Volume 205 Biographies 92: Treacherous Ministers

古之為史者，善惡備書，所以示勸懲也。故孔子修春秋，於亂臣賊子之事，無不具載，而楚之史名檮杌，皆以戒夫為惡者，使知所懼而不敢肆焉。後世作史者，有酷吏、佞幸、姦臣、叛逆之傳，良有以也。

In ancient times, historians recorded both virtue and vice in full, so that readers might be encouraged toward good and warned against evil. Thus when Confucius edited the Spring and Autumn Annals, he left nothing out regarding rebellious ministers and traitorous sons; and Chu historians called their work the Taowu Annals—all alike meant to warn those who would do evil, so they would know fear and dare not run riot. Later historians included chapters on cruel officials, sycophantic favorites, treacherous ministers, and traitors—and they had good reason to do so.

元之舊史，往往詳於記善，略於懲惡，是蓋當時史臣有所忌諱，而不敢直書之爾。然姦巧之徒，挾其才術，以取富貴、竊威福，始則毒民誤國而終至於殞身亡家者，其行事之概，亦或散見於實錄編年之中，猶有春秋之意存焉。謹撮其尤彰著者，彙次而書之，作姦臣傳，以為世鑒。而叛逆之臣，亦各以類附見云。

The Yuan's earlier annals often lavish detail on virtuous deeds while skimming over the punishment of vice—no doubt the court historians of that era felt certain topics were off limits and held their pens accordingly. Yet the outlines of scheming men who traded skill for wealth and power, who first poisoned the people and misled the state only to die ruined and leave their houses desolate—these can still be found scattered through the Veritable Records and chronological annals, preserving something of the Spring and Autumn spirit. I have here gathered the most notorious cases, arranged them in order, and composed this chapter on treacherous ministers as a warning to the world. Rebel ministers appear elsewhere in this work, grouped by kind.

阿合馬，回回人也。不知其所由進，世祖中統三年，始命領中書左右部，兼諸路都轉運使，專以財賦之任委之。阿合馬奏降條畫，宜諭各路運司。明年，以河南鈞、徐等州俱有鐵冶，請給授宣牌，以興鼓鑄之利。世祖陞開平府為上都，又以阿合馬同知開平府事，領左右部如故。阿合馬奏以禮部尚書馬月合乃兼領已括戶三千，興煽鐵冶，歲輸鐵一百三萬七千斤，就鑄農器二十萬事，易粟輸官者凡四萬石。

Ahmad was a Muslim. How he first rose to prominence is unknown. In the third year of the Zhongtong era, Kublai appointed him to head the left and right divisions of the Central Secretariat and also made him commissioner-general of transport for all circuits, entrusting him with fiscal authority alone. Ahmad submitted a set of regulations for the transport commissioners in each circuit to follow. The following year, noting that Jun, Xu, and other prefectures in Henan all had ironworks, he requested authorization plaques to promote smelting and casting. Kublai elevated Kaiping Prefecture to the status of Upper Capital and appointed Ahmad its associate administrator while leaving him in charge of the left and right secretariat divisions as before. Ahmad proposed that Minister of Rites Ma Yuehenai oversee three thousand registered households in iron smelting, delivering 1,370,000 jin of iron per year, casting 200,000 farm tools on site, and turning over 40,000 shi of grain to the government.

至元元年正月，阿合馬言：「太原民煮小鹽，越境販賣，民貪其價廉，競買食之，解鹽以故不售，歲入課銀止七千五百兩。請自今歲增五千兩，無問僧道軍匠等戶，鈞出其賦，其民間通用小鹽從便。」是年秋八月，罷領中書左右部，併入中書，超拜阿合馬為中書平章政事，進階榮祿大夫。

In the first month of the first Zhiyuan year, Ahmad reported: "The people of Taiyuan boil small salt and sell it across district borders. Because it is cheap, everyone buys it, and the official salt from Jie Prefecture goes unsold. Annual salt-tax revenue amounts to only 7,500 taels of silver. I ask that we add 5,000 taels to this year's quota, levying the tax equally from monks, Daoists, military households, artisans, and all others, while allowing the people to use small salt freely as they wish." That autumn, in the eighth month, the left and right secretariat divisions were abolished and merged into the Central Secretariat. Ahmad was promoted to grand councillor of the Central Secretariat and advanced to the rank of Grand Master for Glorious Happiness.

三年正月，立制國用使司，阿合馬又以平章政事兼領使職。久之，制國用使司奏：「以東京歲課布疏惡不堪用者，就以市羊於彼。真定、順天金銀不中程者，宜改鑄。別怯赤山出石絨，織為布火不能然，請遣官採取。」又言：「國家費用浩繁，今歲自車駕至都，已支鈔四千錠，恐來歲度支不足，宜量節經用。」十一月，制國用使司奏：「桓州峪所採銀礦，已十六萬斤，百斤可得銀三兩、錫二十五斤。採礦所需，鬻錫以給之。」悉從其請。

In the first month of the third year, the Bureau for Regulating National Expenditure was established, and Ahmad served as its commissioner while retaining his post as grand councillor. Some time later the bureau reported: "The annual tribute cloth from the Eastern Capital is coarse and unusable; it should be exchanged there for sheep. Gold and silver from Zhending and Shuntian that fail to meet standard should be recast. Bieqiechi Mountain yields stone wool that, woven into cloth, will not burn in fire. Officials should be sent to collect it. It also reported: "State expenses are enormous. Since the imperial procession reached the capital this year, 4,000 ingots of paper money have already been spent. Next year's budget may fall short; expenditures should be trimmed." In the eleventh month the bureau reported: "Silver ore mined in Huanzhou Valley already totals 160,000 jin. From every hundred jin come three liang of silver and twenty-five jin of tin. The tin needed for mining should be sold to cover costs. All these requests were approved.

七年正月，立尚書省，罷制國用使司，又以阿合馬平章尚書省事。阿合馬為人多智巧言，以功利成效自負，衆咸稱其能。世祖急於富國，試以行事，頗有成績。又見其與丞相線真、史天澤等爭辨，屢有以詘之，由是奇其才，授以政柄，言無不從，而不知其專愎益甚矣。丞相安童含容久之，言於世祖曰：「臣近言尚書省、樞密院、御史臺，宜各循常制奏事，其大者從臣等議定奏聞，已有旨俞允。今尚書省一切以聞，似違前奏。」世祖曰：「汝所言是。豈阿合馬以朕頗信用，敢如是耶！其不與卿議非是，宜如卿所言。」又言：「阿合馬所用部官，左丞許衡以為多非其人，然已得旨咨請宣付，如不與，恐異日有辭。宜試其能否，久當自見。」世祖然之。五月，尚書省奏括天下戶口，既而御史臺言，所在捕蝗，百姓勞擾，括戶事宜少緩。遂止。

In the first month of the seventh year, the Imperial Secretariat was established and the Bureau for Regulating National Expenditure abolished. Ahmad became grand councillor of the Imperial Secretariat. Ahmad was clever and articulate, prided himself on delivering measurable results, and was widely regarded as capable. Kublai, eager to enrich the state, tried him in office and found his performance creditable. Kublai also watched him debate Chancellors Xian Zhen and Shi Tianze and repeatedly hold his own. Impressed by his talent, the emperor gave him real power; Ahmad's proposals were seldom refused—while his growing arrogance went unnoticed. Chancellor Antong had long tolerated him, then told Kublai: "Your servant recently proposed that the Imperial Secretariat, Bureau of Military Affairs, and Censorate should each follow normal procedure in reporting affairs, with major matters deliberated by us before being submitted to Your Majesty. You were pleased to approve. Now the Imperial Secretariat reports everything directly to you, which seems to contradict that earlier decision. Kublai said: "You are right. Has Ahmad grown so bold because I have trusted him?! He was wrong not to consult you. It shall be as you propose. Antong added: "Many of the officials Ahmad has appointed are, in Left Chancellor Xu Heng's view, unfit for their posts. Yet they have already received imperial authorization. If we refuse them now, Ahmad may have grounds for complaint later. Let us test their competence; time will tell. Kublai agreed. In the fifth month the Imperial Secretariat proposed a nationwide household registration. The Censorate then reported that locust-catching was exhausting the people everywhere and asked that the registration be postponed. The project was dropped.

初立尚書省時，有旨：「凡銓選各官，吏部擬定資品，呈尚書省，由尚書咨中書聞奏。」至是，阿合馬擢用私人，不由部擬，不咨中書。丞相安童以為言，世祖令問阿合馬。阿合馬言：「事無大小，皆委之臣，所用之人，臣宜自擇。」安童因請：「自今唯重刑及遷上路緫管，始屬之臣，餘事並付阿合馬，庶事體明白。」世祖俱從之。

When the Imperial Secretariat was first established, an edict decreed: "For all official appointments, the Ministry of Personnel shall determine rank and grade and submit the list to the Imperial Secretariat, which shall consult the Central Secretariat before memorializing the throne. By now Ahmad was promoting his own men without ministry nomination or Central Secretariat consultation. Chancellor Antong raised the issue, and Kublai ordered Ahmad questioned. Ahmad replied: "Great and small affairs alike are entrusted to me. I ought to choose my own subordinates. Antong then proposed: "Henceforth only capital cases and appointments of route administrators should require our deliberation. Let all other matters go to Ahmad, so responsibilities are clear. Kublai approved both proposals.

八年三月，尚書省再以閱實戶口事，奏條畫詔諭天下。是歲，奏增太原鹽課，以千錠為常額，仍令本路兼領。九年，併尚書省入中書省，又以阿合馬為中書平章政事。明年，又以其子忽辛為大都路緫管，兼大興府尹。右丞相安童見阿合馬擅權日甚，欲救其弊，乃奏大都路緫管以次多不稱職，乞選人代之。尋又奏：「阿合馬、張惠，挾宰相權，為商賈，以網羅天下大利，厚毒黎民，困無所訴。」阿合馬曰：「誰為此言，臣等當與廷辯。」安童進曰：「省左司都事周祥，中木取利，罪狀明白。」世祖曰：「若此者，徵畢當顯黜之。」既而樞密院奏以忽辛同僉樞密院事，世祖不允曰：「彼賈胡，事猶不知，況可責以機務耶！」

In the third month of the eighth year, the Imperial Secretariat again memorialized on verifying households and issued regulations by imperial edict throughout the realm. That year it proposed raising the Taiyuan salt tax to a fixed quota of 1,000 ingots, with the circuit continuing to administer collection. In the ninth year the Imperial Secretariat was merged into the Central Secretariat, and Ahmad was again made grand councillor of the Central Secretariat. The following year his son Khoshin was appointed metropolitan route administrator and concurrently magistrate of Daxing Prefecture. Right Chancellor Antong, seeing Ahmad's power grow daily more unchecked, sought to curb the abuse and memorialized that most metropolitan route officials were unfit, asking permission to replace them. He soon added: "Ahmad and Zhang Hui abuse their authority as chancellors to trade as merchants, monopolizing the empire's greatest profits and grinding the people down with nowhere to turn for justice. Ahmad demanded: "Who said this? We demand a debate before the court. Antong replied: "Zhou Xiang, director of the left department in the secretariat, profited from timber contracts. The evidence is clear. Kublai said: "When the investigation is finished, such men must be publicly dismissed. When the Bureau of Military Affairs proposed making Khoshin its associate administrator, Kublai refused: "That merchant-boy scarcely understands affairs. How can he be entrusted with state secrets?!"

十二年，伯顏帥師伐宋，既渡江，捷報日至。世祖命阿合馬與姚樞、徒單公履、張文謙、陳漢歸、楊誠等，議行鹽、鈔法于江南，及貿易藥材事。阿合馬奏：「樞云：『江南交會不行，必致小民失所。』公履云：『伯顏已嘗榜諭交會不換，今亟行之，失信於民。』文謙謂『可行與否，當詢伯顏』。漢歸及誠皆言：『以中統鈔易其交會，何難之有。』」世祖曰：「樞與公履，不識事機。朕嘗以此問陳巖，巖亦以宋交會速宜更換。今議已定，當依汝言行之。」又奏：「北鹽藥材，樞與公履皆言可使百姓從便販鬻。臣等以為此事若小民為之，恐紊亂不一。擬於南京、衛輝等路，籍括藥材，蔡州發鹽十二萬斤，禁諸人私相貿易。」世祖曰：「善，其行之。」

In the twelfth year Bayan led the army against the Song. After crossing the Yangtze, reports of victory arrived daily. Kublai ordered Ahmad, Yao Shu, Tushan Gonglu, Zhang Wenqian, Chen Hangu, Yang Cheng, and others to deliberate on introducing salt and paper-currency regulations in the south and on trade in medicinal goods. Ahmad reported: "Yao Shu said: 'If the southern exchange notes are not honored, the common people will lose their livelihoods. Tushan Gonglu said: 'Bayan has already posted notices promising the notes would not be forcibly exchanged. To act now would break faith with the people.' Zhang Wenqian said the matter should be referred to Bayan. Chen Hangu and Yang Cheng both said: 'Exchanging them for Zhongtong notes—what difficulty is there?' Kublai said: "Shu and Gonglu do not understand the moment. I once asked Chen Yan, and he too said the Song notes should be replaced at once. The matter is settled. Do as you propose. Ahmad also reported: "On northern salt and medicinal goods, Shu and Gonglu both favored letting the people trade freely. We believe that if commoners handled this trade, the market would fall into chaos. We propose registering medicinal stocks in Nanjing, Weihui, and other circuits, issuing 120,000 jin of salt from Cai Prefecture, and forbidding private trade. Kublai said: "Good. Carry it out."

十二年，阿合馬又言：「比因軍興之後，減免編民征稅，又罷轉運司官，令各路緫管府兼領課程，以致國用不足。臣以為莫若驗戶數多寡，遠以就近，立都轉運司，量增舊額，選廉幹官分理其事。應公私鐵鼓鑄，官為局賣，仍禁諸人毋私造銅器。如此，則民力不屈，而國用充矣。」乃奏立諸路轉運司，以亦必烈金、札馬剌丁、張暠、富珪、蔡德潤、紇石烈亨、阿里和者、完顏迪、姜毅、阿老瓦丁、倒剌沙等為使。有亦馬都丁者，以負官銀得罪而罷，既死，而所負尚多，中書省奏議裁處。世祖曰：「此財穀事，其與阿合馬議之。」

That same year Ahmad reported: "After the recent campaigns, taxes on registered households were cut and transport commissioners abolished, with circuit chief administrators taking over revenue collection. State income has fallen short. I propose re-establishing metropolitan transport offices based on household counts, assigning distant districts to nearby ones, raising the old quotas, and appointing honest, capable officials to manage collection. All iron casting, public and private, should be sold through government agencies, and private manufacture of copper vessels should be forbidden. Thus the people will not be crushed, and state revenue will be ample. Transport commissioners were then established for each circuit, with Yibilie Jin, Jamal al-Din, Zhang Gao, Fu Gui, Cai Derun, Hesilie Heng, Ali Hezhe, Wanyan Di, Jiang Yi, Alaoding, Daolasha, and others appointed. One Yimaduding had been dismissed for owing official silver to the government. He died still heavily in debt, and the Central Secretariat memorialized on how to settle the account. Kublai said: "This is a fiscal matter. Take it up with Ahmad."

十五年正月，世祖以西京饑，發粟萬石賑之。又諭阿合馬宜廣貯積，以備闕乏。阿合馬奏：「自今御史臺非白省，毋擅召倉庫吏，亦毋究索錢穀數。及集議中書不至者，罪之。」其沮抑臺察如此。四月，中書左丞崔斌奏曰：「先以江南官冗，委任非人，遂命阿里等澄汰之。今已顯有徵驗，蔽不以聞，是為罔上。杭州地大，委寄非輕，阿合馬溺於私愛，乃以不肖子抹速忽充達魯花赤，佩虎符，此豈量才授任之道。」又言：「阿合馬先自陳乞免其子弟之任，乃今身為平章，而子若姪或為行省參政，或為禮部尚書、將作院達魯花赤、領會同館，一門悉處要津，自背前言，有虧公道。」有旨並罷黜之。然終不以是為阿合馬罪。

In the first month of the fifteenth year, famine struck the Western Capital, and Kublai released 10,000 shi of grain for relief. He also told Ahmad to build up grain reserves against future shortages. Ahmad memorialized: "Henceforth the Censorate must not summon granary clerks or audit revenue accounts without first notifying the secretariat. Censors who fail to attend secretariat deliberations should be punished. In this way he hobbled the censorate's oversight. In the fourth month, Left Chancellor Cui Bin memorialized: "Because offices in the south were overstaffed with unfit appointees, Ali and others were ordered to weed them out. Clear evidence has now emerged, yet it was concealed from the throne—this is deceiving Your Majesty. Hangzhou is a weighty post. Yet Ahmad, blinded by favoritism, installed his worthless son Masuhu as darughachi with the tiger tally. This is hardly the way to measure talent and grant office. He added: "Ahmad once asked that his sons and nephews be excused from office. Yet now, as grand councillor himself, he has placed them throughout the government—sons and nephews as provincial administrators, Minister of Rites, darughachi of the Directorate of Palace Construction, head of the Hall of United Submission. The whole family holds the choke points of power, in plain violation of his earlier pledge and of public fairness. An edict ordered them all dismissed. Yet Ahmad himself was never held accountable.

