1
朱克融朱克融，賊泚之從孫也。 祖滔，父洄。 克融少為幽州軍校，事節度使劉總。 總將歸朝，慮其有變，籍軍中素有異志者，薦之闕下，時克融亦在籍中。 宰相崔植、杜元穎不知兵，且無遠略，謂兩河無虞，遂奏勒歸鎮。 長慶初，幽州軍亂，囚其帥張弘靖。 時洄廢疾於家，軍中素伏其謀略，至是眾欲立之。 洄自以老且病，推克融統軍務焉。 朝廷尋加檢校左散騎常侍，授以符節。
Zhu Kerong was a grandnephew of the rebel Zhu Ci. His grandfather was Zhu Tao, and his father was Zhu Hui. In his youth Kerong served as a military officer in Youzhou under the military governor Liu Zong. When Liu Zong prepared to return to court, fearing unrest he drew up a list of men in the army who had long harbored rebellious designs and sent them to the capital; Kerong was among them. The chancellors Cui Zhi and Du Yuanying knew nothing of war and had no long-term vision. Assuming the Two He regions were safe, they memorialized that the men be sent back to their garrisons. Early in the Changqing era the Youzhou army mutinied and imprisoned their commander Zhang Hongjing. Zhu Hui was then confined at home by chronic illness, but the army had long admired his strategic ability, and the troops now wanted to make him their leader. Hui, deeming himself too old and ill to serve, put Kerong in charge of military affairs. The court soon appointed him acting Left Regular Attendant and invested him with the seals and credentials of office.
2
，遣使送方鎮及三軍時服，克融怒所賜疏弱，執中使以聞。 上特優容，別命中使宣諭，仍改賜衣物，流其使楊文端等。 先是，克融執中使，奏稱：「竊聞陛下欲幸東都，請將兵馬並丁匠五千人，修理宮闕，迎候車駕。」 又上言無衣，擬於朝廷請三十萬端疋，以備一歲所費，不然則三軍不安。 天子怒其悖慢，取宰臣裴度謀，優容之，語見別卷。 克融官至檢校司空、吳興郡王。
The court then sent envoys with seasonal uniforms for the provincial command and the three armies. Kerong was enraged that the gifts were cheap and inferior, and he detained the imperial envoy to lodge a complaint. The emperor showed unusual forbearance, sent another imperial envoy to explain the matter, replaced the clothing gifts, and banished Yang Wenduan and the other envoys involved. Earlier, after detaining the imperial envoy, Kerong memorialized the throne: "I have heard that Your Majesty plans to visit the Eastern Capital. I ask leave to bring five thousand soldiers and craftsmen to repair the palace halls and receive the imperial procession. He also reported that his troops lacked clothing and proposed requesting three hundred thousand bolts from the court to cover a year's needs, warning that otherwise the three armies would remain unsettled. The emperor was furious at this insolence, but after consulting Chancellor Pei Du he chose to show forbearance; the full account appears elsewhere. Kerong eventually reached the posts of acting Grand Preceptor and Prince of Wuxing Commandery.
3
其年五月，本州軍亂，殺之，子延齡亦遇害。 次子延嗣竊立，尋為大將李載義所殺。 李載義李載義，字方谷，常山湣王之後。 代以武力稱，繼為幽州屬郡守。 載義少孤，與鄉曲之不令者遊。 有勇力，善挽強角牴。 劉濟為幽州節度使，見而偉之，致於親軍，從征伐。 以功遷衙前都知兵馬使，檢校光祿大夫、兼監察御史。 寶歷中，幽師殺硃克融。 其子延嗣竊襲父位，不遵朝旨，虐用其人； 載義遂殺之，數其罪以聞。 敬宗嘉之，拜檢校戶部尚書、兼御史大夫，封武威郡王，充幽州盧龍等軍節度副大使，知節度事。
That May the local army mutinied and killed him; his son Yanling died in the violence as well. Kerong's second son Yansi seized power on his own authority, but was soon killed by the general Li Zaiyi. Li Zaiyi, styled Fanggu, was a descendant of the Prince Min of Changshan. His family had long been known for martial prowess, and he inherited a post as prefect of a Youzhou subordinate commandery. Zaiyi lost his father while still young and kept company with unruly men of the neighborhood. He was brave and powerful, and excelled at drawing heavy bows and wrestling. When Liu Ji served as military governor of Youzhou, he was struck by Zaiyi's imposing bearing, enrolled him in his personal guard, and took him on campaign. For his achievements he was promoted to commander of the vanguard guard, with the acting rank of Grand Master for Splendid Happiness and the concurrent post of investigating censor. During the Baoli era the Youzhou army killed Zhu Kerong. Kerong's son Yansi seized his father's position without authorization, defied the court's orders, and oppressed the people under his command. Zaiyi then killed him, listed his crimes, and reported the matter to the court. Emperor Jingzong praised his action and appointed him acting Minister of Revenue and concurrent Censor-in-Chief, enfeoffed him as Prince of Wuwei Commandery, and made him vice military governor of the Youzhou-Lulong circuit with full control of its affairs.
