Volume 283 Biographies 42: Wang Qinruo, Lin Te, Ding Wei, Xia Song

王欽若

Wang Qinruo

王欽若，字定國，臨江軍新喻人。父仲華，侍祖鬱官鄂州。會。江水暴至，徙家黃鶴樓，漢陽人望見樓上若有光景，是夕，欽若生。欽若早孤，鬱愛之。太宗伐太原時，欽若才十八，作《平晉賦論》獻行在。鬱為濠州判官，將死，告家人曰：「吾曆官逾五十年，慎於用刑，活人多矣，後必有興者，其在吾孫乎！」

Wang Qinruo, courtesy name Dingguo, came from Xinyu in Linjiang Circuit. His father Zhonghua served his grandfather Yu while Yu held office in Ezhou. Just then. When the Yangzi flooded without warning, the family relocated to the Yellow Crane Tower. From across the river in Hanyang, people saw what looked like a glow on the tower. That very night, Qinruo was born. Qinruo lost his father while still young, and Yu doted on him. During Emperor Taizong's campaign against Taiyuan, the eighteen-year-old Qinruo wrote "An Essay on the Pacification of Jin" and presented it to the emperor's field camp. When Yu, serving as judge in Haozhou, was near death, he told his family: "In more than fifty years of office I have been sparing with punishments and saved many lives. Our house will surely produce someone of distinction someday — perhaps it will be my grandson!"

欽若擢進士甲科，為亳州防禦推官，遷秘書省秘書郎，監廬州稅。改太常丞、判三司理欠憑由司。時毋賓古為度支判官，嘗言曰：「天下逋負，自五代迄今，理督未已，民病幾不能勝矣。仆將啟蠲之。」欽若一夕命吏勾校成數，翌日上之。真宗大驚曰：「先帝顧不知邪？」欽若徐曰：「先帝固知之，殆留與陛下收人心爾。」即日放逋負一千餘萬，釋係囚三千餘人。帝益器重欽若，召試學士院，拜右正言、知制誥，召為翰林學士。蜀寇王均始平，為西川安撫使。所至問繫囚，自死罪以下第降之，凡列便宜，多所施行。還，授左諫議大夫、參知政事，以郊祀恩，加給事中。

Qinruo earned first place on the jinshi examination, served as deputy magistrate for defense in Bozhou, was promoted to secretary in the Secretariat, and supervised tax collection in Luzhou. He then moved to vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and concurrently oversaw the Three Departments office that recovered back taxes and verified fiscal records. Wu Binggu, then judge of the Revenue Office, had once remarked: "From the Five Dynasties down to today the state has never stopped pursuing unpaid debts nationwide, and the people can scarcely endure the burden anymore. I mean to ask that they be waived." Qinruo had clerks calculate the total in one night and presented the figures the following morning. Emperor Zhenzong was astonished. "Could my predecessor really not have known?" he said." Qinruo answered evenly: "He certainly knew — he probably left this for Your Majesty as a means to win the people's loyalty." On the spot he forgave more than ten million in unpaid debts and released over three thousand detainees. The emperor came to rely on Qinruo even more heavily, had him examined at the Hanlin Academy, appointed him right remonstrator and drafter of edicts, and then inducted him as a Hanlin academician. After the rebellion of Wang Jun in Shu was finally suppressed, Qinruo was appointed pacification commissioner for western Shu. Everywhere he went he reviewed detained prisoners and reduced penalties below the death sentence, implementing many of the practical reforms he proposed along the way. On his return he was made left censor-in-chief and vice grand councilor, and received the additional title of supervisory censor in recognition of the suburban sacrifice.

河陰民常德方訟臨津縣尉任懿賂欽若得中第，事下御史臺劾治。初，欽若咸平中嘗知貢舉，懿舉諸科，寓僧仁雅舍。仁雅識僧惠秦者與欽若厚，懿與惠秦約，以銀三百五十兩賂欽若，書其數於紙，令惠秦持去。會欽若已入院，屬欽若客納所書於欽若妻李氏，惠秦減所書銀百兩，欲自取之。李氏令奴祁睿書懿名於臂，並以所約銀告欽若。懿再入試第五場，睿復持湯飲至貢院，欽若密令奴索取銀，懿未即與而登科去。仁雅馳書河陰，始歸之。德方得其書，以告御史中丞趙昌言，昌言以聞。既捕祁睿等，亦請逮欽若屬吏。

A man of Heyin named Chang Defang accused the Linjin county magistrate Ren Yi of bribing Qinruo to pass the examinations, and the case was sent to the Censorate for prosecution. Previously, during the Xianping period Qinruo had overseen the metropolitan examinations. Ren Yi was sitting for the special examinations and was staying at the home of the monk Ren Ya. Ren Ya knew a monk named Hui Qin who was close to Qinruo. Ren Yi arranged with Hui Qin to bribe Qinruo with three hundred and fifty taels of silver, wrote down the sum on a slip of paper, and had Hui Qin carry it off. By then Qinruo had already entered the examination hall. One of his clients took the note and passed it to Qinruo's wife, Lady Li, while Hui Qin shaved one hundred taels off the amount written on the slip, planning to pocket the difference. Lady Li had her servant Qi Rui write Ren Yi's name on his arm and reported the agreed bribe to Qinruo. When Ren Yi entered the fifth round of examinations, Qi Rui once again brought refreshments to the examination grounds. Qinruo secretly instructed the servant to collect the silver, but Ren Yi had not yet paid when he passed the exams and left. Ren Ya hurried a letter to Heyin, and only then was the silver returned. Chang Defang obtained the letter and informed Censor-in-Chief Zhao Changyan, who reported the matter to the emperor. After Qi Rui and the others were arrested, they also asked that Qinruo be detained and handed over to the authorities.

祁睿本亳小吏，雖從欽若久，而名猶隸亳州。欽若乃言：「向未有祁睿，惠秦亦不及門。」帝方顧欽若厚，命邢昺、閻承翰等於太常寺別鞫之。懿更雲妻兄張駕識知舉官洪湛，嘗俱造湛門。始但以銀屬二僧，不知達主司為誰。昺等遂誣湛受懿銀，湛適使陝西還，而獄已具。時駕且死，睿又悉遁去，欽若因得固執祁睿休役後始傭於家，它奴使多新募，不識惠秦，故皆無證驗。湛坐削藉、流儋州，而欽若遂免。方湛代王旦入知貢舉，懿已試第三場，及官收湛贓，家無有也，乃以湛假梁顥白金器輸官，湛遂死貶所。人知其冤，而欽若恃勢，人莫敢言者。

Qi Rui had originally been a minor clerk in Bozhou. Though he had served Qinruo for years, his registration still belonged to Bozhou. Qinruo then claimed: "If Qi Rui had never existed, Hui Qin would never have come to my door in the first place." The emperor was then strongly inclined toward Qinruo and ordered Xing Bing, Yan Chenghan, and others to hold a separate hearing at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Ren Yi further stated that his wife's elder brother Zhang Jia knew chief examiner Hong Zhan and that the two of them had once called together at Hong's gate. At first they had merely entrusted the silver to the two monks, without knowing which examiner it would ultimately reach. Xing and his colleagues then falsely charged Hong with accepting Ren Yi's bribe. Hong happened to be returning from a mission to Shaanxi, but the case had already been finalized. Zhang Jia was by then near death, and Qi Rui had fled altogether. Qinruo was therefore able to maintain that Qi Rui had been hired only after completing his corvée service, that most of the other servants were newly recruited and did not know Hui Qin, and that there was no corroborating evidence at all. Hong was stripped of his credentials and exiled to Danzhou, while Qinruo escaped punishment entirely. When Hong replaced Wang Dan as chief examiner, Ren Yi had already completed the third round of tests. When officials searched Hong's home for the bribe, they found nothing, so Hong turned over to the authorities white-gold vessels he had borrowed from Liang Hao. He died in exile. Everyone knew Hong had been wronged, but Qinruo wielded such power that no one dared say so openly.

景德初，契丹入寇，帝將幸澶淵。欽若自請北行，以工部侍郎、參知政事判天雄軍、提舉河北轉運司，真宗親宴以遣之。素與寇準不協，及還，累表願解政事，罷為刑部侍郎、資政殿學士。尋判尚書都省，修《冊府元龜》，或褒讚所及，欽若自名表首以謝，即繆誤有所譴問，戒書吏但云楊億以下，其所為多此類也。歲中，改兵部，升大學士、知通進銀台司兼門下封駁事。初，欽若罷，為置資政殿學士以寵之，準定其班在翰林學士下。欽若訴於帝，復加「大」字，班承旨上。以尚書左丞知樞密院事，修國史。

Early in the Jingde era, when the Khitan invaded, the emperor prepared to go in person to Chanyuan. Qinruo volunteered to go north and was appointed vice minister of works and vice grand councilor with authority over the Tianxiong Army and the Hebei transport commission. Emperor Zhenzong personally held a farewell banquet for him. He had long been at odds with Kou Zhun. After returning he repeatedly asked to leave the grand council, and was relieved to vice minister of justice and academician of the Hall of Esteem. He was soon put in charge of the Ministry of Personnel and helped compile the Prime Repository of Literary Treasures. When praise was due, Qinruo put his own name at the top of the thank-you memorial; when mistakes brought reprimands, he told the clerks to say only "from Yang Yi downward." He behaved this way in many matters. Within the year he was moved to the Ministry of War, elevated to senior academician, and made director of the Gateway for Memorials and Silver Terrace Office with concurrent censorial review duties under the Secretariat. When Qinruo was first removed from the grand council, the post of academician of the Hall of Esteem was created to honor him, and Kou Zhun set its rank below that of Hanlin academicians. Qinruo appealed to the emperor, who restored the prefix "Senior" to the title and placed its rank above that of the chief academician. As left vice director of the Ministry of Personnel he directed the Bureau of Military Affairs and oversaw compilation of the national history.

