1
天祐九年春正月庚辰朔，周德威等自飛狐東下。 丙戌，會鎮、定之師進營祁溝。 庚子，次涿州，刺史劉知溫以城歸順。 德威進迫幽州，守光出兵拒戰，燕將王行方等以部下四百人來奔。
In the first month of Tianyou 9 (gengchen new moon), Zhou Dewei led his force east from Feihu. On bingxu the Zhen and Ding columns joined and encamped at Qigou. On gengzi they reached Zhuozhou, where Prefect Liu Zhiwen opened the gates. Dewei closed on Youzhou; Shouguang marched out to fight, while Yan officers including Wang Xingfang defected with four hundred men.
2
二月庚戌朔，梁祖大舉河南之眾以援守光，以陝州節度使楊師厚為招討使，河南李周彝為副； 青州賀德倫為應接使，鄆州袁象先為副。 甲子，梁祖自洛陽趨魏州，遣楊師厚、李周彝攻鎮州之棗強，命賀德倫攻蓚縣。
On the gengxu new moon of the second month the Liang Founder mobilized Henan to save Shouguang, naming Yang Shihou of Shaanxi commander and Li Zhouyi of Henan his deputy; with He Delun of Qingzhou as liaison commander and Yuan Xiangxian of Yanzhou as his deputy. On jiazi he quit Luoyang for Weizhou, sent Yang Shihou and Li Zhouyi against Zaoqiang in Zhen, and ordered He Delun on Shuo county.
3
三月壬午，梁祖自督軍攻棗強。 甲申，城陷，屠之。 時李存審與史建瑭以三千騎屯趙州，相與謀曰：「梁軍若不攻蓚城，必西攻深、冀。 吾王方北伐，以南鄙之事付我輩，豈可坐觀其弊。」 乃以八百騎趨冀州，扼下博橋，令史建瑭、李都督分道擒生。 翌日，諸軍皆至，獲芻牧者數百人，盡殺之； 縱數人逸去，且告：「晉王至矣。」 建瑭與李都督各領百餘騎，旗幟軍號類梁軍，與芻牧者雜行，暮及賀德倫營門，殺守門者，縱火大呼，俘斬而旋。 又執芻牧者，斷其手，令回，梁軍乃夜遁。 蓚人持鋤耰白梃追擊之，悉獲其輜重。 〈（《通鑒·後梁紀》云：帝燒營夜遁，迷失道，委曲行百五十里。 戊子旦，乃至冀州。 蓚之耕者皆荷鋤奮挺逐之，委棄軍資器械，不可勝計。）〉 梁祖聞之大駭，自棗強馳歸貝州，殺其將張正言、許從實、朱彥柔，以其亡師於蓚故也。 梁祖先抱痼疾，因是愈甚。 辛丑，滄州都將張萬進殺留後劉繼威，自為滄帥，遣人送款於梁，亦乞降於帝。 戊申，周德威遣李存暉攻瓦橋關，下之。
On renwu in the third month the Liang Founder took personal command at Zaoqiang. On jiashen the city was taken and massacred. Li Cunshen and Shi Jiantang held Zhao with three thousand cavalry and agreed: "If Liang skips Shuo, it will drive on Shen and Ji. Cunxu is campaigning north and trusted the south to us—we cannot stand by while he is hurt. They took eight hundred horse to Ji, held Xiabo Bridge, and sent Shi Jiantang and Commander Li to seize prisoners on separate paths. The next day the detachments united, seized several hundred foragers, and killed them all; a few were released to spread word that "the Prince of Jin has arrived. Jiantang and Commander Li each led a little over a hundred horsemen with Liang-style banners and signals, mixed with the foragers, struck He Delun's gate at dusk, killed the guards, fired the camp, and withdrew with prisoners and heads. They maimed more captives and sent them back, and the Liang force fled in the night. Peasants of Shuo chased them with hoes, flails, and clubs and recovered the entire train. (The 《Comprehensive Mirror · Annals of Later Liang》 records that the Liang emperor burned camp and fled by night, lost the road, and wandered one hundred fifty li. At dawn on wuzi he reached Ji prefecture. Farmers of Shuo pursued with hoes and clubs, leaving supplies and arms heaped beyond count.)〉 The news terrified the Liang Founder; he raced from Zaoqiang to Beizhou and executed Zhang Zhengyan, Xu Congshi, and Zhu Yanrou for the defeat at Shuo. His chronic illness, already grave, now worsened. On xinchou Zhang Wanjin of Cangzhou killed Acting Prefect Liu Jiwei, took command, sent allegiance to Liang, and asked Cunxu for terms as well. On wushen Zhou Dewei sent Li Cunhui against Waqiao Pass and captured it.
4
四月丁巳，梁祖自魏南歸，疾篤故也。 戊申，李嗣源攻瀛州，拔之。 五月乙卯朔，周德威大破燕軍於羊頭岡，擒大將單廷珪，斬首五千餘級。 德威自涿州進軍於幽州，營於城下。 閏月己酉，攻其西門，燕人出戰，敗之。
On dingsi in the fourth month the Liang Founder withdrew south from Wei, his illness critical. On wushen Li Siyuan stormed Ying prefecture and seized it. On the yimao new moon of the fifth month Zhou Dewei smashed the Yan host at Yangtou Ridge, took the great general Shan Tinggui, and beheaded over five thousand. Dewei marched from Zhuozhou to Youzhou and pitched camp under the walls. On jiyou in the intercalary month they assaulted the west gate; the Yan sortie was beaten.
5
六月戊寅，梁祖為其子友珪所弑，友珪僭即帝位於洛陽。 秋八月，朱友珪遣其將韓、康懷英、牛存節率兵五萬，急攻河中。 朱友謙遣使來求援，帝命李存審率師救之。
On wuyin in the sixth month the Liang Founder was killed by his son Yougui, who seized the throne at Luoyang. In the eighth month of autumn Zhu Yougui sent Han Gong, Kang Huaiying, and Niu Cunjie with fifty thousand men in a furious siege of Hezhong. Zhu Youqian asked for help, and Cunxu ordered Li Cunshen to the relief.
