Volume 258 Biographies 17: Cao Bin, Pan Mei, Li Chao

曹彬，字國華，真定靈壽人。父芸，成德軍節度都知兵馬使。彬始生周歲，父母以百玩之具羅于席，觀其所取。彬左手持干戈，右手持俎豆，斯須取一印，他無所視，人皆異之。及長，氣質淳厚。漢乾祐中，為成德軍牙將。節帥武行德見其端懿，指謂左右曰：「此遠大器，非常流也。」周太祖貴妃張氏，彬從母也。周祖受禪，召彬歸京師。隸世宗帳下，從鎮澶淵，補供奉官，擢河中都監。蒲帥王仁鎬以彬帝戚，尤加禮遇。彬執禮益恭，公府讌集，端簡終日，未嘗旁視。仁鎬謂從事曰：「老夫自謂夙夜匪懈，及見監軍矜嚴，始覺己之散率也。」

Cao Bin, styled Guohua, was a native of Lingshou in Zhending. His father Yun served as overall military commander of the Chengde Army under its military governor. When Bin was one year old, his parents laid out a hundred toys on a mat to see which he would choose. Bin grasped weapons in his left hand and ritual vessels in his right; in a moment he picked up a seal and paid no attention to anything else, and everyone marveled at it. When he grew up, his character was plain and steadfast. During the Qianyou reign of the Later Han, he served as a junior officer in the Chengde Army. The military governor Wu Xingde saw his dignified bearing and, pointing him out to his attendants, said, "This boy is destined for great things — he is no ordinary man." Imperial Consort Zhang, consort of the Zhou founder, was Bin's maternal aunt. When the Zhou founder took the throne, he summoned Bin to the capital. He entered Emperor Shizong's personal staff, followed him to garrison Chanzhou, was appointed a palace attendant, and was promoted to director of the Zhongdu garrison. Wang Renhou, military governor of Pu, treated Bin with special courtesy because he was related to the imperial house. Bin was even more deferential in his conduct; at banquets in the governor's residence he sat upright and restrained all day long, never glancing to either side. Renhou said to his staff, "I thought myself diligent day and night, but after seeing the supervisory commissioner so stern and disciplined, I realize how lax I have been."

顯德三年，改潼關監軍，遷西上閣門使。五年，使吳越，致命訖即還。私覿之禮，一無所受。吳越人以輕舟追遺之，至於數四，彬猶不受。既而曰：「吾終拒之，是近名也。」遂受而籍之以歸，悉上送官。世宗強還之，彬始拜賜，悉以分遺親舊而不留一錢。出為晉州兵馬都監。一日，與主帥暨賓從環坐於野，會鄰道守將走價馳書來詣，使者素不識彬，潛問人曰：「孰為曹監軍？」有指彬以示之，使人以為紿己，笑曰：「豈有國戚近臣，而衣弋綈袍、坐素胡床者乎？」審視之方信。遷引進使。

In the third year of Xiande he was made supervisory commissioner at Tong Pass and promoted to Upper West Gate Commissioner. In the fifth year he was dispatched as envoy to Wuyue and returned immediately after delivering his charge. He accepted none of the private gifts offered on the side. The people of Wuyue chased after him in light boats to press gifts on him, doing so again and again, yet Bin still refused. Then he said, "If I keep refusing forever, that would be courting a reputation for virtue." So he accepted them, recorded them, and brought them back, then presented them all to the court. Emperor Shizong insisted on returning them to him; Bin then bowed to accept the gift and distributed it all among relatives and friends, keeping not a single coin. He was sent out to serve as overall military commissioner of Jinzhou. One day he sat in a circle in the open country with the commanding general and his attendants when a neighboring circuit's defending general sent a messenger racing with a letter; the envoy did not know Bin and quietly asked someone, "Which one is Supervisory Commissioner Cao?" Someone pointed Bin out to him; the messenger thought he was being deceived and laughed, "How could an imperial kinsman and close courtier wear a plain hemp robe and sit on an unadorned folding stool?" Only after looking closely did he believe it. He was promoted to Commissioner for Introducing Envoys.

初，太祖典禁旅，彬中立不倚，非公事未嘗造門，群居讌會，亦所罕預，由是器重焉。建隆二年，自平陽召歸，謂曰：「我疇昔常欲親汝，汝何故疏我？」彬頓首謝曰：「臣為周室近親，復忝內職，靖恭守位，猶恐獲過，安敢妄有交結？」遷客省使，與王全斌、郭進領騎兵攻河東平樂縣，降其將王超、侯霸榮等千八百人，俘獲千餘人。既而賊將蔚進率兵來援，三戰皆敗之。遂建平樂為平晉軍。乾德初，改左神武將軍。時初克遼州，河東召契丹兵六萬騎來攻平晉，彬與李繼勳等大敗之於城下。俄兼樞密承旨。

Earlier, when Taizu commanded the palace guard, Bin held himself aloof and impartial; except on official business he never visited anyone's door, and he seldom took part in group banquets — for this Taizu came to esteem him. In the second year of Jianlong, summoned back from Pingyang, the emperor said to him, "Long ago I often wanted to be close to you — why did you keep your distance from me?" Bin prostrated himself and replied, "Your servant is a close kinsman of the Zhou house and also holds an inner-court post; I kept my place with respectful vigilance, fearing even the slightest fault — how could I dare form improper connections?" He was transferred to Commissioner of the Bureau of Receptions; with Wang Quanbin and Guo Jin he led cavalry to attack Pingle County in Hedong, accepting the surrender of generals Wang Chao, Hou Barong, and more than eighteen hundred others and capturing over a thousand more. Then the rebel general Wei Jin came with reinforcements, and they defeated him in three engagements. They then established Pingle as the Pingjin Army. At the beginning of Qiande, he was made General of the Left Divine Martial Guard. When Liaozhou had just been taken, Hedong summoned sixty thousand Khitan cavalry to attack Pingjin; Bin, Li Jixun, and the others routed them below the city walls. Shortly afterward he was also appointed Grand Coordinator of the Bureau of Military Affairs.

二年冬，伐蜀，詔以劉光毅為歸州行營前軍副部署，彬為都監。峽中郡縣悉下，諸將咸欲屠城以逞其欲，彬獨申令戢下，所至悅服。上聞，降詔褒之。兩川平，全斌等晝夜宴飲，不恤軍士，部下漁奪無已，蜀人苦之。彬屢請旋師，全斌等不從。俄而全師雄等構亂，擁眾十萬，彬復與光毅破之於新繁，卒平蜀亂。時諸將多取子女玉帛，彬橐中唯圖書、衣衾而已。及還，上盡得其狀，以全斌等屬吏。謂彬清介廉謹，授宣徽南院使、義成軍節度使。彬入見，辭曰：「征西將士俱得罪，臣獨受賞，恐無以示勸。」上曰：「卿有茂功，又不矜伐，設有微累，仁贍等豈惜言哉？懲勸國之常典，可無讓。」

In the winter of the second year, when an expedition against Shu was ordered, Liu Guangyi was appointed deputy forward commander of the Guizhou field camp and Bin was made overall supervisory commissioner. When the commanderies and counties in the gorges had all fallen, the generals all wanted to sack towns to satisfy their desires; Bin alone issued orders restraining his troops, and wherever they went the people submitted willingly. When the emperor heard of this, he issued an edict praising him. After the Two Rivers were pacified, Quanbin and the others feasted day and night and neglected the soldiers; their subordinates plundered without end, and the people of Shu suffered greatly. Bin repeatedly asked to withdraw the army, but Quanbin and the others would not agree. Soon Quan Shixiong and others stirred up rebellion and gathered a force of a hundred thousand; Bin again defeated them with Guangyi at Xinfan and finally put down the Shu rebellion. At that time most of the generals took women, jade, and silk; in Bin's pack there were only books and bedding. When they returned, the emperor learned the full situation and turned Quanbin and the others over to the judicial officials. Declaring Bin upright, incorruptible, and prudent, the emperor appointed him Commissioner of the Southern Court of the Palace Secretariat and military governor of Yicheng. When Bin came to audience he declined, saying, "The officers of the western expedition have all been punished; if your servant alone receives reward, I fear there will be no example to encourage others." The emperor said, "You have great merit and do not boast of it; even if there were some minor fault, would Renzan and the others spare words? Punishment and reward are the normal way of the state — you need not demur."

六年，遣李繼勳、党進率師征太原，命為前軍都監，戰洞渦河，斬二千餘級，俘獲甚眾。開寶二年，議親征太原，復命為前軍都監，率兵先往，次團柏谷，降賊將陳廷山。又戰城南，薄於濠橋，奪馬千餘。及太祖至，則已分砦四面，而自主其北。六年，進檢校太傅。

In the sixth year Li Jixun and Dang Jin were sent to lead troops against Taiyuan; Bin was appointed forward-army supervisory commissioner; at the Dongtuo River they beheaded more than two thousand and captured a great many. In the second year of Kaibao, when a personal expedition against Taiyuan was discussed, he was again appointed forward-army supervisory commissioner; he led troops ahead, halted at Tuanbai Valley, and accepted the surrender of the rebel general Chen Tingshan. They fought again south of the city, pressed up to the moat bridge, and seized more than a thousand horses. When Taizu arrived, camps had already been laid out on four sides, and Bin himself held the northern position. In the sixth year he was promoted to Honorary Grand Preceptor.

