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卷十七下 本紀第十七下: 文宗下

Volume 17 Annals 17: Wenzong 2

Chapter 18 of 舊唐書 · Old Book of Tang
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1
便 殿 使 殿
Wuzong—taboo Yan—was Muzong's fifth son, born of Empress Xuanyi Wei. He was born in the Eastern Palace on the twelfth of the sixth month. In the third month he became Prince of Ying, born Zhan. Under Kaicheng he held acting grand preceptor and personnel posts with monthly stipends. Wenzong, repenting Zhuangke's death, named Chen Wang Chengmei heir in winter without full rites. On Kaicheng 5's first-month second day Wenzong fell gravely ill; Li Jue and Liu Hongyi set the crown prince to regency. Qiu Shiliang and Yu Hongzhi forged an edict fetching Prince of Ying Zhan: "Since my illness worsens I cannot rule in person— —so by counsel of ministers I set a kinsman to share the throne. My brother Zhan studied with me, measured in ritual, generous by nature. He will uphold the realm and win the people's assent. Make him Younger Brother Heir to manage state and army affairs. Let all officials exhaust themselves to fulfill my will. Chen Wang Chengmei, too young for rites, returns to prince rank for fairness. That night Qiu Shiliang installed the Younger Brother Heir at Shaoyang; officials bowed at Suxian Hall. On the third day Qiu Shiliang killed Yuchi Zhang of Xianzhao Court and exterminated his clan. On the fourth Wenzong died; the testament named the Younger Brother Heir and Yang Sifu chief mourner. On the fourteenth he was enthroned in the main hall at twenty-seven. Chen Wang Chengmei and An Wang Rong died in their mansions. Consort Yang had turned Wenzong against Zhuangke's mother; the consort died and the heir fell. Late in Kaicheng, childless, Wenzong favored An Wang until Li Jue blocked it for Chen Wang. Qiu Shiliang, enthroning Wuzong, exposed An Wang's past and killed both princes and Consort Yang.
2
殿
In the second month Muzong's consort Wei became posthumous Empress Dowager Xuanyi. From the main hall Wuzong enfeoffed Qiu Shiliang Duke of Chu, Yu Hongzhi Duke of Han, and made Cui Ye and Cui Gong councillors. The second month's fifteenth became the Descent-of-Sage holiday with one day off.
3
便
In the third month palace women Liu and Wang were made consorts. New- and full-moon audiences with penal officials were suspended when inconvenient.
4
In the fifth month the Secretariat asked the sixth month's twelfth as Qingyang Festival. Empress Dowager Xuanyi entered the ancestral temple. Wuzong wished to open Muzong's tomb for joint burial; the Secretariat objected: Guang Mausoleum has stood twenty years; Fu Mausoleum was just restored. Filial duty already shows solemn care. Reopening both tombs might disturb the spirits and breach prior intent. Yin-yang taboos also counsel caution. Leaving Fu Mausoleum untouched accords with rites. Thus ended the memorial; the plan was abandoned. They enlarged the old mound and named it Fu Mausoleum. They also asked that retained capital officials share hand labor pay with acting substitutes per the amnesty. Regular salaries are thin while hand-pay is heavy—retained officers cannot balance both. Let two hundred cash per string of salary go to acting officers; the rest unchanged. The throne assented.
5
In the seventh month Chen Yixing returned as secretariat councillor.
6
簿使使簿 使 使 使
On the eighth month's seventeenth Wenzong was buried at Zhang Mausoleum. Liu Hongyi and Xue Jiling, Wenzong's favorites escorting the bier, plotted to kill Qiu Shiliang. Wang Qi and Cui Ling uncovered the plot and warned the escort troops. That day Liu Hongyi and Xue Jiling were executed. Yang Sifu was banished to Hunan as acting personnel minister; Li Jue to Guizhou as acting war minister; Pei Yizhi to Hangzhou—all punished as Hongyi's party. The Yiding army expelled Chen Junshang. Junshang rallied hundreds, retook the city, and slaughtered the mutineers.
7
使 使 殿 殿
In the ninth month Li Deyu left Huainan for the Grand Council and soon the secretariat; Li Shen replaced him at Huainan. That autumn Wuzong summoned eighty-one Daoists including Zhao Guizhen for Golden Register rites in the Three Halls. He received ritual registers at the Nine Heavens altar. Wang Zhe warned against excessive faith in Daoism; the court ignored him.
8
使 使
In the eleventh month the tea tax south of the Yangzi and Huai was restored. He Jintao died; the Weibo armies backed his son Chongba. Huichang 1 opened on renyin. On gengxu suburban rites ended with universal amnesty and the new era from Danfeng Tower.
9
使
In the second month Li Shen joined the Grand Council. The Secretariat urged the Six Boards to stop passing army petitions to idle clerks: Revenue and Expenditure had become a mailbox for army requests while clerks sat idle. "Let each board judge its own docket with councillors picking capable men." Thus ended the memorial. The throne assented. The Emperor visited Kunming Pool. Qiu Shiliang received a merit stele composed by Li Cheng.
10
使使
In the third month Yang Sifu, Li Jue, and Pei Yizhi were driven deeper into exile. Li Deyu became Minister of Works. On renshen the councillors asked an eternal temple for Xianzong." Entirely apt," said the Emperor. Debate continued, but the proposal failed. Pei Du was posthumously made Grand Preceptor. Locusts ravaged Shannan East. Dragon Head Pool gained the Spirit Talisman Responsive Sage Cloister.
11
On xinchou Xianzong's Veritable Records were ordered revised. Submit the new text with the old, unmarked void. Li Deyu, blocked on Xianzong's temple, sought to rewrite the records to shield his father—drawing public scorn.
12
In the fifth month the Secretariat asked to restore remonstrance ranks per the Six Offices Canon: Since Dali 2 vice directors rose to third rank, both departments lack fourth-rank posts. Office structure remains incomplete. As the Odes say, royal gaps need ministers to mend them. Zhou and Han ministers entered the inner gates to remonstrate. Zhang Heng remonstrated from within the curtains. Great ministers need lofty rank to make their words weighty. Blunt remonstrance requires honored elders. Restore remonstrance to vice fourth rank, left and right. Rotate remonstrance with director posts to weight selection. The censor vice director should match other second-in-command fourth ranks. Temple and directorate seconds are fourth rank. "Raise the censor vice director to vice fourth rank." Thus ended the memorial. The throne assented.
13
禿 使 祿
Bald vultures gathered in the imperial park. On gengzi night fifty small meteors crisscrossed the sky. He Chongba became Tianxiong commander and was renamed Chongshun. Grand councillors were ordered to send monthly policy records to the History Office. Liu Xuanjing joined Zhao Guizhen performing registers in the palace. Liu Yanmo's sharp remonstrance earned a Henan registrar post. An order ended "retain at court" petitions: Say deliver to the Censorate, not retain at court. State secrets remain excepted. Proven charges merit reward for public service. False accusation brings counter-inquiry. "Let all know this rule." Thus ended the edict. Thus ended the edict.
14
On jisi a meteor crossed the northern sky for a long while. Locusts ravaged the eastern plain. Floods struck Xiang, Ying, and the lower Yangzi. The comet returned between Room and Wall.
15
使 西 使
In the eighth month Uighur Wujie reported Kirghiz attacks and his election as qaghan. Broken and scattered, he escorted Princess Taihe south to Tang. At the frontier Wamosi killed the Red-Heart chancellor and led thousands of tents westward. Tian Mou of Tiande reported it. Wujie asked to borrow Tiande for the princess and begged grain and herds. Wang Hui and Li Shiyan were sent to console Wujie, free the princess, and grant twenty thousand shi of grain.
