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馬燧
Ma Sui
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馬燧,字洵美,汝州郟城人,其先自右扶風徙焉。 祖瑉,官至左玉鈐衛倉曹。 父季龍,嘗舉明《孫》《吳》,俶儻善兵法,官至嵐州刺史、幽州經略軍使。 燧少時,嘗與諸兄讀書,乃輟卷嘆曰:「天下將有事矣,丈夫當建功於代,以濟四海,安能矻矻為一儒哉!」 燧姿度魁異,長六尺二寸,沈勇多智略,該涉群書,尤善兵法。
Ma Sui, styled Xunmei, was a native of Jia County in Ru Prefecture. His ancestors had moved there from You Fufeng. His grandfather Min rose to the post of granary clerk in the Left Jade Bell Guard. His father Jilong had once passed the Ming examination in the Sunzi and Wuzi; bold and unconventional, he excelled at military strategy and rose to prefect of Lan Prefecture and commissioner of the Youzhou frontier. In youth Ma Sui was reading with his elder brothers when he laid down the scroll and sighed: "Trouble is coming to the empire. A man ought to build merit in his age to aid all under Heaven—how can he drudge on as a mere scholar!" Ma Sui's bearing was unusually imposing. Six feet two inches tall, he was deep-spirited and brave, rich in stratagems, widely read, and especially skilled in the art of war.
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安祿山反,俾光祿卿賈循守范陽。 燧說循曰:「祿山負恩首亂,雖陷洛城,必當夷滅。 公盍建不代之功,誅其逆將向潤客、牛廷玠,拔其根柢,祿山西不能入關,則坐而受擒,天下可定也。」 循雖善之,計不時決,事泄,祿山果遣韓朝陽來召循。 朝陽至范陽,與循語,陰伏壯士以弓弦縊殺之。 燧脫身走西山,隱者徐遇匿之。 逾月,間行歸平原。 平原不守,復走魏郡。
When An Lushu rebelled, he ordered Vice Director of Imperial Banquets Jia Xun to hold Fanyang. Ma Sui said to Jia Xun, "Lushu has betrayed the grace shown him and risen first in rebellion. Though he has taken Luoyang, he will surely be destroyed. Why not establish a merit no age can surpass—execute his rebellious generals Xiang Runkhe and Niu Tingjie and uproot his foundation? Then Lushu cannot enter the passes from the west and will be captured sitting still, and the empire can be settled." Jia Xun approved the plan but could not decide in time. The scheme leaked, and Lushu did send Han Chaoyang to summon him. When Han Chaoyang reached Fanyang and spoke with Jia Xun, Ma Sui secretly posted strong men who strangled him with bowstrings. Ma Sui escaped to the Western Hills, where the recluse Xu Yu hid him. After more than a month he made his way back to Pingyuan by hidden routes. When Pingyuan could not be held, he fled again to Wei Commandery.
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寶應中,澤潞節度使李抱玉署奏趙城尉。 是時回紇大軍還國,恃復東都之功,倔強恣睢,所過或虜掠廩粟,供餼小不如意,恣行殺害。 抱玉具供辦,賓介皆憚不敢行,燧自贊請主郵驛。 比回紇至,則先賂其渠帥,與明要約,回紇乃授燧旗幟為識,犯令者命燧戮之。 取死囚給左右廝役,小違令,輒殺之。 回紇相顧失色,虜涉其境,無敢暴掠。 抱玉益奇之。 燧因說抱玉曰:「屬者與回紇言,燧得其情。 今仆固懷恩恃功樹黨,李懷仙、張忠誌、薛嵩、田承嗣分授疆土,皆出於懷恩,其子瑒佻勇不義。 以燧度之,將必窺太原西山以為亂,公宜深備之。」 無何,懷恩果與太原都將李竭誠通謀,將取太原,其帥辛雲京覺之,斬竭誠,固城自守,懷恩遣其子瑒率兵圍之。 初,回紇北歸,遣其將安恪、石常庭將兵數百及誘募附麗者復數千人以守河陽,東都所虜掠重貨,悉積河陽。 是時,懷恩遺薛嵩自相、衛饋糧以絕河津。 抱玉令燧詣薛嵩說之,嵩乃絕懷恩從順。 署奏左武衛兵曹。 歷太子通事舍人,遷著作郎、營田判官。 無幾,遷秘書少監、兼殿中侍御史,為節度判官、承務郎,遷鄭州刺史。 燧乃勸課農畝,總其戶籍,歲一稅之,州人以為便。 大歷四年,改懷州刺史。 乘亂兵之後,其夏大旱,人失耕稼; 燧乃務修教化,將吏有父母者,燧輒造之施敬,收葬暴骨,去其煩苛。 至秋,界中生魯谷,人頗賴之。
In the Baoying era, Ze-Lu military commissioner Li Baoyu appointed and memorialized him assistant magistrate of Zhao City. At that time the Uyghur great army was returning home, swaggering over its merit in recovering the Eastern Capital. Wherever it passed it sometimes plundered granary grain, and if supplies were the least unsatisfactory it killed at will. Li Baoyu fully prepared provisions, yet none of his staff dared go. Ma Sui volunteered to take charge of the courier stations. When the Uyghurs arrived, he first bribed their chieftains and made explicit agreements with them. The Uyghurs then gave Ma Sui banners and flags as tokens, and anyone who violated the orders was executed on his authority. He took condemned prisoners and assigned them as attendants; at the slightest breach of orders he killed them. The Uyghurs looked at one another and paled. Tribesmen who crossed his territory dared not plunder. Li Baoyu admired him all the more. Ma Sui then said to Li Baoyu, "When I spoke with the Uyghurs recently, I learned their mind. Now Pugu Huai'en relies on his merit and builds factions. Li Huaixian, Zhang Zhongzhi, Xue Song, and Tian Chengsi were each granted territory—all through Huai'en—and his son Yang is frivolous, brave, and unrighteous. By my estimate he will surely watch for an opening on the Western Hills of Taiyuan to raise rebellion. You should prepare deeply against it." Before long Huai'en did conspire with Taiyuan garrison commander Li Jiecheng to take Taiyuan. Commander Xin Yunjing detected the plot, executed Jiecheng, and held the city. Huai'en sent his son Yang to lead troops and besiege it. At first, as the Uyghurs returned north they left their generals An Ke and Shi Changting with several hundred troops, plus several thousand more recruited and attached men, to hold Heyang. The heavy goods plundered in the Eastern Capital were all stored at Heyang. At that time Huai'en had Xue Song supply grain from Xiang and Wei to cut the river crossings. Li Baoyu ordered Ma Sui to go persuade Xue Song. Song then broke with Huai'en and submitted. He was appointed and memorialized Left Martial Guard army clerk. He served as Crown Prince's attendant and memorial envoy, then was transferred to drafting editor and garrison-fields judge. Before long he was transferred to vice director of the Secretariat and concurrently palace censor, served as the military commissioner's judge and officer of court service, and was promoted to prefect of Zheng Prefecture. Ma Sui then encouraged farming, consolidated household registers, and taxed once a year. The people of the prefecture found it convenient. In the fourth year of Dali he was transferred to prefect of Huai Prefecture. After the chaos of war that summer there was great drought, and people lost their planting and harvest. Ma Sui then devoted himself to teaching and transforming the people. Wherever officers had parents, he would visit them to show respect; he gathered and buried exposed bones and removed harsh regulations. By autumn millet sprouted in the district, and the people relied on it greatly.
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抱玉移鎮鳳翔,以汧陽被邊,署奏隴州刺史、兼御史中丞。 州西有通道,廣二百余步,上連峻山,山與吐蕃相直,虜每入寇,皆出於此。 燧乃按行險易,立石種樹以塞之,下置二門,設籬櫓,八日而功畢。 會抱玉入覲,與燧俱行。 久之,代宗知其能,召見,拜商州刺史、兼御史中丞、防禦水陸運使。
When Li Baoyu moved his command to Fengxiang, because Qianyang lay on the frontier Ma Sui was appointed and memorialized prefect of Long Prefecture and concurrently censor-in-chief. West of the prefecture was a passage more than two hundred paces wide, joining steep mountains that faced Tibet directly. Whenever the barbarians raided, they came out by this route. Ma Sui then inspected the terrain's advantages and difficulties, set up stones and planted trees to block the passage, placed two gates below, and set palisades and watchtowers. The work was finished in eight days. When Li Baoyu went to court, Ma Sui went with him. After a long time Emperor Daizong learned of his ability, summoned him, and appointed him prefect of Shang Prefecture, concurrently censor-in-chief and commissioner for land and water transport defense.
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大歷十年,河陽三城兵亂,逐鎮將常休明,以燧檢校左散騎常侍、御史大夫、河陽三城使。 十一年五月,汴州大將李靈耀反,因據州城,絕運路,以邀節制。 代宗務姑息人,因授靈耀汴、宋等八州節度留後。 靈耀不受命。 乃潛結魏博; 田承嗣乃遣兄子悅將兵援靈耀,破永平軍將劉洽。 詔燧與淮西節度使李忠臣合軍討靈耀。 忠臣懼賊,焚廬舍西走。 燧勸其還兵,請為前鋒,擊破田悅,進逼汴州。 忠臣行汴南,燧引軍行汴北,又敗靈耀將張清於西梁固。 靈耀選銳兵八千,號為「餓狼軍」; 燧獨引軍擊破之,進至浚儀。 是時,河陽兵冠諸軍。 承嗣又遣悅將兵二萬救靈耀,破永平軍將杜如江,略曹州,又敗李正己遊軍,擊走劉洽、長孫全緒等軍,乘勝去汴州一舍,方陣而進。 忠臣會宋州、淮南、浙西兵,與戰不利,請救於燧,燧引四千人為奇兵擊破之,田悅匹馬遁去。 靈耀知悅敗,明日以百騎夜走,汴州悉降,燧讓功於忠臣。 忠臣素暴戾,燧不欲入汴城,乃引軍退舍於板橋。 忠臣入城,果專其功,因會擊殺宋州刺史李僧惠。 燧還河陽。
In the tenth year of Dali the three-city garrison of Heyang mutinied, drove out garrison commander Chang Xiuming, and Ma Sui was made acting minister of works, censor-in-chief, and commissioner of the three cities of Heyang. In the fifth month of the eleventh year the great general of Bian Prefecture, Li Lingyao, rebelled, seized the prefectural city, cut the transport routes, and sought to extort the military commission. Emperor Daizong, intent on indulgence, therefore appointed Lingyao acting military commissioner of the eight prefectures of Bian, Song, and others. Li Lingyao did not accept the order. He then secretly allied with Weibo. Tian Chengsi sent his nephew's son Yue to lead troops to aid Lingyao and defeated Yongping Army commander Liu Qia. An edict ordered Ma Sui and Huai Prefecture military commissioner Li Zhongchen to join armies and attack Lingyao. Li Zhongchen feared the bandits, burned his quarters, and fled west. Ma Sui urged him to return his troops, asked to serve as vanguard, defeated Tian Yue, and pressed on toward Bian Prefecture. Li Zhongchen marched south of Bian. Ma Sui led his army north of Bian and again defeated Lingyao's general Zhang Qing at Xilianggu. Li Lingyao selected eight thousand elite troops and called them the "Starving Wolf Army." Ma Sui alone led his army, defeated them, and advanced to Junyi. At that time the Heyang troops were foremost among the armies. Chengsi again sent Yue with twenty thousand troops to rescue Lingyao. He defeated Yongping Army commander Du Rujiang, raided Cao Prefecture, again defeated Li Zhengyi's roaming troops, drove off the armies of Liu Qia and Zhangsun Quanxu and others, and in victory advanced to within one stage of Bian Prefecture, advancing in square formation. Li Zhongchen joined troops from Song Prefecture, Huainan, and Zhexi and fought without success. He asked Ma Sui for rescue, and Sui led four thousand men as a surprise force and defeated them. Tian Yue fled alone on horseback. When Lingyao learned Yue was defeated, the next day he fled by night with a hundred horsemen. Bian Prefecture fully surrendered, and Ma Sui yielded the merit to Li Zhongchen. Li Zhongchen had always been brutal and overbearing. Ma Sui did not wish to enter Bian city and withdrew his army to camp at Banqiao. When Li Zhongchen entered the city he indeed monopolized the merit and, at a gathering, killed Song Prefecture prefect Li Senghui. Ma Sui returned to Heyang.
