1
漢宣帝曰：「使政平訟息，民無愁嘆，與我共理，其惟良二千石乎！」 故漢代命官，重外輕內，郎官出宰百里，郡守入作三公。 世祖中興，尤深吏術，慎選名儒為輔相，不以吏事責功臣； 政優則增秩賜金，績負則論輸左校。 選任之道，皇漢其優。
Emperor Xuan of Han said, "When the administration is fair and litigation dies down, when the people are free of sorrow and lament—who governs with me if not worthy prefects at two thousand dan?! Thus when the Han appointed officials, they prized service in the provinces over posts at court: palace gentlemen went out to rule districts, and prefects were brought in to serve as the Three Ducal Ministers. When Emperor Guangwu revived the Han, he took official administration especially seriously, choosing distinguished scholars as chief ministers and not burdening meritorious generals with routine bureaucratic work; those who governed well were promoted and given gold; those whose records fell short were sentenced to labor at the Left Construction Corps. In the matter of choosing and appointing officials, the Han stood supreme.
2
隋政不綱，彜倫斯紊。 天子事巡遊而務征伐，具僚逞側媚而竊恩權。 是時朝廷無正人，方嶽無廉吏。 跨州連郡，莫非豺虎之流； 佩紫懷黃，悉奮爪牙之毒。 以至土崩不救，旋踵而亡。
Sui rule lost its bearings, and the moral order collapsed. The emperor occupied himself with imperial tours and campaigns of conquest, while his entire staff practiced obsequious flattery and stole favor and authority for themselves. In those days the court held no upright men, and the provinces had no honest magistrates. Spanning provinces and linking commanderies, every officeholder was a wolf or tiger in human form; bedecked in purple and clutching yellow seals, they all bared the poison of fang and claw. Until the empire disintegrated beyond saving and fell in the blink of an eye.
3
武德之初，余風未殄。 太宗皇帝削平亂跡，湔洗汙風，唯思稼穡之艱，不以珠璣為寶。 以是人知恥格，俗尚貞修，太平之基，率由茲道。 洎天後、玄宗之代，貞元、長慶之間，或以卿士大夫涖方州，或以御史、郎官宰畿甸，行古道也，所病不能。
In the first years of Wude, the old corrupt ways had not yet died out. Emperor Taizong swept away the wreckage of rebellion and cleansed a tainted age, mindful only of how hard the farmers toiled and never treating pearls and jade as his treasure. Thus the people learned shame and self-restraint, custom prized integrity, and the foundations of lasting peace were laid largely along this road. By the reigns of Empress Wu and Emperor Xuanzong, and in the Zhenyuan and Changqing periods, grandees or censors and palace gentlemen might govern provinces or the capital region—the old ideal was still pursued, but the trouble was that it could not be kept up.
4
自武德已還，歷年三百，其間嶽牧，不乏循良。 今錄其政術有聞，為之立傳，所冀表吏師而儆不恪也。
From Wude down through three hundred years, the ranks of provincial governors never lacked men who were upright and kind in office. We now record those whose governance won renown and write their biographies, hoping to hold up teachers for officials and warn the negligent.
5
韋仁壽，雍州萬年人也。 大業末，為蜀郡司法書佐，斷獄平恕，其得罪者皆曰：「韋君所斷，死而無恨。」 高祖入關，遣使定巴蜀，使者承制拜仁壽巂州都督府長史。 時南寧州內附，朝廷每遣使安撫，類皆受賄，邊人患之，或有叛者。 高祖以仁壽素有能名，令檢校南寧州都督，寄聽政於越巂，使每歲一至其地以慰撫之。 仁壽將兵五百人至西洱河，承制置八州十七縣，授其豪帥為牧宰，法令清肅，人懷歡悅。 及將還，酋長號泣曰：「天子遣公鎮撫南寧，何得便去？」 仁壽以城池未立為辭，諸酋長乃相與築城，立廨舍，旬日而就。 仁壽又曰：「吾奉詔但令巡撫，不敢擅住。」 及將歸，蠻夷父老各揮涕相送。 因遣子弟隨之入朝，貢方物，高祖大悅。 仁壽復請徙居南寧，以兵鎮守。 有詔特聽以便宜從事，令益州給兵送之。 刺史竇軌害其功，托以蜀中山獠反叛，未遑遠略，不時發遣。 經歲餘，仁壽病卒。
Wei Renshou came from Wannian in Yong Prefecture. Late in the Daye era he served as judicial clerk in Shu Commandery, deciding cases with fairness and mercy; even those he condemned said, "In Lord Wei's judgment one could die without regret. When Gaozu entered the Pass he sent envoys to pacify Bashu; an envoy acting on imperial authority appointed Renshou long secretary of the Suizhou Directorate. Nanning had recently submitted to the court, but the envoys sent to pacify the region almost always took bribes; the frontier people suffered, and some rose in revolt. Gaozu, knowing Renshou's reputation for competence, made him acting commandant of Nanning while basing his administration at Yuexi, with orders to visit the region once a year to reassure the people. Renshou marched five hundred men to the Western Er River and, by imperial authority, set up eight prefectures and seventeen counties, installing local chiefs as magistrates; his rule was orderly and the people rejoiced. As he prepared to leave, the chiefs wept aloud: "The Son of Heaven sent you to govern Nanning—how can you go away so soon? Renshou replied that no walled city had yet been built; the chiefs then joined forces to raise walls and government buildings, finishing in ten days. Renshou said again, "My commission is only to inspect and reassure—I dare not remain without authorization. When he set out for home, the tribal elders came out weeping to bid him farewell. They sent their sons to accompany him to court with local tribute, and Gaozu was delighted. Renshou again asked to move his seat to Nanning and hold it with troops. An edict specially authorized him to act at discretion, and ordered Yizhou to provide troops to escort him there. Prefect Dou Gui, resentful of his success, claimed that the mountain tribes of Shu had rebelled and that distant operations could not be attempted, and failed to dispatch the troops on schedule. More than a year later Renshou died of illness.
6
朕以隋末亂離，毒被海內； 率土百姓，零落殆盡，州裏蕭條，十不存一； 寤寐思之，心焉若疚。 是以日昃忘食，未明求衣，曉夜孜孜，惟以安養為慮。 每見水旱降災，霜雹失所，撫躬責己，自慚德薄。 恐貧乏之黎庶，不免饑餒； 傾竭倉廩，普加賑恤。 其有一人絕食，若朕奪之，分命庶僚，盡心匡救。 去年關內六州及蒲、虞、陜、鼎等復遭亢旱，禾稼不登，糧儲既少，遂令分房就食。 比聞刺史以下及百姓等並識朕懷，逐糧戶到，遞相安養，回還之日，各有贏糧。 乃別賫布帛，以申贈遺，如此用意，嘉嘆良深。 一則知水旱無常，彼此遞相拯贍，不慮兇年。 二則知禮讓興行，輕財重義，四海士庶，皆為兄弟。 變澆薄之風，敦仁慈之俗，政化如此，朕復何憂。 其安置客口，官人支配得所，並令考司錄為功最。 養戶百姓，不吝財帛，已敕主者免今年調物。 宜知此意，善相勸勉。
I reflect that at the end of the Sui, chaos and separation afflicted the entire empire; the people across the land were scattered and all but gone, the provinces lay waste, and scarcely one in ten survived; I think of it waking and sleeping, and my heart is heavy with guilt. That is why I forget my meal when the sun is low, rise before dawn, and labor day and night with no thought but how to shelter and nourish my people. Whenever flood or drought strikes, or frost and hail come out of season, I blame myself and feel ashamed that my virtue is insufficient. I fear that the poor among my people cannot escape hunger; I have emptied the granaries and extended relief throughout the land. If even one person goes hungry, it is as though I had stolen his food; I charge every official to do his utmost to save them. Last year the six prefectures of Guanzhong and Pu, Yu, Shan, Ding, and the like suffered drought again; the harvest failed and stores ran low, so I ordered families to move elsewhere for food. I have lately heard that prefects and the people alike understood my purpose: they followed the grain-seeking households, sheltered one another in turn, and when they returned each family brought surplus grain home. They even brought cloth and silk as parting gifts; such thoughtfulness fills me with deep admiration. First, I see that though flood and drought are unpredictable, people now rescue one another in turn and no longer dread famine. Second, I see courtesy and yielding on the rise, people prizing duty over wealth, and men everywhere treating one another as brothers. The shallow ways of the past are changing and a kinder custom is taking root; with governance like this, what have I left to fear? Those officials who settled the migrant households wisely are to have this recorded as their finest achievement in the evaluation records. The people who took in others did not spare their goods; I have ordered that this year's tax levies be waived for them. Let everyone understand my meaning and encourage one another accordingly.
7
其年，入為太府少卿，轉少府少監。 九年，坐事除名。 後起授虔州刺史，卒。
That year he was summoned to the capital as vice director of the Court of the Imperial Treasury, then promoted to vice superintendent of the Palace Workshops. In the ninth year he was dismissed from office for an offense. He was later reappointed prefect of Qianzhou and died there.
8
張允濟，青州北海人也。 隋大業中為武陽令，務以德教訓下，百姓懷之。 元武縣與其鄰接，有人以牸牛依其妻家者八九年，牛孳產至十余頭； 及將異居，妻家不與，縣司累政不能決。 其人詣武陽質於允濟。 允濟曰：「爾自有令，何至此也？」 其人垂泣不止，具言所以。 允濟遂令左右縛牛主，以衫蒙其頭，將詣妻家村中，雲捕盜牛賊，召村中牛悉集，各問所從來處。 妻家不知其故，恐被連及，指其所訴牛曰：「此是女婿家牛也，非我所知。」 允濟遂發蒙，謂妻家人曰：「此即女婿，可以牛歸之。」 妻家叩頭服罪。 元武縣司聞之，皆大慚。 又嘗道逢一老母種蔥者，結庵守之。 允濟謂母曰：「但歸，不煩守也。 若遇盜，當來告令。」 老母如其言，居一宿而蔥大失。 母以告允濟。 悉召蔥地十里中男女畢集，允濟呼前驗問，果得盜蔥者。 曾有行人候曉先發，遺衫於路，行十數里方覺。 或謂曰：「我武陽境內，路不拾遺，但能回取，物必當在。」 如言果得。 遠近稱之。 政績尤異。
Zhang Yunji came from Beihai in Qing Prefecture. In the Daye era he served as magistrate of Wuyang, governing through moral instruction, and the people loved him. Yuanwu County bordered his district; a man had left a cow with his wife's family for eight or nine years, and the herd had grown to more than ten head; when he was about to set up a separate household the wife's family refused to return the cattle, and the county magistrates over several terms could not settle the dispute. The man went to Wuyang to seek judgment from Yunji. Yunji said, "You have your own magistrate—why bring this to me? The man wept without stopping and told him the whole story. Yunji had his men bind the cattle owner, hood him with a shirt, and lead him to the wife's village claiming they had caught a cattle thief; he gathered every cow in the village and asked who owned each one. The wife's family, not knowing the ruse and fearing implication, pointed to the disputed cattle and said, "Those belong to our son-in-law—I know nothing about them. Yunji removed the hood and told the wife's family, "Here is your son-in-law—give him back his cattle." The wife's family kowtowed and confessed their wrong. When the magistrates of Yuanwu heard of it, they were deeply ashamed. Once on the road he met an old woman growing scallions who had built a hut to guard her crop. Yunji told her, "Go home—there is no need to keep watch. If thieves come, report to me. The old woman did as he said; after one night most of her scallions were stolen. She reported the theft to Yunji. He summoned every man and woman within ten li of the field, questioned them, and found the thief. Once a traveler waiting for dawn set out early, left his shirt on the road, and walked more than ten li before he noticed. Someone told him, "In Wuyang under Magistrate Zhang, no one picks up lost property—go back and you will find your shirt still there. He went back and found it just as predicted. People near and far praised him. His record in office was especially distinguished.
