1
文苑四
Literary Grove, Part Four
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○穆修石延年 〈（劉潛附）〉 蕭貫蘇舜欽尹源黃亢黃鑒楊蟠顏太初郭忠恕
Mu Xiu and Shi Yannian (with Liu Qian appended) Xiao Guan, Su Shunqin, Yin Yuan, Huang Kang, Huang Jian, Yang Pan, Yan Taichu, and Guo Zhongshu
3
穆修，字伯長，鄆州人。 幼嗜學，不事章句。 真宗東封，詔舉齊、魯經行之士，修預選，賜進士出身，調泰州司理參軍。 負才，與眾齟齬，通判忌之，使人誣告其罪，貶池州。 中道亡至京師，叩登聞鼓訴冤，不報。 居貶所歲餘，遇赦得釋，迎母居京師，間出遊匄以給養。 久之，補潁州文學參軍，徙蔡州。 明道中，卒。
Mu Xiu, styled Bolong, was from Yanzhou. From childhood he loved learning and did not bother with commentarial pedantry. When Emperor Zhenzong performed the eastern feng rite, the court called up scholars of classical learning and moral conduct from Qi and Lu. Xiu was chosen, granted jinshi standing, and posted as judicial aide in Taizhou. Proud of his talent, he quarreled with those around him. The vice-prefect took offense and had him falsely accused, after which he was banished to Chizhou. He fled halfway to the capital, beat the Petition Drum to protest his innocence, and received no answer. After more than a year in exile he was freed by an amnesty, brought his mother to the capital, and would go out from time to time to beg for their keep. Eventually he was appointed literary aide in Yingzhou and later transferred to Caizhou. He died during the Mingdao reign.
4
修性剛介，好論斥時病，詆誚權貴，人欲與交結，往往拒之。 張知白守亳，亳有豪士作佛廟成，知白使人召修作記，記成，不書士名。 士以白金五百遺修為壽，且求載名於記，修投金庭下，俶裝去郡。 士謝之，終不受，且曰：“吾寧糊口為旅人，終不以匪人汙吾文也。 ”宰相欲識修，且將用為學官，修終不往見。 母死，自負櫬以葬，日誦《孝經》、《喪記》，不飯浮屠為佛事。
Xiu was stern and uncompromising, fond of criticizing the ills of the day and ridiculing the powerful. Those who sought his friendship were usually turned away. While Zhang Zhibai was prefect of Bo, a local magnate completed a Buddhist temple there. Zhibai summoned Xiu to compose its inscription, which Xiu finished without naming the patron. The man sent him five hundred taels of silver as a gift and asked that his name be inscribed. Xiu cast the silver into the courtyard and set out to leave the prefecture. The man apologized, but Xiu still refused and said, "I would rather beg my bread as a wanderer than let a scoundrel defile my writing." "A chief minister wished to meet him and was about to appoint him a school official, but Xiu never went to see him. When his mother died, he bore the coffin himself to the grave, recited the 《Classic of Filial Piety》 and the 《Mourning Rites》 each day, and refused Buddhist funeral services.
5
自五代文敝，國初，柳開始為古文。 其後，楊億、劉筠尚聲偶之辭，天下學者靡然從之。 修於是時獨以古文稱，蘇舜欽兄弟多從之遊。 修雖窮死，然一時士大夫稱能文者必曰穆參軍。
After the literary decline of the Five Dynasties, Liu Kai at the dynasty's founding was the first to revive ancient-style prose. Later Yang Yi and Liu Yun championed parallel, ornate phrasing, and scholars everywhere followed suit. In that era Xiu alone was renowned for ancient-style prose, and Su Shunqin and his brothers often kept his company. Though he died in poverty, whenever men of letters of the day spoke of fine writing they meant Military Aide Mu.
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慶曆中，祖無擇訪得所著詩、書、序、記、誌等數十首，集為三卷。
During the Qingli reign Zu Wuzhe gathered several dozen of his poems, letters, prefaces, records, and epitaphs into three fascicles.
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石延年，字曼卿，先世幽州人。 晉以幽州遺契丹，其祖舉族南走，家於宋城。 延年為人跌宕任氣節，讀書通大略，為文勁健，於詩最工而善書。
Shi Yannian, styled Manqing, came of a Youzhou family. When the Jin dynasty yielded Youzhou to the Khitan, his grandfather led the entire clan south and made their home at Songcheng. Yannian was free-spirited and high-minded. He read for the large design rather than detail, wrote vigorous prose, excelled most in poetry, and was accomplished at calligraphy.
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累舉進士不中，真宗錄三舉進士，以為三班奉職，延年恥不就。 張知白素奇之，謂曰：“母老乃擇祿耶？ ”延年不得已就命。 後以右班殿直改太常寺太祝，知金鄉縣，有治名。 用薦者通判乾寧軍，徙永靜軍，為大理評事、館閣校勘，曆光祿、大理寺丞，上書章獻太后，請還政天子。 太后崩，範諷欲引延年，延年力止之。 後諷敗，延年坐與諷善，落職通判海州。 久之，為秘閣校理，遷太子中允，同判登聞鼓院。
He failed the jinshi examination repeatedly. Emperor Zhenzong enrolled candidates who had presented three times and appointed them Third-Rank Attendants, but Yannian was too proud to take the post. Zhang Zhibai, who had long admired him, said, "Your mother is old—will you choose an official salary only now?" "At last Yannian had no choice but to accept. He was later transferred from Right-Ban Palace Guard to Grand Sacrificer in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and appointed magistrate of Jinxiang, where he earned a name for effective rule. Recommended for office, he served as vice-commissioner of Qianning and then Yongjing armies, and held posts as judicial reviewer, Hall collator, and offices in the Courts of Imperial Entertainments and Judicial Review. He memorialized Empress Dowager Zhangxian to restore rule to the emperor. After the empress dowager's death Fan Feng wanted to advance Yannian, but Yannian firmly dissuaded him. When Feng later fell from power, Yannian was punished for their friendship and demoted to vice-commissioner of Haizhou. Eventually he was made collator of the Secret Archive, promoted to Palace Companion, and appointed associate judge of the Petition Drum Court.
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嚐上言天下不識戰三十餘年，請為二邊之備。 不報。 及元昊反，始思其言，召見，稍用其說。 命往河東籍鄉兵，凡得十數萬，時邊將遂欲以扞賊，延年笑曰：“此得吾粗也。 夫不教之兵勇怯相雜，若怯者見敵而動，則勇者亦牽而潰矣。 今既不暇教，宜募其敢行者，則人人皆勝兵也。 ”又嚐請募人使唃廝囉及回鶻舉兵攻元昊，帝嘉納之。
He once submitted a memorial saying the empire had not known war for more than thirty years and urging preparations on both frontiers. The court did not reply. When Yuan Hao rebelled, the court recalled his advice, summoned him, and gradually put his ideas to use. Ordered to Hedong to register local militia, he mustered well over a hundred thousand men. Frontier commanders then wanted to use them against the enemy. Yannian laughed and said, "That only scratches the surface of what I mean." Untrained soldiers mingle courage with cowardice; if the cowards move at sight of the enemy, the brave are dragged into rout as well. Since there is no time to train them now, recruit those who dare to fight, and every man will be elite troops. "He also proposed recruiting agents to induce Gusiluo and the Uyghurs to attack Yuan Hao, which the emperor welcomed.
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延年喜劇飲，嚐與劉潛造王氏酒樓對飲，終日不交一言。 王氏怪其飲多，以為非常人，益奉美酒肴果，二人飲啖自若，至夕無酒色，相揖而去。 明日，都下傳王氏酒樓有二仙來飲，已乃知劉、石也。 延年雖酣放，若不可攖以世務，然與人論天下事，是非無不當。
Yannian loved to drink heavily. Once he and Liu Qian went to the Wang family's tavern and drank facing each other all day without saying a word. The Wangs were astonished by how much they drank and took them for extraordinary men, bringing still finer wine, food, and fruit. The two drank and ate as calmly as before, showed no sign of intoxication by evening, bowed to each other, and departed. The next day the capital buzzed that two immortals had drunk at the Wang tavern; only later did people learn it was Liu and Shi. Though he drank freely and seemed beyond the reach of worldly business, in discussion of public affairs his judgments were never wrong.
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初，與天章閣待制吳遵路同使河東，及卒，遵路言於朝廷，特官其一子。
He had earlier served in Hedong with Wu Zunlu, academician at the Tianzhang Pavilion. After Yannian's death Zunlu spoke to the court, and one of his sons received a special appointment.
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劉潛字仲方，曹州定陶人。 少卓逸有大誌，好為古文，以進士起家，為淄州軍事推官。 嚐知蓬萊縣，代還，過鄆州，方與曼卿飲，聞母暴疾，亟歸。 母死，潛一慟遂絕，其妻復撫潛大號而死。 時人傷之，曰：“子死於孝，妻死於義。”
Liu Qian, styled Zhongfang, was from Dingtao in Caozhou. In youth he was exceptional and ambitious, devoted to ancient-style prose, entered service as a jinshi, and became military judicial aide in Zizhou. He once served as magistrate of Penglai. On his return from a replacement tour he passed through Yanzhou and was drinking with Manqing when he heard his mother had fallen suddenly ill and rushed home. When his mother died, Qian gave one great cry and died. His wife then embraced him, wailed, and died as well. People mourned them, saying, "The son died for filial piety; the wife died for righteousness."
