1
萇從簡，陳州人也。 世以屠羊為業，力敵數人，善用槊。 初事後唐莊宗為小校，每遇攻城，召人為梯頭，從簡多應募焉，莊宗為其勇，擢領帳前親衛兼步軍都指揮使。 一日，莊宗領大軍與梁軍對陣，登高丘而坐，敵人有執大幟揚其武者，莊宗指之謂左右曰：「猛士也。」 從簡曰：「臣為大王取之。」 莊宗慮其不捷，不許。 從簡退，乃潛領十數騎挺身而入，奪幟以歸，萬眾鼓噪，莊宗壯之，錫賚甚厚。 又嘗中箭而鏃入於骨，使醫工出之，以刃鑿骨，恐其痛也，良久未能搖動。 從簡嗔目謂曰：「何不沈鑿？」 洎出之，左右無不惻然，從簡顏色自若，其勇壯皆此類也。 從簡所為多不法，莊宗以其戰鬥多捷，常屈法赦之。 賜姓，名曰紹瓊。 後加竭誠匡國功臣，累官至金紫光祿大夫、檢校太保、景州刺史，歷洺州團練使。 及梁平，典蔡州。 同光四年，授許州節度使，會莊宗晏駕，未及赴鎮而止。 明宗登極，例復本姓，歷麟、汝、汾、金四州刺史。 〈（《北夢瑣言》云：明宗尤惡貪貨，面戒汝州刺史萇從簡，為其貪暴。）〉 應順初，舉軍伐鳳翔，從簡亦預其行，會軍變，乃東還。 道遇張廷蘊，為廷蘊所執，送於末帝。 末帝數之曰：「人皆歸我，爾何背我而去也？」 從簡曰：「事主不敢二心，今日死生惟命。」 末帝釋之。 清泰二年，授潁州團練使。 高祖舉義，末帝將議親征，詔赴闕，充副招討使，隨駕至孟津，除河陽節度使。 及趙延壽軍敗，斷浮橋歸洛，留從簡守河陽。 高祖自北而至，從簡察軍情離散，遂渡河迎謁高祖。 天福元年十二月，授許州節度使，改賜推忠佐運保國功臣。 二年秋，移鎮徐州。 三年，加開府儀同三司、檢校太尉，進封開國公，食邑至一千五百戶。 受代歸闕，授左金吾衛上將軍。
Chang Congjian was from Chenzhou. His family had butchered sheep for generations; he had the strength of several men and was a skilled spearman. He first served Later Tang's Emperor Zhuangzong as a junior officer. Whenever a siege called for volunteers to lead the ladder teams, Congjian often stepped forward; Zhuangzong admired his daring and promoted him to command the imperial guard before the tent and the palace infantry as well. One day Zhuangzong drew up his main force against the Liang army and sat on a high mound to watch. An enemy soldier was flourishing a great banner to show his prowess. Zhuangzong pointed him out and said to his attendants, "There is a fierce fighter. Congjian said, "I will bring that banner back for you, my lord." Zhuangzong feared he would fail and refused permission. Congjian withdrew, then secretly led a dozen horsemen straight into the enemy line, seized the banner, and rode back. The whole army erupted in cheers. Zhuangzong was deeply impressed and rewarded him lavishly. On another occasion an arrow struck him and the head lodged in the bone. A physician tried to extract it by chiseling the bone with a blade, hesitating for fear of the pain, and for a long time could not work it loose. Congjian glared at him and said, "Why not strike the chisel home? When the head was finally out, everyone around him winced, but Congjian's face never changed. His courage was always of this kind. Congjian often acted outside the law, but Zhuangzong, because he won battle after battle, regularly bent the rules to spare him. He was granted the imperial surname and took the name Shaoqiong. He was later made a Meritorious Minister Who Exhausts Loyalty in Restoring the State, rose to Grand Master of Splendid Brightness with Golden Seal and Ribbon and Acting Grand Guardian, served as prefect of Jingzhou, and was military training commissioner of Mingzhou. After the Liang was subdued, he governed Caizhou. In the fourth year of Tongguang he was appointed military commissioner of Xuzhou, but Zhuangzong died before he could take up the post, and the appointment came to nothing. When Emperor Mingzong took the throne, he resumed his original surname as was customary and served in turn as prefect of Lin, Ru, Fen, and Jin. (Scattered Words from Northern Dreams records that Emperor Mingzong especially hated greed; he personally warned Chang Congjian, prefect of Ru, for his rapacity.)〉 Early in Yingshun the court marched against Fengxiang, and Congjian went with the expedition, but when the army mutinied he turned back east. On the road he met Zhang Tingyun, who seized him and sent him to the Last Emperor. The Last Emperor rebuked him: "Everyone else has come to me. Why did you turn your back and leave? Congjian said, "A loyal servant does not waver. Today my life is in your hands." The Last Emperor let him go. In the second year of Qingtai he became military training commissioner of Yingzhou. When Gaozu rose in revolt, the Last Emperor prepared to take the field in person. Congjian was summoned to court as deputy pacification commissioner, accompanied the emperor to Mengjin, and was appointed military commissioner of Heyang. After Zhao Yanshou's defeat the pontoon bridge was cut and the court fled back to Luoyang, leaving Congjian to defend Heyang. When Gaozu advanced from the north, Congjian saw that the army was falling apart, crossed the river, and went to submit to him. In the twelfth month of the first year of Tianfu he was made military commissioner of Xuzhou and granted the title Meritorious Minister Who Pushes Loyalty, Assists the Mandate, and Guards the State. In the autumn of the second year he was transferred to Xuzhou. In the third year he was made Grand General with Honored Ceremonials Equal to the Three Excellencies and Acting Grand Commandant, enfeoffed as Duke Who Founds the State, and granted a fief of one thousand five hundred households. When his term ended he returned to court and was appointed senior general of the Left Golden Crow Guard.
2
從簡性忌刻而多疑，歷州鎮凡十餘，所在豎棘於公署，才通人行，左右稍違忤，即加鞭笞，或至殺害，其意不可測，吏人皆側行。 其煩苛暴虐，為武臣之最。 六年秋，隨駕幸鄴都，遇疾請告，尋卒於鄉里，年六十五。 贈太傅。
Congjian was jealous, harsh, and suspicious. In more than ten prefectures and circuits he planted thorn hedges in his offices so that only one man could pass at a time. The slightest disobedience from an attendant brought a flogging, sometimes death. No one could guess his mood, and his staff crept along the walls. Among the military governors his petty cruelty was unmatched. In the autumn of the sixth year he accompanied the emperor to Yedu, fell ill and asked for leave, and soon died at home, aged sixty-five. He was posthumously made Grand Tutor.
