1
賽典赤贍思丁
Sayyid Ajall Shams al-Din
2
賽典赤贍思丁一名烏馬兒，回回人，別菴伯爾之裔。 其國言賽典赤，猶華言貴族也。 太祖西征，贍思丁率千騎以文豹白鶻迎降，命入宿衛，從征伐，以賽典赤呼之而不名。
Sayyid Ajall Shams al-Din, also known as Umar, was a Muslim of Bukhara descent. In his native tongue, sayyid ajall meant the same as “noble” in Chinese. When Taizu marched west, Shams al-Din came to submit with a thousand riders, bringing tribute of patterned leopards and white gerfalcons. He was placed in the imperial guard and accompanied the campaigns; the court called him Sayyid Ajall instead of using his name.
3
七年，分鎮四川，宋將昝萬壽擁強兵守嘉定，與賽典赤軍對壘，一以誠意待之，不為侵掠，萬壽心服。 未幾，賽典赤召還，萬壽請置酒為好，左右皆難之，賽典赤竟往不疑。 酒至，左右復言未可飲，賽典赤笑曰：「若等何見之小耶。 咎將軍能毒我，其能盡毒我朝之人乎。」 萬壽嘆服。 八年，有旨：大軍見圍襄陽，各道宜進兵以牽制之。 於是賽典赤偕鄭鼎率兵水陸並進，至嘉定，獲宋將二人，順流縱筏，斷其浮橋，獲戰艦二十八艘。 尋命行省事于興元，專給糧餉。
In the seventh year he was posted to Sichuan. The Song general Zan Wanshou held Jiading with a large army and faced Sayyid Ajall across the lines. Sayyid Ajall dealt with him in good faith and refrained from plunder, and Wanshou was won over. Soon afterward Sayyid Ajall was recalled. Wanshou invited him to a farewell feast. His attendants all objected, but Sayyid Ajall went without hesitation. When the wine was served, his attendants again warned him not to drink. Sayyid Ajall laughed and said, “How narrow your thinking is! General Zan might poison me, but could he poison everyone in our army?” Wanshou was deeply impressed. In the eighth year an order came down: with the main forces besieging Xiangyang, every command should advance troops to tie down the enemy. Sayyid Ajall and Zheng Ding then advanced by land and water to Jiading, captured two Song generals, sent rafts downriver to destroy the pontoon bridge, and took twenty-eight warships. He was soon appointed to handle branch-secretariat duties at Xingyuan, charged exclusively with provisioning grain and supplies.
4
十一年，帝謂賽典赤曰：「雲南朕嘗親臨，比因委任失宜，使遠人不安，欲選謹厚者撫治之，無如卿者。」 賽典赤拜受命，退朝，即訪求知雲南地理者，畫其山川城郭、驛舍軍屯、夷險遠近為圖以進，帝大悅，遂拜平章政事，行省雲南，賜鈔五十萬緡、金寶無筭。
In the eleventh year the emperor told Sayyid Ajall, “I once campaigned in Yunnan myself. Recent misappointments have left the frontier peoples uneasy. I want a man of steady character to govern them—and no one suits better than you. Sayyid Ajall bowed and accepted. After court he immediately found men who knew Yunnan’s terrain and had them map its mountains, cities, relay posts, garrisons, tribal districts, and routes—easy and hard, near and far—and presented the chart to the throne. The emperor was delighted and appointed him Grand Councillor of the Secretariat with authority over the Yunnan branch secretariat, granting five hundred thousand strings of paper money and untold gold and treasures.
5
時宗王脫忽魯方鎮雲南，惑於左右之言，以賽典赤至，必奪其權，具甲兵以為備。 賽典赤聞之，乃遣其子納速剌丁先至王所，請曰：「天子以雲南守者非人，致諸國背叛，故命臣來安集之，且戒以至境即加撫循，今未敢專，願王遣一人來共議。」 王聞，遽罵其下曰：「吾幾為汝輩所誤。」 明日，遣親臣撒滿、位哈乃等至，賽典赤問以何禮見，對曰：「吾等與納速剌丁偕來，視猶兄弟也，請用子禮見。」 皆以名馬為贄，拜跪甚恭，觀者大駭。 乃設宴陳所賜金寶飲器，酒罷，盡以與之，二人大喜過望。 明日來謝，語之曰：「二君雖為宗王親臣，未有名爵，不可以議國事，欲各授君行省斷事官，以未見王，未敢擅授。」 令一人還，先稟王，王大悅。 由是政令一聽賽典赤所為。
The imperial prince Tuohulur was then governing Yunnan. His advisers convinced him that Sayyid Ajall had come to strip him of authority, and he armed his troops in preparation. Hearing of this, Sayyid Ajall sent his son Nasr al-Din ahead to the prince with a message: “The emperor found Yunnan’s rulers unfit, which drove the peoples to revolt, and sent me to restore order. He charged me to begin conciliation the moment I arrived. I dare not act on my own—may Your Highness send someone to discuss matters with me. The prince heard this and immediately rebuked his staff: “You nearly misled me. The next day he sent his close advisers Saman, Weihanai, and others. Sayyid Ajall asked what ceremony they expected. They answered, “We came with Nasr al-Din and regard you as a brother—please receive us as a father would a son. They each offered fine horses as gifts and bowed and knelt with deep respect, astonishing all who watched. He then held a feast and set out the gold, jewels, and drinking vessels the court had given him; when the banquet ended he gave them all to the two men, who were overwhelmed with joy. The next day they returned to thank him. He said, “You are the prince’s intimate advisers but hold no formal rank and may not discuss state affairs. I wish to appoint each of you judicial officers of the branch secretariat, but since I have not yet seen the prince I dare not do so without his approval. He sent one of them back to report to the prince first. The prince was delighted. From then on all administrative orders followed Sayyid Ajall’s authority alone.
6
十二年，奏：「雲南諸夷未附者尚多，今擬宣慰司兼行元帥府事，並聽行省節制。」 又奏：「哈剌章、雲南壤地均也，而州縣皆以萬戶、千戶主之，宜改置令長。」 並從之。 十三年，以所改雲南郡縣上聞。 雲南俗無禮儀，男女往往自相配偶，親死則火之，不為喪祭。 無稻桑麻，子弟不知讀書。 賽典赤教之拜跪之節，婚姻行媒，死者為之棺槨奠祭，教民播種，為陂池以備水旱，創建孔子廟、明倫堂，購經史，授學田，由是文風稍興。 雲南民以貝代錢，是時初行鈔法，民不便之，賽典赤為聞于朝，許仍其俗。 又患山路險遠，盜賊出沒，為行者病，相地置鎮，每鎮設土酋吏一人、百夫長一人，往來者或值劫掠，則罪及之。
In the twelfth year he memorialized: “Many tribal peoples in Yunnan remain unsubmitted. I propose that the Pacification Commission also exercise marshal’s authority, all under the branch secretariat’s direction. He also wrote: “Karajang and Yunnan are comparable in territory, yet their prefectures and counties are governed by myriarchs and chiliarchs. They should be given regular magistrates and prefects instead. Both proposals were approved. In the thirteenth year he reported to the court the revised Yunnan prefectures and counties. Yunnan had no established ritual culture. Men and women often paired off on their own; when kin died the bodies were cremated and no mourning ceremonies were held. There was no cultivation of rice, mulberry, or hemp, and the young knew nothing of learning. Sayyid Ajall taught them bowing and kneeling etiquette, betrothal through matchmakers, and proper coffins and funeral rites for the dead. He taught the people to plant crops, built reservoirs against flood and drought, founded a Temple of Confucius and a Hall of Illuminating Relationships, purchased the classics and histories, and endowed school lands. From this a literary culture slowly took root. The people of Yunnan used cowrie shells as currency. When paper money was introduced they found it burdensome. Sayyid Ajall petitioned the court, and they were allowed to keep their old practice. He also addressed the danger of remote mountain roads where bandits lurked. He established guard posts along the routes, each staffed with a native official and a centurion who would be held responsible if travelers were robbed.