6
十月癸未，帝自澤州路赴河中，遇梁將康懷英於平陽，破之，斬首千餘級，追至白徑嶺。 朱友謙會帝於猗氏，梁軍解圍而去。 庚申，周德威報劉守光三遣使乞和，不報。 丁卯，燕將趙行實來奔。
On guiwei in the tenth month Cunxu marched on Hezhong by way of Ze, met Kang Huaiying at Pingyang, routed him, took a thousand heads, and chased him to Baijing Ridge. Zhu Youqian met Cunxu at Yishi, and the Liang besiegers broke off and left. On gengshen Zhou Dewei reported that Liu Shouguang had sued for peace three times without reply. On dingmao the Yan officer Zhao Xingshi defected.
7
三月甲辰朔，收盧台軍。 乙丑，收古北口。 時居庸關使胡令珪等與諸戍將相繼挈族來奔。 丙寅，武州刺史高行珪遣使乞降。 時劉守光遣愛將元行欽收馬於山北，聞行珪有變，率戍兵攻行珪，行珪遣其弟行溫為質，且乞應援。 周德威遣李嗣源、李嗣本、安金全率兵救武州，降元行欽以歸。
On the jiachen new moon of the third month the Lutai garrison was secured. On yichou Gubeikou fell. Juyong commissioner Hu Linggui and one frontier commander after another fled in with their families. On bingyin Gao Xinggui of Wu prefecture sent envoys offering surrender. Liu Shouguang had sent Yuan Xingqin to round up horses in the northern hills; when Xinggui turned, Xingqin attacked with the garrison, so Xinggui gave his brother Xingwen as hostage and pleaded for aid. Zhou Dewei sent Li Siyuan, Li Siben, and An Jinquan to relieve Wu and returned with Yuan Xingqin as a captive.
8
四月甲申，燕將李暉等二十餘人舉族來奔。 德威攻幽州南門。 壬辰，劉守光遣使王遵化致書哀祈於德威，德威戲遵化曰：「大燕皇帝尚未郊天，何怯劣如是耶！」 守光再遣哀祈，德威乃以狀聞。 己亥，劉光浚攻下平州，獲刺史張在吉。
On jiashen in the fourth month over twenty Yan officers led by Li Hui defected with their families. Dewei assaulted the south gate of Youzhou. On renchen Liu Shouguang sent Wang Zunhua with a groveling letter; Dewei mocked him: "The Great Yan emperor has not even sacrificed at the suburbs—why so craven! Shouguang pleaded again, and Dewei forwarded the report. On jihai Liu Guangjun seized Ping prefecture and took Prefect Zhang Zaiji.
9
五月壬寅朔，光浚進迫營州，刺史楊靖以城降。 乙巳，梁將楊師厚會劉守奇率大軍侵鎮州。 時帝之先鋒將史建瑭自趙州率五百騎入真定，師厚大掠鎮、冀之屬邑。 王熔告急於周德威，德威分兵赴援，師厚移軍寇滄州，張萬進懼，遂降於梁。
On the renyin new moon of the fifth month Guangjun pressed Ying; Prefect Yang Jing yielded the city. On yisi Yang Shihou united with Liu Shouqi and invaded Zhen with a large force. Cunxu's vanguard Shi Jiantang rode five hundred horse from Zhao into Zhending while Shihou ravaged the Zhen and Ji countryside. Wang Rong begged Zhou Dewei for help; Dewei detached a relief column; Shihou turned on Cangzhou, and a frightened Zhang Wanjin went over to Liang.
10
六月壬申朔，帝遣監軍張承業至幽州，與周德威會議軍事。 秋七月，承業與德威率千騎至幽州西，守光遣人持信箭一隻，乞修和好。 承業曰：「燕帥當令子弟一人為質則可。」 是日，燕將司全爽等十一人，並舉族來奔。 辛亥，德威進攻諸城門。 壬子，賊將楊師貴等五十人來降。 甲子，五院軍使李信攻下莫州。 時守光繼遣人乞降，將緩帝軍，陰令其將孟修、阮通謀於滄州節度使劉守奇，及求援於楊師厚，帝之遊騎擒其使以獻。 是月，帝會王鎔於天長。
On the renshen new moon of the sixth month Cunxu sent Zhang Chengye to Youzhou to plan with Zhou Dewei. In the seventh month Chengye and Dewei took a thousand horse to the west of Youzhou; Shouguang sent a man with a single signal arrow suing for peace. Chengye answered, "The Yan lord must leave a son or younger brother as hostage—only then. That same day eleven Yan officers led by Situ Quanshuang defected with their families. On xinhai Dewei assaulted the gates. On renzi fifty enemy officers led by Yang Shigui surrendered. On jiazi Li Xin of the Five-Courts Army seized Mo prefecture. Shouguang kept suing to surrender to stall Cunxu while Meng Xiu and Ruan Tong secretly dealt with Liu Shouqi at Cangzhou and asked Yang Shihou for help—until Jin scouts seized the envoys and brought them in. That month Cunxu met Wang Rong at Tianchang.
11
九月，劉守光率眾夜出，遂陷順州。 冬十月己巳朔，守光率七百騎、步軍五千夜入檀州。 庚午，周德威自涿州將兵躡之。 壬申，守光自檀州南山而遁，德威追及，大敗之，獲大將李劉、張景紹及將吏八百五十人，馬一百五十匹。 守光得百餘騎遁入山谷，德威急馳，扼其城門，守光惟與親將李小喜等七騎奔入燕城。 己丑，守光遣牙將劉化修、周遵業等以書幣哀祈德威。 庚寅，守光乘城以病告，復令人獻自乘馬玉鞍勒易德威所乘馬而去，俄而劉光浚擒送守光偽殿直二十五人於軍門。 守光又乘城謂德威曰：「予俟晉王至，即泥首俟命。」 祈德威即馳驛以聞。
In the ninth month Liu Shouguang sortied by night and seized Shun prefecture. On the jisi new moon of the tenth month Shouguang slipped into Tan with seven hundred horse and five thousand foot. On gengwu Zhou Dewei marched from Zhuozhou in pursuit. On renshen Shouguang fled south over the Tan hills; Dewei overtook him, crushed his force, and captured the great generals Li Liu and Zhang Jingshao with eight hundred fifty officers and clerks and one hundred fifty horses. Shouguang fled into the hills with barely a hundred riders; Dewei raced ahead and blocked the gates; Shouguang and seven intimates led by Li Xiaoxi alone broke into the Yan city. On jichou he sent Liu Huaxiu, Zhou Zunye, and other staff with gifts and groveling letters to Dewei. On gengyin he stood on the wall pleading sickness, then offered his own horse with jade trappings for Dewei's mount and withdrew; shortly Liu Guangjun delivered twenty-five of Shouguang's sham palace attendants to camp. Shouguang called down again: "I will wait for the Prince of Jin, then kowtow and take orders. He urged Dewei to relay the plea by urgent dispatch.