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同時以文學稱京東者，齊州曆城有李冠，舉進士不第，得同《三禮》出身，調乾寧主簿，卒。 有《東皋集》二十卷。
Among those famed in Jingdong for literary talent at the time was Li Guan of Licheng in Qizhou. He failed the jinshi examination, entered office through the 《Three Rites》 examination, was posted as recorder at Qianning, and died. He left a twenty-fascicle collection called the 《Eastern Mound Collection》.
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時提舉捉賊劉舜卿善捕盜，號“劉鐵彈”，恃功為不法，前後畏其凶悍，莫敢治。 貫至，發之，廢為民。 徙江東，改知洪州，累遷尚書刑部員外郎。 坐前使江東不察所部吏受賕，降知饒州。
At the time Liu Shunqing, commissioner for apprehending bandits, was skilled at catching thieves and known as Iron Bullet Liu. He used his exploits to break the law, and for years no one dared punish him because of his ferocity. When Guan arrived he exposed the case and stripped Liu of office, reducing him to commoner status. Transferred to Jiangdong, he was later appointed prefect of Hongzhou and rose to vice director in the Ministry of Justice. He was demoted to prefect of Raozhou for failing, on an earlier tour in Jiangdong, to detect bribery among his subordinates.
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有撫州司法參軍孫齊者，初以明法得官，以其妻杜氏留裏中，而紿娶周氏入蜀。 後周欲訴於官，齊斷發誓出杜氏。 久之，又納倡陳氏，挈周所生子之撫州。 未逾月，周氏至，齊捽置廡下，出偽券曰：“若傭婢也，敢爾邪！ ”乃殺其所生子。 周訴於州及轉運使，皆不受。 人或告之曰：“得知饒州蕭史君者訴之，事當白矣。 ”周氏以布衣書姓名，乞食道上，馳告貫。 撫非所部，而貫特為治之。 更赦，猶編管齊、濠州。 遷兵部員外郎，召還，將試知制誥，會營建獻、懿二皇太后陵，未及試而卒。
There was a judicial aide in Fuzhou named Sun Qi who had first gained office through the statutes examination. He left his wife Lady Du at home, deceived Lady Zhou into marriage, and went into Shu. When Zhou later tried to sue, Qi cut his hair and swore to send Lady Du away. Before long he took a courtesan named Chen and brought Zhou's son with him to Fuzhou. Within a month Zhou arrived. Qi seized her, threw her under the eaves, produced a forged contract, and said, "You are a hired servant—how dare you behave this way!" "Then he killed the son she had borne. Zhou appealed to the prefecture and the transport commissioner, but neither would hear her case. Someone told her, "If you appeal to Recorder Xiao in Raozhou, the matter will be cleared up." "Wearing plain clothes with her name written on them, Zhou begged along the road and rushed to tell Guan. Fuzhou was outside his jurisdiction, yet Guan took up the case anyway. Despite an amnesty, Qi was still registered and exiled to Qi and Haozhou. Promoted to vice director in the Ministry of War and recalled to court, he was about to be examined for drafting imperial edicts when work began on the tombs of the Xian and Yi empress dowagers; he died before the examination could take place.
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貫臨事敢為，不苟合於時。 初，感疾，夢綠衣中人召至帝所，賦《禁中曉寒歌》，詞語清麗，人以比唐李賀。
In office Guan acted boldly and would not trim his conduct to suit the times. When he first fell ill he dreamed that a man in green robes summoned him before the emperor, where he composed the 《Dawn Cold in the Palace Song》. The language was refined, and people compared him to the Tang poet Li He.
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蘇舜欽，字子美，參知政事易簡之孫。 父耆，有才名，嚐為工部郎中、直集賢院。 舜欽少慷慨有大誌，狀貌怪偉。 當天聖中，學者為文多病偶對，獨舜欽與河南穆修好為古文、歌詩，一時豪俊多從之遊。
Su Shunqin, styled Zimei, was a grandson of Vice Grand Councilor Yi Jian. His father Qi was a man of literary reputation who had served as director in the Ministry of Works and academician in the Hall of Assembled Worthies. In youth Shunqin was ardent and ambitious, with a strange and imposing appearance. During the Tiansheng era most scholars wrote in ornate parallel style. Only Shunqin and Mu Xiu of Henan devoted themselves to ancient-style prose and poetry, and many leading men of the day sought their company.
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初以父任補太廟齋郎，調滎陽縣尉。 玉清昭應宮災，舜欽年二十一，詣登聞鼓院上疏曰：
He first entered office through his father's privilege as Temple Aide and was posted as assistant magistrate of Xingyang. When the Yuqing Zhaoying Palace burned, Shunqin was twenty-one. He went to the Petition Drum Court and submitted a memorial that read:
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烈士不避鈇鉞而進諫，明君不諱過失而納忠，是以懷策者必吐上前，蓄冤者無至腹誹。 然言之難不如容之難，容之難不如行之難，有言之必容之行之，則三代之主也，幸陛下留聽焉。
Men of resolve do not shrink from axe and halberd when they remonstrate; enlightened rulers do not hide their faults but accept loyal counsel. Those with plans speak frankly before the throne, and those with grievances need not mutter in secret. Yet speaking is easier than accepting, and accepting is easier than acting. A ruler who hears, accepts, and acts is a lord of the Three Dynasties. I beg Your Majesty to hear me through.
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臣觀今歲自春徂夏，霖雨陰晦，未嚐少止，農田被菑者幾於十九。 臣以謂任用失人、政令多過、賞罰弗中之所召也。 天之降災，欲悟陛下，而大臣歸咎於刑獄之濫，陛下聽之，故肆赦天下以為禳救。 如此則是殺人者不死，傷人者不抵罪，而欲以合天意也。 古者斷決滯訟以平水旱，不聞用赦，故赦下之後，陰霾及今。
Your servant observes that from spring through summer this year rain and gloom have scarcely ceased, and nearly nine-tenths of the farmland has been ruined. Your servant believes this has been summoned by wrongful appointments, excessive policies, and misplaced rewards and punishments. Heaven sent disaster to awaken Your Majesty, but great ministers blamed excessive punishments. Your Majesty accepted this and proclaimed a general amnesty as expiation. In this way murderers would go unpunished and assailants would escape penalty, yet the court hoped thereby to satisfy Heaven. In antiquity stale lawsuits were resolved to quell flood and drought; amnesty was not the remedy. Yet after the amnesty was issued, gloom has continued to this day.
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前誌曰：“積陰生陽，陽生則火災見焉。 ”乘夏之氣發泄於玉清宮，震雨雜下，烈焰四起，樓觀萬疊，數刻而盡，非慢於火備，乃天之垂戒也。 陛下當降服、減膳、避正寢，責躬罪己，下哀痛之詔，罷非業之作，拯失職之民，察輔弼及左右無裨國體者罷之，竊弄權威者去之； 念政刑之失，收芻蕘之論，庶幾所以變災為祐。
Earlier records say, "When yin accumulates it gives rise to yang; when yang arises, fire disaster appears." "Released in the qi of summer at the Yuqing Palace, thunder and rain fell together and flames leapt on every side until tier upon tier of towers and halls were consumed in moments. This was not neglect of fire precautions but Heaven's warning. Your Majesty should lower your garments, reduce your meals, and avoid the main palace; blame yourself and confess your faults; issue a mournful edict; halt unessential works; rescue the destitute; examine aides and attendants who do not serve the state and remove them, and dismiss those who secretly abuse authority; reflect on failures in government and law, gather counsel even from common folk, and perhaps disaster may be turned to blessing.
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浹日之間，未聞為此，而將計工役以圖修復，都下之人聞者駭惑，聚首橫議，鹹謂非宜。 皆曰章聖皇帝勤儉十餘年，天上富庶，帑府流衍，乃作斯宮，及其畢功，海內虛竭。 陛下即位及十年，數遭水旱，雖征賦鹹入，而百姓困乏。 若大興土木，則費知紀極，財力耗於內，百姓勞於下，內耗下勞，何以為國！ 況天災之，己違之，是欲競天，無省己之意。 逆天不祥，安己難任，欲祈厚貺，其可得乎！ 今為陛下計，莫若求吉士，去佞人，修德以勤至治，使百姓足給而征稅寬減，則可以謝天意而安民情矣。
Within days one heard nothing of this, but only plans for labor to rebuild. People in the capital were alarmed; they gathered and argued openly, all saying it was wrong. All said that for more than ten years Emperor Zhangsheng had been frugal and diligent while the realm grew rich and the treasury overflowed, yet he built this palace, and when it was finished the empire was drained. Your Majesty has reigned nearly ten years and has suffered repeated floods and droughts. Though taxes are fully collected, the people are exhausted. If great construction is launched, expense will know no limit, the treasury will be drained within and the people wearied below. With the state exhausted above and the people exhausted below, how can the realm endure! Moreover Heaven has sent disaster, yet the court has already defied it. This is to contend with Heaven and shows no intent of self-examination. To defy Heaven is inauspicious; to comfort oneself alone cannot last. How can one pray for great blessing and expect to receive it! What your servant counsels now is that Your Majesty seek worthy men, remove flatterers, cultivate virtue and strive for perfect rule, so that the people have enough and taxes are eased. Then you may answer Heaven and settle the people's hearts.
