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卷一百三十九 列傳第二十六: 乃蠻台 朵兒只 朵爾直班 阿魯圖 紐的該

Volume 139 Biographies 26: Naimantai, Duo'erzhi, Duo'erzhiban, Alutu, Niudegai

Chapter 139 of 元史 · History of Yuan
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1
Naimantai
2
使 退 西 宿使 西 使 西 宿西访使西使
Naimantai was a fifth-generation descendant of Muqali. His great-grandfather was named Boru. His grandfather Alajishi was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Ju with the posthumous name Zhonghui. His father Husuhuer succeeded to the kingship and was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Ji. Naimantai stood seven feet tall. Steady and reserved, he had a commanding presence; he was clear-minded and decisive, and in archery could pierce a target board. In the fifth year of Dade he was ordered to campaign against Kaidu and Duwa. For his service he received a sable coat and white silver, was appointed superintendent of the Imperial Household Directorate, and was given the rank of grand master for splendid happiness. In the seventh year he was appointed right vice censor-in-chief of the Lingbei Branch Secretariat. Under the old regulations commoners were recruited to deliver grain inland to supply the frontier; that year thirty thousand piculs qualified. Those in power pursued private deals and cut the quota to one hundred thousand piculs, leaving the people unsure whether to go forward or back. Naimantai asked the court to accept every picul delivered and credit it to the next year's quota, and the people were grateful for his kindness. In the second year of Zhizhi he was made pacification commissioner of the Gansu Branch Secretariat and wore the golden tiger tally. Each year Gansu purchased grain at Lanzhou, often as much as twenty thousand piculs. From Ningxia it was more than a thousand li to Ganzhou, and from Ganzhou another thousand li before one reached the Yijinai circuit, while Ningxia was only a thousand li from Yijinai. Naimantai ordered the haulers to go straight from Ningxia to Yijinai, saving six hundred thousand strings in expenses that year. In the second year of Tianli he was transferred to pacification commissioner of the Shaanxi Branch Secretariat. The Guanzhong region suffered severe famine, and an edict recruited commoners to submit grain in exchange for ennoblement. Wealthy men from all quarters answered the summons and delivered grain, which lay piled in the open below the passes. Earlier, when Henan was starving, it asked to buy grain within the passes, but the local people blocked the sales. By then the pass officials were men from Henan. Nursing old grievances, they refused to let the grain envoys enter. Naimantai had the pass officials beaten and let the grain in. In Jingzhao people were robbing and eating one another. He ordered picked troops divided into squads to capture those who forcibly ate human flesh, and the scourge ceased. Although grain entering the passes was plentiful, the poor lacked banknotes to buy it. Naimantai took worn notes from the government treasury that had not yet been destroyed, obtaining five million strings. He stamped them with the provincial seal and put them into circulation; when the court later issued famine-relief notes, he exchanged them at full value. Previously, when people went elsewhere to seek food, many tore down their walls and houses to take with them. Naimantai told them, "Next year the harvest will be good and you will return. Do not destroy your homes." The people therefore did not dare destroy them, and when they returned the next year all were able to settle in peace as before. He was appointed grand censor of the Western Branch Secretariat and was granted gold coins, curios, robes, and the like. He was ordered to deliver the Taizong Emperor's old-cast treasure of the imperial elder brother to his descendant Yanzhige. Naimantai's prestige had always been formidable, and upon reaching that territory the courtesy shown him grew still more respectful. In the first year of Zhishun he was transferred to intendant of the Upper Capital, wore the tiger tally of the Yuan descent, became commander-in-chief of the Tiger-Gallant personal army, was advanced to grand preceptor with protocol equal to the three dukes, directed the Lingbei Branch Privy Council, was enfeoffed as prince of Xuanding commandery, and was granted a golden seal. Soon afterward he was ordered to guard the northern frontier, and the gifts bestowed were especially generous. At the founding of the state the armies had commanders of ten thousand, one thousand, and one hundred; gold and silver tallies were not