1
哈剌哈孫
Harqasun
2
哈剌哈孫，斡剌納兒氏。 曾祖啟昔禮，始事王可汗脫斡璘。 王可汗與太祖約為兄弟，及太祖得衆，陰忌之，謀害太祖。 啟昔禮潛以其謀來告，太祖乃與二十餘人一夕遁去，諸部聞者多歸之，還攻滅王可汗，併其衆。 擢啟昔禮為千戶，賜號荅剌罕。 從平河西、西域諸國。 祖博理察，太宗時從太弟睿宗攻河南，取汴、蔡，滅金，賜順德以為分邑。 父囊加台，從憲宗伐蜀，卒于軍。
Harqasun belonged to the Oranar clan. His great-grandfather Qisili had first entered the service of Wang Khan Tuowohuan. Wang Khan and Taizu had sworn brotherhood, but once Taizu gathered a following, Wang Khan secretly resented him and laid plans to kill him. Qisili secretly informed Taizu of the plot. Taizu fled overnight with a score of companions, and as word spread many tribes rallied to him. He then turned back, destroyed Wang Khan, and absorbed his following. Qisili was promoted to command of a thousand households and honored with the title Darqan. He campaigned in the pacification of Hexi and the Western Regions. His grandfather Bolicha, under Taizong, followed the Grand Imperial Younger Brother Ruizong in the assault on Henan, captured Bian and Cai, and helped bring down the Jin; Shunde was granted him as a fief. His father Nangatai accompanied Möngke in the conquest of Shu and died on campaign.
3
哈剌哈孫威重，不妄言笑，善騎射，工國書，又雅重儒術。 至元九年，世祖錄勳臣後，命掌宿衛，襲號荅剌罕。 自是人稱荅剌罕而不名。 帝嘗諭之曰：「汝家勳載王府，行且大用汝矣。」 又語皇太子曰：「荅剌罕非常人比，可善遇之。」 十八年，割欽、廉二州，益其食邑。 二十二年，拜大宗正。 用法平允，審錄冤滯，所活數百人。 時相請以江南獄隸宗正。 哈剌哈孫曰：「江南新附，教令未孚，且相去數千里，欲遙制其刑獄，得無冤乎。」 事遂止。
Harqasun carried himself with grave dignity and rarely spoke or laughed lightly. He was an expert horseman and archer, proficient in the Mongol script, and held the Confucian tradition in high regard. In 1272 Kublai reviewed the heirs of meritorious ministers, appointed him to command the palace guard, and confirmed his inheritance of the title Darqan. Thereafter he was known simply as Darqan rather than by his personal name. The emperor once told him, "Your family's service to the imperial house is recorded in merit rolls; I shall soon give you great responsibility." He also said to the crown prince, "Darqan is no ordinary man; treat him with respect." In 1281 Qin and Lian were detached from other jurisdictions and added to his appanage. In 1285 he was appointed Grand Judge of the Imperial Clan. He applied the law with evenhanded fairness, reviewed cases of wrongful imprisonment, and saved several hundred lives. At the time the chief minister proposed placing all Jiangnan criminal cases under the Imperial Clan Court. Harqasun said, "Jiangnan has only just submitted; imperial orders have not yet taken firm hold there, and it lies thousands of li away. To govern its criminal justice from a distance—how could that not breed injustice?" The proposal was dropped.
4
二十八年，拜榮祿大夫、湖廣行省平章政事。 臺臣言其在宗正決獄平，即去，恐難其繼者。 帝曰：「湖廣之地，朕嘗駐蹕，非斯人不可。」 遂行。 時江湖間盜賊出沒，剽取商旅貨財。 哈剌哈孫至，則發卒悉擒誅之，水陸之途始皆無梗。 初，樞密置行院於各省，分兵民為二，奸人植黨自蔽。 後因入覲極陳其不便，帝為罷之。 因問曰：「風憲之職，人多言其撓吏治，信乎？」 對曰：「朝廷設此以糾奸慝，貪吏疾之，妄為謗耳。」 帝然其言。
In 1291 he was appointed Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Grand Councillor of the Huguang Branch Secretariat. Censorate officials observed that as Grand Judge his rulings had been exemplary and warned that if he left immediately they might struggle to find a worthy successor. The emperor said, "I once encamped in Huguang myself; no one but he can govern it properly." He set out for his post. At the time bandits haunted the rivers and lakes, robbing merchants of their goods. When Harqasun arrived he sent out troops, captured the bandits, and executed them; only then did travel by water and land become safe again. Earlier the Bureau of Military Affairs had set up branch courts in each province, splitting military and civil authority; corrupt officials used factional networks to shield one another. Later, when he came to court for an audience, he argued forcefully against the arrangement, and the emperor abolished it at his urging. He then asked, "Many say the censorate obstructs civil administration—is that true?" He replied, "The court established the censorate to root out corruption; greedy officials resent it and spread idle slander—that is all." The emperor agreed with him.
5
三十年，平章劉國傑將兵征交趾，哈剌哈孫戒將吏無擾民。 會有奪民魚菜者，杖其千戶，軍中肅然。 俄有旨發湖湘富民萬家，屯田廣西，以圖交趾。 哈剌哈孫密遣使奏曰：「往年遠征無功，瘡痍未復，今又徙民瘴鄉，必將怨叛。」 吏莫知其奏，抱卷請署，弗荅。 吏再請，則曰：「姑緩之。」 未幾，使還報罷，民皆感悅。 及廣西元帥府請募南丹五千戶屯田，事上行省，哈剌哈孫曰：「此土著之民，誠為便之，內足以實空地，外足以制交趾之寇，可不煩士卒而饋餉有餘。」 即命度地立為五屯，統以屯長，給牛種農具與之。 湖南宣慰張國紀建言，欲按唐、宋末徵民間夏稅。 哈剌哈孫曰：「亡國弊政，失寬大之意，聖朝其可行耶？」 奏止其議。
In 1293 Grand Councillor Liu Guojie led an expedition against Jiaozhi; Harqasun strictly ordered the commanders and officials not to harass the populace. When a soldier seized fish and vegetables from civilians, he had the responsible chiliarch flogged, and discipline in the army became exemplary. Soon an edict arrived ordering ten thousand wealthy households from Hunan and Xiang to be relocated for garrison farming in Guangxi as a step toward Jiaozhi. Harqasun secretly sent a memorial: "The distant campaigns of recent years failed, and the region has not yet recovered. To relocate people now into malarial country will surely provoke resentment and rebellion." The clerks knew nothing of his memorial and brought documents for his signature; he refused. When they pressed again he said, "Put it off for now." Before long his messenger returned with word that the order had been revoked, and the people were deeply grateful. When the Guangxi Marshal's Office proposed recruiting five thousand Nandan households for garrison farming and referred the matter to the branch secretariat, Harqasun said, "These are indigenous peoples, and the plan truly suits them: inwardly it will fill empty lands, outwardly it will check Jiaozhi raiders, without burdening the army and with surplus provisions besides." He immediately ordered land surveyed, established five garrison colonies under garrison chiefs, and supplied oxen, seed, and farm tools. Hunan Pacification Commissioner Zhang Guoji proposed levying on the populace the summer tax left uncollected at the fall of Tang and Song. Harqasun said, "That is a ruinous policy of a fallen dynasty, contrary to the spirit of magnanimity—how could the sage dynasty adopt it?" He memorialized to block the proposal.
