Volume 151 Biographies 101: Gao Congwen, Yi Shen, Zhu Zhongliang, Liu Changyi, Fan Xichao, Wan Ge, Yan Juyuan, Meng Yuanyang, Zhao Chang

高崇文，其先渤海人。崇文生幽州，樸厚寡言，少從平盧軍。貞元中，隨韓全義鎮長武城，治軍有聲。五年夏，吐蕃三萬寇寧州，崇文率甲士三千救之，戰於佛堂原，大破之，死者過半。韓全義入覲，崇文掌行營節度留務，遷兼御史中丞。十四年，為長武城使，積粟練兵，軍聲大振。

Gao Congwen was descended from people of Bohai. Congwen was born in Youzhou. Plain and solid, sparing of speech, in his youth he entered the Pinglu Army. During the Zhenyuan era he followed Han Quanyi in garrisoning Changwu Fortress, and his command of the army won renown. In the fifth year, summer, thirty thousand Tibetans raided Ning Prefecture. Congwen led three thousand armored soldiers to the rescue, fought at Fotang Plain, and routed them; more than half the enemy were killed. When Han Quanyi went to court for an audience, Congwen managed the mobile headquarters and provisional affairs of the circuit and was promoted to Vice Censor-in-Chief as well. In the fourteenth year he became commissioner of Changwu Fortress. He stockpiled grain and drilled troops, and the army's reputation rose sharply.

永貞元年冬，劉辟阻兵，朝議討伐，宰臣杜黃裳以為獨任崇文，可以成功。元和元年春，拜檢校工部尚書、兼御史大夫，充左神策行營節度使，兼統左右神策、奉天麟遊諸鎮兵以討辟。時宿將專征者甚眾，人人自謂當選，及詔出大驚。崇文在長武城，練卒五千，常若寇至。及是，中使至長武，卯時宣命，而辰時出師五千，器用無闕者。軍至興元，軍中有折逆旅之匕箸，斬之以徇。西從閬中入，遂卻劍門之師，解梓潼之圍，賊將邢泚遁歸。屯軍梓州，因拜崇文為東川節度使。先是，劉辟攻陷東川，擒節度使李康；及崇文克梓州，乃歸康求雪己罪，崇文以康敗軍失守，遂斬之。

In the winter of the first year of Yongzhen, Liu Pi raised arms in defiance. The court debated a punitive campaign, and Grand Councillor Du Huangshang argued that entrusting Congwen alone would succeed. In the spring of the first year of Yuanhe he was appointed Acting Minister of Works and Grand Censor, made Mobile Headquarters Commissioner of the Left Shence Army, and given command of the Left and Right Shence, Fengtian, and Linyou garrisons to campaign against Pi. Many veteran generals who held independent commands each believed he would be chosen. When the edict appeared, all were greatly astonished. At Changwu Fortress Congwen drilled five thousand troops, always as though an enemy were at hand. When the court envoy reached Changwu at the mao hour to proclaim the command, by the chen hour five thousand troops had marched out with no lack of arms or equipment. When the army reached Xingyuan, a soldier broke an inn's spoons and chopsticks. Congwen had him beheaded as a warning. Marching west through Langzhong, he repelled the army at Jianmen, lifted the siege of Zitong, and the rebel general Xing Ci fled back. He encamped at Zizhou, and Congwen was thereupon appointed Military Commissioner of Dongchuan. Earlier Liu Pi had attacked and taken Dongchuan and captured the Military Commissioner Li Kang; When Congwen took Zizhou, Li Kang was sent back to plead that his own crimes be cleared. Congwen, holding that Kang had lost his army and abandoned his post, had him executed.

成都北一百五十里有鹿頭山，扼兩川之要，辟築城以守，又連八柵，張掎角之勢以拒王師。是日，破賊二萬於鹿頭城下，大雨如註，不克登，乃止。明日，又破於萬勝堆。堆在鹿頭之東，使驍將高霞寓親鼓，士扳緣而上，矢石如雨；又命敢死士連登，奪其堆，燒其柵，柵中之賊殲焉。遂據堆下瞰鹿頭城，城中人物可數。凡八大戰皆大捷，賊搖心矣。

One hundred fifty li north of Chengdu stood Mount Lutou, commanding the vital pass between the two river circuits. Pi built a fortress to hold it and linked eight stockades in a pincer formation to resist the imperial army. That day he broke twenty thousand rebels beneath Lutou City. Rain poured down in torrents; unable to storm the heights, he halted. The next day he broke them again at Wansheng Ridge. The ridge lay east of Lutou. He sent the fierce general Gao Xiayu to beat the drums in person, and soldiers climbed hand over hand while arrows and stones fell like rain; He also ordered dare-to-die men to climb in succession, seized the ridge, burned the stockades, and annihilated the rebels within them. He then held the ridge overlooking Lutou City, where the people and objects below could be counted. In eight great battles he won great victories each time, and the rebels' hearts trembled.

八月，阿跌光顏與崇文約，到行營愆一日。懼誅，乃深入以自贖，故軍於鹿頭西大河之口，以斷賊糧道，賊大駭。是日，賊綿江柵將李文悅以三千人歸順，尋而鹿頭將仇良輔舉城降者眾二萬。辟之男方叔、子婿蘇強，先監良輔軍，是日械系送京師，降卒投戈面縛者彌十數里，遂長驅而直指成都。德陽等縣城皆鎮以重兵，莫不望旗率服，師無留行。辟大懼，以親兵及逆黨盧文若賫重寶西走吐蕃。吐蕃素受其賂，且將啟之。崇文遣高霞寓、酈定進倍道追之，至羊灌田及焉。辟自投岷江，擒於湧湍之中。西蜀平，乃檻辟送京師伏法。文若赴水死。王師入成都，介士屯於大逵，軍令嚴肅，珍寶山積，市井不移，無秋毫之犯。

In the eighth month Adie Guangyan had agreed with Congwen to reach headquarters one day late. Fearing punishment, he pushed deep into enemy territory to redeem himself. His army encamped at the mouth of the great river west of Lutou to cut the rebels' grain route, and the rebels were greatly terrified. That day Pi's palisade commander along the Mian River, Li Wenyue, submitted with three thousand men. Soon the Lutou garrison commander Qiu Liangfu surrendered the city with twenty thousand more. Pi's male relative Fangshu and son-in-law Su Qiang had earlier overseen Liangfu's army. That day they were shackled and sent to the capital. Surrendered troops cast aside weapons and came bound face-forward for more than ten li, and the army drove straight toward Chengdu. County towns such as Deyang were all garrisoned with heavy troops, yet none failed to lower their banners and submit at once. The army marched without delay. Pi was greatly afraid. With his personal guard and the traitor Lu Wenruo he fled west bearing heavy treasures toward Tibet. Tibet had long accepted his bribes and was about to open the way for him. Congwen sent Gao Xiayu and Li Dingjin by forced march in pursuit and overtook them at Yangguantian. Pi threw himself into the Min River and was captured in the rushing current. With western Shu pacified, Pi was placed in a caged cart and sent to the capital to suffer the penalty of law. Wenruo threw himself into the water and died. When the imperial army entered Chengdu, armored men encamped in the great thoroughfare. Military discipline was stern; treasures piled like hills and the markets were unmoved—not the slightest infraction.