yet ready, and tassels were added to spears alone to mark rank. Now Naimantai requested this of the court, and all received official tallies. In the third year of Houzhiyuan an edict ordered Naimantai to succeed to the kingship and granted him a golden seal. Later, for securing the frontier and keeping peace with neighbors, he was granted a pearl-net half-sleeve together with a famous hawk from the Eastern Sea and a patterned leopard from the Western Regions—under national custom the highest favor. In the sixth year he was appointed left chief councilor of the Lingbei Branch Secretariat, retaining his kingship and concurrently directing the privy council. In the second year of Zhizheng he was transferred to left chief councilor of the Liaoyang Branch Secretariat. Over sixty, he memorialized to resign and return home. Mindful that his soldiers were poor, he distributed four hundred piculs of wheat, two hundred horses, and five hundred sheep among them. In the eighth year he died at home. The emperor was deeply shaken and grieved, ordered the relevant offices to provide generous funeral gifts, and by edict posthumously granted him meritous minister who displays loyalty, proclaims kindness, pacifies the distant, and assists in governance, grand preceptor, grand preceptor with protocol equal to the three dukes, and supreme pillar of the state, enfeoffing him posthumously as Prince of Lu with the posthumous name Zhongmu. He had two sons. The elder, Yexianpuhua, entered the palace guard and held the office of suguerchi. He was specially appointed court gentleman for cherished conduct and attendant of the secretariat, made investigating censor, then successively associate surveillance commissioner of Hexi and associate pacification commissioner of Huaixi, and was repeatedly promoted to associate administrative councilor of the Secretariat, rising from vice censor-in-chief to right chief councilor. The younger was Huanghuerbuhua.
3
Duo'erzhi
4
宿 便 鸿 使 贿
Duo'erzhi was a sixth-generation descendant of Muqali and the son of Toghto. Duo'erzhi lost his father at the age of one. When he grew older he served in the palace guard, was devoted to his mother, loved reading, and disdained textual glosses, yet studied deeply how ancient rulers and ministers were loyal to the sovereign and cared for the people. In the second year of Zhizhi he was appointed grand master for cherished conduct and academician of the Hall of Gathered Worthies, though he had not yet reached the capping age. At the time his colleagues among the senior men—Guo Guan, Zhao Shiyan, and Deng Wenyuan—all held him in high regard. In the first year of Tianli King Duoluotai led troops from the Upper Capital to Gubeikou to meet the army of Dadu in battle. When the affair was settled, Emperor Wenzong executed Duoluotai. In the second year Duo'erzhi succeeded to the kingship, accompanied the imperial procession to the Upper Capital, and was ordered by edict to proceed by convenient route to his domain in Liaoyang. In the fourth year of Zhiyuan under Emperor Shundi, Duoluotai's younger brother Naimantai, relying on Grand Preceptor Bayan's power, said the kingship was rightfully his and appealed to the court. Bayan's wife wanted Duo'erzhi's great pearl ring, worth sixteen thousand ingots. Unable to comply, Duo'erzhi said indignantly, "The kingship was transmitted by my ancestors. One ought not to buy it from others. Even if I cannot keep it, whoever receives it will still be a man of my clan." Thereupon Naimantai obtained the kingship through bribery, while Duo'erzhi was appointed left chief councilor of the Liaoyang Branch Secretariat. He governed with tranquillity as his aim, and the people's livelihood was undisturbed. In the sixth year he was transferred to left chief councilor of the Henan Branch Secretariat, governing as he had in Liaoyang. Earlier, when Fan Meng rebelled in Henan, those implicated by error and linked together numbered in the thousands. When Duo'erzhi arrived he knew they were wronged and strove to clear them, but pacification commissioner Nalin, who had been the Yuan interrogation official, clung to his view and would not agree. Before long Nalin returned to court and said Duo'erzhi favored the Han people. Duo'erzhi was broad-minded and measured in character and paid it no heed. In the fourth year of Zhizheng he was transferred to left chief councilor of the Jiang-Zhe Branch Secretariat. Hangzhou had repeatedly suffered disaster and ruin. Bieqiebuha had first served as chief minister and eased the multitude of affairs; Duo'erzhi succeeded him and continued as before, and the people's