1
趙普，字則平，幽州薊人。 後唐幽帥趙德鈞連年用兵，民力疲弊。 普父廻舉族徙常山，又徙河南洛陽。 普沈厚寡言，鎮陽豪族魏氏以女妻之。
Zhao Pu, whose style name was Zeping, came from Ji in Youzhou. Under the Later Tang, Zhao Dejun, military governor of You, fought year after year until the people were worn down and impoverished. Pu's father Hui relocated the entire clan first to Changshan and then to Luoyang in Henan. Pu was grave, steady, and taciturn; the prominent Wei clan of Zhenyang married a daughter to him.
2
周顯德初，永興軍節度劉詞辟為從事，詞卒，遺表薦普於朝。 世宗用兵淮上，太祖拔滁州，宰相范質奏普為軍事判官。 宣祖臥疾滁州，普朝夕奉藥餌，宣祖由是待以宗分。 太祖嘗與語，奇之。 時獲盜百餘，當棄市，普疑有無辜者，啟太祖訊鞫之，獲全活者眾。 淮南平，調補渭州軍事判官。 太祖領同州節度，辟為推官； 移鎮宋州，表為掌書記。
In the early Xiande era of Zhou, Liu Ci, military commissioner of Yongxing Circuit, took him on as a staff officer; when Liu Ci died, his death memorial recommended Pu to the throne. While Emperor Shizong was campaigning on the Huai, Taizu took Chuzhou, and Grand Councillor Fan Zhi recommended Pu for the post of military affairs adjudicator. When Xuanzu fell ill at Chuzhou, Pu brought him medicines morning and evening; Xuanzu thereafter treated him as one of the family. Taizu once conversed with him and was struck by his ability. When more than a hundred captured robbers were about to be executed in the marketplace, Pu suspected that some were innocent; he appealed to Taizu to have them questioned, and many lives were saved. After the Huainan region was pacified, he was reassigned as military affairs adjudicator at Weizhou. When Taizu served as military commissioner of Tongzhou, he recruited Pu as investigating officer; when Taizu transferred his command to Songzhou, he recommended Pu as chief secretary.
3
太祖北征至陳橋，被酒臥帳中，眾軍推戴，普與太宗排闥入告。 太祖欠伸徐起，而眾軍擐甲露刃，喧擁麾下。 及受禪，以佐命功，授右諫議大夫，充樞密直學士。
When Taizu marched north to Chen Bridge and lay drunk in his tent while the army proclaimed him emperor, Pu and Taizong pushed open the tent flap to tell him. Taizu stretched, rose slowly, and found the soldiers already in armor with naked blades, shouting and crowding beneath his standard. After Taizu accepted the throne, Pu was made Right Remonstrance Grandee and Hanlin Academician of the Privy Council for his founding service.
4
車駕征李筠，命普與呂餘慶留京師，普願扈從，太祖笑曰：「若勝冑介乎？」 從平上黨，遷兵部侍郎、樞密副使，賜第一區。 建隆三年，拜樞密使、檢校太保。
When the emperor marched against Li Jun, he left Pu and Lü Yuqing in the capital; Pu asked to accompany the campaign, and Taizu smiled and said, "Are you going to put on armor? After Shangdang was pacified, he was promoted to Vice Minister of War and Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council and granted a residence. In the third year of Jianlong, he was made Commissioner of the Privy Council and Acting Grand Preceptor.
5
乾德二年，范質等三相同日罷，以普為門下侍郎、平章事、集賢殿大學士。 中書無宰相署敕，普以為言，上曰：「卿但進敕，朕為卿署之可乎？」 普曰：「此有司職爾，非帝王事也。」 令翰林學士講求故實，竇儀曰：「今皇弟尹開封，同平章事，即宰相任也。」 令署以賜普。 既拜相，上視如左右手，事無大小，悉咨決焉。 是日，普兼監修國史。 命薛居正、呂餘慶參知政事以副之，不宣制，班在宰相後，不知印，不預奏事，不押班，但奉行制書而已。 先是，宰相兼敕，皆用內制，普相止用敕，非舊典也。
In the second year of Qiande, Fan Zhi and the other three chief ministers all resigned on the same day, and Pu was appointed Vice Director of the Chancellery, Grand Councillor, and Grand Academician of the Hall for Gathering Worthies. Because the Secretariat had no chancellor's seal for issuing edicts, Pu raised the issue; the emperor said, "You need only draft the edict—shall I sign it for you? Pu replied, "That is the work of the proper office, not the business of an emperor. The emperor ordered Hanlin academicians to investigate precedent; Dou Yi said, "Your Majesty's younger brother, who governs Kaifeng as Grand Councillor, already holds the chancellor's role. The emperor ordered the seal signed and granted to Pu. Once appointed chancellor, he was treated by the emperor as indispensable; on matters large and small the emperor consulted him and deferred to his judgment. That same day Pu was also made concurrent supervisor of the national history. Xue Juzheng and Lü Yuqing were appointed Vice Grand Councillors to assist him without public proclamation; they ranked after the chancellors, held no seal, took no part in memorials or court assembly, and merely executed imperial orders. Formerly, chancellors who concurrently issued edicts had always used internal drafts; Pu as chancellor used only edicts, which was not the old practice.
6
太祖數微行過功臣家，普每退朝，不敢便衣冠。 一日，大雪向夜，普意帝不出。 久之，聞叩門聲，普亟出，帝立風雪中，普惶懼迎拜。 帝曰：「已約晉王矣。」 已而太宗至，設重裀地坐堂中，熾炭燒肉。 普妻行酒，帝以嫂呼之。 因與普計下太原。 普曰「太原當西北二面，太原既下，則我獨當之，不如姑俟削平諸國，則彈丸黑子之地，將安逃乎？」 帝笑曰：「吾意正如此，特試卿爾。」
Taizu often visited his meritorious followers in disguise; after each court session Pu dared not change out of his official robes at once. One day, as heavy snow fell toward evening, Pu assumed the emperor would not venture out. After a long wait he heard a knock at the gate; he rushed out and found the emperor standing in the wind and snow; Pu, alarmed, hurried forward to receive him. The emperor said, "I have already arranged to meet the Prince of Jin. Before long Taizong arrived; they laid down layered mats and sat on the floor in the hall while charcoal fire roasted meat. Pu's wife poured wine, and the emperor called her sister-in-law. Then they discussed with Pu the plan to capture Taiyuan. Pu said, "Taiyuan guards our northwest; if we take it now we alone must bear the frontier burden. Better to wait until the other states are subdued—then that tiny enclave will have nowhere to flee. The emperor laughed and said, "That is exactly what I think; I was only testing you.
7
五年春，加右僕射、昭文館大學士。 俄丁內艱，詔起復視事。 遂勸帝遣使分詣諸道，徵丁壯籍名送京師，以備守衛； 諸州置通判，使主錢穀。 由是兵甲精銳，府為充實。
In the spring of the fifth year he was promoted to Right Vice Director and Grand Academician of the Zhaowen Hall. Soon afterward, when he entered mourning for his mother, an edict ordered him to leave mourning and return to duty. He then urged the emperor to send envoys to every circuit to register strong young men and send them to the capital for guard service; and to establish supervisory commissioners in the prefectures to manage revenue and grain. As a result the army was well equipped and the treasury well stocked.