大中祥符初，為封禪經度制置使兼判兗州，為天書儀衛副使。先是，真宗嘗夢神人言「賜天書於泰山」，即密諭欽若。欽若因言，六月甲午，木工董祚於醴泉亭北見黃素曳草上，有字不能識，皇城吏王居正見其上有御名，以告。欽若既得之，具威儀奉導至社首，跪授中使，馳奉以進。真宗至含芳園奉迎，出所上《天書再降祥瑞圖》示百僚。欽若又言至嶽下兩夢神人，願增建廟庭。及至威雄將軍廟，其神像如夢中所見，因請構亭廟中。封禪禮成，遷禮部尚書，命作《社首頌》，遷戶部尚書。從祀汾陰，復為天書儀衛副使，遷吏部尚書。明年，為樞密使、檢校太傅、同中書門下平章事。初，學士晁迥草制，誤削去官，有詔仍帶吏部尚書。聖祖降，加檢校太尉。欽若居第在太廟後壖，自言出入訶導不自安，因易賜官第於安定坊。七年，為同天書刻玉使。

Early in the Dazhong xiangfu era he became commissioner for the preparatory arrangements of the Fengshan sacrifice with concurrent jurisdiction over Yanzhou, and served as deputy director of rites for the Heavenly Writ. Earlier, Emperor Zhenzong had dreamed that a divine being said, "A Heavenly Writ is bestowed upon Mount Tai," and he secretly told Qinruo of the dream. Qinruo then reported that on the jiawu day of the sixth month, north of the Liquan Pavilion, the carpenter Dong Zuo saw yellow silk trailing through the grass with writing he could not decipher. The palace official Wang Juzheng noticed the emperor's name on it and reported the discovery. Once Qinruo had obtained it, he assembled full ceremonial escort to conduct it to Sheshou, knelt to hand it to a palace envoy, who rushed it to the capital as tribute. Emperor Zhenzong went to Hanfang Garden to receive it in ceremony and showed his ministers the "Chart of the Second Descent of the Heavenly Writ and Auspicious Signs" that had been submitted. Qinruo also reported that after reaching the foot of the mountain he twice dreamed of a divine being who wished to enlarge the temple precincts. When they reached the Shrine of the Weixiong General, the deity's image matched what he had seen in his dreams, and he requested that a pavilion be built within the temple. After the Fengshan rites were completed, he was promoted to minister of rites and ordered to compose "An Ode to Sheshou," then transferred to minister of revenue. After accompanying the sacrifice at Fenyin, he again served as deputy director of rites for the Heavenly Writ and was promoted to minister of personnel. The following year he became director of the Bureau of Military Affairs, honorary grand preceptor, and grand councilor with equal standing at the Secretariat-Chancellery. When academician Chao Yuan first drafted the appointment edict, he mistakenly omitted Qinruo's official titles, so an edict was issued directing that he retain the title of minister of personnel. When the Sage Ancestor descended, he received the additional honorary title of grand commandant. Qinruo's residence stood just behind the wall of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. He said he felt uneasy going in and out under shouted escort, so an official residence in Anding Ward was exchanged for his own. In the seventh year he served as commissioner for carving the Heavenly Writ on jade.

馬知節同在樞密，素惡欽若，議論不相下。會瀘州都巡檢王懷信等上平蠻功，欽若久不決，知節因面詆其短，爭於帝前。及趣論賞，欽若遂擅除懷信等官，坐是，罷樞密使，奉朝請。改刻玉副使、知通進銀台司。復拜樞密使、同平章事。上玉皇尊號，遷尚書右僕射、判禮儀院，為會靈觀使。有龜蛇見拱聖營，因其地建詳源觀，命欽若總領之。尋拜左僕射兼中書侍郎、同平章事。明年，為景靈使，閱《道藏》，得趙氏神仙事跡四十人，繪於廊廡。又明年，商州捕得道士譙文易，畜禁書，能以術使六丁六甲神，自言嘗出入欽若家，得欽若所遺詩。帝以問欽若，謝不省，遂以太子太保出判杭州。

Ma Zhijie served with him in the Bureau of Military Affairs, had long disliked Qinruo, and their opinions clashed without either yielding. When Luzhou patrol inspectors including Wang Huaixin submitted reports of merit for pacifying tribal forces, Qinruo delayed a decision for a long time. Zhijie seized the occasion to denounce his failings to his face, and the two quarreled before the emperor. When the emperor pressed for a decision on rewards, Qinruo arbitrarily promoted Huaixin and the others. For this he was removed as director of the Bureau of Military Affairs and reduced to court attendee. He was reassigned as deputy commissioner for jade carving and director of the Gateway for Memorials and Silver Terrace Office. He was again appointed director of the Bureau of Military Affairs and grand councilor with equal standing. When the Jade Emperor received his honorific title, Qinruo was promoted to right vice director of the Ministry of Personnel, placed in charge of the Court of Ceremonial, and made commissioner of the Huiling Temple. When a tortoise and serpent were sighted at Gong Sheng Camp, the Xiangyuan Temple was built on the spot, and Qinruo was placed in overall charge of the project. He was soon appointed left vice director and vice minister of the Secretariat as grand councilor with equal standing. The following year he became commissioner of the Jingling Temple, reviewed the Daoist Canon, found accounts of forty Zhao clansmen who had attained immortality, and had them painted in the cloister galleries. The year after that, a Daoist named Qiao Wenyi was arrested in Shangzhou. He kept forbidden texts and claimed he could summon the Six Jia spirits by occult arts. He said he had frequented Qinruo's residence and possessed poems Qinruo had given him. The emperor questioned Qinruo about the matter. He pleaded ignorance and was sent out as honorary grand tutor to govern Hangzhou.

仁宗為皇太子，自以東宮師保請歸朝，復為資政大學士。詔日赴資善堂侍講皇太子。會輔臣兼領三少，欽若以品高求換秩，拜司空，尋除山南道節度使、同平章事、判河南府。與宰相丁謂不相悅，以疾請就醫京師，不報。令其子從益移文河南府，輿疾而歸。謂言欽若擅去官守，命御史中丞薛映就第按問。欽若惶恐伏罪，降司農卿、分司南京，奪從益一官。

When Renzong was crown prince, Qinruo asked to return to court as tutor to the Eastern Palace and was reappointed senior academician of the Hall of Esteem. An edict directed him to go daily to the Hall of Excellent Virtue to lecture the crown prince. When senior ministers were concurrently holding the three junior tutorships, Qinruo, considering his rank too high for such a post, sought a change of rank and was appointed minister of works. He was soon made military commissioner of the Southern Shan Circuit as grand councilor and governor of Henan Prefecture. He was on bad terms with Grand Councilor Ding Wei and, pleading illness, asked to receive medical treatment in the capital, but received no reply. He had his son Congyi send a formal notice to Henan Prefecture, and Qinruo returned home carried in a litter despite his illness. Ding Wei charged that Qinruo had abandoned his post without authorization and ordered Censor-in-Chief Xue Ying to go to his residence to investigate. Qinruo, terrified, confessed his guilt. He was demoted to director of the Directorate of Agriculture with duties at the Southern Capital, and Congyi was stripped of one rank.

仁宗即位，改秘書監，起為太常卿、知濠州，以刑部尚書知江寧府。仁宗嘗為飛白書，適欽若有奏至，因大書「王欽若」字。是時，馮拯病，太后有再相欽若意，即取字緘置湯藥合，遣中人齎以賜，且口宣召之。至國門而人未有知者。既朝，復拜司空、門下侍郎、同平章事、玉清昭應宮使、昭文館大學士，監修國史。

When Renzong ascended the throne, Qinruo was transferred to director of the Imperial Library, recalled as director of imperial sacrifices to govern Haozhou, and then made minister of justice to govern Jiangning Prefecture. Renzong once practiced flying-white calligraphy. Just as a memorial from Qinruo arrived, he boldly wrote the characters "Wang Qinruo." At that time Feng Zheng was ill, and the empress dowager intended to appoint Qinruo grand councilor again. She sealed the characters in a medicine box, sent a palace envoy with gifts, and orally summoned him to court. By the time he reached the capital gates, no one yet knew of the summons. After attending court he was again appointed minister of works, vice minister of the Secretariat, grand councilor, commissioner of the Yujing Zhaoying Palace, senior academician of the Academy of Literary Glory, and overseer of the compilation of the national history.

帝初臨政，欽若謂平時百官敘進，皆有常法，為《遷敘圖》以獻。《真宗實錄》成，進司徒，以郊祀恩，封冀國公。知邵武軍吳植病，求外徙，因殿中丞餘諤以黃金遺欽若，未至，而植復遣牙吏至欽若第問之。欽若執以送官，植、諤皆坐貶。初，欽若安撫西川，植為新繁縣尉，嘗嘗薦舉之。至是，亦當以失舉坐罪，詔勿問。兼譯經使，始赴傳法院，感疾亟歸。帝臨問，賜白金五千兩。既卒，贈太師、中書令，諡文穆，錄親屬及所親信二十餘人。國朝以來宰相恤恩，未有欽若比者。

When the emperor first began to administer affairs directly, Qinruo observed that the usual promotions for all officials followed fixed rules and presented a "Chart of Advancement by Seniority" to the throne. When the Veritable Records of Zhenzong was completed, he was promoted to minister of education and, by grace of the suburban sacrifice, enfeoffed as Duke of Ji. Wu Zhi, prefect of Shaowu Circuit, fell ill and asked to be transferred elsewhere. Through palace censor Yu'e he sent gold as a gift to Qinruo. Before it arrived, Wu sent his clerk again to Qinruo's residence to inquire about it. Qinruo detained the messenger and turned him over to the authorities. Both Wu and Yu'e were demoted. Earlier, when Qinruo pacified western Sichuan, Wu had been magistrate of Xinfan County and Qinruo had once recommended him. By rights he should also have been punished for a failed recommendation, but an edict directed that the matter not be pursued. As commissioner for translation of scriptures, he first went to the Sutra Translation Court but fell seriously ill and hurried home. The emperor visited him in person and bestowed five thousand taels of white silver. After his death he was posthumously honored as grand preceptor and director of the Secretariat, given the posthumous name Wenmu, and more than twenty relatives and close associates were granted official appointments. Since the founding of the dynasty, no grand councilor had received posthumous favors comparable to Qinruo's.

欽若嘗言：「少時過圃田，夜起視天中，赤文成『紫微』字。後使蜀，至褒城道中，遇異人，告以他日位至宰相。既去，視其刺字，則唐相裴度也。」及貴，遂好神仙之事，常用道家科儀建壇場以禮神，朱書「紫微」二字陳於壇上。表修裴度祠於圃田，官其裔孫，自撰文以紀其事。

Qinruo once said: "When I was young I passed through Putian. I rose at night and looked up at the sky, where red writing formed the characters 'Ziwei. Later, while serving in Shu, on the road to Baocheng I met a strange man who told me that one day I would reach the rank of grand councilor. After he left, I looked at his name card, and it was the Tang grand councilor Pei Du." Once he had risen to high position, he devoted himself to matters of immortals, regularly using Daoist ritual to establish altars for worship, and placed the two characters "Ziwei" written in cinnabar upon the altar. He memorialized to repair the shrine of Pei Du at Putian, had Pei's descendants given official rank, and himself composed a text to commemorate the affair.

真宗封泰山、祀汾陰，而天下爭言符瑞，皆欽若與丁謂倡之。嘗建議躬謁元德皇太后別廟，為莊穆皇后行期服。議者以謂天子當絕傍期，欽若所言不合禮。又請置先蠶並壽星祠，升天皇北極帝坐於郊壇第一龕，增執法、孫星位，別製王公以下車輅、鼓吹，以備拜官、婚葬。所著書有《鹵簿記》、《彤管懿範》、《天書儀製》、《聖祖事跡》、《翊聖真君傳》、《五嶽廣聞記》、《列宿萬靈朝真圖》、《羅天大醮儀》。欽若自以深達道教，多所建明，領校道書，凡增六百餘卷。

Emperor Zhenzong performed the Fengshan rites at Mount Tai and sacrificed at Fenyin, and throughout the realm people competed to report omens and auspicious signs — all of this Qinruo and Ding Wei had pioneered. He once proposed that the emperor personally visit the separate temple of Empress Dowager Yuande and observe full mourning for Empress Zhuangmu. Critics argued that the emperor should terminate collateral mourning at the proper point, and that Qinruo's proposal did not accord with ritual propriety. He also requested shrines to the First Silkworm and the Longevity Star, elevation of the Celestial Emperor and Northern Pole Emperor to the first niches of the suburban altar, addition of positions for the Law-Enforcing and Grandson Stars, and separate carriages, canopies, and musical escort for princes and officials downward for use at investitures, weddings, and funerals. Among the books he authored were Records of Imperial Escort, Exemplary Models of the Red Tube, Rites for the Heavenly Writ, Deeds of the Sage Ancestor, Biography of the True Lord Who Assists the Sage, Broad Records Heard from the Five Sacred Peaks, Chart of the Ten Thousand Spirits of the Constellations Paying Homage to the True, and Rites of the Grand Altar of Heaven. Qinruo considered himself deeply versed in Daoist teaching, made many proposals and clarifications, and supervised collation of Daoist texts, adding more than six hundred volumes in all.

