1
崔與之洪咨夔許奕陳居仁劉漢弼
Cui Yuzhi, Hong Zikui, Xu Yi, Chen Juren, and Liu Hanbi
2
崔與之
Cui Yuzhi
3
崔與之，字正子，廣州人。 父世明，試有司連黜，每曰：「不為宰相，則為良醫」，遂究心岐、黃之書，貧者療之不受直。 與之少卓犖有奇節，不遠數千里遊太學。 紹熙四年舉進士，廣之士繇太學取科第自與之始。
Cui Yuzhi, whose courtesy name was Zhengzi, came from Guangzhou. His father Cui Shiming failed the provincial examinations again and again and would say, 'If I cannot serve as chief minister, I shall be a good physician.' He then mastered the medical classics of Qi Bo and the Yellow Emperor and treated the poor without accepting payment. In youth he was exceptionally able and high-minded, traveling thousands of miles to study at the Imperial University. He passed the jinshi examination in the fourth year of Shaoxi (1193); he was the first Guang scholar to earn a degree via the Imperial University.
4
授潯州司法參軍。 常平倉久弗葺，慮雨壞米，撤居廨瓦覆之。 郡守欲移兌常平之積，堅不可，守敬服，更薦之。 調淮西提刑司檢法官。 民有窘於豪民逋負，毆死其子誣之者，其長欲流之，與之曰：「小民計出倉猝，忍使一家轉徙乎？ 況故殺子孫，罪止徒。」 卒從之。 知建昌之新城，歲適大歉，有強發民廩者，執其首，折手足以徇，盜為止，勸分有法，貧富安之。 開禧用兵，軍旅所需，天下騷然，與之獨買以係省錢。 吏告月解不登，曰：「寧罷去。」 和糴令下，與之獨以時賈糴，令民自概。 通判邕州，守武人，苛刻，衣賜不時給，諸卒大哄。 漕司檄與之攝守，叛者貼然，乃密訪其首事一人斬之，闔郡以寧。 擢發遣賓州軍事，郡政清簡。
He was appointed judicial assistant at Xun Prefecture. The Ever-Normal Granary had long been left unrepaired. Fearing rain would spoil the grain, he stripped tiles from his official residence to roof it. When the prefect wanted to divert the Ever-Normal reserves, he firmly refused. The prefect came to respect him and recommended him for promotion. He was transferred to serve as investigating judge under the Huai West judicial intendant. A commoner, squeezed by debt to a powerful family, had beaten his son to death and framed another. The senior official wanted exile. Yuzhi said, 'A petty man acted in sudden desperation—must we uproot an entire household? Besides, killing one's own descendant carries only penal servitude.' They ultimately followed his view. As magistrate of Xincheng in Jianchang, in a year of severe famine some men forcibly opened the public granary. He seized the ringleader, broke his hands and feet as a warning, theft stopped, and through orderly relief both rich and poor were settled. When the Kaixi campaign began and military needs threw the realm into turmoil, Yuzhi alone purchased supplies with provincial reserve funds. When clerks reported monthly remittances fell short, he said, 'I would rather resign.' When the harmonized-purchase order came down, Yuzhi alone bought grain at the market price and had the people weigh it themselves. As vice-prefect of Yong Prefecture, the prefect was a military man and harsh. Clothing allowances were not paid on time and the troops rioted. The transport commission ordered Yuzhi to act as prefect; the rebels quieted. He secretly found and executed the chief instigator, and the whole commandery was pacified. He was promoted to military commissioner of dispatch for Bin Prefecture, where administration was clear and simple.
5
尋特授廣西提點刑獄，遍歷所部，至浮海巡朱崖，秋毫無擾州縣，而停車裁決，獎廉劾貪，風采凜然。 朱崖地產苦䔲，民或取葉以代茗，州郡征之，歲五百緡。 瓊人以吉貝織為衣衾，工作皆婦人，役之有至期年者，棄稚違老，民尤苦之。 與之皆為榜免。 其他利病，罷行甚眾。 瓊之人次其事為《海上澄清錄》。 嶺海去天萬里，用刑慘酷，貪吏厲民，乃疏為十事，申論而痛懲之。 高惟肖嘗刻之，號《嶺海便民榜》。 廣右僻縣多右選攝事者，類多貪黷，與之請援廣東循、梅諸邑，減舉員賞格，以勸選人。 熙寧免役之法，獨不及海外四州，民破家相望。 與之議舉行未果，以語顏戣，戣守瓊，遂行之。
Soon he was specially appointed Guangxi judicial intendant. Touring his circuit, he even reached Zhuya by sea patrol, never troubling prefectures and counties, yet wherever he halted he judged cases, rewarded integrity and impeached greed, and his bearing was awe-inspiring. Zhuya produced bitter tea; some people used the leaves as a substitute for tea, and prefectures levied five hundred strings of cash yearly. Qiong people wove kapok into clothing and bedding. All the work was done by women, and corvée could last a full year, abandoning infants and neglecting the aged—the people suffered especially. Yuzhi posted notices exempting all these. Other abuses he abolished were very numerous. The people of Qiong recorded his deeds in a work called Records of Clarifying the Sea. Lingnan and the sea were ten thousand li from the capital; punishments were cruel and greedy officials oppressed the people—he memorialized ten items, argued them through, and punished severely. Gao Weixiao once carved them and called them the Lingnan Convenience Proclamation. Remote counties in Guang Right often had right-selection officials acting in charge, mostly corrupt; Yuzhi requested that Xun and Mei prefectures in Guangdong follow the model of reducing examination quotas and reward standards to encourage appointees. The Xining exemption-from-corvée law did not extend to the four overseas prefectures; families were ruined one after another. Yuzhi discussed implementing it but did not succeed; he spoke of it to Yan Kan, and when Kan governed Qiong, it was carried out.
6
召為金部員外郎，時郎官多養資望，不省事，與之鉅細必親省決，吏為欺者必杖之，莫不震栗。 金南遷於汴，朝議疑其進迫，特授直寶謨閣、權發遣揚州事、主管淮東安撫司公事。 寧宗宣引入內，親遣之，奏選守將、集民兵為邊防第一事。 既至，浚濠廣十有二丈，深二丈。 西城濠勢低，因疏塘水以限戎馬。 開月河，置釣橋。 州城與堡砦城不相屬，舊築夾土城往來，為易以甓。 因滁有山林之阻，創五砦，結忠義民兵，金人犯淮西，沿邊之民得附山自固，金人亦疑設伏，自是不敢深入。
He was summoned as vice director of the Ministry of Revenue; at the time many ministry officials cultivated seniority and did not attend to business—Yuzhi personally reviewed great and small matters, and any clerk who deceived him was caned; none failed to tremble. When the Jin moved south to Bian, court discussion feared they would press close; he was specially granted Direct Bearer of the Hall of Treasured Plans, provisional commissioner of Yang Prefecture, and director of Huai East pacification affairs. Emperor Ningzong summoned him into the palace and personally dispatched him; he memorialized that selecting frontier commanders and gathering militia were the first matters for border defense. On arrival he dredged the moat twelve zhang wide and two zhang deep. The western moat lay low; he diverted pond water to block enemy horses. He opened the moon river and set drawbridges. The prefectural city and the stockade cities were not connected; formerly an earthen wall had been built between them—he replaced it with brick. Because Chuzhou had mountain and forest barriers, he created five stockades and organized loyal militia; when the Jin invaded Huai West, border people could shelter in the mountains and the Jin also suspected ambush and dared not penetrate deeply.
7
揚州兵久不練，分彊勇、鎮淮兩軍，月以三、八日習馬射，令所部兵皆仿行之。 淮民多畜馬善射，欲依萬弩手法創萬馬社，募民為之，宰相不果行。 浙東饑，流民渡江，與之開門撫納，所活萬餘。 楚州工役繁夥，士卒苦之，叛入射陽湖，亡命多從之者。 與之給旗帖招之，眾聞呼皆至，首謀者獨遲疑不前，禽戮之，分其餘隸諸軍。
Yangzhou troops had long gone untrained; he divided the Strong and Pacify-Huai armies and on the third and eighth of each month practiced mounted archery, ordering all subordinate troops to follow suit. Huai people kept many horses and were skilled archers; he wished to follow the Ten-Thousand Crossbows method to create a Ten-Thousand Horses society and recruit the people—the chief minister did not approve. Eastern Zhe suffered famine; refugees crossed the river—Yuzhi opened the gates and received them, saving more than ten thousand. Chuzhou had heavy labor levies; soldiers suffered and rebelled into Sheyang Lake, and many fugitives joined them. Yuzhi issued placards to recruit them; hearing the call, all came except the chief plotter, who hesitated—he was seized and executed, and the rest were assigned to various armies.
8
山東李全以眾來歸，與之移書宰相，謂：「自昔召外兵以集事者，必有後憂。」 宰相欲圖邊功，諸將皆懷僥倖，都統劉琸承密劄取泗州，兵渡淮而後牒報。 琸全軍覆沒，與之憂憤，馳書宰相，言：「與之乘鄣五年，子養士卒，今以萬人之命，壞於一夫之手，敵將乘勝襲我。」 金人入境，宰相連遺與之三書，俾議和。 與之答曰：「彼方得勢，而我與之和，必遭屈辱。 今山砦相望，邊民米麥已盡輸藏，野無可掠，諸軍與山砦並力剿逐，勢必不能久駐。 況東海、漣水已為我有，山東歸順之徒已為我用，一旦議和，則漣、海二邑若為區處？ 山東諸酋若為措置？ 望別選通才，以任和議。」 與之自劉琸敗，亟修守戰備，遣精銳，布要害。 金人深入無功，而和議亦寢。
Li Quan of Shandong came with his followers to submit; Yuzhi wrote the chief minister: 'From old, summoning outside troops to gather for a task always brings later trouble.' The chief minister wished to win frontier merit; the generals all harbored hope. Regional Commander Liu Wan, on a secret order, took Si Prefecture and crossed the Huai before reporting by dispatch. Wan's whole army was destroyed; Yuzhi, grieved and indignant, urgently wrote the chief minister: 'Yuzhi has held the frontier for five years, nurturing officers and soldiers—now ten thousand lives are ruined by one man's hand; the enemy will seize victory to strike us.' When the Jin entered the border, the chief minister sent Yuzhi three letters in succession ordering him to discuss peace. Yuzhi replied: 'They are now gaining the advantage—if we make peace with them, we will surely suffer humiliation. Now mountain stockades stand in sight of one another; border people's grain and wheat have all been stored away, nothing to plunder in the wild; if the armies and stockades join to pursue and drive them out, they surely cannot stay long. Moreover Eastern Sea and Lianshui are already ours; Shandong submitters are already at our service—once we discuss peace, how shall the two districts of Lian and Hai be disposed? How shall the chiefs of Shandong be arranged? I hope another man of broad talent may be chosen to bear the peace talks.' After Liu Wan's defeat, Yuzhi urgently repaired defenses, sent elite troops, and posted them at key points. The Jin penetrated deeply without success, and the peace talks also lapsed.
