Volume 175 Biographies 62: Zhang Gui, Li Meng, Zhang Yanghao, Jing Yan

張珪，字公端，弘範之子也。少能挽強命中，嘗從其父出林中，有虎，珪抽矢直前，虎人立，洞其喉，一軍盡嘩。至元十六年，弘範平廣海，宋禮部侍郎鄧光薦將赴水死，弘範救而禮之，命珪受學。光薦嘗遺一編書，目曰《相業》，語珪曰：「熟讀此，後必賴其用。」師還，道出江淮，珪年十六，攝管軍萬戶。十七年，真拜昭勇大將軍、管軍萬戶，佩其父虎符，治所統軍，鎮建康。未幾，弘範卒，喪畢，世祖召見，親撫之。奏曰：「臣年幼，軍事重，聶禎者，從臣父、祖，久歷行陣，幸以副臣。」帝歎曰：「求老成自副，常兒不知出此。」厚賜而遣之，遍及其從者。十九年，太平、宣、徽群盜起，行省檄珪討之，士卒數為賊所敗，卒有殺民家豕而並傷其主者，珪曰：「此軍之所以敗也。」斬其卒，悉平諸盜。

Zhang Gui, courtesy name Gongduan, was the son of Hongfan. As a youth he could draw a heavy bow and strike true. Once when he followed his father into the woods, a tiger appeared. Gui nocked an arrow and charged straight at it; the tiger rose on its hind legs, and he drove the shaft through its throat. The whole army burst into cheers. In Zhiyuan 16 Hongfan pacified the Guang and Hai region. Deng Guangjian, vice director of the Song Ministry of Rites, was about to drown himself; Hongfan saved him, received him with honor, and had Gui study under him. Guangjian once presented him with a single fascicle entitled Statesmanship and told Gui, "Master this well; you will surely need it hereafter." When the troops marched home by way of the Jianghuai region, Gui was sixteen and served as acting commander of the ten-thousand-household army. In year 17 he received formal appointment as General of Manifest Valor and commander of the ten-thousand-household army, bearing his father's tiger tally. He took charge of his command and was posted to garrison Jiankang. Before long Hongfan died. When the mourning period ended, Kublai Khan summoned him to court and comforted him in person. He memorialized, "Your subject is young and military affairs are grave. Nie Zhen has served my father and grandfather and is long practiced in the field — I beg that he be appointed to assist me." The emperor sighed and said, "To seek a seasoned man as one's deputy — an ordinary lad would never think of that." He gave him rich gifts and sent him away, extending rewards to everyone in his retinue. In year 19 bandit gangs rose in Taiping, Xuan, and Hui. The branch secretariat ordered Gui to suppress them. His troops suffered repeated defeats, and once a soldier killed a peasant's pig and wounded its owner as well. Gui said, "This is why an army loses." He executed that soldier and fully pacified the bandits.

二十九年，入朝。時朝廷言者謂天下事定，行樞密院可罷；江浙行省參知政事張瑄，領海道，亦以為言。樞密副使暗伯問於珪，珪曰：「見上當自言之。」召對，珪曰：「縱使行院可罷，亦非宣所宜言。」遂得不罷。命為樞密副使。太傅月兒魯那演言：「珪尚少，姑試以僉書，果可大用，請俟他日。」帝曰：「不然，是家為國滅金、滅宋，盡死力者三世矣，而可吝此耶！」拜鎮國上將軍、江淮行樞密副使。

In year 29 he came to court. At the time memorialists at court said the empire was settled and the itinerant Bureau of Military Affairs could be abolished; Zhang Xuan, associate administrator of the Jiangzhe Branch Secretariat in charge of the sea route, said the same. Vice director of the Secretariat Anbo asked Gui about it. Gui said, "When you see His Majesty, you should speak for yourself." Summoned to audience, Gui said, "Even if the traveling bureau could be abolished, that was still not something Xuan ought to have said." The bureau was therefore not abolished. He was appointed vice director of the Secretariat. Grand Tutor Yehülü Nayen said, "Gui is still young; for now try him as director-general. If he truly proves fit for high office, let us wait for another day." The emperor said, "No. This family has for three generations given their lives to destroy Jin and Song for the state — and we would stint this reward?" He was appointed General for the Pacification of the State and vice director of the Jianghuai itinerant Bureau of Military Affairs.

成宗即位，行院罷。大德三年，遣使巡行天下，珪使川、陝，問民疾苦，賑恤孤貧，罷冗官，黜貪吏。還，擢江南行御史臺侍御史，換文階中奉大夫，遷浙西肅政廉訪使。劾罷郡長吏以下三十餘人、府史胥徒數百，徵贓巨萬計。珪得鹽司姦利事，將發之。事幹行省，有內不自安者，欲以危法中珪，賂遺近臣，妄言珪有厭勝事，且沮鹽法。帝遣官雜治之，得行省大小吏及鹽官欺罔狀，皆伏罪。召珪拜僉樞密院事，入見，賜只孫冠服侍宴，又命買宅以賜，辭不受。拜江南行台御史中丞，因上疏，極言天人之際、災異之故，其目有修德行、廣言路、進君子、退小人、信賞必罰、減冗官、節浮費，以法祖宗成憲，累數百言。劾大官之不法者，不報；並及近侍之熒惑者，又不報。遂謝病歸。久之，拜陝西行台中丞，不赴。

When Temür acceded, the itinerant bureau was abolished. In Dade 3 envoys were sent to tour the empire. Gui was assigned to Sichuan and Shaanxi, where he inquired into the people's hardships, relieved the orphaned and destitute, abolished redundant offices, and removed corrupt officials. On his return he was promoted to supervising censor of the Jiangnan Branch Censorate, exchanged to the civil rank of Grand Master of Proper Submission, and transferred to surveillance commissioner for rectifying conduct in western Zhejiang. He impeached and removed more than thirty prefects and lower officials, along with several hundred clerks and runners, and recovered illicit gains amounting to tens of thousands. Gui uncovered evidence of corruption in the salt administration and was about to expose it. The case implicated the branch secretariat. Men who felt themselves endangered tried to destroy Gui with the law, bribing court favorites to claim falsely that he had practiced sorcery against the throne and had obstructed the salt monopoly. The emperor sent officials to investigate jointly. The fraud of high and low officials in the branch secretariat and in the salt offices was exposed, and all confessed. Gui was summoned and appointed director of the Secretariat. At audience he was given a jisun cap and robe and entertained at banquet; the court also ordered a house bought for him as a gift, but he declined and would not accept. He was appointed director of the Jiangnan Branch Censorate and submitted a memorial that spoke at length on the relation between Heaven and humankind and the causes of strange portents. Its headings included cultivating virtue, widening avenues of remonstrance, advancing worthy men and removing petty men, making rewards sure and punishments certain, cutting redundant offices, and restraining wasteful spending — all to follow the settled precedents of the founding ancestors — running to several hundred words. He impeached high officials who violated the law, but received no response. He also impeached palace intimates who misled the throne; again there was no response. Thereupon he resigned on grounds of illness and went home. After a long interval he was appointed director of the Shaanxi Branch Censorate, but he did not take up the appointment.

皇慶元年，拜榮祿大夫、樞密副使。徽政院使失列門請以洪城軍隸興聖宮，而己領之，以上旨移文樞密院，眾恐懼承命，珪固不署，事遂不行。延祐二年，拜中書平章政事，請減煩冗還有司，以清政務，得專修宰相之職，帝從之，著為令。教坊使曹咬住拜禮部尚書，珪曰：「伶人為宗伯，何以示後世！」力諫止之。皇太后以中書右丞相鐵木迭兒為太師，萬戶別薛參知行省政事，珪曰：「太師論道經邦，鐵木迭兒非其人，別薛無功，不得為外執政。」車駕度居庸，失列門傳皇太后旨，召珪切責，杖之。珪創甚，輿歸京師，明日遂出國門。珪子景元掌符璽，不得一日去宿衛，至是，以父病篤告，遽歸。帝驚曰：「鄉別時，卿父無病。」景元頓首涕泣，不敢言。帝不懌，遣參議中書省事換住往賜之酒，遂拜大司徒，謝病家居。繼丁母憂，廬墓寢苫啜粥者三年。六年七月，帝憶珪生日，賜上尊、御衣。

In Huangqing 1 he was appointed Grand Master for Glorious Blessing and vice director of the Secretariat. Shilie'men, director of the Bureau of Palace Attendants, asked that the Hongcheng Army be placed under the Consecration Palace while he himself would command it. Citing the sovereign's intent, he sent an order to the Secretariat. Everyone was afraid and ready to comply, but Gui steadfastly refused to sign, and the matter was dropped. In Yanyou 2 he was appointed associate administrator of the Central Secretariat. He asked that vexatious redundancies be cut back and returned to the proper agencies so that government might be clarified and the chancellor could devote himself solely to the duties of office. The emperor agreed, and this was written into law. The court entertainer Cao Yaozhu was appointed Minister of Rites. Gui said, "To make an actor chief of ceremonies — what lesson is that for posterity?" He remonstrated with all his force and stopped the appointment. The empress dowager wished to appoint the right chancellor Temür Ogedei as Grand Tutor and the wanhu Biexie as associate administrator of branch secretariat affairs. Gui said, "The Grand Tutor is to expound the Way and govern the realm. Temür Ogedei is not that man. Biexie has no merit and must not hold provincial power." As the imperial carriage crossed Juyong Pass, Shilie'men conveyed the empress dowager's order, summoned Gui, and rebuked him sharply; he was beaten with the rod. Gui's injuries were grave. He was carried back to the capital, and the next day left the city gate. Gui's son Jingyuan held the imperial seals and could not leave palace guard duty for a single day. On this occasion he reported that his father was gravely ill and rushed home. The emperor was startled and said, "When we parted, your father was not ill." Jingyuan kowtowed and wept but dared not speak. The emperor was displeased. He sent Associate Administrator of the Central Secretariat Huanzhu to present wine as a gift. Gui was then appointed Grand Minister of State and retired on grounds of illness to live at home. He later entered mourning for his mother. At her grave he lived in a hut, slept on brushwood, and took only thin gruel for three years. In the seventh month of year 6 the emperor remembered Gui's birthday and sent superior wine and imperial robes.

至治二年，英宗召見於易水之上曰：「四世舊臣，朕將畀卿以政。」珪辭歸。遣近臣設醴。丞相拜住問珪曰：「宰相之體何先？」珪曰：「莫先於格君心，莫急於廣言路。」是年冬，起珪為集賢大學士。先是，鐵木迭兒既復為丞相，以私怨殺平章蕭拜住、御史中丞楊朵兒只、上都留守賀伯顏，大小之臣，不能自保。會地震風烈，敕廷臣集議弭災之道，珪抗言於坐曰：「弭災，當究其所以致災者。漢殺孝婦，三年不雨；蕭、楊、賀冤死，非致沴之端乎！死者固不可復生，而情義猶可昭白，毋使朝廷終失之也。」又拜中書平章政事，侍宴萬壽山，賜以五帶。

In Zhizhi 2, Emperor Yingzong summoned him to the banks of the Yishui and said, "You are a minister of four generations; I mean to entrust you with government." Gui declined and went home. The emperor sent close attendants to set out a feast for him. Chancellor Bayan asked Gui, "What should come first in the conduct of a chief minister?" Gui said, "Nothing comes before rectifying the ruler's mind, and nothing is more urgent than opening the way for candid speech." That winter Gui was recalled as grand academician of the Hall of Worthies. Earlier Temür Ogedei had again become chancellor. Out of private resentment he had associate administrator Xiao Baizhu, censor-in-chief Yang Duo'erzhi, and Shangdu defender He Boyan put to death, and officials great and small could not protect themselves. When earthquakes and violent winds struck, the court ordered the ministers to meet and discuss how to allay the disaster. Gui spoke boldly in the assembly: "To allay a disaster one must find what caused it. Under the Han, when the filial daughter was killed unjustly, rain failed for three years; Xiao, Yang, and He were killed unjustly — are these not the very sources of such ill omens? The dead cannot be revived, but justice can still be made clear. Let the court not abandon them forever. He was again appointed associate administrator of the Central Secretariat. At a banquet on Longevity Mount he was granted the five-zone belt.

三年秋八月，御史大夫鐵失既行殺逆，夜入都門，坐中書堂，矯制奪執符印，珪密疏言：「賊黨罪不可逭。」既皆伏誅，鐵木迭兒之子治書侍御史鎖南，獨議遠流，珪曰：「於法，強盜不分首從，發塚傷尸者亦死。鎖南從弒逆，親斫丞相拜住臂，乃欲活之耶！」遂伏誅。盜竊仁廟神主，時參知政事馬剌兼領太常禮儀使，當遷左丞，珪曰：「以參政遷左丞，姑曰敘進。而太常奉宗祏不謹，當待罪，而反遷官，何以謝在天之靈！」命遂不下。

In the eighth month of autumn in year 3, Censor-in-Chief Tieshi, having committed regicide, entered the capital gate by night, sat in the Central Secretariat hall, and by forged edict seized the tallies and seals. Gui submitted a secret memorial: "The traitor faction must not be spared. After the culprits were executed, Temür Ogedei's son Suonam, supervising secretary of the Secretariat, alone argued for exile. Gui said, "By law, robbers are punished alike whether chief or follower, and those who open graves and mutilate corpses are also put to death. Suonam took part in the regicide and personally hacked Chancellor Bayan's arm — and you would let him live? Suonam was thereupon executed. The spirit tablets in Renzong's temple were stolen. At the time Associate Administrator Mara also held the post of director of imperial rites and was to be promoted to left vice director. Gui said, "To move from associate administrator to left vice director might be called routine promotion. Yet the Directorate of Imperial Rites failed to guard the ancestral tablets with due reverence — he ought to await punishment, not receive promotion. How can we answer the spirits in Heaven? The appointment was therefore not issued.

