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卷一百一十 周書1: 太祖本紀一

Volume 110 Book of Later Zhou 12: Taizu Annals 1

Chapter 110 of 舊五代史 · Old History of the Five Dynasties
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1
Taizu, the Sagely Divine, Respectful, Solemn, Martial, Literary, and Filial Emperor, was of the Guo clan. His personal name was Wei, his courtesy name Wenzhong, and his home was Yao Mountain in Xingzhou. Some accounts hold that he was born a Chang, followed his mother into the Guo household as a child, and thereafter bore the Guo surname. (According to the Institutional Compendium of the Five Dynasties, the house descended from Guo Shu of Zhou.) (End of editorial note.)〉 The high ancestor, taboo name Jing, was posthumously enthroned as Emperor Ruihe at the opening of Guangshun, with the temple name Xizu and the mausoleum Wenling; His consort, Lady Zhang, received the posthumous title Empress Ruigong. The great-grandfather, taboo name Chen, was made Grand Guardian under the Han and later raised to Emperor Mingxian, with the temple name Xizu and the mausoleum Qiling; Lady Shen of Zheng was posthumously styled Empress Mingxiao. The grandfather, taboo name Yun, was made Grand Tutor under the Han and later raised to Emperor Yishun, with the temple name Yizu and the mausoleum Jieling; (The Institutional Compendium notes that Wenling, Qiling, and Jieling had no physical burial sites; rites were performed by distant petition.) (End of editorial note.)〉 Lady Han of Chen received the posthumous title Empress Yijing. His father, taboo name Jian, was made Grand Preceptor under the Han and later raised to Emperor Zhangsu, with the temple name Qingzu and the mausoleum Qinling; His mother, Lady Wang of Yan, was posthumously styled Empress Zhangde. On the twenty-eighth day of the seventh month in the first Tianyou year of Tang (jiazi), he was born at the family's old home on Yao Mountain. On the night he was born, a crimson glow filled the room, charcoal seemed to crackle in the brazier, and sparks burst outward on every side.
2
歿 使歿 簿 ·
At the age of three he moved with his family to Taiyuan. Before long his father was cut off by the Yan forces and died in the king's service. He was still a small child when Empress Zhangde died. His aunt, Lady Han of Chu, took him in and raised him. As he matured he grew tall and powerfully built, with an uncommon bearing. He loved arms and prized courage and cared nothing for farming. Late in the Tianyou era Li Sizhao, governor of Luzhou, fell at Changshan. His son Jitao declared himself acting governor, sought Liang support in the south, held the city against orders, and scattered gold to recruit daring men. He was eighteen at the time, dodging the authorities at Huguan while staying with his old friend the Changs, and then went to enlist. Proud and unyielding, he loved a fight and had uncommon strength. Jitao took him for a remarkable man and often overlooked his breaches of law and discipline. Once in the Shangdang market he came upon a butcher so burly that everyone feared him. He lorded it over the man and, drunk, ordered him to carve meat; when the cuts were not quite right he shouted at him. The butcher flew into a rage, bared his belly, and said to him, "Think you can stab me?" Without hesitation he drove a blade into the man's belly. The crowd seized him and turned him over to the authorities, but Jitao valued him and let him go. That year Zhuangzong conquered Liang. Jitao was put to death and his personal troops were assigned to the Imperial Horse Escort, with Guo Wei on the rolls at the age of twenty-one. Quick-witted by nature, he loved letters. Once in the ranks he pored over ledgers and registers and mastered military affairs down to their roots, and everyone marveled at his acuity. Once he called on Li Qiong of Zhaoyi, who was reading the Springs and Autumns Outside the Gate. He took the book and said, "This is about war, brother — teach me." Qiong gave him the book, and he came to a deep grasp of its doctrines. (From Li Qiong's biography in the History of Song: Zhuangzong of Tang sought bold warriors. Guo Wei enlisted and, with nine companions including Li Qiong, swore brotherhood. One day over wine Qiong studied Guo Wei closely and knew he was no ordinary man. He raised his cup and said, "We ten, noble and humble alike — when fortune comes, let none forget the rest. Whoever breaks this oath, let the spirits punish him." They all pricked their arms and sealed the vow in blood. Guo Wei and Qiong were especially close. Once he called on Qiong and found him reading upright. Asked what book it was, Qiong said, "This is the Springs and Autumns Outside the Gate — to hold a state by rectitude, to fight by stratagem, to weigh survival and ruin, order and chaos, and to record who won or lost, the wise and the foolish — all of that is here." Guo Wei had him read it and said, "Brother, you must teach me." Thereafter he carried the book in his sleeve whenever he went abroad, read it whenever he had a spare moment, questioned Qiong constantly, and called Qiong his teacher.) (End of editorial note.)〉
3
使 使使
Early in the Tiancheng era Emperor Mingzong toured the Jun suburbs. Zhu Shouyin was then holding the city against orders. Guo Wei followed the army of the future Jin Gaozu and was first over the wall. The future Jin Gaozu was deputy commander of the Imperial Guard. Seeing Guo Wei's skill with accounts, he took him into his service to manage the rolls, and every officer came to rely on and favor him. Early on Empress Shengmu became his consort while he was still poor; she often supplied him with funds and goods. (The Summary of Affairs in the Eastern Capital records that Lady Chai furnished Guo Wei with gold and silks so he could enter the service of the future Han Gaozu.) (End of editorial note.)〉 Once while he napped by day a small five-colored serpent moved between his temples and nose. The empress saw it and was struck with awe. At Taiyuan a nun of his own surname saw him and told Li Qiong, "A great immortal of our house walks the earth — there is a fleshy horn on his crown, and he is destined to rule the world." Late in Qingtai the future Jin Gaozu rose in Hedong. Zhang Yanqi of Heyang, then commander of the guard infantry, was ordered north on campaign, and Guo Wei went with him, encamping at the Jin Shrine. Then a building collapsed and killed several men who were inside with him, but he alone escaped injury. When the future Han Gaozu became commander of the guard cavalry and infantry, he summoned Guo Wei to his side. Beside his quarters lived the Wus, whose young maid in blue had been possessed by a mountain demon. The spirit spoke like a man and hurled tiles and stones, and none of the neighbors dared pass their door. When he passed by, the ghost fell silent; when he left, it raged again. This happened twice. Someone asked the spirit, "If you are so powerful, why did you fall silent when that guest came?" The spirit answered, "That was a great man." From then on the army looked on him as someone out of the ordinary. When Fan Yanguang rebelled in Wei, Yang Guangyuan was ordered against him. Guo Wei was to accompany the campaign but did not wish to go. Someone asked him, "Lord Yang is one of the court's greatest men of merit — why will you not follow him?" He replied, "Yang has no heroic spirit. What use would he make of me? The man who could use me is Lord Liu!" Liu repeatedly governed frontier provinces, and Guo Wei always followed him. When Liu governed Bingzhou he treated Guo Wei with exceptional favor, taking him in and out of his council tent and entrusting him with his innermost designs. Guo Wei in turn gave his utmost and left nothing undone. When the Tuhun leader Bai Kejiu defected to the Khitan, he urged Liu to execute the five Bai clans including Chengfu, securing several thousand fine horses and wealth in the millions for the army.
