← Back to 宋史

卷二百九十二 列傳第五十一 李諮 程戡 夏侯嶠 盛度 丁度 張觀 鄭戩 明鎬 王堯臣 孫抃 田況

Volume 292 Biographies 51: Li Zi, Cheng Kan, Xia Houjiao, Cheng Du, Ding Du, Zhang Guan, Zheng Jian, Ming Gao, Wang Yaochen, Sun Bian, Tian Kuang

Chapter 292 of 宋史 · History of Song
← Previous Chapter
Chapter 292
Next Chapter →
1
Li Zi, styled Zhongxun, traced his line to Han, the Tang-period Duke of Zhao. After Han was banished and died in Yuanzhou, the family made their home in Xinyu and became natives of that place.
2
調西
He once presented a memorial to the Two Palaces: "Nationwide taxes and levies are set, yet though the northwest has seen no major campaigning for nearly twenty years, border supplies are still funded at the old level. Garrison forces may not yet be cut, but every peripheral and wasteful expense outside core business should be trimmed wholesale so more reaches the common people. " The court then ordered Li Zi, Vice Censor-in-Chief Liu Jun, and others jointly to review redundant spending; measured from Tianxi against Jingde, the reckoned savings came to more than thirteen parts per hundred.
3
西
Meanwhile the Shaanxi borderlands kept reporting short military rations, and the Finance Commission's central reserves could not meet monthly pay; the Zhangxian Empress Dowager was alarmed and charged Lü Yijian, Lu Zongdao, Zhang Shixun, Li Zi, and others to overhaul the system. Li Zi said, "Under the old rules merchants brought grain into border prefectures; tea was calculated together with rhinoceros horn, ivory, and strung coin in a threefold nominal-and-real reckoning—paying fourteen cash in hand could secure a hundred cash worth from the Three Departments." He urged reform: grain paid in hard cash, tea sold for hard cash, with the three items barred from offsetting one another's value. Once put in force the merchants truly lost their generous margin, and resentment and outcry spread everywhere. Li Zi, citing repeated illness, sought a provincial post and was made an academician of the Privy Council and prefect of Hongzhou. Months after he set out, the Censorate prosecuted clerks Wang Ju and Gou Xian for privately colluding with merchants—repeatedly requisitioning Cizhou alum—and in their tea-law accounts they refused to deduct fictitious expense cash yet falsely claimed a million strings in added revenue to win imperial favor. Li Zi was demoted for not having detected it.
4
使
After a long while he rose to Supervising Censor and prefect of Hangzhou, then again Privy Council academician and commissioner of Yongxing. He had every privileged scion who traded on hereditary standing and ran lawless beaten with the rod, and his jurisdiction became orderly. When recalled he oversaw the Three-Rank Court; for faulty clerk recommendations he was reduced to Left Remonstrator. Acting Three Departments Commissioner that year, when fire broke out inside the palace compounds he rushed new construction and mustered every supply needed.
5
使
He was promoted Vice Minister of Rites and appointed Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council. Months later his father died; recalled from mourning, he became Vice Minister of Revenue and head of remonstrance affairs. The state tea monopoly was then decaying; the throne ordered Li Zi, Cai Qi, and others to revise it. Li Zi, having once been faulted over his reform, steadfastly refused, but was not permitted to withdraw. They then revived Li Zi's own reforms in full; particulars are set out in the Monograph on Food and Money. When he died he was posthumously given Right Vice Director of the Secretariat, with the temple name Xiancheng.
6
Clear-eyed by nature and versed in worldly affairs, he handled rushing crises as if unhurried, and underlings did not dare cheat him. At the Privy Council he worked especially to cut bloated rewards and curb lucky petitions; colleagues judged him worthy of the role. Childless, he took a kinsman's son as heir.
7
婿
Cheng Kan, styled Shengzhi, came from Yangzhai in Xuzhou. As a youth he studied strenuously, passed the jinshi in the top tier, served as an investigator under the Jingzhou intendant, and was twice promoted to Secretariat aide and vice prefect of Xuzhou. When Cao Liyong was banished, Kan—his son-in-law—was demoted to vice commissioner of Qizhou. Moved to Qianzhou: a townsman murdered his mother and in the night laid the body at a foe's gate to incriminate him. The case was closed, yet Kan alone saw through it and assigned guilt correctly. As an assistant director in the Ministry of Revenue's granary section he governed Guizhou, then was summoned as Attendant Censor and expenditure reviewer of the Finance Commission.
8
便 使 西使
Early in Baoyuan, earthquakes in Xin and Dai wrecked cities and homes with heavy casualties; Kan was sent to console the region with broad discretion. He became Drafting Attendant and Remonstrance chief, then Vice Director of War while also Attendant Censor overseeing mixed business and deputy of the Finance Commission's households section. Elevated to academician of the Tianzhang Pavilion and grand transport commissioner for Shaanxi.
9
西
Soon after he governed Weizhou. Shaanxi maintained a Baoyi militia, whose service duties oppressed the people. Kan reported: "Baoyi troops sit outside the township militia—unbranded yet on the rolls—to reinforce frontier defense. Though already listed with the Baojie Army, Baoyi registers stayed unchanged; districts still pressed them for labor until families were ruined—selling land and splitting estates—yet several households still owed one conscript; the burden was unbearable. " The court decreed that anyone who privately impressed Baoyi labor would be charged under the statute on hired labor.
10
使使 使
He advanced to Privy Council academician and prefect of Chengdu. He had vouched for Beizhou's Zhang Deyi; when Deyi was put to death after confessing, Kan lost his post and was sent out to Fengxiang, then soon to Hezhong. Censor-in-Chief Zhang Guan vindicated him; he returned as Privy Council academician and Yongxing commissioner, then Yingzhou, and after four steps reached Supervising Censor. A Liao envoy passing through pleaded illness and asked to be received capped rather than bare-headed; Kan's deputy told him, "If you are ill you need not appear at all—but if you appear you follow protocol. " The envoy yielded and met with his cap on.
11
殿
Folk omens held that in a jiawu year Shu would see turmoil: Meng Zhixiang's breakaway and Li Shun's bandit uprising had both happened then. Emperor Renzong personally reappointed Kan to Yizhou, made him Duanming Hall academician, summoned him, and sent him off with reassurance. At Pengzhou commoners spread false talk of troop mutiny; he seized and executed them. Previous Yizhou governors, fearing suspicion, often let battlements go; Kan alone repaired walls and deepened moats without caring that it might look suspicious.
