1
王臻，字及之，潁州汝陰人。 始就學，能文辭。 曾致堯知壽州，有時名，臻以文數十篇往見，致堯覽之，歎曰：「潁、汝固多奇士。」 舉進士中第，為大理評事，歷知舒城、會昌縣，通判徐、定二州，以殿中丞知兗州，特遷監察御史。
Wang Zhen, whose courtesy name was Jizhi, came from Ruyin in Ying Prefecture. From the start of his studies he showed talent for literary composition. Zeng Zhiyao, who was prefect of Shou Prefecture and enjoyed contemporary renown, received a visit from Zhen bearing several dozen essays. After reading them, Zhiyao sighed and said, "The Ying and Ru regions truly produce many remarkable men." Zhen passed the jinshi examination and was appointed an evaluator of the Court of Judicial Review. He later served as magistrate of Shucheng and Huichang counties, as vice-prefect of Xu and Ding prefectures, and as Defender-in-Chief of the Palace Administration governing Yan Prefecture, before receiving a special promotion to Investigating Censor.
2
中使就營景靈宮、太極觀，臻佐助工費有勞，遷殿中侍御史，擢淮南轉運副使。 時發運司建議浚淮南漕渠，廢諸堰，臻言：「揚州召伯堰，實謝安為之，人思其功，以比召伯，不可廢也。 浚渠亦無所益。」 召為三司度支判官，而發運司卒浚渠以通漕，臻坐前異議，降監察御史、知睦州。 道復官，徙福州。 閩人欲報仇，或先食野葛，而後趨仇家求鬥，即死其處，以誣仇人。 臻辨察格鬥狀，被誣者往往釋去，俗為之少變。 又民間數以火訛相驚，悉捕首惡杖之，流海上，民乃定。
While palace envoys supervised construction of the Jingling Palace and the Taiji Abbey, Zhen helped manage labor expenses with distinction. He was transferred to Attending Palace Censor and then promoted to Vice Commissioner of the Huainan Transport Circuit. The Transport Commission then proposed dredging the Huainan canal and dismantling the various dams. Zhen argued, "The Duke of Shao Dam at Yang Prefecture was actually built by Xie An. The people still honor his achievement and liken him to the Duke of Shao—it must not be abandoned. Dredging the canal would bring no real benefit either." He was recalled to serve as an adjudicator in the Fiscal Affairs Bureau of the Three Offices, but the Transport Commission ultimately dredged the canal to open grain transport. Zhen was punished for his earlier opposition: he was demoted to Investigating Censor and appointed prefect of Mu Prefecture. While traveling he was restored to office and transferred to Fuzhou. In Min, men seeking revenge would sometimes eat wild kudzu first, then rush to a foe's house to brawl and die on the spot, framing their enemy for the death. Zhen scrutinized brawl cases and often released the falsely accused, and the custom gradually changed. When locals repeatedly spread false fire alarms, he arrested the ringleaders, had them beaten, and exiled them overseas, after which the people settled down.
3
魚周詢
Yu Zhouxun
4
魚周詢，字裕之，開封雍丘人。 早孤，好學。 舉進士中第，為大理評事，歷知南華、分宜、靜海三縣，遷太常博士、通判漢州。 城中夜有火，部眾救之，植劍於前曰：「攘一物者斬！」 火止，民無所失亡。 以尚書屯田員外郎知真州，徙提點荊湖南路刑獄。 求便郡，知安州，徙蔡州，召為侍御史。 陝西用兵，科斂煩數，命安撫京西路，還賜緋衣銀魚。 為開封府判官，又使陝西刺民兵，判三司理欠、憑由司。 進起居舍人、知諫院，固辭，乃以尚書戶部員外郎兼侍御史知雜事，為三司鹽鐵副使。 時渭州城水洛，尹洙、鄭戩爭未決，詔周詢與都轉運使程戡相利害。 周詢是戩議，遂城之。 遷吏部員外郎，擢天章閣待制、知成德軍，徙河北都轉運使，拜右諫議大夫、權御史中丞。
Yu Zhouxun, whose courtesy name was Yuzhi, came from Yongqiu in Kaifeng. Orphaned young, he devoted himself to learning. He passed the jinshi examination and was appointed an evaluator of the Court of Judicial Review. He successively governed Nanhua, Fenyi, and Jinghai counties, became Erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and served as vice-prefect of Han Prefecture. When fire broke out in the city at night, his command staff rushed to fight it. He planted his sword before them and declared, "Anyone who seizes so much as one object will be beheaded!" The blaze was extinguished and the people lost nothing. As Outer Gentleman of the Directorate of Imperial Granaries he governed Zhen Prefecture, then was transferred to Judicial Intendant of the Jinghu South Circuit. Seeking a more convenient prefecture, he governed An Prefecture, then Cai Prefecture, and was summoned to serve as Attending Censor. When warfare in Shaanxi multiplied levies and exactions, he was ordered to pacify the Jingxi Circuit. On his return he was granted crimson robes and a silver fish tally. He served as an adjudicator of the Kaifeng government, was again sent to Shaanxi to inspect militia, and adjudicated the Arrears and Voucher offices of the Three Offices. Promoted to Drafting Attendant and offered the post of Remonstrance Officer, he firmly declined and instead became Outer Gentleman of the Household Ministry while concurrently serving as Attending Censor with supervisory duties and as Vice Commissioner of the Salt and Iron Monopoly. At the time the fortification of Shuiluo at Weizhou was disputed between Yin Zhu and Zheng Yan without resolution; the court ordered Zhouxun and Circuit Transport Commissioner Cheng Kan to weigh the pros and cons. Zhouxun sided with Yan's proposal, and the fort was built. He was transferred to Outer Gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel, promoted to Hanlin Attendant of the Heavenly Writings Hall governing the Chengde Army, moved to Hebei Circuit Transport Commissioner, and appointed Right Remonstrance Officer with acting authority as Vice Censor-in-Chief.
5
慶曆八年，手詔近臣訪天下之務。 周詢對曰：
In the eighth year of Qingli, the emperor personally summoned close ministers to inquire into affairs throughout the realm. Zhouxun replied:
6
「陛下患西陲禦備，天下繹騷，趣募兵士，急調軍食，雖常賦有增，而經用不足。 臣以謂唐季及五代，強臣專地，中國所制，疆域非廣。 及祖宗有天下，俘吳、楚、蜀、晉，北捍獯鬻，西服羌戎，所用甲兵，所入租賦，比之於今，其數尚寡。 然而摧堅震敵，軍府無空虛之弊，縣官無煩費之勞，蓋賞信罰必，將選兵精之效也。 近元昊背惠，西方宿師，朝廷用空疏闒茸者為偏裨，以遊惰怯懦者備行伍，故大舉即大敗，小戰輒小奔，徒日費千金，度支不給，賣官鬻爵，淆雜仕流，以鐵為錢，隳壞國法，而又官立鹽禁，驅民齎輦，蕩析恒產，怨諮盈路。 去秋水旱繼作，今春饑饉相屬，生靈重困，於茲為劇。 今元昊幼子新立，乃朝廷寬財用、惜民力之時也，速宜經度，以紓匱乏。 願委安撫使與本路守邊、掌計臣僚同議，裁減冗兵，節抑浮費，禁止橫斂，廩假貧民，去武臣之庸懦，出守宰之貪殘。 仍冀特發宸衷，出內帑錢助關陝費，使通鹽商之利，改錢幣之法，宣布德澤，與民休息。 然後勸勉農桑，隱括稅籍，收遺利，抑兼並，則公有羨財，私有餘力矣。
"Your Majesty worries over defending the western frontier; the realm is unsettled; you rush to recruit soldiers and urgently adjust military supplies. Though regular taxes have risen, routine expenditures still fall short. I believe that in the late Tang and Five Dynasties, powerful ministers held territory exclusively, and the central state controlled a far smaller domain. When our founding emperors won the realm, they subdued Wu, Chu, Shu, and Jin, held the north against the northern tribes, and pacified the Qiang and Rong in the west—yet the arms they deployed and the rents and taxes they collected were still fewer than today's. Yet they crushed hardened foes and shook enemy states while military offices suffered no empty treasuries and the government bore no wasteful burdens—surely the fruit of certain rewards and punishments, of choosing generals and training troops well. Recently Yuan Hao betrayed imperial favor; troops long garrisoned the west; the court appointed hollow, incompetent men as deputies and idle cowards to fill the ranks—so great campaigns brought great defeats and small battles brought routs, wasting a thousand gold a day until the fiscal office could not keep up, selling offices and peddling ranks, adulterating the career streams, coining iron money and ruining state law; the government also monopolized salt and drove the people to haul supplies, dissolving their livelihoods until complaints filled the roads. Last autumn floods and droughts came in succession; this spring famine followed in waves—the people are gravely afflicted, and the crisis is acute. Now that Yuan Hao's young son has newly succeeded, this is the moment for the court to ease fiscal burdens and spare the people's strength. Plans should be made at once to relieve want. I ask that pacification commissioners deliberate with border and fiscal officials of this circuit to cut redundant troops, curb wasteful spending, forbid arbitrary levies, lend grain to the poor, remove cowardly military officers, and drive out greedy, cruel prefects and magistrates. I also hope Your Majesty will issue a decree from the inner heart, draw palace funds to aid Guan and Shaanxi, open trade profits for salt merchants, reform the currency, proclaim virtuous grace, and let the people rest. Then encourage farming and sericulture, audit tax registers, recover lost revenues, and restrain annexation—so the state will have surplus wealth and households surplus strength.
