1
張文蔚，字右華，河間人也。 父裼，唐僖宗朝，累為顯官。 文蔚幼礪文行，求知取友，藹然有佳士之稱。 唐乾符初，登進士第，時丞相裴坦兼判鹽鐵，解褐署巡官。 未幾，以畿尉直館。 丁家艱，以孝聞。 中和歲，僖宗在蜀，大寇未滅，急於軍費，移鹽鐵於揚州，命李都就判之，奏為轉運巡官。 駕還長安，除監察御史，遷左補闕侍御史、起居舍人、司勳吏部員外郎，拜司勳郎中、知制誥，歲滿授中書舍人。 丁母憂，退居東畿，哀毀過禮。 服闋，復拜中書舍人，俄召入翰林，為承旨學士。 屬昭宗初還京闕，皇綱浸微，文蔚所發詔令，靡失厥中，論者多之。 轉戶部侍郎，仍依前充職，尋出為禮部侍郎。 天祐元年夏，拜中書侍郎、平章事，兼判戶部。 時柳璨在相位，擅權縱暴，傾陷賢俊，宰相裴樞等五家及三省而下三十餘人，鹹抱冤就死； 縉紳以目，不敢竊語其是非，餘怒所注，亦不啻十許輩。 文蔚殫其力解之，乃止，士人賴焉。 璨敗死，文蔚兼度支鹽鐵使。 天祐四年，天子以土運將革，天命有歸，四月，命文蔚與楊涉等總率百僚，奉禪位詔至大梁。 太祖受命，文蔚等不易其位。 開平二年春，暴卒於位，詔贈右僕射。
Zhang Wenyu, styled Youhua, came from Hejian. His father Ti rose through several high posts under Emperor Xizong of Tang. From youth he cultivated letters and character, sought learning and worthy companions, and was known as a man of fine quality. In the early Qianfu era he took the jinshi degree; Chief Minister Pei Tan, who also oversaw the salt monopoly, gave him his first appointment as a patrol official. Soon he served as a capital aide and was posted to the Hanlin archive. When his father died, his mourning won wide praise. During the Zhonghe reign, with the emperor in Shu and rebels still unchecked, the court moved salt administration to Yangzhou under Li Du; Wenyu was named transport patrol official. After the court returned to Chang'an he rose from supervising censor through remonstrator, attendant censor, and diarist to bureau director, then Merit Director and edict drafter; a year later he became Secretariat Drafter. He mourned his mother in the eastern suburbs, his grief so deep it outstripped the rites. After mourning he resumed as Secretariat Drafter and was soon called into the Hanlin as Expositor. When Zhaozong first came back to the capital, the throne was failing; Wenyu's edicts struck the right note every time, and men of judgment approved. He became Vice Minister of Revenue while retaining his old duties, then moved to Vice Minister of Rites. In summer of Tianyou 1 he was made Secretariat Vice Minister, Chief Councillor, and put in charge of Revenue. Liu Can then dominated the court, abused power, and destroyed the worthy: Chancellor Pei Shu and four other families, with more than thirty men from the Three Departments, all died unjustly. Officials watched in silence, afraid even to murmur judgment; a dozen more still lay in the path of his rage. Wenyu spent himself to halt the slaughter, and the scholarly class owed him their lives. After Can's fall and death, Wenyu was also made Commissioner of Finance and Salt. In Tianyou 4, believing the age of earth was ending and Heaven's mandate had turned, the emperor in the fourth month sent Wenyu and Yang She at the head of the bureaucracy to Daliang with the abdication edict. When the Founding Emperor took the throne, Wenyu and his colleagues kept their offices. In spring of Kaiping 2 he died suddenly at his post; the court posthumously made him Right Vice Director.
2
文蔚沈邃重厚，有大臣之風，居家孝且悌，雖位至清顯，與仲季相雜，在太夫人膝下，一不異布素。 弟濟美，早得心恙， 〈（《北夢瑣言》云：張裼尚書有五子：文蔚、彝憲、濟美、仁龜，皆有名第，至宰輔丞郎。 內一子，忘其名，少年聞壁魚食神仙字，身有五色，吞之可得仙，因欲試之，遂致心疾。 是得急者別自一人非濟美也。）〉 文蔚撫視殆三十年，士君子稱之。
Deep, grave, and weighty, he bore a great minister's air; at home he was filial and fraternal. Though he had risen to the highest offices, he sat among his brothers at their mother's knee like any man in plain cloth. His brother Jimo had long suffered a disorder of the heart, (The 《Northern Dreams Miscellany》 says Minister Zhang Ti had five sons—Wenyu, Yixian, Jimo, and Renqi—all earned degrees and rose to chancellor or bureau chief.)〉 A fifth son, whose name is lost, heard as a boy that silverfish that eat sacred script turn five-colored and grant immortality if eaten; he tried it and lost his mind. The afflicted son was another brother, not Jimo.)〉 Wenyu tended him for nearly thirty years, to the praise of all who knew them.
3
子鑄，周顯德中，位至秘書監。
His son Zhuo rose to Director of the Secretariat under Later Zhou in the Xiande era.
