1
李時勉陳敬宗劉鉉 〈（薩琦）〉 邢讓 〈（李紹）〉 林瀚 〈（子庭昂庭機孫燫烴）〉 謝鐸魯鐸 〈（趙永）〉
Li Shimian, Chen Jingzong, and Liu Xuan (Sa Qi)〉 Xing Rang (Li Shao)〉 Lin Han (sons Ting'ang and Tingji; grandsons Xun and Xuen)〉 Xie Duo and Lu Duo (Zhao Yong)〉
2
李時勉，名懋，以字行，安福人。 成童時，冬寒，以衾裹足納桶中，誦讀不已。 中永樂二年進士。 選庶吉士，進學文淵閣，與修《太祖實錄》。 授刑部主事，復與重修《實錄》。 書成，改翰林侍讀。
Li Shimian, whose personal name was Mao but who went by his style name, came from Anfu. As a boy, during the bitter cold of winter, he would wrap his feet in a quilt, tuck them into a tub, and keep reading aloud without stopping. In the second year of the Yongle reign he qualified as a jinshi. Selected as a Hanlin Bachelor, he entered the Wenyuan Pavilion for advanced study and took part in compiling the Veritable Records of Emperor Taizu. Appointed principal secretary in the Ministry of Justice, he again participated in revising the Veritable Records. When that work was finished, he was made a Hanlin Reader.
3
性剛鯁，慨然以天下為己任。 十九年，三殿災，詔求直言。 條上時務十五事。 成祖決計都北京，時方招徠遠人。 而時勉言營建之非，及遠國入貢人不宜使群居輦下。 忤帝意。 已，觀其他說，多中時病，抵之地； 復取視者再，卒多施行。 尋被讒下獄。 歲餘得釋，楊榮薦復職。
By nature he was stern and uncompromising, and he openly treated the welfare of the realm as his personal charge. In the nineteenth year of Yongle, fire destroyed the three principal palace halls, and an edict called for candid memorials. He submitted a memorial listing fifteen urgent matters of state. The Yongle Emperor had already resolved to make Beijing the capital and was at that time bidding distant peoples to come. Shimian argued that the massive building program was ill advised, and that envoys from far countries should not be allowed to cluster together near the capital. This ran counter to the emperor's intent. Later, when the emperor read his other proposals, he found many of them on target regarding contemporary abuses and flung the memorial aside in anger; yet after picking it up and reading it through again, he ultimately adopted many of his recommendations. Soon afterward he was denounced and imprisoned. After more than a year he was released, and Yang Rong recommended him for reinstatement.
4
宣德五年修《成祖實錄》成，遷侍讀學士。 帝幸史館，撒金錢賜諸學士。 皆俯取，時勉獨正立。 帝乃出余錢賜之。 正統三年以《宣宗實錄》成，進學士，掌院事兼經筵官。 六年代貝泰為祭酒。 八年乞致仕，不允。
In the fifth year of Xuande, upon completion of the Veritable Records of the Yongle Emperor, he was promoted to Reader-in-waiting. When the emperor visited the Historiography Institute, he tossed out gold coins as gifts for the academicians. Everyone else stooped to gather them, but Shimian alone remained standing upright. The emperor thereupon produced additional coins and had them presented to him. In the third year of Zhengtong, when the Veritable Records of the Xuande Emperor were completed, he was promoted to Hanlin Academician, put in charge of the academy, and appointed lecturer at the imperial lectures. In the sixth year he succeeded Bei Tai as chancellor of the Imperial University. In the eighth year he petitioned to retire, but the request was denied.
5
初，時勉請改建國學。 帝命王振往視，時勉待振無加禮。 振銜之，廉其短，無所得。 時勉嘗芟彜倫堂樹旁枝，振遂言時勉擅伐官樹入家。 取中旨，與司業趙琬、掌饌金鑒並枷國子監前。 官校至，時勉方坐東堂閱課士卷，徐呼諸生品第高下，顧僚屬定甲乙，揭榜乃行。 方盛署，枷三日不解。 監生李貴等千余人詣闕乞貸。 有石大用者，上章願以身代。 諸生圜集朝門，呼聲徹殿庭。 振聞諸生不平，恐激變。 及通政司奏大用章，振內慚。 助教李繼請解於會昌侯孫忠。 忠，皇太后父也。 忠生日，太后使人賜忠家。 忠附奏太后，太后為言之帝。 帝初不知也，立釋之。 繼不拘檢柙，時勉嘗規切之。 繼不能盡用，然心感時勉言，至是竟得其助。
Earlier Shimian had petitioned for rebuilding the Imperial University. The emperor sent Wang Zhen to inspect the project, but Shimian treated him without any special deference. Zhen bore a grudge and tried to uncover misconduct on his part, but found nothing. When Shimian once pruned side branches from trees beside the Hall of Universal Ethics, Zhen accused him of unlawfully felling government trees and carrying them home. On the emperor's secret instruction he was shackled together with Vice-Chancellor Zhao Wan and commissary Jin Jian in front of the Imperial University. When the arresting officers arrived, Shimian was still in the East Hall grading examination papers; unhurriedly he had the students ranked, instructed his staff to fix the marks, posted the results, and only then went with them. It was the height of summer, and the cangue was left on for three days without release. More than a thousand students led by Li Gui went to the palace gates to plead for their release. One student named Shi Dayong submitted a memorial offering to suffer punishment in their place. Students crowded round the Court Gate, their shouts echoing through the palace courts. When Zhen heard of the students' outrage, he feared they might spark a riot. When the Office of Transmission forwarded Dayong's memorial, Zhen was deeply ashamed. Assistant instructor Li Ji sought their release through the Marquis of Huichang, Sun Zhong. Sun Zhong was the father of the empress dowager. On his birthday the empress dowager sent gifts to his home. Sun Zhong enclosed a memorial with his thanks to the empress dowager, and she spoke to the emperor on Shimian's behalf. The emperor had not known of the matter at all and ordered their immediate release. Li Ji had been lax in observing discipline, and Shimian had once rebuked him sharply. Ji had not been able to follow all his advice, yet he treasured what Shimian had said, and now repaid him by intervening.
