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卷十六 本紀第十六: 穆宗

Volume 16 Annals 16: Muzong

Chapter 16 of 舊唐書 · Old Book of Tang
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1
殿 使 殿 殿 使使 使 使
Muzong—taboo Heng—was Xianzong's third son, born of Empress Dowager Guo. He was born at Daming Palace in Zhenyuan 11's seventh month. First named You, he became Prince of Suí in Yuanhe 1. In Yuanhe 5's third month he took the Zhangyi command. In Yuanhe 7's tenth month he was made heir and renamed Heng. On gengzi in Yuanhe 15's first month Xianzong died. On bingwu he ascended at Taiji Hall's east wing. That day he called six scholars to Sizheng Hall and gave them gold-purple. On dingwei the court lined up outside Yuehua Gate. Huangfu Bo was banished to Yazhou as a clerk. On wushen Muzong met his premiers at Zichen Gate. On xinhai Xiao Mian was made acting Secretariat director; and Duan Wenchang became vice premier. Muzong began regular audiences at Yanying. An edict condemned Liu Bi: He had deluded Xianzong. He posed as a people's savior while knowing his fraud, then fled again. The monk Da Tong's medicine was worthless. Both had brought disaster and were traitors. Let Jingzhao beat them to death." Thus ended the edict. Li Daogu was demoted to Xunzhou. Late in his reign Xianzong took elixirs pushed by Huangfu Bo, Li Daogu, Liu Bi, and Da Tong. Liu Bi's Taizhou elixir drove Xianzong to fevered thirst and sudden death. On jiayin Yuwen Zhongda died and received state rites. Li Deyu, Li Shen, and Yu Jingxiu joined the Hanlin. On dingsi Li Fengji took Shannan East; and Wang Ya took eastern Sichuan. On jiwei taboo names and toponyms around Heng were revised. Prince Heng's lineage was renamed for Zhi. On bingyin Zhang Weiqing took Zhenwu. On dingmao court mourning ended. On wuchen regular audiences resumed. That night the earth shook. On gengwu Guo became empress dowager. Li Jingjian was sent to Jianzhou.
2
使 使使 使 使覿使
The second month opened on guiyou. On dingchou Muzong proclaimed universal amnesty from Danfeng Tower. After the amnesty he watched jesters inside Danfeng Gate. On dinghai he spent the day at the Left Divine Strategy Army watching games. On guisi the Yong commissioner post was abolished. On jiawu Pei Xingli took Annan. On yiwei Du Shifang took Gui circuit. Prince Dan died on bingshen. The annal records dingyou without further entry. Uighur and Tibet envoys were allotted fixed numbers of private audience partners. On gengzi Lü Yuanying died. On xinchou Yang Yuling became revenue minister. On renyin an edict required high ministers to co-examine special-degree candidates at Personnel.
3
便便
The third month opened with posthumous honors for the Guo clan. On renzi Wei Chuhou and Lu Sui lectured the heir on Odes and Documents. Both received scarlet fish bags. The eunuch army commissioners received gate halberds. Wei Guanzhi became Henan intendant. On dingsi Cui Zhi asked to fix censor seniority by appointment date alone; arguing later rules conflicted with the Yuanhe 12 rule. He asked that standing order follow original appointment order. The throne agreed. On wuwu Zhao Zongru asked to cancel the joint special-degree examination; saying the emperor should examine them in person, not at Personnel. With the tomb approaching and few candidates ready, the joint exam should be halted. The throne agreed. Shenzhou's tea tribute ended. On yichou Guo Zhao and Guo Cong were promoted. On dingmao Meng Jian was banished to Jizhou. That night wind and hail struck.
4
The fourth month opened on renshen. Prince Li died on dingchou. On yiyou Yang Zao died. On dinghai an edict increased grain for destitute palace eunuchs. Thus ended the edict.
5
使使 使 便
The fifth month opened on renyin. On guimao an edict levied fifty cash per string on major taxes and levies; with quarterly collection and accounting. Funds went to Revenue until finances recovered. Civil salaries already tapped for the university were exempt; military pay was exempt as well." Thus ended the edict. On renzi the court ordered fragrant substitutes for meat at Jingling. Xianzong entered Jingling tomb on gengshen.
6
使 使 使 西使 使 祿
The sixth month opened on xinwei. On dingchou Han Hong took the Hezhong command. Gui Zhongwu recovered Annan; on wuyin Li You replaced Li Ting on the northwest frontier. Li Ting took Shuofang. Wang Zhongshu took Jiangxi. On jimao the capital's summer seed tax was remitted via Linghu Chu's tomb surplus. On gengchen Li Guangyan was promoted for fortifying Saltzhou. Li Ao was exiled to Langzhou for siding with Li Jingjian. On guiwei Laiwu was abolished into Qianfeng. On jichou Gui Deng died. On renchen Muzong revoked the fifty-cash levy: A ruler who keeps the state's body attains great harmony; but small profit betrays the people's feeling. Salaries reward service and must not be casually stripped. The new per-string tax on outer salaries troubled me. I could not accept it. In a year of peace the throne should tighten its belt, not peel the provinces. I am ashamed before the court. Cancel the 1,500,000-string levy entirely." Thus ended the edict. Revenue also received 375,000 strings from the inner treasury. The levy had echoed Huangfu Bo's hated exactions; popular anger forced its repeal. The ministers' levy proved so unpopular that Muzong repealed it. On guisi the court feasted the empress dowager at Xingqing and rewarded the eunuch commissioners. Thereafter he toured the armies and palace gates every three days for games.
