Volume 150 Biographies 75: Li, Chang, Zhao, Cui, Qi, Lu

李常趙崔齊盧

Li, Chang, Zhao, Cui, Qi, and Lu

李揆，字端卿，系出隴西，為冠族，去客滎陽。祖玄道，為文學館學士。父成裕，秘書監。揆性警敏，善文章。開元末，擢進士第，補陳留尉。獻書闕下，試中書，遷右拾遺，再轉起居郎，知宗子表疏，以考功郎中知制誥。扈狩劍南，拜中書舍人。

Li Kui, whose style name was Duanqing, came from the eminent Longxi line and settled with his family as guests in Xingyang. His grandfather Xuandao had been a scholar at the Literature Institute. His father Chengyu held the post of Director of the Secretariat. Kui was quick-witted by nature and excelled at literary composition. Near the end of the Kaiyuan reign he passed the jinshi examination and was appointed assistant magistrate of Chenliu. He submitted writings to the court, passed the Secretariat examination, rose to Right Reminder, served twice as Attendant of Leftness in charge of imperial-clan memorials, and then drafted edicts as Director of the Ministry of Rites Office. When the emperor went hunting in Sword South, he was appointed Secretariat Drafter.

乾元二年，宗室請上皇后號曰「翊聖」。肅宗問揆，對曰：「前代後妃，終則有謚，景龍不君，韋氏專恣，乃稱翊聖。今陛下動遵典禮，奈何踵其亂哉？」帝驚曰：「幾誤我家事。」遂止。後即張氏，有子數歲，欲立為太子，而帝意未決。時代宗以封成王，帝從容語揆曰：「成王長，有功，將定太子，卿意謂何？」揆曰：「陛下此言，社稷福也。」因再拜賀。帝曰：「朕計決矣。」

In the second year of Qianyuan, members of the imperial clan asked that the empress be given the honorific title "Assisting Sage." Emperor Suzong asked Kui, who answered: "In earlier ages empresses and consorts received posthumous titles only after death. During the Jinglong years the throne went astray and the Wei clan seized unchecked power; only then was the title 'Assisting Sage' used. Your Majesty now follows the canonical rites in every move—why tread again the path of that disorder?" The emperor exclaimed in alarm: "I nearly ruined my own house." He dropped the matter. Later there was Lady Zhang, who had a son still only a few years old and wished to have him made heir apparent, but the emperor had not yet made up his mind. At that time Daizong had been enfeoffed as Prince of Cheng. The emperor spoke to Kui in an easy tone: "The Prince of Cheng is grown, has merit, and I am about to settle the heir apparent—what do you think?" Kui said: "Your Majesty's words are a blessing to the realm." He then bowed twice in congratulation. The emperor said: "My mind is made up."

俄兼禮部侍郎。揆病取士不考實，徒露搜索禁所挾，而迂學陋生，葄枕圖史，且不能自措於詞。乃大陳書廷中，進諸儒約曰：「上選士，第務得才，可盡所欲言。」由是人人稱美。未卒事，拜中書侍郎、同中書門下平章事，修國史，封姑臧縣伯。揆美風儀，善奏對，帝嘆曰：「卿門地、人物、文學皆當世第一，信朝廷羽儀乎！」故時稱三絕。於是京師多盜，至驂衢殺人，屍溝中，吏褫氣。李輔國方橫，請選羽林騎五百，備僥捕。揆曰：「漢以南、北軍相統攝，故周勃因南軍入北軍，以安劉氏。本朝置南、北衙，文武區別，更相檢伺。今以羽林代金吾，忽有非常，何以制之！」輔國議格。

Before long he was also made Vice Minister of Rites. Kui faulted the selection of scholars for failing to test real ability: officials only exposed candidates who carried forbidden materials hidden in their robes, while pedantic, shallow students who had slept with histories and maps under their pillows could not even put words in order. He then spread books widely in the court hall, summoned the candidates forward, and declared: "When the sovereign chooses scholars, he seeks only talent; say everything you wish." From this everyone praised him. Before the examination was finished he was appointed Vice President of the Secretariat and Co-Chancellor, put in charge of compiling the national history, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Guzang. Kui had a handsome presence and answered memorials with skill. The emperor sighed and said: "Your family standing, person, and literary learning are all first in the age—you are truly the court's ceremonial wings!" He was therefore called the "triple surpassing" of the age. At that time bandits were numerous in the capital; they killed people even in the main thoroughfares, corpses choked the ditches, and officials lost heart. Li Fuguo was then riding high in power and asked to select five hundred imperial guard horsemen for rash pursuit and arrest. Kui said: "Under the Han the Southern and Northern Armies kept each other in check; that is why Zhou Bo entered the Northern Army through the Southern Army and thereby secured the house of Liu. Our dynasty set up Southern and Northern courts, separating civil and military so that each inspected the other. If the imperial guard cavalry now replace the Jinwu guard, and something unforeseen should occur, how would it be controlled?" Fuguo's proposal was blocked.