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大歷十四年六月,檢校工部尚書、太原尹、北都留守、河東節度留後,尋為節度使。 太原承前政鮑防百井敗軍之後,兵甲寡弱,燧乃悉召將吏牧馬廝役,得數千人,悉補騎卒,教之數月,為精騎。 造甲者必令長短三等,稱其所衣,以便進趨。 又造戰車,蒙以狻猊象,列戟於後,行則載兵甲,止則為營陣,或塞險以遏奔沖,器械無不犀利。 居一年,陳兵三萬,開廣場以習戰陣,教其進退坐作之勢。
In the sixth month of the fourteenth year of Dali he was made acting minister of works, governor of Taiyuan, northern capital regent, and acting military commissioner of Hedong, and soon became military commissioner. Taiyuan, after the defeat of Bao Fang's Baibing army under the previous administration, had weak arms and armor. Ma Sui then summoned officers, grooms, and servants and got several thousand men, all filled out as cavalry. After months of training they became elite horsemen. Those who made armor had to make three grades of length, matched to what the wearer wore, for ease in advance. He also made war chariots covered with suanni figures, with halberds arrayed behind. Marching they carried arms and armor; halting they formed camp formations, or blocked narrow passes to check rushing charges. The implements were all sharp and effective. After a year he arrayed thirty thousand troops, opened a broad field to practice battle formations, and taught the postures of advance, retreat, sitting, and rising.
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建中二年六月,朝於京師,加檢校兵部尚書,令還太原。 初,田悅新代承嗣統兵,恐人不附己,詐效誠款,燧上疏明其必反,宜先備之。 其年,悅果與淄青、恆冀通謀,自將兵三萬圍邢州,次臨洺,築重城,絕其內外,以拒救兵。 邢州將李洪、臨洺將張伾,皆堅守不拔。 昭義軍告急,乃詔燧將步騎二萬與昭義節度使李抱真、神策行營兵馬使李晟合軍救臨洺。 燧軍出郭口,兵未過險,乃遣持書喻悅,且示之好,悅謂燧畏之。 十一月,師次邯鄲,悅遣使至,燧皆斬之以徇; 遣兵擊破其支軍,射殺其將成炫之。 悅自攻臨洺,遣大將楊朝光將兵萬人,於臨洺南雙岡東西列二柵以禦燧。 燧乃率李抱真、李晟進軍,營於二柵之中。 其夜,東柵走歸悅。 明日,燧進軍營明山,取其棄柵以置輜重。 悅謂將吏曰:「朝光堅柵不下萬人,假令燧等盡銳攻之,比數日,計不能下,殺傷必甚。 吾此必拔臨洺,賞勞軍士而與之戰,必勝之術也。」 悅乃分恆州李惟嶽救兵五千以助朝光,燧率軍攻朝光,田悅將萬余人救之。 燧乃令大將李自良、李奉國將騎兵合神策軍於雙岡禦之,令曰:「令悅得過,當斬爾!」 自良等擊卻悅。 燧乃令推火車以焚其柵,斬朝光及大將盧子昌,斬首五千余級,生虜八百余人。 居五日,進軍至臨洺,田悅悉軍戰。 燧自將銳兵扼其沖口,凡百余合,士皆決死,悅兵大敗,斬首萬余級,生虜九百人,得谷三十萬斛,器甲稱是。 悅收敗兵夜遁,邢州圍亦解。 以功加右僕射。 先戰,燧誓軍中,戰勝請以家財行賞,既勝,盡出其私財以頒將士。 德宗嘉之,詔度支出錢五萬貫行賞,還燧家財。 尋加魏博招討使。
In the sixth month of the second year of Jianzhong he attended court at the capital, was promoted acting minister of war, and was ordered back to Taiyuan. At first Tian Yue had newly succeeded Chengsi in command of the troops and feared men would not attach to him. He feigned sincere submission, and Ma Sui memorialized clarifying that he would surely rebel and that one should prepare first. That year Yue indeed conspired with Ziqing and Hengji, personally led thirty thousand troops to besiege Xing Prefecture, halted at Linming, built a heavy wall, cut off inside and outside, and resisted rescue troops. Xing Prefecture commander Li Hong and Linming commander Zhang Pi both held firm and could not be pulled down. The Zhaoyi Army reported urgent distress. An edict then ordered Ma Sui to lead twenty thousand foot and horse with Zhaoyi military commissioner Li Baozhen and Shence mobile-camp military envoy Li Sheng to join armies and rescue Linming. When Ma Sui's army left Guokou the troops had not yet passed the dangerous ground. He sent a letter to persuade Yue and showed goodwill, and Yue thought Sui feared him. In the eleventh month the army halted at Handan. Yue sent envoys, and Ma Sui beheaded them all to announce to the army. He sent troops to defeat Yue's detached army and shot and killed his general Cheng Xuanzhi. Yue personally attacked Linming and sent great general Yang Chaoguang with ten thousand troops south of Linming at Shuanggang to set up two palisades east and west to resist Ma Sui. Ma Sui then led Li Baozhen and Li Sheng forward, encamping between the two palisades. That night the eastern palisade fled back to Yue. The next day Ma Sui advanced and encamped at Mingshan, taking the abandoned palisade to place baggage. Yue said to his officers, "Chaoguang's strong palisade holds no fewer than ten thousand men. Even if Sui and the others attack with full strength, in several days by estimate they cannot take it, and casualties must be heavy. I shall surely take Linming here, reward and comfort the troops, and fight them—that is the sure way to victory." Yue then divided five thousand rescue troops from Heng Prefecture under Li Weiyue to aid Chaoguang. Ma Sui led his army to attack Chaoguang, and Tian Yue led more than ten thousand men to rescue him. Ma Sui then ordered great generals Li Ziliang and Li Fengguo to lead cavalry with the Shence Army at Shuanggang to resist them, commanding: "If Yue gets through, you shall be beheaded!" Li Ziliang and the others beat Yue back. Ma Sui then ordered fire carts pushed to burn the palisade, beheaded Chaoguang and great general Lu Zichang, cut off more than five thousand heads, and captured more than eight hundred alive. After five days he advanced to Linming. Tian Yue mustered his whole army to fight. Ma Sui personally led elite troops to hold the crossing mouth. In more than a hundred engagements the men all fought to the death. Yue's troops were greatly defeated—more than ten thousand heads cut off, more than nine hundred captured alive, thirty thousand bushels of grain taken, and arms and armor in proportion. Yue gathered defeated troops and fled by night. The siege of Xing Prefecture was also lifted. For merit he was promoted right vice director. Before battle Ma Sui had sworn in the army that if they won he would ask to reward them from his household wealth. Once victorious he fully brought out his private wealth to distribute to officers and men. Emperor Dezong praised this. An edict ordered the Ministry of Revenue to disburse fifty thousand strings of cash for rewards and return Ma Sui's household wealth. Soon he was made Weibo pacification commissioner.
9
三年正月,田悅求救於淄青、恆冀,李納遣大將衛俊將兵萬人救悅,李惟嶽亦遣兵三千赴援。 悅收合散卒二萬余人,壁於洹水,淄青軍其東,恆冀軍其西,首尾相應。 燧率諸軍進屯於鄴,奏請益河陽兵,詔河陽節度使李芃將兵會之。 軍次於漳,悅遣將王光進以兵守長橋,築月城以為固,軍不得渡。 燧乃於下流以車數百乘,維以鐵鎖,鎖絕中流,實以土囊以遏水,水稍淺,諸軍畢渡。 是時軍糧少,悅深壁不戰,欲老燧軍。 燧令諸軍持十日糧,進次倉口,與悅夾洹水而軍。 抱真與李芃問:「糧少而深入,何也?」 燧曰:「糧少利速戰,兵法善於致人,不致於人。 今田悅與淄青、恆三軍為首尾,計欲不戰,以老我師; 若分軍擊其左右,兵少未可必破,悅且來救,是前後受敵也。 兵法所謂攻其必救,彼固當戰也,燧為諸軍合而破之。」 燧乃造三橋道逾洹水,日挑戰,悅不敢出。 恆州兵以軍少,懼為燧所並,引軍合於悅。 悅謂燧明日復挑戰,乃伏兵萬人,欲邀燧。 燧乃令諸軍半夜皆食,先雞鳴時擊鼓吹角,潛師傍洹水徑趨魏州,令曰:「聞賊至,則止為陣。」 又令百騎吹鼓角,皆留於後,仍抱薪持火,待軍畢發,止鼓角匿其旁,伺悅軍畢渡,焚其橋。 軍行十數里,悅乃率淄青、恆州步騎四萬余人逾橋掩其後,乘風縱火,鼓噪而進。 燧乃坐,申令無動,命前除草斬榛棘廣百步以為陣; 燧出陣,募勇力得五千余人,分為前列,以俟賊至。 比悅軍至,則火止氣乏,力少衰,乃縱兵擊之,悅軍大敗。 時神策、昭義、河陽軍小卻,河東軍既勝,諸軍還鬥,合擊又大破之。 迫洹水,悅軍走橋,橋已焚矣。 悅軍亂,赴水,斬首二萬余級,殺大將孫晉卿、安墨啜,生獲三千余人,溺死者不可勝紀。 淄青軍殆盡,死者相枕藉三十餘里。 悅收敗卒千余人走魏州,至門,州將李長春閉門不納。 久之,追兵不至,比明,乃納悅。 悅既入,殺長春,嬰城自守。 數日,李再春以博州降,悅兄昂以洺州降,王光進以長橋降。 悅遣符璘、李瑤將五百騎送淄青兵還鎮,璘、瑤因來降燧。 魏州先引御河入城南流,燧令塞其領口,河流絕,城中益恐。 悅乃遣許士則、侯臧徒步間行說硃滔、王武俊,借兵求救。 時王武俊已殺李惟嶽,傳首京師,授武俊恆冀觀察都防禦使; 時武俊同列張孝忠已為易定節度使,武俊獨為防禦使,又割趙、深二州為一鎮,以康日知為觀察使,甚為怨望,且素輕孝忠,恥名在下。 時硃滔討李惟嶽,拔深州,求隸幽州不得,亦怨望。 由是滔、武俊同謀救悅。 悅恃燕、趙之援,又出兵二萬背城而陣,燧復與諸軍擊破之。 五月,加燧同中書門下平章事。 六月,硃滔、王武俊聯兵五萬來救悅,至於城下。 諸帥議退兵,燧固不可,德宗遣朔方節度使李懷光將朔方軍步騎萬五千人赴燧。 是月晦,懷光亦至。 懷光勇而無謀,軍至之日,未休息,堅請與滔等戰,王師不利。 悅等決水灌燧等軍,燧兵屈糧少,七月,燧與諸軍退次魏縣。 是月,詔加燧魏州大都督府長史,兼魏、博、貝四州節度、觀察、招討等使。 田悅、硃滔、王武俊軍亦至魏縣,與官軍隔河對壘。 十一月,三盜於魏縣軍中遞相推獎王號:硃滔稱冀王,田悅稱魏王,王武俊稱趙王; 又遣使於李納,納稱齊王。 四道共推淮西李希烈為天下兵馬元帥、太尉、建興王,皆偽署官號,如國初行臺之制,而名目頗有妖僻者,然未敢偽稱年號。 而五盜合從圖傾社稷,兩河鼎沸,寇盜橫行; 燧等雖誌在勤王,竟莫能驅攘患難。
In the first month of the third year Tian Yue asked Ziqing and Hengji for rescue. Li Na sent great general Wei Jun with ten thousand troops to rescue Yue, and Li Weiyue also sent three thousand troops to aid. Yue gathered more than twenty thousand scattered troops and walled at the Huan River. Ziqing troops were on its east, Hengji troops on its west, head and tail responding to one another. Ma Sui led the armies forward and encamped at Ye, memorialized asking to increase Heyang troops, and an edict ordered Heyang military commissioner Li Qi to lead troops to join him. The army halted at Zhang. Yue sent general Wang Guangjin with troops to hold Changqiao and built a moon wall for solidity. The army could not cross. Ma Sui then downstream used several hundred carts linked with iron chains, chains blocking midstream, filled with earth bags to check the water. When the water was somewhat shallow all the armies crossed. At that time army grain was scarce. Yue walled deeply and would not fight, intending to wear out Ma Sui's army. Ma Sui ordered the armies to carry ten days' grain, advanced and halted at Cangkou, and encamped facing Yue across the Huan River. Li Baozhen and Li Qi asked, "Grain is scarce yet you advance deeply—why?" Ma Sui said, "Scarce grain favors swift battle. In military strategy one excels at making others come, not at going to others. Now Tian Yue with Ziqing and Heng's three armies are head and tail. By plan they intend not to fight and to wear out our army. If we divide the army to strike their left and right, our troops are too few and victory cannot be assured. Yue will come to rescue and we will be attacked front and rear. What military strategy calls attacking where they must rescue—they surely will fight. I will join the armies and break them." Ma Sui then built three bridge roads across the Huan River and challenged daily. Yue dared not come out. Heng Prefecture troops, because the army was small, feared being absorbed by Ma Sui and led their army to join Yue. Yue thought Ma Sui would challenge again the next day and hid ten thousand troops intending to ambush him. Ma Sui then ordered all armies to eat at midnight, before cockcrow beat drums and blow horns, and at the first cockcrow move troops secretly along the Huan River straight toward Wei Prefecture, commanding: "When you hear bandits arrive, halt and form battle lines." He also ordered a hundred horsemen to blow horns and drums, all remaining behind, still carrying firewood and holding fire, waiting until the army finished crossing before lighting. Then they stopped horns and drums and hid beside them, watching until Yue's army finished crossing and burned the bridges. The army marched more than ten li. Yue then led more than forty thousand foot and horse of Ziqing and Heng Prefecture across the bridge to cover their rear, riding the wind to set fires, shouting and advancing. Ma Sui then sat and ordered no movement, commanded those in front to clear grass and cut brambles a hundred paces wide to form battle lines. Ma Sui came out of the lines, recruited the brave and strong and got more than five thousand men, divided them as the front rank, and waited for the bandits to arrive. When Yue's army arrived the fire stopped