1
25%=◎杜裴李韋=杜黃裳杜黃裳，字遵素，京兆萬年人。 擢進士第，又中宏辭。 郭子儀辟佐朔方府，子儀入朝，使主留事。 李懷光與監軍陰謀矯詔誅大將等，以動眾心，欲代子儀。 黃裳得詔，判其非，以質懷光，懷光流汗服罪。 於是諸將狠驕難制者，黃裳皆以子儀令易置，眾不敢亂。
◎ Du, Pei, Li, Wei — Du Huangshang. Du Huangshang, courtesy name Zunsu, was a native of Wannian in Jingzhao. He passed the jinshi examination and also won the hongci literary competition. Guo Ziyi recruited him as an aide in the Shuofang commandery staff. When Ziyi went to court, Huangshang was left in charge of headquarters business. Li Huaiguang and the army supervisor conspired to forge an edict ordering the execution of senior generals, hoping to sway the troops and supplant Guo Ziyi. Huangshang secured the edict, proved it a forgery, and confronted Huaiguang, who broke into a sweat and submitted to punishment. He then replaced every unruly, overbearing general by Guo Ziyi's authority, and the army did not dare stir.
2
入為侍御史，為裴延齡所惡，十期不遷。 貞元末，拜太子賓客，居韋曲。 時中人欲請其地賜公主，德宗曰：「城南杜氏鄉里，不可易。」 遷太常卿。 時王叔文用事，黃裳未嘗過其門。 婿韋執誼輔政，黃裳勸請太子監國，執誼曰：「公始得一官，遽開口議禁中事！」 黃裳怒曰：「吾受恩三朝，豈以一官見賣！」 即拂衣出。
After entering court as an attendant censor, he was detested by Pei Yanling and went ten review cycles without promotion. Near the end of the Zhenyuan reign he was made Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent and resided in Weiqu. Eunuchs then sought his property for a princess, but Dezong said, "The Du family's ancestral quarter south of Chang'an must not be seized. He was promoted to Minister of Ceremonies. Wang Shuwen then dominated the court, yet Huangshang never visited his house. His son-in-law Wei Zhiyi was in power. Huangshang urged the Crown Prince to supervise state affairs. Zhiyi snapped, "You have only just won an office, yet you rush to debate palace affairs! Huangshang flared up: "I have served three emperors. I will not trade my integrity for a single post! He strode out at once.
3
皇太子總軍國事，擢黃裳門下侍郎、同中書門下平章事。 於是，夏綏銀節度使韓全義憸佞無功，因其來朝，白罷之。 俄而劉辟叛，議者以辟恃險，討之或生事，唯黃裳固勸不赦，因奏罷中人監軍，而專委高崇文。 凡兵進退，黃裳自中指授，無不切於機。 崇文素憚劉澭，黃裳使人謂曰：「公不奮命者，當以澭代。」 崇文懼，一死力縛賊以獻。 蜀平，群臣賀，憲宗目黃裳曰：「時卿之功。」
When the Crown Prince assumed military and civil authority, Huangshang was made Vice Minister of the Secretariat and co-director of the Secretariat and Chancellery. The Xia-Sui-Yin commissioner Han Quanyi was sycophantic and meritless; Huangshang had him removed when he came to court. When Liu Pi soon rebelled, many feared his mountain strongholds would make war risky, but Huangshang alone insisted on no mercy, abolishing eunuch army supervisors and giving Gao Chongwen sole command. Every movement of the army he coordinated from headquarters, each timed to the moment. Chongwen had long feared Liu Yong. Huangshang sent word: "Unless you stake your life on victory, Yong will take your place. Terrified, Chongwen threw himself into the fight, captured the rebel, and presented him. After Shu was pacified the court rejoiced. Xianzong turned to Huangshang and said, "This victory was yours."
4
始，德宗創艾多難，務姑息藩鎮，每帥臣死，遣中人伺其軍，觀眾所欲立者，故大將私金幣結左右，以求節制，晏年尤甚，方鎮選不出朝廷。 黃裳每從容具言：「陛下宜鑒貞元之弊，整法度，晙損諸侯，則天下治。」 帝嘗問前古王者所以治亂云云，黃裳知帝銳於治，恐不得其要，因推言：「王者之道，在修己任賢而已。 操執綱領，要得其大者，至簿書獄訟，百吏能否，本非人主所自任。 昔秦始皇帝親程決事，見嗤前世； 魏明帝欲按尚書事，陳矯不從； 隋文帝日昃聽政，衛士傳餐，太宗笑之。 故王者擇人任而責成，見功必賞，有罪信罰，孰敢不力？ 孔子之稱帝舜恭己南面，以其能舉十六相，去四凶，而至無為。 豈必刓神疲體，勞耳目之察，然後為治哉？」 帝以黃裳言忠，嘉納之。 由是平夏、翦齊、滅蔡、復兩河，以機秉還宰相，紀律設張，赫然號中興，自黃裳啟之。
Earlier, scarred by rebellion, Dezong had indulged the provinces. When a commander died, eunuchs watched the armies to learn whom the troops favored, so generals bribed the palace for appointments — worst late in his reign — and the court rarely chose its own governors. Huangshang repeatedly urged the emperor to learn from Zhenyuan's errors, restore law, curb the provinces, and bring order to the realm. When the emperor asked how sage kings created order or chaos, Huangshang, knowing his zeal might miss the point, answered simply: "A king's task is self-cultivation and appointing able men. Hold the great lines of policy; petty records and lawsuits are not the ruler's own work. Qin Shihuang personally judged cases and was ridiculed by posterity; Wei Emperor Ming wished to audit the Secretariat; Chen Jiao refused; Sui Emperor Wen held court from dawn to dusk while guards brought his meals — a thing Taizong mocked. A true king chooses men, sets tasks, rewards merit, and punishes guilt — then who would not strive? Confucius praised Shun's south-facing rule because he elevated sixteen ministers, removed four criminals, and reached effortless governance. Must a ruler exhaust body and mind with petty scrutiny before the realm is governed? The emperor, finding the counsel loyal, embraced it. Hence the pacification of Xia, the reduction of Qi, the fall of Cai, and the recovery of the Yellow River provinces — power returned to the chancellors and order was proclaimed a restoration, all begun by Huangshang.
5
元和二年，以檢校司空同中書門下平章事，為河中、晉絳節度使，俄封邠國公。 明年卒，年七十，贈司徒，謚曰宣獻。
In Yuanhe 2 he served as honorary Sikong and co-director while governing Hezhong and Jin-Jiang, and was soon made Duke of Bin. He died the following year at seventy, was posthumously made Sikong, and given the temple name Xuanxian.
