1
張鑒，字德明，瀛州團練使藏英之孫。 父裔，以蔭補供奉官。 鑒本將家，幼能嗜學，入衛州霖落山肄業，凡十餘年。 太平興國三年，擢進士第，釋褐大理評事、監泰州紫墟榷務。 升朝，為太子右讚善大夫、知婺州，就遷著作郎。 還，拜監察御史。 奉詔決獄江左，頗雪冤滯。 曆殿中侍御史。
Zhang Jian, whose courtesy name was Deming, was the grandson of Zang Ying, the regimental commander of Ying Prefecture. His father Yi received appointment as a palace attendant through hereditary privilege. Though from a military family, Jian loved learning from childhood. He went to Linluo Mountain in Weizhou to pursue his studies, spending more than ten years there in all. In the third year of the Taiping Xingguo era (978), he passed the jinshi examination. Upon entering official service he was appointed assessor of the Court of Judicial Review and superintendent of the Zixu monopoly office in Taizhou. Once he entered court attendance, he served as Right Supporter-in-Attendance to the Heir Apparent and prefect of Wuzhou, and was then transferred in place to the post of Secretary of the Palace Library. After returning to the capital, he was appointed investigating censor. By imperial order he adjudicated cases in the lower Yangtze region, clearing many long-standing injustices. He subsequently served as palace censor.
2
會命曹彬等進討幽州，問群臣以方略，鑒上疏極言不可。 論者以鑒燕人，沮議非忠也，太宗置不問。 與趙延進同掌左藏，延進恃恩逾規，鑒廷奏之。 有旨罷延進，以鑒判三司度支憑由催欠司。 時三部各置憑由催欠，鑒請並為一，從之。 王明、李惟清薦其能，用為江南轉運使。 本部有大姓為民患者，鑒以名聞。 太宗盡令部送魁首及妻子赴闕，以三班職名羈縻之，江左震肅。 又建議割瑞州清江、吉州新淦、袁州新喻三縣置臨江軍，時以為便。 召還，特被慰獎。 梓州符昭願驕僭不法，即以鑒代之。 遷刑部員外郎、判大理寺，遷屯田郎中、判三司都催欠司，改都勾院，擢拜樞密直學士、知通進、銀臺、封駁司，又掌三班。 上言供奉官以下不考校殿最，恐無沮勸，即詔鑒兼磨勘職。 改三司為左右計，分天下為十道，鑒奏其非便。 未幾，果復舊。
When Cao Bin and others were ordered to advance against Youzhou, the emperor sought strategy from his ministers. Jian submitted a memorial forcefully arguing that the campaign should not be undertaken. Critics argued that as a native of Yan, Jian's obstruction of the campaign showed disloyalty, but Emperor Taizong paid no heed. He and Zhao Yanjin jointly managed the Left Treasury. Yanjin relied on imperial favor to overstep regulations, and Jian impeached him at court. By imperial decree Yanjin was dismissed, and Jian was appointed administrator of the Three Offices' Department of Revenue Voucher and Debt Collection Office. At the time each of the three departments maintained its own voucher and debt collection office. Jian requested that they be merged into one office, and the request was granted. Wang Ming and Li Weiqing recommended him for his competence, and he was appointed transport commissioner for Jiangnan. Within his jurisdiction were powerful clans who oppressed the people, and Jian reported their names to the throne. Taizong ordered the ringleaders and their families all escorted to the capital and kept under restraint with nominal third-rank posts. The lower Yangtze region was awed into good order. He also proposed carving out Qingjiang County of Ruizhou, Xingan County of Jizhou, and Xinyu County of Yuanzhou to establish Linjiang Prefecture—a measure considered convenient at the time. When recalled to court, he received special commendation and reward. Fu Zhaoyuan of Zizhou was arrogant, presumptuous, and lawless, so Jian was sent to replace him. He was promoted to vice minister of justice and administrator of the Court of Judicial Review, then to director of the Directorate of Agriculture and administrator of the Three Offices' General Debt Collection Office. His post was changed to the General Audit Bureau. He was then elevated to academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs and put in charge of the Memorial Clearance, Silver Pavilion, and Seal and Rebuttal offices, and also managed the Third Rank Bureau. He pointed out that palace attendants and officials below that rank were not subject to merit evaluations, which would provide neither restraint nor incentive. The emperor immediately ordered Jian to also assume evaluation duties. When the Three Offices were reorganized into Left and Right accounting divisions and the empire was divided into ten circuits, Jian memorialized that the change was impractical. Before long, the old system was indeed restored.
3
淳化中，盜起西蜀，王繼恩討平之，而御軍無政，其下恃功暴橫。 益州張詠密奏，請命近臣分屯師旅，即遣鑒與西京作坊使馮守規偕往。 召對後苑門，面授方略。 鑒曰：“益部新復，軍旅不和，若聞使命驟至，易其戎伍，慮或猜懼，變生不測。 請假臣安撫之名。 ”太宗稱善。 鑒至蜀，繼恩猶偃蹇，不意朝廷聞其縱肆。 鑒之行，付以空名宣頭及廷臣數人，鑒與詠即遣部戍卒出境，繼恩麾下使臣亦多遣東還，督繼恩輩分路討捕殘寇，而鑒等招輯反側。 事平歸朝，未至，拜左諫議大夫、戶部使。
During the Chunhua era, rebels rose in western Shu. Wang Jien suppressed them, but he governed his troops poorly, and his subordinates relied on their military merit to act with violence and arrogance. Zhang Yong of Yizhou secretly memorialized, requesting that close ministers be sent to station troops in separate camps. Jian was immediately dispatched together with Feng Shougui, commissioner of the Western Capital Workshop Office. He was summoned for audience at the Rear Garden Gate and personally instructed in strategy. Jian said, "The Yi region has only recently been recovered, and the army is ill at ease. If the troops hear that envoys have suddenly arrived to reorganize their units, they may grow suspicious and fearful, and unforeseen trouble may arise. I ask that I be granted the title of pacification commissioner." Emperor Taizong praised the proposal. When Jian reached Shu, Wang Jien remained insolent and did not expect the court to have heard of his excesses. Before Jian's departure he was given blank commission documents and several court officials. Jian and Yong immediately sent garrison troops out of the province, sent many of Wang Jien's staff envoys back east, and supervised Jien and his men in pursuing remnant bandits by separate routes, while Jian and the others won over those who were wavering. When the affair was settled and he was returning to court, he was appointed Left Remonstrance Councillor and commissioner of the Household Bureau before he even arrived.
4
會五路進兵討西夏，令鑒乘傳往環州，與李繼隆議護送芻糧入靈州。 及還，上疏曰：
When troops from five routes advanced against Western Xia, Jian was ordered to travel by post horse to Huanzhou to consult with Li Jilong on escorting fodder and grain into Lingzhou. Upon his return he submitted a memorial, saying:
5
“關輔之民，數年以來，並有科役，畜產蕩盡，室廬頓空。 加以浦洛之行，曾經剽劫。 原州之役，又致遷延。 非獨令之弗從，實緣力所不逮。 況復先棄糧草，見今逐處追科，本戶稅租，互遣他州送納，往返千里，費耗十倍，愁苦怨歎，充塞路岐，自春徂冬，曾無暫息，餱糧乏絕，力用殫窮。 顧此疲羸，尤堪軫恤。 今若復有差率，益致流亡，縱令驅迫，必恐撓潰。 願陛下特垂詔旨，無使重勞，因茲首春，俾務東作。
"The people of the Guanfu region have for several years all borne corvée and tax levies; livestock and goods have been exhausted and dwellings left empty. Added to this, the expedition to Puluo was once ravaged by plunder. The campaign at Yuanzhou also caused delays. It is not merely that orders were disobeyed; in truth their strength could not reach so far. Moreover, grain and fodder were abandoned beforehand, and now levies are being pursued everywhere. Households' tax rents are being sent for payment to other prefectures, traveling back and forth a thousand li at ten times the cost. Grief, bitterness, resentment, and sighs fill the roads. From spring to winter there has been no respite; provisions are exhausted and strength utterly spent. Considering these exhausted and enfeebled people, they are especially worthy of compassion. If there are further requisitions now, flight will only increase. Even if the people are driven and compelled, collapse and rout will surely follow. I hope Your Majesty will specially issue an edict that they not be burdened again, and with this first spring let them devote themselves to spring planting.
6
況靈州一方，僻居絕塞，雖西陲之舊地，實中夏之蠹區。 竭物力以供須，困甲兵而援送，蕭然空壘，隻益外虞。 不若以賜繼遷，使懷恩奉籍，稍息飛免之役。 事當深慮，理要預防。 若待川決而後防，火熾而方戢，則焚溺之患深矣，雖欲拯救，其可得乎？”
Moreover, Lingzhou lies in a remote corner beyond the frontier passes. Though an old land of the western border, it is in truth a drain on the Central Plains. Material resources are exhausted to supply its needs, and soldiers are worn out escorting provisions. The fortresses stand empty, only increasing external alarm. Would it not be better to grant it to Li Jiqian, so that he cherishes imperial grace and submits to the registers, and the corvée of rapid transport is somewhat eased? Affairs should be deeply considered and guarded against in advance. If one waits until the river breaks its banks before guarding against flood, or until the fire blazes before putting it out, then the harm of burning and drowning will be deep indeed. Even if one wishes to save the situation, how can it be done?
7
尋詔鑒專督軍糧，以軍興法從事，饋運頗集。
Soon Jian was ordered to supervise military grain exclusively. Proceeding under wartime law, supplies were largely gathered.
8
真宗即位，遷給事中，使如故。 咸平初，改工部侍郎，出知廣州。 居二年，民條其政績上請刻石。 三年，移知朗州。 溪洞群蠻數寇擾，鑒召酋豪，諭以威信，皆俯伏聽命。
When Emperor Zhenzong acceded, Jian was transferred to supervising censor, and his commission remained as before. At the beginning of the Xianping era he was promoted to vice minister of works and appointed prefect of Guangzhou. After two years the people listed his achievements and petitioned that they be carved in stone. In the third year he was transferred to serve as prefect of Langzhou. The tribal chieftains of the stream grottoes repeatedly raided and harassed. Jian summoned the tribal leaders, instructed them in authority and trust, and all bowed in submission and obeyed.
9
初，鑒在南海，李夷庚為通判，謝德權為巡檢，皆與之不協。 二人密言鑒以貲付海賈，往來貿市，故徙小郡。 至是，鑒自陳有親故謫瓊州，每以奉米附商舶寄贍之，又言夷庚、德權憸人貪凶之狀，上意稍釋。 召還，以疾徙知相州。 有芝草生於監牧之室，鑒表其祥異，以為河朔弭兵款附之兆。 優詔答之。 景德初，卒，年五十八。
Earlier, when Jian was in the South Sea region, Li Yigeng served as vice prefect and Xie Dequan as inspector; both were at odds with him. The two secretly reported that Jian had entrusted capital to maritime traders for commerce back and forth, and for this reason was transferred to a smaller prefecture. At this time Jian explained himself, saying he had relatives and friends exiled to Qiongzhou whom he regularly supplied with stipend grain sent by merchant ships. He also reported the treacherous and greedy conduct of Yigeng and Dequan, and the emperor's suspicions were somewhat eased. Recalled to court, he was transferred to Xiangzhou on account of illness. An auspicious fungus grew in the room of the pasture office. Jian memorialized the marvel, taking it as a sign that the north would lay down arms and submit. A gracious edict replied to him. At the beginning of the Jingde era he died, aged fifty-eight.
10
子：士廉為殿中丞，士宗太子洗馬，士程屯田員外郎。
His sons: Shilian served as palace secretary; Shizong as groom of the Heir Apparent; and Shicheng as vice director of the Directorate of Agriculture.
11
姚坦，字明白，曹州濟陰人。 開寶中，以《尚書》擢第，調補將陵尉。 歷隰州推官、將作監丞、知潯州。 太平興國三年召還，為著作佐郎、通判唐州。
Yao Tan, whose courtesy name was Mingbai, was a native of Jiyin in Caozhou. During the Kaibao era he passed the examination on the Book of Documents and was appointed assistant magistrate of Jiangling. He served successively as judicial officer of Xizhou, director of the Directorate of Works, and prefect of Xunzhou. In the third year of Taiping Xingguo he was recalled and appointed assistant secretary of the Palace Library and vice prefect of Tangzhou.
12
八年，諸王出閣，詔給、諫以上，於朝班中舉年五十以上、通經有文行者，以備宮僚，乃以戶部員外郎王適、監察御史趙齊為衛王府諮議，左讚善大夫戴玄為本府翊善。 水部員外郎趙令圖為廣平郡王府諮議，國子博士閻象為本府翊善。 又以起居舍人楊可法、國子博士楊幼英、左讚善大夫杜新及坦並為皇子翊善，國子博士邢昺為諸王府侍講，坦仍賜緋魚。 太宗召適等謂曰：“諸子生長深宮，未知世務，必資良士讚導，使日聞忠孝之道。 汝等皆朕所慎簡，各宜勉之。 ”坦歷殿中丞、倉部員外郎，賜金紫。 遷本曹郎中，轉考功，仍為益王府翊善。
In the eighth year, when the princes left the palace, an edict ordered officials of remonstrance rank and above to select from the court ranks men over fifty who were versed in the classics and possessed literary accomplishment to serve as palace staff. Wang Shi, vice minister of revenue, and Zhao Qi, investigating censor, were made advisers to the Prince of Wei's household, and Dai Xuan, Right Supporter-in-Attendance, was made tutor of that household. Zhao Lingtu, vice minister of waterways, was made adviser to the Prince of Guangping's household, and Yan Xiang, doctor of the Imperial Academy, tutor of that household. Yang Kefa, attendant of the palace secretariat, Yang Youying, doctor of the Imperial Academy, Du Xin, Left Supporter-in-Attendance, and Tan were also made tutors to the princes. Xing Bing, doctor of the Imperial Academy, was made lecturer to the princes' households. Tan was also granted the red fish badge. Emperor Taizong summoned Shi and the others and said, "The princes grew up deep within the palace and do not know the affairs of the world. They must rely on good men to guide and instruct them, so that day by day they hear the way of loyalty and filial piety. You are all men I have carefully chosen. Each of you should exert yourselves." Tan served successively as palace secretary and vice minister of the granaries, and was granted the gold and purple insignia. He was transferred to director of his former bureau, then to the Directorate of Merit, and still served as tutor to the Prince of Yi's household.
13
坦性木強固滯。 王嘗於邸中為假山，費數百萬，既成，召賓僚樂飲，置酒共觀之。 坦獨俯首，王強使視之，曰：“但見血山耳，安得假山！ ”王驚問故，坦曰：“在田舍時，見州縣催科，捕人父子兄弟，送縣鞭笞，流血被體。 此假山皆民租稅所為，非血山而何？ ”是時，太宗亦為假山，聞而毀之。
Tan was by nature stubborn and inflexible. The prince once built an artificial mountain in his residence at a cost of several million cash. When it was finished he summoned guests and officials to feast and drink, set out wine, and viewed it together. Tan alone bowed his head. The prince forced him to look, and he said, "I see only a mountain of blood—how can this be called an artificial mountain! " The prince asked in alarm for the reason. Tan said, "When I was in the countryside I saw prefectures and counties collecting taxes, seizing fathers, sons, and brothers, sending them to the county for whipping until blood flowed over their bodies. This artificial mountain is all built from the people's tax rents. If it is not a mountain of blood, then what is it? " At that time Emperor Taizong also had an artificial mountain built. On hearing this he had it destroyed.
