1
周必大
Zhou Bida
2
周必大，字子充，一字洪道，其先鄭州管城人。 祖詵，宣和中倅廬陵，因家焉。 父利建，太學博士。 必大少英特，父死，鞠於母家，母親督課之。
Zhou Bida, whose courtesy name was Zichong and who also used the name Hongdao, came from a family originally of Guancheng in Zheng Prefecture. His grandfather Shen served as vice-prefect of Luling during the Xuanhe period and settled the family there. His father Lijian was a doctorate fellow at the Imperial University. From boyhood Bida showed marked talent. After his father's death he was raised in his mother's household, where she herself oversaw his studies.
3
紹興二十年，第進士，授徽州戶曹。 中博學宏詞科，教授建康府。 除太學錄，召試館職，高宗讀其策，曰：「掌制手也。」 守祕書省正字。 館職復召試自此始。 兼國史院編修官，除監察御史。
In 1150 he passed the jinshi examination and was appointed revenue clerk of Huizhou. He passed the erudite learning and grand rhetoric examination and was appointed instructor at Jiankang Prefecture. He was made recorder of the Imperial University and summoned to the Hanlin examination. When Gaozong read his paper he said, "Here is a master of edicts." He was retained as rectifier in the Secretariat. From this point the practice of re-examining Hanlin appointees by summons began. He also served as a compiler at the National History Institute and was appointed investigating censor.
4
孝宗踐祚，除起居郎。 直前奏事，上曰：「朕舊見卿文，其以近作進。」 上初御經筵，必大奏：「經筵非為分章析句，欲從容訪問，裨聖德，究治體。」 先是，左右史久不除，並記注壅積，必大請言動必書，兼修月進。 乃命必大兼編類聖政所詳定官，又兼權中書舍人。 侍經筵，嘗論邊事，上以蜀為憂，對曰：「蜀民久困，願詔撫諭，事定宜寬其賦。」 應詔上十事，皆切時弊。
When Emperor Xiaozong took the throne, Bida was appointed attendant of the heir apparent. Stepping forward to address the throne, he was told by the emperor, "I have read your work before. Bring me your recent writings." When the emperor first attended the classics lecture, Bida submitted: "The lecture is not meant for parsing chapters and clauses, but for unhurried inquiry — to nurture sagely virtue and probe the foundations of government." The left and right historiographers had long stood vacant and court records had piled up. Bida asked that every word and act be written down and that the monthly progress report be compiled as well. The emperor then named him concurrently reviewer at the Institute for Compiling Sagely Governance and acting drafting officer of the Secretariat. While attending the lecture he once discussed frontier affairs. When the emperor expressed concern about Shu, Bida replied, "The people there have suffered for years. I hope Your Majesty will issue edicts of reassurance, and once affairs are settled their taxes should be lightened." In response to an imperial edict he submitted ten proposals, each addressing a pressing abuse of the day.
5
權給事中，繳駁不辟權幸。 翟婉容位官吏轉行礙止法，爭之力，上曰：「意卿止能文，不謂剛正如此。」 金索講和時舊禮，必大條奏，請正敵國之名，金為之屈。
As acting supervisory secretary he returned improper memorials and refused to yield to powerful favorites. When relatives of Lady Zhai Wanrong sought transfers in violation of the blocking statute, he fought the matter vigorously. The emperor said, "I took you for a man of letters alone — I did not expect such firm integrity." When the Jin pressed for the old peace-negotiation protocol, Bida submitted a detailed memorial calling for the proper designation of the enemy state, and the Jin side backed down.
6
曾覿、龍大淵得幸，臺諫交彈之，並遷知閤門事，必大與金安節不書黃，且奏曰：「陛下于政府侍從，欲罷則罷，欲貶則貶，獨於二人委曲遷就，恐人言紛紛未止也。」 明日宣手詔，謂：「給舍為人鼓扇，太上時小事，安敢爾！」 必大入謝曰：「審爾，則是臣不以事太上者事陛下。」 退待罪，上曰：「朕知卿舉職，但欲破朋黨、明紀綱耳。」 旬日，申前命，必大格不行，遂請祠去。
Zeng Di and Long Dayuan had won the emperor's favor. Censors and remonstrators impeached them together, yet both were transferred to director of the Gatehouse. Bida and Jin Anjie refused to draft the appointment edict and memorialized, "Your Majesty dismisses or demotes ministers and attendants as you see fit, yet toward these two alone you make accommodating transfers. I fear the talk will never end." The next day the emperor proclaimed a handwritten edict: "The supervisory secretaries are stirring people up. These were trifles from the Retired Emperor's time — how dare they act like this!" Bida came in to apologize and said, "If that is truly the case, then I have not served Your Majesty with the same loyalty I showed the Retired Emperor." He withdrew to await punishment. The emperor said, "I know you were doing your duty. I only wanted to break up factions and restore discipline." Ten days later the previous appointments were reissued. Bida blocked them and would not carry them out, then requested a temple post and left office.
7
久之，差知南劍州，改提點福建刑獄。 入對，願詔中外舉文武之才，區別所長為一籍，藏禁中，備緩急之用。 除秘書少監、兼直學士院，兼領史職。 鄭聞草必大制，上改竄其末，引漢宣帝事。 必大因奏曰：「陛下取漢宣帝之言，親制贊書，明示好惡。 臣觀西漢所謂社稷臣，乃鄙朴之周勃，少文之汲黯，不學之霍光。 至於公孫弘、蔡義、韋賢，號曰儒者，而持祿保位，故宣帝謂俗儒不達時宜。 使宣帝知真儒，何至雜伯哉？ 願平心察之，不可有輕儒名。」 上喜其精洽，欲與之日夕論文。
After some time he was assigned prefect of Nanjian, then made judicial intendant of Fujian. At audience he asked that an edict summon talent civil and military from within and without the court, that their particular strengths be entered in a single register kept in the inner palace, and that it be held ready for emergencies. He was appointed vice director of the Secretariat, concurrent Hanlin academician, and head of historiographical duties. Zheng Wen drafted a composition for Bida; the emperor revised its closing passage and cited an episode from the reign of Han Emperor Xuan. Bida then memorialized, "Your Majesty has taken the words of Han Emperor Xuan, personally composed the encomium, and made your preferences plain. I observe that the so-called pillars of state in Western Han were the rustic Zhou Bo, the barely literate Ji An, and the unlettered Huo Guang. Men such as Gongsun Hong, Cai Yi, and Wei Xian were styled Confucians yet clung to salary and office, which is why Emperor Xuan called vulgar Confucians incapable of grasping the needs of the age. Had Emperor Xuan known true Confucians, how would he have fallen back on mixing in Legalist expedients? I hope Your Majesty will weigh this fairly and not lightly slight the name of the Confucian." The emperor was delighted with his thorough grasp of the matter and wished to discuss literature with him at length.
8
德壽加尊號，必大曰：「太上萬壽，而紹興末議文及近上表用『嗣皇帝』為未安。 按建炎遙拜徽宗表，及唐憲宗上順宗尊號冊文，皆稱皇帝。」 議遂定。 趙雄使金，齎國書，議受書禮。 必大立具草，略謂：「尊卑分定，或較等威； 叔侄親情，豈嫌坐起！」 上褒之曰：「未嘗諭國書之意，而卿能道朕心中事，此大才也。」
When the Retired Emperor at Degong Palace received an honorific title, Bida said, "The Retired Emperor enjoys long life, yet in late Shaoxing documents and recent memorials to the throne the term 'Heir-Emperor' is used, which is unsettling. The Jianyan memorial of distant obeisance to Emperor Huizong and the Tang document in which Emperor Xianzong presented Emperor Shunzong's honorific title both use the term 'Emperor.' The matter was settled on that basis. Zhao Xiong went as envoy to the Jin, bearing the state letter, and the protocol for receiving it was debated. Bida promptly prepared a draft stating in essence, "Superior and inferior ranks are fixed, and ceremonial dignity may be compared, but uncle and nephew share family feeling — why should they scruple over rising and sitting together!" The emperor praised him: "I never explained the intent behind the state letter, yet you spoke what is in my heart. That is true talent."
