2
Gao Gu, courtesy name Shiyong, was from Xinghua in Yangzhou. In Yongle 13 he passed the metropolitan examination, was chosen as a junior compiler, and was appointed a secretariat drafter. When Renzong succeeded, he was made directing clerk of the Eastern Palace and soon promoted to Hanlin reader-in-waiting. When Yingzong opened the Classics Lecture, Yang Shiqi recommended Gao Gu along with Miao Zhong, Ma Yu, and Cao Qi to serve as lecturers and readers. In Zhengtong 10 he rose from reader-in-waiting academician to right vice minister of works and entered the Grand Secretariat to handle state affairs.
3
Early in the Jingtai reign he was promoted to minister while retaining his Hanlin academician post and his former duties in the Grand Secretariat. When Emperor Yingzong was due to return, the planned welcome rites were deemed too spare. The qianhu Gong Suirong sent Gao Gu a letter arguing at length that the ceremony should be lavish, invoking Emperor Suzong of Tang welcoming his father home from retirement. Gao Gu carried the letter into court hidden in his sleeve and showed it to the ministers, saying, "If even a soldier understands ritual propriety, how much more ought scholar-officials to do so!" The officials present agreed that he was right. Hu Ying and Wang Zhi wanted to bring the matter to the emperor's attention. Gao Gu said, "Memorials on welcoming him back are already before the throne, and the emperor has hesitated for a long time. If we submit this letter and show him that court and country stand together, that might help move him." The censor-in-chief Wang Wen would not agree. Soon censorial officials memorialized on the matter. Asked where the letter came from, Gao Gu answered, "From my own hand." He then submitted a forceful memorial pleading that the welcome follow Gong Suirong's recommendations. The emperor declined to follow his advice but did not punish him.
4
In the second Jingtai year he was made junior guardian and grand secretary of the Eastern Pavilion. When the crown prince was replaced, he was made grand tutor to the heir apparent and granted a double stipend. After famine struck Yingtian and Fengyang, he was charged with rites at the three imperial tombs and relief for the destitute. In the seventh year he became grand academician of the Hall of Cultivating Virtue while retaining his Eastern Pavilion post. The seven grand secretaries often clashed in council. Gao Gu was upright in character and steadfast in argument. Wang Wen owed his rise to Gao Gu's recommendation yet repeatedly tried to undermine him. Gao Gu repeatedly asked to leave state affairs but was not allowed to resign. Chief supervising secretary Lin Cong, who had offended the powerful, was condemned to death; Gao Gu fought hard for him, and Lin escaped with a mild punishment. Chen Xun and Wang Wen framed the chief examiners Liu Yan and Huang Jian; the emperor ordered the Ministry of Rites, together with Gao Gu, to review the examination papers again. Gao Gu insisted that Liu Yan and his colleagues had shown no favoritism, adding, "It is bad enough when scions of great houses contend with poor scholars for advancement. Must they also refuse to accept their fate and use this affair to destroy the examiners?" The emperor then allowed the sons of Chen Xun and Wang Wen to pass the examinations, demoting only Lin Ting, and the matter was closed.
5
When Yingzong was restored to the throne, Chen Xun and Wang Wen and their party were put to death or exiled, and Gao Gu retired citing illness. Yingzong called Gao Gu a man of standing and told the court, "In the Grand Secretariat, on welcoming me home and affairs of the Southern Palace, Gao Gu often stood by me. He was given gold, silk, and court robes, with an imperial courier boat to take him home." Soon after, another edict praised him.
6
After leaving office he shut his gates and would see no visitors. Anyone who asked about events under Jingtai or early Tianshun found him silent. He died in the first month of Tianshun four, at the age of seventy.
7
8
Hu Ying, courtesy name Yuanjie, was from Wujin. He was born with white hair, which turned black only after his first month. In Jianwen two he passed the metropolitan examination and was made a supervising secretary in the military-affairs bureau. In Yongle one he was moved to chief supervising secretary in the revenues bureau.