14
王少佚豫，坦即醜詆，王頗鄙其為人。 自是坦每暴揚其事，上嘗誡之曰：“元傑知書好學，亦足為賢王矣。 少不中節，亦須婉辭規諷，況無大故而詆訐之，豈裨讚之道邪？ ”頃之，左右乃教王詐稱疾不朝。 太宗日使視疾，逾月不瘳，甚憂之，召王乳母問狀，乳母曰：“王本無疾，徒以姚坦檢束，居常不得自便，王不樂，故成疾。 ”上怒曰：“吾選端士，輔王為善。 王不能用其諫，而又詐疾，欲使朕去正人以自便，何可得也。 且王年少，必爾輩為之謀耳。 ”因命捽至後苑，杖之數十。 召坦慰諭曰：“卿居王宮，能以正為群小所疾，大為不易。 卿但如是，勿慮讒間，朕必不聽。 ”王薨，改衛尉少卿，判吏部南曹。 他日因事得對，上以其舊人，召升殿與語。 坦言及故府，意短諸王而稱己之敢言。 坦退，上謂侍臣曰：“坦在宮邸，不能以正理誨諭，事有微失，即從而揚之，此賣直取名耳。”
When the prince was young and indulged in pleasure, Tan would at once revile him, and the prince came to despise his character. From then on Tan would publicly expose the prince's conduct. The emperor once admonished him, saying, "Yuanjie is learned and loves study; he is quite sufficient to be a worthy prince. When he is slightly improper, you must still use tactful words to admonish him. When there is no great cause, how can you slander and denounce him? How does that aid the way of guidance?" " Before long, those around the prince taught him to feign illness and absent himself from court. Emperor Taizong daily sent men to inquire after his illness. After more than a month he did not recover, and the emperor was greatly worried. He summoned the prince's wet nurse and asked the situation. The wet nurse said, "The prince is not really ill. It is only because Yao Tan restrains him so that in daily life he cannot have his way. The prince is unhappy, and so has fallen ill. " The emperor said angrily, "I chose upright men to assist the prince in doing good. The prince would not heed their remonstrance and moreover feigned illness, wishing to make me remove upright men so he could have his way. How can that be allowed? Moreover the prince is young. Surely it is you people who plotted this." He then ordered them dragged to the rear garden and beaten several dozen times. He summoned Tan and comforted him, saying, "You dwell in the prince's palace and can uphold rectitude though hated by petty men—this is very difficult. Continue as you have. Do not worry about slander. I will surely not listen." When the prince died, Tan was changed to Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and administrator of the Southern Bureau of the Ministry of Personnel. Another day, having occasion to answer at audience, the emperor, taking him for an old associate, summoned him to ascend the hall and converse. Tan spoke frankly of his former household, belittling the princes and praising his own outspokenness. When Tan withdrew, the emperor said to his attendants, "Tan in the prince's residence could not instruct and admonish with correct principle. When there was the slightest fault he would at once expose it. This is selling integrity to win a name."
15
景德初，求補郡，俾知鄧州。 轉運使表其治狀，詔嘉獎之。 大中祥符初，復知光州。 二年，卒，年七十五。
At the beginning of the Jingde era he requested appointment to a prefecture and was made prefect of Dengzhou. The transport commissioner memorialized his record of governance, and an edict commended him. At the beginning of the Dazhong Xiangfu era he again served as prefect of Guang Prefecture. In the second year he died, aged seventy-five.
16
索湘，字巨川，滄州鹽山人。 開寶六年進士，釋褐鄆州司理參軍。 齊州有大獄，連逮者千五百人，有司不能決。 湘受詔推鞫，事隨以白。 太平興國四年，轉運使和峴薦其能，遷太僕寺丞，充度支巡官。 改太子右讚善大夫，轉殿中丞，充推官，拜監察御史。 九年，河決，壞民田，命與戶部推官元玘同按行。 會詔下東封，與劉蟠同知泰山路轉運事，又為河北轉運副使。 湘經度供饋，以能幹聞。 事集，加屯田員外郎。
Suo Xiang, whose courtesy name was Juchuan, was a native of Yanshan in Cangzhou. In the sixth year of Kaibao he passed the jinshi examination. Upon entering official service he became judicial administrator of Yunzhou. In Qizhou there was a major case involving more than fifteen hundred persons implicated together, and the authorities could not decide it. Xiang received an order to investigate and try the case, and the matter was promptly clarified. In the fourth year of Taiping Xingguo the transport commissioner He Yan recommended his ability, and he was transferred to director of the Court of the Imperial Stud and appointed revenue inspection officer. He was changed to Right Supporter-in-Attendance to the Heir Apparent, then palace secretary, appointed judicial officer, and appointed investigating censor. In the ninth year the Yellow River burst its banks and ruined the people's fields. He was ordered to inspect the damage together with Yuan Qi, judicial officer of the Household Bureau. When an edict was issued for the eastern Feng sacrifice, he served with Liu Pan as manager of Taishan route transport affairs, and also as vice transport commissioner of Hebei. Xiang managed supplies and was known for his competence. When the affair was concluded he was promoted to vice director of the Directorate of Agriculture.
17
明年，契丹入寇，王師衄於君子館，敵兵乘勝據中渡橋，塞土門，將趨鎮州。 諸將計議未定，湘為田重進畫謀，結大陣東行，聲言會高陽關兵，敵以為然，即擁眾邀我於平虜城。 夜二鼓，率兵而南，徑入鎮陽，據唐河，乘其無備破砦柵。 及敵兵覺，悉遁走。 雍熙中，召為鹽鐵判官，改駕部員外郎。 端拱二年，河北治方田，命副樊知古為招置營田使。 會議罷，復為河北轉運使。 轉虞部郎中，選為將作少監。 居無何，有訟其擅易庫縑以自用者，坐授膳部員外郎、知相州。 時有群盜聚西山下，謀斷澶州河橋，入攻磁、相州，援旗伐鼓，白晝抄劫。 鄰郡發兵千人捕逐，無敢近。 湘擇州軍得精銳三百人，偵其入境，即掩擊而盡擒之。 轉運使王嗣宗以狀聞，詔復舊官，命為河東轉運使。 湘以忻州推官石宗道、憲州錄事胡則為幹職，命以自隨，所至州郡，勾檢其簿領焉。 二人後皆歷清要。 明年，王超等率師趨烏白池，抵無定河。 水源涸絕，軍士渴乏。 時湘已輦大鍬千枚至，令鑿井，眾賴以濟。
The next year the Khitans invaded. The imperial army was repulsed at Junzi Pavilion, and the enemy troops seized the victory, occupied the Zhongdu Bridge, blocked Tumen, and were about to advance on Zhenzhou. The generals' plans were undecided. Xiang devised a strategy for Tian Chongjin: form a great battle line and march east, proclaiming that they would join forces with the troops at Gaoyang Pass. The enemy believed it and massed to intercept them at Pinglu Fort. At the second watch of the night he led the army south, entered Zhenyang directly, held the Tang River, and took advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness to break their stockades. When the enemy troops realized what had happened, they all fled. During the Yongxi era he was summoned as salt and iron administrator and changed to vice minister of the Transport Bureau. In the second year of the Duangong era, when Hebei was developing the equal-field system, he was ordered to serve as vice commissioner for establishing military colonies together with Fan Zhigu. When the project was discontinued he again became transport commissioner of Hebei. He was transferred to director of the Ministry of Works and selected as vice director of the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories. Before long someone sued him for privately exchanging treasury silk for his own use. He was punished by appointment as vice minister of provisions and prefect of Xiangzhou. At the time bandits gathered west of the mountain, plotting to cut the bridge over the Cizhou River and enter to attack Ci and Xiang prefectures. They raised banners, beat drums, and plundered in broad daylight. Neighboring prefectures sent a thousand troops to pursue and capture them, but none dared approach. Xiang selected three hundred elite troops from the prefectural army, detected them as they entered the border, and struck suddenly, capturing them all. Transport commissioner Wang Sizong reported the facts. An edict restored his former rank and appointed him transport commissioner of Hedong. Xiang took Xinzhou judicial officer Shi Zongdao and Xianzhou registrar Hu Ze as staff officers and ordered them to accompany him. Wherever he reached a prefecture or commandery he audited the account books. Both men later rose to important posts. The next year Wang Chao and others led troops toward Wubai Pond and reached the Wuding River. The water source dried up and the soldiers suffered thirst. At that time Xiang had already transported a thousand large spades there. He ordered wells dug, and the troops were saved by this.
18
真宗即位，入為右諫議大夫。 復充河北轉運使，屬郡民有斡釀，歲輸課甚微，而不逞輩因之為奸盜，湘奏廢之。 德州舊賦民馬以給驛，又役民為步遞，湘代以官馬兵卒，人皆便之。 會內殿崇班閻日新建議，請於靜戎、威虜兩軍置場鬻茶，收其利以資軍用。 湘言非便，遂止。 又言事者請許榷場商旅以茶藥等物販易於北界，北界商旅許於雄、霸州市易，資其懋遷，庶息邊患。 詔湘詳議以聞，乃上言曰：“北邊自興置榷場，商旅輻湊，制置深得其宜。 今若許其交相販易，則沿邊商人深入戎界，竊為非便。 又北界商人若至雄、霸，其中或雜奸偽，何由辨明？ 況邊民易動難安，蕃戎之情宜為羈製。 望且仍舊為便。 ”會有詔規度復修定州新樂、蒲陰兩縣，湘以其地迫窄，非屯兵之所，遂奏罷之。
When Emperor Zhenzong acceded he entered service as Right Remonstrance Councillor. He again served as transport commissioner of Hebei. In his jurisdiction the people brewed spirits, paying very little in tax, and unruly men used this as a cover for theft. Xiang memorialized to abolish the practice. Dezhou formerly assessed the people for horses to supply the post stations and also conscripted them for foot courier service. Xiang replaced these with official horses and soldier couriers, to everyone's convenience. When Inner Hall Attendant Yan Rixin proposed establishing markets at Jingrong and Weilu armies to sell tea and collect profit to support military expenses, Xiang said it was not advantageous, and the plan was stopped. Others also proposed allowing frontier-market travelers to trade tea and medicines and the like with the northern border, and northern border travelers to trade at Xiong and Bazhou markets, enriching commerce and hoping to ease border troubles. An edict ordered Xiang to discuss the matter in detail and report. He memorialized, saying, "Since the northern border established frontier markets, travelers have gathered in numbers and the arrangements have been deeply appropriate. If mutual trade is now permitted, frontier merchants will penetrate deep into the barbarian regions, which is secretly not advantageous. Moreover, if northern border merchants come to Xiong and Ba, some among them may mix in deceit. How can this be distinguished? Moreover frontier people are easily stirred and hard to settle. Barbarian sentiment should be kept under restraint. I hope the former practice may continue, which would be convenient." When an edict was issued to plan restoration of Xinle and Puyin counties in Dingzhou, Xiang, because the land was narrow and not a place to station troops, memorialized to stop it.
19
湘少文而長於吏事，歷邊部，所至必廣儲畜為備豫計，出入軍旅間，頗著能名。 先是，邊州置榷場，與蕃夷互市，而自京輦物貨以充之，其中茶茗最為煩擾，復道遠多損敗。 湘建議請許商賈緣江載茶詣邊郡入中，既免道途之耗，復有征算之益。 又威虜、靜戎軍歲燒緣邊草地以虞南牧，言事者又請於北砦山麓中興置銀冶，湘以為召寇，亦奏罷之。
Xiang had little literary learning but excelled in administrative affairs. Serving on the frontier, wherever he went he always stored supplies broadly as a precaution. Moving among armies, he was quite known for his ability. Earlier, frontier prefectures established frontier markets to trade with the tribes. Goods were transported from the capital to fill them, among which tea was most troublesome, and the long route caused much loss. Xiang proposed allowing merchants to transport tea along the river to frontier prefectures for official purchase, avoiding route losses and gaining tax revenue. Also, Weilu and Jingrong armies annually burned the grass along the frontier to guard against southern grazing. Others proposed establishing a silver smelter at the foot of Beizhai Mountain in Zhongxing. Xiang, thinking this would invite raids, also memorialized to stop it.
20
咸平二年，入為戶部使。 受詔詳定三司編敕，坐與王扶交相請托，擅易板籍，責授將作少監。 三年，出知許州，徙荊南，復為右諫議大夫、知廣州。 四年，卒，詔遣其子希顏護喪傳置歸鄉里。
In the second year of Xianping he entered service as commissioner of the Household Bureau. Receiving an order to compile the Three Offices code, he was punished for mutual solicitation with Wang Fu and unauthorized alteration of records, and demoted to vice director of the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories. In the third year he was sent out as prefect of Xuzhou, transferred to Jingnan, and again made Right Remonstrance Councillor and prefect of Guangzhou. In the fourth year he died. An edict sent his son Xiyan to escort the coffin home by post relay.
21
宋太初
Song Taichu
22
宋太初，字永初，澤州晉城人。 太平興國三年舉進士，解褐大理評事、通判戎州，以善政聞，有詔褒美。 遷將作監丞、讚善大夫、通判晉州，轉太常丞。 雍熙三年，通判成都府，賜緋魚。 會詔求直言，著《守成箴》以獻。 淳化初，遷監察御史。 時北面用兵，選為雄州通判。 入判度支勾院。 二年，為京西轉運副使。 未幾，移河東。 四年，遷正使。 改殿中侍殷史。
Song Taichu, whose courtesy name was Yongchu, was a native of Jincheng in Ze Prefecture. In the third year of Taiping Xingguo he passed the jinshi examination. Upon entering official service he became an assessor of the Court of Judicial Review and vice prefect of Rongzhou, and was known for good governance. An edict praised him. He was transferred to director of the Directorate of Works, Supporter-in-Attendance, and vice prefect of Jin Prefecture, then to director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. In the third year of Yongxi he served as vice prefect of Chengdu Prefecture and was granted the red fish badge. When an edict sought frank counsel, he composed the "Admonition for Maintaining Success" and presented it. At the beginning of Chunhua he was transferred to investigating censor. At the time the northern front was at war. He was selected as vice prefect of Xiongzhou. He entered to administer the Revenue Audit Bureau of the Three Offices. In the second year he became vice transport commissioner of the Jingxi Circuit. Before long he was transferred to Hedong. In the fourth year he was promoted to chief commissioner. He was changed to palace censor.
23
至道初，遷兵部員外郎，充鹽鐵副使，賜金紫。 時陳恕為使，太初有所規畫必諮恕，未嘗自用為功，恕甚德之。 會西鄙有警，轉饋艱急，改刑部郎中、充陝西轉運使。 二年，命白守榮、馬紹忠護芻糧，分三番抵靈州。 轉運副使盧之翰違旨並往，為戎人所剽。 上怒，捕太初及副使秘書丞竇比係獄。 太初責懷州團練副使，之翰、比悉除名，之翰貶許州司馬，比商州司戶掾。 明年，起太初為祠部郎中，知梓州。 俄復舊秩。
At the beginning of the Zhidao era he was transferred to vice minister of war and appointed vice commissioner of salt and iron, and granted the gold and purple insignia. At the time Chen Shu was commissioner. Whenever Taichu planned something he always consulted Shu and never took credit himself. Shu was deeply grateful. When there was alarm on the western border and transport of supplies was urgent, he was changed to director of the Ministry of Justice and appointed transport commissioner of Shaanxi. In the second year Bai Shourong and Ma Shaozhong were ordered to escort fodder and grain, dividing into three groups to reach Lingzhou. Vice transport commissioner Lu Zhihan disobeyed the order and went together. They were plundered by the barbarians. The emperor was angry and had Taichu and vice commissioner Secretary Director Dou Bi imprisoned. Taichu was punished as regimental vice commander of Huaizhou. Zhihan and Bi were all stripped of rank. Zhihan was demoted to marshal of Xuzhou and Bi to registrar of Shangzhou. The next year Taichu was raised to director of the Ministry of Rites and made prefect of Zizhou. Soon his former rank was restored.
24
真宗嗣位，召還，復命經度陝西饋運事。 咸平初，拜右諫議大夫、知江陵府。 蠻寇擾動，太初以便宜制遏，詔獎之。 三年，再知梓州。 明年，益州雷有終以母老求還，詔太初就代。 時分川峽為四路，各置轉運使。 上以事有緩急，難於均濟，命太初為四路都轉運使，要切之務，俾同規畫。 太初與鈐轄楊懷忠頗不協，時蜀土始安，上慮其臨事矛盾，亟召太初還。 會御史中丞趙昌言等坐事被劾，命權御史中丞。 先是，按劾有罪必豫請朝旨，太初以為失風憲體，獄成然後聞上，時論韙之。 俄出知杭州。 太初有宿疾，以浙右卑濕不便，求近地，得廬州。 疾久，頗昏忘，不能治大郡，連徙汝、光二州。 景德四年卒，年六十二。 錄其弟繼讓試校書郎。
When Emperor Zhenzong succeeded, he was recalled and again ordered to manage Shaanxi supply transport. At the beginning of Xianping he was appointed Right Remonstrance Councillor and prefect of Jiangling Prefecture. Barbarian bandits were active. Taichu restrained them by expedient measures, and an edict commended him. In the third year he again served as prefect of Zizhou. The next year Lei Youzhong of Yizhou, because his mother was old, requested to return. An edict ordered Taichu to replace him. At the time the Chuanxi region was divided into four circuits, each with its own transport commissioner. The emperor, considering that urgent and slack affairs were hard to balance equally, appointed Taichu general transport commissioner of the four circuits to plan critical affairs together. Taichu and commander Yang Huaizhong were quite at odds. As Shu had only recently been pacified, the emperor feared conflict in handling affairs and quickly recalled Taichu. When Vice Censor-in-Chief Zhao Changyan and others were impeached for offenses, he was appointed acting Vice Censor-in-Chief. Earlier, when investigating guilt the court always requested instructions beforehand. Taichu held that this lost the dignity of the censorate and only reported to the throne after the case was complete. Contemporary opinion approved. Soon he was sent out as prefect of Hangzhou. Taichu had a chronic illness. Because the lower Zhe region was damp and inconvenient, he sought a nearer post and obtained Luzhou. His illness lasted long and he became quite forgetful, unable to govern a large prefecture. He was transferred in succession to Ru Prefecture and Guang Prefecture. In the fourth year of Jingde he died, aged sixty-two. His younger brother Jirang was granted trial appointment as proofreader.
