1
25%◎蘇尹畢李鄭王許潘倪席齊=蘇向=蘇向，雍州藍田人。 中明經第，調鄠尉。 時李義琰為雍州長史，鄠多訟，日至長史府，恦裁決明辦，自是無訴者。 義琰異之，顧聽事曰：「此公坐也，恨吾齒晚，不及見。」
Volume 128, Biographies 53: Su, Yin, Bi, Li, Zheng, Wang, Xu, Pan, Ni, Xi, and Qi — Su Xiang. Su Xiang came from Lantian in Yong Prefecture. He passed the Mingjing examination and was posted as aide at Hu County. Li Yiyan was then chief secretary of Yong Prefecture. Hu County was rife with lawsuits, and people came every day to the chief secretary's office. Xiang's rulings were lucid and decisive, and after that there were no more complainants. Yiyan was struck by his ability. Glancing toward the reception hall, he said, "That is this gentleman's seat — I only wish I had not grown old so soon and could have known him earlier."
2
垂拱初，為監察御史。 武後殺韓、魯諸王，付向密牒按訊，向推之無狀。 或言向助韓、魯者，後詰之，挺議無所撓，後不悅曰：「卿，大雅士，此獄不足諉卿。」 即詔監軍河西。 五遷右司郎中。 御史王弘義附來俊臣為酷，世畏疾，莫敢觸其鋒。 會督伐材於虢，笞督過程，人多死，向按奏，弘義坐免。 遷給事中，進左肅政臺御史大夫。 後營大像白司馬阪，糜用億計，向上疏切諫，見納。
In the early Chuigong period he was made an investigating censor. When Empress Wu executed the Han and Lu princes, she gave Xiang a secret dossier to investigate them. He pursued the case and found nothing to support the charges. Some claimed Xiang had helped the Han and Lu princes. The Empress questioned him, but he argued his case without bending. Displeased, she said, "You are a man of the highest refinement — this case is not enough to blame you." She at once ordered him to supervise troops in Hexi. After five promotions he rose to director of the right section. The censor Wang Hongyi joined Lai Junchen in his reign of terror. The world feared and loathed him, and no one dared cross him. Once, while supervising timber-cutting in Guo, Hongyi beat the overseers so severely during the work that many died. Xiang investigated and memorialized against him, and Hongyi was removed from office. He was promoted to palace attendant and then to censor-in-chief of the Left Office for Scrutinizing Governance. When the Empress undertook the great Buddha image at White Horse Slope, costs mounted into the hundreds of millions. Xiang submitted a forceful memorial of remonstrance, and it was heeded.
3
中宗將斬韋月將，向執據時令不可以大戮，忤三思意，改右臺，俄出為岐州刺史。 復為右臺大夫。 會節湣太子敗，詔株索支黨。 時睿宗居藩，為獄辭牽逮，向密啟保辯，亦會宰相開陳，帝感悟，多所含貸。 擢戶部尚書，封河內郡公。 以檢校太子詹事致仕。 卒，年八十一，贈兗州都督，謚曰文。
When Emperor Zhongzong was about to execute Wei Yuejiang, Xiang insisted that the seasonal statutes forbade capital punishment at that time, offending Wu Sansi. He was shifted to the right censorate and soon sent out as prefect of Qi Prefecture. He was again made censor-in-chief of the right censorate. When Crown Prince Jiemin fell, an edict went out to hunt down his associates. Ruizong was then in his princely residence and was dragged in by the indictments. Xiang secretly memorialized in his defense, and the chief ministers also spoke plainly. The Emperor took the point and showed much forbearance. He was promoted to minister of revenue and enfeoffed as Duke of Henei. He retired with the acting title of steward of the crown prince's household. He died at eighty-one. He was posthumously made area commander of Yan Prefecture, with the posthumous title Wen.
4
子晉，數歲知為文，作《八卦論》，吏部侍郎房潁叔、秘書少監王紹宗嘆曰：「後來之王粲也。 舉進士及大禮科，皆上第。 先天中，為中書舍人。 玄宗監國，所下制命，多晉及賈曾稿。 屢獻讜言，天子嘉允。 出為泗州刺史，以向老，請解職奉養。 向卒，歷戶部侍郎，襲爵，遷吏部。 時宋璟兼尚書事，晉與齊浣更典二都選，既糊名校判，而晉獨事賞拔，當時譽之。 及裴光庭知尚書，有過官被卻者，就籍以朱點頭而已。 晉因榜選院曰「門下點頭者更擬」，光庭以為侮己，出晉汝州刺史。 遷魏州，終太子左庶子。
His son Jin could write while still a child. He composed the "Discourse on the Eight Trigrams." Vice Minister of Personnel Fang Yingshu and Vice Director of the Secretariat Wang Shaozong exclaimed, "Here is a Wang Can for our own day. He passed both the jinshi examination and the great ritual examination at the top of each. During the Xiantian period he served as drafting secretary of the Secretariat. When Xuanzong was regent, most of the edicts and orders issued were drafted by Jin and Jia Zeng. He repeatedly offered forthright counsel, and the emperor praised and accepted it. He was sent out as prefect of Si. When his father Xiang grew old, he asked to resign and return home to support him. After Xiang died, he served as vice minister of revenue, inherited his father's title, and was moved to the Ministry of Personnel. Song Jing was then also in charge of the ministries. Jin and Qi Huan took turns managing recruitment for the two capitals. After the names were sealed for blind review, Jin alone handled commendation and promotion, and contemporaries praised him for it. When Pei Guangting took charge of the ministries, candidates who had been rejected were simply marked with a red dot on the register. Jin posted a notice at the selection office: "Those the gate has nodded at may be reconsidered." Guangting took this as a personal insult and sent Jin out as prefect of Ru Prefecture. He was transferred to Wei Prefecture and ended his career as left aide to the crown prince.
5
始，晉與洛人張循之、仲之兄弟善，而二人以學顯。 循之上書忤武後，見殺。 仲之神龍中謀去武三思，為宋之愻等所發，死，晉厚撫其子漸，為營婚宦。 晉卒，漸喪之若諸父雲。
Jin had long been close to the Luoyang scholars Zhang Xunzhi and the brothers Zhongzhi, both of whom had won renown through learning. Xunzhi submitted a memorial that offended Empress Wu and was executed. During the Shenlong period Zhongzhi plotted to remove Wu Sansi, was exposed by Song Zhisun and others, and was put to death. Jin treated his son Jian generously and arranged marriage and an official career for him. When Jin died, Jian mourned him as he would an uncle.
6
=尹思貞=尹思貞，京兆長安人。 弱冠以明經第，調隆州參軍事。 屬邑豪蒲氏驁肆不法，州檄思貞按之，擿其奸贓萬計，卒論死，部人稱慶，刻石嘆頌。 遷明堂令，以善政聞。 擢殿中少監，檢校洛州刺史。 會契丹孫萬榮亂，朔方震驚，思貞循撫境內，獨無擾。 武後璽書褒慰。
Yin Sizhen. Yin Sizhen came from Chang'an in Jingzhao. While still young he passed the Mingjing examination and was posted as military adjutant in Long Prefecture. A local magnate of the Pu clan in his district was arrogant and lawless. The prefecture ordered Sizhen to investigate. He exposed tens of thousands in illicit gains, and Pu was finally sentenced to death. The people rejoiced and carved a stone inscription in praise. He was transferred to magistrate of Bright Hall district and became known for good governance. He was promoted to vice director of the palace workshops and made acting prefect of Luo Prefecture. When the Khitan Sun Wanrong rebelled and the north was thrown into alarm, Sizhen alone kept his jurisdiction calm through patient governance. Empress Wu sent an imperial letter praising and comforting him.
