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卷十 本紀第十: 肅宗

Volume 10 Annals 10: Suzong

Chapter 10 of 舊唐書 · Old Book of Tang
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Chapter 10
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1
西西使
Suzong — styled Civil Bright Martial Virtue Great Sage Great Proclaim Filial, bore the taboo name Heng. He was Xuanzong's third son; his mother was Empress Yuanxian of the Yang clan. He was born in the yihai year of Jingyun 2. Originally named Sisheng, he was made Prince of Shan at two and at five became grand protector of Anxi and ambassador to the four western garrisons and border tribes. He was benevolent and bright by nature; grown up, he was quick-witted and retentive, wrote elegant prose, and never forgot what he heard or saw.
2
使 退姿
In the first month of Kaiyuan 15 he was enfeoffed Prince of Zhong and renamed Jun. In the fifth month he took command of Shuofang and became grand protector of Chanyu. In Kaiyuan 18 the Xi and Khitan raided the frontier. He was made Hebei commander with Prince Xin'an Yi as deputy, leading Li Chaoyin, Pei Youxian, and eight circuit generals against them. Court officials were ordered to receive him at Guangshun Gate. Left Chancellor Zhang Yue told academicians Sun Ti and Wei Shu: "I have seen Taizong's portrait. Prince Zhong's bearing and mien are extraordinary and greatly resemble our founding emperor. This is fortune for the realm. In Kaiyuan 20 the generals crushed the Xi and Khitan; for his overarching command he was made minister of education. In Kaiyuan 23 he was renamed Yu. In Kaiyuan 25 Crown Prince Ying fell from favor. On gengzi of the sixth month of Kaiyuan 26 he was made crown prince and renamed Shao. Later a memorialist noted that Shao duplicated a Song crown prince's name; he took his present name accordingly. When Crown Prince Ying fell, Xuanzong asked Li Linfu about the succession. Consort Wu Huifei, mother of Prince Shou Mao, then held favor, and Linfu named Mao to please her. After the prince's investiture Linfu feared for himself and framed Wei Jian and Liu Ji; the heir was nearly ruined four times. Later Yang Guozhong, leaning on the consort's kin, grew licentious and, fearing the prince's vigor, plotted against him for years.
3
祿祿 祿 祿 西使 西 便 西 西 西 使
In the first month of Tianbao 13 An Lushan came to court, and the prince secretly reported that he bore the look of a rebel. Xuanzong refused to heed him. In the eleventh month of Tianbao 14 Lushan rebelled and marched on the capital. On dingwei of the twelfth month the eastern capital fell. On xinchou the court ordered the crown prince to oversee the realm and sent him to command the armies in person. Lushan marched under the banner of killing Yang Guozhong, and soldiers and civilians alike hated the Yangs. Guozhong, afraid, colluded with the Noble Consort to block the campaign, and the prince never marched. Ge Shuhan of Hexi was made the crown prince's vanguard commander with two hundred thousand men to hold Tong Pass. In the sixth month of Zhide 2 Ge Shuhan was routed, Tong Pass fell, and Guozhong urged flight to Shu. On dingyou at Mawei the army halted and demanded the Yangs' deaths. Guozhong was killed and the Noble Consort ordered to die by her own hand. As the emperor prepared to flee, the prince remained to reassure the people. The crowd wept: "The rebel has betrayed the throne. We are Tang subjects of a golden age and beg to follow the crown prince to recover Chang'an. Xuanzong heard them and said: "Heaven has spoken. He sent Gao Lishi and Prince Shou Mao with the prince's household and gear, keeping the rear stable horses for himself. Lishi proclaimed: "Go in peace! The people look to you—do not fail them. Think nothing of me. I have always treated the western and northern peoples well; in this crisis they will serve you. Press on! North of the Wei he found Bian Bridge broken and the river in flood, with no boats; he rallied the riverside people and gathered more than three thousand. They forded the Wei, mistook scattered Tong Pass troops for rebels, and many were wounded in the fight. He gathered the survivors and crossed north; those behind drowned, and he took it as Heaven's blessing. Only Princes Guangping and Jianning and two thousand troops from four armies remained with him. From Fengtian northward they rested at Yongshou, where people brought cattle and wine. White clouds rose from the northwest like towers; men called it the emperor's omen. On wuxu he came to Xinping commandery. They rode day and night three hundred li; half the men and gear were gone, barely a brigade left. On jihai at Anding he executed the prefects of Xinping and Baoding for abandoning their posts. On gengzi at Wushi post Pengyuan prefect Li Zun came with troops, clothing, and grain. At Pengyuan he raised four hundred more armored men and private horses for the army. On xinchou at Pingliang he gathered tens of thousands of pasture horses and the army grew strong. The rebels in Chang'an learned he was gathering forces in Hexi. People of the capital region cried: "The crown prince's army comes! Seeing dust in the northwest, the rebels sometimes fled. On wushen Kang Jinglong of Fufeng killed two hundred rebel commissioners; Xue Jingxian of Chencang recovered Fufeng. Guanfu gentry then plotted against the rebels, who dared not raid.
4
西
At Pingliang he still did not know his course when Du Hongjian, Wei Shaoyou, and Cui Yi of Shuofang sent Li Han to welcome him with reports of troops, stores, and armor. He rejoiced. Hongjian sent several thousand Shuofang horsemen to meet him at Baicao. Pei Mian of Hexi, newly made censor en route to court, met him at Pingliang and urged gathering an army at Lingwu; he agreed. Leaving Pingliang he saw auspicious clouds, a white crane leading the way, and a yellow dragon rising from his resting place. South of Fengning he meant to cross the Yellow River and hold Fengning, but sandstorms blinded the march; turning toward Lingwu the sky cleared.