4
未幾，李同捷據滄景以邀襲父爵。 載義上表，請討同捷以自效。 上嘉其誠懇，特加檢校右僕射。 累破賊軍，以功加司空，進階金紫。 ，平滄景，策勛加平章事，仍賜實封三百戶。 四年，契丹寇邊，以兵擊走之，仍虜其名王，就加太保。 五年春，為其部下楊志誠所逐，因入覲。 上以載義有平滄景之功，又能恭順朝旨，再拜太保、同平章事。 其年，改山南西道節度、觀察等使，兼興元尹。 七年，遷北都留守，兼太原尹，充河東節度觀察處置等使。 尋加開府儀同三司。 丁母憂，起復驃騎大將軍，餘如故。
Before long Li Tongjie seized Cangzhou and Jingzhou and demanded to inherit his father's title by force. Zaiyi memorialized the throne, asking permission to campaign against Tongjie as proof of his loyalty. The emperor was pleased by his earnestness and specially added the acting post of Right Vice Director. He repeatedly routed the rebel armies, and for his achievements was promoted to Grand Preceptor and advanced to the rank of Golden Pouch and Purple Regalia. After pacifying Cangzhou and Jingzhou he was made Grand Counselor in recognition of his merit and granted a substantive fief of three hundred households. In the fourth year, when the Khitan raided the frontier, he drove them off by force and captured one of their royal leaders; he was thereupon promoted to Grand Guardian. In the spring of the fifth year his subordinate Yang Zhicheng drove him out, and he came to court to pay homage. Because Zaiyi had pacified Cangzhou and Jingzhou and had shown himself obedient to the court, the emperor again appointed him Grand Guardian and Concurrent Grand Counselor. That same year he was transferred to military governor and surveillance commissioner of Shannan West Circuit, concurrently serving as governor of Xingyuan. In the seventh year he was transferred to defender of the Northern Capital, concurrently governor of Taiyuan and military governor, surveillance commissioner, and disposal commissioner of Hedong. He was soon further honored as Grand Preceptor with privileges equal to the Three Ducal Ministers. When his mother died he entered mourning, but was recalled from mourning as General of Chariots and Cavalry while retaining his other posts.
5
回鶻每遣使入朝，所至強暴。 邊城長吏多務茍安，不敢制之以法。 但嚴兵防守，虜益驕悍，或突入市肆，暴橫無所憚。 至是，有回鶻將軍李暢者，曉習中國事，知不能以法制馭，益驕恣。 鞭捶驛吏，貪求無已。 載義因召李暢與語曰：「可汗使將軍朝貢，以固舅甥之好，不當使將軍暴踐中華。 今朝廷饔餼至厚，所以禮蕃客也。 茍有不至，吏當坐死。 若將軍之部伍不戢，淩侮上國，剽掠廬舍，載義必殺為盜者。 將軍勿以法令可輕而不戒勵之！」 遂罷防守之兵，而使兩卒司其門。 虜知其心為下，無敢犯令。 九年，加侍中。 卒，年五十，贈太尉。
Whenever the Uyghurs sent envoys to the Tang court, they behaved with violence wherever they went. Frontier officials mostly sought an easy peace and did not dare restrain them by law. They merely posted heavy guards, which only made the foreigners bolder; some would burst into marketplaces and behave with brazen violence, fearing nothing. At this time a Uyghur general named Li Chang, who understood Chinese ways, realized that the frontier could not control his men by law and became even more arrogant and unrestrained. He whipped postal clerks and made endless greedy demands. Zaiyi summoned Li Chang and said to him, "The qaghan sent you to pay tribute and strengthen the bond between uncle and nephew. He did not send you to rampage through the Central Realm. The court now provides you with lavish hospitality — that is how foreign guests are to be treated. If anything is lacking, the officials responsible deserve death. But if your men cannot keep discipline, insult this realm, and plunder people's homes, I will kill anyone who behaves like a bandit. General, do not imagine that the law may be treated lightly — warn your men and keep them in order! He then dismissed the guard troops and posted only two soldiers at their gate. The Uyghurs knew he would not back down, and none of them dared break his injunctions. In the ninth year he was appointed Palace Attendant. He died at the age of fifty and was posthumously honored as Grand Marshal.
6
載義晚年驕恣，慘暴一方。 以楊志誠復為部下所逐，過太原，載義躬身毆擊，遂欲殺之，賴從事救解以免。 然而擅殺志誠之妻孥及將卒。 朝廷錄其功，屈法不問。 楊志誠楊志誠，為幽州後院副兵馬使，事李載義。 時朝廷賜載義德政碑文。 載義延中使擊鞠，志誠亦與焉，遂於鞠場叫呼謀亂。 載義奔於易州，志誠乃為本道馬步都知兵馬使。
In his later years Zaiyi grew arrogant and tyrannical, ruling his region with cruel violence. When Yang Zhicheng was again ousted by his own men and passed through Taiyuan, Zaiyi personally assaulted him and tried to kill him; only the intervention of a staff officer saved Zhicheng. Even so, he arbitrarily executed Zhicheng's wife, children, and accompanying officers and soldiers. The court, weighing his past service, bent the law and did not pursue the matter. Yang Zhicheng served as deputy commander of the Youzhou rear guard under Li Zaiyi. At that time the court had granted Zaiyi a stele commemorating his virtuous rule. Zaiyi entertained the imperial envoy with a game of cuju, and Zhicheng joined in; at the playing field Zhicheng suddenly shouted and incited a mutiny. Zaiyi fled to Yizhou, and Zhicheng made himself overall commander of the circuit's cavalry and infantry.