世祖嘗謂淮西宣慰使昂吉兒曰：「夫宰相者，明天道，察地理，盡人事，兼此三者，乃為稱職。阿里海牙、麥朮丁等，亦未可為相，回回人中，阿合馬才任宰相。」其為上所稱道如此。

Kublai once told Huaixi Pacification Commissioner Angier: "A true chancellor comprehends Heaven's way, discerns Earth's patterns, and exhausts human affairs. Only one who unites all three is fit for the post. Neither Alaihaiya nor Maijueding is fit to be chancellor. Among the Muslims, only Ahmad has the talent for it. Such was the esteem in which the emperor held him.

十六年四月，中書奏立江西榷茶運司，及諸路轉運鹽使司、宣課提舉司。未幾，以忽辛為中書右丞。明年，中書省奏：「阿塔海、阿里言，今立宣課提舉司，官吏至五百餘員。左丞陳嚴、范文虎等言其擾民，且侵盜官錢。乞罷之。」阿合馬奏：「昨有言旨籍江南糧數，屢移文取索，不以實上。遂與樞密院、御史臺及廷臣諸老集議，謂設立運司，官多俸重，宜諸路立提舉司，都省、行省各委一人任其事。今行省未嘗委人，即請罷之，乃歸咎臣等。然臣所委人，有至者僅兩月，計其侵用凡千一百錠，以彼所管四年較之，又當幾何？今立提舉司，未及三月而罷，豈非恐彼姦弊呈露，故先自言以絕跡耶？宜令御史臺遣能臣同往，凡有非法，具以實聞。」世祖曰：「阿合馬所言是，其令臺中選人以往。若己能自白，方可責人。」

In the fourth month of the sixteenth year the Central Secretariat proposed establishing a Jiangxi tea monopoly transport office, circuit salt transport commissioners, and tax promotion offices. Before long, Khoshin was appointed right chancellor of the Central Secretariat. The following year the Central Secretariat reported: "Atahai and Ali say the new tax promotion offices employ more than five hundred officials. Left Chancellor Chen Yan, Fan Wenhui, and others say they harass the people and embezzle public funds. They ask that the offices be abolished. Ahmad replied: "There was recently an oral edict to register grain figures for the south. Repeated demands were sent, but truthful returns were never made. The Bureau of Military Affairs, the Censorate, and senior ministers then met and agreed that full transport offices meant too many officials on heavy salaries. Each circuit should have a promotion office, with one appointee each from the metropolitan and branch secretariats. The branch secretariat never appointed anyone, yet they now ask to abolish the offices and blame us. Yet the men I appointed served as little as two months and embezzled 1,100 ingots. What would the total be over the four years the others have held office? The promotion offices have existed less than three months, and already they seek abolition. Are they not afraid their own corruption will be exposed, and so speak first to cover their tracks? The Censorate should send capable officials to investigate jointly and report every irregularity in full. Kublai said, "What Ahmad has said is correct. Order the Censorate to select officials to go. Only when one can clear oneself may one hold others accountable."

阿合馬嘗奏宜立大宗正府。世祖曰：「此事豈卿輩所宜言，乃朕事也。然宗正之名，朕未之知，汝言良是，其思之。」阿合馬欲理筭江淮行省平章阿里伯、右丞燕帖木兒立行省以來一切錢穀，奏遣不魯合荅兒、劉思愈等往檢覈之，得其擅易命官八百員，自分左右司官，及鑄造銅印等事，以聞。世祖曰：「阿里伯等何以為辭？」阿合馬曰：「彼謂行省昔嘗鑄印矣。臣謂昔以江南未定，故便宜行之，今與昔時事異。又擅支糧四十七萬石，奏罷宣課提舉司及中書遣官理筭，徵鈔萬二千錠有奇。」二人竟以是就戮。

Ahmad once memorialized that a Great Office of the Clan should be established. Kublai said, "How is this a matter for people like you to speak of? It is my affair. Yet as for the title Grand Regulator of the Clan, I do not know it. What you say is quite right—consider it further." Ahmad sought to audit all revenue and grain accounts since Ali Bo, Branch Secretariat Commissioner of the Jiang-Huai Branch Secretariat, and Yan Temür, Right Vice Commissioner, had established that secretariat. He memorialized that Buluqadar, Liu Siyu, and others be sent to investigate, and they found that the two men had on their own authority replaced eight hundred appointed officials, divided left and right bureau officials among themselves, and cast copper seals, among other offenses, which they reported to the throne. Kublai said, "What excuses do Ali Bo and the others offer?" Ahmad said, "They claim the Branch Secretariat once cast seals in the past. I say that in the past, because Jiangnan was not yet pacified, such expedient measures were justified, but present circumstances differ from those times. They also arbitrarily disbursed forty-seven thousand shi of grain. Ahmad memorialized to abolish the Office of Salt Tax Commissions and dispatched Central Secretariat officials to conduct an audit, recovering a little over twelve thousand ingots of paper currency." On these grounds, the two men were ultimately executed.

時阿合馬在位日久，益肆貪橫，援引奸黨郝禎、耿仁，驟升同列，陰謀交通，專事蒙蔽，逋賦不蠲，衆庶流移，京兆等路歲辦課至五萬四千錠，猶以為未實。民有附郭美田，輒取為己有。內通貨賄，外示威刑，廷中相視，無敢論列。有宿衛士秦長卿者，慨然上書發其姦，竟為阿合馬所害，斃于獄。事見長卿傳。

By then Ahmad had held power for many years and grew ever greedier and more overbearing. He brought in wicked associates Hao Zhen and Geng Ren, rapidly promoting them to equal rank, and secretly conspired with them to deceive the court. Overdue taxes went unremitted, and the common people were driven from their homes. The Jingzhao Circuit and other circuits annually supplied fifty-four thousand ingots in revenue, yet he still regarded the amount as insufficient. Whenever the people possessed fine fields near the city walls, he would seize them for himself. Within the court he accepted bribes; without he displayed punitive authority. Officials looked at one another in silence, and none dared to speak against him. A palace guard named Qin Changqing, indignant at Ahmad's conduct, submitted a memorial exposing his crimes, but was ultimately killed by Ahmad and died in prison. The affair is recorded in Changqing's biography.

十九年三月，世祖在上都，皇太子從。有益都千戶王著者，素志疾惡，因人心憤怨，密鑄大銅鎚，自誓願擊阿合馬首。會妖僧高和尚，以祕術行軍中，無驗而歸，詐稱死，殺其徒，以尸欺衆，逃去，人亦莫知。著乃與合謀，以戊寅日，詐稱皇太子還都作佛事，結八十餘人，夜入京城。旦遣二僧詣中書省，令市齋物，省中疑而訊之，不伏。及午，著又遣崔緫管矯傳令旨，俾樞密副使張易發兵若干，以是夜會東宮前。易莫察其偽，即令指揮使顏義領兵俱往。著自馳見阿合馬，詭言太子將至，令省官悉候于宮前。阿合馬遣右司郎中脫歡察兒等數騎出關，北行十餘里，遇其衆，偽太子者責以無禮，盡殺之，奪其馬，南入健德門。夜二鼓，莫敢何問，至東宮前，其徒皆下馬，獨偽太子者立馬指揮，呼省官至前，責阿合馬數語，著即牽去，以所袖銅鎚碎其腦，立斃。繼呼左丞郝禎至，殺之。囚右丞張惠。樞密院、御史臺、留守司官皆遙望，莫測其故。尚書張九思自宮中大呼，以為詐，留守司達魯花赤博敦，遂持梃前，擊立馬者墜地，弓矢亂發，衆奔潰，多就禽。高和尚等逃去，著挺身請囚。

In the third month of the nineteenth year, Kublai was at Shangdu, accompanied by the Crown Prince. There was a Yidu chiliarch named Wang Zhu who had long detested wickedness. Moved by the people's anger, he secretly cast a great copper mace and vowed to strike Ahmad down. It happened that a sorcerer-monk named Gao Heshang, who had practiced secret arts in the army, returned without success. He feigned death, killed his disciples, and deceived the crowd with a corpse before fleeing; no one knew where he had gone. Wang Zhu then joined him in a plot. On the day wuyin, they falsely claimed the Crown Prince was returning to the capital to perform Buddhist rites, gathered more than eighty men, and entered the capital by night. At dawn he sent two monks to the Central Secretariat to purchase vegetarian provisions for the rites. The Secretariat grew suspicious and questioned them, but they did not confess. By midday Wang Zhu sent Supervisor Cui to forge and transmit an imperial order directing Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs Zhang Yi to dispatch troops to assemble before the Eastern Palace that night. Zhang Yi did not detect the forgery and immediately ordered Commandant Yan Yi to lead the troops there. Wang Zhu himself rode in haste to see Ahmad, falsely reporting that the Crown Prince was about to arrive, and ordered all Secretariat officials to wait before the palace. Ahmad dispatched Right Bureau Director Tuo Huancha'er and several horsemen out of the gate. After traveling north more than ten li, they met the band. The false Crown Prince rebuked them for discourtesy, killed them all, seized their horses, and entered the capital through the Jiande Gate from the south. At the second watch of the night, no one dared challenge them. When they reached the Eastern Palace, the conspirators all dismounted while the false Crown Prince alone remained mounted and directed affairs. He summoned the Secretariat officials forward and rebuked Ahmad in a few words. Wang Zhu immediately pulled Ahmad aside and, with the copper mace hidden in his sleeve, shattered his skull, killing him instantly. He then summoned Left Vice Commissioner Hao Zhen and killed him. He imprisoned Right Vice Commissioner Zhang Hui. Officials of the Bureau of Military Affairs, the Censorate, and the Office of the Capital Guardian watched from afar, unable to fathom what was happening. Secretary Zhang Jiusi shouted from within the palace that it was a fraud. The Office of the Capital Guardian's darughachi Bodun then advanced with a club and struck the mounted man to the ground. Bows and arrows were loosed in confusion, the conspirators fled in rout, and many were captured. Gao Heshang and the others fled, while Wang Zhu stepped forward and offered himself for arrest.

中丞也先帖木兒馳奏世祖，時方駐蹕察罕腦兒，聞之震怒，即日至上都。命樞密副使孛羅、司徒和禮霍孫、參政阿里等馳驛至大都，討為亂者。庚辰，獲高和尚于高梁河。辛巳，孛羅等至都。壬午，誅王著、高和尚于市，皆醢之，并殺張易。著臨刑大呼曰：「王著為天下除害，今死矣，異日必有為我書其事者。」

Censor-in-Chief Yesun Temür rode in haste to report to Kublai, who was then encamped at Chaghan Na'ur. Enraged upon hearing the news, Kublai reached Shangdu that same day. He ordered Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs Boluo, Minister of Education Horchi, Administration Commissioner Ali, and others to ride post-haste to Dadu to suppress the rebels. On the day gengchen, Gao Heshang was captured at Gaoliang River. On the day xinsi, Boluo and the others reached the capital. On the day renwu, Wang Zhu and Gao Heshang were executed in the marketplace and their bodies minced. Zhang Yi was also put to death. Facing execution, Wang Zhu shouted, "Wang Zhu has removed a scourge for the realm. Now I die, but someday someone will surely record what I have done."

阿合馬死，世祖猶不深知其姦，令中書毋問其妻子。及詢孛羅，乃盡得其罪惡，始大怒曰：「王著殺之，誠是也。」乃命發墓剖棺，戮尸于通玄門外，縱犬啗其肉。百官士庶，聚觀稱快。子姪皆伏誅，沒入其家屬財產。其妾有名引住者，籍其藏，得二熟人皮於櫃中，兩耳具存，一閹豎專掌其扃鐍，訊問莫知為何人，但云「詛時，置神座其上，應驗甚速」。又以絹二幅，畫甲騎數重，圍守一幄殿，兵皆張弦挺刃內向，如擊刺之為者。畫者陳其姓。又有曹震圭者，嘗推筭阿合馬所生年月。王臺判者，妄引圖讖。皆言涉不軌。事聞，敕剝四人者皮以徇。

After Ahmad's death, Kublai still did not fully understand his crimes and ordered the Central Secretariat not to investigate his wife and children. When he questioned Boluo, he learned the full extent of Ahmad's crimes and only then said in great anger, "Wang Zhu killed him—and rightly so." He then ordered Ahmad's tomb opened and coffin disinterred, the corpse exposed outside the Tongxuan Gate, and dogs set loose to devour the flesh. Officials and commoners gathered to watch and rejoiced. His sons and nephews were all executed, and the property of his household was confiscated. His concubine, a woman named Yinzhu, had her stores inventoried, and two human skins of acquaintances were found in a cabinet, both ears intact. A eunuch attendant exclusively managed the lock and bolt. Under interrogation no one knew whose skins they were, but the attendant said only, "When casting curses, one placed a spirit seat upon them, and the results came very swiftly." There were also two bolts of silk on which were painted several ranks of armored horsemen surrounding a curtained hall, all with bows drawn and blades extended inward, as though in the act of striking and stabbing. The painter gave his surname as Chen. There was also a man named Cao Zhengwei who had once calculated the year and month of Ahmad's birth. Wang Taipan had recklessly cited prognostic charts and omens. All were said to involve sedition. When the matter was reported, an edict ordered the four men flayed as a public warning.

盧世榮，大名人也。阿合馬專政，世榮以賄進，為江西榷茶運使，後以罪廢。阿合馬死，朝廷之臣諱言財利事，皆無以副世祖裕國足民之意。有桑哥者，薦世榮有才術，謂能救鈔法，增課額，上可裕國，下不損民。世祖召見，奏對稱旨。至元二十一年十一月辛丑，召中書省官與世榮廷辨，論所當為之事，右丞相和禮霍孫等守正不撓，為強詞所勝，與右丞麥朮丁，參政張雄飛、溫迪罕皆罷，復起安童為右丞相，以世榮為右丞，而左丞史樞，參政不魯迷失海牙、撒的迷失，參議中書省事拜降，皆世榮所薦也。

Lu Shirong was a native of Daming. While Ahmad monopolized power, Lu Shirong advanced through bribery and was appointed Jiangxi Tea Monopoly Transport Commissioner, but was later dismissed for a crime. After Ahmad's death, court ministers avoided speaking of fiscal matters, and none could fulfill Kublai's intent to enrich the state and provide for the people. A man named Sangge recommended Lu Shirong as talented and skilled, saying he could rescue the paper currency system, increase revenue quotas, enrich the state, and do so without harming the people. Kublai summoned him for an audience, and his responses pleased the emperor. In the eleventh month of the twenty-first year of Zhiyuan, on the day xinchou, Kublai summoned Central Secretariat officials to debate Lu Shirong in court over proposed reforms. Right Chancellor Horchi and others held firmly to principle but were overcome by Lu Shirong's forceful arguments. Horchi, Right Vice Commissioner Mai Zhuding, and Administration Commissioners Zhang Xiongfei and Undihan were all dismissed. An Tong was restored as Right Chancellor, and Lu Shirong was appointed Right Vice Commissioner. Left Vice Commissioner Shi Shu, Administration Commissioners Buluomishi Haiya and Sadiemishi, and Secretariat Deliberator Baixiang were all Lu Shirong's nominees.

世榮既驟被顯用，即日奉旨中書整治鈔法，遍行中外，官吏奉法不虔者，加以罪。翌日，同右丞相安童奏：「竊見老幼疾病之民，衣食不給，行乞於市，非盛世所宜見。宜官給衣糧，委各路正官提舉其事。」又奏懷孟竹園、江湖魚課，及襄淮屯田事。越三日，安童奏：「世榮所陳數事，乞詔示天下。」世祖曰：「除給丐者衣食外，並依所陳。」乃下詔云：「金銀係民間通行之物，自立平準庫，禁百姓私相買賣，今後聽民間從便交易。懷孟諸路竹貨，係百姓栽植，有司拘禁發賣，使民重困，又致南北竹貨不通；今罷各處竹監，從民貨賣收稅。江湖魚課，已有定例，長流採捕，貧民恃以為生，所在拘禁，今後聽民採用。軍國事務往來，全資站驛，馬價近增，又令各戶供使臣飲食，以致疲弊，今後除驛馬外，其餘官為支給。」

Lu Shirong, having suddenly risen to prominence, that same day received an edict directing the Central Secretariat to rectify the paper currency system and promulgate the reforms throughout the realm. Officials who failed to observe the law faithfully were punished. The next day, together with Right Chancellor An Tong, he memorialized, "I have observed that the aged, the young, and the sick lack food and clothing and beg in the markets. Such a sight is unworthy of a flourishing age. The state should supply them with clothing and grain, and the chief officials of each circuit should be charged with overseeing the matter." He also memorialized on the bamboo groves of Huai-Meng, the fish levies on rivers and lakes, and the garrison farms of Xiang-Huai. Three days later An Tong memorialized, "The several reforms Lu Shirong has proposed should be proclaimed to the realm by edict." Kublai said, "Except for supplying clothing and food to beggars, approve all that has been proposed." An edict was then issued: "Gold and silver are goods in common circulation among the people. Since the establishment of the Equalization Offices, private trade by commoners has been forbidden. Hereafter the people may trade freely as they see fit. Bamboo goods in the Huai-Meng circuits are planted by commoners. Authorities have restricted and compelled their sale, causing the people great hardship and preventing north-south trade in bamboo; the bamboo offices in each region are now abolished, and the people may sell their goods and pay tax. Fish levies on rivers and lakes already have fixed regulations. The poor rely on fishing for their livelihood, yet everywhere they have been restricted. Hereafter the people may fish freely. Military and state affairs in transit rely entirely on courier stations and post relays. Horse prices have recently risen, and households have also been required to supply envoys with food and drink, causing widespread exhaustion. Hereafter, apart from relay horses, the state shall provide all other supplies."

