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李清臣
Li Qingchen
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李清臣，字邦直，魏人也。 七歲知讀書，日數千言，暫經目輒誦，稍能戲為文章。 客有從京師來者，與其兄談佛寺火，清臣從傍應曰：「此所謂災也，或者其蠹民已甚，天固儆之邪？」 因作《浮圖災解》。 兄驚曰：「是必大吾門。」 韓琦聞其名，以兄之子妻之。
Li Qingchen, styled Bangzhi, was a native of Wei. At the age of seven he learned to read. Each day he could read several thousand characters; after a brief look he could recite them from memory, and he could even compose essays for amusement. A visitor who had come from the capital was talking with his elder brother about a fire at a Buddhist temple. Qingchen chimed in from the side: "This is what people call a calamity. Perhaps the temples have preyed on the people too long, and Heaven is sending a warning? Thereupon he wrote 《An Explanation of the Buddhist Temple Calamity》. His brother exclaimed in amazement: "He is sure to bring great honor to our house." When Han Qi heard of his reputation, he gave him his nephew's daughter in marriage.
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舉進士，調邢州司戶參軍、和川令。 歲滿，薦者逾十數，應得京官。 適舉將薛向有公事未竟，閡銓格，判銓張掞擿使自陳勿用。 清臣曰：「人以家保己而己舍之，薄矣。 願待之。」 掞離席曰：「君能如是，未可量也。」 應材識兼茂科，歐陽修壯其文，以比蘇軾。 治平二年，試秘閣，考官韓維曰：「荀卿氏筆力也。」 試文至中書，修迎語曰：「不置李清臣於第一，則謬矣。」 啟視如言。
He passed the jinshi examination and was appointed revenue registrar in Xingzhou and magistrate of Hechuan. When his term expired, more than ten people recommended him, and he was eligible for promotion to a capital post. At the same time Xue Xiang, who was also up for recommendation, had unfinished official business that blocked the normal personnel rules. Zhang Shan, the personnel judge, singled out Qingchen and told him to declare that he should withdraw his candidacy. Qingchen said: "Others rely on their families to protect themselves, yet I would abandon mine—that would be unworthy. I would rather wait for him." Shan rose from his seat and said: "If you can act like this, there is no telling how far you may go." He entered the Examinations for Exceptional Talent and Learning. Ouyang Xiu admired his writing and compared him to Su Shi. In the second year of the Zhiping reign, he took the Secretariat examination. Examiner Han Wei said: "This has the force of Xunzi's pen." When the examination essay reached the Secretariat, Ouyang Xiu met them and said: "If Li Qingchen is not placed first, the grading will be wrong." When they opened the papers and looked, it was exactly as he had said.
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時大雨霖，災異數見，論者歸咎濮議。 及廷對，或謂曰：「宜以《五行傳》『簡宗廟，水不潤下』為證，必擢上第。」 清臣曰：「此漢儒附會之說也，吾不之信。 民間豈無疾痛可上者乎？」 即條對言：「天地之大，譬如人一身，腹心肺腑有所攻塞，則五官為之不寧。 民人生聚，天地之腹心肺腑也； 日月星辰，天地之五官也。 善止天地之異者，不止其異，止民之疾痛而已。」 策入等，以秘書郎簽書平江軍判官，名聲籍甚。 英宗知之，語王廣淵曰：「韓琦固忠臣，但避嫌太審。 如李清臣者，公議皆謂可用，顧以親抑之可乎？」 既而詔舉館閣，歐陽修薦之，得集賢校理、同知太常禮院。
At that time prolonged rains fell and strange omens appeared again and again; many commentators blamed the dispute over the posthumous title of Emperor Yingzong's biological father. When the palace examination came, someone told him: "You should cite the 《Treatise on the Five Phases》—'When ancestral temples are neglected, water does not descend'—as your evidence. You are sure to win the top rank." Qingchen said: "That is a forced interpretation by Han-dynasty Confucians. I do not believe it. Are there not sufferings among the people that ought to be reported to the throne?" He immediately submitted a detailed response: "Heaven and Earth are vast, like a single human body. When the belly, heart, lungs, and inner organs are blocked, the five senses are thrown into disorder. The people who live and multiply upon the earth are the belly, heart, lungs, and inner organs of Heaven and Earth; the sun, moon, and stars are the five senses of Heaven and Earth. To stop Heaven and Earth's anomalies properly is not to stop the anomalies themselves, but to relieve the people's suffering." His policy essay was graded in the top class. He was appointed secretary and acting military administrator of Pingjiang, and his reputation spread far and wide. Emperor Yingzong learned of him and said to Wang Guangyuan: "Han Qi is certainly a loyal minister, but he is overly cautious about avoiding suspicion. As for someone like Li Qingchen, public opinion holds that he should be employed. Is it right to hold him back merely because of family ties?" Shortly afterward an edict called for recommendations to the Hanlin and archive posts. Ouyang Xiu recommended him, and he was appointed collator in the Hall of Assembled Worthies and associate director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
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時熙、豐法度，一切厘正，清臣固爭之，罷為資政殿學士、知河陽，徙河南、永興。 召為吏部尚書，給事中姚勔駁之，改知真定府。 班行有王宗正者，致憾於故帥，使其妻詣使者，告前後饋餉過制，囚繫數百人。 清臣至，立奏解其獄，而竄宗正。 帝親政，拜中書侍郎，勔復駁之，不聽。
At that time the Xining and Yuanfeng laws and institutions were being thoroughly revised. Qingchen firmly opposed the changes and was dismissed to academician of the Hall for Assisting Governance and prefect of Heyang, then transferred to Henan and Yongxing. He was summoned to serve as minister of personnel, but Supervising Secretary Yao Xun objected, and he was reassigned as prefect of Zhending. Among the officials was one Wang Zongzheng, who bore a grudge against the former prefect. He had his wife go to the investigating commissioner and report that gifts and supplies had exceeded regulations, and several hundred people were imprisoned. When Qingchen arrived, he immediately memorialized to release the prisoners and had Zongzheng banished. When the emperor personally took up the reins of government, Qingchen was appointed vice director of the Secretariat. Yao Xun objected again, but the emperor would not heed him.
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紹聖元年，廷試進士，清臣發策曰：「今復詞賦之選而士不知勸，罷常平之官而農不加富，可差可募之說雜而役法病，或東或北之論異而河患滋，賜土以柔遠也而羌夷之患未弭，弛利以便民也而商賈之路不通。 夫可則因，否則革，惟當之為貴，聖人亦何有必焉。」 主意皆絀元祐之政，策士悟其指，於是紹述之論大興，國是遂變。
In the first year of Shaosheng, at the palace examination for jinshi graduates, Qingchen issued the examination question: "The selection by rhapsody and fu has been restored, yet scholars are not encouraged to study. The Ever-Normal Granary offices have been abolished, yet farmers are no richer. Theories of corvée labor and hired service are mixed together, and the labor-service law is in disorder. Debates over going east or north differ, and river disasters grow worse. Land was granted to appease distant peoples, yet the troubles of the Qiang and other tribes are not pacified. Profits were relaxed to benefit the people, yet merchants' routes remain blocked. What may be followed should be kept; what may not should be changed. Only what is fitting matters—even a sage has nothing he must insist upon." The intent was entirely to reject the Yuanyou policies. The candidates grasped his meaning, and the theory of continuing the earlier reforms flourished. The national policy was thereby changed.
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范純仁去位，清臣獨顓中書，亟復青苗、免役法，除諸路提舉官。 覬為相，顧蘇轍軋己，乃擿轍嘗以漢武比先帝激上怒，轍罷。 時召章惇未至，清臣心益覬之。 已而惇入相，復與為異。 惇既逐諸臣，並籍文彥博、呂公著以下三十人，將悉竄嶺表。 清臣曰：「更先帝法度，不為無過，然皆累朝元老，若從惇言，必大駭物聽。」 帝曰：「是豈無中道耶？ 合揭榜朝堂，置餘人不問。」 鄜延路金明砦主將張興戰沒，惇怒，議盡戮全軍四千人。 清臣曰：「將死亦多端，或先登爭利，或輕身入敵。 今悉誅吏士，異時亡將必舉軍降虜矣。」 於是但誅牙兵十六輩。
When Fan Chunren left office, Qingchen alone controlled the Secretariat. He quickly restored the Green Sprouts and Exemption-from-Labor laws and appointed promotion commissioners in each circuit. He coveted the chancellorship, but Su Zhe stood in his way. He therefore seized on the fact that Zhe had once compared the late emperor to Emperor Wu of Han, arousing the emperor's anger, and Zhe was dismissed. At that time Zhang Dun had been summoned but had not yet arrived, and Qingchen's hopes grew still greater. Before long Zhang Dun entered the chancellorship, and they again found themselves at odds. After Zhang Dun had driven out the various ministers, he also registered Wen Yanbo, Lü Gongzhu, and thirty others, intending to banish them all to the far south. Qingchen said: "Changing the late emperor's laws and institutions was not without fault, yet these men are elders of many reigns. If we follow Zhang Dun's proposal, we will surely shock public opinion." The emperor said: "Is there not a middle course? Let us post the list in the court hall and leave the rest alone." In the Fuyan circuit, Commander Zhang Xing of Jinming Stockade was killed in battle. Zhang Dun was furious and proposed executing the entire army of four thousand men. Qingchen said: "Generals die in many ways—some charge first to seize advantage, some throw themselves recklessly into the enemy. If we now execute all the officers and soldiers, then in future when a general falls the whole army will surely surrender to the enemy." Thereupon only sixteen sergeants were executed.
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上幸楚王第，有狂婦人遮道叫呼，告清臣謀反，屬吏捕治，本澶州娼而為清臣姑子田氏外婦者。 清臣不能引去，用御史言，以大學士知河南，尋落職知真定府。
When the emperor visited the residence of the Prince of Chu, a madwoman blocked the road and shouted, accusing Qingchen of plotting rebellion. The officials arrested and investigated her. She had originally been a prostitute in Dazhou and was the mistress of Qingchen's nephew by marriage in the Tian family. Qingchen could not bring himself to resign. Following the censor's advice, he was made grand academician and prefect of Henan; shortly afterward he was demoted to prefect of Zhending.
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初，蔡確子渭上書訴父冤，造奇譖以陷劉摯罪，清臣心知其誣，弗之省，坐奪學士。 徽宗立，入為門下侍郎。 僕射韓忠彥與之有連，惟其言是聽，出范純禮、張舜民，不使呂希純、劉安世入朝，皆其謀也。 尋為曾布所陷，出知大名府而卒，年七十一。 贈金紫光祿大夫。
Earlier, Cai Que's son Wei had submitted a memorial appealing his father's injustice and fabricated strange slanders to trap Liu Zhi. Qingchen knew in his heart that it was false but did not investigate, and on that account was deprived of his academician title. When Emperor Huizong ascended the throne, Qingchen entered office as vice director of the Chancellery. Left Vice Director Han Zhongyan was connected with him and listened only to his counsel. He had Fan Chunli and Zhang Shunmin removed from office and blocked Lü Xichun and Liu Anshi from entering court—all were his schemes. Before long he was trapped by Zeng Bu, was sent out as prefect of Daming, and died there at the age of seventy-one. He was posthumously granted the title Grandee of the Golden Girdle and Purple Purse.
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清臣蚤以詞藻受知神宗，建大理寺，築都城，皆命作記，簡重宏放，文體各成一家。 為人寬洪，不忮害。 嘗為舒亶所劾，及在尚書，亶以贓抵罪，獨申救之，曰：「亶信亡狀，然謂之贓則不可。」 再為姚勔所駁，當紹聖議貶，或激使甘心，清臣為之言曰：「勔以職事，所見或不同，豈應以臣故而加重？」 帝悟，薄勔罪。 起身窮約，以儉自持，至富貴不改。 居官奉法，毋敢撓以私。 然志在利祿，不公於謀國，一意欲取宰相，故操持悖謬，竟不如願以死。 後朝議以復孟后罪，追貶武安軍節度副使，再貶雷州司戶參軍。
Qingchen won early recognition from Emperor Shenzong for his literary talent. When the Court of Judicial Review was established and the capital walls were built, he was ordered to compose commemorative accounts for both. His style was concise, weighty, and expansive; in each case his prose formed a school of its own. As a man he was broad-minded and magnanimous and did not harbor malice. He had once been impeached by Shu Dan. When he served in the Ministry of Personnel, Dan was convicted of embezzlement, but Qingchen alone pleaded for him, saying: "Dan's conduct was indeed deplorable, yet to call it embezzlement is not acceptable." He was again opposed by Yao Xun. When the Shaosheng court debated demoting Xun, some urged making him suffer to the full. Qingchen spoke on his behalf: "Xun, in the course of his duties, may see things differently—how can we increase his punishment because of me?" The emperor understood and lightened Yao Xun's punishment. He rose from poverty and hardship and maintained himself through frugality; even when he reached wealth and honor he did not change. In office he observed the law and did not dare bend it for private reasons. Yet his ambition lay in profit and office; he was not fair-minded in planning for the state. He was bent solely on becoming chancellor, and therefore his conduct was perverse and mistaken. In the end he did not obtain his wish and died. Later the court debated the crime of restoring Empress Meng and posthumously demoted him to military vice commissioner of Wu'an, then again to revenue registrar in Leizhou.
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安燾，字厚卿，開封人。 幼警悟。 年十一，從學里中，羞與群兒伍，聞有老先生聚徒，往師之。 先生曰：「汝方為誦數之學，未可從吾遊，當群試省題一詩，中選乃置汝。」 燾無難色。 詩成，出諸生上，由是知名。
An Dao, styled Houqing, was a native of Kaifeng. As a child he was keen and perceptive. At eleven he studied in the village school but was ashamed to keep company with the other boys. Hearing that an old master was gathering students, he went to study under him. The master said: "You are still at the stage of rote learning; you cannot yet study with me. The group will test you with a provincial-examination topic poem—if you pass, then I will take you in." Dao showed no hesitation. When the poem was finished, it ranked above all the other students, and from this he became famous.
