Volume 13 Book of Later Liang 13: Biographies 3 - Zhu Xuan, Zhu Jin, Shi Pu, Wang Shifan, Liu Zhijin, Yang Chongben, Jiang Yin, Zhang Wanjin

朱瑄，宋州下邑人也。父慶，里之豪右，以攻剽販鹽為事，吏捕之伏法。瑄坐父罪以笞免。因入王敬武軍為小校。唐中和二年，諫議大夫張浚征兵於青州，敬武遣將曹全晸率軍赴之，以瑄隸焉。以戰功累遷列校。賊敗出關，全晸以本軍還鎮。會鄆帥薛崇卒，部將崔君預據城叛，全晸攻之，殺君預自為留後。瑄以功授濮州刺史、鄆州馬步軍都將。光啟初，魏博韓允中攻鄆，全晸為其所害。瑄據城自固。三軍推為留後。允中敗，朝廷以瑄為天平軍節度使，累加官至檢校太尉、同平章事。太祖初鎮大梁，兵威未振，連歲為秦宗權所圍，士不解甲，危殆日數四。太祖以瑄同宗，早兄事之，乃遣使求援於瑄。光啟末，宗權急攻大梁，瑄與弟瑾率兗、鄆之師來援，大敗蔡賊，解圍而遁。太祖感其力，厚禮以歸之。先是，瑄、瑾駐於大梁，睹太祖軍士驍勇，私心愛之。及歸，厚懸金帛於界上以誘焉。諸軍貪其厚利，私遁者甚眾。太祖移牒以讓之，瑄來詞不遜，由是始構隙焉。及秦宗權敗，太祖移軍攻時溥於徐州。時瑄方右溥，乃遣使來告太祖曰：「巢、權繼為蛇虺，毒螫中原，與君把臂同盟，輔車相依。今賊已平殄，人粗聊生，吾弟宜念遠圖，不可自相魚肉。或行人之失辭，疆吏之逾法，可以理遣，未得便睽和好。投鼠忌器，弟幸思之。」太祖方怒時溥通於孫儒，不從其言。及龐師古攻徐州，瑄出師來援，太祖深銜之。徐既平，太祖並兵以攻鄆，自景福元年冬遣朱友裕領軍渡濟，至乾寧三年宿軍齊、鄆間，大小凡數十戰，語在《太祖紀》中。自是野無人耕，屬城悉為我有。瑄乃遣人求救於太原，李克用遣其將李承嗣、史儼等援之。尋為羅宏信所扼，援路既絕，瑄、瑾竟敗。乾寧四年正月，龐師古攻陷鄆州，遁至中都北，匿於民家，為其所箠，並妻榮氏擒之來獻，俱斬於汴橋下。

Zhu Xuan came from Xiayi in Songzhou. His father Qing, a village strongman, lived by banditry and salt-running until the authorities caught and executed him. Xuan was caned and dismissed because of his father's offense. He then joined Wang Jingwu's forces as a low-ranking officer. In Tang Zhonghe year 2, Censor Zhang Jun mustered troops at Qingzhou; Jingwu dispatched Cao Quanzhen's army to answer the call, and Xuan went with it. Repeated victories raised him through the ranks of field officers. After the rebels broke and fled beyond the passes, Quanzhen marched his own troops back to their post. Yan commander Xue Chong died; his subordinate Cui Junyu rebelled and held the city. Quanzhen stormed it, killed Junyu, and declared himself acting commissioner. For his service Xuan received Pu prefecture and command of Yanzhou's combined cavalry and infantry. Early in the Guangqi reign Han Yunzhong of Weibo attacked Yan, and Quanzhen fell in the fighting. Xuan barricaded himself inside the city. The army proclaimed him acting commissioner. After Yunzhong's defeat the throne appointed Xuan commissioner of Tianping; he eventually reached honorary Grand Marshal and co-equal chief minister. When the Founder first governed Daliang his power was still weak; Qin Zongquan besieged him year after year, troops never out of mail, danger threatening several times daily. Calling Xuan kin, the Founder had long treated him as an elder brother and now begged him for help. Late in Guangqi, Zongquan hammered Daliang; Xuan and Jin marched troops from Yan and Yanzhou, crushed the Cai army, broke the siege, and retired. Grateful for the rescue, the Founder honored them lavishly on their departure. While stationed at Daliang, Xuan and Jin had seen how fierce the Founder's troops were and coveted them. Back home they posted rich bounties of gold and silk along the frontier to lure deserters. Many of the Founder's men slipped away for the generous pay. The Founder rebuked him in writing; Xuan answered rudely, and enmity began. After Zongquan's fall the Founder turned his armies on Shi Pu at Xuzhou. Xuan was then siding with Pu and wrote the Founder: "Chao and Zongquan were serpents in turn, stinging the heartland; we clasped arms as allies, dependent as chariot wheels. The rebels are gone and men barely survive; brother, keep the larger design—do not devour each other. A courier's slip or a frontier officer's breach can be reasoned away; do not break our bond lightly. Strike the rat but spare the vessel—brother, weigh that. The Founder, furious that Pu was colluding with Sun Ru, ignored the plea. When Pang Shigu besieged Xuzhou, Xuan came to Pu's aid, and the Founder never forgave it. Once Xuzhou fell he massed troops against Yan: from winter of Jingfu 1 Zhu Youyu crossed the Ji, and by Qianning 3 armies lay between Qi and Yan in dozens of clashes recorded in the 《Founder's Annals》. Fields lay empty; every subordinate city fell to him. Xuan appealed to Taiyuan; Li Keyong sent Li Chengsi, Shi Yan, and other generals to help. Luo Hongxin soon blocked the road; aid failed, and Xuan and Jin were ruined. In Qianning 4, month 1, Pang Shigu captured Yan. Xuan fled north of Zhongdu and hid in a peasant home; the family thrashed and seized him and Lady Rong, and both were executed at Bian Bridge.

