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卷十 梁書10: 末帝本紀下

Volume 10 Book of Later Liang 10: Later Emperors Annals 3

Chapter 10 of 舊五代史 · Old History of the Five Dynasties
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Chapter 10
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1
使 使使
On wuzi in the first month of Zhenming 6, Zhu Hanbin, prefect of Cao, was appointed military commissioner of the Xuanwei Army at An. Wang Yanzhang—Kuangguo observation commissioner at Xu, acting commander of the Scattered Command, and honorary Grand Mentor—was made Kuangguo military commissioner and enfeoffed Marquis Who Opens the State, retaining his army posts.
2
使使
On guichou in the second month Qian Chuanjing of Xuanzhou resumed duty with his former titles of honorary Grand Mentor and co-equal chief minister—he had been observing mourning for his mother. On dinghai in the third month Zhang Shaogui, former prefect of Shen, became Director of the Court of Judicial Review. On jihai in the fourth month of summer the throne proclaimed:
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使 使 便
A ruler should cherish all under heaven and care for the people, wishing he could lead them to long life in virtue and govern them in gentle peace. Even the Yellow and Flame emperors and Yao and Shun resorted to arms when they had no choice, though war grieved them. Removing scourges sometimes requires armies: legends tell of slaying the Black Dragon and swearing feudal lords at the white horse—brief hardship for lasting order, one law for all, as histories record. I, a man of little account set over millions, have ruled eight years while the realm remains unsettled, growing more careful each day. Distant peoples may submit, yet like Chiyou the storm of rebellion still rages. These rebels drain the empire: troops have fought for years and the people are worn down by labor levies. When supply wagons halt, soldiers fear empty pots; when every cart rolls, farmers suffer pointless toil. Spring is over and summer upon us—war now steals the season from the plow. Seeking a measure of peace, I mean to grant broad pardon and show how deeply the troubles weigh on me. War zones are crushed by taxes; without relief the people cannot endure. Besides remissions already granted in the two capitals, thirty-two prefectures may write off summer and autumn taxes through Zhenming 4; seven more may also write off garrison-field dues before that year—the Rent and Corvée commissioner will verify registers and remit by name. Magistrates must not stall the edict or squeeze the countryside, lest mercy fail to arrive while books show taxes paid in vain. Private lenders who charged more than double on old debts broke the law—officials may not reopen those claims. Yanzhou suffered years of siege after Zhang Shoujin’s rebellion; remembering the people’s wounds, the throne will soon restore its tax base. Those awaiting execution should be shown mercy and their sentences reduced. Except where law and ordinary amnesty forbid pardon, reduce penal exile and lesser crimes by one degree. Demoted officials not yet reassigned shall be moved; those already moved shall have rank and pay restored.
4
使 使使 殿 殿 使使使 使西使
On gengzi Zhu Shousu, Director of the Imperial Clan, proposed: "Restore the Petition Box Court as in former reigns and put remonstrance grandees in sole charge of it. 」The throne agreed and named Right Remonstrance Grandee Zheng Taoguang Petition-Box commissioner. On yisi Jing Xiang—Right Vice Director, co-equal chief minister, national-history overseer, and Revenue head—became Hongwen grand academician and commissioner of the Extended Treasury and salt-and-iron transport, retaining his other posts. Zheng Jue, Secretariat Vice Minister and Households overseer, took over national history and Revenue. Xiao Xiang became grand academician of the Hall of Assembled Worthies and Households overseer. Li Qi, Left Secretariat Director, was promoted to Secretariat Vice Minister and chief minister. On bingwu Zhao Guangyin of Personnel became Left Secretariat Director. On jiyou Prince of Ji Zhu Youqian kept his Grand Preceptor and Secretariat Director titles and added Tongzhou military commissioner, retaining his other commissions. On guichou Gao Wanxing of Fuyan was made Prince of Yan'an with the merit epithet Merit Lord Who Stabilizes the Age and Sets the Seasons. Liu Chi, former senior adjutant of Hengzhou, submitted ten fascicles of his 《Geographic Hand Mirror》. On jiwei Zhang Rui, Rent and Corvée judge, became Households bureau director and Chongzheng Hall academician. On xinyou Lu Xie, former Personnel Vice Minister, was appointed Rites Vice Minister.
5
使
On yichou in the fifth month the late Qi Fengguo, Left Guard senior general, was posthumously honored as Grand Mentor. An edict declared: "Civil and military officials long unemployed and wandering should be given posts suited to their talent, lest they languish. Jinshi who never received their first appointment shall receive one office; those already robed shall be ranked by prior merit. 」On yiyou Songzhou became a Superior Metropolitan Prefecture while other such designations were abolished.
