Volume 413 Biographies 172: Zhao Rutan, Zhao Rudang, Zhao Xiguan, Zhao Yanne, Zhao Shan Xiang, Zhao Yuhuan, Zhao Biyuan

趙汝談趙汝讜趙希趙彥呐趙善湘趙與歡趙必願

Biographies of Zhao Rutan, Zhao Rudang, Zhao Xiguan, Zhao Yanne, Zhao Shanxiang, Zhao Yuhuan, and Zhao Biyuan

趙汝談，字履常，生而穎悟，年十五，以大父恩補將仕郎。登淳熙十一年進士第。丞相周必大得其文異之，語參知政事施師點曰：“是子他日有大名於世。 ”調汀州教授，改廣德軍，添差江西安撫司幹辦公事。嚐從朱熹訂疑義十數條，熹嗟異之。

Zhao Rutan, courtesy name Lüchang, was gifted from birth. At fifteen he received the rank of Gentleman for Meritorious Service through his great-grandfather's privilege. He passed the jinshi examinations in the eleventh year of the Chunxi reign (1184). Chief Councillor Zhou Bida was struck by his writing and told Vice Administrator Shi Shidian, "This young man will one day be famous throughout the realm." He was posted as instructor at Ting Prefecture, then transferred to Guangde Army, and given a supplementary appointment on the staff of the Jiangxi Pacification Commission. He once worked with Zhu Xi to settle more than ten disputed points of interpretation, and Zhu Xi marveled at his ability.

佐丞相趙汝愚定大策，汝愚欲驟以詞掖處之，力辭去。持祖母服。汝愚去國，其弟汝讜力上疏乞留汝愚、斬侂胄，聞者吐舌。兄弟罹黨禍斥去。尋調安慶府教授，添差浙東安撫司幹辦公事。丁母憂，免喪，召為太社令。

He helped Chief Councillor Zhao Ruyu shape a major policy. Ruyu wanted to place him at once in the Secretariat, but he firmly refused and withdrew. He entered mourning for his grandmother. When Ruyu was driven from court, his younger brother Rudang submitted a bold memorial asking that Ruyu be kept and Han Tuozhou be executed. All who heard of it were astonished. Both brothers fell victim to factional persecution and were dismissed from office. He was soon reassigned as instructor at Anqing Prefecture and given a supplementary post on the staff of the Zhedong Pacification Commission. After completing mourning for his mother, he was recalled and appointed Director of the Grand Altar of Earth.

時侂胄用事熾甚，汝談痛憤，登壇讀祝，大呼侂胄及陳自強名。自強不能堪，它日指汝談曰：“末坐白皙者何人？ ”汝談不為動。以參知政事李壁薦，召試館職，擢正字。是時吳曦叛，上下束手，或請就以曦為王，其人造汝談，汝談詰之曰：“孰欲王曦者，可斬！ ”其人麵發赤不能對，遂以言去，主管崇道觀。添差通判嘉興府，與郡守王介誌合。改知無為軍，與光州守柴中行、安豐守陸峻俱稱循吏。

Han Tuozhou's power was then at its height. Rutan, filled with grief and anger, mounted the altar to read the invocation and loudly pronounced the names of Tuozhou and Chen Ziqiang. Ziqiang could not endure the affront. On another occasion he pointed at Rutan and asked, "Who is that pale-faced man seated at the end?" Rutan remained unmoved. On the recommendation of Vice Administrator Li Bi, he was summoned to a qualifying examination for an Academy post and promoted to Proofreader. At that time Wu Xi had rebelled, and the court was helpless. Some suggested making Xi a king. When a man came to Rutan with this proposal, Rutan challenged him: "Whoever would make Xi a king deserves execution!" The man flushed and could not answer. Rutan was then dismissed because of his outspokenness and appointed superintendent of the Chongdao Abbey. He received a supplementary appointment as vice prefect of Jiaxing Prefecture, where he and Prefect Wang Jie saw eye to eye. He was transferred to administer Wuwei Army. He, Chai Zhonghang of Guang Prefecture, and Lu Jun of Anfeng were all praised as model officials.

時金人內變，有旨令獻料敵、備邊二策。其料敵之策曰：“禍亂猶在河北，未遽至河南，蓋豪雄擇形勢，大盜窺貨寶，金帛重器俱聚河北，河南無大川為之險，欲起安所憑？且金素以河南近我，置守多完顏氏親黨，其下亦令蕃漢錯居，所以防慮備盡。縱彼喪亂，守將欲叛則自叛，何至相率盡反。然有天下者，自不容易一日廢備，豈以金人存亡之候為吾緩急哉！ ”其備邊之策曰：“今邊州大抵無城，缺兵少糧，鎧仗不足。若使自辦，何所取資？丐諸朝廷，安得力給？若仿古藩封，拔用英傑守郡，則並租稅市榷之利盡與之，免其共貢，上不置監臨，下悉聽選辟，民得自賦，兵得自募，凡百悉聽所為。其有功者亦不遽徙，就峻爵秩，增異車服，給美田宅，官其子孫，凡可優寵，無不極至，使內為公卿，雖貴曾不如守邊之樂。如此則有才者爭自奮勵，緩急必能出死力報上。 ”於後河南二十餘年猶為金守，宋沿邊諸郡權大削，兵事無肯任責者，汝談之言若蓍龜然。

When the Jurchens were torn by internal strife, the throne ordered memorials offering two kinds of advice: how to read the enemy and how to strengthen the borders. His assessment of the enemy read: "The chaos is still confined to Hebei and will not quickly spread to Henan. Ambitious men choose ground that favors them; bandits eye wealth. Gold, silk, and heavy goods are all concentrated in Hebei, while Henan lacks a great river for defense. If rebels mean to rise there, what would they rely on?" Moreover, the Jin have always treated Henan as territory close to Song and have posted mostly Wanyan clansmen and their allies as garrison commanders. They also require Jurchen and Han to live intermixed below them, so that their defenses are thoroughly prepared. Even if disorder breaks out among them, any garrison commander who wants to rebel will rebel on his own. Why would they all turn against the Jin at once? Yet whoever holds the realm must never for a day relax its defenses. How can our own readiness depend on whether the Jurchens survive or perish! His border-defense plan read: "The frontier prefectures today mostly lack walls, are short of troops and grain, and have insufficient armor and weapons." If they must supply themselves, where will the resources come from? If they must beg aid from the court, how can it provide enough? If, following the ancient model of enfeoffment, outstanding men were chosen to hold frontier prefectures, they should receive all revenue from land taxes and market levies, be freed from tribute to the center, and be left without supervisory officials above them. They should be allowed to choose and appoint subordinates freely, levy taxes locally, and raise troops themselves—in short, to act with full autonomy. Those who achieved merit should not be quickly transferred away. Their ranks should be raised on the spot, their carriages and robes made distinctive, fine estates granted, and their sons and grandsons given office. Every possible honor should be heaped upon them, so that even ministers at court, however exalted, would not enjoy life as much as guarding the frontier. Then men of talent would strive to excel, and in times of crisis they would surely give their lives in service to the throne. In the decades that followed, Henan remained under Jin control for more than twenty years, Song's frontier prefectures lost much of their authority, and no one would take responsibility for military affairs. Rutan's words proved as prescient as oracle bones.

改湖北提舉常平，振饑盡力。知溫州，改知外宗正，作詩勉其族屬，皆望風而化。遷江西提舉常平。寧宗崩，以哀痛得疾。賀理宗表，力寓勸戒。陳碩曰：“此諫書也。 ”數丐祠，授江西轉運判官，辭不獲命，之官一月，以言者罷。

He was transferred to serve as Intendant of Ever-Normal Granaries in Hubei and threw himself wholeheartedly into famine relief. He governed Wen Prefecture, then was transferred to administer the Outer Imperial Clan Court. The poems he wrote to encourage his kinsmen set an example that all followed. He was promoted to Intendant of Ever-Normal Granaries in Jiangxi. When Emperor Ningzong died, he fell ill from grief. In his congratulatory memorial to Emperor Lizong, he strongly embedded admonition and counsel. Chen Shuo remarked, "This is a remonstrance, not a congratulatory memorial." He repeatedly requested a sinecure. He was appointed Transport Vice Commissioner in Jiangxi; though he tried to decline, he could not obtain permission. After one month in office he was dismissed because of critics.

先是，汝談因疾去官，言者謂其傲睨軒冕，不樂為世用。至是彌遠不與祠，乃杜門著述。

Earlier, when Rutan had left office because of illness, critics claimed he scorned official rank and had no wish to serve the state. When Miyuan refused to grant him a sinecure, he shut his doors and devoted himself to writing.

端平初，以禮部郎官召，入對言：“倚用老成，廣集忠智，訪求眾敝之原，辟取可行之策，以飭積蠹之蠱，而成終泰之功者，願加聖心焉。 ”又言：“大佞似忠，大奸似聖，未免信向而擢任之。始未見甚失，久乃浸至差訛，則綱維之臣將不能不執，議論之士將不得不言。執之堅，寧不疑其侵權？言之數，寧不意其賣直？至是則不特是非邪正易位，而黜陟予奪失中多矣。 ”又曰：“外之得以窒吾聽、雜吾目、擾吾天君者，以吾未得虛一而靜之理也。苟得之，導我聲色而不能入，投我寶貨而不能中，扇我以功名而不能動，凝然湛然，孰得幹之哉。 ”改秘書少監兼權直學士院。時集議出師，汝談反覆言不可輕戰，而和尤非計。既而三京收復，雖前言用兵不便者亦喜，汝談獨有憂色。未幾，洛師敗，朝論始服其先見。

At the beginning of the Duanping era he was recalled as a secretary in the Ministry of Rites. In audience he said, "To rely on seasoned men, gather loyal and wise counsel, seek out the roots of widespread abuses, and adopt feasible policies to purge long-standing corruption and achieve lasting peace—may Your Majesty give these matters your full attention." He also said, "Great flatterers can look loyal, and great villains can look sage-like. It is all too easy to trust such men and promote them." At first no serious fault appears, but in time errors gradually spread. Then ministers who uphold the state's framework must hold firm, and critics must speak out. When they hold firm, will you not suspect them of overstepping their authority? When they speak repeatedly, will you not think they are merely posturing as upright men? At that point not only do right and wrong trade places, but dismissals, promotions, rewards, and punishments go badly awry. He also said, "External things can block my hearing, cloud my sight, and disturb my sovereign mind only because I have not yet attained the principle of emptiness, unity, and stillness." Once one attains it, music and beauty may lead one but cannot penetrate; treasure may be offered but cannot reach one; fame and glory may be waved before one but cannot move one. Serene and deep within, who could disturb such a mind? He was transferred to Vice Director of the Secretariat with concurrent acting duty in the Hanlin Academy. When the court assembled to debate sending troops abroad, Rutan repeatedly argued that war must not be lightly undertaken and that seeking peace was an especially poor strategy. When the Three Capitals were soon recovered, even those who had earlier opposed war rejoiced, but Rutan alone looked troubled. Before long the army at Luoyang was defeated, and the court at last acknowledged his foresight.