7
陛下患承平寖久，仕進多門，人污政濫，員多闕少，滋長奔競，靡費廩祿。 臣以謂國家於製舉、進士、明經之外，復有任子、流外之補，負瑕釁、服輿臺者，亦置班列。 歷年既久，紛猥塞路，求人任事，適用者鮮，而又亟更數易，交錯道塗，額置有常，詔除無限，凡守一闕，動逾再期。 預閫籍、服武弁者，坐費水衡之給，虛計歲考之期； 赴銓調、守選格者，居多困乏之歎，行寡廉恥之風。 官冗之弊，一至於此！ 願陛下特詔，進士先取策論，諸科兼通經義，中第解褐，無令過多。 其文武班奏薦並流外出官者，權停五七年，自然名器不濫，奔競衰息矣。
Your Majesty worries that long peace has bred many paths to office, that men corrupt government and posts multiply while vacancies shrink, that competition for advancement grows, and that salary grain is wasted. Apart from the regular examinations, jinshi, and classics degrees, the state also appoints sons by privilege and supplements clerical ranks; even men bearing blemishes who served in chariot and stable offices are placed on the roster. Years have passed until the throng blocks the road; among those sought for office, few are fit. Offices change repeatedly and paths cross; quotas are fixed but appointment edicts are unlimited—holders of a single vacancy often exceed two terms. Those in the inner register wearing military caps sit wasting the Water Balance Office's provisions and idle away their annual review periods; those going to the Board of Appointments and awaiting selection mostly sigh in poverty, and conduct lacking integrity and shame prevails. The harm of official redundancy has reached this point! I wish Your Majesty would decree that jinshi be selected first on policy essays, that other subjects master the classics, and that passers receive office but not in excessive numbers. For civil and military ranks advanced by memorial and for outside-entry officials, suspend appointments for five or seven years—then honored posts will not be diluted and competition will fade.
8
陛下患牧守之職，罕聞奏最。 臣聞漢宣帝勉厲二千石，其有治效者，增秩賜金，或爵至關內侯，公卿缺，則以次用之，故良吏為盛。 國家鑒諸侯專地之患，一切用郡守治之。 而班行寖冗，序遷者眾。 乃有地處藩宣，秩為卿監，而未歷省府提轉，則為沈抑。 內重外輕，何以求治？ 改弦易轍，正在此時。 願詔兩府大臣，選委兩制、臺諫官參舉，如兩任通判可充知州軍京朝官，依次除補。 若治狀尤異，即升省府提轉。 其常例入知州者，一切停罷，則進擢得人，牧守重矣。
Your Majesty worries that among prefects and magistrates one seldom hears of outstanding achievement. I have heard that Emperor Xuan of Han urged his two-thousand-bushel officials; those who governed well received higher rank and gold, or were enfeoffed as marquis within the passes; when high posts fell vacant, they were filled in order—thus good officials flourished. Our state, taking warning from feudal lords holding territory exclusively, governed everywhere through prefects and magistrates. But the roster gradually grew redundant and those advanced in seniority were many. Men might hold a circuit commissioner's territory and rank as director or commissioner yet never have served in provincial or transport and judicial posts, and were therefore held back. The center weighs heavy and the provinces light—how can good government be sought? To change course—now is the time. I wish an edict charging the two departments' ministers to delegate Hanlin and remonstrance and censor officials to recommend jointly: capital officials who have served two terms as vice-prefect may fill prefecture and army commands, appointed in order. If governing achievement is especially outstanding, promote them to provincial or transport and judicial posts. For those who become prefects by routine precedent alone, stop all such appointments—then advancement will gain capable men and prefects and magistrates will matter again.
9
陛下患將帥之任，艱於稱職。 臣聞晏子薦司馬穰苴曰：『文能附眾，武能威敵。』 是知將帥之材，非文武兼備，則不可為。 我朝自二邊款附，久不用兵。 近歲有西北之警，補授帥臣，出於遽猝，非自卒伍，即恩澤侯。 無信義以結士心，無莊嚴以正師律，退則奔北，進則被擒，虧損威靈，取侮夷狄，命將之失，未有若今之甚也。 願擇名臣，選舉深博有謀、知兵練武之士，不限資級，試以邊任，臨軒敦遣，假以威權，如祖宗朝任郭進、李漢超輩，閫外之事，俾得專之，無以謗讒輕有遷徙，使其足以取重，則安有不稱職之憂乎？
Your Majesty worries that among generals and commanders few fit their posts. I have heard that Yanzi recommended Sima Rangju, saying, 'In civil matters he can win the multitude; in military matters he can awe the enemy.' Thus one knows a general must combine civil and military excellence. Our court, since the two frontiers made peace, has long gone without war. In recent years, with alarms in the northwest, commanders were appointed in haste—not from the ranks but from favor and enfeoffment. Without faith and righteousness to bind soldiers' hearts, without stern dignity to enforce military law—in retreat they flee, in advance they are captured, damaging imperial majesty and inviting barbarian contempt; never has the failure in appointing generals been so grave. I wish renowned ministers would select men of deep learning, counsel, and military training, without limit of rank, try them on the frontier, send them from the throne with earnest dispatch, and lend them authority—as in the founding reigns when Guo Jin and Li Hanchao were entrusted with affairs beyond the gate with exclusive charge. Do not lightly transfer them because of slander and malice, so they may carry sufficient weight—then how could we fear they will not fit their posts?
10
陛下患西北多故，邊情叵測，獻奇譎空言者多，陳悠久實效者少，備豫不虞，理當先物。 臣聞國家和約北戎，爵命西夏，偃革止戈，逾四十載。 而守邊多任庸人，不嚴武備，因循姑息，為敵所窺，致元昊悖逆，耶律張皇。 未免屈己為民，息兵講好，皆用苟安之謀，而無經遠之策。 此班固所謂『不選武略之臣，恃吾所以待寇而行貨賂，割剝百姓以奉寇仇』者也。 願陛下特議減三路兵馬之駑冗者，以紓經費，以息科斂。 然後選將帥，擇偏裨，使戢肅驕兵，飭利戎器，識山川形勝，用兵奇正。 河朔曠平，可施車陣，亦宜講求其法。 雖二邊異時侵軼，恃吾有以待之，庶幾無患矣。」
Your Majesty worries that the northwest has many troubles, border conditions are hard to read, that strange schemes and empty words abound while lasting practical plans are few; guarding against the unforeseen demands acting before events. I have heard that the state made peace with the northern tribes and enfeoffed Western Xia, laid down arms and ceased war—for more than forty years. Yet the borders are mostly held by mediocre men, preparations are lax, indulgence prevails, and enemies observe us—leading to Yuan Hao's rebellion and Liao arrogance. We must humble ourselves for the people and seek peace—all use plans for temporary ease and lack long-range strategy. This is what Ban Gu called 'not choosing ministers of military strategy, relying on how we treat invaders to offer bribes, stripping the people to feed the enemy.' I wish Your Majesty would deliberate on reducing the feeble and redundant among the three circuits' troops and horses to relieve fiscal burdens and cease levies. Then choose generals and deputies, restrain arrogant troops, sharpen weapons, know terrain and strategic points, and employ orthodox and unorthodox tactics. The Hebei north is broad and level—chariot formations may be deployed; their methods should also be studied. Though the two frontiers raid at times, relying on our preparedness we may hope to be without trouble."
11
時執政及近臣所對多疏闊，仁宗頗嘉周詢詳敏。 知恩州張得一誅，坐失舉，出知永興軍； 數日，改知成德軍，未行，卒。 帝嗟悼之，特贈尚書工部侍郎。
The replies of those in power and close ministers were mostly loose and shallow; Renzong greatly praised Zhouxun's detail and acuity. Zhang Deyi, prefect of En Prefecture, was executed; Zhouxun was punished for a failed recommendation and sent out to govern Yongxing Army; after several days he was reassigned to govern Chengde Army; before he set out, he died. The emperor mourned him and specially posthumously granted him Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works.
12
周詢性和易，聞見該洽，明吏事。 在安州時，園吏見大蛇垂闌楯，即視之，乃周詢醉而假寐，世傳其異。
Zhouxun was easygoing by nature, broadly learned, and skilled in administrative affairs. While in An Prefecture, a garden clerk saw a great snake draped over the balustrade; on looking closely it was Zhouxun drunk and feigning sleep—people transmitted it as a marvel.
13
賈黯，字直孺，鄧州穰人。 擢進士第一，起家將作臨丞、通判襄州。 還為秘書省著作佐郎、直集賢院，遷左正言、判三司開拆司。
Jia An, whose courtesy name was Zhiru, came from Xiang in Deng Prefecture. Placed first in the jinshi examination, he began as Vice Director of the Directorate of Palace Buildings and vice-prefect of Xiang Prefecture. Recalled, he became Editorial Assistant of the Secretariat and Attendant of the Hall for Assembling Worthies, then Left Rectifier and adjudicator of the Three Offices Opening and Inspection Office.
14
黯自以年少遭遇，備位諫官，果於言事。 首論韓琦、富弼、范仲淹可大用。 杜樞覆張彥方獄，將駁正，忤執政意，執政以他罪絀樞。 黯言：「樞無罪，且旨從中出，不因臣下彈奏。 恐自此貴幸近習，言一得入，則將陰肆讒毀，害及善良，不可不察。」 時言者或論事亡狀，輒戒勵窮詰。 黯奏：「諫官、御史，跡既疏遠，未嘗預聞時政，不免采於傳聞，一有失言，而詰難沮辱隨之，非所以開廣言路。 請如唐太宗用王珪、魏徵故事，每執政奏事，聽諫官一人隨入。」 執政又患言事官旅進，論議上前不肯止。 乃詔：「凡欲合班上殿者，皆稟中書俟旨。」 黯論以為：「今得進見言事者，獨諫官、御史，若然，言路將壅，陛下不得聞外事矣。 請如故便。」 皆弗許。
An considered himself young in advancement yet filling a remonstrance post; he was bold in speaking on affairs. He first argued that Han Qi, Fu Bi, and Fan Zhongyan should be greatly employed. Du Shu reviewed the Zhang Yanfang case and was about to overturn it, offending those in power, who punished Shu on another charge. An said, "Shu is innocent, and moreover the order came from within, not from officials' impeachment. I fear that henceforth honored favorites, once one word gains entry, will secretly slander and harm the good—we cannot fail to be watchful." At the time remonstrators sometimes discussed affairs without basis and were admonished and closely examined. An memorialized, "Remonstrance officers and censors, already distant from court, have never been privy to current policy and must gather from rumor; one mistaken word brings rebuke and humiliation—this is not how to open the path of speech. I ask, following Emperor Taizong of Tang employing Wang Gui and Wei Zheng, that whenever those in power memorialize affairs, one remonstrance officer be allowed to enter with them." Those in power also worried that remonstrance officers advanced in groups and would not stop debating before the throne. An edict then said, "All who wish to present joint memorials at court must report to the Secretariat and await instruction." An argued, "Today only remonstrance officers and censors may enter audience to speak; if so, the path of speech will be blocked and Your Majesty will not hear outside affairs. I ask to restore the former practice." All were denied.