4
使 使 使 使使 西 西西 西 · ·使便 西 退
Late in the Kaiyun era the Khitan entered Bianliang and the Jin emperor was carried north. He joined Su Fengji, Yang Bin, Shi Hongzhao, and others in urging Liu to take the throne and answer the people's hopes. When Han Gaozu was enthroned at Jinyang the realm was still being built from nothing and the provinces remained unsettled; Guo Wei played a major part in shaping the new order. He was made acting Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs and Acting Minister of Education. When Han Gaozu reached Bianliang he received formal appointment as Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs and Acting Grand Guardian. In the spring of the first Qianyou year Han Gaozu fell ill; as his end approached he, with Su Fengji and others, received the dying charge. When Emperor Yin succeeded, Guo Wei was made Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs with the additional title Acting Grand Commandant. By old custom a commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs who had not also been made a chief councilor was not announced by hemp edict; from Guo Wei onward that changed. (From Wei Renpu's biography in the Summary of Affairs in the Eastern Capital: In youth Renpu was a clerk in the Bureau of Military Affairs. Taizu asked how many troops he had, and Renpu answered, "Sixty thousand under arms." Taizu was delighted and said, "There is nothing under heaven worth worrying about." ) (End of editorial note.)〉 Before long Li Shouzhen of Hezhong rebelled and held the city. The court was alarmed, and the chief ministers debated how to take him. Shi Hongzhao said, "Shouzhen is only a staff officer from Heyang — what can he really do?" Guo Wei said, "Shouzhen may not be a soldier by training, but he wins heroes to his side and commands their utmost loyalty. He is a foe to be reckoned with." He then ordered Bai Wenke and Chang Si to lead troops against him. Before the army arrived, Zhao Sizhen seized Yongxing and Wang Jingchong's rebellion came to light. The court sent Guo Congyi and Wang Jun against Zhao. In the seventh month the western armies massed but made no advance. On the thirteenth of that month he was made Associate Councilor of State and sent west on campaign, nominally to reassure and win over the region. An edict placed all western armies under his command. Public opinion held that Bai Wenke and Chang Si were no match for Shouzhen; when word spread that Guo Wei was marching west, morale rose sharply. (From Li Qian's biography in the History of Song: When Guo Wei campaigned against Hezhong, Qian directed transport. Guo Wei already enjoyed wide esteem and secretly harbored larger ambitions. He repeatedly sounded Qian out, but Qian would only say that a subject must serve his sovereign with full loyalty.) (End of editorial note.)〉 On the sixth day of the eighth month he departed the capital. On the twentieth the army reached Hezhong. (From Hu Yanke's biography in the History of Song: As commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, Guo Wei commanded the expedition. Many argued that Jingchong and Sizhen should be struck first, but he had not yet decided. Yanke said, "The three rebels are allied and take Shouzhen as their head. We should strike Hezhong first. Once Hezhong falls, Yongxing and Fengxiang will lose their leverage. If we leave the near foe for the distant one and Jingchong and Sizhen fight us in front while Shouzhen strikes from behind, we will be caught between two fires. What then?" Guo Wei followed his advice.) (End of editorial note.)〉 Bai Wenke was ordered to camp on the west bank of the river and Guo Wei on the east. Within days they threw up long trenches and built a chain of linked walls to press the siege. In camp he regularly received guests and, when feasting with his generals, wore loose robes with broad belts; but when he inspected the walls or faced the enemy in battle line he wore a plain headcloth and short jacket like any common soldier. Under arrow and blade he always led from the front and shared hardship and comfort with the men. Those who achieved even modest success received generous rewards; those with even slight wounds he comforted in person. Whether worthy or base, any soldier who wished to speak was met with a kindly face and heard to the full. He never bore a grudge when men crossed him, and so both the upright and the rough were eager to serve him. When Shouzhen heard of this, he was deeply alarmed. In the twelfth month, learning that Shu troops were at Dasanguan, he personally led his guard toward Fengxiang and Yongxing. As he prepared to march, he told Bai Wenke and Liu Ci, "A cornered beast still fights. We must stay on our guard." He reached Huazhou, heard that the Shu army had been beaten back, and returned.