9
時議將姑闕兩淮制置，命兩淮帥臣互相為援，與之啟廟堂曰：「兩淮分任其責，而無制閫總其權，則東淮有警，西帥果能疾馳往救乎？ 東帥亦果能疾馳往救西淮乎？ 制閫俯瞰兩淮，特一水之隔，文移往來，朝發夕至，無制閫則事事稟命朝廷，必稽緩誤事矣。」 議遂寢。
At the time some proposed temporarily abolishing the Two Huai pacification commission and having the Two Huai commanders aid each other; Yuzhi told the court: 'If the Two Huai each bear responsibility but no pacification commissioner holds overall authority, when the Eastern Huai is alarmed, can the Western commander truly rush to save it? Can the Eastern commander truly rush to save the Western Huai? The pacification commissioner overlooks both Huai with only a strip of water between; documents go back and forth, sent in the morning and received at evening—without a pacification commissioner, every matter must be reported to the court and will surely be delayed and harm affairs.' The proposal then lapsed.
10
召為秘書少監，軍民遮道垂涕。 與之力辭召命，竟還。 將度嶺，趣召不已，行次池口，聞金人至邊，乃造朝奏：「今邊聲可慮者非一，惟山東忠義區處要不容緩。」 前後累疏數千言，每歎養虎將自遺患。
He was summoned as vice director of the Secretariat; soldiers and civilians blocked the road, weeping. Yuzhi strongly declined the summons and in the end returned. About to cross the ridge, urgent summons followed without cease; at Chikou on the way he heard the Jin had reached the border and entered court to memorialize: 'Of border alarms now to be feared, none is more urgent than arranging the loyalists of Shandong.' Before and after he submitted several thousand characters in successive memorials, each time sighing that nurturing a tiger would bring calamity on oneself.
11
升秘書監兼太子侍講，權工部侍郎。 未幾，成都帥董居誼以黷貨為叛卒所逐，總領楊九鼎遇害，蜀大擾。 與之以選為煥章閣待制、知成都府、本路安撫使，至即帖然。 時安丙握蜀重兵久，每忌蜀帥之自東南來者，至是獨推誠相與。 丙卒，詔盡護四蜀之師，開誠布公，兼用吳、蜀之士，拊循將士，人心悅服。 先是，軍政不立，戎帥多不協和，劉昌祖在西和，王大才在沔州，大才之兵屢衄，昌祖不救，遂棄皂郊。 吳政屯鳳州，張威屯西和，金人自白還堡突入黑谷，威不尾襲，而迂路由七方關上青野原，金人遂得入鳳州。 與之戒以同心體國之大義，於是戎帥協和，而軍政始立。
He was promoted to director of the Secretariat and tutor to the crown prince, and acting vice minister of Works. Before long, Chengdu commander Dong Juyi was driven out by mutinous troops for corruption; chief commissioner Yang Jiuding was killed and Shu was greatly disturbed. Yuzhi was by selection made Bearer of the Dazzling Chapter Hall, prefect of Chengdu, and pacification commissioner of the circuit; on arrival all was calm. An Bing had long held heavy military power in Shu and always resented commanders coming from the southeast; only now did he extend sincerity to Yuzhi. When Bing died, the edict put all Four Shu armies under Yuzhi's protection; he was open and fair, employed men of Wu and Shu together, comforted officers and soldiers, and hearts were pleased. Previously military administration was not established; frontier commanders often did not cooperate—Liu Changzu was at Xihe, Wang Dacai at Mian Prefecture; Dacai's troops were repeatedly defeated and Changzu did not rescue, so Zaojiao was abandoned. Wu Zheng was stationed at Feng Prefecture, Zhang Wei at Xihe; the Jin burst in from Baihuan Stockade into Heigu Valley—Wei did not pursue from behind but detoured via Qifang Pass up Qingye Plain, and the Jin thus entered Feng Prefecture. Yuzhi admonished them with the great duty of single-hearted service to the state; then frontier commanders cooperated and military administration was first established.
12
先是，丙嘗納夏人合從之請，會師攻秦、鞏，而夏人不至，遂有皂郊之敗。 與之至是飭邊將不得輕納。 逾年，夏人復攻金人，遣百騎入鳳州，邀守將求援兵。 與之使都統李冲來言曰：「通問當遣介持書，不當遣兵徑入。 若邊民不相悉，或有相傷，則失兩國之好，宜斂兵退屯。」 夏人知不可動，不復有言。 初，金人既弊，率眾南歸者所在而有，或疑不敢納。 與之優加爵賞以來之。 未幾，金萬戶呼延棫等扣洋州以歸，與之察其誠，納之，籍其兵千餘人，皆精悍善戰，金人自是不敢窺興元。 既復鏤榜邊關，開諭招納，金人諜得之，自是上下相疑，多所屠戮，人無固志，以至於亡。
Previously Bing had accepted the Xia people's request for alliance to attack Qin and Yong together, but the Xia did not come and there was the defeat at Zaojiao. Yuzhi now strictly ordered frontier generals not to accept lightly. A year later the Xia again attacked the Jin and sent a hundred horsemen into Feng Prefecture to invite the defending general to request aid. Yuzhi had regional commander Li Chonglai say: 'For communication one should send a messenger with a letter, not send troops straight in. If border people do not know each other and there is mutual harm, the good relations of the two states will be lost—you should gather troops and withdraw.' The Xia knew they could not move him and said no more. At first, when the Jin were weakened, groups going south to submit were everywhere; some doubted and dared not receive them. Yuzhi generously granted ranks and rewards to draw them. Before long Jin commander Hu Yanyu and others knocked at Yang Prefecture to submit; Yuzhi saw their sincerity, received them, and registered more than a thousand troops, all elite and skilled in battle—the Jin then did not dare look toward Xingyuan. He again posted proclamations on the border to open persuasion and recruitment; the Jin spies learned of it and from then on superiors and subordinates suspected one another, slaughtering many; men had no fixed will, leading to ruin.
13
蜀盛時，四戎司馬萬五千有奇，開禧後，安丙裁去三之一，嘉定損耗過半，比與之至，馬僅五千。 與之移檄茶馬司，許戎司自於關外收市如舊，嚴私商之禁，給細茶，增馬價，使無為金人所邀。 總司之給料不足者，亦移檄增給之。 乞移大帥於興元，雖不果行，而凡關外林木厚加封殖，以防金人突至。 隔第關、盤車嶺皆極邊，號天險，因厚間探者賞，使覘之，動息悉知，邊防益密。 總計告匱，首撥成都府等錢百五十萬緡助糴本。 又慮關外歲糴不多，運米三十萬石積沔州倉，以備不測。 初至，府庫錢僅萬餘，其後至千餘萬，金帛稱是。 蜀知名士若家大酉、游似、李性傳、李心傳、度正之徒皆薦達之，其有名浮於實，用過其才者，亦歷歷以為言。 沔帥趙彥呐方有時名，與之獨察其大言亡實，它日誤事者必此人，移書廟堂，欲因乞祠而從之，不可付以邊藩之寄，後果如其言。 與之以疾丐歸，朝廷以鄭損代，既受代，金諜知之，大入，與之再為臨邊，金人乃退。 召為禮部尚書，不拜，便道還廣。 蜀人思之，肖其像於成都仙遊閣，以配張詠、趙抃，名「三賢祠」。
When Shu was flourishing, the four frontier commissions had more than fifteen thousand horses; after Kaixi, An Bing cut a third; in Jiading losses exceeded half—when Yuzhi arrived, horses numbered only five thousand. Yuzhi sent a dispatch to the tea-horse office allowing frontier commissions to purchase beyond the pass as before, strictly forbidding private merchants, supplying fine tea and raising horse prices so they would not be intercepted by the Jin. Where the chief commissioner's grain allowance was insufficient, he also sent dispatches to increase it. He requested moving the grand commander to Xingyuan; though this was not carried out, he thickly planted trees beyond the passes everywhere to guard against sudden Jin arrival. Gedi Pass and Panche Ridge were extreme frontier, called heaven's barriers; he richly rewarded scouts to watch them and knew all their movements—frontier defense grew tighter. The chief accountant reported shortage; he first allocated one million five hundred thousand strings from Chengdu and other prefectures to help grain-purchase capital. He also feared yearly purchase beyond the pass was not great and transported three hundred thousand shi of grain to store in the Mian Prefecture granary against the unforeseen. On first arrival the treasury held only ten thousand-odd; afterward it reached more than ten million, gold and silk in proportion. Famous Shu scholars such as Jia Dayou, You Si, Li Xingchuan, Li Xinchuan, and Du Zheng he all recommended and advanced; those whose fame exceeded reality or whose use exceeded talent he also spoke of plainly. Mian commander Zhao Yan'na then had a reputation; Yuzhi alone saw his big talk lacked substance and that he would one day harm affairs—he wrote the court wishing to grant him a temple post and follow his request, saying he could not be entrusted with a frontier command—later it was as he said. Yuzhi begged leave on grounds of illness; the court sent Zheng Sun to replace him. After he handed over office, Jin spies learned of it and invaded greatly; Yuzhi again went to the border and the Jin withdrew. He was summoned as minister of Rites but did not accept and returned to Guang by the direct route. The people of Shu missed him and set up his image in the Immortal Roaming Pavilion at Chengdu, pairing him with Zhang Yong and Zhao Bian in the Three Worthies Shrine.
14
理宗即位，授充顯謨閣直學士、知潭州、湖南安撫使，辭，提舉西京嵩山崇福宮。 遷煥章閣學士、知隆興府、江西安撫使，又辭，授徽猷閣學士、提舉南京鴻慶宮。 端平初，帝既親政，召為吏部尚書，數以御筆起之，皆力辭。 金亡，朝廷議取三京，聞之頓足浩歎。 繼而授端明殿學士、提舉嵩山崇福宮，亦辭，俄授廣東經略安撫使兼知廣州。
When Emperor Lizong took the throne, he was granted Bearer of the Manifest Illustrious Hall, prefect of Tan Prefecture and Hunan pacification commissioner; he declined and was made director of the Western Capital Song Mountain Chongfu Palace. He was moved to Bearer of the Dazzling Chapter Hall, prefect of Longxing and Jiangxi pacification commissioner; he declined again and was granted Bearer of the Imperial Insignia Hall, director of the Southern Capital Hongqing Palace. At the beginning of Duanping the emperor personally governed and summoned him as minister of Personnel; several times the emperor wrote in his own hand to raise him—he always firmly declined. When the Jin perished, the court discussed taking the Three Capitals; hearing this he stamped his foot and sighed greatly. He was then granted Bearer of the Hall of Bright Clarity and director of Song Mountain Chongfu Palace—he also declined; soon he was made Guangdong pacification commissioner and prefect of Guangzhou.