3
潘環，字楚奇，洛陽人也。 父景厚，以環貴，授左監門上將軍致仕。 環少以負販為業，始事梁邢州節度使閻寶，為帳中親校。 及莊宗定魏博，移兵攻邢，寶遣環間道馳奏於梁，梁末帝用為左堅銳夾馬都虞候，累遷左雄威指揮使。 時梁人與莊宗對壘於河上，環每預戰，先登陷敵，金瘡遍體。 〈（《玉堂閑話》云：潘環常中流矢於面，骨銜其鏃，故負重傷。 醫療至經年，其鏃自出，其瘡成漏，終身不痊。）〉 莊宗知其名，及平梁，命典禁軍。 同光中，從明宗北禦契丹，鄴軍之亂，從明宗入洛。 天成初，授棣州刺史。 會定州王都反，朝廷攻之，以環為行營右廂步軍都指揮使。 賊平，改易州刺史、北面沿邊都部署，後移刺慶州。 受代歸闕，明宗召對，顧侍臣曰：「此人勇敢，少能偕者。」 尋除宿州團練使。 清泰中，移耀州。 天福中，預平範延光，授齊州防禦使。 四年，升金州為節鎮，以環為節度使，久之，入為左神武統軍。 開運初，契丹入寇，王師北征，以環為北面行營步軍左廂排陣使，預破契丹於陽城。 軍回，授澶州節度使，累官至檢校太傅。 三年，罷鎮歸闕，俄受詔洛京巡檢。 其年冬，戎王犯闕，偽署劉晞為西京留守，環乞罷巡警，閑居洛陽。 遇河陽軍亂，晞出奔，未幾，蕃將高牟翰以兵援晞入於洛，慮環有變，乃害之，盡取其家財。 〈（《通鑒》云：晞疑環構其眾逐己，使牟翰殺之。）〉 漢高祖至京，贈太尉。
Pan Huan, courtesy name Chuqi, was from Luoyang. His father Jinghou, because of Huan's rank, was made senior general of the Left Gate Guard and allowed to retire. As a young man he peddled goods for a living. He first served Yan Bao, Liang's military commissioner of Xingzhou, as a personal attendant in the command tent. When Zhuangzong subdued Weibo and marched on Xing, Bao sent Huan by a secret route to report to Liang. The Last Emperor of Liang made him chief adjutant of the Left Firm and Sharp Horse-Flanking Corps and later promoted him to commander of the Left Majestic Might Corps. While Liang and Zhuangzong faced each other along the Yellow River, Huan fought in every engagement, was always first over the wall, and bore blade wounds all over his body. (Idle Talk from the Jade Hall records that Pan Huan was once struck in the face by an arrow whose head lodged in the bone, inflicting a grave wound. Treatment lasted nearly a year before the head worked itself free, but the wound became a fistula and never fully healed.)〉 Zhuangzong knew his name, and after Liang fell he put him in charge of the palace guard. During Tongguang he marched north with Mingzong against the Khitan, and when the Yedu army mutinied he followed Mingzong into Luoyang. Early in Tiancheng he became prefect of Dizhou. When Wang Du of Dingzhou rebelled and the court marched against him, Huan was made commander of the campaign's right-wing infantry. After the rebellion was crushed he became prefect of Yi and overall frontier deployment commissioner on the northern border, and later was transferred to Qingzhou. When his term ended he returned to court. Mingzong received him and told his ministers, "This man is brave. Few can match him. Soon afterward he was made military training commissioner of Suzhou. During Qingtai he was transferred to Yaozhou. During Tianfu he helped suppress Fan Yanguang and was made defense commissioner of Qizhou. In the fourth year Jinzhou was elevated to a full circuit, and Huan became its military commissioner. After some years he returned to court as commander of the Left Divine Martial Army. Early in Kaiyun the Khitan invaded and the court marched north. Huan was made battle-array commissioner of the northern campaign's left-wing infantry and helped defeat the Khitan at Yangcheng. When the army returned he was made military commissioner of Chanzhou and eventually rose to Acting Grand Mentor. In the third year he left his post and returned to court, and soon received orders as patrol commissioner of the Luoyang capital. That winter the Khitan ruler stormed the capital and installed Liu Xi as regent of the Western Capital. Huan asked to be relieved of patrol duty and lived quietly in Luoyang. When the Heyang garrison mutinied, Xi fled. Soon the Khitan general Gao Mouhan marched into Luoyang to support him, feared Huan might turn against them, killed him, and seized his entire estate. (The Comprehensive Mirror records that Xi suspected Huan had turned the troops against him and had Mouhan kill him.)〉 When Han Gaozu reached the capital, Huan was posthumously made Grand Commandant.
4
環歷六部兩鎮，所至以聚斂為務。 在宿州時，有牙將因微過見怒，環紿言笞之，牙校因托一尼嘗熟於環者，獻白金兩鋌。 尼詣環白牙校餉𨫼腳兩枚，求免其責，環曰：「𨫼本幾腳？」 尼曰：「三腳。」 環復曰：「今兩腳能成𨫼乎？」 尼則以三數致之，當時號環為「潘𨫼腳」。
Huan served in six ministries and two circuits, and everywhere he went his chief business was extortion. At Suzhou a junior officer provoked him over a minor fault. Huan pretended he would have him flogged, and the adjutant, through a nun who knew Huan well, offered two ingots of silver. The nun told Huan the adjutant had sent two ingot-feet as a gift and begged mercy. Huan asked, "How many feet does a full ingot have? The nun said, "Three feet." Huan said, "Can two feet make a whole ingot?" The nun then sent three. People nicknamed him "Pan Ingot-Feet."
