← Back to 宋史

卷三百八十三 列傳第一百四十二 陳俊卿 虞允文 辛次膺

Volume 383 Biographies 142: Chen Junqing, Yu Yunwen, Xin Ciying

Chapter 383 of 宋史 · History of Song
← Previous Chapter
Chapter 383
Next Chapter →
1
Chen Junqing
2
輿
Chen Junqing, whose courtesy name was Yingqiu, came from Xinghua. Even as a boy he was solemn and reserved, never given to idle talk or laughter. When his father died, he carried out the mourning rites with the gravity of a grown man. In the eighth year of the Shaoxing era he passed the jinshi examination and was appointed investigative adjutant in Quanzhou. He applied himself diligently to his office, and whenever his colleagues gathered for feasts he invariably excused himself. One day a fire broke out in the prefecture. Prefect Wang Zao rushed to the scene while his subordinates were drinking at a certain house; Junqing had also borrowed a carriage and runners to join them. By regulation, latecomers were called to account, and Junqing bowed repeatedly and accepted the blame. When the facts came out, Wang asked why he had done so. Junqing replied, "I could not stop my colleagues from going, and I even used their servants on the way—how could I claim to be blameless? Your Excellency was furious at the time; how could I seek to clear myself and heap the blame on others?" Wang Zao sighed in admiration and concluded that Junqing was beyond compare.
3
滿
When his term ended, Qin Hui was in power; perceiving that Junqing would not align with him, he assigned him to teach at the Southern Outer Muzong Academy. He was soon given an additional appointment as vice-prefect of Nanjian, but before he could take up the post Qin Hui died, and he was recalled to the capital as collator. Xiaozong was then Prince of Pu'an. Gaozong ordered that upright, steady men of substance be chosen to guide him, and Junqing was made assistant compiler and concurrently tutor in the princely household. In his lectures he always wove in admonitions, maintaining a grave bearing and holding himself apart. The prince was fond of cuju. Junqing recited Han Yu's memorial admonishing Zhang Jianfeng as an oblique warning, and the prince received the lesson with respect.
4
殿 退 退
He rose through the ranks to investigating censor and then palace censor. In his first memorial he wrote: "A ruler does well to hear many voices, but only when he is grounded in perfect fairness; for a minister, loyalty lies in refusing to deceive, yet he must also grasp the larger design of state. To command subordinates, kindness and severity must go together: curb arrogant generals and lift the morale of the ranks, and discipline will stand straight while orders are obeyed." He then impeached Han Zhongtong, who had curried favor with Qin Hui through prison cases and wrongfully ruined innocent men; Qin's faction had been swept away while Zhongtong alone remained untouched; and Liu Bao, who commanded the forces at Jingkou, extorted his men at will and defied orders by refusing to rotate garrison duty; both men were punished accordingly. When Tang Situi dominated the government, Junqing said: "Thunder in a cloudless winter sky—such a chief minister fails Heaven above and the people below." An edict removed Situi from office.
5
Omens and disasters multiplied, and Jin raids were already taking shape along the frontier. Junqing memorialized: "Zhang Jun has been loyal to the bone; in old age he has not wavered. Yet I hear whispers that he secretly harbors disloyal designs. He wins men's hearts and commands the respect of the literati precisely because his loyalty has been proven over many years. Were it otherwise, men would desert him—who would follow him in treason?" The memorial went in without reply; he sought an audience and spoke forcefully until the emperor understood. A few months later Zhang Jun was appointed to defend Jiankang. He also urged: "The eunuch Zhang Quwei secretly undermines the war effort and urges plans to avoid the enemy, unsettling our strategy—he should be punished under military law." The emperor said, "You have the courage of a true gentleman." Junqing was appointed acting vice minister of war.
6
西西
When the Jin emperor Hailing crossed the Huai, Junqing was ordered to reorganize the naval forces of western Zhejiang; Li Bao, acting under his authority, won the victory at Jiaoxi. After Hailing's death, Junqing was ordered to oversee fortresses and garrison farms east of the Huai, settling refugees wherever he went. The new Jin ruler Bao had just taken the throne and proposed renewing friendly relations; many at court favored peace. Junqing argued: "Peace with the Jin was never our first choice; even if recovering lost territory were a real gain, we might not be able to hold it—such talk is empty form. We should first set our diplomatic standing straight; once our position is clear our prestige will rise and the annual tribute can be cut." He proposed selecting good generals, training troops, garrison farming, and rent relief; civil officials of courage and judgment should serve as aides, inspecting military affairs and learning the art of war to build a pool of future commanders.
7
When Xiaozong ascended the throne, Junqing wrote: "Three things are essential to governing a state: appointing the right men, rewarding merit, and punishing crime—and all three depend on perfect fairness. I beg Your Majesty to keep this in mind." He was promoted to drafter of the Secretariat. Xiaozong was bent on recovery and had just entrusted frontier affairs to Zhang Jun. Because Junqing was loyal, steady, and shrewd, he was made judicial commissioner on the Jiang-Huai pacification commission and concurrently acting prefect of Jiankang. He memorialized: "Wu Lin has pushed deep with a lone army while the enemy masses every man to resist him; the campaign drags on unresolved—a dangerous course. The Huai front is already critical. Send a fleet to strike Shandong directly; the Jin will have to recall their armies, and Lin can then press his advantage and secure Guanzhong. Strike their heartland before they can respond, and the victory would be one for the ages." But the peace party was ascendant; an edict recalled Lin and summoned Junqing back as well. He submitted ten proposals: set the scale of government, restore discipline, encourage proper conduct, clarify rewards and punishments, honor rank and office, follow ancestral law, and abolish irregular levies.
8
退 退使 使 退
In the first year of Longxing a supreme command was established, and Junqing was made vice minister of rites to assist in military planning. Zhang Jun at first planned a major northern campaign, but Junqing judged the time not ripe. Spies reported the Jin hoarding grain on the frontier; the generals expected an autumn offensive and urged striking before the enemy moved. Zhang Jun petitioned the court to march. Soon afterward Shao Hongyuan's army collapsed in defeat, and Junqing fell back to defend Yangzhou. The peace faction welcomed the defeat and spread reckless talk to undermine the war party. Zhang Jun submitted a memorial accepting blame; Junqing asked to share the punishment. Both were demoted two ranks by edict. The censor Yin Ji, allied with Situi, proposed stripping Zhang Jun of supreme command and making him pacification commissioner at Yangzhou. Junqing memorialized: "If Zhang Jun truly cannot serve, appoint another able commander; if you wish to hold him to account for future results, demotion is the ancient way to show censure. But to strip him of supreme command and post him in the trap of Yangzhou, where every request is blocked by the censors, is to dissolve morale entirely—what hope then of future success? His critics care only to destroy Zhang Jun and no longer think of the dynasty's welfare. I beg Your Majesty to issue an edict calling on all to cooperate and let Zhang Jun redeem himself." When he submitted again the emperor understood; Zhang Jun was restored to supreme command and summoned as chief councilor, but Situi and Yin Ji eventually forced him out and sent him to inspect the Jiang-Huai front. Junqing repeatedly asked to share the blame; he was made academician of the Baowen Pavilion and prefect of Quanzhou, then requested leave and was made superintendent of the Taiping Xingguo Palace.
