1
二王韋陸二李杜
Biographies: Two Wang Clans, the Wei Clan, Lu Xiangxian, Two Li Clans, and the Du Clan.
2
◎二瑋陸二李杜
◎ Two Wei Clans, Lu Xiangxian, Two Li Clans, and the Du Clan.
3
王綝，字方慶，以字顯。 其先自丹楊徙雍咸陽。 父弘直，為漢王元昌友。 王好畋遊，上書切諫，王稍止，然益疏斥。 終荊王友。
Wang Shen, styled Fangqing, was known by that name. His forebears had moved from Danyang to Yong in Xianyang. His father Wang Hongzhi was a companion to Prince Yuan of Han. The prince was fond of the hunt; Hongzhi submitted a forceful memorial of remonstrance. The prince eased off somewhat but grew only more distant and cold toward him. He ended his career as companion to the Prince of Jing.
4
方慶起家越王府參軍，受司馬遷、班固二史於記室任希古，希古它遷，就卒其業。 武后時，累遷廣州都督。 南海歲有昆侖舶市外區琛琲，前都督路元睿冒取其貨，舶酋不勝忿，殺之。 方慶至，秋毫無所索。 始，部中首領沓墨，民詣府訴，府曹素相餉謝，未嘗治。 方慶約官屬不得與交通，犯者痛論以法，境內清畏。 議者謂治廣未有如方慶者，號第一，下詔賜瑞錦、雜彩，以著善政。 轉洛州長史，封石泉縣子。 遷鸞臺侍郎、同鳳閣鸞臺平章事，進鳳閣侍郎。
Fangqing began as an aide in the household of the Prince of Yue, studying Sima Qian's and Ban Gu's histories under the recorder Ren Xigu. When Xigu was posted elsewhere, Fangqing finished the course of study on his own. Under Empress Wu he rose through successive appointments to military governor of Guangzhou. Each year Kunlun merchant vessels called at the South Sea to trade foreign gems and curios. The previous governor Lu Yuanrui had seized their cargo by force; the ship captains, unable to endure the outrage, killed him. When Fangqing took office, he exacted not the slightest toll from the traders. Before his arrival, local tribal chiefs had been corrupt, and when commoners brought suits to the prefectural yamen the clerks had long taken bribes and returned favors without ever adjudicating a case. Fangqing forbade his staff any private dealings with outsiders and punished violators harshly under the law, until the whole jurisdiction was orderly and awed. Observers said that Guang had never been governed as well as under Fangqing, who was ranked first among governors. The court issued an edict granting him auspicious brocade and colored silks in recognition of his excellent administration. He was transferred to chief administrator of Luozhou and enfeoffed as Viscount of Shiquan. He was promoted to vice minister of the Luan Terrace, appointed associate director of the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace, and then advanced to vice minister of the Phoenix Pavilion.
5
神功初，清邊道大總管武攸宜破契丹凱還，且獻俘，內史王及善以孝明帝忌月，請鼓吹備而不作，方慶曰：「晉穆帝納後，當康帝忌月，時以為疑。 荀詢謂《禮》有忌日無忌月，自月而推，則忌時忌年，愈無理據。 世用其言。 臣謂軍方大凱，作樂無嫌。」 詔可。 武后幸玉泉祠，以山道險，欲禦腰輿。 方慶奏：「昔張猛諫漢元帝『乘船危，就橋安』。 帝乃從橋。 今山阿危峭，隥道曲狹，比於樓船，又復甚危，陛下奈何輕踐畏塗哉？」 後為罷行。 方慶嘗以「令，期及大功喪，未葬，不聽朝賀； 未除，弗豫享宴。 比群臣不遵用，頹紊教誼，不可長」。 有詔申責，內外畏之。
Early in the Shenggong era, Wu Youyi, grand commander of the Qingbian circuit, defeated the Khitan and returned in triumph to present captives. The palace secretary Wang Jishan, citing the mourning month for Emperor Xiaoming of Han, asked that the martial drums and pipes be set out but not sounded. Fangqing said: 'When Emperor Mu of Jin took a consort, the month coincided with the mourning observance for Emperor Kang, and contemporaries were uncertain what to do. Xun Xun argued that the Rites prescribe mourning days, not mourning months; extend the logic to months and one would have mourning hours and mourning years as well—an ever less tenable position. The court followed his view. I hold that the army has just won a great victory and that music on this occasion is unobjectionable.' The edict approved his view. When Empress Wu visited the Jade Spring Shrine, she found the mountain road treacherous and wished to ride in a waist litter. Fangqing memorialized: 'Long ago Zhang Meng warned Emperor Yuan of Han that taking a boat was perilous while taking the bridge was safe. The emperor then used the bridge. Today these mountain slopes are sheer and the hidden paths narrow and twisting—more dangerous still than any tower ship. How can Your Majesty lightly set foot on such a fearful route?' The empress then abandoned the trip. Fangqing once cited the statute: 'During the mourning period for a parent, or during the greater mourning obligation before burial, one may not attend court congratulations; before the mourning is ended, one may not join in feasts and banquets. Yet ministers now ignore these rules and let ritual discipline decay—this cannot be allowed to go on.' An edict was issued rebuking the offenders, and throughout the court and bureaucracy all stood in awe of him.
6
後嘗就求義之書，方慶奏：「十世從祖義之書四十餘番，太宗求之，先臣番上送，今所存惟一軸。 並上十一世祖導、十世祖洽、九世祖珣、八世祖曇首、七世祖僧綽、六世祖仲寶、五世祖騫、高祖規、曾祖褒並九世從祖獻之等凡二十八人書共十篇。」 後禦武成殿遍示群臣，詔中書舍人崔融序其代閥，號《寶章集》，復以賜方慶，士人歆其寵。 以老乞身，改麟臺監，脩國史。 中宗復為皇太子，拜方慶檢校左庶子。
The empress once asked him for the calligraphy of Wang Yizhi. Fangqing memorialized: 'My tenth-generation collateral ancestor Yizhi left more than forty scrolls of writing. Emperor Taizong requested them, and my forebear presented them in succession; only one scroll survives today. I also present the writings of my eleventh-generation ancestor Wang Dao, tenth-generation Wang Qia, ninth-generation Wang Xun, eighth-generation Wang Tanshou, seventh-generation Wang Sengchuo, sixth-generation Wang Zhongbao, fifth-generation Wang Qian, great-grandfather Wang Gui, great-great-grandfather Wang Bao, and ninth-generation collateral ancestor Wang Xianzhi—twenty-eight men in all, comprising ten scrolls.' The empress later displayed the collection throughout the Wucheng Hall for all ministers to see, ordered the Secretariat drafter Cui Rong to write a preface tracing their lineage, and titled the anthology Precious Scrolls. She then bestowed the collection on Fangqing again, to the envy of the scholarly class. Citing old age, he requested retirement and was appointed director of the Lin Terrace to compile the national history. When Zhongzong was restored as crown prince, Fangqing was appointed acting left guardian of the heir apparent.
7
後欲季冬講武，有司不時辦，遂用明年孟春。 方慶曰：「按《月令》『孟冬，天子命將帥講武，習射禦，角力。』 此乃三時務農，一時講武，安不忘危之道。 孟春不可以稱兵。 兵，金也，金勝木。 方春木王，而舉金以害盛德，逆生氣。 孟春行冬令，則水潦為敗，雪霜大摯，首種不入。 今孟春講武，以陰政犯陽氣，害發生之德，臣恐水潦敗物，霜雪損稼，夏麥不登。 願陛下不違時令，前及孟冬，以順天道。」 手制褒允。
The emperor later wished to hold martial exercises in the last month of winter, but the responsible offices could not prepare in time, so the drill was scheduled for the first month of spring the following year. Fangqing said: 'According to the Monthly Ordinances, "In the first month of winter the Son of Heaven orders his commanders to conduct martial exercises, practice archery and defense, and test strength. This is the principle of three seasons for farming and one for martial training—peace without forgetting danger. In the first month of spring one may not take up arms. Arms belong to the element metal, and metal overcomes wood. Spring is the season when wood holds sway; to raise metal and injure that flourishing virtue is to oppose the vital force of growth. If winter ordinances are enforced in the first month of spring, floods will ruin the land, frost and snow will be severe, and the first sowing will fail. To hold martial exercises in the first month of spring is to let yin governance violate yang energy and harm the virtue of growth. I fear floods will destroy the harvest, frost and snow will damage the grain, and the summer wheat will fail. I beg Your Majesty not to violate the seasons but to schedule the exercises no later than the first month of winter, in accord with Heaven's way.' The emperor wrote a note in his own hand praising and approving the memorial.
8
是歲，真拜左庶子，進封公，奉入同職事三品，兼侍太子讀書，方慶奏人臣於天子，未有斥子名者。 晉山濤啟事，稱皇太子不名，孝敬為太子，，更『弘』為『崇』； 沛王為太子，更『賢』為『文』。 今東宮門殿名多嫌觸，請一改之，以協舊典。」 制可。 長安二年卒，贈兗州都督，謚曰貞。 中宗復位，以東宮舊臣，贈吏部尚書。
That year he was formally appointed left guardian of the heir, advanced to duke, granted salary equal to third rank, and charged to attend the crown prince in his studies. Fangqing memorialized that no subject addressing the Son of Heaven had ever spoken the heir's personal name aloud. In Jin, Shan Tao's memorials referred to the crown prince without naming him; when the heir Xiaojing held the title, the character Hong was changed to Chong; when the Prince of Pei was crown prince, the character Xian was changed to Wen. Many names in the Eastern Palace halls now taboo the heir's name; I beg that they be changed to accord with established precedent.' The edict approved. He died in the second year of the Chang'an era and was posthumously appointed military governor of Yanzhou, with the posthumous name Zhen (Upright). When Zhongzong was restored to the throne, Fangqing was posthumously appointed minister of the civil service as a former Eastern Palace counselor.
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方慶博學，練朝章，著書二百餘篇，尤精《三禮》。 學者有所咨質，酬復淵詣，故門人次為《雜禮答問》。 家聚書多，不減秘府，圖畫皆異本。 方慶歿後，諸子不能業，隨皆散亡。
Fangqing was broadly learned and thoroughly versed in court regulations. He wrote more than two hundred treatises and was especially expert in the Three Rites. When scholars consulted him, his replies were profound and exact, and his disciples later compiled them as Miscellaneous Answers on Ritual Questions. His household held a library rivaling the imperial archive, and its paintings and calligraphy were all rare editions. After Fangqing's death his sons could not maintain the collection, and it was scattered and lost.
10
孫俌。 六世孫玙，別傳。 玙曾孫摶。
His grandson Wang Fu. His sixth-generation descendant Wang Yu is treated in a separate biography. Yu's great-grandson Wang Tuan.
