1
錢崔二韋二高馮三李盧封鄭敬
Qian, Cui, two men named Wei, two named Gao, Feng, three named Li, Lu, Feng, Zheng, and Jing
2
錢徽，字蔚章。 父起，附見《盧綸傳》。 徽中進士第，居谷城。 谷城令王郢善接僑士遊客，以財貸饋，坐是得罪。 觀察使樊澤視其簿，獨徽無有，乃表署掌書記。 蔡賊方熾，澤多募武士於軍。 澤卒，士頗希賞，周澈主留事，重擅發軍廥，不敢給。 時大雨雪，士寒凍，徽先冬頒衣絮，士乃大悅。 又辟宣歙崔衍府。 王師討蔡，檄遣采石兵會戰，戍還，頗驕蹇。 會衍病亟，徽請召池州刺史李遜署副使，遜至而衍死，一軍賴以安。
Qian Hui, whose courtesy name was Weizhang. His father Qi is discussed in the biography of Lu Lun. Hui passed the jinshi examination and settled in Gucheng. Wang Ying, the magistrate of Gucheng, had a habit of hosting exiled scholars and itinerant guests, lending them money and gifts — an offense for which he was prosecuted. When the observation commissioner Fan Ze examined the case records, he found that only Qian Hui was uninvolved, and therefore recommended him as recording secretary. With the Cai rebels at the height of their power, Fan Ze recruited many fighting men into his forces. After Fan Ze died, the troops eagerly awaited rewards, but Zhou Che, who was left in charge, had repeatedly opened the army granaries without authorization and now dared not issue supplies. Heavy snow and bitter cold afflicted the troops; Hui had preemptively distributed winter clothing and padding the season before, and the men were overjoyed. He was next invited to serve on the staff of Cui Yan, military governor of Xuan and She. When the imperial forces marched against Cai, an order sent the Chishi garrison to join the campaign; on their return the men were insolent and unruly. When Cui Yan fell gravely ill, Hui urged that Li Xun, prefect of Chi Prefecture, be appointed deputy commissioner; Li Xun arrived just as Yan died, and the army was spared chaos.
3
入拜左補闕，以祠部員外郎為翰林學士，三遷中書舍人，加承旨。 憲宗嘗獨召徽，從容言它學士皆高選，宜預聞機密，廣參決，帝稱其長者。 是時，內積財，圖復河湟，然禁無名貢獻，而至者不甚卻。 徽懇諫罷之。 帝密戒後有獻毋入右銀臺門，以避學士。 梁守謙為院使，見徽批監軍表語簡約，嘆曰：「一字不可益邪！」 銜之。 以論淮西事忤旨，罷職，徙太子右庶子，出虢州刺史。
He entered the capital as Left Remonstrator, served as Hanlin academician while holding the post of Director of Rites in the Secretariat, was promoted three times to Secretariat Drafter, and was made Chief Academician. Emperor Xianzong once received Hui in private audience and remarked, at his ease, that the other academicians were all men of exceptional selection and ought to be brought into confidential counsel and given a wider role in policy; the emperor praised him as a man of seasoned judgment. At that time the court had built up its treasury and planned to recover the Hexi region, and although unsolicited gifts were officially banned, those who brought them were seldom turned away. Hui earnestly urged the emperor to put an end to the practice. The emperor secretly ordered that henceforth tribute bearers should not enter by the Right Silver Terrace Gate, so as to keep clear of the Hanlin scholars. Liang Shouqian, commissioner of the Hanlin Academy, read Hui's endorsement on a memorial concerning army supervision — spare and exact — and exclaimed, "Not a single word could be added, could it?" He bore a grudge against him from that day. After his counsel on the Huaixi campaign ran counter to the emperor's wishes, he was dismissed from his post, made Right Vice-Gentleman of the Heir Apparent, and sent out as prefect of Guo Prefecture.
4
入拜禮部侍郎。 宰相段文昌以所善楊渾之、學士李紳以周漢賓並諉徽求致第籍。 渾之者憑子也，多納古帖秘畫於文昌，皆世所寶。 徽不能如二人請，自取楊殷士、蘇巢。 巢者李宗閔婿，殷士者汝士之弟，皆與徽厚。 文昌怒，方帥劍南西川，入辭，即奏徽取士以私。 訪紳及元稹，時稹與宗閔有隙，因是共擠其非。 有詔王起、白居易覆試，而黜者過半，遂貶江州刺史。 汝士等勸徽出文昌、紳私書自直，徽曰：「茍無愧於心，安事辨證邪？」 敕子弟焚書。
He was recalled to the capital and appointed Vice Minister of Rites. Chief Minister Duan Wenchang pressed him on behalf of his protégé Yang Hunzhi, and Hanlin academician Li Shen did the same for Zhou Hanbin, each asking that his man be passed. Hunzhi was the son of Feng and had lavished on Wenchang many ancient calligraphic scrolls and rare paintings, all objects prized throughout the realm. Hui could not grant what the two men asked and instead passed Yang Yinshi and Su Chao on his own authority. Chao was Li Zongmin's son-in-law and Yinshi was the younger brother of Ru Shi; both were intimate friends of Hui. Wenchang, furious, was at that time military governor of Jiannan West; when he came to court to take leave of the throne he immediately accused Hui of selecting candidates for private reasons. He consulted Li Shen and Yuan Zhen; Zhen and Zongmin were then estranged, and the two men joined in denouncing Hui. An edict ordered Wang Qi and Bai Juyi to re-examine the candidates; more than half were failed, and Hui was demoted to prefect of Jiang Prefecture. Ru Shi and others urged Hui to publish Wenchang's and Shen's private letters in his own defense; Hui replied, "If my conscience is clear, what need is there to argue the point?" He ordered his sons and nephews to burn the letters.
5
初，州有盜劫貢船，捕吏取濱江惡少年二百人系訊，徽按其枉，悉縱去。 數日，舒州得真盜。 州有牛田錢百萬，刺史以給宴飲贈餉者，徽曰：「此農耕之備，可他用哉！」 命代貧民租入。 轉湖州。 時宣、歙旱，左丞孔戣請徙徽領宣歙，宰相以其本文辭進，不用。 戣曰：「相君宜知天下事，徽江、虢之治不及知，況其它邪？」 還，遷工部侍郎，出為華州刺史。
Earlier, bandits in his prefecture had robbed a tribute vessel; the arresting officers had seized two hundred youths from along the river on suspicion. Hui found the charges baseless and released them all. Within days the real culprits were captured in Shu Prefecture. The prefecture held a million cash in ox-field funds that previous prefects had spent on feasts and gifts; Hui declared, "These funds are meant for agriculture — how can they be diverted to other uses?" He applied them to pay the land tax for impoverished farmers. He was transferred to Huzhou. When Xuan and She were stricken by drought, Left Vice Director Kong Kan urged that Hui be transferred to govern those circuits; the chief ministers cited his literary writings in support but the proposal was not adopted. Kong Kan retorted, "You chief ministers ought to know what is happening in the realm; you are unaware even of how Hui governed Jiang and Guo — what else do you fail to see?" He was recalled, promoted to Vice Minister of Works, and sent out as prefect of Hua Prefecture.
6
文宗立，召拜尚書左丞。 會宣墨麻，群臣在廷，方大寒，稍稍引避，徽素恭謹，不去位，久而仆。 因上疏告老，不許。 太和初，復為華州。 俄以吏部尚書致仕。 卒，年七十五，贈尚書右僕射。
When Emperor Wenzong came to the throne, Hui was recalled and appointed Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. During the proclamation of an imperial rescript the ministers stood in court in bitter cold; one by one they withdrew. Hui, ever dutiful and careful, held his place until he finally collapsed. He then submitted a memorial asking to retire on grounds of age, but the request was denied. Early in the Taihe reign he returned to Hua Prefecture. Before long he retired from office as Minister of Personnel. He died at the age of seventy-five and was posthumously honored as Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.
7
徽與薛正倫、魏弘簡善，二人前死，徽撫其孤至婚嫁成立。 任庶子時，韓公武以賂結公卿，遺徽錢二十萬，不納。 或言非當路可無讓，徽曰：「取之在義不在官。」 時稱有公望。
Hui had been close to Xue Zhenglun and Wei Hongjian; after both men died he raised their orphaned children until each was married and established in life. While serving as Vice-Gentleman of the Heir Apparent, Han Gongwu tried to buy influence among the high ministers and sent Hui two hundred thousand cash; Hui refused the gift. When someone remarked that a man not in high office need not be so scrupulous, Hui replied, "What may be accepted depends on principle, not on rank." Men of the day said he bore the marks of a statesman.
8
子可復、方義。 可復死鄭註時。 方義終太子賓客。 子珝，字瑞文，善文辭，宰相王摶薦知制誥，進中書舍人。 搏得罪，珝貶撫州司馬。
His sons were Kefu and Fangyi. Kefu died during the Zheng Zhu affair. Fangyi ended his career as Guest of the Heir Apparent. His son Xu, courtesy name Ruiwen, was gifted in letters; Chief Minister Wang Tuan recommended him as drafter of edicts, and he rose to Secretariat Drafter. When Tuan fell from power, Xu was demoted to military adjutant of Fuzhou.
9
崔鹹，字重易，博州博平人。 元和初，擢進士第，又中宏辭。 鄭餘慶、李夷簡皆表在幕府，與均禮。 入朝為侍御史，處正特立，風采動一時。 敬宗將幸東都，裴度在興元憂之，自表求覲，與章偕來。 於是李逢吉當國，畏度復相，使京兆尹劉棲楚等十餘人悉力拫卻之，雖度門下賓客，皆有去就意。 它日，度置酒延客，棲楚曲意自解，附耳語。 鹹嫉其矯，舉酒讓度曰：「丞相乃許所由官囁嚅耳語，願上罰爵。」 度笑受而飲。 棲楚不自安，趨出，坐上莫不壯之。 累遷陜虢觀察使，日與賓客僚屬痛飲，未嘗醒； 夜分輒決事，裁剖精明，無一毫差，吏稱為神。 入拜右散騎常侍、秘書監。 太和八年卒。
Cui Xian, whose courtesy name was Chongyi, was a native of Boping in Bozhou. Early in the Yuanhe reign he passed the jinshi examination and also won the hongci literary competition. Zheng Yuqing and Li Yijian both invited him onto their staffs and treated him with equal respect. He entered the capital as Attending Censor; upright and unyielding in principle, his bearing made a mark on his generation. When Emperor Jingzong planned a visit to the Eastern Capital, Pei Du, stationed at Xingyuan, was alarmed and memorialized on his own requesting an audience at court, arriving together with Zhang. Li Fengji was then in control of the government and, fearing that Pei Du might return as chief minister, set more than a dozen men led by the metropolitan prefect Liu Qichu to work blocking him at every turn; even among the guests at Pei Du's door some began to think of leaving. On another occasion Pei Du gave a banquet for his guests; Liu Qichu tried to ingratiate himself and whispered in his ear. Cui Xian, disgusted by the display, raised his cup and rebuked Pei Du: "The chief minister allows a petty official to whisper in his ear — I ask that you drain a penalty cup." Pei Du smiled, accepted the rebuke, and drank. Liu Qichu, mortified, hurried from the hall; everyone present admired Cui Xian's boldness. He rose to observation commissioner of Shan and Guo, where he drank heavily every day with guests and staff and was never sober; yet at midnight he would settle official business with keen and exact judgment, never erring by a hair, and his clerks called him uncanny. He was recalled to court as Right Regular Attendant and Director of the Palace Library. He died in the eighth year of the Taihe reign.
