1
張儉邢抱樸馬得臣蕭樸耶律八哥
Zhang Jian, Xing Baopu, Ma Dechen, Xiao Pu, and Yelu Bagge
2
張儉，宛平人，性端愨，不事外飾。 統和十四年，舉進士第一，調雲州幕官。 故事，車駕經行，長吏當有所獻。 聖宗獵雲中，節度使進曰：「臣境無他產，惟幕僚張儉，一代之寶，願以為獻。」 先是，上夢四人侍側，賜食人二口，至聞儉名，始悟。 召見，容止樸野。 訪及世務，占奏三十餘事。 由此顧遇特異，踐歷清華，號稱明幹。 開泰中，累遷同知樞密院事。 太平五年，出為武定軍節度使，移鎮大同。 六年，入為南院樞密使。 帝方眷倚，參知政事吳叔達與儉不相能，帝怒，出叔達為康州刺史，拜儉左丞相，封韓王。 帝不豫，受遺詔輔立太子，是為興宗，賜貞亮弘靖保義守節耆德功臣，拜太師、中書令，加尚父，徙王陳。
Zhang Jian, a native of Wanping, was by nature upright and sincere and did not cultivate outward display. In the fourteenth year of Tonghe he placed first among jinshi graduates and was posted as a staff officer in Yun Prefecture. By long-standing custom, whenever the imperial carriage passed through a region, the chief local official was expected to present a tribute. When Shengzong was hunting in Yunzhong, the military commissioner came forward and said, "My territory has no other notable product to offer; only my staff officer Zhang Jian, a treasure of his age — I wish to present him to Your Majesty. Earlier the Emperor had dreamed of four men standing at his side and of two mouths being given food; when he heard Jian's name, he understood the omen at last. When summoned to audience, his bearing and manner were plain and unadorned. Questioned on affairs of the day, he presented memorials on more than thirty topics. From this his favor was singular; he rose through the highest offices and was acclaimed as clear-sighted and capable. During the Kaitai era he was repeatedly promoted to deputy director of the Commission for Military Affairs. In the fifth year of Taiping he was appointed military commissioner of the Wuding Army and later transferred to command at Datong. In the sixth year he returned to court as commissioner of the Southern Academy. The Emperor was then leaning heavily on him; Participating State Counselor Wu Shuda could not work with Jian, and the Emperor in anger sent Shuda out as prefect of Kangzhou, appointed Jian left chief councilor, and enfeoffed him as Prince of Han. When the Emperor fell ill, Jian received the deathbed edict to assist in establishing the heir, who became Xingzong; he was granted the title of meritorious minister of steadfast integrity and aged virtue, appointed Grand Preceptor and Secretariat Director, raised to Honored Father, and transferred to Prince of Chen.
3
重熙五年，帝幸禮部貢院及親試進士，皆儉發之。 進見不名，賜詩褒美。 儉衣唯紬帛，食不重味，月俸有餘，赒給親舊。 方冬，奏事便殿，帝見衣袍弊惡，密令近侍以火夾穿孔記之，屢見不易。 帝問其故，儉對曰：「臣服此袍已三十年。」 時尚奢靡，故以此微諷喻之。 上憐其清貧，令恣取內府物，儉奉詔持布三端而出，益見獎重。 儉弟五人，上欲俱賜進士第，固辭。 有司獲盜八人，既戮之，乃獲正賊。 家人訴冤，儉三乞申理。 上勃然曰：「卿欲朕償命耶！」 儉曰：「八家老稚無告，少加存恤，使得收葬，足慰存沒矣。」 乃從之。 儉在相位二十餘年，裨益為多。 致政歸第，會宋書辭不如禮，上將親征。 幸儉第，尚食先往具饌，卻之； 進葵羹幹飯，帝食之美。 徐問以策，儉極陳利害，且曰：「第遣一使問之，何必遠勞車駕？」 上悅而止。 復即其第賜宴，器玩悉與之。 二十二年薨，年九十一，敕葬宛平縣。
In the fifth year of Chongxi the Emperor visited the Board of Rites examination compound and personally tested jinshi candidates — reforms that Jian had proposed. When he came to audience his name was not announced aloud, and the Emperor granted him a poem of praise. Jian wore only plain silk, took no dish with duplicated flavors at his table, and when his monthly salary had a surplus he gave it to relatives and old friends. One winter, while Jian was reporting on business in the side hall, the Emperor noticed his robe and cloak were worn and shabby; he secretly ordered attendants to burn marker holes in them with fire-tongs, yet saw them again and again unchanged. The Emperor asked why; Jian replied, "Your servant has worn this robe for thirty years. Extravagance was then in fashion, and he meant this as a subtle admonition. The Emperor, pitying his poverty, told him to take whatever he wished from the inner treasury; Jian obeyed the edict, took only three bolts of cloth, and left — and was esteemed all the more. Jian had five younger brothers; the Emperor wished to grant