國之安危，在乎論相。昔唐玄宗前用姚崇、宋璟則治，後用李林甫、楊國忠，天下騷動，幾致亡國。雖賴子儀諸將，效忠竭力，克復舊物，然自是籓鎮縱橫，紀綱亦不復振矣。良由李林甫石害忠良，佈置邪黨，姦惑蒙蔽，保祿養禍所致，死有餘辜。如前宰相鐵木迭兒，奸狡險深，陰謀叢出，專政十年。凡宗戚忤己者，巧飾危間，陰中以法，忠直被誅竄者甚眾。始以贓敗，諂附權奸失列門，及嬖幸也裡失班之徒，苟全其生，尋任太子太師。未幾，仁宗賓天，乘時幸變，再入中書。當英廟之初，與失列門等恩義相許，表里為姦，誣殺蕭、楊等，以快私怨。天討元凶，失列門之黨既誅，坐要上功，遂獲信任，諸子內布宿衛，外據顯要，蔽上抑下，杜絕言路，賣官鬻獄，威福己出，一令發口，上下股栗，稍不附己，其禍立至，權勢日熾，中外寒心。由是群邪並進，如逆賊鐵失之徒，名為義子，實其腹心，忠良屏跡，坐待收系。先帝悟其奸惡，僕碑奪爵，籍沒其家，終以遺患，構成弒逆。其子鎖南，親與逆謀，所由來者漸矣，雖剖棺戮屍，夷滅其家，猶不足以塞責。今復回給所籍家產，諸子尚在京師，夤緣再入宿衛。世祖時，阿合馬貪殘敗事，雖死猶正其罪，況如鐵木迭兒之奸惡者哉！臣等議：宜遵成憲，仍籍鐵木迭兒家產，遠竄其子孫外郡，以懲大奸。君父之仇，不共戴天，所以明綱常、別上下也。鐵失之黨，結謀弒逆，君相遇害，天下之人，痛心疾首，所不忍聞。比奉旨：「以鐵失之徒既伏其辜，諸王按梯不花、孛羅、月魯鐵木兒、曲呂不花、兀魯思不花，亦已流竄，逆黨脅從者眾，何可盡誅。後之言事者，其勿復舉。」臣等議：古法，弒逆，凡在官者殺無赦。聖朝立法，強盜劫殺庶民，其同情者猶且首從俱罪，況弒逆之黨，天地不容，宜誅按梯不花之徒，以謝天下。

Whether a state stands or falls depends on whom it appoints as chancellor. In Tang times, Emperor Xuanzong first employed Yao Chong and Song Jing and the realm was well governed; later he employed Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong, and the empire was thrown into turmoil and nearly perished. Although he then relied on Guo Ziyi and other generals who served loyally and with all their strength recovered the old territories, from that time the military governors grew unruly and central discipline was never restored. This was truly because Li Linfu abused power to destroy the loyal and worthy, planted wicked factions, and deluded the court with flattery while hoarding office and nurturing disaster — crimes for which death itself was not enough. The former chancellor Temür Ogedei was of the same kind: treacherous, deceitful, deep and insidious, plotting incessantly, and monopolizing power for ten years. All members of the imperial clan who crossed him he ensnared with fabricated charges and destroyed by law in secret; the upright and loyal who were executed or banished were very many. At first he was ruined by corruption, then fawned on the power-holder Shilie'men and favorites such as Yelü Shiban and barely saved his life; soon afterward he was made Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent. Before long Renzong died. Seizing the moment of upheaval, he entered the Central Secretariat again. When Yingzong first took the throne, he and Shilie'men and the rest had pledged mutual support; inside and outside the court they acted as partners in evil and had Xiao, Yang, and the others killed on false charges to satisfy private grudges. Heaven punished the chief culprit when Shilie'men's faction was executed, yet Temür Ogedei, claiming credit, won trust again. His sons held palace guard posts within and high offices without; they blocked the throne, crushed those below, and shut every avenue of speech. They sold offices and traded judgments; power and favor flowed from him alone. One word from his mouth and the court trembled; anyone who did not attach himself to him was ruined at once. His authority grew daily hotter, and everyone within and without the court despaired. Then the wicked advanced together. Men such as the traitor Tieshi were called his adopted sons in name but were in fact his trusted inner circle. The loyal and worthy were driven aside, waiting only to be seized. The late emperor saw his wickedness, cast down his memorial stele, and confiscated his household, yet in the end the harm he left behind led to regicide. His son Suonam personally joined the plot of treason. The disaster came by degrees. Even opening his coffin, flogging his corpse, and exterminating his house root and branch would not be enough to atone. Now his confiscated property is being returned, and his sons remain in the capital, scheming by connections to re-enter palace guard duty. In Kublai's reign Ahama was greedy and corrupt and ruined the state; though dead, his crimes were still punished. How much more Temür Ogedei's wickedness! We your subjects propose: follow established precedent, confiscate Temür Ogedei's property again, and exile his sons and grandsons to distant prefectures, so that great treachery may be punished. One cannot live under the same sky as the enemy of one's ruler and father — by this the moral order is upheld and high and low are distinguished. Tieshi's faction plotted regicide; the sovereign was murdered. All under Heaven are heartsick with grief — it is what none can bear to hear. A recent edict said: "Since Tieshi's party have already paid the penalty, and the princes Atipembuhua, Boluo, Yülü Temür, Qulübuhua, and Ulusibuhua have also been banished, the coerced followers of the traitor faction are many — how can all be put to death? Let memorialists hereafter not raise the matter again." We your subjects propose: by ancient law, in cases of regicide all who hold office are executed without pardon. Our dynasty's law: even in robbery and killing of commoners, those who share the intent are punished alike as principals and accomplices — how much less may the regicide faction, whom Heaven and earth cannot tolerate, go unpunished? Atipembuhua's party should be executed to answer the realm.

《書》曰：惟辟作福，惟辟作威。臣無有作福作威，臣而有作福作威，害於而家，凶於而國。蓋生殺與奪，於子之權，非臣下所得盜用也。遼王脫脫，位冠宗室，居鎮遼東，屬任非輕，國家不幸，有非常之變，不能討賊，而乃覬幸赦恩，報復仇忿，殺親王妃主百餘人，分其羊馬畜產，殘忍骨肉，盜竊主權，聞者切齒。今不之罪，乃復厚賜放還，仍守爵土，臣恐國之紀綱，由此不振。設或效尤，何法以治！且遼東地廣，素號重鎮，若使脫脫久居，彼既縱肆，將無忌憚，況令死者含冤，感傷和氣！臣等議：累朝典憲，聞赦殺人，罪在不原，宜奪削其爵土，置之他所，以彰天威。

The Documents says: Only the sovereign bestows blessings; only the sovereign wields majesty. Subjects must not bestow blessings or wield majesty. If subjects do so, it harms your house and brings disaster on your state. The power of life and death, confiscation and reward, belongs to the Son of Heaven — not something subjects may usurp. Prince Toto of Liao, foremost in the imperial clan and posted to garrison Liaodong, bore a weighty trust. When the state suffered this unnatural calamity he failed to punish the traitors; instead he looked for pardon and favor, avenged private hatred, and killed more than a hundred wives and princesses of his own kin, seizing their sheep, horses, and herds. He was cruel to his own flesh and blood and usurped the sovereign's authority — all who heard of it gnashed their teeth. Now he is not punished but richly rewarded and sent home, still holding his fief. We fear the state's discipline will never be restored. If others follow his example, by what law can we govern? Moreover Liaodong is vast and has long been a strategic region. If Toto remains there long, a man already so unrestrained will fear nothing. And how can the dead bear their grievance without harming the harmony of Heaven and earth? We propose: by the statutes of successive reigns, murderers are not pardoned. His fief should be seized and he should be placed elsewhere, to display Heaven's awe.

刑以懲惡，國有常憲。武備卿即烈，前太尉不花，以累朝待遇之隆，俱致高列，不思補報，專務姦欺，詐稱奉旨，令鷹師強收鄭國寶妻古哈，貪其家人畜產，自恃權貴，莫敢如何。事聞之官，刑曹逮鞫服實，竟原其罪。輦轂之下，肆行無忌，遠在外郡，何事不為！夫京師天下之本，縱惡如此，何以為政！古人有言，一婦銜冤，三年不雨，以此論之，即非細務。臣等議：宜以即烈、不花付刑曹鞫之。

Punishment exists to chastise the wicked; the state has fixed laws. Military Supplies Director Jilie and former Grand Marshal Buhua had both risen to high rank through the dynasty's generous favor, yet instead of repaying it they devoted themselves to wicked fraud. They falsely claimed an imperial order and had falconers seize Zheng Guobao's wife Guha by force, coveting her family's livestock. Relying on their exalted rank, they acted as they pleased and none dared resist. When the matter reached the authorities, the Penal Bureau arrested and interrogated them; they confessed the facts, yet in the end their crimes were pardoned. If they behave so brazenly at the capital itself, what would they not dare in distant prefectures? The capital is the foundation of the empire. If wickedness is indulged in this way, how can the state be governed? The ancients said that when one woman bears a grievance, rain fails for three years. By that measure, this is no minor affair. We propose that Jilie and Buhua be handed over to the Penal Bureau for trial.

中賣寶物，世祖時不聞其事，自成宗以來，始有此弊。分珠寸石，售直數万，當時民懷憤怨，台察交言。且所酬之鈔，率皆天下生民膏血，錙銖取之，從以捶撻，何其用之不吝！夫以經國有用之寶，而易此不濟飢寒之物，又非有司聘要和買，大抵皆時貴與斡脫中寶之人，妄稱呈獻，冒給回賜，高其直且十倍，蠶蠹國財，暗行分用。如沙不丁之徒，頃以增價中寶事敗，且存吏牘。陛下即位之初，首知其弊，下令禁止，天下欣幸。臣等比聞中書乃復奏給累朝未酬寶價四十餘萬錠，較其元直，利已數倍，有事經年遠者三十餘萬錠，復令給以市舶番貨，計今天下所徵包銀差發，歲入止十一萬錠，已是四年徵入之數，比以經費弗足，急於科徵。臣等議：番舶之貨，宜以資國用、紓民力，寶價請俟國用饒給之日議之。

The sale of treasures at court was unknown in Shizu's reign; this abuse began only under Chengzong. Pearls and stones no larger than an inch fetched prices in the tens of thousands. The people seethed with anger, and censors protested one after another. Moreover, the paper money paid for these goods was drawn almost entirely from the lifeblood of the people — wrung out coin by coin, often with beatings. How recklessly it was spent! To exchange state treasures useful for governing the realm for trinkets that cannot feed or clothe anyone — and this was not regular procurement at fixed prices — was mostly the work of great nobles and court treasure brokers who falsely claimed to be presenting gifts, fraudulently received return rewards, inflated prices tenfold, and secretly divided the proceeds, devouring the treasury like silkworms on a leaf. Men such as Shabuding were recently exposed for inflating prices in court treasure sales, and the records still survive in the archives. At the beginning of Your Majesty's reign you recognized this abuse and issued orders to forbid it; the whole empire rejoiced. We have lately heard that the Secretariat again memorialized to pay more than four hundred thousand ingots in unpaid treasure prices from successive reigns. Compared with the original prices, the markup is already several times over; some claims stretch back many years for more than three hundred thousand ingots, and payment is again to be made in maritime-trade goods. Yet the wrapped silver and corvée levies collected empire-wide yield only one hundred ten thousand ingots a year — the equivalent of four years' revenue — and because funds are insufficient, levies are being imposed with urgency. We propose that exotic goods from foreign ships be used to support state needs and relieve the people's burden, and that payment of treasure prices wait until the treasury is adequately supplied.

太廟神主，祖宗之所妥靈，國家孝治天下，四時大祀，誠為重典。比者仁宗皇帝、皇后神主，盜利其金而竊之，至今未獲。斯乃非常之事，而捕盜官兵，不聞杖責。臣等議：庶民失盜，應捕官兵，尚有三限之法；監臨主守，倘失官物，亦有不行知覺之罪。今失神主，宜罪太常，請揀其官屬免之。

The spirit tablets in the Imperial Ancestral Temple are where the ancestors' spirits rest. The state governs through filial piety, and the great seasonal sacrifices are truly solemn rites. Recently the spirit tablets of Emperor Renzong and the Empress were stolen for their gold, and they have not yet been recovered. This is an extraordinary crime, yet none of the officers and soldiers charged with catching thieves has faced beating or punishment. We propose: when common people suffer theft, the officers charged with catching thieves are still subject to the three-deadline law; and supervisors and custodians who lose official goods are also liable for failing to detect the loss. Now that spirit tablets have been lost, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices should be held accountable; we ask that its officials be selected and dismissed.