8
開寶二年冬，普嘗病，車駕幸中書。 三年春，又幸其第撫問之。 賜賚加等。 六年，帝又幸其第。 時錢王俶遣使致書於普，及海物十瓶，置於廡下。 會車駕至，倉卒不及屏，帝顧問何物，普以實對。 上曰：「海物必佳。」 即命啟之。 皆瓜子金也。 普惶恐頓首謝曰：「臣未發書，實不知。」 帝歎曰：「受之無妨，彼謂國家事皆由汝書生爾！」
In the winter of the second year of Kaibao, when Pu fell ill, the emperor visited the Secretariat in person. In the spring of the third year the emperor again visited his home to inquire after him. Imperial gifts and rewards were increased by one grade. In the sixth year the emperor visited his residence again. At the time King Qian Chu of Wuyue had sent an envoy with a letter to Pu and ten jars of maritime goods, set beneath the corridor. When the emperor arrived unexpectedly, there was no time to hide them; asked what they were, Pu told the truth. The emperor said, "Sea goods must be excellent. He immediately ordered them opened. Inside were melon-seed gold nuggets. Pu, terrified, kowtowed and said, "I had not yet opened the letter and truly did not know. The emperor sighed and said, "There is no harm in accepting it—they think all affairs of state are decided by you, a mere scholar!
9
普為政頗專，廷臣多忌之。 時官禁私販秦、隴大木，普嘗遣親吏詣市屋材，聯巨筏至京師治第，吏因之竊貨大木，冒稱普市貨，鬻都下，權三司使趙玭廉得之以聞。 太祖大怒，促令追班，將下制逐普，賴王溥奏解之。
Pu governed with considerable autocracy, and many at court resented him. Private sale of timber from Qin and Long was forbidden; Pu sent a trusted clerk to buy building timber, and linked great rafts to bring it to the capital for his mansion; the clerk smuggled timber on the side, falsely claiming it was Pu's purchase, and sold it in the capital; Zhao Pin, commissioner of the three departments, investigated and reported it. Taizu was furious and urgently ordered Pu recalled to court, intending to issue an edict removing him; Wang Pu's memorial interceded and saved him.
10
故事，宰相、樞密使每候對長春殿，同止廬中； 上聞普子承宗娶樞密使李崇矩女，即令分異之。 普又以隙地私易尚食蔬圃以廣其居，又營邸店規利。 盧多遜為翰林學士，因召對屢攻其短。 會雷有鄰擊登聞鼓，訟堂後官胡贊、李可度受賕骫法及劉偉偽作攝牒得官，王洞嘗納賂可度，趙孚授西川官稱疾不上，皆普庇之。 太祖怒，下御史府按問，悉抵罪，以有鄰為秘書省正字。 普恩益替，始詔參知政事與普更知印、押班、奏事，以分其權。 未幾，出為河陽三城節度、檢校太傅、同平章事。
By custom, whenever the chancellor and the Privy Council commissioner waited for audience at the Hall of Everlasting Spring, they lodged together; when the emperor learned that Pu's son Chengzong had married Privy Council Commissioner Li Chongju's daughter, he ordered them separated at once. Pu also privately traded vacant land for the Imperial Kitchen's vegetable garden to expand his home, and built inns and shops for profit. Lu Duosun, a Hanlin academician, seized every audience to attack Pu's failings. At the same time Lei Youlin struck the grievance drum, accusing rear-hall officials Hu Zan and Li Kedu of bribery and perversion of law, Liu Wei of forging an acting appointment, Wang Dong of once bribing Kedu, and Zhao Fu of taking a Sichuan post yet claiming illness and not reporting—all under Pu's protection. Taizu was enraged and ordered the censorate to investigate; all were found guilty, and Youlin was made Correcting Editor in the Secretariat. Pu's influence waned further; only then was it decreed that the Vice Grand Councillors should share with Pu the seal, court assembly, and memorials, dividing his authority. Soon he was posted out as military commissioner of Heyang Three Cities, Acting Grand Tutor, and Grand Councillor.
11
太平興國初入朝，改太子少保，遷太子太保。 頗為盧多遜所毀，奉朝請數年，鬱鬱不得志。 會柴禹錫、趙鎔等告秦王廷美驕恣，將有陰謀竊發。 帝召問，普言願備樞軸以察姦變，退又上書，自陳預聞太祖、昭憲皇太后顧託之事，辭甚切至。 太宗感悟，召見慰諭。 俄拜司徒兼侍中，封梁國公。 先是，秦王廷美班在宰相上，至是，以普勳舊，再登元輔，表乞居其下，從之。 及涪陵事敗，多遜南遷，皆普之力也。
At the opening of the Taiping Xingguo era he came to court and was made Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent, then promoted to Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent. Lu Duosun slandered him heavily; for years he held only court attendance without office, frustrated and unfulfilled. Then Chai Yuxi, Zhao Rong, and others reported that Prince Qin Tingmei was arrogant and was plotting a secret uprising. The emperor questioned him; Pu said he wished to return to the center of power to detect treachery, then withdrew and submitted a memorial declaring he had long known of the deathbed entrustments of Taizu and Empress Dowager Zhaoxian—his words were deeply earnest. Taizong was deeply moved and summoned him to comfort and reassure him. Soon he was made Minister of Education and Palace Attendant and enfeoffed as Duke of Liang. Formerly Prince Qin Tingmei had ranked above the chancellor; now, as an old founding minister restored to high office, Pu asked to rank below him, and the request was granted. When the Fuling affair collapsed, Duosun was exiled south—all owing to Pu's handiwork.
12
八年，出為武勝軍節度、檢校太尉兼侍中。 帝作詩以餞之，普奉而泣曰：「陛下賜臣詩，當刻石，與臣朽骨同葬泉下。」 帝為之動容。 翌日，謂宰相曰：「普有功國家，朕昔與遊，今齒髮衰矣，不容煩以樞務，擇善地處之，因詩什以導意。 普感激泣下，朕亦為之墮淚。」 宋琪對曰：「昨日普至中書，執御詩涕泣，謂臣曰：『此生餘年，無階上答，庶希來世得效太馬力。』 臣昨聞普言，今復聞宣諭，君臣始終之分，可謂兩全。」
In the eighth year he was posted out as military commissioner of Wusheng Circuit, Acting Grand Commandant, and Palace Attendant. The emperor wrote a farewell poem; Pu received it weeping and said, "Your Majesty's poem should be carved in stone and buried with my bones in the grave. The emperor was visibly moved. The next day he told the chancellor, "Pu has merited the state; I once kept his company, and now he is old; I cannot burden him with central affairs, so I found him a good post and used a poem to express my meaning. Pu wept in gratitude, and I wept with him. Song Qi replied, "Yesterday Pu came to the Secretariat, clutching the imperial poem in tears, and told me, 'In what years remain I cannot repay Your Majesty in this life; I can only hope in the next to serve with the loyalty of dog and horse. Yesterday I heard Pu; today I hear Your Majesty's words—the full arc of loyalty between ruler and minister is truly fulfilled on both sides.
13
雍熙三年春，大軍出討幽薊，久未班師，普手疏諫曰：
In the spring of the third year of Yongxi, as the great army marched against You and Ji and long delayed its return, Pu submitted a handwritten remonstrance, saying:
14
「伏睹今春出師，將以收復關外，屢聞克捷，深快輿情。 然晦朔屢更，薦臻炎夏，飛輓日繁，戰鬥未息，老師費財，誠無益也。
I humbly note that this spring's campaign was meant to recover the territory beyond the passes; repeated reports of victory have greatly heartened the people. Yet month after month has passed and midsummer has arrived; supply wagons multiply daily and battle continues unabated—the army grows weary and the treasury drained, to no real gain.