先是，賊將邢泚以兵二萬為鹿頭之援，既降又貳，斬之以徇。衣冠陷逆者，皆匍匐衙門請命，崇文條奏全活之。制授崇文檢校司空，兼成都尹，充劍南西川節度、管內度支營田觀察處置、統押近界諸蠻，西山八國雲南安撫等使。改封南平郡王，食實封三百戶，詔刻石紀功於鹿頭山下。

Earlier the rebel general Xing Ci, with twenty thousand men as relief for Lutou, had surrendered and then turned traitor again. He was beheaded as a warning. Officials and gentry who had fallen with the rebellion all crawled to the yamen gate to plead for their lives. Congwen memorialized item by item to preserve them all. By decree he was appointed Acting Minister of Works and Prefect of Chengdu, made Military Commissioner of the Western Sichuan Circuit of Jiannan with authority over revenue, agricultural colonies, observation, and disposition within the circuit, given oversight of the nearby frontier tribes, and made Commissioner for Pacification of the Eight Kingdoms of the Western Mountains, Yunnan, and so forth. His fief was changed to Duke of Nanping with three hundred households of actual fief. An edict ordered a stone carved at the foot of Mount Lutou to record his merit.

崇文不通文字，厭大府案牘諮稟之繁，且以優富之地，無所陳力，乞居塞上以扞邊戍，懇疏累上。二年冬，制加同中書門下平章事、邠州刺史、邠寧慶三州節度觀察等使，仍充京西都統。恃其功而侈心大作，帑藏之富，百工之巧，舉而自隨，蜀都一罄。以不習朝儀，憚於入覲，優詔令便道之鎮。居三年，大修戎備。元和四年卒，年六十四，廢朝三日，贈司徒，謚曰威武，配享憲宗廟庭。

Congwen did not know writing and was wearied by the vast paperwork and consultative reports of the great prefecture. Because it was a richly favored land where he had no way to show his strength, he repeatedly submitted earnest memorials asking to reside on the frontier to defend the border garrisons. In the winter of the second year, by decree he was additionally made Co-equal with the Secretariat, Prefect of Bin Prefecture, and Military Commissioner and Observer of the three prefectures of Bin, Ning, and Qing, still serving as overall commander of the western capital region. Relying on his merit, extravagant ambition swelled greatly. The wealth of the treasuries and the skill of artisans and craftsmen—all he took with himself, and the capital of Shu was emptied. Because he was unskilled in court ritual, he dreaded entering for an audience. A gracious edict permitted him to proceed directly to his command by convenient route. After three years in office he greatly restored military preparedness. In the fourth year of Yuanhe he died at the age of sixty-four. Court mourning was suspended for three days. He was posthumously granted Grand Preceptor, given the posthumous title Wei Wu, and enshrined in Emperor Xianzong's temple courtyard.

子承簡，少為忠武軍部將，後入神策軍。以父征劉辟，拜嘉王傅。裴度征淮、蔡，奏承簡以本官兼御史中丞，為其軍都押衙。淮西平，詔以郾城、上蔡、遂平三縣為溵州，治郾城，用承簡為刺史。尋轉邢州刺史，值觀察使責時賦急，承簡代數百戶出其租。

His son Chengjian, in youth a staff officer of the Zhongwu Army, later entered the Shence Army. Because his father campaigned against Liu Pi, he was appointed Tutor to the Prince of Jia. When Pei Du campaigned against Huai and Cai, he memorialized Chengjian to serve as Vice Censor-in-Chief in his original office and as chief adjutant of his army. When Huai and Cai were pacified, an edict made the three counties of Yancheng, Shangcai, and Suiping into the new Wen Prefecture, with its seat at Yancheng, and appointed Chengjian its prefect. Soon he was transferred to Prefect of Xing Prefecture. When the observer urgently exacted seasonal levies, Chengjian paid the rent for several hundred households on their behalf.

遷宋州刺史，屬汴州逐其帥，以部將李絺行帥事。絺遣其將責宋官私財物，承簡執而囚之。自是汴使來者，輒系之，一日並出斬於軍門之外，威震郡中。及絺兵大至，宋州凡三城，已陷南一城，承簡保北兩城以拒，凡十餘戰。會徐州救兵至，絺為汴將李質執之，傳送京師，兵圍宋者即遁去。授承簡檢校左散騎常侍、充海沂密等州節度觀察處置等使。

He was transferred to Prefect of Song Prefecture. When Bian Prefecture drove out its commander, the staff officer Li Chi acted as commander. Chi sent his officer to exact private goods from Song officials. Chengjian seized and imprisoned him. From then on, whenever Bian envoys came, he bound them. One day he had them all beheaded outside the army gate, and awe filled the commandery. When Chi's army arrived in force, Song Prefecture had three walled cities. The southern city had already fallen, and Chengjian held the northern two cities to resist, fighting more than ten battles in all. When Xuzhou relief troops arrived, Chi was seized by the Bian officer Li Zhi and sent to the capital, and the army besieging Song at once dispersed. Chengjian was appointed Acting Left Regular Attendant and Cavalier and made Military Commissioner and Observer of Hai, Yi, Mi, and other prefectures.

俄遷檢校工部尚書、義成軍節度、鄭滑潁等州觀察處置等使。就加檢校尚書右僕射。入拜右金吾衛大將軍，充右街使。復出為邠寧慶等州節度觀察處置等使。先是，羌虜多以秋月犯西邊，承簡請軍寧州以備之。因疾，上言乞入覲，即隨表詣闕。太和元年八月，行至永壽縣傳舍卒，贈司空。

Soon he was transferred to Acting Minister of Works, Military Commissioner of the Yicheng Army, and Observer of Zheng, Hua, Ying, and other prefectures. He was thereupon additionally made Acting Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. He entered court as Grand General of the Right Jinwu Guard and served as commander of the Right Street. He went out again as Military Commissioner and Observer of Bin, Ning, Qing, and other prefectures. Earlier, Qiang and Rong tribesmen often raided the western border in the autumn months. Chengjian requested an army at Ning Prefecture to guard against them. Because of illness he submitted a memorial asking to enter for an audience and at once followed his memorial to the capital. In the eighth month of the first year of Taihe he died at the relay station in Yongshou County and was posthumously granted Minister of Works.

