Volume 197 Biographies 122: Virtuous Officials

治者，君也；求所以治者，民也；推君之治而濟之民，吏也。故吏良則法平政成，不良則王道馳而敗矣。在堯、舜時，曰「九德咸事」也，「百工惟時」也；在周文、武時，曰「《棫樸》，能官人也」，「《南山有臺》，樂得賢也」；是循吏之效也。堯、舜，五帝之盛帝，文、武，三王之顯王，不能去是而治，後世可乎哉？

The ruler is the one who governs; the people are those who seek good governance; Officials are the ones who carry out the ruler's policies and bring relief to the people. When officials are capable, the law is even-handed and governance succeeds; when they are not, the kingly way falters and collapses. Under Yao and Shun it was said that 'all nine virtues had their proper work' and that 'every office kept its proper season'; Under Kings Wen and Wu of Zhou it was said that the 'Ode of Yue Pu' praised the ability to appoint men to office, and the 'Ode of South Mountain Terrace' celebrated the joy of finding worthy men; such is the achievement of virtuous officials. Yao and Shun were the greatest of the Five Emperors, and Wen and Wu the most illustrious of the Three Kings — neither could govern without this principle. How then could later ages hope to do so?

唐興，承隋亂離，祓荒荼，始擇用州刺史、縣令。太宗嘗曰：「朕思天下事，丙夜不安枕，永惟治人之本，莫重刺史，故錄姓名於屏風，臥興對之，得才否狀，輒疏之下方，以擬廢置。」又詔內外官五品以上舉任縣令者。於是官得其人，民去嘆愁、就妥安。都督、刺史，其職察州縣，間遣使者循行天下，劾舉不職。始，都督、刺史皆天子臨軒冊授。後不復冊，然猶受命日對便殿，賜衣物，乃遣。玄宗開元時，已辭，仍詣側門候進止，所以光寵守臣，以責其功。初，刺史準京官得佩魚，品卑者假緋、魚。開元中，又錮廢酷吏，懲無良，群臣化之，革苛嬈之風，爭以惠利顯。復詔：三省侍郎缺，擇嘗任刺史者；郎官缺，擇嘗任縣令者。至宰相名臣，莫不孜孜言長人不可輕授亟易。是以授受之間，雖不能皆善，而所得十五。故葉氣嘉生，薰為太平，垂祀三百，與漢相埒。致之之術，非循吏謂何？故條次治宜，以著厥庸。若將相大臣兼以勛閥著者，名見本篇，不列於茲。

When the Tang dynasty rose, inheriting the chaos and ruin left by Sui, it began clearing away desolation and carefully choosing prefects and county magistrates. Emperor Taizong once said: 'When I ponder affairs under Heaven, I cannot sleep even past midnight. I have always held that nothing matters more for governing the people than prefects. So I write their names on a screen and face it whenever I rise or lie down. As soon as I learn whether each man has ability, I jot notes beneath his name to decide whether to keep or remove him.' He also ordered that all officials inside and outside the court of fifth rank and above recommend candidates for county magistrate. Offices were thus filled with the right men, and the people left behind their sighs of hardship and found peace. Regional commanders and prefects were charged with overseeing prefectures and counties, and from time to time envoys were sent throughout the realm to impeach officials who neglected their duties. At first, regional commanders and prefects were all personally invested by the emperor in the imperial hall. Later the formal investiture ceased, but on the day they received their commissions they still appeared before the side hall, received gifts of clothing, and only then were sent off. In Emperor Xuanzong's Kaiyuan era, even after being dismissed from audience, appointees still waited at the side gate for further instructions — a mark of honor for frontier officials and a way to hold them accountable for their work. At first prefects, like capital officials, were allowed to wear the fish tally; those of lower rank were lent scarlet robes and fish insignia. During Kaiyuan, harsh officials were again removed from office and the corrupt were punished. The court followed suit, abandoning oppressive practices and competing to show themselves as bringers of benefit to the people. Another edict declared that when vice-minister posts in the Three Departments fell vacant, preference should go to men who had served as prefects; and when courtier posts fell vacant, men who had served as county magistrates were to be chosen. Even chief ministers and celebrated statesmen all insisted that governing the people must not be entrusted lightly or changed too often. Thus, although not every appointment was ideal, roughly seven or eight out of ten proved successful. Auspicious influences flourished and the age ripened into great peace; the dynasty endured for three hundred years, rivaling the Han. If this achievement was not owed to virtuous officials, then to what was it owed? Their governing achievements are therefore set forth in order to record their merits. Ministers and generals who are also noted for distinguished lineage appear elsewhere in this chapter and are not listed here.

韋仁壽，京兆萬年人。隋大業末，為蜀郡司法書佐，斷獄平，得罪者皆自以韋君所論，死無恨。高祖入關，遣使者徇定蜀，承制擢仁壽巂州都督府長史。南寧州納款，朝廷歲遣使撫接，至率貪沓，邊人苦之，多叛去。帝素聞仁壽治理，詔檢校南寧州都督，寄治越巂，詔歲一按行尉勞。仁壽將兵五百人，循西洱河，開地數千里，稱詔置七州十五縣，酋豪皆來賓見，即授以牧宰，威令簡嚴，人人安悅。將還，酋長泣曰：「天子藉公鎮撫，奈何欲去我？」仁壽以池壁未立為解，諸酋即相率築城起廨，甫旬略具。仁壽乃告以實曰：「吾奉詔第撫循，庸敢擅留？」夷夏父老乃悲啼祖行，遣子弟隨貢方物，天子大悅。仁壽請徙治南寧州，假兵遂撫定，詔可，敕益州給兵護送。刺史竇軌疾其功，訹言山獠方叛，未可以遠略，不時遣。歲餘，卒。

Wei Renshou was from Wannian in Jingzhao. At the end of Sui's Daye era he served as judicial clerk of Shu Commandery. His verdicts were fair, and even those condemned to death accepted Wei Jun's judgments without resentment. When Emperor Gaozu entered the Pass, he sent envoys to pacify Shu and provisionally promoted Renshou to chief secretary of the Yizhou Regional Command. When Nanning Prefecture submitted, the court sent annual envoys to win over the region, but they were habitually greedy and corrupt; the frontier people suffered and many rebelled. The emperor, having long heard of Renshou's ability, appointed him acting military commissioner of Nanning Prefecture with his seat at Yuexi, and ordered him to tour and comfort the region once a year. Renshou led five hundred soldiers along the West Er River and opened territory stretching thousands of li. By proclaimed edict he established seven prefectures and fifteen counties. Tribal chiefs came to pay homage and he immediately appointed them as local governors. His rule was simple yet firm, and the people were secure and content. When he prepared to leave, the chieftains wept and said: 'The Son of Heaven relies on you to govern us — how can you abandon us?' Renshou replied that the walls and fortifications were not yet built. The chiefs immediately joined together to build walls and erect offices, and in barely ten days the essentials were complete. Renshou then told them plainly: 'I was sent only to pacify and inspect — how could I dare stay on my own authority?' Barbarian and Chinese elders wept as they saw him off, sending their sons to accompany tribute goods to court. The emperor was greatly pleased. Renshou asked to move his seat to Nanning Prefecture, borrow troops, and complete the pacification. The request was approved and Yizhou was ordered to supply soldiers as escort. Prefect Dou Gui, jealous of his achievement, slandered him, claiming the mountain tribes were rebelling and a distant campaign was impossible; the troops were never sent. More than a year later, he died.

陳君賓，陳鄱陽王伯山子也。仕隋為襄國通守。武德初，挈郡聽命，封東陽郡公，遷邢州刺史。貞觀初，徙鄧州。州承喪亂後，百姓流冗，君賓加意勞徠，不期月，皆還自業。明年，四方霜潦，獨君賓所治有年，儲倉充羨，蒲、虞二州民就食其境。太宗下詔勞之曰：「去年關內六州谷不登，糇糧少，令析民房逐食。聞刺史與百姓識朕此懷，務相安養，還有贏糧，出布帛贈遺行者。此知水旱常數，更相拯贍，禮讓興行，海內之人皆為兄弟，變澆薄之風，朕顧何憂？已命有司錄刺史以下功最；百姓養戶，免今年調物。」是歲，入為太府少卿，轉少府少監，坐事免。起為虔州刺史，卒。

Chen Junbin was the son of Bo Shan, Prince of Poyang of Chen. He served the Sui as defender-general of Xiangguo. At the start of Wude he submitted his commandery, was enfeoffed as Duke of Dongyang Commandery, and was appointed prefect of Xingzhou. At the start of Zhenguan he was transferred to Deng Prefecture. The prefecture had been devastated by war and the people were scattered. Junbin worked hard to encourage them to return, and within a month they had all resumed their livelihoods. The next year frost and floods struck everywhere, but only Junbin's jurisdiction had a good harvest. Storehouses overflowed, and people from Pu and Yu prefectures came to his region for food. Emperor Taizong issued an edict praising him: 'Last year six prefectures within the Pass failed to harvest; provisions were scarce and I ordered the people to disperse in search of food. I hear that you and your people understood my intent, cared for one another in peace, and even had surplus grain, giving cloth and silk to travelers. This shows you understand that flood and drought are part of nature, that people aid one another, that courtesy flourishes, that all under Heaven are as brothers, and that harsh customs are being transformed — what have I to worry about? I have ordered the relevant offices to record the achievements of the prefect and his subordinates; and households that hosted refugees are exempt from this year's tax levies.' That year he entered the capital as vice director of the Court of the Imperial Treasury, was transferred to vice director of the Palace Workshops, and was dismissed for an offense. He was recalled as prefect of Qian Prefecture and died in office.