9
When the Jianwen emperor died in the palace fire, some said he had escaped and that many former officials had gone with him; the Yongle emperor was uneasy. In Yongle five the emperor sent Hu Ying out to distribute imperial works and to search for the immortal Zhang Guaiya, touring every province and village in the land while secretly trying to learn whether the Jianwen emperor was still alive. Because of this mission Hu Ying was away longer than any other envoy and did not return until the fourteenth year. Along the way he also reported local grievances when he encountered them. When his mother died he asked to go into mourning but was refused, and was promoted to left vice minister of rites. In the seventeenth year he was sent out again to inspect Jiangzhe and the lakes-and-rivers region. In the twenty-first year he came back to court and hurried to see the emperor at Xuanfu. The emperor was already asleep; learning that Hu Ying had come, he rose at once and called him in. Hu Ying told him everything he had learned, and did not leave until the fourth watch. Before Hu Ying returned, rumor said the Jianwen emperor had fled overseas, and the emperor had sent eunuchs including Zheng He on voyages to the Western Ocean; only now did his suspicions ease.
10
While the crown prince governed at Nanjing, the Prince of Han spread rumors to blacken him. The emperor transferred Hu Ying to Nanjing and charged him to look into the matter. Hu Ying reached Nanjing and sent in a sealed memorial on seven points of the regency, declaring that the heir was reverent, filial, and diligent with no fault found; the emperor was pleased.
11
When Renzong succeeded, Hu Ying was summoned as vice minister of rites at the traveling court; he presented ten proposals, arguing forcefully that establishing Beijing as the capital was inexpedient, urging a return to Nanjing to spare the burden of north-south transport and supply. The emperor approved them all. But learning that he had once sent in a secret memorial, the emperor grew suspicious and did not summon him in the end. He was transferred to mentor of the heir apparent while also serving as chancellor of the Nanjing Directorate of Education.
12
宣宗即位，仍遷禮部左侍郎。 明年來朝，乃留行在禮部，尋進尚書。 漢王反，與楊榮等贊親征。 事平，賚予甚厚。 明年賜第長安右門外，給閽者二人，賜銀章四。 生辰，賜宴其第。 四年命兼理詹事府事。 六年，張本卒，又兼領行在戶部。 時國用漸廣，濙慮度支不足，蠲租詔下，輒沮格。 帝嘗切戒之，然眷遇不少替。 嘗曲宴濙及楊士奇、夏原吉、蹇義，曰：「海內無虞，卿等四人力也。」 英宗即位，詔節冗費。 濙因奏減上供物，及汰法王以下番僧四五百人，浮費大省。 正統五年，山西災，詔行寬恤，既而有采買物料之命。 濙上疏言詔旨宜信。 又言軍旗營求差遣，因而擾民，宜罷之。 皆報可。 行在禮部印失，詔弗問，命改鑄。 已，又失，被劾下獄。 未幾，印獲，復職。 九年，年七十，乞致仕，不許。 英宗北狩，群臣聚哭於朝，有議南遷者。 濙曰：「文皇定陵寢於此，示子孫以不拔之計也。」 與侍郎于謙合，中外始有固誌。
When Xuande succeeded, Hu Ying was again made left vice minister of rites. The next year he came to court and was kept at the traveling-court Ministry of Rites, soon advanced to minister. When the Prince of Han rebelled, he joined Yang Rong and others in urging the emperor to take the field in person. After the rebellion was put down, his rewards were lavish. The following year he received a house outside the Right Chang'an Gate, two gatekeepers, and four silver seals of authority. On his birthday the emperor feasted him at his own house. In the fourth Xuande year he was ordered to take charge of the heir apparent's household as well. In the sixth year, after Zhang Ben died, he also headed the Nanjing ministry of revenue. State spending was rising, and Hu Ying, fearing the treasury would not keep pace, often blocked tax-remission edicts. The emperor sometimes sharply warned him, but did not withdraw his favor. He once entertained Hu Ying, Yang Shiqi, Xia Yuanji, and Jian Yi privately and said, "The empire is at peace — the four of you have done this." When Yingzong came to the throne, an edict called for cutting wasteful spending. Hu Ying proposed reducing court tribute goods and dismissing four or five hundred Tibetan monks below the rank of dharma king, which greatly cut waste. In Zhengtong five Shanxi suffered disaster and an edict promised relief, but soon after came orders to procure materials on commission. Hu Ying memorialized that imperial words should be kept. He also urged an end to camp soldiers' seeking assignment as envoys, which harassed the people. Both suggestions were accepted. When the seal of the Nanjing ministry of rites was lost, the emperor forbade investigation and ordered a new seal cast. Soon it was lost again; he was impeached and put in prison. Not long after, the seal turned up and he was reinstated. In the ninth year, at seventy, he asked to retire but was refused. When Yingzong was captured in the north, ministers wept together at court, and some urged moving the capital south. Hu Ying said, "Emperor Wen laid the imperial tombs here to show his line a capital they must not abandon." Together with Vice Minister Yu Qian he stiffened resolve inside and outside the court.