7
文宗聞之驚，急召宰臣。 時牛僧孺先至，上謂曰：「幽州今日之事可奈何？」 僧孺曰：「此不足煩聖慮，臣被召疾趨氣促，容臣稍緩息以對。」 上良久曰：「卿以為不足憂，何也？」 僧孺對曰：「陛下以范陽得失系國家休戚耶？ 且自安、史之後，范陽非國家所有。 前時劉總向化，以土地歸闕，朝廷約用錢八十萬貫，而未嘗得范陽尺布鬥粟上供天府； 則今日志誠之得，猶前日載義之得也。 陛下但因而撫之，亦事之宜也。 且范陽，國家所賴者，以其北捍突厥，不令南寇。 今若假志誠節鉞，惜其土地，必自為力。 則爪牙之用，固不計於逆順。 臣固曰不足煩聖慮。」 上大喜曰：「如卿之言，吾洗然矣。」 尋以嘉王運遙領節度，以志誠為節度觀察留後，檢校左散騎常侍，兼幽州左司馬。 尋改檢校工部尚書、節度副大使，知節度事。
Emperor Wenzong was alarmed when he heard the news and urgently summoned his chancellors. Niu Sengru arrived first, and the emperor asked him, "What can be done about what has happened in Youzhou today? Sengru replied, "This is not worth troubling Your Majesty. I was summoned in such haste that I am still breathless — allow me a moment to recover before I answer." After a long pause the emperor said, "You say there is nothing to worry about — why?" Sengru answered, "Does Your Majesty believe the fate of Fanyang is bound up with the life and death of the state? Since the An Lushan and Shi Siming rebellions, Fanyang has not truly belonged to the court. When Liu Zong submitted and returned his territory, the court agreed to pay eight hundred thousand strings of cash — yet Fanyang never sent so much as a foot of cloth or a peck of grain to the imperial storehouses. Zhicheng's rise today is no different from Zaiyi's rise yesterday. Your Majesty need only accept the situation and conciliate him — that is the appropriate course. What the court needs from Fanyang is for it to hold the northern frontier against the Turks and keep them from raiding south. If we now grant Zhicheng the commission and leave his territory intact, he will surely exert himself on our behalf. When one needs a fighting tool, one does not ask whether it has been loyal or rebellious. That is why I say this is not worth troubling Your Majesty." The emperor was greatly pleased and said, "What you say clears my mind entirely." Soon afterward Prince Yun of Jia was named titular military governor, while Zhicheng was appointed acting administrator, surveillance commissioner, acting Left Regular Attendant, and Left Assistant Governor of Youzhou. He was soon promoted to acting Minister of Works and vice military governor with full control of circuit affairs.
8
七年，轉檢校吏部尚書。 詔下，進奏官徐迪詣中書白宰相曰：「軍中不識朝廷體位，只知自尚書改僕射為遷，何知工部轉吏部為美？ 且軍士盛飾以待新恩，一旦復為尚書，軍中必慚。 今中使往彼，其勢恐不得出。」 及使至，其傔奔還，奏曰：「楊志誠怒不得僕射，三軍亦有怨言。 春衣使魏寶義、兼他使焦奉鸞，尹士恭，並為志誠縶留矣。」 志誠遣將王文穎謝恩，並讓官，復賜官告批答，文穎不受而歸。 朝廷納裴度言，務以含垢，下詔諭之，因再遣使加尚書右僕射。
In the seventh year he was transferred to acting Minister of Personnel. When the edict was issued, the memorial envoy Xu Di went to the Secretariat and told the chancellors, "The soldiers do not understand court ranks. They know that going from minister to vice director counts as promotion — how would they see a move from Minister of Works to Minister of Personnel as an honor? The troops have already dressed in their best, expecting a new honor. If they are suddenly made ministers again, the army will be humiliated. If an imperial envoy goes there now, I fear he may not be able to return. When the envoy arrived, his attendants fled back and reported, "Yang Zhicheng is furious at not receiving the vice directorship, and the whole army is muttering in discontent. The spring-clothing envoy Wei Baoyi, the envoy Jiao Fengluan, and Yin Shigong have all been detained by Zhicheng. Zhicheng sent the general Wang Wenying to express thanks while declining the appointment; the court issued another commission with a written reply, but Wenying refused it and returned. The court accepted Pei Du's counsel, resolved to swallow the insult, issued an edict of explanation, and sent another envoy to appoint Zhicheng Right Vice Director.
