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卷一百三十四 列傳第八十四: 馬燧 渾瑊

Volume 134 Biographies 84: Ma Sui, Hun Jian

Chapter 138 of 舊唐書 · Old Book of Tang
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1
Ma Sui
2
使 姿
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.
3
祿祿 祿 祿西 祿 西
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.
4
使 西 殿 便
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.
5
西 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.
6
使 耀 耀 耀 耀 西使耀 西 耀西 耀 耀 西 耀 退
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.
7
使 便 退
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.
8
使使 使 西 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
西 使 使 使使使 退使 退 使 使 西
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
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
使 使婿 使 使 使
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
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
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
西 祿
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
祿
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
The Chenyi Inscription says:
17
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
The Taiheng Inscription says:
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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.
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西
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.
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使西 使
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.
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殿 退 使
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.
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殿 使 歿
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.
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殿
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.
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使
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.
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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.
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Hun Jian
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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.
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使祿
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.
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祿 使
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.
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使 便祿
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.
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使 使退 使 使使使 使使
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.
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使 使
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.
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使 便 便 退 使 便 使 使使 使
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.
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使 西使 便西 西 使 使
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.
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使使 便 使 使 使 西 西穿 使
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.
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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.
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使使 使 耀
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.
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使 殿
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.
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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.
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Eulogy
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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.
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