既而中書省又奏：「鹽每引十五兩，國家未嘗多取，欲便民食。今官豪詭名罔利，停貨待價，至一引賣八十貫，京師亦百二十貫，貧者多不得食。議以二百萬引給商，一百萬引散諸路，立常平鹽局，或販者增價，官平其直以售，庶民用給，而國計亦得。」世祖從之。

Shortly afterward the Central Secretariat memorialized again, "Salt is taxed at fifteen taels per yin. The state has never taken much, wishing to make salt affordable for the people. Now officials and powerful families hoard salt under false names to profit from inflated prices, until one yin sells for eighty strings, and in the capital for one hundred twenty strings. The poor can scarcely afford to eat. It is proposed to supply two million yin to merchants, distribute one million yin to the various circuits, and establish Ever-Normal Salt Offices. When sellers raise prices, the state shall sell at a stabilized price so that the people are supplied and the state revenue is secured." Kublai approved the proposal.

世榮居中書未十日，御史中丞崔彧言其不可為相，大忤旨，下彧吏按問，罷職。世榮言：「京師富豪戶釀酒酤賣，價高味薄，且課不時輸，宜一切禁罷，官自酤賣。」明年正月壬午，世祖御香殿，世榮奏：「臣言天下歲課鈔九十三萬二千六百錠之外，臣更經畫，不取於民，裁抑權勢所侵，可增三百萬錠。初未行下，而中外已非議，臣請與臺院面議上前行之。」世祖曰：「不必如此，卿但言之。」世榮奏：「古有榷酤之法，今宜立四品提舉司，以領天下之課，歲可得鈔千四百四十錠。自王文統誅後，鈔法虛弊，為今之計，莫若依漢、唐故事，括銅鑄至元錢，及製綾券，與鈔參行。」因以所織綾券上之。世祖曰：「便益之事，當速行之。」

Lu Shirong had been in the Central Secretariat less than ten days when Censor-in-Chief Cui Yu declared him unfit to serve as chancellor, greatly offending the emperor. Cui Yu was handed over for investigation and dismissed from office. Lu Shirong said, "Wealthy households in the capital brew and sell wine at high prices and poor quality, and fail to pay taxes on time. All private wine sales should be forbidden, and the state should sell wine itself." In the first month of the following year, on the day renwu, Kublai held court in the Hall of Incense. Lu Shirong memorialized, "Beyond the realm's annual revenue of nine hundred thirty-two thousand six hundred ingots of paper currency, I can, through further planning and without taxing the people, curb the encroachments of the powerful and add three million ingots. The plan has not yet been promulgated, yet criticism has already arisen within and without the court. I ask to discuss it face to face with the Censorate and Bureau before Your Majesty and then implement it." Kublai said, "There is no need for that. Simply speak." Lu Shirong memorialized, "Antiquity had the method of monopolizing wine sales. A Fourth-Rank Commissariat should now be established to oversee the realm's levies, yielding one thousand four hundred forty ingots of paper currency annually. Since Wang Wentong's execution, the paper currency system has grown hollow and debased. For the present, nothing is better than following Han and Tang precedents: gather copper to cast Zhiyuan coins and issue silk certificates to circulate alongside paper currency." He then presented the woven silk certificates he had prepared. Kublai said, "Beneficial reforms should be carried out swiftly."

又奏：「於泉、杭二州立市舶都轉運司，造船給本，令人商販，官有其利七，商有其三。禁私泛海者，拘其先所蓄寶貨，官買之；匿者，許告，沒其財，半給告者。今國家雖有常平倉，實無所畜。臣將不費一錢，但盡禁權勢所擅產鐵之所，官立鑪鼓鑄為器鬻之，以所得利合常平鹽課，糴粟積於倉，待貴時糶之，必能使物價恒賤，而獲厚利。國家雖立平準，然無曉規運者，以致鈔法虛弊，諸物踊貴。宜令各路立平準周急庫，輕其月息。以貸貧民，如此，則貸者衆，而本且不失。又，隨朝官吏增俸，州郡未及，可於各都立市易司，領諸牙儈人，計商人物貨，四十分取一，以十為率，四給牙儈，六為官吏俸。國家以兵得天下，不藉糧餽，惟資羊馬，宜於上都、隆興等路，以官錢買幣帛易羊馬於北方，選蒙古人牧之，收其皮毛筋角酥酪等物，十分為率，官取其八，二與牧者。馬以備軍興，羊以充賜予。」帝曰：「汝先言數事皆善，固當速行。此事亦善，祖宗時亦欲行之而不果，朕當思之。」世榮因奏曰：「臣之行事，多為人所怨，後必有譖臣者，臣實懼焉，請先言之。」世祖曰：「汝言皆是，惟欲人無言者，安有是理。汝無防朕，飲食起居間可自為防。疾足之犬，狐不愛焉，主人豈不愛之。汝之所行，朕自愛也，彼姦偽者則不愛耳。汝之職分既定，其無以一二人從行，亦當謹衛門戶。」遂諭丞相安童增其從人，其為帝所倚眷如此。

He memorialized again, "Establish Maritime Trade Chief Transport Offices at Quanzhou and Hangzhou, build ships and supply capital, and send men to trade. The state shall receive seven parts of the profit and the merchants three. Private voyages at sea are forbidden. Previously accumulated treasures and goods shall be seized and purchased by the state; those who conceal goods may be reported; their wealth shall be confiscated, with half given to the informer. Although the state maintains Ever-Normal Granaries, in fact nothing is stored in them. I will spend not a single coin, but will forbid iron-producing sites monopolized by the powerful, establish state furnaces to cast and sell vessels, combine the profits with Ever-Normal salt revenue, purchase grain for storage, and sell when prices rise. This will surely keep commodity prices low and yield substantial profit. Although the state has established equalization offices, there is no one who understands regulation and transport, causing the paper currency system to grow debased and all goods to soar in price. Each circuit should establish Equalization Emergency Relief treasuries with reduced monthly interest. They should lend to the poor. Thus borrowers will be many, yet the principal will not be lost. Moreover, as court officials' salaries are increased, prefectures and commanderies have not yet caught up. Market Exchange Offices may be established in each capital to oversee brokers, assess merchants' goods, and levy one part in forty. Of every ten parts collected, four go to brokers and six to officials' salaries. The state gained the realm by arms and relies not on grain transport but on sheep and horses. At Shangdu, Longxing, and other circuits, state funds should be used to buy silks and cloths and exchange for sheep and horses in the north. Mongols should be selected to herd them and collect hides, fur, sinew, horn, butter, and cheese. Of every ten parts, the state takes eight and the herders receive two. Horses are to supply military campaigns; sheep are to supply imperial bestowals." The Emperor said, "The several reforms you proposed earlier are all good and should indeed be carried out swiftly. This proposal is also good. Our forefathers wished to carry it out but did not succeed. I shall consider it." Lu Shirong then memorialized, "In carrying out my duties I provoke much resentment. There will surely be those who slander me afterward, and I am truly afraid. I ask to speak of this first." Kublai said, "What you say is all correct. But to wish that people have nothing to say—how could there be such a thing? You need not guard against me. In eating, drinking, and daily life, guard yourself. A swift-footed hound is hated by foxes, but how could its master fail to love it? What you do, I myself approve. Only the wicked and deceitful do not love it. Your official duties being fixed, do not go about with only one or two followers. You should also guard your gates carefully." He then instructed Chancellor An Tong to increase Lu Shirong's retinue. Such was the favor in which the emperor held him.

又十有餘日，中書省請罷行御史臺，其所隸按察司隸內臺。又請隨行省所在立行樞密院。世祖曰：「行院之事，前日已議，由阿合馬任智自私，欲其子忽辛行省兼兵柄而止。汝今行之，於事為宜。」明日，奏陞六部為二品。又奏令按察司緫各路錢穀，擇幹濟者用之，其刑名事上御史臺，錢穀由部申省。世祖曰：「汝與老臣共議，然後行之可也。」

More than ten days later, the Central Secretariat requested abolishing the Branch Censorate and placing its subordinate surveillance commissions under the Inner Censorate. They also requested establishing Branch Bureaus of Military Affairs at every location where Branch Secretariats were stationed. Kublai said, "The matter of the branch military bureau was debated the other day. It was blocked because Ahmad, trusting in his own cleverness and acting selfishly, wanted his son Khoshin to hold provincial authority together with military command. You may carry it out now—it is the right course for affairs." The next day a memorial was submitted to raise the Six Ministries to second rank. They also memorialized that Surveillance Commissions should oversee grain revenue in all circuits, selecting capable men for the task; criminal cases would go to the Censorate, while grain revenue would be reported from the ministry to the secretariat. Kublai said, "Discuss this with the senior ministers first, and then you may carry it out."

二月辛酉，御史臺奏：「中書省請罷行臺，改按察為提刑轉運司，俾兼錢穀。臣等竊惟：初置行臺時，朝廷老臣集議，以為有益，今無所損，不可輒罷。且按察司兼轉運，則糾彈之職廢。請右丞相復與朝廷老臣集議。」得旨如所請。壬戌，御史臺奏：「前奉旨，令臣等議罷行臺及兼轉運事。世榮言按察司所任，皆長才舉職之人，可兼錢穀。而廷臣皆以為不可，彼所取人，臣不敢止，惟言行臺不可罷者，衆議皆然。」世祖曰：「世榮以為何如？」奏曰：「欲罷之耳。」世祖曰：「其依世榮言。」

In the second month, on the day xinyou, the Censorate memorialized, "The Central Secretariat requests abolishing the Branch Secretariat, converting Surveillance Commissions into Criminal Punishment Transport Offices, and making them concurrently oversee grain revenue. We respectfully consider that when the Branch Secretariat was first established, senior ministers of the court deliberated together and judged it beneficial. Nothing has since been harmed—it must not be rashly abolished. Moreover, if Surveillance Commissions concurrently handle transport, their duty of impeachment and censure is abandoned. We request that the Right Chancellor again assemble the court's senior ministers in deliberation." Imperial approval was granted as requested. On the day renxu, the Censorate memorialized, "By previous edict we were ordered to deliberate on abolishing the Branch Secretariat and on concurrently handling transport. Lu Shirong said that those appointed to Surveillance Commissions are all men of outstanding talent who fulfill their duties and can concurrently handle grain revenue. Yet the court ministers all held this impossible. As for the men he selects, I dare not obstruct him; but on the point that the Branch Secretariat must not be abolished, all are of one mind." Kublai said, "What does Shirong think?" The reply memorialized, "He wishes to abolish it, that is all." Kublai said, "Then let it follow Shirong's recommendation."

中書省奏立規措所，秩五品，所司官吏，以善賈者為之。世祖曰：「此何職？」世榮對曰：「規畫錢穀者。」遂從之。又奏：「天下能規運錢穀者，向日皆在阿合馬之門，今籍錄以為污濫，此豈可盡廢。臣欲擇其通才可用者，然懼有言臣用罪人。」世祖曰：「何必言此，可用者用之。」遂以前河間轉運使張弘綱、撒都丁、不魯合散、孫桓，並為河間、山東等路都轉運鹽使。其他擢用者甚衆。

The Central Secretariat memorialized establishing a Planning Office of fifth rank, to be staffed by men skilled in commerce. Kublai said, "What office is this?" Lu Shirong replied, "Those who plan grain revenue." The proposal was approved. He memorialized again, "Throughout the realm, those able to plan and transport grain revenue were all formerly in Ahmad's circle. Now they are registered and deemed corrupt and unrestrained—how can they all be discarded? I wish to select among them those of general talent who can still be used, yet I fear there will be talk that I employ criminals." Kublai said, "Why speak of that? Use those who can be used." Thereupon the former Hejian transport commissioner Zhang Honggang, Sadudin, Buluheisan, and Sun Huan were all appointed chief transport salt commissioners for the Hejian, Shandong, and other circuits. Many others were also promoted and employed.

世榮既以利自任，懼怒之者衆，乃以九事說世祖詔天下：其一，免民間包銀三年；其二，官吏俸免民間帶納；其三，免大都地稅；其四，江淮民失業貧困、鬻妻子以自給者，所在官為收贖，使為良民；其五，逃移復業者，免其差稅；其六，鄉民造醋者，免收課；其七，江南田主收佃客租課，減免一分；其八，添支內外官吏俸五分；其九，定百官考課升擢之法。大抵欲以釋怨要譽而已，世祖悉從之。

Lu Shirong, having made profit his personal mission, feared that many were enraged against him, and so persuaded Kublai to proclaim nine measures to the realm: first, exempt the people from bundled silver for three years; second, exempt the people from supplementary payments for officials' salaries; third, exempt land tax in the Great Capital; fourth, among the people of Jiang and Huai who lost their livelihoods and grew impoverished, selling wives and children to support themselves—local officials should redeem them and restore them as upright commoners; fifth, those who fled and then returned to their occupations are exempt from corvée levies and taxes; sixth, village people who make vinegar are exempt from levies; seventh, landlords in Jiangnan collecting tenant rent and levies receive a one-tenth reduction; eighth, increase salaries of internal and external officials by one-fifth; ninth, establish methods for assessing and promoting the hundred officials. In general he wished only to dispel resentment and win reputation; Kublai approved them all.

既而又奏：「立真定、濟南、江淮等處宣慰司兼都轉運使司，以治課程，仍立條例，禁諸司不得追攝管課官吏，及遣人輒至辦課處沮擾，按察司不得檢察文卷。」又奏：「大都酒課，日用米千石，以天下之衆比京師，當居三分之二，酒課亦當日用米二千石。今各路但緫計日用米三百六十石而已，其奸欺盜隱如此，安可不禁。臣等已責各官增舊課二十倍，後有不如數者，重其罪。」皆從之。

Thereafter he memorialized again, "Establish Pacification Commissions concurrently serving as Chief Transport Offices at Zhending, Jinan, Jiang-Huai, and other places to administer revenue quotas. Also establish regulations forbidding all offices from summoning and detaining revenue officials, or from sending men at will to revenue offices to obstruct and harass them. Surveillance Commissions may not inspect the documents." He memorialized again, "Wine revenue in the Great Capital consumes a thousand shi of grain daily. Comparing the population of the realm to the capital, they should account for two-thirds; wine revenue should likewise consume two thousand shi of grain daily. Yet all circuits together report only three hundred sixty shi of grain consumed daily. Such is the scale of fraud, deception, theft, and concealment—how can it not be forbidden? We have already charged each official to increase the old levy twentyfold; afterward those who fail to meet the quota will be punished severely." All was approved.

三月庚子，世榮奏以宣德、王好禮並為浙西道宣慰使。世祖曰：「宣德，人多言其惡。」世榮奏：「彼入狀中書，能歲辦鈔七十五萬錠，是以令往。」從之。四月，世榮奏曰：「臣伏蒙聖眷，事皆委臣。臣愚以為今日之事，如數萬頃田，昔無田之者，草生其間。臣今創田之，已耕者有焉，未耕者有焉，或纔播種，或既生苗，然不令人守之，為物蹂踐，則可惜也。方今丞相安童，督臣所行，是守田者也。然不假之以力，則田者亦徒勞耳。守田者假之力矣，而天不雨，則亦終無成，所謂天雨者，陛下與臣添力是也。惟陛下憐臣。」世祖曰：「朕知之矣。」令奏行事之目，皆從之。

In the third month, on the day gengzi, Lu Shirong memorialized appointing Xude and Wang Haoli both as pacification commissioners of the Zhexi Circuit. Kublai said, "Many say Xude is wicked." Lu Shirong memorialized, "He submitted a petition to the Central Secretariat pledging to deliver seven hundred fifty thousand ingots of paper currency annually—that is why he was sent." The appointment was approved. In the fourth month, Lu Shirong memorialized, "Your subject humbly receives Your Majesty's favor; all affairs are entrusted to me. I foolishly consider today's affairs like tens of thousands of acres of field—formerly no one tilled them, and grass grew among them. I am now opening them to cultivation. Some are already plowed, some not yet; some have just been sown, some already have sprouts. Yet if no one is set to guard them and beasts trample them, it would be a pity. At present Chancellor An Tong supervises what I carry out—he is the one guarding the field. Yet if he is not given power, the tiller labors in vain. The field-guard has been given power, but if heaven does not rain, in the end nothing succeeds. What is called heaven's rain is Your Majesty and I adding strength together. Only may Your Majesty pity me." Kublai said, "I understand." He ordered the items for carrying out affairs to be memorialized; all were approved.