7
長安中，遷秋官侍郎，忤張昌宗意，出為定州刺史。 召授司府少卿。 時卿侯知一亦厲威嚴，吏為語曰：「不畏侯卿杖，祗畏尹卿筆。」 加銀青光祿大夫。 其家坎地，獲古戟十二，俄而門樹戟，時人異焉。
During the Chang'an period he was made vice minister of justice. He offended Zhang Changzong and was sent out as prefect of Ding Prefecture. He was recalled and appointed vice minister of the treasury. Vice Minister Hou Zhiyi was also severe in his authority. The clerks had a saying: "We do not fear Vice Minister Hou's staff — we only fear Vice Minister Yin's brush." He was given the additional title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with silver seal. When his household dug the ground, they found twelve ancient halberds. Soon halberds appeared on the tree at his gate, and contemporaries took it as a marvel.
8
神龍初，擢大理卿。 雍人韋月將告武三思大逆，中宗命斬之，思貞以方發生月，固奏不可，乃決杖，流嶺南。 三思諷所司加法殺之，復固爭，禦中大夫李承嘉助三思，而以他事劾思貞，不得謁。 思貞謂承嘉曰「公為天子執法，乃擅威福，慢憲度，諛附奸臣圖不軌，今將除忠良以自恣邪？」 承嘉慚怒，劾思貞，為青州刺史。 或問曰：「公敏行，何與承嘉辯？」 答曰：「石非能言者，而或有言。 承嘉恃權而侮吾，義不辱，亦不知言何從而至。」 治州有績，蠶至歲四熟，黜陟使路敬潛至部，嘆曰：「是非善政致祥乎！」 表言之。
At the beginning of the Shenlong period he was promoted to chief of the Court of Judicial Review. Wei Yuejiang of Yong reported Wu Sansi's great treason. Emperor Zhongzong ordered his execution. Sizhen held that capital punishment was forbidden while the moon was just waxing and firmly memorialized against it. Wei was beaten with the rod instead and exiled to Lingnan. Sansi prompted the authorities to increase the penalty and execute Wei. Sizhen argued again. Palace Attendant Li Chengjia sided with Sansi and impeached Sizhen on another charge, and he was denied audience at court. Sizhen said to Chengjia, "You enforce the law for the Son of Heaven, yet you usurp authority, slight the statutes, and fawn on traitors plotting sedition. Will you now remove the loyal and good to indulge yourself?" Chengjia, ashamed and furious, impeached Sizhen and had him sent out as prefect of Qing Prefecture. Someone asked, "You are a man of quick action — why debate with Chengjia?" He answered, "Stone cannot speak, yet sometimes it does. Chengjia relied on power to insult me. By principle I could not endure disgrace, and I do not know where the words came from." He governed the prefecture with distinction. Silkworms matured four times in one year. The promotion-and-demotion commissioner Lu Jingqian came to the circuit and exclaimed, "Is this not good government bringing auspicious signs!" He memorialized about it to the throne.
9
睿宗立，召授將作大匠，封天水郡公。 僕射竇懷貞護作金仙、玉真觀，廣調夫匠，思貞數有損節。 懷貞讓之，答曰：「公，輔臣也，不能宣贊王化，而土木是興，以媚上害下，又聽小人譖以廷辱士，今不可事公矣。」 乃拂衣去，闔門待罪。 帝知之，特詔令視事。 懷貞誅，拜御史大夫，累遷工部尚書。 請致仕，許之。 開元四年卒，年七十七，贈黃門監，謚曰簡。 思貞前後為刺史十三郡，其政皆以清最聞。
When Ruizong took the throne, Sizhen was summoned and appointed director of palace construction and enfeoffed as Duke of Tianshui. Chief Minister Dou Huai'zhen supervised construction of the Golden Immortal and Jade Perfection abbeys and broadly conscripted laborers. Sizhen repeatedly cut the quotas. Huai'zhen reproached him. He answered, "You are a chief minister, yet you cannot proclaim and assist royal transformation while you raise earth and timber to flatter those above and harm those below, and you heed petty men's slanders to humiliate gentlemen at court. I can no longer serve you." He shook out his robes and left, shutting his gate to await punishment. The emperor learned of it and specially ordered him to resume office. After Huai'zhen was executed, he was appointed censor-in-chief and eventually rose to minister of works. He requested retirement and was granted it. He died in the fourth year of Kaiyuan at seventy-seven. He was posthumously made overseer of the Yellow Gate, with the posthumous title Jian. Sizhen served as prefect in thirteen commanderies altogether, and in each his governance was known for exceptional purity.
10
=畢構=畢構，字隆擇，河南偃師人。 六歲能為文。 及冠，擢進士第，補金水尉，遷九隴主簿。 居親喪，毀棘甚，已除，猶屏處丘園。 武後召為左拾遺。 神龍初，遷中書舍人。 敬暉等表諸武不宜為王，構當讀表，抗聲析句，左右皆曉知。 三思疾之，出為潤州刺史，政有惠愛。 徙衛、同、陜三州，遷益州府長史。
Bi Gou. Bi Gou, courtesy name Longze, came from Yanshi in Henan. At six he could already write. When he came of age he passed the jinshi examination, was appointed aide at Jinshui, and was transferred to chief clerk of Jiulong. While mourning his parents his grief was extreme. Even after the mourning period ended he still secluded himself in the countryside. Empress Wu summoned him as left remonstrator. At the beginning of the Shenlong period he was made drafting secretary of the Secretariat. Jing Hui and others submitted a memorial arguing that the Wu clan should not be made princes. Gou was assigned to read it aloud, parsing each sentence in a ringing voice until everyone present understood. Sansi resented him and sent him out as prefect of Run, where his governance showed kindness and care. He served in succession at Wei, Tong, and Shan prefectures, then was made chief administrator of Yizhou.
11
景龍末，召為左御史大夫。 會平諸韋，治其黨，衣冠多坐，構詳比重輕，皆得其情。 時李傑為河南尹，與構皆一時選，世謂「畢李」。 封魏縣男。 復為益州長史，按察劍南，振弊柅私，號為清嚴。 睿宗嘉構脩罝獨行，有古人風，其治術又為諸使最，乃賜璽書、袍帶。 再遷吏部尚書，並遙領益州長史，徙廣州都督。
At the end of the Jinglong period he was summoned as left censor-in-chief. When the Wei faction was suppressed, he tried their associates. Many officials and gentry were implicated. Gou weighed severity and leniency in detail and in each case grasped the facts. Li Jie was then intendant of Henan. He and Gou were both regarded as the finest men of their day, and people called them "Bi and Li." He was enfeoffed as Baron of Wei County. He again became chief administrator of Yizhou and inspected Jiannan. He shook off abuses, checked private interests, and was known for purity and severity. Ruizong praised Gou's cultivated conduct and independent integrity, which had the air of antiquity, and his methods of governance were also foremost among all commissioners. He was therefore granted an imperial letter, robe, and belt. He was again made minister of personnel while also holding Yizhou chief administrator in absentia, then was moved to area commander of Guangzhou.
12
玄宗立，授河南尹，進戶部尚書。 久之，移疾，帝手疏醫方賜之。 當時以戶部為兇官，遽改太子詹事，冀其愈。 會卒，贈黃門監，謚曰景。
When Xuanzong took the throne, Gou was appointed intendant of Henan and promoted to minister of revenue. After a long time he reported illness, and the emperor personally wrote out a medical prescription and bestowed it on him. The Ministry of Revenue was then considered an ill-omened office, so he was quickly made steward of the crown prince's household in hope that he would recover. He soon died. He was posthumously made overseer of the Yellow Gate, with the posthumous title Jing.
13
始，構喪繼母，而二妹繈褓，身鞠養至成人。 妹為構服三年。 弟栩，以太府主簿留司東都，聞疾馳歸，哀毀如大喪，雖變服未嘗笑，天下稱其友悌。 終荊州司馬。
When Gou lost his stepmother, his two younger sisters were still infants. He personally reared them until they reached adulthood. His sisters wore mourning for him for three years. His younger brother Xu was chief clerk of the palace treasury on duty in the eastern capital. When he heard Gou was ill, he raced home. His grief was as for a parent's death, and though he had changed out of mourning garb he never smiled. The world praised his friendship and fraternal duty. He ended his career as military aide of Jing Prefecture.
