Volume 174 Biographies 99: Li Fengji, Yuan Zhen, Niu Sengru and grandson: Hui, Li Zongmin, Yang Sifu

李逢吉李逢吉，字虛舟，系出隴西。父顏，有錮疾，逢吉自料醫劑，遂通方書。舉明經，又擢進士第。范希朝表為振武掌書記，薦之德宗，拜左拾遺。元和時，遷給事中、皇太子侍讀。改中書舍人，知禮部貢舉。未已事，拜門下侍郎、同中書門下平章事。詔禮部尚書王播署榜。

Li Fengji, styled Xuzhou, was descended from Longxi. His father Yan suffered from a chronic illness; Fengji compounded medicines for him himself and in time became versed in medical treatises. He passed the Classics examination and was also selected on the jinshi roster. Fan Xichao nominated him as secretary to the Zhenwu command and recommended him to Emperor Dezong, who appointed him Left Reminder. During the Yuanhe reign, he was promoted to Supervising Censor and Reader to the Crown Prince. He was made Drafting Secretary and placed in charge of the Ministry of Rites examination. Before he had finished his duties, he was appointed Vice Director of the Chancellery and Director of the Chancellery. An edict directed Minister of Rites Wang Bo to publish the examination results.

逢吉性忌刻，險譎多端。及得位，務償好惡。裴度討淮西，逢吉慮成功，密圖沮止，趣和議者請罷諸道兵。憲宗知而惡之，出為劍南東川節度使。

By nature Fengji was jealous and vindictive, treacherous and endlessly scheming. Once in power, he set about settling old scores. When Pei Du campaigned against Huaixi, Fengji feared he would succeed and secretly plotted to thwart him, pressing those who favored peace to demand that all provincial armies be withdrawn. Emperor Xianzong learned of this and came to despise him, dispatching him as military governor of Jiannan East Circuit.

穆宗即位，徙山南東道。緣講侍恩，陰結近幸。長慶二年，召入為兵部尚書。時度與元稹知政，度嘗條稹憸佞，逢吉以為其隙易乘，遂並中之，遣人上變，言：「和王傅于方結客，欲為稹刺度。」帝命尚書左僕射韓皋、給事中鄭覃與逢吉參鞠方，無狀，稹、度坐是皆罷，逢吉代為門下侍郎、平章事。因以恩爵動詭薄者，更相挺以詆傷度，於是李紳、韋處厚等誦言度為逢吉排迮，度初得留。時已失河朔，王智興以徐叛，李騕以汴叛，國威不振，天下延頸俟相度，而中外交章言之，帝訖不省，度遂外遷。騕平，進尚書右僕射。

When Emperor Muzong took the throne, he was transferred to Shannan East Circuit. Exploiting his position as tutor to cultivate imperial favor, he secretly cultivated ties with the emperor's close favorites. In the second year of Changqing, he was recalled to serve as Minister of War. At the time Pei Du and Yuan Zhen shared power; Du had once catalogued Zhen's sly flattery, and Fengji saw an opening easy to exploit, so he attacked them both at once, sending someone to lodge an emergency report, saying: "Royal Tutor Yu Fang has gathered followers and intends to have Zhen assassinate Du." The Emperor ordered Left Vice Director Han Gao, Supervising Censor Zheng Tan, and Fengji to examine Fang jointly; they found no basis for the accusation, yet both Zhen and Du were dismissed on that account, and Fengji replaced Du as Vice Director of the Chancellery and Director of the Chancellery. He then rallied those he had favored with titles and rewards, and they took turns bolstering one another to attack Du; Li Shen, Wei Chuhou, and others publicly declared that Du was being driven out by Fengji, and Du was at first permitted to stay. By then the empire had lost control of Hebei; Wang Zhixing rebelled at Xu and Li Jiao at Bian; the nation's prestige was shattered, and all under heaven waited eagerly for Du to become chancellor, with memorials from court and frontier alike urging it—but the Emperor never took heed, and Du was eventually sent away from the capital. After Jiao's rebellion was put down, he was promoted to Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.

帝暴疾，中外阻遏，逢吉因中人梁守謙、劉弘規、王守澄議，請立景王為皇太子，帝不能言，頷之而已。明日下詔，皇太子遂定。鄭注得幸于王守澄，逢吉遣從子訓賂注，結守澄為奧援，自是肆志無所憚。其党有張又新、李續、張權輿、劉棲楚、李虞、程昔范、薑洽及訓八人，而傅會者又八人，皆任要劇，故號「八關十六子」。有所求請，先賂關子，後達于逢吉，無不得所欲。未幾，封涼國公。

When the Emperor fell gravely ill and communication between court and outside was cut off, Fengji consulted with the eunuchs Liang Shouqian, Liu Honggui, and Wang Shoucheng and proposed that Prince Jing be made crown prince; the Emperor could not speak but nodded his assent. The next day an edict was promulgated and the succession was settled. Zheng Zhu won the favor of Wang Shoucheng; Fengji sent his nephew Xun to bribe Zhu and secured Shoucheng as a hidden patron, after which he indulged his will without restraint. His faction numbered Zhang Youxin, Li Xu, Zhang Quanyu, Liu Qichu, Li Yu, Cheng Xifan, Jiang Qia, and Xun—eight men—with eight more who attached themselves to them, all holding important posts; they were therefore called the "Eight Passes and Sixteen Sons." Anyone seeking a favor would first bribe one of the "Passes," then reach Fengji, and obtain whatever he wished. Before long he was enfeoffed as Duke of Liang.

敬宗新立，度求入覲，逢吉不自安，張權輿為作讖言以沮度，而韋處厚亟為帝言之，計卒不行。有武昭者，陳留人，果敢而辯。度之討蔡，遣說吳元濟，元濟臨以兵，辭不撓，厚禮遣還，度署以軍職，從鎮太原，除石州刺史。罷歸不得用，怨望，與太學博士李涉、金吾兵曹參軍茅匯居長安中，以氣俠相許。逢吉與李程同執政，不葉。程族人仍叔謂昭曰：「丞相欲用君，顧逢吉持不可。」昭愈憤，酒所，語其友劉審，欲刺逢吉。審竊語權輿，逢吉因匯召見昭，厚相結納，忿隙得解。逢吉素厚待匯，嘗與書曰：「足下當以'自求'字僕，吾當以'利見'字君。」辭頗猥昵。及度將還，復命人發昭事。由是昭、匯皆下獄，命御史中丞王播按之。訓諷匯使誣昭與李程同謀，不然且死。匯不可，曰：「誣人以自免，不為也！」獄成，昭榜死，匯流崖州，涉康州，仍叔貶道州司馬，訓流象州。擢審長壽主簿。而逢吉謀益露。昭死，人皆冤之。

When Emperor Jingzong had just ascended the throne, Du sought to return to court; Fengji was ill at ease, and Zhang Quanyu fabricated a prophecy to block him, but Wei Chuhou repeatedly urged the Emperor on Du's behalf, and the scheme ultimately failed. There was a man named Wu Zhao, a native of Chenliu, bold and eloquent. When Du campaigned against Cai, he sent Zhao to persuade Wu Yuanji; Yuanji confronted him with troops, but Zhao's words did not falter; Yuanji treated him generously and sent him back; Du gave him a military appointment and kept him at Taiyuan, later making him prefect of Shizhou. Dismissed and sent home without further appointment, he nursed resentment; he lived in Chang'an with Imperial Academy Erudite Li She and Jinwu Army Staff Officer Mao Hui, bound to one another by bravado and chivalry. Fengji and Li Cheng shared power but did not get along. Cheng's clansman Reishu told Zhao: "The Chancellor wishes to employ you, but Fengji alone stands in the way." Zhao grew still angrier; while drunk he told his friend Liu Shen that he wanted to assassinate Fengji. Shen secretly told Quanyu; Fengji then had Hui summon Zhao, treated him generously and won him over, and the feud was resolved. Fengji had always treated Hui generously and once wrote to him: "You ought to style me with the characters for 'self-seeking'; I ought to style you with the characters for 'profit in sight." The language was quite vulgar and familiar. When Du was about to return to court, Fengji again had someone expose Zhao's affair. Thereupon Zhao and Hui were both imprisoned, and the Emperor ordered Investigation Commissioner Wang Bo to investigate. Xun pressured Hui to falsely implicate Zhao in a plot with Li Cheng, threatening death if he refused. Hui refused, saying: "To frame another to save myself—I will not do it!" When the case was concluded, Zhao was beaten to death, Hui was banished to Yazhou, She to Kangzhou, Reishu was demoted to Prefectural Militia Vice Commandant of Daozhou, and Xun was exiled to Xiangzhou. Shen was promoted to Recorder of Changshou. Fengji's scheming thus became still more exposed. When Zhao died, everyone considered it a miscarriage of justice.

初，逢吉興昭獄以止度入而不果，天子知度忠，卒相之。逢吉於是浸疏，以檢校司空、平章事為山南東道節度使，表李續自副，張又新行軍司馬。頃之，檢校司徒。初，門下史田伾倚逢吉親信，顧財利，進婢，嬖之。伾坐事匿逢吉家，名捕弗獲。及出鎮，表隨軍，滿歲不敢集，使人偽過門下省，調房州司馬。為有司所發，即襄州捕之，詭讕不遣。御史劾奏，詔奪一季俸，因是貶續為涪州刺史，又新汀州刺史。久乃徙宣武，以太子太師為東都留守。及訓用事，召拜尚書左僕射，足病不能朝，以司徒致仕。卒，年七十八，贈太尉，諡曰成。無子，以從弟子植嗣。元稹元稹，字微之，河南河南人。六代祖岩，為隋兵部尚書。稹幼孤，母鄭賢而文，親授書傳。九歲工屬文，十五擢明經，判入等，補校書郎。元和元年舉制科，對策第一，拜左拾遺。性明銳，遇事輒舉。

At first Fengji had engineered the Zhao case to keep Du from returning to court, but failed; the Son of Heaven knew Du was loyal and ultimately made him chancellor. Fengji was then gradually estranged and sent out as Honorary Grand Guardian and Director of the Chancellery serving as military governor of Shannan East Circuit; he memorialized to have Li Xu as his deputy and Zhang Youxin as staff army vice commandant. Before long he was made Honorary Grand Tutor. Earlier, Gate Clerk Tian Zhen had relied on Fengji's trust and sought profit; he presented a maid servant whom Fengji took as a favorite. When Zhen was implicated in a case he hid in Fengji's house, and though officially sought he could not be found. When Fengji went out to his command, he had Zhen follow the army; for a full year Zhen dared not report for duty, and had someone falsely pass through the Gate Department to obtain appointment as Prefectural Militia Vice Commandant of Fangzhou. Exposed by the relevant office, he was immediately arrested at Xiangzhou, but Fengji prevaricated and would not surrender him. The censor memorialized an impeachment; the Emperor ordered one season's salary forfeited, and Li Xu was demoted to Prefect of Fu and Youxin to Prefect of Ting. After a long time he was transferred to Xuanwu, and then served as Eastern Capital Intendant with the title Grand Preceptor to the Crown Prince. When Xun came to power, he was summoned and appointed Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs; afflicted with a foot ailment he could not attend court and retired with the title Grand Tutor. He died at the age of seventy-eight, posthumously enfeoffed as Grand Marshal and given the posthumous name Cheng. He had no son and had his nephew Zhi succeed him. Yuan Zhen, styled Weizhi, was a native of Henan. His sixth-generation ancestor Yan had served as Minister of War under the Sui. Zhen lost his father while still a child; his mother Zheng was talented and learned and personally taught him the classics. At nine he was already skilled at composition; at fifteen he passed the Classics examination with a top-tier evaluation and was appointed Proofreader. In the first year of Yuanhe he entered the special decree examination, ranked first in the policy response, and was appointed Left Reminder. Sharp and perceptive by nature, he spoke up whenever something arose.

