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卷一百九十五 列傳第一百四十五: 迴紇

Volume 195 Biographies 145: Huihu

Chapter 206 of 舊唐書 · Old Book of Tang
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Chapter 206
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1
使
In the beginning, when the chieftain Tekin irkin died, he left a son named Pusa. The tribes judged him capable and raised him to lead them. Early in the Zhenguan era, Pusa joined the Xueyantuo in raiding the Turks' northern frontier. Qaghan Jieli of the Turks dispatched his son Yugu she with a hundred thousand cavalry to chastise them. Pusa led five thousand horsemen to meet them and broke their force at Mount Mane. Pursuing north to the Heavenly Mountains, he struck again and shattered them, taking many captives. From that victory the Huihe gained tremendous momentum. He then brought his people under the Xueyantuo, who titled Pusa Huojielifa and continued to send tribute missions to the Tang court.
2
Pusa was fierce and resolute, bold in counsel. In every clash he rode at the fore, beating larger hosts with smaller bands, and lived for the hunt and the battlefield. His mother Wuluohun presided over quarrels and lawsuits with stern, even-handed justice, and the tribe kept good order. The Huihe's ascent to greatness began with Pusa's rise.
3
During Zhenguan, once qaghans like Jieli of the Turks had been taken and subdued, only Pusa and the Xueyantuo still held real power among the northern peoples. Emperor Taizong invested Moheduo of the Northern Turks as qaghan and set him over the Huihe, Pugu, Tongluo, Sijie, A-die, and other tribes. The Huihe leader Tumidu allied with them to crush Duomi, qaghan of the Xueyantuo, annexed his followers, and seized their territory.
4
使殿 鹿 西
In Zhenguan 20 they moved south past Helan Mountain to the Yellow River and sent tribute. For their victory over the Xueyantuo the court feasted them within the inner palace. Taizong received their submission at Lingwu. They petitioned to run courier stations south of the Huihe homelands and to help govern the northern frontier. Taizong created six fu and seven zhou: each fu had a dudu (area commander), each zhou a cishi (prefect), and both were given secretaries, marshals, and subordinate officials. The Huihe were organized as Hanhai Fu. Their irkin Tumidu was named General Who Cherishes Transformation and concurrently Dudu of Hanhai. By then Tumidu had already taken the title of qaghan, and his official ranks mirrored Turkish practice. Duolan became Yanran Fu; Pugu, Jinwei Fu; Bayegu, Youling Fu; Tongluo, Guilin Fu; Sijie, Lushan Fu; Hundu, Gaolan Zhou; Husa, Gaoque Zhou; A-die, Jitian Zhou; Qibi, Yuxi Zhou; Diejie, Jilu Zhou; Abusi, Guilin Zhou; and the Baixi, Zhiyan Zhou. Northwest of the Huihe the Jiegu were made Jian Kun Fu; to their north the Guligan became Xuanque Zhou; to the northeast the Juluobo became Zhulong Zhou. At the former Chanyu Terrace the court set up the Yanran Protectorate to oversee them and channel their tribute.
5
婿 紿
In Zhenguan 22 Tumidu was murdered by his nephew Wuhe. Wuhe had earlier married his uncle's widow. He then conspired with Julu Morihedagan of the Juluobo to assassinate Tumidu and go over to Chebi. Both Wuhe and Juluobo were Chebi's sons-in-law. One night Wuhe led barely a dozen riders, seized Tumidu, and slew him. Yuan Lichen, vice protector of Yanran, sent someone to trick Wuhe: "I shall report to the throne and have you appointed dudu to replace Tumidu. Wuhe rode in lightly to Lichen's camp, knelt, and thanked him. Lichen seized him, beheaded him, and reported to the court.
6
使 西西 西
Fearing the Huihe might fracture, in the tenth month Taizong sent Cui Dunli, Minister of War, to pacify them and named him vice general of the Jingshan circuit. Tumidu was posthumously honored as General of the Left Guard, with generous funerary gifts and vestments for the mourning rites. His sons Yi, former General of the Left Garrison Guard, and Porun, Left Langjiang, were appointed Generals of the Left Xiaowei Guard, great irkin, commissioners with the staff over Huihe tribal forces, and Dudu of Hanhai. Later Juluobo presented himself at court; Taizong kept him and refused to let him leave. An edict placed the Western Turkish qaghan Ashina Helu over the five Zhu and more than twenty irkin tribes living south of the Duoluosi River, fifteen days' march west of Xizhou. The Huihe would not accept western Turkish overlordship.
7
In Yonghui 6 the Huihe furnished troops to join Xiao Siye's campaign against Goguryeo. During Longshuo Porun died. His sister Bisudu led the Huihe and, with the Tongluo and Pugu, struck the frontier. Gaozong sent Zheng Rentai to crush the Pugu and their allies. Bisudu fled in defeat, and the Tiele homeland was organized as Tianshan County. Under Yonglong, Dujiezhi ruled; under Sisheng, Fudifu. In Kaiyuan, Chengzong and Funandu succeeded one another as chieftains, each holding a dudu title to govern Fanzhou, with left and right sha dividing the sub-tribes.
8
西 退西 西 西
During Kaiyuan the Huihe waxed strong, slew Wang Juncuo, governor of Liangzhou, and severed the route from the Anxi protectorates to Chang'an. Xuanzong sent Guo Zhiyun and others against them. They fell back to Mount Wudejian, seventeen hundred li south of the western stronghold. That western city stood where the Han had placed Gaoque Pass. Three hundred li north of the city lay Qishi Pass.
9
祿
They had eleven dudu drawn from nine "surname" tribes: first Yaoluoge, the qaghan's clan; second, Huduoge; third, Duoluowu; fourth, Mogexiqi; fifth, Awudi; sixth, Gesa; seventh, Huwasu; eighth, Yaowuge; ninth, Xiyawu. Each tribe had its own dudu. After crushing the Basmil and annexing one tribe, then the Karluk and another, they appointed five dudu apiece and took the collective name of the eleven tribes. On march or in battle they habitually placed two "guest" tribes at the army's point.