朱瑾，瑄從父弟。雄武絕倫，性頗殘忍。光啟中，瑾與兗州節度使齊克讓婚，瑾自鄆盛飾車服，私藏兵甲，以赴禮會。親迎之夜，甲士竊發，擄克讓，自稱留後。及蔡賊鴟張，瑾與太祖連衡，同討宗權，前後屢捷，以功正授兗州節度使。既得士心，有兼並天下之意，太祖亦忌之。瑾以厚利招誘太祖軍士，以為間諜。及太祖攻鄆，瑾出師來援，累與太祖接戰。乾寧二年春，太祖令大將朱友恭攻瑾，掘塹柵以環之。朱瑄遣將賀瑰及蕃將何懷寶赴援，為友恭所擒。十一月，瑾從兄齊州刺史瓊以州降。太祖令執賀瑰、懷寶及瓊以徇於城下，語曰：「卿兄已敗，早宜效順。」瑾偽遣牙將瑚兒持書幣送降，太祖自至延壽門外，與瑾交語。瑾謂太祖曰：「欲令大將送符印，願得兄瓊來押領，所貴骨肉，盡布腹心也。」太祖遣瓊與客將劉捍取符笥，瑾單馬立於橋上，揮手謂捍曰：「可令兄來，余有密款。」即令瓊往。瑾先令騎士董懷進伏於橋下，及瓊至，懷進突出，擒瓊而入，俄而斬瓊首投於城外，太祖乃班師。

Zhu Jin was Xuan's cousin. He was peerless in battle and notoriously harsh. During Guangqi Jin was betrothed to Qi Kerang of Yanzhou; he left Yan in lavish wedding gear with hidden weapons for the ceremony. On the wedding night his soldiers rose, kidnapped Kerang, and Jin proclaimed himself acting commissioner. As Cai rebels spread, Jin joined the Founder against Zongquan, won battle after battle, and received formal appointment as Yanzhou commissioner. He won the army's loyalty and dreamed of empire; the Founder feared him in turn. Jin bribed the Founder's men into spying for him. Each time the Founder struck Yan, Jin came to its defense and fought him repeatedly. Spring of Qianning 2, the Founder sent Zhu Yougong against Jin with trenches and stockades encircling the city. Xuan sent He Gui and the tribal general He Huaibao to relieve the siege; Yougong took them prisoner. In month 11 Jin's cousin Qi Qiong, prefect of Qi, surrendered his city. The Founder displayed He Gui, Huaibao, and Qiong before the walls: "Your brother is beaten—yield now. Jin feigned surrender through Hu'er with gifts; the Founder met him at the Yanshou Gate. "I will send a general with the seals," Jin said; "let my brother Qiong take them so kin may trust kin. The Founder sent Qiong with Liu Han for the tally case. Jin waited alone on the bridge and called, "Send my brother—I have a secret to share." He had Qiong come forward. Dong Huaijin lay in ambush beneath the bridge, seized Qiong, dragged him in, and beheaded him; the head was thrown outside and the Founder marched away.

及鄆州陷，龐師古乘勝攻兗，瑾與李承嗣方出兵求芻粟於豐沛間，瑾之二子及大將康懷英、判官辛綰、小校閻寶以城降師古。瑾無歸路，即與承嗣將麾下士將保沂州，刺史尹處賓拒關不納，乃保海州。為師古所迫，遂擁州民渡淮依楊行密。行密表瑾領徐州節度使。龐師古渡淮，行密令瑾率師以禦之，清口之敗，瑾有力焉。自是瑾率淮軍連歲北寇徐、宿，大為東南之患。

Yan fell and Shigu stormed Yanzhou while Jin and Li Chengsi foraged in Feng and Pei; Jin's sons, Kang Huaiying, Xin Tao, and Yan Bao handed the city to Shigu. Cut off, Jin and Chengsi aimed for Yizhou; Yin Chubin closed the gates, so they clung to Haizhou. Shigu drove them on until they fled across the Huai with their people to Yang Xingmi. Xingmi had Jin appointed military commissioner of Xuzhou. Shigu crossed the Huai; Xingmi sent Jin to meet him, and Jin was decisive at Qingkou. Thereafter Jin's Huai armies raided Xu and Su yearly and plagued the southeast.

及行密卒，子渭繼立，以徐溫子知訓為行軍副使，寵遇頗深。後楊溥僭號，知訓為樞密使，知政事，以瑾為同平章事，仍督親軍。時徐溫父子恃寵專政，慮瑾不附己。〈（陳彭年《江南別錄》云：徐知訓初學兵法於朱瑾，瑾悉心教之。後與瑾有隙，夜遣壯士殺瑾，瑾手刃數人，埋於舍後。）〉貞明四年六月，出瑾為淮寧軍節度使。知訓設家宴以餞瑾，瑾事之逾遜。翌日，詣知訓第謝，留門久之，知訓家僮私謂瑾曰：「政事相公此夕在白牡丹妓院，侍者無得往。」瑾謂典謁曰：「吾不奈朝饑，且歸。」既而知訓聞之，愕然曰：「晚當過瑾。」瑾厚備供帳。瑾有所乘名馬，冬以錦帳貯之，夏以羅幬護之。愛妓桃氏，有絕色，善歌舞。及知訓至，奉卮酒為壽，初以名馬奉，知訓喜而言曰：「相公出鎮，與吾暫別，離恨可知，願此盡歡。」瑾即延知訓於中堂，出桃氏，酒既醉，瑾斬知訓首，示其部下。因以其眾急趨衙城，知訓之黨已闔門矣，唯瑾得獨入，與衙兵戰。復逾城而出，傷足，求馬不獲，遂自刎。暴其屍於市，盛夏無蠅蛆，徐溫令投之於江，部人竊收葬之。溫疾亟，夢瑾被髮引滿將射之。溫乃為之禮葬，立祠以祭之。〈（馬令《南唐書》云：初，宿衛將李球、馬謙挾楊隆演登樓，取庫兵以誅知訓，陣於門橋。知訓與戰，頻卻。朱瑾適自外來，以一騎前視其陣，曰：「不足為也。」因反顧一麾，外兵爭進，遂斬球、謙，亂兵皆潰。瑾嘗有德於知訓者也，及其凶終，吳人皆謂曲在知訓。《五代史補》：瑾之奔淮南也，時行密方圖霸，其為禮待，有加於諸將數等。瑾感行密見知，欲立奇功為報，但憾無入陣馬，忽忽不樂。一日晝寢，夢老叟，眉發皓然，謂謹曰：「君長憾無入陣馬，今馬生矣！」及廄隸報，適退槽馬生一駒，見臥未能起。瑾驚曰：「何應之速也！」行往視之，見骨目皆非常馬，大喜曰：「事辦矣！」其後破杜洪，取鍾傳，未嘗不得力焉。初，瑾之來也，徐溫睹其英烈，深忌之，故瑾不敢預政。及行密死，子溥嗣位，溫與張鎬爭權，襲殺鎬，自是事無大小，皆決於溫。既而溫復為自安之計，乃以子知訓自代，然後引兵出居金陵，實欲控製中外。知訓尤恣橫，瑾居常嫉之。一旦知訓欲得瑾所乘馬，瑾怒，遂擊殺知訓，提其首請溥起兵誅溫。溥素怯懦，見之掩麵而走。瑾曰：「老婢兒不足為計！」亦自殺，中外大駭且懼。溫至，遽以瑾屍暴之市中。時盛暑，肌肉累日不壞，至青蠅無敢輒泊。人有病者，或於暴屍處取土煎而服之，無不愈。）〉