13
景帝即位，進太子太傅。 楊善使也先，濙言上皇蒙塵久，宜附進服食，不報。 上皇將還，命禮部具奉迎儀。 濙等議遣禮部署迎於龍虎臺，錦衣具法駕迎居庸關，百司迎土城外，諸將迎教場門； 上皇自安定門入，進東安門，於東上北門南面坐； 皇帝謁見畢，百官朝見，上皇入南城大內。 議上，傳旨以一轎二馬迎於居庸關，至安定門易法駕，余如奏。 給事中劉福等言禮太薄。 帝報曰：「朕尊大兄為太上皇帝，尊禮無加矣。 福等顧雲太薄，其意何居？ 禮部其會官詳察之。」 濙等言：「諸臣意無他，欲陛下篤親親耳。」 帝曰：「昨得太上皇書，具言迎駕之禮宜從簡損，朕豈得違之。」 群臣乃不敢言。 會千戶龔遂榮為書投大學士高谷，言奉迎宜厚，具言唐肅宗迎上皇故事。 谷袖之以朝，與王直等共觀之。 直與濙欲聞之帝，為都御史王文所阻，而給事中葉盛竟以聞。 盛同官林聰復劾直、濙、谷等，皆股肱大臣，有聞必告，不宜偶語竊議。 有詔索書。 濙等因以書進，且言：「肅宗迎上皇典禮，今日正可仿行。 陛下宜躬迎安定門外，分遣大臣迎龍虎臺。」 帝不悅曰：「第從朕命，無事紛更。」 上皇至，居南城宮。 濙請帝明年正旦率群臣朝延安門，不許。 上皇萬壽節，請令百官拜賀延安門，亦不許。 三年正月與王直並進少傅。 易太子，加兼太子太師。 王文惡林聰，文致其罪，欲殺之。 濙不肯署，遂稱疾，數日不朝。 帝使興安問疾。 對曰：「老臣本無疾，聞欲殺林聰，殊驚悸耳。」 聰由是得釋。
When the Jingtai emperor succeeded, Hu Ying was made grand tutor to the heir apparent. When Yang Shan went on embassy to the Oirats, Hu Ying urged that supplies be sent to the captive emperor, who had long suffered in the north, but the court did not reply. As the retired emperor was about to return, the throne ordered the ministry of rites to draw up welcome rites. Hu Ying and his colleagues proposed that rites officials meet him at Longhu Terrace, the imperial guard deploy the state carriage at Juyong Pass, all ministries receive him outside the earthen city wall, and generals receive him at the drill ground; the retired emperor would enter by the Anding Gate, go on to the Dong'an Gate, and take a seat facing south at the upper north gate on the east side; after the reigning emperor had performed his visit, the officials would attend, and the retired emperor would enter the inner quarters of the Southern Palace. The proposal went up; the response was that a single sedan and two horses should meet him at Juyong Pass, the full imperial carriage only at the Anding Gate, with the rest as proposed. Supervising secretary Liu Fu and others protested that the ceremony was too mean. The emperor answered, "I honor my elder brother as Retired Emperor; no welcome could exceed that. Why do Liu Fu and his fellows call the rites too thin — what are they driving at? Let the ministry of rites convene officials and review this carefully." Hu Ying and his colleagues replied, "Their only aim is that Your Majesty should show deep family feeling." The emperor said, "Yesterday I received a letter from the Retired Emperor stating plainly that the welcome should be kept simple; how could I go against it?" The officials fell silent. Meanwhile the qianhu Gong Suirong sent Grand Secretary Gao Gu a letter arguing that the welcome should be lavish and citing Tang Suzong's reception of his father. Gao Gu carried it to court and read it with Wang Zhi and the others. Wang Zhi and Hu Ying wanted to report it to the throne but were stopped by Censor-in-Chief Wang Wen; supervising secretary Ye Sheng nevertheless brought it forward. Ye's colleague Lin Cong impeached Wang Zhi, Hu Ying, Gao Gu, and the rest for talking in private instead of reporting what they knew, as pillar ministers should. An edict was issued demanding the letter. Hu Ying and his colleagues then submitted the letter and added, "The rites with which Tang Suzong welcomed his father are just what should be followed now. Your Majesty should meet him in person outside the Anding Gate and send senior ministers to Longhu Terrace." The emperor, angered, said, "Do as I command; do not keep