Volume 143 Biographies 68: Gao, Yuan, Li, Wei, Xue, Cui, Dai, Wang, Xu, Chi, Xin

高元李韋薛崔戴王徐郗辛

Gao, Yuan, Li, Wei, Xue, Cui, Dai, Wang, Xu, Xi, and Xin

高適，字達夫，滄州渤海人。少落魄，不治生事。客梁、宋間，宋州刺史張九臯奇之，舉有道科中第，調封丘尉，不得誌，去。客河西，河西節度使哥舒翰表為左驍衛兵曹參軍，掌書記。祿山亂，召翰討賊，即拜適左拾遺，轉監察御史，佐翰守潼關。翰敗，帝問群臣策安出，適請竭禁藏募死士抗賊，未為晚，不省。天子西幸，適走間道及帝於河池，因言：「翰忠義有素，而病奪其明，乃至荒踣。監軍諸將不恤軍務，以倡優蒲飗相娛樂，渾、隴武士飯糲米日不厭，而責死戰，其敗固宜。又魯炅、何履光、趙國珍屯南陽，而一二中人監軍更用事，是能取勝哉？臣數為楊國忠言之，不肯聽。故陛下有今日行，未足深恥。」帝頷之。俄遷侍御史，擢諫議大夫，負氣敢言，權近側目。帝以諸王分鎮，適盛言不可，俄而永王叛。肅宗雅聞之，召與計事，因判言王且敗，不足憂。帝奇之，除揚州大都督府長史、淮南節度使。詔與江東韋陟、淮西來瑱率師會安陸，方濟師而王敗。李輔國惡其才，數短毀之，下除太子少詹事。

Gao Shi, courtesy name Dafu, was a native of Bohai in Cang Prefecture. In his youth he lived in obscurity and gave no thought to earning a livelihood. While traveling as a guest in the Liang and Song region, Zhang Jiugao, prefect of Song Prefecture, took notice of him and recommended him for the daoyue examination, which he passed. He was then assigned as assistant magistrate of Fengqiu, but when his ambitions were not realized, he resigned and left. He then traveled to the region west of the Yellow River, where Geshu Han, military commissioner of Hexi, recommended him for appointment as Left Xiaoqi Corps Army Staff Assistant with responsibility for secretarial work. When An Lushan rose in rebellion, the emperor summoned Geshu Han to suppress the rebels and immediately appointed Gao Shi Left Reminder, then transferred him to Censor to assist Han in defending Tong Pass. After Han's defeat, the emperor asked his ministers what course to take. Gao Shi urged that the imperial treasury be emptied to recruit desperate men to resist the rebels, arguing that it was not yet too late—but the emperor paid no heed. When the emperor fled west, Gao Shi took a bypath and caught up with him at Hechi. There he said: "Han has always been loyal and righteous, but illness clouded his judgment, and so he came to this ruinous defeat. The eunuch supervisors and generals neglected military affairs, diverting themselves with actors and idle amusements. The soldiers of Hun and Long ate coarse rice every day without complaint, yet were ordered to fight to the death—their defeat was inevitable. Moreover, Lu Hui, He Luguang, and Zhao Guozhen were stationed at Nanyang, while one or two eunuch supervisors held real authority over them—how could such an army hope to prevail? I raised this with Yang Guozhong again and again, but he refused to listen. Therefore Your Majesty's flight today is not in itself a matter of deep shame. The emperor nodded in agreement. Before long he was transferred to Attending Censor and promoted to Remonstrating Grand Master. Proud and outspoken, he drew wary glances from those in power around him. When the emperor assigned the imperial princes to separate regional commands, Gao Shi strongly argued against it; soon afterward the Prince of Yong rebelled. Emperor Suzong had long heard of his reputation and summoned him to discuss strategy. Gao Shi declared that the prince would soon be defeated and there was no cause for concern. The emperor was impressed and appointed him Senior Administrator of the Yangzhou Military Governorship and Military Commissioner of Huainan. An edict ordered him to join Wei Zhi of Jiangdong and Lai Tian of Huaixi in leading troops to assemble at Anlu. Just as he was about to ferry his army across, the prince was defeated. Li Fuguo resented his ability and repeatedly slandered him, and he was demoted to Junior Mentor of the Crown Prince.

未幾蜀亂，出為蜀、彭二州刺史。始，上皇東還，分劍南為兩節度，百姓弊於調度，而西山三城列戍。適上疏曰：「劍南雖名東、西川，其實一道。自邛關、黎、雅以抵南蠻，由茂而西，經羌中、平戎等城，界吐蕃。瀕邊諸城，皆仰給劍南。異時以全蜀之饒，而山南佐之，猶不能舉，今裂梓、遂等八州專為一節度，歲月之計，西川不得參也。嘉陵比困夷獠，日雖小定，而痍痏未平，耕紡亡業，衣食貿易皆資成都，是不可得役亦明矣。可稅賦者，獨成都、彭、蜀、漢四州而已，以四州耗殘當十州之役，其弊可見。而言利者，枘鑿萬端，窮朝抵夕，千案百牘，皆取之民，官吏懼譴，責及鄰保，威以罰抶，而逋逃益滋。又關中比饑，士人流入蜀者道路相系，地入有訖，而科斂無涯，為蜀計者，不亦難哉！又平戎以西數城，皆窮山之顛，蹊隧險絕，運糧束馬之路，坐甲無人之鄉。為戎狄言，不足利戎狄；為國家言，不足廣土宇。柰何以彈丸地而困全蜀太平之人哉？若謂已戍之城不可廢，已屯之兵不可收，願罷東川，以一劍南並力從事。不爾，非陛下洗蕩關東清逆亂之意也。蜀人又擾，則貽朝廷憂。」帝不納。

Before long, when disorder broke out in Shu, he was sent out to serve as prefect of Shu and Peng. Earlier, when the Retired Emperor returned east, Jiannan was split into two military circuits. The people were exhausted by levies and requisitions, while three fortified cities in the western mountains were garrisoned in succession. Gao Shi submitted a memorial stating: "Although Jiannan is called Eastern and Western Chuan, it is in fact one circuit. From Qiong Pass, Li, and Ya down to the southern tribes, and west from Mao through Qiangzhong, Pingrong, and other cities, it borders Tibet. All the frontier cities rely on Jiannan for their provisions. In the past, even with all the wealth of Shu supplemented by Shannan, the burden could scarcely be met. Now Zi, Sui, and seven other prefectures have been carved off into a separate circuit, and in the monthly accounting Western Chuan has no part in it. Jialing has lately been harried by Yi and Liao tribesmen. Though the region has been somewhat pacified, its wounds are not yet healed, farming and weaving have been abandoned, and food, clothing, and trade all depend on Chengdu—it is obvious that these people cannot be conscripted for labor. Only the four prefectures of Chengdu, Peng, Shu, and Han can still yield tax revenue. To have four depleted prefectures bear the labor obligations of ten—the harm is plain to see. Yet those who speak of profit devise endless schemes from dawn to dusk. A thousand cases and a hundred documents all extract from the people. Officials fear punishment and extend liability to neighboring households, enforcing compliance with beatings, while flight and evasion only grow worse. Moreover, Guanzhong has lately suffered famine, and refugees streaming into Shu fill the roads without end. The land has its limits, yet levies and collections know no bounds—for those planning on behalf of Shu, is this not a grave difficulty! Furthermore, several cities west of Pingrong stand atop barren mountain peaks, with paths and passes perilously steep. The routes for transporting grain and leading horses are places where troops sit idle in uninhabited wilderness. From the barbarians' point of view, they offer no real advantage to the barbarians; From the state's point of view, they are not worth expanding the realm. Why then use a patch of land no larger than a pellet to burden all the peaceful people of Shu? If it is argued that garrisoned cities cannot be abandoned and stationed troops cannot be withdrawn, I ask that Eastern Chuan be abolished so that all of Jiannan may combine its strength in a single effort. Otherwise, this is not in keeping with Your Majesty's intent to sweep clean the region east of the pass and purge rebellion and disorder. If the people of Shu are further disturbed, it will only add to the court's burdens. The emperor did not accept the proposal.

梓屯將段子璋反，適從崔光遠討斬之。而光遠兵不戢，遂大略，天子怒，罷光遠，以適代為西川節度使。廣德元年，吐蕃取隴右，適率兵出南鄙，欲牽制其力，既無功，遂亡松、維二州及雲山城。召還，為刑部侍郎、左散騎常侍，封渤海縣侯。永泰元年卒，贈禮部尚書，謚曰忠。

Duan Zizhang, a garrison commander at Zi, rebelled. Gao Shi joined Cui Guangyuan in the campaign against him and had him beheaded. But Guangyuan's troops were not kept in check and proceeded to plunder on a large scale. The emperor was enraged, dismissed Guangyuan, and appointed Gao Shi in his place as military commissioner of Western Chuan. In the first year of the Guangde reign, Tibet seized Longyou. Gao Shi led troops out from the southern frontier, hoping to divert Tibetan strength, but achieved nothing and lost the prefectures of Song and Wei and Yunshan Fort. He was recalled and appointed Vice Minister of Justice and Left Regular Attendant, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Bohai County. He died in the first year of the Yongtai reign and was posthumously appointed Minister of Rites, with the posthumous title Loyal.

適尚節義，語王霸袞袞不厭。遭時多難，以功名自許，而言浮其術，不為搢紳所推。然政寬簡，所涖，人便之。年五十始為詩，即工，以氣質自高。每一篇已，好事者輒傳布。其詒書賀蘭進明，使救梁、宋以親諸軍，與許叔冀書，令釋憾；未度淮，移檄將校，絕永王，俾各自白，君子以為義而知變。

Gao Shi prized integrity and righteousness and never tired of discourse on kingship and hegemony. Living in an age of turmoil, he pledged himself to merit and fame, yet his rhetoric outran his abilities and he was not held in esteem by the gentry. Yet his governance was lenient and straightforward, and wherever he served, the people found life easier. He did not begin writing poetry until the age of fifty, yet at once proved accomplished, holding himself aloft through the force of his character. As soon as each poem was finished, enthusiasts would spread it abroad. He sent a letter to Helan Jinming urging him to rescue Liang and Song and thereby win the loyalty of the various armies, and wrote to Xu Shuji instructing him to set aside old grievances; before crossing the Huai, he issued a proclamation to officers and commanders severing ties with the Prince of Yong and ordering each to declare his own loyalty. Men of principle regarded this as righteous and discerning in changing circumstances.

