Volume 340 Biographies 99: Lu Dafang and elder brother: Dazhong, younger brother: Dajun, Da Lin, Liu Zhi, Su Song

呂大防

Lu Dafang

呂大防，字微仲，其先汲郡人。祖通，太常博士。父賁，比部郎中。通葬京兆藍田，遂家焉。大防進士及第，調馮翊主簿、永壽令。縣無井，遠汲於澗，大防行近境，得二泉，欲導而入縣，地勢高下，眾疑無成理。大防用《考工》水地置泉之法以準之，不旬日，果疏為渠，民賴之，號曰「呂公泉」。

Lu Dafang, whose courtesy name was Weizhong, came from a family originally of Ji Prefecture. His grandfather Tong had served as an erudite in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. His father Ben had held the post of bureau director in the Ministry of Revenue. After Tong was buried in Lantian in metropolitan Jingzhao, the family settled there. Dafang passed the jinshi examinations and was appointed registrar in Fengyi and then magistrate of Yongshou. Yongshou had no wells, and the people had to haul water from distant streams. When Dafang toured the vicinity he found two springs and planned to divert them into the county seat; the uneven terrain led many to think the project impossible. Dafang applied the Rites of Zhou method for locating springs on wet ground, and within ten days a channel was cut that the people could depend on—they named it Lord Lu's Spring.

遷著作佐郎、知青城縣。故時，圭田粟入以大斗，而出以公斗，獲利三倍，民雖病不敢訴。大防始均出納以平其直，事轉聞，詔立法禁，命一路悉輸租於官概給之。青城外控汶川，與敵相接。大防據要置邏，密為之防，禁山之樵採，以嚴障蔽。韓絳鎮蜀，稱其有王佐才。入權鹽鐵判官。

He was promoted to assistant editor in the Directorate of History and appointed magistrate of Qingcheng County. Under the old practice, altar-field grain was collected with the large bushel and paid out with the standard bushel, tripling the profit; the people suffered but dared not bring suit. Dafang first equalized intake and payout to level the price; when word reached the court, an edict outlawed the practice and ordered the whole circuit to deliver rents to the government for uniform distribution. Qingcheng lay on the frontier facing Wenchuan, where the enemy was met. Dafang seized strategic points to establish courier posts, made secret preparations, and barred logging in the mountains to tighten the frontier screen. When Han Jiang governed Shu, he praised Dafang as possessing the talent of a chief minister. He was summoned to the capital to serve as acting commissioner of the Salt and Iron Monopoly.

英宗即位，改太常博士。御史闕，內出大防與范純仁姓名，命為監察御史裏行。首言：「紀綱賞罰，未厭四方之望者有五：進用大臣而權不歸上；大臣疲老而不得時退；外國驕蹇而不擇將帥；議論之臣裨益闕失，而大臣沮之；疆場左右之臣，有敗事而被賞、舉職而獲罪者。」又言：「富弼病足請解機務，章十餘上而不納；張昪年幾八十，聰明已耗，哀乞骸骨而不從；吳奎有三年之喪，以其子召之者再，遣使召之者又再；程戡辭老不能守邊，恐死塞上，免以屍柩還家為請，亦不許。陛下欲盡君臣之分，使病者得休，喪者得終，老者得盡其餘年，則進退盡禮，亦何必過為虛飾，使四人之誠，不得自達邪？」

When Emperor Yingzong ascended the throne, Dafang was made an erudite in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. When a censorial post fell vacant, the palace issued the names of Dafang and Fan Chunren and appointed them investigating censors in probationary status. In his first memorial he said, "Five failings in our discipline of rewards and punishments have left the realm unsatisfied: ministers are advanced while power does not return to the throne; great ministers grow worn and old yet cannot retire in due season; foreign powers grow arrogant yet commanders are not chosen with care; censors who would remedy faults are blocked by the chief ministers; frontier officials are rewarded for failure and punished for doing their duty." He also said, "Fu Bi, afflicted in the feet, asked to be relieved of state affairs; more than ten memorials were submitted yet none accepted; Zhang Bian is nearly eighty, his faculties already spent, and in grief he begs to retire yet is refused; Wu Kui is in the three-year mourning; he was summoned twice through his son and twice again by imperial envoys; Cheng Kan, pleading age and inability to hold the frontier, fears dying on the border and asks only that his body be allowed home—this too is denied. If Your Majesty wishes to fulfill the bond between ruler and minister—letting the ill rest, the bereaved complete mourning, and the aged live out their years—then advancement and withdrawal would follow ritual. Why insist on empty display that keeps these four men's sincerity from reaching you?"

是歲，京師大水，大防曰：「雨水之患，至入宮城廬舍，殺人害物，此陰陽之沴也。」即陳八事，曰：主威不立、臣權太盛、邪議干正、私恩害公、遼夏連謀、盜賊恣行、群情失職、刑罰失平。會執政議濮王稱考，大防上言：「先帝起陛下為皇子，館於宮中，憑几之命，緒言在耳，皇天后土，實知所託。設使先帝萬壽，陛下猶為皇子，則安懿之稱伯，於理不疑。豈可生以為子，沒而背之哉？夫人君臨御之始，宜有至公大義厭服天下，以結其心。今大臣首欲加王以非正之號，使陛下顧私恩而違公義，非所以結天下之心也。」章累十數上，出知休寧縣。

That year the capital was inundated. Dafang said, "When rain and flood reach into the palace city and dwellings, killing people and destroying property, this is a sign of cosmic imbalance." He then listed eight ills: the sovereign's authority is not established; ministerial power is too great; perverse opinion overrides the upright; private favor harms the public good; Liao and Xia conspire; bandits run unchecked; public roles are neglected; punishments are unjust. When the chief ministers debated calling the Prince of Pu "Father," Dafang memorialized, "The late emperor raised Your Majesty as his son and housed you in the palace; the charge at his couch, his last words still ring in the ear—Heaven and Earth know to whom you were entrusted. Had the late emperor lived on, Your Majesty would still have been a prince, and calling Prince Anyi "uncle" would have been beyond question in principle. How can one be made a son in life and repudiated in death? At the outset of a reign a ruler should display utmost public righteousness to win the realm and bind men's hearts. Now the chief ministers would first bestow an improper title on the prince, leading Your Majesty to favor private ties over public duty—this is not how to win the hearts of the realm." After more than ten such memorials, he was sent out as magistrate of Xiuning County.

神宗立，通判淄州。熙寧元年，知泗州，為河北轉運副使。召直舍人院。韓絳宣撫陝西，命為判官，又兼河東宣撫判官，除知制誥。四年，知廷州。大防、昉欲城河外荒堆砦，眾謂不可守，大防留戍兵修堡障，有不從者斬以徇。會環慶兵亂，絳坐黜，大防亦落知制誥，以太常博士知臨江軍。

When Emperor Shenzong ascended the throne, Dafang was appointed vice-prefect of Zizhou. In the first year of Xining he became prefect of Sizhou and deputy transport commissioner of Hebei. He was summoned to serve in the Academy of Scholarly Attendants. When Han Jiang was pacification commissioner for Shaanxi, Dafang was made his administrative aide and concurrently aide for the Hedong pacification commission; he was appointed drafting drafter. In the fourth year he was appointed prefect of Yanzhou. Dafang and Fang wished to fortify abandoned mound forts beyond the river; many said they could not be held. Dafang left garrison troops to repair the defenses and executed those who disobeyed as an example. When troops in Huan and Qing mutinied, Han Jiang was dismissed; Dafang too was stripped of his drafting drafter title and made an erudite in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices while serving as prefect of Linjiang.

數月，徙知華州。華嶽摧，自山屬渭河，被害者眾。大防奏疏，援經質史，以驗時事。其略曰：「『畏天之威，於時保之。』先王所以興也；『我生不有命在天』，後王所以壞也。《書》云：『惟先格王，正厥事。』願仰承天威，俯酌時變，為社稷至計。」除龍圖閣待制、知秦州。元豐初，徙永興。神宗以彗星求言，大防陳三說九宜：曰治本、曰緩末、曰納言。養民、教士、重穀，治本之宜三也；治邊、治兵，緩末之宜二也；廣受言之路，寬侵官之罰，恕誹謗之罪，容異同之論，此納言之宜四也。累數千言。時用兵西夏，調度百出，有不便者輒上聞，務在寬民。及兵罷，民力比他路為饒，供億軍須亦無乏絕。進直學士。居數年，知成都府。

After several months he was transferred to Huazhou. Mount Hua collapsed, and from the mountain down to the Wei River the dead were many. Dafang submitted a memorial, citing the classics and weighing history to illuminate current events. In summary he wrote, "'Revere Heaven's majesty, and in season preserve the realm. This is how former kings rose; 'My mandate is in Heaven'—this is how later kings fell. The Documents says, 'Only first examine the king, then rectify his affairs.' I pray Your Majesty look up to Heaven's majesty and weigh the changes of the age, taking the utmost plan for the altars of state." He was appointed attendant gentleman in the Hall for Treasuring Classics and made prefect of Qinzhou. At the beginning of Yuanfeng he was transferred to Yongxing. When Emperor Shenzong sought counsel on account of the comet, Dafang offered three doctrines and nine recommendations: attend to the root, ease the branch, and heed counsel. Nourish the people, instruct scholars, and value grain—the three root measures; govern the frontier and govern the army—the two branch measures; widen the path for counsel, relax penalties for overstepping office, pardon slander, and tolerate differing views—these are the four measures for heeding counsel. The memorial ran to several thousand words. While troops were deployed against Western Xia, requisitions multiplied; whenever a measure bore harshly on the people he reported it at once, striving to lighten their burden. When the campaigns ended, his circuit's people were better off than elsewhere, and military supplies were never wanting. He was promoted to Hanlin academician. After several years he was appointed prefect of Chengdu.

哲宗即位，召為翰林學士、權開封府。有僧誑民取財，因訟至廷下。驗治得情，命抱具獄，即其所杖之，他挾奸者皆遁去。館伴契丹使，其使黠，語頗及朝廷，大防密擿其隱事，詰之曰：「北朝試進士《至心獨運賦》，不知此題於書何出？」使錯遌不能對，自是不敢復出嫚詞。

When Emperor Zhezong ascended the throne, Dafang was summoned as Hanlin academician and acting prefect of Kaifeng. A monk who had swindled the people was brought to court in a lawsuit. Once the facts were established, he ordered the monk to hold the dossier and was beaten on the spot with his own staff; other frauds fled. While hosting the Khitan envoy, whose speech often probed the court, Dafang quietly raised a secret matter and asked, "Your court's jinshi examination set the fu 'Sincerity Alone Moves the Heart'—from what classic does that topic come?" The envoy was flustered and could not answer; thereafter he dared not speak insolently again.

遷吏部尚書。夏使來，詔訪以待遇之計，且曰：「向者所得邊地，雖建立城堡，終慮孤絕難保。棄之則弱國，守之又有後悔，為當奈何？」大防言：「夏本無能為，然屢遣使而不布誠款者，蓋料我急於議和耳。今使者到闕，宜令押伴臣僚，扣其不賀登極，以觀厥意，足以測情偽矣。新收疆土，議者多言可棄，此慮之不熟也。至於守御之策，惟擇將帥為先。太祖用姚內斌、董遵誨守環、慶，西人不敢入侵。昔以二州之力，禦敵而有餘；今以九州之大，奉邊而不足。由是言之，在於得人而已。」元祐元年，拜尚書右丞，進中書侍郎，封汲郡公。西方息兵，青唐羌以為中國怯，使大將鬼章青宜結犯邊。大防命洮州諸將乘間致討，生擒之。

He was promoted to minister of personnel. When a Xia envoy arrived, the emperor sought his counsel on how to receive them, saying, "The border lands we recently gained, though we have built forts, still seem isolated and hard to hold. To abandon them weakens the state; to hold them may bring regret—what should we do?" Dafang replied, "Xia is not truly capable of much; they send envoys again and again without sincere intent because they reckon we are eager for peace. Now that the envoy is at court, order the escorting officials to press him on failing to congratulate Your Majesty's accession and observe his response—that will reveal his true intent. As for the newly taken territory, many counsel abandoning it—this shows immature judgment. As for defense, choosing the right commanders comes first. Taizu posted Yao Neibin and Dong Zunhui to guard Huan and Qing, and the western peoples dared not invade. Once two prefectures sufficed to repel the enemy with strength to spare; now with the empire's nine provinces, supplying the frontier falls short. From this we see the matter rests on finding the right men." In the first year of Yuanyou he was made right vice director of the Department of State Affairs, promoted to vice director of the Secretariat, and enfeoffed as Duke of Ji. When fighting in the west subsided, the Qingtang Qiang, thinking Song timid, sent their great general Guizhang Qingyijie to raid the frontier. Dafang ordered the generals of Taozhou to strike when opportunity offered and took him alive.

三年，呂公著告老，宣仁后欲留之京師。手札密訪至於四五，超拜大防尚書左僕射兼門下侍郎，提舉修《神宗實錄》。大防見哲宗年益壯，日以進學為急，請敕講讀官取仁宗邇英御書解釋上之，置於座右。又摭乾興以來四十一事足以為勸戒者，分上下篇，標曰《仁祖聖學》，使人主有欣慕不足之意。

In the third year Lü Gongzhu sought to retire; Empress Dowager Xuanren wished to keep him in the capital. In four or five private notes she consulted him; Dafang was promoted to left grandee of the palace and concurrent vice director of the Chancellery, with charge of compiling Emperor Shenzong's veritable records. Seeing Zhezong grow stronger year by year, Dafang pressed daily for his studies and asked the lecture officials to submit Emperor Renzong's Yingying explanations for placement at the emperor's right hand. He also compiled forty-one instructive episodes from the Qianxing era onward in two fascicles under the title The Sagely Learning of Emperor Ren, to inspire the sovereign with admiration and a sense of what he had yet to attain.