16
使
In the ninth month Youzhou expelled Shi Yuanzhong for Chen Xingtai. The armies petitioned for credentials; the court withheld them. In the tenth month Zhang Jiang denounced Xingtai's cruelty and won permission to attack.
17
使
Xingtai was executed; Zhang Jiang took command. The Emperor hunted at Xianyang.
18
使使
The eleventh month opened on dingyou. On renyin night a great fire-star lit the northeast with thunder; mountains collapsed. The comet in Room lasted fifty-six days. Princess Taihe asked patents for Wujie; envoys were sent to console him.
19
便 使 使使
In the twelfth month the Secretariat tightened Veritable Records rules: Only words heard by many may enter the history. Inner words known only by rumor must be cut. Cut such passages hereafter. Debates need public proof of outcome. Approved plans must show praise; perverse ones punishment. Frontier memorials need written replies visible to all. Hall records and edicts must show decisions openly. Secret memorials from families must not be recorded. Record only what the court jointly knew. "Thus history stays fair and trusted." Thus ended the memorial. The throne assented. Li Deyu had Zheng Ya cut Jifu's faults from Xianzong's records. Deyu rewrote the rule to hide his hand. The gentry murmured; Wuzong knew. Huichang 2 opened with Prince of Fu Hong made Lulong commissioner. Zhang Jiang became Zhongwu, provisional Lulong commander. The Nine Palaces altar was lowered from great to middle sacrifice. Cui Gong and Chen Yixing fixed vice-director audience protocol.
20
使 使
On bingyin the Secretariat asked steady supplemental pay for frontier prefects: Personnel once released hundreds of balanced posts when pay was steady. Now fragmented pay never reaches appointees, deterring frontier service. Deliver supplemental pay in kind on time. Observation vice commissioners should pay monthly and account yearly. Capital debts drive frontier greed. Lend two months supplemental pay to new frontier appointees. "So new appointees arrive debt-free and able to serve cleanly." Thus ended the memorial. The throne assented. Xiao Fang, retired grand preceptor, died. Zangke and Nanzhao sent envoys.
21
使 使祿使
In the third month envoys invested Wujie qaghan. Liu Mian replaced Fu Che at Hedong with a massive commission. Mian was ordered to strike the Uighur at Tiande with Taiyuan troops.
22
祿祿祿祿 殿 殿便 退 殿殿
On yichou the councillors sought the honorific Benevolent Sagely Martial Civil Ultimate Filial Emperor. On wuyin Wuzong received the honorific at Xuanzheng Hall. Rain forced the rites from the ninth to the twenty-third. A informer told Qiu Shiliang the amnesty would cut army rations. Shiliang threatened a tower-front mutiny. Li Deyu pleaded the case in Extended Ying. "Villain's talk," said the Emperor. He told the commandants the amnesty was his own and unreleased. Shiliang apologized in fear. The sky cleared that day. The Secretariat asked councillors to bow with the hundred officials at New Year: Councillors alone stood like guards without bowing—against ritual. "Let councillors queue and bow before ascending." Thus ended the memorial. The throne assented. Tiande reported Uighur harassment. An order forbade felling mulberry for fuel: Officials had ignored mulberry orders, selling trees as firewood. "Strictly forbid it hereafter." Thus ended the edict. Thus ended the edict.
23
使
Qingyang Festival gained three hundred strings for banquets without pressed musicians. Wamosi and twenty-six hundred Uighur officers sought surrender. Li Deyu also became acting minister of education. Zheng Qin, retired grand preceptor, died.
24
使 使
The sixth month opened with Mars transgressing Wood. On bingyin Venus crossed the eastern well. Wamosi and twenty-six hundred Uighur reached Chang'an. Wamosi became Li Sizhong, Duke of Huaihua, Return-to-Righteousness commissioner; Shouyewu became Li Hongshun, his vice commissioner.
25
滿
Liu Mian crushed Tian Manchuan's Lanzhou revolt.
26
忿 退 便 使使 使使 西西使 殿
Wujie raided north of the river; Liu Mian guarded Yanmen. Quwu surrendered at Youzhou and became a probationary general. The court asked whether to attack or merely defend the Uighur. Niu Sengru and Chen Yixing were told to debate policy. Niu Sengru favored holding passes and striking when possible. Li Deyu argued the Uighur had lost Wamosi and Red-Heart and could be crushed. Strike now while they rage without their generals. Defensive weakness only emboldens them. Attack is the advantage. The Emperor agreed. Six commands mobilized; Liu Mian led the southern campaign; Zhang Zhongwu led the eastern campaign; Li Sizhong led the southwest—all converging at Taiyuan. Princes Xian and Qi and three princesses were enfeoffed. At Lindde Hall Wuzong received fifteen Shive chiefs. Taiyuan reported Uighur camps nearer, demanding Wamosi and begging food for the princess. The court sent Wujie this edict:
27
使 忿 使
"As parent of the realm I cherish life, not glory in war. Since your Kirghiz ruin we have fed and soothed you for years. We first gave grain for your hunger; then returned your horse prices when you were broken. Envoys crowded the roads in consolation. Small raids we overlooked. Yet you linger near the frontier without returning. Ministers demand war though I still forbear. Yesterday's envoys returned saying you awaited horse price yet raided Yun, Shuo, Qiang, and Hun—what do you intend? If you need the wall for horse price, tell our generals first. Do not come and go without notice. Even following pasture you press our ramparts. You seem to rely on marriage yet your tracks show raid plans. You slaughtered greatly at Hengshui. You plundered tribal herds; and killed common people without crime. Ministers say you violate the covenant and betray righteousness by killing border people. and wish to destroy you to avenge the dead. Yet I still forbear though you are ungrateful. Shi Jiezhi, knowing the court's wrath, begged to go. I could not refuse him. "Choose wisely before regret comes." Thus ended the edict. Thus ended the edict.
28
Taiyuan raised Shive, Shatuo, and Tuhun with Shi Xiong as vanguard. Allied columns marched on Tiande and Baoda.
29
使 鹿 宿 使
The Tibetan qaghan died; Li Jing was sent to mourn. Wuzong hunted at White Deer Plain near Jingyang. Gao Shaoyi and Zheng Lang urged an end to frequent hunts during war. Wuzong graciously heard them. He told councillors remonstrance kept him from error. Huichang 3 canceled the New Year audience for troops in the field. He Qingchao was sent to Zhenwu commanding tribal allies.
30
殿
Private temples were banned in the southern capital wards only. Liu Mian reported Shi Xiong's victory at Kill-Hu Mountain and Wujie wounded; Princess Taihe reached Yunzhou. That day the court congratulated at Xuanzheng Hall. A victory edict proclaimed:
31
使 使 宿 使 使
"Heaven's abandoned may not receive continuing-lineage grace; what men discard should be destroyed. I remember the maxim of destroying the perished. The Uighur grew arrogant and oppressed neighbors. Kirghiz swept them; clans perished in the wilds. Their qaghan fled and clung to our border. I pitied and fed them. Their memorials flattered; they treated envoys as if still mighty. They fought like cornered beasts. Last year they raided Shuochuan for herds; this spring they struck Zhenwu near the walls. The qaghan himself led raids without shame or kinship. Liu Mian sent Hu and Mo cavalry under Shi Xiong to strike their camp. The enemy chief was seized in the tent battle. Their few starving horses could be taken within days. Princess Taihe had long been estranged. She longed for home like the yellow crane song; and grieved her lost station like the Green Clothes ode. Her suffering pained the Emperor. Freed, she returned to vent ancestral wrath and comfort the empress dowager. Uighur destruction required joint pursuit. Hedong victors would be richly rewarded. Capital Uighur were registered to commands. Uighur and Manichean property was seized by imperial order. Violators faced death; goods went to the treasury. Manichean monks awaited secretariat disposal." Thus ended the edict. Thus ended the edict.