hearts were united. Bandits broke out in Tingzhou. Duo'erzhi dispatched officers and soldiers to recruit and capture them, and where his authority and trust reached, within a few months order was restored. The emperor praised his achievement and granted him the nine-dragon robe and superior wine. After two years the region was entirely calm. The elders of Hangzhou requested to build a living shrine for him, following the precedent of a former chief minister. Duo'erzhi declined, saying, "Formerly my father served as pacification commissioner in Zhe Province and I was born here—no wonder you elders care for me. How could I be without feeling for you people of Hang! Yet today the realm is at peace. I am honored to hold the chancellorship here and need only keep the laws and not disgrace my forebears—that is enough. What use is an empty name?" In the seventh year he was summoned and appointed grand censor. As the chancellorship was vacant, in autumn he was appointed left chief councilor of the Secretariat. In winter he was promoted to right chief councilor and supervisor of the compilation of the national history, while Taiping served as left chief councilor. At that time the court had no pressing affairs. Whatever ritual and classical matters had fallen away were revived. He requested seats for the Classics Colloquium lecturers to honor sagely learning, selected officials of clear reputation to present remonstrances and seek the way of governance, examined the six duties of prefects and magistrates, sifted Buddhist monks and nuns, and recommended reclusive scholars—these matters are recorded in the 《Biography of Taiping》. After more than a year the Upper Capital intendant's office performed congratulatory rites. The goods were first left at Hongxi Abbey to be presented to the two chief ministers. Duo'erzhi's household staff lodged in the abbey and observed that the gifts varied in abundance; those for the left chief minister were especially plentiful. The household staff reported the matter in full and asked to refuse the gifts. Duo'erzhi said, "Even if they send nothing to me, what is there to wonder at?" He at once ordered them accepted. The Prince of Tan's household property had already been registered with the government. Duo'erzhi had a clerk record the tally. The next day the clerk reported back. Han Jiane was pacification commissioner. Not knowing it was by the chief minister's order, he flushed with anger and rebuked the clerk, "Public business must go from below to above—why report straight to the chief minister!" He ordered the guest-reception commissioner to escort him out. Duo'erzhi was unmoved; those who knew the matter all admired his magnanimity. In the ninth year he was dismissed from the chancellorship, again became king, and went to his domain in Liaoyang. In the fourteenth year an edict ordered Toghto to command troops in a southern campaign. Associate deliberator of the Secretariat Gong Boshui proposed, "The various imperial princes and non-imperial princes should all be sent out with troops separately." Prince Wu Duoerchi bribed Boshui heavily and was exempted. Duo'erzhi alone said, "Our family has been hereditary ministers for generations. When the realm has need, this is the season to exert our strength—how could I traffic in bribes with petty fellows!" He at once led troops into Huainan and obeyed Toghto's command. Toghto dispatched Duo'erzhi to attack Liuhe, and he captured it. Soon afterward an edict stripped Toghto of office and rank and removed his military authority. Duo'erzhi then guarded Yangzhou with his own troops. In the fifteenth year he died in the army at the age of fifty-two. Earlier, when Duo'erzhi was academician of the Hall of Gathered Worthies, he followed his cousin by the mother's side, Chief Councilor Baizhu, at the Upper Capital. In the Nampa Incident Baizhu was killed. The traitorous ministers Tieshi, Chijintiemuer, and the rest all wished to kill Duo'erzhi as well. His nephew Duo'erzhiban was then eight years old, ran to the kheshig officer Shiduer to beg for mercy, and for this reason Duo'erzhi escaped the calamity. As chief minister Duo'erzhi strove to preserve the larger pattern, while Taiping also handled the multitude of affairs. For a time political power leaned largely toward Taiping and many rushed to attach themselves to him, yet Duo'erzhi remained composed and did not contend. Yet Taiping also could yield and show full courtesy; within and without the court all called them worthy chief ministers. He had two sons: Duomantiemuer, a Hanlin academician; and Anmugeshili, who succeeded to the kingship.