6
大用，豐潤人。 樸魯，初不為六館所知，及是名動京師。 明年中鄉試，官至戶部主事。
Dayong came from Fengrun. Plain and unassuming, he had barely been noticed among the six dormitory halls until this act made his name resound through the capital. The following year he passed the provincial examination and eventually rose to principal secretary in the Ministry of Revenue.
7
九年，帝視學。 時勉進講《尚書》，辭旨清朗。 帝悅，賜予有加。 連疏乞致仕，不允。 十二年春乃得請。 朝臣及國子生餞都門外者幾三千人，或遠送至登舟，候舟發乃去。
In the ninth year the emperor came to inspect the university. Shimian lectured on the Book of Documents; his exposition was lucid and compelling. The emperor was delighted and bestowed extra rewards. He repeatedly petitioned to retire, but each request was refused. Not until the spring of the twelfth year was his retirement finally granted. Nearly three thousand court officials and university students saw him off outside the capital gate; some accompanied him all the way to his boat and did not turn back until it had cast off.
8
英宗北狩，時勉日夜悲慟。 遣其孫驥詣闕上書，請選將練兵，親君子，遠小人，褒表忠節，迎還車駕，復仇雪恥。 景泰元年得旨褒答，而時勉卒矣，年七十七。 謚文毅。 成化五年，以其孫颙請，改謚忠文，贈禮部侍郎。
When the Yingzong Emperor was captured on the northern campaign, Shimian mourned day and night. He sent his grandson Ji to court with a memorial urging the selection of able generals, training of troops, favor toward worthy men and distance from flatterers, honors for the loyal, recovery of the captive emperor, and revenge for the national disgrace. In the first year of Jingtai the court issued a commendatory reply, but by then Shimian had died at the age of seventy-seven. He was granted the posthumous title Wenyi, meaning Cultivated and Resolute. In the fifth year of Chenghua, at the request of his grandson Yong, his posthumous title was changed to Zhongwen, meaning Loyal and Literary, and he was posthumously appointed vice minister of rites.
9
時勉為祭酒六年，列格、致、誠、正四號，訓勵甚切。 崇廉恥，抑奔競，別賢否，示勸懲。 諸生貧不能婚葬者，節省餐錢為贍給。 督令讀書，燈火達旦，吟誦聲不絕，人才盛於昔時。
During his six years as chancellor he instituted the four mottos Discipline, Diligence, Integrity, and Rectitude, enforcing them with exceptional rigor. He upheld integrity, curbed unseemly rivalry, distinguished the worthy from the unworthy, and made clear what conduct would be rewarded or punished. Students too poor to marry or bury relatives were helped from funds he saved by cutting back on their meal allowances. He drove them to study until lamps burned all night and recitation never ceased, and the quality of graduates surpassed any earlier age.
10
始，太祖以宋訥為祭酒，最有名。 其後寧化張顯宗申明學規，人比之訥。 而胡儼當成祖之世，尤稱人師。 然以直節重望為士類所依歸者，莫如時勉。 英國公張輔暨諸侯伯奏，願偕詣國子監聽講。 帝命以三月三日往。 時勉升師席，諸生以次立，講《五經》各一章。 畢事，設酒饌，諸侯伯讓曰：「受教之地，當就諸生列坐。」 惟輔與抗禮。 諸生歌《鹿鳴》之詩，賓主雍雍，盡暮散去，人稱為太平盛事。
Under the founding emperor, Song Na had served as chancellor and enjoyed the greatest renown. Later Zhang Xianzong of Ninghua reformed the regulations and was compared to Song Na. Hu Yan in the Yongle reign was especially celebrated as a teacher. Yet for integrity and moral authority on which scholars relied, none compared to Shimian. The Duke of Ying, Zhang Fu, and other nobles memorialized asking to attend lectures together at the Imperial University. The emperor directed them to come on the third day of the third month. Shimian took the master's seat while the students stood in ranks; he lectured on one chapter from each of the Five Classics. When the lectures ended, a feast was laid out. The nobles insisted: "This is where we have come to be taught; we should sit in the students' ranks. Only Zhang Fu treated him as an equal in rank. The students sang the "Luming" ode; host and guests mingled in perfect harmony until dusk, and contemporaries hailed it as a scene befitting a golden age of peace.
11
陳敬宗，字光世，慈溪人。 永樂二年進士。 選庶吉士，進學文淵閣，與修《永樂大典》。 書成，授刑部主事。 又與修《五經四書大全》，再修《太祖實錄》，授翰林侍講。 內艱歸。
Chen Jingzong, whose style name was Guangshi, came from Cixi. He qualified as a jinshi in the second year of Yongle. Selected as a Hanlin Bachelor, he studied in the Wenyuan Pavilion and helped compile the Yongle Encyclopedia. When that work was finished he was appointed principal secretary in the Ministry of Justice. He also worked on the Great Compendium of the Five Classics and Four Books, again revised the Veritable Records of Taizu, and was made a Hanlin Lecturer. He returned home to observe mourning for his mother.