After Xingmi's death his son Wei ruled and favored Xu Wen's son Zhixun as deputy commander of the field army. When Yang Pu claimed kingship, Zhixun ran military affairs and government; Jin became co-equal chief minister and kept command of the guard. The Xu clan, arrogant in power, feared Jin would not obey them. (Chen Pengnian's 《Separate Record of Jiangnan》 records that Zhixun first learned warfare from Jin, who taught him earnestly. Later they quarreled; Zhixun sent killers by night and Jin slew several before he was buried behind his house.)〉 In Zhenming 4, month 6, Jin was posted out as commissioner of Huaining. Zhixun held a farewell feast at home; Jin was more obsequious than ever. Next day he called to thank Zhixun and lingered at the gate; a servant whispered, "The chief minister is at the White Peony brothel tonight—no attendants allowed." I am starving from the morning court," Jin said; "I am going home." Zhixun, startled, said he would call on Jin that night. Jin laid out a rich feast and lodging. His prized horse slept under brocade in winter and gauze awnings in summer. His favorite Tao was a peerless singer and dancer. Zhixun came; Jin toasted him and gave the horse. Zhixun said, "You leave office and leave me—our parting hurts; let us drink deep. In the main hall he brought out Tao; when Zhixun was drunk Jin struck off his head and displayed it to the army. He raced for the government compound; Zhixun's men had barred the gates—only Jin broke in and fought the guard. He scaled the wall wounded, found no horse, and killed himself. His body lay in the market untouched by flies; Wen had it cast into the river, but townsfolk secretly buried it. Wen, deathly ill, dreamed Jin with loose hair drawing a bow at him. Wen buried him with rites and raised a shrine. (Ma Ling's 《History of Southern Tang》 says guards Li Qiu and Ma Qian seized Longyan, armed from the storehouse to kill Zhixun, and formed ranks at the gate bridge. Zhixun fought and was driven back again and again. Jin rode in from outside, scanned the line, and said, "This is nothing. He wheeled and signaled; outside troops poured in, killed Qiu and Qian, and the mob scattered. Jin had once aided Zhixun; when he died violently, Wu opinion blamed Zhixun. The 《Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties》 notes that when Jin reached Huainan, Xingmi, planning supremacy, honored him above other commanders. Grateful for Xingmi's trust, he longed to repay with a brilliant victory but lacked a battle horse and brooded. At noon he dreamed a white-haired elder saying, "You lamented no war horse—now one is born! The groom reported a foal just dropped in the stable, still unable to stand. Jin exclaimed in alarm, "How fast the omen came! He inspected it—bone and eye unlike any common horse—and cried in delight, "The affair is done!" Later, against Du Hong and Zhong Chuan, that horse never failed him. When Jin arrived, Xu Wen feared his brilliance and kept him from politics. After Xingmi's death Pu ruled; Wen killed rival Zhang Hao and thereafter decided everything. Wen then installed Zhixun in his place and moved to Jinling with an army to rule court and provinces alike. Zhixun grew tyrannical; Jin hated him. When Zhixun demanded his horse, Jin killed him, seized his head, and urged Pu to mobilize against Wen. Timid Pu covered his face and fled. Jin said, "That old crone is not worth a plan! He too took his own life, and court and country panicked. Wen came and at once displayed Jin's body in the market. In midsummer the corpse did not rot for days; flies would not touch it. The sick took soil from the exposed corpse, brewed it as medicine, and were invariably cured.)〉

時溥，徐州人，初為州之驍將。唐中和初，秦宗權據蔡州，侵寇鄰藩，節度使支詳命溥率師以討之，徐軍屢捷，軍情歸順，以節鉞授之。〈（《舊唐書》列傳云：時溥，彭城人，徐之牙將。黃巢據長安，詔征天下兵進討。中和二年，武寧軍節度使支詳遣溥與副將陳璠率師五千赴難，行至河陰，軍亂，剽河陰縣回。溥招合撫諭，其眾復集，懼罪，屯於境上。詳遣人迎犒，悉恕之，溥乃移軍向徐州。既入，軍人大呼，推溥為留後。送詳於大彭館。溥大出資裝，遣陳璠援詳歸京。詳宿七里亭，其夜為璠所殺，舉家屠害。溥以璠為宿州刺史，竟以違命殺詳，溥誅璠，又令別將帥軍三千赴難京師。天子還宮，授之節鉞。及黃巢攻陳州，秦宗權據蔡州，與賊連結，徐、蔡相近，溥出師討之，軍鋒益盛，每戰屢捷。黃巢之敗也，其將尚讓以數千人降溥。後林言又斬黃巢首歸徐州。時溥功居第一，詔授檢校太尉、中書令、钜鹿郡王。宗權未平，仍授溥徐州行營兵馬都統。蔡賊平，朱全忠與之爭功，遂相嫌怨。淮南亂，朝廷以全忠遙領淮南節度，以平孫儒、行密之亂。汴人應援，路出徐方，溥阻之。全忠怒，出師攻徐。自光啟至大順，六七年間，汴軍四集，徐、泗三郡，民無耕稼，頻歲水災，人喪十六七。溥窘蹙，求和於汴，全忠曰：「移鎮則可。」朝廷以尚書劉崇望代溥，以溥為太子太師。溥懼出城見害，不受代。汴將龐師古陳兵於野，溥求援於兗州，朱瑾出兵救之；值大雪，糧盡而還。城中守陴者饑甚，加之疾疫，汴將王重師、牛存節夜乘梯而入，溥與妻子登樓自焚而卒，實景福二年也。地入於汴。）〉