遷宗正少卿，兼權直，兼編修國史、檢討實錄，兼崇政殿說書。因講《論語》而言漢元帝恭儉無過，惟以剛不克改，明不能繹，優柔不斷，而漢業遂衰。權吏部侍郎，升侍讀，兼直學士院，兼同修國史院同修撰，以所注《易》進講。時朝議履畝稱楮，汝談言非便，迕時宰意。京師軍變，宰相乞貶秩，上已允，汝談奏恐失體，持不可。草答詔，以為貶秩易，審舉措難，宰相滋不悅。以言去國，提舉崇禧觀。起知婺州，四辭不允。至郡，力丐祠。召赴行在，四辭。

He was promoted to Vice Director of the Imperial Clan Court, with concurrent acting Hanlin duty, concurrent posts as Compiler of the National History and Examiner of the Veritable Records, and concurrent appointment as Lecturer at the Chongzheng Hall. While lecturing on the Analects he observed that Emperor Yuan of Han, though reverent and frugal and without personal fault, lacked the firmness to reform, the clarity to follow through, and the resolve to decide—and so the Han dynasty declined. He served as acting Vice Minister of Personnel, was promoted to Court Reader, held concurrent Hanlin duty and an associate compilership in the National History Institute, and presented his commentary on the Changes for imperial lecture. When the court debated surveying fields to support the paper currency, Rutan argued that the policy was ill-advised and offended the chief minister. When the capital garrison mutinied, the chief minister asked to be demoted in rank. The emperor had already agreed, but Rutan memorialized that this would damage the dignity of the office and firmly objected. In drafting the reply edict he argued that demotion was easy but sound action was difficult. The chief minister grew still more displeased. He was dismissed because of his outspokenness and appointed superintendent of the Chongxi Abbey. He was recalled to govern Wu Prefecture. He declined four times but was not allowed to refuse. Upon reaching the prefecture, he urgently requested a sinecure. He was summoned to the temporary capital and declined four times.

權禮部侍郎兼學士院，力辭兼直。時金兵新破，三閫增秩，稱提官楮，四郡獲賞。汝談獨蹙頞，登對，首疏言：“邊麵無可倚仗，乞超越拘攣，簡拔俊傑，如吳用周瑜、魯肅，晉任祖逖、陶侃故事，使之各分方麵，連數十城，推轂授權，盡歸賜履。巴蜀一人，荊襄一人，兩淮各一人，一切便宜行事，不復更從中禦，庶幾伸縮由己，機用出心。 ”蓋推廣向者備邊之策。且曰：“臣之此策，行於開禧未用兵之前，決不至罹今日之患。 ”其論楮法，尤中時敝，上稱歎久之，且謂：“卿文學高世，宜代予言，力辭何為？ ”卒以老祈免，章四上，免兼直，改侍講。數日，仍兼直學士院，五辭。權給事中，權刑部尚書，及卒，轉兩官。遺表上，又轉四官。

He served as acting Vice Minister of Rites with concurrent Hanlin duty and firmly declined the concurrent Hanlin appointment. The Jin army had just been defeated. The three frontier commanders were promoted, currency commissioners raised the value of paper notes, and four prefectures received rewards. Rutan alone furrowed his brow. In audience his opening memorial read: "The frontier has nothing we can rely on. I beg that normal constraints be set aside and outstanding men chosen, following the precedents of Wu employing Zhou Yu and Lu Su and Jin appointing Zu Ti and Tao Kan, so that each may hold a separate sector linking dozens of cities, with full authority granted and complete discretionary power." One man for Ba-Shu, one for Jing-Xiang, and one each for the two Huai regions—all to act at full discretion without further orders from the center, so that they may expand or contract as they see fit and devise strategy from their own judgment. This was essentially an extension of his earlier border-defense plan. He also said, "If this plan of mine had been adopted before the Kaixi campaign, before troops were sent, we would never have suffered today's disaster." His analysis of paper currency especially struck at the abuses of the day. The emperor praised him at length and said, "Your learning surpasses your age. You ought to speak for me—why keep declining?" In the end he requested exemption on grounds of age. After four memorials he was relieved of concurrent Hanlin duty and transferred to Court Lecturer. Several days later he was again given concurrent Hanlin duty and declined five times. He served as acting Supervising Secretary and acting Minister of Justice. Upon his death two ranks were posthumously conferred. When his final memorial was submitted, four more ranks were posthumously conferred.

汝談天資絕人，沈思高識，自少至老，無一日去書冊。其論《易》，以為為占者作；書《堯》、《舜》二典宜合為一，禹功隻施於河洛，《洪範》非箕子之作；《詩》不以《小序》為信；《禮記》雜出諸生之手；《周禮》宜傅會女主之書。要亦卓絕特立之見。為文章有天巧。篤於倫誼而忘仇怨，御史王益祥嚐劾之，後汝談官其鄉，益祥愧不敢見，汝談乃數過之，相得歡甚。嚐論議韓非、李斯皆有荀卿之才，惟其富貴利欲之心重，故世得而賤之，惟卿獨能守其身，不苟希合，士何可不自重哉。所著有《易》、《書》、《詩》、《論語》、《孟子》、《周禮》、《禮記》、《荀子》、《莊子》、《通鑒》、《杜詩注》。

Rutan's natural gifts surpassed those of ordinary men. Deep in thought and lofty in insight, he never spent a day without books from youth to old age. Regarding the Changes, he held that it was written for diviners; in the Documents, the two canons of Yao and Shun should be combined into one; Yu's achievements apply only to the Yellow River and Luo regions; the Great Plan was not written by Jizi; in the Odes, the Small Prefaces should not be trusted; the Record of Rites was compiled from the work of various scholars; the Rites of Zhou was likely stitched together to suit a female ruler. Taken together, these were bold and unconventional views. His prose possessed an almost effortless brilliance. He was devoted to human bonds and forgot old grudges. Censor Wang Yixiang had once impeached him. Later, when Rutan held office in Yixiang's home district, Yixiang was ashamed and dared not visit him. Rutan sought him out several times, and they became close friends. He once observed that Han Fei and Li Si both had the talent of Xun Qing, but because they were consumed by desire for wealth and power, the world despised them. Only Xun Qing kept himself intact and refused to curry favor. How could a gentleman fail to hold himself in esteem! His written works include commentaries on the Changes, Documents, Odes, Analects, Mencius, Rites of Zhou, Record of Rites, Xunzi, Zhuangzi, the Comprehensive Mirror, and Du Fu's poetry.

趙汝讜，字蹈中，少俶儻有軼材，智略出人上。龍泉葉適嚐過其家，汝讜年少，衣短後衣，不得避。適勸之曰：“名門子安可不學。 ”汝讜慚，自是終身不衣短後衣。折節讀書，與兄汝談齊名，天下稱為“二趙”。以祖遺恩補承務郎，曆泉州市舶務、利州大軍倉屬。從臣薦宗室之賢者，監行在右藏西庫。

Zhao Rudang, courtesy name Daozhong, was unconventional in youth and possessed extraordinary talent; his wisdom and strategic insight surpassed those around him. Ye Shi of Longquan once visited his home. Rudang was still young and wore short riding clothes, and could not withdraw to change. Ye Shi admonished him, saying, "How can the son of a distinguished family fail to study?" Rudang was ashamed, and from that day forward he never wore short riding clothes again. He applied himself to study and became as renowned as his elder brother Rutan. The realm called them "the Two Zhaos." Through his grandfather's privilege he received the rank of Gentleman for Meritorious Achievement. He served at the Quanzhou Maritime Trade Office and as clerk of the Great Army Granary in Lizhou. On the recommendation of attendant ministers for worthy members of the imperial clan, he was appointed supervisor of the Western Treasury of the Right Storehouse at the temporary capital.

韓侂胄謀逐趙汝愚，汝讜兄弟昌言非是，且上言訟汝愚冤。侂胄懼其詞直，使其黨胡紘再攻汝愚，以汝讜兄弟受汝愚厚恩，私屬為之畫策，惑亂天聽為言，斥使去國。坐廢十年，調華亭浦東鹽場，棄職去。辟浙西安撫司幕官，調簽書昭慶軍節度判官，皆不赴。以前官改鎮東軍。登嘉定元年進士第，為太社令，遷將作監簿、大理司農丞。與史彌遠不合，請外，改湖南提舉常平，易江西，尋提點刑獄。瑞州大姓幸氏貪徐氏田不可得，強取其禾，終不與，誣以殺婢，置徐獄。徐訴其冤，汝讜以反坐法黥竄幸氏，籍其家。幸氏走，告急於中宮，徙汝讜湖南。既至，則表直臣龔墓。瀏陽有豪民羅氏奪民田，汝讜復懲以法。遷知溫州，卒。

When Han Tuozhou plotted to drive Zhao Ruyu from court, the Rudang brothers spoke out against it and submitted memorials pleading Ruyu's innocence. Tuozhou feared their blunt speech and had his partisan Hu Hong attack Ruyu again, claiming that the Rudang brothers, having received great favor from Ruyu, had secretly plotted on his behalf and misled the emperor—and had them driven from court. He was demoted for ten years, was posted to the Huating Pudong Salt Field, and resigned his post. He was invited to serve on the staff of the Zhexi Pacification Commission and was transferred as signing secretary and military prefectural judge of Zhaoging Army, but declined both appointments. On the basis of his former rank he was transferred to Zhendong Army. He passed the jinshi examinations in the first year of the Jiading reign (1208), served as Director of the Grand Altar of Earth, and was promoted to Registrar of the Directorate of Works and Assistant Director of Agriculture in the Court of Judicial Review. He fell out with Shi Miyuan and requested an outside appointment. He was transferred to Intendant of Ever-Normal Granaries in Hunan, then to Jiangxi, and soon became Judicial Intendant. In Rui Prefecture the powerful Xing clan coveted the Xu family's land but could not obtain it. They forcibly harvested the Xus' grain and refused to return it, then falsely accused the Xus of killing a maidservant and had Xu thrown into prison. Xu appealed his innocence. Rudang, applying the law of counter-charge, had the Xing clan tattooed and banished and confiscated their property. The Xing clan fled and appealed to the empress. Rudang was transferred to Hunan. Upon arriving, he submitted a memorial honoring the upright minister Gong Mu. In Liuyang a powerful man of the Luo clan seized commoners' land. Rudang again punished him according to law. He was transferred to govern Wen Prefecture, where he died.