元結，後魏常山王遵十五代孫。曾祖仁基，字惟固，從太宗征遼東，以功賜宜君田二十頃，遼口並馬牝牡各五十，拜寧塞令，襲常山公。祖亨，字利貞，美姿儀。嘗曰：「我承王公餘烈，鷹犬聲樂是習，吾當以儒學易之。」霍王元軌聞其名，辟參軍事。父延祖，三歲而孤，仁基敕其母曰：「此兒且祀我。」因名而字之。逮長，不仕，年過四十，親婭強勸之，再調舂陵丞，輒棄官去，曰：「人生衣食，可適饑飽，不宜復有所須。」每灌畦掇薪，以為「有生之役，過此吾不思也」。安祿山反，召結戒曰：「而曹逢世多故，不得自安山林，勉樹名節，無近羞辱」雲。卒年七十六，門人私謚曰太先生。

Yuan Jie was a fifteenth-generation descendant of Zun, Prince of Changshan of Northern Wei. His great-grandfather Renji, courtesy name Weigu, followed Emperor Taizong in the campaign against Liaodong. For his merit he was granted twenty qing of fields at Yijun, fifty mares and fifty stallions at Liaokou, appointed magistrate of Ningsai, and inherited the title Duke of Changshan. His grandfather Heng, courtesy name Lizhen, was handsome in bearing. He once said: "I inherit the legacy of kings and dukes and am accustomed to hawking, hunting, music, and pleasure—I ought to replace all of this with Confucian learning. Prince Huo Yuan Gui heard of his reputation and recruited him as a staff officer. His father Yanzu was orphaned at the age of three. Renji told his mother: "This child will someday perform sacrifices for me. Accordingly he gave him his name and courtesy name. When he grew up, he refused to serve in office. After passing forty, relatives by marriage strongly urged him, and he was twice assigned as assistant magistrate of Chunling, but each time he resigned and left, saying: "Food and clothing in life need only satisfy hunger—one ought not to desire anything more. Each time he watered his garden beds and gathered firewood, he would say: "These are the labors of life; beyond this I desire nothing." When An Lushan rebelled, he summoned Jie and admonished him: "You live in an age of turmoil and cannot rest secure in the mountains. Strive to establish a reputation for integrity and do not bring disgrace upon yourself," and so forth. He died at the age of seventy-six. His disciples privately gave him the posthumous title Grand Master.

結少不羈，十七乃折節向學，事元德秀。天寶十二載舉進士，禮部侍郎陽浚見其文，曰：「一第慁子耳，有司得子是賴！」果擢上第。復舉制科。會天下亂，沈浮人間。國子司業蘇源明見肅宗，問天下士，薦結可用。時史思明攻河陽，帝將幸河東，召結詣京師，問所欲言，結自以始見軒陛，拘忌諱，恐言不悉情，乃上《時議》三篇。其一曰：

Jie was wild in youth; only at seventeen did he restrain himself and turn to study, taking Yuan Dexiu as his teacher. In the twelfth year of the Tianbao reign he passed the jinshi examination. Yang Jun, Vice Minister of Rites, saw his essays and said: "A degree would merely sully the man—the examiners would be fortunate to have him! He was indeed placed at the top of the list. He also passed the special decree examination. Just then the empire fell into disorder, and he drifted through the world. Su Yuanming, Vice Director of the Directorate of Education, had an audience with Emperor Suzong, who asked about men of talent throughout the realm. Yuanming recommended Jie as capable. At that time Shi Siming was attacking Heyang, and the emperor was about to visit Hedong. Jie was summoned to the capital and asked what he wished to say. Feeling constrained by taboos on his first audience at the throne and fearing his words would not fully express his meaning, he submitted three essays entitled "Contemporary Discourse." The first reads:

議者問：「往年逆賊，東窮海，南淮、漢，西抵函、秦，北徹幽都，醜徒狼扈，在四方者幾百萬，當時之禍可謂劇，而人心危矣。天子獨以匹馬至靈武，合弱旅，鉏強寇，師及渭西，曾不逾時，摧銳攘兇，復兩京，收河南州縣，何其易邪？乃今河北奸逆不盡，山林江湖亡命尚多，盜賊數犯州縣，百姓轉徙，踵系不絕，將士臨敵而奔，賢人君子遁逃不出。陛下往在靈武、鳳翔，無今日勝兵而能殺敵，無今日檢禁而無亡命，無今日威令而盜賊不作，無今日財用而百姓不流，無今日爵賞而士不散，無今日朝廷而賢者思仕，何哉？將天子能以危為安，而忍以未安忘危邪？」對曰：「此非難言之。前日天子恨愧陵廟為羯逆傷汙，憤悵上皇南幸巴、蜀，隱悼宗戚見誅，側身勤勞，不憚親撫士卒，與人權位，信而不疑，渴聞忠直，過弗諱改。此以弱制強，以危取安之繇也。今天子重城深宮，燕和而居；凝冕大昕，纓佩而朝；太官具味，視時而獻，太常備樂，和聲以薦；國機軍務，參籌乃敢進；百姓疾苦，時有不聞；廄芻良馬、宮籍美女、輿服禮物、休符瑞諜，日月充備；朝廷歌頌盛德大業，聽而不厭；四方貢賦，爭上尤異；諧臣顐官，怡愉天顏；文武大臣至於庶官，皆權賞逾望。此所以不能以強制弱，以未安忘危。若陛下視今日之安，能如靈武時，何寇盜強弱可言哉！」

The questioner asked: "In former years the rebel bandits ranged east to the sea, south to the Huai and Han, west to Hangu and Qin, and north to Youdu. The vile mob ran wild, and those in the four directions numbered nearly a million. The calamity of that time was severe indeed, and the hearts of men were in peril. The emperor alone rode a single horse to Lingwu, gathered a weak force, uprooted a powerful enemy, and when his army reached west of the Wei, in scarcely any time at all crushed the enemy and recovered the two capitals and the prefectures and counties of Henan—how easily was that accomplished! Yet now the traitors of Hebei are not yet eliminated, fugitives in mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes are still numerous, bandits repeatedly attack prefectures and counties, refugees move in an unending stream, soldiers flee when facing the enemy, and worthy men and gentlemen hide and do not emerge. When Your Majesty was at Lingwu and Fengxiang, you had none of today's victorious troops yet could defeat the enemy; none of today's strict prohibitions yet had no fugitives; none of today's authority yet bandits did not arise; none of today's wealth yet the people did not flee; none of today's ranks and rewards yet scholars did not scatter; none of today's court yet worthy men wished to serve—why? Could it be that the emperor was able to turn peril into safety then, yet now tolerates forgetting danger while still not secure? The reply was: "This is not difficult to explain. In former days the emperor hated and grieved that the imperial tombs and temples had been defiled by the Jie rebels, was indignant that the Retired Emperor had fled south to Ba and Shu, mourned in secret that imperial clansmen had been executed, bent himself to labor, did not shrink from personally comforting the troops, shared power and rank with others, trusted without doubt, thirsted to hear loyal and straight counsel, and did not conceal faults but corrected them. This was how the weak overcame the strong and peril was turned into safety. Today the emperor dwells in layered walls and deep palaces, living in ease and harmony; donning the crown at the great dawn audience, cap-strings and jade pendants in attendance at court; the Grand Provisioner prepares delicacies and presents them according to the season, the Grand Master of Ceremonies prepares music and offers harmonious sounds; state affairs and military matters are presented only after consultation; the sufferings of the people are sometimes not heard; stable fodder and fine horses, palace registers of beautiful women, carriages, robes, gifts, auspicious omens and propitious signs—all are fully supplied day by day; the court sings hymns of great virtue and grand achievement, listening without weariness; tribute and taxes from the four directions vie to offer the most extraordinary items; ingratiating ministers and obsequious officials delight the imperial countenance; from civil and military grandees down to common officials, all receive power and rewards beyond their expectations. This is why the strong cannot overcome the weak and why danger is forgotten while security is not yet achieved. If Your Majesty could regard today's peace as you did at Lingwu, what talk would there be of bandits, robbers, strong, or weak!"

其二曰：

The second reads:

議者曰：「吾聞士人共自謀：『昔我奉天子拒兇逆，勝則家國兩全，不勝則兩亡，故生死決於戰，是非極於諫。今吾名位重，財貨足，爵賞厚，勤勞已極，外無仇讎害我，內無窮賤迫我，何苦當鋒刃以近死，忤人主以近禍乎？』又聞曰：『吾州裏有病父老母、孤兄寡婦，皆力役乞丐，凍餒不足，況於死者，人誰哀之？』又聞曰：『天下殘破，蒼生危窘，受賦與役者，皆寡弱貧獨，流亡死徙，悲憂道路，蓋亦極矣。天下安，我等豈無畎畝自處？若不安，我不復以忠義仁信方直死矣！』人且如此，奈何？」對曰：「國家非欲其然，蓋失於太明太信耳。夫太明則見其內情，將藏內情則罔惑生下。能令必信，信可必矣，而太信之中，至奸尤惡之。如此遂使朝廷亡公直，天下失忠信，蒼生益冤結。將欲治之，能無端由？吾等議於野，又何所及？」

The questioner said: "I have heard that scholars consult among themselves: 'Formerly, when we followed the emperor in resisting the vicious rebels, victory meant both family and state preserved, defeat meant both destroyed. Therefore life and death were decided in battle, and right and wrong were pushed to the limit in remonstrance. Now our names and ranks are high, our wealth sufficient, our titles and rewards generous, our labors already at their utmost. Outside there are no enemies to harm us; inside there are no poor and lowly pressing upon us. Why should we face the blade and approach death, or offend the sovereign and approach disaster? I have also heard: 'In our district and village there are sick fathers and old mothers, orphaned brothers and widowed sisters, all conscripted for labor and reduced to begging, with cold and hunger unrelieved. As for the dead, who would mourn them?' I have also heard: 'The realm is shattered, the common people are in peril and distress. Those who bear taxes and labor service are all the weak, poor, and alone, fleeing, dying, and migrating, grief and sorrow filling the roads—this too has reached its limit.' If the realm were at peace, would we not each have fields to live on? If it is not at peace, we will no longer die for loyalty, righteousness, benevolence, trustworthiness, uprightness, and integrity! People are already like this—what is to be done? The reply was: "The state does not desire this to be so; it has simply failed through being too perspicacious and too trusting. When one is too perspicacious, inner feelings are exposed; wishing to conceal inner feelings, deception and confusion arise below. When orders must be believed, belief can be assured—but within excessive trust, the most treacherous especially detest it. In this way the court loses public uprightness, the realm loses loyalty and trust, and the common people grow ever more aggrieved and resentful. If one wishes to remedy this, can there be no root cause? We discuss in the open fields—what can we accomplish?"