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贊曰：李德裕著書稱：「方慶為相時，子為眉州司士參軍。 武后曰：『君在相位，何子之遠？』 對曰：『盧陵是陛下愛子，今尚在遠，臣之子庸敢相近？』 以比倉唐悟文侯事。」 嗟乎，君子哉！ 雖造次不忘悟君於善。 及建言不斥太子名，以動群臣，示中興之漸，所謂人難言者，於方慶難乎哉！ 德裕之稱，為不誣矣。
The encomium reads: Li Deyu wrote in one of his works: 'When Fangqing served as chief minister, his son held the post of judicial aide in Meizhou. Empress Wu said, "You hold the highest office—why is your son posted so far away?' He replied, "Luling is Your Majesty's beloved son and is still posted far away—how would this subject's son dare to seek a nearby appointment? Li compared this to the story of Cang Tang enlightening Duke Wen of Wei.' What a gentleman he was! Even in haste he never forgot to guide his sovereign toward what is right. When he proposed that the crown prince's name not be spoken aloud, moving the ministers and signaling the first stirrings of restoration—what others find hard to say, was it hard for Fangqing! Li Deyu's praise was not misplaced.
12
俌字靈龜。 明經，調莫州參軍，辟范陽節度使張守珪幕府。 時契丹屈烈部將謀入寇，河北騷然。 俌至虜中，脅說禍福，虜乃不入。 安祿山叛，拜博陵、常山二太守，副河北招討。 卒，贈太常卿。 自褒至俌，六世封石泉雲。 俌孫遂。
Fu, styled Linggui. He passed the classics examination, was appointed aide in Mozhou, and was recruited into the staff of Zhang Shougui, military governor of Fanyang. At the time the Qulie division of the Khitan was plotting an invasion, and Hebei was in turmoil. Fu went among the Khitan, pressed upon them the consequences of war and peace, and they abandoned the invasion. When An Lushan rebelled, he was appointed prefect of Boling and Changshan and deputy commander of the Hebei suppression force. He died and was posthumously appointed minister of imperial sacrifices. From Wang Bao to Wang Fu, six generations held the enfeoffment of Shiquan. Fu's grandson Wang Sui.
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遂好興利，操下以嚴。 累遷鄧州刺史、太府卿、西北供軍使。 與度支潘孟陽爭營田事，憲宗怒，出遂為柳州刺史。 親吏韋行素、柳季常當受課料兩池，吏見遂斥，即抵以罪。 始，詔書出，左丞呂元膺劾：「遂補吏犯贓，法當坐，而詔稱『清能業官』，按遂犯有狀，不宜謂清。 且柳，大州，不可使治。」 帝喻之，乃下。 會兵宿淮西，亟財賦，藉遂幹強，拜宣歙觀察使。 蔡已平，師東討李師道，召為光祿卿、淄青行營糧料使。 辭卿職，換檢校左散騎常侍，兼御史大夫。 始，調兵食歲三百萬，俄而賊誅，遂簿羨貲百萬以獻，帝高其能。 於時析齊為三鎮，即拜遂沂兗海觀察使。
Sui was eager to promote revenue and ruled his subordinates with harsh discipline. He rose through successive appointments to prefect of Dengzhou, minister of the granaries, and commissioner for supplying the northwest armies. He quarreled with the revenue commissioner Pan Mengyang over military colony lands. Emperor Xianzong was angered and sent Sui out as prefect of Liuzhou. His trusted clerks Wei Xingsu and Liu Jichang were entitled to the tax proceeds of two ponds. When they saw Sui demoted, they immediately brought charges against him. When the appointment edict was first issued, the left vice director Lü Yuanying impeached him: 'Sui's clerks committed bribery and should be punished by law, yet the edict calls him "upright and able in office." Investigation shows offenses with evidence against Sui; he should not be called upright. Moreover, Liuzhou is a major prefecture and should not be entrusted to him.' The emperor explained the matter to Lü, and the appointment then went through. As troops were encamped in Huaixi and revenue was urgently needed, the court relied on Sui's forceful ability and appointed him military governor of Xuan and She. After Cai Prefecture was pacified, the army marched east against Li Shidao. Sui was summoned as minister of imperial entertainments and commissary for the Ziqing campaign headquarters. He declined the ministerial post and was instead made acting left regular attendant with the concurrent title of censor-in-chief. Three million in provisions for the troops had initially been requisitioned each year. Soon the rebel was killed, and Sui recorded a surplus of one million and presented it to the throne. The emperor admired his efficiency. Qi was then divided into three circuits, and Sui was immediately appointed military governor of Yi, Yan, and Hai.
14
遂資褊刻，仗撲皆逾制。 盛夏，治署舍墻垣，程督慘峭。 將吏素悍戾，遂輒罵曰：「反殘賊！」 人人羞忿。 裨校王弁與役人浴於川，語曰：「天方雨，墻且毀，等罪耳！」 乃謀亂。 明日，遂方燕，弁率其黨挾兵進，遂驚，匿廁下，執而數其罪，殺之。 其副張敦實、官屬李矩甫皆死。 弁自知留事。 帝以沂、海新定，畏青、鄆亦搖，乃拜弁開州刺史。 至徐州，械送京師，斬東市。 監軍上遂所制杖，出示於朝為戒雲。
Sui was narrow-minded and harsh by nature, and his beating staffs all exceeded the prescribed size. In the height of summer he had the government offices and perimeter walls repaired, driving the labor with brutal severity. His officers and clerks were by nature fierce and defiant. Sui would curse them: 'Rebel brutes!' Every man burned with shame and rage. The adjutant Wang Bian bathed in the river with the laborers and said, 'Rain is coming—the walls will collapse anyway. The penalty is the same either way!' They then plotted a mutiny. The next day, while Sui was at a banquet, Bian led his faction in armed. Sui fled in alarm and hid beneath the privy. They seized him, recited his crimes, and killed him. His deputy Zhang Dunshi and the official Li Jufu were also killed. Bian himself assumed control of the circuit. Because Yi and Hai had only just been pacified and the court feared Qing and Yun might also be shaken, the emperor appointed Bian prefect of Kai as a placatory measure. When he reached Xuzhou he was placed in fetters and sent to the capital, where he was executed at the eastern market. The army supervisor presented the oversized staffs Sui had had made and displayed them at court as a warning to other governors.
15
摶字昭逸。 擢進士第，辟佐王鐸滑州節度府，累遷蘇州刺史。 久之，以戶部侍郎判戶部。 乾寧初，進同中書門下平章事。 董昌誅，出為威勝節度使。 未行，加檢校尚書右僕射、浙東西宣撫使。 會錢寔兼領二浙，故留拜門下侍郎、同中書門下平章事、判度支。 昭宗建嫡後，摶請因赦天下以尊大其禮。 正拜右僕射，遷司空，封魯國公。
Tuan, styled Zhaoyi. He passed the jinshi examination, joined the staff of Wang Duo as military governor of Huazhou, and rose through successive appointments to prefect of Suzhou. After some time he was appointed vice minister of revenue with executive charge of the ministry. Early in the Qianning era he was promoted to co-director of the Secretariat and Chancellery. After Dong Chang was executed he was sent out as military governor of Weisheng. Before he could depart he was additionally appointed acting right vice director of the secretariat and commissioner to pacify eastern and western Zhe. Because Qian Liu was already holding both Zhe circuits, Tuan was kept at court and appointed vice director of the Chancellery, co-director of the Secretariat and Chancellery, and with charge of the revenue bureau. When Emperor Zhaozong established the legitimate heir, Tuan requested that a general amnesty be proclaimed to magnify the ceremonial observance. He was formally appointed right vice director, promoted to minister of works, and enfeoffed as Duke of Lu.
16
初，中官權盛，帝欲翦抑之。 自石門還，政一決宰相，群宦不平，構藩鎮內脅天子。 摶曰：「人君務平心大體，禦萬物，偏聽產亂，古所戒也。 今奄人盜威福，逼制君上，道路人皆知之。 方朝廷多難，未可卒除，當徐以計去之。 事急，且有變。」 崔胤與摶並位，素忌摶明達有謀，即劾摶為中官外應。 會胤罷宰相，疑摶擠斥，乃厚結朱全忠薦己復輔政，即誣摶與樞密使宋道弼、景務脩交私，將危社稷。 全忠因顯疏其尤。 光化三年，罷為工部侍即，貶溪州刺史。 又貶崖州司戶參軍事，賜死藍田驛。
At first the eunuchs held great power, and the emperor wished to curb them. After returning from Shimen, policy was decided solely by the chief ministers. The eunuchs were discontent and incited the military governors to pressure the emperor from within. Tuan said, 'A ruler should keep an even heart and grasp the great pattern, governing all things under heaven. Partial listening breeds disorder—this the ancients warned against. Now the eunuchs usurp authority and coerce the sovereign—everyone on the roads knows it. The court faces many difficulties and they cannot be removed at once; they should be removed gradually by stratagem. If matters are rushed, upheaval will follow.' Cui Yin shared office with Tuan and had long resented his clarity and resourcefulness. He immediately impeached Tuan as the eunuchs’ outside ally. When Yin was dismissed as chief minister he suspected Tuan had engineered his removal. He cultivated Zhu Quanzhong heavily to recommend his own return to power and slandered Tuan as having private dealings with the privy commissioners Song Daobi and Jing Wuxiu that would endanger the state. Quanzhong thereupon submitted an open memorial detailing the gravest charges. In the third year of the Guanghua era he was dismissed to vice minister of public works and demoted to prefect of Xi. He was further demoted to registrar of Yazhou and ordered to take his own life at the Lantian post station.
17
韋思謙，名仁約，以近武后父諱為嫌，遂以字行。 其先出雍州杜陵，後客襄陽，更徙為鄭州陽武人。 八歲喪母，以孝聞。 及進士第，累調應城令，負殿，不得進官。 吏部尚書高季輔曰：「予始得此一人，豈以小疵棄大德邪？」 擢監察御史。 常曰：「御史出使，不能動搖山嶽，震懾州縣，為不任職。」 中書令褚遂良市地不如直，思謙劾之，罷為同州刺史。 及復相，出思謙清水令。 或吊之，答曰：「吾狷直，觸機輒發，暇恤身乎？ 丈夫當敢言地，要須明目張膽以報天子，焉能錄錄保妻子邪？」 沛王府長史皇甫公義引為倉曹參軍，謂曰：「公非池中物，屈公為數旬客，以重吾府。」
Wei Sizhi, personal name Renyue, was too close to the taboo name of Empress Wu’s father and therefore went by his courtesy name. His ancestors came from Duling in Yongzhou; later the family sojourned in Xiangyang and finally settled as natives of Yangwu in Zhengzhou. He lost his mother at eight and was known for filial devotion. After passing the jinshi examination he was repeatedly assigned as magistrate of Yingcheng. He owed tax arrears and could not advance in office. The minister of the civil service Gao Jifu said, 'I have just found this one man—how could I discard great virtue for a small flaw?' He was promoted to investigating censor. He often said, 'When a censor goes on mission, if he cannot shake mountains and rivers and awe prefectures and counties, he is not fit for office.' The chief minister Chu Suiliang purchased land below fair value. Sizhi impeached him, and Suiliang was dismissed to prefect of Tong. When Suiliang returned as chief minister, Sizhi was sent out as magistrate of Qingshui. When someone condoled with him he replied, 'I am blunt and upright; when I touch a trigger I fire—when would I spare myself? A man should speak boldly where it matters; he must open his eyes wide and report to the Son of Heaven—how can he cringe and protect only wife and children?' The Prince of Pei's chief administrator Huangfu Gongyi recruited him as granary aide and told him, 'You are no creature of a pond; I bend you to be my guest for a few weeks to lend weight to my household.'