10
鹹素有高世誌，造詣嶄遠。 間遊終南山，乘月吟嘯，至感慨泣下。 諸文中歌詩最善。
Xian had long cherished ambitions that rose above his age; his learning was profound and far-reaching. He would wander Zhongnan Mountain, chanting and calling under the moon until he was moved to tears. Of all his writings, his songs and poems were finest.
11
韋表微，字子明，隋郿城公元禮七世孫。 羈能屬文。 母訓諭稍厲，輒不敢食，以是未嘗讓責。
Wei Biaowei, whose courtesy name was Ziming, was a seventh-generation descendant of Yuan Li, Duke of Meicheng of the Sui. Even as a child he could compose prose. Whenever his mother's admonitions grew stern he would refuse his meal at once, and for that reason she never needed to chide him.
12
韋臯鎮西川，王緯、司空曙、獨孤良弼、裴涚居幕府，皆厚相推挹。 涚嘗謂表微似衛玠，自以不能及也。 擢進士第，數辟諸使府。 久之，入授監察御史裏行，不樂，曰：「爵祿譬滋味也，人皆欲之。 吾年五十，拭鏡扌翦白，冒遊少年間，取一班一級，不見其味也。 將為松菊主人，不愧陶淵明」雲。 俄為翰林學士。 是時，李紳忤宰相，貶端州，龐嚴、蔣防皆謫去，學士缺，人人爭薦丞相所善者，表微獨薦韋處厚，人服其公。 進知制誥。 後與處厚議增選學士，復薦路隋。 處厚以諸父事表微，因曰：「隋位崇，入且翁右，奈何？」 答曰：「選德進賢，初不計私也。」 久之，遷中書舍人。 敬宗嘗語左右，欲相二韋，會崩。 文宗立，獨相處厚，進表微戶部侍郎。 丌誌沼叛，詔李聽率師討之，次河上。 天子憂無成功，表微曰：「以聽軍勢，不十五日必破賊。」 及捷書上，止浹日。 誌沼殘兵六千奔昭義，宰相請推處首惡者誅之，歸脅從者於魏。 表微上言：「逆子降，又殺之，非好生也。 請以聽代史憲誠於魏，誌沼之徒，可使招納。」 不聽。 以病痼罷學士。 卒，年六十，贈禮部尚書。
When Wei Gao governed the West Circuit, Wang Wei, Sikong Shu, Dugu Liangbi, and Pei Shui served on his staff and all warmly championed Biaowei. Pei Shui once remarked that Biaowei resembled Wei Jie in bearing and confessed that he himself could not equal him. He passed the jinshi examination and was repeatedly invited onto the staffs of various commissioners. After a long interval he entered the capital and was appointed Acting Investigating Censor, a post he did not relish; he said, "Rank and salary are like flavors — everyone craves them. I am fifty, wiping my mirror and trimming my white hairs, mingling among young men to win one more grade and rank — and I taste nothing in it. I mean to be master of pines and chrysanthemums and hold my head up before Tao Yuanming," he declared. Before long he was made a Hanlin academician. At that time Li Shen had crossed the chief minister and was banished to Duan Prefecture; Pang Yan and Jiang Fang had also been sent away, leaving vacancies among the academicians. Everyone scrambled to recommend the chief minister's favorites, but Biaowei alone nominated Wei Chuhou, and men admired his impartiality. He was promoted to drafter of edicts. Later, when he and Chuhou discussed adding new academicians, he again recommended Lu Sui. Chuhou, who regarded Biaowei as an uncle, objected: "Sui outranks you; when he joins us he will sit to your right as the senior — how can that be?" Biaowei replied, "In choosing men of virtue and talent one does not count private ties from the start." In time he was promoted to Secretariat Drafter. Emperor Jingzong once told his attendants that he meant to make both Wei men chief ministers, but he died before he could do so. When Emperor Wenzong came to the throne he made Chuhou sole chief minister and promoted Biaowei to Vice Minister of Revenue. When Qi Zhizhao rebelled, an edict ordered Li Ting to lead an army against him, and the force halted on the Yellow River. The emperor feared the campaign would fail; Biaowei said, "Given the strength of Li Ting's army, the rebels will be broken within fifteen days." When the victory dispatch arrived, only ten days had passed. Zhizhao's six thousand remaining troops fled to Zhaoyi; the chief ministers proposed identifying the ringleaders for execution and sending the coerced followers back to Wei. Biaowei memorialized: "To put surrendered rebels to death is not the way of a ruler who cherishes life. I urge that Li Ting replace Shi Xianchéng in Wei and that Zhizhao's followers be induced to surrender." The emperor did not accept his counsel. A chronic illness forced him to leave the Hanlin Academy. He died at the age of sixty and was posthumously honored as Minister of Rites.
13
始，被病，醫藥不能具，所居堂寢隘陋，既沒，吊客咨嗟。 篤故舊，雖庸下，與攜手語笑無間然。 尤好《春秋》，病諸儒執一概，是非紛然，著《三傳總例》，完會經趣。 又以學者薄師道，不如聲樂賤工能尊其師，著《九經師授譜》詆其違。
From the first, when illness struck him, he lacked adequate medicine; his hall and bedchamber were cramped and mean; after his death mourners sighed at the sight. He was devoted to old friends; even with the humblest he would join hands in talk and laughter without reserve. He was especially devoted to the Spring and Autumn Annals; he deplored scholars who clung to a single rigid standard while right and wrong remained tangled, and wrote Comprehensive Patterns of the Three Commentaries to restore the classic's full meaning. He also deplored that scholars held teachers in contempt, unlike even the humblest musicians and artisans who honor their masters, and wrote the 《Register of Nine Classics Master-Disciple Transmission》 to condemn their breach of that duty.
14
高釴，字翹之，史失其何所人。 與弟銖、鍇俱擢進士第。 累遷右補闕、史館脩撰。 元和末，以中人為和糴使，釴繼疏論執。 轉起居郎，數陳政得失，穆宗嘉之，面賜緋、魚，召入翰林，為學士。 張韶變興倉卒，釴從敬宗夜駐左軍。 翌日，進知制誥，拜中書舍人。 入見帝，因勸躬聽掔以示憂勤，帝納其言，賜錦彩。 俄罷學士。 累進吏部侍郎，人善其振職。 出為同州刺史。 卒，贈兵部尚書，遺命薄葬。
Gao Yi, courtesy name Qiaozhi, was a man whose native place the histories have lost. He and his younger brothers Zhu and Kai all passed the jinshi examination. He rose through repeated promotions to Right Remonstrance Censor and Drafting Compiler in the History Institute. Near the end of the Yuanhe era, when eunuchs were appointed grain-purchase commissioners, Yi submitted memorial after memorial in protest. Transferred to Diarist of the Left, he repeatedly laid out what was right and wrong in government; Emperor Muzong praised him, personally bestowed crimson robes and the fish tally, and summoned him into the Hanlin Academy as an Academician. When Zhang Shao's mutiny broke out suddenly, Yi accompanied Emperor Jingzong and spent the night encamped with the Left Army. The following day he was promoted to Drafter of Proclamations and appointed Vice Director of the Secretariat. When he entered to see the Emperor, he urged him to attend personally to affairs of state as a sign of devoted concern; the Emperor took his advice and rewarded him with brocade and silk. Before long he was removed from the Hanlin Academy. Promoted step by step to Vice Minister of Personnel, he was admired for the vigor with which he discharged his duties. He was sent out to serve as prefect of Tongzhou. He died and was posthumously appointed Minister of War; his dying instructions called for a plain burial.
15
釴少孤窶，介然無黨援，以致宦達。 諸弟皆檢願友愛，為搢紳景重。
Orphaned and poor in youth, Yi stood apart from factions and without patronage, yet still rose to high office. All his younger brothers were self-restrained, virtuous, and devoted to one another, and were held in high esteem among the gentry.
16
子湜，字澄之，第進士，累官右諫議大夫。 咸通末，為禮部侍郎。 時士多繇權要幹請，湜不能裁，既而抵帽於地曰：「吾決以至公取之，得譴固吾分！」 乃取公乘億、許棠、聶夷中等。 以兵部侍郎判度支出為昭義節度使，為下所逐，貶連州司馬。 以太子賓客分司東都，卒。 億字壽仙，棠字文化，夷中字坦之，皆有名當時。
His son Mi, courtesy name Chengzhi, passed the jinshi examination and rose through the ranks to Right Remonstrance Censor. Near the end of the Xiantong era he served as Vice Minister of Rites. At the time many candidates gained entry through petitions from the powerful, and Mi could not check the practice; finally he threw his hat to the floor and said, "I am determined to choose men by absolute fairness—even if I am punished for it, that is only what I deserve!" He then selected Gongcheng Yi, Xu Tang, Nie Yizhong, and others. Serving as Vice Minister of War with concurrent charge of the Salt and Grain Commission, he was sent out as military governor of Zhaoyi; his subordinates drove him out, and he was demoted to prefectural aide of Lianzhou. Appointed Guest of the Heir Apparent with duty at the Eastern Capital, he died there. Gongcheng Yi, courtesy name Shouxian; Xu Tang, courtesy name Wenhua; and Nie Yizhong, courtesy name Tanzhi—all were celebrated men of their day.
17
銖，字權仲，既擢第，署太原張弘靖幕府，入遷監察御史。 太和時，擢累給事中。 文宗得李訓，驟拜侍講學士，銖率諫官伏閣言訓素行憸邪，不可任，必亂天下。 帝遣使者諭曰：「朕留訓時時講繹，前命不可改。」 當是時，已旱而水，彗變未息，鄭註權震赫，人情危駭，既銖等弗見省，群臣失色。 明年，訓當國，出銖為浙東觀察使，歷義成節度使。 大中初，遷禮部尚書判戶部，徙太常卿。 嘗罰禮生，博士李愨慍見曰：「故事，禮院不關白太常，故卿蒞職，博士不參集。 不宜罰小史，隳舊典。」 銖嘆曰：「吾老不能退，乃為小兒所辱！」 卒。
Zhu, courtesy name Quanzhong, after passing the examination joined the staff of Zhang Hongjing in Taiyuan; on entering the capital he was promoted to Investigating Censor. During the Taihe era he rose through successive promotions to Supervising Censor. When Emperor Wenzong took up with Li Xun and abruptly appointed him Lecturing Academician, Zhu led the remonstrance officials in kneeling at the palace gate to declare that Xun's character had long been treacherous and corrupt, that he must not be entrusted with office, and that he would surely throw the realm into chaos. The Emperor sent a messenger to tell them, "I keep Xun here to expound the classics from time to time; the appointment already made cannot be revoked." At that time drought and flood had already struck in turn, comet portents had not subsided, Zheng Zhu's power blazed unchecked, and the people lived in dread; when Zhu and his colleagues went unheard, the court officials turned pale. The following year, once Xun held the reins of government, Zhu was sent out as governor of Zhedong and later served as military governor of Yicheng. At the opening of the Dazhong era he was transferred to Minister of Rites with concurrent charge of the Ministry of Revenue, then moved to Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Once he punished a ritual clerk; Doctor of Rites Li Nu came before him in anger and said, "By established practice the Ritual Academy does not report to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, so when you took office the doctors did not assemble. You ought not punish a minor clerk and overturn long-standing precedent." Zhu sighed and said, "I am old and cannot bring myself to retire, yet here I am insulted by a stripling!" He died.