15
先是，廣州摧鋒軍遠戍建康，留四年，比撤戍歸，未踰嶺，就留戍江西，又四年，轉戰所向皆捷，而上功幕府，不報，求撤戍，又不報，遂相率倡亂，縱火惠陽郡，長驅至廣州城，聲言欲得連帥洎幕屬甘心焉。 與之家居，肩輿登城，叛兵望之，俯伏聽命，曉以逆順禍福，其徒皆釋甲，而首謀數人，懼事定獨受禍，遂率之遁去，入古端州以自固。 至是，與之聞命亟拜，即家治事，屬提刑彭鉉討捕，潛移密運，人無知者。 俄而新調諸軍畢集，賊戰敗請降，桀黠不悛者戮之，其餘分隸諸州。
Previously Guangzhou's Crushing Vanguard army had been garrisoned far away at Jiankang for four years; when withdrawn and not yet over the ridge they were kept to garrison Jiangxi for another four years. Wherever they fought they won, yet merit reported to the headquarters went unanswered; they asked to be withdrawn and again received no answer—so they mutinied together, set fire to Huiyang commandery, marched straight to Guangzhou city, and declared they wished to have the commander-in-chief and his staff to their satisfaction. Though Yuzhi was living at home, he rode a sedan chair onto the city wall. The rebels saw him, prostrated themselves, and obeyed. He explained the consequences of rebellion and loyalty, and his followers all laid down their arms. Several chief plotters, fearing that when affairs were settled they alone would be punished, led their men away and entered Old Duan Prefecture to hold out. By then, on receiving the appointment Yuzhi hastened to accept and managed affairs from home. He entrusted judicial intendant Peng Xuan to pursue and capture the rebels, secretly moving supplies so that no one knew. Soon newly transferred troops all assembled. The bandits were defeated and begged to surrender. The stubborn who would not repent were executed, and the rest were assigned to various prefectures.
16
帝於是注想彌切，拜參知政事，拜右丞相，皆力辭。 乃訪以政事之孰當罷行，人才之孰當用舍？ 與之力疾奏：
The emperor now fixed his hopes on him all the more and appointed him vice grand councilor and then right grand councilor—he firmly declined both. He was then asked which policies should be abolished or carried out, and which men should be employed or dismissed. Though ill, Yuzhi forcefully memorialized:
17
「天生人才，自足以供一代之用，惟辨其君子小人而已。 忠實而有才者，上也； 才雖不高，而忠實有守者，次也。 用人之道，無越於此。 蓋忠實之才，謂之有德而有才者也。 若以君子為無才，必欲求有才者用之，意向或差，名實無別，君子、小人消長之勢，基於此矣。 陛下勵精更始，擢用老成，然以正人為迂闊而疑其難以集事，以忠言為矯激而疑其近於好名，任之不專，信之不篤。 或謂世數將衰，則人才先已凋謝，如真德秀、洪咨夔、魏了翁，方此柄用，相繼而去，天意固不可曉。 至於敢諫之臣，忠於為國，言未脫口，斥逐隨之，一去而不可復留，人才豈易得，而輕棄如此。 陛下悟已往而圖方來，昨以直言去位者亟加峻擢，補外者蚤與召還，使天下明知陛下非疏遠正人，非厭惡忠言，一轉移力耳。 陛下收攬大權，悉歸獨斷。 謂之獨斷者，必是非利害，胸中卓然有定見，而後獨斷以行之。 比聞獨斷以來，朝廷之事體愈輕，宰相進擬多沮格不行，或除命中出，而宰相不與知，立政造命之原，失其要矣。 大抵獨斷當以兼聽為先，倘不兼聽而斷，其勢必至於偏聽，實為亂階，威令雖行於上，而權柄潛移於下矣。」
'Heaven produces talent enough to supply one generation's needs—the task is only to distinguish the gentleman from the petty man. The loyal and solid who also have talent rank highest; those whose talent is not high but who are loyal, solid, and steadfast come next. The way to employ men cannot go beyond this. Talent that is loyal and solid is what we call having both virtue and ability. If one takes the gentleman to be without talent and must seek men with talent to employ, intent may go astray, name and reality are not distinguished, and the waxing and waning of gentleman and petty man has its foundation here. Your Majesty has exerted yourself in renewal and promoted the old and mature, yet you take upright men as pedantic and doubt they can gather affairs, take loyal words as extravagant and doubt they are close to seeking fame, employ them without full charge, and trust them without full sincerity. Some say the age's number is declining and talent has already withered—such as Zhen Dexiu, Hong Zikui, and Wei Liaoweng, just as they were wielded in office, they left in succession; heaven's intent truly cannot be fathomed. As for ministers who dare remonstrate, loyal to the state—before the words leave the mouth, dismissal follows; once gone they cannot be kept—talent is not easily obtained, yet it is lightly cast away thus. Your Majesty has understood the past and planned for the future; those who left office for straight speech should quickly be sharply promoted, those sent outside should early be recalled, so that all under heaven clearly know Your Majesty does not keep upright men at a distance and does not detest loyal words—it is only a turn of effort. Your Majesty has gathered great power, all returning to sole decision. What is called sole decision is that right and wrong, benefit and harm, must be settled with a clear view in the breast, and only then carried out by sole decision. Since hearing of sole decision, court business has grown lighter; the chief minister's submitted nominations are often blocked and not carried out, or appointments issue from the center while the chief minister does not know—the source of establishing policy and creating mandates has lost its key. Generally sole decision should take heeding many views as first; if one decides without heeding many views, the tendency must reach partial hearing—this is truly the ladder to disorder; though authority and orders run above, power secretly shifts below.'
18
又曰：「邊臣主和，朝廷雖知，而未嘗明有施行。 憂邊之士，剴切而言，一鳴輒斥，得非朝廷亦陰主之乎？ 假使和而可保，亦當議而行之可也。」 又曰：「比年以變故層出，盜賊跳梁，雷雹震驚，星辰乖異，皆非細故。 京城之災，七年而兩見，豈數萬戶生靈皆獲罪於天者。 百姓有過，在予一人，此陛下所當凜凜，惟有求直言可以裨助君德，感格天心。」 又曰：「戚畹、舊僚，凡有絲髮寅緣者，孰不乘間伺隙以求其所大欲，近習之臣，朝夕在側，易於親昵，而難於防閑。 司馬光謂『內臣不可令其采訪外事，及問以群臣能否』，蓋干預之門自此始也。 若謂其所言出於無心，豈知愛惡之私，因此而入，其於聖德，寧無玷乎？」 帝覽奏嘉歎，趣召愈力，控辭至十有三疏。
He also said: 'Frontier ministers advocate peace; though the court knows it, it has never clearly ordered implementation. Men anxious for the frontier speak earnestly—at one cry they are dismissed—is it not that the court also secretly supports them? Even if peace could be preserved, it should still be discussed and then carried out.' He also said: 'In recent years calamities have come layer upon layer—bandits leaping, thunder and hail shocking, stars out of place—all are no small matters. Disasters in the capital have twice appeared in seven years—can it be that the lives of tens of thousands of households all offended heaven? If the people have fault, it lies in me alone—this Your Majesty should stand in awe; only seeking straight speech can assist ruler virtue and move heaven's heart.' He also said: 'Imperial affines and old colleagues—whoever has the slightest connection, which does not seize the gap to seek what they greatly desire? Attendants morning and evening at the side are easy to grow close to and hard to guard against. Sima Guang said, 'Inner attendants must not be sent to gather outside affairs, nor asked about ministers' ability'—the gate of interference begins here. If one says their words come from no mind, how does one know that private likes and dislikes enter by this path and that sagely virtue is not stained?' The emperor read the memorial and sighed in praise, urging summons all the more strongly; he declined to the thirteenth memorial.
19
嘉熙三年，乃得致仕，以觀文殿大學士提舉洞霄宮。 自領鄉郡，不受廩祿之入，凡奉餘皆以均親黨。 薨時年八十有二，遺戒不得作佛事。 累封至南海郡公，諡「清獻」。
In the third year of Jiaxi (1239) he was finally allowed to retire, as Bearer of the Hall for Viewing Literature and director of the Grotto Heaven Palace. From heading his home commandery he did not accept salary income; all surplus stipends he distributed equally among kin and friends. He died at eighty-two; his testament forbade Buddhist rites. He was posthumously enfeoffed as Duke of Nanhai commandery with the posthumous name Pure Offering.
20
洪咨夔
Hong Zikui
21
洪咨夔，字舜俞，於潛人。 嘉定二年進士，授如皐主簿，尋試為饒州教授。 作《大治賦》，樓鑰賞識之。 授南外宗學教授，以言去。 丁母憂，服除，應博學宏詞科，直院莊夏舉自代。
Hong Zikui, whose courtesy name was Shunyu, came from Yuqian. In the second year of Jiading (1209) he passed the jinshi examination, was appointed registrar of Rugao, and soon tested as professor of Raozhou. He composed The Great Order Rhapsody; Lou Yue appreciated and recognized him. He was appointed professor of the Southern Outer Imperial Clan school and left office for his words. After mourning his mother, when mourning ended he answered the erudite and comprehensive phrases examination; Academician-in-Waiting Zhuang Xia recommended him to replace himself.
22
崔與之帥淮東，辟置幕府，邊事纖悉為盡力。 丘壽雋代與之為帥，金人犯六合，揚州閉門設守，咨夔亟詣壽雋言曰：「金人忌楚，必未至揚，乃先自示弱，不特淮左之人心動，而金人且驕必來矣。 第當遠斥堠、精間探，簡士馬，張外郡聲援而大開城門，晏然如平時。 若金人果來犯，某當身任之。」 壽雋愧謝。 已而金人果遁。 山陽兼帥事青州張林請獻銅錢二十萬緡，咨夔謂宜以所獻就犒其軍，如唐魏博故事，使無輕量中國心。 帥乃令輸其半，林亦不復來。
When Cui Yuzhi commanded Huai East, he recruited Zikui to his staff; on frontier affairs large and small he exerted himself fully. Qiu Shoujun replaced Yuzhi as commander; the Jin attacked Liuhe; Yangzhou closed its gates and set defense. Zikui hastened to Shoujun and said: 'The Jin fear Chu and surely have not yet reached Yang—yet you first show weakness yourself; not only will hearts on the left of the Huai be shaken, but the Jin will grow arrogant and surely come. Only send outposts far, scouts finely, pick officers and horses, sound support from outer prefectures, and open the city gates wide, calm as in ordinary times. If the Jin truly come to attack, I shall bear it in person.' Shoujun apologized in shame. Before long the Jin indeed withdrew. Shanyang also held command; Qingzhou's Zhang Lin requested to present two hundred thousand strings of copper cash. Zikui said the presentation should be used to reward his army, as in Tang's Weibo precedent, so they would not lightly regard the Middle Kingdom. The commander then ordered half delivered; Lin also did not come again.