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登第，調蔡州觀察推官，至太常丞、主管大名府路機宜文字。 用歐陽修薦，為秘閣校理、判吏部南曹、荊湖北路轉運判官、提點刑獄兼常平、農田水利、差役事。 時方興新法，奉行之吏，或迎合求進。 司農符檄日夜下，如免役增寬剩，造簿供手實，青苗責保任，追胥苛切，其類旁午。 燾平心奉法，列其泰甚於朝。 移使京東路，過闕入見，神宗偉其儀觀，留檢正中書孔目房、修起居注。
He passed the examination and was appointed investigating commissioner in Caizhou, rising to vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and supervisor of documents for the Daming circuit. On Ouyang Xiu's recommendation he became collator in the Secretariat Pavilion, judge of the southern bureau of the Ministry of Personnel, transport commissioner of Jinghu North circuit, and judicial intendant concurrently overseeing Ever-Normal Granary, agricultural fields and waterworks, and corvée labor affairs. At that time the new laws were being launched, and the officials who implemented them sometimes catered to superiors in order to advance. Orders from the Ministry of Revenue came down day and night—increasing surplus funds under the exemption-from-labor law, compiling registers and submitting household declarations, requiring guarantors for Green Sprouts loans, and harsh collection by runners—such matters crowded in from all sides. Dao impartially observed the law and reported to court those who went too far. He was transferred as commissioner to the Jingdong circuit. Passing through the capital for an audience, Emperor Shenzong admired his bearing and appearance and kept him as reviewer in the Secretariat accounts office and compiler of the Daily Record.
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元豐初，高麗新通使，假燾左諫議大夫往報之。 高麗迎勞，館餼加契丹禮數等，使近臣言：「王遇使者甚敬，出誠心，非若奉契丹苟免邊患而已。」 燾笑答曰：「尊中華，事大國，禮一也，特以罕至有加爾。 朝廷與遼國通好久，豈復於此較厚薄哉！」 使還，帝以為知禮，即授所假官，兼直學士院。
At the beginning of Yuanfeng, Goryeo newly sent envoys, and Dao was temporarily given the title of Left Remonstrator to go and respond. Goryeo welcomed and entertained him, adding provisions and ritual courtesies equal to those for Khitan envoys. A close minister of the envoy said: "Our king treats your envoys with great respect and shows sincere heart—it is not like serving the Khitan merely to avoid border troubles." Dao smiled and replied: "Honoring China and serving a great state—the ritual is one and the same. It is only because you come so rarely that there is something extra. The court has had relations with the Liao state for a long time—how could we still compare who receives more courtesy here!" When the envoy returned, the emperor considered him knowledgeable in ritual and immediately granted the title he had been given temporarily, together with appointment in the Hanlin Academy.
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知審刑院，決剖滯訟五百餘案。 因言：「每蔽獄上省，輕重有疑，則必致駁，勢既不敵，故法官顧避稽停。 請自今以疑獄讞者，皆得輕論。」 從之。 求知陳州，還，為龍圖閣直學士、判軍器監。
As director of the Court of Judicial Review, he decided and disposed of more than five hundred backlog cases. He then said: "Whenever a closed case is sent up to the Secretariat, if there is doubt about severity, it is always sent back for reconsideration. Since the power is unequal, judicial officials shrink back and delay. I request that from now on, in cases where the sentence is doubtful, lighter judgments may be given." His request was granted. He requested appointment as prefect of Chenzhou. On his return he became direct academic of the Dragon Diagram Hall and judge of the Directorate of Armaments.
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命館遼使。 方宴近郊，使者不令其徒分坐廡下，力爭之，使無以奪。 至肄儀將見，又不使綴行分班，使者入，餘皆坐門外，燾請令門見而出，眾始愧悔。 逮辭日，悉如儀。 或謂細故無足較，燾曰：「契丹喜嘗試人，其漸不可長也。」 俄權三司使，改戶部尚書。 六年。 同知樞密院。
He was ordered to host the Liao envoys. When they were feasting in the suburbs, the envoys would not allow their attendants to sit separately in the side halls. Dao argued forcefully, and the envoys could not prevail. When it came to rehearsing the rites before the audience, they again would not allow the attendants to follow in procession according to rank. The envoys entered while the rest all sat outside the gate. Dao requested that they be allowed to enter and leave through the gate; only then did the group begin to feel shame and regret. By the day of farewell, everything was conducted according to ritual. Some said these were minor matters not worth disputing. Dao said: "The Khitan like to test people; such encroachments cannot be allowed to grow." Shortly afterward he was made acting commissioner of the Three Departments and then minister of Revenue. In the sixth year. He became vice director of the Bureau of Military Affairs.
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夏人款塞，乞還侵疆。 燾言：「地有非要害者固宜予，然羌情無厭，當使知吾宥過而息兵，不應示以厭兵之意。」 哲宗立，復仍前議，二府遂欲並棄熙河。 燾固爭之，曰：「自靈武而東，皆中國故地。 先帝有此武功，今無故棄之，豈不取輕於外夷？」 於是但以葭蘆等四砦歸之。
The Western Xia came to the border with expressions of goodwill and asked to have the invaded territory returned. Dao said: "Land that is not strategically vital may indeed be granted, yet the Qiang temperament knows no satiety. We should let them know that we pardon their faults and cease hostilities—we should not show them that we are weary of war." When Emperor Zhezong ascended the throne, the earlier proposal was revived, and the two councils then wished to abandon Hexi entirely. Dao firmly opposed this, saying: "From Lingwu eastward, all is former territory of China. The late emperor achieved this military merit. If we now abandon it for no reason, will we not be held in contempt by foreign peoples?" In the end only the four forts at Jialu and the like were returned to them.
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蔡確輩更用事，燾循循其間，不能有所建明。 元祐二年，進知院事。 時復洮、河，擒鬼章青宜結，二邊少清，而幷塞猶苦寇掠。 燾言：「為國者不可好用兵，亦不可畏用兵，好則疲民，畏則遺患。 今朝廷每戒疆吏，非舉國入寇毋得應之，則固畏用兵矣。 雖僅保障戍，實墮其計中，願復講攻擾之策。 且乾順幼豎，梁氏擅權，族黨酋渠多反側顧望。 若有以離間之，未必不回戈而復怨，此一奇也。」 其後夏人自相攜貳，使來修貢，悉如燾策。
Cai Que and his faction came to power again. Dao moved deferentially among them and could accomplish nothing of note. In the second year of Yuanyou (1087), he was promoted to director of the Bureau of Military Affairs. At that time Tao and He were recovered and Gui Zhang Qingyijie was captured; the two frontiers grew somewhat quiet, yet the border garrisons still suffered from enemy raids. Dao said: "A ruler must neither be fond of war nor afraid of war. Fondness exhausts the people; fear leaves trouble behind. The court now constantly warns frontier officials that they must not respond unless the enemy invades in full force—this is plainly fear of war. Though we barely hold the garrisons secure, we have in fact fallen into their trap. I ask that we resume policies of attack and harassment. Moreover, Qianshun is still a boy, the Liang clan holds power, and many chiefs and clan leaders are wavering and watching which way to turn. If we could sow discord among them, they might well turn their blades on one another and renew old grievances—that would be a singular opportunity." Later the Western Xia split among themselves and sent envoys to pay tribute—everything unfolded as Dao had urged.
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宣仁太后患國用不足，頗裁冗費，宗室奉亦在議中。 燾諫曰：「陛下雖痛抑外家，以示至公，然此舉不可不深思而熟計。」 太后悟，遂止。
Empress Dowager Xuanren worried that state revenue was insufficient and cut many redundant expenses; even stipends for the imperial clan came under discussion. Dao remonstrated: "Your Majesty may wish to restrain your mother's kin severely to show utmost fairness, yet this step must be weighed with deep thought and careful planning." The empress dowager took his point and dropped the plan.
19
大河北流，宰相主水官議，必欲回之東注。 燾以河流入濼淀，久必淤淺，恐河朔無以禦敵，遂上言曰：「自小吳未決之前，河雖屢徙，而盡在中國，故京師得以為北限。 今決而西，則河尾益北，如此不已，將南岸遂屬敵界。 彼若建橋梁，守以州郡，窺兵河外，可為寒心。 今水官之議，不過論地形，較功費； 而獻納之臣，不考利害輕重，徒便於治河，而以設險為緩，非至計也。」 帝雖然之，而回河之議紛起，東北蕭然煩費，功亦不就。
The Yellow River was flowing north. The chief councillors backed the water officials and insisted on diverting it eastward again. Dao held that once the river entered the Liaodian marshes it would inevitably silt up and grow shallow, leaving Hebei unable to resist the enemy. He memorialized the throne: "Before the breach at Xiaowu, though the river shifted often, it always stayed within our realm, so the capital could rely on it as the northern barrier. Now that it has broken westward, the river's lower course drifts ever north. If this goes on, the south bank will eventually lie in enemy territory. If they build bridges and hold the line with prefectures and districts, they can probe for troops beyond the river—a chilling prospect. The water officials' plan today goes no further than terrain and cost; yet the remonstrating ministers never weigh benefit against harm. They only want what is convenient for managing the river and treat fortifying the frontier as something to put off—not the best policy." The emperor agreed in principle, but debate over diverting the river raged on. The northeast was drained by expense, and the project never succeeded.
20
三年，同列皆序遷，且新用執政，燾獨如初。 詔增其兩秩，燾懇辭曰：「是雖有故事，竊意以一時同列超升之故，特用是以慰安其心爾。 今日願自臣革之，使朝廷不為姑息，而大臣稍敦廉恥之風，庶或有補。」 竟不受。 以母憂去，卒喪，拜觀文殿學士、知鄭州，徙潁昌及河南府，入為門下侍郎。
In the third year all his colleagues were promoted in turn while new men took power at the top; Dao alone stayed where he was. An edict raised him two ranks. Dao earnestly declined: "There is precedent, but I suspect that because everyone else was promoted at once, this was meant only to soothe one man's feelings. Today I ask to give it up myself, so the court does not indulge favoritism and senior ministers may recover a little of their sense of honor—perhaps that will help." He never accepted the promotion. He left office to mourn his mother. When mourning ended he was made academician of the Hall for Observing Culture and prefect of Zhengzhou, then moved to Yingchang and Henan, and finally entered the capital as vice director of the Department of State Affairs.
21
宣仁之喪，宗室既為三年服，才越歲，章惇拜相，欲革為期。 燾爭之曰：「上以先后保佑之久，追崇如恐不盡，茲用明道故實耳。 遽改之，播諸天下，非佳聲也。」 乃止。 燾與惇布衣交，覬其助己，燾不肯少下之。 陽翟民蓋漸有財訟，而與諫官來之邵交通，開封得其事。 惇右之邵，欲薄其罪，燾不可； 復欲並劾開封，燾又不可，遂與惇隙。 明堂齋祠，為儀仗使，後官有絕馳道穿仗而過者，燾方舉劾，諫官常安民又言，教坊不當於相國寺作樂。 帝怒，欲逐安民，燾為救釋。 惇遂譖其相表裏，出知鄭州，徙大名。
After Xuanren's death the imperial clan had already been in three-year mourning. Barely a year later Zhang Dun became chief councillor and wanted to shorten it to one year. Dao objected: "The emperor, because the late empresses long watched over the realm, honors them as though he can never do enough—that is why he follows the Mingdao precedents. To change that hastily and proclaim it to the empire would not sound well." The change was dropped. Dao and Dun had been friends in plain clothes. Dun expected his help, but Dao would not defer to him in the slightest. A Yangdi man named Gai Jian was embroiled in a property lawsuit and was in contact with the remonstrator Lai Zhi Shao; Kaifeng uncovered the case. Dun sided with Shao and wanted to lighten his sentence; Dao refused; Dun then wanted to impeach Kaifeng as well, and Dao refused again. He and Dun broke with each other. During the Bright Hall fasting rites Dao was master of ceremonies. A palace woman cut across the imperial roadway through the guard of honor; Dao was about to impeach her when the remonstrator Chang Anmin also spoke, saying the Music Bureau should not perform at Xiangguo Temple. The emperor was furious and wanted to drive Anmin out; Dao pleaded and secured his pardon. Dun then accused them of acting in concert and had Dao sent out as prefect of Zhengzhou, then moved him to Daming.
22
父日華，本三班院吏，以燾恩封光祿大夫，至是卒，年九十餘，燾免喪。 徽宗立，復知樞密院。 舊制，內侍出使，以所得旨言於院，審實乃得行。 後多輒去，燾請按治之。 都知閻守懃領他職，祈罷不以告，亦劾之，帝敕守懃詣燾謝。 郝隨得罪，或揣上意且起用，欲援赦為階，亦爭之。
His father Rihua had been a clerk in the Third Class Bureau and, through Dao's influence, was enfeoffed as Grandee of Splendid Happiness. He now died at more than ninety, and Dao left mourning. When Huizong took the throne, Dao again became director of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Under the old rules, when eunuchs went on missions they had to report the orders they carried to the bureau; only after verification could they act. Later many simply left without reporting. Dao asked that they be investigated and punished. The director Yan Shouqin took another post and asked to resign without telling him; Dao impeached him too, and the emperor ordered Shouqin to apologize to Dao in person. Hao Sui had been punished. Some guessed the emperor might soon recall him and tried to use an amnesty as the opening; Dao objected again.