4
薛貽矩，字熙用，河東聞喜人。 祖存，父廷望，咸有令名。 貽矩風儀秀聳，其與遊者皆一時英妙，藉甚於文場間。 唐乾符中，登進士第，曆度支巡官、集賢校理、拾遺、殿中、起居舍人，召拜翰林學士，加禮部員外郎、知制誥，轉司勳郎中，其職如故。 乾寧中，天子幸石門，貽矩以私屬相失，不及於行在，罷之。 旋除中書舍人，再踐內署。 曆戶部兵部侍郎、學士承旨。 及昭宗自鳳翔還京，大翦閹寺，貽矩尚為韓全誨等作畫讚，悉記於內侍省屋壁間，坐是謫官。 天祐初，除吏部侍郎，不至。 太祖素重之，嘗言之於朝，即日拜吏部尚書，俄遷御史大夫。 四年春，唐帝命貽矩持詔赴大梁，議禪代之事。 貽矩至，盛稱太祖功德，請就北面之禮，太祖雖謙抑不納，待之甚厚。 受禪之歲夏五月，拜中書侍郎、平章事，兼判戶部。 明年夏，進拜門下侍郎、監修國史，判度支，又遷宏文館大學士，充鹽鐵轉運使，累官自僕射至守司空。 在任綿五載，然亦無顯赫事跡可紀。 扈從貝州還，染時癘，旬日卒於東京。 詔贈侍中。
Xue Yiju, styled Xiyong, came from Wenxi in Hedong. His grandfather Cun and his father Tingwang both enjoyed excellent names. Yiju stood tall in grace and presence; his circle held the brightest men of the day, and the literary world held him in high regard. He took the jinshi in Qianfu and moved through salt patrol work, Collegiate Reviser, remonstrator, palace and diarist posts, then Hanlin academician, Vice Minister of Rites and edict drafter, and Director of Merit without changing his core duties. In Qianning, when the emperor went to Shimen, Yiju lost touch with his household train, failed to reach the traveling court, and was removed. He was soon made Secretariat Drafter and returned to the inner secretariat. He went on to serve as Vice Minister of Revenue and War and as Hanlin Expositor. When Zhaozong returned from Fengxiang and purged the eunuchs, Yiju was found to have painted laudatory portraits for Han Quanhui and others on the inner-service walls and was demoted. Early in Tianyou he was named Vice Minister of Personnel but never reported. The Founding Emperor had long esteemed him, mentioned him at court, and that day named him Minister of Personnel; soon after he became Censor-in-Chief. In spring of the fourth year the Tang emperor sent Yiju to Daliang with the edict to negotiate abdication. On arrival he extolled the Founding Emperor and urged him to accept the ceremony of a northern vassal; the emperor demurred but received him with great favor. In the fifth month of the founding year he became Secretariat Vice Minister, Chief Councillor, and overseer of Revenue. The following summer he rose to Chancellery Vice Minister, supervised the national history, ran finance, became Grand Academician of Hongwen, Salt Transport Commissioner, and climbed from Vice Director to Acting Minister of Works. He served five full years, but left no deeds worth recording. On the return from Beizhou he contracted an epidemic and died in the Eastern Capital within ten days. The court posthumously made him Palace Attendant.
5
張策，字少逸，敦煌人。 父同，仕唐，官至容管經略使。 策少聰警好學，尤樂章句。 居洛陽敦化裏，嘗浚甘泉井，得古鼎，耳有篆字曰：「魏黃初元年春二月，匠吉千」，且又製作奇巧，同甚寶之。 策時在父旁，徐言曰：「建安二十五年，曹公薨，改年為延康，其年十月，文帝受漢禪，始號黃初，則是黃初元年無二月明矣。 鼎文何謬歟！」 同大驚，亟遣啟書室，取《魏志》展讀，一不失所啟，宗族奇之，時年十三。 然而妙通因果，酷奉空教，未弱冠，落發為僧，居雍之慈恩精廬，頗有高致。 唐廣明末，大盜犯闕，策遂返初服，奉父母逃難，君子多之。 及丁家艱，以孝聞。 服滿，自屏郊藪，一無幹進意，若是者十餘載，方出為廣文博士，改秘書郎。 王行瑜帥邠州，辟為觀察支使，帶水曹員外郎，賜緋。 及行瑜反，太原節度使李克用奉詔討伐，行瑜敗死，邠州平。 策與婢肩輿其親，南出邠境，屬邊寨積雪，為行者所哀。 太祖聞而嘉之，奏為鄭滑支使，尋以內憂去職。 製闋，除國子博士，遷膳部員外郎。 不一歲，華帥韓建辟為判官，及建領許州，又為掌記。 天復中，策奉其主書幣來聘，太祖見而喜曰：「張夫子且至矣。」 即奏為掌記，兼賜金紫。 天祐初，表其才，拜職方郎中，兼史館修撰，俄召入為翰林學士，轉兵部郎中，知制誥，依前修史。 未幾，遷中書舍人，職如故。 太祖受禪，改工部侍郎，加承旨。 其年冬，轉禮部侍郎。 明年，從征至澤州，拜刑部侍郎、平章事，仍判戶部，尋遷中書侍郎。 以風恙拜章乞骸，改刑部尚書致仕。 即日肩輿歸洛，居於福善裏，修篁嘉木，圖書琴酒，以自適焉。 乾化二年秋，卒。 所著《典議》三卷、詞製歌詩二十卷、箋表三十卷，存於其家。
Zhang Ce, styled Shaoyi, came from Dunhuang. His father Tong served Tang and rose to Military Commissioner of Rongguan. As a boy Ce was quick-witted and studious, with a special love of poetry. In Dunhua Lane, Luoyang, he dredged the Sweet Spring well and found an ancient tripod inscribed in seal script: "Huangchu year 1, spring, second month, artisan Ji Qian." The work was exquisitely wrought, and Tong prized it. Standing beside his father, Ce said quietly, "In Jian'an 25 Cao Cao died and the era became Yan'kang; in the tenth month of that year Emperor Wen accepted Han's abdication and first used Huangchu—so Huangchu year 1 plainly had no second month. The inscription on this vessel is wrong! Tong was astonished, had the study opened, and sent for the 《Records of Wei》—every detail matched. The clan was amazed; Ce was thirteen. Yet he was drawn to karma and devoted to Buddhism; before coming of age he tonsured and lived at Cien Monastery in Yong, cultivating a refined detachment. When bandits took the capital at the end of Guangming, he put off his robes, fled with his parents, and won praise from men of