23
與之帥成都，請於帝，授咨夔籍田令、通判成都府。 與之為制置使，首檄咨夔自近，辭曰：「今當開誠心、布公道，合西南人物以濟國事，乃一未有聞而先及門生、故吏，是示人私也。」 卒不受，惟以通判職事往來效忠，蜀人高之。 尋知龍州。 州歲貢麩金，率科礦戶，咨夔曰：「將奉上乃厲民乎？」 出官錢市之。 江油之民歲戍邊，復苦餫饟，為請於制、漕司免之。 毀鄧艾祠，更祠諸葛亮，告其民曰：「毋事仇讎而忘父母。」
When Yuzhi commanded Chengdu, he requested of the emperor that Zikui be granted director of the Altar Fields and vice prefect of Chengdu. When Yuzhi became pacification commissioner, his first dispatch summoned Zikui from nearby; Zikui declined: 'Now we should open sincerity and spread fairness, unite southwest men to aid state affairs—yet the first word is of a student and old subordinate; this shows people private intent.' In the end he did not accept, but only in the vice prefect's duties came and went in loyalty; Shu people honored him. Soon he was made prefect of Long Prefecture. The prefecture yearly presented bran gold, usually levied on mining households. Zikui said: 'To serve the court—is this to oppress the people?' He paid from official funds to buy it. The people of Jiangyou yearly garrisoned the frontier and also suffered transport of provisions; he requested exemption from the pacification and transport commissions. He destroyed Deng Ai's shrine and changed it to Zhuge Liang, telling the people: 'Do not serve the enemy and forget your parents.'
24
還朝，為秘書郎，遷金部員外郎。 會詔求直言，慨然曰：「吾可以盡言寤主矣。」 其父見其疏，曰：「吾能吃茄子飯，汝無憂。」 史彌遠讀至「濟王之死，非陛下本心」，大恚，擲於地。 轉考功員外郎。 轉對，復言李全必為國患。 於是臺諫李知孝、梁成大交論，鐫二秩。 讀書故山七年，而彌遠死，帝親政五日，即以禮部員外郎召，入見，乞養英明之氣，及論君子小人之分。 帝問今日急務，對以進君子而退小人，開誠心而布公道，且言「在陛下一念堅凝」。 又問在外人物，對以「崔與之護蜀而歸，閑居十年，終始全德之老臣，若趣其來，可為朝廷重。 真德秀、魏了翁陛下所簡知，當聚之本朝。」
Returning to court, he was secretary; promoted to vice director of the Ministry of Revenue. When an edict sought straight speech, he said with emotion: 'I can fully speak to awaken the ruler.' His father saw his memorial and said: 'I can eat eggplant rice—you need not worry.' Shi Miyuan read to 'The death of Prince Ji was not Your Majesty's true heart' and was greatly enraged, throwing it on the ground. He was transferred to vice director of the Ministry of Personnel. At court audience he again said Li Quan would surely be a calamity to the state. Thereupon censors Li Zhixiao and Liang Chengda attacked in turn; he was demoted two ranks. He read books in the old mountain seven years; when Miyuan died and the emperor personally governed, within five days he was summoned as vice minister of Rites; on entering audience he begged to nourish bright sagely qi and discussed the division of gentleman and petty man. The emperor asked today's urgent affairs; he answered to advance gentlemen and retire petty men, open sincerity and spread fairness, and said 'it lies in Your Majesty's one thought firm and settled.' He also asked men outside; he answered: 'Cui Yuzhi guarded Shu and returned, idle ten years—an old minister of complete virtue from first to last; if hurried to come, he can weight the court. Zhen Dexiu and Wei Liaoweng are those Your Majesty has selected and known—gather them in this court.'
25
翼日，與王遂並拜監察御史。 咨夔感激知遇，謂遂曰：「朝無親擢臺諫久矣，要當極本窮原而先論之。」 乃上疏曰：
The next day he and Wang Sui were both appointed investigating censor. Zikui, moved by this favor, said to Sui: 'The court has long had no personally raised censors; we must reach root and source and discuss first.' Thereupon he submitted a memorial:
26
「臣歷考往古治亂之原，權歸人主，政出中書，天下未有不治。 權不歸人主，則廉級一夷，綱常且不立，奚政之問？ 政不出中書，則腹心無寄，必轉而他屬，奚權之攬？ 此八政馭群臣，所以獨歸之王，而詔之者必天官冢宰也。 陛下親政以來，威福操柄，收還掌握，揚廷出令，震撼海宇，天下始知有吾君。 元首既明，股肱不容於自惰，撤副封，罷先行，坐政事堂以治事，天下始知有朝廷。 此其大權、大政，亦略舉矣。 然中書之弊端，其大者有四：一曰自用，二曰自專，三曰自私，四曰自固。 願陛下於從容論道之頃，宣示臣言，俾大臣充初志而加定力，懲往轍而圖方來，以仰稱勵精更始之意。」
'Your servant has examined through past ages the sources of order and disorder: when power returns to the ruler and policy issues from the Secretariat, all under heaven has all been set in order. When power does not return to the ruler, then rank and grade are leveled alike, standards and constants are not even established—what policy is there to ask? When policy does not issue from the Secretariat, then the heart-and-belly has no resting place and must turn to belong elsewhere—what power is there to gather? This is why the eight policies govern the host of ministers, power alone returns to the king, and he who proclaims must be the heavenly official chief minister. Since Your Majesty personally governed, authority and blessing's handle have been gathered back into grasp; orders issue from the court and shake the sea and land—all under heaven first knew there is our ruler. Once the head is clear, the arms and legs cannot indulge in sloth; secondary seals were withdrawn, advance reporting abolished, sitting in the Hall of Administration to govern affairs—all under heaven first knew there is a court. These great powers and great policies have also been broadly raised. Yet the Secretariat's abuses, the great ones are four: first self-use, second self-monopoly, third selfishness, fourth self-obstinacy. I hope Your Majesty at the time of leisurely discussing the Way will proclaim your servant's words, so great ministers may fulfill their first intent and add settled strength, punish past tracks and plan for what comes, to match the meaning of exerting oneself in renewal.'
27
帝嘉納之。 又首乞罷樞密使薛極以厲大臣之節，章三上，卒出之。 其他得罪清議者，相繼劾去，朝綱大振。
The emperor praised and accepted it. He also first begged to dismiss Military Affairs Commissioner Xue Ji to stiffen great ministers' integrity; after three memorials Ji was finally removed. Others who had offended pure discussion were impeached and removed in succession; court standards were greatly revived.
28
明年，改元端平。 咨夔預乞於正月朔下詔求直言，使人人得盡言無隱，又乞令內職任之穹者各舉所知，皆從之。 時登進諸儒，以廣講讀、說書之選。 咨夔言聖學之實，所當講明而推行者有六：一，親睦本支； 二，正始閨門； 三，警肅侍御； 四，審正邪用舍； 五，儲養文武之才； 六，憂根本無生事邀功。 又言常平義倉、鹽課及苗稅多取之弊。 京湖以《八陵圖》來上，咨夔援紹興留司奉表八陵及東晉大都督親謁五陵故事，乞先詔制臣往省，俟還，別議朝祭。 又復以完顏守緒骨來獻，時相侈大其事，咨夔曰：「此朽骨耳，函之以葬大理寺可也。 第當以金亡告九廟，歸諸祖宗德澤，況與大敵為鄰，抱虎枕蛟，事變叵測，顧可侈因人之獲，使邊臣論功，朝臣頌德。 且陛下知慕崇政受俘之元祐，獨不鑒端門受降之崇寧乎？」 然不果悉從。
The next year the era name was changed to Duanping. Zikui beforehand begged that on the first day of the first month an edict seek straight speech so all might fully speak without concealment; he also begged that inner officials of high rank each recommend those they knew—all were followed. At the time Confucian scholars were advanced to broaden the selection for lecturing and explaining the classics. Zikui said the substance of sagely learning that should be explained clearly and carried out has six: first, close kinship among the imperial house; second, correct beginnings in the inner quarters; third, alert discipline among attendants; fourth, careful judgment in employing the upright and the depraved; fifth, storing and nurturing talent civil and military; sixth, worrying over the root and not inviting merit by creating incidents. He also spoke of abuses in the Ever-Normal and charity granaries, salt monopoly, and seed tax taking too much. Jing-Hu presented the Eight Tombs Chart; Zikui cited Shaoxing's resident commission presenting the table of the eight tombs and Eastern Jin's grand regional commander personally visiting five tombs, begging first that an edict send ministers to inspect; when returned, then separately discuss court sacrifice. Again when Wanyan Shouxu's bones were presented, the chief minister exaggerated the affair; Zikui said: 'These are rotten bones—coffin them and bury in the Court of Judicial Review. Only report the Jin's fall to the nine temples, return to the ancestors' virtue and grace; moreover we border a great enemy, hugging a tiger and pillowing a flood dragon—changes cannot be measured; how can we extravagantly boast of gain from others, making frontier ministers discuss merit and court ministers praise virtue? Moreover Your Majesty knows to admire Chongzheng's capture of the Yuan—you alone do not take warning from Chongning's surrender at the Duan Gate?' Yet not all was followed.
29
擢殿中侍御史，會王定入臺察，力詆蔣重珍，咨夔乃按定疾視善良，乞罷之。 越三日，左遷定，而擢咨夔中書舍人，尋兼權吏部侍郎，與真德秀同知貢舉，俄兼直學士院。 時咨夔口瘍已深，復上疏謂當引咎悔過，且乞祠，帝曰：「卿在朝多有裨益，何輕去？」 咨夔奏：「臣數備臺諫、給舍，皆不能遏六月之師，何補於朝？ 臣病久當去，去猶足裨風俗。」 帝勉留之，遷吏部侍郎兼給事中。 奏：「比徇私成俗，化實未更，所恃以一公鑠萬私者，獨陛下耳，而好樂營繕，親厚近屬，保護舊臣，若未能無所繫累。」 上在位逾一紀，國本未立，未有敢深言之者，咨夔乞擇宗室子養之，並為濟王立後。
He was promoted to palace attendant censor; when Wang Ding entered the censorate and fiercely attacked Jiang Chongzhen, Zikui then impeached Ding for hating and slighting the good, begging his dismissal. Three days later Ding was demoted left and Zikui was promoted to drafting secretary; soon also acting vice minister of Personnel, with Zhen Dexiu jointly knowing the examinations; soon also concurrently of the Academy. At the time Zikui's mouth ulcer was already deep; he again memorialized that one should accept blame and repent, and also begged a temple post. The emperor said: 'You in court have greatly helped—why lightly leave?' Zikui memorialized: 'Your servant has several times served as censor and drafting reviewer, yet could not restrain the army of the sixth month—what help to the court? Your servant has been ill long and should leave; even in leaving he can still benefit customs.' The emperor urged him to stay and promoted him to vice minister of Personnel concurrently reviewing secretary. He memorialized: 'Recently favoritism has become custom and transformation has truly not changed; what alone can melt ten thousand privates with one fairness is Your Majesty—yet love of music, construction, closeness to near kin, and protecting old ministers seem not yet free of entanglement.' The emperor had been on the throne more than a decade and the foundation of the state was not established; none dared speak deeply—Zikui begged to choose an imperial clansman to rear and also to establish an heir for Prince Ji.