18
鍇，字弱金，連中進士、宏辭科，辟河東府參謀，歷吏部員外郎，遷中書舍人。
Kai, courtesy name Ruojin, passed the jinshi and Hongci examinations in succession; he entered the staff of the Hedong commandery, served as Vice Director of Personnel, and was promoted to Vice Director of the Secretariat.
19
開成元年，權知貢舉。 文宗自以題畀有司，鍇以籍上，帝語侍臣曰：「比年文章卑弱，今所上差勝於前。」 鄭覃曰：「陛下矯革近制，以正頹俗，而鍇乃能為陛下得人。」 帝曰：「諸鎮表奏太浮華，宜責掌書記，以誡流宕。」 李石曰：「古人因事為文，今人以文害事，懲弊抑末，誠如聖訓。」 即以鍇為禮部侍郎。 閱三歲，頗得才實。 始，歲取四十人，才益少，詔減十人，猶不能滿。 遷吏部侍郎，出為鄂嶽觀察使。 卒，贈禮部尚書。
In the first year of the Kaicheng era he served as acting director of the metropolitan examination. Emperor Wenzong himself set the examination topics and handed them to the officials; when Kai submitted the roster of candidates, the Emperor told his attendant ministers, "In recent years the essays have been weak; what has been submitted now is somewhat better than before." Zheng Tan said, "Your Majesty has reformed recent practice to set right a declining custom, and Kai has been able to find worthy men for Your Majesty." The Emperor said, "The memorials from the various circuits are too florid; their chief secretaries should be held accountable, as a warning against empty extravagance." Li Shi said, "The ancients wrote to serve affairs; today men let writing obstruct affairs. To punish abuse and restrain what is secondary truly accords with Your Majesty's instruction." Kai was thereupon appointed Vice Minister of Rites. Over three years he secured a good many candidates of genuine ability. At first forty men were selected each year, but worthy talent grew ever scarcer; an edict cut the quota by ten, yet even then the places could not be filled. He was transferred to Vice Minister of Personnel and sent out as governor of E-Yue. He died and was posthumously appointed Minister of Rites.
20
子湘，字濬之，擢進士第，歷長安令、右諫議大夫。 從兄湜與路巖親善，而湘厚劉瞻，巖既逐瞻，貶湘高州司馬。 僖宗初，召為太子右庶子，終江西觀察使。
His son Xiang, courtesy name Junzhi, passed the jinshi examination and served in turn as magistrate of Chang'an and Right Remonstrance Censor. His cousin Mi was on close terms with Lu Yan, while Xiang was deeply attached to Liu Zhan; after Yan had driven Zhan out, Xiang was demoted to prefectural aide of Gaozhou. At the beginning of Emperor Xizong's reign he was recalled as Right Assistant to the Heir Apparent and ended his career as governor of Jiangxi.
21
馮宿，字拱之，婺州東陽人。 父子華，廬親墓，有靈芝、白兔，號「孝馮家」。
Feng Su, courtesy name Gongzhi, was a native of Dongyang in Wuzhou. Su and his father Zihua kept vigil at their parents' tomb; spirit fungus and white hares appeared there, and they were known as "the Filial Feng family."
22
宿貞元中與弟定、從弟審、寬並擢進士第，徐州張建封表掌書記。 建封卒，子愔為軍中脅主留事。 李師古將乘喪復故地，愔大懼。 於是，王武俊擁兵觀釁，宿以書說曰：「張公與公為兄弟，欲共力驅兩河歸天子，天下莫不知。 今張公不幸，幼兒為亂兵所脅，內則誠款隔絕，外則強寇侵逼，公安得坐視哉？ 誠能奏天子不忘舊勛，赦愔罪，使束身自歸，則公有靖亂之功、繼絕之德矣。」 武俊悅，即以表聞，遂授愔留後。 宿不樂佐愔，更從浙東賈全觀察府。 愔憾其去，奏貶泉州司戶參軍。
During the Zhenyuan era Su, together with his brother Ding and his cousins Shen and Kuan, all passed the jinshi examination; Zhang Jianfeng of Xuzhou memorialized to appoint him chief secretary. When Jianfeng died, his son Yin was forced by the army to take charge of affairs as acting commander. Li Shigu was about to exploit the mourning period to recover lost territory, and Yin was terrified. At that point Wang Wujun gathered his troops and watched for an opening; Su wrote to persuade him, saying, "Lord Zhang and you stood as brothers, resolved together to drive the Two He regions back to the Son of Heaven—the whole realm knows it. Now Lord Zhang has met with misfortune; his young son is held hostage by mutinous troops—cut off within from loyal submission, pressed from without by powerful foes—how can you stand by and do nothing? If you will truly memorialize the Son of Heaven not to forget past service, pardon Yin's offense, and bring him to submit of his own accord, you will earn the credit of quelling disorder and the virtue of preserving a line that would otherwise be cut off." Wujun was pleased, submitted a memorial at once, and Yin was thereupon appointed acting commander. Su had no wish to serve under Yin and instead joined the staff of Jia Quan, governor of Zhedong. Yin resented his leaving and memorialized to have him demoted to military aide of Quanzhou.
23
召為太常博士。 王士真死，子承宗阻命，不得謚，宿謂世勞不可遺，乃上佳謚，示不忘忠。 再遷都官員外郎。 裴度節度彰義軍，表為判官。 淮西平，除比部郎中。 長慶時，進知制誥。 牛元翼徙節山南東道，為王廷湊所圍，以宿總留事。 還，進中書舍人，出華州刺史，避諱不拜，徙左散騎常侍、兼集賢殿學士。 拜河南尹。 洛苑使姚文壽縱部曲奪民田，匿於軍，吏不敢捕。 府大集，部曲輒與文壽偕來，宿掩取榜殺之。 歷工部、刑部二侍郎。 脩《格後敕》三十篇，行於時。 累封長樂縣公。
He was recalled to serve as Doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. When Wang Shizhen died, his son Chengzong defied the court and no posthumous title was granted; Su held that lifetime service could not be cast aside, and so submitted a worthy posthumous title to show that loyalty was not forgotten. He was promoted again to Vice Director of the Office of Judgment Review. When Pei Du served as military governor of Zhangyi, he memorialized to appoint Su as his administrative aide. After Huai West was pacified, he was appointed Director in the Ministry of Revenue. During the Changqing era he was promoted to Drafter of Proclamations. When Niu Yuanji was transferred to govern Shannan East Circuit and was besieged by Wang Tingcou, Su was left in overall charge of affairs. On his return he was promoted to Vice Director of the Secretariat and sent out as prefect of Huazhou; to avoid a taboo name he declined the post and was transferred to Left Palace Companion and concurrent Academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies. He was appointed Governor of Henan. The Luoyang Park commissioner Yao Wenshou let his retainers seize commoners' fields and sheltered them within the army, and officials dared not arrest them. When the prefectural offices held a general assembly, the retainers came together with Wenshou; Su had them seized on the spot and beaten to death at the public posting board. He served in turn as Vice Minister of Public Works and Vice Minister of Justice. He compiled thirty chapters of the 《Supplemental Edicts After the Code of Statutes》, which circulated widely in his day. He was repeatedly enfeoffed, ultimately as Duke of Changle County.
24
擢東川節度使，完城郛，增兵械十餘萬，詔分余甲賜黔巫道。 涪水數壞民廬舍，宿脩利防庸，一方便賴。 疾革，將斷重刑，家人請宥之，宿曰：「命脩短，天也。 撓法以求祐，吾不敢。」 卒，年七十，贈吏部尚書，謚曰懿。 治命薄葬，悉以平生書納墓中。
Promoted to military governor of Dongchuan, he completed the walls and ramparts and increased armaments by more than a hundred thousand pieces; an edict ordered surplus armor distributed to the Qian-Wu circuit. The Fu River repeatedly destroyed commoners' dwellings; Su repaired flood-control works and labor corvée, and the whole region benefited. When his illness turned critical, he was about to impose a heavy sentence; his family asked that the offender be pardoned, and Su said, "Whether life is long or short is Heaven's decree. To bend the law in hope of divine favor—I dare not." He died at seventy, was posthumously appointed Minister of Personnel, and was given the posthumous title Yi. His dying instructions called for a plain burial and for all his writings to be placed in the tomb.
25
子圖，字昌之，連中進士、宏辭科。 大中時，終戶部侍郎、判度支。 寬為起居郎。
His son Tu, courtesy name Changzhi, passed the jinshi and Hongci examinations in succession. During the Dazhong era he ended his career as Vice Minister of Revenue with concurrent charge of the Salt and Grain Commission. Kuan served as Diarist of the Left.
26
定，字介夫，偉儀觀，與宿齊名，人方漢二馮。 於頔素善之。 頔在襄陽，定徒步上謁，吏不肯白，乃亟去。 頔聞，斥吏，歸錢五十萬，及諸境，定返其遺，以書讓頔不下士，頔大慚。
Ding, courtesy name Jiefu, had a commanding presence; he was as renowned as Su, and people compared the two to the two Fengs of Han. Yu Di had long been well disposed toward him. When Di was at Xiangyang, Ding came on foot to pay a call; the gate officer refused to announce him, and Ding left at once. When Di heard of it he rebuked the officer and sent after Ding with five hundred thousand cash; at the border Ding returned the gift and wrote reproaching Di for failing to humble himself before scholars, and Di was deeply ashamed.