25
太初性周慎，所至有幹職譽。 嘗著《簡譚》三十八篇，自序略曰：“廣平生纂文史老釋之學，嘗謂《禮》之中庸，伯陽之自然，釋氏之無為，其歸一也。 喜以古聖道契當世之事，而患未博也，忽外物觸於耳目，內機發於性情，因筆而簡之，以備闕忘耳。 ”子傳慶，後為太子中舍。
Taichu was careful and thorough by nature and wherever he served had a reputation for competence. He once composed thirty-eight chapters of "Brief Discourses," saying in the preface in summary: "Having broadly collected the learning of literature, history, Laozi, and Buddhism throughout life, I have held that the mean in the Rites, spontaneity in Bo Yang, and non-action in Buddhism all return to one. I delight in matching the way of the ancient sages with affairs of the present age, yet worry my knowledge is not broad. Suddenly external things touch eye and ear and inner impulses arise from temperament, and so I write briefly to guard against forgetting." His son Chuanqing later served as attendant of the Heir Apparent.
26
盧之翰
Lu Zhihan
27
盧之翰，字維周，祁州人。 曾祖玄暉，鴻臚卿。 祖知誨，天雄軍掌書記。 父宏，蔡州防禦判官。 之翰少篤學，家貧，客遊單州，防禦使劉乙館於門下。 乙徙錢塘，之翰隨寓其郡。 太平興國四年，舉進士，不得解，詣登聞自陳，詔聽附京兆府解試。 明年登第，解褐大理評事、知臨安縣，三遷殿中丞，通判洺州。
Lu Zhihan, whose courtesy name was Weizhou, was a native of Qizhou. His great-grandfather Xuanhui was Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. His grandfather Zhihui was secretary of the Tianxiong Army. His father Hong was defense judge of Caizhou. Zhihan studied diligently from youth. His family was poor and he traveled as a guest to Shan Prefecture, where Defense Commissioner Liu Yi lodged him at his gate. When Yi moved to Qiantang, Zhihan followed and lodged in that commandery. In the fourth year of Taiping Xingguo he passed the jinshi examination but could not leave office robes. He went to the Palace of Imperial Audience to state his case himself, and an edict allowed him to take the qualifying examination attached to Jingzhao Prefecture. The next year he passed and upon entering official service became an assessor of the Court of Judicial Review and magistrate of Lin'an County. After three promotions he was palace secretary and vice prefect of Ming Prefecture.
28
會契丹入寇，之翰募城中丁壯，決漳、御河以固城壁，虜不能攻。 吏民詣闕求借留。 召還，遷太常博士，為河東轉運副使，徙京西轉運副使，改工部員外郎。 建議導潩河合於淮，達許州，以便漕運。 以勞加戶部員外郎。 又改陝西轉運使，遷吏部員外郎。 至道初，李順亂蜀，命兼西川安撫轉運使。 賊平，還任。
When the Khitans invaded, Zhihan recruited able-bodied men in the city, cut the Zhang and Yu rivers to strengthen the walls, and the barbarians could not attack. Officials and people went to court requesting he be retained. Recalled, he was transferred to doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, vice transport commissioner of Hedong, then vice transport commissioner of the Jingxi Circuit, and changed to vice minister of works. He proposed diverting the Yu River to join the Huai and reach Xuzhou to facilitate canal transport. For his labor he was promoted to vice minister of revenue. He was again changed to transport commissioner of Shaanxi and transferred to vice minister of personnel. At the beginning of the Zhidao era, when Li Shun rebelled in Shu, he was ordered to serve concurrently as pacification and transport commissioner of western Sichuan. When the rebels were pacified he returned to his post.
29
之翰嘗薦李憲為大理丞，憲坐贓抵死，之翰當削三任。 時副使鄭文寶議城清遠軍，又禁蕃商貨鹽，之翰心知其非便，以文寶方任事，不敢異其議。 及文寶得罪，之翰並前愆，左授國子博士，領使如故。 尋復舊職。 會調發芻糧輸靈州，詔分三道護送，命洛苑使白守榮、馬紹忠領其事。 之翰違旨擅並為一，為李繼遷邀擊於浦洛河，大失輜重。 詔國子博士王用和乘傳逮捕，係獄鞫問。 之翰坐除名，貶許州司馬。 明年，起為工部員外郎、同勾當陝西轉運使。 真宗即位，復吏部員外郎，充轉運使。 以久次，召拜禮部郎中，賜金紫，復遣之任。
Zhihan once recommended Li Xian as assessor of the Court of Judicial Review. Xian was executed for embezzlement, and Zhihan should have been stripped of three ranks. At the time vice commissioner Zheng Wenbao proposed fortifying Qingyuan Army and forbidding tribal merchants from trading salt. Zhihan knew in his heart this was not advantageous but, as Wenbao was then in charge, did not dare differ from his view. When Wenbao was punished, Zhihan was punished together for his earlier fault and demoted to doctor of the Imperial Academy, retaining his commission as before. Soon his former post was restored. When fodder and grain were mobilized for transport to Lingzhou, an edict divided escort into three routes and ordered Luoyuan Commissioner Bai Shourong and Ma Shaozhong to lead the affair. Zhihan disobeyed the order and arbitrarily combined them into one. They were ambushed by Li Jiqian at the Puluo River and lost a great quantity of baggage. An edict ordered Doctor of the Imperial Academy Wang Yonghe to travel by post relay to arrest and imprison him for interrogation. Zhihan was stripped of rank and demoted to marshal of Xuzhou. The next year he was raised to vice minister of works and appointed concurrently to manage Shaanxi transport. When Emperor Zhenzong acceded he again became vice minister of personnel and transport commissioner. Because of long service he was summoned and appointed director of the Ministry of Rites, granted the gold and purple insignia, and again sent to his post.
30
咸平元年，以疾命國子博士張誌言代還。 未幾，復出為京西轉運使。 先是，朝廷議城故原州，以張守備，之翰沮罷之，其後西鄙不寧，修葺為鎮戎軍，之翰坐橫議非便，黜知歸州，便道之官，限五日即發。 三年，授廣南西路轉運使。 會廣州索湘卒，就改太常少卿、知州事。 之翰無廉稱，又與轉運使淩策不協，陰發其事。 五年，徙知永州，未行，卒，年五十七。
In the first year of Xianping, on account of illness Doctor of the Imperial Academy Zhang Zhiyan was ordered to replace him and return. Before long he again went out as transport commissioner of the Jingxi Circuit. Earlier the court had discussed rebuilding old Yuanzhou for defense. Zhihan obstructed and stopped it. Afterwards the western border was unsettled and it was repaired as Zhenrong Army. Zhihan was punished for reckless opposition and demoted to prefect of Guizhou, proceeding directly to office with orders to depart within five days. In the third year he was appointed transport commissioner of the Guangnan West Circuit. When Suo Xiang of Guangzhou died, he was changed to Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and given charge of prefectural affairs. Zhihan had no reputation for integrity and was also at odds with transport commissioner Ling Ce, who secretly exposed the matter. In the fifth year he was transferred to Yongzhou. Before he departed he died, aged fifty-seven.
31
鄭文寶
Zheng Wenbao
32
鄭文寶，字仲賢，右千牛衛大將軍彥華之子。 彥華初事李煜，文寶以蔭授奉禮郎，掌煜子清源公仲寓書籍，遷校書郎。 入宋，煜以環衛奉朝請，文寶欲一見，慮衛者難之，乃被蓑荷笠，以漁者見，陳聖主寬宥之意，宜謹節奉上，勿為他慮。 煜忠之。 後補廣文館生，深為李昉所知。
Zheng Wenbao, whose courtesy name was Zhongxian, was a son of Major General Yanhua of the Right Thousand-Ox Guard. Yanhua initially served Li Yu. Wenbao entered service through yin privilege as ceremonial officer and managed the books of Yu's son Zhongyu, Prince of Qingyuan, and was transferred to proofreader. Entering Song, Yu was given the guard appointment to attend court. Wenbao wished to see him once but feared the guards would make it difficult, so wearing a rain cape and carrying a bamboo hat he appeared as a fisherman, met Yu, and explained the grace and leniency of the sage ruler, advising careful obedience and not to worry otherwise. Yu trusted him. Later he was appointed student of the Broad Culture Hall and was deeply known by Li Fang.
33
太平興國八年，登進士第，除修武主簿。 遷大理評事、知梓州錄事參軍事。 州將表薦，轉光祿寺丞。 留一歲，代歸。 獻所著文，召試翰林，改著作佐郎、通判潁州。 丁外艱，起知州事。 召拜殿中丞，使川、陝均稅。 次渝、涪，聞夔州廣武卒謀亂，乃乘舸泛江，一夕數百里，以計平之。 授陝西轉運副使，許便宜從事。 會歲歉，誘豪民出粟三萬斛，活饑民八萬六千口。 既而李順亂西蜀，秦隴賊趙包聚徒數千，將趨劍閣以附之。 文寶移書蜀郡，分兵討襲，獲其渠魁，餘黨殲焉。
In the eighth year of Taiping Xingguo he passed the jinshi examination and was appointed chief clerk of Xiuwu. He was transferred to assessor of the Court of Judicial Review and registrar of Zizhou. The prefect recommended him and he was transferred to director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments. After one year his replacement returned. He presented his writings. Summoned for examination at the Hanlin Academy, he was changed to assistant secretary of the Palace Library and vice prefect of Yingzhou. Upon the death of his father he was raised to manage prefectural affairs. Summoned and appointed palace secretary, he was sent to Sichuan and Shaanxi to equalize taxes. Stopping at Yu and Fu, he heard that Guangwu troops of Kuizhou plotted rebellion. He took a boat down the river, several hundred li in one night, and by stratagem pacified them. He was appointed vice transport commissioner of Shaanxi with permission to act as expedient required. When famine came that year he induced wealthy families to release thirty thousand hu of grain and saved eighty-six thousand starving people. Soon Li Shun rebelled in western Shu. In Qin and Long the bandit Zhao Bao gathered several thousand followers and was about to advance on Jiange to join him. Wenbao sent letters to Shu commanderies, divided troops to attack and raid, captured the ringleaders, and the remaining followers were destroyed.
34
文寶前後自環慶部糧越旱海入靈武者十二次，曉達蕃情，習其語，經由部落，每宿酋長帳中，其人或呼為父。 遷太常博士。 內侍方保吉出使陝右，頗恣橫，且言文寶與陳堯叟交遊，為薦其弟堯佐。 驛召令辨對，途中上書自明。 太宗察其事，坐保吉罪，厚賜文寶而遣之，俄又召至闕下，文寶奏對辯捷，上深眷遇。 俄加工部員外郎。 時龍猛卒戍環慶，七年不得代，思歸，謀亂。 文寶矯詔以庫金給將士，且自劾，請代償，詔蠲其所費。
Wenbao twelve times personally transported grain from Huan and Qing across the dry sea into Lingwu. He understood tribal conditions well, knew their language, and when passing through tribes often lodged in chieftains' tents. Some called him father. He was transferred to doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Inner Attendant Fang Baoji went on mission to Shaanxi and acted with great arrogance, also saying Wenbao associated with Chen Yaosou and recommended his younger brother Yaozuo. Summoned by post relay to answer the charge, on the road he memorialized to clarify himself. Emperor Taizong investigated the matter, punished Baoji, richly rewarded Wenbao and sent him away. Soon he was again summoned to court. Wenbao answered at audience with quick eloquence and the emperor deeply favored him. Soon he was promoted to vice minister of works. At the time the Longmeng troops garrisoned Huan and Qing. For seven years they received no replacement and, longing to return, plotted rebellion. Wenbao forged an edict to distribute treasury gold to the officers and soldiers and also impeached himself, requesting to make restitution. An edict remitted the expense.
35
先是，諸羌部落樹藝殊少，但用池鹽與邊民交易穀麥，會饋免趨靈州，為繼遷所鈔。 文寶建議以為“銀、夏之北，千里不毛，但以販青白鹽為命爾。 請禁之，許商人販安邑、解縣兩池鹽於陝西以濟民食。 官獲其利，而戎益困，繼遷可不戰而屈”。 乃詔自陝以西有敢私市者，皆抵死，募告者差定其罪。 行之數月，犯者益眾。 戎人乏食，相率寇邊，屠小康堡。 內屬萬餘帳亦叛。 商人販兩池鹽少利，多取他徑出唐、鄧、襄、汝間邀善價，吏不能禁。 關、隴民無鹽以食，境上騷擾。 上知其事，遣知制誥錢若水馳傳視之，悉除其禁，召諸族撫諭之，乃定。
Earlier, among the various Qiang tribes agriculture was very sparse. They relied only on trading pool salt with frontier people for grain and millet. When corvée transport rushed to Lingzhou it was plundered by Li Jiqian. Wenbao proposed, saying, "North of Yin and Xia, for a thousand li there is no vegetation. They rely only on trading green-white salt for their livelihood. I ask that it be forbidden and merchants allowed to sell Anyi and Jie County pool salt in Shaanxi to supply the people's food. The state would gain profit and the barbarians would be further distressed. Li Jiqian could be subdued without fighting." An edict was then issued that west of Shaanxi anyone who privately traded would be executed, and informers were recruited with graded punishments for the accused. After several months offenders increased. The barbarians lacked food and together raided the border, slaughtering Xiaokang Fort. More than ten thousand registered households also rebelled. Merchants selling the two pool salts found little profit and mostly took other routes through Tang, Deng, Xiang, and Ru to seek good prices. Officials could not stop them. People of Guan and Long had no salt for food and the frontier was disturbed. The emperor learned of the affair and sent Drafting Officer Qian Ruoshui by post relay to inspect. All prohibitions were removed and the various tribes were summoned and comforted. Then it was settled.
36
朝廷議城古威州，遣內侍馮從順訪於文寶，文寶言：
The court discussed fortifying ancient Weizhou and sent Inner Attendant Feng Congshun to consult Wenbao. Wenbao said:
37
“威州在清遠軍西北八十里，樂山之西。 唐大中時，靈武朱叔明收長樂州，邠寧張君緒收六關，即其地也。 故壘未圯，水甘土沃，有良木薪秸之利。 約葫蘆、臨洮二河，壓明沙、蕭關兩戍，東控五原，北固峽口，足以襟帶西涼，咽喉靈武，城之便。
"Weizhou lies eighty li northwest of Qingyuan Army, west of Leshan. In the Da Zhong era of Tang, Zhu Shuming of Lingwu recovered Changle Prefecture and Zhang Junxu of Binning recovered the Six Passes—that was this place. The old ramparts are not yet destroyed. The water is sweet and the soil fertile. There are benefits of good timber and fuel. It commands the Hulu and Lintao rivers and presses Mingsha and Xiaoguan garrisons. East it controls Wuyuan and north it secures Xiakou—enough to hold western Liang and choke Lingwu. Fortifying it would be advantageous.
38
然環州至伯魚，伯魚抵青岡，青岡拒清遠皆兩舍，而清遠當群山之口，扼塞門之要，芻車野宿，行旅頓絕。 威州隔城東隅，豎石盤互，不可浚池。 城中舊乏井脈，又飛烏泉去城尚千餘步，一旦緣邊警急，賊引平夏勝兵三千，據清遠之衝，乘高守險，數百人守環州甜水谷、獨家原，傳箭野狸十族，脅從山中熟戶，党項孰敢不從，又分千騎守磧北清遠軍之口，即自環至靈七百里之地，非國家所有，豈威州可禦哉？ 請先建伯魚、青岡、清遠三城，為頓師歸重之地。
Yet from Huanzhou to Boyu, Boyu to Qinggang, and Qinggang to Qingyuan are each two days' march. Qingyuan stands at the mouth of the mountains and holds the vital Yaimen Pass. Fodder carts camp in the open and travelers halt entirely. Weizhou is separated by stone ramparts on the east corner of the city and moats cannot be dredged. The city formerly lacked wells. Moreover Feiwu Spring is still more than a thousand paces from the city. Once there is frontier alarm, if the enemy leads three thousand Pingxia elite troops to hold the vital Qingyuan crossing, seize the heights and defend the passes, several hundred men guard Huanzhou Tianshui Valley and Dujia Plain, signal arrows summon the ten Ye Li tribes, coerce the mountain dwelling tribes to follow, and a thousand cavalry guard the Qingyuan crossing north of the desert—then the seven hundred li from Huan to Ling would no longer belong to the state. How could Weizhou be defended? I ask first to build Boyu, Qinggang, and Qingyuan as places to station troops and store supplies.