30
擢給事中，史嵩之入相，召赴闕下，進刑部尚書，拜翰林學士、知制誥。 求去愈力，加端明殿學士，卒。 御筆：「洪咨夔鯁亮忠愨，有助親政，與執政恩例，特贈兩官。」 其遺文有《兩漢詔令𢱯抄》、《春秋說》、外內制、奏議、詩文行於世。
He was promoted to reviewing secretary; Shi Songzhi entered the phase and was summoned to court, advanced to minister of Punishments, and appointed Hanlin academician and drafter of edicts. He sought leave all the more forcefully, was given Bearer of the Hall of Bright Clarity, and died. Imperial brush: 'Hong Zikui was upright, bright, loyal, and sincere, aiding personal rule; grant two ranks beyond the precedent for chief ministers.' His surviving writings include Collected Copies of Han Edicts, Explanations of the Spring and Autumn, outer and inner drafts, memorials, and poetry and prose current in the world.
31
許奕，字成子，簡州人。 以父任主長江簿。 丁內艱，免喪調涪城尉。 慶元五年，寧宗親擢進士第一，授簽書劍南東川節度判官。 未期年，持所生父心喪，召為秘書省正字，遷校書郎兼吳興郡王府教授。 尋遷秘書郎、著作佐郎、著作郎，權考功郎官，非報謁問疾不出。
Xu Yi Xu Yi, whose courtesy name was Chengzi, came from Jian Prefecture. By his father's position he was appointed registrar of the Chief Yangtze office. After mourning for his mother, when mourning ended he was transferred to assistant magistrate of Fucheng. In the fifth year of Qingyuan (1199) Emperor Ningzong personally selected him first in the jinshi examination; he was appointed signing secretary of the Jiannan East Circuit military commission. Soon he was promoted secretary, assistant compiler, and compiler; acting director of the Ministry of Personnel—he did not go out except for required visits and inquiries about illness.
32
遷起居舍人，韓侂胄議開邊，奕貽書曰：「今日之勢，如元氣僅屬，不足以當寒暑之寇。」 又因轉對，論：「今日之急惟備邊，而朝廷晏然，百官充位如平時。 京西、淮上之師敗同罰異。 總領，王人也，而聽宣撫司節制，或為參謀。 廟堂之議，外廷莫得聞，護聖之軍，半發於外，而禁衛單薄。」 乞鞫勘贓吏，永廢勿用。 特與放行以啟僥幸者，宜加遏絕。 所言皆侂胄所不樂也。
He was promoted recorder of the emperor's actions; when Han Tuozhou discussed opening the frontier, Yi sent a letter: 'Today's situation is like vital qi barely remaining, insufficient to withstand the raid of cold and heat.' He also at court audience discussed: 'Today's urgency is only preparing the frontier, yet the court is at ease and the hundred officials fill posts as in ordinary times. Jing West and Huai Shang armies were defeated with the same punishment differing. The chief commissioner is the king's man, yet he listens to the pacification commissioner's control, or serves as staff planner. Court deliberations could not be heard outside; half the Protecting Sagely troops were deployed abroad while the metropolitan guard was thin.' He begged to investigate and try corrupt officials and dismiss them forever without employment. Those specially released to open the way for lucky advancement should be further blocked. What he spoke was all what Tuozhou did not like.
33
蜀盜既平，以起居舍人宣撫四川。 奕謂：「使從中遣，必淹時乃至，既又徒云犒師，而不以旌別淑慝為指，無以尉蜀父老之望。」 執政是其言。 又請：「遇朝會，起居郎、舍人分左右立如常儀。 前後殿坐，侍立官御坐東南面西立，可以獲聞聖訓，傳示無極。 臣僚奏事，亦不敢易。」 詔下其疏討論之。
When Shu bandits were pacified, he was made recorder of the emperor's actions to pacify Sichuan. Yi said: 'If sent from the center, it will surely be delayed before arrival; moreover only saying reward the army without distinguishing good and evil as the aim cannot comfort Shu elders' hopes.' The chief ministers agreed with his words. He also requested: 'At court assemblies, recorders of the emperor's actions left and right should stand as in ordinary ritual. Before and after the hall sessions, attendant officials standing southeast of the imperial seat facing west can hear sagely instruction and transmit it without limit. When ministers memorialize, they also dare not change this.' An edict ordered his memorial discussed.
34
遣奕使金，奕與骨肉死訣，詣執政趣受指請行，執政曰：「金人要索，議未決者尚多，今將奈何？」 奕曰：「往集議時，奕嘗謂增歲幣、歸俘虜或可耳，外此其可從乎？ 不可行者，當死守之。」 尋遷起居郎兼權給事中，以國事未濟力辭，不許。 金人聞奕名久，禮迓甚恭，方清暑，離宮相距二十里，至是特為奕還內。 方射，奕破的十有一，乃卒行成。 還奏，帝優勞久之，奕復奏：「和不可恃，宜葺紀綱，練將卒，使屈信進退之權，復歸於我。」 客有以使事賀者，奕憮然曰：「是豈得已者，吾深為天下愧之。」
Yi was sent as envoy to the Jin; he took leave of kin as if for death and went to the chief ministers urging acceptance of instructions to go; the chief minister said: 'The Jin people's demands—matters not yet decided are still many; what now?' Yi said: 'At the gathering for discussion I once said increasing yearly tribute and returning captives might be acceptable—beyond that can one follow? What cannot be done one should die guarding.' Soon he was promoted recorder of the emperor's actions concurrently acting reviewing secretary; because state affairs were not settled he forcefully declined—not permitted. The Jin had long heard Yi's name and received him with great courtesy; it was midsummer and the detached palace was twenty li apart—now they especially returned Yi inside. The Jin had long heard Yi's name and received him with great courtesy; it was midsummer and the detached palace was twenty li apart—now they especially returned Yi inside. At archery Yi hit the target eleven of ten times; then the treaty was finally concluded. On returning to memorialize, the emperor long rewarded him with favor; Yi again memorialized: 'Peace cannot be relied on; one should repair standards, train generals and soldiers, and make the power to bend and extend, advance and retreat, return to us.'
35
權禮部侍郎，條六事以獻。 俄兼侍講。 會諫官王居安、傅伯成以言事去職，奕上疏力爭之。 其後又因災異申言曰：「比年上下以言為諱，諫官無故而去者再矣。 以言名官，且不得盡，況疏遠乎。」 又論：「用兵以來，資賞泛濫，僥倖捷出，宜加裁制。」 夏旱，詔求言，奕言：「當以實意行實政，活民於死，不可責償於禱祠之間而已也。 蝗至都城，然後下禮寺講酺祭，孰非王土，顧及境而懼，偶不至輦下，則終不以為災乎。」 又曰：「權臣之誅也，下至閭巷，讙聲如雷。 蓋更化之初，人有厚望，久而無以相遠也，此謗讟之所從生。」 又曰：「內降非盛世事也，王璿進狀不實而經營以求倖免，裴伸何人，驟為帶御器械。」 時應詔者甚眾，奕言最為剴切。 攝兼侍讀，每進讀至古今治亂，必參言時事：「願陛下試思，設遇事若此，當何以處之。」 必拱默移時，俟帝凝思，乃徐竟其說。 帝曰：「如此則經筵不徒設矣。」
A guest congratulated him on the mission; Yi said with distress: 'This is what could not be helped—I deeply feel shame for all under heaven.' Acting vice minister of Rites, he listed six matters to present. Soon he also concurrently lectured. When remonstrating officials Wang Ju'an and Fu Bocheng left office for their words, Yi submitted a memorial forcefully disputing it. Afterward he again spoke because of calamities and anomalies: 'In recent years above and below took speech as taboo—remonstrating officials left without cause twice. Offices named for speech cannot even be fully filled—how much more the distant?' He also discussed: 'Since using troops, rewards and bestowals have been excessive and lucky swift advancement—one should add restraint. In summer drought an edict sought speech; Yi said: 'One should with real intent carry out real government and save the people from death—not merely demand repayment in prayer and sacrifice.' Locusts reached the capital; only then did the Ministry of Rites discuss exorcism sacrifice—whose is not the king's soil? To care only when reaching the border and fear, if by chance not reaching below the imperial carriage, then never treat as calamity? ' He also said: 'When the powerful minister was executed, down to lanes and alleys, shouts of joy were like thunder. At the beginning of the transformation people had great hope; long without making them distant—this is where slander arises.' He also said: 'Inner descent is not a flourishing-age matter; Wang Xuan presented a false report yet schemed to seek escape from fortune; who is Pei Shen that he was suddenly made bearer of imperial arms?' At the time many answered the edict; Yi's words were most earnest. Acting concurrently lecturing, each time reading to ancient order and disorder he always added words on current affairs: 'I hope Your Majesty will try to think—if encountering such a matter, how would you handle it?' He must bow in silence a while, wait for the emperor to concentrate thought, then slowly finish his explanation.
36
遷吏部侍郎兼修玉牒官，兼權給事中，論駁十有六事，皆貴族近習之撓政體者。 而封還劉德秀贈典、高文虎之奉祠，士論尤韙之。 加楊次山少保、永陽郡王，奕上疏曰：「自古外戚恩寵太甚，鮮不禍咎，天道惡盈，理所必至。 次山果辭，則宜從之，如欲更示優恩，則超轉少傅，在陛下既隆於恩，在次山知止於義，顧不休哉！」 又言：「史彌遠力辭恩命，宜從之以成其美。」 疏入，不報。 奕遂臥家求補外，以顯謨閣待制知瀘州。 彌遠問所欲言，奕曰：「比觀時事，調護之功深，扶持之意少，非朝廷之利也。」
The emperor said: 'Thus the classics hall is not set up in vain.' He was promoted vice minister of Personnel concurrently revising the Veritable Records and acting reviewing secretary; he disputed and returned sixteen matters—all nobles and near attendants who disturbed government. He returned Liu Dexiu's posthumous favor and Gao Wenhu's temple service—public opinion especially approved. When Yang Cishan was given Junior Guardian and Prince of Yongyang, Yi memorialized: 'From old when imperial affines received favor too greatly, few escaped calamity—heaven's way hates excess; reason surely requires it. If Cishan indeed declines, then it is fitting to follow; if wishing further to show generous grace, then promote to Junior Mentor—in Your Majesty great grace is already shown, in Cishan knowing to stop in righteousness—why not rest!' He also said: 'Shi Miyuan forcefully declined gracious appointment—should follow to complete his beauty.' The memorial entered; no response. Yi then lay at home seeking an outside post, as Bearer of the Manifest Illustrious Hall and prefect of Lu Prefecture.