7
有土吏數輩，怨賽典赤不已，用至京師誣其專僭數事。 帝顧侍臣曰：「賽典赤憂國愛民，朕洞知之，此輩何敢誣告！」 即命械送賽典赤處治之。 既至，脫其械，且諭之曰：「若曹不知上以便宜命我，故訴我專僭，我今不汝罪，且命汝以官，能竭忠自贖乎？」 皆叩頭拜謝曰：「某有死罪，平章既生之而又官之，誓以死報。」
Several native officials who bore endless grudges against Sayyid Ajall traveled to the capital and accused him of multiple acts of arrogation of authority. The emperor turned to his attendants and said, “Sayyid Ajall cares for the realm and its people—I know him well. How dare these men slander him! He immediately ordered them bound and sent back to Sayyid Ajall for punishment. When they arrived he had their bonds removed and told them, “You did not know the emperor had given me discretionary authority, so you accused me of overstepping. I will not punish you now; I will even give you office. Can you serve faithfully and redeem yourselves? They all kowtowed and said, “We deserved death. You have spared us and given us office—we swear to repay you with our lives.”
8
交趾叛服不常，湖廣省發兵屢征不利，賽典赤遣人諭以逆順禍福，且約為兄弟。 交趾王大喜，親至雲南，賽典赤郊迎，待以賓禮，遂乞永為藩臣。
Jiaozhi’s loyalty was erratic. Huguang Province had sent troops repeatedly without success. Sayyid Ajall sent envoys to explain the consequences of rebellion and loyalty and proposed a bond of brotherhood. The king of Jiaozhi was delighted and came in person to Yunnan. Sayyid Ajall met him outside the city and received him as an honored guest. The king then asked to remain a vassal permanently.
9
蘿槃甸叛，往征之，有憂色，從者問故，賽典赤曰：「吾非憂出征也，憂汝曹冒鋒鏑，不幸以無辜而死； 又憂汝曹劫虜平民，使不聊生，及民叛，則又從而征之耳。」 師次蘿槃城，三日不降，諸將請攻之，賽典赤不可，遣使以理諭之。 蘿槃主曰：「謹奉命。」 越三日又不降，諸將奮勇請進兵，賽典赤又不可。 俄而將卒有乘城進攻者，賽典赤大怒，遽鳴金止之，召萬戶叱責之曰：「天子命我安撫雲南，未嘗命以殺戮也。 無主將命而擅攻，於軍法當誅。」 命左右縛之，諸將叩首，請俟城下之日從事。 蘿槃主聞之曰：「平章寬仁如此，吾拒命不祥。」 乃舉國出降。 將卒亦釋不誅。 由是西南諸夷翕然款附。 夷酋每來見，例有所獻納，賽典赤悉分賜從官，或以給貧民，秋毫無所私； 為酒食勞酋長，製衣冠襪履，易其卉服草履。 酋皆感悅。
When Luopan district rebelled he set out to suppress it with a troubled expression. His attendants asked why. Sayyid Ajall said, “I am not worried about the campaign itself—I worry that you will face the blades and die though innocent; and I worry that you will plunder civilians and leave them destitute—so that when the people rebel we must campaign again.” The army reached Luopan city. After three days without surrender the generals asked to attack, but Sayyid Ajall refused and sent envoys to reason with them. The lord of Luopan said, “I respectfully obey. Three days later they still had not submitted. The generals eagerly pressed to advance, but Sayyid Ajall again refused. Soon some soldiers scaled the walls to attack. Sayyid Ajall was furious. He sounded the gong to halt them and summoned the myriarch. “The emperor sent me to pacify Yunnan,” he rebuked him, “not to slaughter. To attack without your commander’s order is a capital offense under military law. He ordered his men to bind the officer. The generals kowtowed and begged to defer punishment until the city fell. When the lord of Luopan heard this he said, “The Grand Councillor is so merciful—resistance would be ill-fated. He then surrendered with his entire domain. The offending officers and soldiers were released without punishment. From this the tribal peoples of the southwest submitted in great numbers. Whenever tribal chiefs visited they brought customary gifts. Sayyid Ajall distributed everything among his staff or gave it to the poor, keeping nothing for himself; he feasted the chiefs, provided caps, robes, socks, and shoes, and replaced their rough tribal dress and grass sandals. The chiefs were deeply moved.
10
子五人：長納速剌丁； 次哈散，廣東道宣慰使都元帥； 次忽辛； 次苫速丁兀默里，建昌路緫管； 次馬速忽，雲南諸路行中書省平章政事。
He had five sons. The eldest was Nasr al-Din; next Husain, Pacification Commissioner and Grand Marshal of the Guangdong Circuit; next Huxin; next Shams al-Din Umarli, chief administrator of Jianchang Route; and youngest Masuhu, Grand Councillor of the Yunnan Branch Secretariat.
11
納速剌丁，累官中奉大夫、雲南諸路宣慰使都元帥。 至元十六年，遷帥大理，以軍抵金齒、蒲、驃、曲蠟、緬國，招安夷寨三百，籍戶十二萬二百，定租賦，置郵傳，立衛兵，歸以馴象十二入貢，有旨賞金五十兩、衣二襲，麾下士賞銀有差。
Nasr al-Din rose through the ranks to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Pacification Commissioner and Grand Marshal of all Yunnan routes. In Zhiyuan 16 he was transferred to command Dali. He led troops to Jinchi, Pu, Piao, Quwax, and Burma, pacified three hundred tribal stockades, registered 120,200 households, fixed taxes and levies, established courier posts, and raised garrisons. He returned with twelve tame elephants as tribute. The court rewarded him with fifty taels of gold and two suits of clothing; his officers and men received silver in graded amounts.