14
構子炕，天寶末為廣平太守，拒安祿山，城陷，覆其家。 贈戶部尚書。 炕生，始四歲，與弟增以細弱得不殺，為賞口。 河北平，宗人宏以財贖出之。 後舉明經，為臨渙尉。 徐州節度使張建封高炕節，聞篤行，表署幕府，攝符離令。 後調王屋尉，以謹廉聞。 喜賓客，家未嘗以有無計。 及歿，無貲以治喪雲。
Gou's son Kang was prefect of Guangping at the end of the Tianbao era. He resisted An Lushan, but the city fell and his whole household was destroyed. He was posthumously made minister of revenue. Kang's son Sheng was only four years old. He and his younger brother Zeng were spared because they were small and weak, and were taken as reward captives. When Hebei was pacified, their clansman Hong redeemed them with money. Later he passed the Mingjing examination and was appointed aide at Linhuan. Xuzhou military governor Zhang Jianfeng admired Kang's integrity. Hearing of Sheng's earnest conduct, he memorialized to appoint him to his staff and had him act as magistrate of Fuli. Later he was transferred to aide at Wangwu and became known for prudence and integrity. He delighted in entertaining guests, and his household never counted its wealth. When he died there was not enough money even to conduct his funeral.
15
=李傑=李傑，本名務光，相州釜陽人。 後魏并州刺史寶之裔孫。 少以孝友著。 擢明經第，解褐齊州參軍事，遷累天官員外郎。 為吏詳敏，有治譽。 以采訪使行山南，時戶口逋蕩，細弱下戶為豪力所兼，傑為設科條區處，檢防亡匿，復業者十七八。 神龍中，為河東巡察黜陟使，課最諸道。 先天中，進陜州刺史、水陸發運使。 置使自傑始。 改河南尹。
Li Jie. Li Jie, whose original name was Wuguang, came from Fuyang in Xiang Prefecture. He was a descendant of Bao, the area commander of Bing Prefecture under the Later Wei. From youth he was known for filial piety and brotherly affection. He passed the Mingjing examination, entered service as military adjutant in Qi Prefecture, and after repeated promotions became vice director in the Ministry of Personnel. As an official he was thorough and quick, and won a reputation for good governance. As investigating commissioner he toured Shannan. Household registers were then in disarray, and weak, low-status households were being absorbed by powerful men. Jie set up regulations to sort them out, inspected against flight and concealment, and seven or eight tenths of those displaced returned to their occupations. During the Shenlong period he was promotion-and-demotion commissioner inspecting Hedong, and his assessment ranked highest among all circuits. During the Xiantian period he was promoted to prefect of Shan and commissioner for water and land transport. The office of transport commissioner was first established with Jie. He was made intendant of Henan.
16
傑既精聽斷，雖行坐食飲，省治不少廢，繇是府無淹事，人吏愛之。 寡婦有告其子不孝者，傑物色非是，謂婦曰：「子法當死，無悔乎？」 答曰：「子無狀，寧其悔！」 乃命市棺還斂之，使人跡婦出，與一道士語，頃持棺至，傑令捕道士按問，乃與婦私不得逞。 傑殺道士，內於棺。 河、汴之交舊有梁公埭，廢不治，南方漕弗通，傑調汴、鄭丁男復作之，不費而利。
Jie was skilled at hearing cases and rendering judgment. Even while walking, sitting, eating, or drinking he never slackened in his office work. The prefecture therefore had no backlog, and officials and clerks loved him. A widow reported that her son was unfilial. Jie observed that this was not so and said to the woman, "By law your son should die. Will you not regret it?" She answered, "The boy is worthless — why would I regret it!" He then ordered a coffin bought and had the son reinterred. He had someone follow the woman when she went out and found her speaking with a Daoist priest. Soon the priest arrived with the coffin. Jie ordered the priest seized and interrogated — he and the woman had been lovers and could not have their way. Jie killed the priest and placed him inside the coffin. At the junction of the Yellow and Bian rivers there had been the Liang Duke's embankment, abandoned and unrepaired so that southern grain transport could not pass. Jie conscripted adult males from Bian and Zheng to rebuild it, to great benefit and at little cost.
17
入代宋璟為御史大夫。 尚衣奉禦長孫昕素惡傑，遇於道，內恃玄宗婭婿，與所親楊仙玉共毆辱之。 傑訴曰：「敗髮膚，痛在身； 辱衣冠，恥在國。」 帝怒，詔斬昕等朝堂。 左散騎常侍馬懷素建言：「陽和月，不可以殊死。」 乃敕杖殺之，謝百官，降書慰傑。
He replaced Song Jing as censor-in-chief. Palace Attendant of Imperial Wardrobe Changsun Xin had long hated Jie. They met on the road, and Changsun, relying on being Emperor Xuanzong's son-in-law, together with his intimate Yang Xianyu beat and humiliated him. Jie appealed, saying, "To injure hair and skin causes pain in the body; to insult official robes and caps brings shame to the state." The emperor was angry and ordered Xin and the others beheaded in the court hall. Left Regular Attendant Ma Huaisu offered counsel: "In the month of yang harmony, extraordinary death penalties may not be carried out." He then ordered them beaten to death with the rod, apologized to the hundred officials, and sent down a letter to comfort Jie.
18
以護作橋陵，封武威縣子。 初，傑引侍御史王旭為護陵判官，旭貪贓，傑將繩之，未及發，反為所構，出衢州刺史。 遷揚州大都督府長史，復為御史劾免。 開元六年卒，帝悼之，特贈戶部尚書。
For supervising construction of Qiaoling he was enfeoffed as Viscount of Wuwei County. Earlier Jie had brought in Attending Censor Wang Xu as judge for protecting the tomb. Xu was corrupt, and Jie was about to punish him, but before he could act was instead framed by Xu and sent out as prefect of Qu Prefecture. He was transferred to chief administrator of the Yangzhou metropolitan prefecture and was again impeached by censors and dismissed. He died in the sixth year of Kaiyuan. The emperor mourned him and specially posthumously made him minister of revenue.
19
=鄭惟忠=鄭惟忠，宋州宋城人。 第進士，補井陘尉。 天授中，以制舉召見廷中，武後問舉者，何所事為忠，對皆不合旨。 惟忠曰：「外揚君之美，內正君之惡。」 後曰：「善。」 擢左司禦胄曹參軍事，遷水部員外郎。 後還長安，復以待制召。 後曰：「非嘗於東都對忠臣者乎？ 朕今不忘。」 遷鳳閣舍人。
Zheng Weizhong. Zheng Weizhong came from Songcheng in Song Prefecture. He passed the jinshi examination and was appointed aide at Jingxing. During the Tianshou period he was summoned by decree examination and received in the hall. Empress Wu asked the examinees what acts constituted loyalty, and their answers all failed to match her intent. Weizhong said, "Outwardly to proclaim the ruler's excellence, inwardly to correct the ruler's faults." The Empress said, "Good." He was promoted to military adjutant in the Left Office for Imperial Guard Equipment and transferred to vice director in the Ministry of Works. When the Empress returned to Chang'an he was again summoned as awaiting imperial command. The Empress said, "Are you not the one who answered about the loyal minister at the eastern capital? I have not forgotten you." He was transferred to drafting secretary of the Phoenix Pavilion.
