Volume 281 Biographies 169: Virtuous Officials

【列傳第一百六十九循吏】

Biography 169: Virtuous Officials

明太祖懲元季吏治縱弛，民生凋敝，重繩貪吏，置之嚴典。府州縣吏來朝，陛辭，諭曰：「天下新定，百姓財力俱困，如鳥初飛，木初植，勿拔其羽，勿撼其根。然惟廉者能約己而愛人，貪者必朘人以肥己，爾等戒之。」洪武五年，下詔有司考課，首學校、農桑諸實政。日照知縣馬亮善督運，無課農興士效，立命黜之。一時守令畏法，潔己愛民，以當上指，吏治煥然丕變矣。下逮仁、宣，撫循休息，民人安樂，吏治澄清者百餘年。英、武之際，內外多故，而民心無土崩瓦解之虞者，亦由吏鮮貪殘，故禍亂易弭也。嘉、隆以後，資格既重甲科，縣令多以廉卓被征，梯取台省，而龔、黃之治，或未之覯焉。神宗末年，徵發頻仍，礦稅四出，海內騷然煩費，郡縣不克修舉厥職。而廟堂考課，一切以虛文從事，不復加意循良之選。吏治既以日媮，民生由之益蹙。仁、宣之盛，邈乎不可復追，而太祖之法蔑如矣。重內輕外，實政不修，謂非在上者不加之意使然乎！

The Hongwu Emperor, responding to the lax governance and devastated livelihoods of the late Yuan period, imposed heavy penalties on corrupt officials and subjected them to the strictest law. When prefectural and county officials came to court and took their leave at the throne, he instructed them: "The realm has only just been pacified. The people's resources are utterly depleted—as with a bird taking its first flight or a sapling newly planted, do not pluck its feathers or shake its roots. Only the incorruptible can restrain themselves and care for the people; the greedy will inevitably bleed the people to fill their own pockets. Take warning. In the fifth year of Hongwu (1372), an edict ordered officials to conduct performance reviews, prioritizing schools, agriculture, sericulture, and other substantive achievements. Ma Liang, magistrate of Rizhao, was adept at supervising transport but showed no results in farming or education; he was promptly dismissed. For a time prefects and magistrates feared the law, kept their conduct pure, and cared for the people to satisfy the emperor's wishes, and governance was utterly transformed. Down through the reigns of Renzong and Xuanzong, with nourishing governance and policies of rest, the people lived in peace and contentment, and official administration remained clean for more than a century. During the reigns of Yingzong and Wuzong, despite many troubles at home and abroad, the people never faced the prospect of total collapse—largely because officials were seldom greedy or cruel, so disorder was easier to quell. After the Jiajing and Longqing reigns, as credentials increasingly favored top jinshi graduates, county magistrates were often promoted to the central ministries for reputations of probity and distinction, yet the exemplary governance of Gong Bin and Huang Zonghan was seldom seen again. In the late years of Shenzong, levies and corvée came in rapid succession, mining taxes were imposed everywhere, the realm seethed with exactions and expense, and prefectures and counties could no longer perform their proper duties. Court evaluations became mere formalities, and no further care was given to selecting virtuous officials. As governance daily declined, the people's livelihood grew ever more precarious. The glory of the Ren-Xuan era was beyond recovery, and the Hongwu Emperor's laws were treated as nothing. With attention fixed on the capital and neglect of the provinces, substantive governance withered—was this not because those at the top failed to attend to it?

漢史丞相黃霸，唐史節度使韋丹，皆入《循吏傳》中。今自守令超擢至公卿有勳德者，事皆別見，故采其終於庶僚，政績可紀者，作《循吏傳》。

Chancellor Huang Ba of the Han History and Military Commissioner Wei Dan of the Tang History both appear in their respective Virtuous Officials chapters. Those magistrates promoted to high office with distinguished merit are treated in separate biographies; here we gather those who remained common officials yet left recordable achievements, composing this Virtuous Officials chapter.

○陳灌·方克勤·吳履·廖欽等·高鬥南·餘彥誠等·史誠祖·吳祥等·謝子襄·黃信中·夏升·貝秉彝·劉孟雍等·萬觀·葉宗人·王源·翟溥福·李信圭·孫浩等·張宗璉·李驥·王瑩等·李湘·趙豫·趙登等·曾泉·范衷·周濟·範希正·劉綱·段堅·陳鋼·丁積·田鐸·唐侃·湯紹恩·徐九思·龐嵩·張淳·陳幼學

Chen Guan, Fang Keqin, Wu Lü, Liao Qin, and others; Gao Dounan, Yu Yancheng, and others; Shi Chengzu, Wu Xiang, and others; Xie Zixiang, Huang Xinzhong, Xia Sheng, Bei Bingyi, Liu Mengyong, and others; Wan Guan, Ye Zongren, Wang Yuan, Zhai Pufu, Li Xingui, Sun Hao, and others; Zhang Zonglian, Li Ji, Wang Ying, and others; Li Xiang, Zhao Yu, Zhao Deng, and others; Zeng Quan, Fan Zhong, Zhou Ji, Fan Xizheng, Liu Gang, Duan Jian, Chen Gang, Ding Ji, Tian Duo, Tang Kan, Tang Shaoen, Xu Jiusi, Pang Song, Zhang Chun, Chen Youxue.

陳灌，字子將，廬陵人也。元末，世將亂，環所居築場種樹，人莫能測。後十年，盜蜂起。灌率武勇結屯林中，盜不敢入，一鄉賴以全。太祖平武昌，灌詣軍門謁見。與語奇之，擢湖廣行省員外郎，累遷大都督府經歷。從大將軍徐達北征。尋命築城泰州，工竣，除甯國知府。時天下初定，民棄《詩》《書》久。灌建學舍，延師，選俊秀子弟受業。訪問疾苦，禁豪右兼併。創戶帖以便稽民。帝取為式，頒行天下。伐石築堤，作水門蓄泄，護瀕江田，百姓咸賴。有坐盜麥舟者，論死數十人。灌覆按曰：「舟自漂至，而愚民哄取之，非謀劫也。」坐其首一人，餘悉減死。灌豐裁嚴正，而為治寬恤類此。洪武四年召入京，病卒。

Chen Guan, courtesy name Zijiang, was a native of Luling. At the end of the Yuan, sensing that the world was about to descend into chaos, he enclosed his home, built a compound, and planted trees—no one could guess why. Ten years later, bandits rose everywhere. Guan gathered the able-bodied and formed a camp in the woods; bandits dared not enter, and the entire township was spared. After the Hongwu Emperor pacified Wuchang, Guan went to the military headquarters to present himself. The emperor found him remarkable in conversation and appointed him assistant commissioner of the Huguang Branch Secretariat, later promoting him repeatedly until he became administrator of the Chief Military Commission. He accompanied the great general Xu Da on the northern campaign. He was soon ordered to build the walls of Taizhou, and upon completion was appointed prefect of Ningguo. The realm had only just been pacified, and the people had long neglected learning. Guan built schoolhouses, hired teachers, and selected promising youths to study. He investigated the people's hardships and prohibited powerful families from seizing land. He devised household registers to facilitate population registration. The emperor adopted it as a model and issued it throughout the empire. He quarried stone to build dikes and sluice gates for irrigation and drainage, protecting riverside fields on which the people all depended. Dozens of people were sentenced to death for stealing grain from a drifting boat. Guan reviewed the case and said: "The boat drifted here on its own, and foolish villagers seized the grain in a scramble—it was not a planned robbery. He punished only the ringleader; the rest had their sentences reduced. Guan was imposing and stern in manner, yet he governed with leniency and compassion in cases such as this. In the fourth year of Hongwu (1371) he was summoned to the capital, where he died of illness.

方克勤，字去矜，寧海人。元末，台州盜起，吳江同知金剛奴奉行省命，募水兵禦之。克勤獻策弗納，逃之山中。洪武二年辟縣訓導，母老辭歸。四年征至京師，吏部試第二，特授濟甯知府。時始詔民墾荒，閱三歲乃稅。吏征率不俟期，民謂詔旨不信，輒棄去，田復荒。克勤與民約，稅如期。區田為九等，以差等徵發，吏不得為奸，野以日辟。又立社學數百區，葺孔子廟堂，教化興起。盛夏，守將督民夫築城，克勤曰：「民方耕耘不暇，奈何重困之畚鍤。」請之中書省，得罷役。先是久旱，遂大澍。濟寧人歌之曰：「孰罷我役？使君之力。孰活我黍？使君之雨。使君勿去，我民父母。」視事三年，戶口增數倍，一郡饒足。

Fang Keqin, courtesy name Qujin, was a native of Ninghai. At the end of the Yuan, bandits rose in Taizhou; Jingangnu, vice-prefect of Wujiang, following provincial orders, recruited naval troops to resist them. Keqin offered strategies that were rejected and fled into the mountains. In the second year of Hongwu (1369) he was recruited as county instructor but declined and returned home because his mother was elderly. In the fourth year (1371) he was summoned to the capital, placed second in the Ministry of Personnel examination, and was specially appointed prefect of Jining. An edict had just ordered the people to reclaim wasteland, with tax to be levied only after three years. Tax collectors generally did not wait for the three-year term; the people concluded the edict was unreliable and abandoned their fields, which reverted to wasteland. Keqin pledged to the people that taxes would be collected only when due. He classified fields into nine grades and levied taxes accordingly; officials could no longer cheat, and wasteland was steadily reclaimed. He also established hundreds of community schools and restored the Confucian temple; education flourished. In midsummer the garrison commander pressed the people into corvée to build walls; Keqin said: "The people are busy with the harvest and have no spare time—how can we further burden them with construction labor? He petitioned the Central Secretariat and had the corvée cancelled. There had been a long drought; then came a great downpour. The people of Jining sang: "Who ended our corvée? The prefect's power. Who revived our grain? The prefect's rain. Prefect, do not leave us—you are the father and mother of your people. After three years in office, the registered population increased severalfold and the entire prefecture prospered.

克勤為治，以德化為本，不喜近名，嘗曰：「近名必立威，立威必殃民，吾不忍也。」自奉簡素，一布袍十年不易，日不再肉食。太祖用法嚴，士大夫多被謫，過濟寧者，克勤輒周恤之。永嘉侯硃亮祖嘗率舟師赴北平，水涸，役夫五千浚河。克勤不能止，泣禱於天。忽大雨，水深數尺，舟遂達，民以為神。八年入朝，太祖嘉其績，賜宴，遣還郡。尋為屬吏程貢所誣，謫役江浦，復以空印事連，逮死。

Keqin governed through moral transformation and disdained pursuing reputation; he once said: "Pursuing reputation means establishing fear; establishing fear harms the people—I cannot bear it. He lived simply and frugally, wearing the same cloth robe for ten years and eating meat no more than once a day. The Hongwu Emperor applied the law strictly, and many scholar-officials were banished; Keqin always provided for those passing through Jining. Marquis Zhu Liangzu of Yongjia once led a naval force north to Beiping; when the river ran dry, five thousand laborers were pressed to dredge it. Keqin could not stop it and wept, praying to Heaven. Suddenly a great rain fell, the water rose several feet, and the boats passed through; the people regarded it as miraculous. In the eighth year (1375) he went to court; the Hongwu Emperor praised his achievements, gave a banquet, and sent him back to his prefecture. Soon he was slandered by his subordinate Cheng Gong and sentenced to corvée at Jiangpu; he was then implicated in the empty-seal affair, arrested, and died.

子孝聞、孝孺。孝聞，十三喪母，蔬食終制。孝孺，自有傳。

His sons were Xiaowen and Xiaoru. Xiaowen, at thirteen when his mother died, ate only vegetables throughout the full mourning period. Xiaoru has his own biography.

吳履，字德基，蘭溪人。少受業于聞人夢吉，通《春秋》諸史。李文忠鎮浙東，聘為郡學正。久之，舉於朝，授南康丞。南康俗悍，謂丞儒也，易之。居數月，摘發奸伏如老獄吏，則皆大驚，相率斂跡。履乃改崇寬大，與民休息。知縣周以中巡視田野，為部民所詈。捕之不獲，怒，盡縶其鄉鄰。履閱獄問故，立釋之，乃白以中。以中益怒，曰：「丞慢我。」履曰：「犯公者一人耳，其鄰何罪？今縶者眾，而捕未已，急且有變，奈何？」以中意乃解。邑有淫祠，每祀輒有蛇出戶，民指為神。履縛巫責之，沉神像于江，淫祠遂絕。為丞六年，百姓愛之。

Wu Lü, courtesy name Deji, was a native of Lanxi. In youth he studied under Wenren Mengji and mastered the Spring and Autumn Annals and various histories. When Li Wenzhong governed eastern Zhejiang, he was engaged as director of the prefectural school. After a time he was recommended to court and appointed assistant magistrate of Nankang. Nankang had a fierce populace; they assumed the assistant magistrate was a mere scholar and looked down on him. After several months he uncovered hidden wrongdoing like a veteran jailer; all were greatly alarmed and restrained their conduct. Lü then adopted a policy of leniency and magnanimity, giving the people rest. Magistrate Zhou Yizhong was inspecting the fields when a local resident cursed him. Unable to capture the offender, he grew angry and arrested all the neighbors in the hamlet. Lü reviewed the prisoners, asked the reason, immediately released them, and then reported to Yizhong. Yizhong grew even angrier and said: "The assistant disrespects me. Lü said: "Only one person offended you—what crime have the neighbors committed? Many are imprisoned while the culprit remains at large; in their desperation they may soon rebel—what then?" Yizhong's anger then subsided. In the district there was an illicit shrine; at every sacrifice a snake would emerge from the door, and the people regarded it as divine. Lü bound the shaman and held him accountable, sank the idol in the river, and illicit shrines were abolished. After six years as assistant magistrate, the people loved him.

遷安化知縣。大姓易氏保險自守，江陰侯吳良將擊之，召履計事。履曰：「易氏逃死耳，非反也，招之當來。不來，誅未晚。」良從之，易氏果至。良欲籍農故為兵者，民大恐。履曰：「世清矣，民安于農。請籍其願為兵者，不願，可勿強。」遷濰州知州。山東兵常以牛羊代秋稅，履與民計曰：「牛羊有死瘠患，不若輸粟便。」他日，上官令民送牛羊之陝西，他縣民多破家，濰民獨完。會改州為縣，召履還，濰民皆涕泣奔送。履遂乞骸骨歸。

He was transferred to be magistrate of Anhua. The powerful Yi clan held a fortified position in self-defense; Marquis Wu Liang of Jiangyin was about to attack them and summoned Lü to discuss strategy. Lü said: "The Yi clan are merely fleeing for their lives, not rebelling; if summoned they will come. If they do not come, punishment will not be too late. Liang followed his advice, and the Yi clan indeed came. Liang wished to register former soldiers among the farmers; the people were greatly alarmed. Lü said: "The realm is now at peace; the people are secure in farming. Register only those willing to serve as soldiers; those unwilling need not be forced. He was transferred to be prefect of Weizhou. In Shandong soldiers often paid autumn grain tax in cattle and sheep; Lü calculated with the people and said: "Cattle and sheep risk death and disease—it is better to pay in grain. Later superiors ordered the people to send cattle and sheep to Shaanxi; in other counties many families were ruined, but the people of Wei alone remained intact. When the prefecture was reduced to a county, Lü was summoned back; the people of Wei all wept and ran to see him off. Lü then requested retirement and returned home.