9
退
After Situi was banished, students of the Imperial Academy knelt at the palace gate petitioning for Junqing's recall. In the first year of Qiandao he was received in audience; the emperor comforted him warmly, and Junqing spoke at length on the evils of faction. He was appointed vice minister of personnel and co-compiler of the national history. He argued that in appointing men moral backbone should come first; men of backbone may be forgiven minor faults; but the wicked and fawning, however talented, must be watched closely. Qian Duanli, a relative of the empress, had risen to vice grand councilor and was openly angling for the chief ministership; Hanlin scholars memorialized against him. Duanli sent a secret envoy promising that once he became chief councilor he would bring Junqing in as his partner. Junqing firmly refused. The next day, lecturing on the Precious Instructions, he came to the passage on empress's kin and said: "Our dynasty's household law keeps empress's relatives out of government for good reason; Your Majesty should hold to it strictly." The emperor nodded agreement; Duanli bore a grudge. He was appointed prefect of Jiankang. A year later he was made minister of personnel.
10
The emperor had not yet given up cuju and was planning a hunting excursion at Baishi. Junqing cited the Han emperors Huan and Ling, Tang Jingzong and Muzong, and Sima Xiangru's admonitions, urging restraint with all his force. The emperor said with pleasure, "I have seen your loyal candor; I am resolved to employ you. When I was still in the princely residence I knew you were a loyal minister." Junqing bowed in thanks.
11
使 覿 覿 覿
Ordered to host the Jin envoys, he was then appointed vice director of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Zeng Di and Long Dayuan traded on old favor to wield secret influence, and many officials passed through their doors. When Junqing served as chief host with Dayuan as deputy, they exchanged not a word in public; when Dayuan offered a private visit, Junqing declined to receive him. Hong Mai asked Junqing: "People say Zheng Wen is to be made right secretary and I am to receive a certain post—is it true?" Pressed for his source, Mai named Dayuan and Di. Junqing reported this fully to the emperor, who said, "I never consulted those men on appointments—they must have been eavesdropping." An edict banished Dayuan and Di, to general satisfaction throughout the court.
12
使
The Jin sent a diplomatic note to frontier officials demanding the return of captives taken earlier. Junqing proposed replying: "The treaty distinguishes captives from defectors; we have already returned many captives, and defectors should not be sent back. Moreover, tens of thousands of our people on both sides of the Huai and your captives and fugitives remain unsettled; we have never raised the matter, fearing to damage peace and unsettle both peoples. If it comes to war, the merits of each side will be decided on the field."
13
西西宿
Qi Fang, commander at Zhenjiang, was extorting his troops. Junqing memorialized: "Some eunuchs back Fang; they should be punished as well." An edict immediately dismissed Fang and referred the eunuchs Chen Yao and Li Zonghui to the Court of Judicial Review to investigate corruption. In the eleventh month, thunder sounded on the eve of the suburban sacrifice. The emperor issued a personal edict admonishing his ministers; Ye Yong and Wei Qi were dismissed. Junqing was appointed vice grand councilor. Siming presented a silver mine, and the court planned to summon smelters to work it inside the palace. Junqing objected: "To neglect the great affairs of empire for the petty work of clerks will be noticed by men of judgment." Attendants Liang Kejia and Mo Ji both sought provincial posts. Junqing urged: "Both are able men; their loss would be regrettable." He then impeached Hong Mai as treacherous, slanderous, and unfit to serve at court, and had him removed. He cut Fujian's salt surcharge, abolished Jiangxi's grain-purchase commutation and Guangxi's rice-conversion levy, and remitted arrears across the circuits totaling tens of millions—so that government gradually returned to the Secretariat.
14
覿 殿使
After Long Dayuan died, the emperor took pity on Zeng Di and wished to recall him. Junqing said, "Since those two men were banished, the whole court has applauded the decision. To recall them now would deeply disappoint the empire. I beg to resign first." Di was not recalled. Wang Qi, commander of the Palace Front, returned from inspecting the Huai fortifications and recommended Liu Zhenfu, professor of Hezhou, who was summoned to court. Junqing objected: "Qi may recommend military officers—that is his duty—but a talented instructor is none of his business." Meanwhile Yangzhou reported that Qi had claimed an imperial order to enlarge the city walls and that the work was done. Junqing asked the emperor, who said he had issued no such command. Junqing said, "To forge an imperial order is no small offense." He memorialized: "A ruler faces ten thousand affairs and cannot guard against every abuse; he relies on discipline, clear orders, and rewards and punishments. If Qi goes unpunished, what will men not dare to do?" Qi was demoted and dismissed.
15
Previously secret palace orders went straight to the armies without the chief ministers' knowledge. When the eunuch Zhang Fang's misconduct came to light, Junqing proposed that all imperial orders to government offices must be reported for review before execution. The emperor agreed. Soon the inner palace offices objected and the order was rescinded. Junqing said, "Your judgment in the Zhang Fang and Wang Qi cases was already clear. Suddenly I was told, 'Must the palace wait for review even to take food and drink—would that not cause delay? What I fear are great commands—dispatching troops from the Three Commands, drawing funds from the Ministry of Revenue—not petty palace matters. We ministers merely fill our posts and carry out Your Majesty's orders. Review is meant to let Your Majesty decide—not to monopolize power, and this is no innovation but the restoration of old practice. To enact a rule and then withdraw it alarms the court, and I fear petty men may stir Your Majesty's anger with suspicions." The emperor said, "Would I suspect you because of petty men's words?"
16
退殿 祿 西 退
Liu Gong, vice director of the Bureau of Military Affairs, argued so fiercely in audience that he offended the emperor. After he withdrew, a personal edict made him academician of the Duanming Hall and sent him to an outside sinecure. Junqing hid the edict and secretly memorialized: "I drafted the memorial in question. If anyone is at fault, I should resign first. I dare not accept the edict appointing Gong. Since Your Majesty's accession, accepting remonstrance and treating great ministers with respect have been marks of surpassing virtue. To punish Gong for a small matter—I fear great ministers will henceforth flatter and cling to their salaries, which is no blessing to the state." The emperor showed long regret and appointed Gong to command Jiangxi. Junqing withdrew and submitted his resignation. The emperor sent a personal note refusing it: "Even if you ask a hundred times, I will not agree."
17
使 退
In the tenth month of the fourth year he was appointed right vice director of the Department of State Affairs, grand councilor, and concurrently commissioner of military affairs. Junqing made appointments his personal charge, choosing the best men of the day, rewarding integrity and restraining the scramble for office. If a man of talent lacked seniority, he recommended him secretly to the emperor and never told others. Whenever he met court officials or regional governors from afar, he always asked about current policy and the worth of available talent.
18
使 使 便殿
Yu Yunwen was pacification commissioner of Sichuan; Junqing recommended him as qualified for the chief ministership. In the first month of the fifth year the emperor summoned Yunwen as commissioner of military affairs; on his arrival Yunwen became right chief councilor and Junqing left chief councilor. Yunwen proposed sending envoys to the Jin to demand the return of the imperial tombs. Junqing argued against it in person and again wrote privately that the time was not right. The emperor drew his bow; the string snapped and injured his eye. He did not hold court in the side hall until the sixth month. Junqing memorialized: "Your Majesty has not held outer court for a month, and rumor blames the chief ministers for failing to speak beforehand and thus impairing your virtue. Your Majesty is diligent, frugal, and pure, having put aside what even former enlightened rulers could not avoid—yet you have not yet given up riding and archery. I know you do not delight in this but pursue restoration, and therefore stooped to it to review military readiness and rouse the troops' spirit. Employ wisdom and strategy, clarify rewards and punishments, and restore faith and righteousness—then your heroic reputation alone, without leaving the council table, will awe the enemy ten thousand li away. Why rely on petty archery at a hundred paces? Your Majesty's person alone binds the fate of the dynasty and the people; may today's affair be an eternal warning."
