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卷一百六十七 列傳第五十五 曹鼐 鄺埜 王佐 孫祥 袁彬

Volume 167 Biographies 55: Cao Nai, Kuang Ye, Wang Zuo, Sun Xiang, Yuan Bin

Chapter 167 of 明史 · History of Ming
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Chapter 167
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1
Cao Nai (Zhang Yi; Kuang Ye)〉 Wang Zuo (Ding Xian and others)〉 Sun Xiang (Xie Ze)〉 Yuan Bin (Ha Ming; Yuan Min)〉
2
Cao Nai, styled Wanchong, came from Ningjin. As a young man he was upright and ambitious, and won renown for the filial way he treated his stepmother. Early in the Xuande reign he entered office as Instructor at Daizhou by provincial nomination; preferring another appointment, he was moved to Registrar of Taihe County. In the seventh year, while overseeing artisans at the capital, he memorialized to take the examinations and again passed the Shuntian provincial test. The following year he ranked first in the top tier of the metropolitan examination and was given a feast at the Ministry of Rites. The Ministry of Rites banquet for new jinshi began with Nai. He entered the Hanlin Academy as a Compiler.
3
歿
In the first year of Zhengtong he served as lecturer at the imperial lecture series. When the Veritable Records of the Xuande Emperor were finished, he was promoted to Reader-in-Waiting and granted third-rank ceremonial dress. In the fifth year, on the recommendation of Yang Rong and Yang Shiqi, he took up permanent duty in the Wenyuan Pavilion and joined in deliberating on state affairs. Nai was firm inwardly and mild outwardly, and thoroughly understood how government should work. After Rong died, Shiqi was often ill and did not handle business, and most Grand Secretariat decisions fell to Nai. The Emperor considered him capable and promoted him to Hanlin Academician. In the tenth year he was promoted to Left Vice Minister of Personnel while retaining his academicianship.
4
輿
In the seventh month of the fourteenth year, Esen of the Oirats invaded; the eunuch Wang Zhen pressed the Emperor to take the field in person. Officials of the court submitted memorial after memorial in protest, but he would not heed them. Nai and Zhang Yi accompanied the campaign as Grand Secretariat ministers. Before they reached Datong, the soldiers were already without adequate grain. Song Ying and Zhu Mian were destroyed with their whole forces. The ministers asked to withdraw the army; Zhen refused and pressed the troops to advance. The commander Zhu Yong advanced on his knees to receive orders; the Ministers Kuang Ye and Wang Zuo knelt in the grass, yet until evening could not secure a hearing. The Director of the Astronomy Bureau Peng Deqing said the heavens showed warnings: if they proceeded as before, the imperial carriage might be imperiled. Zhen cursed him, saying: "What do you know! If that should come to pass, it is likewise Heaven's mandate. Nai said: "We subjects are not worth sparing, but Your Majesty holds the safety of the realm in your hands—how can you advance so lightly?" Zhen in the end would not agree. Reports of defeat from the advance guard arrived in succession; he at last grew afraid and wished to turn back. Guo Deng, Marquis of Dingxiang, said to Nai and Yi: "From here it is only a little over forty li to Zijing—the imperial carriage ought to enter by Zijing. Zhen wished to bring the Emperor to Yu Prefecture to visit his own house; the Emperor did not listen, and they turned east again toward Juyong.
5
使
On the xinyou day of the eighth month they encamped at Tumu. The ground was high; they dug two zhang deep but still did not reach water. The Oirats arrived in strength and occupied the south bank of the river. The next day they feigned retreat and also sent envoys to discuss peace. The Emperor summoned Nai to draft an edict in response. Zhen abruptly ordered the camp shifted toward the water, and the army fell into disorder. Enemy horsemen overran the formation; the Emperor could not break out and was seized and borne away. Nai, Yi, and the others all perished in the disaster. When the Jing Emperor took the throne, Nai was posthumously enfeoffed as Junior Tutor, Minister of Personnel, and Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion, with the posthumous title Wenxiang; his son En was appointed Evaluator of the Court of Judicial Review. When Emperor Ying regained the throne, Nai was further posthumously enfeoffed as Grand Tutor and his posthumous title changed to Wenzhong; his grandson Rong was again appointed a commander of one hundred households in the Embroidered-Uniform Guard. Nai's younger brother Ding was a metropolitan graduate and rose to Chief Supervising Secretary of the Office of Scrutiny for Personnel.