27
第進士異等，辟浙西薛蘋府，以鄠尉為集賢校理。 始，定居喪，號毀甚，故數移疾，大學士疑其簡怠，奪職。 三遷祠部員外郎，出為郢州刺史。 吏告定略民妻，乾沒庫錢，御史鞫治無狀。 坐遊宴不節免官。 起為國子司業，再遷太常少卿。 文宗嘗詔開元《霓裳羽衣舞》參以《雲韶》，肄於廷。 定部諸工立縣間，端凝若植。 帝異之，問學士李玨，玨以定對。 帝喜曰：「豈非能古章句者邪？」 親誦定《送客西江》詩，召升殿，賜禁中瑞錦，詔悉所著以上。 遷諫議大夫。
Passing the jinshi at a distinguished grade, he entered the staff of Xue Pin in Zhexi; while serving as aide of E County he was also collator in the Hall of Assembled Worthies. At first, while in mourning, he grieved so severely that he repeatedly asked leave on grounds of illness; a Grand Academician suspected neglect and stripped him of his post. After three promotions he became Vice Director of the Ministry of Rites and was sent out as prefect of Yingzhou. An official reported that Ding had seized a commoner's wife and embezzled treasury funds; the censor investigated and found no substance to the charges. He was dismissed from office for unrestrained feasting and revelry. He was reappointed Vice Director of the Directorate of Education and, after two further promotions, became Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Emperor Wenzong once ordered the Kaiyuan-era 《Robe of Feathers and Colored Skirts Dance》 to be combined with the 《Cloud Auspice Music》 and rehearsed in the palace hall. Ding arranged the performers standing at intervals, upright and solemn as though planted in place. The Emperor marveled at it and asked Academician Li Jue, who answered on Ding's behalf. The Emperor said with pleasure, "Is this not a man versed in the old commentaries?" He personally recited Ding's poem 《Seeing Off a Guest on the Western River》, summoned him to ascend the hall, bestowed auspicious brocade from within the palace, and ordered that all his writings be submitted. He was transferred to Remonstrance Censor.
28
是歲，訓、註敗，多誅公卿，中外危惴。 及改元，天子禦前殿，仇士良請以神策仗衛殿門，定力爭罷之。 又請許左右史從宰相至延英記所言，執政不悅，改太子詹事。 鄭覃兼太子太師，上日欲會尚書省，定據禮當集詹事府，詔可。 論者多其正。 換衛尉卿，以散騎常侍致仕。 卒，贈工部尚書，謚曰節。
That year, when Xun and Zhu fell from power, many chief ministers were executed, and court and country alike lived in dread. When the era name was changed, the Son of Heaven attended the front hall; Qiu Shiliang requested that Shence army halberds guard the palace gates, and Ding argued forcefully until the proposal was dropped. He also requested that the Left and Right Historians be allowed to follow the chief ministers to Yanying Hall to record their words; the ruling ministers were displeased, and he was transferred to Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household. Zheng Tan concurrently served as Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent; on a court day he wished to convene at the Secretariat, but Ding argued that according to rite they ought to assemble at the Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Household, and the edict approved his view. Many commentators praised his correctness. He was transferred to Commandant of Guardians and retired with the title Regular Attendant of the Privy Counselors. He died and was posthumously made Minister of Works, with the posthumous title Jie.
29
初，源寂使新羅，其國人傳定《黑水碑》、《畫鶴記》； 韋休符使西蕃，所館寫定《商山記》於屏。 其名播戎夷如此。
Earlier, when Yuan Ji served as envoy to Silla, people of that kingdom circulated Ding's 《Black Water Stele Inscription》 and 《Record of the Painted Crane》; When Wei Xiufu served as envoy to the Western Tibetans, Ding's 《Record of Mount Shang》 was copied onto a screen at his lodging. His fame spread among the frontier peoples to such a degree.
30
審，字退思。 開成中，為諫議大夫，拜桂管觀察使，歷國子祭酒。 監有孔子碑，武後所立，睿宗署額。 審請琢「周」著「唐」。 終秘書監。 子緘，字宗之。 乾符初，歷京兆、河南尹。
Shen, whose courtesy name was Tuisi. During the Kaicheng era he served as Remonstrance Censor, was appointed Military Commissioner of Guiguan, and later served as Chancellor of the Directorate of Education. The Directorate held a stele to Confucius, erected by Empress Wu, with an inscription penned by Emperor Ruizong. Shen requested that the character "Zhou" be carved away and "Tang" inscribed in its place. He ended his career as Director of the Secretariat. His son Jian, whose courtesy name was Zongzhi. At the beginning of the Qianfu era he successively served as prefect of the Capital District and prefect of Henan.
31
李虞仲，字見之。 父端，附見《文藝傳》。 虞仲第進士、宏辭，累遷太常博士。 建言：「謚者，所以表德懲惡，《春秋》褒貶法也。 茆土爵祿，僇辱流放，皆緣一時，非以明示百代，然而後之所以知其行者，惟謚是觀。 古者將葬請謚，今近或二三年，遠乃數十年，然後請謚。 人歿已久，風績湮歇，采諸傳聞，不可考信，誄狀雖在，言與事浮。 臣請凡得謚者，前葬一月，請考功刺太常定議，其不請與請而過時者，聽御史劾舉。 居京師不得過半期，居外一期。 若善惡著而不請，許考功察行謚之。 節行卓異，雖無官及官卑者，在所以聞。」 詔可。
Li Yuzhong, whose courtesy name was Jianzhi. His father Duan is discussed in the 《Treatise on Literature and Art》. Yuzhong passed the jinshi examination and the prestigious composition examination, and was repeatedly promoted to Erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. He submitted a memorial: "Posthumous titles exist to display virtue and punish vice; they follow the method of praise and blame in the 《Spring and Autumn Annals》. Grants of fief and salary, disgrace and exile—all are matters of the moment, not meant for open display across a hundred generations; yet how later ages learn what a man did depends on his posthumous title alone. In antiquity posthumous titles were requested as burial approached; today, in some cases two or three years pass, in others several decades, before a title is requested. The person has long been dead, reputation and achievements have faded, what is gathered from hearsay cannot be verified, and though the eulogy and petition remain, the words no longer match the facts. I request that for all who receive posthumous titles, one month before burial the Directorate of Personnel notify the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to settle the proposal; for those who fail to request or who request after the deadline, let the censorate impeach them. In the capital the deadline may not exceed half a year; outside the capital, one year. If good or evil is already well established and no request is made, let the Directorate of Personnel investigate conduct and bestow a title. For exceptional integrity and conduct, even for those without office or of low rank, let the locality where they are known report it." The edict approved the proposal.
32
寶歷初，以兵部郎中知制誥，進中書舍人，出為華州刺史，歷吏部侍郎。 簡儉寡欲，時望歸重。 卒，年六十五，贈吏部尚書。
At the beginning of the Baoli era, as Bureau Director in the Ministry of War he concurrently drafted imperial edicts; he was promoted to Secretariat Drafter, sent out as prefect of Huazhou, and later served as Vice Minister of Personnel. Plain and frugal, with few desires, he commanded the respect of his contemporaries. He died at the age of sixty-five and was posthumously made Minister of Personnel.
33
李翺，字習之，後魏尚書左僕射沖十世孫。 中進士第，始調校書郎，累遷。 元和初，為國子博士、史館脩撰。 常謂史官紀事不得實，乃建言：「大氐人之行，非大善大惡暴於世者，皆訪於人。 人不周知，故取行狀謚牒。 然其為狀者，皆故吏門生，茍言虛美，溺於文而忘其理。 臣請指事載功，則賢不肖易見。 如言魏徵，但記其諫爭語，足以為直言； 段秀實，但記倒用司農印追逆兵，笏擊朱泚，足以為忠烈。 不者，願敕考功、太常、史館勿受。 如此可以傳信後世矣。」 詔可。 又條興復太平大略曰：
Li Ao, whose courtesy name was Xizhi, was tenth-generation descendant of Chong, Left Vice Minister of the Masters of Writing of Northern Wei. He passed the jinshi examination, was first appointed Collator, and was repeatedly promoted. In the early Yuanhe era he served as Erudite of the Directorate of Education and as a compiler in the Historiography Institute. He often said that historians did not record events truthfully, and submitted a memorial: "For the most part men's conduct, unless great good or great evil that blazes before the world, is gathered by asking others. People do not know everything, so historians rely on petitions of conduct and posthumous-title memorials. Yet those who write such petitions are all former subordinates and disciples; they speak empty praise, drowning in words and forgetting the truth. I request that specific deeds and achievements be recorded, so that the worthy and unworthy will be easy to distinguish. For example, in speaking of Wei Zheng, record only his remonstrances and disputations—enough to show forthright speech; For Duan Xiushi, record only his misuse of the Minister of Granaries seal to recall mutinous troops and his tablet-strike against Zhu Ci—enough to show loyal martyrdom. Otherwise, I ask that the Directorate of Personnel, Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and Historiography Institute be ordered not to accept such petitions. In this way what is recorded may be trusted by later ages." The edict approved the proposal. He also set forth a general outline for restoring great peace:
34
陛下即位以來，懷不廷臣，誅畔賊，刷五聖憤恥，自古中興之盛無以加。 臣見聖德所不可及者，若淄青生口夏侯澄等四十七人，為賊逼脅，質其父母妻子而驅之戰，陛下俘之，赦不誅，詔田弘正隨材授職，欲歸者縱之。 澄等得生歸，轉以相謂，賊眾莫不懷盛德，無肯拒戰。 劉悟所以能一昔斬師道者，以三軍皆苦賊而匿就陛下，故不淹日成大功。 一也。 今歲關中麥不收，陛下哀民之窮，下明詔蠲賦十萬石，群臣動色，百姓歌樂遍畎每。 二也。 昔齊遺魯以女樂，季桓子受之，君臣共觀，三日不朝，孔子行。 今韓弘獻女樂，陛下不受，遂以歸之。 三也。 又出李宗奭妻女於掖廷，以田宅賜沈遵師，聖明寬恕，億兆欣感。 臣愚不能盡識。 若它詔令一皆類此，武德、貞觀不難及，太平可覆掌而致。
Since Your Majesty's accession you have cherished ministers who would not submit, executed rebellious bandits, and wiped clean the shame and rage of the Five Sagely Emperors; no restoration since antiquity has surpassed this splendor. I see in Your Majesty's incomparable sacred virtue such cases as the forty-seven captives from Ziqing, including Xia Houcheng, who were forced by rebels to fight with their parents, wives, and children held as hostages; Your Majesty captured them yet pardoned them without execution, ordered Tian Hongzheng to assign posts according to their abilities, and released those who wished to return home. Chen and the others returned alive and spread word among themselves; among the rebel host none failed to cherish Your Majesty's grand virtue, and none would fight in resistance. The reason Liu Wu was able in a single night to behead Shi Daodao was that the whole army hated the rebels and secretly inclined toward Your Majesty, so in no time he achieved great success. That is the first point. This year the wheat harvest in Guanzhong failed; Your Majesty pitied the people's destitution and issued a clear edict remitting one hundred thousand shi of taxes; the ministers were moved to tears, and songs of joy spread through every field and lane. That is the second point. Formerly Qi sent female musicians to Lu; Ji Huanzi accepted them, ruler and ministers watched together, and for three days they did not attend court, whereupon Confucius departed. Now Han Hong presented female musicians; Your Majesty did not accept them and had them sent back. That is the third point. You also released Li Zongshi's wife and daughters from the inner palace quarters and bestowed fields and dwellings on Shen Zunshi—sacred wisdom and clemency at which the myriad people rejoiced in gratitude. This subject's dullness cannot comprehend it all. If every other edict were of this kind, the eras of Wude and Zhenguan would not be hard to match, and great peace could be attained as easily as turning one's palm.
