1
薛嵩，絳州萬泉人。 祖仁貴，高宗朝名將，封平陽郡公。 父楚玉，為范陽、平盧節度使。 嵩少以門廕，落拓不事家產，有膂力，善騎射，不知書。 自天下兵起，束身戎伍，委質逆徒。 廣德元年，東都平，時皇太子為天下兵馬元帥，遣仆固懷恩東收河朔。 嵩為賊守相州，聞賊朝義兵潰，王師至，嵩惶惑迎拜於懷恩馬前，懷恩釋之，令守舊職。 時懷恩二心已萌。 懷恩平河朔旋，乃奏嵩及田承嗣、張忠誌、李懷仙分理河北道； 詔遂以嵩為相州刺史，充相、衛、洺、邢等州節度觀察使，承嗣鎮魏州，忠誌鎮恆州，懷仙鎮幽州，各據數州之地。 時多事之後，姑欲安人，遂以重寄委嵩。 嵩感恩奉職，數年間，管內粗理，累遷檢校右僕射。 大歷八年正月卒。 詔遣弟崿知留後，累加崿太子少師。 大歷十年正月丁酉，昭義軍兵馬使裴誌清盜所將兵逐崿，舉眾歸田承嗣以叛。 崿奔於洺州，上表乞入朝，許之。 至京，素服於銀臺門待罪，詔釋之。
Xue Song was a native of Wanquan in Jiang Prefecture. His grandfather Xue Rengui was a celebrated general under Emperor Gaozong and was enfeoffed as Duke of Pingyang. His father Xue Chuyu served as military commissioner of Fanyang and Pinglu. In youth Xue Song relied on hereditary privilege, lived freely without tending family property, possessed great physical strength and skill in mounted archery, and had no learning in books. When warfare engulfed the empire, he entered military service and pledged himself to the rebel cause. In the first year of Guangde (763), after the Eastern Capital was pacified, the Crown Prince—then commander-in-chief of imperial forces—sent Pugu Huai'en east to recover Hebei. Xue Song was defending Xiang Prefecture for the rebels. When he heard that Chaoyi's forces had collapsed and the imperial army had arrived, he came forward in alarm to bow in submission before Huai'en's horse. Huai'en spared him and let him retain his former post. By then Huai'en's divided loyalty had already begun to emerge. After pacifying Hebei and returning west, Huai'en memorialized that Xue Song, Tian Chengsi, Zhang Zhizhi, and Li Huaixian should each administer portions of the Hebei circuit. The court accordingly appointed Xue Song prefect of Xiang Prefecture and military commissioner and surveillance commissioner over Xiang, Wei, Ming, and Xing; Tian Chengsi garrisoned Wei Prefecture, Zhang Zhizhi Heng Prefecture, and Li Huaixian You Prefecture, each controlling several prefectures. In those troubled times the court wished chiefly to reassure the populace and therefore entrusted Xue Song with heavy responsibility. Grateful, Xue Song devoted himself to his duties. Within several years the territory under his charge was roughly in order, and he rose repeatedly to acting right vice minister of works. He died in the first month of the eighth year of Dali (773). An edict dispatched his younger brother Xue E to serve as acting commissioner; E was later promoted to junior tutor of the crown prince. On dingyou day of the first month of the tenth year of Dali (775), Pei Zhiqing, army-and-horse commissioner of the Zhaoyi Army, stole the troops under his command, drove out Xue E, and led his forces to Tian Chengsi in rebellion. Xue E fled to Ming Prefecture and submitted a memorial asking to come to court; permission was granted. On reaching the capital he wore plain garments at the Yintai Gate to await punishment; an edict released him.
2
嵩子平，年十二，為磁州刺史。 嵩卒，軍吏欲用河北故事，脅平知留後務，平偽許之，讓於叔父崿，一夕以喪歸。 及免喪，累授右衛將軍，在南衙凡三十年。 宰相杜黃裳深器之，薦為汝州刺史、兼御史中丞，理有能名。 元和七年，淮西用兵，自左龍武大將軍授兼御史大夫、滑州刺史、鄭滑節度觀察等使，累有戰功。 滑州城西距黃河二里，每歲常為水患。 平詢訪得古河道，接衛州黎陽縣界。 平率魏博節度使田弘正同上聞，開古河南北長十四里，決舊河以分水勢，滑人遂無水患。 居鎮六年，入為左金吾大將軍。 未幾，復為鄭滑節度觀察使。 及平李師道，朝廷以東平十二州析為三道，以淄、青、齊、登、萊五州為平盧軍，以平為節度、觀察等使，仍押新羅、渤海兩蕃使。
Xue Song's son Ping, at age twelve, was prefect of Ci Prefecture. When Xue Song died, the army officers wished to follow Hebei custom and coerce Ping into taking charge as acting commissioner. Ping feigned agreement, yielded to his uncle E, and returned overnight with the funeral train. After mourning was completed he was repeatedly appointed right guard general and served in the southern offices for thirty years altogether. Chief minister Du Huangshang greatly valued him and recommended him as prefect of Ru Prefecture and concurrent censor-in-chief; his governance won a reputation for competence. In the seventh year of Yuanhe (812), when troops were deployed against Huai West, he was transferred from left Longwu grand general to concurrent grand censor, prefect of Hua Prefecture, and military commissioner and surveillance commissioner of Zheng and Hua, winning repeated battle honors. Two li west of Hua Prefecture city lay the Yellow River, which flooded the area nearly every year. Xue Ping investigated and found an ancient river course reaching the border of Li Yang County in Wei Prefecture. Xue Ping joined Tian Hongzheng, military commissioner of Weibo, in reporting to the throne; they opened the ancient channel fourteen li north and south of the river, cut through the old course to divert the flood, and the people of Hua thereafter suffered no further inundation. After six years in command he entered court as left Golden Crow grand general. Before long he was again appointed military commissioner and surveillance commissioner of Zheng and Hua. When Li Shidao was pacified, the court divided Dongping's twelve prefectures into three circuits. Zi, Qing, Qi, Deng, and Lai—five prefectures—formed the Pinglu Army, and Xue Ping was made its military and surveillance commissioner while continuing as commissioner for Silla and Bohai.
3
長慶元年，幽鎮叛，杜叔良統橫海全軍討伐不勝，王庭湊圍牛元翼於深州。 棣州為賊所窘，朝廷乃委平以偏師援棣州，平即遣將李叔佐以兵五百救之。 居數月，刺史王稷饋給稍薄，兵士怨怒，叔佐不能戢，宵潰而歸。 仍推突將馬狼兒為帥，行及青城鎮，劫鎮將李自勸，並其眾； 次至博昌鎮，復劫其鎮兵，共得七千余人，徑逼青州城。 城中兵士不敵，平悉府庫並家財募二千精卒，逆擊之，仍先以騎兵掩其家屬輜重，賊眾惶惑反顧，因大敗。 狼兒與其同惡十數輩脫身竄匿，余黨降，稍後者斬於鞠場。 明日，狼兒亦就擒戮，脅從者放歸田裏。 詔加右僕射，進封魏國公，由是遠近畏伏平之威略。
In the first year of Changqing (821), You and Zhen rebelled. Du Shuliang led the entire Transocean Army in punitive attack but could not prevail, and Wang Tingcou besieged Niu Yuanji at Shen Prefecture. Di Prefecture was hard pressed by the rebels, and the court entrusted Ping with a detached force to relieve it. Ping immediately sent the general Li Shuzuo with five hundred troops to the rescue. After several months Prefect Wang Ji's supplies grew meager. The soldiers grew resentful, and Shuzuo could not restrain them; they fled by night and returned. They then pushed the assault officer Ma Lang'er to be commander. Reaching Qingcheng Post they robbed Post Commander Li Ziqin and his forces as well. Next at Bochang Post they again robbed its garrison, gathering more than seven thousand men in all, and pressed straight upon Qing Prefecture. The city's defenders could not match them. Xue Ping emptied the government storehouses and his household wealth to recruit two thousand elite troops, met and struck them, and first sent cavalry to strike at their families and baggage. The rebel masses looked back in alarm and were routed. Lang'er and more than ten fellow evildoers escaped and hid; the rest surrendered, and stragglers were beheaded at the drill ground. The next day Lang'er too was captured and executed; those coerced into following were released to return to their fields. An edict promoted him to right vice minister of works and advanced his enfeoffment to Duke of Wei; from this time near and far submitted to Xue Ping's martial prestige.
4
在鎮六周歲，兵甲完利，井賦均一。 至是入覲，百姓遮道乞留，數日乃得出。 時人以為近日節制，罕有其比。 寶歷元年，歸朝，進加檢校左僕射、兼戶部尚書。 逾月，復檢校司空，兼河中絳隰節度觀察等使。 大和二年，復以晉州，慈州隸河中，益兵三千人，加平檢校司徒。 在河中凡六年，召拜太子太保。 明年，上疏乞老，以司徒致仕，居一年卒，冊贈太傅。 嵩族子雄，初為嵩屬吏，知衛州事，嵩歿，特詔授衛州刺史。 魏博節度田承嗣誘為亂，雄不從，承嗣遣刺客盜殺之。
In six full years in command, arms and armor were complete and sharp, and well-field taxes were uniform. When he came to court for audience, common people blocked the road begging him to remain, and only after several days could he pass. People of the time thought that among recent military commissioners few could compare with him. In the first year of Baoli (825) he returned to court and was further promoted to acting left vice minister of works and concurrent minister of revenue. After more than a month he was again made acting minister of works and concurrent military commissioner and surveillance commissioner of Hezhong, Jiang, and Xi. In the second year of Dahe (828), Jin and Ci prefectures were again placed under Hezhong, three thousand troops were added, and Xue Ping was promoted to acting minister of education. After six years in Hezhong he was summoned and appointed heir apparent's grand protector. The next year he submitted a memorial begging to retire on account of age, retired with the rank of minister of education, lived one more year, and died; he was posthumously enfeoffed grand tutor. Xue Song's clansman Xiong had first served as a subordinate official under Song and managed affairs in Wei Prefecture. When Song died, a special edict appointed him prefect of Wei Prefecture. Tian Chengsi, military commissioner of Weibo, enticed him to rebel. Xiong refused, and Chengsi dispatched assassins who stole in and killed him.
