1
張源裴
Zhang, Yuan, and Pei.
2
◎張源裴
◎ Zhang, Yuan, and Pei.
3
張嘉貞，字嘉貞，本范陽舊姓，高祖子咤，仕隋終河東郡丞，遂家蒲州，為猗氏人。 以五經舉，補平鄉尉，坐事免。 長安中，御史張循憲使河東，事有未決，病之，問吏曰：「若頗知有佳客乎？」 吏以嘉貞對。 循憲召見，咨以事。 嘉貞條析理分，莫不洗然。 循憲大驚，試命草奏，皆意所未及； 它日，武後以為能，循憲對皆嘉貞所為，因請以官讓。 後曰：「朕寧無一官自進賢邪？」 召嘉貞見內殿； 以簾自鄣。 嘉貞儀止秀偉，奏對偘偘，後異之。 因請曰：「臣草茅之人，未睹朝廷儀，陛下過聽，引對禁近。 今天威咫尺，若隔雲霧，恐君臣之道有未盡也。」 後曰：「善。」 詔上簾，引拜監察御史，擢循憲司勛郎中，酬其得人。
Zhang Jiazhen, whose style was Jiazhen, was descended from the old Fanyang clan. His forebear Zhang Zha had served the Sui and died as assistant administrator of Hedong commandery; the family then made its home in Puzhou and were counted among the people of Yishi. Recommended on the Five Classics examination, he was appointed defender of Pingxiang district but was later dismissed after running afoul of the law. During the Chang'an period, Censor Zhang Xunxian was dispatched to Hedong. When he could not resolve certain matters, he grew vexed and asked his staff, "Do any of you know an exceptional man?" A clerk answered with Jiazhen's name. Xunxian summoned him and put the unresolved matters before him. Jiazhen laid out each point of principle in order until everything stood perfectly clear. Xunxian was astonished and had him draft a memorial; the result exceeded everything he had anticipated; On another occasion Empress Wu judged him capable. Xunxian reported that his own answers had all been Jiazhen's work and asked to yield his post to him. The Empress said, "Would I rather go without an office than fail to advance a worthy man myself?" She summoned Jiazhen to the inner palace; and screened herself behind a curtain. Jiazhen's bearing was handsome and imposing, and in audience he spoke with bold clarity. The Empress was struck by him. He therefore said, "I am only a man from the thatched hut and have never witnessed court ceremony. Your Majesty has been too generous in summoning me to audience within the forbidden precinct. Today Your Majesty's majesty is but a foot away, yet separated as if by clouds and mist. I fear the bond between ruler and minister is not yet complete." The Empress said, "Well said." She ordered the curtain raised, received him with a bow, and appointed him investigating censor. She promoted Xunxian to director of the Bureau of Evaluations in the Ministry of Personnel, rewarding him for discovering the right man.
4
累遷兵部員外郎。 時功狀盈幾，郎吏不能決，嘉貞為詳處，不閱旬，廷無稽牒。 進中書舍人。 歷梁秦二州都督、並州長史，政以嚴辦，吏下畏之。 奏事京師，玄宗善其政，數慰勞。 嘉貞自陳：「少孤，與弟嘉佑相恃以長，今為鄯州別駕，願內徙，使少相近，冀盡力報，死無恨。」 帝為徙嘉祐忻州刺史。
He rose through successive appointments to vice minister of war. At the time merit records piled up by the bundle and the bureau clerks could not settle them. Jiazhen disposed of them in detail, and within less than ten days the court had no backlog of documents. He was promoted to draftee of the Palace Secretariat. He served in turn as military commissioner of Liang and Qin and as prefectural secretary of Bingzhou, governing with strict efficiency so that subordinates feared him. When he reported at the capital, Xuanzong approved of his administration and repeatedly comforted and encouraged him. Jiazhen spoke on his own behalf: "I was orphaned young and grew up relying on my younger brother Jiayou. He is now vice prefect of Binzhou. I beg that he be moved inward so we may draw somewhat nearer, that I may serve you with all my strength and die without regret." The Emperor moved Jiayou to be prefect of Xinzhou.
5
突厥九姓新內屬，雜處太原北，嘉貞請置天兵軍綏護其眾，即以為天兵使。 明年入朝，或告其反，按無狀，帝令坐告者。 嘉貞辭曰：「國之重兵利器皆在邊，今告者一不當即罪之，臣恐塞言路，且為未來之患。 昔天子聽政於上，瞍賦，蒙誦，百工諫，庶人謗，今將坐之，則後無繇聞天下事。」 遂得減死。 天子以為忠，且許以相。 嘉貞因曰：「昔馬周起徒步，謁人主，血氣方壯，太宗用之，能盡其才，甫五十而沒。 向使用少晚，則無及已。 陛下不以臣不肖，必用之，要及其時，後衰無能為也。 且百年壽孰為至者？ 臣常恐先朝露死溝壑，誠得效萬一，無負陛下足矣！」 帝曰：「第往，行召卿。」
The nine Turkic clans had newly submitted and were settled north of Taiyuan. Jiazhen requested the establishment of the Tianbing Army to protect them and was himself appointed Tianbing commissioner. The following year he came to court. Someone accused him of rebellion, but investigation found no basis for the charge, and the Emperor ordered the accuser seated for punishment. Jiazhen declined, saying, "The state's weighty armies and sharp weapons all lie on the borders. If today one who reports falsely is immediately punished, I fear we will block the path of speech and create trouble for the future as well. In antiquity the Son of Heaven heard government above while the blind chanted, the blind recited, artisans remonstrated, and commoners slandered. If we punish him now, later there will be no way to hear affairs under Heaven." The accuser was therefore allowed commutation to a lesser punishment. The Son of Heaven considered him loyal and moreover promised him the chancellorship. Jiazhen therefore said, "In the past Ma Zhou rose from the common road and, when his blood and vigor were still at their height, visited the ruler. Taizong employed him and could exhaust his talents, yet he had barely reached fifty when he died. Had he been used even a little later, nothing would have come of it. If Your Majesty does not consider me unworthy and will certainly use me, you must catch the right moment. When I grow old and feeble, I can do nothing. And of a hundred years of life, who reaches the fullest span? I have often feared I might expire first like morning dew in ditch and gully. If I can serve even in the slightest, that will be enough not to fail Your Majesty!" The Emperor said, "Go for now. When the time comes I shall summon you."
6
及宋璟等罷，帝欲果用嘉貞，而忘其名。 夜詔中書侍郎韋抗曰：「朕嘗記其風操，而今為北方大將，張姓而復名，卿為我思之。」 抗曰：「非張齊丘乎？ 今為朔方節度使。」 帝即使作詔以為相。 夜且半，因閱大臣表疏，舉一則嘉貞所獻，遂得其名，即以為中書侍郎、同中書門下平章事。 遷中書令。 居位三年，善傅奏，敏於裁遣。 然強躁，論者恨其不裕。
When Song Jing and others were dismissed, the Emperor wished at last to employ Jiazhen but had forgotten his name. At night he summoned Palace Secretariat Vice Director Wei Kang and said, "I recall his manner. Today he is a great general of the north, surname Zhang with a repeated given name. Think of him for me." Kang said, "Is it not Zhang Qiqiu? He is now military commissioner of Shuofang." The Emperor immediately had a draft made appointing him chancellor. Past midnight, while reviewing memorials of great ministers, he lifted one submitted by Jiazhen and thus learned his name. He was at once made Vice Director of the Palace Secretariat and Associate Commissioner with the same authority as chief ministers. He was promoted to Director of the Palace Secretariat. He held office three years, skilled at presenting memorials and quick in disposing of affairs. Yet he was forceful and impatient, and critics resented his lack of magnanimity.