揆決事明當，然銳於進，且近名。兄楷，有時稱，滯冗官不得遷。呂諲政事出揆遠甚，以故宰相鎮荊南，治聲尤高。揆懼復用，遣吏至諲所，構抉過失，諲密訴諸朝。帝怒，貶揆袁州長史。不三日，以楷為司門員外郎。揆累年乃徙歙州刺史。

Kui's decisions were clear and apt, but he was keen to advance and fond of reputation. His elder brother Kai enjoyed a contemporary reputation but languished in idle posts and could not win promotion. Lu Yun's handling of affairs far outshone Kui's; as a former chancellor posted to Jingnan, his reputation for governance was especially high. Kui feared Yun would be brought back into office, sent officials to his post to fabricate and expose faults, and Yun secretly appealed to the court. The emperor was enraged and demoted Kui to Long Chief of Yuan Prefecture. Within three days Kai was appointed Vice Director of the Gate Office. Only after many years was Kui transferred to prefect of She Prefecture.

初，苗晉卿數薦元載，揆輕載地寒，謂晉卿曰：「龍章鳳姿士不見用，獐頭鼠目子乃求官邪？」載聞，銜之。及秉政，奏揆試秘書監，江淮養疾。家百口，貧無祿，丐食取給，牧守稍厭慁，則去之，流落凡十六年。載誅，始拜睦州刺史。入為國子祭酒、禮部尚書。

Earlier Miao Jinqing had repeatedly recommended Yuan Zai. Kui looked down on Zai's humble origins and said to Jinqing: "Men of dragon bearing and phoenix grace go unused, yet a weasel-headed, rat-eyed fellow seeks office?" When Zai heard this he bore a grudge. When he came to power he had Kui appointed on probation as Director of the Secretariat and sent to convalesce in the Jianghuai region. His household of a hundred mouths had no stipend and lived by begging; when local governors grew tired of their importuning they moved on. In all he wandered for sixteen years. After Zai was executed he was at last appointed prefect of Mu Prefecture. He was recalled to the capital as Chancellor of the Directorate of Education and Minister of Rites.

德宗幸山南，揆素為盧杞所惡，用為入蕃會盟使，拜尚書左仆射。揆辭老，恐死道路，不能達命，帝惻然。杞曰：「和戎者，當練朝廷事，非揆不可。異時年少揆者不敢辭。」揆至蕃，酋長曰：「聞唐有第一人李揆，公是否？」揆畏留，因紿之曰：「彼李揆，安肯來邪？」還。卒鳳州，年七十四，贈司空，謚曰恭。

When Emperor Dezong went to the south of the mountains, Kui had long been hated by Lu Qi, who sent him as envoy to the barbarians for a treaty alliance and had him appointed Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. Kui pleaded old age, saying he feared he would die on the road and fail to carry out the mission. The emperor was moved to pity. Qi said: "One who makes peace with the barbarians must be versed in court affairs; no one but Kui will do. At another time a man younger than Kui would not have dared refuse." When Kui reached the barbarians the chieftain said: "I have heard that Tang has a foremost man named Li Kui—is that you?" Kui feared being detained and deceived him, saying: "That Li Kui—how would he be willing to come?" He returned. He died at Feng Prefecture at the age of seventy-four, was posthumously made Director of Works, and given the posthumous name Gong.

常袞，京兆人，天寶末，及進士第。性狷潔，不妄交遊。由太子正字，累為中書舍人。文采贍蔚，長於應用，譽重一時。魚朝恩賴寵，兼判國子監。袞奏：「成均之任，當用名儒，不宜以宦臣領職。」始，回紇有戰功者，得留京師，虜性易驕，後乃創邸第、佛祠，或伏甲其間，數出中渭橋，與軍人格鬥，奪含光門魚契走城外。袞建言：「今西蕃盤桓境上，數入寇，若相連結，以乘無備，其變不細，請早圖之。」又天子誕日，諸道爭以侈麗奉獻，不則為老子、浮屠解禱事。袞以為：「漢文帝還千里馬不用，晉武帝焚雉頭裘，宋高祖碎琥珀枕，是三主者，非有聰明大聖以致治安，謹身率下而已。今諸道饋獻，皆淫侈不急，而節度使、刺史非能男耕而女織者，類出於民，是斂怨以媚上也，請皆還之。今軍旅未寧，王畿戶口十不一在，而諸祠寺寫經造像，焚幣埋玉，所以賞賚若比丘、道士、巫祝之流，歲巨萬計。陛下若以易芻粟，減貧民之賦，天下之福豈有量哉！」代宗嘉納。遷禮部侍郎。時宦者劉忠翼權震中外，涇原節度使馬璘為帝寵任，有所幹請，袞皆拒卻。

