1
康君立，蔚州興唐人，世為邊豪。 乾符中，為雲州牙校，事防禦使段文楚。 時群盜起河南，天下將亂，代北仍歲阻饑，諸部豪傑，咸有嘯聚邀功之志。 會文楚稍削軍人儲給，戍兵谘怨。 君立與薛鐵山、程懷信、王行審、李存璋等謀曰：「段公懦人，難與共事。 方今四方雲擾，武威不振，丈夫不能於此時立功立事，非人豪也。 吾等雖權係部眾，然以雄勁聞於時者，莫若沙陀部，復又李振武父子勇冠諸軍，吾等合勢推之，則代北之地，旬月可定，功名富貴，事無不濟也。」 君立等乃夜謁武皇言曰：「方今天下大亂，天子付將臣以邊事，歲偶饑荒，便削儲給，我等邊人，焉能守死！ 公家父子，素以威惠及五部，當共除虐帥，以謝邊人，孰敢異議者！」 武皇曰：「明天子在上，舉事當有朝典，公等勿輕議。 予家尊遠在振武，萬一相迫，俟予稟命。」 君立等曰：「事機已泄，遲則變生，曷俟千里谘稟！」 眾因聚噪，擁武皇。 比及雲州，眾且萬人，師營鬥雞台，城中械文楚以應武皇之軍。 既收城，推武皇為大同軍防禦留後。 眾狀以聞，朝廷不悅，詔征兵來討。 俄而獻祖失振武，武皇失雲州。 朝廷命招討使李鈞、幽州李可舉加兵於武皇，攻武皇於蔚州。 君立從擊可舉之師屢捷，及獻祖入達靼，君立保感義軍，武皇授雁門節度，以君立為左都押牙，從入關，逐黃孽，收長安。 武皇還鎮太原，授檢校工部尚書、先鋒軍使，
Kang Junli was from Xingtang in Yuzhou, and his family had been powerful border lords for generations. During the Qianfu reign he was a guard officer at Yunzhou under Defense Commissioner Duan Wenchu. Bandit armies were rising south of the Yellow River, the empire was sliding toward chaos, and north of Dai famine struck year after year. Leaders in every tribe dreamed of rallying men and winning glory. Wenchu had recently reduced the troops' stored provisions, and the garrison soldiers grumbled in anger. Junli plotted with Xue Tieshan, Cheng Huaixin, Wang Xingshen, Li Cunzhang, and others. "Lord Duan is a coward," they said. "We cannot serve under him. The realm is in turmoil on every side and martial glory lies idle. A man who cannot win merit now is no true champion. We command only tribal bands, yet none in this age are fiercer than the Shatuo, and Li Zhenwu and his son outmatch every army. If we join forces and put them forward, we can secure the north of Dai within a month. Fame, wealth, and rank will all be within reach." That night Junli and his companions went to the Martial Emperor. "The empire is in chaos," they said. "The throne leaves the frontier to its generals, yet a single year of famine is enough for them to cut our stores. How can border men die for that? Your father and son have long ruled the five tribes with authority and grace. Join us in removing this cruel commander and answering the frontier. Who would dare object?" The Martial Emperor replied, "The Son of Heaven still reigns. Any action must follow the laws of the court. Do not speak rashly. My father is far away at Zhenwu. If you force the issue, wait until I have reported to him." Junli and the others said, "The secret is out. Delay will bring disaster. Why wait for orders from a thousand li away?" The men raised a clamor and pressed the Martial Emperor forward. By the time they reached Yunzhou they numbered nearly ten thousand. The army camped at the Cockfighting Terrace, and the city seized Wenchu in bonds to welcome the Martial Emperor's forces. After the city fell, they urged the Martial Emperor to become acting defense commissioner of the Datong army. They reported the matter to court. The throne was displeased and ordered armies raised against them. Soon the Ancestor of Offerings lost Zhenwu and the Martial Emperor lost Yunzhou. The court ordered Pacification Commissioner Li Jun and Li Keju of Youzhou to reinforce their armies and attack the Martial Emperor at Yuzhou. Junli followed the campaigns against Keju's army and won victory after victory. When the Ancestor of Offerings fled into the Tatar lands, Junli held the Ganyi army. The Martial Emperor received the Yanmen command, made Junli his left chief guard officer, marched with him through the passes, drove off Huang Chao's remnant forces, and recovered Chang'an. When the Martial Emperor returned to Taiyuan, he appointed Junli acting Minister of Works and commander of the vanguard army,
2
文德初，李罕之既失河陽，來歸於武皇，且求援焉，乃以君立充南面招討使，李存孝副之，帥師二萬，助罕之攻取河陽。 三月，與汴將丁會、牛存節戰於沇河。 臨陣之次，騎將安休休叛入汴軍，君立引退。 八月，授汾州刺史。 大順元年，潞州小校安居受反，武皇遣君立討平之，授檢校左僕射、昭義節度使。 自武皇之師連歲略地於邢、洺，攻孟方立，君立常率澤潞之師以為掎角。
Early in the Wende reign Li Hanzhi, having lost Heyang, submitted to the Martial Emperor and asked for aid. Junli was made southern pacification commissioner with Li Cunxiao as deputy, and they led twenty thousand men to help Hanzhi retake Heyang. In the third month he fought the Bian generals Ding Hui and Niu Cunjie on the Yan River. As the battle opened, the cavalry commander An Xiuxiu defected to the Bian army, and Junli pulled back. In the eighth month he was appointed prefect of Fenzhou. In the first year of Dashun the Luzhou junior officer An Jushou rebelled. The Martial Emperor sent Junli to put down the revolt and appointed him acting Left Vice Director and military governor of Zhaoyi. For years the Martial Emperor's armies had raided Xing and Ming and besieged Meng Fangli. Junli often led the Ze and Lu forces in coordinated strikes from the flank.
