1
憲宗二十子：穆宗皇帝、宣宗皇帝、惠昭太子寧、澧王惲、深王悰、洋王忻、絳王悟、建王恪、鄜王憬、瓊王悅、沔王恂、婺王懌、茂王愔、淄王協、衡王憺、澶王㤝、棣王惴、彭王惕、信王憻、榮王㥽。
Emperor Xianzong had twenty sons: the emperors Muzong and Xuanzong; Heir Apparent Huizhao, Ning; and the princes of Li (Yun), Shen (Cong), Yang (Xin), Jiang (Wu), Jian (Ke), Zheng (Jing), Qiong (Yue), Mian (Xiong), Wu (Yi), Mao (Yin), Zi (Xie), Heng (Dan), Chan (Huang), Di (Zhui), Peng (Ti), Xin (Tan), and Rong (Le).
2
惠昭太子寧，憲宗長子也。 母曰紀美人。 貞元二十一年四月，封平原郡王。 元和元年八月，進封鄧王。 四年閏三月，立為皇太子，改名宙，尋復今名。 其年有司將行冊禮，以孟夏、孟秋再卜日，臨事皆以雨罷，至十月方行冊禮。 元和六年十二月薨，年十九，廢朝十三日。 時敕國子司業裴茝攝太常博士，西內勾當。 茝通習古今禮儀，嘗為太常博士。 及官至郎中，每兼其職，至改司業，方罷兼領。 國典無皇太子薨禮，故又命茝領之。 廢朝十三日，蓋用期服以日易月之制也。 謚曰惠昭。
Heir Apparent Huizhao, Ning, was Emperor Xianzong's eldest son. His mother was Lady Ji, a palace beauty. In April of 805, he was created Prince of Pingyuan. In August of 806, he was promoted to Prince of Deng. In the intercalary third month of 809, he was made crown prince; his name was briefly changed to Zhou, then soon restored to Ning. That year the authorities prepared to conduct the formal investiture, but divinations for dates in early summer and early autumn were each called off when rain fell on the appointed days; the rites were not performed until the tenth month. He died in December 811, at the age of nineteen, and court was suspended for thirteen days. The emperor then ordered Pei Chang, vice director of the Imperial University, to serve concurrently as a ritual specialist of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and to oversee arrangements within the western inner palace. Pei Chang was thoroughly versed in ritual practice past and present and had previously held the post of ritual erudite in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. After he rose to director in the Ministry of Rites, he continued to hold the ritual post on a concurrent basis until his appointment as vice director of the Imperial University, when he finally relinquished it. Because the state code prescribed no funeral rites for a deceased crown prince, Chang was again put in charge of the ceremony. The thirteen-day suspension of court presumably followed the rule for one-year mourning, counting each day as a month. He was given the posthumous title Huizhao, meaning Benevolent and Illustrious.
3
澧王惲，憲宗第二子也，本名寬。 貞元二十一年，封同安郡王。 元和元年，進封澧王。 七年，改今名。 時吐突承璀恩寵特異，惠昭太子薨，議立儲副，承璀獨排群議，屬澧王，欲以威權自樹，賴憲宗明斷不惑。 上將冊拜太子，詔翰林學士崔群代澧王作讓表一章。 群奏曰：「凡事己合當之而不為，則有退讓焉。」 上深納之。 及憲宗晏駕，承璀死，王亦薨於其夕。 以元和十五年四月丁丑發喪，廢朝三日。 長子漢，東陽郡王。 次子源，安陸郡王。 第三子演，臨安郡王。
Prince of Li, Yun, was Emperor Xianzong's second son; his original name was Kuan. In 805 he was created Prince of Tong'an. In 806 he was promoted to Prince of Li. In 812 he received his present name, Yun. At that time the eunuch Tutu Chenghui enjoyed extraordinary favor. After Heir Apparent Huizhao's death, when the court debated who should be named heir, Chenghui alone defied the consensus and backed the Prince of Li, hoping to build his own power base; only Emperor Xianzong's clear judgment kept him from being swayed. When the emperor was about to invest the new crown prince, he ordered the Hanlin academician Cui Qun to draft, on behalf of the Prince of Li, a memorial declining the appointment. Cui Qun submitted: "In any matter, declination applies only when one who ought to receive an honor refuses it. The emperor accepted this view wholeheartedly. When Emperor Xianzong died, Chenghui died as well, and the prince died that same night. Funeral rites began on a dingchou day in April 820, and court was suspended for three days. His eldest son, Han, was Prince of Dongyang. His second son, Yuan, was Prince of Anlu. His third son, Yan, was Prince of Lin'an.
4
深王悰，本名察，憲宗第四子也。 貞元二十一年，封彭城郡王。 元和元年，進封深王，改今名。 長子潭，河內郡王。 次子淑，吳興郡王。
Prince of Shen, Cong, whose original name was Cha, was Emperor Xianzong's fourth son. In 805 he was created Prince of Pengcheng. In 806 he was promoted to Prince of Shen and received his present name. His eldest son, Tan, was Prince of Henei. His second son, Shu, was Prince of Wuxing.
5
洋王忻，本名寰，憲宗第五子也。 貞元二十一年，封為高密郡王。 元和元年，進封洋王。 七年，改今名。 太和二年薨。 長子沛，太和八年，封潁川郡王。
Prince of Yang, Xin, whose original name was Huan, was Emperor Xianzong's fifth son. In 805 he was created Prince of Gaomi. In 806 he was promoted to Prince of Yang. In 812 he received his present name. He died in 828. His eldest son, Pei, was created Prince of Yingchuan in 834.
6
絳王悟，本名寮，憲宗第六子也。 貞元二十一年，封文安郡王。 元和元年，進封絳王。 七年，改今名。 寶歷二年冬遇害。 長子洙，太和八年，封新安郡王。 第二子滂，封高平郡王。
Prince of Jiang, Wu, whose original name was Liao, was Emperor Xianzong's sixth son. In 805 he was created Prince of Wen'an. In 806 he was promoted to Prince of Jiang. In 812 he received his present name. He was murdered in the winter of 826. His eldest son, Zhu, was created Prince of Xin'an in 834. His second son, Pang, was created Prince of Gaoping.
7
建王恪，本名審，憲宗第十子也。 元和元年八月，淄青節度李師古卒，其弟師道擅領軍務，以邀符節。 朝廷方興討罰之師，不欲分兵兩地，乃封審為建王。 間一日，授開府儀同三司、鄆州大都督，充平盧軍淄青等州節度營田觀察處置、陸運海運、押新羅渤海兩蕃等使，而以師道為節度留後。 不出閣。 七年，改今名。 長慶元年薨。
Prince of Jian, Ke, whose original name was Shen, was Emperor Xianzong's tenth son. In August 806, Li Shigu, military commissioner of Ziqing, died; his younger brother Shidao seized command of the army on his own authority in hopes of securing the commission. The court was already mobilizing troops to punish the rebels and did not wish to divide its forces, so it enfeoffed Shen as Prince of Jian instead. The following day he was appointed Grand Preceptor with ceremonial honors equal to the Three Excellencies and Grand Protector-General of Yanzhou, and named commissioner over the Pinglu and Ziqing circuits' military, farming, and inspection affairs, over land and sea transport, and over relations with Silla and Bohai—while Shidao was left as acting military commissioner. He never actually left the capital to take up his post. In 812 he received his present name. He died in 821.