6
歿
Zhang Yi, styled Shiqian, came from Jiangning. In the thirteenth year of Yongle he passed the metropolitan examination. From Hanlin Bachelor he was appointed Secretariat Drafter, then moved to Evaluator of the Court of Judicial Review. When the Veritable Records of the Xuande Emperor were finished, he was made Compiler. He was learned and had a powerful memory; his verse and prose were finished the moment he set brush to paper, and the Three Yangs greatly valued him. He was soon promoted to Reader-in-Waiting and in the fourteenth year of Zhengtong entered the Wenyuan Pavilion. In less than three months he suddenly met disaster and died. When the Jing Emperor took the throne, he was posthumously granted the title of Academician, with the posthumous name Wenxi. His great-grandson Cong passed the metropolitan examination. Early in the Jiajing reign he rose to Right Censor-in-Chief at Nanjing.
7
Kuang Ye, styled Mengzhi, came from Yizhang. In the ninth year of Yongle he passed the metropolitan examination and was appointed Investigating Censor. While the Chengzu Emperor was at Beijing, someone reported that Nanjing's paper-money system was being blocked and ruined by powerful families; the Emperor sent Ye to inspect on his behalf. Many expected a major prosecution; Ye took only one or two market magnates and returned. He memorialized: "When the market people heard the order they trembled with fear, and the paper-money system is flowing again. The matter was thereupon closed. When Japanese raiders struck Liaodong, more than a hundred men who had failed in garrison duty were all subject to the death penalty. The Emperor ordered Ye to review the cases; he fully stated grounds for compassion, and the Emperor spared them. In building Beijing, those conscripted for labor ran to tens of thousands; the Emperor ordered Ye to audit the rolls, and many who were ill were not left to die.
8
西使便調
In the sixteenth year someone reported that Qin people had gathered plotting sedition; Ye was promoted to Vice Commissioner of the Shaanxi Surveillance Commission and charged, as circumstances required, to mobilize troops to suppress them. Ye proved the accusation false, and an edict ordered the false accuser put to death. In the fourth year of Xuande he relieved famine in Guanzhong. After long service in Shaanxi, his criminal justice and administration were clear and restrained. When mourning for his father ended, he was promoted to Prefect of Yingtian. He abolished harsh urgent measures; market levies and field taxes were all adjusted to fair levels.
9
使
In the first year of Zhengtong he was promoted to Right Vice Minister of War. The next year, when Minister Wang Ji went out to supervise the armies, Ye alone handled the ministry's business. The frontier was then often under alert and generals were scarce; Ye asked that men of strategy and martial talent be broadly recommended throughout the court and country for appointment. In the sixth year Shandong suffered disaster. Ye asked that the rule requiring commoners to compensate for lost stud horses be eased, to restore their strength.
10
便 西
In the tenth year he was promoted to Minister. By old regulation, guard officers from company commanders down who were due for succession had to be examined at the capital; those far away without means might never obtain succession in their lifetime. Ye asked that they be examined at their respective regional commands; people regarded this as convenient. As Esen of the Oirats grew powerful, Ye asked for preparations and, with court ministers, discussed strategy, requesting more troops at Datong and that a wise minister be chosen to inspect northwest frontier affairs. He soon also asked to stop the capital garrison's wall-repair labor and let them rest against emergencies. At the time this could not be adopted.