20
中宗立，擢黃門侍郎。 時議禁嶺南酋戶不得畜兵，惟忠曰：「善為政者因其俗。 且吳人所謂家鶴膝、戶犀渠，此民風也，禁之得無擾乎？」 遂止。 進大理卿。 節湣太子敗，守衛詿誤皆流，已決，諸韋黨請悉誅之，帝欲改推。 惟忠奏：「大獄始判，復改訊，恐反側者不自安，且失信天下。」 有詔百司參議，卒論如前，所全貸為多。 俄授御史大夫，持節賑給河北道，且許黜陟守宰。 還奏稱旨，封滎陽縣男，遷太子賓客。 卒，贈太子少保。
When Emperor Zhongzong took the throne he was promoted to vice minister of the Yellow Gate. At the time there was discussion of forbidding tribal households in Lingnan to keep weapons. Weizhong said, "One who governs well follows local custom. Moreover what the people of Wu call 'crane-knee in every home' and 'rhinoceros-horn channel in every household' is local custom. Would forbidding it not cause disturbance?" The proposal was therefore dropped. He was promoted to chief of the Court of Judicial Review. When Crown Prince Jiemin fell, the guards who had been implicated by error were all exiled and the sentence had already been decided. The Wei faction asked that all be executed, and the emperor wished to reopen the case. Weizhong memorialized: "A great case has just been decided. To reopen interrogation will make those who have wavered feel unsafe and will lose the trust of the empire." An edict ordered the hundred offices to confer. The final judgment remained as before, and many were spared. Soon he was appointed censor-in-chief, bearing credentials to provide relief on the Hebei circuit and also permitted to promote or demote prefects and magistrates. On his return his memorial matched the emperor's intent. He was enfeoffed as Baron of Xingyang County and transferred to companion of the crown prince. He died and was posthumously made junior guardian of the crown prince.
21
=王誌愔=王誌愔，博州聊城人。 擢進士第。 中宗神龍中，為左臺侍御史，以剛鷙為治，所居人吏畏詟，呼為「皂雕」。 遷大理正，嘗奏言：「法令者，人之堤防，不立則無所制。 今大理多不奉法，以縱罪為仁，持文為苛，臣執刑典，恐且得謗。」 遂上所著《應正論》以見誌，因規帝失。 大抵以《易萃》之六二曰「引吉無咎」，謂處萃之時，己獨居正，異操而聚，獨正者危，未能以遠害。 惟九五應之，乃履正迎吉，由己居下位而中正是托，期於上應之，不括囊以守祿也。 又言：「刑賞二柄，惟人主操之。 故曰：『以力役法者，百姓也； 以死守法者，有司也； 以道變法者，君上也。』 魏遊肇為廷尉，帝私敕肇有所降恕，肇執不從，曰：『陛下自能恕之，豈可令臣曲筆也。』」 又言：「為國當以嚴致平，非以寬致平。 嚴者，非凝網重罰，在人不易犯而防難越也。 故舍銜策於奔馳，則王良不能禦駻； 停藥石於膚腠，則俞附不能攻疾。」 又言：「漢武帝甥昭平君殺人，以公主子，廷尉上請，帝垂涕曰：『法令者，先帝之所造也，用親故誣先帝法，吾何面目入高廟乎？』 卒可其奏。 隋文帝子秦王俊為并州總管，以奢縱免官。 楊素曰：『王，陛下愛子，請赦之。』 帝曰：『法不可違，若如公意，我乃五兒之父，非兆人之父，何不別制天子子律乎？』 故天子操法有不變之義。」 凡數千言，帝嘉之。
Wang Zhiyin. Wang Zhiyin came from Liaocheng in Bo Prefecture. He passed the jinshi examination. During the Shenlong period under Emperor Zhongzong he was attending censor of the left censorate. He governed with stern severity, and officials and clerks where he served feared and trembled, calling him "Black Eagle." He was transferred to senior judge of the Court of Judicial Review and once memorialized: "Laws and ordinances are the dikes and barriers of men. If they are not established there is nothing to restrain. Today the Court of Judicial Review often does not follow the law, treating leniency in crime as benevolence and holding to the letter as harshness. If I enforce the penal code I fear I will be slandered." He then submitted his work "Discourse on Responding to Rectitude" to show his intent and thereby admonish the emperor's faults. Broadly he took the second line of Gathering in the Book of Changes, which says "Drawing in good fortune, no blame," to mean that in a time of gathering, when one alone holds to rectitude while others of different conduct assemble, the one who alone is upright is in peril and cannot yet keep harm at a distance. Only when the fifth line responds to it does one tread the path of rectitude and welcome good fortune — because one occupies the lower position and entrusts rectitude to the center, expecting response from above, and does not tie the sack closed merely to hold one's salary. He also said: "The two handles of punishment and reward are wielded only by the sovereign. Therefore it is said: 'Those who serve the law by force are the common people;' those who uphold the law even unto death are the officials; those who change the law by the Way are the ruler above. Wei Youzhao was chief of the Court of Judicial Review. The emperor privately ordered Youzhao to reduce or pardon someone. Youzhao held firm and did not comply, saying, 'Your Majesty can pardon him yourself — how can you have me bend the brush?' He also said: "To govern a state one should achieve peace through strictness, not through leniency. Strictness does not mean tightening the net with heavy punishments. It means that people do not easily offend and are prevented from transgressing. Therefore if one removes the bit and whip during a gallop, even Wang Liang cannot control a wild horse; if one stops medicine at the skin, then Yu Fu cannot cure the illness." He also said: "Emperor Wu of Han's nephew Zhao Pingjun killed a man. As the princess's son the chief of the Court of Judicial Review submitted the request. The emperor wept and said, 'Laws and ordinances were made by the Former Emperor. To use kinship to deceive the Former Emperor's law — with what face can I enter the High Temple? He finally approved the memorial. Emperor Wen of Sui's son Qin Jun was area commander of Bing Prefecture and was dismissed from office for extravagance and indulgence. Yang Su said, 'The prince is Your Majesty's beloved son — please pardon him. The emperor said, 'The law cannot be violated. If I followed your wish I would be father to my five sons alone, not father to the myriad people — why not make a separate law for the Son of Heaven's sons? Therefore in wielding the law the Son of Heaven has the meaning of unchanging principle." In all several thousand words; the emperor commended it.
22
景雲初，以左御史中丞遷大理少卿。 時詔用漢故事，設刺史監郡，於天下劇州置都督，選素威重者授之。 遂拜誌愔齊州都督，事中格，復授齊州刺史、河南道按察使。 徙汴州，封北海縣男。 太極元年，兼御史中丞內供奉，實封百戶。 出為魏州刺史，改揚州長史。 所至破碎奸猾，令行禁信，境內肅然。
At the beginning of the Jingyun period he was transferred from left assistant censor-in-chief to vice chief of the Court of Judicial Review. At the time an edict followed Han precedent to establish regional inspectors to supervise commanderies and to place area commanders in the most important prefectures throughout the empire, selecting men of established authority and weight to appoint them. Zhiyin was then appointed area commander of Qi, but the arrangement was blocked mid-course. He was again appointed prefect of Qi and inspecting commissioner of the Henan circuit. He was moved to Bian Prefecture and enfeoffed as Baron of Beihai County. In the first year of Taiji he also served as assistant censor-in-chief on inner palace duty, with a substantive fief of a hundred households. He was sent out as prefect of Wei and then made chief administrator of Yangzhou. Wherever he went he shattered the cunning and corrupt. Orders were carried out and prohibitions trusted, and within his jurisdiction all was orderly.
23
開元九年，帝幸東都，詔留守京師。 京兆人權梁山妄稱襄王子，與左右屯營官謀反，自稱光帝，夜犯長樂門，入宮城，將殺誌愔，誌愔逾垣走，而屯營兵悔，更斬梁山等自歸，誌愔慚悸卒。
In the ninth year of Kaiyuan the emperor visited the eastern capital and ordered him to remain and guard the capital. The Jingzhao man Quan Liangshan falsely claimed to be a son of Prince Xiang and plotted rebellion with officers of the Left and Right Garrison Camps. He styled himself Emperor Guang. At night he attacked Changle Gate and entered the palace city intending to kill Zhiyin. Zhiyin climbed over the wall and fled. The garrison troops repented, beheaded Liangshan and the others, and surrendered themselves. Zhiyin died of shame and fright.