5
Duo'erzhiban
6
簿 使 殿 西殿 使 访使 西 使 使使使 西 广 西 鸿 便 驿便 西 广 广 便 使 驿
Duo'erzhiban, style name Weizhong, was a seventh-generation descendant of Muqali. His grandfather was Shude; his father was Bieligetiemu'er. Duo'erzhiban lost his father while still in swaddling clothes and was raised by his father's cousin's wife. Baizhu, his cousin by the mother's side, asked Emperor Renzong for an imperial letter to protect his household. When he grew older he loved reading. At fourteen he was received by Emperor Wenzong. As the emperor was about to proceed to the Upper Capital he personally inspected the imperial robes and ordered them recorded; none at hand could write Chinese characters, so Duo'erzhiban took up the brush and wrote them. Emperor Wenzong said with pleasure, "A hereditary minister's household that still values learning—how rare!" He was appointed attendant of the imperial wardrobe and soon made director of the Ministry of Works. In the first year of Yuantong he was promoted to investigating censor. In his first memorial he asked the emperor to sacrifice personally at the ancestral temple and urged that amnesties not be issued too frequently. He also presented five matters on current policy. The first said, "The grand astrologer reports a total lunar eclipse on the guimao day of the third month and a solar eclipse on the wuwu day, the first of the fourth month. The emperor ought to exert the power of Qian, rectify punishments and government, keep distant evil and flatterers, and devote himself solely to loyal and good men, so that calamities may be dissolved and turned into auspicious signs." The second said, "Personally sacrifice at the suburban altars and ancestral temple." The third said, "Broadly select sons of meritorious old houses and upright men to assist the heir before and after, so that play does not reach his eyes and vulgar speech his ears, and sagely virtue will renew day by day." The fourth said, "Ministers who hold the keys of power should indeed be honored, yet rewards and punishments must be fair, and the people's hearts will be obedient." The fifth said, "Pacify bandits and thieves and relieve starving people." At that time the sun and moon suffered thin eclipses, fierce storms arose, and drought and locusts ravaged Hebei and Shandong. He again set forth nine matters. The first said, "Recently the gate of favor has gradually opened and punishments slackened; those without merit hope for rewards and the guilty hope by chance to be pardoned. I fear criminal government will collapse and the great cord unravel; how can laboring ministers be encouraged, and how can wicked ministers be given nothing to fear?" The second said, "All wealth under Heaven comes from the people. They exhaust their strength to assist the state, yet use is still insufficient; sighing and resentment then disturb the harmony of yin and yang, and flood, drought, and disasters arise from this. Appoint solely two Secretariat officials to supervise the Ministry of Revenue in fixing reductions, stop unurgent labor corvée, and halt nameless bestowals." The third said, "Buddhist services within the palace should for the time be stopped as expedient." The fourth said, "Government offices increase daily and the selection law grows more corrupt; superfluous posts should be cut." The fifth: equalize public fields. The sixth: cast money. The seventh: abolish the Shandong field-tax general office. The eighth: remit the self-assessed field tax of Henan. The ninth: forbid taking concubines from beyond the seas. On New Year's Day, when court congratulation was held in the Great Bright Hall, Duo'erzhiban was to correct the order of ranks and submitted, "Officials who overstep rank should be punished like those who lose ritual deportment, to warn against disrespect." Earlier the Music Bureau stood after the hundred officials. Grand Censor Sadi transmitted an edict ordering them into the regular ranks, but Duo'erzhiban refused. Sadi said, "Does the censor not obey the edict?" Duo'erzhiban said, "The matter cannot be carried out. The grand censor ought to memorialize again for approval." Western monks performed Buddhist services within the court, became drunk, and set a fire. Duo'erzhiban impeached them for not keeping discipline; the blaze burned the palaces and shook the Ninefold Palaces. Sadi transmitted an edict to exempt them, but Duo'erzhiban again refused. Within a single day edicts were transmitted eight times before it ceased. The household slaves of Chief Councilor Bayan and Grand Censor Tangqishi relied on power to harm the people. When Duo'erzhiban made a circuit to Huo Prefecture he captured them all and brought them under the law, and the people were greatly pleased. Upon his return Tangqishi said angrily, "The censor has been extremely disrespectful to me and shamed my household—how can I show my face?" He answered, "Duo'erzhiban knows only to uphold the law; he knows nothing else." Tangqishi's nephew Mamasha was commander of the Qipchaq personal army and acted lawlessly; Duo'erzhiban