1
顯德二年春正月辛未朔，帝不受朝賀。 辛卯，詔：「在朝文班，各舉堪為令錄者一人，雖姻族近親，亦無妨嫌。 授官之日，各署舉主姓名，若在官貪濁不任、懦弱不理，並量事狀重輕，連坐舉主。」 乙未，詔：「應逃戶莊田，並許人請射承佃，供納稅租：如三周年內本戶來歸者，其莊田不計荒熟，並交還一半； 五周年內歸業者，三分交還一分； 如五周年外歸業者，其莊田除本戶墳塋外，不在交付之限。 其近北地諸州，應有陷蕃人戶，自蕃界來歸業者：五周年內來者，三分交還二分； 十周年內來者，交還一半； 十五周年來者，三分交還一分； 十五周年外來者，不在交還之限。」
On the xinwei new moon of the first month of spring in Xiande 2, the Emperor declined the usual court congratulations. On xinmao an edict stated: “Each civil official at court shall nominate one person qualified for county magistrate or recorder—even a close kinsman by marriage is not barred. At appointment each nominee’s recommender shall be named on record; if the appointee proves corrupt, incompetent, timid, or neglectful in office, the recommender shall share liability according to the gravity of the offense.” On yiwei an edict declared: “Estate fields left by absconding households may be bid for and leased by others, who shall pay tax and rent; if the original household returns within three years, half the fields—whether fallow or cultivated—shall be restored to them; if they resume farming within five years, one-third shall be returned; if they return after five years, the fields need not be returned except for the family burial grounds. In northern border prefectures, households lost to the Khitan who return from beyond the frontier: if they come back within five years, two-thirds of their land shall be restored; within ten years, half shall be returned; within fifteen years, one-third shall be returned; after fifteen years, no land need be returned.”
2
二月戊申，遣使赴西京，賜太子太師致仕侯益、白文珂、宋彥筠等茶藥錢帛各有差，仍降詔存問。 壬戌，詔曰：
On wushen in the second month envoys were dispatched to the Western Capital with tea, medicine, cash, and silk for the retired Grand Preceptor Hou Yi, Bai Wenke, Song Yanyun, and others in varying amounts, together with an edict of imperial concern. On renxu an edict proclaimed:
3
善操理者不能有全功，善處身者不能無過失。 雖堯、舜、禹、湯之上聖，文、武、成康之至明，尚猶思逆耳之言，求苦口之藥，何況後人之不逮哉！
Even the ablest administrator cannot achieve perfection, and even the most prudent man cannot avoid error. Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang were supreme sages; Wen, Wu, Cheng, and Kang were supremely enlightened—yet they still welcomed unwelcome counsel and sought bitter medicine for the state. How much more must lesser rulers do so!
4
朕承先帝之靈，居至尊之位，涉道猶淺，經事未深，常懼昏蒙，不克負荷。 自臨宸極，已過周星，至於刑政取舍之間，國家措置之事，豈能盡是，須有未周，朕猶自知，人豈不察。 而在位者未有一人指朕躬之過失，食祿者曾無一言論時政之是非，豈朕之寡昧不足與言邪？ 豈人之循默未肯盡心邪？ 豈左右前後有所畏忌邪？ 豈高卑疏近自生間別邪？
Having inherited the late Emperor’s mandate and taken the throne, I am still shallow in the Way and inexperienced in governance, and I constantly fear that my dullness will leave me unequal to the burden. Since I ascended the throne more than a year has passed; in criminal law, policy, and state measures, not everything can be right—there are bound to be gaps. I know this myself; surely others see it too. Yet not one official in office has pointed out my personal faults, and not one salaried officer has spoken on whether current policy is right or wrong. Is my ignorance so complete that I am not worth addressing? Or are men merely following custom and holding back their full loyalty? Or do those around me harbor fears that keep them silent? Or do rank and distance themselves create barriers between us?
5
古人云：「君子大言受大祿，小言受小祿。」 又云：「官箴王闕。」 則是士大夫之有祿位，無不言之人。 然則為人上者，不能感其心而致其言，此朕之過也。 得不求骨鯁之辭，詢正直之議，共申裨益，庶洽治平。 朕於卿大夫才不能盡知，面不能盡識，若不采其言而觀其行，審其意而察其忠，則何以見器量之深淺，知任用之當否？ 若言之不入，罪實在予； 茍求之不言，咎將誰執！
The ancients said: “A gentleman who offers weighty counsel receives great emolument; one who offers little receives little.” They also said: “Officials exist to admonish the throne.” Thus every salaried scholar-official ought to speak out. If I as sovereign have failed to move their hearts and draw forth their counsel, the fault is mine. I must therefore seek blunt counsel and honest debate, so that together we may improve governance and bring the realm to peace. I cannot know every minister’s talent or recognize every face; unless I heed your words, watch your conduct, weigh your intent, and test your loyalty, how can I judge your capacity or know whom to appoint? If your words do not reach me, the fault is truly mine; but if I ask and you remain silent, upon whom will the blame fall?
