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卷十九上、下 本紀第十九上、下: 懿宗 僖宗

Volume 19 Annals 19: Yizong and Xizong

Chapter 19 of 舊唐書 · Old Book of Tang
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Chapter 19
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1
姿
Yizong—taboo Cui—was Xuanzong's eldest son, born of Empress Yuanzhao Chao. He was born in the princely residence on the fourteenth day of the eleventh month of Taihe 7. In the tenth month of Huichang 6, he was enfeoffed as Prince of Yun; his original name was Wen. On Dazhong 13's eighth-month seventh Xuanzong's testament made him regent heir and renamed him Cui. On the thirteenth he was enthroned before the bier at twenty-seven. His bearing was heroic—unlike ordinary men. In his princely years grave illness brought Consort Guo Shufei to his bedside; she saw a yellow dragon in the chamber. Recovered, she told him; he said, "Never speak of this again—" —and once snow piled feet deep while his roof alone stayed clear, to everyone's wonder. Xuanzong's "Far Borderland" lyrics held the line "Sea and mountains tranquil—Xian through." Near Dazhong's end capital children twisted wet cloth sunward in a game called "drawing the halo." He did ascend from Prince of Yan and took Xian-tong as his era.
2
In the ninth month mourning ended and Empress Chao became posthumous Yuanzhao.
3
使祿使 使使
On guimou the tenth month Linghu Tao, Xiao Ye, Xiahou Zi, and Jiang Shen were shuffled among grand posts while keeping council seats. Zheng Hao became Henan prefect. Pei Xiu left Zhaoyi for Taiyuan and Hedong command; Bi Dan moved from Hezhong to Bianzhou and Xuanwu. Pei Tan oversaw the civil service examination.
4
使 殿使
In the twelfth month Du Shenquan took Hezhong-Jin-Jiang. Xian-tong 1 opened with audience for the Shiwei envoy at Zichen Hall.
5
使 使 使
In the second month Xuanzong was buried at Zhen Mausoleum. Liu Ye entered the Hanlin. Du Shenquan rose from Hezhong to the council and revenue post; Linghu Tao was posted to Hezhong; Du Cong joined the council from salt transport. Wang Shi beheaded Qiu Fu and pacified Zhedong.
6
使使使祿使
Pei Xiu and Lu Jianqiu swapped Hedong and Fengxiang.
7
使 使
The eleventh month's bingwu day was new moon. On dingwei suburban rites ended with universal amnesty and the new era from Danfeng Gate. Xue Dan oversaw the examination. Xiantong 2's second month sent Xiao Ye to Hedong as acting right vice director. Zheng-Hua military commissioner, Acting Minister of Works Li Fu memorialized: "Subordinate Yingzhou last summer suffered great rain; Shenqiu, Ru'yin, and Ying shang counties had standing water one zhang deep—fields and houses were all submerged; we beg remission of tax and corvée." The throne assented. Jiang Shen added punishments; Du Cong became left vice director.
8
使
Pei Min became Yingzhou prefect and pacifier. Wang Duo gained drafting duties.
9
祿使
Wei Zhu became vice minister of works. Soon Wei Zhu was changed to Silver-Blue Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and acting minister of rites, concurrently prefect of Hua, censor-in-chief, and commandant as imperial son-in-law, and was made military commissioner of Yicheng and observation-disposition commissioner for Zheng, Hua, and Ying. Wei Zhu begged reassignment because "Hua" sounded like his family taboo. Edict: "Homophonic taboos are not observed—so ritual states; the appointment already issued cannot be withdrawn." Cao Que took revenue; Yang Zhiyuan and Mu Renyu examined macro-words candidates.
10
西
Bi Dan joined the council as minister of works. Jiang Shen left the council. Linyi raided Annan; Kang Chengxun led relief with forbidden troops and Jiangxi-Hunan forces. Xiantong 3 opened with Du Bian offering the honorific Sage of Civil Brilliance and Filial Virtue.
11
西 西使西 西 使使 西使
In the fifth month an edict: "Lingnan has been divided into five commissions for many years. In peace the five commissions shared defense; in crisis they must split. Yongzhou faces southern tribes and Yellow Caves between two rivers. Light appointees left Yongzhou weak though inland. Split Lingnan into eastern (Guangzhou) and western (Yongzhou) circuits with strong commissioners. Eight remote, silkless prefectures lately ravaged need reinforcement. Add prefectures to strengthen the frontier. Attach Gong, Xiang, Teng, and Yan to the western circuit." Thus ended the edict." Du Cong added grand preceptor; Bi Dan added war minister. Wang Duo became a drafting officer. Zheng Yu took Guangzhou and the eastern route; Song Rong took the western route.
12
西 西 便
Summer brought locusts, drought, and famine in Huainan and Henan. Southern tribes took Jiaozhi and troops marched south. Hunan was to ship grain up the Xiang; Jiangxi to feed the camps with gruel. Upstream hauling failed and Guangzhou troops went hungry. Runzhou man Chen Pan-shi came to court with a memorial saying: "Jiangxi and Hunan haul grain upstream—it cannot supply the army; when soldiers' food runs out they scatter—this must be deeply considered. I have a strange plan to feed the southern army." The Son of Heaven summoned him; Pan-shi then memorialized: "My younger brother Ting-si once served as Leizhou prefect; our household followed sea ships to Fujian—one large ship can carry a thousand dan; from Fujian loading, within one month it reaches Guangzhou. With several dozen ships thirty thousand dan could reach Guang prefecture." He cited Liu Yu's sea advance against Lu Xun. The council approved; Pan-shi supervised sea transport at Yangzi Yard. Kang Chengxun's army was never short again.
13
使使 宿 使 使 便
In the seventh month Xuzhou mutinied; Wang Shi was sent as Wuning commander. Zhi-xing had recruited two thousand Silver Blade and kindred companies for yamen guard. They grew insolent; commissioners indulged them. Tian Mou drank with them, patting backs and singing to them. They cost ten thousand a day. They feasted first at every banquet and often plotted to oust commanders. When harsh Wen Zhang came as commissioner the troops were uneasy. Zhang tried kindness; they expelled him within a month. The throne sent Wang Shi to replace Zhang. Shi, having pacified Qiu Fu with Zhongwu and Yicheng troops, was ordered across the Huai. Xu troops feared his strength and held back. At Great Peng Lodge they welcomed him. After three days he sent allied troops away, then encircled and slaughtered the insolent companies. Over three thousand were killed that day—the violent were gone.
14
西使
In the ninth month, Li Hui, vice minister of revenue, was made acting minister of works, concurrently prefect of Xingyuan and military commissioner of Shannan West.
15
仿 仿 使 使使
Cai Xi led three thousand forbidden troops south in the eleventh month. Zheng Chuhui, Xiao Fang, Yang Yan, and Cui Yanzhao examined macro-words candidates. Xiao Fang oversaw the examination in the twelfth month. Xiantong 4 opened on jiazi. On gengwu the Round Mound rite ended with amnesty from Danfeng Tower. Officials were to nominate successors per the Jianzhong precedent. Prefects must record aides and serve three review cycles. Lu Jianqiu, military commissioner of Hedong and acting minister of punishments, requested dismissal because of illness; an edict retired him as junior preceptor of the crown prince and sent him back to the eastern capital. Liu Tong took Hedong from Zhaoyi.
16
使
Li Xun took Hua and Yicheng in the second month.
17
使
Yang Shou joined the council from revenue; Cao Fen became Henan prefect; Li Pian, vice minister of revenue, was made acting minister of rites and chief secretary of the Lu prefectural grand commandery, and was appointed military commissioner of Zhaoyi with observation-disposition authority.
18
使
An April edict on Annan refugees opened:
19
退西
"Song Rong and Li Liangyin should count and relieve Annan officers reaching Haimen. Remit two years' tax where bandits plundered Annan. Stream chiefs who kept faith though walls fell should be honored. Let merchants carry Lingbei tea and medicine freely to stream caves. Lianzhou pearls should profit the people. Local bans have cut off trade. Let commoners gather pearls without restraint. Do not pursue fugitive Silver Blade guards. Grass-bandit leaders are dead; cease pursuing the rest." Thus ended the edict." That month floods ruined crops in the eastern capital and Xu, Ru, Xu, and Si. Li Zhuo's greed in Annan had provoked Liao tribes to bring Linyi against the protectorate. Year three's mass levies unsettled the realm. That winter Jiaozhou fell and Annan armies retreated to hold Lingnan east and west.
20
使
Linghu Hao became left remonstrance in the eleventh month. Liu Tui and Zhang Yun attacked Linghu Hao as the son of the corrupt Tao who had sold Annan to Li Zhuo. Tao protested from Huainan; Yun, Tui, and Hao were shuffled in punishment. Wang Duo examined candidates; Cao Que joined the council; Bi Dan went to Hezhong. Zhang Yunshen gained acting grand tutor. Gao Cong joined the council; Pei Yin judged household affairs. Xiantong 5 canceled the New Year audience for war. Pei Tan warned against temple-building while levies emptied the treasury. The throne answered with a gracious edict.
21
西使 使 西使
Niu Cong took Chengdu and Jiannan West in the second month. Xuzhou gained an observation and defense commissioner. Du Shenquan went to Runzhou and Zhexi.
22
Gao Shi and Yu Huai examined personnel candidates in the third month.
23
使
Xiahou Zi gained five hundred households' noble rank in the fourth month. Wang Duo became vice minister of rites; Meng Qiu took Xuzhou. Gao Pian led five thousand forbidden troops to Yong against southern raiders.
24
On dingyou a fifth-month edict opened:
25
西 西使 西
"We in our feebleness have received the great structure of Gaozu and Taizong these six years. We have not made roaming our pleasure, not indulged sound and color, not abused punishments, not been deluded by the wicked. Day and night in awe we toil with worry and diligence, hoping the eight regions may be secure and the myriad people at ease. Yet while the western Rong have submitted and the northern Di have been soothed, only the Southern Man remain treacherous and refuse obedience. They invaded and captured Jiaozhi, burst into Langning, and reached as far as Junzhou, where troops also had to repel them. They wear out our soldiers, raise our weapons, disturb the common people, and burden labor and transport; whenever we think of this, grief fills our heart. Considering that the people have suffered such hardship, we should spread grace from Heaven and let benevolence reach all things. We hear that Hunan and Guizhou are the key mouths of the Ling route; troops and supply convoys from every circuit all pass through them, and whenever post stations and provisions are supplied, many levies are imposed, so their injury has grown still worse. They should receive special grace. Tan and Gui circuits are each to be granted thirty thousand strings of cash to support army funds and also to serve as interest-bearing capital for post stations and hostels. As for the three circuits of Jiangling, Jiangxi, and Ezhou, their corvee assignments are somewhat lighter than those of Tan and Gui; their observation commissioners should assess how light or heavy the burden is and establish capital for them according to this precedent. Within the borders of Li and Jun west of Yongzhou, there were mutual killings during the recent Man raids; the circuit authorities should collect and bury the dead and set out sacrifices and libations as appropriate.
26
使 詿 使 滿
The local customs of Xuzhou are fierce and strong, and its armored soldiers are elite; recently, because control was mishandled, disturbances repeatedly arose. Recently the commissioner's title was restored and the four prefectures were again placed under it; labor and rest have now been evenly balanced, and the people's hearts are very calm. But we hear that when the military commission was abolished, some people fled after being charged with crimes. Although the court repeatedly issued edicts ordering that all such cases be ignored, we still fear they harbor doubts and anxieties, have not yet been fully summoned and gathered in, and may join together in the mountains and forests, eventually falling into error. Moreover, the frontier is not yet calm and greatly depends on talented men; the regimental commissioner of Xu and Si should select and recruit three thousand official guards and send them to garrison the Yong command. After affairs beyond the Ling have been pacified, replacements should be sent and they should return home. Whenever five hundred men have been recruited, a military officer should still be assigned to escort them; the responsible offices should handle their rations and rewards according to precedent.
27
使
In the sea transport of Huainan and the two Zhe circuits, enemy forces have blocked the boats and ships. We hear that merchants have lost their livelihoods badly, while the responsible officials have indulged and excused abuses, causing deep harm. There have also been cases where goods were unloaded and left beside the water with no one to guard them, so much was scattered and lost, and cries of grievance filled the roads. The three circuits should report, by official communication, the amount of rice they transport to the local salt-and-iron patrol offices, which are to fairly hire seagoing ships and assign them to the responsible offices. Once the total amount of loaded rice is sufficient, there must be no further seizure or obstruction, nor false claims that it is being stored as a reserve. As for the small short boats that reach the river mouth, the commissioner's office has its own vessels, and these do not fall within the limit allowing further requisition of merchants' boats. If officials arbitrarily exercise authority and favor, severe punishment will surely be discussed. Alas! When the myriad regions are not secure, how could we forget to blame ourselves? When the people lack enough, how dare we neglect self-reproach? Thus we extend a compassionate concern and show the intent of anxious diligence."
28
On renyin, by imperial order, Yang Shou, zhongshu shilang and pingzhangshi, was made menxia shilang and concurrently minister of justice; Cao Que, zhongshu shilang and pingzhangshi, concurrently became minister of works; Gao Qu, vice minister of war and pingzhangshi, was made zhongshu shilang and continued to know government affairs; the rest remained as before.
29
使使 使使 便便 使
Autumn, seventh month, renzi: Extended Treasury commissioner Xiahou Zi memorialized: "Salt-and-iron and Households had long owed the Extended Treasury more than 3.69 million strings and bolts before Xian-tong 4. The revenue ministry was supposed to deliver 264,180 strings of cash and bolts each year; from the twelfth year of Dazhong through the ninth month of the fourth year of Xiantong, after payments already made, it still owed 1,505,714 strings and bolts. He had asked fifteen cash per discount coin from salt yards. Delivery lagged despite the edict. Households now wanted this year's quota in coin and silk at once. Older debt could wait for gradual payment. The fifteen-cash cut would stay with his office. Lingnan war had long drained Households. He would not press old debt if this year's quota was met. Prior arrears let Households set its own repayment schedule." The throne assented.
30
Li Wei oversaw the examination in the tenth month.
31
使使 使使
Lu Jianfang took Cangzhou and Yichang on yiyou. Xiao Zhi joined the council on yiwei. Xiantong 6 opened on guiwei. Kong Wenyu left Hedong for Yanzhou and Tianping on dinghai.
32
Xu Shang joined the council in the second month. Gao Cong left the council. Cui Shenyou, Zheng Congdang, Wang Duo, Cui Jin, and Zhang Yanyuan examined macro-words candidates; Zhang Yisi and Dong Yun examined outstanding candidates. Yang Yan became vice minister of works and entered the Hanlin.