12
宣德元年起修兩朝實錄。 明年轉南京國子監司業。 帝諭之曰：「侍講，清華之選； 司業，師儒之席。 位雖不崇，任則重矣。」 九年，秩滿，選祭酒，正統三年上書言：「舊制，諸生以在監久近，送諸司歷事。 比來，有因事予告者，遷延累歲，至撥送之期始赴，實長奸惰，請以肄業多寡為次第。 又近有願就雜職之例，士風卑陋，誠非細故，請加禁止。」 從之。
In the first year of Xuande he began work on the veritable records of the two preceding reigns. The following year he was transferred to vice chancellor of the Nanjing Imperial University. The emperor told him: "A Hanlin lecturer is chosen from the most brilliant scholars; a vice chancellor holds the chair of a master teacher. The post is not exalted in rank, but the burden is heavy. In the ninth year his term expired and he was appointed chancellor. In the third year of Zhengtong he memorialized: "Under the old rules, students were posted to government offices for practical training according to how long they had studied at the university. Lately some who secured leave dragged on for years and only showed up when their turn came, which only encourages sloth and evasion. I ask that order of assignment be based on progress in one's studies. There is also a recent trend of students volunteering for low clerical posts, which debases scholarly standards. This is no trifle; I ask that it be forbidden. The emperor approved both proposals.
13
敬宗美須髯，容儀端整，步履有定則，力以師道自任。 立教條，革陋習。 六館士千余人，每升堂聽講，設饌會食，整肅如朝廷。 稍失容，即令待罪堂下。 僚屬憚其嚴，誣以他事，訟之法司。 周忱與敬宗善，曰：「盍具疏自理。」 為屬草，辭稍遷就。 敬宗驚曰：「得無誑君耶？」 不果上，事亦竟白。
Jingzong had a fine beard and dignified bearing; he walked with measured steps and held himself wholly accountable as a master teacher. He set down rules of instruction and swept away corrupt practices. Whenever more than a thousand students of the six halls assembled for lectures, their shared meals were conducted with the decorum of a court audience. Anyone who lapsed even slightly in deportment was made to stand in penance below the lecture hall. Staff who feared his strictness trumped up charges and brought him before the judiciary. Zhou Chen, who was friendly with him, urged: "Why not submit a memorial in your own defense? Chen drafted a text for him, but the language was unduly conciliatory. Jingzong exclaimed: "Would this not amount to deceiving the emperor? He never filed it, and the affair was eventually resolved in his favor.
14
滿考，入京師，王振欲見之，令忱道意。 敬宗曰：「吾為諸生師表，而私謁中貴，何以對諸生？」 振知不可屈，乃貽之文錦羊酒，求書程子《四箴》，冀其來謝。 敬宗書訖，署名而已。 返其幣，終不往見。 王直為吏部尚書，從容謂曰：「先生官司成久，將薦公為司寇。」 敬宗曰：「公知我者，今與天下英才終日論議，顧不樂耶？」 性善飲酒，至數鬥不亂。 襄城伯李隆守備南京，每留飲，聲伎滿左右。 竟日舉杯，未嘗一盼。 其嚴重如此。
After his term ended he went to Beijing; the eunuch Wang Zhen wanted an audience and asked Zhou Chen to convey the invitation. Jingzong replied: "I am these students' moral exemplar. How could I pay a private call on a court eunuch? What account could I give my pupils? Seeing he could not be swayed, Zhen sent brocade, mutton, and wine, asking him to write out Master Cheng's Four Admonitions in the hope he would come to offer thanks. Jingzong wrote out the text, signed his name, and sent it back. He returned the gifts and never called on Zhen. Minister of Personnel Wang Zhi said to him gently: "You have served here many years; I mean to recommend you for Minister of Justice. Jingzong answered: "You know my mind. Debating all day with the realm's best scholars—what office could be more satisfying?" He loved wine and could drink several dou without losing his composure. The Earl of Xiangcheng, Li Long, who defended Nanjing, often entertained him with wine while musicians and dancers thronged the hall. He drank through the day without once glancing at the performers. Such was the weight of his bearing.
15
十二年冬乞休，不允。 景泰元年九月與尚書魏驥同引年致仕。 家居不輕出。 有被其容接者，莫不興起。 天順三年五月卒，年八十三。 後贈禮部侍郎，謚文定。
In the twelfth year he petitioned to retire in winter, but was refused. In the ninth month of the first year of Jingtai he retired on grounds of age together with Wei Ji, minister of works. In retirement he rarely left his house. Whoever was granted his company came away inspired. He died in the fifth month of the third year of Tianshun at the age of eighty-three. He was later posthumously appointed vice minister of rites with the title Wendiing, meaning Settled in Culture.
16
初，敬宗與李時勉同在翰林，袁忠徹嘗相之。 曳二人並列曰：「二公他日功名相埒。」 敬宗儀觀魁梧，時勉貌稍寢，後二人同時為兩京祭酒。 時勉平恕得士，敬宗方嚴。 終明世稱賢祭酒者，曰南陳北李。
Early on Jingzong and Li Shimian had served together in the Hanlin; Yuan Zhongche once examined their faces. Pulling them to stand together he said: "These two gentlemen will one day attain equal eminence. Jingzong was tall and striking in appearance, Shimian somewhat plain of face; yet both later served simultaneously as chancellors of the Nanjing and Beijing universities. Shimian was easygoing and won students' hearts; Jingzong was severe. For the whole Ming period the pair were remembered as the worthy chancellors of the south and north—Chen and Li.