memorialized and impeached him. Mamasha gathered worthless fellows intending to harm him, but as Tangqishi was executed, the plot ceased. He was transferred to superintendent of the Grand Storehouse, made supplying academician of the Hall of Splendid Letters, advanced to drafting academician, all concurrently Classics Colloquium officials, then promoted to academician attendant and associate director of Classics Colloquium affairs. At that time Duo'erzhiban had just passed the weak-crown age and was the son of a hereditary house, yet alone served the emperor at his side with classical learning—the age regarded it as a grand event. In the first year of Zhizheng the Academy of Letters was abolished; he was made Hanlin academician and advanced to grand master for cherishing the people. Thereupon the Classics Colloquium also returned to the Hanlin, and Duo'erzhiban was still ordered to direct its affairs. At that time Kangli Chuangchuang, as Hanlin drafting academician, was also at the Classics Colloquium. Before the emperor he expounded the classics' meaning and Duo'erzhiban served as translator, fully conveying the intent and offering much counsel—palace speech was secret and not transmitted. Soon he was transferred to yeke jarquchi of the Grand Council for the Imperial Clan. When hearing lawsuits he cited the statutes and ordinances, fitting each circumstance. A colleague of advanced age sighed and said, "I have held this office forty years and have seen the gentleman discuss affairs—he is nearly divine." An imperial prince had killed his father's principal wife. Duo'erzhiban together with his colleague Bashi requested of the court that the crime must be rectified. The chief minister at the time made difficulties. He was sent out as surveillance commissioner of Huaidong. He was transferred to associate censor of the Jiangnan Branch Secretariat but did not go; he was again transferred to left vice councilor of the Jiangxi Branch Secretariat but did not take up the post because of illness. Returning north, he nursed his illness in the Huangya Mountains. He was recalled to be superintendent of the Hall of Correct Governance. In the fifth year he was appointed associate administrative councilor of the Secretariat and associate director of Classics Colloquium affairs, and supervised the Hall of Promoting Culture. At that time the 《Statutes of Zhizheng》 were being compiled. Duo'erzhiban said the book contained above the regulatory edicts of the ancestors—how could one alone use today's reign title? Moreover, within the law the section on regulations is but one category—how could it alone be the book's title? The chief minister could not follow him; only the regulatory edicts were removed. Someone skilled in music gained favor; there was an edict to appoint him deputy superintendent of the Chongwen Directorate. Duo'erzhiban nominated another man and reported it. The emperor said angrily, "Is the selection law entirely in the hands of the Secretariat?" Duo'erzhiban bowed his head and said, "If a favorite is placed in a pure selection post, I fear later generations will criticize Your Majesty. If another is now selected, the fault is mine; the secretariat ministers have no part in it." The emperor thereupon was pleased. He was promoted to right vice councilor and soon appointed vice censor-in-chief. Investigating censors memorialized and impeached Bieqiebuha. When the memorial was submitted, Grand Censor Yilianzhenban was demoted to pacification commissioner of the Jiang-Zhe Branch Secretariat. Duo'erzhiban said, "If it is like this, where is the censorate's great cord?" He then again submitted a memorial impeaching and requested to retain the grand censor, but it was not granted. The censorate officials all submitted their seals and resigned. The emperor told Duo'erzhiban, "You must not resign." He answered, "The great cord of the constitution has collapsed—how can I alone remain?" The emperor wept for him. Duo'erzhiban at once shut his door and declined guests. Soon he was sent out as pacification commissioner of the Liaoyang Branch Secretariat, with the rank of grand master for splendid happiness. Upon reaching his post he inquired into the people's hardships. Rice, millet, sheep, pigs, fuel, and charcoal all depended on country people carrying them into the city, while noble household slaves and government runners contended to buy by force, paying only half the fair price. By custom they wove willow into pecks of uneven size, so powerful merchants and crafty brokers could manipulate them at will and the people all suffered. He ordered the relevant offices to enforce strict prohibitions and standardize weights and measures; all goods then gathered and prices of themselves became fair. He also cared for orphans and the aged, stabilized the money law, cleared selections, cut redundant clerks, was careful in audit, and revived what had fallen—great and small were all accomplished. If there was guilt, even meritorious old families were not pardoned. The hundred offices