11
便 殿
When Esen invaded, Wang Zhen insisted on a personal campaign and did not consult the outer court on whether it should proceed. When the edict was issued, Ye memorialized: "Esen has come raiding; one frontier general is enough to contain him. Your Majesty is lord of the ancestral temples and altars of soil and grain—how can you fail to cherish yourself? He was not heeded. After accompanying the imperial procession beyond the passes, he pressed strongly for the carriage to return. Zhen was angry and ordered him and Minister of Revenue Wang Zuo both to follow the main camp. Ye fell from his horse and nearly died; some urged him to stay at Huailai City for treatment. Ye said: "The supreme sovereign is on the march—how dare I plead illness for my own convenience? When the imperial procession reached Xuanfu, Zhu Yong was destroyed. Ye asked that they hurry through the passes and array troops as rearguard. No reply was received. He again went to the traveling palace to petition. Zhen raged: "What do pedantic scholars know of war—say it again and you die! Ye said: "I speak for the realm and the people—what have I to fear?" Zhen ordered attendants to haul him out. Ye and Zuo wept together in the tent. The next day the army was destroyed; Ye died at sixty-five.
12
使
Ye was diligent, incorrupt, upright, and cautious, and by nature profoundly filial. His father Fu was Instructor at Jurong and taught Ye with great strictness. Long in Shaanxi, Ye longed to see his father and planned to engage him as examiner for the provincial examination. His father stormed: "You sit in the Surveillance Commission while your father is examiner—how is that to be kept proper? He sent a swift letter rebuking him. Ye once sent his father a brown robe and wrote again to rebuke him: "You hold criminal justice—you should clear wrongs and release the detained, not fail your charge; how did you get this robe to stain me? He sealed it and sent it back. Ye received the letter, knelt to read it aloud, and weeping took the lesson. Early in Jingtai, Ye was posthumously made Junior Guardian; his son Yi was appointed Director. At the beginning of Chenghua he received the posthumous title Zhongsu.
13
Wang Zuo came from Haifeng. Under Yongle he passed the provincial examination. He graduated from the Imperial Academy, won renown for learning and conduct, and was raised to Supervising Secretary of the Office of Scrutiny for Personnel. He was grave in bearing; his memorials and responses were thorough and refined, and the Xuande Emperor marked him out.
14
In the second year of Xuande he was abruptly promoted to Right Vice Minister of Revenue. Because granaries at Taicang, Linqing, Dezhou, Huai, and Xu harbored many abuses, the Emperor ordered Zuo to inspect them. Chen Xuan, Earl of Pingjiang, said 120,000 transport laborers found annual grain transport crushing and asked to conscript southern commoners in army-like numbers, rotating for transport. An edict ordered Zuo to consult Chen Xuan and Huang Fu. Zuo returned and reported southeastern strength already spent; the plan was shelved. He was charged to manage the waterways from Tongzhou to Zhigu. Later he went to Xuanfu to discuss garrison-farming affairs.
15
祿 調
In the sixth year Minister Liu Zhongfu offended and was punished; Zuo was summoned to run the ministry and soon made Minister. In the eleventh year he was ordered to investigate the stipend dispute of Zhang An, Earl of Anxiang, and his brother; for shifting blame with the judicial offices he was impeached, sent to the magistrates, then released. Armies then marched everywhere and costs often ran to tens of millions; the treasury was empty. Zuo calmly adjusted affairs and economized with skill. Long in Revenue, he sought no loud fame yet was generous and measured; though business piled up, he never quit study, and men called him a gentleman.
16
At Tumu he died with Kuang Ye, Ding Xian, Wang Yonghe, and Deng Qi. Posthumously he was made Junior Guardian; his son Dao was appointed Director in Revenue. At the beginning of Chenghua he received the posthumous title Zhongjian.