12
使 殿使使使
Recalled as Vice Councilor, he petitioned to outlaw Sichuan demagogues who deceived the populace. To avoid clashing with Grand Councilor Wen Yanbo's family ties, he became Revenue Vice Minister and Privy Council vice commissioner. He quarreled often with Song Qi; remonstrators and censors rebuked them both, and Kan himself asked to step down. Appointed Personnel Vice Minister, Observant Culture academician and Hanlin reader-in-waiting, co-administrator of the imperial stud; soon Southern Hall commissioner of the imperial insignia, Fuyan route pacification commissioner, and acting Yanzhou prefect.
13
使 調
At Yingzong's accession he was kept on as Anwu military commissioner for another term. Frontier tribal officers had not, by custom, received seniority promotions on general amnesties. On Kan's petition they now all gained promotions. He further asked that any chieftain with battlefield merit and martial ability be called in and posted as frontier tribal officer. Yanzhou sat on both banks as twin cities with rather low parapets. From Jiuzhou Terrace the enemy could overlook the town below. Kan drafted laborers and greatly enlarged the defenses. Hengshan chieftains, angered at Liang You, meant to rebel and seize Ling and Xia, and came seeking Song troops. Kan said, "Jackals and tigers are not easily taken unless they tear at one another; nor is a carbuncle easily struck until it ruptures on its own. Liang You's insolence has lasted long—now is the moment to agree; this is letting barbarians fight barbarians, to China's advantage. " But Yingzong fell ill and senior ministers feared new entanglements, so nothing was answered.
14
使 宿
Memorialists proposed a senior commander at Yongxing with heavy troops to oversee five frontier circuits; Kan was told to weigh costs and benefits. Kan argued that "each of the four circuits lies many stages from Yongxing—if trouble arose and all waited on central orders, events would outrun response. Guanzhong's revenues cannot sustain more—troops already encamped there in numbers—how feed another host?
15
西 沿使 使 使
Early in Zhiping eunuchs including Wang Zhaoming were assigned to lead tribal affairs on all four frontier circuits. Kan said, "Tribes have defected because border clerks were brutal and Westerners seduced them. Wang Zhaoming and his kind can only summon chiefs and toast them with cattle and wine—hardly enough to bind loyalty. They also stir frontier gossip; better to install route deputies and chief inspectors, each circuit with one field commander doubling as border patrol commissioner, and end exclusive eunuch control of tribal affairs. " The throne accepted his plan. Xi Xia envoys came to pay tribute but used Han-style notes to prefectures, styling their countryman as "Privy Councilor." Kan barred it, allowing only envoy and deputy without ranks, and only if "Privy Councilor" became "head of the official residence."
16
使
Kan filed many retirement pleas without answer; the throne sent messengers with an autograph to console him and grant tea, medicines, and gold; he wrote again: "My ailments are grave—is Gaonu, where elite troops guard a choke point, a sickroom? " Called back, he died on the journey. Posthumously Grand Marshal, temple name Kangmu.
17
Long on the border, steady and seasoned, he ruled without courting renown. Yet critics never took his side; rumor said he dealt with eunuch Yan Shiliang—even made his wife appear to receive him.
18
Xia Houjiao
19
使 西 殿 滿殿
Xia Houjiao, styled Junji, was of Youzhou stock. Ancestor Xiu, under Gaozu, served as roving patrol officer of Juye post in Jizhou and made the locale his home. Father Pu, in Later Liang's Kaiping era, reached Di prefecture recorder via the Mingjing exam. Jiao studied avidly as a boy; by his twenties he was known for fu and verse; Zhou minister Li Gu brought him into his household. He served under Luoyang garrison commissioner Xiang Gong as acting magistrate of Yiyang; when Gong moved to Anzhou, Jiao again acted as recorder. In early Taiping xingguo he took jinshi in the top tier, began as Grand Court reviewer and vice commissioner of Xingzhou, and rose to Right Assistant Censor. On the Taiyuan expedition he oversaw fodder in Hebei. Promoted Palace Director and vice commissioner of Bin. At term's end he became Investigating Censor and vice commissioner of Xingyuan, advancing one grade in the palace service.
20
便殿 使 使便 使
Yongxi year two, when his term ended, Taizong received him in the side hall. Taizong said to the staff, "I myself know this man's talent and conduct—do not route a nomination memorandum. " That day he became Left Supplementation Censor and direct historian, with crimson robe and fish tally. As imperial forces guarded the borders he rode express to supervise Hejian grain routes and was appointed Mo prefect on the spot. A month later moved to Hongzhou; made Drafting Gentleman. While Prince Zhenzong was at his Xiang residence, Taizong chose sober courtiers as staff and summoned Jiao as tutor, granting gold-purple rank and making him straight historian of Zhaowen Hall. When Zhenzong administered the capital prefecture Jiao was also made reviewing sheriff and added Chief Clerk of the Revenue Section. With establishment of the Eastern Palace he doubled as Central Drafting Attendant and rose to Director of Works. At accession he was made Supervising Censor and director of the Court of Judicial Review. Several months later he was made vice commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Xianping year one he left office as Revenue-section director in the Ministry of Revenue. Year two the court created lecture-and-reading posts and named Jiao Hanlin Attendant Reader. After Yang Huizhi died he was also made concurrent Director of the Palace Library. That autumn famine struck Jiang and Zhe; appointed Jiangnan touring commissioner, he cleared lawsuits, visited the elderly, and favored lenient, simple handling—people welcomed it. Back from the tour he reported twenty-odd abuses harming commoners; the throne quickly ordered reforms. He also oversaw Ministry of Personnel selections.
21
殿輿 使
Jiao played the zither well, read Zhuangzi and Laozi, and was steady and careful—never faulted in office. Zhenzong prized him, consulted him often, and always called him a man of virtue. Long devoted to the Way and regimen, he rarely fell ill. Jingde year one, fifth month: awaiting audience at Chongzheng Hall as a selection candidate, he collapsed with apoplexy; the court sent for golden elixir and imperial wine, had him borne home in a sedan, and dispatched inner attendants to summon renowned physicians. He died that night at seventy-two. Posthumously made Minister of War; beyond standard funeral gifts, three hundred taels of white gold were granted for burial. Son Sheng, Court of Judicial Review registrar, was made Heir Apparent Central Drafting Attendant; grandson Gong, Court Gentleman for Offering; grand-nephew Wei granted fellow-student origin. As a close attendant Jiao enjoyed exceptional favor. Months after his death Bi Shian became chief minister and, patting his seat, sighed: "If Lord Xiahou still lived, how could I have sat here first! " He left a fifteen-juan collection.