6
應內外文武臣僚，今後或有所見所聞，並許上章論諫。 若朕躬之有闕失，得以盡言； 時政之有瑕疵，勿宜有隱。 方求名實，豈尚虛華，茍或素不工文，但可直書其事。 辭有謬誤者，固當舍短，言涉傷忤者，必與留中，所冀盡情，免至多慮。 諸有司局公事者，各宜舉職，事有不便者，革之可也，理有可行者，舉之可也，勿務因循，漸成訛謬。 臣僚有出使在外回者，茍或知黎庶之利病，聞官吏之優劣，當具敷奏，以廣聽聞。 班行職位之中，遷除改轉之際，即當考陳力之輕重，較言事之否臧，奉公切直者當議甄升，臨事蓄縮者須期抑退。 翰林學士、兩省官職居侍從，乃論思諫諍之司； 御史臺官任處憲綱，是擊搏糾彈之地。 論其職分，尤異群臣，如逐任官內，所獻替啟發彈舉者，至月限滿合遷轉時，宜令中書門下先奏取進止。
Henceforth all civil and military officials, at court or in the provinces, may memorialize on anything they see or hear. Speak fully of any fault in my person; and do not conceal flaws in current policy. I seek substance, not ornament; if you are no stylist, write plainly of the facts. Errors in wording I will overlook; words that offend I will keep confidential. Speak freely, without undue fear. Every office should perform its duty: reform what is harmful, propose what is sound, and do not cling to routine until error accumulates. Officials returning from missions abroad should fully report what they know of the people’s welfare and of officials’ merit or failings, so that my hearing may be broadened. At promotions and transfers, weigh each man’s service and the soundness of his counsel: advance the dutiful and forthright, demote the timid in crisis. Hanlin academicians and Two-Department officials in close attendance are charged with deliberation and remonstrance; Censorate officials uphold the law; theirs is the duty of investigation and impeachment. Their duties set them apart: at each term’s end, when promotion is due, the Secretariat and Chancellery shall first report their memorials and impeachments and obtain imperial approval.
7
三月辛未，以李晏口為靜安軍，其軍南距冀州百里，北距深州三十里，夾胡盧河為壘。 〈（《通鑒》：浚胡盧河在正月，至三月始建軍額。）〉 先是，貝、冀之境密邇戎疆，居常敵騎涉河而南，馳突往來洞無阻礙，北鄙之地民不安居。 帝乃按圖定策，遣許州節度使王彥超、曹州節度使韓通等領兵他徙，築壘於李晏口，以兵戍守，功未畢，契丹眾尋至，彥超等擊退之。 及壘成，頗扼要害，自是敵騎雖至，不敢涉河，邊民稍得耕牧焉。 壬辰，尚書禮部貢院進新及第進士李覃等一十六人所試詩賦、文論、策文等。 詔曰：「國家設貢舉之司，求英俊之士，務詢文行，方中科名。 比聞近年以來，多有濫進，或以年勞而得第，或因媒勢以出身。 今歲所放舉人，試令看驗，果見紕繆，須至去留。 其李覃、何嚴、楊徽之、趙鄰幾等四人，宜放及第。 其嚴說、武允成、王汾、閭邱舜卿、任惟吉、周度、張慎徽、王翥、馬文、劉選、程浩然、李震等一十二人，藝學未精，並宜勾落，且令苦學，以俟再來。 禮部侍郎劉溫叟失於選士，頗屬因循，據其過尤，合行譴謫，尚視寬恕，特與矜容，劉溫叟放罪，其將來貢舉公事，仍令所司別具條理以聞。」
On xinwei in the third month Liyankou was established as Jing'an Army, one hundred li south of Jizhou and thirty li north of Shenzhou, with fortifications along the Hulu River. (Zizhi Tongjian notes: the Hulu was dredged in the first month, but the army designation was not created until the third month.))〉 Earlier the Bei–Ji border lay hard against the frontier; enemy horsemen routinely crossed the river to raid at will, and northern villagers could not live in peace. The Emperor studied the maps and sent Xuzhou commissioner Wang Yanchao, Caozhou commissioner Han Tong, and others to relocate troops and build fortresses at Liyankou. Before the work was finished Khitan forces arrived; Yanchao and his colleagues repulsed them. When the fortresses were finished they commanded the key points; thereafter enemy horsemen dared not cross the river, and border folk could gradually farm and herd again. On renchen the Ministry of Rites examination hall presented the poetry, fu, essays, and policy papers of the sixteen newly passed jinshi led by Li Tan. An edict declared: “The state holds examinations to seek outstanding men and weighs both learning and conduct before granting the degree. Lately we have heard that many have passed improperly—some through seniority alone, others through patronage. This year’s candidates were re-examined; flaws were found, and some must be kept while others are removed. Li Tan, He Yan, Yang Huizhi, and Zhao Linji—the four of them—shall be confirmed as jinshi. Yan Shuo, Wu Yuncheng, Wang Fen, Lüqiu Shunqing, Ren Weiji, Zhou Du, Zhang Shenhui, Wang Zhu, Ma Wen, Liu Xuan, Cheng Haoran, and Li Zhen—the twelve of them—lack sufficient mastery; all shall be struck from the rolls and told to study hard and try again. Vice Minister of Rites Liu Wensou failed in selecting candidates and was unduly lax; by rights he should be punished, but I show leniency and release him from blame. Future examination rules shall be drawn up separately and reported.”
