Volume 311 Biographies 70: Yan Shu, Pang Ji and grandson: Gongsun, Wang Sui, Zhang Dexiang, Lu Yijian and son: Gongchao, Gong Bi, Gong Ru, Zhang Shixun

晏殊，字同叔，撫州臨川人。七歲能屬文，景德初，張知白安撫江南，以神童薦之。帝召殊與進士千餘人並試廷中，殊神氣不懾，援筆立成。帝嘉賞，賜同進士出身。宰相寇準曰：「殊江外人。」帝顧曰：「張九齡非江外人邪？」後二日，覆試詩、賦、論，殊奏：「臣嘗私習此賦，請試他題。」帝愛其不欺，既成，數稱善。擢秘書省正字，秘閣讀書。命直史館陳彭年察其所與游處者，每稱許之。

Yan Shu, styled Tongshu, was a native of Linchuan in Fuzhou Prefecture. At seven he could already compose literary pieces. Early in the Jingde era, when Zhang Zhibai was pacifying Jiangnan, he recommended Shu as a child prodigy. The Emperor summoned Shu to take the palace examination alongside more than a thousand jinshi candidates. Shu showed no sign of fear; he took up his brush and finished at once. The Emperor praised and rewarded him, granting him the rank of tong jinshi chushen. Chief Councilor Kou Zhun said, "Shu is a man from south of the Yangtze." The Emperor turned and said, "Was Zhang Jiuling not also from south of the Yangtze?" Two days later, when he was re-examined in poetry, fu, and discourse, Shu submitted, "I have already studied this fu topic on my own; please assign another." The Emperor admired his honesty. When the new composition was done, he praised it again and again. He was promoted to Rectifier of Texts in the Secretariat and assigned to study in the Palace Library. The Emperor ordered Chen Pengnian of the Historiography Office to look into those with whom Shu kept company; each time Pengnian reported favorably on him.

明年，召試中書，遷太常寺奉禮郎。東封恩，遷光祿寺丞，為集賢校理。喪父，歸臨川，奪服起之，從祀太清宮。詔修寶訓，同判太常禮院。喪母，求終服，不許。再遷太常寺丞，擢左正言、直史館，為昇王府記室參軍。歲中，遷尚書戶部員外郎，為太子舍人，尋知制誥，判集賢院。久之，為翰林學士，遷左庶子。帝每訪殊以事，率用方寸小紙細書，已答奏，輒並稿封上，帝重其慎密。

The next year he was summoned for examination at the Secretariat and promoted to Ceremonial Attendant in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. During the rewards granted for the eastern feng rites, he was promoted to Assistant Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and appointed collator in the Hall of Assembled Worthies. When his father died, he returned to Linchuan; his mourning was cut short and he was recalled to take part in the sacrifice at the Temple of the Grand Ultimate. He was ordered to compile the Precious Instructions and concurrently to serve as vice-director of the Ritual Court in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. When his mother died, he asked to observe the full mourning period, but permission was denied. He was promoted again to Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, elevated to Left Remonstrator and compiler in the Historiography Office, and appointed recorder in the Heir Apparent's Eastern Palace. Within the year he was promoted to Outer Gentleman of the Ministry of Revenue, became Attendant to the Heir Apparent, and soon was made drafter of edicts and put in charge of the Hall of Assembled Worthies. After some time he became a Hanlin Academician and was promoted to Left Subordinate of the Eastern Palace. Whenever the Emperor consulted Shu on affairs, Shu invariably wrote his answers in fine script on a small square of paper; once he had submitted his reply, he would seal up the draft and send it up with the memorial—the Emperor greatly valued his discretion.

仁宗即位，章獻明肅太后奉遺詔權聽政。宰相丁謂、樞密使曹利用，各欲獨見奏事，無敢決其議者，殊建言：「群臣奏事太后者，垂簾聽之，皆毋得見。」議遂定。遷右諫議大夫兼侍讀學士，太后謂東宮舊臣，恩不稱，加給事中。預修《真宗實錄》。進禮部侍郎，拜樞密副使。上疏論張耆不可為樞密使，忤太后旨。坐從幸玉清昭應宮從者持笏後至，殊怒，以笏撞之折齒，御史彈奏，罷知宣州。數月，改應天府，延范仲淹以教生徒。自五代以來，天下學校廢，興學自殊始。召拜御史中丞，改資政殿學士、兼翰林侍讀學士，兵部侍郎、兼秘書監，為三司使，復為樞密副使，未拜，改參知政事，加尚書左丞。太后謁太廟，有請服袞冕者，太后以問，殊以《周官》后服對。太后崩，以禮部尚書罷知亳州，徙陳州，遷刑部尚書，以本官兼御史中丞，復為三司使。

When Renzong came to the throne, Empress Dowager Zhangxian Mingsu, acting on the late emperor's testament, held regency. Chief Councilor Ding Wei and Military Affairs Commissioner Cao Liyong each wanted to be received alone to present memorials, and no one dared settle their dispute. Shu proposed, "When officials present memorials to the Empress Dowager, she should listen from behind the curtain; none of them should be granted an audience." The policy was thereby settled. He was promoted to Right Remonstrating Grandee and concurrent Lecturing Academician. The Empress Dowager said that as a former Eastern Palace retainer his rewards did not match his service, and he was given the additional title of Supervising Secretary. He took part in compiling the Veritable Records of Emperor Zhenzong. He was advanced to Vice Minister of Rites and appointed Vice Commissioner of Military Affairs. He submitted a memorial arguing that Zhang Qi was unfit to be Military Affairs Commissioner, thereby offending the Empress Dowager. While accompanying the Emperor on a visit to the Jade Clarity Zhaoying Palace, an attendant arrived late carrying a court tablet. Shu in anger struck him with the tablet and broke his teeth. The censors impeached him, and he was dismissed to serve as prefect of Xuanzhou. After several months he was transferred to Yingtian Prefecture, where he invited Fan Zhongyan to teach the students. Since the Five Dynasties, schools throughout the empire had fallen into disuse; the revival of learning began with Shu. He was summoned and appointed Censor-in-Chief, then made Academician of the Hall for Assisting Governance and concurrent Hanlin Lecturing Academician, Vice Minister of War and concurrent Director of the Palace Library, Commissioner of the Three Departments, and again Vice Commissioner of Military Affairs; before he could take the latter post he was made Participant in Governance and given the additional title of Left Vice Director in the Secretariat. When the Empress Dowager visited the Imperial Ancestral Temple, some proposed that she wear the gun and mian robes. The Empress Dowager asked Shu, and he answered by citing the queen's attire described in the Offices of Zhou. When the Empress Dowager died, he left office as Minister of Rites and was made prefect of Bozhou, then transferred to Chenzhou, promoted to Minister of Justice, and with his existing rank made concurrent Censor-in-Chief and again Commissioner of the Three Departments.

陝西方用兵，殊請罷內臣監兵，不以陣圖授諸將，使得應敵為攻守；及募弓箭手教之，以備戰鬥。又請出宮中長物助邊費，凡他司之領財利者，悉罷還度支。悉為施行。康定初，知樞密院事，遂為樞密使。進同中書門下平章事。慶歷中，拜集賢殿學士、同平章事，兼樞密使。

When war was being waged in Shaanxi, Shu requested that eunuch supervisors of troops be abolished, that battle formations not be handed to the generals in advance, and that they be allowed to attack and defend as circumstances required; and that bowmen be recruited and trained for combat. He also asked that surplus goods from the palace be released to help pay frontier expenses, and that all other agencies managing revenues be abolished and their functions returned to the Department of State Finance. All of these proposals were put into effect. Early in the Kangding era he was made Administrator of the Bureau of Military Affairs and then Military Affairs Commissioner. He was advanced to Grand Councilor of the Second Rank. During the Qingli era he was appointed Academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies, Grand Councilor, and concurrent Military Affairs Commissioner.

殊平居好賢，當世知名之士，如范仲淹、孔道輔皆出其門。及為相，益務進賢材，而仲淹與韓琦、富弼皆進用，至於臺閣，多一時之賢。帝亦奮然有意，欲因群材以更治，而小人權幸皆不便。殊出歐陽修為河北都轉運，諫官奏留，不許。孫甫、蔡襄上言：「宸妃生聖躬為天下主，而殊嘗被詔志宸妃墓，沒而不言。」又奏論殊役官兵治僦舍以規利。坐是，降工部尚書、知穎州。然殊以章獻太后方臨朝，故志不敢斥言；而所役兵，乃輔臣例宣借者，時以謂非殊罪。

In ordinary life Shu delighted in worthy men; renowned figures of the age, such as Fan Zhongyan and Kong Daofu, had all passed through his circle. Once he became chief councilor, he strove all the more to advance worthy talent; Fan Zhongyan, Han Qi, and Fu Bi were all promoted, and the central offices came to hold many of the finest men of the age. The Emperor too was stirred with purpose and wished to use this gathering of talent to reform governance, but petty men in positions of favor all found it inconvenient. Shu sent Ouyang Xiu out as Director-General Transport Commissioner for Hebei; remonstrating officials memorialized to keep him at court, but the request was denied. Sun Fu and Cai Xiang submitted, "The Noble Consort bore the sacred person who became ruler of all under Heaven, yet Shu was once ordered to compose the epitaph for her tomb and, after her death, said nothing about it." They also memorialized that Shu had used government troops to manage rented lodgings for profit. For this he was demoted to Minister of Works and made prefect of Yingzhou. Yet because Empress Dowager Zhangxian was still regent, Shu had not dared speak plainly in the epitaph; and the troops he had used were the sort that chief ministers routinely borrowed by imperial order—at the time many held that this was not Shu's fault.

殊性剛簡，奉養清儉。累典州，吏民頗畏其悁急。善知人，富弼、楊察，皆其婿也。殊為宰相兼樞密使，而弼為副使，辭所兼，詔不許，其信遇如此。文章贍麗，應用不窮，尤工詩，閒雅有情思，晚歲篤學不倦。文集二百四十卷，及刪次梁、陳以後名臣述作，為《集選》一百卷。

Shu's nature was stern and spare; in supporting his household he lived plainly and frugally. Having repeatedly governed prefectures, officials and commoners alike feared his stern impatience. He was skilled at judging men; Fu Bi and Yang Cha were both his sons-in-law. Shu served as chief councilor and concurrent Military Affairs Commissioner while Bi was vice commissioner; Bi declined the concurrent post, but an edict would not allow it—such was the trust the court placed in him. His literary compositions were rich and beautiful and inexhaustible in practical use; he was especially skilled in poetry, refined and elegant with feeling and thought, and in his later years he studied devotedly without tiring. His collected writings ran to 240 juan, and he also selected and arranged the compositions of famous ministers from the Liang and Chen onward into the Collected Selections in 100 juan.

子知止，為朝請大夫。

His son Zhizhi served as Court Gentleman for Imperial Audiences.

龐籍，字醇之，單州成武人。及進士第，為黃州司理參軍，知州夏竦以為有宰相器。調開封府兵曹參軍，知府薛奎薦為法曹。遷大理寺丞、知襄邑縣。

Pang Ji, styled Chunzhi, was a native of Chengwu in Danzhou. After passing the jinshi examination, he served as judicial assistant in Huangzhou; Prefect Xia Song regarded him as having the makings of a chief councilor. He was transferred to military assistant in the Kaifeng Prefecture government; Prefect Xue Kui recommended him for the legal bureau. He was promoted to Assistant Director of the Court of Judicial Review and made magistrate of Xiangyi County.

預修《天聖編敕》，為刑部詳覆官。擢群牧判官，因轉封言：「舊制不以國馬假臣下，重武備也。樞密院以帶甲馬借內侍楊懷敏，群牧覆奏，乃賜一馬，三日，乃復借之，數日而復罷。樞密掌機命，反覆乃如此。平時，百官奏事上前，不自批章，止送中書、樞密院。近歲璽書內降，寖多於舊，無以防偏請、杜幸門矣。往者，王世融以公主子毆府吏，法當贖金，特停任。近作坊料物庫主吏盜官物，輒自逃避。以宮掖之親，三司遽罷追究。今日聖斷乃異於昔，臣竊惑焉。祥符令檢下稍嚴，胥吏相率空縣而去，令坐罷免。若是，則清強者沮矣。」

He took part in compiling the Tiansheng Compiled Statutes and served as reviewing officer in the Ministry of Justice. He was promoted to judge in the Pasturage Commission and, on a memorial in transit, said, "By old regulation state horses were not lent to officials below the throne, in order to emphasize military preparedness. The Bureau of Military Affairs lent an armored horse to the eunuch Yang Huaimin; the Pasturage Commission reviewed and reported back, and only then was one horse granted. Three days later it was lent again, and after several days the loan was revoked again. The Bureau of Military Affairs holds command of critical affairs, yet it vacillated in this way. In ordinary times, when officials presented memorials before the throne, the Emperor did not himself endorse the documents but sent them only to the Secretariat and the Bureau of Military Affairs. In recent years sealed edicts issued from within the palace have gradually become more numerous than before, so that there is no way to guard against partial requests or shut the gate to favor-seeking. Formerly, Wang Shirong, as son of a princess, beat a prefectural official; by law he should have paid a redemption fine, but he was specially suspended from office. Recently the chief clerk of the workshop materials storehouse stole government goods and then fled of his own accord. Because of kinship with the palace, the Three Departments abruptly halted the investigation. Today's sacred decision differs from the past; your subject is privately perplexed. In Xiangfu the magistrate's inspections below were somewhat strict; clerks left the county in a body, and the magistrate was dismissed from office for it. If this is so, then the upright and forceful will be discouraged."