欽若狀貌短小，項有附疣，時人目為「癭相」。然智數過人，每朝廷有所興造，委曲遷就，以中帝意。又性傾巧，敢為矯誕。馬知節嘗斥其奸狀，帝亦不之罪。其後仁宗嘗謂輔臣曰：「欽若久在政府，觀其所為，真奸邪也。」王曾對曰：「欽若與丁謂、林特、陳彭年、劉承珪，時謂之『五鬼』。奸邪險偽，誠如聖諭。」

Qinruo was short in stature and had a wen on his neck; people of the time called him "the goitered grand councilor." Yet his cunning surpassed that of others. Whenever the court undertook some new project, he would tactfully adapt himself to satisfy the emperor's wishes. Moreover, by nature he was inclined to artifice and dared to engage in pretense and fabrication. Ma Zhijie once denounced his treacherous conduct, but the emperor did not punish him for it. Later Renzong once said to his senior ministers: "Qinruo has long been in the government. Judging from his conduct, he is truly treacherous and corrupt." Wang Zeng replied: "Qinruo, together with Ding Wei, Lin Te, Chen Pengnian, and Liu Chenggui, were at the time called the 'Five Demons. Treacherous, corrupt, dangerous, and false — it is truly as Your Majesty has said."

欽若子從益，終讚善大夫，追賜進士及第。後無子，以叔之子為後。

Qinruo's son Congyi ended as master of excellent goodness and was posthumously granted the status of having passed the jinshi examination. Later he had no son and took his uncle's son as heir.

〈附〉林特

[Supplement] Lin Te

林特字士奇。祖揆，仕閩為南劍州順昌令，因家順昌。特少穎悟，十歲，謁江南李景，獻所為文，景奇之，命作賦，有頃而成，授蘭台校書郎。江南平，偽官皆入見，特袖文以進。太宗以為長葛尉，改遂州錄事參軍。代還，命中書引對，授大理寺丞、通判隴州，有治狀。田重進鎮永興，太宗以重進武人，選特與楊覃並為通判，人賜白金二百兩，給實奉。會出兵五路討李繼遷，督所部轉芻粟，先期以辦。呂蒙正辟通判西京留守事。蒙正入相，薦之，入判三司戶部勾院。

Lin Te, courtesy name Shiqing. His grandfather Kui served Min as magistrate of Shunchang in Nanjian Prefecture and settled his family there. Te was precocious as a youth. At ten he called upon Li Jing of Jiangnan, presented writings he had composed, and Jing was amazed. He ordered him to compose a fu, which Te finished in short order, and appointed him collator of the Orchid Terrace. When Jiangnan was pacified, all the former officials were summoned to audience. Te presented a text he had kept in his sleeve. Emperor Taizong appointed him magistrate of Changge and transferred him to recording secretary in Suizhou. When his term ended and he returned, he was summoned for audience at the Secretariat, appointed vice director of the Court of Judicial Review, and made military prefect of Longzhou, where he showed a record of good governance. Tian Chongjin was stationed at Yongxing. Emperor Taizong, considering Chongjin a military man, selected Te and Yang Tan together as military prefects. Each was granted two hundred taels of white silver and given a full salary. When troops were dispatched on five routes to attack Li Jiqian, he supervised the transport of fodder and grain in his jurisdiction and completed the task ahead of schedule. Lü Mengzheng recruited him as military prefect for the Western Capital garrison administration. When Mengzheng entered the grand council he recommended Te, who was appointed to the Three Departments Revenue Verification Office.

梁鼎制置陝西青白鹽，前後上議異同，真宗選特與知永興軍張詠同商利害，所奏合旨。累遷尚書祠部員外郎，為戶部副使，詔赴內朝。三司副使預內朝，自特始。徙鹽鐵副使。

Liang Ding had been commissioner for green-and-white salt in Shaanxi, and memorials on the subject had differed back and forth. Emperor Zhenzong selected Te and Zhang Yong, prefect of Yongxing Circuit, to discuss the pros and cons together. Their report accorded with the emperor's intent. He was promoted in succession to outer-section secretary in the Ministry of Rites, made vice commissioner of the Revenue Office, and ordered to attend the inner court. Vice commissioners of the Three Departments attending the inner court began with Te. He was transferred to vice commissioner of the Salt and Iron Office.

真宗北征，命同知留司三司公事，遷司封員外郎。車駕謁陵，為行在三司副使，詔與劉承珪、李溥比較江淮茶法。因裁定新製，歲增課百餘萬，特遷祠部郎中。封泰山，祀汾陰，皆為行在三司副使。以右諫議大夫權三司使、修玉清昭應宮副使。將祀太清宮，遣特儲供具，為行在三司使。禮成，進給事中，為修景靈宮副使兼修兗州景靈宮、太極觀。昭應宮成，遷尚書工部侍郎，真拜三司使。樞密使寇準言特奸邪，又數與爭事，帝為出準，特在職如故。後罷三司，以戶部侍郎同玉清昭應宮副使。兗州宮觀成，遷吏部侍郎。天禧元年，為修上《聖祖寶冊》副使，轉尚書右丞。

When Emperor Zhenzong marched north, Te was ordered to assist in managing the routine business of the Three Departments left behind at the capital, and was promoted to outer-section secretary in the Ministry of Personnel. When the imperial carriage visited the imperial tombs, he served as vice commissioner of the Three Departments on the journey and was ordered, together with Liu Chenggui and Li Pu, to compare the tea laws of the Jianghuai region. He thereupon fixed a new system, increasing annual revenue by more than a million, and Te was promoted to bureau director in the Ministry of Rites. For the Fengshan rites at Mount Tai and the sacrifice at Fenyin, he served in each case as vice commissioner of the Three Departments on the journey. As right censor-in-chief he acted as commissioner of the Three Departments and served as deputy commissioner for construction of the Yujing Zhaoying Palace. When the emperor was about to sacrifice at the Grand Pure Temple, Te was dispatched to store supplies and served as commissioner of the Three Departments on the journey. When the rites were completed he was promoted to supervisory censor and made deputy commissioner for construction of the Jingling Palace, with concurrent responsibility for the Jingling Palace and the Grand Ultimate Temple in Yanzhou. When the Zhaoying Palace was completed he was transferred to vice minister of works and formally appointed commissioner of the Three Departments. Director of Military Affairs Kou Zhun said that Te was treacherous and corrupt and repeatedly clashed with him over affairs. The emperor removed Zhun for this, and Te remained in office as before. Later he was removed from the Three Departments and made vice minister of revenue with concurrent service as deputy commissioner of the Yujing Zhaoying Palace. When the Yanzhou temples and abbeys were completed he was transferred to vice minister of personnel. In the first year of Tianxi he served as deputy commissioner for the presentation of the Precious Register of the Sage Ancestor and was transferred to right vice director of the Ministry of Personnel.

時天下完富，丁謂以符瑞、土木迎帝意，而以特有心計，使幹財利佐之。然特亦天性邪險，善附會，故謂始終善特，當時與陳彭年等號「五鬼」，語在《王欽若傳》。

At that time the realm was prosperous and wealthy. Ding Wei used omens and auspicious signs and construction projects to win the emperor's favor, and because Te was shrewd in calculation, employed him to manage finances and assist him. Yet Te was also by nature treacherous and dangerous and skilled at ingratiating himself, so Ding always treated Te well. At the time he and Chen Pengnian and others were called the "Five Demons," as related in the biography of Wang Qinruo.

仁宗在東宮，以工部尚書兼太子賓客，改詹事。丁謂欲引為樞密副使，而李迪執不可。仁宗即位，進刑部尚書、翰林侍讀學士。謂貶，特亦落職知許州。還朝，以戶部尚書知通進銀台司、判尚書都省、勾當三班院。特體素羸，然未嘗一日謁告，及得疾，才五日而卒。贈尚書左僕射。太后遣中使祀奠。

When Renzong was in the Eastern Palace, Te served as minister of works with concurrent appointment as tutor to the crown prince, then was changed to grand tutor. Ding Wei wished to bring him in as deputy director of the Bureau of Military Affairs, but Li Di firmly objected. When Renzong ascended the throne, Te was promoted to minister of justice and Hanlin academician reader-in-waiting. When Ding was demoted, Te also lost his rank and was made prefect of Xuzhou. Upon returning to court he was made minister of revenue with charge of the Gateway for Memorials and Silver Terrace Office, assigned to the Ministry of Personnel, and put in charge of the Three Classes Office. Te's constitution had always been frail, yet he never once took leave for a single day. When he fell ill, he died after only five days. He was posthumously honored as left vice director of the Ministry of Personnel. The empress dowager dispatched a palace envoy to offer sacrifice and libation.

特精敏，喜吏職，據案終日不倦。真宗數訪以朝廷大事，特因有所中傷，人以此憚焉。奉詔撰《會計錄》三十卷。又為《東封西祀朝謁太清宮慶賜總例》三十六卷。

Te was sharp and keen, delighted in administrative duties, and worked at his desk all day without tiring. Emperor Zhenzong repeatedly consulted him on major affairs of state. Te would use these occasions to slander others, and people therefore feared him. By imperial order he compiled the Records of Accounts in thirty volumes. He also compiled General Precedents for the Eastern Fengshan, Western Sacrifice, Audience at the Grand Pure Temple, and Celebration Grants in thirty-six volumes.

子濰、洙。濰亦有吏能，曆官至三司鹽鐵副使，以秘書監致仕，卒。洙，官至司農卿、知壽州，臨事苛急，鼓角將夜入州廨，拔堂檻鐵鉤擊殺之。

His sons were Wei and Zhu. Wei also had administrative ability, rose through office to vice commissioner of the Salt and Iron Office, retired as director of the Imperial Library, and died. Zhu rose to director of the Directorate of Agriculture and prefect of Shouzhou. He was harsh and impatient in handling affairs. When the watchman was about to enter the prefectural office at night, Zhu pulled an iron hook from the hall railing and beat him to death.