6
大德二年，入朝上都，成宗拜光祿大夫、江浙行省左丞相。 視政七日，徵拜中書左丞相，進階銀青榮祿大夫。 既拜命，斥言利之徒，一以節用愛民為務。 有大政事，必引儒臣雜議。 京師久闕孔子廟，而國學寓他署，乃奏建廟學，選名儒為學官，采近臣子弟入學。 又集群議建南郊，為一代定制。
In 1298 he came to court at Shangdu, and Temür appointed him Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Left Chancellor of the Jiang-Zhe Branch Secretariat. After only seven days in office he was summoned to the capital as Left Chancellor of the Central Secretariat and promoted to Silver-Green Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. Once appointed he dismissed profit-seeking advisers and devoted himself wholly to frugality and the welfare of the people. On major state affairs he invariably consulted Confucian officials alongside other advisers. The capital had long lacked a Confucian temple, and the National University was housed in borrowed quarters; he memorialized to build a temple-school complex, appointed distinguished Confucian scholars as instructors, and enrolled sons of high officials. He also convened deliberations on establishing the Southern Suburban Altar, setting a lasting ritual standard for the dynasty.
7
五年，同列有以雲南行省左丞劉深計倡議曰：「世祖以神武一海內，功蓋萬世。 今上嗣大歷服，未有武功以彰休烈，西南夷有八百媳婦國未奉正朔，請往征之。」 哈剌哈孫曰：「山嶠小夷，遼絕萬里，可諭之使來，不足以煩中國。」 不聽，竟發兵二萬，命深將以往。 道出湖廣，民疲於餽餉。 及次順元，深脅蛇節求金三千兩、馬三千匹。 蛇節因民不堪，舉兵圍深於窮谷，首尾不能相救。 事聞，遣平章劉國傑往援，擒蛇節，斬軍中，然士卒存者纔十一二，轉餉者亦如之，訖無成功。 帝始悔不用其言。 會赦，有司議釋深罪。 哈剌哈孫曰：「徼名首釁，喪師辱國，非常罪比，不誅無以謝天下。」 奏誅之。
In 1301 a colleague, taking up a proposal from Liu Shen, Left Vice Councillor of the Yunnan Branch Secretariat, argued: "Kublai with divine martial prowess unified the realm; his achievements will endure for ten thousand generations. The present sovereign has inherited the great mandate but has no military achievement to display his glorious virtue. In the southwest the Eight Hundred Wives country has not yet accepted our calendar—let us campaign against it." Harqasun said, "They are a petty mountain people ten thousand li away. Send envoys to summon them—that is enough; the empire need not be troubled for such a matter." His counsel was ignored; twenty thousand troops were raised and Liu Shen was ordered to lead them. The route passed through Huguang, and the people were exhausted by supplying the army. When the army reached Shunyuan, Liu Shen extorted from Shejie three thousand taels of gold and three thousand horses. Shejie, seeing the people could endure no more, rose in arms and trapped Liu Shen in a remote valley; the army's van and rear could not aid each other. When word reached court, Grand Councillor Liu Guojie was sent to relieve the force. Shejie was captured and executed in camp, but barely one soldier in ten survived, and the transport troops fared no better; the campaign ended in complete failure. The emperor then regretted not having heeded his advice. When a general amnesty was proclaimed, officials proposed releasing Liu Shen from punishment. Harqasun said, "He sought glory and provoked war, lost the army and shamed the state—this is no ordinary offense. Unless he is executed there is no answering to the realm." He memorialized for his execution, and it was carried out.
8
七年，進中書右丞相。 嘗言治道必先守令，近用多不得其人，於是精加遴選，定官吏贓罪十二章及丁憂、婚聘、盜賊等制，禁獻戶及山澤之利。 每歲車駕幸上都，哈剌哈孫必留守京師。 時帝弗豫，制出中宮，群邪黨附，哈剌哈孫以身匡之，天下晏然。 十年，加開府儀同三司、監修國史，置僚屬。 冬十一月，帝寢疾篤甚，入侍醫藥，出緫宿衛。 藩王欲入侍疾者不聽； 日理機務如故。
In 1303 he was promoted to Right Chancellor of the Central Secretariat. He often said that good government begins with capable prefects and magistrates, yet recent appointments had too often missed the mark. He therefore tightened selection, codified twelve articles on official corruption together with rules on mourning, betrothal, and banditry, and banned the presentation of households and monopolies on mountain and marsh resources. Each year when the emperor traveled to Shangdu, Harqasun remained behind to govern the capital. When the emperor fell ill, policy issued from the inner palace and corrupt factions gathered strength; Harqasun held the state steady by force of character, and the realm remained at peace. In 1306 he was additionally appointed Commissioner with Equal Protocol to the Three Dukes and Supervisor of the Compilation of the National History, with a full staff. In the eleventh month the emperor's illness grew grave; Harqasun attended him with medicines by day and commanded the palace guard by night. He refused entry to princes who wished to attend the sickbed; yet he continued to handle state affairs each day as before.
9
十一年春，成宗崩。 時武宗撫軍北邊，仁宗侍太后在懷慶，諸奸臣謀斷北道，請成后垂簾聽政，立安西王阿難荅。 哈剌哈孫密遣使北迎武宗，南迎仁宗，悉收京城百司符印，封府庫，稱疾卧闕下，內旨日數至，並不聽，文書皆不署。 衆欲害之，未敢發。 及仁宗至近郊，衆猶未知也。 三月朔，列牘請署，后決以三月三日御殿聽政，乃立署之，衆大喜，莫知所為。 明日，迎仁宗入，執左丞相阿忽台及安西王阿難荅等就誅，內難悉平。 自冬至春，未嘗一至家休沐。 夏五月，武宗至自北，即皇帝位，拜太傅、錄軍國重事，仍緫百揆，賜宅一區，以其子脫歡入侍。
In the spring of 1307 Temür died. Wuzong was then commanding troops on the northern frontier while Renzong attended the empress dowager at Huaiqing. Wicked ministers plotted to block the northern road, urged Empress Buluhan to rule from behind the curtain, and sought to install Prince Anxi Ananda as emperor. Harqasun secretly sent envoys north to welcome Wuzong and south to welcome Renzong, seized the seals of every capital office, sealed the treasuries, and feigned illness below the palace gates. Inner edicts arrived daily; he ignored them all and signed no document. His enemies wished to kill him but did not dare strike. When Renzong reached the suburbs, the conspirators still knew nothing of it. On the first day of the third month documents were laid before him for signature. The empress had decided to take the throne on the third; he signed at once. The conspirators rejoiced, unaware of what was coming. The next day Renzong entered the capital; Left Chancellor Ahutai, Prince Anxi Ananda, and their confederates were seized and executed, and the palace crisis was ended. From winter through spring he never once went home for rest. In the fifth month Wuzong arrived from the north and took the throne. Harqasun was appointed Grand Preceptor and Recorder of Important Affairs in Military and State, retained overall charge of government, granted a residence, and his son Tuohuan was admitted to attend the emperor.
