Volume 133 Biographies 83: Li Sheng

李晟，字良器，隴右臨洮人。祖思恭，父欽，代居隴右為裨將。晟生數歲而孤，事母孝謹，性雄烈，有才，善騎射。年十八從軍，身長六尺，勇敢絕倫。時河西節度使王忠嗣擊吐蕃，有驍將乘城拒鬥，頗傷士卒，忠嗣募軍中能射者射之。晟引弓一發而斃，三軍皆大呼，忠嗣厚賞之，因撫其背曰：「此萬人敵也。」鳳翔節度使高升雅聞其名，召補列將。嘗擊疊州叛羌於高當川，又擊宕州連狂羌於罕山，皆破之，累遷左羽林大將軍同正。廣德初，鳳翔節度使孫誌直署晟總遊兵，擊破党項羌高玉等，以功授特進、試光祿卿，轉試太常卿。大歷初，李抱玉鎮鳳翔，署晟為右軍都將。四年，吐蕃圍靈州，抱玉遣晟將兵五千以擊吐蕃，晟辭曰：「以眾則不足，以謀則太多。」乃請將兵千人疾出大震關，至臨洮，屠定秦堡，焚其積聚，虜堡帥慕容谷鐘而還，吐蕃因解靈州之圍而去。拜開府儀同三司。無幾，兼左金吾衛大將軍、涇原四鎮北庭都知兵馬使，並總遊兵。無何，節度使馬璘與吐蕃戰於鹽倉，兵敗，晟率所部橫擊之，拔璘出亂兵之中，以功封合川郡王。璘忌晟威名，又遇之不以禮，令朝京師，代宗留居宿衛，為右神策都將。德宗即位，吐蕃寇劍南，時節度使崔寧朝京師，三川震恐，乃詔晟將神策兵救之，授太子賓客。晟乃逾漏天，拔飛越，廓清肅寧三城，絕大渡河，獲首虜千余級，虜乃引退，因留成都數月而還。

Li Sheng, whose courtesy name was Liangqi, was a native of Lintao in Longyou. His grandfather was Sigong and his father Qin. For generations the family had lived in Longyou as deputy generals. Sheng was orphaned at a young age. He served his mother with filial devotion, was bold and fierce by nature, possessed real ability, and excelled at mounted archery. At eighteen he entered military service. He stood six feet tall, and his courage was unmatched. At that time the Hexi military governor Wang Zhongsi was fighting the Tibetans. A fierce enemy general fought from atop the walls and wounded many soldiers, so Zhongsi recruited the army's best archers to bring him down. Sheng drew his bow and dropped the man with a single shot. The whole army roared in acclaim. Zhongsi rewarded him generously and, patting his back, said, "Here is a match for ten thousand men." Gao Shengya, military governor of Fengxiang, heard of his reputation and summoned him to serve as a ranked commander. He once attacked rebellious Qiang at Gaodang River in Die Prefecture and again defeated the Lian-kuang Qiang of Dang Prefecture at Han Mountain. After both victories he was repeatedly promoted, eventually reaching Senior General of the Left Imperial Guard with concurrent appointment. Early in the Guangde era, Sun Zhizhi, military governor of Fengxiang, put Sheng in command of mobile troops. He defeated the Tangut chieftain Gao Yu and others, and for this service was granted Special Grand Master and Acting Director of the Imperial Household, then transferred to Acting Minister of Ceremonies. Early in the Dali era, when Li Baoyu governed Fengxiang, he appointed Sheng Right Army Commander. In the fourth year the Tibetans besieged Ling Prefecture. Baoyu sent Sheng with five thousand men to attack them. Sheng declined, saying, "By numbers we are too few; by strategy we are too many." He then asked to lead a thousand men in a rapid march through Dazhen Pass to Lintao, where he slaughtered the garrison of Dingqin Fort, burned its stores, captured the fort commander Murong Guzhong, and returned. The Tibetans thereupon lifted the siege of Ling Prefecture and withdrew. He was appointed Grand General with the Ceremonial of the Three Dukes. Before long he was also made Senior General of the Left Golden Guard and Commander-in-Chief of the Four Garrisons and Beiting of Jingyuan, while continuing to command mobile troops. Soon after, Military Governor Ma Lin fought the Tibetans at Yancang and was defeated. Sheng led his command in a flanking attack, pulled Lin out of the chaos, and for this service was enfeoffed as Prince of Hechuan. Lin resented Sheng's renown and also treated him without courtesy. He ordered him to proceed to the capital. Emperor Daizong kept him in palace guard service as Right Commander of the Divine Strategy Army. When Emperor Dezong took the throne, the Tibetans raided Jiannan. Military Governor Cui Ning was then at the capital, and the Three Rivers region was shaken with fear. An edict ordered Sheng to lead the Divine Strategy Army to the rescue and appointed him Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent. Sheng crossed Loutian, captured Feiyue, cleared the three cities of Su and Ning, crossed the Dadu River, and took more than a thousand enemy heads. The barbarians then withdrew. He remained at Chengdu for several months before returning.

建中二年，魏博田悅反，將兵圍臨洺、邢州，詔以晟為神策先鋒都知兵馬使，與河東節度使馬燧、昭義節度使李抱真合兵救臨洺。尋加兼御史中丞。河東、昭義軍攻楊朝光於臨洺南，晟與河東騎將李自良、李奉國擊悅於雙岡，悅兵卻，遂斬朝光。戰於臨洺，諸軍皆卻。晟引兵渡洺水，乘冰而濟，橫擊悅軍，王師復振，擊悅，大破之。三年正月，復以諸道軍擊敗悅軍於洹水，遂進攻魏州，以功加檢校左散騎常侍，實封百戶。無幾，兼魏府左司馬。時硃滔、王武俊聯兵在深、趙，怒朝廷賞功薄，田悅知其可間，遣使求援，滔與武俊應之，遂以兵圍康日知於趙州。李抱真分兵二千人守邢州，馬燧大怒，欲班師。晟謂燧曰：「初奉詔進討，三帥齊進。李尚書以邢州與趙州接圵，分兵守之，誠未為害，其精卒銳將皆在於此，令公遽自引去，奈王事何？」燧釋然謝晟，燧乃自造抱真壘，與之交歡如初。

In the second year of Jianzhong, Tian Yue of Weibo rebelled and led troops to besiege Linzhang and Xing Prefecture. An edict appointed Sheng Commander-in-Chief of the Divine Strategy Vanguard and ordered him to join Military Governor Ma Sui of Hedong and Military Governor Li Baozhen of Zhaoyi in relieving Linzhang. Soon he was also made Vice Censor-in-Chief. The Hedong and Zhaoyi armies attacked Yang Chaoguang south of Linzhang. Sheng, with the Hedong cavalry commanders Li Ziliang and Li Fengguo, struck Yue at Shuanggang. Yue's troops fell back, and Chaoguang was beheaded. In the fighting at Linzhang, all the armies fell back. Sheng led his troops across the Zhang River, crossed on the ice, struck Yue's army from the flank, and the imperial forces rallied. He attacked Yue and routed him. In the first month of the third year, the allied armies again defeated Yue's forces at the Huan River and advanced to attack Weizhou. For this merit Sheng was made Acting Left Regular Attendant and granted a substantive fief of one hundred households. Before long he was also made Left Administrator of the Weifu. At the time Zhu Tao and Wang Wujun had joined forces in Shen and Zhao, angry that the court's rewards for merit were meager. Tian Yue knew they could be divided and sent envoys to seek aid. Tao and Wujun responded and led troops to besiege Kang Rizhi at Zhao Prefecture. Li Baozhen detached two thousand men to guard Xing Prefecture. Ma Sui was greatly angered and wished to withdraw his army. Sheng said to Sui, "At first we received the edict to advance and attack, and the three commanders moved together. Minister Li posted troops at Xing Prefecture because it borders Zhao Prefecture; that was no real harm. His elite soldiers and sharp commanders are all here. If you now suddenly withdraw on your own, what will become of the state's business?" Sui was relieved and apologized to Sheng. He then went in person to Baozhen's camp and renewed their friendship as before.

王武俊攻趙州，晟乃獻狀請解趙州之圍，欲引兵赴定州與張孝忠合勢，欲圖范陽，德宗壯之，加晟御史大夫，俾禁軍將軍莫仁擢、趙光銑、杜季泚皆隸焉。晟自魏州引軍而北，徑趨趙州，武俊聞之，解圍而去。晟留趙州三日，與孝忠兵合，北略恆州，圍硃滔將鄭景濟於清苑，決水以灌之。田悅、王武俊皆遣兵來救，戰於白樓。賊犯義武軍，稍卻，晟引步騎擊破之，晟所乘馬連中流矢。逾月，城中益急，滔、武俊大懼，乃悉收魏博之眾而來，復圍晟軍。晟內圍景濟，外與滔等拒戰，日數合，自正月至於五月。會晟病甚，不知人者數焉。軍吏合謀，乃以馬輿還定州，賊不敢逼。晟疾間，復將進師，會京城變起，德宗在奉天，詔晟赴難。晟承詔泣下，即日欲赴關輔。義武軍間於硃滔、王武俊，倚晟為輕重，不欲晟去，數謀沮止晟軍。晟謂將吏曰：「天子播越於外，人臣當百舍一息，死而後已。張義武欲沮吾行，吾當以愛子為質，選良馬以啖其意。」乃留子憑以為婚。義武軍有大將為孝忠委信者謁晟，晟乃解玉帶以遺之，因曰：「吾欲西行，願以為別。」陳赴難之意，受帶者果德晟，乃諫孝忠勿止晟。晟得引軍逾飛狐，師次代州，詔加晟檢校工部尚書、神策行營節度使，實封二百戶。晟軍令嚴肅，所過樵采無犯。自河中由蒲津而軍渭北，壁東渭橋以逼泚。時劉德信將子弟軍救襄城，敗於扈澗，聞難，率余軍先次渭南，與晟合軍。軍無統一，晟不能制，因德信入晟軍，乃數其罪斬之。晟以數騎馳入德信軍，撫勞其眾，無敢動者。既併德信軍，軍益振。

Wang Wujun attacked Zhao Prefecture. Sheng submitted a memorial asking to lift the siege of Zhao and to lead his army to Ding Prefecture to join forces with Zhang Xiaozhong, intending to strike at Fanyang. Dezong admired this and made Sheng Censor-in-Chief, with the palace guard generals Mo Renzhuo, Zhao Guangxian, and Du Jichou all placed under his command. Sheng led his army north from Weizhou and marched straight for Zhao Prefecture. When Wujun heard of it, he lifted the siege and withdrew. Sheng remained at Zhao Prefecture three days, then joined Xiaozhong's forces and advanced north through Heng Prefecture, besieging Zhu Tao's general Zheng Jingji at Qingyuan and breaching the dikes to flood the city. Tian Yue and Wang Wujun both sent troops to the rescue, and battle was joined at Bailou. The rebels attacked the Yiwu Army and were driven back slightly. Sheng led infantry and cavalry in a crushing attack. The horse Sheng rode was struck by arrows in succession. After more than a month the city grew more desperate. Tao and Wujun were greatly afraid and gathered all the Weibo troops, then came again and encircled Sheng's army. Within, Sheng besieged Jingji; outside, he fought Tao and the others. Battle joined several times a day from the first month until the fifth. Then Sheng fell gravely ill and was unconscious several times. The staff officers conspired together and carried him in a litter back to Ding Prefecture. The rebels did not dare press close. When Sheng's illness eased, he prepared to advance again. Then turmoil broke out in the capital, Dezong was at Fengtian, and an edict summoned Sheng to the rescue. Sheng received the edict and wept. That very day he wished to hurry to Guanzhong. The Yiwu Army, caught between Zhu Tao and Wang Wujun, relied on Sheng for its weight in the balance and did not wish him to leave. Several times they plotted to obstruct his march. Sheng said to his commanders and officials, "The Son of Heaven is cast into exile. As his subjects we should travel a hundred lodges with but one breath between them and die only when we can die no more. Zhang of Yiwu wishes to obstruct my march. I shall leave my beloved son as a hostage and select fine horses to satisfy his desire." He then left his son Ping as a pledge in marriage. A senior general of the Yiwu Army whom Xiaozhong trusted came to see Sheng. Sheng removed his jade belt and gave it to him, saying, "I wish to march west. Let this be my parting gift." He expressed his intent to go to the rescue. The man who received the belt was indeed grateful to Sheng and urged Xiaozhong not to stop him. Sheng was able to lead his army across Feihu Pass. When his troops halted at Dai Prefecture, an edict added to his titles Acting Minister of Works and Military Governor of the Divine Strategy Field Army, with a substantive fief increased by two hundred households. Sheng's military discipline was severe. Where his army passed, none violated firewood or forage. From Hezhong he crossed the Pu Ford and encamped on the north bank of the Wei, building fortifications at East Wei Bridge to press Zhu Ci. At the time Liu Dexin was leading the Sons' Army to relieve Xiangcheng and had been defeated at Hujian. Hearing of the crisis, he led the remnant force first to Weinan and joined Sheng's army. The army had no unified command, and Sheng could not control it. When Dexin entered Sheng's camp, Sheng enumerated his crimes and beheaded him. Sheng rode with a few horsemen into Dexin's army, comforted the troops, and none dared stir. Once Dexin's army was merged, Sheng's force grew stronger.

時朔方節度使李懷光亦自河北赴難，軍於咸陽，不欲晟獨當一面以分己功，乃奏請與晟兵合，乃詔晟移軍合懷光軍。晟奉詔引軍至陳濤斜，軍壘未成，賊兵遽至，晟乃出陣，且言於懷光曰：「賊堅保宮苑，攻之未必克；今離其窟穴，敢出索戰，此殆天以賊賜明公也！」懷光恐晟立功，乃曰：「召軍適至，馬未秣，士未飯，詎可戰耶？不如蓄銳養威，俟時而舉。」晟知其意，遂收軍入壘，時興元元年正月也。每將合戰，必自異，衣錦裘、繡帽前行，親自指導。懷光望見惡之，乃謂晟曰：「將帥當持重，豈宜自表飾以啖賊也！」晟曰：「晟久在涇原，軍士頗相畏服，故欲令其先識以奪其心耳。」懷光益不悅，陰有異志，遷延不進。晟因人說懷光曰：「寇賊竊據京邑，天子出居近甸，兵柄廟略，屬在明公。公宜觀兵速進，晟願以所部得奉嚴令，為公前驅，雖死不悔。」懷光益拒之。晟兵軍於朔方軍北，每晟與懷光同至城下，懷光軍輒虜驅牛馬，吾姓苦之；晟軍無所犯。懷光軍惡其獨善，乃分所獲與之，晟軍不敢受。

At the time Li Huaiguang, military governor of Shuofang, also came from Hebei to the rescue and encamped at Xianyang. He did not wish Sheng alone to hold one front and divide his own merit, and memorialized asking that their armies be combined. An edict then ordered Sheng to move his army and join Huaiguang. Sheng received the edict and led his army to Chentao Slope. Before the camp fortifications were finished, rebel troops arrived at once. Sheng deployed for battle and said to Huaiguang, "The rebels hold the palace parks in a firm defense; an attack may not succeed. Now they have left their lair and dare come out seeking battle. Heaven is nearly giving the rebels to the enlightened lord!" Huaiguang feared Sheng would win merit and said, "The summoned army has only just arrived. The horses are unfed and the men unfed. How can we fight? Better to store up sharpness and nurture might, and strike when the time is ripe." Sheng knew his intent and withdrew the army into camp. It was the first month of the first year of Xingyuan. Whenever battle was about to join, he always distinguished himself, wearing a brocade fur coat and embroidered cap as he advanced in person to direct the fight. Huaiguang saw this and hated it. He said to Sheng, "A commander should be grave and steady. How can he adorn himself to bait the enemy!" Sheng said, "I have long been in Jingyuan, and the soldiers are quite in awe of me. I wished them to recognize me first and so seize their hearts." Huaiguang grew still more displeased, harbored a different intent in secret, and delayed without advancing. Sheng had someone persuade Huaiguang, "Bandits and rebels have seized the capital. The Son of Heaven dwells in the nearby suburbs. Military authority and the court's strategy rest with the enlightened lord. You should display your army and advance swiftly. I wish to lead my command under your strict orders as your vanguard, and though I die I shall not regret it." Huaiguang refused all the more. Sheng's army encamped north of the Shuofang army. Whenever Sheng and Huaiguang went together to the foot of the walls, Huaiguang's troops would seize and drive off cattle and horses, and the common people suffered bitterly. Sheng's army committed no violations. Huaiguang's army hated that he alone kept his conduct pure and divided the spoils with him. Sheng's troops dared not accept them.