33
西使 退
Niu Cong reported new border forts in the fourth month. Nanzhao raided Yao and Yun while Yan Fu held the new Yun forts. Six Surname tribes attacked Ezhou and were beaten back that autumn. Xu Shang and Xiao Zhi became secretariat vice directors.
34
使使
In the fifth month, Yang Zhiwen, left assistant director, was made prefect of Henan; Ma Ju, grand general of the Divine Strategy Army, became Qinzhou defense and pacification commissioner; and Li Yanyuan, grand general of the Right Golden Guard, became prefect of Xiazhou and military commissioner of Shuofang. Gao Pian reported crushing Linyi at Yong.
35
使
Xue Guan took Xuzhou in the seventh month.
36
仿使
Zhao Qi oversaw the examination in the ninth month; Xiao Fang, vice minister of personnel, was made acting minister of rites, prefect of Hua, and censor-in-chief, and was appointed military commissioner of Yicheng with charge of observation for Hua and Ying.
37
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng died as Xiaoming in the twelfth month. That autumn Gao Pian recovered Annan from Haimen. Ten years after Li Zhuo, Annan was restored and the border breathed again. Xiantong 7 canceled New Year for the grand empress dowager's mourning.
38
使祿 使
In the third month Wang Shaoyi died. He had been military commissioner of Chengde, observation-disposition commissioner for Zhen, Ji, Shen, and Zhao, Gold-Purple Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, acting minister of works, chief secretary of the Zhenzhou grand commandery, censor-in-chief, and founding earl of Taiyuan county with seven hundred households and an inherited real fief of one hundred households; he was posthumously presented as minister over the masses. He was Shao-ding's brother and Princess Shou'an's son. The three armies backed Shaoding's son Jingchong as acting commander of the troops. Zhang Yunshen became grand protector, councillor, and Duke of Yan. Zheng Congdang took Taiyuan and Hedong.
39
In the fourth month Princess Shou'an memorialized requesting audience; an edict: "Zhi-xing's memorial that because Jingchong lacks an edict of grace you wish to come to court is understood. —Jingchong is filial and loved by the armies— —he holds the old fief with sound plans; the court will reward merit in due course. Because Empress Dowager Xiaoming's park tomb nears completion, affairs pause; after enshrinement your sincere request will be granted."
40
使
In the seventh month Zhang Yichao sent hawks, horses, and Tibetan women from Shazhou. Monk Tan Yan presented Mahayana treatises.
41
In the eighth month Wang Jingchong of Zhenzhou was recalled from mourning as Loyal Martial General, regular-status general of the Left Golden Guard, and acting right attendant cavalier, concurrently left marshal of the Zhenzhou grand commandery, acting prefect, and vice censor-in-chief, and was made provisional military and observation commander of Chengde. Xu Shang added minister of works.
42
西使使
Zhang Yichao reported Pu-gu Jun beheaded Shang Kong-re and sent the head to court. Xiahou Zi took Chengdu and Jiannan West. Gao Pian reported Annan pacified.
43
殿 仿
On the eleventh month's tenth he amnestied for Annan's recovery at Xuanzheng Hall. Lu Yan joined the council from the Hanlin. Xiao Fang gained acting war minister for good rule. Li Jingwen and Gao Xiang examined outstanding candidates. Xiantong 8 opened on renyin. On dingwei a great earthquake wrecked Hezhong, Jin, and Jiang.
44
西使 西使
In the third month Annan Gao Pian memorialized: "South to Yong the water route is treacherous with boulders blocking the way; workers have finished cutting it and transport ships no longer stall." The throne praised him. An order made Yang Shou, vice director of the Chancellery, concurrent minister of revenue, grand councillor, supreme pillar of state, founding baron of Jinyang county with three hundred households, and holder of the purple robe and gold fish-bag, acting minister of war and observation commissioner of Zhexi; Du Shenquan kept acting left minister; Yu Lin joined the council.
45
使
On dingyou Cao Que memorialized on the Extended Treasury:
46
使 使使 使 使
"Each year the Ministry of Revenue was supposed to send this command two installments, in the third and ninth months: 214,100 bolts of silk and 10,000 strings of cash. From Dazhong 8 through Xiantong 4, the accumulated arrears reached more than 1,505,700 strings and bolts. Du Cong had sought fifteen cash per discount coin from Xian-tong 5. A subsequent dispatch from the Ministry of Revenue said that prefectural discount cash included commuted payments and odd fragments; starting with the money and silk owed to the Yanzi Treasury in the fifth year of Xiantong, the two annual installments should be paid in full each year, while this office would continue to collect the fifteen-cash discount as before. Xiahou Zi had asked to follow Households' schedule. Xian-tong 5 was paid. Years six through eight added another 365,507 owed. The Extended Treasury was meant for the border since Dazhong 3. Empty funds make an empty title. The three ministries once sent yearly shares. The original edict fixed cash, not goods. Year by year debt grew. They now taxed discount coin to match the border mandate. The fifteen-cash cut and yearly payment awaited assent. Debt now threatens deadlines. I now apportion from each circuit's Households deliveries, retain the Extended Treasury share locally, and send separate convoys with Households convoys to the capital direct to the Extended Treasury—Households avoids suspension and years of debt." The throne assented.
47
便 使便便使 使 使
Cui Yanzhao memorialized: "This ministry should collect the Jiang-Huai circuits' Xiantong 8 and earlier provincial funds and restore the old practice of yearly merchant exchange by petition. Since the southern campaign, army-supply offices have blocked merchant exchanges by citing supply orders. Merchants therefore hesitated, leaving this ministry short of funds. I request that all circuits deliver on schedule and repay merchants, without using detention as a pretext." The throne assented. Among the chief ministers, Cao Que, vice director of the Chancellery and minister of revenue, concurrently became minister of personnel; Lu Yan, vice director of the Chancellery and minister of rites, concurrently became minister of revenue; Xu Shang, vice director of the Secretariat and minister of works, concurrently became minister of punishments; and Yu Bian, vice minister of war and grand councillor, became vice director of the Secretariat. Liu Yunzhang examined candidates; Lu Kuang and others judged macro-words. Li Wei took Bianzhou and Xuanwu in the first month. Zhang Yunshen gained acting grand preceptor. Jiao Du and Li Yue examined macro-words candidates.
48
西
A white rainbow crossed the west in the seventh month. Xuzhou garrison troops made Pang Xun chief and plundered home toward Xu.
49
宿 使 宿 使 宿 西使使西使 使
The ninth month's xinmao was new moon. On jiawu Pang Xun took Suzhou; Jiao Lu fled to Xu. On yiwei Pang Xun took Xuzhou and killed Cui Yanzeng's staff, sparing Zhang Daojin. Within ten days Pang Xun had fifty thousand from Xu and Su treasuries. Xun begged pardon while demanding the commission. Palace envoys were sent to soothe the rebels. Rebel columns besieged Sizhou and held Suzhou. Henan, Hedong, and Shannan troops were levied in the tenth month. Yang Shou, observation commissioner of Zhexi, was demoted to regular-status marshal of Duanzhou; his younger brother Yang Yan, formerly observation commissioner of Zhedong, prefect of Yuezhou, and vice censor-in-chief, was demoted to prefect of Shaozhou; and Yan Zhuan, acting minister of works, prefect of Hongzhou, military commissioner of Zhennan, and observation-disposition commissioner of Jiangnan West, was permanently exiled to Lingnan. Li Xiang's relief force was destroyed by feigned surrender. Li Xiang and Guo Houben were captured.
50
The eleventh month's gengyin was new moon. An omen star crossed the sky at dingyou and vanished in Chu. Wu Mei sent officers against Chuzhou. Chuzhou fell to a ruse when patrol troops fled in. Zhang Xingjian killed Gao Xiwang and slaughtered Chuzhou. Xingjian then attacked Hezhou; prefect Cui Yong stood on the tower and told Wu Mei: "Silks, jade, and women in the city we dare not begrudge—only do not take the Son of Heaven's prefectural seat." They plundered Hezhou and killed Zhang Zhuo for deepening the moat. Haozhou fell; Lu Wanghui died in captivity and maidservants were eaten.
51
使 祿 使 使 使 使祿使 使 使 使 使 使使 使 使 使 使 使宿使 使 退 退 西 退 宿使 使 西
Dai Keshi's Shatuo and Tuhun routed the rebels in Huainan. Locusts and drought ravaged Jiang-Huai that year. Pang Xun memorialized: "This circuit first sent three thousand garrison troops to Lingnan with spring and winter clothing; we now wish to send men to deliver them to Yong." Liu Yunzhang warned: "Pang Xun has gathered one hundred thousand men; if envoys reach Lingnan the garrison may join him—the calamity would be grave." The court stopped Pang Xun's envoys and ordered his capture. Xiantong 10 canceled New Year for the Xu campaign. We Baohang married Princess Tongchang with grand ritual on guihai. Wang Yanquan, Zhi-xing's nephew, took Wuning and the northern Xu campaign; Zhu Kecheng was vice pacifier; Wang You led the vanguard. Liu Zhan joined the council from the Hanlin. Jiang Shen retired ill as junior tutor. Xu Shang, vice director of the Chancellery, concurrent minister of punishments, and grand councillor, was made acting minister of war, prefect of Jiangling, and military commissioner of Jingnan. Kang Chengxun, grand general of the Right Divine Strategy Army, acting army commissioner, concurrent censor-in-chief, supreme pillar of state, and founding earl of Longyang county with one thousand households, was made Gold-Purple Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, acting minister of punishments, concurrent grand general of the Right Divine Strategy Army, censor-in-chief, supreme pillar of state, and founding duke of Fufeng commandery with fifteen hundred households, and was appointed overall pacification commissioner of the Xu-Si campaign; Li Shao was southern vice pacifier; Shi Zhongyong knew troops at Yingzhou; Ma Dan knew troops at Xu; Dong Tao knew troops at Lu; Dai Keshi pacified Cao; Zhu Ye Chixin led Shatuo at Taiyuan; Wang Jian pacified Huai-Si; Cao Xiang pacified Yanhai; Ma Ju pacified Huainan; General Gao Luorui was made prefect of Chuzhou and pacification commissioner for that prefecture’s campaign; General Qin Kuangmo was made prefect of Haozhou and pacification commissioner for that prefecture’s campaign; Li Bo was made prefect of Suzhou and sent as pacification commissioner for the Luzhou campaign; Meng Biao supplied grain. Eighteen generals led seventy-three thousand men against Xu on New Year's first day. Weibo sent thirteen thousand troops. Dai Keshi relieved Sizhou while rebels besieged it. Keshi captured Liu Xingji; rebels displayed his severed fingers. The bandits on the wall bowed: "We wish to plot return with the company chief." Keshi withdrew five li when they feigned distress. The rebels waded out at midnight past the western water. At dawn only sick old women remained in the city. Dai Keshi was killed drunk in fog; only cavalry escaped. Wang Jian was captured; Sizhou was besieged again. Sizhou was cut off by siege engines. Pang Xun insulted the court in memorials and letters. Wang Yanquan was sent to win Xu by kinship with Zhi-xing. Months of blandishment could not turn Xu after Wang Shi's slaughter. When Kang Chengxun’s main army attacked Suzhou and the rebel general Liang Pi came out repeatedly to fight and was defeated, Chengxun was made acting right vice director of the Department of State Affairs, prefect of Ling-Hua, and military commissioner of Yicheng. Yang Shou and Yan Zan were executed in exile; their faction was banished to Dan, Ya, and Bo; Aides were sent to Lingnan. Xiahou Zi, military commissioner of Hezhong, grandee of palace leisure with the three excellencies, acting minister over the masses, grand councillor, supreme pillar of state, and founding duke of Qiao commandery with two thousand households, was made junior guardian of the crown prince with duties at the eastern capital. Southern raids blamed his Shu misrule.
52
使
On jichou of the second month Pang Xun pressed Sizhou; he sent officer Li Yuan into the city to tell prefect Du Tao: "The regent knows the commissioner's noble house and dares not let the soldiers commit any discourtesy. Only open the city gate, let the common people survive, and do not distrust one another." Du Tao killed Li Yuan. Xue Qiong mustered Huainan militia.
53
宿
Chengxun won at Willow Fort; Bian water was to flood Suzhou.
54
The sixth month's dinghai was new moon. On wuxu a drought edict opened:
55
調 使 使 使 使 退
"Sincerity moves heaven; good government brings peace. Eleven years on the throne we have revered heaven— —emulating Yao and Zhou in reverence— —yet drought, locusts, barbarians, and Xu rebels torment the realm— —we ceased hunts and luxury yet peace eludes us— —qi is blocked and sincerity fails— —drought, locusts, barbarians, and bandits together— —war and grain levies redouble hardship— —midsummer drought pains us— —we pray with incense and jade— —awaiting sweet rain— —yet clouds do not rise and autumn fails— —harsh officials create wronged souls and baleful qi— —magistrates must serve the public— —punish only the guilty lest weather turn— —generals must show compassion— —release prisoners except grave crimes and Xu rebels— —show mercy while fields wither— —halt slaughter in the capital until rain— —circuit chancellors must relieve locust damage— —comfort the starving— —distinguish Xu ringleaders from the coerced— —proclaim punitive expedition texts. Alas! —we blame ourselves as Yu and Tang did— —yet virtue seems not to reach the people— —help us restore order after our confession. Proclaim within and without according to our intent." Thus ended the drought edict; Zheng Yi besieged Shouzhou until Ma Ju relieved it. Chengxun failed at the small Sui fort.
56
退 使使
Wang Hongli routed Chengxun at Willow Fort in the seventh month. Pang Xun left Xu Ji and stormed Sizhou. Ma Ju replaced Chengxun to save Sizhou.
