1
剛林，瓜爾佳氏，字公茂，滿洲正黃旗人，世居蘇完。 初來歸，隸正藍旗，屬郡王阿達禮。 授筆帖式，掌繙譯漢文。 天聰八年，以漢文應試，中式舉人，命直文館。 崇德元年，授國史院大學士，與範文程、希福等參與政事。 疏請重定部院承政以下官各五等，又疏請定試士之法，皆報可。 太宗四征不庭，疆宇日闢。 剛林屢奉使軍前，宣布威德，咸稱上旨。 積功，授世職牛錄章京。 八年，阿達禮有罪，改隸正黃旗。
Ganglin, of the Guwalgiya clan, styled Gongmao, was a Manchu of the Plain Yellow Banner from a family that had long lived in Suwan. When he first came over to submit, he was assigned to the Plain Blue Banner and placed under Prince Adali. He was appointed a bithe clerk and placed in charge of translating Chinese documents. In Tiancong 8 he sat for the examination in Chinese, passed as a provincial graduate, and was ordered to serve in the Literary Institute. In Chongde 1 he was made Grand Secretary of the Historiography Institute and, with Fan Wencheng, Xifu, and others, took part in state affairs. He submitted memorials asking that officials from ministry and office chiefs downward be graded in five ranks each, and again asking that the method of examining scholars be fixed; both requests were approved. The Taizong campaigned four times against recalcitrant foes, and the empire steadily expanded. Ganglin was repeatedly sent to the front to proclaim the throne's majesty and virtue, and everywhere he spoke in the emperor's name. For accumulated merit he was granted the hereditary rank of niru janggin. In the eighth year Adali was found guilty, and Ganglin was transferred to the Plain Yellow Banner.
2
世祖定鼎，進世職二等甲喇章京。 三年、四年，迭主會試。 考滿，進世職一等阿達哈哈番。 五年，復進三等阿思哈尼哈番，賜號「巴克什」。 六年，充太宗實錄總裁，復主會試。 疏請令六科錄諸臣章奏並批答，月送史館，備纂修國史，報可。 八年，以編撰明史闕天啟四年至七年實錄，請敕懸賞購求； 崇禎一朝事責無考，其有野史、外傳，並令訪送。 章下所司。
After the Shizu established the capital, he was promoted to second-rank jalan janggin in hereditary office. In the third and fourth years he presided over the metropolitan examinations in turn. When his performance review was complete, he was promoted to first-rank adaha hafan in hereditary office. In the fifth year he was further promoted to third-rank ashan i hafan and granted the title Bakshi. In the sixth year he served as chief compiler of the Taizong Veritable Records and again presided over the metropolitan examination. He memorialized asking that the Six Offices of Scrutiny copy all ministers' memorials together with imperial replies and send them monthly to the Historiography Institute for compiling the national history; the request was approved. In the eighth year, because the compilation of the History of the Ming lacked the veritable records for Tianqi 4 through 7, he asked that an edict be issued offering rewards for their purchase; For the Chongzhen reign there was no one who could be held accountable; any unofficial histories and outside accounts were likewise to be sought out and submitted. The memorial was referred to the responsible office.
3
睿親王多爾袞薨，得罪。 剛林阿附睿親王，參與移永平密謀，又與大學士祁充格擅改太祖實錄，為睿親王削匿罪愆、增載功績，坐斬，籍沒。
When the Prince Regent Dorgon died, Ganglin was condemned for his offenses. Ganglin had curried favor with the Prince Regent, took part in the secret plot to move the court to Yongping, and together with Grand Secretary Qi Chongge had arbitrarily altered the Taizu Veritable Records to conceal the prince regent's crimes and inflate his achievements; he was sentenced to decapitation and his property was confiscated.
4
祁充格，烏蘇氏，滿洲鑲白旗人，世居瓦爾喀。 國初從其族吉思哈等來歸。 太宗時號「四貝勒」，以祁充格嫺習文史，令掌書記。 天聰五年，初設六部，授禮部啟心郎。 八年，考績，授牛錄額真。 崇德元年，睿親王多爾袞伐明，攻錦州，命鞏阿岱往濟師，祁充格從師有功，還報捷。 三年，睿親王復伐明，太宗親餞於郊。 祁充格以不啟豫親王多鐸從上出送，又於是日私往屯莊，坐死，命寬之，奪官，貫耳鞭責，以隸睿親王。 順治二年，授弘文院大學士，充明史總裁官、冊封朝鮮世子正使。 四年，考滿，加授牛錄額真。 六年，充太宗實錄總裁官，與剛林等同主會試。 八年，與剛林同誅。
Qi Chongge, of the Wusu clan, was a Manchu of the Bordered White Banner from a family long settled in Warka. At the dynasty's founding he came over with his clansmen Jisiha and others. Under the Taizong he was styled the Fourth Beile; because Qi Chongge was well versed in letters and history, he was put in charge of secretarial work. In Tiancong 5, when the Six Ministries were first established, he was appointed qixinlang of the Ministry of Rites. In the eighth year, after a performance review, he was appointed niru ejen. In Chongde 1, when the Prince Regent Dorgon attacked the Ming and besieged Jinzhou, he sent Gongadai to reinforce the army; Qi Chongge followed the campaign with merit and returned to report victory. In the third year the Prince Regent again attacked the Ming, and the Taizong personally saw him off outside the city. Qi Chongge, for failing to advise Prince Hooge to join the emperor in escorting the army and for privately visiting his estate that same day, was liable to death; the sentence was commuted—he was stripped of office, had his ears pierced and was flogged, and was placed under the Prince Regent. In Shunzhi 2 he was appointed Grand Secretary of the Hongwen Institute, made chief compiler of the History of the Ming, and sent as chief envoy to invest the Korean heir apparent. In the fourth year, when his term review was complete, he was additionally granted niru ejen. In the sixth year he served as chief compiler of the Taizong Veritable Records and jointly presided over the metropolitan examination with Ganglin and others. In the eighth year he was executed together with Ganglin.