久之，出知秀州，召為殿中侍御史，章獻太后遺誥章惠太后議軍國事；籍請下閣門，取垂簾儀制盡燔之。又奏：「陛下躬親萬機，用人宜辨邪正、防朋黨，擢進近列，願採公論，毋令出於執政。」孔道輔謂人曰：「言事官多觀望宰相意，獨龐醇之，天子御史也。」為開封府判官，尚美人遣內侍稱教旨免工人市租。籍言：「祖宗以來，未有美人稱教旨下府者，當杖內侍。」詔有司：「自今宮中傳命，毋得輒受。」數劾范諷罪，諷善李迪，皆寢不報，反坐言宮禁事不得實，以祠部員外郎罷為廣南東路轉運使。又言范諷事有不盡如奏，諷坐貶，籍亦降太常博士、知臨江軍。尋復官，徙福建轉運使。

After some time he was sent out as prefect of Xiuzhou, then summoned as Palace Attendant Censor. Empress Dowager Zhangxian's testament directed Empress Dowager Zhanghui to deliberate on state and military affairs; Ji requested that the Gate Office be ordered to take out the regulations for listening from behind the curtain and burn them all. He also memorialized, "Your Majesty personally attends to the myriad affairs of state; in appointing men you should distinguish the upright from the depraved and guard against faction, and in promoting those near at hand you should rely on public opinion—let appointments not come from the chief ministers alone." Kong Daofu said to others, "Most remonstrating officials watch the chief councilor's intent; only Pang Chunzhi is the Son of Heaven's censor." As judge in the Kaifeng Prefecture government, the Lady Shang sent a eunuch claiming an edict to exempt workers from market rents. Ji said, "Since the founding ancestors, no palace lady has ever sent an edict down to a prefectural office; the eunuch should be beaten with the staff." An edict was issued to the responsible offices, "From now on, orders transmitted from within the palace must not be accepted at will." He repeatedly impeached Fan Feng for offenses; Feng was friendly with Li Di, and all were shelved without response. Instead Ji was punished for speaking on palace matters without substantiation, dismissed as Outer Gentleman of the Ministry of Rites and made Transport Commissioner for the Eastern Circuit of Guangnan. He again spoke on Fan Feng's case, saying it had not been fully as memorialized; Feng was demoted for it, and Ji was also reduced to Erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and made military prefect of Linjiang. Soon his office was restored, and he was transferred as Transport Commissioner for Fujian.

景祐三年，為侍御史，改刑部員外郎、知雜事，判大理寺，進天章閣待制。元昊反，為陝西體量安撫使。坐令開封府吏馮士元市女口，降知汝州。徒同州，就除陝西都轉運使。文彥博鞫黃德和獄，未上，詔籍同案。籍言曰：「德和退怯當誅。劉平力戰而沒，宜加恤其子孫。」又建言：「頻歲災異，天久不雨。宮中費用奢靡，出納不嚴，須索煩多，有司無從鉤校虛實。臣竊謂凡乘輿所費，宮中所用，宜務加裁抑，取則先帝，修德弭災之道也。今宿兵西鄙，將士力戰，弗獲功賞；而內官、醫官、樂官，無功勞，享豐賜，天下指目，謂之『三官』。願少裁損，無厚賚予，專勵戰功，寇不足平也。」

In the third year of Jingyou he became Attending Censor, then was made Outer Gentleman of the Ministry of Justice with charge of miscellaneous affairs and concurrent judge of the Court of Judicial Review, and advanced to Attendant Drafting Academician of the Hall of Heavenly Patterns. When Yuan Hao rebelled, he was made Investigating and Pacification Commissioner for Shaanxi. Because he had ordered the Kaifeng official Feng Shiyuan to purchase female dependents, he was demoted to prefect of Ruzhou. He was transferred to Tongzhou and then appointed on the spot as Director-General Transport Commissioner for Shaanxi. Wen Yanbo was investigating the case of Huang Dehe but had not yet submitted it; an edict ordered Ji to join the case. Ji said, "Dehe retreated in cowardice and should be executed. Liu Ping fought fiercely and perished; his sons and grandsons should receive added consolation." He also proposed, "In successive years there have been disasters and anomalies, and Heaven has long withheld rain. Expenditure within the palace is extravagant; receipts and disbursements are not strict, requisitions are numerous and troublesome, and the responsible offices have no way to verify what is real or false. Your subject ventures to say that all expenses of the imperial carriage and all uses within the palace should be vigorously curtailed, taking the former emperor as the standard—this is the way to cultivate virtue and quell disasters. Now troops are stationed on the western frontier; officers and soldiers fight with all their strength yet do not receive rewards for merit; while inner attendants, medical officers, and music officers, without merit or labor, enjoy rich largesse—the realm points at them and calls them the 'Three Offices.' I wish that they be somewhat reduced, that lavish gifts not be given, and that merit in battle alone be encouraged—then the enemy will not be hard to subdue."

進龍圖閣直學士、知延州，俄兼鄜延都總管、經略安撫緣邊招討使。明年，改延州觀察使，力辭，換左諫議大夫。自元昊陷金明、承平、塞門、安遠、栲栳砦，破五龍川，邊民焚掠殆盡，籍至，稍葺治之。戍兵十萬無壁壘，皆散處城中，畏籍，莫敢犯法。金明西北有渾州川，土沃衍。川尾曰橋子谷，寇出入之隘道。使部將狄青將萬餘人，築招安砦於谷旁，數募民耕種，收粟以贍軍。周美襲取承平砦，王信築龍安砦，悉復所亡地，築十一城。及開名、平戎道，通永和、烏仁關，更東西陣法為方陣，頗損益兵械。元昊遣李文貴齎野利旺榮書來送款，籍曰：「此詐也。」乃屯兵青澗城。後數月，果大寇定川，籍召文貴開諭之，遣去。既而元昊又以旺榮書來，會帝厭兵，因招懷之，遣籍報書，使呼旺榮為太尉。籍曰：「太尉三公，非陪臣所得稱，使旺榮當之，則元昊不得臣矣。今其書自稱『寧令』或『謨寧令』，皆其官名也，於義無嫌。」朝廷從之。

He was advanced to Direct Academician of the Dragon Diagram Hall and made prefect of Yanzhou; soon he was also made Director-General of the Yan and Yan Circuits, Pacification Commissioner, and Frontier Recruiting Commissioner. The following year he was made Observation Commissioner of Yanzhou; he strenuously declined, and was transferred to Left Remonstrating Grandee. Since Yuan Hao had taken Jinming, Chengping, Saimen, Anyuan, and Kaolao Stockade and broken through Wulongchuan, frontier commoners had been burned and plundered almost to extinction; when Ji arrived, he gradually repaired the damage. A hundred thousand garrison troops had no fortifications and were all scattered within the city; they feared Ji and none dared break the law. Northwest of Jinming was Hunzhou Stream, with rich and expansive soil. At the stream's end was Qiaozi Valley, a narrow passage by which the enemy came and went. He dispatched subordinate general Di Qing with more than ten thousand troops to build Zhao'an Stockade beside the valley, repeatedly recruited local farmers to cultivate the land, and used the harvest to provision the army. Zhou Mei seized Chengping Stockade by surprise, Wang Xin erected Long'an Stockade, and together they fully restored the lost territory and constructed eleven fortified towns. He also opened the Qingjian route and the Pingrong Road, connected Yonghe and Wuren Pass, replaced the east-west formation tactics with square formations, and substantially revised the army's weapons and equipment. Yuan Hao sent Li Wengui with a letter from Yeli Wangrong offering peace terms; Ji said, "This is a ruse." With that he concentrated troops at Qingjian City. Several months later the Tangut forces launched a major attack on Dingchuan as expected; Ji summoned Wengui, confronted him plainly, and dismissed him. Soon afterward Yuan Hao sent another letter via Wangrong; the emperor, weary of war, sought to conciliate the enemy and had Ji send a reply addressing Wangrong as Grand Commandant. Ji said, "Grand Commandant is one of the Three Dukes—not a title a tributary minister may claim. If Wangrong held it, Yuan Hao could no longer submit as a subject. In their letter he calls himself 'Ningling' or 'Moningling'—both official titles of his—and that raises no objection in principle." The court accepted his recommendation.

會敵新破涇原城砦，方議修復。使者往返，逾年，又遣賀從勖來，改名曰曩霄，稱男不稱臣。籍不敢聞，從勖曰：「子事父，猶臣事君也。若得至京師，天子不許，更歸議之。」籍送使者闕下，因陳便宜，言：「羌久不通和市，國人愁怨。今辭理寖順，必有改事中國之心，請遣使者申諭之。」朝廷採用其策。元昊既臣，召籍為樞密副使。籍言：「自陝西用兵，公私俱困，請並省官屬，退近塞之兵就食內地。」從之，於是頗省邊費。改參知政事，拜工部侍郎、樞密使，遷戶部，拜同中書門下平章事、昭文館大學士、監修國史。籍初入相，且獨員，而遽為昭文館大學士，出殊拜也。

At that time the enemy had just overrun the fortified towns of Jingyuan Circuit, and the court was debating how to rebuild them. After envoys traveled back and forth for over a year, He Congxu was dispatched again; Yuan Hao took the name Nangxiao and called himself 'son' instead of 'subject.' Ji hesitated to relay this to the throne; Congxu said, "A son serving his father is no different from a subject serving his sovereign. If we reach the capital and the emperor withholds approval, we can return and negotiate further." Ji escorted the envoy to the capital and submitted a memorial on practical measures, saying, "The Tangut people have long lacked border trade, and their populace is growing restless. Their rhetoric is growing more compliant, and they likely wish to change their stance toward the Middle Kingdom. I request that an envoy be sent to clarify our position." The court adopted his recommendation. After Yuan Hao submitted, Ji was recalled to the capital as Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Ji said, "Since the western campaigns began, both state and private resources have been drained. I ask that offices be consolidated and frontier garrisons be brought inland to draw their provisions from the interior." The emperor agreed, and frontier expenditures were substantially cut. He was made Vice Grand Councilor, appointed Vice Minister of Works and Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, transferred to the Ministry of Revenue, and elevated to Chief Councilor, Grand Academician of the Zhaowen Hall, and overseer of the national history. When Ji first became chief councilor he was the only appointee, yet was immediately made Grand Academician of the Zhaowen Hall—an extraordinary elevation.

儂智高反，師數不利，遣狄青為宣撫使。諫官韓絳謂武人不宜專任，帝以問籍。籍曰：「青起行伍，若以文臣副之，則號令不專，不如不遣。」詔嶺南諸軍，皆受青節度。既而捷書至，帝喜曰：「青破賊，卿之力也。」遂欲以青為樞密使、同平章事，籍力爭之，不聽。嶺南平，二廣舉人推恩者六百九十一人，論者以為過。

When Nong Zhigao rebelled and the army met repeated defeats, Di Qing was sent as Military Pacification Commissioner. Remonstrating official Han Jiang argued that a military man should not hold sole command; the emperor asked Ji for his opinion. Ji said, "Qing rose from the ranks. If civil officials were placed alongside him, command would be divided—it would be better not to send him at all." An edict placed all southern armies under Qing's command. When victory reports arrived, the emperor said joyfully, "Qing's defeat of the rebels is your achievement." The emperor then wanted to appoint Qing Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs and Chief Councilor; Ji fought the appointment strenuously, but the emperor would not heed him. After the south was pacified, six hundred ninety-one examination candidates from the two Guang circuits received preferential treatment; critics considered this excessive.

頃之，齊州學究皇甫淵以捕賊功，法當賞錢，數上書求用。道士趙清貺與籍姊家親，紿為淵白籍，乃與堂吏共受淵賂。小吏訴之，下開封府，捕清貺，刺配遠州，道死。韓絳言籍陰諷府杖殺清貺以滅口，覆之無狀。言不已，乃罷知鄆州。居數月，加觀文殿大學士。拜昭德軍節度使、知永興軍，改幷州。

Soon afterward, Qi Prefecture scholar Huangfu Yuan, entitled by law to a cash reward for capturing bandits, repeatedly petitioned for office. Daoist Zhao Qinggu was related by marriage to Ji's elder sister's family; he falsely claimed to speak for Yuan before Ji, and he and a clerk in Ji's office jointly accepted bribes from Yuan. A junior clerk reported the matter to Kaifeng Prefecture; Qinggu was arrested, tattooed and banished to a distant prefecture, and died on the way. Han Jiang charged that Ji had secretly urged the prefecture to beat Qinggu to death to silence him; a reinvestigation found no evidence. When Han would not let the matter drop, Ji was dismissed as prefect of Yanzhou. Several months later he was made Grand Academician of the Hall for Veneration of Culture. He was made Military Commissioner of Zhaode and prefect of Yongxing, then transferred to Bingzhou.