57
使 便 便 使 使 使
In the eighth month one hundred thirty Hezhou defense clerks led by Shi Mou memorialized against prefect Cui Yong: " —he shackled scouts who reported bandits— —he only believed at ten li— —he drank with Wu Yue and promised the city— —he begged his own life while officers were killed— —eight hundred soldiers were beheaded— —Shi Qiong was executed for slow disarming— —his wealth reached Runzhou— —he ransomed himself with a thousand lives—" —he falsely taxed for walls." Thus ended the memorial. An edict opened against Cui Yong: —he drank with bandits instead of defending— —he sent Shi Qiong to the bandits— —investigate further before court law. Cui Yong's household is in Xuanzhou; order Xuan-She observation commissioner to seize Yong, detain, and quickly investigate and report." Ma Ju broke the Sizhou siege that month. Edict: "When Cui Yong held the prefecture Pang Xun first rebelled. —he opened the gate and drank with rebels— —disarming the city brought mass slaughter— —the memorial shocked the court— —Gao Xiwang was honored for dying at his post— —Du Tao was rewarded for holding out— —loyalty is rewarded; guilt cannot be spared— —the realm must be warned— Cui Yong shall have inner custodian Meng Gongdu go to Xuanzhou and grant self-death." Yong died at Lingyang; kin were banished. Cui Yuan, director in the Bureau of Merit Titles, was demoted to registrar of Liuzhou; Cui Fu, vice director in the Bureau of Review, to registrar of Shaozhou; Cui Lang, magistrate of Chang’an county, to registrar of Lizhou; Cui Geng, left remonstrance officer, to registrar of Lianzhou; and Cui Xu, observation aide in Jingnan, to registrar of Hengzhou. All were Yong’s kin and faction.
58
宿 祿
Zhang Xuanzheng surrendered Suzhou in the ninth month. Pang Xun marched on Xuanzheng. Xuanzheng joined Ma Ju to besiege Xu. Xu Ji fled after three days. Xuanzheng took Xu; Pang Xun drowned fleeing south. Xu Ji was beheaded; the rebellion ended. Pang Xun had emptied treasuries and plundered ten circuits for grain. Two hundred thousand bore hoe-blades called "Huo awls." A year of cruelty across ten prefectures ended. Edict to Xuanzheng: "Last year disaster rose in Xu's quarter; this petty fellow raised arms in rebellion; persuasion did not return him; he led three prefectures astray and poisoned the myriad people. —loyal ministers destroyed rebels and cleared prefectures— —the people united in blessing— —a year of ruin grieves us— An edict had already directed this: Xuanren was now granted the rank of Silver-Blue Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, acting right attendant cavalier, concurrent grand general of the Right Brave Guard, and censor-in-chief, and was given five thousand bolts of silk, one gold cup, one covered bowl, and one gold belt. —twenty officers receive graded gifts— Now send high officer Li Zhicheng to deliver the grace." A victory edict opened:
59
"We in our minute person received the great enterprise; reverent and cautious eleven years. We bear seventeen sages' vast fortune and three hundred years' blessing; seeking governance's root we dare not forget dawn robes. Though faith is not yet sincere we do not slacken in awe; having ceased park pleasures we have no heart for hunts—diligent day by day. Good omens do not answer; baleful qi grows secretly; southern war nearly ends while Xu rebels suddenly lack kindness. Persuasion did not reach them; cruelty deepened; they toyed with weapons and seized prefectures at will. They sought the seal and slaughtered at will, not fearing spirits, bringing ruin on themselves. Arm and thigh ministers could not forgive such crime; Heart-and-belly officials said treason must be punished. We raised armor to save the charcoal; great generals exerted force; inner officials united hearts. Selection found able men; pacification took less than a year; we punished rebels and traitors.
60
使 使便使 使 使 便
Now weapons are laid down and the people restored. Merit records must be without private favor; Reward time values every fiber. Four-sided campaign commissioners who achieved merit should be rewarded by separate edict. All circuit campaign generals below should report merit for continued disposition. Those who bore armor through cold and heat may lay down bow and return home with silk gifts and corvée exemption. Four-sided campaign soldiers now pacified should return circuit by circuit. Reward bolts are by separate edict; on arrival each commissioner shall feast and release them to rest without new assignments. Campaign men are exempt from corvée; where local posts lack officers, fill from campaign veterans by merit. Those who died in battle—comfort their wounded souls and honor loyalty. Advance them in office and still employ them. If no kin, comfort wives and daughters. Company chiefs to chief adjutants who died in battle receive posthumous office. Where soldiers had kin wishing to enter the army, let the circuit fill the post. Without kin, grant clothing and grain three years. Those maimed in battle receive support for life. Where soldiers were killed by bandits, prefectures shall relieve and rebury—do not expose corpses—and set libations.
61
宿
The king takes benevolence as root; the wicked are punished, the coerced pardoned. Except Pang Xun's kin, Guilin turncoat rebels, those coerced who fought the army and fled in fear—all released without question. Old officers and clerks returning are first exempt from levies. Xu, Su, Hao, and Si two-tax and corvée for autumn and summer are remitted ten years, then three years, then reconsider. Fields lost people and mulberry turned to grass; where campaign zones' fields were burned, owners may claim return—no encroachment. Nine plains may be worked; do not harm tombs. Known sage tombs and steles destroyed by bandits shall be buried and mourned. Since war began prefectures were raided—we send comfort. Now send Right Regular Attendant Liu Yi and War Bureau Director Xue Chong to comfort them. Alas! We take the four seas as home and the myriad as children. One thing lost pains our moat anguish; One quarter unsettled brings peril at the brink. Now the chief villain is slain and rebels purged; weapons are stored and baleful qi extinguished—may auspicious signs align. Near and far officers should embody our intent."
62
使使 使使 使 使
An order made Ma Ju, southern pacification commissioner for Xuzhou, acting left vice director of the Department of State Affairs, grand general of the Right Divine Martial Guard, acting military commissioner of Huainan, and founding earl of Fufeng county with one thousand households, acting minister of works, concurrently chief secretary of the Yangzhou grand commandery, deputy military commissioner of Huainan, and acting head of the command; Cao Xiang took Xuzhou and Xu-Si-Hao; Linghu Tao retired to the eastern capital. He Hongjing, military commissioner of Weibo, acting grand mentor, and grand councillor, died; the three armies installed his son Quanhao as provisional commander of troops.
63
退 使
Nanzhao raided Yun with twenty thousand in the eleventh month. An Zairong held the Great River line nine days against Nanzhao. Dou Pang resisted at Dingbian.
64
西使使西 西 西使 使 使祿使 簿 使 使 使 使祿 使 使 使使 耀 使祿使 西使 使
Nanzhao feigned peace then crossed the river in the twelfth month. Dou Pang hanged himself in his tent; Xu general Miao Quanxu cut him down and said: "Commander, why so? Rest—Quanxu with Zairong and Hongjie will fight to victory." Pang fled by night while the three fought. Nanzhao camped below the mountain that night. Quanxu and others plotted: "They are many, we few; if we fight tomorrow we lose. Strike tonight and disorder their army—they will withdraw of themselves." A night raid routed the Nanzhao camp. Yan Qingfu and Song Wei broke Nanzhao at Pix bridge. Western Sichuan was pacified the next day. Prince Ji held Chengdu titularly; Lu Dan commanded in practice. Zheng Cong was summoned to court. Kang Chengxun took Hedong after the Xu war. Yang Zhiwen, Yu Desun, and Li Xuan examined candidates; Lu Rao and Yang Dai examined macro-words; Song Zhen and Hu Derong examined subject candidates. The civil examination was suspended one year for recovery. Edict to Jingnan military commissioner Du Cong: "The Astronomical Bureau reports a small comet crossing allotted fields—fear of foreign invasion and flood on the frontier. —drill troops and heighten walls— Report all border arrangements." He Quanhao resumed council rank at Weibo. Xiantong 11 sent Du Shenquan to Hezhong. On bingwu an order made the chief minister Cao Que, vice director of the Chancellery and minister of personnel, concurrently left vice director of the Department of State Affairs; Lu Yan, vice director of the Chancellery and minister of revenue, concurrently right vice director; Yu Bian, vice director of the Secretariat, concurrently minister of revenue; and Liu Zhan, grand councillor, vice director of the Secretariat with charge of state affairs. Other posts were unchanged. On jiyou an order: "Hedong military commissioner Kang Chengxun, petty quality of a general's house, slight talent from the camp, did not know warfare yet wrongly bore heavy salary. —entrusted with sole command though unskilled— —he failed at Xu despite vast expense— —he played with bandits and would not fight— —his hosts would not fight— —the people wished for heaven's punishment while he dallied— —Peng Gate opened without his merit— —ingratitude and bribes exceeded any merit— We apply the national law and send him to the frontier camp as Prince of Shu's tutor, eastern-capital commissioner." He was again demoted to Enzhou and sent in haste. Du Tao was rewarded with Hua and Yicheng. Zhuye Chixin, pacification commissioner of the three Shatuo tribes and the Qiang-Hun peoples in the Hedong field command, acting guest of the crown prince, and investigating censor, was made acting minister of works, grand protector of the Chanyu Protectorate, censor-in-chief, military commissioner of Zhenwu, and observation commissioner for Lin and Sheng, and was also bestowed the name Li Guochang. Xiao Ye, Yu Desun, and Yang Zhiwen examined candidates; Li Yao and Cui Dan examined macro-words. Cui Yanzhao, military commissioner of the Three Cities of Heyang, observation commissioner for Meng, Huai, and Ze, grand master for court leisure, acting minister of rites, prefect of Mengzhou, and censor-in-chief, was made Gold-Purple Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, acting minister of punishments, prefect of Taiyuan, defender of the northern capital, and military and observation commissioner of Hedong. Wei Baoheng, vice minister of war, chief Hanlin academician, founding viscount of Fufeng county with five hundred households, and commandant as imperial son-in-law, was made grand councillor while retaining his existing offices. Liu Ye took revenue. Ill Cao Que went to Runzhou and Zhexi. Weibo soldiers killed Quanhao and made Han Junxiong commander.
65
The fourth month's guimao was new moon. On wuzi an edict: "Last year because of military use the examination was stopped one year; now weapons are laid down and the old should return. Next year allow thirty graduates: ten advanced scholars, twenty classics—do not cite this as precedent."
66
The eighth month's xinsi was new moon. Princess Tongchang died as Wenyi of Wei on jiyou. Tongchang, Guo Shufei's daughter, had married in Xian-tong 9. The Emperor grieved extraordinarily. Failed physicians and three hundred kin were arrested. Liu Zhan and Wen Zhang were driven out for protesting excessive punishment.
67
殿使
In the ninth month, on bingchen, an order made Liu Zhan, grand master for upright counsel, acting vice director of the Secretariat, concurrent minister of punishments, grand councillor, academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies, supreme pillar of state, founding marquis of Pengcheng county with one thousand households, and holder of the purple robe and gold fish-bag, acting minister of punishments and grand councillor, concurrently prefect of Jiangling and military commissioner of Jingnan. Hanlin academician Zheng Tian was banished to Wuzhou; Censor-in-Chief Sun Huang to Tingzhou; Remonstrance official Gao Xiang to Gaozhou; Yang Zhizhi to Qiongzhou as vice prefect; Wei Shan to Chunzhou; Zhang Yan to Bozhou as registrar; Cui Yanrong to Leizhou; All were punished as Liu Zhan's allies, expelled by Wei Baohang. Capital Intendant Wen Zhang took poison the night his banishment to Zhenzhou was announced. Liu Zhan was driven further—to Kangzhou.
68
In the tenth month Xue Neng became capital intendant and Gao Shi ran the civil-service examinations.
69
使宿使 使 使 殿 使使
The eleventh month opened on jiwei. On xinhai Wang Duo joined the Grand Council as minister of rites. On dingmao an edict declared: "Xuzhou lies on the Pei plain; its garrison is fierce—the realm's stronghold, fit for a feudal command— —and its land is prosperous; we will not demote it and blunt its strength. Recent troubles were the mutineers' own doing, not Heaven's curse. Guilin's rebels tormented the people for a year. After slaughtering loyal subjects we lowered its command and placed it under another circuit. Now soldiers and townsfolk repent and beg their old commission back. We restore Xuzhou's army designation in mercy. Grant one hundred thousand bolts of treasury silk for feasting and rewards. Its Xuzhou Metropolitan Training Commissioner is changed to Ganhua Army military commissioner and Xu-Su-Hao-Si observation and disposition commissioner and related posts." Zheng Congdang, vice minister of personnel, was made acting minister of revenue, concurrently prefect of Bianzhou and censor-in-chief, and military commissioner of Xuanwu, replacing Li Wei; Li Wei moved to Huainan. In Xiantong 12's first month Lu Yan led officials in offering Yizong a grand honorific at Hanyuan Hall. The enfeoffment ended with universal amnesty. On xinyou the Princess of Weiguo was buried at Shaoling. Officials had composed dirges; Wei Baohang drafted the spirit stele while the Emperor and Consort Guo wept at Yanxing Gate. Ill, Zhang Yunshen named his son Jianhui acting Youzhou commander; the court assented.
70
In the third month Xiao Ye, Gui Renhui, and Li Dang examined candidates; Zheng Shaoye and Lu Xun examined the macrocosmic candidates.
71
西使
In the fourth month Lu Yan left the capital for Jiannan West.
72
使
Fifth month, gengshen: an order: "Careful handling of criminal prisons is a great maxim of the Changes. The Analects: grasp the facts, then pity—do not rejoice. Clerks twist texts; magistrates rarely hear cases. Shackled prisoners overflow the jails; pursuers are tied to paperwork. This injures harmony and breeds pestilence. In scorching summer, pardon crimes to accord with growth. Release all but capital crimes empire-wide. Punish officials who fabricate detentions. Report reviews within ten days." Thus ended the edict." The Emperor visited Anguo Temple and gifted lecturing monks agarwood seats.
73
使簿 滿 使
Seventh month, xinchou: Secretariat and Chancellery memorialized: "Per the sixth-month twelfth-day edict reforming memorials on office and uniform requests from circuits and capital agencies. Circuits may recommend two replacements or merit candidates per memorial; not more than two per memorial; frontier and southern circuits may nominate three lesser officers yearly; Fuzhou is excepted; Qianzhong follows old rules. Concurrent capital posts revert to original rank if terms unfulfilled; military commissioners nominate five officers yearly, training commissioners three; censor posts require verified military merit; battle merit may be memorialized separately; You, Zhen, and Wei follow former rules." The throne assented." The throne assented.
74
使使 使
In the twelfth month, Zheng Congdang, acting minister of revenue, prefect of Bianzhou, censor-in-chief, and military commissioner of Xuanwu, was made prefect of Guangzhou and military, observation, and disposition commissioner of Lingnan East. Xiantong 13 opened on renyin. On jiaxu Liu Ye joined the Grand Council. Zhang Yunshen, military commissioner of Youzhou, Lulong, and related armies, acting minister over the masses, grand councillor, chief secretary of the Youzhou grand commandery, supreme pillar of state, and Duke of Yan with three thousand households, died; he was posthumously presented as grand commandant and given the posthumous name Loyal and Fierce. He had governed Youzhou twenty-three years.