9
兼權兵部侍郎。 奏請重侍從以儲將相，增臺諫以廣耳目，擇監司、郡守以補郎官。 尋權禮部侍郎、兼直學士院，同修國史、實錄院同修撰。
He was also made acting vice minister of War. He memorialized to strengthen the attendant ministers as a reserve of future generals and chancellors, expand the censorate and remonstrance offices to widen the court's eyes and ears, and select circuit commissioners and prefects to fill palace posts. Soon he was acting vice minister of Rites, concurrent Hanlin academician, and associate compiler of the National History and Veritable Records.
10
一日，詔同王之奇、陳良翰對選德殿，袖出手詔，舉唐太宗、魏徵問對，以在位久，功未有成，治效優劣，苦不自覺，命必大等極陳當否。 退而條陳：「陛下練兵以圖恢復而將數易，是用將之道未至； 擇人以守郡國而守數易，是責實之方未盡。 諸州長吏，倏來忽去，婺州四年易守者五，平江四年易守者四，甚至秀州一年而四易守，吏姦何由可察？ 民瘼何由可蘇？」 上善其言，為革二弊。 江、湖旱，請捐南庫錢二十萬代民輸，上嘉之。
One day he was summoned with Wang Zhiqi and Chen Lianghan to audience at the Hall of Selecting Virtue. The emperor produced a handwritten edict citing the exchanges of Tang Taizong and Wei Zheng. Having reigned long without achieving his aims, he could not clearly judge whether his governance was sound, and he ordered Bida and the others to speak plainly what was right and wrong. On withdrawing he submitted a detailed memorial: "Your Majesty drills troops to plan recovery yet changes generals repeatedly — the art of employing commanders has not been mastered; you choose men to govern the prefectures yet change prefects repeatedly — the method of holding officials to real results is incomplete. Prefects come and go in sudden succession: Wuzhou had five prefects in four years, Pingjiang four in four years, and Xiuzhou as many as four in a single year. How can official malfeasance be detected? How can the people's suffering be relieved?" The emperor approved his words and reformed both abuses. When drought struck the Jiang and Hu regions, he asked that two hundred thousand cash from the Southern Treasury be donated to pay levies on the people's behalf, and the emperor commended the proposal.
11
兼侍講，兼中書舍人。 未幾，辭直學士院，從之。 張說再除簽書樞密院，給事中莫濟封還錄黃，必大奏曰：「昨舉朝以為不可，陛下亦自知其誤而止之矣。 曾未周歲，此命復出。 貴戚預政，公私兩失，臣不敢具草。」 上批：「王嚴疾速撰入。 濟、必大予宮觀，日下出國門。」 說露章薦濟、必大，於是濟除溫州，必大除建寧府。 濟被命即出，必大至豐城稱疾而歸，濟聞之大悔。 必大三請祠，以此名益重。
He was also made lecturer-in-waiting and drafting officer of the Secretariat. Before long he resigned his Hanlin post, and the emperor assented. Zhang Yue was again appointed to sign documents at the Bureau of Military Affairs. The supervisory secretary Mo Ji returned the appointment record. Bida memorialized, "Yesterday the whole court held this impossible, and Your Majesty yourself knew it was a mistake and stopped it. Less than a year has passed, and the appointment has reappeared. When imperial kin interfere in government, both public and private interest suffer. I dare not draft the document." The emperor annotated, "Wang Yan — draft it at once. Mo Ji and Bida were given palace-temple posts and ordered out of the capital gate that same day." Yue submitted an open memorial recommending Mo Ji and Bida. Mo Ji was then appointed to Wenzhou and Bida to Jianning Prefecture. Mo Ji left as soon as he received the order. Bida reached Fengcheng, pleaded illness, and returned home. When Mo Ji heard of this he was filled with regret. Bida thrice requested a temple post, and his reputation grew all the greater for it.
12
久之，除敷文閣待制兼侍讀、兼權兵部侍郎、兼直學士院。 上勞之曰：「卿不迎合，無附麗，朕所倚重。」 除兵部侍郎，尋兼太子詹事。 奏言：「太宗儲才為真宗、仁宗之用，仁宗儲才為治平、元祐之用。 自章、蔡沮士氣，卒致裔夷之禍。 秦檜忌刻，逐人才，流弊至今。 願陛下儲才于閒暇之日。」
After some time he was appointed attendant reader of the Fuwen Pavilion, concurrently acting vice minister of War and Hanlin academician. The emperor comforted him, saying, "You do not curry favor or attach yourself to factions — you are a man I rely upon." He was appointed vice minister of War and soon also grand mentor of the heir apparent. He memorialized, "Taizong stored talent for the reigns of Zhenzong and Renzong; Renzong stored talent for the Zhiping and Yuanyou eras. Once Zhang and Cai depressed scholarly morale, the calamity of barbarian invasion followed in the end. Qin Hui was jealous and harsh and drove out talent; the harm still flows down to the present. I hope Your Majesty will store up talent in days of leisure."
13
上日御毬場，必大曰：「固知陛下不忘閱武，然太祖二百年天下，屬在聖躬，願自愛。」 上改容曰：「卿言甚忠，得非虞銜橛之變乎？ 正以讐恥未雪，不欲自逸爾。」 升兼侍讀，改吏部侍郎，除翰林學士。
The emperor attended the ball ground daily. Bida said, "I know Your Majesty has not forgotten military training, yet the two-hundred-year realm founded by Taizu rests on your person. I beg you to cherish yourself." The emperor's expression changed. He said, "Your words are deeply loyal. Are you not fearing the incident of the horse biting the peg? It is precisely because national humiliation is not yet avenged that I do not wish to indulge myself." He was promoted to concurrent lecturer-in-waiting, made vice minister of Personnel, and appointed Hanlin academician.
14
久雨，奏請減後宮給使，寬浙郡積逋，命省部議優恤。 內直宣引，論：「金星近前星，武士擊毬，太子亦與，臣甚危之。」 上俾語太子，必大曰：「太子，人子也，陛下命以驅馳，臣安敢勸以違命，陛下勿命之可也。」
After prolonged rain he memorialized to reduce attendants in the inner palace, ease accumulated tax arrears in Zhejiang prefectures, and order the ministries to discuss preferential relief. Summoned on inner duty, he said, "The Metal Star draws near the Former Star. Warriors are striking the ball and the heir apparent joins them as well. I am deeply alarmed." The emperor had him speak to the heir apparent. Bida said, "The heir apparent is a son. If Your Majesty orders him to gallop about, how can I advise disobedience? It would be enough if Your Majesty simply did not order it."