15
伏念陛下自翦平太原，懷徠閩、浙，混一諸夏，大振英聲，十年之間，遂臻廣濟。 遠人不服，自古聖王置之度外，何足介意。 竊慮邪諂之輩，蒙蔽睿聰，致興無名之師，深蹈不測之地。 臣載披典籍，頗識前言，竊見漢武時主父偃、徐樂、嚴安所上書及唐相姚元崇獻明皇十事，忠言至論，可舉而行。 伏望萬機之暇，一賜觀覽，其失未遠，雖悔可追。
I recall that since Your Majesty subdued Taiyuan, won over Min and Zhe, and unified the central lands, your fame has thundered abroad; within a decade you have brought wide relief to the realm. That distant peoples refuse submission is something sage kings since antiquity have placed beyond concern; it is not worth fretting over. I fear flatterers have clouded Your Majesty's judgment, provoking an unjust war and leading us deep into uncertain territory. I have studied the classics and know the precedents: the memorials of Zhufu Yan, Xu Yue, and Yan An in Emperor Wu's Han, and the ten counsels Chancellor Yao Yuanchong offered Emperor Ming of Tang—loyal, penetrating arguments fit to be enacted. I beg that amid the myriad affairs of state Your Majesty will read them once; the mistake is not yet beyond repair, and repentance can still avail.
16
臣竊念大發驍雄，動搖百萬之眾，所得者少，所喪者多。 又聞戰者危事，難保其必勝； 兵者兇器，深戒於不虞。 所繫甚大，不可不思。 臣又聞上古聖人，心無固必，事不凝滯，理貴變通。 前書有「兵久生變」之言，深為可慮，苟或更圖稽緩，轉失機宜。 旬朔之間，時涉秋序，邊庭早涼，弓勁馬肥，我軍久困，切慮此際，或誤指蹤。 臣方冒寵以守藩，曷敢興言而沮眾。 蓋臣已日薄西山，餘光無幾，酬恩報國，正在斯時。 伏望速詔班師，無容玩敵。
I reflect further that to mobilize elite troops and shake a million men brings little gain at great cost. War is perilous, and victory cannot be guaranteed; arms are instruments of violence, and one must guard deeply against the unexpected. The stakes are immense; this cannot go unconsidered. The sage rulers of antiquity held no fixed obstinacy, let no affair stagnate, and prized flexible adaptation. The classics warn that prolonged war breeds mutiny—deeply alarming; if we hesitate and delay further, we will miss the moment. Within weeks autumn will come; on the frontier the air turns cool early, bows are taut and horses strong, while our troops are long exhausted—I fear our commands may go astray at just such a moment. I now hold favor yet guard a frontier post—how dare I speak out and discourage the troops? Yet my sun already sets over the western hills and little light remains; to repay grace and serve the state—the moment is now. I beg Your Majesty to order withdrawal at once and not underestimate the foe.
17
臣復有全策，願達聖聰。 望陛下精調御膳，保養聖躬，挈彼疲氓，轉之富庶。 將見邊烽不警，外戶不扃，率土歸仁，殊方異俗，相率嚮化，契丹獨將焉往？ 陛下計不出此，乃信邪謅之徒，謂契丹主少事多，所以用武，以中陛下之意。 陛下樂禍求功，以為萬全，臣竊以為不可。 伏願陛下審其虛實，究其妄謬，正奸臣誤國之罪，罷將士伐燕之師。 非特多難興王，抑亦從諫則聖也。 古之人尚聞屍諫，老臣未死，豈敢百諛為安身之計而不言哉？」
I have further a full strategy and wish it to reach Your Majesty's ear. I hope Your Majesty will tend your health, care for your sacred person, lift the weary people, and turn them toward prosperity. Then frontier alarms will fall silent, outer gates need no bolt, the realm will turn to benevolent rule, and distant peoples will one after another accept civilization—where then can the Khitan alone flee? If Your Majesty's plan is not this, then you trust deceivers who say the Khitan ruler is young and burdened with affairs, and therefore resort to war to gratify Your Majesty's wishes. Your Majesty takes pleasure in inviting disaster while seeking glory, believing all is secure—I cannot agree. I beg Your Majesty to sift truth from falsehood, expose delusion and error, punish the treacherous ministers who misled the state, and withdraw the army campaigning against Yan. Not only do tribulations test and temper a ruler—he who heeds remonstrance proves himself sage. Men of old would remonstrate even unto death; though I am old, I am not yet dead—how could I resort to flattery to save myself and keep silent?
18
帝賜手詔曰：
The Emperor sent a personal edict in reply:
19
「朕昨者興師選將，止令曹彬、米信等頓於雄、霸，裹糧坐甲以張軍聲。 俟一兩月間山後平定，潘美、田重進等會兵以進，直抵幽州，然後控扼險固，恢復舊疆，此朕之志也。 奈何將帥等不遵成算，各騁所見，領十萬甲士出塞遠鬥，速取其郡縣，更還師以援輜重，往復勞弊，為遼人所襲，此責在主將也。 況朕踵百王之末，粗致承平，蓋念彼民陷於邊患，將救焚而拯溺，匪黷武以佳兵，卿當悉之也。 疆場之事，已為之備，卿勿為憂。 卿社稷元臣，忠言苦口，三復來奏，嘉愧實深。」
When I recently raised troops and chose commanders, I had Cao Bin, Mi Xin, and others encamp at Xiongzhou and Bazhou with rations packed and armor donned, simply to display our military presence. Once the region beyond the mountains was pacified in a month or two, Pan Mei, Tian Chongjin, and others were to unite their forces, march straight to Youzhou, seize the strategic passes, and recover our lost territory—that was my plan. Yet the commanders ignored the settled plan, each following his own judgment, leading a hundred thousand armored troops beyond the frontier in reckless advance, seizing towns and counties in haste, then doubling back to protect the supply train—exhausted by the to-and-fro, they were ambushed by the Liao. The blame rests with the chief commanders. Moreover, I reign at the end of an age of kings and have roughly restored peace. I act only because those people suffer on the frontier—I mean to rescue the burning and save the drowning, not to indulge in belligerence. You should understand this. The frontier is already guarded; you need not worry. You are a pillar of the state. Your loyal counsel, however bitter, has reached me three times. I am deeply moved—and deeply shamed.
20
普表謝曰：
Zhao Pu submitted a memorial of thanks:
21
「昨以天兵久駐塞外，未克恢復，漸及炎蒸，事危勢迫，輙陳狂狷，甘俟憲章。 陛下特鑒衷誠，親紆宸翰，密諭聖謀。 臣竊審命師討罪，信為上策，將帥能遵成算，必可平定。 惟其不副天心，由茲敗事。 今既邊鄙有備，更復何虞。 況陛下登極十年，坐隆大業，無一物之失所，見萬國之咸寧。 所宜端拱穆清，嗇神和志，自可遠繼九皇，俯觀五帝。 豈必窮邊極武，與契丹較勝負哉？ 臣素虧壯志，矧在衰齡，雖無功伐，願竭忠純。」
Yesterday, seeing the imperial army long encamped beyond the frontier without recovering our territory, as the torrid season drew near and the crisis pressed, I rashly spoke my stubborn mind, prepared to accept whatever punishment the law might impose. Your Majesty saw my sincere intent, personally wrote in your own hand, and confided your sacred strategy to me. I now see that dispatching troops to punish the enemy was indeed the right strategy. Had the commanders followed the settled plan, success was assured. Only because they did not accord with Heaven's intent did the campaign fail. Now that the frontier is guarded, what is there to fear? Moreover, Your Majesty has reigned ten years and presided over a flourishing empire—nothing lost from its place, all lands at peace. You need only govern with quiet dignity, conserve your spirit and inner composure, and you may emulate the ancient Nine Emperors and the Five Thearchs below them. Must you exhaust yourself on the frontier and measure strength against the Khitan? I have long lacked strength of purpose, and now in my declining years I can offer no military service—yet I wish to devote what loyalty remains.