5
方太，字伯宗，青州千乘人也。 少隸本軍為小校，嘗戍登州，劫海客，事泄，刺史淳於晏匿之，遇赦免。 事定州節度使楊光遠，光遠領兵赴晉陽。 本州軍亂，太與馬萬、盧順密等擒之，使太縛送至闕。 尋從杜重威破張從賓於汜水，以功除趙州刺史。 從楊光遠平範延光於鄴，移刺萊州，遷安州防禦使。 從少帝幸澶州，與契丹戰於戚城，中數創，改鳳州防禦使，行至中途，遷河陽留後，移邢州留後。 契丹犯闕，偽命遙領洋州節度使，充洛京巡檢，與前洺州團練使李瓊俱至鄭州，其屯駐兵士迫請太在城巡檢，以備外盜，號為「鄭王」。 時有嵩山賊帥張遇，領眾萬餘，於僧眾得梁朝故嗣密王朱乙，遂推為天子，取嵩山神冠冕之服以衣之。 張遇以其眾攻鄭州，太與李瓊擊之，賊眾敗走，瓊中流矢而死。 太乃括率郡中財物以賞軍士，因誘之欲同西去，其眾不從，太乃潛奔於洛陽。 〈（《通鑒》云：戍兵既失太，反譖太於契丹，雲脅我為亂。 太遣子師朗自訴於契丹，契丹殺之。）〉 及劉晞南走許州，太殺晞牙校李暉，入河南府行留守事。 既而嵩山賊帥張遇殺嗣密王，傳首於太，懸於洛市。 又有伊闕賊帥自稱天子，領眾萬餘，將入洛城，集郊壇之上，太率兵數百人逆擊，破之，賊眾遂潰。 〈（《通鑒考異》引實錄《方太傳》云：劉禧走許田，復有潁陽妖巫，姓朱，號嗣密王，誓眾於洛南天壇，號萬餘人。 太帥部曲與朝士輩虛張旗幟，一舉而逐之，洛師遂安。）〉 河陽武行德遣使召太，詐言欲推之為帥，尋為行德所害。
Fang Tai, courtesy name Bozong, was from Qiansheng in Qingzhou. As a youth he served in the local army as a junior officer. While garrisoning Dengzhou he robbed seagoing merchants; when the affair came out, Prefect Chunyu Yan sheltered him, and he was spared by an amnesty. He served Yang Guangyuan, military commissioner of Dingzhou, when Guangyuan marched on Jinyang. The local army mutinied. Tai, Ma Wan, Lu Shunmi, and others seized Guangyuan and had Tai bind him and escort him to court. He soon followed Du Chongwei in defeating Zhang Congbin at Sishui and, for his service, was made prefect of Zhaozhou. He followed Yang Guangyuan in suppressing Fan Yanguang at Ye, was transferred to Laizhou, and became defense commissioner of Anzhou. He accompanied the Young Emperor to Chanzhou and fought the Khitan at Qicheng, where he was wounded several times. He was made defense commissioner of Fengzhou, then, before reaching his post, was transferred to acting regent of Heyang and then of Xingzhou. When the Khitan stormed the capital he was falsely named titular military commissioner of Yangzhou and patrol commissioner of Luoyang. He and Li Qiong, former military training commissioner of Ming, reached Zhengzhou, where the garrison pressed him to patrol the city against outside raiders and called him "King of Zheng." At that time Zhang Yu, a bandit chief on Mount Song, led more than ten thousand men. Among the monks he found Zhu Yi, the former heir of Liang's Secret Prince, proclaimed him emperor, and dressed him in the ceremonial regalia kept for the Mount Song spirit. Zhang Yu attacked Zhengzhou with his followers. Tai and Li Qiong met them, routed the bandits, and Qiong was killed by an arrow. Tai then seized the commandery's wealth to reward the troops and tried to lure them west with him, but they refused. He slipped away to Luoyang in secret. (The Comprehensive Mirror records that after Tai left, the garrison slandered him to the Khitan, claiming he had forced them into rebellion. Tai sent his son Shilang to plead his case to the Khitan, and they killed the boy.)〉 When Liu Xi fled south to Xuzhou, Tai killed Xi's adjutant Li Hui and entered Henan Prefecture to serve as acting regent. Soon the bandit chief Zhang Yu killed the false emperor and sent his head to Tai, who displayed it in the Luoyang market. Another bandit chief at Yique proclaimed himself emperor and gathered more than ten thousand men on the suburban altar, ready to enter Luoyang. Tai led several hundred men against them, routed them, and the bandits fled. (Examination of Differences in the Comprehensive Mirror, citing the Veritable Records biography of Fang Tai, records that Liu Xi fled to Xutian and that a sorcerer of Yingyang surnamed Zhu, calling himself heir of the Secret Prince, mustered followers at Luoyang's southern celestial altar and claimed more than ten thousand men. Tai led his personal troops and court officials in a show of banners, drove them off in one stroke, and Luoyang was pacified.)〉 Wu Xingde of Heyang sent for Tai, pretending he would make him commander, but soon had him killed.
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何建，其先回鶻人也，代居雲、朔間。 祖慶，父懷福，俱事後唐武皇為小校。 建少以謹厚隸於高祖帳下，以掌廄為役，及即位，累典禁軍， 〈（《九國志》云：重建初事晉祖為奉德馬軍都指揮使。）〉 遙領歡、睦二郡。 天福中，自曹州刺史遷延州兵馬留後，尋正授旄鉞。 〈（《九國志》云：延州節度使丁審琪殘暴貪冒，蕃部苦之。 重建以所部兵攻其城，審琪遁去，晉祖即以重建權節度兵馬留後，下車諭以威福，邊民安堵，就加彰武軍節度使。）〉 數年之間，歷涇、鄧、貝、澶、孟五鎮節度使， 〈（《九國志》云：皆以廉儉簡易稱。）〉 累官至檢校太傅。 開運三年，移鎮秦州。 是冬，契丹入汴，其主遣人賫詔以賜建，建憤然謂將吏曰：「吾事石氏二主，累擁戎旃，人臣之榮，亦已極矣。 今日不能率兵赴難，豈可受制於契丹乎！」 即遣使賫表與其地送款於蜀，孟昶待之甚厚，偽加同平章事，依前秦州節度使。 〈（《九國志》云：時固鎮與鳳州未平，重建悉經略討平之。）〉 歲餘，移閬州保寧軍節度使， 〈（《九國志》云：昶大舉兵北伐，遣張虔釗出大散關，以重建為招討使，由隴州路以進師，無功而還。）〉 加偽官至中書令，後卒於蜀。
He Jian was descended from Uyghurs who had lived for generations between Yun and Shuo. His grandfather Qing and his father Huaifu had both served Later Tang's Martial Emperor as junior officers. As a youth Jian, known for prudence and steadiness, served in Gaozu's tent managing the stables. When Gaozu took the throne, he rose through commands of the palace guard, (The Annals of the Nine States records that He Jian first served the Jin founder as commander of the Fengde Palace Guard cavalry.)〉 He held titular command of Huan and Mu prefectures. During Tianfu he moved from prefect of Cao to acting regent of Yanzhou and soon received full military commission. (The Annals of the Nine States records that Yanzhou military commissioner Ding Shenqi was cruel and greedy and that the frontier tribes suffered under him. He Jian attacked the city with his troops; Shenqi fled; the Jin founder made Jian acting regent of Yanzhou; on taking office he taught them the limits of power, the frontier people were pacified, and he was then made military commissioner of the Zhangwu Army.)〉 Within a few years he served in turn as military commissioner of Jing, Deng, Bei, Chan, and Meng, (The Annals of the Nine States records that in every post he was praised for frugality and plain dealing.)〉 He eventually rose to Acting Grand Tutor. In the third year of Kaiyun he was transferred to Qinzhou. That winter the Khitan entered Bian, and their ruler sent an edict to honor Jian. Jian said angrily to his officers, "I have served two lords of the Shi house and held command after command. A subject's glory could go no further. If I cannot march to the dynasty's rescue today, how can I submit to the Khitan? He sent envoys with a memorial and his territory to submit to Shu. Meng Chang received him generously, gave him the false title of Vice Grand Councilor, and left him military commissioner of Qinzhou. (The Annals of the Nine States records that Guzhen and Fengzhou were not yet pacified and that He Jian subdued them all.)〉 After more than a year he was transferred to military commissioner of the Baoning Army at Langzhou, (The Annals of the Nine States records that Chang launched a major northern campaign, sent Zhang Qianzhao through Dasanguan, and made He Jian pacification commissioner to advance by the Longzhou route, but achieved nothing and returned.)〉 He was given the false rank of Director of the Secretariat and later died in Shu.