22
<>
Early Dazhong xiangfu Sheng presented "Diagram of Han Wu's Feng and Shan," illustrating gold and jade caskets and ceremonial stone forms with full notes; the emperor approved. He reached Vice Director of the Transport Section. Gong rose to Heir Apparent Central Drafting Attendant.
23
簿祿
Sheng Du, styled Gongliang, was long settled in Yingtian Prefecture, later moved to Yuhang in Hangzhou. Great-grandfather Dang served the Qian house as Yuhang magistrate. Father Yu followed Qian Chu to court and died Revenue-section director in the Ministry of Revenue. Du passed the jinshi and was made Jiyin assistant magistrate. Made Fengqiu registrar, then prefectural granary officer, Imperial Household vice director and Censorate investigator, then Palace Library secretary. Passing the Hanlin exam he became Historiography Office straight historian and Three Departments revenue judge, rising to State Farms vice director.
24
使西西 便殿西西 西
When Khitan raided the border he accompanied the emperor to Daming and memorialized repeatedly on frontier policy. Sent to Shaanxi he surveyed the region against Han and Tang holdings and presented a "Western Regions Map." Made Kaifeng judge; untruthful verdicts demoted him to Hongzhou tax supervisor. Restored as Jianchang prefect and Three Departments salt-and-iron judge, then Drafting Gentleman and edict drafter. Memorializing in the side hall, Zhenzong asked about his "Western Regions Map"; Du said: "Southeast of Jiuquan, Zhangye, Wuwei, Dunhuang, and Jincheng—from Qin's Long Wall west at Lintao east to Liaojie, ten thousand li. Commanderies, armies, and garrisons linked like a belt, beacons in sight—the defensive layout was complete. Tang created commissioners, later filled by chief ministers with unfit men—hence barriers and arms alike failed. Now I have redrawn terrain, roads, walls, and settlements as "Hexi Longyou Map" for Your Majesty. " Zhenzong praised his learning.
25
使 使
Later Right Remonstrance Censor and acting Kaifeng prefect. Illness kept him from accepting; made Hall of Numinous Communion judge, Hanlin academician, Historiography reviser. Served War Section director and Brilliant Numen deputy commissioner. When Kou Zhun fell, Du's tie to Zhou Huaizheng sent him out as Guang prefect. Early Qianxing he was again demoted to He military training vice commissioner. When Ding Wei fell he was raised Rites Section director, restored War Section director, made Imperial Sacrifices vice director and Yun prefect, then Qian, Chu, and Su. Back he headed Judicial Review, governed Yangzhou as Right Remonstrance Censor, and joined the Hall of Assembled Worthies. Demoted to Hongzhou he urged restoring the worthy-and-upright exam and four talent categories: canonical mastery for teaching, talent with institutional insight, military counsel for command, legal clarity for case review. Later six categories were set on Xia Song's motion—Du had originated the idea.
26
殿退
Restored Hanlin academician and Historiography reviser, promoted Supervising Censor. Ordered with Vice Censor Wang Sui to liberalize salt, letting merchants pay cash for allotments—see the Food and Goods Treatise. Soon chief Hanlin academician, Vice Rites Minister and Illustrious Hall academician; questioned on borders, he submitted ten points. He also doubled as Attendant Reader.
27
退
Jingyou year two he became Vice Participant in Governance. Wang Zeng and Lü Yijian were chief ministers; Du, Song Shou, and Cai Qi were vice participants; Zeng favored Qi, Yijian favored Shou—Du satisfied neither pair. When both resigned, Renzong asked Du why Wang Zeng and Lü Yijian pressed to leave. Du said: "I cannot know their private motives; ask each whom he would name as successor and their intent will show." Renzong asked Zeng, who named Qi; asked Yijian, who named Shou—all four left, Du alone stayed. He was made head of the Bureau of Military Affairs.
28
使 殿
Zhang Dexiang as chief minister, Du having once outranked him, was sent out as Wuning military commissioner. He fell as Right Secretariat vice director for letting Kaifeng clerk Feng Shiyuan seize a neighbor's leased official quarters. Restored Yangzhou prefect, added Assisting Governance academician and Yingtian prefect. Struck by apoplexy, he retired as Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent and died. Posthumously Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent, posthumous title Wensu.
29
A devoted reader, he lined his home with books and never set them down when home. Quick with prose but diffuse and unpolished. Ordered to help compile Continuation of the Comprehensive Institutions and Finest Blossoms and annotate imperial collections. At Zhenzong's Fenyin sacrifice, with Renzong in the princely residence, he handled daily-record and capital memorials. His collections Fool's Valley, Silver Terrace, Central Secretariat, and Bureau of Military Affairs, plus two edict volumes for Secretariat and Hanlin.
30
Tianxi year three edict enfeoffed mothers of drafting attendants, supervising censors, and remonstrance censors as commandery grand ladies—but not Hanlin academicians. As acting War Section director he sought posthumous enfeoffment for his mother; thereafter Hanlin mothers below remonstrance rank could be enfeoffed commandery ladies. Corpulent, he struggled to bow; when guests bowed he stayed bent, unable to rise, and often glared and cursed them. Deeply suspicious, colleagues scarcely dared casual speech even in private. Where he governed he often indulged the destitute and lawless; anyone with property he prosecuted to the letter.
31
使
Son Shenfu died War Section director and Hall collator; once Fujian transport commissioner, noted for integrity. Cousin Jing, capable in administration, retired as Works vice minister and died.
32
殿
Ding Du, styled Gongya, came from Qinghe in En Prefecture. Grandfather Yan, early Later Tang Qingtai, was taken by Khitan, escaped, and settled at Xiangfu. Father Fengji practiced medicine in Zhenzong's princely household yet collected books and mingled with scholars. Du studied hard, loved the Documents, and drafted ten-odd chapters modeled on Charges. Dazhong xiangfu he passed the diligent-service literary exam, made Judicial Review reviewer and Tong vice commissioner, then Heir Apparent Central Drafting Attendant and Hall collator. Untruthful jinshi escort records demoted him to Qi tax supervisor. Restored he ran Imperial Sacrifices and judged Personnel's southern desk. He memorialized six points: first, add lecture-and-reading officers; second, add remonstrance officers; third, extend yin privilege to great-gong kin; fourth, draft Hebei and Hedong corvée troops into the forbidden army; fifth, score magistrates' assistants by reclaimed land; sixth, allow guarantors for officials flogged for private offenses tied to public duty. Empress Dowager Zhangxian approved.