5
殿 輿
On xinyou of the seventh month he reached Lingwu, where Wei Shaoyou had everything ready. Pei Mian and Du Hongjian said calmly: "Rebels poison the realm; the emperor has fled to Shu. Roads are cut and the throne cannot stand empty. The people look to a sage ruler; heaven and earth cannot wait. We beg Your Highness accept their acclaim and secure the altars—the greatest filial piety. He said: "When the rebels are beaten I will welcome the emperor home and serve in the eastern palace—what could be happier! Why such haste? Mian and the others memorialized six times. Their pleas were fierce; he could not refuse and assented. That month, on jiazi, he took the throne at Lingwu. When rites ended Mian knelt: "The rebel seized the capitals; the retired emperor passed you the throne. We bow and wish you ten thousand years. The ministers shouted ten thousand years. He wept, moving all around him. That day he reported to the retired emperor. That day at Lingwu's south gate he issued an edict:
6
使 西使西使使使使 使 西 西
Du Hongjian became director of war and Cui Yi director of personnel, both acting drafting secretaries. Pei Mian became vice director of the secretariat and grand councilor. Zhou Yi became Hexi commissioner, Peng Yuanhui Longyou commissioner, and Lü Chongben Guannei commissioner and Shunhua prefect. Xue Jingxian became Fufeng prefect and Guo Yingyi Tianshui prefect. Lingwu became a great protectorate; upper counties were raised to wang and middle to shang. On dingmao rebels killed Princess Huoguo, Princesses Yong, Yi, Chen, and Xin, Chief Son-in-Law Yang Fei, and more than eighty kin on Chongren Street. On jiaxu more than five thousand Tongluo rebels surrendered to Shuofang from the western capital. On jimao Cui Guangyuan and Su Zhen of Chang'an led officials in the western market, killed thousands of rebels, and joined the court. An edict renamed Fufeng Fengxiang commandery.
7
使使 使
On renwu Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi routed the rebels at Jia Mountain in Changshan. Training to retake the capital, he recalled Ziyi and Guangbi, who brought fifty thousand troops from Hebei. Ziyi was made minister of war and still chief of Lingzhou protectorate; Guangbi minister of revenue, Taiyuan prefect, and northern capital guardian—both grand councilors. Huihe and Tibet sent envoys offering alliance and troops against the rebels; all were feasted and dismissed. That day Xuanzong reached Chengdu and amnestied the realm. On guisi his memorial reached Chengdu. On dingyou the retired emperor abdicated and sent Wei Jiansu, Fang Guan, and Cui Huan to Lingwu with the investiture.
8
使
On wuchen he went south to Pengyuan. Chengbao was made Prince of Dunhuang for a Huihe marriage; the qaghan's daughter became Princess Pijia, and Pugu Huai'en escorted him. Bian Lingcheng, who had delivered the retired emperor to the rebels, returned and was executed. On bingzi at Shunhua, Wei Jiansu, Fang Guan, and Cui Huan arrived from Shu with the seal and investiture. On jimao Li Chengguang, defeated at Tong Pass, was beheaded before the army.
9
On xinsi, the tenth month's new moon, the sun was eclipsed to totality. On guisi Pengyuan, short of war funds, sold offices and licensed monks and nuns. Knowing Fang Guan's reputation, he made him commander to retake the two capitals with Wang Sili as deputy. He split the army into three corps under Yang Xiwen, Liu Guizhe, and Li Guangjin—fifty thousand men. On xinchou Fang Guan met An Shouzhong at Chen-Tao Slope, was routed, and lost Yang Xiwen and Liu Guizhe to surrender. Yan Zhenqing of Pingyuan, starving and cut off, fled across the river; Hebei then fell to the rebels.
10
西
In the eleventh month Hexi shook with a roaring earthquake; Zhangye and Jiuquan suffered worst. On wuzi Huihe came to aid and with Guo Ziyi destroyed three thousand Tongluo rebels on the river. Cui Huan was sent to tour Jiangnan and appoint officials.
11
使 使 使使使 祿 使
In the twelfth month Wang Sili became Guannei commissioner. Pengyuan received two years' tax relief, rank equal to the six great circuits, and its counties were raised. Guo Yingyi became Fengxiang prefect; Gao Shi became Guangling prefect and Huainan commissioner. Ashina Chengqing took Yingchuan and seized Xue Yuan and Pang Jian. On jiachen Prince of Yong Li Lin led a fleet down to Guangling on his own authority. In the first month of Zhide 2, on gengxu, he received New Year court at Pengyuan. That day felicitation was sent to the retired emperor in Shu. In Shu the retired emperor, learning from each messenger of his son's tearful devotion, issued a proclamation: Supreme harmony and great filial piety were the path of the sage kings of old. I once served my parents in the eastern palace without fail. My son has never failed in this; every envoy reports his tears and reverence, moving all who see. Auspicious omens have followed one another—marks of his sage reverence and filial heart. He spreads virtue across the seas and may truly pacify the realm forever! Let magistrates report filial sons and obedient grandsons throughout the realm. On jiayin Li Xian became Shu prefect and Jiannan commissioner; Wei Zhongxi Xiangyang commissioner; Liu Hui Danyang prefect and defender. Li Lin, minister of justice, became grand councilor. The retired emperor sent Cui Yuan to Pengyuan with a proclamation. On yimao An Lushan was killed by his son Qingxu. On xinyou Jinling commandery was founded at Jiangning with a garrison. On jiazi he went to Baoding. On bingyin Nine-Surname merchants in Wuwei rebelled and killed Zhou Yi; Cui Cheng put them down. That day five thousand Shu braves plotted treason; Xuanzong took the south tower while Xi Yuanqing suppressed them.
12
使 使 西 使
In the second month he went to Fengxiang. Qi Zhuang of Wencheng crushed five thousand rebels. He planned a great drive on the two capitals and requisitioned every horse. Li Hao claimed "no horses"; Cui Guangyuan impeached him and he was demoted to Jianghua. Li Guangbi routed Cai Xide below the walls, taking seventy thousand heads and rich spoils. Guo Ziyi routed Cui Qianyou at Tong Pass and recovered Hedong. Li Lin was defeated, fled south, and was killed at Dayu by Huangfu Shen. In the third month Hexi's winter-long earthquake finally ceased. On xinyou Wei Jiansu and Pei Mian became left and right vice directors of the masters of writing and left the council. Retired Minister of Justice Miao Jinqing became left chancellor. Tibet sought alliance; Nan Juchuan was sent to reply. Heavy rain fell from guihai to guiyou; he ordered prisons reviewed, and on jiaxu the rains stopped.
13
On the fourth month's new moon Guo Ziyi became minister of works and deputy commander, commanding all commissioners; Li Guangbi became minister of education. On yiyou the court astronomer reported Jupiter, Venus, and Mars in the Well mansion.