39
古人有言：‘金城湯池，非粟不能守。 ’俟二年間，秦民息肩，臣請建營田積粟實邊之策，修五原故城，專三池鹽利，以金帛啖党項酋豪子弟，使為朝廷用。 不唯安朔方，制豎子，至於經營安西，綏復河湟，此其漸也。”
The ancients said, 'A golden city and boiling moat cannot be held without grain.' Wait two years until the people of Qin rest their shoulders. Then I ask to establish military colonies and accumulate grain to strengthen the frontier, repair the old Wuyuan city, monopolize the profit of the three pool salts, and use gold and silk to win over the sons and brothers of Dangxiang chieftains to serve the court. Not only would this secure Shuofang and control the barbarian child. As for managing the Anxi region and recovering He and Huang—this would be the beginning.
40
詔從其議。
An edict followed his proposal.
41
文寶至賀蘭山下，見唐室營田舊制，建議興復，可得秔稻萬餘斛，減歲運之費。 清遠據積石嶺，在旱海中，去靈、環皆三四百里，素無水泉。 文寶發民負水數百里外，留屯數千人，又募民以榆槐雜樹及貓狗鴉鳥至者，厚給其直。 地舄鹵，樹皆立枯。 西民甚苦其役，而城之不能守，卒為山水所壞。 又令寧、慶州為水磑，亦為山水漂去。
Wenbao reached Helan Mountain, saw the old Tang military colony system, and proposed restoring it, obtaining more than ten thousand hu of rice and reducing annual transport costs. Qingyuan stands on Jishi Ridge in the dry sea. From Ling and Huan it is three or four hundred li each way and there are naturally no springs. Wenbao mobilized the people to carry water from several hundred li away, kept several thousand men stationed, and also recruited people to bring elm, locust, mixed trees, and even cats, dogs, crows, and birds, paying them generously. The soil was saline. The trees all withered standing. The western people suffered greatly from the corvée and the fort could not be held. In the end it was destroyed by mountain floods. He also ordered Ning and Qing prefectures to build water mills. These too were swept away by mountain floods.
42
繼遷酋長有嵬囉嵬悉俄者，文寶以金帛誘之，與手書要約，留其長子為質，令陰圖繼遷，即遣去。 謂之曰：“事成，朝廷授汝以刺史。 ”文寶又預漆木為函，以備馳獻繼遷之首。 又發民曳石碑石詣清遠軍，將圖紀功。 而嵬囉等盡以事告繼遷，繼遷上表請罪。 上怒文寶，猶含容之。 既而文寶復請禁鹽，邊民冒法抵罪者甚眾。 太常博士席羲叟決獄陝西，廉知其事，以語中丞李昌齡，昌齡以聞。 文寶又奏減解州鹽價，未滿歲，虧課二十萬貫，復為三司所發。 乃命鹽鐵副使宋太初為都轉運使，代文寶還，下御史臺鞫問，具伏。 下詔切責，貶藍山令。 未幾，移枝江令。
Among Li Jiqian's chieftains was Weiluo Weixi'e. Wenbao tempted him with gold and silk and wrote a covenant in his own hand, keeping his eldest son as hostage and ordering him to secretly plot against Jiqian, then sent him away. He told him, "If the affair succeeds, the court will appoint you prefect." Wenbao also prepared a lacquered wooden box in advance to present Li Jiqian's head by rapid dispatch. He also mobilized the people to drag stone tablets to Qingyuan Army intending to record merit. But Weiluo and the others reported everything to Jiqian. Li Jiqian submitted a memorial requesting punishment. The emperor was angry with Wenbao but still tolerated him. Later Wenbao again requested prohibition of salt. Many frontier people violated the law and were punished. Doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Xi Xiesou adjudicated cases in Shaanxi, learned of the affair in an investigation, and told Vice Censor-in-Chief Li Changling. Changling reported it. Wenbao also memorialized to reduce Jiezhou salt prices. Within the year revenue fell short by two hundred thousand strings and he was again impeached by the Three Offices. Song Taichu was then appointed general transport commissioner to replace Wenbao and return. He was handed over to the Censorate for interrogation and fully confessed. An edict sharply rebuked him and he was demoted to magistrate of Lanshan. Before long he was transferred to magistrate of Zhijiang.
43
真宗即位，徙京山。 咸平中召還，授殿中丞，掌京南榷貨。 時慶州發兵護芻糧詣靈州，文寶素知山川險易，上言必為繼遷所敗。 未幾，果如其奏。 轉運使陳緯沒於賊，繼遷進陷清遠軍。 時文寶丁內艱，服未闋，即命相府召詢其策略。 文寶因獻《河西隴右圖》，敘其地利本末，且言靈州不可棄。 時方遣大將王超援靈武，即復文寶工部員外郎，為隨軍轉運使。 至環州，或言靈州已陷，文寶乃易其服，引單騎，冒大雪，間道抵清遠故城，盡得其實，遂奏班師，就除本路轉運使，上疏請再葺清遠軍。 都部署王漢忠言其好生事，遂徒河東轉運使。 粕上言管內廣銳兵萬餘，難得資糧，請徙置近南諸州，又欲令強壯戶市馬，備征役。 宰相李沆等以為廣銳州兵，皆本州守城，置營必慮安土重遷，徙之即致紛擾。 又強壯散處鄉落，無所拘轄，勒其市馬，亦恐非便。 上復令文寶條對，文寶固執前議，且言土人久留，恐或生事。 上曰：“前令團並軍伍，改置營壁，欲其互移本貫，行之已久。 ”而文寶確陳其利，因命錢若水詳度以聞。 若水所對與沆等同，遂罷之。
When Emperor Zhenzong acceded he was transferred to Jingshan. During Xianping he was recalled and appointed palace secretary in charge of capital-south monopoly goods. When Qingzhou mobilized troops to escort fodder to Lingzhou, Wenbao, knowing the mountains and rivers well, memorialized that they would surely be defeated by Li Jiqian. Before long it happened exactly as he memorialized. Transport commissioner Chen Wei perished at the hands of the enemy and Li Jiqian advanced to take Qingyuan Army. At the time Wenbao was in mourning for his mother and had not yet completed the mourning period. He was immediately ordered to the chief councilor's office to consult on strategy. Wenbao thereupon presented the "Map of Hexi and Longyou," narrating the geographical advantages from beginning to end, and also said Lingzhou must not be abandoned. At the time the great general Wang Chao was being sent to aid Lingwu. Wenbao was immediately restored to vice minister of works and made accompanying army transport commissioner. Reaching Huanzhou, some said Lingzhou had fallen. Wenbao changed his clothes, took a single horse alone, braved heavy snow, and by a hidden route reached the old Qingyuan city, learned the full truth, memorialized to withdraw the army, and was appointed transport commissioner of that circuit. He memorialized to rebuild Qingyuan Army. Chief commander Wang Hanzhong said he loved to stir up affairs and he was transferred to Hedong transport commissioner. He memorialized that within his jurisdiction there were more than ten thousand Guangrui troops hard to supply. He asked to transfer them to nearer southern prefectures and also wished to order strong households to buy horses for military service. Chief councilor Li Hang and others held that Guangrui prefectural troops all guarded their home prefectures. Establishing camps would fear attachment to native soil and transfer would cause disturbance. Moreover strong men were scattered in villages with no restraint. Forcing them to buy horses also might not be convenient. The emperor again ordered Wenbao to itemize replies. Wenbao stubbornly maintained his earlier view and also said that if people stayed long they might cause trouble. The emperor said, "Earlier troops were grouped and reorganized and camps changed so they would mutually shift native registers. This has long been in effect." Wenbao firmly stated the advantages and Qian Ruoshui was ordered to assess and report. Ruoshui's reply agreed with Hang and the others and the plan was stopped.
44
先是，麟、府屯重兵，皆河東輸饋，雖地里甚邇，而限河津之阻。 土人利於河東民罕至，則芻粟增價。 上嘗訪使邊者，言河才闊數十步，乃詔文寶於府州、定羌軍經度置浮橋，人以為便。 會繼遷圍麟州，令乘傳晨夜赴之，圍解，遷刑部員外郎，賜金紫。 頃之，寇準薦其熟西事，可備驅策，因復任陝西轉運使。 嘗出手劄，密戒令邊事與僚屬計議，勿得過有須索，重擾於下。 後有言其張皇者，詔徙京西，以朱台符代之。
Earlier, Lin and Fu stationed heavy troops all supplied from Hedong. Though the distance was very close, the river crossing blocked the way. Local people profited because Hedong people rarely came and fodder and grain prices rose. The emperor once asked border envoys who said the river was only several tens of paces wide. An edict ordered Wenbao to plan floating bridges at Fuzhou and Dingqiang Army. People considered it convenient. When Li Jiqian besieged Lin Prefecture he was ordered to travel day and night by post relay. When the siege was lifted he was transferred to vice minister of justice and granted the gold and purple insignia. Soon Kou Zhun recommended him as knowing western affairs and fit for driving use. He was again appointed Shaanxi transport commissioner. He once handed out a personal note secretly warning that frontier affairs should be planned with staff and there must not be excessive demands heavily disturbing subordinates. Later when someone said he was alarmist, an edict transferred him to the Jingxi Circuit and Zhu Taifu replaced him.
45
文寶好談方略，以功名為己任。 久在西邊，參預兵計，心有餘而識不足，又不護細行，所延薦屬吏至多，而未嘗擇也。 晚年病廢，從子為邑，多撓縣政。 能為詩，善篆書，工鼓琴。 有集二十卷，又撰《談苑》二十卷、《江表志》三卷。
Wenbao loved to discuss strategy and took merit and fame as his own task. Long on the western frontier participating in military planning, he had will but insufficient insight and also did not guard minor conduct. Those he recommended and appointed as staff were extremely numerous and he never selected them. In his later years illness disabled him. A nephew served as magistrate and often interfered in county government. He could compose poetry, was skilled at seal script, and excelled at playing the zither. He had a collection of twenty chapters and also compiled "Collected Conversations" in twenty chapters and "Records of the Jiang Region" in three chapters.
46
王子輿
Wang Ziyu
47
王子輿，字希孟，密州莒人。 曾祖甲，以義勇為鄉人所推。 唐末，淄、青、徐、兗皆南結吳人以拒梁，梁得三鎮，吳人北侵益急，沂、密尤被其害。 州民聚為八砦以扞寇，遂署甲為八砦都指揮使。 祖徽，襲父職，晉末，賊帥趙重進掠高密，徽戰沒。 父璉，復嗣其事。 周世宗平淮南，始去兵即農，厚自封殖。
Wang Ziyu, whose courtesy name was Ximeng, was a native of Ju in Mizhou. His great-grandfather Jia was pushed by the village for his righteousness and courage. At the end of Tang, Zi, Qing, Xu, and Yan all allied south with Wu to resist Liang. When Liang gained the three garrisons Wu's northern raids grew ever fiercer and Yi and Mi were especially harmed. The people of the prefecture gathered into eight stockades to resist bandits and Jia was appointed commander of the eight stockades. His grandfather Hui inherited his father's post. At the end of Later Jin the bandit chief Zhao Chongjin plundered Gaomi and Hui died in battle. His father Lian again succeeded to the affair. When Emperor Shizong pacified Huainan he first laid down arms and took up farming, amply enriching himself.
48
子輿少業文詞，太平興國八年舉進士，解褐北海主簿。 歷大理評事，知臨海縣，改光祿寺丞。 使西蜀決獄還，知興國軍。 淳化中，雷有終為江、浙、荊湖茶鹽制置使，奏子輿為判官。 轉太子中允，改著作郎，江、淮、兩浙制置茶鹽，就轉太常博士。 真宗即位，遷殿中侍御史。 因入對，與三司論列利害，以子輿為長。 轉度支員外郎。 子輿以每事上計司，移報稽滯，求兼省職，乃命為鹽鐵判官，仍領制置，增歲課五十餘萬貫。 咸平三年，就命兼充淮南轉運使。
Ziyu in youth pursued literary composition. In the eighth year of Taiping Xingguo he passed the jinshi examination and upon entering official service became chief clerk of Beihai. He served as assessor of the Court of Judicial Review and magistrate of Linhai County and was changed to director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments. Sent to western Shu to adjudicate cases and returning, he became prefect of Xingguo Army. During Chunhua, Lei Youzhong was commissioner for Jiang, Zhe, and Jinghu tea and salt and memorialized Ziyu as administrative aide. Transferred to attendant of the Heir Apparent, changed to secretary, and for Jiang, Huai, and the two Zhes tea and salt was transferred to doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. When Emperor Zhenzong acceded he was transferred to palace censor. Entering for audience he debated advantages and disadvantages with the Three Offices and Ziyu was regarded as superior. He was transferred to vice minister of revenue. Ziyu, because each affair was reported to the accounting office and replies were delayed, requested concurrent provincial office and was appointed salt and iron administrator while still heading the commission, increasing annual revenue by more than five hundred thousand strings. In the third year of Xianping he was appointed concurrently transport commissioner of Huainan.
49
子輿精於吏事，久掌茶鹽漕運，周知利害，裁量經製，公私便之。 所至郡縣，以公事申請者，文牒紛委，頃刻待報，子輿皆即決遣，曾無凝滯。 明年，表求代，詔許自擇。 子輿以卞袞、劉師道名聞，即命袞與師道為轉運使。 召子輿，拜右諫議大夫、戶部使。 五年二月，方奏事便殿，俄疾作仆地，命中使掖之以出，至第卒。 以子道宗方幼，命三司判官朱台符檢校其家。 子輿止一子，而三女皆幼。 道宗尋卒，家寓楚州。 子輿妻劉還父母家，子輿旅櫬在京師，景德中，官借船移柩，還葬其里，鬻京師居第，以錢寄楚州官庫，以備三女資送。 從其從弟之請也。
Ziyu was expert in administrative affairs. Long managing tea, salt, and canal transport he thoroughly knew advantages and disadvantages, measured and regulated institutions, and both public and private were served. Wherever he reached prefectures and counties, when official business was submitted documents piled up awaiting reply within moments. Ziyu decided and dispatched them all at once without delay. The next year he memorialized requesting a replacement. An edict allowed him to choose his own. Ziyu, because Bian Gun and Liu Shidao were known by name, immediately appointed Gun and Shidao as transport commissioners. Ziyu was summoned and appointed Right Remonstrance Councillor and commissioner of the Household Bureau. In the second month of the fifth year, while memorializing in the side hall he suddenly fell ill and collapsed. The emperor ordered inner attendants to support him out. He died at his residence. Because his son Daozong was still young, Three Offices administrator Zhu Taifu was ordered to inspect his household. Ziyu had only one son and three daughters all still young. Daozong soon died. The family lodged in Chuzhou. Ziyu's wife Liu returned to her parents' home. Ziyu's coffin sojourned in the capital. During Jingde officials lent a boat to move the bier and return it for burial in his village. The capital residence was sold and the money deposited in the Chuzhou official treasury to provide for the three daughters. This followed the request of his younger cousin.
50
劉綜，字居正，河中虞鄉人。 少依外兄通遠軍使董遵誨，遵誨嘗遣貢馬。 太祖嘉其敏辯，將授三班之職。 綜自陳素習詞業，願應科舉。 及還，上解真珠盤龍衣以賜遵誨，綜辭曰：“遵誨人臣，安敢當此賜！ ”上曰：“吾委遵誨以方面，不以此為疑也。”
Liu Zong, whose courtesy name was Juzheng, was a native of Yuxiang in Hezhong. In youth he relied on his maternal uncle Tongyuan Army commissioner Dong Zunhui. Zunhui once sent tribute horses. Emperor Taizu praised his quick eloquence and was about to grant third-rank office. Zong himself stated he was accustomed to literary studies and wished to take the examination. Upon return the emperor removed his pearl dragon robe to bestow on Zunhui. Zong declined, saying, "Zunhui is a subject—how dare he receive this gift! The emperor said, "I entrust Zunhui with a frontier region and do not suspect him on this account."
