Volume 267 Biographies 26: Zhang Hong, Zhao Changyan, Chen Shu, Wei Yu, Liu Shi, Liu Changyan, Zhang Ji, Li Weiqing

張宏，字巨卿，青州益都人。高祖茂昭，唐易、定節度使。曾祖玄，易州刺史。祖持，蒲城令。父峭，業《春秋》，一舉不第，退居丘園，後唐天成中，以賢帥後，補協律郎，至平利令。

Zhang Hong, styled Juching, was from Yidu in Qingzhou. His great-grandfather Mao Zhao had served as military commissioner of Yi and Ding under the Tang. His great-great-grandfather Xuan had been prefect of Yizhou. His grandfather Chi had been magistrate of Pucheng. His father Qiao devoted himself to the Spring and Autumn Annals. After failing the examinations at his first attempt, he withdrew to private life. During the Tiancheng era of Later Tang, he was appointed Assistant Music Master on the strength of descent from a worthy military commander, and ultimately served as magistrate of Pingli.

宏，太平興國二年，舉進士，為將作監丞，通判宣州。改太子中允、直史館，遷著作郎，賜緋魚，預修《太平御覽》，歷左拾遺。六年，出為峽路轉運副使，就加左補闕、會省副使，知遂州，以勤幹聞，入為度支員外郎。

In the second year of Taiping Xingguo, Hong passed the jinshi examination and was appointed Assistant Director of the Directorate of Palace Buildings and vice prefect of Xuanzhou. He was made Junior Mentor in the Eastern Palace and duty attendant at the Historiography Institute, promoted to Compiler, granted a purple robe and fish tally, took part in compiling the Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era, and served as Left Reminder. In the sixth year he was sent out as vice transport commissioner of the Gorges Circuit, concurrently promoted to Left Supplements Counselor and deputy envoy of the Bureau of Accounts, and appointed prefect of Suizhou. Renowned for diligence and ability, he was recalled to the capital as Assistant Director in the Bureau of Revenue.

雍熙中，呂蒙正、李至、張齊賢、王沔薦其文行，改主客郎中、史館修撰。數日，以本官充樞密直學士，賜金紫。太宗召對便殿，謂曰：「成都重地，卿為朕鎮之。」因厚賜以遣。至鄭州，促召歸闕，拜右諫議大夫、樞密副使。會太宗親試禮部不合格貢士，令樞密院給牒，因謂宏曰：「朕自御極以來，親擇群材，大者為棟梁，小者為榱桷，卿與呂蒙正皆中朕選，大臣頗有沮議。非朕獨斷，豈能及此乎？」宏頓首謝。

During the Yongxi era, Lü Mengzheng, Li Zhi, Zhang Qixian, and Wang Mian recommended him for his literary gifts and character. He was transferred to Director in the Bureau of Receptions and made a compiler at the Historiography Institute. Within a few days, while keeping his existing rank, he was appointed confidential academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs and granted the gold seal with purple sash. Emperor Taizong summoned him to the side hall and said, "Chengdu is a vital post. I want you to hold it for me." The emperor then rewarded him generously and sent him on his way. When he reached Zhengzhou, an urgent recall brought him back to court. He was appointed Right Remonstrance Counselor and Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. At that time the emperor was personally examining civil-service candidates who had failed the Ministry of Rites examination and had the Bureau of Military Affairs issue their credentials. He then said to Hong, "Since I took the throne I have personally chosen talent myself — the great as pillars and beams, the lesser as rafters and purlins. Both you and Lü Mengzheng were among my choices, yet many high ministers strongly objected. Had I not decided on my own, how could we have reached this point?" Hong bowed his head in gratitude.

時河朔用兵，宏居位無所建白，御史中丞趙昌言多言邊事，乃以昌言副樞密，宏為中丞，兩更其任。端拱初，改工部侍郎，再為樞密副使。淳化二年，以吏部侍郎罷，俄判吏部銓，權知開封府。太宗御便殿慮囚，以府獄多壅，詔劾其官屬，宏等頓首請罪，乃釋之。真宗尹京，宏罷奉朝請。至道初，出知潞州。二年，就轉右丞。真宗即位，加工部尚書。咸平初，還朝，知審官院、通進銀臺封駁司。二年，真宗以上封者眾，慮其稽留，命宏與王旦知登聞鼓院，再掌吏部選。四年，卒，年六十三。廢朝，贈右僕射，命中使蒞葬事。錄其子可久大理評事，可道太祝，可度奉禮郎。

While the Hebei campaign was underway, Hong offered nothing of substance from his post, whereas Censor-in-Chief Zhao Changyan submitted many memorials on border affairs. The emperor therefore made Changyan Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs and Hong Censor-in-Chief, the two exchanging positions. At the beginning of the Duan'gong era he was transferred to Vice Minister of Works and again made Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. In the second year of Chunhua he was removed as Vice Minister of Personnel. Shortly afterward he was assigned to preside over the Ministry of Personnel selection board and given acting charge of Kaifeng Prefecture. The emperor reviewed prisoners in the side hall. Because cases in the prefectural jail were heavily backlogged, he ordered an investigation of the officials. Hong and the others kowtowed begging forgiveness and were released from blame. When Zhenzong served as steward of the capital, Hong was relieved of his court attendance duties. At the beginning of the Zhidao era he was sent out to serve as prefect of Luzhou. In the second year he was promoted in place to Right Vice Director of the Secretariat. When Zhenzong acceded to the throne, Hong was further promoted to Minister of Works. At the beginning of Xianping he returned to court and was placed in charge of the Bureau of Personnel Evaluation and the Memorial Transmission and Silver Terrace Review Office. In the second year, because so many memorials were submitted to the throne, Zhenzong feared they would be delayed and ordered Hong and Wang Dan to supervise the Drum and Bell Memorial Office. Hong again took charge of Ministry of Personnel selections. In the fourth year he died at the age of sixty-three. Court was suspended for mourning. He was posthumously appointed Right Grand Counselor, and an imperial envoy was ordered to oversee the funeral. His sons Kejiu, Kedao, and Kedu were appointed Judicial Reviewer in the Court of Judicial Review, Grand Supplicator, and Gentleman for Ceremonial Service, respectively.

宏循謹守位，不求赫赫之譽，歷踐通顯，未嘗敗事。可久至虞部員外郎，可道國子博士，可度太子中舍。

Hong was cautious and dutiful in office and never sought loud renown. Though he rose through illustrious posts, he never failed in his duties. Kejiu rose to Assistant Director in the Ministry of Public Works, Kedao became Erudite of the National University, and Kedu became Secretary in the Eastern Palace.

趙昌言

Zhao Changyan

趙昌言，字仲謨，汾州孝義人。父叡，從事使府，太宗尹開封，選為雍丘、太康二縣令，後終安、申觀察判官。

Zhao Changyan, styled Zhongmo, was from Xiaoyi in Fenzhou. His father Rui served on military governor staffs. When Taizong held stewardship of Kaifeng, Rui was selected as magistrate of both Yongqiu and Taikang counties. He later ended his career as administrative assistant to the military commissioner of An and Shen circuits.

昌言少有大志，趙逢、高錫、寇準皆稱許之。太平興國三年，舉進士，文思甚敏，有聲於場屋，為貢部首薦。廷試日，太宗見其辭氣俊辯，又睹其父名，謂左右曰：「是嘗為東畿宰，朕之生辰，必獻詩百韻為壽，善訓其子，亦為可嘉也。」擢置甲科，為將作監丞，通判鄂州。拜右拾遺、直史館，賜緋魚。選為荊湖轉運副使，遷右補闕，會省副職，改知青州。入拜職方員外郎，知制誥，預修《文苑英華》。雍熙初，加屯田郎中。明年，同知貢舉，俄出知天雄軍。

Changyan had great ambitions from youth, and Zhao Feng, Gao Xi, and Kou Zhun all praised him. In the third year of Taiping Xingguo he passed the jinshi examination. His literary gifts were very quick, he gained renown in the examination halls, and he received the leading recommendation of the tribute office. On the day of the palace examination the emperor saw how sharp and eloquent his language was. Noticing his father's name as well, he said to those beside him, "This man was once magistrate in the eastern capital region. Every year on my birthday he would present a hundred-rhyme poem as congratulations. He has trained his son well — that too is commendable." He was placed in the first class, appointed Assistant Director of the Directorate of Palace Buildings, and made vice prefect of Ezhou. He was appointed Right Reminder and duty attendant at the Historiography Institute, and granted a purple robe and fish tally. He was selected as vice transport commissioner of Jinghu Circuit, promoted to Right Supplements Counselor and deputy envoy of the Bureau of Accounts, then transferred to serve as prefect of Qingzhou. On entering the capital he was appointed Assistant Director in the Bureau of Evaluations, drafter of imperial edicts, and took part in compiling the Finest Blossoms of the Literary Garden. At the beginning of Yongxi he was further appointed Director in the Bureau of State Farms. The following year he served as co-director of examinations, and shortly afterward was sent out to supervise Tianxiong Army.

時曹彬、崔彥進、米信失律於岐溝，昌言遣觀察支使鄭蒙上疏，請誅彬等。優詔褒答，召拜御史中丞。太宗宴金明池，特召預焉。憲官從宴，自昌言始也。

At that time Cao Bin, Cui Yanjin, and Mi Xin had violated military discipline at Qigou. Changyan had surveillance commissioner aide Zheng Meng submit a memorial calling for the execution of Bin and the others. An edict praised him in reply, and he was summoned and appointed Censor-in-Chief. When Taizong held a banquet at Jinming Pool, Changyan was specially invited to attend. Censorate officials attending imperial banquets began with Changyan.

河朔用兵，樞密副使張宏循默守位，昌言多條上邊事，太宗即以昌言為左諫議大夫，代宏為樞密副使，遷工部侍郎。時鹽鐵副使陳象輿與昌言善，知制誥胡旦、度支副使董儼皆昌言同年，右正言梁顥嘗在大名幕下。四人者，日夕會昌言之第，京師為之語曰：「陳三更，董半夜。」有傭書翟潁，性險誕，與旦狎，旦為作大言之辭，使潁上之，為潁改姓名馬周，以為唐馬周復出也。其言多毀時政，自薦為大臣，及歷舉數十人皆公輔器，期昌言為內應。陳王尹開封，廉知以聞，詔捕潁繫獄，鞠之，盡得其狀。昌言坐貶崇信軍節度行軍司馬，潁仗脊黥面，流海島，禁錮終身。

With the Hebei campaign underway, Vice Commissioner Zhang Hong kept silent in his post while Changyan submitted many detailed memorials on border affairs. The emperor thereupon appointed Changyan Left Remonstrance Counselor in place of Hong as Vice Commissioner and promoted him to Vice Minister of Works. At that time Vice Commissioner of Salt and Iron Chen Xiangyu was on friendly terms with Changyan. Edict drafter Hu Dan and Vice Commissioner of Revenue Dong Yan were examination classmates of Changyan's, and Right Rectifier Liang Hao had once served on the staff at Daming. These four men met at Changyan's residence day and night. The capital had a saying about them: "Chen at the third watch, Dong at midnight." There was a copyist named Zhai Ying, treacherous and deceitful by nature, who was intimate with Hu Dan. Dan composed grandiose words for him and had Ying submit them under the name Ma Zhou, as though Ma Zhou of Tang had reappeared. The text largely slandered current policy, recommended himself for high office, and successively named dozens of men as material for chief ministers, expecting Changyan to serve as an inside accomplice. Chen Wang, steward of Kaifeng, discovered this through investigation and reported it. An edict ordered Ying arrested and imprisoned, and interrogation revealed the full circumstances. Changyan was demoted to army adjutant on the military commission of Chongxin Circuit. Ying was flogged on the back and tattooed on the face, exiled to an island, and confined for life.

初，太宗厚遇昌言，垂欲相之。趙普以勳舊復入，惡昌言剛戾，乃相呂蒙正。才數月，會有潁獄，普以昌言樹黨，再勸太宗誅之，太宗特寬焉。淳化二年，起昌言知蔡州，逾年，召拜右諫議大夫。或議馳茶鹽禁，以省轉漕。命昌言為江淮、兩浙制置茶鹽使，昌言極言非便，太宗不納，趣昌言往。昌言固執如初。即以戶部副使雷有終代之，卒以無利而罷。

Earlier the emperor had treated Changyan with great favor and was on the verge of making him chief counselor. When Zhao Pu returned to court as an old meritorious minister, he disliked Changyan's obstinate sharpness and instead made Lü Mengzheng chief counselor. Only a few months later, when the Ying case arose, Pu argued that Changyan had formed factions and again urged the emperor to execute him. Taizong showed special lenience. In the second year of Chunhua Changyan was restored and appointed prefect of Caizhou. After more than a year he was summoned and appointed Right Remonstrance Counselor. Some proposed lifting the tea and salt monopolies to reduce transport costs. Changyan was appointed commissioner for establishing tea and salt policy in Jianghuai and the two Zhe circuits. He strongly argued the move was unwise, but the emperor did not accept this and urged him to depart. Changyan held firm as before. Lei Youzhong, Vice Commissioner of the Ministry of Revenue, was immediately sent to replace him. In the end the proposal brought no profit and was abandoned.

昌言復知天雄軍，賜錢二百萬。大河貫府境，豪民峙芻茭圖利，誘奸人潛穴堤防，歲仍決溢。昌言知之。一日，堤吏告急，命徑取豪家廥積以給用，自是無敢為姦利者。屬澶州河決，流入御河，漲溢浸府城，昌言籍府兵負土增堤，數不及千，乃索禁卒佐役，皆偃蹇不進。昌言怒曰：「府城將墊，人民且溺，汝輩食厚祿，欲坐觀耶？敢不從命者斬。」眾股慄赴役，不浹旬城完。太宗手詔褒諭之，召拜給事中、參知政事，俾乘疾置以入，即赴中書。

Changyan again served as supervisor of Tianxiong Army and was granted two million cash. The Yellow River ran through the prefecture. Powerful locals hoarded fodder for profit and induced evildoers to secretly burrow into the dikes, so that each year the river still broke its banks. Changyan knew of this. One day when dike officials reported an emergency, he ordered fodder taken directly from wealthy households' stored supplies for use. From then on none dared seek illicit profit. When the river broke its banks at Cizhou and flowed into the imperial canal, swelling and inundating the prefectural city, Changyan conscripted prefectural troops to carry earth and raise the dikes. Their number fell short of a thousand, so he summoned palace guard soldiers to assist. All hung back and would not advance. Changyan angrily said, "The prefectural city is about to collapse and the people will drown. You enjoy rich salaries — do you mean to sit by and watch? Whoever dares disobey shall be executed." The men trembled and hurried to the work. Within less than ten days the city walls were secure. Taizong personally wrote an edict praising him, summoned him, and appointed him Gentleman Attendant and Assistant Administrator of Affairs. He was ordered to enter by express relay and proceed directly to the Secretariat.