久之，懷光將謀沮晟軍，計未有所出。時神策軍以舊例給賜厚於諸軍，懷光奏曰：「賊寇未平，軍中給賜，咸宜均一。今神策獨厚，諸軍皆以為言，臣無以止之，惟陛下裁處。」懷光計欲因是令晟自署侵削己軍，以撓破之。德宗憂之，欲以諸軍同神策，則財賦不給，無可奈何，乃遣翰林學士陸贄往懷光軍宣諭，仍令懷光與晟參議所宜以聞。贄、晟俱會於懷光軍，懷光言曰：「軍士稟賜不均，何以令戰？」贄未有言，數顧晟。晟曰：「公為元帥，弛張號令，皆得專之。晟當將一軍，唯公所指，以效死命。至於增損衣食，公當裁之。」懷光默然，無以難晟，又不欲侵刻神策軍發於自己，乃止。

After a long while Huaiguang plotted to obstruct Sheng's army, but no plan had yet emerged. At the time, by old precedent the Divine Strategy Army received richer grants than the other armies. Huaiguang memorialized, "The bandits are not yet pacified. Grants within the army should all be equal. Now the Divine Strategy Army alone is favored. All the armies speak of it. I have no way to stop them. I ask only that Your Majesty decide." Huaiguang intended by this to make Sheng himself order cuts to his own army and so break it. Dezong was troubled. He wished to make all armies equal to the Divine Strategy Army, but the treasury could not supply it and he was helpless. He sent Hanlin Academician Lu Zhi to Huaiguang's army to proclaim the imperial will and ordered Huaiguang and Sheng to consult on what should be done and report. Zhi and Sheng both met in Huaiguang's army. Huaiguang said, "Soldiers' rations and grants are unequal. How can they be ordered to fight?" Zhi had not yet spoken and repeatedly looked at Sheng. Sheng said, "You are commander-in-chief. In loosening and tightening, in issuing orders, you have full authority. I will lead one army wherever you point, to give my life in service. As for increasing or reducing food and clothing, you should decide." Huaiguang was silent and had no way to press Sheng. He also did not wish to cut the Divine Strategy Army himself, and so stopped.

懷光屯咸陽，堅壁八十余日，不肯出軍，德宗憂之，屢降中使，促以收復之期。懷光托以卒疲，更請休息，以伺其便，然陰與硃泚交通，其跡漸露。晟懼為所併，乃密疏請移軍東渭橋，以分賊勢。上初未之許。晟以懷光反狀已明，緩急宜有所備。蜀、漢之路，不可壅也，請以裨將趙光銑為洋州刺史，唐良臣為利州刺史，晟子婿張彧為劍州刺史，各將兵五百以防未然。上初納之，未果行。無何，吐蕃請以兵佐誅泚，上欲親總六師，移幸咸陽，以促諸軍進討。懷光聞之大駭，疑上奪其軍，謀亂益急。時鄜坊節度李建徽、神策將楊惠元及晟，並與懷光聯營，晟以事迫，會有中使過晟軍，晟乃宣令云：「奉詔徙屯渭橋。」乃結陣而行，至渭橋。不數日，懷光果劫建徽、惠元而併其兵，建徽遁免，惠元為懷光所害。是日，車駕幸梁州。時變生倉卒，百官扈從者十二三，駱谷道路險阻，儲供無素，從官乏食，上嘆曰：「早從李晟之言，三蜀可坐致也。」晟大將張少弘自行在傳口詔授晟尚書左僕射、同中書門下平章事，以安眾心。晟拜哭受命，且曰：「長安宗廟所在，為天下本，若皆執羈靮，誰復京師？」乃浚城隍，繕兵甲，以圖收復。晟以孤軍獨當強寇，恐為二賊之所併，乃卑詞厚幣，偽致誠於懷光，外示推崇，內為之備。時芻粟未集，乃令檢校戶部郎中張彧假京兆少尹，擇官吏以賦渭北畿縣。不旬日，芻糧皆足，晟乃大陳三軍，令之曰：「國家多難，亂逆繼興，屬車駕西幸，關中無主。予代受國恩，見危死節，臣子之分，況當此時，不能誅滅兇渠，以取富貴，非人豪也。渭橋橫跨大川，斷賊首尾，吾與公等戮力勤王，擇利而進，興復大業，建不世之功，能從我乎？」三軍無不泣下，曰：「唯公所使。」晟亦歔欷流涕。

Huaiguang encamped at Xianyang behind stout walls for more than eighty days and would not advance. Dezong was troubled and repeatedly sent palace envoys to press for a date of recovery. Huaiguang pleaded that the troops were exhausted and asked again for rest, waiting for a convenient moment. Yet in secret he communicated with Zhu Ci, and his tracks gradually showed. Sheng feared being absorbed and secretly memorialized asking to move his army to East Wei Bridge to divide the rebels' strength. At first the emperor did not grant it. Sheng judged that Huaiguang's rebellion was already clear and that in urgency or ease there should be preparations. The roads to Shu and Han could not be blocked. He asked that Deputy General Zhao Guangxian be made Prefect of Yang, Tang Liangchen Prefect of Li, and Sheng's son-in-law Zhang Yu Prefect of Jian, each leading five hundred men against what might come. At first the emperor accepted it, but it was not yet carried out. Before long the Tibetans asked to send troops to help destroy Zhu Ci. The emperor wished to lead the Six Armies in person and move to Xianyang to urge the armies forward. Huaiguang heard this and was greatly alarmed, suspecting the emperor meant to seize his army. His plot for rebellion grew more urgent. At the time Military Governor Li Jianhui of Zhenfang, Divine Strategy General Yang Huiyuan, and Sheng were all encamped with Huaiguang. The matter was pressing. A palace envoy happened to pass Sheng's army, and Sheng proclaimed the order, "By edict, move and encamp at Wei Bridge." He then formed ranks and marched to Wei Bridge. Within a few days Huaiguang indeed seized Jianhui and Huiyuan and absorbed their troops. Jianhui escaped; Huiyuan was killed by Huaiguang. That day the imperial carriage went to Liang Prefecture. The crisis arose in sudden haste. Only one or two out of ten officials accompanied the emperor. The Luogu road was perilous, supplies had not been prepared, and the attending officials lacked food. The emperor sighed, "Had I followed Li Sheng's counsel earlier, the Three Shu could have been secured without effort." Sheng's senior general Zhang Shaohong transmitted an oral edict from the emperor's presence appointing Sheng Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and Co-Equal with the Secretariat, to steady the hearts of the troops. Sheng bowed, wept, and accepted the commission, saying, "Chang'an is where the imperial ancestral temples stand and the foundation of the realm. If all hold the bridle and do nothing, who will recover the capital?" He then deepened the moats and walls, repaired arms and armor, and planned recovery. Sheng, with a lone army facing a powerful enemy, feared being absorbed by the two rebels. He used humble words and rich gifts, feigning sincerity toward Huaiguang, outwardly showing esteem while inwardly preparing against him. At the time fodder and grain had not been gathered. He ordered Acting Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue Zhang Yu to serve as Acting Junior Vice Prefect of Jingzhao and selected officials to levy the counties of the northern Wei metropolitan region. In less than ten days fodder and grain were fully supplied. Sheng then drew up the Three Armies in grand array and addressed them: "The state faces one calamity after another; rebellion follows rebellion. The imperial carriage has gone west, and Guanzhong has no lord. I stand in another's place to receive the state's grace. To meet danger and die for principle is a subject's portion. At such an hour, if one cannot cut down the wicked ringleader and instead seeks wealth and rank, one is no true champion. Wei Bridge crosses the great river and can cut the rebels in two. Let us join our strength to restore the throne, advance where gain lies, revive the great enterprise, and win undying merit. Will you follow me?" The whole army wept and said, "We go wherever you send us." Sheng too sighed and wept.

是時，硃泚盜據京城，懷光圖為反噬，河朔僭偽者三，李納虎視於河南，希烈鴟張於汴、鄭。晟內無貨財，外無轉輸，以孤軍而抗劇賊，而銳氣不衰，徒以忠義感於人心，故英豪歸向。戴休顏率奉天之眾，韓遊瑰治邠寧之師，駱元光以華州之兵守潼關，尚可孤以神策之旅屯七盤，皆稟晟節度，晟軍大振。懷光以休顏、遊瑰從晟，益懼。晟又致書於懷光，諭以禍福，令破賊迎鑾，以掩前過。懷光卒不悟，軍眾漸多離散，糗糧且竭，虜剽無所得，懼為晟所襲。三月，懷光自三原、富平東抵奉天，所至焚掠，乃自馮翊入據河中。懷光將孟涉、段威勇者，本神策將，惡懷光之不臣，既至富平，結陣於軍中，外向大呼而去，懷光不能制。涉、威勇以數千人歸晟，乃陳兵受涉等降卒，乃奏授涉檢校工部尚書，威勇兼御史大夫。

At that time Zhu Ci held the capital by force. Huaiguang plotted to turn and strike back at his allies. Three false rulers held sway in Hedei. Li Na watched Henan like a tiger. Xilie swaggered over Bian and Zheng. Sheng had no stores within and no transport from without. With a lone army he faced fierce rebels, yet his fighting spirit never slackened—because loyalty and righteousness moved men's hearts, and heroes rallied to him. Dai Xiuyan led the Fengtian forces. Han Yougui commanded the Binning army. Luo Yuanguang held Tong Pass with troops from Hua Prefecture. Shang Kehu garrisoned Qipan with a Divine Strategy detachment. All took orders from Sheng, and his army greatly revived. Because Xiuyan and Yougui had joined Sheng, Huaiguang grew still more afraid. Sheng also wrote to Huaiguang, explaining the consequences of fortune and ruin, and ordered him to break the rebels and welcome the imperial carriage home, so as to atone for past faults. Huaiguang never came to his senses. His troops steadily dwindled, provisions ran low, and raids brought in nothing. He feared Sheng would strike him. In the third month Huaiguang marched east from Sanyuan and Fuping to Fengtian, burning and plundering as he went, then entered Hezhong from Fengyi and seized it. Huaiguang's generals Meng She and Duan Weiyong, formerly Divine Strategy officers, hated Huaiguang's treason. At Fuping they formed ranks in camp, shouted to the outside, and marched away. Huaiguang could not stop them. She and Weiyong returned to Sheng with several thousand men. Sheng drew up his troops to receive them, then memorialized to appoint She Acting Minister of Works and Weiyong concurrent Censor-in-Chief.

德宗之幸山南，既入駱谷，謂渾瑊曰：「渭橋在賊腹內，兵勢懸隔，李晟可辦事乎？」瑊對曰：「李晟秉義執誌，臨事不可奪，以臣計之，破賊必矣。」帝意始安。是月，渾瑊步將上官望自間道懷詔書加晟檢校右僕射，兼河中尹、河中晉絳慈隰節度使，益實封三百戶，又兼京畿、渭北、鄜坊丹延節度招討使。晟承詔流涕。時帝欲移幸西川，晟上表：「請駐蹕梁漢，系億兆之心，圖翦滅之勢。若規小舍大，作都岷峨，即人心失望，武士謀臣無所施矣。」四月，有詔加晟京畿、渭北、鄜坊、商華兵馬副元帥。時京兆府司錄李敬仲自京城來，諫議大夫鄭雲逵自奉天至，晟以京兆少尹張彧為副使，鄭雲逵為行軍司馬，李敬仲為節度判官，俾同主軍畫。又請以懷光舊將唐良臣保潼關，以河中節度授之；戴休顏守奉天，請以鄜坊節度授之；上皆從之。渭橋舊有粟十余萬斛，度支先饋懷光軍欲盡，晟又奏曰：「近畿雖乘兵亂，猶可賦斂，儻寇賊未滅，宿兵曠時，人廢耕桑，又無儲蓄，非防微制勝之術也。」上納之。晟乃於畿甸率聚征賦，吏民樂輸，守禦益固，由是軍不乏食。

When Dezong fled south into the mountains and had entered Luogu Pass, he said to Hun Jian, "Wei Bridge lies deep in rebel territory, and our armies are far apart. Can Li Sheng manage this?" Jian replied, "Li Sheng holds to righteousness and keeps his purpose firm. In crisis no one can shake him. By my reckoning, he will surely break the rebels." The emperor's mind was finally eased. That month Hun Jian's infantry officer Shangguan Wang, carrying an edict by a hidden route, promoted Sheng to Acting Right Vice Director, concurrent Prefect of Hezhong and Military Governor of Hezhong-Jin-Jiang-Ci-Sui, with an additional three hundred taxable households, and also made him Coordinator-in-Chief for the armies of Jingji, Weibei, and Yanfang-Danyan. Sheng received the edict in tears. At the time the emperor wished to move the court to Xichuan. Sheng submitted a memorial: "I ask that Your Majesty halt at Liang and Han, to hold the hearts of the countless people and plan the means to cut down and destroy the rebels. If you choose the lesser and abandon the greater, making your capital among Min and E, the people's hearts will fail and warriors and strategists will have nowhere to apply their talents." In the fourth month an edict made Sheng Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the armies of Jingji, Weibei, Yanfang, and Shanghua. At the time Li Jingzhong, Recorder of Jingzhao Prefecture, came from the capital, and Remonstrance and Advice Grandee Zheng Yunkui came from Fengtian. Sheng made Vice Prefect of Jingzhao Zhang Yu his deputy, Zheng Yunkui his march commander, and Li Jingzhong his military judge, so that together they directed the army's plans. He also asked that Huaiguang's former general Tang Liangchen hold Tong Pass and be granted the Hezhong military governorship; that Dai Xiuyan hold Fengtian and be granted the Yanfang military governorship; The emperor approved all of this. Wei Bridge once held more than a hundred thousand bushels of grain, and the Finance Office had nearly exhausted it feeding Huaiguang's army. Sheng memorialized again: "Though the near capital has suffered military chaos, taxes can still be levied. If the rebels are not yet destroyed and troops linger long, people will abandon farming and weaving and there will be no reserves. That is not the way to check trouble early and win." The emperor accepted it. Sheng then gathered taxes across the metropolitan region. Officials and people paid gladly, defenses grew stronger, and from that time the army lacked no food.