張允濟，青州北海人。仕隋為武陽令，以愛利為行。元武民以牸牛依婦家者，久之，孳十餘犢，將歸，而婦家不與牛。民訴縣，縣不能決，乃詣允濟，允濟曰：「若自有令，吾何與為？」民泣訴其抑，允濟因令左右縛民，蒙其首，過婦家，雲捕盜牛者，命盡出民家牛，質所來，婦家不知，遽曰：「此婿家牛，我無豫。」即遣左右撤蒙，曰：「可以此牛還婿家。」婦家叩頭服罪，元武吏大慚。允濟過道旁，有姥廬守所蒔蔥，因教曰：「第還舍，脫有盜，當告令。」姥謝歸。俄大亡蔥，允濟召十里內男女盡至，物色驗之，果得盜者。有行人夜發，遺袍道中，行十餘里乃寤，人曰：「吾境未嘗拾遺，可還取之。」既而得袍。舉政尤異，遷高陽郡丞，郡缺太守，獨統郡事，吏下畏悅。賊帥王須拔攻郡，於是糧屈，吏食槐葉槁節，無叛者。貞觀初，累遷刑部侍郎，封武城縣男，擢幽州刺史，卒。

Zhang Yunji was from Beihai in Qing Province. He served the Sui as magistrate of Wuyang, conducting himself with benevolence and public benefit. A man of Yuanwu had left a cow with his wife's family; over time it bore more than ten calves. When he came to take them back, his in-laws refused to return the cattle. The man appealed to the county, which could not decide the case, so he went to Yunji. Yunji said: 'You have your own magistrate — what business is this of mine?' The man wept that he was being wronged. Yunji had his attendants bind the man and cover his head, then pass by the in-laws' home claiming to arrest a cattle thief. He ordered all cattle from the man's household brought out for identification. The in-laws, unaware of the ruse, immediately said: 'These are the son-in-law's cattle — they have nothing to do with us.' He immediately had the covering removed and said: 'These cattle may be returned to the son-in-law's family.' The in-laws kowtowed in admission of guilt, and the officials of Yuanwu were deeply ashamed. Passing a roadside hut where an old woman guarded scallions she had planted, Yunji told her: 'Go home; if anything is stolen, report it to the magistrate.' The old woman thanked him and went home. Soon a large quantity of scallions was stolen. Yunji summoned all men and women within ten li, examined them, and found the thief. A traveler set out at night and left his robe on the road; after more than ten li he realized his loss. Someone told him: 'Lost property is never kept in our territory — you may go back and retrieve it.' He did so and recovered the robe. His governance was especially outstanding. He was promoted to assistant administrator of Gaoyang Commandery and, when the commandery lacked a grand administrator, directed its affairs alone. Officials both feared and admired him. When the bandit chief Wang Xuba attacked the commandery, provisions ran out and officials ate locust leaves and withered stalks, yet none deserted. At the start of Zhenguan he rose to vice minister of justice, was enfeoffed as Baron of Wucheng County, was appointed prefect of You Prefecture, and died in office.

時又有李桐客者，亦以治稱。初仕隋，為門下錄事。煬帝在江都，以四方日亂，謀徙都丹楊，召群臣議。左右希意，以為江左且望幸，若巡狩勒石紀功，復禹舊跡，顧不其然。桐客獨曰：「吳會卑濕而狹，不足奉萬乘、給三軍，吳人力屈，無以堪命，且逾越險阻，非社稷福。御史劾以訕毀，幾得罪而免。為宇文化及脅，將至黎陽，又陷竇建德。賊平，授秦王府法曹參軍。貞觀初，累為通、巴二州刺史，治尚清平，民呼為慈父。桐客，冀州衡水人。

At this time there was also Li Tongke, likewise renowned for his governance. He first served the Sui as a clerk in the Secretariat. When Emperor Yang was at Jiangdu and saw the realm growing more chaotic each day, he planned to move the capital to Danyang and summoned his ministers to discuss it. Those around him sought to please him, arguing that the lands south of the Yangzi already awaited the imperial visit, and that a tour to inscribe stone monuments and restore Yu's old traces would be fitting. Tongke alone objected: 'Wu and Kuai are low, damp, and narrow — insufficient to support the imperial carriage or supply the armies. The people of Wu are exhausted and cannot bear the burden; moreover, crossing dangerous terrain would bring no blessing to the state. A censor impeached him for slander; he nearly suffered punishment but was spared. He was coerced by Yuwen Huaji and taken as far as Liyang, then fell captive to Dou Jiande. When the rebels were pacified, he was appointed legal officer in the Prince of Qin's household. At the start of Zhenguan he served successively as prefect of Tong and Ba prefectures. His governance was clear and fair, and the people called him the Merciful Father. Tongke was from Hengshui in Ji Prefecture.

李素立，趙州高邑人。曾祖義深，仕北齊為梁州刺史。父政藻，為隋水部郎，使淮南，死於盜。素立仕武德初，擢監察御史。民犯法不及死，高祖欲殺之，素立諫曰：「三尺法，天下所共有，一動搖，則人無以措手足。方大業經始，奈何輦轂下先棄刑書傘？」帝嘉納，由是恩顧特異。以親喪解官，起授七品清要，有司擬雍州司戶參軍，帝曰：「要而不清。」復擬秘書郎，帝曰：「清而不要。」乃授侍御史。貞觀中，轉揚州大都督府司馬。

Li Suli was from Gaoyi in Zhao Prefecture. His great-grandfather Yishen served Northern Qi as prefect of Liang Province. His father Zhengzao served the Sui as a director in the Ministry of Waterways; on a mission to Huainan he was killed by bandits. Suli entered service at the start of Wude and was promoted to investigating censor. A commoner broke the law but the offense did not warrant death; Emperor Gaozu wished to execute him. Suli remonstrated: 'The law is shared by all under Heaven; once it is shaken, people have nowhere to turn. Just as great enterprise is beginning, how can we at the capital first cast aside the shield of the penal code?' The emperor praised and accepted this, and from then on showed him special favor. He resigned to mourn a parent, then was recalled to a seventh-rank post that was both important and prestigious. The relevant offices proposed him as registrar of Yong Prefecture. The emperor said: 'Important but not prestigious.' They next proposed him as secretary; the emperor said: 'Prestigious but not important.' He was then appointed attendant censor. During Zhenguan he was transferred to vice administrator of the Yangzhou Metropolitan Command.

初，突厥鐵勒部內附，即其地為瀚海都護府，詔素立領之。於是，闕泥熟別部數梗邊，素立以不足用兵，遣使諭降，夷人感其惠，率馬牛以獻，素立止受酒一杯，歸其餘。乃開屯田，立署次，虜益畏威。歷太僕、鴻臚卿，累封高邑縣侯。出為綿州刺史。永徽初，徙蒲州，將行，還所餘儲乞並什器於州，賫家書就道。會卒，高宗特廢朝一日，謚曰平。

When the Tiele tribes of the Turks submitted, their territory was made the Hanhai Protectorate and Suli was ordered to command it. The Quenisu branch repeatedly harassed the frontier. Suli, deeming force insufficient, sent envoys to persuade them to submit. The tribes were moved by his kindness and brought horses and cattle as tribute; Suli accepted only one cup of wine and returned the rest. He then opened military colonies and established administrative posts, and the tribes increasingly respected his authority. He served as minister of the imperial stud and minister of reception for foreign envoys, and was repeatedly enfeoffed as Marquis of Gaoyi County. He was appointed prefect of Mian Prefecture. At the start of Yonghui he was transferred to Pu Prefecture. Before departing, he returned surplus stores and left utensils with the prefecture, taking only family letters on the road. He died en route; Emperor Gaozong specially suspended court for one day and posthumously titled him Ping.

孫至遠，始名鵬。而素立方奉使，謂家人曰：「古有待事名子，吾此役可命子孫矣。」遂以名之。少秀晤，能治《尚書》、《左氏春秋》，未見杜預《釋例》而作《編記》，大趣略同。復撰《周書》，起後稷至赧，為傳紀，令狐德棻許其良史。始調蒲州參軍，累補乾封尉。上元時，制策高第，授明堂主簿。以喪解，既除，調鴻臚主簿。奏戎狄簿領，高宗悅，擢監察御史裏行。忤貴幸，外遷，久乃歷司勛、吏部員外郎中。遷天官侍郎，知選事，疾令史受賄謝，多所絀易，吏肅然斂手。有王忠者，被放，吏謬書其姓為「士」，欲擬訖增成之，至遠曰：「調者三萬，無士姓，此必王忠。」吏叩頭服罪。至遠之知選，以內史李昭德進，人或勸其往謝，答曰：「公以公用我，奈何欲謝以私？」卒不詣。故昭德銜之，出為壁州刺史。卒，年四十八。

His grandson Zhiyuan was originally named Peng. When Suli was about to depart on a mission, he told his family: 'In antiquity children were named after awaited events; this mission of mine can be used to name posterity.' He was therefore given this name. In youth he was brilliant; he mastered the Documents and Mr. Zuo's Spring and Autumn Annals. Without having seen Du Yu's Explanatory Examples, he wrote a Chronological Record whose general approach was largely the same. He also compiled a Book of Zhou from Houji down to King Nan in biographical and annal form; Linghu Defen acknowledged him as a fine historian. He first served as aide of Pu Prefecture and rose to assistant magistrate of Qianfeng. In the Shangyuan era he ranked first in the policy examination and was appointed chief clerk of the Bright Hall. He resigned to mourn a parent and, once the mourning period ended, was assigned as chief clerk of the Court of Reception. He submitted a register of frontier tribes; Emperor Gaozong was pleased and promoted him to acting investigating censor. He offended favored courtiers and was posted elsewhere; only after a long interval did he serve in the Bureau of Merit and as outer director in the Ministry of Personnel. He was made vice minister of the Celestial Office and directed appointments. He cracked down on clerks who took bribes and replaced many of them, and the staff soberly withdrew their hands. A man named Wang Zhong had been dismissed, but a clerk mistakenly wrote his surname as Shi and planned to finish the draft later. Zhiyuan said: 'Among thirty thousand appointees there is no surname Shi — this must be Wang Zhong.' The clerk kowtowed and admitted guilt. Zhiyuan owed his appointment to Chief Minister Li Zhaode; some urged him to go and offer thanks, but he replied: 'He employed me for public reasons — how could I thank him as a private favor?' In the end he never went. Zhaode therefore resented him and had him posted as prefect of Bi Prefecture. He died at forty-eight.