仁宗不豫，籍嘗密疏，請擇宗室之賢者為皇子，其言甚切。坐擅聽麟州築堡白草平，而州將武戡等為夏人所敗，復為觀文殿大學士、戶部侍郎、知青州。遷尚書左丞，不拜。徙定州，召還京師，上章告老，尋以太子太保致仕，封潁國公。薨，年七十六。時仁宗不豫，廢朝、臨奠皆不果，第遣使吊賻其家。贈司空，加侍中，諡莊敏。

When Emperor Renzong fell ill, Ji sent a secret memorial urging that a worthy member of the imperial clan be chosen as crown prince; his words were urgent and forceful. He was punished for improperly authorizing construction of a fort at Baicao Plain in Linzhou, where generals including Wu Kan were defeated by the Tangut forces; he was reduced to Grand Academician of the Hall for Veneration of Culture, Vice Minister of Revenue, and prefect of Qingzhou. He was promoted to Vice Director of the Left Department of the Ministry but declined the appointment. Transferred to Dingzhou and then recalled to the capital, he submitted a memorial requesting retirement and soon retired as Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent with the title Duke of Ying. He died at the age of seventy-six. The emperor was then ill; court sessions were suspended and no imperial condolence visit took place—only an envoy was sent with condolences and gifts to the family. He was posthumously made Minister of Works and Palace Attendant, with the posthumous name Zhuangmin.

籍曉律令，長於吏事。持法深峭，軍中有犯，或斷斬刳磔，或累笞至死，以故士卒畏服。治民頗有惠愛，及為相，聲望減於治郡時。子：元英，朝散大夫。孫：恭孫。

Ji was versed in laws and regulations and excelled in administrative matters. He enforced the law with brutal severity; in the army, offenders might be beheaded, dismembered, or flogged to death, and for this reason the soldiers feared and obeyed him. In governing the people he showed considerable kindness, but once he became chief councilor his standing fell below what it had been when he governed prefectures. His son Yuanying served as Attendant Gentleman for Dispersal. His grandson was Gongsun.

孫恭孫

Gongsun

恭孫，字德孺，以蔭，補通判施州。崇寧中，部蠻向文強叛，詔轉運使王蘧領州事致討，恭孫說降文強而斬之。蘧上其功，進三秩，知涪州，遂以開邊為己任。誘珍州駱文貴、承州駱世華納土，費不貲。轉運判官朱師古劾恭孫生事，詔黜師古而以恭孫代，於是溱、播、溪、思、費等州相繼降。每開一城，輒褒遷，五年間，至徽猷閣待制。威州守乞通保、霸二州，進恭孫直學士、知成都府，委以招納。未幾，其酋董舜咨、董彥博來納土，詔遣赴闕，皆拜承宣使，賜第京師，更名保州祺州、霸州享州，使恭孫進築之。言者論其貪縱，究治如章，謫保靜軍節度副使。才逾月，起知陳州，復待制，帥瀘州。又以築思州，進學士。前後在西南二十年，所得州縣，多張名簿，實瘠鹵不毛地，繕治轉餉，為蜀人病，無幾時皆廢。宣和中，卒。

Gongsun, styled Deru, entered office by hereditary privilege as vice-prefect of Shizhou. During the Chongning era the tribal chieftain Xiang Wenqiang rebelled; transit commissioner Wang Sui was ordered to take charge of the prefecture and suppress him; Gongsun persuaded Wenqiang to surrender and then had him executed. Sui reported the achievement; Gongsun was promoted three ranks and made prefect of Fuzhou, and from then on made frontier expansion his personal mission. He induced Luo Wengui of Zhenzhou and Luo Shihua of Chengzhou to submit their territories, at enormous cost. Transit deputy judge Zhu Shigu impeached Gongsun for stirring up trouble; the court dismissed Shigu and replaced him with Gongsun, and thereafter the prefectures of Qin, Bo, Xi, Si, and Fei surrendered one after another. Each time a city was opened he was commended and promoted; within five years he rose to Attendant Drafter of the Hall of Manifest Worthies. The prefect of Weizhou petitioned to open communication with Bao and Ba prefectures; Gongsun was made Direct Academician and prefect of Chengdu and entrusted with winning over the frontier tribes. Before long chieftains Dong Shunzi and Dong Yanbo submitted their territories; the court summoned them to the capital, made them Both Commissioner Heralds, and gave them residences in the capital; Bao Prefecture was renamed Qizhou and Ba Prefecture Xiangzhou, and Gongsun was ordered to advance construction. Critics charged him with greed and lax discipline; after investigation as prescribed he was demoted to deputy military commissioner of Baojing Circuit. Barely a month later he was reappointed prefect of Chenzhou, restored as Attendant Drafter, and made commander of Luzhou. He was again promoted to Academician for constructing Sizhou. Over twenty years in the southwest, many of the prefectures and counties he gained existed only on paper; the land was in fact barren and unproductive, and maintaining and supplying them became a grievance for the people of Shu—before long most were abandoned. He died during the Xuanhe era.

王隨，字子正，河南人。登進士甲科，為將作監丞、通判同州，遷秘書省著作郎、直史館、判三司磨勘司。為京西轉運副使，陛辭，且言曰：「臣父母家洛中，乃在所部，得奉湯藥，聖主之澤也。」真宗因賜詩寵行，以羊酒束帛令過家為壽。遷淮南轉運使，父憂，起復。時歲比飢，隨敕屬部出庫錢，貸民市種糧，歲中約輸絹以償，流庸多復業。徙河東轉運使，三遷刑部員外郎兼侍御史知雜事。擢知制誥，以不善制辭，出知應天府。一日，帝謂宰相曰：「隨治南京太寬。」王旦曰：「南京，都會之地，隨臨事汗漫，無以彈壓」。改知揚州。再加右諫議大夫、權知開封府。

Wang Sui, styled Zizheng, was a native of Henan. He passed the jinshi examination in the top category, served as Assistant Director of the Directorate of Palace Buildings and vice-prefect of Tongzhou, and was promoted to Drafting Gentleman of the Secretariat, Corrector in the Historiography Office, and judge of the Fiscal Audits Bureau. As deputy transit commissioner of the Jingxi Circuit, at his audience on departure he said, "My parents live in Luoyang, which falls within my jurisdiction, so I can attend to their medicine—this is the sovereign's grace." Emperor Zhenzong therefore bestowed a poem honoring his departure and sent wine, mutton, and silks so he could celebrate his parents' longevity when he passed through home. He was promoted to transit commissioner of Huainan; when his father died he was recalled from mourning to resume office. Famine struck year after year; Sui ordered subordinate prefectures to release treasury funds, lend the people money to buy seed grain, and collect silk in repayment by midyear; many displaced persons returned to their livelihoods. Transferred to transit commissioner of Hedong, he was thrice promoted to Outer Section Vice Director of the Ministry of Justice combined with Chief Censor for Miscellaneous Matters. He was selected as drafter of edicts but, being poor at drafting formal prose, was sent out as prefect of Yingtian Prefecture. One day the emperor told the chief councilor, "Sui governs southern Nanjing too leniently." Wang Dan said, "Southern Nanjing is a great metropolitan center; Sui is lax in handling affairs and cannot keep the populace in check." He was transferred to serve as prefect of Yangzhou. He was additionally appointed Right Remonstrating Grandee with provisional charge of Kaifeng Prefecture.

仁宗為太子，拜右庶子，仍領府事。周懷政誅，隨自陳嘗假懷政白金五十兩，奪知制誥，改給事中、知杭州。乾興初，復降秘書少監，徙通州。以州少學者，徙孔子廟，起學舍，州人喜，遣子弟就學。母喪，起復光祿卿、知潤州，徙江寧府。歲大飢，轉運使移府發常平倉米，計口日給一升，隨置不聽，曰：「民所以飢者，由兼併閉糴，以邀高價也。」乃大出官粟，平其價。

When Renzong was crown prince, Sui was made Right Mentor of the Heir Apparent while continuing to run the prefecture. After Zhou Huaizheng was executed, Sui voluntarily reported having borrowed fifty taels of silver from him; he was stripped of his draftership and made Supervising Censor and prefect of Hangzhou. At the start of the Qianxing era he was demoted again to Vice Director of the Secretariat and transferred to Tongzhou. Because the prefecture had few scholars, he relocated the Confucian temple, built schoolhouses, and the people rejoiced and sent their sons to study. When his mother died he was recalled from mourning as Director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments and prefect of Runzhou, then transferred to Jiangning Prefecture. During a severe famine the transit commissioner ordered the prefecture to release ever-normal granary rice at one sheng per person per day; Sui refused, saying, "The people are hungry because magnates hoard grain and shut off sales to force prices up." Instead he released a large quantity of government grain and stabilized the market price.

復給事中，為龍圖閣直學士、知秦州。秦卒有負罪逃入蕃部者，戎人輒奴畜之，小不如意，復執出求賞，前此坐法多死。隨下教能自歸者免死，聽復隸軍籍，由是多來歸者。又建請增蕃落卒，給廢陷馬地，募民耕種。坐事，徙河南府。入為御史中丞，同知禮部貢舉，遷尚書禮部侍郎、翰林侍讀學士。

Restored to Supervising Censor, he was made Direct Academician of the Dragon Diagram Hall and prefect of Qinzhou. Qinzhou soldiers who fled into tribal areas after committing crimes were often kept as slaves by the tribes; if displeased even slightly, the tribes would hand them back to claim rewards, and many had previously been executed under the law. Sui issued an order that those who surrendered voluntarily would be spared death and allowed to rejoin the army rolls, and many returned as a result. He also proposed increasing tribal frontier troops, granting abandoned lands lost to the enemy, and recruiting farmers to cultivate them. Punished for an offense, he was transferred to Henan Prefecture. He returned to the capital as Censor-in-Chief, jointly supervised the Ministry of Rites examination, and was promoted to Vice Minister of Rites and Hanlin Attendant Reader.

明道中，為江淮安撫使，還拜戶部侍郎、參知政事，請與同列日獻前代名臣規諫一事。議者謂非輔弼之職，其事遂寢。加吏部侍郎、知樞密院事，為莊惠皇太后園陵監護使，拜門下侍郎、同中書門下平章事、昭文館大學士、監修國史。自薛居正後，故事，初相無越遷門下侍郎者，學士丁度之失也。

In the Mingdao era he served as Pacification Commissioner of the Jiang-Huai region; on returning he was made Vice Minister of Revenue and Vice Grand Councilor, and asked that he and his colleagues submit one case of remonstrance from famous ministers of past dynasties each day. Critics said this was not the duty of chief councillors, and the proposal was dropped. He was promoted to Vice Minister of Personnel and Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, made Supervisor of the tomb of Empress Dowager Zhuanghui, and appointed Vice Chief Councilor, Grand Academician of the Zhaowen Hall, and overseer of the national history. Since Xue Juzheng, precedent held that a new chief councilor should not skip directly to Vice Chief Councilor through the Menxia office—a lapse that began with Academician Ding Du.

隨外若方嚴，而治失於寬。晚更卞急，輒嫚罵人。性喜佛，慕裴休之為人，然風跡弗逮也。

Outwardly Sui appeared upright and strict, yet in governing he erred on the side of leniency. In his later years he grew more short-tempered and would casually revile people. He loved Buddhism by nature and admired Pei Xiu's way of life, yet his conduct fell short of Pei's.

章得象

Zhang Dexiang.

章得象，字希言，世居泉州。高祖仔鈞，事閩為建州刺史，遂家浦城。得象母方娠，夢登山，遇神人授以玉象，及生，父奐復夢家庭積笏如山。長而好學，美姿表，為人莊重。進士及第，為大理評事、知玉山縣，遷本寺丞。

Zhang Dexiang, styled Xiyan, was a native of Quanzhou for generations. His great-grandfather Zaijun served the Min regime as prefect of Jianzhou, and the family then settled in Pucheng. While Dexiang's mother was pregnant she dreamed of climbing a mountain and meeting a deity who gave her a jade elephant; when he was born, his father Huan dreamed that the family courtyard was piled with official tablets like a mountain. As he grew up he loved learning, was handsome in appearance, and carried himself with dignity. He passed the jinshi examination, served as Evaluator of the Court of Judicial Review and magistrate of Yushan County, and was promoted to Assistant Director of the same court.

真宗將東封泰山，以殿中丞簽書兗州觀察判官事，知台州，歷南雄州，徙洪州。楊億以為有公輔器，薦之。或問之，億曰：「閩士輕狹，而章公深厚有容，此其貴也。」得象嘗與億戲博李宗諤家，一夕負錢三十萬，而酣寢自如。他日博勝，得宗諤金一奩；數日博又負，即反奩與宗諤，封識未嘗發也。其度量宏廓如此。

When Emperor Zhenzong was preparing the eastern feng rites at Mount Tai, Dexiang was appointed attached secretary and signing commissioner of observation and administration for Yanzhou, then served as prefect of Taizhou, held office at Nanxiongzhou, and was transferred to Hongzhou. Yang Yi judged him fit for the highest office and put his name forward. When someone asked why, Yi replied: "Scholars from Min tend to be shallow and petty, but Duke Zhang is steady and broad-minded—that is what will carry him to the top." Dexiang once gambled with Yi at Li Zong'e's house and lost three hundred thousand cash in a single night, yet slept deeply and untroubled. On another occasion he won and took a gold casket from Zong'e; A few days later he lost again and at once returned the casket to Zong'e without ever having broken the seal. Such was the largeness of his temperament.