7
使 使 殿 殿 使 使 使 殿 使 殿 使 使
The seventh month opened on a xin day. On renyin Li Jiang became war minister. On jiachen Kong Zhi took Hunan. On yisi an edict ordered birthday homage to the empress dowager: On my birthday I will bring her into the palace for congratulations. I wish the whole court to share the joy. Let officials and consorts salute at Guangshun Gate; I will receive them within — as permanent custom." Thus ended the edict. Historians noted this birthday ceremony was unprecedented. Yan-Cao-Pu was renamed the Ping'an Army at Ma Zong's request. On bingwu the birthday homage edict was rescinded. Wei Shou had proposed it; the premiers cited antiquity and had it canceled. On dingwei park artificial hills collapsed. Seven workers died in the collapse. Rain that had held since early summer finally came on renzi. On jiayin Muzong opened Yong'an Hall with a day of revelry. On yimao new commissioners had to inventory circuit assets on arrival. Pei Xingli died in Annan. That day he watched Ullambana at Anguo Temple. Yang Min died on the Yong frontier. Pinglu gained Silla and Bohai envoy posts with a seal and touring officer. Baoxing Hall was completed. On gengshen night Mars entered the Feathered Forest guard. On renxu temples were gilded for Tibet envoys to tour. On bingyin he feasted consorts privately in the new Yong'an Hall. On dingmao Linghu Chu was demoted to Xuanzhou. He had skimmed 150,000 strings from tomb labor, prompting exile.
8
西使 使
The eighth month opened on gengwu. On xinwei Yang Yuling urged tax payment in kind rather than cash. High ministers were told to review the plan. The throne agreed. On guiyou Li Yong died in retirement. On jiaxu Gui Zhongwu beheaded Yang Qing and recovered Annan. On yihai the Music Office received 5,000 strings capital. He held a public audience on popular hardship. Pei Ciyuan died. On jimao the moon eclipsed the Ox constellation. Early snow in Tongzhou damaged the harvest. Wei Zhengmu embezzled 8,700 strings from Jingling works; Yu Hui embezzled 13,000 more; both were sentenced to beating death. On renchen he toured Fish-Algae Pool and ordered it dredged. On wuxu Cui Zhi entered the Grand Council. On jihai Linghu Chu was demoted again to Hengzhou.
9
使使 婿殿 使 使 使使使 殿 宿使 使 使
The ninth month opened with renaming the Hebei salt office. On xinchou the court watched regatta races at Fish-Algae Palace. Li Su and Li Guangyan were recalled for a planned Double Yang feast. Li Jue protested that mourning for Xianzong was not finished: Though the court might bend ritual deadlines, the three-year mourning still binds the heart. Music in the inner palace before the tomb is closed should not yet be allowed. Muzong ignored them. On yisi Li Zongmin joined the drafting office. Songzhou flood ruined six thousand qing. On wushen Muzong feasted the Guo clan on Double Yang. A three-day revel ended in snow that felled trees without wind. Cui Qun became censor-in-chief. Cangzhou and Jingzhou floods damaged crops. On wuwu Pei Du was promoted within the council. Li Guangyan joined the council as well. Li Su was made councilor and sent to Zhaoyi. Xiazhou reported relocating You prefecture. On xinyou the court feasted Li Guangyan and Li Su at Linde. Han Yu was restored as National University chancellor with gold-purple. On bingyin Cui Qun took Wuning; Cui Neng took Lingnan. On dingmao Li Jiang became censor-in-chief. On wuchen Kong Zhi returned to Personnel.
10
使 使 使 使祿使 使祿使使 使使 使使 使 退 使西退 西 使西
In the tenth month Kanchi presented tribute. On gengchen premiers met Tibet envoys. Capital offices received 10,000 strings apportioned by the Censorate. Wang Chengzong died; Chengyuan asked for a court appointee and Bai Qi was sent. On xinsi Jin Gongliang presented astronomical carriages. On renwu Tibet raided Jingzhou; Liang Shouqian marched to relieve. On yiyou Tian Hongzheng took Chengde. Wang Chengyuan went to Yicheng on the Yellow River. Li Su was shifted to Weibo. Liu Wu took Zhaoyi from Li Su. Tian Bu received Heyang. Jingzhou reported the Tibetans had withdrawn. Tian Ji's oppression of Tanguts provoked a raid repelled by Hao Qi and Li Guangyan. On dinghai Ya prefecture was attacked; troops were sent. Wang Ya proposed bribing northern Tibet against western Tibet.