9
遷高陽郡丞，時無郡將，允濟獨統大郡，吏人畏悅。 及賊帥王須拔攻圍，時城中糧盡，吏人取槐葉槁節食之，竟無叛者。 貞觀初，累遷刑部侍郎，封武城縣男。 出為幽州刺史，尋卒。
He was promoted to assistant prefect of Gaoyang; with no commandery governor in place, Yunji alone governed the large commandery, and officials and people alike respected and loved him. When the rebel Wang Xuba besieged the city and food ran out, officials and people ate locust leaves and dried stalks, yet not one turned traitor. Early in the Zhenguan reign he rose to vice minister of justice and was enfeoffed as Baron of Wucheng. He was appointed prefect of Youzhou and died soon after.
10
李桐客，冀州衡水人也。 仕隋為門下錄事。 大業末，煬帝幸江都，時四方兵起，謀欲徙都丹陽，召百僚會議。 公卿希旨，俱言「江右黔黎，皆思望幸，巡狩吳會，勒石紀功，復禹之跡，今其時也。」 桐客獨議曰：「江南卑濕，地狹州小，內奉萬乘，外給三軍，吳人力屈，不堪命。 且逾越險阻，非社稷之福。」 御史奏桐客謗毀朝政，僅而獲免。 後隋滅，從宇文化及至黎陽，轉沒竇建德。 建德平，太宗召授秦府法曹參軍。 貞觀初，累遷通、巴二州。 所在清平流譽，百姓呼為慈父。 後卒於家。
Li Tongke came from Hengshui in Ji Prefecture. Under the Sui he served as a recorder in the Secretariat. Late in Daye, Emperor Yang was at Jiangdu; rebellion spread everywhere, and the court planned to move the capital to Danyang and summoned the officials to debate the move. The high ministers echoed the emperor's wish and declared, "The people south of the Yangtze yearn for the Son of Heaven; a tour to Wu and Kuaiji, carving stone to commemorate his deeds and retracing Yu's path—now is the moment. Tongke alone objected: "The Jiangnan region is low and damp, its territory narrow and its prefectures small; it must support the imperial court within and supply the armies without—the people of Wu are exhausted and cannot bear the strain. Moreover, crossing such dangerous terrain would bring no blessing to the state." A censor accused Tongke of slandering the government, and he barely escaped punishment. After the Sui fell he followed Yuwen Huaji to Liyang, then was captured by Dou Jiande. When Dou Jiande was defeated, Taizong summoned him and made him legal adjutant in the Prince of Qin's household. Early in Zhenguan he served successively in Tong and Ba prefectures. Wherever he served his rule was fair and his fame spread; the people called him the kindly father. He later died at home.
11
李素立，趙州高邑人，北齊梁州刺史義深曾孫也。 祖駼，散騎常侍。 父政藻，隋水部郎中，大業末充使淮南，為盜所殺。 素立，武德初為監察御史。 時有犯法不至死者，高祖特命殺之，素立諫曰：「三尺之法，與天下共之，法一動搖，則人無所措手足。 陛下甫創鴻業，遐荒尚阻，奈何輦轂之下，便棄刑書？ 臣忝法司，不敢奉旨。」 高祖從之。 自是屢承恩顧。 素立尋丁憂，高祖令所司奪情，授以七品清要官，所司擬雍州司戶參軍。 高祖曰：「此官要而不清。」 又擬秘書郎。 高祖曰：「此官清而不要。」 遂擢授侍御史，高祖曰：「此官清而復要。」
Li Suli came from Gaoyi in Zhao Prefecture and was a great-grandson of Yi Shen, who had been prefect of Liang under Northern Qi. His grandfather Tu served as attendant at the palace library. His father Zhengzao was a director in the Ministry of Waterways; late in Daye he was sent on a mission to Huainan and was killed by bandits. Suli became a surveillance censor early in the Wude era. When a man had broken the law but not in a capital offense, Gaozu ordered him executed anyway. Suli remonstrated: "The law belongs to all under Heaven; if it is bent once, no one will know where he stands. Your Majesty has only just founded the dynasty and distant regions are still unsettled—how can you abandon the penal code here at the capital? I serve in the law office and dare not carry out such an order. Gaozu accepted his advice. From then on he enjoyed repeated imperial favor. Soon after Suli entered mourning, Gaozu had him recalled from mourning and appointed to a seventh-rank post of distinction and responsibility; the officials proposed making him aide for household registration in Yong Prefecture. Gaozu said: "That post is important but lacks prestige. They then proposed making him secretary in the palace library. Gaozu said: "That one is prestigious but not important. So he was promoted to attendant censor. Gaozu said: "This post is both prestigious and important."
12
貞觀中，累轉揚州大都督府司馬。 時突厥鐵勒部相率內附，太宗於其地置瀚海都護府以統之，以素立為瀚海都護。 又有闕泥孰別部，猶為邊患。 素立遣使招諭降之。 夷人感其惠，率馬牛以饋素立，素立唯受其酒一杯，余悉還之。 為建立廨舍，開置屯田。 久之，轉綿州刺史。 永徽初，遷蒲州刺史，及將之任，所余糧儲及什物，皆令州司收之，唯賫己之書籍而去。 道病卒，高宗聞而特為廢朝一日，謚曰平。
During Zhenguan he rose through several posts to become deputy secretary at the Yangzhou area command. When Tiele tribes of the Turks submitted one after another, Taizong created the Hanhai protectorate to govern them and made Suli its protector. The Que-ni-shu branch remained a border threat. Suli sent envoys to win them over, and they submitted. The tribes were grateful for his goodwill and brought horses and cattle as gifts; Suli accepted only a single cup of wine and returned everything else. He built government offices for them and established military farm settlements. After some time he became prefect of Mian Prefecture. Early in Yonghui he was appointed prefect of Pu Prefecture; when he left for his new post he turned over all surplus grain and supplies to the prefecture and took away only his personal books. He fell ill and died en route; on hearing of it Gaozong canceled court for a day and posthumously named him Ping.
13
其孫至遠，有重名。 長壽中為天官郎中。 內史李昭德重其才，薦於則天，擢令知流內選事。 或勸至遠謝其私恩，至遠曰：「李公以公見用，豈得以私謁也。」 竟不謝，遂為昭德所銜，因事出為壁州刺史卒。
His grandson Zhiyuan enjoyed wide renown. During the Changshou period he served as a director in the Ministry of Personnel. Chief minister Li Zhaode recognized his ability, recommended him to Empress Wu, and had him put in charge of inner-court official selection. Some advised Zhiyuan to pay a personal visit of thanks; he replied: "Lord Li recommended me on merit—how could I visit him as a private favor? He refused to do so, earning Zhaode's resentment; Zhaode eventually had him transferred to be prefect of Bi Prefecture, where he died.
14
至遠子畬，初為汜水主簿。 處事敏速，有聲稱，雖村童廁養之輩，一閱之後，無不知替代姓名者。 累轉國子司業。 事母甚謹，閨門邕睦，累代同居。 每歲時拜慶，長幼男女，咸有禮節。 及妻卒，時母已先病，畬恐傷母意，約家人不令哭聲使聞於母，朝夕定省，不曾見其憂念之色，士友甚以此稱之。 及母終，過毀，卒於喪。
Zhiyuan's son She began as recorder of Sishui County. He handled business with remarkable speed and earned a strong reputation; even village boys and latrine workers—once he had reviewed their records, he knew every man scheduled for rotation by name. He rose through several posts to vice president of the Directorate of Education. He was deeply devoted to his mother; his household was harmonious, with many generations living together. On every seasonal family gathering, young and old alike observed the proper ceremonies. When his wife died his mother was already ill; fearing to grieve her, She had the family keep mourning cries from her ears and visited her morning and evening without ever showing distress; his peers greatly admired him for this. When his mother died he mourned so excessively that he died during the mourning period.
15
至遠弟從遠，景雲中歷黃門侍郎、太府卿。
Zhiyuan's younger brother Congyuan served as vice minister of the Secretariat and minister of the Imperial Treasury during the Jingyun period.
16
素立從兄子遊道，則天時官至冬官尚書、同鳳閣鸞臺三品。
Suli's cousin's son Youdao rose under Empress Wu to minister of works and third-rank associate of the executive secretariat.
17
薛大鼎，蒲州汾陽人，周太子少傅博平公善孫也。 父粹，隋介州長史。 漢王諒謀反，授絳州刺史，諒敗伏誅。 大鼎以年幼免死，配流辰州，後得還鄉里。 義旗初建，於龍門謁高祖，因說：「請勿攻河東，從龍門直渡，據永豐倉，傳檄遠近，則足食足兵。 既總天府，據百二之所，斯亦拊背扼喉之計。」 高祖深然之。 時將士鹹請先攻河東，遂從眾議。 授大將軍府察非掾。
Xue Dading came from Fenyang in Pu Prefecture and was a grandson of Duke Boping Shan, who had been tutor to the Zhou crown prince. His father Cui had been chief secretary of Jie Prefecture under the Sui. When Prince Han Liang rebelled, Cui was appointed prefect of Jiang Prefecture; after Liang's defeat he was put to death. Dading escaped execution because of his youth and was exiled to Chen Prefecture; he was eventually allowed to return home. When the rebellion began he visited Gaozu at Longmen and advised him not to attack Hedong but to cross the river there, seize Yongfeng Granary, and proclaim his cause throughout the region to secure both provisions and soldiers. Once you hold the imperial storehouse and the strategic gateway to the realm, you will have your enemy by the throat. Gaozu was strongly convinced. The troops all wanted to attack Hedong first, and he yielded to them. He was appointed investigative clerk on the staff of the grand general.
18
貞觀中，累轉鴻臚少卿、滄州刺史。 州界有無棣河，隋末填廢。 大鼎奏開之，引魚鹽於海。 百姓歌之曰：「新河得通舟楫利，直達滄海魚鹽至。 昔日徒行今騁駟，美哉薛公德滂被。」 大鼎又以州界卑下，遂決長蘆及漳、衡等三河，分泄夏潦，境內無復水害。 時與瀛州刺史賈敦頤、曹州刺史鄭德本，俱有美政，河北稱為「鐺腳刺史」。
During Zhenguan he became vice minister of state ceremonial and prefect of Cang Prefecture. The Wudi River within his jurisdiction had been filled in and abandoned at the end of the Sui. Dading had it reopened, linking it to the sea for fish and salt. The people sang: "The new canal carries boats with ease; fish and salt now come straight from the sea. Where we once walked on foot we now ride in carriages—how magnificent is Lord Xue's generous virtue! Dading also diverted the Changlu, Zhang, and Heng rivers to drain summer floods from the low-lying prefecture, ending flooding in the region. He, Jia Dunyi of Ying Prefecture, and Zheng Deben of Cao Prefecture were all renowned administrators; people in Hebei called them the "tripod-legged prefects."