是時河內丞廖欽並以廉能稱。居八年，調吳江，後坐事謫戍。久之，以老病放歸。道河內，河內民競持羊酒為壽，且遺之縑，須臾裒數百匹。欽固辭不得，一夕遁去。

At this time Liao Qin, assistant magistrate of Henei, was also known for probity and competence. After eight years in office he was transferred to Wujiang; later he was implicated in an affair and banished to frontier service. After a long time he was released and sent home on account of old age and illness. Passing through Henei, the people of Henei competed to offer sheep and wine for longevity, and also gave him silk; in a moment several hundred bolts were gathered. Qin firmly declined but could not; in one night he fled.

他若興化丞周舟以績最，特擢吏部主事。民爭乞留，乃遣還之。歸安丞高彬、曹縣主簿劉鬱、衡山主簿紀惟正、沾化典史杜濩皆坐事，以部民乞宥，復其官，而惟正立擢陝西參議。其後州縣之佐貳知名者，在仁、宣時則易州判官張友聞、壽州判官許敏、許州判官王通、靈璧丞田誠、安平丞耿福緣、嘉定丞戴肅、大名丞賀禎、昌邑主簿劉整、襄垣主簿喬育、貴池典史黃金蘭、深澤典史高聞；英、景時則養利判官汪浩、泰州判官王思旻、上海丞張禎、吳江丞王懋本、曆城丞熊觀、黔陽主簿古初、雲南南安州琅井巡檢李保。或超遷，或遷任，皆因部民請雲。

Likewise, Xinghua assistant magistrate Zhou Zhou, for top performance, was specially promoted to chief clerk in the Ministry of Personnel. The people competed to beg that he stay, and he was sent back. Gui'an assistant magistrate Gao Bin, Cao County chief clerk Liu Yu, Hengshan chief clerk Ji Weizheng, and Zhanhua registry clerk Du Bo were all implicated in affairs; upon petition by the local populace for pardon, their offices were restored, and Weizheng was immediately promoted to Shaanxi Assistant Administration Commissioner. Later, among the well-known deputies and assistants of prefectures and counties, during the reigns of Renzong and Xuanzong there were Yizhou Assistant Prefect Zhang Youwen, Shouzhou Assistant Prefect Xu Min, Xuzhou Assistant Prefect Wang Tong, Lingbi Assistant Magistrate Tian Cheng, Anping Assistant Magistrate Geng Fuyuan, Jiading Assistant Magistrate Dai Su, Daming Assistant Magistrate He Zhen, Changyi Chief Clerk Liu Zheng, Xiangyuan Chief Clerk Qiao Yu, Guichi Registry Clerk Huang Jinlan, and Shenze Registry Clerk Gao Wen; During the reigns of the Yingzong and Jingtai Emperors there were Yangli Assistant Prefect Wang Hao, Taizhou Assistant Prefect Wang Simin, Shanghai Assistant Magistrate Zhang Zhen, Wujiang Assistant Magistrate Wang Maoben, Licheng Assistant Magistrate Xiong Guan, Qianyang Chief Clerk Gu Chu, and Li Bao, Langjing postal inspector of Nan'an Prefecture, Yunnan. Some were promoted out of turn, some were transferred in place—all upon petition by the local populace.

高鬥南，字拱極，陝西徽州人。貌魁梧，語音若鐘。洪武中，由薦舉授四川定遠知縣。才識精敏，多善政。二十九年，與知府永州余彥誠，知縣齊東鄭敏、儀真康彥民、岳池王佐、安肅範志遠、當塗孟廉及丞懷甯蘇億、休甯甘鏞、當塗趙森並坐事，先後被征。其耆民奔走闕下，具列善政以聞。太祖嘉之，賜襲衣寶鈔遣還，並賜耆民道路費。諸人既還任，政績益著。尋舉天下廉吏數人，鬥南與焉，列其名於《彰善榜》、《聖政記》以示勸。九載績最，擢雲南新興知州，新興人愛之不異定遠。居數年，以衰老乞歸，薦子吏科給事中恂自代，成祖許之。年七十而卒。

Gao Dounan, courtesy name Gongji, was a native of Huizhou in Shaanxi. He was tall and imposing, and his voice rang like a bell. During the Hongwu reign, on recommendation he was appointed magistrate of Dingyuan in Sichuan. Keen in talent and judgment, he enacted many good policies. In the twenty-ninth year, together with Yongzhou Prefect Yu Yancheng, magistrates Zheng Min of Qidong, Kang Yanmin of Yizhen, Wang Zuo of Yuechi, Fan Zhiyuan of Ansu, and Meng Lian of Dangtu, and assistant magistrates Su Yi of Huaining, Gan Yong of Xiuning, and Zhao Sen of Dangtu, he was implicated in affairs and summoned to the capital in turn. Their elders rushed to the capital, itemizing their good policies and reporting them to the throne. The Hongwu Emperor commended them, bestowed court robes and paper money, and sent them back, also granting the elders travel expenses. Once they returned to office, their achievements became even more outstanding. Soon several incorrupt officials throughout the realm were selected; Dounan was among them, and their names were listed in the Register of Goodness Displayed and the Record of Sagely Governance as encouragement to others. After nine years with the top performance record, he was promoted to prefect of Xinxing in Yunnan; the people of Xinxing loved him no less than those of Dingyuan had. After several years he requested retirement on account of old age, recommending his son Xun, a supervising secretary in the Office of Scrutiny for Personnel, to succeed him; the Yongle Emperor granted the request. He died at the age of seventy.

恂，字士信，博學能詩文。官新興，從大軍征交址，有協贊功。師旋，卒於官。

Xun, courtesy name Shixin, was broadly learned and accomplished in poetry and prose. As prefect of Xinxing, he followed the main army in the campaign against Jiaozhi and rendered meritorious assistance. When the army returned, he died in office.

彥誠，德興人。初知安陸州，以徵稅愆期，當就逮，其父老伏闕乞留。太祖賜宴嘉賞，遣還，父老亦預宴。久之，擢知永州府，終河東鹽運使。

Yancheng was a native of Dexing. At first he served as magistrate of Anlu Prefecture; because tax collection was overdue he was to be arrested, but the district elders prostrated themselves at the palace gate begging that he be retained. The Hongwu Emperor granted a banquet and commendation and sent him back; the elders were also invited to the banquet. After a long interval he was promoted to prefect of Yongzhou and ended his career as Hedong salt transport commissioner.

敏，常坐事被逮，部民數千人守闕下求宥。帝宴勞，復其官，賜鈔百錠，衣三襲。居數年，考滿入朝。部民復走京師，乞再任，帝從其請。及是，再獲宥。

Min was often implicated in affairs and arrested; several thousand local populace kept vigil at the palace gate seeking his pardon. The emperor feasted and rewarded them, restored his office, and bestowed one hundred ingots of paper money and three suits of clothing. After several years, when his term review was complete, he came to court. The local populace again went to the capital begging for another term, and the emperor granted their request. On this occasion he was again granted pardon.

彥民，泰和人。洪武二十七年進士。先知青田，調儀真，後曆巴陵、天臺，並著名績。永樂初罷歸。洪熙元年，御史巡按至天臺。縣民二百餘人言彥民廉公有為，乞還之天臺，慰民望。御史以聞，宣宗歎曰：「彥民去天臺二十餘年，民猶思之，其有善政可知。」乃用為江寧縣丞。

Yanmin was a native of Taihe. He was a jinshi of the twenty-seventh year of Hongwu. He first served as magistrate of Qingtian, was transferred to Yizhen, and later served at Baling and Tiantai in succession, earning distinguished records at each post. At the beginning of the Yongle reign he was dismissed and returned home. In the first year of Hongxi, an investigating censor on provincial tour arrived at Tiantai. More than two hundred county residents reported that Yanmin was incorrupt, fair, and capable, begging that he be returned to Tiantai to satisfy the people's hopes. The censor reported this; the Xuanzong sighed and said: "Yanmin left Tiantai more than twenty years ago, yet the people still long for him—it is clear that he governed well. He was then appointed assistant magistrate of Jiangning County.

億、廉、森三人既釋還，明年復以事當逮。縣民又走闕下頌其廉勤，帝亦釋之。

Once Yi, Lian, and Sen had been released and sent back, the next year they were again to be arrested on account of affairs. County residents again went to the palace gate praising their incorruptibility and diligence, and the emperor released them as well.

時太祖操重典繩群下，守令坐小過輒逮系。聞其賢，旋遣還，且加賞賚，有因以超擢者。二十九年，知縣靈璧周榮、宜春沈昌、昌樂於子仁，丞新化葉宗並坐事逮訊，部民為叩閽。太祖喜，立擢四人為知府，榮河南，昌南安，子仁登州，宗黃州。由是長吏競勸，一時多循良之績焉。

At this time the Hongwu Emperor wielded severe law to restrain his subordinates; prefects and magistrates who committed minor faults were immediately arrested and imprisoned. When their virtue became known, they were quickly sent back and further rewarded; some were even promoted out of turn on that account. In the twenty-ninth year, magistrates Zhou Rong of Lingbi, Shen Chang of Yichun, and Yu Ziren of Changle, and Xinhua assistant magistrate Ye Zong were all implicated in affairs, arrested, and interrogated; the local populace knocked at the palace gate on their behalf. The Hongwu Emperor was pleased and immediately promoted all four to prefect: Rong to Henan, Chang to Nan'an, Ziren to Dengzhou, and Zong to Huangzhou. From this senior officials strove to excel, and for a time there were many achievements by virtuous officials.

榮，字國華，蓬萊人。初為靈璧丞，坐累逮下刑部，耆老群赴輦下稱其賢。帝賜鈔八十錠，綺羅衣各一襲。禮部宴榮及耆老而還之。無何，擢榮靈璧知縣。及知河南，亦有聲。後建言稱旨，擢河南左布政使。

Rong, courtesy name Guohua, was a native of Penglai. At first he served as assistant magistrate of Lingbi; implicated through association he was arrested and sent to the Ministry of Punishments, while elders in groups went to the capital praising his virtue. The emperor bestowed eighty ingots of paper money and one suit of brocade and gauze clothing on each. The Ministry of Rites feasted Rong and the elders, then sent them home. Before long Rong was promoted to magistrate of Lingbi. When he became prefect of Henan he also won a fine reputation. Later he submitted a memorial that pleased the throne and was promoted to Left Provincial Administration Commissioner of Henan.

史誠祖，解州人。洪武末，詣闕陳鹽法利弊。太祖納之，授汶上知縣，為治廉平寬簡。永樂七年，成祖北巡，遣御史考核郡縣長吏賢否，還言誠祖治第一。賜璽書勞之曰：「守令承流宣化，所以安利元元。朕統禦天下，夙夜求賢，共圖治理。往往下詢民間，皆言苦吏苛急，能副朕心者實鮮。爾敦厚老成，恪共乃職；持身勵志，一于廉公。平賦均徭，政清訟簡，民心悅戴，境內稱安。方古良吏，亦復何讓。特擢爾濟寧知州，仍視汶上縣事。其益共乃職，慎終如始，以永嘉譽，欽哉。」並賜內醞一尊，織金紗衣一襲，鈔千貫。御史又言貪吏虐民無若易州同知張騰，遂征下獄。誠祖既得旌，益勤於治。土田增辟，戶口繁滋，益編戶十四里。成祖過汶上，欲徙其民數百家於膠州，誠祖奏免之。屢當遷職，輒為民奏留。閱二十九年，竟卒于任。士民哀號，留葬城南，歲時奉祀。

Shi Chengzu was a native of Jiezhou. At the end of the Hongwu reign he went to the capital to set forth the advantages and disadvantages of the salt laws. The Hongwu Emperor accepted his views, appointed him magistrate of Wenshang, and his governance was incorrupt, fair, lenient, and simple. In the seventh year of Yongle, the Yongle Emperor toured the north and dispatched censors to assess the worth of prefectural and county chiefs; on returning they reported that Chengzu's governance ranked first. He was granted an imperial sealed letter of commendation, which read: "Prefects and magistrates carry imperial policy to the people and proclaim moral transformation, thereby benefiting and securing the common people. I rule All Under Heaven, seeking the worthy day and night, that together we may achieve good governance. Often when I inquire among the people, all complain of harsh and overbearing officials; those who truly meet my expectations are indeed few. You are sincere, steady, and mature, reverently performing your duties; upholding yourself and urging your will, wholly incorrupt and fair. You equalize levies and distribute corvée fairly; government is clear and litigation simple; the people rejoice in you, and throughout your jurisdiction all speak of peace. Compared with virtuous officials of old, what would you yield? You are specially promoted to prefect of Jining, while still overseeing the affairs of Wenshang County. Continue reverently in your duties, be as careful at the end as at the beginning, and thereby preserve your good name forever. Take heed! A jar of imperial wine, one suit of woven-gold gauze clothing, and one thousand strings of paper money were also bestowed. The censor further reported that no corrupt official oppressed the people like Zhang Teng, Vice Prefect of Yizhou; he was therefore summoned and imprisoned. Once Chengzu had received this commendation, he was all the more diligent in governance. Arable land was further opened up, households and population flourished, and fourteen additional registered communities were added. When the Yongle Emperor passed through Wenshang, he wished to relocate several hundred of its households to Jiaozhou; Chengzu memorialized and secured exemption. Repeatedly when he was due for transfer, the people memorialized to retain him. After twenty-nine years he finally died in office. Scholars and commoners wailed in grief, had him buried south of the city, and offered sacrifices at the seasonal festivals.

是時，縣令多久任。蠡縣吳祥，永樂時知嵩縣，至宣德中，閱三十二年卒于任。臨汾李信，永樂時由國子生授遵化知縣，至宣德中，閱二十七年始擢無為知州。以年老不欲赴，遂乞歸。涓縣房岩，宣德間為鄒縣知縣，至正統中，閱二十餘年卒于任，吏民皆愛戴之。而吉水知縣武進錢本忠有廉名，詿誤罷官。父老奔走，號泣乞留，郡人胡廣力保之，得還任。民聞本忠復來，空閭井迎拜。永樂中卒官，民哀慕，留葬吉水，爭負土營墳，其得民如誠祖雲。

At this time county magistrates often served long terms. Wu Xiang of Li County served as magistrate of Song County from the Yongle reign until the Xuande reign, a span of thirty-two years, before dying in office. Li Xin of Linfen, appointed magistrate of Zunhua from among Guozijian students during Yongle, after twenty-seven years was finally promoted to prefect of Wuwei during Xuande. On account of old age he did not wish to go, and so requested retirement. Fang Yan of Juan County served as magistrate of Zou County from the Xuande period until the Zhengtong period, a span of more than twenty years, before dying in office; officials and commoners all loved and honored him. Qian Benzhong of Wujin, magistrate of Jishui, had a reputation for incorruptibility but was dismissed on account of an entangling error. Elders rushed about weeping and begging to retain him; Hu Guang of the prefecture forcefully vouched for him, and he was restored to office. When the people heard Benzhong was returning, they emptied the lanes and alleys to welcome and bow to him. He died in office during Yongle; the people mourned and admired him, had him buried in Jishui, and competed to carry earth to build his tomb—the extent to which he won the people was like Chengzu.