7
帝數幸東都，洛陽主簿王鈞者，為嘉貞繕第，會以贓聞，有詔杖之朝堂。 嘉貞畏蔑染，促有司速斃以滅言。 秘書監姜交得罪，嘉貞希權幸意，請加詔杖，已而交死。 會廣州都督裴伷先抵罪，帝問法如何，嘉貞復援交比，張說曰：「不然，刑不上大夫，以近君也。 士可殺不可辱。 向交得罪，官三品，且有功，若罪應死，即殺，獨不宜廷辱，以卒伍待也。 況勸貴在八議乎？ 事往不可咎，伷先豈容復濫哉？」 帝然之。 嘉貞退，不悅曰：「言太切。」 說曰：「宰相，時來則為，非可長保。 若貴臣盡杖，正恐吾輩及之，渠不為天下士君子地乎？」
The Emperor repeatedly visited the eastern capital. Luoyang chief recorder Wang Jun had built a residence for Jiazhen, and when corruption came to light an edict ordered him caned in the court hall. Jiazhen feared being tainted by contempt and urged the offices to execute Wang quickly to silence talk. Palace Library Director Jiang Jiao offended the court. Jiazhen, coveting favor, asked that an edict cane him as well, and soon after Jiao died. When Guangzhou military commissioner Pei Xianxian ran afoul of the law, the Emperor asked what penalty should apply. Jiazhen again cited Jiao by analogy. Zhang Yue said, "That will not do. Punishment does not reach up to grandees, because they stand near the ruler. A gentleman may be killed but not insulted. When Jiao offended before, his office was third rank and he had merit. If the crime deserved death, then kill him, but he should not be insulted in court and treated like a common soldier. How much more when men of wealth and rank fall under the eight deliberations? What is past cannot be blamed. Can Xianxian be maltreated again without cause?" The Emperor agreed. Jiazhen withdrew, displeased, and said, "Your words were too cutting." Yue said, "The chancellorship is a post for the moment. One cannot hold it forever. If eminent ministers are all caned, I fear we too will come to it. Will you not leave standing room for the gentry and scholars of the realm?"
8
初，嘉貞在兵部，而說已為侍郎。 及皆相，說位其下，議論無所讓，故說不平。 未幾，嘉佑拜金吾將軍，兄弟要近，人頗憚冒。 帝幸太原，嘉佑以贓聞，說訹嘉貞素服待罪，不謁，遂出為豳州刺史，說代其處。 嘉貞銜悔，謂人曰：「中書令幸二員，何相迫邪？」 逾年，為戶部尚書、益州長史，判都督事，詔宴中書省，與宰相會。 嘉貞銜說不已，於坐慢罵說，源乾曜、王盩共平解，乃得去。
At first, when Jiazhen was in the Ministry of War, Yue was already vice director. When both became chancellors, Yue ranked below him yet yielded nothing in debate, and so Yue was discontent. Before long Jiayou was appointed General of the Golden Unbending Guard. With the brothers so close to power, people were much wary of presumption. When the Emperor visited Taiyuan, Jiayou's corruption came to light. Yue urged Jiazhen to wait in plain dress for punishment and not attend audience. Jiazhen was sent out as prefect of Binzhou, and Yue replaced him in the post. Jiazhen nursed resentment and said to others, "There are luckily two directors of the secretariat. Why press each other so?" After a year he was made Minister of Revenue and prefectural secretary of Yizhou with concurrent supervision of the military commission. An edict banqueted him at the Secretariat together with the chancellors. Jiazhen still bore a grudge against Yue and at the banquet openly reviled him. Yuan Qianyao and Wang Tan together smoothed the matter, and only then could he leave.
9
明年，王守一死，坐與厚善，貶臺州刺史。 俄拜工部尚書，為定州刺史，知北平軍事，封河東侯。 及行，帝賦詩，詔百官祖道上東門。 久之，以疾丐還東都，詔醫馳驛護視。 卒，年六十四，贈益州大都督，謚曰恭肅。
The next year Wang Shouyi died. For being on close terms with him, Jiazhen was demoted to prefect of Taizhou. Soon he was appointed Minister of Works, made prefect of Dingzhou with supervision of Beiping military affairs, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Hedong. On his departure the Emperor composed a poem and ordered all officials to escort him to the Shangdong Gate. After a long while, on grounds of illness he begged to return to the eastern capital. An edict sent physicians by relay post to tend him. He died at sixty-four. He was posthumously made Grand Protector of Yizhou with the posthumous title Gongsu.
10
嘉貞性簡疏，與人不疑，內曠如也，或時以此失。 有嗜進者，汲引之，能以恩終始。 所薦中書舍人苗延嗣、呂太一，考功員外郎員嘉靜，殿中侍御史崔訓，皆位清要，日與議政事。 故當時語曰：「令君四俊，苗、呂、崔、員。」 其始為中書舍人，崔湜輕之，後與議事，正出其上。 湜驚曰：「此終其坐。」 後十年而為中書令。 嘉貞雖貴，不立田園。 有勸之者，答曰：「吾嘗相國矣，未死，豈有饑寒憂？ 若以譴去，雖富田產，猶不能有也。 近世士大夫務廣田宅，為不肖子酒色費，我無是也。」
Jiazhen's nature was easy and undemanding. He was without suspicion toward others and inwardly open and free, yet at times lost ground because of this. Where there were men eager to advance, he drew them up and could treat them with kindness from start to finish. Those he recommended—Palace Secretariat draftees Miao Yansi and Lü Taiyi, evaluation-section vice director Yuan Jiajing, and palace attendant Cui Xun—all held pure and important posts and daily discussed government affairs with him. Hence the saying of the time: "Our Lord's four outstanding men: Miao, Lü, Cui, and Yuan." At first, when he was a Palace Secretariat draftee, Cui Shi looked down on him. Later, when they discussed affairs together, he would regularly speak above Shi. Shi said in amazement, "This man will end in that seat." Ten years later he became Director of the Palace Secretariat. Though Jiazhen had risen high, he did not establish fields and estates. When some urged him, he answered, "I have been chancellor of the state. While I am not dead, how could there be hunger and cold to worry about? If by reprimand I am removed, even with rich fields and property I still cannot keep them. Scholars and officials of recent times strive for vast fields and houses as expense for unworthy sons in wine and pleasure. I have none of that."
11
引萬年主簿韓朝宗為御史，卒後十餘歲，朝宗以京兆尹見帝曰：「陛下待宰相，進退皆以禮，身雖沒，子孫鹹在廷。 張嘉貞晚一息寶符，獨未官。」 帝惘然，召拜左司禦率府兵曹參軍，賜名曰延賞。
He recommended Wanian chief recorder Han Chaozong as censor. More than ten years after his death, Chaozong as capital metropolitan prefect saw the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty treats chancellors with ritual in advancement and dismissal. Though the body is gone, sons and grandsons all remain at court. Zhang Jiazhen at his last breath had one infant son not yet given office." The Emperor was moved, summoned him, and appointed him Assistant in the Left Bureau of the Imperial Guard Rate Command, giving him the name Yanshang.
12
延賞雖蚤孤，而博涉經史，通吏治，苗晉卿尤器許，以女妻之。 肅宗在鳳翔，擢監察御史，辟署關內節度使王思禮府。 思禮守北都，表為副，入遷刑部郎中。 始，元載被用，以晉卿力，故厚遇延賞，薦為給事中、御史中丞。
Though Yanshang was orphaned early, he ranged widely through the classics and histories and mastered civil administration. Miao Jinqing especially prized and trusted him and gave him his daughter in marriage. When Suzong was at Fengxiang he was promoted investigating censor and joined the staff of Guannei military commissioner Wang Silì. When Silì guarded the northern capital he memorialized him as deputy. He then entered the capital and was promoted to director in the Ministry of Punishments. At first, when Yuan Zai was employed, because of Jinqing's influence he treated Yanshang generously and recommended him as drafting attendant and chief investigating censor.
13
大歷初，除河南尹、諸道營田副使。 河、洛當兵沖，邑裏墟榛，延賞政簡約，輕傜賦，疏河渠，築宮廟。 數年，流庸歸附，都闕完雄，有詔褒美。 時罷河南、山南等副元帥，兵屯東都，詔延賞知留守，以兵屬。 居五年，治行第一，召還。
At the beginning of the Dali era he was made Henan metropolitan prefect and deputy commissioner of circuit field administration. The Yellow River region and Luoyang lay on the military thoroughfare, and towns and hamlets were ruined wastes. Yanshang governed with simplicity and restraint, lightening corvée levies, dredging canals, and building palace temples. Within several years wandering subjects returned and attached themselves. The capital was restored and strong, and there was an edict praising him. At the time the deputy chief commanders of Henan, Shannan, and other circuits were abolished. Troops were stationed at the eastern capital, and an edict made Yanshang know retainership and placed the army under him. After five years in office his administration ranked first, and he was recalled.
