1
劉鍾崔二王
Liu, Zhong, Cui, and the two Wangs
2
◎劉鐘崔二王
◎ Liu, Zhong, Cui, and the two Wangs
3
劉幽求，冀州武強人。 聖歷中，舉制科中第。 調閬中尉，刺史不禮，棄官去。 久之，授朝邑尉。 桓彥範等誅張易之、昌宗，而不殺武三思，幽求謂彥範曰：「公等無葬地矣。 不早計，後且噬臍。」 不從。 既，五王皆為三思構死。
Liu Youqiu came from Wuqiang in Jizhou. During the Shengli reign he passed the special civil-service examination. Appointed magistrate of Langzhong, he quit when the prefect refused him proper respect. Some time later he received an appointment as assistant magistrate of Chaoyi. After Huan Yanfan and his allies killed Zhang Yizhi and Changzong but spared Wu Sansi, Youqiu warned Yanfan, "You will leave yourselves no ground for a grave. Unless you act now, you will regret it too late to help yourselves. They paid him no heed. Before long all five princes had been destroyed through Sansi's machinations.
4
臨淄王入誅韋庶人，預參大策，是夜號令詔敕一出其手。 以功授中書舍人，參知機務，爵中山縣男，實封二百戶，授二子五品官，二代俱贈刺史。 睿宗立，進尚書右丞、徐國公，增封戶至五百，賜物千段、奴婢二十人、第一區、良田千畝、金銀雜物稱是。
When the Prince of Linzi marched in to destroy Consort Wei, Youqiu helped shape the coup; that night every command and proclamation bore his hand. Rewarded with the post of Secretariat Drafter and a share in governing, he was created Baron of Zhongshan with two hundred taxable households, his two sons were granted fifth-rank posts, and his forebears for two generations were posthumously made prefects. After Ruizong's accession he rose to Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and Duke of Xu, his fief was raised to five hundred households, and he received a thousand lengths of silk, twenty servants, a mansion, a thousand mu of fertile land, and commensurate gold and silver.
5
景雲二年，以戶部尚書罷政事。 不旬月，遷吏部，拜侍中。 璽詔曰：「頃王室不造，中宗厭代，戚孽專亂，將隕社稷，朕與王公皆幾於難。 幽求處危思奮，翊贊聖儲，協和義士，震殄元惡。 國家之復存，繄幽求是賴，厥庸茂焉，朕用嘉之。 雖胙以土宇，而賦入未廣。 昔西漢行封，更擇多戶； 東京定賞，復增大邑。 宜加賜實封二百戶，子子孫孫傳國無絕，特免十死，銘諸鐵券，以傳其功。」 先天元年，為尚書右仆射、同中書門下三品，監修國史。
In Jingyun 2 he left office while serving as Minister of Revenue. In less than a month he moved to the Ministry of Personnel and was made Palace Attendant. An imperial edict declared: "The house has lately been afflicted: Zhongzong left the throne, vicious relatives seized power and nearly destroyed the realm, and I with the princes and officials were all but undone. Youqiu rose to the crisis, backed the rightful heir, rallied loyal men, and crushed the arch-villains. The realm's survival rested on Youqiu; his service was great, and I honor it accordingly. Though he has been granted a fief, its revenue remains modest. In the Western Han, new enfeoffments were often drawn from more populous districts; and in the Eastern Han, meritorious grants likewise enlarged the beneficiary's holdings. Let an additional two hundred taxable households be granted, the fief to pass in perpetuity, ten capital offenses remitted, and the deed engraved on an iron charter so his service may endure." In Xiantian 1 he was made Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, a participant in the highest council, and put in charge of compiling the national history.
6
幽求自謂有勞於國，在諸臣右，意望未滿，而竇懷貞為左仆射，崔湜為中書令，殊不平，見於言面。 已而湜等附太平公主，有逆計。 幽求與右羽林將軍張暐定計，使暐說玄宗曰：「湜等皆太平黨與，日夜陰計，若不早圖，且產大害，太上不得高枕矣。 臣請督羽林兵除之。」 帝許之。 未發也，而暐漏言於侍御史鄧光賓，帝懼，即列其狀。 睿宗以幽求等屬吏，劾奏以疏間親，罪應死。 帝密申右之，乃流幽求於封州、暐於峰州、光賓於繡州。 明年，太平公主誅，即日召復舊官，知軍國事，還封戶，賜錦衣一襲。
Youqiu believed his service outranked every other minister and resented that Dou Huaizhen held the left vice-directorship and Cui Shi the directorship of the Secretariat; his discontent showed plainly in word and face. Soon Shi and his circle aligned with Princess Taiping and plotted rebellion. Youqiu and Zhang Wei of the Right Imperial Insignia Army laid a plan whereby Wei urged Xuanzong: "Shi and his allies are Princess Taiping's faction, scheming night and day; unless you strike first, grave harm will follow and your father will never sleep in peace. I beg leave to command the palace guard and destroy them. The emperor agreed. Before they could act, Wei let the plan slip to Censor Deng Guangbin; alarmed, the emperor reported the whole affair himself. Ruizong turned Youqiu and his associates over for trial; they were charged with driving a wedge between father and son, a crime punishable by death. The emperor intervened in secret, and the sentences were commuted to exile: Youqiu to Feng, Wei to Peak, and Guangbin to Xiu. The following year, after Princess Taiping was killed, he was recalled the same day to his old post, entrusted with military and civil affairs, had his fief restored, and received a brocade robe.