principle. When his father died, his mourning was widely praised. After mourning he hid in the countryside without seeking office for more than ten years, then took up posts as National University erudite and Secretary. Wang Xingyu of Binzhou made him observation aide and Water Bureau Registrar and gave him crimson robes. When Xingyu rebelled, Li Keyong of Taiyuan marched under imperial orders; Xingyu was defeated and killed, and Binzhou was pacified. Ce bore his family south from Bin in a litter borne with a servant girl; snow blocked the frontier posts, and passersby wept for them. The Founding Emperor heard and praised him, had him named aide to Zheng-Hua, and soon he left for mourning at home. After mourning he became National University erudite, then Registrar of the Provisions Bureau. Within a year Han Jian of Hua recruited him as judge; when Jian took Xuzhou, Ce became his recorder. In Tianfu, Ce came on embassy with his lord's letter and gifts; the Founding Emperor rejoiced and said, "Master Zhang is on his way." He was at once named recorder and given gold and purple insignia. Early in Tianyou his talent was recommended; he became Appointments Director and Historiographer, entered the Hanlin, became War Director and edict drafter, and kept compiling history. Soon he was promoted to Secretariat Drafter with the same duties. At the founding Ce became Vice Minister of Works and Hanlin Expositor. That winter he moved to Vice Minister of Rites. The next year, on campaign at Zezhou, he became Punishments Vice Minister and Chief Councillor, still overseeing Revenue, then Secretariat Vice Minister. Ill with wind disorder, he asked to retire and was made Minister of Punishments in retirement. The same day he went home to Luoyang in a litter, settling in Fushan Lane among bamboo, fine trees, books, wine, and zither. He died in autumn of Qianhua 2. His writings—three fascicles of 《Canonical Discussions》, twenty of verse and songs, thirty of memorials—remain with his family.
6
杜曉，字明遠，京兆杜陵人。 祖審權，仕唐，位至宰相。 父讓能，官至守太尉、平章事。 乾寧中，邠、鳳二鎮舉兵犯王畿，讓能被其誣陷，天子不得已，賜死於臨皋驛。 曉居喪柴立，幾至滅性。 憂滿，服幅巾七升，沈跡自廢者將十餘載。 光化中，宰相崔允判鹽鐵，奏為巡官兼校書郎，尋除畿尉，直宏文館，皆不起。 及昭宗東遷，宰相崔遠判戶部，又奏為巡官兼殿中丞。 或語之曰：「嵇中散死，子紹埋沒不自顯，山濤以物理勉之，乃仕。 吾子忍令杜氏歲時以鋪席祭其先人，同匹庶乎！」 曉乃就官。 未幾，拜左拾遺，尋召為翰林學士，轉膳部員外郎，依前充職。 及崔遠得罪，出守本官，居數月，以本官知制誥，俄又召為學士，遷郎中充職。 太祖受禪，拜中書舍人，職如故。 開平三年，轉工部侍郎，充承旨。 明年秋，拜中書侍郎、平章事，仍判戶部。 庶人友珪篡位，遷禮部尚書、平章事、集賢殿大學士，依前判戶部。 及袁象先之討友珪，禁兵大縱，曉中重創而卒。 末帝即位，詔贈右僕射。
Du Xiao, styled Mingyuan, came from Duling in Jingzhao. His grandfather Shenquan served Tang and rose to chancellor. His father Rangneng rose to Acting Grand Preceptor and Chief Councillor. In Qianning the Bin and Feng commands marched on the capital; Rangneng was framed, and the emperor, powerless, had him executed at Lingao post. In mourning Xiao stood rigid as a post, nearly wasting away. When mourning ended he wore plain cloth and lived in seclusion for nearly ten years. In Guanghua, Chancellor Cui Yun, who ran the salt monopoly, named him patrol official and Proofreader, then capital aide at Hongwen—all of which he declined. When Zhaozong moved east, Chancellor Cui Yuan, overseeing Revenue, again named him patrol official and Palace Director. Someone told him, "When Ji Kang died, his son Shao hid himself and would not serve; Shan Tao reasoned with him about the way of the world, and only then did he take office. Will you let the Du family lay out mats for their ancestors like any common household?" At that Xiao accepted office. Soon he became Left Remonstrator, entered the Hanlin, and became Provisions Registrar while keeping his old duties. When Cui Yuan fell, he returned to his former post; months later he drafted edicts in that capacity, was recalled to the Hanlin, and promoted to Director. At the founding he became Secretariat Drafter with the same duties. In Kaiping 3 he became Vice Minister of Works and Hanlin Expositor. The following autumn he became Secretariat Vice Minister, Chief Councillor, and still oversaw Revenue. When Yougui seized the throne, he was made Minister of Rites, Chief Councillor, and Grand Academician of Jixian, still running Revenue. When Yuan Xiangxian moved against Yougui the palace guard rampaged; Xiao was badly wounded in the tumult and died. The Last Emperor posthumously made him Right Vice Director.