35
臣聞定禍亂者，武功也； 復制度、興太平者，文德也。 今陛下既以武功定海內，若遂革弊事，復高祖、太宗舊制：用忠正而不疑； 屏邪佞而不邇； 改稅法，不督錢而納布帛； 絕進獻，寬百姓租賦； 厚邊兵，以制蕃戎侵盜； 數引見待制官，問以時事，通壅蔽之路。 此六者，政之根本，太平所以興。 陛下既已能行其難，若何而不為其易者乎？
I have heard that settling calamity and disorder is a matter of military achievement; Restoring institutions and raising great peace is a matter of civil virtue. Now that Your Majesty has settled the realm by military achievement, if you would at once reform corrupt practices and restore the old systems of Gaozu and Taizong—employ the loyal and upright without doubt; Keep the wicked and flattering at a distance; Change the tax law, not pressing for cash but collecting cloth and silk; Cut off tribute offerings and lighten the people's land tax and levies; Strengthen frontier troops to restrain barbarian raids; Frequently summon officials awaiting imperial audience, question them on current affairs, and open the path blocked by obstruction. These six are the roots of government, by which great peace is raised. Since Your Majesty has already been able to do what is difficult, why not do what is easy?
36
以陛下資上聖，如不惑近習容悅之辭，任骨鯁正直，與之脩復故事，以興大化，可不勞而成也。 若一日不事，臣恐大功之後，逸樂易生，進言者必曰：「天下既平矣，陛下可以高枕自安逸。」 如是，則高祖、太宗之制度不可以復； 制度不復，則太平未可以至。 臣竊惜陛下當可興之時，而謙讓未為也。
With Your Majesty's endowment of supreme sagehood, if you are not misled by the flattery of near attendants, employ blunt and upright men, work with them to restore former practice and raise great transformation, it may be achieved without labor. If for a single day you do not attend to affairs, I fear that after great success, ease and pleasure will easily arise, and those who speak up will surely say, "The realm is already at peace; Your Majesty may rest high on your pillow in ease and comfort." If so, the institutions of Gaozu and Taizong cannot be restored; If institutions are not restored, great peace cannot be attained. I privately grieve that Your Majesty, at a time when restoration is possible, yet holds back from acting.
37
再遷考功員外郎。 初，諫議大夫李景儉表翺自代。 景儉斥，翺下除朗州刺史。 久之，召為禮部郎中。 翺性峭鯁，論議無所屈，仕不得顯官，怫郁無所發，見宰相李逢吉，面斥其過失，逢吉詭不校，翺恚懼，即移病。 滿百日，有司白免官，逢吉更表為廬州刺史。 時州旱，遂疫，逋捐系路，亡籍口四萬，權豪賤市田屋牟厚利，而窶戶仍輸賦。 翺下教使以田占租，無得隱，收豪室稅萬二千緡，貧弱以安。
After two promotions he became Vice Director of the Directorate of Personnel. At first Remonstrance Censor Li Jingjian memorialized that Ao should replace him. Jingjian was dismissed, and Ao was demoted and appointed prefect of Langzhou. After a long interval he was summoned to serve as Bureau Director in the Ministry of Rites. Ao's temperament was sharp and unyielding; in debate he yielded to no one. In office he never attained prominent posts, and frustrated with nowhere to vent, he went to see Chief Minister Li Fengji and rebuked his faults to his face. Fengji feigned not to take offense; Ao, enraged and afraid, immediately submitted a sickness resignation. After the hundred days were complete, the appropriate office reported that he should be dismissed from office; Fengji further memorialized to appoint him prefect of Luzhou. At the time the prefecture suffered drought and then pestilence; tax defaulters clogged the roads, forty thousand persons were lost from the registers, powerful families bought fields and houses cheaply for thick profit, while impoverished households still paid taxes. Ao issued an instruction that rent be assessed by land held, with no concealment permitted; he collected twelve thousand strings from great houses, and the poor were given relief.
38
入為諫議大夫，知制誥，改中書舍人。 柏耆使滄州，翺盛言其才。 耆得罪，由是左遷少府少監。 後歷遷桂管湖南觀察使、山南東道節度使，卒。 翺始從昌黎韓愈為文章，辭致渾厚，見推當時，故有司亦謚曰文。
He entered court as Remonstrance Censor with concurrent charge of drafting imperial edicts, and was then made Secretariat Drafter. When Bo Qi served as envoy to Cangzhou, Ao greatly praised his talent. When Qi fell from favor, Ao was demoted to Vice Director of the Palace Manufactories. Later he successively served as Military Commissioner of Guiguan and Hunan and Military Commissioner of Shannan East Circuit, and died in office. Ao had first studied composition under Han Yu of Changli; his style was rich and full, and he was admired in his day; therefore the authorities also gave him the posthumous title Wen.
39
盧簡辭，字子策。 父綸，別傳。 與兄簡能、弟弘止、簡求皆有文，並第進士。 歷佐帥府，入遷侍御史，習知法令及臺閣舊事。 寶歷中，黎幹子煟詣臺請復葉縣故田，有司莫能知，簡辭獨詰曰：「按幹坐黨魚朝恩誅，貲田皆沒，大歷後數十年，比有赦令，無原洗之言，煟安得冒論？」 不為治。 福建鹽鐵院官盧昂坐贓，簡辭窮按，乃得金床、瑟瑟枕大如鬥。 敬宗曰：「禁中無此，昂為吏可知矣。」 李程鎮太原，表為節度判官。 入授考功員外郎，累擢湖南、浙西觀察使，以檢校工部尚書為忠武節度使。 徙山南東道。 坐事貶衢州刺史，卒。
Lu Jianci, whose courtesy name was Zice. His father Lun has a separate biography. He, his elder brother Jianneng, and his younger brothers Hongzhi and Jianqiu were all accomplished in letters and together passed the jinshi examination. He served successively on commanders' staffs, entered court as Attending Censor, and was versed in statutes and old precedents of the censorate. During the Baoli era, Wei, son of Li Gan, came to the censorate requesting restoration of former fields in Ye County; no office could decide the matter. Jianci alone questioned: "According to the record, Gan was executed for associating with Yu Chaoen; his property and fields were all confiscated. For decades after the Dali era, whenever there were amnesties, none contained language of restoration; how can Wei presumptuously argue?" He refused to handle the case. The Fujian Salt and Iron Commission official Lu Ang was charged with corruption; Jianci investigated thoroughly and recovered a golden bed and a sese pillow as large as a bushel measure. Emperor Jingzong said, "Nothing like this exists within the palace; Ang's conduct as an official can be imagined." When Li Cheng governed Taiyuan, he recommended Jianci as military commission assessor. He entered court as Vice Director of the Directorate of Personnel, was repeatedly promoted to Military Commissioner of Hunan and Zhexi, and as Acting Minister of Works served as Military Commissioner of Zhongwu. He was transferred to Shannan East Circuit. For an offense he was demoted to prefect of Quzhou, where he died.
40
簡能，見《鄭註傳》。 其子知猷，字子謨，中進士第，登宏辭，補秘書省正字。 蕭鄴鎮荊南、劍南，再辟掌書記。 入遷右補闕，出為饒州刺史，以政最聞。 累進中書舍人。 朱玫亂，避難不出。 僖宗還京，召拜工部侍郎、史館脩撰。 歷太常卿、戶部尚書，至太子太師。 昭宗為劉季述所幽，感憤卒，贈太尉。 知猷器量渾厚，世推為長者。 善書，有楷法。 文辭贍麗。 子文度，亦貴顯。
Jianneng is discussed in the biography of Zheng Zhu. His son Zhiyou, whose courtesy name was Zimo, passed the jinshi examination and the prestigious composition examination, and was appointed Proofreader in the Secretariat. When Xiao Ye governed Jingnan and Jiannan, he twice recruited Zhiyou as chief secretary. He entered court as Right Remonstrance Officer, was sent out as prefect of Raozhou, and was renowned for outstanding governance. He was repeatedly promoted until he reached Secretariat Drafter. During Zhu Mei's rebellion, he took refuge and did not emerge from seclusion. When Emperor Xizong returned to the capital, Zhiyou was summoned and appointed Vice Minister of Works and Drafting Compiler in the History Institute. He served successively as Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and Minister of Revenue, eventually rising to Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent. When Emperor Zhaozong was imprisoned by Liu Jishu, Zhiyou died of anger and indignation and was posthumously made Grand Preceptor. Zhiyou's capacity and bearing were generous and steady, and his contemporaries acclaimed him as a man of elder virtue. He was skilled at calligraphy and had a distinguished hand in regular script. His literary style was rich and elegant. His son Wendu also rose to rank and eminence.
41
弘止，字子強，佐劉悟府，累擢監察御史。 沈傳師表為江西團練副使。 入拜侍御史。 華州刺史宇文鼎、戶部員外盧允中坐贓，詔弘止按訊。 文宗將殺鼎，弘止執據罪由允中，鼎乃連坐，不應死，帝釋之。 累遷給事中。
Hongzhi, whose courtesy name was Ziqiang, served on Liu Wu's staff and was repeatedly promoted to Investigating Censor. Shen Chuanshi recommended him for appointment as Deputy Military Training Commissioner of Jiangxi. He entered court and was appointed Attending Censor. Yuwen Ding, prefect of Hua Prefecture, and Lu Yunzhong, Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue, were convicted of embezzlement, and Hongzhi was ordered to investigate and examine the case. Emperor Wenzong was about to execute Ding, but Hongzhi steadfastly maintained that the guilt lay with Yunzhong; Ding had been implicated only by association and did not deserve death, and the emperor released him. He was repeatedly promoted until he reached Supervising Censor.