17
劉鉉，字宗器，長洲人。 生彌月而孤。 及長，刲股療母疾。 母卒，哀毀，以孝聞。 永樂中，用善書征入翰林，舉順天鄉試，授中書舍人。 宣德時，預修成祖、仁宗《實錄》，遷兵部主事，仍供事內廷。 正統中，再修《宣宗實錄》，進侍講。 以學士曹鼐等薦，與修撰王振教習庶吉士。
Liu Xuan, whose style name was Zongqi, came from Changzhou. He lost his father when only a month old. As an adult he cut flesh from his thigh to treat his mother's illness. When she died he mourned with such devastation that his filial piety became renowned. During Yongle his fine calligraphy brought him into the Hanlin; he passed the Shuntian provincial examination and was made a secretariat drafter. Under Xuande he helped compile the veritable records of the Yongle and Hongxi emperors, rose to principal secretary in the Ministry of War, and continued serving in the inner court. In the Zhengtong reign he again revised the Veritable Records of the Xuande Emperor and was promoted to lecturer. Recommended by Academician Cao Nai and others, he joined Reviser Wang Zhen in instructing the Hanlin Bachelors.
18
景帝立，進侍講學士，直經筵。 三年，以高谷薦，遷國子祭酒。 時以國計不足，放遣諸生，不願歸者停其月廩。 鉉言：「養才，國家急務。 今倉廩尚盈，奈何靳此？」 遂得復給。 又今甄別六館生，年老貌寢，學藝疏淺者，斥為民。 鉉言：「諸生荷教澤久，豈無片長？ 況離親戚，棄墳墓，艱苦備至，一旦被斥，非朝廷育才意。 乞揀年貌衰而有學者，量授之官。」 帝可其奏。 尋以母喪歸。 服闕，赴都，陳詢已為祭酒。 帝重鉉，命與詢並任。 天順初，改少詹事，侍東宮講讀。 明年十月卒。 帝及太子皆賜祭，賻贈有加。 憲宗立，贈禮部侍郎，謚文恭。
When Emperor Jingdi took the throne he was made lecturer-in-waiting and attended the imperial lectures. In the third year, on Gao Gu's recommendation, he was appointed chancellor of the Imperial University. State finances were tight and students were sent home; those who refused to leave had their monthly stipends cut off. Xuan memorialized: "Cultivating talent is among the state's most urgent duties. Our granaries are still stocked—why withhold these allowances? The stipends were restored. Students in the six halls were also being culled; the elderly, homely, and academically weak were dismissed as commoners. Xuan argued: "These men have long enjoyed our instruction—surely each has some strength? They have left families and ancestral graves and endured every hardship; to cast them out betrays the court's purpose in educating them. I ask that those who are older yet still learned be given appropriate posts. The emperor accepted his proposal. Soon afterward he went home to mourn his mother. After mourning he returned to the capital, where Chen Xun already held the chancellorship. The emperor esteemed Xuan and appointed him to serve alongside Xun. Early in Tianshun he became junior mentor and lectured the crown prince. He died the following tenth month. Both emperor and crown prince sent sacrificial offerings and enriched funeral gifts. When Emperor Xianzong took the throne he was posthumously made vice minister of rites with the title Wengong, meaning Reverent and Respectful.
19
鉉性介特，言行不茍。 教庶吉士及課國子生，規條嚴整，讀書至老彌篤。 仲子瀚以進士使南方。 瀕行，閱其衣篋。 比還，篋如故，乃喜曰：「無玷吾門矣。」 瀚官終副使，能守父訓。
Xuan was upright and uncompromising, exacting in speech and conduct. Whether instructing Hanlin Bachelors or examining university students, his rules were rigorous, and he read with deepening devotion into old age. His second son Han, a jinshi, was sent on a mission to the south. Before Han departed, Xuan inspected his luggage. On his return the chest was unchanged, and Xuan said with delight: "You have not dishonored our family. Han rose to vice commissioner and lived by his father's teaching.
20
薩琦，字廷珪。 其先西域人，後著籍閩縣。 舉宣德五年進士。 歷官禮部侍郎兼少詹事。 天順元年卒。 琦有文德，狷潔不茍合。 名行與鉉相頡頏雲。
Sa Qi, whose style name was Tinggui. His family came from the Western Regions and was later registered in Min County, Fujian. He qualified as jinshi in the fifth year of Xuande. He served as vice minister of rites and junior mentor. He died in the first year of Tianshun. Qi was learned and upright, unwilling to compromise his principles. His reputation rivaled Liu Xuan's.
21
邢讓，字遜之。 襄陵人。 年十八，舉於鄉，入國子監。 為李時勉所器，與劉珝齊名。 登正統十三年進士。 改庶吉士，授檢討。
Xing Rang, whose style name was Xunzhi. He came from Xiangling. At eighteen he passed the provincial examination and entered the Imperial University. Li Shimian singled him out for praise; he was ranked with Liu Yu. He became a jinshi in the thirteenth year of Zhengtong. He was selected as a Hanlin Bachelor and appointed reviser.
22
景泰元年，李實自瓦剌還，請再遣使迎上皇。 景帝不許。 讓疏曰：「上皇於陛下有君之義，有兄之恩，安得而不迎？ 且令寇假大義以問我，其何辭以應？ 若從群臣請，仍命實賫敕以往，且述迎復之指。 雖上皇還否未可必，而陛下恩義之篤昭然於天下。 萬一迎而不許，則我得責直於彼，以興問罪之師，不亦善乎。」 疏入，帝委曲諭解之。 天順末，父憂歸。 未終喪，起修《英宗實錄》，進修撰。
In the first year of Jingtai, Li Shi returned from the Oirats and urged another embassy to bring back the captive emperor. Emperor Jingdi refused. Rang submitted: "Toward Your Majesty the former emperor bears both the bond of sovereign and the kindness of an elder brother—how can we fail to welcome him home? If the enemy invokes righteousness to press us, what answer could we give? If we follow the court and again send Shi with an imperial edict explaining our intent to restore him, whether he actually returns remains uncertain, yet Your Majesty's devotion to kin and duty will be plain to all under Heaven. If we welcome him and are refused, we can blame them and march to punish the wrong—would that not also be wise? The emperor received the memorial and gently reasoned with him. Late in Tianshun he went home to mourn his father. Before mourning ended he was recalled to compile the Veritable Records of the Yingzong Emperor and promoted to compiler.