時京城連雨，昌言請出廄馬分牧外郡。或以盛秋備敵，馬不可闕。昌言曰：「塞下積水，敵必不至。」太宗從之。未幾，王小波、李順構亂於蜀，議遣大臣撫慰。昌言獨請發兵，無使滋蔓，廷論未決。會嘉、眉連陷，始命王繼恩等分路進討。昌言攝祭太廟，宿齋中，因召對滋福殿，復贊兵計，遂遣使督繼恩戰。繼恩御眾寡術，餘寇未殄，握兵留成都，士無鬥志，郡縣復有陷者。太宗意頗厭兵，召昌言謂曰：「西川本自一國，太祖平之，訖今三十年矣。」昌言知意，即前指畫攻取之策。太宗喜，命昌言為川峽五十二州招安行營馬步軍都部署。昌言懇辭，敦諭不許，賜精鎧、良馬、白金五千兩，別賜手劄數幅，皆討賊方略。自繼恩以下，並受節度。既行，有奏昌言無嗣，鼻折山根，頗有反相，不宜遣握兵入蜀。後旬日，召宰相於北苑門曰：「昨令昌言入蜀，朕思之有所未便。且蜀賊小醜，昌言大臣，未易前進。且令駐鳳翔，止遣內侍衛紹欽齎手書指揮軍事，亦可濟也。」詔書追及，昌言已至鳳州，留候館百餘日。賊平，改戶部侍郎，罷政事，知鳳翔府。徙澶、涇、延三州。

When the capital suffered continuous rain, Changyan requested that imperial stud horses be sent out to graze in outer prefectures. Some argued that in the height of autumn they must prepare against the enemy and the horses could not be spared. Changyan said, "The frontier is flooded — the enemy certainly will not come." The emperor followed his advice. Before long Wang Xiaobo and Li Shun raised rebellion in Shu. The court debated sending a high minister to console the region. Changyan alone requested dispatch of troops so the disorder would not spread. Court discussion remained unresolved. When Jia and Mei fell in succession, Wang Jien and others were finally ordered to advance along separate routes to suppress the rebels. Changyan officiated at a temple sacrifice, lodged in the fasting quarters, and was summoned for audience in Zifu Hall. He again urged a military plan, and an envoy was sent to supervise Jien's campaign. Jien lacked skill in commanding large or small forces. Remaining bandits had not been destroyed. He kept his army at Chengdu and the soldiers lost fighting spirit; prefectures and counties again fell. The emperor grew weary of the campaign and summoned Changyan, saying, "Western Sichuan was originally a separate state. Taizu pacified it, and it has now been thirty years." Understanding his meaning, Changyan immediately stepped forward and outlined a plan for capture by assault. The emperor was pleased and appointed Changyan overall commander of the Pacification Army for the fifty-two prefectures of Sichuan and the Gorges. Changyan earnestly declined but repeated persuasion was refused. He was granted fine armor, good horses, and five thousand taels of silver, and separately given several personal letters, all containing strategy for suppressing the rebels. From Jien downward, all were placed under his command. After he departed, a memorial reported that Changyan had no son, that his nose was crooked at the bridge with features suggesting rebellion, and that he should not be sent to command troops into Shu. Some ten days later the emperor summoned the chief counselors at the North Garden Gate and said, "Yesterday I ordered Changyan into Shu, but on reflection I find it somewhat unsuitable. Moreover the Shu rebels are petty bandits, while Changyan is a great minister — it is not easy for him to go forward. Instead let him halt at Fengxiang and send only palace attendant Shao Qin with personal letters to direct military affairs — that too will suffice." The pursuing edict reached him when he had already arrived at Fengzhou. He remained at the relay station for more than a hundred days. When the rebels were pacified he was transferred to Vice Minister of Revenue, removed from administration, and appointed prefect of Fengxiang. He was transferred among the prefectures of Cao, Jing, and Yan.

真宗即位，遷兵部侍郎、知陝州，表求還京，不許。未幾，移知永興軍。咸平三年，與呂蒙正、寇準同召，以本官兼御史中丞、知審官院。有言門資官不宜任親民，昌言手疏，以才不才在人，豈以寒進世家為限，遂罷其議。加工部尚書，仍兼中丞。

When Zhenzong acceded to the throne Changyan was transferred to Vice Minister of War and appointed prefect of Shaanzhou. He memorialized requesting return to the capital but was denied. Before long he was transferred to supervise Yongxing Army. In the third year of Xianping he was summoned together with Lü Mengzheng and Kou Zhun, retaining his present rank while also serving as Censor-in-Chief and director of the Bureau of Personnel Evaluation. Some argued that officials of hereditary pedigree should not hold posts governing the people directly. Changyan submitted a personal memorial arguing that talent or lack of it lies in the person — how could one be limited by humble origin or noble lineage? The proposal was therefore dropped. He was further promoted to Minister of Works while still serving concurrently as Censor-in-Chief.

先時，多遣臺吏巡察群臣逾越法式者，昌言建議請準故事，令左右巡使分領之。會知審刑院趙安仁、判大理寺韓國華斷獄失中解職，昌言因上言：「詳斷官宜加慎擇，自今有議刑不當，嚴示懲罰，授以遠官，若有罪被問不即引伏者，許令追攝。又天下大辟斷訖，皆錄款聞奏，付刑部詳覆，用刑乖理者皆行按劾。惟開封府未嘗奏案，或斷獄有失，止罪元勘官吏，知府、判官、推官、檢法官皆不及責，則何以辨明枉濫，表則方夏？望自今如外州例施行。」從之。會孟州民常德方訟臨津尉任懿以賄登第，事下御史，乃知舉王欽若受之，昌言以聞。欽若自訴，詔刑昺覆按，坐昌言故入，奪官，貶安遠軍行軍司馬，移武勝軍。

Earlier many censorate clerks had been sent to inspect officials who exceeded proper regulations. Changyan proposed following precedent and having left and right touring commissioners divide responsibility. When Zhao Anren, director of the Bureau of Judicial Review, and Han Guohua, chief judge of the Court of Judicial Review, were removed for incorrect judgments, Changyan submitted a memorial: "Judges who examine cases should be chosen with extra care. From now on when a sentence is judged improper, strict punishment should be shown — appointment to a distant post. If one accused of a crime under questioning does not promptly confess, he may be pursued and seized. Furthermore, after all capital cases nationwide are decided, the records of confession should be reported to the throne, sent to the Ministry of Justice for detailed review, and anyone whose use of punishment violated reason should be investigated and impeached. Only Kaifeng Prefecture has never reported its cases upward. When a judgment goes wrong, punishment stops at the original investigating clerks, while the prefect, assistant prefect, examining magistrate, and judicial examiner all escape blame. How, then, can wrongful convictions be exposed and corrected, or the capital set an example for the entire realm? I ask that from now on Kaifeng follow the same procedure used in the outer prefectures." The emperor approved. It happened that a commoner of Mengzhou named Chang Defang sued Ren Yi, assistant magistrate of Linjin, for having passed the examinations by bribery. When the case reached the censorate, it emerged that the chief examiner Wang Qinruo had taken the bribe. Changyan reported the matter to the throne. Qinruo appealed in his own defense. The emperor ordered Xing Bing to reinvestigate. Changyan was convicted of intentional wrongful conviction, stripped of rank, demoted to army affairs staff officer of Anyuan Army, and later transferred to Wusheng Army.

景德初，拜刑部侍郎。求兼三館職，命判尚書都省。真宗幸澶淵，以盟津居要，增屯兵，命知河陽。歷知天雄軍府。境內有小盜，昌言榜諭能告賊者給賞，牙吏即遷職。樞密使王繼英以為小盜不當擅為賞格，乃詔昌言易其榜，有勞者俟朝旨。未幾，徙知鎮州，遷戶部侍郎。大中祥符二年，卒，年六十五。贈吏部尚書，諡曰景肅。錄其子慶嗣為國子監丞，賦祿終喪。侄孫允明同學究出身。

At the opening of the Jingde era he was appointed Vice Minister of Justice. He sought a concurrent appointment in the Three Institutes and was ordered to direct the Secretariat Chancellery. When Zhenzong traveled to Chanyuan, Mengjin was judged a key position and additional troops were stationed there. Changyan was appointed prefect of Heyang. He later served as prefect of the Tianxiong Military Prefecture. When petty bandits appeared in his jurisdiction, Changyan posted notices promising rewards to anyone who informed on them, with immediate promotion for the reporting clerks. Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs Wang Jiying argued that rewards for petty banditry should not be set unilaterally, so an edict ordered Changyan to replace his notice: anyone deserving reward would have to await the court's decision. Before long he was transferred to serve as prefect of Zhenzhou and promoted to Vice Minister of Revenue. In the second year of Dazhong Xiangfu he died at the age of sixty-five. He was posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel and given the posthumous title Jingsu, "Solemn and Reverent." His son Qingsi was appointed Assistant Director of the Directorate of Education, with a stipend granted through the end of mourning. His grand-nephew Yunming entered service as a classicist graduate.

昌言喜推獎後進，掌漕湖外時，李沆通判潭州，昌言謂有臺輔之量，表聞於朝。王旦宰岳州平江，昌言一見，識其遠大，以女妻之，後皆為賢相。王禹偁自卑秩擢詞職，亦昌言所薦也。

Changyan loved to promote rising talent. While serving as transport commissioner for the region beyond the lakes, he met Li Hang, vice prefect of Tanzhou, judged him fit for the highest censorate and council posts, and memorialized the court on his behalf. Wang Dan was magistrate of Pingjiang in Yuezhou. At their first meeting Changyan recognized his great promise and gave him his daughter in marriage. Both men later became celebrated chancellors. Wang Yucheng's promotion from a humble rank to a literary post was also due to Changyan's recommendation.

昌言強力尚氣概，當官無所顧避，所至以威斷立名，雖屢經擯斥，未嘗少自抑損。然剛愎縱率，對僚吏倨慢，時論以此少之。慶嗣至太子洗馬。

Changyan was forceful and proud of spirit. In office he held nothing back, and wherever he served he made a name for stern decisiveness. Though repeatedly cast out and demoted, he never once lowered himself. Yet he was obstinate, willful, and unrestrained, haughty and dismissive toward colleagues and subordinates, and contemporary opinion held this against him. Qingsi rose to the post of Groom of the Heir Apparent.

陳恕，字仲言，洪州南昌人。少為縣吏，折節讀書。江南平，禮部侍郎王明知洪州，恕以儒服見，明與語，大奇之，因資送令預計偕。太平興國二年進士，解褐大理評事、通判洪州，恕以鄉里辭。改澧州。澧自唐季為節鎮兼領，吏多緣簿書乾沒為姦。恕盡擿發其弊，郡中稱為強明，以吏幹聞。

Chen Shu, styled Zhongyan, was a native of Nanchang in Hongzhou. In youth he served as a county clerk, then disciplined himself and turned to study. After the Jiangnan region was pacified, Wang Ming, Vice Minister of Rites, governed Hongzhou. Shu came to see him dressed as a scholar. Wang spoke with him, was deeply impressed, provided him funds, and had him sit for the prefectural qualifying examination. In the second year of Taiping Xingguo he passed the jinshi examination and upon entering service was appointed Judicial Reviewer in the Court of Judicial Review and vice prefect of Hongzhou. Shu declined on account of his home district. He was reassigned to serve as vice prefect of Lizhou. Since the late Tang Lizhou had been the seat of a military commissioner, and clerks often exploited their control of the ledgers to embezzle and commit fraud. Shu exposed every abuse he could find. The prefecture hailed him as forceful and clear-sighted, and his reputation for administrative skill spread.

召入，為右讚善大夫，同判三司勾院，遷左拾遺，充度支判官。與判使王仁贍廷爭本司事，仁贍屈伏，坐貶秩；擢恕為度支員外郎，仍舊職。

Summoned to court, he was appointed Right Supporter of Excellence Grandee and adjutant of the Bureau of Accounts Audit Office of the Three Directorates, then promoted to Left Collector of Omissions and appointed revenue section judge. He argued before the throne with Commissioner Wang Renzan over affairs of the directorate. Renzan was overborne and demoted in rank; Shu was promoted to Assistant Director in the Bureau of Revenue while retaining his existing duties.

再遷工部郎中、知大名府。時契丹內寇，受詔增浚城隍，其器用取於民者不時集，恕立擒府中大豪一人，會將吏將斬之。宗族號訴，賓佐競前請救，大豪叩頭流血，請翌日集事，違期甘死。恕令械之以徇，民皆恐慄，無敢後期者，數日功就。

He was promoted again to Director in the Ministry of Works and appointed prefect of Daming Prefecture. At the time the Khitans were raiding within the borders. Ordered to deepen the moats and repair the walls, he found that requisitioned materials from the populace were not arriving on time. Shu immediately seized one leading local magnate in the prefecture, assembled the staff officers, and prepared to execute him. The man's clansmen wailed and pleaded. Assistants and aides rushed forward to beg for his life. The magnate kowtowed until his forehead bled, asking for one more day to gather the materials and swearing that if he missed the deadline he would accept death without complaint. Shu had him shackled and paraded as a warning. The people trembled with fear, none dared miss the deadline, and within days the work was finished.