七年，將伐江南。九月，彬奉詔與李漢瓊、田欽祚先赴荊南發戰艦，潘美帥步兵繼進。十月，詔以彬為升州西南路行營馬步軍戰棹都部署，分兵由荊南順流而東，破峽口砦，進克池州，連克當塗、蕪湖二縣，駐軍採石磯。十一月，作浮梁，跨大江以濟師。十二月，大破其軍於白鷺洲。

In the seventh year they prepared to campaign against Jiangnan. In the ninth month Bin received orders with Li Hanqiong and Tian Qinzuo to go first to Jingnan to launch the warships, while Pan Mei led the infantry in support. In the tenth month an edict appointed Bin overall commander of cavalry, infantry, and war vessels for the southwest route to Shengzhou; dividing his forces, he went east from Jingnan downstream, took the Xikou fort, captured Chizhou, then in succession took Dangtu and Wuhu, and encamped at Caishiji. In the eleventh month they built a floating bridge across the great river to ferry the army across. In the twelfth month they routed the enemy army at Bailuzhou.

八年正月，又破其軍于新林港。二月，師進次秦淮，江南水陸十餘萬陳於城下，大敗之，俘斬數萬計。及浮梁成，吳人出兵來禦，破之於白鷺洲。自三月至八月，連破之，進克潤州。金陵受圍，至是凡三時，吳人樵采路絕，頻經敗衄，李煜危急，遣其臣徐鉉奉表詣闕，乞緩師，上不之省。先是，大軍列三砦，美居守北偏，圖其形勢來上。太祖指北砦謂使者曰：「吳人必夜出兵來寇，爾亟去，令曹彬速成深溝以自固，無墮其計中。」既成，吳兵果夜來襲，美率所部依新溝拒之，吳人大敗。奏至，上笑曰：「果如此。」

In the first month of the eighth year they again defeated the enemy army at Xinlingang. In the second month the army advanced to the Qinhuai; more than a hundred thousand Jiangnan land and river forces were drawn up below the city, and they were crushingly defeated, with tens of thousands captured or slain. When the floating bridge was finished, Wu forces came out to resist, and they were defeated again at Bailuzhou. From the third month to the eighth month they kept defeating the enemy and advanced to capture Runzhou. Jinling had been under siege for three seasons by then; the Wu people's routes for firewood and foraging were cut off, they suffered defeat after defeat, Li Yu was in desperate straits, and he sent his minister Xu Xuan with a memorial to court begging a respite — the emperor paid no heed. Earlier the main army had set up three camps; Mei held the northern flank and sent up a map of the terrain. Taizu pointed at the northern camp and told the envoy, "The Wu will surely send troops by night to raid; go back quickly and tell Cao Bin to finish deep ditches at once for defense — do not fall into their trap." When it was done, Wu troops did come by night; Mei led his troops and, relying on the new ditch, repulsed them, and the Wu were heavily defeated. When the memorial arrived, the emperor laughed and said, "It turned out exactly so."

長圍中，彬每緩師，冀煜歸服。十一月，彬又使人諭之曰：「事勢如此，所惜者一城生聚，若能歸命，策之上也。」城垂克，彬忽稱疾不視事，諸將皆來問疾。彬曰：「余之疾非藥石所能愈，惟須諸公誠心自誓，以克城之日，不妄殺一人，則自愈矣。」諸將許諾，共焚香為誓。明日，稍愈。又明日，城陷。煜與其臣百餘人詣軍門請罪，彬慰安之，待以賓禮，請煜入宮治裝，彬以數騎待宮門外。左右密謂彬曰：「煜入或不測，奈何？」彬笑曰：「煜素愞無斷，既已降，必不能自引決。」煜之君臣，卒賴保全。自出師至凱旋，士眾畏服，無輕肆者。及入見，刺稱「奉敕江南幹事回」，其謙恭不伐如此。

During the long siege Bin repeatedly slowed operations, hoping Li Yu would submit of his own accord. In the eleventh month Bin again sent someone to instruct him, "The situation being what it is, what is at stake is the lives of everyone in one city; if you can surrender, that is the best course." As the city was about to fall, Bin suddenly claimed illness and would not attend to affairs; all the generals came to inquire after his health. Bin said, "My illness is not something medicine can cure — only if you gentlemen swear sincerely that on the day the city is taken you will not kill anyone wantonly will I recover." The generals promised and together burned incense to swear an oath. The next day he was somewhat better. The day after that the city fell. Li Yu came with more than a hundred ministers to the camp gate to ask punishment; Bin comforted them and received them with the courtesy due guests, asked Li Yu to enter the palace to pack his belongings, and waited with a few horsemen outside the palace gate. Those beside him whispered to Bin, "If Li Yu enters the palace, there may be unforeseen danger — what then?" Bin smiled and said, "Li Yu has always been weak and indecisive; having already surrendered, he surely cannot bring himself to take his own life." Li Yu and his ministers were finally preserved thanks to this. From the start of the expedition to triumphant return, the soldiers feared and respected him, and none were insolent. When he entered audience he briefly styled himself "returned from conducting affairs in Jiangnan on imperial order" — such was his humility and refusal to boast.

初，彬之總師也，太祖謂曰：「俟克李煜，當以卿為使相。」副帥潘美預以為賀。彬曰：「不然，夫是行也，仗天威，遵廟謨，乃能成事，吾何功哉，況使相極品乎！」美曰：「何謂也？」彬曰：「太原未平爾。」及還，獻俘。上謂曰：「本授卿使相，然劉繼元未下，姑少待之。」既聞此語，美竊視彬微笑。上覺，遽詰所以，美不敢隱，遂以實對。上亦大笑，乃賜彬錢二十萬。彬退曰：「人生何必使相，好官亦不過多得錢爾。」未幾，拜樞密使、檢校太尉、忠武軍節度使。

When Bin first took overall command, Taizu told him, "When Li Yu is taken, I shall make you a commissioner-grandee." Deputy commander Pan Mei prepared congratulations in advance. Bin said, "Not so. This campaign relied on Heaven's majesty and followed the plan laid down in the ancestral temple — only thus could it succeed; what merit have I? And the highest rank of commissioner-grandee besides!" Mei said, "What do you mean?" Bin said, "Taiyuan has not yet been pacified, that's all." When they returned they presented the captives. The emperor said to him, "I was going to appoint you commissioner-grandee, but since Liu Jiyuan has not yet fallen, wait a little." Hearing this, Mei stole a glance at Bin and smiled. The emperor noticed, immediately questioned why, and Mei dared not hide it and answered truthfully. The emperor also laughed heartily and then granted Bin two hundred thousand cash. Bin withdrew saying, "What need is there in life for commissioner-grandee rank? A good office is nothing but getting more money, that's all." Before long he was appointed Bureau Chief, Honorary Grand Commandant, and military governor of Zhongwu.

雍熙三年，詔彬將幽州行營前軍馬步水陸之師，與潘美等北伐，分路進討。三月，敗契丹于固安，破涿州，戎人來援，大破之于城南。四月，又與米信破契丹於新城，斬首二百級。五月，戰于岐溝關，諸軍敗績，退屯易州，臨易水而營。上聞，亟令分屯邊城，追諸將歸闕。

In the third year of Yongxi an edict ordered Bin to command the forward army's cavalry, infantry, and river-sea forces of the Youzhou field camp; with Pan Mei and others he marched north, advancing by separate routes. In the third month they defeated the Khitans at Gu'an and took Zhuozhou; when barbarian reinforcements came they heavily defeated them south of the city. In the fourth month, together with Mi Xin, they again defeated the Khitans at Xincheng and beheaded two hundred. In the fifth month they fought at Qigou Pass; the armies suffered defeat and withdrew to encamp at Yizhou on the Yi River. When the emperor heard, he urgently ordered them to garrison the border towns separately and recalled the generals to court.

先是，賀令圖等言於上曰：「契丹主少，母后專政，寵倖用事，請乘其釁，以取幽薊。」遂遣彬與崔彥進、米信自雄州，田重進趣飛狐，潘美出雁門，約期齊舉。將發，上謂之曰：「潘美之師但先趣雲、應，卿等以十萬眾聲言取幽州，且持重緩行，不得貪利。彼聞大兵至，必悉眾救范陽，不暇援山後矣。」既而，美之師先下寰、朔、雲、應等州，重進又取飛狐、靈丘、蔚州，多得山後要害地，彬亦連下州縣，勢大振。每奏至，上已訝彬進軍之速。及彬次涿州，旬日食盡，因退師雄州以援餉饋。上聞之曰：「豈有敵人在前，反退軍以援芻粟，失策之甚也。」亟遣使止彬勿前，急引師緣白溝河與米信軍會，案兵養銳，以張西師之勢；俟美等盡略山後地，會重進之師而東，合勢以取幽州。時彬部下諸將，聞美及重進累建功，而已握重兵不能有所攻取，謀議蜂起。彬不得已，乃復裹糧再往攻涿州。契丹大眾當前，時方炎暑，軍士乏困，糧且盡，彬退軍，無復行伍，遂為所躡而敗。

Earlier He Lingtu and others had told the emperor, "The Khitan ruler is young; the empress dowager holds power and favorites govern affairs — please seize this opening to take You and Ji." Bin was then sent with Cui Yanjin and Mi Xin from Xiongzhou, Tian Chongjin toward Feihu, and Pan Mei out from Yanmen, with a fixed date to advance together. Before departure the emperor told them, "Pan Mei's force need only press Yun and Ying first; you with a hundred thousand men proclaim that you will take Youzhou and march slowly and with weight — do not grasp after quick profit. When they hear the great army is coming they will surely muster all their forces to save Fanyang and have no time to aid the lands behind the mountains." Afterward Mei's troops first took Huan, Shuo, Yun, Ying, and other prefectures; Chongjin also took Feihu, Lingqiu, and Weizhou, securing many key positions behind the mountains; Bin also took prefectures and counties in succession, and their momentum greatly rose. Each time a memorial arrived, the emperor was already surprised at how quickly Bin was advancing. When Bin halted at Zhuozhou, their provisions were exhausted within ten days, so he withdrew the army to Xiongzhou to secure supplies. When the emperor heard this he said, "How can there be an enemy in front and yet the army withdraws to fetch fodder and grain — this is a grave error in strategy." He urgently sent envoys to stop Bin from advancing further and ordered him to lead his troops quickly along the Baigou River to join Mi Xin's army, hold his forces and restore their edge, and thereby display the strength of the western army. He was to wait until Mei and the others had fully overrun the lands behind the mountains, then join Chongjin's army and march east, combining their strength to take Youzhou. At that time Bin's subordinate generals, hearing that Mei and Chongjin had repeatedly won merit while they themselves held heavy forces yet could achieve no capture, raised plans and objections in swarms. Bin, having no choice, again packed provisions and went once more to attack Zhuozhou. A great Khitan host stood before them; it was the height of summer heat, the soldiers were exhausted, and provisions were nearly gone; Bin withdrew, his army no longer in formation, and was pursued and defeated.