汝讜常言：“宗子不忘君，孝子不辱身，臨難則功業當如朱虛，立身當如子政。”

Rudang often said, "A member of the imperial clan must not serve forget his sovereign; a filial son must not disgrace himself. In facing danger one's achievements should be like Zhu Xu, and one's conduct like Zizheng."

趙希錧，字君錫，舊名希哲，登慶元二年進士第，改賜今名。少扶父喪歸，道遇寇，左右駭散，希錧拊棺慟哭不懾，寇義而去。學於陳傅良、徐誼，既舉進士，調汀州司戶。峒寇李元礪方起，汀人震懼，郡會僚佐議守城，希錧下坐無一語，守異之曰：“不言得無有所見乎？ ”希錧曰：“守城非策也，距城三十里有關曰古城，若悉精銳以扼其衝，賊不足慮矣。 ”守以付希錧，人為危之。希錧至關，審形明間，申令謹候，分畫粗定，賊已遣諜窺關。希錧得諜詰之，縱其舉火相示，而羸師以誤之。夜半，賊數百銜枚突至，希錧嚴兵以待。賊且至，始命矢石俱下，賊無一免，餘黨聞風而遁。希錧引還，老稚羅拜相屬，希錧繇他道以避之。事聞，詔升州推官，治疑獄，決滯訟，攝下邑，弭亂卒。去之日，軍民遮道泣送者數十里。

Zhao Xiguan, courtesy name Junxi, formerly named Xizhe, passed the jinshi examinations in the second year of the Qingyuan reign (1196) and was granted his present name. While still young, escorting his father's coffin home, he encountered bandits on the road. His attendants fled in terror, but Xiguan beat the coffin and wept without flinching. The bandits, moved by his conduct, let him pass. He studied under Chen Fuliang and Xu Yi. After passing the jinshi examinations he was assigned as Revenue Recorder of Ting Prefecture. The cave-bandit Li Yuanli had just risen in revolt, and the people of Ting were terrified. At a prefectural meeting the staff debated defending the city. Xiguan, seated below, said nothing. The prefect, puzzled, asked, "By saying nothing, do you perhaps have some view?" Xiguan replied, "Defending the city is not the right strategy. Thirty li from the city there is a pass called Gucheng. If we send all our best troops to hold that choke point, the bandits need not be feared." The prefect entrusted the matter to Xiguan, and many thought it perilous. Xiguan reached the pass, surveyed the terrain and identified the weak points, issued strict orders for vigilance, and roughly set the dispositions. The bandits had already sent spies to scout the pass. Xiguan captured a spy and interrogated him, then released him to signal by fire while displaying a weakened force to deceive the enemy. At midnight several hundred bandits arrived silently with gags in their mouths. Xiguan held his troops in strict readiness. As the bandits drew near, he at last ordered arrows and stones to rain down together. Not one escaped, and the remaining followers fled at the news. Xiguan led his troops back. Old and young lined the road to bow in gratitude. Xiguan took another route to avoid the crowd. When word reached the court, an edict promoted him to Prefectural Investigating Officer. He resolved doubtful cases, cleared stalled lawsuits, administered subordinate counties, and quelled mutinous soldiers. On the day he departed, soldiers and civilians blocked the road weeping and escorted him for miles.

調主管夔州路轉運司帳司，疏大寧鹽井利病，使者上諸朝，民便之。改知玉山縣，未行。召對，希錧首言民力困於貪吏，軍力困於僨帥，國家之力則外困於歸附之卒，內困於浮冗之費；次論四蜀銓科舉之弊；次論大寧鹽井本末。寧宗嘉納之。

He was transferred to manage the accounts office of the Kuizhou Circuit Transport Commission. He memorialized on the benefits and harms of the Daning salt wells. The commissioner forwarded it to court, and the people benefited. He was transferred to administer Yushan County but did not take up the post. Summoned to audience, Xiguan first spoke of the people's strength exhausted by corrupt officials, military strength exhausted by arrogant commanders, and the state's strength externally drained by surrendered troops and internally drained by wasteful expenditures; next he discussed the abuses of examinations and official selection in the Four Shu regions; and finally he discussed the full history of the Daning salt wells. Emperor Ningzong praised and accepted his advice.

授大理寺丞，遷大宗正丞，權工部郎官。宗姓多貧，而始生有訓名，為人後有過禮，吏受賕亡藝，莫敢自陳，希錧白其長推行之。會朝議，燕邸近屬赴朝參者少，命希錧易班，希錧力辭，弗克。特換授吉州刺史、提舉佑神觀。未幾，廷臣言宗姓換班人嚐舉進士，請視朝士，聽輪對。於是希錧次對時首論：“今日多事之際，而未有辦事之人。朝紳，清選也，以緘默為清重，以刻薄為舉職，以無所可否為識體。閫寄，重任也，以大言為有誌，以使過為知恩。臣非敢厚誣天下以為無人，患在選擇未得其道、器使未當其才爾。 ”授成州團練使，賜金帶，令服係。以寶璽推恩，進和州防禦使。

He was appointed Assistant Director of the Court of Judicial Review, promoted to Assistant Director of the Imperial Clan Court, and given acting appointment as Secretary in the Ministry of Works. Many members of the imperial clan were poor, yet newborn children were given instruction names, adoption involved excessive ritual, and clerks accepted improper bribes, yet none dared speak out. Xiguan reported this to his superior and had reforms carried out. At court it was noted that few close relatives of the Prince of Yan attended audiences. Xiguan was ordered to change ranks. He firmly declined but could not prevail. He was specially transferred and appointed Prefect of Ji Prefecture and Superintendent of the Youshen Abbey. Before long court ministers noted that members of the imperial clan who changed ranks had passed the jinshi examinations and requested that they be treated like court officials and allowed rotating audiences. At his next audience Xiguan opened by saying, "In these troubled times, there are no men who can actually get things done." Court officials are supposed to be the best of men, yet silence is taken for dignified restraint, harshness for fulfilling duty, and having no opinion for understanding propriety. Frontier command is a weighty responsibility, yet grand talk is taken for ambition, and covering up faults for gratitude. I do not mean to slander the realm as having no capable men. The trouble lies in selection not finding the right path and deployment not matching talent. He was appointed Military Commissioner of Cheng Prefecture, granted a gold belt, and ordered to wear it in office. Through the imperial seal's extension of favor he was promoted to Defender-in-Chief of He Prefecture.

希錧風資凝重，胸抱魁壘，揚人之善，不記人之過，急人之難，不忘人之恩。居官，祁寒盛暑未嚐謁告，衣食取裁足而已。追封信安郡王。

Xiguan's bearing was dignified and grave, and his mind held great substance. He praised others' virtues and forgot their faults, hastened to their difficulties and remembered their kindness. In office, through bitter cold and blazing heat he never once requested leave. For food and clothing he took only what sufficed. He was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Xinan Commandery.

趙彥呐，字敏若，彭州人。登四川類試第。少以材稱。吳曦叛，以祿禧偽守夔，彥呐結義士殺之，遂顯名。

Zhao Yanne, courtesy name Minruo, was a native of Peng Prefecture. He passed the Sichuan regional examination. From youth he was known for his talent. When Wu Xi rebelled, Lu Xi was installed as puppet prefect of Kui. Yanne gathered loyal men and killed him, and thereby gained renown.

嘉定十二年，關外西和州新被兵，製使安丙檄使經理，金人再至，戰卻之。因請修州北水關，募民耕戰以守；又勸丙盡捐關外四州租，結民兵使各自為守。皆不行。在州五年，得軍民心，轉提點刑獄，尋帥沔，時譽甚都。及崔與之代丙，始察其大言無實，謂他日誤事省必此人，請廟堂毋付以邊藩。尋奪其節製。

In the twelfth year of the Jiading reign (1219), Xihe Prefecture beyond the passes had newly suffered attack. Commissioner An Bing ordered Yanne to manage affairs there. The Jurchens came again and he fought them off. He therefore requested repair of the water pass north of the prefecture and recruitment of civilians to farm and fight in defense; he also urged Bing to remit entirely the land tax of the four prefectures beyond the passes and organize local militia so each area could defend itself. None of these proposals was adopted. He remained in the prefecture five years and won the hearts of soldiers and civilians. He was transferred to Judicial Intendant and soon commanded Mian. His contemporary reputation was very high. When Cui Yuzhi replaced Bing, he at last saw that Yanne's grand talk had no substance. He said that when affairs went wrong this man would surely be the cause, and asked the court not to entrust him with a frontier command. Soon his military commission was revoked.

趙善湘字清臣，濮安懿王五世孫。父武翼郎不陋，從高宗渡江，聞明州多名儒，徙居焉。善湘以恩補保義郎，轉成忠郎、監潭州南嶽廟，轉忠翊郎，又轉忠訓郎。慶元二年舉進士，以近屬轉秉義郎，換承事郎，調金壇縣丞。五年，知餘姚縣。

Zhao Shanxiang, courtesy name Qingchen, was a fifth-generation descendant of Prince Yi of Pu'an. His father Bulou, a Military Guard Officer, followed Emperor Gaozong across the Yangzi. Hearing that Ming Prefecture had many eminent scholars, he moved there. Shanxiang, through privilege, received the rank of Gentleman for Righteous Service. He was transferred to Gentleman for Loyalty, made Superintendent of the Southern Peak Temple in Tan Prefecture, then promoted to Gentleman for Assisting Loyalty and again to Gentleman for Instructing Loyalty. In the second year of the Qingyuan reign (1196) he passed the jinshi examinations. As a close imperial relative he was transferred to Gentleman for Upholding Righteousness, exchanged to Gentleman for Meritorious Service, and assigned as Assistant Magistrate of Jintan County. In the fifth year he governed Yuyao County.

開禧元年，添差通判婺州。嘉定元年，以招茶寇功，赴都堂審察，提轄文思院。出判無為軍兼淮南轉運判官、淮西提點刑獄。四年，改知常州。八年，主管武夷山衝佑觀。十年，知湖州。十一年，丁內艱，明年起復，知和州，三辭不獲命。遷知大宗正丞兼權戶部郎官，改知秘閣、淮南轉運判官，兼淮西提舉常平，兼知無為軍。進直徽猷閣、主管淮南製置司公事，兼知廬州，兼本路安撫，仍兼轉運判官、提舉常平。

In the first year of the Kaixi reign (1205) he received a supplementary appointment as vice prefect of Wu Prefecture. In the first year of the Jiading reign (1208), for merit in recruiting tea bandits, he underwent review at the chief council and was made Administrator of the Wensi Institute. He was sent out as prefectural judge of Wuwei Army, concurrently Transport Vice Commissioner of Huainan and Judicial Intendant of Huai West. In the fourth year he was transferred to govern Chang Prefecture. In the eighth year he was made superintendent of the Chongyou Abbey on Mount Wuyi. In the tenth year he governed Hu Prefecture. In the eleventh year he completed mourning for his mother. The next year he was recalled from mourning to govern He Prefecture. He declined three times but was not allowed to refuse. He was promoted to Assistant Director of the Imperial Clan Court with concurrent acting appointment as Secretary in the Ministry of Revenue, transferred to Library Director and Transport Vice Commissioner of Huainan, concurrently Intendant of Ever-Normal Granaries in Huai West, and concurrently administrator of Wuwei Army. He was promoted to Direct Attendant of the Huiyou Pavilion, placed in charge of the Huainan Military Commission, concurrently governing Lu Prefecture, concurrently Pacification Commissioner of the circuit, and still concurrently Transport Vice Commissioner and Intendant of Ever-Normal Granaries.