14
會李少良劾元載陰罪，載斥其狂，下御史臺治訊，而延賞適拜大夫，不滿所私，出為淮南節度使。 歲旱，民它遷，吏禁之。 延賞曰：「食者，人恃以活。 拘此而斃，不如適彼而生。 茍存吾人，何限為？」 乃具舟遣之，敕吏為修室廬，已逋債，而歸者更增於舊。 瓜步舟艫津湊，而遙系江南，延賞請度屬揚州，自是行無稽壅。
When Li Shaoliang impeached Yuan Zai's secret crimes, Zai denounced him as mad and sent him to the censorate for interrogation. Just then Yanshang was appointed chief censor. Displeased that he was not Zai's man, Zai sent him out as Huainan military commissioner. The year was drought-stricken and the people migrated elsewhere, but officials forbade it. Yanshang said, "Food is what people rely on to live. To detain them here and let them die is not as good as going elsewhere to live. So long as our people survive, what need to set limits?" He therefore provided boats to send them off, ordered officials to repair houses for them and forgive past debts, and those who returned increased beyond what had been before. At Guabu boats and barges jammed the ford yet were bound distantly to Jiangnan. Yanshang requested they be placed under Yangzhou's jurisdiction, and from then on transit went without hindrance.
15
會母喪免，服除，累拜荊南、劍南西川節度使。 建中中，西山兵馬使張朏襲成都為亂，延賞奔鹿頭戌。 朏酣亂不設備，延賞諜知之，遣將叱幹遂捕斬朏，復成都。 自楊國忠討南蠻，三蜀疲罄。 及乘輿臨狩，糜用百出。 後更郭英軿、崔寧、楊子琳亂，益矜僭，公私蕭然。 延賞事為之制，薄入謹出，府庫遂實。 德宗在奉天，貢獻踵道。 及次梁，倚劍蜀為根本。 即拜中書侍郎、同中書門下平章事。
When his mother died he was dismissed for mourning. When mourning ended he was repeatedly appointed military commissioner of Jingnan and Jiannan West Circuit. In the Jianzhong era, Western Mountain military horse commissioner Zhang Fei attacked Chengdu in revolt, and Yanshang fled to Lutos Fort. Fei was drunk amid disorder and set no guard. Yanshang learned this through spies, sent General Chi Gan to capture and behead Fei, and recovered Chengdu. From Yang Guozhong's campaign against the southern barbarians, the Three Shu were exhausted. When the imperial carriage went south on inspection, disbursements came out by the hundred. Later Guo Yingyi, Cui Ning, and Yang Zilin revolted in succession, growing ever arrogant and presumptuous, until public and private affairs were bleak. Yanshang set regulations for affairs—thin income and careful outgo—and the treasuries became full. When Dezong was at Fengtian, tribute and gifts crowded the roads. When he halted at Liang, he relied on sword-Shu as his foundation. He was at once appointed Vice Director of the Palace Secretariat and Associate Commissioner with the same authority as chief ministers.
16
帝還，詔入秉政。 初，吐藩寇劍南，李晟總神策軍戌之，及還，以成都倡自隨，延賞遣吏奪取，故晟銜之； 至是，鎮鳳翔，帝所倚重，表陳宿憾，帝不得已，罷延賞為尚書左仆射，然雅意決用之，以晟嘗為韓滉識擢，命滉移書道意。 及俱入朝，滉從容邀晟平憾，且使薦延賞於帝，於是復拜平章事。 既而宴禁中，帝出瑞錦一端分系之，以示和解。 晟因為子請婚，延賞不許。 晟曰：「吾武夫雖有舊惡，杯酒間可解。 儒者難犯，外睦而內含怒，今不許婚未忘也。」
When the Emperor returned, an edict summoned him to take charge of government. At first, when Tibetans raided Jiannan, Li Sheng commanded the Divine Strategy Army to guard there. On his return he took Chengdu entertainers with him, and Yanshang sent clerks to seize them, so Sheng harbored resentment; By then Sheng was stationed at Fengxiang and heavily relied on by the Emperor. He memorialized his old grievance, and the Emperor had no choice but to dismiss Yanshang as Left Vice Director of the Secretariat, yet still intended firmly to use him. Because Sheng had once been recognized and promoted by Han Huang, the Emperor ordered Huang to write conveying his intent. When both entered court, Huang calmly invited Sheng to smooth their resentment and had him recommend Yanshang to the Emperor, and Yanshang was again appointed Associate Commissioner. Soon after, at a banquet in the forbidden precinct, the Emperor brought out one length of auspicious brocade and divided it among them to show reconciliation. Sheng therefore asked marriage for his son, but Yanshang would not permit it. Sheng said, "We military men, though we have old enmity, can resolve it over a cup of wine. Scholars are hard to offend—they appear outwardly friendly yet harbor anger within. Now refusing marriage shows he has not forgotten."
17
先時，吐藩尚結贊請和，晟奏戎狄無信，不可許。 滉亦請調軍食峙邊，無聽和。 帝疑將帥邀功生事，議未決。 會滉卒，延賞揣帝意，遂罷晟兵，奏以給事中鄭雲逵代之。 帝曰：「晟有社稷功，俾自擇代者。」 乃用邢君牙，而拜晟太尉兼中書令，奉朝請。 是夏，吐蕃背約，劫渾瑊，將校多沒，如晟等策。 故事，臨軒冊拜三公，中書令讀冊，侍中贊禮，或闕，則宰相攝事。 晟當拜，而延賞薄其禮，用尚書崔漢衡、劉滋代攝。
Previously, when Tibetan minister Shang Jiezan requested peace, Sheng memorialized that the Rong and Di were not to be trusted and peace could not be granted. Huang also requested deploying army grain to stock the border and not listening to peace. The Emperor suspected the generals were inviting merit and creating incidents, and discussion was undecided. When Huang died, Yanshang gauged the Emperor's intent and then dismissed Sheng's army, memorializing that drafting attendant Zheng Yunkui replace him. The Emperor said, "Sheng has altars-and-states merit—let him choose his own replacement." Then Xing Junya was used, while Sheng was appointed Grand Preceptor concurrent Director of the Palace Secretariat with attendance at court. That summer Tibet broke the treaty and raided Hun Jian; many officers and commanders perished, as Sheng and others had strategized. By precedent, when enfeoffing the Three Dukes at the Hall, the Director read the patent and the Minister of Rites intoned the ritual—or if one was lacking, the chancellor deputized. When Sheng was to bow, Yanshang slighted his ritual and used Ministers of Rites Cui Hanheng and Liu Zi to deputize instead.
18
時議遣劉玄佐復河、湟，延賞因建言：「今官繁費廣，州縣殘困，宜並省其員，悉收稟料糧課輸京師，賞戰士。」 帝許之。 即詔：「上州留上佐、錄事參軍、司戶、司兵、司士各一員，余參軍留半； 中州減司士； 上縣令、尉具； 中縣省尉； 京兆、河南府司錄、判官，赤縣丞、簿、尉，各省半； 余府準上州。」 詔下，內外始怨。 玄佐辭西討，延賞更用李抱真。 抱真怨延賞奪晟兵，不肯行。 由是功臣解體。
At the time discussion was to send Liu Xuanzuo to recover He and Huang. Yanshang therefore submitted, "Now offices are numerous and expenses vast, and prefectures and counties are ravaged and distressed. Offices ought to be merged and reduced, stipends, grain, and tax levies fully collected and sent to the capital, and fighting warriors rewarded." The Emperor approved. An edict at once said, "In superior prefectures retain one each of senior assistant, recording secretary, revenue registrar, military registrar, and clerical registrar; other assistants retain half; in middle prefectures reduce the clerical registrar; in superior counties retain magistrate and defender; in middle counties eliminate the defender; in Jingzhao and Henan prefectures, chief recorders and judicial officers, and in imperial counties assistants, clerks, and defenders, reduce each by half; other prefectures follow the superior prefecture standard." When the edict descended, resentment began within and without. Xuanzuo declined the western campaign, and Yanshang again used Li Baozhen. Baozhen resented Yanshang for seizing Sheng's army and refused to go. Thereby meritorious ministers fell apart.