15
乞歸，弗許。 上欲召人與之分職，因問：「呂祖謙能文否？」 對曰：「祖謙涵養久，知典故，不但文字之工。」 除禮部尚書兼翰林學士，進吏部兼承旨。 詔禮官議明堂典禮，必大定圜丘合宮互舉之議。 被旨撰《選德殿記》及《皇朝文鑒序》。 必大在翰苑幾六年，制命溫雅，周盡事情，為一時詞臣之冠。 或言其再入也，實曾覿所薦，而必大不知。
He asked to retire home, but the request was denied. The emperor wished to summon someone to share his duties and asked, "Is Lü Zuqian skilled at letters?" He replied, "Zuqian has long cultivated himself and knows precedent — not merely skill in writing." He was appointed minister of Rites and concurrent Hanlin academician, then promoted minister of Personnel and chief drafting officer. The emperor ordered ritual officials to discuss Bright Hall ceremonies, and Bida settled the proposal for alternating the suburban and Bright Hall rites. By imperial order he wrote the Record of the Hall of Selecting Virtue and the preface to the Imperial Anthology of Song Literature. Bida served in the Hanlin nearly six years. His edicts were warm and elegant and thorough in substance, and he stood at the head of the literary ministers of his day. Some said his return to office was in fact due to Zeng Di's recommendation, though Bida himself did not know it.
16
除參知政事，上曰：「執政于宰相，固當和而不同。 前此宰相議事，執政更無語，何也？」 必大曰：「大臣自應互相可否。 自秦檜當國，執政不敢措一辭，後遂以為當然。 陛下虛心無我，大臣乃欲自是乎？ 惟小事不敢有隱，則大事何由蔽欺。」 上深然之。 久旱，手詔求言。 宰相謂此詔一下，州郡皆乞振濟，何以應之，約必大同奏。 必大曰：「上欲通下情，而吾儕阻隔之，何以塞公論？」
He was appointed vice grand councilor. The emperor said, "Vice councilors and the grand councilor should indeed be harmonious yet not identical. Previously when the grand councilor discussed affairs, the vice councilors had nothing further to say. Why was that?" Bida said, "Great ministers ought naturally to approve or disapprove one another. From the time Qin Hui dominated the state, vice councilors dared not speak, and afterward that came to be taken as natural. Your Majesty is open-minded and without self-assertion — are great ministers still to insist on having their own way? Only if small matters are not concealed can great matters be kept from deception." The emperor deeply approved. After prolonged drought the emperor issued a handwritten edict seeking opinions. The grand councilor said that once the edict was issued every prefecture would beg relief and asked how the court could respond. He arranged for Bida to memorialize jointly with him. Bida said, "Your Majesty wishes to hear sentiment from below, yet we would block it. How can public discussion be stifled?"
17
有介椒房之援求為郎者，上俾諭給舍繳駁，必大曰：「臺諫、給舍與三省相維持，豈可諭意？ 不從失體，從則壞法。 命下之日，臣等自當執奏。」 上喜曰：「肯如此任怨耶？」 必大曰：「當予而不予則有怨，不當予而不予，何怨之有。」 上曰：「此任責，非任怨也。」 除知樞密院。 上曰：「每見宰相不能處之事，卿以數語決之，三省本未可輟卿也。」
Someone with connections through the inner palace sought a palace post. The emperor had Bida instruct the supervisory secretaries to return the appointment. Bida said, "The censorate and supervisory secretaries exist to check the Three Departments. How can we convey intent to them in advance? If they refuse, propriety is lost; if they comply, the law is broken. When the order is issued, we ourselves will memorialize." The emperor was pleased and said, "You are willing to bear such resentment?" Bida said, "If one should grant and does not, there will be resentment. If one should not grant and does not, what resentment can there be?" The emperor said, "This is shouldering responsibility, not courting resentment." He was appointed director of the Bureau of Military Affairs. The emperor said, "Whenever the grand councilor cannot settle a matter, you resolve it in a few words. The Three Departments could not really have spared you."
18
山陽舊屯軍八千，雷世方乞止差鎮江一軍五千，必大曰：「山陽控扼清河口，若今減而後增，必致敵疑。 揚州武鋒軍本屯山陽者，不若歲撥三千，與鎮江五千同戍。」 郭杲請移荊南軍萬二千永屯襄陽，必大言：「襄陽固要地，江陵亦江北喉襟。」 於是留二千人。 上諭以「金既還上京，且分諸子出鎮，將若何？」 必大言：「敵恫疑虛喝，正恐我先動。 當鎮之以靜，惟邊將不可不精擇。」
Eight thousand troops were formerly garrisoned at Shanyang. Lei Shifang asked to stop dispatching five thousand from a Jiang army. Bida said, "Shanyang controls the mouth of the Qing River. If we reduce now and increase later, we will surely arouse enemy suspicion. The Wufeng Army of Yangzhou, originally garrisoned at Shanyang, had better be allocated three thousand men yearly to serve together with Jiang's five thousand." Guo Gao asked to move twelve thousand Jingnan troops to garrison Xiangyang permanently. Bida said, "Xiangyang is indeed vital, but Jiangling is also the strategic throat north of the Yangtze." Two thousand men were therefore left behind. The emperor asked him, "The Jin have returned to the Upper Capital and are sending their sons out to hold fiefs. What should we do?" Bida said, "The enemy is intimidating and bluffing. They fear precisely that we will move first. We should calm them by holding steady. Only frontier commanders must be chosen with the utmost care."
19
拜樞密使。 上曰：「若有邊事，宣撫使惟卿可，他人不能也。」 上諸軍升差籍，時點召一二察能否，主帥悚激，無敢容私。 創諸軍點試法，其在外解發而親閱之。 池州李忠孝自言正將二人不能開弓，乞罷軍。 上曰：「此樞使措置之效也。」 金州謀帥，必大曰：「與其私舉，不若明揚。」 令侍從、管軍薦舉。 或傳大石林牙將加兵于金，忽魯大王分據上京，邊臣結約夏國。 必大皆屏不省，勸上持重，勿輕動。 既而所傳果妄。 上曰：「卿真有先見之明。」
He was appointed commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. The emperor said, "If frontier trouble arises, only you can serve as pacification commissioner. No one else can." He submitted promotion registers for all armies and from time to time summoned one or two men to test their ability. Commanders were awed into diligence and dared not harbor private interests. He created a system of spot-testing all armies and personally reviewed those dispatched from outside. Li Zhongxiao of Chizhou reported that two company commanders could not draw the bow and asked to disband the unit. The emperor said, "This is the effect of the military commissioner's arrangements." When Jin Prefecture needed a commander, Bida said, "Rather than private recommendation, it is better to nominate openly." He ordered attendant ministers and army supervisors to recommend candidates. Rumors spread that the Jin prince Shilin would increase troops, that Prince Hulü was seizing the Upper Capital, and that frontier officials were allying with Western Xia. Bida set all such reports aside unread and urged the emperor to hold steady and not act rashly. In time the reports proved false. The emperor said, "You truly had foresight."
20
淳熙十四年二月，拜右丞相。 首奏：「今內外晏然，殆將二紀，此正可懼之時，當思經遠之計，不可紛更欲速。」 秀州乞減大軍總制錢二萬，吏請勘當，必大曰：「此豈勘當時耶？」 立蠲之。 封事多言大臣同異，必大曰：「各盡所見，歸於一是，豈可尚同？ 陛下復祖宗舊制，命三省覆奏而後行，正欲上下相維，非止奉行文書也。」
In the second month of 1187 he was appointed right grand councilor. In his first memorial he said, "Within and without the realm are tranquil, and nearly two reign-periods have passed. This is precisely a time for alarm. We should think in terms of long-range plans and not change things hastily in pursuit of speed." Xiuzhou asked to reduce twenty thousand in general-command funds for the great army. Clerks asked for an investigation. Bida said, "Is this a time for investigation?" He immediately granted the exemption. Sealed memorials often spoke of agreement and disagreement among great ministers. Bida said, "Each states his view and they return to unity. How can one value mere sameness? Your Majesty has restored the ancestral system, ordering the Three Departments to report back before execution. That is precisely to make above and below check one another, not merely to carry out documents."