12
會其父贍思丁歿，雲南省臣於諸夷失撫綏之方，世祖憂之，近臣以納速剌丁為言。 十七年，授資德大夫、雲南行中書省左丞，尋陞右丞。 建言三事：其一謂雲南省規措所造金簿貿易病民，宜罷； 其一謂雲南有省，有宣慰司，又有都元帥府，近宣慰司已奏罷，而元帥府尚存，臣謂行省既兼領軍民，則元帥府亦在所當罷； 其一謂雲南官員子弟入質，臣謂達官子弟當遣，餘宜罷。 奏可。
When his father Shams al-Din died, the Yunnan provincial officials lost control over the tribal peoples. Kublai was concerned, and his close advisers recommended Nasr al-Din. In the seventeenth year he was appointed Virtuous Grand Master and Left Vice Director of the Yunnan Branch Secretariat, and soon promoted to Right Vice Director. He proposed three reforms. First, the gold-account trade system devised by Yunnan Province burdened the people and should be abolished; second, Yunnan had a branch secretariat, a Pacification Commission, and a Grand Marshal’s headquarters; the Pacification Commission had recently been abolished but the marshal’s headquarters remained—since the branch secretariat already governed both civil and military affairs, the marshal’s headquarters should go as well; third, regarding hostages from Yunnan official families sent to court—only sons of senior officials should remain; the rest should be discontinued. All were approved.
13
二十一年，進榮祿大夫、平章政事。 奏減合剌章冗官，歲省俸金九百餘兩； 屯田課程專人掌之，歲得五千兩。 二十三年，以合剌章蒙古軍千人，從皇太子脫歡征交趾，論功賞銀二千兩。 二十八年，進拜陝西行省平章政事。 二十九年，以疾卒。 贈推誠佐理協德功臣、太師、開府儀同三司、上柱國、中書左丞相，封延安王。
In the twenty-first year he was promoted to Grand Master of Glorious Blessing and Grand Councillor of the Secretariat. He memorialized to cut redundant posts in Karajang, saving more than nine hundred taels of salary gold annually; and placed garrison-field revenues under dedicated managers, yielding five thousand taels per year. In the twenty-third year he led one thousand Karajang Mongol troops with Crown Prince Togan against Jiaozhi and was rewarded two thousand taels of silver for his service. In the twenty-eighth year he was appointed Grand Councillor of the Shaanxi Branch Secretariat. In the twenty-ninth year he died of illness. He was posthumously honored as Merit Subject Who Sincerely Assists in Ordering and Harmonizes Virtue, Grand Preceptor, with privileges equal to the Three Excellencies, Upper Pillar of the State, and Left Chief Councillor of the Secretariat, and enfeoffed as Prince of Yan’an.
14
子十二人：伯顏，中書平章政事； 烏馬兒，江浙行省平章政事； 劄法兒，荊湖宣慰使； 忽先，雲南行省平章政事； 沙的，雲南行省左丞； 阿容，太常禮儀院使； 伯顏察兒，中書平章政事，佩金虎符，贈太師、開府儀同三司、上柱國、中書左丞相、奉元王，諡忠憲。
He had twelve sons: Bayan, Grand Councillor of the Secretariat; Umar, Grand Councillor of the Jiangzhe Branch Secretariat; Zafar, Pacification Commissioner of Jinghu; Huxian, Grand Councillor of the Yunnan Branch Secretariat; Sadi, Left Vice Director of the Yunnan Branch Secretariat; Arong, Commissioner of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices; Bayancha’er, Grand Councillor of the Secretariat, bearer of the golden tiger tally; posthumously honored as Grand Preceptor, with privileges equal to the Three Excellencies, Upper Pillar of the State, Left Chief Councillor of the Secretariat, and Prince of Fengyuan, with the posthumous title Loyal and Law-abiding.
15
忽辛，至元初以世臣子備宿衛，世祖善其應對。 至元十四年，授兵部郎中。 明年，出為河南等路宣慰司同知。 河南多強盜，往往群聚山林，劫殺行路，官軍收捕失利，忽辛以招安自任，遣土豪持檄諭之。 未幾，賊二人來自歸，忽辛賜之冠巾，且諭之曰：「汝昔為賊，今既自歸，即良民矣。」 俾侍左右，出入房闥無間，悉放還，令遍諭其黨。 數日後，招集其為首者十輩來，身長各七尺餘，羅拜庭下，顧視異常，衆悉驚怖失措。 忽辛命吏籍其姓名為民，俾隨侍左右，夜則令卧戶外，時呼而飲食之，各得其歡心。 群盜聞之，相繼款附。
Huxin, as the son of a hereditary minister, served in the palace guard in the early Zhiyuan period. Kublai admired his ready wit. In Zhiyuan 14 he was appointed Director in the Ministry of War. The following year he was posted as Associate Pacification Commissioner of the Henan Pacification Commission. Henan had many bandits who gathered in the hills to rob travelers. Government troops had failed to suppress them. Huxin took on the task of winning them over and sent local leaders with proclamations to persuade them. Soon two bandits surrendered voluntarily. Huxin gave them caps and scarves and told them, “You were bandits; now that you have come in, you are honest subjects. He kept them at his side, letting them come and go freely from his private quarters, then sent them back to spread the word among their comrades. Days later he summoned ten of their leaders. Each stood over seven feet tall. They bowed in a row in the courtyard, their appearance so striking that everyone present was terrified. Huxin had their names registered as commoners and kept them at his side. At night he had them sleep outside his door, called them in for food and drink, and won each man’s trust. When word spread, bandits surrendered one after another.
16
二十一年，授雲南諸路轉運使。 明年，轉陝西道。 又明年，授燕南河北道宣慰司同知，尋除南京緫管。 三十年，授兩浙鹽運使。 大德九年，進江東道宣慰使，改陝西行臺御史中丞，再改雲南行省右丞。
In the twenty-first year he was appointed Transport Commissioner for all Yunnan routes. The following year he was transferred to the Shaanxi Circuit. The year after that he became Associate Pacification Commissioner of the Yannan-Hebei Circuit, and soon afterward chief administrator of Nanjing. In the thirtieth year he was appointed Salt Transport Commissioner of the Two Zhe circuits. In Dade 9 he was promoted to Pacification Commissioner of the Jiangdong Circuit, then transferred to Censor-in-Chief of the Shaanxi Branch Censorate, and again to Right Vice Director of the Yunnan Branch Secretariat.
17
既至，條具諸不便事言于宗王，請更張之，王不可，忽辛與左丞劉正馳還京師，有旨令宗王協力施行。 由是一切病民之政，悉革而新之。 豪民規避徭役，往往投充王府宿衛，有司不勝供給，忽辛按朝廷元額所無者，悉籍為民，去其宿衛三分之二。 馬龍州酋謀叛，陰與外賊通，持所受宣敕納賊以示信，事覺，宗王為左右所蔽，將釋不問，忽辛與劉正反覆研鞫，反狀盡得，竟斬之。 軍糧支給，地理遠近不同，吏夤緣為姦，忽辛籍軍戶姓名及倉廩處所，為更番支給，吏姦始除。
On arrival he listed abuses to the imperial prince and asked for reform. The prince refused. Huxin and Left Vice Director Liu Zheng rode posthaste to the capital. An edict ordered the prince to cooperate in implementing the reforms. Thereafter every policy that harmed the people was abolished and replaced. Wealthy men often evaded labor levies by enrolling as palace-guard retainers of the princely establishment, overwhelming local offices. Huxin investigated those beyond the court’s authorized quotas, registered them as commoners, and cut the princely guard rolls by two-thirds. The chief of Malong prefecture plotted rebellion and secretly contacted outside bandits, giving them his official patent as a pledge of alliance. When the plot was exposed the prince’s advisers shielded him and were about to let him go. Huxin and Liu Zheng investigated thoroughly, proved the treason, and had him executed. Army grain was issued according to distance, and clerks exploited the system for profit. Huxin registered military households and granary locations and instituted a rotating schedule of disbursement, ending the clerks’ abuses.