14
退 西
On guichou Guo Ziyi fought An Shouzhong at Qing Canal, was routed, and withdrew to Wugong. On dingsi Fang Guan became crown prince junior tutor and left the council. Zhang Gao became vice director of the secretariat and grand councilor. Du Hongjian became Hexi commissioner. On gengshen his mother, the late Consort Yang, was posthumously made Empress Yuanxian. On jiazi Guo Ziyi resigned the ministry of works for military fault and was allowed.
15
使
On gengxu night Guo Qianren of Shu plotted treason; Xuanzong took the Xuanying Tower while Li Xian put it down. On dingsi An Wuchen took Shan commandery and left no survivor.
16
使 使
On jiashen Cui Huan became Yuhang prefect and Jiangdong commissioner. On jichou Zhang Gao became Henan commissioner with full disposition powers. Xu Shuji of Lingchang, besieged without relief, led his troops into Suiyang. On guisi he reviewed the armies from the city wall. On dingyou Yong became Fengxiang county and Chencang Baoji.
17
椿 退 椿西
In the intercalary eighth month rebels raided Fengxiang; Wang Bolun and Li Chun drove them off. Pursuing, they killed a thousand at Zhongwei Bridge and chased into the imperial park. The main rebel force at Wugong burned its camp and fled on hearing the news. Bolong died in close fight; Li Chun was taken—but rebels never again raided west.
18
使 使 西 西 西
On dingchou Cheng Qianli of Shangdang was captured by Cai Xide. Chengbao returned from Huihe and became director of the imperial clan; he married the Huihe princess; the Yehu and his crown prince brought four thousand horsemen to fight the rebels. The Yehu was received at court with lavish feasting. On dinghai the Prince of Guangping led two hundred thousand from Shuofang, Anxi, Huihe, Nanman, and Dashi east against the rebels. On renyin he crushed An Shouzhong and Li Guiren at Xiangji Temple, took sixty thousand heads, and Zhang Tongru fled the capital. On guimao the Prince of Guangping entered the western capital. On jiachen word of victory reached court; the ministers rejoiced and the news was sent to Shu. The retired emperor sent Pei Mian to report at the suburban and state altars.
19
西 西 殿便 便
In the tenth month Cui Guangyuan became metropolitan prefect. An edict said: "The capital is newly taken; we must settle the people, clean the palace, and welcome the retired emperor. We return on the nineteenth; keep the journey spare. Tibet took Xiping commandery. On guichou Yin Ziqi took Suiyang and killed Zhang Xun, Yao Yan, and Xu Yuan. The rebels massed at Shan; the Prince of Guangping and Guo Ziyi crushed them at Xindian, taking one hundred thousand heads over thirty li. On gengshen An Qingxu fled to Hebei with his followers. On renxu the Prince of Guangping entered Luoyang; troops lined Tianjin Bridge as the people cheered. More than three hundred collaborators, including Chen Xilie and Zhang Tan, waited in plain clothes for judgment. On guihai he returned from Fengxiang and sent Wei Jiansu to Shu; Fengxiang received five years' tax relief. On bingyin at Wangxian Palace he received word of Luoyang's recovery and rejoiced. On dingmao he entered the capital. The people wept and bowed: "We never thought to see you again! He too was moved to tears. The ancestral temples had been burned; he mourned in plain dress three days, then entered the Great Bright Palace. That day the retired emperor left Shu. On jisi coerced officials came barefoot to await judgment; Cui Qi was ordered to investigate. The Huihe Yehu was feasted in the Xuanzheng Hall and took leave for home. He was made King of Loyal Righteousness, promised twenty thousand bolts of silk yearly at Shuofang.
20
祿 輿
In the eleventh month he mounted Danfeng Tower and proclaimed: "Our house arose in thunder, set the pole, and opened a new age. Songs of praise opened a sagely thousand-year reign; Culture and fame held the mandate through six generations. An Lushan, a base frontier soldier, turned cruel; rebellion charred the realm. I took up arms in grief; at Lingwu I gathered a brigade, at Fengxiang a million men, and led them myself against the rebels. The Prince of Guangping commanded the armies and shook heaven; Guo Ziyi was unmatched and finished the war. With the Huihe Yehu, Yunnan troops, and allied barbarians they broke the rebels like dry wood. I was taught the rites of filial piety and feared I could not bear the ancestral charge. Now the temples stand again in the two capitals and the retired emperor returns from Shu; the imperial carriage returns and the inner gate knows peace again; The realm is whole—my work is done. The people will again have their rightful ruler; I must honor the will of Heaven and Earth. This restoration is not mine to claim—it rests on the blessing of the altars. The Two Capitals are safe, the Three Powers united in celebration; the time has come to proclaim the rites and grant amnesty—but final disposition awaits the Retired Emperor's return. [Close of edict.] By then every commandery and county in Henan and Hedong had been pacified. Every palace and ministry gate whose name contained the character an was changed. Yan Zhuang, the rebels' grand censor, surrendered. With the new Nine Ancestral Temple spirit tablets ready, the emperor offered the announcement sacrifice in person.