18
改侍御史，高宗賢之，每召與語，雖甚倦，徙倚軒檻，猶數刻罷。 疑獄劇事，多與參裁。 武候將軍田仁會誣奏御史張仁祎，帝廷詰，仁祎懦不得對。 思謙為辯其枉，因言仁會營罔陷人不測者，詞旨詳暢，帝善之，仁祎得不坐。 累遷右司郎中、尚書左丞，振明綱轄，朝廷肅然。 進御史大夫。
He was transferred to attendant censor. Emperor Gaozong esteemed him and summoned him for conversation; even when very weary, leaning on the balustrade, the emperor would still talk with him for a quarter of an hour or more before stopping. Doubtful cases and urgent matters were largely referred to him for judgment. The Wuhou general Tian Renhui falsely memorialized against the censor Zhang Renyi. The emperor questioned Renyi at court, but in cowardice he could not answer. Sizhi argued his innocence and went on to say that Renhui schemed unpredictably to entrap people. His words were detailed and fluent; the emperor approved, and Renyi was not punished. He rose through successive appointments to right bureau director and left vice director of the secretariat, clarifying regulations until the court grew orderly and solemn. He was promoted to censor-in-chief.
19
性謇諤，顏色莊重，不可犯。 見王公，未嘗屈禮。 或以為譏，答曰：「耳目官固當特立。 雕、鶚、鷹、鹯，豈眾禽之偶，奈何屈以狎之？」 帝崩，思謙扶疾入臨，涕泗冰須，俯伏號絕，詔給扶侍。 轉司屬卿，復為右肅政大夫。 故事，大夫與御史鈞禮，思謙獨不答。 或以為疑，思謙曰：「班列固有差，奈何尚姑息邪？」 垂拱初，封博昌縣男，同鳳閣鸞臺三品。 轉納言，辭疾，不許，詔肩輿以朝，聽子孫侍。 以太中大夫致仕，卒，贈幽州都督。
By nature he was blunt and outspoken, with a solemn bearing that brooked no offense. When he met princes and dukes he never bent ritual propriety. Some took this as criticism. He replied, 'Officers of the senses and ears should by rights stand apart. The eagle, the osprey, the hawk, and the falcon—how could they be mates of common birds? Why bend to be familiar with them?' When the emperor died, Sizhi came to mourn though ill, his tears freezing on his beard. He prostrated himself and cried until he fainted. An edict granted him attendants to support him. He was transferred to director of the Bureau of Dependents and again made right rectifier-in-chief. By precedent the chief and the censors exchanged equal courtesy; Sizhi alone did not respond. Some found this doubtful. Sizhi said, 'Rank in the procession naturally has distinctions—why still indulge?' At the beginning of the Chuigong era he was enfeoffed as Baron of Bochang and made third rank with the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace. He was transferred to palace secretary. He pleaded illness but was not permitted to retire. An edict ordered him carried in a sedan chair to court and allowed his sons and grandsons to attend him. He retired as grand master of palace attendance and died. He was posthumously appointed military governor of Youzhou.
20
子承慶、嗣立。
His sons were Wei Chengqing and Wei Silin.
21
承慶字延休。 性謹畏，事繼母為篤孝。 擢進士第，補雍王府參軍，府中文翰悉委之。 王為太子，遷司議郎。
Chengqing, styled Yanxiu. By nature he was cautious and reverent, and in serving his stepmother he was deeply filial. He passed the jinshi examination and was appointed aide in the Prince of Yong's household, to whom all literary documents were entrusted. When the prince became crown prince, he was transferred to remonstrance officer.
22
儀鳳中，詔太子監國，太子稍嗜聲色，興土功。 承慶見造作玩好浮廣，倡優鼓吹讙嘩，戶奴小人皆得親左右、承顏色，恐因是作威福，宜加繩察，乃上疏極陳其端，又進《諭善箴》，太子頗嘉納。 承慶嘗謂人所以擾濁浮躁，本之於心，乃著《靈臺賦》，譏揣當世，亦自廣其志。 太子廢，出為烏程令。 累遷鳳閣舍人，掌天官選。 屬文敏無留思，雖大詔令，未嘗著槁。 失大臣意，出為沂州刺史。
In the Yifeng era an edict ordered the crown prince to oversee the state. The crown prince gradually became fond of music and women and launched earthworks. Chengqing saw extravagant construction of ornaments and curios, actors and musicians making clamor, and household slaves and petty men gaining access to the heir's side and reading his moods. He feared they would thereby wield power and demanded tighter restraint. He submitted a memorial stating the full case and also presented Admonition on Goodness; the crown prince largely approved and accepted it. Chengqing once said that what makes people turbulent and restless has its root in the heart. He therefore wrote The Spirit Terrace Rhapsody, satirizing the age and broadening his own purpose. When the crown prince was deposed, he was sent out as magistrate of Wucheng. He rose through successive appointments to Phoenix Pavilion drafter with charge of personnel selections. His literary composition was quick without lingering thought; even great edicts he never drafted in advance. He lost the chief ministers' favor and was sent out as prefect of Yi.
23
明堂災，上疏諫，以「文明、垂拱後，執政者未滿歲，率以罪去，大抵皆惡逆不道。 夫構大廈，濟巨川，必擇文梓、艅艎。 若亟毀而敗，則是庇朽木、乘膠船也。 臣謂陛下求賢之意切，而取人之路寬，故一言有合，而付大任。 夫以堯舉舜，猶歷試諸難，況庸庸者可超處輔相，以百揆萬機畀小人哉？」 書聞不報。 未幾，復為舍人，掌選。 病免，改太子諭德。 歷豫、虢二州刺史，有善政。 轉天官侍郎，修國史。 凡三掌選，銓授平允，議者公之。
When the Bright Hall burned he submitted a memorial of remonstrance, saying, 'After the Wénmíng and Chuigong eras, those who held power had not completed a year before they were removed for crimes—mostly for wicked rebellion and unfilial conduct. To build a great hall or cross a great river one must choose fine catalpa timber and large warships. If one hastily destroys and fails, it is to shelter rotten wood and ride a glue boat. I hold that Your Majesty's intent to seek the worthy is keen, yet the path of selecting men is too broad; therefore one phrase that fits and great responsibility is entrusted. When Yao raised Shun he still tested him through many hardships—how much less can the mediocre leap to chief minister and have the hundred affairs and myriad mechanisms of state entrusted to petty men?' The memorial was received but no reply was given. Before long he was again made drafter with charge of selections. Illness led to his dismissal; he was changed to the crown prince's moral instructor. He served as prefect of Yu and Guo and earned a reputation for good governance. He was transferred to vice minister of the Bureau of Personnel and edited the national history. In all he thrice held charge of selections; his appointments were fair and even, and commentators praised him.
24
長安中，拜鳳閣侍郎、同鳳閣鸞臺平章事。 張易之誅，承慶以素附離，免冠待罪。 時議草赦令，咸推承慶，召使為之，無橈色誤辭，援筆而就，眾嘆其壯。 然以累猶流嶺表。 歲餘，拜辰州刺史，未行，以秘書員外少監召，兼脩國史，封扶陽縣子。 詔撰《武后紀聖文》，中宗善之。 遷黃門侍郎，未拜，卒。 帝悼之，召其弟相州刺史嗣立會葬，因拜黃門侍郎繼其位。 贈禮部尚書，謚曰溫。
In the Chang'an era he was appointed vice minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and co-director of the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace. When Zhang Yizhi was executed, Chengqing, because he had long been attached to him, removed his cap and awaited punishment. When the court drafted the amnesty edict all recommended Chengqing. He was summoned to compose it without a bent expression or mistaken phrase, took up the brush and finished at once, and the crowd admired his fortitude. Yet because of his connections he was still exiled to the far south. After more than a year he was appointed prefect of Chen. Before he could depart he was summoned as acting deputy director of the Secretariat to edit the national history concurrently and enfeoffed as Viscount of Fuyang. An edict ordered him to compose Record of the Sage Empress Wu; Emperor Zhongzong approved the work. He was transferred to vice minister of the Yellow Gate but died before he could take office. The emperor mourned him, summoned his younger brother Silin, prefect of Xiang, to attend the funeral, and thereupon appointed Silin vice minister of the Yellow Gate to succeed his post. He was posthumously appointed minister of rites, with the posthumous name Wen (Gentle).
25
嗣立，字延構，與承慶異母。 少友悌，母遇承慶嚴，每笞，輒解衣求代，母不聽，即遣奴自捶，母感寤，為均愛。 世比晉王覽。 第進士，累調雙流令，政為二川最。 承慶解鳳閣舍人，武后召嗣立謂曰：「爾父嘗稱二子忠且孝，堪事朕。 比兄弟稱職，如而父言。 今使卿兄弟自相代。」 即拜鳳閣舍人。
Silin, styled Yangou, was Chengqing's half-brother. From youth he was friendly and deferential to his elder brother. His mother treated Chengqing harshly, and whenever she beat him Silin would remove his clothes and beg to take the punishment. When his mother would not listen he sent a slave to beat him instead. His mother was moved and thereafter treated them with equal love. Contemporaries compared him to Wang Lan of Jin. He placed in the jinshi examination, was repeatedly assigned as magistrate of Shuangliu, and his governance was ranked the best in the two Sichuan circuits. When Chengqing resigned as Phoenix Pavilion drafter, Empress Wu summoned Silin and said, 'Your father once praised you two brothers as loyal and filial, fit to serve me. Recently you brothers have performed your duties well, as your father said. Now I shall have you brothers replace each other.' He was immediately appointed Phoenix Pavilion drafter.
26
時學校廢，刑濫及善人，乃上書極陳：「永淳後，庠序隳散，胄子衰缺，儒學之官輕，章句之選弛。 貴閥後生以僥幸升，寒族平流以替業去。 垂拱間，仕入彌多，公行私謁，選補逾濫； 經術不聞，猛暴相誇。 陛下誠下明詔，追三館生徒，敕王公以下子弟一入太學，尊尚師儒，發揚勸獎，海內知向。 然後審畀銓總，各程所能。 以之臨人，則官無曠，民樂業矣。」
At the time schools were abandoned and punishments spread to the innocent. He submitted a memorial stating fully: 'After Yongchun the academies fell apart, noble scions declined, the offices of Confucian learning were slighted, and the selection of classical commentators was lax. Young men of noble clans rose by luck, while common families of plain standing abandoned their proper trades. In the Chuigong era entrants to office grew ever more numerous, public conduct gave way to private solicitation, and appointments grew ever more excessive; classical learning was unheard, and the fierce and violent boasted to one another. If Your Majesty would truly issue a clear edict, recall the students of the three halls, order the sons and younger brothers of princes and dukes down to enter the Imperial Academy, honor teachers and Confucians, extend encouragement and rewards, all within the seas would know where to turn. Then examine and assign the selections chief, each candidate graded by ability. With this to govern the people, offices would have no vacancies and the people would rejoice in their occupations.'