37
嘉、敘、瀘俱接夷壤，董蠻米在大入，俘殺兵民，四路創安邊司窮治其事。 奕得夷人質之以致所掠，由是迕安邊司。 夷酋王粲浮檆木萬計入賈，奕慮其蕩水陸之險，驅之。
Miyuan asked what he wished to say; Yi said: 'Recently observing affairs, the work of adjusting and protecting is deep but the intent to support is little—not the court's benefit.' Jia, Xu, and Lu all border barbarian territory; Dong Manmi of the Mi barbarians made a great incursion, capturing and killing soldiers and civilians; the four circuits' Pacify Barbarians office thoroughly investigated. Yi took barbarian hostages to recover what was seized—thereby crossing the Pacify Barbarians office.
38
安撫使安丙新立大功，讒忌日聞，宰相錢象祖出謗書問奕，奕喟而言：「士不愛一死而因於眾多之口，亦可悲也。 奕願以百口保之。」 象祖艴然曰：「公悉安子文若此乎？」 適宇文紹節宣撫荊湖還，亦曰：「僕願亦百口以信許公之言。」 於是異論頓息，委寄益專。 奕於丙深相知，而職事所關必反復辯數以求直。 其後士多畔丙，奕獨以書疏候問愈數。
Pacification commissioner An Bing had newly achieved great merit; slander and jealousy were heard daily. Chief Minister Qian Xiangzu produced slander books and asked Yi; Yi sighed and said, 'A gentleman who will not risk one death yet is trapped by many mouths is pitiable. Yi offered to guarantee him with a hundred lives.' Xiangzu flushed and said: 'Do you all trust An Ziwen thus?' Xiangzu flushed and said: 'Do you all trust An Ziwen thus?' Just then Yuwen Shaojie returned from pacifying Jing-Hu and also said: 'I too wish with a hundred mouths to trust what Lord Xu says.' Thereupon differing opinions suddenly ceased and trust was all the more exclusive. Yi with Bing deeply knew each other, yet in official matters must repeatedly argue numbers to seek what was right.
39
移知夔州，表辭不行，改知遂寧府。 捐緡錢數十萬以代民輸，復鹽策之利以養士，為浮梁作隄數百丈，民德之，畫像祠於學。 進龍圖閣待制，加寶謨閣直學士，知潼川府。 霖雨壞城，撤而築之，不以煩民，亦捐緡錢十二萬為十縣民代輸，於是其民亦相與祠於東山僧舍。
Afterward many scholars turned from Bing; Yi alone with letters and memorials inquired all the more frequently. Transferred to prefect of Kuizhou; he memorialized declining and did not go; changed to prefect of Suining. He donated several hundred thousand strings of cash to pay for the people's levies, restored salt policy profits to support scholars, built hundreds of zhang of embankment for a floating bridge—the people honored him and set up his image in the school shrine. Promoted to Bearer of the Dragon Diagram Hall, given Direct Bearer of the Hall of Treasured Plans, and made prefect of Tongchuan.
40
會金人敗盟，蜀道震擾，奕請速選威望大臣宣撫，信賞必罰，以獎忠義、收人心。 又言：「忠義之招，體勢倒持，兵食頓增，未知攸濟，且斬將之人未聞褒擢，敗軍之將未見施行，事勢不決，將有後時之悔。」 御史劾奕欺罔，降一官。 詔提舉玉降宮，未數月，特復元官，提舉崇福宮。
Continuous rain damaged the city wall; he demolished and rebuilt it without troubling the people, also donating one hundred twenty thousand strings for the ten counties' people to pay in their stead—thereupon they also set up shrines for him at the East Mountain monastery. He also said: 'The summons of loyalty and righteousness holds power upside down; army provisions suddenly increase with no clear way to supply them; moreover those who beheaded generals are not heard rewarded, and defeated generals are not seen punished—if affairs cannot be decided, there will be later regret.' The censor impeached Yi for deception and he was demoted one rank. An edict made him director of the Jade Descent Palace; within not many months he was specially restored to his original rank and made director of the Chongfu Palace.
41
還家，草遺表曰：「自念本非衰病，初染微屙。 當湯熨可去之時，臣以疾而為諱； 及針石已窮之後，醫束手而莫圖。 靖言膏肓所致之由，大抵脈絡不通之故。」 皆寓諷諫之意。 進顯謨閣直學士致仕，贈通議大夫。 初，奕之守瀘，帝顧禮部尚書章穎曰：「許奕已去乎？」 起居舍人真德秀侍帝前，論人才，上以骨鯁稱之。
Edict made him director of the Jade Descent Palace; within not many months he was specially restored to original rank and made director of the Chongfu Palace. Returning home, he drafted a final memorial: 'Reflecting that originally this was not decline from age; at first I caught a slight ailment. When hot compresses could remove it, your servant concealed illness; Quiet words on the deep illness's cause—mostly because the pulse channels were not connected.' All embodied allegorical remonstrance. He was promoted to Direct Bearer of the Manifest Illustrious Hall and retired, and was posthumously given the title Master of Discussion on Government. When Yi was governing Lu, the emperor turned to Minister of Rites Zhang Ying and asked, 'Has Xu Yi already left?' Recorder of the emperor's actions Zhen Dexiu attended before the emperor and discussed talent; the emperor praised him as backbone.
42
奕天性孝友，送死恤孤，恩意備至。 通籀隸書，所著有《毛詩說》、《論語尚書周禮講義》、奏議、雜文行世。
Yi was by nature filial and friendly; in sending off the dead and comforting orphans his kindness was complete. He mastered seal, official, and clerical script; his works include Explanations of the Mao Odes, Expositions on the Analects, Documents, and Zhou Rites, memorials, and miscellaneous writings current in the world.
43
陳居仁
Chen Juren
44
陳居仁，字安行，興化軍人。 父太府少卿膏，娶明州汪氏女，因家焉。 膏初為汾州教授，佐守臣張克戩捍金人。 後知惠州，單馬造曾袞壘，譬曉降之。 鄞僧王法恩謀逆事覺，或請屠城，膏方為御史，力論多殺非聖世事，脅從者悉寬宥之。
Chen Juren, whose courtesy name was Anxing, came from Xinghua commandery. His father, Vice Director of the Court of the Imperial Treasury Chen Gao, married a woman of the Wang clan of Ming Prefecture and therefore made his home there. His father Vice Director of the Court of the Imperial Treasury Gao married a woman of the Wang clan of Ming Prefecture and therefore made his home there. Gao at first was professor of Fen Prefecture and assisted the defending minister Zhang Kechan in resisting the Jin. The Yin monk Wang Fa'en's plot of rebellion was discovered; some requested slaughtering the city—Gao was then censor and forcefully argued that mass killing was not a sagely-age affair; those coerced were all leniently pardoned.
45
居仁年十四而孤，以蔭授鉛山尉。 紹興二十一年舉進士。 秦檜與膏有故，有勸以一見可得美官，居仁曰：「是有命焉。」 終不自通。 移永豐令，入監行在點檢贍軍激賞酒庫所糴場，詔修《高宗聖政》，妙選寮屬，與范成大並充檢討官。
Juren was orphaned at fourteen; by yin privilege he was appointed assistant magistrate of Qianshan. In the twenty-first year of Shaoxing (1151) he passed the jinshi examination. Qin Hui and Gao had old ties; some urged one meeting to obtain a fine office—Juren said, 'This is a matter of fate.' In the end he did not present himself. He was moved to magistrate of Yongfeng, entered as supervisor of the Capital Provision Army Reward Wine Warehouse purchase field, and by edict revised Sagely Governance of Gaozong; he and Fan Chengda were both made revising officers.
46
淮甸交兵，魏杞以宗正少卿使金，辟居仁幕下。 時和戰未決，金兵駐淮北，人情恟懼，突騎大至，彎弓夾道，居仁上馬，猶從容舉酒屬杞：「天寒且酹此觴。」 觀者壯之。 乃諭金人開道入，卒成禮，減歲幣而還。 因出疆賞，轉承議郎，授諸王宮大小學教授。 杞秉國柄，居仁忍貧需遠次，未嘗求進。 虞允文欲引以為用，不就。 允文欲與論兵，謝不能，退而貽書謂：「有定力乃可立事，若徒為大言，終必無成，幸成亦旋敗。」 允文為之色動。
When fighting broke out along the Huai, Wei Qi went to Jin as envoy with the rank of Vice Director of the Imperial Clan Court and took Juren onto his mission staff. Peace and war were still unsettled, Jin armies held the north bank of the Huai, and fear ran through the mission. Enemy horsemen suddenly poured in, bows drawn along the road. Juren mounted and still calmly offered Qi a cup: "It is cold—drink this toast first. The onlookers took heart at his bearing. He persuaded the Jin to open a passage, the embassy rituals were completed, and the party returned having secured a reduction in annual tribute payments. Rewarded for the border mission, he was promoted to Gentleman for Discussion of Policy and appointed to teach in the great and small schools of the princes' household. While Qi wielded state power, Juren endured poverty in remote assignments and never asked for promotion. Yu Yunwen tried to draw him into office, but he declined. When Yunwen wanted to debate military strategy, he pleaded incapacity, then wrote afterward: "Only steadfast resolve can establish real achievement. Grand talk alone ends in failure; even a fleeting success soon collapses. Yunwen visibly changed expression at the rebuke.
47
徙主軍器監簿、宗正修玉牒。 轉對，言：「立國須定規模，陛下非無可致之資，而規模未立。」 孝宗初頗不懌，曰：「朕未嘗不立規模。」 居仁奏：「陛下銳意恢復，繼乃通和，和、戰、守三者迄今未定，孰為規模耶？」 允文曰：「此正前日定力之論，某今益知此言之當也。」
He was moved to serve as registrar of the Directorate of Military Equipment and to edit the imperial genealogy for the Imperial Clan Court. At a palace audience he said: "A state must have a settled design. Your Majesty has the capacity to achieve great things, but that design has not yet been fixed. Xiaozong was at first annoyed. "I have never failed to set a plan," he said. Juren replied: "Your Majesty first pressed recovery, then turned to peace. War, peace, and defense are still unsettled. Which of these is your governing plan? Yunwen said, "This is precisely what he meant about resolve. I see now how right he was."
