《宋史·列传·卷一百五十四》
山东刚内附朝廷，方信孺说： 豪杰不能以虚名驾驭，武夫不可以弱势镇压，应当选择有威信的重臣，率领数万强兵，在山东设立幕府，以主制客，以重驭轻，则可以包容山东，固守江北，而两河地区尽在监督之下。 方信孺因此获罪，降官三级，又一次奉祠闲居，此后又恢复了官职。
山东初内附，信孺言： 豪杰不可以虚名驾驭，武夫不可以弱势弹压，宜选威望重臣，将精兵数万，开幕山东，以主制客，以重驭轻，则可以包山东，固江北，而两河在吾目中矣。 坐责降三秩，再奉祠，稍复官。
When Shandong recently submitted to the imperial court, Fang Xiru said: Heroes cannot be controlled with empty fame; brave warriors cannot be suppressed by force. The imperial court should choose prestigious and important ministers to lead tens of thousands of strong troops, and set up a military headquarters in Shandong. In this way, we can control the visitors with local officials, suppress the weak with the strong, and thus control Shandong, defend the northern bank of the Yangtze River, and keep the two He Regions under surveillance. As a result, Fang Xiru was found guilty, demoted three ranks, and once again retired from officialdom. Later, he was reinstated.