神策軍家族多陷於泚，晟家亦百口在賊中，左右或有言及家者，晟因泣下曰：「乘輿何在，而敢恤家乎！」泚又使晟小吏王無忌之婿詣晟軍，且曰：「公家無恙，城中有書聞。」晟曰：「爾敢與賊為間！」遽命斬之。時轉輸不至，盛夏軍士或衣裘褐，晟亦同勞苦，每以大義奮激士心，卒無離叛者。會將吏數輩自賊中逃來，言泚眾攜離可滅之狀，士心益奮。先是，賊將姚令言及偽中丞崔宣咸使諜覘我軍，為邏騎所得，拘送於晟，晟解縛，食而遣之，誡之曰：「爾報崔宣，善為賊守，諸人勉力自固，勿不忠於賊也！」

Many Divine Strategy Army families were trapped with Zhu Ci. More than a hundred of Sheng's own kin were in enemy hands. When those around him spoke of family, Sheng wept and said, "Where is the imperial carriage, that I should dare think of home!" Zhu Ci also sent the son-in-law of Sheng's petty clerk Wang Wuji to his camp, saying, "Your household is safe. There is word from the city." Sheng said, "You dare serve as the rebels' spy!" He immediately ordered him beheaded. At the time supplies did not arrive. In midsummer some soldiers still wore furs and coarse cloth. Sheng shared their hardship, constantly rousing them with appeals to duty, and in the end none deserted. Several officers escaped from the rebels and reported that Zhu Ci's forces were divided and could be destroyed. The men's spirit grew still bolder. Earlier the rebel generals Yao Lingyan and the false Vice Director Cui Yuxian had sent spies to reconnoiter the army. Border cavalry captured them and brought them to Sheng. Sheng loosed their bonds, fed them, and sent them back with a warning: "Tell Cui Yuxian to guard well for the rebels. Tell all of them to hold firm and stay loyal to the rebels!"

五月三日，晟引軍抵通化門，耀武而還，賊不敢出。晨集將佐，圖兵所向，諸將曰：「先拔外城，既有市裏，然後北清宮闕。」晟曰：「若先收坊市，巷陌隘狹，間以居人，若賊設伏格鬥，百姓囂潰，非計也。且賊重兵堅甲，皆在苑中，若自苑擊其心腹，彼將圖走不暇，如此則宮闕保安，市不易肆，計之上也。」諸將曰：「善」。乃移書瑊、駱元光、尚可孤，克期進軍於城下。

On the third day of the fifth month Sheng led his army to Tonghua Gate, displayed his strength, and withdrew. The rebels did not dare come out. In the morning he gathered his generals and staff to plan the army's advance. The generals said, "First take the outer city. Once we hold the markets, then move north to clear the palace precincts." Sheng said, "If we first take the wards and markets, the lanes are narrow and crowded with residents. If the rebels set ambushes and fight there, the people will panic and scatter. That is no plan. Besides, the rebels' heavy troops and strong armor are all in the imperial park. If we strike their vitals from the park, they will think only of flight. Then the palace precincts will be secure and the markets undisturbed. That is the best plan." The generals said, "Good." He then sent letters to Jian, Luo Yuanguang, and Shang Kehu, fixing a date to advance on the city together.

其月二十五日夜，晟自東渭橋移軍於光泰門外米倉村，以薄京城。晟臨高指麾，令設壕柵以候賊軍。俄而賊眾大至，賊驍將張庭芝、李希倩逼柵求戰，晟謂諸將曰：「吾恐賊不出，今冒死而來，天贊我也！」勒吳詵、康英俊、史萬頃、孟涉等縱兵擊之。時華州營在北，兵少，賊併力攻之，晟遣李演、孟華以精卒救之。中軍鼓噪，演力戰，大破之，乘勝入光泰門；再戰，又敗之，僵屍蔽地，余眾走入白華，夜聞慟哭之聲。

On the twenty-fifth night of that month Sheng moved his army from East Wei Bridge to Milang Village outside Guangtai Gate to press close to the capital. Sheng took high ground to command, ordering trenches and palisades set to await the rebel army. Soon the rebel forces arrived in strength. Rebel fierce generals Zhang Tingzhi and Li Xiqian pressed the palisade seeking battle. Sheng told his generals, "I feared the rebels would not come out. Now they come courting death—Heaven favors us!" He ordered Wu Shen, Kang Yingjun, Shi Wanqing, Meng She, and others to unleash their troops and strike them. At the time the Hua Prefecture camp was to the north with few troops. The rebels combined strength to attack it. Sheng sent Li Yan and Meng Hua with elite troops to rescue them. The center army beat drums and shouted. Yan fought hard and routed them, pressing the victory into Guangtai Gate; Fighting again, he defeated them once more. Dead bodies covered the ground. The remainder fled into Baihua. At night came sounds of wailing grief.

翌日，將復出師，諸將請待西軍至，則左右夾攻。晟曰：「賊既傷敗，須乘勝撲滅，若俟其有備，豈王師之利耶！如待西軍，恐失機便。」二十八日，晟大集諸將駱元光、尚可孤，兵馬使吳詵、王佖，都虞候邢君牙、李演、史萬頃，神策將孟涉、康英俊，華州將郭審金、權文成，商州將彭元俊等，號令誓師畢，陳兵於光泰門外。乃使王佖、李演率騎軍，史萬頃領步卒，直抵苑墻神麚村。晟先是夜使人開苑墻二百余步，至是賊已樹木柵之，賊倚柵拒戰。晟叱軍士曰：「安得縱賊如此，當先斬公等！」萬頃懼，先登，拔柵而入，王佖騎軍繼進，賊即奔潰，獲賊將段誠諫，大軍分道並入，鼓噪雷動。姚令言、張庭芝、李希倩猶力捍官軍，晟令決勝軍使唐良臣、兵馬使趙光銑、楊萬榮、孟日華等步騎齊進，賊軍陣成而屢北。戰十余合，乘勝驅蹙，至於白華。忽有賊騎千余出於官軍之背，晟以麾下百余騎馳之，左右呼曰：「相公來！」賊聞之驚潰，官軍追斬，不可勝計。硃泚、姚令言、張庭芝尚有眾萬人，相率遁走，晟遣田子奇追之，其余兇黨相率來降。是日，晟軍入京城，勒兵屯於含元殿前，晟舍於右金吾仗，仍號令諸軍曰「晟實不武，上憑睿算，下賴士心，幸得殲厥兇渠，肅清宮禁，皆三軍之力也。長安士庶，久陷賊庭，若小有震驚，則非伐罪吊人之義也。晟與公等各有家室，離別數年，今已成功，相見非晚，五日內不得輒通家信，違命者斬。」乃遣京兆尹李齊運、攝長安令陳元眾、攝萬年令韋上伋告喻百姓，居人安堵，秋毫無所犯。尚可孤軍人有擅取賊馬者，晟大將高明曜虜賊女妓一人，司馬伷取賊馬二匹，晟皆立斬之，莫敢忤視。士庶無不感悅，鹹歔欷流涕，遠坊居人，亦有經宿方知者。二十九日，令孟涉屯於白華，尚可孤屯望仙門，駱元光屯章敬寺，晟自屯於安國寺。是日，斬賊將李希倩等八人，徇於市。

The next day, as he was about to march out again, the generals asked to wait until the western army arrived and then attack from both sides. Sheng said, "The rebels are already broken. We must press the victory and destroy them. If we wait until they are ready, how will that serve the imperial army! To wait for the western army is to miss our chance." On the twenty-eighth Sheng gathered his generals Luo Yuanguang, Shang Kehu, military commissioners Wu Shen and Wang Bi, chief adjutants Xing Junya, Li Yan, and Shi Wanqing, Divine Strategy officers Meng She and Kang Yingjun, Hua Prefecture officers Guo Shenjin and Quan Wencheng, Shang Prefecture officer Peng Yuanjun, and others. Once orders and oaths were complete, he deployed troops outside Guangtai Gate. He then sent Wang Bi and Li Yan to lead the cavalry and Shi Wanqing to command the infantry, going straight to Shenli Village at the park wall. Sheng had earlier that night had men open more than two hundred paces of the park wall. By then the rebels had barricaded it with timber and fought from behind the barrier. Sheng berated the soldiers: "How can you let the rebels do this? I ought to behead you first!" Wanqing, afraid, climbed first, tore down the barricade, and entered. Wang Bi's cavalry followed. The rebels at once broke and fled. They captured rebel general Duan Chengjian. The main army entered by separate routes together, drums and shouts thundering. Yao Lingyan, Zhang Tingzhi, and Li Xiqian still fought hard against the imperial army. Sheng ordered Victory Army commander Tang Liangchen and military commissioners Zhao Guangxuan, Yang Wanrong, Meng Rihua, and others to advance together, infantry and cavalry. The rebel army formed ranks but repeatedly fell back. After more than ten engagements, pressing the victory they drove the rebels as far as Baihua. Suddenly more than a thousand rebel horsemen appeared behind the imperial army. Sheng with a little over a hundred horsemen of his own retinue galloped at them. Those at his sides shouted, "The Chancellor comes!" The rebels heard this and broke in panic. The imperial army pursued and cut them down beyond counting. Zhu Ci, Yao Lingyan, and Zhang Tingzhi still had a force of ten thousand. They fled together. Sheng sent Tian Ziqi in pursuit. The rest of the wicked faction surrendered in succession. That day Sheng's army entered the capital and ordered troops to camp before Hanyuan Hall. Sheng lodged at the Right Jinwu Guard station. He still ordered the armies, "Sheng is truly not martial. Above we relied on the emperor's wise calculations; below on the soldiers' hearts. By good fortune we destroyed the wicked chiefs and cleansed the palace precincts—all through the Three Armies' strength. The people of Chang'an have long been trapped in the rebels' court. If there is the slightest alarm, that is not the meaning of punishing crime and comforting the people. Sheng and you all have households, parted for years. Now success is achieved—meeting again is not far off. Within five days you must not send word home on your own. Whoever disobeys will be beheaded." He then sent Jingzhao Prefect Li Qiyun, Acting Chang'an Magistrate Chen Yuanzhong, and Acting Wannian Magistrate Wei Shangji to announce and instruct the people. Residents settled in peace. Not the slightest thing was violated. A soldier of Shang Kehu's army had taken a rebel horse without permission. Sheng's senior general Gao Mingyao seized one rebel courtesan. The deputy march commander Zhou took two rebel horses. Sheng had all three immediately beheaded. None dared meet his gaze. Gentlemen and common people were all moved with joy. All sighed and wept. Residents in distant wards sometimes did not know until a full day and night had passed. On the twenty-ninth he ordered Meng She to camp at Baihua, Shang Kehu at Wangxian Gate, Luo Yuanguang at Zhangjing Temple, and Sheng himself at Anguo Temple. That day he beheaded eight men including rebel general Li Xiqian and displayed them in the market.

六月四日，晟破賊露布至梁州，上覽之感泣，群臣無不隕涕，因上壽稱萬歲，奏曰：「李晟虔奉聖謨，蕩滌兇醜。然古之樹勛，力復都邑者，往往有之；至於不驚宗廟，不易市肆，長安人不識旗鼓，安堵如初，自三代以來，未之有也。」上曰：「天生李晟，為社稷萬人，不為朕也。」百官拜賀而退。是日，晟斬偽相李忠臣、張光晟、蔣鎮、喬琳、洪經綸、崔宣等，又表守臣節不屈於賊者程鎮之、劉乃、蔣沇、趙曄、薛岌等。

On the fourth day of the sixth month Sheng's victory bulletin on breaking the rebels reached Liang Prefecture. The emperor read it with moved tears. The assembled ministers all shed tears. They then offered birthday wishes and cried "Ten thousand years!" memorializing, "Li Sheng devoutly carried out the sage's design and swept away the wicked ugliness. Yet in antiquity those who planted merit and by force recovered capitals—there have often been such. But as for not alarming the ancestral temples, not disturbing the markets, Chang'an people not knowing drums and banners, settling at peace as before—from the Three Dynasties onward there has never been such." The emperor said, "Heaven born Li Sheng—for the altar of state and for the ten thousand people, not for me alone." The hundred officials bowed in congratulation and withdrew. That day Sheng beheaded the false chancellors Li Zhongchen, Zhang Guangsheng, Jiang Zhen, Qiao Lin, Hong Jinglun, Cui Xuan, and others. He also memorialized those who held ministerial integrity and did not yield to the rebels: Cheng Zhenzhi, Liu Nai, Jiang Yan, Zhao Ye, Xue Ji, and others.

晟初屯渭橋時，熒惑守歲，久之方退，賓介或勸曰：「今熒惑已退，皇家之利也，可速用兵。」晟曰：「天子外次，人臣但當死節，垂象玄遠，吾安知天道耶！」至是，謂參佐曰：「前者士大夫勸晟出兵，非敢拒也，且軍可用之，不可使知之。嘗聞五緯盈縮無準，晟懼復來守歲，則我軍不戰而自潰。」參佐嘆服，皆曰：「非所及也。」尋拜晟司徒，兼中書令，實封一千戶。

When Sheng first encamped at Wei Bridge, Mars guarded the Year Star. Only after a long while did it withdraw. Guests and aides sometimes urged, "Now Mars has withdrawn—this is the dynasty's gain. You should use troops quickly." Sheng said, "The Son of Heaven is abroad on campaign. As subjects we should only die for honor. Celestial signs are profound and far. How would I know Heaven's way!" At this point he told his staff, "Before, when the gentlemen urged Sheng to march out, it was not that I dared refuse. Rather, the army can be used—but they must not be made to know. I have heard the Five Planets expand and contract without fixed rule. Sheng feared Mars would return to guard the Year Star. Then our army would break without fighting." The staff sighed in admiration and all said, "This is beyond us." Soon Sheng was appointed Grand Preceptor and concurrent Palace Director, with a thousand taxable households.