and their breath was spent, their strength somewhat faded. He then released troops to strike them and Yue's army was greatly defeated. At that time the Shence, Zhaoyi, and Heyang armies fell back slightly. Once the Hedong army had won the other armies returned to fight, joined the strike, and again greatly defeated them. Pressed to the Huan River, Yue's army ran for the bridge. The bridge was already burned. Yue's army was in chaos and rushed into the water. More than twenty thousand heads were cut off, great generals Sun Jinqing and An Mochuo were killed, more than three thousand were captured alive, and the drowned dead were past counting. The Ziqing army was nearly wiped out. The dead lay piled for more than thirty li. Yue gathered more than a thousand defeated troops and fled to Wei Prefecture. At the gate the prefectural commander Li Changchun closed the gate and would not admit him. After a long time pursuers did not arrive. Near dawn he was admitted. Once Yue entered he killed Changchun and walled the city to hold it. After several days Li Zaichun surrendered Bo Prefecture, Yue's elder brother Ang surrendered Ming Prefecture, and Wang Guangjin surrendered Changqiao. Yue sent Fu Lin and Li Yao with five hundred horsemen to escort Ziqing troops back to garrison. Lin and Yao then came to surrender to Ma Sui. Wei Prefecture had earlier led the Imperial Canal into the city flowing south. Ma Sui ordered the mouth blocked, the river flow cut off, and fear in the city increased. Yue then sent Xu Shize and Hou Zang on foot by hidden routes to persuade Zhu Tao and Wang Wujun to borrow troops for rescue. At that time Wang Wujun had already killed Li Weiyue and sent his head to the capital and was appointed Hengji observation and defense commissioner. Wujun's colleague Zhang Xiaozhong had already become Yiding military commissioner. Wujun alone was defense commissioner, and Zhao and Shen prefectures were cut off as one command with Kang Rizhi as observation commissioner—he was deeply resentful and had always looked down on Xiaozhong, ashamed that his title ranked below. At that time Zhu Tao was attacking Li Weiyue, took Shen Prefecture, and asked to be subordinated to You Prefecture but was not granted it—he too was resentful. Thus Zhu Tao and Wang Wujun conspired together to rescue Yue. Yue relied on aid from Yan and Zhao and again sent out twenty thousand troops to array with their backs to the city. Ma Sui again joined the armies and defeated them. In the fifth month Ma Sui was promoted concurrent Grand Councilor of the Secretariat and Chancellery. In the sixth month Zhu Tao and Wang Wujun joined armies of fifty thousand to rescue Yue and reached below the city. The commanders discussed withdrawing troops. Ma Sui firmly refused. Emperor Dezong sent Shuofang military commissioner Li Huai'guang with fifteen thousand Shuofang foot and horse to go to Ma Sui. On the last day of that month Li Huai'guang also arrived. Li Huai'guang was brave but without stratagem. The day the army arrived, without rest he firmly asked to fight Zhu Tao and the others, and the imperial army was unfavorable. Yue and the others released water to flood Ma Sui's army and others. Sui's troops were bent and grain was scarce. In the seventh month Ma Sui and the armies withdrew and halted at Wei County. That month an edict promoted Ma Sui chief administrator of the Wei Prefecture metropolitan prefecture, concurrently military commissioner, observer, and pacification commissioner of Wei, Bo, and Bei prefectures. Tian Yue, Zhu Tao, and Wang Wujun's armies also reached Wei County and faced the imperial army across the river in opposing camps. In the eleventh month the three bandits in the Wei County army in turn praised one another's royal titles: Zhu Tao called himself King of Ji, Tian Yue King of Wei, Wang Wujun King of Zhao. They again sent envoys to Li Na, and Na called himself King of Qi. The four routes together promoted Huai Prefecture Li Xilie as grand marshal of all armies under Heaven, Grand Commandant, and King of Jianxing—all falsely appointing office titles like the founding era's mobile-court system, yet the names were somewhat strange and perverse, and they still did not dare falsely proclaim reign titles. The five bandits allied to overturn the state. The two rivers boiled. Bandits and robbers ran wild. Though Ma Sui and others were intent on aiding the throne, in the end they could not drive off and scatter the calamity.
10
四年十月,涇師犯關,帝幸奉天,燧引軍還太原。 議者云:「燧若乘田悅洹水之敗,並力攻之,時城中敗卒無三二千人,皆夷傷未起,日夕俟降; 燧與抱真不和,遷延於擊賊,乃致三盜連結,至今為梗,職燧之由。」 燧至太原,遣行軍司馬王權將兵五千赴奉天,又遣男匯及大將之子與俱來,壁於中渭橋。 及帝幸梁州,權、匯領兵還鎮。 燧以晉陽王業所起,度都城東面平易受敵,時天下騷動,北邊數有警急,乃引晉水架汾而註城之東,瀦以為池,寇至計省守陴者萬人; 又決汾水環城,多為池沼,樹柳以固堤。 尋兼保寧軍節度使。
In the tenth month of the fourth year the Jing troops violated the capital. The emperor went to Fengtian, and Ma Sui led his army back to Taiyuan. Commentators said, "If Ma Sui had taken Tian Yue's defeat at the Huan River and joined strength to attack, at that time defeated troops in the city were no more than two or three thousand, all wounded and not yet risen, waiting morning and evening to surrender. Ma Sui and Li Baozhen were not harmonious and delayed striking the bandits, thus causing the three bandits to link up—still an obstruction to this day—the fault lies with Ma Sui." When Ma Sui reached Taiyuan he sent mobile-camp marshal Wang Quan with five thousand troops to go to Fengtian, and also sent his son Hui and great generals' sons to come together, walling at Zhongwei Bridge. When the emperor went to Liang Prefecture, Wang Quan and Hui led troops back to garrison. Ma Sui, because Jinyang was where the Jin kings' enterprise rose, judged the eastern side of the capital level and easy to receive attack. At that time the empire was in turmoil and the northern frontier repeatedly had urgent alarms. He then led the Jin River over the Fen on trestles to pour east of the city, dammed it to make pools, and when bandits came reckoned ten thousand fewer needed to man the walls. He again cut the Fen River to ring the city, made many pools and marshes, and planted willows to strengthen the dikes. Soon he also held the Baoning Army military commission.
11
興元元年正月,加檢校司徒,封北平郡王。 七月,德宗還京,加燧奉誠軍及晉、絳、慈、隰節度並管內諸軍行營副元帥,令與侍中渾瑊、鎮國軍節度使駱元光同討河中。 初,李懷光據河中,燧遣使招諭之,懷光妹婿要廷珍守晉州,衙將毛朝敭守隰州,鄭抗守慈州,皆相次降燧。 初,王武俊自魏縣還鎮,雖去偽號,而攻圍趙州不解,康日知窘蹙,欲棄趙州,燧奏曰:「可詔武俊與抱真同擊硃滔,以深、趙隸武俊,請改日知為晉、慈、隰節度使。」 日知未至而三州降燧,故又加燧晉、慈、隰節度使。 燧乃表讓三州於日知,且言因降而授之,恐後有功者踵以為常。 上嘉而許之。 燧乃遣使迎日知,既至,籍府庫而歸之,日知喜且過望。
In the first month of the first year of Xingyuan he was promoted acting Grand Mentor and enfeoffed as Prince of Beiping Commandery. In the seventh month Emperor Dezong returned to the capital and promoted Ma Sui Fengcheng Army and Jin, Jiang, Ci, and Xi military commissions and deputy grand marshal of all armies within the circuit's mobile camp, ordering him with Palace Attendant Hun Jian and Zhenguo Army military commissioner Luo Yuanguang jointly to attack Hedong. At first Li Huai'guang held Hedong. Ma Sui sent envoys to summon and instruct him. Huai'guang's brother-in-law Yao Tingzhen held Jin Prefecture, yamen general Mao Chaoyi held Xi Prefecture, and Zheng Kang held Ci Prefecture—all in succession surrendered to Ma Sui. At first Wang Wujun returned to garrison from Wei County. Though he removed false titles he did not lift the siege of Zhao Prefecture. Kang Rizhi was in distress and wished to abandon Zhao Prefecture. Ma Sui memorialized, "One may edict Wujun and Baozhen jointly to attack Zhu Tao, subordinate Shen and Zhao to Wujun, and request changing Rizhi to Jin, Ci, and Xi military commissioner." Rizhi had not yet arrived when the three prefectures surrendered to Ma Sui. Therefore Ma Sui was again made Jin, Ci, and Xi military commissioner. Ma Sui then memorialized yielding the three prefectures to Rizhi and said that because they surrendered and were granted them, he feared later men of merit would follow this as custom. The emperor praised this and granted it. Ma Sui then sent envoys to welcome Rizhi. Once he arrived he registered the treasury stores and returned them. Rizhi was pleased beyond expectation.
12
九月十五日,燧帥步騎三萬次於絳,分兵收夏縣,略稷山,攻龍門,降其將馮萬興、任象玉。 燧以兵攻絳州,十月,拔其外城,其夜偽刺史王克同與大將達奚小進棄城走,降其眾四千人。 又遣大將李自良、谷秀分兵略定聞喜、夏縣、萬泉、虞鄉、永樂、猗氏六縣,降其將辛兟及兵五千人。 谷秀以犯令虜士女,斬之以徇。
On the fifteenth day of the ninth month Ma Sui led thirty thousand foot and horse and halted at Jiang, divided troops to take Xia County, raided Jishan, attacked Longmen, and reduced its generals Feng Wanxing and Ren Xiangyu. Ma Sui with troops attacked Jiang Prefecture. In the tenth month they took the outer city. That night false prefect Wang Ketong with great general Daxi Xiaojin abandoned the city and fled, reducing its masses of four thousand men. He again sent great generals Li Ziliang and Gu Xiu to divide troops and pacify Wenxi, Xia County, Wanquan, Yuxiang, Yongle, and Yishi six counties, reducing their general Xin Shen and five thousand troops. Gu Xiu because he violated orders and plundered soldiers' women was beheaded to announce to the army.
13
貞元元年,軍次寶鼎,敗賊騎兵於陶城,前鋒將李黯追擊之,射殺賊將徐伯文,斬首萬餘級,獲馬五百匹。 是歲,天下蝗旱,物價騰踴,軍乏糧餉,而京師言事多請捨懷光,上意未決。 燧以懷光逆節尤甚,河中密邇京邑,反覆不可保信,舍之無以示天下,慮上為左右所惑,且兵事尚密。 六月,燧乃舍軍以數百騎朝於京師。 比召見,燧曰:「臣雖不武,得芻糧支一月,足以平河中。」 上許之。
In the first year of Zhenyuan the army halted at Baoding and defeated bandit cavalry at Taocheng. Vanguard general Li An pursued them, shot and killed bandit general Xu Bowen, cut off more than ten thousand heads, and captured five hundred horses. That year locusts and drought afflicted all under Heaven, prices soared, the army lacked grain supplies, and at the capital memorialists mostly asked to pardon Li Huai'guang. The emperor's mind was not yet decided. Ma Sui, because Huai'guang's rebellious conduct was especially grave and Hedong lay close to the capital, treacherous and unreliable—to pardon him would show nothing to all under Heaven. He feared the emperor would be misled by those around him, and military matters should still be secret. In the sixth month Ma Sui then left the army with several hundred horsemen to attend court at the capital. When summoned to audience Ma Sui said, "Your subject though not martial, with fodder and grain for one month is enough to pacify Hedong." The emperor granted it.