23
以老避位，帝將寵以觀文殿大學士，有間之者曰：「是宰相恩典也。」 但以學士知河南。 將行，上疏曰：「自紹聖、元符以來，用事之臣，持紹述之名，誑惑君父，上則固寵位而快恩仇，下則希進用而肆朋附。 彼自為謀則善矣，未嚐有毫髮為公家計者也。 夫聽言之道，必以其事觀之。 臣不敢高談遠引，獨以神考之事切於今者為證。 熙寧、元豐之間，中外府庫，無不充衍，小邑所積錢米，亦不減二十萬，紹聖以還，傾竭以供邊費，使軍無見糧，吏無月俸，公私虛耗，未有甚於此時，而反謂紹述，豈不為厚誣哉！ 願陛下監之，勿使飾偏辭而為身謀者復得行其說。」 又言：「東京黨禍已萌，願戒履霜之漸。」 語尤激切。
He sought to retire on account of age. The emperor was about to honor him as grand academician of the Hall for Observing Culture, but someone whispered: "That is a chief councillor's privilege." He was given only the lower academician title and made prefect of Henan. Before he left he submitted a memorial: "Since the Shaosheng and Yuanfu reigns, men in power, waving the banner of continuing the late emperor's work, have misled ruler and father. Above they cling to favor and settle scores; below they crave promotion and run in packs. They have schemed well for themselves, but never once spared a thought for the state. The way to judge speech is to look at what it produces. I dare not reach for lofty examples from afar. I will use only what touches us today from the late Shenzong's reign as proof. Under Xining and Yuanfeng, treasuries at court and in the provinces overflowed; even small districts held no less than two hundred thousand in cash and grain. Since Shaosheng everything has been poured into the frontier, until armies see no grain and officials receive no monthly pay. Public and private stores have never been so empty—yet they still call it "continuing the late emperor's work." What gross deception is this! I beg Your Majesty to watch for this and not let men who polish one-sided arguments for private gain speak again." He also said: "Factional strife in the eastern capital has already begun. I beg you to heed the frost that warns of ice ahead." His language was especially sharp.
24
初，建青唐邈川為湟州，戍守困於供億。 燾在樞府，因議者以為可棄，奏還之。 崇寧元年議其罪，降端明殿學士，再貶寧國軍節度副使，漢陽軍安置。 湟州復，又降祁州團練副使。 鄯州之復，又移建昌軍，然棄鄯州時，燾居憂不預也，終不敢自明。 閱再歲，始復通議大夫，還洛卒，年七十五。 後五歲，悉還其官職。
Earlier Qingtang Moyuchuan had been made Huang prefecture, and the garrison was crushed by the cost of supplies. While Dao was at the bureau, debaters argued it could be abandoned, and he memorialized to give it up. In the first year of Chongning (1102) his offense was debated. He was demoted to academician of the Bright Hall, then again to vice military commissioner of Ningguo and settled at Hanyang. When Huang was recovered he was demoted again to vice training commissioner of Qizhou. When Shan was recovered he was moved to Jianchang. Yet when Shan was abandoned Dao was in mourning and had no part in the decision; still he never dared clear his name. After nearly two years he was restored to Grandee for Discussion, returned to Luoyang, and died there at seventy-five. Five years later all his offices were fully restored.
25
子扶，靖康時為給事中。 金人入京師，責取金帛，扶與梅執禮、陳知質、程振皆見殺。
His son Fu was a supervising secretary at the time of the Jingkang crisis. When the Jurchens entered the capital and demanded gold and silk, Fu was killed together with Mei Zhili, Chen Zhizhi, and Cheng Zhen.
26
張璪，初名琥，字邃明，滁州全椒人，洎之孫也。 早孤，鞠於兄環，欲任以官，辭不就。 未冠登第，歷鳳翔法曹、縉雲令。
Zhang Zao, originally named Hu, styled Suiming, was from Quanjiao in Chuzhou and was the grandson of Zhang Zhi. Orphaned young, he was raised by his elder brother Huan, who wanted to give him an official post; he refused. Before he came of age he passed the examinations and served as legal officer at Fengxiang and magistrate of Jinyun.
27
王安石與環善，既得政，將用之，而環已老，乃引璪同編修中書條例，授集賢校理、知諫院、直舍人院。 楊繪、劉摯論助役，安石使璪為文詰之，辭，曾布請為之，由是忤安石意。 神宗欲命璪知制誥，安石薦用布，以璪同修起居注。 自縣令至是，才歲餘。 坐奏事不實，解三職，已而復之。
Wang Anshi was friendly with Huan. Once in power he meant to employ Huan, but Huan was already old, so he brought in Zao to help compile the Secretariat regulations and appointed him collator of the Hall of Assembled Worthies, remonstrator, and direct attendant of the Academy Palace. Yang Hui and Liu Zhi attacked the labor-exemption levy. Anshi had Zao write a rebuttal; Zao refused. Zeng Bu volunteered and thereby fell out of Anshi's favor. Shenzong wanted to make Zao drafter of edicts. Anshi recommended Bu instead and made Zao co-compiler of the imperial diary. From county magistrate to this post took barely a year. He was punished for reporting untruthfully, stripped of three posts, then soon restored.
28
時建議武學，璪言：「古之太學，舞干習射，受成獻功，莫不在焉。 文武之才，皆自此出，未聞偏習其一者也。 請無問文武之士，一養於太學。」 朝廷既復河、隴，欲因勢戡定夔、蜀、荊、廣諸夷，璪言：「先王務治中國而已。 今生財未盡有道，用財未盡有禮，不宜遽及徂征之事。」 皆不聽。 以集賢殿修撰知蔡州，復知諫院兼侍御史知雜事。
When a military academy was proposed, Zao said: "The ancient Imperial Academy taught shield dances and archery, received completed work and presented achievements—all of it was there. Civil and military talent alike came from it. No one ever heard of training only one side. I ask that civil and military students alike be trained in the single Imperial Academy." The court had recovered He and Long and wished to press on and subdue the Yi of Kui, Shu, Jing, and Guang. Zao said: "The former kings devoted themselves to governing China alone. Revenue is not yet fully ordered by the Way, expenditure not yet fully ordered by ritual. It is not yet time to rush into distant campaigns." None of it was heeded. As academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies he became prefect of Cai, then again remonstrator and concurrently supervising censor with chief responsibility.
29
盧秉行鹽法於東南，操持峻急，一人抵禁，數家為黥徙，且破產以償告捕，二年中犯者萬人。 璪條列其狀。 又言：「行役法以來，最下戶亦每歲納錢，乞度寬羨數均損之，以惠貧弱。」 後皆施行。
Lu Bing enforced the salt monopoly in the southeast with harsh severity. One violation could bring tattooing and exile for several households and ruin their property to pay informers. In two years there were ten thousand offenders. Zao laid out the facts in a memorial. He also said: "Since the labor-service law even the poorest households pay cash every year. I ask that surplus funds be calculated and shared to lighten the burden on the poor." Later all were carried out.
30
鄭俠事起，璪媚呂惠卿，劾馮京與俠交通有跡，深其辭，致京等於罪。 判司農寺，出知河陽。 元豐初，入權度支副使，遂知制誥、知諫院。 判國子監，薦蔡卞可為直講。 建增博士弟子員，月書、季考，歲校，以行藝次升，略仿《周官》鄉比之法，立齋舍八十二。 學官之盛，近代莫比，其議多自璪發之。
When the Zheng Xia affair broke out, Zao curried favor with Lu Huiqing and impeached Feng Jing for traces of contact with Xia, deepening the charges until Jing and others were convicted. He was made director of the Directorate of Agriculture and sent out as prefect of Heyang. At the start of Yuanfeng he entered as acting vice director of revenue, then became drafter of edicts and remonstrator. As director of the Directorate of Education he recommended Cai Bian as lecturer. He proposed increasing doctoral students, monthly essays, quarterly exams, and annual review, promoting by conduct and achievement in rough imitation of the village comparison method in the "Rites of Zhou," and established eighty-two dormitories. Schools had never flourished so in recent times; most of the plan came from Zao.
31
蘇軾下臺獄，璪與李定雜治，謀傅致軾於死，卒不克。 詳定郊廟奉祀禮文，議者多以國朝未嘗躬行方澤之禮為非，正詔議更制。 璪請於夏至之日，備禮容樂舞，以塚宰攝事。 帝曰：「在今所宜，無以易此。」 卒行其說。 為翰林學士，詳定官制，以寄祿二十四階易前日省、寺虛名，而職事名始正。
When Su Shi was sent to the censorial prison, Zao and Li Ding jointly prosecuted him, plotting to frame him on a capital charge, but failed. He worked on ritual texts for suburban and temple sacrifices. Critics mostly held it wrong that the dynasty had never personally performed the square-marsh rite, and an edict ordered reform. Zao asked that on the summer solstice full ritual, music, and dance be prepared, with the chief minister presiding. The emperor said: "For what is fitting today, nothing should replace this." In the end his proposal was carried out. As Hanlin academician he worked on the official system, replacing the old empty titles of ministries and directorates with twenty-four stipendiary ranks so that actual duties at last had correct names.
32
四年，拜參知政事，改中書侍郎。 哲宗立，諫官、御史合攻之，謂：「璪奸邪便佞，善窺主意，隨勢所在而依附之，往往以危機陷人。 深交舒亶，數起大獄，天下共知其為大奸。 小人而在高位，德之賊也。」 疏入，皆不報。 最後，劉摯言：「璪初奉安石，旋附惠卿，隨王珪，黨章惇，諂蔡確，數人之性不同，而能探情變節，左右從順，各得其歡心。 今過惡既章，不可不速去。」 如是逾歲，乃以資政殿學士知鄭州，徙河南、定州、大名府，進大學士，知揚州以卒。 贈右銀青光祿大夫，諡曰「簡翼」。
In the fourth year he was made vice grand councillor and changed to vice director of the Central Secretariat. When Zhezong took the throne, remonstrators and censors attacked him together, saying: "Zao is treacherous and fawning, skilled at reading the ruler's mind and clinging wherever power sits, often trapping people with deadly charges. He was close to Shu Dan and repeatedly launched major prosecutions. Everyone knew him as a great villain. A petty man in high office is virtue's enemy." The memorials went in but none were answered. Finally Liu Zhi said: "Zao first served Anshi, then Huiqing, then Wang Gui, then Zhang Dun's faction, then Cai Que. These men differ in character, yet he could read their moods, shift his manner, and follow each in turn, winning every man's favor. Now his crimes are plain. He must be removed at once." A year passed in this way before he was made academician of the Hall for Assisting Governance and prefect of Zhengzhou, then moved to Henan, Ding, and Daming, advanced to grand academician, and died as prefect of Yangzhou. He was posthumously given the title Right Silver-Glitter Grandee of Splendid Happiness, with posthumous name Jianyi ("Simple and Aiding").
33
蒲宗孟
Pu Zongmeng
34
蒲宗孟，字傳正，閬州新井人。 第進士，調夔州觀察推官。 治平中，水災地震，宗孟上書，斥大臣及宮禁、宦寺，熙寧元年，改著作佐郎。 神宗見其名，曰：「是嘗言水災地震者邪？」 召試學士院，以為館閣校勘、檢正中書戶房兼修條例，進集賢校理。
Pu Zongmeng, styled Chuanzheng, was from Xinjin in Lang prefecture. He passed the jinshi examination and was appointed investigating officer of Kuizhou. During the Zhiping era, when floods and earthquakes struck, Zongmeng submitted a memorial attacking great ministers and the palace eunuchs. In the first year of Xining (1068) he was made assistant compiler. Shenzong saw his name and said: "Is this the man who spoke about the floods and earthquakes?" He was summoned to test at the Hanlin Academy, appointed collator of the Hall of Assembled Worthies and rectifier of the Central Secretariat household registry while compiling regulations, then promoted to collator of the Hall of Assembled Worthies.
35
時三司新置提舉帳司官，祿豐地要，人人欲得之。 執政上其員，帝命與宗孟。 命察訪荊湖兩路，奏罷辰、沅役錢及湖南丁賦，遠人賴之。 呂惠卿制手實法，然猶許災傷五分以上不預。 宗孟言：「民以手實上其家之物產而官為注籍，以正百年無用不明之版圖而均齊其力役，天下良法也。 然災傷五分不預焉。 臣以為使民自供，初無所擾，何待豐歲？ 願詔有司，勿以豐凶弛張其法。」 從之，民於是益病矣。
The Three Departments had just created the post of commissioner for ledger accounts, with a rich salary and important station, and everyone wanted it. The chief councillors presented their candidates; the emperor gave the post to Zongmeng. Ordered to inspect Jing and Hu, he memorialized to abolish corvee levies in Chen and Yuan and the ding tax in Hunan, to the great relief of people in distant districts. Lu Huiqing devised the household inventory law but still exempted households with disaster losses of fifty percent or more. Zongmeng said: "Having households report their property for official registration corrects century-old useless land registers and equalizes labor duties—a fine law for the realm. Yet households with disaster losses of fifty percent are excluded. I believe self-reporting disturbs nothing at the outset—why wait for a good harvest year? I ask that responsible offices be ordered not to tighten or loosen the law according to harvests." The court agreed, and the people were further afflicted.
36
俄同修起居注、直舍人院、知制誥，帝又稱其有史才，命同修兩朝國史，為翰林學士兼侍讀。 舊制，學士唯服金帶，宗孟入謝，帝曰：「學士職清地近，非他官比，而官儀未寵。」 乃加佩魚，遂著為令。 樞密都承旨張誠一預書局事，頗肆橫，挾中旨以脅同列。 宗孟持其語質帝前，皆非是，因叩頭白其奸。 帝察其不阿，欲大用，拜尚書左丞。
Soon he was co-compiler of the imperial diary, direct attendant of the Academy Palace, and drafter of edicts. The emperor also praised his historical talent and had him co-compile the national history of two reigns, appointing him Hanlin academician and attendant reader. Under the old rules Hanlin academics wore only the gold belt. When Zongmeng came to give thanks, the emperor said: "The Hanlin post is pure and close to the throne, unlike other offices, yet its insignia are not honored enough." He was given the fish tally as well, and this became a permanent rule. Zhang Chengyi, chief secretary of the Bureau of Military Affairs, took part in compiling the history and was overbearing, using secret imperial orders to intimidate colleagues. Zongmeng brought his statements before the emperor; none held up, and he kowtowed to expose his misconduct. Seeing that he would not flatter, the emperor wished to promote him greatly and made him Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.
