1
桑維翰，字國僑，洛陽人也。 父珙，事河南尹張全義為客將。 維翰身短面廣，殆非常人，既壯，每對鑒自嘆曰：「七尺之身，安如一尺之面！」 由是慨然有公輔之望。 〈（《三楚新錄》：馬希範入覲，途經淮上，時桑維翰旅遊楚、泗間，知其來，遽謁之曰：「仆聞楚之為國，挾天子而令諸侯，其勢不可謂卑也； 加以利盡南海，公室大富。 足下之來也，非傾府庫之半，則不足以供芻粟之費。 今仆貧者，敢以萬金為請，惟足下濟之。」 希範輕薄公子，睹維翰形短而腰長，語魯而且醜，不覺絕倒而笑。 既而與數百縑，維翰大怒，拂衣而去。）〉 性明惠，善詞賦。 〈（《春渚記聞》：桑維翰試進士，有司嫌其姓，黜之。 或勸勿試，維翰持鐵硯示人曰：「鐵硯穿，乃改業。」 著《日出扶桑賦》以見誌。）〉 唐同光中，登進士第。 〈（《洛陽縉紳舊聞記》：桑魏公父珙為河南府客將，桑魏公將應舉，父乘間告王雲曰：「某男粗有文性，今被同人相率取解，俟王旨。」 齊王曰：「有男應舉，好，可令秀才來。」 桑相之父趨下再拜。 既歸，令子侵早投書啟，獻文字數軸。 王請見桑秀才，其父教之趨階，王曰：「不可，既應舉便是貢士。」 可歸客司。」 謂魏公父曰：「他道路不同，莫管他。」 終以客禮見。 王一見奇之，禮遇頗厚。 是年王力言於當時儒臣，且推薦之，由是擢上第。）〉
Sang Weihan, whose style was Guoqiao, came from Luoyang. His father Gong had served as a client officer under Zhang Quanyi, the Intendant of Henan. Weihan was short but had an unusually broad face. After he came of age, he would often sigh before his mirror and say, "A seven-foot body—what good is a one-foot face!" From that time he burned with ambition to reach the highest offices of state. (The 《New Records of the Three Chu Regions》 relates that when Ma Xifan went to court and passed the Huai, Sang Weihan was traveling in the Chu and Si region. Hearing of his approach, he went at once to pay his respects and said, "I understand that Chu holds the emperor hostage and orders the feudal lords about—its standing can hardly be called modest; and with profits drawn from the far south, the royal treasury is flush. Your journey will cost at least half the treasury in fodder and grain alone. I am a poor man and dare ask ten thousand in gold—please grant it. Xifan was a frivolous young noble. Seeing Weihan's short torso and long waist, hearing his rough and homely speech, he doubled over with laughter. He then gave him a few hundred bolts of silk. Weihan was furious, flung aside his robe, and stalked off.)〉 He was naturally quick-witted and excelled at poetry and fu. (The 《Spring Islet Miscellany》 records that when Sang Weihan took the jinshi examination, the examiners rejected him because of his surname. Some advised him to give up, but Weihan held up an iron inkstone and declared, "When this inkstone wears through, only then will I change my calling." He composed the 《Rhapsody on the Sun Rising over the Fusang》 to declare his intent.)〉 During the Tang Tongguang reign he finally earned his jinshi degree. (The 《Old Tales Heard among the Gentry of Luoyang》 says: The future Duke Sang of Wei's father Gong served as a Henan client officer. When the son was to sit for the examinations, the father found a moment to tell Wang Yun, "My boy has a measure of literary promise. His fellows are taking him to qualify for the provincial exam, and we await your word. The Prince of Qi said, "A son taking the exams—that is well. Send the young scholar." The future chancellor's father hurried forward and bowed deeply twice. Back home, he sent his son early with letters and several scrolls of his work. Wang asked to see Scholar Sang. The father urged him up the steps, but Wang said, "No—once he has entered the examinations he is already a presented scholar. He may go back to the guest office." He told the father, "Their paths differ—leave him be." In the end he received him with the courtesy due a guest. Wang took to him at once and treated him with marked generosity. That year Wang pressed his case among the leading scholars and recommended him, and so he won first place.)〉
2
高祖領河陽，辟為掌書記，歷數鎮皆從，及建義太原，首預其謀。 復遣為書求援於契丹，果應之。 俄以趙德鈞發使聘契丹，高祖懼其改謀，命維翰詣幕帳，述其始終利害之義，其約乃定。 〈（《通鑒》：趙德鈞以金帛賂契丹主，云：「若立己為帝，請即以見兵南平洛陽，與契丹為兄弟之國，仍許石氏常鎮河東。」 契丹主自以深入敵境，晉安未下，德鈞兵尚強，範延光在其東，又恐山北諸州邀其歸路，欲許德鈞之請。 帝聞之大懼，亟使維翰見契丹主，說之曰：「大國舉義兵以救孤危，一戰而唐兵瓦解，退守一柵，食盡力窮。 趙北平父子不忠不信，畏大國之強，且素蓄異志，按兵觀變，非以死徇國之人，何足可畏，而信其誕妄之辭，貪毫末之利，棄垂成之功乎！ 且使晉得天下，將竭中國之財以奉大國，豈此小利之比乎！」 契丹主曰：「爾見捕鼠者乎？ 不備之，猶或嚙傷其手，況大敵乎！」 對曰：「今大國已扼其喉，安能嚙人乎！」 契丹主曰：「吾非有渝前約也，但兵家權謀，不得不爾。」 對曰：「皇帝以信義救人之急，四海之人俱屬耳目，奈何二三其命，使大義不終，臣竊為皇帝不取也。」 跪於帳前，自旦之暮，涕泣爭之。 契丹乃從之，指帳前石謂德鈞使者曰：「我已許石郎，此石爛，可改矣。」）〉 及高祖建號，制授翰林學士、禮部侍郎，知樞密院事。 尋改中書侍郎、平章事、集賢殿大學士，充樞密院使。 高祖幸夷門，範延光據鄴叛，張從賓復自河、洛舉兵向闕，人心恟恟。 時有人候於維翰者，維翰從容談論，怡怡如也，時皆服其度量。
When the future Gaozu held Heyang, he took Weihan on as chief secretary. Weihan followed him through successive commands, and when the uprising began at Taiyuan he was among the first to help plan it. He again sent him with letters to seek Khitan aid, and the Khitan answered the call. Soon Zhao Dejun sent envoys to woo the Khitan. Gaozu feared a change of heart and sent Weihan to the Khitan camp to lay out the whole case for and against; only then was the pact secured. (The 《Comprehensive Mirror》 relates that Zhao Dejun bribed the Khitan emperor with gold and silk, saying, "If you make me emperor, I will lead my present forces south to take Luoyang, establish a brotherhood with the Khitan, and let the Shi family keep Hedong forever. The Khitan ruler felt he had marched deep into enemy country. Jin'an still held out, Dejun's army remained strong, Fan Yanguang blocked the east, and he feared the northern prefectures might cut his retreat—he was inclined to accept Dejun's offer. The emperor was terrified and sent Weihan at once to the Khitan camp. Weihan pleaded, "Your great state raised righteous arms to save us in our extremity. One battle shattered the Tang army; they cling to a single stockade, out of food and spent of strength. The Beiping Zhao and his son are faithless. They fear your power, have long nursed other ambitions, and hold their army idle to watch the turn of events—they are not men who would die for their country. Why fear them? Why credit their wild promises, grasp at a pittance, and throw away a victory within reach! And if Jin wins the empire, it will pour out the wealth of China to serve your great state—how does that compare with this petty bribe! The Khitan ruler said, "Have you ever seen a rat-catcher? Even unguarded, the rat may still bite his hand—how much more a formidable enemy!" Weihan answered, "Your great state already has them by the throat—how can they bite anyone now!" The Khitan ruler said, "I am not breaking our pact, but military necessity leaves me no choice." Weihan answered, "Your Majesty came in good faith to save us in our need. The whole world is watching—how can you shift your word and leave the great undertaking unfinished? I venture to say this does not become Your Majesty." He knelt before the tent from dawn to dusk, weeping and arguing without cease. The Khitan relented. Pointing to a stone before the tent he told Dejun's envoy, "I have promised Lord Shi; when this stone crumbles, the promise may change.")〉 When Gaozu founded his dynasty, he was appointed Hanlin academician and Vice Minister of Rites and put in charge of the Bureau of Military Affairs. He was soon made Vice Director of the Secretariat, Grand Councillor, and Grand Academician of the Hall for Gathering Worthies, and confirmed as Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. When Gaozu went to Yimen, Fan Yanguang rebelled from Ye and Zhang Congbin again marched from the He and Luo region toward the capital; the realm was in uproar. Visitors came to wait on Weihan, but he conversed calmly and cheerfully, and all admired his composure.