3
景福初，檢校司徒，食邑千戶。 二年，李存孝據邢州叛，武皇命君立討之，以功加檢校太保。 乾寧初，存孝平，班師。 存孝既死，武皇深惜之，怒諸將無解慍者。 初，李存信與存孝不葉，屢相傾奪，而君立素與存信善。 九月，君立至太原，武皇會諸將酒博，因語及存孝事，流涕不已。 時君立以一言忤旨，武皇賜鴆而殂，時年四十八。 明宗即位，以念舊之故，詔贈太傅。
Early in the Jingfu reign he was made acting Minister of Education with a fief of a thousand households. In the second year Li Cunxiao rebelled from Xingzhou. The Martial Emperor ordered Junli against him and, for his service, added the title acting Grand Mentor. Early in the Qianning reign Cunxiao was subdued and the army marched home. After Cunxiao's death the Martial Emperor mourned him deeply and was angry that none of his generals had offered him comfort. Li Cunxin and Cunxiao had long been at odds and had repeatedly undermined each other, while Junli had always been close to Cunxin. In the ninth month Junli arrived at Taiyuan. The Martial Emperor gathered his generals for wine and dice, spoke of Cunxiao, and wept without end. Junli spoke one remark that crossed the Martial Emperor. The Martial Emperor gave him poisoned wine, and he died at forty-eight. When Emperor Mingzong took the throne, he posthumously enfeoffed Junli as Grand Tutor in remembrance of old service.
4
薛誌勤，蔚州奉誠人，小字鐵山。 初為獻祖帳中親信，乾符中，與康君立共推武皇定雲州，以功授右牙都校； 從入達靼，武皇授節雁門，誌勤領代北軍使； 從入關，收京城，以功授檢校工部尚書、河東右都押牙、先鋒右軍使。 從武皇救陳、許，平黃巢。 武皇遇難於上源驛，汴將楊彥洪連車樹柵，遮絕巷陌，時騎從皆醉，宴席既闌，汴軍四面攻傳舍。 誌勤虓勇冠絕，復酒膽激壯，因獨登驛樓大呼曰：「朱僕射負恩無行，邀我司空圖之，吾三百人足以濟事！」 因彎弧發射，矢無虛發，汴人斃者數十。 誌勤私謂武皇曰：「事急矣，如至五鼓，吾屬無遺類矣，可速行！」 因扶武皇而去。 雷雨暴猛，汴人扼橋，誌勤以其屬血戰擊敗之，得侍武皇還營，由是恩顧益厚。 大順初，張浚以天子之師來侵太原。 十月，大軍入陰地，誌勤與李承嗣帥騎三千抗之，敗韓建之軍於蒙坑，進收晉、絳，以功授忻州刺史。 二年，從討鎮州，收天長、臨城，誌勤皆先登陷陣，勇敢無前。 王暉據雲州叛，討平之，以誌勤為大同軍防禦使、檢校司空。 乾寧初，代康君立為昭義節度使。 光化元年十二月，以疾卒於潞，時年六十二。
Xue Zhiqin was from Fengcheng in Yuzhou; his childhood name was Iron Mountain. He first served as a trusted intimate in the Ancestor of Offerings' headquarters. During Qianfu he joined Kang Junli in raising the Martial Emperor to take Yunzhou and, for his service, was made right guard commander; he followed into the Tatar lands. When the Martial Emperor received the Yanmen command, Zhiqin became commissioner of the armies north of Dai; he marched through the passes and recovered the capital. For his service he was made acting Minister of Works, right chief guard officer of Hedong, and commander of the right vanguard army. He followed the Martial Emperor in relieving Chen and Xu and defeating Huang Chao. The Martial Emperor met disaster at the Shangyuan post station. The Bian general Yang Yanhong chained wagons and raised palisades to block every lane. His mounted escort were all drunk. When the feast ended, Bian troops attacked the lodge from every side. Zhiqin's ferocity was unmatched, and wine had fired his courage. He climbed alone to the post-house tower and shouted, "Vice Director Zhu has betrayed us and lured our Minister into a trap. Three hundred of us are enough to finish this!" He bent his bow and shot. Every arrow found its mark, and dozens of Bian soldiers fell dead. Zhiqin whispered to the Martial Emperor, "This is desperate. By the fifth watch none of us will be left alive. You must go now!" He took the Martial Emperor's arm and led him away. Thunder and rain broke over them in fury. Bian troops held the bridge. Zhiqin led his men in a bloody fight, broke through, and escorted the Martial Emperor back to camp. From that day his favor only grew. Early in the Dashun reign Zhang Jun marched against Taiyuan at the head of the imperial army. In the tenth month the imperial army entered Yindi. Zhiqin and Li Chengsi led three thousand cavalry against it, routed Han Jian's army at Mengkeng, advanced to recover Jin and Jiang, and Zhiqin was appointed prefect of Xinzhou for his service. In the second year he joined the campaign against Zhenzhou and took Tianchang and Lincheng. Zhiqin was always first over the wall and into the enemy ranks, fearless before all. Wang Hui rebelled and held Yunzhou. After the revolt was crushed, Zhiqin was made defense commissioner of the Datong army and acting Minister of Works. Early in the Qianning reign he replaced Kang Junli as military governor of Zhaoyi. In the twelfth month of the first year of Guanghua he died of illness at Lu, aged sixty-two.