世榮居中書纔數月，恃委任之專，肆無忌憚，視丞相猶虛位也。左司郎中周戭與世榮稍不合，坐以廢格詔旨，奏而殺之，朝中凜凜。監察御史陳天祥上章劾之，大概言其「苛刻誅求，為國斂怨，將見民間凋耗，天下空虛。考其所行與所言者，已不相副：始言能令鈔法如舊，弊今愈甚；始言能令百物自賤，今百物愈貴；始言課程增至三百萬錠，不取於民，今迫脅諸路，勒令如數虛認而已；始言令民快樂，今所為無非擾民之事。若不早為更張，待其自敗，正猶蠹雖除而木已病矣」。世祖時在上都，御中大夫玉速帖木兒以其狀聞，世祖始大悟，即日遣唆都八都兒、禿剌帖木兒等還大都。命安童集諸司官吏、老臣、儒士，及知民間事者，同世榮聽天祥彈文，仍令世榮、天祥同赴上都。

Lu Shirong had been in the Central Secretariat only a few months. Relying on exclusive trust, he acted without restraint or fear and treated the chancellor as though the post were vacant. Left Department Director Zhou Yan slightly disagreed with Lu Shirong. On the charge of obstructing an edict, a memorial was submitted and Zhou Yan was executed—the court was gripped with fear. Supervising Censor Chen Tianxiang submitted a memorial impeaching him, saying in general that he was "harsh and exacting in his demands, amassing resentment for the state; soon the people will be depleted and the realm emptied. Examining his deeds against his words, they already do not match: at first he said he could restore the paper currency system as before—yet the debasement is now worse; at first he said he could make all goods cheap of themselves—now all goods grow dearer; at first he said revenue quotas could be raised to three million ingots without taking from the people—now he coerces all circuits and forces them only to falsely report the numbers; at first he said he would make the people happy—now everything he does is nothing but trouble for the people. If reform is not undertaken early, waiting for him to fail on his own, it is just like removing a borer while the tree is already diseased." Kublai was then at Shangdu. Attending Grand Master Yusutemür reported Chen's memorial, and Kublai at last understood fully. That same day he dispatched Sodubadu'er, Tulatetemür, and others back to the Great Capital. He ordered An Tong to assemble officials of all offices, senior ministers, Confucian scholars, and those who knew conditions among the people, together with Lu Shirong to hear Chen Tianxiang's impeachment memorial. He also ordered Lu Shirong and Chen Tianxiang to proceed together to Shangdu.

壬戌，御史中丞阿剌帖木兒、郭佑，侍御史白禿剌帖木兒，參政撒的迷失等，以世榮所伏罪狀奏曰：「不白丞相安童，支鈔二十萬錠。擅升六部為二品。效李璮令急遞鋪用紅青白三色囊轉行文字。不與樞密院議，調三行省萬二千人置濟州，委漕運使陳柔為萬戶管領。以沙全代萬戶寗玉戍浙西吳江。用阿合馬黨人潘傑、馮珪為杭、鄂二行省參政，宣德為杭州宣慰，餘分布中外者衆。以鈔虛，閉回易庫，民間昏鈔不可行。罷白酵課。立野麵、木植、磁器、桑棗、煤炭、匹段、青果、油坊諸牙行。調出縣官鈔八十六萬餘錠。」丞相安童言：「世榮昔奏，能不取於民歲辦鈔三百萬錠，令鈔復實，諸物悉賤，民得休息，數月即有成效。今已四閱月，所行不符所言，錢穀出者多於所入，引用憸人，紊亂選法。」翰林學士趙孟傳等，亦以為「世榮初以財賦自任，當時人情不敢預料，將謂別有方術，可以增益國用。及今觀之，不過如御史所言。更張之機，正在今日。若復恣其所行，為害非細」。

On the day renxu, Censor-in-Chief Alatetemür and Guo You, Attending Censor Bai Tulatetemür, Administration Commissioner Sadiemishi, and others reported Lu Shirong's admitted crimes: "Without informing Chancellor An Tong, he disbursed two hundred thousand ingots of paper currency. He on his own authority raised the Six Ministries to second rank. Imitating Li Tan, he ordered express courier stations to use red, green, and white pouches to transmit documents. Without consulting the Bureau of Military Affairs, he transferred twelve thousand men from three branch secretariats and stationed them at Jizhou, entrusting grain transport commissioner Chen Rou as myriarch to command them. He replaced Myriarch Ning Yu with Sha Quan to garrison Wujiang in western Zhe. He employed Ahmad's faction members Pan Jie and Feng Gui as administration commissioners of the Hang and E Branch Secretariats, and Xude as Hangzhou pacification commissioner—many others were distributed throughout the realm. Because paper currency had grown hollow, he closed the exchange treasury, and worn paper currency among the people could not circulate. He abolished the white yeast levy. He established brokerages for wild flour, timber, porcelain, mulberry and jujube, coal, bolts of cloth, green fruit, and oil mills. He transferred out more than eight hundred sixty thousand ingots of government paper currency." Chancellor An Tong said, "Lu Shirong formerly memorialized that without taking from the people he could annually deliver three million ingots, restore paper currency to solidity, make all goods cheap, and let the people rest—within months there would be results. Four months have already passed, yet what has been done does not match what was said. Revenue disbursements exceed receipts. He employs crafty men and disrupts the appointment system." Hanlin Academician Zhao Mengchuan and others also held that "when Lu Shirong first took fiscal revenue as his charge, public sentiment dared not anticipate; one would suppose he had some special method to increase state revenue. Now that we observe it, it is no more than what the censor said. The opportunity for reform is precisely today. If he is again allowed to act as he pleases, the harm will not be slight."

阿剌帖木兒同天祥等與世榮對於世祖前，一一款伏。遣忽都帶兒傳旨中書省，命丞相安童與諸老臣議，世榮所行，當罷者罷之，更者更之，所用人實無罪者，朕自裁處。遂下世榮于獄。十一月乙未，世祖問忽剌出曰：「汝於盧世榮有何言？」對曰：「近漢人新居中書者，言世榮款伏，罪無遺者，獄已竟矣，猶日養之，徒費廩食。」有旨誅世榮，刲其肉以食禽獺。

Alatetemür together with Chen Tianxiang and others faced Lu Shirong before Kublai, and item by item he confessed guilt. Kublai dispatched Hududai'er to convey an edict to the Central Secretariat, ordering Chancellor An Tong to deliberate with senior ministers on what Lu Shirong had done—what should be abolished was to be abolished, what should be changed was to be changed. As for appointees who were truly without guilt, he said, "I myself will decide." Lu Shirong was then imprisoned. In the eleventh month, on the day yiwei, Kublai asked Hulachu, "What do you have to say regarding Lu Shirong?" He replied, "Recently a Han Chinese newly placed in the Central Secretariat said Shirong has fully confessed, leaving no crime unadmitted—the trial is already complete, yet he is still fed daily, wasting grain from the public stores." An edict was issued to execute Lu Shirong. His flesh was carved and fed to birds and otters.

桑哥，膽巴國師之弟子也。能通諸國言語，故嘗為西蕃譯史。為人狡黠豪橫，好言財利事，世祖喜之。及後貴幸，乃諱言師事膽巴而背之。至元中，擢為緫制院使。緫制院者，掌浮圖氏之教，兼治吐蕃之事。御史臺嘗欲以章閭為按察使，世祖曰：「此人桑哥嘗言之。」及盧世榮見用，亦由桑哥之薦。中書省嘗令李留判者市油，桑哥自請得其錢市之，司徒和禮霍孫謂非汝所宜為，桑哥不服，至與相毆，且謂之曰：「與其使漢人侵盜，曷若與僧寺及官府營利息乎？」乃以油萬斤與之。桑哥後以所營息錢進，和禮霍孫曰：「我初不悟此也。」一日，桑哥在世祖前論和雇和買事，因語及此，世祖益喜，始有大任之意。嘗有旨令桑哥具省臣姓名以進，廷中有所建置，人才進退，桑哥咸與聞焉。

Sangge was a disciple of National Preceptor Danba. Able to speak the languages of many states, he had formerly served as a Tibetan interpreter. Cunning and domineering, he was fond of speaking of profit and revenue, and Kublai was pleased with him. When later ennobled and favored, he concealed that he had studied under Danba and turned against him. During the Zhiyuan era he was promoted to commissioner of the General Regulation Office. The General Regulation Office oversaw the Buddhist religion and also jointly administered Tibetan affairs. The Censorate once wished to appoint Zhang Lü as surveillance commissioner. Kublai said, "Sangge once spoke of this man." When Lu Shirong was employed, it too was through Sangge's recommendation. The Central Secretariat once ordered Controller Li to purchase oil. Sangge volunteered to take the funds and make the purchase. Minister of Education Horchi said this was not suitable for him to do. Sangge would not accept it and even came to blows with him, saying, "Rather than letting Han Chinese encroach and steal, is it not better to let monasteries and government offices earn interest?" Ten thousand jin of oil were given to him. Sangge later presented the interest money he had earned. Horchi said, "At first I did not understand this." One day Sangge discussed hired labor and government purchase before Kublai. Bringing up this matter as well, Kublai was further pleased and first conceived the intention of granting him great appointment. An edict once ordered Sangge to compile the names of secretariat ministers and submit them. Whenever the court established anything or advanced or dismissed talent, Sangge was informed of all.

二十四年閏二月，復置尚書省，遂以桑哥與鐵木兒為平章政事。詔告天下，改行中書省為行尚書省，六部為尚書六部。三月，更定鈔法，頒行至元寶鈔於天下，中統鈔通行如故。桑哥嘗奉旨檢覈中書省事，凡校出虧欠鈔四千七百七十錠、昏鈔一千三百四十五錠，平章麥朮丁即自伏，參政楊居寬微自辯，以為實掌銓選，錢穀非所專。桑哥令左右拳其面，因問曰：「既典選事，果無黜陟失當者乎？」尋亦引服。參議伯降以下，凡鉤考違惰耗失等事，及參議王巨濟嘗言新鈔不便忤旨，各款伏。遣參政忻都奏聞，世祖令丞相安童與桑哥共議，且諭：「毋令麥朮丁等他日得以脅問誣伏為辭，此輩固狡獪人也。」

In the intercalary second month of the twenty-fourth year, the Imperial Secretariat was reestablished, and Sangge and Temür were appointed grand councillors of state. An edict was issued throughout the empire, redesignating the regional Central Secretariat as the regional Imperial Secretariat and the six ministries as the six ministries of the Imperial Secretariat. In the third month, the paper currency regulations were revised. Zhiyuan treasure notes were issued throughout the empire, while Zhongtong notes continued to circulate as before. Sangge had once received an imperial order to audit Central Secretariat affairs. The audit turned up 4,770 ingots of missing notes and 1,345 ingots of worn notes. Grand Councillor Makhtudan immediately confessed. Vice Grand Councillor Yang Jukuan offered a mild defense, saying that he actually managed personnel selection and that finance and grain were not his specialty. Sangge ordered his attendants to punch him in the face, then asked, "Since you manage selection affairs, were there really no appointments and dismissals that were improper?" Soon he too confessed. Below Associate Legislative Supervisor Bo Jiang, everyone involved in the audit investigation for violations, negligence, waste, and loss confessed in detail, as did Associate Legislative Supervisor Wang Juji, who had once said the new notes were inconvenient and thereby offended the imperial will. He dispatched Vice Grand Councillor Xindu to report to the throne. Kublai ordered Chancellor An Tong to deliberate jointly with Sangge and also instructed, "Do not let Makhtudan and the others someday use coerced interrogation and false confession as a pretext—they are inherently cunning people."

數日，桑哥又奏：「鞫中書參政郭佑，多所逋負，尸位不言，以疾為託。臣謂中書之務，隳惰如此，汝力不能及，何不告之蒙古大臣，故毆辱之，今已款服。」世祖命窮詰之。佑與居寬後皆棄市，人咸冤焉。臺吏王良弼，嘗與人議尚書省政事，又言：「尚書鉤校中書，不遺餘力，他日我曹得發尚書奸利，其誅籍無難。」桑哥聞之，捕良弼至，與中書臺院札魯忽赤鞫問，款服，謂此曹誹謗，不誅無以懲後。遂誅良弼，籍其家。有吳德者，嘗為江寧縣達魯花赤，求仕不遂，私與人非議時政，又言：「尚書今日覈正中書之弊，他日復為中書所覈，汝獨不死也耶。」或以告桑哥，亟捕德按問，殺之，沒其妻子入官。

Several days later, Sangge again memorialized, "In interrogating Central Secretariat Vice Grand Councillor Guo You, I found many arrears. He occupied his post without speaking and used illness as a pretense. I say the Central Secretariat's affairs have fallen into such negligence and idleness. As you were unable to cope, why did you not report it to the Mongol ministers? Therefore I beat and humiliated him, and now he has fully confessed." Kublai ordered a thorough interrogation. You and Jukuan were ultimately both executed at the market, and people everywhere considered it an injustice. Censorate clerk Wang Liangbi once discussed Imperial Secretariat affairs with others and also said, "The Imperial Secretariat's audit of the Central Secretariat leaves no effort untried. Someday, when we can expose the Imperial Secretariat's corruption and profit-seeking, their execution and confiscation of property will not be difficult." Sangge heard of it, arrested Liangbi, and together with the Central Secretariat, Censorate, and Court darughachi interrogated him until he confessed fully. Sangge said these men were slandering and that without execution there would be no way to warn posterity. So Liangbi was executed and his household property was confiscated. There was a man named Wu De who had once served as darughachi of Jiangning County. Unable to obtain an appointment, he privately criticized current policy with others and also said, "The Imperial Secretariat today is auditing and correcting the Central Secretariat's abuses. Someday it will in turn be audited by the Central Secretariat. Will you alone not die?" Someone reported this to Sangge. He immediately arrested De for investigation, killed him, and confiscated his wife and children into government service.

桑哥嘗奏以沙不丁遙授江淮行省左丞，烏馬兒為參政，依前領泉府、市舶兩司，拜降福建行省平章。既得旨，乃言於世祖曰：「臣前言，凡任省臣與行省官，並與丞相安童共議。今奏用沙不丁、烏馬兒等，適丞相還大都，不及通議，臣恐有以前奏為言者。」世祖曰：「安童不在，朕，若主也。朕已允行，有言者，其令朕前言之。」

Sangge once memorialized to appoint Sabuding remotely as left vice commissioner of the Jianghuai Regional Secretariat, Umar as vice grand councillor while continuing as before to head the Quanfu and Maritime Trade bureaus, and Bai Jiang as grand councillor of the Fujian Regional Secretariat. After receiving approval, he then said to Kublai, "Your subject previously stated that whenever appointing secretariat ministers and regional secretariat officials, all should be jointly deliberated with Chancellor An Tong. Now, in memorializing the appointment of Sabuding, Umar, and the others, it happened that the chancellor had returned to Dadu and there was no time for joint consultation. Your subject fears there may be those who speak on the basis of the earlier memorial." Kublai said, "An Tong is not here. I am, as it were, the host. I have already approved it. If anyone wishes to speak, let him speak before me."

時江南行臺與行省，並無文移，事無巨細，必咨內臺呈省聞奏。桑哥以其往復稽留誤事，宜如內臺例，分呈各省。又言：「按察司文案，宜從各路民官檢覈，遞相糾舉。且自太祖時有旨，凡臨官事者互相覺察，此故事也。」從之。

At that time the Jiangnan Regional Censorate and the regional secretariat had no written communications between them. Matters great and small all had to be referred to the Metropolitan Censorate, presented to the secretariat, reported, and memorialized. Sangge held that because the back-and-forth caused delays and impeded business, it should follow the Metropolitan Censorate precedent and be separately presented to each province. He also said, "Surveillance Commission documents should be audited by the civil officials of each route, with mutual reporting and impeachment. Moreover, since the time of Taizu there has been an edict that all who hold office should mutually oversee one another. This is established precedent." It was approved.