3
及楊光遠平鄴，朝廷慮兵驕難制，維翰請速散其眾，尋移光遠鎮洛陽。 光遠由是怏怏，上疏論維翰去公徇私，除改不當，復營邸肆於兩都之下，與民爭利。 高祖方姑息外將，事不獲已，因授維翰檢校司空、兼侍中，出為相州節度使，時天福四年七月也。 先是，相州管內所獲盜賊，皆籍沒其財產，雲是河朔舊例。 及維翰作鎮，以律無明文，具事以奏之。 詔曰：「桑維翰佐命功全，臨戎寄重，舉一方之往事，合四海之通規，況賊盜之徒，律令具載。 比為撫萬姓而安萬國，豈忍罪一夫而破一家。 聞將相之善言，成國家之美事，既資王道，實契人心。 今後凡有賊人準格律定罪，不得沒納家資，天下諸州皆準此處分。」 自是劫盜之家，皆免籍沒，維翰之力也。 歲餘，移鎮兗州。
After Yang Guangyuan took Ye, the court feared arrogant troops would prove hard to control. Weihan urged their swift dispersal, and Guangyuan was soon transferred to Luoyang. Guangyuan was resentful and memorialized that Weihan had put private interest above the public good, made improper appointments, and again ran inns and shops in both capitals to compete with the people for profit. Gaozu was then placating frontier commanders and had no choice; he made Weihan Acting Minister of Works and Palace Attendant and sent him out as governor of Xiangzhou in the seventh month of Tianfu 4. Previously in Xiangzhou all captured thieves had their property confiscated, on the grounds that this was an old Hebei custom. When Weihan took the post, finding no explicit statute for the practice, he reported the matter in full to the throne. An edict read, "Sang Weihan's founding merit is complete and his frontier trust weighty. He has brought a local custom into line with empire-wide law. Bandits and robbers are already fully covered by statute. We mean to comfort the people and secure the realm—how can we punish one man and destroy a whole household? Hearing wise counsel from our ministers, we accomplish a worthy deed for the state, uphold the royal way, and win the people's hearts. Henceforth all thieves shall be sentenced under statute and household property shall not be seized. Every prefecture in the realm shall follow this rule. From then on the families of robbers were spared confiscation—thanks to Weihan. A year later he was transferred to Yanzhou.
4
時吐渾都督白承福為契丹所迫，舉眾內附，高祖方通好於契丹，拒而不納。 鎮州節度使安重榮患契丹之強，欲謀攻襲，戎師往返路出於真定者，皆潛害之，密與吐渾相結，至是遂納焉，而致於朝。 既而安重榮抗表請討契丹，且言吐渾之請。 是時安重榮握強兵，據重鎮，恃其驍勇，有飛揚跋扈之志。 晉祖覽表，猶豫未決。 維翰知重榮已畜奸謀，且懼朝廷違其意，乃密上疏曰：
At that time the Tujue commander Bai Chengfu, harried by the Khitan, led his people to submit to the Jin court. Gaozu was courting the Khitan and refused to accept them. An Chongrong, governor of Zhenzhou, resented Khitan power and plotted attack. He secretly harmed troops passing through Zhending and had secretly allied with the Tujue; now he accepted them and sent them to court. Soon An Chongrong submitted a defiant memorial asking to attack the Khitan and citing the Tujue submission. An Chongrong then held a strong army and a key post, trusted in his fighting prowess, and nursed overweening ambitions. The Jin founder read the memorial and hesitated. Weihan knew Chongrong already harbored treasonous designs and feared the court might yield to him; he submitted a secret memorial:
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竊以防未萌之禍亂，立不拔之基扃，上系聖謀，動符天意，非臣淺陋，所可窺圖。 然臣逢世休明，致位通顯，無功報國，省己愧心，其或事系安危，理關家國，茍或緘默，實負君親，是以區區之心，不能自己。
To guard against disaster before it arises and lay an unshakable foundation rests on your sacred counsel and Heaven's will—matters far beyond my poor understanding. Yet I have reached high office in a glorious age without merit to repay the state, and I am ashamed. When affairs touch the realm's safety, silence would betray sovereign and father. I cannot hold my peace.
6
近者，相次得進奏院狀報：吐渾首領白承福已下舉眾內附，鎮州節度使安重榮上表請討契丹。 臣方遙隔朝闕，未測端倪。 竊思陛下頃在並、汾，初罹屯難，師少糧匱，援絕計窮，勢若綴旒，困同懸磬。 契丹控弦玉塞，躍馬龍城，直度陰山，徑絕大漠，萬里赴難，一戰夷兇，救陛下累卵之危，成陛下覆盂之業。 皇朝受命，於此六年，彼此通歡，亭障無事。 雖卑辭降節，屈萬乘之尊，而庇國息民，實數萬之利。 今者，安重榮表契丹之罪，方恃勇以請行； 白承福畏契丹之強，將假手以報怨。 恐非遠慮，有惑聖聰。
Recently I have received successive reports from the Memorial Office: the Tujue leader Bai Chengfu has led his people to submit, and An Chongrong of Zhenzhou has memorialized for a campaign against the Khitan. I am far from court and cannot yet see how matters stand. I recall that Your Majesty was lately at Bing and Fen, first beset by hardship: few troops, scarce grain, no allies and no options, your throne hanging by a thread, your plight desperate. The Khitan strung their bows at the frontier, spurred their horses from Dragon City, crossed the Yin Mountains and the great desert, marched ten thousand li to your aid, and in one battle destroyed the enemy—saving you from peril piled like eggs and securing your throne as firm as an overturned bowl. Six years have passed since the dynasty received the Mandate; we have exchanged goodwill with them and the frontier has been quiet. Though humble words and lowered ceremony have bent imperial dignity, sheltering the state and giving the people peace has brought benefit beyond measure. Now An Chongrong has listed Khitan crimes and, trusting in his courage, asks to march; Bai Chengfu fears Khitan power and would use another's hand to settle his grudge. I fear this is not far-sighted and may mislead Your Majesty.