11
使 使 使 使
The eleventh month opened on yihai. On guimao a decree celebrated Chengde's submission: I mourned the lost commander and the people of four prefectures. Loyal men had lacked scope; soldiers and farmers had lacked relief. Now fortune turns and sincerity shines. Wang Chengyuan was first to submit and come to court. Honoring his family's loyalty, he received a new command. Chengde troops who turned righteous were to be ranked. Generals Shi Chonggui and Niu Yuanyi were doubly rewarded. Zheng Tan was sent to Zhenzhou with one million strings. Amnesty and rest were proclaimed throughout the circuit. All circuit prisoners were to be freed. For Wang Wujun's bronze-shining merit and Shizhen's loyal succession — Chengzong too had proved loyal. Ten generations of grace would crown one clan. His brothers were enfeoffed and his funeral overseen with care. Thus ended the edict; on dingwei Lady Li was enfeoffed Grand Lady of Jin. On dingwei Lady Li was enfeoffed Grand Lady of Jin. On xinhai Tian Hongzheng reported Chengyuan marching to Hua. Chengde pressed for reward cash; Bai Qi went ahead to calm them. Wei Zhongxing took Shaan-Guo; Li Ao took Hua and Tongguan. On yimao Muzong accepted Guo Cong's estate as a gift. On wuwu Muzong announced a brief Huaqing visit. Li Jiang and others remonstrated at Yanying Gate. Muzong said the trip was already decided. Remonstrators pressed repeatedly. That day Tian Hongzheng reported entering Zhenzhou on the sixteenth. On jiwei he slipped out to Huaqing with a thousand followers and returned at night. On guihai Zheng Yuqing died. Hao Qi was moved inland to Qingzhou.
12
西 使 西 宿 退 使 使 使 使 使 使使 使 使 西
The court feared losing him in deep Tibet raids. The twelfth month opened on jisi. On wuyin Song Ruozhao entered palace service. On renwu he played cuju and hunted west of Chang'an. On bingxu Xin Mi died. On jichou Niu Sengru became vice censor-in-chief. Lingnan reported Huangfu Bo's death in exile. On bingshen Bai Juyi entered the drafting office. The census counted 2.38 million households and 15.76 million people. Ninety-seven frontier prefectures filed no census. Changqing 1 opened with sacrifices at the ancestral temples. Solar halos appeared; ministers offered congratulations. On xinchou the suburban sacrifice ended with universal amnesty from Danfeng Tower. The reign was renamed Changqing. Amnesty grants ranged by rank across the bureaucracy and army. The court also distributed 204,960 bolts of goods. Ministers congratulated before Danfeng Tower. He then visited the empress dowager at Xingqing. Xiazhou asked to keep armor but send home unskilled frontier drafts. Li Ting sought 3,000 borrowed troops and 1,500 local recruits. Fifty-man horse societies would keep mounts supplied. The throne agreed. On guimao Heyang posts were reshuffled: Tian Bu took Jingyuan; Guo Zhao took Heyang; Wang Qian took Jingnan. On yisi Han Cui renamed himself Chong. On jiyou Liu Shijing became Grand Master of the Stud. Remonstrators returned Liu Shijing's appointment; Muzong overruled them citing frontier merit and marriage into the imperial clan. The appointment stood. Li Deyu asked to bar sons-in-law from visiting premiers: They leak secrets when they visit private houses. Let them meet ministers only at the yamen." Thus ended the memorial's effect. A comet blazed in the Wing mansion that night. On renxu Xiao Mian left the council at his own request. On guihai Cui Yuanlue took Qianzhong. On dingmao a comet neared the Supreme Palace rampart. On dingmao a comet neared the Supreme Palace rampart.
13
殿 使 西使 西使使 使 殿
The second month opened on wuchen. On guiyou Xiao Mian became personnel minister. On jiaxu Han Gao kept the right vice directorship. On yihai night Venus crossed the Pleiades. On bingzi at Linde Hall Muzong praised widespread feasting to Ding Gongzhu. Ding Gongzhu agreed it was true, but said such customs were no honor. He warned that revelry would burden the emperor with neglected government. Muzong dismissed the worry. Gongzhu cited ritual: The Odes praise measured joy. They mock repeated dancing. Ancient feasts stayed orderly with poetry and games. Since Tianbao banquets had turned to noisy drunkenness. High officials now caroused shamelessly with clerks. Public and private life imitated each other. Government was neglected. Only the throne still sought order — how could it not weary you! Issue prohibitions and the realm would be fortunate. Muzong, deep in wine and music, took the rebuke well. On jimao Liu Zong asked to abdicate and become a monk. He proposed splitting Youzhou into three circuits and sought one million strings. On renshen Duan Wenchang went to western Sichuan and Du Yuanying joined the council. Wang Bo took Salt and Iron. Ma Zong asked to release soldiers who wished to farm. A secret quota on desertions had provoked Ma Zong's protest. On dinghai night the moon crossed Jupiter in Tail. On xinmao Cold Food brought a Linde feast. On renchen Li Jian died. On guisi the Uighur khan died.