8
夏四月庚戌，以內客省使李彥頵為延州留後。 辛亥，詔：「應自外新除御史，未經朝謝，行過州府，不得受館驛供給及所在公禮。」 乙卯，詔於京城四面別築羅城，期以來春興役。 戊午，以翰林學士、給事中竇儀為禮部侍郎，依前充職； 以禮部侍郎劉溫叟為太子詹事。 癸亥，以翰林學士、中書舍人楊昭儉為御史中丞。 是月，詔翰林學士承旨徐臺符已下二十餘人，各撰《為君難為臣不易論》、《平邊策》各一首，帝親覽之。 〈（《宋史·陶蒨傳》：世宗謂宰相曰：「朕觀歷代君臣治平之道，誠為不易，又念唐、晉失德之後，亂臣黠將，僭竊者多。 今中原甫定，吳、蜀、幽、并尚未平附，聲教未能遠被，宣令近臣各為論策，宜導經濟之略。」 乃命承旨徐臺符已下二十餘人，各撰《為君難為臣不易論》、《平邊策》以進。 其略率以修文德、來遠人為意，惟蒨與竇儀、楊昭儉、王樸以封疆密邇江、淮，當用師取之。 世宗自克高平，常訓兵講武，思混一天下，及覽其策，欣然聽納，由是平南之意益堅矣。）〉
On gengxu in the fourth month of summer, inner reception commissioner Li Yanbin was appointed acting Yanzhou commissioner. On xinhai an edict ordered: “Newly appointed censors from the provinces who have not yet attended court may not accept post-station provisions or local official gifts while traveling through prefectures.” On yimao an edict ordered outer walls built on all four sides of the capital, with work to begin the following spring. On wuwu Hanlin academician and supervising secretary Dou Yi was named Vice Minister of Rites while retaining his existing posts; and Liu Wensou (Vice Minister of Rites) became Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent. On guihai Hanlin academician and secretariat drafter Yang Zhaojian was appointed Censor-in-Chief. That month the Emperor ordered Hanlin chief Xu Taifu and more than twenty colleagues each to write an essay On the Difficulty of Being Ruler and Minister and a Border-Pacification Stratagem, which he read personally. (Song Shi, biography of Tao Qian: Shizong told his chief ministers: “I see how hard it is for ruler and minister together to bring order; and after Tang and Jin lost their virtue, rebellious ministers and cunning generals usurped power in great numbers. The Central Plain is only now settled; Wu, Shu, You, and Bing are not yet subdued, and imperial influence does not yet reach far. I order my close advisers each to submit policy essays pointing toward practical statecraft.” He then ordered chief academician Xu Taifu and more than twenty others each to submit the two essays named above. Most argued for civil virtue and winning distant peoples; only Tao Qian, with Dou Yi, Yang Zhaojian, and Wang Pu, urged military action because the frontier lay close to the Yangzi and Huai. Since his victory at Gaoping, Shizong had trained troops and dreamed of unifying the realm; reading these essays he gladly accepted them, and his resolve to conquer the south grew firmer still.))〉
9
五月辛未，回鶻遣使貢方物。 鳳翔節度使王景上言：「奉詔攻收秦、鳳二州，已於今月一日領軍由大散關路進軍次。」 先是，晉末契丹入晉，秦州節度使何建以秦、成、階三州入蜀，蜀人又取鳳州。 至是，秦、鳳人戶怨蜀之苛政，相次詣闕，乞舉兵收復舊地，乃詔景與宣徽南院使向訓率師赴焉。 〈（《東都事略·王溥傳》：世宗將討秦、鳳，溥薦向拱，遂平之。 世宗因宴酌卮酒賜之，曰：「成吾邊功，卿擇帥之力也。」）〉 甲戌，詔曰：
On xinwei in the fifth month Uyghur envoys presented tribute goods. Fengxiang commissioner Wang Jing reported: “By imperial order to recover Qin and Feng, on the first of this month I led the army through Dasanguan pass and am advancing.” Earlier, at the end of Later Jin the Khitan invaded; Qinzhou commissioner He Jian surrendered Qin, Cheng, and Jie to Shu, and Shu also seized Fengzhou. Now the people of Qin and Feng, resenting Shu’s harsh rule, came in succession to court begging for troops to recover their lands; the Emperor ordered Wang Jing and Southern Palace Secretariat commissioner Xiang Xun to lead armies there. (Dongdu Shilüe, biography of Wang Pu: When Shizong prepared to attack Qin and Feng, Pu recommended Xiang Gong, and the region was pacified. At a banquet Shizong poured him a cup of wine and said: “Our frontier success is owed to your choice of commander.”))〉 On jiaxu an edict proclaimed:
10
釋氏貞宗，聖人妙道，助世勸善，其利甚優。 前代以來，累有條貫，近年已降，頗紊規繩。 近覽諸州奏聞，繼有緇徒犯法，蓋無科禁，遂至尤違，私度僧尼，日增猥雜，創修寺院，漸至繁多，鄉村之中其弊轉甚。 漏網背軍之輩，茍剃削以逃刑； 行奸為盜之徒，托住持而隱惡。 將隆教法，須辨否臧，宜舉舊章，用革前弊。
Buddhism is the sage’s subtle Way: it aids the age and encourages goodness, and its benefit is profound. Former dynasties laid down regulations, but in recent years discipline has fallen into disorder. Reading recent reports from the prefectures, I find monks and nuns breaking the law in succession—because prohibitions were lacking, abuses have grown extreme: illicit ordinations multiply daily, new monasteries spring up everywhere, and the harm is worst in the countryside. Deserters who had evaded capture shaved their heads to escape punishment; and criminals took refuge in monasteries to hide their crimes. To restore the Dharma we must distinguish right from wrong; old regulations shall be enforced to reform these abuses.