21
殿 退 殿殿 殿 殿 使 西西 殿殿 使使 祿 西 殿 使便使 殿
On bingwu of the twelfth month the Retired Emperor returned from Shu; the emperor rode to Wangxian Palace to receive him. The Retired Emperor stood on the palace's south tower; the emperor gazed up, dismounted, ran to the tower's base, bowed twice, danced the congratulatory tread, and cried his felicitations. When the Retired Emperor descended, the emperor prostrated himself, clasped his feet, and sobbed until he could no longer speak. He helped the Retired Emperor to the throne hall and served the meal himself; then brought his own horse forward; when the Retired Emperor mounted, he walked the horse by the reins and would not step back until repeatedly urged. The Retired Emperor said, "I held the realm so long I never knew what glory meant—only now, seeing my son on the throne, do I understand it. [Close of speech.] The emperor rode in the lead from Kaiyuan Gate to Danfeng Gate, banners blotting out the sky and colored awnings lining the way. People danced along the roadside, crying, "We never thought to live to see both emperors again! [Close of exclamation.] Officials lined the Hanyuan Hall courtyard; the Retired Emperor took the throne, and Miao Jinqing led the hundred officials in felicitation until none could hold back tears. After the ceremony the Retired Emperor visited the Nine Ancestral Temple tablets at Changle Hall and went that day to Xingqing Palace. The emperor asked to withdraw to the Eastern Palace; the Retired Emperor sent Gao Lishi repeatedly to soothe and stay him. Over two hundred men who had served under the rebels—including Chen Xilie, Daxi Xun, and others—were held at Yang Guozhong's residence for questioning. On jiayin Miao Jinqing, left minister, was appointed vice director of the Secretariat and associate director of the Chancellery. On the wuwu new moon of the twelfth month the emperor appeared at Danfeng Gate and proclaimed a great amnesty. Wei Jiansu, grand preceptor of the heir apparent and Duke of Bin; Gao Lishi, chief eunuch and Duke of Qi; and Chen Xuanli, right dragon martial grand general—all early followers from Shu and Lingwu—each gained three hundred households on their fiefs. Tian Changwen, Zhang Chongjun, and Du Xiuxiang each received two hundred additional fief households. Pei Mian, right vice director, became Duke of Ji; Li Fuguo, palace director, Duke of Cheng; Li Zun, director of the imperial clan, Duke of Zheng—all with enlarged fiefs. Li Chu, Prince of Guangping, was created Prince of Chu and granted two thousand additional fief households. Guo Ziyi, left vice director and Shuofang commissioner, was made grand steward and Duke of Dai with a thousand-household fief. Pugu Huai'en became Duke of Feng; Li Siye, right golden guard general, Duke of Guo; Li Guangbi, grand steward and Taiyuan intendant, Duke of Ji; Wang Sili, Guannei commissioner, Duke of Huo; Lai Tian, Huainan commissioner, Duke of Ying; Lu Qiong, Nanyang grand protector, Duke of Qi—all with enlarged fiefs. Cui Guangyuan, capital intendant, became Duke of Ye; Li Guangjin, kai fu, Marquis of Fanyang; Miao Jinqing, left minister, chief minister and Duke of Han; Li Lin, minister of justice and associate director, Duke of Bao; Cui Yuan, vice director, director of the Secretariat and Duke of Zhao; Zhang Hao, Marquis of Nanyang. Every recent change to office titles, commandery names, and official designations was reversed to the former usage. Shu commandery became the Southern Capital; Fengxiang Prefecture the Western Capital; the old Western Capital the Middle Capital; and Shu commandery Chengdu Prefecture. Officials at Fengxiang received ranks parallel to those of the Three Capitals. Li Cheng, Lu Yi, Yan Gaoqing, Yuan Lüqian, Xu Yuan, Zhang Xun, Zhang Jieran, Jiang Qing, Pang Jian, and others were posthumously honored; their descendants were found and richly rewarded with office. Officials of third rank and above gained one noble rank; those of fourth rank and below, one promotion. The court granted five days of public revelry. Li Xi, Prince of Nanyang, became Prince of Zhao; Li Jin, Prince of Xincheng, Prince of Peng; Li Tan, Prince of Yingchuan, Prince of Yan. The seventh son, Ting, was made Prince of Jing; the ninth, Huang, Prince of Xiang; the tenth, Zhao, Prince of Xing; the eleventh, Chui, Prince of Qi; the twelfth, Tong, Prince of Ding. On jiazi the Retired Emperor sat in Xuanzheng Hall and passed down the imperial seal; the emperor accepted it at the foot of the steps in tears. On jichou Shi Siming, the rebels' Fanyang commissioner, submitted rolls listing eighty thousand men, and Gao Xiuyan, false Hedong commissioner, joined him in surrender. On gengwu an edict declared: "A loyal minister serves one master unto death; the state knows no mercy for traitors. How much worse those who bowed to the rebel court, fattened on treason's favor, and year after year served the enemy—if they may live, what force has law? Daxi Xun and his like sat in the highest councils, at the very peak of office; some were heirs to generations of grace, bound to the throne by marriage; some had climbed the secretariat ladder or held posts that bridged palace and realm. Even dogs and horses, meanest of creatures, know their master; turtles and serpents, low and crawling, can repay a debt. Are human ministers alone devoid of gratitude? Since the rebel scourge overturned the realm, every subject has burned with outrage; the dead who gave their lives for the state cannot be numbered. Even the humblest folk did not turn against the throne. Yet these took counsel among owls and jackals, plotted with wolves and vipers—how can such hearts be spared? Daxi Xun and seventeen others shall be executed; Chen Xilie and six others shall be permitted to take their own lives; Zhang Jun, former grand judge of the Court of Judicial Review, alone shall be spared and exiled to Hepu commandery. [Close of edict.] That day Daxi Xun and the rest were beheaded at the Lone Willow Tree southwest of the inner city, with the hundred officials summoned to watch. On the jiaxu new moon of the first month of Qianyuan 1. On wuyin the Retired Emperor sat in Xuanzheng Hall and bestowed the honorific Luminous Heaven, Cultured in War, Great Sage, Filially Attentive Emperor. The emperor petitioned to decline the words Great Sage in the title; the court would not allow it. On yiyou an edict read: "Goods lost in the rebellion were to be recovered by search commissioners—but subordinates use the task to prey on the people. All such commissioners are halted; let order be restored. Three thousand palace women were released from the inner quarters. On gengyin the armies were mustered in review at Hanyuan Hall; the emperor watched from Qiluan Pavilion. On gengzi Lady Zhang, worthy consort, was elevated to imperial consort.
22
使
On the guimao new moon Neng Yuanhao, the rebels' Ziqing commissioner, surrendered his territory; he was made Hebei pacification commissioner and his son Yu received rank as well. On yisi at Xingqing Palace the emperor invested the Retired Emperor as Supreme Sovereign of the Utmost Way and Sacred Emperor. On dingwei he appeared at Mingfeng Gate, proclaimed a great amnesty, and renamed Zhide 3 to Qianyuan 1. Followers from Chengdu and Lingwu of third rank and above gained office for a son; fifth rank and below, examination entry for a son; sixth rank and below, promotion where merited. Men who died in the state's service, or who perished in rebel lands refusing false office, were posthumously honored. Collaborators already under investigation had their sentences reduced one grade. Henceforth medical and divination candidates entered office under the same rules as legal specialists.
23
使
On the guiyou new moon of the third month. On jiaxu Li Chu, Prince of Chu and commander-in-chief, became Prince of Cheng. On yihai military commissioners were placed over Shannan East, Henan, Huainan, and Jiangnan. On xinmao famine led to a ban on wine sales until the wheat harvest, when normal rules resumed. The Directorate of Astronomy became the Bureau of Celestial Offices, installed in Zhang Shougui's Chengnning Ward mansion, with sixty new posts.