9
八年，為三軍所逐，則立史元忠。 元忠進志誠所造袞龍衣二副及被服鞍韉，皆繡飾鸞鳳日月之形，或為王字。 因付御史臺按問，流嶺南。 行至商州，殺之。
In the eighth year the three armies drove him out and installed Shi Yuanzhong in his place. Yuanzhong presented two dragon robes Zhicheng had made, along with clothing, saddles, and bridles embroidered with phoenixes, the sun and moon, and even the character wang — "prince." The case was referred to the Censorate for investigation, and Zhicheng was banished to Lingnan. He was killed when he reached Shangzhou.
10
初，元忠既逐志誠，詔以通王淳遙領節度，授元忠左散騎常侍、幽州大都督府左司馬、知府事，充節度留後。 明年，轉檢校工部尚書、節度副大使，知節度事。 後為偏將陳行泰所殺。 張仲武張仲武，范陽人也。 仲武少業《左氏春秋》，擲筆為薊北雄武軍使。 會昌初，陳行泰殺節度使史元忠，權主留後。 俄而，行泰又為次將張絳所殺，令三軍上表，請降符節。 時仲武遣軍吏吳仲舒表請以本軍伐叛。 上遣宰臣詢其事，仲舒曰：「絳與行泰，皆是遊客，主軍人心不附。 仲武是軍中舊將張光朝之子，年五十餘，兼曉儒書，老於戎事，性抱忠義，願歸心闕廷。」 李德裕因奏：「陳行泰、張絳皆令大將上奏，邀求節旄，所以必不可與。 今仲武上表布誠，先陳密款，因而拔用，即似有名。」 許之，乃授兵馬留後，詔撫王纮遙領節度。 尋改仲武節度副大使、知節度事，檢校工部尚書、幽州大都督府長史、兼御史大夫、蘭陵郡王。 俄而回鶻擾邊。
After Yuanzhong drove out Zhicheng, the court named Prince Chun of Tong titular military governor and appointed Yuanzhong Left Regular Attendant and Left Assistant Governor of Youzhou Metropolitan Prefecture with charge of its affairs, serving as acting military governor. The following year he was promoted to acting Minister of Works and vice military governor with full control of circuit affairs. He was later killed by the deputy general Chen Xingtai. Zhang Zhongwu was a native of Fanyang. Zhongwu studied the *Zuo Commentary* in his youth, then put aside his brush and became commander of the Xiongwu Army north of Ji. Early in the Huichang era Chen Xingtai killed the military governor Shi Yuanzhong and seized control as acting administrator. Before long Xingtai was killed in turn by the next-ranking general Zhang Jiang, who had the three armies petition the court for an official commission. Zhongwu then sent his army clerk Wu Zhongshu with a memorial asking that his own troops be sent to suppress the rebels. The emperor sent chancellors to inquire into the matter. Zhongshu said, "Jiang and Xingtai are both outsiders; the army has no real loyalty to either of them. Zhongwu is the son of the veteran general Zhang Guangchao. He is over fifty, versed in the classics as well as in war, experienced in military affairs, and by nature loyal — he wishes to devote himself to the court. Li Deyu then memorialized, "Both Chen Xingtai and Zhang Jiang had their generals petition the throne demanding commissions — for that reason they must on no account be granted. Zhongwu has now memorialized the throne with a pledge of loyalty, offering his allegiance in advance. To appoint him on that basis would seem legitimate." The court agreed and appointed him acting army commander, while Prince Hong of Fu was named titular military governor by edict. Zhongwu was soon made vice military governor with full control of circuit affairs, acting Minister of Works, chief administrator of Youzhou Metropolitan Prefecture, concurrent Censor-in-Chief, and Prince of Lanling Commandery. Before long the Uyghurs began raiding the frontier.
11
時回鶻有將勒那頡啜擁赤心宰相一族七千帳，東逼漁陽。 仲武遣其弟仲至與裨將遊奉寰、王如清等，率銳兵三萬人大破之。 前後收其侯王貴族千餘人，降三萬人，獲牛馬、橐駝、旗纛、罽幕不可勝計。 遣從事李周瞳、牙門將國從，相次獻捷。 詔加檢校兵部尚書，兼東面招撫回鶻使。 先是，奚、契丹皆有回鶻監護使，督以歲貢，且為漢諜。 至是，遣裨將石公緒等諭意兩部，凡戮八百餘人。 又回鶻初遣宣門將軍等四十七人，詭詞結歡，潛伺邊隙。 仲武使密賂其下，盡得陰謀。 且欲馳入五原，驅掠雜虜。 遂逗遛其使，緩彼師期。 人馬病死，竟不遣之。 回鶻烏介可汗既敗，不敢近邊，乃依康居求活，盡徙餘種，寄托黑車子部。
At that time the Uyghur general Lenan Juechuo led seven thousand tents of the Chixin chancellor's clan east toward Yuyang. Zhongwu sent his brother Zhongzhi with the deputy generals You Fenghuan and Wang Ruqing to lead thirty thousand crack troops and rout them. They captured more than a thousand Uyghur princes and nobles, accepted the surrender of thirty thousand men, and seized countless cattle, horses, camels, banners, and felt tents. He sent his staff officer Li Zhoutong and gate officer Guo Cong in turn to report the victories to the court. The court promoted him to acting Minister of War and appointed him commissioner for pacifying the Uyghurs on the eastern frontier. Previously both the Xi and the Khitan had Uyghur supervisory envoys who collected annual tribute and also acted as spies for the Tang. He then sent the deputy general Shi Gongxu and others to instruct the two tribes, and more than eight hundred Uyghur envoys were killed. The Uyghurs had also sent forty-seven men, including the Xuanmen General, with smooth words of friendship while secretly probing for weaknesses on the frontier. Zhongwu secretly bribed their followers and learned their whole conspiracy. They also planned to ride into Wuyuan and plunder the various frontier peoples. He therefore detained their envoys and delayed the date of their planned raid. Their men and horses sickened and died, and in the end they were never allowed to depart. After the Uyghur qaghan Wujie was defeated, he dared not approach the border again. He sought refuge in Kangju, moved all his remaining people, and placed himself under the protection of the Black Cart tribe.