國家經賦，皆出於民，量入為出，有司之事。比者建西山寺，損軍害民，費以億萬計；刺繡經幡，馳驛江浙，逼迫郡縣，雜役男女，動經年歲，窮奢致怨。近詔雖已罷之，又聞奸人乘間奏請，复欲興修，流言喧播，群情驚駭。臣等議：宜守前詔，示民有信，其創造、刺繡事，非歲用之常者，悉罷之。人有冤抑，必當昭雪，事有枉直，尤宜明辨。平章政事蕭拜住、中丞楊朵兒只等，枉遭鐵木迭兒誣陷，籍其家以分賜人，聞者嗟悼。比奉明詔，還給元業，子孫奉祀家廟，修葺苟完，未及寧處，復以其家財仍賜舊人，止酬以直，即與再罹斷沒無異。臣等議：宜如前詔，以元業還之，量其直以酬後所賜者，則人無冤憤矣。

The state's taxes and levies all come from the people; measuring income against expenditure is the duty of the offices. Recently, in building the Western Hills Temple, troops were harmed and the people burdened, at a cost reckoned in the hundreds of millions; embroidered sutra banners were rushed by post relay through Jiangsu and Zhejiang, pressing prefectures and counties to conscript men and women in mixed labor for years on end — extravagance that bred widespread resentment. Although a recent edict has already halted this work, we again hear that wicked men are seizing the moment to memorialize for renewed construction; rumors are spreading and the people are alarmed and terrified. We propose that the earlier edict be upheld to show the people that the throne keeps its word, and that construction and embroidery projects that are not part of regular annual expenditure be stopped entirely. When people suffer wrongful oppression, justice must be done; when right and wrong are at stake, the distinction must be made clear. Grand Councilor Xiao Baizhu, Censor-in-Chief Yang Duerzhi, and others were wrongfully framed by Temuder; their households were confiscated and divided as gifts to others — all who heard of it mourned. Recently, by clear edict their original estates were restored, their descendants were to maintain the ancestral temple, and repairs were barely finished before they could settle — yet their household wealth was again granted to the old recipients, with compensation only at market price, no different from suffering confiscation a second time. We propose that, as in the earlier edict, the original estates be returned and the later grantees compensated at fair value — then no one will harbor grievance or anger.

德以出治，刑以防奸。若刑罰不立，姦宄滋長，雖有智者，不能禁止。比者也先鐵木兒之徒，遇硃太醫妻女過省門外，強拽以入，姦宿館所。事聞，有司以扈從上都為解，竟弗就鞫。輦轂之下，肆惡無忌，京民憤駭，何以取則四方！臣等議：宜遵世祖成憲，以奸人命有司鞫之。臣等又議：天下囚系，冤滯不無，方今盛夏，宜命省台選官審錄，結正重刑，疏決輕系，疑者申聞詳讞。邊鎮利病，宜命行省、行台體究興除，廣海鎮戍卒更病者，給粥食藥；力死者，人給鈔二十五貫，責所司及同鄉者，歸骨於其家。

Virtue brings forth good government; punishment guards against wickedness. If punishments are not enforced, wickedness proliferates; even the wise cannot restrain it. Recently Yesun Temur and his followers, encountering Physician Zhu's wife and daughter passing outside the provincial gate, forcibly dragged them inside and raped them at the lodge. When the matter was reported, the authorities excused them on the ground that they were escorting the court to the Upper Capital, and in the end they were never brought to trial. Under the imperial carriage they commit wickedness without restraint; the people of the capital are furious and terrified — how can this serve as a model for the whole empire? We propose that Shizu's established statutes be followed and the criminals handed over to the proper offices for trial. We further propose that, since wrongful detention is not unknown among prisoners empire-wide, and summer is now at its height, provincial and censorial offices be ordered to select officials to review cases — finalize heavy sentences, release lighter detainees, and refer doubtful cases upward for detailed judgment. The strengths and weaknesses of border garrisons should be investigated by branch secretariats and censorates for what to establish or abolish; garrison soldiers on the Guang coast who fall ill during rotation should be given gruel, food, and medicine; and those who die from overwork should receive twenty-five strings of paper money each, with the responsible office and men of the same native place charged to return their remains to their families.

歲貢方物有常制。廣州東莞縣大步海及惠州珠池，始自大德元年，奸民劉進、程連言利，分蜑戶七百餘家，官給之糧，三年一採，僅獲小珠五兩六兩，入水為蟲魚傷死者眾，遂罷珠戶為民。其後同知廣州路事塔塔兒等，又獻利於失列門，創設提舉司監採，廉訪司言其擾民，复罷歸有司。既而內正少卿魏暗都剌，冒啟中旨，馳驛督採，耗廩食，疲民驛，非舊制，請悉罷遣歸民。

Tribute of regional products follows fixed regulations. At Dabu Sea in Dongguan County, Guangzhou, and at the pearl pools of Huizhou — beginning in Dade 1, wicked men Liu Jin and Cheng Lian spoke of profit, divided more than seven hundred Tanka households, supplied them with state grain, and harvested pearls once every three years — yet only five or six taels of small pearls were obtained. Many drowned workers died from insect and fish wounds, and the pearl households were abolished and restored to common status. Later, Associate Administrator of the Guangzhou Circuit Tatar and others again presented the scheme as profitable to Shiremen, established a supervisory office for pearl gathering, and the surveillance commission reported that it harassed the people — whereupon it was again abolished and returned to the regular offices. Then Vice Director of the Inner Palace Wei Edula falsely obtained an inner edict, rushed by post relay to supervise gathering, wasted granary provisions, and exhausted the people and post stations — contrary to the old system. We ask that all such operations be abolished and the people returned to their livelihoods.

善良死於非命，國法當為昭雪。鐵失弒逆之變，學士不花、指揮不顏忽裡、院使禿古思皆以無罪死，未褒贈；鐵木迭兒專權之際，御史徐元素以言事鎖項死東平，及買禿堅不花之屬，皆未申理。臣等議：宜追贈死者，優敘其子孫，且命刑部及監察御史，體勘其餘有冤抑者，具實以聞。

When the innocent die by violence, the law of the state should bring them justice. In Tieshi's treacherous regicide, Academician Buhua, Commander Buyan Khuli, and Court Director Tugusi all died though guiltless, and have not yet received posthumous honors; during Temuder's monopoly of power, Censor Xu Yuansu died in a cangue at Dongping for speaking out, and men such as Mai Tujian Buhua have not yet had their cases reviewed. We propose that the dead receive posthumous honors, their descendants receive preferential treatment, and the Ministry of Justice and the surveillance censors investigate others who suffer wrongful oppression and report the facts.

政出多門，古人所戒。今內外增置官署，員冗俸濫，白丁驟升出身，入流壅塞日甚，軍民俱蒙其害。夫為治之要，莫先於安民；安民之道，莫急於除濫費、汰冗員。世祖設官分職，俱有定制。至元三十年已後，改升創設，日積月增，雖嘗奉旨取勘減降，近侍各私其署，夤緣保祿，姑息中止。至英宗時，始銳然減罷崇祥、壽福院之屬十有三署，徽政院斷事官、江淮財賦之屬六十餘署，不幸遭罹大故，未竟其餘。比奉詔：凡事悉遵世祖成憲。若復循常取勘，調虛文，延歲月，必無實效，即與詔旨異矣。臣等議：宜敕中外軍民，署置官吏，有非世祖之制，及至元三十年已後改升創設員冗者，詔格至日，悉減並除罷之；近侍不得巧詞复奏，不該常調之人亦不得濫入常選。累朝斡耳朵所立長秋、承徽、長寧寺及邊鎮屯戍，別議處之。

When government issues from many gates, the ancients warned against it. Now offices are being added throughout the government; posts are redundant and salaries excessive; raw recruits are suddenly promoted into office; entry into the regular ranks grows more blocked by the day; and both soldiers and civilians suffer. The key to governing lies first in settling the people; and the way to settle the people lies first in removing wasteful spending and cutting redundant posts. When Shizu established offices and divided duties, all had fixed regulations. After Zhiyuan 30, promotions and new establishments accumulated month by month. Though orders were once issued to investigate and reduce them, each palace favorite protected his own office, pulled strings to preserve salaries, and indulgence halted the effort midway. Only under Emperor Yingzong was there a sharp reduction and abolition of thirteen offices such as the Chongxiang and Shoufu courts, and more than sixty offices such as the Huizheng Court's judicial officers and the Jiang-Huai revenue offices — but unfortunately a great calamity intervened, and the rest was never completed. Recently an edict was received: in all matters fully follow Shizu's established statutes. If we again follow routine investigation, shuffle empty documents, and delay month after month, there will surely be no real effect — that would contradict the edict's intent. We propose that civil and military offices throughout the government — any not of Shizu's system, and any redundant posts promoted or newly established after Zhiyuan 30 — from the day of the edict be reduced, merged, and abolished; that palace favorites must not craft pretexts to memorialize again, and that persons not eligible for regular appointment must not enter the regular selection. The Changqiu, Chenghui, and Changning temples established at the ordos of successive reigns, and border garrison colonies, should be dealt with separately.

自古聖君，惟誠於治政，可以動天地、感鬼神，初未嘗徼福於僧道，以厲民病國也。且以至元三十年言之，醮祠佛事之目，止百有二。大德七年，再立功德使司，積五百有餘，今年一增其目，明年即指為例，已倍四之上矣。僧徒又復營幹近侍，買作佛事，指以算卦，欺昧奏請，增修布施莽齋，自稱特奉、傳奉，所司不敢較問，供給恐後。況佛以清淨為本，不奔不欲，而僧徒貪慕貨利，自違其教，一事所需，金銀鈔幣不可數計，歲用鈔數千萬錠，數倍於至元間矣。凡所供物，悉為己有，布施等鈔，復出其外，生民脂膏，縱其所欲，取以自利，畜養妻子，彼既行不修潔，適足褻慢天神，何以要福！比年佛事愈繁，累朝享國不永，致災愈速，事無應驗，斷可知矣。臣等議：宜罷功德使司，其在至元三十年以前及累朝忌日醮祠佛事名目，止令宣政院主領修舉，餘悉減罷，近侍之屬，並不得巧計擅奏，妄增名目；若有特奉、傳奉，從中書復奏乃行。

Since ancient times, sage rulers have moved Heaven and touched spirits only through sincerity in governing — they never sought blessing from monks and Daoists at the cost of afflicting the people and harming the state. Take Zhiyuan 30: the items for Daoist rites and Buddhist services numbered only one hundred and two. In Dade 7 the Merit Office was re-established; the items accumulated to more than five hundred. One year a new item was added, the next it was cited as precedent — already more than four times the former number. Monks again cultivated palace favorites, purchased Buddhist services, invoked divination, deceived in their memorials, increased offerings and lavish feasts, and styled themselves specially commissioned or transmitted commission — the offices dared not challenge them, fearing to fall behind in supply. Moreover, the Buddha takes purity as his root and does not run after desires — yet monks greedily covet wealth, violating their own teaching. A single affair consumes gold, silver, and paper money beyond counting; annual expenditure runs to tens of millions of ingots — several times that of the Zhiyuan period. All goods supplied they kept for themselves; offering money was extra on top of that. They took the people's lifeblood at will for their own profit, rearing wives and children — behaving without purity themselves, sufficient only to profane Heaven. How can they seek blessing? In recent years Buddhist affairs grow ever more numerous; successive reigns have not long held the realm; disasters arrive ever faster; and the rites find no response — the conclusion is plain. We propose that the Merit Office be abolished; that for Daoist rites and Buddhist services before Zhiyuan 30 and on successive reigns' memorial days, only the Xuanzheng Court preside — the rest be reduced and stopped; and that palace favorites must not by crafty schemes memorialize on their own authority or falsely add items; and that any specially commissioned or transmitted commission must be memorialized again through the Secretariat before it may proceed.

古今帝王治國理財之要，莫先於節用，蓋侈用則傷財，傷財必至於害民；國用匱而重斂生，如鹽課增價之類，皆足以厲民矣。比年遊惰之徒，妄投宿衛部屬及宦者、女紅、太醫、陰陽之屬，不可勝數，一人收籍，一門蠲复，一歲所請衣馬芻糧，數十戶所徵入不足以給之，耗國損民為甚。臣等議：諸宿衛宦女之屬，宜如世祖時支請之數給之，餘悉簡汰。

For emperors ancient and modern, the key to governing the state and managing finances lies first in frugality — for extravagant spending drains the treasury, and a drained treasury inevitably harms the people; when state funds are exhausted, heavy levies follow — such as raising salt tax prices — all of which afflict the people. In recent years idle men have rashly enrolled in the imperial guard, eunuchs, palace women, imperial physicians, yin-yang masters, and the like beyond counting. One man's registration frees an entire household from corvée; the clothing, horses, fodder, and grain requested in a year exceed what several tens of households pay in taxes — greatly wasting state resources and harming the people. We propose that for the imperial guard, eunuchs, palace women, and the like, payment follow the numbers given in Shizu's time, and that the rest be screened and cut.