崇文孫駢，歷位崇顯，終淮南節度使，自有傳。

Congwen's grandson Pian held posts of lofty rank and ended as Military Commissioner of Huainan; he has his own biography.

伊慎，兗州人。善騎射，始為果毅。喪母，將營合祔，不識其父之墓。晝夜號哭，未浹日，夢寐有指導焉。遂發壟，果得舊記驗。

Yi Shen was a man of Yanzhou. Skilled in mounted archery, he began as a guoyi officer. When his mother died, he was about to prepare joint burial but did not know his father's grave. Day and night he wailed. Before a full day had passed, in sleep and dream there was guidance. He then opened the mound and indeed found the old record verified.

大曆八年，江西節度使路嗣恭討嶺南哥舒晃之亂，以慎為先鋒，直逼賊壘，疾戰破之，斬首三千級，由是復始興之地。未幾，與諸將追斬晃於泔溪，函首獻於闕下。嗣恭表慎功，授連州長史，知當州團練副使，三遷江州別駕。

In the eighth year of Dali, when the Jiangxi Military Commissioner Lu Sicong campaigned against the disorder of Geshu Huang in Lingnan, he made Shen the vanguard. Shen pressed straight to the rebel camp, fought fiercely and broke them, beheaded three thousand, and thereby recovered the lands of Shixing. Before long, with the other generals he pursued and beheaded Huang at Gan Stream and sent the head in a box to the capital. Sicong memorialized Shen's merit. He was appointed Chief of Lian Prefecture and Deputy Commissioner of the Prefecture's Militia, and after three promotions became Vice Prefect of Jiang Prefecture.

討梁崇義之歲，慎以江西牙將從李希烈，摧鋒陷敵，功又居多。江漢既平，希烈愛慎之材，數遺善馬，意欲縻之，慎以計遁，歸命本道。明年，希烈果反。嗣曹王臯始至鐘陵，大集將吏，得慎而壯之。大集兵將，繕理舟師。希烈懼慎為曹王所任，遺慎七屬之甲，詐為慎書行間焉。上遣中使即軍以詰之，曹王乃抗疏論雪。上章未報，會賊兵溯江來寇，曹王乃召慎勉之令戰，大破三千餘眾，朝廷始信其不貳。累破蔡山柵，取蘄州，降其將李良。又攻黃梅縣，殺賊將韓霜露，斬首千餘級。優詔褒異，授試太子詹事，封南充郡王，又兼御史中丞、蘄州刺史，充節度都知兵馬使。

In the year of the campaign against Liang Chongyi, Shen as a Jiangxi staff officer followed Li Xilie, smashed the vanguard and broke the enemy, and his merit was again foremost. When the Jiang and Han regions were pacified, Xilie admired Shen's talent and repeatedly sent fine horses, intending to hold him. Shen escaped by stratagem and returned to report to his own circuit. The next year Xilie indeed rebelled. When Prince Cao Wang Gao first reached Zhongling, he greatly gathered officers and clerks and, obtaining Shen, was impressed by him. He greatly gathered troops and generals and readied the river fleet. Xilie feared that Shen would be entrusted by Prince Cao Wang. He sent Shen seven-layer armor and forged a letter in Shen's name to circulate among the ranks. The emperor sent a court envoy to the army to question him. Prince Cao Wang then submitted a memorial in protest to clear him. Before the memorial was answered, rebel troops came upriver to raid. Prince Cao Wang then summoned Shen and urged him to fight, and he broke more than three thousand. The court then believed he was not disloyal. He repeatedly broke the stockade at Mount Cai, took Qizhou, and made the general Li Liang submit. He also attacked Huangmei County, killed the rebel general Han Shuanglu, and beheaded more than a thousand. A gracious edict praised him with distinction. He was appointed Acting Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent, enfeoffed as Duke of Nanchong, and additionally made Vice Censor-in-Chief and Prefect of Qizhou, serving as Commissioner of the Circuit's Military Affairs.

建中末，車駕在梁、洋，鹽鐵使包佶以金幣溯江將進獻，次於蘄口。時賊已屠汴州，遣驍將杜少誠將步騎萬餘來寇黃梅，以絕江道。慎兵七千，遇於永安戍。慎列樹三柵，相去數里，偃旗臥鼓。於中柵聲鼓，三柵悉兵以擊，賊軍大亂，少誠脫身以免，斬級不可勝數，江路遂通。又破茍莽柵，進兵圍安州。賊阻涢水，攻之不能下。希烈遣其甥劉戒虛將騎八千來援，慎分兵迎擊，戰於應山，擒戒虛，縛示城下，遂開門請罪。以功拜安州刺史、兼御史大夫，仍賜實封一百戶。希烈又遣將援隋州，慎擊之於厲鄉，走康叔夜，斬首五千級。希烈死，李惠登為賊守隋州，慎飛書招諭，惠登遂以城降。因密奏惠登可用，詔授隋州刺史。

At the end of the Jianzhong era, when the imperial carriage was at Liang and Yang, the Salt and Iron Commissioner Bao Ji, with gold and silks, went upriver intending to present tribute and halted at Qikou. At the time the rebels had already slaughtered Bian Prefecture. They sent the fierce general Du Shaoqian with more than ten thousand infantry and cavalry to raid Huangmei and cut the river route. Shen had seven thousand troops and met them at Yong'an Garrison. Shen arrayed three stockades in a line, several li apart, lowered banners and silenced drums. At the middle stockade he sounded the drums, and all three stockades sent troops to strike. The rebel army fell into great disorder. Shaoqian escaped by himself, and the slain were beyond counting. The river route was then open. He also broke the stockade at Gou Mang and advanced to besiege An Prefecture. The rebels blocked the Ru River, and he could not take it by assault. Xilie sent his nephew Liu Jie'xu with eight thousand cavalry to relieve them. Shen divided troops to meet and strike, fought at Yingshan, captured Jie'xu, bound him and displayed him beneath the wall, and the city then opened its gates to plead guilt. For his merit he was appointed Prefect of An Prefecture and concurrently Grand Censor, and was granted one hundred households of actual fief. Xilie again sent generals to relieve Suizhou. Shen struck them at Li Village, routed Kang Shuye, and beheaded five thousand. When Xilie died, Li Huideng held Suizhou for the rebels. Shen sent a swift letter to summon and instruct him, and Huideng then submitted the city. He then secretly memorialized that Huideng could be employed, and an edict appointed Huideng Prefect of Suizhou.