7
張廷蘊，字德樞，開封襄邑人也。 祖立，贈驍衛將軍。 父及，贈光祿大夫。 廷蘊少勇捷，始隸宣武軍為伍長，唐天復中，奔太原，武皇收於帳下為小校。 及莊宗救上黨，戰柏鄉，攻薊門，下邢、魏，皆從之。 後戰於莘縣及胡柳陂，繼為流矢所中，金瘡之痕，盈於面首。 莊宗寵之，統御營黃甲軍，常在左右，累加檢校兵部尚書、帳前步軍都虞候，充諸軍濠寨使。 同光初，從明宗收汶陽，加檢校尚書右僕射，充魏博三城巡檢使。 時皇后劉氏在鄴，每縱其下擾人，廷蘊多斬之，聞者壯焉。 梁平，承詔入覲，改帳前都指揮使兼左右羽林都虞候。 會李繼韜故將楊立叛，詔遣明宗為招討使，元行欽為都部署，廷蘊為前鋒。 軍至上黨，日已暝矣，憩軍方定，廷蘊首率勁兵百餘輩，逾洫坎城而上，守陴者不能禦，尋斬關延諸軍入焉。 明宗、行欽達明而始至，其城已下，明宗甚慊之。 軍還，改左右羽林都指揮使，加檢校司空，行申州刺史。 同光末，從皇子魏王繼岌伐蜀，授行營中軍都指揮使。 蜀平，明宗嗣位，遷懷州刺史，賜竭忠建策興復功臣，加檢校司徒。 旋移金州防禦使，加檢校太保，繼授潁州團練使、沿淮招安使。 應順中，轉隴州防禦使。 清泰中，進封清河郡公。 高祖即位，入為右龍武統軍，遷絳州防禦使。 少帝嗣位，領左軍衛上將軍，加特進。 開運三年冬，以老病求歸於宋城，明年卒於家，時年六十九。
Zhang Tingyun, courtesy name Deshu, was from Xiangyi in Kaifeng. His grandfather Li was posthumously made general of the Valiant Guard. His father Ji was posthumously made Grand Master of Splendid Brightness. As a youth Tingyun was brave and quick. He first served in the Xuanwu Army as a squad leader. In Tang's Tianfu era he fled to Taiyuan, and the Martial Emperor took him into his tent as a junior officer. He followed Zhuangzong in the relief of Shangdang, the battle at Baixiang, the assault on Jimen, and the capture of Xing and Wei. Later, at Shen County and Huliupo, he was hit again and again by arrows until blade scars covered his face and head. Zhuangzong favored him, gave him command of the Imperial Camp Yellow Armor Army, and kept him at his side. He rose to Acting Minister of War and chief adjutant of the infantry before the tent and served as moat-camp commissioner for all armies. Early in Tongguang he followed Mingzong in recovering Wenyang, was made Acting Vice Minister of State Affairs, and became patrol commissioner of Weibo's three cities. Empress Liu was then at Ye and often let her followers harass the people. Tingyun executed many of them, to general admiration. After Liang fell he was summoned to court and made commander before the tent with concurrent chief adjutant of the Left and Right Forest of Feathers Guards. When Yang Li, a former officer of Li Jitao, rebelled, Mingzong was sent as pacification commissioner, Yuan Xingqin as overall deployment commander, and Tingyun as vanguard. The army reached Shangdang at dusk, just as the troops were settling in, when Tingyun led more than a hundred picked men over the moat and up the wall. The defenders could not stop them. He cut through the gate and let the whole army in. Mingzong and Xingqin arrived at dawn to find the city already taken. Mingzong was deeply pleased with him. When the army returned he was made commander of the Left and Right Forest of Feathers Guards, Acting Minister of Works, and acting prefect of Shenzhou. Late in Tongguang he followed Imperial Prince Wei Wang Jiji against Shu and was made commander of the campaign's center army. After Shu fell and Mingzong took the throne, he became prefect of Huai, was granted the title Meritorious Minister Who Exhausts Loyalty in Planning Restoration, and was made Acting Minister of Education. He was soon made defense commissioner of Jin, Acting Grand Guardian, then military training commissioner of Ying and pacification commissioner along the Huai. During Yingshun he became defense commissioner of Longzhou. During Qingtai he was enfeoffed as Duke of Qinghe. When Gaozu took the throne he entered court as commander of the Right Dragon Martial Army and became defense commissioner of Jiang. When the Young Emperor succeeded he became senior general of the Left Army Guard with the special advance rank. In the winter of the third year of Kaiyun he asked to retire to Songcheng because of age and illness. The next year he died at home, aged sixty-nine.
8
廷蘊所識不過數字，而性重文士。 下汶陽日，首獲鄆帥戴思遠判官趙鳳，訊之曰：「爾狀貌必儒人也，勿隱其情。」 鳳具言之，尋引薦於明宗，明宗令送赴行臺，尋除鳳翰林學士。 及鳳入相，頗與廷蘊相洽，數言於近臣安重誨，重誨亦以廷蘊苦戰出於諸將之右，力保薦之。 明宗以廷蘊取潞之日，不能讓功於己，故恒蓄宿忿，至使廷蘊位竟不至方鎮，亦命矣夫！ 廷蘊歷七郡，家無餘積，年老耋期，終於牖下，良可嘉也。
Tingyun knew barely a few written characters, yet he greatly valued scholars. When Wenyang fell he captured Zhao Feng, judge-advocate to Yan's military commissioner Dai Siyuan, and said, "You look like a scholar. Do not hide the truth. Feng told him everything. Tingyun recommended him to Mingzong, who sent him to headquarters and soon made him a Hanlin academician. When Feng became chief minister he remained close to Tingyun and repeatedly spoke for him to An Chonghui, who also strongly recommended him because his fighting record surpassed the other generals. Mingzong, because Tingyun would not share credit for taking Lu, always harbored a grudge, so Tingyun never reached a circuit command. Such was fate. Tingyun served in seven commanderies yet left no surplus wealth. He lived to great age and died at home—truly admirable.
9
長子光被，歷通事舍人。
His eldest son Guangbei served as courier-attendant.