始，王叔文、王伾蒙幸太子宮而橈國政，稹謂宜選正人輔導，因獻書曰：

At the outset, when Wang Shuwen and Wang Pi enjoyed favor in the Crown Prince's palace and disrupted state affairs, Zhen held that upright men should be chosen to guide the prince, and submitted a memorial saying:

伏見陛下降明詔，脩廢學，增胄子，然而事有先於此，臣敢昧死言之。

I have observed Your Majesty's enlightened edict restoring abandoned studies and increasing the number of imperial students; yet there is something that should come before this, and I dare speak even at the risk of my life.

賈誼有言：「三代之君仁且久者，教之然也。」周成王本中才，近管、蔡則讒入，任周、召則善聞。豈天聰明哉？而克終於道者，教也。始為太子也，太公為師，周公為傅，召公為保，伯禽、唐叔與游，目不閱淫豔，耳不聞優笑，居不近庸邪，玩不備珍異。及為君也，血氣既定，游習既成，雖有放心，不能奪已成之性。則彼道德之言，固吾所習聞，陳之者易諭焉；回佞庸違，固吾所積懼，諂之者易辯焉。人之情莫不耀所能，黨所近，苟得志，必快其所蘊。物性亦然，故魚得水而遊，鳥乘風而翔，火得薪而熾。夫成王所蘊，道德也；所近，聖賢也。快其蘊，則興禮樂，朝諸侯，措刑罰，教之至也。

Jia Yi said: "The reason the rulers of the Three Dynasties were benevolent and long-reigning was teaching." King Cheng of Zhou was by nature of middling talent; near Guan and Cai, slander entered; with the Dukes of Zhou and Shao in charge, good counsel was heard. Was this heaven's wisdom? That he could finish the Way was due to teaching. When he first became crown prince, the Duke of Lu was his teacher, the Duke of Zhou his aide, the Duke of Shao his guardian; Boyi and Shu of Tang kept company with him—his eyes did not behold licentious beauty, his ears did not hear comic performances, his dwelling did not approach vulgar wickedness, and his pastimes did not include rare curios. When he became king, his temperament was settled and his habits formed; even if wayward impulses arose, they could not overturn the character already formed. Then those words of virtue and the Way were what he had long been accustomed to hear—the one who set them forth was easily understood; Flatterers, petty men, and the refractory were what he had long accumulated fear of—the one who fawned was easily refuted. In human disposition none fail to display their talents and band with those they favor; once their ambitions are fulfilled, they must give vent to what they hold within. The nature of things is likewise: fish swim upon gaining water, birds soar upon catching wind, fire blazes upon gaining fuel. What King Cheng held within was virtue and the Way; Those he favored were sages and worthies. To give vent to what he held within was to raise ritual and music, assemble the feudal lords, and set aside punishments—the utmost of teaching.

秦則不然，滅先王之學，黜師保之位。胡亥之生也，《詩》、《書》不得聞，聖賢不得近。彼趙高，刑餘之人，傅之以殘忍戕賊之術，日恣睢，天下之人未盡愚，而亥不能分馬鹿矣；高之威懾天下，而亥自幽深宮矣。若秦亡，則有以致之也。

Qin was not so: it extinguished the learning of the former kings and removed tutors and guardians from their posts. When Huhai was born, he could not hear the 《Odes》 or 《Documents》, nor draw near sages and worthies. That Zhao Gao—a mutilated man—was made his tutor and taught him cruel, destructive methods; day by day he indulged his will, and though the people of the realm were not all stupid, Huhai could no longer tell horse from deer; Gao's awe overawed all under heaven, and Huhai himself remained shut away deep within the palace. If Qin perished, there was cause enough for it.

太宗為太子，選知道德者十八人與之遊；即位後，雖間宴飲食，十八人者皆在。上之失無不言，下之情無不達，不四三年而名高盛古，斯游習之致也。貞觀以來，保、傅皆宰相兼領，余官亦時重選，故馬周恨位高不為司議郎，其驗也。

When Emperor Taizong was crown prince, he selected eighteen men versed in the Way and virtue to keep company with him; After he ascended the throne, even at occasional banquets and meals, the eighteen were all present. The ruler's faults were all spoken of, the people's sentiments all conveyed; in less than three or four years his fame rose above antiquity—this was the effect of such companionship and habit. Since the Zhenguan era, guardians and aides had all been concurrently held by chancellors, and the other offices were also at times carefully chosen; hence Ma Zhou regretted that high rank did not make one Remonstrance Officer—this was proof of it.

母后臨朝，剪棄王室，中、睿為太子，雖有骨鯁敢言之士，不得在調護保安職，及讒言中傷，惟樂工剖腹為證，豈不哀哉！比來茲弊尤甚，師資保傅，不疾廢眊目貴，即休戎罷帥者處之。又以僻滯華首之儒備侍直、侍讀，越月逾時不得召。夫以匹士之愛其子，猶求明哲慈惠之師，豈天下元良而反不及乎？

When empress dowagers held court and cut down the royal house, Zhongzong and Ruizong as crown princes—though there were blunt, outspoken men—could not hold posts of guidance and protection; when slander struck, only a musician's disembowelment served as proof—was it not lamentable! Recently this abuse has grown especially severe: tutors, guardians, and aides are either infirm, blind, or aged nobles, or else retired generals and dismissed commanders are placed in those posts. Obscure, stagnant, white-haired scholars are also used to fill attendance and reading posts, going months and seasons without being summoned. If even a common man in loving his son still seeks a wise, clear, and kindly teacher, can the heir to all under heaven fall short of that?

臣以為高祖至陛下十一聖，生而神明，長而仁聖，以是為屑屑者，故不之省。設萬世之後，有周成中才，生於深宮，無保助之教，則將不能知喜怒哀樂所自，況稼穡艱難乎！願令皇太子洎諸王齒胄講業，行嚴師問道之禮，輟禽色之娛，資游習之善，豈不美哉！

Your subject holds that from Emperor Gaozu down to Your Majesty there have been eleven sage rulers, divinely gifted from birth and benevolent and sagely in maturity; because of this they regarded the matter as trivial and did not examine it. Suppose ten thousand generations hence there should be a King Cheng of middling talent, born in the deep palace with no teaching from guardians and aides—then he would not even know whence joy, anger, sorrow, and delight arise, let alone the hardships of farming! I wish that the crown prince and the princes may study at the academy and pursue their learning, observe the rites of strict teachers and inquiry into the Way, set aside entertainments of birds and beauty, and nourish the good of companionship and habit—would this not be splendid!

又自以職諫諍，不得數召見，上疏曰：

Again, considering his office of remonstrance and that he could not often be summoned for audience, he submitted a memorial saying:

臣聞治亂之始，各有萌象。容直言，廣視聽，躬勤庶務，委信大臣，使左右近習不得蔽疏遠之人，此治象也。大臣不親，直言不進，抵忌諱者殺，犯左右者刑，與一二近習決事深宮中，群臣莫得與，此亂萌也。人君始即位，萌象未見，必有狂直敢言者。上或激而進之，則天下君子望風曰：「彼狂而容於上，其欲來天下士乎？吾之道可以行矣！」其小人則竦利曰：「彼之直，得幸於上，吾將直言以徼利乎！」由是天下賢不肖各以所忠貢於上，上下之志，霈然而通。合天下之智，治萬物之心，人人樂得其所，戴其上如赤子之親慈母也，雖欲誘之為亂，可得乎？及夫進計者入，而直言者戮，則天下君子內謀曰：「與其言不用而身為戮，吾甯危行言遜以保其終乎！」其小人則擇利曰：「吾君所惡者拂心逆耳，吾將苟順是非以事之。」由是進見者革而不內，言事者寢而不聞，若此則十步之事不得見，況天下四方之遠乎！故曰：聾瞽之君非無耳目，左右前後者遮罩之，不使視聽，欲不亂，可得哉？

Your subject has heard that at the beginning of order and disorder, each has its budding signs. Accepting blunt speech, broadening vision and hearing, personally attending to common affairs, entrusting and trusting great ministers, and keeping close favorites from blocking distant persons—this is the sign of order. Great ministers kept at a distance, blunt speech not admitted, those who touch taboos killed and those who offend favorites punished, deciding affairs with one or two close favorites deep in the palace while the ministers may not participate—this is the budding of disorder. When a ruler first ascends the throne, before the budding signs appear, there are sure to be wild, blunt, outspoken men. If the ruler sometimes provokes and promotes them, then the gentlemen of all under heaven look to the wind and say: "That wild man is tolerated by the ruler—is he seeking to summon the gentlemen of the realm? My Way can be put into practice!" The petty men then, scenting advantage, said: "That man's bluntness won favor from the ruler—shall I speak bluntly to seek profit for myself?" Thereupon the worthy and unworthy throughout the realm each offered what they held loyal to the ruler, and the intentions above and below flowed together like a great rain. Combining the wisdom of all under heaven and governing the hearts of all things, every man gladly found his place and revered his ruler as an infant cherishes its loving mother—even if one wished to incite them to rebellion, could one succeed? When those who offered schemes were admitted while blunt speakers were executed, then the gentlemen of all under heaven plotted inwardly, saying: "Rather than speak and not be heeded while one's person is executed, had I not better practice perilous conduct with modest words to preserve my end!" The petty men then chose profit, saying: "What our ruler hates is what goes against his heart and offends his ears—I shall casually follow right and wrong to serve him." Thereupon those who came to audience were turned away and not admitted, and those who spoke on affairs were ignored and not heard; if matters ten paces away cannot be seen, how much less the distant reaches of all under heaven in the four directions! Hence it is said: a deaf and blind ruler is not without eyes and ears—it is those at his left and right, before and behind, who screen and cover them, not letting him see or hear; if he wishes not to fall into disorder, can he succeed?

太宗初即位，天下莫有言者，孫伏伽以小事持諫，厚賜以勉之。自是論事者唯懼言不直、諫不極、不能激上之盛意，曾不以忌諱為虞。於是房、杜、王、魏議可否於前，四方言得失於外，不數年大治。豈文皇獨運聰明於上哉？蓋下盡其言，以宣揚發暢之也。夫樂全安，惡戮辱，古今情一也，豈獨貞觀之人輕犯忌諱而好戮辱哉？蓋上激而進之也。喜順從，怒謇犯，亦古今情一也，豈獨文皇甘逆耳、怒從心哉？蓋以順從之利輕，而危亡之禍大，思為子孫建永安計也。為後嗣者，其可順一朝意，而蔑文皇之天下乎？

When Emperor Taizong first ascended the throne, no one in all under heaven spoke up; Sun Fugai remonstrated over a small matter, and the Emperor richly rewarded him to encourage such conduct. From then on those who discussed affairs feared only that their words were not blunt enough, their remonstrance not extreme enough, that they could not stir the ruler's full intent—they never took taboo as a concern. Thereupon Fang, Du, Wang, and Wei debated what was feasible and what was not before the throne, and the four directions spoke of gains and losses from without; in a few years there was great order. Was it that Emperor Wen alone exercised wisdom above? It was because those below fully spoke their minds, and he spread and gave free course to their words. To delight in preservation and safety and to hate execution and disgrace—the sentiment is one in ancient and modern times; were the people of the Zhenguan era alone light in violating taboos and fond of execution and disgrace? It was because the ruler provoked and promoted them. To delight in compliance and grow angry at blunt offense—the sentiment is likewise one in ancient and modern times; was Emperor Wen alone willing to accept what went against his ears and angry at what accorded with his heart? It was because the profit of compliance was slight while the calamity of peril and ruin was great—he thought to establish a plan of lasting peace for his descendants. For one who is a successor, can one comply with the whim of a single court and scorn the realm that Emperor Wen established?