6
黃裳達權變，有王佐大略。 性雅淡，未始忤物。 初不為執誼所禮，及敗，悉力營救； 既死，表還其柩葬焉。 嘗被疾，醫者誤進藥，疾遂甚，終不怒譴。 然除吏不甚別流品，通饋謝，無潔白名。 當大政未久，不究其才，及處外，天下常所屬意。 卒後數年，御史劾奏黃裳納邠寧節度使高崇文錢四萬五千緡，按故吏吳憑及黃裳子載，辭服。 帝念舊功，但流憑昭州，原載不問。 載終太僕少卿。
Huangshang mastered expedients and possessed a statesman's grand design. Refined and even-tempered, he never gave offense. Wei Zhiyi once slighted him; when Zhiyi fell, Huangshang labored to save him; and after Zhiyi's death secured the return of his coffin for burial. When a doctor once gave him the wrong medicine and his illness worsened, he never reproached anyone. Yet he did not sharply distinguish candidates by rank, accepted gifts and courtesies, and lacked a reputation for spotless integrity. His brief tenure at the center never fully tested his capacity, yet once he left the capital the empire still looked to him. Years after his death a censor charged that he had taken forty-five thousand strings from Commissioner Gao Chongwen of Binning; former clerk Wu Ping and his son Zai confessed under investigation. Mindful of past service, the emperor exiled only Wu Ping to Zhaozhou and spared Zai. Zai eventually rose to Vice Director of the Imperial Stud.
7
載弟勝，字斌卿，寶歷初擢進士第。 楊嗣復數薦材堪諫官，不為鄭覃所佑。 宣宗感章武舊事，元和時大臣子若孫在者，多振拔之。 帝嘗問勝，勝具道黃裳首建憲宗監國議，帝嘉嘆，拜給事中，遷戶部侍郎判度支，欲倚為宰相。 及蕭鄴罷，為中人沮毀，而更用蔣伸，以勝檢校禮部尚書，出為天平節度使，不得意，卒。 裴垍裴垍，字弘中，絳州聞喜人。 擢進士第，以賢良方正對策第一補美原尉。 藩府交辟，不就。 四遷考功員外郎。 吏部侍郎鄭珣瑜委垍校辭判，研核精密，皆值才實。 憲宗元和初，召入翰林為學士，再遷中書舍人。 李吉甫始執政，以情謂垍曰：「吾落魄遠裔，更十年，始相天子，比日人物，吾懵不及知； 且宰相職當進賢任能，君精鑒，為我言之。」 垍即崖略疏三十許人，吉甫籍以薦於朝，天下翕然稱得人。 坐覆視皇甫湜、牛僧孺等對策非是，罷學士，為戶部侍郎。 帝器垍方直，以為任公卿，薄其過，眷信彌厚。 吉甫罷，乃拜垍中書侍郎、同中書門下平章事。 加集賢殿大學士，監修國史。
His younger brother Sheng, courtesy name Binqing, passed the jinshi early in the Baoli reign. Yang Sifu repeatedly praised him for the remonstrance bureau, but Zheng Tan blocked him. Moved by memories of the Zhangwu era, Xuanzong promoted many surviving sons and grandsons of Yuanhe ministers. When the emperor questioned Sheng, he recounted Huangshang's counsel that Xianzong supervise affairs of state. Delighted, the emperor made him Supervising Censor, then Vice Minister of Revenue in charge of finances, intending to make him chancellor. After Xiao Ye's fall, eunuchs ruined him; Jiang Shen was chosen instead, Sheng was made honorary Minister of Rites and exiled to Tianping, where he died in frustration. Pei Ji. Pei Ji, courtesy name Hongzhong, was from Wenxi in Jiangzhou. He passed the jinshi and ranked first in the xianliang fangzheng examination, becoming magistrate of Meiyuan. Provincial staffs repeatedly invited him, but he refused. He was promoted four times to outer-section Director of Evaluations. Vice Minister Zheng Xunyu had him review appointment documents with such precision that every case matched true merit. Early in Yuanhe, Xianzong summoned him to the Hanlin Academy and twice promoted him to Secretariat Drafter. When Li Jifu first took power he told Ji frankly, "I come from a humble distant branch. Ten years passed before I reached the throne's side. I scarcely know today's officials; yet a chancellor must advance talent. You see clearly — tell me whom to trust. Ji at once drafted some thirty names. Jifu recommended them, and the court hailed his eye for men. After re-examining Huangfu Shi and Niu Sengru's policy essays and finding fault, he lost his Hanlin post and became Vice Minister of Revenue. The emperor prized his rectitude as chancellor material, overlooked the lapse, and trusted him all the more. When Jifu fell, Ji was made Vice Minister of the Secretariat and co-director. He was also made Grand Academician of the Jixian Hall and supervised the national history.
8
垍始承旨翰林，天子新翦蜀亂，厲精致治，中外機筦，垍多所參與，以小心慎默稱帝意。 既當國，請繩不軌，課吏治，分明淑慝，帝降意順納。 吐突承璀自東宮得侍，恩顧親渥，承間欲有關說，帝憚垍，誡使勿言。 帝在殿中，常呼垍官而不名。 嶺南節度使楊於陵為監軍許遂振所誣，詔授冗官。 垍曰：「以一中人罪藩臣，陛下之法安在？」 更授美官。 嚴綬守太原，政一出監軍李輔光，垍劾其懦，以李鄘代之。
As Hanlin drafter when the court had just pacified Shu and was driving reform, he took part in many critical decisions and pleased the emperor with cautious discretion. In office he demanded discipline for the unruly, scrutiny of officials, and clear reward of good and evil — policies the emperor accepted. Tutu Chenghuan, favored since the heir's household, tried to lobby through private audiences, but the emperor, wary of Ji, forbade him. In council the emperor often addressed him by title rather than name. Lingnan Commissioner Yang Yuling was framed by army supervisor Xu Suizhen and demoted to a hollow post. Ji protested, "To punish a frontier minister for one eunuch — where is the law? Yuling was restored to a worthy post. At Taiyuan Yan Sui let army supervisor Li Fuguang rule; Ji impeached his weakness and replaced him with Li Yong.
9
王承宗擅襲節度，方帝屢削叛族，意必取之，又吐突承璀每欲撓垍權，因探帝意，自請往。 於時澤潞盧從史詭獻征討計，垍固爭，以為：「從史苞逆節，內連承宗，外請興師，以圖身利。 且武俊有功於國，陛下前以地授李師道，而今欲奪承宗地有之，賞罰不一，沮勸廢矣。」 帝猗違不能決。 久之，卒用承璀謀。 會兵討承宗，從史果反覆，兵久暴無功，王師告病。 既而從史遣部將王翊元奏事，垍從容以語動之，翊元因言從史惡稔可圖狀，垍比遣往，得其大將烏重胤等要領。 垍乃為帝陳：「從史暴戾不君，視承璀若小兒，往來神策軍不甚戒，可因其機致之，後無興師之勞。」 帝初瞿然，徐乃許之。 垍請秘其計，帝曰：「惟李絳、梁守謙知之。」 俄而承璀縛從史獻於朝，因班師。 垍奏：「承璀首謀無功，陛下雖詘法，人心不厭，請流斥以謝天下。」 乃罷所領兵。
Wang Chengzong had seized his commission while the emperor was crushing rebel houses and meant to retake it. Tutu Chenghuan, seeking to curb Ji, read the emperor's mind and volunteered for the mission. Ze-Lu commissioner Lu Congshi then offered a treacherous campaign plan. Ji objected firmly: "Congshi is disloyal, allies with Chengzong inwardly, and seeks troops for private gain. Wu Jun served the dynasty, yet you once gave Li Shidao land and now would seize Chengzong's — rewards and punishments would lose meaning. The emperor wavered. In the end he followed Chenghuan's plan. Campaigning against Chengzong, Congshi proved treacherous, the army stalled without victory, and troops fell sick. When Congshi sent Wang Yiyuan to court, Ji won him with calm persuasion until Yiyuan described Congshi's crimes ripe for action; Ji had already secured the loyalty of generals such as Wu Chongyin. He then told the emperor, "Congshi is brutal and treats Chenghuan lightly, visiting the Shence Army without caution — seize the chance and you need no long campaign. The emperor was startled, then slowly agreed. Ji asked secrecy; the emperor said only Li Jiang and Liang Shouqian would know. Soon Chenghuan bound Congshi and presented him at court, and the army withdrew. Ji memorialized that Chenghuan had plotted without success and, though the law was bent for him, public opinion demanded exile. His command was then stripped away.