21
高宗升遐，議用顯仁例，遣三使詣金。 必大謂：「今昔事殊，不當畏敵曲徇。」 止之。 賀正使至，或請權易淡黃袍御殿受書，必大執不可，遂為縞素服，就帷幄引見。 十五年，思陵發引，援熙陵呂端故事，請行，乃攝太傅，為山陵使。 明堂加恩，封濟國公。
When Gaozong passed away, the court proposed following the Xianren precedent and sending three envoys to the Jin. Bida said, "Present and past affairs differ. We should not fear the enemy and bend to them." He stopped the proposal. When the New Year's envoy arrived, some asked to change temporarily to the pale yellow robe to receive the letter in the main hall. Bida insisted this could not be done. They therefore wore unbleached mourning dress and received him at the curtain. In the fifteenth year, when Gaozong's coffin was moved, citing Lü Duan's precedent at Xiling, he asked to go along and was made acting grand mentor and mountain-tomb commissioner. At the Bright Hall ceremony he received extended grace and was enfeoffed Duke of Ji.
22
十一月，留身乞去，上獎勞再三。 忽宣諭：「比年病倦，欲傳位太子，須卿且留。」 必大言：「聖體康寧，止因孝思稍過，何遽至倦勤。」 上曰：「禮莫大於事宗廟，而孟饗多以病分詣； 孝莫重於執喪，而不得自至德壽宮。 欲不退休，得乎？ 朕方以此委卿。」 必大泣而退。 十二月壬申，密賜紹興傳位親劄。 辛卯，命留身議定。 二月壬戌，又命預草詔，專以奉几筵、侍東朝為意。 拜左丞相、許國公。 參政留正拜右丞相。 壬子，上始以內禪意諭二府。 二月辛酉朔，降傳位詔。 翼日，上吉服御紫宸殿。 必大奏：「陛下巽位與子，盛典再見，度越千古。 顧自今不得日侍天顏。」 因哽噎不能言，上亦泫然曰：「正賴卿等協贊新君。」
In the eleventh month he remained behind to request retirement. The emperor commended and comforted him repeatedly. Suddenly an edict was proclaimed: "In recent years I have been ill and weary and wish to pass the throne to the heir apparent. I need you to remain for now." Bida said, "Your Sacred Person is healthy and at ease. It is only that filial feeling has gone slightly too far. How could you hastily speak of weariness in rule?" The emperor said, "No rite is greater than serving the ancestral temple, yet at the first-month offering I often send substitutes because of illness; no filial piety is weightier than observing mourning, yet I cannot go in person to Degong Palace. If I do not retire, how can that be? I am entrusting this to you now." Bida wept and withdrew. On the renshen day of the twelfth month he was secretly given Gaozong's personal note on the abdication. On the xinmao day he was ordered to remain and settle the matter. On the renxu day of the second month he was again ordered to draft the edict in advance, with intent focused on attending the spirit tablet and serving the Eastern Palace. He was appointed left grand councilor and Duke of Xu. Vice councilor Liu Zheng was appointed right grand councilor. On the renzi day the emperor first informed the two councils of his intent to abdicate. On the first day of the second month the abdication edict was issued. The next day the emperor in auspicious dress attended the Hall of Purple Splendor. Bida memorialized, "Your Majesty has yielded the throne to your son. This great ceremony appears again and surpasses anything in a thousand ages. Yet from now on I cannot attend Your countenance day by day." He choked and could not continue. The emperor too was in tears and said, "I am relying on you to assist and support the new ruler."
23
光宗問當世急務，奏用人、求言二事。 三月，拜少保、益國公。 李巘草二相制，抑揚不同，上召巘令帖麻改定，既而斥巘予郡。 必大求去。
When Guangzong asked the urgent affairs of the age, he memorialized on two matters: employing men and seeking counsel. In the third month he was appointed junior guardian and Duke of Yi. Li Yan drafted the appointments of the two councilors with unequal praise and blame. The emperor summoned Yan, ordered the edict revised, and then dismissed him to a prefecture. Bida asked to retire.
24
何澹為司業，久不遷，留正奏選之。 澹憾必大而德正，至是為諫長，遂首劾必大。 詔以觀文殿大學士判潭州。 澹論不已，遂以少保充醴泉觀使。 判隆興府，不赴，復除觀文殿學士、判潭州，復大觀。 又坐所舉官以賄敗，降滎陽郡公。 復益國公，改判隆興，辭，除醴泉觀使。
He Dan was vice director of studies and long without promotion. Liu Zheng memorialized to have him selected. Dan resented Bida and favored Liu Zheng. Now chief remonstrator, he was the first to impeach Bida. An edict appointed him grand academician of the Hall for Observing Culture and assigned him to Tanzhou. Dan's attacks did not cease. Bida was then made junior guardian and commissioner of the Liquan Temple. Assigned to Longxing Prefecture, he did not go. He was again appointed academician of the Observing Culture Hall and assigned to Tanzhou, then restored to grand academician. Again, because an official he had recommended was ruined by bribery, he was demoted to Duke of Xingyang commandery. Restored as Duke of Yi, transferred to Longxing, he declined and was appointed commissioner of the Liquan Temple.
25
寧宗即位，求直言，奏四事：曰聖孝，曰敬天，曰崇儉，曰久任。 慶元元年，三上表引年，遂以少傅致仕。
When Ningzong ascended the throne and sought frank speech, he memorialized on four matters: sagely filial piety, reverence for Heaven, esteem for frugality, and long tenure in office. In 1195 he thrice submitted memorials citing age and then retired as junior mentor.
26
二年，復少傅。 四年，薨，年七十有九。 贈太師，諡「文忠」。 寧宗題篆其墓碑曰「忠文耆德之碑」。
In the second year he was again made junior mentor. In the fourth year he died at the age of seventy-nine. He was posthumously made grand preceptor and given the posthumous title Cultured and Loyal. Ningzong inscribed his tombstone in seal script: Stele of Loyal Culture and Venerable Virtue.
27
自號「平園老叟」，著書八十一種，有《平園集》二百卷。 嘗建「三忠堂」於鄉，謂歐陽文忠修、楊忠襄邦乂、胡忠簡銓皆廬陵人，必大平生所敬慕，為文記之，蓋絕筆也。 一子：綸。
He styled himself Old Man of the Level Garden, wrote eighty-one works, and left the Collected Works of the Level Garden in two hundred juan. He once built the Hall of Three Loyalties in his home district for Ouyang Xiu, Yang Bangyi, and Hu Quan — all men of Luling whom Bida had admired all his life. The essay he wrote to record it was likely his final composition. He had one son: Lun.
28
留正，字仲至，泉州永春人。 六世祖從效，事太祖，為清遠軍節度使，封鄂國公。 紹興十三年，第進士，授南恩州陽江尉、清海軍節度判官。
Liu Zheng, whose courtesy name was Zhongzhi, was a native of Yongchun in Quan Prefecture. His sixth-generation ancestor Congxiao served Emperor Taizu, was military commissioner of Qingyuan Army, and was enfeoffed Duke of E. In 1143 he passed the jinshi examination and was appointed magistrate of Yangjiang in Nan'en Prefecture and military judge of Qinghai Army.