23
夫賢君見變，修道除凶，亂世無象，天不譴告。 今幸天見之變，是陛下修己之日，豈可忽哉！ 昔漢元帝三年，茂陵白鶴館災，詔曰：“乃者火災降於孝武園館，朕戰慄恐懼，不燭變異，罪在朕躬。 群有司又不肯極言朕過，以至於斯，將何寤焉！ ”夫茂陵不及上都，白鶴館大不及此宮，彼尚降詔四方，以求己過，是知帝王憂危念治，汲汲如此。
Worthy rulers, seeing change, cultivate the Way and remove misfortune. In chaotic ages there are no omens, and Heaven does not warn. Now Heaven has shown change—this is the day for Your Majesty to cultivate yourself. How can it be neglected! In the third year of Emperor Yuan of Han the White Crane Hall at Maoling burned. The edict said, "Recently fire descended on Emperor Wu's park hall. We tremble in fear, having failed to understand these changes—the fault lies in Us alone." The host of officials again would not speak fully of Our faults, until it came to this. How shall We awaken!" "Yet Maoling was less important than the upper capital, and the White Crane Hall far smaller than this palace—still they issued edicts throughout the realm to seek their own faults. This shows how urgently rulers anxious for peril and mindful of order act.
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臣又按《五行志》：賢佞分別，官人有敘，率由舊章，禮重功勳，則火得其性。 若信道不篤，或耀虛偽，讒夫昌，邪勝正，則火失其性，自上而降。 及濫炎妄起，燔宗廟，燒宮室，雖興師徒而不能救。 魯成公三年，新宮災，劉向謂成公信三桓子孫之讒、逐父臣之應。 襄公九年春，宋火，劉向謂宋公聽讒、逐其大夫華弱奔魯之應。 今宮災豈亦有是乎？ 願陛下拱默內省而追革之，罷再造之勞，述前世之法，天下之幸也。
Your servant further consults the 《Treatise on the Five Phases》: when worthy men are distinguished from flatterers, officials keep their proper order, old statutes are followed, and ritual honors merit, fire keeps its proper nature. If faith in the Way is not firm, if empty show is displayed, if slanderers flourish and evil overcomes right, fire loses its nature and descends from above. When rampant flames rise wantonly and burn ancestral temples and palace halls, even armies and labor gangs cannot save them. In the third year of Duke Cheng of Lu the new palace burned. Liu Xiang said it responded to Cheng's belief in the Three Huan's slanders and his expulsion of his father's ministers. In spring of the ninth year of Duke Xiang, Song caught fire. Liu Xiang said it responded to Duke Mu listening to slander and driving out his minister Hua Ruo, who fled to Lu. Might today's palace fire have a similar cause? I beg Your Majesty to reflect in silence, examine yourself and reform, halt rebuilding, and follow the methods of former ages. That would be the fortune of the realm.
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又上書曰：
He submitted another memorial that read:
26
曆觀前代聖神之君，好聞讜議，蓋以四海至遠，民有隱慝，不可以遍照，故無間愚賤之言而擇用之。 然後朝無遺政，物無遁情，雖有佞臣，邪謀莫得而進也。
Reviewing the sage rulers of former ages, they loved to hear frank counsel. The realm is vast and the people harbor hidden grievances that cannot all be seen. Thus they did not disdain the words of the lowly but chose and used them. Then the court left no policy neglected and nothing escaped notice; though flatterers remained, wicked schemes could not advance.
27
臣睹乙亥詔書，戒越職言事，播告四方，無不驚惑，往往竊議，恐非出陛下之意。 蓋陛下即位以來，屢詔群下勤求直言，使百僚轉對，置匭函，設直言極諫科。 今詔書頓異前事，豈非大臣雍蔽陛下聰明，杜塞忠良之口，不惟虧損朝政，實亦自取覆亡之道。 夫納善進賢，宰相之事，蔽君自任，未或不亡。 今諫官、御史悉出其門，但希旨意，即獲美官，多士盈庭。 噤不得語。 陛下拱默，何由盡聞天下之事乎？
Your servant has seen the yihai edict warning against speaking outside one's office and broadcasting it throughout the realm. Everyone was alarmed and whispered in private, fearing it did not reflect Your Majesty's intent. Since Your Majesty took the throne you have repeatedly urged the court to seek frank speech, ordered rotating audiences, set up the suggestion box, and established the Straight Talk examination. Now the edict suddenly reverses what went before. Have great ministers not blocked Your Majesty's clarity and silenced the loyal—not only harming governance but taking the road to their own ruin? Accepting what is good and advancing the worthy is the chief minister's task; blocking the ruler and acting on one's own has never failed to bring ruin. Now remonstrance officials and censors all come from their faction; they need only follow their intent to receive fine posts. Many scholars fill the hall, yet are silenced and dare not speak. If Your Majesty sits in silence, how can you fully hear the affairs of the realm?
28
前孔道輔、範仲淹剛直不撓，致位台諫，後雖改他官，不忘獻納。 二臣者非不知緘口數年，坐得卿輔，蓋不敢負陛下委注之意。 而皆罹中傷，竄謫而去，使正臣奪氣，鯁士咋舌，目睹時弊口不敢論。
Earlier Kong Daofu and Fan Zhongyan were upright and unyielding and rose to remonstrance posts; though later transferred to other offices, they did not forget to offer counsel. The two men were not unaware that by keeping silent for years they could become chief ministers; they simply dared not betray the trust Your Majesty placed in them. Yet both suffered slander and were banished, making upright ministers lose heart and blunt men bite their tongues, seeing the ills of the age yet daring not speak.
29
昔晉侯問叔向曰：“國家之患孰為大？ ”對曰：“大臣持祿而不極諫，小臣畏罪而不敢言，下情不得上通，此患之大者。 ”故漢文感女子之說而肉刑是除，武帝聽三老之議而江充以族。 肉刑古法，江充近臣，女子三老，愚耄疏隔之至也。 蓋以義之所在，賤不可忽，二君從之，後世稱聖。 況國家班設爵位，列陳豪英，故當責其公忠，安可教之循默？ 賞之使諫，尚恐不言； 罪其敢言，孰肯獻納？ 物情閉塞，上位孤危，軫念於茲，可為驚怛！ 覬望陛下發德音，寢前詔，勤於采納，下及芻蕘，可以常守隆平，保全近輔。
In antiquity Duke Wen of Jin asked Shu Xiang, "What is the greatest affliction of a state?" "He answered, "Great ministers hold their salaries yet do not remonstrate fully; petty officials fear punishment and dare not speak; lower sentiments cannot reach above—this is the greatest affliction." "Thus Emperor Wen of Han was moved by a woman's words and abolished corporal punishment; Emperor Wu heard the elders' counsel and exterminated Jiang Chong's clan." Corporal punishment was ancient law; Jiang Chong was a close minister; women and village elders were the most foolish and remote. Yet because righteousness was at stake, the lowly could not be neglected; the two rulers followed them and later ages called them sage. How much more when the state arrays ranks and posts heroes—should they not be charged with public loyalty? How can one teach them to keep silent? Reward them to remonstrate and one still fears they will not speak; Punish them for daring to speak—who will offer counsel? When sentiment is blocked, the ruler above stands alone and in peril. To reflect on this is cause for alarm! Your servant hopes Your Majesty will issue a virtuous edict, set aside the prior decree, seek counsel diligently even from common folk, and thus may long peace be kept and the near ministers preserved.