Shi Pu of Xuzhou began as one of the province's fiercest officers. Early in Zhonghe, Zongquan held Caizhou and harried the borders; Zhi Xiang sent Pu against him; Xu troops won again and again until the army chose Pu and gave him the commission. (The 《Old Book of Tang》 calls Pu a Pengcheng man and a Xu staff officer. When Huang Chao seized Chang'an, the throne called the empire to arms. Zhonghe year 2, Zhi Xiang sent Pu and Chen Fan with five thousand men toward the capital; at Heyin the troops mutinied and looted the county on the march back. Pu rallied them, but fearing punishment they halted on the frontier. Xiang sent envoys with gifts and a full pardon; Pu then marched on Xuzhou. Entering the city, the troops roared and made Pu acting commissioner. They lodged Xiang at the Great Peng guesthouse. Pu paid lavishly from his treasury and sent Chen Fan to escort Xiang to court. Xiang stopped at Qili Pavilion; that night Fan murdered him and butchered his household. Pu made Fan Su prefect, then executed him for killing Xiang; another general led three thousand men to aid the capital. When the emperor returned to the palace, Pu received the commission. Chao besieged Chenzhou while Zongquan held Caizhou; Pu struck from nearby Xu and won battle after battle. After Chao's fall, his general Shang Rang surrendered several thousand men to Pu. Later Lin Yan delivered Chao's head to Xuzhou. Pu's merit ranked first; the court made him honorary Grand Marshal, Grand Secretary, and Prince of Julu. While Zongquan still stood, Pu was named commander of Xu's field armies. After Cai fell, Zhu Quanzhong quarreled over credit and hatred grew. Huainan rebelled; the court named Quanzhong distant commissioner to crush Sun Ru and Yang Xingmi. Bian troops marched through Xu; Pu barred the road. Quanzhong attacked Xu in fury. For six or seven years Bian armies swarmed; Xu and Si lay untilled through flood and war until six or seven in ten were dead. Desperate, Pu sued for peace; Quanzhong said, "Move your post and we may talk. The court sent Liu Chongwang to replace Pu and made Pu Grand Preceptor of the Heir. Fearing murder if he left the walls, Pu refused to yield. Pang Shigu camped in the open; Pu begged Yanzhou; Zhu Jin marched to his aid; Snow blocked them; supplies failed and Jin turned back. Defenders starved and sickened; Wang Chongshi and Niu Cunjie scaled the walls by night; Pu and his family burned themselves on a tower in Jingfu year 2. Xu fell to Bian.)〉

王師範，青州人。父敬武，初為平盧牙將。唐廣明元年，無棣人洪霸郎合群盜於齊、棣間，節度使安師儒遣敬武討平之。及巢賊犯長安，諸藩擅易主帥，敬武乃逐師儒，自為留後。王鐸承製授以節鉞，後以出師勤王功，加太尉、平章事。龍紀中，敬武卒，師範年幼，三軍推之為帥，棣州刺史張蟾叛於師範，不受節度，朝廷乃以崔安潛為平盧帥，師範拒命。張蟾迎安潛至郡，同討師範。師範遣將盧宏將兵攻蟾，宏復叛，與蟾通謀，偽旋軍將襲青州。師範知之，遣重賂迎宏，謂之曰：「吾以先人之故，為軍府所推，年方幼少，未能幹事。如公以先人之故，令不乏祀，公之仁也。如以為難與成事，乞保首領，以守先人墳墓，亦惟命。」宏以師範年幼，必無能為，不為之備。師範伏兵要路，迎而享之，預謂紀綱劉鄩曰：「翌日盧宏至，爾即斬之，酬爾以軍校。」鄩如其言，斬宏於座上，及同亂者數人。因戒厲士眾，大行頒賞，與之誓約，自率之以攻棣州，擒張蟾，斬之。安潛遁還長安。師範雅好儒術，少負縱橫之學，故安民禁暴，各有方略，當時藩翰咸稱之。

Wang Shifan came from Qingzhou. His father Jingwu began as a Pinglu staff officer. Guangming year 1, Hong Balang raided Qi and Di; An Shiru sent Jingwu to crush him. As Chao ravaged Chang'an, circuits changed commanders at will; Jingwu expelled Shiru and seized the post. Wang Duo invested him by imperial order; later aid to the throne won him Grand Marshal and co-equal chief minister. In Longji Jingwu died; the army made young Shifan commander; Di prefect Zhang Chan rebelled; the court named Cui Anqian commander and Shifan defied him. Chan welcomed Anqian and jointly attacked Shifan. Shifan sent Lu Hong against Chan; Hong turned traitor, plotted with Chan, and feigned retreat to strike Qingzhou. Shifan learned of it, welcomed Hong with gifts, and said, "The army made me commander because of my father; I am young and cannot rule. If you preserve our ancestral rites for my father's sake, that is mercy. If you think me unfit, let me keep my head and tend the tombs—that is all I ask. Hong thought the boy helpless and took no precautions. Shifan ambushed the road, feasted Hong, and told Liu Ye, "When Hong comes tomorrow, strike off his head and I will make you a field officer. Ye beheaded Hong at the feast and several conspirators with him. He rallied the army with rewards and oaths, led them against Di, captured Zhang Chan, and executed him. Anqian fled to Chang'an. He loved scholarship and stratagem, ruled with measured force, and frontier lords praised him.