10
使 祿 使 使 使
Early in Tianbao their chief Yehu Telituofa sent envoys to court and was created Prince Who Upholds Righteousness. In year three they broke the Basmil and proclaimed Kutlug Bilge Köl Qaghan. They sent envoys again and were invested as Qaghan Who Cherishes Benevolence. By the seventh month of Zhide 1, Emperor Suzong had taken the throne at Lingwu. He dispatched the former Prince of Bin, Nan Chengcai, now Prince of Dunhuang, and General Shi Dingfan to the Huihe to renew the alliance and ask for soldiers. At the qaghan's camp the qaghan gave his daughter to Chengcai in marriage. Huihe leaders came to court to seal the alliance; the princess was titled Princess Piga. Suzong was at Pengyuan and treated them with exceptional honor. In the second month of year two the Huihe sent Great General Dolan and fifteen other leaders to court. On wuyin day in the ninth month Chengcai was made Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with an open office, appointed Director of the Imperial Clan, and married the Huihe princess. The Huihe sent Crown Prince Yehu with Generals Dide and others and somewhat more than four thousand horsemen to aid the dynasty against the rebels. Suzong feasted them and heaped rewards upon them. He had the commander-in-chief, the Prince of Guangping, receive Yehu and swear brotherhood; the welcome was warm with obligation and grace. Yehu was delighted and called the prince "elder brother."
11
便 西 使西 西
On wuzi day thirteen great Huihe chiefs including Dagan reached Fufeng first and were received by Minister Guo Ziyi of the Puguoyi faction. Guo detained them and held feasts for three days. Crown Prince Yehu said: "The empire is in crisis and we rode far to help—what time is there for feasting! Guo Ziyi pressed them to stay, but as soon as the banquet ended they marched. Daily their force was rationed two hundred sheep, twenty oxen, and forty shi of grain. The Prince of Guangping, commander-in-chief, led Guo Ziyi and the host to a camp twenty li east of Xiangji Temple, with the Li River at their west. Rebel elite cavalry lay concealed east of the main camp, poised to hit the Tang force in the rear. Pugu Huai'en of the Puguoyi left wing sent the Huihe charging to the rescue. Not one horse came back from that ride—and with it they retook the Western Capital. In the tenth month the Prince of Guangping and vice commander Guo Ziyi led Huihe cavalry against the rebels at Shanxi.
12
使 西
They first encamped at Quwo. Yehu sent Generals Chenbi, Shitupo, Peiluo, and others along the southern hills eastward and wiped out rebel ambushers in the ravines. At Xindian Guo Ziyi met the rebels in battle and the line gave ground several li. The Huihe saw it, surged over the western ridge with white banners flying, and struck the enemy from behind. The rebel army collapsed. Bodies choked the northern ditch as pursuit ran twenty li and more—men and horses heaped and trampled beyond reckoning; more than a hundred thousand heads were taken, and the dead carpeted the ground for thirty li. Rebel Yan Zhuang raced to warn An Qingxu, who fled north from the Eastern Capital across the river. Yehu entered the Eastern Capital with the Prince of Guangping and Guo Ziyi.
13
西 西 殿 殿 姿 使
When the Western Capital fell, the Huihe wanted to sack the city; the Prince of Guangping firmly refused. At the Eastern Capital they looted the treasuries and markets and villages for three days before they ceased. Wealth beyond measure changed hands; the Prince of Guangping added brocades, felts, and gems, and Yehu rejoiced. When Suzong came back to the Western Capital, on guiyou day in the eleventh month Yehu arrived from the Eastern Capital. An edict sent officials to welcome him at Changle Post; the emperor himself feasted and honored him in Xuanzheng Hall. Yehu mounted the hall while the other chiefs lined the steps below, receiving brocades, silks, gold, and silver ware. As they prepared to return the emperor said: "Those who by courage and loyalty have served the state's great cause—you have borne the weight of it. Yehu replied: "Our warriors still camp at Shayuan. We must ride back to Lingxia for horses, then rally at Fanyang to finish the rebels. On jichou day an edict declared: "Merit through hardship, loyalty to the realm—unity of heart across ten thousand li of wilderness—such a thing is unheard of in all annals. Yehu of the Huihe bore heroic grace and rare stratagem; his word was trust, his manner warm and just; one man worth ten thousand, first among the frontier peoples. While the northern foe threw the realm into chaos and the heartland still trembled, the qaghan, bound by brotherhood, fielded for the dynasty an army with a father's and son's devotion. With one rush of spirit he broke the enemy a thousand leagues away; within twenty days both capitals stood restored. Strength to move mountains, spirit to thread the clouds—he faced hardship without complaint and in crisis gave more than duty asked. Let this be set beside sun and moon and handed to sons and grandsons—not merely a fief or a covenant sworn by the Yellow River! Among exalted offices, Minister of Works ranks first; among great titles, prince is highest. Let him be Minister of Works and Prince of Loyal Righteousness; each year twenty thousand bolts of silk shall reach the Shuofang army for designated envoys to receive."
14
使西 使殿
On renshen, first day of the fifth month of Qianyuan 1, eighty Huihe envoys under Duohe Abo and six Black-Robed Arab chiefs under Gezhi attended court. At the Phoenix Gate they disputed precedence; the relay secretary split them east and west and admitted them through both gates. On wuxu day in the sixth month the court feasted the Huihe envoys before Zichen Hall.
15
使 使 殿 使 使 婿 便 使 使 使殿 使殿
On dinghai day in the seventh month an edict created a young imperial daughter Princess Ningguo to marry the qaghan. On the day she went to the frontier, the emperor's cousin Wang Yu, Prince of Hanzhong, was made Special Grand Master, Acting Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and Acting Censor-in-Chief, commissioner to invest the heroic Piga Qaghan. The emperor's cousin's son Xun, Left Directorate Langzhong, became War Ministry Langzhong, Acting Vice Censor-in-Chief, and Grand Herald as deputy and commissioner for the princess's marriage ceremonies. The distinguished minister Pei Mian—Grand Master of Splendid Happiness with open office, Acting Right Vice Minister, Duke of Ji—was sent to escort her to the frontier. On guisi day, to invest the Huihe heroic Piga Qaghan, the emperor presided in Xuanzheng Hall while Wang Yu of Hanzhong received the investiture patent. On the jiawu day, Emperor Suzong escorted Princess Ningguo as far as Cimen Post Station at Xianyang. The princess wept and said, "The affairs of state weigh heavily; even death I shall not regret! The emperor wept as he turned back. When Yu reached the qaghan's camp, Qaghan Pigla wore a reddish-yellow robe and a foreign hat and sat on a couch within the tent amid splendid guards. He had Yu stand outside the tent and asked, "What kin is the king to the Heaven Qaghan of Tang? Yu said, "He is the Tang Son of Heaven's younger cousin." He asked again, "Who is the one standing above the king?" Yu said, "The palace envoy Lei Lujun." The qaghan replied, "A palace envoy is a servant—how dare he stand above a lordling?" Lei Lujun, startled with fear, leapt down to a lower position and stood there. Yu did not prostrate himself but stood upright. The qaghan said, "Between the rulers and ministers of two states there is proper ritual—why will you not bow? Yu said, "The Tang Son of Heaven, because the qaghan has rendered great service, has given his daughter in marriage to the qaghan to cement an alliance. Hitherto when China allied with foreign states by marriage, the brides have been daughters of the imperial clan titled princesses. Yet Princess Ningguo is the Son of Heaven's own daughter, endowed besides with talent and beauty, sent ten thousand li to marry the qaghan. The qaghan is son-in-law to the Tang Son of Heaven and ought to observe the proper courtesies. How can he sit on a couch and receive an imperial edict!" The qaghan then rose, received the edict with due ceremony, and accepted the patent of investiture. The next day the princess was invested as khatun. The foreign chieftains rejoiced, saying, "The Son of Heaven of Tang is truly august—he has sent his real daughter. The silks, garments, gold, silver, and vessels Yu had brought as state gifts the qaghan divided entirely among his officers and chieftains. When Yu returned, the qaghan presented five hundred horses, sable furs, and white felt. In the eighth month, the Huihe sent the prince Guochuo tele, the chancellor Dide, and other fierce generals with three thousand men to aid the state in suppressing the rebels. Emperor Suzong commended their coming from afar, feasted them, and ordered Pugu Huai'en, commissioner of the Shuofang field headquarters, to take command of them. On the jiazi day of the ninth month, the Huihe envoys led by the great chieftain Gaijiang thanked the court for the princess's marriage and also reported crushing fifty thousand Jiankun warriors. A banquet was held in Zichen Hall and gifts were dispensed according to rank. On the jiawu day of the twelfth month, three Huihe women came as envoys to thank the court for betrothing Princess Ningguo. A banquet was held in Zichen Hall.