12
十一月己亥朔，帝下令親征幽州。 甲辰，發晉陽。 己未，至范陽。 辛酉，守光奉禮幣歸款於帝，帝單騎臨城邀守光，辭以他日，蓋為其親將李小喜所扼也。 是夕，小喜來奔，帝下令諸軍，詰旦攻城。 壬戌，梯童並進，軍士畢登，帝登燕丹塚以觀之。 有頃，擒劉仁恭以獻。 癸亥，帝入燕城，諸將畢賀。
On the jihai new moon of the eleventh month Cunxu ordered a personal expedition to Youzhou. On jiachen he left Jinyang. On jiwei he arrived at Fanyang. On xinyou Shouguang offered ritual gifts and surrendered; Cunxu rode alone to the wall to call him out, but Shouguang put him off—Li Xiaoxi still had him in hand. That night Xiaoxi defected; Cunxu ordered an assault at dawn. On renxu ladders went up together, the men scaled the walls, and Cunxu watched from the Yan Dan mound. Soon Liu Rengong was captured and brought in. On guihai Cunxu entered the Yan city and the commanders hailed him.
13
十二月庚午，墨製授周德威幽州節度使。 癸酉，檀州燕樂縣人執劉守光並妻李氏祝氏、子繼祚以獻。 己卯，帝下令班師，自雲、代而旋。 時鎮州王鎔、定州王處直遣使請帝由井陘而西，許之。 庚辰，帝發幽州，擄仁恭父子以行。 甲申，次定州，舍於關城。 翌日，次曲陽，與王處直謁北嶽祠。 是日，次衡唐，鎮州王鎔迎謁於路。
On gengwu in the twelfth month a black-edict made Zhou Dewei military commissioner of Youzhou. On guiyou men of Yanle in Tan seized Liu Shouguang with his wives Lady Li and Lady Zhu and his son Jizuo and delivered them. On jimao Cunxu ordered the host to withdraw by way of Yun and Dai. Wang Rong of Zhen and Wang Chuzhi of Ding asked him to return west through Jingxing, and he consented. On gengchen he left Youzhou with Rengong and his son in bonds. On jiashen he stopped at Ding and lodged at Guancheng. The next day he reached Quyang and with Wang Chuzhi worshipped at the North Peak shrine. That day he reached Hengtang, where Wang Rong met him on the road.
14
天祐十一年春正月戊戌朔，王鎔以履新之日，與其子昭祚、昭誨奉觴上壽置宴。 鎔啟曰：「燕主劉太師頃為鄰國，今欲挹其風儀，可乎？」 帝即命主者破械，引仁恭、守光至，與之同宴，鎔饋以衣被飲食。 己亥，帝發鎮州，因與王鎔畋於衡唐之西。 壬子，至晉陽，以組練繫仁恭、守光，號令而入。 是日，誅守光。 遣大將李存霸拘送仁恭於代州，刺其心血奠告於武皇陵，然後斬之。 是月，鎮州王鎔、定州王處直遣使推帝為尚書令。 初，王鎔稱藩於梁，梁以鎔為尚書令，至是鎮、定以帝南破梁軍，北定幽、薊，乃共推崇焉。 使三至，帝讓乃從之，遂選日受冊，開霸府，建行台，如武德故事。
On the wuxu new moon of the first month of Tianyou 11 Wang Rong, on the day of new shoes, feasted Cunxu with his sons Zhaozuo and Zhaohui, toasting his long life. Rong asked, "Grand Tutor Liu was our neighbor—may I meet the man? Cunxu had their bonds struck off and brought Rengong and Shouguang to the table; Rong supplied them with clothes, bedding, food, and drink. On jihai he left Zhen and hunted west of Hengtang with Wang Rong. On renzi he reached Jinyang, led Rengong and Shouguang in with silken bonds, and entered in state. That day Shouguang was put to death. Li Cunba escorted Rengong to Dai, pierced his heart and offered the blood at Wuhuang's tomb, then struck off his head. That month Wang Rong and Wang Chuzhi sent envoys urging Cunxu to accept the post of Director-in-Chief. Rong had once bowed to Liang and been made Director-in-Chief; now Zhen and Ding, after Cunxu's southern victories and northern pacification, jointly pressed the title on him. Three embassies came before he yielded; he chose a day for the rite, opened a hegemon's office, and set up a field headquarters after the Wude precedent.
15
秋七月，帝親將自黃沙嶺東下會鎮人，進軍邢、洺。 梁將楊師厚軍於漳東，帝軍次張公橋，既而裨將曹進金奔於梁，帝軍不利而退。 八月，還晉陽。
In the seventh month Cunxu marched in person east from Huangshaling to join the Zhen army and advanced on Xing and Ming. Yang Shihou held the east bank of the Zhang; Cunxu camped at Zhanggong Bridge until staff officer Cao Jinjing went over to Liang; the Jin host faltered and pulled back. In the eighth month he returned to Jinyang.