會契丹引去，召入為戶部郎中、戶部副使，遷右諫議大夫、知澶州。驛召為河北東路營田制置使。太宗諭以農戰之旨，恕對曰：「古者兵出於民，無寇則耕，寇至則戰。今之戎士皆以募致，衣食仰給縣官，若使之冬持兵禦寇，春執耒服田，萬一生變，悔無及矣。」太宗曰：「卿第行，朕思之。」恕行數日，果有詔，止令修完城堡、通導溝瀆而已，營田之議遂寢。俄知代州，入判吏部選事，拜鹽鐵使。恕有心計，釐去宿弊，太宗深器之，親題殿柱曰「真鹽鐵陳恕」。

When the Khitans withdrew, he was recalled as Director in the Ministry of Revenue and deputy commissioner of the Ministry of Revenue, then promoted to Right Remonstrance Counselor and appointed prefect of Caozhou. He was urgently recalled by courier post and appointed commissioner for military farming on the Hebei Eastern Circuit. Taizong explained the principle of combining farming and warfare. Shu replied, "In antiquity soldiers came from the people: when there was no enemy they farmed; when enemies came they fought. Today's soldiers are all recruited men whose food and clothing depend on the state treasury. If they were made to bear arms against raiders in winter and take up the plow in spring, the slightest disturbance would come too late to remedy." Taizong said, "Go for now — I will think it over." After Shu had traveled several days, an edict indeed arrived ordering only the repair of fortifications and dredging of canals. The military-farming proposal was abandoned. Soon he was appointed prefect of Daizhou, then entered court to judge Ministry of Personnel selections and was appointed salt and iron commissioner. Shu was shrewd and resourceful. He cleared away longstanding abuses, and Taizong valued him deeply, personally inscribing a palace pillar: "The True Salt and Iron Commissioner Chen Shu."

遷給事中、參知政事。數月，太宗言及戶部使樊知古所部不治。恕與知古聯事，情好款洽，密以語之，欲知古修舉其職。知古訴於太宗，太宗怒恕泄禁中語，罷守本官。旋出知江陵府，大發群吏姦贓，坐徒、流、停、廢者甚眾，郡內惕息。

He was promoted to Supervising Censor and appointed Vice Councilor. Several months later Taizong remarked that Fan Zhigu's supervision of the Ministry of Revenue office was in poor order. Shu worked closely with Zhigu and was on friendly terms with him. He secretly passed the remark along, hoping Zhigu would reform and properly perform his duties. Zhigu complained to Taizong. Taizong was furious that Shu had leaked words spoken within the palace and removed him from the council, allowing him to retain his original rank. He was soon sent out as prefect of Jiangling Prefecture, where he broadly exposed clerical corruption. Very many were sentenced to penal service, exile, suspension, or dismissal, and the whole prefecture fell silent with fear.

淳化四年，太宗從魏羽、段惟一之請，分三司為十道，置左右計使，以魏羽、董儼分主之；召恕為工部侍郎，充總計使，判左右計事。左右計使分判十道事，凡議論、計度並令恕等參預。恕以官司各建，政令互出，難以經久，極言其非便。歲餘，果罷，復以恕為鹽鐵使。

In the fourth year of Chunhua, at the request of Wei Yu and Duan Weiyi, Taizong divided the Three Directorates into ten circuits and established left and right planning commissioners, with Wei Yu and Dong Yan placed in charge; Shu was summoned as Vice Minister of Works, appointed chief planning commissioner, and given concurrent authority over left and right planning affairs. The left and right planning commissioners each oversaw affairs in the ten circuits, and all deliberations and calculations were also to involve Shu and his colleagues. Shu argued that with separate agencies issuing overlapping orders the arrangement could not last, and he strongly stated its drawbacks. After little more than a year the arrangement was abolished as he had predicted, and Shu was again appointed salt and iron commissioner.

時太宗留意金穀，召三司吏李溥等二十七人對於崇政殿，詢以計司利害。溥等言條目煩多，不可以口占，願給筆劄以對。太宗遣中黃門送詣相府，限五日悉條上之。溥等共上七十一事，詔以四十四事付有司行之，其十九事下恕等議可否。遣知雜御史張秉、中使張崇貴監議，令中書籍其事，專檢舉之，無致廢格。賜溥等白金緡錢，悉補侍禁、殿直，領其職。太宗謂宰相曰：「溥等條奏事頗有所長。朕嘗語恕等，若文章稽古，此輩固不可望；若錢穀利病，頗自幼至長，寢處其中，必周知根本。卿等但假以顏色，引令剖陳，必有所益。恕等剛強，終不肯降意詢問。」呂端對曰：「耕當問奴，織當問婢。」寇準曰：「夫子入太廟，每事問，乃以貴下賤，先有司之義。」

At the time Taizong was closely attentive to revenue. He summoned twenty-seven clerks of the Three Directorates, including Li Pu, to audience in the Chongzheng Hall and questioned them about the strengths and weaknesses of the accounting offices. Pu and the others said the regulations were too numerous to recite orally and asked for writing materials so they could reply in writing. Taizong sent palace eunuchs to escort them to the chief councilor's office and gave them five days to list everything and submit it upward. Pu and the others together submitted seventy-one items. An edict ordered forty-four implemented through the relevant offices; the remaining nineteen were sent down to Shu and others to discuss whether they should be adopted. Supervising censor Zhang Bing and palace envoy Zhang Chonggui were dispatched to oversee the deliberations. The Secretariat was ordered to record the matter, monitor implementation, and see that nothing was allowed to lapse. Pu and the others were granted platinum cash. All were appointed palace attendants or inner hall duty officers and put in charge of their respective duties. Taizong said to the chief councilors, "In their memorialized items Pu and the others indeed show real strengths. I have told Shu and the others that in classical learning and antiquarian scholarship one certainly cannot expect such men; but in fiscal strengths and weaknesses, having lived within the work from youth to old age, they must know the fundamentals through and through. You need only receive them warmly and draw them out to explain their views — there will surely be benefit. But Shu and the others are stiff-necked and refuse to lower themselves to ask." Lü Duan replied, "When plowing one should ask the farmhand; when weaving one should ask the maid." Kou Zhun said, "When the Master entered the temple he asked about every rite — that is the noble deferring to the humble, the principle of letting those in charge go first."

後數日，太宗又曰：「國家歲入財數倍於唐。唐中葉以降，藩鎮擅命，征賦多不入公家，下陵上替，經制隳壞。若前代為得，即已致太平，豈復煩朕心慮也。」因召恕等責以職事曠廢。恕等對曰：「今土宇至廣，庶務至繁，國用軍須，所費浩瀚，又遇諸州凡有災沴，必盡蠲其租。臣等每舉榷利，朝廷必以侵民為慮，皆尼而不行。縱使耿壽昌、桑弘羊復生，亦所不逮。臣等駑力，惟盡心簿領，終不足上裨聖治。」太宗曰：「卿等清而不通，專守繩墨，終不能為國家度長絜大，剖煩析滯。只如京城倉庫，主吏當改職者，簿領中壹處節目未備，即至十年五年不決，以致貧無資給，轉徙溝壑。此卿等之過，豈不傷和氣哉？」恕等頓首謝。五年，賜三司錢百萬，募吏有能言本司不便者，令恕等量事大小，以錢賞之，錢盡更給。

Several days later Taizong again said, "The state's annual revenue is several times that of the Tang. From mid-Tang onward military commissioners held autonomous power, much taxation never reached the public treasury, subordinates undermined superiors, and institutional order collapsed. If the old ways had been adequate, peace would already have been achieved — why would it still weigh on my mind?" He then summoned Shu and the others and rebuked them for neglecting their duties. Shu and the others replied, "Today the realm is vast and ordinary affairs are endlessly complex. State expenditures and military needs cost enormous sums. Moreover, whenever any prefecture suffers disaster or pestilence, its taxes are fully remitted. Whenever we propose revenue monopolies, the court invariably fears they will encroach on the people and blocks them from being carried out. Even if Geng Shouchang and Sang Hongyang were reborn, they could not meet such demands. We are feeble in ability and can only devote ourselves wholeheartedly to the ledgers — in the end we are insufficient to aid your sage governance." Taizong said, "You are upright but inflexible, clinging rigidly to the rule book. In the end you cannot weigh large against small for the state or cut through complexity and stagnation. Take the capital's granaries and storehouses: when chief clerks due for transfer find even one item incomplete in the accounts, decisions are delayed five or ten years, until the clerks are destitute and die in ditches and ravines. This is your fault — does it not destroy goodwill?" Shu and the others kowtowed in apology. In the fifth year one million cash from the Three Directorates was granted to recruit clerks who could identify inconveniences within their offices. Shu and others were to measure the importance of each matter and reward them with cash; when the funds were exhausted more would be supplied.

至道二年，欲倂三司，命官總判。其勾院、磨勘、理欠、憑由、支收、行帳、提點等司，令恕條列其事以聞。恕奏曰：「伏以封域寖廣，財穀繁多，三司之中，簿牒填委，朝廷設法，督責尤嚴，官吏救過不暇。若為三部各設主司，擇才非難，辦事亦易。事辦過鮮，不撓上心，此亦一時之良策也。其勾院、磨勘兩司，出於舊制，關防之要，莫加於此。理欠、憑由二司，雖非舊設，自理欠失序，憑由散落，故設二司專令典掌。綱目咸具，制置有倫，逋欠無失理之名，憑由鮮流散之弊，實亦要切，不可廢除。若兩司並委一官，方及判官一員之事。其主轄支收司，先因從京支度財貨，轉輸外地，此除彼附，照驗稽滯，若京城得賢主史，使居此司，專行檢轄，凡支撥官物，便給除破文憑，卻於所司置簿記錄，催到收附文記，即乃勾銷簿書取捷之門，亦為允當。其行帳司近日權置，了絕舊帳，帳目告盡，司額自除。提點司是中旨特置，提振三司廢怠之事，固非有司敢得擬議也。」詔三司都憑由、理欠司宜令為一處，命官兼判。應諸道逋負官物，令三司逐部理約，理欠司但總其所逋之數糾督之。餘悉從恕奏。

In the second year of Zhidao there was a plan to merge the Three Directorates under a single supervising official. Shu was ordered to itemize the affairs of the Audit Office, Review Office, Arrears Office, Voucher Office, Disbursement Office, Transit Account Office, and Inspection Office and report to the throne. Shu memorialized, "I respectfully observe that the realm grows ever wider and revenues ever more abundant. Within the Three Directorates documents pile high. The court sets rules with especially strict supervision, and officials scarcely have time to remedy their errors. If three departments each had a chief office and capable men were selected, that would not be difficult and administration would also be easier. When affairs were handled promptly they would not trouble the imperial mind — this too would be a sound policy for the moment. The Audit Office and Review Office derive from the old system; for safeguarding and control nothing surpasses them. The Arrears Office and Voucher Office, though not old establishments, were created because arrears had fallen out of order and vouchers were scattered; therefore two offices were specially established to keep them in custody. Categories and headings are complete and the arrangement is orderly; arrears need not go unsettled and vouchers need not scatter — this is truly essential and cannot be abolished. If both offices were entrusted to one official, the workload would barely equal that of a single adjutant. As for the chief Disbursement Office, it originally arose because funds and goods were disbursed from the capital and transported to outer regions, with verification of receipts here and delays there. If the capital could place a capable chief clerk in this office to conduct exclusive inspection, then whenever official goods were disbursed, disbursement vouchers could be issued on the spot, records kept at the responsible office, and once receipt documents were obtained and filed the ledgers could be written off at once — a shortcut that would also be appropriate. The Transit Account Office was recently established on a provisional basis. Once the old accounts are cleared and the ledgers exhausted, the office itself can naturally be abolished. The Inspection Office was specially established by imperial order to rouse laxity within the Three Directorates — this is indeed not something regular offices would dare propose on their own." An edict ordered the Central Voucher Office and Arrears Office of the Three Directorates combined into one location under an appointed official with concurrent oversight. For official goods owed on every circuit, the Three Directorates were to settle accounts by department, while the Arrears Office would only aggregate the totals owed and supervise recovery. Everything else was adopted as Shu had proposed.

恕將立茶法，召茶商數十人，俾各條利害，恕閱之第為三等，語副使宋大初曰：「吾觀下等固滅裂無取。上等取利太深，此可行於商賈，不可行於朝廷。惟中等公私皆濟，吾裁損之，可以經久。」於是始為三法行之，貨財流通。

When Shu was about to establish tea regulations, he summoned several dozen tea merchants and had each list the advantages and disadvantages. After reading them he ranked the proposals into three grades and said to Vice Commissioner Song Dachu, "The lowest grade is plainly fragmented and worthless. The highest grade seeks profit too aggressively — that may work for merchants but cannot work for the court. Only the middle grade serves both public and private interests. If I trim and adjust it, it can endure." Thereupon he first implemented the three-method system, and goods and cash circulated freely.

峽路諸州，承孟氏舊政，賦稅輕重不均，閬州稅錢千八百為一絹，果州六百為一絹。民前後擊登聞鼓陳訴歷二十年，詔下本道官吏，因循不理。轉運副使張曄年少氣銳，會受詔按覆，即便宜行之。恕奏曄擅改法，計果州一歲虧上供絹萬餘，曄坐削一任免。

The prefectures of the Gorges route still followed the old policies of the Meng regime, and tax burdens were uneven: Langzhou required 1,800 cash in tax for one bolt of silk, while Guozhou required only 600. For twenty years the people had repeatedly beaten the Drum of Direct Appeal to air their grievances, yet though edicts went out to the circuit officials, they procrastinated and did nothing. Transport Vice Commissioner Zhang Ye was young and spirited. When he received an edict to investigate the matter, he immediately set about correcting it on his own authority. Shu reported that Zhang Ye had altered the law without authorization, calculating that Guozhou's tribute silk to the court had fallen short by more than ten thousand bolts in a single year. Zhang Ye was demoted one rank and dismissed.

恕每便殿奏事，太宗或未深察，必形誚讓。恕斂板踧縮，退至殿壁負立，若無所容。俟意稍解復進，愨執前奏，終不改易，如是或至三四。太宗以其忠，多從之。遷禮部侍郎。真宗即位，加戶部，命條具中外錢穀以聞。恕久不進，屢趣之，恕曰：「陛下富於春秋，若知府庫充實，恐生侈心，臣是以不敢進。」真宗嘉之。

Whenever Shu reported matters in the informal audience hall, Taizong would openly rebuke him if he had not looked into something closely enough. Shu would fold his memorial board and shrink back, retreating to stand with his back against the palace wall as though there were nowhere he could hide. When the emperor's mood softened he would step forward again, holding firm to his original memorial without wavering — sometimes three or four times over. Taizong, valuing his loyalty, often accepted his recommendations. He was appointed Vice Minister of Rites. When Zhenzong came to the throne, Shu was also given the title of Vice Minister of Revenue and ordered to compile detailed accounts of state revenues and grain stores throughout the realm. Shu long delayed submitting the report, and when pressed repeatedly he said, "Your Majesty is still young. If you learned how full the treasuries truly are, you might grow extravagant in your tastes — that is why I have not dared to submit the accounts." Zhenzong commended him for this.