丁謂，字謂之，後更字公言，蘇州長洲人。少與孫何友善，同袖文謁王禹偁，禹偁大驚重之，以為自唐韓愈、柳宗元後，二百年始有此作。世謂之「孫丁」。淳化三年，登進士甲科，為大理評事、通判饒州。逾年，直史館，以太子中允為福建路采訪。還，上茶鹽利害，遂為轉運使，除三司戶部判官。峽路蠻擾邊，命往體量。還奏稱旨，領峽路轉運使，累遷尚書工部員外郎，會分川峽為四路，改夔州路。

Ding Wei, courtesy name Weizhi, later changed it to Gongyan, and came from Changzhou in Suzhou. In youth he was friendly with Sun He. Together they carried writings in their sleeves and called upon Wang Yucheng. Yucheng was greatly astonished and held them in high esteem, saying that since Han Yu and Liu Zongyuan of Tang, two hundred years had passed before such writing appeared. The world called them "Sun and Ding." In the third year of Chunhua he passed the jinshi examination in the first rank, was appointed judicial reviewer in the Court of Judicial Review, and made military prefect of Raozhou. After a year he was appointed to the Historiography Institute and sent as investigator of the Fujian Circuit with the rank of palace aide to the heir apparent. Upon returning he submitted a report on the pros and cons of tea and salt policy, was made transport commissioner, and appointed judge of the Revenue Office in the Three Departments. When the barbarians of the Gorges Route were harassing the frontier, he was ordered to go and assess the situation. Upon returning his memorial accorded with the emperor's intent. He was put in charge of the Gorges Route transport commission, was promoted in succession to outer-section secretary in the Ministry of Works, and when Sichuan and the Gorges were divided into four routes, was transferred to the Kuizhou Route.

初，王均叛，朝廷調施、黔、高、溪州蠻子弟以捍賊，既而反為寇。謂至，召其種酋開諭之，且言有詔赦不殺。酋感泣，願世奉貢。乃作誓刻石柱，立境上。蠻地饒粟而常乏鹽，謂聽以粟易鹽，蠻人大悅。先時，屯兵施州而饋以夔、萬州粟。至是，民無轉餉之勞，施之諸砦，積聚皆可給。特遷刑部員外郎，賜白金三百兩。時溪蠻別種有入寇者，謂遣高、溪酋帥其徒討擊，出兵援之，擒生蠻六百六十，得所掠漢口四百餘人。復上言：黔南蠻族多善馬，請致館，犒給緡帛，歲收市之。其後徙置夔州城砦，皆謂所經畫也。居五年，不得代，乃詔舉自代者，於是入權三司鹽鐵副使。未幾，擢知制誥，判吏部流內銓。

Earlier, when Wang Jun rebelled, the court mobilized the young men of the Shi, Qian, Gao, and Xi prefectures among the barbarians to resist the rebels, but they in turn became raiders. When Wei arrived he summoned the chieftains of their tribes and admonished them openly, also saying that there was an edict granting amnesty and forbidding execution. The chieftains wept in gratitude and wished to render tribute for generations. He thereupon had an oath carved on a stone pillar and erected it on the border. The barbarian lands were rich in grain but often lacked salt. Wei permitted them to exchange grain for salt, and the barbarians were greatly pleased. Previously, troops had been stationed at Shizhou and supplied with grain from Kuizhou and Wanzhou. At this point the people were spared the labor of transporting provisions. The stockpiles at the various stockades in Shizhou were all sufficient for supply. He was specially promoted to outer-section secretary in the Ministry of Justice and granted three hundred taels of white silver. At that time certain other tribes among the Xi barbarians were raiding. Wei dispatched the chieftains of Gao and Xi to lead their followers in punitive action, sent troops to support them, captured six hundred and sixty living barbarians, and recovered more than four hundred Han people who had been seized. He further memorialized: "The barbarian tribes of southern Qian are skilled in raising horses. I request that lodges be established, that they be rewarded with silk and cloth, and that horses be purchased from them annually." The later relocation and establishment of walled stockades in Kuizhou were all plans laid by Wei. After five years in office he had received no replacement. An edict was then issued calling for someone to recommend his own successor, and he entered the capital to act as vice commissioner of the Salt and Iron Office. Before long he was promoted to drafting secretary for imperial edicts and assigned to the Ministry of Personnel's Board for Selection within the Streams.

景德四年，契丹犯河北，真宗幸澶淵，以謂知鄆州兼齊、濮等州安撫使，提舉轉運兵馬巡檢事。契丹深入，民驚擾，爭趣楊劉渡，而舟人邀利，不時濟。謂取死罪紿為舟人，斬河上，舟人懼，民得悉渡。遂立部分，使並河執旗幟，擊刁斗，呼聲聞百餘里，契丹遂引去。明年，召為右諫議大夫、權三司使。上《會計錄》，以景德四年民賦戶口之籍，較咸平六年之數，具上史館，請自今以咸平籍為額，歲較其數以聞，詔獎之。尋加樞密直學士。

In the fourth year of Jingde the Khitan invaded Hebei. Emperor Zhenzong went to Chanyuan and appointed Wei prefect of Yanzhou with concurrent authority as pacification commissioner of Qi, Pu, and other prefectures, with charge over transport, troops, horses, and patrol affairs. As the Khitan penetrated deeply, the people were alarmed and disturbed and all rushed toward the Yangliu crossing, but the boatmen sought profit and did not ferry them across in time. Wei took a man condemned to death, disguised him as a boatman, and had him executed on the riverbank. The boatmen were terrified, and the people were all able to cross. He then established formations, had men along the river hold banners and flags, strike clappers, and shout so that the sound carried more than a hundred li, and the Khitan thereupon withdrew. The following year he was summoned as right censor-in-chief and acting commissioner of the Three Departments. He submitted the Records of Accounts, comparing the registers of household tax and population for the fourth year of Jingde with the figures for the sixth year of Xianping, and presented the full report to the Historiography Institute. He requested that from now on the Xianping registers serve as the quota, with annual comparison of the figures reported. An edict commended him. Soon afterward he was given the additional title of direct academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs.

大中祥符初，議封禪，未決，帝問以經費，謂對「大計有餘」，議乃決。因詔謂為計度泰山路糧草使。初，議即宮城乾地營玉清昭應宮，左右有諫者。帝召問，謂對曰：「陛下有天下之富，建一宮奉上帝，且所以祈皇嗣也。群臣有沮陛下者，願以此論之。」王旦密疏諫，帝如謂所對告之，旦不復敢言。乃以謂為修玉清昭應宮使，復為天書扶侍使，遷給事中，真拜三司使。祀汾陰，為行在三司使。建會靈觀，謂復總領之。遷尚書禮部侍郎，進戶部，參知政事。建安軍鑄玉皇像，為迎奉使。朝謁太清宮，為奉祀經度制置使、判亳州。帝賜宴賦詩以寵其行，命權管勾駕前兵馬事。謂獻白鹿並靈芝九萬五千本。還，判禮儀院，又為修景靈宮使，摹寫天書刻玉笈，玉清昭應宮副使。大內火，為修葺使。曆工、刑、兵三部尚書，再為天書儀衛副使，拜平江軍節度使、知升州。

At the beginning of Dazhong xiangfu, when the Fengshan sacrifice was under discussion but not yet decided, the emperor asked about expenses. Wei replied, "The overall plan has a surplus," and the decision was then made. An edict thereupon appointed Wei commissioner for calculating grain and fodder on the Mount Tai route. At first, when it was proposed to build the Yujing Zhaoying Palace on dry ground within the palace city, there were advisers on both sides who remonstrated. The emperor summoned him for questioning. Wei replied: "Your Majesty possesses the wealth of the realm. To build one palace to serve the Supreme Lord is also a means of praying for an imperial heir. If any among the ministers obstruct Your Majesty, I hope this argument may be used against them." Wang Dan submitted a secret memorial remonstrating, but the emperor told him what Wei had answered, and Dan no longer dared speak. Wei was then made commissioner for construction of the Yujing Zhaoying Palace, again served as attendant for the Heavenly Writ, was promoted to supervisory censor, and formally appointed commissioner of the Three Departments. For the sacrifice at Fenyin he served as commissioner of the Three Departments on the journey. When the Huiling Temple was built, Wei again took overall charge of it. He was transferred to vice minister of rites, advanced to the Ministry of Revenue, and made vice grand councilor. When Jian'an Circuit cast an image of the Jade Emperor, he served as commissioner for receiving and escorting it. For the audience at the Grand Pure Temple he served as commissioner for the preparatory arrangements of the sacrificial rites and was assigned to Bozhou. The emperor granted a banquet and composed a poem to honor his departure, and ordered him to act in charge of troops and horses before the imperial carriage. Wei presented a white deer together with ninety-five thousand specimens of lingzhi fungus. Upon returning he was assigned to the Court of Ceremonial, again served as commissioner for construction of the Jingling Palace, copied the Heavenly Writ for carving on jade caskets, and was deputy commissioner of the Yujing Zhaoying Palace. When fire broke out in the inner palace, he served as commissioner for repairs. He served in succession as minister of works, justice, and war, again served as deputy director of rites for the Heavenly Writ, and was appointed military commissioner of the Pingjiang Army and prefect of Shengzhou.

天禧初，徙保信軍節度使。三年，以吏部尚書復參知政事。是歲，祀南郊，輔臣俱進官。故事，嘗為宰相而除樞密使，始得遷僕射，乃以謂檢校太尉兼本官為樞密使。時寇準為相，尤惡謂，謂媒蘖其過，遂罷準相。既而拜謂同中書門下平章事、昭文館大學士、監修國史、玉清昭應宮使。周懷政事敗，議再貶準，帝意欲謫準江、淮間，謂退，除道州司馬。同列不敢言，獨王曾以帝語質之，謂顧曰：「居停主人勿復言。」蓋指曾以第舍假準也。

At the beginning of Tianxi he was transferred to military commissioner of the Baoxin Army. In the third year, as minister of personnel he again became vice grand councilor. That year, when the southern suburban sacrifice was performed, all the senior ministers were promoted in rank. By precedent, one who had once been grand councilor and was appointed director of the Bureau of Military Affairs could then be promoted to vice director. Wei was therefore made honorary grand commandant while retaining his original rank as director of military affairs. At that time Kou Zhun was grand councilor and especially hated Wei. Wei slandered him for his faults, and Zhun was thereupon removed from the grand council. Soon afterward Wei was appointed grand councilor with equal standing at the Secretariat-Chancellery, senior academician of the Academy of Literary Glory, overseer of the compilation of the national history, and commissioner of the Yujing Zhaoying Palace. When Zhou Huai's affair failed, there was discussion of demoting Zhun again. The emperor intended to exile Zhun to the region between the Yangzi and Huai rivers. Wei withdrew, and Zhun was appointed army adjutant in Daozhou. His colleagues on the council dared not speak. Only Wang Zeng confronted him with the emperor's words. Wei looked back and said: "Landlord, say no more." This referred to the fact that Zeng had lent his residence to Zhun.