19
覿滿 覿 覿
When Zeng Di's term expired, Junqing requested in advance that he be posted as commander-general of eastern Zhejiang. The emperor said, "Di seems unwilling to take that post." Junqing said, "When Your Majesty removed those two men, public opinion was greatly satisfied. I beg you to set aside private favor and uphold public opinion." Di departed in resentment. Zhang Yue, secretariat drafter of the Bureau of Military Affairs, sought an office for a relative but feared Junqing and said nothing. While Junqing was on leave he asked Yunwen and obtained the appointment. Junqing heard the edict had been issued and ordered the clerks to hold it. Yue came in alarm to apologize; Yunwen was ashamed but still pleaded for him. Junqing refused, and Yue deeply resented him. Wang Yingchen, minister of personnel, clashed with Yunwen on policy and sought to resign. Junqing repeatedly urged that Yingchen was firm, upright, and fit for the chief council. The emperor at first agreed, but in the end sent Yingchen to guard Pingjiang. From then on the emperor favored Yunwen, and Junqing repeatedly sought to resign.
20
殿 使 使 覿
The next year Yunwen again raised the tomb issue. The emperor sent a personal note to Junqing, who replied: "Your Majesty grieves for the ancestors and yearns to recover lost territory. Though I am worn and slow, how could I fail to support your plan? Yet great affairs require complete safety. Wait one or two years until our strength is fuller—I dare not flatter your intent and err in state affairs." He shut his doors and resigned, and was made academician of the Guanwen Hall and posted to command Fuzhou. At his farewell audience he still urged the emperor to keep the wicked at a distance, cherish the worthy, reform government, repel the enemy, and not lightly send general envoys. After he left, Yunwen sent envoys anyway but achieved nothing of substance. Zeng Di was also recalled, granted a military commission, and advanced to guardian and tutor ranks, while officials dared not speak out.
21
At Fuzhou Junqing governed with leniency but punished bandits strictly; the sea routes grew peaceful, and he was promoted for merit. Chen Xian, transport judicial commissioner, proposed adopting the paper-salt law. Junqing wrote the chief ministers arguing that Fujian's salt system differed from the Huai and Zhe regions, and the plan was dropped. The next year he requested leave and was made superintendent of the Dongxiao Palace. He returned to a residence of only a few dilapidated rooms and was content.
22
殿 覿 覿 退 覿
In the second year of Chunxi he was again appointed prefect of Fuzhou. He repeatedly asked to retire, was made specially advanced, and was summoned to serve as prefect of Jiankang and pacification commissioner of Jiangdong. Summoned to audience in the Hall of Chui'gong, he was seated and served tea. He said at ease, "Generals should be chosen openly. I hear many commanders buy their posts with bribes. Zeng Di and Wang Bian monopolize power and accept bribes; promotions are all carried out by inner drafts. Corrupt officials have already been investigated, yet inner drafts reverse the findings—how can discipline be maintained?" The emperor said, "You speak rightly." At his farewell audience he said, "After ten years away I find grain cheap and the people at peace in the capital, but the customs of officials have greatly changed." The emperor asked, "How so?" Junqing said, "Formerly only one or two in ten officials courted Di and Bian, and still feared being known; now seven or eight openly attach themselves without scruple. When appointments pass through private doors, that is no fine thing for the court." The emperor said, "As for Bian, I would not dare. Though Di sometimes makes requests, I mostly refuse them; from now on I will no longer comply." Junqing said, "These men's influence has grown; many attendants and censors come from their faction and dare not speak for Your Majesty. I fear they will ruin court discipline, abolish the law, corrupt public morals, and burden your sacred virtue." The two chief councils were ordered to give him a farewell feast at Zhejiang Pavilion.
23
便
Fifteen years after Junqing had left Jiankang, the elders rejoiced at his return. He governed with leniency and simplicity and abolished irregular levies. Many "white memorials" were then issued from the imperial presence and carried by private attendants. Junqing objected that this was unwise, and the emperor sent a personal note commending him. He was made junior guardian and continued as prefect of Jiankang. In the eighth year he petitioned to retire and was made junior preceptor and Duke of Wei. In the eleventh month of the thirteenth year he died, aged seventy-four. While ill he wrote to his sons: "My final memorial should only thank the emperor; do not seek favors, merit titles, posthumous names, or steles." The emperor grieved, suspended court, posthumously made him grand guardian, ordered the transport office to arrange the funeral, and granted the posthumous title "Righteous Presentation."
24
Junqing was filial, loyal, and respectful by nature; grave, austere, and fond of ritual, never showing a lazy bearing all day. In private he was modest as if unable to speak, yet in court he spoke with grave bearing, distinguished right from wrong, and denounced the powerful without fear. All his memorials concerned great matters of order and chaos, safety and peril. He was close to Wang Yingchen and Li Tao and especially respected Zhu Xi, whom he repeatedly recommended. At his death Zhu Xi traveled a thousand li to mourn him and composed an account of his conduct. He left collected works in twenty juan.
25
He had five sons. Mi aspired to learning and ended as gentleman for court attendance; Zhu Xi wrote the inscription for his tomb. Mi has his own biography.
26
Yu Yunwen
27
調
Yu Yunwen, whose courtesy name was Binfu, came from Renshou in Longzhou. His father Qi passed the jinshi in the Zhenghe era and rose to erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and transport judicial commissioner on the Tongchuan circuit. At six he could recite the Nine Classics; at seven he could compose prose. He entered office through his father's privilege. When his mother died he mourned so grievously that he was reduced to skin and bone. After burial he wept morning and evening at the tomb, where a withered mulberry stood and two crows came to nest. His father was widowed and ill; for seven years he took no new post and would not leave his father's side even a step. After his father's death he passed the jinshi in the twenty-third year of Shaoxing, became vice-prefect of Pengzhou, and acted as prefect of Lizhou and Qizhou.
28
When Qin Hui held power, many scholars of Shu were cast aside. After Qin Hui died, Emperor Gaozong wished to bring Yu Yunwen back into service. Palace drafting officer Zhao Da was the first to recommend him. Summoned for an audience, Yunwen said that a ruler must fear Heaven, secure the people, and take the ancestors as his law. He also discussed the defects of scholarly culture: those promoted for literary talent must be checked for frivolity; those promoted for eloquence must be dismissed for cunning deceit; those promoted for administrative skill must be purged of harshness—only then could they bear heavy responsibility and achieve lasting results. He also spoke at length about the abuses of Sichuan's fiscal levies and tax collections. The emperor praised his advice and accepted it.
29
退 使 使
He was appointed secretary of the Secretariat and was successively promoted to posts in the Ministry of Rites. The Jin emperor Hailing had Bianjing repaired and already intended to invade the south. When Wang Lun returned from the Jin court, he reported that the enemy was deferential and eager for peace. Tang Situi bowed in congratulation and gave no thought to border defenses. When the Jin envoy Shi Yisheng let slip considerable intelligence about the enemy, Zhang Tao secretly reported it to the throne. Hailing also secretly sent painters to depict the lakes and mountains of Lin'an and took the paintings back with him. When Hailing composed poems, his hostile intentions became still more obvious. Yu Yunwen submitted a memorial stating, "The Jin will surely break the treaty. Their army will advance along five routes. I ask that ministers be ordered in advance to prepare defenses." This was in the first month of the thirtieth year of Shaoxing. In the tenth month he temporarily served as minister of works and envoy offering New Year's congratulations. At an archery contest with the reception staff, he hit the target with his first shot, to everyone's astonishment. Yu Yunwen noticed many men transporting grain and building boats. As he took leave to return home, Hailing said, "I plan to go view the flowers at Luoyang." When Yu Yunwen returned, he reported what he had seen and Hailing's remark, urging preparations along the Huai River and the coast.