42
會昌中，詔河北三節度討劉稹。 何弘敬、王元逵先取邢、洺、磁三州，宰相李德裕畏諸帥有請地者，乃以弘止為三州團練觀察留後。 制未下，稹平，即詔為三州及河北兩鎮宣慰使。 還，拜工部侍郎，以戶部領度支。 初，兩池鹽法弊，得費不相償，弘止使判官司空輿檢鉤厘正，條上新法，即表輿兩池使，自是課入歲倍，用度賴之。 逾年，出為武寧節度使。 徐自王智興後，吏卒驕沓，銀刀軍尤不法，弘止戮其尤無狀者，終弘止治，不敢嘩。 優詔褒勞。 弘止羸病，丐身還東都，不許。 徙宣武，卒於鎮，贈尚書右僕射。 子虔灌，有美才，終秘書監。
During the Huichang era an edict ordered the three military commissioners of Hebei to campaign against Liu Zhen. He Hongjing and Wang Yuankui first captured the three prefectures of Xing, Ming, and Ci; Chief Minister Li Deyu feared that the commanders would request territories, so Hongzhi was appointed Acting Military Training and Observation Commissioner of the three prefectures. Before the appointment decree was issued Liu Zhen had already been suppressed, and Hongzhi was immediately made Pacification Commissioner for the three prefectures and the two Hebei circuits. On his return he was appointed Vice Minister of Works and given concurrent charge of the Salt and Grain Commission through the Ministry of Revenue. At first the salt law governing the two pools was corrupt, and revenue no longer covered expenses; Hongzhi had his deputy Sikong Yu investigate and rectify matters, submitted a detailed new law, and recommended Yu as Commissioner of the Two Salt Pools; from then on annual revenue doubled, and government expenses came to depend on it. After a year he was sent out as Military Commissioner of Wuning. Since Wang Zhixing's time the officials and soldiers of Xuzhou had grown arrogant and unruly, and the Silver Sabre Army in particular violated the law with impunity; Hongzhi executed the worst offenders, and throughout his administration they did not dare cause trouble. An especially gracious edict praised and rewarded his labors. Hongzhi was frail and ill; he requested leave to return to the Eastern Capital, but permission was denied. He was transferred to Xuanwu and died in office; he was posthumously made Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. His son Qianguan had outstanding talent and ended his career as Director of the Secretariat.
43
簡求，字子臧，始從江西王仲舒幕府，兩為裴度、元稹所辟，又佐牛僧孺鎮襄陽，入遷戶部員外郎。 會昌中，討劉稹，以忠武節度使李彥佐為招討使，各選簡求副之，俾知後務。 歷蘇、壽二州刺史。
Jianqiu, whose courtesy name was Zizang, first served on the staff of Wang Zhongshu in Jiangxi, was twice recruited by Pei Du and Yuan Zhen, later assisted Niu Sengru when he governed Xiangyang, and entered court as Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue. During the Huichang era, in the campaign against Liu Zhen, Li Yanzhuo, Military Commissioner of Zhongwu, was made Pacification Commissioner; each commander chose Jianqiu as his deputy and put him in charge of rear operations. He served successively as prefect of Su and Shou prefectures.
44
大中九年，党項擾邊，拜涇原渭武節度使。 徙義武、鳳翔、河東三鎮。 簡求為政長權變，文不害，居邊善綏禦，人皆安之。 太原統退渾、契、沙陀三部，難馴制，它帥或與詛盟，質子弟，然寇掠不為止。 簡求歸所質，開示至誠，虜憚其恩信，不敢亂。 久之，辭疾，以太子少師致仕，還東都，治園沼林苑，與賓客置酒自娛。 卒，年七十六，贈尚書左僕射。
In the ninth year of Dazhong, when the Tangut people harassed the frontier, he was appointed Military Commissioner of Jingyuan, Wei, and Wu. He was transferred among the three circuits of Yiwu, Fengxiang, and Hedong. Jianqiu governed with flexible authority and without letting bureaucratic formalism do harm; on the frontier he was skilled at pacifying and defending, and the people all felt secure. At Taiyuan he had jurisdiction over the Tuihun, Qi, and Shatuo tribes, who were hard to control; other commanders sometimes made sworn covenants with them and held their sons as hostages, yet raiding did not cease. Jianqiu returned the hostages, displayed the utmost sincerity, and the frontier peoples, awed by his grace and trustworthiness, did not dare cause disorder. After a long time he pleaded illness, retired as Junior Mentor of the Heir Apparent, returned to the Eastern Capital, tended gardens, ponds, and groves, and entertained guests with wine for his own pleasure. He died at seventy-six and was posthumously made Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.
45
子嗣業、汝弼，皆中進士第。 汝弼以祠部員外郎知制誥，從昭宗遷洛。 方柳璨斫喪王室，汝弼懼，移疾去，客上黨。 後依李克用，克用表為節度副使。 太原府子亭，簡求所署多在，每宴亭中，未嘗居賓位，西向俯首，人美其有禮。
His sons Siye and Rubi both passed the jinshi examination. Rubi, serving as Vice Director of the Ministry of Rites with charge of drafting imperial edicts, followed Emperor Zhaozong in the move to Luoyang. Just as Liu Can was ravaging the royal house, Rubi grew fearful, pleaded illness and departed, and took refuge in Shangdang. Later he attached himself to Li Keyong, who memorialized to appoint him deputy military commissioner. At Ziting in the Taiyuan prefectural compound, many inscriptions by Jianqiu still remained; whenever Rubi banqueted there he never took the guest seat but faced west and bowed his head, and people praised his propriety.
46
嗣業子文紀，後貴顯。
Siye's son Wenji later rose to rank and eminence.
47
高元裕，字景圭，其先蓋渤海人。 第進士，累辟節度府。 以右補闕召，道商州，會方士趙歸真擅乘驛馬，元裕詆曰：「天子置驛，爾敢疾驅邪？」 命左右奪之，還，具以聞。 敬宗視朝不時，稍稍決事禁中，宦豎恣放，大臣不得進見。 元裕諫曰：「今西頭勢乃重南衙，樞密之權過宰相。」 帝頗寤而不能有所檢制，人皆危之。 俄換侍御史內供奉，士始相賀。
Gao Yuanyu, whose courtesy name was Jinggui, was probably descended from people of Bohai. He passed the jinshi examination and was repeatedly recruited to military headquarters. Summoned as Right Remonstrance Officer, on the road through Shang Prefecture he encountered the Taoist adept Zhao Guizhen riding post horses without authorization; Yuanyu denounced him, saying, "The Son of Heaven established the post stations — how dare you drive at full speed?" He ordered his attendants to seize the horse; on returning he reported the matter in full. Emperor Jingzong held court irregularly and gradually decided affairs within the palace; eunuchs ran wild, and chief ministers could not gain audience. Yuanyu remonstrated: "Today the western offices weigh heavier than the southern court, and the Privy Commissioner wields greater power than the chief minister." The emperor somewhat awoke to this but could not impose any restraint, and everyone felt alarm. Soon he was transferred to Attending Censor with Internal Attendance, and scholars at last began to congratulate one another.
48
李宗閔高其節，擢諫議大夫，進中書舍人。 鄭註入翰林，元裕當書命，乃言「以醫術侍」，註愧憾。 及宗閔得罪，元裕坐出餞，貶閬州刺史。 註死，復授諫議大夫、翰林侍講學士。
Li Zongmin esteemed his integrity and promoted him to Remonstrance Censor, then to Secretariat Drafter. When Zheng Zhu entered the Hanlin Academy, Yuanyu was to draft the appointment and wrote "serving with medical arts"; Zhu was shamed and resentful. When Li Zongmin fell from grace, Yuanyu was implicated for seeing him off with a farewell feast and was demoted to prefect of Lang Prefecture. After Zhu died, Yuanyu was again appointed Remonstrance Censor and Hanlin Lecturer.
49
莊恪太子立，擇可輔導者，乃兼賓客。 進御史中丞。 即建言：「紀綱地官屬須選，有不稱職者，請罷之。」 於是監察御史杜宣猷、柳瑰、崔郢、侍御史魏中庸、高弘簡並奪職。 故事，三司監院官帶御史者，號「外臺」，得察風俗，舉不法。 元和中，李夷簡因請按察本道州縣。 後益不職。 元裕請監院御史隸本臺，得專督察。 詔可。 累擢尚書左丞，領吏部選。 出為宣歙觀察使，入授吏部尚書。 拜山南東道節度使，封渤海郡公，奏蠲逋賦甚眾。 在鎮五年，復以吏部尚書召，卒於道，年七十六，贈尚書右僕射。
When Crown Prince Zhuangke was established, a suitable mentor was chosen, and Yuanyu also served as Crown Prince's Guest. He was promoted to Chief Censor. He immediately submitted a memorial: "Officials in the departments that maintain order must be selected, and those not fulfilling their duties should be dismissed." Thereupon Investigating Censors Du Xuanyou, Liu Gui, and Cui Ying, and Attending Censors Wei Zhongyong and Gao Hongjian all had their posts removed. According to precedent, supervisory officials of the Three Offices who bore the censor title were called the "Outer Platform"; they could inspect local customs and report unlawful conduct. During the Yuanhe era Li Yijian requested permission to inspect the prefectures and counties of his circuit. Later they grew even less effective in their duties. Yuanyu requested that supervisory censors of the offices be placed under the main censorate so they could conduct dedicated inspection. An edict approved the request. He was repeatedly promoted to Left Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs and oversaw selections in the Ministry of Personnel. He went out as Military Training and Observation Commissioner of Xuancai and entered court again as Minister of Personnel. He was appointed Military Commissioner of Shannan East Circuit, enfeoffed as Duke of Bohai Commandery, and memorialized to remit a great many unpaid taxes. After five years in office he was again summoned as Minister of Personnel; he died on the road at seventy-six and was posthumously made Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.
50
元裕性勤約，通經術，敏於為吏，巖巖有風采，推重於時。 自侍講為中丞，文宗難其代，元裕表言兄少逸才可任，因以命之，世榮其遷。
Yuanyu was by nature diligent and frugal, versed in the classics, quick as an official, imposing in bearing, and highly regarded in his time. When Yuanyu moved from Hanlin lecturer to Chief Censor, Wenzong found his replacement difficult; Yuanyu memorialized that his elder brother Shaoyi was capable of the post, and the appointment was made accordingly; the age honored the transfer.
51
少逸，長慶末為侍御史，坐失舉劾，貶贊善大夫，累遷諫議大夫，乃代元裕。 稍進給事中，出為陜虢觀察使。 中人責峽石驛吏供餅惡，鞭之，少逸封餅以聞。 宣宗怒，召使者責曰：「山谷間是餅豈易具邪？」 謫隸恭陵，中人皆斂手。 以兵部尚書致仕，卒。
Shaoyi, at the end of the Changqing era, served as Attending Censor; for failure to impeach he was demoted to Senior Adviser, was repeatedly promoted to Remonstrance Censor, and then replaced Yuanyu. He was gradually promoted to Supervising Censor and was sent out as Military Training and Observation Commissioner of Shan-Guo. An eunuch blamed the station keeper of Xiashi Post for providing poor cakes and whipped him; Shaoyi sealed the cakes and reported the matter to the throne. Emperor Xuanzong grew angry and summoned the messenger, scolding him: "In a mountain gorge, are such cakes easy to prepare?" He was demoted to labor at Gong Mausoleum, and the eunuchs all held their hands back. He retired as Minister of War and died.
52
元裕始名允中，太和中改今名。
Yuanyu was originally named Yunzhong; in the Taihe era he adopted his present name.