14
使 西使 使 使 使使使 使 使 使使 使使 使 使 使 使
The third month opened with moving Mingzhou. Liu Zong presented fifteen thousand horses. On jiachen Lady Li of Jin visited both emperor and empress dowager. The Imperial Clan asked for 200 more enfeoffments beyond this year's 300. This year's quota was only three hundred. They begged two hundred additional posts. The throne agreed. Xue Ping asked to stop selling captured Silla subjects. The throne agreed. On wushen capital grain commissioners were abolished as oppressive. Hebei salt monopoly rules were relaxed to fixed quotas. On gengxu Wei Shou became rituals minister. That night Venus neared the Five Chariots. On xinhai Wei Hongjing and Di Jianmo were sent to comfort Youzhou. Wang Bo raised the Jiang-Huai salt price by fifty cash per dou. On guichou Liu Zong was formally shifted to Ping'an Army. Xuanwu posts were reassigned: Zhang Hongjing took Youzhou at Liu Zong's request. This followed Liu Zong's abdication plan. Li Yuan took Xuanwu; Li Guangyan took Fengxiang. Gao Xiayu took Bin-Ning. Remonstrators said Gao Xiayu was unfit after defeat. Muzong ignored them. On yimao Lu Shimei took Ying-Mo per Liu Zong's partition plan. The post followed Liu Zong's three-circuit scheme. On dingsi a decree rewarded Liu Zong's household and army: Youzhou got a tax holiday and one million strings for the troops. Xue Cunqing and Hongjing would disburse the funds." Thus ended the edict. On wuwu nine younger brothers received princely titles; five sons also became princes. Liu Gongchuo became Jingzhao intendant. On jiwei Li Deyu and Li Shen were promoted within the drafting office. The court ordered a re-examination of Qian Hui's jinshi picks. On jiazi Liu Zong's house became the Repaying Grace temple. Youzhou reported Liu Zong took the name Great Awakening. That night Liu Zong vanished. On yichou four exiled officials were moved to lesser posts.
15
使使 便 使
The fourth month opened with offices for Liu Zong's kin. On gengwu Yi-Ding reported Liu Zong's death as a monk. On jiaxu Jiang Yi died. On bingzi Ma Zong returned to Ping'an. On dingchou Muzong condemned the jinshi scandal: Exam factions fixed outcomes before testing. The court was outraged. The re-test sought real learning, not trick questions. Graduates could not explain a Zhou Rites music question. Their essays were crude and error-filled. Qian Hui was shamed before the court. All should have been failed. Yet peace allowed mercy. Three passed marginally; eleven including Lu Gongliang failed. Future jinshi papers would go to the Secretariat for review." Thus ended the edict. Qian Hui, Li Zongmin, and Yang Rushi were punished. On wuyin Cui Zhi proposed a Record of Sagely Governance. The throne agreed. The project never materialized. On bingxu a new Uighur khan was enthroned. On xinmao Linghu Chu and Meng Jian were reassigned. On renchen the court forbade factionalism. On jiawu Zhang Hongjing entered Youzhou to acclaim. The Secretariat asked to notify the tombs of Yan-Ji pacification.
16
使 西 使 使
The throne agreed. The fifth month opened on bingchen. On wuxu Muzong set judicial deadlines for great, middle, and small cases; middle cases thirty and twenty-five days; small cases twenty-five and twenty. Twenty or more counts were great, ten middle, fewer small. Review officers got more kitchen funds per Niu Sengru's plan. On jihai Li Bo was exiled for flattering the premiers in exam reports. On guimao eighteen Youzhou generals received capital posts. On jiyou Liu Deng died in retirement. On xinhai a hundred-chi tower rose in the palace. On renzi the tea tax rose fifty cash per Wang Bo. Li Jue protested in vain. Prince Shen died on bingchen. On dingsi two Cangzhou counties were abolished. On renxu Xue Cunqing died in Youzhou service. On guihai Yin prefecture was abolished; its counties reverted to Cai prefecture. Princess Taihe departed to marry the Uighur khan. On jiazi Hu Zheng escorted the princess and enthroned the khan. Li Rui served as marriage envoy.
17
The sixth month opened on yichou. Tibet raided Qing Fortress on xinwei. On jiashen Niu Sengru received gold-purple.
18
殿 使使 使使
The seventh month opened on yiwei. On renyin the moon eclipsed a Room star. On renzi ministers offered the honorific Civil-Martial Filial Virtue. That day Muzong took the honorific and proclaimed amnesty. On jiayin Youzhou mutinied and seized Zhang Hongjing. Four staff were murdered. The troops installed Zhu Hui as acting commander. On dingsi Zhang Hongjing was demoted. On jiwei he was sent to Jizhou. Zhu Hui yielded to his son Wurong. Liu Zong had sent unruly officers including Ke Rong to Chang'an. Cui Zhi and Du Yuanying sent the officers back, restoring Hebei rebellion under Ke Rong. On gengshen Liu Wu was rushed to Youzhou. Han Yu was made vice war minister. On xinyou Muzong half-escorted Princess Taihe to the frontier.