7
曉博瞻有詞藻，時論稱之。 兄光乂， 〈（《新唐書》表：光乂，字啟之。）〉 有心疹，厥疾每作，或溢喙縱詬，或揮梃追撲，曉事之愈恭，未嘗一日少怠。 居兩製之重，祖述前載，甚得王言之體。 〈（《北夢瑣言》云：曉貌如削玉，有制誥之才。）〉 及典秩尚書，志氣甚遠，一旦非分而沒，鹹冤惜焉。 豈三世為相，道忌太盛歟！
Xiao was learned and eloquent; contemporaries praised his prose. His older brother Guangyi, (The 《New Book of Tang》 genealogy gives Guangyi the style Qizhi.)〉 suffered a disorder of the heart; when it seized him he would curse wildly or chase people with a staff—yet Xiao tended him with growing reverence and never slackened a single day. In charge of imperial edicts he followed the great models and mastered the kingly tone of court prose. (The 《Northern Dreams Miscellany》 says Xiao looked like carved jade and had a gift for edicts.)〉 As Minister of Rites his ambition ran far; then he died in the coup, and everyone mourned the wrong done him. Had three generations as chancellor provoked the Way's hatred of excess?
8
敬翔，字子振，同州馮翊人。 唐神龍中平陽王暉之後也。 曾祖琬，綏州刺史。 祖忻，同州掾。 父袞，集州刺史。 翔好讀書，尤長刀筆，應用敏捷。 乾符中，舉進士不第。 及黃巢陷長安，乃東出關。 時太祖初鎮大梁，有觀察支使王發者，翔里人也，翔往依焉，發以故人遇之，然無由薦達。 翔久之計窘，乃與人為箋刺，往往有警句，傳於軍中。 太祖比不知書，章檄喜淺近語，聞翔所作，愛之，謂發曰：「知公鄉人有才，可與俱來。」 及見，應對稱旨，即補右職，每令從軍。 翔不喜武職，求補文吏，即署館驛巡官，俾專掌檄奏。 太祖與蔡賊相拒累歲，城門之外，戰聲相聞，機略之間，翔頗預之。 太祖大悅，恨得翔之晚，故軍謀政術，一以諮之。 蔡賊平，奏授太子中允，賜緋。 從平兗、鄆，改檢校水部郎中。 太祖兼鎮淮南，授揚府左司馬，賜金紫。 乾寧中，改光祿少卿充職。 天復中，授檢校禮部尚書，遙領蘇州刺史。 昭宗自岐下還長安，禦延喜樓，召翔與李振登樓勞問，翔授檢校右僕射、太府卿，賜號迎鑾協讚功臣。
Jing Xiang, styled Zizhen, came from Fenyin in Tongzhou. He claimed descent from Tang's Prince of Pingyang, Hui, of the Shenlong reign. His great-grandfather Wan was prefect of Sui. His grandfather Xin was an aide in Tong prefecture. His father Gun was prefect of Ji. Xiang loved learning, excelled at dispatch work, and wrote with quick facility. During Qianfu he failed the jinshi examination. When Huang Chao seized Chang'an he fled east through the pass. The Founder had just begun to hold Daliang; Wang Fa of his home district served as an observation aide, and Xiang attached himself to him; Fa received him as an old friend but could not get him a post. His prospects long bleak, Xiang drafted letters and memorials for hire; his sharp phrases spread through the camps. The Founder barely read; he liked proclamations in plain speech; when he heard Xiang's writing he was delighted and told Fa: "Your townsman has talent—bring him with you." At their meeting Xiang answered to his liking; he was given a military post and kept at campaign. Xiang disliked soldiering and asked for a clerkship; he was made post-station patrol officer in charge of proclamations and memorials. For years the Founder fought the Cai rebels; battle echoed outside the walls, and Xiang took a large share in planning. The Founder rejoiced that he had found Xiang so late and consulted him on every military and civil matter. After the Cai rebels were crushed he was made Palace Companion to the Heir Apparent and given crimson robes. After Yan and Yun were pacified he became honorary Director of the Water Ministry. When the Founder also governed Huainan he was made Left Assistant Administrator of Yangzhou and given gold and purple. In Qianning he was made Vice Director of the Court for the Imperial Sacrifices while keeping his duties. In Tianfu he was made honorary Minister of Rites and titular prefect of Suzhou. When Zhaozong returned from Qi to Chang'an he went up Ascending Bliss Tower and summoned Xiang and Li Zhen to honor them; Xiang was made honorary Right Vice Director and Grand Treasurer with the title Meritorious Worthy Who Welcomes the Imperial Carriage and Assists in Praise.