30
尋舉進士，改光祿寺主簿，知長垣縣，遷大理評事，監在京店宅務。 康定中，河東地震，舜欽詣匭通疏曰：
Soon after he passed the jinshi examination, became director in the Court of Imperial Entertainments, governed Changyuan County, was promoted to judicial reviewer, and supervised capital shop and residence affairs. In the Kangding era Hedong suffered an earthquake. Shunqin submitted a memorial through the suggestion box that read:
31
臣聞河東地大震裂，湧水壞屋廬城堞，殺民畜幾十萬，曆旬不止。 始聞惶駭疑惑。 竊思自編策所紀前代衰微喪亂之世，亦未嚐有此大變。 今四聖接統，內外平寧，戎夷交歡，兵革偃息，固與夫衰微喪亂之世異，何災變之作反過之耶？ 且妖祥之興，神實屍之，各以類告，未嚐妄也。 天人之應，古今之鑒，大可恐懼。 豈王者安於逸豫、信任近臣而不省政事乎？ 廟堂之上，有非才昌祿、竊弄威福而侵上事者乎？ 又豈施設之政有不便民者乎？ 深宮之中，有陰教不謹以媚道進者乎？ 西北羌夷有背盟犯順之心乎？ 臣從遠方來，不知近事，心疑而口不敢道也。 所怪者，朝廷見此大異，不修闕政，以厭天戒、安民心，默然不恤，如無事之時。 諫官、御史不聞進牘鋪白災害之端，以開上心。 然民情洶洶，聚首橫議，鹹有憂悸之色。
Your servant hears that in Hedong the earth split in a great quake, surging water destroyed houses and city walls, and people and livestock killed numbered in the hundreds of thousands, continuing for more than ten days without cease. At first hearing I was alarmed, terrified, and doubtful. Privately I reflect that in the compiled records of former ages of decline and chaos, such a great change has never occurred. Now four sage rulers succeed one another; within and without are tranquil, barbarians are friendly, and arms are stilled—surely unlike ages of decline. Why should calamities arise that surpass them? Moreover, when omens arise, the spirits truly preside; each reports by its kind and never acts without cause. The correspondence of Heaven and man, the mirror of past and present—greatly to be feared. Is the king secure in ease and pleasure, trusting close ministers and not examining government? In the hall of government, are there men without talent who flourish in salary, usurping authority and encroaching on the ruler's affairs? Or are there policies in place that do not benefit the people? In the inner palace, are there women whose domestic teaching is not strict who advance by flattery and sorcery? Among the Qiang and Yi of the northwest, is there a mind to break alliance and rebel? Your servant comes from afar and does not know recent affairs; I suspect in my heart but dare not speak. What is strange is that the court, seeing this great anomaly, does not repair neglected government to satisfy Heaven's warning and settle the people's hearts, but is silent and unconcerned as if nothing had happened. Remonstrance officials and censors are not heard advancing memorials to lay out the beginnings of disaster and open the ruler's mind. Yet popular sentiment is turbulent; people gather and argue openly, all with a look of fear and alarm.
32
臣以世受君祿，身齒國命，涵濡惠澤，以長此軀，目睹心思，驚怛流汗，欲盡吐肝膽，以拜封奏。 又見範仲淹以剛直忤奸臣，言不用而身竄謫，降詔天下，不許越職言事。 臣不避權右，必恐橫罹中傷，無補於國，因自悲嗟，不知所措。
Your servant, having received the ruler's salary for generations, shares in the fate of the state, soaked in gracious favor to grow this body, sees with the eyes and thinks in the heart, alarmed and sweating, wishing to pour out my heart in a sealed memorial. I also saw Fan Zhongyan, for his upright firmness offending wicked ministers, his words unused and his person banished, and an edict sent throughout the realm forbidding speech outside one's office. Your servant does not shun the powerful, yet must fear being struck down by slander without benefit to the state, and so grieves, not knowing what to do.
33
既而孟春之初，雷震暴作，臣以謂國家闕失，眾臣莫敢為陛下言者，唯天丁寧以告陛下。 陛下果能沛發明詔，許群臣皆得獻言，臣初聞之踴躍欣抃。 旬日間頗有言事者，其間豈無切中時病，而未聞朝廷舉而行之，是亦收虛言而不根實效也。 臣聞唯誠可以應天，唯實可以安民，今應天不以誠，安民不以實，徒布空文，增人太息耳，將何以謝神靈而救弊亂也！ 豈大臣蒙塞天聽，不為陛下行之？ 豈言事迂闊無所取，不足行也？ 臣竊見綱紀隳敗，政化闕失，其事甚眾，不可概舉，謹條大者二事以聞：
Then at the beginning of early spring thunder crashed violently. Your servant thought the state had failings that none among the ministers dared tell Your Majesty—only Heaven admonished to inform you. When Your Majesty issued a bright edict permitting all ministers to offer counsel, at first hearing I leapt for joy. Within ten days many spoke; among them were surely points that hit the ills of the time, yet the court was not heard to adopt them—this too is to gather empty words without real effect. Your servant hears that only sincerity can respond to Heaven and only substance can settle the people. Now responding to Heaven without sincerity and settling the people without substance—only spreading empty documents—how will you thank the spirits and rescue corrupt disorder! Is it that great ministers block Heaven's hearing and will not carry them out for Your Majesty? Or are the memorials broad and impractical, nothing worth carrying out? Your servant privately sees discipline in ruins and government and teaching in failure; the matters are very many and cannot all be listed. I respectfully set forth two great matters:
34
一曰正心。 夫治國如治家，治家者先修己，修己者先正心，心正則神明集而萬務理。 今民間傳陛下比年稍邇俳優賤人，燕樂逾節，賜予過度。 燕樂逾節則蕩，賜予過度則侈。 蕩則政事不親，侈則用度不足。 臣竊觀國史，見祖宗日視朝，旰昃方罷，猶坐於後苑，門有白事者，立得召對，委曲詢訪，小善必納。 真宗末年不豫，始間日視事。 今陛下春秋鼎盛，實宵衣旰食求治之秋，而乃隔日禦殿，此政事不親也。 又府庫匱竭，民鮮蓋藏，誅斂科率，殆無虛日。 計度經費，二十倍於祖宗時，此用度不足也。 政事不親，用度不足，誠國大憂。 臣望陛下修己以禦人，洗心以鑒物，勤聽斷，舍燕安，放棄優諧近習之纖人，親近剛明鯁直之良士。 因此災變，以思永圖，則天下幸甚。
First, rectify the heart. Governing the state is like governing a family: one first cultivates oneself, and cultivating oneself begins with rectifying the heart. When the heart is rectified, the spirits gather and the ten thousand affairs are ordered. Now among the people it is rumored that in recent years Your Majesty has drawn somewhat near to actors and base men, feasting beyond measure and bestowing beyond limit. Feasting beyond measure leads to dissipation; bestowing beyond limit leads to extravagance. Dissipation means government affairs are not attended to; extravagance means expenditures are insufficient. Your servant has looked at the dynastic records and seen that the ancestors daily attended court, finishing only at dusk, then still sat in the rear garden. If someone at the gate had a matter to report, he was summoned at once; even small goods were accepted. In the last years of Emperor Zhenzong he was unwell and only then began to hold court every other day. Now Your Majesty is in the prime of life—the very season of rising early and sleeping late to seek order—yet you hold court only every other day. This is not attending to government. Moreover the treasuries are depleted and the people have little stored wealth; exactions and levies continue almost without a vacant day. Calculated expenses are twenty times those of the ancestors' time—this is insufficient expenditure. Not attending to government and insufficient expenditure are truly great worries of the state. Your servant hopes Your Majesty will cultivate yourself to command others, wash the heart to mirror things, listen and decide diligently, abandon feasting and ease, cast off petty actors and jesters among close attendants, and draw near upright, blunt, and straight worthy men. Because of this calamitous change, reflect on a long design—then the realm will be greatly fortunate.
35
其二曰擇賢。 夫明主勞於求賢而逸於任使，然盈庭之士不須盡擇，在擇一二輔臣及御史、諫官而已。 陛下用人尚未慎擇。 昨王隨自吏部侍郎遷門下侍郎平章事，超越十資，復為上相。 此乃非常之恩，必待非常之才，而隨虛庸邪諂，非輔相之器，降麻之後，物論沸騰。 故疾纏其身，災仍於國，此亦天意愛惜我朝，陛下鑒之哉！ 且石中立頃在朝行，以詼諧自任，士人或有宴集，必置席間，聽其語言，以資笑噱。 今處之近輔，不聞嘉謀，物望甚輕，人情所忽，使災害屢降而朝廷不尊，蓋近臣多非才者。 陛下左右尚如此，天下官吏可知也。 實恐遠人輕笑中國，宜即行罷免，別選賢才。 又張觀為御史中丞，高若訥為司諫，二人者皆登高第，頗以文詞進，而溫和軟懦，無剛鯁敢言之氣。 斯皆執政引拔建置，欲其慎默，不敢舉揚其私，時有所言，則必暗相關說，旁人窺之，甚可笑也。 故御史、諫官之任，臣欲陛下親擇之，不令出執政門下。 台諫官既得其人，則近臣不敢為過，乃馭下之策也。
Second, select the worthy. The enlightened ruler labors at seeking the worthy and rests in employing them; yet among the full court one need not select all—only choose one or two chief ministers and censors and remonstrance officials. Your Majesty has not yet been careful in employing men. Recently Wang Sui moved from vice director in the Ministry of Personnel to vice director of the Secretariat and Grand Councilor, surpassing ten ranks, and again became chief minister. This was an extraordinary favor requiring extraordinary talent, yet Sui is empty, mediocre, and sycophantic—not material for a chief minister. After the appointment edict, public opinion seethed. Thus illness afflicted his person and disaster followed upon the state. This too is Heaven's love for our dynasty. Your Majesty, take heed! Moreover Shi Zhongli was recently in court ranks and made jest his occupation; when scholars gathered for feasts they always placed him among the seats to hear his words for laughter. Now placed among close ministers, no fine counsel is heard; public expectation is very light—because many close ministers lack talent, disasters descend repeatedly and the court is not honored. If those at Your Majesty's side are thus, the officials of the realm can be imagined. I truly fear distant peoples will laugh at China. They should be dismissed at once and other worthy men selected. Moreover Zhang Guan is censor-in-chief and Gao Ruone is remonstrance officer. Both attained high degrees and advanced through literary composition, yet are mild, soft, and weak, without blunt, firm speech. These were all raised by the chief ministers, who wished them cautious and silent and not to expose their private affairs. When they sometimes spoke, they surely coordinated in secret—onlookers found it laughable. Thus for censors and remonstrance officers your servant wishes Your Majesty to select them personally and not from the chief ministers' faction. Once censors and remonstrance officers have the right men, close ministers dare not do wrong—this is the policy for governing subordinates.