33
西使 使
Old rules granted audience when circuit and frontier commissioners took leave to pay respects. At Renzong's accession memorials went only through Secretariat and Military Affairs; Du said that invited obstruction. He also gave Empress Dowager Zhangxian "Discourse on Wang Feng" to warn against consort kin. He audited the Three Departments and served Western Capital transport commissioner. Astronomers reported white vapor at Yongchang Tomb and sought added works to suppress it; the court ordered inspection. Du said the spirit way should stay quiet and works ceased. Made edict drafter, Hanlin academician, capital criminal investigator, Imperial Sacrifices judge and Herds commissioner.
34
使 西
After Liu Ping and Shi Yuansun were defeated the emperor asked how to defend the frontier. Du said: "Morale is shattered; to chase the enemy deep, supply grain a thousand li, and spend lives for a moment's satisfaction is no winning plan. Tang held Chang'an; after Tianbao He-Huang fell, Jing's west gate stayed shut, the capital within five hundred li of enemies—yet heavy garrisons and beacons kept raids from becoming disaster. Under Taizu frontiers did not use military commissioners. He chose talent, enriched stipends, trusted rewards and punishments—borders stayed quiet nearly twenty years. Today's policy: maintain barriers, distant scouts, hold key points—a full defensive plan. " He then submitted ten policies titled Essentials for Border Defense.
35
西 使
The west was still unsettled; the two bureaus and three departments kept working even on rest days. Du said: "When Fu Jian invaded Jin with a million men, Xie An went out touring to steady hearts. Grant leave as before, lest foreigners gauge the court's strength. " The court agreed. Promoted Secretariat drafting attendant, then chief academician.
36
西
Ye Qingchen sought a Shang mint casting ten-for-one large coins. Du said: "Han five-zhu, Tang Kaiyuan, and our coin law strike the best balance of weight and size. Each dynasty's refinements could not hold a year before recoining. Reformers wanted harsh laws to stop illicit casting. Han's currency change brought hundreds of thousands of casting executions. Tang's Qianyuan coins made money light and goods heavy; harsh law failed. Frontier troops get a hundred small coins monthly—only ten large ones, unusable alone; old coin hoarded, new coin debased, fodder prices climb. In Huzhou I saw tea-ban violators pay a thousand coins to take lashes by contract. In Jingxi a robber killed for rags worth hundreds of coins. Illicit casting profits many times over. Remote hills harbor chiefs who cast by day and rob when pressed. Household bronze and lead would become large coin—how forbid it?
37
西 西 殿 西使 使
Du also said: "Xiangfu-Tiansheng herds topped a hundred thousand; peace advocates abolished eight pasturage offices as waste. Yet border markets still bought twenty-two thousand horses yearly for capital and frontier shortfalls. Four years of western war raised only thirty thousand. With few horses and idle land, pasturage offices may close; but when peace returns horses cannot be wanting. Let a household keeping a war horse exempt two corvée men without buying rank—urgent need met, state herds grow. " Qingli he deputized Du Yan pacifying Hedong. Later Illustrious Hall academician and Judicial Review head. Jiangxi transport made subordinates add one-third surcharge per hundred strings on rice, salt, or certificates. Jizhou vice prefect Li Yuqing took bribes to waive surcharge; Judicial Review sought a bending-law verdict. Du said: "Bending the law means distorting canonical statutes. Yuqing violated only a transport dispatch." Yuqing's death sentence was commuted.
38
使 宿 西 使 宿 殿 殿 滿
The emperor asked whether seniority or talent should come first in appointments. Du said: "Use seniority in peace, talent while borders are unsettled. " He had served Hanlin seven years amid war, hence the answer. Sun Fu said Du sought power; the emperor told ministers Du had served fifteen years without private interest—how could Fu say that? " Soon Vice Works Minister and Military Affairs vice commissioner. He said Zhou Shizong recruited braves—bandits by morning, guards by evening; Taizu reviewed warriors to fill the cavalry. Select Hebei, Hedong, and Shaanxi grain-fed horse troops to fill forbidden-army gaps. " He warned Khitan covenant-breaking demanded vigilance. He submitted five juan of 《Qingli Military Records》 and one of 《Frontier Provisioning Records》. Next year he became Vice Participant in Governance. Spring drought lowered him to drafting attendant; a month later restored. Two years later guards mutinied, implicating eunuch Yang Huaimin; Xia Song wanted censors and eunuchs to interrogate inside the palace. Du said: "A guard mutiny touches the altars—if this is borne, what is not? Hand it to outer offices to try the clique thoroughly. " They argued before the throne. Renzong sided with Xia Song; Du left governance for Purple Hall academician with Attendant Reader. Censor He Zan said Purple Hall was not a proper title. Made Observant Culture academician, Silver Terrace head, Secretariat Chancery director, then Left Secretariat vice director and died. Posthumously Personnel Minister, posthumous Wenjian. Plain and unceremonious, he lived one room over ten years without concubines. He loved debate; long in the classics hall the emperor called him "academician" without name. Asked about yarrow and tortoise divination he said it was but a craft—better mirror on past order and chaos. Shown a tilted vessel the emperor said he wished to rule by centrality. Du said servants too wished no tipping or overflowing in serving him. He noted Taizong and Zhenzong had written on the vessel; the emperor composed 《Later Discourse》 for him.
39
He wrote 《Ertang Sage Perusal》 ten juan, 《Tortoise Mirror Essentials》 three, 《Chronological General Records》 eight, and led 《Comprehensive Military Essentials》 forty juan. Son Feng, Hall of Assembled Worthies collator.
40
Zhang Guan, styled Sizheng, of Jiang County in Jiang Prefecture. Youthful, careful and studious, he was known locally. First in the diligent-service exam, he became Construction vice director and Jie vice commissioner. Salt-pond corruption he failed to impeach and was demoted to Hedong tax supervisor. Restored Guo vice commissioner, then Palace Library secretary.
41
At accession he rose through Sacrifices vice director, Right Rectifier, historian, revenue judge, Daily Records co-compiler, remonstrator, drafter, Memorial Review judge, then Hangzhou prefect. Back he ran Education, acted for Kaifeng, became Hanlin academician and Appointments head, Left Secretariat director, acting Vice Censor-in-Chief.