7
開元初，進尚書左丞相，兼黃門監，俄以太子少保罷。 姚崇素忌之，奏幽求郁怏散職，有怨言。 詔有司鞫治，宰相盧懷慎等奏言：「幽求輕肆不恭，失大臣禮，乖崖分之節。」 翌日，貶睦州刺史，削實封戶六百。 遷杭、郴二州，恚憤卒於道，年六十一。 贈禮部尚書，謚曰文獻。 六年，詔與蘇瑰配享睿宗廟廷。 建中中，追贈司徒。
Early in Kaiyuan he rose to Left Director of the Department of State Affairs and concurrent Supervisor of the Yellow Gate, but soon left office as Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent. Yao Chong, who had long envied him, reported that Youqiu, bitter over a sinecure, was voicing grievances. The court was ordered to investigate; Chancellor Lu Huaishen and others reported that Youqiu had been insolent and disrespectful, failing in a minister's decorum and overstepping his place. The next day he was demoted to prefect of Mu and lost six hundred fief households. Reassigned through Hang and Chen, he died on the road in bitter anger at sixty-one. He was posthumously honored as Minister of Rites with the title Wenxian (Cultivated and Meritorious). In the sixth year he was ordered to share offerings in Ruizong's temple alongside Su Gui. Under Jianzhong he was posthumously made Grand Mentor.
8
鐘紹京，虔州贛人。 初為司農錄事，以善書直鳳閣。 武後時署諸宮殿、明堂及銘九鼎，皆其筆也。 景龍中，為苑總監，會討韋氏難，紹京帥戶奴、丁夫從。 事平，夜拜中書侍郎，參知機務。 明日，進中書令、越國公，實封五百戶，賚賜與劉幽求等。 既當路，以賞罰自肆，當時惡之。 因上疏讓官，睿宗用薛稷謀，進戶部尚書，出為彭州刺史。
Zhong Shaojing came from Gan in Qianzhou. He began as a clerk in the Ministry of Agriculture and, for his calligraphy, was posted to Phoenix Pavilion. Under Empress Wu he wrote the inscriptions for the palaces, the Bright Hall, and the Nine Cauldrons. During Jinglong he directed the imperial parks; when forces moved against the Wei clan, he led household servants and laborers into the fight. After victory he was named Vice Director of the Secretariat the same night and given a share in governing. The next day he became Director of the Secretariat and Duke of Yue with five hundred fief households, receiving rewards equal to Liu Youqiu's. In office he wielded rewards and punishments arbitrarily, and contemporaries loathed him for it. He petitioned to resign; Ruizong, heeding Xue Ji, made him Minister of Revenue and then sent him out as prefect of Peng.
9
玄宗即位，復拜戶部尚書，增實封，改太子詹事。 不為姚祟所喜，與幽求並以怨望得罪，貶果州刺史，賜封邑百戶。 後坐它事，貶懷恩尉，悉奪階封，再遷溫州別駕。 十五年入朝，見帝泣曰：「陛下忘疇日事邪，忍使棄死草莽！ 且同時立功者，今骨已朽，而獨臣在，陛下不垂湣乎？」 帝惻然，即日授太子右諭德。 久之，遷少詹事。 年逾八十，以官壽卒。 紹京嗜書畫，如王義之、獻之、褚遂良真跡，藏家者至數十百卷。 建中中，追贈太子太傅。
At Xuanzong's accession he was again made Minister of Revenue, his fief was enlarged, and he was appointed Steward of the Heir Apparent. Disliked by Yao Chong, he and Youqiu were alike punished for discontent and demoted; Shaojing became prefect of Guo with a nominal fief of one hundred households. Later, implicated in another case, he was reduced to assistant magistrate of Huai'en, stripped of rank and fief, and eventually made vice-prefect of Wen. In the fifteenth year he appeared at court, wept before the emperor, and said, "Have you forgotten what we did together, that you would leave me to die forgotten in the weeds? Of all who earned merit that day, only I still live while the rest are dust—will you not show me mercy? Moved, the emperor named him Right Admonisher to the Heir Apparent that very day. Some time later he was made Junior Steward of the Heir Apparent. He died in office past eighty, having completed his span in service. Shaojing loved calligraphy and painting; households that owned authentic pieces by Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, or Chu Suiliang might hold dozens or even hundreds of scrolls. Under Jianzhong he was posthumously honored as Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent.