32
使祿西使 使 使
Shi Xiong was richly rewarded for the Uighur victory. Liu Mian and Zhang Zhongwu were promoted. Kirghiz envoys offered horses and asked Tang to escort the princess. Envoys went to Taiyuan with the Kirghiz. Wujie, wounded, fled to the Black Cart; Kirghiz were ordered to pursue.
33
使 使
In the third month Princess Taihe returned amid state rites. Liu Congjian died; his nephew Zhen seized Zhaoyi. Edicts ordered Zhen to send the bier to Luoyang. Zhen refused. The court debated executing Liu Zhen.
34
使使
Personal guards of commissioners were capped. Wangxian Observatory rose in the inner palace. Most councillors urged a remote prince and temporary Zhen command until frontier war ended. Li Deyu alone said Zhen must be destroyed lest Ze-Lu coerce the court again. "Zhen is young; strike and he falls." Wuzong sided with Deyu: "No regret. Remonstrators then flooded in against war.
35
西
The inner Divine Dragon Temple burned. Qiu Shiliang died.
36
使 使 使
In the seventh month councillors planned envoys to three commands. The Emperor first named Zhang Jia envoy. Councillors preferred Li Hui over the proud Zhang Jia. They also named Zheng Ya as an alternative." Send Li Hui," said the Emperor. Li Hui was dispatched to the three commands.
37
輿 使 使
On renxu Mars transgressed Ghost after shaking in the well. Wannian's east market burned. Another Kirghiz envoy arrived. Chen Yixing took Hezhong.
38
In the ninth month an order declared war on Liu Zhen:
39
"To settle the realm unifies custom; to pacify the living aligns law on one measure. Though Jin's Luan and Zhao had old merit, Han's Han Xin and Ying Bu aided the mandate— rebels who disturbed discipline were executed—ancient righteousness.
40
使 使使 使使
"Liu Wu once served the throne from the eastern sea." "When Shidao rebelled Wu turned to allegiance." "Xianzong gave him Zhaoyi." "Muzong entrusted upper Dang to him." "He grew overmighty until his minister's integrity failed." "Congjian was perverse from youth." "He monopolized his fief by arrogance;" "and seized military tallies by force." "He played loyal without seeking investiture." "Like a gap horse or Wei Bao at the river, or a well frog like Sun Shu trusting his peril." "He deceived the court with omens and left-hand plots." "Border commanders reported his plots though the court indulged him." "Dying, he left power to the crafty boy Zhen." "Envoys could not enter his gates;" "and near ministers were barred." "His rebellion was plain to men and spirits." "Strip all titles of Congjian and Zhen." "Wang Yuankui and He Hongjing begged to campaign." "Like Wu Han receiving orders without delay, or Bu Shi showing loyalty before battle." "Chengde once broke Zhu Tao;" "its spirit turned Luyang's sun;" "its drums circled Bu Zhu mountain thrice." "Weibo destroyed Shidao across the river." "It raised twelve prefectures' banners for surrender;" "and ended sixty years of rebellion." "Their courage can follow great captains of old." "Yuankui leads north, Hongjing east against Zhen."
41
"Our ancestors in Ze-Lu bore omens of sage rule;" "portents shone at Si Pavilion;" "imperial tours carved Dai Lodge." "Ze-Lu was long a loyal land." "Its people showed loyalty amid trouble and may renew." "Old soldiers who keep faith are pardoned." "Surrendering troops will be richly rewarded." "Capturing Zhen wins separate fiefs." "Yanzhou old officers should repent and turn." "Those who move Zhen to surrender will be washed clean." "Their officers will also be rewarded." "Yixing, Liu Mian, and Wang Maoyuan will join the attack." "Armies must not burn, dig graves, or seize civilians." "Fields return to their owners." "Punish only Zhen; spare the people."
42
The edict sighed: Alas! "Frontier ministers remonstrated without;" "court elders spoke clearly." "They warned me: ancestral law forbids favoring one clan;" "punishment and reward correct the realm." "Use arms on the plain." "Though I wished mercy, ministers by righteousness demanded war." "Let all know my reluctant heart." Thus ended the edict. Thus ended the edict.
43
使西使 使 使使 使
Li Yanzhuo became southwestern campaign commissioner. Wang Maoyuan encamped at Wanshan. Li Yanzhuo's delay made Shi Xiong his vice. Li Pi surrendered and became Xinzhou prefect. Wang Zai led the southern campaign. Wang Maoyuan died and was posthumously honored. Wang Zai took the Wanshan army.
44
使使 使使
Li Shen and Zheng Ya presented forty revised volumes of Xianzong's records. Shi Xiong reported five stockades taken. Liu Mian took Yicheng. Li Shi took Hedong and the council.
45
便 便 使 沿 使
An order demanded Personnel report staff cuts: "Let Personnel report combined reductions." Thus ended the edict. Wang Zai took Tianjing Pass. Wang Feng received two thousand Taiyuan reinforcements. Li Shi stripped Hengshui garrison for Wang Feng. On the twenty-eighth Hengshui troops at Taiyuan demanded generous pay. Each army expected two bolts silk, but the treasury was empty. Li Shi supplied his own silk. Each man got one bolt and was hurried out. Soldiers wanted to pass New Year; the rush angered them. Yang Bian incited mutiny from their anger. Huichang 4 canceled the New Year audience for the Ze-Lu war. That day Yang Bian expelled Li Shi from Taiyuan. An order limited Buddhist slaughter bans: Butchers and inspectors profited from the ban. Cut three days in the first month; one day on imperial memorial days; "three days on each yuan day; other months free." Thus ended the edict. On renzi Lü Yizhong retook Taiyuan and executed the mutineers.
46
使使
The second month opened on jiayin. On dingsi Cui Yuanshi replaced Li Shi at Hedong. That wuwu night Venus crossed the Station Star. On xinyou Yang Bian and fifty-four rebels were executed at Gouji Ridge.
47
西
Shi Xiong and Li Pi led the western campaign. Zhao Guizhen became street-gate professor master. Wuzong studied immortality under Zhao Guizhen. Guizhen urged destroying Buddhism as foreign and wasteful; Wuzong believed him. Wang Zai besieged Ze prefecture.
48
Xue Yuan Shang became Jingzhao prefect.
49
祿 宿 祿 使
In the sixth month Cui Gong was banished to Lizhou. On guichou an edict barred remonstrators from joint-signed petitions except on major policy. Each must state his own view; collective signatures were forbidden. Great-policy memorials could still be jointly signed. The edict also posthumously stripped Chou Shiliang's ranks and confiscated his estate. Eunuchs found thousands of weapons in his house after his death, reopening old crimes. Cui Gong was banished to Enzhou for a ninety-million-string salt debt from his monopoly tenure. Revenue, salt, and transport were consolidated under one commissioner.
50
使使 祿使
In the seventh month Du Cong became right vice director and grand councillor with the salt monopoly. Li Shen took Huainan and the council seal as acting minister of works. Personnel proposed cutting more than eleven hundred posts empire-wide. Wang Yuankui reported Xingzhou had surrendered. Luozhou and Cizhou also surrendered to He Hongjing. The three Shandong prefectures were pacified. Lu generals offered to kill Zhen if Wang Zai would spare them. Shi Xiong entered Lu; Guo Yi sent Zhen's head and five prefectures fell.
51
使 使 使
On wuxu Wang Zai's victory train reached Chang'an; Wuzong received captives at Anfu Gate. He Hongjing became Duke of Lujiang. Wang Yuankui became duke of Taiyuan and entered the council. Li Deyu became grand preceptor and Duke of Weiguo. Cui Xuan joined the Grand Council from the Hanlin. Chen Yixing died at Hedong.