未幾，召試，為直史館、安撫京東，權三司度支判官，累遷尚書刑部郎中，使契丹，遂以兵部郎中知制誥。逾年，為翰林學士，遷右諫議大夫，以給事中為群牧使，遷禮部侍郎兼龍圖閣學士，進承旨兼侍講學士，擢同知樞密院事，遷戶部侍郎，遂拜同中書門下平章事、集賢殿大學士。帝謂得象曰：「向者太后臨朝，群臣邪正，朕皆默識之。卿清忠無所附，且未嘗有所干請，今日用卿，職此也。」

Soon afterward he was summoned for examination, made a direct historian, appointed pacification commissioner for the eastern capital region, and given acting charge of revenue affairs in the Three Bureaus. He rose through repeated promotions to aide in the Bureau of Punishments, served as envoy to the Khitan, and was then appointed grand secretary with the rank of aide in the Bureau of War. A year later he entered the Hanlin Academy, rose to right remonstrance councillor, served as commissioner of pasturage administration while holding the post of supervisor of the censorate, became vice minister of rites and an academician of the Hall of Dragon Diagrams, advanced to senior academician and lecturing academician, was elevated to vice commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, promoted to vice minister of revenue, and finally appointed grand councillor and grand academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies. The Emperor told Dexiang: "While the Empress Dowager ruled from behind the screen, I kept silent tally of who among the ministers was loyal and who was not. You are honest, loyal, and beholden to no clique, and you have never come to me with private requests. That is why I am elevating you now."

陝西用兵，加中書侍郎兼工部尚書兼樞密使，辭所加官。明年，以工部尚書為昭文館大學士。慶歷五年，拜鎮安軍節度使、同平章事，封郇國公，徙判河南府，守司空致仕，薨。故事，致仕官乘輿不臨奠，帝特往焉。贈太尉兼侍中，諡文憲。皇祐中，改諡文簡。

When war broke out in Shaanxi, he was offered the additional posts of vice director of the Secretariat, minister of works, and commissioner of military affairs, but declined the extra titles. The following year he was made grand academician of the Hall of Broad Culture while retaining the title of minister of works. In the fifth year of the Qingli era he was appointed military commissioner of Zhen'an Army and concurrent grand councillor, enfeoffed as Duke of Xun, transferred to administer Henan Prefecture, retired with the honorary rank of minister of works, and died. Custom held that the emperor did not attend the funerals of retired officials, but on this occasion he went himself. He was posthumously honored as grand commander and palace attendant, with the posthumous name Wenxian. In the Huangyou era his posthumous name was revised to Wenjian.

得象在翰林十二年，章獻太后臨朝，宦官方熾，太后每遣內侍至學士院，得象必正色待之，或不交一言。在中書凡八年，宗黨親戚，一切抑而不進。仁宗銳意天下事，進用韓琦、范仲淹、富弼，使同得象經畫當世急務，得象無所建明，御史孫抗數言之，得象居位自若。既而章十上請罷，帝不得已，許之。初，閩人謠曰：「南臺江合出宰相。」至得象相時，沙涌可涉云。

Dexiang spent twelve years in the Hanlin Academy. Under Empress Dowager Zhangxian, eunuch power was at its peak, and whenever she sent palace attendants to the academy, Dexiang met them with cold formality and sometimes refused to speak at all. Throughout his eight years in the chief secretariat he blocked every kinsman and relation from promotion. Emperor Renzong threw himself into governing the realm and elevated Han Qi, Fan Zhongyan, and Fu Bi, setting them with Dexiang to chart the urgent business of the day. Dexiang contributed nothing. Censor Sun Kang raised the point again and again, but Dexiang sat in office unruffled. He eventually submitted ten memorials asking to be relieved; the Emperor, left no choice, consented. Long before, the people of Min had a saying: "When the Nantai River flows together, a chief minister will appear." By the time Dexiang reached the chief ministership, it was said, one could wade across the sandbanks where the rivers met.

論曰：殊、籍、隨、得象皆起孤生，致位宰相。籍通曉法令，隨練習民事，皆能用其所長。然籍終至絀免，隨數遭譴斥，何其才之難得也。得象渾厚有容，殊喜薦拔人物，樂善不倦，方之諸人，殊其最優乎！

The historians observe: Shu, Ji, Sui, and Dexiang all rose from humble, isolated origins to the chief ministership. Ji mastered law and regulation; Sui was seasoned in civil affairs—each put his particular gifts to use. Yet Ji ended in demotion and removal, and Sui was rebuked and cast out again and again—how difficult it is to keep such talent in place! Dexiang was steady and broad-minded; Shu loved discovering and promoting talent and never tired of doing good. Among them all, was Shu not the best?

呂夷簡

Lu Yijian

呂夷簡，字坦夫，先世萊州人。祖龜祥知壽州，子孫遂為壽州人。夷簡進士及第，補絳州軍事推官，稍遷大理寺丞。祥符中，試材識兼茂明於體用科，或言六科所以求闕政，今封禪告成，何闕政之求，罷之。通判通州，徙濠州，再遷太常博士。

Lu Yijian, styled Tanfu, came from a Laizhou family. His grandfather Guixiang governed Shouzhou, and from then on the family counted itself among the people of that prefecture. Yijian passed the jinshi examination, took up a military administrative post in Jiangzhou, and was gradually promoted to vice director in the Court of Judicial Review. In the Xiangfu era he was tested in the special "Abundant Talent, Clear in Substance and Use" category. Critics argued that the six special examinations existed to expose flaws in government, and that with the feng and shan rites already completed there was nothing left to expose—so the category was abolished. He served as vice prefect of Tongzhou, was moved to Haozhou, and was later promoted to erudite in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

河北水，選知濱州。代還奏：「農器有算，非所以勸力本也。」遂詔天下農器皆勿算。擢提點兩浙刑獄，遷尚書祠部員外郎。時京師大建宮觀，伐材木於南方。有司責期會，工徒至有死者，誣以亡命，收繫妻子。夷簡請緩其役，從之。又言：「盛冬挽運艱苦，須河流漸通，以卒番送。」真宗曰：「觀卿奏，有為國愛民之心矣。」擢刑部員外郎兼侍御史知雜事。

After floods struck Hebei, he was chosen to govern Binzhou. When his tour of duty ended and he returned to court, he memorialized: "Taxing farm tools is no way to encourage people to work the land." An edict followed exempting farm implements from taxation throughout the realm. He was promoted to judicial intendant for the two Zhe circuits and then to assistant director in the Bureau of Shrines. The capital was then in the midst of a vast building campaign of palaces and temples, and timber was being cut in the south. Officials pressed hard for deadlines; some laborers died. They were falsely accused of desertion, and their wives and children were seized and imprisoned. Yijian asked that the labor be eased, and the court agreed. He added: "Hauling timber in the depths of winter is brutal. Wait until the rivers open, then rotate soldiers to relay the loads downstream." Emperor Zhenzong said: "From your memorial I can see a heart that serves the state and cares for the people." He was promoted to assistant director in the Bureau of Punishments and given concurrent charge of mixed censorial affairs.

蜀賊李順叛，執送闕下，左右稱賀。既而屬御史臺按之，非是，賀者趣具順獄，夷簡曰：「是可欺朝廷邪？」卒以實奏，忤大臣意。歲蝗旱，夷簡請責躬修政，嚴飭輔相，思所以共順天意；及奏彈李溥專利罔上。寇準判永興，黥有罪者徙湖南，道由京師，上準變事。夷簡曰：「準治下急，是欲中傷準爾，宜勿問，益徙之遠方。」從之。趙安仁為御史中丞，夷簡以親嫌，改起居舍人、同勾當通進司兼銀臺封駁事。使契丹，還，知制誥。兩川飢，為安撫使，進龍圖閣直學士，再遷刑部郎中、權知開封府。治嚴辦有聲，帝識姓名於屏風，將大用之。

When the Sichuan rebel Li Shun rose in revolt, a captive was brought to the capital and the courtiers around the emperor broke into congratulation. The censorate was then ordered to investigate and found the man was not Li Shun. Those who had celebrated pressed to close Li Shun's case anyway. Yijian said: "Are we to deceive the throne?" He reported the truth in the end, to the displeasure of a senior minister. In a year of locusts and drought, Yijian urged the emperor to examine his own conduct, tighten discipline among the chief ministers, and seek ways together to align with Heaven's intent; and he also impeached Li Po for hoarding profit and misleading the throne. While Kou Zhun was administering Yongxing, he tattooed and exiled a convict to Hunan. When the man passed through the capital, someone reported that Kou Zhun was plotting treason. Yijian said: "Kou Zhun runs a tight hand. This is simply an attempt to ruin him. Do not pursue it; send the man even farther into exile instead." The court followed his advice. When Zhao Anren became imperial censor-in-chief, Yijian was moved to diarist in the palace secretariat because of a family connection, and given concurrent charge of document transmission and memorial review at the Silver Terrace. After serving as envoy to the Khitan, he returned and was appointed grand secretary. When famine struck the two Chuan circuits, he was made pacification commissioner, promoted to direct academician of the Hall of Dragon Diagrams, and later rose to aide in the Bureau of Punishments with acting charge of Kaifeng Prefecture. His administration was rigorous and won wide notice; the emperor wrote his name on a folding screen, intending to promote him to high office.

天聖末，加中書侍郎。章懿太后為順容，薨，宮中未治喪，夷簡朝奏事，因曰：「聞有宮嬪亡者。」太后矍然曰：「宰相亦預宮中事邪？」引帝偕起。有頃獨出，曰：「卿何間我母子也？」夷簡曰：「太后他日不欲全劉氏乎？」太后意稍解。有司希太后旨，言歲月葬未利。夷簡請發哀成服，備儀仗葬之。

Near the end of the Tiansheng era he was made vice director of the Secretariat. Empress Zhangyi, formerly an honored consort, had died, but the palace had not yet begun mourning rites. At court Yijian reported on business and added, "I have heard that a palace lady has passed away." The empress dowager started and said, "Does the chief minister now meddle in palace affairs too?" She took the emperor by the hand and rose with him. A moment later she came out alone and said, "Why do you drive a wedge between mother and son?" Yijian replied, "Does Your Majesty not wish, in days to come, to preserve the Liu house whole?" The empress dowager's anger eased a little. The officials, eager to please the empress dowager, claimed the calendar offered no auspicious day for burial. Yijian asked that public mourning be declared, that the court don full mourning garments, and that she be buried with full ceremonial escort.

大內火，百官晨朝，而宮門不開。輔臣請對，帝御拱辰門，百官拜樓下，夷簡獨不拜。帝使人問其故，曰：「宮庭有變，群臣願一望清光。」帝舉簾見之，乃拜。詔以為修大內使。內成，進尚書右僕射兼門下侍郎，辭僕射，乃兼吏部尚書。

Fire broke out in the inner palace. The officials arrived for the morning audience, but the palace gates remained shut. The chief ministers asked for an audience. The emperor appeared at the Gongchen Gate; the officials bowed from below the tower, but Yijian alone refused to bow. The emperor sent someone to ask why. Yijian said, "There has been trouble in the palace. The ministers beg only to see Your Majesty's face." The emperor lifted the curtain and showed himself; only then did Yijian bow. An edict made him commissioner for rebuilding the inner palace. When the inner palace was finished, he was promoted to right vice director of the Department of State Affairs and concurrent vice director of the Chancellery. He declined the vice directorship and accepted concurrent appointment as minister of personnel instead.

初，荊王子養禁中，既長，夷簡請出之。太后欲留使從帝誦讀，夷簡曰：「上富春秋，所親非儒學之臣，恐無益聖德。」即日命還邸中。太后崩，帝始親政事，夷簡手疏陳八事，曰：正朝綱，塞邪徑，禁貨賂，辨佞壬，絕女謁，疏近習，罷力役，節冗費。其勸帝語甚切。

Earlier the Prince of Jing's son had been raised inside the palace. Once he came of age, Yijian asked that he be sent out. The empress dowager wanted to keep him to attend the emperor in study. Yijian said, "Your Majesty is still young. Those close to you are not scholars of the classics, and I fear that will do your virtue no good." That same day an order sent him back to his own residence. After the empress dowager died, the emperor at last took up government himself. Yijian submitted a handwritten memorial listing eight reforms: restore court discipline, close corrupt channels, forbid bribery, distinguish flatterers, cut off women's petitions at court, keep favored intimates at arm's length, end forced labor, and trim wasteful spending. His counsel to the emperor was blunt and urgent.