19
是年，除吏千五百員，當省者千餘。 道路訾謗，浸淫聞於上。 延賞懼，請詔州縣：「或考先滿、或攝掌遇停限而官見乏者，聽在所擇省員有幹譽者權補，以才不以資。」 而大臣馬燧、白誌貞、韋倫表言省官太甚，不可行。 會延賞疾困，不能事，宰相李泌一切奏復。 卒，年六十一，贈太保，謚曰成肅。
That year, 1,500 office posts were eliminated, of which over a thousand should have been kept. The roads were full of slander, gradually reaching the Emperor. Yanshang feared this and requested an edict to prefectures and counties: "Where examination terms are already full, or acting appointments meet stop-limits while offices are visibly short, let the locality choose from reduced posts men of ability and reputation to fill provisionally, by talent not by seniority." But great ministers Ma Sui, Bai Zhiben, and Wei Lun memorialized that provincial officials were too few and it could not be carried out. When Yanshang was gravely ill and could not conduct affairs, Chancellor Li Mi memorialized restoring everything. He died at sixty-one. He was posthumously made Grand Preceptor with the posthumous title Chengzhu.
20
延賞更四鎮，所至民頌其愛。 及當國，飾情復怨，不稱所望，亦早不幸，未及有所建明。 然帝待遇厚，稱其奏議有宰相體，專屬以吏事，而以軍食委李泌，刑法委柳渾，時以為任職。
Yanshang served four military commissions; wherever he went the people praised his kindness. When he held national office he adorned his feelings and nursed old resentments, not matching what was hoped, and also died early without having been able to establish anything notable. Yet the Emperor treated him generously, saying his memorials had the manner of a chancellor. He was entrusted especially with civil administration, while military provisions were left to Li Mi and penal law to Liu Hun—at the time considered a proper division of duties.
21
子弘靖。 弘靖字元理，雅厚信直，以蔭為河南參軍。 杜亞辟佐其府。 亞疑牙將令狐運劫餉絹，弘靖直其枉，亞怒，斥出府。 裴延齡為德陽公主治第，欲徙弘靖先廟，上疏自言，德宗異之，擢監察御史。 累遷戶部侍郎、陜州觀察使，徙河中節度使。 元和中，拜刑部尚書同中書門下平章事。
His son was Hongjing. Hongjing, style name Yuanli, was refined, generous, faithful, and upright; by privilege he was made Henan assistant. Du Ya recruited him to his staff. Ya suspected military tooth-commander Linghu Yun of robbing tribute silk. Hongjing upheld his innocence, and Ya was angry and expelled him from the staff. Pei Yanling was building a residence for Princess Deyang and wished to move Hongjing's ancestral temple. Hongjing submitted a memorial on his own behalf, and Dezong was struck by it and promoted him investigating censor. He was repeatedly promoted to Vice Minister of Revenue and Shaanzhou observation commissioner, then transferred to Hedong military commissioner. In the Yuanhe era he was appointed Minister of Punishments and Associate Commissioner with the same authority as chief ministers.
22
吳少陽死，其子元濟擅總留務，憲宗欲誅之。 弘靖請先遣使者吊贈，待不恭，乃加兵，詔可。 進中書侍郎，封高平縣侯。
Wu Shaoyang died, and his son Yuanji seized control of the acting commission. Xianzong wished to execute him. Hongjing requested first sending envoys to offer condolences and gifts; if Yuanji were disrespectful, then add troops. The edict approved. He was promoted Vice Director of the Palace Secretariat and enfeoffed Marquis of Gaoping.
23
武元衡遇害，賊未得，王承宗邸廝卒張晏被告，詔付御史臺劾驗，有狀。 弘靖疑御史傅致晏罪，言之帝，不聽，遂誅晏，並討承宗。 弘靖曰：「戎事並興，鮮有濟。 不如悉力淮西，已平，乃治河朔。」 議再迕，乃歸政，以檢校吏部尚書、同平章事，為河東節度使。 未及鎮，詔伐承宗。 弘靖自以諫不聽，思自效，乃大閱兵，請身討賊。 詔許出軍，無親往。 既王師無功，帝憶曩言，下詔褒美。 弘靖亦遣使間道喻承宗，承宗款附。 召拜吏部尚書，徙節宣武。 宣武承韓弘虐政，代以寬簡，民便安之。
When Wu Yuanheng was murdered the culprit was not yet found. Wang Chengzong's lodge servant Zhang Yan was accused, and an edict sent him to the censorate for investigation, where evidence was found. Hongjing suspected the censor had fabricated Yan's guilt and spoke to the Emperor. The Emperor would not listen, and Yan was executed while Chengzong was also attacked. Hongjing said, "When military affairs rise together, success is rare. It is better to concentrate all strength on Huai West. Once that is pacified, then deal with Hebei." Discussion clashed again, and he returned power, was made Acting Minister of Personnel and Associate Commissioner, and became Hedong military commissioner. Before he could take up the post, an edict ordered an attack on Chengzong. Hongjing, thinking his advice had not been heeded, wished to prove himself and therefore reviewed troops on a great scale, requesting to go in person to attack the rebels. An edict permitted sending out the army but not going in person. When the imperial army achieved nothing, the Emperor recalled his earlier words and issued an edict praising him. Hongjing also sent an envoy by a secret route to persuade Chengzong, and Chengzong submitted in sincerity. He was summoned and appointed Minister of Personnel, then transferred to the Xuanwu commission. Xuanwu had inherited Han Hong's harsh government. Hongjing replaced it with leniency and simplicity, and the people were eased and settled.
24
長慶初，劉總舉所部內屬，請弘靖為代，進檢校司空，仍同中書門下平章事，充盧龍節度使。 始入幽州，老幼夾道觀。 河朔舊將與士卒均寒暑，無障蓋安輿，弘靖素貴，肩輿而行，人駭異。 俗謂祿山、思明為「二聖」，弘靖懲始亂，欲變其俗，乃發墓毀棺，眾滋不悅。 旬一決事，賓客將吏罕聞其言。 委成於參佐韋雍、張宗厚，又不通大體，朘刻軍賜，專以法拫治之。 官屬輕侻酣肆，夜歸，燭火滿街，前後呵止，其詬責士皆曰「反虜」，嘗曰：「天下無事，而輩挽兩石弓，不如識一丁字。」 軍中以氣自任，銜之。 總之朝，詔以錢百萬緡賚將士，弘靖取二十萬市府雜費，有怨言。 會雍欲鞭小將，薊人未嘗更笞辱，不伏，弘靖系之。 是夕軍亂，囚弘靖薊門館，掠其家貲婢妾，執雍等殺之。 判官張澈始就職，得不殺，與弘靖同被囚。 會詔使至，澈謂弘靖曰：「公無負此土人，今天子使至，可因見眾辨，幸得脫歸。」 即推門求出。 眾畏其謀，欲遷別館。 澈大罵曰：「汝何敢反！ 前日吳元濟斬東市，李師道斬軍中，同惡者，父母妻子肉飽狗鼠鴟鴉。」 眾怒，擊殺之。 數日，吏卒稍自悔，詣館謝弘靖，願革心事之。 三請，不對。 眾曰：「公不赦我矣，軍中可一日無帥乎？」 遂取朱克融主留後。 詔貶弘靖太子賓客。 分司東都。 再貶吉州刺史。 明年，出幽州，改撫州刺史，稍遷太子少師。 卒，年六十五，贈太子太保。
At the beginning of the Changqing era Liu Zong offered his command inward and requested Hongjing as replacement. He was promoted Acting Minister of Works, still Associate Commissioner, and made Lulong military commissioner. When he first entered Youzhou, old and young lined the roads to watch. Hebei's old generals shared heat and cold with the soldiers and had no screened carriage or comfortable litter. Hongjing had always been noble and traveled in a shoulder litter, and people were startled. The custom called An Lushan and Shi Siming the "Two Sages." Hongjing, punishing the origin of disorder, wished to change the custom and therefore opened their tombs and destroyed their coffins, and the multitude grew more displeased. Once every ten days he decided affairs; guests, staff, and officers rarely heard him speak. He entrusted power to aides Wei Yong and Zhang Zonghou, who also did not grasp the larger pattern, pared military rewards, and governed solely by harsh law. Subordinates were frivolous and drunken. Returning at night, candles filled the streets, and when halted before and behind they reviled the soldiers as "rebel bandits," saying, "When all is calm under Heaven, yet you draw two-stone bows, you might as well know one character." The army, proud by temperament, harbored resentment. When Zong came to court, an edict granted a million strings of cash to reward the soldiers. Hongjing took two hundred thousand for prefectural miscellaneous expenses, and there were complaints. When Yong wished to flog a young officer, the people of Ji had never before suffered beating and insult and would not submit. Hongjing had him bound. That night the army mutinied, imprisoned Hongjing at the Ji Gate lodge, plundered his family wealth, concubines, and maidservants, and seized Yong and others and killed them. Judicial officer Zhang Che had just taken office and was not killed; he was imprisoned together with Hongjing. When the edict envoy arrived, Che said to Hongjing, "You have not failed the people of this land. Today the Son of Heaven's envoy has come—you can use the occasion to face the multitude and explain yourself and perhaps escape and return." He at once pushed open the door and sought to go out. The multitude feared his plot and wished to move them to another lodge. Che cursed loudly, "How dare you rebel! Earlier Wu Yuanji was beheaded at the eastern market and Li Shidao in the army camp—men of the same evil. Their fathers, mothers, wives, and children became meat to glut dogs, rats, kites, and crows." The multitude was enraged and struck him to death. After several days officers and soldiers gradually repented themselves and came to the lodge to apologize to Hongjing, wishing to reform their hearts and serve him. Three times they asked; he did not answer. The multitude said, "You will not pardon us—can the army be without a commander for even one day?" They therefore took Zhu Kerong to head the acting commission. An edict demoted Hongjing to Crown Prince's Guest. He served in the eastern-capital branch office. He was demoted again to prefect of Jizhou. The next year he left Youzhou, was changed to prefect of Fuzhou, and was gradually promoted Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince. He died at sixty-five and was posthumously made Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince.