晟綜理以備百司，令大將吳詵將兵三千至寶雞清道，晟又請至鳳翔迎扈，不許。七月十三日，德宗至自興元，渾瑊、韓遊瑰、戴休顏以其兵扈從，晟與駱元光、尚可孤以其兵奉迎。時元從禁軍及山南、隴州、鳳翔之眾，步騎凡十余萬，旌旗連亙數十里，傾城士庶，夾道歡呼。晟以戎服謁見於三橋，上駐馬勞之。晟再拜稽首，初賀元惡殄滅，宗廟再清，宮闈鹹肅，抃舞感涕，跪而言曰：「臣忝備爪牙之任，不能早誅妖逆，至鑾輿再遷。及師於城隅，累月方殄賊寇，皆臣庸懦不任職之責，敢請死罪。」伏於路左。上為之掩涕，命給事中齊映宣旨，令左右起晟於馬前。是月，禦殿大赦，贈晟父欽太子太保，母王氏贈代國夫人，賜永崇裏第及涇陽上田、延平門之林園、女樂八人。入第之日，京兆府供帳酒饌，賜教坊樂具，鼓吹迎導，宰臣節將送之，京師以為榮觀。上思晟勛力，制紀功碑，俾皇太子書之，刊石立於東渭橋，與天地悠久，又令太子書碑詞以賜晟。

Sheng put affairs in order to supply all offices. He ordered senior general Wu Shen to lead three thousand troops to Baoji to clear the roads. Sheng also asked to go to Fengxiang to welcome and escort the emperor. This was not granted. On the thirteenth day of the seventh month Dezong arrived from Xingyuan. Hun Jian, Han Yougui, and Dai Xiuyan escorted with their troops. Sheng with Luo Yuanguang and Shang Kehu welcomed with their troops. At the time the original accompanying Palace Guards and the forces of Shannan, Long Prefecture, and Fengxiang—infantry and cavalry totaling more than a hundred thousand—banners and flags stretching unbroken for several tens of li. The whole city's gentlemen and common people lined the road shouting welcome. Sheng in military dress paid respects at San Bridge. The emperor halted his horse to comfort him. Sheng bowed twice and touched his forehead to the ground. First he congratulated that the chief villain was destroyed, the ancestral temples cleansed again, the palace precincts all in order. Dancing for joy with moved tears, he knelt and said, "Your subject undeservedly holds the post of claw and fang. I could not early execute the demonic rebels, until the imperial carriage moved twice. When troops were at the city corner, only after many months were the rebels destroyed—all the fault of your subject's mediocrity and incompetence. I dare beg the death penalty." He prostrated himself on the left side of the road. The emperor wiped tears for him and ordered Censor Qi Ying to proclaim the imperial will, commanding attendants to raise Sheng before his horse. That month the emperor held court for a great amnesty. Sheng's father Qin was posthumously granted Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent. His mother Lady Wang was posthumously granted Lady of Daiguo. He was granted a mansion in Yongchong Ward, upper fields in Jingyang, the grove garden at Yanping Gate, and eight female musicians. On the day he entered his mansion Jingzhao Prefecture supplied tents, wine, and food. The Music Office instruments were granted. Musical accompaniment welcomed and led him. Chancellors and military governors saw him home. The capital considered it a glorious sight. The emperor, mindful of Sheng's merit, had an achievement stele composed. He had the Crown Prince write it, carved in stone and erected at East Wei Bridge to endure with heaven and earth. He also had the Crown Prince write the stele text and grant it to Sheng.

晟以涇州倚邊，屢害戎帥，數為亂階，乃上書請理不用命者，兼備耕以積粟，攘卻西蕃，上皆從之。詔以晟兼鳳翔尹、鳳翔隴右節度使，仍充隴右涇原節度，兼管內諸軍及四鎮、北庭行營兵馬副元帥，改封西平郡王。初，帝在奉天，鳳翔軍亂，殺其帥張鎰，立小將李楚琳。至是楚琳在朝，晟請以楚琳俱往鳳翔，將誅之，上以初復京師，方安反側，不許。八月，晟至鳳翔，理殺張鎰之罪，斬王斌等十余人。初，硃泚亂時，涇州亦殺其帥馮河清，立別將田希鑒，方屬播遷，不遑討伐，以涇帥授之。至是，晟奏曰：「近者中原兵禍，皆起涇州，且其地逼西戎，易為反覆。希鑒兇徒，將校驕逆，若不懲革，終為後患。」從之。晟至鳳翔，托以巡邊，至涇州，希鑒迎謁，於坐執而誅之，並誅害河清者石奇等三十余人，具事以聞。上曰：「涇州亂逆泉藪，非晟莫能理之。」還鎮，表右龍武將軍李觀為涇原節度使，吐蕃深畏之。晟常曰；「河、隴之陷也，豈吐蕃力取之，皆因將帥貪暴，種落攜貳，人不得耕稼，展轉東徙，自棄之耳。且土無絲絮，人苦征役，思唐之心，豈有已乎！」乃傾家財以賞降者，以懷來之。降虜浪息曩，晟奏封王，每蕃使至，晟必置息曩於坐，衣以錦袍、金帶以寵異之。蕃人皆相指目，榮羨息曩。

Sheng, because Jing Prefecture bordered the frontier and repeatedly devoured frontier commanders, often becoming a source of rebellion, submitted a letter asking to punish the disobedient, also prepare farming to store grain, and drive back the Western Tibetans. The emperor approved all. An edict made Sheng concurrent Prefect of Fengxiang and Military Governor of Fengxiang-Longyou, still serving as Military Governor of Longyou-Jingyuan, and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of all armies within his jurisdiction and of the Four Garrisons and Beiting field headquarters troops. He was enfeoffed as Prince of Xiping Commandery. Earlier, when the emperor was at Fengtian, the Fengxiang army mutinied, killed its commander Zhang Yi, and installed junior officer Li Chuolin. At this point Chuolin was at court. Sheng asked to take Chuolin with him to Fengxiang intending to execute him. The emperor, having just recovered the capital and still settling those who might turn, did not permit it. In the eighth month Sheng reached Fengxiang, judged the crime of killing Zhang Yi, and beheaded more than ten men including Wang Bin. Earlier, during Zhu Ci's rebellion, Jing Prefecture also killed its commander Feng Heqing and installed deputy general Tian Xijian. At the time of the imperial flight there was no leisure to punish them, and the Jing commandership was granted to him. At this point Sheng memorialized, "Recently military disasters in the Central Plains have all begun at Jing Prefecture. Moreover its land presses on the Western Rong and easily turns fickle. Xijian is a wicked ruffian. His officers are arrogant and rebellious. If not punished and reformed, he will become a future calamity." This was approved. Sheng reached Fengxiang, then under pretext of patrolling the frontier went to Jing Prefecture. Xijian came to greet and pay respects. At the seat Sheng seized and executed him, and also executed more than thirty men including Shi Qi who had harmed Heqing. He reported the whole matter. The emperor said, "Jing Prefecture is a spring of rebellion and treason. None but Sheng can govern it." Returning to his post, he memorialized Right Dragon Martial General Li Guan as Military Governor of Jingyuan. The Tibetans deeply feared him. Sheng often said: "The fall of He and Long—was it taken by Tibetan strength? All of it came because commanders were greedy and brutal, tribes turned divided, people could not farm, and shifting east in succession they abandoned it themselves. Moreover the land has no silk and cotton. People suffer forced labor. The heart that yearns for Tang—how could it ever end!" He then poured out family wealth to reward those who surrendered, to draw them by kindness. A surrendered barbarian named Langxinang—Sheng memorialized to enfeoff him as king. Whenever Tibetan envoys came, Sheng always placed Xinang at the seat of honor, clothed him in brocade robes and a gold belt to favor and distinguish him. Tibetans all pointed and looked, envying Xinang.

蕃相尚結贊頗多詐謀，尤惡晟，乃相與議云：「唐之名將，李晟與馬燧、渾瑊耳。不去三人，必為我憂。」乃行反間，遣使因馬燧以請和，既和，即請盟，復因盟以虜瑊，因以賣燧。貞元二年九月，吐蕃用尚結贊之計，乃大興兵入隴州，抵鳳翔，無所虜掠，且曰：「召我來，何不以牛酒犒勞？」徐乃引去，持是間晟也。是役也，晟先令衙將王佖選銳兵三千，設伏於汧陽，誡之曰：「蕃軍過城下，勿擊首尾，首尾縱敗，中軍力全，若合勢攻汝，必受其弊。但俟其前軍已過，見五方旗、武豹衣，則其中軍也，突其不意，可建奇功。」佖如晟節度，果遇結贊。及出奮擊，賊皆披靡，佖軍不識結贊，故結贊僅而獲免。十月，晟出師襲吐蕃摧沙堡，拔之，斬其堡使扈屈律悉蒙等，自是結贊數遣使乞和。十二月，晟朝京師，奏曰：「戎狄無信，不可許。」宰相韓滉又扶晟議，請調軍食以給晟，命將擊之。上方厭兵，疑將帥生事邀功。會滉卒，張延賞秉政，與晟有隙，屢於上前間晟，言不可久令典兵。延賞欲用劉玄佐、李抱真，委以西北邊事，俾立功以壓晟，德宗竟納延賞之言，罷晟兵柄。三年三月，冊拜晟為太尉、中書令，奉朝請而已。其年閏五月，渾瑊與尚結贊同盟於平涼，果為蕃兵所劫，瑊單馬僅免，將吏皆陷。六月，罷河東節度使馬燧為司徒，盡中尚結贊之謀。

Tibetan chancellor Shang Jiezan was full of treacherous schemes and especially hated Sheng. They discussed together, "Tang's famous generals are only Li Sheng, Ma Sui, and Hun Jian. If these three are not removed, they will surely become our worry." They then carried out a counter-espionage plot. They sent envoys through Ma Sui to ask for peace. Once at peace they asked for alliance. Then through alliance they captured Jian and thereby betrayed Sui. In the ninth month of the second year of Zhenyuan the Tibetans used Shang Jiezan's plan and raised great forces, entering Long Prefecture and reaching Fengxiang. They plundered nothing and said, "You summoned us—why not reward us with cattle and wine?" Slowly they then withdrew, using this to drive a wedge against Sheng. In this campaign Sheng first ordered staff officer Wang Bi to select three thousand crack troops and set an ambush at Qianyang, warning him, "When Tibetan troops pass below the city, do not strike head or tail. Even if head and tail are beaten, the center army's strength remains intact. If they combine force to attack you, you will surely suffer harm. Only wait until their vanguard has passed. When you see the Five-Direction banner and martial leopard robes, that is their center army. Strike them unawares and you can achieve marvelous merit." Bi followed Sheng's instructions and indeed encountered Jiezan. When they sallied forth and struck hard, the enemy all collapsed. Bi's army did not recognize Jiezan, so Jiezan barely escaped. In the tenth month Sheng marched out to raid the Tibetan Cuisha Fort, took it, and beheaded its fort commander Huchu Lv Simeng and others. From this Jiezan repeatedly sent envoys begging peace. In the twelfth month Sheng came to court at the capital and memorialized, "The Rong and Di are faithless. They cannot be granted this." Chancellor Han Huang also supported Sheng's view, asking to transfer military provisions to supply Sheng and command the generals to strike them. The emperor was weary of war and suspected the generals of creating incidents to claim merit. When Huang died, Zhang Yanshang took power. He had a rift with Sheng and repeatedly slandered Sheng before the emperor, saying he could not long be left in command of troops. Yanshang wished to use Liu Xuanzuo and Li Baozhen, entrusting them with northwestern frontier affairs, so they could win merit and overshadow Sheng. Dezong finally accepted Yanshang's words and removed Sheng's military authority. In the third month of the third year Sheng was appointed by edict Grand Commandant and Palace Director, attending court only. That year in intercalary fifth month Hun Jian allied with Shang Jiezan at Pingliang. He was indeed seized by Tibetan troops. Jian alone on horseback barely escaped. Generals and officers were all trapped. In the sixth month Military Governor Ma Sui of Hedong was removed and made Grand Preceptor—entirely fulfilling Shang Jiezan's scheme.

晟既罷兵權，朝謁之外，罕所過從。有通王府長史丁瓊者，亦為張延賞所排，心懷怨望，乃求見晟言事，且曰：「太尉功業至大，猶罷兵權，自古功高，無有保全者。國家倘有變故，瓊願備左右，狡兔三穴，盍早圖之。」晟怒曰：「爾安得不祥之言！」遽執瓊以聞。四年三月，詔為晟立五廟，以晟高祖芝贈隴州刺史，曾祖嵩贈澤州刺史，祖思恭贈幽州大都督。廟成，官給牲牢、祭器、床帳，禮官相儀以祔焉。

Once Sheng had lost military authority, apart from court attendance he rarely went anywhere. There was Chief Steward of the Prince of Tong Prefecture Ding Qiong, also pushed aside by Zhang Yanshang, who harbored resentment. He sought an audience with Sheng to speak on affairs, saying, "Grand Commandant, your achievements are very great, yet still your military authority was removed. Since antiquity, none with such high merit has preserved himself intact. If the state should meet sudden change, Qiong wishes to serve at your side. A cunning rabbit has three burrows—why not plan early?" Sheng angrily said, "How dare you speak such ill-omened words!" He immediately seized Qiong and reported it. In the third month of the fourth year an edict ordered five ancestral temples established for Sheng. Sheng's great-great-grandfather Zhi was posthumously granted Prefect of Long Prefecture. His great-grandfather Song was posthumously granted Prefect of Ze Prefecture. His grandfather Sigong was posthumously granted Grand Protector of You Prefectorate. When the temples were completed, the government supplied sacrificial animals, ritual vessels, and bedding. Ritual officers assisted in the enshrinement rites.

五年九月，晟與侍中馬燧見於延英殿，上嘉其勛力，詔曰：「昔我列祖，乘乾坤之蕩滌，掃隋季之荒屯，體元禦極，作人父母；則亦有熊羆之士，不二心之臣，左右經綸，參翊締構，昭文德，恢武功，威不若，康不乂，用端命於上帝，付畀四方。宇宙既清，日月既貞，王業既成，太階既平；乃圖厥容，列於斯閣，懋昭績效，式表儀形，一以不忘於朝夕，一以永垂乎來裔，君臣之義，厚莫重焉。貞元己巳歲秋九月，我行西宮，瞻宏閣崇構，見老臣遺象，颙然肅然，和敬在色，想雲龍之葉應，感致來之艱難。睹往思今，取類非遠。且功與時並，才為代生，茍蘊其才，遇其時，尊主庇人，何代不有？在中宗，則桓彥範等著其輔戴之績；在玄宗，則劉幽求等申翼奉之勛；在肅宗，則郭子儀掃殄氛昆；今則李晟等保寧朕躬。咸宣力肆勤，光復宗社。訂之前烈，夫豈多謝，闕而未錄，孰謂旌賢。況念功紀德，文祖所為也，在予曷其敢怠！有司宜敘年代先後，各圖其像於舊臣之次，仍令皇太子書朕是命，紀於壁焉。庶播嘉庸，式昭於下，俾後來者尚揖清顏，知元勛之不朽。」復命皇太子書其文以賜晟，晟刻石於門左。

In the ninth month of the fifth year Sheng and Palace Director Ma Sui were received at Yanying Hall. The emperor praised their merit and issued an edict: "Of old my successive ancestors, riding heaven and earth's cleansing flood, swept away the Sui dynasty's wild entanglement, embodying the primal and ascending to the supreme, became parents to the people; then also were bear-and-badger warriors, loyal heart-undivided ministers, who at left and right wove the fabric of state, jointly aiding foundation and structure, displaying civil virtue, expanding martial achievement, where wrongdoing had no foothold and peace had no disorder, thereby receiving pure mandate from the High God and entrusting the four quarters. When cosmos was clear, sun and moon settled, royal enterprise achieved, and the Grand Stairway level; then their images were painted and placed in this pavilion, richly displaying their achievement, formally showing their likenesses—one copy to never forget from morning to evening, one to eternally extend to coming generations. The meaning between ruler and minister—nothing is heavier. In the ninth month of autumn in the jisi year of Zhenyuan, I walked the Western Palace, gazed at the great pavilion's lofty structure, saw the surviving images of old ministers—solemn and reverent, harmony and respect on their faces. I thought of cloud-and-dragon mutual response and felt the hardship of how we arrived. Seeing the past, thinking of the present—the parallel is not far. Moreover merit rises with the age, talent is born for the era. If one holds talent and meets the time, honoring the lord and sheltering the people—what age lacks this? Under Zhongzong, Huan Yanfan and others left their merit in assisting and supporting. Under Xuanzong, Liu Youqiu and others displayed their merit in winging and serving. Under Suzong, Guo Ziyi swept away the evil miasma; now Li Sheng and others preserved and secured my person. All declared strength and poured out diligence, brilliantly restoring the ancestral altars. Compared with former worthies, how could we over-praise? Yet left out and unrecorded—who would call that honoring the worthy? Moreover to remember merit and record virtue is what Wen Zu did. How would I dare be slack! The relevant offices should order by era, place each portrait in sequence among old ministers, and still have the Crown Prince write this command of mine, recording it on the wall. Thus may fine achievement be spread and brilliantly displayed below, so that those who come after may still bow before clear countenances and know that founding merit is imperishable." He again ordered the Crown Prince to write the text and grant it to Sheng. Sheng had it carved in stone at the left of his gate.