16
天祐十二年三月，梁魏博節度使賀德倫遣使奉幣乞盟。 時楊師厚卒於魏州，梁主乃割相、衛、澶三州別為一鎮，以德倫為魏博節度使，以張筠為相州節度使，魏人不從。 是月二十九日夜，魏軍作亂，囚德倫於牙署，三軍大掠。 軍士有張彥者，素實凶暴，為亂軍之首，迫德倫上章請卻復六州之地，梁主不從，遂迫德倫歸於帝，且乞師為援。 帝命馬步副總管李存審自趙州帥師屯臨清，帝自晉陽東下，與存審會。 〈（《通鑒》：晉王引大軍自黃澤嶺東下，與存審會於臨清，猶疑魏人之詐，按兵不進。）〉 賀德倫遣從事司空頲至軍，密啟張彥狂勃之狀，且曰：「若不剪此亂階，恐貽後悔。」 帝默然，遂進軍永濟。 張彥謁見，以銀槍效節五百人從，皆被甲持兵以自衛。 帝登樓諭之曰：「汝等在城，濫殺平人，奪其妻女，數日以來，迎訴者甚眾，當斬汝等，以謝鄴人。」 遽令斬彥及同惡者七人，軍士股栗，帝親加慰撫而退。 翌日，帝輕裘緩策而進，令張彥部下軍士被甲持兵，環馬而從，命為帳前銀槍，眾心大服。 梁將鄩聞帝至，以精兵萬人自洹水趣魏縣，帝命李存審帥師禦之，帝率親軍於魏縣西北，夾河為柵。
In the third month of Tianyou 12 He Delun of Weibo sent envoys with gifts to sue for peace. Yang Shihou had just died at Weizhou; the Liang Founder split Xiang, Wei, and Chan into a separate circuit, made Delun commissioner of Weibo and Zhang Jun commissioner of Xiang, and the Wei troops refused to submit. On the twenty-ninth night of that month the Wei army mutinied, locked Delun in headquarters, and the host looted the city. A soldier named Zhang Yan, brutal by nature, led the mutiny; he made Delun petition for the six prefectures back, and when the Liang Founder refused he drove Delun to the Emperor and asked for an army. The Emperor ordered Li Cunshen from Zhao to camp at Linqing and marched east from Jinyang to join him. (The 《Zizhi Tongjian》 says: The Prince of Jin came east from Huangze Ridge, met Cunshen at Linqing, still distrusted the Wei men, and would not advance.)〉 Delun sent his aide Sikong Yan in secret to report Zhang Yan's violence and say, "Unless this trouble is rooted out, we will regret it." The Emperor said nothing and marched on Yongji. Zhang Yan came to audience with five hundred Silver Spear guards in armor, weapons in hand. From a tower the Emperor told them: "You butchered civilians and seized their women; for days the complaints have poured in—you should die to answer Ye. He had Yan and seven ringleaders cut down at once; the troops shook with fear; then he soothed them and withdrew. Next day he rode forward in light dress, had Yan's men arm and ring his horse, made them his Silver Spears before the tent, and won the army over. Liang Liu Xun, hearing the Emperor was near, took ten thousand picked men from Huanshui toward Weixian; the Emperor sent Cunshen to block him and camped his guard northwest of the city, palisading both banks.
17
六月庚寅朔，帝入魏州，賀德倫上符印，請帝兼領魏州，帝從之。 墨製授德倫大同軍節度，令取便路赴任。 帝下令撫諭鄴人，軍城畏肅，民心大服。 是時，以貝州張源德據壘拒命； 南通劉鄩，又與滄州首尾相應，聞德州無備，遣別將襲之，遂拔其城。 命遼州牙將馬通為德州刺史，以扼滄、貝之路。
On gengyin, the first of the sixth month, he entered Weizhou; Delun handed over his seals and asked him to take the circuit, and he agreed. An ink edict made Delun commissioner of Datong and sent him to his post by the nearest road. He issued orders to reassure Ye; discipline returned to the garrison and the people submitted. Zhang Yuande of Bei still held a fort and would not obey; he was tied to Liu Xun in the south and to Cangzhou; learning Dezhou was undefended, he sent a detachment and took it. and the Emperor made Ma Tong of Liaozhou commissioner of De to block Cang and Bei.
18
秋七月，梁澶州刺史王彥章棄城而遁，畏帝軍之逼也。 以故將李岩為澶州刺史。 帝至魏縣，因率百餘騎覘梁軍之營。 是日陰晦，劉鄩伏兵五千於河南叢木間。 帝至，伏兵忽起，大噪而來，圍帝數十重。 帝以百騎馳突奮擊，梁軍辟易，決圍而出。 有頃，援軍至，乃解。 帝顧謂軍士曰：「幾為賊所笑。」
In the seventh month Wang Yanzhang of Chan abandoned his city and fled before the Jin host. Li Yan, a former officer, was made prefect of Chan. At Weixian he rode out with a little over a hundred men to scout the Liang camp. The day was dark; Liu Xun had five thousand men in ambush among the trees south of the river. When the Emperor came up the ambush burst out with a roar and ringed him many ranks deep. He charged with his hundred horse, the Liang line split, and he broke out. Soon reinforcements came and he was safe. He told his men, "The enemy nearly made a fool of me."
19
是月，劉鄩潛師由黃澤西趨晉陽，至樂平而還，遂軍於宗城。 初，鄩在洹水，數日不出，寂無聲跡。 帝遣騎覘之，無斥候者，城中亦無煙火之狀，但有鳥止於壘上，時見旗幟循堞往來。 帝曰：「我聞劉鄩用兵，一步百變，必以詭計誤我。」 使視城中，乃縛旗於芻偶之上，使驢負之，循堞而行。 得城中羸老者詰之，雲軍去已二日矣。 既而有人自鄩軍至者，言兵已趨黃澤，帝遽發騎追之。 時霖雨積旬，鄩軍倍道兼行，皆腹疾足腫，加以山路險阻，崖穀泥滑，緣蘿引葛，方得少進。 顛墜岩阪，陷於泥淖而死者十二三。 前軍至樂平，糗糒將竭，聞帝軍追躡於後，太原之眾在前，群情大駭。 鄩收合其眾還，自邢州陳宋口渡漳水而東，駐於宗城。 時魏之軍儲已乏，臨清積粟所在，鄩欲引軍據之。 周德威初聞鄩軍之西，自幽州率千騎至土門。 及鄩軍東下，急趨南宮，知鄩軍在宗城，遣十餘騎迫其營，擒斥候者，斷其腕，令還。 德威至臨清，鄩起軍駐貝州。 帝率親騎次博州，鄩軍於堂邑，周德威自臨清率五百騎躡之。 是日，鄩軍於莘縣，帝營於莘西一舍，城壘相望，日夕交鬥。
That month Liu Xun stole west by Huangze toward Taiyuan, turned back at Leping, and camped at Zongcheng. While Xun lay at Huanshui he stayed quiet for days without a sound. Scouts found no pickets and no smoke in the town—only birds on the walls and banners now and then along the parapet. The Emperor said, "Liu Xun changes his moves every step—he must be tricking us. Inside were straw figures with flags, carried by donkeys along the wall. Old men in the city said the army had left two days before. A man from Xun's camp said they were already on Huangze; the Emperor sent cavalry after them at once. After weeks of rain Xun's men forced the march with belly sickness and swollen feet on muddy cliffs, hauling themselves along by vines. One or two in ten died falling from cliffs or drowning in the mud. The van reached Leping with rations almost gone; Jin pursuit behind and Taiyuan ahead, the host panicked. Xun turned back, crossed the Zhang east from Chen Song Ford, and camped at Zongcheng. Wei stores were empty and grain lay at Linqing; Xun meant to seize it. When Dewei first heard Xun had gone west, he raced a thousand horse from Youzhou to Tumen. When Xun turned east Dewei rushed to Nangong, found him at Zongcheng, seized scouts, cut off their wrists, and sent them back. Dewei reached Linqing; Xun broke camp and held Bei. The Emperor camped near Bo while Xun was at Tangyi; Dewei from Linqing followed with five hundred horse. Xun lay at Shen; the Emperor camped a stage west; the camps faced each other and skirmished every evening.