咸平二年，被疾。上趣駕臨問，手為和藥，仍賜白金萬兩。問以後事，對曰：「臣無事可言。臣二子材器可取，臣若內舉，皆堪為將。」上問其優劣，對曰：「璨不如瑋。」六月薨，年六十九。上臨哭之慟，對輔臣語及彬，必流涕。贈中書令，追封濟陽郡王，諡武惠；且贈其妻高氏韓國夫人；官其親族、門客、親校十餘人。八月，詔彬與趙普配饗太祖廟庭。

In the second year of Xianping he fell ill. The emperor hastened in person to inquire after him, mixed medicine with his own hands, and also granted ten thousand taels of white silver. Asked about affairs after his death, he replied, "Your servant has nothing to say. Your servant's two sons have ability worth taking; if your servant recommends from within the family, both are fit to be generals." The emperor asked which was superior; he replied, "Can is not the equal of Wei." In the sixth month he died, aged sixty-nine. The emperor came in person to mourn him bitterly; whenever he spoke of Bin to his chief ministers, he would shed tears. He was posthumously made Director of the Secretariat, posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Jiyang, with the posthumous title Wuhui. His wife, née Gao, was also granted the title Lady of Han. More than ten of his kinsmen, retainers, and personal guards were given official posts. In the eighth month an edict ordered Bin and Zhao Pu to share sacrificial honors in the court of Taizu's temple.

彬性仁敬和厚，在朝廷未嘗忤旨，亦未嘗言人過失。伐二國，秋毫無所取。位兼將相，不以等威自異。遇士夫於途，必引車避之。不名下吏，每白事，必冠而後見。居官奉入給宗族，無餘積。平蜀回，太祖從容問官吏善否，對曰：「軍政之外，非臣所聞也。」固問之，唯薦隨軍轉運使沈倫廉謹可任。為帥知徐州日，有吏犯罪，既具案，逾年而後杖之，人莫知其故。彬曰：「吾聞此人新娶婦，若杖之，其舅姑必以婦為不利，而朝夕笞詈之，使不能自存。吾故緩其事，然法亦未嘗屈焉。」北征之失律也，趙昌言表請行軍法。及昌言自延安還，被劾，不得入見。彬在右府，為請於上，乃許朝謁。

Bin's nature was benevolent, respectful, harmonious, and sincere; at court he never defied the imperial will, nor did he ever speak of others' faults. In campaigns against two states he took not the slightest thing. Though his rank combined general and minister, he did not set himself apart by rank and dignity. When he met scholars on the road he always pulled his carriage aside to yield. He did not summon subordinates by name; whenever they reported business he always put on his cap before receiving them. His official salary went to support his clan, and he kept no surplus. After the pacification of Shu, Taizu casually asked whether the officials were good or bad; he replied, "Apart from military affairs, that is not something your servant has heard of." Pressed further, he recommended only the army transport commissioner Shen Lun as upright and prudent and fit for office. When he was commander and prefect of Xuzhou, a clerk committed a crime; after the case was complete, more than a year passed before he was flogged, and no one knew why. Bin said, "I heard this man had just married; if he were flogged, his parents-in-law would surely blame the wife for misfortune and beat and revile her day and night until she could not survive. I therefore delayed the matter, yet the law was never bent." When Bin violated military discipline on the northern expedition, Zhao Changyan submitted a memorial requesting that military law be applied. When Changyan returned from Yan'an he was impeached and not permitted to enter audience. Bin, in the Bureau of Military Affairs, pleaded for him before the emperor, and audience was then permitted.

子璨、珝、瑋、玹、玘、珣、琮。珝娶秦王女興平郡主，至昭宣使。玹左藏庫副使，玘尚書虞部員外郎，珣東上閣門使，琮西上閣門副使。玘之女，即慈聖光獻皇后也。芸，累贈魏王。彬，韓王。玘，吳王，諡曰安僖。玘之子佾、傅。佾見《外戚傳》。傅，后兄也，榮州刺史，諡恭懷。

His sons were Can, Xu, Wei, Xuan, Qi, Xun, and Cong. Xu married the Princess of Xingping, daughter of the Prince of Qin, and rose to Commissioner of the Palace Secretariat. Xuan was Deputy Commissioner of the Left Treasury; Qi was Outer Gentleman of the Ministry of Works; Xun was Upper East Gate Commissioner; Cong was Deputy Upper West Gate Commissioner. Qi's daughter was none other than Empress Cisheng Guangxian. Yun was repeatedly posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Wei. Bin was Prince of Han. Qi was Prince of Wu, with the posthumous title Anxi. Qi's sons were Yi and Fu. Yi is treated in the Biographies of Imperial Affines. Fu, the empress's elder brother, was Prefect of Rongzhou, with the posthumous title Gonghuai.

子璨

Son: Can

璨，字韜光，性沉毅，善射，以蔭補供奉官。常從彬征討，得與計議，彬以為類己，特鍾愛焉。

Can, styled Taoguang, was by nature steady and resolute, skilled in archery, and entered office by hereditary privilege as a palace attendant. He often followed Bin on campaigns and was allowed to join in planning; Bin thought him like himself and favored him especially.

遷宮苑副使，出為高陽關及鎮、魏、並、代、趙五州都監。雍熙中，命知定州，改尚食使。淳化二年，領富州刺史，徙知代州。明年，擢為鎮州行營鈐轄，徙綏、銀、夏、麟、府等州鈐轄。契丹入寇，屢戰有功。諸將多欲窮追，璨慮有伏，力止之。至道初，遷四方館使、知靈州，徙河西鈐轄，改引進使。范廷召將兵出塞，命璨為之副。丁外艱，起復，為鄜延路副都部署，拜趙州刺史，領武州團練使，充麟、府、濁輪副部署。出蕃兵邀繼遷，俘馘甚眾。入為樞密都承旨，改領亳州團練使。

He was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of the Palace Parks and sent out as overall commissioner of Gaoyang Pass and the five prefectures of Zhen, Wei, Bing, Dai, and Zhao. During Yongxi he was ordered to govern Dingzhou and was transferred to Commissioner of Imperial Food. In the second year of Chunhua he was given charge of Fuzhou and was transferred to govern Daizhou. The next year he was promoted to Controller of the Zhenzhou field camp and transferred to controller of Sui, Yin, Xia, Lin, and Fu prefectures. When the Khitans invaded he fought repeatedly with merit. Most generals wished to pursue to the end; Can, fearing an ambush, strongly stopped them. At the beginning of Zhidao he was transferred to Commissioner of the Four Directions Hall and governor of Lingzhou, moved to controller of Hexi, and changed to Commissioner for Introducing Envoys. Fan Tingzhao led troops beyond the frontier; Can was appointed his deputy. When his father died he was recalled from mourning; he became Deputy Overall Commander of the Fuyan circuit, was appointed Prefect of Zhao, given charge of Wuzhou as regimental commissioner, and made deputy commander of Lin, Fu, and Zhuolun. He led barbarian troops to intercept Jiqian and captured and beheaded a great many. He entered court as Grand Coordinator of the Bureau of Military Affairs and was transferred to regimental commissioner of Bozhou.

契丹入寇，命為鎮、定、高陽關三路行營都鈐轄，領康州防禦使，再知定州。明年冬，拜侍衛馬軍副都指揮使、天德軍節度。入為東京舊城都巡檢使，連拜彰國、保靜、武甯、忠武等軍節度使。在禁衛十餘年，未嘗忤旨。天禧三年春，以足疾授河陽節度使、同平章事。卒，年七十，贈中書令，諡武懿。

When the Khitans invaded he was appointed Overall Controller of the three-route field camp of Zhen, Ding, and Gaoyang Pass, given charge of Kangzhou as defense commissioner, and again made governor of Dingzhou. The next winter he was appointed Deputy Commander of the Palace Cavalry Guard and military governor of the Tiande Army. He entered court as Overall Inspector of the Old City of the Eastern Capital and in succession was appointed military governor of the Zhangguo, Baojing, Wuning, and Zhongwu armies. He served in the palace guard for more than ten years and never defied the imperial will. In the spring of the third year of Tianxi, because of illness in his feet he was made military governor of Heyang and Concurrent Grand Counselor. He died, aged seventy, and was posthumously made Director of the Secretariat with the posthumous title Wuyi.