8
鄜王憬，長慶元年封，開成四年七月薨。 長子溥，平陽郡王。
Prince of Zheng, Jing, was enfeoffed in 821 and died in July 839. His eldest son, Pu, was Prince of Pingyang.
9
瓊王悅，長慶元年封。 第二子津，河間郡王。
Prince of Qiong, Yue, was enfeoffed in 821. His second son, Jin, was Prince of Hejian.
10
婺王懌，長慶元年封。 長子清，新平郡王。
Prince of Wu, Yi, was enfeoffed in 821. His eldest son, Qing, was Prince of Xinping.
11
茂王愔，長慶元年封。 長子潓，武功郡王。
Prince of Mao, Yin, was enfeoffed in 821. His eldest son, Wei, was Prince of Wugong.
12
淄王協，憲宗第十四子也。 長慶元年封，開成元年薨。 長子浣，太和八年八月封許昌郡王。 第三子渙，馮翊郡王。
Prince of Zi, Xie, was Emperor Xianzong's fourteenth son. He was enfeoffed in 821 and died in 836. His eldest son, Huan, was created Prince of Xuchang in August 834. His third son, Huan, was Prince of Fengyi.
13
澶王㤝，長慶元年封。 長子濘，雁門郡王。
Prince of Chan, Huang, was enfeoffed in 821. His eldest son, Ning, was Prince of Yanmen.
14
棣王惴，大中六年封，咸通三年薨。
Prince of Di, Zhui, was enfeoffed in 852 and died in 862.
15
彭王惕，大中三年封。
Prince of Peng, Ti, was enfeoffed in 849.
16
信王憻，大中十四年封，咸通八年薨。
Prince of Xin, Tan, was enfeoffed in 860 and died in 867.
17
榮王㥽，咸通三年封，廣明元年八月十九日，授開府儀同三司，守司空，其年十月九日薨。 其子令平嗣王。
Prince of Rong, Le, was enfeoffed in 862. On the nineteenth day of the eighth month of 880 he was appointed Grand Preceptor with honors equal to the Three Excellencies and acting Minister of Works; he died on the ninth day of the tenth month of that year. His son Lingping succeeded him as prince.
18
穆宗五子：敬宗皇帝、文宗皇帝、武宗皇帝、懷懿太子湊、安王溶。
Emperor Muzong had five sons: the emperors Jingzong, Wenzong, and Wuzong; Heir Apparent Huaiyi, Cou; and Prince of An, Rong.
19
懷懿太子湊，穆宗第六子。 少寬和溫雅，齊莊有度。 長慶初，封漳王。 文宗以王守澄恃權，深怒閹官，欲盡誅之，密令宰相宋申錫與外臣謀畫其計。 守澄門人鄭註伺知其事，欲先事誅申錫。 以漳王賢而有望，乃令神策虞候豆盧著告變言：「十六宅宮市典宴敬則、硃訓與申錫親吏王師文同謀不軌，硃訓與王師文言聖上多病，太子年小，若立兄弟，次是漳王，要先結托，乃於師文處得銀五鋌、絹八百匹； 又晏敬則於十六宅將出漳王吳綾汗衫一領、熟線綾一匹，以答申錫。」 其事皆鄭註憑虛結構，而擒硃訓等於黃門獄，鍛煉偽成其款。 居三四日，朝臣方悟其誣構。 諫官崔玄亮等閣中極諫，叩頭出血，請出申錫獄付外勘鞫。 鄭註輩恐其偽跡敗露，乃請行貶黜。 制曰：「王者教先入愛，義不遺親。 豈於同氣之中，可致異詞之間。 如或慎修不至，詿誤有聞，構為厲階，犯我邦紀，未加殛竄，尚屈彜章。 漳王湊手足之親，盤石是固，居崇寵秩，列在戚籓。 頃多克順之心，亦有尚賢之誌。 而滿盈生患，敗覆是圖，奸兇會同，謀議聯及。 汙我皇化，彰於外朝，初駭予衷，再驚群聽。 尚以未具獄詞，猶資審慎，建侯之命，姑務從寬。 可降封巢縣公。」 制下，上令中使賫巢縣官告，就十宅賜湊。 言國法須此，爾宜寬勉。 八年薨，贈封齊王。
Heir Apparent Huaiyi, Cou, was Emperor Muzong's sixth son. From childhood he was generous, gentle, and refined, dignified and measured in his bearing. At the beginning of the Changqing era (821–824), he was created Prince of Zhang. Emperor Wenzong deeply resented the eunuchs' monopoly of power, especially Wang Shoucheng, and wished to eliminate them entirely; he secretly ordered Chancellor Song Shenxi and officials outside the palace to devise a plan. Zheng Zhu, a protégé of Shoucheng, discovered the plot through surveillance and resolved to strike first by eliminating Shenxi. Because the Prince of Zhang was talented and widely regarded as a possible heir, Zhu had the Shence Army duty officer Dou Lu Zhu lodge a treason report: "Yan Jingze, steward of the palace market at the Sixteen Mansions, and Zhu Xun, together with Song Shenxi's personal clerk Wang Shiwen, plotted sedition. Zhu Xun and Wang Shiwen said that since the emperor was often ill and the crown prince still young, if an elder brother were to be enthroned the Prince of Zhang would be next in line, and they must secure his backing first—they had obtained from Shiwen five silver ingots and eight hundred bolts of silk; Yan Jingze was also to take from the prince's residence at the Sixteen Mansions one sweat-shirt of Wu brocade and one bolt of finished-thread brocade to present to Shenxi in return. The entire affair was fabricated by Zheng Zhu out of thin air. Zhu Xun and the others were seized and held in the eunuchs' prison, where tortured confessions were forged to fit the fabricated charges. Only after three or four days did the court officials realize the case was a fabrication. The remonstrance officials Cui Xuanliang and others pleaded desperately at the palace gate, knocking their foreheads until they bled, begging that Shenxi be removed from the eunuchs' custody and transferred to the regular courts for investigation. Zheng Zhu and his allies, fearing their fabrications would be exposed, pressed instead for immediate demotions. An edict declared: "A ruler's teaching must begin with affection; righteousness does not permit him to abandon his own kin. How could words of estrangement arise among those who share the same blood? If through want of careful conduct errors come to light, and a perilous course is plotted in violation of the state's laws, execution and banishment might be warranted—yet even then the regular statutes may be tempered. The Prince of Zhang, Cou, is the emperor's own brother, firm as bedrock, dwelling in honored rank among the imperial princes. He has long shown a disposition toward restraint and compliance, and an ambition to honor worthy men. Yet fullness breeds calamity, and ruin was plotted; treacherous villains joined together in a linked conspiracy. They have defiled the imperial order and made their plot known throughout the outer court—at first shocking my own heart, and then alarming all who heard. Because the case has not yet been fully established, caution is still required; the command to enfeoff a prince will for the present be tempered with leniency. He is demoted and created Duke of Chaoxian. When the edict was issued, the emperor sent a palace envoy bearing the patent of appointment as Duke of Chaoxian to Cou's residence at the Ten Mansions. He told Cou that state law required this measure and urged him to take comfort and persevere. He died in 833 and was posthumously created Prince of Qi.