帝始與夷簡謀，以張耆、夏竦皆太后所任用者也，悉罷之，退告郭皇后。后曰：「夷簡獨不附太后邪？但多機巧、善應變耳。」由是夷簡亦罷為武勝軍節度使、檢校太傅、同中書門下平章事、判陳州。及宣制，夷簡方押班，聞唱名，大駭，不知其故。而夷簡素厚內侍副都知閻文應，因使為中詗，久之，乃知事由皇后也。歲中而夷簡復相。初，劉渙上疏請太后還政，太后怒，使投嶺外，屬太后疾革，夷簡請留之。至是，渙以前疏自言，帝擢渙右正言，顧謂夷簡：「向者樞密院亟欲投渙，賴卿以免。」夷簡謝，因曰：「渙由疏外故敢言，大臣或及此，則太后必疑風旨自陛下，使子母不相安矣。」帝以夷簡為忠。郭后以怒尚美人，批其頰，誤傷帝頸。帝以爪痕示執政大臣，夷簡以前罷相故，遂主廢后議。仁宗疑之，夷簡曰：「光武，漢之明主也，郭后止以怨懟坐廢，況傷陛下頸乎？」夷簡將廢后，先敕有司，無得受臺諫章奏。於是御史中丞孔道輔、右司諫范仲淹率臺諫詣閤門請對，有旨令臺諫詣中書，夷簡乃貶出道輔等，后遂廢。宗室子益眾，為置大宗正糾率，增教授員。加右僕射，封申國公。

The emperor first plotted with Yijian to dismiss Zhang Qi and Xia Song, both appointees of the empress dowager, and afterward told Empress Guo. The empress said, "Do you think Yijian alone stood apart from the empress dowager? He is simply clever and good at shifting with the moment." On that account Yijian was dismissed as well and made military commissioner of Wusheng Army, acting grand tutor, concurrent grand councillor, and administrator of Chenzhou. When the edict was read out, Yijian was still leading the court in formation. Hearing his own name called, he was stunned and had no idea why. Yijian had long been close to Yan Wenying, deputy director of inner attendants, and sent him to inquire inside the palace. Only after some time did he learn that the empress was behind it. Within the year Yijian was back in the chief ministership. Earlier Liu Huan had memorialized asking the empress dowager to return power to the emperor. She was furious and had him sent beyond the passes. When her illness turned grave, Yijian asked that Liu be kept from exile. Now Huan spoke up about his old memorial, and the emperor promoted him to right rectifier. Turning to Yijian, he said, "The Bureau of Military Affairs was ready to banish Liu Huan. It was thanks to you that he was spared." Yijian thanked him and added, "Huan spoke because he was far from court. Had a chief minister said the same, the empress dowager would have suspected the words came from you, and peace between mother and son would have been impossible." The emperor took this as proof of Yijian's loyalty. In anger at the Honored Beauty Shang, Empress Guo struck her on the cheek and accidentally scratched the emperor's neck. The emperor showed the scratch to the chief ministers. Because Yijian had once been removed from office himself, he now led the push to depose the empress. Emperor Renzong hesitated. Yijian said, "Emperor Guangwu of Han was an enlightened ruler, yet he deposed Empress Guo merely for resentment and complaint. How much more when she has injured Your Majesty's neck?" As Yijian moved to depose the empress, he first ordered the relevant offices not to accept memorials from the censorate and remonstrance officials. Imperial censor-in-chief Kong Daofu and right remonstrance official Fan Zhongyan then led the censorate and remonstrance corps to the Gate of Audience to request an audience. An edict sent them instead to the Secretariat, where Yijian demoted and expelled Daofu and the rest. The empress was deposed. As the imperial clansmen multiplied, a chief overseer of the imperial clan was appointed to keep order, and more instructors were added. He was made right vice director and enfeoffed as Duke of Shen.

王曾與夷簡數爭事，不平，曾斥夷簡納賂市恩。夷簡乞置對，帝問曾，曾語屈，於是二人皆罷。夷簡以鎮安軍節度使、同平章事判許州，徙天雄軍。未幾，以右僕射復入相，逾年，進位司空，辭不拜，徙許國公。時方飭兵備，以判樞密院事，而諫官田況言總判名太重，改兼樞密使。

Wang Zeng quarreled with Yijian repeatedly and grew resentful; he accused Yijian of taking bribes and trading favors. Yijian asked for a direct confrontation before the throne. The emperor questioned Wang Zeng, whose answers faltered, and both men were dismissed. Yijian was sent out as military commissioner of Zhen'an Army and concurrent grand councillor administering Xuzhou, then transferred to Tianxiong Army. Before long he returned to the chief ministership as right vice director. A year later he was offered minister of works; he declined the appointment and was made Duke of Xu instead. The court was then tightening military readiness and gave him overall charge of the Bureau of Military Affairs, but remonstrance official Tian Kuang argued the title was too grand, so he was made concurrent commissioner of military affairs instead.

契丹聚兵幽薊，聲言將入寇，議者請城洛陽。夷簡謂：「契丹畏壯侮怯，遽城洛陽，亡以示威，景德之役，非乘輿濟河，則契丹未易服也。宜建都大名，示將親征以伐其謀。」或曰：「此虛聲爾，不若修洛陽。」夷簡曰：「此子囊城郢計也。使契丹得渡河，雖高城深池，何可恃耶？」乃建北京。

The Khitan massed troops around You and Ji and declared they would invade. Some at court proposed fortifying Luoyang. Yijian said, "The Khitan respect strength and despise weakness. Rushing to fortify Luoyang would show no sign of resolve. In the Jingde campaign, had the emperor not crossed the river in person, the Khitan would never have submitted so readily. We should make Daming our capital and signal that the emperor intends to lead the campaign in person, thereby foiling their plans." Someone objected, "That would be empty bluster. It would be better to fortify Luoyang." Yijian replied, "That is the same stratagem as when Zinang walled in Ying. If we let the Khitan cross the river, no high walls or deep moats will save us." The Northern Capital was then established.

未幾，感風眩，詔拜司空、平章軍國重事，疾稍間，命數日一至中書，裁決可否。夷簡力辭，復降手詔曰：「古謂髭可療疾，今翦以賜卿。」三年春，帝御延和殿召見，敕乘馬至殿門，命內侍取兀子輿以前。夷簡引避久之，詔給扶毋拜。乃授司徒、監修國史，軍國大事與中書、樞密同議。固請老，以太尉致仕，朝朔望。既薨，帝見群臣，涕下，曰：「安得憂國忘身如夷簡者！」贈太師、中書令，諡文靖。

Before long he was stricken with vertigo. An edict made him minister of works and grand councillor for state and military affairs. When he improved slightly, he was ordered to visit the Secretariat every few days to pass judgment on pending affairs. Yijian strongly declined. The emperor then sent a personal note: "The ancients held that a beard could cure illness. I have had mine trimmed and am sending it to you." In the spring of the third year the emperor received him in the Yanhe Hall, ordered him to ride as far as the hall gate, and had attendants bring a sedan chair to carry him the rest of the way. Yijian long refused to approach. An edict granted him attendants to lean on and excused him from bowing. He was then made minister over the masses and supervisor of the national history, with major state and military affairs to be decided jointly with the Secretariat and the Bureau of Military Affairs. He pressed hard for retirement and was granted it as minister of war, with permission to attend court on the first and fifteenth of each month. After his death, facing the assembled ministers, the emperor wept and said, "Where will we find another who cares for the realm and forgets himself as Yijian did?" He was posthumously made grand preceptor and director of the Secretariat, with the posthumous name Wenjing.

自仁宗初立，太后臨朝十餘年，天下晏然，夷簡之力為多。其後元昊反，四方久不用兵，師出數敗；契丹乘之，遣使求關南地。頗賴夷簡計畫，選一時名臣報使契丹、經略西夏，二邊以寧。然建募萬勝軍，雜市井小人，浮脆不任戰鬥。用宗室補環衛官，驟增奉賜，又加遺契丹歲繒金二十萬，當時不深計之，其後費大而不可止。郭后廢，孔道輔等伏閤進諫，而夷簡謂伏閤非太平事，且逐道輔。其後范仲淹屢言事，獻《百官圖》論遷除之敝，夷簡指為狂肆，斥於外。時論以此少之。

From the start of Emperor Renzong's reign, while the empress dowager governed for more than ten years and the realm stayed at peace, Yijian's role was large. Later, when Yuan Hao rebelled, the empire had long gone without war, and the armies sent against him were repeatedly defeated. The Khitan took advantage of the crisis and sent envoys demanding the territory south of the pass. The court relied heavily on Yijian's plans, appointing leading ministers as envoys to the Khitan and as frontier commissioners against Western Xia until both borders were quiet again. Yet he also created the Wansheng Army, filled with market-town riffraff—men too soft and undisciplined to fight. He filled palace guard posts with imperial clansmen, sharply increasing stipends, and added two hundred thousand in annual silk tribute to the Khitan. The court did not weigh the long-term cost; later the burden grew and could not be undone. When Empress Guo was deposed, Kong Daofu and others lay across the gate corridor to remonstrate, but Yijian called such protests unbecoming of a peaceful age and had Daofu exiled. Later Fan Zhongyan repeatedly remonstrated and submitted his "Chart of the Hundred Officials" on abuses in appointments; Yijian branded him arrogant and reckless and sent him away from court. Contemporary opinion thought less of him for this.

夷簡當國柄最久，雖數為言者所詆，帝眷倚不衰。然所斥士，旋復收用，亦不終廢。其於天下事，屈伸舒卷，動有操術。後配食仁宗廟，為世名相。始，王旦奇夷簡，謂王曾曰：「君其善交之。」卒與曾並相。後曾家請御篆墓碑，帝因慘然思夷簡，書「懷忠之碑」四字以賜之。有集二十卷。

Yijian held power longer than anyone, and though critics attacked him repeatedly, the emperor's trust never faded. Yet those he dismissed were usually brought back into service and were not permanently ruined. In state affairs he knew when to press and when to yield, and always acted by design. He was later enshrined in sacrifice at Emperor Renzong's temple and came to be regarded as one of the great ministers of the age. Early on Wang Dan saw something exceptional in Yijian and told Wang Zeng, "You would do well to befriend him." In the end he served as chief minister alongside Wang Zeng. Later, when Wang Zeng's family asked for an imperial inscription for his tomb stele, the emperor, thinking mournfully of Yijian, wrote the four characters "Stele of Cherished Loyalty" and bestowed them. His collected writings ran to twenty juan.

子：公綽、公弼、公著、公孺。公著自有傳。

His sons were Gongchuo, Gongbi, Gongzhuo, and Gongru. Gongzhuo has his own biography.

子公綽

His son Gongchuo

公綽，字仲裕，蔭補將作監丞、知陳留縣。天聖中，為館閣對讀。召試，直集賢院，辭，改校理，遷太子中允。夷簡罷相，復為直集賢院、同管勾國子監，出知鄭州。嘗問民疾苦，父老曰：「官籍民產，第賦役重輕，至不敢多畜牛，田疇久蕪穢。」公綽為奏之，自是牛不入籍。還判吏部南曹，累遷太常博士、同判太常寺。請復太醫局，及請設令、丞、府史如天官醫師。鈞容直假太常旌纛、羽籥，為優人戲，公綽執不可，遂罷之。糾察在京刑獄。虎翼卒劉慶告變，下吏案驗，乃慶始謀，眾不從，慶反誣眾以邀賞。因言：「京師衛兵百萬，不痛懲之，則眾心搖。」遂斬慶以徇。遷尚書工部員外郎，為史館修撰。

Gongchuo, styled Zhongyu, entered office through yin privilege as assistant director of the Directorate of Palace Buildings and magistrate of Chenliu County. During the Tiansheng era he served as a collation reader in the palace library institutes. Summoned for examination, he was made a direct scholar in the Hall of Assembled Worthies, declined the post, became a collator instead, and was promoted to palace secretary. When Yijian left office, Gongchuo again became a direct scholar in the Hall of Assembled Worthies and concurrent overseer of the Directorate of Education, then was posted as prefect of Zhengzhou. Once he asked the people about their hardships, and the elders replied, "Because the government registers household property and grades families for tax and corvée, people dare not keep many oxen, and fields lie long untilled and overgrown." Gongchuo memorialized the problem, and from then on oxen were no longer entered in household registers. Back at court he supervised the southern bureau of the Ministry of Personnel, then rose to erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and concurrent vice-director of that court. He asked that the Medical Service be restored and that it be given a director, deputy, and clerks modeled on the physician offices of old. The Junrong Guard had been borrowing ritual banners and feathered pipes from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices for entertainers to use in comic performances. Gongchuo objected firmly, and the practice was abolished. He was charged with inspecting criminal cases in the capital. A Tiger-Wing guardsman named Liu Qing reported a mutiny. Investigation showed Qing had plotted it himself, others had refused to follow, and he then falsely accused them to claim a reward. He argued, "There are a hundred thousand capital guards. Unless this is punished severely, morale will waver." Qing was then beheaded to warn the rest. He was promoted to vice director in the Ministry of Works and made a historiographer in the Historiography Office.