陛下即位已一歲，百辟卿士、天下四方之人，曾未有獻一計進一言而受賞者；左右前後拾遺補闕，亦未有奏封執諫而蒙勸者。設諫鼓，置匭函，曾未聞雪冤決事、明察幽之意者。以陛下睿博洪深，勵精求治，豈言而不用哉？蓋下不能有所發明耳！承顧問者，獨一二執政，對不及頃而罷，豈暇陳治安、議教化哉？它有司或時召見，僅能奉簿書計錢穀登降耳。以陛下之政，視貞觀何如哉？貞觀時，尚有房、杜、王、魏輔翊之智，日有獻可替否者。今陛下當致治之初，而言事進計者歲無一人，豈非群下因循竊位之罪乎？輒昧死條上十事：一、教太子，正邦本；二、封諸王，固磐石；三、出宮人；四、嫁宗女；五、時召宰相講庶政；六、次對群臣，廣聰明；七、復正衙奏事；八、許方幅糾彈；九、禁非時貢獻；十、省出入遊畋。

Your Majesty has been on the throne for a year, yet among the hundred officials and ministers and the people of all under heaven in the four directions, there has never been one who offered a plan or advanced a word and received reward; Among the remonstrance officers at left and right, before and behind, there has likewise been none who submitted sealed memorials or held fast in remonstrance and received encouragement. Though remonstrance drums were set up and suggestion boxes placed, there has never been heard the intent to redress wrongs, decide cases, and clearly examine what is hidden. Given Your Majesty's wisdom, breadth, and profundity, and your striving spirit in seeking good government, could it be that words are spoken but not used? It is simply that those below cannot bring forth anything illuminating! Those who received consultation were only one or two chief ministers; the audience lasted less than a moment and ended—how could there be leisure to set forth peace and order or discuss teaching and transformation? Other offices were sometimes summoned, but could only present ledgers and reckon the rise and fall of revenue and grain. Compared with the Zhenguan era, how does Your Majesty's governance stand? In the Zhenguan era there were still the assisting wisdom of Fang, Du, Wang, and Wei, and daily there were those who offered what could be approved or rejected. Now Your Majesty is at the beginning of bringing order, yet not one person in a year offers plans or speaks on affairs—is this not the fault of the officials below, who follow old ways and hold their posts by theft? Your subject therefore dares set forth ten items at the risk of death: first, teach the crown prince and rectify the foundation of the state; second, enfeoff the princes and solidify the bedrock; third, release palace women; fourth, marry off imperial clanswomen; fifth, regularly summon the chancellors to discuss common affairs; sixth, receive the ministers in sequence and broaden intelligence; seventh, restore memorializing at the main court; eighth, permit impeachment within proper bounds; ninth, forbid untimely tribute offerings; tenth, reduce going out and hunting excursions.

于時論傪、高弘本、豆盧靖等出為刺史，閱旬，追還詔書。稹諫：「詔令數易，不能信天下。」又陳西北邊事。憲宗悅，召問得失。當路者惡之，出為河南尉，以母喪解。服除，拜監察御史。按獄東川，因劾奏節度使嚴礪違詔過賦數百萬，沒入塗山甫等八十余家田產奴婢。時礪已死，七刺史皆奪俸，礪黨怒。俄分司東都。

At the time Lun Can, Gao Hongben, Dou Lu Jing, and others were sent out as prefects; within ten days edicts were issued recalling them. Zhen remonstrated: "Edicts are changed repeatedly and cannot inspire trust throughout the realm." He also set forth matters on the northwestern frontier. Emperor Xianzong was pleased and summoned him to ask about gains and losses. Those in power hated him and sent him out as Assistant Magistrate of Henan; he resigned on account of his mother's death. When mourning ended he was appointed Investigating Censor. Investigating cases in Dongchuan, he memorialized impeaching Military Governor Yan Li for exceeding the edict in taxation by several million, confiscating the fields, property, and slaves of more than eighty households including Tu Shanfu. By then Li was already dead; seven prefects all had their salaries forfeited, and Li's faction grew angry. Before long he was assigned to the Eastern Capital branch office.

時浙西觀察使韓皋杖安吉令孫澥，數日死；武甯王紹護送監軍孟升喪乘驛，內喪郵中，吏不敢止；內園擅系人逾年，台不及知；河南尹誣殺諸生尹太階；飛龍使誘亡命奴為養子；田季安盜取洛陽衣冠女；汴州沒入死賈錢千萬。凡十餘事，悉論奏。會河南尹房式坐罪，稹舉劾，按故事追攝，移書停務。詔薄式罪，召稹還。次敷水驛，中人仇士良夜至，稹不讓，中人怒，擊稹敗面。宰相以稹年少輕樹威，失憲臣體，貶江陵士曹參軍，而李絳、崔群、白居易皆論其枉。久乃徙通州司馬，改虢州長史。元和末，召拜膳部員外郎。

At the time Zhexi Observation Commissioner Han Gao beat Anji Magistrate Sun Xie, who died within days; Prince of Wuning Shao escorted the funeral of Army Supervisor Meng Sheng by post relay; the inner mourning passed through the postal stations and officials dared not stop it; the Inner Park arbitrarily detained people for more than a year, and the Censorate did not learn of it in time; the Henan Intendant falsely killed the student Yin Taijie; the Flying Dragon Commissioner enticed fugitive slaves to become adopted sons; Tian Ji'an stole away a genteel woman of Luoyang; Bianzhou confiscated ten million in dead merchants' money. More than ten such matters in all were fully memorialized. When Henan Intendant Fang Shi was implicated in a crime, Zhen memorialized impeachment; following precedent he was summoned for arrest and a letter was sent suspending his duties. An edict lightened Shi's offense and summoned Zhen back. Stopping at Fushui Post, the eunuch Qiu Shiliang came at night; Zhen did not yield, the eunuch grew angry, and struck Zhen, disfiguring his face. The chancellors held that Zhen, young in years, lightly sought to establish authority and failed the proper bearing of a censorial official; he was demoted to Army Staff Officer of Jiangling, while Li Jiang, Cui Qun, and Bai Juyi all argued that he had been wronged. After a long time he was transferred to Prefectural Militia Vice Commandant of Tongzhou and then changed to Senior Administrator of Guozhou. At the end of Yuanhe he was summoned and appointed Vice Director of the Board of Provisions.

稹尤長於詩，與居易名相埒，天下傳諷，號「元和體」，往往播樂府。穆宗在東宮，妃嬪近習皆誦之，宮中呼元才子。稹之謫江陵，善臨軍崔潭峻。長慶初，潭駿方親幸，以稹歌詞數十百篇奏禦，帝大悅，問：「稹今安在？」曰：「為南宮散郎。」即擢祠部郎中，知制誥。變詔書體，務純厚明切，盛傳一時。然其進非公議，為士類訾薄。稹內不平，因《誡風俗詔》曆詆群有司，以逞其憾。

Zhen was especially skilled in poetry; his fame rivaled Juyi's, and their works were recited throughout the realm; they were called the "Yuanhe Style" and were often set to music in the Music Bureau. When Muzong was in the Eastern Palace, consorts and close attendants all recited them, and within the palace he was called Talent Yuan. When Zhen was banished to Jiangling, he became close to Army Officer Cui Tanjun. At the beginning of Changqing, Tanjun was then in close favor; he presented several dozen or hundred of Zhen's song lyrics to the throne; the Emperor was greatly pleased and asked: "Where is Zhen now?" The reply was: "He serves as a scattered officer of the Southern Palace." He was immediately promoted to Director of the Board of Sacrifices and put in charge of drafting edicts. He changed the style of edicts, striving for pure thickness, clarity, and directness, and for a time they were widely circulated. Yet his advancement was not by public consensus and was scorned by the gentry. Zhen was inwardly resentful and, through the "Edict Admonishing Social Customs," repeatedly denounced the various offices to vent his grievance.

俄遷中書舍人、翰林承旨學士。數召入，禮遇益厚，自謂得言天下事。中人爭與稹交，魏弘簡在樞密，尤相善。裴度出屯鎮州，有所論奏，共沮卻之。度三上疏劾弘簡、稹傾亂國政：「陛下欲平賊，當先清朝廷乃可。」帝迫群議，乃罷弘簡，而出稹為工部侍郎。然眷倚不衰。未幾，進同中書門下平章事，朝野雜然輕笑，稹思立奇節報天子以厭人心。時王廷湊方圍牛元翼於深州，稹所善於方言：「王昭、于友明皆豪士，雅游燕、趙間，能得賊要領，可使反間而出元翼。願以家貲辦行，得兵部虛告二十，以便宜募士。」稹然之。李逢吉知其謀，陰令李賞訹裴度曰：「于方為稹結客，將刺公。」度隱不發。神策軍中尉以聞，詔韓皋、鄭覃及逢吉雜治，無刺度狀，而方計暴聞，遂與度偕罷宰相，出為同州刺史。諫官爭言度不當免，而黜稹輕。帝獨憐稹，但削長春宮使。初，獄未具，京兆劉遵古遣吏羅禁稹第，稹訴之，帝怒，責京兆，免捕賊尉，使使者慰稹。再期，徙浙東觀察使。明州歲貢蚶，役郵子萬人，不勝其疲，稹奏罷之。

Before long he was transferred to Drafting Secretary and Hanlin Academician in Charge. He was summoned repeatedly, his reception grew ever more generous, and he considered himself able to speak on affairs of all under heaven. Eunuchs vied to associate with Zhen; Wei Hongjian was in the Secretariat and was especially close to him. When Pei Du went out to encamp at Zhenzhou and submitted memorials, they jointly obstructed and rejected them. Du thrice submitted memorials impeaching Hongjian and Zhen for overturning state affairs: "If Your Majesty wishes to suppress the rebels, you must first clarify the court before it can be done." The Emperor, pressed by public opinion, then dismissed Hongjian and sent Zhen out as Vice Minister of Public Works. Yet imperial favor did not wane. Before long he was promoted to Director of the Chancellery; court and commoners alike laughed lightly at this, and Zhen thought to establish a singular deed to repay the Son of Heaven and satisfy popular sentiment. At the time Wang Tingcou was besieging Niu Yuanji at Shenzhou; a man Zhen favored named Fang Yan said: "Wang Zhao and Yu Youming are both bold men who freely traveled between Yan and Zhao; they can grasp the rebels' vital points and can be used in counter-intelligence to rescue Yuanji. I wish to use my family wealth to arrange the journey, obtain twenty blank commissions from the Ministry of War, and recruit men as expedient." Zhen approved. Li Fengji learned of the plan and secretly had Li Shang slander Pei Du, saying: "Yu Fang is gathering clients for Zhen and intends to assassinate you." Du kept silent and did not expose it. The Army Supervising Eunuch of the Shence Armies reported it; an edict ordered Han Gao, Zheng Tan, and Fengji jointly to investigate; there was no evidence of a plot against Du, but Fang's plan was suddenly exposed, and Zhen was dismissed from the chancellorship together with Du and sent out as Prefect of Tongzhou. Remonstrance officials contended that Du should not have been dismissed while Zhen's demotion was too light. The Emperor alone pitied Zhen and only removed him from the post of Changchun Palace Commissioner. Initially, before the case was complete, Jingzhao Intendant Liu Zungu sent officials to surround and seal Zhen's residence; Zhen complained, the Emperor grew angry, rebuked Jingzhao, dismissed the arresting captain, and sent an envoy to comfort Zhen. At the next term he was transferred to Zhedong Observation Commissioner. Mingzhou annually tribute-offered clams, conscripting ten thousand postal workers who could not bear the exhaustion; Zhen memorialized to abolish it.