5
馮銓，字振鷺，順天涿州人。 明萬曆進士，授檢討。 諂事魏忠賢，累遷文淵閣大學士兼戶部尚書，加少保兼太子太保，以微忤罷去。 莊烈帝既誅忠賢，得銓罷官後壽忠賢百韻詩，論杖徒，贖為民。
Feng Quan, styled Zhenlu, was a native of Zhuozhou in Shuntian. A jinshi of the Ming Wanli reign, he was appointed reviewing secretary. He fawned on Wei Zhongxian and rose in succession to Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Hall and concurrent Minister of Revenue, with the added titles of Junior Guardian and Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent; he was dismissed after a minor offense. After the Chongzhen Emperor executed Zhongxian, a hundred-rhyme birthday poem Quan had written for Zhongxian after his dismissal came to light; he was sentenced to beating and penal servitude, then ransomed back to commoner status.
6
順治元年，睿親王既定京師，以書徵銓，銓聞命即至，賚冠服、鞍馬、銀幣。 令以大學士原銜入內院佐理機務，與大學士洪承疇疏請復明票擬舊制，又與大學士謝升等議定郊社、宗廟樂章。 十月朔，世祖禦皇極門受賀，給事中孫承澤疏糾朝班雜亂，語侵內院。 銓與升、承疇乞罷，諭令益殫忠猷，以襄新治。
In Shunzhi 1, after the Prince Regent had secured the capital, he summoned Feng Quan by letter; Quan came at once and was rewarded with court dress, saddle horses, and silver. He was ordered to enter the Inner Court to assist in state affairs under his former grand secretary title; with Grand Secretary Hong Chengchou he memorialized to restore the Ming practice of drafting memorials with approval slips, and with Grand Secretary Xie Sheng and others he also settled the ceremonial music for suburban sacrifices and the ancestral temple. On the first day of the tenth month the Shizu received congratulations at the Huangji Gate; supervising secretary Sun Chengze memorialized against the disorder in the court ranks, with language that impugned the Inner Court. Quan, together with Sheng and Chengchou, asked to resign; an edict ordered them instead to devote themselves more fully and assist the new regime.
7
二年，授弘文院大學士兼禮部尚書。 御史吳達劾銓向降將薑瓖索銀三萬，許以封拜，未稱其意； 內院政本所關，乃令其子源淮擅入，張宴歡飲。 給事中許作梅、莊憲祖、杜立德，御史王守履、羅國士、鄧孕槐、桑芸等亦交章劾銓得招撫侍郎江禹緒金； 為源淮賄招撫侍郎孫之獬充標下中軍； 禮部侍郎李若琳為銓黨羽，庸懦無行。 御史李森先疏繼入，語尤峻，略謂：「明二百餘年國祚，壞於忠賢，而忠賢當日殺戮賢良，通賄謀逆，皆成於銓。 此通國共知者。 請立彰大法，戮之於市。」 疏並下刑部鞫問，刑部以所劾不實，啟睿親王。 王集廷臣覆讞，以銓降後與之獬、若琳皆先薙發，之獬家男婦並改滿裝，諸臣遂謀陷害。 王謂三人者皆恪遵本朝法度，詰責科道諸臣。 給事中龔鼎孳言銓附忠賢作惡，銓亦反詰鼎孳嘗降李自成。 王問鼎孳：「銓語實否？」 鼎孳曰：「豈惟鼎孳，魏徵亦嘗降唐太宗。」 王因斥鼎孳，遂寢其事。 以森先言過甚，奪官，互見森先傳。
In the second year he was appointed Grand Secretary of the Hongwen Institute and concurrent Minister of Rites. Censor Wu Da memorialized that Quan had demanded thirty thousand taels of silver from the surrendered general Jiang Xiang, promising him enfeoffment, which did not satisfy Jiang; Even though the Inner Court touched the very foundation of government, he nevertheless allowed his son Yuanhuai to enter without authorization and hold banquets there in revelry. Supervising secretaries Xu Zuomei, Zhuang Xianzu, and Du Lide, and censors Wang Shoulü, Luo Guoshi, Deng Yuhuai, and Sang Yun also submitted joint memorials accusing Quan of receiving gold from Pacification Vice Minister Jiang Yuxu; that he bribed Pacification Vice Minister Sun Zhixie to appoint Yuanhuai as a middle army officer under his command; Vice Minister of Rites Li Ruolin was Quan's partisan, timid and without proper conduct. Censor Li Senxian followed with a memorial in especially harsh language, stating in part: "The Ming dynasty's more than two hundred years of fortune was ruined by Zhongxian, and when Zhongxian slaughtered the worthy, took bribes, and plotted rebellion, it was all brought about by Quan. This is known throughout the realm. I ask that the law be upheld in full public view and that he be executed in the marketplace." The memorial was sent down to the Ministry of Justice for interrogation; the ministry reported that the accusations were not substantiated and submitted this to the Prince Regent. The prince assembled court ministers to review the case and found that after Quan surrendered, he, Zhixie, and Ruolin had all shaved their heads first; the men and women of Zhixie's household had all adopted Manchu dress, and the ministers therefore plotted to frame them. The prince said all three had strictly followed the laws of the dynasty and rebuked the supervising secretaries and censors. Supervising secretary Gong Dingzi said Quan had attached himself to Zhongxian to do evil; Quan in turn accused Dingzi of once having surrendered to Li Zicheng. The prince asked Dingzi: "Is what Quan says true?" Dingzi said: "Not only I—Wei Zheng also once surrendered to Tang Taizong." The prince thereupon rebuked Dingzi, and the matter was dropped. Because Senxian's language was excessive, his office was stripped; see also the biography of Senxian.