42
Meteors, earthquake, and January thunder brought an edict seeking blunt counsel. Guan said long peace had loosened law, raised spending, thinned custom—and brought portents. He urged four things: know men, strict bans, value substance, economize. Hebei floods brought seven remedies: drain fields, slow arrears, loosen punishments, recover fields, halt labor, stop apportionment, open trade. Restored Appointments head, then Military Affairs vice commissioner.
43
西殿 退
Kangding western defeat and stalled militia debate dismissed him with Wang Zou and Chen Zhizhong to Xiang as Assisting Governance academician. Moved to Chan Prefecture. The river broke Sun Chen embankment and the bridge; some urged fleeing north. Guan said: "If the prefect alone flees, what of the people? " He led soldiers to raise the dike; when finished the water fell.
44
便 便殿
Moved to Yan Prefecture. Old law let Yidong use Anyi salt while coasts forbade private boiling. Guan said profit draws people despite executions—relax the ban for the people. Yearly tattooing and exile exemptions were countless. He governed Yingtian, Meng, and Henan, Personnel vice minister and Vice Censor-in-Chief. Father Juye aged and ill, he sought a nearby post and governed Xu as Observant Culture academician. A month later Left Vice Director. Father mourning grieved him past measure; he died after second-year mourning. Posthumously Personnel Minister, posthumous Wenxiao.
45
Deeply filial, as secretary he asked to give his post to his father, then a prefecture aide. Zhenzong made Juye a capital official. When Guan rose, Juye through favor became Treasury vice director. Juye passing Luoyang praised its scenery: "I could grow old here content. " Guan bought fields, houses, and pavilions for him. He rose early for medicine and meals before office—never a day missed. Tranquil and frugal, he wrote only regular script, never cursive—like his character. Renzong's flying-white "Qing" rewarded his integrity. Weak in clerical work, at Kaifeng he asked a curfew violator: "Was anyone watching? " People laughed.
46
祿
Zheng Jian, styled Tianxiu, of Wu County, Suzhou. Orphaned early, he studied hard. In the capital he studied under Yang Yi and was known for prose; later he returned to Wu. When Yi died Jian rushed day and night to the funeral while others dispersed. Top-grade jinshi, Sacrifices Court Gentleman and Ningguo secretary, Hanlin exam, Household vice director, Hall collator, Yue vice commissioner. Back he became Heir Apparent Central Drafting Attendant, Sacrifices director, annotated imperial 《Vow Text》 and 《Three Treasures Praise》, historian, revenue judge, Daily Records co-compiler, Right Rectifier and drafter. Judged the Directorate of Education; selected classics-exam graduates to lecture on scripture. Moved to Judicial Review head, Drafting Gentleman, Dragon Hall straight academician, acting Kaifeng prefect.
47
使使殿 使
Clerk Feng Shi profiteered; reports said Feng Shiyuan took bribes and hid banned books—Jian tried it thoroughly. It implicated Lü Yijian, Sheng Du, and Cheng Lin; Jian arrested Yijian's sons and impeached them. Shiyuan was exiled; Du and Lin fell for Shiyuan ties; a dozen officials including Kong Daofu and Pang Ji were punished—court feared Jian's severity. Keen and decisive, Jian surprised opponents, indulged commoners, and tightened law on great clans—effective rule. Made acting Three Departments commissioner; restored transport evaluations with highest and lowest ranks. Auditing Three Departments funds found four million strings surplus; Right Remonstrance Censor became Military Affairs vice commissioner.
48
殿
Lü Yijian disliked Jian and Song Xiu; both were dismissed; Jian governed Hangzhou as Assisting Governance academician. Qiantang Lake irrigated tens of thousands of mu; the Qian house kept a dredging corps against silting. After annexation it was neglected; silt and encroachment by clans and monasteries shrank the lake. Jian mobilized tens of thousands of county laborers to dredge it; people benefited. Reported up, the court ordered yearly maintenance by Jian's method.
49
Promoted Supervising Censor, sent to Bing, diverted to Yan, then Yongxing Army. He urged ranking army needs in three grades of urgency and abolishing non-urgent items. Clerks shipping timber to the capital lost much on the rivers and faced ruin when timber failed measure—Jian cut over two hundred thousand strings yearly; he also ended forced grain purchase to encourage storage. Old-capital Chang'an had fierce magnates; Jian ruled harshly, tattooing and exiling the worst—people feared him.
50
西使便 使
Soon overall commander of four Shaanxi circuits with full frontier powers, based at Jing. Promoted Vice Rites Minister. Qing prefect Teng Zongliang and Wei prefect Zhang Kang misused public funds; Jian prosecuted them. At Zhenrong in cold weather he drank with generals at Lotus Fort while Yuan Hao neared the border. Dusk dust brought an alarm; Jian said it was a San River patrol returning, not enemies. It was. When the frontier calmed he was recalled to govern Yongxing Army.
51
使 使便 使
Earlier Liu Hu at Jingbian Fort planned Shuilo and Jiegong cities to link Qin-Wei relief and recruit Qiang clans. Jian put Hu and Editorial Assistant Dong Shilian in charge. When Jian left the frontier Han Qi and Yin Zhu halted the works; Hu and Shilian refused. He sent Di Qing, who shackled them for Deshun prison. Jian fought at court and the cities were finished.
52
殿 使
Promoted Revenue director, Grand Assisting Governance academician, Bing prefect. Khitan and Yuan Hao fought; border reports alternated—only Jian stayed silent. Asked why, Jian said enemies fighting each other were no worry for China. At Grass City Stream between Lin and Fu he recruited native archers with land by household. War had left funds short. Hedong used iron coin; rich coal and iron made casting profitable despite harsh law. Jian ordered three old coins for one new. The order stirred thousands who blocked the memorial receiver to protest. The eunuch receiver could not restrain them. They mobbed the prefecture gate and were kept out. Jian summoned them, tattooed dozens of ringleaders and sent them elsewhere—the riot ended.
53
使使
Promoted Personnel vice minister, Entertainment envoy, Fengguo military commissioner, then died. Posthumously Grand Marshal, posthumous Wensu. Jian acted boldly and decisively. Yet he was chivalrous and harsh—officials and people resented him.