12
仲武由是威加北狄，表請於薊北立《紀聖功銘》，敕李德裕為之文，其銘曰：
Zhongwu's prestige over the northern peoples was now supreme. He memorialized asking that a 《Record of Sacred Merit》 stele be erected north of Ji, and the court ordered Li Deyu to compose the inscription, which reads:
13
仲武歷官至司徒、中書門下平章事。 大中年卒，謚曰莊。 子直方子直方，以幽州節度副使襲父位。 動多不法，慮為將卒所圖。 三年冬，托以遊獵，奔赴闕庭，尋授金吾將軍。 直方性率暴，行豪奪之事，以罪累貶柳州司馬。 十一年，遷右驍衛將軍，分司東都。 咸通中，位至羽林統軍。 中和歲，賊巢犯闕，公卿恃其豪，多隱藏於第。 直方納招亡命，謀欲劫巢。 或有告者，由是以兵圍而害之。 張允伸張允伸，字逢昌，范陽人也。 曾祖秀，檀州刺史。 祖巖，納降軍使。 父朝掖，贈太尉。 允申世仕幽州軍門，累職至押衙，兼馬步都知兵馬使。 大中四年，戎帥周綝寢疾，表允伸為留後，朝廷可其奏，加右散騎常侍。 其年冬，詔賜旌節，遷檢校工部尚書。 ，累加至光祿大夫、檢校司徒、兼太傅、同中書門下平章事、燕國公。
Zhongwu eventually reached the posts of Grand Mentor and Grand Counselor. He died during the Dazhong era and was posthumously titled Zhuang. His son Zhifang succeeded to his father's post as vice military governor of Youzhou. His conduct was often lawless, and he feared his officers and soldiers might turn against him. In the winter of the third year he pretended to go hunting, fled to the capital, and was soon appointed General of the Golden Guard. Zhifang was reckless and violent by nature and committed acts of robbery and extortion; for repeated offenses he was demoted to defender of Liuzhou. In the eleventh year he was transferred to General of the Right Martial Guard with duty at the Eastern Capital branch office. During the Xiantong era he rose to commander of the Feathered Forest Guard. During the Zhonghe era, when Huang Chao's rebels stormed the capital, many high officials relied on Zhifang's boldness and took refuge in his mansion. Zhifang recruited fugitives and plotted to capture Huang Chao. When word of the plot leaked out, Huang Chao sent troops to surround and kill him. Zhang Yunshen, styled Fengchang, was a native of Fanyang. His great-grandfather Xiu served as prefect of Tanzhou. His grandfather Yan served as commissioner of the Surrendered Armies. His father Chaoye was posthumously honored as Grand Marshal. For generations Yunshen's family served in the Youzhou army, and he rose through the ranks to commandant of the guard and overall commander of cavalry and infantry. In the fourth year of Dazhong the military commander Zhou Lin fell gravely ill and recommended Yunshen as acting administrator. The court approved and appointed Yunshen Right Regular Attendant. That winter the court bestowed banners and credentials on him and promoted him to acting Minister of Works. He was further promoted to Grand Master for Splendid Happiness, acting Grand Mentor, concurrent Grand Preceptor, Concurrent Grand Counselor, and Duke of Yan.
14
十年，徐人作亂，請以弟允臯領兵伐叛，懿宗不允。 進助軍米五十萬石，鹽二萬石。 詔嘉之，賜以錦彩、玉帶、金銀器等。 冬，又加特進，兼侍中。 十二年，以風恙拜章請就醫藥，詔許之。 以子簡會檢校工部尚書，充節度副大使。 十三年，允伸再上表進納所賜旌節。 朝命未至，其年正月二十五日卒，年八十八。 再贈太尉，謚曰忠烈。
In the tenth year, when the people of Xu rebelled, Yunshen asked to send his younger brother Yunguo to lead troops against them, but Emperor Yizong refused. Instead he contributed five hundred thousand shi of grain and twenty thousand shi of salt to support the campaign. The court praised his contribution and rewarded him with brocade, a jade belt, gold and silver vessels, and other gifts. That winter he was further honored as specially advanced and appointed Palace Attendant. In the twelfth year he submitted a memorial citing illness and asking leave for medical treatment, and the court granted his request. His son Jianhui was appointed acting Minister of Works and vice military governor. In the thirteenth year Yunshen again memorialized the throne, formally returning the banners and credentials he had been granted. Before the court's reply arrived, he died on the twenty-fifth day of the first month of that year at the age of eighty-eight. He was posthumously honored again as Grand Marshal and given the posthumous title Zhonglie.