5
西 西 西 ·
On the night of the fifth day of the first month in the second year, Li Shouzhen sent Wang Santie with more than a thousand men in a night raid on the west-bank stockade. Liu Ci and others met them in fierce fighting and drove them off. Earlier the army had forbidden wine. When his favorite officer Li Shen broke the rule, he beheaded him as an example. On the ninth day of the fifth month they captured the west-bank stockade. The rebel general Zhou Guangxun surrendered the post and more than a thousand men. On the seventeenth he ordered the assault. A fierce northwest wind whipped up sand and darkened the sky. He had prayers offered at the River Lord shrine, and when the rites were finished the wind died. Thereafter the attack continued day and night. On the thirteenth day of the seventh month he led the troops of the three camps in taking the rebels' outer wall. On the twenty-first the city fell. Shouzhen and his entire household burned themselves to death. He had earlier dreamed that the River God told him, "In the latter part of the seventh month Heaven will destroy Shouzhen's house." When the rebel stronghold was recovered, people in the city said they saw purple vapor above his camp, shaped like towers and a ceremonial canopy. (From Wang Pu's biography in the Summary of Affairs in the Eastern Capital: When Taizu marched against the three rebellions, he made Pu a staff officer. After the three rebellions were crushed, letters passed between court officials and frontier governors that hinted at treason. Taizu listed the names and intended to prosecute. Pu remonstrated, "Demons emerge only in the dark; once sun and moon shine, the miasma vanishes. Burn them, I beg, to reassure the wavering." Taizu followed his advice.) (End of editorial note.)〉
6
使 退
On the fifth day of the eighth month in the second year he withdrew from Hezhong, and on the twenty-seventh he entered the capital for audience. The Han emperor had him ascend the steps to be personally commended, poured imperial wine for him, and bestowed lavish gifts. The next day the emperor discussed rewarding his merit and wished to add a frontier governorship, but Guo Wei declined and the offer was withdrawn. He submitted a full roster of the seventy-three men of his personal retinue who had accompanied the campaign. On the fifth day of the ninth month he was made Acting Grand Preceptor and Concurrent Palace Attendant. In the tenth month the Khitan invaded, their vanguard reaching Xing, Ming, Bei, and Wei. With Hebei in crisis he was ordered north at the head of an army, with Wang Jun of the Southern Bureau of the Palace Secretariat as supervisor. On the nineteenth of that month he reached Xingzhou and sent Wang Jun's vanguard toward Zhen and Ding. The Khitan had already withdrawn. He held a grand review and wished to push to the border, but an edict stopped him.
7
使 使 便 竿
In the second month of the third year he withdrew his army. On the seventeenth day of the third month he was made military governor of Yedu while retaining his post as commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. With northern armies a constant threat, the Han emperor entrusted him with the Hebei-Shanxi command. Chief councilor Su Fengji and others argued that frontier governors should not also hold the Bureau of Military Affairs. Shi Hongzhao argued that given the weight of his commission, he could not act with necessary flexibility unless he also retained the confidential post. They finally followed Hongzhao's view. An edict to all Hebei provinces placed every matter under Guo Wei's command. Before marching north he addressed the emperor: "Your Majesty is still young. In the myriad affairs of state you should judge and decide with care. The civil and military ministers are loyal to the throne. Consult them in all matters and nothing will go wrong." The emperor composed himself and thanked him. At Ye he swept away vexatious and corrupt practices. Within months frontier administration was in order and the region was at peace. An imperial edict praised his work. One evening in the mountain pavilion study, yellow vapor suddenly rose before him to the sky. Within it he saw the constellations Purple Forbidden and Literary Glory blazing plain before his eyes. He then told the court astrologer, "I saw heavenly signs indoors — is that not strange?" The astrologer answered, "To sit and see the heavenly thoroughfare with nothing to block the view is the omen of the highest nobility." The next day purple vapor rose from the dragon head atop the banner pole at headquarters for three days.
8
使使使 使 使 使 便 使
On the fourteenth day of the eleventh month, Li Hongyi, governor of Chanzhou, and Wang Yin, commander of the guard infantry, sent Chen Guangrui, vice commissioner of Chanzhou, to Yedu with word that the capital had changed: at dawn on the thirteenth, petty men had murdered Shi Hongzhao and his colleagues. The night before, Li Ye and others had sent trusted men with a secret edict to Chanzhou ordering Li Hongyi to kill Wang Yin and Guo Chong and others of the guard to kill Guo Wei at Ye. On the thirteenth Hongyi received the secret edict. Fearing the plot would fail, he showed it to Wang Yin, and the two at once sent Chen Guangrui racing to warn Guo Wei. On the fourteenth he was discussing frontier affairs with Wang Jun when Hongyi's message arrived. He hurried back to headquarters; Jun did not yet know what had happened. When he first learned that Yang, Shi, and the others had been executed, he was stunned. Learning that the disaster had been turned on him with no way to plead his case, he assembled the army officers and said, "I rose from obscurity to serve the state. When the late emperor died I received his dying charge. With Yang, Shi, and the others I suppressed plots and schemed without rest. Now, in a single morning and without cause, they have all been slaughtered. Now an edict has come for my head. Carry out the command, cut off my head and present it to the Son of Heaven, seek your own rewards, and do not involve yourselves on my account." Chong and the other officers wept before him and said, "This cannot be the sacred will. Petty men at the ruler's side have deceived him and launched this in secret. If such men hold power, can the state be secure? We should go and argue the case to distinguish loyal from treacherous. Why believe a lone messenger and abandon yourself, leaving an empty evil name for a thousand years? We wish to follow you to court, clear ourselves face to face, remove the evil at the ruler's side, and secure the realm together." The army agreed and asked him to march south. He arrayed his carriage and set out at once. On the sixteenth he reached Chanzhou. Wang Yin came out to meet him, weeping bitterly. The Hidden Emperor had sent the young attendant Yan Tuo to spy on the Ye army's whereabouts. Scouting horsemen seized him, and Guo Wei sent him back at once. He had him carry a memorial explaining why he was coming to court and placed a secret memorial in Yan Tuo's collar. The memorial read: "Your subject rose from cold poverty, met a sagely ruler, and has become rich and noble beyond anything I ever hoped. I think only of repaying the state and dare harbor any other design! Now by edict Guo Chong and others were suddenly ordered to kill me. I was ready to die at once, but the armies refused and forced me to come to court to plead before Your Majesty, saying this affair must be slander by those at your side. Now Yan Tuo has come; Heaven has lent the chance to speak my heart. In three or five days I shall reach the palace to attend Your Majesty. If I have the crime of deceiving Heaven, how would I dare spare my life; if there truly are those who slandered me, I beg Your Majesty to bind them and send them before the army to satisfy the troops. Then though I die, I shall have no regret. I entrust this to Yan Tuo for Your Majesty's knowledge." On the seventeenth he reached Huazhou. Governor Song Yanwo opened the gates to welcome him in. As he was about to leave Huatai he summoned the officers and said, "The sovereign has been misled by slanderers and has killed meritorious ministers. I did not come willingly, yet for a subject to resist his ruler — who can argue right and wrong? Your families are in the capital. Better carry out the earlier edict. I will die once to answer the Son of Heaven and have no regret." The officers came forward and said, "The state has wronged you; you have not wronged the state. March quickly without delay. To secure the realm and wipe away this wrong — the time is now." Then Wang Jun told the army, "I have the Lord's word: after the capital is pacified, you may plunder for ten days." The troops leaped for joy.