20
鄭註伏誅。 帝思湊被陷而心傷之，開成三年正月制曰：
Zheng Zhu was executed. The emperor, grieving that Cou had been framed, issued an edict in the first month of 838:
21
褒善飾終，王者常典。 況我友於之愛，手足之親，永言痛悼之懷，用錫元良之命。 故齊王湊孕靈天宇，擢秀本枝，孝敬知於孩提，惠和洽於親愛。 將固磐石，遂分茅社。 學探蟻術之精，智有象舟之妙。 好書樂善，造次不失其清規； 置醴尊師，風雨不忘其至敬。 方期臺耇，以保怡怡，天胡不仁，殲我同氣。 念周宣好愛之分，長慟莫追； 覽魏文榮樂之言，軫懷無已。 由是稽諸前典，式殿追榮，特峻彜章，表恩泉壞。 雖禮命之儀則爾，而天倫之恨何攄？ 遐想幽魂，宜膺寵數。 可贈懷懿太子，有司擇日冊命。
To commend the virtuous and honor the dead is the constant duty of a ruler. How much more when the bond is that of brothers, kin of hand and foot—in lasting grief I now bestow the title of primary heir. The late Prince of Qi, Cou, received his spirit from Heaven and Earth and stood out among the imperial sons; filial devotion was evident from his earliest years, and kindness and harmony marked his relations with kin. He was on the verge of securing the realm as bedrock, and was accordingly granted a princely fief. In scholarship he pursued the finest refinements; in wisdom he showed exceptional subtlety. He loved books and delighted in goodness, never departing from proper conduct even in haste. He set out libations to honor his teachers and never failed in his utmost reverence, even in wind and rain. Just when he might have reached a long life to preserve harmonious kinship, how could Heaven be so unkind as to destroy my own brother? Recalling King Xuan of Zhou's affection for his kin, I grieve endlessly with nothing to restore. Reading Emperor Wen of Wei's words on glory and joy, my grieving heart knows no end. Accordingly I consulted the former canons and modeled posthumous honors, especially elevating his rank to display grace at his tomb. Although ritual propriety must be observed, how can the grief of natural kinship be dispelled? Contemplating his departed soul, he should receive favored honors. He is posthumously granted the title Heir Apparent Huaiyi; the responsible offices shall choose a day for the investiture.
22
安王溶，穆宗第八子。 母楊賢妃，長慶元年封。 太和八年，授開府儀同三司、檢校吏部尚書。 開成初，敕安王、潁王，並以百官例，逐月給料錢。 武宗即位，李德裕秉政，或告文宗崩時，楊嗣復以與賢妃宗家，欲立安王為嗣，故王受禍，嗣復貶官。
Prince of An, Rong, was Emperor Muzong's eighth son. His mother was Worthy Consort Yang; he was enfeoffed in 821. In 834 he was appointed Grand Preceptor with honors equal to the Three Excellencies and acting Minister of Personnel. At the beginning of the Kaicheng era, an edict ordered the Princes of An and Ying to receive monthly salary payments on the same terms as officials. When Emperor Wuzong took the throne, Li Deyu held power; some reported that at Emperor Wenzong's death Yang Sifu, being related to Worthy Consort Yang's clan, had wished to establish the Prince of An as heir, and for this the prince suffered and Sifu was demoted.
23
敬宗五子：悼懷太子普、梁王休復、襄王執中、紀王言揚、陳王成美。
Emperor Jingzong had five sons: Heir Apparent Daohuai, Pu; and the princes of Liang (Xiufu), Xiang (Zhizhong), Ji (Yanyang), and Chen (Chengmei).
24
梁王休復。 開成二年八月詔曰：「王者胙土畫疆，封建子弟，所以承衛帝室，蕃茂本枝，祖宗成式，朕曷敢廢？ 況天付正性，夙奉至訓，尊賢好善，體仁由禮，是可舉建侯之命，膺分社之榮。 親親賢賢，於是乎在。 敬宗皇帝第二子休復、第三子執中、第四子言揚、第六子成美，皆氣蘊中和，行推敬慎，遊泳《墳》、《索》，佩服師言。 宜開土宇之封，用申睦族之典。 休復可封梁王，執中可封襄王，言揚可封紀王，成美可封陳王。 宜令有司擇日備禮冊命。」
Prince of Liang, Xiufu. In August 837 an edict declared: A ruler who grants fief and draws boundaries enfeoffs his sons and younger brothers to guard the imperial house and strengthen the main branch; this is the established pattern of our ancestors—how dare I abolish it? How much more when Heaven bestowed a correct nature and from youth he received the utmost instruction, honoring the worthy, loving goodness, and embodying benevolence through ritual—he is fit to receive the command to establish a feudatory lord and share in the glory of the altars. Cherishing kin and honoring the worthy—that is the principle. Emperor Jingzong's second son Xiufu, third son Zhizhong, fourth son Yanyang, and sixth son Chengmei all possessed harmonious dispositions and conduct marked by reverence and caution; they studied the classics and honored their teachers' instruction. It is fitting to grant them territorial enfeoffments and apply the canon of harmonious kin. Xiufu is to be created Prince of Liang, Zhizhong Prince of Xiang, Yanyang Prince of Ji, and Chengmei Prince of Chen. The responsible offices shall choose a day and prepare the ritual investiture.
25
襄王執中，與梁王同時受封。 第三男采，樂平郡王。
Prince of Xiang, Zhizhong, was enfeoffed at the same time as the Prince of Liang. His third son, Cai, was Prince of Leping.
26
紀王，與襄王同時受封。
The Prince of Ji received his enfeoffment at the same time as the Prince of Xiang.