53
元裕子璩，字瑩之。 第進士，累佐使府。 以左拾遺為翰林學士，擢諫議大夫。 近世學士超省郎進官者，惟鄭顥以尚主，而璩以寵升雲。 懿宗時，拜劍南東川節度使。 召拜中書侍郎、同中書門下平章事。 閱月卒，贈司空。 太常博士曹鄴建言：「璩，宰相，交遊鬼雜，取多蹊徑，謚法『不思妄愛曰刺』，請謚為刺。」 從之。
Yuanyu's son Ji, whose courtesy name was Yingzhi. He passed the jinshi examination and repeatedly served on commissioners' staffs. As Left Remembrancer he became Hanlin Academician and was promoted to Remonstrance Censor. In recent times among Hanlin scholars elevated above provincial bureau ranks, only Zheng Hao rose by marrying the princess, while Ji rose through imperial favor alone. During Emperor Yizong's reign he was appointed Military Commissioner of Eastern Chuan in Jiannan. He was summoned and appointed Vice Minister of the Secretariat and Junior Grand Councillor of the Secretariat and Chancellery. Within a month he died and was posthumously made Minister of Works. Erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Cao Ye submitted a memorial: "Ji, a chief minister, consorted with disreputable company and took many irregular paths; the posthumous title canon says 'One who loves recklessly without reflection is called Ci (Piercing),' and I request the posthumous title Ci." This was accepted.
54
封敖，字碩夫，其先蓋冀州蓚人。 元和中，署進士第，江西裴堪辟置其府，轉右拾遺，雅為宰相李德裕所器。 會昌初，以左司員外郎召為翰林學士，三遷工部侍郎。 敖屬辭贍敏，不為奇澀，語切而理勝。 武宗使作詔書慰邊將傷夷者，曰：「傷居爾體，痛在朕躬。」 帝善其如意出，賜以宮錦。 劉稹平，德裕以定策功進太尉，時敖草其制曰：「謀皆予同，言不它惑。」 德裕以能明專任己以成功，謂敖曰：「陸生恨文不迨意，如君此等語，豈易得邪？」 解所賜玉帶贈之。 未幾，拜御史中丞，與宰相盧商慮囚，誤縱死罪，復為工部侍郎。
Feng Ao, whose courtesy name was Shuofu, was probably descended from people of Zhu Prefecture in Ji Province. During the Yuanhe era he placed in the jinshi examination; Pei Kan of Jiangxi recruited him to his staff; he became Right Remembrancer and was greatly valued by Chief Minister Li Deyu. At the beginning of the Huichang era he was summoned as Left Secretary and Hanlin Academician, and was thrice promoted to Vice Minister of Works. Ao's writings were rich and nimble, never obscure or harsh; his language was direct and his reasoning prevailed. Emperor Wuzong had him draft an edict to comfort frontier generals wounded in battle; it read, "The wound is in your body, but the pain is in My own person." The emperor approved how aptly it came forth and rewarded him with palace brocade. When Liu Zhen was suppressed, Li Deyu for his merit in settling strategy was promoted to Grand Preceptor; at that time Ao drafted the appointment, writing, "In planning we were always of one mind; in speech nothing else misled us." Deyu, seeing clearly that concentrating sole responsibility on himself had brought success, said to Ao, "Master Lu resented when the writing failed to meet his intent; phrases like yours — are they not hard to come by?" He undid the jade belt he had been given and presented it to Ao. Before long he was appointed Chief Censor; together with Chief Minister Lu Shang he reviewed prisoners and by mistake released men sentenced to death, and he was restored to Vice Minister of Works.
55
大中中，歷平盧、興元節度使。 初，鄭涯開新路，水壞其棧，敖更治斜谷道，行者告便。 蓬、果賊依雞山，寇三川，敖遣副使王贄捕平之。 加檢校吏部尚書。 還為太常卿。 始視事，廷設九部樂，敖宴私第，為御史所劾，徙國子祭酒。 復拜太常，進尚書右僕射。 然少行檢，士但高其才，故不至宰相，卒。
During the Dazhong era he successively served as Military Commissioner of Pinglu and Xingyuan. At first Zheng Ya opened a new route, but floods destroyed its plankways; Ao rebuilt the Xiégu road, and travelers reported it convenient. Bandits of Peng and Guo relied on Mount Ji and raided the Three Rivers region; Ao sent his deputy Wang Zan to capture and suppress them. He was additionally made Minister of Personnel with check only. On his return he became Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. When he first took office he had the Nine Section Music performed in court; Ao banqueted at his private residence and was impeached by the censorate, and he was transferred to Chancellor of the Directorate of Education. He was again appointed Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and promoted to Right Vice Minister of the Department of State Affairs. Yet he was deficient in personal conduct; scholars admired only his talent, and so he never rose to chancellor. He died in office.
56
子彥卿、望卿，從子特卿，皆第進士。
His sons Yanqing and Wangqing, and his nephew Teqing, all passed the jinshi examination.
57
鄭薰，字子溥，亡鄉里世系。 擢進士第。 歷考功郎中、翰林學士。 出為宣歙觀察使。 前人不治，薰頗以清力自將。 牙將素驕，共謀逐出之，薰奔揚州。 貶棣王府長史，分司東都。
Zheng Xun, whose courtesy name was Zibo, was a man whose native place and family lineage are not recorded. He passed the jinshi examination. He served successively as Director in the Bureau of Evaluations and as a Hanlin Academician. He was sent out to serve as Observation Commissioner of Xuan and She. Previous commissioners had left the region poorly governed, but Xun governed with notable strictness and integrity. The garrison adjutants had long been insubordinate; they conspired to drive him out, and Xun fled to Yangzhou. He was demoted to Chief Administrator of the Prince of Di's household and given a nominal post at the Eastern Capital.
58
懿宗立，召為太常少卿，擢累吏部侍郎。 時數大赦，階正議光祿大夫者，得蔭一子，門施戟。 於是宦人用階請蔭子，薰卻之不肯敘。 宰相杜悰才其人，擬判度支，辭； 又擬刑部兼御史中丞，固辭，乃免。 久之，進左丞。 性愛友，糾族百口，稟不充，求外遷。 擬華州刺史，輒留中，為幸侍酬沮。 後以太子少師致仕。
When Emperor Yizong came to the throne, Xun was recalled as Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and was eventually promoted to Vice Minister of Personnel. At that time great amnesties were frequent, and those whose honorary rank reached Regular Grand Master of Splendid Happiness were entitled to office privileges for one son and to display halberds at their gates. Eunuchs then used their honorary ranks to request yin privileges for their sons, but Xun turned them away and refused to register the benefits. Chancellor Du Cong, recognizing his talent, proposed appointing him to head the Bureau of Revenue, but he declined. He was next proposed for the Ministry of Justice with concurrent appointment as Censor in Chief; he firmly declined, and the appointments were dropped. After some time he was promoted to Left Assistant Minister. He was devoted to his kin and supported a clan of more than a hundred people, but his income could not meet their needs, so he sought a post outside the capital. When he was nominated Governor of Hua Prefecture, the appointment was repeatedly held in abeyance at court and thwarted by favored attendants seeking repayment for favors. He later retired with the title of Junior Mentor to the Heir Apparent.
59
薰端勁，再知禮部，舉引寒俊，士類多之。 既老，號所居為「隱巖」，蒔松於廷，號「七松處士」雲。
Xun was upright and resolute. Twice he oversaw the Ministry of Rites examinations and promoted poor but talented scholars, winning wide approval among men of letters. In old age he named his residence Hidden Cliff, planted pines in the courtyard, and styled himself the Seven-Pine Recluse.
60
敬晦，字日彰，河中河東人。 祖括，字叔弓，進士及第，遷殿中侍御史。 楊國忠惡不諧己，外除果州刺史，進累兵部侍郎。 誌簡淡，在職不求名。 周智光已誅，議者健括才，選為同州刺史，拜御史大夫。 隱然持重，弗以私害公。 大歷中卒。
Jing Hui, whose courtesy name was Rizhang, was a native of Hedong in Hezhong Circuit. His grandfather Kuo, whose courtesy name was Shugong, passed the jinshi examination and rose to the post of Palace Censor. Yang Guozhong resented his independence and had him sent out as Governor of Guo Prefecture; he was later promoted in stages to Vice Minister of War. Records describe him as plain and unassuming; in office he sought no renown. After Zhou Zhiguang was executed, councilors praised Kuo's ability; he was chosen as Governor of Tong Prefecture and appointed Censor in Chief. He was quietly dignified and steady, and never allowed private interest to compromise public duty. He died during the Dali reign.
61
晦進士及第，辟山南東道節度府，與馬曙聯舍。 於是，帥不政，法制陵頹，曙引大吏廷責之。 吏負兼軍職，不引咎，走訴諸府。 牙將且十輩，方雜語以申吏枉，晦讓諸將曰：「吏冒軍名，公等不能詰，反引與為伍，奈何？」 眾愧謝，闔府咨美。 擢累諫議大夫。 武宗時，趙歸真以詐營罔天子，御史平吳湘獄，得罪宰相。 晦上疏極道非是，不少回縱。
Hui passed the jinshi examination and joined the staff of the Shannan East Circuit military commission, where he shared lodgings with Ma Shu. At that time the commissioner neglected governance, and laws and institutions were in decay; Shu summoned a senior official and publicly rebuked him in court. The official, who also held a concurrent military title, refused to accept blame and ran off to lodge complaints with various offices. Nearly ten garrison adjutants were then talking together to plead the official's case; Hui reproached the commanders, saying, "This official falsely wears a military title, yet you cannot question him and instead side with him—how can this be tolerated?" The men apologized in shame, and the whole commission praised him. He was promoted in stages to Remonstrating Grand Master. During Emperor Wuzong's reign, Zhao Guizhen deceived the emperor through fraudulent schemes, and when the censorate settled the Wu Xiang case it offended the chancellor. Hui submitted a memorial forcefully declaring the matter wrong and would not soften his position in the least.
62
大中中，歷御史中丞、刑部侍郎、諸道鹽鐵轉運使、浙西觀察使。 時南方連饉，有詔弛榷酒茗，官用告覂，晦處身儉勤，貲力遂充。 徙兗州節度使，以太子賓客分司。 卒，贈兵部尚書，謚曰肅。
During the Dazhong era he served successively as Vice Censor in Chief, Vice Minister of Justice, Salt and Iron Transport Commissioner for all circuits, and Observation Commissioner of Zhexi. At that time the south suffered successive famines; an edict relaxed the wine and tea monopolies, and government revenues were exhausted. Hui lived thriftily and diligently, and the commission's resources were restored. He was transferred to Military Governor of Yan Prefecture, then served as Guest of the Heir Apparent with a nominal post at the Eastern Capital. He died and was posthumously honored as Minister of War, with the posthumous title Solemn.
63
晦兄昕、臯，弟戶、煦，俱第進士籍。 昕為河陽節度使，臯右散騎常侍，世寵其家。
Hui's elder brothers Xin and Gao and his younger brothers Hu and Xu all passed the jinshi examination. Xin became Military Governor of Heyang, and Gao became Right Regular Attendant; for generations the court favored their family.