11
諸道府州縣鎮村坊，應有敕額寺院，一切仍舊，其無敕額者，並仰停廢，所有功德佛像及僧尼，並騰並於合留寺院內安置。 天下諸縣城郭內，若無敕額寺院，只於合停廢寺院內，選功德屋宇最多者，或寺院僧尼各留一所，若無尼住，只留僧寺院一所。 諸軍鎮坊郭及二百戶已上者，亦依諸縣例指揮。 如邊遠州郡無敕額寺院處，於停廢寺院內僧尼各留兩所。 今後並不得創造寺院蘭若。 王公戚裏諸道節刺已下，今後不得奏請創造寺院及請開置戒壇。 男子女子如有誌願出家者，並取父母、祖父母處分，已孤者取同居伯叔兄處分，候聽許方得出家。 男年十五已上，念得經文一百紙，或讀得經文五百紙，女年十三已上，念得經文七十紙，或讀得經文三百紙者，經本府陳狀乞剃頭，委錄事參軍本判官試驗經文。 其未剃頭間，須留發髻，如有私剃頭者，卻勒還俗，其本師主決重杖勒還俗，仍配役三年。 兩京、大名府、京兆府、青州各處置戒壇，候受戒時，兩京委祠部差官引試，其大名府等三處，只委本判官錄事參軍引試。 如有私受戒者，其本人、師主、臨壇三綱、知事僧尼，並同私剃頭例科罪。 應合剃頭受戒人等，逐處聞奏，候敕下，委祠部給付憑由，方得剃頭受戒。 應男女有父母、祖父母在，別無兒息侍養，不聽出家。 曾有罪犯，遭官司刑責之人，及棄背父母、逃亡奴婢、奸人細作、惡逆徒黨、山林亡命、未獲賊徒、負罪潛竄人等，並不得出家剃頭。 如有寺院輒容受者，其本人及師主、三綱、知事僧尼、鄰房同住僧，並仰收捉禁勘，申奏取裁。
In every circuit, prefecture, county, garrison, village, and ward: monasteries with imperial charters shall remain; those without shall be abolished, and their images, monks, and nuns consolidated into permitted monasteries. Within county seats lacking chartered monasteries, choose from those to be abolished the one with the most merit halls—or retain one monastery each for monks and nuns; where no nuns reside, retain only one monks’ monastery. Garrison towns and settlements of two hundred households or more shall follow the same rules as counties. In remote border prefectures without chartered monasteries, retain two each for monks and nuns from among those abolished. Henceforth no new monasteries or hermitages may be built. Princes, imperial affines, military commissioners, prefects, and all below may no longer petition to build monasteries or open ordination platforms. Men and women wishing to take vows must obtain consent from parents and grandparents—or, if orphaned, from uncles and elder brothers in the household—and may leave home only after permission is granted. Men fifteen or older must recite one hundred sheets of scripture or read five hundred; women thirteen or older must recite seventy or read three hundred. They shall petition the prefecture for tonsure and be examined by the recording secretary and military aide. Before formal tonsure they must keep their hair; illicit tonsure shall force return to lay life, and the master shall be beaten, forced back to lay life, and assigned three years’ corvée. Ordination platforms shall be established in the Two Capitals, Daming, Jingzhao, and Qingzhou. In the Two Capitals the Bureau of Sacrifices shall examine candidates; at Daming and the other three, the prefectural military aide and recording secretary shall examine them. Illicit ordination shall punish the candidate, his master, the three presiding officers, and the managing monks and nuns under the same rules as illicit tonsure. Qualified candidates shall be reported from each locality; only after imperial approval and credentials from the Bureau of Sacrifices may tonsure and ordination proceed. Men and women with living parents or grandparents and no other children to support them may not take vows. Former criminals punished by the courts, those who abandoned parents, fugitive slaves, spies, traitors, outlaws, uncaptured bandits, and fugitives from justice may not take vows or receive tonsure. Monasteries that accept such persons shall have the offender, his master, the three officers, managing monks and nuns, and neighboring monks seized, imprisoned, and reported for imperial decision.
12
僧尼俗士，自前多有舍身、燒臂、煉指、釘截手足、帶鈴掛燈、諸般毀壞身體、戲弄道具、符禁左道、妄稱變現還魂坐化、聖水聖燈妖幻之類，皆是聚眾眩惑流俗，今後一切止絕。 如有此色人，仰所在嚴斷，遞配邊遠，仍勒歸俗，其所犯罪重者，準格律處分。 每年造僧帳兩本，其一本奏聞，一本申祠部，逐年四月十五日後，勒諸縣取索管界寺院僧尼數目申州，州司攢帳，至五月終已前文帳到京，僧尼籍帳內無名者，並勒還俗。 其巡禮行腳，出入往來，一切取便。
Monks, nuns, and lay followers have practiced self-mutilation, burning arms, refining fingers, nailing limbs, wearing bells and lamps, heterodox rites, false claims of miracles, holy water, and demonic illusions to dazzle the masses—all such practices are henceforth forbidden. Such persons shall be severely punished, exiled in stages to remote regions, and forced back to lay life; serious crimes shall be punished under the penal code. Each year two monk registers shall be compiled—one for the throne, one for the Bureau of Sacrifices. After the fifteenth of the fourth month counties shall report monk and nun counts to the prefecture, which shall compile them; by the end of the fifth month registers must reach the capital, and anyone not listed shall be forced back to lay life. Pilgrimage and itinerant travel may proceed without restriction.