30
He was appointed drafting officer of the Secretariat and academician of the Hanlin Academy. The Three Commands had eunuchs serve as military liaisons. Yu Yunwen said, "Throughout history, when a ruler's supreme authority did not pass to treacherous ministers, it fell into the hands of favorites at court. Qin Hui seized power for fully eighteen years. When he died, authority returned to Your Majesty. Recently the Three Commands have cultivated ties with palace eunuchs—the lessons of the Xuanhe era and the Ming Shou affair are not far in the past." The emperor was greatly enlightened and immediately abolished the practice.
31
使 使 西西
Jin envoys Wang Quan and Gao Jingshan came to congratulate the emperor on his birthday. They relayed Hailing's insolent message, demanding territory south of the Huai River and insisting that chief and assistant ministers come to negotiate. The court then summoned the senior generals of the Three Commands, including Zhao Mi, to discuss mobilizing for war, and assembled attendant and remonstrance officials for joint deliberation. Chief minister Chen Kangbo conveyed the emperor's command: "Today we will no longer debate peace or passive defense—we will ask directly how to fight." Cheng Min was dispatched as Jing-Hu commissioner, leading fifty thousand imperial guards to defend the upper reaches of the Xiang and Han rivers. Yu Yunwen said, "When enemy troops advance they do not clear roads ahead of them—the enemy is feinting to divide our forces and cover their real scheme to break out from the Huai." The court did not listen, and Cheng Min was dispatched anyway. In the seventh month the Jin emperor Hailing moved his court to Bianjing. Yu Yunwen again told Chen Kangbo, "By schedule Cheng Min's army should reach Chizhou and Jiangzhou. Those who reach Chizhou should encamp there; those who reach Jiangzhou should encamp there. If the enemy came from the upper river, the Jing-Hu armies could hold them in front while the Chizhou and Jiangzhou forces reinforced from behind; if they came from west of the Huai, the Chizhou army could sortie from Chaoxian and the Jiangzhou army from Wuwei to reinforce the Huai west—one army deployed in two directions." Chen Kangbo agreed with the plan, but Cheng Min's army ultimately encamped at Wuchang instead.
32
西
In the ninth month the Jin emperor appointed Li Tong supreme commander and built floating bridges on the Huai River. The Jin emperor took personal command. His army was said to number a million; felt tents stretched as far as the eye could see, and the clamor of gongs and drums never ceased. In the tenth month he crossed the Huai at Wokou. Earlier Liu Qi had been managing the Huai east region and Wang Quan the Huai west region. At this point Wang Quan was the first to abandon Luzhou, and Liu Qi also withdrew to Yangzhou. The court and the country were shaken with terror. The emperor wanted to flee by sea, but Chen Kangbo strongly urged him to lead the campaign in person. On the wuwu day of that month, chief councillor Ye Yiwen took command of the Jiang and Huai armies, with Yu Yunwen as military adviser. Wang Quan fled again from Hezhou, and Liu Qi withdrew to Zhenjiang—the entire Huai region was lost.
33
On the renshen day of the eleventh month, the Jin emperor led a great army to Caishi while a separate force fought for Guazhou. The court ordered Cheng Min to replace Liu Qi and Li Xianzhong to replace Wang Quan; both Liu and Wang were summoned back. Ye Yiwen received orders to send Yu Yunwen to Wuhu to hurry Li Xianzhong in relieving Wang Quan's command and also to reward the troops at Caishi, where Wang Quan's army still remained. On the bingzi day Yu Yunwen reached Caishi. Wang Quan had already fled, Li Xianzhong had not yet arrived, and enemy cavalry filled the area. Song troops were scattered in small groups of three to five, sitting unsaddled along the roadside in armor—all were remnants of Wang Quan's defeated army. Yu Yunwen decided that waiting passively for Li Xianzhong would betray the country. He immediately rallied the generals, exhorting them with talk of loyalty and duty, and said, "Gold, silk, and commissions are all here, waiting to reward those who distinguish themselves." They replied, "Now that we have a leader, we ask to fight to the death." Someone objected, "You were ordered to reward the troops, not to command the battle. If others fail, will you alone bear the blame?" Yu Yunwen rebuked him: "When the altars of state are in peril, where can I hide?"
34
西 退 宿
When he reached the riverbank, he saw that on the north bank a high platform had been erected with two crimson flags and two embroidered flags planted opposite each other and a yellow imperial canopy in the center. Hailing sat enthroned beneath it. Spies reported that the day before Hailing had sacrificed white and black horses to Heaven, sworn an oath with his troops to cross the river the next day, taken breakfast at the Hall of the Jade Unicorn, and promised one tael of gold to whoever crossed first. The enemy in fact numbered four hundred thousand men with twice as many horses, while the Song forces totaled only eighteen thousand. Yu Yunwen ordered the generals to form a battle line and hold position. He divided the oared warships into five groups: two sailed along the eastern and western banks, one held midstream with elite troops concealed for battle, and two waited hidden in small inlets against surprise. Hardly had the disposition been completed when the enemy raised a great shout. Hailing waved a small red flag and hundreds of boats crossed the river. In an instant seventy reached the south bank and pressed straight against the Song lines, which fell back slightly. Yu Yunwen entered the battle line, clapped Shi Jun on the back, and said, "Your courage and skill are famed throughout the land—standing behind the line makes you no better than a woman or child." Shi Jun immediately charged out wielding twin swords, and the soldiers fought with desperate valor. The midstream Song forces also rammed the enemy with paddle-wheel boats, sinking their vessels flush with the water. Half the enemy were dead and half still fighting, and by dusk they had not withdrawn. Just then routed troops arrived from Guangzhou. Yu Yunwen gave them banners and drums and sent them around from behind the hills. The enemy, suspecting reinforcements had arrived, finally fled. He then ordered strong bowmen to pursue and shoot from the rear, inflicting a major defeat. More than four thousand corpses littered the field; two wanhu officers were killed, five qianhu officers captured, and more than five hundred Jurchen soldiers taken alive. Hailing had all enemy soldiers who had not died on the river clubbed to death, furious that they had failed to cross. He reported the victory and rewarded the officers and soldiers, telling them, "The enemy is beaten today, but tomorrow they will surely return." At midnight he repositioned the generals, sent sea boats upstream by rope haul, and separately dispatched troops to block Yanglin Pass. On the dingchou day the enemy did return. Attacked from both flanks, they fought another major battle; three hundred of their boats were burned before they finally fled. Yu Yunwen reported victory again. Soon afterward the enemy sent a forged edict addressed to Wang Quan, as if some secret agreement existed between them. Yu Yunwen said, "This is a stratagem to sow discord." He nevertheless replied, "Wang Quan has already been punished under military law. The new commander is Li Shipu. We wish to settle the matter in a single battle." When Hailing read the reply he flew into a rage, burned his dragon-and-phoenix carriage, executed Liang Hanchen and two shipwrights, and marched on Guazhou. Liang Hanchen was the man who had advised Hailing on crossing the river.
35
When Li Xianzhong arrived from Wuhu, Yu Yunwen told him, "When the enemy enters Yangzhou they will surely join forces with the troops at Guazhou. Jingkou is undefended. I must go there—can you detach troops to help?" Li Xianzhong detached Li Bang's army of sixteen thousand men to Jingkou, and Ye Yiwen also ordered Yang Cunzhong to bring his forces to join them. Yu Yunwen returned to Jiankang and immediately submitted a memorial stating, "Having been defeated at Caishi, the enemy will try their luck at Guazhou. Our best troops are now gathered at Jingkou. If we hold our ground and wait, we can win in a single battle. I ask that the emperor's departure be slightly delayed."