52
使使使 使使使 使使祿使 滿 使 使
Shi Xiong took Hezhong and the Jin-He command. Lu Jun received Zhaoyi and the Lu prefecture. Wang Zai became Hedong regent and acting minister of works. "Rebels like Guo Yi," the edict began, "were vermin in their dens; beasts that grew bold with pasture and stream. They had long served traitors and breathed rebellion. Liu Congjian's defiance and hidden plots were the work of his inner circle. Liu Gongzhi and An Qingqing held the passes and refused to submit. Guo Yi and Wang Xie sold Zhen's heir and begged mercy when Xing and Luo fell. Wu Bei surrendered and still died; Yan Cen's clan was wiped out despite his surrender. Capital punishment was owed without remorse. Guo Yi, Liu Gongzhi, Wang Xie, the Zhen family, Zhang Gu, Chen Yangting, retainers, and accomplices were beheaded at Solitary Willow. Heyang circuit was reorganized with Mengzhou and Zezhou. Prince E was sent to Xia and Shuofang with full honors. A Tangut revolt prompted a princely command on the frontier.
53
In the tenth month the court visited E county.
54
In the eleventh month it visited Yunyang.
55
便 使 使
A twelfth-month edict ordered swift closure of prisoners before the suburban rites. Closed cases and double-confessed prisoners were to be sentenced at once. Wang Qi still routed examination lists through the premiers for approval. Premiers argued examiners, not councillors, should pass candidates. "Too few pass now — that is no way to find talent," they said. Wuzong said the examiners missed his intent. Pass real talent, not just ministerial sons — but do not shut out my men entirely. Li Deyu noted worthy sons of Zheng Su and Feng Ao feared to test. Wuzong cited the Yang Yuqing clique's favoritism. I struck Yang Zhizhi and Zheng Pu from the list to curb that excess. Deyu demurred: without a degree he should not judge jinshi. His grandfather had forced one Tianbao pass without other skill. The family thereafter shunned the Wenxuan and its ornamental style. Yet high office still belongs to ministerial sons, he said. Why? They grew up inside court ritual and examination drill. Poor scholars learn rank only after they pass. So ministerial sons who pass cannot be lightly dismissed. On jiyou of Huichang 5's first month work began on the Gazing-for-Immortals terrace. Remonstrators attacked Zhao Guizhen's favor at Yanying. Wuzong told his premiers to understand his mind on Zhao Guizhen. I have banished music; I only want his conversation. Deyu warned that Guizhen had haunted Jingzong's inner quarters." I knew him as Master Zhao the Refiner in Jingzong's day," Wuzong said. He did little harm then. He eases my vexation. State affairs are yours — why ask a Daoist? A hundred such men could not sway me. Guizhen offered Deng Yuanqi of Luofu; the court sent envoys to fetch him. With Liu Xuanjing he pressed anti-Buddhist temple closures. Deyu, Du Cong, and the court offered the honorific Benevolent Sagely Martial Literary Heavenly Successful Spirit Virtue Bright Way Emperor. On xinhai the suburban rites ended with universal amnesty at Cheng Tian Gate. On gengshen Jingzong's mother, the Yi'an empress dowager, died. Her will set a twenty-seven-day mourning schedule. Gui Rong urged a shortened mourning schedule. He proposed twelve days instead of months. Officials inside and out should mourn twelve days. Tomb observances should not be cut. Thus ended the edict. Li Shi became Luoyang regent.
56
覿
On wuyin Venus veiled the Pleiades' northern horn. Bai Minzhong's re-exam struck seven of Chen Shang's thirty-seven passes as patronage.
57
使
Cui Xuan left the council for Shan-Guo. Li Hui joined the council from the censorate.
58
Two princesses were enfeoffed in the fourth month. Rites was ordered to count every temple and cleric. The tally found 4,600 temples, 40,000 hermitages, and 260,500 clerics. Du Cong left the council. Cui Yuanshi joined the council from Revenue.
59
A sixth-month edict revived Han-Wei consultation on law and ritual. So policy had roots and the people had a path. Doubtful ritual cases must pass through the directorate and ritual officers. Criminal cases must be judged before Punishments reviews them. Able refuters among censors and bureau men were to be promoted. Ornamental argument without canon was not to reach the throne. The Divine Strategy army finished the Gazing-for-Immortals terrace and 539 rooms.
60
便 西 使 使
On gengzi an edict ordered empire-wide temple mergers. The Secretariat proposed keeping one portrait temple per upper prefecture. Lower prefectures were to lose all temples. The two capitals might keep ten temples with ten monks each. Wuzong ordered fine upper-prefecture temples kept and ruined ones destroyed. Ruined temples were to be demolished as well. Incense rites were moved to Daoist halls. Each capital street would keep two temples and thirty monks. Chang'an's left ward kept Cien and Jianfu; the right, Ximing and Zhuangyan. Abolished temples' metal was ordered cast into coin and farm tools. Private metal images had to be surrendered within a month. Clay, wood, and stone images could remain in temples. Clerics were transferred from Rites to the Court of Imperial Entertainments. Da Qin and Muhu shrines were abolished with Buddhism. Their adherents were forced to laicize and register as taxpayers. Foreigners were sent home for local control. Thus ended the memorial."
61
In the eighth month Wuzong proclaimed:
62
西 輿 使
"Before the Three Dynasties no one spoke of Buddha; under Han and Wei the image cult spread, born of decadent times and grown by habit. until it ate the state without notice. It deluded hearts and deepened the crowd's trance. Monks and temples multiplied through plain and capital alike. They wasted labor on timber and gold, forsook kin for teachers, broke marriage for precepts. Nothing harmed law and people more. One man not plowing means another hungry; one woman not weaving means another cold. Today's clerics beyond count all eat the farmer's grain and wear the weaver's silk. Temples beyond reckoning aped the palace in cloud and paint. Jin, Song, Qi, and Liang withered from this very cause. Gaozu and Taizong ruled by sword and script — why yield to a western cult? Even Zhenguan and Kaiyuan could not uproot it wholly. What can be cut, I cut without doubt. Loyal ministers' plans must be executed. To punish a thousand-year pest and make law for a hundred kings — why should I yield? 4,600 temples were razed, 260,500 clerics laicized, 40,000 shrines cleared, millions of mu and 150,000 bondsmen restored to tax rolls. Clerics were placed under the Host of Guests as foreign religion. Three thousand Da Qin, Muhu, and Zoroastrian adherents were laicized. The edict cried Alas! What antiquity had not done seemed to await its hour; to remove it now — can one say the season is wrong? More than a hundred thousand idlers were driven back to work; useless painted halls abandoned by the billion. Henceforth pure teaching and wuwei shall train the people; simple rule shall align the realm. All under heaven shall return to imperial transformation. Yet at reform's start the court must embody my intent. Thus ended the edict."
63
The sixth and seventh daughters became princesses of Lewen and Changning. The Secretariat asked princesses to drop the term "concubine" in memorials. Family ritual required distinct forms. Princesses were to sign as "Princess of X, Nth Daughter" instead. Thus ended the edict.
64
In the ninth month Mars crossed the Upper General.
65
西 殿殿 使
On yihai the Secretariat proposed a shrine at Wulao Pass. The landscape still holds Taizong's victory, they wrote. It deserves eternal veneration. Han precedent placed temples at imperial visit sites. Dingjue Temple there faced demolition. They asked to build Zhaowu Temple from Dingjue's timber on the east peak. Huai-Meng was to supervise construction. Li Shi was to send painters to restore the statues. Luoyang was to send an officer to open the rites. Thus ended the edict.