9
使退 退 便 使
On the nineteenth the Hidden Emperor sent Yuan Yi of the Left Divine Martial Army and former Dengzhou governor Liu Chongjin with the forbidden army to resist. With former Kaifeng prefect Hou Yi and others they encamped at Chigang, but withdrew that night. On the twentieth the Hidden Emperor arrayed his forces at Liuzipo. On the twenty-first both armies were drawn up. Murong Yanchao led a fierce assault. Guo Wei sent He Fujin, Wang Yanchao, Li Yun, and others to mass cavalry and strike him. Murong Yanchao fell back with more than a hundred dead. The southern army lost heart and gradually fled to Guo Wei's side. Murong Yanchao fled east to Yanzhou with several dozen horsemen. Wu Qianyu, Zhang Yanchao, and others came in succession to join Guo Wei. That night Hou Yi and Jiao Jixun secretly came to his camp. He comforted them and sent them back. At dawn on the twenty-second Guo Yunming assassinated the Hidden Emperor of Han in the northern suburbs. Earlier, when the government army was defeated, he told Song Yanwo, "You are a kinsman of the throne. Go quickly to protect the sovereign and also send a memorial asking His Majesty, if he can, to hurry to my army and avoid being plotted against by those at his side." When Yanwo arrived, rebel troops swarmed like clouds. Terrified, he turned back at once. That morning he saw the imperial banners on a high slope and thought the Hidden Emperor was below. He removed his helmet, dismounted, and went forward. His attendants feared mishap and begged him to stop. He wept and said, "My lord is here — what is there to fear!" When he reached the spot, the Hidden Emperor was already gone. He sighed and sobbed for a long while. Soon he heard that the Hidden Emperor had been assassinated and wailed without cease. He reached the Yuanhua Gate. Liu Zhu rained arrows outside the wall. He turned his carriage and entered by the Yingchun Gate. The armies plundered wildly and fires blazed on every side. He stopped at his old residence while He Fujin guarded the Mingde Gate with his troops. The next day Wang Yin and Guo Chong said, "If the plundering is not stopped, by nightfall the city will be empty." The generals then assigned sections and beheaded plunderers. By late afternoon order was restored. He and Wang Jun went to the empress dowager's palace to pay respects and asked that a successor be established. They named Yun, nephew of Gaozu and governor of Xuzhou, to succeed — the account is in the Annals of Han. On the twenty-seventh, because the successor had not yet arrived, he asked the empress dowager to preside over court. Urgent reports arrived from Zhen and Ding that the Khitan had invaded and Hebei was in crisis. The empress dowager ordered him north.
10
使 使使
On the first day of the twelfth month he departed the capital. On the fourth he reached Huazhou and halted for several days. When the Lord of Xiangyin sent envoys to comfort the generals, they looked at one another and did not bow as they received the gifts, whispering, "We seized the capital and each bears guilt. If the Liu house is restored, our clans will be exterminated." Someone reported their words to Guo Wei. Startled, he pressed on at once. On the sixteenth he reached Chanzhou. At early dawn that day purple vapor came from beside the sun and settled before his horse's head. On the nineteenth he ordered all armies to advance. On the twentieth the officers and soldiers raised a great clamor and rushed the post station like a wall. He shut the gates to refuse them. The soldiers climbed the walls and crossed the roofs to enter, asking him to become Son of Heaven. Troops piled up like mountains, mounting the steps and filling the hall, supporting and pressing upon him. Some tore the yellow banner to cover his body in place of the scarlet robe. The mountain shout shook the earth. Amid the myriad multitude his voice and spirit failed; he fainted several times, and his close guards scattered and hid. He ascended the city tower and gained a little rest. The armies then escorted him south. The river ice had just begun to break and no floating bridge had yet been built. That night a bitter north wind blew. By dawn the ice was firm enough to cross, and the armies crossed — the troops called it "Crossing on Ice." When the crossing was done the ice melted, and contemporaries marveled. The Lord of Xiangyin was already at Songzhou. Wang Jun, commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, was in the capital. Hearing of the change at Chanzhou, he sent Guo Chong with seven hundred horsemen to Songzhou to guard the Lord of Xiangyin. On the twenty-fifth he reached Qilidian. The ministers paid court, and he encamped at Gaomen Village.