10
初仁宗之入也，阿忽台有勇力，人莫敢近，諸王禿剌實手縛之，以功封越王，三宮盡幸其第，賜與甚厚，以慶元路為其食邑。 哈剌哈孫力爭之，曰：「祖宗之制，非親王不得加一字之封。 禿剌疏屬豈得以一日之功廢萬世之制哉。」 帝不聽。 禿剌因譖於帝曰：「方安西王謀干大統，哈剌哈孫亦嘗署文書。」 由是罷相出鎮北邊。 詔曰：「和林為北邊重鎮，今諸部降者又百餘萬，非重臣不足以鎮之，念無以易哈剌哈孫者。」 賜黃金三百兩、白銀三千五百兩、鈔十五萬貫、帛四萬端、乳馬六十匹，以太傅、左丞相行和林省事。 太后亦賜帛二百端、鈔五萬貫。
When Renzong first entered the capital, Ahutai was so fierce that none dared approach him until Prince Tula seized him with his own hands. For this service Tula was enfeoffed as Prince of Yue; the three palaces visited his residence and heaped gifts upon him, and Qingyuan Circuit was granted as his fief. Harqasun argued forcefully: "By ancestral institution, only imperial princes may receive a one-character princely title. Tula is a distant kinsman—how can a single day's service overturn a rule meant to endure ten thousand generations?" The emperor would not hear him. Tula then slandered him to the emperor: "When Prince Anxi plotted for the throne, Harqasun too once signed documents." On this account he was dismissed from the chancellorship and sent to guard the northern frontier. An edict read: "Karakorum is the key to the northern frontier, and more than a million tribesmen have lately submitted. Only a minister of the first rank can hold it—and none can replace Harqasun." He was granted three hundred taels of gold, three thousand five hundred taels of silver, one hundred fifty thousand strings of paper money, forty thousand bolts of silk, and sixty nursing mares, and was sent as Grand Preceptor and Left Chancellor to administer Karakorum. The empress dowager also granted two hundred bolts of silk and fifty thousand strings of paper money.
11
子脫歡，由太子賓客拜御史中丞，襲號荅剌罕，進御史大夫，行臺江南。 尋拜平章，行省江浙，進左丞相，兼領行宣政院。 重厚有父風，喜讀書，為政不尚苛暴，得衆心。 致和元年，卒于官，年三十七。 子蠻蠻。
His son Tuohuan rose from Preceptor of the Crown Prince to Censor-in-Chief, inherited the title Darqan, was promoted to Chief Censor, and served on the Jiangnan Branch Censorate. He was soon appointed Grand Councillor of the Jiang-Zhe Branch Secretariat, promoted to Left Chancellor, and concurrently headed the Branch Commission for Buddhist and Tibetan Affairs. Grave and weighty like his father, he loved learning, governed without harshness, and won the people's hearts. In 1328 he died in office at the age of thirty-seven. He left a son, Manman.
12
阿沙不花
Ashabuhua
13
阿沙不花者，康里國王族也。 初，太祖拔康里時，其祖母苫滅古麻里氏新寡，有二子，曰曲律、牙牙，皆幼，而國亂家破無所依，欲去而歸朝廷，念無以自達。 一夕有數駝皆重負突入營中，驅之不去。 旦乃繫駝營外，置所負其旁，夜復納營中，候有求者歸之。 如是十餘日，終無求者。 乃發視其裝，皆西域重寶。 驚曰：「殆天欲資我而東耶，不然，此豈吾所宜有。」 遂驅馳載二子越數國至京師。 時太祖已崩，太宗立，盡獻其所有，帝深異之，命有司治邸舍、具廩餼以居焉。 居二年，聞國中已定，謁帝欲歸。 帝曰：「汝昔何為而來，今何為而去？」 且問其所欲。 對曰：「臣妾昔以國亂無主，遠歸陛下，今賴陛下威德，聞國已定，欲歸守墳墓耳。 妾惟二子，雖愚無知，願留事陛下。」 帝大喜，立召二子入宿衛，而禮遣之。 後十三年復來，則二子已從憲宗伐蜀矣。 逮至和寧，聞憲宗崩，諸將皆還，而二子獨後，心方以為憂。 過一古廟，因入禱焉，若聞神語，連稱「好好」而不知其故，問其國人通漢語者，知為吉語。 還至舍，則二子已至矣。 遂留居焉。
Ashabuhua belonged to the royal clan of Kangli. When Taizu conquered Kangli, his grandmother Shamiegu Malishi was newly widowed, with two young sons named Qulu and Yaya. The realm was in chaos and the family ruined, with nowhere to turn; she wished to flee east to submit to the court but saw no way to reach it. One night several heavily laden camels burst into the camp and could not be driven away. At dawn she tethered them outside the camp with their loads beside them, brought them back in at night, and waited for an owner to claim them. For more than ten days no one came to claim them. She opened the packs and found them filled with precious goods from the Western Regions. Startled, she exclaimed, "Has Heaven sent these to supply our journey east? Otherwise, how could such wealth be meant for us?" She then drove swiftly east with her two sons across many lands until they reached the capital. Taizu had died and Ögedei was now emperor. She presented everything she had brought, and the emperor, deeply impressed, ordered officials to prepare a residence and provisions for her. After two years she heard that Kangli was at peace and came to court to ask leave to return home. The emperor said, "Why did you come then, and why do you wish to leave now?" He also asked what she wanted. She replied, "Your subject came from afar when our land was torn by chaos and had no lord. Now, thanks to Your Majesty's power and virtue, I hear the realm is settled and wish only to return and tend the ancestral graves. I have only these two sons. Though they are simple youths, I beg leave for them to remain in Your Majesty's service." The emperor was delighted, immediately enrolled both sons in the palace guard, and sent her home with full honors. Thirteen years later she returned, only to find that both sons had already joined Möngke's campaign against Shu. When she reached Hening she learned that Möngke had died and that the generals were returning, yet her sons had not come back. She grew deeply anxious. Passing an ancient temple, she went in to pray. She seemed to hear a spirit voice repeating "hao hao"—"good, good"—and did not understand until a compatriot who knew Chinese told her it was an auspicious omen. When she returned to her lodging, both sons were already there. She settled there and remained.
14
曲律無子。 牙牙後封康國王，生六子，阿沙不花最賢，年十四，入侍世祖。 世祖賜土田、給奴隸，使居興和之天城。 會西蕃遣使者有所奏請，既諭遣之，後數日，帝問近侍諸大臣曰：「前日西使何請，朕何辭以遣？」 諸大臣莫能對，阿沙不花從旁代對甚詳悉。 帝因怒諸大臣曰：「卿等任天下之重，如此反不若一童子耶？」 嘗扈從上都，方入朝，而宮草多露，跣足而行，帝御大安閣，望而見之，指以為侍臣戒。 一日，故命諸門衛勿納阿沙不花。 阿沙不花至，諸門衛皆不納，乃從水竇中入。 帝問故，以實對，且曰：「臣一日不入侍，身將何歸？」 帝大悅，更諭諸門衛聽其出入。 命飭四宿衛兵器，無敢或慢； 復使掌門，無取闌入。 帝曰：「可用矣。」
Qulu left no sons. Yaya was later enfeoffed as King of Kang and had six sons. Ashabuhua, the most gifted, entered imperial service at fourteen under Kublai. Kublai granted him lands and slaves and had him reside at Tiancheng in Xinghe. When Tibetan envoys came with a petition, Kublai received and dismissed them. Days later he asked his close ministers, "What did the Tibetan envoy request the other day, and what answer did I give?" None of the ministers could answer. Ashabuhua, standing to one side, replied in full detail. The emperor angrily told the ministers, "You bear the weight of the empire—yet you are outdone by a boy?" Once, while attending the emperor at Shangdu, he was entering court barefoot through dew-heavy grass. Kublai, looking down from the Da'an Pavilion, pointed him out as an example to the attending ministers. One day the emperor deliberately ordered the gate guards not to admit Ashabuhua. When Ashabuhua arrived, every gate guard turned him away, so he entered through a water conduit. The emperor asked why. He answered frankly: "If I miss even one day in attendance, where else can I belong?" The emperor was delighted and ordered the gate guards to let him pass freely. He was ordered to inspect the arms of the four palace guard units, and none dared neglect their duty; he was again put in charge of the gates and barred unauthorized entry. The emperor said, "He is ready for greater service."