至遠父休烈，亦有文，終郪令，年四十九。世嘆其父子材不盡雲。至遠見桓彥範，力言其賢。盧從願尚少，高以評目。許弟從遠且貴，豫言其位，以驗所至。蘇颋，其出也，少失母，至遠愛視甚謹，以女妻之。友兄弟，事寡姊有禮，世稱其德。

Zhiyuan's father Xiulie was also a man of letters; he ended his career as magistrate of Qi and died at forty-nine. People lamented that father and son had not fully realized their talents. When Zhiyuan met Huan Yanfan, he strongly declared the man's worth. Lu Congyuan was still young, yet Zhiyuan rated him highly. He declared that his younger brother Congyuan would rise to eminence and foretold his rank, to test the reach of his judgment. Su Ting, a maternal kinsman, lost his mother in youth; Zhiyuan cared for him with great devotion and gave him his daughter in marriage. He was close to his brothers and treated his widowed elder sister with proper respect; people praised his virtue.

從遠清密有學，神龍初，歷中書令、太府卿，累封趙郡公，謚曰懿。兄弟皆德望相埒。又從父遊道，武后時冬官尚書、同鳳閣鸞臺三品。

Congyuan was pure, careful, and learned. At the start of Shenlong he served as chief minister of the Secretariat and minister of the imperial treasury, was enfeoffed as Duke of Zhao Commandery, and was posthumously titled Yi. The brothers were all matched in virtue and reputation. Their father's younger cousin Youdao served under Empress Wu as minister of public works and third-rank associate of the Phoenix Pavilion and Luan Terrace.

至遠子畬，字玉田，少聰警。初歷汜水主簿，遇事蜂銳，雖廝豎，一閱輒記姓名、居業。黜陟使路敬潛薦其清白，擢右臺監察御史裏行。臺廢，授監察御史，累轉國子司業。事母謹，累世同居，長幼有禮。畬妻物故，時母病，恐悲傷，約家人無以哭聞母所，朝夕省侍無憂色。母終，毀而卒。

Zhiyuan's son Yu, styled Yutian, was clever and quick-witted in youth. He first served as chief clerk of Sishui. In handling affairs he was sharp as a hornet — even a menial, once seen, he would remember the person's name and occupation. The promotion-and-demotion commissioner Lu Jingqian recommended his integrity, and he was promoted to acting censor of the Right Platform. When the censorate was abolished, he was appointed investigating censor and eventually rose to vice director of the Directorate of Education. He served his mother devotedly. For generations the family lived together, and elders and juniors observed proper decorum. Yu's wife died while his mother was ill. Fearing grief would harm her, he instructed the household not to let weeping reach her quarters and attended her morning and evening without a sorrowful face. When his mother died, he wasted away in grief and died.

從遠子巖，年十餘歲，會中宗祀明堂，以近臣子弟執籩豆，巖進止中禮，授右宗衛兵曹參軍。歷洛陽尉，累遷兵部郎中。發扶風兵應姚、巂，稱旨，遷諫議大夫，封贊皇縣伯。終兵部侍郎。巖善草隸。為參軍時制一裘，服終身。

Congyuan's son Yan, still in his teens, attended when Emperor Zhongzong sacrificed at the Bright Hall. As a son of a close minister he bore the ritual vessels, and Yan's movements were perfectly proper. He was appointed military officer of the Right Imperial Guard. He served as aide of Luoyang and rose to director in the Ministry of War. He mobilized Fufeng troops to support Yao and Yi prefectures. This pleased the emperor, and he was promoted to remonstrance grandee and enfeoffed as Earl of Zanhuang County. He ended his career as vice minister of war. Yan was skilled in cursive and clerical script. As a military aide he had one fur coat made and wore it for the rest of his life.

薛大鼎，字重臣，蒲州汾陰人。父粹，為隋介州長史，與漢王諒同反，誅。大鼎貰為官奴，流辰州，用戰功得還。高祖兵興，謁見龍門，因說帝絕龍門，軍永豐倉就食，傳檄遠近，據天府，示豪桀，為拊背扼喉計，帝奇之。時諸將已決策先攻河東，故議置。授大將軍府察非掾。出為山南道副大使，開屯田以實倉廩。趙郡王孝恭討輔公祏，以大鼎為饒州道軍師，引兵度彭蠡湖，以功遷浩州刺史。累徙滄州。無棣渠久廞塞，大鼎浚治屬之海，商賈流行，裏民歌曰：「新溝通，舟楫利。屬滄海，魚鹽至。昔徒行，今騁駟。美哉薛公德滂被！」又疏長蘆、漳、衡三渠，泄汙潦，水不為害。是時，鄭德本在瀛州，賈敦頤為冀州，皆有治名故河北稱「鐺腳刺史」。永徽中，遷銀青光祿大夫，行荊州大都督長史。卒，謚曰恭。

Xue Dading, styled Zhongchen, was from Fenyin in Pu Prefecture. His father Cui served the Sui as chief secretary of Jie Prefecture; he joined the Prince of Han, Liang, in rebellion and was executed. Dading was ransomed from bondage as a government slave, was exiled to Chen Prefecture, and returned through military merit. When Emperor Gaozu raised his army, Dading met him at Longmen and urged him to block Longmen, march to the Ever-Abundant Granary for provisions, issue proclamations far and near, hold the imperial granary, display power to the bold, and adopt the strategy of patting the back while gripping the throat. The emperor marveled at this. The generals had already decided to attack Hedong first, so the proposal was set aside. He was appointed investigator of wrongdoing in the grand general's headquarters. He was posted as vice commissioner of the South Mountain Circuit and opened military colonies to fill the granaries. When Prince of Zhao Commandery Xiaogong campaigned against Fu Gongshi, Dading served as military adviser on the Raozhou route, led troops across Lake Poyang, and for his merit was appointed prefect of Hao Prefecture. He was eventually transferred to Cang Prefecture. The Wudi Canal had long been silted shut; Dading dredged it and connected it to the sea. Merchants traveled freely, and the people sang: 'The new channel is open, boats and oars prosper. It reaches the blue sea, fish and salt arrive. Once we walked on foot, now we gallop in carriages. How fine is Lord Xue's virtue, spreading like a torrent!' He also dredged the Changlu, Zhang, and Heng canals to drain stagnant floodwater so that water no longer caused harm. At this time Zheng Deben was in Ying Prefecture and Jia Dunyi in Ji Prefecture; all were famed for good governance, so north of the Yellow River they were called the 'Tripod-Leg Prefects.' In the Yonghui era he was promoted to silver-blue-glow grand master of splendid happiness and acting chief administrator of the Jingzhou Metropolitan Command. He died and was posthumously titled Gong.

子克構，有器識，永隆初，歷戶部郎中。族人黃門侍郎顗，以弟紹尚太平公主，問於克構，答曰：「室有傲婦，善士所惡。夫惟淑德，以配君子，無患可矣。」顗不敢沮，而紹卒誅。陳思忠居父喪，詔奪服，客往吊，思忠辭以辰日不見。克構曰：「事親者，避嫌可也；既孤矣，則無不哭。」世服其言。天授中，遷麟臺監。坐弟為酷吏所陷，流死嶺南。

His son Kegou had capacity and insight; at the start of Yonglong he served as director in the Ministry of Revenue. His clansman Huangmen Attendant Yi, whose younger brother Shao was betrothed to Princess Taiping, asked Kegou, who replied: 'A household with a haughty wife is what good men detest. Only virtuous character, to match a gentleman — then there is nothing to worry about.' Yi did not dare dissuade him, and Shao was eventually executed. Chen Sizhong was mourning his father when an edict ordered him to leave mourning garb. When a guest came to offer condolences, Sizhong declined on the ground that it was a chen day on which he did not receive visitors. Kegou said: 'In serving parents, one may avoid suspicion; but once one is orphaned, one cannot refrain from weeping.' People admired his words. In the Tianshou era he was transferred to director of the Forest Platform. Because his younger brother was framed by a harsh official, he was exiled and died in Lingnan.

賈敦頤，曹州冤句人。貞觀時，數歷州刺史，資廉潔。入朝，常盡室行，車一乘，弊甚，羸馬繩羈，道上不知其刺史也。久之，為洛州司馬，以公累下獄，太宗貰之，有司執不貰，帝曰：「人孰無過，吾去太甚者。若悉繩以法，雖子不得於父，況臣得事其君乎？」遂獲原。徙瀛州刺史，州瀕滹沱、滱二水，歲湓溢，壞室廬，浸洳數百里。敦頤為立堰庸，水不能暴，百姓利之。時弟敦實為饒陽令，政清靜，吏民嘉美。舊制，大功之嫌不連官，朝廷以其兄弟治行相高，故不徙以示寵。永徽中，遷洛州。洛多豪右，占田類逾制，敦頤舉沒者三千餘頃，以賦貧民，發奸擿伏，下無能欺。卒於官。

Jia Dunyi was from Yuanqu in Cao Prefecture. During Zhenguan he served repeatedly as prefect; his character was honest and incorruptible. When he came to court he usually traveled with his whole household in one very worn carriage, a thin horse with rope reins — on the road no one knew he was a prefect. After a long time he served as vice prefect of Luo Prefecture and was imprisoned for a public offense. Emperor Taizong pardoned him, but the relevant offices refused. The emperor said: 'Who has no faults? I remove the excessive ones. If all were bound strictly by law, even a son could not serve his father — how much less could a minister serve his lord?' He was then pardoned. He was transferred to prefect of Ying Prefecture, which bordered the Hutuo and Hu rivers. Each year they overflowed, destroying houses and soaking land for hundreds of li. Dunyi built dikes and organized labor corvée; the floods could no longer rage, and the people benefited. At the time his younger brother Dunshi was magistrate of Raoyang; his governance was clear and quiet, and officials and people praised it. By old regulation, relatives within greater mourning were not posted to connected offices; because the brothers' governing conduct was equally outstanding, the court did not transfer them, as a mark of favor. In the Yonghui era he was transferred to Luo Prefecture. Luoyang had many powerful families whose landholdings mostly exceeded regulations. Dunyi confiscated more than three thousand qing and assigned it to the poor. He exposed hidden wrongdoing, and subordinates could not deceive him. He died in office.