22
觀者咸嘉其忠。 四年，移山南東道節度，自梁國公改封許國公。 會詔下親耕籍田，普表求入覲，辭甚懇切。 上惻然謂宰相曰：「普開國元臣，朕所尊禮，宜從其請。」 既至，慰撫數四，普嗚咽流涕。 陳王元僖上言曰：
Those who witnessed it all praised his loyalty. In the fourth year, he was made military governor of Shannan East Circuit, his title changing from Duke of Liang to Duke of Xu. When an edict summoned the emperor to plow the sacred field, Pu submitted a memorial begging to attend court; his words were deeply earnest. Moved, the Emperor said to the chief ministers: "Pu is a founding minister of the dynasty, whom I honor and esteem. His request should be granted. When Pu arrived, the Emperor comforted him again and again; Pu sobbed with streaming tears. Prince Yuanxi of Chen submitted a memorial, saying:
23
「臣伏見唐太宗有魏玄成、房玄齡、杜如晦，明皇有姚崇、宋璟、魏知古，皆任以輔弼，委之心膂，財成帝道，康濟九區，宗祀延洪，史策昭煥，良由登用得其人也。 今陛下君臨萬方，焦勞庶政，宵衣旰食，以民為心。 歷考前王，誠無所讓，而輔相之重，未偕曩賢。 況為邦在於任人，任人在乎公正，公正之道莫先於賞罰，斯為政之大柄也。 茍賞罰匪當，淑慝莫分，朝廷紀綱，漸致隳紊。 必須公正之人典衡軸，直躬敢言，以辨得失，然後彝倫式序，庶務用康。 伏見山南東道節度使趙普，開國元老，參謀締構，厚重有識，不妄希求恩顧以全祿位，不私徇人情以邀名望，此真聖朝之良臣也。 竊聞憸巧之輩，朋黨比周，眾口嗷嗷，惡直醜正，恨不斥逐遐徼，以快其心。 何者？ 蓋慮陛下之再用普也。 然公讜之人，咸願陛下復委以政，啟沃君心，羽翼聖化。 國有大事，使之謀之； 朝有宏綱，使之舉之； 四目未察，使之明之； 四聰未至，使之達之。 官人以材，則無竊祿，致君以道，則無苟容。 賢愚洞分，玉石殊致，當使結朋黨以馳驁聲勢者氣索，縱巧佞以援引儕類者道消。 沈冥廢滯得以進，名儒懿行得以顯，大政何患乎不舉，生民何患乎不康，匪窬期月之間，可臻清靜之治。 臣知慮庸淺，發言魯直。 伏望陛下旁采群議，俯察物情，苟用不失，實邦國大幸。」
I observe that Emperor Taizong of Tang had Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui; Emperor Xuanzong had Yao Chong, Song Jing, and Wei Zhigu. Each entrusted his ministers as true counselors, relying on them as his very heart and sinew. They perfected the imperial Way, brought peace to the realm, ensured enduring ancestral rites, and left histories that shine—all because the right men were appointed. Your Majesty now rules all under Heaven, laboring over every affair, rising before dawn and dining after dusk, with the people's welfare always at heart. Compared with the kings of old, Your Majesty yields to none—yet the weight borne by your chief ministers falls short of those former worthies. Governing a state depends on appointing the right men; appointing men depends on fairness—and fairness begins with rewards and punishments. This is the sovereign lever of rule. When rewards and punishments miscarry, good and evil blur, and the court's discipline gradually unravels. Fair-minded men must hold the levers of power, stand upright, and speak boldly to distinguish right from wrong—only then will moral order prevail and all affairs prosper. I see Zhao Pu, military governor of Shannan East Circuit—a founding elder who helped shape the dynasty, stolid and wise. He does not seek favor to preserve his salary, nor indulge private ties to chase reputation. He is a true minister of this court. I hear that the crafty and cunning band together in factions, their voices raised in clamor, hating the upright and reviling the honest—they long to banish such men to distant frontiers to satisfy themselves. Why is this? Because they fear Your Majesty will restore Pu to power. Yet honorable men everywhere wish Your Majesty would restore him to office—to nourish your judgment and strengthen your sage rule. When the state faces great affairs, let him plan them; when the court has great principles, let him uphold them; where your four eyes have not seen, let him make clear; where your four ears have not reached, let him convey it. Appoint men by talent and none will hold office undeserved; guide the ruler by the Way and none will gain favor unworthily. When worthy and unworthy are clearly told apart, jade from common stone, those who parade in factions will lose their swagger, and the crafty flatterers who pull in their own kind will find their path blocked. The obscure and overlooked may rise, eminent scholars and exemplary conduct may shine forth—then why fear that great affairs will not succeed, or that the people will not prosper? Within a month, tranquil order may be achieved. My understanding is shallow and my words blunt. I beg Your Majesty to heed counsel from every quarter and discern the people's wishes. If you appoint him, the state will be greatly fortunate.
24
耤田禮畢，太宗欲相呂蒙正，以其新進，藉普舊德為之表率，冊拜太保兼侍中。 帝謂之曰：「卿國之勳舊，朕所毗倚，古人恥其君不及堯、舜，卿其念哉。」 普頓首謝。
When the plowing rites concluded, Taizong wished to appoint Lü Mengzheng chief minister. Because Lü was newly risen, he drew on Pu's established stature as a model and invested Pu as Grand Preceptor and concurrently Palace Secretariat Director. The Emperor said to him: "You are an old servant of merit on whom I rely. The ancients were shamed if their ruler fell short of Yao and Shun—bear this in mind. Zhao Pu kowtowed in thanks.
25
時樞密副使趙昌言與胡旦、陳象輿、董儼、梁顥厚善。 會旦令翟馬周上封事，排毀時政，普深嫉之，奏流馬周，黜昌言等。 鄭州團練使侯莫陳利用驕肆僭侈，大為不法，普廉得之，盡以條奏，利用坐流商州，普固請誅之。 其嫉惡強直皆此類。
At the time Deputy Director of the Bureau of Military Affairs Zhao Changyan was on close terms with Hu Dan, Chen Xiangyu, Dong Yan, and Liang Hao. When Hu Dan had Zhai Mazhou submit a sealed memorial denouncing current policy, Pu deeply resented it. He memorialized to exile Mazhou and demote Changyan and the others. Hou Mochen Liyong, regimental trainer of Zhengzhou, was arrogant, extravagant, and lawless. Pu investigated and reported every detail; Liyong was exiled to Shangzhou for his crimes, and Pu pressed for his execution. His hatred of the forceful and upright took this form throughout.
26
李繼遷之擾邊，普建議以趙保忠復領夏臺故地，因令圖之。 保忠反與繼遷同謀為邊患，時論歸咎於普，頗為同列所窺，不得專決。
When Li Jiqian troubled the frontier, Pu proposed restoring Zhao Baozhong to his old Xia lands and ordered a plot to that end. Baozhong instead conspired with Jiqian to trouble the frontier. Public opinion blamed Pu, and his colleagues looked on him with suspicion; he could no longer decide affairs alone.