5
令狐彰，京兆富平人也。 遠祖自燉煌徙家焉，代有冠冕。 父濞，天寶中任鄧州錄事參軍，以清白聞，本道采訪使宋鼎引為判官。 初任范陽縣尉，通幽州人女，生彰，及秩滿，留彰於母氏，彰遂少長范陽。 倜儻有膽氣，涉獵書傳，粗知文義，善弓矢，乃策名從軍，事安祿山。 天福中，以軍功累遷至左衛員外郎將。
Ling Huzhang was a native of Fuping in Jingzhao. A remote ancestor had moved the family from Dunhuang, and for generations there were officials of rank and distinction. His father Ling Bi, in the Tianbao era served as recorder of Deng Prefecture and was known for integrity; the circuit investigating commissioner Song Ding brought him in as aide. At first he served as magistrate of Fanyang County, married a woman of You Prefecture, and fathered Zhang. When his term ended he left Zhang with the mother's family, and Zhang thus grew up in Fanyang. Bold and daring, he read widely in books and records and had a rough grasp of literary meaning; skilled with bow and arrow, he then sought fame in the army and served An Lushan. In the Tianfu era, through military merit he was repeatedly promoted to acting left guard assistant commandant.
6
安祿山叛逆，以本官隨賊黨張通儒赴京師，通儒偽署為城內左街使。 王師收復二京，隨通儒等遁走河朔，又陷逆賊史思明，偽署為博州刺史及滑州刺史，令統數千兵戍滑臺。 彰感激忠義，思立名節，乃潛謀歸順。 會中官楊萬定監滑州軍，彰遂募勇士善於水者，俾乘夜涉河，達表奏於萬定，請以所管賊一將兵馬及州縣歸順，萬定以聞。 自祿山構逆，為賊守者，未有舉州向化，肅宗得彰表，大悅，賜書慰勞。 時彰移鎮杏園渡，遂為思明所疑，思明乃遣所親薛岌統精卒圍杏園攻之。 彰乃明示三軍，曉以逆順，眾心感附，鹹悉力為用。 與賊兵戰，大破之，潰圍而出，遂以麾下將士數百人隨萬定入朝。 肅宗深獎之，禮甚優厚，賜甲第一區、名馬數匹，並帷帳什器頗盛，拜御史中丞，兼滑州刺史、滑毫魏博等六州節度，仍加銀青光祿大夫，鎮滑州，委平殘寇。 及史朝義滅，遷御史大夫，封霍國公，尋加檢校工部尚書。 未幾，檢校右僕射，余並如故。
When An Lushan rebelled, Ling Huzhang followed the rebel partisan Zhang Tongru to the capital with his original office; Tongru falsely appointed him left street commissioner within the city. When the imperial army recovered the two capitals, he fled with Tongru and others to Hebei, then fell again to the rebel Shi Siming, who falsely appointed him prefect of Bo and Hua and ordered him to command several thousand troops garrisoning Huatai. Moved by loyalty and righteousness, Ling Huzhang wished to establish his name and integrity and therefore secretly plotted to return to allegiance. It happened that the palace eunuch Yang Wanding was supervising the Hua Prefecture army. Zhang recruited brave men skilled in water, had them cross the river by night, and reached Yang with a memorial asking to bring the rebel general's troops and the prefectures and counties under his command to allegiance; Wanding reported it. From the time Lushan raised rebellion, no defender of a rebel-held prefecture had turned an entire prefecture to allegiance. Emperor Suzong, receiving Zhang's memorial, was greatly pleased and sent a letter of consolation and encouragement. At that time Zhang moved his command to Xingyuan Ford and was therefore suspected by Siming. Siming dispatched his intimate Xue Ji to command elite troops to surround Xingyuan and attack. Zhang then openly addressed the three armies and instructed them in rebellion and loyalty. The troops were moved and attached, and all exerted their strength for his use. He fought the rebel troops, routed them, broke out of the encirclement, and then followed Wanding into court with several hundred officers and soldiers under his command. Emperor Suzong greatly rewarded him and treated him with exceptional favor, bestowing a first-rank residence, several famous horses, and abundant furnishings. He was appointed censor-in-chief, concurrently prefect of Hua and military commissioner of Hua, Bo, Wei, and three other prefectures, with the additional title silver-ribbon grand master for splendid happiness. He garrisoned Hua Prefecture and was entrusted with pacifying remnant bandits. When Shi Chaoyi was destroyed he was transferred to grand censor and enfeoffed Duke of Huo; soon he was additionally made acting minister of works. Before long he was made acting right vice minister of works, the rest remaining as before.
7
彰在職，風化大行。 滑州瘡痍未復，城邑為墟，彰以身勵下，一誌農戰，內檢軍戎，外牧黎庶，法令嚴酷，人不敢犯。 數年間，田疇大辟，庫藏充積，歲奉王稅及修貢獻，未嘗暫闕。 時犬戎犯邊，征兵防秋。 彰遣屬吏部統營伍，自滑至京之西郊，向二千餘里，甲士三千人，率自賚糧，所過州縣，路次供擬，皆讓而不受，經閭裏不犯秋毫，識者稱之。 然性識猜阻，人有忤意，不加省察，輒至斃踣，此其短也。 臨終，手疏辭表，誡子以忠孝守節，又舉能自代。 表曰：
In office Ling Huzhang's civilizing influence was greatly carried out. Hua Prefecture's wounds were not yet healed and its cities lay in ruins. Zhang by his own example encouraged those below, devoting himself to farming and warfare, inspecting the army within and tending the common people without. Laws and orders were stern and severe, and people dared not offend. Within several years fields were greatly opened and storehouses filled. Every year he presented royal taxes and tribute offerings without ever failing. At that time the Rong violated the frontier and troops were levied for autumn defense. Zhang dispatched a subordinate to organize camps and battalions. From Hua to the western suburbs of the capital, along more than two thousand li, three thousand armored soldiers each supplied their own provisions. Prefectures and counties along the route offered provisions, all of which they declined. Passing through villages they violated nothing—the knowledgeable praised this. Yet his nature was suspicious and obstructive. When anyone offended him he did not investigate and straightway killed them—this was his shortcoming. At the end of his life he personally wrote a memorial of resignation, admonishing his sons to keep loyalty, filial piety, and integrity, and also recommended able men to replace himself. The memorial said:
8
臣自事陛下，得備籓守，受恩則重，效節未終，長辭聖朝，痛入心骨，臣誠哀懇，頓首頓首。 臣受性剛拙，亦能包含。 頃因魚朝恩將掠亳州，遂與臣結怨，當其縱暴，臣不敢入朝，專聽天誅，即欲奔謁。 及魚朝恩死，即臣屬疾苦，又遭家艱，力微眼暗，行動須人，拜舞不能，數月有闕。 欲請替辭退，即日望稍瘳，冀得康強，榮歸朝覲。 自冬末舊疾益重，瘡腫又生，氣息奄奄，遂期殞歿。 不遂一朝天闕，一拜龍顏，臣禮不終，忠誠莫展，臣之大罪，下慚先代，仰愧聖朝。 臣竭誠事上，誓立大節，天地神明，實知臣心。 心不遂行，言發自痛。 當使倉糧錢絹羊馬牛畜一切已上，並先有部署； 三軍兵士，州縣官吏等，各恭舊職，祗待聖恩。 臣伏見吏部尚書劉晏及工部尚書李勉，知識忠貞，堪委大事，伏願陛下速令檢校，上副聖心。 臣男建等，性不為非，行亦近道，今勒歸東都私第，使他年為臣報國，下慰幽魂。 臨歿昏亂，伏表哀咽。
Your servant, having served Your Majesty, attained to frontier defense and received heavy favor yet did not complete devoted service. Long parting from the sacred court, pain enters heart and bone—your servant is truly mournful and earnest, bowing head, bowing head. Your servant's nature is blunt and awkward, yet can also be inclusive. Recently, because Yu Chao'en was about to plunder Bo Prefecture he formed a grudge with your servant. When he indulged in violence your servant dared not enter court and could only await heaven's punishment, then wished to rush to audience. When Yu Chao'en died, your servant then suffered illness and again encountered family bereavement. Strength slight, eyes dim, movement required another, bowing and dancing impossible—for several months there was absence. Wishing to request replacement and withdrawal, on that very day hope was slightly recovered, hoping to regain health and strength and honorably return to court audience. From late winter the old illness grew heavier, sores and swellings also arose, breath faint and feeble, and thus the term of death was reached. Not attaining one morning at the heavenly gate, one bow to the dragon countenance—your servant's rites are incomplete, loyalty and devotion cannot be displayed. This is your servant's great fault, below ashamed before forebears, above ashamed before the sacred court. Your servant devoted heart to serving above and vowed to establish great integrity. Heaven, earth, and the bright spirits truly know your servant's heart. The heart does not attain to action; words issue from pain. Grain stores, money, silk, sheep, horses, cattle, and livestock—all the above—already had prior arrangements. The three armies' soldiers, prefectural and county officials, and the like each respectfully kept their old posts, awaiting the sacred favor. Your servant has seen Minister of Personnel Liu Yan and Minister of Works Li Mian, who know loyalty and steadfastness and can be entrusted with great affairs. Your servant humbly wishes Your Majesty to quickly order them inspected and confirmed, to match the sacred heart. Your servant's sons Jian and the like, whose natures are not given to wrongdoing and whose conduct is also near the Way, are now ordered to return to the private residence in the Eastern Capital so that in future years they may repay the state for your servant and below comfort the hidden soul. At the approach of death, confused, your servant humbly presents the memorial in choked grief.