咸亨初，敦實為洛州長史，亦寬惠，人心懷向。洛陽令楊德幹矜酷烈，杖殺人以立威，敦實喻止，曰：「政在養人，傷生過多，雖能，不足貴也。」德幹為衰減。始，洛人為敦頤刻碑大市旁，及敦實入為太子右庶子，人復為立碑其側，故號「常棣碑」。歷懷州刺史，有美跡。永淳初致仕，病篤，子孫迎醫，敦實不肯見，曰：「未聞良醫能治老也。」卒，年九十餘。子膺福，左散騎常侍、昭文館學士，以竇懷貞黨誅。

At the start of Xianheng, Dunshi served as chief administrator of Luo Prefecture. He too was lenient and benevolent, and the people turned toward him. The magistrate of Luoyang, Yang Degan, was harsh and cruel and beat people to death to establish authority. Dunshi admonished him to stop, saying: 'Government lies in nurturing the people; if too many lives are harmed, even ability is not worth esteem.' Degan somewhat reduced his severity. At first the people of Luoyang erected a stele for Dunyi beside the great market. When Dunshi entered service as right vice tutor of the heir apparent, they erected another beside it, hence the name 'Stelae of the Evergreen Privet.' He served as prefect of Huai Prefecture and left a fine record of governance. At the start of Yongchun he retired. When gravely ill, his sons and grandsons summoned a physician, but Dunshi refused to see him, saying: 'I have never heard that a good physician can cure old age.' He died at more than ninety. His son Yingfu was left attendant cavalryman-at-large and scholar of the Zhaowen Hall; he was executed as a member of Dou Huaizhen's faction.

德幹歷澤、齊、汴、相四州刺史，有威嚴＃急語曰：「寧食三斗炭，不逢楊德幹。」天授初，子神讓與徐敬業起兵，皆及誅。

Degan served successively as prefect of Ze, Qi, Bian, and Xiang prefectures and had formidable authority. A saying ran: 'Better eat three pecks of charcoal than encounter Yang Degan.' At the start of Tianshou, his son Shenrang joined Xu Jingye in raising troops; both were executed.

田仁會，雍州長安人。祖軌，隋幽州刺史，封信都郡公。父弘襲封，至陵州刺史。仁會擢制舉，仕累左武候中郎將。太宗征遼東，而薛延陀以數萬騎掩河內，詔仁會與執失思力率兵擊敗之，尾逐數百里，延陀幾生得，璽書嘉尉。永徽中，為平州刺史，歲旱，自暴以祈，而雨大至，谷遂登。人歌曰：「父母育我兮田使君，挺精誠兮上天聞，中田致雨兮山出雲，倉廩實兮禮義申，願君常在兮不患貧。」五遷勝州都督，境有夙賊，依山剽行人，仁會發騎捕格，夷之。城門夜開，道無寇跡。入為太府少卿，遷右金吾將軍。所得祿，估有贏，輒入之官，人以為尚名。然資強摯疾惡，晝夜循行，有絲毫奸必發，廷中謫罰日數百，京師無貴賤舉憚之。巫傳鬼道惑眾，自言能活死人，市裏尊神，仁會劾徙於邊。轉右衛將軍，以年老乞骸骨。卒，年七十八，謚曰威。

Tian Renhui was from Chang'an in Yong Prefecture. His grandfather Gui served the Sui as prefect of You Prefecture and was enfeoffed as Duke of Xindu Commandery. His father Hong inherited the enfeoffment and rose to prefect of Ling Prefecture. Renhui passed the policy examination and rose to middle general of the Left Martial Guard. When Emperor Taizong campaigned in Liaodong, Xueyantuo raided Henei with tens of thousands of horsemen. Renhui was ordered with Zhisi Sili to lead troops and defeat them, pursuing for hundreds of li. Xueyantuo was nearly captured alive, and an imperial letter praised him. In the Yonghui era he served as prefect of Ping Prefecture. In a year of drought he exposed himself to the sun in prayer, great rain came, and the grain ripened. The people sang: 'Our parents nourished us — Prefect Tian! With utmost sincerity Heaven heard; rain came to the fields and clouds rose from the mountains; granaries are full and ritual and righteousness flourish; may you always remain — then we need not fear poverty.' After five transfers he became military commissioner of Sheng Prefecture. Longstanding bandits in the territory plundered travelers from the mountains; Renhui dispatched cavalry to capture and kill them, exterminating the threat. City gates were opened at night, and the roads showed no trace of bandits. He entered the capital as vice director of the Court of the Imperial Treasury and was transferred to general of the Right Golden Guard. When his salary, once appraised, showed a surplus, he immediately turned it in to the government; people thought he valued reputation. Yet by nature he was strong, upright, and hated evil. Day and night he patrolled; the slightest wrongdoing he exposed. Court demotions and punishments numbered in the hundreds each day, and in the capital none, high or low, failed to fear him. A shaman spread ghostly ways to delude the masses, claiming he could revive the dead. The market district honored him as a god; Renhui impeached him and had him exiled to the frontier. He was transferred to general of the Right Guard and, on account of old age, requested retirement. He died at seventy-eight and was posthumously titled Wei.

子歸道，明經及第，累擢通事舍人內供奉、左衛郎將。突厥默啜請和，武后詔將軍閻知微冊可汗號，持節往。默啜又遣使謝，知微遇諸道，即與緋袍銀帶，因表使者即到，請備禮廷賜。歸道諫曰：「虜背惠且積年，今悔過入朝，解辮削衽宜待天旨。而知微擅賜，使朝廷何以加之？宜敕初服，須天子命。小國使者，不足備禮迓之。」後從焉。默啜將至單于都護府，詔歸道攝司賓卿往勞。默啜請六胡州及都護府地不得，大怨望，執歸道將害之。歸道色不橈，詈且讓，為陳禍福，默啜亦悔。會有詔賜默啜粟三萬石，彩五萬段，農器三千，且許結婚，於是更以禮遣歸道。既還，具陳默啜不臣狀，請備邊。已而果反，乃擢歸道夏官侍郎，益親信。

His son Guidao passed the classics examination and rose to palace attendant for foreign affairs and left guard commandant. The Turk Moqochuo requested peace; Empress Wu ordered General Yan Zhiwei to invest him with the title of khan and sent him bearing credentials. Moqochuo again sent envoys to express thanks. Zhiwei, meeting them on the road, immediately gave them scarlet robes and silver belts and memorialized that the envoys had arrived, requesting full court ceremony to bestow gifts. Guidao remonstrated: 'The barbarians have betrayed our kindness for years. Now that they repent and come to court, loosening braids and cutting robes should await the emperor's command. Yet Zhiwei bestows gifts on his own authority — what further honors can the court add? Initial robes should be granted by edict and require the emperor's command. Envoys from a small state do not warrant full ceremony to receive them.' Later he accompanied the mission. When Moqochuo was about to reach the Chanyu Protectorate, Guidao was ordered to serve as acting minister of reception and go to welcome him. Moqochuo's request for the Six Hu Prefectures and the protectorate territory was denied. Greatly resentful, he seized Guidao and was about to kill him. Guidao's countenance did not waver. He cursed and reproached him, explained fortune and disaster, and Moqochuo repented. An edict then granted Moqochuo thirty thousand shi of grain, fifty thousand bolts of silk, three thousand farming tools, and permission for marriage alliance. Moqochuo then sent Guidao away with ceremony. Once returned, he fully reported Moqochuo's disloyal conduct and requested border preparations. Soon afterward Moqochuo rebelled as predicted. Guidao was promoted to vice minister of the Summer Office and gained greater trust.

遷左金吾將軍、司膳卿，押千騎宿衛玄武門。桓彥範等誅二張，而歸道不豫聞，及索騎士，拒不應。事平，彥範欲誅之，以辭直，免，還私第。然中宗壯其守，召拜太僕少卿，遷殿中少監、右金吾將軍。卒，贈輔國大將軍，追封原國公，謚曰烈，帝自為文以祭。

He was transferred to general of the Left Golden Guard and minister of provisions, commanding a thousand horsemen to guard the Xuanwu Gate by night. When Huan Yanfan and others executed the Two Zhangs, Guidao had not been informed in advance. When they demanded horsemen, he refused to respond. When the affair was settled, Yanfan wished to execute him, but because his words were upright he was spared and returned home. Yet Emperor Zhongzong admired his integrity, summoned him as vice director of the imperial stud, and transferred him to vice director of the palace workshops and general of the Right Golden Guard. He died and was posthumously made grand general who assists the state, enfeoffed as Duke of Yuan State, and titled Lie. The emperor himself composed a text to offer sacrifice.

子賓庭，開元時至光祿卿。

His son Binting rose to minister of the imperial household in the Kaiyuan era.