貞元十五年，以慎為安黃等州節度、管內支度營田觀察等使。十六年，吳少誠阻命，詔以本道步騎五千，兼統荊南、湖南、江西三道兵，當其一面。於申州城南前後破賊數千，以例加檢校刑部尚書。二十一年，於安黃置奉義軍額，以為奉義軍節度使、檢校右僕射。憲宗即位，入真拜右僕射。元和二年，轉檢校左僕射，兼右金吾衛大將軍。以賂第五從直求鎮河中，為從直所奏，貶右衛將軍。數月，復為檢校尚書右僕射，兼右衛上將軍。元和六年卒，年六十八，贈太子太保。

In the fifteenth year of Zhenyuan, Shen was made Military Commissioner of An, Huang, and other prefectures, with authority over revenue, agricultural colonies, and observation within the circuit. In the sixteenth year, when Wu Shaocheng defied orders, an edict made five thousand infantry and cavalry of this circuit, additionally commanding the armies of Jingnan, Hunan, and Jiangxi, to face him on one front. South of Shen Prefecture city he repeatedly broke several thousand rebels, and by precedent he was additionally made Acting Minister of Justice. In the twenty-first year the designation of the Fengyi Army was established in An and Huang. He became Military Commissioner of the Fengyi Army and Acting Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. When Emperor Xianzong took the throne, he entered court and was appointed Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs in full. In the second year of Yuanhe he was transferred to Acting Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, concurrently Grand General of the Right Jinwu Guard. He bribed Diwu Congzhi to seek command of Hezhong. Congzhi memorialized against him, and he was demoted to General of the Right Guard. After several months he was again made Acting Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, concurrently Senior General of the Right Guard. In the sixth year of Yuanhe he died at the age of sixty-eight and was posthumously granted Grand Preceptor to the Heir Apparent.

朱忠亮，本名士明，沛州浚儀人。初事薛嵩為將。大曆中，詔鎮普潤縣，掌屯田。朱泚之亂，以麾下四十騎奔奉天。德宗嘉之，封東陽郡王，為「奉天定難功臣」。及大駕南幸，為虜騎所獲，系於長安。賊平，李晟釋之，薦於渾瑊，署定平鎮都虞候。鎮使李朝采卒，遂代之。憲宗即位，加御史大夫。築臨涇城有勞，特加檢校工部尚書、涇原四鎮節度使，仍賜名。涇土舊俗多賣子，忠亮以俸錢贖而還其親者約二百人。元和八年卒，贈右僕射。

Zhu Zhongliang, whose original name was Shiming, was a man of Junyi in Pei Prefecture. At first he served Xue Song as a general. In the Dali era, by edict he garrisoned Puyan County and managed agricultural colonies. In Zhu Ci's rebellion, with forty horsemen under his command he fled to Fengtian. Emperor Dezong commended him, enfeoffed him as Duke of Dongyang, and made him a "Meritorious Minister Who Settled the Difficulty at Fengtian." When the Great Carriage went south on a progress, he was captured by enemy cavalry and held in Chang'an. When the rebels were pacified, Li Sheng released him and recommended him to Hun Zhen, who appointed him Chief Commandant of Dingping Garrison. When the garrison commander Li Chaocai died, he then replaced him. When Emperor Xianzong took the throne, he was additionally made Grand Censor. For merit in building Linyuan Fortress he was specially additionally made Acting Minister of Works and Military Commissioner of the Four Garrisons of Jingyuan, and was still granted his new name. The custom of the Jing region had long been to sell children. Zhongliang used his salary to redeem and return to their kin about two hundred persons. In the eighth year of Yuanhe he died and was posthumously granted Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.

劉昌裔，太原陽曲人。少遊三蜀。楊琳之亂，昌裔說其歸順。及琳授洺州刺史，以昌裔為從事，琳死乃去。

Liu Changyi was a man of Yangqu in Taiyuan. In youth he traveled the Three Shu. In Yang Lin's rebellion, Changyi persuaded him to submit. When Lin was appointed Prefect of Luozhou, he made Changyi his staff officer. When Lin died he then left.

曲環將幽隴兵收濮州也，辟為判官。詔授監察御史，累加至檢校兵部尚書，賜紫，兼中丞，充營田副使。貞元十五年，環鎮許州，卒，詔上官涚知節度留後。吳少誠攻許州，涚領事，欲棄城走。昌裔追止之曰：「留後既受詔，宜以死守城。況城中士馬足以破賊，但堅壁不戰，不過五七日，賊勢必衰，我以全制之可也。」涚然之。賊日夕攻急，堞壞不得修，昌裔令造戰棚木柵以待；募壯士破營，得突將千人，鑿城分出，大破之，因立戰棚木柵於城上，城以故不陷。兵馬使安國寧與涚不善，謀反以城降賊；事泄，昌裔密計斬之。即召其麾下千餘人食之，賞縑二匹，伏兵諸要巷，令持縑者悉斬之，無一人得脫。十六年，以全陳許功，以涚為節度使，昌裔為陳州刺史。

When Qu Huan led the You and Long troops to recover Pu Prefecture, he recruited Changyi as administrative aide. By edict he was appointed Investigating Censor. He was repeatedly promoted to Acting Minister of War, granted purple robes, additionally made Vice Censor-in-Chief, and served as Deputy Commissioner of Agricultural Colonies. In the fifteenth year of Zhenyuan, when Huan garrisoned Xu Prefecture and died, an edict made Shangguan Qian provisional commissioner of the circuit. When Wu Shaocheng attacked Xu Prefecture, Qian took charge of affairs and wished to abandon the city and flee. Changyi ran after him and stopped him, saying: "The Acting Commissioner has received an edict — you ought to hold the city and defend it to the death. Moreover, the men and horses in the city are sufficient to defeat the rebels. If you merely hold the walls and give no battle, in no more than five or seven days the rebels' strength will surely decline, and we can overwhelm them with our full strength." Shangguan Qian agreed. The rebels pressed the attack day and night. The parapets were ruined and could not be repaired. Changyi ordered battle sheds and wooden palisades built in readiness; He recruited stalwart men to break the enemy camp, obtained a thousand shock troops, broke through the wall and sallied forth, and routed them greatly. He then erected battle sheds and wooden palisades on the wall, and the city for that reason did not fall. The Horse and Chariot Commissioner An Guoning was on bad terms with Qian and plotted rebellion to surrender the city to the rebels; When the affair leaked out, Changyi secretly planned and beheaded him. He then summoned more than a thousand of Guoning's followers and feasted them, rewarding each with two bolts of silk. He hid troops in the key lanes and ordered that all who held silk be beheaded—not one escaped. In the sixteenth year, for preserving Chen and Xu, Qian was made Military Commissioner and Changyi Prefect of Chen Prefecture.