29
龔茂良守番禺，正言：「在法：劫盜贓滿五貫死，海盜加等。 小民餌利，率身陷重辟。 請鏤梓海上，使戶知之。」 民始知避。 用茂良薦，赴都堂審察。 宰相虞允文奇之，薦於上。 得對，正言：「國家右文而略武備，祖宗以天下全力用於西夏，承平日久，邊不為備，至敵人長驅而不能支。 今當改轍，使文武並用。」 孝宗嘉歎，書劄中要語下三省施行。
When Gong Maoliang was prefect of Panyu, Zheng said, "By law, robbery with booty of five strings means death, and pirates receive an added grade. Common people tempted by profit mostly fall into capital punishment. I ask that blocks be carved and the law published along the coast so every household may know it." The people then began to avoid violation. On Maoliang's recommendation he went to the capital for review at the chief council. Grand councilor Yu Yunwen considered him extraordinary and recommended him to the emperor. At audience Zheng said, "The state esteems civil affairs and neglects military preparedness. The ancestors applied the realm's full strength against Western Xia. Long peace left the frontier unprepared until the enemy drove deep and we could not hold. Now we should change course and employ civil and military talent together." Xiaozong praised him warmly, wrote out the key phrases in a note, and sent them to the Three Departments for implementation.
30
知循州，陛辭，言：「士大夫名節不立，國家緩急無所倚仗。 靖康金人犯闕，死義者少，因亂謀利者多。 今欲恢復，當崇尚名節。」 上益喜，明日諭輔臣：「留正奏事，議論耿耿，可與職事官。」 除軍器監簿，歷官考功郎官。 太常諡葉義問「恭簡」，正覆諡，言：「義問將兵出疆，不知敵人情偽，及金犯邊，督視寡謀，幾至敗事。」 下太常更議，時論韙之。
When appointed prefect of Xun, on farewell audience he said, "If scholar-officials do not establish reputation and integrity, the state will have nothing to rely on in an emergency. At Jingkang, when the Jin violated the capital, few died for righteousness, while many sought profit amid the disorder. If we wish recovery now, we should exalt reputation and integrity." The emperor was still more pleased. The next day he told the chief ministers, "Liu Zheng memorializes with bright, firm discourse. He may be given a substantive post." He was appointed registrar of the Armory Directorate and later served as reviewer in the Ministry of Personnel. The Directorate of Ritual gave Ye Yiwen the posthumous title Respectful and Simple. Zheng reviewed the title and said, "Yiwen led troops beyond the border without knowing the enemy's situation. When the Jin violated the frontier he supervised with little strategy and nearly brought defeat." The matter was sent to the Directorate of Ritual for reconsideration, and opinion of the time approved him.
31
擢起居舍人，尋權中書舍人。 光宗自東宮朝，顧見正，謂左右曰：「修整如此，其人可知。」 乃請於上，兼太子左諭德。 正言：「記注進御，非設官本意。 乞自今免奏御。」 詔從之。
He was promoted attendant of the heir apparent and soon made acting drafting officer of the Secretariat. When Guangzong attended court from the Eastern Palace, he saw Zheng and said to those beside him, "So well ordered in appearance — the man can be known at once." He then asked the emperor to appoint Zheng also left mentor of the heir apparent. Zheng said, "Submitting the record notes to the throne was not the original intent of the office. I beg that from now on they be exempted from presentation to the throne." An edict assented.
32
為中書舍人兼侍講，兼權兵部侍郎，除給事中。 張說子薦往視鎮江戰艦，挾勢遊觀，沉舟溺卒，除知閤門事、樞密副承旨，正封還詞頭。 洪邦直除御史，正言：「邦直為邑人所訟，不宜任風憲。」
He served as drafting officer of the Secretariat and lecturer-in-waiting, concurrently acting vice minister of War, and was appointed supervisory secretary. Zhang Yue's son Jian went to inspect war vessels at Jiang, used his power to tour and sightsee, and a boat sank drowning soldiers. He was appointed director of the Gatehouse and deputy recipient at the Bureau of Military Affairs. Zheng sealed and returned the appointment draft. Hong Bangzhi was appointed censor. Zheng said, "Bangzhi has been sued by people of his county and is unsuitable to hold the office of censorial oversight."
33
兼權吏部尚書，言：「用人莫先論相。 陛下志在恢復，而相位不能任輔贊。 望精選人才，與圖大計。」 時相益不樂，以顯謨閣直學士出知紹興府。
Concurrently acting Minister of Personnel, he said, "In appointing men, nothing comes before judging the chancellor. Your Majesty's will is set on recovery, yet the post of chancellor cannot bear the burden of assisting and supporting you. I hope Your Majesty will carefully select men of talent and join in planning the great design." The chief minister was all the more displeased, and Zheng was dispatched as academician of the Hall for Promoting Governance and made prefect of Shaoxing.
34
侍御史范仲芑劾前帥贓六十萬，有詔覈責。 正明其非辜，御史怒，並劾正，降顯謨閣待制、提舉玉隆萬壽宮。 尋復職。 知贛州，奏減上供米，不報。 及為相，蠲一萬八千石。 知隆興府。
Supervising censor Fan Zhongqi impeached the former prefect for six hundred thousand in graft; an edict ordered verification and censure. Zheng showed that the former prefect was not guilty. The censor grew angry and also impeached Zheng, who was demoted to gentleman awaiting orders of the Hall for Promoting Governance and made director of the Yulong Everlasting Longevity Palace. Soon his former rank was restored. As prefect of Ganzhou he memorialized to reduce the grain sent up as tribute, but received no reply. When he became chancellor he remitted eighteen thousand bushels. He was made prefect of Longxing Prefecture.
35
進龍圖閣直學士、四川制置使，兼知成都府。 平西蜀折租價，歲減酒課三十八萬。 乾道初，羌酋奴兒結越大渡河，據安靜砦，侵漢地幾百里。 正密授諸將方略，擒奴兒結以歸，盡俘其黨，羌平。 進敷文閣學士，尋詔赴行在。 正在蜀以簡素化民，歸裝僅書數簏，人服其清。
He was promoted to academician on duty at the Hall of Dragon Diagrams, Sichuan commissioner for military affairs, and concurrently prefect of Chengdu. He standardized Western Shu's reduced-rent prices and cut the annual wine tax by three hundred eighty thousand. In the early Qiandao period, the Qiang chieftain Nu Erjie crossed the Dadu River, seized Anjing Fort, and encroached on Han territory for nearly a hundred li. Zheng secretly entrusted the generals with his strategy. Nu Erjie was captured and brought back, all his followers were taken prisoner, and the Qiang were pacified. He was promoted to academician of the Hall for Spreading Letters and soon ordered to proceed to the temporary capital. While in Shu, Zheng transformed the people through simplicity and frugality. His returning baggage held only a few boxes of books, and men admired his integrity.
36
除端明殿學士、簽書樞密院事，參知政事，同知樞密院事。 孝宗密諭內禪意，拜右丞相。 一日奏事，皇太子參決侍立，上顧謂太子曰：「留正純誠可託。」
He was appointed academician of the Hall of Duanming, concurrently signing clerk at the Bureau of Military Affairs, vice councilor, and associate director of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Xiaozong secretly informed him of the plan for inner abdication, and he was appointed right grand councilor. One day while reporting on affairs, the crown prince stood in attendance to participate in decisions. The emperor turned and said to the prince, "Liu Zheng is pure and sincere and can be entrusted."