66
A jiachen edict funded charity wards after clerics were laicized. Each prefecture was to allot fields and an elder for soup kitchens. Thus ended the edict."
67
In the twelfth month the court visited Xianyang. Wei Hongzhi argued premiers should not control the treasury. The premiers rebutted in a memorial:
68
"Your Majesty wishes a honored court and solemn ministers," they began. They cited Guanzi on the weight of commands. Heavy commands make a honored lord and a secure state. Security lies in honoring the lord through executing commands. Nothing is more essential than issuing commands. Who damages, adds, or ignores commands dies. Debate below the throne means the superior loses awe. Since Dahe commands have been faulted from below. This decay must be removed to govern. Hongzhi said premiers must not hold the treasury, they wrote. They laid out the matter's substance. They quoted Kuang Heng on great ministers as the state's limbs. They quoted the Changes on base men grasping power. Hongzhi, taught by others, is a base man plotting the handle. They cited Xiao Wangzhi punished for slighting his chief. They cited Chen Shihe's limit on one man's offices. Taizong called it slander meant to divide lord and ministers. Shihe was exiled to Lingnan. They quoted Jia Yi: high steps mean a high hall. Heavy ministers make a honored lord. Hidden treason can still be exposed from below. Office-making is the lord's handle, not petty men's debate. In antiquity each kept his office. Hongzhi's words slight the council and shake policy. They warned of Eastern Han-style faction debate. Remove their cliques and the court will be quiet. We are indignant to the utmost. Thus ended the memorial. Hongzhi was demoted.
69
便 使殿
They asked to restore pre-Tianbao consultation with drafters. Since hardship, broad debate was lost to military haste. Six drafters were to pre-review all but confidential business. Thus ended the edict. Long in power, Deyu had bred resentment among the suppressed. Eunuchs and Bai Minzhong's faction used Hongzhi to attack Deyu's monopoly. Deyu's deepest enemies arose from this episode. Huichang 6 opened on guimao. On dingsi retired Feng Ding died and was posthumously minister of works. On jiwei frontier embassies were received at Qilin Hall. Lu Shang ordered advance grain calculations for the Tangut campaign. Thus ended the edict. On jichou a Bohai prince presented tribute. Pei Zhang was sent to dedicate Luoyang's new sage images. Yuan Shou banished Li Fu for buying a temple slave as wet-nurse.
70
使 使使 使西使 使 西穿
The second month opened on renshen. Untimely rains brought a graded prisoner amnesty. Tangut troops were forbidden wanton killing. Wang Gui left office to nurse his aged father Wang Qi. That night the moon neared the Net's great star. On gengchen Mi Ji took the northeast Tangut command. Lü Rang asked to reunite his niece with her divorced husband. They had divorced in Kaicheng 3 when Min fell ill. Min had recovered and sought remarriage. Thus ended the edict. Liu Mian retired as grand protector of the heir. Wang Zhen was banished to Lu prefecture. On dinghai night the moon dimmed and neared Mars. Its light later lit the ground in the Chariot. On renchen Sun Gu took war duties at the Hanlin. Drought canceled the Shangsi Qujiang feast. An edict ordered new coin to circulate and old coin phased out. Hoarders were warned under prior orders. New coin was mandatory from next year's first month. Violators faced the lead-tin coin penalties. Old coin was to be confiscated. A second edict required old coin circulation to raise silk prices. From the third month half of salaries would be paid in cash. Cloth portions were converted to cash at market price. Cloth portions were converted to cash at market price. Thus ended the edict. Su Mian was banished from Shuzhou to Lianzhou. Su Mian, a Li Zongmin man Deyu had exiled, fell when Li Shen cited misrule. Gao Chenggong took the southwest Tangut command. On bingchen the moon veiled the Ox and Jupiter. On dingyou a Silla envoy presented tribute. On xinchou a red meteor blazed west through the Purple Forbidden enclosure.
71
西 便
In the third month Wuzong fell ill and took the name Yan. He had dabbled in alchemy and Daoist registers. Elixir fever left him mute in his final ten days. Deyu and the premiers were refused audience. The court did not know whether he lived; fear spread. On the twenty-third Prince Guang ascended before the bier by testament. Wuzong died that day at thirty-three. He was buried at Duanling as Wuzong; Consort Wang joined him in the tomb. [Commentary] In Kaicheng the throne waned and eunuchs ruled. When succession loomed, the heir was swapped overnight. Wuzong, though isolated, was fitted to receive the mandate. He restored imperial authority by fierce resolve. He promoted extraordinary men to office. He ignored court chatter and trusted his great ministers against Lu. His campaigns pacified Lu and revived Yuanhe-era discipline. Then he turned to Daoist rites and immortals, chasing the age of Gugu. He suppressed Buddhism and idlers, seeking immortality's ladder. He imitated Qin and Han folly and spurned all foreign teaching. Buddhism had rooted deeper than law for common folk. Like tattooed lands, habit hid its harm; fire-swallowing shows passed for miracles. Confucian ritual could not regulate what habit sanctified. Flatterers abounded; only sages could have argued back. His smash of temples won hatred from monks and commoners alike. A wise king would not have shocked the people so. Reform of such decay awaited a clearer age; Wuzong heard too late.
72
滿 使 祿使 使西使使使西使 祿 使 殿
Xuanzong—taboo Chen—was Xianzong's thirteenth son, born of Empress Zheng. He was born in Daming Palace on the twenty-second of the sixth month. In the third month he became Prince of Guang Yi. On the first of the third month Wuzong named him regent grand-uncle. The next day he ascended as Xuanzong at thirty-seven. He seemed dull but was inwardly keen, grave and watchful. The palace once thought him simple. After a grave illness in youth he rose glowing and bowed like an emperor. His nurse called it madness. Muzong said, "This is no madness but our house's hero. He received jade ruyi, an imperial horse, and a gold belt. He dreamed of ascending on a dragon; Empress Zheng bade him silence it. Through Taihe and Huichang he kept his wit hidden. Wenzong and Wuzong mocked him as "Uncle Guang" at princely feasts. Wuzong especially scorned him. As regent he mourned openly and ruled decisively; his virtue showed. In the fourth month mourning ended and Zheng became empress dowager. Bai Minzhong joined the council from the Hanlin. Li Deyu was sent to Jingnan and stripped of the capital. Ma Zhi took punishments and the salt monopoly. Military commissioners received honorary promotions unchanged in post. Li Shi reported Luoyang's ancestral temple restored and tablets installed. Luoyang's temple had been Wu Zetian's, then held Tang ancestors after Shenlong. An Lushan stabled horses there; Yan Ying rescued the tablets. Shi Siming's sack scattered them again. Lu Zhengji recovered them after the rebellion. With the temple burned, tablets lodged at Taiwei Palace. Lu Sisi later sought to rebuild the temple. Debate failed; Yan Zhenqing's plea to reunite tablets was ignored. Li Shi housed tablets in a converted Hongjing Temple when Taiwei collapsed. Only Chen Shang argued for two-capital temples like Zhou. He said tablets should be buried north of the temple, not enthroned. The matter lapsed when Wuzong died. Xuanzong installed the tablets anyway, to ritualists' dismay. Four sons were enfeoffed princes of Yan, Ya, Qi, and Qing. Merit commissioners proposed restoring eight capital temples under the amnesty.
73
使 西 使 使 使 使
Xingtang and Baoshou kept their names. Six temples were renamed under the restoration plan. The right ward gained eight sites. Ximing became Fushou and Zhuangyan Shengshou among retained temples. Qianfu, Huadu, and others were renamed as listed. Thus ended the memorial. The throne assented. Liu Xuanjing and eleven other Daoists were executed for swaying Wuzong against Buddhism. The amnesty allowed prefects to recommend talent beyond seniority lists. Prefects who added a thousand households on handover won fast promotion; those who lost seven hundred were barred three years. Frontier exiles were lent seed to farm. Lu Shang joined the council from Jiannan East. Ma Zhi joined the council in the sixth month.