6
使使使使 使 使
In the sixth month Liu Yan of Yan, Yin Hao of Hua, Wen Zhaotu of Chong, and Duan Ning of the Manor Estates marched on Tongzhou. Zhu Youqian of Hedong had seized Tongzhou and Cheng Quanhui, its commissioner, rode alone to the capital. Youqian installed his son Lingde as acting commissioner and asked for the seal; the court refused; Fearing resentment, the Emperor then named Youqian concurrent commissioner of Tong—but before the edict arrived Youqian rebelled and sought Jin’s aid, and punitive armies were dispatched.
7
使 退
On gengyin in the ninth month Palace Attendant Lang Gongyuan was sent as envoy of goodwill to the Khitan. The Prince of Jin sent Li Sizhao, Li Cunshen, and Wang Jianji to relieve Tongzhou and battle was joined under the walls. Our forces were beaten; the generals fell back with survivors to Luowen Stockade in Hua.
8
In the tenth month of winter the Chenzhou rebels Wu Yi and Dong Yi were put to death. Chenzhou commoners dabbled in heterodox cults, aping Buddhism while founding a sect called the "Supreme Vehicle." They abstained from meat, drew in the ignorant, mixed obscenity with worship, and met by night. Local officials looked the other way until the movement spread unchecked. Prefect Prince of Hui You Neng, favored as imperial kin, broke the law at will, and villains flocked to him. Wu Yi’s band grew to a thousand, pillaging the countryside while magistrates dared not act. By autumn they had swelled, linked with Huai tribes, and defeated every prefectural force the court sent. Chen, Ying, and Cai bore the worst of their ravages. They proclaimed Wu Yi emperor and installed their other leaders in offices. Imperial Guards and allied prefectural troops then crushed them, took eighty-odd chiefs including Wu Yi, and beheaded them in the capital market.
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使 使使 使 沿 使 西西 使 使
On jiwei in the second month Hua Wenqi became Jingsheng observation commissioner with his former honorary Grand Mentor title. On bingyin Gao Jichang of Jingnan was named acting Secretariat Director while remaining Jingnan commissioner. On gengwu Liu Qi became Jinzhou military commissioner and honorary Grand Preceptor. On renshen the Historiography Office cited Wei Shou’s 《History of Later Wei》: unable to finish from Taiwu to Northern Qi, he gathered officials’ genealogies, sifted and recovered lost material, and within years produced a classic now preserved in the Northern History. We ask an edict requiring officials, scholars, kin, and meritorious houses to submit genealogies of verifiable ancestors and send compiled accounts to the Historiography Office. Memories of public affairs since Huichang may be copied in plain prose without ornament. War has destroyed archives; officials may also submit memorials on institutions, precedents, or notable prose worth preserving. At compilation time their submissions will be checked against Secretariat files; verified material and sound phrases will enter the history. Thus loyal ministers and eminent men may shine in the annals of the realm; and filial descendants may preserve their forebears’ fame. As Zhou virtue appears in Yin records and Shun’s canon in Yu’s deeds, ten generations may be known and our dynasty’s great history completed. Humbly overseeing compilation, I venture this plea before your majesty. 」The throne approved. Jing Xiang, Salt and Iron Transport Commissioner, asked to restore tea taxes at market yards in Yong, Heyang, and Xu. 」The request was granted. On jimao Cui Yi of Rites asked that the Western Capital Secretariat branch receive its own seal, since business there now borrowed the capital seal. 」The throne agreed. That month Wang Deming of Zhenzhou murdered Wang Rong, declared himself acting commissioner, and asked for help. Jing Xiang favored acceptance; Zhao Yan and others refused, and the court declined.
10
便 使 沿
On dinghai, first of the third month, Li Shu of Sacrificial Affairs proposed banning private ordinations and unauthorized purple robes and master titles. Candidates must pass court examination before ordination; those returning to lay life may do so freely. 」An edict ruled: "Purple robes and master titles on both capitals’ monastic avenues shall be listed by the Merit commissioner. Vacancies alone may be filled, and only monks of proven conduct and long discipline. At each Bright Sage Festival each avenue may ordain seven monks at the state altar. Provincial ordinations must use the capital altar, with certificates from Sacrificial Affairs. Only the two capitals’ avenues will keep monastic registrars; provincial registrars are abolished. 」On jichou Du Guangyi, former War bureau director, retired as Left Remonstrance Grandee. On renyin three counties were renamed at Secretariat Drafter Ma Gao’s request: Yan to Yanxia, Jiaoyi to Yifu, Hanzhu to Jiaoyuan.