10
帝崩，韋後專制，畏禍及，更因僧普潤、道士王曄私謁臨淄王以自托，且密贊大計。 王曰：「謀非計身，直紓親難爾。」 日用曰：「至孝動天，舉無不克。 然利先發，不則有後憂。」 及韋氏平，夜詔權雍州長史，以功授黃門侍郎，參知機務，封齊國公，賜實戶二百。 坐與薛稷相忿競，罷政事，為婺州長史。 歷揚、汴、允三州刺史。
After the emperor's death, when Empress Wei seized power, he feared for his life and, through the monk Purun and the Daoist Wang Ye, secretly sought out the Prince of Linzi, pledging support for the coup. The prince replied, "This is not scheming for myself, only to save my father. Riyong said, "Filial devotion so great moves Heaven itself—you cannot fail. But you must strike first, or regret will follow." After the Wei faction fell, he was named acting chief administrator of Yongzhou the same night; rewarded with the vice-directorship of the Yellow Gate and a share in government, he was created Duke of Qi with two hundred fief households. A feud with Xue Ji cost him his place at court, and he was sent out as chief administrator of Wu. He later served as prefect of Yang, Bian, and Yun in succession.
11
由荊州長史入奏計，因言：「太平公主逆節有萌，陛下往以宮府討有罪，臣、子勢須謀與力，今據大位，一下制書定矣。」 帝曰：「畏驚太上皇，奈何？」 日用曰：「庶人之孝，承順顏色； 天子之孝，惟安國家，定社稷。 若令奸宄竊發，以亡大業，可為孝乎？ 請先安北軍而後捕逆黨，於太上皇固無所驚。」 帝納之。 及討逆，詔權檢校雍州長史，以功益封二百戶，進吏部尚書。
Coming in from Jingzhou to report revenues, he said, "Princess Taiping's treason is already showing. You once relied on the palace guard to punish criminals; as prince you needed allies. Now that you sit on the throne, a single edict can finish her. The emperor asked, "But I fear frightening my father—what then?" Riyong answered, "For a common man, filial piety means pleasing a parent's face; for a Son of Heaven it means securing the realm and fixing the altars of state. If traitors strike and the dynasty falls, is that filial piety? Secure the Northern Army first, then arrest the rebels—the Retired Emperor need never be troubled. The emperor took his advice. During the purge he was again made acting chief administrator of Yongzhou; rewarded with two hundred additional fief households, he was promoted to Minister of Personnel.
12
會帝誕日，日用采《詩》《大》、《小雅》二十篇及司馬相如《封禪書》獻之，借以諷諭，且勸告成事。 有詔賜衣一副、物五十段，以示無言不酬之義。
On the emperor's birthday Riyong presented twenty odes from the Major and Minor Odes and Sima Xiangru's Letter on the Feng and Shan Sacrifices, using them as indirect counsel and urging him to finish what he had begun. An edict rewarded him with a suit of robes and fifty lengths of silk, honoring the principle that good counsel deserves reply.
13
久之，坐兄累，出為常州刺史。 後以例減封戶三百，徙汝州。 開元七年，詔曰：「唐元之際，日用實贊大謀，功多不宜減封，復食二百戶。」 徙並州長史，卒年五十。 並人懷其惠，吏民數百皆縞服送喪。 贈吏部尚書，謚曰昭。 再贈荊州大都督。
Later, implicated by his brother's troubles, he was sent out as prefect of Chang. By regulation his fief was later cut by three hundred households and he was transferred to Ru. In Kaiyuan 7 an edict declared: "At the dynasty's founding Riyong truly helped shape the coup; his service was too great for a reduced fief—restore two hundred households. He was moved to chief administrator of Bing and died at fifty. The people of Bing mourned him fondly; hundreds of officials and commoners dressed in white and followed his bier. He was posthumously honored as Minister of Personnel with the title Zhao (Illustrious). Later he was posthumously made Grand Protector-General of Jing.
14
日用才辯絕人，而敏於事，能乘機反禍取富貴。 先天後，求復相，然亦不獲也。 嘗謂人曰「吾平生所事，皆適時制變，不專始謀。 然每一反思，若芒刺在背」雲。
Riyong's wit and eloquence were unmatched, he was quick in action, and he knew how to turn danger into rank and riches. After Xiantian he sought to regain the chancellorship but never did. He once said, "Everything I have done in life was to suit the moment and bend with events, not to stick to the first plan. Yet every time I look back, it feels like a thorn in my flesh," he said.
15
子宗之，襲封。 亦好學，寬博有風檢，與李白、杜甫以文相知者。
His son Zongzhi inherited the title. He too was studious, generous and principled, and counted Li Bai and Du Fu among his literary friends.