20
八月，梁將賀瑰襲取澶州，帝遣李存審率兵五千攻貝州，因塹而圍之。 冬十月，有軍士自鄩軍來奔，帝善待之，乃劉鄩密令齎鴆賂帝膳夫，欲置毒於食中，會有告者，索其黨誅之。
In the eighth month He Gui took Chan; the Emperor sent Cunshen with five thousand to trench and besiege Bei. In the tenth month of winter a deserter from Xun was well treated and revealed a plot to poison the Emperor's food; the men involved were seized and killed.
21
天祐十三年春二月，帝知劉鄩將謀速戰，乃聲言歸晉陽以誘之，實勞軍於貝州也； 令李存審守其營。 鄩謂帝已臨晉陽，將乘虛襲鄴。 三月，鄩遣其將楊延直自澶州率兵萬人，會於城下。 夜半，至於南門之外。 城中潛出壯士五百人，突入延直之軍，噪聲動地，梁軍自亂。 遲明，鄩自莘引軍至城東，與延直兵會。 鄩之來也，李存審率兵踵其後，李嗣源自魏城出戰。 俄而帝自貝州至，鄩卒見帝，驚曰：「晉王耶！」 因引軍漸卻，至故元城西，李存審大軍已成列矣。 軍前後為方陣，梁軍於其間為圓陣，四面受敵。 兩軍初合，梁軍稍衄； 再合，鄩引騎軍突西南而走。 帝以騎軍追擊之，梁步兵合戰，短兵既接，帝軍鼓噪，圍之數重，埃塵漲天。 李嗣源以千騎突入其間，眾皆披靡，相躪如積。 帝軍四面斬擊，棄甲之聲，聞數十里。 眾既奔潰，帝之騎軍追及於河上，十百為群，赴水而死，梁步兵七萬殲亡殆盡。 劉鄩自黎陽濟，奔滑州。 是月，梁主遣別將王檀率兵五萬，自陰地關趨晉陽，急攻其城，昭義李嗣昭遣將石嘉才率騎三百赴援。 時安金全、張承業堅守於內，嘉才救援於外，檀懼，乃燒營而遁，追擊至陰地關。 時鄩敗於莘縣，王檀遁於晉陽，梁主聞之，曰：「吾事去矣！」 三月乙卯朔，分兵以攻衛州。 壬戌，刺史米昭以城降。 夏四月，攻洺州，下之。
In the second month of Tianyou 13, knowing Xun wanted a quick fight, he announced a return to Taiyuan but rested his army at Bei; he left Cunshen to hold the camp. Xun thought the Emperor was in Taiyuan and meant to strike empty Ye. In the third month Xun sent Yang Yanzhi from Chan with ten thousand men to the walls. At midnight they reached the south gate. Five hundred men slipped out, struck Yanzhi's camp, and the Liang line collapsed in uproar. At dawn Xun came from Shen to the east wall and joined Yanzhi. Cunshen followed Xun's rear while Li Siyuan sallied from Weicheng. Soon the Emperor came from Bei; Xun's men cried, "The Prince of Jin!" and fell back to old Yuancheng; Cunshen's main host was already in line. Jin lines square before and behind penned the Liang circle on every side. At the first clash the Liang line buckled; on the second, Xun broke southwest with his horse. The Emperor chased with horse while the Liang foot fought; at close quarters the Jin host roared in and ringed them until dust blotted the sky. Li Siyuan drove a thousand horse into them; men were crushed in heaps. The Jin host cut them down on every side; discarded armor clattered for miles. The rout ran to the river in clusters of ten and hundred and drowned; seventy thousand Liang foot were almost wiped out. Liu Xun crossed from Liyang and fled to Hua. That month the Liang Founder sent Wang Tan with fifty thousand from Yindi Pass to storm Taiyuan; Li Sizhao sent Shi Jiacai with three hundred horse. An Jinquan and Zhang Chengye held the city while Jiacai struck from outside; Tan burned his camp and fled to Yindi Pass. When news came of Xun's defeat at Shen and Tan's flight from Taiyuan, the Liang Founder said, "My cause is lost!" On yimao in the third month he sent troops against Wei prefecture. On renxu Mi Zhao surrendered Wei. In the fourth month they took Luo.
22
五月，帝還晉陽。 六月，命偏師攻閻寶於邢州，梁主遣捉生都將張溫率步騎五百為援，至內黃，溫率眾來奔。 秋七月甲寅朔，帝自晉陽至魏州。
In the fifth month the Emperor returned to Taiyuan. In the sixth month a column besieged Yan Bao at Xing; the Liang Founder sent Zhang Wen with five hundred men, but Wen defected with his troops at Neihuang. On jiayin, the first of the seventh month, he came from Taiyuan to Weizhou.