them all jinshi degrees, but Jian firmly declined. The authorities seized eight robbers, executed them, and only afterward captured the real culprit. The families appealed that they had been wronged; Jian three times begged that the case be reviewed. The Emperor flared up and said, "Do you wish that We repay lives with lives! Jian said, "The eight households, young and old, have no one to plead for them; if Your Majesty would show a little care so they could gather the bodies for burial, that would be enough to comfort both the living and the dead." The Emperor then granted his request. Jian held the chief minister's post for more than twenty years and contributed greatly to the state. After retiring from office and returning home, it happened that Song's diplomatic reply was not in proper form; the Emperor was about to lead a campaign in person. The Emperor visited Jian's house; the imperial kitchen went ahead to prepare a feast, but Jian declined it. He served sunflower broth and plain dried rice; the Emperor ate it and pronounced it excellent. The Emperor gradually questioned him on policy; Jian set forth at length the advantages and harms, and said, "Why not simply send an envoy to inquire? Why trouble the imperial carriage to go so far? The Emperor was pleased and abandoned the campaign. The Emperor again came to his house to grant a feast and gave him all the vessels and curios used there. In the twenty-second year of his tenure he died, aged ninety-one; an edict ordered his burial in Wanping county.
4
邢抱樸，應州人，刑部郎中簡之子也。 抱樸性穎悟，好學博古。 保寧初，為政事舍人、知制誥，累遷翰林學士，加禮部侍郎。 統和四年，山西州縣被兵，命抱樸鎮撫之，民始安，加戶部尚書。 遷翰林學士承旨，與室昉同修《實錄》。 決南京滯獄還，優詔褒美。 十年，拜參知政事。 以樞密使韓德讓薦，按察諸道守令能否而黜陟之，大協人望。 尋以母憂去官，詔起視事。 表乞終制，不從； 宰相密諭上意，乃視事。 人以孝稱。 及耶律休哥留守南京，又多滯獄，復詔抱樸平決之，人無冤者。 改南院樞密使，卒，贈侍中。 初，抱樸與弟抱質受經於母陳氏，皆以儒術顯，抱質亦官至侍中，時人榮之。
Xing Baopu, a native of Ying Prefecture, was the son of Xing Jian, director of the Ministry of Punishments. Baopu was quick-witted by nature, devoted to study, and broad in classical learning. At the beginning of Baoning he served as drafting academician for political affairs and edicts, rose through repeated promotions to Hanlin academician, and was given the additional title of vice minister of Rites. In the fourth year of Tonghe, when the prefectures and counties of western Shanxi were ravaged by war, Baopu was ordered to pacify them; the people first regained security, and he was made minister of Revenue. He was promoted to Hanlin academician director and, with Shi Fang, jointly compiled the Veritable Records. After settling long-pending cases at Nanjing and returning, he received a gracious edict of praise. In the tenth year he was appointed participating state counselor. On the recommendation of Commissioner Han Derang, he inspected magistrates throughout the circuits for competence and promoted or dismissed them accordingly; this accorded greatly with public expectation. Before long, on his mother's death he left office, but an edict recalled him to resume his duties. He memorialized asking to complete the full mourning period; the request was denied. The chief councilors privately conveyed the Emperor's wishes, and only then did he resume office. People praised him for his filial devotion. When Yelü Xiuge held Nanjing in garrison and again accumulated many cases in arrears, an edict once more ordered Baopu to settle them, and no one was left wronged. He was transferred to commissioner of the Southern Academy; he died and was posthumously granted the title of palace attendant. Earlier, Baopu and his younger brother Baozhi had studied the classics under their mother, Lady Chen; both rose to prominence through Confucian learning, and Baozhi also reached the post of palace attendant; men of the time took pride in the family.