16
日用從父兄日知，字子駿，少孤貧，力學，以明經進至兵部員外郎。 與張說同為魏元忠朔方判官，以健吏稱。 遷洛州司馬，會譙王重福之變，官司逃，日知獨率吏卒助屯營擊賊，以功加銀青光祿大夫。 遷殿中少監，建言「廄馬多，請分牧隴右，省關畿芻調」。 授荊州長史，四遷京兆尹，封安平縣侯。 坐贓，為御史李如璧所劾，貶歙縣丞。 後歷殿中監，進中山郡公。 說執政，薦為御史大夫，帝不許，遂為左羽林大將軍，而自用崔隱甫。 隱甫繇是怨說。 日知俄授太常卿。 自以處朝廷久，每入謁，必與尚書齒，時謂「尚書裏行」。 終潞州長史，謚曰襄。
Riyong's cousin Rizhi, styled Zijun, was orphaned in poverty but studied hard and, passing the Classics examination, rose to vice director in the Ministry of War. He and Zhang Yue both served as adjutants to Wei Yuanzhong in Shuofang and were known as forceful administrators. Made military adjutant of Luo, he alone rallied clerks and troops when Prince Qiao Chongfu rebelled and officials fled, aiding the garrison against the rebels; for this he received the honorary title Silver-Green Glory Grand Master. Promoted to junior supervisor of the palace, he proposed pasturing excess stable horses in Longyou to ease fodder levies on the capital region. He served as chief administrator of Jing, rose through four posts to metropolitan governor of Jingzhao, and was created Marquis of Anping. Convicted of graft and impeached by Censor Li Rubi, he was reduced to assistant magistrate of She. He later served as palace supervisor and was advanced to Duke of Zhongshan. When Zhang Yue was chancellor he recommended Rizhi for censor-in-chief, but the emperor refused and made Rizhi general of the Left Imperial Insignia Army while appointing Cui Yinpu instead. Yinpu hence bore a grudge against Zhang Yue. Rizhi was soon made Minister of Imperial Sacrifices. Having been at court so long, he insisted on taking precedence with the directors at every audience and was nicknamed "the acting director." He died as chief administrator of Lu, posthumous title Xiang (Assisting).
17
王琚，懷州河內人。 少孤，敏悟有才略，明天文象緯。 以從父隱客嘗為鳳閣侍郎，故數與貴近交。 時年甫冠，見駙馬都尉王同皎，同皎器之。 會謀刺武三思，琚義其為，即與周璟、張仲之等共計。 事泄亡命，自傭於揚州富商家，識非庸人，以女嫁之，厚給以貲，琚亦賴以濟。 睿宗立，琚自言本末，主人厚賫使還長安。 玄宗為太子，閑遊獵韋、杜間，怠休樹下，琚以儒服見，且請過家，太子許之。 至所廬，乃蕭然窶陋。 坐久，殺牛進酒殊豐厚，太子駭異。 自是每到韋、杜，輒止其廬。
Wang Ju came from Henei in Huaizhou. Orphaned in youth, he was quick-witted and strategically gifted, and versed in astronomy. His father's cousin Yin Ke had once been vice director of Phoenix Pavilion, so he moved among the powerful. Still in his teens, he met Commandant-escort Wang Tongjiao, who took a liking to him. When a plot formed to kill Wu Sansi, Ju embraced the cause and joined Zhou Jing, Zhang Zhongzhi, and others in planning it. After the plot leaked he fled and hired himself to a rich Yangzhou merchant, who saw his quality, married him to his daughter, and supported him handsomely. At Ruizong's accession he told his full story; his patron sent him back to Chang'an with generous gifts. As crown prince, Xuanzong hunted between Wei and Du; resting under a tree, he met Ju in scholar's robes, who invited him home, and the prince agreed. At his house the prince found only poverty and squalor. They sat a long while, then slaughtered an ox and served lavish wine; the prince was astonished. After that, whenever he hunted in Wei and Du, he stopped at Ju's house.
18
初，太子在潞州，襄城張暐為銅鞮令，性豪殖，喜賓客弋獵事，厚奉太子，數集其家。 山東倡人趙元禮有女，善歌舞，得幸太子，止暐第，其後生子瑛者也。 太子已平內難，召暐，拜宮門郎，與姜交、崔滌、李令問、王守一、薛伯陽等並侍左右。 令問累擢殿中少監，守一太仆少卿。 此數人以東宮皆勢重天下。
Earlier, while the prince was in Luzhou, Zhang Wei of Xiangcheng, magistrate of Tongdi, was wealthy and loved hunting and guests; he entertained the prince often at his home. A Shandong performer named Zhao Yuanli had a daughter who danced and sang; favored by the prince, she stayed at Zhang Wei's house and later bore his son Ying. After the internal crisis he recalled Zhang Wei as palace gate officer, with Jiang Jiao, Cui Di, Li Lingwen, Wang Shouyi, Xue Boyang, and others in attendance. Li Lingwen rose to junior palace supervisor; Wang Shouyi became vice director of the imperial stud. Through their ties to the heir apparent, these men all wielded enormous influence.