璨起貴胄，以孝謹稱，能自奮厲，以世其家。習知韜略，好讀《左氏春秋》，善撫士卒，兼著威愛。雖輕財不逮其父，而敬人和厚，亦有父風。子儀，官至耀州觀察使。

Can rose from noble birth, was known for filial piety and prudence, and was able to exert himself and carry on the family tradition. He was versed in strategy, loved to read the Zuo Commentary to the Spring and Autumn Annals, was skilled at comforting soldiers, and combined authority with kindness. Though he was less indifferent to wealth than his father, he was respectful toward others and generous, and also had his father's manner. His son Yi rose to the post of Observation Commissioner of Yaozhou.

子瑋

Son: Wei

瑋，字寶臣。父彬，曆武甯、天平軍節度使，皆以瑋為牙內都虞候，補西頭供奉官、閣門祗候。沉勇有謀，喜讀書，通《春秋三傳》，于《左氏》尤深。李繼遷叛，諸將數出無功，太宗問彬：「誰可將者？」彬曰：「臣少子瑋可任。」即召見，以本官同知渭州，時年十九。

Wei, styled Baochen. His father Bin, while serving successively as military governor of Wuning and Tianping, always made Wei Inner Staff Chief Commandant; he entered office as Western Head Palace Attendant and Gate Usher. He was deep, brave, and resourceful, loved to read, mastered the Three Commentaries to the Spring and Autumn Annals, and was especially profound in the Zuo Commentary. When Li Jiqian rebelled the generals went out several times without success; Taizong asked Bin, "Who can command?" Bin said, "Your servant's youngest son Wei is fit for the task." He was summoned at once and, retaining his original rank, was made co-governor of Weizhou; he was then nineteen.

真宗即位，改內殿崇班、知渭州。馭軍嚴明有部分，賞罰立決，犯令者無所貸。善用間，周知虜動靜，舉措如老將。彬卒，請持喪，不允，改閣門通事舍人。遷西上閣門副使，徙知鎮戎軍。李繼遷虐用其國人，瑋知其下多怨，即移書諸部，諭以朝廷恩信，撫養無所間，以動諸羌。由是康奴等族請內附。繼遷略西蕃還，瑋邀擊于石門川，俘獲甚眾。以鎮戎軍據平地，便於騎戰，非中國之利，請自隴山以東，循古長城塹以為限。又以弓箭手皆土人，習障塞蹊隧，曉羌語，耐塞苦，官未嘗與兵械資糧，而每戰輒使先拒賊，恐無以責死力，遂給以境內閒田。春秋耕斂，州為出兵護作，而蠲其租。

When Zhenzong acceded he was changed to Inner Hall Honored Guard and made governor of Weizhou. He commanded the army with strict clarity and order; rewards and punishments were decided on the spot, and violators were never spared. He was skilled in using spies, fully knew the enemy's movements, and acted like a veteran general. When Bin died he asked to observe mourning but was not permitted; he was transferred to Gate Affairs Attendant. He was promoted to Deputy Upper West Gate Commissioner and transferred to govern Zhenrong Army. Li Jiqian cruelly exploited his own people; Wei knew his subjects were full of resentment and at once sent letters to the various tribes, instructing them in the court's favor and trust and that they would be cared for without discrimination, so as to move the Qiang peoples. Thereupon the Kangnu and other tribes requested to submit inward. When Jiqian returned from raiding the western barbarians, Wei intercepted him at Shimen River and captured a great many. Because Zhenrong Army stood on level ground favorable to cavalry combat and not to China's advantage, he requested that from east of Longshan the ancient Great Wall trench be followed as the boundary. He also argued that the archers were all local men, skilled in frontier passes and paths, knowing Qiang speech and enduring frontier hardship, yet the state had never supplied them with weapons or provisions and in every battle made them face the enemy first — fearing there was no way to demand their utmost loyalty, he therefore granted them idle land within the district. In spring and autumn they plowed and harvested; the prefecture sent troops to protect the work and remitted their rent.

繼遷死，其子德明請命於朝。瑋言：「繼遷擅河南地二十年，兵不解甲，使中國有西顧之憂。今國危子弱，不即捕滅，後更強盛，不可制。願假臣精兵，出其不意，禽德明送闕下，復河西為郡縣，此其時也。」帝方以恩致德明，不報。既而西延家、妙俄、熟魏數大族請拔帳自歸，諸將猶豫不敢應。瑋曰：「德明野心，不急折其翮，後必颺去。」即日，將其士薄大都山，受降者內徙，德明不敢拒。遷西上閣門使，為環慶路兵馬都鈐轄，兼知邠州。封泰山，進東上閣門使。

When Jiqian died his son Deming requested appointment from the court. Wei said, "Jiqian held the lands south of the river for twenty years without laying down arms, causing China constant worry over the west. Now the state is in peril and the son is weak; if he is not captured and destroyed at once, when he grows stronger later he cannot be controlled. Your servant asks for elite troops to strike by surprise, seize Deming and send him to court, and restore Hexi as commanderies and counties — now is the time." The emperor was then seeking to win Deming by kindness and gave no reply. Soon the Xiyanjia, Miao'e, Shuei, and several other great tribes asked to move their camps and submit; the generals hesitated and dared not respond. Wei said, "Deming has a wild heart; if his wings are not broken quickly, later he will surely fly away." That same day he led his soldiers close to Dadu Mountain; those who surrendered were moved inward, and Deming dared not resist. He was promoted to Upper West Gate Commissioner, made Overall Controller of the Huanqing circuit's forces, and concurrently governor of Binzhou. When Mount Tai was enfeoffed he was promoted to Upper East Gate Commissioner.

帝以瑋習知河北事，乃以為真定路都鈐轄，領高州刺史。瑋嘗上涇原、環慶兩道圖。至是，帝以示左右，曰：「華夷山川城郭險固出入戰守之要，舉在是矣。」因敕別繪二圖，以一留樞密院，一付本道，俾諸將得按圖計事。復為涇原路都鈐轄兼知渭州，與秦翰破章埋族于武延川，分兵滅撥臧於平涼，於是隴山諸族皆來獻地。瑋築堡山外，為籠竿城，募士兵守之。曰：「異時秦、渭有警，此必爭之地也。」祀汾陰，進四方館使。逾年，上表還州事，願專督軍旅。帝不欲遽更守臣，以密詔敦諭之。改引進使、英州團練使，復知秦州，兼涇、原儀、渭、鎮戎緣邊安撫使。

Because the emperor knew Wei was familiar with Hebei affairs, he was made Overall Controller of the Zhending circuit and given charge of Gaozhou. Wei had once submitted maps of the Jingyuan and Huanqing circuits. At this time the emperor showed them to those beside him and said, "The essentials of Chinese and barbarian mountains and rivers, walled cities, strong points, routes of advance and retreat, and points of attack and defense are all here." He therefore ordered two copies to be drawn separately, one kept in the Bureau of Military Affairs and one sent to the circuit, so that the generals could plan affairs according to the maps. He was again made Overall Controller of the Jingyuan circuit and concurrently governor of Weizhou; with Qin Han he defeated the Zhangmai tribe at Wuyan River, divided his forces and destroyed Bozang at Pingliang, and thereupon all the tribes of Longshan came to offer their lands. Wei built a fort outside Baoshan, established Longgan City, and recruited local soldiers to garrison it. He said, "If Qin and Wei should ever be alarmed, this will surely be contested ground." When sacrifices were performed at Fenyin he was promoted to Commissioner of the Four Directions Hall. After more than a year he submitted a memorial returning prefectural affairs and asking to devote himself solely to commanding the army. The emperor did not wish to change the frontier governor hastily and used a secret edict to urge him earnestly. He was changed to Commissioner for Introducing Envoys and regimental commissioner of Yingzhou, again made governor of Qinzhou, and concurrently Frontier Pacification Commissioner for Jing, Yuan, Yi, Wei, and Zhenrong.

時唃廝嵒強盛，立遵佐之。立遵乃上書求號「贊普」，瑋言：「贊普，可汗號也。立遵一言得之，何以處唃廝嵒邪？且復有求，漸不可制。」乃以立遵為保順軍節度使，恩如廝鐸督。西羌將舉事，必先定約束，號為「立文法」。唃廝嵒使其舅賞樣丹與廝敦立文法於離王族，謀內寇。瑋陰結廝敦，解寶帶予之。廝敦感激，求自效，間謂瑋曰：「吾父何所使？欲吾首，猶可斷以獻。」瑋曰：「我知賞樣丹時至汝帳下，汝能為我取賞樣丹首乎？」廝敦愕然應之。後十餘日，果斷其首來。廝敦因獻南市地。南市者，秦、渭之阨也，瑋城之，表廝敦為順州刺史。

At that time Gusiluo was powerful and Lizun assisted him. Lizun then submitted a memorial requesting the title "Zanpu"; Wei said, "Zanpu is a khan's title. If Lizun obtains it with a single request, how are we to treat Gusiluo? Moreover, if he asks again, gradually he cannot be controlled." Lizun was therefore made military governor of the Baoshun Army, with favor like that shown to Siduodu. When the western Qiang were about to act they always first fixed regulations, called "establishing the law code." Gusiluo had his maternal uncle Shangyangdan and Sidun establish the law code among the Li royal clan and plotted invasion. Wei secretly allied with Sidun and gave him a jeweled belt. Sidun was deeply moved and offered his service; he privately said to Wei, "What does my father want of me? If he wants my head, I can still cut it off and present it." Wei said, "I know Shangyangdan sometimes comes to your camp — can you get Shangyangdan's head for me?" Sidun, startled, agreed. After more than ten days he indeed brought the severed head. Sidun thereupon offered the lands of Nanshi. Nanshi was the choke point of Qin and Wei; Wei fortified it and recommended Sidun as Prefect of Shunzhou.