19
永徽四年，授銀青光祿大夫，行荊州大都督府長史。 明年卒。 有二子：克構、克勤。
In Yonghui 4 he was made a silver-green grandee of merit and acting chief secretary at the Jingzhou area command. He died the following year. He left two sons, Kegou and Keqin.
20
克構，天授中官至麟臺監。 克勤，歷司農少卿，為來俊臣所陷伏誅。 克構坐配流嶺表而死。
During the Tian shou period Kegou became director of the imperial library. Keqin served as vice minister of the imperial granaries but was framed by Lai Junchen and executed. Kegou was implicated and exiled to the far south, where he died.
21
賈敦頤，曹州冤句人也。 貞觀中，歷遷滄州刺史。 在職清潔，每入朝，盡室而行，唯弊車一乘，羸馬數匹； 羈勒有闕，以繩為之，見者不知其刺史也。 二十三年，轉瀛州刺史。 州界滹沱河及滱水，每歲泛溢，漂流居人，敦頤奏立堤堰，自是無復水患。
Jia Dunyi came from Yuanqu in Cao Prefecture. During Zhenguan he was appointed prefect of Cang Prefecture. He served with strict integrity; whenever he traveled to court his entire household rode in a single battered carriage drawn by a few skinny horses; with rope substituting for broken bridles—observers had no idea he was a prefect. In year 23 he became prefect of Ying Prefecture. The Hutuo and Xu rivers flooded annually, carrying away homes; Dunyi built dikes and ended the flooding.
22
永徽五年，累遷洛州刺史。 時豪富之室，皆籍外占田； 敦頤都括獲三千余頃，以給貧乏。 又發奸摘伏，有若神明。 尋卒。 弟敦實。
In Yonghui 5 he was appointed prefect of Luo Prefecture. Wealthy families then kept lands beyond their registered allotments; Dunyi recovered over three thousand qing of such land and distributed it to the poor. He also exposed crime with almost supernatural insight. He soon died. He had a younger brother, Dunshi.
23
敦實，貞觀中為饒陽令，政化清靜，老幼懷之。 時敦頤復授瀛州刺史。 舊制，大功以上不復連官。 朝廷以其兄弟在職，俱有能名，竟不遷替。 咸亨元年，累轉洛州長史，甚有惠政。 時洛陽令楊德幹杖殺人吏，以立威名，敦實曰：「政在養人，義須存撫，傷生過多，雖能亦不足貴也。」 常抑止德幹，德幹亦為之稍減。 四年，遷太子右庶子。
During Zhenguan Dunshi served as magistrate of Raoyang with such fair and tranquil governance that young and old alike loved him. At the same time Dunyi was reappointed prefect of Ying Prefecture. By old custom, close relatives were not allowed to serve in the same jurisdiction. Because both brothers served capably and enjoyed fine reputations, the court made an exception and left them in their posts. In Xianheng 1 he became chief secretary of Luo Prefecture, governing with notable benevolence. Luoyang magistrate Yang Degan was beating subordinates to death to build a reputation for toughness; Dunshi said: "Government is about nurturing people, not slaughtering them—no matter how capable an official is, wanton killing wins no honor. He repeatedly restrained Yang, who gradually moderated his conduct. In year 4 he was appointed right vice tutor to the crown prince.
24
初敦頤為洛州刺史，百姓共樹碑於大市通衢； 及敦實去職，復刻石頌美，立於兄之碑側，時人號為「棠棣碑」。 敦實後為懷州刺史。 永淳初，以年老致仕。 及病篤，子孫迎醫視之，敦實曰：「未聞良醫能治老也。」 終不服藥。 垂拱四年卒，時年九十余。
When Dunyi had been prefect of Luo Prefecture, the people had erected a memorial stele at the main market crossroads; when Dunshi left office the people carved another inscription of praise beside his brother's stele, calling it the "Brothers' Stele." Dunshi later served as prefect of Huai Prefecture. Early in the Yongchun era he retired on account of age. When he fell gravely ill his family sent for doctors; Dunshi said: "I have never heard of a doctor who could cure old age. He refused all medicine. He died in Chuigong 4, aged over ninety.
25
子膺福，先天中，歷左散騎常侍、昭文館學士，坐預竇懷貞等謀逆伏誅。
His son Yingfu served as left attendant and Zhaowen Hall academician during the Xiantian period but was executed for joining Dou Huaizhen's conspiracy.
26
李君球，齊州平陵人也。 父義滿，屬隋亂，糾合宗黨，保固村閭，外盜不敢侵逼，以功累授齊郡通守。 武德初，遠申誠款，詔以其宅為譂州，仍拜為總管，封平陵郡公。
Li Junqiu came from Pingling in Qi Prefecture. During the Sui collapse his father Yiman rallied their clan to defend the local community, keeping bandits at bay; for this service he rose to acting prefect of Qi Commandery. Early in Wude he offered his allegiance to the Tang; the court made his estate into Qian Prefecture, appointed him its military governor, and enfeoffed him as Duke of Pingling.
27
君球少任俠，頗涉書籍。 貞觀中，齊州都督齊王據州城舉兵作亂，君球與兄子行均守縣城。 事平，太宗聞而嘉之，擢授遊擊將軍，仍改其本縣為全節縣。 君球累補左驍衛、義全府折沖都尉。
Junqiu was a man of adventurous spirit in youth and well read. During Zhenguan the Prince of Qi rebelled and seized the prefectural city; Junqiu and his nephew Xingjun held the county seat. When the rebellion was crushed Taizong praised them, promoting Junqiu to mobile general and renaming his county Quanjie—"Whole Integrity." Junqiu eventually became area-commandant of the Yiquan garrison in the Left Brave Cavalry Guard.
28
龍朔三年，高宗將伐高麗，君球上疏諫曰：
In Longshuo 3, as Gaozong prepared to invade Goguryeo, Junqiu submitted a memorial of remonstrance:
29
臣聞心之病者，不能緩聲； 事之急者，不能安言； 性之慈者，不能隱情。 且食君之祿者，死君之事。 今臣食陛下之祿矣，其敢愛身乎？ 臣聞《司馬法》曰：「國雖大，好戰必亡； 天下雖安，忘戰必危。」 兵者，兇器，戰者，危事，故聖主明王重行之也。 愛人力之盡，恐府庫之殫，懼社稷之危，生中國之患。 故古人云：「務廣德者昌，務廣地者亡。」 昔秦始皇好戰不已，至於失國，是不愛其內而務其外故也。 漢武遠討朔方，殆乎萬里，廣拓南海，分為八郡； 終於戶口減半，國用空虛。 至於末年，方垂哀痛之詔，自悔其失。
I have heard that when the heart is stricken one cannot speak softly; when matters are urgent one cannot speak calmly; and the compassionate cannot hide their true feelings. Moreover, those who receive the ruler's salary owe their lives to his service. I receive Your Majesty's salary—how could I hold back for fear of my own safety? I have read in the Methods of Sima: "Even a great state will perish if it loves war; and even in peace, forgetting war invites disaster. Arms are instruments of violence and war a perilous undertaking—sage rulers therefore treat both with the utmost caution. I fear exhausting the people, draining the treasury, endangering the state, and bringing calamity upon the realm. The ancients said: "Those who cultivate virtue prosper; those who expand territory perish. Qin Shihuang's ceaseless love of war cost him his empire because he neglected his own people while chasing conquest abroad. Emperor Wu of Han marched nearly ten thousand li to subdue the northern frontier and pushed south to divide the coast into eight commanderies; until half the population was gone and the treasury stood empty. Only in his final years did he issue an edict of remorse, acknowledging his mistakes.
30
彼高麗者，辟側小醜，潛藏山海之間，得其人不足以彰聖化； 棄其地不足以損天威。 何至乎疲中國之人，傾府庫之實，使男子不得耕耘，女子不得蠶織！ 陛下為人父母，不垂惻隱之心，傾其有限之貲，貪於無用之地。 設令高麗既滅，即不得不發兵鎮守，少發則兵威不足，多發則人心不安，是乃疲於轉戍，萬姓無聊生也。 萬姓無聊，即天下敗矣！ 天下既敗，陛下何以自安？ 故臣以為征之不如不征，滅之不如不滅。
As for Goguryeo, it is a petty, insignificant state hiding away between mountains and seas; winning over its people would not be enough to display the power of sage rule; and abandoning its land would not be enough to diminish the imperial majesty of Heaven. Why go so far as to wear out the people of China, drain the treasury dry, and keep men from tilling the fields and women from raising silkworms and weaving! Your Majesty is father and mother to the people, yet shows no compassionate concern, spending limited resources in greed for useless territory. If Goguryeo were destroyed, troops would have to be sent to garrison it: too few and military authority would fall short; too many and the people's hearts would be unsettled. The realm would be worn out by rotating frontier garrison duty, and the myriad commoners would have no way to make a living. When the myriad commoners have no way to live, the realm is lost! Once the realm is lost, how will Your Majesty find peace for yourself? Therefore your subject believes that campaigning is not as good as not campaigning, and destroying them is not as good as not destroying them.
31
書奏不納。
The memorial was submitted but not accepted.
32
尋遷蔚州刺史。 未行，改為興州刺史。 累遷揚州大都督府長史。 政尚嚴肅，人吏憚之，盜賊屏跡，高宗頻降書勞勉。 時有吐谷渾犯塞，以君球素有威重，轉為靈州都督。 尋卒官。
Soon afterward he was transferred to serve as prefect of Weizhou. Before he could take up the post, he was reassigned as prefect of Xingzhou. After successive promotions he became chief secretary of the Yangzhou Area Command. His administration was stern and austere; officials and clerks feared him, and bandits disappeared entirely. Emperor Gaozong repeatedly sent letters of commendation and encouragement. At the time Tuyuhun were raiding the frontier; because Junqiu had long been known for authority and prestige, he was transferred to serve as area commander of Lingzhou. Soon afterward he died in office.