27
陳王成美，與紀王言揚同時受封。 開成四年十月，詔曰：「古先哲王之有天下也，何嘗不正國本而承天序，建儲貳而主重離？ 朕以寡昧，祗荷丕圖。 虔恭寅畏，思固鴻業，慎擇全懿，曠於旬時。 而卿士獻謀，龜筮告吉，以為少陽虛位，願舉盛儀。 列聖垂休，俾合予誌，選賢而立，式表無私。 敬宗皇帝第六男陳王成美，天假忠孝，日新道德； 溫文合雅，謙敬保和。 裕端明之體度，尚《詩》、《書》之辭訓，言皆中禮，行不違仁。 是可以訓考舊章，欽若成命，授之匕鬯，以奉粢盛。 宜回硃邸之榮，俾踐青宮之重，可立為皇太子。 宜令所司擇日備禮冊命。」 自莊恪太子薨，將相大臣洎職言者，拜章面陳凡累月，上遂命立陳王。 未行冊禮，復降仍舊，其年殂於籓邸。 第十九男儼，宣城郡王。
Prince of Chen, Chengmei, was enfeoffed at the same time as Prince of Ji, Yanyang. In October 839 an edict declared: When the ancient sage kings possessed All Under Heaven, how did they not establish the state foundation to inherit Heaven's mandate and name an heir to preside over the realm? I, with my limited virtues, received the great mandate. Reverent and cautious, I sought to secure the great enterprise, carefully selecting the wholly worthy over many days. Yet the ministers offered counsel and the oracle reported auspiciousness, saying that the heir's position was vacant and they wished to conduct the full ceremony. The successive sages left their blessing, fitting my intent; to select the worthy and establish him shows no partiality. Emperor Jingzong's sixth son, Prince of Chen, Chengmei, was endowed by Heaven with loyalty and filial piety and daily renewed his virtue. Warm in culture and elegant in manner, humble, respectful, and preserving harmony. Abundant in dignified bearing, he honored the teachings of the Odes and Documents; his words conformed to ritual and his conduct did not violate benevolence. Therefore he may be instructed according to the old statutes, reverently to follow the completed command, receive the ritual vessels, and serve at the ancestral sacrifices. It is fitting to transfer the glory of his princely residence to the weight of the Eastern Palace; he is to be established as crown prince. The responsible offices shall choose a day and prepare the ritual investiture. After Heir Apparent Zhuangke's death, chancellors, great ministers, and remonstrance officials submitted memorials in person for many months, until the emperor ordered the Prince of Chen established. Before the investiture rites were performed, he was again reduced to his former status; that year he died at his princely residence. His nineteenth son, Yan, was Prince of Xuancheng.
28
文宗二子：莊恪太子永、蔣王宗儉。
Emperor Wenzong had two sons: Heir Apparent Zhuangke, Yong, and Prince of Jiang, Zongjian.
29
莊恪太子永，文宗長子也。 母曰王德妃。 太和四年正月，封魯王。 六年，上以王年幼，思得賢傅輔導之。 時王傅和元亮，因待制召問。 元亮出於卒吏，不知書，一不能對。 後宰相延英奏事，上從容曰：「魯王質性可教，宜擇賢士大夫為官屬，不可復用和元亮之輩。」 因以戶部侍郎庾敬休守本官，兼魯王傅； 太常卿鄭肅守本官，兼王府長史； 戶部郎中李踐方守本官，兼王府司馬。 其年十月，降詔冊為皇太子。
Heir Apparent Zhuangke, Yong, was Emperor Wenzong's eldest son. His mother was Virtuous Consort Wang. In the first month of 830 he was created Prince of Lu. In 832 the emperor, finding the prince still young, wished to obtain worthy tutors to guide him. At that time the prince's tutor He Yuanliang was summoned for consultation in his capacity as attendant draftsman. Yuanliang had risen from the clerk corps and was illiterate; he could not answer a single question. Later, when the chancellor reported affairs at the Yanying Hall, the emperor remarked calmly that the Prince of Lu's nature could be cultivated, that worthy scholar-officials should be chosen for his staff, and that men like He Yuanliang must never be used again. Yu Jingxiu, vice minister of revenue, was therefore ordered to retain his original office and serve concurrently as tutor to the Prince of Lu. Zheng Su, minister of rites, retained his original office and concurrently served as chief administrator of the princely establishment. Li Jianfang, director in the ministry of revenue, retained his original office and concurrently served as marshal of the princely establishment. In the tenth month of that year an edict was issued making him crown prince.
30
開成三年，上以皇太子宴遊敗度，不可教導，將議廢黜。 特開延英，召宰臣及兩省御史臺五品已上、南班四品已上官對。 宰臣及眾官以為儲後年小，可俟改過，國本至重，願寬宥。 御史中丞狄兼謨上前雪涕以諫，詞理懇切。 翌日，翰林學士六人洎神策六軍軍使十六人又進表陳論，上意稍解。
In 838 the emperor, because the crown prince's feasting and roaming exceeded proper bounds and he could not be instructed, was about to discuss deposition. He specially opened the Yanying Hall and summoned chancellors, officials of the two departments and the Censorate of the fifth rank and above, and officials of the southern court of the fourth rank and above to address them. The chancellors and all officials said that the heir was young and might yet reform; the state foundation was supremely important and they begged leniency. Censor-in-chief Di Jianmo stepped forward in tears to remonstrate, his reasoning earnest and forceful. The following day six Hanlin academicians and sixteen military commissioners of the six Shence armies submitted further memorials, and the emperor's resolve softened somewhat.
31
其日一更，太子歸少陽院，以中人張克己、柏常心充少陽院使； 如京使王少華、判官袁載和及品官、白身、內園小兒、官人等數十人，連坐至死及剝色、流竄。 尋詔侍讀竇宗直、周敬慎依前隔日入少陽院。
That night at the first watch the crown prince returned to the Shaoyang Residence; the eunuchs Zhang Keji and Bai Changxin were appointed commissioners there. Several dozen persons implicated with them—including Capital Envoy Wang Shaohua, adjutant Yuan Zaihe, ranked officials, commoners, inner-garden boys, and palace staff—were sentenced to death, stripping of rank, or exile. Soon an edict restored reading tutors Dou Zongzhi and Zhou Jingshen to entering the Shaoyang Residence on alternate days.