5
史建瑭，字國寶。 父敬思，雁門人，仕郡至牙校。 武皇節制雁門，敬思為九府都督，從入關，定京師。 及鎮太原，為裨將。 中和四年，從援陳、許，為前鋒，敗黃巢於汴上，追賊至徐、兗，常將騎挺身酣戰，勇冠諸軍。 是時，天下之師雲集，軍中無不推伏。 六月，衛從武皇入汴州，舍於上源驛，是夕，為汴人所攻，敬思方大醉，因蹶然而興，操弓與汴人鬥，矢不虛發，汴人死者數百。 夜分冒雨方達汴橋，左右扶武皇決圍而去。 敬思後拒，血戰而歿。 武皇還營，知失敬思，流涕久之。
Shi Jiantang, style name Guobao. His father Jingsi was from Yanmen and rose in prefectural service to guard officer. When the Martial Emperor took command of Yanmen, Jingsi became commissioner of the nine prefectures, marched through the passes with him, and helped secure the capital. When the Martial Emperor garrisoned Taiyuan, Jingsi served as a staff general. In the fourth year of Zhonghe he marched as vanguard to relieve Chen and Xu, routed Huang Chao on the Bian shore, and pursued the rebels to Xu and Yan. He often led cavalry into the thickest fighting, and his courage outshone every army in the field. Armies from across the realm had gathered, and every camp honored him. In the sixth month he escorted the Martial Emperor into Bianzhou and lodged at the Shangyuan post station. That night Bian troops attacked. Jingsi was dead drunk, yet he lurched to his feet, seized his bow, and fought them. Every arrow flew true, and hundreds of Bian soldiers fell. At midnight, drenched by rain, they reached the Bian bridge. Attendants helped the Martial Emperor break through the encirclement and escape. Jingsi held the rear and died fighting. When the Martial Emperor returned to camp and learned that Jingsi was gone, he wept for a long time.
6
建瑭以父蔭少仕軍門。 光化中，典昭德軍。 與李嗣昭攻汾州，率先登城，擒叛將李瑭以獻，授檢校工部尚書。 李思安之圍上黨也，建瑭為前鋒，與總管周德威赴援。 時汴人夾城深固，援路斷絕，建瑭日引精騎，設伏擒生，夜犯汴營，驅斬千計，敵人不敢芻牧。 汴將王景仁營於柏鄉，建瑭與周德威先出井陘。 高邑之戰，日已晡晚，汴軍有歸誌，建瑭督部落精騎先陷其陣，夾攻魏、滑之間，遂長驅追擊。 夜入柏鄉，俘斬數千計，論功加檢校左僕射。 師還，留戍趙州。 汴將氏延賞數犯趙之南鄙，建瑭設伏柏鄉，獲延賞，獻之。
Jiantang entered military service young through his father's standing. During the Guanghua reign he commanded the Zhaode army. With Li Sizhao he attacked Fenzhou, was first over the wall, captured the rebel general Li Tang and presented him to command, and was appointed acting Minister of Works. When Li Si'an besieged Shangdang, Jiantang served as vanguard and marched with Commander Zhou Dewei to relieve the city. The Bian army had ringed the city with a tight siege and cut every line of relief. Jiantang led elite cavalry out each day, laid ambushes to take prisoners, and struck Bian camps by night, killing and driving off thousands. The enemy no longer dared graze their horses or gather fodder. The Bian general Wang Jingren encamped at Baixiang. Jiantang and Zhou Dewei marched out first through Jingxing Pass. At the battle of Gaoyi the afternoon was waning and the Bian army was ready to withdraw. Jiantang led tribal elite cavalry to smash their line first, struck them from both flanks between Wei and Hua, and then pursued them at length. They entered Baixiang by night, capturing and killing thousands. For his service he was promoted to acting Left Vice Director. When the army marched home, he was left to garrison Zhaozhou. The Bian general Shi Yanzhang repeatedly raided southern Zhao. Jiantang ambushed him at Baixiang, captured him, and presented him to command.