哲宗御邇英閣，召宰執、講讀官讀《寶訓》，至「漢武帝籍南山提封為上林苑，仁宗曰：『山澤之利當與眾共之，何用此也。』丁度曰：『臣事陛下二十年，每奉德音，未始不及於憂勤，此蓋祖宗家法爾。』」大防因推廣祖宗家法以進，曰：「自三代以後，唯本朝百二十年中外無事，蓋由祖宗所立家法最善，臣請舉其略。自古人主事母后，朝見有時，如漢武帝五日一朝長樂宮；祖宗以來事母后，皆朝夕見，此事親之法也。前代大長公主用臣妾之禮；本朝必先致恭，仁宗以姪事姑之禮見獻穆大長公主，此事長之法也。前代宮闈多不肅，宮人或與廷臣相見，唐入閣圖有昭容位；本朝宮禁嚴密，內外整肅，此治內之法也。前代外戚多預政事，常致敗亂；本朝母后之族皆不預，此待外戚之法也。前代宮室多尚華侈；本朝宮殿止用赤白，此尚儉之法也。前代人君雖在宮禁，出輿入輦；祖宗皆步自內庭，出御後殿，豈乏人力哉？亦欲涉歷廣庭，稍冒寒暑，此勤身之法也。前代人主，在禁中冠服苟簡；祖宗以來，燕居必以禮，竊聞陛下昨郊禮畢，具禮謝太皇太后，此尚禮之法也。前代多深於用刑，大者誅戮，小者遠竄；惟本朝用法最輕，臣下有罪，止於罷黜，此寬仁之法也。至於虛己納諫，不好畋獵，不尚玩好，不用玉器，不貴異味，此皆祖宗家法，所以致太平者。陛下不須遠法前代，但盡行家法，足以為天下。」哲宗甚然之。

At the Yingying Pavilion Zhezong summoned the chief ministers and lecture officials to read the Precious Admonitions. They came to the passage where Emperor Wu of Han enclosed the southern hills for the Shanglin Park, and Emperor Renzong said, "The bounty of hills and marshes should be shared with all—what need is there for this? Ding Du said, "In twenty years serving Your Majesty, every gracious word I have heard has spoken of anxious diligence—this is our ancestors' family law." Dafang then elaborated on the ancestors' family law, saying, "Since the Three Dynasties, only our dynasty has enjoyed some hundred and twenty years of peace at home and abroad—because our ancestors' family law is the finest. I beg to cite its main points. From antiquity rulers visited their empress mothers at set intervals, as Emperor Wu of Han attended the Everlasting Joy Palace once every five days; but our ancestors have visited their empress mothers morning and evening—this is our way of honoring kin. Former dynasties treated grand elder princesses with the rites due subjects and concubines; but our court first shows reverence—Emperor Renzong received Grand Elder Princess Xianmu with a nephew's rites toward his father's sister—this is our way of honoring elders. Former palaces were often lax; palace women might meet court ministers—the Tang diagram of entering the hall even marks a place for Zhaorong; but our palace rules are strict and inner and outer ranks are kept in order—this is our way of governing within. Former dynasties let maternal kin into government, often to ruin and disorder; but our empress mothers' kin take no part in affairs—this is our way with maternal kin. Former palaces prized splendor and extravagance; but our halls use only red and white—this is our way of frugality. Former rulers, though within the palace, went out by carriage and in by palanquin; but our ancestors walked from the inner court to the rear hall—was manpower lacking? They wished to cross the broad courtyard and bear a little cold and heat—this is our way of bodily diligence. Former rulers dressed carelessly within the palace; From our ancestors onward, even in private life ritual was observed; I hear that after yesterday's suburban sacrifice Your Majesty performed full rites to thank the Grand Empress Dowager—this is our way of honoring ritual. Former dynasties punished harshly—great offenders were executed, lesser ones banished far away; Only our dynasty applies the law most leniently; guilty ministers are merely dismissed—this is our way of generous rule. Emptying oneself to heed counsel, disliking the hunt, shunning luxuries, forgoing jade vessels, and spurning exotic delicacies—all this is our ancestors' family law, the means by which they achieved great peace. Your Majesty need not look far to former ages; fully practicing our family law is enough to govern the realm." Zhezong strongly agreed.

大防樸厚惷直，不植黨朋，與范純仁並位，同心戮力，以相王室。立朝挺挺，進退百官，不可干以私，不市恩嫁怨以邀聲譽，凡八年，始終如一。

Dafang was plain, steadfast, and bluntly honest; he cultivated no factions. Sharing power with Fan Chunren, he worked in concert to support the throne. In court he stood upright and unbending; in appointing and dismissing officials no private interest could sway him; he neither traded favors nor nursed grudges for reputation—for eight years he was unchanged.

懇乞避位，宣仁后曰：「上方富於春秋，公未可即去，少須歲月，吾亦就東朝矣。」未果而后崩。為山陵使，覆命以觀文殿大學士、左光祿大夫知潁昌府。尋改永興軍，使便其鄉社。入辭，哲宗勞慰甚渥，曰：「卿暫歸故鄉，行即召矣。」未幾，左正言上官均論其隳壞役法，右正言張商英、御史周秩、劉拯相繼攻之，奪學士，知隨州，貶秘書監，分司南京，居郢州。言者又以修《神宗實錄》直書其事為誣詆，徙安州。

He earnestly asked to step down. Empress Dowager Xuanren said, "The emperor is still young; you cannot leave yet—wait a few months; I too shall retire to the Eastern Palace." Before this could happen the empress dowager died. As commissioner for the imperial tomb, on reporting back he was made grand academician of the Hall for Viewing Literature, left grandee of splendid happiness, and prefect of Yingchang. He was soon transferred to Yongxing to be nearer his home. Taking leave, Zhezong comforted him warmly and said, "Return home for a time; you will soon be summoned back." Before long Left Rectifier Shangguan Jun accused him of undermining the corvée law; Right Rectifier Zhang Shangying and censors Zhou Zhi and Liu Zheng attacked him in turn. He lost his academician title, was made prefect of Suizhou, demoted to director of the Palace Library, assigned to the Nanjing branch, and sent to live in Yingzhou. Critics also charged that in compiling Emperor Shenzong's veritable records he had written plainly to slander the court, and he was exiled to Anzhou.

兄大忠自渭入對，哲宗詢大防安否，且曰：「執政欲遷諸嶺南，朕獨令處安陸，為朕寄聲問之。大防樸直，為人所賣，三二年可復相見也。」大忠泄其語於章惇，惇懼，繩之愈力。紹聖四年，遂貶舒州團練副使，安置循州。至虔州信豐而病，語其子景山曰：「吾不復南矣！吾死汝歸，呂氏尚有遺種。」遂薨，年七十一。大忠請歸葬，許之。

His elder brother Dazhong came from Wei to audience. Zhezong asked after Dafang and said, "The chief ministers wanted to send them all to Lingnan; I alone placed him in Anlu—carry my greetings and ask after him. Dafang is honest and upright and has been betrayed; in two or three years we may meet again." Dazhong leaked these words to Zhang Dun, who grew afraid and pressed the case ever harder. In the fourth year of Shaosheng he was demoted to vice military training commissioner of Shuzhou and exiled to Xunzhou. Reaching Xinfeng in Qianzhou he fell ill and told his son Jingshan, "I shall go no farther south! When I die, return home—the Lü line will survive yet." He died at seventy-one. Dazhong asked to bring the body home for burial, and permission was granted.

大防身長七尺，眉目秀發，聲音如鐘。自少持重，無嗜好，過市不左右游目，燕居如對賓客。每朝會，威儀翼如，神宗常目送之。與大忠及弟大臨同居，相切磋論道考禮，冠昏喪祭，一本於古，關中言《禮》學者推呂氏。嘗為《鄉約》曰：「凡同約者，德業相勸，過失相規，禮俗相交，患難相恤，有善則書於籍，有過若違約者亦書之，三犯而行罰，不悛者絕之。」

Dafang stood seven feet tall, with handsome features and a voice like a bell. From youth he was grave and steady, without indulgences; in the market he never let his eyes wander; even at home he behaved as if receiving guests. At every court assembly his bearing was imposing; Emperor Shenzong often watched him depart. He lived with Dazhong and his younger brother Dalin, studying the Way and ritual together; caps, weddings, mourning, and sacrifices all followed ancient models—in Guanzhong the Lü were acclaimed for ritual learning. He composed a Village Compact: "Members shall encourage one another in virtue, admonish one another in faults, interact in ritual and custom, and aid one another in hardship. Good deeds are recorded; faults and breaches are recorded too. After three offenses punishment follows; the unreformed are expelled."

徽宗即位，復其官。高宗紹興初，又復大學士，贈太師、宣國公，諡曰「正愍」。

When Emperor Huizong ascended the throne, his offices were restored. Early in the Shaoxing era under Emperor Gaozong his grand academician title was restored; he was posthumously made grand preceptor and Duke of Xuan, with the posthumous name Zhenmin (Correct and Commiserated).

兄大忠

Elder Brother Dazhong

大忠，字進伯。登第，為華陰尉、晉城令。韓絳宣撫陝西，以大忠提舉永興路義勇。改秘書丞，檢詳樞密院吏、兵房文字。令條義勇利害。大忠言：「養兵猥眾，國用日屈，漢之屯田，唐之府兵，善法也。弓箭手近於屯田，義勇近於府兵，擇用一焉，兵屯可省矣。」為簽書定國軍判官。

Dazhong, whose courtesy name was Jinbo. He passed the examinations and served as defender of Huayin and magistrate of Jincheng. When Han Jiang pacified Shaanxi, he appointed Dazhong to oversee the volunteer forces of Yongxing Circuit. He was made assistant in the Palace Library and examined documents in the personnel and military affairs sections of the Bureau of Military Affairs. He was ordered to report on the advantages and disadvantages of the volunteer forces. Dazhong said, "Maintaining excessive troops daily strains the treasury; Han garrison farming and Tang militia service were sound methods. Archer-soldiers resemble garrison farming and volunteers resemble militia service—adopt one and standing armies may be reduced." He was made signing administrative aide of Dingguo Army.

熙寧中，王安石議遣使諸道，立緣邊封溝，大忠與范育被命，俱辭行。大忠陳五不可，以為懷撫外國，恩信不洽，必致生患。罷不遣。令與劉忱使契丹，議代北地，會遭父喪。起復，知代州。契丹使蕭素、梁潁至代，設次，據主席，大忠與之爭，乃移次於長城北。換西上閤門使、知石州。大忠數與素、潁會，凡議，屢以理折之，素、潁稍屈。已而復使蕭禧來求代北地，神宗召執政與大忠、忱議，將從其請。大忠曰：「彼遣一使來，即與地五百里，若使魏王英弼來求關南，則何如？」神宗曰：「卿是何言也。」對曰：「陛下既以臣言為不然，恐不可啟其漸。」忱曰：「大忠之言，社稷大計，願陛下熟思之。」執政知不可奪，議卒不決，罷忱還三司，大忠亦終喪制。其後竟以分水嶺為界焉。

During Xining, Wang Anshi proposed sending envoys to all circuits to dig border ditches along the frontier; Dazhong and Fan Yu were ordered but both declined. Dazhong listed five objections, arguing that without genuine grace and trust toward foreign states, trouble would surely follow. The mission was abandoned. He was ordered with Liu Chen to envoy to the Khitan to discuss the northern territories, but his father died. Recalled from mourning, he was made prefect of Daizhou. Khitan envoys Xiao Su and Liang Ying came to Dai and took the chief seat at the reception tent; Dazhong protested, and the tent was moved north of the Long Wall. He was made envoy of the Western Upper Gate and prefect of Shizhou. Dazhong met Su and Ying repeatedly; in every negotiation he refuted them with reason until they gradually yielded. Soon Xiao Xi was sent again to demand the northern territories. Shenzong summoned the chief ministers with Dazhong and Chen and was about to accede. Dazhong said, "They send one envoy and we yield five hundred li—if the Prince of Wei, Ying Bi, came demanding Guannan, what then?" Shenzong said, "What sort of talk is that?" He replied, "If Your Majesty rejects my words, I fear we must not open the door to such demands." Chen said, "Dazhong speaks for the altars of state; I beg Your Majesty to consider this carefully." The chief ministers knew they could not prevail; the matter was left undecided. Chen was sent back to the Three Commissions, and Dazhong completed his mourning. In the end the boundary was set at the Watershed Ridge.

元豐中，為河北轉運判官，言：「古者理財，視天下猶一家。朝廷者家，外計者兄弟，居雖異而財無不同。今有司惟知出納之名，有餘不足，未嘗以實告上。故有餘則取之，不足莫之與，甚大患也。」乃上生財、養民十二事。徙提點淮西刑獄。時河決，飛蝗為災，大忠入對，極論之，詔歸故官。

During Yuanfeng he was deputy transport commissioner of Hebei and said, "In antiquity fiscal management treated the realm as one household. The court was the household and the outer accounts were brothers—dwelling apart yet sharing the same wealth. Now officials know only intake and disbursement by name; surplus and shortfall are never reported truthfully to the throne. Where there is surplus they take; where there is shortfall none is supplied—this is a grave ill." He then submitted twelve proposals on generating wealth and nourishing the people. He was transferred to judicial intendant of Huai West. When the Yellow River burst its banks and locusts ravaged the land, Dazhong memorialized at length; an edict restored him to his former post.

元祐初，歷工部郎中、陝西轉運副使、知陝州，以直龍圖閣知秦州，進寶文閣待制。夏人自犯麟府、環慶後，遂絕歲賜，欲遣使謝罪，神宗將許之。大忠言：「夏人強則縱，困則服，今陽為恭順，實懼討伐。宜且命邊臣詰其所以來之辭，若惟請是從，彼將有以窺我矣。」

Early in Yuanyou he served as bureau director in the Ministry of Works, deputy transport commissioner of Shaanxi, and prefect of Shaanzhou; as direct attendant gentleman in the Dragon Diagram Hall he became prefect of Qinzhou and was promoted to attendant gentleman in the Hall for Treasuring Literature. After the Tanguts raided Lin, Fu, Huan, and Qing, they ceased receiving annual gifts and wished to send envoys to apologize; Shenzong was about to agree. Dazhong said, "The Tanguts yield when indulged and submit when pressed; their show of respect now masks fear of punishment. Order frontier officials to press them on why they come; if we simply grant every request, they will probe our weakness."

時郡糴民粟，豪家因之制操縱之柄。大忠選僚寀自旦入倉，雖斗升亦受，不使有所壅閼。民喜，爭運粟於倉，負錢而去，得百餘萬斛。

The prefecture was buying grain from the people, and powerful families controlled the market. Dazhong sent subordinates to the granary from dawn, accepting even the smallest measures and allowing no obstruction. The people rejoiced and rushed grain to the granary, taking payment and leaving; more than a million hu were collected.

馬涓以進士舉首入幕府，自稱狀元。大忠謂曰：「狀元云者，及第未除官之稱也，既為判官則不可。今科舉之習既無用，修身為己之學，不可不勉。」又教以臨政治民之要，涓自以為得師焉。謝良佐教授州學，大忠每過之，聽講《論語》，必正襟斂容曰：「聖人言行在焉，吾不敢不肅。」

Ma Juan, top jinshi graduate, joined the staff and styled himself zhuangyuan. Dazhong told him, "Zhuangyuan is the title before one receives office; as an administrative aide you may not use it. Examination habits are useless now; you must strive in learning for self-cultivation." He also taught him the essentials of governing the people; Juan felt he had found a true teacher. Xie Liangzuo taught at the prefectural school; whenever Dazhong passed and heard lectures on the Analects, he straightened his robes and said, "The sage's words and conduct are here—I dare not be irreverent."