10
先是，天下賦法有三：曰上供，曰送使，曰留州。 建中初，厘定常賦，而物重錢輕。 其後輕重相反，民輸率一倍其初，而所在以留州、送使之入，舍公估，更實私直以自潤，故賦益苛，齊民重困。 垍奏禁之，一以公估準物，觀察使得用所治州租調，至不足，乃取支郡以贍，故送使之財悉為上供。 自是起淮、江而南，民少息矣。
Previously the tax system had three shares: central tribute, commissioner delivery, and prefectural retention. Early in Jianzhong regular levies were fixed when goods were costly and cash cheap. Later the ratio reversed; taxpayers paid twice the early rate while local officials ignored official valuations, took private prices, and grew rich — levies sharpened and the people suffered. Ji forbade the practice, required official valuations, let observation commissioners use governed prefectures' taxes, and when funds still fell short took support from subordinate prefectures until delivery revenue all flowed to the center. From the Huai and Yangtze southward the people gained a little relief.
11
垍器局峻整，持法度，雖宿貴前望造詣，不敢幹以私。 諫官言得失，大抵執政多忌之，惟垍獎勵使盡言。 初，拾遺獨孤郁、李正辭、嚴休復三人皆遷，及過謝垍，垍獨讓休復曰：「君異夫二人孜孜獻納者，前日進擬，上固為疑。」 休復大慚。 垍為學士時，引李絳、崔群與同列。 及相，又擢韋貫之、裴度知制誥，李夷簡御史中丞，皆踵躡為輔相，號名臣。 自它選任，罔不精明，人無異言。 士大夫不以垍年少柄用為嫌，故元和之治，百度修舉，稱朝無幸人。
Ji was stern in bearing and upheld the law; even eminent elders visiting him dared not press private requests. Most ministers resented remonstrators, but Ji alone urged them to speak freely. When remonstrators Dugu Yu, Li Zhengchen, and Yan Xiufu were promoted and came to thank him, Ji alone rebuked Xiufu: "Unlike those two diligent counselors, your recent nomination made the emperor doubtful. Xiufu flushed with shame. As Hanlin academician he had brought in Li Jiang and Cui Qun. As chancellor he also raised Wei Guanzhi and Pei Du as drafters and Li Yijian as vice censor-in-chief — all later became famed ministers. Every other appointment was shrewd, and none disputed his choices. Officials did not resent his youth in high office, and Yuanhe government was praised as a court without favorites.
12
五年，暴風痹，帝悵惜，遣使致問，藥膳進退輒疏聞。 居三月，益痼，乃罷為兵部尚書。 垍之進，李吉甫薦頗力，及居中，多變更吉甫時約束，吉甫復用，銜之。 會垍與史官蔣武等上《德宗實錄》，吉甫以垍引疾解史任，不宜冒奏，乃徙垍太子賓客，罷武等史官。 會卒，不加贈，給事中劉伯芻表其忠，帝乃贈太子太傅。
In the fifth year he was stricken with sudden paralysis. The emperor grieved, sent envoys, and required reports on every dose and meal. After three months the illness became chronic and he was made Minister of War. Li Jifu had strongly backed his rise, yet in office Ji altered many of Jifu's policies; when Jifu returned he resented him. When Ji and historiographer Jiang Wu submitted Dezong's Veritable Record, Jifu argued that Ji, having left the history office on grounds of illness, should not present it, and had him made Grand Mentor while dismissing the historians. At first no posthumous title was granted until Supervising Censor Liu Boxu praised his loyalty and the emperor made him Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent.
13
垍始相，建言：「集賢院官，登朝自五品上為學士，下為直學士，餘皆校理，史館以登朝者為修撰，否者直史館，以準《六典》。」 遂著於令。
Early in his chancellorship he urged that Hanlin and History Office ranks follow the Six Canons: court officials of fifth rank or higher as academicians or compilers, lower ranks as direct officers, others as collators. The rule was written into law.
14
京兆少尹裴武使王承宗還，得德、棣二州，已而地不入。 或言：「武還，先見垍，明日乃朝。」 帝怒，召學士李絳議斥武，絳言：「垍身備宰相，明練時事，勢不容先見武。」 帝悟，釋之。 議者謂帝知垍明，倚任方篤，尚不免疑嫌，以信處位之難雲。 李藩李藩，字叔翰，其先趙州人。 父承仕，為湖南觀察使，有名於時。 藩少沈靖有檢局，姿制閑美，敏於學。 居父喪，家本饒財，姻屬來吊，有持去者，未嘗問，益務施與，居數年略盡。 年四十餘，困廣陵間，不自振，妻子追咎，藩晏如也。 杜亞居守東都，表致府中。 亞嘗疑牙將令狐運為盜，掠服之，藩爭不從，輒去。 後果獲真盜，稍知名。
Vice Magistrate Pei Wu returned from Wang Chengzong claiming De and Di prefectures, but the territory was never delivered. Some said Wu had visited Ji before appearing at court. The emperor angrily summoned Li Jiang to punish Wu. Jiang replied that a chancellor versed in affairs would not have received Wu first. The emperor understood and pardoned Wu. Observers said that even with clear trust in Ji, suspicion could still arise — a lesson in how hard high office is. Li Fan. Li Fan, courtesy name Shuhan, came from a Zhaozhou family. His father Chengshi had been Hunan observation commissioner and was renowned. Fan was reserved and dignified in youth, graceful in bearing, and quick to learn. During his father's mourning the family was wealthy; relatives at the funeral took gifts away and he never objected, giving freely until the estate was nearly gone. Past forty he languished in Yangzhou while wife and children reproached him, yet he remained serene. Du Ya, governing the eastern capital, summoned him to his staff. When Du Ya wrongly tortured adjutant Linghu Yun as a thief, Fan protested and left. The real thief was later caught, and Fan's name spread.