25
弘靖少有令問，杜鴻漸、杜佑皆器許。 歷臺閣顯級，人以為有輔相才。 及居位，簡默自處，無所規拂。 幽薊初效順，不能因俗制變，故范陽復亂。 家聚書畫，侔秘府。 先第在東都思順裏，盛麗甲當時，歷五世無所增葺，時號「三相張家」雲。 子：文規、次宗。
Hongjing in youth had a fine reputation; Du Hongjian and Du You both prized and trusted him. He held prominent posts at court and terrace, and people thought he had assistant-minister talent. Once in office he was quiet and self-contained, without corrections or rejections. When You and Ji first submitted, he failed to adapt governance to local ways, and Fanyang rose in rebellion once more. The family collected books and paintings to rival the imperial archive. Their ancestral estate in Sishun Lane of the Eastern Capital was the grandest of the day; for five generations no one enlarged or renovated it, and men of the time spoke of the "Three-Chancellors Zhang Family." His sons were Wengui and Cizong.
26
裴度秉政，引文規為右補闕。 度出襄陽，貶溫令，度奏置幕府。 累轉吏部員外郎。 右丞韋溫劾文規父昔被囚，逗留不赴難，不宜任省署。 出為安州刺史，終桂管觀察使。 子彥遠，博學有文辭，乾符中至大理卿。
While Pei Du directed the government, he appointed Wengui Right Remonstrance Official. When Du was posted to Xiangyang, Wengui was demoted to magistrate of Wen, and Du had him assigned to his staff. He rose through successive appointments to Vice Director in the Ministry of Personnel. Vice Director Wei Wen impeached Wengui on the ground that his father had once been imprisoned and Wengui had lingered away rather than answer the crisis, making him unfit for a post in the central administration. He was posted out as prefect of Anzhou and ended his career as military governor of Guiguan. His son Yanyuan was erudite and accomplished in letters; during the Qianfu era he reached the post of Minister of Justice.
27
次宗，開成初為起居舍人。 文宗始詔左右史立螭頭下記宰相奏對，既退，帝召見審正是非。 故開成時事為最詳。 以稱職，兼集賢院直學士。 文規左遷，改國子博士、史館修撰。 李德裕再當國，引為考功員外郎，知制誥。 出澧、明二州刺史，卒。
Cizong served as Recorder of the Emperor's Movements and Residences at the beginning of the Kaicheng era. Emperor Wenzong first commanded the Left and Right Historians to stand beneath the chih-head and record the chancellors' exchanges with the throne; when they withdrew, he summoned them back to confirm whether the record was correct. For this reason the events of the Kaicheng era are recorded in the greatest detail. Recognized for competent service, he was also appointed Direct Scholar of the Hall of Assembled Worthies. When Wengui was demoted and transferred, Cizong was reassigned as National University Erudite and compiler at the History Institute. When Li Deyu again directed the government, he brought Cizong in as Vice Director of the Evaluations Bureau in the Ministry of Personnel, with charge of drafting edicts. He served as prefect of Li and Ming and died in office.
28
孫茂樞，字休府，及進士第。 天祐中，累遷祠部郎中，知制誥。 坐柳璨事，貶博昌尉。
His grandson Maoshu, styled Xiufu, passed the jinshi examination. During the Tianyou era he rose through successive promotions to Director in the Sacrifices Bureau of the Ministry of Rites, with charge of drafting edicts. Implicated in the Liu Can affair, he was demoted to magistrate of Bochang.
29
嘉祐，嘉貞弟，有幹略。 方嘉貞為相時，任右金吾衛將軍，昆弟每上朝，軒蓋騶導盈閭巷。 時號所居坊曰「鳴珂裏」。 後貶浦陽府折沖。 開元末，為相州刺史。 舊刺史多死官，眾疑畏。 嘉祐以周總管尉遲迥死國難，忠臣也，立祠房解祓眾心。 三歲，入為左金吾將軍。 後吳克為刺史，又加神冕服，遂無患。
Jiayou, Jiazhen's younger brother, possessed ability and strategic talent. While Jiazhen was chancellor, Jiayou held the post of General of the Right Gold Crow Guard; each time the brothers attended court, their carriages and outrunners filled the lanes. People of the time called the ward where they lived "Mingke Lane." He was later demoted to area commander of Puyang Prefecture. In the late Kaiyuan era he served as prefect of Xiangzhou. Previous prefects had mostly died in office, and the people were filled with dread and suspicion. Jiayou argued that Yuchi Jiong, chief administrator under Northern Zhou, had died in the state's service and was a loyal minister; he built a shrine chamber to perform rites of purification and lay the people's fears to rest. Three years later he entered the capital as General of the Left Gold Crow Guard. Later, when Wu Ke became prefect, he also added divine crown and robes to the shrine, and from then on there was no further trouble.
30
源乾曜，相州臨漳人。 祖師民，隋刑部侍郎。 父直心，高宗時太常伯，流死嶺南。 乾曜第進士。 神龍中，以殿中侍御史黜陟江東，奏課最，頻遷諫議大夫。 景雲後，公卿百官上巳、九日廢射禮，乾曜以為：「聖王教天下必制禮以正人情。 君子三年不為禮，禮必壞； 三年不為樂，樂必崩。 古之擇士，先觀射禮，非取一時樂也。 夫射者，別邪正，觀德行，中祭祀，辟寇戎，古先哲王莫不遞襲。 比年以來，射禮不講，所司丱費，而舊典為虧。 臣愚謂所計者財，所虧者禮，故孔子不愛羊而存禮也。 大射謂春秋不可廢。」
Yuan Qianyao came from Linzhang in Xiangzhou. His grandfather Shimin had served the Sui as Vice Minister of Justice. His father Zhixin had been Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices under Emperor Gaozong; he was exiled and died in Lingnan. Qianyao obtained the jinshi degree. During the Shenlong era he served as Palace Censor assessing promotions and demotions in Jiangdong; his report on official performance ranked highest, and he was repeatedly promoted to Remonstrance Official. After the Jingyun era, ministers and officials ceased the archery rites held on the Third Day of the Third Month and the Double Ninth; Qianyao argued: "When sage kings instruct the empire, they must establish rites to correct human conduct. If for three years no rites are performed, the rites themselves decay; and if for three years no music is made, music collapses. In antiquity, when choosing officers, one first observed the archery rite; it was not undertaken for momentary amusement. Archery separates the crooked from the straight, reveals character and virtue, supports sacrifice, and repels invaders—no sage king of old ever failed to pass it down in turn. In recent years the archery rite has fallen into neglect; the offices responsible have grown careless and wasteful, and the ancient institutions have been eroded. I would humbly suggest that what is being weighed is money, but what is being lost is ritual propriety—just as Confucius chose to keep the rite rather than save the sacrificial sheep. As for the great archery rite, I submit that it must not be abandoned in spring and autumn."