19
琚是時方補諸暨縣主簿，過謝東宮，至廷中，徐行高視，侍衛何止曰：「太子在！」 琚怒曰：「在外惟聞太平公主，不聞有太子。 太子本有功於社稷，孝於君親，安得此聲？」 太子遽召見，琚曰：「韋氏躬行弒逆，天下動搖，人思李氏，故殿下取之易也。 今天下已定，太平專思立功，左右大臣多為其用，天子以元妹，能忍其過，臣竊為殿下寒心。」 太子命坐，且泣曰：「計將安便？」 琚曰：「昔漢蓋主供養昭帝，其後與上官桀謀殺霍光，不及天子，而帝猶以大義去之。 今太子功定天下，公主乃敢妄圖，大臣樹黨，有廢立意。 太子誠召張說、劉幽求、郭元振等計之，憂可紓也。」 太子曰：「先生何以自隱而日與寡人遊？」 琚曰：「臣善丹沙，且工諧隱，願比優人。」 太子喜，恨相知晚。 翌日授詹事府司直、內供奉，兼崇文學士。 日以諸王及姜皎等入侍，獨琚常豫秘謀。 不逾月，遷太子舍人，兼諫議大夫。 太子受內禪，擢中書侍郎。
Ju had just become chief clerk of Zhuji and came to thank the heir apparent; in the courtyard he walked slowly, looking about boldly, until an attendant cried, "The crown prince is here! Ju snapped, "Out there people talk only of Princess Taiping, not of a crown prince. The prince has served the realm and honored his father—how did he come by such a reputation?" The prince summoned him at once; Ju said, "The Wei clan murdered the emperor and shook the realm; men longed for the Li, so you seized power easily. Today the realm is settled, but Taiping still schemes for power, many ministers serve her, and the emperor indulges her as his sister—I fear for you." The prince bade him sit and wept, "What is to be done?" Ju said, "Under Han, Princess Gai raised Emperor Zhao, then plotted with Shangguan Jie against Huo Guang; though she never touched the throne, the emperor removed her on principle. Your merit has settled the realm, yet the princess plots openly and ministers form factions to replace you. Summon Zhang Yue, Liu Youqiu, Guo Yuanzhen, and others to counsel you, and your fear may ease." The prince asked, "How can you stay hidden yet visit me every day?" Ju answered, "I know alchemy and merry disguise; let me pass as a court entertainer." The prince was delighted and wished they had met sooner. The next day Ju was made rectifier of the heir's household, inner attendant, and scholar of the Chongwen Institute. Princes and Jiang Jiao attended daily, but only Ju shared the secret counsel. Within a month he became secretary to the heir apparent and remonstrating grandee. When the prince took the inner abdication, Ju was promoted to vice director of the Secretariat.
20
公主謀益甚，幽求、暐謀先事誅之，侍御史鄧光賓漏謀，不克，皆得罪。 久之，琚見事迫，請帝決策。 先天二年七月，乃與岐王、薛王、姜皎、李令問、王毛仲、王守一以鐵騎至承天門。 太上皇聞外嘩噪，召郭元振升承天樓，閉關以拒，俄而侍御史任知古召募數百人於朝堂，不得入。 少選，琚從帝至樓下，誅蕭至忠、岑義、竇懷貞，斬常元楷李慈北闕下、賈膺福李猷於內客省。 事平，琚進戶部尚書、封趙國公，皎工部尚書、楚國公，毛仲輔國大將軍、霍國公，守一太常卿、晉國公，各食實戶五百； 令問殿中監、宋國公，實戶三百。 琚、皎、令問辭不就，以舊官增戶二百。 於是帝召燕內殿，賜金銀雜皿皆一床、帛二千、第一區。
As the princess's plots deepened, Youqiu and Zhang Wei planned to strike first, but Censor Deng Guangbin leaked the plot; it failed and all were punished. As danger mounted, Ju urged the emperor to act. In the seventh month of Xiantian 2 he rode with the Princes of Qi and Xue, Jiang Jiao, Li Lingwen, Wang Maozhong, and Wang Shouyi at the head of armored cavalry to the Gate of Accepting Heaven. The retired emperor heard the uproar and sent Guo Yuanzhen to the tower to shut the gates; Censor Ren Zhigu raised hundreds at the court but could not enter. Soon Ju followed the emperor below the tower; Xiao Zhizhong, Cen Yi, and Dou Huaizhen were killed, Chang Yuankai and Li Ci beheaded at the northern gate, Jia Yingfu and Li You in the inner service office. After victory Ju became minister of revenue and Duke of Zhao; Jiang Jiao minister of works and Duke of Chu; Wang Maozhong general who assists the state and Duke of Huo; Wang Shouyi minister of sacrifices and Duke of Jin—each with five hundred fief households; Li Lingwen became palace supervisor and Duke of Song with three hundred households. Ju, Jiang Jiao, and Li Lingwen declined the new posts and kept their old ranks with two hundred added households. The emperor feasted them in the inner palace and gave each a couch piled with gold and silver vessels, two thousand lengths of silk, and a mansion.