十月乙酉，世祖遣諭旨翰林諸臣：「以丞相領尚書省，漢、唐有此制否？」咸對曰：「有之。」翌日，左丞葉李以翰林、集賢諸臣所對奏之，且言：「前省官不能行者，平章桑哥能之，宜為右丞相。」制曰「可」。遂以桑哥為尚書右丞相，兼緫制院使，領功德使司事，進階金紫光祿大夫。於是桑哥奏以平章鐵木兒代其位，右丞阿剌渾撒里陞平章政事，葉李遷右丞，參政馬紹陞左丞。

On the yiyou day of the tenth month, Kublai sent an instruction to the Hanlin academicians: "Did Han and Tang have the institution of a chancellor heading the Imperial Secretariat?" All replied, "There was." The next day, Left Vice Commissioner Ye Li memorialized the replies of the Hanlin and Academia Sinica academicians and also said, "What the former secretariat officials could not accomplish, Grand Councillor Sangge can accomplish. He should be made right chancellor." An edict said, "Approved." Sangge was then made right chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat, concurrently commissioner of the General Regulation Bureau and head of the Bureau of Meritorious Deeds, and was advanced in rank to Grand Master for Glorious Happiness with the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. Thereupon Sangge memorialized that Grand Councillor Temür replace him in his former post. Right Vice Commissioner Alqun Sali was promoted to grand councillor of state, Ye Li was transferred to right vice commissioner, and Vice Grand Councillor Ma Shao was promoted to left vice commissioner.

十一月，桑哥言：「臣前以諸道宣慰司及路府州縣官吏，稽緩誤事，奉旨遣人遍笞責之。今真定宣慰使速哥、南京宣慰使荅失蠻，皆勳賢舊臣之子，宜取聖裁。」敕罷其任。明年正月，以甘肅行尚書省參政鐵木哥無心任事，又不與協力，奏乞牙帶代之。未幾，又以江西行尚書省平章政事忽都鐵木兒不職，奏而罷之。兵部尚書忽都荅兒不勤其職，桑哥毆罷之而後奏，世祖曰：「若此等不罷，汝事何由得行也。」萬億庫有舊牌絛七千餘條，桑哥言歲久則腐，宜析而他用。賜諸王出伯銀二萬五千兩、幣帛萬匹，載以官驢，至則併以為賜。桑哥言：「不若以驢載玉而回。」世祖甚然之。其欲以小利結知如此。

In the eleventh month, Sangge said, "Your subject previously, because the officials of the various circuit pacification commissions and of routes, prefectures, districts, and counties were dilatory and impeded business, received an imperial order to dispatch men to beat and reprimand them throughout. Now Pacification Commissioner Suge of Zhending and Pacification Commissioner Dashiman of Nanjing are both sons of meritorious and worthy old ministers. The sacred decision should be sought." An edict dismissed them from office. In the first month of the following year, because Vice Grand Councillor Temüge of the Gansu Regional Imperial Secretariat had no heart for office and would not cooperate, Sangge memorialized requesting that Yada replace him. Before long, he also memorialized and had dismissed Grand Councillor Qud Temür of the Jiangxi Regional Imperial Secretariat for dereliction of duty. Minister of War Qudar was not diligent in his duties. Sangge beat him and removed him, then reported it. Kublai said, "If men like this are not removed, how can your affairs be carried out?" The Ten-Thousand-Million Treasury had more than 7,000 old tally cords. Sangge said that after many years they would rot and should be split up for other uses. Prince Chubai was granted 25,000 taels of silver and 10,000 bolts of silk and brocade, to be loaded on government donkeys and presented together upon arrival. Sangge said, "Would it not be better to load jade on the donkeys for the return trip?" Kublai greatly approved. Such was his desire to win favor through small profit.

漕運司達魯花赤怯來，未嘗巡察沿河諸倉，致盜詐腐敗者多，桑哥議以兵部侍郎塔察兒代之。自立尚書省，凡倉庫諸司，無不鉤考，先摘委六部官，復以為不專，乃置徵理司，以治財穀之當追者。時桑哥以理筭為事，毫分縷析，入倉庫者，無不破產，及當更代，人皆棄家而避之。十月，桑哥奏：「湖廣行省錢穀，已責平章要束木自首償矣。外省欺盜必多，乞以參政忻都、戶部尚書王巨濟、參議尚書省事阿散、山東西道提刑按察使何榮祖、札魯忽赤禿忽魯、泉府司卿李佑、奉御吉丁、監察御史戎益、僉樞密院事崔彧、尚書省斷事官燕真、刑部尚書安祐、監察御史伯顏等十二人，理筭江淮、江西、福建、四川、甘肅、安西六省，每省各二人，特給印章與之。省部官既去，事不可廢，擬選人為代，聽食元俸。理筭之間，宜給兵以備使令，且以為衛。」世祖皆從之。

Qilai, darughachi of the Grain Transport Bureau, had never inspected the granaries along the canal, resulting in much theft, fraud, and spoilage. Sangge proposed that Vice Minister of War Taqar replace him. From the time the Imperial Secretariat was established, every warehouse and bureau was audited without exception. At first selected officials of the six ministries were assigned; then, thinking this was not specialized enough, the Bureau for Recovery was established to handle grain and funds that should be recovered. At that time Sangge made financial reckoning his business, analyzing every fraction and thread. Those who entered the warehouses were without exception ruined, and when it came time for replacement, people all abandoned their households to avoid the post. In the tenth month, Sangge memorialized, "The funds and grain of the Huguang Regional Secretariat have already been made the responsibility of Grand Councillor Yissum Buga to confess and repay. Outside provinces must contain much fraud and theft. I request that twelve men—Vice Grand Councillor Xindu, Minister of Revenue Wang Juji, Associate Legislative Supervisor of Imperial Secretariat Affairs Asan, Surveillance Commissioner of the Shandong West Circuit He Rongzu, darughachi Tughluq, Director of the Quanfu Bureau Li You, Palace Attendant Jiding, Investigating Censor Rong Yi, Associate Administrator of the Bureau of Military Affairs Cui Yu, Adjudication Official of the Imperial Secretariat Yan Zhen, Minister of Justice An You, and Investigating Censor Boyan—conduct financial reckoning in the six provinces of Jianghuai, Jiangxi, Fujian, Sichuan, Gansu, and Anxi, two men per province, with special seals granted to them. Since the provincial and ministerial officials have departed, the business cannot be abandoned. It is proposed to select men as replacements, allowed to receive their original salaries. During the financial reckoning, soldiers should be provided to await orders and also serve as guards." Kublai approved all of it.

當是時天下騷然，江淮尤甚，而諛佞之徒，方且諷都民史吉等為桑哥立石頌德，世祖聞之曰：「民欲立則立之，仍以告桑哥，使其喜也。」於是翰林製文，題曰王公輔政之碑。桑哥又以緫制院所統西蕃諸宣慰司，軍民財穀，事體甚重，宜有以崇異之，奏改為宣政院，秩從一品，用三臺銀印。世祖問所用何人，對曰：「臣與脫因。」於是命桑哥以開府儀同三司、尚書右丞相，兼宣政使，領功德使司事，脫因同為使。世祖嘗召桑哥謂曰：「朕以葉李言，更至元鈔，所用者法，所貴者信，汝無以楮視之，其本不可失，汝宜識之。」

At that time the empire was in turmoil, Jianghuai especially so, yet flatterers were just then urging the capital clerk Shi Ji and others to erect a stone stele praising Sangge's virtue. Kublai heard of it and said, "If the people wish to erect it, let them erect it. Still report it to Sangge so that he may be pleased." Thereupon the Hanlin Academy composed the text, entitled Stele of Lord Wang's Assistance in Government. Sangge also held that because the General Regulation Bureau governed the various pacification commissions of the Western Regions, with military and civil affairs and funds and grain, the matter was very weighty and should be specially honored. He memorialized to change it to the Bureau of Tibetan and Buddhist Affairs, with rank equivalent to first grade, using the three-platform silver seal. Kublai asked whom would be appointed. He replied, "Your subject and Tuoyin." Thereupon Sangge was ordered to serve with the ceremonial of a Grand General with the Honorific Guard of Three Divisions and as right chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat, concurrently commissioner of the Bureau of Tibetan and Buddhist Affairs and head of the Bureau of Meritorious Deeds. Tuoyin was made commissioner as well. Kublai once summoned Sangge and said, "On Ye Li's advice I revised the Zhiyuan notes. What is used is law; what is prized is trust. Do not regard them as mere paper. Their foundation must not be lost—you should keep this in mind."

二十六年，桑哥請鉤考甘肅行尚書省、及益都淄萊淘金緫管府，僉省趙仁榮、緫管明里等，皆以罪罷。世祖幸上都，桑哥言：「去歲陛下幸上都，臣日視內帑諸庫，今歲欲乘小輿以行，人必竊議。」世祖曰：「聽人議之，汝乘之可也。」桑哥又奏：「近委省臣檢責左右司文簿，凡經監察御史稽照者，遺逸尚多。自今當令監察御史即省部稽照，書姓名於卷末，苟有遺逸，易於歸罪。仍命侍御史堅童視之，失則連坐。」世祖從之，乃笞監察御史四人。是後監察御史赴省部者，掾令史與之抗禮，但遣小吏持文簿置案而去，監察御史遍閱之，而臺綱廢矣。參政忻都既去，尋召赴闕。以戶部尚書王巨濟專任理筭，江淮省左丞相忙兀帶緫之。

In the twenty-sixth year, Sangge requested an audit of the Gansu Regional Imperial Secretariat and the Yidu-Zilai Gold-Washing Directorate-General. Associate Administrator Zhao Rongrong, Director-General Mingli, and others were all dismissed for their crimes. When Kublai went to Shangdu, Sangge said, "Last year when Your Majesty went to Shangdu, your subject daily inspected the inner treasuries and various storehouses. This year, if you wish to travel in a small carriage, people will surely whisper about it." Kublai said, "Let people talk. You may ride in it." Sangge again memorialized, "Recently provincial ministers were assigned to inspect and hold accountable the ledgers of the Left and Right Departments. Of those that had been checked by investigating censors, many omissions still remain. From now on investigating censors should immediately check them at the secretariat and ministries, writing their names at the end of each volume. If there are omissions, blame will be easy to assign. Attendant Censor Jian Tong was also ordered to oversee it. If there was failure, collective punishment would follow." Kublai approved, and four investigating censors were beaten. After this, when investigating censors went to the secretariat and ministries, clerks and recorders treated them as equals. They merely sent junior clerks to place the ledgers on the desk and leave. The investigating censors looked through them all, and censorial authority was ruined. After Vice Grand Councillor Xindu had departed, he was soon summoned to court. Minister of Revenue Wang Juji was specially assigned to financial reckoning, with Left Chancellor Mangwutai of the Jianghuai Secretariat overseeing it.

閏十月，桑哥輔政碑成，樹于省前，樓覆其上而丹艧之。桑哥言：「國家經費既廣，歲入恒不償所出，以往歲計之，不足者餘百萬錠。自尚書省鉤考天下財穀，賴陛下福，以所徵補之，未嘗斂及百姓。臣恐自今難用此法矣。何則？倉庫可徵者少，而盜者亦鮮矣，臣憂之。臣愚以為鹽課每引今直中統鈔三十貫，宜增為一錠；茶每引今直五貫，宜增為十貫；酒醋稅課，江南宜增額十萬錠。內地五萬錠。協濟戶十八萬，自入籍至今十三年，止輸半賦，聞其力已完，宜增為全賦。如此，則國用庶可支，臣等免於罪矣。」世祖曰：「如所議行之。」

In the intercalary tenth month, Sangge's stele on assisting in government was completed. It was erected before the secretariat, with a pavilion built over it and painted red. Sangge said, "State expenditure is already vast, and annual revenue constantly fails to cover outlays. Calculating by past years, the shortfall exceeds a million ingots. Since the Imperial Secretariat audited the empire's funds and grain, relying on Your Majesty's good fortune, the shortfall was made up from what was recovered, and the people were never taxed for it. Your subject fears that from now on this method will be hard to use. Why? What can be recovered from the warehouses is little, and thieves too are few. Your subject is worried. Your subject foolishly thinks that the salt levy per unit is now worth thirty strings of Zhongtong notes and should be increased to one ingot; tea per unit is now worth five strings and should be increased to ten strings; the wine and vinegar tax levy in Jiangnan should be increased by 100,000 ingots. In the interior, 50,000 ingots. There are 180,000 auxiliary households. From registration to the present has been thirteen years, and they pay only half the levy. I hear their capacity is now complete, and they should be increased to the full levy. In this way, state expenditure may perhaps be sustained, and your subject and the others may be spared guilt." Kublai said, "Carry it out as discussed."

桑哥既專政，凡銓調內外官，皆由於己，而其宣敕，尚由中書，桑哥以為言，世祖乃命自今宣敕並付尚書省。由是以刑爵為貨而販之，咸走其門，入貴價以買所欲。貴價入，則當刑者脫，求爵者得，綱紀大壞，人心駭愕。

Once Sangge monopolized government, all appointments and transfers of internal and external officials were in his hands, yet their edicts of appointment still went through the Central Secretariat. Sangge spoke of this, and Kublai then ordered that from now on all edicts of appointment be entrusted to the Imperial Secretariat. Thereupon punishment and rank became goods to be sold. All rushed to his gate, paying high prices to buy what they desired. When high prices were paid, those who should have been punished escaped, and those who sought titles obtained them. Discipline was greatly ruined, and hearts were struck with horror.

二十八年春，世祖畋於漷北，也里審班及也先帖木兒、徹里等，劾奏桑哥專權黷貨。時不忽木出使，三遣人趣召之至，覲於行殿，世祖以問，不忽木對曰：「桑哥壅蔽聰明，紊亂政事，有言者即誣以他罪而殺之。今百姓失業，盜賊蜂起，召亂在旦夕，非亟誅之，恐為陛下憂。」留守賀伯顏，亦嘗為世祖陳其奸欺。久而言者益衆，世祖始決意誅之。

In the spring of the twenty-eighth year, when Kublai was hunting north of Huo, Yelishiban together with Yes Temür, Cheli, and others impeached and memorialized that Sangge monopolized power and accepted bribes. At that time Buqmu was on a mission. Three times men were dispatched to urge and summon him. He had an audience at the traveling palace. Kublai questioned him, and Buqmu replied, "Sangge blocks and obscures Your Majesty's clarity, disordering government affairs. Whoever speaks out he immediately frames with some other crime and kills. Now the common people have lost their livelihoods, bandits are rising like bees, and chaos may come at any moment. If he is not urgently executed, I fear it will become a worry for Your Majesty." Regent He Boyan had also once laid out his deceit and fraud before Kublai. After a long time those who spoke grew ever more numerous, and Kublai at last resolved to execute him.

二月，世祖諭大夫月兒魯曰：「屢聞桑哥沮抑臺綱，杜言者之口，又嘗捶撻御史，其所罪者何事，當與辨之。」桑哥等持御史李渠等已刷文卷至，令侍御史杜思敬等勘驗辨論，往復數四，桑哥等辭屈。明日，帝駐蹕大口，復召御史臺暨中書、尚書兩省官辨論。尚書省執卷奏曰：「前浙西按察使只必，因監燒鈔受贓至千錠，嘗檄臺征之，二年不報。」思敬曰：「文之次第，盡在卷中，今尚書省拆卷持對，其弊可見。」速古兒赤闍里抱卷至前奏曰：「用朱印以封紙縫者，防欺弊也。若輩為宰相，乃拆卷破印與人辨，是教吏為奸，當治其罪。」世祖是之。責御史臺曰：「桑哥為惡，始終四年，其奸贓暴著非一，汝臺臣難云不知。」中丞趙國輔對曰：「知之。」世祖曰：「知而不劾，自當何罪？」思敬等對曰：「奪官追俸，惟上所裁。」數日不決。大夫月兒魯奏：「臺臣久任者當斥罷，新者存之。」乃仆桑哥輔政碑，下獄究問。至七月，乃伏誅。

In the second month, Kublai instructed Grand Counselor Yelü, "I have repeatedly heard that Sangge obstructed censorial authority and stopped the mouths of those who spoke out. He also once beat censors. For what crimes were they punished? This should be debated and clarified." Sangge and the others brought the already altered document rolls of Censor Li Qu and the others, and Attendant Censor Du Sijing and others were ordered to examine, verify, and debate. Back and forth four times, Sangge and the others were defeated in argument. The next day the Emperor halted at Daku and again summoned officials of the Censorate together with the Central and Imperial Secretariats to debate. The Imperial Secretariat held the rolls and memorialized, "Former Surveillance Commissioner Zhibi of Zhexi, because he supervised note-burning, accepted bribes up to 1,000 ingots. The Censorate was once dispatched with an order to recover them, and for two years there was no report." Sijing said, "The sequence of the documents is all in the rolls. Now the Imperial Secretariat has split the rolls and holds them up for comparison—the fraud is visible." Sugurji Qili came forward holding the rolls and memorialized, "Red seals are used to close the paper seams to prevent fraud. You people serve as chancellors, yet you split the rolls and break the seals to debate with others—this is teaching clerks to commit fraud. Your crimes should be punished." Kublai approved. He rebuked the Censorate, "Sangge did evil for four years from beginning to end. His fraud and corruption were manifest in more than one case. You censorial ministers can hardly say you did not know." Vice Censor-in-Chief Zhao Guofu replied, "We knew." Kublai said, "Knowing yet not impeaching—what crime should that itself be?" Sijing and the others replied, "Deprivation of office and recovery of salary—only Your Majesty may decide." Several days passed without a decision. Grand Counselor Yelü memorialized, "Censorial ministers who have served long should be dismissed, and the newly appointed should be retained." Thereupon Sangge's stele commemorating his service in government was toppled, and he was imprisoned for interrogation. By the seventh month, he was executed after confessing.