9
上覽表，嗟悼久之。 特下詔褒美曰：
The emperor, reading the memorial, sighed and mourned for a long time. A special edict praised and commended him, saying:
10
中衛社稷，外修疆事，合於一體，以靖庶邦，其在有終，謂之不朽。 觀前代文武通賢，有匡時戡難，撻於大化，不忘時君，未嘗不嘉尚而流嘆也。 今有忠烈之臣彰，剛直形外，純和積中，本於孝敬，輔以才略，統制籓閫，服勞王家。 往以母老，躬於就養，豈不戀闕，以茲曠年。 及苴麻在艱，優諭權奪，踴絕傷足，淚盡喪明，入覲之期，良願莫遂。 想其風彩，久軫顧懷，遽見淪沒，用深追悼。 嗟乎！ 方疾之時，以情自疏，無所有隱，見之於詞。 復節守常，條上軍簿，請擇良帥，命於中朝。 乃令遺胤，爰歸東洛，教忠以報國，約禮以居喪。 古人所謂生不交利，死不屬其子，夫豈遠哉！ 節概誠亮，高絕無鄰，喟然感傷，鑒寐增慟。 有以見東州士大夫勤王尊主之誌，用嘉其休，可以垂範，宣付史館，式昭名臣。
Guarding the altars of state within and repairing frontier affairs without, joining in one body to bring peace to the myriad states—having this at the end is called imperishable. Observing civil and military worthies of former ages who aided the age and quelled hardship, who roused great transformation and did not forget the ruler of the time, never were they not admired and sighed over. Now there is the loyal and fierce minister Zhang, whose uprightness appears outwardly and whose pure harmony accumulates within, rooted in filial respect and aided by talent and strategy, controlling the frontier barrier and laboring for the royal house. In the past, because his mother was old, he personally went to provide for her. Did he not yearn for the court? For this reason years were missed. When hemp mourning was in hardship, a gracious edict temporarily set it aside. Leaping cut the foot, tears exhausted dimmed the eyes—the term of entering court, a good wish not attained. Thinking of his bearing and style, for long the heart was pained with care. Suddenly seeing him sink and perish, deep mourning was pursued. Alas! When ill, by feeling he made himself remote, hiding nothing, seen in the words. Again preserving integrity and keeping constancy, item by item submitting the military registers, requesting selection of a good commander appointed from the central court. Then ordering the surviving heir to return to the eastern Luo, teaching loyalty to repay the state, binding ritual to observe mourning. What the ancients called not mingling profit in life and not entrusting sons at death—is it not near! Integrity and uprightness sincere and bright, lofty beyond neighbor—sighing in feeling, reflection in sleep increased grief. Thereby one sees the will of the eastern province's scholar-officials to serve the king and honor the ruler. Therefore his excellence is praised that it may be handed down as model; it is ordered transmitted to the Historiography Office to glorify the name of the minister.
11
子建、運、通。
His sons were Jian, Yun, and Tong.
12
建，大歷四年十二月，彰遣入朝，特加兼御史中丞，歸滑州。 及彰卒，滑三軍逼奪情禮，建守死不從，舉家歸京師。 服闋，累轉至右龍虎軍使。 德宗以涇原兵亂，出幸奉天，建方教射於軍中，遂以四百人隨駕為後殿。 至奏天，以建為行在中軍鼓角使。 幸梁州，轉行在右廂兵馬使、右羽林大將軍、兼御史大夫。 興元元年六月，加檢校左散騎常侍、行在都知兵馬使、左神武大將軍。 建妻李氏，恆帥寶臣女也，建惡，將棄之，乃誣與傭教生邢士倫奸通。 建召士倫榜殺之，因逐其妻。 士倫母聞，不勝其痛，卒。 李氏奏請按劾，詔令三司詰之。 李氏及奴婢款證，被誣頗明白，建方自首伏。 建會赦免坐。 德宗詔曰：「子育黎元，未能禁暴，在予之責，用軫於懷。 宜輟常膳五百千文，充葬士倫母子。 其父既衰耄，至無所歸，良深矜念，委京兆尹厚加存恤。」 貞元四年七月，以前官為右領軍大將軍。 五年三月，以專殺不辜，德宗念舊勛，特容貸之； 復陳訴，詞甚虛罔，遂貶旋州別駕同正，卒於貶所。 貞元六年九月，贈右領軍大將軍。 十年，贈揚州大都督。
Jian, in the twelfth month of the fourth year of Dali (769), Zhang dispatched him to enter court. He was specially additionally appointed concurrent censor-in-chief and returned to Hua Prefecture. When Zhang died, the three armies of Hua coerced and seized the mourning rites. Jian held firm and would not comply, and led the whole family to return to the capital. When mourning was completed he was repeatedly transferred up to dragon-tiger army commander of the right. When the Jingyuan troops rebelled, Emperor Dezong went out to favor Fengtian. Jian was just then teaching archery in the army and therefore followed with four hundred men as rear guard for the imperial progress. On reaching Zoutian he was made drum-and-horn commissioner of the central army in the traveling court. When the emperor favored Liang Prefecture he was transferred to traveling-court right wing army-and-horse commissioner, right Feathered Forest grand general, and concurrent grand censor. In the sixth month of the first year of Xingyuan (784) he was additionally made acting left regular attendant of scattered cavalry, traveling-court director of army-and-horse affairs, and left Divine Martial grand general. Jian's wife Lady Li was the daughter of Heng military commissioner Bao Chen. Jian detested her and was about to abandon her, and therefore falsely accused her of adultery with the hired tutor Xing Shilun. Jian summoned Shilun and had him beaten to death, then drove out his wife. Shilun's mother, hearing this, could not bear the pain and died. Lady Li submitted a request for investigation and prosecution. An edict ordered the three offices to interrogate the matter. Lady Li and the maidservants' confessions and evidence made the false accusation quite clear. Jian then confessed voluntarily. Jian encountered an amnesty and was exempted from punishment. Emperor Dezong's edict said: "In nurturing the black-haired people, I have been unable to forbid violence; the responsibility lies with me, and my heart is pained thereby. It is fitting to suspend ordinary meals to the amount of five hundred thousand cash to pay for burying Shilun and his mother. His father is already aged and decrepit, reaching the point of having nowhere to return; this deeply moves compassionate concern—entrust the metropolitan governor of Jingzhao to generously add support and comfort." In the seventh month of the fourth year of Zhenyuan (788) he was made right commanding army grand general with his former office. In the third month of the fifth year, for unauthorized killing of the innocent, Dezong, mindful of old merit, specially granted leniency. He again submitted a complaint, his words very false and deceptive, and was therefore demoted to Xuan Prefecture vice prefect of equal rank and died in the place of demotion. In the ninth month of the sixth year of Zhenyuan (790) he was posthumously enfeoffed right commanding army grand general. In the tenth year he was posthumously enfeoffed metropolitan governor of Yang Prefecture.
13
運為東都留守將，逐賊出郊，其日有劫轉運絹於道者，杜亞以運豪家子，意其為之，乃令判官穆員及從事張弘靖同鞠其事。 員與弘靖皆以運職在牙門，必不為盜，抗請不按。 亞不聽，而怒斥逐員等，令親事將武金鞫之。 金笞箠運從者十余人，一人笞死，九人不勝考掠自誣，竟無贓狀。 亞具以聞，請流運於嶺表。 德宗令侍御史李元素、刑部員外崔從質、大理司直盧士瞻三司覆按運獄，既竟，明運跡非行盜，以曾捕掠人於家，配流歸州。 武金肆虐作威，教人通款，配流建州。 後歲餘，齊抗捕得劫轉運絹賊郭鵠、硃瞿曇等七人及贓絹，詔令杜亞與留臺同劾之，皆首伏。 然終不原運，運死於歸州，眾冤之。
Yun was an Eastern Capital garrison general. While driving rebels out of the suburbs, on that day transport silk was robbed on the road. Du Ya, thinking Yun the son of a powerful family, suspected he had done it and therefore ordered aide Mu Yuan and attendant Zhang Hongjing jointly to try the matter. Yuan and Hongjing both held that Yun's duty was at the headquarters gate and he certainly would not be the thief. They resisted and requested that the case not be pressed. Ya would not listen but angrily rebuked and expelled Yuan and the others, ordering his personal attendant General Wu Jin to interrogate it. Jin flogged more than ten of Yun's attendants. One man was flogged to death; nine could not bear the torture and falsely confessed, yet in the end there was no evidence of stolen goods. Ya fully reported it and requested that Yun be banished to the Ling region. Dezong ordered attendant censor Li Yuansu, vice director of the Ministry of Punishments Cui Congzhi, and chief clerk of the Court of Judicial Review Lu Shizhan of the three offices to reexamine Yun's case. When finished, it was clear Yun's traces were not those of a thief in action. For having once captured and plundered people at home he was banished to Gui Prefecture. Wu Jin wantonly exercised power and taught people to confess falsely; he was banished to Jian Prefecture. More than a year later, Qi Kang captured the robbers of transport silk Guo Hu and Zhu Qutan and seven others together with the stolen silk. An edict ordered Du Ya and the Eastern Capital regent jointly to impeach them, and all confessed at the head. Yet in the end Yun was not pardoned. Yun died in Gui Prefecture, and the masses considered it injustice.