33
崔知溫，許州鄢陵人。 祖樞，司農卿。 父義真，陜州刺史。 知溫初為左千牛。 麟德中，累轉靈州都督府司馬。 州界有渾、斛薛部落萬余帳，數侵掠居人，百姓鹹廢農業，習騎射以備之。 知溫表請徙於河北，斛薛不願遷移。 時將軍契苾何力為之言於高宗，遂寢其奏。 知溫前後十五上詔，竟從之，於是百姓始就耕獲。 後斛薛入朝，因過州謝曰：「前蒙奏徙河北，實有怨心。 然牧地膏腴，水草不乏，部落日富，始荷公恩。」 拜伏而去。
Cui Zhiwen was a native of Yanling in Xuzhou. His grandfather Shu served as Minister of the National Granaries. His father Yizhen was prefect of Shanzhou. Zhiwen initially served as a Left Palace Escort. During the Linde era, after successive transfers he became vice-governor of the Lingzhou Area Command. Within the command's territory were more than ten thousand tents of Hun and Khushe tribes, who repeatedly raided the settled population; the common people all abandoned farming and trained in mounted archery to defend themselves. Zhiwen submitted a memorial requesting their relocation north of the Yellow River, but the Khushe were unwilling to move. At the time the general Qieli Heli spoke on their behalf to Emperor Gaozong, and the memorial was shelved. Zhiwen submitted memorials on fifteen separate occasions, and in the end the request was granted; only then did the common people return to plowing and harvesting. Later, when the Khushe came to court and passed through the command, they thanked him, saying, "Previously, when you memorialized to move us north of the Yellow River, we truly harbored resentment. Yet the pasturelands are rich and fertile, water and grass are plentiful, the tribe grows wealthier day by day, and we now owe you a debt of gratitude." They bowed prostrate and departed.
34
知溫四遷蘭州刺史。 會有党項三萬余眾來寇州城，城內勝兵既少，眾大懼，不知所為。 知溫使開城門延賊，賊恐有伏，不敢進。 俄而將軍權善才率兵來救，大破党項之眾。 善才因其降，欲盡坑之，以絕後患，知溫曰：「弗逆克奔，古人之善戰。 誅無噍類，禍及後昆。 又溪谷崢嶸，草木幽蔚，萬一變生，悔之何及！」 善才然其計。 又欲分降口五百人以與知溫。 知溫曰：「向論安危之策，乃公事也，豈圖私利哉！」 固辭不受。 党項余眾由是悉來降附。
After four promotions Zhiwen became prefect of Lanzhou. It happened that more than thirty thousand Tangut troops came to attack the prefectural city; the able-bodied soldiers within the walls were few, and the people were greatly afraid, not knowing what to do. Zhiwen had the city gates opened to invite the enemy in, but the enemy feared an ambush and did not dare advance. Before long the general Quan Shancai led troops to the rescue and routed the Tangut force. Shancai, because they had surrendered, wished to bury them all alive to eliminate future trouble. Zhiwen said, "Not pursuing those who flee is the mark of a good fighter in antiquity. To slaughter every living soul brings calamity upon later generations. Moreover, the ravines and valleys are rugged, and the trees and grass are dense and dark—if trouble should arise, regret would come too late!" Shancai approved his plan. He also wished to divide five hundred surrendered captives and give them to Zhiwen. Zhiwen said, "When I spoke earlier of strategies for safety and danger, that was public business—how could I seek private gain!" He firmly declined and would not accept. Because of this, the remaining Tangut forces all came to surrender and submit.
35
知溫累遷尚書左丞，轉黃門侍郎、同中書門下三品，兼修國史。 永隆二年七月，遷中書令。 永淳三年三月卒，年五十七，贈荊州大都督。
After successive promotions Zhiwen became Left Vice Director of the Secretariat, then transferred to Vice Director of the Chancellery with concurrent rank as Third Rank Counselor, and also supervised compilation of the National History. In the seventh month of the second year of Yonglong, he was transferred to Director of the Chancellery. He died in the third month of the third year of Yongchun, at the age of fifty-seven, and was posthumously granted the title of Area Commander of Jingzhou.
36
子泰之，開元中官至工部尚書。
His son Taizhi reached the post of Minister of Works during the Kaiyuan era.
37
少子諤之。 諤之，神龍初為將作少匠，預誅張易之有功，封博陵縣侯，賜實封二百戶。 開元初，累遷少府監。
His younger son was Ouzhi. Ouzhi, in the early Shenlong era served as Vice Director of Palace Construction; for his merit in the execution of Zhang Yizhi he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Boling County and granted two hundred taxable households. In the early Kaiyuan era, after successive promotions he became Superintendent of the Palace Manufactories.
38
知溫兄知悌。 知悌，高宗時官至戶部尚書。
Zhiwen's elder brother was Zhi Ti. Zhi Ti, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, reached the post of Minister of Revenue.
39
俄起授壽州刺史，政存寬惠，百姓安之。 每行部，必先召學官。 見諸生，試其講誦，訪以經義及時政得失，然後問及墾田獄訟之事。 咸亨二年，召拜正諫大夫，兼檢校禮部侍郎。 尋遷黃門侍郎、同中書門下三品，兼修國史。 俄轉御史大夫，累表固辭煩劇之任，高宗嘉其意，拜右散騎常侍。 又請致仕，許之。 永淳二年十月，卒於家，年八十二，贈越州都督府。
Soon afterward he was recalled and appointed prefect of Shouzhou; his governance was lenient and benevolent, and the common people were at peace. Whenever he made an inspection tour, he always summoned the education officials first. When he met the students, he tested their lecturing and recitation, inquired about the meaning of the classics and the gains and losses of current policy, and only then asked about land reclamation and lawsuits. In the second year of Xianheng he was summoned and appointed Chief Remonstrance Officer, concurrently serving as acting Vice Minister of Rites. Soon afterward he was transferred to Vice Director of the Chancellery with concurrent rank as Third Rank Counselor, and also supervised compilation of the National History. Soon afterward he was transferred to Censor-in-Chief; he repeatedly submitted memorials firmly declining the onerous post, and Emperor Gaozong commended his intentions and appointed him Right Regular Attendant. He again requested retirement, and the request was granted. In the tenth month of the second year of Yongchun he died at home, at the age of eighty-two, and was posthumously granted the title of Area Commander of Yuezhou.
40
智周少與鄉人蔣子慎善，同詣善相者，曰：「明公位極人臣，而胤嗣微弱； 蔣侯官祿至薄，而子孫轉盛。」 子慎後累年為建安尉卒，其子繪來謁智周。 智周已貴矣，曰：「吾與子父有故，子復有才。」 因以女妻之。 永淳中，為緱氏尉、鄭州司兵卒。
When Zhi Zhou was young he was on good terms with his fellow townsman Jiang Zishen; together they visited a skilled fortune-teller, who said, "Your Excellency will reach the highest rank among ministers, yet your descendants will be weak; Marquis Jiang's official salary and rank will be very modest, yet his descendants will flourish." Years later Zishen served for many years as magistrate of Jian'an and then died; his son Hui came to visit Zhi Zhou. Zhi Zhou was already eminent by then and said, "I had an old friendship with your father, and you too have talent." Accordingly he gave his daughter to him in marriage. During the Yongchun era he served as magistrate of Gou and military registrar of Zhengzhou, and then died.
41
繪子捷，舉進士。 開元中，歷臺省，仕至湖、延二州刺史。 子貴，贈揚州大都督。
Hui's son Jie passed the jinshi examination. During the Kaiyuan era he served in the central secretariat and censorate, and reached the posts of prefect of Hu and Yan. His son was ennobled, and he was posthumously granted the title of Area Commander of Yangzhou.
42
捷子冽、渙，並進士及第。 冽，歷禮、吏、戶部三侍郎，尚書左丞； 渙，天寶末給事中，永泰初右散騎常侍。 高氏殄滅已久，果符相者之言。 初，冽兄弟在父艱，廬於墓側，植松柏千余株，又同時榮貴，人推其友愛。
Jie's sons Lie and Huan both passed the jinshi examination. Lie served as Vice Minister of Rites, Personnel, and Revenue in succession, and as Left Vice Director of the Secretariat; Huan, in the late Tianbao era served as Chief Drafting Officer, and in the early Yongtai era served as Right Regular Attendant. The Gao clan had long since been extinguished, confirming the fortune-teller's words. Earlier, when the Lie brothers were in mourning for their father, they built huts beside the tomb and planted more than a thousand pine and cypress trees; they also rose to eminence at the same time, and people praised their fraternal affection.
43
冽子鏈，渙子銖，亦進士舉。
Lie's son Lian and Huan's son Zhu also passed the jinshi examination.
44
田仁會，雍州長安人。 祖軌，隋幽州刺史、信都郡公。 父弘，陵州刺史，襲信都郡公。 仁會，武德初應制舉，授左衛兵曹，累遷左武候中郎將。 貞觀十八年，太宗征遼發後，薛延陀數萬騎抄河南，太宗令仁會及執失思力率兵擊破之，逐北數百里，延陀脫身走免。 太宗嘉其功，降璽書慰勞。
Tian Renhui was a native of Chang'an in Yongzhou. His grandfather Gui was prefect of Youzhou under the Sui and Duke of Xindu Commandery. His father Hong was prefect of Lingzhou and inherited the title Duke of Xindu Commandery. Renhui, in the early Wude era passed the special examination and was appointed military registrar of the Left Guard; after successive promotions he became commandant of the Left Military Court. In the eighteenth year of Zhenguan, after Emperor Taizong launched his Liaodong campaign, Xue Yantuo sent tens of thousands of cavalry to raid south of the Yellow River; Taizong ordered Renhui and Ashina Simosi to lead troops and defeat them, pursuing north for several hundred li until Yantuo barely escaped. Taizong commended his achievement and sent an imperial letter of commendation and consolation.
45
永徽二年，授平州刺史，勸學務農，稱為善政。 轉郢州刺史，屬時旱，仁會自曝祈禱，竟獲甘澤。 其年大熟，百姓歌曰：「父母育我田使君，精誠為人上天聞。 田中致雨山出雲，倉廩既實禮義申。 但願常在不患貧。」 五遷勝州都督。 州界有山賊阻險，劫奪行李，仁會發騎盡捕殺之。 自是外戶不閉，盜賊絕跡。 入為太府少卿。
In the second year of Yonghui he was appointed prefect of Pingzhou; he encouraged learning and promoted agriculture, and his administration was praised as good governance. He was transferred to prefect of Ezhou; at the time there was drought, and Renhui exposed himself to the sun in prayer, eventually receiving timely rain. That year brought a great harvest, and the common people sang, "Our parents raised us, but Prefect Tian nourishes us; his sincere devotion on behalf of the people has been heard by Heaven. In the fields he brought rain, from the mountains clouds arose; the granaries are full and ritual and righteousness flourish. We only wish he may always remain, and we need not fear poverty." After five promotions he became area commander of Shengzhou. Within the command's territory were mountain bandits blocking the passes and robbing travelers; Renhui dispatched cavalry and captured and killed them all. From then on outer gates were left unlatched, and bandits vanished without a trace. He entered the capital as Vice Director of the Imperial Storehouse.
46
麟德二年，轉右金吾將軍，所得祿俸，估外有余，輒以納官，時人頗譏其邀名。 仁會強力疾惡，晝夜巡警，自宮城至於衢路，絲毫越法，無不立發。 每日庭引百余人，躬自閱罰，略無寬者。 京城貴賤，鹹畏憚之。
In the second year of Linde he was transferred to Right General of the Golden Phoenix Guard; whenever his salary and stipend exceeded the assessed amount, he immediately surrendered the surplus to the state treasury, and people of the time often mocked him for courting reputation. Renhui was forceful and hated evil; he patrolled day and night from the palace city to the public roads, and the slightest violation of the law was immediately exposed. Each day he summoned more than a hundred persons to court, personally reviewed and punished them, and showed scarcely any leniency. Throughout the capital, high and low alike feared and respected him.