其三曰：

The third reads:

議者曰：「陛下思安蒼生，滅奸逆，圖太平，勞心悉精，於今四年，說者異之，何哉？」對曰：「如天子所思，說者所異，非不知之。凡有詔令丁寧事皆不行，空言一再，頗類諧戲。今有仁恤之令，憂勤之誥，人皆族立黨語，指而議之。天子不知其然，以為言雖不行，猶足以勸。彼沮勸，在乎明審均當而必行也。天子能行已言之令，必將來之法，雜徭弊制，拘忌煩令，一切蠲蕩，任天下賢士，屏斥小人，然後推仁信威令，謹行不惑。此帝王常道，何為不及？」

The questioner said: "Your Majesty thinks of settling the common people, destroying traitors and rebels, and seeking great peace, laboring in mind and exhausting your spirit—for four years now. Yet those who speak of it find it strange. Why? The reply was: "As for what the emperor thinks and what the speakers find strange, the people are not unaware of it. Whenever there are edicts with repeated earnest admonitions, none are carried out. Empty words are repeated again and again, much like jesting. Now there are orders of benevolent relief and proclamations of anxious diligence, yet people all gather in groups and speak in factions, pointing and discussing them. The emperor does not know this to be so, thinking that though words are not carried out, they still suffice to encourage. Whether they are discouraged or encouraged depends on clarity, fairness, appropriateness, and certain execution. If the emperor can carry out the orders already spoken and the laws yet to come, sweep away all mixed corvée, corrupt institutions, restrictive taboos, and vexatious commands, employ worthy men throughout the realm and banish petty men, and then extend benevolence, trust, authority, and commands, executing them carefully without confusion— this is the constant way of emperors and kings—why should it not be attained?"

帝悅曰：「卿能破朕憂。」擢右金吾兵曹參軍，攝監察御史，為山南西道節度參謀。募義士於唐、鄧、汝、蔡，降劇賊五千，瘞戰死露胔於泌南，名曰哀丘。

The emperor was pleased and said: "You can dispel my worries. He was promoted to Right Jinwu Corps Army Staff Assistant, acting Censor, and staff officer to the military commissioner of Shannan West Circuit. He recruited volunteers in Tang, Deng, Ru, and Cai, accepting the surrender of five thousand fierce rebels. He buried the exposed corpses of the war dead south of Bi and named the mound Mound of Lament.

史思明亂，帝將親征，結建言：「賊銳不可與爭，宜折以謀。」帝善之，因命發宛、葉軍挫賊南鋒，結屯泌陽守險，全十五城。以討賊功遷監察御史裏行。荊南節度使呂諲請益兵拒賊，帝進結水部員外郎，佐諲府。又參山南東道來瑱府，時有父母隨子在軍者，結說瑱曰：「孝而仁者，可與言忠；信而勇者，可以全義。渠有責其忠信義勇而不勸之孝慈邪？將士父母，宜給以衣食，則義有所存矣。」瑱納之。瑱誅，結攝領府事。會代宗立，固辭，丐侍親歸樊上。授著作郎。益著書，作《自釋》，曰：

When Shi Siming rebelled, the emperor was about to campaign in person. Jie submitted advice: "The rebels are sharp and cannot be contested directly; they should be broken by strategy. The emperor approved this and ordered troops from Wan and Ye to blunt the rebels' southern vanguard. Jie encamped at Biyang to hold the passes and preserved fifteen cities. For his merit in suppressing the rebels he was transferred to Censor, Acting. Lü Yun, military commissioner of Jingnan, requested additional troops to resist the rebels. The emperor promoted Jie to Vice Director of the Water Bureau and assigned him to Yun's staff. He also served on the staff of Lai Tian of Shannan East Circuit. At that time there were parents accompanying their sons in the army. Jie said to Tian: "Those who are filial and benevolent may be spoken to of loyalty; those who are trustworthy and brave can preserve righteousness. Would they be blamed for loyalty, trustworthiness, righteousness, and courage yet not encouraged in filial piety and kindness? The parents of officers and soldiers should be provided with food and clothing—then righteousness will have something to rest upon. Tian accepted this. When Tian was executed, Jie took charge of the headquarters affairs. When Emperor Daizong ascended the throne, Jie firmly declined and begged to return to Fanshang to attend his parents. He was appointed Compiler. He wrote more books and composed "Self-Explanation," which reads:

河南，元氏望也。結，元子名也。次山，結字也。世業載國史，世系在家諜。少居商餘山，著《元子》十篇，故以元子為稱。天下兵興，逃亂入猗於洞，始稱猗於子。後家濱，乃自稱浪士。及有官，人以為浪者亦漫為官乎，呼為漫郎。既客樊上，漫遂顯。樊左右皆漁者，少長相戲，更曰聱叟。彼誚以聱者，為其不相從聽，不相鉤加，帶笭箵而盡船，獨聱齖而揮車。酒徒得此，又曰：「公之漫其猶聱乎？公守著作，不帶笭箵乎？又漫浪於人間，得非聱齖乎？公漫久矣，可以漫為叟。」於戲！吾不從聽於時俗，不鉤加於當世，誰是聱者，吾欲從之！彼聱叟不慚帶乎笭箵，吾又安能薄乎著作？彼聱叟不羞聱齖於鄰裏，吾又安能慚漫浪於人間？取而醉人議，當以漫叟為稱。直荒浪其情性，誕漫其所為，使人知無所存有，無所將待。乃為語曰：「能帶笭箵，全獨而保生；能學聱齖，保宗而全家。聱也如此，漫乎非邪！」

Henan is the ancestral seat of the Yuan clan. Jie is the given name of the Yuan son. Cishan is Jie's courtesy name. The family's achievements are recorded in the national histories; the family lineage is in the household register. In youth he lived on Shangyu Mountain and wrote ten chapters of "The Yuan Son," and so took Yuan Son as his appellation. When warfare arose throughout the realm, he fled the turmoil and entered Yiyu Cave, and first styled himself the Yiyu Son. Later he made his home on the riverbank and styled himself the Wave Scholar. When he received office, people thought that one who was wave-like would also drift through office, and called him the Drifting Gentleman. After he became a guest at Fanshang, the drifting became manifest. Those around Fan were all fishermen. Young and old joked with one another and in turn called him the Stubborn Old Man. They mocked him as stubborn because he would not follow along and listen, would not join in hooking and hauling, wore a fish basket while others filled their boats, and alone was stubborn and tooth-gnashing while driving his cart. The drinking companions got hold of this and said again: "Is the gentleman's drifting not like being stubborn? The gentleman holds the post of Compiler—does he not wear a fish basket? And drifting freely among men—is that not being stubborn and tooth-gnashing? The gentleman has drifted long—he may be called the Drifting Old Man. Alas! I do not follow along and listen to the fashions of the age, nor join in hooking and hauling with the present world. Who is the stubborn one? I wish to follow him! That stubborn old man is not ashamed to wear a fish basket—how can I look down on the post of Compiler? That stubborn old man is not ashamed to be stubborn and tooth-gnashing among his neighbors—how can I be ashamed to drift freely among men? Taking the drunkards' discussion, I should take the Drifting Old Man as my appellation. Let my disposition be wild and drifting, my actions broad and unrestrained, so that people know I possess nothing and await nothing. Then he composed a saying: "One who can wear a fish basket preserves himself alone and keeps his life; one who can learn to be stubborn and tooth-gnashing preserves his clan and keeps his family whole. To be stubborn is like this—is drifting not the same!"

久之，拜道州刺史。初，西原蠻掠居人數萬去，遺戶裁四千，諸使調發符牒二百函，結以人困甚，不忍加賦，即上言：「臣州為賊焚破，糧儲、屋宅、男女、牛馬幾盡。今百姓十不一在，耄孺騷離，未有所安。嶺南諸州，寇盜不盡，得守捉候望四十餘屯，一有不靖，湖南且亂。請免百姓所負租稅及租庸使和市雜物十三萬緡。」帝許之。明年，租庸使索上供十萬緡，結又奏：「歲正租庸外，所率宜以時增減。」詔可。結為民營舍給田，免徭役，流亡歸者萬餘。進授容管經略使，身諭蠻豪，綏定八州。會母喪，人皆詣節度府請留，加左金吾衛將軍。民樂其教，至立石頌德。罷還京師，卒，年五十，贈禮部侍郎。

After some time he was appointed prefect of Dao Prefecture. At first, the Xiyuan barbarians carried off tens of thousands of inhabitants. Only four thousand households remained. The various commissioners sent two hundred bundles of requisition orders. Jie, seeing the people in extreme distress, could not bear to impose further levies and submitted a memorial: "My prefecture has been burned and destroyed by bandits. Grain stores, houses, men and women, cattle and horses are nearly all gone. Now not one in ten of the common people remains. The old and the young are scattered in turmoil and have no place of peace. In the prefectures of Lingnan, bandits and robbers are not yet eliminated. There are more than forty garrison and watch posts. If one place is unsettled, Hunan will soon be in disorder. I request exemption of the taxes owed by the people and the 130,000 strings of cash for market purchases and miscellaneous goods demanded by the corvée commissioner. The emperor granted this. The next year the corvée commissioner demanded 100,000 strings of cash for tribute to the court. Jie submitted again: "Beyond the regular annual corvée, what is levied should be increased or decreased according to the times. An edict approved this. Jie built dwellings for the people and granted them fields, exempting them from corvée. More than ten thousand refugees returned. He was promoted and appointed Military Commissioner of Rongguan, personally instructing the barbarian chieftains and pacifying eight prefectures. When his mother died, the people all went to the military commissioner's headquarters to request that he be kept. He was additionally appointed General of the Left Jinwu Guard. The people rejoiced in his governance, even erecting stone steles to praise his virtue. After leaving office he returned to the capital and died at the age of fifty. He was posthumously appointed Vice Minister of Rites.