23
成化二年超遷國子祭酒。 慈懿太后崩，議祔廟禮，讓率僚屬疏諫。 兩京國學教官，例不得遷擢，讓等以為言，由科目者，滿考得銓敘。 讓在太學，亦力以師道自任，修《辟雍通志》，督諸生誦小學及諸經。 痛懲謁告之弊，時以此見稱，而謗者亦眾。 為人負才狹中。 意所輕重，輒形於詞色，名位相軋者多忌之。
In the second year of Chenghua he was unusually promoted straight to university chancellor. When Empress Dowager Ciyi died, Rang led his colleagues in protesting plans to enshrine her in the imperial ancestral temple. University instructors in both capitals could not normally be promoted; Rang secured evaluations and appointments for those who had served out their terms. As chancellor he compiled the Comprehensive Gazetteer of the Imperial Academy and required students to recite the Elementary Learning and the classics. He cracked down on abuses of leave, winning praise but also many enemies. He was gifted but petty. His likes and dislikes showed plainly in speech and expression, and many peers envied him.
24
五年擢禮部右侍郎。 越二年，以在國子監用會饌錢事，與後祭酒陳鑒、司業張業、典籍王允等，俱得罪坐死。 諸生訴闕下，請代。 復詔廷臣雜治，卒坐死，贖為民。
In the fifth year he was made vice minister of rites. Two years later he and Chen Jian, Zhang Ye, Wang Yun, and others were condemned to death over misuse of communal feast funds at the university. Students petitioned at the palace gates offering to die in their place. The case was retried by the court; they were again sentenced to death but commuted to commoner status after ransom.
25
鑒既得罪，吏部尚書姚夔請起致仕禮部侍郎李紹為祭酒。 馳召之，而紹已卒。
After Chen Jian's fall, Yao Kui asked to recall the retired Li Shao as chancellor. An urgent summons went out, but Shao was already dead.
26
紹字克述，安福人。 宣德八年進士。 改庶吉士，授檢討。 大學士楊士奇臥病，英宗遣使詢人才，士奇舉紹等五人以對。 土木之敗，京師戒嚴，朝士多遣家南徙。 紹曰：「主辱臣死，奚以家為？」 卒不遣。 累遷翰林學士。 以李賢、王翺薦，擢禮部侍郎。 成化二年以疾求解職。 紹好學問，居官剛正有器局，能獎掖後進。 其卒也，帝深惜之。
Li Shao, style name Keshu, came from Anfu. He qualified as jinshi in the eighth year of Xuande. He became a Hanlin Bachelor and reviser. When Grand Secretary Yang Shiqi fell ill, the Yingzong Emperor asked whom to employ; Shiqi recommended Shao and four others. After the Tumu disaster Beijing was placed under martial law, and many officials sent their families south. Shao said: "When the ruler is disgraced, a minister should die for it—what does family matter? He never sent his family away. He rose through the ranks to Hanlin Academician. Li Xian and Wang Ao recommended him, and he was made vice minister of rites. In the second year of Chenghua he resigned because of illness. He was learned, upright, and broad-minded in office, and mentored younger officials. The emperor deeply mourned his death.
27
林瀚，字亨大，閩人。 父元美，永樂末進士，撫州知府。 瀚舉成化二年進士。 改庶吉士，授編修。 再遷諭德，請急歸。
Lin Han, whose style name was Hengda, came from Fujian. His father Yuanmei qualified as jinshi late in Yongle and became prefect of Fuzhou. Han became a jinshi in the second year of Chenghua. He was selected as a Hanlin Bachelor and appointed compiler. Promoted to preceptor, he asked for emergency leave to return home.
28
弘治初，召修《憲宗實錄》。 充經筵講官。 稍遷國子監祭酒，進禮部右侍郎，掌監事如故。 典國學垂十年，饌銀歲以百數計，悉貯之官，以次營立署舍。 師儒免僦居，由瀚始。 歷吏部左、右侍郎。
Early in Hongzhi he was recalled to compile the Veritable Records of the Xianzong Emperor. He lectured at the imperial Classics Colloquium. He became university chancellor, then vice minister of rites, while continuing to direct the academy. For nearly ten years as chancellor he banked hundreds of taels of annual meal funds in the office treasury and used them to build staff housing. University teachers were first freed from renting quarters under his tenure. He served as left and right vice minister of personnel.
29
十三年拜南京吏部尚書。 以災異率群僚陳十二事。 御史王獻臣自遼東逮下詔獄，儒士孫伯堅等夤緣為中書舍人。 瀚疏爭，忤旨。 乞罷，不許。 已，奏請重根本：曰保固南京，曰佑啟皇儲，曰撫綏百姓，曰增進賢才。
In the thirteenth year he was made minister of personnel in Nanjing. Responding to omens and disasters, he led his colleagues in memorializing on twelve issues. Censor Wang Xianchen was jailed after returning from Liaodong, while scholars such as Sun Bojian bought their way into secretariat posts. Han protested by memorial and offended the throne. He asked to resign but was refused. He then urged strengthening the dynasty's foundations: securing Nanjing, safeguarding the heir, caring for the people, and promoting talent.