51
雍熙二年，舉進士第，解褐邛州軍事推官。 就改永康軍判官，遷大理評事、通判眉州，轉太僕寺丞。 代還，對便殿，因言：“蜀地富庶，安寧已久，益州長吏，望慎擇其人。 ”上嘉之，改太子中允。 未幾，李順果為亂，復召見，面賜緋魚。 尋為三門發運司水陸轉運使，通判大名府。 連丁家難，起知建安軍。
In the second year of Yongxi he passed the jinshi examination and upon entering official service became judicial officer of Qiongzhou. He was changed in place to judge of Yongkang Army, transferred to assessor of the Court of Judicial Review and vice prefect of Meizhou, and transferred to director of the Court of Imperial Stud. Upon replacement and return, answering at the side hall, he thereupon said, "Shu is rich and has long been at peace. The chief official of Yizhou—I hope he will be carefully chosen." The emperor commended this and changed him to attendant of the Heir Apparent. Before long Li Shun indeed rebelled. He was again summoned and personally granted the red fish badge. Soon he became transport commissioner of the Three Gates Dispatch Office by land and water and vice prefect of Daming Prefecture. He successively mourned family deaths and was raised to prefect of Jian'an Army.
52
先是，天長軍及揚州六合縣民輸賦非便，綜奏請降天長軍為縣，隸揚州，以六合縣隸建安軍，自是民力均濟。 時淮南轉運使王嗣宗兼發運事，規畫多迂滯。 綜因上言請復置都大發運司，專幹其職。 至道二年，遷太常丞，職事修舉，多稱薦之者。
Earlier Tianchang Army and Liuhe County of Yangzhou found tax delivery inconvenient. Zong memorialized requesting Tianchang Army be reduced to a county subordinate to Yangzhou and Liuhe County subordinated to Jian'an Army. From then on the people's labor was evenly balanced. At the time Huainan transport commissioner Wang Sizong concurrently managed dispatch affairs and his planning was often circuitous and sluggish. Zong thereupon memorialized requesting restoration of the post of general dispatch commissioner to manage the duty exclusively. In the second year of the Zhidao era he was transferred to director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. His duties were well performed and many recommended him.
53
咸平初，命代王欽若判三司都理欠憑由司，出為河北轉運副使。 嘗言：“州縣幕職官，以昏耄放罷者，其間有實廉謹之士，或幼累無托，或居止無定，全藉祿廩以濟朝夕，一旦停罷，則饑寒無依，以傷和氣。 望自今並除致仕官。 ”又言：“法官斷獄，皆引律令之文，以定輕重之罪，及其奏御，復云慮未得中，別取進止，殊非一成不變之道，且復煩於聖斷。 望自今降旨約束，不得復然。 ”時河北承兵寇之後，民戶凋弊，吏部所銓幕職州縣官皆四方之人，不習風俗，且有懷土之思，以是政事多因循不舉。 綜建議請自今並以河朔人充之，冀其安居，勤於職事。
At the beginning of Xianping he was ordered to replace Wang Qinruo as administrator of the Three Offices General Debt Collection Office and sent out as vice transport commissioner of Hebei. He once said, "Prefectural and county staff officials dismissed for senility—in among them are truly honest and prudent men, or those with young burdens and no support, or unsettled residence, all relying on salary to manage from day to day. Once stopped they have no refuge from hunger and cold, harming harmonious qi. I hope from now all may be granted retired office." He also said, "When judges decide cases they all cite statutory text to fix lighter and heavier guilt. When reporting to the throne they again say they fear it is not quite right and separately seek further decision—this is truly not the way of one standard unchanged and again troubles the sage decision." I hope from now edicts may constrain this and it may not happen again." At the time Hebei after military calamity had declining households. Staff officials selected by the Ministry of Personnel were all men from distant places unfamiliar with local customs and many had longing for home. Therefore government was often perfunctory and not carried out. Zong proposed that from now all be filled by men of the Hebei region so they would settle and diligently perform duties.
54
夏人擾西邊，環慶大屯士馬，詔徙綜為陝西轉運副使，轉太常博士。 時梁鼎議禁解鹽，官自貨鬻，乃命綜與杜承睿制置青白鹽事。 綜條上利害，力言非便，卒罷其事。 時靈州孤危，獻言者或請棄之，綜上言曰：“國家財力雄富，士卒精銳，而未能剪除凶孽者，誠以賞罰未行，而所任非其材故也。 今或輕從群議，欲棄靈川，是中賊之奸計矣。 且靈州民淳土沃，為西陲巨屏，所宜固守，以為扞蔽。 然後於浦洛河建軍城，屯兵積糧為之應援，此暫勞永逸之勢也。 況鎮戎軍與靈州相接，今若棄之，則原、渭等州益須設備，較其勞費十倍而多，則利害之理昭然可驗矣。 ”俄充轉運使。
When the Tangut people harassed the western border, Huan and Qing greatly stationed troops and horses. An edict transferred Zong to vice transport commissioner of Shaanxi and transferred him to doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. At the time Liang Ding proposed forbidding Jie salt and having the state sell it directly. Zong and Du Chengrui were ordered to manage green-white salt affairs. Zong itemized advantages and disadvantages and forcefully said it was not advantageous. In the end the affair was stopped. At the time Lingzhou stood isolated and in peril. Some who offered counsel asked to abandon it. Zong memorialized, saying, "The state's wealth and strength are abundant and soldiers elite, yet we cannot cut down the vicious enemy—truly because rewards and punishments are not applied and those appointed are not the right men. Now if we lightly follow group opinion and wish to abandon Lingchuan, this is exactly the enemy's treacherous plan." Moreover the people of Lingzhou are simple and the soil fertile. It is a great screen of the western border and should be firmly held as a defensive barrier. Then establish a garrison city at the Puluo River, station troops and accumulate grain as support—this is the advantage of temporary labor for lasting ease. Moreover Zhenrong Army connects with Lingzhou. If it is now abandoned then Yuan, Wei, and other prefectures would need even more defense. Comparing the labor and expense it would be more than tenfold—the principle of advantage and harm is clearly verified. Soon he served as transport commissioner.
55
四年，又獻議於鎮戎軍置屯田務，又錄唐《安國鎮制置城壕鎮戎古記》石本以進，詔從其請。 俄詣闕，奏事稱旨，賜金紫、緡錢五十萬，復遣蒞職。 又嘗言：“天下州郡長吏，審官皆據資例而授，未為得人。 自今西川、荊湖、江、浙、福建、廣南知州，或地居津要，或戶口繁庶之處，望親加選任。 其執政舊臣及給、舍以上知州處，亦擇官通判。 又京朝官當任遠官者，率以父母未葬為辭，意求規免。 請自今父母委未葬者，許請告營辦。 審官投狀，並明言父母已葬，方許依例考課，違者並罷其官。 ”從之。
In the fourth year he again offered a proposal to establish a military colony office at Zhenrong Army and also submitted a stone rubbing of the Tang "Record of An Guo Garrison Moat and Zhenrong Ancient Fort." An edict followed his request. Soon he went to court. His memorial pleased the emperor. He was granted gold and purple and fifty thousand strings of cash and again sent to his post. He also once said, "Prefects throughout the empire—the Ministry of Review all appoint by seniority and qualification and do not obtain the right men. From now for Sichuan, Jinghu, Jiang, Zhe, Fujian, and Guangnan prefects—or places at vital crossings or with numerous households—I hope they may be personally selected. For places where former chief ministers and remonstrance officials and above serve as prefect, vice prefects should also be carefully chosen. Moreover when capital officials should take distant posts they mostly plead that parents are not yet buried, intending to seek exemption. I ask that from now those whose parents are not yet buried may request leave to arrange burial. When submitting credentials to the Ministry of Review they must clearly state parents are already buried before routine evaluation is allowed. Violators will all be dismissed." The request was granted.
56
五年，拜工部員外郎兼侍御史知雜事。 六年，遷起居舍人，再為河北轉運使。 時兩河用兵，邊事煩急，轉漕之任，尤所倚辦。 綜繼領其職，號為詳練。 至是眷矚甚厚，警急之際，輒資其奏處。 契丹請和，乃遣近臣諭以擢用之意。 景德三年，召拜戶部員外郎、樞密直學士、勾當三班院。 綜言：“御史員數至少，每奉朝請，劾制獄，多以他官承之，甚紊彝製。 望詔兩制以上各舉材堪御史者充，三院共置十員。 若出使按獄，所經州郡，官吏能否，生民利病，刑獄枉濫，悉得察舉。 ”四年，西幸，道出河陽境上，時節度王顯被疾還京，以綜權知孟州事。 未幾召還，復出知幷州，以政績聞。 州民乞留，優詔嘉獎。 歸朝，知審官院，改吏、禮二部郎中，充職，兼知通進、銀臺、封駁司。
In the fifth year he was appointed vice minister of works and concurrent supervising censor with mixed duties. In the sixth year he was transferred to attendant of the palace secretariat and again became transport commissioner of Hebei. At the time the two He regions were at war and frontier affairs were urgent. The duty of canal transport was especially relied upon. Zong successively held this post and was known as thorough and practiced. At this time imperial favor was very deep. In emergencies his memorials were constantly relied upon for disposition. When the Khitans requested peace, a close minister was sent to explain the intent of promotion. In the third year of Jingde he was summoned and appointed vice minister of revenue, academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs, and administrator of the Third Rank Bureau. Zong said, "Censor numbers are extremely few. Each time attending court and impeaching and deciding cases, other officials mostly fill in—this greatly confuses proper institutions. I hope an edict may order drafting officials and above each to recommend men fit to be censors, ten in all for the three bureaus. If sent on mission to investigate cases, in prefectures and commanderies passed through, officials' ability, people's benefit and harm, and wrongful imprisonment may all be investigated and reported." " In the fourth year, on the western tour passing through Heyang territory, when military commissioner Wang Xian was ill and returned to the capital, Zong was appointed acting prefect of Mengzhou. Before long he was recalled and again sent out as prefect of Bingzhou, known for achievements in government. The people of the prefecture begged he be retained. A gracious edict commended him. Returning to court he managed the Ministry of Review, was changed to director of the Ministries of Personnel and Rites, fulfilled duties, and concurrently managed the Memorial Clearance, Silver Pavilion, and Seal and Rebuttal offices.
57
大中祥符四年，館伴契丹使，因作《大雪歌》以獻。 即命同知貢舉，以李宗諤代為館伴使。 俄權知開封府。 綜以貴要交結富民，為之請求，或托為親屬，奏授試秩，緣此謁見官司，頗紊公政，因建議請加抑止。 又文武官居遠任，而家屬寓京師，其子孫弟侄無賴者，望嚴行約束，並其交遊輩劾罪，從之。 七年，以老疾求典河中，真宗以太寧宮廟長吏奉祠，綜艱於拜起，慮不克恭事，命知廬州。 明年，罷學士，授右諫議大夫。 八年卒，年六十一。
In the fourth year of Dazhong Xiangfu he hosted Khitan envoys and composed the "Song of Great Snow" to present. He was immediately ordered to jointly manage the examinations and Li Zong'e replaced him as hosting envoy. Soon he was appointed acting prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture. Zong associated with the wealthy for requests, or claimed them as relatives, memorializing trial ranks. Thereby visiting offices he greatly disturbed public government. He therefore proposed increased restraint. Also when civil and military officials held distant posts and families lodged in the capital, their sons, brothers, and nephews who were unruly—I hope strict restraint and impeachment of their associates. The request was granted. In the seventh year, on account of old age and illness he requested charge of Hezhong. Emperor Zhenzong, because Taichong Palace temple chief officials performed sacrifice and Zong found bowing difficult and feared he could not respectfully serve, ordered him prefect of Luzhou. The next year he was removed as academician and granted Right Remonstrance Councillor. In the eighth year he died, aged sixty-one.
58
綜強敏有吏材，所至抑挫豪右，振舉文法，時稱幹治。 然尚氣好勝，不為物論所許。 子建中、正中，並讚善大夫。 弟綽，淳化三年進士，官刑部郎中。
Zong was forceful, sharp, and had administrative talent. Wherever he went he suppressed powerful families and raised legal standards. Contemporaries called him capable in governance. Yet he valued spirit and loved victory and was not approved by public opinion. His sons Jianzhong and Zhengzhong both served as Supporters-in-Attendance. His younger brother Chuo passed the jinshi in the third year of Chunhua and served as director of the Ministry of Justice.
59
卞袞，字垂象，益州成都人。 父震，工為詩。 舉蜀進士，渝州刺史南光海辟為判官。 蜀平，仍舊職。 會賊杜承褒率眾圍城，援兵不至，震躬率士卒，且戰且拒，為流矢所中，創甚，不能臨軍。 而州兵重傷，卷甲宵遁，刺史陳文襲不能遏，賊遂入據郡城，以偽官厚賄誘震，震皆斬其使。 賊有東章者，本州兵校也。 因遣人述朝廷威德，諭以禍福，章懼且信，因伏兵擊其黨類。 承褒之眾素不為備，即時大潰，震與文襲分部餘卒夾攻之，賊眾遂平。 文襲坐陷失州城，削籍為民。 震以前功得贖，以虢州錄事參軍卒。
Bian Gun, whose courtesy name was Chuixiang, was a native of Chengdu in Yizhou. His father Zhen was skilled at composing poetry. Passing the Shu jinshi examination, Yu Prefecture prefect Nan Guanghai engaged him as administrative aide. When Shu was pacified he retained his former post. When the bandit Du Chengbao led masses to besiege the city and relief did not arrive, Zhen personally led soldiers fighting and resisting. Struck by a stray arrow his wound was severe and he could not command the army. Prefectural troops were heavily wounded, rolled armor and fled by night. Prefect Chen Wenxi could not stop them. The bandits entered and occupied the commandery city. With false office and rich bribes they tempted Zhen and Zhen beheaded their envoys. Among the bandits was one Dong Zhang, originally a prefectural military officer. He therefore sent men to explain the court's authority and virtue and instruct on fortune and calamity. Zhang feared and believed, set an ambush and struck their faction. Chengbao's masses were never prepared and immediately routed in great disorder. Zhen and Wenxi divided remaining troops and attacked from both sides. The bandit masses were then pacified. Wenxi was punished for losing the commandery city and stripped of register to become a commoner. Zhen redeemed himself for earlier merit and died as registrar of Guozhou.
60
太平興國八年，袞登進士第，累遷大理評事、知將樂縣，改光祿寺丞、通判泗州。 遷著作佐郎、廣南轉運司承受公事，俄通判宣州。 淳化中，上命采庶僚中廉幹者，給御書印紙，俾書課最，仍賜實奉以旌異之，袞預焉。 改太常丞。 咸平初，遷監察御史，為淮南轉運副使、同荊湖發運使，以幹職聞，就加殿中侍御史。 入判三司開拆司，再為淮南轉運使兼發運使。 咸平六年，並三司使之職而分置副貳，以袞為刑部員外郎，充鹽鐵副使。 景德初，疽發於背卒，年四十五。 錄其弟扆為臨潁主簿，子鹹為將作監主簿。
In the eighth year of Taiping Xingguo Gun passed the jinshi examination. He was promoted to assessor of the Court of Judicial Review and magistrate of Jiangle County, changed to director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments and vice prefect of Sizhou. Transferred to assistant secretary of the Palace Library and receiver of official business for the Guangnan transport commission. Soon vice prefect of Xuanzhou. During Chunhua the emperor ordered selection of incorrupt and capable among various officials, granting imperial calligraphy seal paper to record merit evaluations and still bestowing solid salary to mark distinction. Gun was among them. Changed to director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. At the beginning of Xianping he was transferred to investigating censor, vice transport commissioner of Huainan and concurrent Jinghu dispatch commissioner. Known for competent service he was promoted to palace censor. He entered to administer the Three Offices Opening and Inspection Bureau and again became Huainan transport commissioner concurrently dispatch commissioner. In the sixth year of Xianping the three commissioner posts were merged and deputies separately established. Gun was made vice minister of justice and salt and iron vice commissioner. At the beginning of Jingde an abscess broke out on his back and he died, aged forty-five. His younger brother Yi was granted chief clerk of Linying. His son Xian was granted chief clerk of the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories.