李承，趙州高邑人。幼孤，其兄曄養之。既長，以悌聞。擢明經，遷累大理評事，為河南采訪使判官。尹子奇陷汴州，拘承送洛陽，覘得賊謀，皆密啟諸朝。兩京平，例貶臨川尉。不三月，除德清令。尋擢監察御史，累遷吏部郎中，淮南西道黜陟使。奏置常豐堰於楚州，以禦海潮，溉屯田塉鹵，收常十倍它歲。德宗將討梁崇義，李希烈揣知之，乃表崇義過惡，請先誅討，帝悅，數對左右稱其忠。會承使回，言希烈能立功，然恐後不可制，帝初謂不然，及崇義平，希烈果叛，始思其言，擢拜河中尹、晉絳觀察使。承廉正有雅望，以才顯於時。未幾，改山南東道節度使。時希烈猶據襄州，帝慮不受命，欲以禁兵衛送承，承辭，請以單騎入。既至，希烈舍承外館，迫脅日萬端，承晏然誓以死守。希烈不能屈，遂大掠去，襄、漢蕩然。承輯綏撫安之，居一年，闔境完復。初，希烈雖去，留部校守覘，往來踵舍，承因得使所厚臧叔雅結希烈腹心周曾、王玢、姚詹。及曾等謀殺希烈，承首謀也。密詔褒美。尋檢校工部尚書、湖南觀察使。建中四年卒，年六十二，贈吏部尚書。

Li Cheng was a native of Gaoyi in Zhao Prefecture. Orphaned in youth, he was raised by his elder brother Ye. When he grew up, he was known for fraternal devotion. He passed the mingjing examination and rose through successive posts to Case Reviewer of the Court of Judicial Review, serving as aide to the Henan Investigation Commissioner. When Yin Ziqi captured Bian Prefecture, he detained Cheng and sent him to Luoyang. Cheng observed the rebels' plans and secretly reported them all to the court. When the two capitals were recovered, by precedent he was demoted to assistant magistrate of Linchuan. Within three months he was appointed magistrate of Deqing. Soon he was promoted to Censor and rose through successive posts to Director of the Personnel Bureau and Promotion-and-Demotion Commissioner of Huainan West Circuit. He memorialized to establish the Changfeng Dam at Chu Prefecture to repel sea tides and irrigate saline garrison fields, yielding harvests regularly ten times those of other years. When Emperor Dezong was about to campaign against Liang Chongyi, Li Xilie guessed this and memorialized listing Chongyi's faults and crimes, requesting that he be punished first. The emperor was pleased and repeatedly told those around him that Xilie was loyal. When Cheng returned from his mission, he said that Xilie could achieve merit but feared he would later be uncontrollable. The emperor at first said this was not so. When Chongyi was pacified, Xilie indeed rebelled, and the emperor then recalled Cheng's words and promoted him to Governor of Hezhong and Observation Commissioner of Jin and Jiang. Cheng was upright and incorruptible with an elegant reputation, distinguished for his talent in his time. Before long he was transferred to military commissioner of Shannan East Circuit. At that time Xilie still held Xiang Prefecture. The emperor feared he would not accept the appointment and wished to escort Cheng with imperial troops. Cheng declined and requested to enter alone on a single horse. When he arrived, Xilie lodged Cheng in an outer guesthouse and pressed and threatened him daily in countless ways. Cheng remained calm and swore to defend to the death. Xilie could not break him and departed after plundering on a large scale. Xiang and Han were left desolate. Cheng gathered, pacified, and settled the people. Within a year the entire circuit was restored to wholeness. At first, though Xilie had departed, he left subordinate officers to keep watch. They came and went in an unbroken stream at the guesthouses. Cheng thereby was able to send his close associate Zang Shuya to win over Xilie's trusted followers Zhou Zeng, Wang Bin, and Yao Zhan. When Zhou and the others plotted to kill Xilie, Cheng was the chief plotter. A secret edict praised and commended him. Soon he was appointed Acting Minister of Works and Observation Commissioner of Hunan. He died in the fourth year of the Jianzhong reign at the age of sixty-two and was posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel.

韋倫，系本京兆。父光乘，在開元、天寶間為朔方節度使。倫以蔭調藍田尉，幹力勤濟，楊國忠署為鑄錢內作使判官。國忠多發州縣齊人令鼓鑄，督非所習，雖箠失苛嚴，愈無功。倫請準直募匠，代無聊之人，繇是役用減，鼓鑄多矣。玄宗晚節盛營宮室，吏介以為欺，倫閱實工員，省費倍。從帝入蜀，以監察御史為劍南節度行軍司馬、置頓判官。時中人衛卒多侵暴，尤難治，倫以清儉自將，西人賴濟。中宦疾之，以讒貶衡州司戶參軍。度支使第五琦薦倫才，擢商州刺史、荊襄道租庸使。襄州裨將康楚元亂，自稱東楚義王，刺史王政棄城遁。賊南襲江陵，絕漢、沔餉道。倫調兵屯鄧州，厚撫降賊。寇益怠，乃擊禽楚元以獻，收租庸二百萬緡。召為衛尉卿，俄兼寧、隴二州刺史。

Wei Lun traced his lineage to Jingzhao. His father Guangcheng served as military commissioner of Shuofang during the Kaiyuan and Tianbao reigns. Lun entered service by yin privilege as assistant magistrate of Lantian. Capable and diligent, he was appointed by Yang Guozhong as aide to the Commissioner of Internal Minting. Guozhong frequently dispatched ordinary people from prefectures and counties to cast coins. They were supervised in work they had not mastered, and though beatings grew ever harsher, there was ever less success. Lun requested to recruit craftsmen at fair wages in place of idle and destitute people. Thereby corvée labor was reduced and coin casting greatly increased. In his later years Emperor Xuanzong greatly built palaces. Minor officials used this to deceive. Lun verified the actual number of workers and reduced expenses by half. He followed the emperor into Shu and served as Censor, Acting Army Vice Commander of the Jiannan Military Commission and Aide for Encampment Arrangements. At that time eunuch guards and soldiers often committed aggression and were especially difficult to govern. Lun led himself with purity and frugality, and the people of the west relied on him for relief. The eunuchs resented him and through slander had him demoted to Revenue Section Staff Assistant of Heng Prefecture. The Fiscal Commissioner Diwu Qi recommended Lun's talent, and he was promoted to prefect of Shang Prefecture and Corvée Commissioner of the Jingxiang Circuit. Kang Chuyuan, a deputy general of Xiang Prefecture, rebelled and styled himself King of Righteousness of Eastern Chu. Prefect Wang Zheng abandoned the city and fled. The rebels raided south to Jiangling and cut off the supply routes of the Han and Mian. Lun deployed troops to encamp at Deng Prefecture and generously treated surrendered rebels. The bandits grew ever more lax, and he then struck and captured Chuyuan to present to the court, collecting 2,000,000 strings of corvée revenue. He was recalled to serve as Minister of the Guard and soon also served as prefect of Ning and Long.

乾元中，襄州亂，詔倫為山南東道節度使，而李輔國方恣橫，倫不肯謁，憾之，中罷為秦州刺史。吐蕃、党項歲入邊，倫兵寡，數格虜，敗，貶巴州長史，徙務川尉。代宗立，連拜忠、臺、饒三州刺史。宦者呂太一反嶺南，詔拜倫韶州刺史、韶連郴都團練使。為太一反間，貶信州司馬，斥棄十年，客豫章。

During the Qianyuan era, when Xiang Prefecture fell into disorder, an edict appointed Lun military commissioner of Shannan East Circuit. Li Fuguo was then acting with unrestrained arrogance, and when Lun refused to pay him a visit, Fuguo resented it and had him removed to serve as prefect of Qin Prefecture. Tibetans and Tangut tribesmen raided the border year after year. With too few troops, Lun repeatedly tried to block them but was defeated, demoted to Senior Administrator of Ba Prefecture, and transferred to assistant magistrate of Wuchuan. When Emperor Daizong ascended the throne, Lun was appointed in succession to the prefectures of Zhong, Tai, and Rao. When the eunuch Lü Taiyi rebelled in Lingnan, an edict appointed Lun prefect of Shao Prefecture and Commander-in-Chief of the Shao, Lian, and Chen Defense Command. Through Taiyi's counter-intrigue he was demoted to Vice Prefect of Xin Prefecture, cast aside for ten years, and lived as a guest in Yuzhang.