8
三年正月，銓疏言：「臣蒙特召入內院，列同官舊臣之前，臣固辭不敢。 攝政王面諭：'國家尊賢敬客，卿其勿讓！ '今海宇漸平，制度略定。 金台駿骨，暫示招徠。 久假不歸，實逾涯分。 況叨承寵命，賜婚滿洲，理當附籍滿洲編氓之末。 回繹尊賢敬客之諭，輾轉悚懼，特懇改列範文程、剛林後。 如以新舊為次，並當列祁充格、寧完我後。」 得旨：「天下一統，滿、漢無分別。 內院職掌等級，原有成規，不必再定。」 是年命典會試，列範文程、剛林後，寧完我前。 四年，复典會試。 六年，加少傅兼太子太傅。
In the first month of the third year Quan memorialized, stating: "I received a special summons to enter the Inner Court and was placed ahead of the older ministers among my colleagues; I firmly declined and did not dare accept. The Prince Regent told him in person: "The state honors the worthy and treats guests with respect—do not decline!" Now the realm is gradually pacified and institutions are largely in place. The golden platform and fine steed were a temporary gesture of recruitment. To hold borrowed honor so long without yielding truly oversteps what is due me. Moreover, having received gracious appointments and been given a Manchu marriage, by rights I ought to be enrolled at the end of the Manchu register. Reflecting on the instruction to honor the worthy and treat guests with respect, I am repeatedly fearful and earnestly beg to be moved to after Fan Wencheng and Ganglin. If precedence is by seniority, I should in any case be placed after Qi Chongge and Ning Wanwo." He received the rescript: "Under unified rule throughout the realm, Manchu and Han are not to be distinguished. The duties and ranks of the Inner Court already have established rules and need not be fixed again." That year he was ordered to preside over the metropolitan examination, ranked after Fan Wencheng and Ganglin but before Ning Wanwo. In the fourth year he again presided over the metropolitan examination. In the sixth year he was given the added titles of Junior Tutor and Junior Preceptor of the Heir Apparent.
9
八年，上親覈諸大臣功績，諭：「銓先經吳達奏劾得叛將薑瓖賄，便當引去； 乃隱忍居官，七年以來，無所建白：令致仕。 李若琳憸險專擅，與銓朋比為奸，奪官，永不敘用。」 銓既罷，代以陳名夏，坐事奪官； 代以陳之遴，亦不久罷。 上復召銓還，諭曰：「國家用人，使功不如使過。 銓素有才學，博洽諳練，朕特召用，以觀自新。」 銓至，召見，又與承疇、文程等同夕對論翰林官賢否，上曰：「朕將親試之！」 銓奏曰：「南人優於文而行不符，北人短於文而行或善。 今取文行兼優者用之可也。」 上頷之，仍授弘文院大學士。 以議總兵任珍罪坐欺飾論絞，上命寬之。 銓入謝，奏對失旨，諭誡之。
In the eighth year the emperor personally reviewed the achievements of the great ministers and instructed: "When Quan was earlier memorialized against by Wu Da for taking bribes from the rebellious general Jiang Xiang, he ought to have withdrawn; yet he quietly remained in office and in seven years has offered nothing constructive: order him to retire. Li Ruolin is crafty, dangerous, and monopolizes power; together with Quan he forms a faction to do evil—strip his office and never employ him again." After Quan was dismissed, Chen Mingxia replaced him but was stripped of office for an offense; Chen Zhilin replaced him but was also soon dismissed. The emperor recalled Quan and instructed: "In employing men, the state finds it better to use those who have erred than those who have merely succeeded. Quan has long had talent and learning and is broadly versed and experienced; I specially recall him to see whether he will reform." When Quan arrived and was granted audience, the emperor that evening discussed with Chengchou, Wencheng, and others whether the Hanlin officials were worthy, and said: "I shall examine them myself!" Quan replied: "Southerners are superior in letters but their conduct does not match; northerners are weaker in letters but their conduct may be good. Take those who excel in both letters and conduct and employ them." The emperor nodded in agreement and again appointed him Grand Secretary of the Hongwen Institute. For discussing the punishment of Regional Commander Ren Zhen and being convicted of deceitful concealment with a sentence of strangulation, the emperor ordered leniency. Quan entered to give thanks; his replies missed the imperial intent and he was admonished by edict.
10
龔鼎孳為左都御史，复劾銓，上命指實。 鼎孳言銓罪過頗多，惟以密勿票擬，非如諸曹有實可指，上切責鼎孳。 十二年，居母喪，命入直如故。 尋加少師兼太子太師。 十三年，上以銓衰老，加太保致仕，仍令在左右備顧問，銓疏請回籍，許之。 十六年，改設內閣，命以原銜兼中和殿大學士。 康熙十一年，卒，諡文敏。 旋命削諡。
Gong Dingzi, as Censor-in-Chief of the Left, again memorialized against Quan; the emperor ordered him to cite specific facts. Dingzi said Quan's offenses were many, but because he handled confidential memorial drafting with approval slips, unlike other offices there were no concrete facts to cite; the emperor sharply rebuked Dingzi. In the twelfth year, while in mourning for his mother, he was ordered to continue entering duty as before. Soon he was given the added titles of Junior Preceptor and Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent. In the thirteenth year, because the emperor considered Quan aged, he was given the added title of Grand Guardian and ordered to retire, yet still to remain nearby as a consultant; Quan memorialized asking to return to his native place and was permitted. In the sixteenth year the Cabinet was newly established, and he was ordered to serve concurrently as Grand Secretary of the Zhonghe Hall under his former title. In Kangxi 11 he died and was given the posthumous title Wenmin. Shortly afterward he was ordered stripped of the posthumous title.