十三年，進直寶文閣。以平固始寇功，賜金帶，許令服係。十四年，進直龍圖閣、知鎮江府。十七年，拜大理少卿，進右文殿修撰、知鎮江府，封祥符縣男，賜食邑。寶慶二年，進集英殿修撰，拜大理卿兼權刑部侍郎，進寶章閣待制、沿海製置使兼知建康府、江東安撫使兼主管行宮留守司公事。賜仙花金帶，進封子，加食邑。

In the thirteenth year he was promoted to Direct Attendant of the Baowen Pavilion. For merit in suppressing bandits in Gushi he was granted a gold belt and permitted to wear it in office. In the fourteenth year he was promoted to Direct Attendant of the Longtu Pavilion and appointed prefect of Zhenjiang. In the seventeenth year he was appointed Vice Director of the Court of Judicial Review, promoted to Compiler of the Youwen Hall and prefect of Zhenjiang, enfeoffed as Baron of Xiangfu County, and granted a fief for sustenance. In the second year of the Baoqing reign (1226) he was promoted to Compiler of the Jiying Hall, appointed Director of the Court of Judicial Review with concurrent acting appointment as Vice Minister of Justice, and promoted to Academician of the Baozhang Pavilion, Coastal Military Commissioner, concurrently prefect of Jiankang, Pacification Commissioner of Jiang East, and concurrently in charge of the Temporary Palace Garrison Commission. He was granted a gold belt with immortal-flower ornament, his son was advanced in rank, and his fief for sustenance was increased.

時善湘見範、葵進取，慰藉殷勤，饋問接踵，有請必應。遣諸子屯寶應以從，範、葵亦讓功督府，凡得捷，皆汝櫄等握筆草報。善湘季子汝楳，丞相史彌遠婿也，故奏報無不達。以平閩寇功，轉江淮安撫製置使。五年，復泰州淮安州、鹽城淮陰縣四城，及策應京湖功，進端明殿學士，與執政恩例，仍任，升留守，加食邑。以受金樞密副使納合買住降，復盱眙軍、泗壽二州功，進資政殿學士，加食邑，遣使賜手詔、金器等物。九疏丐歸，皆不許。請愈力，進大學士、提舉洞霄宮，封天水郡公，加食邑。監察御史劾奏善湘，御筆以善湘有討逆復城之功，寢其奏。

At that time Shanxiang saw Fan and Kui advancing aggressively. He consoled them warmly, sent gifts in succession, and responded to every request. He sent his sons to camp at Baoying to support them. Fan and Kui also yielded credit to the supervisory headquarters. Whenever victory was won, Ru Chao and the others drafted the reports. Shanxiang's youngest son Rumai was the son-in-law of Chief Councillor Shi Miyuan, so memorial reports always reached the court. For merit in suppressing bandits in Min he was transferred to Pacification and Military Commissioner of Jiang-Huai. In the fifth year, for recovering the four cities of Taizhou, Huai'an Prefecture, Yancheng, and Huaiyin County and for supporting operations in Jing-Hu, he was promoted to Academician of the Duanming Hall with honors equal to chief ministers, retained in office, elevated to Garrison Commissioner, and granted an increased fief. For accepting the surrender of the Jin Deputy Director of the Privy Council Nahe Maiju and recovering Xuyi Army and the two prefectures of Si and Shou, he was promoted to Academician of the Zizheng Hall, granted an increased fief, and sent envoys bearing an imperial handwritten edict, gold vessels, and other gifts. He submitted nine memorials begging to retire, but none was granted. As his requests grew more insistent, he was promoted to Grand Academician and Superintendent of the Dongxiao Palace, enfeoffed as Duke of Tianshui Commandery, and granted an increased fief. A Supervising Censor impeached Shanxiang. The emperor's own brush noted that Shanxiang had merit in suppressing rebellion and recovering cities, and the memorial was shelved.

嘉熙二年，授四川宣撫使兼知成都府，未拜，改沿海製置使兼知慶元府。即丐祠，改知紹興府兼浙東安撫使。三年，兩請休致，四乞歸田，復提舉洞霄宮。淳祐二年，帝手詔求所解《春秋》，進觀文殿學士，守本官致仕，卒。遺表聞，帝震悼輟視朝，贈少師，賻贈加等。所著有《周易約說》八卷，《周易或問》四卷，《周易續問》八卷，《周易指要》四卷，《學易補過》六卷，《洪範統論》一卷，《中庸約說》一卷，《大學解》十卷，《論語大意》十卷，《孟子解》十四卷，《老子解》十卷，《春秋三傳通議》三十卷，詩詞雜著三十五卷。

In the second year of the Jiaxi reign (1238) he was appointed Military Commissioner of Sichuan and concurrently prefect of Chengdu, but before assuming office was transferred to Coastal Military Commissioner and concurrently prefect of Qingyuan. He immediately requested a sinecure and was transferred to govern Shaoxing Prefecture and serve as Pacification Commissioner of Zhedong. In the third year he twice requested retirement and four times begged to return to his fields. He was again made Superintendent of the Dongxiao Palace. In the second year of the Chunyou reign (1242) the emperor's handwritten edict sought his commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals. He was promoted to Academician of the Guanwen Hall, retired while retaining his rank, and died. When his death memorial was reported, the emperor was shaken with grief and suspended court audiences. He was posthumously granted the title of Junior Preceptor, and funeral gifts were increased by one grade. His written works include Brief Explanations of the Zhou Changes in eight juan, Questions on the Zhou Changes in four juan, Further Questions on the Zhou Changes in eight juan, Essentials of the Zhou Changes in four juan, Correcting Errors in the Study of the Changes in six juan, Comprehensive Discussion of the Great Plan in one juan, Brief Explanations of the Doctrine of the Mean in one juan, Explication of the Great Learning in ten juan, Main Points of the Analects in ten juan, Explication of Mencius in fourteen juan, Explication of Laozi in ten juan, Comprehensive Discussion of the Three Commentaries on the Spring and Autumn in thirty juan, and miscellaneous poetry and prose in thirty-five juan.

趙與歡，字悅道，燕懿王八世孫。嘉定七年進士，調會稽尉，改建寧司戶參軍。中明法科，攝浦城縣。丁父憂，作《善慶五規》示子孫。免喪，授大理評事。轉對，言天變、民情、國威三事，又言：“死囚以取會駁勘，動涉歲時，類瘐死，而幹證者多斃逆旅，宜精擇憲臣，悉使詳覆，果可疑則親往鞫正，必情法輕重可閔，始許審奏。”

Zhao Yuhuan, courtesy name Yuedao, was an eighth-generation descendant of Prince Yi of Yan. He passed the jinshi examinations in the seventh year of the Jiading reign (1214), was assigned as sheriff of Kuaiji, and transferred to Revenue Assistant of Jianning. He passed the Mingfa examination and acted as magistrate of Pucheng County. While in mourning for his father, he composed the Five Rules of Good Celebration for his descendants. When mourning ended he was appointed Case Reviewer in the Court of Judicial Review. At a rotating audience he spoke of three matters: celestial anomalies, the people's condition, and national prestige. He also said, "Condemned prisoners awaiting joint review often spend years in custody and mostly die of illness, while witnesses often die at roadside inns. Judicial officials should be carefully selected and all cases thoroughly reviewed. If a case is truly doubtful, the official should personally investigate it. Only when the facts and law permit mercy should submission for review be allowed."

遷籍田令。久之，拜宗正寺簿，曆軍器監、司農寺丞，遷宗正丞兼權都官郎官，改倉部，權度支，以直寶章閣知安吉州。郡計仰榷醋，禁綱峻密，與歡首捐以予民。設銅鉦縣門，欲訴者擊之，冤無不直。有富民訴幼子，察之非其本心，姑逮其子付獄，徐廉之，乃二兄強其父析業。與歡曉以法，開以天理，皆忻然感悟。又嫠媼僅一子，亦以不孝告，留之郡聽，日給饌，俾親饋，晨昏以禮，未周月，母子如初。二家皆畫像事之。喪母，朝廷屢起之，不可，議使守邊，授淮西提點刑獄，弗能奪。再期，以刑部郎官召，乞終禫，奉祠，復半載，乃趨朝。

He was transferred to Director of the Imperial Fields. After some time he was appointed Registrar of the Imperial Clan Court, served as Superintendent of the Armory and Assistant Director of Agriculture in the Ministry of Revenue, was promoted to Assistant Director of the Imperial Clan Court with concurrent acting appointment as Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, transferred to the Grain Bureau, given acting appointment in the Budget Bureau, and made Direct Attendant of the Baozhang Pavilion and prefect of Anji. The prefecture's revenue depended on the vinegar monopoly, whose regulations were strict and burdensome. Yuhuan was the first to remit it and give the benefit to the people. He set up a bronze gong at the county gate; anyone wishing to plead a case could strike it, and no injustice went uncorrected. A wealthy man sued his youngest son. Yuhuan saw that this was not the father's true wish. He temporarily detained the son, then gradually investigated and found that the two elder brothers had forced their father to divide the estate. Yuhuan explained the law to them and appealed to natural justice. All came to understanding with glad hearts. There was also a widow with only one son who sued him for unfilial conduct. Yuhuan kept the son at the prefectural hall, provided daily meals, and had the mother feed him in person with morning and evening courtesy. Before a month had passed, mother and son were reconciled. Both families painted portraits and honored them in worship. After his mother's death the court repeatedly recalled him, but he refused. When it was proposed that he guard the frontier and he was appointed Judicial Intendant of Huai West, he could not be persuaded to accept. After another period he was summoned as a secretary in the Ministry of Justice. He begged to complete the final mourning rites, was granted a sinecure, and after half a year more at last returned to court.