仁宗即位，進司徒兼侍中，為山陵使。寇準、李迪再貶，謂取制草改曰：「當醜徒幹紀之際，屬先王違豫之初，罹此震驚，遂至沈劇。」凡與準善者，盡逐之。是時二府定議，太后與帝五日一御便殿聽政。既得旨，而謂潛結內侍雷允恭，令密請太后降手書，軍國事進入印畫。學士草制辭，允恭先持示謂，閱訖乃進。蓋謂欲獨任允恭傳達中旨，而不欲同列與聞機政也。允恭倚謂勢，益橫無所憚。

When Renzong ascended the throne, Wei was promoted to minister of education with concurrent appointment as palace attendant and made commissioner for the imperial tombs. When Kou Zhun and Li Di were demoted again, Wei took the draft edict and changed it to read: "At a time when wicked men were disturbing discipline, just as the late emperor's illness was beginning, he suffered this shock and his condition became grave." All who were on good terms with Zhun were driven out. At that time the two councils decided that the empress dowager and the emperor would jointly hold court in the side hall every five days to hear affairs of government. Once this had received approval, Wei secretly allied himself with the palace attendant Lei Yungong and had him privately request that the empress dowager issue a handwritten order that military and state affairs be submitted for her seal and endorsement. When the academicians drafted the edict, Yungong first showed it to Wei, and only after Wei had read it was it submitted. This was because Wei wished to rely on Yungong alone to convey the inner court's intent and did not want his colleagues to hear of state secrets. Yungong relied on Wei's power and grew ever more arrogant and fearless.

允恭方為山陵都監，與判司天監邢中和擅易皇堂地。夏守恩領工徒數萬穿地，土石相半，眾議日喧，懼不能成功，中作而罷，奏請待命。謂庇允恭，依違不決。內侍毛昌達自陵下還，以其事奏，詔問謂，謂始請遣使按視。既而咸謂復用舊地，乃詔馮拯、曹利用等就謂第議，遣王曾覆視，遂誅允恭。

Yungong was then overall supervisor of the imperial tombs and, together with Xing Zhonghe, judge of the Directorate of Astronomy, arbitrarily changed the site of the imperial burial chamber. Xia Shou'en led tens of thousands of laborers in digging. Earth and stone were evenly mixed, public discussion grew daily more clamorous, and fearing failure they halted work midway and memorialized requesting further orders. Wei shielded Yungong and wavered without making a decision. The palace attendant Mao Changda returned from the tombs and reported the matter. An edict questioned Wei, and only then did Wei request that envoys be dispatched to inspect the site. Soon afterward all agreed to revert to the original site. An edict ordered Feng Zheng, Cao Liyong, and others to discuss the matter at Wei's residence, dispatched Wang Zeng to reinspect the site, and Yungong was thereupon executed.

後數日，太后與帝坐承明殿，召拯、利用等諭曰：「丁謂為宰輔，乃與宦官交通。」因出謂嘗托允恭令後苑匠所造金酒器示之，又出允恭嘗幹謂求管勾皇城司及三司衙司狀，因曰：「謂前附允恭奏事，皆言已與卿等議定，故皆可其奏；且營奉先帝陵寢，而擅有遷易，幾誤大事。」拯等奏曰：「自先帝登遐，政事皆謂與允恭同議，稱得旨禁中。臣等莫辨虛實，賴聖神察其奸，此宗社之福也。」乃降謂太子少保、分司西京。故事，黜宰相皆降制，時欲亟行，止令拯等即殿廬召舍人草詞，仍榜朝堂，布諭天下。追其子珙、珝、玘、武一官，落珙館職。

Several days later the empress dowager and the emperor sat in Chenming Hall and summoned Feng Zheng, Cao Liyong, and others, saying: "Ding Wei, as grand councilor, has been in contact with eunuchs." She then produced gold wine vessels that Wei had once had Yungong commission from the rear-garden craftsmen, and also produced Yungong's petition asking Wei to secure charge of the Imperial City Office and the Three Departments yamen. She continued: "When Wei previously appended Yungong's memorials, he always said he had already discussed them with you, and so they were all approved; moreover, in constructing the late emperor's tomb he arbitrarily changed the site, nearly ruining a great undertaking." Feng and the others memorialized: "Since the late emperor's passing, all state affairs have been jointly decided by Wei and Yungong, who claimed to have received approval within the palace. We your ministers could not distinguish truth from falsehood. Thanks to Your Sagely insight into their treachery, this is a blessing for the altars of state." Wei was thereupon demoted to honorary grand tutor of the crown prince with duties at the Western Capital. By precedent, removal of a grand councilor was announced by edict. Because they wished to act quickly, they simply had Feng and the others summon a drafting secretary from the hall pavilion to compose the text, posted it in the court hall, and proclaimed it throughout the realm. His sons Gong, Xu, Qi, and Wu were each stripped of one rank, and Gong lost his academy post.

先是，女道士劉德妙者，嘗以巫師出入謂家。謂敗，逮繫德妙，內侍鞫之。德妙通款，謂嘗教言：「若所為不過巫事，不若托言老君言禍福，足以動人。」於是即謂家設神像，夜醮於園中，允恭數至請禱。及帝崩，引入禁中。又因穿地得龜蛇，令德妙持入內，紿言出其家山洞中。仍復教云：「上即問若，所事何知為老君，第云『相公非凡人，當知之』。」謂又作頌，題曰「混元皇帝賜德妙」，語涉妖誕。遂貶崖州司戶參軍。諸子並勒停。玘又坐與德妙奸，除名，配隸復州。籍其家，得四方賂遺，不可勝紀。其弟誦、說、諫悉降黜。坐謂罷者，自參知政事任中正而下十數人。在崖州逾三年，徙雷州，又五年，徙道州。明道中，授秘書監致仕，居光州，卒。詔賜錢十萬、絹百匹。

Earlier, a female Daoist named Liu Demiao had once come and gone from Wei's household as a shaman. When Wei fell, Demiao was arrested and interrogated by palace attendants. Demiao confessed fully. Wei had once instructed her: "If what you do is no more than shamanistic affairs, it is better to claim that the Old Lord speaks of fortune and misfortune — that is enough to move people." Thereupon at Wei's residence an image of the deity was set up, and night rituals were performed in the garden. Yungong came repeatedly to request prayers. When the emperor died, she was brought into the inner palace. Also, by digging the ground they obtained a tortoise and serpent. Wei had Demiao carry them into the palace and falsely claimed they had come from a mountain cave at his home. He further instructed her: "When the emperor asks you how you know this is the Old Lord, simply say, 'The grand councilor is no ordinary man — he ought to know.'" Wei also composed a eulogy titled "The Primordial Emperor Bestows Favor upon Demiao," whose language touched on sorcery and fabrication. He was thereupon demoted to registrar in Yazhou. All his sons were ordered to cease holding office. Qi was further punished for adultery with Demiao, was struck from the rolls, and was assigned to serve in Fuzhou. His household was inventoried, and bribes received from all quarters were found in numbers beyond counting. His younger brothers Song, Shuo, and Jian were all demoted and removed from office. Those removed from office because of Wei numbered more than ten, from vice grand councilor Ren Zhongzheng downward. After more than three years in Yazhou he was transferred to Leizhou; after another five years he was transferred to Daozhou. During the Mingdao era he was granted retirement as director of the Imperial Library, lived in Guangzhou, and died. An edict granted one hundred thousand in cash and one hundred bolts of silk.

謂機敏有智謀，憸狡過人，文字累數千百言，一覽輒誦。在三司，案牘繁委，吏久難解者，一言判之，眾皆釋然。善談笑，尤喜為詩，至於圖畫、博奕、音律，無不洞曉。每休沐會賓客，盡陳之，聽人人自便，而謂從容應接於其間，莫能出其意者。

Wei was quick-witted and resourceful, more cunning and sly than others. Texts running to thousands of characters he could read once and recite. In the Three Departments, when documents piled up in complexity and clerks had long been unable to resolve them, he would decide them in a single sentence and all would be relieved. He was skilled in conversation and wit, especially fond of composing poetry, and as for painting, games, and music, there was none he did not thoroughly understand. Whenever he rested from office and gathered guests, he displayed all of these and let each person amuse himself as he wished, while Wei calmly received them throughout — none could get the better of him.

真宗朝營造宮觀，奏祥異之事，多謂與王欽若發之。初，議營昭應宮，料功須二十五年，謂令以夜繼晝，每繪一壁給二燭，七年乃成。真宗崩，議草遺制，軍國事兼取皇太后處分，謂乃增以「權」字。及太后稱制，又議月進錢充宮掖之用，由是太后深惡之，因雷允恭遂並錄謂前後欺罔事竄之。

During the Zhenzong era, construction of palaces and temples and memorials reporting auspicious and strange events were largely initiated by Wei together with Wang Qinruo. At first, when construction of the Zhaoying Palace was discussed, the labor was estimated to require twenty-five years. Wei ordered work to continue day and night, giving two candles for each wall painted, and it was completed in seven years. When Emperor Zhenzong died, in drafting the final edict it was proposed that military and state affairs be jointly disposed of by the empress dowager. Wei added the character for "provisional." When the empress dowager assumed regency, there was further discussion of monthly cash payments to supply the inner palace. For this reason the empress dowager deeply hated him, and because of Lei Yungong she recorded all of Wei's acts of deception before and after and had him exiled.

在貶所，專事浮屠因果之說，其所著詩並文亦數萬言。家寓洛陽，嘗為書自克責，敘國厚恩，戒家人毋輒怨望，遣人致於洛守劉燁，祈付其家。戒使者伺燁會眾僚時達之，燁得書不敢私，即以聞。帝見感惻，遂徙雷州，亦出於揣摩也。謂初通判饒州，遇異人曰：「君貌類李讚皇。」既而曰：「讚皇不及也。」

In his place of exile he devoted himself to Buddhist teachings on cause and effect. The poetry and prose he wrote also ran to tens of thousands of words. His family lived in Luoyang. He once wrote a letter reproaching himself, recounting the state's great kindness, admonishing his family not to harbor resentment, and sent a messenger to deliver it to Liu Ye, prefect of Luoyang, asking that it be passed to his household. He instructed the messenger to wait until Ye was meeting with his staff before delivering it. Ye, upon receiving the letter, dared not keep it private and reported it at once. When the emperor read it he was moved with compassion and transferred him to Leizhou — this too arose from calculation. When Wei first served as military prefect of Raozhou, he met a strange man who said: "Your appearance resembles that of Li Zanhuang." Then he added: "But Zanhuang does not compare to you."

夏竦，字子喬，江州德安人。父承皓，太平興國初，上《平晉策》，補右侍禁，隸大名府。契丹內寇，承皓繇間道發兵，夜與契丹遇，力戰死之，贈崇儀使，錄竦為潤州丹陽縣主簿。

Xia Song, courtesy name Ziqiao, came from De'an in Jiangzhou. His father Chenghao, at the beginning of the Taiping xingguo era, submitted "A Plan for the Pacification of Jin," was appointed right palace guard, and was attached to Daming Prefecture. When the Khitan invaded, Chenghao dispatched troops by a hidden route, encountered the Khitan at night, fought fiercely, and died in battle. He was posthumously honored as commissioner of ceremonial guard, and Song was given appointment as registrar of Danyang County in Runzhou.