75
使
In the second month Zhang Gongsu ousted Zhang Jianhui at Youzhou. On dingsi an order made Yu Cong, shangshu right vice director, menxia shilang, and pingzhangshi, acting minister of works and prefect of Xiangzhou, and appointed him military, observation, and disposition commissioner of Shannan East; Zhao Yin joined the Grand Council as vice minister of revenue.
76
In the third month Xiao Ye and Dugu Yun examined candidates. Kong Wenyu substituted for Xiao Ye on examination day.
77
使 西使 使使 使 使使
The fifth month opened on gengwu. On xinwei an edict demoted Zhang Zhifang, acting shangshu left vice director, acting commander of the Left Feathered Forest Army, and censor-in-chief, to regular-status marshal of Kangzhou because his subordinates had become bandits. On yihai Wei Yinyu memorialized against Consort Shufei's brother Guo Jingshu. The Emperor had Wei Yinyu executed that day and his property confiscated. His wife, musicians, and maidservants were sent to the Inner Court. Gate officials who handled his memorial were punished. Du Yixiu was banished to Duanzhou. Cui Hang, Yinyu's brother-in-law, went to Xunzhou; Cui Yuan, his father-in-law, to Yingzhou; Wei Junqing, his uncle, to Aizhou. Former Court of Judicial Review rectifier Moqi Rong was made vice director of the Imperial University; former vice prefect of Xingyuan Feng Peng became prefect of Puzhou; and former Court of Judicial Review rectifier Yang Guan became prefect of Changzhou. On bingzi an order made Yu Cong, grandee of palace leisure with the three excellencies, acting shangshu left vice director, concurrent prefect of Xiangzhou, censor-in-chief, and military and observation commissioner of Shannan West, grand master for upright counsel and acting tutor to the Prince of Pu, with duties at the eastern capital. On xinsi an edict demoted Li Dang, left assistant director of the Department of State Affairs, to prefect of Daozhou; Wang Pei, vice minister of personnel, to prefect of Zhangzhou; Li Yu, left attendant cavalier, to prefect of Hezhou; Feng Yanqing, former Secretariat drafting officer, to registrar of Chaozhou; Zhang Ti, chief Hanlin academician, vice minister of war, and drafter of edicts, to marshal of Fengzhou; Yang Dian, right remonstrance grandee, to registrar of Hezhou; Yan Qi, minister of works, to prefect of Chenzhou; Li Kuang, supervising secretary, to prefect of Qizhou; Zhang Duo, supervising secretary, to prefect of Tengzhou; Li Jingshen, grand general of the Left Golden Guard and Left Street commissioner, to registrar of Danzhou; and Yu Juan, former prefect of Qingzhou and military commissioner of Pinglu, to chief secretary in the household of the Prince of Liang with duties at the eastern capital; Yu Gui went to Yuanzhou. Juan and Gui were Yu Cong's brothers. Yu Ai and Yu Ji were exiled as well. From Li Dang down—all Yu Cong's kin—were driven out by Wei Baohang. Duan Wenchu became Datong defender at Yunzhou.
78
使 使簿 使
Sixth month: Yicheng Army military commissioner, Acting Minister of Works Du Tao memorialized: the Yingzhou monks, Daoists, and commoners of his command jointly requested to retain prefect Zong Hui; the edict said: "Hui is clear and capable in governing people, with his own monthly term; we rely on his pacification and do not yet discuss replacement." Sixth month: Secretariat and Chancellery memorialized: "This month on the seventeenth, at Yanying Hall we received the holy intent to warn all prefectures empire-wide: where there are fugitive households, their tax levies and corvée assignments must not be apportioned onto present households. After war and disaster, fields lie abandoned and people suffer; levies exhaust villages while registers show empty quotas; slow collection starves the state, haste crushes the poor; only a clear edict shows the Emperor's care. fugitive taxes require undertaker households; apportioning onto survivors creates debt and double misery; fairness cannot let the crafty shift burdens between rich and poor; if the crafty control apportionment, repair is impossible. Only sincere magistrates can revive the weary. Let no circuit apportion fugitive taxes onto survivors; recruit refugees and soothe them in this harvest year; promote those who obey; punish those who do not." The throne assented." The throne assented.
79
使
In the seventh month Lu Jianfang became director of the imperial stud.
80
使 使 殿 使 便 便 便 使 使使
In the twelfth month Li Guochang was posted to Datong at Yunzhou. Li Guochang, overbearing and murderous, was transferred to Yunzhong when the court could not control him. When Guochang feigned illness, Lu Jianfang replaced him at Datong. The Emperor summoned Jianfang at Sizheng Hall and said to him: "You governed Cangzhou as commissioner and were bent to Datong. Yet I, because the Shatuo, Qiang, and Hun disturb the border marches, and because you were once at Yunzhong and showed kindness to the tribes—bear this bending for my sake on this journey, fully convey my intent, and comfort Guochang so he will not harbor suspicion." That month Li Keyong killed Duan Wenchu and seized Yunzhou. Xuanzong received a posthumous honorific title. Xiantong 14 opened on bingyin. Censor-in-Chief Wei Chan memorialized: "When prefectural governors receive appointments, after formal court farewell they plead illness and submit documents requesting leave; this is truly lax. From now on, if there is genuine cause known to the public, leave beyond three days will not fall under the document-submission limit. Inner and outer appointees entering the capital should promptly attend court to give thanks; if they encounter a holiday, they should remain at Duting Station. Recently many request leave and then return to private homes, violating regulations and seriously departing from ritual respect. From now on, I request that precedent be followed: if they have not yet attended court to give thanks, they must remain at Duting Station. If they overstep, the Censorate should investigate and report." The throne assented. On xinwei an edict to Lu Jianfang said: "Li Guochang long harbored loyal redness and showed brilliant merit; the court also thrice granted territory and twice moved his banner—such favoring has few parallels. Guochang's loyalty and Ke Rang's command should end suspicion— —yet Keyong now holds Yunzhou after killing Duan Wenchu. The affair was sudden—could hearts forget the long term? If Wenchu truly extorted, report—not murder—was the path. Instead they flayed him—a shocking brutality. A loyal house had been savaged before the empire's eyes. If Keyong laid down arms pending appointment, the court might forgive. If he seized command permanently, the court could not assent. Surely Guochang had already commanded restraint. You, who twice governed Yunzhong, must write them with grave urgency— —state fortune and calamity plainly and keep their great integrity intact. Urge that great integrity not be lost and former merit not be abandoned together." Lu Jianfang obeyed; Guochang did not. Cui Yanzhao and Zhang Gongsu were ordered to attack.
81
使使
In the third month Lu Jianfang was named Zhenwu commander while still bound for Datong. Li Guochang still held Zhenwu. Lu Jianfang died at Lanzhou. Thereafter Shatuo raids swept northern garrisons. On gengwu monks were sent to Famen Temple for the Buddha's relic; yellow earth rained from the sky.
82
仿
On the eighth of the fourth month the relic entered the capital amid pavilions and thunderous chanting. The Emperor welcomed it at Anfu Gate, kept it three days in the inner chapel, then sent it to city temples. Crowds and regalia surpassed anything antiquity had seen. An edict began: "Fourteen years we have borne the throne— —while bandits rage and armies never rest. We welcomed the Buddha's relic to bless the people— —yet crowds choke the roads. We think of prisoners and cannot sleep— —men bound in summer heat, farms neglected by pursuit. Reduce remaining sentences one grade empire-wide, except capital crimes. Capital garrisons report within two days; all prefectures, within three days after the edict arrives, review and memorialize." Xiao Fang joined the Grand Council as vice minister of war.
83
In the sixth month the Emperor fell ill.
84
使 殿
The seventh month opened on guihai. On wuyin the illness turned critical. On gengwu Prince of Pu Yan was named crown prince regent. On xinsi the testament began: "We ruled the four seas seeking the great middle way— —soothing tribes and laying down arms by virtue alone. Since autumn illness has kept us from court ten days— —physicians fail and the end nears. Alas!—the end drew near. Even sages must end—understand this and reach the ultimate. We declare the testament: Crown Prince Yan, loyal and wise, shall raise our ancestors' light— —and take the throne before the coffin. Wei Baohang shall be chief mourner. Hear government in three days; mourning ends in twenty-seven. Commissioners and governors must not leave posts to mourn. Regular officials observe fifteen soundings. Palace mourning only at appointed times. The people mourn three days without forbidding meat, wine, or marriage. Burial shall follow frugal Han and Wei rites. No gold, silver, or brocade on funeral goods. Release the Five Ward hawks and dogs except for hunting. Release the attending physicians. To you generals, ministers, and civil and military officials—exhaust strength and loyalty, support our chosen heir, send off the dead and serve the living, do not oppose our will." That day Yizong died in Xianning Hall at forty-one. He was styled Yizong, temple name Yizong. In the fifteenth year's second month he was buried at Jianling. [Commentary] The historian met Xiantong elders who remembered Yizong: Under Dazhong the realm was at peace, treasuries full, harvests rich. Yizong at first refined governance and earned praise. Yet he favored eunuchs and monks. Sorcery and dissipation left no room for diligence. Then southern rebellions and garrison treachery followed. Transport from the Five Ridges shook the realm; campaigns in the Two Shus ruined the people. Xuzhou rebels fell, but Henan lay empty. Still he cut army pay for temples and called loyal remonstrance demonic. Courtiers rushed toward danger; few stood upright. Favored youths rose out of turn; innocent ministers were banished. Arms and drought spread; the Buddha's relic had barely arrived when the Emperor died—was this not proof? Earth's virtue declined from here. Even Wen and Jing could not have revived the dynasty. The sacred jade would not flourish again—fittingly so. Gray-haired survivors weep remembering it.
85
滿
Praise: order and disorder lie in the ruler's ear. Yizong was arrogant; the worthy were banished. Villains held the state; slanderers filled court. Traitors seized their chance; good plans vanished.
86
姿
Xizong—taboo Xuan—was Yizong's fifth son, born of Empress Hui'an Wang. He was born in the Eastern Inner Palace on the eighth day of the fifth month of Xiantong 3. He was first Prince of Pu, born Yan. In Xiantong 14's seventh month Yizong grew critically ill. On the eighteenth day of that month an edict said: "We guard the great vessel's weight and dwell above the myriad people, daily cautious as if treading thin ice. We toil at governance yet the Way remains shallow— —illness leaves government neglected. Affairs need a master— —so we establish the imperial heir. Fifth son Prince of Pu Yan, renamed Xuan, is respectful, wise, and fit for ritual— —crown prince with acting charge of military and state affairs. Ministers, protect the heir and settle the people. Proclaim inner and outer and know our intent." That same day Yizong died. On the twentieth Xizong took the throne before the coffin at twelve. Liu Xingshen and Han Wenyue ruled court as enfeoffed dukes.
87
In the eighth month the Emperor ended mourning. Lady Wang became Empress Dowager. Henan flooded from the seventh month until mourning ended.
88
使
In the ninth month Wei Baohang was banished to Hezhou. Yu Cong returned; those banished with him were restored. Cui Hang, registrar of Xunzhou, was restored as zhongshu sheren; Zheng Tian, former vice minister of revenue, drafter of edicts, and chief Hanlin academician, became left attendant cavalier; Zhang Ti, former vice minister of war, drafter of edicts, and Hanlin academician, became guest of the crown prince; Gao Xiang, former remonstrance grandee, was restored as remonstrance grandee; and Yang Yan, former observation commissioner of Xuan-She, was restored as supervising secretary.
89
使
In the tenth month Liu Ye went to Huainan.
90
祿使
In the eleventh month, Yu Cong, grand master of splendid happiness, acting junior guardian of the crown prince, and commandant as imperial son-in-law, was made acting shangshu left vice director, concurrently prefect of Xiangzhou and censor-in-chief, and military and observation commissioner of Shannan East.
91
使 仿 使
Thunder in the twelfth month. Du Tao, military commissioner of Yicheng and acting minister of justice, was additionally made minister of war. Qianfu 1 opened on xinyou. On yichou Xiao Fang held both vice directorates. Wang Duo took Xuanyi at Bianzhou.
92
In the second month Yizong was buried at Jianling.
93
使使 祿使 西使 使 使 使西使
In the third month Cui Yanzhao took salt and iron transport. Dou Huan, Silver-Blue Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, metropolitan governor of Jingzhao, supreme pillar of state, and founding duke of Qishan commandery with three thousand households, was made acting minister of revenue, prefect of Taiyuan, defender of the northern capital, censor-in-chief, and military, observation, and disposition commissioner for the Hedong circuit. Zhao Yin, vice director of the Secretariat, minister of justice, and grand councillor, was made acting minister of personnel, prefect of Runzhou, and commissioner for training, observation, and related affairs in western Zhejiang. In the fourth month Cui Yanzhao joined the Grand Council while keeping transport. Li Wei became minister of personnel. Gao Pian, military commissioner of Tianping, acting right vice director of the Department of State Affairs, and concurrently prefect of Yunzhou, was made acting minister of works, concurrently prefect of Chengdu, deputy grand commissioner of Jiannan West, and acting head of the commission. Wei He became vice minister of personnel. Cui Pu became right regular attendant. Hun Xi received personnel and guard posts. Lu Yinzheng judged revenue cases.
94
使使
In the fifth month, Zheng Tian, vice minister of personnel, was made vice minister of war and pingzhangshi; Lu Xie, vice minister of revenue, drafter of edicts, Hanlin academician, and holder of the purple robe and gold fish bag, became pingzhangshi while retaining his post. Li Yun and Pei Wo received new posts. Zheng Congdang, military commissioner of Lingnan East and acting minister of justice, was made minister of justice; Wei He, vice minister of personnel, was made acting minister of rites, prefect of Guangzhou, and military commissioner of Lingnan East.
95
使 使
In the seventh month Pei Zan took Hunan; Li Yu was posthumously made minister of rites.
96
In the tenth month Cui Hang and Cui Yin were promoted.
97
仿使殿
The eleventh month opened on bingxu. On gengyin ancestral rites ended with amnesty and the Qianfu era. Chief minister Xiao Fang concurrently became minister of works, grand academician of the Hongwen Institute, and commissioner of the Taiqing Palace; Cui Yanzhao, vice minister of war, became zhongshu shilang; and Zheng Tian, vice minister of war, became grand academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies. An edict: "We consider the Shatuo fierce and brave, repeatedly accumulating battle merit; the six prefectures' Fan and Hun bathe in royal transformation. They fight from suspicion while Ke Zhang still seeks revenge— —so we send an able man to pacify them. Li Jun's father once saved Guochang at Taiyuan— —relying on old ties and duty to the soil. Therefore we entrust you with the frontier and delegate military affairs—you must gather royal affairs and not fall from family renown." Jun's father had once settled the northern tribes. With Guochang entrenched, Li Jun was sent to Lingwu to summon them. Li Bi and Xu Yanruo exchanged Chang'an posts. Lu Shan became Chuzhou prefect.