32
其年薨，敕兵部尚書王起撰哀冊文曰：
That year he died; the emperor ordered Minister of War Wang Qi to compose the lamentation, which read:
33
維大唐開成三年，歲次戊午，十月乙酉朔，十六日庚子，皇太子薨於少陽院。 十七日辛丑，遷座於大吉殿。 十一月乙卯朔，二十四日戊寅，命冊使太子太師兼右僕射、門下侍郎、國子祭酒、平章事鄭覃，副使中書侍郎、平章事楊嗣復，持節冊謚曰莊恪。 十二月乙酉朔，十二日丙申，葬於驪山之北原莊恪陵，禮也。 玉琯歲窮，金壺漏盡，祖奠告徹，哀笳將引。 庭滅燎而月寒，路搖旍而風緊。 皇帝念主鬯之缺位，悼佩觿之夭年。 銅樓已閉，銀牒徒懸。 方追思於對日，遽冥寞而賓天。 典冊具舉，文物鹹備。 爰詔侍臣，顯揚上嗣，其詞曰：
In the great Tang, the third year of Kaicheng, the year wuwu, on the sixteenth day gengzi of the tenth month, with yiyou as the first day of the month, the crown prince died at the Shaoyang Residence. On the seventeenth day xinchou his coffin was moved to the Daji Hall. On the twenty-fourth day wuyin of the eleventh month, with yimao as the first day, the investiture envoy Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent, concurrent Right Vice Director, Gate Department Vice Director, Chancellor of the Directorate of Education, and Grand Councillor Zheng Tan, and deputy envoy Secretariat Vice Director and Grand Councillor Yang Sifu, bearing credentials, invested the posthumous title Zhuangke. On the twelfth day bingshen of the twelfth month, with yiyou as the first day, he was buried at the northern plain of Mount Li at the Zhuangke tomb, according to ritual. The year's measure ran its course, the water clock exhausted its drip; the ancestral offering was declared complete and the mourning pipes were about to lead forth. In the courtyard the torches were extinguished and the moon was cold; along the road the banners swayed and the wind was tight. The emperor grieved the vacant position of the chief sacrifice and mourned the heir's early death. The bronze tower was already closed; the silver tally hung in vain. Just as he pursued remembrance of facing the sun, suddenly he was dark and silent, a guest of Heaven. The statutes and documents were all raised; the cultural objects were all complete. Therefore he ordered attendant ministers to display and praise the primary heir; the text states:
34
皇矣帝緒，肇基綿古； 種德尊道，宗文祖武。 上聖開成，天下和平； 儲祉發祥，是生元良。 覃訏之初，岐嶷用彰； 蘊才遊藝，玉裕金相。 既免孩提，是加封殖； 俾維城於東魯，錫介珪於上國。 辭榮硃邸，正位青宮； 尊師重傅，養德含聰。 畏馳道而不絕，問寢門而益恭。 招賢警戒，齒胄謙沖； 冀日躋於三善，奉天慈於九重。 漢莊好學，既顯於外； 魏丕能文，方循於內。 美不二於顏過，嘉得三於鯉退。 焜耀甲觀，鏗鏘瑜珮。 方積善於為山，何反真而遊岱。 嗚呼哀哉！
Sublime is the imperial line, its foundation laid in remote antiquity. Planting virtue and honoring the Way, he venerates the literary and martial ancestors. The supreme sage opens the Kaicheng era; All Under Heaven is at peace. Stored blessings issue auspicious omens; thereby the primary worthy is born. At the beginning of his swaddling, his precocious intelligence was displayed. He stored talent and cultivated the arts, jade in abundance and gold in aspect. Once past infancy, enfeoffment was added. He was made a bulwark prince in eastern Lu and granted the secondary jade tablet of the upper state. He declined the glory of the vermilion residence and took the correct position of the green palace. Honoring teachers and respecting tutors, he nourished virtue and embraced wisdom. He feared the imperial roadway yet did not cut it off; he inquired at the bedchamber gate and became still more respectful. He summoned the worthy with warning and caution; in the school for heirs he was humble and modest. He hoped daily to ascend the three excellences and serve Heaven's kindness in the ninefold palace. Emperor Zhuang of Han loved learning, which was already manifest outwardly. Pi of Wei could compose literature and followed the inner path. He did not double the beauty of Yan's fault; he thrice rejoiced at the carp's return. He shone in the armor of the heir's palace; his jade pendants rang clear. Just as he was accumulating goodness like a mountain, how did he reverse truth and roam to Mount Dai? Alas, how mournful!
35
憂兢損壽，沈屙始遘； 群望並走，百靈宜祐。 吳客之問徒為，越人之方靡救。 占前星之掩曜，知東朝之降咎； 天垂象而則然，人由己而何有？ 嗚呼哀哉！ 稅駕乘華兮即宮夜臺，鳳笙長絕兮蜃輅徐來。 啟青宮而右出，歷玄灞而左回； 度雕林兮魂斷，入曠野兮心摧。 水助挽而幽咽，雲帶翣而徘徊； 悲佳城之已掩，見新廟之方開。 嗚呼哀哉！ 授經兮曷期，執紼兮增欷； 九原作兮何嗟及，七日還兮安可希。 有少海之波逝，無西園之蓋飛； 商山之羽翼已散，望苑之賓客鹹歸。 瑟彼玉簡，閟於泉扉； 用傳信於文字，願不昧於音徽。 嗚呼哀哉！
Anxiety and caution shortened his life; a deep malady first appeared. All who looked on ran together; the hundred spirits should have aided him. The Wu physician's inquiry was in vain; the Yue man's prescription could not save him. Observing the former star's eclipse, one knew the Eastern Palace's descent into calamity. Heaven hung forth its signs and it was thus; what fault had man in himself? Alas, how mournful! He rested his carriage and entered the palace of the dead; the phoenix pipes fell silent forever and the funeral carriage came slowly. Leaving the Eastern Palace to the right, he passed the dark ford and turned left. Passing the carved forest, his spirit was cut off; entering the open wilderness, his heart was broken. The waters aided the bier in a choked sob; clouds bore the funeral plumes as they drifted. Grieving that the fine tomb was already sealed, seeing the new temple just opened. Alas, how mournful! To transmit the classics—when could that be hoped for; holding the mourning cord—sighs only increased. At Jiuyuan who could sigh in time; returning in seven days—how could it be hoped for. The lesser sea's waves passed away, but no canopy of the western garden flew. The wings of Mount Shang had already scattered; the guests of Wangyuan all returned. Serene are those jade tablets, shut within the tomb gate. May the written words convey his faith, that his fame not be obscured. Alas, how mournful!
36
蔣王宗儉，文宗第二子，開成二年封。
Prince of Jiang, Zongjian, was Emperor Wenzong's second son; he was enfeoffed in 837.
37
武宗五子：杞王峻，開成五年封； 益王峴、兗王岐、德王嶧、昌王嵯，皆會昌二年封。
Emperor Wuzong had five sons: Prince of Qi, Jun, enfeoffed in 840. The princes of Yi (Xian), Yan (Qi), De (Yi), and Chang (Cuo) were all enfeoffed in 842.
38
宣宗十一子：懿宗皇帝，余並封王。
Emperor Xuanzong had eleven sons: Emperor Yizong, and the rest were all created princes.
39
靖懷太子漢，會昌六年封雍王，大中六年薨，冊贈靖懷太子。
Heir Apparent Jinghuai, Han, was created Prince of Yong in 846, died in 852, and was posthumously invested as Heir Apparent Jinghuai.