30
瀚素剛方，與守備中官不合，他內臣進貢道其地者，瀚每裁抑之，遂交譖於劉瑾。 會劉健、謝遷罷政，瀚聞太息。 言官戴銑等以留健、遷被征，瀚獨贐送，瑾聞益恨。 明年二月假銑等獄詞，謫瀚浙江參政。 致仕。 旋指為奸黨。 瑾誅，復官，致仕。 予月廩歲隸如故事。 尋命有司歲時存問。 瀚為人謙厚，而自守介然。 卒年八十六。 贈太子太保，謚文安。 子九人，庭昂、庭機最顯。
Upright and unyielding, he clashed with the garrison eunuch and curbed tribute missions; the eunuchs denounced him to Liu Jin. When Liu Jian and Xie Qian were dismissed, Han sighed in dismay. When censor Dai Xian was punished for defending Liu Jian and Xie Qian, Han alone gave him a farewell gift, deepening Jin's hatred. The following second month Jin used Dai Xian's case as a pretext to demote Han to administrative commissioner in Zhejiang. He retired. Soon he was branded a member of the illicit faction. After Jin's fall his rank was restored and he retired again. He received the usual retired stipend and attendants. Officials were ordered to visit him at the seasons. He was modest in manner yet rigid in principle. He died at eighty-six. He was posthumously made grand preceptor of the heir apparent with the title Wen'an, meaning Secure in Culture. Of his nine sons, Ting'ang and Tingji achieved the greatest fame.
31
庭昂，字利瞻。 瀚次子也。 弘治十二年進士。 授兵部主事。 歷職方郎中。 吏部尚書張彩欲改為御史，固謝之，乃以為蘇州知府。 頻歲大水，疏請停織造，罷繁征，割關課備振。 再上，始報可。 遷雲南左參政。 正德九年，以父老乞侍養。 時子炫已成進士，官禮部主事，亦謁假歸。 三世一堂，鄉人稱盛事。
Ting'ang, whose style name was Lizhan. He was Han's second son. He qualified as jinshi in the twelfth year of Hongzhi. He was made principal secretary in the Ministry of War. He rose to director in the Bureau of Operations. Zhang Cai, minister of personnel, wanted to make him a censor; he refused firmly and was appointed prefect of Suzhou instead. After repeated floods he urged stopping palace weaving, ending oppressive taxes, and diverting transit duties to relief. Only on a second memorial did the court agree. He was transferred to left administrative commissioner of Yunnan. In the ninth year of Zhengde he asked leave to care for his elderly father. His son Xuan, already a jinshi and a principal secretary in the Ministry of Rites, also took leave to return home. Three generations gathered under one roof, which neighbors hailed as a rare family joy.
32
嘉靖初，父憂，服闋，起官江西，歷湖廣左、右布政使。 舉治行卓異，擢右副都御史，巡撫保定諸府。 歷工部右侍郎。 應詔言郊壇大工，南城、西苑相繼興作，請以儉約先天下。 又因災傷，乞撤還采木、燒造諸使。 進左，拜尚書，加太子太保。 時帝方大興土木功，庭昂所規畫多稱意。 會詔建沙河行宮，庭昂議加天下田賦，為御史桑喬、給事中管見所劾。 乞罷，歸卒，贈少保，謚康懿。 炫終通政司參議。
Early in Jiajing, after mourning his father, he served in Jiangxi and rose to left and right administration commissioner of Huguang. Recognized for outstanding administration, he became right vice censor-in-chief and grand coordinator of Baoding. He became right vice minister of works. When the court launched major suburban, southern-city, and Western Park projects, he urged the emperor to model frugality for the realm. Citing disaster and hardship, he also asked to recall timber and porcelain missions. He was promoted to left vice minister, then minister, and grand preceptor of the heir apparent. The emperor was launching vast building projects, and Ting'ang's proposals often pleased him. When a palace was ordered at Shahe, Ting'ang proposed raising land taxes empire-wide and was attacked by Sang Qiao and Guan Jian. He resigned, died at home, and was posthumously made junior guardian with the title Kangyi, meaning Peaceful and Virtuous. Xuan rose to vice commissioner in the Office of Transmission.
33
庭機，字利仁，瀚季子也。 嘉靖十四年進士。 改庶吉士，授檢討，遷司業，擢南京祭酒，累遷至工部尚書。 穆宗立，調禮部，俱官陪京。 時子燫已為祭酒，遂致仕歸。 萬歷九年卒，年七十有六。 贈太子太保，謚文僖。 子燫、烴。
Tingji, style name Liren, was Han's youngest son. He became a jinshi in the fourteenth year of Jiajing. He became a Hanlin Bachelor, reviser, vice chancellor, Nanjing chancellor, and eventually minister of works. Under Emperor Muzong he was transferred to the Ministry of Rites while retaining his Nanjing post. His son Xun was already chancellor, so he retired. He died in the ninth year of Wanli at seventy-six. He was posthumously made grand preceptor of the heir apparent with the title Wenxi, meaning Cultivated and Joyful. His sons were Xun and Xuen.
34
燫，字貞恒，庭機長子。 嘉靖二十六進士。 改庶吉士，授檢討。 景恭王就邸，命燫侍講讀。 三遷國子祭酒。 自燫祖瀚，父庭機，三世為祭酒，前此未有也。 隆度改元，擢禮部右侍郎，充日講官。 寇犯邊，條上備邊七事。 改吏部，調南京吏部，署禮部事。 魏國公徐鵬舉廢長立幼，燫持不可。 萬歷元年進工部尚書，改禮部。 仍居南京。 名位一與父庭機等。 母喪去官。 服闋，以庭機篤老侍養，家居七年，先父庭機卒。 贈太子少保，謚文恪。 明代三世為尚書，並得謚文。 林氏一家而已。 子世勤，性篤孝。 芝生者三，枯篁復青。 御史上其事，被旌。
Xun, style name Zhenheng, was Tingji's eldest son. He qualified as jinshi in the twenty-sixth year of Jiajing. He became a Hanlin Bachelor and reviser. When Prince Jinggong went to his estate, Xun was assigned to tutor him. He was thrice promoted to university chancellor. With his grandfather Han and father Tingji, three generations held the chancellorship—an unprecedented honor. At the beginning of Longqing he was made vice minister of rites and daily lecturer. When raiders struck the frontier he submitted seven proposals for border defense. He moved to the Ministry of Personnel, then to its Nanjing counterpart, while acting in rites. When the Duke of Wei sought to disinherit an elder son for a younger, Xun refused to approve. In the first year of Wanli he became minister of works, then minister of rites. He remained in Nanjing. His rank and reputation matched his father Tingji's. He resigned to mourn his mother. After mourning he cared for the aged Tingji at home for seven years until his father's death. He was posthumously made junior guardian of the heir apparent with the title Wenke, meaning Cultivated and Reverent. In the Ming only one family produced three generations of ministers all bearing posthumous titles with the character wen— the Lin family alone. His son Shiqin was profoundly filial. Three lingzhi mushrooms appeared and withered bamboo sprouted green again. A censor reported the prodigy and the court honored him.