德宗嗣位，選使絕域者，擢倫太常少卿，充和吐蕃使。倫至，諭天子威德，贊普順悅，乃入獻。還，進太常卿，兼御史大夫。再使，如旨。倫處朝，數論政得失，宰相盧杞惡之，改太子少保。從狩奉天。及杞敗，關播罷為刑部尚書，倫在朝堂流涕曰：「宰相無狀，使天下至此，不失為尚書，後何勸？」聞者憚其公。帝後欲復用杞為刺史，倫苦諫，言懇至到，帝納之。進太子少師、郢國公，致仕。時李楚琳以僕射兼衛尉卿，李忠誠以尚書兼少府監，倫言：「楚琳逆節，忠誠戎醜，不當寵以官。」又請為義倉，以捍無年；擇賢者，任帝左右。謂吐蕃豺虎野心，不可事信約，宜謹備邊。帝善其言，厚禮之。居家以孝慈稱。卒，年八十三，贈揚州都督，謚曰肅。

When Emperor Dezong succeeded to the throne, he promoted Lun to Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and appointed him envoy for peace with Tibet. When Lun arrived, he expounded the emperor's authority and virtue. The Tibetan ruler was pleased and compliant and then came to present tribute. On his return he was promoted to Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and additionally appointed Censor-in-Chief. On a second mission, he fulfilled the emperor's intent. While serving at court, Lun repeatedly discussed the rights and wrongs of government. Chief Minister Lu Qi resented him and transferred him to Junior Mentor of the Crown Prince. He accompanied the emperor when he fled to Fengtian. When Qi was defeated, Guan Bo was dismissed and made Minister of Justice. Lun wept in the court hall and said: "The chief minister was unworthy and brought the realm to this pass. Yet he is not even removed from being a minister—what encouragement is there hereafter? Those who heard this respected his impartiality. Later the emperor wished to reuse Qi as a prefect. Lun remonstrated bitterly with earnest and direct words, and the emperor accepted his advice. He was promoted to Junior Preceptor of the Crown Prince and Duke of Ying, and retired from office. At that time Li Chulin held the post of Left Vice Director concurrently with Minister of the Guard, and Li Zhongcheng held the post of Minister concurrently with Director of the Palace Stores. Lun said: "Chulin is a rebel in conduct, and Zhongcheng is a barbarian villain—they ought not be favored with office. He also requested the establishment of charity granaries to guard against years of famine; to select worthy men and place them at the emperor's side. He said that Tibet had the heart of wolves and tigers and could not be trusted with treaties, and that the border ought to be carefully guarded. The emperor approved his words and treated him with generous courtesy. At home he was known for filial piety and kindness. He died at the age of eighty-three, was posthumously appointed Military Governor of Yang Prefecture, and was given the posthumous title Solemn.

薛玨，字溫如，河中寶鼎人。以蔭為懿德太子廟令，累遷乾陵臺令。歲中以清白聞，課第一，改昭應令，人請立石紀德，玨固讓。遷楚州刺史。初，州有營田，宰相遙領使，而刺史得專達，俸及它給百餘萬，田官數百，歲以優得遷，別戶三千，備刺史廝役。玨至，悉條去之，租入贏異時。觀察使惡其絜，誣以罪，左授峽州刺史。建中初，德宗命使者分諸道察官吏升黜焉，而李承狀玨之簡，趙贊言其廉，盧翰稱其肅，書參聞，於是拜中散大夫，賜金紫。劉玄佐表兼汴宋行軍司馬。李希烈棄汴州走，即拜玨刺史，遷河南尹。入為司農卿。是時，詔舉堪刺史、縣令者且百人，延問人間疾苦、吏得失，取尤通達者什二，宰相欲校以文詞，玨曰：「求良吏不可責文學，宜以上愛人之本為心也。」宰相多其計，所用皆稱職。為京兆尹，司農供三宮畜茹三十車，不足，請市京兆。是時，韋彤為萬年令，玨使彤禁鬻賣，民苦之。德宗怒，奪玨、彤俸。帝疑下情不達，因詔延英坐日許百司長官二員言闕失，謂之巡對。玨剛嚴，曉法治，勤身以勸下，然苛察，無經術大體。坐善竇參，改太子賓客，出為嶺南觀察使。卒，年七十四，贈工部尚書。

Xue Jue, courtesy name Wenru, was a native of Baoding in Hezhong. He entered service by yin privilege as Director of the Temple of the Virtuous Crown Prince and rose through successive posts to Director of the Qianling Platform. Within the year he was known for integrity, ranked first in assessment, and was transferred to magistrate of Zhaoying. The people requested that a stone stele be erected to record his virtue, but Jue firmly declined. He was transferred to prefect of Chu Prefecture. At first the prefecture had garrison fields. The chief minister held the commission remotely, while the prefect could report directly. Salaries and other provisions totaled more than a million, field officials numbered in the hundreds, and each year the best were promoted for transfer. Three thousand separate households were set aside to serve the prefect's attendants. When Jue arrived, he listed and removed all of these. Rental income exceeded that of former times. The observation commissioner resented his integrity and falsely charged him with a crime, demoting him to prefect of Xia Prefecture. At the beginning of the Jianzhong reign, Emperor Dezong ordered envoys to inspect officials throughout the circuits for promotion and demotion. Li Cheng reported on Jue's simplicity, Zhao Zan spoke of his incorruptibility, and Lu Han praised his solemnity. When the reports reached the throne, Jue was appointed Grand Master of Palace Leisure and granted the gold seal and purple robe. Liu Xuanzuo memorialized that he concurrently serve as Acting Army Vice Commander of Bian and Song. When Li Xilie abandoned Bian Prefecture and fled, Jue was at once appointed prefect and then transferred to Governor of Henan. He entered the capital to serve as Minister of Agriculture. At that time an edict recommended nearly a hundred men capable of serving as prefects and magistrates. They were summoned and questioned about the people's sufferings and officials' successes and failures, and the most thoroughly understanding were selected, one or two in ten. The chief ministers wished to test them with literary compositions. Jue said: "In seeking good officials one cannot demand literary learning; one ought to take the ruler's fundamental love of the people as the heart. The chief ministers largely approved his plan, and those appointed all proved competent. As Governor of Jingzhao, he found that the Ministry of Agriculture supplied thirty cartloads of livestock and vegetables for the three palaces, which was insufficient, and requested purchases from Jingzhao. At that time Wei Tong was magistrate of Wannian. Jue had Tong prohibit sales, and the people suffered from this. Emperor Dezong was angered and stripped Jue and Tong of their salaries. The emperor suspected that conditions below were not reaching him and therefore issued an edict that on days of audience at Yanying Hall, two department heads from the hundred offices might speak of omissions and faults—this was called circuit remonstrance. Jue was stern and strict, understood the laws, and worked diligently to encourage those below, yet he was harshly scrutinizing and lacked the broad principles of classical learning. Because he was friendly with Dou Can, he was transferred to Guest of the Crown Prince and sent out as Observation Commissioner of Lingnan. He died at the age of seventy-four and was posthumously appointed Minister of Works.

子存慶，字嗣德，貌偉岸。及進士第，歷御史、尚書郎。五遷給事中，與韋弘景封駁詔書，時稱其直。劉總以幽州歸，穆宗謂宰相曰：「必用薛存慶，可以宣朕意。」對延英一刻，遣之，至鎮州，疽發於背卒，贈吏部侍郎。

His son Cunqing, courtesy name Side, was imposing in appearance. He passed the jinshi examination and served through the posts of Censor and Director in the Ministries. After five promotions he became Supervising Secretary and, together with Wei Hongjing, sealed and returned edicts for revision. At the time he was praised for his uprightness. When Liu Zong surrendered You Prefecture, Emperor Muzong said to the chief ministers: "Xue Cunqing must be used—he can proclaim my intent. After one quarter-hour of audience at Yanying Hall, he was dispatched. When he reached Zhen Prefecture, an abscess broke out on his back and he died. He was posthumously appointed Vice Minister of Personnel.

崔漢衡，博州博平人。沈懿博厚，善與人交。始為費令，滑州節度使令狐彰表掌書記。大歷六年，以檢校禮部員外郎為和蕃副使。還，遷右司郎中。建中二年，吐蕃請盟，擢殿中少監，為和蕃使，與其使區頰贊俱來約盟。改鴻臚卿，持節送區頰贊歸，遂定盟清水。德宗幸奉天，吐蕃以兵佐渾瑊，敗賊武功。轉秘書監。俄拜上都留守、兵部尚書、東都淄青魏博賑給宣慰使。又使幽州，還命稱指。貞元三年，豫吐蕃盟平涼，被執，虜將殺之，因夷言謂之曰：「我善結贊，無殺我！」而漢衡誠信素著，虜亦尊重，故至河州得還。明年，出為晉慈隰觀察使，卒，贈尚書左僕射。

Cui Hanheng was a native of Boping in Bo Prefecture. He was deep, generous, and kindly, and skilled at forming friendships. He first served as magistrate of Fei. Linghu Zhang, military commissioner of Hua Prefecture, memorialized that he serve as chief secretary. In the sixth year of the Dali reign he served as Acting Vice Director of the Ministry of Rites as deputy envoy for peace with Tibet. On his return he was transferred to Director of the Right Bureau. In the second year of the Jianzhong reign, Tibet requested an alliance. He was promoted to Vice Director of the Palace Directorate and appointed envoy for peace with Tibet, coming together with the Tibetan envoy Qu Jiezan to arrange the alliance. He was transferred to Director of the Court of State Ceremonial, bearing the imperial credential to escort Qu Jiezan home, and the alliance was then fixed at Qingshui. When Emperor Dezong fled to Fengtian, Tibet sent troops to assist Hun Jian and defeated the rebels at Wugong. He was transferred to Director of the Palace Library. Soon he was appointed Defender of the Upper Capital, Minister of War, and Pacification and Relief Commissioner for the Ziqing and Weibo circuits of the Eastern Capital. He was again sent to You Prefecture, and on his return his mission was deemed to have accorded with the imperial intent. In the third year of the Zhenyuan reign, at the alliance with Tibet at Pingliang, he was seized. The barbarians were about to kill him, and he therefore said to them in their language: "I am on good terms with Jiezan—do not kill me! Hanheng's sincerity and trustworthiness had long been renowned, and the barbarians also respected him, so when he reached He Prefecture he was able to return. The next year he was sent out as Observation Commissioner of Jin, Ci, and Li and died. He was posthumously appointed Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.