嘗獻曰：「夏人戍守之外，戰士不過十萬，吾三路之眾，足以當之矣。彼屢犯王略，一不與校，臣竊羞之。」紹聖二年，加寶文閣直學士、知渭州，付以秦、渭之事，奏言：「關、陝民力未裕，士氣沮喪，非假之歲月，未易枝梧。」因請以職事對。大抵欲以計徐取橫山，自汝遮殘井迤邐進築，不求近功。

He once submitted, "Beyond garrison duty the Tanguts field no more than one hundred thousand warriors; our three circuits can match them. They repeatedly violate our domain yet we never respond—I am ashamed." In the second year of Shaosheng he was made direct academician of the Hall for Treasuring Literature and prefect of Weizhou, entrusted with Qin and Wei affairs. He memorialized, "The people's strength in Guan and Shaan is not yet restored and morale is low—without time, recovery will be hard." He asked to report on his official duties in person. In general he planned to take Hengshan gradually, advancing fortifications from Ruzhe and Canjing in succession without seeking quick success.

既而鐘傅城安西，王文郁亦用事，章惇、曾布主之，大忠議不合；又乞以所進職為大防量移，惇、布陳其所言與元祐時異，徙知同州，旋降待制致仕。卒，詔復學士官，佐其葬。

Soon Zhong Fu fortified Anxi and Wang Wenyu gained influence; Zhang Dun and Zeng Bu backed them, and Dazhong disagreed; he also asked that his post be used to ease Dafang's exile. Dun and Bu said his views differed from the Yuanyou era; he was moved to Tongzhou and soon demoted and ordered to retire. When he died, an edict restored his academician title and assisted his burial.

弟大鈞

Younger Brother Dajun

大鈞，字和叔。父蕡，六子，其五登科，大鈞第三子也。中乙科，調秦州右司理參軍，監延州折博務。改光祿寺丞、知三原縣。請代蕡入蜀，移巴西縣。蕡致仕，大鈞亦移疾不行。

Dajun, whose courtesy name was Heshu. His father Ben had six sons, five of whom passed the examinations; Dajun was the third son. He passed the second-class examinations and was assigned as right judicial administrator in Qinzhou and overseer of the exchange office in Yanzhou. He was made assistant director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and magistrate of Sanyuan County. He asked to replace his father in going to Shu and was transferred to Baxi County. When Ben retired, Dajun also pleaded illness and did not go.

韓絳宣撫陝西、河東，辟書寫機密文字。府罷，移知候官縣，故相曾公亮鎮京兆，薦知涇陽縣，皆不赴。丁外艱，家居講道。數年，起為諸王宮教授。求監鳳翔船務，制改宣義郎。

When Han Jiang pacified Shaanxi and Hedong, he recruited Dajun to draft confidential documents. When the commission ended he was offered Houguan County; former chief minister Zeng Gongliang, governing Jingzhao, recommended him for Jingyang—all of which he declined. After mourning for his mother he stayed home lecturing on the Way. After several years he was appointed instructor in the princes' palaces. He sought to supervise the Fengxiang shipping office and was made gentleman for promoting righteousness.

會伐西夏，鄜延轉運司檄為從事。既出塞，轉運使李稷饋餉不繼，欲還安定取糧，使大鈞請於种諤。諤曰：「吾受命將兵，安知糧道！萬一不繼，召稷來，與一劍耳。」大鈞性剛直，即曰：「朝廷出師，去塞未遠，遂斬轉運使，無君父乎？」諤意折，強謂大鈞曰：「君欲以此報稷，先稷受禍矣！」大鈞怒曰：「公將以此言見恐邪？吾委身事主，死無所辭，正恐公過耳。」諤見其直，乃好謂曰：「子乃爾邪？今聽汝矣！」始許稷還。是時，微大鈞盛氣誚諤，稷且不免。未幾，道得疾，卒，年五十二。

During the campaign against Western Xia, the Fuyan Transport Commission summoned him as staff officer. Once beyond the frontier, Transport Commissioner Li Ji could not sustain supplies; wishing to return to Anding for grain, he sent Dajun to ask Chong E. Chong E said, "I was ordered to command troops—how should I know about supply routes! If supplies fail, summon Ji and give him a sword—that is all." Dajun, blunt by nature, said at once, "The court has sent out the army; we are not yet far from the frontier, and you would behead the transport commissioner—have you no sovereign or father?" Chong E was abashed and forced himself to say, "You wish to repay Ji with this—Ji will suffer first!" Dajun said angrily, "Sir, do you mean to frighten me with that? I have given myself to serve my sovereign; I do not shrink from death. What I fear is that you may go too far." Chong E saw how blunt he was and spoke pleasantly, "So this is the man you are? Today I heed you!" Only then did he allow Li Ji to return. At that time, but for Dajun's bold spirit in rebuking Chong E, Li Ji would scarcely have escaped harm. Before long, Chong E fell ill and died, at the age of fifty-two.

大鈞從張載學，能守其師說而踐履之。居父喪，衰麻葬祭，一本於禮。後乃行於冠昏、膳飲、慶吊之間，節文粲然可觀，關中化之。尤喜講明井田兵制，謂治道必自此始，悉撰次為圖籍，可見於用。雖皆本於載，而能自信力行，載每歎其勇為不可及。

Dajun studied under Zhang Zai and was able to uphold his teacher's doctrines and live by them. While mourning his father, his hemp garments, burial, and sacrifices all followed the rites to the letter. He later extended this to capping ceremonies, weddings, meals, and occasions of congratulation and condolence; the ritual forms were splendid to see, and Guanzhong took him as a model. He especially loved to expound the well-field system and military institutions, holding that sound governance must begin there; he compiled them all into charts and registers fit for practical use. Though all of this grew from Zhang Zai's teaching, he could trust himself and act decisively; Zai often sighed that his courage was beyond compare.

弟大臨

Younger brother Dalin

大臨，字與叔。學於程頤，與謝良佐、游酢、楊時在程門，號「四先生」。通《六經》，尤邃於《禮》。每欲掇習三代遺文舊制，令可行，不為空言以拂世駭俗。其論選舉曰：

Dalin, whose courtesy name was Yushu. He studied under Cheng Yi; with Xie Liangzuo, You Zuo, and Yang Shi he studied at Cheng's gate and was known as the "Four Masters." He mastered the Six Classics and was especially deep in the Rites. He always wished to gather and practice the surviving texts and old institutions of the Three Dynasties so they could actually be carried out, rather than offer empty words that affronted the age and shocked custom. In his discussion of selection and appointment he wrote:

「古之長育人才者，以士眾多為樂；今之主選舉者，以多為患。古以禮聘士，常恐士之不至；今以法待士，常恐士之競進。古今豈有異哉。蓋未之思爾。夫為國之要，不過得人以治其事，如為治必欲得人，惟恐人才之不足，而何患於多？如治事皆任其責，惟恐士之不至，不憂其競進也。今取人而用，不問其可任何事；任人以事，不問其才之所堪。故入流之路不勝其多，然為官擇士則常患乏才；待次之吏歷歲不調，然考其職事則常患不治。是所謂名實不稱，本末交戾。如此而欲得人而事治，未之有也。今欲立士規以養德厲行，更學制以量才進藝，定試法以區別能否，修辟法以興能備用，嚴舉法以核實得人，制考法以責任考功，庶幾可以漸復古矣。」

"Those of antiquity who nurtured talent took joy in having many scholars; those today who preside over selection treat abundance as a problem. Antiquity invited scholars by ritual, always fearing they would not come; today scholars are treated by statute, always fearing they will rush forward in competition. How could antiquity and the present truly differ? It is only that the matter has not been thought through. The essential of governing a state is nothing more than obtaining the right people to administer affairs. If good governance requires obtaining men, one should only fear a shortage of talent—why worry about having too many? If each man is entrusted with responsibility in governing affairs, one need only fear that scholars will not come; there is no need to worry about their competing to advance. Today, when men are taken and employed, no one asks what affairs each can handle; when men are entrusted with affairs, no one asks what their talents can bear. Thus the paths into office are more than can be borne, yet when offices select men they constantly complain of a shortage of talent; officials awaiting assignment go years without posting, yet when their duties are examined governance is constantly found wanting. This is what is meant when name and reality do not match and root and branch work against each other. To hope in such circumstances to obtain the right men and have affairs well governed has never yet been possible. If we now establish rules for scholars to nurture virtue and encourage conduct, reform the school system to measure talent and advance skill, fix examination methods to distinguish the capable from the incapable, refine recruitment methods to raise the able and prepare them for service, tighten recommendation methods to verify merit and obtain the right men, and institute evaluation methods to fix responsibility and examine achievement—then perhaps we may gradually return to antiquity."

富弼致政於家，為佛氏之學。大臨與之書曰：「古者三公無職事，惟有德者居之，內則論道於朝，外則主教於鄉。古之大人當是任者，必將以斯道覺斯民，成己以成物，豈以爵位進退、體力盛衰為之變哉？今大道未明，人趨異學，不入於莊，則入於釋。疑聖人為未盡善，輕禮義為不足學，人倫不明，萬物憔悴，此老成大人惻隱存心之時。以道自任，振起壞俗，在公之力，宜無難矣。若夫移精變氣，務求長年，此山谷避世之士獨善其身者之所好，豈世之所以望於公者哉？」弼謝之。

Fu Bi retired from office and lived at home, devoting himself to Buddhist learning. Dalin wrote to him: "In antiquity the Three Dukes had no routine administrative duties; only the virtuous held those posts. Within the court they discussed the Way; in the countryside they chiefly taught the people. The great men of antiquity who shouldered such responsibility were sure to use this Way to awaken the people, perfecting themselves in order to perfect the world. How could they let rank and office, advance and withdrawal, or the waxing and waning of bodily strength alter that? Today the Great Way is not yet clear, and people rush to heterodox learning: if they do not enter Zhuangzi, they enter Buddhism. They doubt that the sages were wholly good, treat ritual and righteousness as unworthy of study, human relations are unclear, and the myriad things wither. This is the moment for a man of mature virtue to keep compassion alive in his heart. To take the Way upon yourself and rouse a decadent age—given your stature, it should not be difficult. As for refining the vital essence and transforming the breath in pursuit of long life—that is what recluses in mountain valleys who shun the world and perfect only themselves love. Is that what the age expects of you?" Fu Bi thanked him.

元祐中，為太學博士，遷秘書省正字。范祖禹薦其好學修身如古人，可備勸學，未及用而卒。

During the Yuanyou era he served as erudite of the Imperial University and was promoted to proofreader in the Secretariat. Fan Zuyu recommended that his love of learning and self-cultivation were like the ancients and that he was fit to encourage learning; before he could be appointed, he died.

劉摯，字莘老，永靜東光人。兒時，父居正課以書，朝夕不少間。或謂：「君止一子，獨不可少寬邪？」居正曰：「正以一子，不可縱也。」十歲而孤，鞠於外氏，就學東平，因家焉。

Liu Zhi, whose courtesy name was Xinlao, was a native of Dongguang in Yongjing. As a child, his father Juzheng set him to his books morning and evening without a moment's respite. Someone said, "You have only one son—can you not relax a little?" Juzheng said, "It is precisely because I have one son that I cannot indulge him." At ten he was orphaned, raised by his mother's family; he went to study at Dongping and settled there.

嘉祐中，擢甲科，歷冀州南宮令。縣比不得入，俗化凋敝，其賦甚重，輸絹匹折稅錢五百，綿兩折錢三十，民多破產。摯援例旁郡，條請裁以中價。轉運使怒，將劾之。摯固請曰：「獨一州六邑被此苦，決非法意，但朝廷不知耳。」遂告於朝。三司使包拯奏從其議，自是絹為錢千三百，綿七十有六。民歡呼至泣下，曰：「劉長官活我！」是時，摯與信都令李沖、清河令黃莘皆以治行聞，人稱為「河朔三令」。

In the Jiayou era he passed the jinshi examination with highest honors and served as magistrate of Nangong in Jizhou. The county was backward and could not advance; customs were decayed and taxes very heavy. Each bolt of silk rendered was converted at five hundred cash in tax money, each two taels of cotton at thirty cash, and many people were ruined. Zhi cited precedents from neighboring prefectures and submitted a memorial requesting that the rates be cut to the middle price. The transport commissioner was angry and was about to impeach him. Zhi firmly pleaded, "Only one prefecture and six counties suffer this hardship. It is surely not the intent of the law; the court simply does not know." He then reported the matter to the court. Three Departments commissioner Bao Zheng memorialized that his proposal should be adopted; thereafter silk was assessed at one thousand three hundred cash and cotton at seventy-six. The people shouted for joy until they wept, crying, "Magistrate Liu has given us life!" At that time Zhi, together with Li Chong, magistrate of Xindu, and Huang Xin, magistrate of Qinghe, were all known for good governance; people called them the "Three Magistrates of Heshuo."

徙江陵觀察推官，用韓琦薦，得館閣校勘。王安石一見器異之，擢檢正中書禮房，默默非所好也。才月餘，為監察御史裏行，欣然就職，歸語家人曰：「趣裝，毋為安居計。」未及陛對，即奏論：「亳州獄起不止，小人意在傾富弼以市進，今弼已得罪，願少寬之。」又言：「程昉開漳河，調發猝迫，人不堪命。趙子幾擅升畿縣等，使納役錢，縣民日數千人遮訴宰相，京師喧然，何以示四方？張靚、王廷老擅增兩浙役錢，督賦嚴急，人情嗟怨。此皆欲以羡餘希賞，願行顯責，明朝廷本無聚斂之意。」

He was transferred to judicial adjutant of the Jiangling observation commission; through Han Qi's recommendation he obtained a post as collator in the Hall of the Imperial Library. Wang Anshi was struck by his talent at their first meeting and promoted him to proofreader in the Secretariat Rituals Section, but he kept silent—it was not work he cared for. After only a little over a month he was made investigating censor in commission. He gladly took office and on returning told his family, "Pack at once—do not plan on settling in." Before he had audience at court he memorialized: "The Bozhou prison case keeps arising. Petty men intend to overturn Fu Bi for their own advancement; now that Bi has already been punished, I beg that he be shown some leniency." He also said, "Cheng Fang opened the Zhang River; the levies were sudden and urgent, and the people could not bear the burden. Zhao Ziji on his own authority raised the grades of metropolitan counties and made them pay corvée money. County people by the thousands each day blocked the way to plead with the chief councilor; the capital was in uproar. How can this be shown to the four quarters? Zhang Jing and Wang Tinglao on their own authority increased corvée money in the two Zhe circuits; tax collection was severe and urgent, and popular resentment ran deep. These all wish to use surplus revenue to seek reward. I beg that they be clearly punished, so that the court may show it never intended to amass revenue."