14
通，元和中，宰相李吉甫奏曰：「臣伏見代宗朝滑州節度使令狐彰臨終上表，悉以土地兵甲籍上朝廷，遣諸子隨表歸闕。 代宗以彰遺表宣示百僚，當時在位者聞之，無不感嘆。 今有次子通在。 臣每感彰同進河朔諸鎮，付子傳孫，無不燻灼數代； 唯彰忠義感激，奉國忘家，遣子入朝，以土地歸於先帝。 貞元中，長子建坐事死於施州，幼子運亦無罪流於歸州，欲使忠義之人，何所激勸？ 今通幸存，得遇明聖，伏乞陛下召之與語，如堪用，望垂獎錄。」 憲宗念彰之忠，即授通贊善大夫，出為宿州刺史。 時討淮、蔡，用為泗州刺史。 歲中改壽州團練使、檢校御史中丞。 每與賊戰，必虛張虜獲，得賊數人，即為露布上之。 宰相武元衡笑而不奏； 如有敗衄，即不敢上聞。 後為賊所攻，境上城柵並陷，通走固州城，閉壁不出。 憲宗遣李文通往宣慰，度其將至，遂令代通，貶為昭州司戶，移撫州司馬。 十四年，征為右衛將軍，制下，給事中崔植封還制書，言通前刺壽州失律，不宜遽加獎任。 憲宗令宰相宣喻門下，言通父有功於國，不宜逐棄其子，制命方行。 歲餘，出為淄州刺史。 長慶初，入為左衛大將軍，卒。
Tong, in the Yuanhe era, chief minister Li Jifu memorialized, saying: "Your servant has seen that in the Daizong reign the Hua Prefecture military commissioner Ling Huzhang, at the end of his life, submitted a memorial fully registering land, troops, and armor with the court and dispatching his sons to follow the memorial to court. Daizong displayed Zhang's testamentary memorial to the hundred officials. Those then in office, hearing it, none were not moved and sighed. Now the second son Tong survives. Your servant each time is moved that Zhang, together advancing with the Hebei military commissioners, handed sons to pass to grandsons, all scorching for several generations. Only Zhang, moved by loyalty and righteousness, served the state and forgot family, dispatched sons to enter court, and returned land to the former emperor. In the Zhenyuan era the eldest son Jian sat in a matter and died in Shi Prefecture; the youngest son Yun also was banished without guilt to Gui Prefecture—wishing to make loyal and righteous men, where is the encouragement? Now Tong fortunately survives and meets enlightened sagacity. Your servant humbly begs Your Majesty to summon him to speak. If he is fit for use, I hope you will bestow reward and record." Emperor Xianzong, mindful of Zhang's loyalty, immediately appointed Tong aide to the heir apparent and sent him out as prefect of Su Prefecture. At that time in the campaign against Huai and Cai he was used as prefect of Si Prefecture. Within the year he was changed to defense commissioner of Shou Prefecture and acting censor-in-chief. Each time he fought the rebels he necessarily inflated captive booty. Obtaining several rebels he at once made a victory bulletin and submitted it above. Chief minister Wu Yuanheng laughed and did not memorialize it. If there was defeat he then dared not report it above. Later he was attacked by rebels. Frontier city palisades all fell. Tong fled to Gu Prefecture city and closed the walls without coming out. Xianzong dispatched Li Wentong to go comfort and reassure. Estimating that he was about to arrive, he then ordered him to replace Tong and demoted Tong to registrar of Zhao Prefecture and transferred him to prefectural aide of Fu Prefecture. In the fourteenth year he was summoned as right guard general. When the order was issued, supervisory attendant Cui Zhi sealed and returned the order document, saying Tong had earlier governed Shou Prefecture with failure in discipline and should not suddenly receive reward and appointment. Xianzong ordered the chief ministers to explain to the Gate Department that Tong's father had merit for the state and his son should not be cast away one by one; the order then proceeded. After more than a year he went out as prefect of Zi Prefecture. At the beginning of Changqing he entered court as left guard grand general and died.
15
田神功，冀州人也，。 家本微賤。 天寶末，為縣裏胥，會河朔兵興，從事幽、薊。 上元元年，為平盧節度都知兵馬使，兼鴻臚卿，於鄭州破賊四千余眾，生擒逆賊大將四人，牛馬器械不可勝數。 尋為鄧景山所引，至揚州，大掠百姓商人資產，郡內比屋發掘略遍，商胡波斯被殺者數千人。 二年二月，生擒逆賊劉展，送於闕下。 以擒展功，累遷檢校工部尚書、兼御史大夫、汴宋等八州節度使。 大歷三年三月，朝京師，獻馬十匹、金銀器五十件、繒彩一萬匹。 時郭子儀入朝，請宴宰臣等於私第，神功效其請，亦以許之。 尋加檢校右僕射，赴尚書省視事，特詔宰臣已下百官送上，仍加知省事以寵之。 神功忠樸幹勇，當時所稱。 八年冬，復覲闕廷，遘疾，信宿而終。 上悼惜，為之徹樂，廢朝三日； 贈司徒，賻絹一千匹、布五百端； 特許百官吊喪，賜屏風茵褥於靈座，並賜千僧齋以追福，至德已來，將帥不兼三事者，哀榮無比。
Tian Shengong was a native of Ji Prefecture. His family was originally low and humble. At the end of the Tianbao era he was a district clerk. When troops arose in Hebei he followed affairs in You and Ji. In the first year of Shangyuan (761) he was director of army-and-horse affairs of the Pinglu military commission and concurrently grand master of splendid happiness. At Zheng Prefecture he defeated more than four thousand rebel troops, captured alive four great rebel generals, and oxen, horses, and weapons beyond counting. Soon he was brought in by Deng Jingshan to Yang Prefecture, where he greatly plundered the assets of common people and merchants. Within the commandery nearly every household was dug up and robbed throughout, and several thousand Sogdian and Persian merchants were killed. In the second month of the second year he captured alive the rebel Liu Zhan and sent him to the capital. For the merit of capturing Zhan he was repeatedly promoted to acting minister of works, concurrent grand censor, and military commissioner of the eight prefectures including Bian and Song. In the third month of the third year of Dali (768) he came to court at the capital and presented ten horses, fifty gold and silver vessels, and ten thousand bolts of silk. At that time Guo Ziyi entered court and requested to banquet the chief ministers and others at his private residence. Shengong imitated his request and was also granted permission. Soon he was additionally made acting right vice minister of works, went to the Ministry of Works to handle affairs, and a special edict ordered chief ministers and below and the hundred officials to escort him up. He was additionally made director of ministry affairs to honor him. Shengong was loyal, plain, capable, and brave—what people of the time praised. In the winter of the eighth year he again viewed the court hall, encountered illness, and after one or two nights died. The emperor mourned and regretted, for him withdrew music, and suspended court for three days. He was posthumously enfeoffed minister of education and granted one thousand bolts of silk and five hundred bolts of cloth as funeral gifts. Special permission was granted for the hundred officials to mourn at the funeral, screens, cushions, and bedding at the spirit seat, and a thousand-monk feast to pursue blessing. For generals since Zhide not combining three honors, mourning glory had no comparison.
16
弟神玉，自曹州刺史權汴州留後。 大歷十年正月，加檢校兵部郎中、兼御史中丞，為汴州刺史，知汴州節度觀察留後事並河陽、澤潞等兵馬，直據淇門，會李承昭討魏博田承嗣。 十一年卒，詔滑州李勉代之。
His younger brother Shenyu, from prefect of Cao, acted as acting commissioner of Bian Prefecture. In the first month of the tenth year of Dali (775) he was additionally made acting director of the Bureau of Military Affairs and concurrent censor-in-chief, made prefect of Bian Prefecture, and knew Bian Prefecture military commission surveillance acting commissioner affairs together with Heyang, Ze, and Lu troops and horses, directly holding Qimen, joining Li Chengzhao in attacking Weibo's Tian Chengsi. In the eleventh year he died. An edict ordered Li Mian of Hua Prefecture to replace him.
17
侯希逸，平盧人也。 少習武藝。 天寶末，安祿山反，署其腹心徐歸道為平盧節度。 希逸時為平盧裨將，率兵與安東都護王玄誌襲殺歸道，使以聞，詔以玄誌為平盧節度使。 乾元元年冬，玄誌病卒，軍人共推立希逸為平盧軍使，朝廷因授節度使。 既數為賊所迫，希逸率勵將士，累破賊徒向潤客、李懷仙等。 既淹歲月，且無救援，又為奚虜所侵，希逸拔其軍二萬余人，且行且戰，遂達於青州。 會田神功、能元皓於兗州，青州遂陷於希逸，詔就加希逸為平盧、淄青節度使。 自是迄今，淄青節度皆帶平盧之名也。
Hou Xiyi was a native of Pinglu. In youth he studied martial arts. At the end of the Tianbao era An Lushan rebelled and appointed his intimate Xu Guidao military commissioner of Pinglu. Xiyi at that time was a Pinglu assistant general. He led troops with Protector-General of Andong Wang Xuanzhi to attack and kill Guidao, made it known, and an edict appointed Xuanzhi military commissioner of Pinglu. In the winter of the first year of Qianyuan (758) Xuanzhi died of illness. The soldiers together pushed and established Xiyi as Pinglu army commander, and the court therefore appointed him military commissioner. Having repeatedly been pressed by rebels, Xiyi encouraged and led officers and soldiers and repeatedly defeated rebel partisans Xiang Runkuo and Li Huaixian and the like. Having dragged on for months with no rescue, and again invaded by Xi barbarians, Xiyi drew out his army of more than twenty thousand men, marching and fighting as he went, and thus reached Qing Prefecture. It happened that Tian Shengong and Neng Yuanhao were at Yan Prefecture. Qing Prefecture then fell to Xiyi, and an edict immediately additionally made Xiyi military commissioner of Pinglu and Zi and Qing. From this to the present, Zi and Qing military commissioners all bore the name Pinglu.
18
希逸初領淄青，甚著聲稱，理兵務農，遠近美之。 寶應元年，與諸節度同討襲史朝義，平之，加檢校工部尚書，賜實封，圖形淩煙閣。 以私艱去職。 大歷十一年九月，起復檢校尚書右僕射、上柱國，封淮陽郡王。 後漸縱恣，政事怠惰，尤崇奉釋教，且好畋遊，興功創寺宇，軍州苦之。 永泰元年，因與巫者夜宿於城外，軍士乃閉之不納。 希逸奔歸朝廷，拜檢校右僕射，久之，加知省事，遷司空。 詔出而卒，廢朝三日，贈太保。
When Xiyi first took command of Zi and Qing his reputation was very prominent. He ordered troops and tended farming, and near and far praised him. In the first year of Baoying (762) he joined the various military commissioners in jointly attacking Shi Chaoyi, pacified him, was additionally made acting minister of works, granted substantive enfeoffment, and his image was placed in the Lingyan Pavilion. Because of private bereavement he left office. In the ninth month of the eleventh year of Dali (776) he was recalled to service as acting right vice minister of works and pillar of state, enfeoffed Prince of Huaiyang. Later he gradually became unrestrained and dissolute, neglected government affairs and grew idle, especially revered and followed Buddhism, and also loved hunting. He raised works and founded temples, and army and prefectures suffered. In the first year of Yongtai (765), because he lodged overnight with a shaman outside the city, the soldiers then closed the gates and would not admit him. Xiyi fled back to court and was appointed acting right vice minister of works. After a long time he was additionally made director of ministry affairs and transferred to minister of works. An edict went out and he died. Court was suspended for three days and he was posthumously enfeoffed grand protector.