21
帝於琚眷委特異，豫大政事，時號「內宰相」。 每見閤中，視日薄乃得出。 遇休日，使者至第召之，而皇后亦使尚宮勞琚母，賜賚接足，群臣不能無望。 或說帝曰：「王琚、麻嗣宗皆譎詭縱橫，可與履危，不可與共安。 方天下已定，宜益求純樸經術士以自輔。」 帝悟，稍疏之。 俄拜御史大夫，持節巡天兵以北諸軍。 改紫微侍郎，道未至，拜澤州刺史，削封戶百。 歷九刺史，復封戶。 又改六州、二郡。
The emperor relied on Ju as on no other, consulting him on great affairs; contemporaries called him the inner chancellor. Whenever he met the emperor in private, he stayed until sunset. On holidays messengers fetched him from home, and the empress sent ladies to honor his mother with endless gifts, to the envy of the court. Some told the emperor, "Wang Ju and Ma Sizong are cunning adventurers—useful in crisis, dangerous in peace. The realm is settled; seek upright scholars for counsel instead. The emperor took the point and drew back from Ju. Soon he was made censor-in-chief and toured the armies north of Tianbing. He was named vice director of the Purple Asterism Bureau, but before arriving was made prefect of Ze and lost one hundred fief households. He served nine terms as prefect and had his fief restored. He later held six prefectures and two commanderies.
22
琚自以立勛，至天寶時為舊臣，性豪侈，其處方面，去故就新，受饋遺至數百萬，侍兒數十，寶帳備具，闔門三百口。 既失誌，稍自放，不能遵法度。 在州與官屬小史酋豪飲謔、摴博、藏鉤為樂。 每徙官，車馬數里不絕。 從賓客女伎馳弋，凡四十年。 李邕故與琚善，皆華首外遷，書疏往復，以譴謫留落為慊。 右相李林甫恨琚恃功使氣，欲除之，使人劾發琚宿贓，削封階，貶江華員外司馬。 又使羅希奭深按其罪，琚懼，仰藥，未及死，希奭縊之。 時人哀其無罪。 始，琚為中書侍郎，母居洛陽，來京師，讓琚曰：「爾家上世皆州縣職，今汝無攻城野戰勞，以謅佞取容，海內切齒，吾恐汝家墳墓無人復掃除也。」 琚卒不免。 寶應元年，贈太子少保。
Having earned his place among the founding ministers, by Tianbao Ju lived lavishly; in every posting he moved on to fresh appointments, took bribes in the millions, kept dozens of concubines, and maintained a household of three hundred. Disappointed in his ambitions, he grew reckless and ignored the law. As prefect he caroused with clerks and local bullies, gambling and playing drinking games. Each transfer brought a procession of horses and carts miles long. For forty years he rode out with guests, musicians, and hawks. Li Yong, his old friend, was likewise exiled in old age; they wrote often, lamenting their fall. Li Linfu, resenting Ju's arrogance, had him impeached for old corruption, stripped his rank and fief, and demoted him to assistant magistrate of Jianghua. Luo Xiyi pressed the case; Ju took poison, and before it killed him Xiyi strangled him. Contemporaries mourned him as guiltless. When Ju was vice director, his mother came from Luoyang and rebuked him: "Our forebears held only local office; you won favor by flattery without battlefield merit—the realm despises you, and I fear no one will tend our graves. In the end Ju could not escape her warning. In Baoying 1 he was posthumously made junior tutor to the heir apparent.
23
太平之誅，張暐召還為大理卿，封鄧國公，實封戶三百，進京兆尹，入侍宴樂，出主京邑，時人以為寵，然自以幹治稱。 累遷太子詹事，判尚書左右丞，再為羽林大將軍，三至左金吾大將軍，以年高加特進。 子履冰、季良，弟晤，仕皆清近。 暐嘗還鄉上冢，帝賜詩及錦袍繒彩。 乘驲就道，子弟車馬聯咽。 使者賜賚，敕州縣供擬，居處尊顯。 天寶五載卒，年九十，贈開府儀同三司。 履冰，歷金吾將軍，季良，殿中監，俱列棨戟。
After Princess Taiping's death Zhang Wei returned as director of judicial review, was made Duke of Deng with three hundred households, became metropolitan governor of Jingzhao, feasted in the palace and ruled the capital—an honor, though he was known as an able administrator. He rose to steward of the heir apparent, judged both wings of the secretariat, twice commanded the imperial guard, thrice the left golden guard, and received special advancement for age. His sons Lubing and Jiliang and his brother Wu all held honored posts. Visiting his ancestral graves, he received an imperial poem and brocade robes. He traveled by imperial relay; his sons' and brothers' carriages filled the road. Imperial gifts followed him, and local officials were ordered to supply his household in splendor. He died in Tianbao 5 at ninety, posthumously honored as grand master of the palace with the privilege of an opening office. Lubing became a golden guard general; Jiliang a palace supervisor; both bore ceremonial halberds.