14
七月,燧因朝京師,乃與渾瑊、駱元光、韓遊瑰合軍,次於長春宮。 懷光將徐廷光以兵六千守宮城,禦備甚嚴。 燧度長春不下,則懷光自固,攻之曠日持久,所傷必甚,乃挺身至城下呼廷光。 廷光素憚燧威名,則拜於城上。 燧度廷光心已屈,乃徐謂之曰:「我來自朝廷,可西面受命。」 廷光復拜。 燧乃喻之曰:「公等皆朔方將士,祿山以來,首建大動,四十餘年,功伐最高,奈何棄祖父之動力,背君上,為族滅之計耶! 從吾,非止免禍,富貴可圖也。」 賊徒皆不對。 燧又曰:「爾以吾言不誠,今相去不遠數步,爾當射我!」 乃披襟示之。 廷光感泣俯伏,軍士亦泣下。 先一日,賊焦籬堡守將尉珪以兵二千因堡降燧; 廷光東道既絕,乃率眾出降。 燧以數騎徑入城,處之不疑,莫不畏服,眾大呼曰:「吾輩復得為王人矣!」 渾瑊由是服燧,私謂參佐曰:「予嘗謂馬公用兵與予不相遠,但警怪累敗田悅; 今觀其行兵料敵,吾不迨遠矣!」 八月,燧移軍於焦籬堡。 其夜,賊太原堡守將吳冏棄堡而遁,其下皆降。 燧率諸軍濟河,兵凡八萬,陣於城下。 是日,賊將牛名俊斬懷光首以城降。 其守兵猶一萬六千人,斬賊將閻晏、孟寶、張清、吳冏等七人以徇,為懷光脅虜者皆舍之。
In the seventh month, because Ma Sui attended court at the capital, he joined Hun Jian, Luo Yuanguang, and Han Yougui in armies and halted at Changchun Palace. Huai'guang's general Xu Tingguang with six thousand troops held the palace city. Defenses were very strict. Ma Sui judged that if Changchun could not be taken Huai'guang would hold firm. Attacking would take long days and casualties must be heavy. He then went in person to below the city and called Xu Tingguang. Xu Tingguang had always feared Ma Sui's martial name and bowed on the wall. Ma Sui judged Xu Tingguang's heart already bent and slowly said to him, "I come from the court. You may face west to receive orders." Xu Tingguang bowed again. Ma Sui then instructed him, "You all are Shuofang soldiers. Since Lushu, foremost in great merit, more than forty years, merit in battle highest—why abandon your grandfathers' merit, turn against your sovereign, and take the plan of clan extinction? Follow me—not only escape calamity. Wealth and honor can be plotted." The bandit masses all did not answer. Ma Sui again said, "You think my words not sincere—now we are not far apart by several paces. You ought to shoot me!" He then bared his breast to show them. Xu Tingguang wept and prostrated himself. The soldiers also wept. One day earlier the bandit Jiaoli Fort garrison commander Wei Gui with two thousand troops because of the fort surrendered to Ma Sui. Xu Tingguang's eastern route was already cut and he then led the masses out to surrender. Ma Sui with several horsemen went straight into the city and treated them without suspicion. All feared and submitted. The masses greatly shouted, "We again can be the king's men!" Hun Jian from this submitted to Ma Sui and privately told his staff, "I once said Duke Ma's use of troops was not far from mine, but was only startled and wondered at repeatedly defeating Tian Yue. Now seeing him march troops and measure the enemy, I do not reach far!" In the eighth month Ma Sui moved the army to Jiaoli Fort. That night the bandit Taiyuan Fort garrison commander Wu Jiong abandoned the fort and fled. Those below all surrendered. Ma Sui led the armies across the river. Troops totaled eighty thousand and arrayed below the city. That day bandit general Niu Mingjun beheaded Li Huai'guang's head and surrendered the city. Its garrison still had sixteen thousand men. Bandit generals Yan Yan, Meng Bao, Zhang Qing, Wu Jiong and seven others were beheaded to announce to the army. Those coerced and captured by Huai'guang were all released.
15
燧自朝京師還行營,凡二十七日而河中平。 詔書褒美,遷光祿大夫,兼侍中,仍與一子五品正員官。 宴賜畢,還太原。 是行也,德宗賜燧《宸扆》、《臺衡》二銘。 序曰:
From Ma Sui's return to court to the mobile camp was twenty-seven days in all and Hedong was pacified. An edict praised and commended him. He was transferred to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and concurrently Palace Attendant, and one son was given a fifth-rank regular office. When the feast and gifts were finished he returned to Taiyuan. On this journey Emperor Dezong gave Ma Sui the two inscriptions Chenyi and Taiheng. The preface says:
16
《宸扆銘》曰:
The Chenyi Inscription says:
17
天生蒸人,性命元淳,嗜欲交馳,利害糾紛。 無主乃亂,樹之以君,九域茫茫,萬情云云。 目不備睹,耳難遍聞,睹之聞之,矧又非真。 事失其源,道遠莫親,理行其要,化行如神。 失源維何,不自正身,正身之方,先誠其意。 罔從爾欲,罔載爾偽,體道崇德,本仁率義。 必信若寒暑,無私象天地,感而遂通,百慮一致。 任人之術,各當其器,舍短從長,理無求備。 事多總集,眾才鹹遂,知而必任,任而勿貳。 以天下之目為鑒,我鑒斯明; 以天下之心為謀,我謀則智。 求賢惟廣,辯理惟精,逆耳咈心,必嘉乃誠。 順旨茍容,亦察其情,斥去奸諛,全度忠貞。 先人立言,為代作程,諤諤者昌,唯唯者傾,系以興亡,曷雲其輕。 承天子人,夫豈不貴? 伊昔哲王,夙夜祗畏。 馭朽為戒,納隍為誌,神將害盈,天匪假易。 四海為家,夫豈不富? 伊昔哲王,勤儉固陋。 土階罔飾,露臺罷構,遠奇伎淫巧,放珍禽怪獸。 敬之慎之,天命可祐。 欲令必行,順人之情,欲誠必著,清己之慮,心無億詐,事必忠恕。 凡將有為,靡不三思,喜怒以節,動靜以時。 毫厘或差,禍害亦隨,慢易厥初,悔其曷追。 刑不可長,武不可恃,作威逞力,厲階斯起。 垂旒蔽聰,黈纊塞耳,含弘光大,是亦為美。 覆之如天,愛之如子,仁心感人,率土自理。 嗟予寡昧,嗣守丕圖,寇戎薦興,德化未孚。 大業兢兢,其敢以渝,俯察物情,仰稽典謨,作誡斯言,置於坐隅。
Heaven bore the teeming people. Life and nature are originally pure. Desire and profit rush together; benefit and harm tangle in confusion. Without a lord there is chaos. Establish a lord to govern them. The nine regions are vast and dim; ten thousand feelings cloud upon cloud. The eye cannot prepare to see all. The ear cannot hear everywhere. What is seen and heard—moreover is not true. Affairs lose their source. The Way is far and kinship hard. Principle holds to essentials; transforming conduct is like spirit. What loses the source? Not correcting oneself first. The method of correcting oneself is first to make sincere the intent. Do not follow your desires. Do not carry your falsity. Embody the Way, honor virtue, root in benevolence, lead in righteousness. Trust must be like cold and heat. Without partiality like Heaven and earth. Moved, then it passes through; a hundred thoughts become one. The method of employing men is to suit each to his instrument. Abandon the short, follow the long. In principle do not seek completeness. Affairs mostly gather in the whole. The talents of the masses all succeed. Know and then surely employ. Employ and do not be of two minds. Take all under Heaven's eyes as mirror—my mirror then is bright. Take all under Heaven's hearts as counsel—my counsel then is wise. Seek the worthy as broadly as possible. Distinguish principle as finely as possible. Words that jar the ear and offend the heart—you must prize their sincerity. Words that accord with intent and tolerate appearance—you must also examine their feeling. Drive away flatterers and sycophants. Fully measure loyalty and uprightness. Those before us established words as models for the age. Blunt speech brings prosperity, mere assent brings ruin. Tied to rise and fall—how can it be called light? Receiving Heaven's person as lord—is it not honored? In ancient times the wise kings from dawn to dusk held awe. Take rotting wood as warning. Take falling into the moat as resolve. The spirits will harm fullness. Heaven does not lend ease. The four seas as home—is it not rich? In ancient times the wise kings were diligent and thrifty, firmly plain. Earthen steps unadorned. The dew platform ceased to be built. Keep far from strange skills and licentious craft. Release rare birds and monstrous beasts. Revere it, be careful of it—Heaven's mandate can be aided. To make orders surely carried out, accord with men's feelings. To make sincerity surely shown, clear one's own concerns. Heart without deceit. Affairs must be loyal and forgiving. Whatever a lord will do—none without thrice thinking. Joy and anger by measure. Movement and stillness by season. A hair's breadth off—or calamity follows. Treating the beginning lightly—how can one regret and pursue? Punishment cannot be prolonged. Martial power cannot be relied on. Making awe, displaying force—the steps of calamity rise from this. The hanging tassels screen hearing. The yellow cap blocks the ear. Containing and magnifying the bright—that too is beautiful. Covering like Heaven. Loving like a child. Benevolent heart moves men. All the land governs itself. Alas my few and dim. I inherit and keep the great plan. Bandits and barbarians repeatedly rise. Virtue and transforming have not yet reached. The great enterprise tremblingly—how dare I alter it? Bowing to examine things' feelings. Looking up to classic models. Making this admonition—place it at the seat's corner.
18
《臺衡銘》曰:
The Taiheng Inscription says:
19
天列臺星,垂象於人,聖人則天,亦建輔臣。 以翼以弼,為衡為鈞,如耳目應心,如股肱連身,是則同體,孰雲非親? 陰陽相推,四序成歲,君臣相得,萬邦作乂。 感同風雲,合若符契,以道匡救,盡規獻替,木必從繩,金其用礪。 帝者之盛,時惟陶唐,乃聞疇咨,仄陋明揚。 洎乎有虞,二八騰芳。 爰迨伊尹,相於成湯。 載生姜牙,諒彼武王。 道無不行,謀無不臧,君聖臣賢,運泰時康。 漢高既興,蕭、曹亦彰。 烈烈我祖,膺期而昌,剷滅群兇,砥平四方。 惟衛及英,啟辟封疆; 曰房與杜,振理維綱; 亦有魏徵,忠謇昂昂。 偉茲眾材,為棟為梁,蕩蕩巍巍,邦家有光。 是知道之廢興,系於時主,主之得失,資於臺輔。 經之以文,緯之以武,出為方伯,入作申、甫,絕維載張,闕袞斯補。 惟德是倚,惟才是求,人不易知,德亦難周。 傅說板築,夷吾射鉤,任之不疑,千載垂休,體於至公,何鄙何讎。 追惟哲主,必賴良弼,矧予不德,暗於理術。 師旅繁起,政刑多失,遘茲艱屯,夙夜祗栗。 翊我戴我,實惟勛賢,內熙庶績,外總十連,威武載揚,謀猷日宣。 長城壓境,巨艦濟川,同德同心,扶危持顛。 予嘉爾誠,爾相予理,惟後失道,亦臣之恥。 自昔格言,慎終如始,功藏鼎彜,道冠圖史。 無俾伊、傅,克專厥美,作鑒勒銘,永世是紀。
Heaven arrays the terrace stars. They hang as images for men. The sage models Heaven and also establishes assisting ministers. To wing and to assist, to be balance and steelyard—like ears and eyes responding to the heart, like arms and thighs joined to the body—that is one body. Who says not kin? Yin and yang push one another. The four seasons complete the year. Lord and minister obtain one another. The myriad states are governed. Feeling responds like wind and cloud. Joining like tally and seal. With the Way to correct and save. Fully advising and remonstrating. Wood must follow the line. Metal must use the whetstone. When emperors flourish—then only Yao of Tang. Then one heard broad consultation. From low and narrow the bright were chosen. Down to Emperor Shun—the Eight Worthies rose in fragrance. Then reaching Yi Yin—he assisted Cheng Tang. Then Jiang Ziya—he trusted that King Wu. The Way all followed. No plan was not good. Lord sage, minister worthy. Fortune smooth, times peaceful. When Han the High rose—Xiao and Cao also shone. Brightly our ancestor—he received the season and flourished. He cut down the mass of villains. He leveled the four directions. Wei and Ying both—opened and established territories. Fang and Du—raised governance and held the net. There was also Wei Zheng—loyal and upright, high and bright. Great these many talents—as ridgepole and beam. Vast and lofty—the state and family have light. Thus the Way's abandonment and rise depend on the age's lord. The lord's gain and loss rely on the terrace assistants. Warp it with culture. Woof it with martial. Going out as regional lords. Entering as Shen and Fu. When the net breaks, load it again. When the robe is lacking, thus mend it. Only virtue is leaned on. Only talent is sought. Men are not easy to know. Virtue is also hard to exhaust. Fuyue was wall-building. Guan Zhong shot the hook. Employ without doubt—a thousand ages leave beauty. Embody utmost fairness—what base, what foe? Looking back to the wise lords—they must rely on good assistants. How much more I without virtue—dark in principle and arts. Armies and brigades repeatedly rise. Government and punishment much lost. Meeting this hardship and peril—from dawn to dusk respectful and fearful. They aid me, they bear me—truly these meritorious worthies. Within brightening the many achievements. Without summing the ten circuits. Martial awe displayed. Plans and counsels daily proclaimed. Great Wall pressing the border. Great ships crossing the river. Same virtue, same heart. Supporting danger, holding up collapse. I praise your sincerity. You assist my governance. When the lord loses the Way—it is also the minister's shame. From ancient admonitions—be careful at the end as at the start. Merit stored in the cauldron inscription. The Way crowns histories and annals. Do not let Yi and Fu monopolize their beauty. Make this mirror and inscribe it—forever is it recorded.