初，張佶知秦州，置四門砦，侵奪羌地，羌人多叛去，畏得罪不敢出。瑋招出之，令入馬贖罪，還故地，至者數千人，每送馬六十匹，給彩一端。築弓門、冶坊、床穰、靜戎、三陽、定西、伏羌、永寧、小洛門、威遠十砦，浚壕三百八十里，皆役屬羌廂兵，工費不出民。伏羌首領廝雞波、李磨論私立文法，瑋潛兵滅其帳。其年，唃廝嵒率眾數萬大入寇，瑋迎戰三都谷，追奔三十里，斬首千餘級，獲馬牛、雜畜、器仗三萬餘。遷客省使、康州防禦使。馬波叱臈立柵野吳谷，瑋選募神武軍二百人，斬柵，獲生口、孳畜甚眾。

Earlier, when Zhang Jie governed Qinzhou, he set up the Four Gates fort and seized Qiang lands; many Qiang rebelled and fled, fearing punishment and not daring to come out. Wei summoned them out, had them present horses to redeem their guilt, and restored their old lands; several thousand came, and for every sixty horses presented he gave one bolt of colored silk. He built ten forts — Gongmen, Yefang, Chuangrang, Jingrong, Sanyang, Dingxi, Fuqiang, Yongning, Xiaoluomen, and Weiyuan — and dug trenches for three hundred eighty li, all using Qiang garrison troops, with labor costs not taken from the people. The Fuqiang chiefs Sijibo and Limolun privately established the law code; Wei sent troops in secret and destroyed their camps. That year Gusiluo led tens of thousands in a major invasion; Wei met him at Sandu Valley, pursued the fleeing enemy thirty li, beheaded more than a thousand, and captured more than thirty thousand horses, cattle, miscellaneous livestock, and weapons. He was transferred to Commissioner of the Bureau of Receptions and Defense Commissioner of Kangzhou. Mapochila set palisades at Yewu Valley; Wei selected and recruited two hundred men of the Divine Martial Guard, cut down the palisades, and captured many prisoners and livestock.

宗哥大首領甘遵治兵于任奴川，瑋遣間殺遵，及破魚角蟬所立文法于吹麻城。既而河州、洮蘭、安江、妙敦、邈川、党逋諸城皆納質為熟戶。時瑋作塹抵拶嵒嚨。拶嵒嚨，西蕃要害地也。先是，瑋遣小吏楊知進護賜物通甘州可汗王，還過宗哥界，立遵邀知進，語曰：「秦州大人直以兵入拶嵒嚨來，幸為我言，願罷兵，歲入貢，約蕃漢為一家。」因使種人党失畢陵從知進來獻馬。自是唃廝嵒勢蹙，退保磧中不出。秦人請刻石紀功，有詔褒之。

Ganzun, a great chief of Zongge, assembled troops at Rennu River; Wei sent agents to kill Ganzun and also broke the law code established by Yujiaocan at Chuima City. Soon the cities of Hezhou, Taolan, Anjiang, Miaodun, Miaochuan, and Dangbu all sent hostages and became settled households. At that time Wei was building trenches against Zaziyan. Zaziyan was a key point of the western barbarians. Earlier Wei had sent the clerk Yang Zhijin to escort gifts to the Khan-King of Ganzhou; returning through Zongge territory, Lizun intercepted Zhijin and said, "The great man of Qinzhou is coming straight with troops into Zaziyan — please speak for me: I wish to cease hostilities, pay tribute yearly, and make barbarians and Chinese one family." He therefore had the tribesman Dangshibiling follow Zhijin to come and present horses. From then on Gusiluo's power was constricted; he withdrew to hold the desert interior and did not come out. The people of Qin requested a stone inscription to record the merit; an edict praised him.

天禧三年，德明寇柔遠砦，都巡檢楊承吉與戰不利。以瑋為華州觀察使、鄜延路副都總管、環、慶、秦等州緣邊巡檢安撫使。委乞、骨咩、大門等族聞瑋至，歸附者甚眾。拜宣徽北院使、鎮國軍節度觀察留後、簽書樞密院事。

In the third year of Tianxi, Deming raided Rouyuan Fort; the Overall Inspector Yang Chengji fought without success. Wei was made Observation Commissioner of Huazhou, Deputy Overall Commander of the Fuyan circuit, and Frontier Inspector and Pacification Commissioner for Huan, Qing, Qin, and other prefectures. When the Weiq, Gume, Daman, and other tribes heard Wei had arrived, very many submitted. He was appointed Commissioner of the Northern Court of the Palace Secretariat, Military Governor and Observation Regent of the Zhenguo Army, and Co-signer of the Bureau of Military Affairs.

宰相丁謂逐寇準，惡瑋不附己，指為準黨。除南院使、環慶路都總管安撫使。乾興初，謫左衛大將軍、容州觀察使、知萊州。瑋以宿將為謂所忌，即日上道，從弱卒十餘人，不以弓韔矢箙自隨。謂敗，復華州觀察使、知青州，徙天雄軍，以彰化軍節度觀察留後知永興軍。拜昭武軍節度使、知天雄軍。以疾守河陽，數月，為真定府、定州都總管，改彰武軍節度使。卒，贈侍中，諡武穆。

The chief minister Ding Wei drove out Kou Zhun, hated Wei for not siding with him, and denounced him as a member of Zhun's faction. He was removed to Commissioner of the Southern Court and Overall Commander and Pacification Commissioner of the Huanqing circuit. At the beginning of Qianxing he was demoted to General of the Left Guard, Observation Commissioner of Rongzhou, and governor of Laizhou. Wei, a veteran general envied by Ding Wei, set out that same day with only a dozen or so weak soldiers and did not carry bow cases or quivers himself. When Ding Wei fell he was restored as Observation Commissioner of Huazhou and governor of Qingzhou, transferred to the Tianxiong Army, and made Military Governor and Observation Regent of the Zhanghua Army and commander of the Yongxing Army. He was appointed military governor of the Zhaowu Army and commander of the Tianxiong Army. Because of illness he held Heyang; after several months he became Overall Commander of Zhending Prefecture and Dingzhou and was changed to military governor of the Zhangwu Army. He died and was posthumously made Palace Attendant with the posthumous title Wumu.

瑋用士，得其死力。平居甚閒暇，及師出，多奇計，出入神速不可測。一日，張樂飲僚吏，中坐失瑋所在，明日，徐出觀事，而賊首已擲庭下矣。嘗稱疾，加砭艾，臥閣內不出。會賊至，瑋奮起裹創，被甲跨馬，賊望見，皆遁去。將兵幾四十年，未嘗少失利。唃廝嵒聞瑋名，即望瑋所在，東向合手加顙。契丹使過天雄，部勒其下曰：「曹公在此，毋縱騎馳驅也。」真宗慎兵事，凡邊事，必手詔詰難至十數反，而瑋守初議，卒無以奪。後雖他將論邊事者，往往密付瑋處之。

Wei employed men and obtained their utmost loyalty unto death. In ordinary times he was very leisurely, but when the army went out he used many stratagems and moved in and out with such speed as to be unpredictable. One day, while feasting with his staff to music, Wei vanished from his seat midway; the next day he calmly came out to attend to business, and the enemy chieftain's head had already been thrown in the courtyard. He once claimed illness, applied moxibustion, and lay inside the pavilion without coming out. When bandits arrived Wei roused himself, bound his wounds, donned armor, mounted a horse, and at the sight of him they all fled. He commanded troops for nearly forty years and never suffered even a slight defeat. When Gusiluo heard Wei's name he would face where Wei was, turn east, and put his palms together to his forehead. When a Khitan envoy passed through Tianxiong he ordered his subordinates, "Lord Cao is here — do not let your horses gallop freely." Zhenzong was cautious about military affairs; for every frontier matter he would personally edict questions and challenges as many as ten times, yet Wei held to his original view and in the end could not be overborne. Later, even when other generals discussed frontier affairs, matters were often secretly entrusted to Wei to handle.

渭州有告戍卒叛入夏國者，瑋方對客奕棋，遽曰：「吾使之行也。」夏人聞之，即斬叛者，投其首境上。羌殺邊民，入羊馬贖罪。瑋下令曰：「羌自相犯，從其俗；犯邊民者，論如律。」自是無敢犯。

At Weizhou someone reported that garrison soldiers had defected to the Xia state; Wei was playing go with a guest and suddenly said, "I sent them." When the Xia people heard this they at once executed the defectors and threw their heads on the border. When Qiang killed frontier people they presented sheep and horses to redeem their guilt. Wei issued an order: "When Qiang violate one another, follow their custom; those who violate frontier people are judged according to law." From then on none dared to violate it.