太和三年，召為尚書左丞，務振綱紀，出郎官尤無狀者七人。然稹素無檢，望輕，不為公議所右。王播卒，謀復輔政甚力，訖不遂。俄拜武昌節度使。卒，年五十三，贈尚書右僕射。

In the third year of Taihe he was summoned as Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, striving to restore discipline and removing seven bureau directors who were especially unfit. Yet Zhen had long been unrestrained, his prestige was slight, and public opinion did not favor him. When Wang Bo died, he plotted vigorously to return to auxiliary governance but ultimately did not succeed. Before long he was appointed military governor of Wuchang. He died at the age of fifty-three and was posthumously enfeoffed as Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.

所論著甚多，行於世。在越時，辟竇鞏。鞏，天下工為詩，與之酬和，故鏡湖秦望之奇益傳，時號「蘭亭絕唱」。稹始言事峭直，欲以立名，中見斥廢十年，通道不堅，乃喪所守。附宦貴得宰相，居位才三月罷。晚節彌沮喪，加廉節不飾雲。牛僧儒牛僧孺，字思黯，隋僕射奇章公弘之裔。幼孤，下杜樊鄉有賜田數頃，依以為生。工屬文，第進士。元和初，以賢良方正對策，與李宗閔、皇甫湜俱第一，條指失政，其言鯁訐，不避宰相。宰相怒，故楊于陵、鄭敬、韋貫之、李益等坐考非其宜，皆調去。僧孺調伊闕尉，改河南，遷監察御史，進累考工員外郎、集賢殿直學士。

His writings were numerous and circulated in the world. While in Yue he recruited Dou Gong. Gong was skilled in poetry throughout the realm; they exchanged verses, and thus the wonders of Mirror Lake and Mount Qinwang spread still further; at the time they were called the "Supreme Song of Lanting." Zhen at first spoke bluntly on affairs, wishing to establish a name; midway he was dismissed and cast aside for ten years; his grasp of the Way was not firm, and he lost what he had held to. Attaching himself to eunuch nobles he obtained the chancellorship, but held office only three months before dismissal. His late years grew ever more dejected, and moreover he no longer cultivated integrity and restraint. Niu Sengru, styled Si'an, was a descendant of Sui Vice Director Lord Qizhang Hong. Orphaned while young, he had several qing of granted fields at Xiadufan Village and relied on them for a living. He was skilled at composition and passed the jinshi examination. At the beginning of Yuanhe, in the Exemplary and Upright policy response he ranked first together with Li Zongmin and Huangfu Shi; he listed failures of governance, his words blunt and accusatory, not avoiding the chancellors. The chancellors grew angry, and therefore Yang Yuling, Zheng Jing, Wei Guanzhi, Li Yi, and others were all demoted for improper evaluation and transferred away. Sengru was transferred to Assistant Magistrate of Yique, changed to Henan, promoted to Investigating Censor, and advanced through accumulated appointments to Vice Director of the Board of Works and Direct Academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies.

穆宗初，以庫部郎中知制誥。徙御史中丞，按治不法，內外澄肅。宿州刺史李直臣坐賕當死，賂宦侍為助，具獄上。帝曰：「直臣有才，朕欲貸而用之。」僧孺曰：「彼不才者，持祿取容耳。天子制法，所以束縛有才者。祿山、硃泚以才過人，故亂天下。」帝異其言，乃止。賜金紫服，以戶部侍郎同中書門下平章事。

When Muzong first took the throne, he was made Director of the Board of the Treasury and put in charge of drafting edicts. He was transferred to Investigation Commissioner and investigated lawlessness; within and without the court grew clear and disciplined. Suzhou Prefect Li Zhichen was implicated in bribery and deserved death; he bribed eunuch attendants for help, and the complete case was submitted. The Emperor said: "Zhichen has talent; I wish to pardon him and employ him. Sengru said: "Those without talent merely hold salary and seek favor. The Son of Heaven makes laws in order to bind those with talent. An Lushan and Zhu Ci exceeded others in talent and therefore threw the realm into disorder. The Emperor was struck by his words and stopped. He was granted gold and purple robes and made Vice Minister of Revenue and Director of the Chancellery.

始，韓弘入朝，其子公武用財賂權貴，杜塞言者。俄而弘、公武卒，孫弱不能事，帝遣使者至其家，悉收貲簿，校計出入。所以餉中朝臣者皆在，至僧孺，獨注其左曰：「某月日，送錢千萬，不納。」帝善之，謂左右曰：「吾不謬知人。」繇是遂以相。尋遷中書侍郎。

Initially, when Han Hong came to court, his son Gongwu used wealth to bribe the powerful and block those who spoke. Before long Hong and Gongwu died; the grandson was weak and could not manage affairs; the Emperor sent envoys to their house and collected all account books, checking income and outgo. Those who had been fed to court ministers were all recorded; for Sengru alone a note was made on the left: "On such-and-such month and day, ten million in cash was sent and not accepted. The Emperor approved and said to those around him: "I do not misjudge men. Thereupon he was made chancellor. Before long he was transferred to Vice Director of the Secretariat.

敬宗立，進封奇章郡公。是時政出近幸，僧孺數表去位，帝為于鄂州置武昌軍，授武昌節度使、同平章事。鄂城土惡亟圮，歲增築，賦蓑茅於民，吏倚為擾。僧孺陶甓以城，五年畢，鄂人無復歲費。又廢沔州以省冗官。

When Jingzong took the throne, he was advanced and enfeoffed as Duke of Qizhang Commandery. At the time government came from close favorites; Sengru repeatedly memorialized to leave office, and the Emperor established the Wuchang Army at Ezhou for him, appointing him military governor of Wuchang and Director of the Chancellery. The soil of Ezhou city was poor and the walls constantly collapsed; each year they were rebuilt and thatch was levied on the people, and officials relied on this as a source of harassment. Sengru fired bricks to build the walls; in five years it was complete, and the people of E no longer had annual expenses. He also abolished Mianzhou to reduce redundant officials.

文宗立，李宗閔當國，屢稱僧孺賢，不宜棄外。復以兵部尚書平章事。幽州亂，楊志誠逐李載義，帝不時召宰相問計，僧孺曰：「是不足為朝廷憂。夫范陽自安、史後，國家無所系休戚，前日劉總挈境歸國，荒財耗力且百萬，終不得范陽尺帛鬥粟入天府，俄復失之。今志誠繇向載義也，第付以節使扞奚、契丹，彼且自力，不足以逆順治也。」帝曰：「吾初不計此，公言是也。」因遣使慰撫之。進門下侍郎、弘文館大學士。

When Wenzong took the throne, Li Zongmin held power and repeatedly praised Sengru as worthy and unfit to be cast aside. He was again made Minister of War and Director of the Chancellery. When Youzhou fell into disorder, Yang Zhicheng drove out Li Zaiyi; the Emperor did not promptly summon the chancellors to ask their plan; Sengru said: "This is not enough to worry the court. Since An and Shi, Fanyang has had no tie of shared weal and woe with the state; earlier Liu Zong surrendered his territory to the state, wasting wealth and strength of nearly a million, yet in the end not a foot of cloth or a peck of grain from Fanyang entered the imperial treasury, and soon it was lost again. Now Zhicheng came from driving out Zaiyi; simply entrust him with the military commission to hold off the Xi and Khitan, and he will exert himself—this is not enough to overturn order whether by compliance or defiance. The Emperor said: "I did not calculate this at first; your words are right. Thereupon he sent envoys to comfort and reassure him. He was promoted to Vice Director of the Chancellery and Grand Academician of the Hongwen Institute.

是時，吐蕃請和，約弛兵，而大酋悉怛謀舉維州入之劍南，於是李德裕上言：「韋皋經略西山，至死恨不能致，今以生羌二千人燒十三橋，搗虜之虛，可以得志。」帝使君臣大議，請如德裕策。僧孺持不可，曰：「吐蕃綿地萬里，失一維州，無害其強。今脩好使者尚未至，遽反其言。且中國禦戎，守信為上，應敵次之。彼來責曰：'何故失信？ '贊普牧馬蔚茹川，若東襲隴阪，以騎綴回中，不三日抵咸陽橋，則京師戒嚴，雖得百維州何益！」帝然之，遂詔返降者。時皆謂僧孺挾素怨，橫議沮解之，帝亦以為不直。

At the time Tibet requested peace and agreed to relax troops, but the great chieftain Sidu Mou led Weizhou to surrender to Jiannan; thereupon Li Deyu submitted: "Wei Gao administered the western mountains and to his death regretted he could not take it; now with two thousand living Qiang he can burn the thirteen bridges and strike at the enemy's emptiness—success can be achieved. The Emperor had ministers debate at length and requested to follow Deyu's plan. Sengru held it impossible, saying: "Tibet's territory extends ten thousand li; losing one Weizhou does not harm its strength. The envoys seeking good relations have not yet arrived, yet we abruptly go back on our word. Moreover, in defending against barbarians China values keeping faith above all and responding to the enemy second. If they come to charge us, saying: 'Why break faith? The prince regent pastures horses at Weiruchuan; if he strikes east at Longban with cavalry trailing to Huizhong, in less than three days he reaches Xianyang Bridge, then the capital is put on alert—what good would a hundred Weizhous do! The Emperor approved and thereupon ordered the surrenderers returned. At the time all said Sengru harbored an old grudge and arbitrarily debated to obstruct and dissolve the plan; the Emperor also considered it unjust.

會中人王守澄引纖人竊議朝政，它日延英召見宰相曰：「公等有意于太平乎？何道以致之？」僧孺曰：「臣待罪宰相，不能康濟，然太平亦無象。今四夷不內擾，百姓安生業，私室無強家，上不壅蔽，下不怨讟，雖未及至盛，亦足為治矣。而更求太平，非臣所及。」退謂它宰相曰：「上責成如是，吾可久處此耶？」固請罷，乃檢校尚書左僕射平章事，為淮南節度副大使。天子既急於治，故李訓等投隙得售其妄，幾至亡國。

When the eunuch Wang Shoucheng introduced petty men who secretly discussed court affairs, on another day at Yanying he summoned the chancellors and said: "Do you gentlemen wish for great peace? By what Way can it be attained? Sengru said: "Your subject holds a chancellor's post yet cannot bring prosperity; yet great peace likewise has no fixed sign. Now the four barbarians do not disturb within, the common people secure their livelihoods, no powerful house in private quarters, the ruler is not blocked above and none complain below—though not yet reaching the utmost flourishing, it is enough for governance. To seek great peace beyond this is not within your subject's reach. Retiring he said to the other chancellors: "The ruler demands achievement like this—can I long remain in this post? He firmly requested dismissal and was made Honorary Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and Director of the Chancellery, serving as deputy military governor of Huainan. The Son of Heaven, eager for good governance, therefore Li Xun and others found an opening to sell their delusions and nearly brought the state to ruin.