咸平二年，帝北巡，充行在轉運使。俄以母老求解，拜吏部侍郎，知通進銀臺封駁司、審官院。上言：「封駁之任，實給事中之職，隸於左曹。雖別建官局，不可失其故號。請以門下封駁事隸銀臺司。」從之。五年，知貢舉。恕自以洪人避嫌，凡江南貢士悉被黜退。又援貢舉非其人之條，故所取甚少，而所取以王曾為首，及廷試糊名考校，曾復得甲科，時議稱之。恕每自歎曰：「吾得曾，名世才也，不愧於知人矣。」

In 999, when the emperor toured the north, Shu served as transport commissioner for the mobile court. Soon afterward, citing his aged mother, he requested leave and was appointed Vice Minister of Personnel, with concurrent charge of the Directorate for Memorial Submission, the Silver Terrace Office for Memorial Review, and the Bureau for the Review of Officials. He submitted a memorial arguing that "the duty of reviewing and rejecting memorials is properly that of the Supervising Secretary, subordinate to the Left Secretariat. Even though a separate bureau had been created, its original designation should not be abandoned. He requested that the Secretariat's duties of reviewing and rejecting memorials be placed under the Silver Terrace Office." The emperor approved. In the fifth year of Xianping, he served as chief examiner for the metropolitan civil service examinations. As a native of Hongzhou, Shu sought to avoid favoritism and disqualified every candidate from the Jiangnan region. Invoking the regulation against selecting unworthy candidates, he chose very few — but chief among them was Wang Zeng, who again earned the top grade when names were concealed for the palace examination. Contemporary opinion praised Shu's judgment. Shu would often say with satisfaction, "In finding Zeng — a talent for the age — I have proved myself no poor judge of men."

恕事母孝，母亡，哀慕過甚，不食葷茹，遂至羸瘠。起復視事，遷尚書左丞、權知開封府。恕已病，猶勉強親職，數月增劇，表求館殿之職，獲奉以濟其貧。真宗曰：「卿求一人可代者，聽卿去。」是時寇準罷樞密使，恕即薦以自代，遂以準為三司使，恕為集賢學士、判院事。準即檢尋恕前後改革興立之事，類以為冊，及以所出榜，別用新板，躬至恕第請判押。恕亦不讓，一一押之，自是計使無不循其舊貫。至李諮為三司使，始改茶法，恕之規模漸革矣。

Shu was deeply filial toward his mother. After her death his grief was so intense that he abstained from meat and pungent foods until he grew gaunt and frail. Recalled from mourning to resume duty, he was promoted to Left Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat and made acting prefect of Kaifeng. Though already ill, Shu still forced himself to attend to his duties. When his condition worsened after several months, he requested an Academy post whose salary might ease his poverty. Zhenzong said, "Recommend someone who can take your place, and you may be relieved." Kou Zhun had just been removed as Commissioner of Military Affairs, and Shu immediately recommended him as his successor. Kou Zhun became Commissioner of the Three Departments, while Shu took the post of Academician of the Collection of Eminent Writings and director of the Academy. Kou Zhun gathered all of Shu's past reforms and establishments into a compiled register, reprinted the proclamations on new blocks, and went in person to Shu's home to request his seal and signature. Shu did not hesitate but affixed his seal to each document. Thereafter every finance commissioner adhered to his established practices. Not until Li Zi became Commissioner of the Three Departments was the tea law changed, and Shu's framework was gradually dismantled.

帝重恕，詔太醫診療。百日，有司請停奉，不許，未幾，卒，年五十九。恕將卒，口占遺奏及約束後事，送終之具，無不周悉。真宗悼惜，廢朝，贈吏部尚書。錄其子執中為太常寺太祝，執古為奉禮郎。

The emperor, holding Shu in high regard, ordered imperial physicians to attend him. At the hundred-day mark of mourning, officials moved to halt his salary, but the emperor refused. Before long Shu died, at the age of fifty-nine. As death approached, Shu dictated his final memorial and instructions for his affairs; every detail of his funeral arrangements was accounted for. Zhenzong grieved deeply, cancelled court for a day, and posthumously conferred on him the title of Minister of Personnel. His son Bozhong was granted the post of Director of Ritual Music in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and Zhigu was made a Master of Ceremonial.

恕頗涉史傳，多識典故，精於吏理，深刻少恩，人不敢干以私。前後掌利柄十餘年，強力幹事，胥吏畏服，有稱職之譽。善談論，聽者忘倦。素不喜釋氏，嘗請廢譯經院，辭甚激切，真宗曰：「三教之興，其來已久，前代毀之者多矣，但存而不論可也。」

Shu was well versed in historical works and precedents, skilled in administrative affairs, stern and sparing in mercy — no one dared approach him with private requests. Having held the reins of finance for more than a decade, he was forceful and effective; clerks feared and obeyed him, and he enjoyed a reputation for competence. He was an engaging speaker; listeners lost track of time. He had always disliked Buddhism and once petitioned to abolish the Scripture Translation Institute in vehement terms. Zhenzong replied, "The Three Teachings have flourished for a very long time; many rulers before us tried to suppress them. It is enough simply to leave them be."

恕性吝，怒子淳私用錢。及寢疾，上言淳不率教導，多與非類遊，常習武藝，願出為外州軍校。真宗曰：「戎校管鎮兵，非丞郎家子弟所蒞也。」以為滁州司馬。恕卒，召復舊官，後竟以賄敗。執中至同中書門下平章事，別有傳；執古至虞部員外郎；執方、執禮，並太子中舍。

Shu was stingy by nature and furious that his son Chun had spent money without permission. When he fell ill, he reported that Chun was undisciplined, consorted with unsavory company, and trained constantly in martial arts — and asked that he be sent out as a military officer in a remote prefecture. Zhenzong said, "Command of frontier garrison troops is no place for the son of a vice-ministerial family." Instead, Chun was made Marshal of Chuzhou. After Shu's death, Chun was recalled to his former post but was eventually ruined by a bribery scandal. Bozhong rose to serve as Grand Councilor; his biography appears elsewhere. Zhigu rose to Vice Director in the Bureau of Parks and Forests. Zhifang and Zhili both served as Junior Gentlemen in the Crown Prince's Household.

魏羽者，字垂天，歙州婺源人。少能屬文，上書李煜，署弘文館校書郎。時建當塗縣為雄遠軍，以羽為判官。宋師渡江出其境，羽以城降，太祖擢為太子中舍，仍舊職。金陵平，入朝，出知興州。

Wei Yu, styled Chuitian, was from Wuyuan in Shezhou. In his youth he showed literary talent; he submitted a memorial to Li Yu and was appointed Proofreader in the Hall of Extended Culture. When Dangtu County was established as the Xiongyuan Army, Yu was appointed its administrative aide. When Song troops crossed the Yangzi into his territory, Yu surrendered the city. Taizu promoted him to Junior Gentleman in the Crown Prince's Household while retaining his existing duties. After Jinling fell, he came to court and was appointed prefect of Xingzhou.

太平興國初，知棣州，改京兆府。六年，受詔詣瀛州覆軍市租，得隱漏數萬計。因上言：「本州錄事參軍郭震十年未代；河間令崔能前任即墨，未滿歲遷秩。有司調選失平，疏遠何由聞達，請罪典司，以肅欺弊。」上賜詔褒諭。覆命，遷太常博士、知宋州，又徙閬州，就改膳部員外郎。丁外艱，起復蒞事，入判大理寺。歷度支、戶部二判官，召拜本曹郎中。因上疏言三司職官頗眾，願省其半，可以責成，仍條列利病凡二十事。詔下有司詳議，皆以為便。改鹽鐵判官。時北邊多警，朝議耕戰之術，以羽為河北東路營田副使，改兩浙轉運使，遷兵部郎中。

Early in the Taiping Xingguo era he governed Dizhou and was then transferred to the Capital Metropolitan Prefecture. In the sixth year he was ordered to Yingzhou to audit military market taxes and uncovered concealed shortfalls amounting to tens of thousands. He therefore submitted a memorial noting that "in this prefecture, Recording Secretary Guo Zhen had served ten years without rotation; yet Helian Magistrate Cui Neng, who had previously served in Jimo, was promoted before a full year had passed. The personnel offices were assigning posts unfairly — how could the remote ever make themselves heard? He requested punishment of those responsible to root out fraud and abuse." The emperor responded with an edict commending him. Upon returning from his mission he was promoted to Doctor of the Imperial Sacrifices and appointed prefect of Songzhou, then transferred to Langzhou and concurrently promoted to Vice Director in the Bureau of Foodstuffs. When his father died he was recalled from mourning to resume duty and appointed vice-director of the Court of Judicial Review. He served successively as vice-director in the Revenue and Personnel bureaus and was summoned to become director of his bureau. He submitted a memorial arguing that the Three Departments had too many officials and proposing to cut their number in half so that responsibilities could be fixed, listing twenty specific recommendations in all. An edict was sent to the relevant offices for review, and all agreed his proposals would be beneficial. He was transferred to the post of vice-director of Salt and Iron. With alarms frequent on the northern frontier, the court debated methods of combining farming and warfare. Yu was made Deputy Commissioner of Garrison Agriculture on the Hebei East Circuit, then transferred to transport commissioner of the Two Zhe circuits and promoted to Director in the Bureau of War.

淳化初，選為秘書少監，逾月，遷左諫議大夫，俄拜度支使，改鹽鐵使。四年，倂三部為一司，以羽判三司。先是，三司簿領堆積，吏緣為姦，雖嘗更立新制，未為適中。是冬，羽上言：「依唐制天下郡縣為十道，兩京為左右計，各署判官領之。」制三司使二員，以羽為左計使，董儼為右計使，中分諸道以隸焉。未久，以非便罷，守本官，出知滑州。丁內艱，起復，加給事中，徙潭州，遣使諭旨。真宗即位，遷工部侍郎，連徙杭、揚二州，召權知開封府。車駕北巡，判留司三司，再為戶部度支使。

At the beginning of the Chunhua era he was selected as Vice Director of the Imperial Library; within a month he was promoted to Left Remonstrating Censor, and soon after appointed Commissioner of Revenue and then Commissioner of Salt and Iron. In the fourth year the three departments were merged into a single commission, and Yu was appointed to direct it. Previously, paperwork at the Three Departments had piled up and clerks exploited the chaos for fraud; though new systems had been tried, none had worked well. That winter Yu submitted a memorial proposing that "under the Tang system the empire's prefectures and counties were divided into ten circuits, with the two capitals forming the Left and Right Commissions, each headed by appointed vice-directors." Two Commissioners of the Three Departments were established — Yu as Left Commissioner and Dong Yan as Right Commissioner — with the circuits divided between them. Before long the arrangement was abolished as impractical. Yu retained his original rank and was sent out as prefect of Huazhou. When his mother died he was recalled from mourning, promoted to Supervising Censor, and transferred to Tanzhou; an envoy was dispatched to convey the emperor's wishes. When Zhenzong came to the throne, Yu was promoted to Vice Minister of Works, transferred in succession to Hangzhou and Yangzhou, and summoned to serve as acting prefect of Kaifeng. When the emperor toured the north, Yu directed the Three Departments in the capital during his absence and again served as Commissioner of Revenue.

咸平四年，以疾解職，拜禮部侍郎。謝日，召升便殿，從容問諭，勉以醫藥。月餘卒，年五十八。

In 1001, citing illness he resigned his post and was appointed Vice Minister of Rites. On the day of his audience of thanks he was summoned to the informal hall, where the emperor spoke with him warmly, inquired after his health, and urged him to seek medical care. A little over a month later he died, at the age of fifty-eight.

羽涉獵史傳，好言事。淳化中，許王暴薨，或有以宮府舊事上聞者。太宗怒，追捕僚吏，將窮究之。羽乘間上言曰：「漢戾太子竊弄父兵，當時言者以其罪當笞耳。今許王之過，未甚於是。」太宗嘉納之，繇是被劾者皆獲輕典。嘗建議有唐以來，凡制詔皆經門下省審，有非便者許其封駁，請遵故事，擇名臣專領其職，迄今不廢。

Yu read widely in historical works and was fond of speaking out on affairs of state. During the Chunhua era, Prince Xu died suddenly, and someone reported old affairs of the princely household to the throne. Taizong was enraged, ordered the arrest of the princely staff, and intended to investigate the matter to the full. Yu seized an opportunity to submit a memorial: "When the Han Crown Prince Li privately wielded his father's troops, those who spoke at the time held that his offense deserved no more than flogging. Prince Xu's fault today is no greater than that." Taizong gladly accepted this counsel, and those who had been impeached all received lighter sentences. He once proposed reviving the Tang practice whereby all edicts and proclamations were reviewed by the Secretariat and could be sealed and rejected if found unsuitable, recommending that eminent ministers be appointed to specialize in this duty — a practice that endures to this day.

羽強力有吏幹，尤小心謹事。太宗嘗謂左右曰：「羽有心計，亦明吏道，但無執守，與物推移耳。歷劇職十年，始逾四十，鬚鬢盡白，亦可憐也。」羽出入計司凡十八年，習知金穀之事，然頗傷煩急，不達大體。

Yu was forceful and capable in administration, especially cautious and conscientious in his duties. Taizong once remarked to those around him, "Yu is shrewd and understands the ways of administration, but he has no fixed principles — he simply shifts with circumstances. He held arduous posts for ten years, and though he had only just passed forty, his beard and temples had turned entirely white — a pitiable sight indeed." Yu spent eighteen years in all moving in and out of the finance commissions and knew the details of revenue and grain inside out, yet he was excessively meticulous and failed to grasp the larger picture.

景德二年，長子玠卒，其妻自陳家貧無祿，上憫之。次子校書郎瓘為奉禮郎，後為殿中丞；琰為太子中舍。孫平仲，天禧三年同進士出身。

In 1005, his eldest son Jie died; when Jie's wife reported that the family was poor and without income, the emperor took pity on them. His second son Guan, a proofreader, was made Master of Ceremonial and later rose to Vice Director in the Palace Secretariat. Yan was made Junior Gentleman in the Crown Prince's Household. His grandson Pingzhong passed the metropolitan examination in 1019 with the jinshi degree.