19
使 使 使使 使使 使 使 西
The eighth month opened on jiazi. On jisi Zhenzhou reported Tian Hongzheng and three hundred kin slaughtered. Wang Tingcou was made acting commander. On xinwei Yang Yuanqing took Jingyuan. The court convened to plan war on You and Zhen. On guiyou Wang Tingcou murdered Ji prefect Wang Jinki. On yihai Tian Bu was sent to Weibo in mourning dress. On jimao Niu Yuanyi defended Shen-Ji. On xinsi night Venus neared the Chariot's horn. Wu Yun was expelled from Jizhou by Youzhou troops. Yingzhou mutinied and seized Lu Shimei. Youzhou troops then seized Yingzhou. On yichou Pei Du was charged with pacifying You and Zhen. On gengyin Li Jingjian entered the remonstrance bureau. Venus neared the Supreme Palace's western wall on renchen night. On guisi Zhenzhou forces besieged Shenzhou.
20
滿 使 使
The ninth month opened on jiawu. On dingyou Mingshui county was abolished. On wuxu night Venus neared the Supreme Palace's Right Enforcement star. On renyin a thunderstorm struck. On yisi Xiangzhou mutineers killed their prefect. On bingwu Duan Wenzheng took command of relief forces for Shenzhou. Tibet's request for alliance was accepted. On xinhai night the moon neared the Celestial Pass. On renzi Youzhou raiders struck three Yizhou counties. On guichou Li Yun became crown prince tutor. On guiyou Tian Bu reported five thousand men sent to Beizhou.
21
使 使使 使 使使 使 使 使 使 使 使使 西使 使 西使 使
The tenth month opened on jiazi. On bingyin Wang Bo joined the council while keeping Salt and Iron. Pei Du took overall command against Zhenzhou. Du Shuliang was named to lead the Shen-Ji field army. On wuchen Niu Yuanyi was installed as Chengde military commissioner. On xinwei Wang Qi took Rites and Yang Sifu joined the drafting office. On renshen Zheng Yin became Minister of Personnel. Li Jiang was posted to the Eastern Capital as acting vice director. Ding Gongzhu went to Zhedong on concurrent posts. On yihai Wang Zhixing became Wuning deputy commander. On dingchou Pei Du pledged to lead the advance by the Guan road. Zhu Kerong struck Weizhou. On wuyin Wang Tingcou attacked Beizhou. Liu Gongji reported crushing three thousand Yan troops at Baishiling. Wu Chongyin reported a victory at Raoyang. Wei Guanzhi died. On renwu Bai Juyi was promoted to drafter. Pei Du thrice accused Yuan Zhen and eunuch Wei Hongjian of corrupting the court. Yuan Zhen left the Hanlin for Works. Wei Hongjian was sent to the bow store. On jiashen Liu Gongchuo became vice personnel minister. On bingxu Du Shuliang replaced Wu Chongyin at Cangzhou; Wu Chongyin was transferred to Shannan West. Du Shuliang promised a swift victory as he departed. Wu Chongyin's deliberate pace had cost him the command. On dinghai Xue Rong died. On wuzi Tian Bu led Weibo's full force forward. Li Yun died. On jichou Cui Cong took Works while keeping revenue. Cui Cong became left vice director; Xu Jitong went to Hua and Tong Pass. On xinmao Liu Wu camped at Lincheng with his army.
22
使 使 使 殿 使
The eleventh month opened with Pei Du's victory at Huixing. Chen Chu repelled a twenty-thousand-man raid on Dingzhou. On yisi Cui Qun sent Wang Zhixing to the front. On wushen Pei Wu was named supply commissioner. On wuwu the emperor held the decree examination. On xinyou Xue Ping executed a mutinous Ziqing officer. Bai Juyi, Chen Hu, and Jia Su were named examiners.
23
使使 使 使使 使 宿 使 使使 使 使使 使 使 使 使使 使使 西使
The twelfth month opened on jiazi. On bingyin Yan Gongsu took Rongguan. On dingmao Li Jingjian was exiled to Chuzhou. On gengwu Du Shuliang lost seven thousand men at Boye and barely escaped. On yihai circuits were ordered to divert two hundred cash per string to the war effort. Chen Chu routed twenty thousand rebels at Wangdu. On wuyin Li Guangyan replaced Li Xun and kept the Shen-Ji command. Li Xun went to Fengxiang. Four officials were demoted for drinking with Li Jingjian when he insulted the chief ministers. Feng Su and Yang Sifu were fined but not demoted for the same banquet. On xinsi the court farewelled Li Guangyan at Zhangjing Temple. The emperor saw him off at Tonghua Gate with belt and horses. Yang Chenghe was named field supervisor. On renwu fifty thousand strings were released for the war. On yiyou Zhu Kerong was pardoned and confirmed as Lulong commissioner. Court opinion favored pardoning Zhu Kerong while punishing Wang Tingcou. The census counted 2.38 million households and 15.76 million persons. Changqing 2 opened with war canceling the New Year audience. On yiwei Wang Chengbian took Annan. On dingyou Zhu Kerong seized Gonggao and ambushed supply trains. On gengzi Weibo's army collapsed at Nangong. On wushen Shi Xiancheng mutinied and Tian Bu killed himself. On jiyou Shi Xiancheng was installed at Weibo. That day a dust storm rose. On gengxu Wang Rijian replaced Du Shuliang at Cangzhou. On renzi Du Shuliang was exiled for failure and losing his banners. On jiayin Cui Cong went to Fengxiang. Zhang Pingshu took charge of revenue. Gonggao was re-established as Jingzhou. Qingzhou reported two hundred li of frozen sea. On yimao Li Xun became punishment minister. On jiwei Li Xun died. On gengzi Cao Hua received a military commission; Li Jincheng took Shuofang; Li Gu was posted to Tiande. The court released eighty thousand bolts of silk for the war. Civil appointments in Lingnan and Qianzhong were halted.