開成初，表解劇鎮，以檢校司空為東都留守。僧孺治第洛之歸仁裏，多致嘉石美木，與賓客相娛樂。三年，召為尚書左僕射。僧孺入朝，會莊恪太子薨，既見，陳父子君臣人倫大經，以悟帝意，帝泫然流涕。以足疾不任謁，檢校司空、平章事，為山南東道節度使。賜彝樽、龍勺，詔曰；「精金古器以比況君子，卿宜少留。」僧孺固請，乃行。

At the beginning of Kaicheng he memorialized to be relieved of the arduous command and was made Honorary Grand Guardian as Eastern Capital Intendant. Sengru built a residence in Guiren Lane in Luoyang, gathering many fine stones and beautiful trees to enjoy himself with guests. In the third year he was summoned as Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. When Sengru entered court, Prince Zhuangke had just died; upon audience he set forth the great norms of the relations between father and son and ruler and minister to awaken the Emperor's mind, and the Emperor wept. Afflicted with foot ailment he could not perform audience and was made Honorary Grand Guardian and Director of the Chancellery, serving as military governor of Shannan East Circuit. He was granted ritual vessels and a dragon ladle; an edict said; "Refined metal and ancient vessels are used to compare with gentlemen—you should stay a while longer. Sengru firmly requested and then departed.

會昌元年，漢水溢，壞城郭，坐不謹防，下遷太子少保。進少師。明年，以太子太傅留守東都。劉稹誅，而石雄軍吏得從諫與僧孺、李宗閔交結狀。又河南少尹呂述言：「僧孺聞稹誅，恨歎之。」武宗怒，黜為太子少保，分司東都，累貶循州長史。宣宗立，徙衡、汝二州，還為太子少師。卒，贈太尉，年六十九。諡曰文簡。

In the first year of Huichang the Han River overflowed and destroyed walls and towns; for failure to guard carefully he was demoted to Junior Guardian to the Crown Prince. He was promoted to Junior Preceptor. The next year he was made Grand Preceptor to the Crown Prince and Eastern Capital Intendant. When Liu Zhen was executed, Shi Xiong's army officers obtained evidence of correspondence between Congjian and Sengru and Li Zongmin. Also Henan Assistant Intendant Lu Shu said: "When Sengru heard of Zhen's execution he sighed in regret. Wuzong grew angry and demoted him to Junior Guardian to the Crown Prince, branch office of the Eastern Capital, and repeatedly demoted him to Senior Administrator of Xunzhou. When Xuanzong took the throne he was transferred to Heng and Ru prefectures and returned as Junior Preceptor to the Crown Prince. He died and was posthumously enfeoffed as Grand Marshal at the age of sixty-nine. He was given the posthumous name Wenjian.

諸子蔚、叢最顯。子蔚蔚，字大章，少擢兩經，又第進士，繇監察御史為右補闕。大中初，屢條切政，宣宗喜曰：「牛氏果有子，差尉人意。」出金州刺史，遷累吏部郎中。失權幸意，貶國子博士，分司東都。復以吏部召，兼史館修撰。

Among his sons Wei and Cong were most prominent. His son Wei, styled Dazhang, passed both Classics examinations while young, also passed the jinshi, and from Investigating Censor became Right Remonstrance Officer. At the beginning of Dazhong he repeatedly set forth cutting policies; Xuanzong was pleased and said: "The Niu family indeed has a son—this somewhat eases one's mind. He was sent out as Prefect of Jinzhou and promoted through accumulated appointments to Director of the Board of Personnel. He lost the favor of the powerful and was demoted to Erudite of the Directorate of Education, branch office of the Eastern Capital. He was again summoned to the Board of Personnel and concurrently made Compiler of the Historiography Institute.

咸通中，進至戶部侍郎，襲奇章侯。坐累免，未一歲，復官。久之，檢校兵部尚書、山南西道節度使。治梁三年，徐州盜起，神策兩中尉諷諸籓悉財助軍，蔚索府帛三萬以獻，中人嫌其吝，用吳行魯代之。黃巢入京師，遁山南，故吏民喜蔚至，爭迎候。因請老，以尚書右僕射致仕，卒。子徽。蔚子微徽舉進士，累擢吏部員外郎。乾符中選濫，吏多奸，歲調四千員，徽治以剛明，柅杜幹請，法度復振。

In the Xiantong era he advanced to Vice Minister of Revenue and inherited the Marquisate of Qizhang. Implicated and dismissed, within a year he was restored to office. After a long time he was made Honorary Minister of War and military governor of Shannan West Circuit. Governing Liang for three years, when bandits rose at Xuzhou the two Army Supervising Eunuchs of the Shence Armies hinted that all military governors should contribute wealth to aid the army; Wei demanded thirty thousand bolts of cloth from the prefecture to present, and the eunuchs resented his stinginess and had Wu Xinglu replace him. When Huang Chao entered the capital Wei fled to Shannan; former officials and people were glad he had come and vied to welcome him. He then requested retirement, retired with the title Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and died. His son was Hui. Wei's son Hui passed the jinshi and was promoted through accumulated appointments to Vice Director of the Board of Personnel. In the Qianfu era selection was excessive and officials were mostly corrupt; forty thousand posts were adjusted annually; Hui governed with stern clarity, checked improper requests, and regulations were restored.

蔚避地于梁，道病，徽與子扶籃輿，曆閣路，盜擊其首，血流面，持輿不息。盜迫之，徽拜曰：「人皆有父，今親老而疾，幸無駭驚。」盜感之，乃止。及前穀，又逢盜，輒相語曰：「此孝子也！」共舉輿舍之家，進帛裹創，以饘飲奉蔚，留信宿去。抵梁，徽趨蜀謁行在，丐歸侍親疾。會拜諫議大夫，固辭，見宰相杜讓能曰：「上遷幸當從，親有疾當侍，而徽兄在朝廷，身乞還營醫藥。」時兄循已位給事中，許之。父喪，客梁、漢。終喪，以中書舍人召，辭疾，改給事中，留陳倉。

When Wei fled to Liang he fell ill on the road; Hui and his son carried the litter along mountain paths; bandits struck his head and blood flowed over his face, yet he did not stop carrying the litter. The bandits pressed him; Hui bowed and said: "All men have fathers; now my parent is old and ill—please do not frighten him. The bandits were moved and stopped. When they reached the previous valley they again met bandits, who said to one another: "This is a filial son! Together they lifted the litter and lodged them in a house, presented cloth to wrap the wound, and with gruel and drink served Wei, staying two nights before leaving. Reaching Liang, Hui hurried to Shu to attend the mobile court and begged to return to tend his parent's illness. When appointed Remonstrance Officer he firmly declined and said to Chancellor Du Rangneng: "When the ruler moves in flight one should follow; when a parent is ill one should attend—yet my elder brother is at court and I beg to return to prepare medicines. At the time his elder brother Xun already held the post of Supervising Censor and permission was granted. When his father died he stayed as a guest in Liang and Han. When mourning ended he was summoned as Drafting Secretary but declined on account of illness, changed to Supervising Censor, and remained at Chencang.

張濬伐太原，引為判官，敕在所敦遣。徽太息曰：「王室方復，廥藏殫耗，當協和諸侯以為籓屏，而又濟以兵，諸侯離心，必有後憂。」不肯起。濬果敗。復召為給事中。

When Zhang Jun campaigned against Taiyuan he was recruited as staff judge; an edict ordered the locality to escort him. Hui sighed deeply and said: "The royal house is just recovering and the treasury is exhausted; one should harmonize the feudal lords to serve as a screen, yet to aid this with troops will make the feudal lords turn away in heart—there will surely be trouble afterward. He refused to rise. Jun indeed failed. He was again summoned as Supervising Censor.

楊復恭叛山南，李茂貞請假招討節伐之，未報，而與王行瑜輒出兵。昭宗怒，持奏不下。茂貞亟請，帝召群臣議，無敢言。徽曰：「王室多難，茂貞誠有功。今復恭阻兵而討之，罪在不俟命爾。臣聞兩鎮兵多殺傷，不早有所制，則梁、漢之人盡矣。請假以節，明約束，則軍有所畏。」帝曰：「然。」乃以招討使授茂貞，果有功，然益偃蹇，帝使宰相杜讓能將兵誅討，徽諫曰：「岐，國西門。茂貞憑其眾而暴，若令萬分一不利，屈威重奈何？願徐制之。」不聽。師出，帝復召徽曰：「今伐茂貞，彼眾烏合，取必萬全，卿計何日有捷？」對曰：「臣職諫爭，所言者軍國大體，如索賊平之期，願陛下考蓍龜，責將帥，非臣職也。」既而師果敗，遂殺大臣，王室益弱。

When Yang Fugong rebelled in Shannan, Li Maozhen requested a commission as Pacification Commissioner to campaign against him; before a reply came he and Wang Xingyu rashly sent out troops. Zhaozong grew angry and withheld the memorial without acting. Maozhen urgently requested; the Emperor summoned ministers to debate and none dared speak. Hui said: "The royal house has many troubles; Maozhen truly has merit. Now Fugong blocks the army while we campaign against him—the crime lies in not awaiting orders. Your subject hears that the two circuits' soldiers have killed and wounded many; if control is not exerted early, the people of Liang and Han will be wiped out. I request that a commission be granted with clear constraints, so the army will have something to fear. The Emperor said: "So it shall be. Thereupon the Pacification Commissioner was granted to Maozhen, who indeed had merit, yet grew ever more arrogant; the Emperor had Chancellor Du Rangneng lead troops to suppress him; Hui remonstrated: "Qi is the western gate of the state. Maozhen relies on his multitude and is violent; if even one part in ten thousand goes badly, how can prestige and weight be bent? I wish he be controlled gradually. This was not heeded. When the army set out, the Emperor again summoned Hui and said: "Now in campaigning against Maozhen, his multitude is a mob gathered together—victory is sure to be complete; on what day do you calculate success? He replied: "Your subject's office is remonstrance; what I speak of is the great body of military and state affairs; as for fixing the date when bandits are pacified, I wish Your Majesty consult divination and hold generals accountable—that is not my office. Before long the army indeed failed, and great ministers were killed; the royal house grew weaker still.

俄由中書舍人為刑部侍郎，襲奇章男。崔胤忌徽之正，換左散常侍，徙太子賓客，以刑部尚書致仕，歸樊川。卒，贈吏部尚書。子叢叢，字表齡，第進士，由籓帥幕府任補闕，數言事。會宰相請廣諫員，宣宗曰：「諫臣惟能舉職為可，奚用眾耶？今張符、趙璘、牛叢使朕聞所未聞，三人足矣。」以司勳員外郎為睦州刺史，帝勞曰：「卿非得怨宰相乎？」對曰：「陛下比詔，不由刺史縣令，不任近臣，宰相以是擢臣，非嫌也。」即賜金紫，謝曰：「臣今衣刺史所假緋，即賜紫，為越等。」乃賜銀緋。

Before long he was made Vice Minister of Punishments from Drafting Secretary and inherited the title Lord Qizhang. Cui Yin resented Hui's uprightness, exchanged him for Left Regular Attendant, transferred him to Mentor to the Crown Prince, and he retired with the title Minister of Punishments and returned to Fanchuan. He died and was posthumously enfeoffed as Minister of Personnel. His son Cong, styled Biaoling, passed the jinshi, served in a military governor's staff as Remonstrance Officer, and repeatedly spoke on affairs. When the chancellor requested expanding remonstrance posts, Xuanzong said: "Remonstrance officials need only perform their duties—that is enough; why need many? Now Zhang Fu, Zhao Lin, and Niu Cong have let me hear what I had not heard—three men are enough. He was made Vice Director of the Board of Merit and Prefect of Muzhou; the Emperor comforted him: "Were you not nursing a grudge against the chancellor? He replied: "Your Majesty's recent edict was that without prefects and magistrates and close ministers, the chancellor therefore promoted your subject—it was not out of resentment. He was immediately granted gold and purple; he thanked the Emperor: "Your subject now wears the scarlet lent by the prefect yet is granted purple—this exceeds proper rank. He was therefore granted silver scarlet.