15
允伸領鎮凡二十三年，克勤克儉，比歲豐登。 邊鄙無虞，軍民用乂。 至今談者美之。 有子十四人。
Yunshen held command for twenty-three years, ruling with diligence and frugality, and harvests were abundant year after year. The frontier was secure, and both army and people lived in peace. People still speak of his rule with admiration. He had fourteen sons.
16
簡真，幽府左司馬，先允伸卒。 簡壽，右領軍衛大將軍。 餘或升朝籍，或為刺史、郡佐。 張公素張公素，范陽人。 咸通中，為幽州軍校。 事張允伸，累遷至平州刺史。 允伸卒，子簡會權主留後事，公素領本郡兵赴焉。 三軍素畏公素威望，簡會知力不能制，即時出奔，遂立為帥。 朝廷尋授旌節，累加至中書門下平章事。 無幾，李茂勛奪其位，公素歸闕，貶復州司戶參軍。 李可舉李可舉，本回鶻阿布思之族也。 張仲武破回鶻，可舉父茂勛與本部侯王降焉。 茂勛善騎射，性沈毅，仲武器之。 常遣拓邊，以功封郡王，賜姓名。
Jianzhen served as Left Assistant Governor of Youzhou and died before his father. Jianshou served as great general of the Right Leading Guard. The others either entered court service or served as prefects and local officials. Zhang Gongsu was a native of Fanyang. During the Xiantong era he served as a military officer in Youzhou. He served under Zhang Yunshen and rose to prefect of Pingzhou. When Yunshen died, his son Jianhui seized control as acting administrator, and Gongsu led the troops of his commandery to the capital of the circuit. The three armies had long respected Gongsu's authority. Jianhui realized he could not control them and fled immediately, and the troops installed Gongsu as commander. The court soon invested him with banners and credentials and eventually promoted him to Grand Counselor. Before long Li Maoxun seized his position. Gongsu returned to the capital and was demoted to registrar of Fuzhou. Li Keju was originally of the Uyghur Abusi clan. When Zhang Zhongwu defeated the Uyghurs, Keju's father Maoxun surrendered along with the princes and nobles of their tribe. Maoxun was skilled at mounted archery and steady by nature, and Zhongwu valued him highly. He was often sent on frontier campaigns, and for his achievements was enfeoffed as a commandery prince and granted a Chinese surname and personal name.
17
咸通末，納降軍使陳貢言者，幽之宿將，人所信服。 茂勛密謀劫而殺之，聲雲貢言舉兵。 張公素以兵逆擊不利，公素走，茂勛入城，軍民方知其非貢言也。 既有其眾，遂推而立之，朝廷即降符節。 無幾，以疾告老，授右僕射致仕，表可舉自節度副使、幽州左司馬加右散騎常侍，為節度留後。 中和中，累官至檢校太尉。
Late in the Xiantong era Chen Gongyan, commissioner of the Surrendered Armies, was a veteran general of Youzhou whom the troops trusted and respected. Maoxun secretly plotted to ambush and kill him, spreading the rumor that Gongyan was raising troops in rebellion. Zhang Gongsu marched out to oppose him but was defeated. Gongsu fled, Maoxun entered the city, and only then did the army and people realize the rebellion had not been Gongyan's doing. Once he controlled the army, the troops installed him as commander, and the court promptly invested him with seals and credentials. Before long Maoxun retired citing illness, was appointed Right Vice Director, and recommended that Keju be promoted from vice military governor and Left Assistant Governor of Youzhou to Right Regular Attendant and acting military governor. During the Zhonghe era he rose to acting Grand Marshal.