闊端赤牧養馬駝，歲有常法，分佈郡縣，各有常數，而宿衛近侍，委之僕禦，役民放牧。始至，即奪其居，俾飲食之，殘傷桑果，百害蜂起；其僕禦四出，無所拘鈐，私鬻芻豆，瘠損馬駝。大德中，始責州縣正官監視，蓋暖棚、團槽櫪以牧之。至治初，复散之民間，其害如故。監察御史及河間路守臣屢言之。臣等議：宜如大德團槽之制，正官監臨，閱視肥瘠，拘鈐宿衛僕禦，著為令。

Imperial stud horses and camels are pastured under fixed annual regulations, distributed among prefectures and counties each with fixed quotas — yet the imperial guard and palace favorites entrust them to grooms and servants who press the people to pasture them. As soon as they arrive they seize people's dwellings, make them provide food and drink, and damage mulberry trees and fruit — a hundred harms swarm forth; their grooms and servants roam in all directions without restraint, privately selling fodder and beans and emaciating the horses and camels. In the Dade period, prefectural and county chief officials were first charged with supervision — warm sheds and round mangers were built for pasturing. At the beginning of Zhizhi they were again scattered among the people; the harm was as before. Surveillance censors and the officials of Hejian Circuit have repeatedly reported this. We propose that the Dade round-manger system be restored, with chief officials supervising, inspecting the condition of the animals, and restraining the grooms and servants of the imperial guard — and that this be established as law.

兵戎之興，號為凶器，擅開邊釁，非國之福。蠻夷無知，少梗王化，得之無益，失之無損。至治三年，參卜郎盜，始者劫殺使臣，利其財物而已。至用大師，期年不戢，傷我士卒，費國資糧。臣等議：好生惡死，人之恆性。宜令宣政院督守將嚴邊防，遣良使抵巢招諭。簡罷冗兵，明敕邊吏謹守禦，勿生事，則遠人格矣。

Arms are called baleful instruments; to provoke border conflict without authority is no blessing to the state. Barbarians are ignorant; if they slightly obstruct royal civilization, gaining them brings no benefit and losing them brings no loss. In Zhizhi 3, the Canbolang bandits at first robbed and killed envoys only for their goods. The Zhiyong campaign lasted a year without success, wounding our soldiers and wasting state funds and grain. We propose: cherishing life and hating death is the constant nature of human beings. The Xuanzheng Court should be ordered to supervise border generals in strict frontier defense and to send capable envoys to their strongholds to summon and instruct them. Redundant troops should be cut; border officials should be clearly ordered to guard carefully and not create incidents — then distant peoples will submit.

天下官田歲入，所以贍衛士，給戍卒。自至元三十一年以後，累朝以是田分賜諸王、公主、駙馬，及百官、宦者、寺觀之屬，遂令中書酬直海漕，虛耗國儲。其受田之家，各任土著姦吏為莊官，催甲鬥級，巧名多取；又且驅迫郵傳，徵求餼廩，折辱州縣，閉償逋負，至倉之日，變鬻以歸。官司交忿，農民窘竄。臣等議：惟諸王、公主、駙馬、寺觀，如所與公主桑哥剌吉及普安三寺之制，輸之公廩，計月直折支以鈔，令有司兼令輸之省部，給之大都；其所賜百官及宦者之田，悉拘還官，著為令。

The annual income from state fields empire-wide is meant to support guardsmen and supply garrison soldiers. From Zhiyuan 31 onward, successive reigns have granted these fields to princes, princesses, imperial sons-in-law, officials, eunuchs, temples, and the like — forcing the Secretariat to pay compensation for sea-transport grain and depleting state reserves. The households receiving these fields each employ native wicked clerks as estate managers, pressing village heads and tax captains and extracting extra levies under crafty names; they also press post stations, demand provisions, humiliate prefectures and counties, refuse to pay debts, and on the day grain reaches the granary divert and sell it for their own profit. Offices exchange angry accusations; peasants flee in distress. We propose that for princes, princesses, imperial sons-in-law, and temples only — as with Princess Sangge Laji and the three Pu'an temples — grain be delivered to the public granary, monthly value calculated and paid in paper money, with the regular offices also ordered to deliver to the provincial department for supply to the Great Capital; and that fields granted to officials and eunuchs be confiscated and returned to the state — and that this be established as law.

國家經費，皆取於民。世祖時，淮北內地，惟輸丁稅，鐵木迭兒為相，專務聚斂，遣使括勘兩淮、河南田土，重並科糧；又以兩淮、荊襄沙磧作熟收徵，徼名興利，農民流徙。臣等議：宜如舊制，止徵丁稅，其括勘重並之糧，及沙磧不可田畝之稅，悉除之。

State expenditure all comes from the people. In Shizu's time, in the inner lands north of the Huai, only poll tax was levied. When Temuder was chief minister he devoted himself to amassing revenue, sent envoys to survey and assess fields in the two Huai and Henan regions, and heavily merged grain tax; he also taxed sandy and stony land in the two Huai and Jing-Xiang regions as if it were fertile, seeking profit under false pretenses — and peasants fled. We propose that the old system be restored — only poll tax levied — and that surveyed and merged grain tax, and tax on sandy stony land unsuitable for cultivation, be abolished entirely.

世祖之制，凡有田者悉役之，民典賣田，隨收入戶。鐵木迭兒為相，納江南諸寺賄賂，奏令僧人買民田者毋役之，以里正主首之屬，逮今流毒細民。臣等議：惟累朝所賜僧寺田及亡宋舊業，如舊制勿徵，其僧道典買民田及民間所施產業，宜悉役之，著為令。

Under Shizu's system, all who held fields were subject to corvée; when people mortgaged or sold fields, corvée followed entry into the new household. When Temuder was chief minister he accepted bribes from Jiangnan temples and memorialized that monks who bought commoners' fields should be exempt from corvée, leaving village heads and neighborhood chiefs to bear the burden — a poison that afflicts the common people to this day. We propose that only temple fields granted by successive reigns and old Song estates remain exempt as under the old system, but that monk and Daoist purchases of commoners' fields and property donated by the people be subject to corvée — and that this be established as law.

僧道出家，屏絕妻孥，蓋欲超出世表，是以國家優視，無所徭役，且處之官寺；宜清淨絕俗為心，誦經祝壽。比年僧道往往畜妻子，無異常人，如蔡道泰、班講主之徒，傷人逞欲、壞教幹刑者，何可勝數！俾奉祠典，豈不褻天瀆神！臣等議：僧道之畜妻子者，宜罪以舊制，罷遣為民。

Monks and Daoists leave home and cut off ties to wife and children, intending to rise above the world — therefore the state treats them favorably, exempts them from corvée, and places them in official temples; they should take purity and withdrawal from the world to heart, reciting sutras and praying for longevity. In recent years monks and Daoists often keep wives and children, no different from ordinary people — men such as Cai Daotai and Abbot Ban who injure others, indulge their desires, and ruin the teaching while interfering with the law — beyond counting! To have such men conduct sacrificial rites — would this not profane Heaven and insult the spirits! We propose that monks and Daoists who keep wives and children be punished under the old system and dismissed to common status.

賞功勸善，人主大柄，豈宜輕以與人。世祖臨御三十五年，左右之臣，雖甚愛幸，未聞無功而給一賞者。比年賞賜氾濫，蓋因近侍之人，窺伺天顏喜悅之際，或稱乏財無居，或稱嫁女取婦，或以枝物呈獻，殊無寸功小善，遞互奏請，要求賞賜回奉，奄有國家金銀珠玉，及斷沒人畜產業。似此無功受賞，何以激勸，既傷財用，复啟幸門。臣等議：非有功勳勞效著明實跡，不宜加以賞賜，乞著為令。

Rewarding merit and encouraging good are the great prerogatives of the ruler — they should not lightly be given away. In the thirty-five years Shizu held the throne, none of the ministers at his side, however greatly favored, received a reward without merit. In recent years rewards and gifts have overflowed, mostly because palace favorites, watching for moments when the emperor was pleased, claimed lack of funds or housing, or the need to marry off daughters or take wives, or presented trifling objects — with not the slightest merit — memorializing one after another and demanding rewards and return gifts until they possessed the state's gold, silver, pearls, jade, and confiscated people's livestock and property. When men receive reward without merit, how can effort be stirred? It both wastes wealth and opens the gate of favoritism. We propose that unless merit, achievement, and clear real service are outstanding, no reward should be granted; we beg that this be established as law.

臣等所言：弒逆未討、奸惡未除、忠憤未雪、冤枉未理、政令不信、賞罰不公、賦役不均、財用不節、民怨神怒，皆足以感傷和氣。惟陛下裁擇，以答天意，消弭災變。

What we have spoken of — regicide unpunished, wickedness unremoved, loyal outrage unredressed, wrongs unjudged, government orders untrusted, rewards and punishments unfair, levies and corvée unequal, finances unrestrained, the people's resentment and Heaven's anger — all are sufficient to harm the harmony of Heaven and earth. We ask Your Majesty to choose and decide, to answer Heaven's intent and dispel disaster.

帝不從。珪復進曰：「臣聞日食修德，月食修刑，應天以實不以文，動民以行不以言，刑政失平，故天象應之。惟陛下矜察，允臣等議，乞悉行之。」帝終不能從。

The emperor did not agree. Gui again advanced and said, "Your subject has heard that at a solar eclipse one cultivates virtue, and at a lunar eclipse one rectifies punishment. One responds to Heaven with deeds, not words, and moves the people with action, not speech. Punishment and government have lost balance, and therefore Heaven's signs respond. We ask Your Majesty to look with compassion and approve our proposals — we beg that they all be carried out." The emperor in the end could not agree.

未幾，珪病增劇，非扶掖不能行。有詔：常見免拜跪，賜小車，得乘至殿門下。帝始開經筵，令左丞相與珪領之，珪進翰林學士吳澄等，以備顧問。自是辭位甚力，猶封蔡國公，知經筵事，別刻蔡國公印以賜。泰定二年夏，得旨暫歸。

Before long Gui's illness grew severe; without support he could not walk. An edict was issued: at regular audiences he was exempt from bowing and kneeling, given a small carriage, and permitted to ride to the palace gate. The emperor first opened the Classics Lecture Hall and ordered the Left Grand Councilor and Gui to preside. Gui recommended Hanlin Academician Wu Cheng and others to serve as advisers. From then on he pressed to resign with great force, yet was still enfeoffed as Duke of Cai, charged with Classics Lecture affairs, and a separate Duke of Cai seal was carved and granted. In summer of Taiding 2 he received permission to return home temporarily.

○李孟

Li Meng

李孟，字道复，潞州上黨人。曾祖執，金末舉進士。祖昌祚，歸朝，授金符、潞州宣撫使。父唐，歷仕秦、蜀，因徙居漢中。孟生而敏悟，七歲能文，倜儻有大志，博學強記，通貫經史，善論古今治亂，開門授徒，遠近爭從之。一時名人商挺、王博文，皆折行輩與交。郭彥通名能知人，嘗語唐曰：「此兒骨相異常，宰輔之器也。」至元十四年，隨父入蜀，行省辟為掾，不赴；調晉原縣主簿，又辭；行御史臺交薦之，亦不就。後以事至京師，中書右丞楊吉丁一見奇之，薦於裕宗，得召見東宮。未幾，裕宗薨，不及擢用。成宗立，首命採訪先朝聖政，以備史官之紀述，陝西省使孟討論編次，乘驛以進。時武宗、仁宗皆未出閣，徽仁裕聖皇后求名儒輔導，有薦者曰：「布衣李孟有宰相才，宜令為太子師傅。」大德元年，武宗撫軍北方，仁宗留宮中，孟日陳善言正道，多所進益。成宗聞而嘉之，詔授太常少卿，執政以孟未嘗一造其門，沮之不行，改禮部侍郎，命亦中止。

Li Meng, courtesy name Daofu, was a native of Shangdang in Luzhou. His great-grandfather Zhi passed the jinshi examination at the end of the Jin dynasty. His grandfather Changzuo submitted to the dynasty and was appointed Pacification Commissioner of Luzhou with a gold tally. His father Tang served in Qin and Shu and therefore moved to live in Hanzhong. Meng was born quick and perceptive. At seven he could write. Unconventional and ambitious, he was learned and possessed a powerful memory, thoroughly versed in the classics and histories and skilled at discussing the rise and fall of governance through the ages. He opened his door to teach disciples, and men near and far competed to follow him. At the time famous men Shang Ting and Wang Bowen both lowered their seniority to associate with him. Guo Yantong was famed for knowing men. He once said to Tang, "This boy's bone structure is extraordinary — he has the makings of a chief minister." In Zhiyuan 14 he followed his father into Shu. The branch secretariat recruited him as a clerk — he did not go. He was transferred to be chief clerk of Jinyuan County and again declined. The Branch Censorate jointly recommended him — he still did not accept. Later, when business brought him to the capital, Right Vice Director of the Secretariat Yang Jiding found him extraordinary at a single meeting and recommended him to Yuzong. He was summoned to audience in the Eastern Palace. Before long Yuzong died, and there was no time to promote him. When Chengzong ascended the throne he first ordered the collection of the sage policies of the former reign to supply the historians' record. The Shaanxi Branch envoy Meng discussed and compiled them and rushed them by post relay to present them. At the time Wuzong and Renzong had not yet left the palace. Empress Huiren Yusheng sought famous Confucians to instruct them. A recommender said, "The commoner Li Meng has the talent of a chief minister — he should be made tutor to the crown prince." In Dade 1, Wuzong commanded armies in the north while Renzong remained in the palace. Meng daily set forth good words and the straight Way, greatly benefiting him. Chengzong heard and praised this. An edict was issued appointing him Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices — but the chief ministers, because Meng had never once visited their doors, obstructed it and the appointment did not proceed. It was changed to Vice Minister of Rites — that order also stopped midway.