咸通末，拜劍南西川節度使。時蠻犯邊，抵大渡，進略黎、雅、叩邛崍關，謾書求入朝，且曰假道。叢囚其使四十人，釋二人還之，蠻懼，即引去。

At the end of Xiantong he was appointed military governor of Jiannan West Circuit. At the time the barbarians invaded the border, reaching the Great Crossing, advancing to plunder Li and Ya and knocking at Qionglai Pass; they sent a deceitful letter requesting entry to court and also asked for passage. Cong imprisoned forty of their envoys and released two to return; the barbarians feared this and withdrew.

僖宗幸蜀，授太常卿。以病求為巴州刺史，不許。還京，為吏部尚書。嗣襄王亂，叢客死太原。李宗閔李宗閔，字損之，鄭王元懿四世孫。擢進士，調華州參軍事。舉賢良方正，與牛僧孺詆切時政，觸宰相，李吉甫惡之，補洛陽尉。久流落不偶，去從籓府辟署。入授監察御史、禮部員外郎。裴度伐蔡，引為彰義觀察判官。蔡平，遷駕部郎中，知制誥。穆宗即位，進中書舍人。時䎖為華州刺史，父子同拜，世以為寵。

When Xizong fled to Shu he was appointed Minister of Ceremonies. He requested on account of illness to be Prefect of Bazhou but was not permitted. Returning to the capital he was made Minister of Personnel. In the disorder of the usurping Prince of Xiang he died as a guest at Taiyuan. Li Zongmin, styled Sunzhi, was a fourth-generation descendant of Prince Yuanyi of Zheng. He passed the jinshi and was appointed staff officer of Huazhou. He entered the Exemplary and Upright examination and, together with Niu Sengru, criticized current policy, offending the chancellor; Li Jifu hated them and they were appointed Luoyang Assistant Magistrate. Long adrift without success, he left to follow a military governor's recruitment. Entering service he was appointed Investigating Censor and Vice Director of the Board of Rites. When Pei Du campaigned against Cai he was recruited as staff judge of the Zhangyi Observation Mission. When Cai was pacified he was transferred to Director of the Board of Transport and put in charge of drafting edicts. When Muzong took the throne he was promoted to Drafting Secretary. At the time Tiao was Prefect of Huazhou; father and son were invested on the same day—the age considered it favor.

長慶初，錢徽典貢舉，宗閔托所親於徽，而李德裕、李紳、元稹在翰林，有寵於帝，共白徽納幹丐，取士不以實，宗閔坐貶劍州刺史。由是嫌忌顯結，樹黨相磨軋，凡四十年，搢紳之禍不能解。俄復為中書舍人，典貢舉，所取多知名士，若唐沖、薛庠、袁都等，世謂之「玉筍」。寶曆初，累進兵部侍郎，父喪解。太和中，以吏部侍郎同中書門下平章事。時德裕自浙西召，欲以相，而宗閔中助多，先得進，即引僧孺同秉政，相唱和，去異己者，德裕所善皆逐之。遷中書侍郎。

At the beginning of Changqing, Qian Hui ran the examination; Zongmin entrusted a close associate to Hui, while Li Deyu, Li Shen, and Yuan Zhen were in the Hanlin and favored by the Emperor; together they reported that Hui accepted bribes and took candidates not on merit; Zongmin was demoted to Prefect of Jianzhou. Thereupon mutual suspicion and resentment became openly knotted; factions were formed and ground one another down—for forty years the calamity of gentry officials could not be resolved. Before long he again became Drafting Secretary and ran the examination; those he selected were mostly famous scholars such as Tang Chong, Xue Xiang, and Yuan Du; the age called them the "Jade Shoots." At the beginning of Baoli he was promoted through accumulated appointments to Vice Minister of War and resigned on his father's death. In the Taihe era he was made Vice Minister of Personnel and Director of the Chancellery. At the time Deyu was recalled from Zhexi and wished to become chancellor, but Zongmin had many supporters within and advanced first; he then brought in Sengru to share power, singing in accord and removing those unlike themselves; those Deyu favored were all driven away. He was transferred to Vice Director of the Secretariat.

久之，德裕為相，與宗閔共當國。德裕入謝，文宗曰：「而知朝廷有朋黨乎？」德裕曰：「今中朝半為黨人，雖後來者，趨利而靡，往往陷之。陛下能用中立無私者，黨與破矣。」帝曰：「眾以楊虞卿、張元夫、蕭澣為黨魁。」德裕因請皆出為刺史，帝然之。即以虞卿為常州，元夫為汝州，蕭澣為鄭州。宗閔曰：「虞卿位給事中，州不容在元夫下。德裕居外久，其知黨人不如臣之詳。虞卿日見賓客於第，世號行中書，故臣未嘗與美官。」德裕質之曰：「給事中非美官雲何？」宗閔大沮，不得對。俄以同平章事為山南西道節度使。

After a long time Deyu became chancellor and shared power with Zongmin. When Deyu entered to give thanks, Wenzong said: "Do you know that the court has factions? Deyu said: "Now half of the central court are faction members; even those who come later, chasing profit and bending, often fall into them. If Your Majesty can employ the impartial and selfless, factions will be broken. The Emperor said: "The masses take Yang Yuqing, Zhang Yuanfu, and Xiao Han as faction chiefs. Deyu thereupon requested that all be sent out as prefects; the Emperor approved. Yuqing was immediately made Prefect of Changzhou, Yuanfu of Ruzhou, and Xiao Han of Zhengzhou. Zongmin said: "Yuqing holds the post of Supervising Censor—a prefecture cannot rank below Yuanfu. Deyu has long been outside and knows faction members less well than your subject. Yuqing daily receives guests at his residence—the age calls it the traveling Secretariat; therefore your subject has never given him a fine post. Deyu challenged him: "Supervising Censor is not a fine post—how so? Zongmin was greatly discouraged and could not reply. Before long he was sent out as Director of the Chancellery and military governor of Shannan West Circuit.

李訓、鄭注始用事，疾德裕，共訾短之。乃罷德裕，復召宗閔知政事，進封襄武縣侯，恣肆附托。會虞卿以京兆尹得罪，極言營解，帝怒叱曰：「爾嘗以鄭覃為妖氣，今自為妖耶？」即出為明州刺史，貶處州長史。訓、注乃劾：「宗閔異時陰結駙馬都尉沈𥫃、內人宋若憲、宦者韋元素、王踐言等求宰相，且言頃上有疾，密問術家呂華，迎考命曆，曰：'惡十二月。 '而踐言監軍劍南，受德裕賕，復與宗閔家私。」乃貶宗閔潮州司戶參軍事，𥫃逐柳州，元素等悉流嶺南，親信並斥。時訓、注欲以權市天下，凡不附己者，皆指以二人黨，逐去之。人人駭栗，連月雺晦。帝乃詔宗閔、德裕姻家門生故吏，自今一切不問，所以慰安中外。嘗歎曰：「去河北賊易，去此朋黨難！」

When Li Xun and Zheng Zhu first came to power they hated Deyu and together slandered him. Deyu was dismissed and Zongmin was again recalled to manage affairs, advanced and enfeoffed as Marquis of Xiangwu, and indulged in attaching dependents. When Yuqing was implicated as Jingzhao Intendant he spoke at length to defend him; the Emperor angrily rebuked him: "You once called Zheng Tan an evil influence—are you now an evil influence yourself? He was immediately sent out as Prefect of Mingzhou and demoted to Senior Administrator of Chuzhou. Xun and Zhu then impeached: "In former times Zongmin secretly allied with Chief Commandant of the Feathered Forest Guard Shen Su, palace woman Song Ruoxian, and eunuchs Wei Yuansu and Wang Jianyan to seek the chancellorship; moreover they said that recently the ruler had been ill and secretly questioned the diviner Lu Hua, who examined the calendar of fate and said: 'The twelfth month is ill-omened. And Jianyan supervised the army in Jiannan, accepted Deyu's bribe, and again had private dealings with Zongmin's family. Thereupon Zongmin was demoted to Army Staff Officer of Chaozhou, Su was exiled to Liuzhou, Yuansu and others were all banished to Lingnan, and close associates were all dismissed. At the time Xun and Zhu wished to trade power for the realm; whoever did not attach to them was accused as members of the two men's faction and driven away. Every man was terrified; for months the sky was murky and dark. The Emperor thereupon issued an edict that in-laws, students, and former officials of Zongmin and Deyu from now on would not be questioned at all, in order to comfort court and commoners. He once sighed and said: "Removing the Hebei rebels is easy; removing these factions is hard!"

開成初，幽州刺史元忠、河陽李載義累表論洗，乃徙為衢州司馬。楊嗣復輔政，與宗閔善，欲復用，而畏鄭覃，乃托宦人諷帝。帝因紫宸對覃曰：「朕念宗閔久斥，應授一官。」覃曰：「陛下徙令少近則可，若再用，臣請前免。」陳夷行曰：「宗閔之罪，不即死為幸。寶歷時，李續、張又新等號'八關十六子'，朋比險妄，朝廷幾危。」李玨曰：「此李逢吉罪。今續喪闋，不可不任以官。」夷行曰：「不然，舜逐四凶天下治，朝廷何惜數憸人，使亂紀綱？」嗣復曰：「事當適宜，不可以憎愛奪。」帝曰：「州刺史可乎？」覃請授洪州別駕。夷行曰：「宗閔始庇鄭注，階其禍，幾覆國。」嗣復曰：「陛下向欲官鄭注，而宗閔不奉詔，尚當記之。」覃質曰：「嗣復党宗閔者，彼其惡似李林甫。」嗣復曰：「覃言過矣。林甫妒賢忌功，夷滅十余族，宗閔固無之。始，宗閔與德裕俱得罪，德裕再徙鎮，而宗閔故在貶地。夫懲勸宜一，不可謂黨。」因折覃曰：「比殷侑為韓益求官，臣以其昔坐贓，不許。覃托臣勿論，是豈不為黨乎？」遂擢宗閔杭州刺史。遷太子賓客，分司東都。

At the beginning of Kaicheng, Prefect of Youzhou Yuan Zhong and Heyang's Li Zaiyi repeatedly memorialized to clear him, and he was transferred to Prefectural Militia Vice Commandant of Quzhou. Yang Sifu assisted in governance and was on good terms with Zongmin and wished to reuse him, but feared Zheng Tan and therefore had a eunuch hint to the Emperor. The Emperor therefore said to Tan at the Zichen audience: "I think of Zongmin's long banishment and should grant him an office. Tan said: "If Your Majesty transfers him to something nearer that will do; if he is again employed, your subject requests dismissal beforehand. Chen Yixing said: "Zongmin's crime— that he was not immediately put to death was his good fortune. In the Baoli era Li Xu, Zhang Youxin, and others were called the 'Eight Passes and Sixteen Sons'—they banded together in dangerous falsehood and the court nearly perished. Li Jue said: "This was Li Fengji's crime. Now Xu has finished mourning and cannot but be given an office. Yixing said: "Not so—when Shun drove out the four evil ones all under heaven was governed; why should the court spare several crafty men and let them disorder discipline? Sifu said: "Matters should suit what is fitting—love and hate must not decide. The Emperor said: "Prefect of a province will do? Tan requested appointment as Vice Prefect of Hongzhou. Yixing said: "Zongmin at first sheltered Zheng Zhu and shared in his calamity, nearly overturning the state. Sifu said: "Your Majesty formerly wished to appoint Zheng Zhu to office and Zongmin did not obey the edict—that should still be remembered. Tan challenged: "Sifu is a partisan of Zongmin; his evil resembles Li Linfu. Sifu said: "Tan's words go too far. Linfu was jealous of the worthy and hated merit, extinguishing more than ten clans—Zongmin certainly had nothing like that. At first Zongmin and Deyu were both punished; Deyu was again transferred to a command while Zongmin remained in banishment. Punishment and encouragement should be one—this cannot be called faction. He then refuted Tan: "Recently when Yin You sought an office for Han Yi, your subject because Yi had formerly been implicated in bribery did not permit it. Tan asked your subject not to discuss it—is that not also faction? Thereupon Zongmin was promoted to Prefect of Hangzhou. He was transferred to Mentor to the Crown Prince, branch office of the Eastern Capital.