stirring this up." When the Retired Emperor returned, he lived in the palace of the Southern City. Hu Ying asked that on the next New Year's Day the emperor lead the ministers in homage at the Yan'an Gate, but the request was denied. On the Retired Emperor's birthday Hu Ying again asked that officials offer congratulations at the Yan'an Gate; again the request was denied. In the third year, first month, he and Wang Zhi were both promoted to junior grand tutor. When the heir was changed he was also made grand preceptor to the crown prince. Wang Wen hated Lin Cong, fabricated charges against him, and sought his death. Hu Ying refused to countersign, then pleaded illness and stayed away from court for days. The emperor sent the eunuch Xing An to ask after his health. He answered, "This old minister is not ill; hearing they meant to kill Lin Cong, I was only shaken with alarm." Lin Cong was released as a result.
14
When Yingzong was restored Hu Ying dragged himself to court despite illness, then asked to retire. He received a sealed letter, white gold, paper money, and court robes, an imperial courier, and one son was made a hereditary garrison commander in the imperial guard. Hu Ying had served six reigns for nearly sixty years and was called a venerable elder at court and beyond. After retiring he had three younger brothers, all past seventy, white of brow and beard, feasting together in one hall he named the "Hall of Longevity and Joy". Seven years later he died, aged eighty-nine. He was posthumously made grand guardian with the posthumous title Zhong'an.
15
Hu Ying was frugal, generous, and even-tempered; he could set himself below others. Long at the ministry of rites, he signed first on memorials of congratulation for auspicious omens, and people said he was eager to please. Gong Qian of the Southern City practiced many occult arts; Hu Ying recommended him as an astronomical student and recommended the Daoist Yang Migao, versed in yin-yang and warfare, to guard the frontier — acts widely mocked at the time.
16
Wang Zhi, courtesy name Xingqian, was from Taihe. His father Wang Bo Zhen was summoned to the capital in Hongwu fifteen through the classics recruitment. More than five hundred men answered the summons; Bo Zhen ranked first. He was made probationary associate administrator and sent to inspect Leizhou in Guangdong. He restored the abandoned Lütang canal and reformed the salt laws. When circuit inspectors were abolished he was recalled and made a principal secretary in the ministry of revenue. After his father's mourning he failed to resume office on time and was banished to Anqing. Early in Jianwen he was recommended again and made prefect of Qiongzhou; Li clans on Yazhou's cliffs feuded and killed one another, the affair was reported as rebellion, and troops were to be sent. Bo Zhen seized the ringleaders and the campaign was called off. Qiong fields often yielded three crops a year, taxed to supply the army; the army delayed collection until the people were desperate, then squeezed them for profit. Bo Zhen fixed three delivery dates, and the abuse ended. Within a few years the prefecture was well governed and more than ten thousand vagrants were registered. He went home in mourning and died there.