54
使使 西使 西仿
Ming Gao, styled Huaji, of Anqiu in Mi Prefecture. Jinshi, then Qi defense push officer. At Zhenzong's death he submitted forty-six 《True Eulogies》 and became Judicial Review reviewer. Xue Kui took Qin and made him military secretary. Kui moved to Yi and made him registrar. Cheng Lin made him signed military secretary and acting vice prefect, then Sacrifices erudite. Renzong asked Kui, who called Gao deep, fierce, and decisive—Kaifeng investigating officer. He submitted 《Six Redundancies》, rose through Rites, revenue judge, War vice director, historian, Yi transport commissioner. In famine he stabilized prices and recruited militia—people were safe. At Ling, Chu Yingji fell; told he had reported early, Gao said guilt was enough—he would not deceive the court. He was demoted to Tong for failure to inspect. A month later Yuan Hao raided Yan; Gao became Shaanxi transport commissioner. After Jinming Fort fell, commanders stalled; Gao rebuilt it in a month with a hundred horsemen. Reviewing Tong garrison he trained three hundred crossbowmen as Clear Border Army—fiercest troops. Later Shaanxi and Hedong copied the model.
55
使 使
Promoted Revenue director, Zhaowen straight academician, Shaanxi prefect; slated for Jiang-Huai transport. Before leaving, Feng fell to bandits; he became Tianzhang awaiting-formatter and Hedong transport commissioner. He built five frontier forts including Jianning and Zhenchuan and was promoted Left Secretariat director.
56
忿 使 使 殿使
Next year Dragon Hall straight academician and Bing prefect. Gao toured the border heavily against bandits. He flogged incompetent frontier sons until they quit, then staffed forts with experienced men. Camp followers marched with the army; when one was killed Gao asked what business they had in camp. He released the killer; camp followers fled. Military Affairs straight academician and Left Remonstrance Censor at Chengde; then Kaifeng. Wang Ze rebelled; Gao was measurement-and-comfort commissioner; before Ze fell Wen Yanbo was pacification commissioner with Gao deputy. Bei pacified, he became Illustrious Hall academician, Supervising Censor, acting Three Departments commissioner; eight thousand four hundred men ranked five grades for promotion. Yanbo praised Gao; he became Vice Participant in Governance. A back carbuncle opened; the emperor told ministers he wished to see loyal Gao before it worsened. Visiting, he said he relied on Gao for state affairs—why so ill! Exhausted, Gao still bowed thanks. He died next day; posthumous Wenlie. Upright and taciturn, calm and measured, yet firm in affairs—widely esteemed.
57
〈Appendix〉 Wang Ze
58
涿 涿
Wang Ze was from Zhuo Prefecture. Famine sent him to En; he sold himself as a shepherd, then joined the Xuanyi Army as a junior officer. En and Ji favored occult sects studying 《Five Dragons》, 《Dripping Tears》, and omens that Maitreya would succeed the fading Buddha. Leaving Zhuo his mother tattooed "Fortune" on his back. Sectarians said the tattooed character would rise; clerks Zhang Luan and Bu Ji plotted with De and Qi to cut the Chan bridge in Qingli year eight and disorder Hebei. Clique member Pan Fangjing exposed the plot to Jia Changchao; they rebelled early on the seventh-year winter solstice.
59
殿 簿
Prefect Zhang Deyi was at Tianqing Temple; Ze seized the armory while Deyi fled to Valiant Cavalry camp. Bandits burned the gate and imprisoned Deyi. Director Tian Bin fought in alleys and fled defeated. Gates closed; Tian Jing and Ren Huangshang fled by rope to South Pass. Bandits demanded the stores key from Dong Yuanheng; he refused and was killed. They freed prisoners; one killed judicial assistant Wang Jiang. Judge Li Hao, magistrate Qi Kai, and registrar Wang Ying were killed.
60
使
Ze styled himself Prince of Dongping, made Zhang Luan chief minister and Bu Ji Military Affairs head, and founded Anyang. He called his gate Central Capital, named quarters and stores, era Desheng, twelfth month first month. Subjects twelve to seventy were face-tattooed "Righteous Army breaks Zhao and wins." Flags and orders mostly used "Buddha." Each tower became a prefecture with named commanders and follower-prefects. Daily more men lowered from the wall. Defenders were grouped in fives: one descender meant all five were beheaded.
61
使 殿西
Wang Wenqing, Guo Bin, Zhao Zongben, and Wang Shun shot letters into Gao's camp promising night ropes for government troops. Hundreds entered and burned towers; bandits fought back. Troops inside cut the ropes to monopolize credit and block reinforcements. Outnumbered, they lowered themselves again with the agents. That night the city nearly fell. Ze planned to ambush the Khitan envoy on the fourteenth; spies told Gao. Gao ambushed the west gate; hundreds of bandits were captured.
62
Walls were too high to storm; siege screens were burned by bandits. They tunneled from the south while attacking the north daily. Yanbo arrived; troops entered by tunnel at midnight and took the wall. Fire oxen were turned back with spears; bandits fled east. Gate attendant Zhang Yin died fighting at the moat. Wang Xin captured Ze; holdouts in villages were burned. Ze was sent to the capital and dismembered as a warning. The rebellion lasted sixty-six days.
63
Wang Yaochen
64
Wang Yaochen, styled Boyong, of Yucheng in Yingtian Prefecture. First in the jinshi, Construction vice director and Hu vice commissioner. Examined, made Palace Library editorial director and Hall collator. Cousin Chong's case sent Yaochen out as Guang prefect. After father mourning he was revenue judge, then Right Secretariat remonstrator.
65
輿
Empress Guo's death drew blame on Yan Wenyin; Yaochen sought trials of court physicians—ignored. Lantern Festival: Yaochen stopped the emperor's outing while the empress still lay in coffin. The emperor canceled the lamps. Promoted drafter, Silver Terrace head, storehouse overseer, Judicial Review head, Hanlin academician and Appointments head.
66
西使 使
Shaanxi war made him measurement-and-comfort commissioner. He asked to proclaim edicts to the people, not only officials. He urged comforting wasted Guanzhong people and promising two years' tax relief after peace. Renzong agreed.
67
使西使
He reported only half of Shaanxi's two hundred thousand troops could fight. Bandits often outnumbered government troops severalfold. They chose one battle in ten; we one in ten—wins came from numbers. Jingyuan near the enemy nest should be prepared first. He sought twenty thousand militia at Wei for Zhenrong, ten thousand at Jing for Yuan-Wei support, twenty thousand at Huanqing and ten thousand at Qin to block thrusts.