環、慶屬羌田多為邊人所市，致單弱不能自存，因沒彼中。瑋盡令還其故田，後有犯者，遷其家內地。所募弓箭手，使馳射，較強弱，勝者與田二頃。再更秋獲，課市一馬，馬必勝甲，然後官籍之，則加五十畝。至三百人以上，團為一指揮。要害處為築堡，使自塹其地為方田環之。立馬社，一馬死，眾出錢市馬。降者既多，因制屬羌百帳以上，其首領為本族軍主，次為指揮使，又其次為副指揮使，不及百帳為本族指揮使。其蕃落將校，止於本軍敘進，以其習知羌情與地利，不可徙他軍也。開邊壕，率令深廣丈五尺；山險不可塹者，因其峭絕治之，使足以限敵，後皆以為法。天雄卒有犯盜者，眾謂獄具必殺之，瑋乃處以常法。人或以為疑，瑋笑曰：「臨邊對敵，斬不用命者，所以令眾吾，非好殺也。治內郡，安事此乎？」

Qiang fields belonging to Huan and Qing were largely bought up by frontier people, leaving the weak unable to survive on their own and thus lost to the other side. Wei ordered all their old fields returned; afterward violators had their families moved inland. Among the archers he recruited he had them shoot on horseback and compare strength; winners were given two qing of land. After two autumn harvests they were assessed to purchase one horse; the horse had to be superior armor-capable, and only then was it registered by the state, with fifty mu added. When they reached three hundred or more they were grouped as one command. At key points forts were built and they were made to trench the land themselves into square fields encircling them. Horse societies were established: when one horse died, all contributed money to buy a horse. Since there were many who submitted, regulations were made: for dependent Qiang of a hundred tents or more, the chief was army master of the tribe, next rank commander, next deputy commander; fewer than a hundred tents made one tribal commander. Their barbarian officers were promoted only within their own army, because they knew Qiang conditions and local terrain and could not be transferred to other armies. Frontier trenches were opened, generally ordered to be one zhang and five chi deep and wide; where mountains were steep and could not be trenched, they were worked along their sheer cliffs so as to be sufficient to limit the enemy — later all took this as the standard. At Tianxiong a soldier committed theft; everyone said that once the case was complete he would surely be executed, but Wei dealt with him by ordinary law. Some found this doubtful; Wei smiled and said, "Facing the enemy on the frontier, beheading those who disobey orders is to make the troops fear — it is not a love of killing. Governing an inner commandery — what need is there for such things?"

初守邊時，山東知名士賈同造瑋，客外舍。瑋欲按邊，即同舍，邀與俱。同問：「從兵安在？」曰：「已具。」既出就騎，見甲士三千環列，初不聞人馬聲。同歸，語人曰：「瑋殆名將也。」瑋為將不如其父寬，然自為一家。嘉祐八年，詔配享仁宗廟庭。

When he first guarded the frontier, the renowned scholar of Shandong Jia Tong visited Wei and lodged in the outer guest quarters. When Wei wished to inspect the frontier he went to Tong's quarters and invited him to go together. Tong asked, "Where are the accompanying troops?" He said, "They are ready." When they went out to mount they saw three thousand armored soldiers arrayed in a ring, yet at first heard neither men nor horses. Tong returned and told others, "Wei is probably a famous general." As a general Wei was not as broad as his father, yet he formed a school of his own. In the eighth year of Jiayou an edict ordered him to share sacrificial honors in the court of Renzong's temple.

子琮

Son: Cong

琮，字寶章。兄珝，娶秦王女興平郡主。琮幼時，從主入禁中，太宗置膝上，拊其背曰：「曹氏有功我家，此亦佳兒也。」及彬領鎮海軍節度使，補衙內都指揮使。彬卒，時遷西頭供奉官、閣門祗候、勾當騏驥院、群牧估馬司，市馬課有羨，再遷西上閣門副使。與曹利用連姻，利用貶，出為河陽兵馬都監，領內軍器庫，遷東上閣門使、榮州刺史。仁宗冊琮兄女為后，禮皆琮主辦，除衛州團練使。琮因奏曰：「陛下方以至公屬天下，臣既備后族，不宜冒恩澤，亂朝廷法。族人敢因緣請托，願致於理。」時論稱之。

Cong, styled Baozhang. His elder brother Xu married the Princess of Xingping, daughter of the Prince of Qin. When Cong was young he entered the palace with the princess; Taizong set him on his knee, patted his back, and said, "The Cao house has served merit to our house — this too is a fine boy." When Bin held the post of military governor of the Zhenhai Army he was appointed Inner Staff Overall Commander. When Bin died he was then Western Head Palace Attendant, Gate Usher, manager of the Imperial Stud and the Pasturage Horse Appraisal Office; his horse-purchase quotas showed surplus and he was again promoted to Deputy Upper West Gate Commissioner. He was connected by marriage to Cao Liyong; when Liyong was demoted he was sent out as overall military commissioner of Heyang, given charge of the Inner Armory, and transferred to Upper East Gate Commissioner and Prefect of Rongzhou. When Renzong enfeoffed Cong's elder brother's daughter as empress, Cong managed all the rites and was made regimental commissioner of Weizhou. Cong thereupon memorialized, "Your Majesty is just now entrusting the realm to utmost fairness; your servant, being of the empress's clan, should not presumptuously accept favor and disorder the court's laws. If clansmen dare use connections to seek favors, I ask that they be brought to justice." Contemporary opinion praised him.

出為環慶路馬步軍總管、知邠州，遷秦州防禦使、秦鳳路副都總管兼知秦州。度羨材為倉廩，大積谷古渭、冀城。生羌屢入鈔邊，琮懷以恩信，擊牛釃酒犒之，多請內屬。

He was sent out as Overall Commander of cavalry and infantry of the Huanqing circuit and governor of Binzhou, transferred to Defense Commissioner of Qinzhou, Deputy Overall Commander of the Qinfeng circuit, and concurrently governor of Qinzhou. He estimated surplus timber for granaries and greatly stockpiled grain at Guwei and Jicheng. Raw Qiang repeatedly entered to raid the border; Cong treated them with kindness and trust, slaughtered cattle and poured wine to reward them, and many requested to submit inward.

寶元初南郊，召入侍祠。會元昊反，拜同州觀察使，復知秦州，上攻、守、禦三策。久之，兼同管勾涇原路兵馬、定國軍節度觀察留後。劉平、石元孫敗，關輔震恐。琮請籍民為義軍，以張兵勢，於是料簡鄉弓手數萬人。賊寇山外，還天都，劫儀、秦屬戶。琮發騎士，設伏以待之，賊遂引去。琮欲誘吐蕃犄角圖賊，得西川舊賈，使諭意。而沙州鎮王子遣使奉書曰：「我本唐甥，天子實吾舅也。自党項破甘、涼，遂與漢隔。今願率首領為朝廷擊賊。」帝善琮策，改陝西副都總管、經略安撫招討副使，拜步軍副都指揮使。與夏竦屯鄜州，還為馬軍副都指揮使，以疾卒。帝臨奠，后並出臨喪，就第成服。贈安化軍節度使兼侍中，諡忠恪。

At the beginning of Baoyuan, when the southern suburban sacrifice was performed, he was summoned to attend the rites. When Yuanhao rebelled he was appointed Observation Commissioner of Tongzhou, again made governor of Qinzhou, and submitted three plans for attack, defense, and resistance. After some time he was also made concurrent manager of Jingyuan circuit forces and Military Governor and Observation Regent of the Dingguo Army. When Liu Ping and Shi Yuansun were defeated, the Guanfu region was shaken with fear. Cong requested registering the people as volunteer armies to display military strength, and thus selected tens of thousands of local archers. Bandits raided beyond the mountains, returned to Tiandu, and plundered dependent households of Yi and Qin. Cong sent out cavalry and set an ambush to await them; the bandits then withdrew. Cong wished to induce the Tibetans to join in a pincer against the bandits; he found an old merchant from Xichuan and had him convey his intent. The prince of Shazhou sent an envoy with a letter saying, "I am by origin a nephew of Tang; the Son of Heaven is truly my maternal uncle. Since the Tangut broke Gan and Liang, we have been cut off from Han. Now I wish to lead the chiefs to strike the bandits for the court." The emperor approved Cong's plan, changed him to Deputy Overall Commander of Shaanxi, Deputy Commissioner for Pacification, Reassurance, and Suppression, and appointed him Deputy Commander of the Foot Guard. He encamped at Fuzhou with Xia Song, returned as Deputy Commander of the Cavalry Guard, and died of illness. The emperor came in person to offer sacrifice; the empress also came out to mourn, and mourning garments were completed at his residence. He was posthumously made Military Governor of the Anhua Army and Concurrent Palace Attendant, with the posthumous title Zhongke.

琮小心謹畏，善贊謁，御軍整嚴，死時家無餘貲。子牷，皇城使、嘉州防禦使。牷子詩，尚魯國大長公主。

Cong was cautious and reverent, skilled at attending audiences, commanded the army with strict discipline, and at death his household had no surplus wealth. His son Quan was Commissioner of the Imperial City and Defense Commissioner of Jiazhou. Quan's son Shi married the Grand Eldest Princess of Lu.

潘美，字仲詢，大名人。父璘，以軍校戍常山。美少倜儻，隸府中典謁。嘗語其里人王密曰：「漢代將終，凶臣肆虐，四海有改卜之兆。大丈夫不以此時立功名、取富貴，碌碌與萬物共盡，可羞也。」會周世宗為開封府尹，美以中涓事世宗。及即位，補供奉官。高平之戰，美以功遷西上閣門副使。出監陝州軍，改引進使。世宗將用師隴、蜀，命護永興屯兵，經度西事。

Pan Mei, styled Zhongxun, was a native of Daming. His father Lin served as a military officer garrisoning Changshan. Mei in youth was bold and free-spirited and served in the prefectural office as master of audiences. He once said to his fellow townsman Wang Mi, "The Han dynasty is nearing its end; vicious ministers run rampant, and throughout the realm there are signs of a change of mandate. A great man who does not at such a time establish merit and fame and seize wealth and honor, but perishes obscurely with all things — that is shameful." When Shizong of Zhou was Prefect of Kaifeng, Mei served him as a palace attendant. When he acceded to the throne, Mei was appointed a palace attendant. At the battle of Gaoping, Mei was promoted for merit to Deputy Upper West Gate Commissioner. He was sent out to supervise the Shaanzhou army and was changed to Commissioner for Introducing Envoys. When Shizong was about to use troops in Long and Shu, he ordered Mei to oversee the Yongxing garrison and manage western affairs.

