Believing the court's forces could not prevail, he submitted a memorial of protest, saying: Your servant has heard that assigning offices according to talent is fundamentally meant to secure the people's welfare; Serving the sovereign and advancing loyalty begin with embodying concern for the state. Your servant early enjoyed a prosperous age and has held eminent offices throughout, relying solely on utmost loyalty and, fortunately, without rash acts. Though for six years in the inner court I have enjoyed the honor of attending the sovereign; for but a single day in the censorate I have yet to fulfill my resolve to support and restore the dynasty. How dare I forget urgent troubles, so as to answer your anxious labors. Moreover, with the military command of a key post and the chancellor's seal of supreme command, I have been specially entrusted by your sovereign will. How could I shrink from labor and now present these heartfelt words? But Zheng Changtu has held charge at the capital for many months and is taking deep root; Meng Fangli holds three prefectures exclusively, and longstanding grievances are building. Winning them over from outside will make the people of Lu resent us; pacifying them within will only deepen the suspicion of the Xing generals. Disaster blazes where the fire has already spread; what plan remains once the opportunity is already lost? We must see how victory and defeat fall before we can judge safety and peril. If I obey orders and act boldly, I will lie sleepless with countless worries; If I withdraw first, the matter may be secured on both sides. I humbly beg your sacred compassion: seek broad court deliberation, choose one fit to be entrusted, for the right course lies in adopting the better plan. Spare your humble servant the reproach of clinging to imperial favor, and let Shangdang, once fractured, become the prize all parties contest. Let the frontier lords see the difficulty, so that I may not be shamed by my earlier words; Serving the state and seeking achievement — might not this very day afford its fulfillment?
56
使
The emperor then had Changtu take command there and appointed Hui commissioner for equal tax and military supply for the various circuits, while his other offices remained unchanged.
57
使 便
After the capital was recovered, palace temples lay burned and imperial tombs lay ruined and neglected, and for that reason the emperor long delayed his return. Hui was then appointed commissioner for the Daming Palace garrison, capital region pacification and arrangement, and repair of the imperial tombs. While managing revenue and holding the arrangement commission, Hui found that most of the people in the capital region had been scattered and displaced. He gathered the lost and dispossessed and treated them as his own children. Within a few years registered households were gradually restored, and the halls and pavilions of the eastern inner palace were repaired and put in good order. Hui submitted a memorial asking the emperor to return to the capital, writing: "When the rebel horde was on the verge of flight, the spreading calamity was at its height. Yet the Gate of Revelation and the Phoenix Altar endured alone, guarding this blessed ground; imperial qi coiled like a dragon, and auspicious vapors gathered without dispersing. This fully showed that the ancestral temple had received Heaven's blessing and that Your Majesty's return to the throne was not far off. Though the first work of restoration is not yet fully grand and splendid, it displays the frugality of a modest palace and further concentrates the majesty of imperial rule. Moreover, once Emperor Suzong received word of victory he at once left Qixia; and Emperor Dezong, though it was the height of summer, did not linger at Hanzhong. Precedents remain intact, and the auspicious moment cannot be delayed. I pray that Your Majesty turn the imperial carriage and restore the capital at the earliest possible time. Your servant, unworthy though I am, has been entrusted with weighty responsibility. Secluded in my office I have pondered deeply and submitted memorial after memorial. The safety or peril of the times hangs upon whether the court's deliberations succeed or fail. Though I have adapted measures as needed and done all I can to soothe and pacify the people, if the imperial carriage does not return, I fear the people's hearts will scatter once again. Even if some slight success were achieved, in the end I would fail the special trust Your Majesty has placed in me. The trend of events makes this inevitable, and by right one should take extraordinary care. By lingering on, one only loses the opportune moment. I earnestly hope this plea may long remain before Your Majesty's hearing, and that you will quickly return with your pure retinue." The emperor deeply approved and accepted the memorial. Hui was promoted to honorary minister of works and grand censor, with provisional authority over the affairs of the capital intendant.