時夷簡雖謝事，猶領國史，公綽辭修撰。夷簡薨，還兵部員外郎，復為修撰。服除，復同判太常寺兼提舉修祭器。公綽以郊廟祭器未完，制度多違禮，請悉更造。故事，薦新諸物，禮官議定乃薦，或後時陳敗。公綽採《月令》諸書，以四時新物及所當薦者，配合為圖。又以歲大、中、小祠凡六十一，禘祫二，祼獻興俯，玉帛尊彝，菁茆醓醢，鐘石歌奏，集為《郊祀總儀》上之。又言：「古者，天地、宗廟、日月、五方、百神之祀，咸有尊罍，五齊三酒，分實其中，加明水、明酒，以達陰陽之氣。今有司徒設尊罍，而酌用一尊，非禮神之意。宜按《周禮》實齊酒，取火於日，取水於月，因天地之潔氣。」又言：「祖宗配郊，當正位，今側鄉之，非所以示尊嚴也。」初，諡諸后，皆繫祖宗諡，而真宗五后獨曰「莊」。公綽曰：「婦人從夫之諡，真宗諡章聖，而后曰『莊』，非禮也，願更為『章』。」多施行之。

Though Yijian had retired, he still headed the national history, and Gongchuo declined the historiographer post. After Yijian's death he returned as vice director in the Ministry of War and again served as historiographer. When his mourning ended, he again served as vice-director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and commissioner for repairing ritual vessels. Gongchuo argued that suburban and temple ritual vessels were incomplete and that current practice often violated ritual propriety, and he asked that everything be remade. Under established practice, offerings of seasonal fresh produce had to be settled by ritual officials before presentation, and items were often offered late or past their prime. Drawing on the Monthly Ordinances and similar texts, Gongchuo matched seasonal produce with the proper offerings and laid them out in charts. He also gathered the year's major, intermediate, and minor sacrifices—sixty-one in all—as well as the di and xia rites, with their libations, bowings, jades, silks, vessels, condiments, bells, stones, and choral parts, and submitted them as General Rites for Suburban Sacrifice. He also argued, "In antiquity sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, the ancestral temple, sun and moon, the five directions, and the hundred spirits each had ritual goblets, with the five prepared wines and three sacrificial wines apportioned among them and clear water and clear wine added to convey the forces of yin and yang. Today the minister of education sets out ritual goblets but uses only one in libation. That does not honor the spirits as ritual requires. We should follow the Rites of Zhou, fill the prepared wines, take fire from the sun and water from the moon, and thereby draw on the pure powers of Heaven and Earth." He also argued, "When the imperial ancestors accompany the suburban sacrifice, they should take the central place. Placing them off to one side does not show the dignity due them." At first posthumous titles for empresses were linked to the emperor's posthumous title, yet among Emperor Zhenzong's five consorts only one was given the character Zhuang. Gongchuo said, "A consort's posthumous title should follow her husband's. Emperor Zhenzong's title includes Zhangsheng, yet she is called Zhuang. That is unritual. I ask that it be changed to Zhang." Many of his recommendations were adopted.

歷知制誥、龍圖閣直學士、集賢殿修撰、知永興軍，改樞密直學士、知秦州。安遠砦、古渭州諸羌來獻地，公綽顧其屬曰：「天下之大，豈利區落尺寸地以為廣邪？」卻之。弓箭手馬多闕，公綽諭諸砦戶為三等，凡十丁為社，至秋成，募出金帛市馬，馬少，則先後給之。祀明堂，遷刑部郎中，召為龍圖閣學士、權知開封府。歲餘，願罷府事，進翰林侍讀學士、知審刑院兼判太常寺。

He served successively as drafter of edicts, direct academician of the Hall of Dragon Designs, compiler in the Hall of Assembled Worthies, and prefect of Yongxing Army, then became direct academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs and prefect of Qinzhou. When the Qiang of Anyuan Stockade and ancient Weizhou came offering land, Gongchuo turned to his staff and said, "The realm is vast. How could we seek greatness by grabbing a little tribal land?" He refused the offer. Archers and crossbowmen lacked horses. Gongchuo organized stockade households into three grades, with every ten able-bodied men forming a community. At harvest they contributed money and silk to buy horses, allotting them in order when supplies were limited. During the Bright Hall sacrifice he was promoted to director in the Ministry of Justice and summoned to serve as academician of the Hall of Dragon Designs and acting prefect of Kaifeng. After a little more than a year he asked to leave the prefecture and was made Hanlin attendant reader, put in charge of the Court for Review of Punishments, and given concurrent duty in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

初，公綽在開封府，宰相龐籍外屬道士趙清貺受賂，杖脊道死。至是，御史以為公綽受籍旨，杖殺清貺以滅口，左遷龍圖閣學士、知徐州。方杖清貺時，實非公綽所臨。頃之，公綽亦自辨，復侍讀學士，徙河陽，留侍經筵。時久不雨，帝顧問：「何以致雨？」曰：「獄久不決，即有冤者，故多旱。」帝親慮囚，已而大雨。遷右司郎中，未拜，卒。贈左諫議大夫。

Earlier, while Gongchuo was at Kaifeng, the Taoist Zhao Qingchang, a relative by marriage of Chief Councillor Pang Ji, took bribes and died on the road after a back beating. The censors then charged that Gongchuo had acted on Ji's orders and beaten Qingchang to death to silence him. He was demoted to academician of the Hall of Dragon Designs and sent to Xuzhou. In fact Gongchuo had not been present when Qingchang was beaten. Before long Gongchuo defended himself, was restored as attendant reader, transferred to Heyang, and kept on to attend the emperor's lectures. During a long drought the emperor asked, "What will bring rain?" He answered, "When cases go long undecided, innocent people remain wronged. That is why droughts are common." The emperor personally reviewed prisoners, and soon afterward heavy rain fell. He was promoted to director of the right bureau but died before taking up the post. He was posthumously made left remonstrance grandee.

公綽通敏有才，父執政時，多涉干請，喜名好進者趨之。嘗漏泄除拜以市恩，時人比之竇申。

Gongchuo was quick-witted and capable. While his father held power he was often entangled in personal solicitations, and those hungry for fame and advancement flocked to him. He once leaked appointment news to buy favor, and contemporaries compared him to Dou Shen.

子公弼

His son Gongbi

公弼，字寶臣。賜進士出身，積遷直史館、河北轉運使。自寶元、慶歷以來，宿師備邊。既西北撤警，而將屯如故，民疲饋餉。公弼始通御河，漕粟實塞下，冶鐵以助經費；移近邊屯兵就食京東；增城卒，給板築；蠲冗賦及民逋數百萬。夷簡之亡也，仁宗思之，問知公弼名，識於殿柱。至是，益材其為。擢都轉運使，加龍圖閣直學士、知瀛州，入權開封府。嘗奏事退，帝目送之，謂宰相曰：「公弼甚似其父。」

Gongbi, styled Baochen. Granted jinshi initial appointment, he rose through successive posts to direct access in the Historiography Office and transport commissioner of Hebei. Since the Baoyuan and Qingli eras the court had kept standing armies on the frontier. Even after the northwestern threat eased, garrisons stayed in place and the people were worn out supplying them. Gongbi opened the Imperial Canal, shipped grain to stock the border forts, and smelted iron to help cover costs. He moved frontier garrisons nearer so they could be fed from eastern Jing. He added city garrison troops and supplied them for rampart work. He remitted redundant levies and popular tax arrears totaling several million. After Yijian's death Emperor Renzong missed him, asked after Gongbi's name, and wrote it on a palace pillar. Now the emperor valued his abilities all the more. He was promoted to overall transport commissioner, made direct academician of the Hall of Dragon Designs and prefect of Yingzhou, then entered the capital as acting prefect of Kaifeng. Once, after he reported on business and withdrew, the emperor watched him go and told the chief ministers, "Gongbi greatly resembles his father."

改同群牧使，以樞密直學士知渭、延二州，徙成都府。其治尚寬，人疑少威斷。營卒犯法當杖，捍不受，曰：「寧以劍死。」公弼曰：「杖者國法，劍汝自請。」杖而後斬之，軍府肅然。英宗罷三司使蔡襄，召公弼代之。初，公弼在群牧時，帝居藩，得賜馬頗劣，欲易不可。至是，帝謂曰：「卿曩歲不與朕馬，是時固已知卿矣。蔡襄主計，訴訟不時決，故多留事。卿繼其後，將何以處之？」公弼頓首謝，對曰：「襄勤於事，未嘗有曠失，恐言之者妄耳。」帝以為長者。拜樞密副使。時言事者數與大臣異議去，公弼諫曰：「諫官、御史，為陛下耳目，執政為股肱。股肱耳目，必相為用，然後身安而元首尊。宜考言觀事，視其所以而進退之。」彗出營室，帝憂之，同列請飭邊備。公弼曰：「彗非小變，陛下宜側身修德，以應天戒，臣恐患不在邊也。」

He became concurrent commissioner of the Horse Pasturage Office, served as direct academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs over Wei and Yan prefectures, and was transferred to Chengdu. His rule tended toward leniency, and some thought him short on forceful judgment. A garrison soldier due for the rod resisted and refused it, saying, "I would rather die by the sword." Gongbi said, "The rod is the law of the land. If you want the sword, that is your choice." He was beaten and then beheaded, and the garrison command became thoroughly orderly. Emperor Yingzong dismissed Three Departments commissioner Cai Xiang and summoned Gongbi to replace him. Earlier, while Gongbi was at the Horse Pasturage Office, the emperor—then still a prince—received a gift horse of poor quality and wanted to exchange it but was refused. Now the emperor told him, "Years ago you would not swap my horse for a better one. Even then I knew what sort of man you were. Cai Xiang had run the accounts, lawsuits were not decided promptly, and much business had been left undone. You are taking his place. How do you plan to handle things?" Gongbi kowtowed in thanks and answered, "Xiang was diligent in his duties and never neglected them. I fear his accusers spoke falsely." The emperor took him for a man of mature judgment. He was appointed vice commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. At the time remonstrators often left office after clashing with chief ministers. Gongbi admonished, "Remonstrance officials and censors are Your Majesty's eyes and ears, and the chief ministers are your arms and legs. Arms, legs, eyes, and ears must work together before the body is secure and the ruler's dignity upheld. Your Majesty should weigh their words and deeds, see what truly drives them, and promote or dismiss accordingly." When a comet appeared in the Encampment, the emperor grew anxious and his colleagues urged tightening border defenses. Gongbi said, "A comet is no minor portent. Your Majesty should examine his conduct and cultivate virtue in answer to Heaven's warning. I fear the danger lies not on the frontier."

神宗立，司馬光劾內侍高居簡，帝未決。公弼曰：「光與居簡，勢不兩立。居簡，內臣耳，而光中執法，願陛下擇其重者。」帝曰：「然則當奈何？」公弼曰：「遷居簡一官，而解其近職，光當無爭。」從之。進樞密使。議者欲倂環慶、鄜延為一路，公弼曰：「自白草西抵定遠，中間相去千里，若合為一路，猝有緩急，將何以應？」又欲下邊臣使議之，公弼曰：「廟堂之上不處決，而諉邊吏，可乎？」乃止。

After Emperor Shenzong took the throne, Sima Guang impeached the eunuch Gao Jujian, and the emperor had not yet decided the case. Gongbi said, "Guang and Jujian cannot both remain in power. Jujian is only an inner attendant, while Guang holds central authority over the law. Your Majesty should choose the one who matters more." The emperor asked, "Then what should be done?" Gongbi said, "Transfer Jujian to another post and remove him from his close duties. Guang should then let the matter rest." The emperor agreed. He was promoted to commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Some proposed merging the Huanqing and Yan-Yan circuits into one command. Gongbi objected, "From Baicao west to Dingyuan the distance spans a thousand li. If merged into one route, how could we respond to a sudden emergency?" Others wanted to leave the decision to frontier officials. Gongbi said, "Can it be right for the court not to decide and push the matter down to border officers?" The proposal was dropped.

王安石知政事，嗛公弼不附己，白用其弟公著為御史中丞以逼之。公弼不自安，立上章避位，不許。陳升之建議，衛兵年四十以上，稍不中程者，減其牢廩，徙之淮南。公弼以為非人情，帝曰：「是當退為剩員者，今故為優假，何所害？」對曰：「臣不敢生事邀名，正恐誤國耳。既使去本土，又削其廩，儻二十萬眾皆反側，為之奈何？」韓絳議復肉刑，公弼力陳不可，帝皆為之止。

When Wang Anshi ran the government, he resented Gongbi's independence and proposed making Gongbi's younger brother Gongzhuo censor-in-chief to pressure him. Uneasy, Gongbi promptly submitted a memorial to resign, but the request was denied. Chen Shengzhi proposed that capital guards over forty who fell slightly short of fitness standards should have their rations cut and be transferred to Huainan. Gongbi thought this violated basic human feeling. The emperor said, "These men ought to be retired as surplus personnel. We are deliberately treating them leniently. What harm could that do?" He replied, "I dare not stir up trouble for reputation's sake. I truly fear misleading the state. If we send them away from home and cut their rations, what if two hundred thousand men all grow restless? What then?" Han Jiang proposed restoring mutilation punishments and Gongbi forcefully objected; the emperor halted both proposals.