16
西殿 殿 祿
In the second year of Qianyuan, Guochuo tele of the Huihe and others led their forces to fight with Guo Ziyi and the nine military commissioners below Xiang Prefecture; the engagement went against them. On the renzi day of the third month, the Huihe prince Guochuo tele, Chancellor Dide, and fifteen others fled from Xiang Prefecture to the Western Capital. Emperor Suzong feasted them in Zichen Hall and rewarded them according to rank. That same month on the gengyin day, the Huihe tele took leave to return to the field camp. The emperor feasted them in Zichen Hall and bestowed gifts according to rank. On the yiwei day, the newly appointed Huihe prince, Grand General of the Left Winged Forest Army by extraordinary appointment, Guochuo tele, was given the title Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and made Director of Honglu by extraordinary appointment.
17
使 婿
In the fourth month of summer, Qaghan Pigla of the Huihe died. His eldest son Yehu had already been killed, so they enthroned his youngest son as Qaghan Dengli; his wife became khatun. On the bingwu day of the sixth month, Left Gold Crow Guard General Li Tong was made provisional Director of Honglu and Acting Censor to serve as envoy to condole and mourn with the Huihe. When Qaghan Pigla had just died, his yamen officers and dudu wished to have Princess Ningguo buried alive with him. The princess said, "By the law of my country, when one's husband dies one observes mourning, weeping morning and evening, and wears mourning garb for three years. Now that the Huihe have taken a wife, they ought to emulate Chinese rites. If they follow their native customs now, what need was there to seek marriage ten thousand li away? Yet the princess also followed Huihe custom, slashing her face and weeping bitterly, and in the end, because she had borne no son, was allowed to return. In the eighth month of autumn, Princess Ningguo returned from the Huihe. An edict ordered the officials to welcome her outside Mingfeng Gate.
18
使 使殿 使殿
On the jichou day of the ninth month of the first year of Shangyuan, the envoy of the Nine Surname Qaghan of the Huihe, the minister Julumodagan and others, entered court with a memorial to inquire after the emperor's health. On the yimao day, twenty Huihe envoys presented themselves in Yanying Hall; gifts were dispensed according to rank. On the wuchen day of the eleventh month, ten Huihe envoys led by Yanzhijialuo were received in audience in Yanying Hall; gifts were dispensed according to rank.
19
使 使 使 使 使殿
In the first year of Baoying, when Emperor Daizong had just ascended the throne, because Shi Chaoyi still held the He-Luo region, he dispatched the palace envoy Liu Qingtan to levy troops among the Huihe and renew the old friendship. That autumn, when Qingtan entered the Huihe court, the Huihe had already been enticed by Shi Chaoyi, who said the Tang Son of Heaven had repeatedly suffered bereavements, the realm was in chaos and leaderless, and urged them to send troops south to seize the treasuries. The qaghan then led his people south—it was already the eighth month. When Qingtan arrived bearing the imperial edict and state credentials, the qaghan said, "I have heard that Tang has no ruler—why is there still an edict? The palace envoy replied, "Though our Tang Son of Heaven has left the myriad realms, the succeeding Son of Heaven, the Prince of Guangping, was born heroic and martial. In years past he joined forces with Qaghan Yehu of the Huihe to recover the two capitals and defeat An Qingxu; he and the qaghan are old allies. Moreover, every year tens of thousands of rolls of silk are sent to the qaghan—has the qaghan forgotten? Yet the Huihe had already marched as far as the Three Cities north of the frontier. Seeing desolate walled posts without garrison troops and prefectures and districts all reduced to empty forts, they looked down on Tang. They sent envoys north to gather the Chanyu garrison's troops, horses, and grain stores, and grossly insulted Qingtan. Qingtan dispatched a messenger to report: "Qaghan Dengli of the Huihe has come south with the full strength of his nation—one hundred thousand men and sheep and horses beyond counting. The capital was thrown into great alarm. The emperor sent Director of the Palace Administration Yao Zi'ang posthaste to greet and comfort them. When he reached a point south of Xin Prefecture, north of Taiyuan, Zi'ang secretly counted their fighting men and found four thousand; with the aged, children, and women together, more than ten thousand; war horses forty thousand; cattle and sheep beyond reckoning.