Chang Gun was a man of Jingzhao. At the end of the Tianbao reign he passed the jinshi examination. By nature he was fastidious and aloof and did not associate casually. Starting as Rectifier of Records in the Heir Apparent's palace, he rose through several posts to Secretariat Drafter. His literary talent was rich and abundant, he excelled at practical composition, and his reputation weighed heavily in the age. Yu Chaoen relied on imperial favor and concurrently directed the Directorate of Education. Gun memorialized: "The charge of the Exalted Harmony institution should be given to renowned Confucians; it is not fitting that a eunuch official hold the post." At first Uighur warriors with battle achievements were allowed to remain in the capital. Barbarians are easily made arrogant; later they built mansions and Buddhist shrines, sometimes hiding armed men within. Several times they came out at the Zhongwei Bridge, fought with soldiers, seized the Heguang Gate tally, and fled outside the walls. Gun proposed: "The western barbarians now linger at the borders and raid repeatedly. If they join forces to strike when we are unprepared, the consequences would be grave. Please plan for this early." Moreover, on the emperor's birthday the various circuits vied to present lavish gifts; otherwise they offered prayers through Laozi and the Buddha. Gun argued: "Emperor Wen of Han sent back a thousand-li horse and would not use it; Emperor Wu of Jin burned the pheasant-head fur robe; Emperor Gaozu of Song smashed the amber pillow. These three rulers did not owe their peace and order to surpassing wisdom and sagacity; they simply guarded themselves and led those below by example. The gifts sent from the circuits today are all licentious extravagances of no urgency. Military commissioners and prefects are not men who plough and women who weave; for the most part the cost comes from the people. This is collecting resentment to flatter the throne. Please have them all returned. The armies are not yet at peace, and scarcely one household in ten remains in the metropolitan region, yet shrines and temples copy sutras and cast images, burn silk offerings and bury jade. Rewards to Buddhist monks, Daoist priests, shamans, and the like amount to tens of thousands each year. If Your Majesty exchanged these for grain and fodder and reduced the levies on the poor, would the realm's blessings not be beyond measure!" Emperor Daizong praised and adopted his advice. He was transferred to Vice Minister of Rites. At that time the eunuch Liu Zhongyi's power shook court and countryside alike, and Jingyuan military commissioner Ma Lin enjoyed the emperor's favor. Whatever they requested, Gun refused.

元載死，拜門下侍郎、同中書門下平章事，弘文、崇文館大學士，與楊綰同執政。綰長厚通可，而袞苛細，以清儉自賢。帝內重綰而顓任之，禮遇信愛，袞弗及也，每所恨忌。會綰卒，袞始當國。

When Yuan Zai died he was appointed Vice President of the Secretariat and Co-Chancellor, made Grand Academician of the Hongwen and Chongwen halls, and governed together with Yang Guan. Guan was generous and easy to work with, but Gun was exacting in detail and made frugality his claim to virtue. The emperor valued Guan inwardly and entrusted affairs to him alone, treating him with trust and affection that Gun never matched; at every turn Gun nursed resentment. When Guan died, Gun at last held the reins of government.

先是，百官俸寡狹，議增給之。時韓滉使度支，與袞皆任情輕重。滉惡國子司業張參，袞惡太子少詹事趙惎，皆少給之。太子文學為洗馬副，袞姻家任文學者，其給乃在洗馬上。其騁私崇怨類此。故事，日出內廚食賜宰相家，可十人具，袞奏罷之。又將讓堂封，它宰相不從，乃止。政事堂北門，異時宰相過舍人院咨逮政事，至袞乃塞之，以示尊大。懲元載敗，窒賣官之路，然一切以公議格之，非文詞者皆擯不用，故世謂之「濌伯」，以其濌々無賢不肖之辨雲。

Earlier the salaries of the hundred officials had been meager and narrow, and there was discussion of increasing them. At that time Han Huang handled the office of revenue; he and Gun both adjusted amounts as they pleased. Huang hated the Vice Director of the Directorate Zhang Can; Gun hated the Heir Apparent's Junior Administrator Zhao Ji. Both men received reduced stipends. The Heir Apparent's literary instructor ranked below the groom of the heir apparent, but Gun's relative by marriage held the literary instructor post and received a stipend higher than the groom's. His pursuit of private interest and accumulation of grievances were of this kind. By precedent, at sunrise food from the inner kitchen was sent to the chancellor's household for ten persons. Gun memorialized to abolish the practice. He was also about to decline the Hall sealing stipend, but the other chancellors would not agree, and the matter was dropped. The northern gate of the Administration Hall: in former times chancellors passed through the drafters' courtyard to consult on affairs of state; only under Gun was it blocked, to display his loftiness. Punishing Yuan Zai's fall, he blocked the sale of offices, yet he rejected everything by public discussion. Those without literary skill were all cast aside unused. The age therefore called him "Sloppy Uncle," because he sloppily made no distinction between the worthy and the unworthy.

袞為相，散官才朝議，而無封爵，郭子儀言於帝，遂加銀青光祿大夫，封河內郡公。德宗即位，袞奏貶崔祐甫為河南少尹。帝怒，使與祐甫換秩，再貶潮州刺史。

As chancellor Gun held only the scattered post of Chaoyi and had no enfeoffment. Guo Ziyi spoke to the emperor, and Gun was then given the rank of Silver-Green-Ware Glory Grandee and enfeoffed as Duke of Henei. When Emperor Dezong took the throne, Gun memorialized to demote Cui Youfu to Vice Governor of Henan. The emperor was angry, had him exchange ranks with Youfu, and demoted him again to prefect of Chaozhou.

建中初，楊炎輔政，起為福建觀察使。始，閩人未知學，袞至，為設鄉校，使作為文章，親加講導，與為客主鈞禮，觀遊燕饗與焉，由是俗一變，歲貢士與內州等。卒於官，年五十五，贈尚書左仆射。其後閩人春秋配享袞於學官雲。

At the beginning of the Jianzhong era, when Yang Yan came to power, Gun was appointed Fujian Observation Commissioner. At first the people of Min had not yet taken to learning. When Gun arrived he established village schools, had them compose essays, and personally lectured and guided them. He treated them with the equal ceremony of host and guest, attended their outings, banquets, and feasts, and thereby changed the local customs entirely. Each year the scholars they presented for examination equalled those of the inner circuits. He died in office at the age of fifty-five and was posthumously made Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. Thereafter the people of Min sacrificed to Gun at the learning hall in spring and autumn.