20
燧至太原,乃勒二銘於起義堂西偏,帝為題額,其崇寵如此。
When Ma Sui reached Taiyuan he then carved the two inscriptions on the west side of the Uprising Hall. The emperor himself wrote the title—such was the honor shown him.
21
二年冬,吐蕃大將尚結贊陷鹽、夏二州,各留兵守之,結贊大軍屯於鳴沙,自冬及春,羊馬多死,糧餉不繼。 德宗以燧為綏、銀、麟勝招討使,令與華帥駱元光、邠帥韓遊瑰及鳳翔諸鎮之師會於河西進討。 燧出師,次石州。 結贊聞之懼,遣使請和,仍約盟會,上皆不許。 又遣其大將論頰熱厚禮卑辭申情於燧請和,燧頻表論奏,上堅不許。 三年正月,燧軍還太原。 四月,燧與論頰熱俱入朝,燧盛言蕃情可保,請許其盟,上然之。 燧既入朝,結贊遽自鳴沙還蕃。 是歲閏五月十五日,侍中渾瑊與蕃相尚結贊盟於平涼,為蕃軍所劫,狼狽僅免,陷將吏六十余員,由燧之謬謀也,坐是奪兵權。 六月,以燧守司徒,兼侍中、北平王如故,仍賜妓樂,奉朝請而已。
In the winter of the second year the Tibetan great general Shang Jiezan took Yan and Xia prefectures and left troops to hold each. Jiezan's great army encamped at Mingsha. From winter to spring many sheep and horses died and grain supplies did not continue. Emperor Dezong made Ma Sui pacification commissioner of Sui, Yin, Lin, and Sheng and ordered him with Hua commander Luo Yuanguang, Bin commander Han Yougui, and the forces of Fengxiang and other garrisons to meet west of the river and advance to attack. Ma Sui went out with the army and halted at Shi Prefecture. Jiezan heard this and feared. He sent envoys to ask peace and also arranged alliance meetings. The emperor all did not grant it. He again sent his great general Lun Bire with heavy gifts and humble words to express feeling to Ma Sui asking peace. Sui repeatedly memorialized and reported. The emperor firmly did not grant it. In the first month of the third year Ma Sui's army returned to Taiyuan. In the fourth month Ma Sui and Lun Bire both entered court. Sui greatly said Tibetan feeling could be trusted and asked to grant their alliance. The emperor agreed. Once Ma Sui entered court Jiezan hastily from Mingsha returned to Tibet. That year on the fifteenth day of the intercalary fifth month Palace Attendant Hun Jian allied with Tibetan minister Shang Jiezan at Pingliang and was robbed by Tibetan troops. In distress he barely escaped. More than sixty officers and clerks were trapped—because of Ma Sui's mistaken plan. For this he lost military authority. In the sixth month Ma Sui was made Grand Mentor, concurrently Palace Attendant, Prince of Beiping as before, and was given singing girls. He attended court by invitation only.
22
五年九月,燧與太尉李晟召見於延英殿,上嘉其有大勛力,皆圖形淩煙閣,列於元臣之次。 九年七月,燧對於延英。 初,上以燧足疾,不令朝謁; 是日,燧以冬首入朝,敕許不拜而坐。 時太尉晟初薨,帝謂燧曰:「常時卿與太尉晟同來,今獨見卿,不覺悲慟。」 上歔欷久之。 燧既退,足疾,仆於地,上親掖起之,送及於陛,燧頓首泣謝。 累上表乞骸,陳讓侍中,優詔不許。 貞元十一年八月薨,時年七十。 先是,司天頻奏熒惑太白犯太微上將,間一月而燧薨。 廢朝四日,詔京兆尹韓臯監護喪事,嗣吳王獻為吊祭贈赗使,冊贈太尉,謚曰莊武。 子匯、暢。
In the fifth month of the fifth year Ma Sui and Grand Commandant Li Sheng were summoned to audience in the Yanying Hall. The emperor praised their great merit and power. Both were pictured in the Lingyan Pavilion, ranked among the founding ministers. In the seventh month of the ninth year Ma Sui answered at the Yanying. At first because the emperor thought Ma Sui had foot ailment he did not order court audience. That day Ma Sui at the winter start entered court. An edict permitted not bowing but sitting. At that time Grand Commandant Li Sheng had just died. The emperor said to Ma Sui, "Usually you and Grand Commandant Sheng came together. Now I see you alone and cannot help feeling grief." The emperor sighed long. Once Ma Sui withdrew his foot ailment caused him to fall to the ground. The emperor personally helped him up and escorted him to the steps. Sui prostrated himself weeping in thanks. He repeatedly memorialized begging to retire. He stated yielding the Palace Attendant. Gracious edicts did not grant it. In the eighth month of the eleventh year of Zhenyuan he died. At that time he was seventy. Before this the Directorate of Astronomy repeatedly reported Mars and Venus invading the Grand Pivot's upper general. Within a month Ma Sui died. Court mourning was suspended four days. An edict ordered Capital Intendant Han Gao to supervise funeral affairs. Heir of Wu Wang Xian as condolence and gift envoy. He was posthumously enfeoffed Grand Commandant with posthumous title Zhuangwu. Sons Hui and Chang.
23
暢以父廕累遷至鴻臚少卿,留京師。 建中三年,燧討田悅於山東,時歲旱,京師括率商戶,人心甚搖。 鳳翔留鎮幽州兵,多離散入南山為盜。 殿中丞李雲端與其黨袁封、單超俊、李誠信、冀信等與暢善,因飲食聚會,言時事將危; 暢乃遣家人溫靖與父書,具陳利害,可班師還鎮。 燧怒,執靖具奏其狀,令兄炫執暢請罪。 德宗以燧方討賊,不竟其事,誅雲端等十一人,敕炫就第杖暢三十,上於是罷括率之令。 燧貲貨甲天下,燧既卒,暢承舊業,屢為豪幸邀取。 貞元末,中尉楊誌廉諷暢令獻田園第宅,順宗復賜暢。 初為匯妻所訴,析其產,中貴又逼取,仍指使施於佛寺,暢不敢吝; 晚年財產並盡,身歿之後,諸子無室可居,以至凍餒。 今奉誠園亭館,即暢舊第也。 暢終少府監,贈工部尚書。
Chang through his father's shadow was repeatedly promoted to vice director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments and remained at the capital. In the third year of Jianzhong Ma Sui attacked Tian Yue in Shandong. At that time the year was drought. The capital levied merchants. People's hearts were greatly shaken. Fengxiang garrison troops left at You Prefecture mostly scattered into the Southern Hills as bandits. Palace censor Li Yunduan with his faction Yuan Feng, Shan Chaojun, Li Chengxin, Ji Xin and others were friendly with Chang. Because of feasting and gathering they spoke that the times would soon be perilous. Chang then sent his household member Wen Jing to write his father a letter fully stating benefit and harm—that he could withdraw the army and return to garrison. Ma Sui was angry, seized Wen Jing and fully reported the situation, ordered his elder brother Xuan to seize Chang and ask guilt. Emperor Dezong because Ma Sui was attacking bandits did not pursue the matter to the end. Yunduan and eleven others were executed. An edict ordered Xuan to go to the residence and cane Chang thirty strokes. The emperor thereupon abolished the levy order. Ma Sui's wealth and goods were foremost under Heaven. Once Sui died Chang inherited the old enterprise and was repeatedly taken from by powerful favorites. At the end of Zhenyuan Chief Eunuch Yang Zhilian hinted Chang should present fields, gardens, and mansions. Emperor Shunzong again bestowed on Chang. At first sued by Hui's wife, his property was divided. Palace favorites again forced taking and still directed spending on Buddhist temples—Chang dared not be stingy. In later years property was all gone. After his body died his sons had no room to dwell, even to freezing and hunger. Now the Fengcheng garden pavilion and hall is Chang's old residence. Chang ended as director of the Palace Workshop and was posthumously given Minister of Works.
24
子繼祖,以祖廕,四歲為太子舍人,累遷至殿中少監,年三十七卒。
Son Jizu through his grandfather's shadow at four years was Crown Prince's attendant, repeatedly promoted to vice director of the Palace Directorate, and died at thirty-seven.
25
炫,字弱翁,燧之仲兄,少以儒學聞於時,隱居蘇門山,不應辟召。 至德中,李光弼鎮太原,辟為掌書記、試大理評事、監察御史,歷侍御史。 常參謀議,光弼甚重之,奏授比部、刑部郎中。 田神功鎮汴州,奏授節度判官、檢校兵部郎中。 轉連州刺史,征拜吏部郎中,又出為閬州刺史,入為大理少卿。 建中初,為潤州刺史,黜陟使柳載以清白聞,征拜太子右庶子,遷左散騎常侍。 弟燧為司徒,以親比拜刑部侍郎,以疾辭,改兵部尚書致仕。 貞元七年卒,時年七十九。
Xuan, styled Ruoweng, Ma Sui's second elder brother, in youth was famed for Confucian learning and lived in seclusion on Mount Sumen, not responding to summons. In the Zhide era Li Guangbi garrisoned Taiyuan and recruited him as chief secretary, trial grand court judge, and censor. He served as attendant censor. He often joined in counsel. Li Guangbi greatly valued him and memorialized appointing him director of the Revenue and Punishments bureaus. When Tian Shengon garrisoned Bian Prefecture he was memorialized as military commissioner's judge and acting director of the Bureau of Military Affairs. He was transferred prefect of Lian Prefecture, summoned as director of the Ministry of Personnel, again went out as prefect of Lang Prefecture, and entered as vice director of the Court of Judicial Review. At the start of Jianzhong he was Run Prefecture prefect. Promotion commissioner Liu Zai because of pure reputation summoned him as Right Crown Prince's aide and transferred Left Regular Attendant. Younger brother Ma Sui was Grand Mentor. Because of kinship he was appointed vice director of the Ministry of Punishments. Because of illness he declined and was changed to Minister of War retiring. In the seventh year of Zhenyuan he died. At that time he was seventy-nine.
26
史臣曰:燧雄勇強力,常先計後戰,又善誓師,將戰,親自號令,士無不慷慨感動,戰皆決死,未嘗折北,謀得兵勝,冠於一時。 然力能擒田悅而不取,納蕃帥之偽款而保其必盟; 平涼之會,大臣幾陷,關畿搖動,此謂才有余而心不至,議者惜而恨之。
The historian says: Ma Sui was bold, brave, and strong. He always planned before fighting. He was also good at rallying the army. Before battle he personally gave commands and the men without exception were stirred to generosity. In battle they all fought to the death. He never suffered defeat. Stratagem obtained, troops won—foremost in his age. Yet though his strength could capture Tian Yue he did not take him. He accepted the Tibetan commander's false submission and assured they would surely ally. At the Pingliang meeting great ministers nearly fell. The capital region was shaken—this is called talent in surplus but heart not arriving. Commentators regretted and resented it.
27
渾瑊
Hun Jian
28
渾瑊,臯蘭州人也,本鐵勒九姓部落之渾部也。 高祖大俟利發渾阿貪支,貞觀中為臯蘭州刺史。 曾祖元慶、祖大壽、父釋之,皆代為臯蘭都督。 大壽,開元初歷左領衛中郎將、太子仆同正。 釋之,少有武藝,從朔方軍,積戰功於邊上,累遷至開府儀同三司、試太常卿、寧朔郡王。 廣德中,與吐蕃戰,沒於靈武,年四十九。
Hun Jian was a native of Gao Prefecture. He originally came from the Hun tribe among the Tiele Nine Surnames. Great-great-grandfather the grand chieftain Hun A'chenzhi in the Zhenguan era was Gao Prefecture prefect. Great-grandfather Yuanqing, grandfather Dashou, and father Shizhi all for generations were Gao Prefecture governors. Dashou, at the start of Kaiyuan served as Left Leading Guard middle commander and Crown Prince's steward of equal rank. Shizhi in youth had martial arts. He followed the Shuofang Army, accumulated battle merit on the frontier, and was repeatedly promoted to Grand General of Illustrious Affairs, acting Grand Minister of Ceremonies, and Prince of Ningsuo Commandery. In the Guangde era he fought Tibet and died at Lingwu. He was forty-nine.
29
瑊本名曰進,年十余歲即善騎射,隨父戰伐,破賀魯部,下石保城,收龍駒島,勇冠諸軍,累授折衝果毅。 後節度使安思順遣瑊提偏師深入葛祿部,經狐媚磧,略特羅斯山,大破阿布思部; 又與諸軍城永清柵、天安軍,遷中郎將。
Jian's original name was Jin. At more than ten years he was already skilled at riding and shooting. He followed his father in campaigns, broke the Helu tribe, took Xiabao Fort, recovered Longju Island—brave foremost among the armies—and was repeatedly appointed Victorious Charge commander. Later Military Commissioner An Sishun sent Jian leading a detached army deep into the Gelu tribe, passed Humei Desert, raised Teluosi Mountain, and greatly broke Abu Si's tribe. He again with the armies walled Yongqing Palisade and Tian'an Army and was promoted middle commander.