24
使 殿
On guimao of the fourth summer month Li Ju, junior preceptor of the heir apparent and heir to Prince of Guo, became Eastern Capital regent, Henan intendant, and commissioner for the capital region. On jiyou Imperial Consort Zhang was crowned empress. On xinhai, with the Nine Ancestral Temple finished, spirit tablets were borne in full procession from Chang'an Hall to the new shrine. On jiayin the emperor sacrificed at the Nine Ancestral Temple, then at the Round Altar, and returned to the palace the same day. The next day he appeared at Mingfeng Gate and proclaimed a great amnesty. On wuchen the emperor sent a gold furnace of refined quartz to Xingqing Palace.
25
使使 使 使
On the renshen new moon Uyghur and Black-robed Arab envoys arrived with tribute and quarreled over precedence at the Gate of Barbarian Submission; each embassy was told to enter by a separate gate. On renwu an edict read: "Since the rebels shattered order, every circuit gained a military commissioner to command levies and paperwork—and with procurement commissioners added, the burden only worsened. The procurement and promotion commissioners in every circuit are abolished. On the night of guiwei the moon passed before the star preceding the Heart constellation. On wuzi Zhang Hao, Henan commissioner and vice director, became grand protector of Jingzhou and its defender; Cui Guangyuan, minister of rites, took Henan command. On gengyin Li Chu, Prince of Cheng, was named crown prince. Ji Guangchen, chief administrator of Jingzhou, was dispatched to the Henan headquarters to settle accounts and join the Hebei campaign. On jiwei Cui Yuan, director of the Secretariat, became junior preceptor of the heir apparent; Li Lin, minister of justice and associate director, junior grand tutor—both left the council. Wang Yu, vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and master of ritual, joined the council as vice director of the Secretariat and associate director of the Chancellery. On bingshen Li Chengcai, Prince of Dunhuang, died.
26
使
On the xinchou new moon envoys arrived from Tokharistan and Kang with tribute. On jiyou the Grand Unity Spirit Altar was erected east of the Round Altar. That day Chancellor Wang Yu was ordered to officiate at the rites. That night of guichou the moon passed into the Dipper's leading stars. On wuwu an edict declared: "Collaborators impeached by the Three Offices have already seen repeated leniency; their offenses have been reduced until their cases resemble those of ordinary men—all under investigation shall be released. [Close of edict.]
27
On the xinwei new moon Ulida, Tokharistan protector, and chiefs of nine states came to aid the campaign; the emperor sent them to the Shuofang headquarters. On bingxu new coin was cast—Qianyuan Heavy Treasure, ten to one Kaiyuan Tongbao—and put into circulation. On dinghai Princess Ningguo, the emperor's second daughter, was given in marriage to the Uyghur qaghan Yingwu Weiyuan Piqie.
28
使使 使 使使使
On renyin Ji Guangchen, commissioner of Qing, Xu, and five prefectures, also took Xu; Cui Guangyuan, Henan commissioner, also took Bian. Xu Shuji, prefect of Qing, was made commissioner of Qing and Hua and concurrent prefect of Hua. On jiachen, the Retired Emperor's birthday, he feasted the hundred officials atop the Jinming Gate tower. Guo Ziyi of Shuofang, Li Guangbi of Hedong, and Wang Sili of Guannei came to court; Ziyi became director of the Secretariat, Guangbi chief minister, Sili minister of war—other posts unchanged.
29
使使 使西使使使使
On the gengwu new moon Zhao Kui, right feathered forest grand general, took Pu and command of Pu, Tong, and Guo; Neng Yuanhao, prefect of Bei, took Qi and defense of Qi, Yan, and Yun. On gengyin the court opened a major campaign against An Qingxu at Xiangzhou. Nine commissioners—Guo Ziyi, Li Guangbi, Wang Sili, Lu Qiong, Li Huan, Xu Shuji, Dong Qin, Li Siye, and Ji Guangchen—led two hundred thousand men, with Yu Chao'en as army-inspecting commissioner. On guisi Guangzhou reported Arab and Persian forces besieging the city; Prefect Wei Lijian fled.
30
使
On yiwei Li Qiwu, Fengxiang intendant, became minister of justice; Zhang Fangxu, Pu prefect, grand protector of Guangzhou and commissioner of the five protectorates. Guo Ziyi reported crushing one hundred thousand rebels at Weizhou, capturing Qingxu's brother Qinghe and recovering the city. On jiayin the Retired Emperor went to Huaqing Palace; the emperor saw him off at Ba River. Xu Shuji reported: "Hou Siniang of Weizhou, Tang Siniang of Huazhou, and Wang Erniang of another prefecture swore a blood oath and begged to join the campaign against the rebels. [Close of memorial.] All three were commissioned as guoyi officers. On renshen Wang Sili routed twenty thousand rebels at Xiangzhou.
31
On dingchou Guo Ziyi retook Weizhou and found Xiao Hua, the rebel-appointed prefect, in the jail; the court reappointed him. That day the Retired Emperor returned from Huaqing Palace; the emperor met him at Ba River. The emperor walked his father's horse by the reins for more than a hundred paces before repeated pleas made him stop.
32
西使 西使使 殿殿 殿 宿 使 使
On guimao Cui Guangyuan, Henan commissioner, became prefect of Wei; Xiao Hua was sent to the Xiangzhou headquarters. On jiachen Wei Huangshang, Sheng prefect, became Su prefect and western Zhejiang commissioner. On gengxu Li Kun, minister of revenue, was made surveillance and disposition commissioner for Huainan and western Zhejiang. On bingyin, Beginning of Spring, the emperor read the seasonal ordinances at Xuanzheng Hall while officials of fifth rank and above took their seats to listen. While the imperial army besieged Xiangzhou, Qingxu's stores ran out; he called on Shi Siming, who marched to relieve him. On dingmao Siming retook Weizhou and Prefect Cui Guangyuan fled. On the jisi new moon of spring in Qianyuan 2 the emperor took Hanyuan Hall and received the honorific Qianyuan Great Sage, Luminous Heaven, Cultured in War, Filially Attentive Emperor. That day Shi Siming proclaimed himself King of Yan at Weizhou and usurped an era name. On dingchou the emperor sacrificed in person to the Nine Palaces spirits and kept vigil at the altar. On wuyin he plowed the sacred field, opening nine furrows; ritual officers said it was too much, but the emperor replied, "I urge the farmers on—my only regret is not finishing a thousand mu. On the night of guiwei the moon passed before the Year Star. On yichou Cui Yu, vice censor-in-chief, was made overall commander for Zhejiang and Huainan disposition. On bingshen Li Siye, kai fu, minister of the imperial stud, Northern Court commissioner, and Duke of Guo, died at the Xiangzhou headquarters. On gengzi Cui Yuan, junior preceptor of the heir apparent, became Eastern Capital regent and acting head of the Department of State Affairs.