及入見，神宗面賜褒諭。因問：「卿從學王安石邪？安石極稱卿器識。」對曰：「臣東北人，少孤獨學，不識安石也。」退而上疏曰：

When he entered audience, Emperor Shenzong personally praised him to his face. The emperor then asked, "Have you studied under Wang Anshi? Anshi speaks very highly of your talent and insight." He answered, "Your subject is a northeasterner. Orphaned young, I studied alone—I do not know Wang Anshi." On retiring he submitted a memorial:

「君子小人之分，在義利而已。小人才非不足用，特心之所向，不在乎義。故希賞之志，每在事先；奉公之心，每在私後。陛下有勸農之意，今變而為煩擾；陛下有均役之意，今倚以為聚斂。其有愛君之心，憂國之言者，皆無以容於其間。今天下有喜於敢為，有樂於無事。彼以此為流俗，此以彼為亂常。畏義者以進取為可恥，嗜利者以守道為無能。此風浸成，漢、唐黨禍必起矣。惟君子為能通天下之志。臣願陛下虛心平聽，審察好惡，前日意以為是者，今更察其非；前日意以為短者，今更用其長。稍抑虛譁輕偽、志近忘遠、幸於苟合之人，漸察忠厚慎重、難進易退、可與有為之士。收過與不及之俗，使會於大中之道，則施設變化，惟陛下號令之而已。」

"The distinction between gentleman and petty man lies only in righteousness and profit. Petty men's talent is not insufficient for use; only what their hearts aim at is not righteousness. Thus the desire to seek reward always comes before the task; the heart to serve the public always comes after private interest. Your Majesty had the intention to encourage agriculture; now it has become harassment; Your Majesty had the intention to equalize corvée; now it is used as a means of amassing revenue. Those who love the ruler and speak out of concern for the state can find no place among them. Under heaven today there are those who delight in daring action and those who delight in doing nothing. The one side calls the other vulgar; the other calls them disorderly. Those who fear righteousness treat advancement as shameful; those who crave profit treat keeping to the Way as incompetence. As this wind gradually takes hold, the faction disasters of Han and Tang are sure to arise. Only the gentleman can comprehend the will of all under heaven. Your subject wishes Your Majesty to listen with an open mind, carefully examine likes and dislikes, and reconsider what yesterday seemed right today for its wrong; and what yesterday seemed deficient today employ for its strength. Gradually restrain those given to empty clamor, light falsity, aims near and forgetting the far, and fortunate in careless alliance; gradually discern those who are loyal, honest, and cautious, hard to advance and easy to withdraw, with whom great things may be done. Gather customs of excess and insufficiency and bring them together in the great middle Way; then in setting policy and making change, only Your Majesty need give the command."

又論率錢助役、官自雇人有十害，其略曰：

He also discussed the ten harms of collecting money to assist corvée and of government hiring of laborers. The outline reads:

「天下州縣戶役，虛實重輕不同。今等以為率，則非一法所能齊；隨其所宜，各自立法，則紛擾散殊，何以統率？一也。新法謂版籍不實，故令別立等第。且舊籍既不可信，今何以得其無失？不獨搔擾生事患，將使富輸少，貧輸多，二也。天下上戶少，中戶多。上戶役數而重，故以助錢為幸。中戶役簡而輕，下戶役所不及。今概使輸錢，則為不幸，三也。有司欲多得雇錢，而患上戶之寡，故不用舊籍，臨時升降，使民何以堪命？四也。歲有豐凶，而役人有定數，助錢不可闕。非若稅賦有倚閣、減放之期，五也。穀、麥、布、帛，歲有所出，而助法必輸見錢，六也。二稅科買，色目已多，又概率錢以竭其所有，斯民無有悅而願為農者，戶口當日耗失，七也。僥倖者又將緣法生奸，如近日兩浙倍科錢數，自以為功，八也。差法近者十餘年，遠或二十年，乃一充役，民安習之久矣。今官自雇人，直重則民不堪，輕則人不願，不免以力毆之就役，九也。且役人必用鄉戶，家有常產，則必知自愛；性既愚實，則罕有盜欺。今一切雇募，但得輕猾浮偽之人，巧詐相資，何所不至？十也。」

"Throughout the empire, prefectures and counties differ in whether household corvée burdens are light or heavy. If equality is now made the standard, no single law can make them uniform; if each place follows what is suitable and legislates on its own, confusion and disparity will abound—how can there be unified rule? That is the first harm. The new law holds that household registers are unreliable and therefore orders separate establishment of grades and ranks. Yet if the old registers are already untrustworthy, how can the new ones be obtained without error? This will not only stir up trouble and create disorder; it will make the rich pay less and the poor pay more. That is the second harm. Under heaven, upper households are few and middle households many. Upper households bear numerous and heavy corvée duties, and therefore regard paying assistance money as a blessing. Middle households bear simple and light corvée, and lower households are scarcely touched by corvée at all. Now to make all alike pay money is a hardship for them. That is the third harm. The officials wish to obtain more hired-labor money and worry that upper households are too few; therefore they do not use the old registers but raise and lower grades on the spot. How can the people bear such a burden? That is the fourth harm. Harvests may be good or bad, yet corvée quotas stay fixed and assistance payments cannot be waived. Unlike tax levies, which may be deferred or reduced on schedule, this offers no such relief. That is the fifth harm. Grain, wheat, cloth, and silk are what the people produce each year, yet the assistance law requires payment in ready cash. That is the sixth harm. The two taxes and purchase levies already impose many charges; on top of that they indiscriminately exact money until the people have nothing left. None will be glad to farm, and household registers will dwindle day by day. That is the seventh harm. Opportunists will again exploit the law to commit abuses, as when the two Zhe circuits recently doubled the levies and called it achievement. That is the eighth harm. Under the old assignment system, corvée came round only once in ten-odd years nearby, or as much as twenty years in remoter places, and the people had long grown used to that rhythm. Now the state hires laborers directly: if pay is high the people cannot afford it; if low, no one will take the work, and officials cannot help but drive men into service by force. That is the ninth harm. Moreover corvée should be performed by village households; families with steady property will surely know how to take care of themselves. Simple and honest by nature, they seldom steal or cheat. Now with universal hiring, one gets only the frivolous, cunning, and deceitful, who abet one another in fraud—what will they not dare to do? That is the tenth harm."

會御史中丞楊繪亦言其非，安石使張琥作十難以詰之，琥辭不為，司農曾布請為之。既作十難，且劾摯、繪欺誕懷向背。詔問狀，繪懼謝罪。摯奮曰：「為人臣豈可壓於權勢，使天子不知利害之實！」即條對所難，以伸其說。且曰：「臣待罪言責，採士民之說以聞於上，職也。今有司遽令分析，是使之較是非，爭勝負，交口相直，無乃辱陛下耳目之任哉！所謂向背，則臣所向者義，所背者利；所向者君父，所背者權臣。願以臣章並司農奏宣示百官，考定當否。如臣言有取，幸早施行，若稍涉欺罔，甘就竄逐。」不報。摯明日覆上疏曰：

About then Censor-in-Chief Yang Hui also criticized the policy. Wang Anshi had Zhang Huo draft ten objections to rebut Liu Zhi, but Huo refused. Zeng Bu, the Minister of Revenue, volunteered to write them instead. After drafting the ten objections, he also impeached Liu Zhi and Yang Hui for deceit and wavering loyalty. The throne ordered an inquiry into the charges. Yang Hui, frightened, apologized for his offense. Liu Zhi spoke up boldly: "How can a minister bow to power and keep the Son of Heaven from learning what truly helps or harms the realm!" He then answered each objection point by point to make his case. He added: "As a remonstrating official under censure, it is my duty to gather what scholars and commoners say and report it to Your Majesty. Now the authorities abruptly demand a point-by-point rebuttal, forcing us to argue right and wrong and vie for victory in debate. Is that not an insult to the role Your Majesty entrusts to our eyes and ears! As for the charge of divided loyalty, what I side with is righteousness, and what I turn from is profit. What I side with is my sovereign and father; what I turn from is the powerful minister. I ask that my memorial and the Ministry of Revenue's reply be published for all officials to judge which is correct. If my words have merit, I pray they be put into practice at once; if I have deceived you in the least, I willingly accept banishment." The court gave no answer. The next day Liu Zhi submitted another memorial, saying:

「陛下起居言動，躬蹈德禮，夙夜厲精，以親庶政。天下未至於安且治者，誰致之耶？陛下注意以望太平，而自以太平為己任，得君專政者是也。二三年間，開闔動搖，舉天下無一物得安其所者。蓋自青苗之議起，而天下始有聚斂之疑；青苗之議未允，而均輸之法行；均輸之法方擾，而邊鄙之謀動；邊鄙之禍未艾，而助役之事興。至於求水利，行淤田，并州縣，興事起新，難以遍舉。其議財，則市井屠販之人，皆召至政事堂。其征利，則下至歷日，而官自鬻之。推此而往，不可究言。輕用名器，淆混賢否：忠厚老成者，擯之為無能；狹少儇辯者，取之為可用；守道憂國者，謂之流俗；敗常害民者，謂之通變。凡政府謀議經畫，除用進退，獨與一掾屬決之，然後落筆。同列預聞，反在其後。故奔走乞丐之人，其門如市。今西夏之款未入，反側之兵未安，三邊瘡痍，流潰未定。河北大旱，諸路大水，民勞財乏，縣官減耗。聖上憂勤念治之時，而政事如此，皆大臣誤陛下，而大臣所用者，誤大臣也。」

"Your Majesty's daily conduct honors virtue and ritual; from dawn to night you strive with discipline to attend to government yourself. Yet the realm is still not secure and well governed—who has brought this about? Your Majesty looks to peace with care, while others take peace as their private mission and monopolize power after winning your trust—that is who has done it. Within two or three years everything has been thrown into turmoil, and nothing under heaven has been left in its proper place. It began when debate over the Green Sprouts policy arose and the realm first suspected the court of hoarding revenue. Before the Green Sprouts policy had even won approval, the equalized transport law was imposed. While the equalized transport law was still unsettling the realm, frontier campaigns were set in motion. Before the frontier disaster had passed, the labor-assistance policy was launched. Then came water conservancy, silt-field projects, merging prefectures and counties, and countless new undertakings too numerous to list. When finances were debated, butchers and peddlers from the marketplace were summoned to the Hall of Administration. In seeking profit, they went so far as to have the state sell almanacs. Push this trend further and words fail to describe it all. They treated office lightly and blurred the line between worthy and unworthy: the loyal and seasoned were dismissed as incompetent. The narrow-minded young glib talkers they recruited as useful men. Those who upheld the Way and cared for the state they called vulgar. Those who broke norms and harmed the people they called adaptable. Every plan of government, every appointment and dismissal, was settled with a single clerk before a word was written down. Fellow ministers who should have been consulted learned of decisions only afterward. Hence the rush of sycophants at their gates, thick as a marketplace crowd. The Western Xia have not yet submitted, restless troops are not pacified, and the three frontiers lie wounded and unsettled. Hebei suffers severe drought, many circuits severe flood, the people are exhausted and funds depleted, and local treasuries are shrinking. At a time when Your Majesty is anxious and diligent for good government, affairs stand thus because the chief ministers mislead you, and those the chief ministers employ mislead them."

疏奏，安石欲竄之嶺外，神宗不聽，但謫監衡州鹽倉。繪出知鄭州，琥亦落職。摯乞詣鄆遷葬，然後奔赴貶所，許之。

When the memorial was submitted, Wang Anshi wanted Liu Zhi exiled beyond the Ling mountains, but Emperor Shenzong refused and merely demoted him to superintendent of the Hengzhou salt depot. Yang Hui was sent out as prefect of Zhengzhou, and Zhang Huo was also removed from office. Liu Zhi asked to go to Yun to rebury his parents before proceeding to his place of exile, and the request was granted.

先是，倉吏與綱兵奸利相市，鹽中雜以偽惡，遠人未嘗食善鹽。摯悉意核視，且儲其羡以為賞，弊減什七。父老目為「學士鹽」。久之，簽書南京判官。會司農新令，盡斥賣天下祠廟，依坊場河渡法收淨利。南京閼伯廟歲錢四十六貫，微子廟十三貫。摯歎曰：「一至於此！」往見留守張方平曰：「獨不能為朝廷言之耶？」方平瞿然，託摯為奏曰：「閼伯遷商丘，主祀大火，火為國家盛德所乘，歷世尊為大祀。微子，宋始封之君，開國此地，本朝受命，建號所因。又有雙廟者，唐張巡、許遠孤城死賊，能捍大患。今若令承買小人規利，冗褻瀆慢，何所不為，歲收微細，實損大體。慾望留此三廟，以慰邦人崇奉之意。」從之。又見《方平傳》。

Previously depot clerks and transport troops had colluded for illicit profit, adulterating the salt with shoddy goods so that people in distant regions had never tasted good salt. Liu Zhi inspected everything thoroughly, set aside surpluses for rewards, and cut abuses by seven-tenths. Local elders called it "the Academician's salt." After some time he was appointed drafting secretary to the judicial commissioner of Nanjing. Just then the Ministry of Revenue issued a new order to sell off shrines and temples throughout the realm and collect net profits under the same rules used for markets and ferry crossings. At Nanjing the Lord Yan shrine yielded forty-six strings a year and the Prince Wei shrine thirteen. Liu Zhi sighed and said, "Things have come to this!" He went to see the resident commissioner Zhang Fangping and said, "Can you not speak to the court about this?" Zhang Fangping was startled and asked Liu Zhi to draft a memorial for him: "Lord Yan was moved to Shangqiu and presides over the worship of the Great Fire. Fire is the element on which the state's flourishing virtue rides, and through the ages he has been honored with major sacrifices. Prince Wei was the first lord enfeoffed when Song was founded; our dynasty received the Mandate here and took its reign title from that origin. There is also the Twin Shrine to Zhang Xun and Xu Yuan of Tang, who died defending a besieged city against the rebels and averted a great disaster. If petty contractors are allowed to chase profit, vulgar neglect and irreverence will know no limit. The yearly income is trifling, but the harm to the state's dignity is great. I ask that these three shrines be spared, to satisfy the people's wish to honor them." The request was granted. This account also appears in the "Biography of Zhang Fangping."

入同知太常禮院。元豐初，改集賢校理、知大宗正寺丞，為開封府推官。神宗開天章閣，議新官制，除至禮部郎中，曰：「此南宮舍人，非他曹比，無出劉摯者。」即命之。俄遷右司郎中。

He was appointed vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Early in the Yuanfeng era he became collator in the Hall of Assembled Worthies and acting director of the Court of the Imperial Clan, then investigating officer in the Kaifeng prefectural government. When Emperor Shenzong opened the Hall of Heavenly Manifestation to deliberate on a new official system, Liu Zhi was promoted to Langzhong in the Ministry of Rites. The emperor said, "This Southern Palace Attendant-Drafter is unlike any other post; no one surpasses Liu Zhi." He was appointed at once. Soon afterward he was transferred to Langzhong in the Right Office.