35
烴字貞燿，庭機次子也。 嘉靖四十一年進士。 授戶部主事，歷廣西副使。 兄燫卒，請急歸養。 久之，歷太仆少卿。 因災異極陳礦稅之害，請釋逮系諸臣。 不報。 終南京工部尚書致仕。 林氏三世五尚書，皆內行修潔，為時所稱。
Xuen, style name Zhenyao, was Tingji's second son. He became a jinshi in the forty-first year of Jiajing. He was made principal secretary in the Ministry of Revenue and rose to vice commissioner of Guangxi. When Xun died he hurried home on compassionate leave. Later he became junior director of the Court of the Imperial Stud. Citing omens and disasters, he denounced mining taxes and asked to free imprisoned officials. The court did not respond. He retired as minister of works in Nanjing. Three generations of the Lin family produced five ministers, all noted for personal integrity.
36
謝鐸，字鳴治，浙江太平人。 天順末進士。 改庶吉士，授編修，預修《英宗實錄》。 性介特，力學慕古，講求經世務。
Xie Duo, whose style name was Mingzhi, came from Taiping in Zhejiang. He qualified as a jinshi late in the Tianshun reign. He became a Hanlin Bachelor and compiler and helped compile the Veritable Records of the Yingzong Emperor. Upright and solitary by nature, he studied the classics and pursued practical statecraft.
37
成化九年校勘《通鑒綱目》，上言：「《綱目》一書，帝王龜鑒。 陛下命重加考定，必將進講經筵，為致治資也。 今天下有太平之形，無太平之實，因仍積習，廢實徇名。 曰振綱紀，而小人無畏忌； 曰勵風俗，而縉紳棄廉恥。 飭官司，而汙暴益甚； 恤軍民，而罷敝益極。 減省有制，而興作每疲於奔命； 蠲免有詔，而征斂每困於追呼。 考察非不舉，而幸門日開； 簡練非不行，而私撓日眾。 賞竭府庫之財，而有功者不勸； 罰窮讞覆之案，而有罪者不懲。 以至修省祈禱之命屢頒，水旱災傷之來不絕。 禁垣被震，城門示災，不思疏動旋轉，以大答天人之望，是則誠可憂也。 願陛下以古證今，兢兢業業，然後可長治久安，而載籍不為無用矣。」 帝不能從。
In the ninth year of Chenghua, while collating the Outline and Details of the Comprehensive Mirror, he wrote: "This book is the emperor's mirror of governance. Your Majesty has ordered a new recension; it should be lectured at court as a guide to good government. The realm looks peaceful but is not; empty formalism and neglect of substance persist. We claim to restore discipline, yet petty men act without fear; we claim to encourage morals, yet officials abandon integrity and shame. We discipline the bureaucracy, yet corruption worsens; we comfort troops and civilians, yet their exhaustion deepens. Statutes limit spending, yet construction still drives men to exhaustion; tax relief is proclaimed, yet collectors still hound the people. Inspections continue, yet back doors to favor multiply; military training proceeds, yet private meddling grows. Rewards drain the treasury without encouraging merit; punishments pile up without disciplining the guilty. Edicts for repentance multiply, yet flood, drought, and disaster never cease. Earthquakes shook the palace and omens appeared at the gates, yet the court will not change course to answer heaven and the people—this is truly alarming. I urge Your Majesty to measure the present against antiquity, act with caution and reverence, secure lasting peace, and make these books live again. The emperor did not heed him.
38
時塞上有警，條上備邊事宜，請養兵積粟，收復東勝、河套故疆。 又言：「今之邊將，無異晚唐債帥。 敗則士卒受其殃，捷則權豪蒙其賞。 且克侵軍餉，辦納月錢，三軍方怨憤填膺，孰肯為國效命者？」 語皆切時弊。 秩滿，進侍講，直經筵。 遭兩喪，服除，以親不逮養，遂不起。
When the frontier was threatened he urged training troops, stockpiling grain, and recovering East Sheng and the Ordos. He also wrote: "Today's frontier generals are no better than the debt-ridden commanders of late Tang. Defeat falls on the rank and file; victory enriches powerful families. They embezzle pay and levy monthly fees until the armies seethe with resentment—who will fight for the state? Every word struck at contemporary abuses. When his term expired he became lecturer at the imperial colloquium. After mourning both parents he declined further office, grieved that he had not supported them in life.
39
弘治初，言者交薦，以原官召修《憲宗實錄》。 三年擢南京國子祭酒。 上言六事，曰擇師儒，慎科貢，正祀典，廣載籍，復會饌，均撥歷。 其正祀典，請進宋儒楊時而罷吳澄。 禮部尚書傅瀚持之，乃進時而澄祀如故。
Early in Hongzhi he was repeatedly recommended and recalled to compile the Veritable Records of Xianzong. In the third year he was made chancellor of the Nanjing Imperial University. He proposed six reforms: better teachers, stricter examinations, corrected ritual canon, expanded libraries, restored communal feasts, and fairer practical assignments. On ritual canon he urged elevating the Song scholar Yang Shi and demoting Wu Cheng. Minister Fu Han resisted; Yang Shi was advanced but Wu Cheng's place in the temple remained.