23
八月，大閱師徒，進攻邢州。 相州節度使張筠棄城遁去，以袁建豐為相州刺史，依舊隸魏州。 邢州節度使閻寶請以城降，以忻州刺史、蕃漢副總管李存審為邢州節度使，以閻寶為西南面招討使，遙領天平軍節度使。 是月，契丹入蔚州，振武節度使李嗣本陷於契丹。
In the eighth month he reviewed the host and besieged Xing. Zhang Jun of Xiang fled; Yuan Jianfeng became prefect of Xiang under Weizhou again. Yan Bao of Xing offered surrender; Cunshen of Xin became commissioner of Xing, and Bao became southwest campaign commander with a nominal Tianping commission. That month the Khitan took Wei; Li Siben of Zhenwu was captured.
24
九月，帝還晉陽。 梁滄州節度使戴思遠棄城遁去，舊將毛璋入據其城。 李嗣源帥師招撫，璋以城降。 乃以李存審為滄州節度使，以李嗣源為邢州節度使。 時契丹犯塞，帝領親軍北征，至代州北，聞蔚州陷，乃班師。 〈（《遼史·太祖紀》：十一月，攻蔚、新、武、媯、儒五州，自代北至河曲，逾陰山，盡有其地。 其圍蔚州，敵樓無故自壞，眾軍大噪，乘之，不逾時而破。）〉 是月，貝州平，以滄州降將毛璋為貝州刺史。 自是，河朔悉為帝所有。 帝自晉陽復至於魏州。
In the ninth month he returned to Taiyuan. Dai Siyuan of Cang fled; Mao Zhang, an old officer, seized the city. Li Siyuan marched to win them; Zhang surrendered. Cunshen became commissioner of Cang and Siyuan commissioner of Xing. When the Khitan raided the border he marched north with his guard; north of Dai he heard Wei had fallen and turned back. (The 《History of the Liao · Annals of the Taizu》: In the eleventh month he took Wei, Xin, Wu, Ji, and Ru from north of Dai to Hequ, crossed Yin Mountain, and held the whole region. At Wei the watchtower collapsed without cause; the army roared and stormed the place and took it in less than an hour.)〉 That month Bei fell; Mao Zhang, who had come over from Cang, was made prefect of Bei. From then on all Hebei was his. He returned from Taiyuan to Weizhou.
25
天祐十四年二月，帝聞劉鄩復收殘兵保守黎陽，遂率師以攻之，不克而還。 是月甲午，新州將盧文進殺節度使李存矩，叛入契丹，遂引契丹之眾寇新州。 存矩，帝之諸弟也，治民失政，禦下無恩，故及於禍。 帝以契丹主安巴堅與武皇屢盟於雲中，既又約為兄弟，急難相救，至是容納叛將，違盟犯塞，乃馳書以讓之。 契丹攻新州甚急，刺史安金全棄城而遁，契丹以文進部將劉殷為刺史。 帝命周德威率兵三萬攻之，營於城東。 俄而文進引契丹大至，德威拔營而歸，因為契丹追躡，師徒多喪。 契丹乘勝寇幽州。 是時言契丹者，或云五十萬，或云百萬，漁陽以北，山谷之間，氈車毳幕，羊馬彌漫。 盧文進招誘幽州亡命之人，教契丹為攻城之具，飛梯、衝車之類，畢陳於城下。 鑿地道，起土山，四面攻城，半月之間，機變百端，城中隨機以應之，僅得保全，軍民困弊，上下恐懼。 德威間道馳使以聞，帝憂形於色，召諸將會議。 時李存審請急救燕、薊，且曰：「我若猶豫，未行，但恐城中生事！」 李嗣源曰：「願假臣突騎五千，以破契丹。」 閻寶曰：「但當搜選銳兵，控製山險，強弓勁弩，設伏待之。」 帝曰：「吾有三將，無復憂矣！」
In the second month of Tianyou 14, hearing Xun had rallied at Liyang, he attacked, failed, and withdrew. On jiawu that month Lu Wenjin of Xin killed commissioner Li Cunju, went over to the Khitan, and led them against Xin. Cunju was the Emperor's brother; he ruled badly and treated his men harshly, and so came to ruin. Abaoji had sworn brotherhood with Wuhuang at Yunzhong and pledged mutual aid; now sheltering a traitor and breaking the pact, the Emperor sent a sharp letter of reproach. The Khitan stormed Xin; An Jinquan fled; they made Wenjin's man Liu Yin prefect. The Emperor sent Zhou Dewei with thirty thousand to besiege Xin and camped east of the walls. Wenjin soon brought a great Khitan host; Dewei broke camp, was chased home, and lost many men. The Khitan pressed on to raid Youzhou. Rumors put the Khitan at five hundred thousand or a million; north of Yuyang carts and tents and herds filled every valley. Wenjin gathered Youzhou exiles and taught the Khitan ladders, rams, and every siege device below the walls. They tunneled, heaped earth, and assaulted from every side; for half a month tricks multiplied and the city barely held; soldiers and civilians were spent and terrified. Dewei sent word by a hidden path; the Emperor's face showed worry and he called his generals to council. Li Cunshen then begged for swift relief of Yan and Ji, saying, "If I hold back and do not go, the city may revolt before we arrive!" Li Siyuan said, "Give me five thousand shock horse and I will break the Khitan." Yan Bao said, "Pick the best troops, hold the passes, post strong bows and crossbows, and lie in wait." The Emperor said, "With these three commanders I need not worry again!"