裴懷古，壽州壽春人。儀鳳中，上書闕下，補下邽主簿，頻遷監察御史。姚、巂道蠻反，命懷古馳驛往懷輯之，申明誅賞，歸者日千計。俄縛首惡，遂定南方，蠻夏立石著功。恒州浮屠為其徒誣告祝詛不道，武后怒，命按誅之。懷古得其枉，為後申訴，不聽，因曰：「陛下法與天下畫一，豈使臣殺無辜以希盛旨哉？即其人有不臣狀，臣何情寬之？」後意解，得不誅。

Pei Huaigu was from Shouchun in Shou Prefecture. In the Yifeng era he submitted a memorial at the palace gate, was appointed chief clerk of Xiagui, and rose to investigating censor. The barbarians of the Yao and Yi routes rebelled. Huaigu was ordered to ride post-haste to soothe and gather them, clarifying punishments and rewards. Those who submitted numbered a thousand per day. Soon he bound the chief culprits and pacified the south. Barbarians and Chinese alike erected steles recording his achievements. A Buddhist monk in Heng Prefecture was falsely accused by his disciples of cursing with impious rites. Empress Wu was angry and ordered investigation and execution. Huaigu found the injustice and appealed on the monk's behalf but was not heeded. He said: 'Your Majesty's law is one with all under Heaven — how could you have me kill the innocent to please you? If the man truly showed disloyal conduct, why would I wish to spare him?' Later her anger eased and the monk was not executed.

閻知微之使突厥，懷古監其軍。默啜脅知微稱可汗，又欲官懷古，不肯拜，將殺之。辭曰：「守忠而死與毀節以生敦與？請就斬，不避也。」遂囚軍中，因得亡，而素尫弱，不能騎，宛轉山谷間，僅達并州。時長史武重規縱暴，左右妄殺人取賞，見懷古至，爭執之。有果毅嘗識懷古，疾呼曰：「裴御史也。」遂免。遷祠部員外郎。

When Yan Zhiwei went as envoy to the Turks, Huaigu supervised his escort. Moqochuo coerced Zhiwei to proclaim him khan and also wished to appoint Huaigu to office. Huaigu refused to bow and was about to be killed. He replied: 'Which is weightier — dying while keeping loyalty, or living while destroying integrity? I request immediate execution and will not shrink from it.' He was imprisoned in the army camp but managed to escape. Frail by nature and unable to ride, he wound through valleys and mountains and barely reached Bing Prefecture. Chief Administrator Wu Chonggui was violent and unrestrained; his attendants killed people at random for rewards. Seeing Huaigu arrive, they competed to seize him. A resolute guard who had once known Huaigu cried out urgently: 'It is Censor Pei.' He was then spared. He was transferred to outer director in the Ministry of Rites.

姚、巂酋等叩闕下，願得懷古鎮安遠夷，拜姚州都督，以疾辭。始安賊歐陽倩眾數萬，剽沒州縣，以懷古為桂州都督招尉討擊使，未逾嶺，逆以書諭禍福，賊迎降，自陳為吏侵而反。懷古知其誠，以為示不疑，可破其謀，乃輕騎赴之。或曰：「獠夷難親，備之且不信，況易之哉！」答曰：「忠信可通神明，況裔人耶！」身至壁撫諭，倩等大喜，悉歸所掠出降，雖諸洞素翻覆者，亦牽連根附，嶺外平。

Chieftains of Yao and Yi came to the palace gate, wishing to have Huaigu pacify the distant barbarians. He was appointed military commissioner of Yao Prefecture but declined on account of illness. The bandit Ouyang Qian of Shian had tens of thousands of followers and plundered prefectures and counties. Huaigu was made military commissioner of Gui Prefecture with authority to recruit, pacify, and attack. Before crossing the ridge, he sent a letter explaining fortune and disaster. The bandits came to surrender, confessing they had rebelled because officials oppressed them. Huaigu knew their sincerity and thought that showing trust could break their plot. He went with a light escort. Someone said: 'Liao barbarians are hard to approach — if you prepare against them they will not trust you; how much less if you treat them lightly!' He replied: 'Loyalty and trust can reach the spirits — how much more frontier peoples!' He went in person to the stockade to soothe and instruct. Qian and the others were greatly pleased, returned all they had plundered, and surrendered. Even caves that had always been fickle were drawn in, and the region south of the ridges was pacified.

徙相州刺史、并州大都督長史，所至吏民懷愛。神龍中，召為左羽林大將軍，未至官，還為并州。人知其還，攜扶老稚出迎。崔宣道始代為長史，亦野次。懷古不欲厚愧宣道，使人驅迎者還，而來者愈眾，得人心類如此。俄轉幽州都督，綏懷兩蕃，將舉落內屬，會以左威衛大將軍召，而孫佺代之，而佺不知兵，遂敗其師。卒於官。

He was transferred to prefect of Xiang Prefecture and chief administrator of the Bingzhou Metropolitan Command. Wherever he went, officials and people cherished him. In the Shenlong era he was summoned as grand general of the Left Forest Guard but, before reaching office, was returned to Bing Prefecture. When people learned of his return, they brought out the old and young to welcome him. Cui Xuandao had just replaced him as chief administrator and was also encamped in the countryside. Huaigu did not wish to deeply shame Xuandao and had the welcomers driven back, yet those who came grew ever more numerous — such was his way of winning hearts. Soon he was transferred to military commissioner of You Prefecture, soothing the two barbarian tribes. He was about to bring their settlements to submit when he was summoned as grand general of the Left Martial Guard. Sun Quan replaced him, but Quan did not understand warfare and the army was defeated. He died in office.

懷古清介審慎，在幽州時，韓琬以監察御史監軍，稱其「馭士信，臨財廉，國名將」云。

Huaigu was pure, upright, and careful. When in You Prefecture, Han Wan, serving as investigating censor supervising the army, praised him as 'commanding men with trust, facing wealth with integrity — a renowned general of the state.'

韋景駿，司農少卿弘機孫。中明經。神龍中，歷肥鄉令。縣北瀕漳，連年泛溢，人苦之。舊防迫漕渠，雖峭岸，隨即壞決。景駿相地勢，益南千步，因高築鄣，水至堤趾輒去，其北燥為腴田。又維艚以梁其上，而廢長橋，功少費約，後遂為法。方河北饑，身巡閭里，勸人通有無，教導撫循，縣民獨免流散。及去，人立石著其功。後為貴鄉令，有母子相訟者，景駿曰：「令少不天，常自痛。爾幸有親，而忘孝邪？教之不孚，令之罪也。」因嗚咽流涕，付授《孝經》，使習大義。於是母子感悟，請自新，遂為孝子。當時治有名者：景駿與清漳令馮元淑、臨洺令楊茂謙三人。

Wei Jingjun was the grandson of Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue Hongji. He passed the illuminated classics examination. In the Shenlong era he served as magistrate of Feixiang. The county bordered the Zhang River to the north, which overflowed year after year and caused the people great suffering. The old dikes pressed close to the canal channel; though the banks were steep, they immediately broke and burst. Jingjun surveyed the terrain, extended southward a thousand paces, and built embankments on high ground. When water reached the foot of the dike it immediately departed, and the land to the north dried into fertile fields. He also moored boats to bridge above it and abolished the long bridge. The work was less and the expense modest, and afterward this became the standard method. Just as Hebei was suffering famine, he personally toured the villages, encouraged people to share what they had, and instructed and comforted them. The county's people alone were spared scattering and displacement. When he departed, the people erected a stele recording his achievements. Later he served as magistrate of Guixiang. When a mother and son sued each other, Jingjun said: 'This magistrate lost his father in youth and always grieves for it. You are fortunate to have a parent — yet you forget filial piety? If instruction does not win trust, it is the magistrate's fault.' He then sobbed with tears flowing, handed them the Classic of Filial Piety, and had them study its great principles. Mother and son were moved to understanding, asked to reform themselves, and became filial children. At the time those famed for governance were three: Jingjun, Feng Yuanshu magistrate of Qingzhang, and Yang Maoqian magistrate of Linming.

景駿後數年為趙州長史，道出肥鄉，民喜，爭奏酒食迎犒，有小兒亦在中。景駿曰：「方兒曹未生，而吾去邑，非有舊恩，何故來？」對曰：「耆老為我言，學廬、館舍、橋鄣皆公所治，意公為古人，今幸親見，所以來。」景駿為留終日。後遷房州刺史。州窮險，有蠻夷風，無學校，好祀淫鬼，景駿為諸生貢舉，通隘道，作傳舍，罷祠房無名者。景駿之治民，求所以便之，類如此。轉奉天令，未行，卒。

Several years later Jingjun served as chief administrator of Zhao Prefecture. Passing through Feixiang, the people rejoiced and competed to offer wine and food to welcome him. A small child was also among them. Jingjun said: 'When you children were not yet born I had already left the county — there was no old kindness. Why have you come?' He replied: 'The elders told me that the school halls, guesthouses, bridges, and embankments were all built by you. I thought you were a man of antiquity — now I am fortunate to see you in person, and that is why I came.' Jingjun stayed a full day for their sake. Later he was transferred to prefect of Fang Prefecture. The prefecture was remote and dangerous, with barbarian customs. There were no schools and people favored worship of improper spirits. Jingjun had students recommended for office, opened narrow passes, built relay stations, and abolished shrines to nameless spirits. In governing the people, Jingjun sought whatever would benefit them — mostly like this. He was transferred to magistrate of Fengtian but died before departing.

茂謙擢制舉，授左拾遺內供奉，為吏介而勤，歷秘書郎。始竇懷貞雅重其材，及執政，薦為大理正、左臺御史中丞。開元初，出為魏州刺史、河北道按察使。與司馬張懷玉同鄉，長相善，洎晚有隙，掉訐短長，左遷桂州都督。徙廣州。卒。

Maoqian passed the policy examination and was appointed left remonstrance official in palace service. As an official he was upright and diligent and served as secretary. At first Dou Huaizhen greatly valued his talent. When he took power he recommended him as chief judge of the Court of Judicial Review and censor-in-chief of the Left Platform. At the start of Kaiyuan he was posted as prefect of Wei Prefecture and inspection commissioner of the Hebei Circuit. He was from the same home district as Vice Prefect Zhang Huaiyu and for long they were on good terms, but in later years a rift arose. They slandered each other's faults, and he was demoted to military commissioner of Gui Prefecture. He was transferred to Guang Prefecture. He died.