27
又曰：「揚豫以來，大獄屢興，窮治連捕，數年不絕。 大猾伺間，陰相影會，構似是之言，正不赥之辜，恣行楚慘，類自誣服，王公士人，至連頸就戮。 道路藉藉，咸知其非，而鍛練已成，不可翻動。 小則身誅，大則族夷，相緣共坐者庸可勝道？ 彼皆報讎復嫌，茍圖功求官賞耳。 臣願陛下廓天地之施、雷雨之仁，取垂拱以來罪無重輕所不赦者，普皆原洗。 死者還官，生者沾恩，則天下瞭然，知向所陷罪，非陛下意也。」
He also said, 'Since the Yang and Yu affairs, great prisons have repeatedly arisen, with exhaustive investigation and chained arrests continuing for years without end. Great villains watched for openings and secretly joined in shadowy conspiracy, fabricating seemingly plausible charges and fixing guilt on the innocent, wantonly applying cruel torture until victims falsely confessed. Princes, dukes, gentlemen, and scholars were led in chains to execution. On the roads there was widespread talk; all knew it was wrong, yet the forged cases were already complete and could not be overturned. In small cases the body was executed; in great cases the clan was exterminated. Those implicated and punished together—who could count them all? They were all repaying grudges and settling suspicions, merely scheming for merit and seeking official rewards. I wish Your Majesty would broaden Heaven-and-Earth's grace and thunder-and-rain's benevolence, taking all since the Chuigong era whose crimes of whatever weight were not pardoned and universally restoring and washing them clean. The dead would have offices restored, the living would receive grace, and all under Heaven would clearly know that the crimes into which they had been trapped were not Your Majesty's intent.'
28
長安中，拜鳳閣侍郎、同鳳閣鸞臺平章事。 時州縣非其人，後以為憂。 李嶠、唐休璟曰：「今朝廷重內官，輕外職，每除牧守，皆訴不行，非過累不得遣。 請撰臺閣賢者分典大州，自近臣始。」 後曰：「誰為朕行？」 嗣立曰：「內典機要，非臣所堪，請先行以示群臣。」 後悅，以本官檢校汴州刺史，由是左肅政大夫楊再思等十八人悉補外。 未幾，承慶知政事，嗣立以成均祭酒徙魏、洺二州，政無它異。 坐善二張，貶饒州長史。 繇相州刺史入為黃門侍郎。 轉太府卿、修文館大學士。
In the Chang'an era he was appointed vice minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and co-director of the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace. At the time prefectures and counties lacked the right men, and the empress later took this as a worry. Li Qiao and Tang Xiujing said, 'Now the court values inner offices and slight outer posts. Whenever a prefect or governor is appointed, all plead that they cannot go—not unless they have many faults can they be sent out. Please select worthy men from the terrace and pavilion offices to administer great prefectures, beginning with near ministers.' The empress said, 'Who will go for me?' Silin said, 'Inner governance of secrets is not what I can bear; please let me go first to show the ministers.' The empress was pleased and sent him out with his present office as acting prefect of Bian. Thereupon the left rectifier-in-chief Yang Zaisi and eighteen others were all posted outside. Before long Chengqing entered the administration. Silin was moved from director of the Imperial College to Wei and Ming prefectures, and his governance had no other peculiarity. Punished for associating with the two Zhang brothers, he was demoted to chief administrator of Raozhou. From prefect of Xiang he entered court as vice minister of the Yellow Gate. He was transferred to minister of the granaries and grand academician of the Xiuxuan Hall.
29
中宗景龍中，拜兵部尚書、同中書門下三品。 時崇飾觀寺，用度百出。 又恩幸食邑者眾，封戶凡五十四州，皆據天下上腴。 一封分食數州，隨土所宜，牟取利入。 至安樂、太平公主，率取高貲多丁家，無復如平民有所損免，為封戶者亟於軍興。 監察御史宋務光建言：「願停徵封，一切附租庸輸送。」 不納。 嗣立建言：
In the Jinglong era of Zhongzong he was appointed minister of war and third rank with the Secretariat and Chancellery. At the time they lavishly adorned temples and shrines, and expenditures issued in a hundred directions. Those granted fief sustenance by favor were numerous; fief households totaled fifty-four prefectures, all occupying the empire's richest lands. One fief divided its sustenance among several prefectures, taking profit according to whatever each region offered. Down to Princess Anle and Princess Taiping, they mostly chose wealthy households with many adult males, so that commoners no longer received exemptions and reductions as before, and those serving as fief households were pressed like wartime levies. The investigating censor Song Wuguang proposed, 'I wish the collection of fief dues be stopped and all be attached to the equal tax and corvée deliveries.' It was not accepted. Silin proposed:
30
今稟帑耗竭，無一歲之儲。 假遇水旱，人須賑給，不時軍興，士待資裝，陛下何以具之？ 伏見營立寺觀，累年不絕，鴻侈繁麗，務相矜勝，大抵費常千萬以上。 轉徙木石，廢功害農； 地藏開發，蟄蟲傷露。 上聖至慈，理必不然。 準之道法則乖，質之生人則損。 陛下豈不是思？
Now the treasury stores are exhausted and there is not one year's reserve. If flood or drought come, the people will need relief; if war arises without warning, soldiers will need supplies—how will Your Majesty provide them? I see the construction of temples and shrines continuing year after year without cease, vast and ornate, each striving to outdo the other—altogether costing more than ten million on the usual scale. Timber and stone are moved about, wasting labor and harming agriculture; the earth is opened and hibernating creatures are harmed by the dew. The most sagely and supremely benevolent—by principle this surely cannot be. Measured against the Way and its methods it is wrong; weighed against the living it is harmful. Does Your Majesty not reflect on this?
31
又食封之家，日月猥眾，凡用戶部丁六十萬，人課二絹，則固一百二十萬。 臣見太府歲調絹才百萬匹，少則十之二，有所貸免，曾不半在。 比諸封家，所入已寡。 國初功臣，共定天下，食封不三十家，今橫恩特賜，家至百四十以上。 天下租賦，在公不足，而私有餘。 又封家徵求，各遣奴皂，淩突侵漁，百姓怨嘆。 或貿易斷盜，誅責紛紜，曾無少息。 下民窶乏，何以堪命？ 臣願以丁課一送太府，封家詣左藏仰給，禁止自徵，以息重困。
Again, households with fief sustenance grow daily in number; in all they use six hundred thousand adult males from the Ministry of Revenue registers, two bolts of silk per man, which is fixed at one million two hundred thousand. I see the Grand Treasury each year requisitions only one million bolts of silk, sometimes as little as two tenths, with loans and exemptions—never even half remains. Compared with fief households, what enters the state is already scant. At the dynasty's founding the meritorious ministers together settled the realm; those with fief sustenance were fewer than thirty households. Now favor is bestowed broadly and households reach more than one hundred forty. The empire's land tax and corvée—what belongs to the public is insufficient while the private has surplus. Again fief households in collecting dues each send slave runners who bully and encroach, and the people groan in resentment. Some trade by force or steal outright; punishments and demands fly in confusion without the slightest pause. The lower people are impoverished—how can they bear such exactions? I wish the adult-male silk tax be sent once to the Grand Treasury, fief households to receive allotments from the left vault on presentation, and private collection forbidden, to ease this crushing burden.
32
臣聞設官建吏，本於治人而務安之也。 明官得其人，則天下治。 古者取士，先鄉曲之譽，然後辟於州； 州已試，然後辟五府； 五府著聞，乃升諸朝。 得不謂所擇悉而所歷深乎？ 今之取人，未試而遽遷，務進僥幸，比肩系踵。 故文者治官，則回邪贓汙； 武者治軍，則庸懦怯弱。 補授亡限，員外置官，吏困供承，官竭資奉。 國家大事，豈甚於此？
I have heard that establishing offices and appointing clerks has its root in governing people and making them secure. When enlightened offices obtain the right men, then the realm is governed. In antiquity in taking scholars, one first sought village reputation, then recruited them in the prefecture; after the prefecture had tested them, then recruited them in the five bureaus; when their fame was established in the five bureaus, then they were raised to court. Can one say that what was chosen was thorough and what was experienced was deep? In taking men today, before trial they are hurriedly transferred, striving for advancement by luck, shoulder to shoulder in endless succession. Therefore when literary men govern offices, they are crooked, evil, and filthy; when military men govern armies, they are mediocre, weak, and cowardly. Supplementary appointments have no limit, supernumerary offices are set up, clerks are exhausted supplying them, and offices are drained of salaries. Are state great affairs more serious than this?
33
古者，設爵待士，才者有之。 不才者進，則有才之路塞。 賢人據正，遠僥幸之門。 僥幸開，則賢者隱矣。 賢者隱，則人不安； 人不安，國將危矣。 刺史、縣令，治人之首，比年不加簡擇，京官坐負及聲稱下者乃典州，吏部年高不善刀筆者乃擬縣。 朝輕用人，何以治國？ 願下有司，精加汰擇。 凡諸曹侍郎、兩省、二臺及五品以上清望官，當先選用刺史、縣令，所冀守宰稱職，以興太平。
In antiquity ranks were set to await scholars; the talented received them. When the untalented advance, the path for the talented is blocked. The worthy hold the upright and keep far the gate of luck. When the gate of luck opens, the worthy withdraw. When the worthy withdraw, then people are not secure; when people are not secure, the state will be in peril. Prefects and magistrates are the heads of governing people; in recent years they have not been carefully chosen—capital officials who sit in debt or whose reputation is low are made to administer prefectures, and Ministry of Revenue men who are old and poor at documents are assigned to counties. If the court lightly uses men, how can it govern the state? I wish that subordinate offices be ordered to refine and select carefully. All vice ministers of the various bureaus, both secretariats, both censorates, and clear-reputation officials of fifth rank and above should first be chosen as prefects and magistrates, so that prefects and magistrates may perform their duties and great peace arise.
34
帝不聽。
The emperor did not listen.