10
郭金海，本突厥之族。 少侍昭義節度使李嗣昭，常從征伐。 金海好酒，所為不法，自潞州過山東，入邢洺界為劫盜，嗣昭雖知之，然惜其拳勇，每優容之。 天祐中，累職至昭義親騎指揮使。 同光二年，遷本道馬軍都指揮使。 天成初，入為捧聖指揮使。 長興三年，改護聖都虞候。 天福二年，從王師討範延光於魏州，以功轉本軍都指揮使，領黃州刺史。 高祖幸鄴，宣金海領部兵巡檢東京。 其年十一月，安從進謀犯闕，金海為襄州道行營先鋒都指揮使，與李建崇等同於唐州湖陽遇從進軍萬餘人，金海以一旅之眾突擊，大敗之，策勛授檢校太保、商州刺史，俄移慶州。 秩滿歸闕，途中遇疾而卒，年六十一。 〈（《洛陽縉紳舊聞記》：從進與金海相遇於花山。 金海蕃將，善用槍，時罕與敵，拳勇過人，喜戰鬥，欲立奇功。 兩陣相去數里。 從進素管騎兵，金海久在麾下，從進亦待之素厚。 乃躍馬引數百騎乘高，去金海陣數百步，厲聲呼「郭金海」。 金海獨鞭馬出於陣數十步，免胄側身，高聲自稱曰「金海」。 從進又前行數十步，勞之曰：「金海安否？ 我素待爾厚，略不知恩，今日敢來共我相殺？」 金海應聲答曰：「官家好看大王，負大王甚事，大王今日反？ 金海舊事大王，乞與大王一箭地，大王回去，若不去，吃取金海槍。」 言訖，援槍鞭馬，疾趨其陣。 從進懼，躍馬而進，師遂相接，大為金海、焦繼勛摧敗。 奏到，晉祖大喜，賞賜有差。 從進自此喪氣，嬰城自固，王師為連城重塹以守之。 月餘，王師攻城，城上矢下如雨，王師被傷者眾。 是日，金海為飛矢集身，扶傷歸營。 明日，從進用計汙金海，欲使朝廷疑之。 以金瓶貯酒，金合盛藥，以索懸之，城上呼「郭金海」。 金海知之，力疾扶創而往。 城上勞金海曰：「大王知爾中箭創甚，賜爾金瓶金合酒與風藥。」 金海目不知書，惟利是貪，取瓶與合歸營，且不聞於元戎。 元戎等疑之，乃馳驛奏。 晉祖以花山之功，不加罪。 城下，就除金州團練，並其兵於他部。 金海之任，居常悒悒不樂，至於捐館。）〉
Guo Jinhai was of Turkic descent. As a youth he served Li Sizhao, military commissioner of Zhaoyi, and often followed him on campaign. Jinhai loved wine and often acted outside the law. Leaving Luzhou for Shandong he robbed in Xing and Ming. Sizhao knew it but valued his fighting skill and indulged him. During Tianyou he rose to commander of Zhaoyi's personal cavalry. In the second year of Tongguang he became commander of the circuit cavalry. Early in Tiancheng he entered court as commander of the Upholding Sagely Corps. In the third year of Changxing he became chief adjutant of the Guarding Sagely Corps. In the second year of Tianfu he marched against Fan Yanguang at Weizhou and, for his service, became commander of his corps with titular command of Huangzhou. When Gaozu visited Ye he ordered Jinhai to patrol the Eastern Capital with his troops. That November, when An Congjin rebelled, Jinhai was vanguard commander on the Xiangzhou route. With Li Jianchong and others he met Congjin's army of more than ten thousand at Huyang in Tangzhou and routed them with a single brigade. He was made Acting Grand Guardian and prefect of Shang, then soon transferred to Qing. When his term ended he returned to court, fell ill on the road, and died at sixty-one. (Old Reports Heard among the Gentry of Luoyang records that Congjin and Jinhai met at Huashan. Jinhai was a frontier general, a master of the spear, rarely matched in his day, surpassingly brave, eager for battle, and hungry for glory. The two armies stood several li apart. Congjin had long commanded cavalry, and Jinhai had served under him for years. Congjin had always treated him well. He spurred his horse, led several hundred horsemen to high ground a few hundred paces from Jinhai's line, and shouted, "Guo Jinhai!" Jinhai rode out alone several dozen paces from his line, removed his helmet, turned sideways, and shouted back, "Jinhai!" Congjin rode forward another few dozen paces and called, "Jinhai, are you well? I have always treated you well, yet you show no gratitude. Today you dare come and fight me? Jinhai answered at once, "The Son of Heaven treats you well. What wrong did you suffer that you rebel today? I once served you. Give me an arrow-shot of ground and go back. If you do not, taste my spear. With that he seized his spear, whipped his horse, and galloped back to his line. Congjin, alarmed, charged forward, the armies clashed, and Jinhai and Jiao Jixun routed him completely. When the report reached court, Jin Zu was delighted and rewarded them generously. From then on Congjin lost heart, shut himself in the city, and the imperial army built linked walls and deep trenches to hold him there. After more than a month the imperial army assaulted the city. Arrows fell like rain from the walls and many soldiers were wounded. That day Jinhai was struck by arrows all over his body and was carried back to camp wounded. The next day Congjin tried to smear Jinhai and make the court suspect him. He hung a golden bottle of wine and a golden box of medicine from ropes and called down from the wall, "Guo Jinhai!" Jinhai heard the call, forced himself up despite his wounds, and went. From the wall they called down, "The Great King knows you were badly wounded and sends you this golden bottle and box of wine and medicine. Jinhai could not read and cared only for gain. He took the bottle and box back to camp without telling the commander. The commanders grew suspicious and sent an urgent report to court. Because of his victory at Huashan, Jin Zu did not punish him. When the city fell he was made military training commissioner of Jin on the spot, and his troops were transferred to another command. In his new post he was constantly depressed until he died.)〉
11