48
遷將作監丞，轉國子丞。 九年，進秘書丞。 入對，論文武並用長久之術：「陛下獎進武臣，深得持平救偏之道，然未必得智謀勇略之士，或多便佞輕躁之徒，將復有偏勝之患。」 帝喜納。 權禮部郎官。 嘗言臺閣宜多用明習典故之士，帝問其人，居仁以李燾、莫濟對。 甫數日，召燾。
He rose to Vice Director of the Directorate of Palace Buildings, then became Vice Director of the Directorate of Education. In the ninth year of the reign he was promoted to Secretary Assistant. In audience he urged a lasting balance of civil and military talent: "Your Majesty's encouragement of military men rightly corrects past bias, yet you may not be gaining true strategists, but rather sycophants and hotheads—and bias may return in another form. The emperor welcomed the advice. He served in an acting capacity as a director in the Ministry of Rites. He once argued that the central archives should rely more on scholars versed in precedent. When the emperor asked for names, Juren recommended Li Tao and Mo Ji. Within days Li Tao was summoned to court.
49
居仁力請外，乃知徽州。 帝令陛辭，慰諭遣之。 至郡，告以天子節經費以惠儉瘠，不能推廣聖德，吏則有罪。 乃招三衙軍，植二表於庭，有輸納中度而遭抑退者，抱所輸立表下，親視之，人無留滯，吏不能措手，輸稅者恒裹贏以歸。 鄰州有訟，多詣臺省乞決於居仁。 秩滿，邦人挽留，由間道始得去。
Juren pressed for a provincial post and was appointed prefect of Huizhou. The emperor received his farewell audience, comforted him, and sent him on his way. On reaching the prefecture he announced that the emperor was cutting spending to help the poor, and that any official who failed to carry out that policy would be held guilty. He summoned the local militia offices and set up two posts in the courtyard. Anyone whose tax payment met the standard but was still turned away could stand under the posts holding his grain while Juren watched in person. No payment was held up and clerks could not interpose; taxpayers regularly went home with grain still tied in their bundles. Litigants from neighboring prefectures often petitioned the central offices to have their cases decided by Juren. When his term ended the people tried to keep him, and he escaped only by a back road.
50
入對，帝舉新安之政獎之。 請編類隆興以來寬恤詔令，有曰：「法久則易玩，事久則易怠。 惟申加戒飭，有以儆其觀聽，則千萬年猶一日。」 帝曰：「名言也。」 又言：「歸正忠順，過於優渥，而遇戰士反輕。 此曹出萬死策勳，今老矣，添差已罷，廩稍半給，至丐於市，軍士解體。 乞加優恤，以終始念功之意，堅後生圖報之心。」 帝覽之嘉歎。 會駕大閱白石，即命再添差兩任，衣糧全給，三軍為之呼舞。
At audience the emperor praised his administration in Xin'an (Huizhou). He asked that leniency edicts since the Longxing era be compiled, saying, "Laws grow stale and people treat them lightly; policies grow old and officials grow slack. Repeated admonition keeps everyone alert, and then even after centuries the spirit of the law remains as fresh as on the first day. The emperor said, "Well said. He added, "Defectors from the north are treated too generously, while men who actually fought are slighted. These men earned honors at the risk of their lives, but now in old age their extra appointments have ended, half their grain allowance is cut off, and some beg in the markets—the army's morale is collapsing. He asked for better care for veterans, to honor merit to the end and stiffen younger soldiers' will to serve. The emperor read the memorial and praised it warmly. During a grand military review at Baishi the emperor immediately granted veterans two more supplementary appointments and full rations, and the armies cheered.
51
留為戶部右曹郎官，命未下，朝方推《會要》賞，帝曰：「陳居仁治行為天下第一，可因是並賞之。」 特轉朝議大夫兼權度支，又兼權禮部。 會樞屬闕員，方進擬，帝曰：「豈有人才如陳居仁而可久為郎乎？」 即授樞密院檢詳文字，尋為右司，遷左司，又遷檢正中書門下省諸房公事，歷兼左藏諸庫。 居仁親視按牘，嘗謂：「有罪幸免則冤者何告，誣枉者七人皆當敘復。」 執政難之，居仁退，疏其冤狀上之。 帝曰：「居仁精審，尚復何疑。」 詔以旱求言，居仁乞命公卿務行寬大，御史京鏜極論從窄之弊，此風未革。
He was kept at court as a director in the Ministry of Revenue; before the order issued, the court was discussing rewards for work on the Essentials of Institutions. The emperor said, "Chen Juren's record as an administrator is the finest in the realm—reward him along with the others. He was specially promoted to Grandee of Court Discussion, with concurrent acting appointments in fiscal control and the Ministry of Rites. When the Bureau of Military Affairs had openings and nominees were being listed, the emperor said, "How can someone of Chen Juren's talent stay in a mid-level post any longer? He was immediately made textual reviewer in the Bureau of Military Affairs, then right section chief, left section chief, and reviewer of Secretariat affairs, while also overseeing the left storehouse treasuries in turn. Juren personally reviewed case files and once said, "If the guilty go free, the innocent have nowhere to turn. Seven men were wrongfully convicted and should all be rehabilitated. The chief ministers resisted, so Juren withdrew and sent up a memorial detailing the injustice. The emperor said, "Juren has examined the case carefully. What further doubt is there? After a drought edict inviting criticism, Juren urged the chief ministers to govern leniently, while Censor Jing Chuan had already attacked narrow severity—the habit had not yet changed.
52
假吏部尚書使金，還，遷起居郎，尋兼詳定一司敕令兼權中書舍人，泛恩濫賞，封繳無所避。 因言：「恩惠不及小民，名為寬逋負，實以惠頑民耳； 名為赦有罪，實以惠姦民耳。 願盡放天下五等戶身丁，四等戶一半。」 從之。 安定王子肜乞封妾為夫人，居仁繳奏，帝喜迎，謂有補風教。 又論：「君人之道，貴在執要，今陛下親細故而忽遠猷，事末節而忘大體，願舉綱要以御臣下，省思慮以頤精神。」 詰旦，令清中書之務。 權直學士院。 帝曰：「內外制向委數人，今陳居仁一人當之，不見其難。」 乞詔大臣博議「絕浮費，汰冗兵，計當省之數，定蠲除之目，此富民之要術也。」
As acting Minister of Personnel he went on embassy to Jin. Back at court he became Attendant Gentleman, then helped revise the legal code and served as acting drafting secretary. Faced with indiscriminate favors and lavish rewards, he returned objection memorials without flinching. He said, "These favors never reach ordinary people. What is called forgiving tax arrears really only helps defiant landowners; what is called pardoning criminals really only helps vicious offenders. He asked that corvée service be canceled entirely for fifth-rank households nationwide and halved for fourth-rank households. The emperor agreed. When the Prince of Anding's son Xin asked to ennoble a concubine as a lady, Juren returned the draft. The emperor welcomed the objection and said it upheld public morals. He also warned, "A ruler must grasp essentials. Your Majesty now busies yourself with trifles and neglects far-reaching policy, fusses over details and loses sight of the whole. Take hold of the main lines of governance and spare your energy. The next morning the emperor ordered the Secretariat to clear its minor business. He served as acting academician of the Hanlin Academy. The emperor said, "Court documents used to be split among several writers. Chen Juren handles them alone, and he shows no strain. He asked the emperor to have senior ministers debate how to end wasteful spending, cut redundant troops, set concrete savings targets, and define tax reductions—"the essential means to make the people prosper."
53
以集英殿修撰知鄂州，築長隄捍江，新安樂寮以養貧病之民，撥閒田歸之。 進煥章閣待制，移建寧府。 歲饑，出儲粟平其價，弛逋負以巨萬計，代輸畸零繭稅。 有因告糴殺人者，會赦免，居仁曰：「此亂民也，釋之將覆出為惡。」 遂誅之。 觀察推官柳某死，貧不克歸，二子行丐於道，聞而憐之，予之衣食，買田以養之，擇師以教之。 鎮江大旱，又移居仁守鎮江。 請以緡錢十四萬給兵食，不報； 為書以義撼丞相，然後許。 發時密往覘之。 間遣糴運於荊楚商人，商人曰：「是陳待制耶？」 爭以粟就糴。 居仁區畫有方，所存活數萬計。 因饑民治古海鮮界港，為石䃮丹徒境上，蓄泄以時，以通漕運。 治江陰姦僧。
As Academician-Reviser of the Hall for Assembling Excellence he governed E Prefecture, built a long dike against the Yangzi, founded a hospice for the poor and sick, and assigned vacant fields to support it. Promoted to Attendant Academic Administrator of the Hall of Glorious Patterns, he was transferred to Jianning. In famine he sold reserve grain to stabilize prices, forgave millions in tax arrears, and paid fragmentary silk-tax debts for the people. A man who had killed someone during a food riot was spared by a general amnesty. Juren said, "He is a riotous criminal. If released he will harm the people again. Juren had him executed anyway. When an investigative commission assessor surnamed Liu died too poor to send his body home, his two sons were begging on the road. Juren took pity, gave them food and clothing, bought land to support them, and found them a tutor. After a severe drought in Zhenjiang, Juren was transferred to govern that prefecture. He requested 140,000 strings of cash for troop rations and received no answer; then wrote to the chief councilor on moral grounds and won approval. When the grain was dispatched he went secretly to inspect the distribution. He also sent agents to buy grain from Hubei merchants, who asked, "Is this Commissioner Chen? They competed to sell him their grain. Juren organized relief effectively and kept tens of thousands alive. He employed famine refugees to restore the ancient Guanghai harbor, built stone embankments in Dantu, and regulated sluices on schedule to keep the grain transport route open. He prosecuted corrupt monks in Jiangyin.
54
加寶文閣待制、知福州。 入境，有饑民嘯聚，部分牙兵遮擊之，首惡計窮，自經死。 治宗室之暴橫，申蠱毒之舊禁。 有召命求閒者，再進華文閣直學士，提舉太平興國宮，卒，贈金紫光祿大夫。
Promoted to Attendant Academic Administrator of the Hall of Precious Culture and appointed prefect of Fuzhou. On entering the prefecture he found starving people rioting in bands. He dispatched government troops to block them, and the ringleader, seeing no escape, hanged himself. He curbed lawless imperial clansmen and reimposed the old ban on poison cults. When recalled to court he asked for a quiet post, was made Direct Academic Gentleman of the Literary Glory Hall and superintendent of the Taiping Xingguo Palace, died there, and was posthumously given Grandee of the Purple Audience with the Golden Seal.