11
使 西 使
On the twenty-seventh the Empress Dowager of Han issued an edict: "Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs and Palace Attendant Guo Wei possesses heroic martial talent and bears responsibilities both at court and in the field. He has uprooted calamity and disorder, delivered the realm from grave hardship, achieved deeds that reach Heaven, and enjoys esteem unmatched in the age. Soldiers and civilians now love and uphold him; court and countryside alike acclaim him. He should oversee all affairs of state in accordance with general opinion — let him serve as Regent of the State. All routine affairs, civil and military, shall be decided by the Regent." On the twenty-eighth the Regent issued a proclamation: "I rose from the military ranks and had no standing for virtue or renown. By happenstance alone I presumptuously received imperial favor. When Gaozu was still forging the new order he treated me as a trusted confidant; once he took the throne he soon invested me with great power. At his deathbed I accepted the charge that cost him his life, and together with the veteran meritorious officials helped install the heir. Soon three rebellions joined in league and enemies besieged the capital on every side. I wrongly received the court's command for independent expedition and simultaneously held a great frontier command to face the foe — how could I fail to throw myself into the struggle and give my utmost loyalty! I hoped to pacify the frontiers and thereby safeguard the altars of state. I never expected wicked men to incite disorder or that generals and ministers would be executed one after another. I alone escaped the blade by chance, put down the crisis, sought to secure the Liu house, repay Han's grace, and choose an elder sovereign to carry on the great enterprise. I memorialized the Empress Dowager to install the Duke of Xuzhou. The welcoming party was already on the road, though his train had not yet reached the capital. When the northern front grew urgent and enemy cavalry pressed deep into our territory, I led the army on a surprise strike. Marching through a nearby garrison, we had already crossed the Grand River. On the twentieth of the twelfth month, as we were about to reach Chanzhou, the army's mood suddenly turned: banners reversed, shouts filled the sky, soldiers grasped sleeves and pulled at robes, pressing me to become their sovereign. Surrounded on every side, I had nowhere to flee. The pressure only intensified. In an instant my safety hung in the balance. Unable to refuse, I had no choice but to yield — and cavalry and infantry of all armies escorted me to the capital. Now, following the Empress Dowager's edict — because the times are perilous and state affairs cannot be left unattended — I am appointed Regent. Decline is impossible. I apply myself to the charge, troubled and ashamed day and night," the proclamation concluded. Civil and military officials, commanders at court and in the field, frontier lords, and prefectural governors then submitted memorial after memorial urging him to take the throne. On the night of the thirtieth, drunken infantry officers at the northwest corner of the imperial camp shouted: "Yesterday the cavalry at Chanzhou forced our hand — today the infantry mean to do the same." Patrol officers were sent to identify them; at dawn they were seized and executed. That unit surrendered its arms and armor and was escorted under palace supervision to its provision station.
12
西 祿 殿
In spring, the first month, on dingmao of Guangshun 1, the Empress Dowager of Han issued a grand pronouncement: "Since deepest antiquity those who received the Mandate have succeeded one another — no single surname has held it forever. The hundred kings all teach the same lesson: when hearts align, dynasties rise; when Heaven withdraws its Mandate, they fall. The record is plain in the canonical histories. I have met with adverse fortune and an ill-formed house. Wicked men stirred disorder and factions ran rampant. Great ministers were wrongly executed; the young sovereign perished in haste. When men bring calamity upon themselves, Heaven's Way needs no debate. Regent Wei, deeply mindful of Han's grace, urgently sought to secure the Liu house. Having pacified disorder and restored collapsed norms, he thought to protect the foundation of the realm and chose a successor from the imperial clan. Yet all authority flowed to the Earl of the West, and the people's songs did not belong to Danzhu. The Six Armies exhausted themselves in urging his elevation; all the realm looked up to his luminous virtue. The change of dynasty accorded with this destiny; the charts and registers found their owner. That I become an honored guest I count a blessing. Presenting the seal and jade, invest the Regent — let him immediately ascend the throne. Alas! Heaven's blessing rests upon you; the imperial regalia comes unbidden. Truly receive Heaven's Mandate and forever pacify the myriad people — hold it in reverence!" That day the Emperor entered the Inner Palace through Gaomen Gate, ascended Chongyuan Hall, and took the throne. An edict read:
13
西
"Since antiquity no sovereign who received the Mandate and founded a dynasty has failed to align with Heaven above and the people's hearts below." "When Xia's virtue waned, Shang's fortune opened;" "when Han's vigor faltered, Wei laid its foundation." "I long served the previous dynasty and long held high office." "Entrusted at deathbed to assist in government, I never forgot the loyalty of Yi Yin and Huo Guang;" "bearing the commander's axe on campaign, again entrusted with tasks worthy of Han Xin and Peng Yue." "I spared neither body nor mind, burning with worry and toil. I punished rebels at the He and Tong region, extended support through Qi and Yong, and at last put down the great enemy — a small merit, but real." "Hardly had I turned from the western passes when I took command in Heshuo, drilled the army, and held the frontier — offering my person to the state and leaving no enemy for my sovereign to face." "External threats had barely eased when internal calamity erupted. Petty men conspired; great ministers were slain. The pillars were broken; the altars of state near collapse." "I was at my frontier post when slander framed me." "Escaping death by a hair, I marched straight to the capital;" "executed the four criminals at the public crossroads and, by good fortune, restored peace to the realm." "Intending to preserve Han's line, I chose an heir of the Liu house. The summons had gone out when the army's mood suddenly turned." "Compelled by the multitude with no way to refuse, I was escorted to the capital and acclaimed as sovereign." "Urged further by court and field and acclaimed by the regional lords, I comply though the multitude wills it — yet in taking the throne I am ashamed of my slight virtue." "In changing the era name and founding the dynasty, I reverently follow established precedent;" "in replacing the old order and renewing the state, broad grace should pour forth in amnesty."