竦資性明敏，好學，自經史、百家、陰陽、律曆，外至佛老之書，無不通曉。為文章，典雅藻麗。舉賢良方正，擢光祿寺丞、通判台州。召直集賢院，為國史編修官、判三司都磨勘司，累遷右正言。帝幸亳州，為東京留守推官。仁宗初封慶國公，王旦數言竦材，命教書資善堂。未幾，同修起居注，為玉清昭應宮判官兼領景靈宮、會真觀事，遷尚書禮部員外郎、知制誥。史成，遷戶部。景靈宮成，遷禮部郎中。

Song was by nature bright and keen, fond of learning. From the classics and histories, the hundred schools, yin-yang lore, and calendrical astronomy, outward even to Buddhist and Daoist texts, there was none he did not thoroughly understand. In writing essays he was elegant, refined, and richly ornamented. He was recommended as worthy and upright, was promoted to vice director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments, and made military prefect of Taizhou. He was summoned to serve at the Hall of Assembled Worthies, appointed compiler of the national history and assigned to the Three Departments General Audit Office, and was promoted in succession to right remonstrator. When the emperor visited Bozhou, Song served as deputy magistrate for the Eastern Capital garrison. When Renzong was first enfeoffed as Duke of Qing, Wang Dan repeatedly spoke of Song's talent, and he was ordered to teach at the Hall of Excellent Virtue. Before long he jointly compiled the Daily Record, served as judge of the Yujing Zhaoying Palace with concurrent charge of the Jingling Palace and Huizhen Abbey, and was promoted to outer-section secretary in the Ministry of Rites and drafting secretary for imperial edicts. When the history was completed he was transferred to the Ministry of Revenue. When the Jingling Palace was completed he was promoted to bureau director in the Ministry of Rites.

竦娶楊氏，楊亦工筆劄，有鉤距。及竦顯，多內寵，浸與楊不諧，楊悍妒，即與弟胃疏竦陰事，竊出訟之，又竦母與楊母相詬詈，偕訴開封府，府以事聞，下御史臺置劾，左遷職方員外郎、知黃州。後二年，徙鄧州，又徙襄州。屬歲饑，大發公廩，不足，竦又勸率州大姓，使出粟，得二萬斛，用全活者四十餘萬人。仁宗即位，遷戶部郎中，徙壽、安、洪三州。洪俗尚鬼，多巫覡惑民，竦索部中得千餘家，敕還農業，毀其淫祠以聞。詔江、浙以南悉禁絕之。

Song married a Lady Yang, who was also skilled in letters and had a sharp and calculating mind. When Song rose to prominence he took many inner-palace favorites, and relations with Yang gradually soured. Yang was fierce and jealous. She joined with her younger brother Wei in memorializing Song's secret affairs, stole out to sue him, and Song's mother and Yang's mother also exchanged curses. Together they sued at the Kaifeng prefectural office. The office reported the matter, and the case was referred to the Censorate for investigation. Song was demoted to outer-section secretary in the Ministry of War and made prefect of Huangzhou. Two years later he was transferred to Dengzhou, then again to Xiangzhou. When famine struck that year, he greatly opened the public granaries, but the supply was insufficient. Song also urged the great clans of the prefecture to contribute grain, obtaining twenty thousand hu, by which more than four hundred thousand people were preserved alive. When Renzong ascended the throne, Song was promoted to bureau director in the Ministry of Revenue and transferred through the three prefectures of Shou, An, and Hong. The customs of Hongzhou favored spirits, and many shamans deluded the people. Song searched his jurisdiction and found more than a thousand households, ordered them back to agriculture, destroyed their illicit shrines, and reported the matter. An edict ordered that this be entirely forbidden south of the Jiang and Zhe regions.

竦材術過人，急於進取，喜交結，任數術，傾側反覆，世以為奸邪。當太后臨朝，嘗上疏乞與修《真宗實錄》，不報。既而丁母憂，潛至京師，依中人張懷德為內助，宰相王欽若雅善竦，因左右之，遂起復知制誥，為景靈判官、判集賢院，以左司郎中為翰林學士、勾當三班院兼侍讀學士、龍圖閣學士，又兼譯經潤文官。遷諫議大夫，為樞密副使、修國史，遷給事中。初，武臣賞罰無法，吏得高下為奸，竦為集前比，著為定例，事皆按比而行。改參知政事、祥源觀使。增設賢良等六科，復百官轉對，置理檢使，皆竦所發。與宰相呂夷簡不相能，復為樞密副使，遷刑部侍郎。史成，進兵部，尋進尚書左丞。

Song's talent and skill surpassed others. He was eager to advance, fond of forming connections, relied on stratagems, and shifted and reversed himself — the world regarded him as treacherous and corrupt. When the empress dowager held court, he once submitted a memorial requesting to participate in compiling the Veritable Records of Zhenzong, but received no reply. Soon afterward, while in mourning for his mother, he secretly went to the capital, relied on the palace attendant Zhang Huai'de as an inner supporter, and because Grand Councilor Wang Qinruo had long been on good terms with Song and promoted him from the side, he was recalled from mourning as drafting secretary for imperial edicts, made judge of the Jingling Palace and judge of the Hall of Assembled Worthies, appointed Hanlin academician with charge of the Three Classes Office and concurrent reader-in-waiting academician and academician of the Hall of Dragon Diagrams, and also served as polishing editor for scripture translation. He was promoted to censor-in-chief, made deputy director of the Bureau of Military Affairs and compiler of the national history, and promoted to supervisory censor. At first, rewards and punishments for military officers had no fixed standard, and clerks could manipulate them for fraud. Song collected earlier precedents, set them down as fixed regulations, and all matters were handled according to precedent. He was changed to vice grand councilor and commissioner of the Xiangyuan Abbey. The addition of six categories including Worthy and Upright, the restoration of rotating memorials by all officials, and the establishment of the commissioner for review of petitions were all initiated by Song. He was incompatible with Grand Councilor Lü Yijian, was again made deputy director of the Bureau of Military Affairs, and was promoted to vice minister of justice. When the history was completed he was advanced to the Ministry of War, and soon afterward promoted to left vice director of the Ministry of Personnel.

太后崩，罷為禮部尚書、知襄州，改潁州。京東薦饑，徙青州兼安撫使。逾年，罷安撫，遷刑部尚書、徙應天府。寶元初，以戶部尚書入為三司使。趙元昊反，拜奉寧軍節度使、知永興軍，聽便宜行事。徙忠武軍節度使、知涇州。還，判永興軍兼陝西經略安撫招討，進宣徽南院使。與陳執中論兵事不合，詔徙屯鄜州。

When the empress dowager died he was removed to minister of rites and prefect of Xiangzhou, then transferred to Yingzhou. When famine recurred in eastern capital circuit, he was transferred to Qingzhou with concurrent appointment as pacification commissioner. After a year he was removed from the pacification commission, promoted to minister of justice, and transferred to Yingtian Prefecture. At the beginning of Baoyuan he entered the capital as minister of revenue to serve as commissioner of the Three Departments. When Zhao Yuanhao rebelled, Song was appointed military commissioner of the Fengning Army and prefect of Yongxing Circuit, with authority to act as circumstances required. He was transferred to military commissioner of the Zhongwu Army and prefect of Jingzhou. Upon returning he was assigned to Yongxing Circuit with concurrent authority as frontier commissioner for pacification and punitive action in Shaanxi, and was promoted to commissioner of the Southern Bureau of the Palace Secretariat. He clashed with Chen Zhizhong over military affairs, and an edict ordered him transferred to garrison at Fuzhou.

初，竦在涇州，朝廷遣龐籍就計事。竦上奏曰：

Earlier, when Song was at Jingzhou, the court dispatched Pang Ji to consult with him on frontier strategy. Song memorialized as follows:

「頃者繼遷逃背，屢寇朔方。至道初，洛苑使白守榮等率重兵護糧四十萬，遇寇浦洛河，糧卒並沒，守榮僅以身免。呂端始欲發兵，由麟府、鄜延、環慶三路趣平夏，襲其巢穴，太宗難之。後命李繼隆、丁罕、範廷召、王超、張守恩五路入討。繼隆與罕合兵，行旬日，不見賊；守恩見賊不擊；超及廷召至烏白池，以諸將失期，士卒困敝，相繼引還。時繼遷當繼捧入朝之後，曹光實掩襲之餘，遁逃窮蹙，而猶累歲不能剿滅。先皇帝鑒追討之敝，戒疆吏謹烽候、嚴卒乘，來即驅逐之，去無追捕也。

"Recently Li Jiqian rebelled and fled, repeatedly raiding Shuofang. At the beginning of the Zhidao era, the Luoyuan commissioner Bai Shourong and others led a large force escorting four hundred thousand units of grain. They encountered bandits at the Pulu River; grain and troops were all lost, and Shourong barely escaped with his life. Lü Duan at first wished to dispatch troops by the three routes of Lin-fu, Fuyan, and Huanqing toward Pingxia to strike their lair, but Emperor Taizong found this difficult. Later he ordered Li Jilong, Ding Han, Fan Tingzhao, Wang Chao, and Zhang Shou'en to invade on five routes. Jilong and Han combined forces and marched for ten days without sighting the enemy; Shou'en saw the enemy but did not attack; Chao and Tingzhao reached Wubai Pond. Because the generals had missed their rendezvous and the troops were exhausted, they withdrew one after another. At that time Jiqian, after Jipeng had submitted at court and after Cao Guangshi's surprise attack, was fleeing in desperate straits, yet for years he could not be exterminated. The late emperor, observing the defects of pursuit and attack, admonished frontier officials to be vigilant at beacon stations and strict with troops and mounts: when the enemy came, drive them off; when they left, do not pursue.

然拓跋之境，自靈武陷沒之後，銀、綏割棄已來，假朝廷威靈，其所役屬者不過河外小羌爾。況德明、元昊相繼猖獗，以繼遷窮蹙，比元昊富實，勢可知也。以先朝累勝之士，較當今關東之兵，勇怯可知也。以興國習戰之帥，方沿邊未試之將，工拙可知也。繼遷竄伏平夏，元昊窟穴河外，地勢可知也。若分兵深入，糗糧不支，師行賊境，利於速戰。儻進則賊避其鋒，退則敵躡其後，老師費糧，深可虞也。若窮其巢穴，須涉大河，長舟巨艦，非倉卒可具也。若浮囊挽梗，聯絡而進，我師半渡，賊乘勢掩擊，未知何謀可以捍禦？臣以為不較主客之利，不計攻守之便，而議追討者，非良策也。」

Yet the Tuoba realm, since the fall of Lingwu and the abandonment of Yin and Sui, relying on the court's authority, had under its command no more than the small Qiang tribes beyond the river. Moreover, Deming and Yuanhao succeeded one another in rampant aggression. Compared with Jiqian in desperate straits, Yuanhao is wealthy and strong — the situation is clear. Comparing the repeatedly victorious troops of the previous reign with today's eastern capital troops, their courage and timidity are clear. Comparing the battle-hardened commanders of the Xingguo era with the untested generals now on the frontier, their skill and clumsiness are clear. Jiqian hid in Pingxia; Yuanhao nests beyond the river — the terrain is clear. If troops are divided and sent deep in, provisions will not suffice. An army marching in enemy territory favors swift battle. If we advance, the enemy will avoid our edge; if we retreat, the foe will follow at our heels. A weary army consuming grain — this is deeply to be feared. If we are to reach their lair, we must cross the great river. Long boats and great ships cannot be prepared in haste. If we use floats and tow logs and advance in linked formation, and our army is half across when the enemy seizes the moment to strike, what plan could ward them off? Your subject believes that to discuss pursuit and attack without weighing the advantages of host and guest, without calculating the conveniences of offense and defense, is not a good strategy."