18
先是，贍思丁為雲南平章時，建孔子廟為學校，撥田五頃，以供祭祀教養。 贍思丁卒，田為大德寺所有，忽辛按廟學舊籍奪歸之。 乃復下諸郡邑遍立廟學，選文學之士為之教官，文風大興。 王府畜馬繁多，悉縱之郊，敗民禾稼，而牧人又在民家宿食，室無寧居。 忽辛度地置草場，搆屋數十間，使為牧所，民得以安。
Earlier, when Shams al-Din served as Grand Councillor in Yunnan, he had built a Temple of Confucius as a school and set aside five qing of land for sacrifices and instruction. After Shams al-Din’s death the land passed to the Dade Temple. Huxin consulted the temple-school records and recovered it. He then ordered every prefecture and district to establish temple-schools, appointed scholars as instructors, and literary culture flourished. The princely establishment kept many horses and pastured them in the suburbs, trampling the people’s crops. Herdsmen lodged and ate in private homes, leaving households in constant turmoil. Huxin selected sites for pastures, built several dozen buildings as herding stations, and the people were left in peace.
19
廣南酋沙奴素強悍，宋時嘗賜以金印，雲南諸部悉平，獨此梗化。 忽辛遣使誘致，待之以禮，留數月不遣，酋請還，忽辛曰：「汝欲還，可納印來。」 酋不得已，齎印以納，忽辛置酒宴勞，諷令偕印入覲，帝大悅。
The Guangnan chief Shanü had long been fierce and defiant. The Song had once granted him a golden seal. All other Yunnan districts had submitted, but he alone held out. Huxin sent envoys to lure him in and received him with courtesy. He detained him for months. When the chief asked to return, Huxin said, “If you wish to go home, surrender your seal. The chief had no choice but to bring the seal and submit it. Huxin feasted him and tactfully sent him to court with the seal. The emperor was delighted.
20
大德五年，緬國主負固不臣，忽辛遣人諭之曰：「我老賽典赤平章子也，惟先訓是遵，凡官府於汝國所不便事，當一切為汝更之。」 緬國主聞之，遂與使者偕來，獻白象一，且曰：「此象古來所未有，今聖德所致，敢效方物。」 既入，帝賜緬國主以世子之號。 烏蠻等租賦，歲發軍徵索乃集，忽辛以利害榜諭諸蠻，不遣一卒，而租賦咸足。 俄有為飛語及符讖以惑宗王者，忽辛引劉正密為奏馳報，朝廷遣使臨問，凡造言之徒悉誅之，忽辛偕使者還覲。
In Dade 5 the king of Burma stubbornly refused to submit. Huxin sent envoys who told him, “I am the son of the late Sayyid Ajall, Grand Councillor. I follow my father’s ways. Whatever policies of ours burden your kingdom, I will change them all for you. Hearing this, the king of Burma came with the envoys, presented a white elephant, and said, “Such an elephant has never been seen before. It is a gift of the emperor’s virtue, and I offer it as tribute. On his arrival the emperor granted the king of Burma the title of imperial son-in-law. Tribute from the Wuman and other tribes had required annual military collection. Huxin posted notices explaining the consequences of compliance and defiance, sent not a single soldier, and collected the full levy. Soon rumors and prophecies spread to unsettle the imperial prince. Huxin and Liu Zheng secretly memorialized the court. Envoys were sent to investigate, all who had spread the slander were executed, and Huxin returned to court with the envoys.
21
大德八年，出為四川行省左丞，改江浙行省。 至大元年，拜榮祿大夫、江西行省平章政事。 明年，以母老謝職歸養。 又明年正月卒。 天曆元年，贈守德宣惠敏政功臣、上柱國、雍國公，諡忠簡。
In Dade 8 he was posted as Left Vice Director of the Sichuan Branch Secretariat, then transferred to the Jiangzhe Branch Secretariat. In Zhida 1 he was appointed Grand Master of Glorious Blessing and Grand Councillor of the Jiangxi Branch Secretariat. The following year he resigned to care for his aged mother. He died the following first month. In Tianli 1 he was posthumously honored as Merit Subject Who Guards Virtue, Proclaims Grace, and Is Keen in Governance, Upper Pillar of the State, and Duke of Yong, with the posthumous title Loyal and Simple.
22
子二人：伯杭，中慶路達魯花赤； 曲列，湖南道宣慰使。
He had two sons: Bohang, Darughachi of Zhongqing Route; and Qulie, Pacification Commissioner of the Hunan Circuit.
23
布魯海牙
Buluhaiya
24
布魯海牙，畏吾人也。 祖牙兒八海牙，父吉臺海牙，俱以功為其國世臣。 布魯海牙幼孤，依舅氏家就學，未幾，即善其國書，尤精騎射。 年十八，隨其主內附，充宿衛。
Buluhaiya was a Uyghur. His grandfather Ya’erbahaiya and his father Jitaihaiya had both become hereditary ministers of their state through merit. Orphaned young, Buluhaiya studied at his uncle’s home. He soon mastered the Uyghur script and excelled at mounted archery. At eighteen he accompanied his lord in submitting to the dynasty and joined the palace guard.
25
太祖西征，布魯海牙扈從，不避勞苦，帝嘉其勤，賜以羊馬氈帳，又以居里可汗女石抹氏配之。 太祖崩，諸王來會，選使燕京緫理財幣。 使還，莊聖太后聞其廉謹，以名求之於太宗，凡中宮軍民匠戶之在燕京、中山者，悉命統之，又賜以中山店舍園田、民戶二十，授真定路達魯花赤。
When Taizu marched west, Buluhaiya followed without shirking hardship. The emperor praised his diligence and rewarded him with sheep, horses, and felt tents, and gave him Lady Shimò, daughter of the Jürki Khan, in marriage. After Taizu’s death the princes assembled, and Buluhaiya was chosen as envoy to Yanjing to manage finances. On his return Empress Zhuangsheng, hearing of his integrity, requested him by name from Ögedei. All palace military, civil, and artisan households in Yanjing and Zhongshan were placed under his command. He was granted shops, gardens, and twenty households in Zhongshan and appointed Darughachi of Zhending Route.