15
徐州張建封辟節度府，未嘗察苛細。 建封卒，濠州刺史杜兼疾驅至，陰有顗望，藩泣謂曰：「公今喪，君宜謹守土，何棄而來？ 宜速還，否則以法劾君！」 兼錯忤去，恨之，因誣奏「建封死，藩撼其軍，有非望」。 德宗怒，密詔徐泗節度使杜佑殺之。 佑雅器藩，得詔，十日不發，召見藩曰：「世謂生死報應，驗乎？」 藩曰：「殆然。」 曰：「審若此，君宜遇事無恐。」 因出詔示藩，藩色不變，曰：「信乎，杜兼之報也！」 佑曰：「慎毋畏，吾以闔門保君矣。」 帝未之信，亟追藩。 既入，帝望其狀貌，曰：「是豈作亂人邪？」 釋之，拜秘書郎。
Zhang Jianfeng of Xuzhou took him on staff without petty scrutiny. When Jianfeng died, Haozhou prefect Du Jian rushed in with designs on power. Fan wept and said, "The lord is dead — guard your own commandery. Why abandon it? Return at once or I will impeach you. Jian withdrew in shame, hated Fan, and falsely reported that Fan had stirred the army with rebellious intent. Dezong secretly ordered Xu-Si commissioner Du You to execute him. Du You admired Fan, held the edict ten days, then asked, "People say karma repays — is that true? Fan said, "Very likely. You said, "Then you need not fear. He showed the edict. Fan did not flinch: "This is Du Jian's karma. Du You said, "Fear nothing — I stake my household on your safety. The emperor still doubted and hurried Fan to court. Seeing him, the emperor said, "Does this man look like a rebel? He was freed and made a secretary gentleman.
16
時王紹得君，邀藩與相見，當即用，終不詣。 王仲舒與同舍郎韋成季、呂洞日置酒邀賓客相樂，慕藩名，強致之。 仲舒等為俳說庾語相狎昵，藩一見，謝不往，曰：「吾與終日，不曉所語何哉！」 後仲舒等果坐斥廢。 憲宗為皇太子，王紹避太子諱，始改名，時議以為諂。 藩曰：「自古故事，由不識體之人敗之，不可復正，雖紹何誅？」 累擢吏部郎中。 坐小累，左授著作郎，再遷給事中。 制有不便，就敕尾批卻之，吏驚，請聯它紙，藩曰：「聯紙是牒，豈曰敕邪？」 裴垍白憲宗，謂藩有宰相器。 會鄭絪罷，因拜門下侍郎、同中書門下平章事。
Wang Shao, then in favor, invited him for immediate appointment, but Fan never went. Wang Zhongshu, Wei Chengji, and Lü Dong held daily revels and dragged Fan along despite his fame. They performed vulgar Yuzhou skits. Fan excused himself once and said, "I spend the day with you yet cannot understand a word! Zhongshu and his circle were later dismissed in disgrace. When Xianzong was heir, Wang Shao changed his name to avoid the taboo — seen as flattery. Fan said, "The custom is ancient; only the ignorant ruin it. Shao cannot be blamed. He rose to Director of the Ministry of Personnel. A minor fault demoted him to composition gentleman; he was twice promoted to supervising censor. If an edict was improper he annotated and returned it. Clerks wanted another sheet; he said, "Another sheet is a memo, not an edict. Pei Ji told Xianzong that Fan had chancellor's talent. When Zheng Yin fell, Fan was made vice minister and co-director.
17
藩忠謹，好醜必言，帝以為無隱。 嘗問前世所以家給或國匱乏者何致而然及祈禳之數，藩具對：「儉則足用，敦本則百姓富，反是則匱。」 又言：「孔子病，止子路之禱。 漢文帝每祭，敕有司敬而不祈。 使神無知，則不能降福； 有知，固不可私己求媚而悅之也。 且義於人者和於神，人乃神之主，人安而福至。」 帝悅曰：「當與公等上下相勖，以保此言。」 後復問神仙長年事，藩知帝且有所惑，極陳荒妄謾誕不可信。 後入柳泌等語，果為累雲。
Loyal and blunt, he spoke every ill the emperor saw as frankness without concealment. Asked why some ages prospered and others wanted, and about prayer, Fan answered that thrift and honoring agriculture enrich the people, while excess empties the treasury. He cited Confucius forbidding Zilu's prayer when ill. Han Emperor Wen ordered reverence at sacrifice, not prayer. If spirits lack knowledge, prayer cannot bring blessing; if they have knowledge, flattery cannot please them. What is just toward men pleases the gods; secure people bring blessing. The emperor said gladly, "Let us all uphold this teaching. When asked about immortality he warned that such tales were delusion. When Liu Bi and others later gained influence, his warning proved true.
18
河東節度使王鍔賂權近求兼宰相，密詔中書門下曰：「鍔可兼宰相。」 藩遽取筆滅「宰相」字，署其左曰：「不可。」 還奏之。 宰相權德輿失色曰：「有不可，應別為奏，可以筆塗詔邪？」 藩曰：「勢迫矣，出今日便不可止。」 既而事得寢。
Hedong commissioner Wang E bribed courtiers for a concurrent chancellorship; a secret edict said he might serve as chancellor. Fan erased the word chancellor and wrote "Not permitted" beside it. He returned and reported this. Chancellor Quan Deyu blanched and said a separate memorial should have been used, not altering an edict. Fan replied, "There was no time — delay would have let it pass today. The appointment was soon dropped.
19
李吉甫復相，藩頗沮止。 會吳少陽襲淮西節度，吉甫已見帝，潛欲中藩，即奏曰：「道逢中人假印節與吳少陽，臣為陛下恨之。」 帝變色不平。 翌日，罷藩為太子詹事。 後數月，帝復思藩，召對殿中，事浸釋。 明年，為華州刺史。 未行，卒，年五十八，贈戶部尚書，謚曰貞簡。
When Li Jifu returned to power, Fan often blocked him. When Wu Shaoyang seized Huaixi, Jifu secretly sought to ruin Fan and memorialized that a eunuch had lent seals to Shaoyang — a thing the emperor should regret. The emperor's face darkened. The next day Fan was demoted to Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent. Months later the emperor recalled him to the hall and the matter faded. The following year he was made governor of Huazhou. He died before taking post at fifty-eight, was posthumously made Vice Minister of Revenue, and given the temple name Zhenjian.
20
藩材能不及韋貫之、裴垍，然人物清整，是其流亞雲。 韋貫之韋貫之，名純，避憲宗諱，以字行。 後周柱國敻八世孫。 父肇，大歷中為中書舍人，累上疏言得失，為元載所惡，左遷京兆少尹。 久之，改秘書少監。 載曰：「肇若過我，當擇善地處之。」 終不肯詣。 載誅，除吏部侍郎。 代宗欲相之，會卒，謚曰貞。
Fan lacked the talent of Wei Guanzhi or Pei Ji, yet in character he stood among them. Wei Guanzhi. His name was Chun; to avoid Xianzong's taboo he was known by his courtesy name. He was the eighth-generation descendant of Northern Zhou pillar of state Wei. His father Zhao was a Secretariat drafter under Daizong who memorialized on policy until Yuan Zai demoted him to Jingzhao vice magistrate. He was later made Vice Director of the Secretariat. Zai said that if Zhao visited he should be given a good post. Zhao never went. After Zai's execution Zhao became Vice Minister of Personnel. Daizong meant to make him chancellor, but he died and received the posthumous name Zhen.