37
帝嘗語輔臣，有無人才之歎，宗孟率爾對曰：「人才半為司馬光邪說所壞。」 帝不語，直視久之，曰：「蒲宗孟乃不取司馬光邪？ 未論別事，只辭樞密一節，朕自即位以來，唯見此一人； 他人，則雖迫之使去，亦不肯矣。」 宗孟慚懼，至無以為容。 僅一歲，御史論其荒於酒色及繕治府舍過制，罷知汝州。 逾年，加資政殿學士，徙、杭、鄆三州。
The emperor once told his chief ministers he lacked talent. Zongmeng blurted: "Half our talent has been ruined by Sima Guang's heterodox doctrines." The emperor fell silent, stared at him a long time, and said: "Does Pu Zongmeng look down on Sima Guang? Never mind other things—in declining the Bureau of Military Affairs alone, since I took the throne I have seen only this one man; as for others, even if you forced them out they would not go." Zongmeng was ashamed and afraid, utterly abashed. Barely a year later censors attacked his dissipation in wine and women and his overbuilt prefectural residence; he was sent out as prefect of Run. A year later he was made academician of the Hall for Assisting Governance and served in Yi, Hang, and Yan.
38
鄆介梁山濼，素多盜，宗孟痛治之，雖小偷微罪，亦斷其足筋，盜雖為衰止，而所殺亦不可勝計矣。 方徙河中，御史以慘酷劾，奪職知虢州。 明年，復知河中，還其職。 帥永興，移大名。 宗孟厭苦易地，頗默默不樂，復求河中。 卒，年六十六。
Yan bordered Liangshan marsh and had always been full of bandits. Zongmeng punished them harshly; even petty thieves had their leg tendons severed. Banditry did decline, but the dead were beyond counting. As he was transferred to Hezhong, censors impeached him for cruelty, stripped his rank, and made him prefect of Guo. The next year he returned to Hezhong and had his rank restored. He commanded Yongxing, then moved to Daming. Wearied of constant transfers, Zongmeng grew silent and unhappy and again asked for Hezhong. He died at sixty-six.
39
宗孟趣尚嚴整而性侈汰，藏帑豐，每旦刲羊十、豕十，然燭三百入郡舍。 或請損之，慍曰：「君欲使我坐暗室忍饑邪？」 常日盥潔，有小洗面、大洗面、小濯足、大濯足、小大澡浴之別。 每用婢子數人，一浴至湯五斛。 他奉養率稱是。 嘗以書抵蘇軾云：「晚年學道有所得。」 軾答之曰：「聞所得甚高，然有二事相勸：一曰慈，二曰儉也。」 蓋針其失云。
Zongmeng was severe in manner but extravagant by nature. His treasury was rich. Each morning he slaughtered ten sheep and ten pigs and burned three hundred candles in the prefectural residence. When someone asked him to cut back, he snapped: "Do you want me to sit in the dark and starve?" His daily ablutions distinguished small face-washing, large face-washing, small foot-washing, large foot-washing, and small and large bathing. Each time he used several maidservants; one bath consumed up to five hu of hot water. His other upkeep was mostly on the same scale. He once wrote to Su Shi: "In my later years I have studied the Way and gained something." Su Shi replied: "I hear your attainment is very lofty, yet I urge two things upon you: compassion and frugality." This was to needle his faults.
40
黃履，字安中，邵武人。 少遊太學，舉進士，調南京法曹，又為高密、廣平王二宮教授、館閣校勘，同知禮院。 擢監察御史裏行，辭御史，改崇政殿說書兼知諫院。
Huang Lu, styled Anzhong, was from Shaowu. As a youth he studied at the Imperial University, passed the examinations, served as legal officer at Nanjing, then instructor to the princes of Gaomi and Guangping, collator of the Hall of Assembled Worthies, and associate director of the Court of Rites. Promoted to investigating censor in waiting, he declined the censorate and was made lecturer at Chongzheng Hall while directing the Remonstrance Bureau.
41
神宗嘗詢天地合祭是非，對曰：「國朝之制，冬至祭天圓丘，夏至祭地方澤，每歲行之，皆合於古。 猶以有司攝事未足以盡，於是三歲一郊而親行之，所謂因時制宜者也，雖施之方今，為不可易。 惟合祭之非，在所當正。 然今日禮文之失，非獨此也，願敕有司正群祀，為一代損益之制。」 詔置局詳定，命履董之，北郊之議遂定。 同修起居注，進知制誥、同修國史。 遭母憂去，服除，以禮部尚書召。
Shenzong once asked whether the combined sacrifice of Heaven and Earth was correct. Lu answered: "Our dynasty sacrifices Heaven at the round mound at the winter solstice and Earth at the square marsh at the summer solstice each year—both accord with antiquity. Because proxy sacrifice by officials is still insufficient, every three years the emperor performs the suburban sacrifice in person—adapting to the times. Even today that cannot easily be changed. Only the error of combined sacrifice must be corrected. Yet today's ritual errors are not this alone. I ask Your Majesty to order the offices to correct all sacrifices and establish a ritual system for the age." An edict established a bureau to work it out, with Lu in charge, and the northern suburban debate was settled. He was co-compiler of the diary, then advanced to drafter of edicts and co-compiler of the national history. He left to mourn his mother. When mourning ended he was summoned as Minister of Rites.
42
時閩中患苦鹽法，獻言者眾，神宗謂履自閩來，恃以為決。 履乃陳法甚便，遂不復革，鄉論鄙之。 遷御史中丞。 履以大臣多因細故罰金，遂言：「賈誼有云：『遇之以禮，則群臣自喜。』 群臣且然，況大臣乎？ 使罪在可議，黜之可也； 可恕，釋之可也，豈可罰以示辱哉！」 時又制侍郎以下不許獨對，履言：「陛下博訪萬務，雖遠外微官，猶令獨對，顧於侍從乃弗得願也。」 遂刊其制。 御史翟思言事，有旨詰所自來。 履諫曰：「御史以言為職，非有所聞，則無以言。 今乃究其自來，則人將懲之，臺諫不復有聞矣，恐失開言路之意。」 事乃寢。
Fujian was suffering under the salt law and many offered advice. Shenzong said that because Lu came from Fujian he would rely on him to decide. Lu declared the law very convenient, so it was not reformed, and local opinion despised him. He was promoted to chief investigating censor. Because many great ministers were fined for trifles, Lu said: "Jia Yi said: 'Treat them with ritual, and the ministers will rejoice. If that is true of ministers, how much more of great ministers? If the offense is debatable, dismiss them; if pardonable, release them. How can you fine them to humiliate them!" It was also decreed that vice directors and below might not have private audiences. Lu said: "Your Majesty inquires broadly into all affairs. Even distant minor officials may have private audiences, yet attendants-in-waiting may not speak as they wish." The regulation was struck. Investigating censor Zhai Si spoke on policy; an edict demanded where his information came from. Lu remonstrated: "Censors take speech as their duty. Without hearing something, they have nothing to say. Now to trace their sources, people will restrain themselves and the censorate will fall silent—I fear this defeats opening the path of speech." The matter was dropped.
43
先是，北郊之論雖定，猶不果行，履又建言：「陽復陰消，各因其時。 上圓下方，各順其體。 是以聖人因天祀天，因地祀地，三代至漢，其儀不易。 及王莽諂事元后，遂躋地位，同席共牢，歷世襲行，不能全革。 逮神宗考古揆今，以正大典，嘗有意於茲矣。 今承先志，當在陛下及二三執政。」 哲宗詢諸朝，章惇以為北郊止可謂之社。 履曰：「天子祭天地。 蓋郊者交於神明之義，所以天地皆稱郊。 故《詩序》云『郊祀天地』。 若夫社者，土之神而已，豈有祭大祇亦謂之社乎？」 哲宗可之，遂定郊議。 拜尚書右丞。
Earlier, though the northern suburban debate was settled, it had not been carried out. Lu memorialized again: "Yang returns and yin recedes, each in its season. Heaven is round, earth square—each follows its form. Therefore sages sacrifice to Heaven because of Heaven and to Earth because of Earth. From the Three Dynasties to Han the rites did not change. When Wang Mang flattered Empress Dowager Yuan, he raised her station and shared mat and food with her. For generations the practice continued without full reform. When Shenzong examined antiquity and measured the present to rectify the great rites, he once intended this. Now, inheriting the late emperor's will, it lies with Your Majesty and two or three chief administrators." Zhezong asked the court. Zhang Dun held that the northern suburban rite could only be called the earth sacrifice. Lu said: "The Son of Heaven sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. Suburban sacrifice means communion with the spirits; therefore both Heaven and Earth are called suburban. Thus the Preface to the Odes says "suburban sacrifice to Heaven and Earth." The earth sacrifice is only to the spirit of soil. How can sacrificing to the great earth-spirit also be called the earth sacrifice?" Zhezong approved, and the suburban debate was settled. He was appointed Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.
44
會正言鄒浩以言事貶新州，履曰：「浩以親被拔擢之故，敢犯顏納忠，陛下遽斥之死地，人臣將視以為戒，誰復敢為陛下論得失乎？ 乞徙善地。」 坐罷知亳州。 徽宗立，召為資政殿學士兼侍讀，復拜右丞。 未逾年，求去，加大學士、提舉中太一宮，卒。
When remonstrator Zou Hao was demoted to Xin for speaking out, Lu said: "Hao, personally raised by you, dared to speak loyal truth. Your Majesty cast him to a deadly place. Ministers will take warning—who will dare discuss policy with you again? I beg he be moved to a better place." For this he was dismissed to Bo prefecture. When Huizong took the throne he was summoned as academician of the Hall for Assisting Governance and attendant reader, and again made Right Vice Director. Before a year passed he asked to leave, was given the grand academician title and made director of the Central Grand Unity Palace, and died.
45
論曰：哲宗親政之初，見慮未定，范、呂諸賢在廷，左右弼謨，俾日邇忠讜，疏絕回遹，以端其志向，元祐之治業，庶可守也。 清臣怙才躁進，陰覬柄用，首發紹述之說，以隙國是，群奸洞之，衝決莫障，重為薦紳之禍焉。 至於興大獄以傾馮京、蘇軾者，璪也； 助成手實之法，以壞人材、讕司馬光者，宗孟也； 訐垂簾之事，擊呂大防、劉摯等去之者，履也。 清臣真小人之靡，三子抑其亞乎。 燾論議識趣，有可稱述，雖立朝無附，而依違蔡確、章惇間，無所匡建，非大臣之道也。
The commentary says: When Zhezong first took personal rule his views were unsettled. Fan, Lu, and other worthies were at court, guiding him daily toward loyal remonstrance and shutting out devious paths—the Yuanyou achievement might have been preserved. Qingchen, relying on talent and rushing ahead, secretly coveted power and first launched the doctrine of "continuing the late emperor's work," splitting national consensus. Villains saw the gap and burst through, bringing calamity again on the gentry. Launching great prosecutions to overthrow Feng Jing and Su Shi—that was Zao; helping complete the household inventory law to ruin talent and slander Sima Guang—that was Zongmeng; denouncing the regency and driving Lu Dafang, Liu Zhi, and others from office—that was Lu. Qingchen was truly the dregs of petty men; the three were perhaps next below him. Dao's discourse and insight had points worth recounting. Though he stood without faction, he wavered between Cai Que and Zhang Dun and built nothing—this was not the way of a great minister.
46
蔡挺，字子政，宋城人。 第進士，調虔州推官。 秩滿，以父希言當官蜀，乞代行，遂授陵州團練推官。 王堯臣安撫陝西，辟管勾文字。 富弼使遼，奏挺從，至雄州，誓書有所更易，遣挺還白。 仁宗欲知契丹事，召對便殿，挺時有父喪，聽以衫帽入。
Cai Ting, styled Zizheng, was from Songcheng. He passed the examinations and was appointed investigating officer of Qian prefecture. When his term ended, because his father Xiyan was to take office in Shu, he begged to go in his stead and was appointed investigating officer of Ling. Wang Yaochen pacified Shaanxi and recruited him to manage documents. When Fu Bi went as envoy to Liao, he asked Ting to accompany him. At Xiong the oath document was changed; Ting was sent back to report. Renzong wished to know about Liao and summoned him to the side hall. Ting was in mourning for his father and was allowed to enter in shirt and cap.
47
范仲淹宣撫陝西、河東，奏挺通判涇州，徙鄜州。 河北多盜，精擇諸郡守，以挺知博州。 申飭屬縣嚴保伍，得居停奸盜者數人，弛其宿負，補為吏，使之察警，盜每發輒得。 均博平、聊城二縣稅，歲衍鉅萬，三司下其法於四方，然大抵增賦也。
Fan Zhongyan pacified Shaanxi and Hedong and had Ting made vice prefect of Jing, then moved him to Yan. Hebei had many bandits; the court carefully chose prefects and made Ting prefect of Bo. He ordered subordinate counties to enforce mutual-responsibility groups strictly, found several who harbored bandits, released their old debts, made them clerks to watch and report, and bandits were caught whenever they struck. He equalized taxes in Boping and Liaocheng counties, adding tens of thousands each year. The Three Departments spread the method everywhere, but it mostly increased levies.
48
為開封府推官、提點府界公事。 部修六漯河，用李仲昌議，塞北流，入於六漯。 一夕復決，兵夫芟楗漂溺不可計。 降知滁州，言者以為輕，乃貶秩停官。
He became investigating officer of Kaifeng and commissioner for metropolitan circuit affairs. He supervised repair of the Six Luo River, using Li Zhongchang's plan to block the northern channel and divert it into the Six Luo. Overnight it burst again. Laborers cutting brush were swept away beyond counting. He was demoted to Chuzhou. Critics thought the punishment too light, so his rank was cut and office suspended.