11
孫之獬，山東淄川人。 明天啟進士，授檢討，遷侍讀。 以爭毀三朝要典入逆案，削籍。 順治元年，侍郎王鰲永招撫山東。 土寇攻淄川，之獬斥家財守城。 山東巡撫方大猷上其事，召詣京師，授禮部侍郎。 二年，師克九江，之獬奏請往任招撫，從之，加兵部尚書銜以行。 三年，召還。 總兵金聲桓劾之獬擅加副將高進庫、劉一鵬總兵銜，市恩構釁； 之獬議撫諸將懷觀望，不力攻贛州。 之獬疏辨，下兵部議，奪之獬官。 四年，土寇復攻淄川，之獬佐城守，城破，死之，諸孫從死者七人，下吏部議卹。 侍郎陳名夏、金之俊議復之獬官，予卹； 馬光輝及啟心郎寧古里議之獬已削籍，不當予卹。 兩議上，命用光輝議。
Sun Zhixie was a native of Zichuan in Shandong. A jinshi of the Ming Tianqi reign, he was appointed reviewing secretary and promoted to reader-in-waiting. For striving to destroy the Essentials of Three Reigns and being entered in the case of the rebels, he was struck from the register. In Shunzhi 1 Vice Minister Wang Aoyong pacified Shandong. Local bandits attacked Zichuan; Zhixie spent his family wealth to defend the city. Shandong Governor Fang Dayou reported the matter upward; he was summoned to the capital and appointed Vice Minister of Rites. In the second year, when the army captured Jiujiang, Zhixie memorialized asking to go and take up pacification duties; the request was granted, and he was given the provisional title of Minister of War for the journey. In the third year he was recalled. Regional Commander Jin Shenghuan memorialized that Zhixie had on his own authority given the provisional title of regional commander to Vice Commanders Gao Jinku and Liu Yipeng, currying favor and provoking conflict; Zhixie argued that the pacified generals were holding back in watchful hesitation and did not press the attack on Ganzhou with full force. Zhixie memorialized in his defense; the matter was referred to the Ministry of War for deliberation, and Zhixie was stripped of office. In the fourth year local bandits again attacked Zichuan; Zhixie helped defend the city; when the city fell he died in the fighting, and seven of his grandsons died with him; the matter was referred to the Ministry of Personnel to decide on posthumous honors. Vice Ministers Chen Mingxia and Jin Zhijun argued that Zhixie's office should be restored and posthumous honors granted; Ma Guanghui and qixinlang Ningguli argued that Zhixie had already been struck from the register and ought not to receive posthumous honors. Both opinions were submitted upward, and the order was to follow Guanghui's opinion.
12
李若琳，山東新城人。 明天啟進士，授檢討。 順治元年，起原官，累遷少詹事，兼國子監祭酒。 詹事府裁，改翰林院侍讀學士，兼祭酒如故。 二年，請更定孔子神牌，復元制曰大成至聖文宣王，下禮部議，定稱大成至聖先師。 再遷禮部侍郎。 五年，進尚書。 六年，加太子太保。 既罷歸，未幾卒。
Li Ruolin was a native of Xincheng in Shandong. A jinshi of the Ming Tianqi reign, he was appointed reviewing secretary. In Shunzhi 1 he was restored to his former office and rose in succession to Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent and concurrent Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. When the Household of the Heir Apparent was abolished, he was made Reader-in-Waiting of the Hanlin Academy while still serving concurrently as Chancellor. In the second year he asked that Confucius's spirit tablet be revised, restoring the Yuan designation as Perfect Sage and Exalted King of Culture and Propagation; the Ministry of Rites deliberated and fixed the title as Perfect Sage and Exalted Teacher. He was again promoted to Vice Minister of Rites. In the fifth year he was promoted to Minister. In the sixth year he was given the added title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent. After he was dismissed and returned home, he died not long afterward.
13
陳名夏，字百史，江南溧陽人。 明崇禎進士，官修撰，兼戶、兵二科都給事中。 降李自成。 福王時，入從賊案。 順治二年，詣大名降。 以保定巡撫王文奎薦，復原官。 入謁睿親王，請正大位。 王曰：「本朝自有家法，非爾所知也。」 旋超擢吏部侍郎，兼翰林院侍讀學士。 師定江南，九卿科道議南京設官。 名夏言：「國家定鼎神京，居北制南。 不當如前朝稱都會，設官如諸行省。」 疏入稱旨。 三年，居父喪，命奪情任事，請終制，賜白金五百，暫假歸葬，仍給俸贍其孥在京者。 五年，初設六部漢尚書，授名夏吏部尚書，加太子太保。 八年，授弘文院大學士，進少保，兼太子太保。
Chen Mingxia, styled Baishi, was a native of Liyang in Jiangnan. A jinshi of the Ming Chongzhen reign, he served as compiler and concurrently held the posts of supervising secretary for both the Revenue and War sections. He surrendered to Li Zicheng. Under the Prince of Fu he was entered in the case of those who followed the rebels. In Shunzhi 2 he went to Daming to surrender. On the recommendation of Baoding Governor Wang Wenkui, he was restored to his former office. On entering audience with the Prince Regent, he asked that the throne be formally assumed. The prince said: "Our dynasty has its own house laws—this is not for you to know." Shortly afterward he was promoted above the usual rank to Vice Minister of Personnel and concurrent Reader-in-Waiting of the Hanlin Academy. When the army secured Jiangnan, the Nine Ministers and the supervising secretaries and censors deliberated on establishing offices at Nanjing. Mingxia said: "The state has established the capital at the divine capital and governs the south from the north. It should not, as under the previous dynasty, be styled a capital metropolis with offices set up like those of the provinces." When the memorial was submitted it met with imperial approval. In the third year, while in mourning for his father, he was ordered to set aside mourning and continue in office; he asked to complete the mourning period and was granted five hundred taels of silver, given temporary leave to return home for the burial, and still provided salary to support his family in the capital. In the fifth year, when Han Chinese ministers were first appointed to the Six Ministries, Mingxia was made Minister of Personnel and given the added title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent. In the eighth year he was appointed Grand Secretary of the Hongwen Institute, promoted to Junior Guardian, and given the concurrent title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent.