謝子襄，名袞，以字行，新淦人。建文中，由薦舉授青田知縣。永樂七年，與錢塘知縣黃信中、開化知縣夏升並九載課最，當遷。其部民相率訴于上官，乞再任，上官以聞。帝嘉之，即擢子襄處州知府，信中杭州，升衢州，俾得治其故縣。子襄治處州，聲績益著。郡有虎患。歲旱蝗。禱于神，大雨二日，蝗盡死，虎亦循去。有盜竊官鈔，子襄檄城隍神。盜方閱鈔密室，忽疾風卷墮市中，盜即伏罪。民鬻牛於市，將屠之。牛逸至子襄前，俯首若有訴，乃捐俸贖還其主。叛卒吳米據山谷為亂，朝廷發兵討之，一郡洶洶。子襄力止軍城中毋出，而自以計掩捕之，獲其魁，餘悉解散。為人廉謹，曆官三十年，不以家累自隨。二十二年卒。

Xie Zixiang, given name Gun, was known by his courtesy name; he was a native of Xingan. During the Jianwen reign, on recommendation he was appointed magistrate of Qingtian. In the seventh year of Yongle, together with Huang Xixin, magistrate of Qiantang, and Xia Sheng, magistrate of Kaihua, after nine years with the top evaluation records, they were due for transfer. Their local populace went in groups to appeal to their superiors, begging for another term; the superiors reported this to the throne. The emperor commended this and immediately promoted Zixiang to prefect of Chuzhou, Xixin to Hangzhou, and Sheng to Quzhou, enabling them to govern their former counties. Zixiang governed Chuzhou, and his reputation and achievements became even more outstanding. The prefecture suffered from tigers. That year there was drought and locusts. He prayed to the gods; heavy rain fell for two days, the locusts all died, and the tiger also departed. When someone stole official paper money, Zixiang issued a writ to the City God. The thief was just examining the notes in a secret room when suddenly a fierce wind swept them up and dropped them in the market; the thief immediately confessed. A man was selling an ox in the market, about to slaughter it. The ox escaped to Zixiang, lowered its head as if pleading; he then donated his salary to redeem it and return it to its owner. The mutinous soldier Wu Mi held the mountain valleys in rebellion; the court dispatched troops to suppress him, and the whole prefecture was in uproar. Zixiang forcefully stopped the army from leaving the city, and himself by stratagem captured the rebels in ambush, seizing their leader; the rest all dispersed. As a man he was incorrupt and careful; over thirty years in office he did not bring his household with him. In the twenty-second year of Yongle, he died.

信中，餘幹人。先知樂清縣。奸人紿寡婦至京，誣告鄉人謀叛，而己逸去。有司系其婦以聞，詔行所司會鞫。信中廉得其情，力詆為誣，獲全者甚眾。盜殺一家三人，獄久不決。信中禱於神，得真盜，遠近稱之。升，鹽城人。

Huang Xinzhong was a native of Yugan. He had first served as magistrate of Yueqing County. A scoundrel tricked a widow into traveling to the capital to falsely accuse a fellow townsman of plotting rebellion, then fled himself. The authorities detained the woman and reported the matter; the throne ordered the responsible offices to conduct a joint investigation and trial. Xinzhong investigated with incorrupt clarity, vigorously exposed the accusation as false, and saved a great many people. When a robber murdered three members of one household, the case long remained unresolved. Xinzhong prayed to the gods, captured the real culprit, and won acclaim near and far. Xia Sheng was a native of Yancheng.

貝秉彝，名恒，以字行，上虞人。永樂二年進士。授邵陽知縣，以憂去，補東阿。善決獄，能以禮義導民。歲大侵，上平糴備荒議。帝從之，班下郡縣如東阿式。邑西南有巨浸，積潦為田害。秉彝相視高下，鑿渠，引入大清河，涸之，得沃壤數百頃，民食其利。尤善綜畫，凡廢鐵、敗皮、朽索、故紙悉藏之。暇令工匠煮膠、鑄杵、搗紙、絞索貯於庫。會成祖北巡，敕有司建席殿。秉彝出所貯濟用，工遂速竣。帝將召之，東阿耆老百余人詣闕自言，願留貝令，帝許之。九載考滿入都，詔進一階，仍還東阿。嘗坐累，罰役京師。民競代其役，三罰三代，乃復官。秉彝為吏明察而仁恕。素善飲，已仕，遂已之。宣德元年卒官。

Bei Bingyi, given name Heng, was known by his courtesy name; he was a native of Shangyu. He received his jinshi degree in the second year of Yongle. He was appointed magistrate of Shaoyang, left office to observe mourning, and was then reassigned to Dong'e. He was skilled at resolving legal cases and could guide the people through ritual and moral persuasion. During a severe famine, he submitted a proposal for government grain purchases at fair prices to build up famine reserves. The emperor approved and promulgated the policy to prefectures and counties on the Dong'e model. Southwest of the county seat lay a vast flooded expanse that accumulated water and ruined the fields. Bingyi surveyed the terrain, dug canals to channel the water into the Daqing River and drain the marshes, reclaiming several hundred qing of fertile land from which the people reaped the benefit. He was especially skilled at comprehensive planning and stored every scrap of iron, spoiled hide, rotted rope, and old paper he could find. In spare moments he had craftsmen boil glue, cast pestles, pound paper, and twist rope, storing the products in the warehouse. When the Yongle Emperor toured the north, he ordered the local authorities to erect a reception pavilion. Bingyi supplied materials from his stores, and the work was quickly completed. When the emperor was about to summon him, more than a hundred elders of Dong'e went to the palace and petitioned to keep Magistrate Bei in office; the emperor agreed. After nine years, when his term evaluation was complete, he went to the capital; the throne promoted him one rank and sent him back to Dong'e. He once became implicated in a case and was sentenced to labor service in the capital. The people competed to perform his labor for him; three times he was sentenced and three times they served in his stead before he was restored to office. As an official, Bingyi was perceptive yet humane and forgiving. Though fond of drink by nature, he gave it up once he took office. In the first year of the Xuande reign, he died in office.

時龍溪知縣南昌劉孟雍、鄒縣知縣龍溪硃瑤、建安知縣昆山張准、婺源知縣建安吳春、歙縣知縣江西樂平石啟宗，皆有惠利，民率懷思不忘雲。

At that time Liu Mengyong of Nanchang, magistrate of Longxi; Zhu Yao of Longxi, magistrate of Zou; Zhang Zhun of Kunshan, magistrate of Jian'an; Wu Chun of Jian'an, magistrate of Wuyuan; and Shi Qizong of Leping in Jiangxi, magistrate of She—all benefited the people, who cherished their memory and never forgot them.

萬觀，字經訓，南昌人。弱冠成永樂十九年進士。帝少之，令歸肄學。尋召為御史，改嚴州知府。府東境七里瀧，有漁舟數百艇，時剽行旅。觀編十舟為一甲，令畫地巡警。不匝月，盜屏跡。乃勵學校，勸農桑，奏減織造，以銀代絲稅，民皆便之。九年考績，治行為海內第一。既以憂去，將除服，嚴州民豫上章願復得觀為守，金、衢民亦上章乞之。朝廷異焉，補平陽府，政績益茂。有芝生堯祠棟上，士民皆言使君德化所致。觀曰：「太守知奉職而已，芝，非吾事也。」考滿，擢山東布政使，卒於官。

Wan Guan, courtesy name Jingxun, was a native of Nanchang. Not yet twenty, he passed the jinshi examination in the nineteenth year of Yongle. The emperor judged him too young and sent him back to continue his studies. He was soon summoned to serve as censor, then transferred to be prefect of Yanzhou. At Qili Long on the prefecture's eastern border, several hundred fishing boats periodically preyed on travelers. Guan organized the boats into groups of ten and assigned each group a patrol area. Within a month, the bandits had vanished. He then revitalized the schools, encouraged farming and sericulture, memorialized to reduce textile levies, and substituted silver for silk tax—all measures the people welcomed. At his nine-year performance review, his record of governance ranked first in the empire. After he left office to mourn, as his mourning period neared its end, the people of Yanzhou petitioned in advance to have Guan restored as prefect, and the people of Jinhua and Quzhou petitioned as well. The court took note and appointed him prefect of Pingyang, where his achievements grew even more impressive. When an auspicious fungus appeared on the ridgepole of the shrine to Emperor Yao, gentry and commoners alike attributed it to the prefect's virtuous governance. Guan said: "A prefect knows only to fulfill his duties; the fungus is not my concern." When his evaluation term was complete, he was promoted to surveillance commissioner of Shandong and died in office.

葉宗人，字宗行，松江華亭人。永樂中，尚書夏原吉治水東南。宗人以諸生上疏，請浚範家港引浦水入海，禁瀕海民毋作壩以遏其流。帝令赴原吉所自效。工竣，原吉薦之，授錢塘知縣。縣為浙江省會，徭重，豪有力往往構黠吏得財役貧民。宗人令民自占甲乙，書於冊，以次簽役，役乃均。嘗視事，有蛇升階，若有所訴。宗人曰：「爾有冤乎？吾為爾理。」蛇即出，遣隸尾之，入餅肆爐下。發之，得僵屍，蓋肆主殺而瘞之也。又常行江中，有死人掛舟舵，推問，則裏無賴子所沉者。遂俱伏法，邑民以為神。按察使周新，廉介吏也，尤重宗人。一日，伺宗人出，潛入其室，見廚中惟銀魚臘一裹。新歎息，攜少許去。明日召宗人共食，飲至醉，用儀仗導之歸。時呼為「錢塘一葉清」。十五年督工匠往營北京，卒于塗，新哭之累日。

Ye Zongren, courtesy name Zongxing, was a native of Huating in Songjiang. During the Yongle reign, Minister Xia Yuanji undertook flood control in the southeast. As a student, Zongren submitted a memorial proposing to dredge Fanjiagang to channel Pu River water to the sea and to forbid coastal residents from building dams that obstructed its flow. The emperor ordered him to report to Yuanji's office and serve there. When the project was completed, Yuanji recommended him, and he was appointed magistrate of Qiantang. As the capital of Zhejiang Province, the county bore heavy corvée obligations; powerful families often colluded with crafty clerks to take bribes and shift labor onto the poor. Zongren had citizens declare their own household standing, record it in a register, and draw lots for corvée in order until the burdens were fairly distributed. Once while holding court, a snake slithered up the steps as if pleading its case. Zongren said: "Do you have a grievance? I will judge it for you." The snake immediately departed; he sent a runner to follow it, and it entered beneath the oven of a cake shop. When they dug there, they found a corpse—the shopkeeper had murdered someone and buried the body beneath his oven. On another occasion while traveling on the river, a corpse snagged on his boat's rudder; investigation revealed it to be a victim drowned by a local ruffian. Both men were executed, and the townspeople regarded him with awe. The regional inspector Zhou Xin was an incorrupt and upright official who held Zongren in particular esteem. One day, while Zongren was out, Zhou secretly entered his quarters and found in the kitchen only a single packet of cured silver fish. Zhou sighed, took a small portion, and left. The next day he invited Zongren to dine, drank with him until drunk, and sent him home with ceremonial escort. At the time he was called "Qiantang's one leaf of purity." In the fifteenth year, while supervising craftsmen bound for the construction of Beijing, he died en route; Zhou Xin mourned him for days.

王源，字啟澤，龍岩人。永樂二年擢進士，授庶起士。改深澤知縣。修學舍，築長堤，勸民及時嫁娶，革其爭財之俗。數上書論事，被詔征入都，又論時政得失，忤旨下吏。會赦復官，奏免逋負。歲饑，輒發粟振救，坐是被逮。民爭先輸納，得贖還。召為春坊司直郎，侍諸王講讀。遷衛府紀善，移松江同知，奏捐積逋數十萬石。以母老乞歸養，服闋，除刑部郎中。

Wang Yuan, courtesy name Qize, was a native of Longyan. Selected as jinshi in the second year of Yongle, he was appointed a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. He was transferred to magistrate of Shenze. He repaired school buildings, built long dikes, urged timely marriage, and reformed the custom of fighting over inheritances. After repeatedly memorializing on state affairs, he was summoned to the capital, where his critique of current policy offended the throne and he was thrown into prison. An amnesty restored him to office, and he memorialized to waive back taxes. During famine years he invariably distributed grain for relief and was arrested for it. The people competed to pay their taxes in advance, raising enough to ransom his release. He was summoned to serve as director in the Eastern Palace, lecturing the princes. He was promoted to secretary of the Guard Prefecture, transferred to vice-prefect of Songjiang, and memorialized to cancel accumulated tax arrears of several hundred thousand shi. He petitioned to return home to care for his aged mother; after completing mourning, he was appointed a director in the Ministry of Justice.

英宗踐阼，擇廷臣十一人為知府，賜宴及敕，乘傳行。源得潮州府。城東有廣濟橋，歲久半圮壞，源斂民萬金重築之。以其餘建亭，設先聖、四配、十哲像。刻《藍田呂氏鄉約》，擇民為約正、約副、約士，講肄其中，而時偕僚寀董率焉。西湖山上有大石為怪，源命鑿之，果獲石骷髏，怪遂息。乃琢為碑，大書「潮州知府王源除怪石」。會杖一民死，民子訴諸朝，並以築橋建亭為源罪。逮至京，罪當贖徒。潮人相率叩閽，乃復其官。久之，乞休。潮人奏留不獲，祠祀之。

When Yingzong ascended the throne, he selected eleven court officials to serve as prefects, granted them a banquet and imperial edicts, and dispatched them by relay post. Yuan was assigned Chaozhou Prefecture. East of the city stood the Guangji Bridge, half-ruined after long years; Yuan raised ten thousand jin in contributions and rebuilt it. With the surplus funds he built a pavilion and installed images of Confucius, the Four Correlates, and the Ten Wise Ones. He had the Community Compact of the Lü Family of Lantian engraved and distributed, appointed community leaders and scholars, and held regular lectures there, himself joining his colleagues in supervising the effort. A large stone on West Lake Mountain was said to be haunted; Yuan ordered it broken open, and a stone skeleton was found inside—the hauntings ceased. He had it carved into a stele inscribed in large characters: "Wang Yuan, Prefect of Chaozhou, removed the haunted stone." When a beating he administered killed a commoner, the victim's son appealed to the throne, also accusing Yuan of wrongdoing in building the bridge and pavilion. Brought to the capital as a prisoner, he was sentenced to redeemable penal servitude. The people of Chaozhou petitioned en masse at the palace gates, and he was restored to office. After some time, he petitioned to retire. When the people of Chaozhou petitioned unsuccessfully to keep him, they built a shrine in his honor.

翟溥福，字本德，東莞人。永樂二年進士。除青陽知縣。九華虎為患，溥福檄山神，虎即殄。久之，移新淦，遷刑部主事，進員外郎，為尚書魏源所器。正統元年七月詔舉廷臣堪為郡守者，源以溥福應，乃擢南康知府。

Zhai Pufu, courtesy name Bende, was a native of Dongguan. He received his jinshi degree in the second year of Yongle. He was appointed magistrate of Qingyang. When tigers on Mount Jiuhua terrorized the region, Pufu issued a proclamation to the mountain spirit—and the tigers vanished. He was later transferred to Xingan, then promoted through the Ministry of Justice to vice director, where Minister Wei Yuan held him in high regard. In the seventh month of the first year of Zhengtong, when the throne called for recommendations of court officials fit to serve as prefects, Wei Yuan nominated Pufu, who was appointed prefect of Nankang.