36
滿 使使 滿
On the jiashen day he reached Jingkou. The enemy massed heavy forces along the Chu River, built three sluice gates to store water several feet deep, and blocked the mouth of Guazhou. At that time the armies of Yang Cunzhong, Cheng Min, Shao Hongyuan, and others had all gathered at Jingkou—no fewer than two hundred thousand men—but paddle-wheel boats numbered fewer than a hundred and oared warships only half as many. Yu Yunwen noted that in wind they would need lighter combat boats and in calm weather heavier warships, and feared that they had too few of either. He therefore gathered timber and iron, converted transport boats into warships, and also requisitioned vessels from Pingjiang. He ordered Zhang Shen to hold the Chu River mouth and guard the Yangtze crossing, with Miao Ding encamped at Xiasbu as reinforcement. On the gengyin day Hailing reached Guazhou. Yu Yunwen and Yang Cunzhong inspected their forces along the river, ordering warriors to pedal their boat-ships up and down midstream. They circled Mount Jin three times, wheeling about with startling speed. The enemy stood with bows drawn waiting and stared at one another in astonishment. Hailing laughed and said, "They're only paper boats." A general knelt and reported, "The southern army is prepared and must not be underestimated. I ask that we halt at Yangzhou and plan our advance more carefully." Hailing flew into a rage and wanted to behead him. After prolonged pleading the man was spared but flogged fifty strokes. On the yimi day Hailing was assassinated by his own officers.
37
西 退 紿 使
Earlier, while Hailing was at Guazhou, he heard that Li Bao had invaded Jiaoxi by sea and that Cheng Min's armies were sailing downstream—Hailing grew still angrier. Returning to Yangzhou, he summoned his generals and gave them three days to cross the river—or he would execute them all. The generals conferred: "Advancing means drowning in the river; retreating means being clubbed to death. What can we do?" A man named Wan Dai said, "Kill the prince-lord, make peace with the Southern Song, and return home—we can live." They answered, "Agreed." Hailing kept an elite guard clothed in purple fur that never entered battle but always protected him personally, which the troops resented. A man named Xiao Zheba deceived him, saying, "The women, riches, and goods of Huai east are all gathered at Hailing." He also urged Hailing to go there. Once the elite guard had departed, Hailing was assassinated.
38
退使
On the bingshen day the enemy withdrew thirty li and sent envoys to negotiate peace. On the jihai day Yu Yunwen reported the news to the throne. Summoned for an audience, the emperor consoled and praised him, saying to Chen Junqing, "Yu Yunwen's loyalty to the state comes from his very nature—he is my Pei Du." An edict relieved him of escort duty and dispatched him to manage affairs in the two Huai regions. When Yu Yunwen reached Zhenjiang, he submitted three plans for recovering the two Huai regions, but received no reply.
39
使 使 西
In the first month of the following year the emperor reached Jiankang. Soon the court debated the emperor's return north. An edict appointed Yang Cunzhong commissioner for the Jiang-Huai and Jing-Xiang circuits, with Yu Yunwen as his deputy. Remonstrance and drafting officials brought objections against Yang Cunzhong's appointment, and Yu Yunwen was then appointed envoy to Sichuan and Shaanxi. At his farewell audience he said, "With Hailing of Jin dead and a new ruler just enthroned, their country is in chaos—Heaven is aiding our recovery. Peace would deflate the spirit of the realm; war would lift it." The emperor agreed. When Yu Yunwen reached Sichuan, he conferred with the great general Wu Lin on plans to recover the Central Plains. Wu Lin advanced on Fengxiang and retook Gong Prefecture. The Jin mobilized forces to contest the newly recovered prefectures of Shaanxi. Sichuan officials wanted to abandon them, but Yu Yunwen insisted they must be held.
40
西退 西 西西西 西
After Emperor Xiaozong ascended the throne, court officials discussing western affairs argued that government forces should advance no farther east than Baoji or north than Deshun, and proposed leaving the newly recovered prefectures to loyal volunteers while regular troops fell back to guard the Sichuan passes. Yu Yunwen argued in vain. Wu Lin then withdrew to Hechi, following Vice Grand Councilor Shi Hao's proposal to abandon Shaanxi entirely. Remonstrance officials Yuan Ji and Ren Gu endorsed his position. Yu Yunwen submitted another memorial, arguing in essence, "Recovery must begin with Shaanxi. The newly retaken prefectures and counties of the five Shaanxi circuits hinge on the fate of Deshun. Once we abandon them, the routes by which the enemy could probe Sichuan will multiply. Xihe, Jie, and Cheng are of the utmost strategic importance." In all he submitted fifteen memorials and also wrote to Chen Kangbo, but Kangbo, constrained by his colleagues, could not change the court's course. The emperor was about to summon Yu Yunwen to discuss Shaanxi affairs, but the chief ministers resented his influence and appointed him direct academician of the Xianmo Pavilion and prefect of Kuizhou. Soon afterward he was ordered to report to court.
41
使退 退 退 退
At the time the court dispatched Lu Zhongxian as envoy to Jin to negotiate peace. Tang Situi also sought to abandon Tang, Deng, Hai, and Si. A personal edict declared that Tang and Deng were not strategically vital and could be set aside. Yu Yunwen submitted five memorials vigorously opposing this. Tang Situi grew angry and immediately memorialized, "These men speak grandly to mislead the state and win a fine reputation because the stakes do not touch them personally. The great affairs of state—how can they be treated like a play? The emperor's mind was then made up. Tang Situi outwardly requested that Yu Yunwen be summoned, but in fact wished to remove him. Yu Yunwen returned his seal of office, yet still petitioned that the four prefectures could not be abandoned and begged to retire. An edict appointed him academician of the Xianmo Pavilion and prefect of Pingjiang. Tang Situi ultimately settled on a peace agreement and ceded Tang and Deng.
42
退 殿
In the second year Jin troops invaded again. Tang Situi was demoted, and the emperor regretted not having heeded Yu Yunwen's advice. Chen Junqing also recommended Yu Yunwen as fit for high office. He was appointed academician of the Duanming Hall and concurrent signer of the Bureau of Military Affairs.
43
西
In the first year of the Qiandao reign he was appointed vice grand councilor and concurrently head of the Bureau of Military Affairs. That autumn Jin sent Wanyan Zhong to negotiate. He was arrogant and disrespectful. Yu Yunwen requested that he be executed, but dissent at court prevented it. Then Qian Duanli accepted Li Hongyu's belt, and the affair implicated Yu Yunwen. Censor Zhang Fu impeached him, and he was removed from office and sent west to serve in a temple post.
44
殿使 使
In the second month of the third year he was summoned to court and appointed head of the Bureau of Military Affairs and vice grand councilor. When Wu Lin died, the court debated choosing a successor. The emperor told Yu Yunwen, "Now that Wu Lin is dead, Wang Yingchen may not be skilled in military affairs—there is no one to replace you. In all affairs you must not imitate Zhang Jun's impractical grandiosity. As for affairs at the front, you must personally oversee each one. He was then appointed grand academician of the Zizheng Hall and commissioner for Sichuan. Soon an edict ordered him to retain his post as head of the Bureau of Military Affairs. After one month back in Sichuan he was summoned to court. Within a few months he was sent to Sichuan again. The retired emperor bestowed the imperially written "Ode on the Sage Ruler Obtaining Worthy Ministers." The emperor also composed a colophon for it. At his farewell audience he was again given the emperor's own pair of shoes and a suit of armor.