韓全義之敗溵水也，與諸道兵皆走保陳州；求舍，昌裔登城謂曰：「天子命公討蔡州，今來陳州，義不敢納，請舍城外。」而從千騎入全義營，持牛酒勞軍。全義不自意，驚喜嘆服。十八年，改充陳許行軍司馬。明年，涚卒，詔昌裔為許州刺史，充陳許節度使，再加檢校右僕射。

When Han Quanyi was defeated at Wen River, he and the armies of the various circuits all fled to hold Chen Prefecture; Seeking lodging, Changyi mounted the wall and said: "The Son of Heaven ordered you, sir, to campaign against Cai Prefecture. Now you have come to Chen Prefecture; in righteousness I dare not admit you. Please quarter outside the city walls." Then, with a thousand horsemen, he entered Han Quanyi's camp and brought oxen and wine to treat the troops. Quanyi had not expected it. He was astonished, sighed, and submitted in admiration. In the eighteenth year he was changed to serve as Mobile Headquarters Major of Chen and Xu. The next year Qian died. An edict made Changyi Prefect of Xu Prefecture and Military Commissioner of Chen and Xu, and additionally made Acting Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.

元和八年五月，許州大水，壞廬舍，漂溺居人。六月，征昌裔加檢校左僕射，兼左龍武統軍。初，昌裔以老疾而軍府無政，因其水敗軍府，上乃促令韓臯代之。昌裔赴召，至長樂驛，聞有是命，乃上言風眩，請歸私第，許之。其年卒，贈潞州大都督。

In the fifth month of the eighth year of Yuanhe, great floods in Xu Prefecture destroyed dwellings and drowned inhabitants. In the sixth month Changyi was summoned and additionally made Acting Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, concurrently Commander of the Left Dragon Martial Guard. Earlier, because Changyi was aged and ill and the military government had no administration, and because the flood had ruined the military government, the emperor therefore urgently ordered Han Gao to replace him. Changyi answered the summons. When he reached Changle Relay Station and heard of this appointment, he submitted a memorial citing vertigo and asked to return to his private residence, and this was granted. That year he died and was posthumously granted Grand Governor of Lu Prefecture.

范希朝，字致君，河中虞鄉人。建中年，為邠寧虞候，戎政修舉，事節度使韓遊瑰。及德宗幸奉天，希朝戰守有功，累加兼中丞，為寧州刺史。遊瑰入覲，自奉天歸邠州，以希朝素整肅有聲，畏其逼己，求其過，將殺之。希朝懼，奔鳳翔。德宗聞之，趣召至京師，置於左神策軍中。遊瑰歿，邠州諸將列名上請希朝為節度，德宗許之。希朝讓於張獻甫，曰：「臣始逼而來，終代其任，非所以防凱覦安反側也。」詔嘉之，以獻甫統邠寧。數日，除希朝振武節度使，就加檢校禮部尚書。

Fan Xichao, courtesy name Zhijun, was a man of Yuxiang in Hezhong. In the Jianzhong years he was Chief Commandant of Bin and Ning, his military administration well ordered, and he served the Military Commissioner Han Yougui. When Emperor Dezong reached Fengtian, Xichao had merit in fighting and holding the city. He was repeatedly promoted to additionally Vice Censor-in-Chief and Prefect of Ning Prefecture. When Yougui entered court for an audience and returned to Bin Prefecture from Fengtian, because Xichao was by nature stern and had renown, he feared Xichao would press upon him, sought his faults, and was about to kill him. Xichao was afraid and fled to Fengxiang. When Emperor Dezong heard of it, he urgently summoned Xichao to the capital and placed him in the Left Shence Army. When Yougui died, the generals of Bin Prefecture listed their names and submitted a request that Xichao be made commissioner, and Emperor Dezong granted it. Xichao yielded the post to Zhang Xianfu, saying: "I came here at first because I was forced out, yet in the end I would replace him in his command — this is not the way to guard against covetous eyes and settle those inclined to rebellion." An edict praised this, and Xianfu was put in command of Bin and Ning. After several days Xichao was made Military Commissioner of Zhenwu and thereupon additionally Acting Minister of Rites.

振武有党項、室韋，交居川阜，淩犯為盜，日入慝作，謂之「刮城門」。居人懼駭，鮮有寧日。希朝周知要害，置堡柵，斥候嚴密，人遂獲安。異蕃雖鼠竊狗盜，必殺無赦，戎虜甚憚之，曰：「有張光晟，苦我久矣，今聞是乃更姓名而來。」其見畏如此。蕃落之俗，有長帥至，必效奇駝名馬，雖廉者猶曰當從俗，以致其歡，希朝一無所受。積十四年，皆保塞而不為橫。單于城中舊少樹，希朝於他處市柳子，命軍人種之，俄遂成林，居人賴之。貞元末，累表請修朝覲。時節將不以他故自述職者，惟希朝一人，德宗大悅。既至，拜檢校右僕射，兼右金吾大將軍。

At Zhenwu the Tangut and Shiwei tribes intersected in the valleys and hills. They raided as bandits, entering by stealth at dusk in an offense called "Peeling the City Gate." The inhabitants lived in fear and dread and rarely had a day of peace. Xichao thoroughly knew the strategic points, set up fortresses and stockades, and made scouts and sentries strict, and the people then obtained peace. Though the foreign tribes committed petty thefts, he invariably put them to death without mercy. The frontier tribes greatly feared him and said: "There was Zhang Guangcheng, who tormented us long; now we hear that this man has merely changed his name and come." Such was the fear he inspired. The custom of the tribal settlements was that when a new chief arrived, they would present rare camels and fine horses. Even the incorruptible would say one must follow custom to win their favor — Xichao accepted nothing at all. Over fourteen years accumulated, all guarded the frontier and did not act violently. In the Single-Prince City there had long been few trees. Xichao bought willow seeds elsewhere and ordered the soldiers to plant them. Soon they became a forest, and the inhabitants relied on them. At the end of the Zhenyuan era he repeatedly submitted memorials requesting to attend court. At the time, of the frontier commanders who entered court for no other reason, Xichao alone did so, and Emperor Dezong was greatly pleased. When he arrived he was appointed Acting Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, concurrently Grand General of the Right Jinwu Guard.

順宗時，王叔文黨用事，將授韓泰以兵柄；利希朝老疾易制，乃命為左神策、京西諸城鎮行營節度使，鎮奉天，而以泰為副，欲因代之，叔文敗而罷。憲宗即位，復以檢校僕射為右金吾，出拜檢校司空，充朔方靈鹽節度使。

In the time of Emperor Shunzong, Wang Shuwen's faction held power and was about to grant Han Tai military authority; They considered Xichao aged and ill and easy to control. They therefore appointed him Mobile Headquarters Commissioner of the Left Shence and the garrisons of the western capital region, garrisoning Fengtian, with Tai as deputy, intending to replace him thereby. When Shuwen fell, this was abolished. When Emperor Xianzong took the throne, he was again made Acting Vice Director as Right Jinwu Guard and went out as Acting Minister of Works and Military Commissioner of Shuofang and Ling and Salt.