平章要束木者，桑哥之妻黨，在湖廣時，正月朔日，百官會行省，朝服以俟。要束木召至其家，受賀畢，方詣省要闕，賀如常儀。又陰召卜者有不軌言。至是，中書列其罪以聞，世祖命械致湖廣，即其省戮之。

Grand Councillor Yissum Buga was a member of Sangge's wife's faction. When he was in Huguang, on the first day of the first month, all officials gathered at the regional secretariat in court dress to wait. Yissum Buga summoned them to his home, and only after receiving congratulations there did he go to the secretariat to take his place at court, where congratulations proceeded as usual. He also secretly summoned diviners who spoke seditious words. At this time the Central Secretariat listed his crimes and reported them. Kublai ordered him shackled and sent to Huguang, where he was executed in that province.

鐵木迭兒者，木兒火赤之子也。嘗逮事世祖。成宗大德間，同知宣徽院事，兼通政院使。武宗即位，為宣徽使。至大元年，由江西行省平章政事，拜雲南行省左丞相。居二載，擅離職赴闕，尚書省奏，奉旨詰問，尋以皇太后旨，得貸罪還職。明年正月，武宗崩，仁宗在東宮，以丞相三寶奴等變亂舊章，誅之。用完澤及李孟為中書平章政事，銳欲更張庶務。而皇太后在興聖宮，已有旨，召鐵木迭兒為中書右丞相。踰月，仁宗即位，因遂相之。及幸上都，命鐵木迭兒留守大都，平章完澤等奏：「故事，丞相留治京師者，出入得張蓋。今右丞相鐵木迭兒大都居守，時方盛暑，請得張蓋如故事。」許之。是年冬，制贈鐵木迭兒曾祖唆海翊運宣力保大功臣、太尉，諡武烈，祖不憐吉帶推誠保德定遠功臣、太尉，諡忠武；父木兒火赤推忠佐理同德功臣、太師，諡忠貞：並開府儀同三司、上柱國，追封歸德王。

Temüder was the son of Mölikhöl. He had once served Kublai in succession. During the Dade era of Emperor Chengzong, he was associate director of the Palace Domestic Service and concurrently commissioner of the Bureau of Transmission. When Emperor Wuzong acceded, he became director of the Palace Domestic Service. In the first year of Zhida, from grand councillor of the Jiangxi Regional Secretariat he was appointed left chancellor of the Yunnan Regional Secretariat. After two years in office, he left his post without authorization and went to court. The Imperial Secretariat memorialized, and by imperial order he was questioned. Soon, by the Empress Dowager's command, he was pardoned and returned to office. In the first month of the following year, Emperor Wuzong died. Emperor Renzong, then in the Eastern Palace, executed Chancellor Sanbanu and others for altering and disrupting the old regulations. He appointed Öljei and Li Meng as grand councillors of the Central Secretariat and was keen to overhaul all administrative affairs. But the Empress Dowager, in Xingsheng Palace, had already issued an order summoning Temüder to be right chancellor of the Central Secretariat. After a month, Emperor Renzong acceded, and Temüder was accordingly made chancellor. When the Emperor traveled to Shangdu, he ordered Temüder to remain and guard Dadu. Grand Councillor Öljei and others memorialized, "By precedent, a chancellor who remains to govern the capital may have a canopy borne when going out. Now Right Chancellor Temüder is holding Dadu in the heat of midsummer. We request that he be allowed a canopy as in precedent." This was granted. That winter, an edict posthumously ennobled Temüder's great-grandfather Soqai as Grand Merit Lord Who Supported the Dynasty with Upholding Strength and Preserved Greatness, grand commandant, with the posthumous title Martial and Fierce; his grandfather Bulinjidai as Grand Merit Lord Who Pushed Forward Sincerity, Preserved Virtue, and Settled the Distance, grand commandant, with the posthumous title Loyal and Martial; and his father Mölikhöl as Grand Merit Lord Who Pushed Forward Loyalty, Assisted in Governance, and Shared in Virtue, grand preceptor, with the posthumous title Loyal and Upright—all with the rank of grand master with the privileges of an imperial secretary of state and supreme pillar of state, posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Guide.

皇慶元年三月，鐵木迭兒奏：「臣誤蒙聖恩，擢任中書，年衰且病，雖未能深達政體，思竭忠力，以圖報效，事有創行，敢不自勉，前省弊政，方與更新。欽惟列聖相承，混一區宇，日有萬幾，若非整飭，恐致解弛。繼今朝夕視事，左右司六部官有不盡心者，當論決，再不俊者，黜勿敘，其有託故僥倖他職者，亦不敘。」仁宗是其言。既而以病去職。

In the third month of the first year of Huangqing, Temüder memorialized, "I have undeservedly received Your Majesty's grace and been promoted to the Central Secretariat. I am old and ill; though I cannot deeply grasp the principles of governance, I intend to exhaust my loyalty and strength to repay my obligation. Where matters require new initiatives, I dare not fail to urge myself on. The former secretariat's corrupt policies are just now being renewed. Reverently considering that the successive sage emperors inherited one another and unified the realm, with ten thousand affairs daily—if these are not put in order, I fear slackness will result. From now on, in attending to business morning and evening, officials of the Left and Right Bureaus and the six ministries who do not devote themselves fully should be judged and decided upon; those who twice prove unworthy should be dismissed without reinstatement; those who use pretexts to seek other posts by luck should likewise not be reappointed." Emperor Renzong approved his words. Soon afterward he resigned on grounds of illness.

延祐改元，丞相哈散奏：「臣非世勳族姓，幸逢陛下為宰相，如丞相鐵木迭兒，練達政體，且嘗監修國史，乞授其印，俾領翰林國史院，軍國重務，悉令議之。」仁宗曰：「然。卿其啟諸皇太后。與之印，大事必使預聞。」遂拜開府儀同三司、監修國史、錄軍國重事。居數月，復拜中書右丞相，合散為左丞相。鐵木迭兒奏：「蒙陛下憐臣，復擢為首相，依阿不言，誠負聖眷。比聞內侍隔越奏旨者衆，倘非禁止，致治實難。請敕諸司，自今中書政務，毋輒干預。又往時富民，往諸蕃商販，率獲厚利，商者益衆，中國物輕，蕃貨反重。今請以江浙右丞曹立領其事，發舟十綱，給牒以往，歸則征稅如制；私往者，沒其貨。又，經用不給，苟不預為規畫，必至愆誤。臣等集諸老議，皆謂動鈔本，則鈔法愈虛；加賦稅，則毒流黎庶；增課額，則比國初已倍五十矣。惟預買山東、河間運使來歲鹽引，及各冶鐵貨，庶可以足今歲之用。又，江南田糧，往歲雖嘗經理，多未覈實。可始自江浙，以及江東、西，宜先事嚴限格、信罪賞，令田主手實頃畝狀入官，諸王、駙馬、學校、寺觀亦令如之；仍禁私匿民田，貴戚勢家，毋得沮撓。請敕臺臣協力以成，則國用足矣。」仁宗皆從之。尋遣使者分行各省，括田增稅，苛急煩擾，江右為甚，致贛民蔡五九作亂寧都，南方騷動，遠近驚懼，乃罷其事。

When the era name was changed to Yanyou, Chancellor Hasan memorialized, "I am not of a hereditary merit family. I was fortunate to be made chancellor by Your Majesty. Chancellor Temüder, however, is practiced in the principles of governance and has also supervised the compilation of the national history. I request that his seal be granted him, that he be put in charge of the Hanlin Academy and National History Office, and that all weighty affairs of state and army be deliberated with him." Emperor Renzong said, "So be it. You should inform the Empress Dowager. Give him the seal; on great matters he must be made to hear in advance. Thereupon he was appointed grand master with the privileges of an imperial secretary of state, supervisor of the compilation of the national history, and recorder of weighty affairs of state and army. After several months he was again appointed right chancellor of the Central Secretariat, and Hasan became left chancellor. Temüder memorialized, "Your Majesty took pity on me and again promoted me to chief minister. I have stood by docile and silent—truly I have failed Your Majesty's favor. I have lately heard that many palace attendants overstep their bounds in memorializing the throne. If this is not forbidden, good governance will truly be difficult. I request that all offices be ordered that from now on they must not rashly interfere in the Central Secretariat's administrative affairs. Furthermore, in former times wealthy men who went to trade in the various foreign lands generally obtained thick profits. Merchants grew ever more numerous, goods of China became cheap, and foreign goods in turn became costly. Now I request that Right Vice Commissioner Cao Li of Jiang-Zhe be put in charge of this matter, that ten convoys of ships be dispatched, passports issued for the voyage, and on return taxes levied according to regulation; those who go privately shall have their goods confiscated. Furthermore, routine expenditures are insufficient; if plans are not made in advance, delay and error will inevitably result. Your ministers assembled the senior officials to discuss this, and all said that moving the note reserve would make the note system ever more hollow; increasing land tax would spread poison among the common people; raising the tax quota would mean it had already doubled fiftyfold compared with the founding of the dynasty. Only by pre-purchasing next year's salt certificates from the Shandong and Hejian transport commissioners, and iron goods from the various smelting offices, might this year's needs be met. Furthermore, the land tax of Jiangnan, though surveyed in past years, was in large part never verified. One may begin from Jiang-Zhe and extend to Jiangdong and Jiangxi. Strict deadlines and reliable punishments and rewards should be set first, ordering landowners to submit by hand verified statements of acreage to the authorities; princes, imperial sons-in-law, schools, and temples and monasteries should likewise be required to do so; private concealment of commoners' fields should still be forbidden, and noble and powerful families must not obstruct the effort. I request that censorial ministers be ordered to cooperate to complete this, and then state revenue will suffice. Emperor Renzong approved all of this. Soon envoys were dispatched to the various provinces to register fields and increase taxes. The measures were harsh, urgent, and vexatious, worst in Jiangyou, leading the Ganzhou commoner Cai Wujiu to rebel at Ningdu. The south was thrown into turmoil, and near and far were alarmed and fearful; the project was then abandoned.

明年，鐵木迭兒奏：「天下庶務，雖統於中書，而舊制，省臣亦分領之。請以錢帛、鈔法、刑名，委平章李孟、左丞阿卜海牙、參政趙世延等領之。其糧儲、選法、造作、驛傳，委平章張驢、右丞蕭拜住、參政曹從革等領之。」得旨如所請。七月，詔諭中外，命右丞相鐵木迭兒緫宣政院事。十月，進位太師。十一月，大宗正府奏：「累朝舊制，凡議重刑，必決於蒙古大臣，今宜聽於太師右丞相。」從之。

The following year, Temüder memorialized, "The myriad affairs of the empire, though unified under the Central Secretariat, were by old regulation also divided among secretariat ministers for oversight. I request that currency and silk, the note system, and penal matters be entrusted to Grand Councillor Li Meng, Left Vice Commissioner Aq Buqa, Vice Grand Councillor Zhao Shiyan, and others to oversee. Grain storage, selection regulations, construction, and courier posts should be entrusted to Grand Councillor Zhang Lü, Right Vice Commissioner Xiao Baizhu, Vice Grand Councillor Cao Congge, and others to oversee. Imperial approval was granted as requested. In the seventh month, an edict was proclaimed within and without, appointing Right Chancellor Temüder to oversee all affairs of the Bureau of Buddhist and Tibetan Affairs. In the tenth month, he was promoted to grand preceptor. In the eleventh month, the Court of the Imperial Clan memorialized, "By the old regulations of successive reigns, whenever heavy punishments were deliberated, the decision had to rest with Mongol ministers. Now this should be left to the Grand Preceptor and Right Chancellor." This was approved.

鐵木迭兒既再入中書，居首相，怙勢貪虐，凶穢滋甚。於是蕭拜住自御史中丞為中書右丞，尋拜平章政事，稍牽制之。而楊朶兒只自侍御史拜中丞，慨然以糾正其罪為己任。上都富人張弼殺人繫獄，鐵木迭兒使家奴脅留守賀伯顏，使出之，伯顏持正不可撓。而朶兒只已廉得丞相所受張弼賂有顯徵，乃與拜住及伯顏奏之：「內外監察御史凡四十餘人，共劾鐵木迭兒桀黠姦貪，陰賊險狠，蒙上罔下，蠹政害民，布置爪牙，威讋朝野，凡可以誣陷善人、要功利己者，靡所不至。取晉王田千餘畝、興教寺後壖園地三十畝、衛兵牧地二十餘畝。竊食郊廟供祀馬。受諸王合兒班荅使人鈔十四萬貫，寶珠玉帶幣帛又計鈔十餘萬貫。受杭州永興寺僧章自福賂金一百五十兩。取殺人囚張弼鈔五萬貫。且既已位極人臣，又領宣政院事，以其子八里吉思為之使。諸子無功於國，盡居貴顯。縱家奴陵虐官府，為害百端。以致陰陽不和，山移地震，災異數見，百姓流亡，己乃恬然略無省悔。私家之富，又在阿合馬、桑哥之上。四海疾怨已久，咸願車裂斬首，以快其心。如蒙早加顯戮，以示天下，庶使後之為臣者，知所警戒。」奏既上，仁宗震怒，有詔逮問，鐵木迭兒匿興聖近侍家，有司不得捕。仁宗不樂者數日，又恐誠出皇太后意，不忍重傷咈之，乃僅罷其相位而已。

After Temüder had again entered the Central Secretariat and occupied the chief ministership, he relied on his power, was greedy and cruel, and his wickedness grew ever fouler. Thereupon Xiao Baizhu, from vice censor-in-chief, became right vice commissioner of the Central Secretariat, and soon was appointed grand councillor, slightly checking Temüder. Yang Tarchih, from attendant censor, was appointed vice censor-in-chief and took it upon himself with resolve to correct Temüder's crimes. Zhang Bi, a wealthy man of Shangdu, was imprisoned for murder. Temüder sent a household slave to coerce Regent He Boyan to release him, but Boyan held firm and could not be bent. Tarchih had already obtained clear evidence through investigation that the chancellor had accepted bribes from Zhang Bi. Thereupon, together with Baizhu and Boyan, he memorialized, "More than forty investigating censors within and without jointly impeached Temüder as overbearing, cunning, treacherous, and greedy—secretly vicious, cruel, and ruthless, deceiving his superiors and misleading his subordinates, corrupting government and harming the people, deploying agents, and terrifying court and countryside. Whatever could frame good men or seize profit for himself, there was nothing he would not do. He seized more than a thousand mu of the Prince of Jin's land, thirty mu of garden land behind Xingjiao Temple, and more than twenty mu of guard pasture. He secretly ate the horses supplied for suburban and temple sacrifice. He accepted 140,000 strings of cash from the envoy of Prince Qoribanda, and pearls, jewels, jade belts, trappings, and silks amounting to more than 100,000 strings of cash besides. He accepted a bribe of one hundred fifty taels of gold from the monk Zhang Zifu of Yongxing Temple in Hangzhou. He took fifty thousand strings of cash from the murderer Zhang Bi. Moreover, though he had already reached the summit among ministers, he also oversaw the Bureau of Buddhist and Tibetan Affairs and made his son Baljinai its commissioner. His sons, though without merit to the state, all held lofty and eminent posts. He indulged household slaves to bully and abuse government offices, causing harm in countless ways. The result was disharmony of yin and yang, mountains shifting and earthquakes, repeated portents and anomalies, and the common people fleeing in exile—yet he himself remained untroubled, with scarcely any reflection or repentance. The wealth of his private household exceeded even that of Ahmad and Sangge. Hatred and resentment throughout the four seas had long accumulated; all wished him torn apart by chariots or beheaded, to satisfy their hearts. If he might early be subjected to conspicuous execution to show the empire, perhaps later ministers would know what to fear. After the memorial was submitted, Emperor Renzong was shaken with rage. An edict was issued to arrest and question Temüder, but Temüder hid in the home of a Xingsheng Palace attendant, and the authorities could not seize him. Emperor Renzong was displeased for several days, yet feared this truly came from the Empress Dowager's intent and could not bear to deeply wound her by going against it; he therefore merely removed Temüder from the chancellorship.

鐵木迭兒家居未逾年，又起為太子太師，中外聞之，莫不驚駭。參政趙世延為御史中丞，率諸御史論其不法數十事，而內外御史論其不可輔導東宮者，又四十餘人。然以皇太后故，終不能明正其罪。

Temüder had been at home for less than a year when he was again raised to grand preceptor of the heir apparent. Within and without the court, all who heard it were astonished and appalled. Vice Grand Councillor Zhao Shiyan, as vice censor-in-chief, led the censors in listing several dozen of his unlawful acts, while censors within and without, arguing that he was unfit to guide the Eastern Palace, numbered more than forty. Yet because of the Empress Dowager, in the end his crimes could not be openly punished.