仁宗侍昭獻元聖皇后降居懷州，又如官山，孟常單騎以從。在懷州四年，誠節如一，左右化之，皆有儒雅風，由是上下益親。每進言曰：「堯、舜之道，孝悌而已矣。今大兄在朔方，大母有居外之憂，殿下當迎奉意旨以娛樂之，則孝悌之道皆得矣。」仁宗深納其言，日問安視膳，婉容愉色，天下稱孝焉。有暇，則就孟講論古先帝王得失成敗，及君君臣臣父父子子之義。孟特善論事，忠愛懇惻，言之不厭，而治天下之大經大法，深切明白。厥後仁宗入清內難，敬事武皇，篤孝母后，端拱以成太平之功，文物典章，號為極盛。嘗與群臣語，握拳示之曰：「所重乎儒者，為其握持綱常，如此其固也。」其講學之功如此者，實孟啟之也。

When Renzong attended Empress Zhaoxian Yuansheng in retirement at Huaizhou, and again at Guanshan, Meng often followed alone on horseback. At Huaizhou for four years his sincerity and constancy never wavered. Those around him were transformed and all acquired a scholarly air — and thereby superiors and inferiors grew ever closer. Each time he offered counsel he said, "The Way of Yao and Shun is filial piety and brotherly duty, nothing more. Now the elder brother is in the north and the Grand Empress has the worry of living abroad. Your Highness should welcome and follow her intent to give her joy — then the Way of filial piety and brotherly duty will both be attained." Renzong deeply accepted his words. Daily he inquired after her health and attended her meals with gentle countenance and pleased expression — and all under Heaven called it filial. When he had leisure he would go to Meng to discuss the gains and losses, success and failure of ancient emperors, and the meaning of ruler and subject, father and son. Meng was especially skilled at discussing affairs — loyal, loving, earnest and sincere, speaking without wearying — and the great norms and laws for governing the world were deeply clear and plain. Thereafter, when Renzong entered to settle the inner crisis, reverently served the Martial Emperor, was deeply filial to the Empress Dowager, and sat upright to complete the achievement of great peace — culture, rites, and institutions were said to be at their height. Once, speaking with his ministers, he clenched his fist and showed it to them, saying, "What is valued in the Confucian is that he holds fast to the constant norms — as firm as this." That his achievement in lecturing was such — Meng truly opened the way.

成宗崩，安西王阿難答謀繼大統，成後為之主，丞相、樞密同聲附和。中書右丞相哈剌哈孫答剌罕密使來告，仁宗疑而未行。孟曰：「支子不嗣，世祖之典訓也。今宮車晏駕，大太子遠在萬里，宗廟社稷危疑之秋，殿下當奉大母，急還宮庭，以折奸謀、固人心。不然，國家安危，未可保也。」仁宗猶豫未決。孟復進曰：「邪謀得成，以一紙書召還，則殿下母子且不自保，豈暇論宗族乎！」仁宗悅，曰：「先生之言，宗廟社稷之福。」乃奉太后還都。時哈剌哈孫稱病堅臥，仁宗遣孟往問之，適成後使人問疾，絡繹不絕。孟入，長揖而坐，已而前引其手，診其脈，眾以為醫，乃不疑之。既得知安西王即位有日，還告曰：「事急矣！先發者制人，後發者制於人，不可不早圖之。」左右之人皆不能決，惟曲出、伯鐵木兒勸其行。或曰：「皇后深居九重，八璽在手，四衛之士，一呼而應者累萬；安西王府中從者如林。殿下侍衛寡弱，不過數十人，兵仗不備，奮赤手而往，事未必濟。不如靜守，以俟阿合之至，然後圖之，未晚也。」阿合，中國稱兄，謂武宗也。孟曰：「群邪違棄祖訓，黨附中宮，欲立庶子，天命人心，必皆弗與。殿下入造內庭，以大義責之，則凡知君臣之義者，無不捨彼為殿下用，何求而弗獲！克清宮禁，以迎大兄之至，不亦可乎！且安西既正位號，縱大太子至，彼安肯兩手進璽，退就籓國；必將鬥於國中，生民塗炭，宗社危矣。且危身以及其親，非孝也；遺禍難於大兄，非悌也；得時弗為，非智也；臨機不斷，無勇也。仗義而動，事必萬全。」仁宗曰：「當以卜決之。」命召卜人，有儒服持囊遊於市者，召之至，孟出迎，語之曰：「大事待汝而決，但言其吉。」乃入筮，遇乾三五皆九，立而獻卦曰：「是謂乾之睽。乾，剛也；睽，外也。以剛處外，乃定內也。君子乾乾，行事也。飛龍在天，上治也。輿曳牛掣，其人耏且劓，內兌廢也。厥宗筮膚，往必濟也。大君外至，明相麗也。乾而不乾，事乃睽也；剛運善斷，無惑疑也。」孟曰：「筮不違人，是謂大同，時不可以失。」仁宗喜，振袖而起，乃共扶上馬，孟及諸臣皆步從，入自延春門。哈剌哈孫自東掖來就之，至殿廊，收首謀及同惡者，悉送都獄；奉御璽，北迎武宗，中外翕然，隨以定。

When Chengzong died, Prince Anxi Ananda plotted to succeed to the throne. Empress Cheng was his patron, and the chief minister and Bureau of Military Affairs echoed in agreement. Right Grand Councilor Hala Hasan Dalaqan secretly sent word. Renzong was suspicious and did not act. Meng said, "A collateral son does not succeed — this is Shizu's canonical instruction. Now the imperial carriage has halted and the elder crown prince is ten thousand li distant. In this autumn of crisis for the ancestral temple and state altar, Your Highness should attend the Grand Empress and hurry back to the palace to break wicked plots and firm the people's hearts. Otherwise the state's safety cannot be guaranteed." Renzong still hesitated and did not decide. Meng again advanced and said, "If the wicked plot succeeds, a summons on a sheet of paper will recall you — then Your Highness and your mother cannot even preserve yourselves. How can there be leisure to discuss the clan!" Renzong was pleased and said, "The Master's words are the blessing of the ancestral temple and state altar." He then attended the Empress Dowager in returning to the capital. At the time Hala Hasan claimed illness and lay abed. Renzong sent Meng to inquire of him — just as Empress Cheng's envoys came to ask after his illness, one after another without pause. Meng entered, bowed with hands joined and sat. Then he stepped forward and took Hala Hasan's hand, feeling his pulse — the crowd thought him a physician and therefore did not suspect. Having learned that Prince Anxi's enthronement was set for a date, he returned and reported, "The affair is urgent! He who strikes first controls others; he who strikes later is controlled by others — this must be planned early." Those around could none decide — only Quchu and Bo Temur urged him to act. Someone said, "The Empress dwells deep within the nine layers of the palace. The eight seals are in her hand. The four guards' soldiers — at one call tens of thousands respond. Followers in Prince Anxi's palace are like a forest. Your Highness's guard is weak and few — no more than several tens. Weapons are not prepared. To rush in with bare hands — the affair may not succeed. Better to wait quietly for Aqa's arrival, then plan — it would not be too late." Aqa — in Chinese called elder brother — means Wuzong. Meng said, "The wicked multitude abandon the ancestral instruction, clinging to the inner palace, wishing to establish a lesser son — Heaven's mandate and the people's hearts will surely not give it to them. If Your Highness enters the inner court and rebukes them with great principle, then all who know the meaning of ruler and subject will without exception abandon them to serve Your Highness — what could you seek and not obtain! Clear the palace and welcome the elder brother's arrival — is this not also fitting! Moreover, once Anxi has taken the throne, even if the elder crown prince arrives, how would he willingly offer the seal with both hands and withdraw to his fief? Surely they will fight within the state, the people smeared with blood, and the ancestral temple endangered. To endanger oneself and reach one's kin — this is not filial; to leave disaster for the elder brother — this is not brotherly; to obtain the moment and not act — this is not wise; at the critical moment not to decide — this is not brave. To move upholding righteousness — the affair will surely succeed completely." Renzong said, "Let it be decided by divination." He ordered a diviner summoned. There was one in Confucian dress carrying a bag wandering in the market — summoned to come. Meng went out to meet him and said, "A great affair waits on you to decide — only speak that it is auspicious." He then entered to divine. Encountering Qian with three and five all nines, he stood and presented the hexagram, saying, "This is called Qian changing to Kui. Qian — firm; Kui — outer. With firmness placed outside, the inner is thereby settled. The noble person qian qian — acting in affairs. The flying dragon in Heaven — governing above. The cart drags, the ox pulls — that man is mutilated and nose-cut; inner joy is overthrown. His clan's divination reaches the skin — going forth will surely succeed. The great lord arrives from without; the bright minister is attached. Qian yet not qian — affairs thereby kui; firm movement with good decision — without confusion or doubt." Meng said, "Divination does not oppose men — this is called great accord. The moment cannot be lost." Renzong rejoiced, shook his sleeves and rose. They together helped him mount. Meng and the ministers all walked following. They entered by the Yanchun Gate. Hala Hasan came from the east side to join them. Reaching the palace corridor, the chief plotters and their accomplices were all sent to the capital prison. The imperial seal was secured and Wuzong was welcomed from the north. Inner and outer were united and the realm was thereby settled.

仁宗監國，使孟參知政事。孟久在民間，備知閭閻幽隱，損益庶務，悉中利病，遠近無不悅服，然特抑絕僥倖，群小多不樂，孟不為變。事定，乃言於仁宗曰：「執政大臣，當自天子親用，今鸞輿在道，孟未見顏色，誠不敢冒當重任。」固辭弗許，遂逃去，不知所之。夏五月，武宗即位，有言於帝曰：「內難之初定也，李孟嘗勸皇弟以自取，如彼言，豈有今日！」武宗察其誣，弗聽，仁宗亦不敢復言孟。至大二年，仁宗為皇太子，嘗侍帝同太后內宴，飲半，仁宗深思，戚然改容。帝顧語曰：「吾弟今日不樂，何所思邪？」仁宗從容起謝曰：」賴天地祖宗神靈，神器有歸，然成今日母子兄弟之歡者，李道復之功為多。適有所思，不自知其變於色也。」帝甚友愛，感其言，即命搜訪之，得之許昌陘山，遣使召之。

Renzong supervised the state and made Meng Associate Administrator of Affairs. Meng had long lived among the people and fully knew the hidden grievances of lanes and alleys. In improving and cutting various affairs he always hit the mark — near and far, none failed to be pleased and submit. Yet he especially cut off opportunists — the petty many were displeased, but Meng did not change for them. When the affair was settled he then spoke to Renzong, saying, "Chief ministers of government should be personally appointed by the Son of Heaven. Now the imperial carriage is on the road — Meng has not seen his countenance — truly he dares not rashly undertake heavy responsibility." He firmly declined but was not permitted. He then fled — none knew where. In the fifth month of summer Wuzong ascended the throne. Someone spoke to the emperor, saying, "At the beginning of the inner crisis's settlement, Li Meng once urged the imperial younger brother to take the throne for himself — if he had followed that word, how could there be today!" Wuzong saw the slander and did not listen. Renzong also dared not again speak of Meng. In Zhidai 2, Renzong was crown prince. Once, attending the emperor with the Empress Dowager at an inner banquet, when the drinking was half done Renzong thought deeply and his expression changed to sorrow. The emperor turned and said, "My younger brother is unhappy today — what is he thinking? Renzong calmly rose and thanked him, saying, "Relying on the spirits of Heaven, Earth, and the ancestors, the sacred vessel has found its place — yet of those who made today's joy of mother, son, and brothers, Li Daofu's achievement is greatest. I was just thinking — I did not know my expression had changed. The emperor was deeply affectionate, moved by his words, and immediately ordered a search. Meng was found at Xuchang on Mount Sheng, and an envoy was sent to summon him.

三年春正月，入見武宗於玉德殿，帝指孟謂宰執大臣曰：「此皇祖妣命為朕賓師者，宜速任之。」三月，特授榮祿大夫、中書平章政事、集賢大學士，同知徽政院事。仁宗嗣立，真拜中書平章政事，進階光祿大夫，推恩其三世，且諭之曰：「卿，朕之舊學，其盡心以輔朕之不及。」孟感知遇，力以國事為己任，節賜與，重名爵，核太官之濫費，汰宿衛之冗員。貴戚近臣，惡其不便於己，而心服其公，無間言焉。

In the first month of spring in the third year he entered audience with Wuzong at the Yude Hall. The emperor pointed to Meng and said to the chief ministers, "This is he whom the Grand Empress of the Imperial Ancestor ordered as guest and teacher for me — he should quickly be appointed. In the third month he was specially appointed Grand Master for Glorious Blessing, Grand Councilor of the Secretariat, Grand Academician of the Hall of Gathered Worthies, and Associate Director of the Huizheng Court. When Renzong succeeded he was formally appointed Grand Councilor of the Secretariat, promoted to Grand Master of Brilliant Blessing, with honors extended to three generations of his family. The emperor told him, "You are my old teacher — exert your heart to assist where I fall short. Meng, feeling the grace shown him, devoted himself to state affairs — restraining gifts, weighting titles and ranks, auditing the Grand Provisioner's wasteful spending, and cutting redundant members of the imperial guard. Noble kin and palace favorites hated that his reforms were inconvenient for themselves, yet in their hearts they submitted to his fairness and had no dissenting words.