26
辛卯，拜燕南諸路廉訪使，佩金虎符，賜民戶十。 未幾，授斷事官，使職如故。 時斷事官得專生殺，多倚勢作威，而布魯海牙小心謹密，慎於用刑。 有民誤毆人死，吏論以重法，其子號泣請代死，布魯海牙戒吏，使擒于市，懼則殺之。 既而不懼，乃曰：「誤毆人死，情有可宥，子而能孝，義無可誅。」 遂併釋之，使出銀以資葬埋，且呼死者家諭之，其人悅從。
In the xinmao year he was appointed Surveillance Commissioner of all Yannan routes, given the golden tiger tally, and granted ten households. Soon he was also appointed judicial officer while retaining his previous duties. Judicial officers then held power of life and death, and many abused their authority. Buluhaiya was careful and restrained in imposing punishments. A man accidentally beat someone to death. The clerks sought the death penalty. His son wept and begged to die in his father’s place. Buluhaiya told the clerks to seize the son in the market and execute him if he showed fear. When the son showed no fear, Buluhaiya said, “Accidental killing admits of mercy, and a son who would die for his father cannot be punished. He released them both, had them pay silver for the burial, and summoned the victim’s family to explain. They accepted willingly.
27
是時法制未定，奴有罪者，主得專殺，布魯海牙知其非法而不能救，嘗出金贖死者數十人。 征討之際，隸軍籍者，憚於行役，往往募人代之，又軍中多逃歸者，朝廷下制：募代者杖百，逃歸者死。 命布魯海牙與斷事官卜只兒按順天等路，及至州縣，得募人代者萬一千戶、逃者十二人。 然募者聞命將下，已潛遣家人易代募者，布魯海牙聞之，歎曰：「募者已懼罪往易，逃者因單弱思歸，情皆可矜，吾可不伸理耶。」 遂奏其狀，皆得輕減。 有丁多產富而家人不往，及未至役所而即逃者，則曰：「此而不殺，何以戒後！」 有竊妓逃者，吏論當死，布魯海牙曰：「敗亂綱常，罪固宜死； 此妓也，豈可例論！」 命杖之。 其執法平允類如此。
The law was not yet settled, and masters could kill offending slaves at will. Buluhaiya knew this was wrong but could not stop it; he once paid gold to redeem dozens of condemned slaves. During campaigns men on the military rolls often hired substitutes rather than serve. Many soldiers also deserted. The court decreed one hundred strokes for hiring substitutes and death for deserters. Buluhaiya and the judicial officer Bozhier were ordered to investigate Shuntian and other circuits. In the prefectures and counties they found eleven thousand one hundred households that had hired substitutes and twelve deserters. Learning that families had secretly sent relatives to take the place of hired substitutes, Buluhaiya sighed and said, “Those who hired substitutes acted from fear of punishment, and deserters fled because they were weak and homesick. Both deserve mercy. How can I not plead their case? He memorialized the facts, and all received lighter sentences. But when wealthy families with many sons refused to serve, or men fled before reaching their posts, he said, “If these are not punished, how will others be deterred? When a man who had abducted a courtesan was sentenced to death, Buluhaiya said, “Disrupting moral order deserves death— but she was a courtesan. The same rule cannot apply! He ordered him flogged instead. His even-handed justice was of this kind throughout.
28
布魯海牙性孝友，造大宅於燕京，自畏吾國迎母來居，事之，得祿不入私室。 幼時叔父阿里普海牙欺之，盡有其產，及貴顯，築室宅旁，迎阿里普海牙居之，弟益特思海牙以宿憾為言，常慰諭之，終無間言。 帝嘗賜以太府綾絹五千匹，絲絮相等，弟求四之一納其國賦，盡與之，無吝色。 初布魯海牙拜廉使，命下之日，子希憲適生，喜曰：「吾聞古以官為姓，天其以廉為吾宗之姓乎！」 故子孫皆姓廉氏。 後或奏廉氏仕進者多，宜稍汰去，世祖曰：「布魯海牙功多，子孫亦朕所知，非汝當預。」 大德初，贈儀同三司、大司徒，追封魏國公，諡孝懿。
Buluhaiya was filial and devoted to kin. He built a large house in Yanjing and brought his mother from the Uyghur lands to live there. He served her devotedly and never kept his salary for himself. In youth his uncle Alipuhaiya had cheated him out of his inheritance. When he rose to prominence he built a house beside his own and welcomed his uncle to live there. His younger brother Yitesihaiya spoke of old grievances, but Buluhaiya always soothed him, and they remained without estrangement. The emperor once granted him five thousand bolts of palace silk and an equal amount of floss. His younger brother asked for a quarter to pay their state tribute. He gave it all without hesitation. When Buluhaiya was first appointed surveillance commissioner, his son Xixian was born that very day. He rejoiced and said, “I have heard that in antiquity men took their office as their surname. Perhaps Heaven means our clan to be surnamed Lian! Hence his descendants all bore the surname Lian. Later someone memorialized that too many of the Lian clan held office and some should be removed. Kublai said, “Buluhaiya’s service was great, and I know his descendants. This is not your concern. At the beginning of the Dade reign he was posthumously honored as Grand Master Equal to the Three Excellencies and Grand Minister of Education, enfeoffed as Duke of Wei, with the posthumous title Filial and Kind.
29
子希閔、希憲、希恕、希尹、希顏、希愿、希魯、希貢、希中、希括，孫五十三人，登顯仕者代有之，希憲自有傳。
His sons were Ximin, Xixian, Xishu, Xiyin, Xiyan, Xiyuan, Xilu, Xigong, Xizhong, and Xikuo. He had fifty-three grandsons, and eminent office ran in the family for generations. Xixian has his own biography.
30
高智耀子睿附
Gaozhiyao—with his son Rui appended
31
高智耀，河西人，世仕夏國。 曾祖逸，大都督府尹； 祖良惠，右丞相。 智耀登本國進士第，夏亡，隱賀蘭山。 太宗訪求河西故家子孫之賢者，衆以智耀對，召見將用之，遽辭歸。
Gaozhiyao was from Hexi. His family had served the Western Xia for generations. His great-grandfather Yi was Director of the Great Capital Military Commission; and his grandfather Lianghui was Right Chief Councillor. Zhiyao passed the jinshi examination of his state. When the Xia fell, he withdrew to Mount Helan. Ögedei sought worthy descendants of old Hexi families. Zhiyao was recommended, summoned, and about to be appointed, but he declined and returned home.