13
是歲，諸道供到帳籍，所存寺院凡二千六百九十四所，廢寺院凡三萬三百三十六，僧尼系籍者六萬一千二百人。 戊寅，以刑部侍郎邊光範為戶部侍郎，以前御史中丞裴巽為刑部侍郎。 己卯，刑部員外郎陳渥賜死，坐檢齊州臨邑縣民田失實也。 渥為人清苦，臨事有守，以微累而當極刑，時論惜之。 戊子，以沙州留後曹元忠為沙州節度使、檢校太尉、同平章事。 丙申，禮部侍郎竇儀奏，請廢童子、明經二科及條貫考試次第，從之。
That year the circuits reported registers showing 2,694 monasteries retained, 30,336 abolished, and 61,200 registered monks and nuns. On wuyin Bian Guangfan (Vice Minister of Punishments) became Vice Minister of Revenue, and former Censor-in-Chief Pei Xun became Vice Minister of Punishments. On jimao Chen Wo, vice director of the Ministry of Punishments, was sentenced to death for falsifying his report on civilian fields in Linyi county, Qizhou. Wo lived plainly and held firm in office, yet for a minor offense he suffered capital punishment, and public opinion mourned him. On wuzi acting Shazhou commissioner Cao Yuanzhong was appointed Shazhou military governor, honorary Grand Preceptor, and concurrent chief councilor. On bingshen Vice Minister of Rites Dou Yi asked to abolish the Child Prodigy and Clarified Classics examinations and their examination regulations; the request was approved.
14
六月己酉，以曹州節度使韓通充西南面行營都虞候。 丙辰，以亳州防禦使陳思讓為邢州留後。 庚申，詔：「兩京及諸道府州，不得奏薦留守判官、兩使判官、少尹、防禦團練軍事判官，如是隨幕已曾任此職者聽奏。 防禦團練刺史州，各置推官一員。」 辛酉，廢景州為定遠軍。 癸亥，以前延州節度使袁鳷為滄州節度使，以前邢州節度使田景鹹為鄧州節度使。
On jiyou in the sixth month Caozhou commissioner Han Tong was named chief adjutant of the southwestern field army. On bingchen Bozhou defense commissioner Chen Sirang was appointed acting Xingzhou commissioner. On gengshen an edict ordered: “The Two Capitals and all circuits may not recommend acting commissioners’ aides, bureau aides, vice prefects, or defense and training aides—except those who have already held such posts on a commissioner’s staff. Each defense, training, and prefectural state shall appoint one investigating official.” On xinyou Jingzhou was abolished and redesignated Dingyuan Army. On guihai former Yanzhou commissioner Yuan Zhi took Cangzhou, and former Xingzhou commissioner Tian Jingxian took Dengzhou.
15
秋七月丁卯朔，以鳳翔節度使王景兼西南面行營都招討使，以宣徽南院使、鎮安軍節度使向訓兼西南面行營都監。 戊辰，太子太傅、魯國公和凝卒。
On the dingmao new moon of the seventh month of autumn, Fengxiang commissioner Wang Jing was named overall pacification commander of the southwestern field army, and Southern Palace Secretariat commissioner Xiang Xun (Zhen'an Army) was named overall supervisor. On wuchen Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent and Duke of Lu He Ning died.
16
八月癸卯，兵部尚書張昭、太常卿田敏等奏，議減祠祭所用犧牲之數，由是圜丘、方澤及太廟即用太牢，餘皆以羊代之。 丁未，中書侍郎、平章事、判三司景範罷判三司，加銀青光祿大夫，依前中書侍郎、平章事，進封開國伯； 以樞密院承旨張美權判三司。 辛亥，詔：「今後應有病患老弱馬，並送同州沙苑監、衛州牧馬監，就彼水草，以盡飲龁之性。」 庚子，太子太師致仕趙暉卒。 乙丑，詔曰：「今後諸處祠祭，應有牲牢、香幣、饌料、供具等，仰委本司官吏躬親檢校，務在精至。 行事儀式，依附《禮經》，大祠祭合用樂者，仍須祀前教習。 凡關祀事，宜令太常博士及監察御史用心點檢，稍或因循，必行朝典。」
On guimao in the eighth month War Minister Zhang Zhao, Imperial Sacrifices Minister Tian Min, and others proposed reducing sacrificial animals; thereafter the Circular Mound, Square Pond, and Imperial Temple retained the full offering, while all other rites used sheep instead. On dingwei Jing Fan (secretariat vice director, chief councilor, and acting director of the Three Offices) was relieved of the Three Offices post, promoted to Silver Seal Grand Master of Splendid Brightness, retained his councilor titles, and enfeoffed Founding Baron; and Military Affairs chief academician Zhang Mei was named acting director of the Three Offices. On xinhai an edict ordered: “Henceforth sick, aged, or weak horses shall be sent to the Shazhou and Weizhou pasturages to graze and recover their strength.” On gengzi retired Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent Zhao Hui died. On yichou an edict declared: “At all state sacrifices hereafter, victims, incense, offerings, and ritual implements shall be personally inspected by the responsible bureau’s officials with utmost care. Rites shall follow the Classic of Rites; where music is required at major sacrifices, it must be rehearsed beforehand. Imperial Sacrifices erudites and investigating censors shall diligently inspect all sacrificial matters; any negligence shall be punished under court law.”