19
李正己，高麗人也。 本名懷玉，生於平盧。 乾元元年，平盧節度使王玄誌卒，會有敕遣使來存問，懷玉恐玄誌子為節度，遂殺之，與軍人共推立侯希逸為軍帥。 希逸母即懷玉姑也。 後與希逸同至青州，累至折沖將軍，驍健有勇力。 寶應中，眾軍討史朝義，至鄭州。 回紇方強暴恣橫，諸節度皆下之，正己時為軍候，獨欲以氣吞之。 因與其角逐，眾軍聚觀，約曰：「後者批之。」 既逐而先，正己擒其領而批其背，回紇尿液俱下，眾軍呼笑，虜慚，由是不敢為暴。
Li Zhengji was a man of Goguryeo. His original name was Huaiyu; he was born in Pinglu. In the first year of Qianyuan (758), when Pinglu military commissioner Wang Xuanzhi died, it happened that an edict-dispatching envoy came to inquire after him. Huaiyu feared Xuanzhi's son would become military commissioner and therefore killed him, and with the soldiers together pushed and established Hou Xiyi as army commander. Xiyi's mother was Huaiyu's paternal aunt. Later he went with Xiyi to Qing Prefecture and was repeatedly promoted to garrison general, fierce and healthy with courage and strength. In the Baoying era the massed armies attacked Shi Chaoyi and reached Zheng Prefecture. The Uighurs were then strong, violent, and overbearing; the various military commissioners all submitted to them. Zhengji at that time was army inspector and alone wished to swallow them by spirit. Therefore he wrestled with them. The massed armies gathered to watch, and they agreed, saying: "Whoever is behind gets flogged." Having chased and arrived first, Zhengji seized his collar and flogged his back. The Uighur urinated in full flow, the massed armies shouted and laughed, the barbarians were ashamed, and from this dared not act violently.
20
節度使侯希逸即其外兄也，用為兵馬使。 正己沈毅得眾心，希逸因事解其職，軍中皆言其非罪，不當廢。 會軍人逐希逸，希逸奔走，遂立正己為帥，朝廷因授平盧淄青節度觀察使、海運押新羅渤海兩蕃使、檢校工部尚書、兼御史大夫、青州刺史，賜今名。 尋加檢校尚書右僕射，封饒陽郡王。 大歷十一年十月，檢校司空、同中書門下平章事。 十三年，請入屬籍，從之。 為政嚴酷，所在不敢偶語。 初有淄、青、齊、海、登、萊、沂、蜜、德、棣等州之地，與田承嗣、令狐彰、薛嵩、李寶臣、梁崇義更相影響。 大歷中，薛嵩死，及李靈曜之亂，諸道共攻其地，得者為己邑，正己復得曹、濮、徐、兗、鄆，共十有五州，內視同列，貨市渤海名馬，歲歲不絕。 法令齊一，賦稅均輕，最稱強大。 嘗攻田承嗣，威震鄰辭。 歷檢校司空、左僕射、兼御史大夫，加平章事、太子太保、司徒。
Military commissioner Hou Xiyi was his maternal cousin and used him as army-and-horse commissioner. Zhengji was deep and resolute and won the hearts of the masses. Xiyi on account of affairs dismissed him from office, and the soldiers in the army all said it was not a crime and should not be dismissed. It happened that the soldiers drove out Xiyi. Xiyi fled in haste, and they then established Zhengji as commander. The court therefore appointed him military commissioner and surveillance commissioner of Pinglu and Zi and Qing, sea-transport commissioner for Silla and Bohai, acting minister of works, concurrent grand censor, and prefect of Qing Prefecture, and granted the present name. Soon he was additionally made acting right vice minister of works and enfeoffed Prince of Raoyang. In the tenth month of the eleventh year of Dali (776) he was made acting minister of works and associate of the Secretariat and Chancellery. In the thirteenth year he requested entry into the imperial clan register; permission was granted. His governance was stern and cruel; wherever he was, people dared not speak even in pairs. At first he had the lands of Zi, Qing, Qi, Hai, Deng, Lai, Yi, Mi, De, and Di prefectures, and with Tian Chengsi, Ling Huzhang, Xue Song, Li Baochen, and Liang Chongyi mutually influenced one another. In the Dali era Xue Song died, and at the disorder of Li Lingyao the various circuits jointly attacked his lands. What was obtained became one's own territory. Zhengji again obtained Cao, Pu, Xu, Yan, and Yun—altogether fifteen prefectures—and inwardly viewed himself as equal to his peers, trading for famous horses of Bohai year after year without break. Laws and orders were uniform, taxes light and even—the most called powerful and great. He once attacked Tian Chengsi and his prestige shook neighboring circuits. He passed through acting minister of works, left vice minister of works, and concurrent grand censor, and was added associate of the Secretariat and Chancellery, heir apparent's grand protector, and minister of education.
21
後自青州徙居鄆州，使子納及腹心之將分理其地。 建中後，畏懼朝廷，多不自安。 聞將築汴州，乃移兵屯濟陰，晝夜教習為備。 河南騷然，天下為憂，羽檄馳走，征兵以益備。 又於徐州增兵，以扼江淮，於是運輸為之改道。 未幾，發疽卒，時年四十九。 子納擅總兵政，秘之數月，乃發喪。 納阻兵，興元元年四月，歸順，方贈正己太尉。
Later he moved from Qing Prefecture to reside at Yun Prefecture and sent his son Na and trusted generals to separately administer the lands. After Jianzhong he feared the court and was mostly not at ease. Hearing that Bian Prefecture was about to be fortified, he moved troops to garrison Jiyin and day and night drilled and practiced in preparation. Henan was disturbed; the realm was worried; urgent dispatches ran; troops were levied to increase preparations. Again at Xu Prefecture he increased troops to choke the Yangzi and Huai, and therefore transport was changed in route. Before long an abscess broke out and he died, at age forty-nine. His son Na usurped overall military government, kept it secret for several months, and then announced the mourning. Na obstructed troops. In the fourth month of the first year of Xingyuan (784) he returned to allegiance, and only then was Zhengji posthumously enfeoffed grand commandant.
22
納少時，正己遣將兵備秋，代宗召見，嘉之，自奉禮郎超拜殿中丞、兼侍御史，賜紫金魚袋。 歷檢校倉部郎中，兼總父兵，奏署淄州刺史。 正己將兵擊田承嗣，奏署節度觀察留後。 尋遷青州刺史，又奏署行軍司馬，兼曹州刺史、曹濮徐兗沂海留後，又加御史大夫。
When young, Zhengji dispatched him to command troops for autumn defense. Daizong summoned him to audience, praised him, and from ceremonial usher super-promoted him to palace aide and concurrent attendant censor, bestowing the gold and purple fish bag. He passed through acting director of the Bureau of Granaries and concurrently commanded his father's troops. He memorialized and appointed acting prefect of Zi Prefecture. When Zhengji led troops to attack Tian Chengsi he memorialized and appointed acting military commissioner and surveillance commissioner. Soon he was transferred to prefect of Qing Prefecture, again memorialized and appointed acting army-and-horse commissioner, concurrently prefect of Cao Prefecture and acting commissioner of Cao, Pu, Xu, Yan, Yi, and Hai, and again added grand censor.
23
建中初，正己、田悅、梁崇義、張惟嶽皆反。 二年，正己卒，納秘喪，統父眾，仍復為亂。 比會悅於濮陽，遣大將衛俊將兵一千救悅，為河東節度使馬燧敗於洹水，殺傷殆盡。 詔諸軍誅之，納從叔父洧以徐州，李士真以德州，及棣州李長卿，皆以州歸順。 納以彭城險厄，又怒洧背宗，乃悉兵圍之。 詔宣武軍節度劉洽與諸軍救之，大敗納兵於城下。 後將兵於濮陽，洽攻破其城外。 納自城上見洽，涕泣悔罪，遣判官房說以其弟經、男成務朝京師，請因洽從順。 會中使宋鳳朝見之，謂納計蹙，欲誅破之以為己功，奏請無舍，上乃械說等系禁中。 納遂歸鄆州，復與李希烈、硃滔、王武俊、田悅合謀皆反，偽稱齊王，建置百官。 及興元之降罪己詔，納乃效順，詔加檢校工部尚書、平盧軍節度、淄青等州觀察使。 無幾，檢校右僕射、同中書門下平章事。 時希烈圍陳州，納遣兵與諸軍奮擊，大破之，因解圍。 加檢校司空，封五百戶。 貞元初，升鄆州為大都督府，改授長史。 年三十四，薨於位，廢朝三日，贈賻有差。
At the beginning of Jianzhong, Zhengji, Tian Yue, Liang Chongyi, and Zhang Weiyue all rebelled. In the second year Zhengji died. Na kept the mourning secret, commanded his father's masses, and again rebelled. About to meet Yue at Puyang, he dispatched great general Wei Jun to lead one thousand troops to rescue Yue. He was defeated by Hedong military commissioner Ma Sui at Huanshui, and casualties were nearly complete. An edict ordered the various armies to punish him. Na's uncle Wei gave up Xu Prefecture, Li Shizhen gave up De Prefecture, and Di Prefecture's Li Changqing all gave up their prefectures to return to allegiance. Na, because Pengcheng was strategically narrow and also angry that Wei betrayed the clan, then mustered all troops and besieged it. An edict ordered Xuanwu Army military commissioner Liu Xia and the various armies to rescue it and greatly defeated Na's troops below the city. Later he led troops at Puyang. Xia broke through outside his city. Na from atop the city saw Xia, wept tears and repented guilt, and dispatched aide Fang Shuo to send his younger brother Jing and son Chengwu to court at the capital, requesting through Xia to follow allegiance. It happened that the palace envoy Song Fengchao saw them and held that Na's plan was cornered, wishing to punish and break them to make merit for himself. He memorialized requesting no sparing; the emperor then shackled Shuo and the others and imprisoned them in the palace. Na then returned to Yun Prefecture, again joined Li Xilie, Zhu Tao, Wang Wujun, and Tian Yue in conspiracy all to rebel, falsely styled himself Prince of Qi, and established the hundred officials. At the Xingyuan edict blaming self, Na then imitated allegiance. An edict additionally made him acting minister of works, Pinglu Army military commissioner, and surveillance commissioner of Zi, Qing, and other prefectures. Before long he was made acting right vice minister of works and associate of the Secretariat and Chancellery. At that time Xilie besieged Chen Prefecture. Na dispatched troops to join the various armies in fierce attack and greatly defeated them, thereby lifting the siege. He was additionally made acting minister of works and enfeoffed five hundred households. At the beginning of Zhenyuan, Yun Prefecture was elevated to metropolitan prefecture and he was changed and appointed chief administrator. At age thirty-four he died in office. Court was suspended for three days and funeral gifts were granted in differing measure.