20
使
Earlier, Qaghan Pigla had asked for a marriage alliance for his son, and Emperor Suzong gave him Pugu Huai'en's daughter in marriage. She now came as khatun together with the qaghan and asked to meet Huai'en and Huai'en's mother. The emperor ordered Huai'en to go from Fen Prefecture to meet them at Taiyuan. Huai'en also admonished that the state's grace and good faith must not be betrayed. They had initially intended to enter through Puguan Pass, take the Shayuan route, and break the rebels by advancing east from Tong Pass. Zi'ang urged them, saying, "The state has suffered repeated invasions; prefectures and districts are depleted and cannot easily supply your needs—lest the qaghan be disappointed, it would be better to take the Tumen route and strike directly at Xing, Ming, Wei, and Huai. The rebels' troops are all at the Eastern Capital; let the qaghan gather their wealth and baggage and march south—that is the finest stratagem. The qaghan would not heed him. Zi'ang urged again: "Take the Taihang route through Huai Prefecture, hold the strategic heights south of the Yellow River, and seize the rebels by the throat—that too is a superior plan. Again the qaghan would not heed him. He urged once more: "Take the Taiyang Ford route through Shan Prefecture, eat grain from Taiyuan granaries and march east, entering together with the Ze-Lu, Henan, and Huai-Zheng commissioners—that too is a superior plan. The qaghan agreed. Zi'ang then entered to report, and the emperor appointed Prince Yong, Li Shi, commander-in-chief and elevated Huai'en to co-minister in the Secretariat and Chancellery. He also made Zi'ang concurrent Censor-in-Chief, with the former Ze-Lu concurrent Censor Wei Ju as left and right wing military commissioners; Secretariat Draftsman Wei Shaohua served as the commander-in-chief's adjutant and recorder; Imperial Diagnostician Li Jin was concurrent Censor-in-Chief and army vice commander—they marched east to join the Huihe. Qaghan Dengli encamped north of the Yellow River in Shan Prefecture.
21
宿 退 殿 西西 使 殿
Commander-in-Chief Prince Yong led Zi'ang and the others to visit him. The qaghan reproached Prince Yong for not performing the dance of homage before the tent, calling his bearing disrespectful. Zi'ang pleaded that the commander-in-chief was the legitimate grandson and that with the two palaces still in mourning, dancing was improper. The Huihe chancellor and General Chenbi pressed him in open court: "The Tang Son of Heaven and Qaghan Dengli are bound as brothers; the qaghan is thus Prince Yong's uncle—uncle and nephew have their courtesies—why will he not dance? Zi'ang protested bitterly that personal mourning rites made it improper. He also replied, "The commander-in-chief is the Tang heir apparent; the heir apparent is the crown prince—how could a Chinese crown prince dance before a foreign qaghan? After a long standoff, Chenbi had Zi'ang, Li Jin, Shaohua, and Ju each beaten a hundred strokes with the rod. Shaohua and Ju died of the beating within a single night. Because the prince was young and unfamiliar with affairs, he was released to return to his own camp. Meanwhile Huai'en and the Huihe yousha served as vanguard, and together with the various commissioners attacked the rebels, routed them, and Shi Chaoyi fled at the head of the remnant band. Commander-in-Chief Prince Yong withdrew to Lingbao. The Huihe qaghan pressed on to Heyang and encamped there for several months. More than a hundred li from the camp, people were plundered, harassed, and humiliated beyond endurance. Huai'en habitually brought up the rear of the army. When the commissioners reconquered the prefectures and districts of Hebei, Pugu Yang pursued with Huihe forces for more than two thousand li to Shicheng County in Ping Prefecture, took Shi Chaoyi's head, and returned; all Hebei was pacified. Huai'en marched west from Xiang Prefecture through the Guokou route; the qaghan marched north from Heyang through Ze and Lu to join Huai'en, passing through Taiyuan. They sent the envoy Bahana to present a memorial congratulating the recovery of the Eastern Capital and to submit rebel banners and other items of Shi Chaoyi. Taking leave to return to their realm, they were received by Daizong in the inner hall and given two hundred rolls of colored silk.
22
使
Earlier, when the Huihe reached the Eastern Capital, after the rebels were crushed they indulged in savage cruelty without restraint. Men and women feared them and climbed the two pagodas of Shengshan Temple and Baima Temple to escape. The Huihe set fire to both pagodas; the dead and wounded numbered in the tens of thousands, and the flames burned for many days without ceasing. When they came to offer congratulations at court, they again ran riot, grossly humiliating officials. Military Commissioner of Shan Prefecture Guo Yingyi was appointed acting eastern capital intendant. The eastern capital had twice passed through rebel chaos, and the Shuofang army together with the forces of Guo Yingyi and Yu Chao'en could not restrain the violence. Together with the Huihe they plundered the wards and markets and the prefectures Ru and Zheng until household after household was stripped bare; people all wore paper for clothing, or saffron monks' robes if they possessed even that.
23
殿 使 祿
Emperor Daizong took his seat in Xuangu Hall and issued the investiture document, further investing the qaghan as Qaghan Dengli Ketuo Dengmishi Hujulu Yingyi Jiangong Pigla, and investing the khatun as Khatun Pomo Guangqin Lihua Pigla. "Ketuo," in Chinese speech, means "rites and implements of state"; "Dengmishi" means, in Chinese speech, "investiture completed"; "Hujulu" means, in Chinese speech, "to gather and collect"; "Pigla" means, in Chinese speech, "sufficient in wisdom"; "Pomo" means, in Chinese speech, "worthy of compassion." Attendant Cavalry Regular Wang Yi, concurrent Censor-in-Chief, was sent as envoy to perform the investiture at the qaghan's camp. The qaghan, khatun, left and right slash commanders, various dudu, and inner and outer chancellors and all below were collectively granted two thousand additional allotted households in perpetuity, with Wang Yi performing the investiture rite before the royal tent. The zuosha was enfeoffed as Prince Xiongshuo, the yousha as Prince Ningshuo, the dudu of the Helu as Prince Jinhe, General Balan as Prince Jingmo, and all eleven dudu were enfeoffed as state dukes.