先是歲歉，民擅發富家粟，及收取漂流官木者，前守悉坐以盜，當死者百余人。溥福閱實，杖而遣之。地濱鄱陽湖，舟遇風濤無所泊，為築石堤百餘丈，往來者便之。廬山白鹿書院廢，溥福倡眾興復，延師訓其子弟，朔望躬詣講授。考績赴部，以年老乞歸。侍郎趙新嘗撫江西，大聲曰：「翟君此邦第一賢守也，胡可聽其去。」懇請累日，乃許之。辭郡之日，父老爭贐金帛，悉不受。眾挽舟涕泣，因建詞湖堤祀之，又配享白鹿書院之三賢祠。三賢者，唐李渤，宋周敦頤、硃熹也。

Earlier, during a famine year, people who had seized grain from wealthy stores or collected driftwood intended for official use had all been charged as thieves by the previous prefect—more than a hundred faced execution. Pufu reviewed the cases, had the offenders beaten, and released them. Since the territory bordered Poyang Lake, where boats caught in storms had nowhere to anchor, he built a stone dike over a hundred zhang long, greatly easing travel. When the White Deer Grotto Academy on Mount Lu lay in ruins, Pufu led local restoration efforts, hired teachers for the community's youth, and personally lectured there on the first and fifteenth of each month. After his performance review in the capital, he petitioned to retire on account of his age. Vice Minister Zhao Xin, who had once administered Jiangxi, declared loudly: "Master Zhai is this province's foremost virtuous prefect—how can we allow him to leave?" After days of earnest petitioning, the request was granted. On the day he left office, elders competed to offer him parting gifts of gold and silk; he refused them all. The people wept as they towed his boat away; they then built a shrine on the lake dike in his honor and installed him in the Hall of Three Worthies at the White Deer Grotto Academy. The three worthies were Li Bo of the Tang, and Zhou Dunyi and Zhu Xi of the Song.

李信圭，字君信，泰和人。洪熙時舉賢良，授清河知縣。縣瘠而沖，官艘日相銜，役夫動以千計。前令請得沐陽五百人為助，然去家遠，艱於衣食。信圭請免其助役，代輸清河浮征三之二，兩邑便之。俗好發塚縱火，信圭設教戒十三條，令裏民書於牌，月朔望儆戒之。且令書其民勤惰善惡以聞，俗為之變。宣德三年上疏言：「本邑地廣人稀，地當沖要，使節絡繹，日發民挽舟。丁壯既盡，役及老稚，妨廢農桑。前年兵部有令，公事亟者舟予五人，緩者則否。今此令不行，役夫無限，有一舟至四五十人者。凶威所加，誰敢詰問。或遇快風，步追不及，則官舫人役沒其所齎衣糧，俾受寒餒。乞申明前令，哀此憚人。」從之。八年春，又言：「自江、淮達京師，沿河郡縣悉令軍民挽舟，若無衛軍則民夫盡出有司，州縣歲發二三千人，晝夜以俟。而上官又不分別雜泛差役，一體派及。致土田荒蕪，民無蓄積。稍遇歉歲，輒老稚相攜，緣道乞食，實可憫傷。請自儀真抵通州，盡免其雜徭，俾得盡力農田，兼供夫役。」帝亦從之。自是，他郡亦蒙其澤。

Li Xingui, styled Junxin, was a native of Taihe. During the Hongxi reign he was recommended as worthy and good, and appointed magistrate of Qinghe. The county was impoverished yet lay on a major thoroughfare; official boats arrived in an unbroken stream, and corvée laborers often numbered in the thousands. The previous magistrate had obtained five hundred men from Shuyang as helpers, but they lived far from home and struggled to feed and clothe themselves. Xingui petitioned to exempt them from labor service and have Qinghe pay two-thirds of their transit levy instead—a arrangement that benefited both counties. The local custom favored grave-robbing and arson; Xingui issued thirteen admonitions, had each ward post them on placards, and on the first and fifteenth of every month read them as warnings. He also required reports on each household's diligence, idleness, and conduct, and local customs changed as a result. In the third year of Xuande he submitted a memorial stating: "Our county is vast yet sparsely populated, and lies on a vital route; envoys arrive in an unbroken stream, and the people are drafted daily to tow boats. Once the able-bodied were exhausted, the corvée extended to the old and young, leaving farming and sericulture in ruins. The year before, the Ministry of War had ordered that urgent official boats receive five towmen each, while non-urgent ones receive none. That order is no longer enforced; laborers are assigned without limit, and a single boat sometimes takes forty or fifty men. Under such brutal authority, who would dare to protest? When a strong wind arose, towmen on foot could not keep pace; officials on the barges would then seize their clothing and provisions, leaving them to suffer cold and hunger. I beg that the earlier order be clarified and enforced, and that pity be shown for these people who live in dread." The request was granted. In the spring of the eighth year he submitted another memorial: "From the Yangtze and Huai to the capital, every county along the river drafts soldiers and civilians to tow boats; where no garrison troops are available, local offices supply all the laborers—prefectures and counties dispatch two or three thousand men each year, kept waiting day and night. Yet superior officials make no distinction among miscellaneous corvée duties and assign them all indiscriminately. Fields lie fallow and the people have no reserves. In even a slightly bad year, the old and young set out together to beg along the roads—a sight truly pitiable. I request that from Yizhen to Tongzhou all miscellaneous corvée be remitted, so the people may devote themselves to farming while still supplying tow labor." The emperor granted this as well. From then on, other prefectures benefited as well.

自明興至洪、宣、正統間，民淳俗富，吏易為治。而其時長吏亦多勵長者行，以循良見稱。其秩滿奏留者，不可勝紀，略舉數人列於篇。

From the founding of the Ming through the Hongxi, Xuande, and Zhengtong reigns, the people were upright, customs were prosperous, and officials found governance easy. Senior officials of that era often encouraged upright conduct and won renown as virtuous administrators. Those retained at the end of their terms are too numerous to record in full; a few are listed here by way of example.

孫浩，永樂中知邵陽，遭喪去官。洪熙元年，陝西按察使頌浩前政，請令補威寧。宣宗嘉歎，即命起復。久之，超擢辰州知府。

Sun Hao served as magistrate of Shaoyang during the Yongle reign and left office to mourn a parent's death. In the first year of Hongxi, the Shaanxi surveillance commissioner praised Hao's earlier administration and requested his appointment to Weining. The Xuande Emperor expressed warm approval and immediately ordered him recalled from mourning. After some time he was promoted directly to prefect of Chenzhou.

薛慎知長清，以親喪去。洪熙元年，長清民知慎服闋，相率詣京師乞再任。吏部尚書蹇義以聞，言長清別除知縣已久，即如民言，又當更易。帝曰：「國家置守令，但欲其得民心，苟民心不得，雖屢易何害。」遂還之。

Xue Shen served as magistrate of Changqing and left office to mourn a parent's death. In the first year of Hongxi, when the people of Changqing learned that Shen's mourning period had ended, they went together to the capital to petition for his return. Minister of Personnel Jian Yi reported this, noting that Changqing had long had another appointed magistrate; even if the people's request were granted, another replacement would be required. The emperor said: "The state appoints prefects and magistrates only to win the people's hearts; if the people's hearts are not won, what harm is there in changing them repeatedly?" Shen was then restored to office.

吳原知吳橋，洪熙中，九載考績赴部。縣民詣闕乞留，帝從之。

Wu Yuan served as magistrate of Wuqiao; during the Hongxi reign, at his nine-year performance review he traveled to the capital. County residents petitioned at the palace gate for his retention, and the emperor granted their request.

暢宣知泰安，以母憂去。民頌于副使鄺埜，以聞，仁宗命服闋還任。宣德改元，宣服闋，吏部以請。帝曰：「民欲之，監司言之，固當從，況有先帝之命乎。」遂如其請。

Chang Xuan served as magistrate of Tai'an and left office to mourn his mother's death. The people praised him to Vice Commissioner Kuang Ye, who reported it; the Renzong Emperor ordered that he return to office when his mourning ended. When the Xuande reign began, Xuan's mourning period ended, and the Ministry of Personnel submitted the request for his return. The emperor said: "The people want this, and the supervising officials have spoken for it—it should certainly be granted, especially since the former emperor already ordered it." His request was granted.

劉伯吉知碭山，以親喪去。服除，碭山民守闕下，求再任。吏部言新令已在碭山二年矣。帝曰：「新者勝舊，則民不復思。今久而又思，其賢于新者可知矣。」遂易之。

Liu Boji served as magistrate of Dangshan and left office to mourn a parent's death. When his mourning ended, the people of Dangshan waited at the palace gate, petitioning for his reappointment. The Ministry of Personnel noted that the new magistrate had already served in Dangshan for two years. The emperor said: "If the new magistrate surpasses the old, the people will not still long for the old one. Yet after so long they still long for him—clear proof that he surpasses the new man." Boji was then restored in the new magistrate's place.

孔公朝，永樂時知甯陽，坐與同僚飲酒忿爭，並遣戍。部民屢叩閽乞還，皆不許。宣德二年詔求賢，有以公朝薦者，甯陽人聞之，又相率叩閽乞公朝。帝顧尚書蹇義曰：「公朝去甯陽已二十餘載，民奏乞不已，此非良吏耶？可即與之。」

Kong Gongchao served as magistrate of Ningyang during the Yongle reign; after drinking and quarreling with a colleague, both men were sentenced to frontier exile. The people repeatedly petitioned at the palace gate for his return, but each request was denied. In the second year of Xuande an edict sought worthy men; when someone recommended Gongchao, the people of Ningyang heard of it and again petitioned at the palace gate for his return. The emperor turned to Minister Jian Yi and said: "Gongchao has been away from Ningyang for more than twenty years, yet the people never cease petitioning for him—is this not proof of a good official? Restore him at once."

郭完知會寧，為奸人所訐被逮。裏老伏闕訟冤乞還，帝亦許之。

Guo Wan served as magistrate of Huining and was arrested after a malicious accuser denounced him. Elders of the community prostrated themselves at the palace gate to plead his innocence and petition for his return, and the emperor granted their request.

徐士宗知貴溪，宣德六年三考俱最。民詣闕乞留，詔增二秩還任。

Xu Shizong served as magistrate of Guixi; in the sixth year of Xuande he received the highest rating in all three performance reviews. The people petitioned at the palace gate for his retention; an edict promoted him two ranks and restored him to office.

郭南知常熟，正統十二年以老致仕。父老乞還任，英宗許之。

Guo Nan served as magistrate of Changshu; in the twelfth year of Zhengtong he retired on account of age. Local elders petitioned for his return, and the Yingzong Emperor granted their request.

張璟知平山，秩滿，士民乞留，英宗命進秩復任。景泰初，母憂去。復從士民請，奪情視事。

Zhang Jing served as magistrate of Pingshan; when his term expired, gentry and commoners petitioned for his retention, and the Yingzong Emperor promoted him and restored him to office. At the beginning of the Jingtai reign he left office to mourn his mother's death. Again acceding to the people's petition, he was dispensed from mourning and resumed office.

徐榮知槁城，親喪去官。服闋，部民乞罷新令而還榮，英宗如其請。景泰初，秩滿。復徇民請，留之。

Xu Rong served as magistrate of Gaocheng and left office to mourn a parent's death. When his mourning ended, the people petitioned to dismiss the new magistrate and restore Rong; the Yingzong Emperor granted their request. At the beginning of the Jingtai reign his term expired. Again acceding to the people's petition, he was retained.

何澄知安福，被劾。民詣闕乞留，英宗命還任。乃築寅陂，浚管道，復密湖之舊，大興水利。秩滿當遷，侍講劉球為民代請，帝復留之。

He Cheng served as magistrate of Anfu and was impeached. The people petitioned at the palace gate for his retention, and the Yingzong Emperor ordered his return to office. He then built the Yin Embankment, dredged irrigation channels, restored Mihu Lake to its former condition, and undertook major waterworks. When his term expired and he was due for promotion, Reader-in-waiting Liu Qiu petitioned on the people's behalf, and the emperor retained him again.

田玉知桐鄉，丁艱去。英宗以部民及巡撫周忱請，還其任。

Tian Yu served as magistrate of Tongxiang and left office to mourn his father's death. At the petition of local residents and Grand Coordinator Zhou Chen, the Yingzong Emperor restored him to office.

其他若內丘馬旭、桐廬楊信、北流李禧、洋縣王黼、保安張庸、獲鹿吳韞、扶風宋端，皆當宣宗之世，以九載奏最。為民乞留，即加秩留任者也。時帝方重循良，而吏部尚書蹇義尤慎擇守令，考察明恕。沿及英宗，吏治淳厚，部民奏留率報可。然其間亦有作奸者。永甯稅課大使劉迪刲羊置酒，邀耆老請留。宣宗怒，下之吏。漢中同知王聚亦張宴求屬吏保奏為知府。事聞，宣宗並屬吏罪之。自後，部民奏留，率下所司核實雲。

Others—Ma Xu of Neiqiu, Yang Xin of Tonglu, Li Xi of Beiliu, Wang Fu of Yang County, Zhang Yong of Bao'an, Wu Yun of Huolu, and Song Duan of Fufeng—all received the highest rating at their nine-year review during the Xuande reign. When the people petitioned for their retention, they were promoted and kept in office. At that time the emperor greatly valued virtuous administrators, and Minister of Personnel Jian Yi was especially careful in selecting prefects and magistrates and reviewing them with clarity and leniency. This continued into the Yingzong reign; governance was upright and generous, and petitions for officials' retention were generally approved. Yet there were also frauds among them. Liu Di, tax commissioner of Yongning, slaughtered a sheep and hosted a feast, inviting elders to petition for his retention. The Xuande Emperor was enraged and handed him over to the judicial authorities. Wang Ju, vice prefect of Hanzhong, also held a banquet and solicited guarantee-memorials from subordinates for promotion to prefect. When the matter was reported, the Xuande Emperor punished both Wang Ju and the subordinate officials who had signed. Thereafter, petitions for officials' retention were generally referred to the responsible offices for verification.

張宗璉，字重器，吉水人。永樂二年進士。改庶起士，授刑部主事，錄囚廣東。仁宗即位，擢左中允。會詔朝臣舉所知，禮部郎中況鐘以宗璉名上。帝問少傅楊士奇曰：「人皆舉外吏，鐘舉京官，何也？」對曰：「宗璉賢，臣與侍讀學士王直將舉之，不意為鐘所先耳。」帝喜，曰：「鐘能知宗璉，亦賢矣。」由是知鐘，而擢宗璉南京大理丞。宣德元年，詔遣吏部侍郎黃宗載等十五人出厘各省軍籍，宗璉往福建。明年坐奏事忤旨，謫常州同知。朝遣御史李立理江南軍籍，檄宗璉自隨。立受黠軍詞，多逮平民實伍，宗璉數爭之。立怒，宗璉輒臥地乞杖，曰「請代百姓死」，免株累甚眾。初，宗璉使廣東，務廉恕。至是見立暴橫，心積不平，疽廢背卒。常州民白衣送喪者千餘人，為建祠君山。宗璉蒞郡，不攜妻子，病亟召醫，室無燈燭。童子從外索取油一盂入，宗璉立卻之，其清峻如此。

Zhang Zonglian, styled Zhongqi, was a native of Jishui. He passed the jinshi examination in the second year of Yongle. He was appointed a junior compiler, then principal clerk in the Ministry of Justice, and sent to review prisoners in Guangdong. When the Renzong Emperor ascended the throne, he was promoted to Left Assistant Director. When an edict ordered court officials to recommend men of talent, Bureau Director Kuang Zhong of the Ministry of Rites submitted Zonglian's name. The emperor asked Junior Tutor Yang Shiqi: "Everyone else recommends local officials; why does Zhong recommend a capital official?" He replied: "Zonglian is worthy; Reader-in-waiting Wang Zhi and I were about to recommend him—we did not expect Zhong to get there first." The emperor was pleased and said: "If Zhong could recognize Zonglian's worth, he too is worthy." From this he came to know Zhong, and promoted Zonglian to Vice Director of the Nanjing Court of Judicial Review. In the first year of Xuande an edict dispatched Vice Minister Huang Zongzai and fourteen others to rectify military registers in the provinces; Zonglian was sent to Fujian. The following year, after a memorial displeased the throne, he was demoted to vice prefect of Changzhou. The court dispatched Censor Li Li to settle military registers in Jiangnan and ordered Zonglian to accompany him. Li accepted the testimony of cunning soldiers and often seized commoners to fill military rolls; Zonglian repeatedly protested. Li grew furious; Zonglian would lie on the ground begging to be beaten, crying "Let me die in the people's place"—and thus spared many from being implicated. Earlier, during his service in Guangdong, Zonglian had devoted himself to integrity and leniency. Now, witnessing Li's brutal arrogance, resentment built in his heart until a festering ulcer on his back disabled him and he died. More than a thousand Changzhou residents in white mourning escorted his funeral procession, and a shrine was built in his honor on Jun Mountain. When Zonglian took up his prefectural post, he came without his wife and children. When he fell gravely ill and summoned a doctor, his room had no lamp or candle. A page boy went out and brought back a bowl of oil; Zonglian immediately refused it—such was his austere integrity.