61
袞明敏有吏幹，累掌財賦，清心治局，號為稱職。 然性慘毒，掊克嚴峻，專事捶楚，至有‘大蟲’之號。 真宗嘗謂近臣曰：“袞公忠盡瘁，無所畏避，人罕能及，然頃在外任，頗傷殘酷，所至州縣，纖微之過，無所容貸。 大凡督察部下，糾逖愆違，非有大故，所宜矜恕，官吏自當畏威懷恩，不敢貳過，公家之事亦無不濟。 乃知為吏之方，適中為善也。”
Gun was bright and sharp with administrative talent. Repeatedly managing finances he cleared his heart and governed the office and was called competent. Yet by nature he was cruel and poisonous, extortion severe, specializing in beating and flogging, even gaining the name 'Great Worm.' Emperor Zhenzong once told close ministers, "Gun is loyal and exhausts himself, fearing nothing—few can match him. Yet recently in external posts he was quite injurious and cruel. In prefectures and counties reached, the slightest fault found no pardon. Generally in supervising subordinates and correcting faults and violations, unless there is great cause one should show forbearance. Officials naturally will fear authority and cherish grace and not dare repeat faults. Public affairs also will all succeed. Thus one knows the way of being an official—the mean is good.
62
許驤，字允升，世家薊州。 祖信，父唐，世以財雄邊郡。 後唐之季，唐知契丹將擾邊，白其父曰：“今國政廢弛，狄人必乘釁而動，則朔、易之地，民罹其災。 苟不即去，且為所虜矣。 ”信以資產富殖，不樂他徙，唐遂潛齎百金而南。 未幾，晉祖革命，果以燕、薊賂契丹，唐歸路遂絕。 嘗擁商貲於汴、洛間，見進士綴行而出，竊歎曰：“生子當令如此！ ”因不復行賈，卜居睢陽，娶李氏女，生驤，風骨秀異。 唐曰：“成吾志矣！”
Xu Xiang, whose courtesy name was Yunsheng, was a family of Ji Prefecture for generations. His grandfather Xin. His father Tang—for generations used wealth to dominate the frontier commanderies. At the end of Later Tang, Tang knew the Khitans would disturb the border and told his father, "Now state government is lax and the barbarians will surely seize the opportunity to move. Then the people of Shuo and Yi lands will suffer disaster. If we do not leave at once we will be captured by them. Xin, because assets were rich and flourishing, was unwilling to move elsewhere. Tang therefore secretly carried a hundred in gold south. Before long Emperor Gaozu of Jin revolutionized the state. Indeed Yan and Ji were ceded to the Khitans and Tang's route home was cut off. He once carried merchant goods between Bian and Luo. Seeing jinshi walking in file he sighed secretly, "To have a son like this! " He therefore no longer traveled as merchant, settled in Suiyang, married Lady Li, and begat Xiang with elegant bearing. Tang said, "My ambition is fulfilled!
63
郡人戚同文以經術聚徒，唐攜驤詣之，且曰：“唐，頃者不辭父母，死有餘恨，今拜先生，即吾父矣。 又自念不學，思教子以興宗緒，此子雖幼，願先生成之。 ”驤十三，能屬文，善詞賦。 唐不識字，而罄家產為驤交當時秀彥。
Fellow townsman Qi Tongwen gathered disciples by classical learning. Tang took Xiang to him and said, "Tang, earlier not taking leave of parents, dies with remaining regret. Now bowing to the master, he is my father. Also thinking himself unlearned, he wished to teach his son to revive the clan line. Though this child is young, I hope the master will complete him." At thirteen Xiang could compose prose and was skilled at rhapsodies. Tang could not read characters yet exhausted family property to introduce Xiang to contemporary outstanding men.
64
驤太平興國初詣貢部，與呂蒙正齊名，太宗尹京，頗知之。 及廷試，擢甲科，解褐將作監丞、通判益州，賜錢二十萬。 遷右讚善大夫。 五年，轉右拾遺、直史館，改右補闕。 六年，出為陝府西北路轉運副使。 會罷副使，徙知鄜州。 召還，為比部員外郎。 歷知宣、升二州。 雍熙二年，改江南轉運副使。 洪、吉上供運船水損物，主吏懼罪，故覆舟，鞫獄者按以欺盜，當流死者數百人。 驤馳往訊問，得其情實以聞，多獲輕典，優詔褒之。 又上言：“劫盜配流，遇赦得原，還本鄉，讎告捕者，多所殺害，自今請以隸軍。 ”詔可。 遷正使。 端拱初，拜主客郎中，俄徙知福州。 累表求還，不俟報，入朝，召對便殿，延問良久。 改兵部郎中，領西川轉運使，以久處外任為辭，擢授右諫議大夫，就命知益州。 召歸，上言：“蜀民浮窳易搖，宜擇忠厚者撫之，為預備。 ”既而李順叛，眾頗伏其先見。 命知審官院，遷御史中丞，以疾固讓，不許。 占謝日，命坐勞問，出良藥賜之曰：“此朕所服得驗者。 ”後驤以久病不能振職。 真宗即位，改兵部侍郎。 屢求小郡養疾，因入朝失儀，為御史所糾，特詔不問，命知單州。 咸平二年卒，年五十七。 贈工部尚書。 賜其子宗壽出身。
At the beginning of Taiping Xingguo Xiang went to the tribute department and was equally famous with Lü Mengzheng. Emperor Taizong as capital intendant knew him quite well. At the palace examination he was elevated to first rank. Upon entering official service he became director of the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories and vice prefect of Yizhou, granted two hundred thousand cash. Transferred to Right Supporter-in-Attendance. In the fifth year transferred to Right Collector of Lost Writings and compiler of the Historiography Institute. Changed to Right Supplementation Censor. In the sixth year sent out as vice transport commissioner of the Shaanfu Northwest Circuit. When the vice commissioner post was abolished he was transferred to prefect of Zhenzhou. Recalled, he became vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He served successively as prefect of Xuan and Sheng prefectures. In the second year of Yongxi he was changed to vice transport commissioner of Jiangnan. Hong and Ji tribute transport ships suffered water damage to goods. The chief clerk feared guilt and therefore capsized the boats. Investigators judged it fraud and theft and several hundred were sentenced to exile or death. Xiang rushed to inquire, learned the true circumstances and reported. Many received lighter sentences. A gracious edict praised him. He also memorialized, "Robbers sentenced to exile, when amnestied are restored and return to their home villages and often kill those who captured them. From now I ask they be assigned to the army." An edict approved. Transferred to chief commissioner. At the beginning of Duangong appointed director of the Ministry of Guest Affairs. Soon transferred to prefect of Fuzhou. Repeatedly memorializing to return, not waiting for reply he entered court. Summoned to answer at the side hall and questioned at length. Changed to director of the Ministry of War, heading western Sichuan transport. Pleading long service in external posts he was elevated to Right Remonstrance Councillor and immediately appointed prefect of Yizhou. Recalled, he memorialized, "Shu people are floating, lazy, and easily shaken. Trustworthy and honest men should be chosen to pacify them as preparation." Soon Li Shun rebelled and many submitted to his foresight. Ordered to manage the Ministry of Review. Transferred to Vice Censor-in-Chief. On account of illness he firmly declined and was not permitted. On the day of thanksgiving at audience he was ordered to sit and asked after his health. Good medicine was produced and bestowed with the words, "This is what I have taken with effect." Later Xiang because of long illness could not perform duties vigorously. When Emperor Zhenzong acceded he was changed to vice minister of war. Repeatedly requesting a small prefecture to nurse illness. Because of impropriety at court audience he was impeached by censors. A special edict ordered no inquiry and he was appointed prefect of Danzhou. In the second year of Xianping he died, aged fifty-seven. Posthumously granted Minister of Works. His son Zongshou was granted entry into office.
65
驤雖無他才略，而人以儒厚長者稱之。 宗壽後為殿中丞。
Though Xiang had no other talent or strategy, people called him a Confucian, generous elder. Zongshou later served as palace secretary.
66
裴莊，字端己，閬州閬中人。 曾祖琛，後唐昭州刺史。 祖遠，河東觀察支使。 父全福，鄠縣令。 莊在蜀，以明經登第。 歸宋，歷虹縣尉、高陵主簿，本府召權司理掾。 轉運使雷德驤以威望自任，嘗巡按至境，官屬皆出迎候。 莊獨視事本局，徐謁道周，德驤稱其有守。 徙權忻州錄事參軍。 先是，并州侍積軍儲，條制甚峻，掌出納者常十餘人，及莊代之，獨任其事。 擢授絳州防禦推官，提點並、嵐二州緡帛芻糧，改遼州判官，仍蒞舊局
Pei Zhuang, whose courtesy name was Duanji, was a native of Langzhong in Lang Prefecture. His great-grandfather Chen was Later Tang prefect of Zhao. His grandfather Yuan was staff officer of the Hedong Observation Commission. His father Quanfu was magistrate of E County. Zhuang in Shu passed the mingjing examination. Entering Song he served as magistrate of Hong County and chief clerk of Gaoling. The prefecture summoned him as acting judicial administrator. Transport commissioner Lei Dexuan relied on his prestige. Once on inspection reaching the territory all officials went out to welcome. Zhuang alone handled affairs at his bureau and slowly paid respects by the roadside. Dexuan praised his self-restraint. Transferred to acting registrar of Xin Prefecture. Earlier, Bingzhou garrison accumulated military stores with very strict regulations. Those managing receipts and disbursements were often more than ten men. When Zhuang replaced them he alone handled the affair. Promoted to defense judicial officer of Jiang Prefecture, supervising silk, cloth, fodder, and grain of Bing and Lan prefectures. Changed to judge of Liao Prefecture while still managing the former office.
67
雍熙三年，命將巡邊，以莊掌隨軍糧料。 內客省使楊守一稱薦之，授大理寺丞。 時遷雲、朔降戶於汝、洛，遣莊安輯之。 俄通判忻州，未上道，會魏咸信出鎮澶州，改命為通判。 未逾年，咸信表其能，遷太子中允。 端拱初，潘美鎮真定，又辟為通判。 時契丹掠趙、深，邊將無功，莊上書以為“周世宗誅樊愛能、何徽二將，遂取淮南，克巴蜀。 願陛下申明紀律，無使玩寇。 ”又言：“緣邊砦柵戍兵既寡，戎人易以襲取，咸請廢罷，以益州兵。 ”會詔建方田，莊復上言：“大役兵師，慮生事於邊鄙。 ”上善之。
In the third year of Yongxi, when generals toured the border, Zhuang was appointed to manage accompanying army provisions. Inner Palace Attendant Yang Shouyi recommended him and he was appointed assessor of the Court of Judicial Review. At the time surrendered households of Yun and Shuo were relocated to Ru and Luo. Zhuang was sent to settle them. Soon vice prefect of Xin Prefecture. Before departing, when Wei Xianxin went out to garrison Cizhou the appointment was changed to vice prefect there. Within the year Xianxin memorialized his ability and he was transferred to attendant of the Heir Apparent. At the beginning of Duangong Pan Mei garrisoned Zhending and again engaged him as vice prefect. At the time the Khitans plundered Zhao and Shen and frontier generals achieved nothing. Zhuang memorialized, saying, "Emperor Shizong of Zhou executed generals Fan Aineng and He Hui and then took Huainan and conquered Ba-Shu. I hope Your Majesty will clarify discipline and not let troops treat the enemy lightly. He also said, "Frontier stockade garrison troops are already few and barbarians easily take them. All request abolition to augment Yizhou troops." When an edict established equal fields Zhuang again memorialized, "Great mobilization of troops—I fear trouble will arise on the frontier." The emperor approved.
68
淳化三年，召訪以邊事，稱旨，面賜緋魚，令授清資官。 翌日，拜監察御史、荊湖南路轉運使。 未行，改三司鹽鐵判官。 上疏請給兩省官諫紙，又引故事，禁屠月勿報重刑。 會劉式建議請廢緣江榷務，莊力言其非便。 出為荊湖北路轉運使。 五年，李順亂蜀，命與雷有終並兼峽路隨軍轉運、同知兵馬事。 或言莊本蜀人，不宜此任，上益倚信之，許以便宜。 事平，轉殿中侍御史，歷工部、司封二員外郎，特召問討賊方略。
In the third year of Chunhua summoned to consult on frontier affairs. Pleasing the emperor he was personally granted the red fish badge and ordered granted a clear-rank office. The next day appointed investigating censor and transport commissioner of the Jinghu South Circuit. Before departing changed to salt and iron administrator of the Three Offices. He memorialized requesting remonstrance paper for officials of the two provinces and also cited precedent forbidding heavy punishments in the slaughter month. When Liu Shi proposed abolishing river-bank monopoly offices Zhuang forcefully said it was not advantageous. Sent out as transport commissioner of the Jinghu North Circuit. In the fifth year when Li Shun rebelled in Shu he was ordered together with Lei Youzhong to concurrently serve as accompanying army transport commissioner of the Gorges route and jointly manage military affairs. Some said Zhuang was originally a man of Shu and unsuited to this post. The emperor trusted him all the more and permitted expedient action. When the affair was settled he was transferred to palace censor, served successively as vice minister of works and director of the Ministry of Seals, and was specially summoned to ask strategy for suppressing bandits.
69
咸平二年，命巡撫江南。 使還，言池州、興國軍得良吏，餘無足稱者。 且言：“朝廷所命知州、通判，率以資考而授，至有因循偷安，無政術而繼得親民者。 其素蘊公器有政績者，偶緣公坐，則黜司冗務，真偽莫辨，僥幸滋甚。 自今望慎選其人，勿以資格補授，有政績者加以恩禮。”
In the second year of Xianping ordered to pacify Jiangnan. Returning from mission he said Chizhou and Xingguo Army had good officials. The rest were not worth mentioning. He also said, "Prefects and vice prefects appointed by the court are mostly granted by seniority and qualification. Some are perfunctory and complacent without governing skill yet succeed in governing the people. Those who truly possess public capacity and achievements, if by chance punished for public offenses, are demoted to trivial duties. True and false cannot be distinguished and opportunism increases. From now I hope people will be carefully chosen, not appointed by qualification alone. Those with achievements should receive grace and honor."
70
是年秋，契丹犯塞，命為河北轉運使。 時傅潛統大軍駐定州北，莊屢條奏其無謀略，慮或失機。 會王顯掌樞密，顯與潛俱起攀附，頗庇之。 莊奏至，多不報。 徙知越州。 俄傅潛得罪，莊因上言：“顯、潛皆非材，致誤邊事，請行嚴誅，以肅群議。 ”未幾，徙知宣州。 會詔百辟上封直言，莊條列四事：一曰去暴征，二曰省煩刑，三曰擇吏職，四曰敦稼政。 疏奏，詔令開陳其所宜行先後，莊對甚悉。 改司封郎中。 景德初，命安撫兩浙，奏能吏二十人，慢官者五人，多所升黜。 又知潞、邢二州。
That autumn when the Khitans violated the frontier he was appointed transport commissioner of Hebei. At the time Fu Qian commanded the great army stationed north of Dingzhou. Zhuang repeatedly memorialized that he lacked strategy and feared missing opportunity. When Wang Xian managed the Bureau of Military Affairs, Xian and Qian both rose by flattery and quite shielded him. Zhuang's memorials mostly received no reply. Transferred to prefect of Yuezhou. Soon Fu Qian was punished. Zhuang thereupon memorialized, "Xian and Qian are both unfit and caused error in frontier affairs. I ask strict punishment to awe public opinion." Before long transferred to prefect of Xuanzhou. When an edict ordered all officials to submit sealed frank counsel Zhuang listed four items: first remove violent taxation, second reduce troublesome punishments, third select official duties, fourth encourage agricultural government. When the memorial was submitted an edict ordered him to set forth what should be done first and last. Zhuang answered very fully. Changed to director of the Ministry of Seals. At the beginning of Jingde ordered to pacify the two Zhes. He memorialized twenty capable officials and five negligent officials. Many were promoted or demoted. Also served as prefect of Lu and Xing prefectures.
71
大中祥符初東封，改鴻臚少卿，入判登聞鼓院。 祀汾陰，遷太僕少卿，為北嶽加號冊禮副使，撰《北行記》三卷以獻。 六年，出知襄州。 明年，車駕幸南京，莊以逮事太宗恩例，授太府卿，權判西京留司御史臺。 天禧二年，入判刑部，以疾分司西京。 郊祀，改光祿卿，求歸上都，以便醫藥。 卒，年八十一。 錄其孫慶孫，試將作監主簿。
At the beginning of Dazhong Xiangfu for the eastern Feng he was changed to Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Banquets and entered to administer the Petition Drum Court. For the Fen sacrifice he was transferred to Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud, deputy envoy for the Northern Peak title-bestowal ceremony, and compiled "Record of the Northern Journey" in three chapters to present. In the sixth year sent out as prefect of Xiangzhou. The next year when the imperial carriage visited Nanjing, Zhuang by grace for long service under Taizong was appointed Director of the Imperial Storehouse and acting administrator of the Western Capital Residual Censorate. In the second year of Tianxi he entered to administer the Ministry of Justice. On account of illness he served in the Western Capital. For the suburban sacrifice changed to Director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments. He requested return to the upper capital for medical treatment. He died, aged eighty-one. His grandson Qingsun was granted trial appointment as chief clerk of the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories.