37
光宗受禪，主管左右春坊姜特立隨龍恩擢知閤門事，聲勢浸盛。 正列其招權預政狀，乞斥逐，上意猶未決。 會副參闕，特立謁正曰：「上以丞相在位久，欲遷左相，葉翥、張枃當擇一人執政，未知孰先？」 正奏之，上大怒，詔特立提舉興國宮。 孝宗聞之，曰：「真宰相也。」
When Guangzong received the abdication, Jiang Te Li, supervisor of the left and right Eastern Palaces, was promoted on favor from the dragon's ascent to director of the Gatehouse, and his power and influence gradually grew. Zheng set forth his acts of usurping power and interfering in government and begged that he be expelled, but the emperor's mind was still undecided. When the vice councilor's post fell vacant, Te Li called on Zheng and said, "The emperor, because the grand councilor has long been in office, wishes to transfer him to left grand councilor. Ye Yu and Zhang Yan — one must be chosen to govern, and it is not yet known which comes first." Zheng reported this. The emperor was greatly angered and ordered Te Li made director of the Xingguo Palace. When Xiaozong heard of it he said, "A true grand councilor."
38
紹熙元年，進左丞相。 正謹法度，惜名器，豪髮不可干以私。 引趙汝愚首從班，卒與之共政。 用黃裳為皇子嘉王翊善，世號得人。 嘉王感疾，正言：「陛下只有一子，隔在宮牆外非便，乃令蚤正元良之位，入居東宮，則朝夕相見甚順。」 又奏：「太子，天下本。 《傳》曰：『豫建太子，所以重宗廟社稷』。 漢文帝即位，即建太子。 本朝皇子居塚嫡，有未出閣而正儲位者。 皇子嘉王既居塚嫡，出閤已久，宜早正儲位，以定天下本。」 再月不報。 檢《漢·文帝紀》及本朝真宗立仁宗典故，並呂誨、張方平兩奏，節其要語繳奏。
In 1190 he was promoted to left grand councilor. Zheng was strict in law and precedent, cherished official titles, and not even a hair's breadth could be touched by private interest. He brought Zhao Ruyu forward from the head of the attendant corps and in the end governed with him. He employed Huang Shang as tutor to Prince Jia, and his generation hailed it as a choice of the right man. When Prince Jia fell ill, Zheng said, "Your Majesty has only one son. Keeping him beyond the palace walls is inconvenient. Let him be confirmed early in the position of heir apparent and move into the Eastern Palace — then father and son may meet morning and evening, which is very fitting." He also memorialized, "The crown prince is the root of the realm. The Classic of Documents says, "Establishing the crown prince in advance is how one honors the ancestral temple and the altars of soil and grain." When Emperor Wen of Han took the throne he at once established the crown prince. In our dynasty princes who are the eldest son of the consort's line have, without yet leaving the palace, had the heir's position confirmed. Prince Jia, being the eldest legitimate son, has left the palace long ago. The heir's position should be confirmed early to fix the root of the realm." For two months no reply came. He examined the Annals of Emperor Wen in the History of Han and precedents from our dynasty of Zhenzong establishing Renzong, as well as the two memorials of Lü Hui and Zhang Fangping, excerpted their essential passages, and submitted them for review.
39
上不豫，外議洶洶，正與同列間至福寧殿奏事，處分得宜，人情以安。 進封申國公。 上疾浸平，正乞歸政，不許。
When the emperor was unwell, outside opinion ran turbulent. Zheng and his colleagues went from time to time to the Hall of Blessing and Tranquility to report on affairs. His handling was appropriate and public sentiment was calmed. He was advanced in enfeoffment to Duke of Shen. As the emperor's illness gradually eased, Zheng begged to return power, but this was not permitted.
40
初，正帥蜀，慮吳氏世將，謀去之。 至是，朝廷議更蜀帥，正言：「西邊三將，惟吳氏世襲兵柄，號為『吳家軍』，不知有朝廷。」 遂以戶部侍郎丘崈行。 及吳挺死，韓侂胄為吳氏地，使吳曦世襲。 正力請留曦環衛，遣張詔代挺。 後數歲，曦入蜀，卒稔變。
Earlier, when Zheng commanded Shu, he feared the Wu family's hereditary generals and plotted to remove them. At this time the court debated replacing the commander in Shu. Zheng said, "Of the three commanders on the western frontier, only the Wu family has inherited military power for generations. They are called the 'Wu Family Army' and do not know there is a court." Accordingly Qiu Jun, vice minister of Revenue, was dispatched. When Wu Ting died, Han Tuozhou made room for the Wu family and had Wu Xi succeed by inheritance. Zheng strongly petitioned to keep Xi in the palace guard and send Zhang Zhao to replace Ting. Several years later Xi entered Shu and in the end brought rebellion to ripeness.
41
壽皇聖政成，進少保，封衛國公。 李端友以椒房親，手詔除郎，正繳還，上不納，復執奏曰：「昔館陶公主為子求郎，明帝不許。 今端友依憑內援，恐累聖德。」 姜特立除浙東副總管，尋召赴行在，正引唐憲宗召吐突承璀事，乞罷相。 上批：「成命已行，朕無反汗，卿宜自處。」 正待罪六和塔，奏言：「陛下近年，不知何人獻把定之說，遂至每事堅執，斷不可回。 天下至大，機務至煩，事出於是，則人無異詞，可以固執； 事出於非，則眾論紛起，必須惟是之從。 臣恐自此以往，事無是非，陛下壹持把定之說，言路遂塞。」 因繳進前後錫齎及告敕，待罪范村，乞歸田里，不許。
When the Sacred Governance of the Longevous Emperor was completed, he was promoted to Junior Mentor and enfeoffed Duke of Wei. Li Duanyou, by kinship through the empress's family, received a handwritten edict appointing him gentleman. Zheng returned it for review, but the emperor did not accept this. Zheng again firmly memorialized, "In old times when the Princess of Guantao sought a gentlemanship for her son, Emperor Ming would not permit it. Now Duanyou relies on inner support, and I fear this will impair Your Majesty's sagely virtue." Jiang Te Li was appointed deputy overall commander of eastern Zhe and soon summoned to the temporary capital. Zheng cited Tang Xianzong's summoning of Tu Tu Chenghui and begged to resign the chancellorship. The emperor annotated, "The finalized appointment has already been issued. I cannot retract my word. You should see to your own conduct." Zheng awaited punishment at the Liuhe Pagoda and memorialized, "Your Majesty in recent years — I know not who offered the doctrine of holding firm — has come to be obstinate in every matter, absolutely unwilling to turn back. The realm is vast and state affairs exceedingly burdensome. When a matter proceeds from what is right, men have no dissent and one may hold firm. When a matter proceeds from what is wrong, diverse opinion rises up, and one must follow only what is right. Your servant fears that from this point forward, whether matters are right or wrong, Your Majesty will uniformly hold to the doctrine of holding firm, and the avenue of speech will be blocked." He therefore returned for review the gifts and appointment edicts received before and after, awaited punishment at Fancun, and begged to return to the fields, but this was not permitted.
42
壽聖太后將以冬至上尊號冊寶，以正為禮儀使，攝太傅。 於是上遣左司徐誼諭旨，正復入都堂視事。 是行也，待罪凡一百四十日。 冊寶禮成，拜少傅，封魯國公，正力辭。
The Longevous Sagely Empress Dowager was to receive honorific title, seal, and regalia at the winter solstice. Zheng was made ritual commissioner and acted as Grand Mentor. Thereupon the emperor sent Left Division Director Xu Yi to convey the imperial will, and Zheng again entered the Secretariat to attend to affairs. On this occasion he awaited punishment for one hundred forty days in all. When the ceremony of seal and regalia was completed he was appointed Junior Tutor and enfeoffed Duke of Lu. Zheng strenuously declined.