47
時有女巫蔡氏，以鬼道惑眾，自雲能令死者復生，市裏以為神明，仁會驗其假妄，奏請徙邊。 高宗曰：「若死者不活，便是妖妄； 若死者得生，更是罪過。」 竟依仁會所奏。
At the time there was a shamaness named Cai who used spirit worship to deceive the masses, claiming she could make the dead live again; the marketplace regarded her as a deity. Renhui verified her fraud and memorialized requesting her exile to the frontier. Emperor Gaozong said, "If the dead do not live again, that proves her sorcery and fraud; if the dead do live again, that is an even greater offense." In the end he followed Renhui's memorial.
48
仁會，總章二年遷太常正卿，咸亨初又轉右衛將軍，以年老致仕。 儀鳳四年卒，年七十八，謚曰威。 神龍中，以子歸道贈戶部尚書。
Renhui, in the second year of Zongzhang was transferred to Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices; in the early Xianheng era he was again transferred to Right Guard General, and retired due to old age. He died in the fourth year of Yifeng, at the age of seventy-eight; his posthumous title was Wei. During the Shenlong era, through his son Guidao he was posthumously granted the title of Minister of Revenue.
49
歸道，弱冠明經舉。 長壽中累補司賓丞，仍通事舍人內供奉。 久之，轉左衛郎將。
Guidao, in young adulthood passed the classics examination. During the Changshou era he was successively appointed Vice Director of the Court for Dependencies, while also serving as Palace Herald on internal assignment. After some time he was transferred to Colonel of the Left Guard.
50
聖歷初，突厥默啜遣使請和，制遣左豹韜衛將軍閻知微入蕃，冊為立功報國可汗。 默啜又遣使入朝謝恩，知微遇諸途，便與之緋袍、銀帶，兼表請蕃使入都日，大備陳設。 歸道上言曰：「突厥背恩積稔，悔過來朝，宜待聖恩，寬其罪戾，解辮削衽，須稟天慈。 知微擅與袍帶，國家更將何物充賜？ 望反初服，以俟朝恩。 且小蕃使到，不勞大備之儀。」 則天然之。
In the early Shengli era, the Turk chieftain Ashina Mochuo sent envoys requesting peace; by imperial decree the Left Leopard-Ta Guard General Yan Zhiwei was dispatched into the tribes to invest him as Khan Who Establishes Merit and Serves the State. Mochuo again sent envoys to court to thank the emperor; Zhiwei encountered them on the road and gave them scarlet robes and silver belts, and also submitted a memorial requesting that when the tribal envoys entered the capital, elaborate arrangements be prepared. Guidao submitted a memorial saying, "The Turks have broken faith over many years; now that they repent and come to court, they should await the sage emperor's grace to pardon their crimes—unbraiding their hair and cutting their robes must await Heaven's compassion. Zhiwei on his own authority gave robes and belts—what else will the state have left to bestow as gifts? I hope they may revert to their original dress and await the court's favor. Moreover, a minor tribal envoy's arrival does not require elaborate ceremonial preparations." Empress Zetian approved this.
51
及默啜將至單於都護府，乃令歸道攝司賓卿迎勞之。 默啜又奏請六胡州及單於都護府之地，則天不許。 默啜深怨，遂拘縶歸道，將害之。 歸道辭色不撓，更責以無厭求請，兼喻其禍福，默啜意稍解。 會有制賜默啜粟三萬石、雜彩五萬段、農器三千事，並許之結婚。 於是歸道得還，遂面陳默啜不利之狀，請加防禦，則天納焉。 頃之，默啜果叛，挾閻知微入寇趙、定等州。 擢拜歸道夏官侍郎，甚見親委。 累遷左金吾將軍、司膳卿，兼押千騎。 未幾，除尚方監，加銀青光祿大夫。 轉殿中監，仍令依舊押千騎，宿衛於玄武門。
When Mochuo was about to reach the Protectorate General of the Chanyu, Guidao was ordered to serve as acting Director of the Court for Dependencies to welcome and honor him. Mochuo also memorialized requesting the territory of the Six Hu Prefectures and the Protectorate General of the Chanyu; Empress Zetian did not agree. Mochuo bore deep resentment and had Guidao imprisoned, intending to kill him. Guidao's words and bearing did not waver; he further rebuked him for insatiable requests and explained to him the fortunes and misfortunes—Mochuo's hostility gradually eased. Just then there was an imperial decree granting Mochuo thirty thousand shi of grain, fifty thousand bolts of patterned silk, three thousand agricultural implements, and permission for a marriage alliance. Thereupon Guidao was able to return; he then presented in person Mochuo's dangerous condition and requested strengthened defenses, and Empress Zetian accepted his advice. Before long Mochuo did indeed rebel, bringing Yan Zhiwei with him to invade the prefectures of Zhao, Ding, and others. Guidao was promoted and appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, and received great trust and delegation. After successive promotions he became Left General of the Golden Phoenix Guard and Director of Food Service, concurrently commanding the Thousand Cavalry. Before long he was appointed Superintendent of Palace Manufactories and granted the title of Silver-Green Glory Grand Master. He was transferred to Superintendent of the Palace Department, still commanded the Thousand Cavalry as before, and stood guard at the Xuanwu Gate.
52
敬暉等討張易之、昌宗也，遣使就索千騎。 歸道既先不預謀，拒而不與。 及事定，暉等將誅之，歸道執辭免，令歸私第。 中宗嘉其忠壯，召拜太仆少卿，驟除殿中少監、右金吾將軍。 歲余病卒，贈輔國大將軍，追封原國公，中宗親為文以祭之。
When Jing Hui and others were suppressing Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong, they sent messengers to demand the Thousand Cavalry. Guidao had not been party to the plot beforehand and refused to surrender them. When the affair was settled, Hui and the others were about to execute him, but Guidao argued his case and was spared, ordered to return to his private residence. Emperor Zhongzong commended his loyalty and fortitude, summoned and appointed him Vice Director of the Imperial Stud, and swiftly made him Vice Superintendent of the Palace Department and Right General of the Golden Phoenix Guard. More than a year later he died of illness; he was posthumously granted the title of Grand General Who Supports the State, posthumously enfeoffed as Duke of Yuan, and Emperor Zhongzong personally composed a text to sacrifice to him.
53
子賓庭，開元中為光祿卿。
His son Binting, during the Kaiyuan era, served as Director of the Imperial Household.
54
韋機，雍州萬年人。 祖元禮，隋浙州刺史。 父恪，洛州別駕。 機，貞觀中為左千牛胄曹，充使往西突厥，冊立同俄設為可汗。 會石國反叛，路絕，三年不得歸。 機裂裳錄所經諸國風俗物產，名為《西征記》。 及還，太宗問蕃中事，機因奏所撰書。 太宗大悅，擢拜朝散大夫，累遷至殿中監。
Wei Ji was a native of Wannian in Yongzhou. His grandfather Yuanli was prefect of Zhe under the Sui. His father Ke was assistant prefect of Luozhou. Ji, during the Zhenguan era served as armorer clerk of the Left Palace Escort and was dispatched as envoy to the Western Turks, investing Tong'e She as khan. When the state of Shiguo rebelled and the route was cut off, for three years he could not return. Ji tore his garments and recorded the customs and products of the various countries he passed through, calling it Record of the Western Expedition. Upon his return Emperor Taizong inquired about matters in the tribes, and Ji thereupon presented the work he had compiled. Taizong was greatly pleased and promoted him to Gentleman for Promoting Morals; after successive promotions he reached Superintendent of the Palace Department.
55
顯慶中為檀州刺史。 邊州素無學校，機敦勸生徒，創立孔子廟，圖七十二子及自古賢達，皆為之贊述。 會契苾何力東討高麗，軍眾至檀州，而灤河泛漲，師不能進，供其資糧，數日不乏。 何力全師還，以其事聞。 高宗以為能，超拜司農少卿，兼知東都營田，甚見委遇。 有宦者於苑中犯法，機杖而後奏。 高宗嗟賞，賜絹數十疋，謂曰：「更有犯者，卿即鞭之，不煩奏也。」
During the Xianqing era he served as prefect of Tanzhou. The frontier commands had never had schools; Ji earnestly encouraged students, established a Confucian temple, and painted the Seventy-Two Disciples and sages of antiquity, composing encomia for each. When Qieli Heli marched east to attack Goguryeo and his army reached Tanzhou, the Luan River flooded and the troops could not advance; Ji supplied their provisions and for several days they did not lack. Heli returned with his entire force and reported the matter. Emperor Gaozong considered him capable, bypassed normal promotion and appointed him Vice Minister of the National Granaries, concurrently supervising Eastern Capital agricultural colonies, and greatly entrusted him. There was a eunuch who violated the law in the imperial park; Ji caned him and then reported afterward. Gaozong sighed in admiration and gave him several tens of bolts of silk, saying, "If anyone else offends, you may whip them directly—there is no need to report."
56
上元中，遷司農卿，檢校園苑。 造上陽宮，並移中橋從立德坊曲徙於長夏門街，時人稱其省功便事。 有道士硃欽遂為天後所使，馳傳至都，所為橫恣。 機囚之，因密奏曰：「道士假稱中宮驅使，依倚形勢，臣恐虧損皇明，為禍患之漸。」 高宗特發中使慰諭機，而欽遂配流邊州，天後由是不悅。
During the Shangyuan era he was transferred to Minister of the National Granaries and supervised the imperial parks and gardens. He built the Shangyang Palace and also moved the Central Bridge from the bend at Jide Ward to Changxia Gate Street—people of the time praised him for saving labor and convenience. There was a Daoist named Zhu Qinsui whom Empress Tianshou had dispatched; he arrived at the capital by imperial courier and behaved with arrogant license. Ji imprisoned him and submitted a secret memorial saying, "This Daoist falsely claims to act on behalf of the inner palace, relying on his position—I fear this will tarnish the imperial brightness and become the beginning of calamity." Gaozong specially dispatched a palace envoy to comfort and reassure Ji, while Qinsui was exiled to a frontier command; Empress Tianshou was displeased thereby.
57
儀鳳中，機坐家人犯盜，為憲司所劾，免官。 永淳中，高宗幸東都，至芳桂宮驛，召機，令白衣檢校園苑。 將復本官，為天後所擠而止，俄令檢校司農少卿事，會卒。
During the Yifeng era Ji was implicated because a family member committed theft and was impeached by the censorate, and was dismissed from office. During the Yongchun era Emperor Gaozong journeyed to the Eastern Capital; when he reached Fanggui Palace Post Station he summoned Ji and ordered him to serve in plain clothes supervising the parks and gardens. He was about to be restored to his original office but was blocked by Empress Tianshou; soon afterward he was ordered to serve as acting Vice Minister of the National Granaries, and then died.