14
使使使 使使使
"I am a distant scion of the Ji house, descended from Guo Shu. Blessings and merit accumulated until they reached Heaven; virtue long sustained now gathers the Mandate upon my humble person. The new state shall be called Great Zhou, and the fourth year of Han Qianyou shall become Guangshun 1." "Effective before dawn on the fifth of the first month, all criminals throughout the realm whom ordinary amnesties would not cover are fully pardoned." "Former Commissioner Yang Bin, Palace Guard Commander Shi Hongzhao, and Three Departments Commissioner Wang Zhang, among others, labored to settle the realm and gave their lives in loyal service. In a single morning they met a fate that moved all who passed on the road. Though their wrongs have been cleared, generous posthumous honors are due: promotion in rank, full burial rites at state expense, and their descendants sought out for appointment." "Others who suffered wrongful harm shall likewise receive posthumous honors." "The cavalry and infantry who pledged their loyalty — first quelling internal disorder, then urging my elevation — deserve commemoration and reward." "Original troops shall receive graded promotions and extraordinary honors, with titles of merit conferred anew — those already bearing such titles shall receive renewed grants." "Demoted officials not yet reassigned shall be reassigned; those reassigned shall be restored; those restored shall receive further promotion as appropriate." "Those who lost office and rank may be considered for appointment; exiles, convicts, and corvée laborers are all permitted to return." "Criminal fugitives and mountain bandits everywhere shall go unquestioned; but if they fail to return to honest livelihood within one month of the amnesty, their crimes revert." "Retired as well as serving civil and military officials shall receive additional favors." "For civil and military officials at court, inner-bureau commissioners, circuit deputy commanders, and frontier cavalry and infantry commanders: if their parents are living and have not yet received enfeoffment honors, grant them now; if already honored, grant additional honors;" "if deceased and not yet posthumously enfeoffed, grant enfeoffment; if already enfeoffed, grant additional honors."
15
沿 沿 使
"All outstanding summer and autumn taxes and collected goods in transit from before Qianyou 1 and 2, and all residual summer taxes of Qianyou 3, are remitted throughout the realm." "From Chanzhou eastward, all residual and overdue taxes of Qianyou 3 within twenty li on both sides of the imperial highway are remitted." "In Hebei frontier prefectures and counties ravaged by the Khitan since the ninth month of last year, all accumulated tax arrears through the end of Qianyou 3 are remitted." "Where Three Departments revenue officials show depot deficits for collections before the end of Qianyou 1 and clearly lack collateral, the Three Departments shall investigate and report." "Granaries and storehouses throughout the realm shall be placed under military governors' strict supervision. Receiving officials must follow provincial regulations and may not levy surplus measures or scale wastage. All former surplus tribute is abolished."
16
輿
"Imperial garments and accoutrements must not be excessively ornate; palace utensils shall be plain; the Chief Steward's regular meals shall all be reduced." "Circuit tribute meant to support military and state expenses must not include delicate luxuries, exotic birds and beasts, hawks, or hounds. All useless goods and non-urgent undertakings are to cease." "The way of kings puts moral transformation first. Empty show and hollow reputation I reject — if governance is not yet sound, what use are many expedients!" "Henceforth auspicious omens from all circuits must not be casually reported and offered."
17
"Regional lords throughout the realm all have kinsmen of their own. Let them choose and appoint carefully — such men can serve effectively as assistants." "Court appointments may not always have been appropriate. Past errors should be corrected so that common practice may be restored." "Army officers previously dispatched from capital bureaus to serve as chief yamen officers, clerks, and inner reception officers in the prefectures are abolished and ordered back to their former posts." "The tombs of recent emperors and kings shall be protected from woodcutting and gathering." "For the tombs of Tang Zhuangzong, Mingzong, and Jin Gaozu, ten guard households each shall be established from nearby families." "The tomb staff, palace guards, seasonal offerings, and guard households at Han Gaozu's tomb shall all remain as before." "The scions of Jin and Han shall continue as the Two Noble Descendants; the Secretariat and Chancellery are charged to arrange the matter," the edict concluded.
18
The Directorate of Astronomy submitted: "Now that the state has been founded, Wood replaces Water as the ruling element. By canonical law the La festival follows the tomb day of the dynastic surname — we request that the wei day be observed as La." The request was approved. Commentators of the time said: "When King Wu conquered Yin, the year star gathered in Fang; when the state received the Mandate, Metal and Wood gathered there as well. King Wen suffered at Youli and drew the hexagram Mingyi; the Emperor escaped at Ye and the Great Evolution numbers again yielded Mingyi — thus the state title Zhou accorded with King Wen and King Wu. Earlier, in the sixth month of summer in the dingwei year, the Earth, Metal, Wood, and Fire stars gathered in Zhang; diviners declared that an emperor would rise under the name Zhou." Therefore when Han's founder established the dynasty, he moved from Pingyang and Shanfu toward Luoyang to fulfill the omen; when Emperor Yin was about to succeed, he enfeoffed a Prince of Zhou to match it. Now the Emperor, as a scion of Ji and Guo, has restored the Zhou line — and Heaven's design for the realm stands plain. King Wu once ruled the realm under Wood; the Yuwen Zhou also claimed Wood — yet three dynasties all replaced Water with Wood. What a remarkable pattern!