羽同時有劉式者，亦久居計司，剏端拱中三年磨勘之法，首以式主之。

Contemporary with Yu was Liu Shi, who also long served in the finance commissions; he devised the three-year merit review system in the Duan Gong era and was the first to direct it.

式，字叔度，袁州人也。李煜時，舉《三傳》中第。歸宋，歷遷大理寺丞、讚善大夫、監通州豐利監及主三司都磨勘司，仍賜緋。式又建議置主轄支收司，以謹財賦出納，時以為當。遷秘書丞，與陳靖使高麗。至道中，倂三勾院為一，命式領之。再轉工部員外郎，賜金紫。遷刑部。式深究簿領之弊，江、淮間舊有橫賦，逋積至多，式奏免之，人以為便。然多所條奏，檢校過峻，為下吏所訟，免官，卒。

Shi, styled Shudu, was from Yuanzhou. During Li Yu's reign he passed the examination in the Classics of the Three Commentaries with honors. After submitting to the Song he rose through the ranks to Vice Director of the Court of Judicial Review, Grandee of Exemplary Conduct, Supervisor of the Fengli Commissary in Tongzhou, and chief of the Three Departments Merit Review Office, and was granted the scarlet robe. Shi also proposed establishing a Directorate for Revenue Receipt and Disbursement to tighten control over fiscal receipts and payments, which was considered a sound measure at the time. He was promoted to Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat and served as envoy to Goryeo alongside Chen Jing. During the Zhidao era the three audit bureaus were merged into one, and Shi was appointed to direct it. He was promoted again to Vice Director in the Ministry of Works and granted the gold-and-purple insignia of high rank. He was transferred to the Ministry of Justice. Shi made a thorough study of abuses in fiscal record-keeping. Along the Yangzi and Huai rivers there had long been unauthorized surcharges, with enormous arrears accumulated over time. When Shi memorialized to have them abolished, people welcomed the change. But he submitted memorial after memorial, and his inspections proved excessively harsh; subordinate officials brought charges against him, he was dismissed from office, and died.

真宗追錄前效，賜其子立本學究出身。次子立之，後為國子博士。立德、立禮，並進士及第，立禮為殿中丞。

Emperor Zhenzong recognized his earlier service and granted his son Liben the xuejiu jinshi degree. His second son Lizhi later served as Doctor of the Directorate of Education. Lide and Lili both achieved jinshi status; Lili was appointed Vice Director in the Palace Secretariat.

劉昌言

Liu Changyan

劉昌言，字禹謨，泉州南安人。少篤學，文詞靡麗。本道節度陳洪進辟功曹參軍，掌箋奏。洪進遣子文顯入貢，令昌言偕行，太祖親勞之。

Liu Changyan, styled Yumou, was from Nan'an in Quanzhou. As a youth he applied himself devotedly to his studies, and his prose was elegant and florid. The circuit military commissioner Chen Hongjin recruited him as Staff Adjutant, assigning him responsibility for memorial drafts. When Hongjin sent his son Wenxian to present tribute at court, he had Changyan accompany him; Emperor Taizu received them in person.

太平興國二年，洪進歸朝，改鎮徐州，又辟推官。五年，舉進士入格，太宗初惜科第，止授歸德軍掌書記。八年，復舉得第，遷保信、武信二鎮判官。宰相趙普鎮南陽，重昌言有吏幹。錢俶帥鄧，表薦之。移泰寧軍節度判官。入為左司諫、廣南安撫使。淳化初，趙普留守西京，表為通判，委以府政。普疾，屬昌言後事。普卒，昌言感普知己，經理其家事。太宗以為忠於所舉，拜起居郎，賜金紫、錢五十萬。連對三日，皆至日旰。昌言捷給詼詭，能揣人主意，無不稱旨。太宗謂宰相曰：「昌言質狀非偉，若以貌取，失之子羽矣。」遷工部郎中，逾月，守本官，充樞密直學士，與錢若水同知審官院。二十八日，遷右諫議大夫、同知樞密院事。

In 977, when Hongjin submitted to the Song court and was reassigned to Xuzhou, he again recruited Changyan as Administrative Aide. In 980 he passed the jinshi qualifying examination, but Emperor Taizong, still reluctant to grant full jinshi recognition, posted him only as secretary of the Guide Army command. In 983 he passed the examination with full honors and was appointed Administrative Judge at the Baoxin and Wuxin garrisons. When Chief Minister Zhao Pu was posted at Nanyang, he greatly valued Changyan's administrative ability. When Qian Chu served as governor of Deng, he recommended Changyan by memorial. He was transferred to serve as Administrative Judge under the Taining Army commission. He was summoned to the capital as Left Remonstrating Censor and Pacification Commissioner for Guangnan. Early in the Chunhua era, when Zhao Pu served as regent in the Western Capital, he nominated Changyan as Vice Prefect and entrusted him with the administration of the prefecture. When Zhao Pu fell ill, he entrusted his final affairs to Changyan. After Pu's death, Changyan, grateful for his patron's faith in him, took charge of his family's affairs. Emperor Taizong, impressed by his loyalty to the man who had recommended him, appointed him Attendant-in-Ordinary and granted him the gold-and-purple insignia of high office together with fifty thousand cash. He was summoned to audience three days running, each session lasting until sundown. Quick-witted and resourcefully witty, Changyan had a talent for reading others' intentions; nothing he said ever failed to please the emperor. Emperor Taizong told the chief ministers: "Changyan is not imposing in stature; judge him by his appearance and you would have passed over Ziyu." He was promoted to Director in the Ministry of Works; a month later, while retaining that rank, he was made Hanlin Academician in the Privy Council and, together with Qian Ruoshui, directed the Bureau of Appointments. On the twenty-eighth day he was promoted to Right Remonstrating Grandee and Deputy Commissioner of the Privy Council.

昌言驟用，不為時望所伏，或短其閩語難曉，太宗曰：「惟朕能曉之。」又短其委母妻鄉里，十餘年不迎侍，別娶旁妻。太宗既寵之，詔令迎歸京師，本州給錢辦裝，縣次續食。時又有光祿丞何亮家果州，秘書丞陳靖家泉州，不迎其親。下詔戒諭文武官，父母在劍南、峽路、漳泉、福建、嶺南，皆令迎侍，敢有違者，御史臺糾舉以聞。

Changyan's rapid rise failed to win over the establishment; some complained that his Min dialect was hard to understand. "Only I can understand him," the emperor replied. Others faulted him for leaving his mother and wife in his hometown for more than ten years without bringing them to court, and for taking a concubine in the meantime. The emperor, still favoring him, ordered by edict that his family be brought to the capital; his home prefecture was to supply travel funds and relay stations along the route were to provide food. At the time the Director of Ceremonials He Liang, from Guozhou, and the Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat Chen Jing, from Quanzhou, likewise had failed to bring their parents to court. An edict warned civil and military officials throughout the empire that those whose parents lived in Jiannan, the Gorges routes, Zhang-Quan, Fujian, or Lingnan must bring them to court; violators would be impeached by the Censorate and reported to the throne.

昌言自以登擢非次，懼人傾奪。會誅凶人趙讚，昌言與讚素善，前在河南嘗保任之，心不自安。因太宗言及近侍有與讚交者，昌言蹶然出位，頓首稱死罪。太宗慰勉之，然自此惡其為人。以給事中罷，出知襄州。上言：「水旱民輸稅愆期。舊制六月開倉，臣令先一月許所在縣驛輸納以便民。獲盜當部送闕下，臣恐吏柔懦不能制，再亡命，配隸軍籍。此二事，臣從便宜，不如詔書，慮讒慝因而浸潤，願陛下察之。」太宗下詔責其不循舊章，斂怨於民，自今敢背棄詔條，譴責不復恕。

Changyan knew his promotion had been unusually rapid and lived in fear of being undermined by rivals. When the notorious Zhao Zan was put to death, Changyan—who had long been friendly with him and had once vouched for him in Henan—was deeply unsettled. When the emperor remarked that some of his close attendants had consorted with Zan, Changyan suddenly leapt from his seat, prostrated himself, and confessed a capital offense. The emperor comforted him, but from that day forward held his character in contempt. Removed from office as Supervising Censor, he was posted as prefect of Xiangzhou. In a memorial he wrote: "Because of flood and drought the people have fallen behind on their tax payments. Under the old rule granaries opened in the sixth month; I permitted collection to begin a month early at county stations and relay posts to ease the burden on the people. Captured bandits were to be escorted to the capital, but fearing that timid officials could not restrain them and they might escape again, I assigned repeat offenders to military service instead. In both cases I acted expediently rather than strictly by edict; I fear that malicious slander may take hold, and I beg Your Majesty to look into it. Emperor Taizong issued an edict censuring him for departing from established rules and incurring popular resentment, and declared that henceforth anyone who defied imperial regulations would be punished without mercy.

至道二年，徙知荊南府。真宗即位，就拜工部侍郎。咸平二年，卒，年五十八，贈工部尚書。子有方，比部員外郎；有政，虞部員外郎。

In 996 he was transferred to serve as prefect of Jingnan. When Emperor Zhenzong took the throne, he was immediately appointed Vice Director of the Ministry of Works. He died in 999 at the age of fifty-eight and was posthumously granted the title of Director of the Ministry of Works. His son Youfang served as Vice Director in the Ministry of Revenue. His son Youzheng served as Vice Director in the Ministry of Public Works.

張洎，滁州全椒人。曾祖旼，澄城尉。祖蘊，泗上轉運巡官。父煦，滁州司法掾。洎少有俊才，博通墳典。江南舉進士，解褐上元尉。李景長子弘冀卒，有司諡武宣，洎議以為世子之禮，但當問安視膳，不宜以「武」為稱，旋命改諡，擢監察御史。洎自以論事稱旨，遂肆彈擊無所忌，大臣遊簡言等嫉之。會景遷國豫章，留煜居守，即薦洎為煜記室，不得從。未幾，景卒，煜嗣。擢工部員外郎、試知制誥；滿歲，為禮部員外郎、知制誥。遷中書舍人、清輝殿學士，參預機密，恩寵第一。

Zhang Ji was from Quanjiao in Chuzhou. His great-grandfather Min served as magistrate of Chengcheng. His grandfather Yun served as transport circuit inspector on the Si River. His father Xu served as legal clerk in Chuzhou. From youth Ji showed exceptional talent and mastered the classics and historical archives. In Jiangnan he passed the jinshi examination and took up his first office as magistrate of Shangyuan. When Li Jing's eldest son Hongji died, the court proposed the posthumous title Wuxuan; Ji argued that a crown prince's rites called only for inquiring after his health and attending his meals, and that "Wu" was an inappropriate epithet. The title was promptly revised, and Ji was promoted to Investigating Censor. Confident that his policy arguments pleased the emperor, Ji began impeaching officials without restraint; senior ministers including You Jianyan came to resent him. When Li Jing moved the capital to Yuzhang and left Li Yu to hold the fort, he recommended Ji as Li Yu's secretary—but Ji was not allowed to accompany him. Before long Li Jing died and Li Yu succeeded him. He was promoted to Vice Director in the Ministry of Works and provisionally appointed to draft imperial edicts. After one year he was appointed Vice Director in the Ministry of Rites and Director of Edict Drafting. He was promoted to Drafting Secretary and Academician of the Qinghui Hall, with a role in confidential state affairs; no one enjoyed greater favor at court.

洎舊字師黯，改字偕仁。清輝殿在後苑中，煜寵洎，不欲離左右，授職內殿，中外之務一以諮之。每兄弟宴飲，作妓樂，洎獨得預。為建大第宮城東北隅，及賜書萬餘卷。煜嘗至其第，召見妻子，賜予甚厚。

Ji had originally used the courtesy name Shi'an and changed it to Xieren. The Qinghui Hall stood in the inner palace gardens; Li Yu so favored Ji that he kept him constantly at his side, gave him an inner-palace post, and consulted him on all matters domestic and foreign. At every banquet the royal brothers held with musical entertainment, Ji alone was invited to attend. A grand mansion was built for him in the northeast corner of the palace city, and he was granted more than ten thousand scrolls of books. Li Yu once visited his mansion, received his wife and children in audience, and lavished generous gifts upon them.

洎尤好建議，每上言，未即行，必稱疾，煜手劄慰諭之，始復視事。及王師圍城，逾年，城危甚，洎勸煜勿降，每引符命云：「玄象無變，金湯之固，未易取也。北軍旦夕當自引退。苟一旦不虞，即臣當先死。」既而城陷，洎攜妻子及橐裝，自便門入止宮中，紿光政使陳喬同升閣，欲與俱死。喬自經氣絕，洎反下見煜曰：「臣與喬同掌樞務，國亡當俱死。又念主在，誰能為主白其事，不死，將有以報也。」

Ji was fond of offering advice; whenever a proposal went unimplemented he would plead illness until Li Yu wrote him a personal letter of reassurance, whereupon he would return to duty. When the Song army besieged the city for more than a year and the situation grew desperate, Ji urged Li Yu not to surrender, citing omens each time: "The constellations have not shifted; our walls of bronze and moats of earth are not easily taken. The northern army will withdraw on its own before long. If the worst should befall us, I shall be the first to die." When the city fell, Ji took his wife, children, and valuables, entered the palace through a side gate, and tricked Director of Brilliant Governance Chen Qiao into joining him on the tower, intending that they die together. Qiao hanged himself and died; Ji then came down to see Li Yu and said: "Chen Qiao and I together managed affairs of state; when the realm falls we ought to die together. But with Your Majesty still alive, who would speak for you if I died? By living on, I may yet serve you."