31
開元初，邠王府吏犯法，玄宗敕左右為王求才長史，太常卿姜交薦乾曜，自梁州都督召見，神氣爽澈，占對有序，帝悅之，擢少府少監，兼邠王府長史。 累進尚書左丞。 四年，拜黃門侍郎、同紫微黃門平章事。 逾月，與姚崇俱罷。
In early Kaiyuan, when an official of the Prince of Bin's household broke the law, Emperor Xuanzong ordered his attendants to find a capable chief secretary for the prince. Jiang Jiao, Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, recommended Qianyao; summoned from his post as area commander of Liangzhou and received in audience, Qianyao appeared keen and lucid and answered in good order. The Emperor was pleased, promoted him to Vice Director of the Court of the Imperial Treasury, and concurrently appointed him chief secretary of the Prince of Bin's household. He rose through successive promotions to Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. In the fourth year he was appointed Vice Director of the Chancellery and concurrent Privy Councilor of the Palace Administration and Chancellery. A little over a month later, he and Yao Chong were both removed from office.
32
會帝東幸，以京兆尹留守京師。 治尚寬簡，人安之。 居三年，政如始至。 仗內白鷹因縱失之，詔京兆督捕，獲於野，絓榛死。 吏懼得罪，乾曜曰：「上仁明，不以畜玩置罪，茍其獲戾，尹專之。」 遂入自劾失旨。 帝一不問，眾伏其知體而善引咎。
When the Emperor toured east, Qianyao remained behind as Capital Magistrate to guard the capital. He governed with leniency and simplicity, and the people lived in peace. After three years in office, his administration was unchanged from the day he arrived. A white hawk kept within the imperial guard was lost when released to fly; the Emperor ordered the Capital Magistrate to oversee its capture. The bird was found in the wild, caught in hazel brush, and dead. The clerks feared they would be punished; Qianyao said, "The Emperor is benevolent and discerning and will not condemn men over a pet bird. If anyone must be blamed, let the Magistrate bear it alone." He then went in and submitted a self-impeachment for having failed the Emperor's command. The Emperor never questioned him at all, and everyone admired his sense of propriety and his willingness to accept blame.
33
八年，復為黃門侍郎、同中書門下三品，進位侍中。 建言：「大臣子並求京職，俊軿率任外官，非平施之道。 臣三息俱任京師，請出二息補外，以示自近始。」 詔可。 乃以子河南參軍弼為絳州司功，太祝潔為鄭尉。 詔曰：「乾曜身率庶寮以讓，既請外其子，又復下遷。 《傳》不雲乎：『範宣子讓，其下皆讓。』 『晉國之人，於是大和』，道之或行，仁豈遠哉。 其令文武官父子昆弟三人在京司者，分任於外。」 繇是公卿子弟皆出補。
In the eighth year he again became Vice Director of the Chancellery and concurrent third-rank official of the Secretariat and Chancellery, and was promoted to Palace Attendant. He submitted a memorial saying, "The sons of great ministers all seek posts in the capital, while able men are mostly sent to serve outside—this is not the way to distribute office fairly. All three of my sons hold office in the capital; I ask that two of them be sent out to outer posts, beginning with those closest to me." The edict granted his request. Thereupon his son Bi, army adjutant of Henan, was appointed record officer of Jiangzhou, and his son Jie, grand sacrificer, was appointed defender of Zheng. An edict stated: "Qianyao has personally led the officials in yielding; having asked that his sons be sent out, he has further demoted them. Does not the Record say, 'When Fan Xuanzi yielded, those beneath him all yielded.' 'And the people of Jin were thereafter greatly harmonious.' When the Way can be practiced, is benevolence really so distant? Let every civil and military official who has three members of a father-son or brother group serving in the capital assign some of them to posts outside." From this time onward, the sons of high ministers were all sent out to fill provincial posts.
34
帝嘗自較其考，與張說偕賜。 時議者言：「國執政所以同休戚，不崇異無以責功。」 帝乃詔中書、門下共食實戶三百，堂封自此始。
The Emperor once personally reviewed their merit evaluations and granted rewards to Qianyao together with Zhang Yue. Commentators at the time said, "The chief ministers of the state share fortune and misfortune alike; unless distinctions are raised, there is no way to hold them accountable for achievement." The Emperor then decreed that the Secretariat and Chancellery together should receive three hundred households of tax grain as stipend—thus began the institution of tang feng.
35
東封還，為尚書左丞相，兼侍中。 久之，罷侍中，遷太子少師。 避祖名，更授少傅，安陽郡公。 帝幸東都，以老疾不任陪扈。 卒，贈幽州大都督。
After returning from the eastern Feng sacrifice, he was appointed Left Grand Counselor of the Department of State Affairs, concurrently serving as Palace Attendant. After some time he was relieved as Palace Attendant and transferred to Junior Mentor of the Crown Prince. To avoid the taboo on his grandfather's name, he was reappointed Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince and ennobled Duke of Anyang commandery. When the Emperor traveled to the Eastern Capital, Qianyao, owing to age and illness, was unable to accompany him. He died and was posthumously made Great Defender-General of Youzhou.
36
乾曜性謹重，其始仕已四十餘，歷官皆以清慎恪敏得名。 為相十年，與張嘉貞、張說、李元纮、杜暹同秉政，居中未嘗廷議可否事，晚節唯唯聯署，務為寬平惇大，故鮮咎悔。 姜交為嘉貞所排，雖得罪，訖不申救，君子譏焉。
Qianyao was cautious and sober by nature; he did not enter office until he was past forty, and in every post he earned a reputation for integrity, prudence, diligence, and alert competence. He served as chancellor for ten years alongside Zhang Jiazhen, Zhang Yue, Li Yuanhong, and Du Xian; in court he never debated whether matters should pass or fail, and in his later years he simply assented and countersigned, seeking always to be lenient, even-handed, and broad-minded, and so he rarely drew reproach. Jiang Jiao had been driven out by Jiazhen; although Jiang fell into disgrace, Qianyao never interceded for him, and men of judgment criticized him for it.
37
族孫光裕，亦有名，居官號清願，撫諸弟友義。 為中書舍人，與楊滔、劉令植同刪著《開元新格》。 歷尚書左丞，會選諸司長官為刺史，光裕任鄭州，為世良吏。 卒官。
His clansman Guangyu was also well known; in office he was praised for purity and modesty, and he treated his younger brothers with friendly devotion. Serving as Drafting Secretary in the Secretariat, he joined Yang Tao and Liu Lingzhi in compiling and editing the New Statutes of the Kaiyuan Era. He rose to Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs; when the court chose directors of various bureaus to serve as prefects, Guangyu was assigned Zhengzhou and proved a model official of the age. He died while still in office.
38
子洧，以雍睦保家，士友推之。 天寶中，為給事中、襄州刺史。 安祿山犯河、洛、為江陵大都督長史以禦賊，卒，贈禮部尚書，謚曰懿。
His son Wei preserved the family through harmony and kinship, and was highly regarded among scholar-friends. During the Tianbao era he served as Palace Recipient and prefect of Xiangzhou. When An Lushan invaded the Yellow River and Luoyang regions, Wei was appointed chief secretary to the Great Defender-General of Jiangling to resist the rebels; he died in service and was posthumously made Minister of Rites, with the posthumous name Yi (Reverent).
39
裴耀卿，字煥之，寧州刺史守真次子也。 數歲能屬文，擢童子舉，稍遷秘書省正字、相王府典簽，與掾丘悅、文學韋利器更直，備顧問，府中號「學直」。 王即帝位，授國子主簿，累遷長安令。 舊有配戶和市法，人厭苦，耀卿一切責豪門坐賈，豫給以直，絕僦欺之敝。 及去，人思之。
Pei Yaojing, styled Huanzhi, was the second son of Shouzhen, prefect of Ningzhou. While still a child he could write prose; selected on the Youth Examination, he gradually rose to proofreader in the Secretariat and record keeper in the Prince of Xiang's household. He rotated night duty with aide Qiu Yue and literary adviser Wei Liqi, standing ready to answer questions, and the household called them the "Study Duty." When the prince ascended the throne, Pei was appointed chief clerk of the Directorate of Education; through successive promotions he became magistrate of Chang'an. Under the old system of assigned households and compulsory market purchase, the people suffered greatly; Yaojing made the great houses and seated merchants bear the burden, paid them the full price in advance, and put an end to the abuses of rental fraud. When he left office, the people longed for his return.