自恢復退師，又議納使，與歡言：“在朝迎合，政出多門，必得智識氣節之士，布列中外可也。 ”兼權檢正，遷宗正少卿兼權戶部侍郎，尋兼知臨安府、浙西安撫使，同詳定，剖決明暢，罪者鹹服。郊祀之夕，大風雷，與歡言國本未定，又陣弭盜固本之策。有以刑罰術數言於帝者，與歡言：“導民有本。如臣待罪天府，豈遽能及民，惟其真實相孚，待以不擾，數月而庭訟彌寡。人心本善，有感必從。或謂厲以威、待以術者，非知本之論。 ”且言：“朝令夕改，非以示作新；旁蹊曲徑，非以肅紀綱。 ”帝為悚然。又建言：“秦刻頌有‘端平法度’語。”

After the recovery campaign and withdrawal of troops, envoys for peace were again discussed. Yuhuan said, "At court there is flattery and policy issues from too many hands. We must have men of wisdom, knowledge, and integrity deployed throughout the realm." He was given concurrent acting appointment as Investigating Censor, promoted to Vice Director of the Imperial Clan Court with concurrent acting appointment as Vice Minister of Revenue, and soon concurrently governed Lin'an Prefecture and served as Pacification Commissioner of Zhexi. In joint review his judgments were clear and lucid, and the guilty all submitted. On the eve of the suburban sacrifice there were great wind and thunder. Yuhuan spoke of the unsettled succession and laid out a strategy to suppress bandits and strengthen the foundation. Some spoke to the emperor of punishments and numerological arts. Yuhuan said, "Guiding the people has a proper foundation." As for me, serving in the Heavenly Prefecture, how could I quickly reach the people? Only through sincerity and mutual trust, treating them without disturbance, within months court cases grew ever fewer. The human heart is originally good; when moved it will respond. Those who say to govern by severity and treat by artifice do not understand the root of the matter. He also said, "Orders changed morning and evening do not show renewal; side paths and crooked ways do not enforce discipline and law." The emperor was startled. He also memorialized, "The Qin inscription of praise contains the phrase 'Duanping law and measure.'"

明年改元嘉熙，襄、蜀殘破，或望風棄地，召見便殿，言：“韓琦當仁宗朝，猶晝夜泣血。今主憂臣辱矣。 ”因具言防邊之道，其後多見施行。與歡招刺三千人為忠毅軍，又言：“禁衛虛籍及京口諸郡，悉宜募兵，統以郡將，財先贍軍，餘始上供，乞省不急之費。 ”薦文武士四十人。遷戶部侍郎兼權兵部尚書，論邊事至為深切。

The next year the reign title was changed to Jiaxi. Xiang and Shu were ravaged; some abandoned territory at the mere report of enemy approach. Summoned to the side hall, he said, "Han Qi in Emperor Renzong's reign still wept blood day and night." Now the sovereign grieves and ministers are shamed." He thereupon fully explained the way to defend the frontier, and much of it was later put into practice. Yuhuan recruited three thousand men as the Loyal and Resolute Army. He also said, "The palace guard has empty rolls, and the prefectures around Jingkou should all recruit troops under prefectural generals. Funds should first support the army, and only the remainder be sent up. I beg that non-urgent expenditures be reduced." He recommended forty civil and military men. He was promoted to Vice Minister of Revenue with concurrent acting appointment as Minister of War. His discussion of border affairs was extremely earnest.

星變，上章請罷。大火，力言災變之烈，謂：“臣罪擢發莫數，猶欲以去國為言，少悟上聽。願祗畏天威，思以實德及民，始自上躬，痛加節約，廣推振恤。 ”五請竄。於是中書方大琮言：“與歡素自潔修，疏財輕爵，人所共知，不幸遇此，觀其待罪之章，懇切至到，未嚐不歎其知義也。乞俞所請，使小大之臣，皆知引咎。 ”乃收一階。尋復之。與歡請先敘復同降官屬，又言：“艱難不可為之時，當慷慨厲誌，深為人才兵力思。 ”遷戶部尚書兼權吏部，累丐祠，不許。

When stars changed he submitted a memorial requesting dismissal. When a great fire occurred he forcefully spoke of the severity of the calamity, saying, "My crimes are beyond counting, yet I still wish to speak of leaving office to awaken Your Majesty somewhat." I wish reverently to fear Heaven's majesty, reach the people with real virtue, beginning from Your Majesty's own person, strictly practice economy, and broadly extend relief. He five times requested banishment. Thereupon Vice Administrator Fang Dacong said, "Yuhuan has always kept himself pure, was sparing with wealth and light toward rank—this all know. Unhappily encountering this calamity, reading his memorial accepting guilt, earnest and thorough, one must admire his understanding of righteousness." I beg that his request be granted, so that ministers great and small all know to accept blame. He was therefore demoted one rank. Soon he was restored. Yuhuan requested that subordinates demoted together be restored first. He also said, "In times when difficulty makes action impossible, one should be resolute in spirit and think deeply about talent and military strength." He was promoted to Minister of Revenue with concurrent acting appointment in the Ministry of Personnel. He repeatedly begged for a sinecure but was not permitted.

論楮幣自嘉定以一易二，失信天下，嚐出內帑收換，屢稱提而折閱益甚。嚐請兩界並展十年勿議造新，責州縣毋以損汙抑沮，至是遂請不立界限以絕其疑，所以區畫者甚備。其後詔宰相遍詢侍從，與歡又以前說陳之。有欲以端平錢當五行使，與歡謂：“開禧嚐以二當三，何救於楮。 ”且曰：“士大夫不清白奉法，恪意扶持，雖日易一法，無救於楮，而國非其國矣。法削國弱，能獨享富貴乎？ ”每言“端平以來，竄贓吏，禁包苴，戒奔競，戢橫斂，而風俗沈痼自若。或口仁義而身市井，率以欺君為常，肥家為樂，遂臨事乏使，而小人得從旁乘間竊取官爵矣。 ”疏乞：“別邪正，警偷惰，獎用恬退質直之士，以絕躁競浮靡之習。內廷有關於除授者必斥，暗室有涉於謗議者必思，清心寡欲，以革酣歌黷貨之風，其機皆自陛下始。 ”又言：“軍政弛而尺籍不明，總兵者或緣功賞開嫌隙，內則班行惟求速化，守牧類多貪庸，楮事日非，浮冗不節，指陳無虛日。”

Discussing paper currency, since Jiading one note had been exchanged for two, breaking faith with the realm. The inner treasury had once been used to buy them back, and values were repeatedly raised, yet depreciation grew worse. He had once requested that both zones extend ten years without discussing new issues, and that prefectures and counties be charged not to reject notes as damaged or soiled. At this point he requested that no limits be set to end suspicion. His plans were very thorough. Afterward an edict ordered the chief minister to consult attendants broadly. Yuhuan again presented his earlier views. Some wished to use Duanping currency as the Five Circuits envoy. Yuhuan said, "In Kaixi two were once exchanged for three—what did that save in paper currency?" He also said, "If officials do not uphold the law with clean hands and wholeheartedly support it, though the law be changed daily, paper currency cannot be saved, and the state will no longer be the state." When law is cut and the state weakened, can one alone enjoy wealth and honor? He often said, "Since Duanping, corrupt officials have been banished, gift-giving forbidden, frantic competition warned against, and arbitrary levies curbed, yet customs remain deeply entrenched as before." Some speak of benevolence and righteousness but live as market folk, routinely taking deceiving the ruler as normal and enriching the family as pleasure. Thus when affairs arise there are no men to serve, and petty men can seize the moment and steal rank and office. In a memorial he begged, "Distinguish the wicked from the upright, warn against sloth, reward and employ men of quiet withdrawal and plain integrity, to end the habit of frantic competition and empty display." Within the inner court, any matter touching appointments must be rejected; in private chambers, any matter touching slander must be considered. Purify the heart and reduce desires, to reform the wind of drunken song and corrupt gain—all must begin with Your Majesty. He also said, "Military administration is lax and rolls are unclear. Commanders sometimes open rifts over merit rewards. Within, the court ranks seek only rapid advancement; prefects and magistrates are mostly greedy and mediocre. Paper currency grows worse daily, wasteful excess is unchecked, and memorials of criticism come without idle days."

大風震雷數見，因具陳邊事，且言：“人才國用，民力兵威，願乘此機，加意根本，勿徒困精神於除授，老歲月於行移，委公道於私情，付事功於無可奈何也。 ”遷吏部尚書。講筵言：“膏雨不降，星變頻仍。在京物價騰踴，民訛士噪；在外兵權渙散，流民充斥。登崇元老，並建宰輔，謂宜風采振揚，而事勢猶若此，士大夫未必任天下之責，天下未必知陛下之誌。 ”力求歸田，會潮汐齧堤，執政道帝意留治之，手詔云：“忠正廉勤，無如卿者。 ”授端明殿學士、知臨安府、浙西安撫使。江堤竣事，獄空，力丐罷。依舊端明殿學士，提舉萬壽觀。提領戶部財用兼侍讀兼修國史、實錄院修撰。奉朝請，出關，遣使趣還。

Great wind and thunder were seen repeatedly. He thereupon fully presented border affairs and said, "Talent, state revenue, people's strength, and military power—I wish that we seize this moment to attend to fundamentals, not merely exhaust spirit on appointments, age the years in transfers, entrust public justice to private feeling, and leave achievement to helplessness." He was promoted to Minister of Personnel. At the lecture hall he said, "Timely rain does not fall, and stars change repeatedly." In the capital prices soar; the people spread rumors and scholars clamor; outside military authority is scattered and displaced people fill the land. Venerable elders have been elevated and chief ministers appointed together. One would expect spirit and bearing to be roused, yet affairs remain thus. Scholars and officials may not bear the realm's responsibility, and the realm may not know Your Majesty's will. He forcefully sought to return to his fields. When tidal currents gnawed the dikes, the chief ministers conveyed the emperor's wish that he remain to manage it. A handwritten edict said, "In loyalty, uprightness, integrity, and diligence, none is like you." He was appointed Academician of the Duanming Hall, prefect of Lin'an, and Pacification Commissioner of Zhexi. When the river dikes were completed and the prisons emptied, he forcefully begged to resign. He retained his rank as Academician of the Duanming Hall and was made Superintendent of the Wanshou Abbey. He was placed in charge of Ministry of Revenue finances, concurrently Court Reader, and concurrently Compiler of the National History and Examiner of the Veritable Records. Attending court audiences, he went out through the pass. Envoys were sent to urge his return.