27
舊制，宰相以未時歸第，是歲大熱，特許普夏中至午時歸私第。 明年，免朝謁，止日赴中書視事，有大政則召對。 冬，被疾請告，車駕屢幸其第省之，賜予加等。 普遂稱疾篤，三上表求致仕，上勉從之，以普為西京留守、河南尹，依前守太保兼中書令。 普三表懇讓。 賜手詔曰：「開國舊勳，惟卿一人，不同他等，無至固讓，俟首塗有日，當就第與卿為別。」 普捧詔涕泣，因力疾請對，賜坐移晷，頗言及國家事，上嘉納之。 普將發，車駕幸其第。
By custom, chief ministers returned home at the wei hour; that year was fiercely hot, and Pu was specially permitted to leave for home by noon in midsummer. The next year he was exempted from court audiences, attending the Secretariat daily to transact business; for major affairs he was summoned for private audience. That winter he fell ill and requested leave. The Emperor repeatedly visited his home to inquire after him, granting gifts of extra rank. Pu declared his illness grave and thrice memorialized to retire. The Emperor reluctantly agreed, appointing him Administrator of the Western Capital and Intendant of Henan while retaining his titles of Grand Preceptor and Director of the Secretariat. Pu thrice memorialized earnestly to decline. A personal edict was sent: "Among the founding ministers, you alone stand apart. Do not persist in declining. When the day of your final journey comes, I shall visit your home to bid you farewell. Pu received the edict with streaming tears and, despite his illness, requested audience. Granted a seat until the sundial moved, he spoke at length of state affairs, and the Emperor praised and accepted his counsel. When Pu was about to depart, the Emperor visited his home.
28
淳化三年春，以老衰久病，令留守通判劉昌言奉表求致政，中使馳傳撫問，凡三上表乞骸骨。 拜太師，封魏國公，給宰相奉料，令養疾，俟損日赴闕，仍遣其弟宗正少卿安易齎詔書賜之。 又特遣使賜普詔曰：「卿頃屬微疴，懇求致政，朕以居守之重，慮煩耆耋，維師之命，用表尊賢。 佇聞有瘳，與朕相見。 今賜羊酒如別錄，卿宜愛精神，近醫藥，強飲食，以副朕眷遇之意。」 七月，卒，年七十一。
In spring of the third year of Chunhua, aged and long ill, he had Liu Changyan, acting administrator and vice-prefect, submit a memorial requesting retirement. Imperial emissaries raced by relay to inquire after him. In all he thrice begged to retire. He was invested Grand Preceptor and enfeoffed Duke of Wei, granted a chief minister's salary, and ordered to nurse his illness and come to court when recovered. His younger brother Anyi, Vice-Director of the Court of the Imperial Clan, was dispatched to deliver the edict. A special emissary was again dispatched with an edict for Pu: "You recently fell ill and earnestly sought to retire. Given the weight of my duties, I feared to burden you in your old age. The title of Grand Preceptor was meant to honor your worth. I look forward to your recovery and our meeting again. Now I send sheep and wine as listed separately. Cherish your spirit, keep close to your physicians, eat well—to honor my regard for you. In the seventh month he died, at the age of seventy-one.
29
卒之先一歲，普生日，上遣其子承宗齎器幣、鞍馬就賜之，承宗復命未幾卒。 次歲，普已罷中書令，故事，無生辰之賜，特遣普侄婿左正言、直昭文館張秉賜之禮物。 普聞之，因追悼承宗，秉未至而普疾篤。 先是，普遣親吏甄潛詣上清太平宮致禱，神為降語曰：「趙普，宋朝忠臣，久被病，亦有冤累耳。」 潛還，普力疾冠帶，出中庭受神言，涕泗感咽，是夕卒。
One year before his death, on Pu's birthday the Emperor sent his son Chengzong with ritual gifts, silks, and saddle horses. Chengzong returned to report—and soon after died. The following year Pu had already left the office of Director of the Secretariat; by precedent no birthday gifts were given—but the Emperor specially dispatched Zhang Bing, Pu's nephew-in-law, Left Remonstrator and Academician of the Zhaowen Hall, with birthday gifts. On hearing this, Pu mourned Chengzong again; before Zhang Bing arrived, Pu's illness had turned grave. Earlier Pu had sent his personal clerk Zhen Qian to the Shangqing Taiping Palace to pray. The spirit spoke: "Zhao Pu, loyal minister of the Song, long stricken with illness—and burdened by wrongs as well. When Qian returned, Pu, forcing himself despite his illness, dressed in full regalia and went to the central courtyard to receive the spirit's message, weeping with choked emotion. That evening he died.
30
上聞之震悼。 謂近臣曰：「普事先帝，與朕故舊，能斷大事，嚮與朕嘗有不足，眾所知也。 朕君臨以來，每優禮之，普亦傾竭自效，盡忠國家，真社稷臣也，朕甚惜之。」 因出涕，左右感動。 廢朝五日，為出次發哀。 贈尚書令，追封真定王，賜諡忠獻，上撰神道碑銘，親八分書以賜之。 遣右諫議大夫范杲攝鴻臚卿，護喪事。 賻絹、布各五百匹，米、麫各五百石。 葬日，有司設鹵簿鼓吹如式。 二女皆笄，普妻和氏言願為尼，太宗再三諭之，不能奪。 賜長女名志願，號智果大師； 次女名志英，號智圓大師。
The Emperor was deeply shaken by the news. He told his close ministers: "Pu served the Previous Emperor and was my old friend. He could decide great affairs. It is well known that he and I had our differences in the past. Since my accession I have always honored him, and he has served with every ounce of devotion—a true pillar of the state. I deeply mourn his loss. He wept aloud, and all present were moved. Court was suspended for five days, and the Emperor went out to the mourning pavilion to express his grief. He was posthumously appointed Director of the Department of State Affairs, posthumously enfeoffed King of Zhending, and granted the posthumous name Loyal and Distinguished. The Emperor composed an inscription for his spirit-way stele and personally wrote it in clerical script as a gift. The Emperor dispatched Fan Gao, Right Remonstrating Censor, acting as Director of the Court of State Ceremonial, to oversee the funeral. Funeral gifts were granted: five hundred bolts each of silk and cloth, and five hundred piculs each of rice and flour. On the day of burial, the proper offices arranged the imperial escort and ceremonial music according to regulation. Both daughters had come of age. Pu's wife, Lady He, declared she wished to become a nun. Taizong repeatedly urged her to reconsider but could not dissuade her. The elder daughter was given the name Zhiyuan and the title Great Master Zhiguo; The younger was named Zhiying and titled Great Master Zhiyuan.
31
初，太祖側微，普從之遊，既有天下，普屢以微時所不足者言之。 太祖豁達，謂普曰：「若塵埃中可識天子、宰相，則人皆物色之矣。」 自是不復言。 普少習吏事，寡學術，及為相，太祖常勸以讀書。 晚年手不釋卷，每歸私第，闔戶啟篋取書，讀之竟日。 及次日臨政，處決如流。 既薨，家人發篋視之，則《論語》二十篇也。
In the beginning, when Taizu was still obscure, Pu kept company with him. Once Taizu had the realm, Pu repeatedly spoke of slights from their early days. Taizu was magnanimous. He said to Pu: "If one could pick out the Son of Heaven and chief minister from the dust, everyone would be searching for them. After that Pu never spoke of it again. Pu had trained in clerkly work from youth and had little scholarly learning. Once he became chief minister, Taizu often urged him to read. In his later years he never put down his books. Each time he returned home, he shut his door, opened a chest, took out a book, and read all day. The next day at court he disposed of affairs with effortless fluency. After his death the family opened the chest—they found only the twenty chapters of the Analects.