58
子余慶。 余慶官至右驍衛兵曹，早卒。 余慶子嶽。
His son was Yuqing. Yuqing reached the post of military registrar of the Right Tiger Guard Cavalry and died young. Yuqing's son was Yue.
59
嶽亦以吏幹著名，則天時，累轉汝州司馬。 會則天幸長安，召拜尚舍奉禦，從駕還京，因召見。 則天謂曰：「卿是韋機之孫，勤幹固有家風也。 卿之家事，朕悉知之。」 因問家人名，賞慰良久。 尋拜太原尹。 嶽素不習武，固辭邊任。 由是忤旨，左遷宋州長史，歷海、虢二州刺史，所在皆著威名。 睿宗時，入為殿中少監，甚承恩顧。 及竇懷貞、李晉等伏誅，以嶽嘗與交往，為姜皎所陷，左遷渠州別駕，稍遷陜州刺史。 開元中，卒於潁州別駕。 嶽子景駿。
Yue was also known for his administrative competence; during Empress Zetian's reign he was successively transferred to military registrar of Ruzhou. When Empress Zetian visited Chang'an, he was summoned and appointed Palace Housing Attendant; he followed the imperial carriage back to the capital and was granted an audience. Empress Zetian said, "You are Wei Ji's grandson—diligence and competence run in your family. As for your family's affairs, I know them all." She then asked the names of his family members and rewarded and comforted him at length. Soon afterward he was appointed governor of Taiyuan. Yue had never practiced martial arts and firmly declined the frontier post. For this he offended the imperial will and was demoted to chief administrator of Songzhou; he served as prefect of Hai and Guo, and wherever he served he earned a reputation for authority. During the Ruizong era he entered the capital as Vice Superintendent of the Palace Department and received great favor. When Dou Huaizhen, Li Jin, and others were executed, because Yue had once associated with them he was framed by Jiang Jiao, demoted to assistant prefect of Quzhou, and later transferred to prefect of Shanzhou. During the Kaiyuan era he died while serving as assistant prefect of Yingzhou. Yue's son was Jingjun.
60
景駿明經舉，神龍中，累轉肥鄉令。 縣北界漳水，連年泛溢。 舊堤迫近水漕，雖修築不息，而漂流相繼。 景駿審其地勢，拓南數里，因高築堤。 暴水至，堤南以無患，水去而堤北稱為腴田。 漳水舊有架柱長橋，每年修葺，景駿又改造為浮橋。 自是無復水患，至今賴焉。 時河北饑，景駿躬撫合境村閭，必通贍恤，貧弱獨免流離。 及去任，人吏立碑頌德。
Jingjun passed the classics examination; during the Shenlong era he was successively transferred to magistrate of Feixiang. The county's northern border was the Zhang River, which flooded year after year. The old dike was close to the water channel; though repairs never ceased, washouts followed one after another. Jingjun studied the terrain, extended the dike several li to the south, and built it high. When floodwaters came, the area south of the dike was unharmed; when the water receded the land north of the dike was praised as rich farmland. The Zhang River had long had a bridge with supporting pillars that required annual repairs; Jingjun rebuilt it as a pontoon bridge. From then on there were no further flood disasters, and people still benefit from this today. At the time Hebei suffered famine; Jingjun personally visited every village in the command to ensure full relief, and the poor and weak alone were spared displacement. When he left his post, officials and commoners erected a stele praising his virtue.
61
開元中，為貴鄉令。 縣人有母子相訟者，景駿謂之曰：「吾少孤，每見人養親，自恨終天無分，汝幸在溫清之地，何得如此？ 錫類不行，令之罪也。」 因垂泣嗚咽，仍取《孝經》付令習讀之。 於是母子感悟，各請改悔，遂稱慈孝。
During the Kaiyuan era he served as magistrate of Guixiang. There was a mother and son in the county suing each other; Jingjun said to them, "I was orphaned young; whenever I see others caring for their parents I regret that I had no such chance in this life. You are fortunate to be in a place of warmth and comfort—how can you act this way? When kindness among kindred is not practiced, it is the magistrate's fault." He wept and sobbed, then gave them the Classic of Filial Piety and had the son study it. Thereupon the mother and son were moved and each requested to repent; they thereafter were praised for filial piety.
62
累轉趙州長史，路由肥鄉，人吏驚喜，競來犒餞，留連經日。 有童稚數人，年甫十余歲，亦在其中，景駿謂曰：「計吾為此令時，汝輩未生，既無舊恩，何殷勤之甚也？」 鹹對曰：「此間長宿傳說，縣中廨宇、學堂、館舍、堤橋，並是明公遺跡。 將謂古人，不意親得瞻睹，不覺欣戀倍於常也。」 其為人所思如此。
After successive promotions he became chief administrator of Zhaozhou; passing through Feixiang, officials and commoners were delighted and competed to offer farewell gifts, staying for several days. There were several children barely over ten who were among them; Jingjun said, "When I think that I was magistrate here, you were not yet born—since you have no old debt of kindness, why are you so warm in your attentions?" They all replied, "The elders here tell us that the county offices, school, hostel, dike, and bridge are all your honored legacy. We took you for an ancient figure and did not expect to see you in person—our joy and longing are twice the ordinary. Such was the way he was remembered by the people.
63
十七年，遷房州刺史。 州帶山谷，俗參蠻夷，好淫祀而不修學校。 景駿始開貢舉，悉除淫祀。 又通狹路，並造傳館，行旅甚以為便。 二十年，轉奉先令，未行而卒。
In the seventeenth year he was transferred to prefect of Fangzhou. The prefecture bordered mountains and valleys; the people were mixed with barbarians, fond of excessive sacrifices and not maintaining schools. Jingjun first opened recruitment examinations and abolished all improper sacrifices. He also opened narrow passes and built relay stations; travelers found this very convenient. In the twentieth year he was transferred to magistrate of Fengxian but died before departing.
64
權懷恩，雍州萬年人，周荊州刺史、千金郡公景宣玄孫也。 其先自天水徙家焉。 祖弘壽，大業末為臨汾郡司倉書佐。 高祖鎮晉陽，引判留守事。 以從義師之功，累轉秦王府長史，太宗遇之甚厚。 又從平王世充，拜太仆卿。 累封盧國公卒，謚曰恭。 父知讓，襲爵，官至博州刺史。
Quan Huai'en was a native of Wannian in Yongzhou, a fourth-generation descendant of Quan Jingxuan, Zhou prefect of Jingzhou and Duke of Qianjin Commandery. His ancestors had moved their household there from Tianshui. His grandfather Hongshou, at the end of the Daye era served as granary clerk of Linfen Commandery. When Gaozu held Jin-yang, he was brought in to assist in matters of the regent's office. For merit in following the righteous army he was successively promoted to chief secretary of the Prince of Qin's household; Taizong treated him very generously. He also followed in the pacification of Wang Shichong and was appointed Director of the Imperial Stud. After successive enfeoffments as Duke of Lu he died; his posthumous title was Gong. His father Zhirang inherited the title and reached the post of prefect of Bozhou.
65
懷恩初以廕授太子洗馬。 咸亨初，累轉尚乘奉禦，襲爵盧國公。 時有奉乘安畢羅善於調馬，甚為高宗所寵。 懷恩奏事，遇畢羅在帝左右戲無禮，懷恩退而杖之四十。 高宗知而嗟賞之，謂侍臣曰：「懷恩乃能不避強禦，真良吏也。」 即日拜萬年令。 為政清肅，令行禁止，前後京縣令無及之者。 後歷慶、萊、衛、邢四州刺史，洛州長史。
Huai'en initially entered service through yin privilege as groom of the heir apparent. In the early Xianheng era he was successively transferred to Imperial Chariot Attendant and inherited the title Duke of Lu. At the time there was an imperial charioteer named An Biluo who was skilled at training horses and was greatly favored by Emperor Gaozong. When Huai'en was reporting for duty he encountered Biluo playing disrespectfully beside the emperor; after withdrawing Huai'en caned him forty strokes. Gaozong learned of this and sighed in admiration, telling his attending officials, "Huai'en was able not to avoid confronting the powerful—truly a good official." That same day he was appointed magistrate of Wannian. His governance was clear and stern; when he issued orders they were obeyed and when he forbade they ceased—none of the capital county magistrates before or after him could match him. Later he served successively as prefect of Qing, Lai, Wei, and Xing, and as chief administrator of Luozhou.
66
懷恩姿狀雄毅，束帶之後，妻子不敢仰視。 所歷皆以威名禦下，人吏重足而立。 俄出為宋州刺史。 時汴州刺史楊德幹亦以嚴肅與懷恩齊名。 至是懷恩路由汴州，德幹送之出郊，懷恩見新橋中途立木以禁車過者，謂德幹曰：「一言處分豈不得，何用此為？」 德幹大慚，時議以為不如懷恩也。 轉益州大都督府長史，尋卒。
Huai'en was imposing and resolute in bearing; after he dressed in official regalia, his wife and children dared not look up at him. Wherever he served he controlled subordinates through his reputation for authority; officials and clerks stood in fearful stillness. Soon afterward he was sent out as prefect of Songzhou. At the time the Bianzhou prefect Yang Degan was also renowned for severity alongside Huai'en. When Huai'en's route passed through Bianzhou, Degan saw him off beyond the suburbs; Huai'en saw that a new bridge had posts set midway to block carriages from passing and said to Degan, "A single word of disposition would suffice—why resort to this?" Degan was greatly ashamed; public opinion held that he did not measure up to Huai'en. He was transferred to chief secretary of the Yizhou Area Command and soon died.
67
侄楚璧，官至左領軍衛兵曹參軍。 開元十年，駕在東都，楚璧乃與故兵部尚書李迥秀男齊損、從祖弟金吾淑、陳倉尉、盧玢及京城左屯營押官長上折沖周履濟、楊楚劍、元令琪等舉兵反。 立楚璧兄子梁山，年十五，詐稱襄王男，號為光帝。 擁左屯營兵百余人，梯上景風門，逾城而入，踞長樂恭禮門。 入宮城，求留守、刑部尚書王誌愔，不獲。 屬天曉，屯營兵自相翻覆，盡殺梁山等。 傳首東都，楚璧並坐籍沒。
His nephew Chubi reached the post of military registrar of the Left Vanguard Guard. In the tenth year of Kaiyuan, when the emperor was at the Eastern Capital, Chubi together with Qi Sun, son of the former Minister of War Li Huiuxiu, his cousin Jinsu of the Golden Crow Guard, the Chencang magistrate Lu Bin, and the Left Vanguard Camp senior warrant officers Zhou Lvji, Yang Chujian, Yuan Lingqi, and others rose in rebellion. They installed Chubi's elder brother's son Liangshan, aged fifteen, falsely claiming he was a son of the Prince of Xiang, and titled him Emperor Guang. They mustered more than a hundred soldiers of the Left Vanguard Camp, scaled Jingfeng Gate with ladders, crossed the wall, and seized Changle Gongli Gate. Entering the palace city, they sought the regent and Minister of Punishments Wang Zhiken but did not find him. As dawn broke, the Vanguard Camp soldiers turned on one another and killed Liangshan and the others. Their heads were sent to the Eastern Capital; Chubi and the others were implicated and their property confiscated.