李驥，字尚德，郯城人。舉洪武二十六年鄉試。入國學，居三年，授戶科給事中。時關市譏商旅，發及囊篋，驥奏止之。尋坐事免。建文時，薦起新鄉知縣，招流亡，給以農具，復業者數千人。內艱去官，民相率奏留者數四，不許。永樂初，服闋，改知東安。事有病民，輒奏於朝，罷免之。有嫠婦子齧死，訴於驥。驥禱城隍神，深自咎責。明旦，狼死於其所。侍郎李昶等交薦，擢刑部郎中。奏陳十餘事，多見採納。坐累，謫役保安。

Li Ji, styled Shangde, was a native of Tancheng. He passed the provincial examination in the twenty-sixth year of Hongwu (1393). He entered the Imperial Academy, studied there three years, and was appointed supervising secretary of the Revenue Bureau. At the time customs posts inspected traveling merchants and searched even their bags and cases; Ji memorialized to halt the practice. He was soon dismissed on account of an offense. During the Jianwen reign he was recommended and reinstated as magistrate of Xinxiang. He gathered refugees, supplied them with farm tools, and several thousand people returned to productive work. When he left office to mourn his mother, the people petitioned in groups four times to keep him, but each request was denied. At the beginning of the Yongle reign, when his mourning period ended, he was reassigned as magistrate of Dong'an. Whenever he found policies that harmed the people, he memorialized the court and had the responsible officials dismissed. A widow whose child had been killed by a bite came to appeal to Ji. Ji prayed to the City God and blamed himself deeply. The next morning the wolf was found dead at the spot. Vice Minister Li Chang and others jointly recommended him, and he was promoted to bureau director in the Ministry of Justice. He memorialized more than ten proposals, many of which were adopted. After being implicated in another's offense, he was banished to serve at Bao'an.

洪熙時，有詔求賢，薦為御史。陳經國利民十事，仁宗嘉納。宣德五年巡視倉場，軍高祥盜倉粟，驥執而鞫之。祥父妾言，祥與張貴等同盜，驥受貴等賄故獨罪祥。刑部侍郎施禮遂論驥死。驥上章自辨，帝曰：「御史即擒盜，安肯納賄！」命偕都察院再訊，驥果枉。帝乃切責禮，而復驥官。其年十一月，擇廷臣二十五人為郡守，奉敕以行。驥授河南知府，肇慶則給事中王瑩〗，瓊州則戶部郎中徐鑒，汀州則禮部員外郎許敬軒，寧波則刑部主事鄭珞，撫州則大理寺正王升，後皆以政績著。

During the Hongxi reign, when an edict sought worthy men, he was recommended and appointed censor. He presented ten measures for governing the state and benefiting the people, and Renzong praised and accepted them. In the fifth year of Xuande (1430), while inspecting granaries, he found that soldier Gao Xiang had stolen granary grain; Ji seized and interrogated him. Gao Xiang's father's concubine claimed that Xiang had stolen together with Zhang Gui and others, but that Ji had taken bribes from Gui and the others and therefore punished Xiang alone. Vice Minister Shi Li of the Ministry of Justice then sentenced Ji to death. Ji submitted a memorial defending himself. The emperor said: "A censor who has just caught a thief—how could he accept bribes!" He ordered a joint reinvestigation with the Censorate, and Ji was indeed found to have been wronged. The emperor then sternly rebuked Shi Li and restored Ji to office. That November, twenty-five court officials were selected as prefects and sent out under imperial command. Ji was appointed prefect of Henan; Wang Ying, a supervising secretary, was sent to Zhaoqing; Xu Jian, a bureau director of the Ministry of Revenue, to Qiongzhou; Xu Jingxuan, a vice director of the Ministry of Rites, to Tingzhou; Zheng Luo, a secretary of the Ministry of Justice, to Ningbo; and Wang Sheng, chief of the Court of Judicial Review, to Fuzhou—all later became noted for their achievements in office.

河南境多盜，驥為設火甲，一戶被盜，一甲償之。犯者，大署其門曰盜賊之家。又為《勸教文》，振木鐸以徇之。自是人鹹改行，道不拾遺。郡有伊王府，王數請囑，不從。中官及校卒虐民，又為驥所抑，恨甚。及冬至，令驥以四更往陪位行禮。及驥如期往，誣驥後期，執而桎梏之，次日乃釋。驥奏聞，帝怒，貽書讓王，府中承奉、長史、典儀悉逮置於理。

Henan had many bandits, so Ji instituted a mutual-security ward system: if one household was robbed, the entire ward made restitution. Offenders had the words "House of Thieves" posted in large characters on their doors. He also wrote an "Essay on Encouraging Education" and had it proclaimed throughout the prefecture with a wooden clapper. From then on the people reformed their conduct, and lost property was left untouched on the roads. The prefecture housed the Yi princely establishment; the prince repeatedly asked for special favors, but Ji refused. Eunuchs and guard soldiers who abused the people were likewise restrained by Ji, and they hated him deeply. At the winter solstice they ordered Ji to come at the fourth watch to take part in the ceremonial observances. When Ji arrived on schedule, they falsely accused him of being late, seized him, put him in shackles, and did not release him until the next day. Ji reported the matter to the throne. The emperor was furious, sent a letter rebuking the prince, and had all the princely establishment's attendants, chief instructor, and ceremonial officers arrested and turned over for trial.

驥持身端恪，晏居雖幾席必正。蒞郡六年卒，年七十。士民赴吊，鹹哭失聲。

Ji conducted himself with upright integrity; even in private his mat and seat were always properly arranged. After six years as prefect he died at the age of seventy. Officials and commoners came to mourn him, weeping aloud.

王瑩，鄞人，起家舉人。居肇慶九年，進秩二等，後徙知西安。

Wang Ying, a native of Yin, entered official service as a provincial graduate. He served at Zhaoqing for nine years, was promoted two ranks, and was later transferred to serve as magistrate of Xi'an.

徐鑒，宜興人。在瓊四年卒，郡人祀之九賢祠。

Xu Jian was a native of Yixing. He served at Qiongzhou for four years and died; the people of the prefecture enshrined him in the Hall of Nine Worthies.

許敬軒，天臺人。起家國子生。守汀特糾參政陳羽貪暴，宣宗為逮治羽。卒官，士民爭賻之。

Xu Jingxuan was a native of Tiantai. He entered official service as an Imperial Academy student. As prefect of Tingzhou he impeached Vice Commissioner Chen Yu for greed and cruelty, and the Xuanzong had Yu arrested and punished. He died in office, and officials and commoners vied to contribute to his funeral expenses.

鄭珞，閩縣人。起家進士。守寧波，以艱去。會海寇入犯，民數千詣闕乞留，詔奪情復任。嘗劾中使呂可烈無狀，帝為誅可烈。久之，擢浙江參政。

Zheng Luo was a native of Min County. He entered official service as a jinshi. While serving as prefect of Ningbo, he left office to observe mourning. When sea bandits invaded, several thousand people went to the capital to petition for his retention; an edict exempted him from mourning obligations and restored him to office. He once impeached the eunuch envoy Lü Kēliè for misconduct, and the emperor had Kēliè executed. After some time he was promoted to vice commissioner of Zhejiang.

王升，龍溪人。起家進士。在郡九載，以部民乞留，增秩還任。以疾歸。

Wang Sheng was a native of Longxi. He entered official service as a jinshi. He served at the prefecture for nine years; when the people of his district petitioned to keep him, his rank was raised and he returned to office. He returned home because of illness.

李湘，字永懷，泰和人。永樂中，由國子生理刑都察院。以才擢東平知州，常祿外一無所取，訓誡吏民若家人然。城東有大村壩，源出岱嶽，雨潦輒為民患，奏發丁夫堤之。州及所轄五邑，地多荒蕪，力督民墾辟，公私皆實。會舊官還任，將解去。民群乞於朝，帝從其請。成祖晚年數北征，令山東長吏督民轉餉，道遠多死亡，惟東平人無失所。奸人誣湘苛斂民財，訐于布政司。縣民千三百人走訴巡按御史暨布、按二司，力白其冤。耆老七十人復奔伏闕下，發奸人誣陷狀。及布政司系湘入都，又有耆老九十人隨湘訟冤。通政司以聞，下刑曹閱實，乃復湘官，而抵奸人於法。蒞州十餘年，至正統初，詔大臣舉郡守，尚書胡蒞以湘應，遂擢懷慶知府。東平民扶攜老幼，泣送數十里。懷慶有軍衛，素挾勢厲民。湘隨時裁制，皆不敢犯。居三年卒。

Li Xiang, styled Yonghuai, was a native of Taihe. During the Yongle reign, after serving as an Imperial Academy student, he worked in the Court of Judicial Review under the Censorate. For his talent he was promoted to magistrate of Dongping. Aside from his regular salary he took nothing, and he admonished officials and commoners as if they were members of his own family. East of the city was the Great Village Dam, whose waters came from Mount Tai; flooding after heavy rains often harmed the people, so he memorialized to dispatch corvée laborers to build dikes. The prefecture and its five subordinate counties had much wasteland; he vigorously supervised the people in clearing and cultivating it until both public and private stores were well filled. When the former official returned to his post, Xiang was about to leave office. The people petitioned the court in groups, and the emperor granted their request. In Chengzu's later years he frequently campaigned north and ordered Shandong's chief officials to supervise the transport of supplies; the distances were great and many people died on the road, yet no one in Dongping lost his home. Wicked men falsely accused Xiang of harshly levying the people's wealth and reported him to the provincial administration commission. Thirteen hundred county residents rushed to appeal to the touring censor and the provincial administration and surveillance commissions, forcefully declaring his innocence. Seventy elders again rushed to prostrate themselves before the palace gate and expose the wicked men's false accusations. When the provincial administration commission took Xiang into the capital under guard, another ninety elders followed him to plead his innocence. The Office of Transmission reported the matter; the case was sent to the Ministry of Justice for verification, Xiang's office was restored, and the wicked men were punished according to law. After more than ten years as magistrate, at the beginning of the Zhengtong reign an edict ordered grand ministers to recommend prefects; Minister Hu Li recommended Xiang, and he was promoted to prefect of Huaizhou. The people of Dongping, supporting the old and young, escorted him weeping for dozens of li. Huaizhou had military guards that habitually relied on their power to oppress the people. Xiang restrained them as the need arose, and none dared transgress. After three years in office he died.

趙豫，字定素，安肅人。燕王起兵下保定，豫以諸生督賦守城。永樂五年授泌陽主簿，未上，擢兵部主事，進員外郎。內艱起復。洪熙時進郎中。宣德五年五月簡廷臣九人為知府，豫得松江，奉敕往。時衛軍恣橫，豫執其尤者，杖而配之邊，眾遂貼然。一意拊循，與民休息。擇良家子謹厚者為吏，訓以禮法。均徭節費，減吏員十之五。巡撫周忱有所建置，必與豫議。及清軍御史李立至，專務益軍，勾及姻戚同姓。稍辨，則酷刑榜掠。人情大擾，訴枉者至一千一百餘人。鹽司勾灶丁，亦累及他戶，大為民害。豫皆上章極論之，咸獲蘇息。有詔滅蘇、松官田重租，豫所轄華亭、上海二縣，減去十之二三。

Zhao Yu, styled Dingsu, was a native of Ansu. When the Prince of Yan raised troops and captured Baoding, Yu, then a common scholar, supervised tax collection and helped defend the city. In the fifth year of Yongle (1407) he was appointed registrar of Biyang, but before taking up the post he was promoted to secretary of the Ministry of War and then advanced to vice director. After mourning for his mother he returned to office. During the Hongxi reign he was promoted to bureau director. In the fifth month of the fifth year of Xuande (1430), nine court officials were selected as prefects; Yu was assigned to Songjiang and sent out under imperial command. At the time garrison soldiers were arrogant and violent; Yu seized the worst offenders, had them beaten and banished to the frontier, and the rest promptly fell into line. He devoted himself entirely to comforting and guiding the people and giving them respite. He chose prudent and sincere sons of good families to serve as clerks and instructed them in ritual and law. He equalized corvée obligations and cut expenses, reducing clerical staff by half. Whenever Grand Coordinator Zhou Chen planned some new measure, he always consulted Yu first. When army-clearing censor Li Li arrived, he devoted himself solely to augmenting the army and implicated even affinal relatives and people who merely shared a surname. The slightest protest brought cruel torture and beating. Public sentiment was greatly disturbed, and more than eleven hundred people appealed that they had been wronged. The salt commission's conscription of saltern workers also dragged in other households, greatly harming the people. Yu memorialized forcefully on all these matters, and in each case the people obtained relief. When an edict reduced the heavy rents on official fields in Suzhou and Songjiang, rents in Huating and Shanghai, the two counties under Yu's jurisdiction, were cut by twenty or thirty percent.

正統中，九載考績。民五千餘人列狀乞留，巡按御史以聞，命增二秩還任。及十年春，大計群吏，始舉卓異之典。豫與甯國知府袁旭皆預焉，賜宴及襲衣遣還。在職十五年，清靜如一日。去郡，老稚攀轅，留一履以識遺愛，後配享周忱祠。

During the Zhengtong reign, at the nine-year performance review. More than five thousand people filed petitions asking that he be kept in office; the touring censor reported this, and he was ordered promoted two ranks and returned to his post. In the spring of the tenth year, at the great evaluation of officials, the ceremony for marking exceptional merit was held for the first time. Yu and Yuan Xu, prefect of Ningguo, both took part; they were granted a banquet and ceremonial robes and sent back to their posts. Throughout fifteen years in office he remained as pure and tranquil as on the first day. When he left the prefecture, old and young clung to his carriage shafts; they kept one of his sandals as a token of his enduring affection, and he was later accorded secondary worship in Zhou Chen's shrine.

方豫始至，患民俗多訟。訟者至，輒好言諭之曰：「明日來。」眾皆笑之，有「松江太守明日來」之謠。及訟者逾宿忿漸平，或被勸阻，多止不訟。

When Yu first arrived, he was troubled by the local custom of frequent litigation. When litigants came, he would gently persuade them, saying: "Come back tomorrow. Everyone laughed at this, and a ballad circulated: "The Songjiang prefect will come tomorrow." After a night's sleep, litigants' anger usually subsided, or others talked them out of proceeding, and most dropped their suits.

始與豫同守郡者，蘇州況鐘、常州莫愚、吉水陳本深、溫州何文淵、杭州馬儀、西安羅以禮、建昌陳鼎，並皦皦著名績，豫尤以愷悌稱。

Those who had originally served as prefects alongside Yu included Kuang Zhong of Suzhou, Mo Yu of Changzhou, Chen Benshen of Jishui, He Wenyuan of Wenzhou, Ma Yi of Hangzhou, Luo Yili of Xi'an, and Chen Ding of Jianchang—all renowned for their bright and distinguished achievements. Yu was especially praised for his kind and easy manner.