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方今契丹未可與爭者，有其七焉：契丹數年來最強盛，侵伐鄰國，吞滅諸蕃，救援河東，功成師克。 山後之名藩大郡，盡入封疆； 中華之精甲利兵，悉歸廬帳。 即今土地廣而人民眾，戎器備而戰馬多。 此未可與爭者一也。 契丹自告捷之後，鋒銳氣雄； 南軍因敗衄已來，心沮膽怯。 況秋夏雖稔，而帑廩無餘； 黎庶雖安，而貧弊益甚； 戈甲雖備，而鍛礪未精； 士馬雖多，而訓練未至。 此未可與爭者二也。 契丹與國家，恩義非輕，信誓甚篤，雖多求取，未至侵淩，豈可先發釁端，自為戎首。 縱使因茲大克，則後患仍存； 其或偶失沈機，則追悔何及。 兵者兇器也，戰者危事也，茍議輕舉，安得萬全。 此未可與爭者三也。 王者用兵，觀釁而動。 是以漢宣帝得志於匈奴，因單于之爭立； 唐太宗立功於突厥，由頡利之不道。 方今契丹主抱雄武之量，有戰伐之機，部族輯睦，蕃國畏伏，土地無災，孳畜繁庶，蕃漢雜用，國無釁隙。 此未可與爭者四也。 引弓之民，遷徙鳥舉，行逐水草，軍無饋運，居無竈幕，住無營柵，便苦澀，任勞役，不畏風雷，不顧饑渴，皆華人之所不能。 此未可與爭者五也。 契丹皆騎士，利在坦途； 中國用徒兵，喜於隘險。 趙魏之北，燕薊之南，千里之間，地平如砥，步騎之便，較然可知。 國家若與契丹相持，則必屯兵邊上。 少則懼強敵之眾，固須堅壁以自全； 多則患飛免之勞，必須逐寇而速返。 我歸而彼至，我出而彼回，則禁衛之驍雄，疲於奔命，鎮、定之封境，略無遺民。 此未可與爭者六也。 議者以陛下於契丹有所供億，謂之耗蠹； 有所卑遜，謂之屈辱。 微臣所見，則曰不然。 且以漢祖英雄，猶輸貨於冒頓； 神堯武略，尚稱臣於可汗。 此謂達於權變，善於屈伸，所損者微，所利者大。 必若因茲交構，遂成釁隙，自此則歲歲征發，日日轉輸，困天下之生靈，空國家之府藏，此為耗蠹，不亦甚乎！ 兵戈既起，將帥擅權，武吏武臣，過求姑息，邊藩遠郡，得以驕矜，外剛內柔，上陵下替，此為屈辱，又非多乎！ 此未可與爭者七也。
At present there are seven reasons the Khitan cannot be fought: for years they have been at their peak, raiding neighbors, absorbing frontier peoples, rescuing Hedong, and winning every campaign. The famous prefectures beyond the mountains have all fallen to them; and China's finest armor and weapons have passed to their camps. Today their lands are vast, their people numerous, their arms ready, and their horses plentiful. This is the first reason they cannot be fought. Since their victories the Khitan are sharp and bold; while our southern armies, since their defeats, are discouraged and timid. Though the harvests have been fair, the treasuries are empty; though the people are at peace, poverty grows worse; though arms are stocked, they are not well forged; and though troops and horses are plentiful, they are not well trained. This is the second reason they cannot be fought. The Khitan and our state share deep obligations and firm oaths. Though they have demanded much, they have not yet invaded us. How can we strike first and make ourselves the aggressor? Even if we won a great victory, later troubles would remain; and if we missed our chance, regret would come too late. Arms are ill omens and war a perilous business. Rash counsel cannot promise safety. This is the third reason they cannot be fought. A true king uses arms only when he sees an opening. Emperor Xuan of Han prevailed over the Xiongnu because the chanyu succession was disputed; and Emperor Taizong of Tang defeated the Turks because Jieli was unjust. Today the Khitan ruler is bold and martial, his tribes united, the frontier peoples submissive, the land free of disaster, livestock plentiful, Khitan and Chinese serving together, and the state without weakness. This is the fourth reason they cannot be fought. The bowmen move like migrating birds, following grass and water. Their armies need no supply trains; they live without stoves or tents, camp without walls. They endure hardship, accept toil, fear neither storm nor hunger—things Chinese cannot match. This is the fifth reason they cannot be fought. The Khitan are horsemen who thrive on open ground; China relies on infantry and favors narrow terrain. From Zhao and Wei north to Yan and Ji south, a thousand li of land lies flat as a whetstone—the advantage of horse over foot is obvious. If we fight the Khitan, we must mass troops on the frontier. With too few, we fear their numbers and must hold behind walls; with too many, we exhaust ourselves chasing raiders who flee and must return at once. We withdraw and they come; we march out and they withdraw—the palace guard exhaust themselves in endless marches, and Zhen and Ding are left nearly depopulated. This is the sixth reason they cannot be fought. Critics call Your Majesty's gifts to the Khitan a drain on the treasury; and your deference they call humiliation. I say they are mistaken. Even the heroic Founder of Han sent tribute to Modu; and Emperor Taizu still styled himself subject to the qaghan. This is mastery of expedient policy—small loss for great gain. If we provoke war and open a breach, year after year we will levy troops and day after day haul supplies, grinding down the people and emptying the treasury—is that not the greater waste! Once war begins, generals seize power, military men demand indulgence, frontier governors grow arrogant, the strong bully the weak—this is the real humiliation, and is it not far worse! This is the seventh reason they cannot be fought.
8
願陛下思社稷之大計，采將相之善謀，勿聽樊噲之空言，宜納婁敬之逆耳。 然後訓撫士卒，養育黔黎，積穀聚人，勸農習戰，以俟國有九年之積，兵有十倍之強，主無內憂，民有餘力，便可以觀彼之變，待彼之衰，用己之長，攻彼之短，舉無不克，動必成功。 此計之上者也，惟陛下熟思之。
I beg Your Majesty to weigh the fate of the realm, heed wise counsel, reject Fan Kuai's bluster, and accept Lou Jing's unwelcome truth. Then train the troops, nurture the people, store grain, encourage farming and drill for war, until the state has nine years' reserves and the army tenfold strength, the throne secure and the people at ease—then watch for their changes, await their decline, strike with our strengths at their weaknesses, and succeed in every move. This is the best course—may Your Majesty consider it carefully.
9
臣又以鄴都襟帶山河，表裏形勢，原田沃衍，戶賦殷繁，乃河朔之名藩，實國家之巨屏。 即今主帥赴闕，軍府無人，臣竊思慢藏誨盜之言，恐非勇夫重閉之意，願回深慮，免起奸謀。 欲希陛下暫整和鑾，略謀巡幸。 雖櫛風沐雨，上勞於聖躬； 而杜漸防微，實資於睿略。 省方展義，今也其時。 臣受主恩深，憂國情切，智小謀大，理淺詞繁，俯伏惟懼於僭逾，裨補或希於萬一，謹冒死以聞。
I further note that Ye girds mountains and rivers, its fields fertile and its taxes heavy—it is the great bulwark of Hebei and the realm's chief shield. Now the commander has gone to court and the headquarters is empty. I recall that careless storage invites theft—this is no time to leave the gates unbarred. I beg deep reconsideration lest treason arise. I hope Your Majesty will prepare the imperial carriage and plan a brief tour. Though wind and rain may weary Your Majesty, checking trouble at its root truly depends on sagacious foresight. To tour the realm and display imperial virtue—now is the time. Deeply favored and keenly concerned for the state, I offer small wisdom for great matters, shallow reasoning in many words. I fear overstepping yet hope to help in the smallest measure, and report at the risk of my life.
10
疏奏，留中不出。 高祖召使人於內寢，傳密旨於維翰曰：「朕比以北面事之，煩懣不快，今省所奏，釋然如醒。 朕計已決，卿可無憂。」
The memorial was submitted and kept within the palace. Gaozu summoned an envoy to his private chamber and sent Weihan a secret message: "Serving the Khitan as their northern vassal has left me weary and unhappy. Reading your memorial, I feel as though I have woken from a long sleep. My mind is made up. You need not worry."