40
雅王涇，宣宗第二子。 大中元年封。
Prince of Ya, Jing, was Emperor Xuanzong's second son. He was enfeoffed in 847.
41
夔王滋，宣宗第三子也。 會昌六年封，咸通四年薨。
Prince of Kui, Zi, was Emperor Xuanzong's third son. He was enfeoffed in 846 and died in 863.
42
慶王沂，第四子也。 會昌六年封，大中四十年薨。
Prince of Qing, Yi, was the fourth son. He was enfeoffed in 846 and died in the fourth year of Dazhong.
43
濮王澤，第五子也。 大中二年封。
Prince of Pu, Ze, was the fifth son. He was enfeoffed in 848.
44
鄂王潤，第六子也。 大中五年封，乾符三年薨。
Prince of E, Run, was the sixth son. He was enfeoffed in 851 and died in 876.
45
懷王洽，第七子也。 大中八年封。
Prince of Huai, Qia, was the seventh son. He was enfeoffed in 854.
46
昭王汭，第八子也。 大中八年封，乾符三年薨。
Prince of Zhao, Rui, was the eighth son. He was enfeoffed in 854 and died in 876.
47
康王汶，大中八年封。
Prince of Kang, Wen, was enfeoffed in 854.
48
廣王澭，大中十一年封。
Prince of Guang, Huang, was enfeoffed in 857.
49
懿宗八子：僖宗皇帝、昭宗皇帝，余並封王。
Emperor Yizong had eight sons: the emperors Xizong and Zhaozong, and the rest were all created princes.
50
魏王佾，咸通三年封。
Prince of Wei, Ji, was enfeoffed in 862.
51
涼王健，咸通三年封，乾符六年薨。
Prince of Liang, Jian, was enfeoffed in 862 and died in 879.
52
蜀王佶，咸通三年封。
Prince of Shu, Ji, was enfeoffed in 862.
53
鹹王侃，咸通六年封郢王，十年改封今王。
Prince of Xian, Kan, was created Prince of Ying in 865 and in 869 was transferred to his present princedom.
54
吉王保，咸通十三年封，文德元年八月九日授開府儀同三司、檢校太傅，仍加食邑三百戶。
Prince of Ji, Bao, was enfeoffed in 872; on the ninth day of the eighth month of 888 he was appointed Grand Preceptor with honors equal to the Three Excellencies and acting Grand Tutor, with three hundred additional fief households.
55
睦王倚，咸通十三年封。
Prince of Mu, Yi, was enfeoffed in 872.
56
僖宗二子：
Emperor Xizong had two sons:
57
建王震，中和元年九月十六日封。
Prince of Jian, Zhen, was enfeoffed on the sixteenth day of the ninth month of 881.
58
益王升，光啟三年十一月十四日封。
Prince of Yi, Sheng, was enfeoffed on the fourteenth day of the eleventh month of 887.
59
昭宗十子：哀帝，余並封王。
Emperor Zhaozong had ten sons: Emperor Ai, and the rest were all created princes.
60
德王裕，昭宗長子也。 大順二年六月二十八日封，乾寧四年二月十四日冊為皇太子。 時駕在華州，韓建畏諸王主兵，誘防城卒張行思、花重武相次告通王以下欲殺建。 建他日又造訛言云：諸王欲劫遷車駕，別幸籓鎮。 諸王懼，詣建自陳。 建乃延入臥內，密遣人奏云：「今日睦王、濟王、韶王、通王、彭王、韓王、儀王、陳王等八人到臣理所，不測事由。 臣竊量事體，不合與諸王相見，兼恐久在臣所，於事非宜。 忽然及門，意不可測。」 又上疏抗請歸十六宅。 如是者數四，帝不允。 建懼為諸王所圖，乃以精甲數千圍行宮，請誅定州護駕軍都將李筠。 帝懼甚，詔斬筠於大雲橋。 其三都軍士，尋放還本道。 殿後都，亦與三都元繞行宮扈蹕。 至昌，並急詔散之。 罷諸王兵柄。 建慮上不悅，乃上表請立德王為皇太子。 其年八月，嗣延王戒丕自太原還，詔與通王已下八王並賜死於石堤谷。
Prince of De, Yu, was Emperor Zhaozong's eldest son. On the twenty-eighth day of the sixth month of 891 he was enfeoffed; on the fourteenth day of the second month of 897 he was invested as crown prince. The court was then at Hua Prefecture. Han Jian, fearing that the princes commanded troops, induced garrison soldiers Zhang Xingsi and Hua Chongwu in turn to report that the Prince of Tong and those below him intended to kill Jian. On another day Jian also fabricated slander saying the princes wished to seize the imperial carriage and remove it to a border commandery. The princes were afraid and went to Jian to explain themselves. Jian invited them into his private quarters and secretly reported: Today the Princes of Mu, Ji, Shao, Tong, Peng, Han, Yi, and Chen—eight in all—came to my office for reasons I cannot discern. I privately measure the situation and think it improper to meet with the princes; I also fear that keeping them long at my office would be disadvantageous to affairs. Suddenly arriving at my door—their intent cannot be measured. He also submitted a memorial firmly requesting that they return to the Sixteen Mansions. He did this four times; the emperor did not consent. Jian, fearing the princes would plot against him, surrounded the traveling palace with several thousand elite armored troops and requested execution of Li Yun, commander of the Dingzhou army protecting the carriage. The emperor was greatly afraid and ordered Yun beheaded at the Dayun Bridge. The soldiers of the three metropolitan armies were soon released to return to their original circuits. The rear-guard command also, together with the three metropolitan armies, originally escorted the traveling palace. By the time they reached Chang, urgent edicts had dispersed them all. The princes' military authority was abolished. Jian, concerned the emperor was displeased, then submitted a memorial requesting that the Prince of De be established as crown prince. In the eighth month of that year, when Heir Apparent Yan Jiepi returned from Taiyuan, an edict commanded that he, together with the Prince of Tong and the eight princes below, be put to death at Shidi Valley.