劉處讓，字德謙，滄州人也。 祖信，累贈太子少保。 父喻，累贈太子少師。 梁貞明初，張萬進帥兗州，處讓事之，為親校。 萬進據城叛，梁遣大將劉鄩討之。 時唐莊宗屯軍於麻口渡，萬進密遣處讓乞師於莊宗，莊宗未即應之，乃於軍門截耳曰：「主帥急難，使我告援，茍不得請，死亦何避。」 莊宗義之，將舉兵渡河，俄聞城陷乃止。 因以墨制授處讓行臺左驍衛將軍，俄改客省副使。 梁平，加檢校兵部尚書，累將命稱旨。 天成初，轉檢校尚書右僕射，依前充職。 歲餘遷引進使。 長興三年，轉檢校司空、左威衛大將軍，其職如故。 四年，西川孟知祥跋扈，不通朝貢，朝廷方議懷柔，乃遣處讓為官告國信使，復命，轉檢校司徒。 應順初，授忻州刺史、檢校太保，充西北面都計度使，備北寇也。 清泰二年，入為左驍衛大將軍。 三年夏，魏博屯將張令昭逐其帥以城叛，朝廷命範延光領兵討之，以處讓為河北都轉運使。 及高祖舉義於太原，處讓從至洛陽，乃授宣徽北院使。 天福二年，轉左監門衛上將軍，充宣徽南院使。 範延光之據鄴也，高祖命宣武軍節度使楊光遠領兵討之。 時處讓奉詔與光遠同參議軍政，會張從賓作亂於河陽，處讓自黎陽分兵討襲，從賓平，復與楊光遠同攻鄴城。 四年冬，範延光將謀納款，尚或遲留，處讓首入其城，以禍福諭之，延光乃降，以功加檢校太傅。 先是，桑維翰、李崧兼充樞密使，處讓以莊宗已來，樞密使罕有宰臣兼者，因萌心以覬其位。 及楊光遠討伐鄴城，軍機大事，高祖每命處讓宣達。 時光遠恃軍權，多有越體論奏，高祖依違而已，光遠慊之，頻與處讓宴語及之，處讓訴曰：「非聖旨也，皆出維翰等意。」 及楊光遠入朝，遂於高祖前面言執政之失，高祖知其故，不得已乃罷維翰等，以處讓為樞密使。 時處讓每有敷奏，高祖多不稱旨，會處讓丁繼母憂，高祖因議罷樞密使，其本院庶事並委宰臣分判。 處讓居喪期年，起復，授彰德軍節度使、澶衛等州觀察處置等使。
Liu Churang, courtesy name Deqian, was from Cangzhou. His grandfather Xin was repeatedly posthumously made Junior Mentor to the Heir Apparent. His father Yu was repeatedly posthumously made Junior Preceptor to the Heir Apparent. Early in Liang's Zhenming era, when Zhang Wanjin commanded Yanzhou, Churang served him as a personal attendant. Wanjin rebelled and held the city. Liang sent the great general Liu Yan against him. Zhuangzong of Tang was then encamped at Makou Ford. Wanjin secretly sent Churang to beg for troops. Zhuangzong hesitated, so Churang cut off his ear at the army gate and said, "My commander is in peril and sent me to beg aid. If you refuse, I do not fear death. Zhuangzong admired his loyalty and was about to cross the river, but heard the city had already fallen and stopped. He then appointed Churang general of the Left Valiant Guard of the field headquarters by informal edict and soon made him deputy commissioner of the Reception Bureau. After Liang fell he was made Acting Minister of War and repeatedly carried out missions to the emperor's satisfaction. Early in Tiancheng he became Acting Vice Minister of State Affairs while keeping his former duties. After more than a year he became commissioner of introductions. In the third year of Changxing he became Acting Minister of Works and great general of the Left Awesome Guard while keeping his former duties. In the fourth year Meng Zhixiang of Xichuan was defiant and sent no tribute. The court chose conciliation and sent Churang as credentialed envoy with the imperial patent. On his return he was made Acting Minister of Education. Early in Yingshun he became prefect of Xin, Acting Grand Guardian, and overall planning commissioner on the northwest frontier against northern invaders. In the second year of Qingtai he entered court as great general of the Left Valiant Cavalry Guard. In the summer of the third year Zhang Lingzhao, a Weibo garrison officer, drove out his commander and rebelled. The court sent Fan Yanguang against him and made Churang overall transport commissioner for Hebei. When Gaozu rose at Taiyuan, Churang followed him to Luoyang and was appointed commissioner of the Northern Bureau of the Palace Secretariat. In the second year of Tianfu he became senior general of the Left Gate Guard and commissioner of the Southern Bureau of the Palace Secretariat. When Fan Yanguang held Ye, Gaozu ordered Yang Guangyuan, military commissioner of the Xuanwu Army, to march against him. Churang was ordered to advise Guangyuan on military affairs. When Zhang Congbin rebelled at Heyang, Churang detached troops from Liyang to suppress him. After Congbin fell he rejoined Yang Guangyuan in the assault on Ye. In the winter of the fourth year Fan Yanguang was ready to surrender but still hesitated. Churang was first into the city and persuaded him with talk of fortune and ruin. Yanguang surrendered, and Churang was made Acting Grand Tutor for his service. Sang Weihan and Li Song had been serving concurrently as commissioners of military affairs. Churang reflected that since Zhuangzong's time few chief ministers had held that post and began to covet it. During Yang Guangyuan's campaign against Ye, Gaozu always had Churang convey his orders on major military affairs. Guangyuan then relied on his military power and often sent memorials that overstepped protocol. Gaozu only wavered. Guangyuan resented this and often discussed it with Churang over wine. Churang said, "Those were not the emperor's orders. They came from Weihan and the others. When Yang Guangyuan came to court he denounced the chief ministers before Gaozu. Gaozu understood why and had no choice but to dismiss Weihan and the others and make Churang commissioner of military affairs. Churang's memorials often failed to please Gaozu. When Churang entered mourning for his stepmother, Gaozu used the occasion to abolish the post of military affairs commissioner and divided the bureau's duties among the chief ministers. After a year of mourning Churang was recalled and appointed military commissioner of the Zhangde Army and observation and disposition commissioner for Chan, Wei, and related prefectures.
12
子保勛，仕皇朝，位至省郎。
His son Baoqin served the dynasty and rose to department secretary.