24
子師古，累奏至青州刺史。 貞元八年，納死，軍中以師古代其位而上請，朝廷因而授之。 起復右金吾大將軍同正、平盧及青淄齊節度營田觀察、海運陸運押新羅渤海兩蕃使。 成德軍節度王武俊率師次於德、棣二州，將取蛤𧊱及三汊城。 棣州之鹽池與蛤𧊱歲出鹽數十萬斛，棣州之隸淄青也，其刺史李長卿以城入硃滔，而蛤𧊱為納所據，因城而戍之，以專鹽利。 其後武俊以敗硃滔功，以德、棣二州隸之，蛤𧊱猶為納戍。 納初於德州南跨河而城以守之，謂之三汊，交田緒以通魏博路，而侵掠德州，為武俊患。 及納卒，師古繼之。 武俊以其年弱初立，舊將多死，心頗易之，乃率眾兵以取蛤𧊱、三汊為名，其實欲窺納之境。 師古令棣州降將趙鎬拒之。 武俊令其子士清將兵先濟於滴河，會士清營中火起，軍驚，惡之，未進。 德宗遣使諭旨，武俊即罷還。 師古毀三汊口城，從詔旨。 師古雖外奉朝命，而嘗畜侵軼之謀，招集亡命，必厚養之，其得罪於朝而逃詣師古者，因即用之。 其有任使於外者，皆留其妻子，或謀歸款於朝，事泄，族其家，眾畏死而不敢異圖。
His son Shigu repeatedly memorialized up to prefect of Qing Prefecture. In the eighth year of Zhenyuan (792) Na died. The army used Shigu to replace his position and submitted request above; the court therefore appointed him. Recalled to service as right Golden Crow grand general of equal rank, Pinglu and Qing, Zi, and Qi military commission camp-field surveillance, and sea and land transport commissioner for Silla and Bohai. Chengde Army military commissioner Wang Wujun led troops stationed at De and Di prefectures, intending to take Ge and Sancha city. Di Prefecture's salt ponds and Ge yearly produced several hundred thousand hu of salt. When Di Prefecture belonged to Zi and Qing, its prefect Li Changqing gave the city to Zhu Tao, and Ge was held by Na and therefore fortified and garrisoned it to monopolize salt profit. Later Wujun, for merit in defeating Zhu Tao, had De and Di prefectures placed under him. Ge was still garrisoned by Na. At first Na south of De Prefecture crossed the river and fortified to defend it, calling it Sancha, joining Tian Xu to open the Weibo road, and invading and plundering De Prefecture, becoming Wujun's affliction. When Na died, Shigu succeeded him. Wujun, because he was young and newly established and many old generals had died, in his heart somewhat held him easy, and therefore led massed troops under the name of taking Ge and Sancha, in truth wishing to spy on Na's territory. Shigu ordered Di Prefecture's surrendering general Zhao Hao to resist him. Wujun ordered his son Shiqing to lead troops first to cross at Dihé. It happened that fire arose in Shiqing's camp, the army was alarmed, considered it ill, and did not advance. Emperor Dezong dispatched an envoy to proclaim the intent; Wujun then ceased and returned. Shigu destroyed the Sancha mouth fortification, following the edict intent. Although Shigu outwardly followed court orders, he often harbored plans of invasion and encroachment, gathered fugitives, and necessarily nourished them generously. Those who offended the court and fled to Shigu were at once employed. Those with duties outside all had wives and children detained. Some plotted to return allegiance to the court; the matter leaked and the clan was destroyed. The masses feared death and dared not harbor different plans.
25
貞元十年五月，師古服闋，加檢校禮部尚書。 十二年正月，檢校尚書右僕射。 十一月，師古丁母憂，起復左金吾上將軍同正。 十五年正月，師古、杜佑、李欒妾媵並為國夫人。 十六年六月，與淮南節度使杜佑同制加中書門下平章事。 及德宗遺詔下，告哀使未至，義成軍節度使李元素以與師古鄰道，錄遺詔報師古，以示無外。 師古遂集將士，引元素使者謂曰：「師古近得邸吏狀，具承聖躬萬福。 李元素豈欲反，乃忽偽錄遺詔以寄。 師古三代受國恩，位兼將相，見賊不可以不討。」 遂杖元素使者，遽出後以討元素為名，冀因國喪以侵州縣。 俄聞順宗即位，師古乃罷兵， 後累官至檢校司徒、兼侍中。 卒贈太傅。
In the fifth month of the tenth year of Zhenyuan (794), when Shigu's mourning was completed, he was additionally made acting minister of rites. In the first month of the twelfth year he was made acting right vice minister of works. In the eleventh month Shigu entered mourning for his mother and was recalled to service as left Golden Crow upper general of equal rank. In the first month of the fifteenth year Shigu, Du You, and Li Luan's concubines were all made ladies of the state. In the sixth month of the sixteenth year he and Huainan military commissioner Du You were jointly made associates of the Secretariat and Chancellery by the same order. When Dezong's testamentary edict was issued, before the mourning-announcement envoy arrived, Yicheng Army military commissioner Li Yuansu, because he was neighboring circuit to Shigu, copied the testamentary edict and reported to Shigu to show there was no exclusion. Shigu then gathered officers and soldiers, brought in Yuansu's envoy, and said to them: "Shigu recently received a courier-clerk's report fully stating that the sacred person enjoys myriad blessings. Li Yuansu—does he wish to rebel? He suddenly falsely copied a testamentary edict and sent it. Shigu for three generations received national favor, position combining general and minister—seeing rebels one cannot fail to punish." He then flogged Yuansu's envoy, swiftly went out afterward under the name of punishing Yuansu, hoping by the national mourning to invade prefectures and counties. Soon hearing that Shunzong ascended the throne, Shigu then ceased troops. Later he repeatedly reached office as acting minister of education and concurrent palace attendant. On death he was posthumously enfeoffed grand tutor.
26
師道，師古異母弟。 其母張忠誌女。 師道時知密州事，師古死，其奴不發喪，潛使迎師道於密而奉之。 朝命久未至，師道謀於將吏，或欲加兵於四境，其判官高沐固止之。 乃請進兩稅，守鹽法，申官員，遣判官崔承寵、孔目官林英相繼奏事。 時杜黃裳作相，欲乘其未定也，以計分削之，憲宗以蜀川方擾，不能加兵於師道。 元和元年七月，遂命建王審遙領節度，授師道檢校左散騎常侍、兼御史大夫，權知鄆州事，棄淄青節度留後。 十月，加檢校工部尚書，兼鄆州大都督府長史，充平盧軍及淄青節度副大使，知節度事、管內支度營田觀察處置、陸運海運押新羅渤海兩蕃等使。 自正己至師道，竊有鄆、曹等十二州，六十年矣。 懼眾不附己，皆用嚴法制之。 大將持兵鎮於外者，皆質其妻子； 或謀歸款於朝，事泄，其家無少長皆殺之。 以故能劫其眾，父子兄弟相傳焉。 五年七月，檢校尚書右僕射。
Shidao was Shigu's younger brother by a different mother. His mother was Zhang Zhizhi's daughter. Shidao at that time knew Mi Prefecture affairs. When Shigu died, his slave did not announce mourning and secretly sent to welcome Shidao from Mi to serve him. Court orders long did not arrive. Shidao plotted with generals and officers; some wished to add troops to the four borders. His aide Gao Mu firmly stopped them. He then requested to advance the two taxes, observe the salt law, declare official posts, and dispatch aides Cui Chengkong and clerk Lin Ying in succession to memorialize affairs. At that time Du Huangshang was chief minister and wished, while it was not yet settled, to divide and reduce it by plan. Xianzong, because Shu was then disturbed, could not add troops against Shidao. In the seventh month of the first year of Yuanhe (806) an order was issued making Prince Shenyao lead the military commission and appointing Shidao acting left regular attendant of scattered cavalry and concurrent grand censor, acting commissioner of Yun Prefecture affairs, abandoning Zi and Qing military commission acting commissioner. In the tenth month he was additionally made acting minister of works, chief administrator of Yun Metropolitan Prefecture, vice ambassador of the Pinglu Army and Zi and Qing military commission, knowing military commission affairs, managing within the circuit expenditure, camp-field, surveillance, and disposition, land and sea transport commissioner for Silla and Bohai, and the like. From Zhengji to Shidao, they stealthily held Yun, Cao, and twelve other prefectures—for sixty years. Fearing the masses would not attach to them, all used stern law to control them. Great generals holding troops garrisoned outside all had wives and children held as hostages. Some plotted to return allegiance to the court; the matter leaked and their families, young and old, were all killed. Therefore they could coerce their masses; father, son, and brothers passed it on in succession. In the seventh month of the fifth year he was made acting right vice minister of works.