72
莊有吏幹，頗無清操，慷慨敢言，太宗獎其忠讜，多所聽納。 好為規畫，然寡學術。 嘗建議請置廣聽院西垣學士，聞者嗤之。 晚年退居，製棺櫝以自隨。 喜接賓客，終日無倦。 子奐，咸平三年進士，屯田郎中； 稷，左班殿直、閣門祗候。
Zhuang had administrative talent but quite lacked clean conduct. Generous and daring in speech, Taizong rewarded his loyal candor and listened to much. He loved to make plans yet lacked learning. He once proposed establishing Broad Listening Court western-wall academicians. Hearers scoffed. In later years retired he made a coffin and carried it with him. He loved receiving guests and was never weary all day. His son Huan passed the jinshi in the third year of Xianping and served as director of the Directorate of Agriculture. Ji served as Left Guard Attendant and Gate Keeper.
73
牛冕，字君儀，徐州彭城人。 太平興國三年進士，解褐將作監丞、通判郴州，徙和州。 加左讚善大夫，遷太常丞、知滁州，以勤政聞。 召歸，轉監察御史。
Niu Mian, whose courtesy name was Junyi, was a native of Pengcheng in Xuzhou. Passed the jinshi in the third year of Taiping Xingguo. Upon entering official service he became director of the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories and vice prefect of Chen Prefecture. Transferred to He Prefecture. Promoted to Left Supporter-in-Attendance, transferred to director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and prefect of Chuzhou, known for diligent government. Recalled, transferred to investigating censor.
74
端拱元年，召試文章，遷左正言、直史館。 出知潤州，徙泉州，未至，就命為福建轉運使，加左司諫。 建議廢邵武軍歸化金坑，土人便之。 至道初，召入，進秩兵部員外郎，知潭州。 至郡才數日，復召拜兼侍御史知雜事。
In the first year of Duangong summoned for literary examination. Transferred to Left Rectifier and compiler of the Historiography Institute. Sent out as prefect of Runzhou. Transferred to Quanzhou. Before arriving immediately appointed Fujian transport commissioner and promoted to Left Remonstrance Officer. Proposed abolishing Shaowu Army's Guihua gold mine. Local people found it convenient. At the beginning of the Zhidao era recalled. Promoted to vice minister of war and prefect of Tan Prefecture. Only several days at the commandery he was again summoned and appointed concurrent supervising censor with mixed duties.
75
真宗在東宮，冕嘗奉使賜生辰禮幣，即位尚記其名，改工部郎中。 永熙陵復土，會闕中丞，命為儀仗使。 時三司各設官局，多不均濟。 冕請合為一使，分設其貳，則事務不煩而辦，其後卒用冕議。
When Zhenzong was Eastern Palace Mian once served on mission bestowing birthday gifts. On acceding he still remembered his name and changed him to director of the Ministry of Works. When Yongxi Mausoleum was reburied, as vice censor was lacking he was appointed master of ceremonies. At the time each of the Three Offices established separate bureaus, many unevenly balanced. Mian requested merging into one commissioner with deputies separately established. Then affairs would not be troublesome yet be handled. Afterwards Mian's proposal was finally used.
76
咸平元年，選知益州，仍拜右諫議大夫。 兩川自李順平後，民罹困苦，未安其業，朝廷緩於矜恤，故戍卒乘符昭壽之虐，嘯集為亂。 冕與轉運使張適委城奔漢州，詔遣赴闕，至京兆，劾其罪，並削籍，冕流儋州，適為連州參軍。 冕遇赦，移欽、英二州，歷鄂、海二州別駕、淮南節度副使。
In the first year of Xianping selected as prefect of Yizhou and still appointed Right Remonstrance Councillor. The two Chuan regions after Li Shun's pacification—the people suffered hardship and had not settled in their occupations. The court was slow in compassion. Therefore garrison soldiers taking advantage of Fu Zhaoshou's cruelty gathered in riot. Mian and transport commissioner Zhang Shi abandoned the city and fled to Han Prefecture. An edict ordered them to court. Reaching Jingzhao their crimes were impeached. Both stripped of register. Mian exiled to Dan Prefecture. Shi made adjutant of Lian Prefecture. Mian meeting amnesty was transferred to Qin and Ying prefectures. Served successively as vice prefect of E and Hai prefectures and Huainan military commissioner.
77
大中祥符初，真宗語宰相曰：“冕素純善，黜棄久矣，量宜甄敘。 ”即起知漣水軍，俄復為祠部員外郎，卒，年六十四。 子昭儉，至殿中丞。
At the beginning of Dazhong Xiangfu Emperor Zhenzong told the chief councilor, "Mian was always pure and good. Dismissed long ago—measure and appropriately restore him." Immediately raised to prefect of Lianshui Army. Soon restored as vice director of the Ministry of Rites. Died aged sixty-four. His son Zhaojian rose to palace secretary.
78
張適者，太平興國五年進士。 任藩郡，有治績，以廉敏稱。 為水部員外郎、知鄜州。 獲對，太宗喜其詞氣俊邁，賜緋魚。 旋改京東轉運副使，加直集賢院，一日三被寵渥，時人榮之。 徙西川轉運使，坐貶，後起為彰信軍節度副使、知淮陽軍，卒。
Zhang Shi passed the jinshi in the fifth year of Taiping Xingguo. Serving in frontier commanderies he had records of governance and was called incorrupt and sharp. Vice minister of waterways and prefect of Zhen Prefecture. Granted audience. Taizong delighted in his vigorous eloquence and granted the red fish badge. Soon changed to vice transport commissioner of the Jingdong Circuit, added compiler of the Academy of Scholarly Worthies. In one day thrice receiving imperial favor. Contemporaries honored it. Transferred to western Sichuan transport commissioner. Punished and demoted. Later raised as military commissioner of Zhangxin Army and prefect of Huaiyang Army. Died.
79
欒崇吉
Luan Chongji
80
欒崇吉，字世昌，開封封丘人。 少為吏部令史，上書言事，調補臨淄主簿。 會令坐贓敗，即命崇吉代之。 復以書判優等，改舒州團練判官，未行，留為中書刑房堂後官，改太子右讚善大夫，出掌揚州榷務。 未幾，遷殿中丞，復為堂後官兼提點五房公事。
Luan Chongji, whose courtesy name was Shichang, was a native of Fengqiu in Kaifeng. In youth he was a clerk of the Ministry of Personnel. Memorializing on affairs he was transferred to chief clerk of Linzi. When the magistrate was punished for embezzlement Chongji was immediately ordered to replace him. Again because document judgment was superior grade changed to regimental judge of Shuzhou. Before departing retained as Central Secretariat Criminal Section rear official. Changed to Right Supporter-in-Attendance. Sent out to manage Yangzhou monopoly affairs. Before long transferred to palace secretary. Again rear official concurrently supervising the five bureaus.
81
崇吉明習文法，清白勤事。 至道初，擢度支員外郎、度支副使。 時以堂後官著作佐郎楊文質為秘書丞、提點五房事，上召見，謂曰：“汝見擢用欒崇吉否？ 當自勖勵。 ”崇吉俄加祠部郎中。 真宗時，累擢為江南轉運使。 代還，判刑部兼鼓司、登聞院。 後遷司農少卿、知洪州。 有司歲斂民財造舟，崇吉至，奏罷之。 以疾徙濠州，遷衛尉少卿，以將作監致仕，卒。 子二人：源，虞部員外郎。 沂，殿中丞。
Chongji clearly knew written law and was clean and diligent in affairs. At the beginning of the Zhidao era promoted to vice minister of revenue and vice commissioner of revenue. At the time rear official and assistant secretary Yang Wenzhi was Secretariat Director supervising the five bureaus. The emperor summoned and said, "Do you see Luan Chongji promoted? You should encourage yourselves." Encourage yourselves. Chongji soon added director of the Ministry of Rites. During Zhenzong's time repeatedly promoted to Jiangnan transport commissioner. Upon replacement returned to administer the Ministry of Justice concurrently Drum Bureau and Petition Court. Later transferred to Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Granaries and prefect of Hong Prefecture. Official bureaus annually collected people's wealth to build boats. When Chongji arrived he memorialized to stop it. On account of illness transferred to Haozhou. Transferred to Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Guards. Retired as director of the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories. Died. Two sons: Yuan, vice director of the Ministry of Works. Yi, palace secretary.
82
袁逢吉
Yuan Fengji
83
袁逢吉，字延之，開封鄢陵人。 曾祖儀，仕唐，以軍功至黃州刺史。 祖光甫，尉氏令。 父蟾，大理評事。 逢吉四歲，能誦《爾雅》、《孝經》，七歲兼通《論語》、《尚書》。 周太祖召見，發篇試之，賜束帛以賞其精習。 開寶八年，擢《三傳》第，釋褐清江尉。 知州王明薦其能，就除豐城令。 明年，又與轉運使張去華條上治狀，以《春秋》博士召。 端拱初，遷國子博士、度支推官。 又判戶部勾院、度支、憑由理欠司。 淳化中，改戶部判官。 歷水部、司門員外郎。 出為西京轉運使，轉水部郎中。 宰相呂蒙正稱其有經術，宜任學官。 會蜀叛，方籍其吏資授西川轉運使。 至道初，徙荊湖北路。 時賊方平，夔、峽猶聚官軍，供饋出於荊楚，逢吉憚涉遠，不赴軍前計度，坐乏糧餉，罷職知夔州。 會遣使川、陝采訪，因條上知州、通判有治跡者七人，逢吉與朱協、李虛己、薛顏、邵曄、查道、劉檢預焉，皆賜詔褒諭。 歷司門、庫部二郎中。
Yuan Fengji, whose courtesy name was Yanzhi, was a native of Yanling in Kaifeng. Great-grandfather Yi served Tang and by military merit rose to prefect of Huang. Grandfather Guangfu was magistrate of Weishi. Father Chan was assessor of the Court of Judicial Review. At four years Fengji could recite the Erya and Classic of Filial Piety. At seven he also mastered the Analects and Book of Documents. Emperor Taizu of Zhou summoned him. Opening a chapter he tested him and bestowed silk to reward his mastery. In the eighth year of Kaibao he passed the Three Commentaries examination. Upon entering official service he became magistrate of Qingjiang. Prefect Wang Ming recommended his ability and he was appointed magistrate of Fengcheng. The next year together with transport commissioner Zhang Quhua he listed records of governance and was summoned as doctor of the Spring and Autumn Annals. At the beginning of Duangong transferred to doctor of the Imperial Academy and revenue judicial officer. Also administered the Household Audit Bureau, Revenue, and Voucher and Debt Collection Office. During Chunhua changed to Household administrator. Served successively as vice minister of waterways and director of the Ministry of Gateways. Sent out as transport commissioner of the Western Capital. Transferred to director of the Ministry of Waterways. Chief councilor Lü Mengzheng said he had classical learning and should serve as academic official. When Shu rebelled his official credentials were being registered and he was appointed western Sichuan transport commissioner. At the beginning of the Zhidao era transferred to the Jinghu North Circuit. At the time rebels were just pacified. Kui and Xia still gathered official armies. Supplies came from Jing and Chu. Fengji feared the long journey and did not go to the army front to plan. Punished for lack of provisions and dismissed to prefect of Kuizhou. When envoys were sent to Sichuan and Shaanxi to investigate he therefore listed seven prefects and vice prefects with records of governance. Fengji with Zhu Xie, Li Xuji, Xue Yan, Shao Ye, Zha Dao, and Liu Jian were among them. All were granted edicts of praise. Served successively as director of the Ministries of Gateways and Treasury.
84
咸平中，復為京東轉運使，連知福、江、陳、襄四州。 大中祥符中，權西京留司御史臺，徙知汝州，以逮事太祖，拜鴻臚少卿。 七年，卒，年六十九。
During Xianping again became transport commissioner of the Jingdong Circuit. Successively prefect of Fu, Jiang, Chen, and Xiang prefectures. During Dazhong Xiangfu acting administrator of the Western Capital Residual Censorate. Transferred to prefect of Ru Prefecture. Because he had served Taizu appointed Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Banquets. In the seventh year he died, aged sixty-nine.
85
逢吉性修謹，練達時務。 初，鄆州牧馬草地侵民田數百頃，牒訴連上，凡五遣使按視，不決。 逢吉受命往，則悉還所侵田，民咸德之。 兄及甫，歷京東、峽路轉運副使，至駕部郎中。 逢吉子成務，至比部員外郎、京東轉運副使。 從子楚材，至虞部員外郎。
Fengji was by nature careful and practiced, skilled in current affairs. Earlier Yan Prefecture pasture land encroached on people's fields for several hundred qing. Petitions repeatedly submitted. Five times envoys were sent to inspect without decision. Fengji receiving the order went and fully returned the encroached fields. The people all thanked him. Elder brother Jifu served successively as vice transport commissioner of the Jingdong and Gorges circuits and rose to director of the Transport Bureau. Fengji's son Chengwu rose to vice minister of the Ministry of Revenue and vice transport commissioner of the Jingdong Circuit. Nephew Chucai rose to vice director of the Ministry of Works.
86
韓國華
Han Guohua
87
韓國華，字光弼，相州安陽人。 太平興國二年舉進士，解褐大理評事、通判瀘州，就遷右讚善大夫。 代還，除彰德軍節度判官。 遷著作佐郎、監察御史。
Han Guohua, whose courtesy name was Guangbi, was a native of Anyang in Xiang Prefecture. Passed the jinshi in the second year of Taiping Xingguo. Upon entering official service he became assessor of the Court of Judicial Review and vice prefect of Lu Prefecture. Transferred in place to Right Supporter-in-Attendance. Upon replacement returned. Appointed military judge of Zhangde Army. Transferred to assistant secretary of the Palace Library and investigating censor.
88
雍熙中，假太常少卿使高麗。 時太宗將北征，以高麗接遼境，屢為其所侵，命齎詔諭之，且令發兵西會。 既至，其俗頗獷驁，恃險遷延，未即奉詔。 國華移檄，諭以朝廷威德，宜亟守臣節，否則天兵東下，無以逃責。 於是俯伏聽命。 使還，賜緋魚。 雍熙三年，改右拾遺、直史館，判鼓司、登聞院，俄充三司開拆推官。 四年，判本司，遷左司諫，充鹽鐵判官。
During Yongxi temporarily appointed Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices as envoy to Goryeo. At the time Taizong was about to campaign north. Because Goryeo bordered Liao territory and was repeatedly invaded, he was ordered to carry an edict to instruct them and also order them to send troops west to join. Upon arrival their customs were quite fierce and proud. Relying on terrain they delayed and did not immediately obey the edict. Guohua issued a proclamation explaining the court's authority and virtue. They should quickly maintain subject loyalty. Otherwise when heavenly troops come east there will be no escaping blame. Thereupon they bowed in submission and obeyed. Returning from mission granted the red fish badge. In the third year of Yongxi changed to Right Collector of Lost Writings and compiler of the Historiography Institute. Administered Drum Bureau and Petition Court. Soon filled Three Offices Opening and Inspection judicial officer. In the fourth year administered this bureau. Transferred to Left Remonstrance Officer. Appointed salt and iron administrator.
89
淳化二年，契丹請和，朝議疑其非實，遣國華使河朔以察之。 既至，盡得其詐以聞。 每歲後苑賞花，三館學士皆得預。 三年春，國華與潘太初因對，自言任兩省清官兼計司職，不得侍曲宴，願兼館職，即日命並直昭文館。 後二日，陪預苑宴。 三司屬官兼直館，自國華等始。 未幾，授刑部員外郎，歷判三司勾院，復為鹽鐵判官，又為左計判官，尋都判三勾，賜金紫，改兵部員外郎、屯田郎中、京東轉運使，徙陝西路。 舊制，川、陝官奉緡，悉支鐵錢，資用多乏，國華奏增其數。 加都官郎中，入判大理寺，改職方郎中。 以詳定失中，命梁顥代之。 知河陽、潞州，轉運使言其善綏輯，供億幹辦，詔獎之。
In the second year of Chunhua the Khitans requested peace. Court discussion doubted it was genuine and sent Guohua to Hebei to investigate. Upon arrival he fully learned their deception and reported. Each year when the rear garden viewed flowers academicians of the Three Institutes all participated. In the third spring Guohua and Pan Taichu at audience themselves said they held clear offices of the two provinces concurrently with accounting bureau duties and could not attend the curved banquet. They wished concurrent institute posts. The same day both were ordered compilers of the Zhaowen Institute. Two days later they accompanied the garden banquet. Three Offices subordinate officials concurrently compiling at the institute began with Guohua and others. Before long appointed vice minister of justice. Served successively administering Three Offices Audit Bureau. Again salt and iron administrator. Also Left Accounting administrator. Soon chief administrator of the three audits. Granted gold and purple. Changed to vice minister of war, director of the Directorate of Agriculture, transport commissioner of the Jingdong Circuit. Transferred to the Shaanxi Circuit. Formerly Sichuan and Shaanxi official salary strings were all paid in iron cash and resources were often lacking. Guohua memorialized to increase the amount. Added director of the Ministry of Justice. Entered to administer the Court of Judicial Review. Changed to director of the Ministry of Appointments. For detailed assessment error Liang Hao replaced him. Prefect of Heyang and Lu Prefecture. Transport commissioner said he was good at pacification and supply preparation. An edict commended him.