15
乃顏叛，諸王納牙等皆應之。 帝問計將安出，對曰：「臣愚以為莫若先撫安諸王，乃行天討，則叛者勢自孤矣。」 帝曰：「善，卿試為朕行之。」 即北說納牙曰：「大王聞乃顏反耶？」 曰：「聞之。」 曰：「大王知乃顏已遣使自歸耶？」 曰：「不知也。」 曰：「聞大王等皆欲為乃顏外應，今乃顏既自歸矣，是獨大王與主上抗。 幸主上聖明，亦知非大王意，置之不問。 然二三大臣不能無惑，大王何不往見上自陳，為萬全計。」 納牙悅許之。 於是諸王之謀皆解。 阿沙不花還報，帝乃議親征，命徵兵遼陽，以千戶帥昔寶赤之衆從行。
When Nayan rebelled, Prince Nayi and other princes rallied to him. The emperor asked what should be done. He replied, "Your subject believes we should first reassure the princes, then carry out Heaven's punishment. The rebel's strength will then collapse of itself." The emperor said, "Well said—go and do this for me." He went north at once and said to Nayi, "Great Prince, have you heard that Nayan has rebelled?" Nayi said, "I have." Ashabuhua said, "Do you know that Nayan has already sent envoys to submit?" Nayi said, "I did not." Ashabuhua said, "I hear that you princes meant to support Nayan from outside. Now that he has submitted, you alone would stand against the sovereign. Fortunately the sovereign is wise and knows this was not your intent, and has set the matter aside. Yet a few ministers still harbor doubts. Why not go to court and explain yourself—that would be the surest course." Nayi gladly agreed. The princes' conspiracy thus collapsed. Ashabuhua returned to report. The emperor then decided on a personal campaign, ordered troops levied in Liaoyang, and took the force of the chiliarch commander Xibaochi with him.
16
及乃顏平，阿沙不花以大同、興和兩郡當車駕所經有帷臺嶺者，數十里無居民，請詔有司作室嶺中，徙邑民百戶居之，割境內昔寶赤牧地使耕種以自養，從之。 阿沙不花既領昔寶赤，帝復欲盡徙興和桃山數十村之民，以其地為昔寶赤牧地。 阿沙不花固請存三千戶以給鷹食，帝皆聽納。 民德之，至今飲食必祭。
After Nayan was defeated, Ashabuhua noted that along the imperial route through Datong and Xinghe lay Weitai Ridge, where for miles there were no inhabitants. He memorialized for dwellings to be built on the ridge, a hundred local households relocated there, and part of Xibaochi's pasture within the territory set aside for farming to support them. The emperor approved. After Ashabuhua took command of Xibaochi's force, the emperor again proposed relocating all the people of several dozen Taoshan villages in Xinghe to make the land pasture for Xibaochi. Ashabuhua firmly petitioned to keep three thousand households to supply food for the hunting hawks, and the emperor granted both requests. The people were grateful to him; to this day they still offer food in his memory at every meal.
17
成宗崩，安西王阿難荅乘間謀繼大統，成后及丞相阿忽台、諸王迷里帖木兒皆陰為之助。 時武宗猶在北邊，太后及仁宗亦在懷孟未至。 適武宗遣脫脫計事京師，丞相哈剌哈孫令急還報武宗，而成后已密諭通政使只兒哈郎止其驛馬。 阿沙不花知事急，與同知通政院事察乃謀，作先日署文書給馬去。 只兒哈郎聞脫脫已去，方詰問吏，閱案牘乃止。 太后及仁宗既至京師，有言安西王謀以三月三日偽賀仁宗千秋節，因以舉事者。 阿沙不花言之哈剌哈孫，且曰：「先人者勝，後人者敗。 后一垂簾聽政，我等皆受制於人矣，不若先事而起。」 哈剌哈孫曰：「善。」 乃前二日白仁宗，詐稱武宗遣使召安西王計事，至即執送上都。 盡誅丞相阿忽台以下諸姦臣。 與哈剌哈孫皆居禁中。
When Temür died, Prince Anxi Ananda seized the moment to plot for the throne; Empress Buluhan, Chancellor Ahutai, and Prince Miritemur all secretly supported him. Wuzong was still on the northern frontier, and the empress dowager and Renzong had not yet reached the capital. Wuzong had sent Toto to assess affairs in the capital. Chancellor Harqasun ordered him to return at once to report to Wuzong, but Empress Buluhan had secretly instructed Transmission Commissioner Zhirhalang to halt his relay horses. Ashabuhua, seeing how urgent matters were, conspired with Associate Administrator of the Transmission Office Chana to forge documents dated to an earlier day and sent Toto off with relay horses. When Zhirhalang learned Toto had already departed, he questioned the clerks, but on examining the records he could do nothing. After the empress dowager and Renzong reached the capital, word spread that Prince Anxi planned on the third day of the third month to feign congratulations on Renzong's birthday and rise in rebellion. Ashabuhua told Harqasun, "He who strikes first wins; he who waits is lost. Once the empress rules from behind the curtain we shall all be at others' mercy. Better to strike first." Harqasun said, "Well said." Two days earlier he informed Renzong, sent word under pretense that Wuzong had summoned Prince Anxi for consultation, and seized him on arrival and sent him to Shangdu. Chancellor Ahutai and the other conspirators were all executed. He and Harqasun both remained within the inner palace.
18
仁宗以太子監國，遣使北迎武宗，而武宗遲迴不進，遣使還報太后曰：「非阿沙不花往不可。」 乃遣奉衣帽、尚醞以往，至野馬川，見武宗，備道兩宮意，及陳安西王謀變始末，且言：「太子監國所以備他變，以待陛下，臣萬死保其無他。」 武宗大悅，解衣衣之，拜中書平章政事，軍國大事並聽裁決。 因奏平內難之有功者燕只哥以下十人為兵馬指揮、為直省舍人。 詔先奉蒲萄酒及錦綺還報兩宮。 仁宗即日率群臣出迎。
Renzong, supervising the state as crown prince, sent envoys north to welcome Wuzong, but Wuzong hesitated. He sent word back to the empress dowager: "Only Ashabuhua can bring him." He was sent with robes, caps, and imperial wine. At Yemachuan he met Wuzong, conveyed the wishes of both palaces, recounted Prince Anxi's conspiracy from start to finish, and said, "The crown prince governs the realm only to guard against other changes and await Your Majesty. I stake my life on his loyalty." Wuzong was delighted, gave him his own robe, appointed him Grand Councillor of the Central Secretariat, and entrusted all military and civil affairs to his judgment. He memorialized to reward ten men who had helped quell the crisis, from Yanzige downward, as horse-and-troop commanders and direct secretariat attendants. He was ordered first to send grape wine and brocade silks back to the two palaces as his report. That same day Renzong led the ministers out to welcome Wuzong.