既而覃、夷行去位，嗣復謀引宗閔復輔政，未及而文宗崩。會昌中，劉稹以澤潞叛，德裕建言宗閔素厚從諫，今上黨近東都，乃拜宗閔湖州刺史。稹敗，得交通狀，貶漳州長史，流封州。宣宗即位，徙柳州司馬，卒。

Before long Tan and Yixing left office; Sifu plotted to bring Zongmin back to assist in governance but before it happened Wenzong died. In the Huichang era, when Liu Zhen rebelled at Zelu, Deyu submitted that Zongmin had long been close to Congjian; now Shangdang was near the Eastern Capital, and Zongmin was appointed Prefect of Huzhou. When Zhen was defeated, evidence of correspondence was obtained; he was demoted to Senior Administrator of Zhangzhou and exiled to Fengzhou. When Xuanzong took the throne he was transferred to Prefectural Militia Vice Commandant of Liuzhou and died.

宗閔性機警，始有當世令名，既浸貴，喜權勢。初為裴度引拔，後度薦德裕可為相，宗閔遂與為怨。韓愈為作《南山》、《猛虎行》規之。而宗閔崇私黨，薰熾中外，卒以是敗。

Zongmin was alert by nature; at first he had a fine name in his age; once he gradually rose in rank he delighted in power. At first he was promoted by Pei Du; afterward Du recommended Deyu as fit for chancellor, and Zongmin thereupon became his enemy. Han Yu wrote "Mount South" and "Song of the Fierce Tiger" to admonish him. But Zongmin honored private factions, which blazed within and without, and ultimately failed on that account.

子琨、瓚，皆擢進士。令狐綯作相，而瓚以知制誥曆翰林學士。綯罷，亦為桂管觀察使。不善禦軍，為士卒所逐，貶死。

His sons Kun and Zan both passed the jinshi. When Linghu Tao became chancellor, Zan served as Drafting Secretary and successively as Hanlin Academician. When Tao was dismissed, Zan also became Guiguan Observation Commissioner. He was poor at controlling troops and was driven out by soldiers and demoted to death.

宗閔弟宗冉，其子湯，累官京兆尹，黃巢陷長安，殺之。楊嗣復楊嗣復，字繼之。父於陵，始見識於浙西觀察使韓滉，妻以其女。歸謂妻曰：「吾閱人多矣，後貴且壽無若生者，有子必位宰相。」既而生嗣復，滉撫其頂曰：「名與位皆逾其父，楊氏之慶也。」因字曰慶門。八歲知屬文，後擢進士、博學宏辭，與裴度、柳公綽皆為武元衡所知，表署劍南幕府。進右拾遺，直史館。尤善禮家學，改太常博士，再遷禮部員外郎。時於陵為戶部侍郎，嗣復避同省，換他官，有詔：「同司，親大功以上，非聯判句檢官長，皆勿避。官同職異，雖父子兄弟無嫌。」遷累中書舍人。

Zongmin's younger brother Zongran's son Tang held successive posts as Jingzhao Intendant; when Huang Chao took Chang'an he was killed. Yang Sifu, styled Jizhi. His father Yuling was first recognized by Zhexi Observation Commissioner Han Huang, who gave him his daughter in marriage. Returning he said to his wife: "I have seen many men; none later honored, long-lived, and prosperous like the one born—if he has a son he will surely reach chancellor. When Sifu was born, Huang stroked his crown and said: "His name and office both exceed his father's—the Yang family's good fortune. He was therefore styled Gate of Celebration. At eight he knew composition; later he passed the jinshi and Broad Learning and Eloquent Prose examinations; together with Pei Du and Liu Gongchuo he was known to Wu Yuanheng and was recruited to the Jiannan staff. He was promoted to Right Reminder and served in the Historiography Institute. He was especially versed in ritualist learning, changed to Erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and was twice transferred to Vice Director of the Board of Rites. At the time Yuling was Vice Minister of Revenue; Sifu avoided serving in the same ministry and exchanged for another office; an edict said: "In the same ministry, for relatives within great mourning or closer, unless jointly judging or inspecting or serving as section chief, all need not avoid. Offices the same but duties different—even father and son and brothers have no cause for suspicion. He was transferred through accumulated appointments to Drafting Secretary.

嗣復與牛僧孺、李宗閔雅相善，二人輔政，引之，然不欲越父當國，故權知禮部侍郎。凡二期，得士六十八人，多顯官。文宗嗣位，進戶部侍郎。於陵老，求侍不許。喪除，擢尚書左丞。太和中，宗閔罷，嗣復出為劍南東川節度使。宗閔復相，徙西川。

Sifu was on excellent terms with Niu Sengru and Li Zongmin; when the two assisted in governance they brought him in, yet did not wish to surpass his father in holding power, and therefore he was temporarily put in charge as Vice Minister of Rites. For two terms in all he obtained sixty-eight scholars, many of whom became prominent officials. When Wenzong succeeded to the throne he was promoted to Vice Minister of Revenue. Yuling was old and requested attendance but was not permitted. When mourning ended he was promoted to Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. In the Taihe era, when Zongmin was dismissed, Sifu went out as military governor of Jiannan East Circuit. When Zongmin again became chancellor he was transferred to West Sichuan.

開成初，以戶部侍郎召，領諸道鹽鐵轉運使。俄與李玨並拜同中書門下平章事，弘農縣伯，仍領鹽鐵。後紫宸奏事，嗣復為帝言：「陸洿屏居民間，而上書論兵，可勸以官。」玨趣和曰：「土多趨競，能獎洿，貪夫廉矣。比竇洵直以論事見賞，天下釋然，況官洿耶！」帝曰：「朕賞洵直，褒其心爾。」鄭覃不平曰：「彼苞藏固未易知。」嗣復曰：「洵直無邪，臣知之。」覃曰：「陛下當察朋黨。」嗣復曰：「覃疑臣黨，臣應免。」即再拜祈罷。玨見言切，繆曰：「朋黨固少弭。」覃曰：「附離復生。」帝曰：「向所謂黨與，不已盡乎？」覃曰：「楊漢公、張又新、李續故在。」玨乃陳邊事，欲絕其語。覃曰：「論邊事安危，臣不如玨；嫉朋比，玨不如臣。」嗣復曰：「臣聞左右佩劍，彼此相笑，未知覃果謂誰為朋黨邪？」因當香案頓首曰：「臣位宰相，不能進賢退不肖，以朋黨獲譏，非所以重朝廷。」固乞罷，帝方委以政，故尉安之。

At the beginning of Kaicheng he was summoned as Vice Minister of Revenue and put in charge of the Salt and Iron Transport of all circuits. Before long he and Li Jue were together invested as Directors of the Chancellery, Baron of Hongnong County, still overseeing salt and iron. Later at Zichen when presenting affairs, Sifu said to the Emperor: "Lu Ze lives hidden among the people yet memorializes on military affairs—he can be encouraged with an office. Jue hastened to agree: "Gentry mostly rush for advancement; if Ze can be rewarded, the greedy will become honest. Recently Dou Xunzhi was rewarded for speaking on affairs and all under heaven were relieved—how much more if Ze were given an office! The Emperor said: "I rewarded Xunzhi to praise his heart. Tan was displeased and said: "What he harbors is certainly not easy to know. Sifu said: "Xunzhi is without evil—I know him. Tan said: "Your Majesty should examine factions. Sifu said: "Tan suspects your subject of faction—your subject should be dismissed. He bowed again and begged to resign. Jue, seeing the words were sharp, falsely said: "Factions are indeed somewhat stilled. Tan said: "Those who attach themselves will spring up again. The Emperor said: "Have not the so-called factions already been exhausted? Tan said: "Yang Hangong, Zhang Youxin, and Li Xu are still there. Jue then set forth frontier affairs, wishing to cut off the discussion. Tan said: "In discussing whether frontier affairs are safe or perilous, your subject is not Jue's equal; in hating factional attachment, Jue is not your subject's equal. Sifu said: "Your subject has heard that those at left and right wear swords and laugh at one another—I do not know whom Tan considers faction members. He then kowtowed at the incense table and said: "Your subject holds the post of chancellor yet cannot advance the worthy and retire the unfit, and is reviled for faction—this is not how to weight the court. He firmly begged to resign; the Emperor was then entrusting him with affairs and therefore comforted him.

它日，帝問：「符讖可信乎？何從而生？」嗣復曰：「漢光武以讖決事，隋文帝亦喜之，故其書蔓天下。班彪《王命論》有所引述，特以止賊亂，非重之也。」玨曰：「治亂宜直推人事耳。」帝曰：「然。」又問：「天后時有起布衣為宰相者，果可用乎？」嗣復曰：「天后重用刑，輕用官，自為之計耳。必責能否，要待曆試乃可。」

On another day the Emperor asked: "Are omens and prophecies trustworthy? Whence do they arise? Sifu said: "Emperor Guangwu of Han decided affairs by omens; Emperor Wen of Sui also delighted in them; therefore their books spread throughout the realm. Ban Biao's "Discourse on the Mandate of Kingship" cites them, but only to stop bandit disorder—not to weight them. Jue said: "Order and disorder should be judged straightforwardly by human affairs. The Emperor said: "So it is. He again asked: "In Empress Wu's time commoners were raised to chancellor—can they truly be employed? Sifu said: "Empress Wu heavily used punishments and lightly used offices—that was calculation for herself. If ability and inability must be demanded, one must wait until trial through experience."