歸朝，太祖召責之曰：「汝教煜不降，使至今日。」因出帛書示之，乃圍城日洎所草詔，召上江救兵蠟丸書也。洎頓首請罪曰：「實臣所為也。犬吠非其主，此其一爾，他尚多有。今得死，臣之分也。」辭色不變。上奇之，貸其死，謂曰：「卿大有膽，不加卿罪。今之事我，無替昔日之忠也。」拜太子中允，歲餘，判刑部。太宗即位，以其文雅，選直舍人院，考試諸州進士。未幾，使高麗，復命，改戶部員外郎。太平興國四年，出知相州。明年夏，徙貝州。是冬，又知相州。部內不治，轉運使田錫言其狀，代還。洎求見廷辯，上以其儒生，不責以吏事，詔不問。令以本官知譯經院，遷兵部員外郎、禮、戶二部郎中。雍熙二年，同知貢舉。

After the surrender, Emperor Taizu summoned and rebuked him: "You persuaded Li Yu not to capitulate and brought us to this day." The emperor then produced a silk document—the draft edict Ji had written during the siege, sealed in a wax pellet, summoning rescue forces from upstream on the Yangzi. Ji prostrated himself and confessed: "I did this. A dog barks not for its true master—this is but one example; there are many more. Death is what I deserve." His expression never changed. The emperor was struck by his composure, spared his life, and said: "You have remarkable courage; I will not punish you. Serve me now with the same loyalty you once showed your lord." He was appointed Junior Gentleman in the Crown Prince's Household and, after little more than a year, served as judge in the Ministry of Justice. When Emperor Taizong took the throne, Ji was selected for the Drafting Academy on account of his literary cultivation and assigned to examine jinshi candidates from the prefectures. Shortly afterward he served as envoy to Goryeo, and upon his return was promoted to Vice Director in the Ministry of Revenue. In 979 he was posted as prefect of Xiangzhou. The following summer he was transferred to Beizhou. That winter he returned to serve as prefect of Xiangzhou. Within his jurisdiction governance was poor; Transport Commissioner Tian Xi reported this, and he was replaced and recalled to court. Ji requested an audience to defend himself before the throne; the emperor, treating him as a scholar rather than an administrator, ordered that no inquiry be made. He was directed to retain his rank while directing the Sutra Translation Institute, and was promoted to Vice Director in the Ministry of War and then Director in the Ministries of Rites and Revenue. In 985 he served as co-director of the metropolitan examination.

端拱初，契丹寇邊，詔群臣言事。洎上奏，以練兵聚穀，分屯塞下，來則備禦，去則勿追為要略。會錢俶薨，太常定諡忠懿。洎時判考功，為覆狀，經尚書省集議。虞部郎中張佖奏駁曰：「按考功覆狀一句云『亢龍無悔』，實非臣子宜言者。況錢俶生長島夷，夙為荒服，未嘗略居尊位，終是藩臣，故名不可稱龍，位不可為亢。其『亢龍無悔』四字，請改正。」事下中書，以詰洎。對狀曰：「竊以故秦國王明德茂勳，格於天壤，處崇高之富貴，絕纖介之譏嫌。太常禮院稽其功行，定茲嘉諡，考功詳覆之際，率遵至公，故其議狀云：『茲所謂受寵若驚，居亢無悔者也』。謹按《易·乾》之九三云：『君子乾乾，夕惕若厲，無咎。』王弼注云：『處下體之極，居上體之下，履重剛之險，因時而惕，不失其幾，可以無咎。處下卦之極，愈於上九之亢。』《易例》云：『初九為元士，九二為大夫，九三為諸侯。』《正義》云：『《易》之本理，以體為君臣。九三居下體之極，是人臣之體也。其免亢龍之咎者，是人臣之極，可以慎守免禍。故云免亢極之禍也。』《漢書·梁商傳》贊云：『地居亢滿，而能以謹厚自終。』楊植《許由碑》云：『錙銖九有，亢極一夫。』杜鴻漸《讓元帥表》云：『祿位亢極，過逾涯量。』盧杞《郭子儀碑》云：『居亢無悔，其心益降。』李翰《書霍光傳》云：『有伊、周負荷之明，無九三亢極之悔。』張說《祁國公碑》云：『一無目牛之全，一無亢龍之悔也。』況考功狀內止稱云『受寵若驚，居亢無悔』，即本無『亢龍無悔』之語。斯蓋張佖擅改公奏，罔冒天聰。請以元狀看詳，反坐其人，以懲奸妄。」俄下詔曰：「張洎援引故實，皆有依據。張佖學識甚淺，敷陳失實，尚示矜容，免其黜降，可罰一月俸。」

Early in the Duan Gong era, when the Khitan raided the frontier, the emperor ordered officials throughout the court to submit policy recommendations. Ji memorialized that the key strategy was to train troops, stockpile grain, and station garrisons below the frontier passes—holding firm when the enemy came and refusing pursuit when they withdrew. When Qian Chu died, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices proposed the posthumous title Zhongyi, "Loyal and Virtuous." Ji was then serving in the Merit Review Office and drafted the review memorandum, which went to the Ministry of Personnel for collective deliberation. Zhang Bi, Director in the Ministry of Public Works, submitted an objection: "The review memorandum contains the phrase 'the dragon in exalted position without regret'—language no subject ought to use. Qian Chu grew up among the island peoples of the wild frontier and never truly held supreme power; he remained a vassal lord to the end—'dragon' is not a fitting term for him, nor 'exalted position' for his rank. I ask that these four characters be revised." The matter was sent to the Secretariat to demand an explanation from Ji. In his written reply he argued: "The late Prince of Qin possessed brilliant virtue and abundant merit reaching heaven and earth; he enjoyed lofty wealth and honor untainted by the slightest reproach. The Court of Imperial Sacrifices assessed his achievements and conduct and settled on this fine posthumous title; in its detailed review the Merit Review Office acted with complete impartiality, and therefore wrote: 'This is what is meant by receiving favor with trepidation and occupying an exalted position without regret.' I cite the third line of Qian in the Book of Changes: 'The noble person works tirelessly and vigilantly; at evening he remains wary as if facing danger—and so incurs no blame.' Wang Bi's commentary reads: 'At the farthest reach of the lower trigram, yet still beneath the upper body, walking the danger of doubled yang—staying vigilant in season and never missing the crucial moment, one may incur no blame.' To stand at the limit of the lower trigram is still preferable to the overreach of the upper ninth line. The Commentaries on the Changes explain: 'Line one represents the chief officer, line two the grandee, line three the feudal lord.' The Subcommentary explains: 'The underlying logic of the Changes treats the trigrams as emblematic of the relationship between ruler and minister.' Line three stands at the farthest point of the lower trigram—it represents the minister's station. That it escapes the fault of the overreaching dragon is because it marks the utmost limit for a minister—through careful self-restraint one may avoid disaster. Hence the text speaks of escaping the disaster of excessive elevation. The encomium to Liang Shang in the Book of Han reads: 'Though his station verged on the pinnacle, he preserved himself through conscientious humility to the end of his days.' Yang Zhi's Stele for Xu You declares: 'Though the realm itself weighed but trifles, one man stood at the summit of all.' In Du Hongjian's Petition Declining the Post of Marshal we read: 'Office and emolument at the very summit—far beyond what measure allows.' Lu Qi's Stele for Guo Ziyi says: 'Standing at the summit without remorse, he became only more humble in heart.' Li Han's Essay on the Biography of Huo Guang observes: 'He had the enlightened capacity to bear the realm that Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou possessed, without the remorse of line three's excessive elevation.' Zhang Yue's Stele for the Duke of Qi declares: 'The one lacked the full mastery of butchering an ox; the other lacked the remorse of the overreaching dragon.' Moreover, the Merit Review memorandum spoke only of 'receiving favor with trepidation, occupying the apex without regret'—the phrase 'overreaching dragon without regret' appears nowhere in the original. This was surely Zhang Bi's unauthorized tampering with the official memorial—a fraud upon the imperial ear. I ask that the original memorial be reviewed and the offender punished in turn, as a warning against such brazen deceit." Shortly afterward an edict declared: 'Zhang Ji's citations of historical precedent are all well grounded. Zhang Bi's scholarship is shallow and his account of the facts inaccurate; nevertheless he is shown indulgence—spared dismissal but fined one month's salary."

洎未幾選為太僕少卿、同知京朝官考課，拜右諫議大夫、判大理寺。又充史館修撰、判集賢院事。淳化中，上令史館修撰楊徽之等四人修正入閣舊圖，洎同奏詔，因討論故事，獨草奏以聞。洎又言：

Before long he was appointed Vice Director of the Imperial Stud and co-director of metropolitan official merit review, then Right Remonstrating Grandee with charge of the Court of Judicial Review. He also served as History Institute compiler and directed the Hall of Assembled Worthies. During the Chunhua era the emperor ordered Yang Huizhi and three other History Institute compilers to revise the old protocol for entering the Inner Hall. Ji participated in the deliberations under imperial directive and alone drafted the memorial reporting their findings. Ji also submitted the following:

「按舊史，中書、門下、御史臺為三署，謂侍從供奉之官。今起居日侍從官先入殿庭，東西立定，俟正班入，一時起居。其侍從官東西列拜，甚失北面朝謁之儀。請準舊儀，侍從官先入起居，行畢，分侍立於丹墀之下，謂之『蛾眉班』。然後宰相率正班入起居，雅合於禮。

"According to older records, the Secretariat, Chancellery, and Censorate formed the Three Offices—the body of officials who attend upon and serve the throne. Under the present practice, on attendance days the attending officials enter the hall first, stand east and west, and wait for the full court to enter before all performing attendance together. The attending officials bow in separate east-west columns—a serious departure from the proper rites of a north-facing audience. I request a return to the old rite: attending officials enter first for attendance; when finished they divide and stand in attendance below the red steps—the formation known as the Moth-Eyebrow Formation. Only then should the chief ministers lead the full court in for attendance—fully in accord with proper ritual.

臣又聞古之王者，躬勤庶務，其臨朝之疏數，視政事之繁簡。唐初五日一朝，景雲初，始修貞觀故事。自天寶兵興之後，四方多故，肅宗而下，咸隻日臨朝，雙日不坐。其隻日或遇陰霪、盛暑、大寒、泥濘，亦放百官起居。雙日宰相當奏事，即特開延英召對。或夷蠻入貢，勳臣歸朝，亦特開紫宸殿引見。陛下自臨大寶，十有五年，未嘗一日不雞鳴而起，聽天下之政，雖剛健不息，固天德之常然，而遊焉息焉，亦聖人之謨訓。儻君父焦勞於上，臣子緘默於下，不能引大體以爭，則忠良之心，有所不至矣。

I have also heard that the kings of antiquity personally attended to the myriad tasks of government; how often they held court depended on whether public business was heavy or light. Early in the Tang dynasty the emperor held court every five days; at the opening of the Jingyun era the Zhenguan precedent was restored. After warfare erupted in the Tianbao era and troubles multiplied everywhere, emperors from Suzong onward held court on alternate days, resting on the days between. On court days, rain, extreme heat, severe cold, or muddy roads could also excuse officials from attendance. On off days, when chief ministers were scheduled to report affairs, the Yingying Hall would be specially opened for deliberation. When tribal envoys arrived with tribute or meritorious ministers returned to court, the Zichen Hall would be opened for special audience. Your Majesty has personally borne the imperial burden for fifteen years, rising at cockcrow every day without exception to hear the governance of the realm; though tireless vigor is indeed Heaven's constant virtue, repose and ease are likewise the sage's teaching. If the sovereign exhausts himself above while his ministers hold their tongues below, unable to appeal to larger principle, then the loyalty of the good cannot find its fullest expression.

臣欲望陛下依前代舊規，隻日視朝，雙日不坐。其隻日遇大寒、盛暑、陰霪、泥濘，亦放百官起居，其雙日於崇德、崇政兩殿召對宰臣。常參官以下及非時蠻夷入貢、勳臣歸朝，亦特開上閤引見，並請準前代故事處分。」

I pray that Your Majesty restore the regulations of earlier dynasties—holding court on alternate days and resting between. On court days, severe cold, extreme heat, rain, or muddy roads should likewise excuse officials from attendance; on off days chief ministers should be summoned to the Chongde and Chongzheng Halls for deliberation. Regular officials below that rank, unscheduled tribal tribute missions, and the return of meritorious ministers should likewise receive special audience at the Upper Gate—all governed by the precedents of earlier dynasties."

奏入不報。

The memorial was submitted but received no reply.

時上令以《儒行篇》刻於版，印賜近臣及新第舉人。洎得之，上表稱謝，上覽而嘉之。翌日，謂宰相曰：「群臣上章獻文，朕無不再三省覽。如張洎一表，援引古今，甚不可得。可召至中書，宣諭朕意。」數月，擢拜中書舍人，充翰林學士。上顧謂近臣曰：「學士之職，清要貴重，非他官可比，朕常恨不得為之。」故事，赴上日設燕，教坊以雜戲進，久罷其事。至是，令盡設之，仍詔樞密直學士呂端、劉昌言及知制誥柴成務等預會，時以為榮。

The emperor had ordered the 'Conduct of the Scholar' carved on blocks and copies printed for distribution to close ministers and newly successful examination candidates. Ji received a copy and submitted a memorial of thanks; the emperor read it with approval. The next day he told the chief ministers: 'Every memorial and essay submitted to me I read over thrice. A memorial like Zhang Ji's, drawing on ancient and modern precedent, is truly a rarity. Summon him to the Secretariat and convey my sentiments.' Several months later he was promoted to Drafting Secretary and appointed Hanlin Academician. The emperor remarked to his close attendants: 'The post of Hanlin Academician is refined, weighty, and distinguished beyond any other office—I often wish I could hold it myself.' By old precedent a banquet was held on the day of taking office, with the Music Bureau performing varied entertainments—a practice long discontinued. On this occasion the full ceremony was restored, and Privy Council Hanlin Academicians Lü Duan and Liu Changyan, Edict-Drafter Chai Chengwu, and others were invited—an honor widely envied at the time.