17
Wang Zhi was grave and steady from childhood; though poor he studied hard. In Yongle two he passed the metropolitan examination, became a Hanlin bachelor, and with Zeng Qi, Wang Ying, and twenty-eight others studied in the Wenyuan Pavilion. The emperor admired his writing and summoned him to the Grand Secretariat to draft documents. Soon he was made a compiler. Under Renzong and Xuanzong he rose to junior chamberlain and lecturing academician.
18
In Zhengtong three the Veritable Records of Xuanzong were completed. He was promoted vice minister of rites while keeping his academician post. In the fifth year he took charge of ministry business in person. Minister Hu Ying turned all ministry affairs over to him; Wang Zhi handled them as if long practiced. In the eighth year, first month, he replaced Guo Jin as minister of personnel. In the eleventh year revenue vice minister Nai Heng, siding with Wang Zhen, framed director Zhao Min and implicated Wang Zhi and vice ministers Cao Yi and Zhao Xin; all were imprisoned. The three judicial offices tried them in open court: Nai Heng was sentenced to death, Wang Zhi and the others to penal service. The emperor pardoned Wang Zhi and Cao Yi and docked the salaries of Nai Heng and Zhao Xin.
19
When the emperor was about to take the field against Esen personally, Wang Zhi led the ministers in strong remonstrance: "The empire guards its frontiers with the utmost care. Counsellors and bold generals, stout armor and sharp weapons, fill every post; men farm and guard together, and so the realm has long been at peace. Now the enemy rampages in defiance of Heaven and right; Your Majesty need only hold the borders firm, issue orders, clear the countryside, and gather strength to wait — victory can be assured. There is no need for Your Majesty to lead the Six Armies in person to the distant frontier. Moreover autumn heat lingers, drought has not lifted, grass is thin, springs are low, and men and horses are not ready. War is perilous — we your ministers believe it must not be done." The emperor would not listen and ordered Wang Zhi to remain and guard the capital. The imperial army was destroyed at Tumu. The great ministers asked the empress dowager to install the prince as heir apparent and have the Prince of Cheng act as regent. Soon they urged the prince to ascend the throne to steady the realm. In the sudden crisis memorials poured in, and Wang Zhi led them all. Yet Wang Zhi felt himself inferior to Yu Qian and always deferred to him, himself remaining calm and steady. He was made grand guardian of the heir apparent.
20
景泰元年，也先使使議和，且請還上皇，下禮部議未決。 直率群臣上言曰：「太上皇惑細人言，輕身一出，至於蒙塵。 陛下宵衣旰食，征天下兵，與群臣兆姓同心僇力，期滅此朝食，以雪不共戴天之恥。 乃者天誘其衷，也先有悔心之萌，而來求成於我，請還乘輿，此轉禍為福之機也。 望陛下俯從其請，遣使往報，因察其誠偽而撫納之，奉太上皇以歸，少慰祖宗之心。 陛下天位已定，太上皇還，不復蒞天下事。 陛下第崇奉之，則天倫厚而天眷益隆，誠古今盛事也。」 帝曰：「卿等言良然。 但前後使者五輩往，終不得要領。 今復遣使，設彼假送駕為名，來犯京師，豈不為蒼生患。 賊詐難信，其更議之。」 已而瓦剌別部阿剌使復至，胡濙等復以為言。 於是帝御文華殿門，召諸大臣及言官諭以宜絕狀。 直對曰：「必遣使，毋貽後悔。」 帝不悅。 于謙前為解，帝意釋。 群臣既退，太監興安匍匐出呼曰：「若等固欲遣使，有文天祥、富弼其人乎？」 直大言曰：「廷臣惟天子使，既食其祿，敢辭難乎！」 言之再，聲色愈厲。 安語塞，乃議遣使，命李實、羅綺往。