19
使使使使使使 使 使 使使 使 使使 便 使 使 使 使使 使 使
On wuchen, former Caozhou Defender He Fujin was proclaimed acting Military Governor of Xu Prefecture; former Fuzhou Defender Wang Yanchao was proclaimed acting Military Governor of Xuzhou; former Chanzhou Military Governor Li Hongyi was proclaimed acting Military Governor of Songzhou. On jisi the Han Empress Dowager was given the honorific title Empress Dowager Zhaosheng. That day an edict ordered the relevant offices to set a date for mourning the former sovereign. (The Institutional Compendium of the Five Dynasties records the original edict: Han Gaozu proclaimed mourning for Emperor Yi; Wei Mingdi corrected the honorific of the Zen tomb — both timely fulfillment of ritual, praised through the ages. I long served the previous dynasty and regularly participated in great affairs. Though yielding Yu to serve Xia, I was displaced by public sentiment, yet all the realm knows my longstanding intent. Let the relevant offices choose a day to proclaim mourning for the former sovereign and provide full mountain-tomb burial rites.) (End of editorial note.)〉 On xinwei the relevant offices submitted: "On the day the Emperor proclaims mourning for the former sovereign, he shall wear unbleached hemp, a straight-collared deep robe, and a waist mourning sash. After the mourning garments are complete and offerings performed, he shall not hold court for seven days, and music shall be forbidden in the wards and markets. After civil and military officials complete their mourning garments, they shall attend daily mourning rites at Taiping Palace for three days, then cease; on the seventh day they shall lay mourning aside. On the day the mountain tomb is opened and the coffin sealed, he shall wear initial mourning dress; the shield carriage departs the city, and after the farewell ceremony he shall lay mourning aside." The memorial was approved. On renshen, former Bozhou Prefect Li Yun was proclaimed acting Military Governor of Huazhou. On guiyou, Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs Wang Jun, Grand Preceptor by special appointment, was made Grand Councilor; former Chanzhou Military Governor Li Hongyi was made Military Governor of Songzhou and appointed Grand Councilor. Huazhou Deputy Military Governor Chen Guan was made Left Regular Attendant of the Cavalry, and Yedu Garrison Aide Wang Pu was made Left Remonstrance Grandee — both appointed Direct Academicians of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Original-follower Chief Yamen Officer Zheng Renhui was made Commissioner of the Reception Bureau, and Reception Officer Xiang Xun was made Commissioner of the Palace Parks. Northern Capital Garrison Commander Liu Chong sent his yamen guard Gong Tingmei with a letter requesting Liu Yun's return to his post. The Emperor replied: "When I was at Chanzhou and the army urged my elevation, I first dispatched Palace Attendant Li Guangmei, who witnessed everything — you must have heard the full account by now. What near and far have heard will all become clear in time. The Lord of Xiangyin is presently at Songzhou and has been ordered brought to the capital. Do not worry — he will surely be properly provided for. As for you there, set your mind at ease. If you lend your strength in joint support without other concern, I shall at once enfeoff you as prince and charge you forever with guarding the northern gate — iron certificates and cinnabar writs will be granted without stint. All these matters shall also be conveyed orally by the envoy." He dispatched Qianniu Guard General Zhu Xian to serve as envoy to the Khitan. Earlier, the year before, Khitan Prince Yongkang Wuyu had raided Xing and Zhao and captured Neiqiu. On his return Wuyu sent an envoy with a letter to the Hidden Emperor of Han, (The Comprehensive Mirror records that in the attack on Neiqiu Khitan casualties were heavy; a lunar eclipse followed, and strange omens multiplied in the camp. The Khitan ruler dared not advance further, withdrew his army, and sent an envoy to sue for peace with Han.) (End of editorial note.)〉 When the envoy reached the border, the court was convulsed by internal strife. After the Emperor secured the capital he returned to Chan Prefecture, met the arriving Khitan envoy, and entered court with him. At this point he sent Zhu Xian to escort the Khitan envoy home, with a letter explaining the change of dynasty, and presented Wuyu with a set of gold wine vessels and a jade belt. Jin Prefecture Military Governor Wang Yan killed March Chief of Staff Xu Jian and notified Hedong.
20
使 使 使使使 使 使 使 使 殿 使西 西 使使使使
On yihai, Yan Prefecture Military Governor, Grand Preceptor, concurrent Grand Censor, and Prince of Qi Gao Xingzhou was promoted to Minister-in-Chief; Xiang Prefecture Military Governor, Honorary Grand Preceptor, Grand Mentor, concurrent Grand Censor, and Duke of Qi An Shenqi was enfeoffed as Prince of Nanyang; Qing Prefecture Military Governor, Honorary Grand Preceptor, Grand Guardian, concurrent Grand Censor, and Duke of Wei Fu Yanqing was enfeoffed as Prince of Huaiyang; Kuizhou Military Governor and Palace Guard Commander Wang Yin was made concurrent Grand Councilor and appointed Ye Capital Garrison Commander, retaining command of his troops. On bingzi the Emperor went to Taiping Palace to proclaim mourning for the Hidden Emperor of Han, and the officials attended in ritual order. That day Lord of Xiangyin Liu Yun's chief yamen officer Gong Tingmei, drill instructor Yang Wen, and others seized Xuzhou in defiance of orders. The Emperor sent the newly appointed Military Governor Wang Yanchao with troops in haste and granted edicts to Tingmei and his fellows. (The Comprehensive Mirror records that the Emperor again wrote Liu Yun: "Considering this man, he gave his all for his lord — loyalty enough to merit reward; how could one reproach him for regret? When the new military governor enters the city, each shall be appointed regional prefect. You may explain this fully to them.") (End of editorial note.)〉 