他日講筵進讀，至仁宗不避庚戌臨奠張士遜，侍讀曰：「國朝故事，多避國音。國朝角音，木也，故畏庚辛。」哲宗問：「果當避否？」摯進曰：「陰陽拘忌，聖人不取，如正月祈穀必用上辛，此豈可改也？漢章帝以反支日受章奏，唐太宗以辰日哭張公謹，仁宗不避庚戌日，皆陛下所宜取法。」哲宗然之。

On another day at the lecture hall, the readers came to the passage where Emperor Renzong did not avoid the gengxu day when attending the mourning rites for Zhang Shixun. The lecturer said, "Our dynasty's precedents often avoid homophones of the reign name. Our dynasty's reign name belongs to the corner tone, which is wood, and therefore we avoid geng and xin." Emperor Zhezong asked, "Should such days really be avoided?" Liu Zhi replied, "Yin-yang taboos are what sages reject. In the first month the grain prayer must fall on the upper xin day—can that be altered? Emperor Zhang of Han received memorials on taboo days, Emperor Taizong of Tang mourned Zhang Gongjin on a chen day, and Emperor Renzong did not avoid the gengxu day—all examples Your Majesty should follow." Emperor Zhezong agreed.

摯又言：「諫官御史員缺未補，監察雖滿六員，專以察治官司公事，而不預言責。臣請增補臺諫，並許言事。」時蔡確、章惇在政地，與司馬光不相能。摯因久旱上言：「《洪範》：『庶徵肅，時雨若。』《五行傳》：『政緩則冬旱。』今廟堂大臣，情志乖暌，議政之際，依違排狠，語播於外，可謂不肅。政令二三，舒緩不振。比日日青無光，風霾昏曀，上天警告，皆非小變。願進忠良、通壅塞，以答天戒。」

Liu Zhi also said, "Remonstrating officials and censor posts remain unfilled. Although the six surveillance censors are in place, they investigate official misconduct only and do not share the remonstrators' duty to speak freely. I ask that the Censorate and remonstrators be fully staffed and that all be allowed to speak on public affairs." At that time Cai Que and Zhang Dun held power and were at odds with Sima Guang. Citing the long drought, Liu Zhi submitted: "The Hong Fan says, 'When the various signs are reverent, timely rain follows. The Wuxing Zhuan says, 'When government is lax, winter drought follows.' Today the chief ministers are divided in spirit; in council they waver, clash, and speak harshly, and their disputes spread abroad—this can hardly be called reverent. Policies are inconsistent and enforcement slack. Lately the sun has shone without brightness and wind and haze have darkened the sky. Heaven's warnings are no small matter. I pray that loyal men be advanced and obstructions cleared, to answer heaven's warning."

蔡確為山陵使，神宗靈駕發引前夕不入宿，摯劾之，不報。及使回，既朝即視事，摯又奏確不引咎自劾。無何，確上表自陳，嘗請收拔當世之耆艾，以陪輔王室，蠲省有司之煩碎，以慰安民心。摯謂：「使確誠有是請，不言於先朝，為不忠之罪；言於今日，為取容之計。誠無是請，則欺君莫大於此。」又疏確過惡大略有十，論章惇凶悍輕侻，無大臣體，皆罷去。

Cai Que served as commissioner for Emperor Shenzong's tomb. On the eve before the spirit carriage departed he failed to keep the overnight vigil. Liu Zhi impeached him, but the court gave no answer. When he returned from his mission he went straight from court to his duties. Liu Zhi again memorialized that Cai Que had not confessed fault and asked to be punished. Before long Cai Que submitted a memorial in his own defense, claiming he had once asked to promote worthy elders to assist the throne and to cut the petty burdens of officialdom so as to reassure the people. Liu Zhi said, "If Cai Que truly made such a request and did not speak of it under the previous emperor, that is disloyalty. To speak of it now is mere currying favor. If he never made such a request, then no deception of the ruler could be greater." He also listed roughly ten of Cai Que's offenses and argued that Zhang Dun was fierce, arrogant, and frivolous, unfit for high office. Both were removed.

初，神宗更新學制，養士以千數，有司立為約束，過於煩密。摯上疏曰：

Earlier Emperor Shenzong had reformed the school system and supported thousands of students, but the authorities drew up rules that were excessively burdensome. Liu Zhi submitted a memorial, saying:

「學校為育材首善之地，教化所從出，非行法之所。雖群居眾聚，帥而齊之，不可無法，亦有禮義存焉。先帝體道制法，超漢軼唐，養士之盛，比隆三代。然而比以太學屢起獄訟，有司緣此造為法禁，煩苛愈於治獄，條目多於防盜，上下疑貳，以求苟免。甚可怪者，博士、諸生禁不相見，教諭無所施，質問無所從，月巡所隸之齋而已。齋舍既不一，隨經分隸，則又《易》博士兼巡《禮》齋，《詩》博士兼巡《書》齋，所至備禮請問，相與揖諾，亦或不交一言而退，以防私請，以杜賄賂。學校如此，豈先帝所以造士之意哉？治天下者，遇人以君子、長者之道，則下必有君子、長者之行而應乎上。若以小人、犬彘遇之，彼將以小人、犬彘自為，而況以此行於學校之間乎？願罷其制。」

"Schools are the foremost ground for nurturing talent and the source of moral instruction; they are not places to enforce penal law. Though many live together and must be led in order, rules are needed, yet ritual and righteousness should still prevail. The late emperor embodied the Way and framed institutions, surpassing Han and exceeding Tang, and his support of scholars rivaled the Three Dynasties in scale. Yet because the Imperial University has repeatedly seen lawsuits, officials have turned this into legal prohibitions more burdensome than prison regulations and more detailed than anti-theft codes, until superiors and students alike grow suspicious and seek only to escape blame. Most strange of all, professors and students are forbidden to meet one another, so teaching cannot be given and questions cannot be asked; they merely make monthly rounds of the lodges assigned to them. Because the lodges are divided by classic, the professor of the Changes also inspects the Ritual lodge and the professor of the Odes the Documents lodge. When they arrive they observe full ceremony and invite questions, yet sometimes bow to one another and withdraw without a word, all to prevent private petitions and bribery. When schools are run like this, how can it accord with the late emperor's intent in nurturing scholars? Whoever governs the realm, if he treats others as a gentleman and elder would, those below will answer in kind. Treat them like scoundrels and beasts, and they will act as scoundrels and beasts—and all the more so if such treatment is carried into the schools. I ask that this system be abolished."

又請雜用經義、詩賦取士，復賢良方正科，罷常平、免役，引朱光庭、王岩叟為言官。執憲數月，正色彈劾，多所貶黜，百僚敬憚，時人以比包拯、呂晦。

He also urged mingling classic interpretations and poetry in the examinations, restoring the Exalted Worthy and Upright category, abolishing the Ever-Normal Granaries and exemption-from-corvée policies, and appointing Zhu Guangting and Wang Yansou as remonstrance officials. In office for only months he impeached with stern integrity and sent many officials down. The bureaucracy feared him, and contemporaries compared him to Bao Zheng and Lü Hui.

元祐元年，擢御史中丞。摯上疏曰：「上之所好，下必有甚。朝廷意在總覈，下必有刻薄之行；朝廷務在寬大，下必有苟簡之事。習俗懷利，迎意趨和，所為近似，而非上之意本然也。今因革之政本殊，而觀望之俗故在。昨差役初行，監司已有迎合爭先，不校利害，一概定差，一路為之騷動者。朝廷察其如此，固已黜之矣。以是觀之，大約類此。向來黜責數人者，皆以非法掊克，市進害民，然非欲使之漫不省事。昧者不達，矯枉過正，顧可不為之禁哉？請立監司考績之制。」

In the first year of the Yuanyou era (1086), he was promoted to Censor-in-Chief. Liu Zhi memorialized: "What those above favor, those below are sure to carry further. When the court stresses thorough accounting, officials below grow harsh; when the court prizes leniency, below they grow careless. Officials, bent on gain, read the mood and conform; what they do only mimics the court's purpose rather than fulfilling it. Today's reforms differ greatly from the old order, yet the habit of waiting on the wind still persists. When the corvée-assignment system was first introduced, some circuit commissioners raced to curry favor, never weighing costs, and imposed uniform quotas that threw entire circuits into turmoil. The court saw this and had already removed them. From this one may infer that most cases are similar. Those recently dismissed were punished for illegal exactions and selling office to harm the people—not so that officials might neglect their duties altogether. The obtuse miss the point and overcorrect—should this not be stopped? I ask that a system be established for evaluating surveillance commissioners."

拜尚書右丞，連進左丞、中書侍郎，遷門下侍郎。胡宗愈除右丞，諫議大夫王覿疏其非是，宣仁后怒，將加深譴。摯開救甚力，簾中厲聲曰：「若有人以門下侍郎為奸邪，甘受之否？」摯曰：「陛下審察毀譽每如此，天下幸甚！然願顧大體，宗愈進用，自有公議，必致貶諫官而後進，恐宗愈亦所未安。」宣仁后意解，覿得補郡守。

He was appointed Right Vice Director of the Secretariat, then rose through Left Vice Director and Secretariat Vice Minister to Vice Minister of the Chancellery. When Hu Zongyu was appointed Right Vice Director, Remonstrance Grandee Wang Di memorialized against it. Empress Dowager Xuanren grew angry and was about to punish him severely. Liu Zhi spoke up forcefully in his defense. From behind the curtain came a stern voice: "If someone calls the Vice Minister of the Chancellery treacherous and wicked, would you accept that?" Liu Zhi said: "If Your Majesty scrutinizes praise and blame in this way, the realm is greatly fortunate! Yet I pray you consider the larger interest. Hu Zongyu's appointment will have its own public verdict; if remonstrance officials are punished first and only then he is advanced, I fear even Hu Zongyu would be ill at ease." The empress dowager relented, and Wang Di was appointed prefect.

摯與同列奏事論人才，摯曰：「人才難得，能否不一。性忠實而才識有餘，上也；才識不逮而忠實有餘，次也；有才而難保，可藉以集事，又其次也。懷邪觀望，隨時勢改變，此小人也，終不可用。」哲宗及宣仁后曰：「卿常能如此用人，國家何憂！」六年，拜尚書右僕射。

Liu Zhi and his colleagues discussed talent while memorializing on state affairs. Liu Zhi said: "Talent is hard to find, and ability varies. Loyal in character with talent to spare—the best; less talented but still loyal—the next; talented but unreliable—usable to get things done, but only after that. Those who harbor malice, watch the wind, and shift with power are petty men and should never be employed." Emperor Zhezong and Empress Dowager Xuanren said: "If you always choose men this way, what worry has the state!" In the sixth year he was appointed Right Grand Counselor.

摯性峭直，有氣節，通達明銳，觸機輒發，不為利怵威誘。自初輔政至為相，修嚴憲法，辨白邪正，專以人物處心，孤立一意，不受謁請。子弟親戚入官，皆令赴銓部以格調選，未嘗以干朝廷。與呂大防同位，國家大事，多決於大防，惟進退士大夫，實執其柄。然持心少恕，勇於去惡，竟為朋讒奇中。先是，邢恕謫官永州，以書抵摯。摯故與恕善，答其書，有「永州佳處，第往以俟休復」之語。排岸官茹東濟，傾險人也，有求於摯，不得，見其書，陰錄以示御史中丞鄭雍、侍御史楊畏。二人方交章擊摯，遂箋釋其語上之，曰：「『休復』者，語出《周易》，『以俟休復』者，俟他日太皇太后復子明辟也。」又章惇諸子故與摯之子游，摯亦間與之接。雍、畏謂延見接納，為牢籠之計，以冀後福。宣仁后於是面喻摯曰：「言者謂卿交通匪人，為異日地，卿當一心王室。若章惇者，雖以宰相處之，未必樂也。」摯皇懼退，上章自辨，執政亦為之言。宣仁后曰：「垂簾之初，摯排斥奸邪，實為忠直。但此二事，非所當為也。」以觀文殿學士罷知鄆州。給事中朱光庭駁云：「摯忠義自奮，朝廷擢之大位，一旦以疑而罷，天下不見其過。」光庭亦罷。七年，徙大名，又為雍等所遏，徙知青州。

Liu Zhi was stern and upright, full of integrity, perceptive and sharp, quick to act when provoked, and unmoved by profit or intimidated by power. From his first days in government to his tenure as chief minister, he enforced the laws strictly, distinguished right from wrong, judged men by character alone, stood apart in his resolve, and accepted no private petitions. Sons, kin, and relatives who entered office were all sent to the Board of Appointments for regular selection; he never used influence at court on their behalf. Sharing power with Lü Dafang, he left most state decisions to him but held real control over the advancement and dismissal of officials. Yet he was unforgiving at heart and bold in purging enemies, and in the end fell victim to factional slander. Earlier Xing Shu had been demoted to Yongzhou and wrote to Liu Zhi. Liu Zhi had long been friendly with him and replied with words to the effect that Yongzhou was a fine place and he should go there and wait for better days. Ru Dongji, a wharf officer and a treacherous man, had asked Liu Zhi for a favor and been refused; he saw the letter, secretly copied it, and showed it to Censor-in-Chief Zheng Yong and Attending Censor Yang Wei. The two were already submitting memorials attacking Liu Zhi; they annotated his words and submitted them, saying: "'Restoration of prosperity' comes from the Book of Changes; 'wait for restoration of prosperity' means waiting until the Grand Empress Dowager restores the Son of Heaven to full rule." Moreover, Zhang Dun's sons had once associated with Liu Zhi's sons, and Liu Zhi too occasionally received them. Yong and Wei claimed he was cultivating ties against a future turn of fortune. Empress Dowager Xuanren then summoned him and said: "Critics say you consort with wicked men and are laying groundwork for another day. You must devote yourself wholly to the throne. Even if you made someone like Zhang Dun chief minister, he might not be satisfied." Liu Zhi withdrew in fear and submitted a memorial in his own defense; the chief ministers also spoke for him. Empress Dowager Xuanren said: "When I first held the regency, Liu Zhi drove out the wicked and was truly loyal. But these two matters were not what he should have done. He was stripped of his post as Academician of the Hall for Viewing Culture and made prefect of Yanzhou. Aide Zhu Guangting objected: "Liu Zhi rose by loyalty and righteousness; the court raised him to high office, yet on mere suspicion he was dismissed, and the realm sees no fault in him." Zhu Guangting was dismissed as well. In the seventh year he was transferred to Daming; blocked again by Yong and his allies, he was moved to Qingzhou as prefect.

紹聖初，來之邵、周秩論摯變法、棄地罪，奪職知黃州，再貶光祿卿，分司南京，蘄州居住。將行，語諸子曰：「上用章惇，吾且得罪。若惇顧國事，不遷怒百姓，但責吾曹，死無所恨。正慮意在報復，法令益峻，奈天下何！」憂形於色，無一言及遷謫意。四年，陷邢恕之謗，貶鼎州團練副使，新州安置。惟一子從。家人涕泣願侍，皆不聽。至數月，以疾卒，年六十八。

At the start of the Shaosheng era, Lai Zhishao and Zhou Zhi accused Liu Zhi of overturning reforms and abandoning territory; he was stripped of office and made prefect of Huangzhou, then demoted again to Grandee of Splendid Happiness with nominal duty at the Southern Capital and residence enforced at Qizhou. Before leaving, he told his sons: "The emperor is using Zhang Dun—I am about to suffer for it. If Dun cares for the state and does not vent his wrath on the people but only punishes us, I can die without regret. What I truly fear is revenge; if laws grow ever harsher, what will become of the realm!" Worry showed on his face, yet he never spoke a word of his own exile. In the fourth year he was caught up in Xing Shu's slander, demoted to Deputy Military Training Commissioner of Dingzhou, and exiled to Xinzhou. Only one son went with him. His family wept and begged to accompany him, but he would not allow it. Several months later he died of illness, aged sixty-eight.