11
In the fourth month of summer Prince of Hui You Neng of Chenzhou rebelled and marched on the capital. The Emperor sent armies to meet them and won. You Neng shut himself in Chenzhou; Zhang Hanjie was ordered to besiege him. Kaifeng’s Taikang, Xiangyi, and Yongqiu were told to levy summer tax only on grain still standing after Chen rebels swept through.
12
On bingxu, first of the fifth month, the throne proclaimed:
13
西 宿 便 使歿 歿
Heaven answers the ruler’s virtue with blessing and his faults with disaster—such is the way of the sage-kings. I, unworthy upon the throne, failed to sustain my father’s hard-won realm and brought the people to ruin. War and calamity persist; the fault is mine alone. Northern barbarians raid; Pu and Tong rebel in the west—years of war have slaughtered our people and lost our towns. Troops go hungry, homes empty; flood and locust follow, heaven warns and the people murmur. Even kin have taken up arms; the capital itself has been terrorized. I blame only myself, not Heaven or my subjects. I have lacked virtue before heaven and merit for the people, failing to end what harms the age or do what helps it. My judgments have missed the mark and my edicts gone awry, inviting catastrophe. The fault is mine alone; I claim no exemption. I lie awake in dread and will reform myself, granting mercy to ease the realm. As summer begins and a new reign day dawns, the era name must change. Let renewal reach all the land in shared joy. And may my resolve match the way of the sage-kings. The seventh year of Zhenming becomes Longde 1; all prisoners except capital cases are reduced one degree. Courts must finish review within three days of the amnesty. Tax arrears from Zhenming 3 through 6 are forgiven. Guards and campaign troops received graded bonuses by separate edict. Demoted officials are reassigned; the reassigned regain rank. Exiles move closer or home; displaced officials shall be escorted to the capital. All ranking officials and commissioners may enfeoff deceased parents. Lenders who have recovered principal may not charge interest on interest. Officers killed in action receive posthumous honors.
14
使 殿 使使使 使使
Li Yan of the Xuanhe Treasury was given acting command of Yanzhou. On dinghai an edict noted that sacrifices brought largesse but this era change had none. The throne therefore granted a special bounty. Campaign bonuses sent to soldiers’ families were announced by Huo Yanwei, Wang Yanzhang, and Zhang Hanjie. That month Liu Yan, Yanzhou commissioner and Hedong campaign commander, died.
15
使
On jihai in the sixth month Li Su became Right Majestic Guard senior general.
16
使 退
In the seventh month of autumn Zhu You Neng of Chenzhou surrendered. On gengzi the Emperor declared: "I rule all and seek impartial justice. Though kinship binds me to kinsmen, those who break the law cannot be indulged. Statute must prevail over favor. Prince of Hui You Neng of Chen—a prince with three thousand households, entrusted with a thousand li. He had been raised to the highest honors and showered with gifts. He should have repaid favor with loyalty and governed humanely. Instead he listened to villains, marched on the capital, ravaged the people, and terrified the court. Defeated, he begged forgiveness and offered to surrender at court. I humbled myself and showed kin mercy under commuted sentence. Yet statute required punishment; demotion alone answers the critics. He is demoted to Marquis of Fangling. Ah! Between ruler and subject he showed no respect; yet as brother I still show love. This light sentence may not satisfy opinion; officials should understand my intent. 」On jiachen Prince of Heng You Liang was enfeoffed Prince of Siguang.
17
使
In the tenth month of winter Dai Siyuan attacked Desheng’s north wall; Jin relief defeated him at Qi.
18
退 西
In the first month of Longde 2 Dai Siyuan raided Weizhou. While the Prince of Jin besieged Zhenzhou, Siyuan took Cheng'an and stormed Desheng’s north wall; Li Cunshen held firm. In the second month the Prince of Jin came up; Siyuan withdrew to Yang village. In the eighth month Duan Ning and Zhang Lang took Weizhou and sent captive commissioner Li Cunru to court. Dai Siyuan also seized Qimen, Gongcheng, and Xinxiang. West of Cao and south of Xiang fell to Liang; Jin lost a third of its stores.
19
使 使歿 使
In the third month of Longde 3 Li Jiyao of Luzhou offered the city to Liang. His father Li Sizhao had held Luzhou and died at Zhenzhou; the Prince of Jin meant to give the post to eldest son Jichou. Jiyao imprisoned Jichou, submitted to Liang, and sent two sons as hostages. Ze prefect Pei Yue refused the plot; Dong Zhang was sent to take Ze by force.