40
為濟州刺史，濟當走集，地廣而戶寡。 會天子東巡，耀卿置三梁十驛，科斂均省，為東州知頓最。 封禪還，次宋州，宴從官，帝歡甚，謂張說曰：「前日出使巡天下，觀風俗，察吏善惡，不得實。 今朕有事岱宗，而懷州刺史王丘餼牽外無它獻，我知其不市恩也； 魏州刺史崔沔遣使供帳，不施錦繡，示我以儉，此可以觀政也； 濟州刺史裴耀卿上書數百言，至曰『人或重擾，則不足以告成』，朕置書座右以自戒，此其愛人也。」
As prefect of Jizhou, he governed a region at a major crossroads, broad in territory but sparse in population. When the Emperor toured east, Yaojing built three beam bridges and ten courier stations, kept levies balanced and light, and ranked first among the eastern prefectures in provisioning the imperial halt. On the return from the Feng and Shan sacrifices the court stopped at Songzhou and feasted the accompanying officials; the Emperor was in high spirits and said to Zhang Yue, "When I earlier sent envoys to tour the realm, observe customs, and inspect officials' conduct, I did not learn the truth. Now, as I perform the rites at Mount Tai, Prefect Wang Qiu of Huaizhou has offered only a tethering horse and nothing more—I know he is not currying favor; Prefect Cui Yong of Weizhou sent envoys to supply provisions without brocade or embroidery, showing me his thrift—by this one can judge his administration; and Prefect Pei Yaojing of Jizhou submitted a memorial of several hundred words, saying at one point, 'If the people are repeatedly harassed, the rites cannot be successfully completed.' I have kept that memorial by my seat as a warning to myself—this is true care for the people."
41
俄徙宣州。 前此大水，河防壞，諸州不敢擅興役。 耀卿曰：「非至公也。」 乃躬護作役，未訖，有詔徙官。 耀卿懼功不成，弗即宣，而撫巡飭厲愈急。 堤成，發詔而去。 濟人為立碑頌德。 歷冀州，入拜戶部侍郎。
Before long he was transferred to Xuanzhou. Earlier there had been severe flooding that destroyed the river defenses, and the prefectures dared not undertake repairs on their own authority. Yaojing said, "That is not the conduct of utmost public-mindedness." He thereupon personally supervised the work; before it was finished, an edict arrived ordering his transfer. Yaojing feared the project would fail; he did not announce the transfer at once, but redoubled his supervision and urging on the work. Once the dike was finished, he proclaimed the edict of transfer and departed. The people of Ji raised a stele in praise of his virtue. He served as prefect of Jizhou, then entered the capital and was appointed Vice Minister of Revenue.
42
開元二十年，副信安王祎討契丹，又持帛二十萬賜立功奚官，耀卿曰：「幣涉寇境，不可以不備。」 乃令先與期，而分道賜之，一日畢。 突厥、室韋果邀險來襲，耀卿已還。
In the twentieth year of Kaiyuan, he accompanied Prince Xin'an Li Yi against the Khitan and also bore two hundred thousand bolts of silk to reward Xi officials who had distinguished themselves. Yaojing said, "When gifts of silk must pass through enemy country, one cannot afford to be unprepared." He arranged fixed times in advance, then distributed the rewards along separate routes and completed the whole affair in one day. The Turks and Shiwei did in fact waylay him at a narrow pass, but Yaojing was already back.
43
遷京兆尹。 明年秋，雨害稼，京師饑。 帝將幸東都，召問所以救人者。 耀卿曰：「陛下既東巡，百司畢從，則太倉、三輔可遣重臣分道賑給，自東都益廣漕運，以實關輔，關輔既實，則乘輿西還，事蔑不濟。 且國家大本在京師，但秦地狹，水旱易匱。 往貞觀、永徽時，祿稟者少，歲漕粟二十萬略足； 今用度浸廣，運數倍且不支，故數東幸，以就敖粟。 為國大計，臣願廣陜運道，使京師常有三年食，雖水旱不足憂。 今天下輸丁約四百萬，使丁出百錢為陜、洛運費，又益半為營窖用，分納司農，河南、陜州。 又令租米悉輸東都。 從都至陜，河益湍沮，若廣漕路，變陸為水，所支尚贏萬計。 且江南租船候水始進，吳工不便河漕，處處停留，易生隱盜。 請置倉河口，以納東租，然後官自顧載，分入河、洛。 度三門東西各築敖倉，自東至者，東倉受之； 三門迫險，則旁河鑿山，以開車道，運十數里，西倉受之。 度宜徐運抵太原倉，趨河入渭，更無留阻，可減費鉅萬。」 天子然其計，拜黃門侍郎、同中書門下平章事，充轉運使。
He was appointed metropolitan governor of Jingzhao. The following autumn, rain destroyed the harvest and famine struck the capital. The Emperor planned to travel to the Eastern Capital and summoned Yaojing to ask what could be done to relieve the people. Yaojing said, "Since Your Majesty will tour east with the full bureaucracy in attendance, senior ministers can be sent from the Great Granary and the Three Adjuncts along separate routes to distribute relief. From the Eastern Capital, expand water transport to stock the capital region; once that region is supplied, the imperial carriage can return west and every part of the plan will succeed. Moreover, the state's root lies in the capital, but the Qin lands are cramped and easily exhausted by drought or flood. In the Zhenguan and Yonghui eras, those drawing state rations were few, and two hundred thousand shi of grain shipped each year was nearly enough; now expenses have steadily grown, and even several times that volume of transport cannot meet them, which is why the court so often travels east to draw on stored grain. For the long-term good of the realm, I wish to expand the Shaan transport route so that the capital always holds three years' grain; then drought and flood would no longer be cause for alarm. Registered tribute males today number about four million. Let each pay one hundred coins toward Shaan and Luoyang transport costs, and half again as much for building granary pits, remitted separately to the Director of Granaries in Henan and Shaan. Also require that all rent grain be sent in full to the Eastern Capital. From the capital to Shaan the river grows swifter and shallower; if the transport route is widened and carriage hauls are replaced by water carriage, the savings would still run to tens of thousands. Moreover, Jiangnan rent-boats wait for the right water levels before moving; Wu boatmen are unused to river transport, linger at every stop, and theft easily follows. I ask that granaries be set up at the river mouth to receive eastern rent, after which the government itself should hire carriers and distribute the grain onto the Yellow and Luo routes. At Sanmen Pass, build relief granaries on the east and west of each gate; grain coming from the east should be received by the eastern granary; Because Sanmen is cramped and dangerous, cut a road through the mountain beside the river, haul the grain by cart for a dozen or so li, and let the western granary take it in. From there it can be moved at an easy pace to the Taiyuan Granary, then rushed downriver into the Wei with no further holdups, cutting costs by vast sums." The Emperor approved his plan, appointed him Vice Director of the Huangmen Department and Associate Chief Councilor of the Secretariat-Chancellery, and made him Commissioner for Transport.
44
於是置河陰、集津、三門倉，引天下租繇盟津溯河而西。 三年積七百萬石，省運費三十萬緡。 或曰：「以此緡納於上，足以明功。」 答曰：「是謂以國財求寵，其可乎？」 敕吏為和市費。 遷侍中。
Granaries were then established at Heyin, Jijin, and Sanmen, and the empire's rent and corvée grain were brought from Mengjin up the river to the west. Within three years they stockpiled seven million shi and saved three hundred thousand strings in transport expenses. Someone said, "If this money were turned over to the throne, it would be enough to make one's achievements plain." He answered, "That would be using the state's wealth to buy favor—how could that be right?" An edict directed the clerks to apply it to market-purchase expenses. He was promoted to Palace Counselor.