30
安祿山構逆,瑊從李光弼出師河北,定諸郡邑。 賊將有李立節者,素稱驍勇,與瑊格鬥,臨陣斬之,遷右驍衛將軍。 既而肅宗即位於靈武,瑊統兵赴行在,至天德,遇蕃軍入寇,瑊擊敗之。 從郭子儀收兩京,瑊討安慶緒,破賊於新鄉。 改檢校太仆卿,充武鋒軍使。 又從仆固懷恩討史朝義,前後數十戰。 朝義平,加開府儀同三司、太常卿,賜實封二百戶。
When An Lushu plotted rebellion Jian followed Li Guangbi out with the army to Hebei and settled the commanderies and districts. Among bandit generals there was one Li Lijie famed as fierce and brave. He grappled with Jian in battle and Jian beheaded him on the field. He was promoted Right Xiaoqi Guard general. Then Emperor Suzong ascended at Lingwu. Jian led troops to the mobile court. Reaching Tiande he met Tibetan troops entering to raid and Jian defeated them. Following Guo Ziyi in recovering the two capitals Jian attacked An Qingxu and broke the bandits at Xinxiang. He was changed acting Grand Minister of Steeds and made Wufeng Army commander. He again followed Pugu Huai'en to attack Shi Chaoyi—before and after several tens of battles. When Chaoyi was pacified he was promoted Grand General of Illustrious Affairs and Grand Minister of Ceremonies and given two hundred households of real enfeoffment.
31
及懷恩謀亂,令子歊與瑊率軍圍榆次,朔方將殺歊,瑊率所部歸郭子儀。 會瑊父釋之戰死,又起復本官,為朔方行營左廂兵馬使。 從子儀討吐蕃於邠州。 以功加御史中丞。 軍還,盛秋於邠。 會吐蕃大入寇,至奉天,瑊拒戰於漠谷,大破蕃軍,以功加太子賓客,復屯於奉天。 華州周智光反,子儀奉詔討之,令瑊領馬步萬人攻下同州。 智光平,詔以邠、寧、慶三州隸朔方軍,子儀領之; 子儀令瑊先率兵至邠州,便於宜祿縣防秋。 歲餘,加兼御史大夫。
When Huai'en plotted rebellion he ordered his son Yang and Jian to lead troops and besiege Yuci. Shuofang generals killed Yang. Jian led his division back to Guo Ziyi. When Jian's father Shizhi died in battle he again rose from mourning to his original office and was Shuofang mobile-camp Left Wing military envoy. He followed Guo Ziyi to attack Tibet at Bin Prefecture. For merit he was promoted censor-in-chief. The army returned and garrisoned autumn defense at Bin. When Tibet greatly entered to raid and reached Fengtian Jian resisted at Mogu Valley and greatly broke the Tibetan army. For merit he was promoted Crown Prince's guest and again garrisoned at Fengtian. When Hua Prefecture Zhou Zhiguang rebelled Guo Ziyi received orders to attack him and ordered Jian to lead ten thousand foot and horse to attack and take Tong Prefecture. When Zhiguang was pacified an edict made Bin, Ning, and Qing three prefectures subordinate to the Shuofang Army and Guo Ziyi led them. Guo Ziyi ordered Jian first to lead troops to Bin Prefecture and then garrison autumn defense at Yilu County. After more than a year he was promoted concurrently Grand Censor.
32
大歷七年,吐蕃大寇邊,瑊與涇原節度使馬璘會兵,大破蕃賊於黃菩原。 自是,每年常戍於長武城,臨盛秋。 十一年,領邠州刺史。 其年,吐蕃入寇州方渠、懷安等鎮,瑊擊卻之。 十二年,子儀入朝,令瑊知邠寧慶三州兵馬留後。 十三年,回紇侵太原,破鮑防軍,北歸,頗為邊患。 以瑊為石嶺關已南諸軍都知兵馬使,率兵掎角逐之,虜騎引退。 其年八月,加檢校工部尚書、單於副都護、振武軍使。 十四年,郭子儀拜太尉,號尚父,分所管內別置三節度,以瑊兼單於大都護,充振武軍、東受降城、鎮北大都護府、綏銀麟勝等軍州節度副大使知節度使事、管內支度營田等使。 其年,復以崔寧為朔方節度使,領子儀舊管,征瑊為左金吾衛大將軍,兼左街使。
In the seventh year of Dali Tibet greatly raided the frontier. Jian with Jingyuan military commissioner Ma Lin joined armies and greatly broke Tibetan bandits at Huangpu Plain. From this each year he regularly garrisoned at Changwu Fort at the height of autumn. In the eleventh year he led Bin Prefecture prefect. That year Tibet entered to raid Fangqu, Huai'an and other garrisons. Jian beat them back. In the twelfth year Guo Ziyi entered court and ordered Jian to know Bin, Ning, and Qing three prefectures' troops as regent. In the thirteenth year the Uyghurs invaded Taiyuan and broke Bao Fang's army. Returning north they were much a frontier trouble. Jian was made commander knowing troops of all armies south of Shiling Pass. He led troops to flank and pursue and the barbarian cavalry withdrew. In the eighth month of that year he was promoted acting Minister of Works, Shanyu vice-protector, and Zhenwu Army commander. In the fourteenth year Guo Ziyi was made Grand Commandant and styled Exalted Father. Within what he administered three military commissions were separately established. Jian concurrently held Shanyu grand protectorate, deputy Zhenwu Army, Eastern Shouxiang City, and Zhenbei grand protectorate offices, Sui-Yin-Lin-Sheng and other army-prefecture military commission deputy ambassador knowing military commissioner affairs and circuit internal support, garrison-fields and other commissioner. That year Cui Ning was again made Shuofang military commissioner leading Guo Ziyi's old administration. Jian was summoned as Left Golden Guard great general and concurrently Left Street commander.
33
建中四年,李希烈遣間諜詐為瑊書與希烈交通,瑊奏其狀,上特保證之,仍賜瑊馬一匹並鞍轡,錦采二百匹。 時以普王為荊襄等道兵馬元帥討李希烈,大開府幕,以瑊檢校戶部尚書、御史大夫,充中軍都虞候。 會涇師亂,德宗幸奉天,後三日,瑊率家人子弟自京城至,乃署為行在都虞候、檢校兵部尚書、京畿渭北節度觀察使。 居數日,邠寧節度使韓遊瑰與慶州刺史論惟明統兵三千,自乾陵北過,赴醴泉以拒硃泚。 會諜報泚已出兵,帝遽令追遊瑰兵,才至奉天,賊軍果至。 遊瑰等戰於城東,王師不利,遂乘勝奔突,將入,官軍與賊隔門相持,自卯至午,殺傷頗甚。 門內有草車數乘,瑊令推車塞門,焚之以外禦,乘火力戰,賊方解去,然重圍已合。 賊大修攻具,以僧法堅為匠師,毀佛寺房宇以為梯櫓。 是月,賊自丁未至辛未,四面攻城,晝夜矢石不絕,瑊隨機應敵,僅能自固。
In the fourth year of Jianzhong Li Xilie sent spies feigning as Jian's letter communicating with Xilie. Jian reported the situation. The emperor specially guaranteed him and still gave Jian one horse with saddle and trappings and two hundred bolts of brocade. At that time Prince Pu was grand marshal of Jingxiang and other routes' troops attacking Li Xilie and greatly opened the headquarters staff. Jian was made acting Minister of Revenue, censor-in-chief, and central army chief adjutant. When the Jing troops mutinied Emperor Dezong went to Fengtian. Three days later Jian led family members and sons and younger brothers from the capital to arrive. He was then appointed mobile-court chief adjutant, acting Minister of War, and Jingji-Weibei military observation commissioner. After several days Binning military commissioner Han Yougui with Qing Prefecture prefect Lun Weiming leading three thousand troops from north of Qianling passed through to go to Liquan to resist Zhu Ci. When spies reported Zhu Ci had already sent out troops the emperor hastily ordered Yougui's troops pursued. They had just reached Fengtian when bandit troops indeed arrived. Han Yougui and the others fought east of the city. The imperial army was unfavorable. They then took victory and rushed forward intending to enter. The imperial army and bandits faced one another across the gate from mao hour to wu hour. Casualties were considerable. Inside the gate were several hay carts. Jian ordered carts pushed to block the gate and burned them to defend outward. Riding the fire's strength they fought. The bandits then withdrew, yet the heavy encirclement was already complete. The bandits greatly repaired siege engines. They took the monk Fajian as master craftsman and destroyed Buddhist temple buildings to make ladders and siege towers. That month from dingwei to xinwei they attacked the city on four sides day and night. Arrows and stones without cease. Jian responded to the enemy as occasion arose and barely could hold himself.
34
十一月,靈武節度使杜希全、鹽州刺史戴休顏、夏州刺史常春合兵六千人赴難。 將至,上議其所向,宰相盧杞、白誌貞以漠谷路為便。 瑊曰:「漠谷險隘,必為賊所邀,不若取乾陵北過,附柏城而行,便取城東北雞子堆下營,與城中掎角相應,且分賊勢,硃泚必不更於陵寢往來。」 杞曰:「漠谷路近,若慮逆賊邀擊,即出兵應接,若取乾陵路,恐驚陵寢。」 瑊曰:「今硃泚圍城,斬伐柏城,以夜繼晝,驚動已多。 今城中危急,佇望救軍,唯希全等率行赴難,安危是賴,所系非輕,制置不宜差跌。 但令希全等於雞子堆下營,固守善地,賊泚可以計破也。」 盧杞等曰:「陛下以順討逆,不可自驚陵寢。」 白誌貞從而贊之,上從杞議。 希全等進至漠谷,果為賊軍邀擊,奪據水口,乘高以大弩、巨石左右夾擊,殺傷頗甚; 城中出兵應援,亦為賊挫銳而退。 希全等各歸還本鎮,賊攻城逾急,壕塹環之。 旬日,復偏攻東北角,矢石亂入,晝夜如雨,城中死傷者甚眾。 重圍救絕,芻粟俱盡,城中伺賊休息,輒遣人城外捃拾樵采以進禦。 人心危蹙,上與瑊對泣。 賊泚北據乾陵,下瞰城內,身衣黃衣,蔽以翟扇,前後左右,皆硃紫閹官,宴賜拜舞,紛紜旁午。 城中動息,賊俯窺之,慢辭戲侮,以為破在漏刻之頃,時令騎將環城招公卿、士庶,責以不識天命。 十五日,賊造雲橋成,闊數十丈,以巨輪為腳,推之使前,施濕氈生牛革,多懸水囊以為障,直指城東北隅,兩旁構木為廬,冒以牛革,回環相屬,負土運薪於其下,以填壕塹,矢石不能傷。 城中恟懼,相顧失色。 上召瑊勉諭之,令賫空名告身自御史大夫、實封五百已下者千余軸,募諸軍突將敢死之士以當之; 兼賜瑊御筆一管,當戰勝,量其功伐,即署其名授之,不足者,筆書其身,因命以位。 仍謂瑊曰:「朕便與卿別,更不用對來,縱有急切,令馬承倩在卿處,但令附奏。」 瑊俯伏嗚咽,上亦悲慟不自勝,撫瑊背而遣之。 前一日,瑊與防城使侯仲莊揣雲橋來路,先鑿地道,下可深丈余,上積馬糞,深五六尺。 次二日,即令爇火,次一日復下柴薪夜燒之,平明,火焰高於城壘。 是時,北風正急,賊乃隨風推橋以薄城下,賊三千余人相繼而登。 城上士卒皆久寒餒,又少甲胄,瑊但感激誠厲之。 以饑弱之眾,當劇賊之鋒,雖力戰應敵,人憂不濟,公卿已下,仰首祝天。 賊徒至地道所,橋腳偏陷,不能進。 須臾,風回焰轉,雲橋焚為灰燼,賊焚死者數千,城中歡噪振地。 時瑊中流矢,遽自拔之,血流沾沫,格鬥不已,初不言瘡痛,以激士心。 是日,上先授瑊二子官,余授將校有差。 賊又別造雲橋,周以重鐵,方就,而朔方節度使李懷光自魏縣行營赴難,先遣兵馬使張韶入奏。 韶至奉天,與賊填塹者相雜,臨城忽大呼,謂城上曰:「我李懷光使也,懷光自河北領大軍至矣。」 即繩引而登。 城中得懷光表,歡聲振動,賊眾不之測,乃令舁韶巡於城上。 翌日,懷光大軍次醴泉,是夜,賊解圍而去。