90
景德中，假秘書監使契丹，又為江南巡撫，入權開封府判官。 真宗朝陵，魏咸信自曹州召入扈從，命國華權州事。 俄改太常少卿、出知泉州。 大中祥符初，遷右諫議大夫。 四年，代還，至建州，卒於傳舍，年五十五。 賜其子充出身。
During Jingde temporarily Secretariat Director as envoy to the Khitans. Also Jiangnan pacification commissioner. Entered as acting Kaifeng Prefecture judge. When Zhenzong visited the mausoleum Wei Xianxin was recalled from Caozhou to accompany. Guohua was ordered acting prefect. Soon changed to Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and sent out as prefect of Quan Prefecture. At the beginning of Dazhong Xiangfu transferred to Right Remonstrance Councillor. In the fourth year upon replacement returning, reaching Jian Prefecture he died at the post station, aged fifty-five. His son Chong was granted entry into office.
91
國華偉儀觀，性純直，有時譽。 子：琚、璩、琦，並進士及第。 琦相英宗、神宗，自有傳。
Guohua had a grand appearance, pure and straight by nature. He had contemporary reputation. Sons: Ju, Qu, and Qi—all passed the jinshi examination. Qi served Emperors Ying and Shen and has his own biography.
92
何蒙，字叔昭，洪州人。 少精《春秋左氏傳》。 李煜時，舉進士不第，因獻書言事，署錄事參軍。 入宋，授洺州推官。 太平興國五年，調遂寧令。 時太宗親征契丹還，作詩以獻。 召見賞歎，授右讚善大夫，三遷至水部員外郎、通判廬州。 時郡中火燔廨舍，榷務俱盡。 蒙假民器，貸鄰郡曲米為酒，既而課增倍。 戶部使上其狀，詔賚緡錢獎之。 稍遷司門。 巡撫使潘慎修薦其材敏，驛召至京，因面對，訪以江、淮茶法，蒙條奏利害稱旨，賜緋魚及錢十萬。 後二日復對，又上淮南酒榷便宜，特改庫部，復賜錢二十萬，因命至淮右提總其事，自是歲有羨利。 使還，知溫州，未行，留提舉在京諸司庫務。 求外任，復命知溫州。 坐舉人不當，削一官。
He Meng, whose courtesy name was Shuzhao, was a native of Hong Prefecture. In youth he mastered the Zuo Tradition of the Spring and Autumn Annals. During Li Yu's time he failed the jinshi examination. Because he presented a book stating affairs he was appointed registrar. Entering Song appointed judicial officer of Ming Prefecture. In the fifth year of Taiping Xingguo transferred to magistrate of Suining. At the time Taizong personally campaigned against the Khitans and returned. He composed poetry to present. Summoned and praised. Appointed Right Supporter-in-Attendance. Three promotions to vice minister of waterways and vice prefect of Luzhou. At the time a fire burned the yamen buildings and monopoly offices were all destroyed. Meng borrowed people's utensils, borrowed neighboring prefectures' fermented grain to make wine, and soon tax revenue doubled. The Household commissioner reported the facts. An edict bestowed strings of cash to reward him. Soon transferred to the Ministry of Gateways. Pacification commissioner Pan Shenxiu recommended his talent and sharpness. Summoned by post relay to the capital. Because of audience consultation on Jiang-Huai tea law Meng itemized advantages and disadvantages pleasing the intent. Granted red fish badge and one hundred thousand cash. Two days later again at audience he also memorialized convenient measures for Huainan wine monopoly. Specially changed to the Treasury Ministry. Again bestowed two hundred thousand cash. Therefore ordered to the Huai right to supervise the affair. From then yearly there was surplus profit. Returning from mission prefect of Wen Prefecture. Before departing retained to supervise capital various bureau storehouses. Requesting external post again ordered prefect of Wen Prefecture. Punished for improper recommendation and stripped of one rank.
93
真宗即位，復前資，因上言請開淮南鹽禁。 時卞袞、楊允恭輩方以禁鹽為便，共排抑之，出知梧州。 頃之，改水部郎中，上所著《兵機要類》十卷。 時審官擬知漢陽軍，及引對，改知鄂州。 大中祥符初，轉庫部。 四年，加太府少卿。 未幾，知太平州，又知袁州。 州民多采金，蒙建議請以代租稅。 上曰：“若此則農廢業矣。 ”不許。 俄徙濠州。 六年，上表謝事，授光祿少卿致仕，命未下，卒，年七十七。
When Emperor Zhenzong acceded former rank restored. Thereupon memorialized requesting opening Huainan salt prohibition. At the time Bian Gun, Yang Yunong, and others regarded salt prohibition as convenient and jointly suppressed him. Sent out as prefect of Wuzhou. Soon changed to director of the Ministry of Waterways. Presented his compiled "Essentials of Military Stratagems" in ten chapters. At the time the Ministry of Review proposed prefect of Hanyang Army. At audience changed to prefect of E Prefecture. At the beginning of Dazhong Xiangfu transferred to the Treasury Ministry. In the fourth year promoted to Vice Minister of the Imperial Storehouse. Before long prefect of Taiping Prefecture. Also prefect of Yuan Prefecture. Prefectural people often mined gold. Meng proposed using it in place of tax rents. The emperor said, "If so then farming would be abandoned." Not permitted. Soon transferred to Haozhou. In the sixth year he memorialized requesting retirement. Granted Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments retired. Before the order was issued he died, aged seventy-seven.
94
慎知禮
Shen Zhili
95
慎知禮，衢州信安人。 父溫其，有詞學，仕錢俶，終元帥府判官。 知禮幼好學，年十八，獻書幹俶，署校書郎。 未幾，命為掌書記。
Shen Zhili was a native of Xin'an in Qu Prefecture. Father Wenqi had literary learning. Served Qian Chu and ended as marshal's office judge. Zhili from youth loved learning. At eighteen presented a book to Chu and was appointed proofreader. Before long appointed chief secretary.
96
宋初，介俶子惟濟入覲，歸，署營田副使。 太平興國三年，從俶歸朝，授鴻臚卿。 歷知陳州、興元府。 知禮母年八十餘，居宛丘，懇求歸養。 退處十年，縉紳稱其孝。 及母服除，表請納祿。 至道三年，以工部侍郎致仕。 知禮自幼至白首，歲讀《五經》，周而後止。 每開卷，必正衣冠危坐，未嘗少懈焉。 咸平初卒，年七十一。 子從吉。
At the beginning of Song when Chu's son Weiji entered audience and returned appointed deputy military colony commissioner. In the third year of Taiping Xingguo following Chu to court appointed Director of the Court of Imperial Banquets. Served successively as prefect of Chen Prefecture and Xingyuan Prefecture. Zhili's mother was over eighty and lived at Wanqiu. He earnestly requested return to nourish her. Retired ten years. Officials praised his filial piety. When mourning ended he memorialized requesting surrender of salary. In the third year of the Zhidao era retired as vice minister of works. Zhili from youth to white hair annually read the Five Classics, stopping after one cycle. Each time opening a book he always straightened cap and robe and sat upright, never slackening slightly. At the beginning of Xianping he died, aged seventy-one. His son Congji.
97
〈子〉 從吉
〈Son〉 Congji
98
大中祥符初，改授衛尉卿，糾察在京刑獄，拜右諫議大夫，判吏部銓。 初，選人試判多藉地而坐，從吉以公錢市莞席給之。 臨事敏速，勤心公家，所至務察，多請對陳事，上謂其無隱。
At the beginning of Dazhong Xiangfu changed to Director of the Court of Imperial Guards, investigating capital criminal cases. Appointed Right Remonstrance Councillor. Administrator of the Ministry of Personnel Selection. Earlier candidates for document judgment mostly sat on the ground. Congji used public funds to buy rush mats and provide them. Handling affairs swiftly and diligently devoted to public affairs. Wherever he went he strove to inspect. Often requested audience to state affairs. The emperor said he hid nothing.
99
八年，改給事中、權知開封府。 既受命，召戒之曰：“京府浩穰，凡事太速則誤，太緩則滯，惟須酌中耳。 請屬一無所受。 ”才數月，有咸平縣民張斌妻盧氏，訴侄質被酒詬悖。 張素豪族，質本養子，而證左明白，質賄於吏。 從吉子大理寺丞銳時督運石塘河，往來咸平，為請於縣宰，斷復質劉姓，第令與盧同居。 質洎盧迭為訟，縣聞於府。 從吉命戶曹參軍呂楷就縣推問。 盧之從叔虢略尉昭一賂白金三百兩於楷，楷久不決。 盧兄文質又納錢七十萬於從吉長子大理寺丞鈞，鈞以其事白從吉，而隱其所受。 盧又詣府列訴，即下其事右軍巡院。 昭一兄澄嘗以手書達錢惟演，云寄語從吉，事逮鈞、銳，請緩之。 從吉頗疑懼，密請付御史臺。 即詔御史王奇、直史館梁固鞫之。 獄成，從吉坐削給事勒停，惟演罷翰林學士，楷、鈞免官，配隸衡、郢州，銳、文質皆削一官，澄、昭一並決杖配隸。
In the eighth year changed to supervising censor and acting prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture. Upon receiving appointment summoned and admonished, "The capital prefecture is vast and crowded. In all affairs too fast errs, too slow stalls—only the mean is needed. Requests and entreaties—accept none." Only several months later there was Xianping County commoner Zhang Bin whose wife Lady Lu sued nephew Zhi for drunken abuse and insolence. The Zhangs were originally a powerful clan. Zhi was originally an adopted son yet evidence was clear. Zhi bribed officials. Congji's son Court of Judicial Review secretary Rui then supervised transport of the Shitang River. Coming and going through Xianping he requested of the county magistrate. Judgment restored Zhi to the Liu surname, only ordering cohabitation with Lu. Zhi and Lu repeatedly sued each other. The county reported to the prefecture. Congji ordered Household Affairs Administrator Lü Kai to go to the county to investigate. Lu's cousin Guolue Commandery Lieutenant Zhao Yi bribed Kai with three hundred taels of white gold. Kai long did not decide. Lu's elder brother Wenzhi also paid seven hundred thousand to Congji's eldest son Court of Judicial Review secretary Jun. Jun told Congji the affair yet concealed what he received. Lu again petitioned the prefecture listing grievances. The affair was immediately handed to the Right Military Patrol Court. Zhao Yi's elder brother Cheng once sent a personal letter to Qian Weiyan saying relay to Congji—the affair involved Jun and Rui. Please delay it. Congji was quite suspicious and fearful. Secretly requested transfer to the Censorate. Immediately Censor Wang Qi and Historiography Compiler Liang Gu interrogated. When the case was complete Congji was punished by stripping supervising censor and suspension. Weiyan removed as Hanlin academician. Kai and Jun dismissed from office and assigned to Heng and Ying prefectures. Rui and Wenzhi both stripped of one rank. Cheng and Zhao Yi both beaten and assigned.
100
又高清者，庫部郎中士宏之子，景德中舉進士，宰相寇準以弟之女妻之。 寇氏卒，故相李沆家復婿之。 子官以賄聞，頗恃姻援驕縱，被服如公侯家，以是欺蠹小民。 知太康縣，民有詣府訴家產者，清納其賄，時已罷任，即逃居他所。 銳嘗就清貸白金七十兩，清以多納賄賂，事將敗，求以為助。 時方鞫盧氏獄，從吉請對，發其事，欲以自解。 逮清等係獄，命比部員外郎劉宗吉、御史江仲甫劾之。 清枉法當死，特杖脊黥面，配沙門島； 銳又削衛尉寺丞。 從吉坐首露在已發，當贖銅，特削諫議大夫。 天禧三年，起為衛尉卿。 明年，判登聞鼓院。 坐與寇準親善，以光祿卿致仕。 未幾卒，年七十。
Also Gao Qing was son of Treasury Ministry director Shi Hong. During Jingde passed the jinshi. Chief Councilor Kou Zhun married him to his younger brother's daughter. When the Kou clan died former chief councilor Li Hang's family again married a daughter to him. Ziguan was known for bribery. Quite relying on marriage connections he was arrogant and unrestrained. Dress like nobles' houses. Thereby deceiving and harming common people. Magistrate of Taikang County. When people petitioned the prefecture about family property Qing accepted bribes. Already dismissed from office he immediately fled to hide elsewhere. Rui once borrowed seventy taels of white gold from Qing. Qing because he had taken many bribes and the affair would fail sought help. Just then interrogating the Lu case Congji requested audience and exposed the affair, wishing to exonerate himself. Qing and others were imprisoned. Ordered Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Liu Zongji and Censor Jiang Zhongfu to impeach. Qing by law deserved death. Specially beaten on the back, tattooed on the face, assigned to Shamen Island. Rui again stripped of Court of Imperial Guards secretary. Congji punished because disclosure came after exposure. Should redeem with copper. Specially stripped of Remonstrance Councillor. In the third year of Tianxi raised to Director of the Court of Imperial Guards. The next year administrator of the Petition Drum Court. Punished for closeness to Kou Zhun. Retired as Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments. Before long died, aged seventy.
101
從吉喜為詩，時有警語。 兼工醫術。 子孫登仕者甚眾，第進士升朝曳朱紱者數人。 家富於財，尤能治生，多作負販器僦賃，以至鬻棺櫝於市。 又善為饌具，分遺權要。 晚年進趨彌篤，以至於敗，物論鄙之。 子鏞，金部度支員外郎、秘閣校理。 鍇，太常博士。
Congji loved composing poetry and sometimes had striking phrases. Also skilled in medical arts. Descendants entering office were very numerous. Several passed the jinshi and entered court wearing red. The family was rich in wealth and especially good at managing livelihood. Made many carrying and vending implements for rent, even selling coffins in the market. Also skilled at preparing delicacies and distributing them to the powerful. In later years advancement grew ever more earnest, leading to ruin. Public opinion despised him. Son Yong, vice minister of the Gold Department and Revenue and Palace Library collator. Kai, doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
102
論曰：八政之首食貨，以國家之經費不可一日而無也。 然生之有道而用之有節，則存乎其人焉爾。 張鑒將命西蜀，處製得宜，庶乎可與行權者也。 子輿裁損經製，索湘議罷鬻茶，許驤謹守儒行，知禮篤信經學，國華不辱君命，皆有足稱者焉。 太初自謂達性命之蘊，而卒流於釋、老之歸，文寶久任邊郡，而不免以生事蒙黜，劉綜著勞朔、易而短於經術，從吉勤於公務而疏於訓子，固未得為盡善也。 自餘諸子，之翰虧潔白之操，卞袞乏仁恕之道，冕之棄其城守，坦之疏於輔導，則君子所不取也。
The commentators say: Of the eight policies food and wealth come first, for state revenue cannot be absent even one day. Yet if production has a way and use has measure, it depends on the man. Zhang Jian received orders to western Shu and handled control appropriately—he may be counted among those who could exercise discretion. Ziyu trimmed institutions. Suo Xiang proposed stopping tea sales. Xu Xiang carefully maintained Confucian conduct. Zhili deeply trusted classical learning. Guohua did not disgrace the ruler's command—all had sufficient merit. Taichu himself claimed to comprehend the store of fate yet ultimately flowed to Buddhist and Daoist returns. Wenbao long held frontier posts yet could not avoid dismissal for stirring affairs. Liu Zong showed merit on Shuo and Yi yet was short in classical learning. Congji was diligent in public affairs yet negligent in teaching his sons—truly they did not reach complete goodness. Among the remaining men, Zhihan lost clean conduct, Gun lacked humane forbearance, Mian abandoned his city defense, and Tan was lax in guidance—what the noble man does not take.