24
=許景先=許景先，常州義興人。 曾祖緒，武德時以佐命功，歷左散騎常侍，封真定公，遂家洛陽。 景先由進士第釋褐夏陽尉。 神龍初，東都造服慈閣，景先獻賦，李迥秀見其文，畏嘆曰：「是宜付太史！」 擢左拾遺，以論事切直，外補滑州司士參軍。 舉手筆俊拔、茂才異等連中，進揚州兵曹參軍。 還為左補闕。 宋璟、蘇颋擇殿中侍御史，久不補，以授景先，時議僉愜。 抨按不避近強。 與齊浣、王丘、韓休、張九齡更知制誥，以雅厚稱。 張說曰：「許舍人之文，雖乏峻峰激流，然詞旨豐美，得中和之氣。」
Xu Jingxian. Xu Jingxian came from Yixing in Chang Prefecture. His great-grandfather Xu, for merit in assisting the founding mandate during the Wude period, served as left regular attendant and was enfeoffed as Duke of Zhending. The family then settled in Luoyang. Jingxian passed the jinshi examination and entered service as aide at Xiayang. At the beginning of the Shenlong period the eastern capital built the Fuci Pavilion. Jingxian submitted a fu-rhapsody. Li Jiongxiu saw his writing and in awe exclaimed, "This should be handed to the grand astrologer!" He was promoted to left remonstrator. Because his policy discussions were sharp and direct he was sent out as military adjutant in Hua Prefecture. He passed in succession the examinations for outstanding brushwork and for extraordinary talent and was advanced to military adjutant in Yang Prefecture. He returned to serve as left rectifier. Song Jing and Su Ting chose an attending censor within the palace. The post had long gone unfilled, and they gave it to Jingxian. Public opinion was entirely satisfied. In impeachment and investigation he did not avoid the powerful nearby. He alternated with Qi Huan, Wang Qiu, Han Xiu, and Zhang Jiuling in drafting edicts and was known for elegant depth. Zhang Yue said, "Attendant Xu Jingxian's writing, though lacking sharp peaks and rushing currents, has rich and beautiful diction and attains the spirit of centrality and harmony."
25
開元十年，伊、汝溢，壞廬舍甚眾，景先見侍中源乾曜曰：「災眚所降，王者宜修德應之，因遣大臣存問失職，罪己引咎，以答天譴。 公在元弼，庸可默乎？」 乾曜悟，遽白玄宗，遣陸象先持節賑贍。
In the tenth year of Kaiyuan the Yi and Ru rivers overflowed and destroyed many dwellings. Jingxian saw Chief Minister Yuan Qianyao and said, "When calamities descend, the king should cultivate virtue to respond, send great ministers to inquire after those who have lost their livelihoods, confess faults and accept blame, to answer heaven's rebuke. You are among the chief ministers — can you remain silent?" Qianyao understood, immediately reported to Emperor Xuanzong, and sent Lu Xiangxian bearing credentials to provide relief.
26
十三年，帝自擇刺史，景先由吏部侍郎為刺史治虢州，大理卿源光裕鄭州，兵部侍郎寇泚宋州，禮部侍郎鄭溫琦邠州，大理少卿袁仁敬杭州，鴻臚少卿崔誌廉襄州，衛尉少卿李升期邢州，太仆少卿鄭放定州，國子司業蔣挺湖州，左衛將軍裴觀滄州，衛率崔誠遂州，凡十一人。 治行，詔宰相、諸王、御史以上祖道洛濱，盛具，奏太常樂，帛舫水嬉，命高力士賜詩，帝親書，且給筆紙令自賦，賚絹三千遣之。 後徙岐州，入為吏部侍郎，卒。
In the thirteenth year the emperor personally chose prefects: Jingxian from vice minister of personnel became prefect of Guo; Chief of the Court of Judicial Review Yuan Guangyu, Zheng; Vice Minister of War Kou Ci, Song; Vice Minister of Rites Zheng Wenqi, Bin; Vice Chief of the Court of Judicial Review Yuan Renjing, Hang; Vice Minister of Ceremonial Cui Zhilian, Xiang; Vice Minister of the Guard Li Shengqi, Xing; Vice Minister of the Stud Zheng Fang, Ding; Vice Rector of the Directorate of Education Jiang Ting, Hu; General of the Left Guard Pei Guan, Cang; Guard Commander Cui Cheng, Su — eleven men in all. When they were about to depart, an edict ordered the chief ministers, princes, and censors and above to give them a send-off at the Luo riverbank with lavish provisions. The Music Bureau performed, silk boats sported on the water, and Gao Lishi was ordered to bestow poems. The emperor personally wrote and also provided brush and paper for them to compose themselves. Three thousand bolts of silk were granted and they were dispatched. Later he was moved to Qi Prefecture, entered office as vice minister of personnel, and died.
27
=潘好禮=潘好禮，貝州宗城人。 第明經，累遷上蔡令，治在最，擢監察御史。 坐小累，下除芮城令，拜侍御史，徙岐王府司馬。 居後母喪，詔奪服，固辭不出。 開元初，為邠王府長史。 王為滑州刺史，好禮兼府司馬、知州事。 王禦下不能肅，有詔好禮檢督王家，至過失皆上聞。 王每遊觀，好禮必諫諭禁切。 農月，王出獵，家奴羅迾，好禮遮道諫，王初不許，乃臥馬下呼曰：「今農在田，王何得非時暴禾稼，以損下人？ 要先踐殺司馬，然後聽所為！」 王慚，為還。
Pan Haoli. Pan Haoli came from Zongcheng in Bei Prefecture. He passed the Mingjing examination, rose through repeated promotions to magistrate of Shangcai, ranked highest in governance, and was advanced to investigating censor. For a minor offense he was demoted to magistrate of Ruicheng, appointed attending censor, and transferred to military aide of the Prince of Qi's household. While mourning his stepmother he was ordered by edict to leave mourning garb, but he firmly declined and did not take office. At the beginning of the Kaiyuan period he became chief administrator of the Prince of Bin's household. When the prince became prefect of Hua, Haoli also served as military aide of the princely household and managed prefectural affairs. The prince could not keep his subordinates in order. An edict ordered Haoli to inspect and supervise the princely household, and all faults were reported upward. Whenever the prince went sightseeing Haoli always remonstrated and admonished with strict prohibition. During the farming month the prince went hunting. Household slaves cordoned the way. Haoli blocked the road and remonstrated, but the prince at first would not agree. Haoli then lay beneath the horse and cried, "The farmers are in the fields now — how can Your Highness at the wrong season trample the grain and harm the common people? You must first trample me, the military aide, to death — then do as you please!" The prince was ashamed and turned back.
28
遷豫州刺史。 勤力於治，清廉無所私，然喜察細事，下厭其苛。 子請舉明經，好禮曰：「經不明，不可妄進。」 乃自試之，不能通，怒笞之，械而徇於門。 復以公累，徙溫州別駕，卒。
He was transferred to prefect of Yu Prefecture. He worked hard at governance and was incorruptible without private interest, yet he liked to investigate petty matters, and subordinates resented his severity. His son asked to take the Mingjing examination. Haoli said, "If the classics are not understood, one must not rashly advance." He then tested him himself. The son could not pass, so enraged he flogged him, put him in cangue, and displayed him at the gate. Again for a public offense he was moved to assistant administrator of Wen Prefecture and died.
29
好禮博學，能論議，節行修整，一意無所傾附。 未嘗自列階勛，居室服用粗茍至終身，世謂近名。
Haoli was broadly learned and able in debate. His conduct was disciplined and correct, and he held to one purpose without leaning toward any faction. He never listed his own rank and merit. His dwelling and dress were coarse and plain to the end of his life, and contemporaries said he courted reputation.