初，晟在鳳翔，謂賓介曰：「魏征能直言極諫，致太宗於堯、舜之上，真忠臣也，仆所慕之。」行軍司馬李叔度對曰：「此搢紳儒者之事，非勛德所宜。」晟斂容曰：「行軍失言。」「傳稱『邦有道，危言危行』。今休明之期，晟幸得備位將相，心有不可，忍而不言，豈可謂有犯無隱，知無不為者耶！是非在人主所擇耳。」叔度慚而退。故晟為相，每當上所顧問，必極言匪躬。盡大臣之節。性沈默，未嘗泄於所親。臨下明察，每理軍，必曰某有勞，某能其事，雖廝養小善，必記姓名。尤惡下為朋黨相構，好善嫉惡，出於天性。嘗有恩者，厚報之。初，譚元澄為嵐州刺史，嘗有恩於晟，後坐貶於岳州；比晟貴，上疏理之，詔贈元澄寧州刺史。元澄三子，晟撫待勤至，皆為成就宦學，人皆義之。理家以嚴稱，諸子侄非晨昏不得謁見，言不及公事，視王氏甥如己子。嘗正歲，崔氏女歸省，未及階，晟卻之曰：「爾有家，況姑在堂，婦當奉酒醴從饋，以待賓客。」遂不視而遣還家，其達禮敦教如此。貞元九年八月薨，時年六十七。上震悼出涕，廢朝五日，令百官就第臨吊，命京兆尹李充監護喪事，官給葬具，赗賻加等。比大斂，上手書致意，送柩前，曰：

Earlier, when Sheng was at Fengxiang, he told guests and aides, "Wei Zheng could speak bluntly and remonstrate to the limit, raising Taizong above Yao and Shun—truly a loyal minister. That is what I admire." March Commander Li Shudu replied, "That is the affair of gentry scholars. It is not fitting for one of martial merit." Sheng composed his expression and said, "Commander, you misspoke." "The tradition says, 'When the state has the Way, speak perilous words and walk perilous paths.' Now in this era of radiant glory, Sheng fortunately holds the post of general and chancellor. When the heart finds something unacceptable, to bear it and not speak—how can that be called one who speaks without concealment when there is offense, who acts whenever he knows? Right and wrong are for the lord to choose." Shudu withdrew in shame. Therefore when Sheng served as chancellor, whenever the emperor consulted him, he always spoke to the utmost without sparing himself. He fulfilled a great minister's integrity. By nature he was silent. He never disclosed secrets even to those close to him. Toward subordinates he was perceptive. Whenever he administered the army he would say so-and-so has merit, so-and-so can handle the task. Even small kindnesses among menials he would note by name. He especially hated subordinates forming factions against one another. Loving good and hating evil came from his inborn nature. When someone had done him a kindness, he repaid it generously. Earlier Tan Yuancheng was Prefect of Lan Prefecture and had once shown kindness to Sheng. Later he was punished and demoted to Yue Prefecture; When Sheng rose to eminence he submitted a memorial to clear him. An edict posthumously granted Yuancheng Prefect of Ning Prefecture. Yuancheng's three sons—Sheng raised and treated them with utmost diligence. All achieved official learning. People praised his righteousness. He governed his household with strictness. Sons and nephews could not visit except at dawn and dusk. Speech did not touch public affairs. He treated Lady Wang's nephews as his own sons. Once at New Year a daughter of the Cui clan came home for a visit. Before she reached the steps Sheng turned her back saying, "You have your own household. Moreover your mother-in-law is present. A wife should offer wine and sweetmeats in attendance and wait on guests." He did not see her but sent her home. Such was his understanding of rites and earnest teaching. In the eighth month of the ninth year of Zhenyuan he died. He was sixty-seven. The emperor was shocked and grieved, shedding tears. Court was suspended five days. He ordered the hundred officials to visit his residence to mourn. He commanded Jingzhao Prefect Li Chong to supervise funeral affairs. The government supplied burial goods and enhanced condolence gifts. At the great encoffining the emperor personally wrote a message of regard and sent it before the coffin, saying:

皇帝遣宮闈令第五守進致旨於故太尉、中書令、西平郡王、贈太師之靈曰：「天祚我邦，是生才傑，稟陰陽之粹氣，實山嶽之降靈。弘濟患難，保佐王室：掃蕩氛昆，廓清上京。忠誠感於人神，功業施於社稷，匡時定亂，實賴元勛。洎領上臺，克諧中外，訏謨帝道，葉贊皇猷。常竭嘉言，以匡不迨，情所親重，義無間然。方期與國同休，永為邦翰。比嬰疾恙，雖歷旬時，日冀痊除，重期相見，弼予在位，終致和平。豈圖藥餌無征，奄至薨逝，喪我賢哲，虧我股肱，天不慭遺，痛惜何極，嗚呼！大廈方構，旋失棟梁；巨川未濟，遂亡舟楫。君臣之義，追慟益深，循省遺章，倍增感切。卿一門胤嗣，朕必終始保持。況願等弟兄，承卿教訓，朕之誌義，豈忘平生？縱卿不言，朕亦存信。比者卿在之日，卻未見朕深心，今卿與朕長乖，方冀知朕誠誌。無以為念，發言涕零，是用躬述數行，貴寫所懷得盡。臨紙遣使，不能飾詞，魂而有知，當體朕意。」

The emperor sent Palace Gate Commandant Diwushoujin to convey his message before the spirit of the late Grand Commandant, Palace Director, Prince of Xiping Commandery, posthumously Grand Preceptor: "Heaven blesses our state and thereby produces outstanding talent, bearing the pure breath of yin and yang, truly the descent of mountain and peak spirits. Greatly relieving disaster and hardship, preserving and assisting the royal house: sweeping away evil miasma, clearing the upper capital. Loyalty moved human and divine hearts. Merit was applied to the altars of state. Correcting the age and settling chaos—truly we relied on founding merit. When he took the highest offices, he harmonized inner and outer, counseled the imperial Way, jointly aiding the sovereign design. He constantly poured forth fine counsel to correct what was not yet attained. Feeling held him close, righteousness brooked no distance. We had just expected to share the state's felicity with him forever, that he would eternally be the state's pillar. Recently he fell ill. Though weeks passed, day by day we hoped for recovery, again expecting to meet, that he would assist us on the throne and ultimately bring peace. Who thought medicine would show no effect and sudden death would come! We have lost our wise sage, maimed our arms and legs. Heaven is unkind in withholding him. Grief and lament know no limit. Alas! The great hall was just being built when suddenly we lost its beam and rafter; The great river was not yet crossed when suddenly we lost boat and oar. The meaning between ruler and minister—pursuing grief grows deeper. Following and reviewing his surviving writings, moved feeling doubles. Your whole clan and descendants—I must from start to finish preserve them. Moreover your sons Yuan and their brothers, receiving your instruction—would my resolve and righteousness forget our lifelong bond? Even had you not spoken, I still hold trust. Before, while you lived, you did not yet see my inmost heart. Now you and I are long parted—only then do I hope you know my sincere will. Unable to bear the thought, my words come with streaming tears. Therefore I personally write these few lines, precious for expressing what I hold fully. Facing the paper I send a messenger. I cannot polish my words. If your soul has awareness, you should embrace my meaning."

冊贈太師，謚曰忠武。晟薨後，城鹽州，復鹽池，上賜宰臣新鹽，惻然思晟，乃令致鹽於靈座。又時遣中使至晟第存撫諸子，教戒備至，聞願等有一善，上喜形於色。眷遇終始，無與晟比。

By patent he was posthumously granted Grand Preceptor. His posthumous title was Zhongwu (Loyal and Martial). After Sheng's death Yan Prefecture was fortified and salt pools restored. The emperor granted new salt to the chancellors. Moved with sorrow thinking of Sheng, he had salt sent to Sheng's spirit seat. He also from time to time sent palace envoys to Sheng's residence to comfort his sons, instructing and warning them with full care. Hearing Yuan and the others had any virtue, the emperor's joy showed on his face. Favor from start to finish—none compared with Sheng.

元和四年，詔曰：「夫能定社稷，濟生人，存不朽之名，垂可久之業者，必報以殊常之寵，待以親比之恩，與國無窮，時惟茂典。故奉天定難功臣、太尉、兼中書令、上柱國、西平郡王、食實封一千五百戶、贈太師李晟，間代英賢，自天忠義，邁濟時之宏算，抱經武之長材，貫以至誠，協於一德，嘗遭屯難之際，實著戡定之功。鯨鯢既殲，宮廟斯復，眷茲勛伐，則既褒崇。永言天步之夷，載懷邦傑之功，思加崇於往烈，爰協比於後昆，睦以宗親，將予厚意。其家宜令編附屬籍。晟饗德宗廟庭。」

In the fourth year of Yuanhe an edict said, "One who can settle the altars of state, deliver the living, preserve an imperishable name, and hand down lasting enterprise must be repaid with extraordinary favor, treated with kinship-like grace, sharing the state's endless fortune—this is the flourishing precedent of the age. Therefore the merit subject of Fengtian who settled crisis, Grand Commandant, concurrent Palace Director, Supreme Pillar of the State, Prince of Xiping Commandery, with fifteen hundred taxable households, posthumously Grand Preceptor Li Sheng—an heroic worthy of successive ages, loyal and righteous from heaven, surpassing the grand calculations of the age, embracing long talent in civil and martial arts, threaded through with utmost sincerity, harmonized in single virtue—once encountered the hour of bitter hardship and truly displayed the merit of conquering and settling. When the leviathan and whale were destroyed, the palace temples were restored. Mindful of this martial achievement, we have already honored and elevated him. Ever speaking of heaven's tread made smooth, bearing in mind the state's heroic merit, thinking to add further honor to former worthies, and thus unite in kinship with later generations, binding with clan relation, bestowing my deep favor. His family should be entered in the imperial clan rolls. Li Sheng shall share sacrifice at Dezong's ancestral temple."

晟十五子：侗、伷、偕，無祿早世；次願、聰、總、愻、憑、恕、憲、愬、懿、聽、惎、慇，聰、總官卑而卒，而願、愬、聽最知名。

Sheng had fifteen sons: Tong, Zhou, and Xie died young without ever holding office; Next came Yuan, Cong, Zong, Sun, Ping, Shu, Xian, Su, Yi, Ting, Ji, and Yin. Cong and Zong held low rank and died in office, but Yuan, Su, and Ting were the most renowned.

願，幼謙謹寡過，晟立大勛，諸子猶無官，宰相奏陳，德宗即日召願拜銀青光祿大夫、太子賓客、上柱國。舊制，勛至上柱國，賜門戟，即令賜願，乃與父並列棨戟於門。九年，丁父憂。十二年，服闋，德宗召見願等於延英，憫然久之曰：「朕在宮中，常念卿等，追懷勛德，何日忘之。又聞卿等居喪得禮，朕甚嘉之。」各賜衣一襲、絹三千匹。願依前授太子賓客，兄弟同日拜官者九人。尋轉左衛大將軍。元和元年八月，檢校禮部尚書，兼夏州刺史、夏綏銀宥等州節度使，威令簡肅，甚得綏懷之術。客有亡馬者，以狀告願，願以狀榜於路，懸金以購之。不三日，所亡馬系之榜下，仍置書一緘曰：「馬逸及群，不時告，罪當死，敢以良馬一匹贖罪，並亡馬謹納於路。」願付客亡馬而縱其良馬。境內嚴肅，多如此類。轉徐州刺史、武寧軍節度。到鎮，以青、鄆不恭，奉命討伐，屠城下邑，捷奏屢聞。無何，有疾，以其弟愬代為徐帥，入為刑部尚書。疾愈，檢校尚書左僕射，兼鳳翔尹、鳳翔隴右節度使。然自是頗怠於為理，無復素誌，聲色之外，全不介懷。

Yuan had been modest and careful from youth and seldom erred. Though Sheng had won great merit, his sons still held no office. The chief ministers memorialized on the matter, and Dezong that same day summoned Yuan and appointed him Silver-glow Grand Master of Golden Seal, Grand Mentor to the Heir Apparent, and Supreme Pillar of State. By old precedent, merit reaching Supreme Pillar of State brought halberds at the gate. The emperor at once granted them to Yuan, and father and son stood side by side with ceremonial halberds at the gate. In the ninth year he entered mourning for his father. In the twelfth year, when mourning ended, Dezong summoned Yuan and the others to the Hall of Extended Brilliance. After a long silence of pity he said, "When I was in the palace I often thought of you, remembering your father's merit—when did I ever forget it? I also heard that you observed mourning properly, and I am greatly pleased." To each he granted one suit of clothing and three thousand bolts of silk. Yuan was again appointed Grand Mentor to the Heir Apparent, and nine brothers received office on the same day. Soon after he was transferred to Senior General of the Left Imperial Guard. In the eighth month of the first year of Yuanhe he was made Acting Minister of Rites with concurrent appointment as Prefect of Xia Prefecture and military governor of Xia, Sui, Yin, You, and neighboring prefectures. His authority was concise and stern, and he mastered the art of pacification. A guest lost a horse and reported it to Yuan in writing. Yuan posted the report on the road and offered a reward in gold. Within three days the lost horse was tied beneath the notice, with a sealed letter saying, "The horse ran off with a herd and I did not report it in time. The crime deserves death. I dare offer a fine horse in ransom and return the lost horse to the road." Yuan returned the lost horse to the guest and released the fine horse. Within his jurisdiction discipline was strict; many cases were like this. He was transferred to Prefect of Xu Prefecture and military governor of the Wuning Army. On reaching his command he was ordered to punish Qing and Yan for their insubordination. He slaughtered cities and towns below the walls, and repeated reports of victory reached the court. Before long he fell ill. His brother Su replaced him as commander of Xu, and he entered the capital as Minister of Justice. When his illness passed he was made Acting Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs with concurrent appointment as Prefect of Fengxiang and military governor of Fengxiang and Longyou. From then on he grew quite slack in governance and no longer kept his former resolve. Beyond music and women he cared for nothing at all.