36
臣以謂陛下身既勤儉，輔弼、台諫又皆得人，則天下何憂不治，災異何由而生？ 惟陛下少留意焉。
Your servant believes that if Your Majesty is diligent and frugal in person and chief ministers and censor and remonstrance posts all have the right men, what worry is there that the realm will not be governed or prodigies arise? Only that Your Majesty give a little attention.
37
範仲淹薦其才，召試，為集賢校理，監進奏院。 舜欽娶宰相杜衍女，衍時與仲淹、富弼在政府，多引用一時聞人，欲更張庶事。 御史中丞王拱辰等不便其所為。 會進奏院祠神，舜欽與右班殿直劉巽輒用鬻故紙公錢召妓樂，間夕會賓客。 拱辰廉得之，諷其屬魚周詢等劾奏，因欲搖動衍。 事下開封府劾治，於是舜欽與巽俱坐自盜除名，同時會者皆知名士，因緣得罪逐出四方者十餘人。 世以為過薄，而拱辰等方自喜曰：“吾一舉網盡矣。”
Fan Zhongyan recommended his talent; he was summoned for examination and made collator in the Hall of Assembled Worthies and supervisor of the Memorial Transmission Office. Shunqin married the daughter of Chief Councilor Du Yan. Yan was then in government with Fan and Fu Bi and largely employed men of reputation, wishing to overhaul many affairs. Vice censor-in-chief Wang Gongchen and others were ill at ease with what they did. When the Memorial Transmission Office sacrificed to the spirits, Shunqin and Right-Ban Palace Guard Liu Xun rashly used public funds from selling old paper to summon entertainers and music, and for several evenings entertained guests. Gongchen investigated and learned of it; he prompted his subordinates Yu Zhouxun and others to memorialize impeachment, thereby wishing to shake Yan. The matter was sent to Kaifeng for investigation. Shunqin and Xun were both punished for embezzlement and removed from office; those present were all famous men, and more than ten were punished by connection and driven out to the four quarters. The age thought the punishment excessive, while Gongchen and others were pleased, saying, "With one cast of the net we have taken them all."
38
舜欽既放廢，寓於吳中，其友人韓維責以世居京師而去離都下，隔絕親交。 舜欽報書曰：
After Shunqin was dismissed he lodged in Wu. His friend Han Wei reproached him for living in the capital for generations yet leaving it and cutting off kin and friends. Shunqin replied in a letter that read:
39
蒙聞責以兄弟在京師，不以義相就，獨羈外數千里，自取愁苦。 予豈無親戚之情，豈不知會合之樂也？ 安肯舍安逸而甘愁苦哉！
I have heard your rebuke that my brothers are in the capital yet I did not join them in righteousness, but lingered thousands of li abroad, choosing sorrow for myself. Would I lack feeling for kin? Would I not know the joy of gathering? How could I willingly abandon ease and choose sorrow!
40
昨在京師，不敢犯人顏色，不敢議論時事，隨眾上下，心誌蟠屈不開，固亦極矣。 不幸適在嫌疑之地，不能決然早自引去，致不測之禍，捽去下吏，人無敢言，友仇一波，共起謗議。 被廢之後，喧然未已，更欲置之死地然後為快。 來者往往鉤賾言語，欲以傳播，好意相恤者幾希矣。 故閉戶不敢與相見，如避兵寇。 偷俗如此，安可久居其間！ 遂超然遠舉，羈泊於江湖之上，不唯衣食之累，實亦少避機阱也。
Yesterday in the capital I dared not offend anyone's mood, dared not discuss current affairs, followed the crowd up and down, my mind coiled tight—already at the limit. Unluckily I was in a place of suspicion and could not withdraw early, bringing unforeseen disaster, seized and sent before petty officials. No one dared speak; friends and foes alike rose in slander. After dismissal the uproar did not cease; they wished to see me dead before they were satisfied. Visitors often twisted my words to spread them; those who meant well to comfort me were very few. Therefore I shut my door and dared not meet people, as if avoiding armed raiders. Customs are so base—how could one long dwell among them! Thus I rose far away and drifted on rivers and lakes, not only to escape want but truly to avoid snares.
41
況血屬之多，資入之薄，持國見之矣。 常相團聚，可乏衣食乎？ 不可也。 可閉關常不與人接乎？ 不可也。 與人接必與之言，與之言必與之還往，使人人皆如持國則可，不迨持國者必加釀惡言，喧布上下，使仆不能自明，則前日之事未為重也。
Moreover kin are many and income thin—as Chiguo has seen. If we always gathered together, could we lack food and clothing? We could not. Could one shut the gate and never meet people? One could not. Meeting people one must speak; speaking one must associate. If all were like Chiguo it would do; those unlike Chiguo would brew evil words and broadcast them, so I could not clear myself—then the affair of the other day would not even be heavy.
42
都無此事，亦終日勞苦，應接之不暇，寒暑奔走塵土泥淖中，不能了人事，羸馬餓仆，日棲棲取辱於都城，使人指背譏笑哀閔，亦何顏麵，安得不謂之愁苦哉！
None of that—yet still laboring all day, too busy to receive visitors, running through dust and mud in heat and cold, unable to finish affairs, lean horse and hungry servant, daily taking insult in the capital while people point and laugh behind my back—what face to show? How not call it sorrow!
43
此雖與兄弟親戚相遠，而伏臘稍足，居室稍寬，無終日應接奔走之勞，耳目清曠，不設機關以待人，心安閑而體舒放。 三商而眠，高舂而起，靜院明窗之下，羅列圖史琴樽以自愉悅，有興則泛小舟出盤、閶二門，吟嘯覽古於江山之間。 渚茶、野釀足以銷憂，蓴鱸、稻蟹足以適口。 又多高僧隱君子，佛廟勝絕，家有園林，珍花奇石，曲池高台，魚鳥留連，不覺日暮。
Though far from brothers and kin, festival offerings are somewhat sufficient, the dwelling somewhat spacious, without all-day receiving of visitors, ears and eyes clear, no traps set for people, the heart at ease and the body relaxed. Sleep at the third watch, rise at high morning, under quiet courtyard and bright window array books, histories, zithers, and wine for delight; when moved, pole a small boat out the Pan and Chang gates, chanting and viewing antiquity among rivers and hills. Shore tea and country wine suffice to dispel sorrow; water shield, perch, rice, and crab suffice for the palate. There are also lofty monks and hidden gentlemen, surpassing Buddhist temples, family gardens, rare flowers and strange stones, winding pools and high terraces, fish and birds lingering—one does not notice sunset.
44
昔孔子作《春秋》而夷吳，又曰：“吾欲居九夷。 ”觀今之風俗，樂善好事，知予守道好學，皆欣然願來過從，不以罪人相遇，雖孔子復生，是亦必欲居此也。 以彼此較之，孰為然哉！ 人生內有自得，外有所適，固亦樂矣，何必高位厚祿，役人以自奉養，然後為樂？ 今雖僑此，亦如仕宦南北，安可與親戚常相守耶！ 予窘迫，勢不得如持國意，必使我屍轉溝洫，肉喂豺虎，而後以為安所義，何其忍耶！ 《詩》曰：“凡今之人，莫如兄弟。 ”謂兄弟以恩，急難必相拯救。 後章曰：“喪亂既平，既安且寧，雖有兄弟，不如友生。 ”謂友朋尚義，安寧之時，以禮義相琢磨。 予於持國，外兄弟也。 急難不相救，又於未安寧之際，欲以義相琢刻，雖古人所不能受，予欲不報，慮淺吾持國也。
In antiquity Confucius composed the 《Spring and Autumn Annals》 and dwelt among the Yi of Wu, and also said, "I wish to dwell among the Nine Yi." "Viewing today's customs, people delight in good deeds, know that I keep the Way and love learning, and gladly wish to visit—they do not treat me as a criminal. Though Confucius were reborn, he too would wish to dwell here. Comparing the two, which is right! In life one has inner satisfaction and outer suitability—already joy. Why must high rank and thick salary, driving others to support oneself, then be called joy? Now though I lodge here, it is like serving in office north and south—how can one always stay with kin! I am in straits and cannot do as Chiguo wishes; you would have my corpse turn in ditches and my flesh feed jackals, then call that the righteous dwelling—how cruel! The 《Odes》 say, "Among men today, none like brothers." "This speaks of brothers by affection—in urgent difficulty they must rescue one another. The later stanza says, "When turmoil is stilled, when there is peace and calm, though one has brothers, they are not like friends." "This speaks of friends honoring righteousness—in times of peace they polish one another with ritual and right. Between Chiguo and me we are friends like brothers. In urgent difficulty you do not rescue me, and in a time not yet peaceful you wish to polish me with righteousness—though ancients could not accept this, if I do not reply I fear I slight Chiguo.