突厥別部有沙陀者，北方推其勇勁，希朝誘致之，自甘州舉族來歸，眾且萬人。其後以之討賊，所至有功，遷河東節度使。率師討鎮州無功。既耄且疾，事不理，除左龍武統軍，以太子太保致仕。元和九年卒，贈太子太師。

Among the Turkic tribal divisions there were the Shatuo, whom the northern regions praised for courage and vigor. Xichao enticed them, and from Gan Prefecture the whole clan came to submit, numbering nearly ten thousand. Afterward they were used to campaign against rebels. Wherever they went they had merit, and he was transferred to Military Commissioner of Hedong. He led troops to campaign against Zhen Prefecture without success. Already aged and ill, affairs went unmanaged. He was made Commander of the Left Dragon Martial Guard and retired as Grand Preceptor to the Heir Apparent. In the ninth year of Yuanhe he died and was posthumously granted Grand Preceptor.

希朝近代號為名將，人多比之趙充國。及張茂昭擊王承宗，幾覆，希朝玩寇不前，物議罪之。

In recent times Xichao was called a famous general; many compared him to Zhao Chongguo. When Zhang Maozhao attacked Wang Chengzong and nearly perished, Xichao dallied with the enemy and did not advance, and public opinion blamed him.

王鍔，字昆吾，自言太原人。本湖南團練營將。初，楊炎貶道州司馬，鍔候炎於路，炎與言異之。後嗣曹王臯為團練使，擢任鍔，頗便之。使招邵州武岡叛將王國良有功，表為邵州刺史。及臯改江西節度使，李希烈南侵，臯請鍔以勁兵三千鎮尋陽。後臯自以全軍臨九江，既襲得蘄州，盡以眾渡，乃表鍔為江州刺史、兼中丞，充都虞候，因以鍔從。小心習事，善探得軍府情狀，至於言語動靜，巨細畢以白臯。臯亦推心委之，雖家宴妻女之會，鍔或在焉。鍔感臯之知，事無所避。

Wang E, courtesy name Kunwu, said of himself that he was a man of Taiyuan. Originally a regimental officer of the Hunan Militia. At first, when Yang Yan was demoted to Prefect of Daozhou, E waited for Yan on the road. Yan spoke with him and found him unusual. Later, when Prince Cao Wang Gao succeeded as Militia Commissioner, he promoted and employed E and found him quite useful. He was sent to summon the rebel general Wang Guoliang of Wugang in Shao Prefecture and had merit. Gao memorialized him as Prefect of Shao Prefecture. When Gao was changed to Jiangxi Military Commissioner and Li Xilie invaded south, Gao requested E with three thousand crack troops to garrison Xunyang. Later Gao himself brought the full army to Jiujiang. Having taken Qizhou by surprise, he crossed with the entire force. He then memorialized E as Prefect of Jiang Prefecture, additionally Vice Censor-in-Chief, and Chief Commandant, and E followed Gao. Careful and skilled in affairs, he was good at probing the military government's circumstances. As for speech and action, great and small, he reported all to Gao. Gao also entrusted him wholeheartedly. Even at family banquets with wife and daughters, E was sometimes present. E, moved by Gao's trust, shrank from nothing in his service.

後臯攻安州，使伊慎盛兵圍之；賊懼，請臯使至城中以約降，臯使鍔懸而入。既成約，殺不從者以出。明日城開，臯以其眾入。伊慎以賊恟懼，由其圍也，不下鍔，鍔稱疾避之。及臯為荊南節度使，表鍔為江陵少尹、兼中丞，欲列於賓倅。馬彜、裴泰鄙鍔請去，乃復以為都虞候。

Later, when Gao attacked An Prefecture, he sent Yi Shen with a large force to besiege it; The rebels were afraid and asked Gao to send an envoy into the city to arrange surrender. Gao sent E in alone by rope. When the agreement was settled, he killed those who would not submit and came out. The next day the city opened, and Gao entered with his troops. Yi Shen, because the rebels had been terrified by his siege, would not lower E. E claimed illness and avoided it. When Gao became Military Commissioner of Jingnan, he memorialized E as Vice Prefect of Jiangling, additionally Vice Censor-in-Chief, intending to rank him among the senior staff. Ma Yi and Pei Tai despised E and asked to leave. He was then again made Chief Commandant.

明年，從臯至京師，臯稱鍔於德宗曰：「鍔雖文用小不足，他皆可以試驗。」遂拜鴻臚少卿。尋除容管經略使，凡八年，溪洞安之。遷廣州刺史、御史大夫、嶺南節度使。廣人與夷人雜處，地征薄而叢求於川市。鍔能計居人之業而榷其利，所得與兩稅相埒。鍔以兩稅錢上供時進及供奉外，餘皆自入。西南大海中諸國舶至，則盡沒其利，由是鍔家財富於公藏。日發十餘艇，重以犀象珠貝，稱商貸而出諸境。周以歲時，循環不絕，凡八年，京師權門多富鍔之財。拜刑部尚書。時淮南節度使杜佑屢請代，乃以鍔檢校兵部尚書，充淮南副節度使。鍔始見佑，以趨拜悅佑，退坐司馬廳事。數日，詔杜佑以鍔代之。

The next year, following Gao to the capital, Gao praised E to Emperor Dezong, saying: "Though E is slightly lacking in literary and minor matters, in all else he may be tested." Thereupon E was appointed Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Soon he was made Commissioner for the Rongguan Frontier and, in all eight years, the stream valleys and caves were pacified. He was transferred to Prefect of Guang Prefecture, Grand Censor, and Military Commissioner of Lingnan. The people of Guang mixed with the tribal peoples. Land levies were light but exactions clustered in the river markets. E could calculate the occupations of residents and monopolize their profits. What he obtained matched the two tax levies. E used the two-tax funds for tribute to the court, seasonal presentations, and supplies beyond the regular quota. The remainder all entered his own purse. Ships from the various kingdoms of the great southern sea arrived, and he seized all their profits. Thereby E's household wealth exceeded the public treasury. Each day he dispatched more than ten boats, laden with rhinoceros horn, ivory, pearls, and shells, claiming them as merchant loans to send beyond the borders. Year by year the cycle never ceased. In all eight years many powerful families at the capital grew rich on E's wealth. He was appointed Minister of Justice. At the time the Huainan Military Commissioner Du You repeatedly requested replacement. E was then made Acting Minister of War and Deputy Military Commissioner of Huainan. When E first met You, he pleased You with hurried bows. Afterward he sat in the major's hall. After several days, an edict made Du You replaced by E.