及太祖平兗、鄆，遣朱友恭攻之，師範乞盟，遂與通好。天復元年冬，李茂貞劫遷車駕幸鳳翔，韓全誨矯詔加罪於太祖，令方鎮出師赴難。詔至青州，師範承詔泣下曰：「吾輩為天子藩籬，君父有難，略無奮力者，皆強兵自衛，縱賊如此，使上失守宗祧，危而不持，是誰之過，吾今日成敗以之！」乃發使通楊行密，遣將劉鄩襲兗州，別將襲齊。時太祖方圍鳳翔，師範遣將張居厚部輿夫二百，言有獻於太祖。至華州城東，華將婁敬思疑其有異，剖輿視之，乃兵仗也。居厚等因呼，殺敬思，聚眾攻西城。時崔胤在華州，遣部下閉關拒之，遂遁去。是日，劉鄩下兗州，河南數十郡同日發。太祖怒，遣朱友寧率軍討之。既而友寧為青軍所敗，臨陣被擒，傳首於淮南。天復三年七月，太祖復令楊師厚進攻，屯於臨朐。師厚屢敗青軍，遂進寨於城下。師範懼，乃令副使李嗣業詣師厚乞降，〈（《新唐書》云：師厚圍青州，敗師範兵於臨朐，執諸將，又獲其弟師克。是時師範眾尚十餘萬，諸將請決戰，而師範以弟故，乃請降。）〉太祖許之。歲餘，遣李振權典青州事，因令師範舉家徙汴。師範將至，縞素乘驢，請罪於太祖。太祖以禮待之，尋表為河陽節度使。會韓建移鎮青州，太祖帳餞於郊，師範預焉。太祖謂建曰：「公頃在華陰，政事之暇，省覽經籍，此亦士君子之大務。今之青土，政簡務暇，可復修華陰之故事。」建撝謙而已。太祖又曰：「公讀書必須精意，勿錯用心。」太祖以師範好儒，前以青州叛，故以此言譏之。及太祖即位，征為金吾上將軍。

After the Founder took Yan, Yougong attacked; Shifan sued for peace and they allied. Tianfu 1 winter, Maozhen seized the emperor at Fengxiang; Quanhui forged an edict condemning the Founder and summoned the circuits. The edict reached Qingzhou; Shifan wept and said, "We are the emperor's shield, yet none fights while the throne is lost—whose fault? Today I stake everything on this! He contacted Yang Xingmi, sent Liu Ye against Yanzhou, and struck Qi. While the Founder besieged Fengxiang, Shifan sent Zhang Juhou with two hundred carts claiming tribute. East of Huazhou, Lou Jingsi opened the carts and found weapons. They killed Jingsi, rallied men, and stormed the west gate. Cui Yin at Huazhou shut the gates and drove them off. That day Ye took Yanzhou; dozens of Henan prefectures rebelled together. The Founder sent Zhu Youning to punish him. Youning was defeated, captured, and his head sent to Huainan. Tianfu 3, month 7, Yang Shihou advanced and camped at Linqu. Shihou beat Qing armies repeatedly and pitched camp under the walls. Afraid, Shifan sent Li Siye to beg Shihou for terms, (The 《New Book of Tang》 says Shihou took Qingzhou, beat Shifan at Linqu, captured his generals and brother Shike. Shifan still had a hundred thousand men; his officers wanted battle, but for his brother's sake he surrendered.)〉 The Founder agreed. A year later Li Zhen governed Qingzhou while Shifan moved his family to Bian. He came in white on a donkey to beg the Founder's pardon. The Founder honored him and soon made him commissioner of Heyang. When Han Jian took Qingzhou, the Founder feasted him outside the city; Shifan attended. The Founder told Jian, "At Huayin you read the classics in quiet hours—that is a gentleman's duty. Qing is quiet now; resume your Huayin studies. Jian demurred. The Founder added, "Read with care—do not misapply your mind. He mocked Shifan's love of learning because Qing had rebelled. When the Founder became emperor, Shifan was summoned as Golden Guard general.

開平初，太祖封諸子為王，友寧妻號訴於太祖曰：「陛下化家為國，人人皆得封崇。妾夫早預艱難，粗立勞效，不幸師範反逆，亡夫橫屍疆場。冤仇尚在朝廷，受陛下恩澤，亡夫何罪！」太祖淒然泣下曰：「幾忘此賊。」即遣人族師範於洛陽。先掘坑於第側，乃告之，其弟師誨、兄師悅及兒侄二百口，鹹盡戮焉。時使者宣詔訖，師範盛啟宴席，令昆仲子弟列座，謂使者曰：「死者人所不能免，況有罪乎！然予懼坑屍於下，少長失序，恐有愧於先人。」行酒之次，令少長依次於坑所受戮，人士痛之。後唐同光三年三月，詔贈太尉。

At Kaiping the Founder enfeoffed his sons; Youning's widow cried, "You ennoble everyone while my husband died because Shifan rebelled—what was his crime? He served in hardship and died on the border when Shifan turned traitor. The killer still enjoys your grace—what did my husband do wrong! The Founder wept, "I had nearly forgotten that villain." He sent men to wipe out Shifan's clan at Luoyang. A pit was dug by his house; Shihui, Shiyue, and two hundred kin were slaughtered. After the edict was read Shifan feasted his kin and told the envoy, "Death comes to all—especially the guilty. Yet I fear disorder in the pit and shame to our ancestors. He had them drink by age and enter the pit in order; onlookers wept. Later Tang Tongguang 3, month 3, he was posthumously named Grand Marshal.

劉知俊，字希賢，徐州沛縣人也。姿貌雄傑，倜儻有大志。始事徐帥時溥，為列校，溥甚器之，後以勇略見忌。唐大順二年冬，率所部二千人來降，即署為軍校。知俊披甲上馬，輪劍入敵，勇冠諸將。太祖命左右義勝兩軍隸之，尋用為左開道指揮使，故當時人謂之「劉開道」。後討秦宗權及攻徐州，皆有功，尋補徐州馬步軍都指揮使。攻海州下之，遂奏授刺史。天復初，曆典懷、鄭二州，從平青州，以功奏授同州節度使。天祐三年冬，以兵五千破岐軍六萬於美原。自是連克鄜、延等五州，乃加檢校太傅、平章事。開平二年春三月，命為潞州行營招討使。知俊未至潞，夾寨已陷，晉人引軍方攻澤州，聞知俊至，乃退。尋改西路招討使。六月，大破岐軍於幕穀，俘斬千計，李茂貞僅以身免。三年五月，加檢校太尉、兼侍中，封大彭郡王。