24
退 使 退 滿 便 使 便 退 祿 祿祿 祿 使
Soon afterward Huai'en rebelled and fled to Lingwu. Former Shuofang generals Ren Fu, Zhang Shao, and others gathered the embers of defeat until their forces reached tens of thousands. In the autumn of the second year of Guangde they led several tens of thousands of Tibetans to Fengtian County. Shuofang Military Commissioner Guo Ziyi led troops to resist and drove them back. In the autumn of the first year of Yongtai, Huai'en dispatched military commissioners Fan Zhicheng and Ren Fu at the head of troops, and enticed more than two hundred thousand men of the Huihe, Tibetans, Tuyuhun, Tangut, and Nuci to attack Fengtian, Liquan, Fengxiang, Tong Prefecture, and other places in defiance of imperial command. Guo Ziyi was first stationed at Jingyang and Hun Rijin at Fengtian, repeatedly blunting their advance. When word came that Huai'en had died, the Tibetan generals including Ma Chongying withdrew in the tenth month by the old road through Bin Prefecture. The Huihe chieftain Luodagan and others led more than two thousand horsemen to Jingyang to offer surrender. Guo Ziyi assented and led several thousand men in armor with bows drawn full. The Huihe interpreter said, "We did not come with hostile intent—we wish to see Lord Marshal. Guo Ziyi said, "I am Lord Marshal." The Huihe said, "Please lay aside your armor." Guo Ziyi immediately doffed helmet, spear, and armor, spurred his horse forward, and rode out alone. The Huihe chieftains exchanged glances and said, "It is he. At that moment Li Guangjin, Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent and concurrent Censor-in-Chief, and Lu Sigong, both in armor and mounted, flanked Guo Ziyi. Guo Ziyi gestured toward the Huihe and said, "This is Grand Protector Li, military governor of Weibei. He added, "This is Minister Lu, grain commissioner of the Shuofang army." The Huihe immediately dismounted and bowed in formation; Guo Ziyi dismounted too. Huihe warriors formed left and right wings of several hundred men each and advanced step by step; Guo Ziyi's own troops galloped forward as well, but he gestured them to withdraw. Guo Ziyi had wine brought for them and gave three thousand bolts of silk head-wraps as gifts. Guo Ziyi grasped the hand of the Huihe great general, the qaghan's younger brother Helu dudu Yaoluoge, and rebuked them: "Our empire knew your Huihe had rendered great service and lavished rewards upon you—why have you broken faith and invaded our capital region? If I were to fight you, why would you offer surrender? I have ridden alone into your camp; bind me if you wish—but my commanders and troops will surely fight you. The interpreter spoke again for the Huihe: "Huai'en betrayed you; he told our qaghan that Tang's Son of Heaven had gone south to the Jiang-Huai and that Lord Marshal no longer held command—so we dared advance. Now we know the Heaven Qaghan remains at Shangguo and that you, Lord Marshal, command the army—and that Heaven has slain Huai'en. We ask leave to pursue the Tibetans, seize their herds, and repay the empire's kindness. But Huai'en's sons, the khatun's brothers—spare them, we beg. Helu dudu, chancellors Modu mohadagan and Tumo mohadagan, the chancellor Hudu pigla general, chancellor Jiela feiluodagan, chancellor and Meilu great general Luodagan, and Pingzhangshi Haiyingque dagan were present. Guo Ziyi raised his cup first; Helu dudu requested an oath, and Guo Ziyi swore: "Long live the Son of Heaven of Great Tang! Long live the Huihe qaghan! Long live the generals and ministers of both realms! Whoever turns faithless and breaks this pact—may he die in battle and his kin be put to the sword. Helu dudu and the rest went pale; when the cup came to them, the interpreter said they accepted Lord Marshal's oath. They all exclaimed in joy: "When we left our homeland we brought two shamans who said, 'This march will be wholly safe: you will not battle Tang forces—you will see a great man and turn back. Today we came with an army and met Lord Marshal, who never doubted us, stripped off armor, and rode out alone to meet us—who else has such courage! We did not fight yet we saw the great man—the shamans spoke true!' They shouted and danced for a long time. Guo Ziyi clapped their shoulders; the chieftains shared the silks to reward the shamans, asked the Tang generals to strike the Tibetans with them, and Guo Ziyi honored the agreement. The next day he sent six Huihe chieftains, including Kaifu Guyena, to the capital for audience.
25
使西 西使便 使 殿 祿
Five days later Bai Yuanguang, Shuofang vanguard commissioner, Kaifu, and Prince of Nanyang, united with Huihe troops at Chishan Ridge fifty li west of Lingtai in Jingzhou and together shattered a Tibetan host of over one hundred thousand, taking more than fifty thousand heads and over ten thousand prisoners; camels, horses, cattle, and sheep lined the road for a hundred li without end, and more than five thousand Tibetan tribespeople were captured. When Bai Yuanguang first reached the country west of Lingtai and scouted the enemy, the moon shone bright; wanting darker skies, the Huihe shamans summoned wind and snow. By dawn the Tibetans were numb with cold; bows and arrows failed them. Swathed in felts they crept forward; Yuanguang and the Huihe pressed after them and filled the plain with the slain. Pugu Mingchen, Huai'en's nephew and a notably fierce commander, also came over with more than a thousand cavalry. Soon afterward Guo Ziyi sent one hundred ninety-six Huihe dignitaries, including Chancellor Hudi pigla general and Chancellor Meilu great general Luodagan, Kaifu Yitong Sansi and provisional Taichang Qing, to present themselves. The emperor hosted them in Yanying Hall and lavished gifts upon them. In the intercalary month Guo Ziyi brought Pugu Mingchen from Jingyang to report at court. The Huihe offered horses, and after farewell banquets they departed with one hundred thousand bolts of colored silk. The treasury stood empty; officials received no regular salaries but monthly hand-money called zike. A levy on court officers' pay for the intercalary tenth, eleventh, and twelfth months was imposed to fund it.
26
使使
In the first month of Dali 6, Huihe burst from Honglu Temple into the city wards, abducting men and women. When officials recovered the captives, the Huihe in fury rode three hundred strong against Jinguang and Zhuque Gates. That day every gate of the Imperial City was closed. The emperor sent palace envoy Liu Qingtan to reassure them, and they desisted.
27
In the seventh month of Dali 7, Huihe left Honglu Temple, rampaged through the markets, chased Chang'an magistrate Shao Yue along Hanguang Gate Street, and stole the horse he rode. Shuo escaped on foot; the authorities were powerless to stop them.
28
使 使 使使
In the eleventh month of Dali 8, one hundred forty Huihe departed for their homeland with more than a thousand loads of tribute goods. Counting on their services, from Qianyuan onward the Huihe sent envoys year after year to exchange horses for silk, one horse for forty bolts, often tens of thousands of animals at a time. Envoys waiting to be sent home lingered at Honglu Temple in droves; the tribes never had enough silk while the horses Tang received were of little use, and the court was sorely burdened. A special edict now richly rewarded and dismissed them, displaying imperial generosity and hoping to stir their shame. That month envoy Chixin brought ten thousand horses to sell. Daizong, unwilling to strain the people further since horse payments came from the land tax, ordered officials to reckon income and authorize purchase of six thousand.
29
In the ninth month of Dali 10, Huihe killed a man in daylight at the East Market; townspeople seized him and he was jailed in Wannian County. Chieftain Chixin heard and raced from Honglu Temple into the county jail, freed the prisoner, and wounded the guards.