明年正月辛丑，仁宗崩。越四日，鐵木迭兒以皇太后旨，復入中書為右丞相。又逾月，英宗猶在東宮，鐵木迭兒宣太后旨，召蕭拜住與朶兒只至徽政院，與徽攻院使失里門、御史大夫禿忒哈雜問之，責以前違太后旨，令伏罪。即起入奏，遽稱旨，執二人棄市。是日，白晝晦冥，都人恟懼。

In the first month of the following year, on the day xinchou, Emperor Renzong died. Four days later, by the Empress Dowager's command, Temüder again entered the Central Secretariat as right chancellor. After another month, while Emperor Yingzong was still in the Eastern Palace, Temüder proclaimed the Empress Dowager's command and summoned Xiao Baizhu and Tarchih to the Huizheng Court. Together with Huizheng Commissioner Shirimen and Censor-in-Chief Tutuqa they jointly interrogated them, charging them with having earlier defied the Empress Dowager's command and ordering them to confess their crimes. He immediately rose, entered, and memorialized, abruptly claiming imperial approval, and had the two men seized and executed in the marketplace. That day, though it was broad daylight, the sky turned dark; the people of the capital were alarmed and fearful.

英宗將行即位禮，鐵木迭兒恒病足，中書省啟：「祖宗以來，皇帝登極，中書率百官稱賀，班首惟上所命。」英宗曰：「其以鐵木迭兒為之。」既即位，鐵木迭兒即奏委平章王毅、右丞高昉等徵理在京倉庫所貯糧，虧七十八萬石，責償於倉官及監臨出內者。所貢幣帛紕繆者，責償於本處官吏之董其事者。仍立程嚴督，違者杖之。五月，英宗在上都，鐵木迭兒嫉留守賀伯顏素不附己，乃奏其以便服迎詔為不敬，下五府雜治，竟殺之。都民為之流涕。

When Emperor Yingzong was about to perform the accession rites, Temüder was chronically ill in the foot. The Central Secretariat reported, "Since the ancestors, when an emperor acceded, the Central Secretariat led all officials in offering congratulations, and the lead position was only as the sovereign commanded. Emperor Yingzong said, "Let Temüder take that role. After he acceded, Temüder immediately memorialized entrusting Grand Councillor Wang Yi, Right Vice Commissioner Gao Fang, and others to audit the grain stored in the capital's warehouses. The shortfall was 780,000 shi; restitution was demanded from warehouse officials and those who supervised disbursement. Where tribute silks and fabrics were defective, restitution was demanded from the local officials who oversaw the matter. Schedules were also set with strict supervision; violators were beaten with the staff. In the fifth month, while Emperor Yingzong was at Shangdu, Temüder resented Regent He Boyan, who had never attached himself to him. He memorialized that Boyan had received the edict in informal dress as a mark of disrespect. The case was sent to the Five Offices for joint trial, and in the end Boyan was executed. The people of the capital wept for him.

趙世延時為四川行省平章政事，鐵木迭兒怒其昔嘗論己，方入相時，即從東宮啟英宗遣人逮捕之。世延未至，鐵木迭兒使諷世延，啗以美官，令告引同時異己者，世延不肯從。至是，坐以違詔不敬，令法司窮治，請置極刑。英宗曰：「彼罪在赦前，所宜釋免。」鐵木迭兒對曰：「昔世延與省臺諸人謀害老臣，請究其姓名。」英宗曰：「事皆在赦前矣，又焉用問。」後數日，又奏世延當處死罪，又不允。有司承望風旨，鍛鍊欲使自裁，世延終無所屈，賴英宗素聞其忠良，得免於死。

Zhao Shiyan was then grand councillor of the Sichuan Regional Secretariat. Temüder resented that he had once impeached him, and as soon as Temüder entered the chancellorship he reported through the Eastern Palace to Emperor Yingzong and had men dispatched to arrest Shiyan. Before Shiyan arrived, Temüder sent word to hint to him, tempting him with a fine office and ordering him to inform against those who had opposed him at the same time. Shiyan refused to comply. At this point he was charged with violating the edict and showing disrespect; the legal offices were ordered to investigate to the full and requested the extreme penalty. Emperor Yingzong said, "His crime falls before the amnesty and should be released and pardoned. Temüder replied, "In the past Shiyan together with secretariat and censorial officials plotted to harm this old minister. I request that their names be investigated. Emperor Yingzong said, "The matters all fall before the amnesty—what need is there to ask? Several days later, he again memorialized that Shiyan should receive the death penalty, and again this was not granted. The officials in charge, catching the drift of Temüder's wishes, fabricated charges meant to drive Shiyan to suicide. Shiyan never wavered, and because Emperor Yingzong had long known him as loyal and upright, he was spared execution.

鐵木迭兒恃其權寵，乘間肆毒，睚眥之私，無有不報。英宗覺其所譖毀者，皆先帝舊人，滋不悅其所為，乃任拜住為左丞相，委以心腹。鐵木迭兒漸見疏外，以疾死于家。御史蓋繼元、宋翼，言其上負國恩，下失民望，生逃顯戮，死有餘辜。乃命毀所立碑，追奪其官爵及封贈制書，籍沒其家。

Temüder traded on his power and imperial favor, seized every chance to strike, and repaid even the pettiest slights without fail. Emperor Yingzong saw that those Temüder slandered were all veterans of his father's court, and his displeasure deepened. He appointed Baizhu left chancellor and entrusted him as his inner confidant. Temüder was gradually pushed aside and estranged, and died of illness at home. Censors Gai Jiyuan and Song Yi declared that Temüder had betrayed the state's grace above and forfeited the people's trust below; in life he had escaped public execution, yet in death his guilt still exceeded any punishment. The court ordered his memorial stele destroyed, his offices and titles and all patents of enfeoffment posthumously revoked, and his household registered and confiscated.

子班丹，知樞密院事，尋以贓敗，不敘；鎖南，嘗為治書侍御史，其後鐵失弒英宗，鎖南以逆黨伏誅。

His son Bandan, commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, was soon disgraced by corruption and barred from further appointment; Suonang had once served as supervising secretary censor. After Tieshi assassinated Emperor Yingzong, Suonang was executed as a member of the rebel faction.

哈麻字士廉，康里人。父禿魯，母為寧宗乳母，禿魯以故封冀國公，加太尉，階金紫光祿大夫。哈麻與其弟雪雪，早備宿衛，順帝深眷寵之。而哈麻有口才，尤為帝所褻幸，累遷官為殿中侍御史。雪雪累官集賢學士。帝每即內殿與哈麻以雙陸為戲，一日，哈麻服新衣侍側，帝方啜茶，即噀茶於其衣。哈麻親帝曰：「天子固當如是耶！」帝一笑而已。其被愛幸，無與為比。

Hami, courtesy name Shilian, was a native of the Kangli tribe. His father Tulu, whose wife had been wet nurse to Emperor Ningzong, was for that reason enfeoffed as Duke of Ji, promoted to grand commandant, and granted the rank of Grand Master with Gold Seal and Purple Ribbon. Hami and his younger brother Xuexue entered palace guard service early on, and Emperor Shundi favored them deeply. Hami was eloquent and enjoyed especially intimate favor from the emperor; through successive promotions he rose to attending palace censor. Xuexue rose through the ranks to become academician of the Hall for Advancing Worthies. The emperor would often go to the inner hall to play backgammon with Hami. One day Hami, dressed in new clothes, stood at his side while the emperor was sipping tea; the emperor suddenly spat tea onto his garment. Hami drew close to the emperor and said, "Is this how a Son of Heaven ought to behave! The emperor merely smiled — and that was all. The favor he enjoyed had no equal.

由是哈麻聲勢日盛，自藩王戚里，皆遺賂之。尋以謀害脫脫，出貶南安，召入為禮部尚書，俄遷同知樞密院事。至正初，脫脫為丞相，其弟也先帖木兒為御史大夫，哈麻日趨附其兄弟之門。會脫脫去相位，而別兒怯不花為丞相，與脫脫有舊怨，頗欲中傷之，哈麻每於帝前力營護之，以故得免。

From this Hami's power and prestige grew daily; from imperial princes to consort kin, all sent him gifts. Soon, for plotting against Toqto, he was demoted and exiled to Nan'an. He was later recalled as minister of rites and soon promoted to associate commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. At the beginning of the Zhizheng era, Toqto was chancellor and his younger brother Yesun Temür censor-in-chief; Hami daily hurried to attach himself to their household. When Toqto left the chancellorship, Bie'erqiebuhua became chancellor. He bore an old grudge against Toqto and greatly wished to harm him, but Hami each time vigorously shielded Toqto before the emperor, and for that reason Toqto escaped injury.

初，別兒怯不花與太平、韓嘉納、禿滿迭兒等十人，結為兄弟，情好甚密。及別兒怯不花既罷，九年，太平為左丞相，韓嘉納為御史大夫，乃謀黜哈麻，諷監察御史斡勒海壽，列其罪惡劾奏之：其小罪，則受宣讓王等駝馬諸物；其大者，則設帳房於御幄之後，無君臣之分。又，恃以提調寧徽寺為名，出入脫忽思皇后宮闈無間，犯分之罪尤大。寧徽寺者，掌脫忽思皇后錢糧，而脫忽思皇后，帝庶母也。哈麻知御史有所言，先已於帝前析其非罪，事皆太平、韓嘉納所摭拾。及韓嘉納以御史所言奏，帝大怒，斥弗納。明日，章再上，帝不得已，僅奪哈麻、雪雪官職，居之草地。而斡勒海壽為陝西廉訪副使，於是太平罷為翰林學士承旨，韓嘉納罷為宣政使，尋出為江浙行省平章政事。有頃，脫忽思皇后泣訴帝，謂御史所劾哈麻事為侵己，帝益怒，乃詔奪海壽官，屏歸田里，禁錮之。已而脫脫復為丞相，也先帖木兒復為御史大夫，而謫太平居陝西，而加韓嘉納以贓罪，杖流奴兒干以死。別兒怯不花既罷，猶出居般陽，而禿滿迭兒自中書右丞出為四川右丞，亦誣以罪，追至中道殺之。已而哈麻復見召用，而脫脫兄弟尤德之。

Earlier, Bie'erqiebuhua together with Taiping, Han Jiana, Tumandier, and nine others had sworn brotherhood; their bond was very close. After Bie'erqiebuhua had been dismissed, in the ninth year Taiping became left chancellor and Han Jiana censor-in-chief. They plotted to remove Hami and hinted to supervising censor Walai Haishou to enumerate his crimes and impeach him: among lesser crimes, accepting camels, horses, and other goods from the Prince of Xuanrang and others; among greater crimes, setting up a tent-office behind the imperial canopy, with no distinction between sovereign and minister. Moreover, under the pretext of overseeing Ninghui Temple, he entered and left Empress Toghus's inner quarters without restraint — a crime of violating proper bounds especially grave. Ninghui Temple managed Empress Toghus's finances and grain supplies, and Empress Toghus was the emperor's stepmother. Hami learned what the censors were saying and had already explained away the charges before the emperor; the matters had all been gathered by Taiping and Han Jiana. When Han Jiana reported what the censors had said, the emperor was greatly angered and refused to accept it. The next day the memorial was submitted again; the emperor had no choice and only stripped Hami and Xuexue of their offices, sending them to live on the grasslands. Walai Haishou was made vice surveillance commissioner of Shaanxi. Taiping was dismissed to chief academician of the Hanlin Academy, Han Jiana to commissioner of the Court for the Spread of Governance, and soon after sent out as grand councillor of the Jiang-Zhe Branch Secretariat. Before long Empress Toghus wept and complained to the emperor that the censors' impeachment of Hami was an attack on her. The emperor grew angrier still and issued an edict stripping Haishou of his office, sending him home in disgrace and imprisoning him. Before long Toqto again became chancellor and Yesun Temür again censor-in-chief. Taiping was banished to Shaanxi, and Han Jiana was charged with corruption, beaten, and exiled to Nürgan, where he died. Though Bie'erqiebuhua had already been dismissed, he still went out to live at Panyang. Tumandier, sent from right vice director of the Central Secretariat to right vice director of Sichuan, was likewise falsely charged, pursued on the road, and killed. Before long Hami was summoned back into service, and the Toqto brothers were especially grateful to him.

十二年八月，哈麻拜中書添設右丞。明年正月，正除右丞。時脫脫方信任汝中柏，由郎中為參議中書，自平章政事以下，見其議事，皆唯唯而已。獨哈麻性剛決，與之論，數不合，汝中柏因譖哈麻於脫脫。八月，出哈麻為宣政院使，又位居第三，哈麻由是深銜脫脫。

In the eighth month of the twelfth year, Hami was appointed additionally established right vice director of the Central Secretariat. In the first month of the following year he received formal appointment as right vice director. At that time Toqto deeply trusted Ru Zhongbai, who rose from bureau director to deliberator of the Secretariat; from associate grand councillor downward, all who saw him discuss affairs merely assented. Only Hami, forceful and resolute by nature, frequently disagreed with him in debate; Ru Zhongbai therefore slandered Hami to Toqto. In the eighth month Hami was sent out as commissioner of the Court for the Spread of Governance, yet ranked only third in precedence; from this Hami deeply resented Toqto.

初，哈麻嘗陰進西天僧以運氣術媚帝，帝習為之，號演揲兒法。演揲兒，華言大喜樂也。哈麻之妹壻集賢學士禿魯帖木兒，故有寵於帝，與老的沙、八郎、荅剌馬吉的、波迪哇兒禡等十人，俱號倚納。禿魯帖木兒性姦狡，帝愛之，言聽計從，亦薦西蕃僧伽璘真於帝。其僧善祕密法，謂帝曰：「陛下雖尊居萬乘，富有四海，不過保有見世而已。人生能幾何，當受此祕密大喜樂禪定。」帝又習之，其法亦名雙修法。曰演揲兒，曰祕密，皆房中術也。帝乃詔以西天僧為司徒，西蕃僧為大元國師。其徒皆取良家女，或四人、或三人奉之，謂之供養。於是帝日從事於其法，廣取女婦，惟淫戲是樂。又選采女為十六天魔舞。八郎者，帝諸弟，與其所謂倚納者，皆在帝前，相與褻狎，甚至男女裸處，號所處室曰皆即兀該，華言事事無礙也。君臣宣淫，而群僧出入禁中，無所禁止，醜聲穢行，著聞于外，雖市井之人，亦惡聞之。皇太子年日以長，尤深疾禿魯帖木兒等所為，欲去之未能也。

Earlier, Hami had secretly introduced Western Heaven monks who used breath-circulation arts to flatter the emperor. The emperor learned the practice, called the Yanaḍar method. Yanaḍar, in Chinese, means "great bliss." Hami's brother-in-law, academician Tulu Temür, therefore enjoyed the emperor's favor. Together with Laodasha, Balang, Daram Jide, Bodiwa'erma, and others — ten in all — they were styled yina. Tulu Temür was cunning and deceitful by nature; the emperor loved him and followed his every word and plan. He also recommended the Western Tibetan monk Qalinzhen to the emperor. That monk was skilled in secret methods and said to the emperor, "Though Your Majesty is honored to occupy the throne of ten thousand chariots and rich in the possession of all within the four seas, you can hold only the visible world — that is all. How long is human life? You ought to receive this secret great-bliss meditation. The emperor learned it as well; the method was also called dual-practice dhyana. What is called Yanaḍar, what is called "secret" — all are bedchamber arts. The emperor thereupon issued an edict making the Western Heaven monk minister of education and the Western Tibetan monk Great Preceptor of the Great Yuan. His disciples all took daughters of good families — sometimes four, sometimes three — to attend them; this was called "offerings of support." Thereupon the emperor daily engaged in these methods, taking women widely and finding pleasure only in licentious sport. He also selected tribute girls for the Sixteen Heavenly Demon Dance. Balang was one of the emperor's younger brothers. Together with those called yina, all were before the emperor, treating one another with indecent familiarity, even men and women naked together. They called the room where they stayed Jiejijiwu'gai — in Chinese, "nothing forbidden in anything." Sovereign and ministers openly indulged in lewdness, while bands of monks entered and left the forbidden precincts without restraint. Foul reputations and filthy conduct became notorious abroad, and even common townsfolk loathed to hear of them. The crown prince grew older by the day and especially hated what Tulu Temür and the others were doing. He wished to remove them but could not.