趙憬，字退翁，渭州隴西人。曾祖仁本，仕為吏部侍郎、同東西臺三品。憬誌行峻潔，不自衒賈。寶應中，方營泰、建二陵，用度廣，又吐蕃盜邊，天下薦饑，憬褐衣上疏，請殺禮從儉，士林嘆美。試江夏尉，佐諸使府，進太子舍人。母喪免，有芝生壤樹。建中初，擢水部員外郎。湖南觀察使李承表憬自副。承卒，遂代之。召還，闔門不與人交。李泌薦之，對殿中，占奏明辯，通古今，德宗欽悅，拜給事中。

Zhao Jing, whose style name was Tuiweng, was a man of Longxi in Weizhou. His great-grandfather Renben had served as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and Co-Director of the Eastern and Western Platforms at the third rank. Jing's will and conduct were stern and pure; he did not parade himself for gain. During the Baoying period work was underway on the Taizong and Jianling mausoleums with heavy expenditures, Tibet raided the borders, and famine spread across the realm. Jing submitted a memorial in plain dress asking that rites be cut back and thrift observed. Scholars sighed in admiration. He was tested as assistant magistrate of Jiangxia, served in several commissioner offices, and advanced to Queller of the Heir Apparent. When his mother died he left office; auspicious fungi grew on the mound tree at her grave. At the beginning of the Jianzhong era he was promoted to Vice Director of the Water Office. Hunan Observation Commissioner Li Cheng recommended Jing as his own deputy. When Cheng died, Jing replaced him. When he was summoned back to the capital he shut his gate and would not receive visitors. Li Mi recommended him. When he faced the emperor in the hall his memorial replies were clear and eloquent and showed mastery of antiquity and the present. Emperor Dezong was deeply pleased and appointed him Drafting Attendant.

貞元中，鹹安公主降回紇，詔關播為使，而憬以御史中丞副之。異時使者多私賫，以市馬規利入，獨憬不然。使未還，尚書左丞缺，帝曰：「趙憬堪此。」遂以命之。考功歲終，請如至德故事課殿最，憬自言薦果州刺史韋證，以貪敗，請降考。校考使劉滋謂憬知過，更以考升。

During the Zhenyuan period Princess Xian'an was married to the Uighurs. The emperor ordered Guan Bo as envoy, with Jing serving as deputy in the rank of Censor-in-Chief. On previous missions envoys had often carried private gifts to buy horses and skim profits for themselves; Jing alone refused to do so. Before the mission returned, the post of Left Vice Director of the Secretariat fell vacant. The emperor said: "Zhao Jing is suited to it." He thereupon gave him the appointment. At the year's end the Directorate of Merit Review asked to rank offices by performance as in the Zhide precedent. Jing himself reported that he had recommended Wei Zheng, prefect of Guo Prefecture, who had been ruined by greed, and asked that his own evaluation be lowered. The collation review commissioner Liu Zi said that because Jing recognized his error, he raised his grade instead.

竇參當國，欲抑為刺史，帝不許。參罷，進中書侍郎、同中書門下平章事，與陸贄同輔政。贄於裁決少所讓，又徙憬門下侍郎，繇是不平。自以不任職，數稱疾。時杜黃裳遭奄人讒詆，穆贊、韋武、李宣、盧雲等為裴延齡構擯，勢危甚，憬救護申解，皆得免。初，贄約共執退延齡，既對，贄極言其奸，帝色變，憬不為助，遂罷贄，乃始當國。

While Dou Can held power he tried to have Jing reduced to a prefect, but the emperor refused. After Can was dismissed, Jing was promoted to Vice Director of the Secretariat and Co-equal Director of the Secretariat-Chancellery, sharing governance with Lu Zhi. Zhi seldom gave way in policy decisions, and Jing was further transferred to Vice Director of the Chancellery; from this Jing grew resentful. Believing himself unequal to the post, he repeatedly pleaded illness. At the time Du Huangshang was slandered by eunuchs, and Mu Zan, Wei Wu, Li Xuan, Lu Yun, and others were framed and driven out by Pei Yanling until their situation was dire. Jing intervened on their behalf and secured their release. At first Zhi and Jing had agreed to join forces to remove Yanling. When they faced the throne, Zhi denounced Yanling's treachery at length until the emperor's face changed, but Jing offered no support. Zhi was dismissed, and only then did Jing take control of the government.