45
西
Passing through Ying, he memorialized on building Huangying Mountain Fort. Passing through Xiangyang, he memorialized on repairing the prefectural walls. In the eighth month he reached Hanzhong, then went on to Mianyang. In the ninth month he reached Yichang. He had first received a personal edict warning him on nine matters. When he reached Sichuan he carried them all out, treating military administration as especially urgent. He also memorialized on inspecting all armies, ranking them by strength and weakness into three grades: the top tier prepared for battle, the middle and lower for baggage, while the old and young were excluded. In all ten thousand troops were cut, saving four million strings of cash. Soldiers cut from the rolls who had records of merit were placed in vacant posts. The righteous volunteers of Xing and Yang were militia. At the beginning of the Shaoxing reign they numbered seventy thousand. At the battle of Dasan, the generals did not issue them armor but drove them ahead of the regular army, and they were nearly all killed. He ordered the Li circuit intendant Chao Gongwu to verify the rolls and found twenty-three thousand nine hundred and more men. He also obtained the Shaanxi archery technique, combined it with the Shaoxing regulations into one manual, and had commanders and officials observe it. He entrusted horse administration to Zhang Song and memorialized on restoring the old system of dividing tea-and-horse affairs into Sichuan and Shaanxi offices.
46
When he was first in the Bureau of Military Affairs, Xiao Zheba spoke on behalf of men purged from the armies. Yu Yunwen had once memorialized instructing the three palace commands to care for them. At this time twenty thousand men who had returned to allegiance from Jin, Yang, and Xingyuan blocked the road complaining of the hardship of imprisonment. Yu Yunwen allotted them official fields so that all could revive their livelihoods. He wished to win over the enemy generals Jiang Ting and Bai Yi. Following an imperial note he recruited Wang Sizu of Gong to win over outer tribes against the Jurchens, and also obtained the Tibetan monk Liu Biao to go with him, but in the end nothing came of it. At the time fourteen prefectures of Qiong and Shu reported famine. Relief measures totaled sixty-five items. The sword prefectural aide offered surplus funds of fifty thousand, which he declined.
47
使
In the eighth month of the fifth year he was appointed right vice director of the Department of State Affairs, concurrent grand councilor of the Secretariat-Chancellery, and commissioner of military affairs. Yu Yunwen often recommended well-known scholars such as Hong Kuo and Wang Yingchen. When he became chief minister he catalogued talent in three grades. Whatever he saw or heard he recorded in a work called "Records of the Talent Hall." All whom he recommended the emperor employed, such as Hu Quan, Zhou Bida, Wang Shipeng, Zhao Ruyu, Chao Gongwu, and Li Tao—these were especially notable. The emperor worried about redundant troops and depleted finances. Yu Yunwen and Chen Junqing discussed reforming miscellaneous corvée in the three palace commands and cutting redundant rolls. The three armies had no complaints.
48
In the sixth year Chen Junqing offended the emperor by memorializing to retain Gong Maoliang. The emperor was greatly enraged. Junqing awaited orders at Zhejiang Pavilion for two days without response. Yu Yunwen requested an audience and spoke exhaustively on the proper way to treat a minister's dignity. Bowing repeatedly before the imperial couch, he secured an order appointing Junqing judge of Fuzhou.
49
使
An edict appointed Fan Chengda envoy to offer prayers on account of the imperial tombs. Jin did not agree, and spies reported that they wished to send three hundred thousand horsemen to escort the tombs back in relocation. Inside and outside the court there was uproar, and generals of Jing and Xiang all requested increased garrisons. Yu Yunwen said, "Jin has just punished Hailing and will certainly not move lightly. This is nothing but an empty threat to shake us. He then memorialized to stop it. Court opinion was divided, but Yu Yunwen stood firm unmoved. The enemy in the end did nothing else.
50
使 便
Since Crown Prince Zhuangwen died, the succession was unsettled. Yu Yunwen submitted a memorial and repeatedly pleaded earnestly. In the first month of the seventh year the emperor bestowed honorific titles on the two palaces. The debate was then settled. An edict established the emperor's third son, Prince Gong Dun, as crown prince. Prince Kai was made military commissioner of Xiongwu and Baoning and judge of Ningguo. The crown prince soon served as governor of Lin'an. The pasture lands of the Palace Horse Army Command had formerly been at Lin'an. Yu Yunwen said the land was too narrow for grazing and requested that horses be pastured at Zhenjiang instead, so that in an emergency cavalry could cross the river conveniently. The three armies grumbled, and later critics used this against him.
51
Hu Quan left on account of a censorial review. Yu Yunwen memorialized to retain him at the imperial lecture hall. Hu Quan recommended Zhu Xi. The emperor asked Yu Yunwen whether he knew Xi. Yu Yunwen said Xi was not beneath Cheng Yi. Zhu Xi was then summoned, but he did not come. The Inspection and Remonstrance Office used six articles to suppress those who submitted memorials. Yu Yunwen strongly argued this could not be done, and the emperor agreed.
52
使婿 殿使 使退
At the celebration of the imperial birthday, the Jin envoy Wulindati entered audience. He was the Jin ruler's son-in-law and was extremely arrogant and insolent. He insisted that the emperor descend from the throne to inquire after the Jin ruler's health. The emperor refused. Wulindati knelt and would not rise. Attending officials were startled and at a loss. Yu Yunwen requested that the imperial carriage return to the inner palace, and also instructed him, "Once the imperial carriage has risen, it is hard to mount the hall again. When the envoy comes, let him follow the court ranks to offer birthday congratulations. The Jin envoy withdrew in shame.
53
使
The emperor considered the title of vice director incorrect and changed it to left and right chief ministers. In the second month of the eighth year Yu Yunwen was appointed special advance and left chief minister and commissioner of military affairs. Liang Kejia was made right chief minister. Yu Yunwen had once recommended Liang Kejia to succeed him. The emperor did not agree. That month, citing illness he requested release from state affairs and again recommended Liang Kejia as steady and possessed of the capacity of a chief minister. Only then did they serve together as chief ministers. A personal edict was given to Yu Yunwen, "I am just now wishing for a military man as head of the Bureau of Military Affairs. What of Cao Xun? Yu Yunwen said Cao Xun's character was base and common and he could not be used. Then Zhang Shuo was appointed signer of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Right remonstrance official Wang Xilü and censorial officials jointly impeached him. The emperor was very angry with Wang Xilü. A personal edict ordered "remote harsh supervisory assignment." Yu Yunwen returned it with an objection. The emperor grew angrier. Liang Kejia said, "Wang Xilü impeached Zhang Shuo—that is the censorial standard. The left chief minister saving Xilü—that is the dignity of the state. The emperor's anger eased slightly, and in the end Wang Xilü's punishment was lightened.
54
In the fourth month Censor Xiao Zhimin impeached Yu Yunwen. Yu Yunwen submitted a memorial awaiting punishment. The emperor visited the Virtue and Longevity Palace. The retired emperor said, "At the merit of Caishi, where was Zhimin? Do not listen to his removal. The emperor removed Xiao Zhimin on Yu Yunwen's behalf and also wrote an inscribed poem on a fan to keep him. Yu Yunwen said Xiao Zhimin was upright and requested that he be recalled to open the path of remonstrance. The emperor said his words were generous and ordered Zeng Huai to record them in the "Record of Current Policy."
55
覿 使使 西
The emperor ordered the selection of remonstrance officials. Yu Yunwen named Li Yanying, Lin Guangchao, and Wang Zhi. All three were blunt and bright, and he also recommended them for their literary learning, which was respected at the time. For a long time there was no response. Zeng Di recommended one man, granted him a mansion, and promoted him to remonstrance grandee. Yu Yunwen and Liang Kejia contested this, but the emperor did not agree. Yu Yunwen vigorously sought to leave. He was appointed junior guardian, military commissioner of the Wu'an Army, and commissioner for Sichuan, and was advanced in rank to Duke of Yong. At his farewell audience the emperor instructed him on the method of advance, fixing a day on which they would meet south of the Yellow River. Yu Yunwen said, "In the past the warning was that inner and outer would not coordinate. The emperor said, "If the western army goes out and I hesitate, then I have failed you; If I have already moved and you hesitate, then you have failed me. The emperor mounted the main hall, poured wine, composed a poem, and sent him off, also bestowing ancestral temple ritual vessels.