49
越數歲，稍起知南安軍，提點江西刑獄，提舉虔州鹽。 自大庾嶺下南至廣，驛路荒遠，室廬稀疏，往來無所芘。 挺兄抗時為廣東轉運使，乃相與謀，課民植松夾道，以休行者。 江閩鹽賊率千百為州縣害，挺諭所部與期，使首納器甲，原其罪，得兵械萬計。 官鹽惡而價貴，盜鹽善而價且下，故私販日滋。 挺簡僚吏至淮轉新鹽，明殿賞，以官數之餘畀之，於是賊黨破散，宿弊遂絕，歲增賣鹽四十萬。
After several years he was restored to Nan'an army, Jiangxi judicial commissioner, and director of Qianzhou salt. South from Dayu Ridge to Guang the post road was desolate and houses sparse; travelers had nowhere to shelter. Ting's brother Kang was Guangdong transport commissioner. Together they had people plant pines along the road to shade travelers. Salt bandits in Jiang and Min gathered by the hundreds to plague the region. Ting set a deadline for surrender of arms, pardoned offenders, and collected tens of thousands of weapons. Official salt was poor and costly while smuggled salt was better and cheaper, so private trade grew daily. Ting sent officials to bring new salt from Huai, clarified rewards, and let them keep surplus beyond quota. Bandit gangs broke up, old abuses ended, and annual sales rose four hundred thousand.
50
改陝西轉運副使，進直龍圖閣、知慶州，因上書論攻守大計。 夏人大入，挺盡斂邊戶入保，戒諸砦無出戰。 諒祚親帥軍數萬攻大順，挺料城堅不可破，而柔遠城惡，亟遣總管張玉將銳師守之。 先布鐵蒺藜大順城旁水中，騎渡水多躓，驚言有神。 過三日不克，諒祚督帳下決戰，挺伏強弩壕外，飛矢貫其鎧，遂引卻。 移寇柔遠，玉夜斫營，夏人驚擾潰去。 環州熟羌思順舉族投諒祚，倚為鄉導。 挺宣言思順且復來，命葺其舊舍，出兵西為迎候之舉。 諒祚果疑思順，毒之死。 挺築城馬練平為荔原堡，分屬羌三千人守之。
Made Shaanxi vice transport commissioner, he advanced to Dragon Diagram attendant and prefect of Qing, and memorialized on grand strategy. When the Xia invaded in force, Ting gathered border households into forts and ordered garrisons not to fight. Liangzuo led tens of thousands against Dashun. Ting judged Dashun strong but Rouyuan weak and urgently sent Zhang Yu with elite troops. He laid iron caltrops in the water by Dashun. Cavalry stumbled crossing and cried that spirits were at work. After three days Liangzuo pressed for battle. Ting's crossbow ambush pierced his armor and he withdrew. When the attack shifted to Rouyuan, Yu raided the camp at night and the Xia fled. The mature Qiang Sishun of Huan led his clan to Liangzuo and served as guide. Ting proclaimed Sishun would return, repaired his house, and sent troops west as if to welcome him. Liangzuo suspected Sishun and had him poisoned. Ting built Liyuan fort at Malianping and assigned three thousand Qiang to guard it.
51
神宗即位，加天章閣待制、知渭州。 舉籍禁兵悉還府，不使有隱占。 建勤武堂，五日一訓之，偏伍鉦鼓之法甚備。 儲勁卒於行間，遇用奇，則別為一隊。 甲兵整習，常若寇至。 又分義勇為伍番，番三千人，參正兵防秋與春，以八月、正月集，四十五日而罷，歲省粟帛、錢緡十三萬有奇。 括並邊生地冒耕田千八百頃，募人佃種，以益邊儲。 取邊民闌市蕃部田八千頃，以給弓箭手。 又築城定戎軍為熙寧砦，開地二千頃，募卒三千人耕守之。
When Shenzong took the throne, Ting was made Heavenly Manifest attendant and prefect of Wei. He registered all forbidden troops and returned them to the commandery, ending hidden claims. He built the Hall of Martial Diligence and trained every five days with full platoon drum methods. He kept crack troops in the ranks; for special tactics they formed separate units. Armor and weapons were drilled as if the enemy might arrive at any moment. He divided militia into five rotations of three thousand to join regulars in autumn and spring defense for forty-five days, saving over 130,000 in grain, silk, and cash. He inventoried 1,800 qing of falsely cultivated border wasteland and recruited tenants to fill frontier stores. He reclaimed 8,000 qing of tribal land illegally traded on the border for archers. He fortified Dingwu as Xining garrison, opened 2,000 qing, and recruited 3,000 soldiers to farm and guard.
52
諜告夏人集胡盧河，挺出奇兵迎擊之。 夏人潰，分諸將躡而討之，蕩其七族。 進右諫議大夫，賜金帛三千。 夏人復犯諸砦，環慶兵不能禦，挺遣張玉以萬人往解其圍。 慶州軍變，挺討平之，進龍圖閣直學士。 廣銳卒徙營，眾憚遷，欲為亂，城中震擾，挺推斬首惡十九人，訖徙營。 蕃部歲饑，以田質於弓箭手，過期輒沒。 挺為貸官錢，歲息什一，後遂推為蕃漢青苗、助役法。 又自以意製渡河大索及兵械鐮槍，皆獲其用。
Spies reported Xia gathering at Hulu River; Ting sent a surprise force. The Xia routed; generals pursued and destroyed seven clans. He was promoted to Right Remonstrator and given 3,000 in gold and silk. The Xia attacked again; Huan and Qing could not resist; Ting sent Zhang Yu with 10,000 to relieve the siege. Qingzhou mutinied; Ting suppressed it and was promoted to Dragon Diagram direct academician. Guangrui troops feared a camp move and plotted mutiny. Ting executed nineteen ringleaders and completed the transfer. Tribal districts pawned fields to archers in famine years; overdue pledges were forfeited. Ting lent official money at ten percent interest, later extended as Qiang-Han green sprout and labor-exemption laws. He devised river-crossing ropes and military sickles and spears, all proving useful.
53
熙寧五年，拜樞密副使。 帝問挺涇原訓兵之法，召部將按於崇政殿，善之，下以為諸郡法。 河州景思立戰死，帝開天章閣訪執政，挺請行。 帝曰：「此小事，不足煩卿。 河朔有警，卿當行矣。」 契丹議雲中地，挺請罷沿邊戍人，示以無事，因乞置三十七將，皆行其策。
In the fifth year of Xining (1072) he was made vice director of the Bureau of Military Affairs. The emperor asked about Jingyuan training. Ting's officers demonstrated at Chongzheng Hall; the emperor made it the model for all commands. Jing Sili died at He prefecture. The emperor consulted ministers; Ting asked to go. The emperor said: "This is a small matter, not worth troubling you. When Hebei is threatened, you shall go." The Khitan debated Yunzhong. Ting asked to withdraw border garrisons to show peace and establish thirty-seven commands—all adopted.
54
七年冬，奏事殿中，疾作而仆，帝親臨賜藥，罷為資政殿學士、判南京留司御史臺。 元豐二年，薨，年六十六。 贈工部尚書，諡曰敏肅。
In the seventh winter he collapsed at court. The emperor visited and gave medicine, then made him Assisting Governance academician and Nanjing censorate judge. In the second year of Yuanfeng (1079) he died at sixty-six. He was posthumously made Minister of Works with posthumous name Minsu.
55
挺譎而多知，人莫能窺其城府。 初，為富弼、范仲淹客，頗泄其幾事於呂夷簡以自售。 在渭久，鬱鬱不自聊，寓意詞曲，有「玉關人老」之歎。 中使至，則使優伶歌之，以達於禁掖。 神宗湣焉，遂有樞密之拜云。 兄抗抗，字子直。 中進士，調太平州推官。 聞父疾，委官去。 稍遷睦親宅講書。 英宗在宮邸，器重之，請於安懿王，願得與遊。 每見，必衣冠盡禮，義兼師友。 再遷太常博士、通判秦州，為秘閣校理，乞知蘇州。 州並江湖，民田苦風潮害，抗築長堤，自城屬昆山，亙八十里，民得立塍堨，大以為利。
Ting was crafty and knowing; no one could read his mind. As client to Fu Bi and Fan Zhongyan, he leaked their plans to Lü Yijian for advancement. Long at Wei, depressed, he wrote lyrics with the sigh "Jade Pass grows old." When palace envoys came, he had actors sing them to reach the inner court. Shenzong pitied him and thus came his Bureau appointment. Elder brother Kang. Kang, styled Zizhi. He passed the jinshi examination and was appointed investigating officer of Taiping. Hearing his father was ill, he resigned his post. He was gradually promoted to lecturer at the Mansion of Close Kin. While Yingzong was in the palace residence he valued Kang, asked Prince Anyi, and wished his company. Whenever they met he wore full court dress and treated him with the courtesy due to both teacher and friend. He was again made Erudite of the Grand Sacrifices and vice prefect of Qin, collator of the Secret Archive, and asked to be sent to Suzhou. Suzhou bordered the lakes; fields suffered from wind and tides. Kang built an eighty-li dike to Kunshan so people could raise embankments—a great benefit.
56
徙廣東轉運使。 岑水銅冶廢，官給虛券為市，久不償。 人無所取資，聚而私鑄，抗盡給之，人得直以止。 番禺歲運鹽英、韶，道遠，多侵竊雜惡。 抗命十舸為一運，擇攝官主之，歲終會其殿最，增十五萬緡。
He was transferred to transport commissioner of Guangdong. He was transferred to Guangdong transport commissioner. Censhui copper works were abandoned; empty vouchers went unpaid; people coined privately until Kang paid in full and coining stopped. Panyu shipped salt to Ying and Shao yearly; the road was long and much was stolen or adulterated. Kang ordered ten boats per convoy with acting officials; year-end review added 150,000 strings.
57
英宗立，召為三司判官。 廣部去京師遠，不即至，帝見南來者必問之。 及入對，諭曰：「卿乃吾故人，朕望於卿者厚，勿以常禮自疏也。」 以史館修撰同知諫院。 方議安懿王典禮，抗引禮為人後之誼，指陳切至，涕淚被面，帝亦感泣。 都城大水，抗請見，帝迎問之，抗推原變異，守前說以對。 大臣畏其諫列，白為知制誥，遷龍圖閣直學士、知定州。 帝惜其去，曰：「第行，且召矣。」
When Yingzong took the throne he was summoned as Three Departments judge. Guang was far from the capital; the emperor asked every southerner about him. At audience the emperor said: "You are my old friend; I expect much—do not stand on ceremony." He was made historiographer and associate remonstrance director. Debating Prince Anyi's rites, Kang cited adoption ritual with tears; the emperor wept too. When the capital flooded, Kang sought audience; the emperor received him; Kang traced omens and held his view. Ministers feared his remonstrance and made him edict drafter and Dragon Diagram academician at Ding. The emperor regretted his leaving: "Go for now—you will be recalled."
58
郡兵番戍，室家留營多不謹，夫歸輒首原，抗下令悉按以法，戍者感焉。 帝不豫，趣命為太子詹事，未至而神宗立，改樞密直學士、知秦州。 過闕，帝見之，悲慟不自勝，曰：「先帝疾大漸，猶不忘卿。」 遂赴鎮。
Rotating garrison troops left careless families; husbands were forgiven on return; Kang punished by law and the garrison was moved. The emperor fell ill and Kang was made heir-apparent tutor; before arrival Shenzong took the throne and made him bureau academician and Qin prefect. Passing the capital the emperor saw him, grief-stricken: "When the late emperor was dying he still remembered you." He then went to his post.
59
秦有質院，質諸羌百餘人，自少至老，扃繫之，非死不出，抗皆縱釋，約毋得擅相仇殺。 已而有犯者，斬以徇，莫敢奸令。 居數日，夢英宗召語，眷如平生，欲退復留。 覺為家人言，感念歔欷。 及靈駕發引之旦，東望號慟，見僚佐於便室，驟得疾卒，年六十。 特贈禮部侍郎。 又欲賜諡，吳奎曰：「抗以舊恩，自雜學士贈官，已逾常制。」 遂止。
Qin held over a hundred Qiang hostages locked until death; Kang released them and forbade private vendettas. Violators were beheaded as warning; none dared break the order. Days later he dreamed Yingzong summoned him with affection as in life, wishing to leave yet detained. Awake he told his family and sighed. When the coffin set out he wailed eastward; meeting aides he suddenly fell ill and died at sixty. He was specially posthumously made Vice Minister of Rites. They wished a posthumous name; Wu Kui said: "Kang was promoted from miscellaneous academician through old favor—already beyond convention." It stopped.
60
王韶，字子純，江州德安人。 第進士，調新安主簿、建昌軍司理參軍。 試制科不中，客遊陝西，訪采邊事。
Wang Shao, styled Zichun, was from De'an in Jiang prefecture. He passed the examinations and was registrar of Xin'an and judicial officer of Jianchang. He failed the special decree exam, traveled Shaanxi, and gathered frontier intelligence.
61
熙寧元年，詣闕上《平戎策》三篇，其略以為：
In the first year of Xining he submitted three chapters of "Pacifying the Rong," arguing:
62
「西夏可取。 欲取西夏，當先復河、湟，則夏人有腹背受敵之憂。 夏人比年攻青唐，不能克，萬一克之，必並兵南向，大掠秦、渭之間，牧馬於蘭、會，斷古渭境，盡服南山生羌，西築武勝，遣兵時掠洮、河，則隴、蜀諸郡當盡驚擾，瞎征兄弟其能自保邪？ 今唃氏子孫，唯董氈粗能自立，瞎征、欺巴溫之徒，又法所及，各不過一二百里，其勢豈能與西人抗哉！ 武威之南，至於洮、河、蘭、鄯，皆故漢郡縣，所謂湟中、浩、大小榆、枹罕，土地肥美，宜五種者在焉。 幸今諸羌瓜分，莫相統一，此正可並合而兼撫之時也。 諸種既服，唃氏敢不歸？
"Western Xia can be taken. To take Western Xia, recover He and Huang first so the Xia fear attack from front and rear. The Xia attacked Qingtang without success; if they took it they would march south, plunder Qin and Wei, cut Guwei, subdue Qiang, and alarm Long and Shu—could Zhezheng's brothers protect themselves? Of the Gu clan only Dong Zhan stands alone; Zhezheng and Qiba Wen are within reach, each under two hundred li—how can they resist the western enemy! South of Wuwei to Tao, He, Lan, and Shan lie former Han counties—Huangzhong, Hao, Yu, Baohan—fertile and fit for grain. Fortunately the Qiang are divided—now is the time to combine and pacify them. Once the tribes submit, will the Gu clan not return?