Liu Zhijun, courtesy name Xixian, came from Pei in Xuzhou. He looked heroic, was bold, and dreamed large. He served Pu as a field officer, was favored, then feared for his prowess. Datong 2 winter he defected with two thousand men and became an army officer. Armored on horseback he charged ahead of every general. The Founder gave him the Righteous Victory and Victory corps; he became Left Vanguard commander and was called "Liu Vanguard." He fought Zongquan and took Xuzhou, then commanded Xu's horse and foot. He captured Haizhou and was made its prefect. Early Tianfu he held Huai and Zheng; pacifying Qing won him Tong commissioner. Tianyou 3 winter he routed sixty thousand Qi troops at Meiyuan with five thousand. He then seized five prefectures including Yan and Yan and rose to honorary Grand Tutor and chief minister. Kaiping 2 spring, month 3, he was named Lu campaign commander. Before he reached Lu the camps had fallen; Jin besieged Zezhou but withdrew when he came. He was soon made western-route campaign commander. Month 6 he crushed Qi at Mugul, killing thousands; Maozhen barely escaped. Year 3, month 5, he became honorary Grand Marshal, Palace Secretary, and Prince of Dapeng.

時知俊威望益隆，太祖雄猜日甚，會佑國軍節度使王重師無罪見誅，知俊居不自安，乃據同州叛，〈（《鑒戒錄》云：彭城王劉知俊鎮同州日，因築營牆，掘得一物，重八十餘斤，狀若油囊，召賓幕將校問之。劉源曰：「此是冤氣所結，古來囹圄之地或有焉。昔王充據洛陽，修河南府獄，亦獲此物。源聞酒能忘憂，奠以醇醪，或可消釋耳。然此物之出，亦非吉征也。」知俊命具酒饌祝酹，復瘞之。尋有叛城背主之事。）〉送款於李茂貞。又分兵以襲雍、華，雍州節度使劉捍被擒，送鳳翔害之，華州蔡敬思被傷獲免。太祖聞知俊叛，遣近臣諭之曰：「朕待卿甚厚，何相負耶？」知俊報曰：「臣非背德，但畏死耳！王重師不負陛下，而致族滅！」太祖復遣使謂知俊曰：「朕不料卿為此。昨重師得罪，蓋劉捍言陰結邠、鳳，終不為國家用。我今雖知枉濫，悔不可追，致卿如斯，我心恨恨，蓋劉捍誤予事也，捍一死固未塞責。」知俊不報，遂分兵以守潼關。太祖命劉鄩率兵進討，攻潼關，下之。時知俊弟知浣為親衛指揮使，聞知俊叛，自洛奔至潼關，為鄩所擒，害之。尋而王師繼至，知俊乃舉族奔於鳳翔；李茂貞厚待之，偽加檢校太尉、兼中書令，以土疆不廣，無藩鎮以處之，但厚給俸祿而已。尋命率兵攻圍靈武，且圖牧圉之地。靈武節度使韓遜遣使來告急，太祖令康懷英率師救之，師次邠州長城嶺，為知俊邀擊，懷英敗歸。〈（《九國志》云：李彥琦、劉知俊自靈武班師，塗經長城嶺，梁師率精銳數萬躡其後，彥琦與知俊同設方略，擊敗之。）〉茂貞悅，署為涇州節度使。復命率眾攻興元，進圍西縣，會蜀軍救至，乃退。〈（《九國誌·王宗鐬傳》云：岐將劉知俊等領大軍分路來攻，由階、成路奪固鎮糧，王宗侃、唐襲等禦之，至青泥嶺，為知俊所敗，退保西縣。會大雨，漢江漲，宗鐬自羅村得鄉導，緣山而行數百里，與宗播遇於鐵穀，合軍出湯頭。時知俊自斜穀山南直抵興州，圍西縣，軍人散掠巴中，宗鐬與宗播襲之。會王建亦至，遂解西縣之圍。）〉

Zhijun's fame grew while the Founder grew suspicious; when innocent Wang Chongshi was killed, Zhijun rebelled at Tong, (The 《Mirror of Warning》 says that while fortifying Tong, Zhijun unearthed an eighty-jin object like an oil bladder and asked his staff. Liu Yuan said it was condensed grievance from an old prison site. Wang Chong had found the same when rebuilding Luoyang's jail. Wine might dissolve it, Yuan said. Still, he added, the omen was ill. Zhijun poured wine, prayed, and reburied it. Soon he rebelled.)〉 He submitted to Li Maozhen. He raided Yong and Hua; Liu Han was taken to Fengxiang and killed; Cai Jingsi was wounded but lived. The Founder asked, "I favored you—why betray me? Zhijun answered, "I do not betray you—I fear death! Chongshi was loyal, yet you wiped out his house!" The Founder said he never expected this of him. Chongshi died because Han claimed he plotted with Bin and Feng and would never serve the throne. I know it was unjust and cannot undo it; Han misled me—his death is not enough. Zhijun was silent and garrisoned Tong Pass. The Founder sent Liu Ye, who took Tong Pass. His brother Zhihuan fled from Luoyang to Tong Pass, was caught by Ye, and killed. Wang's army followed; Zhijun fled with his clan to Fengxiang; Maozhen honored him with empty titles but no domain, only rich pay. He was sent to besiege Lingwu and seize pasture. Han Xun of Lingwu begged aid; Kang Huaiying marched, was ambushed at Changcheng Ridge, and retreated. (The 《Record of the Nine States》 says Yanqi and Zhijun, returning from Lingwu, beat a Liang pursuit at Changcheng Ridge.)〉 Maozhen made him Jing commissioner. He besieged Xixian at Xingyuan until Shu relief forced retreat. (The 《Record of the Nine States · Wang Zonghe》 says Zhijun routed Shu forces at Qingni and besieged Xixian. Rain flooded the Han; Zonghe marched by mountain paths and joined Zongbo at Tiegul. Zhijun swept down from Xiegu, besieged Xixian, and looted Ba until Zonghe and Zongbo struck. Wang Jian arrived and lifted the siege.)〉