20
使使 退
In the fifth month Wang Yanzhang of Hua became Northern Campaign Pacification commissioner. On xinyou Wang Yanzhang sailed from Yang village and severed Desheng’s pontoon bridge. He stormed the south city, took it, and killed dozens. The Tang emperor abandoned Desheng’s north wall and concentrated at Yangliu. On jisi Wang Yanzhang and Duan Ning besieged Yangliu. On yihai in the sixth month the Tang emperor relieved Yangliu while secretly fortifying east of Bozhou. On wuzi Yanzhang and Du Yanqiu failed to storm Bozhou’s new works and fell back to Zou mouth.
21
沿 退 使 使 退
On dingwei in the seventh month the Tang army marched south along the river. Wang Yanzhang left Zou mouth and returned to Yangliu. On jiwei he abandoned Yangliu for Yang village stockade. In the eighth month Duan Ning replaced Wang Yanzhang as northern commander. On wuzi Duan Ning camped at Wang village, crossed at Gaoling, and maneuvered along the river. Dong Zhang took Ze prefecture. On gengyin at Hucheng vanguard Kang Yanxiao defected with a hundred riders and betrayed Liang dispositions. The Emperor sent Wang Yanzhang of Hua to guard Yan’s eastern frontier. On wuchen in the ninth month Yanzhang crossed the Wen, lost at Difang, and retreated to Zhongdu.
22
西
On xinwei, first of the tenth month of winter, the sun was eclipsed. On jiaxu the Tang emperor stormed Zhongdu; Yanzhang’s army broke; he, Zhang Hanjie, Zhao Tingyin, and others were taken. The next day Yanzhang was killed at Rencheng. Hearing of Zhongdu’s fall and Tang’s advance, the Emperor dispatched Zhang Hanlun to recall Duan Ning from the river; Hanlun fell, injured his foot, and floods blocked him. Four thousand guards remained; Zhu Gui begged to fight; the Emperor refused, climbed the Founding Gate, called Wang Zan, and said: "Until Duan Ning comes the realm rests on you. 」Wang Zan mobilized troops and civilians onto the walls. Some urged flight to Luoyang; Zhao Yan said: "Once you leave this tower, who will stand with you? 」The Emperor stayed. Soon word came: "Jin has passed Caozhou! He laid the seal in his chamber; it vanished—courtiers had stolen it to greet the Tang emperor. He called Huangfu Lin of the Crane-Controlled Guard: "Jin is my mortal foe—I will not await their swords; end my life lest I fall captive. 」Lin hesitated; the Emperor cried: "Will you betray me! 」Lin moved to kill himself; the Emperor seized him and both wept. On wuyin at night Huangfu Lin killed the Emperor beneath the Founding Tower. (《Five Dynasties Institutional Compendium》: The Last Emperor was thirty-six.)〉 Huangfu Lin then killed himself. At dawn Tang forces took Fengqiu Gate; Wang Zan surrendered. The Tang emperor entered the palace; Consort Guo wept and bowed in welcome. Xuzhou had sent a green-haired tortoise; the palace built a Tortoise Hall to house it. The Emperor once bought pearls in the market and said: "There are enough pearls. 」All heard it as an ill omen. Late in his reign he took the name Zhen—omen-readers split the graphs into "one-ten-one" and "tenth-month eighteenth," (This line is corrupt: contemporaries likely read "Wang" as "one-ten-one" and "Zhen" as "tenth-month eighteenth." The 《Prime Tortoise》 reads "Zhen" the same way; the word "day" may be a duplicate from the next line—we retain the received text.)〉 He did die in his eleventh year on the ninth of the tenth month.
23
Entering the Eastern Capital, the Tang emperor learned of the Last Emperor’s death and sighed: "Grudges need not pass to sons. We fought ten years; I regret never meeting him alive. 」He ordered Zhang Quanyi to bury the body; the head was kept at the Grand Altar. In Tianfu 2 of Later Jin, kin and former officials might reclaim Tang heads stored at the Grand Altar. Lou Jiying requested the head; when he fell from favor, An Chongruan of the Left Guard was ordered to bury it.
24
使
The historian writes: The Last Emperor was kind but not martial, clear-sighted yet blind to traitors; lacking his forebears’ virtue and served by power-hungry ministers, he fell when a mighty foe swept in. Heaven decreed the end, but men too chose wrongly. Pity!
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