45
二年，得湖州長史，卒。 舜欽數上書論朝廷事，在蘇州買水石作滄浪亭，益讀書，時發憤懣於歌詩，其體豪放，往往驚人。 善草書，每酣酒落筆，爭為人所傳。 及謫死。 世尤惜之。 妻杜氏，有賢行。
Two years later he received the post of recorder in Huzhou and died. Shunqin repeatedly memorialized on court affairs. In Suzhou he bought water and rocks and built the Surging Waves Pavilion, read more, and poured indignation into songs; his style was bold and often startling. He was skilled at cursive script; whenever drunk he set brush to paper, and people vied to copy and spread it. When banished he died. The age especially mourned him. His wife Lady Du had worthy conduct.
46
兄舜元，字才翁，為人精悍任氣節，為歌詩亦豪健，尤善草書，舜欽不能及。 官至尚書度支員外郎、三司度支判官。
His elder brother Shunyuan, styled Caiweng, was keen and bold in spirit; his songs were also vigorous, and he was especially skilled at cursive script—Shunqin could not match him. He reached vice director in the Ministry of Revenue and revenue commissioner in the Three Departments.
47
尹源，字子漸，少博學強記，與弟洙皆以文學知名，洙議論明辨，果於有為。 源自晦，不矜飾，有所發即過人。 初以祖蔭補三班借職，稍遷殿直。 舉進士，為奉禮郎，累遷太常博士，曆知芮城、河陽、新鄭三縣，通判涇州。 時知滄州劉渙坐專斬部卒，降知密州。 源上書言：“渙為主將，部卒有罪不伏，笞輒呼萬歲，渙斬之不為過。 以此謫渙，臣恐邊兵愈驕，輕視主將，所係非輕也。 ”渙遂獲免。
Yin Yuan, styled Zijian, in youth was broadly learned with a strong memory. He and his younger brother Zhu were both famed for letters; Zhu's discourse was clear and he was resolute in action. Yuan was self-effacing and did not adorn himself; when he spoke he surpassed others. At first through his grandfather's privilege he was appointed Third-Rank Attendant on probation and was gradually promoted to palace guard. He passed the jinshi examination, became ceremonial attendant, was promoted to erudite in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, governed Ruicheng, Heyang, and Xinzheng, and was vice-commissioner of Jingzhou. At the time Liu Huan, prefect of Cangzhou, was punished for summarily executing a subordinate soldier and was demoted to prefect of Mizhou. Yuan memorialized, saying, "As commanding general, when a subordinate was guilty, would not submit, and shouted 'Long live!' when beaten, Huan's execution was not excessive. To banish Huan for this—your servant fears frontier troops will grow more arrogant and slight their commanders; what is at stake is not light." "Huan was thereby spared.
48
嚐作《唐說》及《敘兵》十篇上之。 其《唐說》曰：
He once composed the 《Discourse on Tang》 and ten chapters of 《On Military Affairs》 and presented them. His 《Discourse on Tang》 says:
49
世言唐所以亡，由諸侯之強，此未極於理。 夫弱唐者，諸侯也。 唐既弱矣，而久不亡者，諸侯維之也。 燕、趙、魏首亂唐製，專地而治，若古之建國，此諸侯之雄者，然皆恃唐為輕重。 何則？ 假王命以相製則易而順，唐雖病之，亦不得而外焉。 故河北順而聽命，則天下為亂者不能遂其亂； 河北不順而變，則奸雄或附而起。 德宗世，朱泚、李希烈始遂其僭而終敗亡，田悅叛於前，武俊順於後也。 憲宗討蜀、平夏、誅蔡、夷鄆，兵連四方而亂不生，卒成中興之功者，田氏稟命、王承宗歸國也。 武宗將討劉稹之叛，先正三鎮，絕其連衡之計，而王誅以成。 如是二百年，奸臣逆子專國命者有之，夷將相者有之，而不敢窺神器，非力不足，畏諸侯之勢也。
The age says Tang perished because the feudatories were strong—this does not reach the limit of reason. What weakened Tang were the feudatories. Once Tang was weak, yet long did not perish because the feudatories sustained it. Yan, Zhao, and Wei first disturbed Tang's system, held territory and governed like ancient states—these were the mighty among feudatories, yet all relied on Tang for weight. Why? Borrowing the king's mandate to restrain one another was easy and orderly; though Tang was ill, it could not be cast aside. Thus when Hebei was obedient and listened to orders, those who would make trouble in the realm could not complete their trouble; when Hebei was disobedient and changed, then treacherous heroes might rise attached. In Emperor Dezong's time Zhu Ci and Li Xilie first achieved their usurpation yet finally were defeated; Tian Yue rebelled before, Wu Jun was obedient after. Emperor Xianzong attacked Shu, pacified Xia, executed Cai, and destroyed Yun; armies linked the four quarters yet disorder did not arise—mid-dynasty revival was because the Tian clan received orders and Wang Chengzong returned to the state. When Emperor Wuzong was about to attack Liu Zhen's rebellion, he first rectified the three circuits, cut off their alliance plan, and Wang's execution succeeded. Thus for two hundred years wicked ministers and rebellious sons monopolized state power, yet none dared peer at the throne—not from insufficient strength but from fear of the feudatories' power.
50
及廣明之後，關東無復唐有，方鎮相侵伐者，猶以王室為名。 及梁祖舉河南，劉仁恭輕戰而敗，羅氏內附，王鎔請盟，於時河北之事去矣。 梁人一舉而代唐有國，諸侯莫能與之爭，其勢然也。 向使以僖、昭之弱，乘巢、蔡之亂，而田承嗣守魏，王武俊、朱滔據燕、趙，強相均，地相屬，其勢宜莫敢先動，況非義舉乎？ 如此雖梁祖之暴，不過取霸於一方耳，安能強禪天下？ 故唐之弱者，以河北之強也； 唐之亡者，以河北之弱也。
After the Guangming era the east of the passes no longer belonged to Tang; when circuit commissioners invaded one another they still took the royal house as their name. When the Liang founder raised Henan, Liu Rengong was defeated for fighting lightly, the Luo clan submitted within, and Wang Rong requested alliance—then Hebei affairs were settled. The Liang in one move replaced Tang and held the realm; the feudatories could not contend—the trend was thus. Had Xizong and Zhaozong's weakness met Huang Chao and Cai Jing's turmoil, while Tian Chengsi held Wei and Wang Wujun and Zhu Tao held Yan and Zhao, strong and evenly matched—the trend should have been that none dared move first, how much less an unrighteous act? Thus even the Liang founder's violence would have taken hegemony in one region only—how could he forcibly yield the realm by Zen? Thus Tang was weak because Hebei was strong; Tang perished because Hebei was weak.
51
或曰：“諸侯強則分天子之勢，子何議之過乎？ ”曰：“秦、隋之勢無分於諸侯，而亡速於唐，何如哉？ ”或曰：“唐之亡其由君失道乎？ ”曰：“君非失道，而才不至焉爾，其亡也，臣實主之。 請極其說：唐太宗起艱難有天下，其用臣也，聽其言而盡其才，故君臣相親而至治安。 以及後世，視太宗由茲而興，雖其聖不及，而任臣納諫之心一也。 君有太宗之心，臣非太宗之臣，上聽其下，或不能辨其奸，下惑其上，無所不至，所以敗也。 何哉？ 夫君一而臣眾，大聖之君不相繼而出，大奸之臣則世有之。 大聖在上，則奸無所容，其臣莫不賢。 苟君之才不能勝臣之奸，則雖有賢者不能進矣。 如是，然未至於失道，猶失道也。 明皇非不欲天下如貞觀之治，而馭臣之才不能勝林甫之奸，於是有祿山之禍。 德宗非不欲平暴亂、安四方，而君人之術不能勝盧杞之邪，於是有朱泚之變。 以至於僖、昭，其心皆欲去亂而即治也，而才不逮於明皇、德宗，輔臣之奸邪或過於林甫、盧杞，求國不亡，安可得已！ 然跡其事，君豈有失道乎？ 於時天下非無賢，由君不能主聽也。 故至賢之主與夫失道之主，其興其亡，皆自取之，此係乎君者也。 中才之主，其臣正勝邪則治而安，邪勝正則亂而亡，此係乎臣者也。 然則唐之亡非君之為，臣之為也。”
Someone said, "When feudatories are strong they divide the Son of Heaven's power—why argue excessively?" "He answered, "Qin and Sui had no division among feudatories yet perished faster than Tang—how is that?" "Another said, "Did Tang perish because the ruler lost the Way?" "He said, "The ruler did not lose the Way but talent did not reach it; its perishing was really led by ministers. Please carry the argument to the limit: Emperor Taizong rose from hardship to gain the realm; in employing ministers he heard their words and exhausted their talents, so ruler and minister were close and reached peace and order. Down to later generations, viewing Taizong's rise from this, though their sagehood did not reach his, the heart to employ ministers and accept remonstrance was one. The ruler had Taizong's heart but ministers were not Taizong's ministers; above he listened to below, or could not distinguish treachery; below they deluded above without limit—thus defeat. Why? One ruler and many ministers—a sage ruler does not succeed in unbroken line, but great traitorous ministers appear in every age. When a great sage is above, treachery has no place and his ministers are all worthy. If the ruler's talent cannot overcome the ministers' treachery, then though there are worthy men they cannot advance. Thus though not yet reaching loss of the Way, it is still loss of the Way. Emperor Ming did not lack the wish to make the realm like the Zhenguan order, but his talent for controlling ministers could not overcome Li Linfu's treachery—thus the disaster of An Lushan. Emperor Dezong did not lack the wish to pacify violence and settle the four quarters, but his art of ruling could not overcome Lu Qi's evil—thus Zhu Ci's rebellion. Down to Xizong and Zhaozong their hearts all wished to remove disorder and reach order, but talent did not reach Ming and Dezong and assisting ministers' treachery equaled or exceeded Linfu and Qi—seeking that the state not perish, how could it be obtained! Yet tracing the matter, did the ruler lose the Way? At that time the realm was not without worthies—it was because the ruler could not preside and listen. Thus whether a most worthy ruler or a ruler who lost the Way, their rise and fall are taken by themselves—this depends on the ruler. A ruler of middling talent: if upright ministers overcome the wicked, there is order and peace; if the wicked overcome the upright, there is disorder and perishing—this depends on ministers. Thus Tang's perishing was not the ruler's doing but the ministers' doing.