11
七年夏，高祖駕在鄴都，維翰自鎮來朝，改授晉昌軍節度使。 少帝嗣位，征拜侍中，監修國史。 頻上言請與契丹和，為上將景延廣所否。 明年，楊光遠構契丹，有澶淵之役，凡制敵下令，皆出於延廣，維翰與諸相無所與之。 及戎王退，維翰使親黨受寵於少帝者，密致自薦，曰：「陛下欲制北方以安天下，非維翰不可。」 少帝乃出延廣守洛，以維翰守中書令，再為樞密使、宏文館大學士，繼封魏國公。 事無巨細，一以委之。 數月之間，百度浸理。 然權位既重，而四方賂遺，鹹湊其門，故仍歲之間，積貨鉅萬，由是澆競輩得以興謗。 未幾，內客省使李彥韜、端明殿學士馮玉皆以親舊用事，與維翰不協，間言稍入。 維翰漸見疏忌，將加黜退，賴宰相劉昫李崧奏云：「維翰元勛，且無顯過，不宜輕有進退。」 少帝乃止。 尋以馮玉為樞密使，以分維翰之權。 後因少帝微有不豫，維翰曾密遣中使達意於太后，請為皇弟重睿擇師傅以教道之，少帝以此疑其有他。 俄而馮玉作相，與維翰同在中書，會舍人盧價秩滿，玉乃下筆除價為工部侍郎，維翰曰：「詞臣除此官稍慢，恐外有所議。」 因不署名，屬維翰休假，玉竟除之，自此維翰與玉尤不相協。 俄因少帝以重睿擇師傅言於玉，玉遂以詞激少帝，尋出維翰為開封府尹。 維翰稱足疾，罕預朝謁，不接賓客。 是歲，秋霖經月不歇。 一日，維翰出府門由西街入內，至國子門，馬忽驚逸，禦者不能制，維翰落水，久而方蘇。 或言私邸亦多怪異，親黨鹹憂之。 及契丹至中渡橋，維翰以國家安危系在朝夕，乃詣執政異其議，又求見帝，復不得對。 維翰退而謂所親曰：「若以社稷之靈，天命未改，非所能知也； 若以人事言之，晉氏將不血食矣。」
In the summer of the seventh year, while Gaozu was at Ye, Weihan came in from his post to pay court and was reassigned military governor of Jinchang. When the Young Emperor took the throne, Weihan was summoned as Palace Attendant and put in charge of compiling the dynastic history. He repeatedly memorialized the throne urging peace with the Khitan, only to be overruled by the supreme commander Jing Yanguang. The next year Yang Guangyuan incited the Khitan and war broke out at Chanyuan. Every order for confronting the enemy came from Yanguang; Weihan and the other chief ministers had no share in it. After the Khitan ruler withdrew, Weihan had a trusted ally in the Young Emperor's favor secretly recommend him, saying, "If Your Majesty means to master the north and secure the realm, none but Weihan can do it." The Young Emperor then posted Jing Yanguang to guard Luoyang, made Weihan Director of the Secretariat, restored him as Commissioner of Military Affairs and Grand Academician of the Hall of Illustrious Culture, and enfeoffed him Duke of Wei. Great affairs and small alike were left entirely to him. Within months, government was gradually set right. But power brought weight, and gifts from every quarter flooded his gate. Within a year he had amassed a fortune worth tens of thousands, giving the greedy and ambitious room to spread slander against him. Before long Li Yantao, envoy of the Inner Guests Bureau, and Feng Yu, academician of the Hall of Brilliant Clarity, both staffed the court with kin and cronies. At odds with Weihan, they began feeding the emperor private words against him. Weihan was gradually sidelined and suspected; dismissal was imminent until chancellors Liu Xu and Li Song memorialized: "Weihan is a founding minister without any clear fault. He should not be lightly removed." The Young Emperor relented. Soon Feng Yu was made Commissioner of Military Affairs to split Weihan's power. Later, when the Young Emperor fell briefly ill, Weihan had secretly sent a palace envoy to the Empress Dowager asking that tutors be chosen for his younger brother Chongrui. The Young Emperor took this as a sign of hidden ambition. Soon Feng Yu became chancellor and shared the Secretariat with Weihan. When Academician-Secretary Lu Jia's term expired, Yu drafted an order appointing him Vice Minister of Works. Weihan said, "For a drafting official this promotion is rather slow. Outsiders will surely talk." He refused to sign. While Weihan was on leave, Yu issued the appointment anyway, and from then on the two men were bitterly opposed. Soon the Young Emperor mentioned the tutor affair to Feng Yu, who goaded him with inflammatory words. Weihan was promptly sent out as Intendant of Kaifeng. Weihan pleaded foot trouble, rarely appeared at court, and refused visitors. That year the autumn rains lasted a full month without stopping. One day Weihan left his office, entered the palace by the west street, and at the Guozi Gate his horse suddenly panicked and bolted. The groom could not hold it; Weihan fell into the water and was a long time coming to. Some said his private house was also haunted by strange things, and his kin and followers were deeply alarmed. When the Khitan reached Zhongdu Bridge, Weihan saw the state's survival hanging by a thread. He went to the chief ministers to dispute their policy and again begged audience with the emperor, but was still refused. Weihan withdrew and told those close to him, "If the altars of state still have their guardian spirit and Heaven's mandate has not shifted, that is beyond us to know; but if we judge by what men do, the house of Jin will soon cease to receive sacrifice."
12
開運三年十二月十日，王師既降契丹； 十六日，張彥澤以前鋒騎軍陷都城。 戎王遣使遺太后書云：「可先使桑維翰、景延廣遠來相接，甚是好事。」 是日淩旦，都下軍亂，宮中火發。 維翰時在府署，左右勸使逃避，維翰曰：「吾國家大臣，何所逃乎！」 即坐以俟命。 時少帝已受戎王撫慰之命，乃謀自全之計，因思維翰在相時，累貢謀畫，請與契丹和，慮戎王到京窮究其事，則顯彰己過，故欲殺維翰以滅其口，因令圖之。 張彥澤既受少帝密旨，復利維翰家財，乃稱少帝命召維翰。 維翰束帶乘馬，行及天街，與李崧相遇，交談之次，有軍吏於馬前揖維翰赴侍衛司，維翰知其不可，顧謂崧曰：「侍中當國，今日國亡，翻令維翰死之，何也？」 崧甚有愧色。 是日，彥澤遣兵守之，十八日夜，為彥澤所害，時年四十九。 即以衣帶加頸，報戎王主：維翰自經而死。 戎王主曰：「我本無心害維翰，維翰不合自致。」 戎王至闕，使人驗其狀，令殯於私第，厚撫其家，所有田園邸第，並令賜之。 及漢高祖登極，詔贈尚書令。
On the tenth day of the twelfth month of the third year of Kaiyun, the imperial army had already surrendered to the Khitan; on the sixteenth Zhang Yanze led the vanguard cavalry and broke into the capital. The Khitan ruler sent the Empress Dowager a letter saying, "Send Sang Weihan and Jing Yanguang from afar to meet us first. That would be an excellent move." At dawn that day the capital erupted in mutiny and fire broke out in the palace. Weihan was in his office. Those around him urged him to run. He said, "I am a minister of this state. Where would I go?" He sat where he was and waited for his fate. By then the Young Emperor had accepted the Khitan ruler's reassurance and was scheming to save himself. He remembered that as chancellor Weihan had repeatedly urged peace with the Khitan, and feared that once the Khitan reached the capital and traced the matter, his own guilt would stand exposed. He decided to kill Weihan to seal his lips and gave orders to that effect. Zhang Yanze, acting on the Young Emperor's secret order and eager for Weihan's family wealth, summoned him in the emperor's name. Weihan dressed formally and rode out. On the Celestial Street he met Li Song. As they talked, a military clerk came before his horse and bowed him toward the Palace Guard office. Weihan knew what awaited him and turned to Song: "You hold the reins of state as Palace Attendant. The realm falls today, and you would have me die for it—why?" Song flushed with shame. That day Yanze posted guards over him. On the night of the eighteenth Yanze killed him. He was forty-nine. They looped a sash around his neck and reported to the Khitan ruler that Weihan had hanged himself. The Khitan ruler said, "I never meant to harm Weihan. He brought this on himself." When the Khitan ruler reached the palace he sent men to verify what had happened, ordered the body laid out at Weihan's private residence, treated the family generously, and granted them all his fields, gardens, and mansions. When Gaozu of Han took the throne, an edict posthumously made him Minister of Works.