74
使 使 使
Li Rangyi took Jiannan East in the seventh month. An edict paired meritorious subjects in Xianzong's temple offerings. Pei Du, Du Huangchang, Li Su, and Gao Chongwen were named. Li Deyu became Luoyang regent. At the Grand Temple offering Muzong was styled "imperial elder brother."
75
'' 西使使使
Min Qingzhi protested the kinship wording. He asked that "younger brother" become "successor Emperor. Thus ended the edict. Jingzhao asked salary-field grain delivered freely to the capital per Huichang 3. Thus ended the edict. Zhou Chi took Yicheng and Zheng-Hua. Cui Yuanshi moved to ban inferior silk weaving.
76
使 便 使 滿
He proposed joint surveys and destruction of narrow looms. Delivered inferior bolts were to be reported. Xuanzong assented. On wuxu of Dazhong 1 palace gates were locked for the suburban fast. Keys would return when the emperor came back from the rite. Thus ended the edict. On wushen Dazhong began with suburban rites and amnesty at Vermilion Phoenix Gate. "Ancient officers governed in the provinces," the edict began. Courtiers now reach rank without governing. They never learn the people's hardship. Near ministers must know popular toil. Corrupt former prefects were barred from high nomination. Magistrates must serve full terms, the edict continued. Zhenyuan had required five reviews before transfer. Prefects now move too soon to govern well. People get no rest from revolving magistrates. Thirty-six months shall be the fixed term. Thus ended the amnesty edict."
77
殿 使 輿
On dingmao Xianzong's sons Ti and Zhui were enfeoffed. Ze and Run became princes of Pu and E. Baifu Hall was ordered repaired. Li Deyu was sidelined to junior protector at Luoyang. Zheng Ya was sent to Guiguan. Wei Fu withheld three gifted candidates whose kin held high office. Wei Cong's re-exam restored Feng Yanqing and the other two. Patronage has its own penalties, the edict said. Release lists by usual rule without special pleas. Xuanzong favored scholars and watched the examinations closely. He sometimes walked incognito to hear opinion on the exams. He joined poets at feast and sent off ministers with verse. He faced ministers with solemn bows and few light words. He read memorials with incense and washed hands. Contemporaries likened Dazhong government to Zhenguan. Apricot Garden feasts after the list were restored. The ban had begun under tour-loving Wuzong.
78
宿
An intercalary-third-month edict began restoring temples. Alien teaching did not harm the state's root, but the cut was excessive and the policy too narrow. Famed temples with restoring monks were reopened. Thus ended the temple edict."
79
Wenzong's mother, Empress Dowager Xiao, died as Zhenxian.
80
使 祿祿西
Zhou Chi took Revenue in the sixth month. A Qarluq prince was invested qaghan by Li Ye. Niu Sengru and Li Yanyou were honored at Luoyang as grand preceptor and protector. Both remained in eastern-branch posts. Yu Jianxiu, Cui Yun, and Linghu Tao received capital posts.
81
Wei Cong joined the council in the seventh month. Li Deyu was banished to Chaozhou after lawsuits.
82
使 殿殿殿
Lu Shang left the council for E-Yue in the eighth month. The Divine Strategy army finished Yonghe Hall for princely kin.
83
使 殿
Wu Runa accused Li Shen and Li Deyu of murdering his brother Wu Xiang. Thus ended his plea. The Censorate was ordered to investigate. On renxu of Dazhong 2 the court offered a new honorific at Xuanzheng Hall. The Divine Strategy army repaired the Silver Terrace gate to Ruiwu Tower.
84
西祿西使使殿
Li Hui, Zheng Ya, and allies in the Wu Xiang case were demoted in the second month. The Censorate reported on the Wu Xiang case:
85
使 使 使使西使使
The Censorate detailed Lu Xingli and Liu Qun's seizure of a courtesan. A Jiao arranged her marriage to Wu Xiang. Liu Qun blocked the marriage and Li Shen executed Xiang for bribery. The full case had been reported. Cui Yuanyao found the crime did not warrant death. Deyu exiled Yuanyao and used Wei Chang's papers to kill Xiang. A long list of officials in the Xiang case awaited judgment.
86
That month the throne ruled:
87
使
On jiyou Zhou Chi joined the council. Ma Zhi also joined the council. A Japanese prince presented tribute. Gu Shiyan was ordered to play the prince at chess.
88
On jiwei of the fifth month the sun was eclipsed.
89
On jichou Grand Empress Dowager Guo died as Yi'an. Cui Guicong tightened collection of field-office arrears. Hidden arrears shall be punished like corruption, he said. Even amnesties shall not wipe such debts. Thus ended the memorial. The throne assented.
90
西使
On wuwu Gao Yuanyu took Personnel.
91
On wuzi Bi Kan became Vice Minister of Punishments.
92
便
An edict banned anonymous slander in markets, on arrows, and on banners. Seized materials were to be burned without report to the throne. Thus ended the edict.
93
簿 使 使使 西使
Wei Fu ordered prefectural registers to be kept by registrars with joint review at handover. Clean accounts could earn reduced rotation points. An edict restored Lu Sui's Xianzong Veritable Record and recalled Huichang revisions. Huichang revisions had to be surrendered. Copy-holders had to surrender texts to the History Office under search. Cui Guicong joined the Grand Council. Wei Cong went to Luoyang as heir-apparent mentor. In Dazhong 3's first month Kang Jirong reported Tibetans returning Qin, Yuan, and seven passes. Lu Dan was sent to welcome the returnees while Zhu Shuming and Zhang Junxu provided escort troops. Feng Ao took Xingyuan and Shannan West.
94
祿使
On yimao awaiting-audience officials were ordered into the remonstrance rotation. Zhou Chi was sent to Sword South East Chuan.
95
殿 鹿
Ma Zhi became heir-apparent guest at Luoyang; Cui Xuan joined the council; Wei Fu also joined the Grand Council.
96
使
Zhang Zhongwu died; his son Zhifang became Youzhou regent.
97
歿 使
Five-colored clouds appeared over the capital on guiwei. Exiles not guilty of treason might be repatriated for burial. Kang Jirong reported six frontier passes recovered. Zhang Junxu reported Xia Pass recovered. Wei Rang's illegal houses at Huaizhen were torn down. Wu prefecture was founded at Xia Pass; Changle became Wei.
98
Thousands of Hexi refugees presented themselves at court. Xuanzong welcomed them at Yanxi Gate, gave Chinese dress, and granted one hundred fifty thousand bolts of silk.
99
使
Li Pin reported Qin recovered; a rescript followed.
100
西使
On xinhai Du Xian reported Wei prefecture recovered. A rescript followed.
101
Yu Daowei and Li Wenru entered the Hanlin.
102
西
A capital earthquake killed thousands in northwest garrisons.
103
使使
Zheng Ya and Li Pin won praise for eleven new post stations on the Wenchuan road. Rain wrecked the new road; Feng Ao rebuilt Xiegu. Wei Youyi became censor-in-chief; Zheng Chuhui took investigating duties. Youzhou mutinied and made Zhou Lin regent over Zhang Zhifang.
104
殿 殿 使
Shunzong and Xianzong received enlarged posthumous titles. When Hexi returned the court sought a reign title; Xuanzong preferred honoring ancestors. Bai Minzhong demurred. At the enshrinement rite Xuanzong wept from Xuanzheng Tower. Li Deyu died in exile at Yazhou. Dazhong 4 opened with a great amnesty cutting Tiande exiles' terms. Border rotations were to spare manpower and bitterness. Hexi exiles could serve seven-year terms or stay. Short craft leave could be covered by acting judges; Longer leave deducted salary strings for acting officers. Attempted murder with lethal intent was punished as completed homicide. Thus ended the amnesty.