十四年秋，脫脫領大軍討高郵，哈麻乘間遂復入中書為平章政事。脫脫之出師也，以汝中柏為治書侍御史，俾輔也先帖木兒。汝中柏累言哈麻必當屏斥，不然必為後患。而也先帖木兒不從。哈麻知之，恐終不自保，因訴於皇后奇氏曰：「皇太子既立，而冊寶及郊廟之禮不行者，脫脫兄弟之意也。」皇后既頗信之，哈麻復與汪家奴之子桑哥實里、也先帖木兒之客明理明古，譖諸皇太子。會也先帖木兒移疾家居，於是監察御史袁賽因不花等即承望哈麻風指，奏劾也先帖木兒罪惡，章凡三上，而帝始允，詔收御史臺印，令也先帖木兒出都門聽旨。而遂以知樞密院事汪家奴為御史大夫。尋降詔數脫脫老師費財之罪，即軍中奪其兵柄，安置淮安。既而脫脫、也先帖木兒皆就貶逐以死，並籍其家貲人口，而以所籍也先帖木兒者賜哈麻。

In the autumn of the fourteenth year Toqto led a great army against Gaoyou. Hami seized the opportunity and again entered the Central Secretariat as associate grand councillor. When Toqto marched out on campaign, he made Ru Zhongbai supervising secretary censor to assist Yesun Temür. Ru Zhongbai repeatedly said Hami must be driven away, or he would surely become a future threat. But Yesun Temür would not comply. Hami learned of this and feared he could never save himself. He complained to Empress Qi, saying, "The crown prince has already been established, yet the rites of investiture and suburban and temple sacrifice have not been performed — this is the intent of the Toqto brothers. Empress Qi already rather believed this. Hami further joined with Wang Jianu's son Sangge Shirili and Yesun Temür's client Mingli Minggu in slandering the crown prince. When Yesun Temür fell ill and retired home, supervising censors Yuan Saoyinbuhua and others, immediately catching Hami's drift, memorialized impeaching Yesun Temür for his crimes. The memorial was submitted three times before the emperor finally assented. An edict confiscated the censorate seal and ordered Yesun Temür to leave the capital gate and await instructions. Wang Jianu, commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, was thereupon made censor-in-chief. Soon an edict enumerated Toqto's crimes of old age, tardiness, and waste of resources. His command of troops was immediately stripped in camp and he was resettled at Huai'an. Before long both Toqto and Yesun Temür were demoted and exiled to their deaths. Their household wealth and dependents were registered and confiscated together, and what had been seized from Yesun Temür was granted to Hami.

十五年四月，雪雪由知樞密院事拜御史大夫。五月，哈麻遂拜中書左丞相，國家大柄，盡歸其兄弟二人矣。

In the fourth month of the fifteenth year Xuexue, from commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, was appointed censor-in-chief. In the fifth month Hami was appointed left chancellor of the Central Secretariat; the great power of the state passed entirely into the hands of the two brothers.

明年二月，哈麻既為相，自以前所進蕃僧為恥，告其父禿魯曰：「我兄弟位居宰輔，宜導人主以正，今禿魯帖木兒專媚上以淫褻，天下士大夫必譏笑我，將何面目見人，我將除之。且上日趨於昏暗，何以治天下，今皇太子年長，聰明過人，不若立以為帝，而奉上為太上皇。」其妹聞之，歸告其夫。禿魯帖木兒恐皇太子為帝，則己必先見誅，即以聞于帝，然不敢斥言淫褻事，第曰「哈麻謂陛下年老故耳」。帝大驚曰：「朕頭未白，齒未落，遽謂我為老耶！」帝即與禿魯帖木兒謀去哈麻、雪雪，計已定，禿魯帖木兒走匿尼寺中。明日，帝遣使傳旨哈麻與雪雪，毋早入朝，其家居聽旨。

In the second month of the following year, Hami having become chancellor and ashamed of the Tibetan monks he had previously introduced, told his father Tulu, "We brothers occupy the rank of chief ministers and ought to guide the ruler toward the upright. Now Tulu Temür devotedly flatters the sovereign with lewd obscenity — scholars throughout the realm will surely mock us. With what face can we meet others? I will remove him. Moreover the sovereign daily declines toward darkness — how can he govern the realm? The crown prince is now grown, his intelligence surpassing others. Better to install him as emperor and make the present sovereign retired emperor." His sister heard this and returned home to tell her husband. Tulu Temür feared that if the crown prince became emperor he himself would be the first executed. He immediately reported it to the emperor, yet did not dare speak openly of the lewd obscenity, saying only, "Hami says it is because Your Majesty is old, that is all." The emperor was greatly startled and said, "My hair is not yet white, my teeth have not yet fallen — and suddenly you call me old! The emperor immediately plotted with Tulu Temür to remove Hami and Xuexue. Once the plan was settled, Tulu Temür fled and hid in a nunnery. The next day the emperor sent messengers to convey his command to Hami and Xuexue: do not enter court early; remain at home awaiting instructions.

御史大夫搠思監，因劾奏哈麻與雪雪罪惡，帝曰：「哈麻、雪雪兄弟二人雖有罪，然侍朕日久，且與朕弟懿璘質班皇帝實同乳，可姑緩其罰，令其出征。」已而中書右丞相定住、平章政事桑哥失里，復糾劾哈麻、雪雪之罪不已，乃命其兄弟出城受詔，遂詔哈麻於惠州安置，雪雪於肇州安置。比行，俱杖死。哈麻既死，仍籍其家財，也先帖木兒所封之庫藏，其封識固未嘗啟也。哈麻兄弟寵幸方固，而一旦遽見廢外，人皆謂帝怒其譖害脫脫兄弟之故，而不知其罪蓋由於不軌。其兄弟之死，人無恤之者。

Censor-in-Chief Suosijian thereupon memorialized impeaching Hami and Xuexue for their crimes. The emperor said, "Although the Hami brothers are guilty, they have long served me and shared the same wet nurse as my brother, Emperor Yilin Zhiban. For the time being let their punishment be deferred and send them on campaign. Before long Right Chancellor Dingzhu and Associate Grand Councillor Sangge Shili again repeatedly impeached the crimes of Hami and Xuexue without cease. The brothers were ordered to leave the city to receive the edict. An edict resettled Hami at Huizhou and Xuexue at Zhaozhou. As they set out, both were beaten to death. After Hami died his household wealth was still registered and confiscated. The treasury sealed by Yesun Temür — its seals had never once been broken. The Hami brothers' favor had just been firmly established when suddenly they were cast out. All said the emperor's anger was because they had slandered and harmed the Toqto brothers — yet they did not know their guilt in truth arose from treasonous intent. At the brothers' deaths, no one pitied them.

搠思監，怯烈氏，野先不花之孫，亦憐真之子也。早歲，性寬厚，簡言語，皆以遠大之器期之。泰定初，襲長宿衛，為必闍赤怯薛官。至順二年，除內八府宰相。元統初，出為福建宣慰使都元帥。居三年，通達政治，威惠甚著。後至元三年，拜江浙行中書省參知政事。國用所倚，海運為重，是歲，搠思監被命督其役，措置有方，所漕米三百餘萬石，悉達京師，無耗折者。六年，擢湖北道肅政廉訪使，未行，改江浙行省右丞。福建鹽法久壞，詔搠思監往究其私鬻、盜鬻及出納之弊，至則悉廉得其利病，為罷行之。

Suosijian was of the Qarluq tribe, grandson of Yexian Buhua and son of Yilianzhen. In his early years his nature was generous and mild and his speech sparing; all expected great things of him. At the beginning of the Taiding era he inherited long service in the palace guard and became a bitikchi keshig officer. In the second year of Zhishun he was appointed minister of the Inner Eight Offices. At the beginning of the Yuantong era he was sent out as pacification commissioner and commander-in-chief of Fujian. After three years in office he was thoroughly versed in governance; his authority and kindness were very notable. In the third year of the later Zhiyuan era he was appointed vice grand councillor of the Jiang-Zhe Branch Secretariat. Sea transport was crucial to state expenditure. That year Suosijian was ordered to supervise the work. His arrangements were well ordered; more than three million shi of transported grain all reached the capital with none lost or damaged. In the sixth year he was promoted to surveillance commissioner of the Huguang Integrity Promotion Circuit; before he departed he was changed to right vice director of the Jiang-Zhe Branch Secretariat. The Fujian salt monopoly had long been corrupt. An edict ordered Suosijian to investigate the evils of private sales, theft of sales, and irregular disbursement and receipt. Upon arrival he thoroughly and fairly identified the strengths and weaknesses and abolished abuses and implemented reforms.

十四年九月，奉命率師討賊淮南，身先士卒，面中流矢不為動。十五年，遷陝西行省平章，復召還，拜知樞密院事。俄復拜中書平章，兼大司農分司，提調大都留守司，及屯田事。一日，入侍，帝見其面有箭瘢，深歎閔焉。進為首平章。十六年，復遷御史大夫。四月，遂拜中書左丞相，明年三月，進右丞相。十八年，加太保，詔封其曾祖孛魯海為雲王，祖也先不花為瀛王，父亦憐真為冀王。

In the ninth month of the fourteenth year, ordered to lead troops against bandits in Huainan, he went before his soldiers. Though an arrow struck his face he did not stir. In the fifteenth year he was transferred as grand councillor of the Shaanxi Branch Secretariat, then recalled and appointed commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Soon he was again appointed associate grand councillor of the Secretariat, concurrently chief of the Grand Agribureau branch office, overseeing the capital palace commission and garrison-farm affairs. One day, entering attendance, the emperor saw the arrow scar on his face and sighed deeply in pity. He was advanced to senior associate grand councillor. In the sixteenth year he was again transferred to censor-in-chief. In the fourth month he was appointed left chancellor of the Central Secretariat; in the third month of the following year he was promoted to right chancellor. In the eighteenth year he was advanced to grand preceptor. An edict enfeoffed his great-grandfather Boluohai as Prince of Yun, his grandfather Yexian Buhua as Prince of Ying, and his father Yilianzhen as Prince of Ji.

是時，天下多故日已甚，外則軍旅煩興，疆宇日蹙；內則帑藏空虛，用度不給；而帝方溺於娛樂，不恤政務。於是搠思監居相位久，無所匡救，而又公受賄賂，貪聲著聞，物議喧然。是年冬，監察御史燕赤不花，劾奏搠思監任用私人朶列及妾弟崔完者帖木兒印造偽鈔，事將敗，令朶列自殺以滅口。搠思監乃請謝事，解機務，詔止收其印綬。而御史荅里麻失里、王彝言不已，帝終不聽也。會遼陽賊勢張甚，明年，遂起為遼陽行省左丞相，未行。二十年三月，復拜中書右丞相，仍降詔諭天下。

At this time troubles throughout the realm worsened daily; externally armies were repeatedly raised and the territory shrank day by day; internally the treasury was empty and expenditures could not be met; while the emperor was still drowning in amusements, untroubled by affairs of government. By then Suosijian had held the chancellorship for a long time without remedying anything, and he openly accepted bribes besides. His reputation for greed was notorious, and public opinion was in uproar. That winter, investigating censor Yanchi Buhua impeached Suosijian for employing his private associate Duolie and his concubine's younger brother Cui Wanzhe Temür to print counterfeit banknotes. When the affair was about to be exposed, he had Duolie kill himself to silence witnesses. Suosijian thereupon asked to resign and relinquish affairs of state. An edict merely took back his seal and cord of office. Yet censors Dalil Mashi and Wang Yi kept speaking out, and the emperor in the end would not heed them. As rebel forces in Liaoyang were growing very strong, the next year he was recalled as left chancellor of the Liaoyang Branch Secretariat, but never set out. In the third month of the twentieth year he was again appointed right chancellor of the Central Secretariat, and an edict was again issued proclaiming this throughout the realm.

時帝益厭政，而宦者資正院使朴不花，乘間用事為姦利，搠思監因與結搆相表裏，四方警報及將臣功狀，皆壅不上聞。孛羅帖木兒、擴廓帖木兒各擁強兵于外，以權勢相軋，釁隙遂成。搠思監與朴不花黨於擴廓帖木兒，而誣孛羅帖木兒以非罪。二十四年三月，帝因下詔削奪其官爵，且命擴廓帖木兒以兵討之。而宗王不顏帖木兒、禿堅帖木兒等皆稱兵與孛羅帖木兒合，表言其無罪。於是帝為降詔曰：「自至正十一年妖賊竊發，屬嘗選命將相，分任乃職，視同心膂，凡厥庶政，悉以委之。豈期搠思監、朴不花夤緣為姦，互相壅蔽，以致在外宣力之臣，因而解體；在內忠良之士，悉陷非辜。又復奮其私讎，誣搆孛羅帖木兒、老的沙等同謀不軌。朕以信任之專，失於究察，遂調兵往討。孛羅帖木兒已嘗陳詞，而乃寢匿不行。今宗王不顏帖木兒等，仰畏明威，遠來控訴，以表其情，朕為惻然興念，而搠思監、朴不花猶飾虛詞，簧惑朕聽。其以搠思監屏諸嶺北，朴不花竄之甘肅，以快衆憤。孛羅帖木兒等，悉與改正，復其官職。」然詔書雖下，而搠思監、朴不花仍留京師。

The emperor was growing ever more weary of government, while the eunuch Pak Buha, director of the Correct Resources Office, seized the opportunity to wield power for illicit gain. Suosijian joined him in collusion, and alarms from the four quarters and reports of generals' achievements were all blocked from reaching the throne. Boluo Timur and Köke Timur each commanded strong armies in the provinces and clashed over power and influence, and enmity thus formed between them. Suosijian and Pak Buha allied with Köke Timur and falsely charged Boluo Timur with crimes. In the third month of the twenty-fourth year the emperor issued an edict stripping Boluo Timur of his offices and titles and ordered Köke Timur to suppress him with troops. But the imperial princes Buyan Temür, Toqto'a Timur, and others all took up arms and joined Boluo Timur, memorializing that he was innocent. Thereupon the emperor issued an edict saying, "Since the eleventh year of Zhizheng, when demonic rebels secretly rose, We have repeatedly selected and appointed generals and chancellors, assigning each his duty and treating them as of one heart and backbone. We have entrusted them with all ordinary government. Who could have expected Suosijian and Pak Buha to seize every opportunity for wickedness and mutually block and conceal affairs, so that ministers abroad exerting their strength fell apart; and loyal and worthy men within were all trapped in unjust guilt. Again they pursued their private vendettas, fabricating charges that Boluo Timur, Laodesha, and others were conspiring treason. Because of Our exclusive trust, We failed to investigate thoroughly and thus dispatched troops to suppress him. Boluo Timur had already presented his defense, yet it was suppressed and never acted upon. Now the imperial princes Buyan Temür and others, in awe of Our enlightened majesty, came from afar to lodge complaints and express their feelings. We were moved to compassion upon reflection, yet Suosijian and Pak Buha still clothed their words in falsehood and played upon Our ears with flattery. Let Suosijian be banished beyond the northern passes and Pak Buha be exiled to Gansu, to satisfy public outrage. Boluo Timur and the others shall all be cleared and restored to their offices. Yet although the edict was issued, Suosijian and Pak Buha still remained in the capital.

四月，孛羅帖木兒乃遣禿堅鐵木兒稱兵犯闕，必得搠思監、朴不花乃已。帝不得已，縛二人畀之，遂皆為孛羅鐵木兒所殺。已而監察御史復奏言：「搠思監矯殺丞相太平，盜用鈔板，私家草詔，任情放選，鬻獄賣官，費耗庫藏，居廟堂前後十數年，使天下八省之地，悉致淪陷。乃誤國之姦臣，究其罪惡，大赦難原。曩者，姦臣阿合馬之死，剖棺戮尸，搠思監之罪，視阿合馬為有過。今其雖死，必剖棺戮尸為宜。」有旨從之。而臺臣言猶不已，遂復沒其家產，而竄其子宣徽使觀音奴於遠方。

In the fourth month, Boluo Timur sent Toqto'a Temür to take up arms and assault the imperial precincts, declaring he would not cease until he had Suosijian and Pak Buha. The emperor, having no choice, bound the two men and handed them over. Both were then killed by Boluo Timur. Before long a supervising censor again memorialized: "Suosijian wrongly executed Chancellor Taiping, stole and used printing plates for paper money, privately drafted edicts, capriciously granted selections for office, sold justice and bought and sold offices, wasted and depleted the treasury. Holding power in the Hall of State for some ten years or more, he caused all the territory of the realm's eight provinces to fall into ruin. He was a treacherous minister who misled the state. Considering the full extent of his crimes, even a general amnesty could hardly excuse them. In the past, when the treacherous minister Ahmad died, his coffin was opened and his corpse dismembered. Suosijian's crimes exceed those of Ahmad. Now that he is dead, it would be appropriate to open his coffin and dismember his corpse. An imperial order approved it. Yet the censorial officials still would not cease their accusations. His household property was again confiscated, and his son, Commissioner of the Palace Secretariat Guanyinu, was exiled to a distant place.

怯烈氏四世為丞相者八人，世臣之家，鮮與比盛。而搠思監早有才望，及居相位，人皆仰其有為，遭時多事，顧乃守之以懦，濟之以貪，遂使天下至於亂亡而不可為。論者謂元之亡，搠思監之罪居多云。

Eight men of the Qarluq clan served as chancellor over four generations—a hereditary ministerial house rarely matched in eminence. Yet Suosijian had early won repute for talent, and once he held the chancellorship all looked up to him as a man of action. Confronting a time of many troubles, he nonetheless met them with timidity and answered them with greed, until the realm was brought to chaos and ruin beyond remedy. Commentators held that among the crimes leading to the Yuan's fall, Suosijian's ranked foremost.

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