21
貫之及進士第，為校書郎，擢賢良方正異等，補伊闕、渭南尉。 河中鄭元、澤潞郗士美以厚幣召，皆不應。 居貧，啖豆糜自給。 再遷長安丞。 或薦之京兆尹李實，實舉笏示所記曰：「此其姓名也，與我同里，素聞其賢，願識之而進於上。」 或者喜，以告曰：「子今日詣實，而明日賀者至矣！」 貫之唯唯，不往，官亦不遷。
Guanzhi passed the jinshi, served as collator, won exceptional rank in xianliang fangzheng, and governed Yique and Weinan. Zheng Yuan of Hezhong and Xi Shimei of Ze-Lu offered rich invitations, which he refused. Poor, he lived on bean porridge. He was twice promoted to assistant magistrate of Chang'an. Recommended to Magistrate Li Shi, Shi showed his notes and said, "I have long known this man of my district and wish to advance him. Friends rejoiced that congratulations would follow his visit. Guanzhi merely assented and never went; his rank never changed.
22
永貞時，始為監察御史，舉其弟纁自代。 及為右補闕，纁代為御史，議者不謂之私。 宰相杜佑子從郁為補闕，貫之與崔群持不可，換左拾遺，復奏：「拾遺、補闕為諫官等，宰相政有得失，使從郁議，是子而議父，殆不可訓。」 卒改它官。 遷禮部員外郎。 新羅人金忠義以工巧幸，擢少府監，蔭子補齋郎，貫之不與，曰：「是將奉郊廟祠祭，階為守宰者，安可以賤工子為之？」 又劾忠義不宜汙朝籍，忠義竟罷。 於是權幸側目。
Under Yongzhen he became investigating censor and recommended his brother Xi as his successor. When he became right remonstrator, Xi replaced him as censor without public cries of nepotism. When Du You's son Congyu became remonstrator, Guanzhi and Cui Qun objected that a son could not remonstrate his father's policies, and had him moved. Congyu was finally given another post. He was promoted to outer-section Vice Director of Rites. The Silla craftsman Jin Zhongyi, favored for skill, sought a sinecure for his son. Guanzhi refused, saying court ritual posts were not for artisans' sons. He impeached Zhongyi for polluting the roster until Zhongyi was removed. The powerful then eyed him with hostility.
23
進吏部員外郎，坐考賢良方正牛僧孺等策獨署奏，出為果州刺史，半道貶巴州。 久之，召為都官郎中，知制誥，進中書舍人。 宰相裴垍嘗三奏事，憲宗不從。 貫之曰：「公亦以進退決請乎？」 垍曰：「奉教。」 事果見聽。 垍因曰：「君異時當位於此。」 改禮部侍郎。 所取士，抑浮華，先行實，於時流競為息。 嘗從容奏曰：「禮部侍郎重於宰相。」 帝曰：「侍郎是宰相除，安得重？」 曰：「然為陛下柬宰相者，得無重乎？」 帝美其言。 改尚書右丞，俄同中書門下平章事。 遷中書侍郎。
Promoted to outer Vice Director of Personnel, he alone signed the report faulting Niu Sengru's policy essay, was sent to Guo prefecture, and halfway demoted to Bazhou. Long afterward he was recalled as director of judicial review and drafter, then promoted to Secretariat drafter. Chancellor Pei Ji once submitted three memorials the emperor rejected. Guanzhi asked whether he would stake his office on the issue. Ji said he would obey. The emperor then accepted. Ji told him he would one day hold that post. He was made Vice Minister of Rites. He favored substance over display in appointments, and fashion briefly subsided. He once said calmly that the Vice Minister of Rites outweighed the chancellor. The emperor said the vice minister was the chancellor's appointee and could not outweigh him. Guanzhi replied that the man who helped choose chancellors was weighty indeed. The emperor praised the answer. He became Right Vice Director of the Secretariat and soon co-director. He was promoted to Vice Minister of the Secretariat.
24
討吳元濟也，貫之請釋鎮州，專力淮西，且言：「陛下豈不知建中事乎？ 始於蔡急而魏應也，齊、趙同起，德宗引天下兵誅之，物力殫屈，故朱泚乘以為亂。 此非它，速於撲滅也。 今陛下獨不能少忍，俟蔡平而誅鎮邪？」 時帝業已討鎮，不從。 終之，蔡平，鎮乃服。 初，討蔡，以宣武韓弘為都統，又詔河陽烏重胤、忠武李光顏合兵以進。 貫之諫諸將戰方力，今若置都統，又令二帥連營，則各持重養威，未可歲月下也。 亦不從。 後四年乃克蔡，皆如貫之策雲。
Campaigning against Wu Yuanji, he urged releasing Zhenzhou to focus on Huaixi and asked whether the emperor remembered Jianzhong. It began when Cai was urgent and Wei answered; Qi and Zhao rose together; Dezong exhausted the empire suppressing them, and Zhu Ci seized the chaos. The disaster came from haste to extinguish every foe at once. Could the emperor not wait until Cai fell before moving on Zhen? The emperor was already campaigning against Zhen and refused. In the end Cai was pacified and Zhen submitted. At first Han Hong of Xuanwu was made supreme commander over Wu Chongyin of Heyang and Li Guangyan of Zhongwu. Guanzhi warned that a supreme commander plus linked camps would make generals hoard strength and delay victory. He was again ignored. Cai fell only after four years, just as he had predicted.
25
帝以段文昌、張仲素為翰林學士。 貫之謂學士所以備顧問，不宜專取辭藝，奏罷之。 皇甫镈、張宿皆以幸進。 宿使淄青，裴度欲為請銀緋，貫之曰：「宿奸佞，吾等縱不能斥，奈何欲假以寵乎？」 由是宿等怨，陰構之，又與度論兵帝前，議頗駁，故罷為吏部侍郎。 於是翰林學士、左拾遺郭求上疏申理，詔免求學士，出貫之為湖南觀察使。 不三日，韋顗、李正辭、薛公幹、李宣、韋處厚、崔韶坐與貫之厚善，悉貶為州刺史。 顗、正辭、處厚皆清正，以鉤黨去，由是中外始大惡宿。
The emperor appointed Duan Wenchang and Zhang Zhongsu Hanlin academicians. Guanzhi said academicians should advise, not merely write, and had them removed. Huangfu Bo and Zhang Su both rose by favoritism. When Zhang Su went to Ziqing, Pei Du sought honors for him. Guanzhi said, "We cannot even expel this flatterer — why reward him? Su and others slandered him and, debating war before the emperor, had him demoted to Vice Minister of Personnel. Hanlin academician Guo Qiu defended him and was stripped of his post while Guanzhi was exiled to Hunan. Within three days Wei Yan, Li Zhengchen, Xue Gongqian, Li Xuan, Wei Chuhou, and Cui Shao, his friends, were all demoted to prefects. Yan, Zhengchen, and Chuhou were upright men punished for association, and the court came to hate Zhang Su.