9
太祖受禪，自宣武軍掌書記、前太府卿，授檢校司空，依前太府卿勾當宣徽院事。 尋改樞密院為崇政院，以翔知院事。 開平三年夏四月，太祖以邠、岐侵擾，遣劉知俊西討鄜、延，深憂不濟，因宴顧翔，以問西事。 翔剖析山川郡邑虛實，軍糧多少，悉以條奏，如素講習，左右莫不驚異，太祖歎賞久之。 乾化元年，進位光祿大夫，行兵部尚書、金鑾殿大學士，知崇政院事、平陽郡侯。 前朝因金巒坡以為門名，與翰林院相接，故得為學士者稱「金巒」以美之，今殿名「金鑾」，從嘉名也。 置大學士，始以翔為之。 〈（《五代會要》云：以「金鑾」為名，非典也。 大學士與三館大學士同。）〉 翔自釋褐東下，遭遇霸王，懷抱深沉，有經濟之略，起中和歲，至鼎革大運，其間三十餘年，扈從征伐，出入帷幄，庶務叢委，恒達旦不寢，惟在馬上稍得晏息。 每有所裨讚，亦未嘗顯諫，上俯仰顧步間微示持疑爾，而太祖意已察，必改行之，故裨佐之跡，人莫得知。 及太祖大漸，召至御床前受顧托之命，且深以並寇為恨，翔鳴咽不忍，受命而退。 庶人友珪之篡位也，以天下之望，命翔為宰相。 友珪以翔先朝舊臣，有所畏忌，翔亦多稱病，不綜政事。
At the Founder's accession, from chief secretary of the Xuanwu army and former Grand Treasurer he became honorary Minister of Works and still oversaw the Palace Domestic office as Grand Treasurer. Soon the Privy Council became the Chongzheng Court, with Xiang in charge of its affairs. In the fourth month of summer, Kaiping 3, with Bin and Qi raiding, the Founder sent Liu Zhijun west against Zheng and Yan; deeply worried, he turned to Xiang at a banquet to ask about the western front. Xiang laid out terrain, prefectures, supplies, and strength in ordered detail as if he had long studied them; the court was astonished and the Founder marveled at length. In Qianhua 1 he rose to Grand Master for Splendid Happiness, acting Minister of War, Grand Academician of the Golden Hall, director of the Chongzheng Court, and Marquis of Pingyang. The former court had named its gate for Jinluan slope beside the Hanlin Academy, so academicians were styled "Jinluan" in praise; the hall was now named "Jinluan" after that auspicious usage. The office of Grand Academician was created, and Xiang was the first appointee. (The 《Institutes of the Five Dynasties》 says naming the hall "Jinluan" was not canonical. The Grand Academician matched the Three Institutes Grand Academician.)〉 From his first post eastward Xiang served a rising hegemon: deep, reserved, and skilled in statecraft. From Zhonghe to the dynastic change—more than thirty years—he campaigned at the Founder's side, entered and left the command tent, and was buried in affairs, often working until dawn and resting only in the saddle. When he wished to counsel he never spoke outright; a slight hesitation in the Founder's glance was enough, and the Founder would change course—so few knew how much he had shaped events. At the Founder's deathbed Xiang received his final charge; the Founder bitterly regretted the Jin foe; Xiang wept and withdrew, unable to bear it. When the usurper Yougui seized the throne, public expectation made him name Xiang chancellor. Yougui feared this holdover from the old court; Xiang often pleaded illness and stayed out of government.
10
末帝即位，趙、張之族皆處權要，翔愈不得志。 及劉鄩失河朔，安彥之喪楊劉，翔奏曰：「國家連年遣將出征，封疆日削，不獨兵驕將怯，亦製置未得其術。 陛下處深宮之中，與之計事者皆左右近習，豈能量敵之勝負哉！ 先皇時，河朔半在，親禦虎臣驍將，猶不得志於敵人。 今寇馬已至鄆州，陛下不留聖念，臣所未喻一也。 臣聞李亞子自墨縗統眾，於今十年，每攻城臨陣，無不親當矢石，昨聞攻楊劉，率先負薪渡水，一鼓登城。 陛下儒雅守文，未嘗如此，俾賀瑰輩與之較力，而望攘逐寇戎，臣所未喻二也。 陛下所宜詢於黎老，別運沉謀，不然，則憂未艾也。 臣雖駑怯，受國恩深，陛下必若乏材，乞於邊陲效試。」 末帝雖知其懇惻，竟以趙、張輩言翔怨望，不之聽。 及王彥章敗於中都，晉人長驅而南，末帝急召翔，謂之曰：「朕居常忽卿所奏，果至今日。 事急矣，勿以為懟，且使朕安歸？」 翔泣奏曰：「臣受國恩，僅將三紀，從微至著，皆先朝所遇，雖名宰相，實朱氏老奴耳。 事陛下如郎君，以臣愚誠，敢有所隱！ 陛下初任段凝為將，臣已極言，小人朋附，致有今日。 晉軍即至，段凝限水。 欲請陛下出居避敵，陛下必不聽從； 欲請陛下出奇應敵，陛下必不果決。 縱良、平復生，難以轉禍為福，請先死，不忍見宗廟隕墜。」 言訖，君臣相向慟哭。
Under the Last Emperor the Zhao and Zhang families held power, and Xiang grew still more frustrated. After Liu Xun lost Hebei and An Yan lost Yangliu, Xiang memorialized: "Year after year we send armies abroad while our borders shrink—not only are the troops arrogant and the generals timid; our strategy is wrong as well. Your Majesty sits deep in the palace while only favorites advise you—how can you judge the enemy's strength? Under the late emperor half of Hebei was still ours; he led his best commanders in person and still could not beat the foe. Now the enemy has reached Yanzhou while Your Majesty shows no alarm—that is what I cannot understand first. Li Yazi has led his men in mourning garb for ten years; in every siege he faces arrows and stones himself; at Yangliu he carried fuel to ford the river and took the city at the first drum. Your Majesty is a scholar-king who has never done such things, yet you send He Gui and others to match him and still hope to drive the invaders away—that is what I cannot understand second. You should consult seasoned elders and lay deeper plans—or our troubles will not end. I am untalented but deeply in your debt; if you lack men, let me prove myself on the frontier." The Last Emperor knew he spoke sincerely, but Zhao and Zhang called it resentment, and he would not listen. When Wang Yanzhang fell at Zhongdu and the Jin army swept south, the Last Emperor summoned Xiang in haste and said: "I ignored your warnings, and it has come to this. Matters are desperate; do not be angry—where can I go in safety?" Xiang wept and replied: "I have served nearly thirty years, raised from nothing by the former court; though called chancellor, I am only an old retainer of the Zhu house. I serve you as a young master would be served—with my poor loyalty I dare hide nothing! When you first made Duan Ning commander I warned you to the utmost; petty factions brought us to this day. The Jin army is upon us, and Duan Ning is blocked by the river. If I urge you to leave the capital to escape the enemy, you will not listen; if I urge a bold stroke against the enemy, you will not decide. Even Zhang Liang and Chen Ping reborn could not turn this ruin to blessing; let me die first—I cannot watch the ancestral temples fall." They ended in tears together.