98
西西 西使 西 退 使 退 殿 使
In the twelfth month Tangut and Uyghur raided the border. Cui Yuan and Li Keren received department posts. Niu Wei and Yu Yong exchanged rites and works posts. That winter Nanzhao raided Shu; circuits mobilized relief. Jiannan West military commissioner Gao Pian memorialized: "Per the edict drafting troops from Changwu, Binzhou, Hedong and other circuits for the Jiannan campaign. Shu already has ample troops; the barbarians are small foes— —northern drafts exhaust stations and displace people— Moreover, victory lies not in numbers but in harmony. The armored cavalry and soldiers drawn from the Left and Right Divine Strategy armies, Changwu garrison, Fuzhou, and Hedong were already numerous, and provisioning them would be especially costly. The northern frontier is unsettled—do not draft them. If already on the road, all please receive an edict ordering return." The edict replied: "If the southern barbarians still rely on aggression, troops must indeed be doubled to resist; pursue if they flee. Northern troops would serve under Gao Pian in Shu— —prepare abundantly without disordering the army. The Hedong twelve hundred men—order Dou Huan not to draft them." Pian had already repelled the barbarians; Changwu troops marched to Shu in vain—critics deplored the waste. Han Wenyue retired ill. Qianfu 2 opened on yiyou. On jichou Cui Yanzhao led officials in offering a honorific. Tian Lingze became right army commandant. Nanzhao envoys begged alliance; the court granted it. Guo Hongye became left golden guard general. Wei Xiu and Li Pin received prefectures.
99
使 使 使
In the second month Wang Ning was demoted to secretariat director for illicit clerk appointments. Pei Tan took salt and iron transport. Cui Dan and Xu Rensi were promoted; Xu Rensi became director of seals while remaining academician. Gao Qin, commissioner for strategy and punitive operations in Rongguan, was made acting minister of revenue; Li Yi, minister of the Court of the Imperial Treasury, became minister of the Imperial Clan; Zhang Bo, prefect of Huzhou, became prefect of Luzhou; and Yang Kan, auxiliary director in the Storehouse Bureau, became auxiliary director in the Ministry of Personnel.
100
退
In the third month Zheng Qin and Niu Hui were promoted. Cui Yanrong and Yang Zhituì exchanged revenue posts. Tang Jiao, Bi Shaoyan, and Zheng Xu received punishments posts.
101
西 殿 使使 使祿使 使 使 西使
In the fourth month Wang Ye raided Zhexi. Li Zhu became vice director of rites. Zhang Ti became vice minister of personnel. Li Wei took the imperial clan directorate; Wang Jingchong received supreme honor. Xiao Xian became university director. Cui Yanhong became crown prince guest at branch office. Zhang Ti became capital intendant. Wu Xinglu became Jiannan East commander. Cui Chong became Henan prefect; Li Hui went to Fujian. Linghu Tao was advanced to Duke of Zhao.
102
使 殿
In the fifth month Wang Xianzhi gathered three thousand at Changyuan and seized Puzhou. Li Zhong attacked and was defeated. Xue Dang, junior chamberlain of the Palace Administration, was made prefect of Weizhou; Pei Zhuo, director of studies at the Directorate of Education, prefect of Yangzhou; Cui Hang, Secretariat drafting officer, vice minister of rites; and Pei Qianyu, director in the Ministry of War, junior minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
103
In the sixth month several bureau officers were promoted in rotation.
104
使 使
In the seventh month Cai Xing took Tiande; Zhang Yanyuan succeeded at judicial review. Zhang Ti, prefect of Jingzhao, was made acting minister of revenue, concurrently prefect of Yunzhou and censor-in-chief, and military commissioner of Tianping with observation authority over Yun, Cao, and Pu. Du Zhenfu, Niu Xun, and Lu Yinzheng received posts.
105
使西使使
In the tenth month Li Kuang became remonstrance official. Li Dang, former commissioner of the Datong Army and of defense, military farms, and army supply in Yun-Shuo, was made acting left attendant cavalier and prefect of Fengzhou, and appointed metropolitan defense commissioner of Tiande Army's west and inner cities at Fengzhou and superintendent of the tribal groups under that jurisdiction. Zhao Yun, Lu Zhuang, and Xiao Yu exchanged bureau posts.
106
殿 仿 西 使使
In the eleventh month Liu Chonggui and Kong Lun were promoted. Thunder and lightning that month. Wang Duo returned to assist governance. In Qianfu 3's first month Xiao Fang retired ill as crown prince grand tutor. Zhexi reported executing Wang Ye's faction. Qi Kerang, grand general of the Left Gold Bird Guard and commissioner of the Right Street, was made acting minister of war and concurrently military commissioner of Yan, Yan, Yi, Hai, and related prefectures.
107
使
In the third month examiners were named for the macrocosmic test. Li Wei joined the Grand Council. Fengtian reported a golden dragon ascending by day. Cui Yanzhao, menxia shilang, became commissioner of the Taiqing Palace and grand academician of the Hongwen Institute; Zheng Tian, zhongshu shilang, minister of justice, and pingzhangshi, was put in charge of supervising the compilation of the national history. Mo Chongqian and Du Gang received guard and prefecture posts.
108
西使
In the fifth month Dugu Yun and Shu Xiangli received posts.
109
使 使 使
Sixth month: an edict to Fujian observation commissioner Li Bo, Jingzhou prefect Yang Quangu, Weizhou prefect Wang Guifan, Bizhou prefect Zhang Zhan, Puzhou prefect Wei Pu, Shizhou prefect Lou Fuhui, Xingzhou prefect Wang Hui, Fuzhou prefect Cui Li, Huangzhou prefect Ji Xinqing and others: "Prefects are kin-nurturing offices; if not versed in detail, how should appointment be granted? We appoint you to nurture the people, not glorify yourselves— —yet Li Bo and eight others were opposed at appointment; —and Wang Hui and two others governed only by greed. Truly defiling the prefectures—all should cease office." Li Duo, Pei Siqian, and Liu Yunzhang exchanged stud and tutor posts. Cui Fu and Wang Gao exchanged guest reception and Jingnan posts. In the sixth month Cui Yanzhao, menxia shilang, minister of justice, pingzhangshi, commissioner of the Taiqing Palace, grand academician of the Hongwen Institute, and finance commissioner, concurrently became left vice director of the Department of State Affairs; Zheng Tian, zhongshu shilang, concurrently became menxia shilang; and Li Wei, minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and pingzhangshi, became zhongshu shilang. Xiao Qian and Cui Tong exchanged Shezhou and right department posts.
110
使西
In the seventh month Wang Xianzhi ravaged fifteen Henan prefectures with tens of thousands. That month they took Ruzhou and captured Wang Liao. Liu Chengyong was killed in the prefecture. They then struck south into Tang, Deng, An, and Huang. Eastern troops could only guard cities. Li Jie, director in the Ministry of Revenue, became director of the Carriage Bureau; Wang Zao, director of the Treasury Bureau, became director in the Ministry of Revenue; Zheng Xian, director of the Bureau of Receptions, became director of the Treasury Bureau; Zhang Qiao, auxiliary director of the Treasury Bureau, became director of the Bureau of Receptions; Dou Xu, auxiliary director of the Agricultural Fields Bureau, became auxiliary director of the Treasury Bureau; and Zhao Ye, recorder of Jingzhao, became auxiliary director of the Agricultural Fields Bureau. Cui Lang and Ximen Sigong received posts. Wei Shan became secretariat drafting officer.
111
使 祿 祿祿 使
In the ninth month Cui Rao, right assistant director of the Department of State Affairs, was provisionally put in charge as vice minister of personnel; Cui Hang, vice minister of rites, became shangshu right assistant director; Gao Xiang, zhongshu sheren, was provisionally put in charge as vice minister of rites; and Yang Zhizhi, prefect of Jingzhao, became vice minister of works. Li Ke became acting right vice director; Xiao Kuan took diplomatic reception and stud duties. Cui Yanzhao's son became a secretariat proofreader. Cui Yanzhao received special advancement; Zheng Tian likewise. Lu Zhi received silver-purple rank; Li Wei received gold-purple rank. Li Yi, acting minister of the Imperial Treasury, was made acting minister of works, prefect of Huazhou, censor-in-chief, and military commissioner of Yicheng with observation and disposition authority over Zheng, Hua, and Ying. Yazhou earthquakes from the sixth month into the seventh killed many. Henan commissioners were ordered to raise troops. Li Qi and Zheng Yan exchanged revenue and punishments posts; Zheng Yan became punishments director. Wang Hui and Xiao Yu were promoted while keeping hanlin posts. Zhao Meng and Zhang Tong were promoted.
112
使 使
In the eleventh month Zheng Rao, Fan Chong, and Du Ruxiu received posts. Cui Hun, junior minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, was demoted to prefect of Kangzhou; Zheng Xiang, left marshal of Yangzhou, became prefect of Lizhou; and Li Zhongzhang, commissioner of the Finance Branch Inspection Office, became prefect of Jianzhou.
113
使 西使
In the twelfth month Zhang Jianhui and Li Tao received guard posts; Li Tao became right golden guard general. Lu Yong became crown prince guest. Qianfu 4 opened on guiyou. On dingchou a general amnesty freed prisoners and exiles. Li Tang and Cui Hou were promoted. Wang Chengyan and Yin Sengbian exchanged posts. Zheng Congdang, Kong Hui, and Cui Rao examined candidates.
114
西 便 使使 使 使 使 退 使 使
In the third month Liu Xingshen was named army supervisor in retirement. Zheng Yin became seals vice director and transport judge. Pei Wo and Lu Cheng received posts. An edict: "Disorder of constants and violation of discipline—Heaven and Earth cannot contain them; punishing crime and comforting people—the emperor's great canon. Rebels always boast then burn— —yet always end in ruin. Heaven favors the obedient. Pang Xun and Wang Ye were destroyed; yet some rebels turned and were rewarded— —Zhuge Shuang, Zhu Shi, Hong Ba, and Song Zaixiong all prospered. Grass bandits now ravage Jiangxi, Huainan, and the central plains— —yet troops are ordered alongside summons to surrender. We rule with compassion as for infants— —and hate to cut them down with blades. Surrender and be rewarded; resist and be cut down. If Wang Xianzhi and the other rebel leaders cleanse their hearts, repent, disperse their followers, cease fighting, and surrender to the prefectures where they are, have their names reported in full. The court will discuss rewards and promotion. If the rebels remain stubborn, arrogant, and unreformed, relying on their own violence and strength, then order the forces of the circuits to converge on them and destroy them. Any army that captures an entire band of grass bandits numbering three hundred or more shall receive an extraordinary appointment to general rank and a reward of one thousand strings of cash. If local men of ability, courage, and strategy can gather righteous followers and drive out the grass bandits, have their home authorities report them; they too will receive generous rewards. Men such as Zheng Yi and Tang Qun have already been made prefects; the court does not break its word. When the edict arrives, have every circuit proclaim and explain it plainly, so they know our intent." Song Wei, military commissioner of Qingzhou, memorialized: "I request five thousand infantry and cavalry under a special commission. I will also lead this circuit's soldiers and attack rebels wherever they are, and will surely win some small merit to repay Your Majesty's favor." A favorable edict commended him. Song Wei was appointed commissioner for punitive operations against the grass bandits in all circuits, and was given three thousand forbidden-army troops and five hundred armored horses. The court also instructed the regional commands in Henan: "Wang Xianzhi was originally a salt bandit who styled his force the Grass Army. Southward he has reached Shou and Lu; northward he has passed through Cao and Song. For half a year they have burned and plundered nearly fifteen prefectures; two bands have turned from place to place fighting, with more than seven thousand followers. The circuits have dispatched generals and troops to suppress them together, but as the months drag on, the smoke and dust have still not settled. This is because they watch one another and hesitate, wasting rations while prefectures and counties are drained by supplying them and local men of talent suffer under invasion and violence. Now Song Wei, military commissioner of Pinglu Army, deeply resents these marshland bandits and asks to go punish them. We consider that Wei previously broke the entire army of Nanzhao in Shu; —and at Xuzhou had crushed Pang Xun's great array. His rank could unify all circuit commanders; his fierceness enough to break the grass bandits. He was to be supplied from upper tribute funds when he reached his circuit. Also order command heads—whatever attack, pursuit, advance, or retreat, take Song Wei's disposition." Wang Xianzhi and Shang Junzhang were at Anzhou; Song Wei advanced from Qingzhou and broke them. That month Huang Chao took Yanzhou and expelled Xue Chong.
115
使 使 使 使 綿
In the fifth month Li Maoxun begged retirement for his son Keju. Prince of Shou Jie was named Youzhou overseer; Li Keju became acting Youzhou commander. Li Maoxun retired as acting left vice director. Huangfu Yong, Xu Ke, and Cheng Kefu received posts. Huang Chao took Yizhou.
116
使西使 使使
In the sixth month Gao Pian moved to Zhenhai at Runzhou. Li Jun took Zhaoyi at Luzhou. Li Keju was allowed to subdue the Shatuo with his army. In the seventh month Huang Chao marched from Yi and Hai to join Wang Xianzhi at Chaya Mountain.
117
In the eighth month bandits took Suizhou and captured Cui Xiuzheng. Bandits camped at Baibo. That month Liu Yanzhang took Jiangzhou and killed Tao Xiang.
118
In the ninth month Cui Dan ran the examinations. Shatuo raided Yun and Shuo.
119
In the tenth month allied armies were ordered against the Li Guochang at Weizhou.
120
使 宿
In the eleventh month Wang Xianzhi crossed the Han and besieged Jiangling. Yang Zhiwen, unprepared, could only hold the walls.
121
使 使使 使使 使
In the twelfth month they took Jiangling's outer city; Li Fu marched to rescue. Five hundred Shatuo horsemen at Jingmen routed the bandits. The bandits burned Jingnan's suburbs and withdrew. Qianfu 5 opened as Shatuo leader Li Jinzhong took Zhelu Army. Dou Huan's troops at Daizhou mutinied for pay and killed Deng Qian. Dou Huan borrowed fifty thousand strings to appease them. Cao Xiang replaced Dou Huan at Hedong; Zhi Mo became his vice commissioner.