19
武宗入上都，加阿沙不花特進、太尉，依前平章政事。 命與丞相塔思不花還京師治安西王黨，諸連坐囊加真等三十餘人，皆釋之。 嘗命出太府金分賜諸王貴戚及近侍，方出朝，見一人倉皇若有所懼狀，曰：「此必盜金者。」 召詰問之，果得黃金五十兩、白金百兩以聞，就以金賜之，命誅盜者。 辭曰：「盜誅固當，金非臣所宜得，願還金以贖盜死。」 帝悅而從之。 有近臣蹴踘帝前，帝即命出鈔十五萬貫賜之。 阿沙不花頓首言曰：「以蹴踘而受上賞，則奇技淫巧之人日進，而賢者日退矣，將如國家何。 臣死不敢奉詔。」 乃止。
When Wuzong entered Shangdu, Ashabuhua was promoted to Special Advancement and Grand Commandant while retaining his post as Grand Councillor. He was ordered with Chancellor Tasibuhua to return to the capital and settle the Prince Anxi faction. More than thirty persons implicated, including Nangajin, were all released. Once, ordered to distribute Imperial Treasury gold among princes, nobles, and close attendants, he was leaving court when he saw a man fleeing in panic and said, "That must be the thief." He summoned and questioned the man and recovered fifty taels of gold and one hundred taels of silver. He reported the find, gave the gold to the informer, and ordered the thief executed. He declined: "The thief deserves death, but the gold is not mine to keep. I beg to return it to spare the thief's life." The emperor was pleased and agreed. A close attendant played cuju before the emperor, who at once ordered one hundred fifty thousand strings of paper money given him as a reward. Ashabuhua kowtowed and said, "If cuju wins a supreme reward, men of frivolous skill will advance daily and worthy men retreat daily—what will become of the state? Your subject would rather die than carry out such an order." The reward was withdrawn.
20
帝又嘗御五花殿，丞相塔思不花、三寶奴，中丞伯顏等侍。 阿沙不花見帝容色日悴，乃進曰：「八珍之味不知御，萬金之身不知愛，此古人所戒也。 陛下不思祖宗付託之重，天下仰望之切，而惟糱是沉，姬嬪是好，是猶兩斧伐孤樹，未有不顛仆者也。 且陛下之天下，祖宗之天下也，陛下之位，祖宗之位也，陛下縱不自愛，如宗社何？」 帝大悅曰：「非卿孰為朕言。 繼自今毋愛於言，朕不忘也。」 因命進酒。 阿沙不花頓首謝曰：「臣方欲陛下節飲而反勸之，是臣之言不信於陛下也，臣不敢奉詔。」 左右皆賀帝得直臣。 遂進開府儀同三司、中書右丞相，行御史大夫。
The emperor once held court in the Wuhua Hall with Chancellor Tasibuhua, Sanbaonu, Vice Censor-in-Chief Bayan, and others in attendance. Ashabuhua, seeing the emperor's face grow daily more haggard, admonished him: "You neglect the finest foods and fail to cherish a body worth ten thousand in gold—the ancients warned against this. Your Majesty gives no thought to the weight the ancestors placed upon you or to the realm's eager hopes, but sinks only into wine and dotes only on palace women. That is like two axes hewing a lone tree—it cannot fail to fall. Your realm is the ancestors' realm and your throne the ancestors' throne. Even if you will not cherish yourself, what of the altars of state?" The emperor was greatly pleased and said, "If not you, who would speak such words to me? From now on speak freely—I shall not forget." He then ordered wine served. Ashabuhua kowtowed and said, "I have just urged Your Majesty to drink in moderation. To encourage you now would make my words untrustworthy. I dare not obey." Those present all congratulated the emperor on gaining a loyal remonstrator. He was then promoted to Commissioner with Equal Protocol to the Three Dukes, Right Chancellor of the Central Secretariat, and acting Censor-in-Chief.
21
其繼室別哥倫氏，亦有至行，寡居三十年，未嘗妄言笑，身不服華綵。 詔旌其門，與元配達海的斤氏並封順寧王夫人。
His second wife, of the Biegolun clan, was likewise exemplary. Widowed for thirty years, she never spoke or laughed lightly and wore no ornate silks. An edict honored her household, and she and his primary wife Dahaijinshi were together enfeoffed as Ladies of the Prince of Shunning.
22
子伯嘉訥，廉直剛敏，憂國如憂家。 嘗為京尹，屯儲衛誘小民梅凍兒誣首海商一百十有六人為盜而掠其貲，獄具，械送刑部，命伯嘉訥審錄之，盡得其冤狀，白丞相釋之，還其貲。 後遷翰林侍讀學士。
His son Bojianu was upright, firm, and quick-witted, grieving for the state as for his own household. As capital intendant, the Garrison Storage Guard induced a commoner named Mei Dong'er to accuse one hundred sixteen maritime merchants of banditry and seize their goods. When the case was sent to the Ministry of Justice in chains, Bojianu was ordered to review it, uncovered the full injustice, persuaded the chancellor to release them, and restored their property. He was later appointed Hanlin Attendant Reader.
23
英宗在東宮，問宿衛之臣於左右，咸稱拜住賢。 遣使召之，欲與語。 拜住謂使者曰：「嫌疑之際，君子所慎，我長天子宿衛而與東宮私相往來，我固得罪，亦豈太子福耶？」 竟不往。 英宗登極，拜中書平章政事。 會諸侯王于大明殿，詔進讀太祖金匱寶訓，威儀整暇，語音明暢，莫不注目竦聽。 夏五月，徽政使失烈門、要束木妻也里失八等謀為逆，帝密得其事，御穆清閣，召拜住謀之。 對曰：「此輩擅權亂政久矣，今猶不懲，陰結黨與，謀危社稷，宜速施天威，以正祖宗法度。」 帝動容曰； 「此朕志也。」 命率衛士擒斬之，其黨皆伏誅。
When Yingzong was crown prince he asked his attendants about the palace guard ministers, and all praised Baizhu. He sent envoys to summon Baizhu for a conversation. Baizhu told the envoys, "At a moment of suspicion a gentleman must be cautious. I command the emperor's palace guard yet would visit the crown prince privately—I would be guilty, and how would that serve the prince?" He did not go. When Yingzong took the throne, Baizhu was appointed Grand Councillor of the Central Secretariat. He assembled the princes in the Daming Hall and was ordered to read Taizu's golden-casket instructions. His bearing was composed, his voice clear, and all listened in rapt attention. In the fifth month, Palace Domestic Service Commissioner Shiliemen, Yaosumu's wife Yelishiba, and others plotted rebellion. The emperor learned of it in secret, went to the Muqing Pavilion, and summoned Baizhu to deliberate. He replied, "These men have long abused power and corrupted government. If they are not punished now, they will secretly form factions and endanger the state. Your Majesty should swiftly apply Heaven's majesty to uphold the ancestral laws." The emperor was moved and said, "That is my intent." He ordered Baizhu to lead the guards to seize and execute them, and their entire faction was put to death.
24
拜中書左丞相。 先時，近侍傳旨以姓名赴中書銓注者六七百員，選曹為之壅滯。 拜住奏閣之，注授一依選格次第，吏無容姦。 刑曹事有情可矜者寬恕之，貪暴不法必不少容。 帝常諭左右曰：「汝輩慎之，苟陷國法，我雖曲赦，拜住不汝恕也。」
He was appointed Left Chancellor of the Central Secretariat. Earlier, close attendants had transmitted edicts naming six or seven hundred persons for appointment through the Central Secretariat, clogging the selection office. Baizhu memorialized to close the backlog; appointments followed the selection regulations in proper order, leaving clerks no room for fraud. In criminal cases he showed mercy where compassion was warranted, but never spared the greedy or lawless. The emperor often warned his attendants: "Be careful—if you violate the law, I may pardon you out of favor, but Baizhu will not."