30
=倪若水=倪若水，字子泉，恒州槁城人。 擢進士第，累遷右臺監察御史。 黜陟劍南道，繩舉嚴允，課第一。 開元初，為中書舍人、尚書右丞，出為汴州刺史，政清凈。 增修孔子廟，興州縣學廬，勸生徒，身為教誨，風化興行。
Ni Ruoshui. Ni Ruoshui, courtesy name Ziquan, came from Gaocheng in Heng Prefecture. He passed the jinshi examination and after repeated promotions became investigating censor of the right censorate. As promotion-and-demotion commissioner on the Jiannan circuit he investigated and reported with strict fairness, and his assessment ranked first. At the beginning of the Kaiyuan period he was drafting secretary of the Secretariat and right vice minister of the ministries. He was sent out as prefect of Bian, where his governance was pure and clean. He expanded and repaired the Confucius temple, established district and county schools, encouraged students, and personally taught and instructed until civilizing transformation flourished.
31
玄宗遣中人捕鵁鶄、鸂鶒南方，若水上言：「農方田，婦方蠶，以此時捕奇禽怪羽為園禦之玩，自江、嶺而南，達京師，水舟陸賫，所飼魚蟲、稻粱，道路之言，不以賤人貴鳥望陛下邪？」 帝手詔褒答，悉放所玩，謫使人過取罪，而賜若水帛四十段。
Emperor Xuanzong sent palace agents to capture jacanas and grebes in the south. Ruoshui memorialized: "Farmers are in the fields and women are raising silkworms. To capture strange birds at this season for garden and imperial amusement, from the Yangzi and Ling ranges southward to the capital by water and land transport, feeding fish, insects, rice, and grain — do the people on the roads not look to Your Majesty to value men over birds?" The emperor personally wrote an edict in praise and reply, released all the captured birds, punished the agents for overreaching, and bestowed forty bolts of silk on Ruoshui.
32
時天下久平，朝廷尊榮，人皆重內任，雖自冗官擢方面，皆自謂下遷。 班景倩自揚州采訪使入為大理少卿，過州，若水餞於郊，顧左右曰：「班公是行若登仙，吾恨不得為騶仆。」 未幾，入為戶部侍郎，復拜右丞，卒。
The empire had long been at peace and the court was honored and glorious. All valued inner appointments, and even when promoted from redundant posts to regional command, all considered it a demotion. Ban Jingqian entered office from Yangzhou investigating commissioner as vice chief of the Court of Judicial Review. Passing through the prefecture, Ruoshui saw him off in the suburbs and said to those beside him, "Master Ban's journey this time is like ascending to immortality — I regret I cannot be his outrider and groom." Before long he entered office as vice minister of revenue, was again appointed right vice minister, and died.
33
=席豫=席豫，字建侯，襄州襄陽人。 後周昌州刺史固七世孫，後徙河南。 長安中，舉學兼流略、詞擅文場科，擢上第，時年十六，以父喪罷。 復舉手筆俊拔科，中之。 補襄邑尉，奏事闕下，會節湣太子難，安樂公主請為皇太女，豫曰：「昔梅福上書譏後族，彼何人哉！」 乃上疏請立皇太子，語深切，人為寒懼。 太平公主聞其名，將表為諫官，豫恥汙诐謁，遁去。 俄舉賢良方正異等，為陽翟尉。
Xi Yu. Xi Yu, courtesy name Jianhou, came from Xiangyang in Xiang Prefecture. He was a seventh-generation descendant of Gu, prefect of Chang Prefecture under Later Zhou. Later the family moved to Henan. During the Chang'an period he took the examination for combined learning and broad mastery and for mastery of the literary arena and placed at the top. He was then sixteen and withdrew for his father's mourning. He again took the examination for outstanding brushwork and passed. He was appointed aide at Xiangyi. While presenting matters at court Crown Prince Jiemin fell into crisis and Princess Anle asked to be made imperial crown daughter. Yu said, "In antiquity Mei Fu submitted a memorial mocking the empress's clan — what sort of men were they!" He then submitted a memorial asking that the crown prince be established. The language was deeply earnest, and people were chilled with fear. Princess Taiping heard his name and was about to recommend him as remonstrance official. Yu was ashamed to pay a tainted visit and fled. Soon he was recommended as outstanding in worth and integrity and became aide at Yangdi.
34
開元初，觀察使薦豫賢，遷監察御史，出為樂壽令。 前令以親喪解，而豫母病，訴諸朝，改懷州司倉參軍。 復舉超拔群類科。 會母喪去。 服除，授大理丞，遷考功員外郎，進絀清明。 為中書舍人，與韓休、許景先、徐安貞、孫逖名相甲乙。 出鄭州刺史。 韓休輔政，舉代己，入拜吏部侍郎。 玄宗曰：「卿前日考功職詳事允，故有今授。」 豫典選六年，拔寒遠士多至臺閣，當時推知人，號席公雲。 天寶六載，進禮部尚書，累封襄陽縣子。 凡四以使者按行江南、江東、淮南、河北。 南方俗死不葬，暴骨中野，豫教以埋斂，明列科防，俗為之改。
At the beginning of the Kaiyuan period the investigating commissioner recommended Yu's worth. He was transferred to investigating censor and sent out as magistrate of Leshou. The previous magistrate had left office for parental mourning, but Yu's mother was ill. He appealed to the court and was changed to granary adjutant in Huai Prefecture. He again passed the examination for surpassing all categories. When his mother died he left office. When mourning ended he was appointed assistant in the Court of Judicial Review, transferred to vice director in the Ministry of Merit Evaluation, and advanced for clarity in evaluation. He became drafting secretary of the Secretariat and with Han Xiu, Xu Jingxian, Xu Anzhen, and Sun Ti was ranked among the foremost. He was sent out as prefect of Zheng Prefecture. When Han Xiu assisted in governance he recommended Yu to replace himself. Yu entered court and was appointed vice minister of personnel. Emperor Xuanzong said, "You previously in the Ministry of Merit Evaluation handled affairs in detail and with fairness — therefore this appointment." Yu managed selection for six years. Many poor and distant scholars he promoted reached the high offices. Contemporaries praised his discernment of men and called him Master Xi. In the sixth year of Tianbao he was advanced to minister of rites and after repeated enfeoffments became Viscount of Xiangyang County. In all he four times toured as envoy to inspect Jiangnan, Jiangdong, Huainan, and Hebei. In the south the custom was not to bury the dead but to expose bones in the wild. Yu taught burial and encoffining, clearly set regulations and prohibitions, and the custom was changed.
35
豫清直亡欲，當官不為勢權所撼。 性謹畏，與子弟、屬吏書，不作草字。 或曰：「此細事耳，何留慮？」 答曰：「細不謹，況大事邪？」 及疾篤，遺令：「三日斂，斂已即葬，勿久留以黷公私； 貲不足，可賣居宅以終事。」 卒，年六十九，贈江陵大都督，謚曰文。
Yu was pure, upright, and without desire. In office he was not swayed by power and authority. By nature he was cautious and reverent. In letters to sons, younger brothers, and subordinate officials he never wrote cursive characters. Someone said, "This is a petty matter — why dwell on it?" He answered, "If one is not careful in small things, what of great matters?" When his illness was grave he left instructions: "Encoffin within three days; once encoffined bury at once; do not linger long and profane public and private affairs; if funds are insufficient, the residence may be sold to complete the rites." He died at sixty-nine. He was posthumously made metropolitan prefect of Jiangling, with the posthumous title Wen.
36
帝嘗登朝元閣賦詩，群臣屬和，帝以豫詩最工，詔曰：「詩人之冠冕也。」 弟晉，亦以文名當時。
The emperor once ascended Chaoyuan Pavilion and composed a poem. The hundred ministers matched it. The emperor considered Yu's poem the most accomplished and decreed, "The crown of poets." His younger brother Jin was also famed for writing in his day.
37
=齊澣=齊澣，字洗心，定州義豐人。 少開敏，年十四，見特進李嶠，嶠稱有王佐才。
Qi Huan. Qi Huan, courtesy name Xixin, came from Yifeng in Ding Prefecture. In youth he was quick and keen. At fourteen he met Special Advance Li Jiao, who praised him as having the talent of a chief minister.