初，摯與呂大防為相，文及甫居喪，在洛怨望，服除，恐不得京官，抵書邢恕曰：「改月遂除，入朝之計未可必。當塗猜怨於鷹揚者益深，其徒實繁。司馬昭之心，路人所知也，濟之以『粉昆』，必欲以眇躬為甘心快意之地，可為寒心。」其謂司馬昭者，指呂大防獨當國久；『粉昆』者，世以駙馬都尉為『粉侯』，韓嘉彥尚主，以兄忠彥為『粉昆』也。恕以書示蔡碩、蔡渭，渭上書訟摯及大防等十餘人陷其父確，謀危宗社，引及甫書為證。時章惇、蔡卞誣造元祐諸人事不已，因是欲殺摯及梁燾、王岩叟等。以為摯有廢立之意，遂起同文館獄，用蔡京、安惇雜治，逮問及甫。及甫元祐末德大防除權侍郎，又忠彥雖罷，哲宗眷之未衰，乃託其亡父嘗說司馬昭指劉摯，「粉」謂王岩叟面白如粉，「昆」謂梁燾字況之，「況」猶「兄」也。又問實狀，但云：「疑其事勢如此。」會摯卒，京奏不及考驗，遂免其子官，與家屬徙英州，凡三年，死於瘴者十人。

Earlier, while Liu Zhi and Lü Dafang were chief ministers, Wen Jifu was in mourning in Luoyang, nursing grievances. When mourning ended he feared he would not receive a capital post and wrote to Xing Shu: "I may be appointed next month, but my plan to return to court is still uncertain. Those in power grow ever more suspicious of the soaring hawk, and their faction is truly large. " "Sima Zhao's heart is known to every passerby"; with "Powder-Kun" added, they surely mean to make my slight self the object of their satisfaction—how chilling! By "Sima Zhao" he meant Lü Dafang, who had long monopolized power alone. "Powder-Kun" referred to the custom of calling an imperial son-in-law "Powder Marquis"; Han Jiayan had married a princess, and his elder brother Han Zhongyan was called "Powder-Kun." Xing Shu showed the letter to Cai Shuo and Cai Wei; Cai Wei memorialized accusing Liu Zhi, Lü Dafang, and more than ten others of framing his father Cai Que and endangering the dynasty, citing Wen Jifu's letter as proof. Zhang Dun and Cai Bian were then fabricating charges against the Yuanyou ministers without cease and wished to execute Liu Zhi, Liang Can, Wang Yansou, and others. Claiming Liu Zhi intended to depose the emperor, they raised the Tongwenguan case, put Cai Jing and An Dun in charge of the investigation, and arrested Wen Jifu for questioning. At the end of Yuanyou, when Lü Dafang had been made Acting Vice Minister and Han Zhongyan though dismissed still enjoyed Emperor Zhezong's favor, Wen Jifu claimed his late father had said "Sima Zhao" meant Liu Zhi, "powder" meant Wang Yansou for his pale face, and "kun" meant Liang Can, whose courtesy name Kuangzhi punned on "elder brother." Pressed for the truth, he would only say: "I suspect the situation was something like that." Liu Zhi died before the case could be verified; Cai Jing memorialized that investigation was no longer possible, stripped his son of office, and exiled the family to Yingzhou. Within three years ten died of the southern miasma.

徽宗立，詔反其家屬，用子跂請，得歸葬。跂又伏闕訴及甫之誣，遂貶及甫並渭於湖外，復摯中大夫。蔡京為相，降朝散大夫。後又復觀文殿大學士、太中大夫。紹興初，贈少師，諡曰「忠肅」。

When Emperor Huizong ascended, an edict recalled the family; at the petition of his son Liu Qi, Liu Zhi was brought home for burial. Liu Qi again prostrated himself at the palace gate to expose Wen Jifu's false accusation; Wen Jifu and Cai Wei were banished beyond the lakes, and Liu Zhi's rank as Grandee was restored. When Cai Jing became chief minister, the rank was lowered to Grandee for Golden Turtles. Later it was restored to Grand Academician of the Hall for Viewing Culture and Grandee of the Palace. Early in the Shaoxing era he was posthumously made Grand Preceptor with the posthumous title Loyal and Solemn.

摯嗜書，自幼至老，未嘗釋卷。家藏書多自讎校，得善本或手抄錄，孜孜無倦。少好《禮》學，其究《三禮》，視諸經尤粹。晚好《春秋》，考諸儒異同，辨其得失，通聖人經意為多。其教子孫，先行實，後文藝。每曰：「士當以器識為先，一號為文人，無足觀矣。」

Liu Zhi loved books and from youth to old age never set a volume aside. He personally collated most of his family library; when he found a fine edition he would sometimes copy it by hand, tirelessly. In youth he loved ritual studies, and his mastery of the Three Rites surpassed his knowledge of the other classics. In later years he turned to the Spring and Autumn Annals, compared the various scholars' views, weighed their strengths and weaknesses, and mostly grasped the sage's intent. In educating his sons and grandsons he put conduct first and literary skill second. He often said: "A gentleman must put breadth of vision first; once he is known only as a man of letters, there is little worth admiring in him."

跂能為文章，遭黨事，為官拓落，家居避禍，以壽終。

Liu Qi could write well; caught in factional strife, his official career foundered; he lived at home avoiding trouble and died at an advanced age.

蘇頌，字子容，泉州南安人。父紳，葬潤州丹陽，因徙居之。第進士，歷宿州觀察推官、知江寧縣。時建業承李氏後，稅賦圖籍，一皆無藝，每發斂，高下出吏手。頌因治訊他事，互問民鄰里丁產，識其詳。及定戶籍，民或自占不悉，頌警之曰：「汝有某丁某產，何不言？」民駭懼，皆不敢隱，遂剗剔夙蠹，成賦一邑，簡而易行，諸令視以為法，至領某民拜庭下以謝。凡民有忿爭，頌喻以鄉黨宜相親善，若以小忿而失歡心，一旦緩急，將何賴焉。民往往謝去，或半途思其言而止。時監司王鼎、王綽、楊紘於部吏少許可，及觀頌施設，則曰：「非吾所及也。」

Su Song, courtesy name Zirong, was a native of Nan'an in Quanzhou. His father Shen was buried at Danyang in Runzhou, and the family moved there to live. He passed the jinshi examination and served successively as investigating clerk in Suzhou and magistrate of Jiangning County. Jianye had lately passed from the Li regime; tax registers and land records were in chaos, and every levy depended on whatever clerks chose to report. While investigating other cases Su Song cross-examined people about neighboring households, labor, and property until he knew every detail. When fixing the household registers, some people underreported; Su Song warned them: "You have such-and-such laborers and such-and-such property—why do you not declare them?" The people were terrified and dared conceal nothing; he rooted out long-standing abuses and established fair levies for the whole county in a system that was simple and workable. Other magistrates took it as a model, and one man was brought to bow in thanks before the hall. When the people quarreled, Su Song urged that neighbors ought to live in harmony; if they broke friendship over small grievances, whom could they rely on in an emergency? They often apologized and went home, or turned back halfway, moved by his words. The circuit commissioners Wang Ding, Wang Chuo, and Yang Hong seldom praised subordinates, but seeing Su Song's work they said: "This is beyond us."

調南京留守推官，留守歐陽修委以政，曰：「子容處事精審，一經閱覽，則修不復省矣。」時杜衍老居睢陽，見頌，深器之，曰：「如君，真所謂不可得而親疏者。」衍又自謂平生人罕見其用心處，遂自小官以至為侍從、宰相所以施設出處，悉以語頌，曰：「以子相知，且知子異日必為此官，老夫非以自矜也。」故頌後歷政，略似衍云。

He was transferred to investigating clerk under the Nanjing military commissioner; Ouyang Xiu entrusted him with administration, saying: "Zirong handles affairs with meticulous care; once he has reviewed something, I need not look at it again." Du Yan, then retired in Suiyang, met Su Song and greatly admired him, saying: "A man like you is truly one who cannot be won or alienated at will. Du Yan said that in his life few had seen his inner mind; he then told Su Song everything from his minor posts to his service as attendant and chief minister—how he had acted, advanced, and withdrawn—saying: "Because I know you, and know you will one day hold this office, I am not boasting of myself." Su Song's later career in government is said to have resembled Du Yan's in outline.

皇祐五年，召試館閣校勘，同知太常禮院。至和中，文彥博為相，請建家廟，事下太常。頌議以為：「禮，大夫士有田則祭，無田則薦，是有土者乃為廟祭也。有田則有爵，無土無爵，則子孫無以繼承宗祀，是有廟者止於其躬，子孫無爵，祭乃廢也。若參合古今之制，依約封爵之令，為之等差，錫以土田，然後廟制可議。若猶未也，即請考案唐賢寢堂祠饗儀，止用燕器常食而已。」

In the fifth year of Huangyou (1053) he was summoned to a Palace Library proofreading examination and concurrently served as Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. During the Zhihe era, when Wen Yanbo was chief minister, he requested permission to build a family temple; the matter was referred to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Su Song argued: "According to ritual, great officers and gentry with landholdings sacrifice at a temple; without land they offer at the altar—only landowners may maintain temple sacrifice. Land brings rank; without land or rank descendants cannot sustain ancestral worship—temples therefore end with the man who built them, and when his descendants lack rank the sacrifices cease. Only if one harmonizes ancient and modern practice, follows the statutes on enfeoffment and rank, sets appropriate gradations, and grants land and fields can the question of temple rites even be raised. If not, I ask that we consult the Tang precedents for offering in the sleeping hall and limit the practice to banquet vessels and ordinary food."

嘉祐中，詔禮院議立故郭皇后神御殿於景靈宮，頌謂：「敕書云：『向因忿鬱，偶失謙恭』，此則無可廢之事。又云：『朕念其自歷長秋，僅周一紀，逮事先后，祗奉寢園』，此則有不當廢之悔。又云：『可追復皇后，其祔廟諡冊並停。』此則有合祔廟及諡冊之義。請祔郭皇后於后廟，以成追復之道。」眾論未定，宰相曾公亮問曰：「郭后，上元妃，若祔廟，則事體重矣。」頌曰：「國朝三聖，賀、尹、潘皆元妃，事體正相類。今止祔后廟，則豈得有同異之言。」公亮曰：「議者以謂陰逼母后，是恐萬歲後配祔之意。」頌曰：「若加一『懷』、『哀』、『愍』之諡，則不為逼矣。」公亮歎重。

During the Jiayou era, the court ordered the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to debate establishing a spirit hall for the late Empress Guo at Jingling Palace. Su Song argued: "The rescript says, 'Once, in anger and distress, I briefly failed in humility and respect'—that is not grounds for setting her aside. It also says, 'I recall that she held the inner palace for nearly a full cycle, served the empresses dowager, and reverently tended the imperial tombs'—that shows remorse for a deposition that should not have stood. It also says, 'She may be posthumously restored as empress, while enshrinement in the ancestral temple and the conferral of a posthumous title are suspended." That still implies the logic of temple enshrinement and a posthumous title. I ask that Empress Guo be enshrined in the empresses' temple to complete her restoration." Opinion remained divided. Chief Minister Zeng Gongliang asked: "Empress Guo was the emperor's first consort; if she is enshrined in the temple, the precedent becomes very weighty." Su Song replied: "Under our dynasty's three sage emperors, the consorts He, Yin, and Pan were all first consorts—the precedent is exactly parallel. If we enshrine her only in the empresses' temple, no one can object on grounds of inconsistency." Zeng Gongliang said: "Critics say this covertly pressures the empress dowager—that they fear an intent to pair Empress Guo with her in the ancestral temple after the emperor's death." Su Song said: "If we add a posthumous epithet such as Cherished, Lamented, or Pitied, it would not be coercive." Zeng Gongliang sighed in deep admiration.

遷集賢校理，編定書籍。頌在館下九年，奉祖母及母，養姑姊妹與外族數十人，甘旨融怡，昏嫁以時。妻子衣食常不及，而處之晏如。富弼嘗稱頌為古君子，及與韓琦為相，同表其廉退，以知潁州。通判趙至忠本邊徼降者，所至與守競，頌待之以禮，具盡誠意。至忠感泣曰：「身雖夷人，然見義則服，平生誠服者，唯公與韓魏公耳。」

He was promoted to proofreader in the Hall of Assembled Worthies and helped collate the imperial library. Su Song spent nine years at the academy, supporting his grandmother and mother and providing for dozens of aunts, sisters, and kinsmen by marriage; his table was always generous, and weddings and funerals were timed properly. His wife and children often went without enough food and clothing, yet he remained perfectly at ease. Fu Bi once called Su Song a gentleman of the old school; when he and Han Qi became chief ministers, they jointly praised his integrity and restraint and appointed him prefect of Yingzhou. Vice-Prefect Zhao Zhizhong, originally a frontier defector, had a habit of contending with prefects wherever he served; Su Song treated him with courtesy and complete sincerity. Zhao Zhizhong wept and said: "Though I am a barbarian by birth, I yield to righteousness when I see it; in all my life I have truly yielded to only two men—Your Excellency and Duke Han of Wei."

遷度支判官。送契丹使，宿恩州，驛舍火，左右請出避，頌不動。州兵欲入救，閉門不納，徐使防卒撲滅之。初火時，郡人洶洶，唱使者有變，救兵亦欲因而生事，賴頌安靜而止。遂聞京師，神宗疑焉。頌使還，入奏，稱善久之。命為淮南轉運使。召修起居注，擢知制誥、知通進銀臺司、知審刑院。

He was transferred to serve as judge in the Revenue Section. While escorting a Khitan envoy he lodged at Enzhou; when the relay station caught fire his attendants urged him to flee, but Su Song did not stir. Prefectural troops tried to force their way in to help, but he shut the gate and would not admit them, and calmly had the guards beat the flames out. When the fire first broke out the townspeople were in an uproar, crying that the envoy was plotting treachery, and the rescuers were ready to exploit the chaos; only Su Song's composure kept matters from escalating. Word reached the capital, and Emperor Shenzong grew suspicious. When Su Song returned and reported in person, the emperor praised him at length. He was appointed transport commissioner for Huainan. He was summoned to compile the Diurnal Record and promoted to drafting official, director of the Silver Terrace Office for Memorials, and head of the Court for Judicial Review.