25
至治元年春正月，帝欲結綵樓於禁中，元夕張燈設宴。 時居先帝喪，參議張養浩上疏，拜住謂當進諫，即袖其疏入奏，帝悅而止，仍賜養浩帛，以旌直言。 三月，從幸上都，次察罕腦兒。 帝以行宮亨麗殿制度卑隘，欲更廣之。 奏曰：「此地苦寒，入夏始種粟黍，陛下初登大寶，不求民瘼，而遽興大役以妨農務，恐失民望。」 從之。 帝嘗謂拜住曰：「朕委卿以大任者，以乃祖木華黎從太祖開拓土宇，安童相世祖克成善治也。 卿念祖宗令聞，豈有不盡心者乎。」 拜住再拜曰：「陛下委臣以大任，臣有所畏者三：畏辱祖宗； 畏天下事大，識見有所未盡； 畏年少不克負荷，無以上報聖恩。 惟陛下垂閔，時加訓飭，幸甚。」
In the first month of 1321 the emperor wished to build a festooned pavilion in the palace and hold a lantern festival banquet. The court was still in mourning for the late emperor. Participating Councillor Zhang Yanghao submitted a memorial; Baizhu said it should be presented at once, tucked the memorial into his sleeve, and entered to memorialize. The emperor was pleased and abandoned the plan, granting Yanghao silk to honor his frank counsel. In the third month he accompanied the emperor to Shangdu, stopping at Chahannao'er. The emperor wished to enlarge the Hengli Hall of the traveling palace, finding its layout cramped. He memorialized: "This region is bitterly cold; grain is planted only in summer. Your Majesty has just ascended the throne. If you do not address the people's hardships but hastily launch a major project that disrupts farming, you will lose their trust." The emperor agreed. The emperor once told Baizhu: "I entrust you with great responsibility because your ancestor Muqali helped Taizu conquer the realm, and Antong helped Kublai complete his good governance. Surely you will give your utmost, mindful of your ancestors' fine reputation." Baizhu bowed twice and said, "Your Majesty has entrusted me with great responsibility. I have three fears: fear of disgracing my ancestors; fear that the realm's affairs are vast and my understanding incomplete; fear that in my youth I cannot bear the burden and have no way to repay Your Majesty's grace. I beg only that Your Majesty show compassion and instruct me from time to time—that would be my greatest fortune."
26
延祐間，朔漠大風雪，羊馬駝畜盡死，人民流散，以子女鬻人為奴婢。 拜住以興王根本之地，其民宜加賑卹，請立宗仁衛緫之，命縣官贖置衛中，以遂生養。 至元十四年，始建太廟于大都，至是四十年，親享之禮未暇講肄。 拜住奏曰：「古云禮樂百年而後興，郊廟祭享此其時矣。」 帝悅曰：「朕能行之。」 預敕有司，以親享太室儀注禮節，一遵典故，毋擅增損。 冬十月，始有事于太廟。 二年春正月，孟享，始備法駕，設黃麾大仗，帝服通天冠、絳紗袍，出自崇天門。 拜住攝太尉以從。 帝見羽衛文物之美，顧拜住曰：「朕用卿言舉行大禮，亦卿所共喜也。」 對曰：「陛下以帝王之道化成天下，非獨臣之幸，實四海蒼生所共慶也。」 致齋大次，行酌獻禮，升降周旋，儼若素習，中外肅然。 明日還宮，鼓吹交作，萬姓聳觀，百年廢典一旦復見，有感泣者。 拜住率百僚稱賀于大明殿，執事之臣賜金帛有差。 又奏建太廟前殿，議行祫禘配享等禮。 帝從容謂拜住曰：「朕思天下之大，非朕一人思慮所及，汝為朕股肱，毋忘規諫，以輔朕之不逮。」 拜住頓首謝曰：「昔堯、舜為君，每事詢衆，善則舍己從人，萬世稱聖。 桀、紂為君，拒諫自賢，悅人從己，好近小人，國滅而身不保，民到于今稱為無道之主。 臣等仰荷洪恩，敢不竭忠以報。 然事言之則易，行之則難。 惟陛下力行，臣等不言，則臣之罪也。」 帝嘉納之。
During the Yanyou era a great blizzard struck the northern steppe; sheep, horses, and camels perished, the people scattered, and many sold their children into slavery. Baizhu, seeing this as the dynasty's foundational homeland, petitioned for additional relief, proposed establishing the Zongren Guard to oversee the people, and ordered local officials to redeem those sold and settle them for livelihood. The Imperial Ancestral Temple had been built in Dadu in 1277; forty years later the rites of personal sacrifice had still not been properly practiced. Baizhu memorialized: "The ancients said ritual and music flourish after a century—the time has come for temple sacrifice." The emperor was pleased and said, "I shall do it." He ordered officials in advance that the rites for personal sacrifice at the Grand Chamber follow ancient precedent without unauthorized change. In the tenth month the emperor first performed rites at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. In the first month of the second year, at the seasonal offering, the full imperial procession was prepared with yellow banners and great guard. The emperor wore the Tongtian crown and crimson gauze robe and issued from the Chongtian Gate. Baizhu attended as acting Grand Commandant. Seeing the splendor of the guard and ritual regalia, the emperor turned to Baizhu and said, "I held this great ceremony on your advice—you must rejoice in it as well." He replied, "Your Majesty governs the realm by the way of sage kings. That is not my fortune alone—it is the joy of all under Heaven." After fasting in the great lodge he performed the libation and offering rites with the ease of long practice; court and realm were solemn. The next day he returned to the palace amid drums and music. The people looked on in awe; a ritual abandoned for a century was restored in a day, and some wept. Baizhu led the officials in congratulation at the Daming Hall; those who had performed the rites received gold and silk in varying amounts. He also memorialized to build the front hall of the Imperial Ancestral Temple and to institute the collective and seasonal offering rites. The emperor said calmly to Baizhu: "The realm is vast—beyond one man's thought. You are my right hand; do not forget to remonstrate and correct my shortcomings." Baizhu kowtowed and said, "Yao and Shun consulted others on every matter and followed good counsel—they are called sage for ten thousand generations. Jie and Zhou rejected remonstrance, thought themselves wise, loved flatterers and petty men—their states perished and they are called tyrants to this day. We who bear Your Majesty's grace dare not fail to repay it with full loyalty. Yet in government, words are easy and deeds are hard. If Your Majesty does not act and we do not speak, the fault is ours." The emperor praised and accepted his words.