13
維翰少時所居，恒有魑魅，家人鹹畏之，維翰往往被竊其衣，撮其巾櫛，而未嘗改容。 當兩朝秉政，出上將楊光遠、景延廣俱為洛川守； 又嘗一制除節將十五人，各領軍職，無不屈而服之。 理安陽除民弊二十餘事，在兗、海擒豪賊過千人，亦寇恂、尹翁歸之流也。 開運中，朝廷以長子坦為屯田員外郎，次子塤為秘書郎。 維翰謂同列曰：「漢代三公之子為郎，廢已久矣，近或行之，甚喧外議。」 乃抗表固讓不受。 尋改坦為大理司直，塤為秘書省正字，議者美之。 初，高祖在位時，詔廢翰林學士院，由是並內外制皆歸閣下，命舍人直內廷，數年之間，尤重其選。 及維翰再居宥密，不信宿，奏復置學士院，凡署職者，皆其親舊。 時議者以維翰相業素高，公望所屬，雖除授或黨，亦弗之咎也。 〈（《五代史補》：桑維翰形貌甚怪，往往見之者失次。 張彥澤素以驍勇稱，每謁候，雖冬月未嘗不雨汗。 及中渡變生，彥澤引蕃部至，欲逞其威，乃領眾突入開封府，弓矢亂發，且問：「桑維翰安在？」 維翰聞之，乃厲聲曰：「吾為大臣，使國家如此，其死宜矣。 張彥澤安得無禮！」 乃升廳安坐數之曰：「汝有何功，帶使相已臨方面，當國家危急，不能盡犬馬之力以為報效，一旦背叛，助契丹作威為賊，汝心安乎？」 彥澤睹其詞氣慨然，股粟不敢仰視，退曰：「吾不知桑維翰何人，今日之下，威棱猶如此，其再可見耶！」 是夜，令壯士就府縊殺之。 當維翰之縊也，猶瞋目直視，噓其氣再三，每一噓皆有火出，其光赫然，三噓之外，火盡滅，就視則奄然矣。）〉
The house where Weihan lived as a youth was haunted; his family all feared it. Spirits would steal his clothes and snatch his caps and combs, yet he never so much as changed expression. While he held power under two reigns, he posted the great generals Yang Guangyuan and Jing Yanguang as governors of Luoyang; and once issued a single edict appointing fifteen military commissioners to army commands, every one of whom bowed and obeyed. He governed Anyang and removed more than twenty burdens on the people; in Yan and Hai he captured over a thousand powerful bandits—a man in the line of Kou Xun and Yin Wenggui. During Kaiyun the court appointed his eldest son Tan Vice Director of the Directorate for State Farms and his second son Xun Secretary of the Palace Secretariat. Weihan told his colleagues, "In Han times the sons of the Three Ducal Ministers served as gentlemen-attendants—a custom long dead. Reviving it now has stirred loud public criticism." He submitted a forceful memorial firmly refusing the appointments. Soon Tan was reassigned Registrar of the Court of Judicial Review and Xun Proofreader in the Secretariat, a change commentators praised. Early in Gaozu's reign an edict abolished the Hanlin Academy, so that inner and outer edicts alike passed through the Secretariat. Palace secretaries were posted to the inner court, and for years their selection was held in high regard. When Weihan returned to the privy council he distrusted the established order and memorialized to restore the Hanlin Academy, filling every post with kin and old associates. Commentators of the day held that Weihan's ministerial stature was high and the public looked to him; though some appointments favored his own circle, none held it against him. (The Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties records that Sang Weihan's appearance was so strange that those who met him were often thrown off balance. Zhang Yanze was known for fierce bravery; whenever he came to call, even in midwinter he broke out in a sweat. When disaster struck at Zhongdu Bridge, Yanze brought Khitan troops into the city to strut his power. He led his men in a sudden charge on the Kaifeng prefectural office, arrows flying everywhere, shouting, "Where is Sang Weihan?" Weihan heard him and cried out in a thunderous voice, "I am a great minister who has brought the state to ruin. Death is what I deserve. Zhang Yanze, how dare you treat me with such insolence!" He mounted the hall, sat calmly, and rebuked him: "What have you ever done? You hold the rank of envoy-minister and command a region, yet when the state was in peril you gave no loyal service. Then overnight you turned traitor and helped the Khitan play the tyrant like common bandits. Can you live with that?" Yanze, struck by his force of word and bearing, trembled in the legs and dared not meet his eyes. He withdrew saying, "I never knew what kind of man Sang Weihan was. Brought this low, his authority is still terrifying. Who could bear to face him again?" That night he sent strongmen to the prefectural office to strangle him. As Weihan was being strangled, his eyes remained wide and fixed. He exhaled three times, and with each breath fire burst forth, blazing bright. After the third breath the fire died away; when they looked again, he was gone.)〉
14
趙瑩，字元輝，華陰人也。 曾祖溥，江陵縣丞。 祖孺，秘書正字。 父居晦，為農。 瑩風儀美秀，性復純謹。 梁龍德中，始解褐為康延孝從事。 後唐同光中，延孝鎮陜州，會莊宗伐蜀，命延孝為騎將。 將行，留瑩監修金天神祠。 功既集，忽夢神召於前亭，待以優禮，謂瑩曰：「公富有前程，所宜自愛。」 因遺一劍一笏，覺而駭異。 明宗即位，以高祖為陜府兩使留後，瑩時在郡，以前官謁之，一見如舊相識，即奏署管記。 高祖歷諸鎮皆從之，累使闕下，官至御史大夫，賜金紫。 高祖再鎮并州，位至節度判官。 高祖建號，授瑩翰林學士承旨、金紫光祿大夫、戶部侍郎，知太原府事，尋遷門下侍郎、同平章事、監修國史。 車駕入洛，使持聘謝契丹，及還，加光祿大夫兼吏部尚書，判戶部。 初，瑩為從事，丁母憂，高祖不許歸華下，以粗缞隨幕，人或短之。 及入相，以敦讓汲引為務。 監修國史日，以唐代故事殘缺，署能者居職，纂補實錄及修正史二百卷行於時，瑩首有力焉。 少帝嗣位，拜守中書令。 明年，檢校太尉本官，出為晉昌軍節度使。 是時，天下大蝗，境內捕蝗者獲蝗一斗，給粟一斗，使饑者獲濟，遠近嘉之。 未幾，移鎮華州，歲餘入為開封尹。
Zhao Ying, whose style was Yuanhui, came from Huayin. His great-grandfather Pu was assistant magistrate of Jiangling County. His grandfather Ru was a proofreader in the Secretariat. His father Juhui was a farmer. Ying had a handsome and refined bearing, and a nature that was pure and careful. In the Longde era of Later Liang he first entered official service as staff officer to Kang Yanxiao. During the Tongguang era of Later Tang, Yanxiao was posted to Shazhou. When Emperor Zhuangzong marched against Shu, he was made cavalry commander. Before he set out, he left Ying in charge of rebuilding the Golden Heaven Spirit Temple. When the work was finished, Ying dreamed that the spirit summoned him to the front pavilion and received him with great honor, saying, "You have a bright future ahead. Take good care of yourself." Then the spirit gave him a sword and a court tablet. When Ying woke, he was shaken and astonished. When Emperor Mingzong took the throne, Gaozu was appointed military governor of Shaanxi with dual commission and remained in office. Ying was then serving in the prefecture; he called on him under his former title, and at their first meeting they felt like old friends. Gaozu at