先是，太祖遇美素厚，及受禪，命美先往見執政，諭旨中外。陝帥袁彥兇悍，信任群小，嗜殺黷貨，且繕甲兵，太祖慮其為變，遣美監其軍以圖之。美單騎往諭，以天命既歸，宜修臣職，彥遂入朝。上喜曰：「潘美不殺袁彥，能令來覲，成我志矣。」

Earlier Taizu had long treated Mei with great favor; when he received the abdication he ordered Mei to go first to see the chief ministers and convey the imperial intent within and without. The Shaan commander Yuan Yan was fierce and brutal, trusted petty men, loved killing and coveted goods, and moreover repaired armor and weapons; Taizu feared he would rebel and sent Mei to supervise his army and deal with him. Mei went alone on horseback to instruct him that since Heaven's mandate had already shifted he should observe his duties as a subject; Yan then entered court. The emperor rejoiced and said, "Pan Mei did not kill Yuan Yan but was able to make him come to audience — he has fulfilled my wish."

李重進叛，太祖親征，命石守信為招討使，美為行營都監以副之。揚州平，留為巡檢，以任鎮撫，以功授秦州團練使。時湖南叛將汪端既平，人心未寧，乃授美潭州防禦使。嶺南劉鋹數寇桂陽、江華，美擊走之。溪峒蠻獠自唐以來，不時侵略，頗為民患。美窮其巢穴，多所殺獲，餘加慰撫，夷落遂定。乾德二年，又從兵馬都監丁德裕等率兵克郴州。

When Li Chongjin rebelled Taizu personally campaigned; Shi Shouxin was appointed Suppression Commissioner and Mei Overall Supervisory Commissioner of the field camp as his deputy. When Yangzhou was pacified he was left as inspector to take charge of pacification; for merit he was made regimental commissioner of Qinzhou. When the Hunan rebel general Wang Duan had just been pacified and the people's hearts were not yet settled, Mei was made Defense Commissioner of Tanzhou. Liu Chang of Lingnan repeatedly raided Guiyang and Jianghua; Mei attacked and drove him off. Since Tang times the barbarians and liao of the stream gorges had from time to time invaded and were a considerable affliction to the people. Mei tracked down their lairs, killed and captured many, and soothed the remainder; the barbarian settlements were then settled. In the second year of Qiande he again followed the military commissioner Ding Deyu and others in leading troops to take Chenzhou.

開寶三年，征嶺南，以美為行營諸軍都部署、朗州團練使，尹崇珂副之。進克富川，鋹遣將率眾萬餘來援，遇戰大破之，遂克賀州。十月，又下昭、桂、連三州，西江諸州以次降。美以功移南面都部署，進次韶州。

In the third year of Kaibao, when Lingnan was campaigned against, Mei was made Overall Commander of all armies of the field camp and regimental commissioner of Langzhou, with Yin Chongke as deputy. Advancing he took Fuchuan; Chang sent a general with more than ten thousand to reinforce; they met in battle and were crushingly defeated, and Hezhou was then taken. In the tenth month he also took Zhao, Gui, and Lian prefectures, and the prefectures of the West River submitted in succession. For merit Mei was transferred to Overall Commander of the Southern Front and advanced to halt at Shaozhou.

韶，廣之北門也，賊眾十餘萬聚焉。美揮兵進乘之，韶州遂拔，斬獲數萬計。鋹窮蹙，四年二月，遣其臣王珪詣軍門求通好，又遣其左僕射蕭漼、中書舍人卓惟休奉表乞降。美因諭以上意，以為彼能戰則與之戰，不能戰則勸之守，不能守則諭之降，不能降則死，不能死則亡，非此五者，他不得受。美既令殿直冉彥袞部送漼等赴闕。

Shao was the northern gate of Guang; more than a hundred thousand enemy troops gathered there. Mei waved his troops forward to press the advantage; Shaozhou was then taken, with tens of thousands beheaded or captured. Chang, hard pressed, in the second month of the fourth year sent his minister Wang Gui to the camp gate to seek friendly relations, and also sent his Left Vice Director Xiao Huan and Drafting Attendant Zhuo Weixiu with a memorial begging to surrender. Mei thereupon conveyed the emperor's intent: if they could fight then fight them; if they could not fight then urge them to hold; if they could not hold then instruct them to surrender; if they could not surrender then die; if they could not die then perish — apart from these five, nothing else would be accepted. Mei then ordered the Palace Attendant Ran Yangun to escort Huan and the others to court.

鋹復遣其弟保興率眾拒戰，美即率厲士卒倍道趨柵頭，距廣州百二十里。鋹兵十五萬依山谷堅壁以待，美因築壘休士，與諸將計曰：「彼編竹木為柵，若攻之以火，彼必潰亂。因以銳師夾擊之，萬全策也。」遂分遣丁夫數千人，人持二炬，間道造其柵。及夜，萬炬俱發，會天大風，火勢甚熾。鋹眾驚擾來犯，美揮兵急擊之，鋹眾大敗，斬數萬計。長驅至廣州，鋹盡焚其府庫，遂克之，擒鋹送京師，露布以聞。即日，命美與尹崇珂同知廣州兼市舶使。五月，拜山南東道節度。五年，兼嶺南道轉運使。土豪周思瓊聚眾負海為亂，美討平之，嶺表遂安。

Chang again sent his younger brother Bao Xing to lead troops in resistance; Mei at once roused his soldiers and marched by forced stages to Zhantou, one hundred twenty li from Guangzhou. Chang's army of a hundred fifty thousand relied on the mountain valleys and held fast in walled camps to await them; Mei therefore built camps and rested the soldiers, and said to the generals, "They have woven bamboo and wood into palisades — if we attack with fire they will surely break into disorder. Then with elite troops strike them from both sides — that is the plan of complete success." He then dispatched several thousand laborers, each holding two torches, by hidden paths to reach their palisades. At night ten thousand torches were lit together; a great wind arose and the fire blazed fiercely. Chang's troops, alarmed and thrown into disorder, came to attack; Mei waved his troops in a swift strike and Chang's army was heavily defeated, with tens of thousands beheaded. He drove straight to Guangzhou; Chang burned all his treasuries, and the city was then taken; Chang was captured and sent to the capital, and a victory bulletin was submitted. That same day Mei and Yin Chongke were jointly made governors of Guangzhou and concurrently commissioners of maritime trade. In the fifth month he was appointed military governor of the Shannan East circuit. In the fifth year he was also made Transport Commissioner of the Lingnan circuit. The local strongman Zhou Siqiong gathered a crowd and relied on the sea to rebel; Mei suppressed and pacified him, and the Lingnan region was then secure.

八年，議征江南。九月，遣美與劉遇等率兵先赴江陵。十月，命美為升州道行營都監，與曹彬偕往，進次秦淮。時舟楫未具，美下令曰：「美受詔，提驍果數萬人，期於必勝，豈限此一衣帶水而不徑度乎？」遂麾以涉，大軍隨之，吳師大敗。及採石磯浮梁成，吳人以戰艦二十餘鳴鼓溯流來趨利。美麾兵奮擊，奪其戰艦，擒其將鄭賓等七人，又破其城南水砦，分舟師守之。奏至，太祖遣使令亟徙置戰棹，以防他變。美聞詔即徙軍。是夜，吳人果來攻砦，不能克。進薄金陵，江南水陸十萬陳於城下，美率兵襲擊，大敗之。李煜危甚，遣徐鉉來乞緩師，上不之省，仍詔諸將促令歸附。煜遷延未能決，夜遣兵數千，持炬鼓噪來犯我師。美率精銳以短兵接戰，因與大將曹彬率士晨夜攻城，百道俱進。金陵平，以功拜宣徽北院使。

In the eighth year a campaign against Jiangnan was discussed. In the ninth month Mei was sent with Liu Yu and others to lead troops first to Jiangling. In the tenth month Mei was ordered Overall Supervisory Commissioner of the Shengzhou route field camp and went together with Cao Bin, advancing to halt at the Qinhuai. When boats and oars were not yet ready Mei issued an order, "Mei has received the edict and leads tens of thousands of elite troops, expecting certain victory — how can we be stopped by this belt of water and not cross directly?" He then waved them across; the great army followed, and the Wu forces were heavily defeated. When the floating bridge at Caishiji was finished, the Wu sent more than twenty warships beating drums upstream to seize advantage. Mei waved his troops in a fierce attack, seized their warships, captured seven of their generals including Zheng Bin, also broke their southern water fort, and divided the fleet to garrison it. When the memorial arrived Taizu sent envoys ordering the warships to be moved at once to guard against other changes. Mei, hearing the edict, moved the army at once. That night the Wu indeed came to attack the fort and could not take it. Advancing close to Jinling, a hundred thousand Jiangnan land and river forces were drawn up below the city; Mei led troops in a surprise attack and heavily defeated them. Li Yu was in extreme peril and sent Xu Xuan to beg a respite for the army; the emperor paid no heed and still issued an edict the generals to urge submission. Li Yu delayed and could not decide; by night he sent several thousand troops with torches, beating drums and shouting, to attack our army. Mei led elite troops into close combat; then together with the great general Cao Bin he led soldiers day and night to assault the city from a hundred directions at once. When Jinling was pacified he was appointed Commissioner of the Northern Court of the Palace Secretariat for merit.