26
時國用不足，遣鹽鐵副使程異督諸道賦租，異諷州縣厚斂以獻。 貫之不忍橫賦，而所獻不中異意，因取屬內六州留錢繼之。 左遷太子詹事，分司東都。 穆宗立，即拜河南尹，以工部尚書召。 未行，卒，年六十二，贈尚書右僕射，謚曰貞，後更謚曰文。
Revenue was short; Cheng Yi was sent to squeeze circuits, urging counties to levy heavily. Guanzhi refused harsh levies, missed Yi's target, and retained funds from six prefectures to meet quotas. He was demoted to Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent at the eastern capital. When Muzong succeeded, he was made Henan governor and summoned as Minister of Works. He died before taking office at sixty-two, was posthumously made Right Vice Director, first styled Zhen, later Wen.
27
貫之沈厚寡言，與人交，終歲無款曲，不為偽辭以悅人。 為右丞時，內僧造門曰：「君且相。」 貫之命左右引出，曰：「此妄人也。」 居輔相，嚴身律下，以正議裁物，室居無所改易。 裴均子持萬縑請撰先銘，答曰：「吾寧餓死，豈能為是哉！」 生平未嘗通饋遺，故家無羨財。
Deep and taciturn, he never flattered even in year-long acquaintance. As Right Vice Director a monk told him he would soon be chancellor. He had the man thrown out as a fraud. As chancellor he disciplined himself and judged by principle, changing nothing in his household. Pei Jun's son offered ten thousand bolts for a funerary inscription. He replied, "I would rather starve. He never accepted gifts and left no surplus wealth.
28
子澳，字子裴，第進士，復擢宏辭。 方靜寡欲，十年不肯調。 御史中丞高元裕與其兄溫善，欲薦用之，諷澳謁己。 溫歸以告，澳不答。 溫曰：「元裕端士，若輕之邪？」 澳曰：「然恐無呈身御史。」
His son Ao, courtesy name Zipi, passed the jinshi and hongci. Sedate and abstemious, he refused office for ten years. Vice Censor Gao Yuanyu, friendly with his brother Wen, wanted to advance Ao and hinted he should call. Wen told him; Ao did not reply. Wen said Yuanyu was upright and asked whether Ao slighted him. Ao said he feared there was no censor who curried favor by personal visits."
29
周墀節度鄭滑，表署幕府。 會墀入相，私謂曰：「何以教我？」 澳曰：「願公無權。」 墀愕眙，澳曰：「爵賞刑罰，人主之柄，公無以喜怒行之，俾庶官各舉其職，則公斂衽廟堂上，天下治矣。 烏用權？」 墀嘆曰：「吾先居此，得無愧乎！」
Zhou Chi of Zheng-Hua took him onto staff. When Chi became chancellor he asked privately what counsel Ao had. Ao said, "Have no power. Chi stared. Ao said rank, reward, and punishment belong to the throne; a minister should not wield them by mood, and if each officer did his duty the minister could govern folded in his robes. What need of power? Chi sighed that he had once held the same post without such wisdom."
30
擢考功員外郎、史館修撰。 歲中知制誥，召為翰林學士。 累遷兵部侍郎，進學士承旨。 與蕭寘皆為宣宗禮遇，每兩人直，必偕召問政得失。 嘗夜被旨草詔書，事有不安者，即遷延須見帝，開陳可否，未嘗不順納。 一日召入，屏左右問曰：「朕於敕使何如？」 澳陳帝威制前世無比。 帝搖首曰：「未也。 策安出？」 澳倉卒答曰：「若謀之外廷，則太和事可用追鑒，不若就擇可任者與計事。」 帝曰：「朕固行之矣。 自黃至綠，自綠至緋，猶可，衣紫即合為一矣。」 澳愧汗不能對，乃罷。 改京兆尹。
He was promoted to Director of Evaluations and History Office compiler. Within a year he drafted edicts and entered the Hanlin. He rose to Vice Minister of War and chief Hanlin drafter. He and Xiao Zhen were both favored; whenever on duty together Xuanzong questioned them on policy. Drafting at night, if a decree troubled him he delayed until he could advise the emperor, who always listened. One day the emperor dismissed attendants and asked how he controlled edict commissioners. Ao said his authority surpassed all predecessors. The emperor shook his head: "Not yet. What is your plan? Ao said quickly that the Taihe affair warned against outside plots, and trusted agents should be chosen instead. The emperor said he was already doing so. From yellow to green to crimson was tolerable, but once in purple they should be treated as one body. Ao sweated and could not answer, and the audience ended. He was made Jingzhao governor.
31
帝舅鄭光主墅吏豪肆，積年不輸官賦，澳逮系之。 它日延英，帝問其故。 澳具道奸狀，且言必寘以法。 帝曰：「可貸否？」 答曰：「陛下自內署擢臣尹京邑，安可使畫一法獨行於貧下乎？」 帝入白太后曰：「是不可犯。」 後為輸租，乃免。 由是豪右斂跡。
The emperor's uncle Zheng Guang's steward bullied the district and withheld taxes for years until Ao arrested him. At Yanying the emperor asked why. Ao detailed the crimes and insisted on legal punishment. The emperor asked whether mercy was possible. He answered that law could not bend only for the powerful. The emperor told the empress dowager the case could not be violated. Rent was paid and the man was released. The powerful then restrained themselves.
32
會戶部闕判使，帝以問澳，澳三不對。 帝曰：「任卿可乎？」 曰：「臣老矣，力疲氣耗，煩劇非所任者。」 帝默不樂。 出謂其甥柳玼曰：「吾本不為宰相知，上便委以使務，脫謂吾他岐而得，卒無以自白。 今時事浸惡，皆吾輩貪爵位致然。」 未幾，授河陽節度使。 入辭，帝曰：「卿自便而遠我，非我去卿。」
When the Revenue Ministry needed a supervising commissioner, the emperor asked Ao, who thrice kept silent. The emperor asked whether he could appoint him. He said he was old and unfit for taxing work. The emperor was displeased. He told his nephew Liu Chi that he had never sought finance office and feared being thought ambitious. He said the times worsened because officials clung to rank. Soon he was made Heyang commissioner. Taking leave, the emperor said Ao chose distance, not dismissal."