24
使 使使 使使 使 使 使 使使 使 宿使 使使使 使使
The second month opened on guihai. On jiazi Wang Tingcou was pardoned and confirmed at Chengde. His troops were to be treated as before. Han Yu was sent to announce the amnesty. Zhang Hongjing was named Fuzhou prefect. Hongjing had been held in Youzhou until Zhu Kerong released him. On bingyin Niu Yuanyi left the north for Shannan East. On dingmao Li Deyu was promoted while keeping the Hanlin post. On guiyou Han Chong replaced Wang Chengyuan at Yicheng. Wang Chengyuan took Yan-Fang. Mars and Jupiter converged on jiaxu night. Wang Rijian was renamed Li Quanlue. On xinsi Cui Zhi left the council for Punishments. Yuan Zhen entered the council as works vice minister. Li Deyu became censor-in-chief. Li Shen was promoted to drafter while keeping the Hanlin. Wang Zhongzhou was exiled to Taizhou for slow dispatch. On guiwei Li Guangyan took Cangzhou while keeping Zhongwu and the field command; Li Quanlue went to De-Di. On bingxu Feng Su was sent to manage Xiangzhou while Niu Yuanyi was besieged. On dinghai Pei Du was posted to the Eastern Capital while keeping council rank; Li Ting took Hedong.
25
使 使 使 使 殿 使 使使 使 使 使 使使 使 使使 使使
The third month opened with an edict on promoting martial officers: Field generals often return with their commissioners. Martial officers should submit records for merit-based promotion. Circuit officers of surveillance rank would rotate every three years. Families of the war dead would keep rations three years. The wartime levy on circuit funds was ended." Thus ended the edict. Muzong never mastered army discipline and indulged his commanders. He emptied the treasury on rewards that made soldiers rich and arrogant. Discipline collapsed, battles were lost, and the throne grew daily weaker. Regional commanders then sold promotions to merchants who flooded the Secretariat. Powerful ministers could only watch. On guisi Xiao Mian and Li Fengji were reassigned. On renyin Zhang Fengguo died. Zhang Pingshu became vice revenue minister. Zhang Pingshu proposed state salt monopoly in eighteen articles. The court ordered debate on his plan. Wei Chuhou refuted it and the plan died. Zhu Kerong and Wang Tingcou kept Shenzhou under siege. Pei Du's letters eased the siege and both rebels received acting Works rank. On wushen Pei Du wept at court over Hebei and won the emperor's comfort. On renzi Pei Du was sent to Huainan. On guichou Wang Zhixing ousted Cui Qun at Xuzhou. On jiayin Han Gao and Li Yijian were promoted as vice directors. Li Jiang returned to the Eastern Capital post. On bingchen Pei Du's investiture drew the full court in procession. On dingji Cui Cong replaced Wang Chengyuan at Yan-Fang. Wang Chengyuan went to Fengxiang. On wuwu Pei Du rejoined the council. Wang Bo took Huainan while keeping Salt and Iron. Cui Cong became Henan intendant. Niu Yuanyi escaped Shenzhou; Wang Tingcou slaughtered Zang Ping and 180 officers left behind. On jiwei Wang Zhixing was confirmed at Wuning. Li Quanlue reunited the Cang-De-Di command. Li Guangyan returned to Xu.
26
使 使 使 使 使
The fourth month opened with a solar eclipse. On jiazi Han Gao's installation followed recent ceremonial precedent. A Yunyang wrestler owed a guardsman money. Kang Xian came to collect the debt. Drunk, Zhang Li beat Xian nearly dead; Xian's fourteen-year-old son Maide killed Li with a mallet. Punishments reviewed the case; the edict said Maide was a child who knew filial duty: killing deserved death, yet his motive for his father was pitiable. Full execution would ignore the circumstances. Reduce the sentence one degree." Thus ended the edict. Li Huan held Boye against Wang Tingcou's assault. Li Huan's troops were transferred to the Right Divine Strategy under his command. On gengchen Du Shifang died. On guiwei Cui Qun was sidelined to the Eastern Capital. Wei Chuhou and Lu Sui presented Classic Exegesis and were richly rewarded. On dinghai Yan Yu took Guiguan. That night a meteor thundered into the Celestial Market wall.