15
儂智高反，余靖知桂州，楊畋安撫廣南東、西路，皆許便宜行事。 黯言：「二人臨事，指蹤不一，則下將無所適從。 又靖專節制西路，若賊東向，則非靖所統，無以使眾，不若並付靖經制兩路。」 從之。 皇祐四年，同修起居注，徙判鹽鐵勾院，遷左司諫。 建言天下復置義倉，下其說諸路，而論者不一，黯亦反復辨析，卒不果行。 宰相劉沆請中外薦舉陳乞，一切以詔令從事，毋用例。 論者以為非便，黯奏罷之。 狄青除樞密副使，黯言：「國初武臣宿將，扶建大業，平定列國，有忠勳者，不可勝數。 然未有以卒伍登帷幄者。」 不報。 會靈觀災，又言：「天意所欲廢，當罷營繕，赦守衛者罪，以示儆懼修省之意。」 擢知制誥。
When Nong Zhigao rebelled, Yu Jing governed Gui Prefecture and Yang Tian pacified the Eastern and Western circuits of Guangnan; both were permitted to act at discretion. An said, "When two men face affairs, if their directions differ, subordinates will not know whom to follow. Moreover Jing commands only the western circuit; if bandits strike eastward he cannot deploy troops—it would be better to entrust both circuits to Jing." The court agreed. In the fourth year of Huangyou he jointly compiled the Draft Diary, was transferred to adjudicator of the Salt and Iron Audit Office, and promoted to Left Remonstrance Officer. He proposed restoring charity granaries throughout the realm; his proposal was sent to the circuits, but opinion was divided and An argued back and forth—in the end it was not carried out. Chief Councillor Liu Kang proposed that all recommendations and petitions from inside and outside court follow edicts alone, without relying on precedent. Critics found the proposal inconvenient; An memorialized to abolish it. When Di Qing was appointed Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, An said, "At the founding, veteran military officials who helped establish the dynasty and pacified the states—men of loyal merit beyond counting— yet never has a man risen from the ranks to the command tent." No reply was given. When the Huiling Abbey burned, he again said, "What Heaven wishes abolished—construction should cease and the guards' crimes be pardoned, to show fear and self-examination." He was promoted to Drafting Gentleman.
16
初，仁宗視事退，御邇英閣，召侍臣講讀，而修起居注官獨先出。 黯言：「君臣訪對，動關政體，而史臣不得預聞，請並召侍經筵。」 許之。 初，邇英、延義二閣，講讀官自有記注。 至是，乃罷焉。 直龍圖閣錢延年擢天章閣待制，黯當命辭，即詆延年不才，不宜污侍從，封詞目還中書，命遂寢。
At first, when Renzong finished audience and retired to the Ziying Pavilion to summon ministers for lectures, the Draft Diary officer alone left first. An said, "When ruler and minister inquire and reply, it touches the body of government, yet the historiographer may not hear in advance—I ask that lecturers at the classics mat also be summoned." The request was granted. At first the Ziying and Yanyi pavilions had their own record-keepers for lecturers. Now that practice was abolished. Qian Yannian, Attendant of the Dragon Diagram Hall, was promoted to Hanlin Attendant of the Heavenly Writings Hall; An was to draft the edict but denounced Yannian as incompetent, unfit for attendant rank, sealed the draft and returned it to the Secretariat—and the appointment lapsed.
17
判吏部流內銓。 益州推官桑澤父留鄉里，死三年矣。 澤為弗知者而調京師，既覺而去。 黯奏劾，廢終身。 福州推官劉抃挾數術，言人禍福，多遊公卿門，黯奏以為靈臺郎。
He adjudicated the Board of Personnel's Outside-Register Office. Sang Ze, a judicial officer of Yizhou, had left his father in the countryside; the father had been dead three years. Ze transferred to the capital as if unaware; once he realized it he fled. An memorialized for impeachment and barred him from office for life. Liu Bian, a judicial officer of Fuzhou, relied on numerology, foretold people's fortunes, and often visited noble gates; An memorialized to make him an officer of the Astrological Bureau.
18
時詔兩制、兩省官唯公事許至中書、樞密院見執政，群臣心知其非，而嫌於自言。 後黯知許州，乃言：「他官皆得見執政，而侍從近臣，反疏斥疑間如此。 嘗聞先朝用王禹偁請，百官候謁宰相，並於政事堂，樞密使亦須聚坐接見，以防請託，令下，左正言謝泌上書，以謂非人主推赤心待大臣，大臣展四體報人主之誼。」 即時追寢前詔。
An edict then allowed Hanlin and provincial officials to visit the Secretariat and Bureau of Military Affairs only on public business; officials knew it was wrong but shrank from speaking up. Later, governing Xu Prefecture, An said, "Other officials may see those in power, yet attendant close ministers are distanced and suspected in this way. I once heard that in a former reign Wang Yucheng's request was adopted—all officials waiting to pay respects to the chief councillor assembled in the Hall of Administration, and the Bureau Commissioner also sat to receive them, to guard against solicitation. When the order was issued, Left Rectifier Xie Mi memorialized that this was not how a ruler shows an open heart to great ministers or how ministers extend full loyalty to the ruler." The earlier edict was at once withdrawn.
19
徙襄州，迎父之官，而父有故人在部中，遣直廳卒致問。 黯輒笞卒，父恚，一夕歸鄉里。 他日，疾且亟，黯內懷不自安，請徙郡及解官就養。 不報，乃棄官去。 而御史吳中復等劾黯輒委州印，撓朝廷法，絀知郢州。 未及行，父死。 服除，勾當三班院，為翰林學士。 唐介等坐言陳升之不當柄用，皆外補。 黯奏介等敢言，請寬之。 以疾請郡，改侍讀學士、知鄧州。 未行，疾愈，復以為翰林學士、知審官院。
Transferred to Xiang Prefecture, he brought his father to office; his father had an old friend in the department who sent a direct-hall soldier to convey greetings. An at once caned the soldier; his father was angry and returned home overnight. When his father grew gravely ill, An inwardly felt ill at ease and requested transfer and dismissal to nurse him. No reply came; he then abandoned office and left. Censor Wu Zhongfu and others impeached An for rashly abandoning the prefectural seal and disturbing court law; he was demoted to govern Ying Prefecture. Before he set out, his father died. When mourning ended he managed the Three-Rank Court and became Hanlin Academician. Tang Jie and others were punished for speaking against Chen Shengzhi's unsuitability to wield power—all were sent to supplemental posts. An memorialized that Jie and others dared to speak and asked leniency for them. Citing illness he requested a prefecture and was made Lecturing Academician governing Deng Prefecture. Before he set out his illness healed; he was again made Hanlin Academician and managed the Court of Official Appointment.
20
時官吏有以祖父嫌名，援律為請授他官。 黯言：「禮不諱嫌名，二名不偏諱，律：『府號、官稱犯祖父名而冒榮居之，又上書若奏事犯祖廟諱，罪皆有差。』 又曰：『若嫌名及二名偏犯者，不坐。』 今官吏許避嫌名，則或有如此而不自言者，可坐以冒榮之律乎？ 國朝雍熙中，嘗詔：『除官犯私諱者，三省御史臺五品、文班四品以上，許用式奏改，餘不在此制。』 請約雍熙詔書，自某品而上，以禮律從事。」 詔非嫌名及二名，不以品秩高下皆聽避。
Some officials, citing their grandfathers' taboo names, invoked the law to request other appointments. An said, "Ritual does not avoid homophone taboo; for two-character names one does not avoid a single character. The law states: 'If office title violates the grandfather's name yet one accepts honor, or if memorials violate ancestral taboo, penalties differ. It also says: 'For homophone taboo or partial violation of a two-character name, one is not punished.' If officials may avoid homophone taboo, some may be in such cases yet not speak—can they be punished for improperly accepting honor? In the Yongxi era there was an edict: 'For appointments violating private taboo, from the Three Departments, Censorate, fifth rank and above, and civil fourth rank and above, revision by formula is permitted; the rest are outside this rule.' I ask to follow the Yongxi edict—from a certain rank upward, follow ritual and law." An edict ruled: except for homophone taboo and two-character names, all ranks may avoid regardless of status.
21
累遷尚書左司郎中、權知開封府。 兩軍獄囚歲瘐死者眾，而吏不任其責。 黯言：「吏或怠於視囚，饑渴疾病，因以致死，請歲計死者多少而賞罰之。」 府吏額七百人，以罪廢復敘者，皆數外補之，黯請敘者須有闕乃補。 然所斷治，或出己見，人不以為允。 御史中丞王疇與其屬陳經、呂誨、傅堯俞，諫官司馬光、龔鼎臣、王陶，皆言黯剛愎自任，赦書下府，罪應釋者反重行之。 罷為同提舉在京諸司庫務。
He was repeatedly promoted to Left Department Gentleman with acting authority over Kaifeng. Among prisoners of the two armies many died of plague yearly, yet clerks bore no responsibility. An said, "If clerks neglect prisoners and hunger, thirst, or illness cause death, count yearly deaths and reward or punish." The prefectural staff quota was seven hundred; those dismissed and restored by amnesty were all supplemented beyond quota—An asked that restorations require a vacancy. Yet in judgments he sometimes followed his own view, and people did not consider it fair. Vice Censor-in-Chief Wang Chou and subordinates Chen Jing, Lu Hui, and Fu Yaoyu, remonstrators Sima Guang, Gong Dingchen, and Wang Tao—all said An was stubborn and self-willed; when amnesty edicts reached the prefecture, those who should be released he punished more heavily instead. He was dismissed to jointly manage metropolitan storehouses.
22
英宗即位，遷中書舍人。 受詔撰《仁宗實錄》，權知審刑院，為群牧使。 時封拜皇子，並除檢校太傅。 黯言：「太師、太傅、太保，是為三師，天子之所師法。 子為父師，於義不可，蓋前世因循弗思之過。 請自今皇子及宗室屬卑者，皆毋兼師傅官，隨其遷序，改授三公。」 下兩制議，請如黯奏，而中書亦謂：「自唐以來，親王無兼師傅者。 國朝以三師、三公皆虛名，故因而授之，宜正其失。」 詔可。
When Yingzong took the throne, An was transferred to Secretariat Drafter. He received orders to compile the Veritable Records of Renzong, acted over the Court of Judicial Review, and became Commissioner of the Herd Bureau. Imperial sons were enfeoffed and all appointed Acting Grand Tutor. An said, "Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, and Grand Guardian are the Three Preceptors—the Son of Heaven's teachers. A son as his father's teacher is wrong in principle—surely a fault of former ages carried on unthinkingly. I ask that henceforth imperial sons and junior clansmen not concurrently hold tutor posts; with advancement in order, grant the Three Dukes instead." The two Hanlin academies deliberated and asked to follow An's memorial; the Secretariat also said, "Since Tang times imperial sons have not concurrently held tutor posts. Our dynasty, since the Three Preceptors and Three Dukes are empty titles, has granted them anyway—this error should be corrected." The edict approved.