13
李瓊，字隱光，滄州饒安人也。 少籍本軍為騎士，莊宗平河朔，隸明宗麾下，漸升為小校。 同光二年，明宗受詔，以本部兵送糧入薊門，時高祖從行，至涿州與敵相遇，高祖陷於圍中。 瓊顧諸軍已退，密牽高祖鐵衣，指東而遁。 至劉李河，為敵所襲，瓊浮水先至南岸，高祖至河中，馬倒，順流而下，瓊以所執長矛援高祖出之，又以所跨馬奉高祖，瓊徒步護之，奔十餘里，乃入涿州。 高祖薦於明宗，明宗賞之，尋超授軍職。 同光末，明宗討趙在禮於鄴。 鄴軍既變，明宗退至魏縣，遣高祖以騎士三百疾趨汴州。 時莊宗遣騎將西方鄴守其城，高祖憂之，使瓊以勁兵突封丘門而入，高祖踵之，鄴尋歸命，浚郊遂定。 及高祖領陜州，奏補雲騎指揮使，俄改侍衛牙隊指揮使。 長興中，從高祖討東川，至劍州，使瓊以部下兵破賊軍數千，身中重創，軍還，改龍武指揮使。 清泰中，屯雲州，累擒獲契丹人馬，以功改右捧聖軍指揮使。 唐末帝以瓊元事高祖，乃自塞下移授單州馬步軍副指揮使。 高祖即位，補護聖都指揮使，又念疇昔輟馬導護之力，前後所賜金帛甚厚，但未升爵位，瓊亦郁郁然。 久之，領橫州刺史。 五年，出典申州，微有政聲。 少帝嗣位，入為殿前散員都指揮使，遙領雷州，俄遷棣州刺史。 遇楊光遠以青州叛，自統本部兵攻其城，且以書誘瓊，瓊因拒之，以書上進，朝廷嘉之。 開運二年，改洺州團練使，累官至加檢校司空。 三年，授護聖右廂都指揮使，領岳州團練使。 時洺州吏民列狀保留，朝廷不允。 及杜重威降敵，改授瓊威州刺史。 行及鄭州，遇群盜攻郡，與方太禦賊，中流矢而卒，年六十五。
Li Qiong, courtesy name Yinguang, was from Rao'an in Cangzhou. As a youth he served in the local army as a cavalryman. When Zhuangzong pacified Hebei he entered Mingzong's service and gradually rose to junior officer. In the second year of Tongguang, Mingzong was ordered to escort grain to Jimen with his troops. Gaozu went with him. At Zhuozhou they met the enemy and Gaozu was surrounded. Qiong saw the army had already withdrawn, quietly pulled Gaozu by his armor, pointed east, and fled. At the Liu-Li River they were attacked. Qiong swam across first. Gaozu's horse fell in midstream and he was swept downstream. Qiong pulled him out with his spear, gave him his own horse, and escorted him on foot for more than ten li until they reached Zhuozhou. Gaozu recommended him to Mingzong, who rewarded him and soon gave him an exceptional military promotion. Late in Tongguang, Mingzong attacked Zhao Zaili at Ye. When the Ye army mutinied, Mingzong withdrew to Wei County and sent Gaozu with three hundred horsemen to race for Bianzhou. Zhuangzong had sent the cavalry general Xifang Ye to hold the city. Gaozu sent Qiong with picked troops through Fengqiu Gate; Gaozu followed close behind. Ye soon submitted and the capital suburbs were secured. When Gaozu took Shanzhou he had Qiong appointed commander of the Cloud Cavalry, and soon made him commander of the palace guard tooth corps. During Changxing he followed Gaozu against Dongchuan. At Jianzhou Qiong routed several thousand enemy troops with his own men but was gravely wounded. When the army returned he was made commander of the Dragon Martial Corps. During Qingtai he was garrisoned at Yunzhou, repeatedly captured Khitan men and horses, and was made commander of the Right Upholding Sagely Corps for his service. The Last Emperor of Tang, because Qiong had long served Gaozu, transferred him from the frontier and made him deputy commander of the Shanzhou horse and foot army. When Gaozu took the throne he made Qiong overall commander of the Guarding Sagely Corps. Gaozu remembered how Qiong had given up his horse and escorted him to safety and rewarded him generously with gold and silk, but never raised his noble rank. Qiong grew resentful. After some time he received titular command of Hengzhou. In the fifth year he governed Shenzhou and gained a modest reputation for good administration. When the Young Emperor succeeded he became overall commander of the palace attendants-at-large, held titular command of Lei, and soon became prefect of Di. When Yang Guangyuan rebelled from Qingzhou, Qiong led his troops against the city. Guangyuan tried to win him over by letter, but Qiong refused and sent the letter to court, winning praise. In the second year of Kaiyun he became military training commissioner of Ming and eventually rose to Acting Minister of Works. In the third year he was made overall commander of the right wing of the Guarding Sagely Corps and military training commissioner of Yue. The officials and people of Ming submitted a petition to keep him, but the court refused. When Du Chongwei surrendered to the enemy, Qiong was reassigned prefect of Wei. On the road at Zhengzhou he met bandits attacking the city. He and Fang Tai fought them off, but Qiong was killed by an arrow, aged sixty-five.
14
高漢筠，字時英，齊州歷山人也。 曾祖詣，嘗為是邑令，故家焉。 漢筠少好書傳，嘗詣長白山講肄，會唐末齊、魯交兵，梁氏方霸，乃擲筆謁焉，尋納於軍門。 未幾，出為衛州牙校。 唐天祐中，莊宗入魏，分兵諭其屬郡，時漢筠以利病說衛之牧守，俾送款於莊宗，以漢筠為功，尋移洺州都校。 其後改常山為北京，以漢筠為皇城使，加檢校兵部尚書、左驍衛將軍同正。 明宗即位，除成德軍節度副使，俄以荊門用軍，促詔漢筠移倅襄州，權知軍州事。 長興中，歷曹、亳二州刺史。 秩滿，加檢校司徒，行左金吾衛大將軍。 清泰末，高祖建義於河東，唐末帝遣晉昌節度使張敬達率師圍太原，委漢筠巡撫其郡。 及敬達遇害，節度副使田承肇率部兵攻漢筠於府署，漢筠乃啟關延承肇，謂曰：「仆與子俱承朝寄，而相迫何甚？」 承肇曰：「我欲扶公為節度使。」 澤筠曰：「老夫耄矣，不敢首為亂階，死生系子籌之。」 承肇目左右令前，諸軍投刃於地，曰：「高金吾累朝宿德，不可枉殺。」 承肇以眾意難拒，遂謝云：「與公戲耳！」 漢筠促騎以還。 高祖入洛，飛詔征之，遇諸途，乃入覲，尋遷左驍衛大將軍、內客省使。 天福三年正月，遘疾，終東京之私第，時年六十六。
Gao Hanyun, courtesy name Shiying, was from Lishan in Qizhou. His great-grandfather Yi had once been magistrate of that district, and the family settled there. As a youth Hanyun loved the classics and studied on Mount Changbai. When late Tang saw Qi and Lu at war and Liang was rising, he cast aside his brush, sought service, and soon entered the army. Soon he became adjutant of Weizhou. During Tang's Tianyou era Zhuangzong entered Wei and sent troops to summon the subordinate commanderies. Hanyun persuaded Wei's governor to submit by arguing the costs and benefits. For this he was soon made chief adjutant of Ming. When Changshan became the Northern Capital, Hanyun was made commissioner of the imperial city with the ranks of Acting Minister of War and regular general of the Left Valiant Cavalry Guard. When Mingzong took the throne he became deputy military commissioner of the Chengde Army. Soon, because Jingmen needed troops, he was urgently transferred to Xiangzhou as deputy with acting authority over military and civil affairs. During Changxing he served in turn as prefect of Cao and Bo. When his term ended he was made Acting Minister of Education and acting great general of the Left Golden Crow Guard. Late in Qingtai, when Gaozu rose in Hedong, the Last Emperor of Tang sent Zhang Jingda of Jinchang to besiege Taiyuan and entrusted Hanyun with pacifying the commandery. After Jingda was killed, deputy military commissioner Tian Chengzhao attacked Hanyun in the government offices. Hanyun opened the gate and admitted him, saying, "We both serve the court. Why press me so hard? Chengzhao said, "I want to make you military commissioner." Hanyun said, "I am an old man and dare not start a rebellion. My life is in your hands." Chengzhao signaled his men forward, but the troops threw down their blades and said, "Senior Golden Crow Gao is a man of merit through many reigns. He must not be killed." Unable to defy them, Chengzhao apologized and said, "I was only joking!" Hanyun spurred his horse and rode back. When Gaozu entered Luoyang he summoned Hanyun by urgent edict. They met on the road, and Hanyun attended court. Soon he became great general of the Left Valiant Cavalry Guard and commissioner of the Inner Reception Bureau. In the first month of the third year of Tianfu he fell ill and died at his home in the Eastern Capital, aged sixty-six.