27
The fifth month opened on xinmao. Li Jingjian was restored to remonstrance. On guichou Yan Shou died. On wuwu Zhu Kerong offered horses and sheep for cash to pay his troops. Long Mountains reported a beast that ate Tibetans but spared Han travelers.
28
使 使 使使
The sixth month opened on gengshen. On jiazi Pei Du kept the vice directorship while Yuan Zhen was sent to Tongzhou. On yichou Li Fengji joined the council. On yichou a storm damaged the ancestral temple and the Censorate tree. On dingmao Liu Gongji took Yiwu. On renshen remonstrators forced a rollback of Yuan Zhen's promotion. On wuyin Li Yijian was retired to the Eastern Capital. On wuzi Yongguan was restored under Cui Jie.
29
使 使使使 使使 使使
The seventh month opened on jichou. On bingshen Prince Jie died and mourning closed court. On wuxu Bianzhou mutineers installed Li Si. Floods drowned three hundred households in Hao county. Chen, Xu, and Cai suffered floods. On renyin Bai Juyi was posted to Hangzhou. On yisi the court ordered officials to plan against Li Si. On bingwu Li Yuan was demoted. On bingwu Han Chong was sent to Bianzhou with Xuanyi command; Li You was honored at court. On dingwei five hundred thousand bolts of silk were released for the war. Fifty thousand shi of grain relieved Chen and Xu. On jiyou Yang Ruichang was sent to Zhenzhou. Wang Tingcou asked to delay sending Niu Yuanyi's family until autumn. He claimed Tian Hongzheng's body could not be found. On xinhai Li Yuan's son was honored at court. On yimao an edict fixed promotion timelines for drafting officers: remonstrators followed the same ladder; Hanlin appointees were excepted." Thus ended the edict. Chen Chu was named Eastern Capital intendant. A martial intendant was chosen because Bianzhou was in revolt.
30
使 使 使 使 使 使 使使 使 使 使 使
The eighth month opened with Cui Hongli named Henan intendant. Wei Ying blocked the edict until the emperor overruled him. Li Guangyan was ordered to retake Bianzhou. On wuchen Han Gao took the Eastern Capital post. Chen Chu went to Heyang. On guiyou Han Chong reported his army entering Bian territory. On bingzi Bianzhou loyalists beheaded Li Si and his partisans. On dingchou Han Chong entered Bianzhou. Li Jiang was posted to Hua and Tong Pass. Chuzhou flood drowned Zhedong residents. Cao Hua took Yicheng; Gao Chengjian took Yan; Li Zhi was honored at court. He was named Ying observation commissioner. Wang Bo presented a canal plan for the Ying mouth.
31
西使 西 使使 使西使 使 使 使
The ninth month opened with Dou Yizhi crushing a Zhexi mutiny. Han Chong sent Li Si's sons to be beheaded at the Western Market; Li Si's family was sent to the palace women. On renzi Li Yijian died and was posthumously honored. On guimao Guo Zhao took Hedong. Li Deyu replaced Dou Yizhi in Zhexi. Dou Yizhi became vice personnel minister. Li Huan received an observation commission. On yisi regrouped-defense prefectures were streamlined. On xinhai Liu Gongchuo became censor-in-chief. An order to expand Furong Garden had uprooted commoners. On guichou the expansion was cancelled. Dezhou mutineers killed Wang Ji and looted his household. On dingsi Li Yuanxi took Annan. Shatuo leader Zhuye Zhixin came to court with gifts.
32
使 使使 使使祿使使 西使 使祿 西西使 使
The tenth month opened on wuwu. On renxu Han Hong was confirmed in high council rank. On jiazi night the moon eclipsed the Ox Herd. On wuchen Wu Chongyin was transferred to Tianping. On jimao Zheng Quan and Xu Jitong were reassigned at Works. That day the emperor visited Xianyang and lavished gifts on monks and officials. The intercalary month brought Princess Taihe home from the Uyghurs. On gengyin Zheng Yin became crown prince tutor; Zhao Zongru took Personnel; Wei Shou went to Shannan West. On renchen Han Gongwu died and mourning closed court. Yang Yuling became grand herald. On bingshen the Uyghur qaghan sent lavish gifts. On jihai Lu Sui and Wei Chuhou were named to compile Xianzong's Veritable Record. Until the record was done they need not attend inner drafting or regular audience. An edict on drought relief began: "Southern observers should sell granary grain at half price where drought struck." Thus ended the edict. On bingchen Linghu Chu took Shan-Guo.
33
使 使 殿
The eleventh month opened on dingsi. On dingmao Geng Chengxuan took Shan-Guo. Linghu Chu was recalled to the Eastern Capital. He had served one day at Shanzhou before the reversal. On gengwu Prince Jing escorted the empress dowager to Huaqing. On xinwei Gui Zhongwu took Yongguan. On guiyou the emperor rushed home from Huaqing before the empress dowager. On bingzi Prince Xiang died. On gengchen an inner attendant fell mysteriously during palace cuju. The emperor stopped play, could not walk, and took to his bed with vertigo. For three days the court heard nothing of the emperor's condition. That night the moon neared the Room mansion.