32
皇子闊端鎮西涼，儒者皆隸役，智耀謁藩邸，言儒者給復已久，一旦與冢養同役，非便，請除之。 皇子從其言。 欲奏官之，不就。 憲宗即位，智耀入見，言：「儒者所學堯、舜、禹、湯、文、武之道，自古有國家者，用之則治，不用則否，養成其材，將以資其用也。 宜蠲免徭役以教育之。」 帝問：「儒家何如巫醫？」 對曰：「儒以綱常治天下，豈方技所得比。」 帝曰：「善。 前此未有以是告朕者。」 詔復海內儒士徭役，無有所與。
Prince Kuoduan governed Xiliang, where Confucian scholars had been put to corvée labor. Zhiyao visited the prince and argued that scholars had long enjoyed tax exemption and should not suddenly be yoked to corvée alongside common households. He asked that the practice be ended. The prince agreed. The prince wished to recommend him for office, but he refused. When Möngke ascended the throne, Zhiyao came to court and said, “Confucian scholars study the Way of Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, King Wen, and King Wu. Throughout history states that employed them prospered and those that did not declined. Their training is meant to supply the state with talent. They should be exempted from corvée so they may be properly educated. The emperor asked, “How do Confucians compare to shamans and physicians? He answered, “Confucians govern the realm through moral principle. How can they be compared with mere technicians? The emperor said, “Well said. No one had ever told me this before. An edict restored corvée exemption for Confucian scholars throughout the realm.
33
世祖在潛邸已聞其賢，及即位，召見，又力言儒術有補治道，反覆辯論，辭累千百。 帝異其言，鑄印授之，命凡免役儒戶，皆從之給公文為左驗。 時淮、蜀士遭俘虜者，皆沒為奴，智耀奏言：「以儒為驅，古無有也。 陛下方以古道為治，宜除之，以風厲天下。」 帝然之，即拜翰林學士，命循行郡縣區別之，得數千人。 貴臣或言其詭濫，帝詰之，對曰：「士，譬則金也，金色有淺深，謂之非金不可，才藝有淺深，謂之非士亦不可。」 帝悅，更寵賚之。 智耀又言：「國初庶政草創，綱紀未張，宜倣前代，置御史臺以糾肅官常。」 至元五年立御史臺，用其議也。
Kublai had heard of his worth while still heir apparent. After his accession he summoned him. Zhiyao argued forcefully that Confucian learning was essential to good government, debating at length in thousands of words. The emperor was impressed, had a seal cast and entrusted to him, and ordered that all exempt scholar households receive official documents from him as proof. Scholars captured in the Huai and Shu regions had been enslaved. Zhiyao memorialized, “To use scholars as slaves has no precedent in antiquity. Your Majesty governs by the ancient Way. This practice should be abolished to set an example for the realm. The emperor agreed, appointed him Hanlin Academician, and sent him through the commanderies and counties to identify scholars. Several thousand were recovered. Some nobles accused him of padding the rolls. The emperor questioned him. He replied, “Scholars are like gold: gold varies in purity, yet it is still gold. Talent varies in depth, yet the men are still scholars. The emperor was pleased and rewarded him further. Zhiyao also argued that in the founding years government was still being organized and discipline was lax. Following former dynasties, a Censorate should be established to enforce official conduct. The Censorate was established in Zhiyuan 5 on his recommendation.
34
擢西夏中興等路提刑按察使。 會西北藩王遣使入朝，謂：「本朝舊俗與漢法異，今留漢地，建都邑城郭，儀文制度，遵用漢法，其故何如？」 帝求報聘之使以析其問，智耀入見，請行，帝問所荅，畫一敷對，稱旨，即日遣就道。 至上京，病卒，帝為之震悼。 後贈崇文贊治功臣、金紫光祿大夫、司徒、柱國，追封寧國公，諡文忠。 子睿。
He was promoted to Surveillance Commissioner for Punishments of Zhongxing and other routes in Western Xia. A northwestern prince sent envoys to court who asked, “Your dynasty’s customs differ from Han law. Why do you now remain in Han territory, build cities and walls, and adopt Han ritual and institutions? The emperor sought an envoy to answer them. Zhiyao volunteered, outlined his replies point by point, and pleased the emperor. He was sent on his way that same day. He reached Shangjing but died of illness on the way. The emperor mourned him deeply. He was later posthumously honored as Merit Subject Who Honors Culture and Assists in Ordering, Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, Minister of Education, and Pillar of the State, enfeoffed as Duke of Ning, with the posthumous title Cultured and Loyal. His son was Rui.
35
睿，資稟直亮，智耀之北使也，攜之以行。 及卒，帝問其子安在，近臣以睿見，時年十六。 授符寶郎，出入禁闥，恭謹詳雅。 久之，授唐兀衛指揮副使，歷翰林待制、禮部侍郎。
Rui was upright by nature. When Zhiyao went on his northern mission he took his son with him. After his death the emperor asked after his son. A close minister presented Rui, then sixteen years old. He was appointed Keeper of Seals and Credentials and admitted to the inner palace, where he conducted himself with respectful precision. After some time he became Vice Commander of the Tangut Guard, then served as Hanlin Attendant Drafter and Vice Minister of Rites.
36
除嘉興路緫管，境內有宿盜，白晝掠民財，捕者積十數輩莫敢近。 睿下令，不旬日，生擒之，一郡以寧。 擢江東道提刑按察使，部內草竊陸梁，聲言圍宣城，郡將怯懦，城門不開，睿召責之曰：「寇勢方熾，官先示弱，民何所憑。」 即命密治兵衛，而洞開城門，聽民出入貿易自便。 既而寇以有備，不敢進，遂討平之。 除同僉行樞密院事，遷浙西道肅政廉訪使。 鹽官州民，有連結黨與，持郡邑短長，其目曰十老，吏莫敢問，睿悉按以法，闔境快之。 拜江南行臺侍御史，進御史中丞，除淮東道肅政廉訪使。 盜竊真州庫鈔三萬緡，有司大索，追逮平民數百人，吏因為奸利，睿躬自詳讞而得其情，即縱遣之。 未幾，果得真盜。 復拜南臺御史中丞，務持大體，有儒者之風焉。
As chief administrator of Jiaxing Route he faced veteran bandits who robbed in broad daylight. Pursuers in groups of ten or more dared not approach them. Rui issued orders, and within ten days they were captured alive. The entire commandery was pacified. Promoted to Surveillance Commissioner for Punishments of the Jiangdong Circuit, he found bandits rampant and rumors that Xuancheng would be besieged. The commandery general, timid, kept the gates closed. Rui summoned and rebuked him: “The bandits are at their height. If officials show fear first, what hope have the people? He secretly prepared the garrison but threw the gates wide open and let the people come and go and trade freely. Seeing the city prepared, the bandits did not dare advance, and he soon suppressed them. He was appointed Associate Administrator of the Bureau of Military Affairs and transferred to Purification Commissioner of the Zhexi Circuit. In Yan’guan Prefecture factions called the Ten Elders controlled local affairs and intimidated officials. Rui prosecuted them all by law, to the relief of the entire region. He was appointed Attending Censor of the Jiangnan Branch Censorate, promoted to Censor-in-Chief, and made Purification Commissioner of the Huaidong Circuit. Thieves stole thirty thousand strings of paper money from the Zhenzhou treasury. Officials rounded up hundreds of innocent civilians while clerks profited from the investigation. Rui personally tried the cases, found the truth, and released them. Soon afterward the real thieves were caught. He was again appointed Censor-in-Chief of the Southern Branch Censorate, upholding broad principles in the manner of a Confucian scholar.