7
九年，梁祖親攻蓚縣。 時王師並攻幽州，聲言汴軍五十萬，將寇鎮、定。 都將符存審謂建瑭曰：「梁軍倘以五十萬來，我等何以待之？」 裨將趙行實曰：「走入土門為上策。」 存審曰：「事未可知，但老賊在東，別將西來，尚可徐圖。」 不旬日，楊師厚圍棗強，賀德倫圍蓚縣，梁祖自至，攻城甚急。 存審曰：「吾王方事北面，南鄙之事，付我等數人。 今西道無兵，坐滋賊勢。 何以為謀。 老賊若不下蓚、阜，必西攻深、冀，與公等料閱騎軍，偵視賊勢。」 乃選精騎八百趨信都，存審扼下博橋，建瑭與李嗣肱分道擒生。 建瑭乃分麾下三百騎為五軍，自將一軍深入，各命俘掠梁軍之芻牧者還，會下博橋。 翌日，諸軍皆至，獲芻牧者數百人，聚而殺之，緩數十人，令其逸去，各曰：「沙陀軍大至矣！」 梁軍震恐。 明日，建瑭、嗣肱為梁軍服色，與芻牧者相雜，晡晚，及賀德倫寨門，殺守門者，縱火大噪，俘斬而去。 是夜，梁祖燒營而遁，比至貝州，迷失道咯，委棄兵仗，不可勝計。
In the ninth year the Founder of Liang personally attacked Suo County. Imperial armies were then jointly attacking Youzhou, and word spread that five hundred thousand Bian troops would march on Zhen and Ding. Commander Fu Cunshen said to Jiantang, "If the Liang army really brings five hundred thousand men, how are we to face them?" Staff general Zhao Xingshi said, "Our best plan is to retreat through Tumen Pass." Cunshen said, "Nothing is settled yet. The old rebel is in the east and another commander is coming from the west. We still have room to maneuver." Within ten days Yang Shihou besieged Zaoqiang, He Delun besieged Suo County, and the Founder of Liang came in person. The assault grew fierce. Cunshen said, "Our lord is fighting in the north. The southern frontier has been left to the few of us here. The western front has no troops. We sit idle while the enemy grows stronger. What plan can we make? If the old rebel does not take Suo and Fu, he will surely strike Shen and Ji from the west. Come with me to review the cavalry and scout the enemy's movements." He chose eight hundred elite cavalry and hurried to Xindu. Cunshen held the Xiabo Bridge while Jiantang and Li Sigu split their forces to take prisoners. Jiantang divided his three hundred horsemen into five detachments, led one deep himself, and ordered each group to seize Liang foragers and herdsmen and rendezvous at the Xiabo Bridge. The next day every detachment returned. They seized several hundred foragers, killed most of them, spared a few dozen, and let them flee, each crying, "The Shatuo army has come in force!" The Liang army was shaken with terror. The next day Jiantang and Sigu dressed in Liang uniforms and mingled with the foragers. Near dusk they reached He Delun's camp gate, killed the guards, set fires and raised a great uproar, then killed and captured as they withdrew. That night the Founder of Liang burned his camp and fled. By the time he reached Beizhou he had lost his way, and weapons abandoned along the road were beyond counting.
8
十二年，魏博歸款，建瑭與符存審前軍屯魏縣。 十三年，敗劉鄩於元城，收澶州，以建瑭為刺史、檢校司空、外衙騎軍都將。 尋曆貝、相二州刺史，屯於德勝。 十八年，與閻寶討張文禮，為馬軍都將。 八月，收趙州，獲刺史王钅延。 進逼鎮州，為流矢所中，卒於軍，時年四十六。
In the twelfth year Weibo submitted. Jiantang and Fu Cunshen marched ahead and encamped at Wei County. In the thirteenth year he defeated Liu Yan at Yuancheng and recovered Chanzhou. Jiantang was made prefect, acting Minister of Works, and commander of the outer-office cavalry. He soon served in turn as prefect of Bei and Xiang and garrisoned at Desheng. In the eighteenth year he joined Yan Bao in the campaign against Zhang Wenli as commander of the horse army. In the eighth month he recovered Zhaozhou and captured Prefect Wang Rong. As he pressed the attack on Zhenzhou, a stray arrow struck him and he died in camp at forty-six.
9
李承嗣，代州雁門人。 父佐方。 承嗣少仕郡，補右職。 中和二年，從武皇討賊關輔，為前鋒。 王師之攻華陰，黃巢令偽客省使王汀會軍機於黃揆，承嗣擒之以獻。 賊平，以功授汾州司馬，改榆次鎮將。 光啟初，從討蔡賊於陳、許。 上源之難，遣承嗣奉表行在，陳訴其事。 觀軍容田令孜館而慰諭，令達情於武皇，姑務葉和，仍授以左散騎常侍。 朱玫之亂，遣承嗣率軍萬人援鄜州，至渭橋迎扈車駕。 王行瑜既殺朱玫，承嗣會鄜、夏之師入定京城，獲偽相裴徹、鄭昌圖，函送朱玫、襄王首獻於行在。 駕還宮，賜號迎鑾功臣、檢校工部尚書、守嵐州刺史，賜犒軍錢二萬貫。
Li Chengsi was from Yanmen in Daizhou. His father was Zuofang. Chengsi entered prefectural service young and was appointed to a staff post on the right. In the second year of Zhonghe he followed the Martial Emperor against the rebels in the Guanzhong region as vanguard. When the imperial army attacked Huayin, Huang Chao sent the false director of the guest bureau Wang Ting to confer on strategy with Huang Kui. Chengsi captured him and presented him to command. After the rebels were defeated he was appointed vice prefect of Fenzhou for his service, then transferred to garrison commander of Yuci. Early in the Guangqi reign he joined the campaign against the Cai rebels at Chen and Xu. After the Shangyuan disaster, Chengsi was dispatched to the traveling court with a memorial explaining what had happened. Army Inspector Tian Lingzi received him, offered comfort, and asked him to convey the facts to the Martial Emperor while seeking a temporary reconciliation. Chengsi was also appointed Left Regular Attendant. During Zhu Mei's rebellion Chengsi led ten thousand men to relieve Binzhou and met the imperial carriage at the Wei Bridge to escort it. After Wang Xingyu killed Zhu Mei, Chengsi joined the Bin and Xia armies in securing the capital, captured the false chancellors Pei Che and Zheng Changtu, and sent the heads of Zhu Mei and the Prince of Xiang to the traveling court in coffers. When the emperor returned to the palace, Chengsi was granted the title Merit Minister Who Welcomed the Imperial Carriage, appointed acting Minister of Works and prefect of Lanzhou, and given twenty thousand strings of cash to reward the troops.