戴叔倫，字幼公，潤州金壇人。師事蕭穎士，為門人冠。劉晏管鹽鐵，表主運湖南，至雲安，楊子琳反，馳客劫之曰：「歸我金幣，可緩死。」叔倫曰：「身可殺，財不可奪。」乃舍之。嗣曹王臯領湖南、江西，表在幕府。臯討李希烈，留叔倫領府事，試守撫州刺史。民歲爭溉灌，為作均水法，俗便利之。耕餉歲廣，獄無系囚。俄即真。期年，詔書褒美，封譙縣男，加金紫服。齊映、劉滋執政，叔倫勸以「屯難未靖，安之者莫先於兵，兵所藉者食，故金谷之司不輕易人。天下州縣有上、中、下，緊、望、雄、輔者，有司銓擬，皆便所私，此非為官擇人、為人求治之術。其尤切者，縣令、錄事參軍事，此二者，宜出中書、門下，無計資序限，遠近高卑，一以殿最升降，則人知勸。」映等重其言。遷容管經略使，綏徠夷落，威名流聞。其治清明仁恕，多方略，故所至稱最。德宗嘗賦《中和節詩》，遣使者寵賜。代還，卒於道，年五十八。

Dai Shulun, courtesy name Yougong, was a native of Jintan in Run Prefecture. He studied under Xiao Yingshi and was foremost among his disciples. Liu Yan managed the salt and iron monopolies and memorialized that Shulun oversee transport in Hunan. When he reached Yun'an, Yang Zilin rebelled. A mounted agent seized him and said: "Return my gold and coins and you may be spared death. Shulun said: "My person may be killed, but wealth cannot be seized. They then released him. Prince Si Cao Li Gao commanded Hunan and Jiangxi and memorialized that Shulun serve on his staff. When Gao campaigned against Li Xilie, he left Shulun in charge of headquarters affairs and tried him as acting prefect of Fu Prefecture. Each year the people quarreled over irrigation. He devised a method for equalizing water distribution, and the custom found it convenient. Cultivation and tribute grain increased year by year, and the prisons held no bound prisoners. Soon his acting appointment was confirmed. After one full year an edict praised him. He was enfeoffed as Baron of Qiao County and granted the gold seal and purple robe. When Qi Ying and Liu Zi held power, Shulun urged them: "The accumulated hardships are not yet settled. Of those who would settle them, none comes before the army, and what the army relies upon is food. Therefore the offices of finance and grain ought not lightly change personnel. Prefectures and counties throughout the realm are graded upper, middle, and lower, or tight, prominent, strong, and auxiliary. When the responsible offices make selections, they all favor their own private interests. This is not the method of choosing men for office and seeking good governance for the people. Most urgently, the posts of magistrate and Recording Secretary—these two ought to be decided by the Secretariat and the Chancellery, without regard to seniority limits, distance, rank high or low. Let promotion and demotion depend entirely on assessment of merit, and then people will know encouragement. Ying and the others valued his words. He was transferred to Military Commissioner of Rongguan, pacifying and winning over the barbarian settlements. His authority and reputation spread far. His governance was clear, bright, benevolent, and forgiving, and he had many stratagems. Therefore wherever he went he was called the best. Emperor Dezong once composed "Poem for the Zhonghe Festival" and sent an envoy to bestow it upon him as a mark of favor. When he was replaced and returned, he died on the road at the age of fifty-eight.

王翃，字宏肱，并州晉陽人。少治兵家。天寶中，授翃衛尉、羽林軍宿衛。擢才兼文武科，出為辰州刺史。與討襄州康楚元有功，加兼秘書少監，遷朗州刺史。大歷中，擢容管經略使。初，安祿山亂，詔嶺南兵隸南陽魯炅。炅敗績，眾奔潰。溪洞夷獠相挻為亂，夷酋梁崇牽號「平南都統」，與別帥覃問合，又與西原賊張侯、夏永更誘嘯，因陷城邑，遂據容州。前經略使陳仁琇、元結、長孫全緒等皆僑治藤、梧。翃至，言於眾曰：「我，容州刺史，安可客治它所？必得容乃止。」即出私財募士，有功者放署吏，於是人自奮。不數月，斬賊帥歐陽珪。因至廣州，請節度使李勉出兵並力，勉不許，曰：「容陷賊久，獠方強，今速攻，祗自敗耳。」翃曰：「大夫即不出師，願下書州縣，陽言以兵為助，冀藉此聲，成萬一功。」勉許諾。翃乃移書義、藤二州刺史，約皆進討，引兵三千與賊鏖戰，日數遇。勉檄止之，輒匿不發，戰愈力，卒破賊，禽崇牽，悉復容州故地。捷書聞，詔更置順州，以定餘亂。翃凡百餘戰，禽首領七十，覃問遁去。復遣將李寔等分討西原，平郁林等諸州。累兼御史中丞、招討處置使。會哥舒晃反，翃命寔悉師援廣州，問因合眾乘間來襲，翃設伏擊之，生禽問，嶺表平。代宗遣使慰勞，加金紫光祿大夫，賜第京師。

Wang Hong, courtesy name Honggong, was a native of Jinyang in Bing Prefecture. In youth he studied military arts. During the Tianbao reign he was appointed to guard duty in the Ministry of the Guard and the Feathered Forest Army. He passed the examination for combined civil and military talent and was sent out as prefect of Chen Prefecture. He had merit in the campaign against Kang Chuyuan of Xiang Prefecture, was additionally appointed Acting Vice Director of the Palace Library, and was transferred to prefect of Lang Prefecture. During the Dali reign he was promoted to Military Commissioner of Rongguan. At first, when An Lushan rebelled, an edict placed the troops of Lingnan under Lu Hui of Nanyang. Hui was defeated and the troops fled in rout. Barbarians and Liao tribesmen in stream valleys and caves stirred one another to rebellion in succession. The barbarian chieftain Liang Chongqian styled himself "Commander-in-Chief of Pacifying the South" and joined with the separate commander Tan Wen, then with the Xiyuan bandits Zhang Hou and Xia Yong to incite one another further. They thereupon captured cities and towns and seized Rong Prefecture. Former military commissioners Chen Renxiu, Yuan Jie, Changsun Quanxu, and others all governed in exile from Teng and Wu. When Hong arrived, he said to the assembly: "I am the prefect of Rong Prefecture—how can I govern in exile from elsewhere? I shall not stop until I recover Rong. He immediately spent his private wealth to recruit soldiers. Those with merit were provisionally appointed as clerks, and thereby each man exerted himself. Within a few months he beheaded the bandit leader Ouyang Gui. He then went to Guang Prefecture and requested that Military Commissioner Li Mian send troops to join forces. Mian did not consent and said: "Rong has long been lost to bandits and the Liao are still strong. If we attack quickly now, we will only defeat ourselves. Hong said: "Even if the grandee will not send troops, I beg that you issue letters to the prefectures and counties falsely stating that troops will assist, hoping by this reputation to achieve a one-in-ten-thousand success. Mian consented. Hong then sent letters to the prefects of Yi and Teng Prefectures, arranging that all advance together in attack. He led three thousand troops to fight the bandits in fierce battle, encountering them several times a day. Mian issued a dispatch ordering him to stop, but Hong concealed it and did not publish it. He fought all the harder, finally broke the bandits, captured Chongqian, and fully recovered the former territory of Rong Prefecture. When news of the victory arrived, an edict reestablished Shun Prefecture to settle the remaining disorder. In all Hong fought more than a hundred battles, captured seventy chieftains, and Tan Wen fled. He again dispatched the general Li Shi and others to campaign separately in Xiyuan and pacify Yulin and other prefectures. He cumulatively served concurrently as Censor-in-Chief and Pacification and Disposition Commissioner. When Geshu Huang rebelled, Hong ordered Shi to lead all troops to aid Guang Prefecture. Wen thereupon combined his forces and seized an opportunity to raid. Hong set an ambush and struck them, capturing Wen alive, and the region south of the mountains was pacified. Emperor Daizong sent an envoy to comfort and reward him, promoted him to Grand Master of the Gold Seal and Purple Robe, and granted him a residence in the capital.

時吐蕃入寇，郭子儀悉河中兵乘邊，召翃為河中少尹，領節度後務。悍將淩正數幹法不逞，約其徒夜斬關逐翃。翃覺之，陰亂漏刻，以差其期，眾驚，不敢發。俄禽正誅之，一軍惕息。歷汾州刺史，為振武軍使綏，銀等州留後。入拜京兆尹。會起涇原兵討李希烈，次浐水，京兆主供擬，饔敗肉腐，眾怒曰：「食是而討賊乎？」遂叛。翃挺身走奉天，拜太子詹事。德宗還都，再遷大理卿，出為福建觀察使。徙東都留守，既至，開田二十餘屯，脩器械，皆良金壽革，練士卒，號令精明。俄而吳少誠叛，獨東畿為有備，關東賴之。貞元十八年卒，贈尚書右僕射，謚曰肅。

At that time Tibet invaded. Guo Ziyi deployed all the troops of Hezhong along the border and summoned Hong to serve as Vice Governor of Hezhong, overseeing rear headquarters affairs for the military commission. The fierce general Ling Zheng repeatedly violated the law without success and conspired with his followers to cut the pass gate by night and drive Hong out. Hong detected this and secretly disrupted the water clock to alter the time, throwing the men into alarm so they dared not act. Soon he captured Zheng and executed him, and the whole army trembled into silence. He served successively as prefect of Fen Prefecture and as pacifying envoy of the Zhenwu Army and acting governor of Yin and other prefectures. He entered the capital and was appointed Governor of Jingzhao. Just then troops from Jingyuan were mobilized to campaign against Li Xilie. When they halted at Chan River, Jingzhao was responsible for provisions. The food was spoiled and the meat rotten, and the men angrily said: "Are we to eat this and campaign against bandits? They then rebelled. Hong ran alone to Fengtian and was appointed Mentor of the Crown Prince. When Emperor Dezong returned to the capital, Hong was again transferred to Director of the Court of Judicial Review and sent out as Observation Commissioner of Fujian. He was transferred to Defender of the Eastern Capital. When he arrived, he opened more than twenty garrison fields and repaired weapons—all of fine metal and durable leather—and trained the soldiers, with commands clear and precise. Before long Wu Shaocheng rebelled. Only the eastern capital region was prepared, and the east of the pass relied upon it. He died in the eighteenth year of the Zhenyuan reign, was posthumously appointed Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and was given the posthumous title Solemn.

翃雅善盧杞，杞之殺崔寧、沮李懷光不得朝，皆與其謀，議者以為訾。

Hong was on intimate terms with Lu Qi. Qi's killing of Cui Ning and blocking Li Huai'guang from attending court were both plotted with him. Critics regarded this as a blemish.