40
明年謝病去。 家居將十年，薦者益眾。 會國子缺祭酒，部議起之。 帝素重鐸，擢禮部右侍郎，管祭酒事。 屢辭，不許。 時章懋為南祭酒，兩人皆人師，諸生交相慶。 居五年，引疾歸。
The following year he resigned for illness. At home nearly ten years, recommendations multiplied. When the university needed a chancellor, the ministry proposed recalling him. The emperor esteemed Duo and made him vice minister of rites while he continued as chancellor. He declined repeatedly but was overruled. Zhang Mao was Nanjing chancellor; students rejoiced to have two master teachers at once. After five years he retired again on grounds of illness.
41
鐸經術湛深，為文章有體要。 兩為國子師，嚴課程，杜請謁，增號舍，修堂室，擴廟門。 置公廨三十余居其屬。 諸生貧者周恤之，死者請官定制為之殮。 家居好周恤族黨，自奉則布衣蔬食。 正德五年卒。 贈禮部尚書，謚文肅。
His classical learning was profound and his prose disciplined. Twice university chancellor, he tightened the curriculum, barred favor-seeking, expanded dormitories, repaired halls, and widened the temple gate. He built more than thirty official residences for his staff. He aided poor students and secured official funeral rites for those who died. In retirement he supported his clan generously while living on plain food and coarse cloth. He died in the fifth year of Zhengde. He was posthumously made minister of rites with the title Wensu, meaning Cultivated and Solemn.
42
魯鐸，字振之，景陵人。 弘治十五年會試第一。 歷編修。 閉門自守，不妄交人。 武宗立，使安南，卻其饋。
Lu Duo, whose style name was Zhenzhi, came from Jingling. He ranked first in the metropolitan examination in the fifteenth year of Hongzhi. He served as compiler. He kept to himself and made few acquaintances. When Emperor Wuzong took the throne he was envoy to Annam and refused bribes.
43
正德二年遷國子監司業。 累擢南祭酒，尋改北。 鐸屢典成均，教士切實為學，不專章句。 士有假歸廢學者，訓飭之，悔過乃已。 久之，謝病歸。
In the second year of Zhengde he became vice chancellor of the Imperial University. He rose to Nanjing chancellor, then moved to Beijing. Often head of the academy, he taught practical learning rather than mere exegesis. Students who neglected study on leave were rebuked until they repented. Eventually he retired ill to his home.
44
嘉靖初，以刑部尚書林俊薦，用孝宗朝謝鐸故事，起南祭酒。 逾年，復請致仕。 累征不起，卒。 謚文恪。
Early in Jiajing, Lin Jun recommended recalling him as Nanjing chancellor, as Xie Duo had been under Xiaozong. A year later he again asked to retire. Further summons went unanswered until his death. He was granted the posthumous title Wenke, meaning Cultivated and Reverent.
45
鐸以德望重於時。 居鄉，有盜掠牛馬，或紿云：「魯祭酒物也」，舍之去。 大學士李東陽生日，鐸為司業，與祭酒趙永皆其門生也，相約以二帕為壽。 比檢笥，亡有，徐曰：「鄉有饋乾魚者，盍以此往？」 詢諸庖，食過半矣，以其余詣東陽。 東陽喜，為烹魚置酒，留二人飲，極歡乃去。
His moral authority was widely respected. At home, thieves who learned goods belonged to Chancellor Lu often left them untouched. For Grand Secretary Li Dongyang's birthday, Duo as vice chancellor and Zhao Yong as chancellor—both his students—agreed to bring two bolts of silk. Finding none in the chest, Duo said: "Someone sent dried fish from the village—shall we bring that instead? The kitchen had already eaten half; they took the rest to Dongyang. Dongyang delighted, cooked the fish, poured wine, and kept them in merry conversation until night.
46
永，字爾錫，臨淮人。 與鐸同年進士，亦官編修。 復與鐸相繼為祭酒。 尋遷南京禮部侍郎。 大學士楊一清重其才，欲引以自助，乃為他語挑之。 永正色曰：「可以纓冠汙吾道乎？」 遂請致仕去。 人服其廉介。
Zhao Yong, style name Erxi, came from Linhuai. He and Duo qualified as jinshi the same year and both became compilers. He and Duo later served in turn as chancellor. Soon he was made vice minister of rites in Nanjing. Grand Secretary Yang Yiqing admired him and tried to draw him into his faction with hints. Yong replied sternly: "Would you stain my integrity with an official appointment? He at once petitioned to retire. All admired his probity.
47
贊曰：明太祖時，國學師儒，體貌優重。 魏觀、宋訥為祭酒，造就人才，克舉其職。 諸生銜命奉使，往往擢為大官，不專以科目進也。 中葉以還，流品稍雜，撥歷亦為具文，成均師席，不過為儒臣序遷之地而已。 李時勉、陳敬宗諸人，方廉清鯁，表範卓然，類而傳之，庶觀者有所法焉。
The historian comments: Under the founding emperor, Imperial University teachers enjoyed exceptional honor. As chancellors, Wei Guan and Song Na trained talent and fulfilled their roles. Students sent on missions often rose to high office without relying solely on examinations. By mid-dynasty ranks grew mixed and practical training became nominal; the chancellorship was merely another step for literati. Yet Li Shimian, Chen Jingzong, and their peers were upright exemplars; recorded together, they might still teach later ages.