憬精治道，常以國本在選賢、節用、薄賦斂、寬刑罰，懇懇為天子言之。又陳前世損益、當時之變，獻《審官六議》。一議相臣，曰：「中外知其賢者用之，能者任之，責材之備，為不可得。」二議庶官，曰：「臣嘗謂拔十得五，賢愚猶半。陛下曰：『何必五也，十二可矣。』故廣任用，明殿最，舉大節，略小瑕，隨能試事，用人之大要也。」三議京司闕官，曰：「今要官闕多，閑官員多。要官以材行，閑官以恩澤，是選拔少，優容眾也。宜補缺員，以育人材。」四議考課，曰：「今內庶僚，外刺史，課最尤者，擢以不次，善矣。臣謂黜陟宜責歲限，若任要重未當遷者，加爵或秩。其餘進退，宜示遲速之常。若課在中、考如限者，平轉而歷試之，即無茍且之心、滯淹之慮。」五議遺滯，曰：「陛下委宰輔舉才，不遍知也，則訪之庶僚；又不遍知也，訪之眾人，眾聲囂然，十譽之未信，一毀之可疑。臣謂宜采士論，以譽多者先用，非大故者勿棄。」六議藩府官屬，曰：「諸使辟署，務得才以重府望，能否已試，則引而置之朝，無俾久滯。」帝皆然之，下詔褒答。輔政五年，卒，年六十一。其息上卒時稿奏，帝悼惜之。贈太子太傅，謚曰貞憲。

Jing was deeply versed in statecraft and repeatedly urged the emperor, with great earnestness, that the nation's foundation rested on choosing worthy men, curbing expenditure, keeping taxes light, and moderating punishments. He also reviewed what earlier ages had gained and lost and what the present age required, submitting his Six Discourses on Examining Office. The first discourse, on the chief minister, said: "At court and in the provinces, appoint men known to be worthy and assign men known to be capable. To demand fully rounded talent in every case is impossible." The second discourse, on common officials, said: "I once argued that if you select ten men and get five good ones, the wise and the foolish are still evenly split. Your Majesty replied: 'Why insist on half? One or two good men from ten would be enough. So the great principle of employing men is to appoint broadly, distinguish clearly between the best and the worst, honor major integrity, overlook small faults, and test each man according to his ability." The third discourse, on vacant offices in the capital, said: "Important posts stand empty in great numbers, while idle posts are filled in great numbers. Important posts go to men of talent and character, while idle posts go to men of favor. That means too little selection and too much accommodation. Vacant posts should be filled so that talent may be cultivated." The fourth discourse, on performance review, said: "Today, among inner officials and outer prefects alike, those with the highest marks are promoted ahead of schedule, and that is well. I hold that promotions and demotions should follow fixed terms of years. If a man holds a weighty post and is not yet due to move, let him receive added rank or stipend instead. All other advances and retirements should follow a regular, predictable rhythm. If a man's review is middling and his term is complete, transfer him in the ordinary course and test him through successive posts. Then no one will grow complacent or fear being left to stagnate." The fifth discourse, on neglected and stalled talent, said: "Your Majesty entrusts the chief ministers with recommending talent. When they do not know enough, inquiry passes to the common officials. When they still do not know enough, inquiry passes to the crowd. Then the voices grow clamorous: ten praises win no trust, while one slander breeds suspicion. I hold that the court should heed scholarly opinion, appoint first those most widely praised, and not discard men who have no grave fault." The sixth discourse, on staff of provincial administrations, said: "When commissioners recruit staff, they should seek real talent to enhance the prestige of their offices. Once a man's ability has been tested, bring him into court service and do not let him languish indefinitely." The emperor agreed with every point and issued an edict commending and answering him. He served as chief minister for five years, then died at the age of sixty-one. His son submitted at his death the draft memorial he had been working on, and the emperor mourned him and prized the text. He was posthumously made Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent and given the posthumous name Zhenxian, "Upright and Law-abiding."

憬性清約，位臺宰，而第室童獲猶儒先生家也。得稟入，先建家廟，而竟不營產。其鎮湖南也，令孤亙、崔儆並為部刺史，不守法，憬以正彈治之，皆遣客暴憬失於朝。及為相，乃擢儆自大理卿為尚書右丞，亙方貶衢州別駕，引為吉州刺史，人以為賢。

Jing was by nature austere and frugal. Though he held the highest ministerial office, his house and household were still those of a Confucian gentleman. When he received his stipend he first built a family temple and never, to the end of his life, accumulated property. While he governed Hunan, Linghu Gen and Cui Jing served as subordinate prefects and broke the law. Jing disciplined them properly, and both sent agents to denounce his misconduct at court. Once he became chief minister he promoted Cui Jing from director of the Court of Judicial Review to Right Vice Director of the Secretariat. Linghu Gen had just been demoted to vice prefect of Quzhou, yet Jing brought him back as prefect of Jizhou, and people judged this magnanimous.

崔造，字玄宰，深州安平人。永泰中，與韓會、盧東美、張正則三人友善，居上元，好言當世事，皆自謂王佐才，故號「四夔」。

Cui Zao, courtesy name Xuanzai, was a native of Anping in Shen Prefecture. During the Yongtai era he was close to Han Hui, Lu Dongmei, and Zhang Zhengze. All four lived in Shangyuan, loved to debate the affairs of the day, and each considered himself fit to serve as a king's right hand, so they were called the "Four Kui."

浙西觀察使李棲筠辟為判官，累遷左司員外郎。與劉晏善，晏得罪，貶信州長史。徙建州刺史。朱泚亂，造輒馳檄比州，發所部兵二千以待命，德宗嘉之。京師平，召還，至藍田，自以舅源休與賊同逆，上疏請罪。帝以為有禮，下詔慰勉，擢給事中。

Li Qiyun, observation commissioner of Zhexi, recruited him as an administrative aide, and he rose in stages to Vice Director of the Left Office. He was on good terms with Liu Yan. When Yan fell from favor, Zao was demoted to chief administrator of Xin Prefecture. He was transferred to prefect of Jian Prefecture. When Zhu Ci rose in rebellion, Zao at once sent proclamations to neighboring prefectures and mobilized two thousand troops from his command to await orders. Emperor Dezong commended him. After the capital was restored he was recalled. When he reached Lantian he learned that his uncle Yuan Xiu had joined the rebels, and he submitted a memorial asking to be punished. The emperor judged his conduct honorable, issued an edict to comfort and encourage him, and promoted him to Drafting Attendant.