司空、司徒、太尉，古之三公，自大德以來，封拜繁多；釋、老二教，設官統治，權抗有司，撓亂政事，僧道尤苦其擾。孟言：「人君之柄，在賞與刑，賞一善而天下勸，罰一惡而天下懲，柄乃不失。所施失當，不足勸懲，何以為治！僧、道士既為出世法，何用官府繩治！」乃奏雪冤死者，復其官廕；濫冒名爵者，悉奪之；罷僧道官。天下稱快。

Minister of Works, Minister over the Masses, and Grand Marshal — the three dukes of antiquity — since Dade, enfeoffments and appointments have been numerous; the two teachings of Buddhism and Daoism established offices to govern, their authority rivaling the regular offices and disturbing government affairs — monks and Daoists especially suffered from the disturbance. Meng said, "The ruler's handle lies in reward and punishment — reward one good deed and all under Heaven are encouraged; punish one evil and all under Heaven are chastened — then the handle is not lost. When what is applied is not fitting, insufficient to encourage or chasten — how can there be governance! Monks and Daoist masters follow the law of leaving the world — why use government offices to bind and govern them! He then memorialized to clear the wrongfully dead, restoring their official privileges; those who falsely usurped titles and ranks were all stripped; monk and Daoist offices were abolished. All under Heaven rejoiced.

仁宗初出居懷，深見吏弊，欲痛剷除之。孟進言曰：「吏亦有賢者，在乎變化激厲之而已。」帝曰：「卿儒者，宜與此曹氣類不合，而曲相護祐如此，真長者之言。卿在朕前，惟舉人所長，而不斥其短，尤朕所深嘉也。」時承平日久，風俗奢靡，車服僭擬，上下無章，近臣恃恩，求請無厭。時宰不為裁制，乃更相汲引，望幸恩賜，耗竭公儲，以為私惠。孟言：「貴賤有章，所以定民志；賜與有節，所以勸臣下。請各為之限制。」帝皆從之。

When Renzong first went out to live at Huai he deeply saw the abuses of clerks and wished to cut them away root and branch. Meng advanced and said, "Among clerks too there are worthy men — it lies in transforming and spurring them. The emperor said, "You are a Confucian — you ought not to be of the same temper as this crowd, yet you bend to protect them thus — truly the words of an elder. Before me you only raise men's strengths and do not expose their weaknesses — this I especially praise. At the time long peace had made customs extravagant. Carriage and dress usurped rank; superiors and inferiors had no distinction; palace favorites relied on favor and their requests knew no end. The chief ministers did not restrain them but instead mutually recommended one another, hoping for favor and gifts, draining public reserves to make private kindness. Meng said, "Noble and base must have distinction — this is how to fix the people's will; gifts and grants must have measure — this is how to encourage ministers. We ask that limits be set for each. The emperor followed all of this.

孟在政府，雖多所補益，而自視常若不及，嘗因間請曰：「臣學聖人道，遭遇陛下，陛下堯、舜之主也。臣不能使天下為堯、舜之民，上負陛下，下負所學，乞解罷政權，避賢路。」帝曰：「朕在位，必卿在中書，朕與卿相與終始，自今其勿復言。」繼賜爵秦國公，帝親授以印章，命學士院降制。又圖其像，敕詞臣為之贊，及御書「秋穀」二字，識以璽而賜之。入見，必賜坐，語移時，稱其字而不名，其見尊禮如此。帝嘗語近臣曰：「道復以道德相朕，致天下蒙澤。」賜之鈔十萬貫，令將作為治第。孟辭曰：「臣布衣際遇，所望於陛下者，非富貴之謂也。」悉辭不受。皇慶元年正月，授翰林學士承旨、知制誥兼修國史，仍平章政事。未幾，請告歸葬其父母，帝勞餞之曰：「事訖，宜速還，毋久留，孤朕所望！」十二月，入朝，帝大悅，慰勞甚至，因請謝事，優詔不允；請益堅，乃命以平章政事議中書省事，承旨翰林。二年夏，乞還國公印，奏三上，始如所請。帝每與孟論用人之方，孟曰：「人材所出，固非一途，然漢、唐、宋、金，科舉得人為盛。今欲興天下之賢能，如以科舉取之，猶勝於多門而進；然必先德行經術而後文辭，乃可得真材也。」帝深然其言，決意行之。延祐元年十二月，復拜平章政事。二年春，命知貢舉，及廷策進士，為監試官。七月，進金紫光祿大夫、上柱國，改封韓國公，職任如故。已而以衰病不任事，乞解政權歸田裡，帝不得已從所請，復為翰林學士承旨，入侍宴間，禮遇尤厚。

Meng in government, though he benefited much, yet in his own view always seemed insufficient. Once, taking an interval, he requested, "Your subject studied the sage's Way and encountered Your Majesty — Your Majesty is a Yao-Shun ruler. Your subject cannot make all under Heaven the people of Yao and Shun — failing Your Majesty above, failing what I studied below — I beg to resign governmental power and yield the path to the worthy. The emperor said, "While I hold the throne, you must remain in the Secretariat — you and I from beginning to end. From now on do not speak of this again. He then enfeoffed him as Duke of Qin. The emperor personally handed him the seal and ordered the Academy of Letters to issue the patent. Again his portrait was painted. The emperor ordered literary ministers to compose its encomium, and personally wrote the two characters "Autumn Grain," stamped them with the seal, and granted them. On entering audience he was always granted a seat. Conversation lasted long. He was called by his style name and not by name — such was the honor shown him. The emperor once said to palace favorites, "Daofu assists me with virtue and the Way, causing all under Heaven to receive grace. He granted him one hundred thousand strings of paper money and ordered the Directorate of Palace Construction to build him a residence. Meng declined, saying, "Your subject, a commoner favored — what I hoped from Your Majesty was not wealth and honor. He entirely declined and did not accept. In the first month of Huangqing 1 he was appointed Academician Expositor-in-Chief of the Hanlin, Drafter of Edicts, Compiler of National History, and still Grand Councilor. Before long he requested leave to return and bury his parents. The emperor saw him off with warm words, saying, "When the affair is finished, you should quickly return — do not stay long and leave me lonely in what I hope! In the twelfth month he entered court. The emperor was greatly pleased and consoled him exceedingly. He then requested to resign affairs — a gracious edict did not permit it; he requested more firmly — then he was ordered to deliberate Secretariat affairs as Grand Councilor and serve as Hanlin Expositor-in-Chief. In summer of the second year he begged to return the Duke's seal. Memorializing three times, at last his request was granted. The emperor often discussed with Meng the method of employing men. Meng said, "The sources of human talent are naturally not of one path, yet Han, Tang, Song, and Jin — through the civil service examinations they obtained men in abundance. Now, wishing to raise the worthy and able under Heaven, if taken through the civil service examinations, it is still better than advancement through many gates; yet virtue, conduct, and classical learning must come first, then literary composition — only then can true talent be obtained. The emperor deeply approved his words and resolved to carry it out. In the twelfth month of Yanyou 1 he was again appointed Grand Councilor. In spring of the second year he was ordered to supervise the examinations, and at the palace examination for jinshi he served as supervising examiner. In the seventh month he was promoted to Grand Master of the Gold Seal and Purple Cord, Pillar of the State, and enfeoffed as Duke of Han — his duties remained as before. Later, because of decline and illness he could not bear affairs, he begged to resign governmental power and return to the fields. The emperor had no choice but to grant his request and again made him Hanlin Academician Expositor-in-Chief. Attending banquets, his courtesy was especially thick.

延祐七年，仁宗崩，英宗初立，太師鐵木迭兒復相，以孟前共政時不附己，讒構誣謗，盡收前後封拜制命，降授集賢侍講學士、嘉議大夫，度其必辭，因中害之。孟拜命欣然，適翰林學士劉賡來慰問，即與同入院。宣徽使以聞曰：「李孟今日供職，舊例當賜酒。」帝愕然曰：「李道复乃肯俯就集賢耶？」時鐵木迭兒子八爾吉思侍帝側，帝顧謂曰：「爾輩謂彼不肯為是官，今定何如！」由是讒不得行。嘗語人曰：「老臣待罪中書，無補於國，聖恩寬宥，不奪其祿，今老矣，其何以報稱！」帝聞而善之，恩意稍加。至治元年卒。御史累章辨其誣，詔復元官。至治中，贈舊學同德翊戴輔治功臣、太保、儀同三司、上柱國，追封魏國公，諡文忠。

In Yanyou 7 Renzong died. When Yingzong first ascended, Grand Preceptor Temuder again became chief minister. Because Meng when they shared government before did not attach to him, he slandered and framed him, collected all patents of enfeoffment and appointment before and after, and demoted him to Academician Lecturer of the Hall of Gathered Worthies and Grand Master for Honorable Discussion — calculating that he would surely decline, and thereby harmed him in the middle. Meng accepted the appointment gladly. Just as Hanlin Academician Liu Geng came to console him, he entered the academy with him. The Director of the Xuanzheng Court reported, "Li Meng today takes up his post — by old custom wine should be granted. The emperor was startled and said, "Li Daofu is willing to humble himself to accept the Hall of Gathered Worthies? At the time Temuder's son Barchins was attending the emperor's side. The emperor turned and said, "You said he would not accept this office — now how is it! Thereby the slander could not proceed. Once he said to others, "This old minister awaited punishment in the Secretariat, without benefit to the state. The sage grace pardoned and did not take my salary — now I am old, how can I repay it! The emperor heard and approved. Grace and favor were slightly increased. In Zhizhi 1 he died. Censors repeatedly memorialized to clear the slander. An edict restored his original office. In the Zhizhi period he was posthumously granted the title of Meritorious Minister of Old Learning, Shared Virtue, Assisting Support, and Governance, Grand Guardian, Three Excellencies of Equal Honor, and Pillar of the State; posthumously enfeoffed as Duke of Wei; posthumous title Wenzong.

孟宇量閎廓，材略過人，三入中書，民間利害，知無不言，引古證今，務歸至當。士無貴賤，苟賢矣，不進拔不已。遊其門者，後皆知名。退居一室，蕭然如布衣。為文有奇氣，其論必主於理，其獻納謀議，常自毀其稿，家無幾存。皇慶、延祐之世，每一政之繆，人必以為鐵木迭兒所為；一令之善，必歸之於孟焉。子獻，御史中丞、同知經筵事。

Meng's capacity and measure were broad and spacious, his talent and strategy surpassing others. Three times entering the Secretariat, on the people's profit and harm he knew nothing he did not speak. Citing antiquity to prove the present, he strove to reach what was most fitting. For scholars, noble or base — if they were worthy, he did not stop advancing and elevating them. Those who visited his gate afterward all became famous. Retiring to one room, he lived as austere as a commoner. In writing he had a strange vigor. His discourse always took principle as master. His memorials and counsel he often destroyed the drafts himself — the family has scarcely any preserved. In the Huangqing and Yanyou periods, whenever a policy was wrong, people were sure to say Temuder did it; whenever an order was good, it was sure to be attributed to Meng. His son Xian was Censor-in-Chief and Associate Director of Classics Lecture affairs.

○張養浩

Zhang Yanghao

張養浩，字希孟，濟南人。幼有行義，嘗出，遇人有遺楮幣於途者，其人已去，追而還之。年方十歲，讀書不輟，父母憂其過勤而止之，養浩晝則默誦，夜則閉戶，張燈竊讀。山東按察使焦遂聞之，薦為東平學正。遊京師，獻書於平章不忽木，大奇之，辟為禮部令史，仍薦入御史臺。一日病，不忽木親至其家問疾，四顧壁立，歎曰：「此真台掾也。」及為丞相掾，選授堂邑縣尹。人言官捨不利，居無免者，竟居之。首毀淫祠三十餘所，罷舊盜之朔望參者，曰：「彼皆良民，飢寒所迫，不得已而為盜耳；既加之以刑，猶以盜目之，是絕其自新之路也。」眾盜感泣，互相戒曰：「毋負張公。」有李虎者，嘗殺人，其黨暴戾為害，民不堪命，舊尹莫敢詰問。養浩至，盡置諸法，民甚快之。去官十年，猶為立碑頌德。

Zhang Yanghao, courtesy name Ximeng, was a native of Jinan. In youth he had conduct and righteousness. Once going out he met someone who had dropped paper money on the road. The man had already gone — he pursued and returned it. At just ten he read without stopping. His parents worried he was too diligent and stopped him — Yanghao by day silently recited, by night closed the door, lit a lamp, and read in secret. Shandong Surveillance Commissioner Jiao Sui heard of this and recommended him as Director of Studies at Dongping. Traveling to the capital he presented a book to Grand Councilor Buqa — greatly astonished, Buqa recruited him as clerk of the Ministry of Rites and still recommended him into the Censorate. One day ill, Buqa personally came to his home to ask after his illness. Looking around, the walls were bare — he sighed and said, "This is truly a censorate clerk. When he became a chief minister's clerk he was selected and appointed magistrate of Tangyi County. People said the official residence was unlucky — those who lived there were not spared. He ultimately lived there. First he destroyed more than thirty licentious shrines and stopped the old custom of having former thieves attend on the first and fifteenth of the month. He said, "They are all good people, forced by hunger and cold — having no choice they became thieves; having already added punishment, yet still to mark them as thieves — this cuts off the path of self-renewal. All the thieves were moved to tears and mutually warned one another, "Do not fail Lord Zhang. There was one Li Hu who had once killed a man. His gang was violent and harmful — the people could not bear their lives. Former magistrates dared not question them. When Yanghao arrived he fully applied the law — the people were greatly pleased. Ten years after he left office they still erected a stele praising his virtue.

