Translation

The Biography of Yuan Qianyao

Yuan Qianyao was a native of Linzhang, Xiangzhou. The grandson of Yuanshi, the Minister of Bibu in the Sui Dynasty. His father was a straightforward man. During the Emperor Gaozong's reign, he served as Taichang Bo, a prison official. He made a mistake and was exiled to Lingnan and died. He was a Jinshi in Qian Yao, and in the Jingyun year (710), he was appointed as an admonishing official. At that time, the Sanjiu Shooting Ceremony of all officials had been abolished for a long time, but Yuan Qianyao wrote: "The Holy King taught the people of the world that they must make rituals to rectify their relationships. If their relationships are righteous, there will be filial sons in the family and loyal ministers in the country. This principle has endured for a long time. Because it makes sense. Therefore, if a gentleman does not practice etiquette for three years, his etiquette will definitely be damaged; if he does not practice music for three years, his music will definitely collapse. I believe that in ancient times, when choosing a person, you should first observe the ceremony to see how harmonious the ceremony is. The pleasure of the moment. Regarding shooting, it can distinguish between good and evil, observe virtue, comply with sacrifices, and attack enemies. I have seen that the shooting ritual has been abolished over the past few years, and some have been stingy with it. Expenses will make Dashe lose money. I foolishly thought that what I spent was money, but what I saved was etiquette. Therefore, Confucius said: "You love the sheep, and I love the etiquette." Now the times are changing, and the world is clear and bright, I hope. The etiquette of Dashe should not be abandoned, and the teachings of saints should always be carried out. In this way, the world will be blessed. "Yuan Qianyao was soon transferred to the governor of Liangzhou.

In the early years of Kaiyuan (713), some of the officials in the palace broke the law. Xuanzong ordered those around him to seek someone who could be the chief historian of the palace. Taichang Qing Jiang Jiao recommended Yuan Qianyao, saying that he was fair, clear-minded and capable, so he was summoned to talk to Xuanzong. Yuan Qianyao was refreshed and answered He was so orderly that Xuanzong appreciated him very much, so he appointed him as the young eunuch of the Shaofu and concurrently the chief historian of the palace. Soon he was moved to serve as Minister of Household Affairs and Censor Zhongcheng. Not long after, he was transferred to Minister Zuocheng. In the winter of the fourth year of Kaiyuan, Yuan Qianyao was appointed as the Minister of Huangmen and acted as prime minister. In just ten days, he and Yao Yuanzhi were dismissed from the position of prime minister.

At that time, Xuanzong was going to Luoyang, and Yuan Qianyao was appointed as the Zhaoyin of the capital. There was once a white eagle in the battle, but it lost its location when it was released. Xuanzong ordered officials from Jingzhao to capture it. Not long after, he captured the white eagle in the wild, but the white eagle died hanging among thorns. The officials were afraid of offending and looked down on each other. But Qian Yao said slowly: "There are coincidences in things, and there is common sense in death. The Lord is benevolent, and should not blame others for it. If punishment is necessary, I admit it, and there is no need to be afraid." So Yuan Qian Yao then entered the court and asked himself for the crime of violating the decree. Xuanzong paid no attention to the situation. Everyone admired Yuan Qianyao for not being afraid when faced with problems and for being able to avoid mistakes. He served as Jing Zhaoyin for three years, and his decrees remained consistent.

In the spring of the eighth year of Kaiyuan (720), he was appointed Minister of Huangmen and acting prime minister. Soon after, Dr. Yinqing Guanglu was added and promoted to the rank of Attendant. After a long period of time, Yuan Qian Yao wrote: "I saw that the families of prominent officials all seek positions in the capital, and most talented people serve as foreign officials. The king must be fair, and this should not be the case. I have three sons. He hopes to transfer the two of them as foreign officials to coordinate the principle of equality." Xuanzong agreed with this opinion, so he transferred his son Yuanbi from Henan Prefecture to join the army and serve as Jiangzhou Sigong, and Yuan Xie was transferred from Taizhu to Zhengwei. . Xuanzong also issued an edict: "The father of Yuanbi and others held important positions in the court, but he was very modest and strict. He was worried that talents would be out of order among the officials, so he took the lead in showing humility and requested that his second son be transferred. Didn't Zuo Zhuan say: Jin Fan Xuanzi gave way, and all his subordinates gave way. "If the people of Jin can do it, how can benevolence be far behind?" If the three brothers served in the capital together, they would be treated according to their age and seniority. As a result, more than a hundred of the sons of Gongqing were transferred from the capital. Soon, another person wrote a letter, thinking that "the governance of the country is closely related to each other. How can we make them do their best without a little favor?" In November of the 10th year of Kaiyuan (722), Xuanzong decreed that all members of the Zhongshu family would be given food and sealed to 300 households. This real seal was started by Yuan Qianyao and Zhang Jiazhen.

After Yuan Qian Yao, he went east from Xuanzong to Mount Tai to be entrusted with Zen, where he paid homage to Prime Minister Zuo, the minister, and still served as minister. During Qian Yao's ten years in power, Zhang Jiazhen and Zhang Shuo successively succeeded Zhongshu Ling. Yuan Qian Yao did not compete with them for power and would give way to everything. When Li Yuan... and Du Xian took charge of political affairs, Yuan Qianyao did not participate in the discussion, but only agreed to sign. At first, Yuan Qianyao was recommended by Jiang Jiao and was reused. When Jiang Jiao was convicted and ostracized by Zhang Jiazhen, Yuan Qianyao refused to come to his rescue. At that time, people ridiculed Yuan Qianyao for this. In the autumn of the seventeenth year of Kaiyuan (729), he ceased his concurrent position as a minister. In the autumn of this year, he was appointed as the prince's young master. He took his grandfather's name as his teacher and resolutely resigned. He was appointed as the prince's young master and was granted the title of Duke of Anyang County.

In the 19th year of Kaiyuan (732), Xuanzong went to Luoyang, the eastern capital. Yuan Qianyao was too old and sick to follow him, so he stayed in the capital to recuperate. He died this winter. The imperial edict was issued posthumously to the Governor of Youzhou. Xuanzong mourned at the south gate of Luoyang City and stopped the court meeting for two days.