37
延祐元年卒，年六十有六。 累贈推忠佐理功臣、太傅、開府儀同三司、上柱國，追封寧國公，諡貞簡。
He died in Yanyou 1 at the age of sixty-six. He was posthumously honored as Merit Subject Who Sincerely Assists in Ordering, Grand Tutor, with privileges equal to the Three Excellencies, Upper Pillar of the State, and Duke of Ning, with the posthumous title Upright and Simple.
38
子納麟，官至太尉、江南諸道行御史臺大夫。
His son Nalin rose to Grand Marshal and Grand Coordinator of the Branch Censorate for all Jiangnan circuits.
39
鐵哥，姓伽乃氏，迦葉彌兒人。 迦葉彌兒者，西域築乾國也。 父斡脫赤與叔父那摩俱學浮屠氏。 斡脫赤兄弟相謂曰：「世道擾攘，吾國將亡，東北有天子氣，盍往歸之。」 乃偕入見，太宗禮遇之。 定宗師事那摩，以斡脫赤佩金符，奉使省民瘼。 憲宗尊那摩為國師，授玉印，緫天下釋教。 斡脫赤亦貴用事，領迦葉彌兒萬戶，奏曰：「迦葉彌兒西陲小國，尚未臣服，請往諭之。」 詔偕近侍以往。 其國主不從，怒而殺之，帝為發兵誅國主。 元貞元年封代國公，諡忠遂。
Tiege, of the Ganaishi clan, was a native of Kasmira. Kasmira was the Western Region state known as Zhugan. His father Otuchi and his uncle Namo both studied Buddhism. Otuchi and his brothers said to one another, “The world is in turmoil and our country is doomed. There is imperial destiny in the northeast—let us go and submit. They went together to audience, and Ögedei received them with honor. Dingzong honored Namo as his teacher and sent Otuchi, bearing a golden tally, as envoy to inquire into the people’s hardships. Möngke honored Namo as National Preceptor, granted him a jade seal, and placed him over all Buddhist clergy in the realm. Otuchi also rose to power as head of the Kasmira myriarchy. He memorialized, “Kasmira is a small border state that has not yet submitted. Allow me to go and persuade them. He was ordered to go with imperial attendants. The local ruler refused and killed him in anger. The emperor sent troops to execute the ruler. In Yuanzhen 1 he was posthumously enfeoffed as Duke of Dai, with the title Loyal and Accomplished.
40
先是，世祖事憲宗甚親愛，後以讒稍疏，國師導世祖宜加敬慎，遂友愛如初。 至是，帝將用鐵哥，曰：「吾以酬國師也。」 於是鐵哥年十七，詔擇貴家女妻之，辭曰：「臣母漢人，每欲求漢人女為婦，臣不敢傷母心。」 乃為娶冉氏女。 久之，命掌饔膳湯藥，日益親密。
Earlier Kublai had been very close to Möngke, but slander later drove them apart. The National Preceptor advised Kublai to show greater respect and caution, and the brothers were reconciled. When the emperor was about to employ Tiege he said, “I do this to repay the National Preceptor. Tiege was then seventeen. The court chose a noble family’s daughter for his wife, but he declined: “My mother is Han and has always wanted a Han daughter-in-law. I dare not disappoint her. He was given a woman of the Ran clan in marriage instead. In time he was put in charge of the imperial meals and medicines and grew ever closer to the emperor.
41
至元十六年，鐵哥奏曰：「武臣佩符，古制也。 今長民者亦佩符，請省之，以彰武職。」 從之。 十七年，進正議大夫、尚膳監。 帝嘗諭之曰：「朕聞父飲藥，子先嘗之，君飲藥，臣先嘗之。 今卿典朕膳，凡飲食湯藥，宜先嘗之。」 又曰：「朕以宿衛士隸卿，其可任使者，疏其才能，朕將用之。」 詔賜第於大明宮之左，留守段圭言：「逼木局，不便。」 帝曰：「俾居近禁闥，以便召使。 木局稍隘，又何害焉。」
In Zhiyuan 16 Tiege memorialized, “Military officers wearing tallies is an ancient institution. Now civil administrators also wear them. Please abolish this practice to distinguish military rank. The proposal was adopted. In the seventeenth year he was promoted to Grand Master of Correct Counsel and Director of the Imperial Kitchen. The emperor once told him, “I have heard that when a father takes medicine the son tastes it first, and when a ruler takes medicine the minister tastes it first. You oversee my meals. All food, drink, and medicines should be tasted by you first. He also said, “I assign palace guards to you. Report the abilities of those fit for service, and I will employ them. He was granted a residence east of the Daming Palace. The garrison commander Duan Gui objected that it was too close to the timber office and inconvenient. The emperor said, “Let him live near the inner palace so I may summon him easily. The timber office is a bit cramped. What harm is there in that?”
42
高州人言，州境多野獸害稼，願捕以充貢。 鐵哥曰：「捕獸充貢，徒濟其私耳，且擾民，不可聽。」 從之。 十九年，遷同知宣徽院事，領尚膳監。 有食尚食餘餅者，帝察知之，怒。 鐵哥曰：「失餅之罪在臣，食者何與焉。」 內府食用圓米，鐵哥奏曰：「計粳米一石，僅得圓米四斗，請自今非御用，止給常米。」 帝皆善之。 進中奉大夫、司農寺達魯花赤。 從獵百杳兒之地，獵人亦不剌金射兔，誤中名駝，駝死，帝怒，命誅之。 鐵哥曰：「殺人償畜，刑太重。」 帝驚曰：「誤耶，史官必書。」 亟釋之。 庾人有盜鑿米者，罪當死。 鐵哥諫曰：「臣鞫庾人，其母病，盜欲食母耳，請貸之。」 牧人有盜割駝峰者，將誅之。 鐵哥曰：「生割駝峰，誠忍人也。 然殺之，恐乖陛下仁恕心。」 詔皆免死。
Men of Gaozhou reported that wild beasts were damaging crops and asked permission to hunt them for tribute. Tiege said, “Hunting for tribute would only serve private interests and disturb the people. It must not be allowed. The request was denied. In the nineteenth year he became Associate Director of the Palace Provisionery while retaining charge of the Imperial Kitchen. Someone was found eating leftover cakes from the imperial kitchen. The emperor discovered it and was furious. Tiege said, “The fault for the lost cakes is mine. What have the eaters to do with it? The inner palace used polished round rice. Tiege memorialized that one shi of husked rice yielded only four dou of polished rice, and asked that ordinary rice be supplied except for imperial use. The emperor approved all his proposals. He was promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Darughachi of the Ministry of Agriculture. On a hunt at Bainao’er the hunter Yibulajin shot at a rabbit but accidentally killed a prized camel. The emperor was furious and ordered his execution. Tiege said, “Executing a man for killing a beast is too severe a penalty. The emperor started and said, “A mistake? The historiographers will surely record this. He immediately ordered the man released. A granary keeper who stole rice by breaking into the stores was sentenced to death. Tiege remonstrated, “On investigation I found his mother was ill and he stole the rice only to feed her. I beg that he be spared. A herdsman who had cut a hump from a living camel was about to be executed. Tiege said, “To cut a hump from a living camel is indeed cruel. Yet to execute him may go against Your Majesty’s merciful nature. An edict spared them all.