17
九月丙寅朔，詔禁天下銅器，始議立監鑄錢。 癸未，以太子賓客趙上交為吏部侍郎，以吏部侍郎於德辰、司徒詡並為太子賓客。 乙酉，詔文武百僚，今後遇天清節，依近臣例各賜衣服。 辛卯，西南面招討使王景，部送所獲西川軍校姜暉已下三百人至闕。 甲午，潞州部送先擒到河東兵馬監押程支等二百人至闕。 詔所獲西川、河東軍校已下並釋之，各賜錢帛有差。
On the bingyin new moon of the ninth month bronze vessels were banned empire-wide and a mint bureau was first proposed. On guiwei Heir Apparent mentor Zhao Shangjiao became Vice Minister of Personnel, while Vice Ministers Yu Dechen and Situ Xu became Heir Apparent mentors. On yiyou an edict granted all civil and military officials festival clothing on Tianqing Day, following the precedent for close ministers. On xinmao southwestern pacification commissioner Wang Jing escorted three hundred captured Western Shu officers led by Jiang Hui to court. On jiawu Luzhou escorted two hundred previously captured Hedong officers led by military supervisor Cheng Zhi to court. An edict released all captured Western Shu and Hedong officers and granted each cash and silk in varying amounts.
18
閏月壬子，西南面招討使王景奏，大破西川賊軍於黃花谷，擒偽命都監王巒、孫韜等一千五百餘人。 〈（《九國誌·李廷珪傳》：周師攻秦、鳳，以廷珪為北路行營都統，高彥儔、呂彥珂為招討。 廷珪遣先鋒指揮使李進以兵據馬嶺，分兵出斜谷，營於白澗，將腹背以攻周師； 又遣染院使王巒領兵出唐倉，與周師遇，蜀師敗走，王巒死之。 而馬嶺、斜谷之兵聞之皆退奔，高彥儔與諸將謀退守青泥嶺。 由是秦、鳳、階、成之地，皆陷於周矣。）〉 癸丑，秦州偽命觀察判官趙比以本城降，詔以比為郢州刺史。 〈（《宋史·趙比傳》：高彥儔出師救援，未至，聞軍敗，因潰歸。 比閉門不納，召官屬諭之曰：「今中朝兵甲無敵於天下，自用師西征，戰無不勝，蜀中所遣將皆武勇者，卒皆驍健者，然殺戮遁逃之外，幾無孑遺。 我輩安忍坐受其禍，去危就安，當在今日。」 眾皆俯伏聽命，比遂以城歸順。 世宗欲命以藩鎮，宰相範質不可，乃授郢州刺史。）〉 先是，帝以西師久次，艱於糧運，命今上乘驛赴軍前，以觀攻戰之勢。 及回，具以事勢上奏，帝甚悅，至是果成功焉。 甲子，秘書少監許遜責授蔡州別駕，坐先假竇氏圖書隱而不還也。
On renzi in the intercalary month Wang Jing reported a great victory over Western Shu rebels at Huanghua Valley, capturing over 1,500 men including bogus overall supervisors Wang Luan and Sun Tao. (Jiuguo Zhi, biography of Li Tinggui: When Zhou attacked Qin and Feng, Tinggui was named northern route commander, with Gao Yanchou and Lü Yanke as pacification commissioners. Tinggui sent vanguard commander Li Jin to hold Maling, detached troops through Xiegu pass, and encamped at Baijian to attack the Zhou from front and rear; He also sent dye-house commissioner Wang Luan through Tangcang; the Shu army was defeated and Wang Luan was killed. Hearing this, the troops at Maling and Xiegu fled; Gao Yanchou and his generals planned to withdraw to Qingni Ridge. Thus Qin, Feng, Jie, and Cheng all fell to Zhou.))〉 On guichou bogus Qinzhou investigating aide Zhao Bi surrendered the city and was appointed Yingzhou prefect. (Song Shi, biography of Zhao Bi: Gao Yanchou marched to the rescue but, hearing of defeat before he arrived, fled in rout. Bi shut the gates against him and told his staff: “The central court’s arms are unmatched; since the western campaign began they have won every battle. Shu sent its bravest generals and fiercest troops—yet scarcely a man survives slaughter and flight. How can we sit still and suffer this disaster? We must leave danger for safety—today.” All bowed and obeyed, and Bi surrendered the city. Shizong wished to give him a military governorship, but Chief Minister Fan Zhi objected, and he received only the Yingzhou prefecture.))〉 Earlier, because the western army had camped long and supply was difficult, the Emperor sent the heir apparent by post relay to the front to observe the campaign. On his return he reported fully on the situation; the Emperor was greatly pleased, and success followed as he had foreseen. On jiazi library vice director Xu Xun was demoted to Caizhou vice prefect for failing to return books borrowed from the Dou family.