安石立新法，公弼數言宜務安靜，又將疏論之。從孫嘉問竊其稿示安石，安石先白之，帝不樂，遂罷為觀文殿學士、知太原府。韓絳宣撫秦、晉，將取囉兀城，令河東發兵二萬，趣神堂新路。公弼曰：「虜必設伏以待我。永和關雖回遠，可安行無患。」乃由永和。既而新路援兵果遇伏，詔褒之。麟州無井，唯沙泉在城外，欲拓城包之，而土善陷，夏人每至圍城，人皆憂渴死。公弼用其僚鄧子喬計，仿古拔軸法，去其沙，實以末炭，墳土於其上，板築立，遂包泉於中。自是城堅不陷，而州得以守。

When Anshi introduced his new laws, Gongbi repeatedly argued for calm and was preparing a memorial against them. His nephew Sun Jiawen stole the draft and showed it to Anshi, who reported it first. The emperor was displeased and dismissed Gongbi to academician of the Hall for Viewing Literature and prefect of Taiyuan. Han Jiang, pacification commissioner for Qin and Jin, planned to take Luowu city and ordered Hedong to dispatch twenty thousand troops along the Shen Tang new route. Gongbi warned, "The enemy will surely lay an ambush along that route. The Yonghe Pass route is longer, but we can travel it safely." They marched by way of Yonghe instead. Soon afterward troops on the new route were indeed ambushed, and an edict praised Gongbi's judgment. Linzhou had no wells and relied on a sandy spring outside the walls. They wanted to expand the city to include it, but the soil kept collapsing. Whenever the Tangut besieged the city, people feared dying of thirst. Gongbi adopted a plan from his staff officer Deng Ziqiao, following an ancient method of driving piles: they removed the sand, filled the space with charcoal powder, piled earth on top, and built ramparts so the spring was enclosed within the walls. From then on the walls held firm and the prefecture could be defended.

子公孺

His son Gongru

公孺，字稚卿。任為奉禮郎，賜進士出身，判吏部南曹。占對詳敏，仁宗以為可用。知澤、潁、廬、常四州，提點福建、河北路刑獄，入為開封府推官。民鬻薪為盜所奪，逐之遭傷，尹包拯命笞盜。公孺曰：「盜而傷主，法不止笞。」執不從，拯善其守。及使三司，而公孺為判官，事皆咨決之。判都水監，未幾，改陝西轉運使。

Gongru, styled Zhiqing. He was appointed ceremonial gentleman, granted jinshi initial appointment, and assigned to the southern bureau of the Ministry of Personnel. His impromptu replies were detailed and sharp, and Emperor Renzong judged him capable. He served as prefect of Ze, Ying, Lu, and Chang, as judicial intendant on the Fujian and Hebei circuits, and entered the capital as an investigating official in Kaifeng prefecture. A man selling firewood had his load stolen; when he gave chase he was injured. Prefect Bao Zheng ordered the thief flogged. Gongru objected, "A thief who injures the owner deserves more than a beating." Gongru held firm to his view; Bao did not yield, but admired his adherence to the law. When Bao headed the Three Departments with Gongru as his deputy, he consulted Gongru on every matter. He served as vice-director of the Directorate of Waterways and soon became transport commissioner of Shaanxi.

神宗得綏州，遣使議守棄之便，久未決。命公孺往，與郭逵議合，遂存綏州。常平法行，公孺請以青苗、免役歸提刑司。徙知渭州，再徙鄆州。坐失入死刑，責知蔡州。

After Emperor Shenzong captured Suizhou, he sent envoys to debate whether to hold or abandon it, but the court could not decide for a long time. Gongru was sent to investigate; he agreed with Guo Kui, and Suizhou was kept. When the Ever-Normal Granary system took effect, Gongru asked that Green Sprouts loans and the labor-exemption tax be placed under the judicial intendant offices. He was transferred to Weizhou and then to Yanzhou. For wrongly imposing the death penalty he was demoted and sent to Caizhou as prefect.

元豐初，帝召公孺，慰之曰：「長安謀帥，無以易卿。」命知永興軍。徙河陽，洛口兵千人，以久役思歸，奮斧鍤排關，不得入，西走河橋，觀聽洶洶。諸將請出兵掩擊，公孺曰：「此皆亡命，急之，變且生。」即乘馬東去，遣牙兵數人迎諭之曰：「汝輩誠勞苦，然豈得擅還？一度橋，則罪不赦矣！太守在此，願自首者止道左。」皆佇立以俟。公孺索倡首者，黥一人，餘復送役所。語其校曰：「若復偃蹇者，斬而後報。」眾帖息。乃自劾專命，詔釋之。

Early in the Yuanfeng era the emperor summoned Gongru and reassured him, "In choosing a commander for Chang'an, no one can replace you." He was appointed prefect of Yongxing Army. After he was transferred to Heyang, a thousand Luokou troops, weary from long service and longing to go home, took up axes and spades and tried to break through the gate. Blocked, they fled west toward the river bridge as the crowd grew restive. The generals urged a surprise attack. Gongru said, "These are desperate men. Press them hard and a revolt will follow." He rode east himself and sent several guards ahead to tell them, "You have indeed suffered, but how can you leave without permission? Once you cross that bridge, your crime will be beyond pardon! The prefect is here. Those willing to surrender should stop on the left side of the road." They all halted and waited. Gongru identified the ringleaders, tattooed one man, and sent the rest back to duty. He told their commander, "If anyone again shows defiance, execute first and report afterward." The troops submitted and calmed down. He then submitted a self-accusation for acting on his own authority, and an edict exonerated him.

知審官東院，出知秦州。李憲以詔出兵，欲盡駐原、渭，公孺不可，與憲相論奏，坐徙相州，更陳、杭、鄭、瀛四州。元祐初，加龍圖閣直學士，復以為秦州，固辭，改秘書監。遷刑部侍郎、知開封府，為政明恕。幕人遷黼坐設，毀其角，法當徒，公孺請罪，數十人皆以杖免。原廟亡珠，繫治典吏久，公孺曰：「主者番代不一，曷嘗以珠數相授受，歲時諱日，宮嬪狎至，奈何顓指吏卒乎？」請之，得釋。擢戶部尚書，以病，提舉醴泉觀。卒，年七十。贈右光祿大夫。

He directed the eastern bureau for review of officials, then went out to serve as prefect of Qinzhou. Li Xian was ordered to mobilize and wanted to concentrate all troops at Yuan and Wei. Gongru objected; he and Li Xian exchanged competing memorials, and Gongru was transferred to Xiangzhou and later also served at Chen, Hang, Zheng, and Ying. Early in the Yuanyou era he was made direct academician of the Hall of Dragon Designs and again offered Qinzhou, but he declined firmly and was made director of the Secretariat instead. He was promoted to vice minister of justice and prefect of Kaifeng, governing with clarity and leniency. A staff member named Qian Fu broke the corner of his seat at a reception; by law he deserved penal servitude. Gongru took the blame, and several dozen men were all released with a beating instead. When pearls went missing from the imperial shrine, the responsible officials were held for a long investigation. Gongru argued, "Those in charge changed with each rotation. Pearls were never counted at each handover. On annual memorial days palace women came and went freely. How can blame fall on clerks alone?" He petitioned for them and they were released. He was promoted to minister of revenue, but illness led to his appointment as commissioner of the Liquan Abbey. He died at the age of seventy. He was posthumously made right grandee of splendid happiness.

公孺廉儉，與人寡合。嘗護曹佾喪，得厚餉，辭不受，談者清其節焉。

Gongru was frugal and kept to himself. Once, while overseeing Cao Yu's funeral, he was offered lavish payment but refused it; observers praised his integrity.

張士遜

Zhang Shixun

張士遜，字順之。祖裕，嘗主陰城鹽院，因家陰城。士遜生百日始啼。淳化中，舉進士，調鄖鄉主簿，遷射洪令。轉運使檄移士遜治郪，民遮馬首不得去，因聽還射洪。安撫使至梓州，問屬吏能否，知州張雍曰：「射洪令，第一也。」改襄陽令，為秘書省著作佐郎、知邵武縣，以寬厚得民。前治射洪，以旱，禱雨白崖山陸使君祠，尋大雨，士遜立廷中，須雨足乃去。至是，邵武旱，禱歐陽太守廟，廟去城過一舍，士遜徹蓋，雨沾足始歸。改秘書丞、監折中倉，歷御史臺推直官。

Zhang Shixun, styled Shunzhi. His grandfather Yu had managed the Yincheng salt depot and settled the family there. Shixun did not cry until he was a hundred days old. During the Chunhua era he passed the jinshi examination, served as registrar of Yunxiang, and became magistrate of Shehong. The transport commissioner ordered Shixun transferred to Qi, but the people blocked his horse and would not let him leave, so he was allowed to remain at Shehong. When the pacification commissioner reached Zizhou and asked about local officials, Prefect Zhang Yong said, "The magistrate of Shehong is the best." He was made magistrate of Xiangyang, then assistant compiler in the Secretariat and prefect of Shaowu, winning the people with his generous rule. While governing Shehong during a drought, he prayed for rain at the shrine of Lord Lu on White Cliff Mountain. Heavy rain soon fell, and Shixun stood in the courtyard until the downpour was complete before leaving. When Shaowu suffered drought, he prayed at the shrine of Administrator Ouyang more than ten li from the city, removed his parasol, and did not return until the rain had thoroughly soaked the ground. He became secretary of the Secretariat, supervisor of the Median Granary, and served as an investigating officer in the Censorate.

翰林學士楊億薦為監察御史。貢舉初用糊名法，士遜為諸科巡鋪官，以進士有姻黨，士遜請避去，真宗記名於御屏，自是有親嫌者皆移試，著為令。中書擬人充江南轉運使，再擬輒見卻，帝獨用士遜。再遷侍御史，徙廣東，又徙河北。河侵棣州，詔徙州陽信，議者患糧多，不可遷。士遜視瀕河數州方艱食，即計餘以貸貧者，期來歲輸陽信，公私利之。

Hanlin academician Yang Yi recommended him for appointment as investigating censor. When the examinations first used sealed-name papers, Shixun served as patrol officer. Because he had family ties among the jinshi candidates, he asked to recuse himself. Emperor Zhenzong noted his name on the imperial screen, and from then on those with personal conflicts took separate exams—a rule that became permanent law. The Secretariat twice proposed candidates for Jiangnan transport commissioner and both lists were rejected; the emperor appointed Shixun alone. He was promoted to attendant censor, transferred to Guangdong, and then to Hebei. When the Yellow River threatened Dizhou, an edict ordered moving the prefectural seat to Yangxin. Critics worried that the grain supply was too large to move. Shixun saw that several river-border prefectures were short of food. He counted available surpluses and lent to the poor, planning for delivery to Yangxin the following year. Both government and people benefited.

仁宗出閣，帝選僚佐，謂宰臣曰：「翊善、記室，府屬也，王皆受拜。今王尚少，宜以士遜為友，令王答拜。」於是以戶部郎中直昭文館，為壽春郡王友，改昇王府諮議參軍，遷右諫議大夫兼太子右庶子，改左庶子。士遜言：「詣資善堂，升階列拜，而皇太子猶跪受，宜詔皇太子坐受之。」帝不許。詔士遜等遇太子侍駕出入許陪從。判史館，知審刑院，以太子賓客、樞密直學士判集賢院。既而二府大臣皆領東宮官，遂換太子詹事，擢樞密副使，遷給事中兼詹事，累遷尚書左丞，遂拜禮部尚書、同中書門下平章事、集賢殿大學士。

When Emperor Renzong left the inner palace, the emperor chose staff for him and told the chief ministers, "Tutors and recorders are household officials of the prince, and the prince receives their bows. The prince is still young. Shixun should serve as his companion, and the prince should return the bow." He was then made director in the Ministry of Revenue with direct access in the Hall of Splendid Culture and friend to the Prince of Shouchun, then advisory attache in the Prince of Sheng's household, right remonstrance grandee and right subsidiary heir apparent, and finally left subsidiary heir apparent. Shixun argued, "When we attend the Hall of Cultivating Goodness, we ascend the steps and bow in line, yet the crown prince still kneels to receive us. An edict should allow the crown prince to receive bows while seated." The emperor refused. An edict allowed Shixun and the others to accompany the crown prince when he attended the emperor on formal outings. He directed the Historiography Office and the Court for Review of Punishments, and as guest of the crown prince and direct academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs directed the Hall of Assembled Worthies. Soon chief ministers of both bureaus also held Eastern Palace posts, so he was made grand steward of the crown prince instead, promoted to vice commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, then drafting attendant-in-ordinary and grand steward, and rose through left vice director of the Secretariat to minister of rites, co-signer of the Secretariat and Chancellery, and grand academic scholar of the Hall of Assembled Worthies.