11
及晉主陷都城，有詔赦梁氏臣僚，李振謂翔曰：「有制洗滌，將朝新君。」 翔曰：「新君若問，其將何辭以對！」 是夜，翔在高頭裏第，宿於車坊。 欲曙，左右報曰：「崇政李太保已入朝。」 翔返室歎曰：「李振謬為丈夫耳！ 朱氏與晉仇讎，我等始同謀畫，致君無狀，今少主伏劍於國門，縱新朝赦罪，何面目入建國門也！」 乃自經而卒。 數日，並其族被誅。
When the Jin took the capital an edict pardoned Liang officials; Li Zhen told Xiang: "We are absolved—we should attend the new court." Xiang said: "If the new ruler questions us, what answer can we give?" That night he stayed in the carriage house at his Gaotou Lane mansion. Near dawn his attendants said: "Senior Guardian Li of the Chongzheng Court has already gone to court." Xiang went inside and sighed: "Li Zhen is no true man! The Zhu house and Jin are mortal enemies; we plotted together and drove our lord to ruin; the young emperor died by the sword at the gate—even pardoned, how can we pass through Jianguo Gate!" He hanged himself. Days later his whole clan was executed.
12
初，貞明中，史臣李琪、張袞、郤殷象、馮錫嘉奉詔修撰《太祖實錄》三十卷，敘述非工，事多漏略。 復詔翔補緝其闕，翔乃別纂成三十卷，目之曰《大梁編遺錄》，與《實錄》偕行。
Early in Zhenming, Li Qi, Zhang Gun, Xi Yinxiang, and Feng Xijia were ordered to compile thirty scrolls of the 《Veritable Records of the Founding Emperor》; the narrative was poor and much was left out. Xiang was then ordered to fill the gaps; he compiled another thirty scrolls titled 《Compiled Remnant Records of Great Liang》, issued together with the 《Veritable Records》.
13
翔妻劉氏，父為藍田令。 廣明之亂，劉為巢將尚讓所得，巢敗，讓攜劉降於時溥，及讓誅，時溥納劉於妓室。 太祖平徐，得劉氏嬖之，屬翔喪妻，因以劉氏賜之。 及翔漸貴，劉猶出入太祖臥內，翔情禮稍薄，劉於曲室讓翔曰：「卿鄙餘曾失身於賊耶，以成敗言之，尚讓巢之宰輔，時溥國之忠臣，論卿門第，辱我何甚，請從此辭！」 翔謝而止之。 劉恃太祖之勢， 〈（案：下有缺文。）〉 太祖四鎮時，劉已得「國夫人」之號。 車服驕侈，婢媵皆珥珠翠，其下別置爪牙典謁，書幣聘使，交結藩鎮，近代婦人之盛，無出其右，權貴皆相附麗，寵信言事，不下於翔。 當時貴達之家，從而效之，敗俗之甚也。 〈（《五代史補》：敬翔應《三傳》，數舉不第，發憤投太祖，願備行陣。 太祖問曰：「足下通《春秋》久矣，今吾主盟，其為戰欲效春秋時可乎？」 翔曰：「不可。 夫禮樂猶不相沿襲，況兵者詭道，宜其變化無窮。 若復如春秋時，則所謂務虛名而喪其實效，大王之事去矣。」 太祖大悅，以為知兵，遽延之幕府，委以軍事，竟至作相。）〉
Xiang's wife, Lady Liu, was daughter of the magistrate of Lantian. In the Guangming disorders she was seized by Huang Chao's general Shang Rang; after Chao's fall Rang surrendered her to Shi Pu, and when Rang was killed Pu kept her among his entertainers. When the Founder took Xuzhou he favored Lady Liu; Xiang was widowed, and the Founder gave her to him. As Xiang rose, Liu still visited the Founder's bedchamber; Xiang's affection cooled. In private she reproached him: "Do you scorn me for having served rebels? Shang Rang was Huang Chao's chancellor and Shi Pu a loyal minister of the state—and by your own birth, how deeply you insult me! I will leave you!" Xiang apologized and kept her. Lady Liu relied on the Founder's favor, (The text below is lost.)〉 While the Founder held four commands she already bore the title State Lady. Her equipage was lavish, her maids jeweled; she kept her own agents and messengers and cultivated the frontier lords; no woman of the age matched her power; the great all courted her, and her influence rivaled Xiang's. Great families imitated her—a grave debasement of manners. (The 《Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties》 says Xiang had studied the Three Commentaries, failed the exams repeatedly, and in anger joined the Founder, asking to serve in the ranks. The Founder asked: "You have long known the 《Spring and Autumn》; I now lead the alliance—should our wars follow the Spring and Autumn model?" Xiang said: "No. Even rites and music are not copied unchanged—how much more war, the art of deception, which must shift without limit. To fight like the Spring and Autumn age would chase empty form and lose real gain—your enterprise would fail." The Founder was delighted, judged him a strategist, brought him into headquarters, entrusted him with military affairs, and in the end made him chancellor.)〉
14
李振，字興緒，唐潞州節度使抱真之曾孫也。 祖、父，皆至郡守。 振仕唐，自金吾將軍改台州刺史。 會盜據浙東，不克之任，因西歸過汴，以策略幹太祖，太祖奇之，辟為從事。 太祖兼領鄆州，署天平軍節度副使。 湖南馬殷為朗州雷滿所逼，振奉命馳往和解，殷、滿皆稟命。
Li Zhen, styled Xingxu, was great-grandson of Li Baozhen, Tang military commissioner of Lu. His grandfather and father both rose to commandery prefect. He served Tang as a Golden Guard general, then became prefect of Taizhou. Rebels held Zhedong and he could not take office; passing Bian on his return west he presented a plan to the Founder, who was impressed and took him on staff. When the Founder also held Yanzhou he made him deputy commissioner of the Tianping army. When Ma Yin of Hunan was harried by Lei Man of Langzhou, Zhen was sent to mediate; both submitted.