秋，命副黨進攻太原，戰於汾上，破之，且多擒獲。太平興國初，改南院使。三年，加開府儀同三司。四年，命將征太原，美為北路都招討，判太原行府事。部分諸將進討，并州遂平。繼征范陽，以美知幽州行府事。及班師，命兼三交都部署，留屯以捍北邊。三交西北三百里，地名固軍，其地險阻，為北邊咽喉。美潛師襲之，遂據有其地。因積粟屯兵以守之，自是北邊以寧。美嘗巡撫至代州，既秣馬蓐食，俄而遼兵萬騎來寇，近塞，美誓眾銜枚奮擊，大破之。封代國公。八年，改忠武軍節度，進封韓國公。

In autumn he was ordered to assist Dang Jin in attacking Taiyuan; they fought on the Fen River, defeated the enemy, and captured many. At the beginning of Taiping Xingguo he was changed to Commissioner of the Southern Court. In the third year he was given the honor of Grand Preceptor with the ceremonial trappings of a separate office. In the fourth year generals were ordered to campaign against Taiyuan; Mei was Overall Suppression Commissioner of the northern route and administrator of the Taiyuan field headquarters. He assigned the generals to advance and suppress, and Bingzhou was then pacified. Continuing the campaign against Fanyang, Mei was made administrator of the Youzhou field headquarters. When the army withdrew he was ordered concurrently Overall Commander of Sanjiao and left encamped to defend the northern frontier. Three hundred li northwest of Sanjiao was a place called Gujun; the terrain was perilous and it was the throat of the northern frontier. Mei sent troops in secret to strike it and then held the place. He then stockpiled grain and garrisoned troops to hold it; from then on the northern frontier was secure. Mei once on inspection reached Daizhou; after feeding the horses and taking a meal in the saddle, suddenly ten thousand Khitan cavalry came to raid near the frontier; Mei swore the troops to battle, had them bite the gag-sticks, and struck fiercely, heavily defeating them. He was enfeoffed as Duke of Dai. In the eighth year he was changed to military governor of the Zhongwu Army and advanced to Duke of Han.

雍熙三年，詔美及曹彬、崔彥進等北伐，美獨拔寰、朔、雲、應等州。詔內徙其民。會遼兵奄至，戰于陳家谷口，不利，驍將楊業死之。美坐削秩三等，責授檢校太保。明年，復檢校太師。知真定府，未幾，改都部署、判并州。加同平章事，數月卒，年六十七。贈中書令，諡武惠。咸平二年，配饗太宗廟庭。

In the third year of Yongxi an edict ordered Mei with Cao Bin, Cui Yanjin, and others to march north; Mei alone took Huan, Shuo, Yun, Ying, and other prefectures. An edict ordered the people moved inward. When Khitan troops suddenly arrived they fought at Chenjiagu Pass without success; the fierce general Yang Ye died there. Mei was punished by reduction of three ranks and was demoted to Honorary Grand Guardian. The next year he was restored to Honorary Grand Preceptor. He was made governor of Zhending Prefecture; before long he was changed to Overall Commander and administrator of Bingzhou. He was given the title Concurrent Grand Counselor; after several months he died, aged sixty-seven. He was posthumously made Director of the Secretariat with the posthumous title Wuhui. In the second year of Xianping he was granted shared sacrificial honors in the court of Taizong's temple.

子惟德至宮苑使，惟固西上閣門使，惟正西京作坊使，惟清崇儀使，惟熙娶秦王女，平州刺史。惟熙女，即章懷皇后也。美後追封鄭王，以章懷故也。

His sons Weide rose to Commissioner of the Palace Parks; Weigu to Upper West Gate Commissioner; Weizheng to Commissioner of the Western Capital Workshops; Weiqing to Commissioner of Honored Ceremonial; Weixi married the Prince of Qin's daughter and was Prefect of Pingzhou. Weixi's daughter was none other than Empress Zhanghuai. Mei was later posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Zheng because of Zhanghuai.

惟吉，美從子，累資為天雄軍駐泊都監。雖連戚里，能以禮法自飭，揚曆中外，人咸稱其勤敏云。

Weiji was Mei's nephew by the male line; by accumulated seniority he became Overall Garrison Commissioner of the Tianxiong Army. Though connected to the imperial affines, he was able to restrain himself by ritual and law; serving at court and in the provinces, all praised his diligence and quickness.

李超附

Li Chao — appended

李超者，冀州信都人。為禁卒，常從潘美軍中，主刑刀。美好乘怒殺人，超每潛緩之。美怒解，輒得釋，以是全者甚眾，人謂其有陰德。

Li Chao was a native of Xindu in Jizhou. He was a palace guard soldier and often followed Pan Mei's army, in charge of the executioner's blade. When Mei in anger wished to kill someone, Chao always secretly slowed the matter. When Mei's anger subsided they were always released; thus very many were preserved, and people said he had hidden virtue.

子浚，字德淵。中進士，累擢秘書、知康州。咸平中，入為刑部詳覆、御史臺推直官。屢上書言事，遷開封府推官，賜緋魚。景德初，拜虞部員外郎兼侍御史知雜事，賜金紫。從幸澶淵，頗上疏言便宜。師還，命與陳堯咨安撫河北。逾年，判吏部銓。浚居憲府，未再歲，帝寵待之，擢樞密直學士。宰相王旦言：「浚雖有剸劇才，然驟曆清切，時望未允。」真宗曰：「朕業已許之矣。」尋知開封，能檢察隱微，京師稱之。累遷至右司郎中，出知秦州，暴疾卒。浚與李宗諤同歲同月後一日生，其卒也亦後一日，眾以為異。

His son Jun, styled Deyuan. He passed the jinshi examination and was repeatedly promoted to Secretary and governor of Kangzhou. During Xianping he entered court as Reviewer of the Ministry of Justice and Direct Investigator of the Censorate. He repeatedly submitted memorials on affairs of state, was transferred to Investigating Official of Kaifeng Prefecture, and was granted the crimson fish pouch. At the beginning of Jingde he was appointed Outer Gentleman of the Ministry of Works and concurrently Censor-in-Charge of Miscellaneous Affairs, and was granted gold and purple. He followed the emperor to Chanzhou and frequently submitted memorials on expedient measures. When the army returned he was ordered with Chen Yaozi to pacify Hebei. After more than a year he was made administrator of the Ministry of Personnel's selection board. Jun served in the Censorate; before two years had passed the emperor favored him and promoted him to Academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs. The chief minister Wang Dan said, "Though Jun has talent for cutting through difficult affairs, he has suddenly passed through exalted and intimate posts, and public expectation is not yet satisfied." Zhenzong said, "I have already promised it." Soon he was made governor of Kaifeng; he was able to investigate hidden matters, and the capital praised him. He was repeatedly promoted to Director of the Right Bureau; sent out to govern Qinzhou, he died suddenly of illness. Jun was born in the same year and month as Li Zong'e, one day later; he also died one day later, and the multitude considered it strange.

論曰：曹彬以器識受知太祖，遂膺柄用。平居，於百蟲之蟄猶不忍傷，出使吳越，籍上私饋，悉用施予，而不留一錢；則其總戎專征，而秋毫無犯，不妄戮一人者，益可信矣。潘美素厚太祖，信任于得位之初，遂受征討之託。劉鋹遣使乞降，觀美所喻，辭義嚴正，得奉辭伐罪之體；則其威名之重，豈待平嶺表、定江南、征太原、鎮北門而後見哉？二人皆諡武惠，皆與配饗，兩家子孫，皆能樹立，享富貴。而光獻、章懷皆稱賢后，非偶然也。君子謂仁恕清慎，能保功名，守法度，唯彬為宋良將第一，豈無意哉？若李浚者，亦以材幹自結主知，遂曆清顯。謂為陰德所致，理或然也。

The commentary says: Cao Bin, by his capacity and insight, won Taizu's recognition and thus received appointment to power. In ordinary life he could not bear to harm even hibernating insects; on mission to Wuyue he recorded private gifts, distributed them all in charity, and kept not a single coin; then that in overall command of armies on independent campaigns he took not the slightest thing and did not kill anyone wantonly is all the more credible. Pan Mei had long been close to Taizu and was trusted at the beginning of his accession; he thus received the charge of campaigns. When Liu Chang sent envoys begging to surrender, observing what Mei instructed, the words were stern and upright and possessed the form of punishing crime on behalf of the mandate; then must his weight of martial renown wait until pacifying Lingnan, settling Jiangnan, campaigning against Taiyuan, and guarding the northern gate before it is seen? Both were given the posthumous title Wuhui, both shared sacrificial honors, and the descendants of both houses were all able to establish themselves and enjoy wealth and honor. Moreover Guangxian and Zhanghuai were both called virtuous empresses — this was no accident. The noble-minded say that in benevolence, forbearance, purity, and prudence, in preserving merit and fame and observing law and measure, Bin alone was Song's foremost good general — was this without reason? As for Li Jun, he too by talent and capability won the ruler's favor and thus passed through exalted and prominent posts. To say this was caused by hidden virtue — the principle may well be so.

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