19
冬十月庚午，召近臣射於苑中，賜金器鞍馬有差。 辛未，成州歸順。 癸酉，以給事中王敏為工部侍郎。 戊寅，高麗國遣使朝貢。 丁丑，右散騎常侍康澄責授環州別駕，左司郎中史又元責授商州長史，左驍衛大將軍元霸責授均州別駕，右驍衛將軍林延禔責授登州長史。 澄等奉使浙中，回日以私便停留，逾時復命，故有是責。 右諫議大夫李知損配流沙門島，坐妄貢章疏，斥讟貴近，及求使兩浙故也。 己丑，前太常卿邊蔚卒。 是月始議南征。
On gengwu in the tenth month of winter the Emperor summoned close ministers to archery in the park and granted gold vessels, saddles, and horses in varying amounts. On xinwei Chengzhou submitted. On guiyou supervising secretary Wang Min was appointed Vice Minister of Works. On wuyin Koryŏ sent tribute envoys to court. On dingchou Kang Cheng (right regular attendant) was demoted to Huanzhou vice prefect; Shi Youyuan (left bureau director) to Shangzhou senior recorder; Yuan Ba (left Brave Guards general) to Junzhou vice prefect; and Lin Yanti (right Brave Guards general) to Dengzhou senior recorder. Cheng and his colleagues, returning from a mission to Zhe, had delayed for private reasons and reported late; hence the demotions. Remonstrance grandee Li Zhisun was exiled to Liushamen Island for rash memorials slandering high officials and seeking a mission to the Two Zhes. On jichou former Imperial Sacrifices Minister Bian Wei died. That month plans for the southern campaign were first discussed.
20
十一月乙未朔，以宰臣李穀為淮南道前軍行營都部署，知廬、壽等州行府事； 以許州節度使王彥超為行營副部署； 命侍衛馬軍都指揮使韓令坤等一十二將，各帶征行之號以從焉。 己亥，諭淮南州縣，詔曰：
On the yimao new moon of the eleventh month chief minister Li Gu was named overall commander of the Huainan vanguard field army with charge of the mobile headquarters at Lu, Shou, and neighboring prefectures; Xuzhou commissioner Wang Yanchao was named deputy overall commander; and twelve generals led by Palace Cavalry commander Han Lingkun were ordered to follow, each bearing a campaign title. On jihai an edict was issued to the Huainan prefectures and counties:
21
朕自纘承基構，統御寰瀛，方當恭己臨朝，誕修文德，豈欲興兵動眾，專耀武功！ 顧茲昏亂之邦，須舉吊伐之義。 蠢爾淮甸，敢拒大幫，因唐室之陵遲，接黃寇之紛亂，飛揚跋扈，垂六十年，盜據一方，僭稱偽號。 幸數朝之多事，與北境以交通，厚啟兵端，誘為邊患。 晉、漢之代，寰海未寧，而乃招納叛亡，朋助兇慝，李金全之據安陸，李守貞之叛河中，大起師徒，來為應援，攻侵高密，殺掠吏民，迫奪閩、越之封疆，塗炭湘、潭之士庶。 以至我朝啟運，東魯不庭，發兵而應接叛臣，觀釁而憑淩徐部。 沭陽之役，曲直可知，尚示包荒，猶稽問罪。 邇後維揚一境，連歲阻饑，我國家念彼災荒，大許糴易。 前後擒獲將士，皆遣放還，自來禁戢邊兵，不令侵撓。 我無所負，彼實多奸，勾誘契丹至今未已，結連並寇與我為讎，罪惡難名，人神共憤。
Having inherited the throne and ruling the realm, I ought to govern with reverence and cultivate civil virtue—how would I wish to raise armies and glory in war alone! Yet this benighted realm compels us to console the suffering and punish the guilty. You of the Huai region dare resist the great state; exploiting Tang’s decline and the Yellow Turban turmoil, you have grown arrogant for nearly sixty years, seizing territory and usurping a bogus title. Fortunate in the troubles of successive dynasties, you have dealt with the northern frontier, provoked war, and stirred border troubles. In the Jin and Han eras the realm was unsettled, yet you harbored rebels, aided villains, reinforced Li Jinquan at Anlu and Li Shouzhen at Hezhong, raided Gaomi, slaughtered officials and people, seized Min and Yue territory, and ravaged Xiang and Tan. Since our dynasty arose, eastern Lu has refused court; you sent troops to aid rebels and bullied Xuzhou whenever opportunity offered. At Shuyang right and wrong were clear; we still showed forbearance and delayed punishment. Lately the Weiyang region has suffered famine year after year; our state, mindful of the disaster, permitted large grain sales. Captured officers and soldiers were always released; our border troops were forbidden to raid. We have owed you nothing; you have been treacherous, enticing the Khitan without cease and allying with Bing raiders against us—crimes beyond naming, abhorrent to men and spirits alike.