68
懷恩叔祖萬紀。 萬紀性強正，好直言。 貞觀中，為治書侍御史，以公事奏劾魏征、溫彥博等，太宗以為不避豪貴，甚禮之。 遷尚書左丞，封冀氏男，再轉齊王祐府長史。 祐既失德，數匡正之，竟為祐所殺，語在《祐傳》。 祐既死，贈萬紀齊州都督、武都公，謚曰敬。
Huai'en's grand-uncle was Wanji. Wanji was strong and upright and fond of speaking plainly. During the Zhenguan era he served as attendant censor; for official matters he impeached Wei Zheng, Wen Yanbo, and others; Taizong considered that he did not avoid the powerful and noble and greatly honored him. He was transferred to Left Vice Director of the Secretariat, enfeoffed as Baron of Jishi, and again transferred to chief secretary of the Prince of Qi's household. You had repeatedly lost moral standing and Wanji repeatedly corrected him, but in the end was killed by You—as told in the Biography of You. After You died, Wanji was posthumously granted the title of Area Commander of Qizhou and Duke of Wudu; his posthumous title was Jing.
69
子玄福，高宗時為兵部侍郎。
His son Xuanfu, during the Gaozong era, served as Vice Minister of War.
70
馮元常，相州安陽人，自長樂徙家焉，北齊右僕射子琮曾孫也。 舉明經。 高宗時，累遷監察御史，為劍南道巡察使，興利除害，蜀土賴焉。 永淳中，為尚書左丞。 元常清鑒有理識，甚為高宗之所賞。 嘗密奏「中宮權重，宜稍抑損」，高宗雖不能用，深以其言為然。 則天聞而甚惡之。 及臨朝，四方承旨，多獻符瑞。 嵩陽令樊文進瑞石，則天命於朝堂示百官。 元常奏言：「狀涉諂偽，不可誣罔士庶。」 則天不悅，出為隴州刺史。
Feng Yuanchang was a native of Anyang in Xiangzhou; his family had moved there from Changle; he was a great-grandson of Feng Zicong, Right Vice Director under Northern Qi. He passed the classics examination. During the Gaozong era he was successively transferred to investigating censor and served as inspection commissioner of the Jiannan Circuit, benefiting the people and removing harm; the Shu region relied upon him. During the Yongchun era he served as Left Vice Director of the Secretariat. Yuanchang had clear insight and rational judgment and was greatly appreciated by Emperor Gaozong. He once secretly memorialized that "the inner palace's power is weighty and should be slightly curtailed"; though Gaozong could not act on it, he deeply agreed with his words. Zetian learned of this and greatly hated him. When she assumed the throne, officials throughout the realm, following the tone from above, mostly presented auspicious omens. The Songyang magistrate Fan Wenjin presented an auspicious stone; Zetian ordered it displayed to the hundred officials in the court hall. Yuanchang memorialized, "This matter smacks of flattery and fraud; the scholar-commoners must not be deceived." Zetian was displeased and sent him out as prefect of Longzhou.
71
俄而天下嶽牧集乾陵會葬，則天不欲元常赴陵所，中途改授眉州刺史。 劍南先時光火賊夜掠居人，晝潛山谷。 元常至，喻以恩信，許其首露，仍切加捕逐，賊徒舍器杖，面縛自陳者相繼。 又轉廣州都督，便道之任，不許詣都。
Soon all the regional inspectors assembled at Qianling for the burial; Zetian did not want Yuanchang to go to the tomb site and midway reassigned him as prefect of Meizhou. In Jiannan there had earlier been bandits who raided households by night using fire and hid in mountain valleys by day. When Yuanchang arrived he instructed them with kindness and trust, promised amnesty to those who confessed first, and also pressed the hunt; bandits one after another cast aside weapons and came forward bound to surrender. He was again transferred to area commander of Guangzhou, going directly to his post without being permitted to visit the capital.
72
尋屬安南首領李嗣仙殺都護劉延祐，剽陷州縣，敕元常討之。 率士卒濟南海，先馳檄示以威恩，喻以禍福。 嗣仙徒黨多相率歸降，因縱兵誅其魁首，安慰居人而旋。 雖屢有政績，則天竟不賞之。 尋為酷吏周興所陷，追赴都，下獄死。
Soon the Annam chieftain Li Sixian killed the protector-general Liu Yanyou and plundered and seized prefectures and counties; Yuanchang was ordered to suppress him. Leading troops across the South Sea, he first dispatched proclamations displaying authority and kindness, explaining fortunes and misfortunes. Many of Sixian's followers successively surrendered; he then unleashed troops to execute the ringleaders, reassured the settled population, and returned. Though he repeatedly achieved political merit, Zetian in the end did not reward him. Soon he was framed by the cruel official Zhou Xing, summoned to the capital, thrown into prison, and died there.
73
元常閨門雍肅，雅有禮度，雖小功之喪，未嘗寢於私室，甚為士類所稱。
Within Yuanchang's household harmony and solemnity prevailed; he had proper ritual decorum—even for mourning of the second descending degree he never slept in a private room, and the scholar class greatly praised this.
74
從父弟元淑，則天時為清漳令，政有殊績，百姓號為神明。 又歷浚儀、始平二縣令，皆單騎赴職，未嘗以妻子之官。 所乘馬，午後則不與芻，雲令其作齋。 身及奴仆，每日一食而已。 俸祿之余，皆供公用，並給與貧士。 人或譏其邀名，元淑曰：「此吾本性，不為苦也。」 中宗時，降璽書勞勉，仍令史官編其事跡。 卒於祠部郎中。
His cousin Yuanshu, during Zetian's reign, served as magistrate of Qingzhang; his administration had exceptional achievements and the common people called him a deity. He also served as magistrate of Junyi and Shaping; in each case he went to his post alone on horseback and never brought his wife and children to office. The horse he rode was not given fodder after noon, as he said this made it observe the fast. He and his servants ate only one meal per day. Surplus from salary and stipend was all devoted to public use and given to poor scholars. When some mocked him for courting reputation, Yuanshu said, "This is my true nature—it is not hardship for me." During the Zhongzong era an imperial letter of commendation was sent; he was also ordered to have the historiographers compile an account of his deeds. He died while serving as Director of the Ministry of Sacrifices.
75
蔣儼，常州義興人。 貞觀中，為右屯衛兵曹參軍。 太宗將征遼東，募使高麗者，眾皆畏憚。 儼謂人曰：「主上雄略，華夷畏威，高麗小蕃，豈敢圖其使者。 縱其淩虐，亦是吾死所也。」 遂出請行。 及至高麗，莫離支置於窟室中，脅以兵刃，終不屈撓。 會高麗敗，得歸。 太宗奇之，拜朝散大夫。 再遷幽州司馬。 以善政為巡察使劉祥道所薦，擢為會州刺史。 再遷殿中少監，數陳意見，高宗每優納之。 再轉蒲州刺史。 蒲州戶口殷劇，前後刺史，多不稱職。 儼下車未幾，令行禁止，稱為良牧。
Jiang Yan was a native of Yixing in Changzhou. During the Zhenguan era he served as military registrar of the Right Vanguard Guard. When Taizong was about to campaign in Liaodong he recruited envoys to Goguryeo; everyone feared and hesitated. Yan said to people, "Our lord is strategically bold; Chinese and barbarians alike fear his authority—Goguryeo is a petty tribe; how would it dare plot against his envoy? Even if they should mistreat me, that too would be a place for me to die." Thereupon he stepped forward and requested to go. Upon reaching Goguryeo, Molizhi placed him in a cave dwelling and threatened him with weapons, but he never yielded or wavered. When Goguryeo was defeated he was able to return. Taizong marveled at this and appointed him Gentleman for Promoting Morals. After a second transfer he became military registrar of Youzhou. Recommended for good governance by the inspection commissioner Liu Xiangdao, he was promoted to prefect of Kuaiji. After a second transfer he became Vice Superintendent of the Palace Department; he repeatedly presented opinions, and Emperor Gaozong each time graciously accepted them. After another transfer he became prefect of Puzhou. Puzhou had a dense and thriving population; prefects before and after mostly did not perform their duties well. Yan had barely taken up his post when orders were obeyed and prohibitions enforced; he was praised as a worthy governor.
76
儼尋檢校太常卿。 文明中，封義興縣子，歷右衛大將軍、太子詹事，以年老致仕。 垂拱三年卒於家，年七十八。 文集五卷。
Yan was soon appointed acting Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. During the Wenming era he was enfeoffed as Viscount of Yixing; he served as Right Guard General and Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent, and retired due to old age. He died at home in the third year of Chuigong, at the age of seventy-eight. His collected writings numbered five scrolls.
77
王方翼，并州祁人也，高宗王庶人從祖兄也。 祖裕，武德初隋州刺史。 裕妻即高祖妹同安大長公主也。 太宗時，以公主屬尊年老，特加敬異，數幸其第，賞賜累萬。 方翼父仁表，貞觀中為岐州刺史。 仁表卒，妻李氏為主所斥，居於鳳泉別業。 時方翼尚幼，乃與傭保齊力勤作，苦心計。 功不虛棄，數年辟田數十頃，修飾館宇，列植竹木，遂為富室。 公主卒後，歸長安。 友人趙持滿犯罪被誅，暴屍於城西，親戚莫敢收視。 方翼嘆曰：「欒布之哭彭越，大義也； 周文之掩朽骼，至仁也。 絕友之義，蔽主之仁，何以事君？」 乃收其屍，具禮葬之。 高宗聞而嘉嘆，由是知名。
Wang Fangyi was a native of Qi in Bingzhou, a cousin of Empress Wang the Commoner of Emperor Gaozong. His grandfather Yu, in the early Wude era, was prefect of Sui. Yu's wife was the Grand Princess of Tong'an, a younger sister of Gaozu. During the Taizong era, because the princess held exalted rank in her advanced years, special respect was shown her; the emperor often visited her residence and gifts totaled tens of thousands. Fangyi's father Renbiao, during the Zhenguan era, was prefect of Qi. When Renbiao died, his wife Lady Li was expelled by the princess and lived at the Fengquan estate. Fangyi was still young; together with hired laborers he toiled diligently and planned with bitter effort. His labor was not in vain; within several years he opened several tens of qing of fields, repaired buildings, and lined them with bamboo and trees, becoming a wealthy household. After the princess died they returned to Chang'an. His friend Zhao Chiman was executed for a crime; his corpse lay exposed west of the city and none of his kin dared to look after the burial. Fangyi sighed, "Luan Bu weeping for Peng Yue was great righteousness; King Wen of Zhou covering exposed bones was supreme benevolence. To sever the bond of friendship and conceal the lord's benevolence—how could one then serve the ruler?" He collected the corpse and buried it with full rites. Emperor Gaozong heard of this, sighed in admiration, and Fangyi thereby became known.