俄判吏部銓。嘗引對選人，上顧之謂近臣曰：「張洎富有文藝，至今尚苦學，江東士人之冠也。」洎與錢若水同在禁林，甚被寵顧。時劉昌言驟擢樞要，人望甚輕，董儼方掌財賦，欲以計傾之。會楊徽之、錢熙嘗言洎及若水旦夕當大用。熙以語昌言，昌言曰：「洎必參政柄。若水後進年少，豈遽及此。」時翰林小吏諮事在側，昌言慮洎聞之，即對小吏盡述熙言，令告洎。洎方修飭邊幅以固恩寵，疑徽之遣熙以構飛語中己，遂白於上。上怒，召昌言質之，以徽之為鎮安軍行軍司馬，熙罷職，通判朗州。

Before long he was also put in charge of the Ministry of Personnel's selection office. Once during audience with examination candidates the emperor remarked to his attendants: 'Zhang Ji possesses rich literary gifts and still labors at his studies—he is the foremost scholar of Jiangdong.' Ji served in the Forbidden Grove alongside Qian Ruoshui and enjoyed great imperial favor. Liu Changyan had risen rapidly to a pivotal post and was lightly regarded at court; Dong Yan, who had recently assumed control of finance, sought to undermine him by intrigue. Yang Huizhi and Qian Xi had once remarked that Ji and Ruoshui would soon rise to high office. Xi relayed this to Changyan, who replied: 'Ji is sure to wield political power. Ruoshui is junior and young—how could he rise so quickly?' A minor Hanlin clerk seeking instructions happened to be nearby; fearing Ji might hear of the remark, Changyan immediately repeated Xi's entire statement to the clerk and told him to report it to Ji. Ji was then carefully cultivating his public persona to secure imperial favor; suspecting Huizhi had sent Xi to invent slander against him, he reported the affair to the emperor. The emperor was furious. Changyan was summoned for questioning; Huizhi was demoted to Staff Adjutant of the Zhen'an Army; Xi was dismissed and posted as Vice Prefect of Langzhou.

會皇子益王元傑改封吳王，行揚州、潤州大都督府長史，領淮南、鎮江兩軍節制。洎當草制，因上疏議曰：「謹按前史，皇子封王，以郡為國，置傅相及內史、中尉等，佐王為治。自漢、魏以降，所封之王始不之國，朝廷命卿大夫臨郡，即稱內史行郡事。東晉永和、泰元之際，有琅邪王、會稽王、臨川王，故謝靈運、王羲之等為會稽、臨川內史，即其事也。唐有天下，以揚、益、潞、幽、荊五郡為大都督，署長史、司馬為上佐，即前代內史之類也。其大都督之號，非親王不授；其揚、益等郡，或有親王遙領，朝廷命大臣臨郡者，即皆長史、副大使知節度事也。臣請質之前代，段文昌出鎮揚州，云『淮南節度副大使知節度事、兼揚州大都督府長史』、李載義鎮幽州，云『盧龍軍節度副大使知節度事、兼幽州大都督府長史』，即其例也。今益王以揚、潤二郡建社為吳國王，居大都督之任，又己正領節度事，豈宜卻加長史之號，乃是國王自為上佐矣。若或朝廷且以長史拜受，其加銜內又無副大使、知節度使之目，倘或他日別命守將，俾臨本郡，即不知以何名目而授除也。臣草制之夕，便欲上陳，慮奏報往反，有妨明日宣降。茲事有關國體，況吳王未領恩命，尚可改正，乞付中書門下，商議施行。」宰相以制命已行，難於追改。洎又上表論列，呂蒙正言：「越王領福州長史，今吳王獨為大都督，居越王之上，非便。」上令俟異日除授，並改正之。至明年，上郊祀覃慶，遂改焉。

When Prince Yijian of Yi was redesignated Prince of Wu, he was appointed Chief Administrator of the Yangzhou and Runzhou Superior Command and given control of the Huainan and Zhenjiang armies. As Ji was tasked with drafting the edict, he submitted a memorial arguing: 'Historical precedent shows that when a prince is enfeoffed as king, a commandery becomes his state; tutors, chancellors, inner secretaries, and commandants are appointed to assist in governance. From Han and Wei onward enfeoffed kings no longer went to their states; the court instead appointed grandees to administer the commanderies, styled as inner secretaries conducting commandery affairs. During the Yonghe and Taiyuan eras of Eastern Jin there were the Princes of Langye, Kuaiji, and Linchuan—hence Xie Lingyun and Wang Xizhi served as inner secretaries of Kuaiji and Linchuan, exactly this case. Under the Tang, Yang, Yi, Lu, You, and Jing were made superior commands, with chief administrators and vice administrators as senior aides—the equivalent of earlier inner secretaries. The title of superior commander was granted only to imperial princes; Where an imperial prince held nominal command over Yang, Yi, and other regions while a senior minister administered the commandery on the court's behalf, they were styled vice ambassadors directing military commission affairs. I cite earlier precedent: when Duan Wenchang took command at Yangzhou his title read 'Vice Ambassador of the Huainan Military Commission directing military commission affairs and concurrently Chief Administrator of the Yangzhou Superior Command'; when Li Zaiyi held Youzhou, 'Vice Ambassador of the Lulong Army Military Commission directing military commission affairs and concurrently Chief Administrator of the Youzhou Superior Command.' These are the models. Prince Yi, with Yang and Run as his two commanderies and enfeoffed as Prince of Wu, already holds the post of superior commander and directly commands military commission affairs—how can he also bear the title of chief administrator? That would make the prince his own senior aide. If the court temporarily grants the title of chief administrator, yet the honorific includes no designation as vice ambassador or director of military commission affairs, then if the court later appoints a separate garrison commander to administer the commandery, under what title would the appointment be made? On the evening I was drafting the edict I wished to report at once, but feared that memorials going back and forth might delay promulgation the next day. This touches the dignity of the state; Prince Wu has not yet received his commission and the matter can still be corrected. I pray it be referred to the Secretariat and Chancellery for deliberation.' The chief ministers held that since the edict had already been issued, reversal would be difficult. Ji submitted another memorial on the point. Lü Mengzheng argued: 'The Prince of Yue holds the post of Chief Administrator of Fuzhou; making the Prince of Wu alone a superior commander would place him above the Prince of Yue—an awkward arrangement.' The emperor ordered that corrections be made at the next round of appointments. The following year, when the emperor performed the suburban sacrifice and proclaimed a general amnesty, the titles were revised.

俄奉詔與李至、范杲、張佖同修國史，又判史館。洎博涉經史，多知典故。每上有著述，或賜近臣詩什，洎必上表，援引經傳，以將順其意。上因賜詩褒美，有「翰長老儒臣」之句。與蘇易簡同在翰林，尤不協，及易簡參知政事，洎多攻其失。既而易簡罷，即以洎為給事中、參知政事，與寇準同列。

Before long he received an edict to compile the National History with Li Zhi, Fan Gao, and Zhang Bi, and again directed the History Institute. Ji ranged broadly through the classics and histories and possessed deep knowledge of precedent. Whenever the emperor composed a work or bestowed verse on close ministers, Ji would submit a memorial citing the classics to echo the imperial sentiment. The emperor bestowed a poem in praise containing the line 'venerable scholar-chancellor of the Hanlin.' He was especially at odds with Su Yijian, his fellow Hanlin Academician; when Yijian became Participation Grand Councillor, Ji frequently attacked his failings. Before long Yijian was dismissed, and Ji was appointed Supervising Censor and Participation Grand Councillor, serving alongside Kou Zhun.

先是，準知吏部選事，洎掌考功，為吏部官屬。準年少，新進氣銳，思欲老儒附己以自大。洎夙夜坐曹視事，每冠帶候準出入於省門，揖而退，不交一談。準益重焉，因延與語。洎捷給善持論，多為準規畫，準心伏，乃兄事之，極口談洎於上。上欲進用，又知其在江左日多讒毀良善，李煜殺潘佑，洎嘗預謀，心疑之。翰林待詔尹熙古、吳郢皆江東人，洎嘗善待之。上一夕召熙古輩侍書禁中，因問以佑得罪故。熙古言煜忿佑諫說太直耳，非洎謀也。自是洗然，遂加擢用，蓋準推挽之也。既同秉政，奉準愈謹，政事一決於準，無所參預。專修時政記，甘言善柔而已。後因奏事異同，準復忌之。

Earlier, Kou Zhun had directed selection affairs in the Ministry of Personnel while Ji managed merit review—both serving within that ministry. Kou Zhun was young, newly risen, and ambitious; he wished senior scholars to attach themselves to him so he might magnify his standing. Ji attended to his duties day and night; each day, fully robed, he waited at the ministry gate for Zhun's comings and goings, bowed, and withdrew without ever exchanging a word. Zhun came to respect him all the more and invited him to talk. Quick-witted and skilled in argument, Ji often drafted plans for Zhun; deeply impressed, Zhun treated him as an elder brother and spoke of him to the emperor at every opportunity. The emperor wished to promote him but knew that during his Jiangzuo days he had often slandered good men; when Li Yu killed Pan You, Ji had reportedly been involved—so the emperor hesitated. Hanlin Attendant-Candidates Yin Xigu and Wu Ying, both from Jiangdong, had long enjoyed Ji's favor. One evening the emperor summoned Xigu and the others to serve him in writing within the palace and asked why Pan You had fallen from grace. Xigu said Li Yu resented Pan You because his counsel was too blunt—it was not Ji's doing. Thereafter the emperor's doubts cleared, and Ji was promoted—largely through Kou Zhun's advocacy. Once they shared power, Ji deferred to Zhun utterly; all government affairs were decided by Zhun alone, with Ji taking no part. He devoted himself to compiling the Record of Current Governance, offering nothing but flattery and soft words. Later, when they differed in reporting on affairs of state, Kou Zhun came to resent him again.

至道二年五月，四方館使曹璨自河西馳騎入奏邊事，言繼遷率萬餘眾寇靈州。上詔宰相呂端、知樞密院事趙鎔等各以所見畫策，即日具奏來上。呂端相率詣長春殿見上，言曰：「臣等若各述所見，則非詢謀僉同之議，望許其為一狀，陳其利害。」洎越次奏曰：「端等備位輔弼，上有所詢問，反緘默不言，深失訏謨之體。」端曰：「洎欲有言，不過揣摩陛下意耳，必無鯁切之理。」上默然。翌日，洎上疏引賈捐之棄珠崖事，願棄靈武以省關西饋運。上嘗有此意，既而悔之，洎果迎合，覽奏不悅。既以疏付洎，謂之曰：「卿所陳，朕不曉一句。」洎惶恐而退。上召同知樞密院事向敏中等謂曰：「張洎上言，果為呂端所料，朕已還其疏矣。」

In the fifth month of 996, Cao Shen, envoy of the Four Directions Office, rode in from the Hexi corridor to report frontier affairs: Jiqian was leading more than ten thousand men against Lingzhou. The emperor ordered Chief Minister Lü Duan, Privy Council Commissioner Zhao Yong, and others each to submit strategy according to their judgment that very day. Lü Duan led them to the Changchun Hall and said: 'If each of us states his own view, it cannot constitute joint deliberation; we ask permission to submit a single memorial setting forth costs and benefits.' Ji interrupted and submitted: 'Duan and his colleagues hold the highest ministerial posts; when the sovereign inquires, they remain silent—a grave failure of counsel and deliberation.' Duan replied: 'Whatever Ji has to say will be nothing but a guess at Your Majesty's mind—hardly frank counsel.' The emperor said nothing. The next day Ji submitted a memorial citing Jia Juan's abandonment of Zhuya, proposing to abandon Lingwu and thereby reduce the burden of supply transport from Guanxi. The emperor had once entertained this idea, then thought better of it; Ji had precisely seconded it, and on reading the memorial he was displeased. He returned the memorial to Ji and said, 'What you wrote—I cannot make sense of a single sentence.' Ji withdrew in terror. The emperor summoned Privy Council Vice Commissioner Xiang Minzhong and others and said, 'Zhang Ji's memorial was exactly as Lü Duan foretold—I have already returned it to him.'

洎既議事不稱旨，恐懼，欲自固權位。上已嫉準專恣，恩寵衰替。洎慮一旦同罷免，因奏事，大言寇準退後多誹謗。準但色變，不敢自辯。上由是大怒，準旬日罷。未幾，洎病在告，滿百日，力疾請對，方拜，踣於上前，左右掖起之。明日，上章求解職，優詔不允。後月餘，改刑部侍郎，罷知政事。奉詔嗚咽，疾遂亟，十餘日卒，年六十四。贈刑部尚書，以其二子皆為京官。

Having displeased the emperor in deliberation, Ji grew fearful and sought to shore up his own standing. The emperor already resented Kou Zhun's arrogance, and imperial favor toward him was fading. Fearing they might both be dismissed together, Ji seized an occasion while reporting affairs to declare that Kou Zhun often slandered others after leaving court. Kou Zhun only changed color and did not dare defend himself. The emperor was furious; within ten days Kou Zhun was dismissed. Before long Ji fell ill and took leave; when the hundred days were up he forced himself, sick as he was, to request audience—then collapsed before the emperor as he bowed, and attendants had to help him up. The next day he submitted a memorial asking to be relieved of office; a gracious edict refused. A month or so later he was reassigned Vice Minister of Justice and removed from participation in government. On receiving the edict he wept aloud; his illness turned grave, and within a dozen days he died, aged sixty-four. He was posthumously honored Minister of Justice, and both his sons were granted metropolitan posts.

洎風儀灑落，文采清麗，博覽道釋書，兼通禪寂虛無之理。終日清談，亹亹可聽。尤險詖，好攻人之短。李煜既歸朝，貧甚，洎猶丐索之。煜以白金摐面器與洎，洎尚未滿意。時潘慎脩掌煜記室，洎疑慎脩教煜，素與慎脩善，自是亦稍疏之。煜子仲㝢雅好蒱博飲宴，洎因切諫之，仲㝢謝過。後數月，人有言仲㝢蒱博如故，洎遂與之絕。及仲㝢死郢州，葬京師，洎亦不赴吊。與張佖議事不協，遂為讐隙，始以從父禮事佖，既而不拜。尤善事內官，在翰林日，引唐故事，奏內供奉官藍敏政為學士使，內侍裴愈副之。上覽奏，謂曰：「此唐室弊政，朕安可踵此覆轍，卿言過也。」洎慚而退。性鄙吝，雖親戚無所霑，及江表故舊，亦罕登其門。素與徐鉉厚善，後因議事相忤，遂絕交。然手寫鉉文章，訪求其筆劄，藏篋笥，甚於珍玩。洎有文集五十卷行於世。

Ji carried himself with easy grace and wrote in a clear, elegant style. He read widely in Daoist and Buddhist literature and was versed in Chan quietism and the philosophy of emptiness. All day long he held refined conversation—flowing and pleasant to hear. He was especially treacherous and malicious, fond of attacking others' faults. After Li Yu submitted to the dynasty he was destitute, yet Ji still begged and demanded things of him. Li Yu gave Ji a white-gold face-washing vessel, but Ji was still not satisfied. At the time Pan Shenxiu managed Li Yu's secretariat; Ji suspected Shenxiu had coached him. Though once on good terms with Shenxiu, from then on he kept his distance. Li Yu's son Zhongyu was fond of gambling, wine, and banquets; Ji remonstrated sharply, and Zhongyu apologized. Months later someone reported that Zhongyu gambled as before; Ji then broke off relations with him. When Zhongyu died at Yingzhou and was buried in the capital, Ji did not attend the funeral. He clashed with Zhang Bi over policy and they became enemies; at first he treated Bi with the courtesy due an uncle, but later ceased to bow to him. He was especially skilled at cultivating eunuchs; while in the Hanlin he cited Tang precedent and memorialized that Inner Attendant Lan Minzheng be made Hanlin envoy, with Inner Attendant Pei Yu as deputy. The emperor read the memorial and said, 'This was a corrupt policy of Tang—how can I follow that ruinous path? Your proposal goes too far.' Ji withdrew in shame. By nature he was petty and stingy; even kin received nothing from him, and old friends from the Jiangnan region rarely crossed his threshold. He had long been close to Xu Xuan, but later they clashed over policy and broke off relations. Yet he copied Xuan's essays by hand, sought out his letters, and stored them in boxes as treasured curios. Ji's collected works, fifty juan, circulated widely.