68
Bandits' problem was leaving, not entering. Armies had to follow rivers guarded by forts. Raiders fought for plunder and advanced freely. Jinming, Saimen, Liu Fan, Dingchuan, Yangmu Long, and Jingbian could not block entry, so bandits entered easily. Inside Han lands they raided until exhausted, then fled. Elite troops at defiles with crossbows and ambush could destroy retreating raiders. Hence bandits feared not escaping. Generals failed to pursue because troops were few and divided. Old methods could not win.
69
He blamed three defeats on bandits holding ground and commanders chasing gain. Weary troops then fought Qiang allies; iron cavalry and bow infantry overwhelmed unprepared commanders. He urged distant scouts, fortified camps, and no rash sallies. An edict sent his advice to border officials.
70
耀 使使
Han Qi was demoted after Haoshuichuan; Fan Zhongyan for answering Yuan Hao's letter. Yaochen said both were loyal and capable and should not be sidelined. He recommended Chong Shihang and Di Qing as generals. Next year raiders defeated Ge Huaimin and terrified Guanzhong. Fan Zhongyan blocked them and they withdrew. Renzong restored Qi and Fan, added thirty thousand troops, and sent Yaochen to Jingyuan.
71
竿使
Cao Wei had opened frontier forts and archer-farmers. Later encroachment made archers seize Desheng Fort and rebel. Yaochen shot a letter into the city and secured surrender. He restored old constraints and left.
72
西西使使 沿 使使 西使使 使
He noted early Shaanxi command was held by Xia Song and Chen Zhizhong over Han Qi and Fan Zhongyan. Later prefects were only circuit commanders in title. Four commanders then bore overlapping titles including military vice commissioners. Nine pacification titles still duplicated command. Titles matched but authority did not. He asked to abolish pacification titles and keep only comfort commissioners. Teng Zongliang agreed and the titles were abolished.
73
沿 宿 沿
Yan-Yan and Huanqing were rugged and defensible; only Jingyuan was vital since Han and Tang. From Zhenrong to Wei along the Jing River there was little rugged ground. Flat forts were hard to defend—Guo Ziyi and Hun Zhen had garrisoned heavily. Yuan Hao had thrice invaded through Jingyuan. Jing headquarters rightly controlled Guan-Shaanxi. Repeated defeats had emptied the border and morale. He urged scrutiny of abuses and better generals; untrained new troops should be replaced by veterans. A solid circuit would stop long drives. He submitted five frontier defense proposals. Jingyuan colony troops, more archers, and removing Tong towers were approved.
74
使使 使
As acting Three Departments commissioner he recruited Zhang Wenzhi, Du Qi, and ten others. Zhang Yonghe proposed taking three-tenths of lease money for the army. Yaochen called it a declining-age policy that would bring Zhu Ci-style revolt. Lin Wei sided with Yonghe; Yaochen dismissed Wei and ended the plan.
75
使 殿使
He blocked a Kuizhou salt-well tax hike as exploitative. Promoted chief Hanlin academician, Illustrious Hall academician, Herds commissioner. After mother mourning, Right Remonstrance Censor.
76
滿 使
Su Yijian and Ding Du had been promoted as chief academician; Yaochen blamed Jia Changchao for blocking him. When Wen Yanbo became chief minister, Yaochen was favorably promoted at term's end. At the Bright Hall sacrifice he was made Supervising Censor. He reworked tea law, tallied national revenue, and became Military Affairs vice commissioner.
77
西 使 便
Nong Zhigao's rebellion led him to split Guangxi into three circuits with listed prefectures. barbarian raids would draw joint strikes under a Guilin commissioner; recruit native troops, ship grain from three prefectures, and recall northern garrisons. Di Qing approved the plan.
78
使宿
Three years curbing favoritism brought anonymous posters, but Renzong did not suspect him. As Revenue director he became Vice Participant in Governance. The emperor wanted him as Military Affairs commissioner; Hu Su blocked it and he became Personnel vice minister. He died; posthumously Left Secretariat vice director, posthumous Wen'an.
79
稿
A literary man, he drafted edicts over ten years in warm, polished prose. In office he urged an early heir, favoring palace-raised Yingzong, but the edict failed. Yuanfeng year three his son secured posthumous Grand Tutor and Secretariat Director and posthumous Wenzhong.
80
Sun Bian, styled Mengde, of Meishan in Mei Prefecture. Ancestor Changru collected books as the Book Tower Suns; later kin farmed. Bian was the first literatus in the line. Top-grade jinshi, Judicial Review reviewer and Jiang vice commissioner. Hanlin exam, Sacrifices vice director, Hall collator, Kaifeng investigator, Daily Records co-compiler, drafter, Hanlin academician, Attendant Reader, Historiography reviser, Personnel Section director. Despite long prominence Bian seldom proposed policy.
81
退
Huangyou year he acted as Vice Censor-in-Chief. Han Jiang said Bian lacked censorial talent. Bian replied that scholars rushed advancement and shunned integrity. They prized scheming and denunciation; quick tongues passed for debate, harshness for governance. Is that the talent you mean? If so, I cannot. Renzong read his intent, ordered him to work, and named him Appointments head. He declined a concurrent bureau post.
82
使 使
As censor he spoke moderately and recommended talent. He blocked Wang Shouzhong from a military commission. He objected to chief minister Liu Hang overseeing Wencheng's burial. He led officials against a tomb and temple as unritual. They prostrated themselves until the emperor relented. He urged dismissing Liang Shi for failing to balance power or teach kin. Only dismissing Shi would satisfy public opinion. Chen Zhizhong blocked investigation of a maid killed by his concubine. Ten memorials later Liang Shi and Chen Zhizhong fell.
83
Made chief Hanlin academician and Attendant Reader. Reading 《Records: Divination by Tortoise》, he asked if ancients always divined. Bian said great doubts were settled with people and tortoise. That is consulting heart, ministers, people, and divination. Sages valued sincerity with heaven, not human scheming alone. The emperor approved.
84
使退 使
He and Zhang Sheng presided over transport reforms with no result. Promoted Vice Rites Minister. Long in attendance, tranquil, he was seen as an elder. When Cheng Kan left, Renzong appointed the veteran Bian. Within a year he became Vice Participant in Governance.
85
殿使
Sincere, taciturn, plain, without ceremony. In the two bureaus he aged and neither affirmed nor denied. Forgetful and often ridiculous, he became gossip. Han Zong impeached him; he became Observant Culture academician and Herds commissioner. Yingzong made him Revenue Section director. He retired as Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent and died. Posthumously Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent, posthumous Wenyi.