14
名夏任吏部時，滿尚書譚泰阿睿親王，擅權，名夏附之亂政。 睿親王薨，是夏，御史張煊劾名夏結黨行私，銓選不公，下王大臣會鞫，譚泰袒名夏，坐煊誣奏，論死。 語詳煊傳。 是時御史盛復選亦以劾名夏坐黜。 迨秋，譚泰以罪誅，九年春，復命王大臣按煊所劾名夏罪狀，名夏辨甚力。 及屢見詰難，詞窮，泣訴投誠有功，冀貸死。 上曰：「此輾轉矯詐之小人也，罪實難逭！ 但朕已有旨，凡與譚泰事干連者，皆赦勿問。 若復罪名夏，是為不信。」 因宥之，命奪官，仍給俸，發正黃旗，與閒散官隨朝，諭令自新。
When Mingxia served as Minister of Personnel, the Manchu Minister Tan Tai fawned on the Prince Regent, usurped power, and Mingxia attached himself to him and helped disorder government. When the Prince Regent died, that summer Censor Zhang Xuan memorialized against Mingxia for forming factions, pursuing private ends, and making unfair appointments; the prince and great ministers were ordered to interrogate the case jointly; Tan Tai shielded Mingxia, and Xuan was convicted of false memorializing and sentenced to death. The details are given in the biography of Xuan. At that time Censor Sheng Fuxuan was also dismissed for memorializing against Mingxia. By autumn Tan Tai was executed for crimes; in the spring of the ninth year the prince and great ministers were again ordered to investigate the offenses against Mingxia that Xuan had memorialized, and Mingxia defended himself vigorously. When repeatedly pressed with hard questions, his words ran out; weeping, he pleaded that his surrender had been meritorious, hoping to be spared death. The emperor said: "This is a petty man who twists and turns in deceit—his guilt truly cannot be escaped! But I have already issued an edict that all those connected with Tan Tai's affairs are to be pardoned and not investigated. If Mingxia were condemned again, that would make me untrustworthy." He was therefore pardoned, stripped of office but still given salary, sent to the Plain Yellow Banner to attend court with idle officials, and instructed to reform himself.
15
十年，復授秘書院大學士。 吏部尚書員缺，侍郎孫承澤請以名夏兼攝，上責承澤以侍郎舉大學士，非體。 翌日，命名夏署吏部尚書。 上時幸內院，恆諭諸臣：「滿、漢一體，毋互結黨與。」 名夏或強辭以對，上戒之曰：「爾勿怙過，自貽伊戚。」 諸大臣議總兵任珍罪，皆以珍擅殺，其孥怨望，宜傅重比。 名夏與陳之遴、金之俊等異議，坐欺矇，論死，复寬之，但鐫秩俸，任事如故。
In the tenth year he was again appointed Grand Secretary of the Secretariat Institute. When the post of Minister of Personnel fell vacant, Vice Minister Sun Chengze asked that Mingxia concurrently act in the post; the emperor rebuked Chengze for a vice minister recommending a grand secretary, which was improper. The next day Mingxia was ordered to act as Minister of Personnel. When the emperor visited the Inner Court he constantly instructed the ministers: "Manchu and Han are one body—do not form factions among yourselves." Mingxia sometimes answered with forced arguments; the emperor warned him: "Do not rely on past offenses and bring calamity on yourself." The great ministers deliberated on the offense of Regional Commander Ren Zhen and all held that Ren had killed without authorization, that his family resented and looked on with discontent, and that a heavy penalty should be applied. Mingxia, together with Chen Zhilin, Jin Zhijun, and others, held a different opinion; he was convicted of deceitful concealment and sentenced to death, but was again shown leniency—only his rank and salary were reduced, and he continued in office as before.
16
十一年，大學士寧完我劾之，略言：「名夏屢蒙赦宥，尚复包藏禍心。 嘗謂臣曰：'留發复衣冠，天下即太平。 '其情叵測。 名夏子掖臣，居鄉暴惡，士民怨恨。 移居江寧，佔入官園宅，關通納賄，名夏明知故縱。 名夏署吏部尚書，破格擢其私交趙延先，給事中郭一鶚疏及之，名夏欲加罪，以劉正宗不平而止。 浙江道員史儒綱為名夏姻家，坐事奪官逮問，名夏必欲為之复官。 給事中魏象樞與名夏姻家，有連坐事，應左遷，僅票俸。 護黨市恩，於此可見。 臣等職掌票擬，一字輕重，關係公私； 立簿注姓，以防推諉。 名夏私自塗抹一百十四字。 上命誥誡科道官結黨，名夏擅加抹改，其欺罔類是。 請敕大臣鞫實，法斷施行。」 疏下廷臣會鞫，名夏辨諸款皆虛，惟「留發复衣冠」，實有其語。 完我與正宗共證名夏諸罪狀皆實，讞成，論斬，上命改絞。 掖臣逮治，杖戍。
In the eleventh year Grand Secretary Ning Wanwo memorialized against him, stating in part: "Mingxia has repeatedly received pardons, yet still harbors treacherous intent. He once told me: "If hair is kept and Han dress restored, the realm will at once be at peace." His intent is hard to fathom. Mingxia's son Yechen, while living in the countryside, was violent and wicked, and scholars and common people resented him. After moving to Jiangning he seized government gardens and residences, used connections to take bribes, and Mingxia knowingly allowed it. When Mingxia was acting Minister of Personnel he promoted his private associate Zhao Yanxian by breaking precedent; supervising secretary Guo Yihu memorialized against this, and Mingxia wanted to punish him but stopped because Liu Zhengzong objected. Zhejiang circuit official Shi Rugang was Mingxia's in-law; when he was stripped of office and arrested for questioning over an offense, Mingxia insisted on restoring his office. Supervising secretary Wei Xiangshu was Mingxia's in-law; in a case of joint liability he should have been demoted but received only a salary reduction on the approval slip. His protection of faction and currying of favor can be seen in this. We are charged with drafting approval slips; the weight of a single character concerns public and private interest; ledgers are kept recording names to prevent shifting blame. Mingxia on his own authority altered one hundred and fourteen characters. The emperor had ordered an admonitory edict against supervising secretaries and censors forming factions; Mingxia had on his own authority added alterations—his deceit was of the same kind. I ask that great ministers be ordered to investigate the facts and that the law be applied in judgment." The memorial was sent down to court ministers for joint interrogation; Mingxia argued that all counts were false except "keeping hair and restoring Han dress," for which he had indeed spoken such words. Wanwo and Zhengzong jointly testified that all of Mingxia's offenses were true; when the verdict was completed he was sentenced to decapitation, and the emperor ordered the sentence changed to strangulation. Yechen was arrested and punished; he was beaten and sent to frontier service.