貞元二年，以給事中同中書門下平章事。帝謂造敢言，為能立事，故不次用之。造久在江左，疾錢谷諸使罔上，或幹沒自私，乃建言：「天下兩稅，請委本道觀察使、刺史選官部送京師。諸道水陸轉運使、度支巡院、江淮轉運使，請悉停，以度支鹽鐵務還尚書省，六曹皆宰相分領。」於是齊映判兵部，李勉刑部，劉滋吏、禮二部，造戶、工二部；又以戶部侍郎元琇判諸道鹽鐵、榷酒事，吉中孚度支諸道兩稅事。而浙江東、西歲入米七十五萬石，方歲饑，更以兩稅準米百萬，豪、壽、洪、潭二十萬，責韓滉杜亞漕送東渭橋。諸道有鹽鐵處，仍置巡院。歲盡，宰相計最殿以聞。造厚元琇，故首命之。時滉方領轉運，有寵於帝，朝廷仰其須。滉持不可改，帝重違之，復以滉滉為江淮轉運使，余如造請。是秋，江淮米大集，帝美滉功，以滉專領度支諸道鹽鐵、轉運等使。造懼，始托疾辭位，乃罷為太子右庶子，貶琇雷州司戶參軍。於是造所請悉罷，以憂愧卒，年五十一。議者謂造舉不適時，方用之乏，不能權濟大事，雖據舊典，奚能抗一切之制雲。

In the second year of the Zhenyuan era he was made Co-equal Director of the Secretariat-Chancellery while serving as Drafting Attendant. The emperor said that Zao spoke boldly and could get things done, and therefore promoted him ahead of the usual order. Zao had long served south of the Yangzi and resented the fiscal commissioners who deceived the throne or seized funds for themselves. He proposed: "The empire's two-tax revenues should be entrusted to each circuit's observation commissioner and prefect to choose officials and deliver the receipts to the capital. All circuit transport commissioners, expenditure-review patrol offices, and the Jianghuai transport commissioner should be abolished. The expenditure and salt-iron offices should be returned to the Secretariat, with the chief ministers each overseeing one of the six bureaus." Accordingly Qi Ying took charge of the Bureau of War, Li Mian of Punishments, Liu Zi of Personnel and Rites, and Zao of Revenue and Public Works. Yuan Xiu, Vice Director of Revenue, was also put in charge of salt, iron, and liquor monopolies for all circuits, and Ji Zhongfu was put in charge of the two-tax expenditure for all circuits. Zhejiang East and West had previously delivered 750,000 shi of grain each year. In a year of famine the quota was raised to the two-tax equivalent of one million shi, with Hao, Shou, Hong, and Tan together supplying 200,000. Han Huang and Du Ya were ordered to transport the grain by canal to Dongwei Bridge. In circuits where salt and iron were produced, patrol offices were still retained. At the end of the year the chief ministers calculated the best and worst results and reported them to the throne. Zao was on close terms with Yuan Xiu and therefore gave him the leading appointment. At the time Han Huang was still in charge of transport and enjoyed the emperor's favor; the court depended on him for supplies. Huang insisted the arrangement could not be changed. Unwilling to override him, the emperor restored Han Huang as Jianghuai transport commissioner, while the rest of the plan went forward as Zao had proposed. That autumn grain from the Jianghuai region poured in. The emperor praised Huang's achievement and put him in sole charge of expenditure, salt and iron, transport, and related offices for all circuits. Alarmed, Zao first pleaded illness to resign. He was removed to Right Vice Director of the Heir Apparent's household, and Yuan Xiu was demoted to revenue officer of Lei Prefecture. Everything Zao had proposed was then undone. He died of grief and shame at the age of fifty-one. Later critics said Zao's proposals came at the wrong moment: just when supplies were desperately needed, he could not maneuver flexibly on a matter of state. However sound his precedents, he was in no position to overturn a system that controlled everything.

齊映，瀛州高陽人。舉進士，博學宏詞，中之，補河南府參軍事。滑亳節度使令狐彰署掌書記，彰疾甚，引映托後事。映因說彰納節，歸諸子京師。彰從之，即以女妻映。彰卒，軍亂，映間歸東都。

Qi Ying was a native of Gaoyang in Ying Prefecture. He passed the jinshi examination and the Broad Learning and Grand Rhetoric examination, then was appointed military adjutant of Henan Prefecture. Linghu Zhang, military commissioner of Hua and Bo, appointed him chief secretary. When Zhang fell gravely ill he entrusted his affairs after death to Ying. Ying then persuaded Zhang to surrender his command and send his sons to the capital. Zhang agreed and gave Ying his daughter in marriage. When Zhang died the army mutinied, and Ying made his way back to the eastern capital.