仁宗在東宮，召為司經，未至，改文學，拜監察御史。初，議立尚書省，養浩言其不便；既立，又言變法亂政，將禍天下。台臣抑而不聞，乃揚言曰：「昔桑哥用事，台臣不言，後幾不免。今御史既言，又不以聞，台將安用！」時武宗將親祀南郊，不豫，遣大臣代祀，風忽大起，人多凍死。養浩於祀所揚言曰：「代祀非人，故天示之變。」大違時相意。時省臣奏用台臣，養浩歎曰：「尉專捕盜，縱不稱職，使盜自選可乎？」遂疏時政萬餘言：一曰賞賜太侈，二曰刑禁太疏，三曰名爵太輕，四曰台綱太弱，五曰土木太盛，六曰號令太浮，七曰幸門太多，八曰風俗太靡，九曰異端太橫，十曰取相之術太寬。言皆切直，當國者不能容。遂除翰林待制，复構以罪罷之，戒省台勿復用。養浩恐及禍，乃變姓名遁去。

When Renzong was in the Eastern Palace he was summoned as Director of Classics — before he arrived it was changed to Literary Studies. He was appointed Surveillance Censor. At first, when the establishment of the Ministry of Revenue was discussed, Yanghao said it was inconvenient; once established, he again said changing laws disturbed government and would bring disaster on all under Heaven. Censorate members suppressed it and did not report. He then proclaimed publicly, "Formerly when Sangge held power the censorate did not speak — afterward they nearly could not escape. Now the censor has spoken yet it is not reported — of what use is the censorate! At the time Wuzong was about to personally sacrifice at the Southern Altar. Unwell, he sent a great minister to sacrifice in his place — wind suddenly rose greatly and many people froze to death. Yanghao at the sacrifice site proclaimed publicly, "The substitute sacrifice was not the right man — therefore Heaven showed the change. This greatly contradicted the chief minister's intent. At the time provincial ministers memorialized to employ censorate members. Yanghao sighed and said, "The constable specially catches thieves — if he is not fit for the post, should thieves be allowed to choose themselves? He then memorialized on current government in more than ten thousand words: first, rewards and gifts too extravagant; second, punishments and prohibitions too loose; third, titles and ranks too lightly given; fourth, the censorate's authority too weak; fifth, earthworks and timber too excessive; sixth, orders and commands too hollow; seventh, the gate of favor too wide; eighth, customs too extravagant; ninth, heterodox teachings too overbearing; tenth, the method of selecting chief ministers too broad. His words were all cutting and straight. Those holding the state could not tolerate him. He was then removed to Hanlin Awaiting Draftsman. Again framed with a crime and dismissed, the provincial offices and censorate were warned not to employ him again. Yanghao feared reaching disaster and changed his name and fled.

尚書省罷，始召為右司都事。在堂邑時，其縣達魯花赤嘗與之有隙，時方求選，養浩為白宰相，授以美職。遷翰林直學士，改秘書少監。延祐初，設進士科，遂以禮部侍郎知貢舉。進士詣謁，皆不納，但使人戒之曰：「諸君子但思報效，奚勞謝為！」擢陝西行台治書侍御史，改右司郎中，拜禮部尚書。英宗即位，命參議中書省事，會元夕，帝欲於內庭張燈為鰲山，即上疏於左丞相拜住。拜住袖其疏入諫，其略曰：「世祖臨御三十餘年，每值元夕，閭閻之間，燈火亦禁；況闕庭之嚴，宮掖之邃，尤當戒慎。今燈山之構，臣以為所玩者小，所繫者大；所樂者淺，所患者深。伏願以崇儉慮遠為法，以喜奢樂近為戒。」帝大怒，既覽而喜曰：「非張希孟不敢言。」即罷之，仍賜尚服金織幣一、帛一，以旌其直。後以父老，棄官歸養，召為吏部尚書，不拜。丁父憂，未終喪，復以吏部尚書召，力辭不起。泰定元年，以太子詹事丞兼經筵說書召，又辭；改淮東廉訪使，進翰林學士，皆不赴。

When the Ministry of Revenue was abolished he was first summoned as Right Section Chief Administrator. When at Tangyi, the county's darughachi had once had a grudge with him. At the time he was seeking selection — Yanghao spoke for him to the chief minister and he was granted a fine post. He was transferred to Hanlin Direct Academician and changed to Vice Director of the Secretariat. At the beginning of Yanyou the jinshi examination was established. He was therefore made Vice Minister of Rites supervising the examinations. Jinshi who came to pay their respects — he would receive none of them, but only sent someone to warn them, "Gentlemen, only think of repaying service — why trouble with thanks! He was promoted to Supervising Censor of the Shaanxi Branch Censorate, changed to Right Section Chief Administrator, and appointed Minister of Rites. When Yingzong ascended he was ordered to Deliberate Secretariat Affairs. On the Lantern Festival the emperor wished to hang lanterns in the inner court to make a turtle mountain — he immediately memorialized the Left Grand Councilor Baizhu. Baizhu put the memorial in his sleeve and entered to remonstrate. The gist was, "Shizu held the throne more than thirty years. Each Lantern Festival, even among lanes and alleys, lamps were forbidden; how much more the solemnity of the palace gate and the depth of the inner palace — one should especially guard and be cautious. Now in constructing the lamp mountain, your subject thinks what is played with is small, what is bound up is great; what is enjoyed is shallow, what is harmed is deep. I humbly wish to take honoring frugality and considering the distant as law, and taking delight in extravagance and clinging to the near as warning. The emperor was greatly angered. Having read it he was pleased and said, "Only Zhang Ximeng would dare speak. He immediately stopped it, and still granted one piece of imperial gold brocade and one piece of silk to mark his straightness. Later, because his father was old, he abandoned office to return and support him. Summoned as Minister of Personnel — he did not accept. When his father died, before mourning was finished he was again summoned as Minister of Personnel — he firmly declined and did not rise. In Taiding 1 he was summoned as Associate Director of the Crown Prince's Household and Classics Lecturer — again he declined; changed to Huaidong Surveillance Commissioner, promoted to Hanlin Academician — all he did not accept.

天歷二年，關中大旱，饑民相食，特拜陝西行台中丞。既聞命，即散其家之所有與鄉里貧乏者，登車就道，遇餓者則賑之，死者則葬之。道經華山，禱雨於岳祠，泣拜不能起，天忽陰翳，一雨二日。及到官，复禱於社壇，大雨如注，水三尺乃止，禾黍自生，秦人大喜。時斗米直十三緡，民持鈔出糶，稍昏即不用，詣庫換易，則豪猾黨蔽，易十與五，累日不可得，民大困。乃檢庫中未毀昏鈔文可驗者，得一千八十五萬五千餘緡，悉以印記其背，又刻十貫、伍貫為券，給散貧乏，命米商視印記出糶，詣庫驗數以易之，於是吏弊不敢行。又率富民出粟，因上章請行納粟補官之令。聞民間有殺子以奉母者，為之大慟，出私錢以濟之。到官四月，未嘗家居，止宿公署，夜則禱於天，晝則出賑饑民，終日無少怠。每一念至，即撫膺痛哭，遂得疾不起，卒年六十。關中之人，哀之如失父母。至順二年，贈據誠宣惠功臣、榮祿大夫、陝西等處行中書省平章政事、柱國，追封濱國公，諡文忠。二子：彊、引，彊先卒。

In Tianli 2, Guanzhong suffered great drought. Starving people ate one another — he was specially appointed Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Shaanxi Branch Secretariat. As soon as he heard the order he distributed all his household possessions to the poor in his village, mounted his carriage and set out on the road. Meeting the starving he relieved them; meeting the dead he buried them. Passing Mount Hua he prayed for rain at the mountain shrine. Weeping and bowing he could not rise — Heaven suddenly clouded over and rain fell for two days. On reaching his post he again prayed at the altar of the soil. Great rain poured down, stopping when the water was three feet deep — millet and grain sprouted by themselves, and the people of Qin were greatly pleased. At the time a dou of rice cost thirteen strings. People took paper money out to sell grain — slightly darkened notes were not accepted. Going to the treasury to exchange, powerful scoundrels blocked them, exchanging ten for five — for many days they could obtain nothing. The people were greatly distressed. He then inspected the treasury for undestroyed dark notes whose text could be verified — obtaining more than ten million eight hundred fifty-five thousand strings. All were stamped on the back, and ten-string and five-string notes were carved as certificates and distributed to the poor. Grain merchants were ordered to sell grain viewing the stamp and go to the treasury to verify the number and exchange — thereby clerical abuses dared not proceed. Again he led wealthy households to give grain and memorialized requesting the order to accept grain in exchange for office. Hearing that among the people there was one who killed his son to support his mother, he greatly wailed for it and gave private money to relieve them. Four months after reaching his post he never lived at home — only lodging in the public office. By night he prayed to Heaven; by day he went out to relieve starving people — all day without the slightest slackening. Whenever the thought came he beat his breast and wept bitterly — he then fell ill and did not rise. He died at age sixty. The people of Guanzhong mourned him as if losing parents. In Zhishun 2 he was posthumously granted the title of Meritorious Minister of Sincere Intent and Propagating Grace, Grand Master for Glorious Blessing, Grand Councilor of the Shaanxi Branch Secretariat and other places, and Pillar of the State; posthumously enfeoffed as Duke of Bin; posthumous title Wenzong. Two sons: Qiang and Yin — Qiang died first.

○敬儼

Jing Yan

敬儼，字威卿，其先河東人，後徙易水。五世祖嗣徽，仕金，官至參知政事；曾祖子淵，樂陵令；祖鑑，同知嵩州事。皆以進士起家。父元長，有學行，官至太常博士。儼其仲子也，幼不為嬉戲事，長嗜學，善屬文，御史中丞郭良弼薦為殿中知班，著憲章若干卷。受知於廣平王月呂祿那演，連辟太傅、太師兩府掾，調高郵縣尹，未赴，選充中書省掾。硃清、張瑄為海運萬戶，豪縱不法，適儼典其文牘，嘗致厚賂，儼怒拒之，二人以罪伏誅。權貴多以賄敗連坐，獨儼不與。

Jing Yan, courtesy name Weiqing — his ancestors were men of Hedong, later moved to Yishui. His fifth-generation ancestor Sihui served the Jin, reaching Associate Administrator of Affairs; his great-grandfather Ziyuan was magistrate of Leling; his grandfather Jian was Associate Administrator of Song Prefecture. All began their careers as jinshi. His father Yuanchang had learning and conduct, reaching Court Doctor of Imperial Sacrifices. Yan was his second son. In youth he did not engage in play. Grown, he loved learning and was skilled at literary composition. Censor-in-Chief Guo Liangbi recommended him as Palace Duty Officer, and he compiled several fascicles of statutes. He received recognition from Prince of Guangping Yelu Lüna Yan, repeatedly recruited as clerk of the Grand Tutor and Grand Preceptor offices. Transferred to magistrate of Gaoyou — before he went he was selected to fill a clerkship in the Secretariat. Zhu Qing and Zhang Xuan were maritime transport wanhu, arrogant, unrestrained, and unlawful. Yan happened to manage their documents. They once offered thick bribes — Yan angrily refused them. The two were executed for their crimes. Many powerful men were implicated in bribery failures — only Yan was not involved.

大德二年，授吏部主事，改集賢司直。會湖湘有警，丞相哈剌合孫答剌罕奏儼奉詔恤民，且觀釁，甚稱旨意。六年，擢禮部員外郎。有故郡守子，當以廕補官，繼母訴其非嫡者，儼察其誣，按之，果如所言。七年，拜監察御史。時省臣有既黜而復收用者，參預官巧佞，與相比周，以黷貨撓法，即日劾去之。江浙行省與浙西憲司交章相攻擊，事聞，命省台遣官往治之，儼與阿思蘭海牙偕行，議多不合，兩上之，朝廷是儼議。七月，遷中書左司都事，扈從上京。西京賈人有以運糧供餉北邊而得官者，盜用至數十萬石，以利啗主者，匿不發，儼按征之以輸邊。

In Dade 2 he was appointed Chief of the Ministry of Personnel, changed to Direct Academician of the Hall of Gathered Worthies. When there was alarm in Hunan and Hubei, Chief Minister Hala Hasan Dalaqan memorialized Yan to carry edicts and comfort the people, and also observe signs of trouble — greatly fitting the imperial intent. In the sixth year he was promoted to Vice Director of the Ministry of Rites. There was a former prefect's son who should receive office by privilege. The stepmother sued that he was not the legitimate son — Yan investigated the false charge and examined it. It was indeed as she said. In the seventh year he was appointed Surveillance Censor. At the time provincial ministers who had been dismissed were again employed. Participating officials were crafty and fawning, banding together with them, taking bribes and disturbing the law — he impeached and removed them the same day. The Jiang-Zhe Branch Secretariat and the Zhexi Surveillance Commission mutually memorialized attacks. The matter reached the throne. The provincial offices and censorate were ordered to send officials to investigate — Yan went with Aslan Haiya. Their proposals mostly did not agree — both submitted upward, and the court approved Yan's proposal. In the seventh month he was transferred to Chief Administrator of the Left Section of the Secretariat, escorting the court to the Upper Capital. A merchant of the Western Capital who had obtained office by transporting grain to supply the northern border had misappropriated up to several hundred thousand shi, using profit to bribe the responsible official who concealed and did not report. Yan investigated and collected it to supply the border.