122
西使 使
In the second month Song Wei beat Wang Xianzhi's remnants while offering surrender terms. Wang Xianzhi begged a commission; Song Wei feigned assent. When Shang Junzhang and Cai Wenyu came to court, Song Wei executed them. Enraged, Wang Xianzhi stormed Hongzhou's outer city. Song Wei defeated him, killed Wang Xianzhi, and sent his head to the capital. Shang Rang, Huang Chao's ally, rallied a hundred thousand after his brother's death and ravaged Huainan. Wang Duo, palace attendant and Duke of Jin, requested to command the forces himself against the rebels. Because the Son of Heaven held that Song Wei had blundered by killing Junzhang, Wang Duo was made acting minister over the masses, concurrently palace attendant, vice director of the Chancellery, prefect of Jiangling, and military commissioner of Jingnan, and appointed supreme commander of the troops of all circuits.
123
使使 西
In the third month Li Xi became Hunan commander under Wang Duo. Huang Chao swept Jiangxi, crossed to Zhedong, tunneled into Fujian, and seized Minzhong. Zheng Congdang and Cui Hang examined candidates.
124
使
In the seventh month allied armies gathered at Taiyuan with Zhi Mo as vanguard.
125
退
In the eighth month Shatuo took Koulun; Cao Xiang marched to Xinzhou. Cao Xiang died of stroke; the armies retreated. Taiyuan closed its gates as Zhaoyi troops rioted in the markets.
126
In the ninth month Li Wei became Eastern Capital regent; Zheng Congdang joined the Grand Council.
127
In the tenth month Cui Yanzhao retired as crown prince grand tutor.
128
使使
In the eleventh month Cui Jikang took Hedong and the north-of-Dai campaign. Cui Jikang rescued Youzhou from Shatuo attack.
129
使 使 使
In the twelfth month Cui Jikang and Li Jun, commissioner for punitive operations of the northern field command, fought Shatuo Li Keyong at Hong Valley in Kelan Army. The royal army was routed, and Li Jun died after being struck by a stray arrow. On wuxu Zhaoyi troops were massacred at Daizhou. Zhang Du ran the Rites examinations. Qianfu 6 opened as Cui Jikang's returning army mutinied and killed Shi Yu. Cui Jikang fled; his troops stormed Taiyuan and killed him and his son.
130
使使
In the third month Cui Hang and Cui Dan examined candidates. Li Kan was posted to Hedong. In the fourth month Huang Chao took Guiguan.
131
使使
In the fifth month Huang Chao besieged Guangzhou and begged a Tianping commission. Li Yan and Cui Qiu memorialized; ministers debated. Zheng Tian and Lu Zhi quarreled and were banished to the Eastern Capital. Cui Hang, vice minister of personnel, was made vice minister of revenue; Doulu Zhuan, vice minister of revenue and Hanlin academician, was made vice minister of war; both became pingzhangshi while retaining their posts. Huang Chao took Guangzhou and plundered Lingnan.
132
使
In the eighth month Li Wei returned to Hedong command.
133
西使使使 西 使
In the tenth month an order made Gao Pian, military commissioner of Zhenhai and commissioner for observation and disposition in western Zhejiang, acting minister over the masses, grand councillor, chief secretary of the Yangzhou grand commandery, deputy grand commissioner of Huainan and acting head of the commission, salt-and-iron transport commissioner for the Yangzi and Huai, and commissioner for punitive operations of the southern field command; he was advanced to Duke of Yan with an estate of three thousand households. Gao Pian, who had beaten Huang Chao in Zhejiang, was shifted to Yangzhou as the rebels moved south. As rebels crossed Dayu Ridge, Pian was named commander of all circuits. Li Wei died at Taiyuan. Zhang Du acted as left assistant.
134
祿使使使 西使 使祿使
In the eleventh month an order made Kang Chuangui, Silver-Blue Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, acting right attendant cavalier, field marshal of Hedong, commissioner for arrangements in Yanmen and Daibei, commander of the northern troops at Shiling Garrison, commissioner of Daibei Army, and supreme pillar of state, acting minister of works, concurrently prefect of Taiyuan, defender of the northern capital, and military commissioner of Hedong. Kang Chuanggui was murdered at Wucheng Station on his way to take office. Zhou Bao took Zhenhai at Runzhou. Wang Chucun, commissioner since Dingzhou for inner stables, palace parks, and related arrangements, Gold-Purple Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, acting minister of justice, supreme pillar of state, founding count of Taiyuan county with seven hundred households, was made acting minister of revenue, concurrently prefect of Dingzhou, and military commissioner of Yiwu with observation and disposition authority over Yi-Ding and command of Beiping Army.
135
使 殿 殿 便
In the twelfth month Zhu Mei became Daizhou prefect. Lu Zhi returned to the Grand Council; Zheng Tian took Fengxiang. Guangming 1, first month, yimao new moon: the Emperor attended Xuanzheng Hall; an edict: "We respectfully received the precious throne, succeeding and guarding the ancestral temples, day and night one heart, toiling eight years, truly wishing to drive the people toward benevolence and longevity and bring Huaxia to ascending peace. Eight years we have toiled, yet disasters and bandits persist— —rebels seize counties though some surrender. Jiangyou, Hainan, Hunan, and the Han valleys lie ruined— —and the weary break our heart. Our heart has not prevailed—what of Heaven's Way? Yet recent victories seem Heaven's aid, not our merit. At the year's turn we change the era and grant amnesty— —as sage rulers have always done at year's start. Thus we fix ten thousand generations' foundation. Change Qianfu 7 to Guangming 1. Southeast circuits report linked grass bandits— —common people driven by hunger, not willingly wicked. Instruct magistrates to accept sincere surrenders without torture— —but cut down those who resist. Where bandits have passed, farming has failed— —so reduce taxes four-tenths in Guangzhou, Jingnan, Hunan, and other ravaged regions. Hedong and Taiyuan receive the same relief. Personnel candidates with minor faults may fill distant vacancies. The War Ministry's appointments are corrupt— —and military officers must not transfer into civil ranks except the inner service. Hereafter military officials may not transfer into civil official selection and appointment; we hope wheels and hubs each fit, order distinguished—the inner service is not within this limit." Shatuo crossed Yingmen Pass toward Xinzhou.
136
使 使使使 西 沿 沿
In the second month Shatuo pressed Taiyuan and took Dagu. Kang Chuanggui's generals were defeated at Qincheng Station. Chuanggui executed Su Hongzhen in anger. Zhang Yanqiu's men mutinied, killed Chuanggui; Zhou Congyu restored order. That month an order sent Zheng Congdang, grandee of palace leisure with the three excellencies, vice director of the Chancellery, concurrently minister of war, grand councillor, commissioner of the Taiqing Palace, grand academician of the Hongwen Institute, commissioner of the Yanzi Treasury, supreme pillar of state, founding duke of Xingyang commandery with three thousand households, to serve as acting minister of works and grand councillor, concurrently prefect of Taiyuan and defender of the northern capital, and military commissioner of Hedong with observation, disposition, field punitive, and army-supply authority within the circuit. Huang Chao swept south through Hunan and Jiangxi. Wang Duo's forward commander Li Xi held Tanzhou with fifty thousand men and allied militia said to number one hundred thousand. Rebels rafted down the Xiang flood, reached Tanzhou, and stormed the city in a day. Li Xi alone escaped; fifty thousand troops were slaughtered and corpses choked the river. Shang Rang pressed downriver toward Jiangling. Wang Duo fled to Xiangyang on news of Xi's defeat. Liu Hanhong ravaged Jiangling until the city was nearly burned bare and the people fled to the hills. The rebel host reached Jiangling only after half a month.
137
西使使 西使 西西 西 使 使
In the third month Cao Quanchao and Liu Jurong prepared to block the rebels from Xiangyang. The allies camped at Jingmen while ten thousand rebels held Tuanlin Post. Quanchao hid Jurong's elite troops in the woods and feigned a cavalry rout. The rebels broke ranks at Jingmen; Jurong's ambush routed them. Quanchao's pursuit captured seven or eight rebels in ten by Jiangling. Huang Chao and Shang Rang crossed the river with survivors. An edict recalled Quanchao when Duan Yanmo took Jiangxi. The rebels sailed east, took Ezhou's outer city. Quanchao's rescue failed; rebels overran fifteen Jiangxi prefectures. Quanchao stayed in Jiangxi. Wang Duo failed; Gao Pian became overall campaign commander. Zhang Lin crossed the Yangzi and won repeated victories. Rebel plague and Li Hanzhi's defection to Huainan broke rebel morale. Shatuo raided Xin and Dai; Zhuge Shuang led eastern-capital troops north.
138
殿 西祿使 使使
On jiazi hail and wind ravaged both capitals and stripped palace roofs. On dingyou an order made Li Zhuo, acting minister of personnel, former minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, supreme pillar of state, founding duke of Longxi commandery with three thousand households, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, acting right vice director of the Department of State Affairs, and censor-in-chief, and appointed him overall commissioner for punitive operations of the field commands in Yu, Shuo, and related prefectures; The troops of the northeastern and northern field commands under Li Xiaochang, Li Yuanli, Zhuge Shuang, Wang Chongying, Zhu Mei, and the others, along with the Xinzhou and Daizhou militia, were all placed under Li Zhuo's command. Zhang Cunli and Cui Chan managed campaign provisions.
139
使使
In the sixth month Zhuo, Keju, and Helian Duo besieged Keyong at Yunzhou. Keyong left Fu Wenda at Yun and Gao Wenji at Shuo. Gao Wenji and Shatuo allies surrendered Yun to Zhuo. Keyong met the Yan army at Xiongwu.
140
使
Youjin opened the gates; Keyong was crushed at Yao'er Ridge. Keyong fled north to the Tatabi after defeat at Yunzhou. The court then made Helian Duo, Tuhun commander-in-chief, prefect of Yunzhou and defense commissioner of Datong Army; Bai Yicheng of the Tuhun prefect of Weizhou; Mihaiwan of the Sage prefect of Shuozhou; and added to Li Keju the titles acting minister over the masses and grand councillor.
141
使 退 使
In the eighth month Huang Chao raided Huainan. Plague at Xinzhou decimated the rebels. Rebels bribed Zhang Lin and begged Pian for amnesty. Pian believed the rebels and promised them a commission. Pian sent allied armies home, claiming the rebels were nearly finished. Denied a commission, the rebels broke with Pian and fought. Pian sent Zhang Lin to attack; the rebels killed him. Rebels crossed into Tianchang; Pian could only flood Chengdeng to shield himself. The court massed Henan troops at Yinshui. Armies gathered; rebels had not crossed the Huai north. Qi Kerang held Ruzhou.
142
使 使
Three thousand Xuzhou troops marched through Xu toward Yinshui. Xue Neng, once Xu commander, knew the troops' mood. Neng quartered Xu troops inside the city out of old goodwill. Zhou Ji expelled Xue Neng and seized Xu. Shi Bo expelled Zhi Xiang at Xuzhou after Xu's mutiny. Qi Kerang retreated to Yanzhou. The Yinshui camp dissolved. In the tenth month the rebels crossed the Huai in force. Huang Chao styled himself ruler of all lands; north of the Huai his host pressed men into service without looting.
143
The eleventh month opened on xinhai. On jisi rebels entered Luoyang; Liu Yunzhang welcomed them and the city stayed calm. On renshen Guo fell. On bingzi Tong Pass defenders fled.
144
殿 使 使 宿使 使使
The twelfth month opened on gengchen. On xinsi rebels held Tong Pass. Tian Lingzi and Lu Xie misruled the court into collapse. Lingzi demoted Lu Xie and made Wang Hui and Pei Che chancellors. On jiashen Wang Hui and Pei Che joined the council. Lu Xie was demoted to heir-apparent guest. Lu Xie poisoned himself on news of the rebels. That day the emperor fled south unseen by officials; the capital seemed calm. At dusk Zhang Zhifang welcomed Huang Chao into Chang'an. On renchen Huang Chao declared the Great Qi and era Jintong. He displayed regalia and issued a false amnesty at Danfeng Gate. Pi Rixiu and Shen Yunxiang became rebel academicians. The false amnesty read: "The rites of yielding the throne have long been abandoned; flight and hiding rightly stir distress. Officials of third rank and above are all suspended from current posts; fourth rank and below should return to former positions." Zhao Zhang, Shang Rang, and Cui Kui took top rebel posts. At the time the chief ministers Doulu Zhuan and Cui Hang, the former chief minister and left vice director Liu Ye, the crown prince's junior preceptor Pei Shen, vice censor-in-chief Zhao Meng, vice minister of justice Li Pu, and former chief minister Yu Cong had all failed to catch up with the imperial escort. They hid in neighborhood lanes, were captured by the rebels, and were all killed. Zheng Qi and Zheng Xi hanged their families rather than serve rebels. Zhonghe 1 opened with the court at Xingyuan. Xiao Zhan took war and salt transport. He soon joined the Grand Council while keeping transport. Liu Hanhong, prefect of Suzhou, was made prefect of Yuezhou, military commissioner of Zhendong, and observation and disposition commissioner of eastern Zhejiang. An edict ordered Zheng Congdang, military commissioner of Taiyuan, to dispatch the troops of his circuit and join the field armies of Zhuge Shuang, deputy commissioner for punitive operations of the northern command; Zhu Mei, prefect of Daizhou and cavalry-and-infantry commandant of the northern field command; Li Sigong, general from Xiazhou; and others in marching to the capital to attack the rebels. Wang Chongrong expelled Li Du at Hezhong.
145
使
In the second month Chen Jingsi, chief supervisory controller of the northern field command at Daizhou, led thirty thousand men from the Shatuo, Sage, Anqing, and other three tribal groups, together with Tuhun forces, to aid Guanzhong; they halted at Jiangzhou. Zhai Ji rebelled; the court pardoned the Li clan to fight rebels.
146
使西使使使使
Keyong answered the summons but plundered north of Yanmen. Zheng Tian, military commissioner of Fengxiang, was made acting minister of works, vice director of the Chancellery, and grand councillor, and appointed supreme commander of the western-capital field commands; he formed an alliance and raised troops with Cheng Zongchu, military commissioner of Jingyuan, Qiu Gongyu, strategy commissioner of Qinzhou, Li Xiaochang, military commissioner of Fu-Yan, Tuoba Sigong, military commissioner of Xiazhou, and others, and sent proclamations throughout the empire. Zheng Tian crushed rebels at Longwei Slope.
147
使使
Keyong received northern command and Dai prefecture.