三城使馬燧辟為判官。盧杞薦授刑部員外郎。又為鳳翔張鎰判官。映練軍事，論奏數稱旨，進行軍司馬。會德宗出奉天，鎰儒緩不知兵，部將李楚琳者，素慓悍，欲介賊為亂。映與齊抗請先事誅之，鎰不用，更示寬大，徐謂楚琳曰：「欲以君使外，若何？」楚琳恐，夜殺鎰以應賊，映雅為軍中慕賴，故得免。奔奉天，授御史中丞。

Ma Sui, commissioner of the Three Cities, recruited him as an administrative aide. Lu Qi recommended him, and he was appointed Vice Director of the Bureau of Punishments. He later served as administrative aide to Zhang Yi in Fengxiang. Ying was skilled in military affairs, and his memorials often pleased the emperor, who promoted him to army vice marshal. When Emperor Dezong fled to Fengtian, Zhang Yi was a bookish man, slow-moving and ignorant of war. A subordinate general named Li Chulin was naturally fierce and unruly and wanted to join the rebels in raising trouble. Ying and Qi Kang urged that Chulin be killed first. Yi refused and instead tried a show of leniency, saying slowly to Chulin: "I would like to send you on assignment elsewhere. What do you say?" Chulin grew afraid. That night he killed Yi and went over to the rebels. Ying had long been respected and trusted in the army, and so he escaped unharmed. He fled to Fengtian and was appointed Censor-in-Chief.

從幸梁，道險澀，常為帝禦。會馬駭突，帝恐傷映，詔舍轡，固不去，曰：「馬奔踶，不過傷臣；舍之，或犯清蹕，臣雖死不中償責。」帝嘉嘆，擢給事中。映為人白晰長大，言音鴻爽，故帝常令侍左右，或前馬臚傳詔旨。進中書舍人。貞元二年，以舍人同中書門下平章事，俄改中書侍郎，封河間縣男，與崔造、劉滋並輔政。滋端重寡言，映謙不肯事否可，一顓於造。會造疾，映乃當國。

On the emperor's journey to Liang the road was dangerous and rough, and Ying constantly drove the carriage for him. Once the horses bolted in fright. Fearing Ying would be hurt, the emperor told him to let go of the reins, but he refused to leave, saying: "If the horses rear and kick, they can hurt me at most. If I drop the reins they may break the imperial procession. Even if I die, that would not atone for such a fault." The emperor praised him warmly and promoted him to Drafting Attendant. Ying was fair-complexioned, tall, and imposing, with a clear, ringing voice. The emperor therefore kept him close at hand and sometimes had him ride ahead as herald to proclaim edicts. He was promoted to Secretariat Drafting Officer. In the second year of the Zhenyuan era he became Co-equal Director of the Secretariat-Chancellery while serving as drafting officer. Soon he was made Vice Director of the Secretariat, enfeoffed as Baron of Hejian County, and shared governance with Cui Zao and Liu Zi. Liu Zi was grave and sparing of speech. Ying was deferential and unwilling to settle matters on his own; everything turned on Zao. When Zao fell ill, Ying took charge of the government.

吐蕃數入寇，關輔震騷，鹹言帝欲避狄。映入諫曰：「戎狄不懲，臣之罪也。然內外恟恟，謂陛下具糗糧，欲治行。夫大幸不再，奈何不與臣等計乎？」因俯伏流涕，天子為感寤。

The Tibetans raided repeatedly, throwing the Guanzhong region into alarm, and rumor spread that the emperor meant to flee before the barbarians. Ying went in to remonstrate, saying: "If the barbarians go unpunished, the fault is mine. Yet inside and outside the court people are terrified, saying that Your Majesty has gathered provisions and is preparing to depart. Good fortune does not strike twice. Why not discuss this with us?" He then prostrated himself and wept, and the emperor was deeply moved.

後給事中袁高忤帝旨，而映以為尚書左丞、御史大夫。始，映微時，張延賞遇之善。及映相，而延賞為左仆射，數為映畫事，又為所親求官，映不答，延賞恚。既復用，即劾映非宰相器。明年，貶夔州刺史，徙衡州。久之，為桂管、江西兩觀察使。始，映罷不以罪，冀復進，乃掊斂獻貢，以中帝欲。初，諸藩銀大瓶止五尺，李兼為江西，始獻六尺瓶，至映乃八尺雲。卒，年四十八，贈禮部尚書，謚曰忠。

Later, when Drafting Attendant Yuan Gao offended the emperor, Ying was nevertheless made Left Vice Director of the Secretariat and Censor-in-Chief. In Ying's early days, when he was still unknown, Zhang Yanshang had treated him kindly. Once Ying became chief minister while Yanshang served as Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, Yanshang often drafted business for him and also asked favors for his friends. Ying gave no answer, and Yanshang grew furious. When Yanshang returned to power he at once impeached Ying as unfit for the chancellorship. The next year Ying was demoted to prefect of Kuizhou and later transferred to Hengzhou. After some years he served as observation commissioner of Guiguan and Jiangxi. At first Ying had not been dismissed for any crime, and he hoped to return to court. He therefore squeezed the region for tribute to satisfy the emperor's wishes. At first the great silver vases presented by the various prefectures were only five chi tall. When Li Jian governed Jiangxi he was the first to send six-chi vases; by Ying's time they had reached eight chi. He died at the age of forty-eight. He was posthumously made Minister of Rites and given the posthumous name Zhong, "Loyal."