曹汭獄事起，宦者羅崇勳、江德明方用事，因譖利用。帝疑之，問執政，眾顧望未有對者。士遜徐曰：「此獨不肖子為之，利用大臣，宜不知狀。」太后怒，將罷士遜。帝以其東宮舊臣，加刑部尚書、知江寧府，解通犀帶賜之。後領定國軍節度使、知許州。

When the Cao Rui case broke, the eunuchs Luo Chongxun and Jiang Deming, who were then in power, seized the chance to slander Cao Liyong. The emperor grew suspicious and asked the chief ministers. They looked to one another, and no one spoke. Shixun said calmly, "This was the work of an unworthy son alone. As a senior minister, Liyong surely knew nothing of it." The empress dowager was furious and was about to remove Shixun from office. Because Shixun had served in the crown prince's household, the emperor made him minister of justice and prefect of Jiangning, took back his rhinoceros-horn belt, and gave it to him as a parting gift. He later also served as military commissioner of the Dingguo Army and prefect of Xuzhou.

明道初，復入相，進中書侍郎兼兵部尚書。明年，進門下侍郎、昭文館大學士、監修國史。是歲旱蝗，士遜請如漢故事冊免，不許。及帝自損尊號，士遜又請降官一等，以答天變，帝慰勉之。群臣上章懿諡冊，退而入慰，士遜與同列過楊崇勳園飲，日中不至。御史中丞范諷劾士遜，以尚書左僕射判河南府，崇勳亦以使相判許州。翌日入謝，班崇勳下，帝問其故，士遜曰：「崇勳為使相，臣官僕射，位當下。」遂為山南東道節度使、同中書門下平章事、判許州，以崇勳知陳州。時士遜罷已累日，制猶用宰相銜，有司但奉行制書，不復追改。徙河南府。

At the start of the Mingdao era, he returned to the chancellorship as vice director of the Secretariat and minister of war. The following year he was made vice director of the Chancellery, grand academic scholar of the Hall of Splendid Culture, and overseer of the national history. That year drought and locusts struck. Shixun asked to be removed from office by edict, as in Han precedent, but the request was denied. When the emperor reduced his own honorific titles, Shixun again asked to be demoted one rank in response to Heaven's warning. The emperor comforted him and urged him to stay. After the officials presented the posthumous-title edict for Empress Yi and went in to offer condolences, Shixun and his colleagues stopped at Yang Chongxun's garden to drink and did not arrive until noon. Censor-in-chief Fan Feng impeached Shixun. Shixun was made left vice director of the Secretariat with jurisdiction over Henan Prefecture, and Chongxun was also sent out as commissioner-governor of Xuzhou. The next day, when he came to give thanks, he stood below Chongxun. The emperor asked why, and Shixun said, "Chongxun is a commissioner-governor, and I am only a vice director. My place should be lower." He was then made military commissioner of the Shannan East Circuit, co-signer of the Secretariat and Chancellery, and prefect of Xuzhou, while Chongxun was made prefect of Chenzhou. By then Shixun had been out of office for days, yet the edict still gave him a chancellor's title. The offices simply issued it as written and did not correct it. He was transferred to Henan Prefecture.

寶元初，復以門下侍郎、兵部尚書入相，封郢國公。士遜與輔臣奏事，帝從容曰：「朕昨放宮人，不獨閔幽閉，亦省浮費也。近復有獻孿女者，朕卻而弗受。」士遜曰：「此盛德事也。」帝徐曰：「近言者至有毀大臣、揭君過者。」士遜曰：「陛下審察邪正，則憸訐之人，宜自戒懼矣。」馮士元獄既具，帝以決獄問士遜。士遜曰：「臺獄阿徇，非出自宸斷，何以愜中外之論邪。」帝曰：「君子小人各有黨乎？」士遜曰：「有之，第公私不同爾。」帝曰：「法令必行，邪正有別，則朝綱舉矣。」

At the start of the Baoyuan era, he returned to the chancellorship as vice director of the Chancellery and minister of war, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Ying. While Shixun and the chief ministers were reporting on affairs, the emperor said casually, "Yesterday I released palace women—not only out of pity for those kept in seclusion, but also to cut unnecessary expense. Someone recently offered me twin girls as well, and I turned them away." Shixun said, "That is an act of great virtue." The emperor said slowly, "Lately remonstrators have even slandered senior ministers and exposed the ruler's faults." Shixun said, "If Your Majesty carefully distinguishes wicked men from upright ones, malicious slanderers will themselves be warned into fear." Once the Feng Shiyuan case was ready for judgment, the emperor asked Shixun how it should be decided. Shixun said, "The censorate prison fawns and bends the law. Unless the decision comes from Your Majesty's own judgment, how can it satisfy opinion at court and beyond?" The emperor asked, "Do gentlemen and petty men each have factions of their own?" Shixun said, "They do, but the difference lies in public duty and private interest." The emperor said, "If laws are enforced and the wicked are clearly separated from the upright, then court discipline will be restored."

康定初，士遜言禁兵久戍邊，其家在京師，有不能自存者。帝命內侍條指揮使以下為差等，出內藏緡錢十萬賜之。士遜又請遣使安撫陝西，帝命遣知制誥韓琦以行。於是詔樞密院，自今邊事，並與士遜等參議。及簡輦官為禁軍，輦官攜妻子遮宰相、樞密院喧訴，士遜方朝，馬驚墮地。時朝廷多事，士遜亡所建明，諫官韓琦論曰：「政事府豈養病之地邪。」士遜不自安，累上章請老，乃拜太傅，封鄧國公致仕。詔朔望朝見及大朝會，綴中書門下班，與一子五品服。士遜辭朝朔望。間遣中使勞問，御書飛白「千歲」字賜之，士遜因建千歲堂。嘗請買城南官園，帝以賜士遜。宰相得謝，蓋自士遜始。就第凡十年，卒，年八十六。帝臨奠，贈太師、中書令，諡文懿，御篆其墓碑曰「舊德之碑」。

At the start of the Kangding era, Shixun reported that imperial guards had been garrisoned on the frontier for so long that some of their families in the capital could no longer support themselves. The emperor ordered eunuchs to rank the families of commanders and below by need, and gave out one hundred thousand strings of cash from the inner treasury. Shixun also asked that an envoy be sent to reassure Shaanxi, and the emperor dispatched drafting academician Han Qi. An edict then instructed the Bureau of Military Affairs that from then on all frontier affairs were to be discussed with Shixun and his colleagues. When palace carriage attendants were drafted into the imperial guard, they brought their wives and children to block the chancellor and the Bureau of Military Affairs in loud protest. Shixun was on his way to court when his horse bolted and threw him to the ground. The court was burdened with many crises, yet Shixun offered no constructive proposals. Remonstrance official Han Qi argued, "Is the Administration Hall a place for nursing one's health?" Uneasy in office, Shixun repeatedly memorialized to retire. He was made grand tutor, enfeoffed as Duke of Deng, and allowed to retire. An edict allowed him to attend court on the first and fifteenth of each month and at major assemblies, to stand at the end of the chancellery ranks, and granted one son fifth-rank robes. Shixun declined the first- and fifteenth-day audiences. The emperor occasionally sent palace envoys to inquire after him and gave him an imperial flying-white inscription reading "Thousand Years." Shixun built the Hall of Thousand Years in honor of the gift. He once asked to buy the official garden south of the city, and the emperor gave it to him outright. The formal retirement of a serving chancellor began with Shixun. He lived at home for ten years in all, then died at the age of eighty-six. The emperor came in person to mourn him. Shixun was posthumously made grand preceptor and director of the Secretariat, given the posthumous name Wanyi, and the emperor personally inscribed his tomb stele with the words "Stele of Former Virtue."

士遜生七日，喪母，其姑育養之。既長，事姑孝謹，姑亡，為行服，徒跣扶柩以葬，追封南陽縣太君。初，陳堯佐罷參知政事，人有挾怨告堯佐謀反，復有誣諫官陰附宗室者。士遜曰：「憸人構陷善良，以搖朝廷，奸偽一開，亦不能自保矣。」帝悟，抵告者以罪，誣諫官事亦不下。然曹利用在樞府，藉寵肆威，士遜居其間，無所可否，時人以「和鼓」目之。士遜嘗納女口宮中，為御史楊偕所劾。

Shixun lost his mother when he was seven days old, and his aunt raised him. When he grew up, he served his aunt with filial devotion. After she died, he wore mourning garb, went barefoot, and helped carry her coffin to burial. She was posthumously enfeoffed as Lady of Nanyang County. Earlier, after Chen Yaozuo was removed as co-administrator of affairs, a man with a grudge accused him of plotting rebellion, and others claimed that remonstrance officials were secretly aligned with members of the imperial clan. Shixun said, "Malicious men frame the innocent to shake the court. Once treachery and false accusation are allowed, even they cannot protect themselves." The emperor saw the point, punished the accuser, and dropped the charges against the remonstrance officials as well. Yet Cao Liyong held power in the Bureau of Military Affairs and abused imperial favor. Shixun sat among them and never clearly approved or opposed him, so contemporaries called him a "harmonizing drum." Shixun once presented women to the palace and was impeached by censor Yang Jie.

子友真，字益之。初補將作監主簿，再遷為丞。士遜為請館閣校勘，仁宗曰：「館閣所以待英俊，不可。」乃令館閣讀書，詔校勘毋得增員。後編三館書籍，遷秘閣校理、同知禮院，賜進士出身，知襄州。坐軍賊張海剽劫不能制，罷歸。後除史館修撰，御史何郯言：「史館修撰，故事，皆試知制誥，友直不當得。」改集賢殿修撰。以天章閣待制知陝州，同勾當三班院。侍宴集英殿，猶衣緋衣，仁宗顧見之，乃賜金紫。累遷工部郎中、知越州。州民每春斂財，大集僧道士女，謂之「祭天」，友直下令禁絕，取所斂財建學以延諸生。卒官。士遜嘗記帝東宮舊事，而史官未之見，友直纂為《資善錄》上之。

His son Youzhen, styled Yizhi. He first served as chief clerk of the Directorate of Palace Buildings and was later promoted to assistant director. Shixun asked that he be made a collator in the Hall of Literature. Emperor Renzong said, "The Hall of Literature is reserved for outstanding talent. That will not do." He was instead allowed to study in the Hall of Literature, and an edict forbade adding new collator posts. He later helped compile the collections of the Three Halls, was promoted to collator in the Secret Archive and associate director of the Court of Rites, granted jinshi status, and made prefect of Xiangzhou. He was dismissed and sent home after failing to suppress the bandit leader Zhang Hai. He was later made compiler in the Historiography Office, but censor He Tan objected: "Historiography compilers were traditionally chosen only after passing the drafting-academician examination. Youzhi should not receive the post." He was reassigned as compiler in the Hall of Assembled Worthies instead. As awaiting-draft academician of the Hall of Heavenly Patterns, he served as prefect of Shaanzhou and concurrently managed the Three-Rank Office. At a banquet in the Hall of Spreading Excellence, he was still wearing scarlet robes. Emperor Renzong noticed and granted him gold and purple insignia. He rose through the ranks to director in the Ministry of Works and prefect of Yuezhou. Each spring the people of the prefecture collected money and gathered monks, Daoist priests, and women in a rite they called "Sacrificing to Heaven." Youzhi banned the practice, took the collected funds, and built a school for local students. He died in office. Shixun had recorded old stories from the emperor's days in the Eastern Palace that the historiographers had never seen. Youzhi compiled them into Records of Cultivating Goodness and submitted the work.

幼子友正，字義祖，杜門不治家事，居小閣學書，積三十年不輟，遂以書名。神宗評其草書，為本朝第一。

His youngest son Youzheng, styled Yizu, shut himself away from household affairs and spent thirty unbroken years in a small loft practicing calligraphy until he became renowned for his writing. Emperor Shenzong judged his cursive script the finest of the dynasty.

論曰：呂夷簡、張士遜皆以儒學起家，列位輔弼。仁宗之世，天下承平，因時制宜，濟以寬厚，相臣預有力焉。士遜練習民事，風跡可紀，而依違曹利用以取譏。方夷簡在下僚，諸父蒙正以宰相才期之。及其為相，深謀遠慮，有古大臣之度焉。在位日久，頗務收恩避怨，以固權利，郭后之廢，遂成其君之過舉，咎莫大焉。雖然，呂氏更執國政，三世四人，世家之盛，則未之有也。

The commentators say: Lü Yijian and Zhang Shixun both rose through Confucian learning to serve as chief ministers. In Emperor Renzong's reign the realm enjoyed peace. The chief ministers helped shape policy to fit the times and tempered it with leniency. Shixun was experienced in civilian affairs and left a record worth noting, but by wavering with Cao Liyong he drew criticism. When Yijian was still a junior official, his uncle Mengzheng already expected in him the talent of a chancellor. Once he became chancellor, his deep planning and far-sighted judgment showed the measure of the great ministers of old. He held office for many years and worked hard to gather favor and avoid resentment in order to secure his power. The deposition of Empress Guo became his sovereign's gravest mistake, for which the blame was immense. Even so, the Lü clan held state power in succession—four men across three generations—a level of family eminence unmatched in the dynasty.

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