56
祿
In the ninth year he reached Sichuan. The great army's monthly ration was one picul and five dou of rice, insufficient to support their families. Yu Yunwen contributed three hundred thousand of the commissioner's funds to exchange for rice and increased the ration by head count. He established seven articles on household horses, registered private horses, and memorialized on selecting sons of good families to store up for military use. At first on the northern border there was a bandit chief named Lin who gathered a host of tens of thousands between Shang and Guo. During Yu Yunwen's time in office he submitted allegiance. When Yu Yunwen reached Sichuan, Lin again sent men with a letter to him, but Yu Yunwen did not reply and merely kept him in loose restraint. Soon Lin's plot was discovered. Jin secretly sent men to capture him. Ye Heng reported this to the throne. Yu Yunwen submitted a memorial in self-defense and therefore requested to surrender his salary. He received no response.
57
使
The emperor once said to Yu Yunwen, "The shame of bingwu must be washed away together with the chief minister. He also said, "My achievements alone do not match those of Emperor Taizong of Tang, and my wealth and prosperity do not match those of Emperors Wen and Jing of Han. Therefore Yu Yunwen promised the emperor recovery. After serving in Shu for a year with no plan to advance, the emperor sent a secret edict pressing him to act. Yu Yunwen replied that military supplies were not ready, and the emperor was displeased.
58
He died in the first year of the Chunxi era. Four years later, the emperor reviewed troops at Baishi and saw an army of young, vigorous men. He told his chief ministers, "This is the effect of Yu Yunwen's winnowing of the ranks." Soon afterward an edict posthumously made him Grand Tutor and granted the posthumous title "Loyal and Solemn."
59
姿
Yu Yunwen was imposing in bearing, six feet four inches tall, open-hearted and upright with lofty ambitions. His words and deeds were measured; at a glance people knew he was fit for weighty responsibility. Early he reached the halls of office through literary accomplishment; late he met national crisis and moved between general and minister for nearly twenty years, tirelessly loyal without deviation. He once annotated the History of Tang and the History of the Five Dynasties, keeping the manuscripts at home. His works included ten juan of poetry and prose, three juan of Lectures on the Spring and Autumn Annals for the Classic Mat, twenty-two juan of Memorials and Proposals, and fifteen juan of Internal and External Affairs — all in circulation.
60
His three sons were Gongliang, Gongzhu, and Hang. He had eight grandsons, all devoted to self-cultivation; Gangjian alone was most renowned. During the Jiading era he was summoned but did not come, and ended his career as judicial intendant of Lizhou Circuit.
61
Xin Ciying.
62
Xin Ciying, styled Qiji, was from Laizhou. Orphaned in youth, he followed his mother to live with her maternal relatives, the Wang family of Shengmei, at Dantu. Clever and gifted, he applied himself to learning and could recite a thousand words each day. Shortly after coming of age he passed the jinshi examination in the second year of Zhenghe and served as assistant magistrate of Shanfu.
63
便
When Shandong fell into turmoil, his entire household fled south. When the Fujian bandit Fan Ruwei seized Jianzhou, Grand Councilor Lu Yihao appointed Ciying magistrate of Pucheng to block the bandits' line of attack. By the time he arrived, the bandit follower Xiong Zhining had already burned the county seat. Thereupon he cleared thorns, sat amid the rubble, settled officials and commoners, counted able-bodied men, prepared weapons, held strategic passes, and issued orders without vexation — the townspeople welcomed this. Within months Han Shizhong defeated the bandits and recovered Jianzhou, and Ciying was appointed to the Audit Office. Remnant bandits under Fan Heilong ravaged neighboring counties. Fujian commander Zhang Shou ordered Ciying to wait until the bandits were pacified before departing. He recruited local militia to train with powerful crossbows. When the bandits arrived, he drew up lines facing them across the water and loosed a volley together; the bandits broke and fled. He captured five leaders alive and pardoned the rest.
64
On Vice Grand Councilor Meng Yu's recommendation he was summoned for audience and argued that appointing men should value practical results and issuing orders must mean certain enforcement. He was transferred to the Transport Bureau. He asked that the emperor instruct prefectures and counties to ease farming burdens and lighten levies, promote agriculture and restrain commerce. He also memorialized, "People of the Central Plains have abandoned ancestral graves and livelihoods to follow the court south of the Yangtze; hungry and cold, they collapse and die. I ask that relief and care be increased — this can strengthen the hearts of those in the Central Plains who await the sovereign's return." He was promoted within the Ministry of Personnel and appointed transport commissioner for Hubei, but was recalled en route. At the temporary palace in Jiankang he saw Emperor Gaozong and opened with the ills afflicting the realm. The emperor praised him and ordered his memorial posted in the court hall.
65
使
He was promoted to Right Remonstrance Official. He memorialized, "I wish that military commanders be reviewed and personally selected, that the handles of favor and severity be grasped, so that all may know the dignity of the court. Those close at hand, over time, meddle in government — I ask that this tendency be stopped at its start. War has continued unbroken for ten years now. Each year thirty million strings of cash and four million shi of grain are consumed; regular levies from all circuits barely cover half — the rest is entirely extracted from the people. I beg that non-urgent affairs be suspended, indulgent largesse be curtailed, superfluous officials be reduced, and cowardly troops be weeded out."
66
便 退便 使
When Han Shizhong's son was appointed to the Imperial Archives, Ciying memorialized, "Storming cities and fighting in the field — that was Shizhong's merit. What has his son to do with it? The Stone Canal and Eastern Pavilion are repositories of books — what has military achievement to do with them? Once the gate of favor is opened, those citing precedent will be many." He also memorialized, "Those directing policy today seize on small gains and neglect the grand design. When a detached force wins by chance, they eagerly plan an advance and declare offense more than sufficient. When warning reports are barely heard, they put retreat first and declare defense insufficient. I ask that discipline be tightened, beacon-fires maintained with care, and scouting made clear." The emperor trusted and accepted all of it. When he learned Han Shizhong would move his army from Chuzhou to Zhenjiang, he again laid out five points of concern. When Wang Lun went north to sue for peace, Ciying said, "The agreement at sea in the Xuanhe era, the covenant beneath the walls of Jingkang — the blood on their lips was not yet dry before troops followed. Today's affair calls for recognizing their deceit."
67
使
At the time Qin Hui held office and had arranged two rank appointments for his wife's elder brother Wang Zhongwei. Ciying impeached Zhongwei for having served Zhu Mi as a slave and bowing to submit to the Jin chief — crimes beyond pardon. He also impeached the prefect of Fuzhou, Wang Kuan, for illegally farming government fields and failing to pay rent. His father Zhongshan had earlier served as prefect of Fuzhou and bent knee to the Jin; Kuan succeeded him — with what face can he look upon officials and people? Kuan, too, was Hui's wife's elder brother. The memorial was held at court without action. Ciying argued again, "A remonstrance official memorialized against two men, yet I soon heard the appointments revoked — all because Hui tolerated private rescue efforts and Your Majesty indulged his wishes. The state's discipline and a minister's responsibility have all been set aside. Even if one were linked by rank to the palace inner quarters, close as lungs to the frame, and unfit for favor — a minister may still remonstrate. Yet a grand councilor's in-laws cannot be bound by law? I hope Your Majesty will summon the authority of Qian and guard against the gradual onset of being misled."