33
On the renzi full moon of the second month the moon was totally eclipsed. Officials petitioned to add Assisting Sage to Empress Zhang's title; the emperor refused, citing the eclipse as a sign that yin virtue had not been perfected. Li Ju, Eastern Capital regent and heir to Prince of Guo, was demoted to Suizhou prefect for harsh rule. On bingchen the moon transgressed the Heart's great star. On renxu Miao Jinqing and Wang Yu were dispatched separately to review prisoners.
34
西使 使 使 使 西使使
On the dingmao new moon of the third month. On jisi the empress offered to the Silkworm Ancestor in the imperial park. On renshen at Xiangzhou Guo Ziyi and the nine commissioners met Shi Siming and were defeated; Ziyi burned the Heyang Bridge and withdrew the survivors to guard Luoyang. On xinmao Li Feiyuanli, minister of the imperial stud, became Huai prefect and acting commissioner of the Western and Northern Court headquarters; Xu Shuji, Hua prefect, took command of Hua, Bian, Cao, and Song; Shang Heng, Yan prefect, became Xu prefect and commissioner of Bo and Ying. On jiawu Lü Yin, vice minister of war, joined the council; Xue Jingxian, heir-apparent guest, became Fengxiang intendant and defender. On yiwei Miao Jinqing became grand tutor of the heir apparent; Wang Yu, associate director, minister of justice—both left the council. Li Xian, capital intendant, became minister of personnel; Li Kui, vice minister of rites, vice director of the Secretariat; Diwu Qi, vice minister of revenue—all joined the council. On bingshen Guo Ziyi was made commander of the Eastern Capital, Shannan East, and Henan armies, acting Eastern Capital regent, and head of the Department of State Affairs. Lai Tian, Hedong deputy commissioner, became Shaan prefect, commissioner of Guo and Hua, and defender of Tong Pass.
35
使便 使 使 使 使
On the dingyou new moon Wang Sili reported breaking ten thousand rebels at Zhigan Ridge east of Lucheng. On renyin an edict declared that with the rebels still abroad the court must practice restraint: "Henceforth my table and wardrobe shall be cut back, and every imperial workshop shall cease." "Lately military urgency has led to oral commands bypassing regular channels. Henceforth nothing but formal edicts may govern; every affair, within and without, belongs to its proper office. The Heroic Martial Army and the Six Armies have often arrested men on their own authority after quarrels. Henceforth they must act through the censorate; if punishment seems unjust, report the facts to the throne. Every regular official of fifth rank and above may recommend one candidate of worth, integrity, and bold counsel, who may submit a sealed memorial in his own name. Secretariat officials shall submit sealed memorials every ten days. When censors impeach, they need not file a preliminary petition and shall again wear the xie crown. The rebels are not yet destroyed and the realm still staggers—let all embrace utmost fairness to heal governance. I rule with an open heart and share power with all; I desire with the people to reach the utmost Way. [Close of edict.] Let this be proclaimed within and without, that all may know my mind. On jiachen Lu Qiong, Deng prefect, became Zheng prefect and commissioner of Chen, Zheng, Ying, and Bo; Shang Heng, Xu prefect, became Qing prefect and commissioner of Qing, Zi, Mi, Deng, Lai, Yi, and Hai; Li Huan, Shang prefect and Xingping commissioner, also took Yu, Xu, and Ru. On yisi Diwu Qi resumed charge of the treasury and tax and corvée bureaus. Shi Siming proclaimed a reign title at Weizhou. Ji Guangchen was demoted to Xuan prefect. Cui Guangyuan became junior grand protector of the heir apparent. On guihai prolonged drought led to moving the market and performing rain prayers.
36
殿 使
On xinsi Li Xian, chancellor, was demoted to Shu prefect. On dinghai the emperor tested candidates in the four literary and statecraft categories at Xuanzheng Hall. Liu Zhan, Ru prefect, became Hua prefect; Dong Qin, Pinglu army commissioner, Pu prefect.
37
使使 西使 使 使
On the yiwei new moon Pei Mian, right vice director, became censor-in-chief, Chengdu intendant, and Jiannan deputy commissioner; Fang Guan, Bin prefect, became heir-apparent guest; Yan Zhenqing, Raozhou prefect, became Sheng prefect and western Zhejiang commissioner. On jisi Lü Yanzhi, Ming prefect, became Yue prefect and eastern Zhejiang commissioner; Peng Yuanyao, right feathered forest grand general, became Zheng prefect and commissioner of Chen, Zheng, Shen, Guang, and Shou.
38
使 使
On the yichou new moon Wei Zhi, minister of rites, became Eastern Capital regent. Li Lin, junior grand tutor of the heir apparent and Duke of Yan, died. On xinsi Li Xi, Prince of Zhao, was named commander-in-chief of all armies, with Li Guangbi, grand steward and chief minister, as deputy. On dinghai Wang Sili, minister of war, Luzhou grand protector, and Duke of Huo, also became Taiyuan intendant, Northern Capital regent, and Hedong deputy commissioner. Wang Yu, minister of justice, became Pu prefect and commissioner of Pu, Tong, and Jiang.
39
使
On yihai Kang Chuyuan, Xiangzhou deputy general, drove out Prefect Wang Zheng and held the city. On bingchen Princess Ningguo returned from the Uyghurs to court. Li Guangbi, deputy commander-in-chief, also became grand protector of Youzhou and Hebei commissioner.