30
退
In the first month of Dali 13 the Huihe struck Taiyuan, marching through Yuci and Taigu. Bao Fang, acting Hedong governor and Taiyuan intendant, met them at Yangqu; Tang forces were routed and more than a thousand perished. Daizhou governor Zhang Guangsheng fought the Huihe at Yangwu Valley, defeated them, and they retreated. Earlier, while Xin Yunjing held Taiyuan, the Huihe feared him and did not threaten Bing and Dai. Seeing Bao Fang as no soldier, they pressed in—only Zhang Guangsheng's victory restored calm in the north.
31
祿使 使 婿 使使 殿 使殿 殿使使 祿使
Dunmohe proclaimed himself Qaghan Heigudulu Pigla and sent chieftain Jiandagan with Wenxiu to court. Yuan Xiu, Jingzhao intendant, was commissioned to invest him as Qaghan Wuyi Chenggong. In the eighth month of Zhenyuan 3 the Huihe qaghan sent chieftains Mochuo dagan and Dolan general Hequedagan with tribute and a request for marriage. In the tenth month of Zhenyuan 4 the Huihe princess and envoys arrived; Dezong received them at Yanxi Gate. The qaghan, overjoyed at the alliance, was most respectful and wrote: "Once we were brothers; now I am your son-in-law—half a son. He insulted the Tibetan envoys as well. Great chieftains sent fifty-six wives to greet the khatun, over a thousand persons in all, and two thousand horses as bride-price. Dezong ordered Shuozhou and Taiyuan each to host seven hundred men. Chancellor-chieftains all came and were lodged at Honglu and Jiangzuo. On guisi they were received in Xuangu Hall. On yiwei Dezong presented the Huihe princess; envoys were received at Linde Hall and each given gifts. On gengzi an edict wed Princess Xian'an to the Huihe qaghan and established a princess household like that of an imperial prince. Palace Director Zhanran, Heir of Teng, became marriage ritual commissioner; Guan Bo, acting Right Censor-in-Chief, escorted Princess Xian'an and invested the qaghan. In the twelfth month of Zhenyuan 5 Qaghan Mizhulu Changshou Tianqin Pigla died. Mourning halted court for three days; officials of third rank and above condoled the envoys at Honglu Temple.
32
使 使 西 西使 使使
In the sixth month of Zhenyuan 6 envoy Yizhigedagan departed; thirty thousand bolts of silk were given as horse price. Guo Feng, Honglu Qing and concurrent Censor-in-Chief, was appointed to invest Qaghan Zhongzhen. That year in the fourth month Qaghan Zhongzhen was killed by his younger brother, who seized the throne. Great general Yaganjiasi was still west fighting Tibet. Vice-chancellors led the nation to slay the usurper and raised Zhongzhen's son as qaghan, barely sixteen or seventeen. When Yaganjiasi neared the royal camp in the sixth month, vice-chancellors fearing future depositions kept Han envoys ignorant and held Feng for months. Yaganjiasi's arrival brought the qaghan out to the suburbs with Guo Feng's gifts displayed. Qaghan and vice-generals prostrated themselves, explained the coup, and pleaded: "Only the great chancellor holds life and death. They gave Yaganjiasi all the displayed gifts to win his favor. The qaghan bowed in tears: "Your son is young and ignorant; now that I am raised up, I live only by Father's bounty. The qaghan addressed him as father; moved, Yaganjiasi wept in his arms and they observed lord-and-son rites. He gave every gift to his officers and kept none. The realm calmed somewhat; they sent Tabitel Meilu general to announce Zhongzhen's death and seek investiture. When envoys arrived, court halted three days; officials third rank and above condoled at Honglu Temple. That year Tibet took Beiting Protectorate.
33
西 祿 祿 使西 西紿 西西 祿西
Beiting and Anxi had long used Huihe routes to reach court and thus fell under Huihe sway. The Huihe exacted endlessly; Beiting, being close, suffered forced seizures of every resource. More than six thousand Shatuo tents, tied to Beiting and subject to the Huihe, were plundered most bitterly. Karluks and White-Clad Turks, though allied with the Huihe, hated their predation. Tibet's rich bribes drew them over. Tibet then led Karluks and White-Clad Turks against Beiting that winter; great chancellor Yaganjiasi marched to relieve them and lost repeatedly. Under fierce Tibetan assault, Beiting's people, weary of the Huihe, opened the city; the Shatuo submitted too. Governor Yang Xigu fled west toward Xizhou with two thousand men; Yaganli withdrew as well. In autumn of Zhenyuan 10 he mobilized fifty thousand warriors and called Xigu to recover the protectorate. They were soon beaten; more than half perished. Yaganli gathered survivors and raced back night and day. Xigu had barely one hundred sixty left. As he sought Xizhou again, Yaganjiasi tricked him: "Come to the royal camp with me and I will send you home. At the royal camp he detained and finally killed him. Anxi was severed from the empire; none knew who lived. Only Xizhou still held out. After Yaganjiasi's defeat Karluks took Futuchuan; terrified, the Huihe drove northwestern tribes' herds south of the royal camp.
34
使 使 使祿 退 使
On gengshen, first of the fifth month, Zhenyuan 7, Yu Duan, Honglu vice minister and Censor-in-Chief, was sent to invest the qaghan and mourn. That month envoys including Luzhidagan announced Princess Xiaoningguo's death. Court halted three days. Earlier Suzong had wed Princess Ningguo to the Huihe and sent Prince Rong's daughter as companion; when Ningguo came home, Prince Rong's daughter became khatun, styled Princess Xiaoningguo, wife to Qaghans Yingwu and Yingyi. Under Tianqin Qaghan she lived apart; two sons by Yingwu were killed by Tianqin Qaghan. Soon she died. In the eighth month of Zhenyuan 7 Huihe envoys brought news of victory over Tibet and Karluks at Beiting with captives and herds. Earlier Tibet had entered Lingzhou, been beaten by the Huihe, and fled in panic under a night fire assault. In the twelfth month the Huihe killing-branch general presented the great Tibetan captive chieftain Jiexin; Dezong watched from Yanxi Gate. In the seventh month of Zhenyuan 8 Yaoluoge Ling of the Huihe was appointed acting Right Censor-in-Chief. Ling was born a Tang subject, family name Lu; entering Huihe service he became the qaghan's adopted son and took the royal surname Yaoluoge Ling, wielding power at court. On this court visit he was showered with gifts, including seventy thousand bolts of silk for buying horses. In the ninth month of Zhenyuan 9 envoys arrived with tribute.