24
王毛仲，高麗人。 父坐事，沒為官奴，生毛仲，故長事臨淄王。 王出潞州，有李守德者，為人奴，善騎射，王市得之，並侍左右，而毛仲為明悟。 景龍中，王還長安，二人常負房箙以從。 王數引萬騎帥長及豪俊，賜飲食金帛，得其歡心。 毛仲曉旨，亦布誠結納，王嘉之。
Wang Maozhong was from Goguryeo. His father was punished and made a government slave; Maozhong was born in bondage and grew up serving the Prince of Linzi. Leaving Luzhou, the prince bought Li Shoude, a slave skilled in horsemanship and archery; both attended him, though Maozhong was the sharper. During Jinglong the prince returned to Chang'an; the two often carried his gear. The prince often entertained commanders of the Ten Thousand Riders and bold men with food, drink, gold, and silk. Maozhong read his mind, won the soldiers over, and won the prince's praise.
25
韋後稱制，令韋播、高嵩為羽林將軍，押萬騎，以苛峭樹威。 果毅葛福順、陳玄禮訴於王，王方與劉幽求、薛宗簡及利仁府折沖麻嗣宗謀舉大計，幽求諷之，皆願效死，遂入討韋氏。 守德從帝止苑中，而毛仲匿不出，事定數日，乃還，不之責，例擢將軍。
When Empress Wei ruled, she put Wei Bo and Gao Song in command of the Ten Thousand Riders and ruled them harshly. Ge Fushun and Chen Xuanli appealed to the prince, who was plotting with Liu Youqiu, Xue Zongjian, and Ma Sizong; all pledged their lives, and they marched against the Wei clan. Shoude stayed with the prince in the park; Maozhong hid until days after the coup, yet was not blamed and was promoted to general.
26
王為皇太子，以毛仲知東宮馬駝鷹狗等坊。 不旬歲，至大將軍，階三品。 與誅蕭至忠等，以功進輔國大將軍，檢校內外閑廄，知監牧使，進封霍國公，實封戶五百。 與諸王及姜皎等侍禁中，至連榻而坐。 帝暫不見，惘惘若有失，見則釋然。 開元九年，詔持節為朔方道防禦討擊大使，與左領軍大總管王晙、天兵軍節度使張說、幽州節度使裴伷先等數計事。
As crown prince, the prince put Maozhong in charge of the heir's stables, hawks, and hounds. In less than a year he reached grand general, third rank. For helping kill Xiao Zhizhong and others he became general who assists the state, oversaw the imperial studs, and was made Duke of Huo with five hundred households. He attended in the inner palace with the princes and Jiang Jiao, even sharing couches. If the emperor missed him briefly he grew uneasy; when Maozhong appeared he was comforted. In Kaiyuan 9 he was sent with staff authority to Shuofang and met with Wang Jun, Zhang Yue, and Pei Youxian to plan campaigns.
27
毛仲始見飾擢，頗持法，不避權貴為可喜事。 兩營萬騎及閑廄官吏憚之無敢犯，雖官田草萊，樵斂不敢欺。 於牧事尤力，娩息不訾。 初監馬二十四萬，後乃至四十三萬，牛羊皆數倍。 蒔茼麥、苜蓿千九百頃以禦冬。 市死畜，售絹八萬。 募嚴道僰僮千口為牧圉。 檢勒芻菽無漏隱，歲贏數萬石。 從帝東封，取牧馬數萬匹，每色一隊，相間如錦繡，天子才之。 還，加開府儀同三司，自開元後，唯王仁皎、姚崇、宋璟及毛仲得之。
At first, newly honored, he enforced the law fearlessly and pleased the emperor. Riders and stud officials feared him; even on government land none dared steal fodder. He excelled at herd management; foals and calves multiplied beyond count. Horses under his charge rose from 240,000 to 430,000; cattle and sheep multiplied likewise. He planted artemisia and alfalfa on 1,900 qing for winter fodder. Dead stock was sold for eighty thousand strings' worth of silk. He recruited a thousand Yi herders from Yandao. He audited fodder so tightly that yearly surpluses reached tens of thousands of piculs. At the eastern Feng rites he paraded tens of thousands of horses in color-ranked companies like brocade, to the emperor's delight. On his return he received the privilege of an opening office—after Kaiyuan only Wang Renjiao, Yao Chong, Song Jing, and Maozhong had held it.