10
時車駕初還，三輔多盜，承嗣按兵警禦，輦轂乂安。 及還屯於鄜，留別將馬嘉福五百騎宿衛。 孟方立之襲遼州也，武皇遣承嗣設伏於榆社以待之。 邢人既至，承嗣發伏，擊其歸兵，大敗之，獲其將奚忠信，以功授洺州刺史。 及張浚之加兵於太原也，時鳳翔軍營霍邑，承嗣率一軍攻之，岐人夜遁，追擊至趙城，合大軍攻平陽，旬有三日而拔。 師還，改教練使、檢校司徒。
The emperor had only just returned, and bandits were rampant in the three capitals. Chengsi held his troops on alert, and the capital region was restored to order. When he returned to camp at Bin, he left Deputy General Ma Jiafu with five hundred cavalry as palace guard. When Meng Fangli raided Liaozhou, the Martial Emperor sent Chengsi to lay an ambush at Yushe. When the Xing troops arrived, Chengsi sprang the ambush and struck their retreating column, routing them and capturing their general Xi Zhongxin. For his service he was appointed prefect of Mingzhou. When Zhang Jun marched against Taiyuan, the Fengxiang army was encamped at Huoyi. Chengsi led a detachment against it. The Qi troops fled by night; he pursued them to Zhaocheng, joined the main army in attacking Pingyang, and took the city in thirteen days. When the army returned he was made training commissioner and acting Minister of Education.
11
乾寧二年，兗、鄆為汴人所攻，勢漸危蹙，遣使乞師於武皇； 武皇遣承嗣率三千騎假道於魏，渡河援之。 時李存信屯於莘縣，既而羅宏信背盟，掩擊王師，因茲隔絕。 及瑄、瑾失守，承嗣與朱瑾、史儼同入淮南。 承嗣、史儼皆驍將也，淮人得之，軍聲大振。 〈（十國春秋·吳列傳》：太祖署為淮南行軍副使。）〉 武皇深惜之，如失左右手，乃遣趙嶽間道使於淮南，請歸承嗣等； 楊行密許之，遣使陳令存請修好於武皇。 其年九月，汴將龐師古、葛從周出師，將收淮南，朱瑾率淮南軍三萬，與承嗣設伏於清口，大敗汴人，生獲龐師古。 行密嘉其雄才，留而不遣，仍奏授檢校太尉，領鎮海軍節度使。 天祐九年，淮人聞莊宗有柏鄉之捷，乃以承嗣為楚州節度使，以張犄角。 十七年七月，卒於楚州，時年五十五。
In the second year of Qianning Yan and Yun came under attack from Bian and grew desperate. They sent envoys begging the Martial Emperor for aid; and the Martial Emperor sent Chengsi with three thousand cavalry through Wei, across the river, to their relief. Li Cunxin was then encamped at Shen County. Soon Luo Hongxin broke the alliance and struck the imperial army by surprise, cutting Chengsi off. When Xuan and Jin lost their territories, Chengsi entered Huainan together with Zhu Jin and Shi Yan. Chengsi and Shi Yan were both fierce generals. Once the Huainan forces had them, their army's prestige soared. (The Spring and Autumn of the Ten Kingdoms, Biography of Wu, states that the Founder appointed him deputy commissioner of the Huainan campaign army.) 〉 The Martial Emperor mourned the loss as though he had lost both hands and sent Zhao Yue by a secret route to Huainan to ask for Chengsi and the others back; Yang Xingmi agreed and sent the envoy Chen Lingcun to seek peace with the Martial Emperor. In the ninth month of that year the Bian generals Pang Shigu and Ge Congzhou marched to recover Huainan. Zhu Jin led thirty thousand Huainan troops and, with Chengsi, ambushed them at Qingkou, routing the Bian army and capturing Pang Shigu alive. Xingmi admired his prowess, kept him, and memorialized the court to appoint him acting Grand Commandant and military governor of the Zhenhai army. In the ninth year of Tianyou, hearing that Emperor Zhuangzong had won at Baixiang, the Huainan court made Chengsi military governor of Chuzhou to serve as a pincer against the enemy. In the seventh month of the seventeenth year he died at Chuzhou, aged fifty-five.