35
嗣立與韋后屬疏，帝特詔附屬籍，顧待甚渥。 營別第驪山鸚鵡谷，帝臨幸，命從官賦詩，制序冠篇，賜況優備，因封嗣立逍遙公，名所居曰清虛原幽棲谷。 嗣立獻木杯、藤盤數十物。 唐隆初，拜中書令。 韋后敗，幾死於亂，寧王為救免。 出為許州刺史，以定策立睿宗，賜封百戶，徙汝州。 入為國子祭酒、太子賓客。 坐宗楚客等削遺制事，不執正，貶岳州別駕。 再徙為陳州刺史。 開元中，河南道巡察使表其廉，欲復用，會卒，年六十六，贈兵部尚書，謚曰孝。
Silin was distantly related to Empress Wei; the emperor specially ordered him attached to her clan register and treated him with exceptional favor. He built a separate mansion in the Parrot Valley at Mount Li. When the emperor visited, he ordered his followers to compose poems and placed his preface at the head. The gifts and favors were complete, and he enfeoffed Silin as Duke of Xiaoyao, naming his residence Clear Void Plain and Secluded Dwelling Valley. Silin presented several dozen wooden cups and rattan trays. At the beginning of the Tanglong era he was appointed chief minister of the Secretariat. When Empress Wei was defeated he nearly died in the turmoil; the Prince of Ning saved him and secured his release. He was sent out as prefect of Xu. Because he helped establish the decisive policy that made Ruizong emperor, he was granted one hundred fief households and was moved to Ruzhou. He entered court as director of the Imperial College and companion to the crown prince. Punished for joining Zong Chuke and others in tampering with the late emperor's will and not holding to what was right, he was demoted to assistant prefect of Yuezhou. He was moved again to prefect of Chen. In the Kaiyuan era the Henan circuit inspection commissioner memorialized his integrity and wished to reuse him, but he died on the verge, age sixty-six. He was posthumously appointed minister of war, with the posthumous name Xiao (Filial).
36
初，嗣立代承慶為鳳閣舍人、黃門侍郎； 承慶亦代為天官侍郎及知政事。 父子並為宰相，世罕其比。 有二子恒、濟，知名。
At first Silin replaced Chengqing as Phoenix Pavilion drafter and vice minister of the Yellow Gate; Chengqing also replaced him as vice minister of the Bureau of Personnel and in governing affairs. Father and son both served as chief ministers—a rarity in the age. He had two sons, Heng and Ji, who were well known.
37
恒，開元初為碭山令，政寬惠，吏民愛之。 天子東巡，州縣供張，皆鞭撲趣辦，恒不立威而事給。 姑子御史中丞宇文融薦恒有經濟才，讓以其位，擢殿中侍御史。 累轉給事中，為隴右、河西黜陟使。 時河西節度使蓋嘉運恃左右援，橫恣不法，妄列功狀，恒劾奏之，人代其恐，出為陳留太守，卒。
Heng, early in Kaiyuan, was magistrate of Dangshan; his governance was lenient and kind and clerks and people loved him. When the Son of Heaven toured the east, prefectures and counties supplied provisions; all used the whip to hurry completion, but Heng established no harsh authority yet everything was provided. His nephew by marriage, the censor-in-chief Yuwen Rong, recommended Heng for economic talent and yielded his own post; Heng was promoted to palace attendant censor. He was repeatedly transferred to drafting officer and made inspection commissioner for Longyou and Hexi. At the time the Hexi military governor Gai Jiayun relied on support from the inner court, acted lawlessly and arrogantly, and falsely listed merit records. Heng memorialized impeaching him; people feared for him in his place; he was sent out as prefect of Chenliu and died.
38
濟，開元初調鄄城令。 或言吏部選縣令非其人，既眾謝，有詔問所以安人者，對凡二百人，惟濟居第一，不能對者悉免官。 於是擢濟醴泉令，侍郎盧從願、李朝隱並貶為刺史。 濟四遷戶部侍郎，為太原尹。 著《先德詩》四章，世服其典懿。 天寶中，授尚書左丞，凡三世居之。 濟文雅，頗能脩飾政事，所至有治稱。 終馮翊太守。 子奧，夏令，亦以能政聞。
Ji, early in Kaiyuan, was assigned magistrate of Yancheng. Someone said the Ministry of Personnel's selection of magistrates was not the right men. After the mass apology, an edict asked how one secures the people; of two hundred respondents only Ji ranked first, and those who could not answer were all dismissed from office. Thereupon Ji was promoted to magistrate of Liquan, and vice ministers Lu Congyuan and Li Chaoyin were both demoted to prefects. Ji was four times promoted to vice minister of revenue and made prefect of Taiyuan. He wrote four chapters of Odes of Former Virtue, and the age admired their classical elegance. In the Tianbao era he was appointed left vice director of the secretariat; three generations of the family held the post. Ji was refined in letters and quite able to polish administrative affairs; wherever he went he earned praise for good governance. He ended as prefect of Fengyi. His son Ao was magistrate of Xia and was also known for able governance.
39
嗣立孫弘景，擢進士第，數佐節度府。 以左補闕召為翰林學士。 蘇光榮為涇原節度使，弘景當草詔，書辭不如旨，罷學士。 遷累度支郎中。 張仲方黜李進甫謚得罪，憲宗意弘景擿助，出為綿州刺史。 李夷簡鎮淮南，奏以自副。 召入，再遷給事中。 駙馬都尉劉士涇賂權近，擢太僕卿，弘景上還詔書，穆宗使喻：「其先人昌有功，朕所以念功睦親者。」 弘景固執，帝怒，使宣慰安南。 由是有名。
Silin's grandson Hongjing passed the jinshi examination and repeatedly served on military governors' staffs. He was summoned as left remonstrance officer and made Hanlin academician. When Su Guangrong was military governor of Jingyuan, Hongjing was to draft the edict; the wording did not please and he was dismissed from the academy. He was repeatedly promoted to director of the revenue bureau. When Zhang Zhongfang demoted Li Jinfu's posthumous title and was punished, Emperor Xianzong suspected Hongjing had helped expose him and sent him out as prefect of Mian. Li Yijian governed Huainan and memorialized to have him as his deputy. He was summoned in and twice promoted to drafting officer. The imperial son-in-law Liu Shijing bribed those near power and was promoted to minister of imperial stud. Hongjing returned the edict to the throne. Emperor Muzong sent someone to explain, 'His forebear Chang had merit; it is for this that I think of merit and draw kin close.' Hongjing stood firm; the emperor was angry and sent him to announce peace in Annan. Thereby he became famous.
40
時蕭俯輔政，弘景議論常佐佑之。 還，再遷吏部侍郎，銓綜平序，貴幸憚其嚴，不敢郤以私。 歷陜虢觀察使，召拜尚書左丞，駁正吏銓所除六十餘官不當進資，於是鄭絪、丁公著、楊嗣復皆奪俸，郎吏肅然，望風脩整。 吏部員外郎楊虞卿以累下吏，詔弘景與御史詳讞。 虞卿私造門，弘景厲言曰：「有詔按公，尚私謁邪？」 虞卿多朋助，自謂必見納，及是，惶恐去。 遷禮部尚書、東都留守。 卒，年六十六，贈尚書左僕射。
At the time Xiao Mian was chief minister; Hongjing's deliberations often assisted him. On his return he was twice promoted to vice minister of the civil service; his selections were fair and orderly, and the powerful feared his severity and did not dare press him with private requests. He served as military governor of Shan, Guo, and Guan, was summoned as left vice director of the secretariat, and rejected more than sixty officials whom the Ministry of Personnel had promoted improperly. Thereupon Zheng Yin, Ding Gongzhu, and Yang Sifu all had salaries seized, and the clerks grew orderly, mending conduct wherever his influence reached. The Ministry of Personnel aide Yang Yuqing was repeatedly sent down to the law officers. An edict ordered Hongjing and the censors to examine the case in detail. Yuqing came to his door privately. Hongjing spoke sternly, 'There is an edict to investigate you—do you still make private visits?' Yuqing had many partisan helpers and believed he would surely be accepted. At this he departed in fear. He was transferred to minister of rites and eastern capital defender. He died at sixty-six and was posthumously appointed left vice director of the secretariat.
41
弘景以直道進，議論持正有守，當時風教所倚賴，為長慶名卿。
Hongjing advanced by the upright path. His deliberations held to what was right and had constancy. At the time custom and teaching relied on him, and he was a famed minister of the Changqing era.
42
陸元方，字希仲，蘇州吳人。 陳給事黃門侍郎琛之曾孫。 伯父柬之，善書名家，官太子司議郎。 元方初明經，後舉八科皆中。 累轉監察御史。 武后時，使嶺外，方涉海，風濤驚壯，舟人懼，元方曰：「吾受命不私，神豈害我？」 趣使濟，而風訖息。 使還，除殿中侍御史，擢鳳閣舍人、秋官侍郎。 為來俊臣所陷，後置不罪。 遷鸞臺侍郎、同鳳閣鸞臺平章事。 坐附會李昭德，貶綏州刺史。 擢天官侍郎，兼司衛卿。 或言其薦引皆親黨，後怒，免官，令白衣領職。 元方薦人如初，後召讓之，對曰：「舉臣所知，不暇問讎黨。」 又薦其友崔玄暐有宰相才。 後知無它，復拜鸞臺侍郎、同鳳閣鸞臺平章事。 後嘗問外事，對曰：「臣備位宰相，大事當白奏，民間碎務，不敢以聞。」 忤旨，下除太子右庶子。 進文昌左丞，卒。
Lu Yuanfang, styled Xizhong, was a native of Wu in Suzhou. He was the great-grandson of Chen Zhi, drafting officer and vice director of the Yellow Gate. His father's elder brother Dongzhi was skilled in calligraphy and a famous family name. He served as remonstrance officer of the crown prince. Yuanfang first passed the classics examination, then placed in all eight special examinations. He was repeatedly transferred to investigating censor. Under Empress Wu he was sent beyond the ranges. Just as he was crossing the sea, wind and waves rose terrifyingly and the boatmen were afraid. Yuanfang said, 'I received my commission without private interest—would the spirits harm me?' He urged them on to cross, and the wind then ceased. On his return he was made palace attendant censor and promoted to Phoenix Pavilion drafter and vice minister of the Bureau of Punishments. He was framed by Lai Junchen. The empress set the matter aside without punishment. He was transferred to vice minister of the Luan Terrace and co-director of the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace. Punished for associating with Li Zhaode, he was demoted to prefect of Sui. He was promoted to vice minister of the Bureau of Personnel and concurrently director of the Bureau of Guards. Someone said his recommendations were all kin and partisans. The empress was angry, removed him from office, and ordered him to hold his post in plain clothes. Yuanfang recommended people as before. The empress summoned and rebuked him. He replied, 'I recommend those I know—I have no leisure to ask whether they are enemies or partisans.' He also recommended his friend Cui Xuanwei as having chief-minister talent. The empress knew there was nothing else against him and again appointed him vice minister of the Luan Terrace and co-director of the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace. The empress once asked about outside affairs. He replied, 'I hold a chief-minister's post. Great affairs should be reported in memorials. Petty popular matters I dare not report.' This offended the edict. He was demoted to right guardian of the heir. He was advanced to left assistant director of the Secretariat and died.
43
元方素清慎，再執政，每進退群臣，後必先訪問，外秘莫知。 臨終，取奏稿焚之，曰：「吾陰德在人，後當有興者。」 又曰：「吾當壽，但領選久，耗傷吾神。」 有一柙，生平所緘鑰者，歿後，家人發之，乃前後詔敕。 贈越州都督。
Yuanfang was by nature pure and cautious. Twice he held the government. Whenever he advanced or dismissed ministers the empress always consulted him first, and outsiders in secret did not know. At his end he took his memorial drafts and burned them, saying, 'I have hidden virtue among the people. Later there will be those who rise.' He also said, 'I should have lived long, but holding selections too long wore down my spirit.' There was a box he had sealed in life. After his death the family opened it and found only edicts and orders from before and after. He was posthumously appointed military governor of Yue.