長慶二年二月，檢校司空，兼汴州刺史、宣武軍節度使。先是，張弘靖為汴帥，以厚賞安士心。及願至，帑藏已竭，而願恣其奢侈，門內數百口，仰給官司，不恤軍政，賞賚不及弘靖時，而以威刑馭下。又令妻弟竇緩將親兵，緩亦驕傲黷貨，以是群情聚怨。是歲七月四日夜，牙將李臣則、薛誌忠、秦鄰等三人宿直，突入竇緩帳中，斬緩首以徇。願聞有變，與左右數人露發而走，登子城北樓，懸縋而下，由水竇而出。比曉，行十數里，遇野人驅驢，奪而乘之，得至鄭州。願妻竇氏死於亂兵之手，子三人匿而獲免，仆妾為軍士所俘。城中大掠三日，乃立其牙將李為留後，以邀旄鉞，月余，方誅之。願坐貶隨州刺史。朝廷念晟之勛，終不加罪，入為左金吾衛大將軍。長慶四年六月，復檢校司空，兼河中尹，充河中、晉、絳、慈、隰節度使。河中之政，亦如岐、梁。加以願結托權幸，厚行賂遺，賦入隨盡，軍府蕭然，賴遽疾終，不爾，蒲人必有更變。寶應元年六月卒，贈司徒。

In the second month of the second year of Changqing he was made Acting Minister of Works with concurrent appointment as Prefect of Bian Prefecture and military governor of the Xuanwu Army. Earlier, when Zhang Hongjing had been commander of Bian, he had used rich rewards to settle the troops' hearts. When Yuan arrived the treasury was already empty, yet he indulged his extravagance. Several hundred mouths within his household lived off official supplies. He did not care for military affairs, and rewards fell short of Hongjing's day, while he ruled his men by harsh punishment. He also put his wife's younger brother Dou Huan in command of his personal troops. Huan too was arrogant and corrupt, and so resentment gathered among the ranks. That year, on the night of the fourth day of the seventh month, the guard officers Li Chenze, Xue Zhizhong, and Qin Lin were on night duty. They burst into Dou Huan's tent, cut off his head, and displayed it. Yuan heard that trouble had broken out. With a few attendants he fled with hair loose, climbed the north tower of the inner city, lowered himself on a rope, and escaped through a water gate. By dawn he had gone more than ten li and met a countryman driving a donkey. He seized it and rode, reaching Zheng Prefecture. Yuan's wife, Lady Dou, died at the hands of the mutinous soldiers. Three sons hid and escaped. Servants and concubines were taken by the troops. Within the city there was great plunder for three days. The troops then set up their guard officer Li as acting commander and sought the imperial banner and axe. More than a month later he was executed. Yuan was demoted for his part to Prefect of Sui Prefecture. The court, mindful of Sheng's merit, never added further punishment. He entered the capital as Senior General of the Left Golden Guard. In the sixth month of the fourth year of Changqing he was again made Acting Minister of Works with concurrent appointment as Prefect of Hezhong and military governor of Hezhong, Jin, Jiang, Ci, and Xi. Government in Hezhong was like that in Qi and Liang. Moreover Yuan cultivated ties with the powerful and favored, lavished bribes, spent revenue as fast as it came in, and left the army headquarters bare. He died suddenly of illness; otherwise the people of Pu would surely have risen again. In the sixth month of the first year of Baoying he died and was posthumously granted Minister of Works.

愬以父廕起家，授太常寺協律郎，遷衛尉少卿。愬早喪所出，保養於晉國夫人王氏，及卒，晟以本非正室，令服緦，號哭不忍，晟感之，因許服缞。既練，丁父憂，愬與仲弟憲廬於墓側，德宗不許，詔令歸第。居一宿，徒跣復往，上知不可奪，遂許終制。服闋，授右庶子，轉少府監、左庶子。出為坊、晉二州刺史。以理行殊異，加金紫光祿大夫。復為庶子，累遷至太子詹事，宮苑閑廊使。

Su began his career through his father's privilege, was appointed Harmonizing Officer of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and was transferred to Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Su lost his birth mother early and was raised by the Lady of Jin State, Wang. When she died, Sheng, because she had not been the principal wife, ordered him to wear the coarsest mourning. Su wept and could not bear it. Sheng was moved and therefore allowed him to wear the full mourning garb. When the mourning period of coarse cloth ended he entered mourning for his father. Su and his second younger brother Xian kept vigil in huts beside the tomb. Dezong would not allow it and ordered them to return home. After one night he went back barefoot. The emperor saw he could not be turned aside and allowed him to complete the full mourning. When mourning ended he was appointed Right Subordinate of the Heir Apparent, then transferred to Vice Director of the Palace Domestic Service and Left Subordinate of the Heir Apparent. He went out as Prefect of Fang and Jin Prefectures. Because his governance was exceptionally good he was granted Golden-glow Grand Master of Golden Seal. He returned as Subordinate of the Heir Apparent and rose in stages to Grand Mentor to the Heir Apparent and Commissioner of the Palace Gardens and Idle Galleries.

愬有籌略，善騎射。元和十一年，用兵討蔡州吳元濟。七月，唐鄧節度使高霞寓戰敗，又命袁滋為帥，滋亦無功。愬抗表自陳，願於軍前自效。宰相李逢吉亦以愬才可用，遂檢校左散騎常侍，兼鄧州刺史、御史大夫，充隨、唐、鄧節度使。兵士摧敗之余，氣勢傷沮，愬揣知其情，乃不肅軍陣，不齊部伍。或以不肅為言，愬曰：「賊方安袁尚書之寬易，吾不欲使其改備。」乃紿告三軍曰；「天子知愬柔而忍恥，故令撫養爾輩。戰者，非吾事也。」軍眾信而樂之。愬又散其優樂，未嘗宴樂，士卒傷痍者，親自撫之。賊以嘗敗高、袁二帥，又以愬名位非所畏憚者，不甚增其備。愬沈勇長算，推誠待士，故能用其卑弱之勢，出賊不意。居半歲，知人可用，乃謀襲蔡，表請濟師。詔河中、鄜坊騎兵二千人益之，由是完緝器械，陰計戎事。嘗獲賊將丁士良，召入與語，辭氣不撓，愬異之，因釋其縛，置為捉生將。士良感之，乃曰：「賊將吳秀琳總眾數千，不可遽破者，用陳光洽之謀也。士良能擒光洽以降秀琳。」愬從之，果擒光洽。十二月，吳秀琳以文成柵兵三千降。醖乃徑徙之新興柵，遂以秀琳之眾攻吳房縣，收其外城。初，將攻吳房，軍吏曰：「往亡日，請避之。」愬曰：「賊以往亡謂吾不來，正可擊也。」及戰，勝捷而歸。賊以驍騎五百追愬，愬下馬據胡床，令眾悉力赴戰，射殺賊將孫忠憲，乃退。或勸愬遂拔吳房，愬曰：「取之則合勢而固其穴，不如留之以分其力。」

Su had strategic talent and excelled at mounted archery. In the eleventh year of Yuanhe troops were sent to attack Wu Yuanji of Cai Prefecture. In the seventh month Tang-Deng military governor Gao Xiayu was defeated in battle. Yuan Zi was then made commander, but he too achieved nothing. Su submitted a memorial resisting the tide and declaring himself, wishing to serve at the front on his own merit. Chief Minister Li Fengji also judged Su's talent usable. Su was therefore made Acting Left Regular Attendant with concurrent appointment as Prefect of Deng Prefecture, Censor-in-Chief, and military governor of Sui, Tang, and Deng. The soldiers, fresh from defeat, were wounded in spirit and morale. Su read their mood and therefore did not drill the battle lines or align the ranks. Some spoke of the lack of discipline. Su said, "The bandits are at ease with Minister Yuan's leniency. I do not wish to make them change their guard." He then falsely announced to the whole army: "The Son of Heaven knows Su is gentle and can bear shame, and therefore sent me to nurture you. Fighting is not my affair." The troops believed him and were pleased. Su also dismissed his entertainers and never held feasts. He personally tended the wounded soldiers. The bandits, having once defeated the two commanders Gao and Yuan, and seeing that Su's name and rank were not men they feared, did not greatly increase their guard. Su was deep, brave, and far-sighted. He treated his men with sincerity and therefore could use his weak position to strike where the enemy did not expect. After half a year he knew whom he could use and then planned a raid on Cai. He memorialized asking for reinforcements. An edict added two thousand cavalry from Hezhong and Zhenfang. Thereupon he completed weapons and secretly planned the campaign. He once captured the bandit general Ding Shiliang, summoned him to talk, and found his bearing unbroken. Su was struck by this, released his bonds, and made him a scout-captain. Shiliang was moved and said, "The bandit general Wu Xiulin commands several thousand men and cannot be quickly broken because he uses Chen Guangqia's plans. Shiliang can capture Guangqia and so bring Xiulin to surrender." Su followed this and indeed captured Guangqia. In the twelfth month Wu Xiulin surrendered with three thousand men from the Wencheng stockade. Su then moved them directly to the Xinxing stockade and used Xiulin's troops to attack Wu Fang County and take its outer wall. When they were first to attack Wu Fang, an army officer said, "Today is a day of past flight. Please avoid it." Su said, "The bandits will think that because it is a day of past flight we will not come. That is exactly when we should strike." In battle they won and returned in triumph. The bandits sent five hundred fierce horsemen in pursuit. Su dismounted, sat on a folding stool, ordered all to fight with full strength, shot dead the bandit general Sun Zhongxian, and then withdrew. Some urged Su to take Wu Fang at once. Su said, "If we take it the enemy will combine strength and fortify their nest. Better to leave it and divide their force."

初，吳秀琳之降，愬單騎至柵下與之語，親釋其縛，署為衙將。秀琳感恩，期於效報，謂愬曰：「若欲破賊，須得李祐，某無能為也。」祐者，賊之騎將，有膽略，守興橋柵，常侮易官軍，去來不可備。愬召其將史用誠誡之曰：「今祐以眾獲麥於張柴，爾可以三百騎伏旁林中，又使搖旆於前，示將焚麥者。祐素易我軍，必輕而來逐，爾以輕騎搏之，必獲祐。」用誠等如其料，果擒祐而還。官軍常苦祐，皆請殺之，愬不聽，解縛而客禮之。愬乘間常召祐及李忠義，屏人而語，或至夜分。忠義，亦降將也，本名憲，愬致之。軍中多諫愬，愬益寵祐。始募敢死者三千人以為突將，醖自教習之。愬將襲元濟，會雨水，自五月至七月不止，溝塍潰溢，不可出師。軍吏鹹以不殺祐為言，簡翰日至，且言得賊諜者具言其事。愬無以止之，乃持祐泣曰：「豈天意不欲平此賊，何爾一身見奪於眾口！」愬又慮諸軍先以謗聞，則不能全祐，乃械送京師，先表請釋，且言：「必殺祐，則無以成功者。」比祐至京，詔釋以還愬，乃署為散兵馬使，令佩刀巡警，出入帳中，略無猜閑。又改為六院兵馬使。舊軍令，有舍賊諜者屠其家，愬除其令，因使厚之，諜反以情告愬，愬益知賊中虛實。

When Wu Xiulin first surrendered, Su rode alone to the stockade and spoke with him, personally releasing his bonds and appointing him a guard officer. Xiulin was grateful and pledged to repay him. He said to Su, "If you wish to break the bandits you must get Li You. I can do nothing beyond that." You was a bandit cavalry commander, bold and resourceful, holding the Xingqiao stockade. He often treated the imperial army with contempt and came and went beyond guard. Su summoned his officer Shi Yongcheng and warned him, "Now You is harvesting wheat at Zhangchai with his force. You can hide three hundred horsemen in the woods nearby and have banners waved in front to show you mean to burn the wheat. You has always despised our army. He will surely come lightly in pursuit. With light horsemen you can seize him and you will certainly capture You." Yongcheng and the others did as he foresaw and indeed captured You and returned. The imperial army had long suffered from You, and all asked that he be killed. Su would not listen. He released his bonds and received him as a guest. Su often summoned You and Li Zhongyi when he found a moment, dismissed attendants, and spoke with them, sometimes until midnight. Zhongyi too was a surrendered general. His original name was Xian, and Su had won him over. Many in the army remonstrated with Su, and Su favored You all the more. He first recruited three thousand dare-to-die men as shock troops, and Su personally trained them. Su was about to raid Yuanji when rain fell from the fifth month to the seventh without stopping. Ditches and embankments burst and overflowed, and troops could not march. Army officers all spoke of not killing You. Brief reports arrived daily, and they said captured bandit spies had fully reported the matter. Su had no way to stop them. He took You by the hand and wept, saying, "Can it be that Heaven does not wish these bandits pacified, that your single person should be torn away by the crowd!" Su also feared that if the armies sent slander first he could not save You whole. He sent You to the capital in fetters, memorializing first to have him released and saying, "If You must be killed, there will be no success." When You reached the capital an edict released him and sent him back to Su. Su appointed him loose-cavalry commander, had him carry a sword on patrol, and enter and leave the tent without the least suspicion. He was later made commander of the six-corps cavalry. By old army law, anyone who harbored a bandit spy had his family slaughtered. Su abolished that law and treated spies generously. Spies in turn reported the enemy's situation to Su, and Su came to know the bandits' strength and weakness all the better.