15
漢筠性寬厚，儀容偉如也。 雖歷戎職，未嘗有非法之言出於口吻，多慕士大夫所為，復以清白自負。 在襄陽，有孽吏常課外獻白金二十鎰，漢筠曰：「非多納枿泬，則刻削阛鋏，吾有正俸，此何用焉！」 因戒其主者不復然，其白金皆以狀上進，有詔嘉之。 及蒞濟陰，部民安之，四邑飯僧凡有萬八千人。 在亳州三年，歲以己俸百千代納逋租，斯亦近代之良二千石也。
Hanyun was generous by nature and imposing in bearing. Though he spent his career in military office, no unlawful word ever left his lips. He admired scholar-officials and prided himself on integrity. At Xiangyang a corrupt clerk regularly offered twenty ingots of silver as extra tribute. Hanyun said, "Unless you squeeze the people with corrupt levies or market tolls, where does this come from? I have my regular salary. What do I need this for? He warned the chief clerk never to do so again, reported all the silver to court, and received an edict of praise. When he took office at Jiyin the people were at peace. In four districts he fed eighteen thousand monks. During three years at Bo he each year used a hundred thousand of his own salary to pay overdue rents for the people. He was truly one of the fine prefects of recent times.
16
長子貞文，仕皇朝，為開封少尹，卒。
His eldest son Zhenwen served the dynasty as vice intendant of Kaifeng and died in office.
17
彥韜出於軍旅，植性和厚，理綿州日，甚著綏懷之譽，故有賞典旌焉。 在濮陽，屬清泰末，群寇入郡，郡人大擾，彥韜率帳下百人，一呼破之，人皆感之。 但不能守廉養正，以終令譽。 長興中，罷密州赴闕，苞苴甚厚。 起甲第於洛陽，逾月而成，華堂廣廡，亞王公之家，見者嗤之。 故淹翔五郡，位不及廉察，抑有由也。
Yantao came from the army, and his nature was mild and generous. While governing Mian he won great renown for soothing the people and received commendatory rewards. At Puyang, late in Qingtai, when bandits entered the commandery and threw the people into panic, Yantao led a hundred of his personal troops and routed them with one charge. The people were deeply grateful. But he could not preserve his integrity to the end, and his fine reputation did not last. During Changxing, when he left Mi and came to court, he brought lavish gifts. He built a grand mansion in Luoyang in little more than a month, with splendid halls and broad corridors rivaling princely residences. Those who saw it mocked him. That is why he served in five commanderies yet never rose to surveillance commissioner. There was reason for it.
18
李彥珣，邢州人也。 少為郡之牙吏。 唐天祐中，明宗鎮其地，彥珣素無檢節，因洽於左右，明宗即位，以為通事舍人。 嘗遣使東川，行至其境，其仆從為董璋所收，彥珣竄還，以失敬故也。 朝廷攻璋，詔授行營步軍都監。 彥珣素不孝於父母，在鄉絕其供饋，同列惡其鄙惡，旋出為外任。 清泰中，遷河陽行軍司馬，遇張從賓為亂，因朋助之，從賓敗，奔於魏州。 範延光既叛，署為步軍都監，委以守陴。 招討使楊光遠以彥珣見用，欲撓延光而誘彥珣，乃遣人就邢臺訪得其母，令於城下以招之。 彥珣識其母，發矢以斃之，見者傷之。 及隨延光出降，授坊州刺史。 近臣以彥珣之惡逆奏於高祖，高祖曰：「赦命已行，不可改也。」 遂令赴郡，後不知其所終焉。 〈（《歐陽史》云：彥珣後以坐贓誅。）〉
Li Yanxun was from Xingzhou. As a youth he was a commandery adjutant. During Tang's Tianyou era, when Mingzong governed the region, Yanxun was unrestrained and cultivated Mingzong's attendants. When Mingzong took the throne he made Yanxun courier-attendant. He was once sent as envoy to Dongchuan. When he reached the border Dong Zhang seized his attendants, and Yanxun fled back in disgrace. When the court attacked Zhang, he was made overall monitor of the campaign infantry. Yanxun had long been unfilial and cut off his parents' support at home. His colleagues despised his baseness, and he was soon sent to an outside post. During Qingtai he became acting military secretary of Heyang. When Zhang Congbin rebelled he joined him. After Congbin's defeat he fled to Wei. When Fan Yanguang rebelled he made Yanxun overall monitor of the infantry and entrusted him with defending the walls. Pacification commissioner Yang Guangyuan, wishing to undermine Yanguang, sent men to Xingtai to find Yanxun's mother and had her call to him from below the wall. Yanxun recognized his mother, shot her dead with an arrow, and all who saw it were horrified. When he surrendered with Yanguang he was made prefect of Fang. Intimate ministers reported Yanxun's crimes to Gaozu. Gaozu said, "The amnesty has already been issued and cannot be changed. He ordered Yanxun to take up his post. Later no one knew his end. (Ouyang Xiu's History records that Yanxun was later executed for corruption.)〉
19
史臣曰：昔從簡從莊宗戰於河上，可謂勇矣，及其為末帝守於孟津，豈得為忠乎？ 忠既無聞，勇何足貴！ 潘環、方太，雖鹹負雄幹，而俱歿亂世，蓋方略不足以衛其身故也。 何建舉秦、隴之封，附巴、邛之俗，守方之寄，其若是乎！ 其餘皆儋珪析爵之流也，亦可以垂名於是矣。 秘瓊既覆董氏之族，旋為鄴帥所屠，何報應之速也！ 惟彥珣忍射其親，殆非人類，晉祖宥之不戮，蓋失刑之甚也。
The historiographer writes: Congjian fought with Zhuangzong along the Yellow River—that was courage. But when he held Mengjin for the Last Emperor, where was the loyalty? Without loyalty, what is courage worth? Pan Huan and Fang Tai were imposing men, yet both died in chaotic times—probably because their strategy was not enough to save themselves. He Jian took the seals of Qin and Long and attached himself to the ways of Ba and Qiong—is that what guarding a frontier means? The rest were men who held splintered fiefs and divided noble ranks—yet they too could leave their names on record. Mi Qiong destroyed the Dong clan and was soon slaughtered by the commander of Ye. How swift the retribution! Only Yanxun could shoot his own mother—barely human at all. That Jin Zu spared him was a grave failure of justice.