32
普性深沈有岸谷，雖多忌克，而能以天下事為己任。 宋初，在相位者多齷齪循默，普剛毅果斷，未有其比。 嘗奏薦某人為某官，太祖不用，普明日復奏其人，亦不用，明日，普又以其人奏，太祖怒，碎裂奏牘擲地，普顏色不變，跪而拾之以歸，他日補綴舊紙，復奏如初，太祖乃悟，卒用其人。 又有群臣當遷官，太祖素惡其人，不與，普堅以為請，太祖怒曰：「朕固不為遷官。 卿若之何？」 普曰：「刑以懲惡，賞以酬功，古今通道也。 且刑賞天下之刑賞，非陛下之刑賞，豈得以喜怒專之。」 太祖怒甚，起，普亦隨之。 太祖入宮，普立于宮門，久之不去，竟得俞允。
Pu was deep and reserved, steep as a riverbank—though prone to jealousy, he took the affairs of the realm as his personal charge. In the early Song, most chief ministers were timid and obsequious; Pu alone was firm and decisive—none matched him. Once he recommended a certain man for office; Taizu refused. The next day Pu recommended him again—again refused. The next day Pu recommended him once more. Taizu flew into a rage, tore the memorial to shreds, and threw it to the floor. Pu's expression never changed. He knelt, gathered the pieces, and went home. Later he patched the torn paper and submitted the memorial again unchanged. Taizu at last understood and appointed the man. On another occasion a minister was due for promotion; Taizu had long disliked the man and refused. Pu pressed the matter firmly. Taizu angrily said: "I will not grant this promotion. What can you do about it? Pu said: "Punishment chastises evil and reward repays merit—that is the universal Way from antiquity to the present. Moreover, punishments and rewards belong to the realm, not to Your Majesty alone—how can you wield them purely at the whim of your moods? Taizu flew into a rage and stood up; Pu followed right after him. Taizu went into the palace. Pu stood at the gate and refused to leave. In the end he won his point.
33
太宗入弭德超之讒，疑曹彬不軌，屬普再相，為彬辨雪保證，事狀明白。 太宗歎曰：「朕聽斷不明，幾誤國事。」 即日竄逐德超，遇彬如舊。
When Taizong took the throne he put an end to De Chao's slander and came to suspect Cao Bin of disloyalty. With Pu again as chief minister, Pu spoke in Bin's defense and cleared his name—the facts spoke for themselves. Taizong sighed: "My judgment was clouded—I nearly let state affairs go wrong." That same day he banished De Chao and treated Bin exactly as before.
34
祖吉守郡為姦利，事覺下獄，案劾爰書未具，郊禮將近，太宗疾其貪墨，遣中使諭旨執政曰：「郊赦可特勿貸祖吉。」 普奏曰：「敗官抵罪，宜正刑辟。 然國家卜郊肆類，對越天地，告於神明，奈何以吉而隳陛下赦令哉？」 太宗善其言，乃止。
Zu Ji had profited corruptly while governing a prefecture. When the scheme was uncovered he was thrown in prison, though the case and indictment were not yet complete. With the suburban sacrifice approaching, Taizong, disgusted by his graft, sent a palace envoy to tell the chief ministers: "At the suburban amnesty, make a special exception—do not pardon Zu Ji." Pu memorialized: "An official who betrays his office deserves proper punishment under the law. Yet the state is preparing the suburban sacrifice and grand rites, facing Heaven and Earth and making report to the spirits—how can we let one man's case wreck Your Majesty's amnesty?" Taizong agreed and dropped the matter.
35
真宗咸平初，追封韓王。 二年，詔曰：「故太師贈尚書令、追封韓王趙普，識冠人彝，才高王佐，翊戴興運，光啟鴻圖，雖呂望肆伐之勳，蕭何指縱之效，殆無以過也。 自輔弼兩朝，周旋三紀，茂巖廊之碩望，分屏翰之劇權，正直不回，始終無玷，謀猷可復，風烈如生。 宜預享於大烝，永同休于宗祏，茲為茂典，以答舊勳，其以普配饗太祖廟庭。」
Early in the Xianping era under Zhenzong, Pu was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Han. In the second year an edict declared: "The late Grand Preceptor Zhao Pu, posthumously granted Minister of the Masters of Writing and enfeoffed as Prince of Han, surpassed all others in wisdom and stood among the greatest of royal counselors. He supported the dynasty at its founding and helped open its grand design. The achievements of Lü Wang on campaign and Xiao He in directing strategy scarcely exceed his. He had served two reigns as chief counselor across three decades, filling the halls of state with his stature and bearing the heavy burden of frontier command. Upright and unyielding, he remained unstained from first to last; his counsel can still be read, and his spirit seems alive. Let him share in the great autumn sacrifice and forever partake of blessings in the ancestral temple. This abundant rite honors his old service—let Pu be paired in sacrifice in Taizu's temple courtyard."
36
普子承宗，羽林大將軍，知潭、鄆二州，皆有聲； 承煦，成州團練使。 弟固、安易。 固至都官郎中。
Pu's son Chengzong, a general of the Palace Feathered Forest, governed Tan and Yun prefectures—both with distinction; Chengxu served as military training commissioner of Chengzhou. His younger brothers were Gu and Anyi. Gu rose to the position of director in the Bureau of State Affairs.
37
弟安易
Younger brother: Anyi
38
安易，字季和。 建隆初，攝府州錄事參軍，節度使折德扆言其清幹，遂命即真。 再遷河南府推官。 會普居相位，十年不赴調。 太平興國中，歷華、邢二鎮掌書記。 部芻糧至太原城下，拜監察御史，知興元府； 轉殿中，賜緋魚袋。 先是，兩川民輸稅者以鐵錢易銅錢。 安易言其非便，請許納鐵錢，詔從之。 九年，起拜宗正少卿，知定州。 會以曹璨知州，徙安易為通判，未幾代歸。 又表求外任，命知耀州，留不遣，命按視北邊事。
Anyi, whose style name was Jihe, Early in the Jianlong era he served as acting registrar of Fuzhou. Military Commissioner Zhe Deyi praised his integrity and capability, and he was confirmed in the post. He was twice promoted, ending as investigating officer of Henan Prefecture. While Pu served as chief minister, Anyi went ten years without requesting a new posting. During the Taiping Xingguo era he served in turn as chief secretary at the Hua and Xing garrisons. After delivering fodder to the foot of Taiyuan's walls, he was appointed censor and made prefect of Xingyuan; he was transferred to the palace censorate and granted the red fish pouch of rank. Previously taxpayers in the Two Shu regions had to exchange iron cash for copper cash when paying taxes. Anyi argued that this was impractical and asked that iron cash be accepted instead; the throne agreed. In the ninth year he was raised to vice director of the Court of the Imperial Clan and made prefect of Dingzhou. When Cao Shen was appointed prefect, Anyi was transferred to vice prefect; shortly afterward he was relieved and recalled. He again petitioned for an outside appointment and was assigned to govern Yaozhou, but was kept at court and instead ordered to inspect affairs on the northern frontier.