27
時右丞相鐵木迭兒貪濫譎險，屢殺大臣，鬻獄賣官，廣立朋黨，凡不附己者必以事去之，尤惡平章王毅、右丞高昉，因在京諸倉糧儲失陷，欲奏誅之。 拜住密言於帝曰：「論道經邦，宰相事也，以金穀細務責之可乎？」 帝然之，俱得不死。 鐵木迭兒復引參知政事張思明為左丞以助己。 思明為盡力，忌拜住方正，每與其黨密語，謀中害之。 左右得其情，乘間以告，且請備之。 拜住曰：「我祖宗為國元勳，世篤忠貞，百有餘年。 我今年少，叨受寵命，蓋以此耳。 大臣協和，國之利也。 今以右相讎我，我求報之，非特吾二人之不幸，亦國家之不幸。 吾知盡吾心，上不負君父，下不負士民而已。 死生禍福，天實鑒之，汝輩毋復言。」 未幾，奉旨往立忠憲王碑于范陽。 鐵木迭兒久稱疾，聞拜住行，將出蒞省事，入朝，至內門，帝遣速速賜之酒，且曰：「卿年老宜自愛，待新年入朝未晚。」 遂怏怏而還。 然其黨猶布列朝中，事必稟于其家，以拜住故不得大肆其奸，百計傾之，終不能遂。
Right Chancellor Temuder was greedy, treacherous, and dangerous. He repeatedly killed senior ministers, sold offices and judgments, and built factions; he especially hated Grand Councillor Wang Yi and Right Vice Chancellor Gao Fang and sought their execution over grain-store losses in the capital. Baizhu secretly told the emperor, "Ordering the state is a chancellor's work—is it right to blame them for grain accounts?" The emperor agreed, and both were spared. Temuder then brought in Associate Administrator Zhang Siming as Left Vice Chancellor to support him. Siming worked zealously for him, resented Baizhu's integrity, and conspired with his faction to destroy him. Attendants learned of the plot, reported it when they could, and urged precautions. Baizhu said, "My ancestors were founding meritorious ministers, loyal for more than a hundred years. I am young and have received favor only because of that. Harmony among ministers benefits the state. If the right chancellor hates me and I retaliate, that harms not only us two but the state itself. I need only do my utmost, loyal above to my sovereign and below to the people. Life and death are in Heaven's hands—speak no more of this." Soon he was ordered to erect the Stele of the Loyal and Worthy Prince at Fanyang. Temuder had long feigned illness. When he heard Baizhu was leaving, he prepared to resume secretariat duties and enter court. At the inner gate the emperor sent Susu with wine and said, "You are old—take care of yourself. Wait until the new year to attend court." He returned displeased. His faction still filled the court and routed affairs through his household. Because of Baizhu they could not fully unleash their corruption; they schemed endlessly against him but never succeeded.
28
在京倉漕管庫之職，歲終例應注代。 時張思明亦稱疾不出，衆皆顧望。 拜住雖朝夕帝前，以事不可緩，乃日坐省中謂僚屬曰：「左丞病，省事遂廢乎？」 郎中李處恭曰：「金穀之職，須慎選擇，不得其人，未敢遽擬。」 拜住曰：「汝為賣官之計耳。」 遣人善慰思明，乃出共畢銓事。
Capital posts managing granaries, transport, and storehouses were by rule rotated at year's end. Zhang Siming also claimed illness and stayed away; officials hesitated. Though Baizhu attended the emperor daily, the matter could not wait. He sat daily in the secretariat and told his staff, "The left vice chancellor is ill—shall government stop?" Director Li Chugong said, "These grain posts require careful selection; without suitable men I dare not propose names." Baizhu said, "You are plotting to sell offices." He sent someone to urge Siming kindly; Siming then came out and they completed the appointments together.
29
拜住每以學校政化大源，似緩實急，而主者不務盡心，遂致廢弛，請令內外官議拯治之。 有言佛教可治天下者，帝問之，對曰：「清淨寂滅，自治可也。 若治天下，捨仁義，則綱常亂矣。」 又嘗謂拜住曰：「今亦有如唐魏征之敢諫者乎？」 對曰：「槃圓則水圓，盂方則水方。 有太宗納諫之君，則有魏徵敢諫之臣。」 帝並善之。 六月壬寅，敕賜平江腴田萬畝。 拜住辭曰：「陛下命臣釐正庶務，若先受賜田，人其謂何？」 帝曰：「汝勳舊子孫，加以廉慎，人或援例，朕自諭之。」 秋七月，奏召張思明詣上都，數其罪，杖而逐之，鐵木迭兒繼亦病卒。 拜住哭之慟。
Baizhu often said schools were the great source of governance—seemingly slow yet urgent—yet overseers neglected them. He requested that officials everywhere deliberate on their restoration. When someone said Buddhism could govern the realm, the emperor asked Baizhu, who replied, "Its purity and stillness suffice for self-cultivation. To govern the realm while abandoning benevolence and righteousness would throw the cardinal norms into chaos." He also asked Baizhu, "Are there now men like Tang's Wei Zheng who dare remonstrate?" He replied, "When the tray is round the water is round; when the vessel is square the water is square. When there is a ruler like Taizong who accepts remonstrance, there will be ministers like Wei Zheng who dare remonstrate." The emperor approved all he said. On renyin day of the sixth month an edict granted ten thousand mu of fertile land in Pingjiang. Baizhu declined: "Your Majesty has ordered me to rectify government—if I accept land first, what will people say?" The emperor said, "You are heir to meritorious ministers and are honest and cautious. If others cite your example, I will explain myself to them." In the seventh month he memorialized to summon Zhang Siming to Shangdu, listed his crimes, had him flogged and expelled; Temuder soon died as well. Baizhu wept for him bitterly.
30
初，浙民吳機以累代失業之田賣於司徒劉夔，夔賂宣政使八剌吉思買置諸寺，以益僧廩，矯詔出庫鈔六百五十萬貫酬其直。 田已久為他人之業，鐵木迭兒父子及鐵失等上下蒙蔽，分受之，為贓鉅萬。 真人蔡道泰以奸殺人，獄已成，鐵木迭兒納其金，令有司變其獄。 拜住舉奏二事。 命臺察鞫之，盡得其情，以田歸主，劉、蔡、八剌吉思等皆坐死，餘論罪有差。 特赦鐵失。
Earlier a Zhejiang commoner named Wu Ji sold family fields long lost to production to Minister Liu Kui. Kui bribed Pacification Commissioner Balajisi to register the land with temples to increase monastic provisions; a forged edict drew 6.5 million strings from the treasury as payment. The land had long belonged to others. Temuder's faction and Tieshi concealed the fraud and divided the spoils, amounting to vast sums. The Daoist master Cai Daitai committed murder in an adultery case; when conviction was complete, Temuder took his bribe and ordered the case altered. Baizhu reported both cases to the throne. The censorate investigated, uncovered the full truth, restored the land to its owner, and executed Liu, Cai, Balajisi, and others; the rest were punished according to their crimes. Tieshi alone was specially pardoned.
31
冬十二月，進右丞相、監修國史。 帝欲爵以三公，懇辭，遂不置左相，獨任以政。 首薦張珪，復平章政事，召用致仕老臣，優其祿秩，議事中書。 不次用才，唯恐少後，日以進賢退不肖為重務。 患法制不一有司無所守，奏詳定舊典以為通制。 帝幸五臺，拜住奏曰：「自古帝王得天下以得民心為本，失其心則失天下。 錢穀，民之膏血，多取則民困而國危，薄斂則民足而國安。」 帝曰：「卿言甚善。 朕思之，民為重，君為輕，國非民將何以為君？ 今理民之事卿等當熟慮而慎行之。」
In the twelfth month he was promoted to Right Chancellor and Supervisor of the Compilation of the National History. The emperor wished to grant him rank equal to the Three Dukes; he declined earnestly, the left chancellorship was left vacant, and he governed alone. He first recommended Zhang Gui and restored him as Grand Councillor, summoned retired elders, improved their stipends, and had them deliberate at the Central Secretariat. He appointed talent without regard to routine precedence, making the advancement of the worthy and removal of the unworthy his daily priority. Lamenting inconsistent laws and offices without standards, he memorialized to codify ancient statutes as a general regulation. When the emperor visited Wutai, Baizhu memorialized: "Since antiquity rulers have held the people's hearts fundamental; lose the hearts and you lose the realm. Revenue is the people's lifeblood; heavy exaction distresses the people and endangers the state; light levies make the people secure and the state strong." The emperor said, "Well said. I reflect that the people are weighty and the ruler light—without the people, what is a ruler for? In governing the people you must all think carefully and act with caution."