時知金州張仲宣坐枉法贓罪至死，法官援李希輔例，杖脊黥配海島。頌奏曰：「希輔、仲宣均為枉法，情有輕重。希輔知台，受賕數百千，額外度僧。仲宣所部金坑，發檄巡檢體究，其利甚微，土人憚興作，以金八兩屬仲宣，不差官比校，止係違令，可比恐喝條，視希輔有間矣。」神宗曰：「免杖而黥之，可乎？」頌曰：「古者刑不上大夫，仲宣官五品，今貸死而黥之，使與徒隸為伍，雖其人無可矜，所重者，污辱衣冠耳。」遂免仗黥，流海外，遂為定法。

At the time Zhang Zhongxuan, prefect of Jinzhou, was sentenced to death for twisting the law and taking bribes; the judges cited the precedent of Li Xifu and ordered flogging, tattooing, and exile to the islands. Su Song memorialized: "Xifu and Zhongxuan both violated the law, but the circumstances differ in severity. Xifu, as prefect of Taizhou, took bribes of several hundred thousand cash and ordained monks beyond the quota. Zhongxuan's district had a gold mine; he sent patrol inspectors to investigate, but the yield was tiny and the locals dreaded the labor. They gave him eight taels of gold, and he never sent officials to verify the matter. This was merely a breach of regulations, comparable to extortion—and a far cry from Xifu's case." Emperor Shenzong asked: "Could we spare the flogging and only tattoo him?" Su Song replied: "In antiquity punishment did not touch great officers. Zhongxuan holds fifth rank; to spare his life yet tattoo him and make him the equal of convict laborers may not merit pity for the man himself, but it defiles the dignity of office." Flogging and tattooing were waived; he was exiled overseas, and this became established precedent.

又言：「提舉青苗官不能體朝廷之意，邀功爭利，務為煩擾。且與諸司不相臨統，文移同異，州縣莫知適從。乞與常平、眾役一切付之監司，改提舉為之屬，則事有統一，而於更張之政無所損也。」不從。

He also said: "The officials charged with the Green Sprouts policy fail to grasp the court's intent; they seek credit and profit and only add harassment. They do not coordinate with other agencies, their documents conflict, and prefectures and counties do not know which orders to obey. I ask that Green Sprouts, Ever-Normal Granaries, and corvée administration all be placed under the circuit commissioners, with the promoters reduced to subordinates—then affairs would be unified without weakening the reforms." The court did not accept his proposal.

大臣薦秀州判官李定，召見，擢太子中允，除監察御史裏行。宋敏求知制誥，封還詞頭。復下，頌當制，頌奏：「祖宗朝，天下初定，故不起孤遠而登顯要者。真宗以來，雖有幽人異行，亦不至超越資品。今定不由銓考，擢授朝列；不緣御史，薦置憲臺。雖朝廷急於用才，度越常格，然隳紊法制，所益者小，所損者大，未敢具草。」次至李大臨，亦封還。神宗曰：「去年詔，臺官有闕，委御史臺奏舉，不拘官職高下。」頌與大臨對曰：「從前臺官，於太常博士以上、中行員外郎以下舉充。後為難得資敘相當，故朝廷特開此制。止是不限博士、員郎，非謂選人亦許奏舉。若不拘官職高下，並選人在其間，則是秀州判官亦可為裏行，不必更改中允也。今定改京官，已是優恩，更處之憲臺，先朝以來，未有此比。幸門一啟，則士塗奔競之人，希望不次之擢，朝廷名器有限，焉得人人滿其意哉！」執奏不已，於是並落知制誥，歸工部郎中班，天下謂頌及敏求、大臨為「三舍人」。

A senior minister recommended Li Ding, judge of Xiuzhou; he was summoned to audience, promoted to Palace Attendant, and made acting investigating censor. Song Minqiu, as drafting official, sealed and returned the appointment document. The order came down again; Su Song was to draft it. He memorialized: "Under the founding emperors, when the realm was newly settled, men from remote obscurity were not raised to high office. Since Emperor Zhenzong, even men of unusual talent in seclusion did not leap beyond proper rank. Now Li Ding was promoted into court rank without examination by the Board of Appointments; and placed on the Censorate without having come up through its ranks. Though the court is eager for talent and may exceed usual limits, this shatters established procedure—the gain is small and the loss great. I dare not draft the commission." Next it reached Li Dalin, who also returned the document sealed. Emperor Shenzong said: "Last year's edict entrusted the Censorate to recommend candidates for vacant censorial posts without regard to rank." Su Song and Li Dalin replied: "Formerly censors were chosen from between Masters of Ceremonies of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and Regular Vice Directors of the Secretariat. Later it became hard to find men of matching qualification, so the court specially broadened the rule. That meant only that doctors of ceremonies and regular vice directors were not the limits—it did not mean that mere selection candidates could be recommended. If rank is ignored and selection candidates are included, then a judge of Xiuzhou could serve as acting censor without even changing his title of Palace Attendant. Li Ding has already been made a capital official, which is exceptional favor; to place him on the Censorate as well has no precedent since the founding of the dynasty. Once the gate of favor is opened, every ambitious official will hope for extraordinary promotion, yet the court's offices are limited—how can everyone be satisfied!" They persisted in their remonstrance until all three were stripped of drafting office and returned to the rank of director in the Ministry of Works; the realm called Su Song, Song Minqiu, and Li Dalin the "Three Academicians."

歲餘，知婺州。方溯桐廬，江水暴迅，舟橫欲覆，母在舟中幾溺矣，頌哀號赴水救之，舟忽自正。母甫及岸，舟乃覆，人以為純孝所感。徙亳州，有豪婦罪當杖而病，每旬檢之，未愈，譙簿鄧元孚謂頌子曰：「尊公高明以政稱，豈可為一婦所紿。但諭醫如法檢，自不誣矣。」頌曰：「萬事付公議，何容心焉。若言語輕重，則人有觀望，或致有悔。」既而婦死，元孚慚曰：「我輩狹小，豈可測公之用心也。」加集賢院學士、知應天府。呂惠卿嘗語人曰：「子容，吾鄉里先進，苟一詣我，執政可得也。」頌聞之，笑而不應。凡更三赦，大臨還侍從，頌才授秘書監、知通進銀臺司。吳越飢，選知杭州。一日，出遇百餘人，哀訴曰：「某以轉運司責逋市易緡錢，夜囚晝繫，雖死無以償。」頌曰：「吾釋汝，使汝營生，奉衣食之餘，悉以償官，期以歲月而足，可乎？」皆謝不敢負，果如期而足。

After more than a year he was appointed prefect of Wuzhou. While rowing upstream at Tonglu the river surged and the boat nearly capsized with his mother aboard; Su Song cried out and plunged into the water to save her, and the boat suddenly righted itself. His mother had barely reached shore when the boat overturned; people attributed it to the power of his filial devotion. Transferred to Bozhou, he had a powerful woman due for flogging who claimed illness; she was examined every ten days without recovery. Clerk Deng Yuanfu told Su Song's son: "Your father is famed for enlightened rule—how can he be fooled by one woman? Simply tell the physicians to examine her by the rules, and the deception will be exposed." Su Song said: "All matters belong to public deliberation; private intent cannot intrude. If my words carry undue weight, people will hesitate, and regret may follow." Soon the woman died; Deng Yuanfu said in shame: "We are petty men—how could we fathom your father's mind." He was made Academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies and prefect of Yingtianfu. Lü Huiqing once told others: "Zirong is a senior of my home district; if he would only call on me once, he could have a place in government." When Su Song heard this he smiled and made no reply. After three general amnesties Li Dalin returned to the inner court, while Su Song was only then made director of the Secretariat and of the Silver Terrace Office. When Wu and Yue suffered famine he was chosen as prefect of Hangzhou. One day he went out and met more than a hundred people who pleaded in tears: "The transport commission holds us for arrears on Market Exchange loans; we are imprisoned night and day and cannot repay even if we die." Su Song said: "I release you. Earn your living, and from what remains after food and clothing pay the state in full over time—will you accept that?" They thanked him and promised not to default, and indeed paid in full on schedule.

頌宴客有美堂，或告將兵欲亂，頌密使捕渠領十輩，荷校付獄中，迨夕會散，坐客不知也。及修兩朝正史，轉右諫議大夫。使契丹，遇冬至，其國曆後宋曆一日。北人問孰為是，頌曰：「曆家算術小異，遲速不同，如亥時節氣交，猶是今夕；若逾數刻，則屬子時，為明日矣。或先或後，各從其歷可也。」北人以為然。使還以奏，神宗嘉曰：「朕嘗思之，此最難處，卿所對殊善。」因問其山川、人情向背，對曰：「彼講和日久，頗竊中國典章禮義，以維持其政，上下相安，未有離貳之意。昔漢武帝自謂：『高皇帝遺朕平城之憂，雖久勤征討，而匈奴終不服。』至宣帝，呼韓單于稽首稱藩。唐自中葉以後，河湟陷於吐蕃，憲宗每讀《貞觀政要》，慨然有收復意。至宣宗時，乃以三關、七州歸於有司。由此觀之，外國之叛服不常，不繫中國之盛衰也。」頌意蓋有所諷，神宗然之。

While entertaining guests at the Hall of Beauty, Su Song learned that soldiers were plotting a riot; he secretly had ten ringleaders arrested and shackled in prison, and when the banquet ended that evening his guests never knew. While compiling the standard histories of the two reigns he was promoted to Right Remonstrance Grandee. On a mission to the Khitan he encountered the winter solstice; their calendar lagged the Song calendar by one day. The northerners asked which was correct; Su Song said: "Calendar calculations differ slightly in timing. If a solar term arrives in the hour of hai, it is still this evening; but if it passes by several quarters, it falls in the hour of zi and belongs to the next day. Whether one calendar is ahead or behind, each side may follow its own—that is sufficient." The northerners accepted his explanation. On his return he reported to the throne; Emperor Shenzong praised him, saying: "I have often pondered this—it is the hardest point to handle, and your answer was excellent." He then asked about their terrain and the people's loyalties. Su Song replied: "They have been at peace with us for a long time and have largely adopted Chinese institutions and ritual to sustain their rule; high and low are content, and there is no sign of disaffection. Emperor Wu of Han once said: 'The High Emperor left me the shame of Pingcheng; though I campaigned for years, the Xiongnu never submitted.' Yet by Emperor Xuan's reign Chanyu Huhanye bowed his head and declared himself a vassal. From mid-Tang onward the Hehuang region fell to Tibet; whenever Emperor Xianzong read the 《Essentials of Government from the Zhenguan Era》 he sighed with longing to recover it. By Emperor Xuanzong's reign the Three Passes and Seven Prefectures were restored to imperial control. From this one sees that foreign peoples submit or rebel regardless of whether China is strong or weak." Su Song's meaning was plainly admonitory, and Emperor Shenzong agreed.

元豐初，權知開封府，頗嚴鞭朴。謂京師浩穰，須彈壓，當以柱後惠文治之，非亳、潁臥治之比。有僧犯法，事連祥符令李純，頌置不治。御史舒亶糾其故縱，貶秘書監、知濠州。

Early in the Yuanfeng era he served as acting prefect of Kaifeng and enforced corporal punishment with notable severity. He said the capital was vast and crowded and required firm suppression; it must be governed with the magistrate's staff and penal authority, not like the quiet prefectures of Bozhou and Yingzhou. When a monk broke the law in a case that implicated Li Chun, magistrate of Xiangfu, Su Song left the matter uninvestigated. Censor Shu Dan impeached him for deliberate leniency; he was demoted to director of the Secretariat and made prefect of Haozhou.

初，頌在開封，國子博士陳世儒妻李惡世儒庶母，欲其死，語群婢曰：「博士一日持喪，當厚餉汝輩。」既而母為婢所殺，開封治獄，法吏謂李不明言使殺姑，法不至死。或譖頌欲寬世儒夫婦，帝召頌曰：「此人倫大惡，當窮竟。」對曰：「事在有司，臣固不敢言寬，亦不敢諭之使重。」獄久不決。至是，移之大理。意頌前次請求，移御史臺逮頌對。御史曰：「公速自言，毋重困辱。」頌曰：「誣人死，不可為已，若自誣以獲罪，何傷乎？」即手書數百言伏其咎。帝覽奏牘，以為疑，反覆究實，乃大理丞賈種民增減其文傅致也，由是事得白。同列猶以嘗因人語及世儒帷薄事，頌應曰：「然。」以是為泄獄情，罷郡。

Earlier, while Su Song was in Kaifeng, Li, wife of National University Doctor Chen Shiru, hated her husband's stepmother and wished her dead. She told the maidservants: "When my husband enters mourning for her, I shall reward you richly." Soon the stepmother was killed by a maid. Kaifeng tried the case; the legal officers held that Li had not explicitly ordered the killing of her mother-in-law, so the statute did not warrant death. Some accused Su Song of wishing to spare the Shiru couple. The emperor summoned him and said: "This is a grave violation of human relations and must be pursued to the end." He replied: "The matter rests with the responsible offices; I certainly dare not urge leniency, nor dare instruct them to aggravate the penalty." The case dragged on without resolution. It was then transferred to the Court of Judicial Review. Suspecting Su Song's earlier intervention, the court had the Censorate arrest him for questioning. A censor told him: "Speak quickly in your own defense, lest you suffer worse disgrace." Su Song said: "To frame another to death cannot be undone; if I frame myself to accept guilt, what harm is there?" He then wrote several hundred characters in his own hand confessing fault. The emperor read the documents, found them doubtful, and investigated repeatedly; it proved that Court of Judicial Review aide Jia Zhongmin had altered the text to fabricate the charge, and the matter was cleared. His colleagues still maintained that once, when someone had mentioned worldly Confucians' domestic scandals, Su Song had replied: "So it is." On this ground they charged him with leaking details of the criminal case, and he was removed from his prefecture.

未幾，知河陽，改知滄州。入辭，帝曰：「朕知卿久，然每欲用，輒為事奪，命也夫！卿直道，久而自明。」頌頓首謝。召判尚書吏部兼詳定官制。唐制，吏部主文選，兵部主武選；神宗謂三代、兩漢本無文武之別，議者不知所處。頌言：「唐制吏部有三銓之法，分品秩而掌選事。今欲文武一歸吏部，則宜分左右曹掌之，每選更以品秩分治。」於是吏部始有四選法。

Before long he was appointed prefect of Heyang, then transferred to Cangzhou. When he came to take leave, the emperor said: "I have known you for a long time, yet whenever I wished to use you, events intervened—it is fate! Your integrity will in time make itself clear." Su Song bowed his head in gratitude. He was summoned to administer the Ministry of Personnel in the Secretariat and concurrently to deliberate on the official system. Under the Tang system the Ministry of Personnel handled civil appointments and the Ministry of War handled military appointments; Emperor Shenzong held that the Three Dynasties and the two Han had never distinguished civil and military appointments, and the debaters did not know how to proceed. Su Song said: "Under the Tang system the Ministry of Personnel used three boards of selection, dividing ranks and grades to manage appointments. If civil and military appointments are now to be united under the Ministry of Personnel, left and right bureaus should administer them, and at each selection ranks and grades should again divide the work." Thereupon the Ministry of Personnel first adopted the four methods of selection.