78
永徽中累授安定令。 誅大姓皇甫氏，盜賊止息，號為善政。 五遷肅州刺史。 時州城荒毀，又無壕塹，數為寇賊所乘。 方翼發卒浚築，引多樂水環城為壕。 又出私財造水碾硙，稅其利以養饑餒，宅側起舍十余行以居之。 屬蝗儉，諸州貧人死於道路，而肅州全活者甚眾，州人為立碑頌美。
During the Yonghui era he was repeatedly appointed magistrate of Anding. He executed the great clan the Huangfu and bandits ceased; his administration was praised as good governance. After five promotions he became prefect of Suzhou. At the time the prefectural city was ruined and desolate and there was no moat; repeatedly it was exploited by bandits and raiders. Fangyi dispatched troops to dig and build, channeling the Duole River around the city as a moat. He also spent private funds to build water-powered mills, taxed their profit to sustain the hungry, and erected more than ten rows of dwellings beside his residence to house them. When locusts and famine struck, poor people in other commands died on the roads, but in Suzhou very many were fully kept alive; the people of the command erected a stele praising him.
79
會吏部侍郎裴行儉西討遮匐，奏方翼為副，兼檢校安西都護。 又築碎葉鎮城，立四面十二門，皆屈曲作隱伏出沒之狀，五旬而畢。 西域諸胡競來觀之，因獻方物。
When the Vice Minister of Personnel Pei Xingjian marched west to attack Zhefu, he memorialized Fangyi as his deputy, concurrently serving as acting Protector-General of Anxi. He also built Suyab Fort, erecting twelve gates on four sides, all curved in concealed patterns of appearing and disappearing, completed in fifty days. Various barbarian tribes of the Western Regions competed to come and observe, and thereby presented local products.
80
永隆中，車簿反叛，圍弓月城。 方翼引兵救之，至伊麗河。 賊前來拒，因縱擊。 大破之，斬首千余級。 俄而二姓咽曲悉發眾十萬，與車簿合勢，以拒方翼。 屯兵熱海，與賊連戰，流矢貫臂，徐以佩刀截之，左右莫有覺者。 既而所將蕃兵懷貳，謀執方翼以應賊。 方翼密知之，悉召會議，佯出軍資以賜之。 續續引去，便令斬之。 會大風，又振金鼓以亂其聲，遂誅七千余人。 因遣裨將分道討襲咽曲等。 賊既無備，因是大潰，擒首領突騎施等三百人，西域遂定。 以功遷夏州都督。 屬牛疫，無以營農，方翼造人耕之法，施關鍵，使人推之，百姓賴焉。
During the Yonglong era Chebo rebelled and besieged Gongyue City. Fangyi led troops to the rescue and reached the Ili River. The enemy came forward to resist and he thereupon launched an attack. He routed them completely and took more than a thousand heads. Before long the two Yanqu clans mustered one hundred thousand men and joined forces with Chebo to resist Fangyi. He encamped at Hot Lake and fought the enemy in succession; a stray arrow pierced his arm and he slowly cut it off with his belt knife—none of those beside him noticed. Before long the tribal troops he commanded harbored divided loyalties and plotted to seize Fangyi to join the enemy. Fangyi secretly learned of this, summoned them all to a council, and pretended to distribute army supplies as gifts to them. As they departed one by one, he had them beheaded. A great wind arose, and he also struck gongs and drums to confuse the sound; thereupon more than seven thousand were executed. He then dispatched lieutenant generals along separate routes to pursue and attack Yanqu and the others. The enemy, unprepared, thereupon collapsed in great disorder; three hundred chieftains including the Turgesh were captured, and the Western Regions were settled. For his merit he was transferred to area commander of Xiazhou. When cattle plague struck and there was no way to farm, Fangyi devised a method of human plowing, fitting it with a pivot so that people could push it—the common people relied upon this.
81
永淳二年，詔征方翼，將議西域之事，於奉天宮謁見，賜食與語。 方翼衣有舊時血漬之處，高宗問其故，方翼具對熱海苦戰之狀。 高宗使袒視其瘡，嘆曰：「吾親也。」 賞賜甚厚。 俄屬綏州白鐵余舉兵反，乃詔方翼副程務挺討之。 賊平，封太原郡公。
In the second year of Yongchun an edict summoned Fangyi to discuss matters of the Western Regions; he had an audience at Fengtian Palace, was granted food, and conversed with the emperor. On Fangyi's clothing were old bloodstains; Emperor Gaozong asked the reason, and Fangyi fully recounted the bitter fighting at Hot Lake. Gaozong had him bare his body to show the scars and sighed, "You are my kin." He was rewarded very generously. Soon afterward Bai Tieyu of Suizhou rose in rebellion; Fangyi was ordered to serve as deputy to Cheng Wuting in suppressing him. When the rebels were pacified he was enfeoffed as Duke of Taiyuan Commandery.
82
則天臨朝，以方翼是庶人近屬，陰欲除之。 及程務挺被誅，以方翼與務挺連職素善，追赴都下獄，遂流於崖州而死。
When Zetian assumed the throne, because Fangyi was a close relative of the deposed empress, she secretly wished to eliminate him. When Cheng Wuting was executed, because Fangyi had long been on good terms with Wuting through linked office, he was summoned to the capital, thrown into prison, exiled to Yazhou, and died there.
83
子寶、珣、瑨，並知名。 寶、瑨，開元中皆為中書舍人； 珣，至秘書監。
His sons Bao, Xun, and Jin were all well known. Bao and Jin, during the Kaiyuan era, both served as Drafting Officers of the Secretariat; Xun reached the post of Director of the Palace Library.
84
薛季昶，絳州龍門人也。 則天初，上封事，解褐拜監察御史。 頻按制獄稱旨，累遷御史中丞。 萬歲通天元年，夏官郎中侯味虛統兵討契丹不利，奏言「賊徒熾盛，常有蛇虎導其軍」。 則天命季昶按驗其狀，便為河北道按察使。 季昶先馳至軍，斬味虛以聞。 又有槁城尉吳澤者，貪虐縱橫，嘗射殺驛使，截百姓子女發以為髢，州將不能制，甚為人吏所患。 季昶又杖殺之。 由是威震遠近，州縣望風懾懼。 然後布以恩信，旌揚善吏。 有汴州孝女李氏，年八歲，父卒，柩殯在堂十余載，每日哭臨無限。 及年長，母欲嫁之。 遂截發自誓，請在家終養。 及喪母，號毀殆至滅性，家無丈夫，自營棺槨，州裏欽其至孝，送葬者千余人。 葬畢，廬於墓側，蓬頭跣足，負土成墳，手植松柏數百株。 季昶列上其狀，有制特表門閭，賜以粟帛。
Xue Jichang was a native of Longmen in Jiangzhou. At the beginning of Zetian's reign he submitted a sealed memorial and, leaving the commoner ranks, was appointed investigating censor. He repeatedly handled imperial prisons to the emperor's satisfaction and was successively promoted to Censor-in-Chief. In the first year of Wansui Tongtian, the Director of the Ministry of War Hou Weiwei commanded troops against the Khitan without success and memorialized that "the bandits are flourishing and snakes and tigers constantly guide their army." Zetian ordered Jichang to investigate and verify the matter, and he was appointed inspection commissioner of the Hebei Circuit. Jichang first galloped to the army, beheaded Weiwei, and reported it. There was also the Gaocheng magistrate Wu Ze, greedy and cruel and running rampant; he once shot and killed a courier, cut off the hair of commoners' sons and daughters to make wigs, and the prefect could not control him—he was greatly feared by officials and clerks. Jichang also had him beaten to death. Because of this his authority shook far and near; prefectures and counties cowered at the mere report of his approach. Only then did he spread kindness and trust, commending worthy officials. There was the filial daughter of Bianzhou, Lady Li, aged eight when her father died; the coffin remained in the hall for more than ten years and each day she wept at it without limit. When she grew older her mother wished to marry her off. She thereupon cut off her hair and vowed, requesting to remain at home and complete her mourning. When her mother died she wailed and grieved nearly to the point of destroying her life; the household had no men, yet she herself prepared the coffin; the district admired her supreme filial piety and more than a thousand people attended the burial. When the burial was complete she built a hut beside the tomb, with disheveled hair and bare feet, carrying earth to form the mound and planting several hundred pine and cypress trees by hand. Jichang submitted a detailed report of her case; by imperial decree her gate and lane were specially honored and she was granted grain and silk.
85
久視元年，季昶自定州刺史入為雍州長史，威名甚著，前後京尹，無及之者。 俄遷文昌左丞，歷魏、陜二州刺史。 長安末，為洛州長史，所在皆以嚴肅為政。
In the first year of Jiushi, Jichang entered the capital from prefect of Dingzhou to serve as chief administrator of Yongzhou; his reputation for authority was very great—none of the capital governors before or after could match him. Soon afterward he was transferred to Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and served as prefect of Wei and Shan. At the end of the Chang'an era he served as chief administrator of Luozhou; wherever he served he governed with severity and austerity.
86
神龍初，以預誅張易之兄弟功，加銀青光祿大夫，拜戶部侍郎。 時季昶勸敬暉等因兵勢殺武三思。 暉等不從，竟以此敗，語在《暉傳》。 季昶亦因是累貶，自桂州都督授儋州司馬。 初，季昶與昭州首領周慶立及廣州司馬光楚客不協。 及將之儋州，懼慶立見殺，將往廣州，又惡楚客，乃嘆曰：「薛季昶行事至是耶！」 因自制棺，仰藥而死。
In the early Shenlong era, for his merit in the execution of Zhang Yizhi and his brother, he was granted the title of Silver-Green Glory Grand Master and appointed Vice Minister of Revenue. At the time Jichang urged Jing Hui and the others to use their military strength to kill Wu Sansi. Hui and the others did not follow his advice and in the end failed because of this—as told in the Biography of Hui. Jichang was also demoted in succession because of this, from area commander of Guizhou to military registrar of Danzhou. Earlier Jichang had been on bad terms with the Zhao chieftain Zhou Qingli and the Guangzhou military registrar Zong Chuke. When he was about to go to Danzhou he feared Qingli would be killed; if he went to Guangzhou he again hated Chuke, and sighed, "Has Xue Jichang's conduct come to this!" He thereupon made his own coffin and died by taking poison.
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睿宗即位，下制曰：「故儋州司馬薛季昶，剛幹義烈。 早承先顧，驅策中外，績譽昭宣； 有莊、湯之推舉，同汲黯之強直。 屬醜正操衡，除其異己，橫加竄責，卒至殂亡。 言念忠冤，有懷嘉悼。 可贈左御史大夫，仍同敬暉等例，與一子官。」
When Emperor Ruizong ascended the throne he issued an edict saying, "The late military registrar of Danzhou, Xue Jichang, was resolute in action and righteous in spirit. Early he received the former emperor's favor, driving affairs at court and in the provinces; his achievements and reputation were widely proclaimed; he had the recommending spirit of Zhuang and Tang, and the uncompromising uprightness of Ji An. When the wicked held the scales of power and removed those unlike themselves, he was harshly exiled and punished, until at last he perished. Thinking of his loyalty and wrongful death, we hold him in honored remembrance. He may be posthumously granted the title of Left Censor-in-Chief, and following the precedent of Jing Hui and the others, one son may be granted an office."