In Jingtai one Esen sent envoys to discuss peace and ask for the retired emperor's return; the ministry of rites debated without decision. Wang Zhi led the ministers in memorializing: "The Retired Emperor was misled by petty men and went forth rashly, until he fell into hardship. Your Majesty rises early and retires late, raises armies from all the realm, and with ministers and people alike strives to destroy the foe at one stroke and wash away a shame that cannot be borne. Now Heaven has moved their hearts: Esen shows repentance and seeks peace, asking to return the imperial carriage — a chance to turn disaster into blessing. We beg Your Majesty to accept, send envoys to answer, test their sincerity, and bring the Retired Emperor home to comfort our ancestors' spirits. Your Majesty's throne is secure; when the Retired Emperor returns he will not rule again. Honor him richly and family bonds deepen and Heaven's favor grows — a wonder of all ages." The emperor said, "What you say is sound. But five missions have already gone without clear result. If we send again and they use escorting the emperor as a pretext to strike the capital, will the people not suffer? The enemy is treacherous — debate this further." Soon envoys of the Oirat branch under Ala arrived, and Hu Ying and others urged the same again. The emperor then held court at the Wenhua Hall gate, summoned ministers and censors, and told them to reject the overture. Wang Zhi answered, "We must send envoys — do not leave regret behind." The emperor was displeased. Yu Qian stepped forward to explain, and the emperor's anger eased. After the ministers withdrew the eunuch Xing An crawled out calling, "If you insist on envoys, are there men like Wen Tianxiang or Fu Bi among you?" Wang Zhi said loudly, "Court ministers serve at the emperor's command; having eaten the state's grain, how dare we refuse hardship!" He said it twice, his voice growing fiercer. Xing An was silenced; they then agreed to send envoys and appointed Li Shi and Luo Qi.
21
After they had gone, the Oirat khan Totoq Buqa and Esen's envoys arrived in succession, ready to send the emperor back. The envoys told the escorts, "Fourteen cities beyond the pass are already ours. When the former Ala zhiguan envoy came, your court still sent men with him. Now you must send a senior minister with us, or nothing will come of it." Hu Ying reported this and the court debated. Wang Zhi and others pressed hard, and Yang Shan and others were sent in reply.
22
When Li Shi returned, Esen's envoy had come again, stating Esen's wish for peace in full. Wang Zhi with the Marquis of Ningyang Chen Mao and others asked that another envoy go with gifts to welcome the retired emperor — refused. They memorialized again: "We questioned Li Shi and learned the full situation there. The clothing, supplies, and axes they need — the retired emperor spoke of these; but escorting the imperial carriage home was Esen's intent. When Totoq Buqa and the Ala zhiguan envoy came, reply envoys were sent both times. Now Esen's envoy comes to welcome the emperor, yet no envoy goes with him — this doubts the enemy and invites war." Again refused.
23
Soon Li Shi himself spoke to the emperor. The emperor only wrote Esen and ordered Yang Shan to bring the emperor home — nothing more. Wang Zhi and others memorialized again: "Northern envoys have already set out; in accord with the retired emperor's heart and the people's wish, seize their repentance and send envoys to plan his welcome — this needs no debate. Otherwise public feeling cannot be defied, Heaven is offended, they will use this as a pretext for war, the frontier will worsen, and the capital cannot rest easy." The emperor then ordered ministers to choose envoys; Wang Zhi and Chen Mao asked that Li Shi go again. The reply: "Wait until Yang Shan returns, then debate." Censor Bi Luan and others memorialized forcefully: "Even if they come in deceit and we go in good faith, if the worst happens our armies remain strong." The emperor would not be moved. Before long Yang Shan did bring the retired emperor home.