44
諸子皆美才，而象先、景倩、景融尤知名。
All his sons were talented, but Xiangxian, Jingqian, and Jingrong were especially renowned.
45
象先器識沈邃，舉制科高第，為揚州參軍事。 時吉頊與元方同為吏部侍郎，頊擢象先為洛陽尉，元方不肯當，頊曰：「為官擇人，豈以吏部子廢至公邪？」 卒以授。 俄遷監察御史。 累授中書侍郎。 景雲中，進同中書門下平章事，監修國史。
Xiangxian was deep in capacity and insight. He placed high in the special examination and was made aide in Yangzhou. At the time Ji Xu and Yuanfang both served as vice ministers of the Bureau of Personnel. Xu promoted Xiangxian as Luoyang bailiff; Yuanfang would not accept it. Xu said, 'In appointing officials one chooses men—how can one discard the utmost public good because he is the Ministry of Personnel's son?' He finally granted the appointment. Soon he was transferred to investigating censor. He was repeatedly appointed vice minister of the Secretariat. In the Jingyun era he was advanced to co-director of the Secretariat and Chancellery and supervised editing the national history.
46
初，太平公主謀引崔湜為宰相，湜曰：「象先人望，宜幹樞近，若不者，湜敢辭。」 主不得已為言之，遂並知政事。 然其性恬靜寡欲，議論高簡，為時推向。 湜嘗曰：「陸公加於人一等。」 公主既擅權，宰相爭附之，象先未嘗往謁； 及謀逆，召宰相議，曰：「寧王長，不當廢嫡立庶。」 象先曰：「帝得立，何也？」 主曰：「帝有一時功，今失德，安可不廢？」 對曰：「立以功者，廢必以罪。 今不聞天子過失，安得廢？」 主怒，更與竇懷貞等謀，卒誅死。 時象先與蕭至忠、岑羲等坐為主所進，將同誅，玄宗遽召免之，曰：「歲寒然後知松柏之後雕也！」 以保護功，封兗國公，賜封戶二百。
At first Princess Taiping plotted to bring Cui Shi in as chief minister. Shi said, 'Xiangxian has public esteem and should handle the pivot. If not, I dare decline.' The princess had no choice but to speak for him, and they then both held government affairs. Yet his nature was tranquil with few desires. His deliberations were lofty and concise, and the age exalted him. Shi once said, 'Lord Lu stands one grade above other men. The princess already monopolized power and the chief ministers vied to attach themselves to her. Xiangxian had never gone to call on her. When they plotted rebellion the princess summoned the chief ministers to deliberate, saying, 'The Prince of Ning is the elder—one should not depose the legitimate heir to establish a lesser son. Xiangxian said, 'How did the emperor gain the throne?' The princess said, 'The emperor had merit for a time. Now he has lost virtue—how can he not be deposed?' He replied, 'Those established by merit are deposed only by crime. Now we do not hear of the Son of Heaven's faults—how can he be deposed?' The princess was angry and plotted further with Dou Huaizhen and others. In the end she was executed. At the time Xiangxian, with Xiao Zhizhong, Cen Xi, and others, sat in guilt as those the princess had advanced and were about to be executed together. Xuanzong urgently summoned and exempted him, saying, 'Only in cold years does one know that the pine and cypress are the last to wither!' For the merit of protecting him he was enfeoffed as Duke of Yan and granted two hundred fief households.
47
初，難作，睿宗禦承天樓，群臣稍集，帝麾曰：「助朕者留，不者去！」 於是有投名自驗者。 事平，玄宗得所投名，詔象先收按，象先悉焚之。 帝大怒，欲並加罪，頓首謝曰：「赴君之難，忠也。 陛下方以德化天下，奈何殺行義之人？ 故臣違命，安反側者，其敢逃死？」 帝寤，善之。 時窮治忠、羲等黨與，象先密為申救，保全甚眾，當時無知者。
At first, when the crisis arose, Ruizong mounted the Chengtian Tower. As ministers gradually gathered, the emperor waved and said, 'Those who help me stay; those who do not, go! Thereupon some cast their names in to prove themselves. When the matter was settled Xuanzong obtained the cast names and ordered Xiangxian to investigate and punish. Xiangxian burned them all. The emperor was greatly angry and wished to punish them all together. Xiangxian kowtowed and apologized, 'To go to the ruler's difficulty is loyalty. Your Majesty is just now using virtue to transform the realm—how can you kill men who act righteously? Therefore I disobeyed the order to secure those who wavered—would they dare escape death?' The emperor awoke to it and approved. At the time the investigation of Zhizhong, Xi, and their factions was exhaustive. Xiangxian secretly pleaded for them and preserved very many, though at the time none knew.
48
罷為益州大都督府長史、劍南按察使，為政尚仁恕。 司馬韋抱真諫曰：「公當峻撲罰以示威，不然，民慢且無畏。」 答曰：「政在治之而已，必刑法以樹威乎？」 卒不從，而蜀化。 累徙蒲州刺史，兼河東按察使。 小吏有罪，誡遣之，大吏白爭，以為可杖，象先曰：「人情大抵不相遠，謂彼不曉吾言邪？ 必責者，當以汝為始。」 大吏慚而退。 嘗曰：「天下本無事，庸人擾之為煩耳。 第澄其源，何憂不簡邪？」 故所至民吏懷之。
He was dismissed as chief administrator of the metropolitan prefecture of Yizhou and Jiannan inspection commissioner. His governance valued benevolence and forbearance. The aide Wei Baozhen remonstrated, 'Your Lordship should use severe beating and punishment to show authority. Otherwise the people will be lax and unafraid. He replied, 'Government lies in governing—that is all. Must one use penal law to build authority?' He finally did not follow the advice, and Shu was transformed. He was repeatedly moved to prefect of Pu and concurrently Hedong inspection commissioner. A petty clerk had a crime and was admonished and sent away. A senior clerk reported in dispute that he could be beaten. Xiangxian said, 'Human feelings are mostly not far apart—do you think he does not understand my words? If there must be punishment, I shall begin with you. The senior clerk withdrew in shame. He once said, 'Under Heaven there is originally no trouble—mediocre men stir it up into bother. Only clarify the source—why worry that things will not be simple? Therefore wherever he went clerks and people cherished him.
49
入為太子詹事，歷戶部尚書，知吏部選事，母喪免。 起為揚州大都督府長史。 遷太子少保。 卒，年七十二，贈尚書左丞相，謚曰文貞。 始，象先名景初，睿宗曰：「子能紹先構，是謂象賢者。」 乃賜名焉。
He entered court as guardian of the heir, served as minister of revenue, and held charge of Ministry of Personnel selections. He left office on his mother's mourning. He was recalled as chief administrator of the metropolitan prefecture of Yangzhou. He was transferred to junior guardian of the heir. He died at seventy-two, was posthumously appointed left chief minister of the Secretariat, with the posthumous name Wenzhen (Cultured and Upright). At first Xiangxian's name was Jingchu. Ruizong said, 'You can continue your forebears' structure—this is called emulating the worthy.' He was therefore granted the name.
50
弟景倩為撫溝丞。 河南按察使畢構覆州縣殿最，欲必得實。 有吏言狀曰：「某強清，某詐清，惟景倩曰真清。」 終監察御史。
His younger brother Jingqian was magistrate of Fugou. The Henan inspection commissioner Bi Gou reviewed prefectures and counties for annual ratings and wished to obtain the facts with certainty. A clerk reported, 'So-and-so forcibly pure, so-and-so falsely pure—only Jingqian is called truly pure. He ended as investigating censor.
51
景融長七尺，美姿質，寬中而厚外。 博學，工筆劄。 以陰補千牛，轉新鄭令，政有風績，累遷工部尚書、東京留守。 卒，贈廣陵郡都督。 景融於象先，後母弟也。 象先被笞，景融諫，不入，則自楚，母為損威，人多其友。 四世孫希聲。
Jingrong was seven feet tall, handsome in bearing, broad within and generous without. Broadly learned and skilled in letters. He entered office by yin privilege as a thousand-bull guard, was transferred to magistrate of Xinzheng with marked governance, and was repeatedly promoted to minister of public works and eastern capital defender. He died and was posthumously appointed military governor of Guangling. Jingrong to Xiangxian was a younger brother by the stepmother. When Xiangxian was beaten Jingrong remonstrated. If not accepted he beat himself. The mother thereby lost authority, and many praised their friendship. His fourth-generation descendant Lu Xisheng.
52
希聲博學善屬文，通《易》、《春秋》、《老子》，論著甚多。 商州刺史鄭愚表為屬。 後去，隱義興。 久之，召為右拾遺。 時憸腐秉權，歲數歉，梁、宋尤甚。 希聲見州縣刓敝，上言當謹視盜賊。 明年，王仙芝反，株蔓數十州，遂不制。 擢累歙州刺史。 昭宗聞其名，召為給事中，拜戶部侍郎、同中書門下平章事。 在位無所輕重，以太子少師罷。 李茂貞等兵犯京師，輿疾避難。 卒，贈尚書左僕射，謚曰文。 元方從父餘慶。
Xisheng was broadly learned and skilled at literary composition, versed in the Changes, Spring and Autumn Annals, and Laozi, with many treatises. The prefect of Shangzhou Zheng Yu memorialized him as a staff member. Later he left office and hid in Yixing. After a long while he was summoned as right remonstrance officer. At the time the crafty and corrupt held power. Harvests failed several years, and Liang and Song were especially hard hit. Xisheng saw prefectures and counties carved down and memorialized that thieves should be watched carefully. The next year Wang Xianzhi rebelled. The roots spread across dozens of prefectures and could not be controlled. He was repeatedly promoted to prefect of She. Emperor Zhaozong heard his name, summoned him as drafting officer, and appointed him vice minister of revenue and co-director of the Secretariat and Chancellery. In office he had no weight. He was dismissed as junior guardian of the heir. When Li Maozhen and others' troops violated the capital he took his illness and fled to escape danger. He died and was posthumously appointed left vice director of the secretariat, with the posthumous name Wen (Cultured). Yuanfang's cousin Yuqing.