33
懿宗立，徙平盧軍，入為吏部侍郎，復出為邠寧節度使。 宰相杜審權素不悅澳，坐吏部時史盜簿書為奸，貶秘書監，分司東都。 就遷河南尹，辭疾不拜，丐歸樊川。 逾年，以吏部侍郎召，不起。 卒，贈戶部尚書，謚曰貞。
Under Yizong he governed Pinglu, entered as Vice Minister of Personnel, and returned to Binning. Chancellor Du Shenquan disliked him and, after registry theft in Personnel, demoted him to Secretary Supervisor at the eastern capital. Soon offered Henan governorship, he declined on illness and retired to Fanchuan. A year later summoned as Vice Minister of Personnel, he refused. He died, was posthumously Vice Minister of Revenue, and styled Zhen.
34
澳在河陽累年，宣宗遣使至魏博，道出澳所，帝以簿紙手作詔賜澳曰：「密飭裝，秋當見卿。」 蓋將以為相也。 因問輔養術，澳具言金石非可禦，方士怪妄，宜斥遠之。 其八月，帝崩，不果相。 為學士時，帝嘗曰：「朕每遣方鎮刺史，欲各悉州郡風俗者，卿為朕撰一書。」 澳乃取十道四方誌，手加紬次，題為《處分語》。 後鄧州刺史薛弘宗中謝，帝敕戒州事，人人驚服。
At Heyang for years, Xuanzong sent an envoy to Weibo by way of Ao's post with a handwritten edict: "Prepare secretly — I will see you in autumn. He was evidently to be made chancellor. Asked about health, Ao said minerals and alchemists should be banished. In the eighth month the emperor died, and the appointment never came. As academician the emperor asked him to compile customs of every prefecture for frontier appointees. He collated the ten-circuit gazetteers by hand into Instructions for Handling Affairs. When Dengzhou prefect Xue Hongzong was dismissed, the emperor's admonition drawn from the book astonished every official.
35
綬，貫之兄。 舉孝廉，又貢進士，禮部侍郎潘炎將以為舉首，綬以其友楊凝親老，故讓之，不對策輒去，凝遂及第。 後擢明經，辟東都幕府。
Shou was Guanzhi's elder brother. Recommended as xiaolian and jinshi, he was to head the list but yielded to Yang Ning, whose parents were aged, and left without answering the policy questions so Ning passed. He later passed mingjing and joined the eastern capital staff.
36
德宗時，以左補闕為翰林學士，密政多所參逮。 帝嘗幸其院，韋妃從，會綬方寢，學士鄭絪欲馳告之，帝不許，時大寒，以妃蜀𥜝袍覆而去，其待遇若此。 每入直，逾月不得休。 以母老，屢丐解職，每請，帝輒不悅。 出入八年，而性謹畏甚。 晚乃感心疾，罷還第，不極於用。 九月九日，帝為《黃菊歌》，顧左右曰：「安可不示韋綬！」 即遣使持往，綬遽奉和，附使進。 帝曰：「為文不已，豈頤養邪？」 敕自今勿復爾。 終左散騎常侍。
Under Dezong he was left remonstrator and Hanlin academician, often privy to secret policy. The emperor once visited while Shou slept; Zheng Yin would have waked him, but the emperor covered him with Consort Wei's robe in bitter cold and left quietly. On duty he sometimes went more than a month without rest. His mother aged, he repeatedly sought release, each time displeasing the emperor. Eight years in and out of court, yet he remained timid. Late in life heart trouble ended his service before his talent was fully used. On the Double Ninth the emperor composed the Song of Yellow Chrysanthemums and said it must be shown to Wei Shou. An envoy was sent; Shou hastily composed a reply and sent it in. The emperor said endless writing was no way to rest. He ordered him to stop. He ended as Left Regular Cavalry Attendant-in-Chief.
37
弟纁，有精識，為士林器許，兄弟皆名重當時。
His brother Xi was esteemed for discernment; both brothers were famed.
38
綬子溫。 溫，字弘育。 方七歲，日誦書數千言。 十一，舉兩經及第，以拔萃高等補咸陽尉。 父愕然，疑假權謁進，召而試諸廷，文就無留意，喜曰：「兒無愧矣！」 入為監察御史，以臺制苛嚴，不可以省養，不拜。 換著作郎，既謝，輒解歸。 侍親疾，調適湯劑，彌二十年，衣不弛帶。 既居喪，毀瘠不支。 服除，李逢吉辟置宣武府。 頻遷右補闕。 宰相宋申錫被構，罪不測，溫倡曰：「丞相操履有初，不宜反，乃奸人陷之。 吾等豈避雷霆，使上蒙霧咎邪！」 率同舍伏閣切爭，由是益知名。
Shou's son was Wen. Wen, courtesy name Hongyu. At seven he recited thousands of characters daily. At eleven he passed both classics and with top selection grade became magistrate of Xianyang. His father doubted favoritism, tested him at court, and rejoiced when he wrote effortlessly. Made investigating censor, he declined because censorate rules forbade caring for parents. He exchanged for composition gentleman, thanked the court, and went home. He nursed his parents twenty years without loosening his belt. In mourning he grew too thin to stand. After mourning Li Fengji took him onto the Xuanwu staff. He rose to Right Remonstrator. When Chancellor Song Shenxi was framed, Wen declared the minister's conduct had been constant and traitors had trapped him. How could they flee thunder and let the emperor bear blame! He led colleagues to prostrate at the gate in protest and grew famous.
39
太和五年，太廟室漏罅，詔宗正、將作營治，不時畢，文宗怒，責卿李銳、監王堪，奪其稟，自敕中人葺之。 溫諫：「吏舉其職，國以治； 事歸於正，法以修。 夫設制度，立官司，度經費，則宗廟最重也。 比詔下閱月，有司弛墯不力，正可黜慢官，懲不恪，擇可任者繕完之，則吏舉職，事歸正矣。 今慢吏奪稟，而易以中人，是許百司公廢職，以宗廟之重，為陛下所私，臣竊惜之。 請還將作，則官修業矣。」 帝乃罷宦人。 會群臣請上尊號，溫固諫：「今河南水，江淮旱歉，京師雪積五尺，老稚凍仆，此非崇飾虛名時。」 帝順納，乃謝群臣。 改侍御史。
In Taihe 5 the ancestral temple leaked; Wenzong, angry at delay, stripped officials and ordered eunuchs to repair. Wen remonstrated that officials must do their duties for the state to be governed; and affairs return to law when duties are clear. Institutions, offices, and budgets make the ancestral temple the weightiest charge. A month after the edict the offices had slackened; negligent officials should be punished and able men chosen to finish repairs. Replacing them with eunuchs let every office abandon duty and made the temple the emperor's private affair, which he regretted. He asked that the Directorate of Public Works be restored. The emperor then dismissed the eunuchs. When ministers sought a honorific title, Wen objected that floods, drought, and snow made it no time for empty honors. The emperor accepted and apologized to the court. He was made Attendant Censor.