景駿子述，自有傳。

Jingjun's son Shu has his own biography.

李惠登，營州柳城人，為平盧軍裨將。安祿山亂，從董秦泛海，略定滄、棣等州。輕兵遠鬥，賊不支，戰輒北。史思明反，惠登陷賊，以計挺身走山南，依來瑱，表試金吾衛將軍。李希烈反，屬以兵二千，使屯隋州，惠登挈州以歸，即拜刺史。州數被亂，野如蓺，人無處業。惠登雖樸素無學術，而視人所謂利者行之，所謂害者去之，率心所安，暗與古合。政清靜，居二十年，田畝辟，戶口日增，人歌舞之。於是節度使於頔狀其績，詔加御史大夫，升隋為上州。俄檢校國子祭酒，卒，贈洪州都督。

Li Huideng was from Liucheng in Ying Prefecture and served as deputy general of the Pinglu Army. When the An Lushan rebellion broke out, he followed Dong Qin across the sea and roughly pacified Cang, Di, and other prefectures. With light troops fighting far from base, the rebels could not hold and fled north in every battle. When Shi Siming rebelled, Huideng fell into rebel hands but by stratagem boldly escaped to Shannan, attached himself to Lai Tian, and was provisionally appointed general of the Golden Guard. When Li Xilie rebelled, he was assigned two thousand troops and ordered to garrison Sui Prefecture. Huideng brought the prefecture back in submission and was immediately appointed prefect. The prefecture had repeatedly suffered disorder. The fields were like wasteland and people had no place to settle. Although Huideng was plain and unlearned, he did what people called beneficial and removed what they called harmful. Following what his heart found right, he unknowingly accorded with ancient ways. His governance was clear and quiet. He remained twenty years; fields were opened, households daily increased, and people sang songs of praise. Military Commissioner Yu Di reported his achievements. An edict added the title of censor grandee and elevated Sui to an upper-grade prefecture. Soon he was appointed acting director of the Directorate of Education. He died and was posthumously made military commissioner of Hong Prefecture.

羅向，越州會稽人。寶應初，詣闕上書，授太常寺太祝。曹王臯領江西、荊襄節度使，常署幕府，遷累副使。臯卒，軍亂，劫府軍，向取首惡十餘人斬以徇，環棘廷中，俾投所劫庫物，一日皆滿，乃貰餘黨。召為奉天令。中官出入系道，吏緣以犯禁，向搒笞之，雖死不置，自是屏息。擢廬州刺史。民間病者，舍醫藥，禱淫祀，向下令止之。修學官，政教簡易，有芝草、白雀。淮南節度使杜佑上治狀，賜金紫服。再遷京兆尹，請減平糴半，以常賦充之，人賴其利。以老病求解，徙太子賓客，累封襄陽縣男。卒，謚曰夷。

Luo Xiang was from Kuaiji in Yue Prefecture. At the start of Baoying he went to the palace gate and submitted a memorial. He was appointed grand invoker of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Prince of Cao Li Gao held the post of military commissioner of Jiangxi and Jingxiang. Xiang was often assigned to his staff and rose to vice commissioner. When Gao died, the army mutinied and plundered the headquarters stores. Xiang took more than ten chief culprits and executed them as a warning, surrounded the thorn hedge in the courtyard, had them throw back what they had plundered, and in one day all was restored. Then he pardoned the remaining followers. He was summoned as magistrate of Fengtian. Eunuchs coming and going thronged the roads, and officials used this to violate prohibitions. Xiang beat them with the bastinado and would not stop even if they died. From then on they fell silent. He was promoted to prefect of Lu Prefecture. Among the people, the sick abandoned medicine and prayed at improper shrines. Prefect Xiang ordered this stopped. He repaired the school halls. His governance and instruction were simple and easy, and auspicious fungus-grass and white magpies appeared. Military Commissioner of Huainan Du You submitted a report on his governance and was granted gold and purple robes. He was again transferred to metropolitan governor of Jingzhao, requested halving the equalizing grain purchase, and used regular tax revenue to cover it. The people benefited greatly. On account of old age and illness he requested release, was transferred to guest of the heir apparent, and was repeatedly enfeoffed as Baron of Xiangyang County. He died and was posthumously titled Yi.

子讓，字景宣，以文學蚤有譽。舉進士、宏辭、賢良方正，皆高第，為咸陽尉。父喪，幾毀滅。服除，布衣糲飯，不應辟署十餘年。淮南節度使李鄘即所居敦請置幕府，除監察御史，位給事中，累遷福建觀察使，兼御史中丞。有仁惠名。或以婢遺讓者，問所從，答曰：「女兄九人皆為官所賣，留者獨老母耳。」讓慘然，為燹券，召母歸之。入為散騎常侍，拜江西觀察使。卒，年七十一，贈禮部尚書。

His son Rang, styled Jingxuan, was early famed for literary learning. He passed the jinshi, grand rhetoric, and worthy and upright examinations, all with top ranks, and served as aide of Xianyang. When his father died, he nearly wasted away in grief. When mourning ended, he wore plain cloth and ate coarse rice and did not accept appointments for more than ten years. Military Commissioner of Huainan Li Yong, at the place where Rang lived, earnestly invited him to join his staff. He was appointed investigating censor, rose to attendant censor, and was promoted to observation commissioner of Fujian, concurrently censor-in-chief. He had a reputation for benevolence and kindness. When someone gave Rang a maidservant, he asked where she came from. The reply was: 'Nine elder sisters were all sold by officials; the one left is only an old mother.' Rang was deeply moved, made a deed of manumission, and summoned the mother to take her back. He entered the capital as attendant cavalryman-at-large and was appointed observation commissioner of Jiangxi. He died at seventy-one and was posthumously made minister of rites.

韋丹，字文明，京兆萬年人，周大司空孝寬六世孫。高祖琨，以洗馬事太子承乾，諫不聽。太宗才之，擢給事中。高宗在東宮，為中舍人，封武陽縣侯。孝敬為太子，琨以右中護為詹事。卒，贈秦州都督，謚曰貞。

Wei Dan, styled Wenming, was from Wannian in Jingzhao, sixth-generation descendant of Zhou Grand Minister of Works Xiaokuan. His ancestor Kun served as palace attendant to Crown Prince Chengqian and remonstrated but was not heeded. Emperor Taizong valued his talent and promoted him to attendant censor. When Emperor Gaozong was in the Eastern Palace, Kun served as middle palace attendant and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Wuyang County. When Xiaojing was crown prince, Kun served as right middle guard and grand tutor. He died and was posthumously made military commissioner of Qin Prefecture and titled Zhen.

丹蚤孤，從外祖顏真卿學，擢明經，調安遠令，以讓庶兄，入紫閣山事從父能。復舉《五經》高第，歷咸陽尉，張獻甫表佐邠寧幕府。順宗為太子，以殿中侍御史召為舍人。新羅國君死，詔拜司封郎中往吊。故事，使外國，賜州縣十官，賣以取貲，號「私覿官」。丹曰：「使外國，不足於資，宜上請，安有貿官受錢？」即具疏所宜費，帝命有司與之，因著令。未行，而新羅立君死，還為容州刺史。教民耕織，止惰遊，興學校，民貧自鬻者，贖歸之，禁吏不得掠為隸。始城州，周十三里，屯田二十四所，教種茶、麥，仁化大行。遷河南少尹，未至，徙義成軍司馬。以諫議大夫召，有直名。

Dan was orphaned early and studied under his maternal grandfather Yan Zhenqing. He passed the illuminated classics examination, was assigned magistrate of Anyuan, yielded the post to his elder half-brother, and entered Mount Zige to serve his father's younger cousin Neng. He again placed at the top in the Five Classics examination, served as aide of Xianyang, and was recommended by Zhang Xianfu to join the Binning staff. When Emperor Shunzong was crown prince, he was summoned as palace attendant from his post as attendant censor within the palace. When the king of Silla died, an edict appointed him director in the Bureau of Enfeoffment to go and offer condolences. By precedent, envoys to foreign states were granted ten prefecture and county offices to sell for funds, called 'private audience offices.' Dan said: 'When serving abroad, if funds are insufficient one should petition above — how could one trade offices for money?' He immediately submitted a detailed memorial of necessary expenses. The emperor ordered the relevant offices to provide them and established a regulation. Before departing, the newly enthroned king of Silla died. He returned and was made prefect of Rong Prefecture. He taught the people farming and weaving, stopped idle wandering, and established schools. He ransomed back those who sold themselves in poverty and forbade officials from seizing people as slaves. He first walled the prefectural seat, thirteen li in circumference, established twenty-four military colonies, taught planting of tea and wheat, and benevolent transformation flourished greatly. He was transferred to vice governor of Henan but, before arriving, was moved to vice administrator of the Yicheng Army. He was summoned as remonstrance grandee and had a reputation for uprightness.

劉辟反，議者欲釋不誅，丹上疏，以為「孝文世，法廢人慢，當濟以威，今不誅辟，則可使者唯兩京耳」。憲宗褒美。會辟圍梓州，乃授丹劍南東川節度使，代李康。至漢中，上言康守方盡力，不可易。召還議蜀事。辟去梓，因以讓高崇文，乃拜晉慈隰州觀察使，封咸陽郡公。閱歲，自陳所治三州，非要害地，不足張職，為國家費，不如屬之河東，帝從之。

When Liu Pi rebelled, some in council wished to release him without execution. Dan submitted a memorial arguing: 'In Emperor Xiaowen's time, the law was neglected and people were insolent — authority should supplement it. If Pi is not executed now, envoys can be sent only to the two capitals.' Emperor Xianzong praised him. When Pi besieged Zizhou, Dan was appointed military commissioner of Eastern Sichuan in Jiannan to replace Li Kang. Reaching Hanzhong, he memorialized that Kang was defending with full effort and should not be replaced. He was recalled to discuss affairs in Shu. When Pi left Zizhou, Dan yielded the post to Gao Chongwen and was appointed observation commissioner of Jin, Ci, and Xi prefectures, enfeoffed as Duke of Xianyang Commandery. After a year he stated that the three prefectures he governed were not strategic territory, insufficient to justify his office, and an expense to the state — better to attach them to Hedong. The emperor agreed.