子正雅，字光謙，行謹飭，為崔邠所器。元和初，擢進士，遷累監察御史。穆宗時，京邑多盜賊，正雅以萬年令威震豪強。尹柳公綽言其能，就賜緋魚，擢累汝州刺史。屬監軍怙權，乃謝病去。入為大理卿，會爭宋申錫獄，堅甚，申錫得不死。大和中卒，贈左散騎常侍。

His son Zhengya, courtesy name Guangqian, was careful and restrained in conduct and was admired by Cui Bin. At the beginning of the Yuanhe reign he passed the jinshi examination and rose through successive posts to Censor. During the Muzong reign there were many bandits and robbers in the capital region. Zhengya, as magistrate of Wannian, awed the powerful. Governor Liu Gongchuo spoke of his ability, and on the spot he was granted the crimson robe and fish tally and promoted through successive posts to prefect of Ru Prefecture. When the supervising eunuch relied on his power, Zhengya pleaded illness and resigned. He entered the capital to serve as Director of the Court of Judicial Review. When the case of Song Shenxi was disputed, he stood firm, and Shenxi was spared death. He died in the Dahe reign and was posthumously appointed Left Regular Attendant.

翃兄翊，性謙柔，歷山南東道節度使。代宗目為純臣，世稱謹廉。卒，贈戶部尚書，謚曰忠惠。

Hong's elder brother Yi was gentle and modest by nature and served as military commissioner of Shannan East Circuit. Emperor Daizong regarded him as a pure minister, and the age praised his prudence and integrity. When he died he was posthumously appointed Minister of Revenue and given the posthumous title Loyal and Kind.

翊曾孫凝，字成庶，少孤，依其舅宰相鄭肅。舉明經、進士，皆中。歷臺省，浸知名，擢累禮部侍郎。不阿權近，出為商州刺史。驛道所出，吏破產不能給，而州有冶賦羨銀，常摧直以優吏奉。凝不取，則以市馬，故無橫擾，人皆慰悅。徙湖南觀察使。僖宗立，召為兵部侍郎，領鹽鐵轉運使。坐舉非其人，以秘書監分司東都，即拜河南尹。遷宣歙池觀察使，時乾符四年也。王仙芝之黨屠至德，勢益張，凝遣牙將孟琢助池守。賊益兵來攻，實欲襲南陵，凝遣樊儔以舟師扼青陽。儔違令，輕與賊戰，不勝，凝斬以徇，諸將聞，皆股栗，以死綴賊，賊不能進。時江南環境為盜區，凝以強弩據采石，張疑幟，遣別將馬穎解和州之圍。明年，賊大至，都將王涓自永陽赴敵，凝大宴，謂涓曰：「賊席勝而驕，可持重待之，慎毋戰。」涓意銳，日趨四舍，至南陵，未食即陣，死焉。監軍收餘卒數千，還走城，沮橈無去意，卒又恣橫不能禁，凝讓曰：「吏捕蝗者，不勝而仰食於民，則率暴以濟災也。今兵不能捍敵，又恣之犯民生業，何以稱朝廷待將軍意？」監軍詞屈，趣親吏入民舍奪馬，凝乘門望見，麾左右捕取殺之，由是不敢留，然益儲畜繕完以備賊，賊至不能加。會大星直寢庭墜，術家言宜上疾不視事以厭勝，凝曰：「東南，國有所出，而宣為大府，吾規脫禍可矣，顧一方何賴哉？誓與城相存亡，勿復言！」既而賊去。未幾，卒，年五十八，贈吏部尚書，謚曰貞。

Yi's great-grandson Ning, courtesy name Chengsu, was orphaned in youth and relied upon his maternal uncle, Chief Minister Zheng Su. He passed both the mingjing and jinshi examinations. He served in the censorial and secretarial offices and gradually became known, rising through successive posts to Vice Minister of Rites. He did not flatter those in power nearby and was sent out as prefect of Shang Prefecture. The post road passed through the prefecture, and clerks were ruined trying to supply it. The prefecture had surplus silver from smelting taxes, which was regularly discounted to supplement clerks' salaries. Ning did not take it and instead used it to buy horses, so there was no arbitrary exaction and the people were all pleased. He was transferred to Observation Commissioner of Hunan. When Emperor Xizong ascended the throne, Ning was summoned to serve as Vice Minister of War and Commissioner of Salt and Iron Transport. Because he had recommended an unworthy man, he was made Director of the Palace Library with duties at the Eastern Capital, then immediately appointed Governor of Henan. He was transferred to Observation Commissioner of Xuan, She, and Chi—it was the fourth year of Qianfu. The band of Wang Xianzhi sacked Zhide and their power grew ever greater. Ning dispatched the guard officer Meng Zhuo to assist the prefect of Chi in defense. The bandits increased their forces to attack, intending in fact to raid Nanling. Ning dispatched Fan Chou with a naval force to block Qingyang. Chou disobeyed orders and lightly engaged the bandits but was defeated. Ning beheaded him as a warning, and when the generals heard this they all trembled in their thighs. They fought to the death to hold the bandits back, and the bandits could not advance. At that time the Jiangnan region was surrounded by bandit territory. Ning held Caishi with strong crossbows and raised deceptive banners, and dispatched a separate general, Ma Ying, to relieve the siege of He Prefecture. The next year the bandits arrived in great force. The commander Wang Juan set out from Yongyang to meet the enemy. Ning held a great feast and said to Juan: "The bandits are arrogant from victory and can be met with weighty patience. Be careful not to give battle. Juan was eager for glory and marched four leagues a day. When he reached Nanling he formed ranks without eating and died in battle. The supervising eunuch gathered the remaining several thousand soldiers, retreated toward the city, was discouraged and obstructive, and had no intention of leaving. The soldiers again ran wild and could not be restrained. Ning reproached him: "When officials catch locusts and fail, they live off the people—then they lead violence to worsen the disaster. Now the troops cannot repel the enemy yet are allowed to violate the people's livelihood—how does this accord with the court's intent in treating a general? The supervising eunuch was speechless and urged his personal clerks to enter people's houses and seize horses. Ning watched from the gate, waved his attendants to seize and kill them, and thereafter they dared not remain. Yet he stored provisions and repaired defenses all the more to prepare against bandits, and when bandits came they could not harm him. A great star fell straight into the courtyard of his residence. Diviners said he ought to feign illness and cease conducting affairs to overcome the omen. Ning said: "The southeast is where the state has its outlet, and Xuan is a great prefecture. I may plan to escape disaster myself—but upon what would the region rely? I swear to live and die with the city—speak no more of this! Before long the bandits departed. Not long afterward he died at the age of fifty-eight, was posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel, and was given the posthumous title Upright.

徐申，字維降，京兆人。擢進士第，累遷洪州長史。嗣曹王臯討李希烈，檄申以長史行刺史事，任職辦，臯表其能，遷韶州刺史。韶自兵興四十年，刺史以縣為治署，而令丞雜處民閻。申按公田之廢者，募人假牛犁墾發，以所收半畀之，田久不治，故肥美，歲入凡三萬斛。諸工計所庸，受粟有差，乃徙治故州。未幾，邑闬如初。創驛候，作大市，器用皆具。州民詣觀察使，以其有功於人，請為生祠，申固讓，觀察使以狀聞，遷合州刺史。始來韶，戶止七千，比六年，倍而半之。會初置景州，授刺史，賜錢五十萬，加節度副使。遷邕管經略使。黃洞納質供賦，不敢桀。逾年，進嶺南節度使。前使死，吏盜印，署府職百餘員，畏事泄，謀作亂。申覺，殺之，詿誤一不問。遠俗以攻劫相矜，申禁切，無復犯。外蕃歲以珠、玳瑁、香、文犀浮海至，申於常貢外，未嘗賸索，商賈饒盈。劉辟反，表請發卒五千，循馬援故道，繇爨蠻抵蜀，搗辟不備。詔可，加檢校禮部尚書，封東海郡公。詔未至，卒，年七十。贈太子少保，謚曰平。

Xu Shen, courtesy name Weijiang, was a native of Jingzhao. He passed the jinshi examination and rose through successive posts to Senior Administrator of Hong Prefecture. Prince Si Cao Li Gao campaigned against Li Xilie and summoned Shen, as senior administrator, to act as prefect. He performed his duties capably, and Gao memorialized his ability and transferred him to prefect of Shao Prefecture. Shao had been at war for forty years. Prefects used counties as their administrative seats, while magistrates and assistants were scattered among the people's lanes. Shen surveyed abandoned public fields, recruited people to borrow oxen and plows for reclamation, and gave them half the harvest. The fields had long gone uncultivated and were therefore fertile, yielding thirty thousand hu per year. For the various craftsmen he calculated corvée owed and received grain in differing amounts, then moved the seat of government back to the old prefectural city. Before long the lanes and wards were as they had been at first. He established post stations and watch posts and built a great market—all implements and utensils were provided. The people of the prefecture went to the observation commissioner, saying that Shen had merit for the people, and requested a living shrine. Shen firmly declined. The observation commissioner reported this, and Shen was transferred to prefect of He Prefecture. When he first came to Shao there were only seven thousand households. Within six years the number doubled and increased by half again. When Jing Prefecture was first established, he was appointed its prefect, granted five hundred thousand cash, and additionally made Vice Military Commissioner. He was transferred to Military Commissioner of Yongguan. The Huang Cave tribes submitted hostages and paid tribute and dared not act arrogantly. After more than a year he was promoted to Military Commissioner of Lingnan. The previous commissioner had died. Clerks stole the seal and signed more than a hundred headquarters appointments, fearing exposure and plotting rebellion. Shen detected this, executed them, and questioned not a single person implicated by mistake. Remote customs took pride in raiding and plundering one another. Shen strictly forbade this, and there were no further violations. Foreign tribes each year sent pearls, tortoiseshell, incense, and patterned rhinoceros horn by sea. Beyond the regular tribute Shen never made additional demands, and merchants grew rich. When Liu Pi rebelled, Shen memorialized requesting to dispatch five thousand soldiers along the old route of Ma Yuan, through the Cuan barbarians to reach Shu, and strike Pi where he was unprepared. An edict approved this, and he was additionally appointed Acting Minister of Rites and enfeoffed as Duke of Donghai. Before the edict arrived he died at the age of seventy. He was posthumously appointed Junior Preceptor of the Crown Prince and given the posthumous title Peaceful.