17
陳之遴，字彥升，浙江海寧人。 明崇禎進士，自編修遷中允。 順治二年，來降，授秘書院侍讀學士。 五年，遷禮部侍郎。 六年，加右都御史。 八年，擢禮部尚書。 御史張煊劾大學士陳名夏，語涉之遴，鞫不實，免議，加太子太保，九年，授弘文院大學士。
Chen Zhilin, styled Yansheng, was a native of Haining in Zhejiang. A jinshi of the Ming Chongzhen reign, he was promoted from compiler to junior mentor. In Shunzhi 2 he came to surrender and was appointed Reader-in-Waiting of the Secretariat Institute. In the fifth year he was transferred to Vice Minister of Rites. In the sixth year he was given the added title of Censor-in-Chief of the Right. In the eighth year he was promoted to Minister of Rites. Censor Zhang Xuan memorialized against Grand Secretary Chen Mingxia with language implicating Zhilin; interrogation found no substance and he was exempted from censure; he was given the added title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent; in the ninth year he was appointed Grand Secretary of the Hongwen Institute.
18
時捕治京師巨猾李應試，王大臣會鞫，之遴默不語，王大臣詰之，之遴曰：「上立置應試於法則已，如或免死，則必受其害，是以不言。」 王大臣等以聞，上以詰之遴，疏引罪。 上以之遴既悔過，宥之。 調戶部尚書。 議總兵任珍罪，與名夏及金之俊持異議，坐罪，寬貸如名夏。 十二年，奏請依律定滿臣有罪籍沒家產、降革世職之例，下所司議行。 復授弘文院大學士，加少保兼太子太保。
At that time the great rogue of the capital Li Yingshi was being arrested and tried; the prince and great ministers jointly interrogated the case; Zhilin remained silent; when they pressed him, Zhilin said: "If Your Majesty at once puts Yingshi to the law, that is enough; but if he is spared death, I will surely suffer harm from him—therefore I do not speak." The prince and great ministers reported this upward; the emperor questioned Zhilin, and he memorialized accepting guilt. Because the emperor considered that Zhilin had already repented, he pardoned him. He was transferred to Minister of Revenue. In deliberating on the offense of Regional Commander Ren Zhen he held a different opinion together with Mingxia and Jin Zhijun; he was convicted but shown leniency as Mingxia had been. In the twelfth year he memorialized asking that the law be followed in fixing precedents for Manchu ministers guilty of offenses—confiscation of property and reduction or removal of hereditary offices—and the matter was referred to the appropriate office for deliberation and implementation. He was again appointed Grand Secretary of the Hongwen Institute and given the added titles of Junior Guardian and Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent.
19
十三年，上幸南苑，召諸大臣入對，諭之遴曰：「朕不念爾前罪，屢申誥誡，嘗以朕言告人乎？ 抑自思所行亦曾少改乎？」 之遴奏曰：「上教臣，臣安敢不改？ 特臣才疏學淺，不能仰報上恩。」 上曰：「朕非不知之遴等朋黨而用之，但欲資其才，故任以職。 且時時教飭之者，亦冀其改過效忠耳。」 因責左副都御史魏裔介等媕阿緘默，裔介退，具疏劾之遴植黨營私，當上詰問，但云「才疏學淺」，良心已昧； 並言之遴諷禮部尚書胡世安舉知府沈令式，旋為總督李輝祖所劾，是為結黨之據。 給事中王楨又劾之遴市權豪縱，昨蒙詰責，不思閉門省罪，即於次日遨遊靈佑宮，逍遙恣肆，罪不容誅。 之遴疏引罪，有云：「南北各親其親，各友其友。」 上益不懌，下吏部嚴議，命以原官發盛京居住。 是冬，復命回京入旗。 十五年，復坐賄結內監吳良輔，鞫實，論斬，命奪官，籍其家，流徙尚陽堡，死徙所。
In the thirteenth year the emperor visited the Southern Park and summoned the great ministers for audience; he instructed Zhilin: "I do not hold your former offenses against you and have repeatedly issued admonitory edicts—have you ever told others what I have said? Or do you yourself think your conduct has changed even a little?" Zhilin replied: "Your Majesty has instructed me—how would I dare not reform? It is only that my talent is meager and my learning shallow, and I cannot repay Your Majesty's grace." The emperor said: "It is not that I do not know Zhilin and others form factions—I employ them only to make use of their talent, and therefore assign them office. Moreover, in constantly instructing and admonishing them, I also hope they will reform their faults and serve loyally." He thereupon rebuked Left Vice Censor-in-Chief Wei Yijie and others for fawning compliance and silence; Yijie withdrew and submitted a detailed memorial impeaching Zhilin for forming factions and pursuing private ends; when the emperor questioned him, he could only say "my talent is meager and my learning shallow"—his conscience was already clouded; he also stated that Zhilin had prompted Minister of Rites Hu Shi'an to recommend Prefect Shen Lingshi, who was soon memorialized against by Governor Li Huizu—this was evidence of faction forming. Supervising secretary Wang Zhen again memorialized against Zhilin for trading in power and acting with arrogant license; having just received imperial rebuke, he did not think to shut his doors and reflect on his guilt but on the very next day wandered at leisure in the Lingyou Palace, roaming freely and unrestrained—an offense that could not be spared execution. Zhilin memorialized accepting guilt, stating: "North and south each honor their own kin and each befriend their own friends." The emperor grew still more displeased; the matter was referred to the Ministry of Personnel for strict deliberation, and he was ordered sent to live at Mukden under his former title. That winter he was again ordered to return to the capital and enter the banner. In the fifteenth year he was again convicted of bribing and forming ties with eunuch Wu Liangfu; when interrogation established the facts he was sentenced to decapitation; he was stripped of office, his household property was confiscated, and he was exiled to Shangyang Fort, where he died in exile.