會饑民相攜溺死，帝仍付臨安府事，恩例視執政。與歡涕泣奉詔，亟榜諭曰：“今申奏振救，宜忍死須臾各全性命，佇沐聖恩。 ”都人相謂毋死。與歡上則祈哀公朝，下則推誠勸分，甘雨隨至，米商來集，流移至者有以濟之。力求納祿，授資政殿學士、提舉萬壽觀兼侍讀、監修國史、實錄院修撰。奉朝請，與歡至浙江，上召還，即日絕江去，帝為悵然。與歡三為府尹，盡力民事，都人稱“趙端明”，必以手加額曰“趙佛子”也。

When starving people drowned one another in groups, the emperor again entrusted him with Lin'an affairs, with honors equal to chief ministers. Yuhuan, weeping, received the edict and quickly posted a proclamation saying, "Relief is now being memorialized. Endure for a moment and each preserve your life, awaiting imperial grace." The people of the capital told one another not to die. Yuhuan above pleaded for mercy at court, and below urged sincere sharing. Sweet rain soon came, grain merchants gathered, and those displaced and arriving were aided. He forcefully sought to surrender his salary. He was appointed Academician of the Zizheng Hall, Superintendent of the Wanshou Abbey, concurrently Court Reader, and Supervisor Compiler of the National History and Examiner of the Veritable Records. Attending court audiences, Yuhuan reached Zhejiang. The emperor summoned him back, but that very day he crossed the river and departed. The emperor was deeply regretful. Yuhuan three times served as prefectural governor, exerting himself fully in the people's affairs. The people of the capital called him "Zhao Duanming" and invariably placed their hands to their foreheads, saying "Zhao the Buddha-son."

久之，以舊職知溫州，政事必親，吏不敢欺，創水砦，修貢院。以侍讀召，辭，不許。入對，言爵祿之濫，因及國本事。五丐歸，又不許。進《春秋解》，升大學士，薦士六十人。史嵩之將復入相，而人言不已，帝以問與歡。言：“嵩之老師費財，私昵貪富，過立名譽，必不宜復用。 ”時嵩之猶子璟卿誦言其過忽斃，而杜範、劉漢弼、徐元傑三賢暴死，人皆疑嵩之致毒。與歡請優恤漢弼、元傑家，帝從之，而優恤手詔，則與歡所擬入也。

After some time, with his former rank he governed Wen Prefecture. He personally handled all affairs of government, and clerks dared not deceive him. He created water fortresses and repaired the tribute examination hall. He was summoned as Court Reader. He declined but was not permitted. Entering audience he spoke of the abuse of ranks and stipends and also touched on the matter of the succession. He five times begged to retire, and again was not permitted. He presented his Explication of the Spring and Autumn Annals, was promoted to Grand Academician, and recommended sixty scholars. Shi Songzhi was about to re-enter the chief ministership, but public talk did not cease. The emperor asked Yuhuan. He said, "Songzhi is old, wasteful of resources, privately favors the greedy and rich, and excessively builds reputation. He must not be reused." At that time Songzhi's nephew Jingqing, who had publicly recited his faults, suddenly died. The three worthy men Du Fan, Liu Hanbi, and Xu Yuanjie also died violently. All suspected Songzhi of poisoning them. Yuhuan requested generous relief for the families of Hanbi and Yuanjie. The emperor agreed, and the handwritten edict of relief was drafted by Yuhuan.

又請以兵財分任輔臣。在講筵言：“以壞證付庸醫，僅支殘息，徒運巧心，天下事尚堪再誤耶？ ”時相忌之。尋授安德軍節度使、開府儀同三司、萬壽觀使。日食，應詔言事益切。月賜內帑，與歡辭不取。帝書“安貧樂道，植節秉忠”字賜之。建儲未定，乃申言之，又言：“人才乏使，贓吏不悛，民昔流而南，今流而北，盜昔伏於遠，今伏於近，體認不真，賢否無別，國將誰與立邪？願富一代之儲，使小人無間可投，以絕隱伏之禍。 ”帝為改容。

He also requested that military affairs and finances be divided among vice ministers. At the lecture hall he said, "To entrust a grave illness to a mediocre doctor, barely sustaining the last breath while merely exercising cleverness—can affairs of the realm still afford another mistake?" The chief minister resented him. Soon he was appointed Military Commissioner of Ande Army, Grandee with the Same Honor as the Three Excellencies, and Superintendent of the Wanshou Abbey. At a solar eclipse, responding to the edict, his words grew still more urgent. Yuhuan declined the monthly gifts from the inner treasury. The emperor wrote the characters "Content in poverty, delighting in the Way; planting integrity, holding to loyalty" and bestowed them on him. The heir apparent was not yet established, and he again spoke of this. He also said, "Talent is lacking for service, corrupt officials do not reform, the people once fled south and now flee north, bandits once hid afar and now hide nearby, judgment is not genuine, worthy and unworthy are not distinguished—with whom will the state stand?" I wish to enrich the store of a generation, so that petty men have no gap to enter and hidden calamity is ended. The emperor's expression changed.

袁士宋斌少從黃幹、李燔登朱熹之門，學禁方嚴，羈旅困沮，年且八十，與歡延之，事以父行，奏乞用旌禮布衣故事，死葬西湖上，歲一祭焉。帝逐二諫臣，與歡力爭之。五乞免朝請，三乞致仕，俱不允，賜《泰卦詩》、《忠邪辨》。自是，國事皆縷縷言之，有不勝書，蓋其愛君憂國，本諸天性。拜少傅，卒，遺表猶不忘規正。帝震悼輟朝，賻贈有加，詔有司治葬，贈少師，追封奉化郡王，諡清敏，累贈太師。

Song Bin of Yuan Shi in youth followed Huang Gan and Li Fan to study under Zhu Xi. When the learning ban was strict he was stranded in hardship. Nearly eighty years old, Yuhuan invited him and treated him with a father's courtesy. He memorialized requesting the precedent of honoring a commoner, that upon death he be buried on West Lake with annual sacrifice. The emperor expelled two remonstrating officials. Yuhuan forcefully contested this. He five times begged exemption from court audiences and three times begged retirement. None was granted. He was granted the Poem on the Hexagram Tai and Discrimination of Loyalty and Treachery. From then on he spoke of state affairs in detail, more than can be written. His love of the ruler and concern for the state sprang from his nature. He was appointed Junior Preceptor and died. His death memorial still did not forget admonition and correction. The emperor was shaken with grief and suspended court audiences. Funeral gifts were increased. An edict ordered officials to manage the burial. He was posthumously granted the title of Junior Preceptor, enfeoffed as Prince of Fenghua Commandery, given the posthumous name Qingmin, and repeatedly promoted posthumously to Grand Preceptor.

手注《六經》及《仁皇訓典詳釋》，又有《高宗寶訓要釋》、奏議、詩文百卷。與歡嚐謂：“士大夫有貪聲，則雖奇才奧學，徒以蠹國害民爾。 ”故斂之夕，而金帶猶質錢民家雲。

He personally annotated the Six Classics and Detailed Explication of Emperor Renzong's Instruction Canon. He also wrote Essentials of Emperor Gaozong's Precious Instruction, memorials, and poetry and prose in one hundred juan. Yuhuan once said, "If a scholar-official has a reputation for greed, then though he have extraordinary talent and profound learning, he merely harms the state and injures the people." Therefore on the night of his encoffining, his gold belt was still pledged at a commoner's house.

趙必願，字立夫，廣西經略安撫崇憲之子也。未弱冠，丁大母憂，哀毀骨立。服闋，以大父汝愚遺表，補承務郎。

Zhao Biyuan, courtesy name Lifu, was the son of Chongxian, Military Commissioner and Pacification Commissioner of Guangxi. Before reaching twenty he completed mourning for his grandmother. Grief wasted him until he was skin and bones. When mourning ended, through his grandfather Ruyu's death memorial he received the rank of Gentleman for Meritorious Achievement.

開禧元年，銓監平江府糧料院，調常熟丞。嘉定七年舉進士，知崇安縣，剖判如流，吏不能困。修學政，立催科法，列戶名為三等，以三期為約，足者旌之，未足者寬以趣之，逾期不納者裏胥程督之，民皆感懌願輸。革胥吏鬻鹽之敝。擅發光化社倉活饑民，帥怒，逮吏欲懲之，必願曰：“芻牧職也，吏何罪。 ”束簷俟譴，帥無以詰而止。舊有均惠倉，無所儲，必願捐緡錢增糴，至二千石。力主義役之法，鄉選善士，任以推排，入資買田助役，則勉有產之家，有感化者，出己田以倡，遂遍行一邑，上下便之。台府以聞，下其式八郡四十八縣。秩滿，民共立祠刻石。

In the first year of the Kaixi reign (1205) he was selected as superintendent of the Grain Office of Pingjiang Prefecture and transferred as assistant magistrate of Changshu. In the seventh year of the Jiading reign (1214) he passed the jinshi examinations, governed Chong'an County, judged cases with flowing ease, and clerks could not trouble him. He reformed school administration and established a tax collection law, listing households in three grades. With three periods as the term, those who paid in full were honored, those not yet full were given grace to hurry payment, and those overdue were supervised by village clerks. The people all felt moved and willingly paid. He reformed the abuse of clerks selling salt. He on his own authority opened the Guanghua communal granary to save starving people. The commissioner was angry and arrested the clerk to punish him. Biyuan said, "It is the duty of the grass and herd officer. What crime has the clerk?" He bound himself at the eaves awaiting punishment. The commissioner had no way to press further and stopped. There was formerly an Equal Benefit Granary with nothing stored. Biyuan donated cash to increase purchases, reaching two thousand shi. He forcefully advocated the law of voluntary corvée service. Good men were selected in the villages and entrusted with assessment. Those who contributed funds to buy fields to support corvée were encouraged, and among property-owning families some were moved to offer their own fields as examples. Thus it spread throughout the county, and all found it convenient. The provincial office reported it, and its model was issued to eight prefectures and forty-eight counties. When his term ended, the people jointly erected a shrine and carved a stone inscription.

授湖、廣總所幹辦公事。丁父憂，居喪盡禮，貽書問學於黃幹。服除，差充兩浙運司主管文字。再考，特差充提領安邊所主管文字。差知全州，陛辭，奏乞下道、江二州訪周惇頤之後。知常州，改知處州，陳折帛納銀之害，皆得請。移泉州，罷白土課及免差吏榷鐵，諷諸邑行義役。秋旱，力講行荒政，乞撥永儲、廣儲二倉米振救。差主管官告院。越五日，詔依舊主管官告院兼知台州，一循大父之政，察民疾苦，撫摩凋瘵，修養濟院，建陳瓘祠，政教兼舉。

He was appointed staff officer of the General Office of Hu and Guang. Completing mourning for his father, he observed the rites fully and sent letters to Huang Gan to inquire about learning. When mourning ended he was assigned as document officer of the Liangzhe Transport Commission. After a second evaluation he was specially assigned as document officer of the Frontier Security Office. He was assigned to govern Quan Prefecture. At his farewell audience he memorialized asking that Dao and Jiang Prefectures be searched for descendants of Zhou Dunyi. He governed Chang Prefecture, then was transferred to govern Chu Prefecture. He presented the harms of exchanging silk for silver payments, and all his requests were granted. Transferred to Quanzhou, he abolished the White Earth levy and exempted dispatched clerks from the iron monopoly, and urged all counties to implement voluntary corvée. During an autumn drought he forcefully urged famine relief measures and begged allocation of grain from the Ever-Store and Broad-Store granaries for relief. He was assigned to administer the Patent Office. Within five days an edict ordered him to continue administering the Patent Office and concurrently govern Taizhou. He followed his grandfather's policies, observed the people's hardships, comforted the afflicted, repaired the Relief Institute, built a shrine to Chen Guan, and pursued both governance and instruction.