63
唃氏歸則河西李氏在吾股掌中矣。 且唃氏子孫，瞎征差盛，為諸羌所畏，若招諭之，使居武勝或渭源城，使糾合宗黨，制其部族，習用漢法，異時族類雖盛，不過一延州李士彬、環州慕恩耳。 為漢有肘腋之助，且使夏人無所連結，策之上也。」
"If the Gu clan returns, the Li of Hexi are in our palm. "Zhezheng is strong and feared; if settled at Wusheng or Weiyuan to gather clans and learn Han ways, they would be no more than Li Shibin or Mu En. "To give Han an arm at the elbow and cut Xia alliances—this is the best strategy."
64
神宗異其言，召問方略，以韶管幹秦鳳經略司機宜文字。
Shenzong was struck by his words, summoned him, and made Shao staff officer for the Qinfeng commissioner.
65
蕃部俞龍珂在青唐最大，渭源羌與夏人皆欲羈屬之，諸將議先致討。 韶因按邊，引數騎直抵其帳，諭其成敗，遂留宿。 明旦，兩種皆遣其豪隨以東。 久之，龍珂率屬十二萬口內附，所謂包順者也。
Yu Longke at Qingtang was the largest chief; Weiyuan Qiang and Xia both wanted him; generals debated attacking first. On inspection Shao took a few horsemen to Longke's tent, explained the odds, and stayed overnight. At dawn both tribes sent chiefs east with him. Eventually Longke led 120,000 people to submit—the so-called Baoshun.
66
韶又言：「渭源至秦州，良田不耕者萬頃，願置市易司，頗籠商賈之利，取其贏以治田。」 帝從其言，改著作佐郎，仍命韶提舉。 經略使李師中言：「韶乃欲指占極邊弓箭手地耳，又將移市易司於古渭，恐秦州自此益多事，所得不補所亡。」 王安石主韶議，為罷師中，以竇舜卿代，且遣李若愚按實。 若愚至，問田所在，韶不能對。 舜卿檢索，僅得地一頃，既地主有訟，又歸之矣。 若愚奏其欺，安石又為罷舜卿而命韓縝。 縝遂附會實其事，師中、舜卿皆坐謫，而韶為太子中允、秘閣校理。 後帥郭逵上韶盜貸市易錢，安石以為不足校，徙逵涇原。
Shao said: "From Weiyuan to Qin, ten thousand qing of good land lie fallow. Establish a market office, capture merchant profit, and use surplus to farm." The emperor agreed, made him assistant compiler, and ordered him to direct it. Li Shizhong said: "Shao only wants archer land and to move the market office to Guwei—Qin will only suffer more trouble." Wang Anshi backed Shao; Shizhong was dismissed, Dou Shunqing replaced him, and Li Ruoyu was sent to verify. Ruoyu asked where the fields were; Shao could not answer. Shunqing found only one qing; the owner sued and it was returned. Ruoyu reported the fraud; Anshi dismissed Shunqing and appointed Han Zong. Zong corroborated the story; Shizhong and Shunqing were demoted; Shao became palace attendant and collator. Later Guo Kui reported Shao embezzled market funds; Anshi dismissed it and moved Kui to Jingyuan.
67
帝志復河、隴，築古渭為通遠軍，以韶知軍事。 五年七月，引兵城渭源堡及乞神平，破蒙羅角、抹耳水巴等族。 初，羌保險，諸將謀置陣平地，韶曰：「賊不舍險來鬥，則我師必徒歸。 今已入險地，當使險為吾有。」 乃徑趣抹邦山，壓敵軍而陣，令曰：「敢言退者斬！」 賊乘高下鬥，師小卻。 韶躬擐甲胃，麾帳下兵逆擊之，羌大潰，焚其廬帳而還，洮西大震。 會瞎征度洮為之援，餘黨復集。 韶命別將由竹牛嶺路張軍聲，而潛師越武勝，遇瞎征首領瞎藥等，與戰破之，遂城武勝，建為鎮洮軍。 進右正言、集賢殿修撰。 復擊走瞎征，降其部落二萬。 更名鎮洮為熙州，以熙、河、洮、岷、通遠為一路，韶以龍圖閣待制知熙州。
The emperor wished to recover He and Long, built Guwei as Tongyuan army, and put Shao in charge. In the fifth year, seventh month, he fortified Weiyuan and Qishenping and defeated Mengluojiao and Mo'er Shuiba. The Qiang held defiles; generals wanted flat ground. Shao said: "If they will not leave the defiles, we march home empty-handed. We are in dangerous ground—we must make it ours." He went straight to Mobang, pressed the enemy, and ordered: "Who speaks of retreat dies!" The enemy fought from high ground; the army fell back slightly. Shao donned armor, counterattacked; the Qiang routed; they burned tents; Taoxi shook. Zhezheng crossed Tao to aid them; remnants gathered again. Shao feigned along Zhuniu Ridge while secretly crossing Wusheng, defeated Zhezheng's chiefs, fortified Wusheng, and established Zhentao army. He was promoted to Right Rectifier and Hall for Assembled Worthies academician. He again drove off Zhezheng and received twenty thousand tribes. Zhentao became Xi; Xi, He, Tao, Min, and Tongyuan formed one circuit; Shao was Dragon Diagram attendant and Xi prefect.
68
六年三月，取河州，遷樞密直學士。 降羌叛，韶回軍擊之。 瞎征以其間據河州，韶進破訶諾木藏城，穿露骨山，南入洮州境，道狹隘，釋馬徒行，或日至六七。 瞎征留其黨守河州，自將尾官軍，韶力戰破走之，河州復平。 連拔宕、岷二州，疊、洮羌酋皆以城附。 軍行五十有四日，涉千八百里，得州五，斬首數千級，獲牛、羊、馬以萬計。 進左諫議大夫、端明殿學士。 七年，入朝，又加資政殿學士，賜第崇仁坊。
In the sixth year, third month, he took He and became bureau direct academician. Submitting Qiang rebelled; Shao turned to strike them. Zhezheng seized He; Shao broke Henuo Mucang, crossed Lougu, entered Tao on foot—sometimes six or seven days. Zhezheng left men at He and trailed the army; Shao drove him off and pacified He. He took Dang and Min; Die and Tao chiefs submitted their cities. In fifty-four days and 1,800 li he gained five prefectures, beheaded thousands, and captured myriad livestock. He was promoted to Left Remonstrator and Bright Hall academician. In the seventh year he entered court, gained Assisting Governance academician, and a Chongren ward residence.
69
還至興平，聞景思立敗於踏白城，賊圍河州，日夜馳至熙。 熙方城守，命撤之。 選兵得二萬。 議所向，諸將欲趨河州。 韶曰：「賊所以圍城者，恃有外援也。 今知救至，必設伏待我，且新勝氣銳，未可與爭。 當出其不意，以攻其所恃，此所謂『批亢搗虛，形格勢禁，則自為解』者也。」 乃直扣定羌城，破結河族，斷夏國通路，進臨寧河，分命偏將入南山。 瞎征知援絕，拔柵去。
At Xingping he heard Jing Sili fell at Tabai and He was besieged; he raced to Xi. Xi was fortifying; he ordered the walls dismantled. He selected twenty thousand troops. Generals wished to hurry to He. Shao said: "They besiege because they expect aid. Knowing rescue comes they will ambush; fresh victory makes them sharp—we cannot fight yet. Strike the unexpected, attack what they rely on—strike vitals to lift the siege." He struck Dingqiang, broke Jiehe, cut Xia communications, advanced to Ninghe, and sent flanks into the southern mountains. Zhezheng knew aid was cut and withdrew.
70
初，思立之覆師也，羌勢復熾，朝廷議棄熙河，帝為之旰食，數下詔戒韶持重勿出。 及是，帝大喜。 韶還熙州，以兵循西山繞出踏白後，焚八千帳，瞎征窮蹙丐降，俘以獻。 拜韶觀文殿學士、禮部侍郎。 資政、觀文學士，非嘗執政而除者，皆自韶始。 官其兄弟及兩子，前後賜絹八千匹。 未幾，召為樞密副使。
After Sili's defeat Qiang revived; court debated abandoning Xihe; the emperor ordered Shao to hold back. The emperor was greatly pleased. Shao returned to Xi, swept behind Tabai, burned eight thousand tents; Zhezheng surrendered and was captured. Shao was made Observing Culture academician and Vice Minister of Rites. Assisting Governance and Observing Culture titles for non-chief ministers—all began with Shao. He enfeoffed brothers and two sons and received eight thousand bolts of silk. Soon he was summoned as vice director of the Bureau of Military Affairs.
71
熙河雖名一路，而實無租入，軍食皆仰給他道。 轉運判官馬瑊捃官吏細故，韶欲罷瑊，王安石右瑊，韶始沮，於是與安石異。 數以母老乞歸，帝語安石勉留之。
Xihe was called a circuit but had no rent; army food came from other routes. Transport judge Ma Jian nitpicked officials; Shao wished to dismiss him; Anshi sided with Jian; Shao fell out with Anshi. He begged to return for his aged mother; the emperor told Anshi to keep him.
72
安南之役，韶言：「決里、廣源之建，臣以為貪虛名而忘實禍，執政乃疑臣為刺譏。 方舉事之初，臣力爭極論，欲寬民力而省財用，但同列莫肯聽，至以熙河事折臣。 臣本意不費朝廷而可以至伊吾盧甘，初不欲令熙河作路，河、岷作州也。 今與眾異論，儻不求退，必致不容。」 韶本鑿空開邊，驟躋政地，乃以勤兵費財歸曲朝廷，帝由是不悅，以故罷職知洪州，又坐謝表怨慢，落職知鄂州。 元豐二年，還其職，復知洪州。 四年，病疽卒，年五十二。 贈金紫光祿大夫，諡曰襄敏。
On Annan Shao said: "Jueli and Guangyuan were empty fame forgetting real harm; the administration suspected satire. At the start I argued to ease the people and save funds; colleagues would not listen and used Xihe against me. I meant not to spend the court yet reach Yiwu and Lugan; I did not want Xihe a circuit or He and Min prefectures. Now I differ from others; if I do not retire I will be intolerable." Shao had opened the frontier and risen fast; he blamed the court for costly war; the emperor dismissed him to Hong, then to E for a resentful memorial. In Yuanfeng year two his rank was restored and he returned to Hong. In year four he died of carbuncle at fifty-two. He was posthumously given Grandee of Splendid Happiness, posthumous name Xiangmin.
73
韶起孤生，用兵有機略。 臨出師，召諸將授以指，不復更問，每戰必捷。 嘗夜臥帳中，前部遇敵，矢石已交，呼聲震山谷，侍者往往股栗，而韶鼻息自如。 在鄂宴客，出家姬奏樂，客張繢醉挽一姬不前，將擁之，姬泣以告。 韶徐曰：「本出汝曹娛客，而令失歡如此。」 命酌大杯罰之，談笑如故，人亦服其量。 韶交親多楚人，依韶求仕，乃分屬諸將，或殺降羌老弱予以首為功級。 韶晚節言動不常，頗若病狂狀。 既病疽，洞見五髒，蓋亦多殺徵云。 子十人，厚、寀最顯。
Shao rose alone; in war he had stratagem. Before battle he instructed generals once; each battle he won. Once while he slept in camp the vanguard fought; attendants trembled while Shao slept peacefully. At E he feasted with singers; drunk Zhang Hui pulled a girl who wept to Shao. Shao said calmly: "They were to entertain you, yet you spoil the mood." He ordered a large cup for Hui and laughed as before; people admired his breadth. Chu kin sought office through him; he assigned them to generals or killed weak Qiang for merit heads. Late in life his words and acts were irregular, like madness. When the carbuncle came he saw through his organs—perhaps from excessive killing. He had ten sons; Hou and Cai were most prominent.
74
子厚
Son Hou
75
厚，字處道。 少從父兵間，暢習羌事，官累通直郎。 元祐棄河、湟，厚上疏陳不可，且詣政事堂言之，不聽。 紹聖中，用薦者換禮賓副使、幹當熙河公事。
Hou, styled Chudao. Young he followed his father in war, fluent in Qiang affairs, rising to Gentlemen for Direct Communication. In Yuanyou when He and Huang were abandoned, Hou memorialized against it at the council hall; they would not listen. In Shaosheng he was made vice ritual commissioner handling Xihe.
76
會羌酋瞎征、隴拶爭國，河州守將王贍與厚同獻議復故地。 元符元年六月，師出塞。 七月，下邈川，降瞎征。 九月，次青唐，隴拶出迎。 遂定湟、鄯。 詔賜隴拶姓名曰趙懷德，進厚東上閤門副使、知湟州。 既而他種叛，合兵來攻，厚不能支。 朝廷度二州不可守，乃以畀懷德，而貶厚右內府率，再貶賀州別駕。
When Zhezheng and Longzan fought, Wang Zhan and Hou memorialized to recover old territory. In Yuanfu year one, sixth month, the army crossed the border. In the seventh month Moyuchuan fell and Zhezheng surrendered. In the ninth month they reached Qingtang and Longzan welcomed them. Tao and Shan were settled. Longzan was named Zhao Huaide; Hou became Eastern Upper Gate vice commissioner and Tao prefect. Soon other tribes rebelled; Hou could not hold. Court gave the prefectures to Huaide and demoted Hou to Inner Palace rate, then Hezhou adjutant.