61
光化末，樞密使劉季述、王仲先等幽昭宗於東門，冊裕為帝。 及天復初誅季述、仲先，與寺人藏於右軍。 群臣請殺之，昭宗曰：「太子沖幼，為賊輩所立。」 依舊令歸少陽院。 及硃全忠自鳳翔迎駕還京，以德王眉目疏秀，春秋漸盛，常惡之。 謂崔胤曰：「德王曾竊居寶位，天下知之。 大義滅親，何得久留？ 是教後代以不孝也。 請公密啟。」 胤然之，昭宗不納。 他日言於全忠，全忠曰：「此國家大事，臣安敢竊議？ 乃崔胤賣臣也。」 尋以哀帝為天下兵馬元帥。
At the end of the Guanghua era, Military Affairs Commissioners Liu Jishu and Wang Zhongxian and others imprisoned Emperor Zhaozong at the eastern gate and invested Yu as emperor. At the beginning of the Tianfu era, when Jishu and Zhongxian were executed, they hid with the temple personnel in the Right Army. The ministers requested they be killed; Emperor Zhaozong said: The crown prince is young and innocent; he was established by the villainous faction. He was ordered as before to return to the Shaoyang Residence. When Zhu Quanzhong came from Fengxiang to welcome the court back to the capital, because the Prince of De had refined features and was gradually reaching maturity, he constantly hated him. He said to Cui Yin: The Prince of De once usurped the imperial position; all the realm knows it. In great righteousness one destroys kin—how can he be kept long? This would teach later generations to be unfilial. Please, sir, secretly report this to the throne. Yin agreed, but Emperor Zhaozong did not accept it. On another day he spoke to Quanzhong; Quanzhong said: This is a great affair of state—how dare I privately discuss it? It is Cui Yin who is selling me out. Soon afterward Emperor Ai was made commander-in-chief of all military forces under Heaven.
62
後昭宗至洛下，一日幸福先寺，謂樞密使蔣玄暉曰：「德王，朕之愛子，全忠何故須令廢之，又欲殺之？」 言訖淚下，因嚙其中指血流。 玄暉具報全忠，由是轉恚。 昭宗遇弒之日，蔣玄暉於西內置社筵； 酒酣，德王已下六王皆為玄暉所殺，投屍九曲池。
Later when Emperor Zhaozong reached Luoyang, one day at Xingfu Temple he said to Military Affairs Commissioner Jiang Xuanyun: The Prince of De is my beloved son—why does Quanzhong insist on deposing him and moreover wish to kill him? When he finished speaking tears fell; he bit his middle finger until blood flowed. Xuanyun reported fully to Quanzhong, and for this Quanzhong's rage increased. On the day Emperor Zhaozong met assassination, Jiang Xuanyun set a community feast in the western inner palace. When the wine had gone deep, Xuanyun killed the Prince of De and five younger princes and cast their bodies into the Nine-Bend Pool.
63
棣王祤。 乾寧元年十月八日封。
Prince of Di, Mao. Enfeoffed on the eighth day of the tenth month of 894.
64
虔王禊、沂王禋、遂王祎，並與棣王同時封冊。
The princes of Qian (Qi), Yi (Yin), and Sui (Yi) were all enfeoffed and invested at the same time as the Prince of Di.
65
景王秘，乾寧四年十月二十二日封。
Prince of Jing, Mi, was enfeoffed on the twenty-second day of the tenth month of 897.
66
祁王祺與景王同時封冊。
Prince of Qi, Qi, was enfeoffed and invested at the same time as the Prince of Jing.
67
雅王禛、瓊王祥，並光化元年十一月九日封。
Prince of Ya, Zhen, and Prince of Qiong, Xiang, were both enfeoffed on the ninth day of the eleventh month of 898.
68
嗣襄王襜，性柔善，無他能。 光啟二年春，車駕在寶雞，西軍逼請幸岐隴； 帝以數十騎自大散關幸興元。 時襜有疾，不能從，因為硃玫所挾至鳳翔。 有臺省官從行未及者僅百人。 四月，玫乃與宰相蕭遘、裴澈率群僚冊襜為監國。 襜以鄭昌圖判度支，而鹽鐵、戶部各置副使，三司之事，一以委焉，目曰「廢置相公」。 五月，襜遣偽戶部侍郎柳陟等十余人，分諭關東、河北諸道，納偽命者甚眾。 十月，硃玫率蕭遘等冊襜為帝，改元曰永貞，遙尊僖宗為太上元皇聖帝。
Heir Apparent Xiang, Chan, was gentle and good by nature and had no other ability. In the spring of the second year of Guangqi the court was at Baoji; the western army pressed to request that the court proceed to Qilong. The emperor with several dozen horsemen proceeded from the Great Scatter Pass to Xingyuan. At that time Chan was ill and could not follow; he was therefore seized by Zhu Mei and taken to Fengxiang. Officials of the Secretariat and Censorate who had not yet caught up numbered barely a hundred. In the fourth month Mei joined chancellors Xiao Xun and Pei Che in leading the officials to invest Chan as regent. Chan appointed Zheng Changtu to manage the budget, while Salt and Iron and Revenue each had deputy commissioners; affairs of the three offices were all entrusted to him, called the dismissed chancellor. In the fifth month Chan dispatched the bogus Vice Minister of Revenue Liu Zhi and more than ten others to instruct the circuits east of the passes and in Hebei; very many accepted the bogus commands. In the tenth month Zhu Mei led Xiao Xun and others to invest Chan as emperor, changing the era name to Yongzhen and honoring Emperor Xizong from afar as the Supreme Primordial Sage Emperor.
69
初，河中王重榮表率東諸侯進貢，唯蔡賊與太原不順。 秦宗權自僭號，太原不協於硃玫故也。 及王行瑜殺硃玫，襜奔至渭上，王重榮使人迎之，襜與偽百官泣別，謂曰：「朕見重榮，當令與卿等各備所服以接卿。」 殺硃玫之翌日，襜為鄜州亂軍所殺，行瑜遂函首送行在。 襜四月監國，至十二月死，凡在偽位九月矣。
Initially Wang Chongrong of Hezhong led the eastern feudatories in presenting tribute; only the Cai rebel and Taiyuan did not comply. Qin Zongquan had usurped the title; Taiyuan did not cooperate with Zhu Mei for this reason. When Wang Xingyu killed Zhu Mei, Chan fled to the Wei River; Wang Chongrong sent men to welcome him; Chan with the bogus hundred officials wept in parting and said: When I see Chongrong I shall have him prepare your respective robes to receive you. The day after Mei was killed, Chan was killed by mutinous troops of Zheng Prefecture; Xingyu then sent the head in a box to the traveling court. Chan was regent from April until his death in December; altogether he held the bogus throne nine months.