5
臣竊觀房玄齡、杜如晦，隋季書生，向不遇太宗，安能為一代名相？ 臣雖不才，陛下在東宮，幸列侍從，今又得侍聖讀，未有裨補聖明。 陛下嘗問臣以貞觀、開元之事，臣請略陳之。 臣聞唐太宗侍太上皇宴罷，則挽輦至內殿； 玄宗與兄弟歡飲，盡家人禮。 陛下嗣祖考之祚，躬侍太后，可謂至孝。 臣更望定省之餘，睦六親，加愛敬，則陛下親親之道，比隆二帝矣。 臣又聞二帝耽玩經史，數引公卿講學，至於日昃。 故當時天下翕然向風，以隆文治。 今陛下遊心典籍，分解章句，臣願研究經理，深造而篤行之，二帝之治，不難致矣。 臣又聞太宗射豕，唐儉諫之； 玄宗臂鷹，韓休言之； 二帝莫不樂從。 今陛下以球馬為樂，愚臣思之，有不宜者三，故不避斧鉞言之：竊以君臣同戲，不免分爭，君得臣愧，彼負此喜，一不宜。 躍馬揮杖，縱橫馳騖，不顧上下之分，爭先取勝，失人臣禮，二不宜。 輕萬乘之尊，圖一時之樂，萬一有銜勒之失，其如社稷、太后何？ 三不宜。 儻陛下不以臣言為迂，少賜省覽，天下之福，群臣之願也。
Your servant has observed Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui — mere scholars of the late Sui — who could never have become the great ministers of an age had they not met Emperor Taizong? Though I am without talent, when Your Majesty was in the Eastern Palace I was fortunate to serve among your attendants; now again I attend your sacred readings, yet I have made no contribution to Your Majesty's enlightenment. Your Majesty once asked me about the reigns of Zhenguan and Kaiyuan; I beg leave to set them forth briefly. Your servant has heard that after banquets with the retired emperor, Emperor Taizong of Tang would draw the imperial carriage himself to the inner hall; and that Emperor Xuanzong drank merrily with his brothers and observed all the rites of kinship within a family. Your Majesty has inherited the throne of your forefathers and in person attends the Empress Dowager — this may truly be called utmost filial piety. Your servant further hopes that beyond your daily attendance, Your Majesty will bring harmony among the six degrees of kin, increase love and respect among them, and then Your Majesty's devotion to kin will rival that of those two emperors. Your servant has also heard that those two emperors were absorbed in the classics and histories, repeatedly summoning dukes and ministers to lecture on learning until the sun had passed the meridian. Therefore the realm at that time turned as one toward their example, and civil governance flourished. Now Your Majesty's mind dwells in the canonical texts and you parse passages and clauses; your servant wishes to study statecraft in depth, pursue it further, and practice it steadfastly — the governance of those two emperors would not be hard to attain. Your servant has also heard that when Taizong shot at a boar, Tang Jian remonstrated with him; when Xuanzong carried a hawk on his arm, Han Xiu spoke against it; and both emperors gladly accepted their counsel. Now Your Majesty takes pleasure in ball games and horsemanship; your foolish servant has reflected on this and finds three improprieties, and therefore speaks though it may cost his life: when ruler and minister play together, contention cannot be avoided — the ruler wins and the minister is shamed, one side loses and the other rejoices — the first impropriety. Leaping horses and brandishing mallets, galloping freely without regard for the distinction between superior and inferior, striving to win — this violates the rites owed by a minister to his ruler; the second impropriety. To treat lightly the dignity of the Son of Heaven and seek a moment's pleasure — if by any chance there should be an accident with bridle or reins, what would become of the altars of state and the Empress Dowager? The third impropriety. If Your Majesty does not regard your servant's words as impractical and will grant them a little consideration, it will be the fortune of the realm and the wish of all your ministers.