77
崇寧初，蔡京復開邊，還厚前秩，於是羌人多羅巴奉懷德之弟溪賒羅撒謀復國。 懷德畏逼，奔河南，種落更挾之以令諸部。 朝廷患眾羌扇結，命厚安撫洮西，遣內客省使童貫偕往。 多羅巴知王師且至，集眾以拒。 厚聲言駐兵而陰戒行，羌備益弛，乃與偏將高永年異道出。 多羅巴三子以數萬人分據險，厚進擊破殺之，唯少子阿蒙中流矢去，道遇多羅巴，與俱遁。 遂拔湟州。 以功進威州團練使、熙河經略安撫。
At Chongning Cai Jing restored Hou; Duoluoba backed Xisheluosha to restore the state. Huaide fled to Henan; tribes used him to command departments. Court ordered Hou to pacify Taoxi with Tong Guan. Duoluoba gathered crowds to resist. Hou proclaimed a halt while secretly marching; Qiang relaxed; he and Gao Yongnian split routes. Duoluoba's three sons held defiles; Hou broke them; only A Meng fled wounded and met Duoluoba escaping. Tao was taken. For merit he was Wei training commissioner and Xihe pacifier.
78
三年四月，厚帥大軍次於湟，命永年將左軍循宗水而北，別將張誡將右軍出宗谷而南，自將中軍趨綏遠，期會宗哥川，羌置陳臨宗水，倚北山，溪賒羅撒張黃屋，建大旆，乘高指呼，望中軍旗鼓爭赴之。 厚麾遊騎登山攻其背，親帥強弩迎射，羌退走，右軍濟水擊之，大風從東南來，揚沙翳羌目，不得視，遂大敗，斬首四千三百餘級，俘三千餘人。 羅撒以一騎馳去，其母龜茲公主與諸酋開鄯州降。 厚計羅撒必且走青唐，將夜追之，童貫以為不能及，遂止。 師下青唐，知羅撒留一宿去，貫始悔之。 厚將大軍趣廓州，酋落施軍令結以眾降，遂入廓州。 超拜厚武勝軍節度觀察留後。
In year three, fourth month, Hou camped at Tao: Yongnian north on Zongshui, Zhang Jie south on Zong valley, Hou center to Suiyuan, meeting at Zongge. Qiang leaned on the north mountain; Xisheluosha called from high; they rushed the center. Hou attacked their rear and shot strong crossbows; southeast wind blinded them; four thousand three hundred beheaded, three thousand captured. Luosha fled; his mother the Kucha princess and chiefs opened Shan. Hou wished to pursue Luosha by night; Guan stopped him. At Qingtang Luosha had left overnight; Guan regretted it. Hou advanced to Kuo; Shijunling submitted; they entered Kuo. He was specially made Wusheng observation commissioner.
79
明年，羅撒復入寇，永年戰死，羌焚大通河橋以叛，新疆大震。 厚坐逗遛，降郢州防禦使。 已而趙懷德約降未決，厚以書諭之，懷德即納款。 還厚舊官。 入朝，提舉醴泉觀，卒。 贈寧遠軍節度使，諡曰「莊敏」。
Next year Luosha invaded; Yongnian died; Qiang burned Datong bridge; the frontier shook. Hou was demoted to Ezhou defense commissioner for delay. Huaide's surrender wavered; Hou persuaded him and he submitted. Hou's office was restored. He entered court, directed Liquan palace, and died. Posthumously Ningyuan military commissioner, posthumous name Zhuangmin.
80
子寀
Son Cai
81
寀，字輔道。 好學，工詞章。 登第，至校書郎。 忽若有所睹，遂感心疾，唯好延道流談丹砂、神仙事。 得鄭州書生，託左道，自言天神可祈而下，下則聲容與人接。 因習行其術，才能什七八，須兩人共為乃驗。 外間讙傳，浸淫徹禁庭。
Cai, styled Fudao. He loved learning and was skilled in lyrics. He passed the examinations to collator. Suddenly he seemed to see something, developed mental illness, and only talked with Daoists about immortals. A Zhengzhou scholar practiced occult arts, claiming spirits could be summoned with human voice and face. He practiced the art at seven or eight tenths efficacy, needing two people together. Rumors spread until they reached the forbidden palace.
82
徽宗方崇道教，侍晨林靈素自度技不如，願與之遊，拒弗許。 戶部尚書劉昺，寀外兄也，久以爭進絕還往，神降寀家，使因昺以達，寀言其故，神曰：「第往與之言，汝某年月日在蔡京後堂談某事，有之否？」 昺驚駭汗洽，不能對，蓋所言皆陰中傷人者。 乃言之帝，即召。 寀風儀既高，又善談論，應對合上指。 帝大喜，約某日即內殿致天神。 靈素求與共事，又弗許。 或謂靈素，但勿令鄭書生偕，寀當立敗。 即白帝曰：「寀父兄昔在西邊，密與夏人謀反國。 遲至尊候神，且圖不軌。」 帝疑焉。 及是日，寀與書生至東華門，靈素戒閽卒獨聽寀入。 帝齋潔敬待，越三夕無所聞，乃下寀大理，獄成，棄市，昺竄瓊州。
Huizong exalted Daoism; Lin Lingsu wished to join Cai but was refused. Liu Bing, Cai's cousin, was estranged. The "spirit" told Cai to reach Bing and named secret slanders Bing had made in Cai Jing's hall. Bing sweated, unable to answer—all were secret slanders. He told the emperor, who summoned Cai. Cai bore himself well and answered to the emperor's liking. The emperor set a day to summon the spirit in the inner hall. Lingsu again asked to share and was refused. Some told Lingsu: keep the Zhengzhou scholar out and Cai will fail. He told the emperor: "Cai's kin once plotted with the Xia on the frontier. When Your Majesty awaits the spirit they will plot treachery. The emperor grew suspicious. Cai and the scholar reached Eastern Glory Gate; Lingsu admitted only Cai. After three nights nothing came; Cai was tried, executed; Bing exiled to Qiong.
83
薛向，字師正。 以祖顏任太廟齋郎，為永壽主簿，權京兆戶曹。 有商胡齎銀二篋，出樞密使王德用書，云以與其弟。 向適監稅，疑之曰：「烏有大臣寄家問而諉胡人者？」 鞫之，果妄。
Xue Xiang, styled Shizheng. Through his grandfather Yan he was temple attendant, Yongshou registrar, acting Jingzhao household officer. A merchant carried silver with Wang Deyong's letter for his brother. Xiang supervising tax asked: "How can a minister send family letters through a Hu?" He interrogated; it was false.
84
為邠州司法參軍。 夏人叛，秦中治城，侍御史陳洎行邊，向詣洎陳三敝，言：「今板築暴興，吏持斧四出伐木，無問井閭丘隴，民不敢訴。 必不得已，宜且葺邊城。 函關，秦東塞，今西向設守，是為棄關內乎？ 三司貸龍門富人錢，以百年全盛之天下，一方有警，即稱貸於民，非義也。」 洎上其說，悉從之。 邠守貪遝，欲因事為邪，並治於城，立表於市以撤屋，冀得賂免，向力爭罷之。
He was Bin judicial officer. When the Xia rebelled and Qin built walls, Xiang told Chen Ji three abuses about reckless logging and false alarms. If it must be done, repair only border forts. Hangu Pass is Qin's eastern barrier; guards now face west—is that abandoning the interior? The Three Departments borrow from Longmen rich men in one alarm—not righteous." Ji memorialized; all were adopted. The Bin prefect was greedy; Xiang stopped his abuse of wall-building.
85
監在京榷貨務，連歲羨緡錢，當遷秩，移與其兄。 三司判官董沔議改河北便糴，行鈔法。 向曰：「如此，則都內之錢不繼，茶、鹽、香、象將益不售矣。」 有司主沔議，既而邊糴滯不行，沔坐黜。
Supervising commodity trade with yearly surplus, he gave promotion credit to his brother. Dong Mian debated Hebei convenience grain and paper notes. Xiang said: "Capital money will not flow; tea, salt, and ivory will sell less. The office backed Mian; border grain stalled; Mian was demoted.
86
以向知鄜州。 大水冒城郭，沉室廬，死者相枕。 郡卒戍延安，詣主將求歸視弗得，皆亡奔。 至，則家人無存者，聚謀為盜，民大恐。 向遣吏曉之曰：「冒法以赴急，人之常情，而不聽若輩歸，此武將不知變之過也。 亟往收溺屍，貰汝擅還之罪。」 眾入庭下泣謝，一境乃安。
Xiang was made Yan prefect. Flood covered the city; the dead lay in heaps. Troops at Yan'an begged to return home, were refused, and fled. Families were gone; they plotted banditry; people were terrified. Xiang explained: "Urgent family need is human; refusing return is the commander's fault. Collect the drowned and I pardon your unauthorized return." They wept thanks; the district was pacified.
87
又論河北糴法之弊，以為：「度支歲費錢緡五百萬，所得半直，其贏皆入賈販家。 今當有以權之，遇穀貴，則官糴於澶，魏，載以給邊； 新陳未交，則散糴價以救民乏； 軍食有餘，則坐倉收之。 此策一行，穀將不可勝食矣。」 朝廷是向計，始置便糴司於大名，以向為提點刑獄兼其事。 武強有盜殺人而逸，尉捕平民抑使承，向覆其冤，脫六囚於死。
He debated Hebei grain purchase: yearly five million strings, half value, profit to merchants. When grain is dear, buy at Cao and Wei for the border; when stocks turn, sell to aid the people; when surplus, store in granaries. "Then grain will be inexhaustible. Court approved; established convenience grain office at Daming with Xiang. At Wuqiang Xiang reversed a false confession and freed six from death.
88
入為開封度支判官，權陝西轉運副使、制置解鹽。 鹽足支十年，而歲調畦夫數千，向奏損其數。 兼提舉買馬，監牧沙苑養馬，歲得駒三百，而費錢四千萬，占田千頃。 向請斥閑田予民，收租入以市之。 乃置場於原、渭，以羨鹽之直市馬，於是馬一歲至萬匹。 昭陵復土，計用錢糧五十萬貫石，三司不能供億，將移陝西緣邊入鹽中於永安縣。 向陳五不可，以為失信商旅，遂舉所闕之數以獻。 嘗夜至靈寶縣，先驅入驛，與客崔令孫爭舍。 令孫正病臥，驚而死，罷知汝州。 甫數月，復以為陝西轉運副使，進為使。 厚陵役費，其助如永昭時，凡將漕八年，所入鹽、馬、芻、粟數累萬，民不益賦，其課為最。
He became Kaifeng revenue judge, acting Shaanxi vice transport commissioner, director of Jie salt. Salt lasted ten years yet thousands of workers were levied; Xiang reduced the number. He directed horse purchase; Shayuan cost forty million and a thousand qing yearly. Xiang gave idle land to people and used rent to buy horses. He used surplus salt at Yuan and Wei to buy ten thousand horses a year. Zhaoling restoration needed five hundred thousand; Three Departments would move border salt to Yongan. Xiang cited five impossibilities and offered the shortfall himself. At Lingbao his outrider fought Cui Lingsun for quarters. Lingsun died of fright; Xiang was dismissed to Ru. Months later he was again Shaanxi vice commissioner, then commissioner. Eight years as commissioner he supplied salt, horses, and grain without extra taxes—highest rating.
89
夏將嵬名山以綏州來歸，青澗城主种諤將往迎，詔向與議。 諤不俟命，亟率所部出塞，遂城之。 廷議劾諤擅興，將致法。 向言：「諤今者之舉，蓋忘身以徇國，有如不稱，臣請坐之。」 諤既貶，向亦罷知絳州，再貶信州，移潞州。 張靖使陝西還，陳向制置鹽、馬之失。 詔向詣闕與辯，靖辭窮，即罪之。
Wei Mingshan submitted Sui; Zhong E wished to welcome; Xiang was ordered to discuss. E did not await orders, crossed the border, and fortified. Court impeached E for unauthorized action. Xiang said: "E forgets himself for the state; if it fails, punish me." E was demoted; Xiang to Jiang, Xin, then Lu. Zhang Jing reported Xiang's salt and horse failures. Xiang debated at court; Jing was punished.
90
神宗知向材，以為江、浙、荊、淮發運使。 綱舟曆歲久，篙工利於盜貨，嘗假風水沉溺以滅跡。 向募客舟分載，以相督察。 官舟有定數，多為主者冒占，悉奪畀屬州，諸運皆詣本曹受遣； 以地有美惡，利有重輕，為立等式，用所漕物為誅賞。 遷天章閣待制。 環慶有疆事，帝以向習知地形，召詣中書。 舊制，發運使上計，毋得出入，唯止都門達章奏。 至是，弛其禁。 熙寧四年，權三司使。 明堂禮成，有司誤遷向右諫議大夫，詔罰吏而向官不奪。 河、洮用兵，縣官費不可計，向未嘗乏供給。 及解嚴，上疏乞戒將帥裁溢員，汰冗卒、省浮費、節橫賦，手敕褒納。 進龍圖閣直學士。
Shenzong made him transport commissioner of Jiang, Zhe, Jing, and Huai. Canal boats aged; boatmen stole and sank boats to hide traces. Xiang hired passenger boats to divide loads for oversight. He ended false boat claims and returned dispatch to commanderies; he graded land and used cargo for rewards and punishments. He was moved to Heavenly Manifest attendant. Huan and Qing had border trouble; the emperor summoned Xiang to the Secretariat. Old rule barred transport commissioners from entering the capital except with memorials. That restriction was relaxed. In Xining year four he acted Three Departments commissioner. After Bright Hall rites clerks mistakenly promoted him; clerks were punished, not Xiang. He and Tao campaigns cost uncountably; Xiang never lacked supply. When war eased he memorialized to cut waste; the emperor praised it. He was promoted to direct Dragon Diagram academician.