24
In the second year Esen sent envoys with tribute and also asked for return envoys. Wang Zhi memorialized repeatedly: "The frontier is not secured, fodder and grain are not stocked, and the realm is not yet healed — we should grant their request. Send envoys to test their sincerity and lead them toward peace." The request was refused. Soon Esen sent cavalry across the border on the pretext of escorting return envoys. Wang Zhi and the ministers asked again; in the end the court still refused. Wang Zhi and others then memorialized: "Your Majesty is resolved to train the army and plan for attack and defense — truly a ruler of great purpose. Yet if envoys do not go and come, we cannot be sure they will not raid. Your Majesty should order frontier commanders to patrol: in alarm they should withdraw to strongholds, in peace they should farm hard. In moments free from urgent business, summon the capital camp commanders, ask their plans, treat them with sincere courtesy, and back them with sure rewards and punishments — then war and defense may be discussed." The emperor said, "Well said."
25
In the first month of the following year he was made junior grand tutor. The emperor meant to depose the crown prince. He had not yet announced it. Then Huang Zeng, native-office prefect of Siming, memorialized asking for it. The emperor was pleased and referred the matter to the ministry of rites. Hu Ying gave vague assent; ninety-one civil and military officials who debated had to sign, and Wang Zhi looked troubled. Chen Xun dipped the brush and pressed him until he signed; the heir was changed in the end. Wang Zhi was made grand preceptor to the heir apparent as well, with extra gifts of gold and silk. He stamped his foot and sighed, "What a great matter, ruined by a tribal chief — we should die of shame." When the Jingtai emperor was critically ill, Wang Zhi and Hu Ying met ministers and censors to ask that the Prince of Yi be made heir again, asking Grand Secretary Shang Lu to draft the memorial. Before it was submitted, Shi Heng and Xu Youzhen seized the gate to restore Yingzong and killed Wang Wen and others. The draft stayed with Yao Kui; he once showed it to director Lu Chang and sighed, "That this memorial was not submitted in time was Heaven's doing." Wang Zhi then asked to retire. He received a sealed letter, gold brocade, and paper money, with an imperial courier home.
26
Wang Zhi had a square face, long beard, and imposing presence. He was grave and seldom jested. Yet in company he was respectful and mild. For more than twenty years in the Hanlin he handled most work of historical research, drafting, compilation, and annotation. He was famed with Wang Ying of Jinxi as the "Two Wangs," Zhi called the Eastern Wang and Ying the Western Wang from where they lived. By seniority Wang Zhi should have entered the Grand Secretariat, but Yang Shiqi did not want him there. As long head of the ministry of personnel he was also frugal and careful. Court recommendation of regional governors had just ended; appointment rested solely with the ministry of personnel. Wang Zhi relied on bureau directors and strictly curbed frantic office-seeking. Whenever a touring censor returned, he required lists of the capable and incapable in his circuit for promotion — he was said to choose men well. His son Zi was a doctor at the Southern Directorate of Education. When his son's review reached the ministry, the appointments director wished to keep him at Wang Zhi's side; Wang Zhi refused, saying, "To break the law would begin with me." The court, finding Wang Zhi aged, appointed He Wenyuan minister to assist him. When He Wenyuan left, Wang Hao was appointed, and the ministry had two ministers. Wang Zhi was minister for fourteen years; as he aged his fame and virtue grew heavier. The emperor honored him and excused him from regular court attendance.
27
At home he sometimes farmed with tenant laborers, beating drums and singing. Sons and grandsons offered toasts in turn; Wang Zhi sighed, "Long ago Western Yang kept me out of the Grand Secretariat. Yet had I been in the cabinet when the present emperor was restored, I could not have escaped banishment to Liaoyang — how could I enjoy this with you!" In Tianshun six he died, aged eighty-four. He was posthumously made grand guardian with the posthumous title Wenduan.
28
Zi rose to Hanlin reviser and was also praised for learning and conduct. His great-grandson Si has his own biography.
29
The commentator says: Gao Gu's purity and uprightness, Hu Ying's generosity, and Wang Zhi's dignity all showed the stature of great ministers. Between Yingzong and Jingtai, when the realm's situation had just changed and people watched and waited, many ministers who held power and handled affairs flattered to please. Yet Gao Gu and Hu Ying were earnest over welcome rites for the emperor, and Wang Zhi was forthright on sending envoys — all held to right positions and did not bend with the crowd; thus they bore great weight and kept one principle to the end — true elders of the state.