徙為江南西道觀察使。丹計口受俸，委余於官，罷八州冗食者，收其財。始，民不知為瓦屋，草茨竹椽，久燥則戛而焚。丹召工教為陶，聚材於場，度其費為估，不取贏利。人能為屋者，受材瓦於官，免半賦，徐取其償；逃未復者，官為為之；貧不能者，畀以財；身往勸督。置南北市，為營以舍軍，歲中旱，募人就功，厚與直，給其食。為衢南北夾兩營，東西七里。以廢倉為新廄，馬息不死。築堤捍江，長十二里，竇以疏漲。凡為陂塘五百九十八所，灌田萬二千頃。有吏主倉十年，丹覆其糧，亡三千斛，丹曰：「吏豈自費邪？」籍其家，盡得文記，乃權吏所奪，召諸吏曰：「若恃權取於倉，罪也。與若期，一月還之。」皆頓首謝，及期無敢違。有卒違令當死，釋不誅，去，上書告丹不法，詔丹解官待辨。會卒，年五十八。驗卒所告，皆不實，丹治狀愈明。

He was transferred to observation commissioner of the Western Jiangnan Circuit. Dan calculated salary by headcount, turned surplus over to the government, abolished superfluous eaters in eight prefectures, and recovered their funds. At first the people did not know tile-roofed houses. Thatched grass and bamboo rafters, once long dry, would crack and burn. Dan summoned craftsmen to teach tile-making, gathered materials in a yard, estimated costs as the price, and took no profit. Those who could build houses received timber and tiles from the government, were exempted half their tax levy, and repaid gradually; those who had fled and not returned, the government built for them; those too poor to manage were given funds; he went in person to encourage and supervise. He established north and south markets and built camps to house troops. When midyear drought came, he recruited laborers for public works, paid them generously, and provided food. He made the thoroughfare with two camps flanking north and south, seven li east to west. He converted abandoned granaries into new stables, and horses ceased dying. He built dikes twelve li long to hold back the river, with sluices to drain floodwater. In all he made five hundred ninety-eight reservoirs and ponds, irrigating twelve thousand qing of fields. An official had managed a granary ten years. Dan audited the grain and found three thousand hu missing. Dan said: 'Would an official consume it himself?' He registered the official's household and found full written records — powerful officials had taken it. He summoned all officials and said: 'If you rely on power to take from the granary, it is a crime. I give you a deadline — return it within one month.' All kowtowed in thanks, and when the deadline came none dared violate it. A soldier violated orders and deserved death; Dan released him without execution. The man left and submitted a memorial accusing Dan of illegal conduct. An edict ordered Dan to resign and await investigation. He happened to die at fifty-eight. Verification showed the soldier's accusations were all false, and Dan's record of governance became even clearer.

太和中，裴誼觀察江西，上言為丹立祠堂，刻石紀功，不報。宣宗讀《元和實錄》，見丹政事卓然，它日與宰相語：「元和時治民孰第一？」周墀對：「臣嘗守江西，韋丹有大功，德被八州，歿四十年，老幼思之不忘。」乃詔觀察使紇幹上丹功狀，命刻功於碑。

In the Taihe era, Pei Yi, observing Jiangxi, memorialized to erect a shrine for Dan and inscribe stone recording his achievements. No response was given. Emperor Xuanzong read the Veritable Records of Yuanhe and saw Dan's governance was outstanding. One day he said to the chief ministers: 'In the Yuanhe era who was first in governing the people?' Zhou Chi replied: 'I once governed Jiangxi. Wei Dan had great achievements, his virtue covered eight prefectures, and though dead forty years, old and young still remember him.' An edict then ordered Observation Commissioner Qian Gan to submit Dan's record of achievements and commanded his merits be carved on a stele.

子宙，推蔭累調河南府司錄參軍，李玨表河陽幕府。宣宗謂宰相墀曰：「丹有子否？」以宙對。帝曰：「與好官。」乃拜侍御史，三遷度支郎中。

His son Zhou, through inherited privilege, was repeatedly assigned recorder of Henan Prefecture. Li Jue recommended him to the Heyang staff. Emperor Xuanzong said to Chief Minister Chi: 'Does Dan have a son?' He answered with Zhou. The emperor said: 'Give him a good office.' He was then appointed attendant censor and rose to director in the Bureau of Revenue.

盧鈞節度太原，表宙為副。是時，回鶻已破諸部，入塞下，剽殺吏民。鈞欲得信重吏視邊，宙請往。自定襄、雁門、五原，絕武州塞，略雲中，逾句註，遍見酋豪，鐫諭之；視亭障守卒，增其稟；約吏不得擅以兵侵諸戎，犯者死，於是三部六蕃諸種皆信悅。召拜吏部郎中。出為永州刺史。州方災歉，乃斥官下什用所以供刺史者，得九十餘萬錢，為市糧餉。俗不知法，多觸罪，宙為書制律，並種植為生之宜，戶給之。州負嶺，轉餉艱險，每饑，人輒莩死，宙始築常平倉，收谷羨余以待乏。罷冗役九百四十四員。縣舊置吏督賦，宙俾民自輸，家十相保，常先期。湘源生零陵香，歲市上供，人苦之，宙為奏罷。民貧無牛，以力耕，宙為置社，二十家月會錢若干，探名得者先市牛，以是為準，久之，牛不乏。立學官，取仕家子弟十五人充之。初，俚民婚，出財會賓客，號「破酒」，晝夜集，多至數百人，貧者猶數十；力不足，則不迎，至淫奔者。宙條約，使略如禮，俗遂改。邑中少年，常以七月擊鼓，群入民家，號「行盜」，皆迎為辨具，謂之「起盆」，後為解素，喧呼{疒只}鬥。宙至，一切禁之。

Lu Jun commanded Taiyuan and recommended Zhou as his deputy. At this time the Uyghurs had broken various tribes and entered within the passes, plundering and killing officials and people. Jun wished to send a trusted official to inspect the frontier; Zhou requested to go. From Dingxiang, Yanmen, and Wuyuan, crossing Wuzhou Pass, traversing Yunzhong, and passing Juzhu, he met chieftains everywhere and engraved proclamations to instruct them; he inspected frontier posts and garrison soldiers and increased their rations; he stipulated that officials must not on their own authority use troops to invade the various barbarians — violators would die. Thereupon the three departments, six tribes, and various peoples all trusted and were pleased. He was summoned and appointed director in the Ministry of Personnel. He was appointed prefect of Yong Prefecture. The prefecture was suffering disaster and famine. He sold off the various goods under official use that supplied the prefect and obtained more than nine hundred thousand cash to buy grain provisions. The people did not know the law and many violated it. Zhou wrote out regulations and laws, together with what was suitable for planting and livelihood, and gave them to each household. The prefecture backed on mountains and transporting provisions was difficult and dangerous. Each famine people died of starvation on the roads. Zhou first built ever-normal granaries and collected surplus grain to await shortage. He abolished nine hundred forty-four superfluous corvée laborers. Counties formerly set officials to supervise tax collection. Zhou had the people deliver taxes themselves, with ten households mutually guaranteeing one another, and they regularly paid ahead of schedule. Xiangyuan produced lingling incense purchased each year for imperial tribute, and the people suffered. Zhou memorialized to abolish this. The people were poor and without oxen, plowing by human strength. Zhou established associations — twenty households monthly pooled a set sum, and by drawing names the winner bought an ox first. Over time oxen were never lacking. He established school officials and selected fifteen sons of official families to fill the posts. At first when Li people married, they spent wealth gathering guests in feasts called 'breaking wine,' assembling day and night, often reaching several hundred people, the poor still several dozen; when means were insufficient they did not receive the bride, leading even to illicit unions. Zhou set regulations approximating proper ritual, and custom was thereby reformed. Youths in the district often in the seventh month beat drums, entered households in groups in a custom called 'going thieving,' and all were welcomed and provided feast goods, termed 'raising the basin'; afterward they undressed and shouted in noisy brawling. When Zhou arrived, he forbade all of this.

還為大理少卿。久之，拜江西觀察使，政簡易，南方以為世官。遷嶺南節度使。南詔陷交趾，撫兵積備，以幹聞。加檢校尚書左僕射、同中書門下平章事。咸通中卒。

He returned as vice director of the Court of Judicial Review. After a long time he was appointed observation commissioner of Jiangxi. His governance was simple and easy, and the south regarded it as an hereditary office. He was transferred to military commissioner of Lingnan. When Nanzhao captured Jiaozhi, he soothed troops and accumulated supplies, and his capability became known. He was additionally appointed acting left vice director of the Department of State Affairs and associate director of the Chancellery and Secretariat. He died in the Xiantong era.

宙弟岫，字伯起，亦有名。宙在嶺南，以從女妻小校劉謙，或諫止之，岫曰：「吾子孫或當依之。」謙後以功為封州刺史，生二子，即隱、龔。盧攜舉進士，陋甚，岫獨謂攜必大用。攜執政，岫自泗州刺史擢福建觀察使雲。

Zhou's younger brother Xiu, styled Boqi, was also renowned. When Zhou was in Lingnan, he gave a clanswoman in marriage to junior officer Liu Qian. Some advised against it, but Xiu said: 'Our descendants may someday rely on him.' Later Qian, through merit, became prefect of Feng Prefecture and had two sons — Yin and Gong. Lu Xie passed the jinshi examination and was very unimpressive, but Xiu alone said Xie would certainly rise to great employment. When Xie took power, Xiu was promoted from prefect of Si Prefecture to observation commissioner of Fujian.