43
五年正月，孝宗疾革，正數請車駕過宮。 一日，上拂衣起，正引裾泣諫，隨至福寧殿門。 正退上疏，言極激切。 六月戊戌，孝宗崩，光宗以疾未能執喪，正率同列屢奏，乞早正嘉王儲位，又擬指揮付學士院降詔。 尋有手詔：「朕歷事歲久，念欲退閑。」 正得之始懼，請對，復不報。 即出國門，上表請老，末曰：「願陛下速回淵鑒，追悟前非，漸收人心，庶保國祚。」
In the first month of the fifth year, when Xiaozong's illness was critical, Zheng repeatedly requested that the imperial carriage visit the retired emperor's palace. One day the emperor brushed his robe and rose. Zheng seized his hem and wept in remonstrance, following him to the gate of the Hall of Blessing and Tranquility. Zheng withdrew and submitted a memorial whose words were extremely urgent and forceful. On the day wuxu of the sixth month Xiaozong died. Guangzong, owing to illness, was unable to observe mourning. Zheng led his colleagues in repeated memorials begging that Prince Jia's heir position be confirmed early, and also drafted instructions to be sent to the Academy of Scholarly Worthies to issue an edict. Soon there came a handwritten edict: "I have served in affairs for many years and wish to retire to leisure." When Zheng received it he was first fearful. He requested audience but again received no reply. He at once left the capital gate and submitted a memorial requesting retirement. At the end he said, "I wish Your Majesty would quickly turn back your deep insight, reflect on and correct former errors, gradually recover people's hearts, and thereby perhaps preserve the dynasty's mandate."
44
正始議以上疾未克主喪，宜立皇太子監國； 若終喪未倦勤，當復辟。 設議內禪，太子可即位。 時從臣鄭湜奏與正同。 既而趙汝愚以內禪請於憲聖，正謂：「建儲詔未下，遽及此，他日必難處。」 論既違，以肩輿逃去。 及嘉王即位，尊皇帝為太上皇帝，以正為大行攢宮總護使，寧宗即位。 入謝，復出。 憲聖命速宣押，時汝愚亦以為請，上親劄，遣使召正還。
Zheng had originally proposed that because the emperor's illness prevented him from presiding over mourning, the crown prince should be established to supervise the state. If when mourning ended he had not grown weary of toil, he should be restored to rule. If inner abdication were debated, the crown prince could ascend the throne. At the time attendant minister Zheng Ni memorialized in agreement with Zheng. Soon afterward Zhao Ruyu requested inner abdication from Empress Dowager Xiansheng. Zheng said, "The edict establishing the heir has not yet been issued. To rush to this now will surely be hard to manage hereafter." Once the discussion went against him, he fled in a sedan chair. When Prince Jia ascended the throne the emperor was honored as retired emperor, Zheng was made overall director of the funeral palace for the late emperor, and Ningzong ascended the throne. He entered to give thanks and then went out again. Empress Dowager Xiansheng ordered that he be quickly announced and escorted. At the time Ruyu also petitioned for this. The emperor personally wrote a note and sent an envoy to summon Zheng back.
45
侍御史張叔椿請議正棄國之罰，乃徙叔椿吏部侍郎，而正復相。 入賀，且請車駕一出，慰安都人心； 及定壽康宮南向，撤去新增禁旅。 詔悉從之。 進少傅，屢辭不拜，奏言：「陛下勉徇群情，以登大寶，當遇事從簡，示天下以不得已之意，實非頒爵之時。」
Supervising censor Zhang Shuchun requested discussion of punishment for Zheng's abandoning the state. Shuchun was then transferred to vice minister of Personnel, and Zheng again became chancellor. He entered to offer congratulations and also requested that the imperial carriage go out once to comfort the hearts of the capital. He also fixed the Shoukang Palace facing south and removed the newly added palace guard. An edict fully assented to all of this. He was promoted to Junior Tutor and repeatedly declined without accepting investiture, memorializing, "Your Majesty has strained to accord with public sentiment in ascending the great seat. Affairs should be handled with simplicity to show the realm the sense of having no choice — this is truly not the time to distribute ranks."
46
韓侂胄浸謀預政，數詣都堂，正使省吏諭之曰：「此非知閣日往來之地。」 侂胄怒而退。 會經筵晚講賜坐，正執奏以為非，上不懌。 侍御史黃度論馬大同罪，正擬度補外，上知其情，除度右正言。 正請推恩隨龍人，上曰：「朕未見父母，可恩及下人耶？」 積數事失上意，侂胄從而間之。 八月，手詔正以少師、觀文殿大學士判建康府。 尋又以諫議大夫張叔椿言，落職。
Han Tuozhou gradually plotted to interfere in government and repeatedly visited the Secretariat. Zheng had a secretariat clerk instruct him, "This is not the place the director of the Gatehouse visits day after day." Tuozhou angrily withdrew. When at the evening classics lecture a seat was granted, Zheng firmly memorialized that this was improper, and the emperor was displeased. Supervising censor Huang Du discussed Ma Datong's crime. Zheng planned to assign Du to an outside post, but the emperor knew his intent and appointed Du right rectifier. Zheng requested extending favor to those who followed the dragon's ascent. The emperor said, "I have not yet seen my parents — how can favor extend to subordinates?" Several such matters accumulated and lost the emperor's favor. Tuozhou then took advantage to sow discord. In the eighth month a handwritten edict made Zheng Junior Preceptor, grand academician of the Hall for Viewing Literature, and assigned him to judge Jiankang Prefecture. Soon, on the word of remonstrance and counsel grandee Zhang Shuchun, his rank was stripped.
47
慶元元年六月，詔正以上皇付正手詔八字進入，宣付史館。 復觀文殿大學士。
In the sixth month of 1195 an edict ordered that the eight characters of the retired emperor's handwritten edict delivered to Zheng be entered and announced to the History Institute. He was restored as grand academician of the Hall for Viewing Literature.
48
初，劉德秀自重慶入朝，未為正所知，謁正客范仲黼請為言，正曰：「此人若留之班行，朝廷必不靜。」 乃除大理簿，德秀憾之。 至是為諫議大夫，論正四大罪，褫職，自是彈劾無虛歲。 以張釜言，責授中大夫、光祿卿，分司西京，邵州居住。 明年，令自便。 給事中謝源明封還錄黃，量移南劍州，再許自便。
Earlier, Liu Dexiu entered court from Chongqing and was not yet known to Zheng. He called on Zheng's guest Fan Zhongfu and asked him to speak on his behalf. Zheng said, "If this man is kept in the court corps, the court will surely not be quiet." He was therefore appointed recorder in the Court of Judicial Review. Dexiu resented this. At this time, as remonstrance and counsel grandee, he charged Zheng with four great crimes. Zheng was stripped of rank, and from this point impeachment came every year without fail. On Zhang Fu's word he was demoted and appointed Grandee of Palace Service and Director of the Imperial Household, with duty at the Western Capital and residence in Shaozhou. The next year he was permitted to go where he pleased. Supervisory Secretariat attendant Xie Yuanming sealed and returned the recorded edict. Zheng was transferred in degree to Nanjian Prefecture and again permitted to go where he pleased.