郗士美，字和夫，兗州金鄉人。父純，字高卿，舉進士、拔萃、制策皆高第，張九齡、李邕數稱之。自拾遺七遷至中書舍人。處事不回，為宰相元載所忌。時魚朝恩以牙將李琮署兩街功德使，琮恃勢桀橫，眾辱京兆尹崔昭於禁中，純曰：「此國恥也。」即詣載請速處其罪，載不納，遂辭疾還東都，號「伊川田父」，十年不出。德宗立，崔祐甫輔政，召為太子左庶子、集賢殿學士，不拜，以老乞身。改詹事，聽致仕。帝召見，褒嘆良久，賜金紫，公卿以下鹹祖都門，世高其節。

Xi Shimei, courtesy name Hefu, was a native of Jinxiang in Yan Prefecture. His father Chun, courtesy name Gaoging, passed the jinshi, exceptional promotion, and decree examinations all with high ranks. Zhang Jiuling and Li Yong repeatedly praised him. From Left Reminder he rose through seven promotions to Drafting Secretary of the Secretariat. In handling affairs he would not bend, and Chief Minister Yuan Zai resented him. At that time Yu Chaoen, through the guard officer Li Cong, appointed Cong superintendent of the two wards' merit offices. Cong relied on power and acted arrogantly, publicly humiliating Governor of Jingzhao Cui Zhao in the palace. Chun said: "This is a national disgrace. He immediately went to Zai and requested that the crime be swiftly punished. Zai did not accept this, so Chun pleaded illness and returned to the eastern capital, styling himself "Father of the Fields of the Yi River," and for ten years did not go out. When Emperor Dezong ascended the throne, Cui Youfu assisted in government and summoned Chun as Junior Mentor of the Left and Academician of the Hall of Collected Treasures, but he did not accept and begged to retire on account of age. He was transferred to Mentor and permitted to retire. The emperor summoned him for an audience, praised and sighed over him for a long time, granted him the gold seal and purple robe, and from grandees down all escorted him to the capital gate—his integrity was held in high esteem by the age.

士美年十二，通《五經》、《史記》、《漢書》，皆能成誦。父友蕭穎士、顏真卿、柳芳與相論繹，嘗曰：「吾曹異日當交二郗之間矣。」未冠為陽翟丞，佐李抱真潞州幕府。以才，歷王虔休、李元，皆留不徙。久乃進房州刺史、黔中經略觀察使。溪州賊向子琪以眾八千岨山剽劫，士美討平之，加檢校右散騎常侍，封高平郡公。遷京兆尹，天子多所咨逮。

At the age of twelve Shimei mastered the Five Classics, the Records of the Grand Historian, and the Book of Han, all of which he could recite from memory. His father's friends Xiao Yingshi, Yan Zhenqing, and Liu Fang discussed learning with one another and once said: "We shall one day associate with the two Xi. Before reaching adulthood he served as assistant magistrate of Yangzhai and aided Li Baozhen's staff in Lu Prefecture. For his talent he served under Wang Qianxiu and Li Yuan, and both kept him without transferring him. After a long time he was promoted to prefect of Fang Prefecture and Military Commissioner and Observation Commissioner of Qianzhong. The bandit of Xi Prefecture, Xiang Ziqi, with eight thousand men plundered from steep mountain positions. Shimei suppressed and pacified him, was additionally appointed Acting Right Regular Attendant, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Gaoping. He was transferred to Governor of Jingzhao, and the emperor frequently consulted him.

出為鄂嶽觀察使。時安黃節度使伊慎入朝，其子宥主後務，偃蹇，母死京師不發喪，欲固其權。士美知之，使府屬過其境，宥出迎，因以母訃告之，即為辦裝，宥惶遽上道。

He was sent out as Observation Commissioner of E and Yue. At that time Military Commissioner of An and Huang Yin Shen was attending court. His son You managed rear affairs and acted arrogantly. When his mother died in the capital he did not begin mourning, wishing to consolidate his power. Shimei learned of this and had a headquarters officer pass through You's territory. You came out to welcome him, and Shimei thereby informed him of his mother's death. You immediately prepared his baggage and hurried on his way in alarm.

改河南尹，檢校工部尚書，充昭義節度使。昭義自李抱真以來皆武臣，私廚月費米六千石、羊千首、酒數十斛，潞人困甚。士美至，悉去之，出稟錢市物自給。又盧從史時，日具三百人膳以餉牙兵，士美曰：「卒衛於牙，固職也，安得廣費為私恩？」亦罷之。討王承宗也，遣大將王獻督萬人為前鋒，獻恣橫逗橈，士美即斬以徇，下令曰：「敢後者斬！」親鼓之，大破賊，下三營環柏鄉。時諸鎮兵合十餘萬繞賊，多玩寇犯法，獨士美兵銳整，最先有功。憲宗喜曰：「固知士美能辦吾事。」承宗大震懼。亡幾，會詔班師，然威震兩河。以疾召拜工部尚書。後檢校刑部尚書，為忠武節度使。卒，年六十四，贈尚書左僕射，謚曰景。生平與人交，已然諾，以是名重於世。

He was transferred to Governor of Henan, Acting Minister of Works, and Military Commissioner of Zhaoyi. Since Li Baozhen, Zhaoyi had been held by military men. Private kitchens monthly consumed six thousand shi of rice, a thousand sheep, and dozens of hu of wine—the people of Lu were greatly distressed. When Shimei arrived he abolished all of this and used his salary money to buy provisions for himself. Under Lu Congshi as well, three hundred men's meals were daily prepared to feed the guard soldiers. Shimei said: "Soldiers guarding headquarters are performing their duty—how can broad expense be made private favor? He abolished this as well. In the campaign against Wang Chengzong he dispatched the great general Wang Xian to command ten thousand men as vanguard. Xian acted arrogantly and delayed and obstructed. Shimei immediately beheaded him as a warning and issued an order: "Whoever falls behind will be beheaded! He personally beat the drums for them, routed the bandits on a great scale, and captured three camps encircling Baixiang. At that time the troops of the various circuits totaled more than a hundred thousand surrounding the bandits. Most treated the enemy lightly and violated the law, but Shimei's army alone was sharp and orderly and achieved merit first. Emperor Xianzong said with pleasure: "I knew all along that Shimei could accomplish my task. Chengzong was greatly shaken with fear. Before long an edict ordered withdrawal of the army, yet his authority shook both Hebei and Henan. Because of illness he was summoned and appointed Minister of Works. Later he was appointed Acting Minister of Justice and Military Commissioner of Zhongwu. He died at the age of sixty-four, was posthumously appointed Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and was given the posthumous title Illustrious. Throughout his life in associating with others, once he gave his word he kept it, and for this his reputation was weighty in the world.

辛秘，系出隴西。貞元中，擢明經第，授華原主簿。以判入等，調長安尉。其學於禮家尤洽，高郢為太常卿，奏為博士。再遷兵部員外郎，常兼博士。再辟禮儀使府。

Xin Mi traced his lineage to Longxi. During the Zhenyuan reign he passed the mingjing examination and was appointed chief clerk of Huayuan. Because his judicial decisions were graded in the top rank, he was transferred to assistant magistrate of Chang'an. His learning in the school of ritual was especially thorough. When Gao Ying served as Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, he memorialized that Mi be appointed Erudite. He was again transferred to Vice Director of the Ministry of War and regularly served concurrently as Erudite. He was again recruited to the headquarters of the Commissioner of Rites and Ceremonies.

憲宗初，拜湖州刺史。李锜反，遣大將先取支州。蘇、常、杭、睦四刺史，或戰敗，或拘脅，獨秘以儒者，賊易之。未及至，秘召牙將丘知二夜開城收壯士，得數百，逆賊大戰，斬其將，進焚營保。锜平，賜金紫。僉謂秘材任將帥，會河東範希朝出討王承宗，召秘為希朝司馬，主留務。累遷汝、常州刺史，河南尹，進拜昭義軍節度使。是時，承討恒、趙之後，潞人雕耗。秘至，則約出入，嗇用度，比四年，儲錢十七萬緡、糧七十萬斛，器械堅良，隱然復為完鎮。召還，道病卒，年六十四，贈尚書左僕射，謚曰肅，後更謚懿。

At the beginning of Emperor Xianzong's reign he was appointed prefect of Hu Prefecture. When Li Qi rebelled, he dispatched a great general to seize Zhi Prefecture first. The four prefects of Su, Chang, Hang, and Mu were either defeated in battle or coerced into submission. Mi alone was a Confucian scholar, and the bandits underestimated him. Before they arrived, Mi summoned the guard officer Qiu Zhier, who opened the city by night and gathered stalwart men, obtaining several hundred. They fought the bandits in great battle, beheaded their general, and advanced to burn their fortified camps. When Qi was pacified, Mi was granted the gold seal and purple robe. All agreed that Mi had the talent to serve as a general. When Fan Xichao of Hedong set out to campaign against Wang Chengzong, Mi was summoned to serve as Xichao's vice commander in charge of remaining headquarters affairs. He rose through successive posts to prefect of Ru and Chang Prefectures and Governor of Henan, then was promoted to Military Commissioner of the Zhaoyi Army. At that time, after the campaign against Heng and Zhao, the people of Lu were exhausted and depleted. When Mi arrived, he restricted comings and goings and was sparing in expenditures. Within four years he had stored 170,000 strings of cash and 700,000 hu of grain. Weapons were solid and fine, and the circuit quietly became a complete garrison again. He was recalled, fell ill on the road, and died at the age of sixty-four. He was posthumously appointed Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and given the posthumous title Solemn; later it was changed to Worthy.

秘為大官，居不易第，服不改初，其奉祿悉與裏表親屬。病，自銘其墓，作書一通緘之。卒後發視，則送終制也，儉而不違於禮雲。

Mi held high office yet did not change his residence, nor alter the clothes he had worn at first. His salary he gave entirely to relatives within and beyond the neighborhood. When ill, he himself inscribed his tomb and wrote one letter, which he sealed. After his death it was opened and examined—it contained instructions for his funeral, frugal yet not violating ritual, and so forth.

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