端平元年，以直秘閣知婺州。至郡，免催紹定六年分小戶綾羅錢三萬緡有奇。立淳良、頑慢二籍，勸懲人戶。措置廣惠倉及諸倉積穀。奏乞寬減內帑綾羅，申省免用舊例，預解諸色窠名錢，罷開化稅場。遷太府寺丞，尋遷度支郎中。詔以汝愚配享寧宗，從必願請也。兼右司郎中，引見，疏言：

In the first year of the Duanping reign (1234) he was made Direct Attendant of the Secret Pavilion and prefect of Wu Prefecture. Upon reaching the prefecture he remitted collection of more than thirty thousand strings of cash for silk and gauze owed by small households from the sixth year of Shaoding. He established two registers, Pure and Good and Stubborn and Slow, to encourage and punish households. He arranged the Broad Benefit Granary and accumulated grain in various granaries. He memorialized asking reduction of inner treasury silk and gauze, reported to the province exemption from old precedents, prepaid various category funds, and abolished the Kaihua tax station. He was promoted to Assistant Director of the Grand Treasury and soon to Director of the Budget Bureau. An edict ordered Ruyu to share sacrifice with Emperor Ningzong, following Biyuan's request. Concurrently Right Department Secretary, he was presented in audience and memorialized:

陛下英明密運，斷出於獨，固欲一切轉移之。然而大權若在我，或者猶有下移之疑；眾正若已開，或者猶有旁徑之疑。策免二相，銷天變也，去者固難以復留，留者恐終於引去。虛鼎席以待故老，疑者或意其未必來，而況在數千里之外；責次補以任大政，疑者或意其不敢專，而況於不安其位。中書，政之本也。今果何時，尚可含糊意向以啟天下之疑乎？親擢台諫，開言路也，用之未久者，何為輕於易去？去之未幾，何為使之復來？召於外服者，不知果能用之而必堅；除目周行者，不知果能聽之而無諱乎？

Your Majesty is wise and secret in operation, decisions issuing from yourself alone, and truly wishes to transform everything. Yet if great authority seems to be in your hands, some may still suspect it has shifted downward; if the upright have already been welcomed, some may still suspect side paths. Dismissing the two chief ministers dispels celestial anomalies, yet those who leave can hardly be kept, and those who remain may ultimately withdraw. Leaving the chief minister's seat empty to await old veterans—doubters may think they will not come, especially when thousands of li away; charging the next in rank to handle great affairs—doubters may think they dare not act independently, especially when insecure in their posts. The Secretariat is the root of government. What time is this now—can ambiguous intentions still be used to open doubt throughout the realm? Personally elevating censors and remonstrators opens the path of speech. Why lightly dismiss those not long in use? Why, not long after dismissal, have them return? Those summoned from outside service—one does not know whether they will truly be used and held firm; appointment orders circulating widely—one does not know whether they will truly be heard without concealment?

朝廷除授，軍國賞罰，本至公也，今有姓名未達於廟堂，而遷擢忽由於中出，斥逐三衙，竟不指名罪狀，而人始得以疑陛下矣。一除目之頒，一號令之出，雖未必由於閹宦，而人或疑於閹宦；雖未必由於私謁，而人或疑於私謁；雖未必由於戚畹宗邸，而人或疑於戚畹宗邸。夫天下者，祖宗之天下也，非陛下所私有也，陛下雖有去敝之心，而動涉可疑之跡，陛下亦何樂於此。

Court appointments and military rewards and punishments are originally utterly public. Now names have not reached the temple hall, yet promotions suddenly issue from within; the Three Commands are expelled without naming crimes—and people can begin to doubt Your Majesty. One appointment order issued, one command sent out—though not necessarily from eunuchs, people may suspect eunuchs; though not necessarily from private audiences, people may suspect private audiences; though not necessarily from imperial in-laws and princely residences, people may suspect imperial in-laws and princely residences. The realm is the realm of the ancestors, not Your Majesty's private possession. Though Your Majesty has a heart to remove abuses, actions touch suspicious traces—what pleasure is there in this for Your Majesty?

時論偉之。

Contemporary opinion praised him greatly.

三京兵敗，邊事甚亟，詔條上守禦計，必願言十事：下哀痛之詔，合江淮之兵，救江陵之急，節財用之宜，縻議和之使，撫無歸之民，處北來之眾，置鎮撫之使，擇帥閫之代，拔未用之將，皆切於邊要。政府議楮幣日輕，欲令諸州再用印及他為稱提之法，必願力爭不可。嘉熙元年，貽書政府，論邊防事宜，授右司郎中。

When the Three Capitals army was defeated and border affairs were extremely urgent, an edict ordered memorials listing defense plans. Biyuan spoke of ten matters: issue a grief-stricken edict, combine Jiang-Huai troops, relieve Jiangling's crisis, economize expenditures, detain peace envoys, comfort displaced people, settle northern arrivals, appoint pacification commissioners, choose replacements for commanders, and promote unused generals—all urgent for the frontier. The government discussed paper currency growing lighter daily and wished to order prefectures to re-stamp notes and adopt other methods of raising value. Biyuan forcefully argued this must not be done. In the first year of the Jiaxi reign (1237) he sent a letter to the government discussing frontier defense and was appointed Right Department Secretary.

火災，必願應詔上封事，曰：“開邊稔禍之刑，牽製而未行；激變棄城之戮，姑息而未舉。京、襄淪沒，祖宗之基業莫能保；淮、蜀蹂躪，赤子之冤魂無所依。履畝之令下而加以抑配，稱提之法嚴而重以告訐。民無蓋藏，每有轉壑之憂；士不宿飽，常有思亂之誌。 ”又曰：“台諫、給舍骨鯁之論莫容；左右便嬖浸潤之言易入。春夏常享，闊略於原廟之尊；節鉞隆恩，殷勤於邸第之貴。 ”又曰：“必也正故相專國之罪，嚴貪夫徇國之誅，思室鬼高明之瞰。先編氓，後親貴，去木妖競治之釁；尚堅固，革奢華，戒宴殿無度之宴酣，節內庭不急之營繕。 ”又論濟王及國本事。

At a fire disaster Biyuan responded to the edict with a sealed memorial, saying, "Punishment for those who repeatedly brought border calamity is held back and not carried out; execution for those who provoked revolt and abandoned cities is indulged and not applied. Jing and Xiang have fallen, and the ancestors' foundation cannot be preserved; Huai and Shu are trampled, and the innocent souls of the people have nowhere to rest. Orders to survey fields are issued and forced allocation is added; methods to raise currency value are strict and reporting is heavily emphasized. The people have no reserves and constantly fear starvation in ditches; scholars are not fed overnight and constantly harbor thoughts of disorder. He also said, "Blunt speech from censors and remonstrators is not tolerated; insinuating words from favorites at one's side easily enter." Regular spring and summer sacrifices are neglected toward the honor of the original temple; military honors and grand favor are lavished on the nobility of princely residences. He also said, "The former chief minister's crime of monopolizing the state must be corrected; punishment for greedy men who ruined the state must be strict; think of the lofty gaze of the ancestral spirits." First the common people, then the imperial kin; remove the omen of tree demons competing for governance; value solidity, reform extravagance, warn against unrestrained feasting in banquet halls, and economize on non-urgent repairs in the inner court. He also discussed the Prince of Ji and the matter of the succession.

遷左司郎中，又遷司農少卿兼左司。轉對，言：“正氣日消月沮，馴至今日，非惟搢紳不肯論事，下至草茅之士，皆結舌矣。端平初年，沉屙方去，新病未作，陛下猶勤於谘訪，如恐不及。今疾攻心腹，決裂將潰，乃不求瞑眩之劑以起其殆，甚可惑也。 ”又曰：“毋使人臣以指斥懷疑，毋致陛下以厭言得謗。 ”時直士相繼去，故必願及之。兼敕令所刪修官，拜司農卿，兼職如故。翼日，改宗正少卿，仍兼刪修敕令兼國史編修實錄檢討，尋兼左司，遷太府卿，仍兼編修、檢討，遷宗正少卿。詔依舊太府卿，仍兼職，且兼中書門下檢正諸房公事。轉對，言：“中才庸主，惟其無所知覺，故言不可入，而敗亡隨之。陛下作敬天之圖，朝夕對越，謂宜天意可回，而熒惑失度，鬱攸煽災，迫近禁門，幾毀左藏。煙埃方息，白晝隕星，貫日之虹，脅陽之雹，疊見層出。陛下觀時察變，何由致此？今日之事，動無良策，惟在側身修行，祈天永命而已。 ”遷起居舍人，兼職仍舊。

He was promoted to Left Department Secretary and again to Vice Director of Agriculture with concurrent Left Department duty. At a rotating audience he said, "Righteous spirit daily wanes and monthly declines, until today not only do gentry refuse to discuss affairs—even down to common scholars, all are tongue-tied." At the beginning of Duanping, deep illness had just departed and new sickness had not yet appeared. Your Majesty still diligently consulted, as if fearing to fall short. Now sickness attacks the heart and belly, about to rupture and collapse, yet you do not seek the drastic medicine to rouse the dying—this is deeply puzzling. He also said, "Do not let ministers harbor suspicion through criticism; do not let Your Majesty be slandered for tiring of speech." At that time upright men were leaving one after another, so Biyuan spoke of this. Concurrently editor at the Statutes Office, he was appointed Director of Agriculture with concurrent duties unchanged. The next day he was transferred to Vice Director of the Imperial Clan Court, still concurrently editing statutes and compiling the National History and Veritable Records, soon concurrently Left Department, promoted to Director of the Grand Treasury, still concurrently compiling and examining, and transferred to Vice Director of the Imperial Clan Court. An edict ordered him to retain his rank as Director of the Grand Treasury with concurrent duties, and also concurrently Investigating Officer of the various bureaus of the Secretariat and Chancellery. At a rotating audience he said, "Mediocre talent and a mediocre ruler, because they know and perceive nothing, words cannot enter, and ruin follows." Your Majesty made a diagram for revering Heaven and morning and evening faced it, thinking Heaven's will could be turned. Yet Mars lost its measure, fires blazed in disaster, approaching the forbidden gate and nearly destroying the Left Treasury. Smoke and dust had just settled when stars fell in daylight, sun-piercing rainbows and sun-threatening hail appeared layer upon layer. Your Majesty observes the times and examines changes—by what is this caused? In today's affairs there are no good policies in motion. There is only to straighten oneself and cultivate virtue, praying Heaven for enduring mandate. He was promoted to Diarist with concurrent duties unchanged.