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使 退 滿 輿 輿
Powerful ministers inside and outside the court sent agents to build mansions in the capital. Taking advantage of the post-rebellion disorder, many encroached on the homes of residents, and the people lodged complaint after complaint. Hui did not shrink from the powerful and settled every case by law. The surviving people were thus able to settle back into their livelihoods, but the privileged glared at him with hatred for his firmness. They then appointed one of their own faction, Xue Qi, as junior intendant to manage the prefecture's affairs. Qi was then in mourning for his father, and Hui firmly memorialized to forbid him from entering the prefectural office. The powerful ministers grew still angrier and memorialized to strip Hui of his commissioner duties and summon him to the court in exile in his existing office. He was soon appointed junior preceptor of the heir apparent, then citing illness retired to live in Pu Prefecture. When the hundred days of leave were complete, he requested dismissal from office. When Emperor Xizong returned to the palace, Hui was again appointed junior preceptor of the heir apparent, but illness kept him from attending court. The chief ministers, believing Hui harbored resentment, memorialized to demote him to prefect of Ji Prefecture, and Hui was carried in a litter to his place of exile. Within ten days the Shatuo pressed on the capital. Emperor Xizong fled to Baoji, and the army overseer Tian Lingzi came under blame. The emperor, finding Hui innocent, summoned him and appointed him minister of civil appointments, enfeoffing him as Marquis of Langye commandery with a fief of one thousand households. As Hui was preparing to join the court in exile, Prince Xiang set up a rival regime. Soldiers from Bin and Qi pursued and pressed upon the imperial carriage. The emperor fled to Hanzhong, and Hui could not reach him. A forged edict from Li Yun reached Hezhong Prefecture, summoning Hui to court. Hui pleaded wind paralysis and said he could not walk. When Yun was about to usurp the throne, he forced court officials inside and outside the palace to sign oath documents. Hui claimed his arm was numb and he could not hold the brush, and in the end he never signed.
59
便殿便 便
After Zhu Mei was executed, the emperor returned from Hanzhong to Fengxiang and summoned Hui, appointing him grand censor. When the emperor returned to the palace, Hui submitted a memorial saying that wind paralysis of the legs and knees left him unable to perform court obeisance. He begged to be relieved to an honorary rank and was again appointed junior preceptor of the heir apparent. When he gave thanks in the informal hall, Emperor Zhaozong looked him over as he came forward to reply and said: "Wang Hui's spirit is still strong—how can he take his ease?" He was thereupon made minister of civil appointments instead. After the great upheaval, appointment procedures had fallen into disorder. Clerks preyed on the system, and duplicate overlapping appointments were common. From the first registration Hui kept a personal ledger and inspected each appointment one by one. No one was left waiting in backlog, and he was praised inside and outside the court. He was promoted to honorary minister of works and acting right vice director of the Department of State Affairs. He died in the twelfth month of the first year of Dashun (890). He was posthumously enfeoffed as grand preceptor and given the posthumous title Upright.
60
椿
He had three sons: Chun, Chu, and Song.
61
宿
【Encomium】 The historiographer says: Deliberating warfare is difficult— in antiquity there was no such thing as a hundred victories— because one must exercise authority and adapt to change, and the right decision depends on seizing the moment; devising the unexpected without limit, with reputation and reality hanging upon hitting the mark. When the Jin state pacified Sun Hao, Jia Gonglü firmly opposed crossing the Yangzi; When men of Wu wished to resist Cao Cao, Zhang Fu of Wu ended up ashamed of his mistaken strategy. Even such worthy and talented men could not escape regret and blame. How much more so Lu Zisheng, a bookish man of peaceful times who from the start was ignorant of military affairs— he trusted only in Gao Pian's ordinary reputation and did not foresee Gao Pian's hidden treachery; with the result that strength was exhausted against Huang Chao, calamity spread through the empire, and he cut his throat and swallowed poison— what good did that do? Taiwen's spirit was stirred by a bold design; his will discharged long-held resentment. He vowed before the assembled troops with generous fervor and shouted commands on the battlefield; and in the end he choked the rebels' throat and restored order to the realm. To call such a man unmartial— where would one find martial prowess if not in him? Cui and Zhao held the highest offices yet still served their parents; filial duty and public service were both fulfilled, accumulated blessings extended to posterity, and their fame spread through the community of scholars. Hui resolved to refuse the tainted spring and escape the tiger's maw; his merit and reputation did not fall, and men of principle widely praised him.
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The encomium says: Martial prowess extends awe; strategy controls the enemy. Why must one face battle in person— an army can be arrayed from mat and seat. Gao Pian toyed with the rebels; Lu Xie shielded the traitor. One error of imperial judgment, and the road became as rugged as Sword Mountain.
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