of princely establishments heard the wind and were fearful. He was summoned to superintendent of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, soon transferred to superintendent of the Central Administration, then again superintendent of the Hall of Correct Governance. When bandits arose in Henan, the emperor was troubled. He was appointed pacification commissioner of the Secretariat, with the rank of grand master for splendid brightness. He first said, "In governing the state, the great constants weigh most heavily. The former Western Branch censor Zhang Huan upheld integrity and died for righteousness, unstained by the bandits—he ought first to be honored to encourage those who come after." He also said, "Jingxiang and Huguang ought to be held to cut off later troubles." He repeatedly discussed, "When the ancestors used troops it was not solely to kill people—there must have been a Way in it. Today those who stir disorder are only a few men, yet all the people of the Central Plains are treated as rebels—how can that win people's hearts?" His words largely ran counter to Chief Councilor Toghto's intent. At the time Toghto relied on Left Secretariat Director Ru Zhongbai and section director Botiemuer, so the two usurped power, while Duo'erzhiban stood upright at court and attached himself to no faction. As Shaanzhou was critically pressed, he was sent out as grand censor of the Shaanxi Branch Secretariat. Midway he heard Shangzhou had fallen and Wuguan was lost. He took light horsemen and pressed day and night to Fengyuan while the bandits had already reached Hongmen. The clerks said he should take office on an auspicious day; he refused and said, "The bandits' power is like this—how can one still care for yin-yang taboos!" He at once assumed office. The branch secretariat and branch censorate, by custom suspicious of each other's measures, did not gather to discuss affairs. Duo'erzhiban said, "With so many affairs, how can one discuss by regular precedent?" He then agreed with Pacification Commissioner Duoduo to meet every five days. Soon an edict ordered him and Duoduo, as circumstances required, jointly to suppress the bandits. He supervised the armies and recovered Shangzhou. He then repaired the ramparts of Fengyuan. He recruited the people as soldiers, took silver from the treasury to make large coins, and rewarded those who hit the target in archery; thereby everyone became picked troops. The righteous armies of Jin and Shang used animal hides for arrow quivers shaped like gourds, called the Maohulu Army, very picked and sharp. Their achievements were reported and an edict of commendation granted; thereby that army grew strong and the state obtained its use. Jin Prefecture reached Fengyuan by way of Xingyuan and Fengxiang over a long roundabout route. He opened the Righteous Valley and established seven post stations, making the road shorter and convenient. At the time Grand Censor Yexiantiemuer's army was defeated in Henan. Western Branch censors Mongoluhaiya, Fan Wen, and twelve others memorialized and impeached him. Duo'erzhiban was to countersign. He turned and said to those at hand, "I shall become pacification commissioner of Huguang." Before long the order came down, and it was indeed so. Yexiantiemuer was Toghto's younger brother. Once the memorial was submitted Toghto was angry, Duo'erzhiban was demoted, and all twelve censors were dismissed. The people within the passes blocked the road weeping and saying, "You gave us life—why do you suddenly leave us and not stay?" Duo'erzhiban comforted and sent them off, but they would not listen; he therefore got out by a bypath. When he reached Chongqing he heard Jiangling had fallen and the roads were blocked. Some asked him to stay awhile, but he would not and fixed on reaching his destination. The Huguang Branch Secretariat governed provisionally from Li Prefecture. Once he arrived he regulated the armies by law and granted office to those who submitted grain; the people's hearts were united. Ru Zhongbai and Botiemuer told the chief councilor, "If Duo'erzhiban is not killed, the chief councilor will never be secure." They meant that because the emperor favored him, he would certainly be used again. He was therefore ordered that Duo'erzhiban's duty should be solely to supply army provisions. Government granaries held little. He summoned state people who had grain, personally gave them wine to encourage them, and borrowed their grain, agreeing that when the court issued notes they would be repaid at full value—the people all complied. He also sent officials to purchase grain in Henan and Sichuan. Hearing his name, the people vied to submit grain to aid army provisions. Right Vice Councilor Bayanbuhua was commanding troops and, following the prevailing court favor, repeatedly insulted him. Duo'erzhiban was unmoved. When the government army recovered Wuchang and reached Qi and Huang, Bayanbuhua sought supplies by a hundred schemes and was given everything, yet still wished to say provisions were