12
史儼，代州雁門人。 以便騎射給事於武皇。 為帳中親將，驍果絕眾，善擒生設伏，望塵揣敵，所向皆捷。 自武皇入定三輔，誅黃巢，每出師皆從。 乾寧中，從討王行瑜，師次渭北，遣儼率五百騎護駕石門。 時京城大擾，士庶多散布南山。 儼分騎警衛，比駕還京，盜賊不作，以功授檢校右散騎常侍，屯於三橋者累月，昭宗寵錫優異。 明年，與李承嗣率騎渡河援兗、鄆。 時汴軍雄盛，自青、徐、兗、鄆，柵壘相望。 儼與騎將安福順等，每以數千騎直犯營壘，左俘右斬，汴軍為之披靡。 及朱瑾失守，與李承嗣等奔淮南。 淮人比善水軍，不閑騎射，既得儼等，軍聲大振，尋挫汴軍於清口。 其後並鍾傳，擒杜洪，削錢鏐，成行密之霸跡者，皆儼與承嗣之力也。 淮人館遇甚厚，妻孥第舍必推其甲，故儼等盡其死力。 〈（《十國春秋》云：儼累官滁州刺史。）〉 天祐十三年，卒於廣陵。
Shi Yan was from Yanmen in Daizhou. He served the Martial Emperor as a mounted attendant skilled in riding and archery. He was an intimate general in headquarters, fiercer than any in the army, skilled at taking prisoners and laying ambushes. He could read the enemy from the dust on the horizon and won wherever he fought. From the time the Martial Emperor secured the three capitals and killed Huang Chao, he followed on every campaign. During Qianning he joined the campaign against Wang Xingyu. When the army halted north of the Wei, Yan was sent with five hundred cavalry to escort the emperor at Shimen. The capital was in turmoil, and officials and commoners had fled into the southern hills. Yan divided his cavalry for patrol and guard. By the time the emperor returned to the capital, banditry had ceased. For his service he was appointed acting Right Regular Attendant and garrisoned the Three Bridges for months, while Emperor Zhaozong showered him with exceptional favors. The following year he and Li Chengsi led cavalry across the river to relieve Yan and Yun. The Bian army was then at its height. From Qing, Xu, Yan, and Yun, stockades and ramparts stretched in an unbroken line. Yan and the cavalry commander An Fushun often led several thousand horsemen straight into enemy camps, taking prisoners on one flank and killing on the other until the Bian army broke before them. When Zhu Jin lost his territory, he fled with Li Chengsi and others to Huainan. The Huainan forces had excelled at naval warfare but were unskilled in cavalry. Once they had Yan and his men, their army's prestige soared, and they soon defeated the Bian army at Qingkou. Their later conquests of Zhong Chuan, capture of Du Hong, and reduction of Qian Liu—the steps by which Xingmi built his hegemony—owed to the strength of Yan and Chengsi. The Huainan court treated them lavishly, always giving their families the finest houses, and Yan and his companions repaid them with unstinting loyalty. (The Spring and Autumn of the Ten Kingdoms states that Yan eventually rose to prefect of Chuzhou.) 〉 In the thirteenth year of Tianyou he died at Guangling.
13
蓋寓，蔚州人。 祖祚，父慶，世為州之牙將。 武皇起雲中，寓與康君立等推轂佐佑之，因為腹心。 武皇節制雁門，署職為都押牙，領嵐州刺史。 洎移鎮太原，改左都押牙、檢校左僕射。 武皇與之決事，言無不從，凡出征伐，靡不衛從。 〈（《通鑒》：光啟二年，駕幸興元，大將蓋寓說克用曰：「鑾輿播遷，天下皆歸咎於我，今不誅朱玫，黜李煴，無以自湔洗。」 克用從之。 又，《通鑒考異》引《紀年錄》云：偽使至太原，太祖詰其事狀，曰：「皆朱玫所為。」 將斬之以徇，大將蓋寓等言云云。 太祖燔偽詔，械其使，馳檄喻諸鎮曰：「今月二十日，得襄王偽詔及朱玫文字，云：『田令孜脅遷鑾駕，播越梁、洋，行至半塗，六軍變擾，遂至蒼黃而晏駕，不知弑逆者何人。 永念丕基不可無主，昨四鎮藩後推朕纂承，已於正殿受冊畢，改元大赦者。』 李煴出自贅疣，名汙藩邸，智昏菽麥，識昧機權。 李符擄之以塞辭，朱玫賣之以為利。 呂不韋之奇貨，可見奸邪； 蕭世誠之土囊，期於匪夕。 近者，當道徑差健步，奉表起居，行朝現住巴、梁，宿衛比無騷動。 而朱玫脅其孤騃，自號台衡，敢首亂階，明言晏駕，熒惑藩鎮，淩弱廟朝」云云。）〉 乾寧二年，從入關討王行瑜，特授檢校太保、開國侯，令邑一千戶，領容管觀察經略使。 光化初，車駕還京，授檢校太傅，封成陽郡公。
Gai Yu was from Yuzhou. His grandfather was Zuo and his father Qing; for generations the family had served as guard officers of the prefecture. When the Martial Emperor rose in Yunzhong, Yu joined Kang Junli and others in raising and supporting him and became one of his closest confidants. When the Martial Emperor took command of Yanmen, Yu was appointed chief guard officer and prefect of Lanzhou. When the Martial Emperor moved his headquarters to Taiyuan, Yu became left chief guard officer and acting Left Vice Director. The Martial Emperor consulted him on every decision and never refused his counsel. He accompanied him on every campaign. (The Comprehensive Mirror states: In the second year of Guangqi the emperor went to Xingyuan. Great general Gai Yu said to Li Keyong, "The imperial carriage has been driven into exile, and the realm blames us for it. Unless we execute Zhu Mei and remove Li Yun, we cannot clear our name." Li Keyong followed his advice. The Examination of Differences in the Comprehensive Mirror also cites the Chronicle Record: When a false envoy reached Taiyuan, the Founder questioned him about the affair and said, "Zhu Mei did it all." He was about to execute him as a warning when Great General Gai Yu and others spoke on his behalf, and so on. The Founder burned the false edict, put the envoy in fetters, and sent a rapid proclamation to the commands: "On the twentieth of this month I received the false edict of the Prince of Xiang and documents from Zhu Mei stating: 'Tian Lingzi coerced the removal of the imperial