18
中和末，以太原李克用兵勢方盛，與定州王處存密相締結。 可舉慮其窺伺山東，終為己患，遂遣使構雲中赫連鐸乘其背，則與鎮州合謀舉兵，兼言易、定是燕、趙之餘，雲得其地則正其疆理而分之。 時可舉遣將李全忠攻易州。 有次將劉仁恭者，多權數； 攻之彌月不下，乃穴地道以入。 其城既下，易州士卒稍驕。 王處存引輕軍三千，以羊皮蒙之，夜伏於城外，仍別於間道以騎士伺之。 燕軍望見，謂之群羊，爭趨焉。 處存乘其無部伍，一擊大敗之，尋復其城。 全忠遁歸，懼可舉罪之，收其餘眾，反攻幽州。 可舉危急，收集其族，登樓自燔而死。 李全忠李全忠，范陽人。 廣明中，為棣州司馬。 有蘆生於室，一尺三節，心惡之。 謂別駕張建曰：「吾室生蘆，無乃怪歟？」 建曰：「蘆，茅類，得澤而滋，公家有茅土之慶，殆天意乎！ 其生三節，必傳節鉞者三人。 公勉樹功名，無忘斯言。」 全忠秩滿還鄉里，事節度使李可舉為牙將。 時可舉兵鋒方盛，欲與鎮人分易、定，遣全忠將兵攻之，為定州軍大敗於易水。 全忠懼，率其餘眾掩攻幽州。 可舉死。 三軍推全忠為留後，朝廷因以節鉞授之，春也。
Late in the Zhonghe era, fearing the rising power of Li Keyong of Taiyuan, Keju secretly allied himself with Wang Chucun of Dingzhou. Keju feared that Keyong would turn his ambitions toward the eastern provinces and become a lasting threat. He sent envoys to incite Helian Duo of Yunzhong to attack Keyong from the rear, then conspired with the forces of Zhenzhou to raise troops. He argued that Yizhou and Dingzhou were the last holdings of Yan and Zhao, and that if Yunzhong gained those lands their boundaries could be redrawn and the territory divided. Keju then sent the general Li Quanzhong to attack Yizhou. Among the deputy generals was Liu Rengong, a man of many stratagems. After a month of siege the city still held, so they dug a tunnel to enter it. After the city fell, the Yan army grew somewhat overconfident. Wang Chucun led three thousand light troops, covered them with sheepskins, and hid outside the city by night, while posting cavalry on a side road to watch for an opportunity. The Yan soldiers saw them from a distance, mistook them for a flock of sheep, and rushed to capture them. Chucun struck while they were disordered, routed them in a single blow, and soon recovered the city. Quanzhong fled home, fearing Keju would punish him for the defeat. He gathered his remaining troops and turned against Youzhou. Keju, trapped and desperate, gathered his family, climbed a tower, and burned himself to death. Li Quanzhong was a native of Fanyang. During the Guangming era he served as defender of Dizhou. Reeds sprouted in his room, one foot tall with three joints, and the omen troubled him. He said to the vice prefect Zhang Jian, "Reeds have sprouted in my room — could this be an ill omen? Jian replied, "Reeds are a kind of rush; given water they flourish. Your lordship has the blessing of a fief — could this be Heaven's intent? Three joints mean three generations will hold the commission of seals and credentials. Strive to build your merit and fame, my lord, and do not forget these words." When his term expired Quanzhong returned home and served the military governor Li Keju as a guard officer. At that time Keju's armies were at their peak. Seeking to divide Yizhou and Dingzhou with the forces of Zhenzhou, he sent Quanzhong to attack them, but the Dingzhou army routed his forces at the Yi River. Quanzhong, fearing punishment, turned his remaining troops against Youzhou. Keju died in the fighting. The three armies installed Quanzhong as acting administrator, and the court invested him with the commission that spring.
19
全忠卒，子匡威自襲父位，稱留後。 匡威素稱豪爽，屬遇亂離，繕甲燕薊，有吞四海之志。 赫連鐸據雲中，屢引匡威與河東爭雲、代，並兵積年。 景福初，鎮州王鎔誘河東將李存孝。 克用怒，加兵討之。 時鎔童幼，求援於燕； 匡威親率軍應之。 二年春，河東復出師井陘，再乞師，匡威來援。
When Quanzhong died, his son Kuangwei seized his father's position and styled himself acting administrator. Kuangwei had long been known for boldness and generosity. In those years of chaos he armed his forces in Yan and Ji and harbored ambitions to dominate the realm. Helian Duo held Yunzhong and repeatedly drew Kuangwei into conflict with Hedong over Yunzhou and Daizhou; their armies fought for years. Early in the Jingfu era Wang Rong of Zhenzhou won over the Hedong general Li Cunxiao. Keyong was furious and sent additional troops to punish him. Rong was still young and appealed to Yan for help. Kuangwei personally led an army to his aid. In the spring of the second year Hedong again marched through Jingxing Pass. Wang Rong again appealed for help, and Kuangwei came to his aid.