35
祿 祿使 使殿 使 使 使
On gengyin in the sixth month of Zhenyuan 11 he was invested as Qaghan Tengli Luoyulu Momishi Helu Hu Pigla Huaixin. In Yuanhe 4 Qaghan Aide Helilu Momishi Hemi Pigla renamed the people Huihu—"wheeling swift as a hawk." In the fourth month of Yuanhe 8 the Huihu sought marriage; envoy Yinanzhu was feasted in the Three Halls and given silver and silks on departure. That year several thousand Huihu riders reached Pipiquan; frontier garrisons went on alert. On the second of the twelfth month eight returning Huihu Manichaeans were feasted and sent to meet chancellors at the Secretariat. Earlier, when the Huihu asked to marry, Xianzong ordered officials to tally expenses. Ceremonies would cost some five million strings; campaigns still raged at home, so the match was deferred, and because the Huihu revered Mani, chancellors argued against the union. An edict dispatched Li Xiaocheng, vice director of the imperial clan office, to the Huihu with Taichang doctor Yin You as deputy to explain the court's response.
36
使 使 使 祿使 殿 退 西
In Changqing 1 Qaghan Pigla Baoyi died; court halted three days while officials third rank and above condoled envoys at Honglu Temple. In the fourth month the Huihu leader was invested as Qaghan Dengruoyulu Mishi Gouzhulu Pigla in the main audience hall; Pei Tong, vice minister of the palace store, was made acting Left Regular Attendant and Censor-in-Chief to invest and mourn. In the fifth month five hundred seventy-three Huihu chancellors, dudu, princesses, and Manichaeans entered court to greet the princess and were lodged at Honglu Temple. Edict: "Princess Taihe shall wed the Huihu qaghan as khatun; Zhongshu attendant Wang Qi shall proclaim this at Honglu Temple; Left Jinwuwei great general Hu Zheng, acting minister of revenue, shall escort the princess into Huihu and invest the qaghan; Director of imperial banquets Li Xian, additionally vice censor-in-chief, shall serve as deputy; Taichang doctor Yin You becomes palace attendant censor and judge. Tibet struck Qingsai Fort in reaction to the Huihu marriage. Yanzhou governor Li Wenyue sent troops and repulsed them. The Huihu reported: "Ten thousand riders from Beiting and ten thousand from Anxi will press Tibet to escort Princess Taihe home. That month an edict added: "Princess Taihe weds the Huihu; establish her household with officials on the model of an imperial prince."
37
歿 西 使 使
After Princess Xian'an's death the Huihu repeatedly sued to renew the old tie, but permission was long withheld. By late Yuanhe their pleas grew desperate; Xianzong, mindful of northern service to the throne and western raids, at last agreed to a princess. Consent had barely been given when Xianzong died. A year into Muzong's reign his tenth sister was made Princess Taihe. Qaghan Dengruogumu Mishi Hepigla sent Yinanzhu, Judu dudu Sijie, outer chancellors, a son-in-law, Meilu sima, a princess, a Yehu princess, and dagan with over a thousand camels and horses to meet her. Taihe departed for the Huihu realm; Muzong saw her off at Tonghua Gate's left wing with officials lined before Zhangjing Temple in splendid array while the city watched. In the eleventh month Zhenwu governor Zhang Weiqing reported: "Per edict three thousand men go to Weizhou; one thousand are already sent; the rest march when Princess Taihe leaves the border. He added: "Tiande relays that seven hundred sixty Huihu with camels, horses, and carts are reaching Huangluquan in turn to greet her." Fengzhou governor Li You reported: "Three thousand Huihu escorts camp below Qingquan to press Tibet."
38
使 使使
In the second month of year 2, fifty thousand bolts of silk were granted as horse price. In the third month another seventy thousand bolts followed as horse price. That month Pei Du campaigned against the You-Zhen rebels; the Huihu offered troops under his command. Court debate recalled Baoying days when Huihe retook the capitals yet grew insolent with pride—all counseled refusal, and a palace envoy ordered them back. They had already passed Fengzhou's northern border and refused. Only after an edict granted seventy thousand bolts of silk did they turn back. In the fifth month envoys invested Qaghan Dengruogumu Mishi Hepigla Li; palace officer Tian Wufeng brought twelve carts of imperial gifts to the qaghan and Princess Taihe.
39
使祿使使宿 使 使 使 西 輿輿輿輿 使
In the intercalary tenth month of Changqing 2, Hu Zheng, Li Xian, Li Rui, Li Zihong, Zhang Min, and Yin You escorted Princess Taihe from the Huihu—all recounted: when she first left the royal camp the qaghan sent hundreds of riders asking her to take another road ahead. Hu Zheng refused. The envoy protested: "When Princess Xian'an came she went ahead hundreds of li from Huamen—why block us?" Zheng replied: "The Son of Heaven commands us to deliver the princess to the qaghan; until he is seen, she cannot go ahead!" The envoy desisted. At the Huihu court they chose an auspicious day to invest her as khatun. The qaghan sat east-facing atop the tower; a felt pavilion below housed the princess while Hu elders taught her their customs. She shed Tang robes for Hu garb; attended by an old woman she bowed west before the tower. The qaghan watched as she bowed twice, returned to the pavilion, donned khatun robes of madder-red full skirts and a horned gold crown, and bowed again. They placed a great curtained carriage with a small seat; nine Huihu clans bore it, circling right nine times in the yard; she then mounted the tower and sat east with the qaghan. Thereafter courtiers bowed to the khatun as well. The khatun kept her own camp; two chancellors attended her tent. As Zheng's party prepared to leave, the khatun feasted them in her tent, weeping all day; the qaghan sent lavish parting gifts.
40
使 使 使 使 鹿西祿西
In Taihe 1 a palace envoy delivered two hundred thousand bolts of silk through Honglu Temple as Huihu horse price. In the first month of Taihe 3 a palace envoy granted two hundred thirty thousand bolts to the Huihe as horse price. In the third month of Taihe 7 Li Yijie arrived with herds reporting the qaghan died on the twenty-seventh of the third month; younger brother Sateler was invested. Court halted three days; officials third rank and above and Secretariat fourth rank and above condoled at Honglu Temple. Tang Hongshi, left Xiaowei general and imperial city defender, was made Jinwu general and censor-in-chief to mourn, invest, and establish the new qaghan. In the sixth month of Taihe 9 visiting Huihu presented seven horse-archery women from Princess Taihe and two Shatuo boys. Early in Kaicheng chancellor Anyunhe and teli Chaicao plotted against Qaghan Sateler; Sateler discovered and executed them. Chancellor Jueluowu, commanding troops abroad, resented those killings, slew Sateler, and raised Wusa Teli as qaghan. General Juluomohe, hating Jueluowu, fled and brought Kirghiz with one hundred thousand riders to smash the Huihu capital, killed Wusa, slew Jueluowu, burned the city, and sent Huihu fleeing to every quarter. Chancellor Sazhi fled west with Teli Pangteli, Nanlu, Efen, five brothers, and fifteen divisions toward the Karluks; one branch went to Tibet, one to Anxi; thirteen divisions near the old camp made Teli Wujie qaghan and came south to Tang.