15
光啟三年十一月，太祖遣振入奏於長安，舍於州邸，邸吏程岩白振曰：「劉中尉命其侄希貞來計大事，欲上謁，願許之。」 既至，岩乃先啟曰：「主上嚴急，內官憂恐，左中尉欲行廢黜之事，岩等協力以定中外，敢以事告。」 振顧希貞曰：「百歲奴事三歲主，亂國不義，廢君不祥，非敢聞也。 況梁王以百萬之師，匡輔天子，禮樂尊戴，猶恐不及，幸熟計之。」 希貞大沮而去。 及振復命，劉季述等果作亂，程岩率諸道邸吏牽帝下殿，以立幼主，奉昭宗為太上皇。 振至陝，陝已賀矣。 護軍韓彝範言其事，振曰：「懿皇初升遐，韓中尉殺長立幼，以利其權，遂亂天下，今將軍復欲爾耶！」 彝範即文約孫也，由是不敢言。
In the eleventh month of Guangqi 3 the Founder sent Zhen to report at Chang'an; lodging at the circuit hostel, clerk Cheng Yan said: "Vice Director Liu has sent his nephew Xizhen to discuss a great matter and wishes an audience—will you allow it?" When Xizhen came, Yan announced: "The emperor is harsh; the eunuchs are afraid; the Left Vice Director means to depose him—we have joined forces to settle the realm and report this to you." Zhen told Xizhen: "An old servant plotting against a young lord is unrighteous; deposing the ruler is ill-omened—I will not hear of it. The Prince of Liang leads a million men to aid the Son of Heaven in restoring rites and honor—he can scarcely do enough; think carefully." Xizhen withdrew in dismay. When Zhen returned, Liu Jishu and his party had rebelled; Cheng Yan and the hostel clerks of every circuit dragged the emperor from the hall, enthroned a child, and made Zhaozong Retired Emperor. At Tong Pass the court had already offered congratulations to the new regime. Protector-general Han Yifan raised the matter; Zhen said: "When Emperor Yizong died, Vice Director Han killed the elder prince and set up the younger for his own power and threw the realm into chaos—do you mean to do the same? 」 Yifan was Wenyao's grandson and dared not speak again.
16
振東歸，太祖方在邢、洺，遽還於汴，大計未決，季述遣養子希度以唐之社稷欲輸於太祖，又遣供奉官李奉本、副介支彥勳詐齎上皇誥諭至，皆季述黨也。 太祖未及迎命，振又言曰：「夫豎貂、伊戾之亂，所以資霸者之事也。 今閹豎幽辱天子，王不能討，無以令諸侯。」 時監軍使劉重楚，季述兄也，舊相張浚，寓於河南緱氏，亦來謂太祖曰：「同中官則事易濟，且得所欲。」 惟振堅執不改，獨曰：「行正道則大勳可立。」 太祖英悟，忽厲色曰：「張公勸我同敕使，欲傾附自求宰相耶！」 乃定策縶偽使李奉本、支彥勳與希度等，即日請振將命於京師，與宰相謀返正。 未幾，劉季述伏誅，昭宗復帝位，太祖聞之喜，召振，執其手謂之曰：「卿所謀是吾本誌，穹蒼其知之矣！」 自是益重之。
Zhen returned east while the Founder was at Xing and Ming and hurried back to Bian before policy was fixed; Liu Jishu sent his adopted son Xidu to hand Tang's realm to him, and Palace Attendant Li Fengben and Vice Messenger Zhi Yanxun with forged retired-emperor edicts—all Jishu's men. Before the Founder could receive them, Zhen said again: "Rebellions like Shu Diao's and Yi Li's are what make a hegemon's career. Eunuchs now hold and humiliate the emperor; if you will not punish them, you cannot command the lords. Military inspector Liu Chongchu, Jishu's brother, and former chancellor Zhang Jun at Gou in Henan also urged the Founder: "Side with the eunuchs and all goes easily—you get what you want." Only Zhen held firm and said alone: "Follow the righteous way and great merit can be won." The Founder was sharp-witted; suddenly he said sternly: "Lord Zhang wants me to join the edict commissioners—are you angling to topple me and buy the chancellorship!" He bound the false envoys Li Fengben, Zhi Yanxun, and Xidu, and that day sent Zhen to the capital to work with the chancellors on restoring the throne. Soon Liu Jishu was executed and Zhaozong restored; the Founder rejoiced, summoned Zhen, took his hand and said: "Your plan was always mine—Heaven knows! From then he valued Zhen all the more.