49
復光祿大夫、提舉洞霄宮。 上章乞納祿，詔復元官職致仕。 又以御史林采言，依舊官光祿大夫致仕。 俄復觀文殿學士、金紫光祿大夫。 嘉泰元年，進封魏國公，復少師、觀文殿大學士。 開禧二年七月，薨，年七十八。 贈太師。
He was restored as Grandee of the Imperial Household and made director of the Tongxiao Palace. He submitted a memorial begging to surrender his stipend. An edict restored his original office and rank and granted retirement. Again, on supervising censor Lin Cai's word, he retired with his former rank as Grandee of the Imperial Household. Soon he was again made academician of the Observing Culture Hall and grandee of golden glory and purple light. In 1201 he was advanced to Duke of Wei and again made junior mentor and grand academician of the Observing Culture Hall. In the seventh month of 1206 he died at the age of seventy-eight. He was posthumously made grand preceptor.
50
正出處大致如紹熙去國，恥與姜特立並位而待罪近郊，五月復入，議者猶惜其去之不勇。 首發大議，蚤正嘉王儲位，遂致言者深文，指為棄國，豈弘毅有所不足耶？ 或問范仲黼：「留、趙二公處變不同如何？」 仲黼曰：「趙，同姓之卿也； 留則異姓之卿，反復之而不聽，則去。」 聞者以為名言。
Zheng's career moves broadly resembled his departure from court in the Shaoxi era: ashamed to hold office alongside Jiang Te Li, he awaited punishment in the suburbs, then returned in the fifth month, yet critics still regretted that he had not withdrawn more boldly. He was first to raise great debate and early to establish Prince Jia as heir apparent, drawing remonstrators to elaborate charges and accuse him of abandoning the state. Was there truly some lack in firm resolve? Someone asked Fan Zhongfu, "How did Lords Liu and Zhao differ in handling crisis?" Zhongfu said, "Zhao is a minister of the imperial surname; Liu is a minister of another surname. If he remonstrates repeatedly and is not heeded, he leaves." Hearers regarded this as a famous saying.
51
有詩、文、奏議、外制二十卷行於世。 寶慶三年，諡「忠宣」。 子：恭、丙、端，皆為尚書郎。 孫：元英，工部侍郎； 元剛，起居舍人。
Twenty juan of his poetry, prose, memorials, and external compositions circulated in the world. In 1227 he was given the posthumous title Loyal and Proclaiming. His sons Gong, Bing, and Duan all served as secretaries in the Ministry of Personnel. His grandsons included Yuanying, vice minister of Works; and Yuangang, attendant of the heir apparent.
52
胡晉臣
Hu Jinchen
53
胡晉臣，字子遠，蜀州人。 登紹興二十七年進士第，為成都通判。 制置使范成大以公輔薦諸朝，孝宗召赴行在。 入對，疏當今士俗、民力、邊備、軍政四弊。 試學士院，除秘書省校書郎，遷著作佐郎兼右曹郎官。
Hu Jinchen, whose courtesy name was Ziyuan, was a native of Shu Prefecture. In 1157 he passed the jinshi examination and was made transit judge of Chengdu. Pacification commissioner Fan Chengda recommended him to the court as chief-minister material, and Xiaozong summoned him to the temporary capital. At audience he memorialized the four abuses of the age: scholar-official custom, popular strength, frontier preparedness, and military government. He passed the Hanlin examination, was appointed collator of the Secretariat, and was transferred to assistant compiler while concurrently serving as reviewer in the right bureau.
54
輪對，論三事：一，無忽講讀官，以仁宗為法； 二，責諫官以糾官邪，責宰相以抑奔競； 三，廣聽納、通下情，以銷未形之患。 又極論近倖，上覽奏色動。 晉臣口陳甚悉，至論及兩稅折變，天威稍霽，首肯久之。
In rotation audience he discussed three matters: first, do not neglect lecture and reading officials, taking Emperor Renzong as the model; second, charge remonstrance officials to correct official wickedness and charge the chancellor to restrain frantic competition for office; third, broaden listening and acceptance and connect with sentiment below, to dissolve troubles before they take shape. He also argued at length against recent favorites. Reading the memorial, the emperor's expression changed. Jinchen stated his case orally in great detail. When the discussion reached conversion of the two-tax levy, imperial severity eased somewhat and the emperor nodded assent for a long while.
55
趙雄時秉政，手詔下中書問近倖姓名。 晉臣翼日至中書，執政詰其故，晉臣曰：「近習招權，丞相豈不知之？」 即條具大者以聞。 上感悟，自是近習嚴憚。
Zhao Xiong then held power. A handwritten edict was sent to the Secretariat asking the names of recent favorites. The next day Jinchen went to the Secretariat. The chief minister questioned him. Jinchen said, "Recent intimates usurp power. How could the chief minister not know?" He immediately listed the major cases and reported them. The emperor was moved to understanding, and from that time recent intimates were deeply restrained.
56
晉臣以親年高，求外補，知漢州，除潼川路提點刑獄，以憂去。 服除再召，以五事見，曰：選將帥，廣常平，治渠堰，更銓法，通楮幣。 上謂輔臣曰：「胡晉臣言可行。」
Because his parents were advanced in years, Jinchen sought an outside post, served as prefect of Han, was appointed judicial intendant of Tongchuan circuit, and left on mourning. When mourning ended he was summoned again and presented five proposals: select generals and commanders, expand the Ever-Normal Granaries, repair canals and dikes, reform the evaluation law, and circulate paper currency. The emperor told the chief ministers, "What Hu Jinchen says can be carried out."
57
除度支郎，累遷侍御史。 朱熹除兵部郎官，以病足未供職。 侍郎林栗與熹論《易》不合，因奏熹不即受印為傲慢。 晉臣上疏留熹而排栗，物論歸重。
He was appointed reviewer in the Ministry of Revenue and was promoted to attendant censor. Zhu Xi was appointed secretary in the Ministry of War but, because of illness in his feet, had not yet taken office. Vice minister Lin Li disagreed with Xi in discussing the Changes and therefore memorialized that Xi's failure to accept the seal at once was arrogance. Jinchen memorialized to retain Xi and reject Li, and public opinion turned in his favor.
58
光宗嗣位，遷工部侍郎，除給事中，每以裁濫恩、惜名器為重，內降持不下，上嘉其有守，拜端明殿學士、簽書樞密院事。 正謝日，上命條上軍政利害。 既而朝重華宮，孝宗謂曰：「嗣君擢任二三大臣，深愜朕意，聞外庭亦無異詞。」 晉臣拜謝。
When Guangzong succeeded the throne, he was transferred to vice minister of Works and appointed supervisory secretary. He always made cutting excessive favor and cherishing titles his priority, held back inner edicts and would not issue them, and the emperor commended his integrity and appointed him academician of the Bright Hall and signer at the Bureau of Military Affairs. On the day of his thanksgiving audience, the emperor ordered him to list the benefits and harms of military affairs. Soon afterward he attended court at the Chonghua Palace. Xiaozong said to him, "The succeeding ruler has elevated two or three great ministers. This deeply satisfies my intent, and I hear the outer court also has no dissent." Jinchen bowed in thanks.
59
論曰：謀大事，決大議，非凝定有立者不能也。 周必大、留正一時俱以相業稱，然必大純篤忠厚，能以善道其君，光、寧禪受之際，懼禍而去，其可為有立乎哉？ 若胡晉臣爭論朱熹，則侃侃有守者也。
The appraisal says: To plan great affairs and decide great deliberations, none but a man who is settled and established can succeed. Zhou Bida and Liu Zheng were both famed at one time for chancellorship. Bida was pure, sincere, and loyal and could guide his ruler by the good way, yet at the abdications of Guangzong and Ningzong he feared calamity and withdrew. Could that be called being established? As for Hu Jinchen arguing on behalf of Zhu Xi, he was a man who spoke forthrightly and held firm to his principles.