40
使使使
On jiawu Zhang Jiayan of Xiangzhou seized Jingzhou; officials across Li, Lang, Fu, E, Xia, and Gui abandoned their posts and fled. On wuchen new heavy coin was cast—like Qianyuan Heavy Treasure but with a thicker rim, fifty to one; twenty-two pounds per string. On dinghai Cui Guangyuan was made pacification commissioner of Jing and Xiang; Wang Zhongsheng, right feathered forest grand general, commissioner of Shen, An, and Mian; Li Baoyu, right feathered forest general, Zheng prefect and commissioner of Zheng, Chen, Ying, and Bo. On gengyin Shi Siming seized Luoyang; Li Guangbi held Heyang; Ru, Zheng, and Hua fell.
41
On dingyou an edict announced a personal campaign against Shi Siming; it was never launched. On yisi Li Guangbi reported breaking rebels beneath the walls. On renxu Lü Yin was recalled to the council.
42
On the jiazi new moon Wei Lun, Shang prefect, defeated Kang Chuyuan and pacified Jing and Xiang. On gengwu Diwu Qi, vice minister of revenue and associate director, was demoted to Zhong chief administrator; Helan Jinming, censor-in-chief, to Qin army adjutant.
43
使 西使 使使
On the guisi new moon Wei Boyu, Shence general, routed rebels at Qiangzi Slope east of Shaan. On jiayin Shi Hong, censor-in-chief, became Xiang prefect and Shannan East commissioner with full surveillance powers. On the guihai new moon of spring in Shangyuan 1. On xinsi Li Guangbi was promoted to grand marshal and director of the Secretariat; other posts unchanged. Hou Lingyi, Hangzhou prefect, became Sheng prefect, western Zhejiang commissioner, and commander of the Jiangning army. On wuzi Guo Ziyi, Shuofang commissioner, also took Binning and Zhenwu.
44
使 使
On the guisi new moon Cui Yu, right vice director, became Pu prefect and commissioner of Pu, Tong, Jin, and Jiang. On gengxu Diwu Qi was disgraced and exiled to Yi. On guichou Cui Guangyuan, junior grand protector, became Fengxiang intendant and Qin-Long commissioner.
45
使
On renshen Li Ruoyou, capital intendant, became Chengdu intendant and Jiannan commissioner. On jiashen Puzhou became Hezhong Prefecture, with magistrates and staff ranked like Chang'an and Luoyang.
46
使 使 使 西使
In the fourth month Li Guangbi reported breaking the rebels at Huai and Heyang. On jiachen Wei Zhi moved from Rites to Personnel and Fang Guan from the heir's household to Rites. Zhang Hao became left supernumerary cavalier; Cui Huan became chief of judicial review. Famine drove rice to fifteen hundred cash the dou. On wushen Xiangzhou troops killed Shi Hui and Zhang Weijin rebelled and held the city. Dingsi night brought a four-chi comet east between Lodging and Stomach. On wuwu Xiao Hua became Hezhong intendant and commissioner over Tong, Jin, Jiang, and the rest. On jiwei Lai Zhen took Xiangzhou and ten southeastern Shannan prefectures. On gengshen Guo Yingyi became Shaanxi prefect and Tong Pass defender.
47
西 西使使使西使使使
The intercalary fourth month opened with a western comet many zhang long. On renxu Fang Guan was sent to Jinzhou. On jiazi six princes were named grand commissioners of the western circuits but kept within the palace. On dingmao Wang Sili of Taiyuan became Minister of Works. On jiaxu Prince of Zhao Xi became Prince of Yue. On jimao omens drove him to Mingfeng Gate for amnesty and the era became Shangyuan. Taigong Wang of Zhou was enfeoffed Duke of Martial Accomplishment with a temple like Confucius. Great fog and rain from the fourth month through the intercalary month never stopped. Rice soared; cannibalism spread and corpses choked the roads. On renwu Wang Yu took the sacrifices directorate and Han Zelin took Rites.
48
使
The fifth month opened on gengyin. On bingwu Miao Jinqing became palace attendant. On renzi Lü Yin left the council for the heir's household. On guichou Liu Yan took Revenue and the salt-iron portfolio. That night the moon covered Hairy Head.
49
In the sixth month heavy fifty-cash coins were cut to thirty; and Kaiyuan coins at ten.
50
西
The seventh month opened on jichou. On dingwei the retired emperor left Xingqing for the western palace. On bingchen Gao Lishi was exiled to Wuzhou; Wang Chengen to Bo, Wei Yue to Qin; and Chen Xuanli of the Dragon Martial Guard retired. That same bingchen day Censor-in-Chief Cui Qi died.
51
使 使
In the eighth month Wei Zhi of Personnel died. On dingchou Lü Yin became Jingzhou protector over five river prefectures. On jimao Wang Ang took Hezhong and its Jin-Jiang command. On dinghai the late Prince Zhao was named Respectful and Graceful Crown Prince.
52
In the ninth month Jingzhou became southern capital Jiangling, ranked with Chang'an. Shu, once southern capital, reverted to Shu Commandery.
53
使 使 使
In the tenth month Zhao Liangbi became Yue prefect and Zhejiang East commissioner; Yin Zhongqing became Zi prefect over the eastern Shandong coast. On jiashen Shang Heng took Qingzhou and the Deng coast.
54
In the eleventh month Li Guangbi reported Huai Prefecture retaken. Liu Zhan marched on Yangzhou, beat Deng Jingshan, and seized Yang, Run, and Sheng.
55
使 西使 使
In the twelfth month Li Ding became Fengxiang intendant over Longyou. Guiwei night the Year Star covered Room. Shangyuan 2 opened in spring on dinghai. On xinmao Ji Guangchen took Xuanzhou and Zhejiang West. On jiawu the emperor fell ill and Empress Zhang copied a sutra in her blood. On jiayin courts reviewed prisoners: death became exile, lesser crimes freed. On yimao Tian Shenggong took Liu Zhan alive and pacified Yang and Run.
56
使使 殿
On jiwei Tangut raiders took Feng Prefecture and killed Xiao Xinyi until Li Ding of Fengxiang struck back. On guihai Cui Guangyuan went to Chengdu and Cui Yuan to Yangzhou over Huainan. Xinwei night brought a total lunar eclipse. On wuyin Li Guangbi’s fifty thousand met Shi Siming at North Mang and lost. Guangbi and Pugu Huaien fled to Wenxi; Yu Chaoen and Wei Boyu to Shaanxi; Heyang and Huai fell and Chang'an alarmed. On guiwei Li Kui was demoted to Yuan prefect. Former Hezhong intendant Xiao Hua joined the council and took the national history.