既而為茂貞左右石簡顒等間之，免其軍政，寓於岐下，掩關曆年。茂貞猶子繼崇鎮秦州，因來寧覲，言知俊途窮至此，不宜以讒嫉見疑，茂貞乃誅簡顒等以安其心。繼崇又請令知俊挈家居秦州，以就豐給，茂貞從之。未幾，邠州亂，茂貞命知俊討之。時邠州都校李保衡納款於朝廷，末帝遣霍彥威率眾先入於邠，知俊遂圍其城，半載不能下。會李繼崇以秦州降於蜀，知俊妻孥皆遷於成都，遂解邠州之圍而歸岐陽。以舉家入蜀，終慮猜忌，因與親信百餘人夜斬關奔蜀。王建待之甚至，即授偽武信軍節度使，尋命將兵伐岐，不克，班師，因圍隴州，獲其帥桑宏誌以歸。久之，復命為都統，再領軍伐岐。時部將皆王建舊人，多違節度，不成功而還，蜀人因而毀之。先是，王建雖加寵待，然亦忌之，嘗謂近侍曰：「吾漸衰耗，恒思身後。劉知俊非爾輩能駕馭，不如早為之所。」又嫉其名者於裏巷間作謠言云：「黑牛出圈棕繩斷。」知俊色黔而醜生，棕繩者，王氏子孫皆以「宗」、「承」為名，故以此構之。偽蜀天漢元年冬十二月，建遣人捕知俊，斬於成都府之炭市。及王衍嗣偽位，以其子嗣禋尚偽峨眉長公主，拜駙馬都尉。後唐同光末，隨例遷於洛，卒。

Courtiers slandered him; he lived under Qi in seclusion for years. Nephew Jichong pleaded for Zhijun; Maozhen executed the slanderers to reassure him. Jichong invited Zhijun's family to Qin; Maozhen agreed. Bin rebelled; Maozhen sent Zhijun to suppress it. Li Baoheng had surrendered to Liang; Huo Yanwei entered Bin first; Zhijun besieged it six months in vain. Jichong surrendered Qin to Shu; Zhijun's family was taken to Chengdu; he abandoned Bin and returned to Qiyang. Fearing suspicion after his family went to Shu, he fled by night with a hundred men. Wang Jian honored him as Wuxin commissioner; he failed against Qi, took Long and Sang Hongzhi, and returned. Later he was made overall commander and marched on Qi again. His officers, Jian's old guard, disobeyed; failure brought slander. Jian favored yet feared him and told aides, "I age and think of what follows my death. Zhijun is not for you to control—deal with him early. Enemies spread a rhyme: "The black ox leaves the pen; the palm rope snaps." Zhijun was dark and ugly; "palm rope" punned on Wang names using Zong and Cheng. False-Shu Tianhan 1, month 12, Jian had him beheaded at Chengdu's charcoal market. Under Wang Yan his son Sichen married the Emei princess and became chief son-in-law. At Later Tang Tongguang he moved to Luoyang and died.

知俊族子嗣彬，幼從知俊征行，累遷為軍校。及知俊叛，以不預其謀，得不坐。貞明末，大軍與晉王對壘於德勝，久之，嗣彬率數騎奔於晉，具言朝廷軍機得失；又以家世仇怨，將以報之。晉王深信之，即厚給田宅，仍賜錦衣玉帶，軍中目為「劉二哥」。居一年，復來奔，當時晉人謂是刺客，以晉王恩澤之厚，故不竊發。龍德三年冬，從王彥章戰於中都，軍敗，為晉人所擒。晉王見之，笑謂嗣彬曰：「爾可還予玉帶。」嗣彬惶恐請死，遂誅之。

Clansman Sizhen campaigned with Zhijun and rose to field officer. He was not punished when Zhijun rebelled. At Zhenming's end, with Jin at Desheng, Sizhen defected with horsemen and revealed Liang plans; He sought to avenge a family feud. He sought to avenge a family feud. The Prince of Jin trusted him, gave estates and the jade belt, and called him "Second Brother Liu." A year later he fled back; Jin suspected an assassin but spared him for past favor. Longde 3 winter he fought at Zhongdu, was captured. The Prince of Jin smiled, "Return my jade belt."

楊崇本，不知何許人，幼為李茂貞之假子，因冒姓李氏，名繼徽。唐光化中，茂貞表為邠州節度使。天復元年冬，太祖自鳳翔移軍北伐，駐旆於邠郊，命諸軍攻其城。崇本懼，出城請降。太祖復置為邠州節度使，仍令復其本姓名焉。及師還，遷其族於河中。其後，太祖因統戎往來由於蒲津，以崇本妻素有姿色，嬖之於別館。其婦素剛烈，私懷愧恥，遣侍者讓崇本曰：「丈夫擁旄仗鉞，不能庇其伉儷，我已為朱公婦，今生無面目對卿，期於刀繩而已。」崇本聞之，但灑淚含怒。及昭宗自鳳翔回京，崇本之家得歸邠州。崇本恥其妻見辱，因茲復貳於太祖。乃遣使告茂貞曰：「朱氏兆亂，謀危唐祚，父為國家磐石，不可坐觀其禍，宜於此時畢命興復，事苟不濟，死為社稷可也。」茂貞乃遣使會兵於太原。時西川王建亦令大將出師以助之，岐、蜀連兵以攻雍、華，關西大震。太祖遣郴王友裕帥師禦之，會友裕卒於行，乃班師。天祐三年冬十月，崇本復領鳳翔、邠、涇、秦、隴之師，會延州胡章之眾，合五六萬，屯於美原，列柵十五，其勢甚盛。太祖命同州節度使劉知俊及康懷英帥師拒之，崇本大敗，復歸於邠州，自是垂翅久之。乾化元年冬，為其子彥魯所毒而死。

Sizhen begged death and was executed. Yang Chongben, origin unknown, was adopted by Li Maozhen and took the name Li Jihui. In Guanghua Maozhen made him Bin commissioner. Tianfu 1 winter the Founder left Fengxiang, camped at Bin, and assaulted the walls. Chongben surrendered in fear. The Founder restored him as Bin commissioner under his true name Yang Chongben. On withdrawal his clan was moved to Hezhong. The Founder, passing Pujin on campaign, took Chongben's beautiful wife to a side lodge. His proud wife sent word: "You could not protect me; I am Zhu's woman now and will see you only by knife or rope." Chongben wept in silent rage. When Zhaozong returned from Fengxiang, his household came back to Bin. Humiliated, he turned against the Founder again. He told Maozhen, "Zhu threatens Tang; you are the realm's pillar—rise now or die for the altars." Maozhen allied with Taiyuan. Wang Jian of Shu marched out; Qi and Shu struck Yong and Hua and shook the northwest. The Founder sent Prince of Chen Youyu; when Youyu died on the march, the army withdrew. Tianyou 3, month 10, Chongben massed fifty or sixty thousand at Meiyuan in fifteen camps. Zhijun and Huaiying crushed him; he fled to Bin and lay low for years.