6
書奏，帝嘉嘆良久。 未幾卒，贈太子太保，詔有司給葬。
When the memorial was submitted, the Emperor praised it and sighed over it for a long while. Before long he died; he was posthumously granted Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and an edict ordered the relevant offices to provide for his burial.
7
蕭樸，字延寧，國舅少父房之族。 父勞古，以善屬文為聖宗詩友。 樸幼如老成人。 及長，博學多智。 開泰初，補牌印郎君，為南院承旨，權知轉運事，尋改南面林牙。 帝問以政，樸具陳百姓疾苦，國用豐耗，帝悅曰：「吾得人矣！」 擢左夷離畢。 時蕭合卓為樞密使，樸知部署院事，以酒廢事，出為興國軍節度使，俄召為南面林牙。 太平三年，守太子太傅。 明年，拜北府宰相，遷北院樞密使。 時太平日久，帝留心翰墨，始畫譜牒以別嫡庶，由是爭訟紛起。 樸有吏才，能知人主意，敷奏稱旨，朝議多取決之。 封蘭陵郡王，進王恒，加中書令。 及大延琳叛，詔安撫東京，以便宜從事。 興宗即位，皇太后稱制，國事一委弟孝先。 方仁德皇后以馮家奴所誣被害，樸屢言其冤，不報。 每念至此，為之嘔血。 重熙初，改王韓，拜東京留守。 及遷太后於慶州，樸徙王楚，升南院樞密使。 四年，王魏。 薨，年五十，贈齊王。 子鐸剌，國舅詳穩。
Xiao Pu, style name Yanning, belonged to the clan of the empress's father's younger branch. His father Laogu, skilled in literary composition, was Shengzong's companion in poetry. As a boy, Pu was grave and mature like an old man. When he grew up, he was broadly learned and full of resource. At the beginning of Kaitai he was appointed seal-and-plaque gentleman, served as director of the Southern Academy, was given acting charge of transport affairs, and soon was transferred to Southern Face linya. The Emperor questioned him on government; Pu set forth in detail the people's hardships and whether state revenue was abundant or depleted; the Emperor said with pleasure, "I have found my man! He was promoted to left yilibi. At the time Xiao Hezhuo was commissioner; Pu managed Deployment Court affairs; because drink caused him to neglect his duties, he was sent out as military commissioner of the Xingguo Army, but before long he was recalled as Southern Face linya. In the third year of Taiping he served as guardian Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent. The following year he was appointed chief councilor of the Northern Prefecture and promoted to commissioner of the Northern Academy. Peace had then lasted long; the Emperor turned his attention to records and genealogy, and for the first time drew up registers to distinguish legitimate from secondary lines; from this lawsuits arose in profusion. Pu had administrative talent; he could grasp the ruler's intent; his presentations accorded with the Emperor's wishes; and court deliberations often followed his judgment. He was enfeoffed as Prince of Lanling, advanced to Prince of Heng, and given the additional title of Secretariat Director. When Dazhonglin rebelled, an edict ordered him to pacify the Eastern Capital, with authority to act at his discretion as circumstances required. When Xingzong took the throne, the Empress Dowager assumed regency and entrusted all state affairs to her younger brother Xiaoxian. Empress Rendu had been destroyed through a false accusation by the Feng family slave; Pu repeatedly spoke of her injustice, but received no response. Whenever he thought of it, he would vomit blood in grief. At the beginning of Chongxi he was transferred to Prince of Han and appointed garrison commander of the Eastern Capital. When the Empress Dowager was moved to Qing Prefecture, Pu was transferred to Prince of Chu and promoted to commissioner of the Southern Academy. In the fourth year he was made Prince of Wei. He died, aged fifty, and was posthumously granted the title of Prince of Qi. His son Duola served as detailed inspector of the empress's kin.