57
使
In the third month Chaoyi raided Shaanxi by night and Wei Boyu beat him off. On wuxu Siming fell to his son Chaoyi’s hand. Li Guangbi resigned marshal and chancellor for defeat and took Hezhong and Jin-Jiang.
58
使
Summer, fourth month: Prince of Qi Zhen was degraded to commoner and sent to Qin. Associates were executed; Yang Hui and Xue Lüqian killed themselves; Zhang Hao was sent to Chen as registrar. On jiwei Pei Zunqing joined the council from Personnel. Shang Heng of Qing and Neng Yuanhao of Yan both reported rebel victories. On renwu Duan Zizhang rebelled, took Suizhou, and killed Prince of Guo Ju. Li Huan of Dongchuan was beaten and fled to Chengdu.
59
使 使綿 綿 使 使
In the fifth month Linghu Zhang of Hua surrendered and kept six prefectures. On yiwei Cui Guangyuan and Li Huan beat Duan Zizhang at Mian and executed him. Mian was pacified. Li Guangbi came to court as grand marshal and deputy Henan commander, stationed at Linhuai. Wang Sili of Taiyuan and Hedong died. On xinchou Guan Chongsi took Taiyuan and Hedong. Li Qiwu, heir's tutor and clan director, died.
60
使
The sixth month opened on guichou. On jimao Li Ding went to Bin and Longyou.
61
殿
Autumn’s seventh month opened with a total eclipse. Great stars shone by day. On jiachen three-bloom jade fungus grew on Yanying Hall and the emperor wrote an ode.
62
殿西使
The eighth month opened with Li Fuguo made War Minister and fêted all day at the ministry. Rain since the seventh month ended at last; walls crumbled and fish swam the streets. On xinsi Li Ruoyou became Revenue minister and northwest commissioner at Jiang, renamed Guozhen.
63
殿
The ninth month opened on renwu. On renchen Han Zelin of the heir's household took Rites. On renyin the throne issued an edict.
64
西使 西 鹿鹿 西殿 殿 輿 西 殿宿
On renshen Prince of Ning Di died. On guiyou Li Guangbi beat the rebels at Xuzhou and retook the city. The jian-chen month opened on gengchen. On renwu all prisoners in custody were freed regardless of crime. Bingxu night the moon wore a white crown. On guisi Lai Zhen took An and sixteen Huai-west prefectures. On jiawu Tangut Nuci raided Liang and Li Mian fled. On bingshen Tangut raiders struck Fengtian. The emperor was ill; officials fasted and fed monks at temples. On dingwei all demoted and exiled men were restored. Xiao Hua left the council for Rites. Yuan Zai joined the council; Han Zelin became the heir's grand preceptor. Baoying 1 opened in the jian-si month on gengxu. On renzi Cui Qian of Chuzhou offered thirteen state treasures: first, the Black-and-Yellow Heavenly Talisman—tablet-shaped yellow jade, eight by three cun. Second, a white-jade cock with every feather marked. Third came a white-jade grain disc five or six cun wide, millet-patterned and uncarved. Fourth, two white-jade rings of the Queen Mother of the West, six or seven cun across. Fifth was a round green gem that shone. Sixth, a wish-fulfilling pearl egg-round and moon-bright. Seventh, a red mokling stone big as a chestnut and cherry-red. Eighth, two langgan pearls an inch and two fen long. Ninth, a jade tablet like a ring missing a quarter. Tenth, a palm-half seal oblong-grained like a deer that stamped clear. Eleventh, the empress’s silkworm hook—chopstick-thin, gold-bright yet silver-pale. Twelfth, Lord Thunder’s green-jade axe, four by two cun, holeless. Set in sunlight, all thirteen threw white vapor to the sky. A memorial had told how the Chuzhou nun Zhenru, in trance, rose to the God on High. He gave her thirteen treasures, saying China was in calamity and the second should guard the realm. On jiayin the retired emperor died in the western palace’s Hall of Divine Dragon. Ill since mid-spring, he collapsed on news of his father’s death. On yichou the crown prince was ordered to govern. The edict went on: heaven’s treasures from Chuzhou would reshape the calendar and the five reckonings. The era would become Baoying; the intercalary jiansi month would count as fourth; other months unchanged; New Year still the first of the first month. On dingmao the death edict was read aloud. That day he died in the Hall of Eternal Life, aged fifty-two. Ministers named him Civil, Martial, Great Sagely, Great Manifest Filial; temple name Suzong. On gengwu in Baoying 2, third month, he was buried at Jian Tomb. 【Historian’s appraisal】 The historian writes: Reading the Odes to Lady Xu Mu’s grief for a fallen state, or Zhou nobles mourning millet among ruins—I always close the book and sigh. The Tianbao collapse and flight surpassed even those poets’ sorrow. Barbarians broke faith; beasts swarmed the capital; north and south filled the boats—spears borrowed were turned inward, and ruin came unawares. Yet when Great King left Bin, the people still loved their Zhou lord; when Xin Mang took the throne, the people still longed for Han. So Suzong took six sages’ legacy and the people’s acclaim. From Shuofang his call ran; in ten days armies clouded the horizon; wheeling to the western capital, within a month Pass and Longxi lay level. The two capitals took back the throne; the nine temples tasted millet again. He met his father on the Shu road and bowed at Wangxian—father, son, and every passerby wept. Taigong once welcomed a son on a steward’s word; yet the Duke of the West never failed the bedchamber door. Zeng Shen and Xiaoji are fit comparison. Yet he missed the moment; his vision ran short. Rebels still lived—recovery should have come first; embers still smoked—what time for rites of peace? He heard Wang Yu and Li Fuguo urge rites—the emperor plowing spring fields, the empress leading silkworms, dawn audiences for seasons, night vigils at the altars. The rites were right; the hour was wrong. Bells had not moved when Siming took Luoyang—what prayer clerk sees that far? Yet ministers and generals endured: the comet fell in the Three Rivers; the sun shone over the realm again. Beside King Ping’s flight to Luoyang, this was heroism; beside Emperor Yuan’s Yangtze crossing, that was small. To heal kin and restore the state—Suzong’s rest was real!
65
【Eulogy】 Dogs and sheep rose; the throne wandered. The rebels died; the mandate lengthened. Stars flew on the Shu road; rain fell at Wangxian. Filial and Martial—who denies the name?
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