86
調
Tian Kuang, styled Yuanjun, from Xindu in Ji Prefecture. Grandfather Xingzhou died among Khitan in Jin turmoil. Father Yanzhao escaped south in Jingde, strict, rose to Heir Apparent Escort commandant. Youthful Kuang was ambitious and bookish. Top-grade jinshi, Jiangling push officer, Chu judge, Palace Library editorial assistant. Worthy-and-upright exam, Sacrifices vice director, Jiangning vice commissioner.
87
西 退
Yuanhao's rebellion brought him to Xia Song's Shaanxi staff. Song, Han Qi, and Yin Zhu favored attack; Fan Zhongyan opposed. Kuang cited Jiqian campaigns with failed five-route attacks. Pulu River disaster killed tens of thousands when generals disobeyed. Today's commanders and troops were untrained cowards. Han Qi and Yin Zhu might not obey, ruining the campaign. First impossibility.
88
Mass assault seems wise only if immature. Armies depend on commanders. Even Han Gaozu was no Huaiyin—lesser commanders were riskier. Mass alone without talented commanders was calamity. A hundred thousand on two circuits under mediocre generals were unwieldy; ambush could shatter them and leave the border bare. Safety hung on one throw. Second impossibility.
89
西
Raiders had not deep-raided despite chances—not from lack of plans. They feared China's size, talent, and arms. Deep failure would wound prestige or invite traps. Third impossibility.
90
使
Some hoped brave subordinates might succeed. Since Liu Ping and Shi Yuansun morale had not recovered. Many troops were weary cowards led by mediocrity for petty glory. Fourth impossibility.
91
西
Shallow raids like Baicheng were proposed. Raiding women and children was not royal punitive style. If raiding, it must be swift surprise. A hundred thousand marching west met prepared enemies—no surprise. Fifth impossibility. Yuan Hao was known for clear discipline and crafty schemes. No gap existed yet planners wanted one decisive battle. Brave like Wang Hui awaiting punishment, but state affairs suffered. Sixth impossibility.
92
使退
Fan Zhongyan had urged preserving the Yan-Yan route. Strict defense might entice peace without attack. Jingyuan alone would be dangerously isolated. Bandits would unite when all routes entered—seventh trap. Seventh impossibility. Stopping now would contradict Song, Han Qi, and Yin Zhu; attacking would oppose Fan Zhongyan. He urged chief ministers to fortify borders and intercept only raids; not rash campaigns. That would win without peril. The campaign was canceled.
93
退
He also submitted fourteen border reforms. Right Rectifier, Education overseer, arrears judge, remonstrator, Daily Records compiler, drafter. Renzong disliked name-seeking; Kuang wrote a rebuttal. Names come from substance, not vanity. Yao, Shun, and Three Dynasties rulers did not chase names. Real virtue shone like the sun. Modesty without great deeds hides name despite desire.
94
Lax government, unrepaired offices, barbarian insults, and costly defense still failed. Peace talks were a grant-and-withhold tactic. Without shame and bold action, peril loomed. Fearing name-seeking was not his concern. Resolve brings discerning rule; awe orders bring martial renown; frugality brings thrift renown; cutting levies brings humane renown; welcoming blunt counsel brings remonstrance renown; consultation brings diligent-government renown; merit and punishing luck bring seeking-order renown. Rejecting all leaves the realm hopeless. Name-teaching and name-integrity underpinned court and society. Rejecting them would ruin teaching and integrity.
95
西
Border reports said Khitan repaired Tiande and many forts. Kuang warned fifty thousand strings yearly to Khitan exhausted the people. Another twenty thousand to western Qiang—what if demands grew? He sighed at the burden. Chief ministers should bear the realm's safety. Morning audiences covered trivia, not grand strategy.
96
Tang Suzong used Yanying sessions for frank counsel. Ministers did not know frontier realities. Surprise crises from ignorance were immeasurable. He had seen panic during Xiao Ying's mission. Peace brought false calm.
97
便殿
He urged side-hall talks focused on peril. That would force informed, urgent counsel. Instead they bickered over trifles. He begged the emperor to heed counsel regardless of speaker.
98
西使
He became Shaanxi deputy pacification commissioner, then headed Three Ranks. Cloud Wing mutiny at Baozhou was assigned to Kuang.
99
Soon Dragon Hall straight academician and Chengde prefect. He suppressed the mutiny, buried plotters, and was promoted. Moved to Qin Prefecture. Father mourning: he refused interrupted mourning. An inner attendant's edict sent him to bury his father at Yangzhai. He wept for full mourning and Renzong granted it. Commanders' full mourning began with Kuang. After mourning, Military Affairs straight academician and Wei prefect.
100
便 使
Right Remonstrance Censor and Chengdu prefect. Shu prefects exiled families harshly after Li Shun and Wang Jun. Kuang soothed Shu and rarely exiled people.
101
使 使 使使 殿
Supervising Censor, then Vice Censor-in-Chief. Acting Three Departments commissioner, Dragon Hall and Hanlin academician. Auditing finances he found spending exceeded Jingde-era income. He submitted 《Huangyou Accounting Records》. Vice Rites Minister and Three Departments commissioner. Zhihe year one he became Military Affairs commissioner. Illness led to retirement as Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent and death. Posthumously Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent, posthumous Xuanjian.
102
便殿西歿
Kuang was generous, keen, and gifted in civil and military affairs. Affable yet immovable in principle. He proposed merging bureaus, frontier colonies, troop cuts, and hard peace terms with Yuan Hao. Grand plans were only partly enacted. He left twenty juan of memorials.
103
Khitan captives were given to his father Yanzhao at Chanzhou. Yanzhao released them and escaped south. Yanzhao's eight sons were known; Kuang was eldest. Baozhou mass burial won court trust. Childless, he adopted his brother's son.
104
The discourse says civil times rightly elevated literati to power. Li Zi and Cheng Kan knew administration. Zi's tea reform survived debate; Kan kept the frontier quiet by circumstance as much as genius. Jiao honored Zhuangzi and Laozi and was known for virtue. Zhang Guan, Ding Du, and Sun Bian were praised as plain and virtuous; Sheng Du was feared by colleagues—what were his true motives? Jian too was a brilliant talent of the age. Yaochen's ringing discourse was upright and unprofitable—perhaps the best. Gao was upright and strict; elders long recalled his Hedong frontier measures. Kuang was gifted and eloquent, yet burying surrendered troops to punish arrogance ignored hidden harm—pity.
← Previous Chapter
Back to Chapters
Next Chapter →