28
然資小人，誌既滿，不能無驕，遂求為兵部尚書，帝不悅，毛仲鞅鞅。 及與葛福順為姻家，而守德及左監門將軍盧龍子唐地文、左右威衛將軍王景耀高廣濟數十人與毛仲相倚杖為奸。 毛仲恃舊，最不法。 中使至其家稱詔，毛仲不甚恭，位卑者，或踞見，迕意即侮誶，以氣淩之，直出其上。 高力士、楊思勖等銜之。 毛仲有兩妻，其一上所賜，皆有國色。 嘗生子，帝命力士就賜，仍授子五品官，還，問曰：「毛仲喜乎？」 力士奏：「毛仲熟視臣曰：『是子亦何辱三品官？』」 帝怒曰：「前毛仲負我，未嘗為意，今以嬰兒顧云云。」 力士等知帝怒，它日，從容曰：「北門奴官皆毛仲所與，不除之，必起大患。」 後毛仲移書太原索甲仗，少尹嚴挺之以聞，帝恐毛仲遂亂，匿其狀。 十九年，有詔貶州，福順壁州，守德嚴州，盧龍子唐地文振州，王景耀黨州，高廣濟道州，並為別駕員外置。 毛仲四子悉奪官，貶惡地，緣坐數十人。 有詔縊毛仲於零陵。
But he was a man of low birth; once satisfied he grew proud and sought the ministry of war; the emperor refused and Maozhong sulked. He married into Ge Fushun's family; Shoude, Lu Longzi, Wang Jingyao, Gao Guangji, and dozens more leaned on Maozhong in wrongdoing. Trusting his early service, Maozhong broke the law most boldly. When imperial envoys announced edicts at his home he was barely respectful; to inferiors he sprawled; if crossed he insulted them, acting above his station. Gao Lishi, Yang Sixu, and others bore him a grudge. Maozhong had two wives, one given by the emperor; both were strikingly beautiful. When a son was born the emperor sent Lishi with gifts and made the boy a fifth-rank official; returning, he asked whether Maozhong was pleased. Lishi reported, "Maozhong glared at me and said, 'Why would that boy be disgraced with only third rank?' The emperor raged, "Maozhong has long slighted me, which I overlooked; now he scorns even an infant's honor." Knowing the emperor's wrath, Lishi later said gently, "The northern gate officers are all Maozhong's men; leave them and disaster will follow." Maozhong later wrote Taiyuan demanding arms; Yan Tingzhi reported it, but the emperor, fearing revolt, suppressed the news. In year 19 Maozhong was demoted; Fushun to Bi, Shoude to Yan, Tangdiwen to Zhen, Wang Jingyao to Dang, Gao Guangji to Dao—all as supernumerary vice-prefects. All four of Maozhong's sons lost their posts and were sent to harsh exile; dozens were punished by association. An edict had Maozhong strangled at Lingling.
29
守德本名宜得，立功乃改今名，位武衛將軍。 嘗遇故主於道，主走避，守德命左右迎之至第，親上食奉酒，主流汗不敢當。 數日，入奏曰：「臣蒙國恩過分，而故主無寸祿，請解官授之。」 帝嘉其誌，擢為郎將。
Shoude was born Yide and took his present name after earning merit; he became a general of the martial guard. He once met his old master on the road; the man fled, but Shoude had him brought to his house, served him food and wine himself, while the master sweated in terror. Days later he told the emperor, "I have been favored beyond desert, yet my old master has no stipend—I beg to yield my post to him. The emperor praised his loyalty and made his former master a commandant.
30
陳玄禮宿衛宮禁，以淳篤自檢。 帝嘗欲幸虢國夫人第，諫曰：「未宣敕，不可輕去就。」 帝為止。 後在華清宮，正月望夜，帝將出遊，復諫曰：「宮外曠野無備豫，陛下必出遊，願歸城闕。」 帝不能奪。 安祿山反，謀誅楊國忠闕下，不克，至馬嵬，卒誅之。 從入蜀。 還，封祭國公。 及李輔國遷帝西內，玄禮以老卒。
Chen Xuanli long guarded the palace and conducted himself with plain integrity. When the emperor wished to visit the Lady of Guo's mansion, Xuanli warned, "Without a proclaimed edict you must not go lightly. The emperor yielded. At Huaqing on the first month's full moon, as the emperor prepared an outing, he again urged, "The grounds outside are unguarded—if you must go out, return to the city. The emperor could not refuse him. When An Lushan rebelled he tried to kill Yang Guozhong at the gate and failed; at Mawei he finally killed him. He followed the emperor into Shu. After the return he was made Duke of Ji. When Li Fuguo moved the emperor to the western palace, Xuanli died in old age.
31
贊曰：幽求之謀，紹京之果，日用之智，琚之辯，皆足濟危紓難，方多故時，必資以成功者也。 雄邁之才，不用其奇則厭然不滿，誠不可與共治平哉！ 姚崇勸不用功臣，宜矣。 然待幽求等恨太薄雲。 毛仲小人，誌得而驕，不足論已。
The commentator says: Youqiu's plots, Shaojing's boldness, Riyong's wit, and Ju's eloquence all availed in crisis; in troubled times such gifts win the day. Heroic talents unused grow restless—indeed they cannot share a peaceful reign! Yao Chong was right to warn against keeping meritorious ministers in power. Yet he treated Youqiu and the others with rather too little grace. Maozhong was a small man who grew arrogant once satisfied—hardly worth mention.