45
二十四年，以尚書左丞相罷，封趙城侯。 夷州刺史楊浚以贓抵死，有詔杖六十，流古州。 耀卿上言：「刺史、縣令異諸吏，為人父母，風化所瞻。 令使裸躬受笞，事太逼辱。 法至死，則天下共之。 然一朝下吏，屈挫牽頓，民且哀憐，是忘免死之恩，而有傷心之痛，恐非崇守長、勸風俗意。 又雜犯抵死無杖刑，必三覆後決，今非時不覆，或夭其命，非所以寬宥之也。 凡大暑決囚多死，秋冬乃有全者。 請今貸死決杖，會盛夏生長時並停，則有再生之實。」
In the twenty-fourth year he was removed as Left Director of the Department of State Affairs and enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhaocheng. Yang Jun, prefect of Yizhou, was liable to death for corruption; an edict commuted this to sixty strokes of the cane and exile to Guzhou. Yaojing submitted a memorial: "Prefects and magistrates are not like other officials; they are fathers and mothers to the people, and all look to them for moral guidance. To make them strip bare and take the cane is far too degrading. When the law calls for death, the whole realm shares in that judgment. Yet once reduced to the status of a subordinate and broken in public, the people will pity them—forgetting the grace of a commuted sentence while nursing a wound to the heart. I fear this is not what is meant by honoring local chiefs and encouraging good custom. Moreover, for miscellaneous capital offenses where the cane is not applied, the law requires threefold review before execution. To proceed without review at the wrong season is to cut short some men's lives; that is not how clemency should work. As a rule, prisoners executed in the height of summer mostly die; only in autumn and winter do some survive. I ask that all commutations from death to cane sentences be halted during the summer growing season, so that men may truly have a chance to live again."
46
是時，特進蓋嘉運破突騎施還，詔為河西、隴右節度使，因令經略吐藩。 嘉運以新立功，日酣遨未赴屯。 耀卿言於帝曰：「嘉運精勁勇烈誠有餘，然臣見其誇言驕色，竊憂之，恐不足與立事。 今盛秋防邊，日月已薄，當與軍中士卒相見。 若不素講，雖決在一時，恐非制勝萬全之義。 且兵未及訓，不能知法； 士未懷惠，不可共心。 使幸而有功，非師出以律之善。 又萬人之命倚於將，示不得已，故鑿兇門而出。 今酣呶朝夕，胖肆自安，非愛人憂國者，不可不察。 茍不易帥，宜嚴詔申約，以督其行。」 帝乃促嘉運詣部，卒無功還。
At this time Gai Jiayun, holder of Special Advancement, returned after defeating the Turgesh; an edict appointed him military governor of Hexi and Longyou and charged him with managing the Tibetan frontier. Fresh from his victory, Jiayun spent his days in feasting and pleasure and had not yet reported to his post. Yaojing said to the Emperor, "Jiayun is indeed full of spirit and fierce courage, but I have seen boastful talk and a proud look on his face, and I privately worry that he may not be equal to the task. Now, at the height of autumn when the frontier must be defended, the days are already growing short, and he ought to go face his troops in camp. If he has not prepared them in advance, a sudden decision may win a moment's success, but I fear that is not the way to secure a fully reliable victory. Moreover, troops that have not been drilled cannot know the rules; and soldiers who have not felt the general's kindness cannot give him their full loyalty. Even if fortune should bring success, that would not be the true merit of sending an army forth in accordance with law. Again, ten thousand lives hang on the general; to show that there is no turning back, the Xiong Gate is broken open when the army marches out. Now he feasts and carouses from morning to night, plump and at ease—anyone who loves the people and cares for the state cannot fail to notice this. If he is not replaced as commander, a stern edict should restate the order and press him to take the field." The Emperor then pressed Jiayun to report to his command; in the end he returned without accomplishing anything.
47
天寶初，進尚書左仆射，俄改右仆射，而李林甫代之。 上日，林甫到本省，具朝服劍佩，博士導，郎官唱案。 禮畢，就耀卿聽事，乃常服，以贊者主事導唱。 林甫驚曰：「班爵與公同，而禮數異，何也？」」 耀卿曰：「比苦眩，不堪重衣。 又郎、博士紛泊，非病士所宜。」 林甫默然慚。 居一歲，卒，年六十三，贈太子太傅，謚曰文獻。 子綜，吏部郎中。 綜子佶。
At the beginning of Tianbao he was promoted to Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs; soon he was shifted to Right Vice Director, and Li Linfu took his place. On his first day in office, Linfu came to his department in full court dress with sword and girdle ornaments, guided by academicians while secretaries called out the docket. When the ceremony was finished, Linfu went to Yaojing's office; Yaojing wore ordinary dress and had chief clerks serve as ushers to lead and announce. Lin Fu said in surprise, "Our rank is the same as yours, yet the ceremonial forms differ—why is that?" Yaojing said, "Lately I have been troubled by dizziness and cannot endure heavy robes. And the secretaries and academicians bustle about—hardly fitting for a man in poor health." Lin Fu said nothing, ashamed. After a year in office he died at sixty-three; he was posthumously made Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, with the posthumous name Wenxian (Learned and Presented). His son Zong served as a bureau director in the Ministry of Personnel. Zong's son was Ji.
48
佶字弘正，幼能文。 第進士，補校書郎，判等高，授藍田尉。 德宗詔發畿縣民城奉天，嚴郢為京兆，政刻急，本曹尉韋重規妻乳且疾，不敢免。 佶請代役，要如程，當時稱其義。
Ji, styled Hongzheng, could write prose even as a child. He passed the jinshi examination, was appointed collator, received an equal-rank evaluation, and was made defender of Lantian district. Emperor Dezong ordered men from the capital counties levied to fortify Fengtian. Yan Ying was metropolitan governor, and his rule was harsh and pressing. Wei Chonggui, defender of the original bureau, had a wife who was nursing and ill and dared not ask to be excused. Ji volunteered to take his place on the labor roster and met the quota as required; people at the time praised his sense of duty.
49
帝幸梁，佶奔見行在，授補闕。 李懷光以河中叛，佶建議請討，帝深器之。 詔用盧杞為饒州刺史，與諫官執不可。 歷遷諫議大夫。 黔中觀察使。 韋士文為夷獠所逐，詔佶代之，部夷安服。
When the Emperor went to Liang, Ji rushed to the mobile court and was appointed Remonstrance and Supplementation Censor. When Li Huaiguang rebelled at Hezhong, Ji proposed that he be put down by force, and the Emperor came to think highly of him. An edict appointed Lu Qi prefect of Raozhou; Ji joined the remonstrance officials in insisting that this could not stand. He rose through successive posts to Remonstrance and Discussion Grand Counselor. He became observation commissioner of Qianzhong. Wei Shiwen was driven out by the Yi tribes; an edict made Ji replace him, and the tribes of the region settled down and submitted.
50
歷同州刺史、中書舍人，遷尚書右丞。 時李巽以兵部尚書領鹽鐵，將遷使局就本曹，經構已半，會佶至，以為不可。 巽雖怙恩而強，猶撤之，時重其有守。 改吏部侍郎，以疾為國子祭酒、工部尚書。 卒，贈吏部尚書，謚曰貞。
He served in succession as prefect of Tongzhou and Secretariat Drafting Attendant, then was promoted to Right Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs. At that time Li Xun, as Minister of War, also headed the Salt and Iron Commission and planned to move the commission's offices into his own ministry; construction was already half finished when Ji arrived and objected that this could not be allowed. Though Xun relied on imperial favor and was forceful by nature, he still tore the work down; people at the time respected Ji for standing firm. He was transferred to Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel; because of illness he was made Chancellor of the National University and Minister of Works. He died and was posthumously made Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel, with the posthumous name Zhen (Upright).
51
佶清勁明銳，所與友皆第一流，鄭餘慶尤厚善。 既歿，餘慶為行服，士林美之。
Ji was upright, forceful, sharp, and clear-minded; those he befriended were all men of the first rank, and Zheng Yuqing was especially close to him. After Ji died, Yuqing wore mourning for him as for a close friend, and the literati praised this.
52
贊曰：開元之盛，所置輔佐，皆得賢才，不者若張、源等，猶惓事職，其建明有足稱道。 朝多君子，信太平基歟！ 張氏三世宰相，然器有所窮，嘉貞窮於俗，延賞窮於忮，弘靖窮於權，惜哉！
The commentator says: In the glory of Kaiyuan, the ministers appointed were for the most part men of talent; even those who fell short, such as Zhang and Yuan, still devoted themselves to their offices, and their constructive proposals deserve to be remembered. The court abounded in gentlemen of worth—surely this was the foundation of an age of peace! The Zhang clan held the chancellorship for three generations, yet each man's character had its limit: Jiazhen was cramped by vulgar ambition, Yanshang by jealousy, Hongjing by hunger for power—alas!