22
今則推輪命將，鳴鼓出師，征浙右之樓船，下朗陵之戈甲，東西合勢，水陸齊攻。 吳孫皓之計窮，自當歸命； 陳叔寶之數盡，何處偷生！ 應淮南將士軍人百姓等，久隔朝廷，莫聞聲教，雖從偽俗，應樂華風，必須善擇安危，早圖去就。 如能投戈獻款，舉郡來降，具牛酒以犒師，納圭符而請命，車服玉帛豈吝旌酬，土地山河誠無愛惜。 刑賞之令，信若丹青，茍或執迷，寧免後悔。 王師所至，軍政甚明，不犯秋毫，有如時雨，百姓父老各務安居，剽擄焚燒必令禁止雲。
Now we appoint generals, beat the drums, and march: tower ships from western Zhe and arms from Langling shall converge east and west, attacking by land and sea together. When Sun Hao of Wu was at his wits’ end, he submitted; when Chen Shubao’s fate was spent, where could he hide! Officers, soldiers, and people of Huainan, long cut off from court though you follow a bogus regime, should welcome Chinese civilization, weigh safety and danger wisely, and decide your course early. If you cast down arms and submit whole prefectures, offering oxen and wine to reward our troops and jade tallies to swear allegiance—carriages, robes, jade, and silk we shall not withhold, nor lands and rivers begrudge. Punishment and reward shall be as sure as written law; cling to delusion and you will regret it. Where the imperial army goes discipline shall be strict, harming not a hair, gentle as timely rain; the people shall live in peace, and plunder and burning are strictly forbidden.
23
高麗國王王昭加開府儀同三司、檢校太尉，依前使持節元菟州都督、大義軍使，王如故。 辛亥，以前滄州節度使李暉為邠州節度使。 壬子，潞州奏，破河東賊軍於祁縣。 癸丑，西南面行營都部署王景奏，收復鳳州，獲偽命節度使王環。 乙卯。 曲赦秦、鳳、階、成等州管內罪人，自顯德二年十一月已前，凡有罪犯，無問輕重，一切釋放。 丁巳，前邠州節度使折從阮卒。 己未，邢州奏，河東劉崇死。 壬戌，淮南前軍都部署李穀奏，先鋒都指揮使白延遇破淮賊於來遠鎮。
Koryŏ King Wang Zhao was promoted to honorary Grand Preceptor with Grand Master of the Office with Equal Ceremony to the Three Excellencies, retaining his commission as Yuantu prefect and Dayi Army commissioner; his kingship was unchanged. On xinhai former Cangzhou commissioner Li Hui was appointed Binzhou commissioner. On renzi Luzhou reported defeating Hedong rebel troops at Qixian. On guichou southwestern field army commander Wang Jing reported recovering Fengzhou and capturing bogus commissioner Wang Huan. On yimao. A partial amnesty was granted for criminals in Qin, Feng, Jie, Cheng, and related prefectures: all offenses before the eleventh month of Xiande 2, whatever their severity, were pardoned. On dingsi former Binzhou commissioner Zhe Congruan died. On jiwei Xingzhou reported that Liu Chong of Hedong had died. On renxu Huainan vanguard commander Li Gu reported that vanguard commander Bai Yanyu had defeated Huai rebels at Laiyuan town.
24
十二月丙寅，以左金吾大將軍蓋萬為右監門上將軍。 丁卯，淄州奏，前中書侍郎、同平章事景範卒。 庚午，右金吾衛上將軍王守恩卒。 辛未，安州奏，盜殺防禦使張穎。 是日，翰林學士承旨徐臺符卒。 甲戌，李穀奏，破淮賊二千人於壽州城下。 丙子，以左諫議大夫、權知開封府事王樸為左散騎常侍，充端明殿學士，依前權知開封府事。 永興軍奏，節度使劉詞卒。 己卯，李穀奏，破淮賊千餘人於山口鎮。 丙戌，樞密使鄭仁誨卒。 辛卯，西南面行營都部署王景，差人部送所獲偽鳳翔節度使王環至闕。 詔釋之，仍賜鞍馬衣服，尋授右驍衛 〈（按：原本闕一字。）〉 大將軍。 是冬，命起居郎陶文舉征殘租於宋州。 文舉本酷吏也，宋民被其刑者凡數千，冤號之聲聞於道路，有悼髦之輩，不勝其刑而死者數人，物議以為不允。
On bingyin in the twelfth month left Golden Crow general Gai Wan was appointed senior right Gate Watch general. On dingmao Zizhou reported that former secretariat vice director and chief councilor Jing Fan had died. On gengwu right Golden Crow senior general Wang Shou'en died. On xinwei Anzhou reported that bandits had killed defense commissioner Zhang Ying. That same day Hanlin chief academician Xu Taifu died. On jiaxu Li Gu reported defeating two thousand Huai rebels below Shouzhou. On bingzi remonstrance grandee and acting Kaifeng mayor Wang Pu was named left regular attendant and Duanming Hall academician while retaining acting charge of Kaifeng. Yongxing Army reported that commissioner Liu Ci had died. On jimao Li Gu reported defeating over a thousand Huai rebels at Shankou town. On bingxu Military Affairs commissioner Zheng Renhui died. On xinmao southwestern field army commander Wang Jing sent men to escort captured bogus Fengxiang commissioner Wang Huan to court. An edict released him, granted saddle, horse, and clothing, and soon appointed him to the Right Brave Guards (Note: one character is missing in the original text.))〉 Great General. That winter attendant Tao Wenju was ordered to collect overdue rent in Songzhou. Wenju was a notorious harsh official; thousands in Song suffered under him, and cries of injustice filled the roads. Several youths died under his punishments, and public opinion condemned the methods as unjust.