34
殿 殿 使 使使 使
The twelfth month opened with freeing the palace hawks. On gengyin Li Fengji was turned away at Yanying Gate. Court and ministers thrice begged for a crown prince. That night Han Hong died. On xinmao the ailing emperor received officials and heard pleas for Prince Jing. On guisi Prince Jing was named crown prince. Huainan reported famine and a magistrate killed for grain. On jiawu silk relieved the capital's destitute. On jiwei the court celebrated the emperor's recovery with temple feasts. Prisoners were ordered released. On bingwu the crown prince was invested. Officials then paid court to the new heir with full ceremony. On dingwei Zhang Pingshu was exiled to Tongzhou. That night the moon eclipsed the Left Horn. On jiyou Ma Zong was named acting left vice director. On gengxu Dou Yizhi took revenue. On guichou investiture amnesty was proclaimed. Cui Yuanlue took the E-Yue command. Meng Jian died. On yimao Wei Zhongxing became right vice director. That winter snow gave way to unseasonable warmth and budding trees. Changqing 3 opened with illness canceling New Year audience. That day wind and gloom shrouded the sky. Prince Zuo was exiled to Yazhou for palace gossip. Buying Silla slaves was forbidden and existing slaves freed. Wang Qi reformed the examination posting procedure. The court approved.
35
使使使
Second month brought memorials on Wu Chongyin's illness and Heyang ritual arms. Both were approved. Yin You added Three Traditions and Three Histories to the examinations. At Revenue, Cui Cong, the revenue minister, died.
36
In the third month the court feasted at Qujiang. Tribute of mourning goods and festival gifts was suspended. Hunting birds and dogs were released except for the hunt. Niu Sengru joined the council. Late that day bandits fought at Tonghua Gate. Palace attendants received cash grants.
37
西 使
Shannan West moved Chen prefecture to Baojing. Niu Yuanyi died. Li Sui received a History Office seal.
38
便
Du Yuanying ordered Shen Chuanshi to compile history in his new post. The court approved. Han Yu was excused from Secretariat audience, not as precedent.
39
In the seventh month Wei Qianqing died.
40
使 使
In the eighth month Cao Hua died. Ma Zong died. Wei Shou died. The emperor visited Xingqing and gifted a monk at Tonghua Gate. He then toured the Five Directions and rewarded followers.
41
使
In the ninth month Liu Wu entered the council. The court held the Double Ninth feast at Qujiang. Nanzhao sent sixteen kinds of treasure and silk.
42
西使 西使 西使 西使使 使使
In the tenth month Han Yu took War and Li Shen went to Jiangxi. Li Fengji feared Li Shen's reputation would bring him to the council. Fengji named Han Yu Jingzhao intendant to block Shen. Li Shen's protests led Fengji to remove both men. Li Shen left the capital while Han Yu stayed. Du Yuanying left the council for Sichuan. Chen Chu died. Han Yu took Personnel and Li Shen Revenue. Li Shen wept and begged to stay; both men were reassigned. Pang Yan was summoned and honored with gold-purple. Inner offices received capital grants. The emperor farewelled Du Yuanying at Anfu Gate.
43
In the eleventh month the emperor watched the Vaisravana statue raised. Zhedong's sweet vegetable and clam tribute ended.
44
西使 殿 殿
Li Deyu tore down 1,015 illicit shrines in Zhexi. Changqing 4 opened with normal New Year audience. A recluse warned against elixirs; the emperor sought him in vain. Liu Wu kept his aide Jia Zhiyan at court. Kong Die died in retirement. On xinwei Muzong ordered the crown prince to rule in his stead. On renshen Muzong died at thirty. He was posthumously named Sagacious Cultured Gracious Filial Emperor, temple name Muzong.
45
He was buried at Guang Mausoleum in the eleventh month. The appraisal opens: order and chaos depend on men, not Heaven. Under a sage founder, centuries could pass in peace; under a tyrant the realm drowned in chaos. Xianzong, seeing discipline fail, gathered heroes and throttled rebellion. Fifty years of lost territory returned to the map; millions of the afflicted breathed again under his rule. Yuanhe rule nearly reached peace. Just as harmony returned, brief reign shattered it. With worthy successors like Wen and Jing, Wang Tingcou and Zhu Kerong would have shrunk back; Wang Zhixing and Li You would never have dared mutiny. Rebels would not have looted the treasury; the desperate would not have stolen even crumbs. This weak sovereign broke the heart: he forgot founding's cost and ignored the people's pain. He thought power in his fist could command the realm; he thought the crown on his brow could rule while seated. He never saw that unity makes an empire and division makes a lone man, ministers become enemies overnight. As Zhongchangzi wrote, when fortune turns the indulgent ruler never awakens: wealth breeds cruelty and indulgence breeds folly; So ends the appraisal: "How true that saying is!"
46
The eulogy says: Muzong lacked virtue and wrecked the laws. His reign survived only by his father's legacy. Heaven sets right for the people — what man was this to seize the throne so rashly?
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