32
三年春二月，將進仁宗實錄，先一日，詣翰林國史院聽讀。 首卷書大德十一年事，不書左丞相哈剌哈孫定策功，惟書越王禿剌勇決從容。 謂史官曰：「無左丞相，雖百越王何益？ 錄鷹犬之勞，而略發蹤指示之人，可乎？」 立命書之。 其他筆削未盡善者，一一正之，人皆服其識見。
In the second month of the third year, before presenting the Veritable Record of Renzong, he went a day early to the Hanlin National History Academy to hear it read. The first scroll recorded the eleventh year of Dade but omitted Left Chancellor Harqasun Darqan's role in securing the succession, recording only Prince of Yue Tula's courage. He told the historians, "Without the left chancellor, what good were a hundred Princes of Yue? To record the hound's chase and omit the huntsman who showed the trail—can that stand?" He ordered it written at once. Other editorial lapses he corrected one by one, and all respected his judgment.
33
夏六月，拜住以海運糧視世祖時頓增數倍，今江南民力困極，而京倉充滿，奏請歲減二十萬石。 帝遂併鐵木迭兒所增江淮糧免之。 時鐵木迭兒過惡日彰，拜住悉以奏聞。 帝悟，奪其官，仆其碑。 奸黨鐵失等甚懼。 帝在上都，夜寐不寧，命作佛事。 拜住以國用不足諫止之。 既而懼誅者復陰誘群僧言：「國當有厄，非作佛事而大赦無以禳之。」 拜住叱曰：「爾輩不過圖得金帛而已，又欲庇有罪耶？」 奸黨聞之益懼，乃生異謀。 晉王也孫帖木兒時鎮北邊，鐵失潛遣人至王所，告以逆謀，約事成推王為帝。 王命囚之，遣使赴上都告變，未至，車駕南還，次南坡，鐵失與赤斤鐵木兒等夜以所領阿速衛兵為外應，殺拜住，遂弒帝於行幄。 晉王即位，鐵失等伏誅。 詔有司備儀衛，百官耆宿前導，輿拜住畫相於海雲寺，大作佛事，觀者萬數，無不歎惜泣下。
In the sixth month Baizhu noted that sea transport had multiplied several times since Kublai's day while Jiangnan was exhausted and capital granaries full; he memorialized to cut two hundred thousand shi per year. The emperor also abolished the extra Jiang-Huai levies Temuder had imposed. As Temuder's crimes grew ever clearer, Baizhu reported them all. The emperor understood, stripped his offices, and toppled his memorial stele. The conspirators led by Tieshi were terrified. At Shangdu the emperor slept poorly and ordered Buddhist rites. Baizhu remonstrated that state funds were insufficient and stopped it. Soon those fearing punishment secretly urged monks to say, "The realm faces calamity; only grand Buddhist rites and a great amnesty can avert it." Baizhu rebuked them, "You seek only gold and silk—and wish to shelter criminals besides?" The conspirators grew still more afraid and plotted anew. Prince of Jin Yesun Temur was then guarding the north. Tieshi secretly sent word offering to make him emperor if the plot succeeded. The prince had the messenger imprisoned and sent word to Shangdu, but before it arrived the emperor was returning south and halted at Nanpo. Tieshi and Chijin Temur used Asud guards as accomplices by night, killed Baizhu, and assassinated the emperor in his tent. The Prince of Jin took the throne; Tieshi and his confederates were executed. An edict ordered full ceremonial honors; elders and officials led the procession bearing Baizhu's portrait to Haiyun Temple for grand Buddhist rites. Tens of thousands watched, sighing and weeping.
34
拜住憂國忘家，常直內庭，知無不言。 太官以酒進，則憂形于色。 有盜其家金器百餘兩，他寶直鉅萬，繼而獲盜得金，家僮來告，色無喜慍。 自延祐末，水旱相仍，民不聊生。 及拜住入相，振立紀綱，修舉廢墜，裁不急之務，杜僥倖之門，加惠兵民，輕徭薄斂。 英宗倚之，相與勵精圖治。 時天下晏然，國富民足，遠夷有古未通中國者皆朝貢請吏，而奸臣畏之，卒搆禍難云。
Baizhu forgot family for the state, constantly attending the inner court and speaking frankly on all he knew. When the Imperial Kitchen brought wine, worry showed on his face. Thieves stole gold vessels worth more than a hundred taels and other treasures worth tens of thousands from his home; when the gold was recovered and servants reported it, his face showed neither joy nor anger. From the late Yanyou era floods and droughts followed one another and the people could not live. When Baizhu became chancellor he restored discipline, revived neglected institutions, cut nonessential business, closed paths to undeserved favor, aided soldiers and civilians, and lightened labor and taxes. Yingzong relied on him, and together they strove to govern well. The realm grew tranquil, the state prosperous and the people at ease; distant peoples never before in contact with China came to offer tribute and request officials. Wicked ministers feared him and at last brought about his destruction.
35
母怯烈氏，年二十二，寡居守節。 初，拜住為太常禮儀院使，年方二十，吏就第請署字，適在後圃閱群戲，出稍後，母厲聲呵之曰：「官事不治，若爾所為豈大人事耶？」 拜住深自克責。 一日入內侍宴，英宗素知其不飲，是日強以數卮，既歸，母戒之曰：「天子試汝量，故強汝飲。 汝當日益戒懼，無酣于酒。」 又常代祀睿宗原廟，歸侍左右，母問之曰：「真定官府待汝若何？」 對曰：「所待甚重。」 母曰：「彼以天子威靈、汝先世勳德故耳，汝何有焉？」 拜住之賢，母之教也。 後封東平王夫人。
His mother, of the Qielie clan, was twenty-two when widowed and remained chaste. When Baizhu was twenty and director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, clerks came to his house for his signature while he was watching games in the rear garden. His mother rebuked him sharply: "You neglect official business—is this how a grown man behaves?" Baizhu reproached himself deeply. Once, attending a banquet, Yingzong knew he did not drink yet pressed several cups on him. When he returned, his mother warned him, "The emperor was testing your capacity—that is why he pressed you to drink. You must grow daily more cautious and never become drunk." He often substituted at sacrifices at Ruizong's original temple. On returning to her side his mother asked, "How did the Zhending officials treat you?" He replied, "With great respect." His mother said, "They do so only because of the emperor's authority and your ancestors' merit—what is that to you?" Baizhu's excellence came from his mother's teaching. She was later enfeoffed as Lady of the Prince of Dongping.
36
泰定初，中書奏丞相拜住盡忠效節，殞于群凶，乞賜褒崇以光後世。 制贈清忠一德佐運功臣、太師、開府儀同三司、上柱國，追封東平王，諡忠獻。 至正初，改至仁孚道一德佐運功臣，餘如故。 子篤麟鐵穆爾。
Early in the Zhiding reign the Central Secretariat memorialized that Chancellor Baizhu had served with full loyalty and died at the hands of assassins, requesting posthumous honors. He was granted the title Meritorious Minister of Pure Loyalty and One Virtue Assisting the Mandate, Grand Preceptor, Commissioner with Equal Protocol to the Three Dukes, and Supreme Pillar of State, and was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Dongping with the temple name Zhongxian. At the beginning of Zhizheng the title was changed to Meritorious Minister of Humaneness and Sincerity Assisting the Mandate; other honors remained unchanged. He left a son, Dulintemur.