68
He asked to leave office and was appointed to the Imperial Archives and made judicial intendant of Hunan. Previously the Hunan bandits Long Yuan and Li Chao had gathered tens of thousands and held Chaling in Hengzhou. Hui concealed this and did not report it, and placed Ciying in the vacancy. At his farewell audience the emperor said, "You asked to go to care for your mother — I cannot keep you. The scenery of Hunan and Hubei is splendid, and there are no bandits. The post carries special favor; at year's end you will surely be recalled." When he reached Changsha, the bandits were at full strength and the garrison troops had been withdrawn — only then did he realize Hui meant to trap him. He immediately went alone by cart to Chaling, captured and executed a bandit champion, recruited the bandit followers Mao Yi and Long Lin, and sent proclamations explaining that the court had withdrawn garrison troops intending to offer amnesty — they should surrender quickly and would be spared death. Long Yuan and Li Chao surrendered in succession, yet still asked to assemble picked troops — more than ten thousand palace guards could be raised. Ciying laughed and said, "These are all our people — they should simply discard arms, take up hoes, and be urged to resume their livelihoods." He memorialized to establish Chaling as a military garrison.
69
便便
When the Jin peace was concluded and an amnesty edict reached Hengyang, Ciying vigorously denounced its deceit, saying in summary, "When I was among the remonstrance officials I repeatedly argued that the Jin change tactics without constancy — I urge Your Majesty to deliberate deeply for the altars of state and the living people. Recently reading the court gazette, I see that Compilation Officer Hu Quan of the Bureau of Military Affairs rashly debated the peace, reviled successive ministers, was stripped of rank and banished far away. Having then obtained Quan's draft letter, I know the court suddenly wishes to humble itself and declare vassalage — I do not know whether this can be done. Grand ministers harbor treachery to hold their posts, heedless of state policy, fawning toward peace and wrongly deeming it convenient — I do not know whether people under heaven deem it convenient. One does not live under the same heaven as the murderer of one's father; one does not turn home with weapons against the murderer of one's brother.' Abandoning vengeance, releasing grievances, clearing away all prior affairs, lowering the dignity of the Son of Heaven to please the enemy — can people under heaven truly put aside hatred and pain to follow Your Majesty's wish?" The memorial was submitted, but no response was given. The Jin took the three capitals.
70
祿
Ciying was removed from office and granted a temple sinecure. Because Ciying carried great reputation, Qin Hui wished first to send a letter — surely he would be somewhat reemployed. Ciying smiled and did not reply. After sixteen years he grew ever poorer, never seeking the slightest thing from others. After Hui died, Ciying was raised to govern Wuzhou; within three days he was summoned. Upon reaching the capital gate, he requested leave citing foot ailment. He received the additional title Compiler of the Secret Archive and returned to his prefecture. Summoned again, he recounted in detail how enemies and foes held power — his aged mother nearly left to die in ditches — and memorialized that the heir apparent was not yet established. The emperor's expression changed and he asked, "Who is suitable?" Ciying said, "No one knows a son like his father." The emperor expressed approval. He was promoted to acting Attendant Drafting Officer. When Jiang Can was acting Vice Minister of Revenue, Ciying blocked his appointment for lack of integrity and cultivating connections, and Can was sent out to govern Pingjiang. Censor-in-Chief Tang Pengju impeached Ciying for abusing his power to settle scores; he was given the title Attendant Drafting and a palace appointment. He was raised to govern Quanzhou and then transferred to command Fujian. When his mother died he requested to surrender his salary.
71
使
When Emperor Xiaozong took the throne, he sent a personal edict urgently summoning him. Upon arrival he memorialized, "Your Majesty, in employing the worthy you must assess actual achievements — do not appoint on one man's praise or dismiss on one man's slander. Issuing orders must not be reversed; accepting good counsel requires knowing how to change course gracefully. Train troops and care for the people; manage the two Huai regions so the enemy cannot exploit a gap to enter." That same day he was made Censor-in-Chief. Attending at Deshou Palace, Gaozong at one glance said, "A pity that leisure found you only after your vigorous years."
72
便 退
The emperor planned a spring banquet, welcoming Gaozong to Yansxiang Abbey and then visiting Jade Ford Garden. Ciying memorialized, "Emperor Qinzong's mourning is not yet complete and the civil examinations have just been suspended. Moreover an insolent Jin letter has just arrived, their intent being to provoke war. Furthermore the palace guard is sparse in the open countryside — this calls for extra caution. Also a single outing costs more than a hundred thousand strings — why not use that to supply troops' provisions?" At the time both Huai regions were entirely wasteland. Ciying memorialized, "I ask that scattered farmers be gathered to return to cultivation, seed and oxen be lent, or garrison troops be allowed to farm as convenient — this is an excellent method to supply the army." He successively impeached Cheng Min for greed, Tang Situi for factional clinging, and Ye Yiwen for treacherous deceit. Whenever one of his memorials appeared, all under heaven applauded it. The emperor was then vigorously managing affairs; Ciying spoke constantly of names and realities and contributed greatly. The emperor addressed him by his office title, not his personal name.
73
In the third month of the Longxing era change, he became Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. During the battle at Fuli, daily reports of victory arrived; Ciying submitted a handwritten memorial of a thousand characters urging restraint. Before long the army did indeed collapse. When he was received, the emperor's face was unhappy. Ciying memorialized, "The army collapsed and returned — Zhang Jun's suppression will surely have no ulterior motive. This is a great warning from Heaven to Your Majesty." The emperor sighed over his foresight.
74
退 殿 退 退 退 退
He was appointed Vice Grand Councilor but earnestly pleaded to be excused on account of illness. He also memorialized, "Wang Shipeng was appointed remonstrance official — though the emperor personally selected him, all under heaven know that I once recommended his worth. Tang Situi is about to be summoned back — they also know I once memorialized against his treachery. If I do not withdraw, what will people say?" He was made Academician of the Hall for Aid in Governance and appointed administrator of Dongxiao Palace. At his farewell audience the emperor bestowed tea and deeply regretted his departure. Ciying memorialized, "Between Situi and myself, reason makes it hard to serve in the same rank." The emperor said, "Some say Tang Situi can be employed." Ciying memorialized, "Today's affairs — I fear Situi cannot distinguish them. Situi is scarcely worth mentioning, but I privately fear he will harm state and family affairs." He died in the intercalary fifth month of the sixth year of the Qiandao era, aged seventy-nine.
75
Ciying was filial and friendly, pure and upright, and at court spoke with blunt integrity. In fifty years of official service he bore not the slightest mark in censorial records. In governing he valued tranquility and put moral transformation first; wherever he went people praised that he was not burdensome. He was skilled at literary composition and especially adept at poetry.
76
The commentary says: Emperor Xiaozong aspired to recovery and specially entrusted Zhang Jun; Junqing expelled the faction of the wicked and clarified public principle to assist him. When he reached the Secretariat, there was nothing he would not undertake and nothing he would not speak — for he had set his aspiration entirely by the ancient sages as model, not to be compared with other chief ministers. Yu Yunwen's loyalty in serving the state shone as brightly as figures painted in red and green. When the deposed Jin ruler Liang invaded south, his momentum was very sharp; court and country relied on Liu Qi as a great wall, but Qi because of illness could not advance his army. Yu Yunwen, a civil minister, roused courage to direct the battle, and in one stroke broke the enemy; Liang then died by his own hand. Formerly one victory at Red Cliffs fixed the tripartite balance; one victory on the Huai and at Fei River fixed the balance between north and south. Yu Yunwen's achievement at Caishi turned the Song peril into safety — the dynasty truly hinged on this. When he was dismissed as chief minister and stationed in Shu, ordered to recover lost territory and setting a deadline to march — though his aim was not fulfilled, that he could be magnanimous and bear heavy responsibility — is that easily found? Ciying forcefully expelled the multitude of wicked men, did not fail in the duty of remonstrance, governed without vexation, and in poverty kept his integrity. Late in life he again stood at court, his blunt speaking especially notable — among the outspoken ministers since the southern crossing, he should be ranked first.
← Previous Chapter
Back to Chapters
Next Chapter →