17
歿
Ding Xian, styled Yongji, came from Fengcheng. Under Yongle he passed the metropolitan examination. He was appointed Doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. He rose through Vice Director posts in Works, Punishments, and Personnel, then became Director of Punishments. In the third year of Zhengtong he was abruptly promoted to Vice Minister of Punishments. In the ninth year he went to administer Sichuan tea duties and memorialized to cut the regular quota until abundant years. He relieved famine in Jianghuai, Shandong, and Henan; the people all relied on him. In ordinary times he seemed mild and incapable; when business came he handled everything. He died on the campaign and was posthumously made Minister of Punishments; his son Hu was appointed Evaluator of the Court of Judicial Review. Later he received the posthumous title Xiangmin.
18
歿
Wang Yonghe, styled Yizheng, came from Kunshan. From youth he was profoundly filial. His father lay ill eighteen years; he tended medicines without slackening. Under Yongle he passed the provincial examination and served as Instructor at Yanzhou and Raozhou. On Jian Yi's recommendation he became Supervising Secretary of the Office of Scrutiny for War. He once impeached Commander Wang Yu for garrisoning Jizhou and letting raiders roam, and Ma Shun of the Embroidered-Uniform Guard for unlawful acts. Bearing credentials he invested the Han heir's consort and impeached the eunuch Jian Ao. He became known for firm uprightness. In the sixth year of Zhengtong he was promoted to Chief Supervising Secretary. In the eighth year he was raised to Right Vice Minister of Works. He died on the campaign and was posthumously made Minister of Works; his son Ruxian was appointed Evaluator of the Court of Judicial Review. Later he received the posthumous title Xiangmin.
19
滿 西使 輿
Deng Qi, styled Mengkuo, came from Nancheng. At the end of Yongle he passed the metropolitan examination. He was appointed Investigating Censor and by imperial order inspected Suzhou and Songjiang prefectures. When his term ended, local elders went to court begging he stay; the request was granted. Soon after he left on mourning. In the tenth year of Xuande Shaanxi lacked a Surveillance Commissioner; an edict ordered ministers to recommend men pure, cautious, and of standing. Yang Shiqi recommended Qi, and he was appointed. In the tenth year of Zhengtong he entered as Right Vice Censor-in-Chief. On the northern campaign he accompanied the guard; when the army passed Juyong he memorialized for the carriage to return and military affairs to rest with the commander alone. At Xuanfu and Datong he submitted memorials again. None received reply. When disaster struck, a companion said: "We can save ourselves. Qi said: "The imperial carriage is lost—where can I go! When the lord is shamed the minister dies—that is duty. He thereupon died. Posthumously he was made Right Censor-in-Chief; his son Chang was appointed Evaluator of the Court of Judicial Review. Later he received the posthumous title Xiangmin.
20
When Emperor Ying marched out, civil and military officials of every rank went with him. The six armies were destroyed at Tumu; generals, ministers, and attendants who died were beyond counting. Zhang Fu, Duke of Ying, and the marquises and earls have separate biographies. Of others whose names are known, among ministers and directors were Gong Quan'an, Huang Yangzheng, Dai Qingzu, Wang Yiju, Liu Rong, and Ling Shou; among supervising secretaries and censors were Bao Liangzuo, Yao Xian, Bao Hui, Zhang Hong, Huang Shang, Wei Zhen, Xia Cheng, Shen You, Yin Hong, Tong Cunde, Sun Qing, and Lin Xiangfeng; among lower officials were Qi Wang, Feng Xueming, Wang Jian, Cheng Siwen, Cheng Shi, Lu Duan, Yu Jian, Zhang Tang, Zheng Xuan, Yu Gong, Pan Cheng, Qian Bing, Ma Yu, Yin Chang, Luo Ruyong, Liu Xin, Li Gong, and Shi Yu. When the Jing Emperor took the throne, after enfeoffing the great ministers, from supervising secretaries and censors down edicts praised them and enrolled their sons in the Imperial Academy—condolence rites were then complete indeed.