是時，列郡長吏以惠政著聞者：

At this time, among the chief officials of the various prefectures who were famed for benevolent governance:

湖州知府祥符趙登，秩滿當遷。民詣闕乞留，增秩再任，自宣德至正統，先後在官十七年。登同里嶽璿繼之，亦有善政，民稱為趙、嶽。淮安知府南昌彭遠被誣當罷，民擁中官舟，乞為奏請，宣帝命復留之。正統六年超擢廣東布政司。荊州知府大庾劉永遭父喪，軍民萬八千餘人乞留，英宗命奪情視事。鞏昌知府鄞縣戴浩擅發邊儲三百七十石振饑，被劾請罪，景帝原之。徽州知府孫遇秩滿當遷，民詣闕乞留，英宗令進秩視事。先後在官十八年，遷至河南布政使。惟袁旭在甯國為督學御史程富所誣劾，逮死獄中。而寧國人惜之，立祠祀焉。

Zhao Deng of Xiangfu, prefect of Huzhou, reached the end of his term and was due for transfer. The people went to the capital to petition that he be kept in office; his rank was raised and he was reappointed. From Xuande through Zhengtong he served altogether seventeen years. Yue Xuan of the same native place succeeded him and also governed well; the people referred to them as "Zhao and Yue." Peng Yuan of Nanchang, prefect of Huai'an, was falsely accused and due to be dismissed; the people blocked an eunuch's boat and begged that a memorial be submitted on his behalf. The Xuande Emperor ordered that he be retained. In the sixth year of Zhengtong he was abruptly promoted to Guangdong Provincial Administration Commissioner. Liu Yong of Dayu, prefect of Jingzhou, suffered his father's death; more than eighteen thousand soldiers and civilians petitioned that he be kept in office, and the Yingzong Emperor ordered him to set aside mourning and continue in office. Dai Hao of Yin county, prefect of Gongchang, on his own authority issued three hundred seventy shi from frontier stores to relieve famine; impeached, he requested punishment, and the Jingdi pardoned him. Sun Yu, prefect of Huizhou, reached the end of his term and was due for transfer; the people went to the capital to petition that he be kept in office, and the Yingzong Emperor ordered his rank raised and that he continue in office. He served in office for eighteen years altogether and was transferred to become provincial administration commissioner of Henan. Only Yuan Xu, in Ningguo, was falsely impeached by regional inspection censor Cheng Fu, arrested, and died in prison. The people of Ningguo mourned him and erected a shrine to worship him.

曾泉，泰和人。永樂十八年進士。選庶起士，改御史。宣德初，都御史邵甄別屬僚，泉謫汜水典史，卒。

Zeng Quan was a native of Taihe. He passed the jinshi examination in the eighteenth year of Yongle. He was selected as a Hanlin bachelor, then transferred to serve as a censor. At the beginning of Xuande, Censor-in-Chief Shao Gang appraised his subordinates; Quan was demoted to clerk of record at Sishui and died there.

正統四年，河南參政孫原貞上言：「泉操行廉潔，服官勤敏，不以降黜故有偷惰心。躬督民辟荒土，收谷麥，伐材木，備營繕，通商賈，完逋責，官有儲積，民無科擾。造舟楫，置棺槨，膽民器用。百姓婚喪不給者，咸資於泉。死之日，老幼巷哭。臣行部汜水，泉沒已三年矣，民懷其惠，言輒流涕，雖古循吏，何以加茲。若使海內得泉等數十人分治郡邑，可使朝廷恩澤滂流，物鹹得所。雖在異代，猶宜下詔褒美。而獎錄未及，官階未復，使泉終蒙貶謫之名，不獲顯於當世，良可矜恤。請追復泉爵，褒既往以風方來。」帝從之。

In the fourth year of Zhengtong, Henan Assistant Administration Commissioner Sun Yuanzhen memorialized: "Quan's conduct was honest and clean; in office he was diligent and quick, and despite his demotion he did not grow lazy or negligent. He personally supervised the people in opening wasteland, gathering grain and wheat, felling timber, preparing repairs, opening trade, and clearing arrears; the government accumulated reserves and the people suffered no tax harassment. He built boats and oars, provided coffins, and supplied the people's daily needs. Commoners who could not afford weddings or funerals all received support from Quan. On the day he died, old and young wept in the lanes. When I toured Sishui on official business, Quan had already been dead three years; the people cherished his kindness and wept whenever they spoke of him—what ancient virtuous official could surpass this? If the realm could obtain several dozen men like Quan to govern prefectures and counties, the court's grace could flow abundantly and all things would find their proper place. Even in a different age, it would still be fitting to issue an edict of praise. Yet reward and recognition had not reached him, and his official rank had not been restored, so that Quan ultimately bore the stigma of demotion and could not be distinguished in his own time—this is truly pitiable. I request that Quan's rank be posthumously restored and that past merit be praised to instruct those to come." The Emperor assented.

範衷，字恭肅，豐城人。永樂十九年進士。除壽昌知縣。辟荒田二千六百畝，興水利三百四十有六區。正統五年三考報最，當遷。邑人頌德乞留，御史以聞，朝廷許之。尋以外艱去，服闋，起知汝州。吏部尚書王直察舉天下廉吏數人，衷為第一。性至孝，廬父墓，瓜生連枝，有白兔三，馴擾暮側。鄉人莫不高其行。

Fan Zhong, styled Gongsu, was a native of Fengcheng. He passed the jinshi examination in the nineteenth year of Yongle. He was appointed magistrate of Shouchang. He opened two thousand six hundred mu of wasteland and developed three hundred forty-six irrigation districts. In the fifth year of Zhengtong, after three triennial reviews he was rated highest and was due for transfer. The people praised his virtue and petitioned that he be kept in office; the censor reported this, and the court granted it. Soon afterward he left office on account of his mother's death; when mourning ended he was reappointed magistrate of Ruzhou. Minister of Personnel Wang Zhi selected several incorrupt officials throughout the realm; Zhong ranked first. By nature he was extremely filial; he built a hut at his father's tomb. Melons grew with joined vines, and three white rabbits tamely lingered beside him at dusk. Everyone in his native place admired his conduct.

周濟，字大亨，洛陽人。永樂中，以舉人入太學，曆事都察院。都御史劉觀薦為御史，固辭。宣德時，授江西都司斷事。艱歸，補湖廣。正統初，擢御史。大同鎮守中官以驕橫聞，敕濟往廉之。濟變服負薪入其宅，盡得不法狀，還報，帝大嘉之。已，巡按四川。威州土官董敏、王允相仇殺，詔濟督官兵進討。濟曰：「朝廷綏安遠人，宜先撫而後征。」馳檄諭之，遂解。十一年出為安慶知府，歲比不登，民間鬻子女充衣食，方舟而去者相接。濟借漕糧以振，而禁鬻子女者。且上疏請免租，詔許之，全活甚眾。又為訂婚喪制，禁侈費，愆嫁葬期者有罰，風俗一變。

Zhou Ji, styled Daheng, was a native of Luoyang. During Yongle, as a provincial graduate he entered the Imperial Academy and served in the Censorate. Censor-in-Chief Liu Guan recommended him as censor, but he firmly declined. In the Xuande reign he was appointed judicial officer of the Jiangxi Regional Military Commission. He returned home on account of mourning and was reassigned to Huguang. At the beginning of Zhengtong he was promoted to censor. The eunuch garrison commander at Datong was famed for arrogance and overbearing conduct; the Emperor ordered Ji to go investigate him. Ji changed his clothes, shouldered firewood, and entered the man's residence, fully obtaining evidence of illegal conduct. When he reported back, the Emperor greatly praised him. Later he toured and inspected Sichuan. The native chieftains Dong Min and Wang Yun of Weizhou feuded and killed one another; an edict ordered Ji to supervise troops in advancing to punish them. Ji said: "The court pacifies distant peoples; one should first soothe and only afterward punish." He sent a dispatch to instruct them, and the feud was resolved. In the eleventh year he went out as prefect of Anqing; year after year the harvest failed, and among the people children were sold for food and clothing; boats laden with those departing followed one after another. Ji borrowed grain transport supplies to provide relief and forbade the selling of children. He also memorialized requesting rent remission; an edict granted it, and very many lives were saved. He also established marriage and mourning regulations, forbade extravagant expense, and punished those who missed wedding or burial deadlines; custom changed entirely.

饑民聚掠富家粟，富家以盜劫告。濟下令曰：「民饑故如此，然得谷當報太守數，太守當代爾償。」掠者遂解散。濟卒官，民皆罷市巷哭雲。

Starving people gathered to plunder grain from wealthy households; the wealthy reported them as robbers. Ji issued an order saying: "The people are starving and therefore act thus; yet whoever obtains grain must report the amount to the prefect, and the prefect will repay it on your behalf." The plunderers then dispersed. When Ji died in office, the people all closed their shops and wept in the lanes.

範希正，字以貞，吳縣人。宣德三年舉賢良方正，授曹縣知縣。有奸吏受賕，希正按其罪，械送京師。吏反誣希正他事，坐逮。曹民八百餘人詣京白通政司，言希正廉能，橫為奸吏誣枉。侍郎許廓以公事過曹，曹父老二百餘人遮道稽顙，泣言朝廷奪我賢令。事並聞，帝乃釋希正使還縣。正統十年，山東饑。惟曹以希正先積粟，得無患。大理寺丞張驥振山東，聞之。因請升曹縣為州，而以希正為知州，從之。時州民負官馬不能償，多逃竄。希正節公費代償九十餘匹，逃者皆復業。吉水人誣曹富民殺其兄，連坐甚眾。希正密移吉水，按其人姓名皆妄，事得白。治曹二十三年，曆知州，再考乃致仕。

Fan Xizheng, styled Yizhen, was a native of Wu county. In the third year of Xuande he was recommended as worthy and upright and was appointed magistrate of Cao county. There was a corrupt clerk who accepted bribes; Xizheng investigated his crime and sent him in fetters to the capital. The clerk in turn falsely accused Xizheng of other matters, and Xizheng was arrested on that account. More than eight hundred people of Cao went to the capital and reported to the Office of Transmission that Xizheng was honest and capable and had been falsely wronged by a corrupt clerk. Vice Minister Xu Kuo passed through Cao on official business; more than two hundred elders of Cao blocked the road and kowtowed, weeping and saying the court had taken away their worthy magistrate. When both matters were reported, the Emperor released Xizheng and sent him back to the county. In the tenth year of Zhengtong, Shandong suffered famine. Only Cao, because Xizheng had stored grain beforehand, escaped harm. Vice Director of the Court of Judicial Review Zhang Ji was providing relief in Shandong and heard of this. He therefore requested that Cao county be elevated to a prefecture and that Xizheng be made prefect; the request was granted. At the time the people of the prefecture owed official horses they could not repay and many fled. Xizheng economized public funds to repay more than ninety horses on their behalf, and the fugitives all returned to their occupations. A man of Jishui falsely accused a wealthy man of Cao of killing his elder brother, and very many were implicated. Xizheng secretly sent a dispatch to Jishui and investigated; the names were all false, and the matter was cleared. He governed Cao for twenty-three years, served as prefect, and retired only after two triennial reviews.

當是時，潞州知州咸甯燕雲、徐州知州楊秘、全州知州錢塘周健、霸州知州張需、定州知州王約，皆大著聲績。秘、健進秩視事，約賜詔旌異。需忤太監王振戍邊，人尤惜之。而得民最久者，無若希正與寧州知州劉綱。綱，字之紀，禹州人。建文二年進士。由府谷知縣遷是職。蒞州三十四年，仁宗嘗賜酒饌，人以為榮。正統中，請老去，民送之，涕泣載道。及卒，寧民祀之狄仁傑祠中。其孫，即大學士宇也。

At this time Yan Yun of Xianning, prefect of Luzhou; Yang Mi, prefect of Xuzhou; Zhou Jian of Qiantang, prefect of Quanzhou; Zhang Xu, prefect of Bazhou; and Wang Yue, prefect of Dingzhou—all greatly distinguished themselves in reputation and achievement. Mi and Jian had their ranks raised and continued in office; Yue was granted an edict of special commendation. Xu offended the eunuch Wang Zhen and was banished to the frontier; people especially mourned him. Yet among those who won the people for the longest time, none matched Xizheng and Liu Gang, prefect of Ningzhou. Gang, styled Zhiji, was a native of Yuzhou. He passed the jinshi examination in the second year of Jianwen. He was transferred to this post from magistrate of Fugu. He governed the prefecture for thirty-four years; the Renzong once bestowed wine and food on him, which people regarded as an honor. During Zhengtong he requested to retire on account of age; the people escorted him, weeping all along the road. When he died, the people of Ning worshipped him in the shrine of Di Renjie. His grandson was none other than the Grand Secretary Yu.

段堅，字可大，蘭州人。早歲受書，即有志聖賢。舉於鄉，入國子監。景泰元年，上書請悉征還四方監軍，罷天下佛老宮。疏奏，不行。五年成進士，授福山知縣。刊佈小學，俾士民講誦。俗素陋，至是一變，村落皆有糸玄誦聲。成化初，賜敕旌異，超擢萊州知府。期年，化大行。以憂去，服除，改知南陽。召州縣學官，具告以古人為學之指，使轉相勸誘。創志學書院，聚秀民講說《五經》要義，及濂、洛諸儒遺書。建節義祠，祀古今烈女。訟獄徭賦，務底于平。居數年，大治，引疾去。士民號泣送者，逾境不絕。及聞其卒，立祠，春秋祀之。

Duan Jian, styled Kedà, was a native of Lanzhou. From early youth when he received learning he aspired to the sages. Recommended in the provincial examination, he entered the Imperial Academy. In the first year of Jingtai he memorialized requesting that all garrison troops from the four directions be fully recalled and that Buddhist and Daoist temples throughout the realm be abolished. The memorial was submitted but not implemented. In the fifth year he passed the jinshi examination and was appointed magistrate of Fushan. He published the Elementary Learning and had scholars and commoners lecture and recite it. Custom had been crude; by this time it changed entirely, and in every village there was the sound of string and recitation. At the beginning of Chenghua he was granted an edict of special commendation and was abruptly promoted to prefect of Laizhou. Within a year, transformation was greatly accomplished. He left office on account of mourning; when mourning ended he was reassigned as magistrate of Nanyang. He summoned the educational officers of prefectures and counties and fully explained to them the ancients' purpose in learning, instructing them to encourage one another in turn. He founded the Zhixue Academy, gathered talented commoners to lecture on the essential meaning of the Five Classics, and on the surviving writings of the Lian and Luo schools of Confucianism. He built a shrine to chaste and righteous women, worshipping virtuous women of ancient and modern times. In lawsuits, prisons, corvée, and taxation he strove to reach fairness. After several years the region was greatly well governed; he resigned citing illness. Scholars and commoners who saw him off weeping did not cease even beyond the border. When they heard of his death they erected a shrine and worshipped him in spring and autumn.

堅之學，私淑河東薛瑄，務致知而踐其實，不以諛聞取譽，故能以儒術飾吏治。

Jian's learning privately followed Xue Xuan of Hedong; he sought to extend knowledge and put it into practice, and did not seek reputation through flattery, and therefore could adorn official governance with Confucian learning.

子炅，進士，翰林檢討。諂附焦芳，劉瑾敗，落職，隤其家聲焉。

His son Jiong was a jinshi and a Hanlin reviser. He fawned on Jiao Fang; when Liu Jin fell, he was dismissed from office and brought disgrace upon the family name.