盧邁，字子玄，河南河南人。性孝友。舉明經入第，補太子正字。以拔萃調河南主簿、集賢校理。公卿交薦之，擢右補闕。三遷吏部員外郎。以族屬客江介，出為滁州刺史。召還，再遷諫議大夫。數條當世病利，進給事中。俄會考課，邁以不滿歲，固辭上考，薦紳高其讓。改尚書右丞。

Lu Mai, courtesy name Zixuan, was a native of Henan in Henan. He was filial and brotherly by nature. He passed the Mingjing examination and was appointed corrector in the Heir Apparent's household. Selected through the bawei examination, he was appointed chief clerk of Henan and collator at the Hall of Assembled Worthies. Dukes and ministers recommended him in turn, and he was promoted to Right Supplementation Censor. He was transferred three times until he reached Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel. Because his clan had been guests in the Jiang region, he was sent out as prefect of Chu Prefecture. He was recalled to the capital and promoted twice to Remonstrance Grandee. He repeatedly set forth the ills and benefits of the age and was promoted to Drafting Attendant. Soon the merit review came due. Mai had not served a full year and firmly declined the top grade; the gentry admired his modesty. He was transferred to Right Vice Director of the Secretariat.

將作監元亙攝祠，以私忌不聽誓，御史劾之。帝疑其罰，下尚書省議。邁曰：「按大夫士將祭於公，既視濯而父母死，猶奉祭。禮，散齊有大功喪，致齊有期喪，齊有疾病，聽還舍，不奉祭。無忌日不受誓者。雖令忌日與告，且《春秋》不以家事辭王事，今攝祭特命也，亙以常令拒特命，執非所宜。」遂抵罪。

Yuan Gen, Director of Palace Construction, was acting as substitute sacrificer and, citing a private taboo day, refused to hear the oath. The censor impeached him. The emperor doubted whether the penalty was right and referred the case to the Department of State Affairs for deliberation. Mai said: "According to the rites, when a grandee or scholar is about to sacrifice on behalf of the lord, even if after the purifying wash his parents die, he still carries out the sacrifice. The rites provide that during dispersed fasting, if there is mourning for a close relative, one does not sacrifice; during concentrated fasting, if there is mourning for a lesser relative, one does not sacrifice; and if illness occurs during fasting, one may return home and not sacrifice. Nowhere do the rites allow one to refuse the oath on a taboo day. Even if regulations allow taboo days to coincide with leave, the Spring and Autumn Annals never permits family affairs to refuse the king's business. The substitute sacrifice today is a special command. Gen used ordinary regulations to refuse a special command; such adherence is not appropriate." Gen was therefore found guilty.

以本官同中書門下平章事。進中書侍郎。時陸贄、趙憬專大政，邁居中，治身循法無它過。久之，暴眩省中，輿還第。詔大臣即問，固乞骸骨，罷為太子賓客。卒，年六十，贈太子太傅。

He was made Co-Chancellor while retaining his original office. He was promoted to Vice President of the Secretariat. At that time Lu Zhi and Zhao Jing monopolized major policy. Mai stood between them and conducted himself by the law without other fault. After some time he suddenly fainted in the Secretariat and was carried home in a litter. The emperor ordered senior ministers to visit him at once. Mai firmly asked to retire on account of age and was dismissed as Guest of the Heir Apparent. He died at the age of sixty and was posthumously made Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent.

邁每有功、緦喪，必容稱其服，而情有加焉。叔下邽令休沐過家，邁終日與群子姓均指使，無位貌之異。再娶無子，或勸畜姬媵，對曰：「兄弟之子，猶子也，可以主後。」所得稟賜，皆賑姻舊之乏。其從父弟禋喪還洛陽，過都，邁奏請往哭之，盡哀。時執政自以宰相尊，五服皆不過從問吊，而邁獨不徇時，議者重其仁而亮雲。

Whenever Mai observed mourning for a close or distant relative, he always wore the proper garments with fitting ease, yet showed extra feeling beyond the form. When his uncle, the magistrate of Xiaji, took leave to visit the family home, Mai spent the whole day directing the gathered cousins and gave orders equally, with no difference of rank or appearance. He remarried but had no sons. Some urged him to take concubines. He replied: "A brother's son is like one's own son and can continue the line." Whatever stipends and gifts he received he used to relieve needy kin and old friends. When his cousin Yin returned from mourning to Luoyang and passed through the capital, Mai memorialized to go and weep for him, mourning to the full extent of the rites. At that time the ruling officials considered themselves too lofty as chancellors: for mourning within the five degrees of kinship they never went in person but only sent followers to inquire. Mai alone would not follow the fashion. Critics valued his humanity and candor.

贊曰：楊綰之德，陸贄之賢，而袞、憬以為憎，何哉？士固蔽於娼前，然主聽不一，故乘以為奸。昔齊桓、秦堅任管仲、王猛，興區區，霸天下，蓋不以不肖者參之。君臣相諒，果難哉！

The appraiser says: Yang Guan had virtue and Lu Zhi had talent—yet Chang Gun and Zhao Jing resented them. Why? Scholars are indeed blinded before flatterers, but when the sovereign's ear is not single-minded, they seize the chance for treachery. In former times Duke Huan of Qi and Emperor Jian of Qin entrusted Guan Zhong and Wang Meng. From a small realm each dominated the world, largely because they did not let unworthy men share in power. For ruler and minister to trust each other in good faith—is it not truly hard!

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