38
中宗在廬陵，澣上言請抑諸武，迎太子東宮，不報。 及太子還，武後召澣宴同明殿，諭曰：「朕母子如初，卿豫有力焉，方不次待爾。」 澣辭母老不忍遠離，賞而罷。 聖歷初，及進士第，以拔萃調蒲州司法參軍。 有父子連坐論死者，澣曰：「條落則本枯，奈何俱死？」 議貸其父，太守不聽，固爭，卒原。 景雲初，姚崇取為監察御史。 凡劾奏，常先風教，號善職。 睿宗將祠太廟，刑部尚書裴談攝太尉，先告。 澣奏：「孝享攝事，稽首而拜，恭明神也，而談慢媟不恭。」 並劾談「神昏形滓，挾邪以罔上。 神龍時，事武三思，陷敬暉，沒其家以獲進。 妻外淫，男女不得姓氏。 夫告神慢，事主不忠，家不治，有是三罪，不可不置之法。」 談由是下除汾州刺史。
When Emperor Zhongzong was in Luling, Huan submitted a memorial asking to restrain the Wu clan and welcome the crown prince to the eastern palace. There was no reply. When the crown prince returned Empress Wu summoned Huan to a banquet in Tongming Hall and said, "My son and I are as at first. You had a forceful part in this, and I shall treat you with extraordinary promotion." Huan declined, saying his mother was old and he could not bear to go far. She rewarded him and dismissed the matter. At the beginning of the Shengli period he passed the jinshi examination and through outstanding selection was appointed judicial adjutant in Pu Prefecture. There was a case where father and son were jointly sentenced to death. Huan said, "When the branches fall the trunk withers — why must both die?" He proposed sparing the father. The prefect would not agree, but he argued firmly until in the end the father was pardoned. At the beginning of the Jingyun period Yao Chong selected him as investigating censor. In all impeachments and memorials he always put moral instruction first and was styled excellent in office. When Ruizong was about to sacrifice at the imperial temple, Minister of Justice Pei Tan acted as Grand Marshal and performed the preliminary announcement. Huan memorialized: "In filial sacrifice by proxy one bows with forehead to the ground — this shows reverence to the spirits. Yet Tan was negligent, irreverent, and disrespectful." He also impeached Tan: "His spirit is muddled and his form impure. He harbors evil to deceive his superiors. During the Shenlong period he served Wu Sansi, framed Jing Hui, and seized his household to advance himself. His wife committed adultery, and the children could not take a surname. As husband he was negligent toward the spirits; as subject he was disloyal to his lord; as head of household he did not govern the family. With these three crimes he could not but be punished by law." Tan was therefore demoted to prefect of Fen Prefecture.
39
開元初，姚崇復相，用為給事中、中書舍人。 論駁及誥詔皆援準古誼，朝廷大政必咨之，時號「解事舍人」。 數諷崇年老宜避位。 時宋璟在廣州，因勸崇舉自代，崇用其謀。 璟為相，它日問曰：「吾不敢冀房、杜，比爾日諸公雲何？」 澣曰：「不如。」 璟請故，答曰：「前時近郊戶三百以為困，今不百戶，是以知之。」 馬懷素等緒次四庫書，表澣為副，改秘書少監。
At the beginning of the Kaiyuan period Yao Chong again became chief minister and employed him as palace attendant and drafting secretary of the Secretariat. In debate and in proclamations and edicts he always cited ancient principle. Great affairs of court were always referred to him, and the age called him "the drafting secretary who understands affairs." He repeatedly hinted that Chong was old and should yield his position. Song Jing was then in Guangzhou. Huan urged Chong to recommend himself as successor, and Chong followed his plan. When Jing became chief minister he one day asked, "I dare not hope to match Fang and Du — compared with the gentlemen of these days, how am I?" Huan said, "Not as good." Jing asked the reason. He answered, "Formerly three hundred households near the capital were considered distressed. Now there are not a hundred — that is how I know." Ma Huaisu and others compiled the books of the Four Repositories and recommended Huan as deputy. He was made vice director of the Secretariat.
40
出為汴州刺史，地當舟車湊集，事浩繁，前刺史數不稱職，唯倪若水與澣以清毅聞，吏民頌美。 玄宗封太山，歷汴、宋、許，車騎數萬，王公妃主四夷君長馬、橐駝亦數萬，所頓彌數十里。 澣列長棚，帟幕聯亙，上食凡千輿，納筦鑰，身進膳，帝以為知禮，喜甚，為留三日，賜帛二千匹。 澣以淮至徐城險急，鑿渠十八里，入青水，人便其漕。
He was sent out as prefect of Bian, a gathering point for boats and carts where affairs were vast and complex. Several previous prefects had not performed well. Only Ni Ruoshui and Huan were known for purity and firmness, and officials and people praised them. When Emperor Xuanzong performed the feng sacrifice on Mount Tai he passed through Bian, Song, and Xu. Chariots and horsemen numbered in the tens of thousands, and princes, princesses, consorts, and chieftains of the four barbarians with horses and camels also numbered in the tens of thousands. Each halt stretched for miles. Huan set out long pavilions with linked awnings and curtains. Meals served amounted to a thousand carts. He received the keys and personally presented the food. The emperor considered this knowing ritual and was greatly pleased. He stayed three days and bestowed two thousand bolts of silk. Because the route from the Huai to Xucheng was dangerous and steep, Huan cut a canal eighteen li long into the Qing River, and people found transport convenient.
41
中書令張說擇丞轄，以王丘為左，澣為右。 李元纮、杜暹當國，表宋璟為吏部尚書，澣及蘇晉為侍郎，世謂臺選。 嘗奏事，帝指政事堂曰：「非卿尚誰居者。」
Chief Minister of the Secretariat Zhang Yue chose assistant commissioners. Wang Qiu was left and Huan was right. When Li Yuanhong and Du Xian held the state, they recommended Song Jing as minister of personnel and Huan and Su Jin as vice ministers. The age called it the censorate selection. Once when memorializing, the emperor pointed to the Hall of Administration and said, "If not you, who should sit there?"
42
是時，開府王毛仲寵甚，與龍武將軍葛福順相婚嫁，毛仲請奏無不從。 澣乘間曰：「福順典兵馬，與毛仲為婚家，小人寵極則奸生，不預圖，且有後患。 高力士小心謹畏，加宦人可備禁中驅使，腹心所委，何必毛仲哉？」 又言：「君不密失臣，臣不密失身，惟陛下密此言。」 帝嘉納，且勞曰：「卿第出，我徐計其宜。」 會大理丞麻察坐事，出為興州別駕，澣往餞，因道諫語。 察素奸佻，遽言狀。 帝怒，召澣入殿中曰：「卿向疑朕不密，而反告察，謂何？ 且察輕躁無行，常遊太平門者，詎不知邪？」 澣免冠頓首謝，貶高州良德丞，察再貶皇化尉，其黨齊敷、郭稟皆流放。
At that time Privy Treasurer Wang Maoen was greatly favored. He intermarried with Dragon Martial General Ge Fushun, and Maoen's requests and memorials were never refused. Huan seized an opportunity and said, "Fushun commands troops and horses and is related by marriage to Maoen. When petty men reach the height of favor wickedness is born — if not planned for in advance there will be later trouble. Gao Lishi is careful and reverent. Moreover as a eunuch he can serve in the inner palace and is trusted as a confidant. Why need Maoen?" He also said, "If the ruler is not discreet he loses his ministers; if the minister is not discreet he loses his life — may Your Majesty keep these words secret." The emperor commended and accepted it and also consoled him, saying, "You go out first; I shall slowly consider what is fitting." When Assistant in the Court of Judicial Review Ma Cha was implicated in an affair and sent out as assistant administrator of Xing Prefecture, Huan went to see him off and along the way spoke of his remonstrance. Cha was by nature treacherous and frivolous and immediately reported what had been said. The emperor was angry, summoned Huan into the hall and said, "You just now doubted that I was not discreet, yet you in turn told Cha — what does this mean? Moreover Cha is frivolous and reckless without conduct — one who constantly frequents Taiping Gate — did you not know?" Huan removed his cap and bowed with forehead to the ground in apology. He was demoted to assistant magistrate of Liangde in Gao Prefecture. Cha was again demoted to aide at Huanghua, and his associates Qi Fu and Guo Bing were all exiled.