17
天祐二年春正月，太祖召振，謂曰：「王師範來降，易歲尚處故藩，今將奏請徙授方面，其為我馳騎，以茲意達之。」 振至青州，師範即日出公府，以節度、觀察二印及文簿管鑰授於振。 師範雖已受代，而疑撓特甚，屢揮泣求貸其族，振因以切理諭之曰：「公不念張繡事耶！ 漢末，繡屢與曹公立敵，豈德之耶，及袁紹遣使招繡，賈詡曰：『袁家父子自不相容，何能主天下英士，曹公挾天子令諸侯，其志大，不以私仇為意，不宜疑之。』 今梁王亦豈以私怨害忠賢耶！」 師範灑然大悟，翌日，以其族遷。 太祖乃表振為青州留後，未幾，征還。
Tianyou 2, spring month 1, the Founder told Zhen: "Wang Shifan has surrendered but still holds his old domain after nearly a year; I will ask to move him to a new post—ride for me and make that clear. At Qingzhou Shifan left headquarters the same day and gave Zhen the military and surveillance seals, records, and keys. Though replaced, Shifan was deeply afraid and wept repeatedly, begging mercy for his clan; Zhen reasoned with him: "Have you forgotten Zhang Xiu! At the end of Han, Xiu had often fought Cao Cao—was that loyalty? When Yuan Shao tried to win him, Jia Xu said: "The Yuans cannot even tolerate each other—how could they lead the realm? Cao Cao holds the Son of Heaven and commands the lords; his aim is great and he does not settle private scores—you should not doubt him." Would the King of Liang now destroy loyal men over old grudges! Shifan saw the point; the next day he moved his family. The Founder made Zhen acting commissioner of Qingzhou, then soon recalled him.
18
唐自昭宗遷都之後，王室微弱，朝廷班行，備員而已。 振皆頤指氣使，旁若無人，朋附者非次獎升，私晉者沈棄。 振每自汴入洛，朝中必有貶竄，故唐朝人士目為「鴟鴞」。 天祐中，唐宰相柳璨希太祖旨，譖殺大臣裴樞、陸扆等七人於滑州白馬驛。 時振自以咸通、乾符中嘗應進士舉，累上不第，尤憤憤，乃謂太祖曰：「此輩自謂清流，宜投於黃河，永為濁流。」 太祖笑而從之。 洎太祖受禪，自宣義軍節度副使、檢校司徒授殿中監，累遷戶部尚書。 庶人友珪篡立，代敬翔為崇政院使。 末帝即位，趙、張二族用事，遂為所間，謀猷獻替，多不見從，振每稱疾避事。 龍德末，閑居私第將期矣，晉主入汴，振謁見首罪，郭崇韜指振謂人曰：「人言李振乃一代奇才，吾今見之，乃常人耳！」 會段凝等疏梁氏權要之臣，振與敬翔等同日族誅。
After Zhaozong moved the capital the Tang house was feeble and court posts were empty titles. Zhen ordered everyone about as if alone in the room; allies rose out of turn and private petitioners were ruined. Whenever Zhen came from Bian to Luoyang someone at court was demoted or exiled—Tang officials called him "the owl." In Tianyou the Tang chancellor Liu Can, courting the Founder, had seven ministers including Pei Shu and Lu Yi killed at Baima post in Huazhou. Zhen had failed the jinshi repeatedly in Xiantong and Qianfu and burned with resentment; he told the Founder: "These men call themselves the Clear Stream—they should be thrown into the Yellow River and be muddy water forever. The Founder laughed and agreed. When the Founder took the throne, Zhen rose from Xuanyi vice commissioner and honorary Minister of Works to Palace Supervisor and then Minister of Revenue. When Yougui seized the throne he replaced Jing Xiang as Chongzheng Court commissioner. Under the Last Emperor the Zhao and Zhang clans ruled; Zhen was sidelined and his counsel was mostly ignored—he often pleaded illness to stay out of affairs. At the end of Longde he had lived in retirement nearly a year; when the Jin lord entered Bian, Zhen came to beg mercy; Guo Chongtao pointed at him and said: "They call Li Zhen a wonder of the age—I see an ordinary man! When Duan Ning and others denounced Liang power-holders, Zhen and Jing Xiang were executed to the third degree on the same day.
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史臣曰：文蔚、貽矩，皆唐朝之舊臣，遇梁室之強禪，奉君命以來使，狎神器以授之，逢時若斯，亦為臣者之不幸也。 抑不為其相，不亦善乎！ 杜曉著文雅之稱，張策有衝淡之量，鹹登台席，無忝士林。 敬翔、李振，始輔霸圖，終成帝業。 及國之亡也，一則殞命以明節，一則視息以偷生，以此較之，翔為優矣。 振始有濁流之言，終取赤族之禍，報應之事，固以昭然。
The historian writes: Zhang Wenyu and Xue Yiju were old Tang ministers; when Liang forced the abdication they came as envoys and calmly handed over the throne—in such a time even a loyal minister is unlucky. Would it not have been better never to have been their chancellor! Du Xiao had a name for refinement and Zhang Ce for quiet breadth—both reached high office without shaming the scholar class. Jing Xiang and Li Zhen first helped build the hegemony and in the end helped build the empire. When the state fell, one died to prove his integrity and one merely breathed on in shame—by that measure Xiang was the better man. Zhen first spoke of casting men into the muddy stream and in the end suffered extinction of his clan—retribution could hardly be clearer.