41
使 使 西 使
When the Kirghiz shattered the Huihu they took Princess Taihe. Claiming descent from Li Ling and kinship with Tang, the Kirghiz sent ten dagan to escort her to the frontier. Wujie met the Kirghiz escort on the road and killed the dagan. Taihe returned to Wujie, who kept her as hostage and crossed the great desert south with her. Reaching Tiande, they asked to lodge at Tiande city with Princess Taihe. Chancellor Chixin and chancellor Pugu with teli Nanechuo held tribes loyal not to Wujie. Chixin planned a border raid; Wujie sent Meimosi to pledge good faith to Tian Mou at Tiande, then lured Chixin and chancellors to Wujie's tent and killed Chixin and two Pugu men. Nanechuo seized all seven thousand tents of Chixin, eyed Zhenwu and Datong, held Shiwei, Heisha, and Yulin, and pressed the northwest marches of Youzhou's Xiongwu Army. Youzhou governor Zhang Zhongwu sent brother Zhongzhi, routed Nanechuo, retook seven thousand tents, and killed or captured nearly ninety thousand. Nanechuo, arrow-struck, hid among camels and escaped; Wujie caught and killed him.
42
使使 使使
Wujie still claimed one hundred thousand warriors, camped north of Datong at Lümen Mountain; in autumn Huichang 2 they raided east Shaanxi, Tiande, Zhenwu, and Yunshuo. Edicts massed frontier troops; Hedong governor Liu Yan became southern commissioner against the Huihu; Youzhou governor Zhang Zhongwu became eastern commissioner.
43
使
Winter Huichang 2 through spring 3, teli Pangjuzhe, Adingning, Princess Mijie khatun's division, outer chancellor Zhuoluogu Adie, great general Caomonini, and seven divisions—thirty thousand total—surrendered at Youzhou and were distributed. Meimosi, Alizhi, Xiwuchuo, chancellor Hongshun, secretary Lu Heng, and others surrendered at Zhenwu; three chiefs received the Li surname and names Sizhong, Sizhen, Sihui, Sien as commissioners of allegiance. Teli Yebegu brother Li's two divisions fled to Tibet; Kezhili's two divisions fled to great Shiwei; Hewuchuo attacked the Khitan eastward and fell in battle.
44
In Huichang 3 secretary Pugu Yi reached Youzhou to arrange Princess Taihe's return; Wujie camped eighty li from Youzhou. His kin and Manichaean Zhijing plus four others had already entered Zhenwu. That night Liu Yan stormed Wujie's camp; Wujie fled four hundred li northeast to Shiwei allies without Taihe. Fengzhou governor Shi Xiong met Taihe's camp and brought her home. Wujie's people surrendered at Youzhou in Dazhong 1; survivors of the hundred thousand numbered barely three thousand. Wujie married his sister into the Shiwei and clung to them. Chancellor Meiquanzhe Yiyinchuo forced Huihu to kill Wujie at Jinshan and made brother Teli Enian qaghan; five thousand remained, fed by Xi king Shuoshelang.
45
祿西 宿西 西西 西 使
In spring Dazhong 1 Zhang Zhongwu crushed the Xi; the Huihu, bereft of supplies, melted away daily. By spring Dazhong 2 barely five hundred nobles remained with the Shiwei. Zhongwu sent Shiwei home from Youzhou's New Year rites; Enian was marched toward Youzhou but fled west that night with wife, son Dusi, and nine riders; left behind, Huihu officials wept. Shiwei split the remnant Huihu seven ways among seven clans. After three nights Kirghiz chancellor A'bo led seventy thousand from southwest of Tiande to seize Enian and crushed the Shiwei. Huihu left with the Shiwei were all reclaimed north of the desert. Scattered tents hid in forests, raiding tribes—all looked west for Anxi's Pangle. Pangle already called himself qaghan, holding western desert cities. Later rulers grew weak while ministers grew strong, seated at Ganzhou without former glory. To this day they still send envoys with jade horses and local goods, trade, and return.
46
西
The historian writes: From antiquity through Han, western Qiang and northern Di rose under many names yet brought the same harm. Cai Yong wrote: "Frontier trouble is a rash upon the limbs; the empire's affliction is a boil upon the vitals. The Turks ravaged Sui Yangdi's reign and Sui at last fell; the empire's peril—the lesson is plain. After Taizong subdued the Turks and shattered the Yantuo, the Huihe came to prominence. Taizong himself went to Lingwu to accept their submission, set up prefectures to settle them, and honored them with ranks, seals, and silks. What was the reasoning behind this? Simply put, the northern peoples could not be destroyed outright; they had to be harnessed through power and kindness. Under Kaiyuan the moral order stood firm and the people were content; far tribes turned toward civilization, and beyond the marches they feared Tang might yet welcomed its grace—was that not greatness! By late Tianbao corrupt ministers held sway at court and rebel warlords abroad; court and frontier collided, the emperor fled, hearts divided across the empire, and the throne itself trembled. Suzong enlisted the Huihe to retake the capital. Daizong enlisted the Huihe to pacify the Hebei region. Their service in saving the dynasty from ruin was immense—immense indeed! Yet the people's substance was already drained and could not satisfy their demands; imperial law had grown lax and could not curb their arrogance. The court swallowed humiliation in marriage alliances; indulgence knew no pause. Pugu Huai'en's rebellion brought the gravest danger; only Guo Ziyi's generalship at last kept invasion at bay. Among all frontier peoples, they aided the state most—and harmed the people most. As their power swelled and fortunes turned, they dissolved like ice, broke like tile, seeming to exist yet not—until at last they were no more than a rash upon the limbs. Under emperors Xizong and Zhaozong, Huang Chao and Zhu Wen arose in turn—the true carbuncle on chest and back. A rash on the limbs, a boil on the vitals—the analogy holds.
47
Praise runs: When earthly virtue first ascended, every hearth seemed worthy of honor. When the court's order failed, the marches took up arms. An Lushan and Shi Siming wrecked the realm; the Huihe traded on their service. What did that reliance mean? Every voice counseled appeasement. The people had no peace; the empire spent its last strength. Han and tribal worlds stood apart; glory and ruin interwove like threads. They persisted in wrong; we turned to virtue—the lesson of boil and rash may instruct a hundred generations.
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