20
劉正宗，字可宗，山東安丘人。 明崇禎進士，自推官授編修。 福王時，授中允。 順治二年，以薦起國史院編修。 累遷秘書院學士。 十四年，授吏部侍郎，擢弘文院大學士。 吏部尚書缺員，諭以「正宗清正耿介，堪勝此任，加太子太保，管吏部尚書」。
Liu Zhengzong, styled Kezong, was a native of Anqiu in Shandong. A jinshi of the Ming Chongzhen reign, he was promoted from magistrate's aide to compiler. Under the Prince of Fu he was appointed junior mentor. In Shunzhi 2, on recommendation, he was appointed compiler of the Historiography Institute. He rose in succession to academician of the Secretariat Institute. In the fourteenth year he was appointed Vice Minister of Personnel and promoted to Grand Secretary of the Hongwen Institute. When the post of Minister of Personnel fell vacant, an edict stated: "Zhengzong is upright, pure, and firm—he can bear this responsibility; give him the added title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent and charge him with managing the Ministry of Personnel."
21
御史楊義論部推越次，正宗與辨，執相詬詈。 給事中周曾發，御史姜圖南、祖建明交章劾之。 御史張嘉復以正宗昏庸衰老，背公徇私，疏請罷斥。 下部議，以無實據，寢其事。 給事中硃徽复劾正宗擅擬僉事許宸遷通政司參議，不由會推，又未專疏題明。 正宗以疏忽引咎，當俸，援恩詔以免。 旋引疾乞休，不允。 辭尚書，命以兼銜回內院，加少保兼太子太保。 十四年，考滿，進少傅兼太子太傅。 十五年，改文華殿大學士。
Censor Yang Yi discussed ministry recommendations that skipped proper order; Zhengzong argued with him and the two clung to each other in mutual abuse. Supervising secretary Zhou Zengfa and censors Jiang Tunan and Zu Jianming submitted joint memorials against him. Censor Zhang Jiafu memorialized asking that Zhengzong be dismissed on the grounds that he was muddled and aged and pursued private ends against the public good. The matter was referred to the ministry for deliberation; because there was no substantiating evidence, the case was dropped. Supervising secretary Zhu Hui again memorialized against Zhengzong for on his own authority drafting the transfer of Vice Commissioner Xu Chen to Assistant Director of the Transmission Office, without joint recommendation and without a separate memorial stating it clearly. Zhengzong accepted blame for negligence, was liable to salary reduction, and was exempted by citing the amnesty edict. Shortly afterward he cited illness and asked to retire; the request was not granted. He resigned the ministership and was ordered to return to the Inner Court under his concurrent title, with the added titles of Junior Guardian and Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent. In the fourteenth year, when his assessment term was complete, he was promoted to Junior Tutor and Junior Preceptor of the Heir Apparent. In the fifteenth year he was made Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall.
22
十六年，上以正宗器量狹隘，終日務詩文，廷議輒以己意為是，降旨嚴飭，並諭曰：「朕委任大臣，期始終相成，以愜簡拔初念。 故不忍加罪，時加申戒。 當痛改前非，稱朕優容寬恕之意。」 十七年，自陳乞罷，不允。 左都御史魏裔介劾「正宗自陳奏內不敘上諭切責，無人臣禮。 李昌祚叛案有名，票擬內升。 先後薦董國祥、梁羽明，今皆事敗，被劾不自檢舉。 欺君之罪何辭？ 正宗與張縉彥為友，縉彥序正宗詩曰'將明之才'，詭譎尤不可解。 正宗弟正學，為鄭成功總兵，正宗囑巡撫耿焞躐升中軍。 蠹國亂政，其事非一端。 請乾斷以杜禍萌」。 御史季振宜繼劾，亦及國祥、正學，並正宗貪賄營利諸事。 正宗疏辨，略謂：「李昌祚為叛黨，裔介身為法司，何不早行糾參？ 例凡薦舉之官，在本任不職，追坐舉主。 國祥、羽明皆升任後得罪。 縉彥序臣詩有曰'將明之才'，臣詩稿見存，縉彥序未見此語。」 疏入，上奪正宗官，下王大臣會鞫； 亦責裔介、振宜不早糾參，並奪官待質。 旋議上裔介、振宜劾正宗罪狀鞫實者十一事，罪當絞。 上斥「正宗性質暴戾，器量褊淺，持論偏私，處事執謬。 惟事沽名好勝，罔顧大體，罪戾滋甚。 從寬免死，籍家產之半，入旗，不許回籍」。 十八年，聖祖即位，以世祖遺詔及正宗罪狀，當置重典，愍其衰老，貸之。 未幾病卒。
In the sixteenth year, because the emperor considered Zhengzong narrow in capacity, devoted all day to poetry and prose, and in court deliberations always held his own opinion correct, a stern admonitory edict was issued, also instructing: "I entrust great ministers expecting mutual completion from start to finish, to satisfy the original intent of selection. Therefore I have been unwilling to punish him and have repeatedly issued warnings. He ought to reform his past faults thoroughly and respond to my intent of forbearance and forgiveness." In the seventeenth year he memorialized on his own asking to be dismissed; the request was not granted. Censor-in-Chief of the Left Wei Yijie memorialized: "In his self-statement memorial Zhengzong did not recount the emperor's stern rebuke—this lacks the propriety of a minister. Li Changzuo was named in the rebel case, yet on the approval slip he was drafted for promotion. He had successively recommended Dong Guoxiang and Liang Yuming; now both their affairs have failed, yet when memorialized against he did not report himself. What excuse is there for the offense of deceiving the ruler? Zhengzong and Zhang Jinyan were friends; Jinyan prefaced Zhengzong's poetry with the words "talent to govern and clarify," which is especially inexplicable and sinister. Zhengzong's younger brother Zhengxue was a regional commander under Zheng Chenggong; Zhengzong instructed Governor Geng Tun to promote him by skipping ranks to middle army commander. Harming