26
夏四月，命李嗣源率師赴援，次於淶水； 又遣閻寶率師夜過祁溝，俘擒而還。 周德威遣人告李嗣源曰：「契丹三十萬，馬牛不知其數，近日所食羊馬過半，阿保機責讓盧文進，深悔其來。 契丹勝兵散布射獵，安巴堅帳前不滿萬人，宜夜出奇兵，掩其不備。」 嗣源具以事聞。 〈（《遼史·太祖紀》：四月，圍幽州，不克。 六月乙巳，望城中有氣如煙火狀，上曰：「未可攻也。」 以大暑霖潦，班師，留盧國用守之。 是契丹主已於六月退師矣。）〉
In the fourth month of summer he sent Li Siyuan to the rescue; Siyuan halted at the Lai River; and sent Yan Bao by night through Qigou to seize prisoners and withdraw. Zhou Dewei reported to Li Siyuan: "The Khitan number three hundred thousand, with herds beyond count; they have already eaten more than half their sheep and horses. Abaoji blames Lu Wenjin and bitterly regrets this campaign. Their best men are out hunting; fewer than ten thousand guard the ruler's tent at An Bojian. Strike by night while they are off guard. Siyuan sent the full report to court. (The 《History of the Liao》, “Basic Annals of the Founder”: In the fourth month they invested Youzhou without success. On yisi in the sixth month, seeing vapors over the city like smoke and flame, the Khitan ruler said, "Do not attack yet." In the heavy summer rains he withdrew, leaving Lu Guoyong to garrison the place. The Khitan ruler had in fact already withdrawn that sixth month.)〉
27
秋七月辛未，帝遣李存審領軍與嗣源會於易州，步騎凡七萬。 於是三將同謀，銜枚束甲，尋澗穀而行，直抵幽州。 八月甲午，自易州北循山而行，李嗣源率三千騎為前鋒。 庚子，循大房嶺而東，距幽州六十里。 契丹萬騎遽至，存審、嗣源極力以拒之，契丹大敗，委棄毳幕、氈廬、弓矢、羊馬不可勝紀，進軍追討，俘斬萬計。 辛丑，大軍入幽州，德威見諸將，握手流涕。 翌日，獻捷於鄴。 九月，班師，帝授存審檢校太傅，嗣源檢校太保，閻寶加同平章事。
On xinwei in the seventh month the Emperor sent Li Cunshen to join Siyuan at Yizhou with seventy thousand foot and horse. The three commanders then marched in silence with armor bound, following ravines straight to Youzhou. On jiawu in the eighth month they left Yizhou north along the hills; Li Siyuan led three thousand horse in the van. On gengzi they turned along Dafang Ridge, sixty li from Youzhou. Ten thousand Khitan horse rushed up; Cunshen and Siyuan met them head-on and routed them, leaving felt tents, huts, bows, and countless sheep and horses; the pursuit took tens of thousands of heads and prisoners. On xinchou the main force entered Youzhou; Dewei clasped the generals' hands and wept. The next day the victory was reported at Ye. In the ninth month they withdrew; Cunshen was made acting Grand Tutor, Siyuan acting Grand Guardian, and Yan Bao was added Tongping Grand Councilor.
28
十月，帝自魏州還晉陽。 十一月，復至魏州。 十二月，帝觀兵於河上。 時梁人據楊劉城，列柵相望，帝率軍履河冰而渡，盡平諸柵，進攻楊劉城。 城中守兵三千人，帝率騎軍環城馳射，又令步兵持斧斬其鹿角，負葭葦以堙塹； 帝自負一圍而進，諸軍鼓噪而登，遂拔其壘，獲守將安彥之。 是夕，帝宿楊劉。
In the tenth month the Emperor went from Weizhou back to Jinyang. In the eleventh month he was at Weizhou again. In the twelfth month he reviewed the army on the Yellow River. The Liang held Yangliu with facing stockades; the Emperor crossed on the ice, tore down every palisade, and besieged Yangliu. Three thousand men defended the city; he rode around it shooting, and ordered foot soldiers to cut the abatis, heap rushes into the ditch, then shouldered a bundle of fascines himself and went forward; the host stormed the wall, took the fort, and seized An Yanzhi. That night he camped at Yangliu.
29
天祐十五年春正月，帝軍徇地至鄆、濮。 時梁主在洛，將修郊禮，聞楊劉失守，狼狽而還。 二月，梁將謝彥章帥眾數萬來迫楊劉，築壘以自固，又決河水，彌漫數里，以限帝軍。 六月壬戌，帝自魏州復至楊劉。 甲子，率諸軍涉水而進，梁人臨水拒戰，帝軍小卻。 俄而鼓噪復進，梁軍漸退，因乘勢而擊之。 交鬥於中流，梁軍大敗，殺傷甚眾，河水如絳，謝彥章僅得免去。 是月，淮南楊溥遣使來會兵，將致討於梁也。
In the first month of spring, Tianyou 15, he raided through Yan and Pu. The Liang ruler was at Luoyang preparing the suburban rites; when Yangliu fell he hurried back in disarray. In the second month Xie Yanzhang of Liang brought tens of thousands against Yangliu, entrenched, and breached the dykes until the flood spread for li to block the Jin host. On renxu in the sixth month he returned from Weizhou to Yangliu. On jiazi he forded forward; the Liang met him in the stream and the Jin line briefly gave ground. Then the drums sounded and the Jin surged again; the Liang fell back and he pressed the attack. They grappled in midstream; the Liang were shattered with heavy losses and the water ran red; Xie Yanzhang alone got away. That month Yang Pu of Huainan sent envoys to combine forces for a strike on Liang.
30
秋八月辛丑朔，大閱於魏郊，河東、魏博、幽、滄、鎮定、邢洺、麟、勝、雲、朔十鎮之師，及奚、契丹、室韋、吐渾之眾十餘萬，部陣嚴肅，旌甲照曜，師旅之盛，近代為最。 己酉，梁兗州節度使張萬進遣使歸款。 帝自魏州率師次於楊劉，略地至鄆、濮而還； 遂營於麻家渡，諸陣列營十數。 梁將賀瑰、謝彥章以軍屯濮州行台村，結壘相持百餘日。 帝嘗以數百騎摩壘求戰，謝彥章率精兵五千伏於堤下，帝以十餘騎登堤，伏兵發，圍帝十數重。 俄而帝之騎軍繼至，攻於圍外，帝於圍中躍馬奮擊，決圍而出。 李存審兵至，梁軍方退。 是時，帝銳於接戰，每馳騎出營，存審必扣馬進諫，帝伺存審有間，即策馬而出，顧左右曰：「老子妨吾戲耳！」 至是幾危，方以存審之言為忠也。
On the xinchou new moon in the eighth month he held a grand review outside Wei: the ten commands—Hedong, Weibo, You, Cang, Zhen-Ding, Xing-Mo, Lin, Sheng, Yun, and Shuo—with Xi, Khitan, Shiwei, and Tuhun, over a hundred thousand in all, drawn up in glittering array, the finest host of the age. On jiyou Zhang Wanjin, Liang commissioner of Yanzhou, sent envoys to surrender. From Weizhou he marched to Yangliu, raided Yan and Pu, and came back; then camped at Majia Ford with a dozen separate lines. He Gui and Xie Yanzhang of Liang lay at Xingtai Village in Pu with facing camps for over a hundred days. Once he rode out with a few hundred horse to provoke a fight; Xie Yanzhang hid five thousand picked men below the embankment; the Emperor climbed the dyke with a dozen riders and was ringed ten deep. His cavalry soon came up and struck from outside while he fought within and broke free. When Li Cunshen arrived the Liang finally drew off. He was eager for hand-to-hand fighting and often dashed from camp; Cunshen always caught his bridle to warn him, so he waited until Cunshen's guard slipped, then spurred out and told his attendants, "The old fellow is ruining my fun!" This time he nearly died and at last saw that Cunshen had been faithful.