21
歿使 歿 歿
Gong Quan'an came from Lanxi. A metropolitan graduate, he was appointed Supervising Secretary for Works and rose to Left Vice Commissioner of Transmission. On death he was posthumously made Commissioner of Transmission. Huang Yangzheng, personal name Meng, known by his style name, came from Ruian. For calligraphy he was appointed Secretariat Drafter and rose to Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. On death he was posthumously made Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Dai Qingzu came from Liyang; Wang Yiju from Shangyuan. Both were music-and-dance students and rose to Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. On death both were posthumously made Ministers of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Bao Liangzuo, styled Kezhong. From Cixi. A metropolitan graduate, he was appointed Supervising Secretary of the Office of Scrutiny for Personnel. Bao Hui, styled Shuda, came from Pingyang in Zhejiang. A metropolitan graduate, he was appointed Supervising Secretary for Works and often offered proposals. Zhang Hong came from Anfu; Huang Shang, styled Yuanji, came from Qujiang. Both passed the metropolitan examination and were appointed censors. Shang once reported thirty thousand dead of plague in Ning, Shao, and Tai; the dead should have rents remitted and the living relieved. Inspecting salt affairs in the two Zhe provinces, he sought relief for flood victims. The request was approved. Wei Zhen came from Huaiyuan. A metropolitan graduate, he served as censor. Shen You. Styled Tiansi, from Wuchuan in Guizhou. His father was mauled by a tiger. You seized a staff and struck hard; his father was saved. He passed the provincial examination, entered the Imperial Academy, and led students to rescue Chancellor Li Shimian. Soon he passed the metropolitan examination and was appointed censor of the Sichuan circuit, known for blunt integrity. Yin Hong, styled Taihe, was from Ba; Tong Cunde, styled Jujing, came from Lanxi. Both were metropolitan graduates and served as censors. Lin Xiangfeng, styled Minggao, came from Putian. By provincial examination he was appointed Instructor, then raised to censor. Qi Wang, styled Yuancheng, came from Tiantai. As a metropolitan graduate he served as Director in the Ministry of War's Chariot Office. Cheng Siwen came from Wuyuan; Cheng Shi came from Changshu; Lu Duan came from Renhe. All were metropolitan graduates and served as vice directors. Yu Jian, styled Yuanji, came from Tonglu. As a metropolitan graduate he was appointed Director in the Ministry of War's Bureau of Appointments. On the northern campaign, Director Hu Ning should have gone; ill, he asked to be replaced, and Jian generously agreed. Someone said: "Your home is far and your children young—what then? Jian said: "For the state—how dare a subject reckon his household!" Minister Kuang Ye knew his worth and often consulted him; Jian said: "Only press to withdraw the army." At the time this could not be adopted. Zhang Tang, styled Tingyu, came from Cixi. A metropolitan graduate, he was appointed Director in the Ministry of Punishments. Yin Chang came from Jiyong. A metropolitan graduate, he served as Director of the Bureau of Envoys. Luo Ruyong, styled Benchong, came from Luling. A metropolitan graduate, he was appointed Envoy. On the northern campaign, before leaving he bade farewell to wife and children, swore to die for the state, and asked Hanlin Academician Liu Yan to inscribe his tomb. Yan was startled and refused; Ruyong smiled: "You will soon see it verified. A few days later he indeed died. Liu Rong was Vice Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud. Ling Shou was Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments. Xia Cheng and Sun Qing were both censors. Feng Xueming was a Director. Wang Jian was a Vice Director. Yu Gong, Pan Cheng, and Qian Bing were all Secretariat Drafters. Ma Yu was Vice Director of the Court of Judicial Review. Liu Xin was Director of the Summer Office. Li Gong and Shi Yu were Ceremonial Attendants. Their native places cannot all be verified.