陳許節度使李光顏勇冠諸軍，賊悉以精卒抗光顏。由是愬乘其無備，十月，將襲蔡州。其月七日，使判官鄭澥告師期於裴度。十日夜，以李祐率突將三千為先鋒，李忠義副之，愬自帥中軍三千，田進誠以後軍三千殿而行。初出文成柵，眾請所向，愬曰：「東六十里止。」至賊境，曰張柴砦，盡殺其戍卒，令軍士少息，繕羈靮甲胄，發刃彀弓，復建旆而出。是日，陰晦雨雪，大風裂旗旆，馬栗而不能躍，士卒苦寒，抱戈僵仆者道路相望。其川澤梁逕險夷，張柴已東，師人未嘗蹈其境，皆謂投身不測。初至張柴，諸將請所止，愬曰：「入蔡州取吳元濟也。」諸將失色。監軍使哭而言曰：「果落李祐計中！」愬不聽，促令進軍，皆謂必不生還，然已從愬之令，無敢為身計者。醖道分五百人斷洄曲路橋，其夜凍死者十二三。又分五百人斷朗山路。自張柴行七十里，比至懸瓠城，夜半，雪愈甚。近城有鵝鴨池，愬令驚擊之，以雜其聲。賊恃吳房、朗山之固，晏然無一人知者。李祐、李忠義坎墉而先登，敢銳者從之，盡殺守門卒而登其門，留擊柝者。黎明，雪亦止，愬入，止元濟外宅。蔡吏告元濟曰：「城已陷矣。」元濟曰：「是洄曲子弟歸求寒衣耳。」俄聞愬軍號令將士云：「常侍傳語。」乃曰：「何常侍得至於此？」遂驅率左右乘子城拒捍。田進誠以兵環而攻之。愬計元濟猶望董重質來救，乃令訪重質家安恤之，使其家人持書召重質。重質單騎而歸愬，白衣泥首，愬以客禮待之。田進誠焚子城南門，元濟城上請罪，進誠梯而下之，乃檻送京師。其申、光二州及諸鎮兵尚二萬余人，相次來降。

Chenxu military governor Li Guangyan's courage topped all armies. The bandits sent all their elite troops against Guangyan. Su therefore took advantage of their lack of guard. In the tenth month he prepared to raid Cai Prefecture. On the seventh day of that month he had his aide Zheng Xie report the date of the attack to Pei Du. On the night of the tenth he sent Li You at the head of three thousand shock troops as vanguard, with Li Zhongyi as second, Su himself leading three thousand in the center army, and Tian Jincheng with three thousand in the rear guard. When they first left the Wencheng stockade the troops asked where they were going. Su said, "Sixty li east and stop." Reaching bandit territory they came to Zhangchai stockade, killed all the garrison troops, let the soldiers rest briefly, repaired bridles and armor, strung bows and fitted arrows, and marched out again under fresh banners. That day the sky was dark with wind and snow. Gale winds tore the banners. Horses trembled and could not leap. The soldiers suffered bitter cold; men clutching spears and frozen stiff lined the road. The marshes, rivers, bridges, and paths were treacherous or easy by turns. East of Zhangchai the army had never trod that land. All said they were throwing themselves into the unknown. When they first reached Zhangchai the generals asked where to halt. Su said, "Into Cai Prefecture to take Wu Yuanji." The generals turned pale. The army monitor wept and said, "We have indeed fallen into Li You's plan!" Su would not listen and urged the army forward. All thought they would surely not return alive, yet having already obeyed Su's order, none dared plan for himself. Su sent five hundred men to cut the bridge on the Huaiqu road. That night one or two out of ten froze to death. He sent another five hundred men to cut the Langshan road. From Zhangchai they marched seventy li. When they reached Xuanshi City it was midnight and the snow grew heavier. Near the city was a pool of geese and ducks. Su ordered them startled and beaten so the noise would mix with the rest. The bandits, trusting in the strength of Wu Fang and Langshan, were at ease. Not one man knew. Li You and Li Zhongyi scaled the wall first. The boldest followed, killed all the gate guards, mounted the gate, and left men to strike the night watch. At dawn the snow also stopped. Su entered and halted at Yuanji's outer residence. A Cai official told Yuanji, "The city has fallen." Yuanji said, "It is only the Huaiqu boys coming back for winter clothes." Soon they heard Su's army calling orders to the troops: "The Regular Attendant sends word." He then said, "How did the Regular Attendant get here?" He then drove his followers to mount the inner wall and resist. Tian Jincheng surrounded it with troops and attacked. Su judged that Yuanji still hoped Dong Chongzhi would come to save him. He ordered Chongzhi's family sought out and comforted and had his kin carry a letter summoning Chongzhi. Chongzhi rode alone back to Su in plain clothes with mud on his head. Su received him with guest ceremony. Tian Jincheng burned the south gate of the inner wall. Yuanji asked forgiveness from atop the wall. Jincheng brought him down on a ladder and sent him to the capital in a cage. The Shen and Guang prefectures and garrison troops, more than twenty thousand men in all, surrendered one after another.

自元濟就擒，愬不戮一人，其為元濟執事帳下廚廄之間者，皆復其職，使之不疑。乃屯兵鞠場以待裴度。翌日，度至，愬具櫜鞬候度馬首。度將避之，愬曰：「此方不識上下等威之分久矣，請公因以示之。」度以宰相禮受愬迎謁，眾皆聳觀。明日，愬軍還於文成柵。十一月，詔以愬檢校尚書左僕射，兼襄州刺史、山南東道節度、襄鄧隨唐復郢均房等州觀察等使、上柱國，封涼國公，食邑三千戶，食實封五百戶，一子五品正員。

From the time Yuanji was captured Su killed no one. Those who had served Yuanji in office, tent, kitchen, and stable were all restored to their posts so they would not doubt him. He then encamped on the drill ground to await Pei Du. The next day Du arrived. Su presented arms and waited at the head of Du's horse. Du was about to avoid this. Su said, "This region has long not known the difference between high and low in authority. Please let the lord show it through this." Du received Su's welcome with the ceremony due a chief minister, and all looked on in awe. The next day Su's army returned to the Wencheng stockade. In the eleventh month an edict made Su Acting Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs with concurrent appointment as Prefect of Xiang Prefecture, military governor of Shannan East Circuit, observer of Xiang, Deng, Sui, Tang, Fu, Ying, Jun, and Fang, Supreme Pillar of State, Duke of Liang with an estate of three thousand households and a real fief of five hundred, and one son in regular fifth rank.

憲宗有意復隴右故地，元和十三年五月，授愬鳳翔隴右節度使，仍詔路由闕下。愬未發，屬李師道再叛，詔田弘正、義成、宣武等軍討之，乃移愬為徐州刺史、武寧軍節度使，代其兄願。兄弟交換岐、徐二鎮，旬日間再踐父兄之任。愬至徐方，理兵有方略。時蔡將董重質貶春州司戶，愬上表請恕重質賜之，堪於軍前驅使，即詔征還送武寧軍，愬乃署為牙將。愬破賊金鄉，凡十一戰，擒賊將五十，俘斬萬計。淄青平，將有事燕、趙。元和十五年九月，以愬檢校左僕射、同中書門下平章事、潞州大都督府長史、昭義節度使，仍賜興寧裏第。十月，王承宗卒，魏博田弘正移任鎮州。愬至潞州，四月，遷魏州大都督府長史、魏博節度使。長慶元年，幽、鎮復亂，愬聞之，素服以令三軍曰：「魏人所以富庶而能通知聖化者，由田公故也。天子以其仁而愛人，使理鎮、冀。且田公出於魏，撫師七年，一旦鎮人不道，敢茲殘害，以魏為無人也。若父兄子弟食田公恩者，其何以報？」眾皆慟哭。又以玉帶、寶劍與牛元翼，遣使謂之曰：「吾先人常以此劍立大勛，吾又以此劍平蔡寇，今鎮人叛逆，公以此翦之。」元翼承命感激，乃以劍及帶令於軍中，報之曰：「願以眾從，竭其死力」。方有制置，會疾作，不能治軍，人違紀律，功遂無成。朝廷以田布代之，除太子少保，歸東都。是年十月，卒於洛陽，時年四十九。穆宗聞之震悼，赗賻加等，贈太尉。

Xianzong intended to recover the old Longyou lands. In the fifth month of the thirteenth year of Yuanhe he appointed Su military governor of Fengxiang and Longyou, with orders to pass through the capital on his route. Before Su set out Li Shidao rebelled again. An edict sent Tian Hongzheng and the Yicheng and Xuanwu armies against him. Su was then moved to Prefect of Xu Prefecture and military governor of the Wuning Army, replacing his elder brother Yuan. The brothers exchanged the Qi and Xu commands. Within ten days they twice stepped into their father and elder brother's posts. When Su reached Xu he governed the army with method. At the time the Cai general Dong Chongzhi had been demoted to Registrar of Chun Prefecture. Su memorialized asking that Chongzhi be pardoned and granted to him, fit for service at the front. An edict at once recalled him and sent him to the Wuning Army, and Su appointed him a guard officer. Su defeated the bandits at Jinxiang in eleven battles, captured fifty bandit generals, and killed or captured more than ten thousand. When Ziqing was pacified there were plans for action in Yan and Zhao. In the ninth month of the fifteenth year of Yuanhe Su was made Acting Left Vice Director, Co-Equal with the Secretariat, Chief Ministerial Prefect of Lu Prefecture, and military governor of Zhaoyi, and was granted a residence in Xingning Ward. In the tenth month Wang Chengzong died. Tian Hongzheng of Weibo was transferred to Zhen Prefecture. When Su reached Lu Prefecture, in the fourth month he was moved to Chief Ministerial Prefect of Wei Prefecture and military governor of Weibo. In the first year of Changqing You and Zhen rebelled again. When Su heard it he put on plain clothes and ordered the whole army, saying, "The reason the people of Wei are rich and can receive the sage's transforming influence is because of Lord Tian. The Son of Heaven, because he is humane and loves men, sent him to govern Zhen and Ji. Moreover Lord Tian came from Wei and led the army seven years. In one morning the men of Zhen were wicked and dared such slaughter, as though Wei had no men. If fathers, elder brothers, sons, and younger brothers who ate Lord Tian's grace—how can they repay it?" The crowd all wept bitterly. He also gave Niu Yuanji a jade belt and precious sword and sent a messenger saying to him, "My forebear once established great merit with this sword. I too pacified the Cai bandits with it. Now the men of Zhen rebel. Use this to cut them down." Yuanji received the order with gratitude and had the sword and belt displayed in the army, replying, "I wish to follow with my force and spend my life to the end." Just as arrangements were being made illness seized him. He could not govern the army. Men broke discipline, and the enterprise came to nothing. The court replaced him with Tian Bu, made him Junior Mentor to the Heir Apparent, and sent him back to the eastern capital. That year in the tenth month he died in Luoyang at the age of forty-nine. Muzong heard and was shaken with grief. Funeral gifts were raised a grade and he was posthumously granted Grand Preceptor.

始，晟克復京城，市不改肆；及愬平淮蔡，復踵其美。父子仍建大勛，雖昆仲皆領兵符，而功業不侔於愬，近代無以比倫。加以行己有常，儉不違禮，弟兄席父勛寵，率以仆馬第宅相矜，唯愬六遷大鎮，所處先人舊宅一院而已。晚歲忽於取士，辟請不得其人，至使吏緣為奸，軍政不肅，物論稍減，惜哉！

At first, when Sheng recovered the capital, the markets did not change their stalls; when Su pacified Huai and Cai he followed in that excellence. Father and son both built great merit. Though the brothers all held military seals, none matched Su in achievement. In recent times there has been no comparison. Moreover, his conduct was steady and his frugality never breached propriety. His brothers, resting on their father's honors, mostly vied in servants, horses, and grand houses; only Su, across six promotions to major commands, kept no more than a single courtyard of the family's old home. In his later years he grew careless about recruiting talent, and the men he summoned were not the right ones. Clerks turned the openings to corruption, military discipline slackened, and his reputation suffered — a pity.

聽七歲以廕授太常寺協律郎，常入公署，吏胥小之，不為致敬，聽令鞭之見血，父晟奇之。後隨吐突承璀討王承宗，為神策行營兵馬使。時昭義盧從史持兩端，無心討賊，承璀用聽計，擒從史以獻。轉左驍衛將軍、兼御史中丞。出為安州刺史，隨鄂嶽觀察使柳公綽討吳元濟，軍中動靜，悉用聽謀，軍聲遂振。元和中，討李師道，聽為楚州刺史，統淮南之師。鄆人素易淮軍，聽潛訓練，出其不意，趨海州，據險要，破沐陽兵，降朐山戍，懷仁、東海兩城望風乞降，山東平。元和十四年五月，以功授檢校左散騎常侍、夏州刺史、夏綏銀宥節度使。十五年六月，改靈州大都督府長史、靈鹽節度使。境內有光祿渠，廢塞歲久，欲起屯田以代轉輸，聽復開決舊渠，溉田千余頃，至今賴之。就加檢校工部尚書。

At seven, Ting received the hereditary post of Coordinating Music Master in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. He often came to the government offices; petty clerks slighted him and would not bow. Ting had them whipped until the blood ran. His father Sheng was astonished. He later followed Tutu Chenghui against Wang Chengzong as Military Horse Commissioner of the Divine Strategy campaign headquarters. Lu Congshi of Zhaoyi was hedging and had no will to fight the rebels. Chenghui adopted Ting's plan, seized Congshi, and presented him to the court. He was transferred to General of the Left Majestic Guard with concurrent appointment as Censor-in-Chief. Sent out as Prefect of An Prefecture, he joined Observation Commissioner Liu Gongchuo of E-Yue against Wu Yuanji. Every movement in the army followed Ting's counsel, and the army's reputation soared. During the Yuanhe era campaign against Li Shidao, Ting served as Prefect of Chu Prefecture, commanding the Huainan army. The men of Yan had long despised the Huainan troops. Ting drilled his men in secret, struck by surprise, raced to Haizhou, seized the key positions, routed the Muyang garrison, took Qushan, and Huairen and Donghai surrendered at the news — Shandong was pacified. In the fifth month of Yuanhe 14, he was appointed Acting Left Regular Attendant, Prefect of Xia Prefecture, and Military Governor of Xia-Sui-Yin-You for his achievements. In the sixth month of the following year, he was reassigned as Chief Administrator of Ling Prefecture and Military Governor of Ling-Yan. The Guanglu Canal within his territory had been blocked for years. Seeking to replace grain transport with military colonies, Ting reopened the old channel and irrigated more than a thousand qing of land — the region still depends on it. He was thereupon additionally appointed Acting Minister of Works.