是時延英訪對，史官不及知。嗣復建言：「故事，正衙，起居注在前；便坐，無所紀錄。姚璹、趙憬皆請置時政記，不能行。臣請延英對宰相語關道德刑政者，委中書門下直日紀錄，月付史官。」它宰相議不同，止。久之，帝又問：「延英政事，孰當記之？」玨監修國史，對曰：「臣之職也。」陳夷行曰：「宰相所錄，恐掩蔽聖德，自盜美名。臣向言不欲威權在下者，此也。」玨曰：「夷行疑宰相賣威權，貨刑賞。不然，何自居位而為此言邪？臣得罷為幸。」覃曰：「陛下開成初政甚善，三年後，日不逮前。」嗣復曰：「開成初，覃、夷行當國，三年後，臣與李玨同進。臣不能悉心奉職，使政事日不逮前，臣之罪也。縱陛下不忍加誅，當自殄滅。」即叩頭請從此辭，不敢更至中書，乃趨出。帝使使者召還，曰：「覃言失，何及此邪？」覃起謝曰：「臣愚不知忌諱，近事雖善，猶未盡公。臣非專斥嗣復，而遽求去，乃不使臣言耳。」嗣復曰：「陛下月費俸稟數十萬，時新異賜必先及，將責臣輔聖功，求至治也。使不及初，豈臣當死，累陛下之德，奈何？惟陛下別求賢以自輔。」帝曰：「覃偶及之，奚執咎？」嗣復闔門不肯起，帝乃免覃、夷行相，而嗣復專天下事。

At the time at Yanying question-and-answer the historiographers did not reach in time to know. Sifu submitted: "By precedent, at the main court the Daily Record precedes; at informal seating nothing is recorded. Yao Shuai and Zhao Jing both requested establishing a record of current policy but could not carry it out. Your subject requests that at Yanying, when chancellors speak on matters relating to virtue, punishments, and government, the Secretariat and Chancellery duty officer of the day be ordered to record them and monthly deliver them to the historiographers. The other chancellors debated differently and it stopped. After a long time the Emperor again asked: "Who should record Yanying affairs? Jue, supervising compilation of the national history, replied: "That is your subject's duty. Yixing said: "What chancellors record may cover the sage's virtue and steal fine reputation for themselves. Your subject spoke earlier of not wishing authority below—this is it. Jue said: "Yixing suspects chancellors of selling authority and trading punishments and rewards. If not, why hold office yet speak thus? Your subject would be fortunate to be dismissed. Tan said: "Your Majesty's governance at the beginning of Kaicheng was very good; after three years each day did not match the former. Sifu said: "At the beginning of Kaicheng Tan and Yixing held power; after three years your subject and Li Jue advanced together. Your subject cannot wholeheartedly perform his duty and make governance each day fall short of the former—that is your subject's crime. Even if Your Majesty cannot bear to add execution, your subject should destroy himself. He kowtowed and requested from this to resign and dared not again reach the Secretariat; he then hurried out. The Emperor sent an envoy to summon him back and said: "Tan's words were wrong—why go this far? Tan rose and apologized: "Your subject was foolish and did not know taboo; though recent affairs were good, they still did not fully serve the public. Your subject did not specially reject Sifu; he abruptly sought to leave—that is not letting your subject speak. Sifu said: "Your Majesty monthly spends several hundred thousand in salary and stipends; timely new and special grants always reach your subject first—the intent is to charge your subject to assist the sage's achievement and seek utmost governance. If it does not match the beginning, is your subject fit to die and burden Your Majesty's virtue—how can this be? I only wish Your Majesty separately seek the worthy to assist yourself. The Emperor said: "Tan touched on it by chance—why hold a grudge? Sifu closed his gate and refused to rise; the Emperor then dismissed Tan and Yixing from the chancellorship, and Sifu alone managed affairs under heaven.

進門下侍郎。建言：「使府官屬多，宜省。」帝曰：「無反滯才乎？」對曰：「才者自異，汰去粃滓者，菁華乃出。」帝曰：「昔蕭復乘政，難言者必言，卿其志之！」

He was promoted to Vice Director of the Chancellery. He submitted: "Staff of commissioner offices are many and should be reduced. The Emperor said: "Will no talented men be blocked? He replied: "The talented are naturally distinct; sift out the chaff and the essence emerges. The Emperor said: "In former times when Xiao Fu held power, whatever was hard to speak he spoke—take that as your aim!"

未幾，帝崩，中尉仇士良廢遺詔，立武宗。帝之立，非宰相意，故內薄執政臣，不加禮，自用李德裕而罷嗣復為吏部尚書，出為湖南觀察使。會誅薛季棱、劉弘逸，中人多言嘗附嗣復、玨，不利於陛下。帝剛急，即詔中使分道誅嗣復等，德裕與崔鄆、崔珙等詣延英言：「故事，大臣非惡狀明白，未有誅死者。昔太宗、玄宗、德宗三帝，皆嘗用重刑，後無不悔，願徐思其宜，使天下知盛德有所容，不欲人以為冤。」帝曰：「朕纘嗣之際，宰相何嘗比數！且玨等各有附會，若玨、季棱屬陳王，猶是先帝意。如嗣復、弘逸屬安王，乃內為楊妃謀。且其所紿書曰：'姑何不斅天后？ '」德裕曰：「飛語難辨。」帝曰：「妃昔有疾，先帝許其弟入侍，得通其謀。禁中證左尤具，我不欲暴於外。使安王立，肯容我耶？」言畢戚然，乃曰：「為卿赦之！」因追使者還，貶嗣復潮州刺史。

Before long the Emperor died; Army Supervising Eunuch Qiu Shiliang set aside the testamentary edict and installed Wuzong. The Emperor's installation was not the chancellors' intent; therefore within he looked coldly on the governing ministers, did not add courtesy, himself employed Li Deyu, and dismissed Sifu as Minister of Personnel, sending him out as Hunan Observation Commissioner. When Xue Jiling and Liu Hongyi were executed, many within said they had once attached to Sifu and Jue to the Emperor's disadvantage. The Emperor was harsh and impatient; he immediately issued an edict inner envoys to execute Sifu and others by separate routes; Deyu together with Cui Ye, Cui Gong, and others went to Yanying and said: "By precedent, great ministers are not executed unless evil is clearly established. Formerly Emperors Taizong, Xuanzong, and Dezong all once used heavy punishments and afterward none failed to regret it; I wish it be pondered slowly for fitness, so all under heaven know that great virtue has room and does not wish men to think it injustice. The Emperor said: "At the time I succeeded, when did the chancellors ever count for comparison! Moreover Jue and others each had attachments; if Jue and Jiling belonged to Prince Chen, that was still the Former Emperor's intent. But Sifu and Hongyi belonged to Prince An—that was scheming within for Consort Yang. Moreover the deceitful letter said: 'Why does the aunt not emulate Empress Wu? Deyu said: "Flying rumors are hard to distinguish. The Emperor said: "The consort was once ill; the Former Emperor permitted her brother to enter attendance and he could communicate their plot. Evidence within the palace is especially complete—I do not wish to expose it outside. If Prince An were established, would he have tolerated me? When he finished he was sorrowful and said: "For your sake I pardon them! He thereupon recalled the envoys and demoted Sifu to Prefect of Chaozhou.

宣宗立，起為江州刺史。以吏部尚書召，道岳州卒，年六十六，贈尚書左僕射，諡曰孝穆。

When Xuanzong took the throne he was raised to Prefect of Jiangzhou. Summoned as Minister of Personnel, he died on the road at Yuezhou at age sixty-six and was posthumously enfeoffed as Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs with the posthumous name Xiaomu.

嗣復領貢舉時，於陵自洛入朝，乃率門生出迎，置酒第中，於陵坐堂上，嗣復與諸生坐兩序。始於陵在考功，擢浙東觀察使李師稷及第，時亦在焉。人謂楊氏上下門生，世以為美。

When Sifu ran the examination, Yuling entered court from Luoyang and led his students out to welcome him, setting wine in his residence; Yuling sat in the hall and Sifu and the students sat in the two wings. At first when Yuling was in the Board of Merit he selected Zhedong Observation Commissioner Li Shiji on the degree list, and at the time he too was present. People called them teacher and students of the Yang house above and below—the age considered it beautiful.

嗣復五子，其顯者：授、損。子授授，字得符，于昆弟最賢。由進士第遷累戶部侍郎，以母病求為秘書監。後以刑部尚書從昭宗幸華，徙太子少保，卒，贈尚書左僕射。子煚子煚，字公隱，累擢左拾遺。昭宗初立，數遊宴，上疏極諫。曆戶部員外郎。崔胤招硃全忠入京師，煚挈族客湖南。終諫議大夫。子損損，字子默，繇廕補藍田尉，至殿中侍御史。家新昌裏，與路岩第接。岩方為相，欲易其廄以廣第。損族仕者十餘人，議曰：「家世盛衰，系權者喜怒，不可拒。」損曰：「今尺寸土皆先人舊貲，非吾等所有，安可奉權臣邪？窮達，命也！」卒不與。岩不悅，使損按獄黔中，逾年還。三遷絳州刺史。岩罷去，召為給事，遷京兆尹。與宰相盧攜雅不葉，復除給事中。陝虢軍亂，逐觀察使崔蕘，命損代之，至則盡誅有罪者。拜平盧節度使，徙天平，未赴復留，卒官下。

Sifu had five sons; the prominent ones were Shou and Sun. His son Shou, styled Defu, was the most worthy among his brothers. Passing the jinshi he was transferred through accumulated appointments to Vice Minister of Revenue and requested to be Director of the Secretariat on account of his mother's illness. Later he followed Zhaozong to Hua, was transferred to Junior Guardian to the Crown Prince, and died; he was posthumously enfeoffed as Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. His son Jiong, styled Gongyin, was promoted through accumulated appointments to Left Reminder. When Zhaozong first took the throne he frequently toured and feasted; Jiong submitted a memorial remonstrating sharply. He successively served as Vice Director of the Board of Revenue. When Cui Yin recruited Zhu Quanzhong into the capital, Jiong took his clan as guest to Hunan. He ended as Remonstrance Officer. His son Sun, styled Zimo, entered office by yin privilege as Lantian Assistant Magistrate and reached Palace Censor. The family lived in Xinchang Lane, adjoining the residence of Lu Yan. Yan was then chancellor and wished to exchange their stable to enlarge his residence. More than ten clansmen held office; they debated: "A family's rise and fall hangs on the mood of the powerful—this cannot be refused. Sun said: "Every inch of soil now is ancestral property from former generations—it is not ours to give; how can we serve a powerful minister? Poverty and success are fate! In the end he did not yield. Yan was displeased and had Sun investigate cases in Qianzhong; after more than a year he returned. Three times transferred he became Prefect of Jiangzhou. When Yan was dismissed he was summoned as Supervising Censor and promoted to Jingzhao Intendant. He was on poor terms with Chancellor Lu Xie and was again made Supervising Censor. When the Shaan-Guo army rebelled and drove out Observation Commissioner Cui Rao, Sun was ordered to replace him; upon arrival he executed all who were guilty. He was appointed military governor of Pinglu, transferred to Tianping, did not go but was retained again, and died in office.

贊曰：夫口道先王語，行如市人，其名曰「盜儒」。僧孺、宗閔以方正敢言進，既當國，反奮私昵黨，排擊所憎，是時權震天下，人指曰「牛李」，非盜謂何？逢吉險邪，稹浮躁，嗣復辯給，固無足言。幸主孱昏，不底於戮，治世之罪人歟！

The commentator says: One who mouths the words of former kings yet acts like a market man—his name is "Robber Scholar." Sengru and Zongmin rose through upright and blunt speech; once they held power they instead roused private factions and struck down those they hated; at the time their authority shook all under heaven and men pointed and said "Niu and Li"—if not robbers, what else could they be called? Fengji was treacherous and wicked, Zhen was restless and shallow, and Sifu was glib—indeed scarcely worth mentioning. Fortunate that their rulers were weak and dull—they did not end in execution; are they not criminals in an age of good governance!

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