20
匡威弟匡籌，妻張氏有國色。 師將發，家人會別，匡威酒酣，留張氏報之。 匡籌私懷忿怒，匡威軍至博野，匡籌乃據城自為節度。 匡威部下聞之，亡歸者半。 匡威退無歸路，將入覲京師。 時匡威留於深州，遣判官李抱貞奉章以聞。 屬京師大亂之後，聞匡威來朝，市人震恐，咸曰「金頭王來謀社稷」，士庶有亡竄山谷者。 匡威其實不行，欲圖鎮州，示無留意。 鎔以匡威再來援己，致其失師，遣使迎歸府第，父事之。 匡威為鎔城郛繕甲，指陳方略，視鎔如子。 每陰謀驟施，以悅人心。 鎮之三軍，素忠於王氏，惡其所為。 會鎔過匡威第慰忌辰，匡威縞衣裹甲，伏兵劫鎔入牙城。 鎔兵逆戰，燔東偏門，軍士呼噪登屋，矢下如雨。 鎔僕墨君和亂中扶鎔登屋免難，而斬匡威以徇。
Kuangwei's younger brother Kuangchou had a wife, Lady Zhang, whose beauty was famed throughout the realm. When the army was about to march, the family gathered to say farewell. Kuangwei, drunk, detained Lady Zhang and violated her. Kuangchou nursed his anger in secret. When Kuangwei's army reached Boye, Kuangchou seized the city and declared himself military governor. When Kuangwei's troops heard the news, half of them deserted and returned home. Kuangwei retreated with nowhere to go and prepared to travel to the capital to pay homage. Kuangwei remained at Shenzhou and sent his judge Li Baozhen with a memorial to inform the court. This came after the great upheaval in the capital. When word spread that Kuangwei was coming to court, the people of the city were terrified. "The Golden-Headed King is coming to seize the realm," they cried, and officials and commoners fled into the mountains. Kuangwei never actually went. He intended to seize Zhenzhou and made a show of having no further designs. Because Kuangwei had twice come to his aid and twice cost him his army, Rong sent envoys to welcome him to his mansion and treated him with the deference due a father. Kuangwei fortified Rong's walls, readied his armor, laid out strategy, and treated Rong as a son. He constantly carried out sudden secret maneuvers to win the people's favor. The three armies of Zhenzhou had long been loyal to the Wang clan and despised his conduct. When Rong came to Kuangwei's mansion to observe a mourning anniversary, Kuangwei wore mourning garments over his armor and used hidden troops to seize Rong and carry him into the headquarters. Rong's troops fought back, burned the eastern gate, and soldiers shouting climbed onto the rooftops as arrows fell like rain. In the chaos Rong's servant Mo Junhe helped him climb onto a roof to safety, then beheaded Kuangwei and displayed his head.
21
是歲，匡籌出師攻鎮之樂壽、武強以報恥。 匡威部曲劉仁恭歸於河東。 冬，河東聽仁恭之謀，出師進討。 二月，敗燕軍於居庸，匡籌挈其族遁去，將赴京師。 至景城，為滄州節度使盧彥威所殺，掠其輜車、妓妾。 匡籌妻張氏產於路，不能進，劉仁恭獲之，獻於李克用，後立為夫人，嬖寵專房。 李氏父子三葉，十年而亡。 【贊】史臣曰：大都偶國，亂之本也。 故古先哲王建國，公侯之封，不過千乘，所以強幹弱枝，防其悖慢。 彼幽州者，列九圍之一，地方千里而遙，其民剛強，厥田沃壤。 遠則慕田光、荊卿之義，近則染祿山、思明之風。 二百餘年，自相崇樹，雖朝廷有時命帥，而土人多務逐君。 習苦忘非，尾大不掉，非一朝一夕之故也。 若李載義、張仲武、張允伸因利乘便，獲領旌旗，以仁守之，恭順朝旨，亦足多也。 如硃克融、楊志誠、史元忠、張公素、李可舉、李全忠，以不仁得之，靡更曩志。 或尋為篡奪，或僅傳子孫，咸非令終，蓋其宜也。
That year Kuangchou marched against Leshou and Wuqiang in Zhenzhou to avenge the humiliation. Liu Rengong, formerly one of Kuangwei's officers, defected to Hedong. That winter Hedong adopted Rengong's plan and marched out to attack Yan. In the second month they routed the Yan army at Juyong. Kuangchou fled with his family, intending to go to the capital. At Jingcheng he was killed by Lu Yanwei, military governor of Cangzhou, who seized his baggage train and concubines. Kuangchou's wife Lady Zhang gave birth on the road and could go no farther. Liu Rengong captured her and presented her to Li Keyong, who later made her his primary wife and favored her above all others. The Li clan, father and son across three generations, was destroyed within ten years. 【Commentary】 The historian writes: When a great city rivals the throne, rebellion is never far behind. That is why the sage kings of antiquity, when founding their states, granted fiefs of no more than a thousand chariots — to strengthen the center and weaken the periphery and guard against rebellion. Youzhou was one of the nine domains of the realm. Its territory stretched a thousand li, its people were hardy and fierce, and its land was rich. From afar they admired the loyalty of Tian Guang and Jing Ke; in recent times they were infected with the rebellious spirit of An Lushan and Shi Siming. For more than two hundred years they constantly elevated their own leaders. Though the court sometimes appointed commanders, the local people mostly worked to drive them out. Hardened by hardship, they forgot restraint; the tail had grown too large to control. This did not happen overnight. When men such as Li Zaiyi, Zhang Zhongwu, and Zhang Yunshen seized their opportunity, won command of the banners, ruled with benevolence, and obeyed the court, they too deserve praise. Men such as Zhu Kerong, Yang Zhicheng, Shi Yuanzhong, Zhang Gongsu, Li Keju, and Li Quanzhong seized power through violence and never abandoned their old ambitions. Some were soon overthrown, others held power only long enough to pass it to their sons — none came to a good end, and that was only to be expected.
22
贊曰：蠍石之野，氣勁人豪。 二百餘載，自相尊高。 載義、仲武，亦多忠勞。 餘因篡得，不仁何逃？
The commentary reads: In the wild country around Xieshi, the air is fierce and the men are bold. For more than two hundred years they raised themselves above the throne. Zaiyi and Zhongwu, too, served the court with notable loyalty. The rest seized power by force — how could cruelty not bring its reckoning?