因條上十事。時邊臣多議征討，朝廷鄉之，而竦言出師非便。既而詔以涇原、鄜延兩路兵進討，會元昊稍求納款，范仲淹請留鄜延兵，由是涇原兵亦不行。中國之師，卒不出塞。

He thereupon submitted ten detailed proposals. At that time many frontier officials discussed punitive campaigns, and the court inclined toward them, but Song argued that dispatching troops was inexpedient. Soon afterward an edict ordered troops of the Jingyuan and Fuyan routes to advance in attack. It happened that Yuanhao was gradually seeking to submit, Fan Zhongyan requested that the Fuyan troops be retained, and for this reason the Jingyuan troops also did not march. The armies of the Middle Kingdom in the end did not cross the frontier.

竦上十事：一、教習強弩以為奇兵；二、羈縻屬羌以為藩籬；三、詔唃廝囉父子並力破賊；四、度地形險易遠近、砦柵多少、軍士勇怯，而增減屯兵；五、詔諸路互相應援；六、募土人為兵，州各一二千人，以代東兵；七、增置弓手、壯丁、獵戶以備城守；八、並邊小砦，毋積芻糧，賊攻急，則棄小砦入保大砦，以完兵力；九、關中民坐累若過誤者，許人入粟贖罪，銅一斤為粟五斗，以贍邊計；十、損並邊冗兵、冗官及減騎軍，以舒饋運。當時頗采用之。

Song submitted ten items: first, drill powerful crossbows to serve as special troops; second, keep dependent Qiang tribes in submission to serve as a barrier; third, order Gusiluo and his son to join forces to destroy the bandits; fourth, assess terrain for difficulty, ease, distance, and nearness, the number of stockades and forts, and the courage or timidity of troops, and increase or decrease garrison forces accordingly; fifth, order the various routes to support one another; sixth, recruit local men as soldiers, one or two thousand per prefecture, to replace eastern capital troops; seventh, add archers, strong youths, and hunters to prepare for city defense; eighth, consolidate small frontier stockades, do not accumulate fodder and grain; when the enemy attacks urgently, abandon small stockades and withdraw into large ones to preserve fighting strength; ninth, for people of Guanzhong implicated by association or for minor offenses, permit payment of grain to redeem guilt, one pound of copper equaling five dou of grain, to supply frontier needs; tenth, reduce redundant troops and officials on the frontier and cut cavalry forces to ease transport burdens. At the time many of these were adopted.

其募土人為兵，令下而楊偕奏言：「西兵比繼遷時十增七八，縣官困於供億，今州復益一二千人，則歲費不貲。若訓習士卒，使之精銳，選任將帥，求之方略，自然以寡擊眾，以一當百矣。竦云「土兵訓練可代東兵」，此虛言也。自德明納款以來，東兵猶不可代，況今日乎？」朝廷下竦議，竦奏：「陝西防秋之敝，無甚東兵，不慣登陟，不耐寒暑，驕懦相習，廩給至厚。土兵便習，各護鄉土，山川道路，彼皆素知，歲省芻糧鉅萬。且收聚小民，免饑餓為盜，代兵東歸，以衛京師，萬世利也。偕欲以寡擊眾，殆虛言也。」

As for recruiting local men as soldiers, when the order was issued Yang Jie memorialized: "Western troops have increased seven or eight tenths compared with the time of Jiqian. The state treasury is strained by supply costs. If each prefecture adds another one or two thousand men, annual expense will be beyond reckoning. If troops are trained and made sharp, if commanders are selected and assigned, and if strategy is sought, naturally one may strike many with few and match one against a hundred. Song says that 'local troops, once trained, can replace eastern capital troops' — this is empty talk. Since Deming submitted, eastern capital troops still could not be replaced — how much less today?" The court referred Song's proposal for discussion. Song memorialized: "The defect in Shaanxi frontier defense lies above all in eastern capital troops: unaccustomed to climbing, unable to endure heat and cold, habitually arrogant and timid, and receiving extremely generous rations. Local troops are accustomed to the terrain, each defending his native place. Mountains, rivers, and roads — they all know them well. Each year fodder and grain in the tens of thousands would be saved. Moreover, gathering the common people would spare them hunger and turning to banditry; replacing troops and sending eastern capital soldiers home to guard the capital would be a benefit for ten thousand generations. Jie's wish to strike many with few is probably empty talk."

偕復奏云：「自古將帥深入殊庭，霍去病止將輕騎八百，直棄大將軍數百里赴利，斬捕過當；又將萬騎逾烏盭，討遫仆，涉狐奴，曆五王國，過焉支山千有餘里，合兵鏖皋蘭下，殺折蘭王、盧侯王，執昆邪王子，收休屠祭天金人。趙充國亦以萬騎破先零。李靖以驍騎三千破突厥，又以精騎一萬至陰山，斬首千餘級，俘男女十餘萬，擒頡利以獻。自漢以來，用少擊眾，不可勝數。竦在涇原守城壘，據險阻，來則禦之，去則釋之，不聞出師也。竦懼戰或敗衄，托以兵少為辭爾。

Jie memorialized again: "From antiquity, when generals penetrated deep into foreign lands, Huo Qubing led only eight hundred light cavalry, abandoning the grand general several hundred li to seize advantage, and his kills and captures exceeded all measure; again he led ten thousand horsemen across Wuji, attacked Chupu, crossed Hunu, passed through five kingdoms, went more than a thousand li beyond Yanzhi Mountain, combined forces and fought fiercely below Gaolan, killed the kings of Zhelan and Luhou, captured the prince of Kunye, and seized the golden man with which Xiutu sacrificed to Heaven. Zhao Chongguo also broke the Xianling with ten thousand horsemen. Li Jing broke the Turks with three thousand fierce cavalry, and again with ten thousand elite horsemen reached Yinshan, beheaded more than a thousand, captured more than one hundred thousand men and women, and seized Jiali as tribute. Since Han times, instances of striking many with few are beyond counting. Song at Jingyuan defended walled camps, held difficult terrain, repelled the enemy when they came and released them when they left — one never heard of his dispatching troops. Song feared that battle might end in defeat and used insufficient troops as his excuse.

竦言土兵各護鄉土，自古兵有九地，士卒近家，謂之散地，言其易離散也。第以近事言之，閣門祗候王文恩出師敗北，而土兵皆竄走，惟東兵僅二百人，殺敵兵甚眾。以此知兵之強弱，不係東西，在將有謀與無謀爾。今邊郡參用東兵、土兵，若盡罷東兵，亦非計也。古人有言：『非隴西之民有勇怯，乃將吏之制巧拙異也。』今防邊東兵，人月受米七斗五升，土兵二石五斗，而竦乃言東兵廩給至厚，又不知之甚也。竦又言募土兵訓練以代東兵，且土兵數萬，須募足訓練，雖三二歲未得成效，兵精猶恐奔北，豈有驟加訓練而能取勝哉？」竦議遂屈。

Song said that local troops each defend their native places. From antiquity troops have nine kinds of ground; when soldiers are near home it is called scattered ground, meaning they easily disperse. Take only recent events: when Gate Attendant Wang Wen'en marched out and was defeated, local troops all fled, while only about two hundred eastern capital soldiers killed many enemy troops. From this one knows that the strength or weakness of troops does not depend on east or west, but on whether the commander has strategy or not. Today frontier prefectures use both eastern capital and local troops together. To abolish eastern capital troops entirely would also not be a good plan. The ancients said: 'It is not that the people of Longxi are brave or timid by nature, but that the commanders and officials differ in skill and clumsiness.' Today eastern capital frontier troops receive seven dou and five sheng of grain per man per month; local troops receive two shi and five dou. Yet Song says eastern capital troops receive extremely generous rations — he is profoundly ignorant. Song also says to recruit and train local troops to replace eastern capital troops. Yet local troops number in the tens of thousands; they must be recruited in full and trained. Even after two or three years there may be no result, and even sharp troops may fear defeat — how could sudden training make them victorious?" Song's proposal was thereupon defeated.

竦雅意在朝廷，及任以西事，頗依違顧避，又數請解兵柄。改判河中府，徙蔡州。慶曆中，召為樞密使。諫官、御史交章論：「竦在陝西畏懦不肯盡力，每論邊事，但列眾人之言，至遣敕使臨督，始陳十策。嘗出巡邊，置侍婢中軍帳下，幾致軍變。元昊嘗募得竦首者與錢三千，為賊輕侮如此。今復用之，邊將體解矣。且竦挾詐任數，奸邪傾險，與呂夷簡不相能。夷簡畏其為人，不肯引為同列，既退，乃薦之以釋宿憾。陛下孜孜政事，首用懷詐不忠之臣，何以求治？」會竦已至國門，言者論不已，請不令入見。諫官余靖又言：「竦累表引疾，及聞召用，即兼驛而馳。若不早決，竦必堅求面對，敘恩感泣，復有左右為之地，則聖聽惑矣。」章累上，即日詔竦歸鎮，竦亦自請還節。徙知亳州，改授吏部尚書。歲中，加資政殿學士。

Song's heart had always been set on the court. When assigned to western affairs he wavered and looked for escape, and repeatedly requested to be relieved of military authority. He was transferred to govern Hezhong Prefecture, then moved to Caizhou. During the Qingli era he was summoned as director of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Remonstrating officials and censors submitted memorials in succession: "Song in Shaanxi was timid and unwilling to exert himself. Whenever he discussed frontier affairs he merely listed what others had said. Only when an imperial envoy was dispatched to supervise him on the spot did he present his ten strategies. Once when he went out to inspect the frontier he placed serving maids in the central army tent, nearly causing a military mutiny. Yuanhao once offered three thousand cash to whoever could obtain Song's head — such was the enemy's contempt for him. To employ him again now would utterly dishearten frontier generals. Moreover, Song relies on deceit and stratagem, is treacherous, corrupt, and dangerous, and is incompatible with Lü Yijian. Yijian feared his character and would not bring him in as a colleague. After retiring, he recommended Song to release an old grudge. Your Majesty diligently attends to government affairs — to employ first a treacherous and disloyal minister, how can good order be sought?" It happened that Song had already reached the capital gates. The critics continued without cease and requested that he not be allowed an audience. Remonstrating official Yu Jing also said: "Song repeatedly submitted memorials citing illness, yet upon hearing of his summons he immediately rode post-haste. If a decision is not made early, Song will surely insist on a face-to-face audience, recount favors and weep in gratitude, and again have attendants speak on his behalf — then the imperial ear will be confused." Memorials piled up. That same day an edict ordered Song back to his command, and Song also requested return of his seal of authority. He was transferred to prefect of Bozhou and reassigned as minister of personnel. Within the year he was given the additional title of academician of the Hall of Esteem.