delivered late. The darqan army commander Wangbuhua spoke forcefully, "The pacification commissioner is the state's honored minister. Today he sits without a heavy mat and eats without fine flavors, serving only as provisions for us soldiers. Now a hundred needs are furnished at once, yet you still wish to slander him—there is no human heart in this. We ought at once to disperse and return to our home districts." Toghto sent the National University lecturer Wanzhe to the army with instructions to harm him. When Wanzhe arrived he instead showed added respect and said, "The pacification commissioner is of a meritorious old house—the state's auspicious omen. If I should harm him, people will not eat my leftovers." Duo'erzhiban had long had wind illness. In the army, affected by mist and dew, his ailment grew worse, and he died at the Lanxi post station in Huang Prefecture at the age of forty. At court Duo'erzhiban took upholding the name and teaching as his task, recommended talented men, and did not regard it as private favor. He devoted attention to classical learning; books of the Yi and Luo Confucians never left his hand. He delighted in writing five-character poetry and was especially skilled in calligraphy and painting. Hanlin drafting academician Wei Su of Linchuan once lodged with Duo'erzhiban and remonstrated, "Your learning ought to devote itself to securing the state and benefiting the altars of soil and grain; do not fix your mind on minor arts." Duo'erzhiban deeply accepted his words. At the Classics Colloquium he opened and set forth the great principles in the majority of cases. Occasionally he gathered legacy words of former worthies, arranged each by category, and made a book in four scrolls: the first 《Foundations of Learning》, the second 《The Way of the Ruler》, the third 《The Duties of Ministers》, the fourth 《National Government》. Illuminating the Way, thickening human relations, regulating conduct, examining antiquity, and recreative arts—these five are the categories of 《Foundations of Learning》; revering Heaven, loving the people, knowing men, accepting remonstrance, and governing the interior—these five are the categories of 《The Way of the Ruler》; chief ministers, the censorate, prefects and magistrates, commanders, and the imperial guard—these five are the categories of 《The Duties of Ministers》; promoting learning, instructing agriculture, managing finances, reviewing punishments, and deliberating on troops—these five are the categories of 《National Government》. The emperor read it and approved, bestowing the name 《Comprehensive Instructions for Ordering the Source》 and storing it in the Hall of Promoting Culture. He had two sons: Tiegusitiemuer and Dujiantiemuer.
7
Alutu
8
广 仿 退
Alutu was a fourth-generation descendant of Borokhula. His father was Malahu. Alutu succeeded through the Directorate of the Classics to office as a kheshig officer in charge of the imperial guard, was appointed Hanlin drafting academician, and was transferred to know the affairs of the privy council. In the third year of Zhiyuan he succeeded to the enfeoffment as Prince of Guangping. In the fourth year of Zhizheng, when Toghto resigned the chancellorship, Emperor Shundi asked who could replace him; Toghto recommended Alutu. In the fifth month an edict appointed him right chief councilor of the Secretariat and supervisor of the national history, while Bieqiebuha was left chief councilor. They accompanied the imperial procession and each time rode in the same carriage; court and country rejoiced that the two chief ministers were in harmony. At that time an edict ordered the compilation of the histories of Liao, Jin, and Song; Alutu was chief compiler. In the fifth year the three histories were completed. In the tenth month, after Alutu and the rest had presented the books, the emperor proceeded to the Hall of Promoting Culture. Alutu again with Pacification Commissioner Temiertashi and Taiping submitted, "Taizu took the Jin, Shizu pacified the Song, and united the realm; canonical books and maps all returned to the secret repository. Now Your Majesty has ordered Confucian scholars to compile the achievements of the three states, and your subject Alutu is chief compiler. Your subject has never read Han literary works and does not understand their meaning. Now that we present them, in the leisure of ten thousand affairs we beg that they may be prepared for secondary perusal." The emperor said, "In this matter you indeed do not understand. Histories bear on matters of great weight—they are not literary works casually made by Confucian scholars. When a ruler of one of those states did good, the state flourished—a ruler like Us ought to take it as a model; when one court did evil, the state was ruined—We ought to take it as a warning. Yet it is not only to warn rulers; among them are also matters of chief ministers—what is good you ought to imitate, what is evil you ought to watch and warn against. We and you should all take the good and evil of former ages as encouragement. If