once had him appointed chief secretary. Wherever Gaozu was posted, Ying went with him. He was sent to court again and again, rose to Censor-in-Chief, and was granted the gold seal and purple robe. When Gaozu returned to command at Bingzhou, Ying was promoted to adjutant of the military governorship. When Gaozu proclaimed his dynasty, Ying was made Hanlin Academician in Charge, Grand Master of the Gold Seal and Purple Girdle, and Vice Minister of Revenue, with charge of Taiyuan. He was soon promoted to Vice Director of the Chancellery, Junior Grand Councilor, and Supervisor of the Compilation of National History. When the emperor entered Luoyang, Ying was sent to carry tribute and offer thanks to the Khitan. On his return he was made Grand Master for Splendid Happiness and concurrently Minister of Personnel, with charge of the Ministry of Revenue. Earlier, while Ying was serving on staff, his mother died and he entered mourning. Gaozu would not let him return to Huayin and required him to remain with the staff in coarse mourning dress. Some criticized this. Once he became chancellor, he devoted himself to advancing others through sincerity and modesty. As supervisor of the national history, he found Tang records and precedents badly incomplete. He placed capable men in the posts and compiled and supplemented the Veritable Records and Corrected History in two hundred scrolls that circulated at the time. Ying was chiefly responsible for this achievement. When the Young Emperor succeeded to the throne, Ying was appointed Acting Director of the Secretariat. The next year he was made Acting Grand General while keeping his existing rank and sent out as military governor of Jinchang Circuit. Locusts then ravaged the empire. In his circuit he offered one peck of grain for every peck of locusts collected, relieving the hungry. People near and far praised the policy. Before long he was transferred to Huazhou, and after a little more than a year was recalled to serve as Intendant of Kaifeng.
15
開運末，馮玉、李彥韜用事，以桑維翰才望素重，而瑩柔而可制，因共稱之，乃出維翰，復瑩相位，加宏文館大學士。 及李崧、馮玉議出兵應接趙延壽，而以杜重威為都督部署，瑩私謂馮、李曰：「杜中令國之懿親，所求未愜，心恒怏怏，安可更與兵權？ 若有事邊陲，只李守貞將之可也。」 及契丹陷京城，契丹主遷少帝於北塞，瑩與馮玉、李彥韜俱從。 契丹永康王代立，授瑩太子太保。 周廣順初，遣尚書左丞田敏報命於契丹，遇瑩於幽州。 瑩得見華人，悲悵不已，謂田敏曰：「老身漂零寄於此，近聞室家喪逝，弱子無恙，蒙中朝皇帝倍加存恤，東京舊第本屬公家，亦聞優恩特給善價，老夫至死無以報效。」 於是南望稽首，涕泗橫流。 先是，漢高祖以入蕃將相第宅遍賜隨駕大臣，故以瑩第賜周太祖。 太祖時為樞密副使，召瑩子前刑部郎中易則告之曰：「所賜第，除素屬版籍外，如有別契券為己所置者，可歸本直。」 即以千餘緡遺易則。 易則惶恐辭讓，周太祖堅與之方受，故瑩言及之。 未幾，瑩卒於幽州，時年六十七。 瑩初被疾，遣人祈告於契丹主，願歸骨於南朝，使羈魂幸復鄉里，契丹主閔而許之。 及卒，遣其子易從、家人數輩護喪而還，仍遣大將送至京師。 周太祖感嘆久之，詔贈太傅，仍賜其子絹五百匹，以備喪事，令歸葬於華陰故裏。
At the end of the Kaiyun era, Feng Yu and Li Yantao held power. Sang Weihan's talent and prestige had long been great, but Ying was mild and manageable, so they praised him together. Weihan was removed and Ying was restored to the chancellorship, with the added title of Grand Academician of the Hall of Expansive Literature. When Li Song and Feng Yu debated sending troops to support Zhao Yanshou and made Du Chongwei overall commander, Ying said privately to Feng and Li, "Vice Director Du is a close imperial kinsman of the state. His wishes have not been granted and he has long brooded in discontent. How can we give him military authority again? If there is trouble on the frontier, Li Shouzhen alone should lead the army." When the Khitan took the capital, the Khitan ruler moved the Young Emperor to the northern frontier. Ying followed together with Feng Yu and Li Yantao. When the Khitan Prince of Yongkang succeeded to the throne, he appointed Ying Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent. At the beginning of the Zhou Guangshun era, Tian Min, Left Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs, was sent to report to the Khitan and encountered Ying at Youzhou. On seeing fellow Chinese, Ying was overcome with grief. He told Tian Min, "This old man drifts in exile here. I have lately heard that my wife and family are dead. My young son is unharmed, and I am deeply grateful that the emperor of the Middle Court has shown me special kindness. Our old residence in the Eastern Capital originally belonged to the state, and I have heard that by special favor a fair price was granted. To my dying day I shall have no way to repay it." He then bowed toward the south, tears streaming down his face. Earlier, Han Gaozu had distributed the mansions of generals and ministers who had entered the Khitan realm among the ministers who followed the imperial carriage. Ying's mansion was therefore granted to Zhou Taizu. At the time Taizu was Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. He summoned Ying's son, the former Director of the Ministry of Justice Yize, and told him, "Of the mansion granted, apart from what has long been on the official register, if there are separate deeds for property your family acquired, you may recover the original cost." He then gave Yize more than a thousand strings of cash. Yize fearfully declined, but only after Zhou Taizu insisted did he accept. This is why Ying mentioned it. Before long Ying died at Youzhou, aged sixty-seven. When Ying first fell ill, he sent someone to pray to the Khitan ruler, asking that his bones be returned to the Southern Court so that his captive soul might at last reach home. The Khitan ruler took pity and granted the request. When he died, his son Yicong and several members of the household escorted the coffin back, and a great general was sent to convey them to the capital. Zhou Taizu sighed for a long time and issued an edict posthumously appointing him Grand Tutor. He also granted his son five hundred bolts of silk for the funeral and ordered burial in his old home at Huayin.