55
居仁風度凝遠，處己應物，壹以誠信。 臨事毅然有守，所至號稱循吏，皆立祠祀之。 有奏議、制稿、詩文行世。 子卓。
Juren's bearing was calm and reserved; in private conduct and public dealings alike he acted with complete integrity. In office he was firm and principled. Everywhere he served he was hailed as a model administrator, and shrines were raised in his honor. His memorials, draft edicts, poems, and essays circulated in his time. Zhuo
56
子卓
Zhuo
57
卓，字立道，紹熙元年進士，其後知江州，移寧國府。 丞相以故欲見之，卓謝不往，丞相益器之。 李全叛，褫其爵，詔書至淮，人益自勵； 太廟災，降罪己詔，京師感動，皆卓所草也。 為簽書樞密院事。 未幾，丐祠還里。 平生不營產業，以賛書所酬金築世綸堂。 閑居十有六年，卒年八十有六。 將葬，事不能具，丞相吳潛聞之，貽書制置使以助。 其孫定孫力請諡於朝，乃諡「清敏」。
Zhuo, courtesy name Lidao, passed the jinshi in 1190 and later governed Jiangzhou and Ningguo. The chief councilor, an old acquaintance, wished to see him, but Zhuo declined. The minister valued him all the more. When Li Quan rebelled, an edict stripping his titles reached the Huai front and stiffened public morale; when fire destroyed the imperial ancestral temple, Zhuo also drafted the self-reproach edict that deeply moved the capital. He served as Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Soon he asked for a sinecure and returned home. He never built up property, and used his pay as a drafting secretary to erect the Shilun Hall. He lived in retirement sixteen years and died at eighty-six. When his family could not afford the funeral, Chief Councilor Wu Qian heard and wrote the prefectural commissioner to help. His grandson Dingsun pressed the court for a posthumous title, and Zhuo was given the name Qingmin, "Pure and Vigilant."
58
劉漢弼
Liu Hanbi
59
劉漢弼，字正甫，上虞人。 生二歲而孤，母謝氏撫而教之。 嘉定九年舉進士，授吉州教授。 歷江西安撫司幹官，監南嶽廟、浙西提舉茶鹽司幹官。 召試館職，改秘書省正字，序遷秘書郎兼沂王府教授，改著作佐郎兼史館校勘，權考功員外郎。 升著作郎、知嘉興府兼兵部員外郎，改兼考功。 尋為考功員外郎兼崇政殿說書、編修國史、檢討實錄，擢監察御史。 出知溫州。 尋擢太常少卿，以左司諫召，擢侍御史兼侍講，以戶部侍郎致仕。
Liu Hanbi, courtesy name Zhengfu, came from Shangyu. Orphaned at two, he was raised and educated by his mother, Lady Xie. In 1216 he passed the jinshi examination and was appointed professor at Ji Prefecture. He served on the Jiangxi Pacification Commission staff, as superintendent of the Southern Marchmount Temple, and on the Western Zhe tea and salt intendant staff. Summoned to a qualifying examination for the Hanlin Academy, he became Secretariat Rectifier, rose to Secretariat Gentleman while teaching in the Prince of Yi's household, then became Assistant Compiler and History Office collator, and acting Vice Director of Personnel. Promoted to Compiler, he governed Jiaxing while also serving as Vice Director of War, then shifted to a concurrent Personnel post. He soon became Vice Director of Personnel, lectured at the Chongzheng Hall, compiled the National History and Veritable Records, and was promoted to Investigating Censor. He was appointed prefect of Wenzhou. He was soon promoted to Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, recalled as Left Section Remonstrator, then Attendant Censor and court lecturer, and retired as Vice Minister of Revenue.
60
漢弼學明義利之辨，為正字時，應詔言事，極論致災弭災之道。 為校書郎，轉對，舉蘇軾所言結人心，厚風俗，存紀綱。 又論制閫當復其舊，戎司當各還其所，邊郡守當用武臣。 又論決和戰以定國論，合江、淮以壹帥權，公賞罰以勵人心，廣規撫以用人才。 為著作佐郎，言兵財楮幣權不可分。 又言取士之法，詞學不當去「宏博」字，混補不如復待補之便。 為著作，為考功員外，所陳皆切於時務。 及為言官，帝獎諭曰：「以卿純實不欺，故此親擢，宜悉心以告。」
Hanbi was learned in distinguishing righteousness from profit. As Secretariat Rectifier he answered the emperor's call for advice with a thorough discussion of how calamities arise and how they may be averted. As collator, at court audience he cited Su Shi's words on binding people's hearts, thickening customs, and preserving standards. He also argued that pacification commissioners should be restored to their old posts, frontier commissions returned to their proper places, and border prefectures should employ military officials. He also argued for deciding war and peace to settle national policy, uniting Jiang and Huai under one commander's authority, using public rewards and punishments to stir hearts, and broad pacification to employ talent. As assistant compiler he said military finances and paper currency authority must not be divided. He also discussed examination policy: the erudite phrases category should keep the word 'comprehensive and broad,' and mixed supplementary appointment was inferior to restoring waiting supplementary appointment. As compiler and vice director of Personnel, everything he presented cut closely to current affairs. When he became a remonstrating official, the emperor praised him: 'Because you are pure and solid without deception, I personally raised you—devote yourself fully to advising me.'
61
漢弼以臺綱久馳，疏三事，曰：定規撫，正體統，遠謀慮。 首論給事中錢相巧於迎合，睥睨政地，直學士院吳愈不稱其職，罷去之。 又劾中書舍人濮斗南、左正言葉賁，疏留中不出。 賁，松陽人，為時相史嵩之腹心。 有使賁互按者，明日賁有他命，而漢弼由是去國。 嵩之久擅國柄，帝益患苦之，既復以左司諫召，首贊帝分別邪正以息眾疑。 奏疏論立聖心、正君道、謹事機、伸士氣、收人才五事，帝嘉其言，並付外行之。
Hanbi, because censorial standards had long lapsed, memorialized three matters: settle pacification, correct institutional form, and keep distant counsel. First he discussed Reviewing Secretary Qian Xiang, skilled at flattery and eyeing political ground; Direct Bearer of the Academy Wu Yu did not fit his post—dismiss them. He also impeached Drafting Secretary Pu Dounan and Left Rectifier Ye Ben; the memorial was held in the palace and not issued. Ben was a native of Songyang and the trusted confidant of Chief Minister Shi Songzhi. Someone had Ben conduct mutual investigation; the next day Ben received another appointment and Hanbi thereby left the capital. Songzhi long monopolized state power; the emperor grew more troubled; having again summoned Hanbi as left remonstrator, he first praised the emperor's distinguishing depravity and rectitude to quiet many doubts. His memorial discussed establishing sagely heart, correcting the ruler's way, careful handling of opportunities, extending scholar-official spirit, and gathering talent—five matters; the emperor praised his words and all were sent out for implementation.
62
及為侍御史，密奏曰：「自古未有一日無宰相之朝，今虛相位已三月，尚可狐疑而不斷乎？ 願奮發英斷，拔去陰邪，庶可轉危而安； 否則是非不可兩立，邪正不並進，陛下雖欲收召善類，不可得矣。 臣聞富弼之起復，止於五請，蔣芾之起復，止於三請，今嵩之既六請矣，願聽其終喪，亟選賢臣，早定相位。」 帝覽納，遂決。 乃命范鍾、杜範並相，百官舉笏相慶，漢弼之力為多。 又累章言金淵、鄭起潛、陳一薦、謝達、韓祥、濮斗南、王德明，皆疇昔託身私門，為之腹心，盤據要路，公論之所切齒者。 至論馬光祖奪情，總賦淮東，乃嵩之預為引例之地，乞勒令追服終喪，以補名教。
When he was attendant censor he secretly memorialized: 'From old there has never been a court for a single day without a chief minister; now the vacant phase has lasted three months—can one still hesitate without deciding? I hope Your Majesty will rouse brilliant decision and uproot hidden depravity—then one may turn danger to safety; otherwise right and wrong cannot stand together and depravity and rectitude cannot advance together—though Your Majesty wishes to gather good men, it cannot be done. Your servant hears Fu Bi's return from mourning stopped at five requests, Jiang Fu's at three—now Songzhi has already requested six; I hope to hear his full mourning, quickly select worthy ministers, and early settle the phase.' The emperor read and accepted it and thereupon decided. He then ordered Fan Zhong and Du Fan both as chief ministers; the hundred officials raised their tablets in mutual rejoicing—Hanbi's effort was great. He also submitted successive memorials on Jin Yuan, Zheng Qiqian, Chen Yijian, Xie Da, Han Xiang, Pu Dounan, and Wang Deming—all formerly entrusting themselves to private gates as their heart-and-belly, occupying key roads, men of whom public opinion gnashed teeth. He also discussed Ma Guangzu seizing mourning and chief-assessing Huai East—land Songzhi had pre-arranged as a precedent case—and begged to order him to pursue full mourning to repair name and teaching.
63
帝嚐屬漢弼以進人才，退而條具以奏，皆時望所歸重。 漢弼以受知特異，而姦邪未盡屏汰，論議未能堅定為慮，遂感末疾，居亡何，遂卒。 特贈四官，未幾，賜官田五百畝、楮五千緡給其家，諡曰「忠」。 漢弼之沒也，太學生蔡德潤等百七十有三人伏闕上書以為暴卒，而程公許著《漢弼墓銘》，亦與徐元杰並言，其旨微矣。
The emperor once entrusted Hanbi to advance talent; retiring he listed items and memorialized—all were men of the time's hopes and weight. Hanbi, because he received special trust yet depravity and evil were not fully swept away and discussion could not be firm, was anxious; he contracted a terminal illness and soon died. He was specially granted four ranks; before long five hundred mu of official fields and five thousand strings of paper cash were given his family; posthumous name Loyal. At Hanbi's death more than one hundred seventy Imperial University students such as Cai Derun prostrated at the palace gate memorializing that he died suddenly; Cheng Gongxu also wrote Hanbi's tomb inscription, speaking of him together with Xu Yuanjie—the meaning is subtle.
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論曰：唐張九齡、姜公輔，宋余靖皆出於嶺嶠之南，而為名世公卿，造物者曷嘗擇地而生賢哉？ 先王立賢無方，蓋為是也。 番禺崔與之晚出，屹然大臣之風，卒與三子者方駕齊驅。 洪咨夔、許奕直道正言於理宗在位之日。 陳居仁見稱循吏，親結主知。 劉漢弼抱忠以死，哀哉！
The discussion says: Tang's Zhang Jiuling and Jiang Gongfu, Song's Yu Jing—all came from south of the Ling ranges yet became famous-generation chief ministers; how does the Creator choose land in producing worthies? The former kings established worthies without limit—indeed it is for this. Panyu Cui Yuzhi rose late yet had the bearing of a great minister standing firm, and in the end matched the three men abreast in the race. Hong Zikui and Xu Yi spoke the straight way and correct words in the days of Emperor Lizong's reign. Chen Juren was called a model official and personally bound the ruler's trust. Liu Hanbi embraced loyalty and died—alas!