In the eleventh month Lingwu military commissioner Du Xiquan, Yan Prefecture prefect Dai Xiuyan, and Xia Prefecture prefect Chang Chun joined armies of six thousand men to go to the rescue. When about to arrive the emperor discussed where they should go. Grand Councilors Lu Qi and Bai Zhizhen thought the Mogu route convenient. Jian said, "Mogu is narrow and perilous. Bandits will surely intercept. Better take north of Qianling, follow Cypress City and march, then camp below Jizidui northeast of the city, respond in pincers with the city, and also divide bandit strength—Zhu Ci surely will not again pass to and fro at the imperial tombs." Lu Qi said, "The Mogu route is near. If one fears rebel bandits intercepting, then send troops to respond. If one takes the Qianling route one fears disturbing the imperial tombs." Jian said, "Now Zhu Ci besieges the city and cuts cypress from the tomb city, night continuing day—disturbance already much. Now peril in the city. Looking morning and evening for rescue troops—only Du Xiquan and others lead troops to go to the rescue. Safety and danger rely on this. What is tied is not light. Disposition should not err. Only order Du Xiquan and others to camp below Jizidui, firmly hold good ground—bandit Ci can be broken by plan." Lu Qi and others said, "Your Majesty with compliance attacks rebellion—one cannot oneself disturb the imperial tombs." Bai Zhizhen followed and praised it. The emperor followed Lu Qi's plan. Du Xiquan and others advanced to Mogu and indeed were intercepted by bandit troops. They seized the water mouth. Riding high ground they struck left and right with great crossbows and boulders. Casualties were considerable. The city sent troops to respond and were also broken in sharpness and withdrew. Du Xiquan and others each returned to their original garrisons. Bandit siege grew more urgent. Moats and ramparts ringed them. After ten days they again partially attacked the northeast corner. Arrows and stones entered in confusion day and night like rain. Dead and wounded in the city were very many. The heavy encirclement rescue cut off. Fodder and grain all exhausted. In the city watching bandits rest they then sent men outside the city to gather firewood and fuel to supply defense. Men's hearts were perilous and tight. The emperor and Jian faced one another weeping. Bandit Zhu Ci north held Qianling overlooking the city. His body wore yellow robes screened with pheasant fans. Before and behind left and right were all vermilion and purple eunuch officials. Feasts, gifts, bows and dances were confused noon and midnight. The city's movements and breaths the bandits looked down and spied. Slow words mocked and insulted. They thought breaking was in the drip of a clepsydra. At times they ordered cavalry generals to circle the city summoning ministers and commoners, blaming them for not knowing Heaven's mandate. On the fifteenth day the bandits finished the cloud bridge—several tens of zhang wide—with great wheels as feet pushed forward. Wet felt and raw ox hide were applied. Many hanging water bags as screens. It pointed straight at the northeast corner of the city. On both sides they built wooden sheds covered with ox hide linked in rings. They carried earth and hauled firewood below to fill moats and ramparts—arrows and stones could not harm. In the city there was panic. They looked at one another and paled. The emperor summoned Jian and encouraged him. He ordered him to carry blank commission scrolls from Grand Censor down to five hundred households of real enfeoffment more than a thousand scrolls. Recruit from the armies daring vanguard and death-defying men to meet it. He also gave Jian one imperial brush. When battle was won, measuring their merit in battle, then sign their names and grant them. Where insufficient, the brush wrote on their bodies and then ordered by rank. He again said to Jian, "I then part with you. No more need face audience. Even if urgent, order Ma Chengqian at your place—only order him attach memorial." Jian prostrated himself sobbing. The emperor also grieved beyond bearing. He stroked Jian's back and sent him off. The day before Jian with defense commissioner Hou Zhongzhuang measured the cloud bridge's coming route. They first dug an underground passage more than a zhang deep below. Above they piled horse dung five or six chi deep. The next day they then ordered fire lit. The next day again piled firewood and burned at night. At dawn flames were higher than the ramparts. At that time the north wind was just strong. The bandits then pushed the bridge with the wind to press the city. More than three thousand bandits in succession climbed. Soldiers on the wall had long been cold and hungry and also had little armor. Jian only stirred them with gratitude and earnest exhortation. With hungry and weak masses facing fierce bandit points—though they fought hard responding to the enemy men feared it would not succeed. From ministers down they raised heads praying to Heaven. When bandit masses reached where the underground passage was the bridge feet partially sank and could not advance. In a moment the wind turned and flames turned. The cloud bridge burned to ash. Bandits burned dead numbered several thousand. In the city shouts shook the earth. At that time Jian was struck by a flowing arrow. He hastily pulled it out himself. Blood flowed smeared with foam. He grappled without cease. At first he did not speak of wound pain—to stir men's hearts. That day the emperor first granted Jian's two sons office. The rest granted officers and commandants with differences. The bandits again separately made a cloud bridge ringed with heavy iron. Just as it was finished Shuofang military commissioner Li Huai'guang from Wei County mobile camp went to the rescue and first sent military envoy Zhang Shao to enter memorial. When Zhang Shao reached Fengtian he was mixed with bandits filling moats. Facing the city he suddenly greatly shouted, saying to those on the wall, "I am Li Huai'guang's envoy. Huai'guang from Hebei leads the great army and has arrived!" Then by rope he was drawn up and climbed. In the city they got Li Huai'guang's report. Shouts shook. Bandit masses could not measure it. They then ordered Zhang Shao carried on a tour of the wall. The next day Li Huai'guang's great army halted at Liquan. That night bandits lifted the siege and left.
35
興元元年正月,以瑊為行在都知兵馬使。 二月,賜實封五百戶。 是月,德宗移幸山南。 時懷光叛逆,二賊連結,寇盜縱橫,瑊分布諸軍,以為翼衛,才入谷口,而懷光追騎遽至,瑊令侯仲莊以後軍擊敗之。 三月,加檢校左僕射、同中書門下平章事,兼靈州都督、靈鹽豐夏等州、定遠西城天德軍節度等使,仍充朔方邠寧振武等道兼永平軍奉天行營兵馬副元帥,上臨軒授鉞,用漢拜韓信故事。 是月,瑊將諸軍赴京畿,賊將韓旻、張廷芝、宋歸朝等拒我師於武功,瑊與吐蕃將論莽羅之眾大破賊於武亭川,斬首萬余級。 瑊便赴奉天應接李晟,抗京城西面。 五月,李晟自東渭橋抵京城攻賊,瑊亦與韓遊瑰、戴休顏西面諸軍會合。 晟破賊之日,瑊亦進收咸陽。 尋聞硃泚、姚令言奔敗,命諸軍分道邀擊,其眾離潰,相率來降。 選勁騎三千急追泚至涇州,賊將誅泚,傳首來獻。 六月,加瑊侍中。 論收京城之功,加實封李晟一千戶,瑊八百戶,韓遊瑰、戴休顏四百戶,駱元光、尚可孤五百戶。 七月,德宗還宮,以瑊守本官,兼河中尹、河中絳慈隰節度使,仍充河中同陜虢節度及管內諸軍行營兵馬副元帥,改封咸寧郡王。 九月,賜瑊大寧裏甲第、女樂五人,入第之日,宰臣、節將送之,一如李晟入第之儀。 以李懷光未平,又加朔方行營兵馬副元帥,與河東節度使馬燧會兵進討。 貞元元年八月,河中平,以功加檢校司空,與一子五品正員官。 是冬望,皇帝親郊昊天上帝,瑊入朝陪祀畢,還鎮河中。
In the first month of the first year of Xingyuan he was made mobile-court commander knowing troops. In the second month he was given five hundred households of real enfeoffment. That month Emperor Dezong moved favor to Shannan. At that time Li Huai'guang rebelled. The two bandits linked. Bandits and robbers ran wild. Jian distributed the armies as wing guards. Just entering the valley mouth Huai'guang's pursuit cavalry suddenly arrived. Jian ordered Hou Zhongzhuang with the rear army to defeat them. In the third month he was promoted acting Left Vice Director, concurrent Grand Councilor of the Secretariat and Chancellery, concurrently Ling Prefecture governor, Ling-Yan-Feng-Xia and other prefectures, Dingyuan West City and Tiande Army military commissioner and others, still deputy grand marshal of Shuofang, Binning, Zhenwu and other routes and Yongping Army Fengtian mobile-camp troops. The emperor at the hall steps granted the axe—using the Han precedent of enfeoffing Han Xin. That month Jian led the armies to go to Jingji. Bandit generals Han Min, Zhang Tingzhi, Song Guichao and others resisted our army at Wugong. Jian with Tibetan general Lun Mangluo's masses greatly broke the bandits at Wuting River and cut off more than ten thousand heads. Jian then went to Fengtian to respond to Li Sheng and resisted the capital's west face. In the fifth month Li Sheng from East Wei Bridge reached the capital to attack bandits. Jian also with Han Yougui, Dai Xiuyan and western face armies joined. The day Li Sheng broke the bandits Jian also advanced and recovered Xianyang. Soon hearing Zhu Ci and Yao Lingyan fled in defeat he ordered the armies to divide routes intercept. Their masses scattered and fled and in succession came to surrender. He selected three thousand strong cavalry urgently pursuing Zhu Ci to Jing Prefecture. Bandit generals executed Ci and sent the head to present. In the sixth month Jian was promoted Palace Attendant. Discussing merit in recovering the capital Li Sheng was given one thousand households of real enfeoffment, Jian eight hundred, Han Yougui and Dai Xiuyan four hundred, Luo Yuanguang and Shang Kehu five hundred. In the seventh month Emperor Dezong returned to the palace. Jian kept his original office, concurrently Hedong governor, Hedong-Jiang-Ci-Xi military commissioner, still deputy grand marshal of Hedong-Tong-Shaan-Guo military commission and circuit internal mobile-camp troops, changed enfeoffment Prince of Xianning Commandery. In the ninth month Jian was given a mansion in Daning Lane and five singing girls. The day he entered the mansion ministers and military commissioners escorted him—just like Li Sheng's mansion entry ceremony. Because Li Huai'guang was not yet pacified he was again made Shuofang mobile-camp troops deputy grand marshal and joined Hedong military commissioner Ma Sui in armies to advance and attack. In the eighth month of the first year of Zhenyuan Hedong was pacified. For merit he was promoted acting Minister of Works and one son fifth-rank regular office. That winter solstice the emperor personally sacrificed to August Heaven at the suburban altar. Jian entered court accompanying the sacrifice and then returned to garrison Hedong.