九年，授吏部郎中，以父病辭。已而父卒，既終喪，復入御史臺為都事。中丞何某與執政有隙，省議欲核台選之當否，儼曰：「邇者省除吏千餘人，台亦當分別之邪？」語聞，議遂寢。江南行御史臺與江浙省爭政，事聞，儼曰：「省台政事，風化本原，各宜盡職，顧乃以小故忿爭，而瀆上聽乎！」建康路總管侯珪，貪縱事敗，儼亟遣官決其事，及其夤緣近幸，奏請原之，命下，已無及矣。

In the ninth year he was appointed Director of the Ministry of Personnel, declining because of his father's illness. Before long his father died. When mourning was finished he again entered the Censorate as Chief Administrator. Vice Censor-in-Chief He had a grudge with the chief ministers. The provincial offices discussed investigating whether the censorate's selections were fitting. Yan said, "Recently the provincial offices appointed more than a thousand clerks — should the censorate also distinguish them? When the words were heard the discussion then ceased. The Jiangnan Branch Censorate and the Jiang-Zhe Secretariat disputed government — the matter reached the throne. Yan said, "Provincial and censorate affairs are the root of customs and transformation — each should fully perform duty. Yet over small causes they angrily dispute and profane what reaches the throne! Circuit Administrator Hou Gui of Jiankang was greedy and unrestrained. His affair failed — Yan urgently sent officials to decide the matter. Before he could use connections with palace favorites and memorialize requesting pardon, the order had descended — it was already too late.

武宗撫軍北邊，成宗升遐，宰臣有異謀者，事定，命儼預鞫問之，悉得其情。除山北廉訪副使，入為右司郎中。武宗臨御，湖廣省臣有偽為警報，馳驛入奏，以圖柄用者，儼面詰之曰：「汝守方面，既有警，豈得離職，是必虛誕耳。」其人竟以狀露被斥。旱蝗為災，民多因飢為盜，有司捕治，論以真犯。獄既上，朝議互有從違，儼曰：「民飢而盜，迫於不得已，非故為也。且死者不可復生，宜在所矜貸。」用是得減死者甚眾。

Wuzong commanded armies in the north. When Chengzong ascended to Heaven the chief ministers had divergent plots — when the affair was settled Yan was ordered to participate in interrogation and fully obtained the facts. He was appointed Vice Surveillance Commissioner of the Northern Mountains, entering as Right Section Director. When Wuzong held the throne, a Hunan-Hubei provincial minister falsely made an alarm report and rushed by post relay to memorialize, seeking to grasp power. Yan questioned him to his face, "You guard a region — if there is alarm, how can you leave your post? This must be false. That man was ultimately exposed by the facts and dismissed. Drought and locusts brought disaster. Many people became thieves from hunger. The responsible offices arrested and punished them, judging them as true offenders. When the cases were submitted upward, court discussion had mutual agreement and disagreement. Yan said, "People steal from hunger, forced by having no choice — not done deliberately. Moreover the dead cannot be revived — they should be treated with compassion and pardon. By this many who would have been executed were spared.

至大元年，授左司郎中，擢江南諸道行御史臺治書侍御史。先是，儼以議立尚書省，忤宰臣意，適兩淮鹽法久滯，乃左遷儼為轉運使，欲以陷之。比至，首劾場官之貪污者，法既大行，課復增羨至二十五萬引。河南行省參政來會鹽筴，將以羨數為歲入常額。儼以亭戶凋弊已甚，以羨為額，民力將殫，病人以為己，非宰臣事，事遂止。仁宗踐阼，召為戶部尚書，廷議欲革尚書省弊政，儼言：「遽罷錢不用，恐細民失利。」不從，以疾辭。

In Zhidai 1 he was appointed Left Section Director and promoted to Supervising Censor of the Jiangnan Branch Censorate. Previously Yan, because he discussed establishing the Ministry of Revenue, offended the chief ministers' intent. Just as the two Huai salt law had long stagnated, Yan was demoted to Transport Commissioner — intending to trap him. On arriving he first impeached corrupt salt-field officials. Once the law was fully enforced, revenue again increased by surplus to two hundred fifty thousand yin. The Henan Branch Associate Administrator came to discuss salt policy, wishing to make the surplus number the regular annual intake. Yan said the salt households were already extremely depleted — to make the surplus the quota would exhaust the people's strength, harming others to benefit oneself. This was not a chief minister's affair, and the affair then stopped. When Renzong ascended the throne he was summoned as Minister of Revenue. At court they discussed wishing to abolish the Ministry of Revenue's abusive policies. Yan said, "Suddenly abolishing paper money without use — I fear the common people will lose benefit. They did not follow. He declined because of illness.

皇慶元年，除浙東道廉訪使。有錢塘退卒，詐服僧衣，稱太后旨，建婺州雙谿石橋，因大興工役以病民。儼命有司發其奸贓，杖遣之，仍請奏罷其役。郡大火，焚數千家，儼令發廩賑貧餒。取憲司廢堂材木及諸路學廩之羨者，建孔子廟。二年，拜江西等處行中書省參知政事。舊俗，民有爭，往往越訴於省，吏得併緣為奸利，訟以故繁。儼令下省府，非有司，不得侵民，訟事遂簡。詔設科舉，儼薦臨川吳澂、金陵楊剛中為考試官，得人為多。其年冬，移疾退居真州。除江南諸道行御史臺侍御史，不赴。四年春，詔促就前職，以疾辭。七月，召為侍御史；十月，遷太子副詹事，御史大夫脫歡答剌罕奏留之，制曰「可」。湖廣省臣以贓敗，儼一日五奏，卒正其罪。台臣有劾去而復職者，御史复劾之，章再上，有旨命丞相、樞密共決之。儼曰：「如是，則台事去矣。」遂即帝前奏黜之，因伏殿上，叩頭請代。帝諭之曰：「事非由汝，汝其復位。」

In Huangqing 1 he was appointed Surveillance Commissioner of the Zhedong Circuit. There was a retired soldier of Qiantang who falsely wore monk's robes, claiming the Empress Dowager's order, building the Shuangxi Stone Bridge at Wuzhou — thereby greatly raising labor to afflict the people. Yan ordered the responsible office to expose his wicked bribery, beat and sent him away, and still requested memorializing to stop the labor. The prefecture suffered great fire, burning several thousand households — Yan ordered opening the granary to relieve the poor and hungry. He took timber from the surveillance commission's abandoned hall and surplus from school granaries on various circuits, and built the Confucian temple. In the second year he was appointed Associate Administrator of the Jiangxi Branch Secretariat and other places. By old custom when the people had disputes they often skipped appeal to the provincial office — clerks could combine opportunities for wicked profit, and lawsuits therefore multiplied. Yan ordered sending down to provincial and prefectorial offices — unless the regular office, they must not encroach on the people — and lawsuit affairs then simplified. An edict established the civil service examinations. Yan recommended Linchuan Wu Cheng and Jinling Yang Gangzhong as examination officials — obtaining men in abundance. That winter he retired because of illness to live at Zhen Prefecture. Appointed Attending Censor of the Jiangnan Branch Censorate — he did not go. In spring of the fourth year an edict urged him to take his former post — he declined because of illness. In the seventh month he was summoned as Attending Censor; in the tenth month he was transferred to Vice Director of the Crown Prince's Household. Censor-in-Chief Toghan Dalaqan memorialized to retain him — the patent said "Approved." A Hunan-Hubei provincial minister failed from corruption — Yan memorialized five times in one day and finally corrected his crime. A censorate member who was impeached and removed was again impeached by a censor. The memorial went up twice — an edict ordered the chief minister and Bureau of Military Affairs jointly to decide. Yan said, "If so, then censorate affairs are gone. He then before the emperor memorialized to dismiss him, and prostrated himself on the palace steps, knocking his head to request replacement. The emperor instructed him, "The affair is not because of you — you should resume your post."

五年夏五月，拜中書參知政事，台臣復奏留之，儼亦陛辭，不允。賜《大學衍義》及所服犀帶。每入見，帝以字呼之，曰威卿而不名，其見禮遇如此。舊制，諸院及寺監，得奏除其僚屬者，歲久多冒濫，富民或以賂進，有至大官者。儼以名爵當慎惜，會台臣亦以為言，乃奏請悉追奪之，遂著為令。六年，告病，賜衣一襲，遣醫視療。儼以其鄉在近圻，恐复徵用，乃徙居淮南，雖親故皆不接見。至治元年，除陝西諸道行御史臺中丞。泰定元年，改江南諸道行御史臺中丞。皆不赴。年六十五，即告老，朝廷雖命其子自強為安慶總管府判官，而未從其請。四年春，遣使賜酒，徵為集賢大學士、榮祿大夫，商議中書省事。儼令使者先返，而挈家歸易水。九月，帝特署為中政院使，复賜酒，召之，乃輿疾入見，賜食慰勞，親為差吉日使視事，命朝會日無下拜；是月，拜中書平章政事，復以老病辭，不從。

In the fifth month of summer of the fifth year he was appointed Associate Administrator of the Secretariat. Censorate members again memorialized to retain him — Yan also declined at the steps, but was not permitted. He was granted the Extension of the Great Learning and the rhinoceros belt he wore. Each time entering audience the emperor called him by his style name — Weiqing and not by name — such was the courtesy shown him. By old system the various courts and directorates that could memorialize to appoint their subordinates — over years many were falsely usurped. Wealthy commoners sometimes advanced by bribe, some reaching great office. Yan, because titles and ranks should be carefully cherished — just as censorate members also spoke of it — memorialized requesting all be pursued and stripped, and it was then established as law. In the sixth year he reported illness. He was granted one suit of clothing and a physician sent to treat him. Yan, because his village was near the capital, feared being summoned again — he moved to live in Huainan. Even kin and old friends he did not receive. In Zhizhi 1 he was appointed Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Shaanxi Branch Censorate. In Taiding 1 he was changed to Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Jiangnan Branch Censorate. All he did not accept. At age sixty-five he immediately reported old age. Though the court ordered his son Ziqiang as Assistant Administrator of Anqing Circuit, yet his request was not granted. In spring of the fourth year an envoy was sent granting wine, summoning him as Grand Academician of the Hall of Gathered Worthies, Grand Master for Glorious Blessing, to Deliberate Secretariat Affairs. Yan ordered the envoy to return first, and taking his family returned to Yishui. In the ninth month the emperor specially appointed him Director of the Zhongzheng Court, again granted wine and summoned him — he then came in a litter, ill, to audience. Granted food and consoled, the emperor personally chose an auspicious day for him to assume office and ordered that on court assembly days he need not bow down; that month he was appointed Grand Councilor of the Secretariat. Again because of old age and illness he declined — but was not permitted.

天歷改元，朝議欲盡戮朝臣之在上京者，儼抗論，謂是皆循常歲例從行，殺之非罪。眾賴之獲免。居月餘，傷足，告歸。家居十餘年，痺不能行，猶劬書不廢。臨終，戒子弟曰：「國恩未報，而至不祿，奈何！汝曹當清白守恆業，無急仕進。」正冠幘，端坐而逝。贈翰林學士承旨、光祿大夫、柱國，封魯國公，諡文忠。

When the Tianli era name was changed, court discussion wished to execute all court ministers who were at the Upper Capital. Yan argued against it, saying these all followed the regular annual custom in going — to kill them was not a crime. The multitude relied on him to escape execution. After just over a month he injured his foot and requested to return home. Living at home more than ten years, paralyzed and unable to walk, he still labored at writing without stopping. At the end he admonished his sons and younger brothers, "The state's grace is not repaid, yet I reach untimely death — what can be done! You should keep pure and white and hold to constant livelihood — do not urgently seek office. He straightened cap and headcloth, sat upright and passed away. Posthumously granted Academician Expositor-in-Chief of the Hanlin, Grand Master of Brilliant Blessing, and Pillar of the State; enfeoffed as Duke of Lu; posthumous title Wenzong.

自強，朝散大夫、禮部員外郎。儼有詩文若干卷，藏於家。叔祖鉉，與太原元好問同登金進士第，國初為中都提學，著《春秋備忘》四十卷，仁宗朝命刻其書，今行於世。

Ziqiang — Grand Master for Dispersing Affairs, Vice Director of the Ministry of Rites. Yan had poetry and prose in several fascicles, preserved in the family. His grand-uncle Xuan, with Taiyuan Yuan Haowen jointly passed the Jin jinshi examination. In the founding of the dynasty he was Chief Instructor of the Central Capital and compiled the Spring and Autumn Beiwang in forty fascicles. In Renzong's reign he was ordered to carve his book — now circulating in the world.

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