盧弘宣，字子章。元和中，擢進士第。鄭權帥襄陽，辟署幕府。李代權，又二人交憾。弘宣始謁，敕左右謹衛，既與語，見其沖遠，不覺洗然。裴度留守東都，表為判官，遷累給事中。駙馬都尉韋處仁拜虢州刺史，弘宣謂非所任，還詔不下。

Lu Hongxuan, styled Zizhang. In the Yuanhe era he passed the jinshi examination. Zheng Quan commanded Xiangyang and recruited him to his staff. Li replaced Quan, and the two men bore mutual resentment. When Hongxuan first paid his respects, Li ordered his attendants to guard carefully. Once they spoke, he saw Hongxuan's serene distance and felt himself refreshed. Pei Du remained to guard the eastern capital and recommended him as administrative aide. He rose to attendant censor. Commandant-escort Wei Churen was appointed prefect of Guo Prefecture. Hongxuan said the post was unsuitable for him, and the returning edict was not issued.

開成中，山南、江西大水，詔弘宣與吏部郎中崔晉分道賑恤，使有指。還，遷京兆尹、刑部侍郎。拜劍南東川節度使。時歲饑，盜贅結，酋豪自王，偽署官吏，發敖廥招亡命，聯蓬、瀘、嘉、榮諸州，訹蠻落搖亂，根株磐熾。弘宣下檄脅諭，賊黨稍降，其黠強者署軍中，孱無能還之農。魁長逃入峽中，吏捕誅之。徙義武節度使。弘宣性寬厚，政目簡省，人便安之，然犯者不甚貸。河朔故法，偶語軍中則死，弘宣始除之。初，詔賜其軍粟三十萬斛，貯飛狐，弘宣計免費不能滿直，敕吏守之。明年春，大旱，教民隨力往取，時幽、魏饑甚，獨易、定自如。至秋，悉收所貸，軍食以饒。歷工部尚書、秘書監，以太子少傅致仕。卒，年七十七，贈尚書右僕射。弘宣患士庶人家祭無定儀，乃合十二家法，損益其當，次以為書。

In the Kaicheng era great floods struck Shannan and Jiangxi. An edict ordered Hongxuan and Director in the Ministry of Personnel Cui Jin to divide routes for relief and comfort. On return he was transferred to metropolitan governor of Jingzhao and vice minister of justice. He was appointed military commissioner of Eastern Sichuan in Jiannan. Famine struck; bandits multiplied and joined together. Chieftains proclaimed themselves kings, falsely appointed officials, opened granaries to recruit fugitives, and linked Peng, Lu, Jia, and Rong prefectures. They slandered and stirred barbarian settlements, and their roots ran deep and fierce. Hongxuan issued proclamations threatening and instructing. Bandit factions gradually submitted. The cunning and strong he enrolled in the army; the weak and incapable he returned to farming. The chief leaders fled into the gorges; officials captured and executed them. He was transferred to military commissioner of Yiwu. Hongxuan was generous and mild; his governing aims were simple and sparing. People found ease in him, yet offenders were not greatly pardoned. By old law north of the Yellow River, casual speech in the army meant death. Hongxuan first abolished this. At first an edict granted his army three hundred thousand hu of grain stored at Feihu. Hongxuan calculated that transport costs could not cover the value and ordered officials to guard it. The next spring, great drought came. He instructed the people to take grain according to their strength. You and Wei were severely famine-stricken, but Yi and Ding alone remained as before. By autumn all loans were collected and army provisions were abundant. He served as minister of public works and director of the Secretariat and retired as vice tutor of the heir apparent. He died at seventy-seven and was posthumously made right vice director of the Department of State Affairs. Hongxuan was troubled that gentry and commoners had no fixed ritual for household sacrifice. He combined twelve family methods, adjusted what was appropriate, and arranged them into a book.

子告，字子有，及進士第，終給事中。

His son Gao, styled Ziyou, passed the jinshi examination and ended as attendant censor.

薛元賞，亡裏系所來。太和初，自司農少卿，出為漢州刺史。時李德裕為劍南西川節度使，會維州降，德裕受之以聞，牛僧孺沮其議，執還之。元賞上書極言可因撫之，潰虜膺腹，不可失。不省。段文昌代德裕，狀元賞治當最。遷累司農卿、京兆尹。出為武寧節度使，罷泗口猥稅，人以為便。俄徙邠寧。

Xue Yuanshang — his native place and origin are unknown. At the start of Taihe, from vice director of the Ministry of Revenue he was posted as prefect of Han Prefecture. At the time Li Deyu was military commissioner of Western Sichuan in Jiannan. When Weizhou submitted, Deyu accepted it and reported. Niu Sengru obstructed the proposal and had it returned. Yuanshang submitted a memorial strongly arguing that it could be used to soothe them and split the enemy's chest and belly — it must not be lost. No attention was given. Duan Wenchang replaced Deyu and reported Yuanshang's governance as foremost. He rose to minister of revenue and metropolitan governor of Jingzhao. He was posted as military commissioner of Wuning, abolished the miscellaneous tax at Sikou, and people found it convenient. Soon he was transferred to Binning.

會昌中，德裕當國，復拜京兆尹。都市多俠少年，以黛墨镵膚，誇詭力，剽奪坊閭。元賞到府三日，收惡少，杖死三十餘輩，陳諸市，餘黨懼，爭以火滅其文。元賞長吏事，能推言時弊，件白之。禁屯怙勢擾府縣，元賞數與爭，不少縱，由是軍暴折戢，百姓賴安。就加檢校吏部尚書。閱歲，進工部尚書，領諸道鹽鐵轉運使。德裕用元賞弟元龜為京兆少尹，知府事。宣宗立，罷德裕，而元龜坐貶崖州司戶參軍，元賞下除袁王傅。久之，復拜昭義節度使，卒。

In the Huichang era Deyu held power and Yuanshang was again appointed metropolitan governor of Jingzhao. The capital had many swaggering youths who carved their skin with lampblack ink, boasted of strange strength, and plundered wards and lanes. Three days after Yuanshang reached his post, he seized wicked youths and beat more than thirty to death, displaying them in the market. The remaining followers feared and competed to burn away their markings with fire. Yuanshang was skilled in administrative affairs and could analyze and report contemporary abuses, itemizing each one. Forbidden garrisons relied on power to harass prefectures and counties. Yuanshang repeatedly contended with them and did not yield. Military violence was thereby curbed and the people relied on peace. He was additionally appointed acting minister of personnel. After a year he was promoted to minister of public works and directed the salt and iron transport commissioner of all circuits. Deyu employed Yuanshang's younger brother Yuan Gui as vice governor of Jingzhao to manage prefectural affairs. When Emperor Xuanzong ascended, Deyu was removed. Yuan Gui was demoted to registrar of Yazhou and Yuanshang was demoted to tutor of Prince Yuan. After a long time he was again appointed military commissioner of Zhaoyi and died.

何易於，不詳何所人及所以進。為益昌令。縣距州四十里，刺史崔樸常乘春與賓屬泛舟出益昌旁，索民挽繂，易於身引舟，樸驚問狀，易於曰：「方春，百姓耕且蠶，惟令不事，可任其勞。」樸愧，與賓客疾驅去。鹽鐵官榷取茶利，詔下，所在毋敢隱。易於視詔書曰：「益昌人不征茶且不可活，矧厚賦毒之乎？」命吏閣詔，吏曰：「天子詔何敢拒？吏坐死，公得免竄邪？」對曰：「吾敢愛一身，移暴於民乎？亦不使罪爾曹。」即自焚之。觀察使素賢之，不劾也。民有死喪不能具葬者，以俸敕吏為辦。召高年坐，以問政得失。凡鬥民在廷，易於丁寧指曉枉直，杖楚遣之，不以付吏，獄三年無囚。督賦役不忍迫下戶，或以俸代輸。饋給往來，傳符外一無所進，故無異稱。以中上考，遷羅江令。刺史裴休嘗至其邑，導侍不過三人，廉約蓋資性雲。

He Yiyu — it is not clear where he was from or how he advanced. He served as magistrate of Yichang. The county was forty li from the prefectural seat. Prefect Cui Pu often in spring went boating with guests beside Yichang and demanded the people tow the ropes. Yiyu personally pulled the boat. Pu was startled and asked why. Yiyu said: 'It is spring — the people are plowing and raising silkworms. Only the magistrate has no tasks and may bear this labor.' Pu was ashamed and hurried away with his guests. Salt and iron officials monopolized tea profits. When the edict was issued, nowhere dared conceal it. Yiyu looked at the edict and said: 'The people of Yichang cannot live even without taxing tea — how much less with heavy levies poisoning them?' He ordered an official to shelve the edict. The official said: 'How dare one refuse the emperor's edict? The official sits condemned to death — can you escape exile?' He replied: 'How would I dare cherish my own person and shift violence onto the people? Nor would I let you all be punished.' He immediately burned it himself. The observation commissioner had long valued him and did not impeach him. When people had deaths in the family and could not afford burial, he used his salary and ordered officials to arrange it. He summoned the elderly to sit and asked about the gains and losses of governance. Whenever disputing commoners appeared in court, Yiyu earnestly explained right and wrong, beat them with the rod and sent them away, never handing them to officials. For three years the prison had no inmates. In supervising tax and corvée levies he could not bear to press lower households and sometimes paid on their behalf from his salary. For provisions to travelers, beyond relay warrants he presented nothing else; therefore he had no special reputation. With an upper-middle evaluation he was transferred to magistrate of Luojiang. Prefect Pei Xiu once came to his district; escorts and attendants numbered no more than three — frugality and restraint were likely his nature.

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