52
其《敘兵》曰：
His 《On Military Affairs》 says:
53
唐杜牧當會昌中河朔用兵，嚐為文數篇，上論曆代軍事利害，繼以本朝製兵、用將之得失，下參以當時事機。 牧，儒者，位不顯，其術未嚐試，然識者謂牧知兵，雖古名將不能過。 今觀牧所著，大要究極當世之務，不專狃古法，使時君可行而易為功，此其善也。
Tang Du Mu, during the Huichang era when Hebei used troops, wrote several essays on military advantages and harms through the ages, on the present dynasty's organizing troops and employing generals, and on circumstances of the time. Mu was a Confucian, his rank not prominent, his methods not tried, yet connoisseurs said Mu understood warfare—even ancient famed generals could not surpass him. Now viewing what Mu wrote, in the main he exhaustively investigates affairs of the age, not clinging only to ancient methods, making them feasible for the ruler and easy to achieve merit—this is his excellence.
54
今兵之利鈍所以與唐世異者，唐自中世以來，諸侯皆自募兵訓練，出攻入守，上下一誌，故討淮西、青、冀、滄德、澤潞之叛，以至四征夷狄，大率假外兵以集事，朝廷所出神策禁軍，不過為聲援而已，故所至多有功。
Now troops differ from the Tang age because from mid-Tang feudatories recruited and trained their own troops with one will. Thus in campaigns against rebellions and barbarians they largely borrowed outer troops; the Divine Strategy Army was mostly vocal support—thus they often had merit.
55
今則不然，國家患前世藩鎮之強，凡天下所募驍勇，一萃於京師。 雖濱塞諸郡，大者籍兵不逾數千，每歲防秋，則戍以禁兵，將師任輕而勢分，軍事往往中禦。 愚謂此可以施於無事時，鎮中國，服豪傑心，苟戎夷侵軼，未必能取勝也。 何則？ 兵主於外則勇，主於內則驕，勇生於勞，驕生於逸。 夫外兵所習尚皆疆埸戰鬥勞苦之事，死生之命製之於將，故勇，勇而使之戰則多利； 內兵居京師，日享安逸，加之以賞賚，未嚐服甲胄、荷戈戟，不知將帥號令之嚴，故驕，驕而勞之則怨，以之戰則多鈍。
Now it is not so. The state fears former military commissioners' strength; all valiant recruits are gathered in the capital. Though border prefectures, the largest register no more than several thousand troops; each year for autumn defense they garrison with forbidden troops; commanders' duties are light and power divided, and military affairs are often controlled from the center. I believe this can be applied in peaceful times to steady China and win heroes' hearts; if barbarians invade, victory is not certain. Why? Troops based outside are brave; based inside they are arrogant. Bravery is born from labor; arrogance from ease. Outer troops' practices are frontier battle and labor; life and death are controlled by the general—thus brave; brave and sent to battle, mostly profitable; inner troops dwell in the capital, daily enjoying ease, with rewards added, never having worn armor or borne halberds, not knowing generals' severity—thus arrogant; arrogant and labored, they resent; sent to battle, mostly dull.
56
若唐之失，失於諸侯之不製，非失於外兵之強，故有驕將，罕聞有驕兵。 今之失，失於將太輕，而外兵不足以應敵，內兵鮮得其用，故有驕兵，不聞有驕將。 且唐之所失者勢也，今之所失者製也。 勢也者。 不得已也，製也者，可為而不為也。
Tang failed because feudatories were not controlled, not because outer troops were too strong—thus there were arrogant generals but rarely arrogant soldiers. Today's failure is that generals count for too little, outer troops cannot meet the enemy, and inner troops are rarely used—thus there are arrogant soldiers but rarely arrogant generals. Moreover what Tang lost was momentum; what today loses is system. Momentum is what cannot be helped; system is what could be done yet is not done.
57
然則為今之計當如何？ 曰：“稍革舊制，大募豪勇，益外兵之籍，俾足以戰敵。 以內兵為聲勢，重邊將之任，使專一軍之事，而不得連州郡之勢，斯可以獲近利而亡後害也。
Then what should today's plan be? The answer: "Slightly reform the old system, greatly recruit bold warriors, increase outer troop registers so they suffice to fight the enemy. Use inner troops as vocal support, weight frontier generals' duties so they specialize in one army and cannot link prefectural power—then near profit may be gained without later harm."
58
餘文多不錄。
The remainder of the text is mostly omitted.
59
趙元昊寇定川堡，葛懷敏發涇原兵救之，源是時通判慶州，遺懷敏書曰：“賊舉國而來，其利不在城堡，而兵法有不得而救者，宜駐兵瓦亭，擇利而後動。 ”懷敏不聽，以敗。 範仲淹、韓琦薦其才，召試學士院。 源素不喜賦，請以論易賦，主試者方以賦進，不悅其言，第其文下，除知懷州，卒。
When Zhao Yuanhao attacked Dingchuan Fort, Ge Huaimin sent Jingyuan troops to rescue. Yuan, then vice-commissioner of Qingzhou, wrote Huaimin: "The enemy comes with the whole state; their aim is not the fort, and military law sometimes forbids rescue. Station at Wating and move when advantage appears." "Huaimin did not listen and was defeated. Fan Zhongyan and Han Qi recommended his talent; he was summoned for examination at the Academy of Scholars. Yuan disliked fu and asked to substitute discourse for fu. The chief examiner was advancing fu, disliked his words, ranked his essay low, appointed him prefect of Huaizhou, and he died.
60
黃亢，字清臣，建州浦城人也。 母夢星殞於懷，掬而吞之，遂有娠。 少奇穎過人，年十五，以文謁翰林學士章得象，得象奇之。 遊錢塘，以詩贈處士林逋，逋尤激賞。 時王隨知杭州，奏禁西湖為放生池，亢作詩數百言以諷，士人爭傳之。 亢為人侏儒，不飾小節，對人野率，如不能言。 然嗜學強記，為文詞奇偉。 卒，鄉人類其文為十二卷，號《東溪集》。
Huang Kang, styled Qingchen, was from Pucheng in Jianzhou. His mother dreamed a star fell into her bosom; she scooped it up and swallowed it, then conceived. In youth he was extraordinarily clever. At fifteen he presented writings to Hanlin academician Zhang Dexiang, who marveled at him. Traveling to Qiantang he presented a poem to the recluse Lin Bu, who especially admired it. When Wang Sui governed Hangzhou he memorialized to make West Lake a release-life pond. Kang composed several hundred words of verse to satirize it, and scholars vied to spread it. Kang was short in stature, careless of small manners, and toward people was wild and blunt as if unable to speak. Yet he loved learning and had a strong memory; his writing was strange and grand. When he died, fellow townsmen compiled his writings in twelve fascicles titled the 《Eastern Brook Collection》.
61
黃鑒，字唐卿，與亢同鄉里，少敏慧過人。 舉進士，補桂陽監判官，為國子監直講。 同郡楊億尤善其文詞，延置門下，由是知名。 累遷太常博士，為國史院編修官。 嚐詔館閣官後苑賞花，而鑒特預召。 國史成，擢直集賢院。 以母老，出通判蘇州，卒。
Huang Jian, styled Tangqing, was from the same village as Kang and in youth was clever beyond others. He passed the jinshi examination, was appointed assistant magistrate at Guiyang Salt Office, and became lecturer in the Directorate of Education. Yang Yi of the same prefecture especially favored his writing and kept him in his household, and thereby he became known. He was promoted repeatedly to erudite in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and compiler in the National History Institute. Once an edict summoned Hall officials to view flowers in the rear garden, and Jian was specially summoned. When the national history was completed he was promoted to academician in the Hall of Assembled Worthies. Because his mother was old he went out as vice-commissioner of Suzhou and died.