23
遷給事中、權御史中丞。 未幾，以呂誨知雜事，誨嘗彈治黯，逡巡引避，黯言嘗薦誨為御史，知其方正謹厚，一時公言，非有嫌怨，願終與共事，誨乃就職。 時帝初即位，王廣淵、周孟陽以藩邸之舊，數召對。 黯言：「俊乂滿朝，未有一被召者，獨親近一二舊人，示天下以不廣。 請如太宗故事，召侍從館閣之臣，以備顧問。」 帝嘗從容謂黯曰：「朕欲用人，少可任者。」 黯對：「天下未嘗乏人，顧所用如何爾。」 退而上五事：一、知人之明，二、養育以漸，三、材不求備，四、以類薦舉，五、擇取自代。
He was transferred to Drafting Attendant with acting authority as Vice Censor-in-Chief. Before long Lu Hui was made Attending Censor with supervisory duties; Hui had once impeached An and hesitated to serve—An said he had recommended Hui as censor, knowing him upright and careful, the public voice without personal grudge, and wished to serve with him to the end—Hui then took office. The emperor had newly taken the throne; Wang Guangyuan and Zhou Mengyang, old associates of the princely residence, were repeatedly summoned. An said, "Talented men fill the court—never has one been summoned—only one or two old intimates are favored, showing the realm a narrow heart. I ask, following Taizong's precedent, to summon attendant and pavilion scholars for consultation." The emperor once said to An, "I wish to employ men but few seem fit." An replied, "The realm has never lacked men—it depends on how they are used." Retiring, he submitted five points: discerning knowledge of men; nurturing gradually; not requiring complete talent; recommending by category; choosing successors oneself.
24
後與兩制合議，請以濮王為皇伯，執政弗從，數詣中書爭論。 會大雨水，時黯已被疾，疏言：「簡宗廟，逆天時，則水不潤下。 今二三執政，知陛下為先帝後，乃阿諛容說，違背經義，建兩統貳父之說，故七廟神靈震怒，天降雨水，流殺人民。」 既病，求出，以翰林侍讀學士知陳州。 未行，卒，年四十四。 口占遺奏數百言，猶以濮王議為請。 贈尚書禮部侍郎。
Later, with the two Hanlin academies, he asked that the Prince of Pu be made Imperial Uncle; those in power refused and he repeatedly argued at the Secretariat. When great rains came he was already ill and memorialized, "Simplifying the ancestral temples and opposing Heaven's season—then water does not moisten below. Now two or three in power, knowing Your Majesty is heir to the former emperor, yet flatter and accommodate, violate canonical principle, and establish two fathers with two lords—therefore the spirits of the seven temples are angered, Heaven sends rain, and people are swept away." Already ill, he asked to leave and was made Hanlin Lecturing Academician governing Chen Prefecture. Before he set out he died, aged forty-four. Orally he left a final memorial of several hundred words, still pleading on the Prince of Pu affair. He was posthumously granted Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
25
初，黯母陳歸宗，繼母史在堂，後迎陳歸，二母不相善，黯能安以事之。 黯修潔自喜，在朝數言事，或從或否，人稱其介直。 然卞急，初通判襄州，疑優人戲己，以人茵啖之。 在開封，為罪人所詈，又啖以人茵，言者亦以是詆之。
An's mother Chen had returned to her clan; stepmother Shi remained in the hall; when Chen was welcomed back the two mothers were not on good terms, yet An settled them with proper conduct. An cultivated himself and prized integrity; in court he often spoke, sometimes heeded and sometimes not—people called him upright and direct. Yet he was impetuous; as vice-prefect of Xiang Prefecture he suspected actors mocked him and had a man eat a cushion. In Kaifeng a criminal cursed him and he again fed him a cushion; remonstrators criticized this too.
26
李京，字伯升，趙州人。 進士中第，歷平定軍判官、冀州推官，改大理寺丞、知魏縣。 奉法嚴正，吏不便，欲以苛中京，遂相率遁去。 監司果議以苛刻斥京，知府任布曰：「如此，適墮吏計中。」 京賴以免。 徙永昌縣，通判趙州。 王拱辰薦為監察御史裏行，遷監察御史。
Li Jing, whose courtesy name was Bosheng, came from Zhao Prefecture. He passed the jinshi, served as adjutant of Pingding Army and judicial officer of Ji Prefecture, then became Director of the Court of Judicial Review and governed Wei County. Upholding the law strictly, clerks found him inconvenient and wished to trap him in harshness; they fled together. The supervisory commissioner deliberated dismissing Jing for harshness; Prefect Ren Bu said, "If so, we fall into the clerks' scheme." Jing thereby escaped punishment. He was transferred to Yongchang County and vice-prefect of Zhao Prefecture. Wang Gongchen recommended him as Investigating Censor with acting authority; he became Investigating Censor.
27
時太史言日當食不食，群臣皆賀。 京上疏曰：「陛下因天之戒，恐懼修省，避正殿，減常膳，故精意感格，日當食而陰雲蔽虧。 雖宋景公之熒惑退舍，商大戊之桑穀並枯，無以異也。 然臣區區竊有所疑者，自寶元初，定襄地震，壞城郭，覆廬舍，壓死者以數萬人。 殆今十年，震動不已，豈非西、北二邊，有窺中國之意乎？ 二月雷發聲，在《易》為《豫》，言萬物出地，皆悅豫也。 八月收聲，在《易》為《歸妹》，言雷聲入地，避群陰之害也。 今孟夏雷未發聲，豈非號令不信乎？ 願陛下飭邊臣備夷狄，戒輔臣慎出命，以厭禍於未形。 又尚美人棄外館多年，比聞復召入，臣慮假媚道以為蠱惑，宜亟絕之。 苗繼宗嬪御子弟，乃緣恩私，為府界提點。 宜割帷薄之愛，重名器之分，庶幾不累聖政。」 仁宗嘉納，授右正言、直集賢院、同管勾國子監，加史館修撰。
The Grand Astrologer said the sun should be eclipsed but was not; all congratulated. Jing memorialized, "Your Majesty, taking Heaven's warning, fears and reforms, avoids the main hall and reduces meals—therefore refined intent moved the realm; the day should have eclipsed but clouds obscured it. Though this differs not from Duke Jing of Song's Fire Star retreat or Grand Yi Ding's withering mulberry and grain. Yet I privately doubt: from Baoyuan's beginning, Ding and Xiang earthquakes shook walls, overturned houses, and crushed tens of thousands. Nearly ten years shaking has not ceased—is it not that the northwest and north borders harbor intent to spy on China? In the second month thunder sounded—in the Changes this is Yu, when all things leave the earth in joy. In the eighth month sound is gathered—in the Changes this is Gui Mei, when thunder enters the earth to avoid yin harm. Now in early summer thunder has not sounded—is it not that commands lack trust? I wish Your Majesty would discipline border officials against barbarians and warn ministers to be careful issuing orders, to quell disaster before it forms. Moreover Lady Shang abandoned the outer residence for years; I hear she was again summoned—I fear false charm to bewitch; she should quickly be cut off. Miao Jizong, of the imperial concubine's household, received favor and became metropolitan frontier intendant. Cut curtain intimacy and weight honored posts—then perhaps government will not be burdened." Renzong praised and accepted; he was made Right Rectifier, Attendant of the Hall for Assembling Worthies, jointly managed the Directorate of Education, with added Draft Historian.
28
數上書論事，宰相賈昌朝不悅。 京嘗屬侍御史吳鼎臣薦推直官李實，鼎臣希昌朝意，以告中丞高若訥。 若訥為鼎臣上京簡，謫京太常博士、監鄂州稅。 既至，引令狐亙、錢徽事，言：「臣為御史諫官，首尾五年，凡六上章、四親對，自陳疾故，懇求外補。 臣之出處，粗有本末。 向者在臺，見《入閣圖》，三院御史立班各異。 聞元日將入閣，而御史王贄、何郯皆謁告歸。 會推直官李實歲將滿，因簡鼎臣宜留實補御史，鼎臣亦謂議協公望，不意逾兩月，乃誣臣與實為朋黨。 臣初被黜，閱諸橐中，鼎臣所遺私書別紙故在，臣令男諶亟悉焚毀。 臣與實僚友，鼎臣鄉曲之舊，鼎臣為御史，臣延譽推引，實有力焉。 待之不疑，因以誠告，豈謂傾險包藏，甘為鷹犬，惟陛下察之。」 未幾，卒官。 詔錄諶為郊社齋郎。
He repeatedly memorialized; Chief Councillor Jia Changchao was displeased. Jing once asked Attending Censor Wu Dingchen to recommend judicial officer Li Shi; Dingchen followed Changchao's intent and told Vice Censor-in-Chief Gao Ruone. Ruone memorialized on Jing's brief and demoted him to Erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices supervising E Prefecture tax. On arrival he cited Linghu Heng and Qian Hui: "As censor and remonstrator for five years I submitted six memorials and had four personal audiences; citing illness I sought outside appointment. My coming and going has a rough beginning and end. Formerly in the Censorate I saw the Entering Audience diagram—the three bureaus' censors stood in different ranks. I heard that on New Year's Day they would enter audience, yet Censors Wang Zan and He Yan both took leave. When Judicial Officer Li Shi's term was nearly full I asked Dingchen to retain Shi as censor; Dingchen said the proposal accorded with public expectation—who expected that after two months he would falsely accuse Shi and me of faction. When first demoted I found Dingchen's private letters still in my bags; I had my son Chen burn them all. Shi and I are colleagues; Dingchen is a home-district acquaintance—when he was censor I praised and recommended him, and Shi had real force in it. I treated him without suspicion and spoke sincerely—who knew he would treacherously harbor malice and play hawk and hound? I beg Your Majesty to examine this." Before long he died in office. An edict enrolled Chen as suburban-sacrifice Acolyte.