子安期，至國子博士；方回，後為虞部員外郎。方回子懷玉，王欽若婿，賜進士及第，大理寺丞，秘書校理。

His son Anqi rose to Doctor of the National University; Fanghui later served as Vice Director in the Ministry of Works. Fanghui's son Huaiyu, son-in-law of Wang Qinruo, was granted jinshi rank and served as vice director of the Court of Judicial Review and collator in the Secretariat.

李惟清

Li Weiqing

李惟清，字直臣，下邑人。父仲行，為章丘簿，因徙家焉。惟清，開寶中，以三史解褐涪陵尉。蜀民尚淫祀，病不療治，聽於巫覡，惟清擒大巫笞之，民以為及禍。他日又加箠焉，民知不神。然後教以醫藥，稍變風俗。時遣宦官督輸造船木，縱恣不法，惟清奏殺之，由是知名。秩滿，遷大理寺丞。

Li Weiqing, styled Zhichen, was a native of Xiayi. His father Zhongxing served as registrar of Zhangqiu, and the family moved there. During the Kaibao era Weiqing entered service through the Three Histories examination as assistant magistrate of Fuling. The people of Shu favored excessive sacrificial cults; when ill they did not seek medical treatment but obeyed shamans. Weiqing seized the chief shaman and flogged him, and the people believed calamity would follow. Another day he applied the cudgel again, and the people knew the shamans had no power. Only then did he teach them medicine, and gradually the custom changed. Eunuchs were then sent to supervise the delivery of shipbuilding timber and acted lawlessly. Weiqing memorialized for their execution and thereby became known. When his term ended he was promoted to vice director of the Court of Judicial Review.

太平興國三年，遷為荊湖北路轉運判官。五年，改左讚善大夫，充轉運副使，升正使，就改監察御史，兼總南路。嘗入奏事，太宗問曰：「荊湖累年豐稔，又無徭役，民間蘇否？」惟清曰：「臣見官賣鹽斤為錢六十四，民以三數斗稻價，方可買一斤。」乃詔斤減十錢。徙京西轉運使，入為度支判官，改主客員外郎。

In the third year of Taiping Xingguo he was transferred as transport commissioner of the northern Hubei circuit. In the fifth year he was made Left Palmen of the Heir Apparent, vice transport commissioner, then full commissioner, and concurrently remonstrating censor overseeing the southern route. Once when reporting to court, Taizong asked, 'The Jinghu region has enjoyed good harvests for years and bears no corvée—do the people prosper?' Weiqing said, 'I see official salt sold at sixty-four cash per jin—the people must pay the price of three or four dou of rice to buy a single jin.' An edict then reduced the price by ten cash per jin. He was transferred transport commissioner of the western capital circuit, entered court as vice director of the Revenue Bureau, and was made vice director of the Ministry of Rites responsible for foreign affairs.

雍熙三年，大舉取幽州，惟清以為兵食未豐，不可輕動。朝廷業已興師，奏入不報。判度支許仲宣建議通鹽法，以賣鹽歲課賦於鄉村，與戶稅均納。惟清奉詔往荊湖諸路詳定，奏言以鹽配民非便，遂罷。使還，上又問民間苦樂不均事，惟清言：「前在荊湖，民市清酒務官釀轉鬻者，斗給耗二升，今三司給一升，民多他圖，而歲課甚減。」詔復其舊。未幾，出為京東轉運使。會募丁壯為義軍，惟清曰：若「是，天下不耕矣。」三上疏諫，繇是獨選河北，而餘路悉罷。擢屯田郎中、度支副使。

In the third year of Yongxi a major campaign was launched against Youzhou; Weiqing held that army provisions were insufficient and the move should not be made lightly. The court had already mobilized; his memorial received no response. Revenue Vice Director Xu Zhongxuan proposed a comprehensive salt law distributing the annual salt levy to villages to be paid alongside the household tax. Weiqing was ordered to review the Jinghu circuits and reported that assigning salt quotas to households was impracticable; the policy was abandoned. Returning from his mission, the emperor again asked about unequal hardship among the people. Weiqing said, 'Previously in Jinghu, when the people bought liquor brewed and resold by the Clear Wine Bureau, two sheng per dou were allowed as wastage; now the Three Departments allow only one—the people find other channels and annual revenue has fallen sharply.' An edict restored the former allowance. Before long he was posted as transport commissioner of the eastern capital circuit. When able-bodied men were being conscripted into volunteer armies, Weiqing said, 'If so, no one in the realm will farm.' Three memorials of remonstrance followed; therefore only Hebei was selected, and all other circuits abandoned the policy. He was promoted to director in the Ministry of Works and vice commissioner of the Revenue Bureau.

端拱初，遷右諫議大夫，歷戶部使，改度支使。會遣使河朔治方田，大發兵。惟清以盛春妨農，懇求罷廢。太宗曰：「兵夫已發矣。止令完治邊城而已。」淳化三年，遷給事中，充鹽鐵使，遂以帳式奏御。太宗曰：「費用若此，民力久何以堪？如可減省，即便裁度。」惟清曰：「比開寶軍興之際，其數倍多，蓋以將帥未得其人，邊事未寧，屯兵至廣也。臣聞漢有衛青、霍去病，唐有郭子儀、李晟，西北望而畏之。如此則邊事息而支用減矣。望慎擢將帥，以有威名者俾安邊塞，庶節費用。」上言：「彼一時，此一時也。今之西北變詐，與古不同。選用將帥，亦須深體今之幾宜。韓、彭雖古之名將，以彼時之見，制今之敵，亦恐不能成功。今縱得人，未可便如古委之。此乃機事，卿所未知也。」

At the beginning of Duangong he was made Right Remonstrating Grandee, then commissioner of the Ministry of Revenue, then commissioner of the Revenue Bureau. Envoys were then sent to Hebei to administer equal-field land allocation, mobilizing troops on a large scale. Weiqing held that peak spring farming season would be disrupted and urgently pleaded for abolition. Taizong said, 'The labor troops have already been dispatched. Let them only complete repairs on the frontier walls.' In the third year of Chunhua he was promoted Supervising Censor and appointed salt and iron commissioner, then submitted fiscal accounts to the throne. Taizong said, 'Expenditure at this level—how can the people's strength long endure it? If reductions are possible, cut them at once.' Weiqing replied, 'Compared with the Kaibao era when war was launched, the figures are many times greater—because commanders were not the right men, the frontier was unsettled, and garrisons were vast. I have heard that Han had Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, Tang had Guo Ziyi and Li Sheng—the northwest looked upon them and trembled. Then frontier troubles would cease and expenditure would fall. I pray that generals be carefully selected—men of established renown to pacify the borderlands, so that costs may be trimmed.' The emperor said, 'That was one era; this is another. The cunning and treachery of today's northwest differs from antiquity. In choosing commanders one must deeply grasp present circumstances. Han Xin and Peng Yue, though famed generals of old—with the perspective of their age applied to today's enemy, success might still elude them. Even if the right men were found today, one could not simply delegate as in antiquity. These are matters of high strategy beyond your knowledge.'

淮南榷貨務賣岳茶，斤為錢百五十。主吏言陳惡者二十六萬六千餘斤，惟清擅減斤五十錢，不以聞。滁、泗、濠、楚州、漣水軍亦以岳茶陳惡，減價市之。計虧錢萬四千餘貫，為勾院吏盧守仁所發，左授衛尉少卿，黜判官李琯為本曹員外郎，賜守仁錢十五萬。俄出知廣州。至道初，就拜右諫議大夫。太宗聞其廉平，詔獎之。二年，徙廣南東、西路都轉運使，尋召拜給事中。逾月，同知樞密院事。

The Huainan Monopoly Bureau sold Yue tea at one hundred fifty cash per jin. The chief clerk reported 266,000-odd jin as spoiled; Weiqing on his own authority reduced the price by fifty cash per jin without reporting it. Chuzhou, Sizhou, Haozhou, Chuzhou, and Lianshui garrison likewise marked Yue tea as spoiled and bought it at reduced price. The loss totaled over fourteen thousand strings of cash; Auditing Bureau clerk Lu Shouren exposed it. Weiqing was demoted Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Regalia; vice director Li Guan was relegated to a rank in his own bureau; Shouren was rewarded one hundred fifty thousand cash. Before long he was posted prefect of Guangzhou. At the beginning of Zhidao he was directly appointed Right Remonstrating Grandee. Taizong heard of his probity and fairness and issued an edict commending him. In the second year he was transferred chief transport commissioner of eastern and western Guangnan; soon after he was recalled Supervising Censor. A month later he became Privy Council Vice Commissioner.

惟清倜儻自任，有鉤距。臨事峻刻，所至稱強幹。然以俗吏進，無人望。才數月，真宗即位，加刑部侍郎，復除御史中丞。既去樞要，怫鬱尤甚，肆情彈擊。咸平元年。卒，年五十六，贈戶部尚書。

Weiqing was bold and self-reliant, skilled in calculation and leverage. In affairs he was harsh and exacting; wherever he served he was called a forceful administrator. Yet he had risen from the ranks of routine clerks and commanded no public esteem. Only months later Zhenzong ascended; Weiqing was made Vice Minister of Justice and again appointed Censor-in-Chief. Removed from the center of power, he was deeply frustrated and indulged in impeachments at will. In the first year of Xianping. He died, aged fifty-six, and was posthumously honored Minister of Revenue.

子永錫，蔭至光祿寺丞。頗涉學屬辭，尚氣少檢，喜交結。馮拯、王濟、皇甫選多與之遊，日聚舉子於家，談議時政。真宗將幸河朔，永錫猶服父喪，上章大言，列詆近臣，自謂有致太平滅敵之術。選為戶部判官，因對，袖表以獻，又自薦揚。真宗駐蹕大名，召赴行在，試策不中，貶瀧水縣主簿。選為南劍州團練副使，俄復光祿寺丞。六年，又坐交遊非類，監和州商稅，後至右讚善大夫。

His son Yongxi inherited office as vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. He had some learning and facility with words, was proud and undisciplined, and liked to cultivate connections. Feng Zheng, Wang Ji, Huangfu Xuan, and others often associated with him; daily he gathered examination candidates at home to discuss current affairs. When Zhenzong was about to tour Hebei, Yongxi was still in mourning for his father; he submitted a bombastic memorial maligning close ministers and claiming he possessed the art of bringing peace and destroying the enemy. Selected vice director in the Ministry of Revenue, on audience he pulled a memorial from his sleeve and also praised himself. Zhenzong halted at Daming and summoned him to the traveling palace; he failed the examination essay and was demoted registrar of Longshui County. He was selected vice military commissioner of Nanjian Prefecture; before long he was restored vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. In the sixth year he was again punished for keeping unsuitable company, was assigned to supervise commercial taxes at Hezhou, and later rose to Right Supplements Grandee.

次子永德，至殿中丞。

His second son Yongde rose to serve as Palace Supervisor.

論曰：張宏為樞副，當用兵之際，循默備位；趙昌言為御史中丞，屢上書言兵，乃兩易之。中丞可使循默者居之乎？宋失政矣。昌言識李沆，器王旦；陳恕取士得王曾，舉代得寇準；皆可謂知人之明。然趙好獎拔，而頗樹黨與，終以取敗；陳典貢舉，務黜南士，以避嫌疑，皆非君子所為也。昌言尚氣敢言，恕為宋人能吏之首，庶足稱矣。劉昌言感趙普之遇，身後經理其家；然委親鄉里，十年而不迎侍，厚薄失措，又何取乎？張洎初勸李煜勿降，既而不能死之，「犬吠非主」之對，徒以辯舌，僥幸得免。厥後揣摩百端，讒毀正直，利口之士，鮮不為反覆小人也。李惟清居臺端，恨失政柄，恣情鷙擊。舊史稱為俗吏，又奚責焉。

The historians comment: Zhang Hong served as Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. At a time when troops were being deployed, he kept silent and merely held his post. Zhao Changyan was Censor-in-Chief and repeatedly submitted memorials on military affairs, so the two exchanged positions. Can the post of Censor-in-Chief be filled by a man who keeps silent and merely holds his place? Here was a failure of Song governance. Changyan recognized Li Hang's talent and valued Wang Dan. Chen Shu in selecting officials obtained Wang Zeng, and in recommending a successor obtained Kou Zhun. All may be called clear-sighted in judging men. Yet Zhao loved to promote and encourage others and rather formed factions, and in the end brought ruin upon himself. Chen presided over examinations and deliberately excluded southern scholars to avoid suspicion — none of this was conduct befitting a gentleman. Changyan was spirited and dared to speak out; Shu was foremost among capable administrators of the Song — both may fairly be praised. Liu Changyan was grateful for Zhao Pu's favor and after Pu's death managed his household affairs. Yet he left his parents in their home district and for ten years did not bring them to live with him — failing in the proper measure of affection. What is there to admire in that? Zhang Ji at first urged Li Yu not to surrender, yet afterward could not die for his cause. His reply that 'a dog barks not at its own master' relied only on clever speech, and by luck he escaped punishment. Thereafter he schemed in every way and slandered the upright. Men of glib tongues are rarely anything but fickle petty characters. Li Weiqing held office at the head of the censorate, resented the loss of political power, and struck out fiercely as he pleased. The earlier history called him a vulgar official — what more is there to demand of him?

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