62
楊蟠，字公濟，章安人也。 舉進士，為密、和二州推官。 歐陽修稱其詩。 蘇軾知杭州，蟠通判州事，與軾倡酬居多。 平生為詩數千篇，後知壽州，卒。
Yang Pan, styled Gongji, was from Zhang'an. He passed the jinshi examination and was judicial aide in Mi and He prefectures. Ouyang Xiu praised his poetry. When Su Shi governed Hangzhou, Pan was vice-commissioner and often exchanged poems with Shi. In life he composed several thousand poems; later he governed Shouzhou and died.
63
顏太初，字醇之，徐州彭城人，顏子四十七世孫。 少博學，有雋才，慷慨好義。 喜為詩，多譏切時事。 天聖中，亳州衛真令黎德潤為吏誣構，死獄中，太初以詩發其冤，覽者壯之。 文宣公孔聖祐卒，無子，除襲封且十年。 是時有醫許希以針愈仁宗疾，拜賜已，西向拜扁鵲曰“不敢忘師也！ ”帝為封扁鵲神應侯，立祠城西。 太初作《許希詩》，指聖祐事以諷在位，又致書參知政事蔡齊，齊為言於上，遂以聖祐弟襲封。 山東人範諷、石延年、劉潛之徒喜豪放劇飲，不循禮法，後生多慕之，太初作《東州逸黨詩》，孔道輔深器之。 太初中進士後，為莒縣尉，因事忤轉運使，投劾去。 久之，補閬中主簿。 時範諷以罪貶，同黨皆坐斥，齊與道輔薦太初，上其嚐所為詩，召試中書，言者以為此嘲譏之辭，遂報改臨晉主簿。
Yan Taichu, styled Chunzhi, was from Pengcheng in Xuzhou, forty-seventh-generation descendant of Yanzi. In youth he was broadly learned with outstanding talent, generous and fond of righteousness. He delighted in composing poetry and often satirized current affairs. In the Tiansheng era Li Derun, magistrate of Weizhen in Bozhou, was framed by clerks and died in prison. Taichu used a poem to expose his injustice, and readers were stirred. Duke Wenxuan Kong Shengyou died without sons; the hereditary enfeoffment had been vacant nearly ten years. At the time the physician Xu Xi cured Emperor Renzong's illness with needles. After receiving reward he bowed west toward Bian Que, saying, "I dare not forget my teacher!" "The emperor enfeoffed Bian Que as Marquis of Divine Response and established a shrine west of the city. Taichu composed the 《Xu Xi Poem》, pointing at Shengyou's affair to satirize those in office, and wrote Vice Grand Councilor Cai Qi; Qi spoke to the emperor, and Shengyou's younger brother received the enfeoffment. Men of Shandong such as Fan Feng, Shi Yannian, and Liu Qian delighted in bold drinking and scorned ritual; many younger men admired them. Taichu composed the 《Eastern Province Roaming Party Poem》; Kong Daofu deeply valued him. After Taichu passed the jinshi he was assistant magistrate of Ju County; he offended the transport commissioner and submitted impeachment of himself and left. After a long while he was appointed recorder in Langzhong. When Fan Feng was banished and his faction expelled, Qi and Daofu recommended Taichu and presented his poems; he was summoned for examination at the Secretariat. Critics said these were mocking words, and he was reassigned recorder in Linjin.
64
前此有太常博士宋武通判同州，與守爭事，恚死，守憾之，捃構其子以罪，發狂亦死，父子寓骨僧舍。 時守方貴顯，無敢為直冤，太初因事至同州，葬武父子，蘇舜欽表其事於墓左。 後移應天府戶曹參軍、南京國子監說書，卒。 著書號《洙南子》，所居在鳧、繹兩山之間，號鳧繹處士。 有集十卷，《淳曜聯英》二十卷。
Earlier Erudite Song Wu was vice-commissioner of Tongzhou and quarreled with the prefect, died of resentment, and the prefect framed his son, who went mad and died. Father and son's bones lodged in a monks' lodging. The prefect was then noble and prominent; none dared seek justice. Taichu reached Tongzhou on business, buried Wu father and son, and Su Shunqin inscribed the affair at the tomb. Later he was revenue aide in Yingtianfu and lecturer in the Nanjing Directorate of Education, and died. His book was titled the 《Zhushu Nanzi》; his dwelling lay between Mount Fu and Mount Yi, and he styled himself Recluse of Fu and Yi. He had a collection in ten fascicles and the 《Pure Radiance Linked Flowers》 in twenty fascicles.
65
子復，嘉祐中，本郡敦遣至京師，召試舍人院，為奉議郎。
His son Fu, in the Jiayou era, was urged by the prefecture to the capital, summoned for examination at the Academy of Scholars, and made Gentleman for Discussion.
66
郭忠恕，字恕先，河南洛陽人。 七歲能誦書屬文，舉童子及第，尤工篆籀。 弱冠，漢湘陰公召之，忠恕拂衣遽辭去。 周廣順中，召為宗正丞兼國子書學博士，改《周易》博士。
Guo Zhongshu, styled Shuxian, was from Luoyang in Henan. At seven he could recite books and compose prose, passed the child prodigy examination, and was especially skilled at seal script. At twenty the Duke of Xiangyin in Han summoned him; Zhongshu shook out his robe and hastily declined. In the Guangshun era of Zhou he was summoned as vice director of the Court of the Imperial Clan and concurrently erudite of calligraphy in the Directorate of Education, and was changed to erudite of the 《Changes》.
67
建隆初，被酒與監察御史符昭文競於朝堂，御史彈奏，忠恕叱台吏奪其奏，毀之，坐貶為乾州司戶參軍。 乘醉毆從事範滌，擅離貶所，削籍配隸靈武。 其後，流落不復求仕進，多遊岐、雍、京、洛間，縱酒跅弛，逢人無貴賤輒呼“苗”。 有佳山水即淹留，浹旬不能去。 或逾月不食。 盛暑暴露日中，體不沾汗，窮冬鑿河水而浴，其傍淩澌消釋，人皆異之。
At the beginning of Jianlong, drunk he competed with investigating censor Fu Zhaowen in the court hall. The censor memorialized impeachment; Zhongshu shouted at the clerks, seized the memorial, and destroyed it. He was demoted to revenue aide in Qianzhou. Drunk he beat aide Fan Yi, left his place of banishment without permission, was struck from the rolls and assigned to Lingwu. Afterward he drifted and no longer sought office, traveling among Qi, Yong, Jing, and Luo, drinking freely and unrestrained, calling everyone "Miao" regardless of rank. Where there was fine landscape he lingered and could not leave for more than ten days. Sometimes he went a month without eating. In great heat he exposed himself in the sun without sweating; in deep winter he broke river ice to bathe, and the ice beside him melted—people marveled.
68
尤善畫，所圖屋室重復之狀，頗極精妙。 多遊王侯公卿家，或待以美醞，豫張紈素倚於壁，乘興即畫之，苟意不欲而固請之，必怒而去，得者藏以為寶。 太宗即位，聞其名，召赴闕，授國子監主簿，賜襲衣、銀帶、錢五萬，館於太學，令刊定曆代字書。
He was especially skilled at painting; the layered forms of buildings he depicted were extremely refined. He often visited noble houses. Some treated him with fine wine and spread silk against the wall; when moved he painted at once. If they pressed when he did not wish, he raged and left; those who obtained his works treasured them. When Emperor Taizong took the throne he heard his name, summoned him, appointed him director in the Directorate of Education, bestowed court robe, silver belt, and fifty thousand cash, lodged him in the Directorate, and ordered him to collate successive dynasties' character books.
69
忠恕性無檢局，放縱敗度，上憐其才，每優容之。 益使酒，肆言謗讟，時擅鬻官物取其直，詔減死，決杖流登州。 時太平興國二年。 已行至齊州臨邑，謂部送吏曰：“我今逝矣！ ”因掊地為穴，度可容其面，俯窺焉而卒，稾葬於道側。 後累月，故人取其屍將改葬之，其體甚輕，空空然若蟬蛻焉。 所定《古今尚書》並《釋文》並行於世。
Zhongshu lacked restraint and exceeded measure. The emperor pitied his talent and always treated him with forbearance. He drank still more and spoke slander freely, at times privately selling official goods. An edict reduced death to beating with the staff and exile to Dengzhou. This was in the second year of Taiping Xingguo. Already at Linyi in Qizhou on the road, he said to the escort officer, "I depart today!" "He beat the ground into a pit, estimated it could hold his face, looked down into it, and died. He was buried in straw beside the road. Months later an old friend took his corpse to rebury it; the body was very light, empty as a cicada's slough. His collated 《Ancient and Modern Documents》 and 《Commentary》 both circulated in the world.