27
十年，王師討蔡州，師道使賊燒河陰倉，斷建陵橋。 初，師道置留邸於河南府，兵諜雜以往來，吏不敢辨。 因吳元濟北犯汝、鄭，郊畿多警，防禦兵盡戍伊闕，師道潛以兵數十百人內其邸，謀焚宮闕而肆殺掠。 既烹牛饗眾矣，明日將出，會有小將楊進、李再興者詣留守呂元膺告變，元膺追伊闕兵圍之，半日不敢進攻。 防禦判官王茂元殺一人而後進，或有毀其墉而入者。 賊眾突出殺人，圍兵奔駭，賊得結伍中衢，內其妻子於囊橐中，以甲胄殿而行，防禦兵不敢追。 賊出長夏門，轉掠郊墅，東濟伊水，入嵩山。 元膺誡境上兵重購以捕之。 數月，有山棚鬻鹿於市，賊遇而奪之，山棚走而征其黨，或引官軍共圍之谷中，盡獲之。 窮理得其魁首，乃中嶽寺僧圓靜，年八十余，嘗為史思明將，偉悍過人。 初執之，使巨力者奮錘，不能折脛。 圓靜罵曰：「鼠子，折人腳猶不能，敢稱健兒乎！」 乃自置其足教折之。 臨刑，乃曰：「誤我事，不得使洛城流血。」 死者凡數十人。 留守禦將二人、都亭驛卒五人、甘水驛卒三人，皆潛受其職署，而為之耳目，自始謀及將敗，無知者。 初，師道多買田於伊闕、陸渾之間，凡十所處，欲以舍山而衣食之。 有訾嘉珍、門察者，潛部分之，以屬圓靜，以師道錢千萬偽理嵩山之佛光寺，期以嘉珍竊發時舉火於山中，集二縣山棚人作亂。 及窮按之，嘉珍、門察，乃賊武元衡者，元膺具狀以聞。 及誅吳元濟，師道恐懼，上表乞聽朝旨，請割三州並遣長子入侍宿衛，詔許之。
In the tenth year the imperial army attacked Cai Prefecture. Shidao made rebels burn Heyang granary and cut Jianling Bridge. At first Shidao established a lodging office in Henan Prefecture. Military spies mixed in coming and going, and officials dared not distinguish. Because Wu Yuanji north invaded Ru and Zheng, the capital region had many alarms and defense troops all garrisoned Yique. Shidao secretly sent several tens or hundreds of troops inside his lodging office, plotting to burn the palace halls and wildly kill and plunder. Having already cooked beef to feast the masses, the next day about to go out, it happened that junior generals Yang Jin and Li Zaixing went to garrison commander Lu Yuanying to report the change. Yuanying pursued Yique troops to surround them; for half a day they dared not advance to attack. Defense aide Wang Maoyuan killed one man and then advanced; some destroyed the wall and entered. The rebel masses burst out killing people; the surrounding troops fled in alarm. The rebels were able to form ranks in the middle of the avenue, put wives and children inside sacks and bundles, marched with armor as rear guard, and defense troops dared not pursue. The rebels exited Changxia Gate, turned to plunder suburban villas, east crossed Yi River, and entered Mount Song. Yuanying warned frontier troops to heavily reward capture. Several months later, mountain sheds sold deer in the market. Rebels met and seized them; the mountain shed fled and summoned his party. Some led government troops jointly to surround them in the valley and captured them all. Investigation to the end obtained the ringleader—Zhongyue Temple monk Yuanjing, more than eighty years old, who had once been Shi Siming's general, majestic and fierce surpassing others. At first when seized, they made men of great strength swing hammers; they could not break his shins. Yuanjing cursed, saying: "Rats! Breaking a man's foot you still cannot—dare you call yourselves stalwarts!" He then himself placed his foot and taught them to break it. Facing execution he then said: "You have ruined my affair and cannot make Luoyang city flow with blood." Those who died numbered several tens of men. Garrison defense generals two men, Duting Post runners five men, Ganshui Post runners three men—all secretly received his office appointments and served as his eyes and ears. From the first plot until near defeat, none knew. At first Shidao bought much land between Yique and Luhun—altogether ten places—wishing to lodge mountain people and feed them. There were Zi Jiazhen and Men Cha who secretly divided it and assigned it to Yuanjing. With Shidao's money ten million they falsely managed Foguang Temple on Mount Song, planning that when Jiazhen secretly rose they would light fire in the mountains, gathering mountain-shed people of the two counties to make disorder. When investigation reached the end, Jiazhen and Men Cha were the rebels who killed Wu Yuanheng. Yuanying fully stated the facts and reported above. When Wu Yuanji was punished, Shidao feared and submitted a memorial begging to obey court intent, requesting to cede three prefectures and dispatch his eldest son to attend as palace guard. An edict granted permission.
28
師道識暗，政事皆決於群婢。 婢有號蒲大姊、袁七娘者，為謀主，乃言曰：「自先司徒以來，有此十二州，奈何一日無苦而割之耶！ 今境內兵士數十萬人，不獻三州，不過發兵相加，可以力戰，戰不勝，乃議割地，未晚也。」 師道從之而止，表言軍情不葉，乃詔諸軍討伐。 十年十二月，武寧軍節度使李願遣將王智興擊破師道之眾九千，斬首二千余級，獲牛馬四千，遂至平陰。 十一年十一月，加師道司空，仍遣給事中柳公綽往宣慰，且觀所為，欲寬容之。 師道茍以遜順為辭，長惡不悛。 十三年七月，滄州節度使鄭權破淄青賊於齊州福城縣，斬首五百余級。 十月，徐州節度使李愬、兵馬使李祐於兗州魚臺縣破賊三千余人。 魏博節度使田弘正率本軍自陽劉渡河，距鄆州九十里下營，再接戰，破賊三萬余眾，生擒三千人，收器械不可勝紀。 陳許節度使李光顏於濮陽縣界破賊，收鬥門城、杜莊柵。 田弘正復於故東阿縣界破賊五萬。 諸軍四合，累下城柵。
Shidao was dim in judgment; government affairs were all decided by the crowd of maidservants. Maidservants styled Elder Sister Pu and Seventh Sister Yuan were chief plotters. They then spoke, saying: "Since the former minister of education, there have been these twelve prefectures—how can one in a single day without hardship cede them! Now within the territory soldiers number several hundred thousand. Not presenting three prefectures is only dispatching troops to oppose one another—one can fight by force. If fighting does not prevail, then discuss ceding land—not late." Shidao followed them and stopped. The memorial said the army's sentiment would not consent, and therefore an edict ordered the various armies to punish. In the twelfth month of the tenth year, Wuning Army military commissioner Li Yuan dispatched general Wang Zhixing and defeated Shidao's masses nine thousand, beheaded more than two thousand, captured oxen and horses four thousand, and reached Pingyin. In the eleventh month of the eleventh year Shidao was made minister of works and still dispatched supervisory attendant Liu Gongchuo to go comfort and reassure and observe his conduct, wishing to be lenient. Shidao perfunctorily used yielding compliance as words and long hated without repenting. In the seventh month of the thirteenth year, Cang Prefecture military commissioner Zheng Quan defeated Zi and Qing rebels at Fucheng County of Qi Prefecture and beheaded more than five hundred. In the tenth month, Xu Prefecture military commissioner Li Su and army-and-horse commissioner Li You at Yutai County of Yan Prefecture defeated rebels more than three thousand. Weibo military commissioner Tian Hongzheng led his own army from Yangliu crossed the river, camped ninety li from Yun Prefecture, again joined battle, defeated rebels more than thirty thousand, captured alive three thousand, and collected weapons beyond reckoning. Chenxu military commissioner Li Guangyan at the border of Puyang County defeated rebels and recovered Doumen city and Duzhuang palisade. Tian Hongzheng again at the border of old Dong'e County defeated rebels fifty thousand. The various armies joined from four sides and repeatedly took city palisades.
29
師道使劉悟將兵當魏博軍，既敗，數令促戰。 師未進，乃使奴召悟計事。 悟知其來殺己，乃稱病不出，召將吏謀曰：「魏博兵強，乘勝出戰，必敗吾師，不出則死。 今天子所誅，司空一人而已。 悟與公等皆被驅逐就死地，何如轉禍為福，殺其來使，以兵趣鄆州，立大功以求富貴。」 眾皆曰：「善。」 乃迎其使而斬之，遂賚師道追牒，以兵趣鄆州。 及夜，至門，示以師道追牒，乃得入。 兵士繼進，至球場，因圍其內城，以火攻之，擒師道而斬其首，送於魏博軍，元和十四年二月也。 是月，弘正獻於京師，天子命左右軍如受馘儀，先獻於太廟效社，憲宗禦興安門受之，百僚稱賀。
Shidao dispatched Liu Wu to lead troops to face the Weibo army. Having been defeated, he repeatedly ordered urgent battle. The army had not advanced; he then sent a slave to summon Wu to plan affairs. Wu knew he came to kill him and therefore feigned illness and did not go out. He summoned generals and officers and plotted, saying: "Weibo troops are strong. Riding victory to go out to battle will necessarily defeat our army. Not going out then is death. What the Son of Heaven punishes is only the minister of works alone. Wu and you gentlemen are all driven and expelled to the place of death. How about turning calamity into blessing, killing the coming envoy, and with troops hasten to Yun Prefecture to establish great merit and seek wealth and honor?" The masses all said: "Good." He then welcomed the envoy and beheaded him and swiftly presented Shidao's pursuit order. With troops he hastened to Yun Prefecture. At night reaching the gate, showing Shidao's pursuit order, he then was able to enter. Soldiers continued advancing to the drill ground. Therefore they surrounded the inner city, attacked with fire, captured Shidao and beheaded him, and sent his head to the Weibo army—in the second month of the fourteenth year of Yuanhe (819). That month Hongzheng presented it at the capital. The Son of Heaven ordered the left and right armies to receive it with the ritual of presenting captives, first presenting it at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and Altar of Soil. Xianzong attended at Xing'an Gate to receive it; the hundred officials congratulated.