We think of something not yet reached, you should speak of it." Alutu bowed his head, danced, and withdrew. Right Secretariat Director Chen Siqian proposed various matters. Alutu said, "The duty of the left and right directorates is to assist the chief minister. If the director now has something to say, let him discuss it with us and see it carried out—why must he separately make writings and present matters on his own? If the director held another office he could propose; now holding the left or right directorate yet proposing is merely wishing to show that he alone can speak. Where are you placing us?" Siqian was greatly ashamed and submitted. One day, discussing with subordinates the appointment of minister of justice, the chief ministers had someone to recommend. Some objected, saying, "This man is soft—not usable by the Ministry of Justice." Alutu said, "Is the imperial temple selecting wrestlers today? If selecting wrestlers, one must select strong men. The minister of justice wishes only to examine criminal documents in detail. If he does not wrong people and does not break the law, he is a good justice official—why seek a strong man?" Those at left and right had no answer. In governing he knew the larger pattern, generally like this. Earlier Bieqiebuha had once plotted with Alutu to squeeze out and harm Toghto. Alutu said, "How can we long hold the chancellorship? There will also be a day of retirement—what will people say of us?" Bieqiebuha repeatedly spoke of it but in the end Alutu would not follow. In the sixth year Bieqiebuha prompted investigating censors to memorialize that Alutu ought not to hold the chancellorship; Alutu at once withdrew outside the city. His affines were indignant and said, "What the chief minister has done is all good, yet the censor's words are unreasonable. The chief minister ought to see the emperor and explain himself; the emperor will surely argue on his behalf." Alutu said, "I am a Borokhula descendant of generations—how could the chancellorship be hard to obtain? But the emperor's command I dared not decline; now the censor impeaches me—I ought to leave at once. The censorate was established by Shizu; if I contend with the censor, I contend with Shizu. You need speak no more. After Alutu had been dismissed, the next year Bieqiebuha became right chief councilor and before long also left. In the eleventh year Alutu was again raised as grand preceptor, went out to guard the Helin frontier, died, and had no heir.
9
Niudegai
10
宿 使 退 退 西
Niudegai was also a fourth-generation descendant of Borokhula. In early years he served in the palace guard and was repeatedly promoted to associate director of the privy council; afterward he was dismissed and dwelt at home. In the fifth year of Zhiyuan under Emperor Shundi he was sent to pacify and comfort the Tatar lands, put in order more than thirty matters of unfair and unlawful conduct by officials, and the court knew his talent and promoted him to direct the Lingbei Branch Privy Council. In the fifteenth year of Zhizheng he was summoned and appointed pacification commissioner of the Secretariat and transferred to know the affairs of the privy council. In the seventeenth year, as grand preceptor he commanded all armies of Shandong, guarded Dongchang Circuit, and repelled Tian Feng's troops. In the eighteenth year Tian Feng again took Jining and pressed toward Dongchang. Niudegai, lacking grain, abandoned the city, withdrew to garrison at Baixiang, and Dongchang then fell. Returning to the capital he was appointed additional left chief councilor of the Secretariat and together with Taiping jointly held the chancellorship. Niudegai had discernment and judgment and handled affairs fairly. When Japanese attacked Jinzhou and killed the Red Army men who held the prefecture, he memorialized to send men to bestow rewards and comfort them. After Zhang Shicheng of Jiangxi had submitted, Niudegai disposed of all matters south of the Yangtze fittingly; Shicheng was greatly impressed. A wealthy man of Xinghe Circuit molested his daughter-in-law and was imprisoned. He loaded paper money onto a cart and came to the capital to bribe, so Ministry of Justice officials held the matter long undecided. Niudegai then removed a vice minister of justice to be darughachi of Xinghe Circuit and ordered him to decide the matter; the wealthy man thereupon hanged himself. Whenever he granted office he selected only by talent and used no private persons; all praised that he had the bearing of a great minister. Before long he was abruptly dismissed from the chancellorship and transferred to know the affairs of the privy council. Once when ill in bed he said to those he knew, "Taiping is truly a chief minister's talent. My illness surely will not rise, yet Taiping also cannot long hold his post—this is lamentable." Court officials who came to the door to inquire after his illness were all sent away with thanks. In the first month of the twentieth year he died.
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