39
淳化中，嘗建議以蜀地用鐵錢，准銅錢數倍，小民市易頗為不便，請如劉備時令西川鑄大錢，以十當百。 下都省集議，吏部尚書宋琪等言：「劉備時蓋患錢少，因而改作，今安易之請反患錢多，非經久計也。」 而安易論請不已，仍募工鑄大錢百餘進之，極其精好，俄墜殿階皆碎，蓋熔鑠盡其精液矣。 太宗不之詰，猶嘉其用心，賜以金紫，且遣其典鑄。 既而大有虧耗，歲中裁得三千餘緡，眾議喧然，遂罷之，事具《食貨志》。
During the Chunhua era he proposed that because Shu used iron cash at several times the value of copper cash, petty traders found commerce burdensome. He asked that Western Shu, as under Liu Bei, cast large coins valued at ten for one hundred. The proposal went to the Imperial Secretariat for debate. Minister of Personnel Song Qi and others argued: "Under Liu Bei the problem was too little coin—that is why the system was changed. Anyi's proposal would address too much coin. It is no lasting solution." Anyi would not let the matter drop. He hired workers to cast more than a hundred large coins and presented them—they were exquisitely wrought, but when they were dropped on the palace steps they all shattered at once, the alloy having lost whatever fine metal it held. Taizong did not reprimand him. He still praised his dedication, granted him gold and purple rank, and put him in charge of the mint. Before long the project bled money. In a full year it yielded barely three thousand strings. Public outcry grew loud and the scheme was abandoned—the affair is recorded in full in the Treatise on Food and Commodities.
40
歷知襄、廬二州，就遷宗正卿，歸朝，復領卿職。 時屬籍未備，奏請纂錄，咸平初，乃命梁周翰與安易同修。 安易略涉書傳，性強狠，好談世務，而疏闊不可用。 初，太宗嘗問農政，安易請復井田之制。 又以其家本燕薊，多訪以邊事。
He governed Xiang and Lu in turn, was promoted to director of the Court of the Imperial Clan, and after returning to court resumed that office. The imperial clan registers were incomplete. He petitioned for them to be compiled. Early in Xianping, Liang Zhouhan and Anyi were ordered to edit them together. Anyi had only a shallow grasp of the classics. He was fierce and obstinate, loved to hold forth on public affairs, and was too crude and impractical to be of use. Early on Taizong once asked about agricultural policy. Anyi proposed restoring the well-field system. Because his family came from Yan and Ji, Taizong also often consulted him on frontier matters.
41
景德初，禮官詳定明德皇太后靈駕發引，于京師壬地權攢，依禮埋懸重，升祔神主。 安易上言：
Early in the Jingde era ritual officials worked out the funeral procession for Empress Dowager Mingde—that at the temporary encoffinment site at the ren compass point in the capital, the suspended weight would be buried by ritual and her spirit tablet elevated and enshrined in the temple. Anyi submitted a memorial:
42
「《禮》云：『既虞作主』，虞者，已葬設吉祭也。 明未葬則未立虞主及神主。 所以周制但鑿木為懸重，以主神靈。 王后七月而葬，則埋懸重，掩玄堂，凶仗、轀輬車、龍輴之屬焚于柏城訖，始可立虞主。 吉仗還京，備九祭，復埋虞主，然後立神主，升廟室。 自曠古至皇朝，上奉祖宗陵廟行此禮，何以今日乃違典章，苟且升祔，方權攢妄立神主，未大葬輒埋懸重？ 且棺柩未歸園陵，則神靈豈入太廟？ 奈柏城未焚凶仗，則凶穢唐突祖宗。 望約孝章近例，但於壬地權攢，未立神主升祔，凶儀一切祗奉。 俟丙午年靈駕西去園陵，東回祔廟。 如此則免於顛倒，不利國家。」
"The Rites states: 'Once the yu rites are performed, make the main tablet.' Yu refers to the auspicious sacrifice held after burial. This makes clear that before burial neither the yu tablet nor the spirit tablet should be installed. That is why Zhou practice used only a carved wooden suspended weight to hold the spirit. When a queen consort is buried after seven months, they bury the suspended weight and seal the burial chamber. Only after the mourning gear, enclosed hearse, dragon carriage, and the like are burned at Cypress City may the yu tablet be installed. When the funeral procession returns to the capital in state, the nine sacrifices are held, the yu tablet is buried again, and only then is the spirit tablet made and installed in the temple. From remote antiquity through our dynasty, the imperial ancestors' tombs and temples have followed this rite—why violate the canonical regulations today? Why perfunctorily enshrine the tablet, rashly install a spirit tablet at a temporary encoffinment, and bury the suspended weight before the full burial? If the coffin has not yet reached the imperial mausoleum, how can the spirit enter the Grand Temple? And if the mourning gear at Cypress City has not yet been burned, its impurity would offend the imperial ancestors. I ask that we follow the recent precedent of Empress Xiaozhang—temporary encoffinment at the ren site only, no spirit tablet installed or enshrined, and every mourning rite observed scrupulously. Wait until the bingwu year, when the spirit carriage goes west to the mausoleum and returns east for enshrinement in the temple. Only then will we avoid reversing proper order. Otherwise the realm will suffer harm."
43
乃詔有司再加詳定。 判禮院孫何等上言：
The throne ordered the relevant offices to review the matter again. Sun He of the Court of Ritual and others submitted a memorial:
44
「按《晉書》羊太后崩，廢一時之祀，天地明堂，去樂不作。 又按《禮》，王后崩，五祀之祭不行既殯而祭。 所言五祀不行，則天地之祭不廢，遂議以園陵年月不便，須至變禮從宜。 又緣先准禮文，候神主升祔畢，方行享祀。 若俟丙午歲，則三年不祭宗廟，禮文有闕。 況明德皇太后德配先朝，禮合升祔。 遂與史館檢討同共參詳，以為廟未祔則神靈不至，伏恐祭祀難行。 攢既畢則梓宮在郊，可以葬禮比附。 遂按《禮》云『葬者藏也，欲人不得而見也。』 既不欲穿壙動土，則龍輴、攢木、題湊，蒙槨上四柱如屋以覆，盡塗之。 所合埋重，一依近例，便可升祔神主。 安易妄言，以凶仗為凶穢，目群官為顛倒，指梓宮為棺柩，令百司分析園陵，浼瀆聖聽，誣罔臣下。
"The Book of Jin records that when Empress Dowager Yang died, sacrifices were suspended for a time; at the altars of Heaven and Earth and the Bright Hall, music was omitted. The Rites also state that when a queen consort dies, the five seasonal sacrifices cease until after encoffinment, when sacrifices resume. The suspension of the five sacrifices does not mean the rites to Heaven and Earth are abolished. Because the mausoleum schedule was inconvenient, they debated adapting the rites as circumstances required. Prior ritual rulings also required waiting until the spirit tablet was enshrined before regular temple offerings could resume. If we wait until the bingwu year, the ancestral temple would go three years without sacrifice—a breach of ritual propriety. Moreover, Empress Dowager Mingde's virtue matched that of the prior reign—enshrinement is ritually proper. They consulted with Historical Archives reviewers and concluded that without enshrinement the spirit would not be present—sacrifice would be impossible. Once the temporary encoffinment is complete the imperial coffin rests in the suburbs—burial rites can be applied by analogy. The Rites define burial as concealment—keeping the deceased from sight. Since we do not wish to open a tomb and disturb the earth, the dragon hearse, encoffinment frame, inscribed panels, and outer coffin are roofed over with four pillars like a house and sealed with plaster. The suspended weight should be buried according to recent precedent, and the spirit tablet may then be enshrined. Anyi spoke recklessly. He called the mourning gear impure, accused the officials of reversing proper order, treated the imperial coffin as an ordinary coffin, and burdened every office with analyzing the mausoleum schedule—polluting the emperor's attention and deceiving his ministers.