carriage into exile in Liang and Yang. Halfway on the road the Six Armies mutinied, and the emperor died in sudden confusion. No one knows who murdered him. Mindful that the empire cannot be without a ruler, yesterday the four commands and frontier lords urged me to succeed. I have already received investiture in the main hall, changed the era, and proclaimed a great amnesty. Li Yun is a mere excrescence on the imperial house. His name stains the princely residence. He cannot tell beans from wheat, nor grasp the moment's need. Li Fu seized him to pad empty proclamations; Zhu Mei sold him for profit. Like Lü Buwei's rare commodity, their treachery is plain to see; like Xiao Shicheng's sack of earth, their end cannot be far off. Recently the court dispatched swift runners with memorials on the emperor's health. The traveling court is at Ba and Liang, and the palace guard has not been disturbed. Yet Zhu Mei coerced this foolish child, styled himself chief of the terrace, dared to lead rebellion, openly declared the emperor dead, deluded the frontier commands, and insulted the ancestral temple and court," and so forth.) 〉 In the second year of Qianning he marched through the passes against Wang Xingyu and was specially appointed acting Grand Mentor and Marquis Who Founded the State with a fief of one thousand households, and made observation and pacification commissioner of Rong. Early in the Guanghua reign, when the emperor returned to the capital, he was appointed acting Grand Tutor and enfeoffed as Duke of Chengyang.
14
寓性通黠，多智數，善揣人主情。 武皇性嚴急，左右難事，無委遇者，小有違忤，即置於法，惟寓承顏希旨，規其趨向，婉辭順意，以盡參裨。 武皇或暴怒將吏，事將不測，寓欲救止，必佯佐其怒以責之，武皇怡然釋之。 有所諫諍，必征近事以為喻，自武皇鎮撫太原，最推親信，中外將吏，無不景附，朝廷藩鄰，信使結托，先及武皇，次入寓門； 既總軍中大柄，其名振主，梁祖亦使奸人離間，暴揚於天下，言蓋寓已代李，聞者寒心，武皇略無疑間。 初，武皇既平王行瑜，旋師渭北，暴雨六十日，諸將或請入覲，且云：「天顏咫尺，安得不行覲禮。」 武皇意未決，寓白曰：「車駕自石門還京，寢未安席，比為行瑜兄弟驚駭乘輿，今京師未寧，奸宄流議，大王移兵渡渭，必恐復動宸情。 君臣始終，不必朝覲，但歸藩守，姑務勤王，是忠臣之道也。」 武皇笑曰：「蓋寓尚阻吾入覲，況天下人哉！」 即日班師。 天祐二年三月，寓病篤，武皇日幸其第，手賜藥餌。 初，寓家每事珍膳，窮極海陸，精於府饌，武皇非寓家年獻不食，每幸寓第，其往如歸，恩寵之洽，時我與比； 及其卒也，哭之彌慟。 莊宗即位，追贈太師。
Yu was quick-witted and shrewd, full of stratagems, and skilled at reading his lord's mind. The Martial Emperor was stern and exacting. Those around him found him hard to serve, and none enjoyed his full trust. The slightest offense brought punishment. Only Yu read his mood, anticipated his wishes, and with gentle words guided him, serving as his closest adviser. When the Martial Emperor flew into a rage against an officer and the man's fate hung in the balance, Yu would feign to join the anger and reproach the victim, and the Martial Emperor would calmly relent. When he remonstrated, he always cited recent events as examples. From the time the Martial Emperor secured Taiyuan, Yu was his most trusted intimate. Generals within and without looked to him with admiration. Envoys from court and neighboring commands sought him out—first the Martial Emperor, then Yu's door; and once he held the army's greatest authority, his name overshadowed even his lord's. The Founder of Liang sent agents to spread rumors through the realm that Gai Yu had already replaced Li Keyong. Men who heard it were chilled with fear, yet the Martial Emperor scarcely doubted him. After the Martial Emperor had pacified Wang Xingyu, he turned his army north of the Wei. Rain poured for sixty days. Some generals asked to enter the capital for an audience, saying, "The emperor is within reach. How can we fail to pay our respects?" The Martial Emperor hesitated. Yu said, "Since the emperor returned from Shimen to the capital, he has not yet rested secure on his throne. Wang Xingyu and his brothers have just terrified the court. The capital is not yet settled, and malicious talk circulates. If you cross the Wei with your army, you will surely alarm the throne again. Loyalty does not require an audience. Return to your fief, guard it, and devote yourself to supporting the throne. That is the way of a loyal minister." The Martial Emperor laughed and said, "Even Gai Yu blocks my going to court—how much more would the realm!" That very day he withdrew the army. In the third month of the second year of Tianyou Yu fell gravely ill. The Martial Emperor visited his house daily and personally sent him medicine. Yu's household prepared delicacies from land and sea, cuisine fit for the palace. The Martial Emperor would eat no New Year's offering except from Yu's kitchen. Whenever he visited Yu's house he came as to his own home. None at the time could compare in favor; and when Yu died he wept all the more bitterly. When Emperor Zhuangzong took the throne he posthumously enfeoffed Yu as Grand Preceptor.