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十二月庚子朔，帝進軍，距梁軍柵十里而止。 時梁將賀瑰殺騎將謝彥章於軍，帝聞之曰：「賊帥自相魚肉，安得不亡。」 戊午，下令軍中老幼，令歸魏州，悉兵以趣汴。 庚申，大軍毀營而進。 辛酉，次於臨濮，梁軍舍營踵於後。 癸亥，次胡柳坡。 遲明，梁軍亦至，帝率親軍出視，諸軍從之。 梁軍已成陣，橫亙數十里，帝亦以橫陣抗之。 時帝與李存審總河東、魏博之眾居其中，周德威以幽、薊之師當其西，鎮、定之師當其東。 梁將賀瑰、王彥章全軍接戰，帝以銀槍軍突入梁軍陣中，斬擊十餘里，賀瑰、王彥章單騎走濮陽。 帝軍輜重在陣西，望見梁軍旗幟，皆驚走，因自相蹈籍，不能禁止。 帝一軍先敗，周德威戰歿。 是時，陂中有土山，梁軍數萬先據之，帝帥中軍至山下。 梁軍嚴整不動，旗幟甚盛。 帝呼諸軍曰：「今日之戰，得山者勝。 賊已據山，吾與爾等各馳一騎以奪之！」 帝率軍先登，銀槍步兵繼進，遂奪其山。 梁軍紛紜而下，復於土山西結陣數里。 時日已晡矣，或曰：「諸軍未齊，不如還營，詰朝可圖再戰。」 閻寶曰：「深入賊境，逢其大敵，期於盡銳，以決雌雄。 況賊帥奔亡，眾心方恐，今乘高擊下，勢如破竹矣！」 銀槍都將王建及被甲橫槊進曰：「賊將先已奔亡，王之騎軍一無所損，賊眾晡晚，大半思歸，擊之必破。 王但登山縱觀，責臣以破賊之效。」 於是李嗣昭領騎軍自土山北以逼梁軍，王建及呼土眾曰：「今日所失輜重，並在山下。」 乃大呼以奮擊，諸軍繼之，梁軍大敗。 時元城令吳瓊、貴鄉令胡裝各部役徒萬人，於山下曳柴揚塵，鼓噪助其勢。 梁軍不之測，自相騰籍，棄甲山積。 甲子，命行戰場，收獲鎧仗不知其數。 時帝之軍士有先入大梁問其次舍者，梁人大恐，驅市人以守。 其殘眾奔歸汴者不滿千人，帝軍遂拔濮陽。
On the gengzi new moon in the twelfth month he marched forward and stopped ten li from the Liang lines. He Gui of Liang had just killed his cavalry commander Xie Yanzhang in camp; the Emperor said, "Their chiefs are butchering each other—how can they stand?" On wuwu he sent the army's families back to Weizhou and drove every fighting man toward Bian. On gengshen the host struck camp and marched. On xinyou they reached Linpu with the Liang trailing behind. On guihai they camped at Huliu Slope. At first light the Liang came up; he rode out with his guard to look and the whole army followed. The Liang were already drawn up for tens of li; he answered with a line across their front. He and Li Cunshen held Hedong and Weibo in the center; Zhou Dewei took You and Ji on the west; Zhen and Ding faced the east. He Gui and Wang Yanzhang of Liang met him with their whole force; the Silver Spear Army pierced the Liang array for more than ten li and He Gui and Wang Yanzhang rode alone to Puyang. Jin baggage lay west of the field; at sight of Liang flags the train stampeded and could not be checked. His own wing broke first and Zhou Dewei fell in the rout. A hill rose in the hollow; tens of thousands of Liang had seized it first and he brought the center to its foot. The Liang ranks stood firm, their banners towering. He shouted to his men, "Whoever holds that hill wins today. The enemy already have it—charge with me, each man one horse! He led the climb and the Silver Spear foot came after; the hill was theirs. The Liang tumbled down in confusion and re-formed several li west of the hill. It was already late afternoon when someone urged, "Not all our units are up—withdraw to camp and fight again tomorrow." Yan Bao said, "We are deep in enemy country facing their main host; this is the hour to stake everything. Their chief has run and their hearts are shaken; strike downhill and we will cut them like bamboo! Wang Jianji of the Silver Spear, in armor with spear level, stepped forward: "Their general has fled and your horse are untouched; by evening most of the Liang want home—hit them and they will shatter. Mount the hill and look on; hold me to account for breaking them. Li Sizhao then led horse from the north of the hill against the Liang; Wang Jianji shouted to the troops on the height, "All the baggage we lost today lies below!" and led a roaring charge; the rest poured after and the Liang were routed. Wu Qiong of Yuancheng and Hu Zhuang of Guixiang each brought ten thousand laborers to drag brush, raise dust, and drum and shout to swell the din. The Liang could not tell what was happening; they stampeded and cast off armor in heaps. On jiazi he swept the field and the captured arms were beyond count. Some Jin soldiers had already gone into Daliang to ask where they might lodge; the Liang were terrified and pressed townsfolk into defense. Fewer than a thousand Liang survivors reached Bian; the Jin host then took Puyang.