53
餘慶，陳右衛將軍珣孫，方雅有祖風。 已冠，名未顯，兄玄表唶曰：「爾名宦不立，奈何？」 餘慶感激，閉戶誦書三年，以博學稱。 舉制策甲科，補蕭尉。 累遷陽城尉。 武后封嵩山，以辦具勞，擢監察御史。 聖歷初，靈、勝二州党項誘北胡寇邊，詔餘慶招慰，喻以恩信，蕃酋率眾內附。 遷殿中侍御史、鳳閣舍人。 後嘗命草詔殿上，恐懼不能得一詞，降左司郎中。 久之，封廣平郡公、太子右庶子。
Yuqing was grandson of the Chen right guard general Xun, refined and elegant with his grandfather's manner. Already capped, his name was not yet known. His elder brother Xuanbiao reproached him: 'Your name and office are not established—what is to be done?' Stirred, Yuqing shut his door and studied for three years, and was known for broad learning. He placed first in the policy examination and was appointed bailiff of Xiao. He rose through successive appointments to bailiff of Yangcheng. When Empress Wu performed the feng on Mount Song, for his labor in preparations he was promoted to investigating censor. At the beginning of the Shenglì era, the Tangut of Ling and Sheng prefectures induced northern barbarians to raid the border. An edict ordered Yuqing to summon and comfort them. He instructed them with grace and trust, and the tribal chiefs led their people to submit. He was transferred to palace attendant censor and Phoenix Pavilion drafter. The empress once ordered him to draft an edict in the hall. In fear he could not produce a single phrase and was demoted to left bureau director. After a long while he was enfeoffed as Duke of Guangping and made right guardian of the heir.
54
餘慶於寒品晚進，必悉力薦藉。 人有過，輒面折，退無一言。 開元初，為河南、河北宣撫使，薦富春孫逖、京兆韋述、吳興蔣冽、河南達奚珣，後皆為知名士。 遷大理卿。 終太子詹事，謚曰莊。
Yuqing toward men of humble rank and late advancement always exerted himself to recommend and support them. When people had faults he would rebuke them to their face. After retiring he said not a word. Early in Kaiyuan he was commissioner to pacify Henan and Hebei, recommending Sun Ti of Fuchun, Wei Shu of Jingzhao, Jiang Lie of Wuxing, and Daxi Xun of Henan—all later became renowned gentlemen. He was transferred to chief judge of the Court of Review. He ended as guardian of the heir, with the posthumous name Zhuang (Solemn).
55
雅善趙貞固、盧藏用、陳子昂、杜審言、宋之問、畢構、郭襲微、司馬承禎、釋懷一，時號「方外十友」。 餘慶才不逮子昂等，而風流敏辯過之。
He was on excellent terms with Zhao Zhengu, Lu Zangyong, Chen Zi'ang, Du Shenyan, Song Zhiwen, Bi Gou, Guo Xiangwei, Sima Chengzhen, and the monk Huaiyi—at the time called the Ten Friends Beyond Office. Yuqing's talent did not reach Zi'ang and the others, but in grace and quick eloquence he surpassed them.
56
初，武后時，酷吏用事，中宗朝，幸臣貴主斜封大行，啗利嗇禍之人，與相乾沒，雖亟貴驟用，而戮不反踵。 餘慶以道自將，雖仕不赫赫，訖無悔尤。
At first, under Empress Wu cruel law officers held power. In Zhongzong's court favored ministers and noble princesses practiced slanting seals broadly. Men who devoured profit and hoarded disaster joined in mutual encroachment—though swiftly ennobled and suddenly used, execution followed without respite. Yuqing conducted himself by the Way. Though in office he was not illustrious, to the end he had no regrets.
57
子璪，字仲采。 舉明經，補長安尉，以清幹稱。 開元初，中朝臣子弟不任京畿，改新鄉令，人為立祠。 用按察使宇文融薦，遷澠池令。 累遷兵部郎中，柬躭騎使。 還，除洛陽令，時車駕在洛，摧勒奸豪，人不敢犯，為中書令蕭嵩所器。 嵩罷，佗宰相俾陰廉嵩短，璪曰：「與人交，過且不可言，況無有邪？」 以是忤貴近，出為太原少尹。 累徙西河太守，封平恩縣男。 屬邑多虎，前守設檻阱，璪至，徹之，而虎不為暴。
His son Can, styled Zhongcai. He passed the classics examination, was appointed bailiff of Chang'an, and was known for purity and efficiency. Early in Kaiyuan, sons of central court ministers could not serve the capital region. He was changed to magistrate of Xinxiang, and the people built a shrine for him. On the recommendation of inspection commissioner Yuwen Rong he was transferred to magistrate of Mianchi. He was repeatedly promoted to director of the Bureau of War and made envoy bearing the golden pouch. On his return he was made magistrate of Luoyang. At the time the imperial carriage was at Luoyang. He crushed powerful rascals so people did not dare offend. He was valued by chief minister Xiao Song. When Song was dismissed, another chief minister had someone secretly investigate Song's faults. Can said, 'In dealing with people, faults should not be spoken of even if they exist—how much less when there are none?' For this he offended the powerful and was sent out as junior governor of Taiyuan. He was repeatedly moved to prefect of Xihe and enfeoffed as Baron of Ping'en. His district had many tigers. Previous prefects set cages and pits. When Can arrived he removed them, and the tigers did not run wild.
58
王及善，洺州邯鄲人。 父君愕，有沈謀。 隋亂，并州人王君廓掠邯鄲，君愕往說曰：「隋氏失禦，豪俊共救其亂，宜撫納遺氓而保全之，觀時變，待真主。 足下無尺寸之地、兼旬之糧，劫眾而興，但恣殘剽，所過失望，竊為足下羞之。」 君廓謝曰：「計安出？」 答曰：「井陘之險可先取。」 君廓從其言，遂屯井陘山。 高祖入關，與君廓偕來，拜君愕大將軍，封新興縣公，累遷左武衛將軍。 從太宗征遼，領左屯營兵，與高麗戰駐蹕山，死於陣，贈左衛大將軍、幽州都督、邢國公，陪葬昭陵。
Wang Jishan was a native of Handan in Mozhou. His father Jun'e had deep stratagems. In the Sui turmoil, Wang Junkuo of Bingzhou plundered Handan. Jun'e went to persuade him, 'The Sui have lost control. Heroes together rescue the disorder. You should soothe and gather the remnant people and preserve them, watch the times change, and await the true lord. You have not a foot of territory or ten days' grain. You rise by robbing the masses and only indulge in cruel plunder—where you pass, hope is lost. I am secretly ashamed for you.' Junkuo apologized, 'Where does the plan come from?' He answered, 'The peril of Jingxing Pass can be taken first.' Junkuo followed his words and encamped on Mount Jingxing. When Gaozu entered the passes he came with Junkuo. Jun'e was appointed grand general, enfeoffed as Duke of Xinxing, and repeatedly promoted to general of the Left Martial Guard. Following Taizong's campaign against Liaodong he led the Left Encampment troops. Fighting Goguryeo at Mount Zhubi he died in battle and was posthumously appointed left guard grand general, military governor of Youzhou, and Duke of Xing, with burial honors at Zhaoling.
59
及善以父死事，授朝散大夫，襲邢國公爵。 皇太子弘立，擢及善左奉裕率。 太子宴於宮，命宮臣擲倒，及善辭曰：「殿下自有優人，臣茍奉令，非羽翼之美。」 太子謝之。 高宗聞，賜絹百匹。 除右千牛衛將軍，帝曰：「以爾忠謹，故擢三品要職。 群臣非搜辟，不得至朕所。 爾佩大橫刀在朕側，亦知此官貴乎？」 病免。 召為衛尉卿。 垂拱中，歷司屬卿。 山東饑，詔為巡撫賑給使。 拜春官尚書。 出為秦州都督、益州長史，加光祿大夫，以老病致仕。
Jishan because his father died in service was granted Grand Master of Palace Attendance and inherited the dukedom of Xing. When Crown Prince Hong was established, Jishan was promoted to left attendant of the inner palace. At a palace banquet the crown prince ordered palace ministers to perform tumbling. Jishan declined, 'Your Highness has your own performers. I merely follow orders—not the beauty of wings.' The crown prince apologized. Gaozong heard of it and granted a hundred bolts of silk. He was made general of the Right Thousand-Bull Guard. The emperor said, 'Because you are loyal and careful, I therefore promote you to a third-rank key post. Ministers, unless searched and summoned, may not reach my person. You wear the great horizontal blade at my side—do you know how noble this office is?' Illness led to dismissal. He was summoned as minister of the guard. In the Chuigong era he served as director of the Bureau of Dependents. When Shandong suffered famine an edict made him commissioner to tour and relieve. He was appointed minister of the Bureau of Rites. He was sent out as military governor of Qin and chief administrator of Yi, added grand master of splendid virtue, and retired on old age and illness.
60
及善不甚文，而清正自將，臨事不可奪，有大臣節。 時二張怙寵，每侍宴，無人臣禮，及善數裁抑之，後不悅曰：「卿年高，不宜侍遊燕，但檢校閣中。」 及善即移病餘月，後不復問，嘆曰：「中書令可一日不見天子乎？」 遂乞骸骨，猶不許，改文昌左相、同鳳閣鸞臺三品。 卒，年八十二，贈益州大都督，謚曰貞，陪葬乾陵。
Jishan was not very literary, but pure and upright in self-conduct, unshakable in affairs, with a great minister's integrity. At the time the two Zhang brothers relied on favor. Whenever they attended banquets they showed no minister's ritual. Jishan repeatedly restrained them. The empress displeased said, 'You are old and should not attend pleasure excursions—only inspect the pavilion.' Jishan immediately pleaded illness for more than a month. The empress no longer inquired. He sighed, 'Can a chief minister of the Secretariat go a day without seeing the Son of Heaven?' He then begged to retire but was still not permitted. He was changed to left assistant director of the Secretariat and third rank with the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace. He died at eighty-two, was posthumously appointed metropolitan governor of Yi, with the posthumous name Zhen (Upright), and buried with honor at Qianling.
61
李日知，鄭州滎陽人。 及進士第。 天授中，歷司刑丞。 時法令嚴，吏爭為酷，日知猶平寬無文致。 嘗免一囚死，少卿胡元禮執不可，曰：「吾不去曹，囚無生理。」 日知曰：「仆不去曹，囚無死法。」 皆以狀讞，而武后用日知議。
Li Rizhi was a native of Xingyang in Zhengzhou. He passed the jinshi examination. In the Tianshou era he served as aide in the Bureau of Punishments. At the time laws were strict and clerks vied in cruelty. Rizhi remained even and lenient without literary prosecutions. He once spared a prisoner from death. Vice director Hu Yuanli insisted it could not be done, saying, 'If I do not leave the office, the prisoner has no way to live.' Rizhi said, 'If I do not leave the office, the prisoner has no way to die.' Both submitted their judgments, and Empress Wu used Rizhi's opinion.
62
神龍初，為給事中。 母老病，取急調侍，數日須發輒白。 母未及封而卒。 方葬，吏乃賫贈制，日知殞絕於道，左右為泣，莫能視。 巡察使路敬潛欲表其孝，使求狀，辭不報。 服除，累遷黃門侍郎。
At the beginning of the Shenlong era he was made drafting officer. His mother was old and ill. He took emergency leave to attend her. Whenever he had to depart for several days he reported at once. His mother died before the leave was granted. Just as the burial was underway, clerks brought the grant edict. Rizhi collapsed on the road. Those at his side wept and could not look. Inspection commissioner Lu Jingqian wished to memorialize his filial piety and sent someone to seek the documents. He declined and did not report. After mourning he was repeatedly promoted to vice minister of the Yellow Gate.