因陛對，神宗謂頌曰：「欲修一書，非卿不可。契丹通好八十餘年，盟誓、聘使、禮幣、儀式，皆無所考據，但患修書者遷延不早成耳。然以卿度，此書何時可就？」頌曰：「須一二年。」曰：「果然，非卿不能如是之敏也。」及書成，帝讀《序引》，喜曰：「正類《序卦》之文。」賜名《魯衛信錄》。帝嘗問宗子主祭、承重之義，頌對曰：「古者貴賤不同禮，諸侯、大夫世有爵祿，故有大宗、小宗、主祭、承重之義，則喪服從而異制，匹士庶人亦何預焉。近代不世爵，宗廟因而不立，尊卑亦無所統，其長子孫與眾子孫無以異也。今《五服敕》，嫡孫為祖、父為長子猶斬衰三年，生而情禮則一，死而喪服獨異，恐非先王制禮之本意。世俗之論，乃以三年之喪為承重，不知為承大宗之重也。臣聞慶曆中，朝廷議百僚應任子者，長子與長孫差優與官，餘皆降殺，亦近古立宗之法。乞詔禮官、博士參議禮律，合承重者，酌古今收族主祭之禮，立為宗子繼祖者，以異於眾子孫之法。士庶人不當同用一律，使人知尊祖，不違禮教也。」除吏部侍郎，遷光祿大夫。遭母喪，帝遣中貴人唁勞，賜白金千兩。

During an audience at the palace steps, Emperor Shenzong said to Su Song: "I wish to compile a book—no one but you can do it. We have been at peace with the Khitan for more than eighty years, yet oaths, envoys, ritual gifts, and ceremonies have no documentary basis; I only fear the compilers will delay and not finish it soon. By your estimate, when can this book be completed?" Su Song said: "It will take one or two years." The emperor said: "As I expected—no one but you could be so prompt." When the book was finished, the emperor read the preface and said with delight: "It is just like the 'Sequence of the Hexagrams.' It was granted the title 《Records of Trust between Lu and Wei》. The emperor once asked the meaning of lineage heirs as chief sacrificers and inheriting the main line. Su Song replied: "In antiquity noble and base did not share the same rites; feudal lords and grandees held hereditary rank and stipend for generations, hence the distinctions of great lineage, lesser lineage, chief sacrificer, and inheriting the main line, and mourning garments differed accordingly—what had common scholars and commoners to do with it? In recent times offices are not inherited in succession, ancestral temples are therefore not established, high and low have nothing to unify them, and eldest sons' descendants are no different from other sons' descendants. Now the 《Edict on the Five Mourning Grades》 still requires a grandson by the principal wife to mourn his grandfather and a father to mourn his eldest son in the severest three-year mourning—while alive, affection and ritual are one, yet in death mourning garments alone differ; I fear this is not the original intent of the former kings in establishing rites. Worldly opinion takes the three-year mourning as inheriting the main line, not knowing it is inheriting the weight of the great lineage. I have heard that in the Qingli era, when the court debated officials entitled to office for sons, eldest sons and eldest grandsons received slightly preferential appointments while the rest were reduced in rank—this too approximates the ancient method of establishing lineages. I beg that ritual officials and erudites be ordered to deliberate on ritual statutes; for those who should inherit the main line, weighing ancient and modern rites of gathering the clan and chief sacrifice, establish those who as lineage heirs succeed the ancestor, distinct from the regulations for other descendants. Scholars and commoners should not be governed by the same rule, so that people know to honor ancestors and do not violate ritual teaching." He was appointed vice minister of personnel and promoted to Grandee for Splendid Happiness. When his mother died he entered mourning; the emperor sent a palace eunuch to offer condolences and bestowed a thousand taels of silver.

元祐初，拜刑部尚書，遷吏部兼侍讀。奏：「國朝典章，沿襲唐舊，乞詔史官採《新》、《舊唐書》中君臣所行，日進數事，以備聖覽。」遂詔經筵官遇非講讀日，進漢、唐故事二條。頌每進可為規戒、有補時事者，必述己意，反覆言之。又謂：「人主聰明，不可有所向，有則偏，偏則為患大矣。今守成之際，應之以無心，則無不治。」每進讀至弭兵息民，必援引古今，以動人主之意。

At the beginning of the Yuanyou era he was appointed minister of justice and transferred to the ministry of personnel with concurrent appointment as lecturer-in-waiting. He memorialized: "Our dynasty's statutes follow the Tang legacy; I beg that historiographers be ordered to gather from the 《New》 and 《Old Books of Tang》 actions of rulers and ministers, advancing several items daily for the emperor's perusal." Thereupon it was ordered that lecturers at the classics mat advance two Han and Tang precedents on days without formal lecture. Whenever Su Song advanced what could serve as admonition and benefit current affairs, he always set forth his own views and spoke of them repeatedly. He also said: "The ruler is intelligent; he must not incline toward anything—if he inclines he becomes partial, and partiality brings great harm. In this era of guarding the legacy, responding without deliberate aim, nothing will go ungoverned." Whenever his lecture reading reached laying down arms and giving the people rest, he always cited ancient and modern examples to move the ruler's mind.

既又請別制渾儀，因命頌提舉。頌既邃於律曆，以吏部令史韓公廉曉算術，有巧思，奏用之。授以古法，為臺三層，上設渾儀，中設渾象，下設司辰，貫以一機，激水轉輪，不假人力。時至刻臨，則司辰出告。星辰緾度所次，占候則驗，不差晷刻，晝夜晦明，皆可推見，前此未有也。

He then also requested that a separate armillary sphere be made, and Su Song was ordered to take charge. Su Song, being already expert in calendrical astronomy, took the ministry of personnel clerk Han Gonglian, who understood calculation and had ingenious ideas, and memorialized to employ him. They were given the ancient method: a tower of three tiers, with an armillary sphere above, a celestial globe in the middle, and a time announcer below, all driven by one mechanism; water activated the wheels without human labor. When the hour and quarter arrived, the time announcer came forth to announce. The positions of stars and their celestial degrees, when observed for prognostication, were verified without error to the quarter-hour; day and night, darkness and light, all could be deduced—nothing like this had existed before.

頌前後掌四選五年，每選人改官，吏求垢瑕，故為稽滯。頌敕吏曰：「某官緣某事，當會某處，仍引合用條格，具委無漏落狀同上。」自是吏不得逞。每訴者至，必取按牘使自省閱，訴者服，乃退；其不服，頌必往復詰難，度可行行之，苟有疑，則為奏請，或建白都堂。故選官多感德，其不得所欲者，亦心服而去。

Su Song directed the four selections for five years in all; whenever a candidate sought a change of office, clerks sought flaws and therefore caused delay. Su Song ordered the clerks: "Such-and-such an office, on account of such-and-such a matter, should be checked at such-and-such a place; cite the applicable regulations, report fully with no omissions, and submit the statement." From this the clerks could not have their way. Whenever a petitioner came, he always took the case file and had him examine it himself; if the petitioner was satisfied, he withdrew; if not satisfied, Su Song would question and dispute back and forth; if he judged it feasible he carried it out; if there was doubt, he memorialized for decision or proposed it at the chief council. Therefore candidates mostly felt gratitude; even those who did not obtain what they wished left convinced.

遷翰林學士承旨。五年，擢尚書左丞。嘗行樞密事。邊帥遣种樸入奏：「得諜言，阿里骨已死，國人未知所立。契丹官趙純忠者，謹信可任，願乘其未定，以勁兵數千，擁純忠入其國立之。」眾議如其請。頌曰：「事未可知，其越境立君，使彼拒而不納，得無損威重乎？徐觀其變，俟其定而撫輯之，未晚也。」已而阿里骨果無恙。

He was transferred to Hanlin academician recipient of edicts. In the fifth year he was promoted to left vice director of the department of state affairs. He once handled bureau of military affairs. A frontier commander sent Chong Pu to memorialize: "We have obtained spy reports that Aligu is already dead and the people of the state do not yet know whom they will install. The Khitan official Zhao Chunzhong is prudent and trustworthy; I wish to seize their uncertainty, with several thousand crack troops escort Chunzhong into their state and install him as ruler." The assembly agreed with his proposal. Su Song said: "The affair is not yet knowable; if we cross the border to install a ruler and they refuse to accept him, will we not damage our prestige? Observe their changes patiently; wait until they are settled and then pacify them—it will not be too late." Before long Aligu was indeed unharmed.

七年，拜右僕射兼中書門下侍郎。頌為相，務在奉行故事，使百官守法遵職。量能授任，杜絕僥倖之原，深戒疆場之臣邀功生事。論議有未安者，毅然力爭之。賈易除知蘇州，頌言：「易在御史名敢言，既為監司矣，今因赦令，反下遷為州，不可。」爭論未決。諫官楊畏、來之邵謂稽留詔命，頌遂上章辭位，罷為觀文殿大學士、集禧觀使，繼出知揚州。徒河南，辭不行，告老，以中太一宮使居京口。紹聖四年，拜太子少師致仕。

In the seventh year he was appointed right vice director of the department of state affairs with concurrent appointment as vice director of the secretariat chancellery. As chief minister Su Song devoted himself to following precedents and making the hundred officials keep the law and observe their duties. He measured capacity and granted appointments, cut off the source of undeserved favor, and deeply warned frontier officials against seeking merit and provoking incidents. When deliberations had points not yet settled, he resolutely contested them. Jia Yi was appointed prefect of Suzhou; Su Song said: "Yi was famed as a censor for daring speech; having already become a surveillance commissioner, now on account of an amnesty edict he is instead demoted to a prefecture—this cannot stand." The dispute was not yet settled. Remonstrance officials Yang Wei and Lai Zhishao said he was delaying imperial edicts; Su Song thereupon submitted a memorial resigning his post, was dismissed to grand academician of the Hall for Observing Culture and commissioner of the Jixi Abbey, and subsequently served as prefect of Yangzhou. He was transferred to Henan but declined to go; he reported old age and, as commissioner of the Central Grand Unity Abbey, resided at Jingkou. In the fourth year of Shaosheng he was appointed junior tutor of the heir apparent and retired.

方頌執政時，見哲宗年幼，諸臣太紛紜，常曰：「君長，誰任其咎耶？」每大臣奏事，但取決於宣仁后，哲宗有言，或無對者。惟頌奏宣仁后，必再稟哲宗；有宣諭，必告諸臣以聽聖語。及貶元祐故臣，御史周秩劾頌。哲宗曰：「頌知君臣之義，無輕議此老。」徽宗立，進太子太保，爵累趙郡公。建中靖國元年夏至，自草遺表，明日卒，年八十二。詔輟視朝二日，贈司空。

While Su Song was in power he saw that Emperor Zhezong was young and the ministers too contentious; he would often say: "The ruler is chief—who will bear the blame?" Whenever great ministers reported affairs, decisions were taken only from Empress Dowager Xuanren; when Zhezong spoke, sometimes no one answered. Only when Su Song memorialized Empress Dowager Xuanren would he always report again to Zhezong; when there was an imperial instruction, he always told the ministers to heed the emperor's words. When former Yuanyou ministers were demoted, Censor Zhou Zhi impeached Su Song. Zhezong said: "Su Song understands the meaning of ruler and minister—do not lightly criticize this old man." When Emperor Huizong acceded, he was advanced to grand guardian of the heir apparent and his noble rank accumulated to Duke of Zhao Commandery. On the summer solstice of the first year of Jianzhong Jingguo he drafted his own final memorial; the next day he died, aged eighty-two. An edict suspended court audience for two days and posthumously granted him Minister of Works.

頌器局閎遠，不與人校短長，以禮法自持。雖貴，奉養如寒士。自書契以來，經史、九流、百家之說，至於圖緯、律呂、星官、算法、山經、本草，無所不通。尤明典故，喜為人言，亹亹不絕。朝廷有所制作，必就而正焉。

Su Song's capacity and bearing were broad and far-reaching; he did not measure himself against others and upheld himself by ritual and law. Though noble in rank, he lived as frugally as a poor scholar. From the age of written records onward, classics and histories, the nine schools, and the hundred masters' teachings, down to charts and weft texts, pitch pipes, star officials, calculation methods, mountain classics, and materia medica—there was nothing he did not master. He was especially clear on precedents, delighted to speak to people, and talked on without cease. Whenever the court had something to compose, they always went to him to correct it.

嘗議學校，欲博士分經；課試諸生，以行藝為升俊之路。議貢舉，欲先行實而後文藝，去封彌、謄錄之法，使有司參考其素，行之自州縣始，庶幾復鄉貢里選之遣範，論者韙之。

He once debated schools, wishing erudites to specialize in separate classics; examine students, taking conduct and talent as the path of advancement. He debated the civil service examinations, wishing first to examine actual conduct and afterward literary accomplishment, removing sealed envelopes and transcription, so that responsible offices could consult candidates' prior records, implementing this beginning from prefectures and counties—perhaps nearly restoring the model of local tribute and village selection—and debaters approved.

論曰：大防重厚，摯骨鯁，頌有德量。三人者，皆相於母后垂簾聽政之秋，而能使元祐之治，比隆嘉祐，其功豈易致哉！大防疏宋家法八事，言非溢美，是為萬世矜式。摯正邪之辨甚嚴，終以直道慍於群小，遂與大防並死於貶，士論冤之。頌獨巋然高年，未嘗為奸邪所污，世稱其明哲保身。然觀其論知州張仲宣受金事，犯顏辨其情罪重輕，又陳刑不上大夫之義，卒免仲宣於黥。自是宋世命官犯贓抵死者，例不加刑，豈非所為多雅德君子之事，造物者自有以相之歟？

The historian comments: Dafang was weighty and steadfast, Zhi was upright and unyielding, Song had virtue and magnanimity. These three men all served as chief ministers while the empress dowager ruled from behind the curtain, yet made the Yuanyou governance compare in grandeur with Jiayou—was their achievement easily attained! Dafang set forth eight items of the Song family law; his words were not excessive praise—they are a model for ten thousand generations. Zhi's distinction of orthodox and heterodox was very strict; in the end his integrity angered petty men, and he died in banishment together with Dafang—scholarly opinion deemed it unjust. Song alone stood towering in advanced age, never stained by wicked men; the age praised his wisdom in preserving himself. Yet observe his discussion of Prefect Zhang Zhongxuan's accepting gold: he offended the emperor to debate the gravity of his circumstances and crime, and set forth the principle that punishment does not reach grandees—ultimately sparing Zhongxuan from tattooing. From this in the Song age appointed officials who committed corruption and merited death by statute were as a rule not subjected to physical punishment—is this not because their conduct was mostly that of gentlemen of refined virtue, and Heaven has its own way of assisting them?

Cite this Chapter