丁積，字彥誠，寧都人。成化十四年進士。授新會知縣，至即師事邑人陳獻章。為政以風化為本，而主于愛民。中貴梁芳，邑人也，其弟長橫于鄉，責民逋過倍，復訴於積。積追券焚之，且收捕系獄，由是權豪屏跡。申洪武禮制，參以《硃子家禮》，擇耆老誨導百姓。良家子墮業，聚廡下，使日誦小學書，親為解說，風俗大變。民出錢輸官供役，名均平錢。其後吏貪，復令甲首出錢供用，曰當月錢，貧者至鬻子女。積一切杜絕。俗信巫鬼，為痛毀淫祠。既而歲大旱，築壇圭峰頂。昕夕伏壇下者八日，雨大澍。而積遂得疾以卒，士民聚哭於途。有一嫗夜哭極哀，或問之，曰：「來歲當甲首，丁公死，吾無以聊生矣。」

Ding Ji, styled Yancheng, was a native of Ningdu. He passed the jinshi examination in the fourteenth year of Chenghua. Appointed magistrate of Xinhui; upon arrival he took Chen Xianzhang of the county as his teacher. In governing he took moral transformation as his foundation and held to loving the people. The palace eunuch Liang Fang was a native of the county; his younger brother tyrannized the countryside, demanding double payment for overdue taxes from the people, and they again appealed to Ji. Ji pursued him, burned the bonds, and moreover had him arrested and imprisoned; from this the powerful and wealthy withdrew. He applied the Hongwu ritual regulations, supplemented by Zhu Xi's Family Rituals, and selected elders to instruct and guide the common people. Sons of good families who had fallen into idleness were gathered under the hall; he had them recite the Elementary Learning daily and personally explained it; custom changed greatly. The people paid money to the government for corvée service, called the Equalization Money. Later clerks grew greedy and again had group heads pay money for expenses, called the Monthly Money; the poor even sold their children. Ji abolished all of this entirely. The custom believed in shamans and ghosts; he sternly destroyed licentious shrines. Soon afterward there was a great drought; he built an altar on the summit of Guifeng. For eight days he lay prostrate beneath the altar morning and evening; rain fell in abundance. But Ji then fell ill and died; scholars and commoners gathered and wept along the road. There was an old woman who wept extremely bitterly at night; when asked, she said: "Next year I am to be group head; with Lord Ding dead, I have no way to live."

田鐸，字振之，陽城人。成化十四年進士。授戶部主事，遷員外郎、郎中。弘治二年奉詔振四川，坐誤遺敕中語，謫蓬州知州。州東南有江洲八十二頃，為豪右所據，鐸悉以還民。建大小二十四橋，又鑿三溪山以便行者。御史行部至蓬，寂無訟者，訝之。已，乃知州無冤民也，太息而去。薦於朝，擢廣東僉事。遷四川參議，不赴，以老疾告歸。正德時，劉瑾矯詔，言鐸理廣東鹽法，簿牒未明，逮赴廣。未就道而瑾誅，或勸鐸毋行，鐸不聽，行次九江卒，年八十二矣。

Tian Duo, styled Zhenzhi, was a native of Yangcheng. He passed the jinshi examination in the fourteenth year of Chenghua. Appointed director in the Ministry of Revenue; transferred to vice director and then director. In the second year of Hongzhi he was ordered by edict to provide relief in Sichuan; because he mistakenly omitted wording from the edict he was demoted to prefect of Pengzhou. Southeast of the prefecture there was a river islet of eighty-two qing occupied by powerful families; Duo returned it all to the people. He built twenty-four large and small bridges and also cut through Three Stream Mountain to ease travelers. When a censor on tour reached Peng, there was complete silence with no litigants; he was astonished. Later he learned that in the prefecture there were no wronged people; he sighed deeply and departed. Recommended to the court, he was promoted to assistant regional inspector of Guangdong. Transferred to assistant administration commissioner of Sichuan, he did not take up the post and returned home citing old age and illness. During the Zhengde reign Liu Jin forged an edict saying Duo had managed Guangdong salt law and the records were unclear, and ordered him seized and sent to Guangdong. Before he had set out Jin was executed; some urged Duo not to go, but he would not listen; on the road at Jiujiang he died, aged eighty-two.

唐侃，字廷直，丹徒人。正德八年舉於鄉，授永豐知縣。之官不攜妻子，獨與一二童僕飯蔬豆羹以居。久之，吏民信服。永豐俗刁訟，尚鬼，尤好俳優，侃禁止之。進武定知州。會清軍籍，應發遣者至萬二千人。侃曰：「武定戶口三萬，是空半州也」。力爭之。又有議徙州境徒駭河者，侃復言不宜朘民財填溝壑。事並得寢。章聖皇太后葬承天，諸內奄迫脅所過州縣吏，索金錢，宣言供張不辦者死，州縣吏多逃。侃置空棺旁舍中，奄迫之急，則經至棺所，指而造之曰：「吾辦一死，金錢不可得也。」諸奄皆愕眙去。稍遷刑部主事，卒。

Tang Kan, styled Tingzhi, was a native of Dantu. Recommended in the provincial examination in the eighth year of Zhengde; appointed magistrate of Yongfeng. Going to his post he did not take wife or children; alone with one or two servants he lived on vegetables and bean broth. After a long time clerks and commoners came to trust him. The custom of Yongfeng was crafty in litigation, honored ghosts, and especially favored actors; Kan forbade all of this. Promoted to prefect of Wuding. When the army registers were cleared, those due to be dispatched numbered twelve thousand. Kan said: "Wuding has thirty thousand households—this would empty half the prefecture." He argued forcefully against it. There was also a proposal to relocate the prefecture's border to the Tuohai River; Kan again said it was unsuitable to drain the people's wealth to fill ditches. Both matters were shelved. When the Empress Dowager of Zhangsheng was buried at Chengtian, the inner eunuchs coerced officials of the prefectures and counties they passed through, demanding money and declaring that those who could not provide the funeral arrangements would die; many officials fled. Kan placed an empty coffin in a side building; when the eunuchs pressed urgently, he would go to the coffin, point at it, and say: "I can provide one death; money you cannot obtain." All the eunuchs stared in astonishment and departed. Soon transferred to director in the Ministry of Punishments; he died.

初，侃少時從丁璣學。鄰女夜奔之，拒勿納。其父坐系，侃請代不得，藉草寢地。逾歲，父獲宥，乃止。其操行貞潔，蓋性成也。

At first, when Kan was young he studied under Ding Qi. A neighbor's daughter came to him at night; he refused and would not accept her. His father was imprisoned; Kan requested to take his place but was not permitted, and slept on straw on the ground. After more than a year his father was pardoned, and only then did he stop. His upright and pure conduct was inborn in his nature.

湯紹恩，安嶽人。父佐，弘治初進士，仕至參政。紹恩以嘉靖五年擢第。十四年由戶部郎中遷德安知府，尋移紹興。為人寬厚長者，性儉素，內服疏布，外以父所遺故袍襲之。始至，新學宮，廣設社學。歲大旱，徒步禱烈日中，雨即降。緩刑罰，恤貧弱，旌節孝，民情大和。山陰、會稽、蕭山三邑之水，匯三江口入海，潮汐日至，擁沙積如丘陵。遇霪潦則水阻，沙不能驟泄，良田盡成巨浸，當事者不得已決塘以瀉之。塘決則憂旱，歲苦修築。紹恩遍行水道，至三江口，見兩山對峙，喜曰：「此下必有石根，余其於此建閘乎？」募善水者探之，果有石脈橫互兩山間，遂興工。先投以鐵石，繼以籠盛甃屑沉之。工未半，潮沖蕩不能就，怨讟煩興。紹恩不為動，禱於海神，潮不至者累日，工遂竣。修五十餘尋，為閘二十有八，以應列宿。於內為備閘三，曰經漊，曰撞塘，曰平水，以防大閘之潰。閘外築石堤四百餘丈扼潮，始不為閘患。刻水則石間，俾後人相水勢以時啟閉。自是，三邑方數百里間無水患矣。士民德之，，立廟閘左，歲時奉祀不絕。屢遷山東右布政使，致仕歸，年九十七而卒。

Tang Shaoen was a native of Anyue. His father Zuo was a jinshi at the beginning of Hongzhi and rose to assistant administration commissioner. Shaoen passed the examination in the fifth year of Jiajing. In the fourteenth year he was transferred from director in the Ministry of Revenue to prefect of De'an, and soon moved to Shaoxing. By nature he was generous and elder-like, frugal and plain; inwardly he wore coarse cloth and outwardly wore an old robe left by his father. When he first arrived he rebuilt the school and broadly established community schools. In a year of great drought he walked barefoot praying in the blazing sun; rain fell at once. He eased punishments, cared for the poor and weak, and commended chastity and filial piety; popular sentiment was greatly harmonized. The waters of Shanyin, Kuaiji, and Xiaoshan—the three counties—gather at the Three Rivers mouth and enter the sea; the tide came daily and piled sand like hills. When there was prolonged flooding the water was blocked and sand could not be quickly discharged; good fields all became vast inundation; those in charge had no choice but to breach the dikes to drain it. When the dikes were breached they feared drought, and every year suffered from repair and construction. Shaoen traveled all the waterways; at the Three Rivers mouth he saw two mountains facing each other and said with delight: "Below here there must be a stone foundation—I shall build a sluice here, shall I not?" He recruited skilled divers to explore and indeed found a stone vein running between the two mountains; work was then begun. First iron and stone were cast in; then baskets filled with tile fragments were sunk. When the work was half done the tide washed and could not hold; complaints and curses arose in abundance. Shaoen was unmoved; he prayed to the Sea God, and for many days the tide did not come; the work was then completed. It was built more than fifty xun long, with twenty-eight sluices corresponding to the lunar lodges. Within were three reserve sluices called Jinglou, Zhuangtang, and Pingshui, to guard against breach of the main sluices. Outside the sluices a stone dike more than four hundred zhang long restrained the tide, so that it no longer threatened the sluices. Water-level marks were carved between the stones so that later men could gauge the water and open and close in season. From this time on, within several hundred li among the three counties there was no water disaster. Scholars and commoners honored him and erected a temple to the left of the sluice; offerings were made without cease in the seasons. Repeatedly transferred to Right Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shandong, he retired and returned home and died at ninety-seven.

初，紹恩之生也，有峨嵋僧過其門，曰：「他日地有稱紹者，將承是兒恩乎？」因名紹恩，字汝承，其後果驗。

When Shaoen was born, a monk from Emei passed his door and said: "In days to come, where there is one called Shao, will he inherit this child's grace?" He was therefore named Shaoen, styled Rucheng, and afterward it indeed proved true.

徐九思，貴溪人。嘉靖中，授句容知縣。始視事，恂恂若不能。俄有吏袖空牒竊印者，九思摘其奸，論如法。郡吏為叩頭請，不許，於是人人惴恐。為治于單赤務加恩，而禦豪猾特嚴。訟者，抶不過十。諸所催科，預為之期，逾期，令裏老逮之而已，隸莫敢至鄉落。縣東西通衢七十里，塵土積三尺，雨雪，泥沒股。九思節公費，甃以石，行旅便之。朝廷數遣中貴醮神三茅山，縣民苦供應。九思搜故牒，有鹽引金久貯於府者，請以給嘗，民無所擾。歲侵，穀湧貴。巡撫發倉谷數百石，使平價糶而償直於官。九思曰：「彼糴者，皆豪也。貧民雖平價不能糴。」乃以時價糶其半，還直於官，而以余穀煮粥食餓者。穀多，則使稱力分負以去，其山谷遠者，則就旁富人穀，而官為償之，全活甚眾。嘗曰：「即天子布大惠，安能人人蠲租賜復，第在吾曹酌緩急而已。」久之，與應天府尹不合，為巡撫所劾，吏部尚書熊浹知其賢，特留之。

Xu Jiusi was a native of Guixi. During Jiajing he was appointed magistrate of Jurong. When he first took office he seemed deferential, as if incapable. Soon a clerk with an empty document secretly stamped it; Jiusi exposed his fraud and punished him according to law. A prefectural clerk kowtowed and begged on his behalf; he did not permit it; from this everyone trembled in fear. In governing he was especially gracious to the solitary and destitute, yet toward the powerful and cunning he was especially strict. For litigants, beating did not exceed ten strokes. For all tax collection he set deadlines in advance; when overdue, he had village elders arrest them—that was all—and runners dared not enter the villages. The main road east and west through the county was seventy li; dust piled three chi deep; in rain and snow mud reached the thighs. Jiusi economized public funds and paved it with stone; travelers found it convenient. The court repeatedly sent palace eunuchs to perform rites at Mount Sanmao; the county people suffered from the supplies demanded. Jiusi searched old records and found salt certificates and gold long stored in the prefecture; he requested that these be used for the expenses so the people were undisturbed. In a year of crop failure grain prices soared. The grand coordinator issued several hundred shi of grain from the granary and had it sold at fair price, with payment to the government. Jiusi said: "Those who buy are all wealthy. Poor people even at fair price cannot buy." He therefore sold half at market price and returned payment to the government, and with the remaining grain cooked porridge to feed the hungry. When grain was abundant he had people carry away shares according to strength; for those in distant mountain valleys he had them take grain from nearby wealthy households and the government repaid on their behalf; very many lives were saved. He once said: "Even if the Son of Heaven bestows great grace, how can he exempt every man's rent and grant relief to all? It lies only in us to weigh urgency and ease." After a long time he fell out with the prefect of Yingtian and was impeached by the grand coordinator; Minister of Personnel Xiong Xian knew his worth and specially kept him in office.

積九載，遷工部主事，曆郎中，治張秋河道。漕河與鹽河近而不相接，漕水溢則氾濫為田患。九思議築減水橋于沙灣，俾二水相通，漕水溢，則有所泄以入海，而不侵田，少則有所限而不至於涸。工成，遂為永利。時工部尚書趙文華視師東南，道河上。九思不出迎，遣一吏齎牒往謁，文華嫚罵而去。會遷高州知府。文華歸，修舊怨，與吏部尚書吳鵬合謀構之，遂坐九思老，致仕。句容民為建祠茅山。九思家居二十二年，年八十五，抱疾，抗手曰「茅山迎我」，遂卒。子貞明，自有傳。

After nine years he was transferred to director in the Ministry of Works, served as bureau director, and managed the Zhangqiu river works. The grain transport canal and the salt canal were close but not connected; when transport water overflowed it flooded and became a disaster for the fields. Jiusi proposed building a flood-release bridge at Shawan so the two waters could connect; when transport water overflowed there would be an outlet to the sea without harming the fields, and when low there would be a limit so it would not dry up. When the work was completed it became a lasting benefit. At the time Minister of Works Zhao Wenhua was inspecting troops in the southeast and passed along the river. Jiusi did not go out to welcome him but sent one clerk with a dispatch to pay his respects; Wenhua reviled him and departed. He happened to be transferred to prefect of Gaozhou. When Wenhua returned he nursed his old grievance and conspired with Minister of Personnel Wu Peng to frame him; Jiusi was therefore judged old and retired. The people of Jurong built him a shrine on Mount Mao. At home for twenty-two years, aged eighty-five, he fell ill; raising his hand he said "Mount Mao welcomes me," and died. His son Zhenming has his own biography.