63
日知貴，諸子方總角，皆通婚名族，時人譏之。 後少子伊衡以妾為妻，鬻田宅，至兄弟訟鬩，家法遂替雲。
When Rizhi was noble his sons were still in their early years yet all married into famous clans. People of the time mocked this. Later his youngest son Yiheng took a concubine as wife and sold fields and houses until brothers sued one another in strife, and the family discipline was ruined.
64
杜景佺，冀州武邑人。 性嚴正。 舉明經中第。 累遷殿中侍御史。 出為益州錄事參軍。 時隆州司馬房嗣業徙州司馬，詔未下，欲即視事，先笞責吏以示威。 景佺謂曰：「公雖受命為司馬，州未受命，何急數日祿邪？」 嗣業怒，不聽。 景佺曰：「公持咫尺制，真偽莫辨，即欲攪亂一府，敬業揚州之禍，非此類邪？」 叱左右罷去，既乃除荊州司馬，吏歌之曰：「錄事意，與天通； 州司馬，折威風。」 由是浸知名。
Du Jingqian was a native of Wuyi in Jizhou. By nature stern and upright. He placed in the classics examination. He was repeatedly transferred to palace attendant censor. He was sent out as recorder of Yizhou. At the time the Longzhou aide Fang Siye was transferred to prefectural aide. The edict had not yet been issued. He wished to assume duties at once and first beat and rebuked clerks to show authority. Jingqian told him, 'Though you have been ordered as aide, the prefecture has not yet received the order—why hurry for a few days' salary?' Siye was angry and would not listen. Jingqian said, 'You hold a foot-long document whose authenticity cannot be distinguished and at once wish to stir up the whole prefecture—the disaster of Li Jingye at Yangzhou—is it not this kind?' He shouted for attendants to remove him. In the end Siye was made aide of Jing. Clerks sang, 'The recorder's intent reaches Heaven; the prefectural aide breaks imposing wind.' Thereby he gradually became renowned.
65
入為司刑丞，與徐有功、來俊臣、侯思止專治詔獄，時稱「遇除、杜者生，來、侯者死」。 改秋官員外郎，與侍郎陸元方按員外郎侯味虛罪，已推，輒釋之。 武后怒其不待報，元方大懼，景佺獨曰：「陛下明詔六品、七品官，文辨已定，待命於外，今雖欲罪臣，奈明詔何？」 宰相曰：「詔為司刑設，何預秋官邪？」 景佺曰：「詔令一布，無臺、寺之異。」 後以為守法，擢鳳閣舍人。 遷洛州司馬。
He entered as aide in the Bureau of Punishments and with Xu Yougong, Lai Junchen, and Hou Sizhi specialized in edict prisons. At the time it was said, 'Meet Chu or Du and live; meet Lai or Hou and die.' He was changed to aide in the Bureau of Punishments. With vice minister Lu Yuanfang he investigated the crime of aide Hou Weiwei. Already convicted, he then released him. The empress was angry that he did not await report. Yuanfang was greatly afraid. Jingqian alone said, 'Your Majesty's clear edict on sixth- and seventh-rank officials: once the documents are settled they await orders outside. Now though you wish to punish me, what of the clear edict?' The chief minister said, 'The edict was set for the Bureau of Punishments—what has it to do with the Bureau of Punishments?' Jingqian said, 'Once an edict is issued, there is no difference between terrace and ministry.' The empress considered him law-abiding and promoted him to Phoenix Pavilion drafter. He was transferred to aide of Luozhou.
66
延載元年，檢校鳳閣侍郎、同鳳閣鸞臺平章事。 後嘗季秋出梨華示宰相以為祥，眾賀曰：「陛下德被草木，故秋再華，周家仁及《行葦》之比。」 景佺獨曰：「陰陽不相奪倫，瀆即為災。 故曰：『冬無愆陽，夏無伏陰，春無淒風，秋無苦雨。』 今草木黃落，而木復華，瀆陰陽也。 竊恐陛下布德施令，有所虧紊。 臣位宰相，助天治物，治而不和，臣之咎也。」 頓首請罪。 後曰：「真宰相！」 會李昭德下獄，景佺苦申救，後以為面欺，左遷秦州刺史。 入拜司刑卿。 聖歷元年，復以鳳閣侍郎同鳳閣鸞臺平章事。 契丹入寇，陷河北數州，虜已去，武懿宗欲盡論其罪，景佺以為脅從可原，後如其議。 罷為秋官尚書。 坐漏省內語，降司刑少卿。 出為并州長史，道病卒，贈相州刺史。 初名元方，垂拱中改今名。
In the first year of Yanzai he was acting vice minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and co-director of the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace. The empress once in late autumn produced pear blossoms and showed the chief ministers as auspicious. All congratulated, 'Your Majesty's virtue covers grass and trees, therefore autumn blooms twice—the Zhou family's benevolence reaching the Ode of Walking Rushes.' Jingqian alone said, 'Yin and yang must not usurp each other's order. Violation is disaster. Therefore it is said, 'In winter there is no excess yang; in summer no hidden yin; in spring no chill wind; in autumn no bitter rain.' Now grass and trees yellow and fall, yet trees bloom again—this violates yin and yang. I fear Your Majesty in spreading virtue and issuing orders has something awry. I hold the post of chief minister, assisting Heaven in governing things. If governance is not harmonious, it is my fault.' He kowtowed and begged punishment. ' The empress said, 'A true chief minister!' When Li Zhaode was imprisoned Jingqian strenuously pleaded for him. The empress considered it face-deception and demoted him to prefect of Qin. He entered court as appointed director of the Bureau of Punishments. In the first year of the Shenglì era he was again vice minister of the Phoenix Pavilion and co-director of the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace. The Khitan invaded and seized several Hebei prefectures. After the barbarians had gone Wu Yizong wished to punish all their crimes. Jingqian held that those coerced could be forgiven, and the empress followed his view. He was dismissed as minister of the Bureau of Punishments. Punished for leaking inner-court speech, he was demoted to vice director of the Bureau of Punishments. He was sent out as chief administrator of Bing and died of illness on the road. He was posthumously appointed prefect of Xiang. His original name was Yuanfang. In the Chuigong era it was changed to the present name.
67
李懷遠，字廣德，邢州柏仁人。 少孤，嗜學。 宗人欲藉以高蔭，懷遠辭，退而曰：「因人之勢，高士恥之。 假蔭而官，吾誌邪？」 擢四科第，累轉司禮少卿，出為本州刺史，改冀州，遷揚、益二都督府長史，徙同州刺史。 治尚清簡。 累遷鸞臺侍郎，進同鳳閣鸞臺平章事，封平鄉縣男。 以左散騎常侍同中書門下三品，爵趙郡公，賜實封戶三百。 以老，聽致仕。 中宗還京師，召知東都留守，復加同中書門下三品。
Li Huaiyuan, styled Guangde, was a native of Boren in Xingzhou. Orphaned young, he loved learning. Clansmen wished to use him for high yin privilege. Huaiyuan declined and on retiring said, 'Relying on another's power—a lofty gentleman is ashamed of it. Taking yin shade for office—is that my aim?' He placed in four special examinations, was repeatedly transferred to vice minister of the Bureau of Rites, sent out as prefect of his native prefecture, changed to Jizhou, moved to chief administrator of Yang and Yi, and transferred to prefect of Tong. His governance valued purity and simplicity. He was repeatedly promoted to vice minister of the Luan Terrace and advanced to co-director of the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace, enfeoffed as Baron of Pingxiang. As left regular attendant he was third rank with the Secretariat and Chancellery, ennobled as Duke of Zhao, and granted three hundred actual fief households. Citing old age, he was permitted to retire. When Zhongzong returned to the capital he was summoned to oversee the eastern capital defense and again added third rank with the Secretariat and Chancellery.
68
懷遠久貴，益素約，不治居室。 嘗乘款段馬，僕射豆盧欽望謂曰：「公貴顯，顧當然邪？」 答曰：「吾幸其馴，不願它駿。」 神龍二年卒，帝賜錦衾斂，自為文祭之，贈侍中，謚曰成。
Huaiyuan had long been noble yet became ever more frugal, not maintaining his dwelling. He once rode a plain pony. Vice director Dou Lu Qinwang said to him, 'You are noble and eminent—should it be thus?' He replied, 'I am fortunate it is tame. I do not wish for another steed.' He died in the second year of Shenlong. The emperor granted brocade quilts for the encoffinment and himself composed a text to sacrifice him. He was posthumously appointed palace attendant, with the posthumous name Cheng (Accomplished).
69
子景伯，景龍中為諫議大夫。 中宗宴侍臣及朝集使。 酒酣，各命為《回波詞》，或以諂言媚上，或要丐謬寵，至景伯，獨為箴規語以諷帝，帝不悅。 中書令蕭至忠曰：「真諫官也。」 景雲中，進太子右庶子。 時有建言置都督府非是，詔群臣普議，景伯與太子舍人盧俌議：「今天下諸州分隸都督，專生殺刑賞。 使授非其人，則權重釁生，非強幹弱枝、經邦軌物之誼。 願罷都督，留御史，以時按察，秩卑任重，以制奸宄便。」 繇是停都督。 終右散騎常侍。
His son Jingbo in the Jinglong era was remonstrance officer. Zhongzong banqueted attendant ministers and the court assembly envoys. When the wine was deep each was ordered to compose a Hui Bo lyric. Some flattered the sovereign with fawning words, some begged absurd favor. When it came to Jingbo he alone made admonitory words to remonstrate with the emperor. The emperor was displeased. Chief minister Xiao Zhizhong said, 'A true remonstrance officer. In the Jingyun era he was advanced to right guardian of the heir. At the time someone proposed that establishing military governorships was wrong. An edict ordered the ministers broadly to deliberate. Jingbo with the crown prince's aide Lu Fu deliberated, 'Today all prefectures under Heaven are subordinated to military governors who monopolize the power of life, death, punishment, and reward. If those appointed are not the right men, then heavy authority breeds disaster—this is not the meaning of strengthening the trunk and weakening the branches, governing the state and setting things on track. I wish military governorships abolished and censors retained to inspect in season—low rank but heavy responsibility—to control treachery conveniently.' Thereby military governorships were stopped. He ended as right regular attendant.
70
子彭年，有才，剖析明悟。 歷遷中書舍人、吏部侍郎。 與李林甫善。 常慕山東著姓，為婚姻，引就清列。 典選七年，卒以贓敗，長流臨賀郡。 天寶十二載，擢為濟陰太守，徙馮翊。 天子幸蜀，陷於賊，脅以偽官，憂憤死，贈禮部尚書。
His son Pengnian had talent, clear in analysis and understanding. He was repeatedly transferred to Secretariat drafter and vice minister of the civil service. He was on good terms with Li Linfu. He always admired the great surnames east of the mountains, made marriages with them, and drew them into clear ranks. Holding selections seven years, he finally failed through bribery and was long exiled to Linhe. In the twelfth year of Tianbao he was promoted to prefect of Jiyin and moved to Fengyi. When the Son of Heaven visited Shu he fell into the rebels' hands. Coerced into a false office, he died of grief and indignation. He was posthumously appointed minister of rites.