彥魯自稱留後，領其軍事，凡五十餘日，為崇本養子李保衡所殺。保衡舉其城來降，末帝命霍彥威為邠帥，由是邠、寧復為末帝所有。

Qianhua 1 winter his son Yanlu poisoned him. Yanlu seized power for fifty days until adopted son Li Baoheng killed him.

蔣殷，不知何許人。幼孤，隨其母適於河中節度使王重盈之家，重盈憐之，畜為己子。唐天復初，太祖既平蒲、陝，殷與從兄珂舉族遷於大梁。太祖感王重榮之舊恩，凡王氏諸子，皆錄用焉，殷由是繼曆內職，累遷至宣徽院使。殷素與庶人友珪善，友珪篡立，命為徐州節度使。乾化四年秋，末帝以福王友璋鎮徐方，殷自以為友珪之黨，懼不受代，遂堅壁以拒命。時華州節度使王瓚，殷之從弟也，懼其連坐，上章言殷本姓蔣，非王氏之子也。末帝乃下詔削奪殷在身官爵，仍令卻還本姓，命牛存節、劉鄩等率軍討之。是時，殷求救於淮南，楊溥遣朱瑾率眾來援，存節等逆擊，敗之。貞明元年春，存節、劉鄩攻下徐州，殷舉族自燔而死，於火中得其屍，梟首以獻之。

Baoheng surrendered; the Last Emperor made Huo Yanwei Bin commander and recovered Bin and Ning. Jiang Yin's origin is unknown. Orphaned, he was raised in Wang Chongying's house at Hezhong. Early Tianfu, after Pu and Shan fell, Yin and cousin Ke moved to Daliang. Remembering Wang Chongrong, the Founder employed the Wang sons; Yin rose to Palace Proclamation commissioner. Close to Yougui, he was made Xu commissioner when Yougui usurped. Cousin Wang Zan of Hua, fearing guilt, revealed Yin was born Jiang, not Wang. The court stripped his titles, restored the surname Jiang, and sent Niu Cunjie and Liu Ye against him. He begged Huainan; Yang Pu sent Zhu Jin; Cunjie defeated Jin. Zhenming 1 spring Cunjie and Ye took Xu; Yin's clan burned themselves; his head was displayed.

張萬進，雲州人。初為本州小校，亡命投幽州，劉守光厚遇之，任為裨將。滄州劉守文，以弟守光囚父而竊據其位，自領兵問罪，尋敗於雞蘇。守光遂兼有滄、景之地，令其子繼威主留務。繼威年幼，未能政事，以萬進佐之，凡關軍政，一皆委任。繼威凶虐類父，嘗淫亂於萬進之家，萬進怒而殺之，〈（《通鑒》云：乾化二年九月庚子，萬進遣使奉表降於梁。辛丑，以萬進為義昌留後。甲辰，改義昌為順化軍，以萬進為節度使。此傳疑有闕文。）〉師厚表青州節度使，俄遷兗州，仍賜名守進。萬進性既輕險，專圖反側。貞明四年冬，據城叛命，遣使送款於晉王。末帝降製削其官爵，仍復其本名，遣劉鄩討之，晉人不能救。五年冬，萬進危蹙，小將邢師遇潛謀內應，開門以納王師，遂拔其城，萬進族誅。

Zhang Wanjin came from Yunzhou. A Yun junior officer, he fled to Youzhou and served Liu Shouguang as lieutenant. Liu Shouwen of Cangzhou marched against Shouguang, who had imprisoned their father; Shouwen lost at Jisu. Shouguang took Cang and Jing and left son Jiwei in charge. Young Jiwei delegated all military affairs to Wanjin. Jiwei raped Wanjin's household; Wanjin killed him, (The 《Comprehensive Mirror》 records that in Qianhua 2, month 9, day gengzi, Wanjin surrendered to Liang. On day xinchou he became Yichang acting commissioner. On day jiachen Yichang became Shunhua army under Wanjin as commissioner. This passage may be incomplete.)〉 Shihou made him Qing commissioner, then Yan, with the name Shoujin. Wanjin was treacherous and lived for revolt. Zhenming 4 winter he rebelled and submitted to the Prince of Jin. The Last Emperor stripped his titles, restored his name Zhang, and sent Liu Ye; Jin could not save him. Year 5 winter, desperate, he was betrayed when Xing Shiyu opened the gates; his clan was wiped out.

史臣曰：夫雲雷構屯，龍蛇起陸，勢均者交鬥，力敗者先亡，故瑄、瑾、時溥之流，皆梁之吞噬，斯亦理之常也。惟瑾始以竊發有土，終以竊發亡身，《傳》所謂「君以此始，必以此終」者乎！師範屬衰季之運，以興復為謀，事雖不成，忠則可尚，雖貽族滅之禍，亦可以與臧洪遊於地下矣。知俊驍武有餘，奔亡不暇，六合雖大，無所容身，夫如是則豈若義以為勇者乎！崇本而下，俱以叛滅，又何足以道哉！

The historian writes: When storm clouds gather and serpents rise, equals fight until the weaker is devoured—Xuan, Jin, and Shi Pu were Liang's prey, as reason demands. Only Jin stole a realm by stealth and lost his life the same way—the 《Classic》 proverb fits. Shifan, in a dying age, sought restoration; though he failed and his house was killed, his loyalty ranks with Zang Hong. Zhijun's valor availed nothing in endless flight; the world had no room for him—better courage rooted in duty. Chongben and the rest died as rebels and merit no further words!

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