105
祿
Princess Wanshou married Zheng Hao, now commandant-consort.
106
使 使
On jimao lending state goods for profit was excluded from amnesty. Assented. Zhang Zhifang was recalled to the Left Gold Crow guard.
107
滿
An edict forbade legal pettifoggery. The edict warned that trickery harmed the people. Judgments had to name the concrete offense. Punishments asked to revisit the one-string theft rule. They proposed death only for theft of three bolts or more. Assented.
108
使 使
Liu Meng urged engraved law codes for clerks. Gao Xi's eleven articles were to be posted in mess halls. Posted laws had faded from use. Liu Meng ordered the articles carved on stone at assembly halls. Assented.
109
使 使 便
Wei Zhan wanted finance and salt commissioners to hear common suits. Commissioners said their staffs were already overloaded. He proposed using observation judges with censor titles instead. Successful investigators could be promoted into the Censorate. Assented.
110
使使
Li Shi took Taiyuan and Hedong. Zhou Lin died; Zhang Yunshen became Youzhou regent.
111
Wei Fu left the council.
112
An edict unified rules for recovered Cheng, Wei, and Fu. Exiles in the new prefectures could return after seven years. Linghu Tao joined the council.
113
祿西使
Zhou Jingfu took Jiangxi West with gold-purple. Three princes were enfeoffed on jiaxu. A three-year cattle-slaughter ban began in Dazhong 5. Sacrifices were to use other animals.
114
使
Pei Xiu took the salt monopoly.
115
Liu Zuan submitted the Comprehensive Categories of Dazhong Penal Law.
116
使使 使 使
Li Shi went to Fengxiang; Li Ye took Hedong; Bai Minzhong took Binning and the Tangut front; Wei Mo joined the council.
117
Cui Guicong presented twenty-two scrolls continuing the Tang Calendar.
118
使
Princess estates were forbidden to issue documents to prefectures. Estate business had to route through the Imperial Clan court. Zhang Yichao presented eleven Hexi prefectures back under Tang rule. Zhang Yichao became Hexi commissioner.
119
使 使 使 使
Prefects had to hand over every file before departure. Huichang rules already barred extortion of clerks and households. Without a clear edict clerks had bullied outgoing prefects. Outgoing gifts were allowed if the people were not squeezed. Poor prefectures need not send parting gifts. Forced levies counted as graft. Pei Xiu took Rites with gold-purple; Pei Shen acted as Vice Minister of War.
120
使
Wei Bo protested army shadow-enrollment of rich households. Armies were barred from forcibly enrolling civilians. Assented.
121
使 使
Cui Guicong took Bianzhou and Xuanwu. The Return-to-Allegiance Army was founded at Shazhou. Yao Kang presented ten scrolls of Imperial Governance. He also submitted a three-hundred-scroll Comprehensive History. Feng Shen asked to remove Wu Zetian's "Great Zhou" plaque. Assented.
122
使使使
Jing Mausoleum halberds were stolen; several officials were punished. Hunan starved that year. Xue Kui took Qin and the frontier command.
123
Zheng Guang sought tax exemption on imperial grant land. Wei Mo refused tax exemption for the imperial uncle. An edict taxed the grant like ordinary land. Thus ended the edict.
124
Xue Kui finished Dingcheng Pass.
125
使
Ever-Normal grain was to reach poor households first in disasters. Pei Xiu joined the council.
126
使
Training commissioners were ordered for all garrisoned prefectures. Thus ended the edict. High officials' cases required prior imperial approval. Lower ranks went to the Secretariat. Assented.
127
使祿 使
Li Jue died and was posthumously made Minister of Works. Restitution was to use local ten-day price tables. The local month's early estimate governed restitution. Thus ended the edict. Lu Jun took Taiyuan and Hedong.
128
祿
Palace Attendants now rotated every twenty months. Gui Rong died and was posthumously Right Vice Director. Li Wenhui was demoted to Mizhou.
129
Zheng Lang joined the council.
130
Zhang Guai submitted another Comprehensive Categories of Penal Law.
131
祿
Cui Can, Su Mi, and Cui Huan exchanged high posts.
132
使
Cui Xuan presented forty scrolls of the Continued Institutional Compendium. The Yellow River ran clear at Shanzhou.
133
A rhinoceros tribute was sent back.
134
使 使
Drought prompted review of prisoners. Wei Mo presented forty scrolls of Wenzong's Veritable Record. Li Jingrang took Personnel.
135
使
Wei Ao became Jingzhao prefect; Su Mi took Jiangling and Jingnan.
136
祿
Wei Mo also took Revenue.
137
使 祿
Zheng Zhu took Xia and the northwest frontier. Chen Shang died and was posthumously Minister of Works.
138
使使
Pei Xiu took Bianzhou and Xuanwu.
139
使 便
A leaked examination cost ten degrees and several posts. All ten passers were disqualified. Lu Yi judged the eastern selection. Zheng Ya took Yiwu and Dingzhou. The Censorate exposed forged examination credentials sold for sixteen hundred strings. The bribe never paid before the plot failed. All forgers were executed. Examiners were spared for exposing the fraud.
140
使
Lu Jun became acting Right Vice Director.
141
使使
Cui Xuan took Huainan with council rank. Xuanzong feasted Cui Xuan and gave him a poem.
142
使使
Zheng Juan was made acting Minister of Punishments, Taiyuan intendant, northern capital regent, and Hedong commissioner.
143
使 使西使
Liu Zuan took Bianzhou and Xuanwu. Zheng Hao became Vice Minister of Rites. Li Na was made acting Left Cavalier, Yue prefect, censor-in-chief, and Zhejiang East observation commissioner.
144
滿
The Secretariat asked to tighten nine examination subjects. Standards needed tightening. The matter had been argued at Yanying. Nine subjects were suspended for three years from Dazhong 10. Skilled candidates could still be nominated by grade. Weak nominees would bring examiner punishment. Youth candidates were often overage frauds. True youth candidates had to be eleven or twelve and master one classic. Violations would punish circuit chiefs. Assented.
145
使
Lu Bo and Gao Shaoyi took Luzhou and Huazhou.
146
Pei Yizhi became Suzhou prefect.
147
Again, Pei Yizhi was made Suzhou prefect.
148
Du Shenquan oversaw the Rites examinations.
149
使使使使 使 祿 使 西使西使使
Zhen took Zhaoyi and Lu prefecture. Linghu Ding died and was posthumously Minister of Rites. Li Jingrang became censor-in-chief; Xiahou Zi took Revenue; Wei Ao took Heyang from the capital prefecture. Xuanzong deferred a Huaqing trip after memorials. He cited seasonal leisure for a possible visit. The trip would be reverence, not pleasure. He still feared burdening the people. He praised the officials' earnest memorials. The Huaqing journey was canceled. Bai Minzhong added Jingnan to his Chengdu post.
150
使沿使 使 使祿 祿西使 使祿 殿
Zheng Zhu was made acting Minister of Works, Bin prefect, and Binning-Qing commissioner with frontier farms and grain duties; Tian Zaibin replaced Zheng Zhu on the northwest frontier. Su Mi became Grand Master of Ceremonies. Wei Mo took Chengdu and Sword South West. Cui Shenyou joined the council. Wang Shaoding was promoted to acting Right Vice Director. Zheng Lang was named to oversee the Veritable Record. Cui Shenyou also took the Hall of Assembled Worthies.