29
吳鼎臣 〈附〉
Wu Dingchen 〈Attached〉
30
鼎臣，棣州人。 既逐京，會昌朝罷，夏竦自北京召為相。 鼎臣先論竦在幷州杖殺私僕，復與諫官、御史言竦論議與陳執中異，不可共事。 竦既罷，遂以刑部員外郎知諫院。 上言：「朝廷方與契丹保誓約，而楊懷敏增廣塘水，輒生事，民或怨叛，雖斬懷敏，無及矣。」 遂為河北體量安撫，令經度塘水利害，而鼎臣更顧望，依違不能決。 昌朝與都轉運使施昌言議河事不合，鼎臣自度支副使拜天章閣待制，代昌言，數月卒。
Dingchen came from Di Prefecture. After driving out Jing, when Changchao was dismissed Xia Song was summoned from Beijing as chief councillor. Dingchen had earlier argued that in Bing Prefecture Song beat a private servant to death; he again spoke with remonstrators and censors that Song's views differed from Chen Zhizhong's and they could not serve together. When Song was dismissed Dingchen was made Outer Gentleman of the Ministry of Punishments managing the Remonstrance Bureau. He memorialized, "The court keeps the oath with the Khitan, yet Yang Huaimin enlarged pond water and rashly created trouble—the people may rebel; though Huaimin be executed it will be too late." He was made Hebei Pacification Commissioner to measure pond benefits and harms, yet Dingchen hesitated and could not decide. Changchao and Transport Commissioner Shi Changyan disagreed on river affairs; Dingchen was promoted from Vice Fiscal Commissioner to Hanlin Attendant in Changyan's place and died within months.
31
呂景初
Lu Jingchu
32
呂景初，字沖之，開封酸棗人。 以父蔭試秘書省校書郎，舉進士，歷汝州推官，改著作佐郎、知夏陽縣，僉書河南府判官，通判幷州。 高若訥薦為殿中侍御史。
Lu Jingchu, whose courtesy name was Chongzhi, came from Suanzao in Kaifeng. By his father's privilege he tested as Secretariat collator, passed the jinshi, served as judicial officer of Ru Prefecture, became Editorial Assistant governing Xiayang County, signed as Henan adjudicator, and vice-prefect of Bing Prefecture. Gao Ruone recommended him as Attending Palace Censor.
33
張貴妃薨，有司請依荊王故事，輟視朝五日，或欲更增日，聽上裁，乃增至七日。 景初言：「妃一品當輟朝三日，禮官希旨，使恩禮過荊王，不可以示天下。」 妃既追冊為皇后，又詔立忌，景初力爭，乃罷。
When Honored Consort Zhang died the offices asked to follow the Prince of Jing precedent and halt audience five days; some wished more at imperial discretion—it reached seven. Jingchu said, "A consort of first rank should halt audience three days; ritual officers curried favor and made favor exceed the Prince of Jing—this cannot be shown the realm." After she was posthumously enfeoffed as empress an edict established a memorial day; Jingchu argued forcefully and it was abolished.
34
時兵冗，用度乏，景初奏疏曰：
Troops were redundant and expenditures lacking; Jingchu memorialized:
35
「聖人在上，不能無災，而有救災之術。 今百姓困窮，國用虛竭，利源已盡，惟有減用度爾。 用度之廣，無如養兵。 比年招置太多，未加揀汰。 若兵皆勇健，能捍寇敵，竭民膏血以啖之，猶為不可，況羸疾老怯者，又常過半，徒費粟帛，戰則先奔，致勇者亦相牽以敗。 當祖宗時，四方割據，中國才百餘州，民力未完，耕植未廣，然用度充足者，兵少故也，而所征皆克。 自數十年來，用數倍之兵，所向必敗。 以此，知兵在精，不在眾也。 議者屢以為言，陛下不即更者，由大臣偷安避怨，論事之臣，又復緘默，則此弊何時而息。 望詔中書、樞密院，議罷招補，而汰冗濫。」
"When a sage reigns, disaster cannot be absent, yet there is art to relieve it. The people are impoverished and state use empty—profit sources are exhausted; only reducing expenditures remains. No expenditure is so broad as maintaining troops. Recent recruitment was too great without selection. If troops were brave and could repel invaders, draining the people to feed them would still be wrong—how much more when the weak and cowardly exceed half, wasting grain, fleeing first and dragging the brave to defeat. Under the founding emperors the realm was divided and China had barely a hundred prefectures; strength was incomplete and farming not broad—yet expenditures sufficed because troops were few, and campaigns succeeded. For decades we have used several times the troops and wherever we go we are defeated. From this one knows troops lie in quality, not multitude. Discussants have spoken yet Your Majesty has not changed because ministers steal ease and avoid resentment and discussants keep silent—when will this harm cease? I wish an edict to the Secretariat and Bureau of Military Affairs to end recruitment and prune redundancy."
36
又言：「坐而論道者，三公也。 今輔臣奏事，非留身求罷免，未嘗從容獨見，以評講治道。 雖願治如堯、舜，得賢如稷、契，而未至於治者，抑由此也。 願陛下於輔臣、侍從、臺諫之列，擇其忠信通治道者，屢詔而數訪之，幸甚！」 又與言事御史馬遵、吳中復奏彈梁適與劉宗孟連姻，而宗孟與冀州富人共商販，下開封府劾治，所言不實，皆坐謫，景初通判江寧府。 徙知衡州，復召還臺。
He also said, "Those who sit and discuss the Way are the Three Dukes. Now assisting ministers memorialize; unless seeking dismissal they never meet alone to discuss governing the Way. Though one wishes to govern like Yao and Shun and gain men like Ji and Qi, one has not reached governance—perhaps this restrains it. I wish Your Majesty among ministers, attendants, and remonstrance and censor ranks would choose the loyal and penetrating, repeatedly edict and inquire—greatly fortunate!" With Remonstrance Officer Ma Zun and Wu Zhongfu he impeached Liang Shi for marrying Liu Zongmeng, who traded with a Ji Prefecture rich man; Kaifeng found the charge false—all were demoted; Jingchu was vice-prefect of Jiangning. Transferred to Heng Prefecture, he was again summoned to the Censorate.
37
嘉祐初，大雨水，景初曰：「此陰盛陽微之誡也。」 乃上疏稱：「商、周之盛，並建同姓； 兩漢皇子，多封大國； 有唐宗室，出為刺史； 國朝二宗，相繼尹京。 是欲本支盛強，有磐石之安，則奸雄不敢內窺，而天下有所倚望矣。 願擇宗子之賢者，使得問安侍膳於宮中，以消奸萌，或尹京典郡，為夾輔之勢。」 時狄青為樞密使，得士卒心，議者憂其為變。 景初奏疏曰：「天象謫見，妖人訛言，權臣有虛聲，為兵眾所附，中外為之恟恟。 此機會之際，間不容發，蓋以未立皇子，社稷有此大憂。 惟陛下蚤為之計，則人心不搖，國本固矣。」 數詣中書白執政，請出青。 文彥博以青忠謹有素，外言皆小人為之，不足置意。 景初曰：「青雖忠，如眾心何，蓋為小人無識，則或以致變。 大臣宜為朝廷慮，毋牽閭里恩也。」 知制誥劉敞亦論之甚力，卒出青知陳州。
In Jiayou's first year great rains came; Jingchu said, "This warns that yin flourishes and yang is slight." He memorialized: "In Shang and Zhou's flourishing, same-surname kin were all established; Han imperial sons were often enfeoffed in great states; Tang clansmen served as prefects; our dynasty's two founders successively governed the capital. The intent was flourishing root branches with bedrock security so traitors dare not spy within and the realm has something to lean on. Choose worthy clansmen to attend the palace for meals to dissolve wicked sprouts, or govern capital and prefectures as supporting strength." Di Qing was Bureau Commissioner and won soldiers' hearts; discussants feared change. Jingchu memorialized, "Heaven reproves and false men spread rumors; a powerful minister has empty reputation and troops attach to him—inside and outside are alarmed. At this juncture no moment permits delay—probably because no heir is established and the altars have this great worry. Only if Your Majesty acts early will hearts not shake and the root be firm." He several times told those in power at the Secretariat to send Qing out. Wen Yanbo said Qing was loyal by nature and outside talk was petty men's doing—not worth minding. Jingchu said, "Though Qing is loyal, what of the multitude's heart? Unwise petty men may bring change. Great ministers should worry for the court, not neighborhood favor." Drafting Gentleman Liu Chang argued forcefully; Qing was sent out to govern Chen Prefecture.
38
李仲昌以河事敗，內遣中人置獄。 景初意賈昌朝為之，即言：「事無根原，不出政府，恐陰邪用此，以中傷善良。」 乃更遣御史同訊。 遷右司諫，安撫河北。 還，奏比部員外郎鄭平占籍真定，有田七百餘頃，因請均其徭役，著限田令。 以戶部員外郎兼侍御史知雜事，判都水監，改度支副使，遷吏部員外郎，擢天章閣待制、知諫院，以病，未入謝而卒。
Li Zhongchang failed in river affairs and inner envoys set up imprisonment. Jingchu thought Jia Changchao was behind it and said, "The affair has no root outside government—I fear hidden evil strikes good men." Censors were again sent to investigate jointly. Promoted to Right Remonstrance Officer, he pacified Hebei. On return he memorialized that Zheng Ping registered household in Zhending with seven hundred-plus qing and asked to equalize corvée and establish limited-field law. As Outer Gentleman of the Household Ministry with supervisory censor duties he adjudicated Metropolitan Waterworks, became Vice Fiscal Commissioner, Outer Gentleman of Personnel, Hanlin Attendant managing Remonstrance Bureau; ill, he died before giving thanks.
39
馬遵 〈附〉
Ma Zun 〈Attached〉
40
馬遵者，字仲塗，饒州樂平人。 嘗以監察御史為江淮發運判官，就遷殿中侍御史為副使。 入為言事御史，謫知宣州，後復為右司諫，以禮部員外郎兼侍御史知雜事，改吏部，直龍圖閣，卒。 性樂易，善議論，其言事不為激訐，故多見推行，杜衍、范仲淹皆稱道之。
Ma Zun, whose courtesy name was Zhongtu, came from Leping in Raozhou. He served as Investigating Censor and Jianghuai Transport Vice Commissioner and was promoted on the spot to Attending Palace Censor as vice commissioner. He entered as remonstrance officer, was demoted to Xuan Prefecture, later Right Remonstrance Officer, Outer Gentleman of Rites with supervisory censor duties, Ministry of Personnel, Dragon Diagram Attendant, and died. Easy by nature and good at discussion, he was not harsh in remonstrance and was often heeded—Du Yan and Fan Zhongyan praised him.