the state and disordering government—his offenses were not limited to one kind. I ask for decisive judgment to cut off the sprouting of calamity." Censor Ji Zhenyi followed with a memorial, also implicating Guoxiang and Zhengxue, together with Zhengzong's taking bribes and seeking profit in various matters. Zhengzong memorialized in his defense, stating in part: "Li Changzuo was of the rebel faction—Yijie himself was in the judiciary; why did he not memorialize against him early? By precedent, whenever an official who was recommended fails in his current post, the recommender is held accountable. Guoxiang and Yuming both offended only after being promoted to higher posts. Jinyan's preface to my poetry is said to contain the words "talent to govern and clarify"; my poetry manuscript still exists, and Jinyan's preface does not contain this phrase." When the memorial was submitted, the emperor stripped Zhengzong of office and sent the case to the prince and great ministers for joint interrogation; he also rebuked Yijie and Zhenyi for not memorializing early, and stripped both of office pending verification. Shortly afterward the deliberation found eleven counts in Yijie and Zhenyi's memorial against Zhengzong substantiated by interrogation; the offense warranted strangulation. The emperor rebuked him: "Zhengzong's nature is violent and harsh, his capacity narrow and shallow, his opinions partial and private, and his handling of affairs stubbornly mistaken. He cares only for reputation and rivalry, heedless of the larger interest, and his offenses grow ever worse. Showing leniency he is spared death; half his household property is confiscated; he enters the banner and is not permitted to return to his native place." In the eighteenth year, when the Shengzu ascended the throne, in view of the Shizu's testamentary edict and Zhengzong's offenses he ought to have received severe punishment; pitying his age, the emperor pardoned him. Before long he died of illness.
23
張縉彥，河南新鄭人。 明崇禎進士，自知縣行取授主事。 再授編修，擢兵部尚書。 順治元年，詣固山額真葉臣軍前納款，福王授以總督，乃遁去。 既，复受洪承疇招降。 九年，以薦下吏部考核。 十年，授山東右布政。 十五年，擢工部侍郎。 十七年，甄別三品以上大臣，降授江南徽寧道。 裔介劾正宗，詞連縉彥，奪官逮訊。 御史蕭震疏劾縉彥編刻無聲戲，自稱「不死英雄」，惑人心，害風俗。 王大臣會鞫，論斬，上命貰死，籍其家，流徙寧古塔。 尋死於戍所。
Zhang Jinyan was a native of Xinzheng in Henan. A jinshi of the Ming Chongzhen reign, he was selected from magistrate service and appointed a section chief. He was again appointed compiler and promoted to Minister of War. In Shunzhi 1 he went to the army of gushan ejen Yechen to submit; the Prince of Fu appointed him governor, whereupon he fled. Later he again accepted Hong Chengchou's summons to surrender. In the ninth year, on recommendation, he was referred to the Ministry of Personnel for assessment. In the tenth year he was appointed Right Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shandong. In the fifteenth year he was promoted to Vice Minister of Works. In the seventeenth year, when ministers of the third rank and above were screened, he was demoted and appointed to the Huining Circuit in Jiangnan. When Yijie memorialized against Zhengzong, his language implicated Jinyan; Jinyan was stripped of office and arrested for interrogation. Censor Xiao Zhen memorialized that Jinyan had compiled and printed Voiceless Plays, calling himself an "undying hero," bewildering people's hearts and harming custom. The prince and great ministers jointly interrogated the case and sentenced him to decapitation; the emperor ordered his life spared, his household property confiscated, and him exiled to Ningguta. Before long he died in exile.
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論曰：剛林相太宗，與範文程、希福並命，祁充格掌記室，於創業宜皆有功。 銓故明相，諳故事，與名夏皆善佔對。 名夏勸進雖不用，以此邀峻擢。 之遴、正宗各有所援引，知當時亦頗用事。 際初運，都高位，而不足以堪之。 誅夷削奪，曾莫之惜。 正宗傾名夏，亦不免於罪，尤可鑑矣。
The commentator says: Ganglin served the Taizong, and together with Fan Wencheng and Xifu received concurrent appointments; Qi Chongge managed the secretariat—in founding the enterprise they ought all to have had merit. Quan was a former Ming grand secretary, versed in precedent, and both he and Mingxia were skilled at impromptu replies. Although Mingxia's urging to advance the throne was not adopted, by this he sought steep promotion. Zhilin and Zhengzong each had their own protégés; one knows that at the time they too wielded considerable influence. At the beginning of the dynasty's fortune they all held high rank, yet were not equal to bearing it. Execution, stripping, and confiscation were applied without sparing them. Zhengzong brought down Mingxia, yet could not himself escape guilt—this is especially worth taking as a warning.