36
三年,吐蕃入寇,至鳳翔,為李晟邀擊之,又襲破其摧沙堡,吐蕃深恨之。 尚結贊入寇,陷我鹽、夏二州,以兵守之。 欲長驅犯京師,而畏瑊與李晟、馬燧,欲陰計圖之。 乃卑詞遜禮告馬燧,請重立盟誓,則蕃軍引去,德宗不許。 馬燧自入朝言之,上乃令崔翰入蕃報結贊,言還我鹽、夏,則許同盟。 結贊謂翰曰:「清水之會,同盟人少,是以和好輕慢不成; 今蕃相及元帥已下凡二十一人赴盟,靈州節度使杜希全、涇原節度使李觀皆和善守信,境外重之,此時須請預盟。」 翰約盟於清水,且先歸我鹽、夏二州,結贊曰:「清水非吉地,請會盟於原州土梨樹。」 又請盟畢歸二州。 翰歸,備奏其事,神策將馬有麟奏曰:「土梨樹地多險,恐蕃軍隱伏不利,不如於平涼,其地坦平,且近涇州,就之為便。」 乃定盟於平涼川。 初,結贊請李觀、杜希全預盟,欲執之,徑犯京師。 詔報之曰:「杜希全職在靈州,不可出境,李觀又已改官; 今遣侍中渾瑊充盟會使。」 五月,瑊自咸陽入朝,詔授平涼盟會使,兵部尚書崔漢衡副之,司勛郎中鄭叔矩為判官。 瑊統兵二萬,又詔華州節度使駱元光以本鎮兵從瑊。 閏月十五日,瑊與結贊會平涼。 初,約以兵三千列於壇之東西,散手四百人至壇下,各遣遊軍相覘伺。 是時,蕃軍精騎數萬列於壇西,蕃之遊軍貫穿我軍之中。 瑊將梁奉貞率六十騎為遊軍,才至壇所,為蕃軍所執。 結贊又謂瑊曰:「請侍中已下具衣冠劍珮。」 瑊與監軍宋鳳朝、崔漢衡等入幕次,坦無他慮。 結贊命伐鼓三通,其眾呼噪而至。 瑊遽出自幕後,偶得他馬,跨而奔馳,追騎雲合,流矢雨集而不傷。 會瑊將辛榮以數百人入據北阜,與賊血戰,追騎方止,瑊僅得免,辛榮兵盡矢窮,力屈而降。 宋鳳朝、瑊判官鄭弇,為追兵所殺; 崔漢衡、中官俱文珍、劉延、李清朝,漢衡判官鄭叔矩、瑊判官路泌、袁同直,大將軍扶余準、馬寧、神策將孟日華、李至言、樂演明、範澄、馬弇等六十余人,皆陷於賊。 尚結贊至原州,列坐帳中,召陷蕃將吏讓之,因怒瑊曰:「武功之捷,吐蕃之力,許以涇州、靈州相報,竟食其言,負我深矣,舉國同怨。 本劫是盟,誌在擒瑊。 吾已為金枷待瑊,將獻贊普; 既已失之,虛致君等何為?」 乃放俱文珍、馬寧、馬弇歸朝。 七月,瑊自奉天入朝,素服待罪,詔釋之而後見。 俄而吐蕃入寇京畿,瑊鎮奉天。 十月,還河中。 四年七月,加邠、寧、慶副元帥。 十二年二月,加檢校司徒,兼中書令,諸使、副元帥如故。 十五年十二月二日,薨於鎮。 廢朝五日,群臣於延英奉慰。 詔贈太師,謚曰忠武,賻絹布四千匹、米粟三千石。 及喪車將至,又為廢朝。 應緣喪事,所司準式支給,命京兆尹監護。 葬日,賜絹五百匹。
In the third year Tibet entered to raid and reached Fengxiang. Li Sheng intercepted them and again raided and broke their Cuisha Fort. Tibet deeply resented this. Shang Jiezan entered to raid and took our Yan and Xia prefectures and held them with troops. He wished to drive straight to violate the capital yet feared Jian and Li Sheng and Ma Sui. He wished secretly by plan to scheme against them. He then with humble words and yielding courtesy told Ma Sui, asking to renew alliance oaths. Then Tibetan troops would withdraw. Emperor Dezong did not grant it. Ma Sui from entering court spoke of it. The emperor then ordered Cui Han to enter Tibet to report to Jiezan, saying return our Yan and Xia and then grant joint alliance. Jiezan said to Cui Han, "At the Qingshui meeting allied men were few. Therefore good relations were lightly treated and did not succeed. Now the Tibetan minister and grand marshal and below total twenty-one men go to alliance. Ling Prefecture military commissioner Du Xiquan and Jingyuan military commissioner Li Guan are all good-natured and keep faith, heavily regarded beyond the borders—at this time one must request they pre-join the alliance." Cui Han arranged alliance at Qingshui and first return our Yan and Xia two prefectures. Jiezan said, "Qingshui is not an auspicious place. Please meet alliance at Yuan Prefecture Tulishu." He again asked after alliance finish to return the two prefectures. Cui Han returned and fully reported the matter. Shence general Ma Youlin memorialized, "Tulishu ground has much peril. Fear Tibetan troops hidden in ambush unfavorable. Better at Pingliang—the ground is level and flat and near Jing Prefecture. Going there is convenient." They then fixed alliance at Pingliang River. At first Jiezan requested Li Guan and Du Xiquan pre-join the alliance intending to seize them and straight violate the capital. An edict replied, "Du Xiquan's duty is at Ling Prefecture and he cannot leave the border. Li Guan has already changed office. Now dispatch Palace Attendant Hun Jian as alliance meeting envoy." In the fifth month Jian from Xianyang entered court. An edict appointed Pingliang alliance envoy. Minister of War Cui Hanheng deputy. Director of Merits Bureau Zheng Shuju judge. Jian commanded twenty thousand troops. An edict again ordered Hua Prefecture military commissioner Luo Yuanguang with his garrison troops follow Jian. On the fifteenth day of the intercalary month Jian and Jiezan met at Pingliang. At first they agreed three thousand troops array east and west of the altar. Four hundred unarmed men to below the altar. Each side dispatch roaming troops to observe. At that time Tibetan elite cavalry numbering tens of thousands arrayed west of the altar. Tibetan roaming troops pierced through our army's center. Jian's general Liang Fengzhen led sixty horsemen as roaming troops. Just reaching the altar place they were seized by Tibetan troops. Jiezan again said to Jian, "Please Palace Attendant and below fully wear robes, caps, swords, and girdle pendants." Jian with army supervisor Song Fengchao, Cui Hanheng and others entered the tent, open without other concern. Jiezan ordered drums beaten three rounds. His masses shouting and clamoring arrived. Jian hastely came out from behind the tent. By chance he got another horse, straddled and galloped. Pursuit cavalry clouded together. Flowing arrows rained yet did not harm. When Jian's general Xin Rong with several hundred men entered and held the north height fighting blood battle pursuit cavalry then stopped. Jian barely escaped. Xin Rong's troops exhausted arrows and strength bent and surrendered. Song Fengchao and Jian's judge Zheng Yan were killed by pursuit troops. Cui Hanheng, palace attendant Ju Wenzhen, Liu Yan, Li Qingchao, Hanheng's judge Zheng Shuju, Jian's judge Lu Bi, Yuan Tongzhi, great generals Fuyu Zhun, Ma Ning, Shence generals Meng Rihua, Li Zhiyan, Yue Yanming, Fan Cheng, Ma Yan and more than sixty others—all fell into bandits. Shang Jiezan reached Yuan Prefecture, sat in rows in the tent, summoned trapped-in-Tibet officers and clerks and blamed them. Then angrily to Jian said, "The Wugong victory—Tibet's strength. Promised Jing and Ling prefectures in return—ultimately ate their words. Deeply wronged us. The whole state together resents. Originally robbing this alliance—the intent was to capture Jian. I already made a golden cangue waiting for Jian to present to the tsenpo. Already lost him—why in vain bring you all?" He then released Ju Wenzhen, Ma Ning, and Ma Yan to return to court. In the seventh month Jian from Fengtian entered court in plain clothes awaiting guilt. An edict released him and then he was seen. Soon Tibet entered to raid Jingji. Jian garrisoned Fengtian. In the tenth month he returned to Hedong. In the seventh month of the fourth year he was made Bin-Ning-Qing deputy grand marshal. In the second month of the twelfth year he was promoted acting Grand Mentor, concurrently Director of the Secretariat, all commissioners and deputy grand marshal as before. On the second day of the twelfth month of the fifteenth year he died at garrison. Court mourning was suspended five days. Ministers at Yanying offered condolences. An edict posthumously enfeoffed Grand Preceptor with posthumous title Zhongwu. Funeral gifts four thousand bolts of silk and cloth and three thousand shi of rice. When the funeral cart was about to arrive court mourning was again suspended. For funeral affairs the responsible offices paid according to standard regulations. The emperor ordered the Capital Intendant to supervise. On burial day five hundred bolts of silk were granted.
37
瑊忠勤謹慎,功高不伐,在籓方歲時貢奉,必躬親閱視; 每有頒錫,雖居遠地,如在帝前。 位極將相,無忘謙抑,物論方之金日磾,故深為德宗委信,猜間不能入,君子多之。 子練、鎬、鐬。
Jian was loyal, diligent, and careful. Merit high yet not boastful. In the frontier each year when presenting tribute he must personally inspect. Whenever there were bestowals though dwelling far he was as before the emperor. Rank reaching general and minister he did not forget modest restraint. Public opinion compared him to Jin Midi. Therefore Emperor Dezong deeply entrusted him. Suspicion could not enter. Gentlemen praised him. Sons Lian, Gao, and Hui.
38
鎬,瑊第二子。 性謙謹,多與士大夫遊。 歷延、唐二州刺史,軍政吏職,有可稱者。 及元和中,諸道出師討王承宗,屬義武軍節度使任迪簡病不能軍,以鎬藉父威名,足以鎮定,乃以鎬檢校右散騎常侍,充義武軍節度副使。 九月六日,加檢校工部尚書,代迪簡為節度使。 鎬治兵練卒,頗有威望,然不能觀釁養銳,以期必勝。 鎮、定相去九十里,元和十一年冬,鎬率全師壓賊境而軍,距賊壘三十里。 鎬謀慮不周,但耀兵鋒,無所控制,賊乃分兵潛入定州界焚燒驅掠。 鎬怒,進攻賊壘,交鋒而敗,師徒殆喪其半,余眾還定州,亂不可遏,朝廷乃除陳楚代之。 楚聞亂,馳入定州。 鎬為亂兵所劫,以至裸露。 楚既整戢,於亂兵處率斂衣服還鎬,方得歸朝,坐貶韶州刺史。 後代州刺史韓重華奏收得鎬供軍錢絹十余萬貫匹,再貶循州刺史。 歲余卒。
Gao was Jian's second son. Nature modest and careful. He often associated with scholar-officials. He served Yan and Tang prefectures. In military affairs, government, and official duties there were matters worth praising. In the Yuanhe era the various routes sent out armies to attack Wang Chengzong. Because Yiwu Army military commissioner Ren Dijian was ill and could not command the army, because Gao relied on his father's martial name sufficient to pacify and settle, Gao was made acting Right Regular Attendant and Yiwu Army military commission deputy. On the sixth day of the ninth month he was promoted acting Minister of Works replacing Ren Dijian as military commissioner. Gao trained troops and drilled soldiers and had considerable prestige, yet he could not watch for openings and nurture sharpness awaiting sure victory. Zhen and Ding were ninety li apart. In the winter of the eleventh year of Yuanhe Gao led the whole army pressing the bandit border and encamped thirty li from the bandit camp. Gao's plans were not thorough. He only displayed martial points without any control. Bandits then divided troops secretly entering Ding Prefecture circuit burning, driving, and plundering. Gao was angry and advanced to attack the bandit camp. Crossing blades he was defeated. Army and troops nearly lost half. Remaining masses returned to Ding Prefecture. Chaos could not be checked. The court then removed Chen Chu to replace him. Chen Chu hearing of the chaos galloped into Ding Prefecture. Gao was robbed by mutinous troops even to nakedness. Once Chen Chu had restored order at the mutinous troops' place he gathered clothes and returned them to Gao. Only then could he return to court. He was demoted Sha Prefecture prefect. Later replacing Dai Prefecture prefect Han Chonghua memorialized recovering Gao's army supply money and silk more than one hundred thousand strings and bolts. He was again demoted Xun Prefecture prefect. After more than a year he died.
39
鐬,瑊第三子,以廕起家為諸衛參軍,歷諸衛將軍。 元和初,出為豐州刺史、天德軍使,坐贓貶袁州司戶,憲宗思咸寧之勛,比例從輕。 五年,征為袁王傅,復賜金紫,遷殿中監。 開成初,宰相擬壽州刺史,文宗曰:「鐬,勛臣子弟,豈可委以牧民? 仲尼有言,『不如多與之邑』,今我念其先人之功,與之致富可也。」 宰臣曰:「鐬常歷名郡,有政能。」 乃從之。 三年,入為右金吾衛大將軍、知街事,歷諸衛大將軍,卒。
Hui was Jian's third son. Through shadow privilege he began as various guard adjutant. He served various guard generals. At the start of Yuanhe he went out as Feng Prefecture prefect and Tiande Army commander. Because of corruption he was demoted Yuan Prefecture registrar. Emperor Xianzong thought of Xianning's merit and proportionally lightened from the norm. In the fifth year he was summoned as Yuan King's tutor. Again given gold and purple. Promoted Director of the Palace Directorate. At the start of Kaicheng the chief ministers proposed Shou Prefecture prefect. Emperor Wenzong said, "Hui is a meritorious minister's son—how can he be entrusted with governing the people? Confucius had a saying, 'Better give him many towns'—now I think of his forebear's merit. Giving him wealth is enough." The chief ministers said, "Hui often served famous prefectures and had governmental ability." They then followed it. In the third year he entered as Right Golden Guard great general knowing street affairs. He served various guard great generals and died.
40
史臣曰:馬司徒之方略,渾咸寧之忠藎,各奮節義,為時名臣。 然元城之師,失策於田悅; 平涼之會,幾陷於吐蕃,此亦術有所不至也。 緬思建中之亂,四海波騰,賊泚竊發之辰,宗祀不絕如線,茍非忠臣致命,化危為安,則李氏之宗社傾矣。
The historian says: Minister Ma's stratagem and Xianning's loyalty and devotion each exerted integrity and righteousness and were famed ministers of the age. Yet at Yuancheng's army he lost plan against Tian Yue. At the Pingliang meeting he nearly fell into Tibet—this too is where skill did not reach. Looking back on Jianzhong's chaos when the four seas surged and bandit Zhu Ci secretly rose when the ancestral temple was unbroken like a thread—if not for loyal ministers giving their lives, transforming peril to peace, then the Li clan's altars would have toppled.
41
贊
Eulogy
42
贊曰:北平之勛,排難解紛。 咸寧蹈義,感慨匡君。 再隆基構,克殄昏氛。 回天捧日,實賴將軍。
The eulogy says: Beiping's merit—removing difficulty, resolving strife. Xianning treading righteousness—stirred to emotion, aiding the lord. Again raising the imperial enterprise—utterly extinguishing murky vapors. Turning back Heaven, upholding the sun—truly relying on the general.