151
使使 使祿使
Wang Shaoyi became Chengd vice commissioner. Wang Jingyin took Shenzhou. Wang Shaofu left mourning and returned to the Right Divine Strategy. Shaoyi and Shaofu were Wang Shaoding's brothers. Jingyin was Wang Shaoding's son. Xiao Shu became heir-apparent guest at Luoyang.
152
西使 使使 使 西使 使使 使使使 使
Pei Tan became Secretariat drafter. Cui Ying was banished to Luoyang for killing a clerk; Zhang Yifu replaced him as Jingzhao prefect. Pei Shi took Xuzhou and Zhongwu; Lu Yi took Fengxiang; Zheng Xian took Jiangxi West. Song Ya became Annan Protector. Zhang Yunshen's brothers received frontier and circuit posts. Liu Xi took Henan.
153
Li Xuan became Shouzhou prefect.
154
使 使 使
Liu Tong was rushed to Zhengzhou over late border grain. Song Ya moved to Rongguan. Princes Wei and Guang were enfeoffed. Xiao Ye joined the council while keeping finance. Cui Juzong supervised Huainan troops. Du Xian oversaw Luoyang.
155
使使
Wang Guichang became inner Pivot commissioner. Zhang Zhifang was restored as Right Brave Guard general.
156
使 使 使使使 使使使 使祿使使 使使使 使 祿
Wang Shaoding died and was posthumously Minister of Works. Prince Rui was named Chengd commissioner; Wang Shaoyi became Chengd vice regent. Zheng Ya took Bianzhou and Xuanwu; Lu Jianqiu was made acting Minister of Works, Ding prefect, Yiwu commissioner, and Yi-Ding observation commissioner; Lu Dan replaced Lu Jianqiu at Jingyuan. Cao Que acted as Henan prefect. Ruzhou sought a stele for Linghu Xu's good rule. Linghu Xu declined the stele while his brother served in council. Su Mi and Feng Ao exchanged Ceremonies and War. Mars crossed the eastern Well that month.
157
使 使 祿西使 使 使
Li Chengxun took Jingyuan; Yang Zhiwen entered the Hanlin; Du Shenquan took Shan-Guo; Lu Jun took Xingyuan and the council. Three remonstrators opposed fetching Xuanyuan Ji from Luofu. Xuanzong said he sought Xuanyuan Ji only for health counsel. He cited Qin and Han emperors deluded by immortals. He praised the remonstrators' sincerity. He told Cui Shenyou the immortals could not fool him. He only wanted conversation with the recluse. Thus ended the edict. Zheng Lang thrice begged leave from office.
158
西使殿 使 使使 使
A three-foot comet appeared in Fang. Zheng Lang retired to Junior Preceptor; posts were reshuffled. Gao Shaoyi, Pei Yizhi, and Cui Jun exchanged Huazhou and Suzhou. Luofu envoys were demoted when the road was blocked. Black Cart tribes blocked the Uighur mission. Wang Shaoyi became full Chengd commissioner. Li Fan oversaw the examinations.
159
祿
Zheng Lang died and was posthumously Minister of Works. Zheng Guang died; the court mourned three days. He was Xuanzong's maternal uncle. Cui Shenyou and Xiao Ye picked up extra ministries.
160
使使 祿使使 使 使 使 祿 使 使 使 使 使使使 使
Bi Kan took Hedong; Liu Zuan took finance in the capital. Jiang Shen became Vice Minister of War. Pei Xiu took Zhaoyi from Luoyang. Liu Zhongye took the salt monopoly. Kong Wenye went to Luoyang on sick leave. Yang Youwen entered the Hanlin. Zhang Jianzhen, Yunshen's son, rose in Youzhou. Jiang Xi took Fengxiang. A vast mixed bird nest appeared at Shuzhou's Wutang weir. A human-faced "sweet insect" bird appeared. Zheng Ye became Tongzhou prefect. Xuanzong asked Xuanyuan Ji whether immortality was possible. Ji said virtue, not tricks, aligned one with heaven. Ji stayed a month then insisted on leaving. Yu Cong married Princess Guangde and became commandant-consort. Li Hongfu became Director of the Imperial Clan. Zhang Yifu took Ezhou. Yang Fa took Lingnan East. Wang Shi took Annan. Xiao Shu became Luoyang grand protector. Wang Zhen was made acting Left Cavalier, Fuzhou military commissioner, Fuzhou prefect, censor-in-chief, and Fujian observation commissioner. Kong Wenyu became Secretariat drafter. Li Zhengyuan guarded the inner city. Liu Zuan joined the council while keeping finance. Cui Shenyou went to East Chuan; Wei Youyi took Personnel.
161
使 殿 祿 使 祿 祿
Duan Wenchu entered the guard; Li Fan took Revenue. Xiao Ye oversaw the Veritable Record. Liu Zuan also joined the Hall of Assembled Worthies. Balhae invested Da Qianhuang as king. Liu Zhongye took Punishments. Xiahou Zi took the salt monopoly; Du Sheng took Revenue. Kang Jirong was honored at Luoyang. Du Cang and Li Cong were demoted. Yu Desun and Miao Ke became drafters. Zheng Hanzhang and Hanqing, sons of Zheng Guang, were restored. Wei Zhu and Huangfu Quan exchanged mentor posts. Li Huan became Chang'an magistrate.
162
使使
Lu Ji and Du Yin exchanged agriculture posts. Duan Wei took Shuofang and Shatuo defense.
163
使
Xiahou Zi joined the council.
164
Southern tribes attacked Annan.
165
Mao He and Kang Quanda were suppressed by Zhe troops.
166
使
Wei Zhan died and was posthumously Minister of Education. In Dazhong 13's first month Du Shenquan took Revenue.
167
In the third month Xiao Ye left the council but kept Personnel.
168
In the fourth month Jiang Shen joined the Grand Council.
169
In the fifth month Xuanzong fell ill and skipped court for over a month.
170
使
On the eighth month's seventh day Prince of Yun was made heir and regent. That day Xuanzong died at Daming Palace at fifty. Linghu Tao was ordered to oversee the funeral rites. The court named him Xuanzong, posthumous title Sacred Martial Literary Filial Emperor. In the fourteenth year's second month he was buried at Zhen Mausoleum. 【Historian's appraisal】 Elders recalled Dazhong: Xuanzong's insight ran deep and hardship had taught him the people's pain. Since Baoli eunuchs and capital bullies had preyed on commoners. Under Xuanzong magnates shrank, corrupt ministers feared law, and eunuchs quailed. Justice held, talent served, and for a decade praise filled the roads. He wore washed palace robes, ate frugally, shunned music except at the empress dowager's table, and showed famine on his face. Even intimates never saw idleness in him. With ministers he was solemn yet welcoming and heard remonstrance openly. He abolished the eunuchs' custom of perfuming the ground before him. He secretly rewarded physicians who cured palace women, lest envoys think he played favorites. Such was his frugal, good-hearted rule. Late in life he summoned Xuanyuan Ji of Luofu for statecraft and self-cultivation, never for occult tricks. Ji himself was a man of the Way. In Dazhong 13's spring Ji begged to return to the mountains. Xuanzong asked him to stay a year while a Luofu lodge was built. When Ji would not stay, Xuanzong asked whether disaster followed his departure. "How many years remain to my reign?" he asked. Ji wrote "forty" and crossed the middle stroke — fourteen years remained. Dynastic fortune had its numbered span. Yet his reign from first to last had no flaw — even Han Wen and Jing pale beside it. Alas, records are lost and the historian can recover only scraps.
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【Eulogy】 Tang's brilliant lord was the Literary Filial Emperor. Chaff and poison were swept away; good and wicked were sorted. Hexi returned and the northern frontier cleared. Old folk still sing of the enlightened ruler.
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