43
二十二年，進正奉大夫，奏：「司農寺宜陞為大司農司，秩二品，使天下知朝廷重農之意。」 制可。 進資善大夫、司農。 時司農供膳，有司多擾民，鐵哥奏曰：「屯田則備諸物，立供膳司甚便。」 從之。 桓州饑民鬻子女以為食，鐵哥奏以官帑贖之。
In the twenty-second year he was promoted to Grand Master of Correct Submission and memorialized that the Ministry of Agriculture should be elevated to the Grand Ministry of Agriculture, second rank, so the realm would know the court valued farming. The proposal was approved. He was promoted to Grand Master of Assisting Goodness and Minister of Agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture supplied the court’s meals, and local offices often harassed the people. Tiege proposed that garrison fields supply provisions and that a separate Provisionery for Meals be established. The proposal was adopted. Starving people in Huanzhou were selling their children for food. Tiege memorialized to redeem them with government funds.
44
二十四年，從征乃顏，至撒兒都之地，叛王塔不台率兵奄至。 鐵哥奏曰：「昔李廣一將耳，尚能以疑退敵，況陛下萬乘之威乎。 今彼衆我寡，不得地利，當設疑以退之。」 於是帝張曲蓋，據胡床，鐵哥從容進酒。 塔不台按兵覘伺，懼有伏，遂引去。 帝以金章宗玉帶賜之。
In the twenty-fourth year he accompanied the campaign against Nayan. At Sa’erdu the rebel prince Tabutai suddenly appeared with his army. Tiege said, “Li Guang was only a single general, yet he once repelled the enemy through deception. How much more can Your Majesty’s imperial majesty do so! They outnumber us and we lack favorable ground. We should use deception to drive them off. The emperor then raised his canopy, sat on a camp chair, and Tiege calmly served him wine. Tabutai halted his troops to observe, feared an ambush, and withdrew. The emperor rewarded him with the jade belt of the Jin emperor Zhangzong.
45
二十九年，進榮祿大夫、中書平章政事。 以病足，聽輿轎入殿門。 帝嘗憶北征事，不能悉記，鐵哥條舉甚詳，帝悅，以金束帶賜之。 初，詔遣宋新附民種蒲萄於野馬川晃火兒不剌之地，既獻其實，鐵哥以北方多寒，奏歲賜衣服，從之。
In the twenty-ninth year he was promoted to Grand Master of Glorious Blessing and Grand Councillor of the Secretariat. Because of illness in his feet he was permitted to enter the palace gate in a litter. When the emperor tried to recall the northern campaign but could not remember all the details, Tiege recounted them at length. The emperor was pleased and gave him a gold belt. An edict had sent newly submitted Song subjects to plant grapes at Yemachuan in Huanghu’erbula. When they presented the harvest, Tiege noted the cold of the north and memorialized for annual grants of clothing, which was approved.
46
成宗即位，以鐵哥先朝舊臣，賜銀一千兩、鈔十萬貫。 他日，又賜以瑪瑙碗，謂鐵哥曰：「此器先皇所用，朕今賜卿，以卿久侍先皇故也。」 大德元年，加光祿大夫。 三年，乞解機務，從之。 仍授平章政事、議中書省事。 時諸王朝見，未有知典故者，帝曰：「惟鐵哥知之，俾專其事，凡廩餼金帛之數，皆遵世祖制詔，自今懷諸王之禮，悉命鐵哥掌之。」
When Chengzong ascended the throne he rewarded Tiege, an old minister of the previous reign, with one thousand taels of silver and one hundred thousand strings of paper money. On another day he gave him an agate bowl and said, “This vessel was used by my father. I give it to you because you long served him. In Dade 1 he was promoted to Grand Master of Glorious Blessing. In the third year he asked to retire from active administration, and his request was granted. He was nevertheless retained as Grand Councillor with authority to deliberate on Secretariat affairs. When the princes came to court none knew the ceremonial precedents. The emperor said, “Only Tiege knows them. Let him handle these matters. All stipends of grain, gold, and silk shall follow Kublai’s regulations. From now on the rites for receiving the princes shall all be managed by Tiege.”
47
七年，復拜中書平章政事。 平灤大水，鐵哥奏曰：「散財聚民，古之道也。 今平灤水災，不加賑恤，民不聊生矣！」 從之。 十年，丁母憂，詔奪情起復。 遼王脫脫入朝，從者執兵入大明宮，鐵哥劾止之，王懼謝。 從幸縉山，饑民相望，鐵哥輒發廩賑之，既乃陳疏自劾，帝稱善不已。
In the seventh year he was again appointed Grand Councillor of the Secretariat. When Pingluan suffered severe flooding, Tiege memorialized, “Dispersing wealth to gather the people is the ancient Way. Yet Pingluan has received no relief. The people cannot survive! Relief was ordered. In the tenth year his mother died. He was ordered to leave mourning and return to office. When the Liao prince Tuohuatuo came to court his attendants entered the Daming Palace armed. Tiege impeached them and stopped it. The prince apologized in fear. On an excursion to Jinyun he saw famine victims everywhere and repeatedly opened granaries to feed them. He then memorialized impeaching himself for overstepping. The emperor praised him repeatedly.
48
武宗即位，賜金一百兩，加金紫光祿大夫，遙授中書右丞相。 有訴寧遠王闊闊出有逆謀者，命誅之。 鐵哥知其誣，廷辨之，由是得釋，徙高麗。 二年，領度支院。 尋賜江州稻田五千畝。
When Wuzong ascended the throne he was granted one hundred taels of gold, promoted to Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, and appointed Right Chief Councillor of the Secretariat in absentia. Someone accused Prince Kuokuochu of Ningyuan of plotting rebellion, and an order was issued for his execution. Tiege knew the charge was false and argued the case at court. The prince was released and exiled to Korea. In the second year he headed the Revenue Bureau. Soon afterward he was granted five thousand mu of paddy fields in Jiangzhou.
49
子六人：忽察，淮東宣慰使； 平安奴，太平路達魯花赤； 也識哥，同知山東宣慰司事； 虎里台，同知真定緫管府事； 亦可麻，同知都護府事； 重喜，隆禧院副使。 孫八人，伯顏，中書平章政事，餘多居宿衛。
He had six sons: Hucha, Pacification Commissioner of Huaidong; Ping’annu, Darughachi of Taiping Route; Yeshige, Associate Director of the Shandong Pacification Commission; Hulitai, Associate Administrator of the Zhending Chief Administration; Yikema, Associate Administrator of the Protectorate General; and Chongxi, Vice Commissioner of the Longxi Court. He had eight grandsons, including Bayan, Grand Councillor of the Secretariat; most of the others served in the palace guard.