16
劉昫，字耀遠，涿州歸義人也。 祖乘，幽府左司馬； 父因，幽州巡官。 昫神彩秀拔，文學優贍，與兄晅、弟皞，俱有鄉曲之譽。 唐天佑中，契丹陷其郡，昫被俘至新州，逃而獲免。 後居上國大寧山，與呂夢奇、張麟結庵共處，以吟誦自娛。 會定州連帥王處直以其子都為易州刺史，署昫為軍事衙推。 及都去任，乞假還鄉，都招昫至中山。 會其兄晅自本郡至，都薦於其父，尋署為節度衙推，不逾歲，命為觀察推官。 歷二年，都篡父位。 時都有客和少微素嫉亙，構而殺之，昫越境而去，寓居浮陽，節度使李存審辟為從事。 莊宗即位，授太常博士。 尋擢為翰林學士，繼改膳部員外郎，賜緋； 比部郎中，賜紫。 丁母憂，服闋，授庫部郎中，依舊充職。 明宗即位，拜中書舍人，歷戶部侍郎、端明殿學士。 明宗重其風儀，愛其溫厚，長興中，拜中書侍郎兼刑部尚書、平章事。 時昫入謝，遇大祠，明宗不禦中興殿，閣門白：「舊禮，宰相謝恩，須正殿通喚，請候來日。」 樞密使趙延壽曰：「命相之制，下已數日，中謝無宜後時。」 因即奏之，遂謝於端明殿。 昫自端明殿學士拜相，而謝於本殿，士子榮之。 清泰初，兼判三司，加吏部尚書、門下侍郎，監修國史。 時與同列李愚不協，動至忿爭，時論非之。 未幾，俱罷知政事，昫守右僕射，以張延朗代判三司。 初，唐末帝自鳳翔至，切於軍用，時王玫判三司，詔問錢谷，玫具奏其數，及命賞軍，甚愆於素。 〈（《通鑒》：帝問王玫以府庫之實，對有數百萬在。 既而閱實，金帛不過三萬兩匹。）〉 末帝怒，用昫代玫。 昫乃搜索簿書，命判官高延賞計窮詰勾，及積年殘租，或場務販負，皆虛系賬籍，條奏其事，請可征者急督之，無以償官者蠲除之。 〈（《通鑒》：清泰元年八月，免諸道逋租三百三十八萬。）〉 吏民相與歌詠，唯主典怨沮。 及罷相之日，群吏相賀，昫歸，無一人從之者，蓋憎其太察故也。 天福初，張從賓作亂於洛陽，害皇子重乂。 詔為東都留守，判河南府事，尋以本官判鹽鐵。 未幾，奉使入契丹，還遷太子太保兼左僕射，封譙國公，俄改太子太傅。 開運初，授司空、平章事，監修國史，復判三司。 契丹主至，不改其職。 昫以眼疾乞休致，契丹主降偽命授昫守太保。 契丹主北去，留於東京。 其年夏，以病卒，年六十。 漢高祖登極，贈太保。
Liu Xu, whose style was Yaoyuan, came from Guiyi in Zhuozhou. His grandfather Cheng was Left Army Supervisor of the Youzhou prefecture; his father Yin was an inspector of Youzhou. Xu had an outstanding and refined bearing and abundant literary learning. He and his elder brother Xuan and younger brother Hao all enjoyed local renown. During the Tang Tianyou era, when the Khitan took his prefecture, Xu was captured and taken to Xinzhou. He escaped and survived. Later he lived on Mount Daning in the Upper Country, building a hut with Lu Mengqi and Zhang Lin and amusing themselves with recitation. When Wang Chuzhi, military commissioner of Dingzhou, appointed his son Du prefect of Yizhou, Xu was made military record officer. When Du left his post, Xu asked leave to return home. Du summoned Xu to Zhongshan. When his elder brother Xuan arrived from their home prefecture, Du recommended Xu to his father. Xu was soon appointed military record officer of the circuit, and before a year had passed was made surveillance commissioner staff officer. After two years Du usurped his father's position. At the time Du had a retainer named He Shaowei who had long envied Geng. He framed Geng and had him killed. Xu fled across the border and settled at Fuyang, where the military governor Li Cunshen recruited him as staff officer. When Emperor Zhuangzong took the throne, Xu was appointed Erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Soon he was promoted to Hanlin Academician, then transferred to Vice Director of the Board of Provisions and granted scarlet robes; then Director of the Board of Review, granted purple robes. When his mother died he entered mourning. After mourning ended he was appointed Director of the Board of Stores and continued in his Hanlin post. When Emperor Mingzong took the throne, Xu was made Drafting Officer of the Secretariat, then served successively as Vice Minister of Revenue and Academician of the Hall of Lucid Government. Mingzong valued his bearing and loved his gentle warmth. In the Changxing era he was appointed Vice Director of the Secretariat, concurrently Minister of Justice, and Junior Grand Councilor. When Xu came to offer thanks for his appointment, a great sacrifice was underway and Mingzong was not holding court in the Hall of Central Revival. The Gatekeepers reported, "By old custom a newly appointed chancellor must be summoned to the main hall to offer thanks. Please wait until tomorrow." Military Affairs Commissioner Zhao Yanshou said, "The edict appointing the chancellor was issued several days ago. There is no reason to delay the thanksgiving audience." He thereupon memorialized this, and Xu offered thanks in the Hall of Lucid Government. Xu had been promoted from Academician of the Hall of Lucid Government to chancellor and offered thanks in that very hall. Scholars regarded this as an honor. At the beginning of Qingtai he was additionally given charge of the Three Offices, made Minister of Personnel and Vice Director of the Chancellery, and Supervisor of the Compilation of National History. At the time he was at odds with his fellow councilor Li Yu and frequently quarreled in anger. Contemporary opinion disapproved. Before long both were removed from governing affairs. Xu remained as Right Vice Director, and Zhang Yanlang replaced him in charge of the Three Offices. Earlier, when the Last Emperor of Tang came from Fengxiang, military funds were urgently needed. Wang Mei was then in charge of the Three Offices. When the emperor inquired about funds and grain, Mei fully reported the numbers, but when orders came to reward the troops the amount fell far short of what had been reported. (The Zizhi Tongjian says: The emperor asked Wang Mei about the actual state of the treasury. Mei replied that several million were on hand. When the accounts were then verified, gold and silk amounted to no more than thirty thousand taels and bolts.)〉 The Last Emperor was furious and replaced Mei with Xu. Xu then searched through the ledgers and had his adjutant Gao Yanbao exhaustively audit and investigate. Arrears accumulated over years and false entries for market-bureau debts—all phantom accounts on the books—he listed in a memorial and requested that what could be collected be urgently pursued and what could not repay the state be remitted. (The Zizhi Tongjian: In the eighth month of the first year of Qingtai, arrears in rent of 3.38 million were remitted across all circuits.)〉 Officials and commoners sang his praises together; only the responsible clerks were resentful and dejected. On the day he left the chancellorship the clerks congratulated one another. When Xu returned home not a single person followed him—for they hated his excessive scrutiny. At the beginning of Tianfu, Zhang Congbin rebelled at Luoyang and killed the imperial prince Chongyi. An edict appointed Xu Eastern Capital Regent with charge over Henan prefecture affairs. Soon after, retaining his rank, he was given charge of the Salt and Iron Monopoly. Before long he was sent as envoy to the Khitan. On return he was promoted to Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent and concurrently Left Vice Director, enfeoffed as Duke of Qiao, and soon after made Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent. At the beginning of Kaiyun he was appointed Minister of Works, Junior Grand Councilor, Supervisor of the Compilation of National History, and again given charge of the Three Offices. When the Khitan ruler arrived, his posts were not changed. Xu requested retirement on account of eye disease. The Khitan ruler issued a spurious appointment making Xu Acting Grand Mentor. When the Khitan ruler departed north, Xu remained at the Eastern Capital. That summer he died of illness, aged sixty. When Han Gaozu ascended the throne, Xu was posthumously appointed Grand Mentor.