41
吳及，字幾道，通州靜海人。 年十七，以進士起家，為侯官尉。 閩俗多自毒死以誣仇家，官司莫能辨，及悉為讞正，前後活五十三人，提點刑獄移其法於一路。 辟大理寺檢法官，徙審刑院詳議，累遷太常博士。
Wu Ji, whose courtesy name was Jidao, came from Jinghai in Tong Prefecture. At seventeen he passed the jinshi and began as Houguan county lieutenant. Min custom often used self-poisoning to frame enemies; officials could not tell; Ji corrected verdicts and saved fifty-three lives; the judicial intendant spread his method through the circuit. Recruited as Court of Judicial Review examining judge, he moved to Court of Punishment deliberation and rose to Erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
42
是時，仁宗春秋既高，無子，及因推言閹寺，以及繼嗣事。 至和元年，上疏曰：
Renzong's years were high and he had no son; Ji therefore spoke on eunuchs and succession. In Zhihe's first year he memorialized:
43
「臣聞『官師相規，工執藝事以諫。』 臣幸得待罪法吏，輒原刑法之本，以效愚忠。 切惟前世肉刑之設，斷支體，刻肌膚，使終身不息。 漢文感緹縈之言，易之鞭箠，然已死而笞未止，外有輕刑之意，其實殺人。 祖宗鑒既往之弊，蠲除煩苛，始用折杖之法，新天下耳目，茲蓋曠古聖賢，思所未至，陛下深惻民隱，親覽庶獄。 歷世用刑，無如本朝之平恕，宜乎天降之祥。 而方當隆盛之時，未享繼嗣之慶，臣竊惑焉。
"I have heard 'officials and teachers admonish each other; craftsmen remonstrate with their craft.' Fortunate to serve as a law officer, I venture the root of penal law to offer loyal counsel. Former flesh punishments cut limbs and carved flesh so suffering never ceased. Emperor Wen was moved by Ti Ying and changed to flogging, yet the dead were still flogged—outwardly light, inwardly killing. The founders took warning from past harm, abolished severity, and began commuted-staff punishment—new to the realm; Your Majesty deeply pities the people and personally views cases. Penal use through the ages has none so mild as our dynasty—Heaven's auspiciousness should descend. Yet at flourishing grandeur we have not enjoyed succession—I am puzzled.
44
或者宦官太多，而陛下未悟也。 何則？ 肉刑之五，一曰宮，古人除之，重絕人之世。 今則宦官之家，競求他子，剿絕人理，希求爵命。 童幼何罪，隱於刀鋸，因而夭死者，未易悉數。 夫有疾而夭，治世所羞，況無疾乎？ 有罪而宮，前王不忍，況無罪乎？ 臣聞漢永平之際，中常侍四員，小黃門十人爾。 唐太宗定制，無得逾百員。 且以祖宗近事較之，祖宗時宦官凡幾何人，今凡幾何人？ 臣愚以謂胎卵傷而鳳凰不至，宦官多而繼嗣未育也。 伏望順陽春生育之令，浚發德音，詳為條禁。 進獻宦官，一切權罷，擅宮童幼，置以重法。 若然，則天心必應，聖嗣必廣，召福祥、安宗廟之策，無先於此。」
Perhaps eunuchs are too many and Your Majesty has not awakened. How so? Of the five flesh punishments castration was abolished by the ancients, weightily ending a man's line. Now eunuch families compete for other men's sons, cutting off human principle for rank. What crime have infants hidden in knife and saw who die young—countless. To die young from illness shames a well-governed age—how much more without illness? To castrate the guilty former kings could not bear—how much more the guiltless? In Han's Yongping there were four Regular Palace Attendants and ten Yellow Gate attendants only. Tang Taizong fixed the system—none might exceed a hundred posts. Comparing founding times—how many eunuchs then, how many now? When eggs are harmed the phoenix does not come; when eunuchs are many succession is not bred. I hope to follow spring's nurturing order, issue virtuous sound, and detail prohibitions. Presented eunuchs—all temporarily stop; private castration of youths—heavy law. If so Heaven will respond, succession will broaden, and no policy summons fortune and settles the altars before this."
45
書奏，帝異其言，欲用為諫官，而及以父憂去。
The emperor marveled and wished to make him remonstrance officer, but Ji left on father's mourning.
46
嘉祐三年，始擢秘閣校理，逾月，改右正言。 復上疏曰：「帝王之治，必敦骨肉之愛，而以至親夾輔王室。 《詩》曰：『懷德惟寧，宗子惟城。』 故同姓者，國家之屏翰； 儲副者，天下之根本。 陛下以海宇之廣，宗廟之重，而根本未立，四方無所係心，上下之憂，無大於此。 謂宜發自聖斷，擇宗室子以備儲副。 以服屬議之，則莫如親； 以人望言之，則莫如賢。 既兼親賢，然後優封爵以寵異之，選重厚樸茂之臣以教導之，聽入侍禁中，示欲為後，使中外之人悚然瞻望，曰：『宮中有子矣。』 陛下他日有嫡嗣，則異其恩禮，復令歸邸，於理無嫌，於義為順，弭覬覦之心，屬天下之望，宗廟長久之策也。」 既而又言：「開寶詔書：『內侍臣年三十無養父者，聽養一子為嗣，並以名上宣徽院，違者抵死。』 比年此禁益弛，夭絕人理，陰累聖嗣。 願詔大臣明示舊制，上順天意，以綏福祐。」 明年，遂權罷內臣進養子。
In Jiayou's third year he was promoted Secretariat collator; after a month Right Rectifier. He again memorialized, "Governance must thicken kinship love and use closest kin to support the royal house. The Odes say, 'Cherish virtue then peace; clansmen are the wall.' Thus same-surname kin are the state's screen; the heir is the realm's root. Your Majesty with the sea's breadth and altars' weight yet no root established—the realm has nowhere to fix its heart; no worry is greater. An edict should issue from sacred resolve to choose a clansman as heir. By kinship none is closer than kin; by public expectation none like the worthy. Having both kin and worth, enfeoff generously, choose heavy honest ministers to instruct, allow palace attendance, show intent to make heir, so all say, 'Within the palace there is a son.' If later a legitimate heir comes, differ in favor and order return to residence—no taint in principle, compliant in righteousness, quelling covetous hearts, binding the realm's hope—long policy for the altars. He again cited the Kaibao edict: 'Inner attendants at thirty without adoptive father may adopt one son and report to the Palace Treasury—violators die. Recently this prohibition grew lax, cutting human principle and burdening succession. I wish an edict to great ministers showing the old system, following Heaven to extend blessing." The next year presenting adoptive sons to inner attendants was stopped.
47
管勾登聞檢院。 又上書論政事，謂：「倉廩空虛，內外匱乏，其弊在於官多兵冗。 請汰冗兵，省冗官，然後除民之疾苦。」 因條上十餘事，多施用之。 建請擇館職，分校館閣書，並求遺書於天下，語在《藝文志》。
He managed the Dengwen Inspection Court. He again memorialized, "Granaries are empty, inside and outside exhausted—the harm is many officials and redundant troops. Prune redundant troops and cut redundant officials, then remove the people's hardship." He listed more than ten items—many were implemented. He proposed selecting pavilion scholars to divide library books and seek lost books throughout the realm—as in the Treatise on Literature.
48
明年，日食三朝，及言：「日食者，陰侵陽之戒。 在人事，則臣陵君，妻乘夫，四夷侵中國。 今大臣無姑息之政，非所謂臣陵君，失在陛下淵默臨朝，使陰邪未盡屏也。 后妃無權橫之家，非所謂妻乘夫，失在左右親倖，驕縱亡節也。 疆埸無虞，非所謂四夷侵中國，失在將帥非其人，為敵所輕也。」 因言孫沔在幷州，苛暴不法，燕飲無度； 龐藉前在幷州，輕動寡謀，輒興堡砦，屈野之衄，為國深恥。 沔繇此坐廢。
The next year a solar eclipse came at the third audience; Ji said, "Solar eclipse warns yin encroaching on yang. In human affairs ministers override rulers, wives override husbands, barbarians invade China. Great ministers have no indulgent government—not ministers overriding the ruler; the failure is deep silence so hidden evil is not expelled. The empress has no powerful family—not wives overriding husbands; the failure is close favorites arrogantly breaking discipline. Borders lack alarm—not barbarians invading; the failure is wrong generals and enemies hold us light." He said Sun Hao in Bing Prefecture was harsh, unlawful, and feasted without limit; Pang Ji earlier in Bing acted lightly, rashly raised forts—the Quye defeat was deep national shame. Hao was dismissed.
49
又言：「春秋有告糴，陛下恩施動植，視人如傷。 然州郡官司各專其民，擅造閉糴之令，一路饑，則鄰路為之閉糴； 一郡饑，則鄰郡為之閉糴。 夫二千石以上，所宜同國休戚，而坐視流離，豈聖朝子育兆民之意哉！」 遂詔：「鄰州、鄰路災傷而輒閉糴，論如違制律。」
He again said, "Spring and autumn report grain need; Your Majesty's grace views people as wounded. Yet prefectural officials hold their people and make closed-grain orders—one circuit famines and neighbors close grain; one prefecture famines and neighbors close grain. Officials above two thousand bushels should share state joy and sorrow yet watch displacement—is this nurturing the multitude?" An edict ruled neighboring prefectures and circuits closing grain in disaster shall be judged under violating controls.
50
久之，遷右司諫、管勾國子監。 在職數年，以勁正稱，遇事無小大輒言。 嘗請毋納群臣上尊號，出後宮私身及非執事人，毋以御寶白劄子賜近幸家人冠帔及比丘尼紫衣； 並責執政大臣因循苟簡，畏避怨謗，宜用唐李吉甫故事，選拔賢俊，約杜預遺法，旌擢守令； 復置將作監官屬，專領營造； 論入內都知任守忠陵轢駙馬都尉李瑋及干求內降。
After long service he was Right Remonstrance Officer and managed the Directorate of Education. Several years in office he was known for firm uprightness and spoke on all affairs. He asked not to receive honorific titles, to send out private palace women and non-officials, not to use imperial seal on white memo for favorites' families or nuns' purple robes; and charged ministers for following along, fearing resentment—use Tang Li Jifu's precedent to select worthies and Du Yu's method to elevate prefects; restore Palace Buildings posts for construction; discussed Inner Palace Director Ren Shouzhong bullying imperial son-in-law Li Wei and seeking inner edicts.