22
退
Sun Xiang came from Datong. In the tenth year of Zhengtong he passed the metropolitan examination. He was appointed Supervising Secretary of the Office of Scrutiny for War. He was raised to Right Vice Censor-in-Chief and garrisoned Zijing Pass. When Esen pressed the pass, Regional Commander Han Qing died fighting; Xiang held four days. Esen entered by a hidden route and attacked from both sides; the pass fell. Xiang led troops in street fighting; the army broke and he was killed; censors wrongly impeached him for abandoning the city. When raiders withdrew, officials repairing the pass found his body on the field, burned and buried it, and did not report it. His younger brother Qi went to court to plead injustice; an edict comforted the family. At Chenghua's accession, his son Shen was enrolled as Right Evaluator of the Court of Judicial Review.
23
西 使
There was also Xie Ze, from Shangyu. In the sixteenth year of Yongle he passed the metropolitan examination. From Director in the Nanjing Ministry of Punitions he went out as Administrative Commissioner of Guangxi. Late in Zhengtong he was raised to Commissioner of Transmission and garrisoned Baiyang Pass. When the army was defeated at Tumu, frontier defenders lost heart; Ze bade farewell to his son Yan and went. Within days Esen's troops poured in and defending commander Lü Duo fled. Ze directed troops to hold the pass; a great wind raised sand until men and horses could not be told apart. Some asked to move to another pass to avoid the enemy; Ze refused. When raiders came the force broke; Ze gripped his sword, shouted at the enemy, and was killed. When reported, officials were sent to bury and sacrifice; Yan was enrolled as Evaluator of the Court of Judicial Review.
24
西
Yuan Bin, styled Wenzhi, came from Xinchang in Jiangxi. Late in Zhengtong, as corporal of the Embroidered-Uniform Guard he accompanied the Emperor north. At Tumu Esen seized the Emperor and bore him north; attendants scattered, but Bin alone stayed at his side. When Esen raided Datong and Xuanfu and pressed the capital, he always took the Emperor along. Over hills and streams, through danger, Bin shielded him without slackening. At Tucheng the Emperor wished to write the Empress Dowager and instruct ministers; knowing Bin could write, he had him draft it. In the desert his dwelling was only a felt tent with worn curtains, one cart and one horse beside for moving on. Through hardship Bin never showed disobedience. At night he slept with the Emperor; in bitter cold he warmed the Emperor's feet with his side.
25
使
There was Ha Ming, a Mongol. From youth he had followed his father as interpreter; now he also attended the Emperor. When the Emperor addressed Esen and his men, he often used Ming. When Esen's elders had requests, Ming conveyed them. The Emperor dwelt alone in a felt lodge, gazing south in gloom. The two sometimes offered witty words to comfort him, and his face would lighten.
26
使 使 西
The eunuch Xi Ning was Esen's trusted confidant. Esen once told the Emperor: "If the central court sends envoys, the Emperor will return. The Emperor said: "You may escort me yourself; wanting the court to send envoys only wastes the trip." Ning heard and raged: "Bin wants a quick return—he must die." Ning urged Esen to raid Ningxia westward, seize horses, and drive to the south Yangzi, settling the Emperor at Nanjing. Bin and Ming told the Emperor: "Cold weather and a long road—you cannot ride; you would only freeze and starve for nothing. And if you arrive and generals will not receive you, what then? The Emperor stopped Ning's plan. Ning again wished to kill them; both times the Emperor forcefully stopped it. When Esen would offer his sister, Bin asked the carriage return before betrothal; the Emperor declined. Esen hated Bin and Ming and several times wished to kill them. One day he bound Bin in open country to dismember him. The Emperor heard and rushed as if he had lost his hands; Bin was spared. Bin once suffered severe cold; the Emperor pressed his body on Bin's back until sweat soaked through and he recovered. A full year north of the desert, the Emperor regarded Bin as kin.