竦之及國門也，帝封彈疏示之，既至亳州，上書萬言自辨。復拜宣徽南院使、河陽三城節度使、判幷州。請復置宦者為走馬承受。明年，拜同中書門下平章事、判大名府。又明年，召入為宰相。制下，而諫官、御史復言：「大臣和則政事修，竦前在關中，與執中論議不合，不可使共事。」遂改樞密使，封英國公。

When Song reached the capital gates, the emperor sealed the impeachment memorials and showed them to him. After arriving at Bozhou, he submitted a ten-thousand-word memorial in self-defense. He was again appointed commissioner of the Southern Bureau of the Palace Secretariat, military commissioner of the Heyang Three Cities, and assigned to Bingzhou. He requested restoration of eunuchs as mounted dispatch receivers. The following year he was appointed grand councilor with equal standing at the Secretariat-Chancellery and assigned to Daming Prefecture. The year after that he was summoned to enter the capital as grand councilor. When the appointment edict was issued, remonstrating officials and censors again said: "When senior ministers are harmonious, government affairs are well ordered. Song previously in Guanzhong disagreed in discussion with Zhizhong and cannot be allowed to serve together." He was thereupon changed to director of the Bureau of Military Affairs and enfeoffed as Duke of Ying.

請析河北為四路。親事官夜入禁中，欲為亂，領皇城司者皆坐逐，獨楊懷敏降官，領入內都知如故。言者以為竦結懷敏而曲庇之。會京師同日無雲而震者五，帝方坐便殿，趣召翰林學士張方平至，謂曰：「夏竦奸邪，以致天變如此，宜出之。」罷知河南府，未幾，赴本鎮，加兼侍中。饗明堂，徙武寧軍節度使，進鄭國公，錫賚與輔臣等。將相居外，遇大禮有賜，自竦始。尋以病歸，卒。贈太師、中書令。賜諡文正，劉敞言：「世謂竦奸邪，而諡為正，不可。」改諡文莊。

He requested that Hebei be divided into four routes. A personal attendant entered the inner palace at night intending to create disorder. All who headed the Imperial City Office were punished with removal, but Yang Huai'min alone was demoted in rank yet retained his post as director of the Inner Service as before. Critics believed that Song had bonded with Huai'min and shielded him improperly. It happened that in the capital on the same day there were five thunderclaps without clouds. The emperor was sitting in the side hall and urgently summoned Hanlin academician Zhang Fangping, saying: "Xia Song is treacherous and corrupt, causing heavenly portents such as this. He should be removed." He was removed to prefect of Henan Prefecture. Before long he went to his original command and was given the additional appointment as palace attendant. At the Bright Hall sacrifice he was transferred to military commissioner of the Wuning Army, advanced to Duke of Zheng, and granted gifts equal to those of the senior ministers. For generals and ministers residing outside the capital to receive gifts on great ceremonial occasions began with Song. Soon afterward he returned home due to illness and died. He was posthumously honored as grand preceptor and director of the Secretariat. He was granted the posthumous name Wenzheng. Liu Chang said: "The world calls Song treacherous and corrupt, yet his posthumous name is 'Correct' — this cannot stand." It was changed to Wenzhuang.

竦以文學起家，有名一時，朝廷大典策屢以屬之。多識古文，學奇字，至夜以指畫膚。文集一百卷。其為郡有治績，喜作條教，於閭里立保伍之法，至盜賊不敢發，然人苦煩擾。治軍尤嚴，敢誅殺，即疾病死喪，拊循甚至。嘗有龍騎卒戍邊，群剽，州郡莫能止，或密以告竦。時竦在關中，俟其至，召詰之，誅斬殆盡，軍中大震。其威略多類此。然性貪，數商販部中。在幷州，使其僕貿易，為所侵盜，至杖殺之。積家財累鉅萬，自奉尤侈，畜聲伎甚眾。所在陰間僚屬，使相猜阻，以鉤致其事，遇家人亦然。

Song rose through literary learning, was famous in his time, and the court repeatedly entrusted major state documents and edicts to him. He knew much ancient writing and studied unusual characters, tracing them on his skin with his finger even at night. His collected writings numbered one hundred volumes. When governing prefectures he had a record of good administration. He liked to make detailed regulations, establishing the mutual-responsibility system in neighborhoods, so that bandits and thieves did not dare act — yet the people suffered from the burdensome interference. In governing troops he was especially strict and dared to execute, yet for illness, death, or mourning he showed the utmost care and consolation. Once Dragon Cavalry soldiers garrisoned on the frontier banded together in plunder. Prefectures and districts could not stop them, and someone secretly reported this to Song. At that time Song was in Guanzhong. He waited for them to arrive, summoned and interrogated them, and executed nearly all of them. The army was greatly shaken. His authority and strategy were mostly of this sort. Yet by nature he was greedy and repeatedly engaged in trade within his jurisdiction. At Bingzhou he had his servant trade on his behalf. When the servant was robbed, Song beat him to death. He amassed household wealth totaling tens of thousands, lived in especially lavish style, and kept a great many singers and performers. Wherever he was, he secretly set subordinates against one another so they would suspect and obstruct each other, thereby entangling them in affairs. He treated his own family the same way.

〈子〉安期

〈Son〉 Anqi

子安期，字清卿，以父任為將作監主簿，召試，賜進士出身。累遷太常博士，擢提點荊湖南道刑獄。除開封府推官，徙判官，判三司鹽鐵勾院，出為京西轉運使。盜起部中，剽劫州縣，而光化軍戍卒相繼叛，勢且相合，安期督將吏捕斬殆盡。徙河東轉運使，累遷尚書工部郎中，徙江、淮發運使，入為三司戶部副使。會元昊納款，西邊罷兵，命往陝西與諸路經略安撫司議損邊費，頗奏省吏員及汰邊兵之不任役者五萬人。擢天章閣待制，遂為陝西都轉運使。徙河北，進兵部郎中。

His son Anqi, courtesy name Qingqing, entered office through his father's privilege as registrar of the Directorate of Palace Buildings. He was summoned for examination and granted the status of jinshi. He was promoted in succession to erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and was elevated to judicial intendant of the Jinghu South Circuit. He was appointed investigating magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture, transferred to judge, assigned to the Salt and Iron Verification Office of the Three Departments, and sent out as transport commissioner of the Western Capital Circuit. Bandits arose within his jurisdiction, plundering prefectures and counties. Garrison soldiers of Guanghua Army rebelled one after another, and the forces were about to join together. Anqi supervised generals and officials in capturing and executing nearly all of them. He was transferred to transport commissioner of Hedong, promoted in succession to bureau director in the Ministry of Works, moved to grain transport commissioner of the Jianghuai region, and entered the capital as vice commissioner of the Revenue Office in the Three Departments. When Yuanhao submitted, hostilities on the western frontier ceased, and Anqi was ordered to go to Shaanxi to consult with the frontier pacification commissions of the various routes on reducing frontier expenses. He memorialized extensively to cut clerical posts and eliminate fifty thousand frontier troops unfit for service. He was promoted to awaiting-drafter of the Hall of Heavenly Manifestations and then made overall transport commissioner of Shaanxi. He was transferred to Hebei and promoted to bureau director in the Ministry of War.

時竦為樞密使，為請還所遷官，丐淮、浙一郡。復以為工部郎中、江淮發運使，徙知永興軍。進龍圖閣直學士、吏部郎中、知渭州。簡弓箭手，得驍勇萬人為步兵，騎又半之，教以戰陣法，繇是土兵勝他路。又籍塞下閑田，募人耕種，歲得穀數萬斛，以備振發，名曰貸倉。

At that time Song was director of the Bureau of Military Affairs and requested on his son's behalf the return of the ranks he had been promoted through, asking for a prefecture in Huai or Zhe. He was again made bureau director in the Ministry of Works and grain transport commissioner of the Jianghuai region, then transferred to prefect of Yongxing Circuit. He was advanced to direct academician of the Hall of Dragon Diagrams, bureau director in the Ministry of Personnel, and prefect of Weizhou. He selected archers and obtained ten thousand fierce warriors as infantry, with half that number as cavalry. He taught them battle formations, and from this local troops surpassed those of other routes. He also registered idle land below the frontier passes, recruited people to cultivate it, and each year obtained tens of thousands of hu of grain to prepare for relief distribution. It was called the Loan Granary.

遷右諫議大夫，進樞密直學士，徙延州。未至，丁父憂。服除，辭所進職，復為龍圖閣直學士兼侍讀，提舉集禧觀。以學士復知延州，州東北阻山，無城郭，虜騎嘗乘之。安期至，即大築城。時方暑，士卒有怨言，安期益令廣袤計數百步，令其下曰：「敢言者斬。」躬自督役，不逾月而就。元昊請畫疆界，朝廷欲遣使，以問安期。安期對曰：「此不足煩王人，衙校可辦也。」議遂決。暴得疾，卒，詔遣中使護其喪以歸。

He was transferred to right censor-in-chief, advanced to direct academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs, and moved to Yanzhou. Before he arrived he entered mourning for his father. When mourning ended he declined the ranks to which he had been advanced and again served as direct academician of the Hall of Dragon Diagrams with concurrent appointment as reader-in-waiting, with charge of the Jixi Abbey. As academician he again became prefect of Yanzhou. The northeast of the prefecture was blocked by mountains and had no walls or moats; barbarian cavalry had often exploited this. When Anqi arrived he immediately undertook major construction of the city walls. It was then the height of summer and the soldiers murmured complaints. Anqi further ordered the walls extended to several hundred paces in length and breadth and told his subordinates: "Whoever dares speak out will be executed." He personally supervised the labor, and within a month it was completed. Yuanhao requested that the border be demarcated. The court wished to dispatch an envoy and consulted Anqi. Anqi replied: "This is not worth troubling an imperial envoy — a yamen officer can handle it." The decision was thereupon made. He suddenly fell ill and died. An edict dispatched a palace envoy to escort his coffin home.

安期雖乘世資，頗以才自厲，朝廷數器使之，然無學術，而求入侍經筵，為世所譏。其奉養聲伎，不減其父云。

Although Anqi rose through hereditary privilege, he strove to improve himself through talent and the court repeatedly valued and employed him. Yet he lacked scholarly learning and sought to enter service at the imperial lecture hall, for which the world mocked him. In maintaining singers and performers he was no less than his father, it is said.

論曰：王欽若、丁謂、夏竦，世皆指為奸邪。真宗時，海內乂安，文治洽和，群臣將順不暇，而封禪之議成於謂，天書之誣造端於欽若，所謂以道事君者，固如是耶？竦陰謀猜阻，鉤致成事，一居政府，排斥相踵，何其患得患失也！欽若以贓賄幹吏議，其得免者幸矣。然而黨惡醜正，幾敗國家，謂其尤者哉。

The commentator says: Wang Qinruo, Ding Wei, and Xia Song — the world all pointed to them as treacherous and corrupt. In the time of Emperor Zhenzong, the realm within the seas was at peace and civil governance was harmonious. The ministers had no leisure but to comply — yet the proposal for the Fengshan sacrifice was completed by Wei, and the fabrication of the Heavenly Writ originated with Qinruo. Is this what is meant by serving one's lord through the Way? Song engaged in secret plots, suspicion, and obstruction, entangling others to achieve his ends. Once he entered the government, exclusions followed one after another — how fearful of loss and eager for gain he was! Qinruo interfered in the deliberations of officials through bribery; that he escaped punishment was fortunate indeed. Yet in forming factions of the wicked and disfiguring the upright, they nearly ruined the state — of these Wei was the worst.

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