大水，上封事曰：“海潮毀隘，侵迫禁城，災異之來，理不虛發，必上畏天戒，下修人事，易沴召和，轉移於陛下方寸間耳。 ”又曰：“《周官》國有大事，則舉大詢之理。今日之事迫矣，謂宜合眾謀，屈君策，上而搢紳，下而芻蕘，各陳所見，擇其可用之策，以授任事之臣，庶幾千慮一得，以成天下人不因之意。 ”暫兼權右郎官。言：“財非天雨鬼輸，豈可輕施妄用。長此不已，必至顛覆，異時或得罪。今之大夫不能為國生財，程異、皇甫鏄之徒乘間捷出，推敲克剝，以術相勝，鑿空取辦，以計巧取，事掊斂，獻羨餘，間架緡錢之令下，而唐祚愈促矣。願陛下精思熟慮，約已愛民，必如勾踐之臥薪嚐膽，必如衛文公之帛衣布冠，可也。 ”權吏部右侍郎，乞免兼檢正，從之。兼國史修撰。

At great flood he submitted a sealed memorial, saying, "Sea tides destroy barriers and press upon the forbidden city. When calamities come, principle is not empty in their occurrence. Above one must fear Heaven's warning; below one must cultivate human affairs. Change calamity and summon harmony—it turns on Your Majesty's mind alone." He also said, "In the Offices of Zhou, when the state has great affairs, the principle of grand consultation is employed." Today's affairs are urgent. One should combine many counsels and humble the ruler's plans—from gentry above to common folk below, each stating their views, selecting usable policies to entrust to officials charged with affairs. Perhaps from a thousand considerations one gain may come, fulfilling what people under Heaven do not presume. He was temporarily given concurrent acting appointment as Right Department Secretary. He said, "Wealth is not rained from Heaven or transported by ghosts—how can it be lightly spent and recklessly used?" If this continues without end, ruin must come, and in time one may offend. Today's grandees cannot generate wealth for the state. Men like Cheng Yi and Huangfu Bo seize the moment and emerge swiftly, squeezing and stripping by craft, competing in artifice, carving emptiness to obtain supplies, taking cleverly by scheme, practicing extortion and offering surplus tribute. When the house-frame cash order was issued, the Tang mandate grew ever shorter. I wish Your Majesty would think deeply and consider carefully, restrain yourself and love the people—surely like Goujian sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall, surely like Duke Wen of Wei's silk clothes and cloth cap. He was given acting appointment as Vice Minister of the Right in Personnel, begged exemption from concurrent investigating duty, and was granted. He was concurrently Compiler of the National History.

時邊事急，必願應詔言：“宜敕彭大雅自重慶領王青之兵東下以復夔，責李安民及歸、峽二守以自效，調一將督中流之師，以伐其順流之謀，調一將自間道出鼎、澧之後，以折其搗虛之鋒，調一將助芮興之勢，以備江陵之急。又宜下湖南遣飛軍及團結民兵之類守沅江、益陽江，以防衝突長沙，盡收江上民船，毋資敵用。 ”區畫皆中事機。暫兼權侍左侍郎。李宗勉每稱其平允。暫兼權戶部侍郎，兼同詳定敕令。請立國本，請親禱雨。遷戶部侍郎，暫兼給事中。

When border affairs were urgent, Biyuan responded to the edict, saying, "Peng Daya should be ordered from Chongqing to lead Wang Qing's troops east to recover Kui. Li Anmin and the prefects of Gui and Xia should be charged to prove themselves. One general should be dispatched to command midstream troops and thwart their downstream plan; one general from a hidden route behind Ding and Li to break their feint; one general to reinforce Rui Xing and prepare for Jiangling's crisis." Hunan should also be ordered to send flying troops and organized militia to guard the Yuan and Yiyang rivers against a thrust at Changsha, and all civilian boats on the river should be seized so the enemy cannot use them. His plans all hit the mark of affairs. He was temporarily given concurrent acting appointment as Vice Minister of the Left. Li Zongmian always praised his fairness. He was temporarily given concurrent acting appointment as Vice Minister of Revenue and concurrently joint reviewer of statutes. He requested establishment of the heir apparent and personal prayer for rain. He was promoted to Vice Minister of Revenue with temporary concurrent appointment as Supervising Secretary.

先是，錢相嚐繳陳洵益贈節使不行，必願復繳奏曰：“李韶向為殿中侍御史，疏論洵益，乞予外祠，以絕窺伺，陛下不行其言，復奪其職，韶不能自安，徑求外補。今召之不至，正以此故。若超贈洵益，又繳駁不行，韶愈無來期矣。陛下忍於去一賢從官，而不忍於沮一已死之內侍，則何以興起治功，振揚國勢？欲望寢洵益節鉞，趣韶供職。 ”於是必願三以疾乞祠，不許。

Earlier, Chief Minister Qian had once rejected the posthumous grant of military commissioner to Chen Xunyi. Biyuan again rejected and memorialized, saying, "Li Shao formerly served as Palace Censor and memorialized against Xunyi, begging an outside sinecure to end scheming. Your Majesty did not follow his words and again stripped his post. Shao could not feel secure and directly sought an outside appointment." Now he is summoned but does not come—precisely for this reason. If Xunyi is posthumously promoted beyond merit and the rejection is again not carried out, Shao will have even less prospect of coming. Your Majesty can bear to remove one worthy attendant official yet cannot bear to block one dead inner attendant—how then can governance be raised and national strength revived? I wish that Xunyi's military honors be shelved and Shao be urged to take up his post. Thereupon Biyuan three times begged a sinecure on grounds of illness and was not permitted.

權戶部尚書，疏言：“端平元年，洛師輕出。明年，德安失，襄陽失。又明年，固始失，定遠失，六安失，郢、復、荊門失，蜀道蹂，成都破。又明年，夔、峽徙，浮光降。又明年，滁陽殲。越二年，壽春棄。明年，真陽擾，安豐危，成都遺燼，靡有孑遺。 ”又曰：“去冬安豐危而復安，特天幸爾。君臣動色，太平自賀。雷作於雪宴之先期，蜀警於大宴之朌命，戒心一弛，赫鑒已隨之矣。 ”又乞“諭太府丞，核戶部收支數目，庶見多寡盈虛之實，有餘則儲之以待朝廷之取撥，闕則助之以示宮府之一體。 ”二疏迕丞相史嵩之，乞免官、乞祠，皆不許。以司諫鄭起潛論列，以寶謨閣直學士奉祠；辭職名，不許。淳祐五年，以華文閣直學士知福州、福建安撫使，三辭，不許。閩人聞必願至，欣然歎羨。

Acting Minister of Revenue, he memorialized, saying, "In the first year of Duanping the Luoyang army was lightly sent out." The next year De'an was lost and Xiangyang was lost. The year after that Gushi, Dingyuan, and Lu'an were lost; Ying, Fu, and Jingmen were lost; the Sichuan road was trampled and Chengdu fell. The year after that Kui and Xia were abandoned and Fuguang surrendered. The year after that Chuyang was annihilated. Two years later Shouchun was abandoned. The next year Zhenyang was disturbed, Anfeng was endangered, Chengdu was left in ashes, and not a survivor remained. He also said, "Last winter Anfeng was endangered yet restored to safety—this was merely Heaven's favor." Ruler and ministers changed expression and congratulated themselves on peace. Thunder sounded before the snow banquet; Shu was alarmed at the order for the great feast. Once vigilance slackened, Heaven's judgment had already followed. He also asked that the Assistant Director of the Grand Treasury be instructed to verify the Ministry of Revenue's income and expenditure figures, so that the reality of surplus and deficit might be seen. If there is surplus, store it awaiting the court's allocation; if there is shortage, assist to show the unity of palace and government. The two memorials offended Chief Councillor Shi Songzhi. He begged dismissal from office and begged a sinecure, but neither was granted. On the remonstrance of Supervising Remonstrator Zheng Qiqian he was granted a sinecure as Direct Attendant of the Baomo Pavilion; he declined the title but was not permitted. In the fifth year of the Chunyou reign (1245) he was made Direct Attendant of the Huawen Pavilion, prefect of Fuzhou, and Pacification Commissioner of Fujian. He declined three times but was not permitted. When the people of Min heard Biyuan was coming, they rejoiced and sighed in admiration.

必願平易以近民，忠信以厚俗，惻怛以勤政，行鄉飲酒，旌退士，獎高年，裁僧寺實封之數。尤留意武事，甫入境，即以軍禮見戎帥，申明左翼軍節製事宜，措置海道修水，教士卒知勸。 ”居官四年，累乞歸，及命召，又三辭，皆不許。卒，遺表上，贈銀青光祿大夫。

Biyuan was plain and approachable to the people, loyal and trustworthy to enrich customs, compassionate in diligent governance, conducted village drinking ceremonies, honored retired scholars, rewarded the aged, and reduced the actual enfeoffments of Buddhist temples. He especially attended to military affairs. Upon first entering the territory he met the military commander with military rites, clarified matters of the Left Wing Army commission, arranged coastal routes and water repairs, and taught soldiers to know encouragement. He held office four years, repeatedly begged to return home, and when ordered summoned again declined three times—all without permission. He died. When his death memorial was submitted, he was posthumously granted the title of Grandee of Splendid Brightness with Silver Seal.

必願才周器博，心平量廣，而又蚤聞家庭忠孝之訓、師友正大之言，故所立卓然可稱雲。

Biyuan's talent was comprehensive and his capacity broad, his heart level and his measure wide. Moreover, from early on he heard the instruction of loyalty and filial piety in the family and the upright words of teachers and friends, so what he established was outstanding and praiseworthy.

論曰：宋之公族，往往亦由科第顯用，各能以術業自見，汝談、汝讜、希錧是已。彥呐帥邊而墮功，亦由廟算之短。善湘父子克平大盜。與歡以長者稱。必願世濟其美，可謂信厚之公子矣。

The commentator says: Members of the Song imperial clan often also gained prominence through the examinations, each able to distinguish himself through learning and office—such were Rutan, Rudang, and Xiguan. Yanne commanded the frontier yet lost merit—this too was due to short plans at court. Shanxiang and his sons succeeded in suppressing great bandits. Yuhuan was known as an elder of virtue. Biyuan continued the family's excellence through the generations and may be called a son of the clan who was faithful and generous.

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