43
久之，澣徙索盧丞、郴州長史、濠常二州刺史。 遷潤州，州北距瓜步沙尾，紆匯六十里，舟多敗溺。 澣徙漕路繇京口埭，治伊婁渠以達揚子，歲無覆舟，減運錢數十萬。 又立伊婁埭，官征其入； 招還流人五百戶，置明州以安輯之。 復徙汴州。
After a long time Huan was moved to assistant magistrate of Suolu, chief administrator of Chen Prefecture, and prefect of Hao and Chang prefectures. He was transferred to Run Prefecture. North of the prefecture at the sand tail of Guabu the route wound and converged for sixty li, and many boats were wrecked and sunk. Huan moved the transport route through the Jingkou embankment and repaired the Yilou canal to reach the Yangzi. In a year there were no capsized boats, and transport costs were reduced by several hundred thousand. He also established the Yilou embankment, and the government collected its revenue; he recalled five hundred households of displaced persons and established Ming Prefecture to settle and pacify them. He was again moved to Bian Prefecture.
44
澣中失勢，益悵恨，素操浸衰。 更倚力士助，得為兩道采訪使，興利以中天子意，裒貨財遺謝貴幸。 納劉戒女為妾，不答其妻。 李林甫惡其行，欲擠而廢之。 會其幕府坐贓，事連澣，詔矜澣老，放歸田裏。 天寶初，召為太子少詹事，留司東都。 嚴挺之亦為林甫所廢，與澣家居，杖屨經過不缺日，林甫畏之，乃用澣為平陽太守，離其謀。 更以黃老清靜為治，卒，年七十二。 肅宗時，錄林甫所陷者，皆褒洗，故澣贈禮部尚書。
Huan had lost influence at court and grew ever more frustrated and resentful. His former conduct gradually declined. He relied more on Lishi's help, became investigating commissioner of two circuits, created profit to match the emperor's wishes, and gathered wealth to gift and thank the favored and powerful. He took Liu Jie's daughter as a concubine and did not answer his wife. Li Linfu hated his conduct and wished to squeeze him out and dismiss him. When his staff were implicated in corruption and the affair touched Huan, an edict took pity on Huan's age and released him to return to his fields. At the beginning of the Tianbao period he was summoned as junior steward of the crown prince's household and remained on duty in the eastern capital. Yan Tingzhi had also been dismissed by Linfu. He and Huan lived at home and with staff and sandals visited each other without missing a day. Linfu feared them and therefore appointed Huan prefect of Pingyang to separate their plotting. He further governed by the quiet purity of Huang-Lao teaching and died at seventy-two. During the reign of Emperor Suzong those whom Linfu had ruined were recorded and all were praised and rehabilitated. Huan was therefore posthumously made minister of rites.
45
澣嘗稱陳希烈、宋遙、苗晉卿、韋述之才，後皆大顯。
Huan once praised the talent of Chen Xilie, Song Yao, Miao Jinqing, and Wei Shu. All later achieved great prominence.
46
麻察者，河東人，由明經第五遷殿中侍御史。 魏元忠子升死節湣太子難，而元忠系大理，升妻鄭父遠，嘗納錢五百萬，以女易官。 武後重元忠舊臣，欲榮其姻對，授遠河內令，子洛州參軍。 元忠下獄，遣人絕婚，許之。 明日，嫁其女。 察劾遠敗風教，請錮終身，遠遂廢。 當時謂察為公，而終以憸險斥雲。
Ma Cha was a man of Hedong. Through placing fifth in the Mingjing examination he was promoted to attending censor within the palace. Wei Yuanzhong's son Sheng died in Crown Prince Jiemin's crisis while Yuanzhong was imprisoned in the Court of Judicial Review. Sheng's wife was a Zheng; her father Yuan had once paid five million cash to exchange his daughter for office. Empress Wu valued Yuanzhong as an old minister and wished to honor his marriage connection. She appointed Yuan magistrate of Henei and his son military adjutant in Luo Prefecture. When Yuanzhong was imprisoned he sent someone to break off the marriage, and Yuan agreed. The next day he married off his daughter. Cha impeached Yuan for corrupting moral instruction and asked that he be barred for life. Yuan was therefore ruined. At the time people called Cha fair, yet in the end he was dismissed for treacherous and dangerous conduct.
47
澣孫抗。 抗字遐舉，少值天寶亂，奉母夫人隱會稽。 壽州刺史張鎰辟署幕府。 抗吏事閑敏，有文雅，從鎰鎮江西。 及以宰相領鳳翔，奏署監察御史。 李楚琳亂，奔奉天，授侍御史，遷戶部員外郎。 蕭復引為江淮宣慰判官。 德宗自梁、洋還，財用大屈，鹽鐵使元琇薦抗材，改倉部郎中，斡鹽利。 俄為水陸運副使，護漕江淮，給京師。 歷諫議大夫，坐小累，為處州刺史。 歷蘇州，徙潭州觀察使，召為給事中，遷河南尹，進太常卿，以中書侍郎同中書門下平章事。
Huan's grandson Kang. Kang, courtesy name Xiaju, in youth encountered the Tianbao turmoil and supported his mother in seclusion in Kuaiji. Shou Prefecture prefect Zhang Yi recruited him to his staff. Kang was quick and adept in office affairs and had literary refinement. He followed Yi to garrison Jiangxi. When Yi as chief minister also held Fengxiang he memorialized to appoint Kang investigating censor. When Li Chulin rebelled he fled to Fengtian, was appointed attending censor, and was transferred to vice director in the Ministry of Revenue. Xiao Fu brought him in as judge on the Jiang-Huai pacification commission. When Emperor Dezong returned from Liang and Yang finances were greatly strained, Salt and Iron Commissioner Yuan Xiu recommended Kang's talent. He was made director in the Granary Section and managed salt profits. Soon he became deputy commissioner for water and land transport, supervised grain transport on the Jiang and Huai, and supplied the capital. He served as grand remonstrator. For a minor offense he became prefect of Chu Prefecture. He served in Su Prefecture, was moved to investigating commissioner of Tan Prefecture, was summoned as palace attendant, transferred to intendant of Henan, advanced to chief of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and as vice minister of the Secretariat became co-equal with the chief ministers of the Secretariat and Chancellery.
48
抗無遠謀大略，雖用心至精，末乃滋彰苛刻。 以病乞身，罷為太子賓客。 卒，年六十五，贈戶部尚書，謚曰成。
Kang had no far-reaching strategy or broad design. Though he applied himself with utmost precision, in the end his harshness became ever more evident. On grounds of illness he requested to leave office and was dismissed to become companion of the crown prince. He died at sixty-five. He was posthumously made minister of revenue, with the posthumous title Cheng.
49
初，吏部歲考書言，以它官第上下，中書、門下遣官覆實，以為常。 抗以尚書、侍郎皆大臣選，今更覆核，非任人勿疑之道。 禮部侍郎試貢士，其姻舊悉試考功，謂之「別頭」，皆奏罷之。 又省州別駕、田曹司田官、判司雙曹者，減中書吏員。 此其稍近治者雲。
Earlier the Ministry of Personnel each year in the merit evaluation memorial ranked officials higher or lower. The Secretariat and Chancellery sent officials to verify the facts — this was customary. Kang held that ministers and vice ministers were all chosen as great ministers. To verify them again was not the way of employing men without doubting them. When the vice minister of rites tested tribute scholars, all his affines and old associates were tested by the Ministry of Merit Evaluation — called "separate head" — and he memorialized to abolish all of this. He also eliminated assistant administrators of prefectures, field-section officials, and dual assistant positions, and reduced the clerical staff of the Secretariat. These were among his measures that came somewhat close to good governance.