鍔明習簿領，善小數以持下，吏或有奸，鍔畢究之。嘗聽理，有遺匿名書於前者，左右取以授鍔，鍔內之靴中，靴中先有他書以雜之。及吏退，鍔探取他書焚之，人信其以所匿名者焚也。既歸省所告者，異日乃以他微事連其所告者，固窮按驗之以譎眾，下吏以為神明。鍔長於部領，程作有法，軍州所用竹木，其餘碎屑無所棄，皆復為用。掾曹簾壞，吏以新簾易之，鍔察知，以故者付舡坊以替箬，其他率如此。每有饗宴，輒錄其餘以備後用，或云賣之，收利皆自歸，故鍔錢流衍天下。在鎮四年，累至司空。

E was skilled in ledgers and registers and good at small calculations in controlling subordinates. If any clerk was corrupt, E thoroughly investigated him. Once while hearing cases, an anonymous letter was left in front. Attendants took it and handed it to E. E put it inside his boot, and inside the boot there was already another letter to mix with it. When the clerks withdrew, E drew out the other letter and burned it. People believed he had burned the anonymous one. Returning to his quarters he examined the accuser. Another day he linked some other minor matter to the accused, firmly pressed and verified it by stratagem to deceive the crowd, and subordinates thought him divine. E excelled at commanding troops. Construction followed method, and bamboo and wood used by the army and prefectures—even the leftover scraps—were not discarded but all put to use again. When a clerk's curtain was ruined, the clerk replaced it with a new one. E detected this and gave the old one to the boat yard to replace matting—the rest was mostly thus. Whenever there was a feast he recorded the leftovers to prepare for later use, or it was said he sold them. The profit all went to himself, and thus E's money circulated throughout the realm. After four years in command he was repeatedly promoted to Minister of Works.

元和二年來朝，真拜左僕射，未幾除檢校司徒、河中節度。居三年，兼太子太傅，移鎮太原。時方討鎮州，鍔緝綏訓練，軍府稱理。鍔受符節居方面凡二十餘年。九年，加同平章事。十年卒，年七十六，贈太尉。鍔將卒，約束後事甚明，如知其死日。

In the second year of Yuanhe he came to court and was appointed in full as Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. Before long he was made Acting Grand Preceptor and Military Commissioner of Hezhong. After three years he was additionally Grand Preceptor to the Heir Apparent and transferred to garrison Taiyuan. At the time they were campaigning against Zhen Prefecture. E restored order, trained troops, and the military government was praised as well governed. E held the seal and staff in a frontier command for more than twenty years in all. In the ninth year he was additionally Co-equal with the Secretariat. In the tenth year he died at the age of seventy-six and was posthumously granted Grand Marshal. When E was about to die, he arranged his later affairs with great clarity, as though he knew the day of his death.

鍔附太原王翃為從子，以婚閥自炫，炫子弟多附鍔以致名宦。又嘗讀《春秋左氏傳》，自稱儒者，人皆笑之。

E attached himself to Wang Hong of Taiyuan as a nephew and flaunted marriage alliances. Hong's younger kinsmen mostly attached themselves to E to obtain fame and office. He also once read the Zuo Commentary to the Spring and Autumn Annals and called himself a Confucian. People all laughed at him.

子稷，歷官鴻臚少卿。鍔在籓鎮，稷嘗留京師，以家財奉權要，視官高下以進賂，不待白其父而行之。廣治第宅，嘗奏請藉坊以益之，作復垣洞穴，實金錢於其中。貴官清品，溺其賞宴而遊，不憚清議。及父卒，為奴所告稷換鍔遺表，隱沒所進錢物。上令鞫其奴於內仗，又發中使就東都驗責其家財。宰臣裴度苦諫，於是罷其使而殺奴。稷長慶二年為德州刺史，廣賫金寶仆妾以行。節度使李全略利其貨而圖之，故致本州軍亂，殺稷，其室女為全略所虜，以妓媵處之。

His son Ji held the post of Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. When E was in a frontier command, Ji was left at the capital. He used the family wealth to serve the powerful, advancing bribes according to the rank of office without informing his father. He extensively built mansions and once memorialized requesting the Jie Fang ward to expand them, constructing compound walls and hidden chambers and storing gold and money within. Noble officials and pure-rank gentlemen, drowned in his lavish feasts, came and went without fear of censure. When his father died, a slave reported that Ji had altered E's deathbed memorial and concealed the money and goods he had presented. The emperor ordered the slave interrogated in the inner guard office and also sent a court envoy to the eastern capital to verify and exact his household wealth. Grand Councillor Pei Du remonstrated bitterly. The envoy was then recalled and the slave killed. In the second year of Changqing Ji was Prefect of De Prefecture. He brought abundant gold, jewels, concubines, and servants on his journey. The Military Commissioner Li Quanlue coveted his goods and plotted against him. He therefore incited rebellion in the prefectural army, killed Ji, and his daughter was taken by Quanlue and kept as a singing-girl concubine.

稷子叔泰。開成四年，滄州節度使劉約上言：「王稷為李全略所殺，家無遺類。稷男叔泰，時年五歲，郡人宋忠獻匿之獲免，乃收養之，今已成長。臣獎其義，忠獻已補職，叔泰津送以聞。」文宗詔曰：「王鍔累朝宣力，王稷一旦捐軀，須錄孤遺，微申憫念。王叔泰委吏部與九品官，令奉祭。」

Ji's son Shutai. In the fourth year of Kaicheng, the Cang Prefecture Military Commissioner Liu Yue submitted a memorial saying: "Wang Ji was killed by Li Quanlue, and his household left no survivors. Ji's son Shutai was then five years old. The county man Song Zhongxian hid him and he escaped, was then reared, and now he has grown to maturity. Your subject rewards this righteousness. Zhongxian has already been given an appointment, and Shutai is sent by river transport to report." Emperor Wenzong issued an edict saying: "Wang E exerted himself across successive reigns; Wang Ji perished in a single day; we must record the orphaned survivor and slightly express our compassionate remembrance. Wang Shutai is entrusted to the Ministry of Personnel for a ninth-rank office, with orders to perform the sacrifices."

閻巨源，貞元十九年以勝州刺史攝振武行軍司馬。屬希朝入覲，遂代為節度。以材力進，無他智能。初不知書而好文，其言輒乖誤，時人多摭其談說以為戲，然以寬厚為將卒所懷。後為邠寧節度使、檢校左僕射。元和九年卒。

Yan Juyuan, in the nineteenth year of Zhenyuan, as Prefect of Sheng Prefecture acted as Mobile Headquarters Major of Zhenwu. When Xichao entered court for an audience, he then replaced him as commissioner. He advanced by strength and ability and had no other talent or wisdom. At first he did not know writing yet loved literature. His words were always mistaken, and people often collected his remarks for amusement — yet as a general he was trusted by the troops for his leniency and generosity. Later he was Military Commissioner of Bin and Ning and Acting Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. In the ninth year of Yuanhe he died.