初，聽為羽林將軍，有名馬，穆宗在東宮，令近侍諷聽獻之，聽以職總親軍，不敢從。及即位之始，幽、冀不廷，太原與二鎮接境，方議易帥，宰臣進擬，上皆不允，謂宰臣曰：「李聽為羽林將軍，不與朕馬，是必可任。」長慶二年二月，授檢校兵部尚書、太原尹、北京留守、河東節度使，代裴度。四年七月，轉滑州刺史、義成軍節度使。大和二年，討李同捷。時魏博行營將丌誌沼潛結滄、鎮，擅回戈攻其帥史憲誠。詔聽帥師援之，大破其叛卒，誌沼奔鎮州，為王庭湊所殺，聽遂凱旋，以功封涼國公，授一子五品官。王庭湊再違朝旨，詔聽以全師屯貝州。路由魏州，史憲誠懼聽見襲，衷甲郊迎，候吏密白呼，乃令兵士匣刃櫜弓，休於野外，魏人遂安。後憲誠欲入覲，竭其府庫，魏人怨之，殺憲誠，衙軍立其大將何進滔。詔聽兼領魏博節度使，將兵北渡，魏人不納聽，乘城拒守，乃屯兵館陶。魏兵遽襲，聽不為備，其軍大敗，無復部伍，晝夜奔走，僅而獲免，喪師過半，輜車兵仗並皆委棄。御史中丞溫造、殿中侍御史崔蠡彈之曰：

When Ting was General of the Feathered Forest Guard, he owned a celebrated horse. Muzong, still heir apparent, had attendants suggest that Ting offer it up. Ting, commanding the imperial guard, refused. Early in his reign, You and Ji defied the court. Taiyuan bordered both regions, and the court was choosing a new commander. The chief ministers proposed candidates, but the emperor rejected them all. He told his ministers, "Li Ting would not give me his horse when he was Feathered Forest general — that man can be trusted." In the second month of Changqing 2, he was made Acting Minister of War, Magistrate of Taiyuan, Defender of the Northern Capital, and Hedong Military Governor, replacing Pei Du. In the seventh month of the fourth year, he was transferred to Prefect of Hua Prefecture and Military Governor of the Yicheng Army. In Dahe 2, he campaigned against Li Tongjie. The Weibo campaign general Qi Zhizhao secretly aligned with Cang and Zhen, turned his troops without orders, and attacked his own commander Shi Xianjing. An edict ordered Ting to march to his relief. He crushed the mutineers. Zhizhao fled to Zhen Prefecture and was killed by Wang Tingcou. Ting returned in triumph, was enfeoffed Duke of Liang, and one son received a fifth-rank post. When Wang Tingcou again defied the court, an edict ordered Ting to camp his full army at Bei Prefecture. Passing through Wei Prefecture, Shi Xianjing feared an attack and met him outside the walls in hidden armor. A clerk secretly warned Ting, who ordered his men to sheath swords, case bows, and camp in the open — the people of Wei were reassured. Later Xianjing prepared to go to court and drained the treasury. The people of Wei, resentful, killed him; the garrison installed his grand general He Jintao. Ting was ordered to take the Weibo command as well. He led troops north across the river, but Wei would not admit him; they manned the walls, and he encamped at Guantao. Wei troops struck without warning. Unprepared, Ting's army was shattered and lost all order. They fled day and night, barely escaping alive. More than half the force was lost, with wagons and arms abandoned. Censor-in-Chief Wen Zao and Palace Attendant Censor Cui Li impeached him:

「臣聞賞罰不立，無以示天下；是非一貫，莫能建大中。竊見義成軍節度使李聽，昨者資其承藉，委以統戎，俾代憲誠，付之雄鎮。總二萬虎貔之旅，位極寵榮；兼兩籓節制之權，心無報效。況陛下授以神算，假以天威，入魏之期，克日先定。而聽擁旄觀望，按甲遷延，熒惑人心，逗撓軍政。遂使憲誠陷於屠戮，亂眾肆其奸兇，失六郡於垂成，固危巢於已覆。委貝州而不守，燒劫無遺；望淺口而疾驅，狼狽就道。自圖茍免，不吝苞羞，蔑棄朝章，有同兒戲。魏州之亂，職聽之由，論其負恩，萬死猶幸。伏以封常清河南失律，斬於關門；高霞寓唐鄧破傷，投諸遐裔；渾鎬節制易定，將戰而兵力不支；袁滋逗留西川，欲進而兇渠尚在。或親當矢石，或躬歷艱危，勢屈賊鋒，竟申朝典，未曾貸法，必震皇威。今李聽罪狀夙聞，中外憤惋，比之常清等輩，萬萬過之。若陛下猶示含弘，不置極法，臣等恐憲章墜地，天下寒心。伏請付法。」

"We have heard that when reward and punishment are not fixed, there is no way to govern the realm; when right and wrong are not applied consistently, the great order cannot be upheld. We observe that Li Ting of the Yicheng Army, relying on family standing, was entrusted with troops, set to replace Xianjing, and given a great command. He commanded twenty thousand crack troops and stood at the summit of imperial favor; he held two circuits' authority, yet his heart showed no repayment. Your Majesty gave him divine strategy and lent him imperial authority; the day of entering Wei was set in advance. Yet Ting, banner in hand, looked on and waited, holding his armor in delay, sowing confusion and frustrating the campaign. Thus Xianjing was slaughtered, rebels ran wild, six prefectures were lost on the verge of success, and a new danger was entrenched where the old had already fallen. He abandoned Bei Prefecture undefended, leaving nothing unburned or unplundered; he looked toward Qian Pass and fled headlong, leaving in disarray. seeking only to save himself, he spared no shame and treated court law as child's play. Wei's turmoil arose from Ting's conduct; for such betrayal of favor, even death ten thousand times would be mercy. We submit: Feng Changqing, for losing discipline in Henan, was beheaded at the pass; Gao Xiayu, defeated at Tang and Deng, was banished to the frontier; Hun Gao, commanding Yi and Ding, was about to fight when his strength failed; Yuan Zi lingered in Xichuan, wishing to advance while the rebel chief still lived. Some faced arrows in person, others braved peril themselves; though beaten by the enemy, the court's law was enforced. The law was never waived — imperial majesty was upheld. Li Ting's crimes have long been known; court and country alike are outraged. Compared with Feng Changqing and his like, he exceeds them ten thousandfold. If Your Majesty still shows mercy and withholds the severest penalty, we fear the law will collapse and the realm will lose heart. We respectfully ask that he be handed over to the law."

上不之罪，罷兵柄，為太子少師。

The emperor did not punish him. He was stripped of military command and made Junior Mentor to the Heir Apparent.

聽頗賂遺權幸以為援，居無何，復檢校司徒，起為邠寧節度使。邠州衙廳，相傳不利葺修，以至隳環，聽曰：「帥臣鑿兇門而出，豈有拘於巫祝而隳公署耶！」遂命葺之，卒無變異。大和六年，轉武寧軍節度使。時聽有蒼頭為徐州將，不欲聽至，聽先使親吏慰勞徐人，為蒼頭所殺。聽不敢進，固以疾辭，用為太子太保。七年，出守鳳翔，時人榮之。九年，改陳許節度，未至鎮，復除太子太保分司。開成元年，出為河中尹、河中晉慈隰節度使。四年，以疾求代，除太子太保。是歲十月卒，時年六十一，贈司徒。

Ting lavished gifts on powerful favorites for support. Before long he was again made Acting Grand Master of the Palace and recalled as Military Governor of Bin-Ning. Bin Prefecture's commandery hall was said to bring ill luck if repaired, and had fallen to ruin. Ting said, "A commander breaks through the Gate of Ill Omen to march forth — how can he be bound by shamans and let public offices crumble!" He ordered it repaired, and nothing untoward occurred. In Dahe 6, he was transferred to Military Governor of the Wuning Army. A household slave of Ting's served as a Xuzhou commander and did not want him to come. Ting first sent a trusted clerk to console the people of Xu, but the slave had him killed. Ting dared not advance and firmly resigned on grounds of illness; he was made Grand Mentor to the Heir Apparent. In the seventh year he went out to guard Fengxiang — an appointment people of the time regarded as an honor. In the ninth year he was reassigned to the Chen-Xu command, but before reaching his post was again made Grand Mentor to the Heir Apparent in nominal service. In Kaicheng 1, he went out as Magistrate of Hezhong and Military Governor of Hezhong-Jin-Ci-Li. In the fourth year he asked to be relieved on grounds of illness and was appointed Grand Mentor to the Heir Apparent. He died that tenth month at sixty-one and was posthumously granted Grand Master of the Palace.

聽十領節旌，所不至者三鎮。蒞官苛細，好將迎遺賂，故急於聚斂，窮極侈欲。位至一品，竟終牖下，非西平之遺德，焉能及此乎！

Ting held military governorship ten times; only three commands he never reached. In office he was exacting and severe, fond of grand welcomes and gifts, and therefore eager to amass wealth to the limit of extravagance. He rose to the first rank yet died at home in peace — without the Western Pacifier's legacy, how could he have risen so high!

憲，晟第五子。晟十子，憲、愬最仁孝。及長，好儒術，以禮法修整，起家太原府參軍、醴泉縣尉。於頔鎮襄陽，辟為從事。時吳少誠據淮西，獨憚頔之威，當時鹹以憲謀畫致之。元和八年，田弘正以魏博奉朝旨，辟憲為從事，授衛州刺史，遷絳州，所至以理行稱。入為宗正少卿，遷光祿卿。穆宗即位，以太和公主降回鶻，命金吾大將軍胡證充送公主使，命憲副之。使還，獻《入蕃道里記》，遷檢校左散騎常侍，兼太府卿。出為洪州刺史、江西觀察使。大行二年，轉嶺南節度使。憲雖勛伐之家，然累歷事任，皆以吏能擢用，所履官秩，政績流聞。性本明恕，尤精律學，屢詳決冤獄，活無罪者數百人。以能入官，官無敗事，士君子多之。大和三年八月卒，時年五十六。

Xian was Sheng's fifth son. Of Sheng's ten sons, Xian and Su were the most benevolent and filial. When grown, he loved Confucian learning and conducted himself by rites and law. He began as Registrar of Taiyuan Prefecture and Magistrate of Liquan County. When Yu Di governed Xiangyang, he recruited Xian as an aide. Wu Shaocheng then held Huaxi and feared only Yu Di's might — contemporaries credited Xian's counsel. In Yuanhe 8, Tian Hongzheng of Weibo submitted to the court and recruited Xian, appointing him Prefect of Wei Prefecture and then transferring him to Jiang; everywhere he served he was praised for good governance. He entered court as Junior Director of the Imperial Clan and was promoted to Director of Imperial Entertainments. When Muzong took the throne, Princess Taihe was sent to marry the Uyghurs. Grand General Hu Zheng of the Golden Guard was made chief escort envoy, with Xian as deputy. On his return he presented the Record of Routes into the Barbarian Lands and was promoted to Acting Left Regular Attendant with concurrent appointment as Director of the Treasury. He went out as Prefect of Hong Prefecture and Observation Commissioner of Jiangxi. In Dahe 2, he was transferred to Military Governor of Lingnan. Though from a family of martial achievement, Xian rose through repeated offices on administrative merit; his governance was widely praised at every post. Clear-minded and forgiving by nature, he was especially skilled in penal law. He repeatedly reviewed wrongful cases and saved hundreds of innocent men. Promoted for ability, he left no post in failure — gentlemen widely approved of him. He died in the eighth month of Dahe 3 at fifty-six.

憑累歷諸衛大將軍，恕太子洗馬，並以廕授官，累遷至少卿監。

Ping rose through grand generalships of various guards; Shu served as Groom of the Heir Apparent's Stud — both entered by hereditary privilege and rose to junior director and directorate posts.

惎累官至右龍武大將軍，沈湎酒色，恣為豪侈，積債至數千萬。其子貸回鶻錢一萬余貫不償，為回鶻所訴，文宗怒，貶惎為定州司法參軍。

Ji rose to Grand General of the Right Dragon Martial Guard. He drowned in wine and women, lived in reckless luxury, and ran up debts of tens of millions. His son borrowed more than ten thousand strings of Uyghur cash and failed to repay. The Uyghurs sued; Wenzong was enraged and demoted Ji to Legal Adjutant of Ding Prefecture.

王佖，晟之甥。雄武善騎射，自晟河西、河北出師，佖無役不從。硃泚之亂，晟攻賊於光泰門，賊鋒尚勁，佖與兵馬使李演逾苑墻血戰，敗賊前鋒，諸軍方振，論功為神策將。吐蕃之寇涇原，佖伏卒擊尚結贊，幾獲，由是深為吐蕃所畏。晟視佖恩寵與願、愬不殊，給與過之。晟既為張延賞媒孽罷兵權，亦不用佖為將帥，入為左衛上將軍。元和中，願、愬醖兄弟在方鎮，佖檢校工部尚書、靈州大都督府長史、朔方靈鹽節度使。先是，吐蕃欲成烏蘭橋於河壖，先貯材木，朔方節度使每遣人潛載之，委於河流，終莫能成。至是，蕃人知佖貪而無謀，先厚遺之，然後併役成橋，仍築月城圍守之。自是朔方禦寇不暇，邊上至今為恨。長慶三年四月卒。

Wang Bi was Sheng's nephew. Bold and skilled in riding and archery, Bi followed Sheng on every campaign west and north of the river. In Zhu Ci's rebellion, Sheng attacked at Guangtai Gate while the rebel line was still strong. Bi and Military Horse Commissioner Li Yan scaled the park wall and fought through blood, routing the vanguard. The armies rallied; for merit Bi was made a Divine Strategy general. When the Tibetans raided Jingyuan, Bi ambushed and struck Shang Jiezan, nearly capturing him — from then on the Tibetans deeply feared him. Sheng favored Bi no less than Yuan and Su, and gave him even more. After Zhang Yanshang's slander cost Sheng his command, he also ceased employing Bi as a general; Bi entered court as Senior General of the Left Guard. In the Yuanhe era, while Yuan and Su held regional commands, Bi was made Acting Minister of Works, Chief Administrator of Ling Prefecture, and Shofang-Ling-Yan Military Governor. The Tibetans had long sought to build the Wulan Bridge on the riverbank and stockpiled timber. Each Shofang governor secretly sent men to dump the materials into the river, and the bridge was never finished. The Tibetans, knowing Bi greedy and unwise, bribed him heavily, then finished the bridge and built a crescent fortress to hold it. From then on Shofang could not keep pace with frontier defense, and the border still bears the grudge. He died in the fourth month of Changqing 3.

史臣曰：西平器偉材雄，人望而畏，出身事主，落落有將帥之風，見義能勇，聽受不疑，忠於事君，長於應變，誠一代之賢將也。觀恒山之役，立談釋二帥之憾；涇師之亂，號哭赴奉天之危，可不為忠義乎！對白華之進軍，知平涼之必詐，沮星變之議，移渭橋之軍，可不為應變乎！解帶結孝忠之心，請婚釋延賞之怨，嫉惡有楚琳之請，懲亂行希鑒之誅，可不為明於決斷乎！而德宗皇帝聽斷不明，無人君之量，俾功臣困讒慝之口，奸人秉衡石之權，丁瓊之言，誠堪太息。雖齪齪刻渭橋之石，區區賜煙閣之銘，亦何心哉！作善遺慶，諸子俱才，元和平賊之功，聽、愬居其半。父子昆弟，皆以功名始終，道家所忌之談，李氏以善勝矣。

The historian remarks: The Western Pacifier was grand in stature and heroic in talent; men looked on him with awe. From his first service he bore a commander's bearing — bold when justice demanded, swift to heed counsel, loyal to his sovereign, skilled in adaptation — a worthy general of his age. At Heng Mountain, a few words standing released two commanders' grievances; in the Jing army rebellion, he wept and rushed to Fengtian's peril — was this not loyal righteousness! facing Baihua's advance, he saw Pingliang must be a feint; he blocked counsel from omens and shifted the army at Wei Bridge — was this not adaptability! loosening his belt won Zhu Xiaozhong's loyalty; seeking marriage dissolved Zhang Yanshang's grudge; rejecting Chu Lin showed hatred of evil; executing Xi Jian punished rebellion — was this not decisive judgment! Yet Dezong judged poorly and lacked a ruler's breadth, letting worthy servants be trapped by slander while wicked men held power — Ding Qiong's case truly merits a sigh. Though he carved the stone at Wei Bridge and granted an inscription in the Cloud of Glory Pavilion — what was in his heart! Good deeds leave blessings; all his sons had talent. Of the Yuanhe era's merit in pacifying rebels, Ting and Su accounted for half. Father, sons, and brothers alike began and ended in merit and fame. What Daoists warn against, the Li family overcame through virtue.

贊曰：桓桓太師，義勇天資。運鐘禍亂，力拯顛危。愬事章武，誅蔡平齊。淩煙畫圖，父子為宜。

In praise: Grand and mighty the Grand Mentor — righteous courage was his heaven-given gift. When calamity struck, he strove with all his strength to save a tottering realm. Su served Zhangwu, destroyed Cai, and pacified Qi. Painted on the Cloud-rising Terrace — father and sons were fit indeed.

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