龐嵩，字振卿，南海人。嘉靖十三年舉於鄉。講業羅浮山，從遊者雲集。二十三年曆應天通判，進治中，先後凡八年。府缺尹，屢攝其事。始至，值歲饑，上官命督振。公粟竭，貸之巨室富家，全活者六萬七千餘人。乃蠲積逋，緩徵徭，勤勞徠，復業者又十萬餘人。留都民苦役重，力為調劑，凡優免戶及寄居客戶、詭稱官戶、寄莊戶、女戶、神帛堂匠戶，俾悉出以供役，民困大蘇。江甯縣葛仙、永豐二鄉，頻遭水患，居民止存七戶。嵩為治堤築防，得田三千六百畝，立惠民莊四，召貧民佃之，流移盡復。屢剖冤獄，戚畹王湧、舉人趙君寵占良人妻，殺人，嵩置之法。

Pang Song, styled Zhenqing, was a native of Nanhai. Recommended in the provincial examination in the thirteenth year of Jiajing. He lectured on Mount Luofu; those who followed to study gathered like clouds. In the twenty-third year he served as vice prefect of Yingtian and was promoted to administrative vice prefect; altogether eight years. When the prefecture lacked a prefect he repeatedly acted in that capacity. When he first arrived there was famine; his superiors ordered him to supervise relief. Public grain was exhausted; he borrowed from great houses and wealthy families, saving more than sixty-seven thousand lives. He then remitted accumulated arrears, eased tax levies, and diligently encouraged return; more than one hundred thousand people resumed their occupations. The people of the capital suffered from heavy corvée; he worked hard to adjust it; all exempt households, resident guest households, those falsely claiming official households, attached estate households, female households, and divine-silk hall artisan households were all made to perform corvée; the people's hardship was greatly relieved. The two townships of Gexian and Yongfeng in Jiangning county frequently suffered water disasters; only seven households of residents remained. Song built dikes and defenses, recovered three thousand six hundred mu of fields, established four Benefiting-the-People estates, summoned poor people to tenant them, and all the displaced returned. Repeatedly he cleared wrongful cases; the imperial relative Wang Yong and provincial graduate Zhao Junchong seized another man's wife and killed a man; Song punished them according to law.

早游王守仁門，淹通《五經》。集諸生新泉書院，相與講習。歲時單騎行縣，以壺漿自隨。京府佐貳鮮有舉其職者，至嵩以善政特聞。府官在六年京察例，而復與外察。嵩謂非體，疏請止之，遂為永制。遷南京刑部員外郎，進郎中。撰《原刑》、《司刑》、《祥刑》、《明刑》四篇，曰《刑曹志》，時議稱之。遷雲南曲靖知府，亦有政聲。中察典，以老罷，而年僅五十。復從湛若水遊，久之卒。應天、曲靖皆祠之名宦，葛仙鄉專祠祀之。

Early on he studied under Wang Shouren and was thoroughly versed in the Five Classics. He gathered students at the Xinquan Academy to lecture and study together. At the seasons he rode alone through the counties, carrying wine and food himself. Assistant officials of the capital prefecture rarely fulfilled their duties; Song was specially noted for good governance. Prefectural officials were subject to the six-year capital evaluation and also to external evaluation. Song said this was improper and memorialized requesting that it be stopped; it then became a permanent regulation. Transferred to vice director in the Nanjing Ministry of Punishments; promoted to bureau director. He wrote four essays, "On the Origin of Punishment," "On Administering Punishment," "On Auspicious Punishment," and "On Clarifying Punishment," called Records of the Punishments Bureau; contemporaries praised them. Transferred to prefect of Qujing in Yunnan; he also had a reputation for good governance. At the mid-term evaluation he was dismissed for age, yet he was only fifty. He again followed Zhan Ruoshui in study and died after a long time. Both Yingtian and Qujing enshrined him among noted officials; Gexian township had a dedicated shrine to worship him.

張淳，字希古，桐城人。隆慶二年進士，授永康知縣。吏民素多奸黠，連告罷七令。淳至，日夜閱案牘。訟者數千人，剖決如流，吏民大駭，服，訟浸減。凡赴控者，淳即示審期，兩造如期至，片晷分析無留滯。鄉民裹飯一包即可畢訟，因呼為「張一包」，謂其敏斷如包拯也。巨盜盧十八剽庫金，十餘年不獲，御史以屬淳。淳刻期三月必得盜，而請御史月下數十檄。及檄累下，淳陽笑曰：「盜遁久矣，安從捕。」寢不行。吏某婦與十八通，吏頗為耳目，聞淳言以告十八，十八意自安。淳乃令他役詐告吏負金，系吏獄。密召吏責以通盜死罪，復教之請以婦代系，而己出營貲以償。十八聞，亟往視婦，因醉而擒之。及報御史，僅兩月耳。

Zhang Chun, styled Xigu, was a native of Tongcheng. A jinshi of the second year of Longqing; appointed magistrate of Yongkang. Clerks and commoners had long been crafty and cunning; successive petitions had caused seven magistrates to be dismissed. When Chun arrived he reviewed case records day and night. Litigants numbered several thousand; he decided cases like flowing water; clerks and commoners were greatly astonished and submitted; lawsuits gradually diminished. For all who came to lodge complaints Chun set a trial date; both parties arrived on schedule and within a brief interval he analyzed the case without delay. Country people needed only a bundle of rice to finish a lawsuit, and therefore called him "Zhang One-Bundle," saying his swift judgment was like Bao Zheng. The great bandit Lu Shiba robbed treasury gold; for more than ten years he was not captured; the censor entrusted the matter to Chun. Chun set a deadline of three months to capture the thief and requested that the censor send down dozens of dispatches each month. When the dispatches piled up Chun openly laughed and said: "The thief fled long ago—how can he be captured?" He let the matter lie and did not act. A certain clerk's wife had relations with Shiba; the clerk served somewhat as his eyes and ears; hearing Chun's words he told Shiba, and Shiba's mind grew easy. Chun then had another runner falsely accuse the clerk of owing money and imprisoned the clerk. Secretly summoning the clerk he charged him with the capital crime of communicating with the thief, then instructed him to request that his wife be imprisoned in his place while he went out to raise funds to repay. When Shiba heard this he hurried to see the wife and, while drunk, was seized. When he reported to the censor it had been only two months.

民有睚眥嫌，輒以人命訟。淳驗無實即坐之，自是無誣訟者。永人貧，生女多不舉。淳勸誡備至，貧無力者捐俸量給，全活無數。歲旱，劫掠公行，下令劫奪者死。有奪五斗米者，淳佯取死囚杖殺之，而榜其罪曰「是劫米者」，眾旨懾服。久之，以治行第一赴召去永，甫就車，顧其下曰：「某盜已來，去此數里，可為我縛來。」如言跡之，盜正濯足於河，系至，盜服辜。永人駭其事，謂有神告。淳曰：「此盜捕之急則遁，今聞吾去乃歸耳。以理卜，何神之有。」

When people had petty grudges they would bring capital cases. Chun investigated and if there was no substance he punished the accuser; from this there were no false lawsuits. The people of Yong were poor and often did not raise daughters. Chun admonished them exhaustively; for those too poor he donated salary as appropriate; countless lives were saved. In a year of drought robbery was openly committed; he ordered that looters be put to death. There was one who seized five dou of rice; Chun feigned taking a condemned prisoner and had him beaten to death, posting his crime as "This man looted rice"; the crowd was awed and submitted. After a long time, ranked first in governance, he was summoned and left Yong; just as he entered the carriage he looked back at his attendants and said: "A certain thief has come; he is a few li from here—bind him for me." As they said, they tracked him; the thief was washing his feet in the river; bound and brought in, the thief confessed guilt. The people of Yong were astonished at the affair and said a god had informed him. Chun said: "This thief, pressed hard in capture, would flee; now hearing I am leaving he has returned. By reasoning one can predict it—what god is there?"

擢禮部主事，曆郎中，謝病去。起建甯知府，進浙江副使。時浙江有召募兵，撫按議散之，兵皆洶洶。淳曰：「是憍悍者，留則有用，汰則叵測。不若汰其老弱，而留其壯勇，則留者不思亂，汰者不能亂矣。」從之，事遂定。官終陝西布政。

Promoted to director in the Ministry of Rites; served as bureau director; resigned citing illness. Recalled as prefect of Jianning; promoted to vice commissioner of Zhejiang. At the time Zhejiang had recruited troops; the grand coordinator and regional inspector proposed disbanding them; the troops were all turbulent. Chun said: "These are proud and fierce men; kept they are useful, dismissed they are unpredictable. Better to dismiss the old and weak and keep the strong and brave; then those kept will not think of rebellion and those dismissed cannot rebel." The proposal was followed and the matter was settled. He ended his career as provincial administration commissioner of Shaanxi.

陳幼學，字志行，無錫人。萬曆十七年進士。授確山知縣。政務惠民，積粟萬二千石以備荒，墾萊田八百餘頃，給貧民牛五百餘頭，核黃河退地百三十餘頃以賦民。裏婦不能紡者，授紡車八百餘輛。置屋千二百餘間，分處貧民。建公廨八十間，以居六曹吏，俾食宿其中。節公費六百餘兩，代正賦之無征者。栽桑榆諸樹三萬八千餘株，開河渠百九十八道。

Chen Youxue, styled Zhixing, was a native of Wuxi. He passed the jinshi examination in the seventeenth year of Wanli. He was appointed magistrate of Queshan. In governing he sought to benefit the people; he stored twelve thousand shi of grain against famine, reclaimed more than eight hundred qing of wasteland, gave five hundred head of cattle to poor people, and verified more than one hundred thirty qing of Yellow River retreat land to assign to the people. For village women who could not spin he provided more than eight hundred spinning wheels. He built more than twelve hundred rooms to house poor people separately. He built eighty public offices to house the six department clerks and had them eat and sleep there. He economized more than six hundred taels of public funds to cover unpaid regular taxes. He planted more than thirty-eight thousand mulberry, elm, and other trees and opened one hundred ninety-eight canals.

布政使劉渾成弟燦成助妾殺妻，治如律。行太僕卿陳耀文家人犯法，立捕治之。汝甯知府邱度慮幼學得禍，言於撫按，調繁中牟。秋成時，飛蝗蔽天。幼學捕蝗，得千三百余石，乃不為災。縣故土城，卑且圮。給饑民粟，俾修築，工成，民不知役。縣南荒地多茂草，根深難墾。令民投牒者，必入草十斤。未幾，草盡，得沃田數百頃，悉以畀民。有大澤，積水，占膏腴地二十餘里。幼學疏為河者五十七，為渠者百三十九，俱引入小清河，民大獲利。大莊諸裏多水，為築堤十三道障之。給貧民牛種，貧婦紡具，倍於確山。越五年，政績茂著。以不通權貴，當考察拾遺，掌道御史擬斥之，其子爭曰：「兒自中州來，咸言中牟治行無雙。今予殿，何也？」乃已。

Provincial Administration Commissioner Liu Huncheng's younger brother Can Cheng helped a concubine kill his wife; Youxue punished them according to law. Acting Chief of the Court of the Imperial Stud Chen Yaowen's household committed an offense; he immediately arrested and punished them. Prefect of Runing Qiu Du feared Youxue would meet disaster and spoke to the grand coordinator and regional inspector; he was transferred to the demanding post of Zhongmou. At harvest time locusts blotted out the sky. Youxue captured locusts and obtained more than thirteen hundred shi; disaster was thereby averted. The county's old earthen walls were low and crumbling. He gave grain to hungry people and had them repair and build; when the work was done the people did not know they had performed corvée. South of the county wasteland had thick grass whose roots were deep and hard to plow. He ordered that anyone submitting a petition must also bring ten jin of grass. Before long the grass was exhausted; he obtained several hundred qing of fertile fields and assigned them all to the people. There was a great marsh with accumulated water occupying more than twenty li of rich land. Youxue dredged fifty-seven rivers and one hundred thirty-nine canals, all leading into the Xiaoqing River; the people greatly profited. The various hamlets of Dazhuang had much water; he built thirteen dikes to block it. He gave cattle and seed to poor people and spinning equipment to poor women—twice as much as at Queshan. After five years his achievements were abundant and distinguished. Because he did not cultivate the powerful, at the evaluation for selecting omissions the touring censor proposed to dismiss him; his son protested: "Your son has come from the central provinces; all say Zhongmou's governance is unmatched. Now you rank me last—why?" The matter was then dropped.

稍遷刑部主事。中官采禦園果者，怒殺園夫母，棄其屍河中。幼學具奏，逮置之法。嘉興人袁黃妄批削《四書》、《書經集注》，名曰《刪正》，刊行于時。幼學駁正其書，抗疏論列。疏雖留中，鏤板盡毀。以員外郎恤刑畿輔，出矜疑三百餘人。進郎中。

Soon transferred to director in the Ministry of Punishments. A palace eunuch gathering imperial garden fruit angrily killed a gardener's mother and threw her corpse into the river. Youxue fully memorialized; the man was arrested and punished according to law. Yuan Huang of Jiaxing had rashly edited and cut the Four Books and Zhu Xi's commentary on the Book of Documents into a work he called Corrections, which was then published. Youxue rebutted the book and submitted a forceful memorial detailing its faults. The memorial was kept at court, but every printing block was destroyed. Serving as vice director on a compassionate review of capital cases in the capital region, he released more than three hundred prisoners whose guilt was uncertain. He was promoted to bureau director.

遷湖州知府，甫至，即捕殺豪惡奴。有施敏者，士族子，楊升者，人奴也，橫郡中。幼學執敏置諸獄。敏賂貴人囑巡撫檄取親鞫，幼學執不予，立杖殺之。敏獄辭連故尚書潘季馴子廷圭，幼學言之御史，疏劾之，下獄。他奸豪復論殺數十輩，獨楊升畏禍斂跡，置之。已，念己去，升必復逞，遂捕置之死，一郡大治。霪雨連月，禾盡死。幼學大舉荒政，活饑民三十四萬有奇。御史將薦之，征其治行，推官閻世科列上三十六事，御史以聞。詔加按察副使，仍視郡事。久之，以副使督九江兵備。幼學年已七十，其母尚在，遂以終養歸。母卒，不復出。天啟三年起南京光祿少卿，改太常少卿，俱不赴。明年卒，年八十四矣。中矣、湖州並祠祀之。

Appointed prefect of Huzhou, he had barely arrived when he arrested and executed the brutal henchmen of local magnates. One was Shi Min, a scion of the gentry; the other was Yang Sheng, a household slave. Both ran roughshod over the prefecture. Youxue arrested Min and threw him in prison. Min bribed a court favorite to have the grand coordinator issue an order summoning him for a personal hearing. Youxue refused to release him and had him beaten to death on the spot. Min's testimony implicated Tinggui, son of the former minister Pan Jixun. Youxue reported the matter to the censor, memorialized for impeachment, and Tinggui was imprisoned. Dozens of other powerful ruffians were likewise sentenced to death. Only Yang Sheng, fearing the consequences, kept his head down, and Youxue left him alone for the time being. Later, realizing that once he himself departed Sheng would revert to his old ways, he had him arrested and executed. The whole prefecture was then brought thoroughly to order. Months of unrelenting rain destroyed the entire crop. Youxue mounted a large-scale famine relief effort and kept more than three hundred forty thousand starving people alive. When the censor was about to recommend him and asked for his record of governance, Vice Magistrate Yan Shike submitted a list of thirty-six achievements, which the censor reported to the throne. An edict promoted him to vice regional inspector while he continued to administer the prefecture. After some years he served as vice commissioner supervising military preparedness at Jiujiang. Youxue was already seventy, and with his mother still living he returned home to spend her remaining years at her side. After his mother died he never took office again. In the third year of Tianqi he was recalled to serve as Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments in Nanjing and then as Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, but he declined both appointments. He died the following year at the age of eighty-four. He was enshrined in both Zhongmou and Huzhou.

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