15
伊廣，字言， 〈（原本闕一字。）〉 元和中右僕射慎之後。 廣，中和末除授忻州刺史。 遇天下大亂，乃委質於武皇。 廣襟情灑落，善占對，累曆右職，授汾州刺史。 時武皇主盟，諸侯景附，軍機締結，聘遺旁午，廣奉使稱旨，累遷至檢校司徒。 乾寧四年，從征劉仁恭，武皇之師不利於成安寨，廣歿於賊。
Yi Guang, style name Yan, (Originally one character is missing.) 〉 a descendant of Right Vice Director Shenzhi of the Yuanhe reign. Guang was appointed prefect of Xinzhou at the end of the Zhonghe reign. When the empire fell into chaos he submitted to the Martial Emperor. Guang was open and easy in manner and skilled at ready replies. He rose through successive staff posts and was appointed prefect of Fenzhou. The Martial Emperor then presided over the alliance, and lords flocked to him. Military affairs and diplomatic ties multiplied, and envoys with gifts crossed paths without cease. Guang served on missions to general approval and rose to acting Minister of Education. In the fourth year of Qianning he joined the campaign against Liu Rengong. The Martial Emperor's army met defeat at Chengan stockade, and Guang died fighting the enemy.
16
有女為莊宗淑妃。 子承俊，曆貝、遼二州刺史。
He had a daughter who became the chaste consort of Emperor Zhuangzong. His son Chengjun served in turn as prefect of Bei and Liao.
17
李承勳者，與廣同為牙將，善於奉使，名聞軍中。 承勳累遷至太原少尹。 劉守光之僭號也，莊宗遣承勳往使，問其釁端。 承勳至幽州，見守光，如藩方聘問之禮。 謁者曰：「燕王為帝矣，可行朝禮。」 承勳曰：「吾大國使人，太原亞尹，是唐帝除授，燕主自可臣其部人，安可臣我哉！」 守光聞之不悅，拘留於獄，數日而出，詰之曰：「臣我乎？」 承勳曰：「燕君能臣我王，則我臣之； 吾有死而已，安敢辱命！」 會王師討守光，承勳竟歿於燕。
Li Chengxun, like Guang, was a guard officer, skilled as an envoy, and famed throughout the army. Chengxun rose to vice prefect of Taiyuan. When Liu Shouguang declared himself emperor, Emperor Zhuangzong sent Chengxun as envoy to ask the cause of his rebellion. Chengxun reached Youzhou and met Shouguang with the ceremony due a visiting envoy from a subject state. The usher said, "The King of Yan has become emperor. You may perform court ceremony." Chengxun said, "I am an envoy of a great power, vice prefect of Taiyuan, appointed by the Tang emperor. The Yan ruler may command his own subjects, but he cannot command me!" Shouguang was displeased, threw him into prison, and after several days released him and demanded, "Will you submit to me?" Chengxun said, "If the Yan ruler will submit to my prince, then I will submit to him. Otherwise I have only death. How would I dare disgrace my commission!" When the imperial army marched against Shouguang, Chengxun died in Yan.
18
史敬鎔，太原人。 事武皇為帳中綱紀，甚親任之。 莊宗初嗣晉王位，李克寧陰構異圖，將害莊宗，事發有日矣，克寧密引敬鎔，以邪謀諭之。 既而敬鎔白，貞簡太后惶駭，召張承業、李存璋等圖之。 克寧等伏誅，以功累曆郡。 同光初，為華州節度使，移鎮安州。 天成中，入為金吾上將軍。 期年，復授鄧州，至鎮數月卒。 贈太尉。
Shi Jingrong was from Taiyuan. He served the Martial Emperor as steward of headquarters and enjoyed his deep trust. When Emperor Zhuangzong first succeeded to the Jin throne, Li Kening secretly plotted against him and was on the verge of acting. Kening secretly summoned Jingrong and tried to win him to the conspiracy. Jingrong then reported the plot. Empress Dowager Zhenjian was terrified and summoned Zhang Chengye, Li Cunzhang, and others to act against it. Kening and his conspirators were executed. For his service Jingrong rose through successive prefectural posts. Early in the Tongguang reign he was military governor of Huazhou, then transferred his headquarters to Anzhou. During the Tiancheng reign he entered the capital as general of the Golden Guards. A year later he was appointed to Dengzhou again. Several months after reaching his post he died. He was posthumously enfeoffed as Grand Commandant.