51
會諫官陳升之建請裁節班行補授，下兩制、臺諫官集議。 主鐵冶者，舊得補班行。 至是，議罷之。 既定稿，及與御史沈起輒增注興國軍磁湖鐵冶如舊制。 主磁湖冶者，大姓程叔良也。 翰林學士胡宿等即劾及與起職在臺諫，而為程氏經營占錮恩例，請詔問狀，皆引伏。 及出為工部員外郎、知廬州，進戶部、直昭文館、知桂州。 卒，錄其弟齊為太廟齋郎。
When Chen Shengzhi proposed trimming roster supplements, the two Hanlin academies and remonstrance and censors deliberated jointly. Iron smelting managers formerly could supplement roster entry. Now it was abolished. When the draft was fixed Ji and Censor Shen Qi added a note restoring Cihu iron smelting as before. Cihu's manager was the great clan Cheng Shuliang. Hanlin Academician Hu Su impeached Ji and Qi for holding censor posts yet working for the Cheng clan—edict inquiry; all confessed. Ji was sent out as Outer Gentleman of Works governing Luzhou, promoted to Household Ministry and Bright Literary Attendant governing Gui Prefecture. He died; younger brother Qi was enrolled as Grand Temple Acolyte.
52
及當官有守，初為檢法官，三司請重鑄鐵錢法至死。 下有司議，及爭不可，主者恚曰：「立天下法，當由一檢法邪？」 及曰：「義理為先，安有高下？」 卒不為詘。
Ji had integrity in office; as examining judge the Three Offices asked death penalty for re-casting iron coin law. Offices deliberated; Ji argued no—the chief was angry: "Establishing law under Heaven—should one examining judge decide?" Ji said, "Right principle comes first—how can there be high and low?" In the end he was not bent.
53
范師道
Fan Shidao
54
范師道，字貫之，蘇州長洲人。 進士及第，為撫州判官，後知廣德縣。 縣有張王廟，民歲祠神，殺牛數千，師道禁絕之。 通判許州，累遷都官員外郎，吳育舉為御史。 奏請罷內降推恩，擇宰相久其任，選宗室賢者養宮中備儲貳。
Fan Shidao, whose courtesy name was Guanzhi, came from Changzhou in Suzhou. He passed the jinshi, was adjutant of Fuzhou, later governed Guangde County. The county had the Zhang King temple where people yearly sacrificed and killed thousands of cattle; Shidao forbade it. As vice-prefect of Xu he rose to Outer Gentleman of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices; Wu Yu recommended him as censor. He asked to stop inner grace edicts, choose long-serving chief councillors, and rear worthy clansmen in the palace as heir reserve.
55
初，皇祐中，賈昌朝上議置五輔郡，設京畿轉運使、提點刑獄，號為「拱輔京師」，而論者謂宦官謀廣親事親從兵，欲取京畿財賦贍之，因以收事柄。 師道力奏非便，遂復舊制。 又以四年貢舉，士苦淹久，請易為三年。 宰相劉沆護葬溫成皇后，禮官議稱「陵」，師道以為非典制，數以爭，沆惡之，引著令「臺官滿二年當補外」，出知常州。 臺諫官共言師道不當去，不報。 徙廣南東路轉運使。 舊補攝官皆委吏胥，無先後遠近之差，師道為置籍次第之。 召為鹽鐵判官，道改兩浙轉運使，遷起居舍人、同知諫院，管勾國子監。
In Huangyou Jia Changchao proposed five auxiliary prefectures with metropolitan transport and judicial posts, called "bowing to support the capital"—discussants said eunuchs sought kin soldiers and metropolitan wealth to seize power. Shidao forcefully memorialized against it and the old system was restored. Because the four-year examination made scholars wait too long he asked three years. Liu Kang oversaw Empress Wen Cheng's burial; ritual officers called it "tomb"; Shidao argued it was uncanonical; Kang cited the rule censors after two years go outside—sent him to Chang Prefecture. Remonstrance and censors said Shidao should not leave—no reply. Transferred to Guangnan East Circuit transport commissioner. Supplemental officials had been entrusted to clerks without order; Shidao sequenced them in registers. Summoned as Salt and Iron adjudicator, en route changed to Liangzhe transport commissioner, promoted to Drafting Attendant joint-managing Remonstrance Bureau and Directorate of Education.
56
後宮周氏、董氏生公主，諸閣女御多遷擢。 師道上疏曰：
Later Ladies Zhou and Dong bore princesses and many inner attendants were promoted. Shidao memorialized:
57
「禮以制情，義以奪愛，常人之所難，惟聰明睿哲之主然後能之。 近以宮人數多而出之，此盛德事也。 然而事有係風化治亂之大，而未以留意，臣敢為陛下言之。 竊聞諸閣女御，以周、董育公主，御寶白劄並為才人，不自中書出誥。 而掖庭覬覦遷拜者甚多，周、董之遷可矣，女御何名而遷乎？ 才人品秩既高，古有定員，唐制止七人而已。 祖宗朝宮闈給侍不過二三百，居五品之列者無幾，若使諸閣皆遷，則不復更有員數矣。 外人不能詳知，止謂陛下於寵幸太過，恩澤不節耳。 夫婦人女子，與小人之性同，寵幸太過，則瀆慢之心生，恩澤不節，則無厭之怨起，御之不可不以其道也。 且用度太煩，須索太廣，一才人之奉，月直中戶百家之賦，歲時賜予不在焉。 況誥命之出，不自有司，豈盛時之事耶？ 恐斜封、墨敕，復見於今日矣。」
"Ritual regulates emotion, righteousness overcomes love—ordinary people find it hard; only enlightened rulers can. Recently many palace women were sent out—great virtue. Yet affairs touching customs and order of governance have not received attention—I dare speak. Because Ladies Zhou and Dong bore princesses, white memos made inner attendants Talents without Secretariat edicts. Many in the inner quarters hope for promotion—Zhou and Dong may be promoted, but what name for inner attendants? Talent rank is already high; antiquity fixed quotas—Tang stopped at seven. Founding inner service was under two or three hundred; fifth rank was few—if all inner halls promote, no quota remains. Outsiders only say Your Majesty favors too much and grace is unbounded. Women and petty men share nature—too much favor breeds irreverence; unbounded grace breeds resentment—they must be ruled by the Way. Expenditures are troublesome—one Talent's monthly support equals a hundred households' tax, yearly gifts besides. Edict appointment does not come from offices—is this a flourishing age? I fear irregular sealed appointments and ink edicts will reappear today."
58
時大星隕東南，有聲如雷。 又上疏曰：「《漢》、《晉天文志》：『天狗所下，為破軍殺將，伏屍流血。』 《甘氏圖》：『天狗移，大賊起。』 今朝廷非無為之時也，而備邊防盜，未見其至。 雖有將帥，不老則愚，士卒雖多，勁勇者少。 小人思亂，伺隙乃作，必有包藏險心，投隙而動者。 宜揀拔將帥，訓練卒伍，詔天下預為備禦。」 仁宗晚年尤恭儉，而四方無事，師道言雖過，每優容之。 遷兵部員外郎，兼侍御史知雜事、判都水監。 與諫官、御史數奏樞密副使陳升之不當用，升之罷，師道亦出知福州。 頃之，以工部郎中入為三司鹽鐵副使。 感風眩，遷戶部，直龍圖閣、知明州，卒。
A great star fell southeast with thunderous sound. He again memorialized, "Han and Jin astronomical treatises: 'Where the celestial dog falls, generals break, armies die, blood flows. The Gan chart: 'When the celestial dog moves, great bandits rise.' The court is not inactive yet border defense is not seen. There are generals, but if old then foolish; soldiers are many, but the bold are few. Petty men think of disorder and watch for gaps—some harbor dangerous hearts and will act. Select generals, train troops, edict the realm to prepare." In Renzong's late years he was especially frugal and the realm was peaceful—Shidao's words, though excessive, were indulged. Transferred to Outer Gentleman of War with supervisory censor duties over Metropolitan Waterworks. With remonstrators and censors he several times said Vice Commissioner Chen Shengzhi should not be used; Shengzhi was dismissed and Shidao sent to Fuzhou. Soon as Department Gentleman he became Vice Salt and Iron Commissioner. Struck by vertigo he transferred to Household Ministry, Dragon Diagram Attendant governing Ming Prefecture, and died.
59
師道厲風操，前後在言責，有聞即言，或獨爭，或列奏。 如陳執中家人殺婢，卒坐免； 奪王拱辰宣徽使、李淑翰林學士； 及王德用、程戡領樞密，宦官石全彬、閻士良升進，皆嘗奏數其罪焉。
Shidao was stern and upright; in remonstrance office he spoke when he heard, sometimes alone, sometimes jointly. When Chen Zhizhong's household killed a maid he was dismissed; stripped Wang Gongchen of Palatial Affairs and Li Shu of Hanlin; when Wang Deyong and Cheng Kan held the Bureau and eunuchs Shi Quanbin and Yan Shiliang rose—all were memorialized for their crimes.
60
李絢，字公素，邛州依政人。 少放蕩亡檢，兄綯教之書，嚴其課業而出，絢遨自若，比暮綯歸，絢徐取書視之，一過輒誦數千言，綯奇之。 稍長，能屬文，尤工歌詩。 嘗以事被繫，既而逸去。
Li Xuan, whose courtesy name was Gongsu, came from Yizheng in Qiong Prefecture. Youthfully unrestrained, elder brother Chao taught and strictly supervised him; Xuan roamed freely and when Chao returned evenings Xuan read once and recited thousands of words—Chao marveled. Grown, he composed prose and excelled at poetry. Once imprisoned for an affair, he escaped.