17
初，昫避難河朔，匿於北山蘭若，有賈少瑜者為僧，輟衾袍以溫燠之。 及昫官達，致少瑜進士及第，拜監察御史，聞者義之。
Earlier, when Xu was fleeing turmoil in Heshuo, he hid in a mountain temple in the northern hills. A monk named Jia Shaoyu gave up his quilted robe to warm him. When Xu reached high office he had Shaoyu pass the jinshi examination and appointed him Investigating Censor. Those who heard of this praised his sense of duty.
18
馮玉。 〈（案：以下有闕文。 《歐陽史》云：字景臣，定州人。）〉 少帝嗣位，納馮後於中宮，後即玉之妹也。 玉既聯戚裏，恩寵彌厚，俄自知制誥、中書舍人出為潁州團練使，遷端明殿學士、戶部侍郎，尋加右僕射，軍國大政，一以委之。 〈（案：以下有闕文。 《通鑒》云：玉每善承迎帝意，由是益有寵。 嘗有疾在家，帝謂諸宰相曰：「自刺史以上，俟馮玉出，乃得除。」 其倚任如此。 玉乘勢弄權，四方賂遺，輻輳其門，由是朝政日壞。）〉 張彥澤陷京城，軍士爭湊其第，家財巨萬，一夕罄空。 翌日，玉假蓋而出，猶繞指以諂彥澤，且請令引送玉璽於契丹主，將利其復用。 玉從少帝北遷，契丹命為太子少保。 至周太祖廣順二年，其子傑自幽州不告父而亡歸，玉懼譴責，尋以憂恚卒於蕃中。 〈（《五代史補》：馮玉嘗為樞密使，有朝使馬承翰素有口辯，一旦持刺來謁玉，玉覽刺輒戲曰：「馬既有汗，宜卸下鞍。」 承翰應聲曰：「明公姓馮，可謂死囚逢獄。」 玉自以失言，遽延而謝之。）〉
Feng Yu. (Note: There is missing text below. The Ouyang Shi says: His style was Jingchen and he was a native of Dingzhou.)〉 When the Young Emperor succeeded, he installed Lady Feng in the inner palace. The empress was Feng Yu's younger sister. As Yu was now connected by imperial marriage, favor and honor grew ever greater. Soon after serving as drafter of edicts and drafting officer of the Secretariat, he went out as military training commissioner of Yingzhou, was transferred to Academician of the Hall of Lucid Government and Vice Minister of Revenue, and soon after made Right Vice Director. All great affairs of state and army were entrusted to him alone. (Note: There is missing text below. The Zizhi Tongjian says: Yu was skilled at gratifying the emperor's wishes and thereby gained ever greater favor. Once when he was ill at home, the emperor said to the councilors, "From prefect and above, no appointment may be made until Feng Yu has recovered and returned." Such was the reliance placed on him. Yu abused his power; bribes from all quarters converged on his gate, and from this court governance daily worsened.)〉 When Zhang Yanze took the capital, soldiers crowded to raid his mansion. His household wealth, numbering in the tens of thousands, was emptied in a single night. The next day Yu went out under a parasol and still braided his fingers in fawning toward Yanze, and even asked to be allowed to convey the imperial seal to the Khitan ruler, hoping to win reinstatement. Yu followed the Young Emperor north. The Khitan appointed him Junior Mentor of the Heir Apparent. In the second year of Guangshun under Zhou Taizu, his son Jie fled from Youzhou back south without telling his father. Yu feared punishment and soon died of grief and indignation among the barbarians. (Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties: Feng Yu once served as Military Affairs Commissioner. The court envoy Ma Chenghan was always quick with words. One day he came calling with his card. Yu read the card and joked, "If the horse already sweats, the saddle should come off." Chenghan answered on the spot, "Your Excellency's surname is Feng—you might say a condemned man meets the prison." Yu knew he had misspoken and hurried to invite him in and apologize.)〉
19
殷鵬，字大舉，大名人也。 以雋秀為鄉曲所稱，弱冠擢進士第。 唐閔帝之鎮魏州，聞其名，辟為從事。 及即位，命為右拾遺，歷左補闕、考功員外郎，充史館修撰，遷刑部郎中。 鵬姿顏若婦人，而性巧媚。 天福中，擢拜中書舍人，與馮玉同職。 玉本非代言之才，所得詞目，多托鵬為之。 玉嘗以「姑息」字問於人，人則以「辜負」字教之，玉乃然之，當時以為笑端。 鵬之才比玉雖優、其纖佞過之。 後玉出郡，借第以處之，分祿食之。 及玉為樞密使，擢為本院學士，每有庶僚秉鞹謁玉，故事，宰臣以履見之，鵬多在玉所，見客亦然。 有丞郎王易簡退而有言，鵬銜之。 及契丹入汴，有人獲玉與鵬有簽記字，皆朝廷上列有不得志欲左授者，則易簡是其首焉。 玉既北行，鵬亦尋以病卒。
Yin Peng, whose style was Daju, came from Daming. Praised in his home district for brilliance and refinement, he passed the jinshi examination in early manhood. When the Tang Emperor Min was posted to Weizhou he heard of Peng's name and recruited him as staff officer. When Min ascended the throne he appointed Peng Right Reminder, then served successively as Left Supplementation Censor, Vice Director of the Board of Merit, compiler in the History Office, and Director of the Ministry of Justice. Peng's appearance was like a woman's, and his nature clever and ingratiating. During Tianfu he was promoted to Drafting Officer of the Secretariat and served alongside Feng Yu. Yu had never possessed real talent for drafting edicts; most of the compositions entrusted to him were actually written by Peng on his behalf. Yu once asked someone the meaning of the word "indulgence"; the man told him it meant "to fail in one's duty." Yu agreed, and people at court laughed at the story for years. Peng was the better writer, but his petty flattery outdid even Yu's. When Yu later left for a provincial post, he lent Peng his house in the capital and shared his salary to keep him. When Yu became commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, he made Peng an academician of the bureau. Junior officials would come bearing shoes to pay calls on Yu; by custom the chief minister received them in slippers. Peng was usually at Yu's side and received visitors the same way. A director named Wang Yijian criticized him after leaving office, and Peng nursed a grudge. When the Khitan entered Bian, someone found notes in Yu's and Peng's hands listing disgruntled court officials who wanted provincial posts—and Wang Yijian headed the list. After Yu went north with the court, Peng too soon died of illness.
20
史臣曰：維翰之輔晉室也，罄弼諧之志，參締構之功，觀其效忠，亦可謂社稷臣矣。 況和戎之策，固非誤計，及國之亡也，彼以滅口為謀，此掇歿身之禍，則畫策之難也，豈期如是哉！ 是以韓非慨慷而著《說難》者，當為此也，悲夫！ 趙瑩際會風雲，優遊藩輔，雖易簀於絕域，終歸柩於故園，蓋仁信之行通於遐邇故也。 劉昫有真相之才，克全嘉譽； 馮玉乘君子之器，終歿窮荒，其優劣可知矣。
The historian writes: In serving the house of Jin, Weihan gave his full counsel to harmonize the realm and shared in its founding. Judged by his loyal service, he may truly be called a pillar of state. Moreover, his policy of peace with the Khitan was no mistake in itself. Yet when the state fell, others plotted to silence him and he paid with his life—the difficulty of political counsel. Who could have foreseen an end like this! No wonder Han Fei wrote "The Difficulties of Persuasion" in passionate anger—for cases like this. How lamentable! Zhao Ying rode the tides of fortune and served comfortably as a frontier minister. Though he died in exile, his coffin at last came home to Huayin—surely because kindness and integrity are recognized even across great distances. Liu Xu had the talent of a true statesman and kept his good name to the end; Feng Yu possessed a gentleman's gifts yet died in the wilderness—the contrast tells its own story.