64
韋博，字大業，京兆萬年人。 祖黃裳，浙西節度觀察使。 博取進士第，浸遷殿中侍御史。 開成中，蕭本詐窮得罪，詔與中人籍其財，中人利寶玉，欲竊取去，博奪還，簿無遺貲。
Wei Bo, whose courtesy name was Daye, was a native of Wannian in Jingzhao. His grandfather Huangshang had served as Military Governor and Observation Commissioner of Zhexi. Bo passed the jinshi examination and gradually rose to the post of Palace Censor. In the Kaicheng era, Xiao Ben's fraud was exposed and he was punished; an edict ordered Bo to inventory his property together with eunuchs. The eunuchs coveted his jewels and jade and tried to steal them, but Bo recovered everything, and the ledger showed no missing property.
65
回鶻入寇，以符澈為河東節度使，拜博為判官。 久之，進主客郎中。 時詔毀佛祠，悉浮屠隸主客。 博言令太暴，宜近中，宰相李德裕惡之。 會羌、渾叛，以何清朝為靈武節度使，詔博副之，擢右諫議大夫，召對，賜金紫。 因行西北邊，商虜強弱，還奏有旨，進左大夫，為京兆尹。 與御史中丞囂競不平，皆得罪，下除博衛尉卿。 出為平盧節度使、檢校禮部尚書，徙昭義。 卒，年六十二，贈兵部尚書。
When the Uyghurs invaded, Fu Che was appointed Military Governor of Hedong, and Bo was made a staff judge under him. After some time he was promoted to Director in the Bureau of Receptions. At that time an edict ordered the destruction of Buddhist temples, and all monks were placed under the Bureau of Receptions. Bo argued that the order was too harsh and should be more moderate; Chancellor Li Deyu took offense at this. When the Qiang and Hun rebelled, He Qingchao was appointed Military Governor of Lingwu, and Bo was ordered to serve as his deputy. He was promoted to Right Remonstrating Grand Master, summoned for audience, and granted the gold-and-purple insignia. He then toured the northwest frontier, assessed the strength of the enemy tribes, and on returning submitted a memorial that received imperial approval. He was promoted to Left Grand Master and appointed Metropolitan Governor of Jingzhao. He quarreled bitterly with the Vice Censor in Chief; both were punished, and Bo was demoted to Commandant of the Guard. He was sent out as Military Governor of Pinglu with nominal rank as Minister of Rites, then transferred to Zhaoyi Circuit. He died at the age of sixty-two and was posthumously honored as Minister of War.
66
李景讓，字後己，贈太尉憕孫也。 性方毅有守。 寶歷初，遷右拾遺。 淮南節度使王播以錢十萬市朝廷歡，求領鹽鐵，景讓詣延英亟論不可，遂知名。 沈傳師觀察江西，表以自副。 歷中書舍人、禮部侍郎、商華虢三州刺史。
Li Jingrang, whose courtesy name was Houji, was the grandson of the posthumously honored Grand Marshal Chong. By nature he was upright, resolute, and principled. At the beginning of the Baoli reign he was transferred to Right Remonstrator. Wang Bo, Military Governor of Huainan, offered one hundred thousand cash to buy favor at court and sought control of the salt and iron monopoly; Jingrang went to Yan Ying Hall and urgently argued against it, and thereby made his name. Shen Chuanshi, Observation Commissioner of Jiangxi, recommended him as his deputy. He served successively as Secretariat Drafter, Vice Minister of Rites, and Governor of Shang, Hua, and Guo Prefectures.
67
母鄭，治家嚴，身訓勒諸子。 始，貧乏時，治墻得積錢，僮婢奔告，母曰：「士不勤而祿，猶菑其身，況無妄而得，我何取？」 亟使閉坎。 景讓自右散騎常侍出為浙西觀察使，母問行日，景讓率然對：「有日。」 鄭曰：「如是，吾方有事，未及行。」 蓋怒其不嘗告也。 且曰：「已貴，何庸母行？」 景讓重請罪，乃赦。 故雖老猶加箠敕，已起，欣欣如初。 嘗怒牙將，杖殺之，軍且謀變，母欲息眾讙，召景讓廷責曰：「爾填撫方面而輕用刑，一夫不寧，豈特上負天子，亦使百歲母銜羞泉下！ 何面目見先大夫乎？」 將鞭其背，吏大將再拜請，不許，皆泣謝，乃罷，一軍遂定。 景讓家行脩治，閨門唯謹。
His mother, Lady Zheng, ran the household with strict discipline and personally admonished and disciplined her sons. When the family was still poor, they found a hoard of cash while repairing a wall, and the servants ran to tell her. His mother said, "A scholar who receives salary without diligence already harms himself—how much more so unearned gain? Why should I take it?" She immediately had the pit closed up again. When Jingrang left his post as Right Regular Attendant to become Observation Commissioner of Zhexi, his mother asked when he would depart. Jingrang answered casually, "Soon." Lady Zheng said, "If that is so, I have matters of my own to attend to and am not ready to go yet." She was angry that he had not told her beforehand. She also said, "You are already a man of rank—why should your mother accompany you?" Jingrang repeatedly begged forgiveness, and only then did she relent. Even in old age she still beat and admonished him, yet once the punishment was over he was as cheerful as ever. Once, in anger, he had a garrison adjutant beaten to death, and the army was on the verge of mutiny. To calm the uproar, his mother summoned Jingrang and publicly rebuked him, saying, "You govern a frontier region yet use punishment recklessly. If one man is not at peace, do you not fail the Son of Heaven above and also bring shame upon your hundred-year-old mother in the grave below! With what face can you meet your late father?" She was about to whip his back. The staff officers and senior commanders bowed twice and pleaded with her, but she would not relent until all wept and apologized. Only then did she stop, and the whole army was calmed. Jingrang's family conduct was exemplary, and his household was governed with the utmost propriety.
68
入為尚書左丞，拜天平節度使，徙山南東道，封酒泉縣男。 大中中，進御史大夫，甫視事，劾免侍御史孫玉汝、監察御史盧栯，威肅當朝。 為大夫三月，蔣伸輔政，景讓名素出伸右，而宣宗擇宰相，盡書群臣當選者，以名內器中，禱憲宗神禦前射取之，而景讓名不得。 世謂除大夫百日，有他官相者，謂之「辱臺」。 景讓愧艴不能平，見宰相，自陳考深當代，即拜西川節度使。 以病丐致仕，或諫：「公廉潔亡素儲，不為諸子謀邪？」 景讓笑曰：「兒曹詎餓死乎？」 書聞，輒還東都。 以太子少保分司。 卒，年七十二，贈太子太保，謚曰孝。
He entered the capital as Left Assistant Minister, was appointed Military Governor of Tianping, was transferred to Shannan East Circuit, and was enfeoffed as Baron of Jiuquan County. During the Dazhong era he was promoted to Censor in Chief. As soon as he took office he impeached and removed Palace Censor Sun Yuru and Investigating Censor Lu Yi, and his authority awed the court. After three months as Censor in Chief, Jiang Shen was serving as chief minister. Jingrang's reputation had always stood above Jiang Shen's, yet when Emperor Xuanzong chose a chancellor he wrote out all the ministers eligible for selection, placed the names in a vessel, prayed before Emperor Xianzong's spirit tablet, and drew one by shooting at it—and Jingrang's name was not chosen. It was said that if, within a hundred days of appointment as Censor in Chief, one received another office equivalent to chancellor, this was called disgracing the censorate. Jingrang was ashamed and angry and could not rest; he saw the chancellor, declared that his qualifications were unmatched in his generation, and was immediately appointed Military Governor of Xichuan. When illness led him to request retirement, someone admonished him, saying, "You, sir, are honest and frugal and have no savings—will you not provide for your sons?" Jingrang smiled and said, "Would my sons ever starve?" When the edict arrived, he returned at once to the Eastern Capital. He served as Senior Mentor to the Heir Apparent with a nominal post at the Eastern Capital. He died at the age of seventy-two and was posthumously honored as Grand Mentor to the Heir Apparent, with the posthumous title Filial.
69
性獎士類，拔孤仄，如李蔚、楊知退皆所推引。 始為左丞，蔣伸坐宴所，酌酒語客曰：「有孝於家、忠於國者飲此。」 客肅然，景讓起卒爵。 伸曰：「無宜於公。」 所善蘇滌、裴夷直皆為李宗閔、楊嗣復所擢，故景讓在會昌時，抑厭不遷。 宣宗銜穆宗舊怨，景讓建請遷敬、文、武三主，以猶子行為嫌，請還代宗以下主復入廟，正昭穆。 事下百官議，不然，乃罷，德望稍衰矣。 然清素寡欲，門無雜賓。 李琢罷浙西，以同裏訪之，避不見； 及去，命劚其騙石焉。 元和後，大臣有德望者，以居裏顯，景讓宅東都樂和裏，世稱清德者，號「樂和李公」雲。
By nature he encouraged scholars and promoted obscure and disadvantaged men; Li Wei and Yang Zhitu were among those he advanced. When Jingrang first became Left Assistant Minister, Jiang Shen was hosting a banquet. He poured wine and said to the guests, "Let whoever is filial at home and loyal to the state drink this." The guests fell silent; Jingrang rose and drained the cup. Jiang Shen said, "No one is more fitting than you, sir." Those he favored, Su Di and Pei Yizhi, had all been promoted by Li Zongmin and Yang Sifu; for this reason Jingrang was suppressed and denied promotion during the Huichang era. Emperor Xuanzong still harbored old grievances against Emperor Muzong. Jingrang memorialized requesting the removal of Emperors Jing, Wen, and Wu from their positions, objecting to the practice of adopting sons as heirs, and asked that the emperors from Daizong onward be restored to the main temple to correct the zhao-mu order. The matter was referred to all officials for discussion; they did not agree, and the proposal was dropped. His moral prestige gradually declined. Yet he remained pure and simple, with few desires, and admitted no unworthy guests to his gate. When Li Zhuo left his post in Zhexi he came to visit as a fellow townsman, but Jingrang avoided him and refused to receive him. After Li Zhuo left, Jingrang ordered his inscribed stone dug up and removed. After the Yuanhe era, great ministers of moral prestige were known by the lane in which they lived. Jingrang's residence was in Lehe Lane in the Eastern Capital, and those who praised his pure virtue called him Lord Li of Lehe.
70
弟景溫，字德己，歷諫議大夫、福建觀察使，徙華州刺史，以美政聞。 累遷尚書右丞。 盧攜當國，弟隱繇博士遷水部員外郎，材下資淺，人疾其冒，無敢繩，景溫不許赴省。 時故事久廢，景溫既舉職，人皆韙其正。
His younger brother Jingwen, whose courtesy name was Deji, served successively as Remonstrating Grand Master and Observation Commissioner of Fujian, was transferred to Governor of Hua Prefecture, and was known for excellent governance. He was promoted in stages to Right Assistant Minister. When Lu Xie held power, his younger brother Yin was transferred from Erudite to Vice Director in the Bureau of Waterways despite inferior talent and shallow seniority. People resented the presumption, but none dared restrain him; Jingwen refused to permit him to attend office. Old precedents had long been neglected, but once Jingwen performed his duty everyone approved his righteousness.
71
弟景莊，亦至顯官。
His younger brother Jingzhuang also rose to a prominent office.