27
使 西 使
When the Emperor returned, the Jing Emperor gave Bin only trial command of one hundred households in the Guard. At Tianshun's restoration he was raised to Assistant Commander. Soon he was advanced to Vice Commander. The Emperor favored Bin greatly; whatever he asked was granted. After Grand Secretariat minister Shang Lu was dismissed, Bin asked for his residence. Finding it cramped, he asked officials to build him another house; the Emperor approved. When Bin married, the Emperor had maternal relative Sun Xianzong preside and gave lavish gifts. He was often summoned to private feasts to recount their hardships; joy flowed as in old times. That twelfth month he was advanced to Commander and, with Assistant Regional Commander Wang Xi, jointly ran the Guard. The two had accepted instructions from eunuch Xia Shi and privately sent Commander Ji Fu to spy in Jiangxi. Fu was the husband of the Emperor's wet nurse. An edict asked who had sent him; the two pleaded guilty. The Emperor said: "Someone must be behind this. Ji Fu was sent to the magistrates, and proof the two had accepted instructions was obtained. The offices asked to punish Shi and the two. The Emperor pardoned Shi; the two redeemed labor and returned to office, while an edict declared that hereafter any official accepting instructions to dispatch men must be executed without pardon. Later, for letting a prisoner escape, Xi was removed and Bin alone managed guard affairs. In the fifth year's autumn, for pacifying Cao Qin's rebellion, he was advanced to Assistant Regional Commander.
28
調
Men Da then relied on imperial favor and his power tilted the court. Many ministers bowed to him; Bin alone would not yield. Da framed charges and asked he be arrested and tried. The Emperor wished the law enforced and told him: "Try the case, but bring Yuan Bin back alive. Da forged evidence into a completed case. Thanks to lacquerer Yang Kan pleading injustice, the case was dissolved. Yet Bin was transferred to the Nanjing Guard, drawing salary while idle. Details appear in the biography of Men Da.
29
使
Two months later Emperor Ying died; Da offended and was demoted to Duyun. Bin was summoned back to his original post and again ran the Guard. Soon Da was arrested on campaign and banished to Nandan. Bin saw him off beyond the walls and gave parting gifts. At Chenghua's beginning he was advanced to Vice Regional Commander. After long service he was advanced to Regional Commander. Earlier, Guard commanders generally flaunted power and sought bribes. Bin served long and conducted affairs quietly.
30
In the thirteenth year he was raised to Assistant Commander-in-Chief and entered the Front Military Commission. He died in office. His line hereditarily held Assistant Commander in the Guard.
31
使使
When Ha Ming returned with the Emperor he was granted the name Yang Ming; he rose to Guard Commander and often served abroad as interpreter. When Xiaozong succeeded, supernumerary posts were culled; Ming alone remained for guarding the Emperor beyond the passes. He died in office at a great age.
32
Yuan Min was Clerk of the Jinchi Guard. On Emperor Ying's northern campaign he volunteered and followed to Datong. When the carriage returned it halted at Wanquan Left Guard. Min saw enemy horsemen pressing close and asked thirty or forty thousand elite troops hold their thrust while the carriage hurried through the passes. Wang Zhen would not accept; the six armies were destroyed. Min escaped and memorialized the Jing Emperor: "The Retired Emperor once dwelt in the Ninefold Enclosure, wearing dragon robes, eating delicacies, dwelling in jade halls. Now trapped in the desert—does he wear dragon robes? Does he eat delicacies? Does he dwell in palaces? I have heard: when the lord is shamed the minister dies. The Retired Emperor shamed so—what heart can subjects have? I do not spare my life. I beg one official be sent, or I be ordered to carry a letter and imperial goods to inquire beyond the passes, fulfilling a subject's duty. Though I die ten thousand deaths, my heart would be glad. The Ministry of Rites was ordered to deliberate; in the end the memorial was shelved.
33
輿 使
The commentator says: Strange indeed was the defeat at Tumu! The raiders were not a deep invasion; the state was not weak—only eunuchs usurped power, treated raiders lightly, toyed with arms, defied popular will and drove men to death's ground, so the six armies broke, the carriage wandered, and ministers and officials greased the wild grass. At first they could not stop the march; once out they could not bring it home—bodies piled on the frontier, which did not mend defeat. Yet in frantic rout, when the lord is shamed the minister dies—those who did not steal life need not be reproached for wounding courage.
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