孟元陽，起於陳許軍中，理戎整肅，勤事，善部署。曲環之為節度，元陽已為大將，環使董作西華屯。元陽盛夏芒戺立稻田中，須役者退而後就舍，故其田歲無不稔，軍中足食。環卒，吳少誠寇許州，元陽城守；外無救兵，攻圍甚急，而終不能傅其城，賊乃罷兵。韓全義五樓之敗，諸軍多私歸，元陽及神策都將蘇元策、宣州都將王幹各率部留軍溵水，破賊二千餘人。兵罷，加御史大夫。元和初，拜河陽節度、檢校尚書。五年，拜右僕射、昭義節度，入為右羽林統軍，封趙國公。俄拜左金吾大將軍，復除統軍。元和九年卒，贈揚州大都督。

Meng Yuanyang rose from the Chen and Xu army. He ordered troops sternly, served diligently, and was skilled in deployment. When Qu Huan became commissioner, Yuanyang was already a great general. Huan had him oversee construction at Xihua Colony. Yuanyang in midsummer stood in the rice fields in grass-cloth, waiting until the laborers withdrew before going to quarters. Thus his fields every year were never without a full harvest, and the army had ample food. When Huan died, Wu Shaocheng raided Xu Prefecture. Yuanyang held the city; Outside there were no relief troops and the siege was very pressing, yet in the end they could not reach the wall. The rebels then withdrew. When Han Quanyi was defeated at the Five Towers, many armies privately returned. Yuanyang and the Shence Chief General Su Yuance, and the Xuan Prefecture Chief General Wang Gan, each led their divisions and remained at Wen River, breaking more than two thousand rebels. When the campaign ended he was additionally made Grand Censor. At the beginning of Yuanhe he was appointed Military Commissioner of Heyang and Acting Minister. In the fifth year he was appointed Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and Military Commissioner of Zhaoyi, entered court as Commander of the Right Feathered Forest Guard, and enfeoffed as Duke of Zhao. Soon he was appointed Grand General of the Left Jinwu Guard and again made Commander of the Guard. In the ninth year of Yuanhe he died and was posthumously granted Grand Governor of Yang Prefecture.

趙昌，字洪祚，天水人。祖不器，父居貞，皆有名於時。李承昭為昭義節度，辟昌在幕府。貞元七年，為虔州刺史。屬安南都護為夷獠所逐，拜安南都護，夷人率化。十年，因屋壞傷脛，懇疏乞還，以檢校兵部郎中裴泰代之，入拜國子祭酒。及泰為首領所逐，德宗詔昌問狀。昌時年七十二，而精健如少年者，德宗奇之，復命為都護，南人相賀。

Zhao Chang, courtesy name Hongzuo, was a man of Tianshui. His grandfather Buqi and father Juzhen were both renowned in their time. When Li Chengzhao was Military Commissioner of Zhaoyi, he recruited Chang to his staff. In the seventh year of Zhenyuan he was Prefect of Qian Prefecture. When the Protector-General of Annan was driven out by tribal raiders, Chang was appointed Protector-General and the tribes submitted. In the tenth year, when a building collapse injured his shin, he earnestly memorialized asking to return. Pei Tai was appointed Acting Director in the Ministry of War to replace him, and Chang entered court as Chancellor of the Directorate of Education. When Tai was driven out by the chieftains, Emperor Dezong ordered Chang to inquire into the situation. Chang was then seventy-two years old yet vigorous as a youth. Emperor Dezong marveled at this and again appointed him Protector-General, and the southern people congratulated one another.

憲宗即位，加檢校工部尚書，尋轉戶部尚書，充嶺南節度。元和三年，遷鎮荊南，徵為太子賓客。及得見，拜工部尚書、兼大理卿。歲餘，讓卿守本官。六年，除華州刺史，辭於麟德殿。時年八十餘，趨拜輕捷，召對詳明，上退而嘆異，宣宰臣密訪其頤養之道以奏焉。在郡三年，入為太子少保。九年卒，年八十五，贈揚州大都督，謚曰成。

When Emperor Xianzong took the throne, he was additionally made Acting Minister of Works. Soon he was transferred to Minister of Revenue and made Military Commissioner of Lingnan. In the third year of Yuanhe he was transferred to garrison Jingnan and summoned as Grand Mentor to the Heir Apparent. When he was received in audience he was appointed Minister of Works and concurrently Chief Judge of the Court of Judicial Review. After more than a year he yielded the judgeship and kept his original office. In the sixth year he was made Prefect of Hua Prefecture and took leave at Linde Hall. He was then more than eighty years old. His hurried bows were light and agile, and his responses in audience were detailed and clear. When the emperor withdrew he sighed in wonder and ordered the councillors secretly to inquire into his methods of nourishing life and memorialize them. After three years in the commandery he entered court as Grand Preceptor to the Heir Apparent. In the ninth year he died at the age of eighty-five. He was posthumously granted Grand Governor of Yang Prefecture and given the posthumous title Cheng.

史臣曰：高崇文以律貞師，勤於軍政，戎麾指蜀，遽立奇功，可謂近朝之良將也。伊慎、朱忠亮、劉昌裔、范希朝、閻巨源、孟元陽、趙昌等，各立功立事，亦一時之名臣。王鍔明可照奸，忠能奉主，此乃垂名於後也。至若竹頭木屑，曾無棄遺，作事有程，儉而足用，則又士君子之為也。如賤收貴出，務積珠金，唯利是求，多財為累，則與夫清白遺子孫者遠矣！凡百在位，得不鑒之。

The historiographer says: Gao Congwen disciplined the army with law and integrity, was diligent in military administration, pointed his banner toward Shu, and swiftly established extraordinary merit — he may be called a fine general of recent times. Yi Shen, Zhu Zhongliang, Liu Changyi, Fan Xichao, Yan Juyuan, Meng Yuanyang, Zhao Chang, and the rest each established merit and affairs and were also famous ministers of their time. Wang E's clarity could expose treachery, and his loyalty could serve his lord — this is what leaves a name for posterity. As for bamboo scraps and wood shavings never discarded, affairs conducted with measure, thrift yet sufficient for use — this again is the conduct of a gentleman. But to buy cheap and sell dear, to strive to amass pearls and gold, to seek profit alone and be burdened by great wealth — this is far from leaving one's descendants an inheritance of integrity! All who hold office — can they not take this as a mirror?

贊曰：崇文之功，顯於西蜀。伊慎之忠，見乎南服。朱、劉、范、閻，各有其目。元陽、趙昌，不無遺躅。惟彼太原，戰勛可錄。累在多財，子孫不祿。

The eulogy says: Congwen's merit was displayed in western Shu. Yi Shen's loyalty appeared in the southern domains. Zhu, Liu, Fan, and Yan each had his own measure. Yuanyang and Zhao Chang were not without traces left behind. As for that man of Taiyuan, his battle merit may be recorded. Burdened by great wealth, his descendants did not enjoy emolument.

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