40
李德裕入輔，擢禮部員外郎。 或言雅為牛僧孺厚，德裕曰：「是子堅正，可以私廢乎？」 鄭註節度鳳翔，表為副，溫曰：「拒則遠黜，從之禍不測，吾焉能為註起邪？」 註誅，由考功員外郎拜諫議大夫。 未幾，為翰林學士。 先是，綬在禁廷，積憂畏病廢，故誡溫不得任近職，至是固辭。 帝怒曰：「寧綬治命邪？」 禮部侍郎崔蠡曰：「溫用亂命，益所以為孝。」 帝意釋，換知制誥。 引疾徙太常少卿。 宰相李固言薦溫給事中，帝曰：「溫素避事，肯為我論駁乎？ 須太子長，以為賓客。」 久之，卒為給事中。
When Li Deyu became chancellor he promoted Wen to outer Vice Director of Rites. Some said Wen favored Niu Sengru; Deyu replied that uprightness should not be sacrificed to faction. Zheng Zhu of Fengxiang wanted him as deputy; Wen said refusal meant exile and acceptance meant ruin, and he would not rise through Zhu. After Zhu's execution he was made Remonstrance Grandee from Director of Evaluations. Soon he was Hanlin academician. Shou, worn by fear in the palace, had warned Wen against near office, and Wen firmly declined. The emperor angrily asked whether he obeyed a deathbed command. Vice Minister Cui Li said disobeying a confused command was filial. The emperor relented and made him a drafter. He cited illness and became Vice Director of Ceremonies. Li Guyan recommended him as supervising censor; the emperor doubted whether the retiring Wen would debate. He said to wait until the heir grew and make Wen his tutor. Long afterward he became supervising censor.
41
初，兼莊恪太子侍讀，晨詣宮，日中見太子，諫曰：「殿下盛年，宜雞鳴蚤作，問安天子，如文王故事。」 太子不悅。 辭侍讀，見聽。 王晏平罷靈武節度使，以馬及鎧仗自隨，貶康州司戶參軍，厚賂貴近，浹日，改撫州司馬，樂工尉遲璋授光州長史，溫悉封上詔書。 太子得罪，詔諭群臣，溫曰：「陛下訓之不早，非獨太子罪。」 時頗直其言。 遷尚書右丞。 鹽鐵推官姚勖按大獄，帝以為能，擢職方員外郎，將趨省，溫使戶止，即上言：「郎官清選，不可賞能吏。」 帝命中人諭送，溫執議不移，詔改勖檢校禮部郎中。 帝問故於楊嗣復，對曰：「勖，名臣後，治行無疵。 若吏材幹而不入清選，佗日孰肯當劇事者？ 此衰晉風，不可以法。」 帝素重溫，出為陜虢觀察使。 民當輸租而麥未熟，吏白督之，溫曰：「使民貨田中穗以供賦，可乎？」 為緩期而賦辦。
As tutor to the heir he urged the young prince to rise at dawn and inquire after the emperor as King Wen had. The heir was displeased. He resigned and was allowed. Wang Yanping left Lingwu with horses and armor, bribed his way from Kangzhou registrar to Fuzhou marshal; musician Yuchi Zhang was made Guangzhou chief administrator — Wen sealed and returned all such edicts. When the heir fell, Wen told the court the emperor had trained him too late, not the heir alone. Many then praised his frankness. He was promoted to Right Vice Director of the Secretariat. Yao Xu, praised for prosecutions, was to enter the Bureau of Appointments; Wen blocked him, saying clear offices must not reward mere clerical skill. The emperor sent a eunuch to insist; Wen held firm until Xu was made honorary ritual director. Asked by Yang Sifu, he said Xu was a famous minister's heir without fault. If clerical talent bypassed clear selection, who would later take hard posts? That was the decay of Jin and must not become law. Though the emperor valued him, Wen was sent to Shan-Guo. When wheat was unripe clerks pressed rent; Wen asked whether spikes in the field should pay tax. He granted delay and the levy was still met.
42
武宗立，擢吏部侍郎。 李德裕欲引同輔政，溫苦言李漢可釋，德裕悵然，出宣歙觀察使。 池民訟刺史，劾無狀，榜殺之，威行部中。 既疾，召親屬，賦綬詩「在室愧屋漏」，因泣下曰：「今知沒身不負斯誡矣！」 卒，年五十八，贈工部尚書，謚曰孝。
Under Wuzong he became Vice Minister of Personnel. Li Deyu wanted him as chancellor; Wen urged releasing Li Han instead, and Deyu sent him to Xuan-She. At Chizhou he posted and killed a prefect falsely accused by the people, and his authority ran the circuit. Ill, he summoned kin, quoted Shou's verse on shame before a leaking roof, and wept that he had kept the teaching. He died at fifty-eight, was posthumously Minister of Works, and styled Xiao.
43
溫性剛峻，人望見無敢戲慢者。 與楊嗣復、李玨善，嘗勸與李德裕平故憾，二人不從，及皆謫，溫嘆曰：「用吾言，孰至是邪！」 一女，歸薛蒙。 女工屬文，續曹大家《女訓》，行於世。 溫少合，所善惟蕭祐。
Firm and stern, none dared jest before him. Friendly with Yang Sifu and Li Jue, he urged reconciliation with Li Deyu; when all were exiled he sighed that his counsel was ignored. His daughter married Xue Meng. Skilled in letters, she continued Lady Cao's Admonitions for Women. In youth his only close friend was Xiao You.
44
祐者，字祐之，夷淡君子也。 少貧窶，隱居，以孝養聞。 司農卿李實督官租，祐居喪，未及輸，召至，將責之。 會有賜與，倩祐為奏，實稱善，即薦於朝。 終制，以處士拜左拾遺。 累遷諫議大夫，終桂州觀察使，贈右散騎常侍。 精畫及書，自鐘、王、蕭、張以來，皆能識其真。 謷然不以塵事自蒙，故溫號「山林友」云。 贊贊曰：杜黃裳善謀，裴垍能持法，李藩鯁挺，韋貫之忠實，皆足穆天縡，經國體，撥衰奮王，菑攘四方。 憲宗中興，寧不謂得人而致然邪？ 昔子貢孔堂高第而貨殖，韓安國漢名宰而資貪，黃裳亦以受餉見疵，至於忠烈峣然，則不可掩已。
You, courtesy name Youzhi, was a mild recluse. Poor, he lived in seclusion famed for filial care. Minister Li Shi, collecting rent, summoned You in mourning before payment. An imperial gift required a memorial; You drafted it, Li Shi praised it, and recommended him. After mourning he was made Left Collector as a recluse scholar. He rose to Remonstrance Grandee and ended as Guilin commissioner, posthumously Right Regular Cavalry Attendant-in-Chief. Skilled in painting and calligraphy, he could authenticate works from Zhong You to Zhang Xu. Above worldly vanity, Wen called him a mountain-and-forest friend. The commentator says Du Huangshang planned well, Pei Ji upheld law, Li Fan was blunt, Wei Guanzhi was loyal — all fit to harmonize heaven's pattern, restore the state, rouse a failing throne, and clear troubles on every side. Was Xianzong's restoration not the fruit of finding such men? Zigong was Confucius' foremost disciple yet traded; Han Anguo was a famed Han minister yet greedy; Huangshang too was blemished by gifts — yet loyal heroism cannot be hidden.