70
硃玫者，邠州人也。 少從邊，以功歷郡守。 乾符末，領邠寧節制。 中和中，收復京師，與太原李克用、東方達同制加使相。 光啟元年冬，受詔招討河中，軍敗。 以軍容使田令孜失策，時諸軍皆怒，乃徇人情，表請誅令孜。 令孜與楊復恭挾帝西幸，玫又失策。 乃虜嗣襄王襜，與蕭遘等同立為帝，大行封拜，以啖諸侯； 而天下之人，歸者十五六焉。 與李昌符始謀冊立，及後，玫自稱大丞相，吐握在己。 昌符怒之。 乃以表送款行在，復密結樞密使楊復恭，人心乃離。
Zhu Mei was a native of Bin Prefecture. In youth he served on the frontier and through merit rose to commandery governor. At the end of the Qianfu era he held the Bingning military commission. During the Zhonghe era he recovered the capital together with Li Keyong of Taiyuan and Dongfang Da, and all three were concurrently promoted to military commissioner and chancellor. In the winter of 887 he received orders to campaign against Hezhong and the army was defeated. Because Army Affairs Commissioner Tian Lingzi's strategy failed, all the armies were angry; he therefore followed popular sentiment and memorialized requesting Lingzi's execution. Lingzi together with Yang Fugong seized the emperor on a western progress, and Mei again failed in strategy. He then captured Heir Apparent Xiang Chan and together with Xiao Xun and others established him as emperor, conducting widespread enfeoffments to feed the feudatories. Yet of the people under Heaven, only fifteen or sixteen parts submitted. He had initially plotted the investiture with Li Changfu, but afterward Mei styled himself Grand Chancellor and held all power in his own hands. Changfu was angry at this. He then sent a memorial of submission to the traveling court and secretly allied with Military Affairs Commissioner Yang Fugong; popular sentiment then turned away.
71
時行在出令，有能斬硃玫首者，則授以邠帥。 賊將王行瑜以大唐峰不利，退保鳳州。 終慮得罪，與腹心密謀，徑入京師。 時玫有第在和善裏，行瑜率兵仗入見。 玫猶責以擅還，行瑜曰：「我要代爾領邠州節制，何復多言？」 遂斬之。
At that time the traveling court issued an order: whoever could cut off Zhu Mei's head would be appointed military commissioner of Bin. The rebel general Wang Xingyu, finding Datang Peak unfavorable, retreated to defend Feng Prefecture. Finally fearing punishment, he conspired secretly with his intimates and went straight into the capital. At that time Mei had a mansion in Heshan Ward; Xingyu led armed troops in to see him. Mei still rebuked him for returning without leave; Xingyu replied: I mean to take your place as military commissioner of Bin—why speak further? He then beheaded him.
72
王行瑜者，邠州人也。 少隸本軍，事硃玫為偏將，平巢寇有功。 光啟二年，玫冊嗣襄王襜為偽帝，授天平軍節度使。 領兵守大散關，攻大唐峰，為李鋌所敗，乃送款行在。 以部下反攻硃玫於闕下，斬之，因授邠州節度使。 後平楊守亮於山南，以功累加至中書令。 景福中，逼朝廷加尚書令。 宰臣韋昭度密奏不可。 會韓建、李茂貞稱兵入覲，欲行廢立。 不果，乃請殺昭度與李磎。 是歲，又遣弟行約攻河中； 河中引太原軍至，由是大敗。 行約、行實劫駕不獲，遂歸邠州。 行瑜率兵屯梨園，王師圍急。 行實、行約先敗，次保龍泉。 行瑜又遁至邠州，不能守。 乾寧二年十一月，挈族至慶州，為部下所殺。
Wang Xingyu was a native of Bin Prefecture. In youth he served in the native army, followed Zhu Mei as a subordinate general, and had merit in pacifying the Huang Chao bandits. In the second year of Guangqi, when Mei invested Heir Apparent Xiang Chan as bogus emperor, he was appointed military commissioner of Tianping. He led troops to guard the Great Scatter Pass and attacked Datang Peak, was defeated by Li Chang, and then sent submission to the traveling court. With his subordinates he counterattacked Zhu Mei below the palace gates, beheaded him, and was therefore appointed military commissioner of Bin. Later he pacified Yang Shouliang in Shannan and through merit was repeatedly promoted to Secretariat Director. During the Jingfu era he pressed the court to add Minister of Works. Chancellor Wei Zhaodu secretly memorialized that this could not be done. When Han Jian and Li Maozhen raised troops and entered court to pay homage, they wished to carry out deposition and establishment. It did not succeed; they then requested execution of Zhaodu and Li Xi. That year he also sent his younger brother Xingyue to attack Hezhong. Hezhong brought the Taiyuan army; thereby he suffered great defeat. Xingyue and Xingshi seized the carriage but did not succeed, and then returned to Bin Prefecture. Xingyu led troops stationed at Liyuan; the imperial army besieged him urgently. Xingshi and Xingyue were defeated first, then held Longquan. Xingyu again fled to Bin Prefecture and could not hold it. In November 895 he took his clan to Qing Prefecture and was killed by his subordinates.
73
史臣曰：自天寶已降，內官握禁旋，中闈纂繼，皆出其心。 故手才攬於萬機，目己睨於六宅； 防閑禁錮，不近人情。 文守好古睦親，至敦友悌。 悔前非於齊湊，褒以儲闈； 付後事於陳王，歸其胄席。 或降輿硃邸，對食瓊筵，怡怡申肺腑之情，穆穆盡棣華之義； 近朝盛美，可洽風謠。 昭肅惑讒，毒流安邸。 雖覽大臣之議，欲使磐維； 竟無出閣之儀，終身幽枉。 《谷風》之怨，可為傷心。 大中、咸通已來，寶圖世及。 犬牙麟趾，雖不迨於姬周； 平什布謠，未甚悲於宗籍。 於姬不足，比魏有余。
The historian comments: From the Tianbao reign onward, inner officials controlled the palace guard and succession within the inner quarters—all at their bidding. Therefore with their hands they seized the myriad affairs and with their eyes they glared at the Six Mansions. Preventive restraint and imprisonment did not approach human feeling. Emperor Wenzong loved antiquity and cherished kin, reaching the utmost in fraternal affection. He regretted his former error toward Qi Cou and praised him with the Eastern Palace title. He entrusted later affairs to the Prince of Chen and restored his heir's seat. Sometimes he visited the vermilion residence and shared a feast of jade dishes, expressing kinship with easy warmth and fulfilling fraternal duty with solemn grace. The recent dynasty's flourishing beauty could accord with popular song. Emperor Wuzong was deluded by slander and poison flowed to the Prince of An's residence. Although he reviewed the great ministers' counsel and wished to make bedrock secure. In the end there was no ceremony of leaving the residence; he was wronged in seclusion for life. The grievance voiced in the Gu Feng ode is enough to break the heart. From the Dazhong and Xiantong eras onward, the imperial succession passed from generation to generation. Dog-teeth and phoenix-toes, though not reaching the Zhou of Ji. The Ping Shi Bu ballad did not greatly grieve the imperial clan registers. Falling short of Ji, yet compared with Wei there was surplus.
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贊曰：周封子弟，運祚綿長。 管、蔡剿絕，魯、魏克昌。 誅叛賞順，王者大綱。 法不私親，棣萼其芳。
The encomium states: Zhou enfeoffed sons and younger brothers, and fortune was long-lasting. Guan and Cai were exterminated; Lu and Wei flourished. Punishing rebellion and rewarding compliance—this is the great outline of kings. Law does not favor kin privately; catalpa and calyx remain fragrant.