91
遼人求代北地，北邊擇牧，加樞密直學士、給事中、知定州。 高陽關募兵，敵陰遣人應選。 向諜知之，主者覺，縱使亡去，向遣邏捕取之，械送瀛州，戮於市。 北使久留都亭，數出不遜語，而雲、應點兵，涿、易治道，僉謂必諭盟。 向曰：「彼欲疆議速成，故多張虛勢以撼我。 使者懼不如其請，故肆嫚言以徼幸取成。 兵來不除道，其亦無能為也已。」 後皆如向言。 遷工部侍郎。 向控辭，賜詔弗允。 故事，前兩府辭官乃降詔，兩省得詔自向始。 元豐元年，召同知樞密院。
Liao sought northern land; he was bureau academician and Ding prefect. Gaoyang Pass recruited; the enemy secretly sent men. Xiang learned it; patrols seized them and executed them at Ying. Northern envoys were insolent; troops massed; all said the alliance was broken. Xiang said: "They want quick success, so they bluff. Envoys fear refusal, so they speak rudely to gamble. Troops come but do not repair roads—they can do nothing." Later all was as Xiang said. He was moved to Vice Minister of Works. Xiang declined; the emperor refused. Only the two councils had decline edicts; both ministries began with Xiang. In Yuanfeng year one he was vice director of the Bureau of Military Affairs.
92
向幹局絕人，尤善商財，計算無遺策，用心至到，然甚者不能無病民，所上課間失實。 時方尚功利，王安石從中主之，御史數有言，不聽也。 向以是益得展奮其材業，至於論兵帝所，通暢明決，遂由文俗吏得大用。 及在政地，同列質以西北事，則養威持重，未嘗啟其端，非常所以屬望意。 會詔民畜馬，向既奉命，旋知民不便，議欲改為。 於是舒亶論向反覆無大臣體，斥知潁州。 又改隨州，卒，年六十六。 元祐中，錄其言，諡曰「恭敏」。 子紹彭，有翰墨名，中子嗣昌。
Xiang's capacity was unmatched in finance and calculation, yet at extremes he harmed people; ratings sometimes lied. Merit was exalted; Anshi backed him; censors spoke in vain. Thus Xiang expanded; discussing war he was clear—from civil clerk to great use. In power he held weight on the northwest and never opened the matter—not what was hoped. Ordered to raise horses, Xiang knew the people suffered and debated change. Shu Dan attacked his reversal and expelled him to Ying. He was moved to Sui and died at sixty-six. In Yuanyou his words were recorded; posthumous name Gongmin. Son Shaopeng was famed in calligraphy; middle son Sichang.
93
子嗣昌
Son Sichang
94
嗣昌亦以吏材奮。 崇寧中，歷熙河轉運判官，梓州、陝西轉運副使，直龍圖閣、集賢殿修撰，入為左司郎中，擢徽猷閣待制、陝西都轉運使，知渭州，改慶州。 監公使庫皇寘坐獄，嗣昌奏請之。 遂以監臨自盜責安化軍節度副使，安置郢州。 起知相州，復待制、知太原府。 論築涇原三倉勞，加顯謨閣直學士； 又以撫納西羌功，進延康、宣和殿學士，拜禮部、刑部尚書。 坐啟擬反覆罷，提舉崇福宮。 久之，遷延康殿學士、知延安府，賜第京師。 當遷官，丐回授其子昶京秩。
Sichang also rose through clerical talent. In Chongning he held Xihe, Zi, Shaanxi transport, Wei, and Qing posts. Supervisor Huang Zhen was imprisoned; Sichang memorialized for him. For supervising theft he was demoted to Anhua vice commissioner at E. Restored to Xiang, then attendant and Taiyuan prefect. Memorializing Jingyuan granaries he gained Exalted Scheme academician; for pacifying Qiang he gained Yanhe and Xuanhe academics and both ministries. Impeached for contradiction; director of Chongfu palace. Later Yanan academician and Yan'an prefect with capital residence. He begged promotion credit for his son Chang.
95
嗣昌前後因事六七貶，多以欺罔獲罪。 至是，言者並論之，降為待制，卒。
Sichang was demoted six or seven times for deception. Critics joined; he was demoted to attendant and died.
96
先是，徽宗有意圖北方，遣譚稹銜命訪諸帥，韓粹彥、洪中孚皆力云不可，嗣昌乃潤飾諜詞，以開邊隙。 及論事帝前，語至興師，或感激流涕。 造亂之咎，人皆歸責焉。
Huizong wished to plot the north; Han and Hong refused; Sichang embellished spies to open war. Before the emperor on war he sometimes wept. Blame for chaos fell on him.
97
章楶，字質夫，建州浦城人。 祖頻，為侍御史，忤章獻后旨黜官，仁宗欲用之而卒，楶以叔得象蔭，為孟州司戶參軍。 應舉入京，聞父對獄於魏，棄不就試，馳往直其冤。 還，試禮部第一，擢知陳留縣，歷提舉陝西常平、京東轉運判官、提點湖北刑獄、成都路轉運使，入為考功、吏部、右司員外郎。
Zhang Jie, styled Zhifu, was from Pucheng in Jian. Grandfather Pin offended Empress Zhangxian; Jie gained yin and was Mengzhou registrar. Hearing his father was tried in Wei, he abandoned the exam to vindicate him. He took Ministry of Rites first, served many posts, entered the ministries.
98
元祐初，以直龍圖閣知慶州。 時朝廷戢兵，戒邊吏勿妄動，且捐葭蘆、安疆等四砦予夏，使歸其永樂之人。 夏得砦益驕。 楶言：「夏嗜利畏威，不有懲艾，邊不得休息，宜稍取其土疆，如古削地之制，以固吾圉。 然後諸路出兵，據其要害，不一再舉，勢將自蹙矣。」 遂乘便出討，以致其師，夏果入圍環州。 楶先用間知之，遣驍將折可適伏兵洪德城。 夏師過之，伏兵識其母梁氏旗幟，鼓噪而出，斬獲甚眾。 又預毒於牛圈瀦水，夏人馬飲者多死。 召權戶部侍郎。 明年，除知同州。 紹聖初，知應天府，加集賢殿修撰、知廣州，徙江、淮發運使。
At Yuanyou start he was Dragon Diagram attendant and Qing prefect. Court ceased arms and gave four garrisons to Xia for Yongle people. The Xia grew more arrogant. Jie said: "Without punishment the border cannot rest; cut some territory as ancient custom. Then routes send troops on key points—once or twice they will be pressed." He provoked them; the Xia besieged Huan. Jie sent Zhe Keshi to ambush at Hongde. They recognized Lady Liang's banners and struck greatly. He poisoned water; many Xia horses died. He was summoned acting Vice Minister of Revenue. The next year he was Tong prefect. At Shaosheng he knew Yingtian, Guang, and Jiang-Huai transport.
99
哲宗訪以邊事，對合旨，命知渭州。 至即上言城胡蘆河川，據形勝以逼夏。 乃以三月及熙河、秦風、環慶四路之師，陽繕理他堡壁數十所，自示其怯。 或以楶怯，請曰：「此夏必爭之地，夏方營石門峽，去我三十里，能奪而有之乎？」 楶又陽謝之，陰具板築守戰之備，帥四路師出胡蘆河川，築二城於石門峽江口好水河之陰。 二旬有二日成，賜名平夏城、靈平砦。 方興役時，夏以其眾來乘，楶迎擊敗之。 既而環慶、鄜延、河東、熙河皆相繼築城，進拓其境，夏人愕視不敢動。 夏主遂奉其母合將數十萬兵圍平夏，疾攻十餘日，建高車臨城，填塹而進，不能克，一夕遁去。 夏統軍嵬名阿埋、西壽監軍妹勒都逋皆勇悍善戰，楶諜其弛備，遣折可適、郭成輕騎夜襲，直入其帳執之，盡俘其家，虜馘三千餘、牛羊十萬，夏主震駭。 哲宗為御紫宸殿受賀，累擢楶樞密直學士、龍圖閣端明殿學士，進階大中大夫。
Zhezong asked border affairs; he was ordered to Wei. He memorialized to fortify Hulu valley and press the Xia. With four routes he feigned repairing other forts, showing fear. Some asked to seize Shimen gorge thirty li away. Jie secretly prepared and built two cities at Shimen and Haoshui. In twenty-two days: Pingxia city and Lingping garrison. The Xia came; Jie defeated them. All circuits built cities; the Xia dared not move. The Xia lord besieged Pingxia ten days and fled overnight. Jie seized Mingmai and Dutong by night; the Xia lord was shaken. Zhezong received congratulations and promoted Jie repeatedly.
100
楶在涇原四年，凡創州一、城砦九，薦拔偏裨，不間廝役，至於夏降人折可適、李忠傑、朱智用，咸受其馭。 夏自平夏之敗，不復能軍，屢請命乞和，哲宗亦為之寢兵。 楶立邊功，為西方最。
Four years at Jingyuan he created one prefecture and nine garrisons and commanded submitters. After Pingxia the Xia begged peace; Zhezong rested arms. Jie was the greatest frontier merit in the west.
101
時章惇用事，楶與惇同宗，其得興事，頗為世所疑。 徽宗立，請老，徙知河南。 入見，留拜同知樞密院事，俾其子縡為開封推官以便養。 逾年，力謝事罷，授資政殿學士、中太一宮使，未幾，卒。 徽宗悼之。 贈右銀青光祿大夫，諡曰「莊簡」，賻恤甚厚。
Zhang Dun held power; Jie shared clan; people suspected him. Huizong came; Jie begged old age and went to Henan. He was kept vice bureau director; son Xu was Kaifeng officer for support. A year later he resigned, given Assisting Governance academician; soon he died. Huizong mourned him. Posthumously Right Silver-Glitter Grandee, posthumous Zhuangjian, generous condolence.
102
楶七子：縡、綜、綡、綰、綖、縯、縝。 縡、綡最知名。
Seven sons: Xu, Zong, Qi, Wan, Yan, Yan, Zhen. Xu and Qi were best known.
103
縡繇推官為戶部員外郎、提點淮南東路刑獄、權知揚州兼提舉香鹽事。 時方鑄崇寧大錢，令下，市區晝閉，人持錢買物，至日旰，皇皇無肯售。 縡飾市易務致百貨，以小錢收之； 且檄倉吏糶米，以大錢予之，盡十日止，民心遂安。 未幾，新鈔法行，舊鈔盡廢，一時商賈束手，或自殺。 縡得訴者所持舊鈔，為錢以千計者三十萬，上疏言鈔法誤民，請如約以示大信。 上怒，罷縡，降兩官。
Xu held Revenue, judicial, and Yangzhou salt posts. Chongning great coins closed markets; no one would sell. Xu stocked the market office and collected small coins; sold rice for great coins ten days; people calmed. New notes voided old ones; merchants despaired; some killed themselves. Xu memorialized note law harm and asked faith to promises. The emperor was angry and demoted Xu two ranks.
104
綡第進士，歷陝西轉運判官，入為戶部員外郎。 中書侍郎劉逵之妻，綡姊也。 逵漸復元祐之政，綡多贊之。 蔡京欲擠逵，且惎綡不附己，使其黨攻之，出綡湖州。 論者不已，差主管西京崇福宮。
Qi passed exams, Shaanxi judge, Revenue outside gentleman. Liu Kui's wife was Qi's sister. Kui restored Yuanyou policies; Qi aided him. Cai Jing ousted Kui and sent Qi to Huzhou. Critics continued; he directed Western Capital Chongfu palace.
105
綜歷通判常州，綰知丹徒縣，綖簽判西安州，縯簽判蘇州，楶孫茇承奉郎，藎監蘇州稅，俱列仕顯。
Sons and kin held prominent posts.
106
及京復相，遂興制獄，傾章氏。 綖居蘇州，或得私鑄錢數巨罌，京風言者誣綖與州人郁寶所鑄。 詔遣李孝壽、張茂直、沈畸、蕭服更往鞫之，連繫數百人，累月卒無實，獄多死者。 京大怒，別遣孫傑鞫之，傅致如章綖刺面配沙門島，追毀出身以來文字，除名勒停，籍入其家。 竄縡台州，綜秀州，綡溫州，綰睦州，縯永州，茇處州，藎均州，官司降罷除名者十餘人，時論冤之。
When Jing returned he prosecuted the Zhang clan. Yan found private coin; Jing accused Yan and Yu Bao of casting. Investigators chained hundreds months; many died; no truth. Sun Jie framed Yan; clan exiled and struck from office. More than ten were struck; opinion held it unjust.
107
孫傑擢龍圖閣直學士、知蘇州，張商英入相，始辨前獄，移綖常州，綡復朝奉郎、通判秀州。 頃之，綖改授內殿崇班，綡秘書省校書郎，遷戶部員外郎，出提點兩浙刑獄，以龍圖閣直學士知越州。 譚稹宣撫燕山，請綡為參謀，加右文殿修撰。 金人破蔚州，背歸山後議，稹以錯置乖方罷。 綡落職送吏部，會赦恩，上書告老，復龍圖閣直學士致仕，卒。
Sun Jie rose; Shangying righted the case partially. Soon Yan and Qi were partially restored. Tan Ji asked Qi as staff; Right Culture academician. Jurchens broke Weizhou; Ji was dismissed. Qi retired as Dragon Diagram academician and died.
108
論曰：神宗奮英特之資，乘財力之富，銳然欲復河、湟，平靈、夏，而蔡挺、王韶、章楶輩起諸生，委褒衣，樹勳戎馬間。 世非無材，顧上所趣尚磨厲奚如耳。 觀挺之治兵，韶之策敵，楶之制勝，亦一時良將。 薛向雖無三子勞，而董漕邊饟，不乏仰給，持重樞府，不啟事端，又其善也。 若厚之降隴拶、瞎征，取湟、鄯、廓州，功足繼韶。 而嗣昌造釁北伐，乃悖於向，可勝誅邪？ 雖然，佳兵好還，道家所戒，卒之寀以左道殺，綖以鑄錢陷，此非其驗也與。
The commentary says: Shenzong wished to recover He and Huang; Ting, Shao, and Jie rose from students to merit in war. Talent existed—only what the ruler prized mattered. Ting trained troops, Shao plotted enemies, Jie won battles—fine generals. Xiang supplied the frontier and held the bureau without opening trouble—that was his good. Hou's recovery of Tao, Shan, and Kuo could match Shao. Yet Sichang made northern trouble contrary to Xiang—execution would hardly suffice. Still, the Daoists warn that fine troops love return; Cai was executed, Yan ruined for coining—is that not proof?