148
退
Keyong marched ten thousand south through Shiling to save Chang'an. On dingsi Shatuo reached Taiyuan and were fed. On xinyou Congdang gave meager bounty; Keyong grew angry. Keyong's troops plundered Taiyuan. Qibi Tong fought Shatuo at Jinwang Ridge. Shatuo seized Yuci and Yangqu and withdrew. That day wind blew and dust fell like rain. Zhao Yin died and was posthumously Minister of Works.
149
退 西使
In the sixth month Shatuo returned to Dai. The court reached Chengdu; Chen Jingxuan welcomed it.
150
西 使西 使使 使使 使使使西使 使西 便
The seventh month opened on dingwei. On yimao the court entered western Shu. On dingsi the era became Zhonghe with universal amnesty. Wei Zhaodu joined the council. Wang Duo, palace attendant, was made acting grand commandant and director of the Secretariat, concurrently prefect of Huazhou, military commissioner of Yicheng, and observation and disposition commissioner of Zheng-Hua, and also overall commander of the field commands on the four sides of the capital; Cui Anqian became deputy commander. Ximen Sigong oversaw campaign armies. Wei Zhaodu supplied the armies. Gao Pian delayed half a year; Wang Duo replaced him. Wang Chongrong, military commissioner of Hezhong, was made northern-side commander of the capital; Wang Chucun, military commissioner of Yiwu, eastern-side commander; Li Xiaochang, military commissioner of Fu-Yan, western-side commander; and Tuoba Sigong, military commissioner of Shuofang, southern-side commander. Yang Fuguang replaced Ximen Sigong as army supervisor. Wang Duo could act at discretion. Envoys levied troops for Guanzhong.
151
使 退 使 使 使退
In the eighth month allied armies camped at Wei Bridge. Zhu Mei was beaten back to Fengtian. Zhuge Shuang surrendered and took a false Heyang post. Qin Zongquan was made Chai defense commissioner. Gao Xun lost to Li Xiang and fell back to Hezhong. Rebels took Tongzhou.
152
使使 西 使使西
Liu Guang seized Lu prefecture. Meng Fangli killed Liu Guang. Meng Fangli became acting commander at Xing. An order made Wang Hui, commissioner for urging the formations on the four sides of the capital and acting minister of war, acting left vice director of the Department of State Affairs, concurrently chief secretary of the Luzhou grand commandery, and military commissioner of Zhaoyi with observation authority over Lu, Xing, Ming, and Ci. Gao Xun was banished to Duanzhou. Allied armies camped at Wugong. Li Changyan replaced the ill Zheng Tian at Fengxiang.
153
使
Qingzhou troops made Wang Jingwu acting commander.
154
In the twelfth month Wang Duo, overall commander of the field armies, led thirty thousand troops from the forbidden armies and from Shannan East and East Chuan to the capital region and camped at Zhouzhi. Zhonghe 2 opened with the capital starving amid converging allies. Rebels bought people from allied camps with gold. Armies sold refugees they captured.
155
退
Tang Hongfu routed Lin Yan at Xingping. Wang Chucun entered Chang'an as rebels feigned flight. Citizens cheered Wang Chucun's entry. Allied troops looted mansions and seized women. Rebels re-entered and routed Chucun. Huang Chao massacred men after the welcome for Chucun. Allies withdrew and rebel power surged.
156
Su You was killed fleeing Shatuo.
157
西
The seventh month opened on xinchou. On bingwu night a crimson arc filled the sky. Snow and cold decimated Shang Rang's force at Yijun.
158
使使 使
In the eighth month, on gengzi, Zhu Wen, the rebel defense commissioner of Tongzhou, killed his army supervisor Yan Shi and came over in surrender with the generals Hu Zhen, Xie Tong, and others. Wang Duo, acting by delegated authority, appointed him prefect of Huazhou and commissioner of Tong Pass defense and Zhenguo Army. Han Jian drove Zhuge Shuang from Heyang.
159
Rebels installed Huang Ye at Hua. Huang Chao killed Li Xiang and replaced him with Huang Ye. Taiyuan peaches and apricots flowered out of season.
160
西 使 使使
Tenth month: cloudless thunder in the northwest was called "Heaven Dog Falling." Tang Qun was moved from Lan amid Shatuo ties. Tang Qun killed the envoy and admitted Shatuo. Han Jian killed Cao Quanchao at Yanzhou. Zhu Xuan held Yan and made peace with Han Jian.
161
Chen Jingsi brought seventeen thousand Shatuo cavalry to Hezhong. Wang Yu replaced the slain Gui Ming at Hua.
162
使 使
The twelfth month opened on jihai. On gengxu Wang Jingchong, military commissioner of Chengde, observation and disposition commissioner of Zhen, Ji, Shen, and Zhao, grandee of palace leisure with the three excellencies, acting grand commandant, director of the Secretariat, supreme pillar of state, Prince of Changshan commandery with six thousand households, died. He was posthumously made grand tutor and given the posthumous title Loyal and Solemn. Wang Yin succeeded his father as acting commander. Zhonghe 3 opened at Chengdu. Li Keyong reached Hezhong. Shatuo camped at Qian Pit in Sha Yuan.
163
使 使
Huang Ye was captured fleeing Hua. Li Hanzhi routed Han Jian at Wuzhi. Yue Yanzhen replaced the slain Han Jian at Weibo. Keyong was advanced to left vice premier.
164
The third month opened on dingmao. Shatuo routed rebels at Chengdian for thirty li of dead. Wang Chongrong built a corpse mound.
165
使 使 使滿使 使 殿
The fourth month opened on dingyou. Allied armies routed rebels at Wei Bridge. Li Keyong pursued. On jimao Huang Chao fled through Lantian. On gengchen Chang'an was recovered. Overall campaign army supervisor Yang Fuguang memorialized victory to the court, saying: "Lately demons rose in mist markets and gathered in shrines, while governors and frontier lords were lax against bandits. They thought the dynasty could always harbor traitors; they let wickedness grow in peacetime. Huang Chao spread revolt and drove the people. Rebels forged weapons and terrorized day and night. Southern losses fed the rebels' strength. Rebel cruelty reached the empire's heart. The capitals and countryside were ruined. Ten circuits destroyed the rebels by the ancestral temples' power. Wang Chongrong was bold and loyal. Chongrong sheltered civilians and reduced rebel bands. Chongrong's victory came after long restraint. Chongrong's beacons blazed at the capital gates. Trapped rebels rushed every escape. Li Keyong was loyal, skilled, and fierce. Keyong killed rebels with his own hand and led every charge. Keyong marched south and never forgot the enemy. On the eighth Keyong's thirty-two commands entered through Guangtai Gate. He also sent seventy more commands onward into the capital, including the Hezhong generals Liu Rang, Wang Gui, Ji Junwu, and Sun Gong; Qiao Congyu, senior general of Zhongwu; Han Congwei, general from Zheng-Hua; Shentu Bian, senior general of Jingnan; Jia Tao, senior general of Cangzhou; Zhang Zhongqing, senior general of Yi-Ding; Zhang Xingfang, senior general of Shouzhou; Gu Yanlang, senior general of Tiande; the Left Divine Strategy crossbowmen Zhen Junchu and Gongsun Zuo; Yang Shouliang, commissioner of the Hengchong Army; Gao Zhouyi, commander of the Nieyun force; Hu Zhen, commander of the Zhongshun force; and the Jiangzhou army supervisors Mao Xuanbo and Nie Hongyu. Rebels still held firm lines. Keyong's shouts shook the battlefield. From mao to shen Keyong crushed the rebels. The encirclement from Wangchun to Shengyang spared no blow. Rebels fled into Shangshan awaiting decapitation. Yanmen ranked first in recovering the capital. Other officers likewise drove hard; with my own more than twenty thousand, years in wind and rain—now that calm is achieved, all are recorded and reported." The victory report brought court congratulations.
166
使 使使 使 使使 西祿使 使祿 使 使耀 鹿 使 使
In the fifth month an order made Wang Chongrong, military commissioner of Hezhong and acting right vice director of the Department of State Affairs, acting minister of works and grand councillor; the rest of his posts remained as before. Li Keyong, military commissioner of the field command north of Yanmen, observation and disposition commissioner of Xin, Dai, Yu, Shuo, and related prefectures, acting left vice director of the Department of State Affairs, prefect of Daizhou, supreme pillar of state, and holder of an estate of seven hundred households, was made acting minister of works and grand councillor, concurrently prefect of Taiyuan and defender of the northern capital, and military commissioner of Hedong with observation and disposition authority within the circuit. Wang Chucun was advanced to education minister and councillor. Zhu Wen became Xuanwu commander and received the name Quanzhong. Zhu Mei became councillor and Marquis of Wuxing. Dongfang Kui joined the council. Wang Duo was relieved as overall commander of the field army, retained as before the titles acting grand preceptor and director of the Secretariat, was advanced to Duke of Jin with an added estate of two thousand households, and kept his military and observation commands as before. Tian Lingzi favored Fuguang and demoted Wang Duo. Overall campaign army supervisor Yang Fuguang was advanced Palladium Grand Preceptor, Duke of Hongnong with three thousand households, made Tong-Hua and related circuits disposition commissioner, and granted the title "Merit-Faith, Glorious Arms, Nation-Righting, Rebellion-Pacifying Merit Lord." The sixth month opened on yiwei. Yang Fuguang died; his generals dispersed. Tian Lingzi kept rebel rewards thin. Lingzi demoted Yang Fugong to Flying Dragon commissioner. Huang Chao besieged Chenzhou. Qin Zongquan made peace after defeat at Cai. Zhao Chou ambushed and killed Meng Kai. The rebels mourned their favorite Meng Kai. Huang Chao besieged Chenzhou in force. The Chen alliance ravaged the countryside. Rebels cannibalized captives in "Pounding-Mill Stockades." Shi Bo, Zhou Ji, and Zhu Quanzhong relieved Chen.
167
西使
In the seventh month an order granted Chen Jingxuan, military commissioner of Xichuan, grandee of palace leisure with the three excellencies, acting grand commandant, grand councillor, prefect of Chengdu, supreme pillar of state, Prince of Yingchuan commandery with three thousand households and four hundred households in actual fief, an iron certificate. Zheng Congdang was summoned to court.
168
使
Li Keyong returned to Taiyuan. An order made Li Guochang, former military commissioner of Zhenwu, acting minister of works, concurrently Chanyu protector-general, and censor-in-chief, acting minister over the masses, prefect of Daizhou, military commissioner of the field command north of Yanmen, and observation commissioner of Yu, Shuo, and related prefectures. Li Guochang died.
169
Qin Zongquan besieged Xu.
170
鹿使
Li Keyong was ordered to aid Chen and Xu. Lu Yanhong seized Xingyuan. Zhonghe 4 opened at Chengdu.
171
使使
Zhuge Shuang blocked Keyong at Zezhou.
172
The third month opened on renxu. Keyong crossed the river and marched on Luoyang.
173
使 西 西 退
The fourth month opened on xinmao. Shatuo fought at Xuzhou with Zhou Ji. Shang Rang and Huang Ye held fodder at Taikang and Xihua. Shatuo stormed Taikang and Xihua. Rebels fled; Huang Chao held Yancheng. Zheng Changtu joined the council.
174
輿 宿 使 使
The fifth month opened on xinyou. Shatuo pursued Huang Chao north. Shatuo camped at Weishi. Floods three feet deep stalled the pursuit. At Zhongmou half the rebels were killed or drowned. Rebel bands surrendered to Shi Bo and Zhu Quanzhong. Keyong defeated Huang Chao at Fengqiu. Keyong seized regalia and fifty thousand captives. Chao's six-year-old son was captured. Huang Chao fled east with remnants. Keyong pursued two hundred li until horses dropped dead. Keyong withdrew for lack of grain and horses. Quanzhong hosted Keyong at Shangyuan Post. Quanzhong plotted against the weakened Keyong. Quanzhong ambushed and burned the post. Rain saved Keyong as he scaled the wall. Three hundred followers and Shi Jingsi were killed. Keyong returned to Taiyuan via Xu. Li Shiyue pursued Chao toward Yanzhou.
175
使
Zhu Xuan reported victory at Hexiang.
176
使 西
The seventh month opened on jiwei. Lin Yan beheaded Huang Chao and surrendered to Shi Bo. Li Shiyue had nearly destroyed the rebels at Xiaqiu. Lin Yan killed Chao at Wolf-Tiger Valley and surrendered. Victory over Huang Chao was celebrated at court. Li Keyong demanded war on Bianzhou. The throne appeased Keyong with Longxi dukedom. Quanzhong and Keyong became bitter enemies.
177
西使鹿
Lu Yanhong plundered Xu fleeing east. Fuguang's old generals received slight guard posts.
178
Eastern circuits asked the emperor home.
179
鹿 使
Lu Yanhong seized Xu and was attacked by Qin Zongquan. An order made Wang Duo, military commissioner of Yicheng, acting grand preceptor, director of the Secretariat, supreme pillar of state, and Duke of Jin, prefect of Cangzhou, military commissioner of Yichang, and observation and disposition commissioner of Cang-De.
180
使 使使
Wang Hui asked the emperor to return to Chang'an. Return to Chang'an was set for the new year. Wang Duo was murdered at Gaoji Po. Guangqi 1 opened at Chengdu. On jimao Xizong left Shu for the capital.
181
The second month opened on dinghai. On bingshen the court halted at Fengxiang.
182
殿 西 使鹿 西 使
The third month opened on bingchen. On dingmao the court reached Chang'an. On jisi Guangqi was proclaimed with amnesty. At that time Li Changfu held Fengxiang; Wang Chongrong held Pu and Shan; Zhuge Shuang held Heyang and Luoyang; Meng Fangli held Xing and Ming; Li Keyong held Taiyuan and Shangdang; Zhu Quanzhong held Bian and Hua; Qin Zongquan held Xu and Cai; Shi Pu held Xu and Si; Zhu Xuan held Yun, Qi, Cao, and Pu; Wang Jingwu held Zi and Qing; Gao Pian held the eight prefectures of Huainan; Qin Yan held Xuan and She; and Liu Hanhong held eastern Zhejiang. All monopolized troops and taxes, swallowed each other in turn, and the court could not control them. Tax routes collapsed; only tribute reached court. Only four remote circuits obeyed the throne. Royal authority collapsed as prefects ruled themselves. Shi Bo was made prince and commander against Cai. Zhu Quanzhong was made prince to fight Cai. Dong Chang conquered eastern Zhe prefectures. The court then made Dong Chang prefect of Yuezhou, military commissioner of Zhendong, and observation commissioner of eastern Zhejiang, and made Qian Liu, senior general of Hangzhou, prefect of Hangzhou.
183
使
Wang Yin presented oxen, tools, and arms.