On dingchou Jingnan's Gao Baorong memorialized that in the eleventh month of the previous year Lang Prefecture Military Governor Ma Xie had captured Tan Prefecture; on the eighteenth of the twelfth month Ma Xiguang was strangled; and on the nineteenth Xie styled himself Generalissimo of Heavenly Strategy, Military Governor of Wuping, Jingjiang, Ningyuan and other armies, and successor King of Chu. On wuyin the Lord of Xiangyin died. On jimao former Grand Preceptor and Duke of Qi Feng Dao was appointed Grand Censor and Grand Academician of the Hall for the Extension of Culture; Minister of Education, Vice Director of the Chancellery, Grand Councilor, and Grand Academician Dou Zhengu was made Palace Secretary and put in charge of compiling the national history; Left Vice Director, Grand Councilor, and Grand Academician Su Yugui was appointed Honorary Minister of Works and retained as Grand Councilor; Xia Prefecture Military Governor Li Yixing was enfeoffed as Prince of Longxi; Jingnan's Gao Baorong as Prince of Bohai; and Lingwu's Feng Hui as Prince of Chenliu; Bai Wenke of the Western Capital, Murong Yanchao of Yan Prefecture, and Zhao Hui of Fengxiang were all made concurrent Grand Censor. An edict ordered Wang Yanchao to lead troops against Xuzhou. On gengchen the late Commissioner of Military Affairs Yang Bin was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Hengnong; the late Song Prefecture Military Governor and Palace Guard Commander Shi Hongzhao as Prince of Zheng; and the late Commissioner of the Three Departments Wang Zhang as Prince of Langya. That day an edict proclaimed:
21
使 𨫼沿
I, a slight and humble man set above kings and dukes, fear my virtue falls short and can scarce examine myself. How could I lavish self-indulgence before my transforming influence has reached the people, or fail to restrain my measure when my conduct has not yet matched antiquity? Better thrift and self-restraint than wasteful spending that burdens the people. The amnesty recently issued already expressed my inmost intent. Palace needs for clothing and daily use shall all be cut back; exquisite and rare tribute items shall cease entirely. Where matters remain unaddressed, they should be set forth again in detail. Old tribute of savory foods and delicacies from prefectures throughout the realm should be abolished or reduced. Fine wine, seafood, ginger, and melons from the Two Zhes; pillow tea, milk sugar, white sand sugar, and olives from Hunan; Gao-family rice and water pears from Zhen Prefecture; chestnuts from Yi and Ding; white she pears, rice flour, mung bean flour, and jade-dust gongzi noodles from Hedong; imperial-field red japonica rice and new barley flour from Yongxing; su millet from Xingping; musk, antelope horn, bear gall, otter liver, red persimmons, and bear fat from Hua Prefecture; tree red dates, schisandra, and light malt sugar from Hezhong; stone jiang cakes from Tong Prefecture; grapes and yellow xiao pears from Jin and Jiang; phoenix-perch pears from Shaan Prefecture; purple ginger, fresh bamboo shoots, and oranges from Xiang Prefecture; broken japonica rice and fermented delicacies from An Prefecture; water pears from Qing Prefecture; assorted fruits from Heyang; imperial Li plums from Xu Prefecture; fresh bamboo shoots and goose pears from Zheng Prefecture; Cold Food Festival almonds from Huai Prefecture; lotus root from Shen Prefecture; bi xie from Bo Prefecture; Huai white fish from prefectures along the Huai — I am told that although these are local products, many are exacted from common households, causing needless hardship and mostly going to waste. Add the labor of porters hauling loads along the roads, and the goods pile up in government stores as utterly useless things. Hereafter none of these need be sent as tribute. For other food tributes under old precedent not covered here, prefectures should submit memorials for instructions.
22
使使使 使使使 西 使 使使 使使使 使使
Another edict ordered civil and military officials at court each to submit sealed memorials on any matter benefiting state or people, reporting at once. (The Comprehensive Mirror records the edict: I was reared in the army and never pursued learning myself; I do not know how to govern the realm. Any civil or military official with policies that benefit state or people should submit sealed memorials; write plainly of the matter and do not trouble over literary ornament.) (End of editorial note.)〉 On xinsi Wu Xingde of Zhen Prefecture, Wang Yan of Jin Prefecture, Zhang Yancheng of Xiang Prefecture, Chang Si of Lu Prefecture, and Hou Zhang of Bin Prefecture were all made concurrent Palace Secretary; Palace Guard Cavalry Commander and Defender of Guo Prefecture Guo Chong was appointed Military Governor of Yang Prefecture and Honorary Grand Mentor, retaining command of his troops; Palace Guard Infantry Commander and Defender of Yue Prefecture Cao Ying was appointed Military Governor of Li Prefecture and Honorary Grand Mentor, retaining command of his troops. On guiwei Shi Yi of Jing Prefecture, Gao Yunquan of Yan Prefecture, Wang Jing of Cang Prefecture, Guo Congyi of Yongxing, and Sun Fangjian of Ding Prefecture were made concurrent Palace Secretary; Yang Xin of Fu Prefecture, Xue Huairang of Tong Prefecture, and Wang Jihong of Bei Prefecture were made concurrent Grand Councilor. On yiyou Wang Rao of Hua Prefecture, Hu Yanke of Hezhong, Zhe Congruan of Deng Prefecture, and Liu Ci of Xing Prefecture were made concurrent Grand Councilor. On bingxu the Emperor visited the Western Villa. Lu Prefecture reported that Shihui Pass Commissioner Wang Yanmei had notified them that Liu Chong of Hedong had usurped the imperial title on the sixteenth of the first month. On dinghai former Chan Prefecture Military Governor Li Hongyi was appointed Military Governor of Song Prefecture and made concurrent Grand Councilor; Defender of Cao Prefecture and Northern Expeditionary Chief Array Marshal He Fujin was appointed Military Governor of Xu Prefecture and Honorary Grand Mentor; Prefect of Bo Prefecture and Northern Expeditionary Right Wing Array Marshal Li Jun was appointed Military Governor of Hua Prefecture and Honorary Grand Guardian. On wuzi the relevant offices submitted: "Under the amnesty, descendants of Jin and Han are appointed heirs of the two dynasties; the mid-year sacrifice at the Five Temples of Tang should be abolished. The request was approved. On gengyin the Office of the Imperial Clan submitted: "Following Jin and Han precedent, we request that the spirit tablets of Han's seven temples be moved to Shengping Palace for the mid-year offering, with a Han imperial clansman serving as thrice-presenter. The request was approved.
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