61
擢進士第，再授大理評事、通判邠州。 元昊犯延州，幷邊皆恐。 邠城陴不完，絢方攝守，即發民治城，僚吏皆謂當言上逮報，絢不聽。 帝聞之喜，因詔他州悉治守備。 還為太子中允、直集賢院，歷開封府推官、三司度支判官，為京西轉運使。 是時，范雍知河南，王舉正知許州，任中師知陳州，任布知河陽，並二府舊臣，絢皆以不才奏之。
Placed in the jinshi he twice served as Court of Judicial Review evaluator and vice-prefect of Bin Prefecture. When Yuan Hao invaded Yan Prefecture the border was alarmed. Bin's walls were incomplete; Xuan acting defender mobilized repairs; subordinates said report upward—Xuan refused. The emperor was pleased and issued an edict other prefectures to repair defenses. Recalled, he was Heir Apparent Vice Director and Hall Attendant, then Kaifeng adjudicator, Three Offices fiscal adjudicator, and Jingxi transport commissioner. Fan Yong governed Henan, Wang Juzheng Xu, Ren Zhongshi Chen, Ren Bu Heyang—all two-department veterans; Xuan memorialized them all as without talent.
62
未幾，召修起居注，糾察在京刑獄。 時宰相杜衍各拔知名士置臺省，惡衍者指絢為其黨。 絢嘗舉陸經，經坐贓貶； 而任布又言絢在京西苛察，出知潤州。 改太常丞，徙洪州。 時五溪蠻寇湖南，擇轉運使，帝曰：「有館職善飲酒者為誰，今安在？」 輔臣未諭，帝曰：「是往歲城邠州者，其人才可用。」 輔臣以絢對，遂除湖南轉運使。 絢乘驛至邵州，戒諸部按兵毋得動，使人諭蠻以禍福，蠻罷兵受約束。
Soon he compiled the Draft Diary and investigated capital punishments. Chief Councillor Du Yan placed famous scholars in Censorate and Secretariat; Yan's enemies called Xuan his faction. Xuan once recommended Lu Jing, who was demoted for corruption; Ren Bu also said Xuan was harsh in Jingxi—sent to Run Prefecture. Changed to Grand Temple Director, transferred to Hong Prefecture. Five Streams barbarians raided Hunan; choosing transport commissioner the emperor said, "Which pavilion officer drinks well—where is he?" Ministers did not understand; the emperor said, "He who walled Bin years ago—his talent can be used." Ministers named Xuan and he became Hunan transport commissioner. Xuan rode to Shaozhou, warned departments to hold troops, told barbarians fortune and misfortune—they ceased arms and accepted restraint.
63
復修起居注，權判三司鹽鐵勾院，復糾察在京刑獄。 以右正言、知制誥奉使契丹，知審官院，遷龍圖閣直學士、起居舍人、權知開封府，治有能名。 絢夜醉，晨奏事酒未解，帝曰：「開封府事劇，豈可沉湎於酒邪？」 改提舉在京諸司庫務，權判吏部流內銓。 初，慈孝寺亡章獻太后神御物，盜得，而絢誤釋之，詘知蘇州，未行，卒。
Again he compiled the Draft Diary, acted over Salt and Iron Audit, and again investigated capital punishments. As Right Rectifier and Drafting Gentleman he was Khitan envoy, managed Court of Official Appointment, rose to Dragon Diagram Attendant, Drafting Attendant, acting Kaifeng—governance had ability. Drunk at night, memorializing in the morning still drunk, the emperor said, "Kaifeng affairs are pressing—how sink in wine?" Changed to metropolitan storehouse commissioner, acting over Board of Personnel Outside Register. At Cixiao Temple Empress Zhangxian's sacred objects were stolen and recovered; Xuan mistakenly released them, was demoted to Suzhou, and died before setting out.
64
絢疏明樂易，少周遊四方，頗練世務。 數上書言便宜。 仁宗春秋高，未有繼嗣，絢因祀高禖還獻賦，大指言宜遠嬖寵，近賢良，則神降之福，子孫繁衍，帝嘉納之。 性嗜酒，終以疾死。
Xuan was open and easygoing, traveled widely in youth, and knew worldly affairs. He several times memorialized practical proposals. When Renzong had no heir, Xuan returning from Gaoxi sacrifice presented a fu urging distance from favorites and nearness to worthies—then blessing and succession would multiply—the emperor accepted. He loved wine and finally died of illness.
65
何中立
He Zhongli
66
何中立，字公南，許州長社人。 幼警邁，與狄遵度遊，遵度曰：「美才也！」 其父棐遂以女妻之。 進士及第，授大理評事，歷僉書鎮安、武勝二鎮節度判官，遷殿中丞，召試學士院，為集賢校理。 改太常博士、修起居注，遷祠部員外郎、知制誥，權發遣開封府事。
He Zhongli, whose courtesy name was Gongnan, came from Changshe in Xu Prefecture. Sharp in youth, traveling with Di Zundu, Zundu said, "Fine talent!" His father Fei then gave him his daughter in marriage. He passed the jinshi, was Court of Judicial Review evaluator, signed Zhen'an and Wusheng adjutancies, became Defender-in-Chief, tested at Hanlin, and became Hall collator. Changed to Court of Imperial Sacrifices Erudite and Draft Diary compiler, Outer Gentleman of Rites and Drafting Gentleman, dispatched over Kaifeng.
67
初，有盜慈孝寺章獻皇太后神御服器者，既就縶，李絢以屬吏，考掠不得其情，輒釋去。 中立至，人復執以來，中立曰：「此真盜也。」 窮治之，卒伏罪。 遷兵部員外郎，糾察在京刑獄。 除龍圖閣直學士、知秦州。 言者以為非治邊才，改慶州。 奏曰：「臣不堪於秦，則不堪於慶矣，願守汝。」 不報。 戍卒有告大校受贓者，中立曰：「是必挾他怨也。」 鞭卒竄之。 或曰：「貸奸可乎？」 中立曰：「部曲得持短長以制其上，則人不自安矣。」 還判太常寺，遷刑部郎中，進樞密直學士、知許州，改陳州。 訛言大水至，居人皆恐，中立捕誅之。 又徙杭州，暴中風卒。
When thieves stole Empress Zhangxian's sacred vessels from Cixiao Temple and were seized, Li Xuan entrusted them to subordinates; torture did not get facts and they were released. When Zhongli arrived they were brought again; Zhongli said, "This is the true thief." Investigating to the end they confessed. Transferred to Outer Gentleman of War, investigating capital punishments. Made Dragon Diagram Attendant governing Qin Prefecture. Remonstrators said he was not border talent and changed him to Qing Prefecture. He memorialized, "I am unfit for Qin, then unfit for Qing—I wish to guard Ru." No reply. A soldier reported a senior commander accepted bribes; Zhongli said, "He surely holds another grievance." He flogged the soldier and drove him away. Someone said, "Can one pardon treachery?" Zhongli said, "If subordinates control superiors by secrets, people will not be at ease." Recalled, he adjudicated the Grand Temple, became Punishments Gentleman, Palatial Affairs Attendant governing Xu, then Chen. False rumor said great water was coming; residents feared; Zhongli arrested and executed spreaders. Transferred to Hang Prefecture; he suddenly died of stroke.
68
中立頗以文詞自喜，然嗜酒無行。 慶曆中，集賢校理蘇舜欽監進奏院，為賽神會，預者皆一時知名士，中立亦在召中。 已而辭不往，後舜欽等得罪，中立有力焉。
Zhongli prided himself on literature yet loved wine without conduct. In Qingli, Collator Su Shunqin supervised the Memorial Transmission Court gathering—all invited were famous; Zhongli was summoned. He declined; later when Shunqin and others were punished Zhongli had force in it.
69
沈邈，字子山，信州弋陽人。 進士及第，起家補大理評事、知侯官縣，通判廣州，累遷都官員外郎，歷知真州、福州。 慶曆初，為侍御史。 時呂夷簡罷相，輔臣皆進官，邈言：「爵祿所以勸臣下，非功而授則為濫。 今邊鄙屢警，未聞廟堂之謀有以折外侮，無名進秩，臣下何勸焉。」 又論：「夏竦除樞密使，而竦陰交內侍劉從愿。 使從愿內濟狡譎，竦外專機務，奸黨得計，人主之權去矣。」 其言甚切。 權鹽鐵判官，轉兵部員外郎。 時選諸路轉運加按察使，邈與張昷之、王素首被選。 邈加直史館，使京東。 歲餘，入為侍御史知雜事。 未幾，擢天章閣待制、知澶州，徙河北都轉運使，又徙陝西，歲中，加刑部郎中、知延州，卒。
Shen Miao, whose courtesy name was Zishan, came from Yiyang in Xin Prefecture. He passed the jinshi, began as Court of Judicial Review evaluator and Houguan magistrate, vice-prefect of Guang, rose to Outer Gentleman of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, governing Zhen and Fuzhou. In Qingli's first year he was Attending Censor. When Lü Yijian was dismissed assisting ministers advanced; Miao said, "Rank encourages subordinates—grant without merit and it is excessive. Borders alarm yet no temple plan repels insult—nameless advancement, how are subordinates encouraged?" He argued, "Xia Song was Bureau Commissioner yet secretly associated with inner attendant Liu Congyuan. Congyuan assists treachery within while Song monopolizes affairs without—traitors gain and the ruler's power departs." His words were very cutting. Acting Salt and Iron adjudicator, transferred to Outer Gentleman of War. Circuit transport commissioners were added as surveillance commissioners; Miao with Zhang Minzhi and Wang Su were first chosen. Miao was added Direct Historian and sent to Jingdong. After a year he entered as Attending Censor with supervisory duties. Soon promoted to Hanlin Attendant governing Chan, Hebei transport, Shaanxi; within the year added Punishments Gentleman governing Yan, and died.
70
邈疏爽有治才，然性少檢。 在廣州時，歲遊劉王山，會賓友縱酒，而與閭里婦女，笑言無間。
Miao was open and capable yet little restrained. In Guangzhou he yearly toured Mount Liu King, feasted and drank freely, and with neighborhood women laughed without boundary.
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論曰：慶曆以來，任諫官、御史，名有風采，見推於時者，繇臻、京之輩，凡數十人，觀其所陳，蓋不虛得。 及之論閹宦，真仁人之言，其最優乎！ 絢、中立、邈亦有美才，致位通顯，然皆以酒失自累，故不能無貶焉。
The discussion says: Since Qingli, remonstrance and censor officers with reputation pushed in their time—from Zhen, Jing, and their generation, several tens—what they presented was not vainly gained. Ji's discussion on eunuchs is truly a benevolent man's words—the finest among them! Xuan, Zhongli, and Miao also had fine talent and reached prominence, yet all were burdened by wine faults—therefore they cannot be without demerit.