8
耶律八哥，字烏古鄰，五院部人。 幼聰慧，書一覽輒成誦。 統和中，以世業為本部吏。 未幾，升閘撒狘，尋轉樞密院侍御。 會宋將曹彬、米信侵燕，八哥以扈從有功，擢上京留守。 開泰四年，召為北院樞密副使。 頃之，留守東京。 七年，上命東平王蕭排押帥師伐高麗，八哥為都監，至開京，大掠而還。 濟茶、陀二河，高麗追兵至。 諸將皆欲使敵渡兩河擊之，獨八哥以為不可，曰：「敵若渡兩河，必殊死戰，乃危道也； 不若擊於兩河之間。」 排押從之，戰，敗績。 明年，還東京，奏渤海承奉官宜有以統領之，上從其言，置都知押班。 後以茶、陀之敗，削使相，降西北路都監，卒。
Yelu Bagge, style name Wugulin, was a man of the Five-Yuan Division. As a boy he was clever; after a single reading he could recite a text from memory. During the Tonghe era, through hereditary office he became an officer of his native division. Before long he was promoted to zhasa mo, and soon was transferred to attendant of the Commission for Military Affairs. When Song generals Cao Bin and Mi Xin invaded Yan, Bagge, for meritorious service in the imperial retinue, was promoted to garrison commander of the Upper Capital. In the fourth year of Kaitai he was summoned as deputy commissioner of the Northern Academy. Before long he was appointed garrison commander of the Eastern Capital. In the seventh year the Emperor ordered Eastern Pacification Prince Xiao Paiya to command an army against Goryeo; Bagge served as army supervisor; they reached Kaesong and returned after extensive plunder. At the Jicha and Tuo rivers, Goryeo pursuit troops caught up with them. The generals all wished to let the enemy cross the two rivers and then attack; only Bagge thought this unwise and said, "If the enemy crosses both rivers, they will fight to the death — that would be a perilous course; It would be better to attack them between the two rivers. Paiya followed his advice; they gave battle and were defeated. The following year, after returning to the Eastern Capital, he memorialized that Bohai tribute officials ought to be placed under unified supervision; the Emperor accepted his proposal and established the post of director of supervisory escort shifts. Later, because of the defeat at Jicha and Tuo, he was stripped of his commissioner rank, demoted to army supervisor of the Northwestern Route, and died.
9
論曰：張儉名符帝夢，遂結主知，服弊袍不易，誌敦薄俗，功著兩朝，世稱賢相，非過也。 邢抱樸甄別守令，大愜人望，兩決滯獄，民無冤濫。 馬得臣引盛唐之治以諫其君，蕭樸痛皇后之誣，至於嘔血。 四人者，皆以明經致位，忠藎若此，宜矣。 聖宗得人，於斯為盛。
The commentary says: Zhang Jian's name matched the Emperor's dream, and thus he won the ruler's trust; he wore a threadbare robe and would not replace it, bearing witness to his devotion to plain living; his achievements stood out across two reigns; the age calls him a worthy chief minister — and that is no exaggeration. Xing Baopu distinguished competent from incompetent magistrates, greatly satisfying public expectation; twice he cleared long-pending cases, and the people suffered no wrongful punishment. Ma Dechen cited the governance of High Tang to remonstrate with his ruler; Xiao Pu grieved over the false accusation against the empress until he vomited blood. These four men all rose to office through mastery of the classics; such loyalty and earnest devotion as this was only fitting. In gathering such men, Shengzong's reign reached its fullest height.