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Liu Daohang was an official.
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History of Ming, Chapter 219Volume 219 Biographies 107: Zhang Siwei, Ma Ziqiang, Xu Guo, Zhao Zhigao, Zhang Wei, Zhu Geng · 2 passages
張居正柄國,權震主.申時行繼之,勢猶盛.王錫爵性剛負氣,人亦畏之.志臯為首輔,年七十餘,耄矣,柔而懦,為朝士所輕,詬誶四起.其始為首輔也,值西華門災,御史趙文炳論之.無何,南京御史柳佐、給事中章守誠言,吏部郎顧憲成等空司而逐志臯,實激帝怒.已而給事中張濤、楊洵,御史冀體、況上進,南京評事龍起雷相繼披詆.而巡按御史吳崇禮劾其子兩淮運副鳳威,鳳威坐停俸.未幾,工部郎中岳元聲極言志臯宜放,給事中劉道亨詆尤力.志臯憤,言:「同一閣臣也,往日勢重而權有所歸,則相率附之以媒進.今日勢輕而權有所分,則相率擊之以博名.」因求退益切.帝慰諭之.
When Zhang Juzheng held power his authority overshadowed the throne; Shen Shixing succeeded him with influence still strong; Wang Xijue was proud and formidable. Zhigao as chief grand secretary was over seventy, aged, gentle and timid, looked down on by court officials, and abuse erupted on every side. When he first became chief secretary, fire struck the Gate of Western Splendor and Censor Zhao Wenbing criticized him. Nanjing Censor Liu Zuo and Supervising Secretary Zhang Shoucheng said Personnel Director Gu Xiancheng and others had emptied the bureau and, in driving out Zhigao, had truly stirred the emperor's anger. Supervising Secretaries Zhang Tao and Yang Xun, Censors Ji Ti and Kuang Shangjin, and Nanjing Reviewer Long Qilei then launched fierce attacks in succession. Touring censor Wu Chongli impeached his son Fengwei, salt transport vice commissioner of the Two Huai, who was suspended from salary. Bureau Director Yue Yuansheng said Zhigao should be dismissed; Supervising Secretary Liu Daohang denounced him with especial force. Zhigao, angered, said: 'They are all Grand Secretaries alike. When power was heavy and authority had a center, they flocked to attach themselves for advancement. Now power is light and authority divided, and they flock to attack for renown.' He asked to withdraw all the more urgently; the emperor comforted him.
位初官翰林,聲望甚重,朝士冀其大用.及入政府,招權示威,素望漸衰.給事中劉道亨劾位奸貪數十事.位憤,力辨,遂落道亨三官.呂坤、張養蒙與孫丕揚交好,而沈思孝、徐作、劉應秋、劉楚先、戴士衡、楊廷蘭則與位善,各有所左右.丕揚嘗劾位,指道亨為其黨.道亨恥之,劾位以自解.已而贊畫主事丁應泰劾楊鎬喪師,言位與鎬密書往來,朋黨欺罔,鎬拔擢由賄位得之.帝怒下廷議.位惶恐奏辨,帝猶慰留.給事中趙完璧、徐觀瀾復交章論.位窘,亟奏:「羣言交攻,孤忠可憫.臣心無纖毫愧,惟上矜察.」帝怒曰:「鎬由卿密揭屢薦,故奪哀授任.今乃朋欺隱慝,辱國損威,猶云無愧.」遂奪職閒住.
When Wei first served in the Hanlin Academy his reputation was very high and court officials hoped for great things from him. Once in government he wielded power to awe others and his standing gradually waned. Supervising Secretary Liu Daohang impeached him on dozens of counts of wickedness and greed; Wei, enraged, defended himself and had Daohang stripped of three ranks. Lü Kun and Zhang Yangmeng were friendly with Sun Piyang, while Shen Sixiao, Xu Zuo, Liu Yingqiu, Liu Chuxian, Dai Shiheng, and Yang Tinglan were friendly with Wei; each side had its partisans. Piyang once impeached Wei and identified Daohang as his partisan; shamed, Daohang impeached Wei to clear himself. Planning Secretary Ding Yingtai then impeached Yang Hao for losing the army, saying Wei exchanged secret letters with Hao, that their faction deceived and concealed wrongdoing, and that Hao's promotion came through bribing Wei. The emperor angrily sent the matter to court deliberation. Wei fearfully defended himself; the emperor still kept him in office. Supervising Secretaries Zhao Wanbi and Xu Guanlan attacked him again. Cornered, Wei submitted: 'Denunciations attack from every side; lone loyalty deserves pity. Your servant's heart has not the slightest shame—may Your Majesty examine and show mercy.' The emperor angrily said: 'Hao was repeatedly recommended through your secret memorials, therefore mourning was set aside and he was appointed. Now you conspire in deceit and conceal wickedness, disgracing the state and diminishing authority, yet still say you have no shame.' He was stripped of office and sent into retirement.