30
初，東軍諸道行營節度擒逆賊將夏侯澄等共四十七人，詔曰：「附麗兇黨，拒抗王師，國有常刑，悉合誅戮。 朕以久居汙俗，皆被脅從，況討伐已來，時日不幾，縱懷轉禍之計，未有效款之由，情似可矜，朕不忍殺。 況三軍百姓，孰非吾人，詔令頒行，罪止師道。 方欲拯於塗炭，是用活其性命，誠為屈法，庶使知恩。 並宜特從釋放，仍令卻遞送至魏博及義成行營，各委節度收管驅使。 如父母血屬猶在賊中，或羸老疾病情切歸還者，仍量事優當放去，務備相全貸，何所疑留。」 及澄等至行營，賊覘知傳告，叛徒皆感朝恩，由是劉悟得行其謀焉。
At first the eastern armies' various-circuit traveling-camp military commissioner captured rebel generals Xia Houcheng and forty-seven others together. An edict said: "Clinging to vicious partisans, resisting the imperial army—the state has constant punishment and all should be executed. I, because long dwelling in defiled custom, all were coerced to follow. Moreover since the punitive attack began, days and months are not many. Even if harboring plans to turn calamity, there has been no cause of effective allegiance—the sentiment seems pitiable and I cannot bear to kill. Moreover the three armies and common people—who are not my people? When the edict order is promulgated, guilt stops at Shidao. Just wishing to rescue from charcoal and wash, therefore preserving their lives—truly bending the law, hoping thereby to make them know favor. All should be specially released and still ordered to return in succession to the Weibo and Yicheng traveling camps, each entrusted to the military commissioner to take charge and drive. If parents and blood kin are still among rebels, or weak, old, and ill with urgent wish to return—still measure affairs generously and appropriately release, striving to complete pardon and loan—why any doubt to detain?" When Cheng and the others reached the traveling camp, rebels spying knew and transmitted report. Rebel partisans were all moved by court favor—thereby Liu Wu was able to carry out his plan.
31
師道妻魏氏及小男並配掖庭。 堂弟師賢、師智配流春州，侄弘巽配流雷州。 詔分其十二州為三節度，俾馬總、薛平、王遂分鎮焉。 仍命宰臣崔群撰碑以紀其績。 國家自天寶末安祿山首亂兩河，至寶應元年王師平史朝義，其將薛嵩、李懷仙、田承嗣、李寶臣等受偽命分領州郡，朝廷厭兵，因仆固懷恩請，就加官爵。 及侯希逸為軍人逐出，正己又據齊、魯之地，既而遞相膠固，聯結姻好，職貢不入，法令不加，率以為常。 仍皆署其子為副大使，父死子立，則以三軍之請聞，亦有為大將所殺而自立者。 自安、史以後，迄至於貞元，朝廷多務優容，每聞擅襲，因而授之，以故六十余年，兩河號為反側之俗。 憲宗知人善任，削平亂跡，兩河復為王土焉。 師道妻魏氏，元和十五年出家為尼。
Shidao's wife Lady Wei and young son were all assigned to the rear palace. Cousins Shixian and Shizhi were banished to Chun Prefecture; nephew Hongxun was banished to Lei Prefecture. An edict divided their twelve prefectures into three military commissions, making Ma Zong, Xue Ping, and Wang Sui separately garrison them. Still an order was issued for chief minister Cui Qun to compose a stele to record the achievement. The state from the end of Tianbao when An Lushan first disturbed the two rivers, to the first year of Baoying when the imperial army pacified Shi Chaoyi—his generals Xue Song, Li Huaixian, Tian Chengsi, Li Baochen, and the like received false appointments and separately led prefectures and counties. The court tired of warfare and because Pugu Huai'en requested it, then added offices and titles on the spot. When Hou Xiyi was driven out by soldiers and Zhengji again held Qi and Lu lands, they then in succession glued solid, joined marriage ties, tribute did not enter, laws and orders were not applied—all taken as constant. Still all appointed their sons as vice ambassadors. When the father died the son established, then with the three armies' request it was reported. There were also those established by themselves after great generals were killed. From An and Shi afterward, reaching Zhenyuan, the court mostly pursued forbearance. Each time hearing of usurped succession, they therefore appointed—thus for more than sixty years the two rivers were called a custom of rebellion. Xianzong knew men and employed them well, cut down and pacified disorderly traces, and the two rivers again became royal soil. Shidao's wife Lady Wei, in the fifteenth year of Yuanhe left the world to become a nun.
32
洧，正己從父兄也。 正己用為徐州刺史。 正己死，子納犯宋州，洧以其州歸順，加御史大夫，封潮陽郡王，食實封二百戶，充招諭使。 初，洧遣攝巡官崔程奉表至京師，令口奏並白宰相：「徐州恐不能獨當賊，若得徐、海、沂三州節度都團練使，即必立功。 況海、沂兩州，亦並為賊納所據，非國家州縣。 其刺史王涉、馬萬通等，洧並素與之約，若有詔命，冀必成功。」 程乍自外到闕，以為宰相一也，乃先以其言白張鎰，鎰言於盧杞。 杞怒程不先白己，故洧所請不行，杞妨公害私，皆此類也。 及李納遣兵攻徐州，劉洽與諸將擊退之，賊勢未衰，始加洧徐、海、沂都團練觀察使，尋加密州。 時海、密州皆為賊所據，不受洧命。 旋加洧檢校戶部尚書。 未幾，疽發背，稍平，乃大具糜餅，飯僧於市，洧乘平肩輿自臨其場，市人歡呼，洧驚，疽潰於背而卒，贈左僕射。
Wei was Zhengji's cousin. Zhengji used him as prefect of Xu Prefecture. When Zhengji died, his son Na violated Song Prefecture. Wei with his prefecture returned to allegiance, was added grand censor, enfeoffed Prince of Chaoyang, granted substantive enfeoffment two hundred households, and made commissioner to summon and instruct. At first Wei dispatched acting patrol official Cui Cheng to present a memorial to the capital and ordered oral report and also inform the chief ministers: "Xu Prefecture fears it cannot alone withstand rebels. If obtaining military commission and defense commissioner of Xu, Hai, and Yi—three prefectures—then necessarily establishing merit. Moreover Hai and Yi two prefectures also are all held by rebel Na; they are not state prefectures and counties. Their prefects Wang She and Ma Wantong and the like—Wei all along made agreements with them. If there is an edict order, I hope necessarily success." Cheng, suddenly from outside arriving at court, thought the chief ministers were one body and therefore first with his words informed Zhang Yi. Yi spoke to Lu Qi. Qi was angry that Cheng did not first inform him; therefore Wei's request was not carried out—Qi obstructing public affairs for private ends were all this kind. When Li Na dispatched troops to attack Xu Prefecture, Liu Xia with the various generals repelled them. Rebel momentum was not yet weakened and only then was Wei added Xu, Hai, and Yi defense and surveillance commissioner; soon Mi Prefecture was added. At that time Hai and Mi prefectures were all held by rebels and did not accept Wei's orders. Soon Wei was additionally made acting minister of revenue. Before long an abscess broke out on his back. When somewhat healed he greatly prepared gruel cakes and fed monks in the market. Wei riding a level shoulder carriage personally arrived at the place; market people shouted joy. Wei was startled; the abscess burst on his back and he died. He was posthumously enfeoffed left vice minister of works.
33
史臣曰：自安、史亂離，河朔割據，雖外尊朝旨，而內蓄奸謀。 薛嵩祖父，國之名將，及身濡足賊廷，既沐國恩，尚存家法，守土奉職，終身一心，果有令人，克全余慶。 彰居喪循禮，有士子之風； 馭眾權謀，著將軍之業。 中外善政，終始令名，成功不居，告老致仕，方之者鮮矣。 背逆歸國，治兵牧民，上表推誠，舉賢代己，時稱能善始善終者也。 建誌稟遺訓，克全令名，不能終保功業，惜哉！ 神功忠勇，竟著勛名； 希逸荒狂，自失茅土。 師道祖父弟兄，盜據青、鄆，得計則潛圖兇逆，失勢則偽奉朝旨，向背任情，數十年矣。 或問曰：師古之前，三帥而不滅； 師道繼立，數年而亡者，何哉？ 答曰：納與師古，自運奸謀，躬臨戎事； 朝廷任盧杞，以私妨公，致懷光變忠為逆，李納父子，宜其茍延。 洎憲宗當朝，裴度為相，君臣道合，中外情通； 師道外任諸奴，內聽群婢，軍民攜貳，家族滅亡，不亦宜乎！ 假息數年，猶為多矣，何所疑焉？
The historian says: From An and Shi's disorder and separation, Hebei was carved up and held. Although outwardly honoring court intent, inwardly they harbored treacherous plots. Xue Song's grandfather and father were famous generals of the state. Reaching himself he waded in the rebel court, yet bathed in national favor and still preserved family law, guarding soil and fulfilling duty with lifelong single-heartedness—truly there was a worthy man who could complete remaining blessing. Zhang in mourning followed ritual and had the bearing of a scholar. Controlling the masses with stratagem, he displayed a general's achievement. Within and without, good government from beginning to end fine name; not dwelling on success, reporting old age and retiring—those compared with him were few. Turning from rebellion to return to the state, ordering troops and tending the people, submitting a memorial with sincerity, recommending the able to replace himself—of the time called able to begin and end well. Jian received the testamentary instruction and could complete fine name; unable to the end preserve achievement and enterprise—pity! Shengong loyal and brave, ultimately displaying merit and name. Xiyi wild and mad, himself losing fief soil. Shidao's grandfather, brothers, and brothers stealthily held Qing and Yun. When gaining advantage then secretly plotted fierce rebellion; when losing power then falsely followed court intent—facing and turning at will—for several tens of years. Someone asked: Before Shigu, three commanders yet not destroyed; Shidao succeeded and in several years perished—why? The answer said: Na and Shigu themselves carried treacherous plots and personally faced military affairs; The court employed Lu Qi, using private to obstruct public, causing Huai Guang to change loyalty to rebellion—Li Na father and son fittingly dragged on. When Xianzong held court, Pei Du was chief minister. Ruler and minister's Way joined, within and without sentiment connected; Shidao outwardly entrusted various slaves, inwardly listened to the crowd of maidservants. Army and people carried divided hearts and the clan perished—is it not fitting! A few years' reprieve was already more than they deserved—what is there to doubt?
34
贊曰：田神功勇能立勛，令狐彰死不失節。 薛平振家世以顯揚，師道任臧獲則亡滅。
The encomium says: Tian Shengong was brave and able to establish merit; Ling Huzhang did not lose his integrity even in death. Xue Ping revived his family's standing through illustrious achievement; Shidao entrusted power to slaves and servants—and was destroyed.