184
使使 調 使 使 使
Tian Lingzi took the Ten Armies. Lingzi built fifty-four thousand-man guard commands. Revenue failed to pay the swollen armies and offices. Salt pools at Anyi and Jie had special officers. Chongrong sent three thousand salt carts yearly to court. Lingzi sought to reclaim salt pools for the guards. Chongrong protested that Hezhong needed salt revenue.
185
使使 使 使 殿
In the fifth month an order made Wang Chongrong, military commissioner of Hezhong, acting minister over the masses, grand councillor, prefect of Hezhong, supreme pillar of state, and Prince of Langya commandery, acting grand tutor and grand councillor, concurrently prefect of Yanzhou and military, observation, and disposition commissioner of Yan, Yi, and Hai, replacing Qi Kerang. Qi Kerang was made acting minister over the masses, concurrently prefect of Dingzhou and censor-in-chief, and military and observation commissioner of Yiwu and Beiping Army, replacing Wang Chucun. Wang Chucun took Hezhong command. Xizong received the honorific Ultimate Virtue, Glorious Power, Filial Emperor.
186
使使退 使使 使
The sixth month opened on jiayin. On bingchen Dingzhou Wang Chucun reported: "Youzhou commissioner Li Keju and Zhenzhou commissioner Wang Yin each sent great generals leading troops to invade my circuit; I have beaten them all back." Keju and Yin plotted to seize Yi and Ding. Li Quanzhong plotted to seize Yanzhou command. Chucun's surprise cavalry routed the Yan besiegers. Li Keju burned himself; Li Quanzhong seized Youzhou. Cangzhou made Lu Yanwei acting commander. An order made Cao Cheng, commander in the Baoluan force, acting minister over the masses, concurrently prefect of Qianzhou and military and observation commissioner of Qianzhong, acting grand guardian, concurrently prefect of Cangzhou, and military commissioner of Yichang with observation authority over Cang-De. Lingzi sent Zhu Mei against Hezhong.
187
Zhu Mei camped at Sha Yuan. Chongrong sought Taiyuan's aid.
188
Li Keyong marched south through Yindi.
189
Hezhong and Taiyuan faced the guards at Sha Yuan.
190
使 輿 使
The twelfth month opened on xinhai. Shatuo routed the government army; Zhu Mei fled. Imperial guards plundered Chang'an. Shatuo pressed Chang'an; Xizong fled to Fengxiang. Chang'an still looked intact under Huang Chao. Allied looting burned seven or eight parts in ten of the city. Wang Hui had barely restored order. Mutineers burned the barely rebuilt capital to weeds. Guangqi 2 opened at Fengxiang. Keyong, Zhu Mei, and Chongrong denounced Tian Lingzi at Fengxiang. Yang Fugong returned to palace secrets. Lingzi drove the court toward Xingyuan. On gengyin the court halted at Baoji. Kong Wei was sent to gather lagging officials. A night flight left most officials behind; Kong Wei was sent to fetch them. Xiao Zhan summoned Zhu Mei against Lingzi. Zhu Mei reached Fengxiang with five thousand. Lingzi fled into San Pass before Zhu Mei. Zhu Mei chased the imperial train to Zuntu. The ill Prince of Xiang was seized by Zhu Mei. At that time Shi Junshe, military commissioner of Xingyuan, heard that the imperial carriage had entered the passes, so he dismantled the plank roads and blocked the strategic defiles with palisades. The imperial carriage barely reached safety by another route, with Binzhou troops following close behind, and several times struggled through dangerous and rugged ground.
191
使西使
On the first day of the second month, xinhai, Tian Lingzi, commissioner for inspecting army morale of the ten armies and grandee of palace leisure, was made army supervisor of Jiannan West; Yang Fugong, inner privy commissioner, was made commandant of the Left Divine Strategy Army.
192
使 使 使
The third month opened on gengchen. Shi Jun she joined Zhu Mei. On bingshen the court reached Xingyuan. Du Rangneng was made Vice Minister of War; Kong Wei joined the council with salt transport. Guard generals beat Bin troops at Fengzhou. On gengxu night Mars trespassed the moon's horn. On renzi Zhu Mei and Li Changfu forced chief minister Xiao Gou and the others at the Fengxiang relay lodge to request that Yun, heir Prince of Xiang, provisionally supervise military and state affairs. Zhu Mei made himself great chancellor and army overseer. Zhu Mei escorted the false emperor to Chang'an.
193
使 使 使 使 使
The fifth month opened on jimao. On gengchen the Prince of Xiang declared era Jianzhen. Xiao Zhan was demoted for opposing the usurpation. Zhu Mei took transport and the attendancy. Pei Che became right vice premier and revenue chief. Zheng Changtu took Households. Xiao Zhan retired to Yongle. The usurper enfeoffed warlords. Gao Pian, military commissioner of Huainan, acting grand commandant, and concurrently palace attendant, was made grand preceptor, director of the Secretariat, salt-and-iron transport commissioner for the Yangzi and Huai, and overall commander of the troops of the field commands in all circuits. Lü Yongzhi, right senior yaya of Huainan and prefect of Hezhou, was made acting minister of war, concurrently prefect of Guangzhou and military commissioner of Lingnan East. Liu She, vice minister of revenue, was ordered to go to Jiang-Huai to issue proclamations and reassurances, and Xiahou Tan, vice minister of revenue, to do the same in Hebei. Many regional commanders accepted their false appointments, but Dingzhou, Taiyuan, Xuanwu, and Hezhong alone refused to receive them. A comet crossed Winnow Basket through Bootes. Famine in Jingnan and Xiangyang drove cannibalism. Liu Chongwang carried Fugong's peace edicts. Chongrong and Keyong offered silk and vowed to kill Zhu Mei. Court and allies celebrated the reconciliation.
194
使 西
Yang Shouliang took Jin-Shang command. Shouliang marched twenty thousand in concert with allies. Wang Xingyu camped fifty thousand at Fengzhou.
195
鹿 使西使
Qin Zongquan killed Lu Yanhong at Xu. Shouliang took Shannan West command. Shouliang defeated Wang Xingyu at Xing.
196
使
Kuangwei succeeded Li Quanzhong at Youzhou.
197
使 西
Fugong secretly turned Wang Xingyu loyal. Hua troops expelled An Shiru. Quanzhong killed An Shiru and took Yicheng. On renchen night a white rainbow shone west.
198
紿 輿 使
Sun Ru took Zhengzhou. Sun Ru attacked Heyang. The twelfth month opened on yisi. Wang Xingyu returned to Chang'an on a secret edict. On xinyou Wang Xingyu beheaded Zhu Mei and several hundred of his partisans, then let the troops plunder freely. Bitter cold after plunder left corpses frozen in the streets. Chongrong executed the false emperor and half his court. Chongrong sent the usurper's head to Xingyuan. The court planned a victory ritual at Xingyuan. Erudite Yin Yingsun memorialized: I humbly submit that the false Yun violated the ancestral altars and usurped the imperial carriage. The calamity of deceiving Heaven was already full, and the crime of stealing the state was grave; he indeed met overthrow and went to execution. Now that the monster within the ninefold palace has been removed, all living beings in the myriad states rejoice; the rite of congratulations should be displayed to manifest the imperial plan. Yet in public discussion there is something not yet accepted. I have examined the ritual classics: when a member of the ducal clan has committed a crime and the case is complete, the responsible officials report to the lord, "So-and-so's crime lies in capital punishment." The lord says, "Pardon him." After this happens three times, the officials run out and carry out the punishment; the lord again sends someone to tell them, "Even so, he should still be pardoned." The officials say, "It is too late!" The lord wears plain clothing for him and does not enjoy music for three months. The Zuo Tradition says: When the lord of Wei was in Jin, the Wei minister Yuan Xuan established the lord of Wei's younger brother Shuwu. When the lord of Wei entered his state, Shuwu was killed by the vanguard; the lord of Wei wept for him, and Zuo recorded it. Now the false Yun was an imperial clansman. Though he committed a crime deserving extraordinary death and should suffer slaughter, how can one face the court officials and receive congratulations? I believe that Yun's lineage was tied to the golden branches and his name marked in the jade registers. In the moment of coercion, he could not keep integrity and die for loyalty, but instead willingly embraced a rebel plot; his crime truly floods Heaven, and the punishment cannot be pardoned. Since he has already been dealt with before the army, he should now be reduced to commoner status and cut off from the clan register; his head should still be entrusted to the local authorities for burial with commoner rites. For the celebration of the great victory, it would be appropriate to offer congratulations on the day Zhu Mei's head arrives. Above, this does not distress the imperial heart; below, it does not harm propriety. It accords with the meaning of the ritual classics and removes doubts inside and outside the court.
199
使 使 使 使 使 使
The victory ceremony was canceled. When Zhu Mei's head arrived the tower rite was held. Sun Ru took Heyang; Li Hanzhi and Zhang Quanyi held Ze and Huai. Guangqi 3 opened at Xingyuan. Wang Xingyu received Binning command. Li Qian took Qianzhong; Li Maozhen took Wuding command; Yang Shouzong took Jin-Shang; Chen Pei took Xuan-She. Zhang Jun joined the council.
200
使
Liu Hao expelled Zhou Bao at Runzhou.
201
使 使 殿
The third month opened on yihai. On jiashen the court halted at Fengxiang returning home. Li Changfu asked the court to wait for palace repairs. Pei Che and Zheng Changtu were beheaded at Qishan. Xiao Zhan was ordered to die at Yongle. Kong Wei took salt transport. Du Rangneng, grand academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies, vice director of the Secretariat, minister of war, and grand councillor, was advanced to Duke of Xiangyang commandery, and his estate was increased by three thousand households.
202
Bi Shiduo seized Yangzhou and imprisoned Gao Pian. Qin Xian besieged Bian with thirty-six camps. Zhu Jin and Zhu Xuan reinforced Bian.
203
退 使使
The fifth month opened on jiaxu. Qin Zongquan reinforced Qin Xian. Allies routed Cai rebels at Bianxiao Village. Sun Ru massacred Heyang and withdrew. Government troops recovered central prefectures. Yang Shouzong and Meng Congyi took Xu and Zheng. Li Hanzhi and Zhang Quanyi recovered Heyang and Luoyang. Bi Shiduo made Qin Yan Yangzhou commissioner.
204
使 使
The sixth month opened on guimao. Yang Shouli and Li Changfu's men brawled in the street. Imperial envoys failed to stop the brawl; troops stood guard. Shouli attacked Changfu in the avenue. Changfu fled to Long; Li Maozhen was sent against him. Chang Xingru killed Wang Chongrong and made Chongying commander. On bingchen the Directorate of Sacrifices memorialized: "The Ancestral Temple has eleven chambers, eight distant-ancestor chambers, and three separate chambers for Empress Xiaoming and others; since the train twice went to the south all were burned and spirit tablets lost. Repair spirit tablets before the palace return," they urged." Zheng Yanchang was ordered to repair the temples. Yanchang proposed a temporary temple in the palace directorate hall. He asked eleven bays built to match eleven chambers. "Follow canonical ritual," the throne replied.
205
使西使
Li Maozhen took Long and sent Changfu's head to court. On bingzi an order made Li Maozhen, military commissioner of Wuding, acting left vice director of the Department of State Affairs, concurrently prefect of Yangzhou, censor-in-chief, supreme pillar of state, Duke of Longxi commandery with fifteen hundred households, acting minister of works and grand councillor, concurrently prefect of Fengxiang and military commissioner of Fengxiang-Longyou and related commands.
206
使
Bi Shiduo killed Gao Pian. Sun Ru crossed the Huai as Yangzhou starved.
207
使 使
Xingmi took Yangzhou as Yan and Bi fled to Sun Ru. Xingmi begged Zhu Quanzhong for aid against Guangling. Zhu Quanzhong received Huainan command. Li Fan reinforced the Huai mouth.
208
使使 使
Wang Jian and Gu Yanlang besieged Chengdu. Wende 1 opened at Fengxiang. An order posthumously made Zheng Tian, former military, observation, and disposition commissioner of Fengxiang-Longyou, acting minister over the masses, grand councillor, concurrently prefect of Fengxiang, supreme pillar of state, founding duke of Xingyang commandery with three thousand households, minister over the masses, with the posthumous title Literary and Illustrious. Sun Ru killed Qin Yan and Bi Shiduo.
209
使使 使使
The second month opened on jisi. On renwu the court entered Chang'an from Fengxiang. Weibo mutinied. Yue Yanzhen was expelled. Congxun attacked Weibo; Luo Zongbian resisted. Zhu Zhen crossed the river to aid Congxun. On wuzi era Wende was proclaimed. Chancellor Wei Zhaodu was also made Minister of Works; Kong Wei and Du Rangneng were made Left and Right Vice Premiers, advanced Palladium Grand Preceptor, and granted the title "Uphold Crisis, Open Fortune, Guard and Pacify Merit Lord." Zhang Jun became war minister and Palladium Grand Preceptor. Left and Right Divine Strategy Ten Armies overseer, Left Golden Guard senior general, Left and Right Street merit commissioner, Pillar of State, Duke of Hongnong Yang Fugong was advanced Duke of Wei with seven thousand added households and granted the title "Loyal and True, Opening Sage, Stabilizing Nation Merit Lord." Li Qian, commander in the Baoluan force and military commissioner of Qianzhong, was made acting minister over the masses and grand councillor; Chen Pei, commander in the Baoluan force, was made acting minister of works, prefect of Guangzhou, and military commissioner of Lingnan East. Frontier lords were promoted variously. Xizong received the honorific Sagely Literary, Sagely Virtue, Glorious Martial, Grand Filial Emperor.
210
殿 殿
On wuxu the honorific was received in the main hall. On gengzi Xizong fell gravely ill. On renyin death approached. Prince of Shou Li Jie was named heir to manage affairs. That night Xizong died at twenty-seven and was temple-named Xizong. In the twelfth month he was buried at Jing Mausoleum. 【Historian's appraisal】 The historian writes: Xizong reigned young under eunuchs, vigilant and deeply cautious. The realm collapsed: rebels shook the center and the throne fled far. Loyal generals still destroyed the rebels and avenged the dynasty. Tian Lingzi's error nearly ended the dynasty beyond saving. Yu's realm evokes grief for Wenming's toil; King Wen's Zhou foundation fell at last. Was collapse fate rather than Xizong's personal failing? Alas for the fallen house!
211
【Eulogy】 The cycles waned under a child emperor. Great bandits rose and heroes clashed like waves. Heaven sent mourning and loyalty ran thin. Restoring the throne was the imperial guards' merit.
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