45
安易又云：『昔日睹群官盡公，奉二帝諸后，並先山陵，後祔廟； 今日睹群官顛倒，奉明德皇太后，獨先祔廟，後園陵』者。 今詳當時先山陵後祔廟，正為年月便順，別無陰陽拘忌。 今則年月未便，理合從宜。 未埋重則禮文不備，未升祔則廟祭猶闕，須從變禮，以合聖情。 兼明德皇太后將赴權攢，而安易所稱『柏城未焚凶仗，則凶穢唐突祖宗』，按《檀弓》云：『喪之朝也，順死者之孝心也。』 鄭玄注云：『謂遷柩於廟。』 又云：『其哀離其室也，故至於祖考之廟而後行，商朝而殯于祖，周朝而遂葬。』 今亦遙辭宗廟而後行，豈可以《禮經》所出目為顛倒，吉凶具儀謂之唐突哉？
Anyi also said: 'Before, I saw officials handle things properly: for the two emperors and empresses, the mountain tomb came first and temple enshrinement second; today I see officials reversed: for Empress Dowager Mingde, temple enshrinement comes first and the mausoleum second.' On review, tomb before temple in those cases simply reflected convenient dates—nothing to do with yin-yang taboos. Now the dates are inconvenient—it is right to adapt the rites accordingly. Without burying the suspended weight the rites remain incomplete; without enshrinement temple sacrifice cannot proceed. The rites must be adapted to match the emperor's intent. Moreover, as Empress Dowager Mingde prepares for temporary encoffinment, Anyi's claim that 'unburned mourning gear at Cypress City would impiously offend the ancestors' runs against the Tan Gong: 'The morning procession of mourning follows the deceased's filial devotion.' Zheng Xuan's commentary explains: 'This means moving the coffin to the temple.' It adds: 'Mourners grieve to leave the chamber, so the procession goes first to the ancestral temple—the Shang held morning rites and encoffined at the ancestor; the Zhou held morning rites and proceeded straight to burial.' We too take leave of the ancestral temple before proceeding—how can ritual prescribed in the Canon be called inverted, or a procession with both mourning and honoring rites be called impious?
46
又云：『孝章皇后至道元年崩，亦緣有所嫌避，未赴園陵，出京權攢之時，不立神主入廟。 直至至道三年，西去園陵，禮畢，然後奉虞主還京，易神主祔廟，以合典禮。』 今詳當時文籍，緣孝章為太宗嫂氏，上仙之時，止輟五日視朝，百官不曾成服，與今不同。 從初亦無詔命令住廟享。 今明德皇太后母儀天下，主上孝極曾、顏，況上仙之初，即有遣命權停享祀。 今按禮文，固合如此。 安易荒唐庸昧，妄有援引，以大功之親，比三年之制，欺罔君上，乃至於斯。
They also noted: 'Empress Xiaozhang died in the first year of Zhidao. Because of taboo constraints she had not yet reached the mausoleum. When her coffin left the capital for temporary encoffinment, no spirit tablet was installed in the temple.' Not until the third year of Zhidao, after the western journey to the mausoleum and the completion of rites, was the yu tablet brought back to the capital, the spirit tablet installed, and enshrinement completed—exactly as canonical ritual required.' The records show that because Xiaozhang was Taizong's sister-in-law, when she died only five days of court were suspended and officials never donned full mourning—quite unlike the present case. From the outset no edict had suspended temple offerings either. Empress Dowager Mingde was mother to the realm. The emperor's filial piety equals that of Zengzi and Yan Hui. At her death an edict already suspended temple offerings temporarily. By the ritual texts, this is entirely proper. Anyi is absurd and ignorant, citing precedents at random, comparing a dafu relative to three-year mourning, and deceiving his sovereign to this extent.
47
況安易以訐直自負，所詆者無非良善； 以清要自高，所尚者無非鄙俗。 名宦之志，老而益堅； 詩書之文，懵而不習。 本院所議，並明稱典故，旁考時宜，雖曰從權，粗亦稽古，請依無議施行。」
Anyi prides himself on blunt honesty—yet those he attacks are always the good and upright; he poses as refined and principled—yet what he esteems is always the vulgar. His hunger for rank and office only grew stronger with age; while the classics of Poetry and Documents he barely knew at all. Our deliberations cite canonical precedents and weigh present circumstances. Though we adapt the rites, we have still examined antiquity. We ask that the plan proceed without further debate."
48
從之。 安易又屢言陵廟事，詞多鄙俚。 晚歲進趨不已，時論嗤之。 二年卒，年七十六。 贈工部尚書。 錄其子承慶為國子博士，孫從政為太常寺奉禮郎。
The proposal was adopted. Anyi continued to speak repeatedly on tomb and temple affairs, his language crude and vulgar. In his later years he never stopped angling for promotion, and public opinion scorned him. In the second year he died, at seventy-six. He was posthumously granted the title Minister of Works. His son Chengqing was enrolled as an erudite of the Directorate of Education; his grandson Congzheng as a gentleman for ceremonies in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
49
論曰：自古創業之君，其居潛舊臣，定策佐命，樹事建功，一代有一代之才，未嘗乏也。 求其始終一心，休戚同體，貴為國卿，親若家相，若宋太祖之于趙普，可謂難矣。 陳橋之事，人謂普及太宗先知其謀，理勢或然。 事定之後，普以一樞密直學士立于新朝數年，范、王、魏三人罷相，始繼其位，太祖不亟于酬功，普不亟於得政。 及其當揆，獻可替否，惟義之從，未嘗以勳舊自伐。 偃武而修文，慎罰而薄斂，三百餘年之宏規，若平昔素定，一旦舉而措之。 太原、幽州之役，終身以輕動為戒，後皆如其言。 家人見其斷國大議，閉門觀書，取決方冊，他日竊視，乃《魯論》耳。 昔傅說告商高宗曰：「學於古訓乃有獲，事不師古，以克永世，匪說攸聞。」 普為謀國元臣，乃能矜式往哲，蓍龜聖模，宋之為治，氣象醇正，茲豈無助乎。 晚年廷美、多遜之獄，大為太宗盛德之累，而普與有力焉。 豈其學力之有限而猶有患失之心歟？ 君子惜之。
The commentator writes: Founding emperors and the veteran ministers who served them before the throne, who shaped policy and helped secure the mandate, who built institutions and won achievements—in every age such talent has appeared; it has never been absent. To find one who served with a single heart from first to last, who shared triumph and trouble as one body, who was honored as a state minister yet trusted like a household counselor—as Taizu did with Zhao Pu—that is rare indeed. Of the Chen Bridge coup, many said both Pu and Taizong knew the plan in advance—a plausible reading of the logic and momentum. After the coup Pu served for years as a direct academy scholar of the Bureau of Military Affairs while Fan, Wang, and Wei in turn left the chief ministership—only then did he succeed them. Taizu did not rush to reward him; Pu did not rush to seize power. Once he became chief minister, he offered assent and dissent alike, following righteousness alone. He never traded on his founding merit. He laid down arms and cultivated culture, kept punishments sparing and taxes light—the grand design that would sustain the dynasty for three centuries seemed already settled in his mind, ready to enact at once. After the Taiyuan and Youzhou campaigns he spent his life warning against rash military action—and later events proved him right. His family watched him decide weighty affairs of state, then shut his door to read for guidance from his books—one day they peeked and found only the Analects. Fu Yue once told King Gaozong of Shang: "Only by learning from the ancients can one gain wisdom. To govern for generations without heeding the past—of that I know nothing." As the dynasty's founding strategist, Pu took the ancient sages as his model and divined the pattern of sage rule. The pure, upright cast of Song governance—surely he helped shape that. In his later years the cases of Tingmei and Duoxun became a stain on Taizong's otherwise luminous reign—and Pu bore no small part in them. Was his learning too shallow, and did fear of losing what he had still move him? Men of judgment lament it.