1
高行周，字尚質，幽州人也。 生於媯州懷戎軍之雕窠裏。 曾祖順厲，世戍懷戎。 父思繼，昆仲三人，俱雄豪有武幹，聲馳朔方。 唐武皇之平幽州也，表劉仁恭為帥，仍留兵以戍之。 以思繼兄為先鋒都將、媯州刺史，思繼為中軍都將、順州刺史，思繼弟為後軍都將，昆仲分掌燕兵。 部下士伍，皆山北之豪也，仁恭深憚之。 武皇將歸，私謂仁恭曰：「高先鋒兄弟，勢傾州府，為燕患者，必此族也，宜善籌之。」 久之，太原戍軍恣橫，思繼兄弟制之以法，所殺者多。 太祖怒，詬讓仁恭，乃訴以高氏兄弟，遂並遇害。 仁恭因以先鋒子行珪為牙將，諸子並列帳下，厚撫之以慰其心。 時行周十餘歲，亦補職，在仁恭左右。 行珪別有傳，在《唐書》。
Gao Xingzhou, whose courtesy name was Shangzhi, came from Youzhou. He was born at Diaoke, in the Huairou garrison of Guizhou. His great-grandfather Shunli had served for generations as garrison troops at Huairou. His father Siji was one of three brothers, all fierce warriors with outstanding military ability whose fame rang across the northern frontier. When Emperor Wu of Tang subdued Youzhou, he had Liu Rengong appointed military commissioner and left a garrison force behind. The eldest brother was named vanguard commander and military governor of Guizhou; Siji took the central army and the governorship of Shunzhou, while the youngest brother was appointed rear-army commander. The three brothers between them controlled the Yan forces. The troops beneath them were all fierce champions from north of the passes, and Liu Rengong held them in deep dread. When the emperor was preparing to withdraw, he took Rengong aside and said, "The Gao brothers of the vanguard overshadow the whole prefecture. If anyone is going to bring trouble to Yan, it will be that family. You must deal with them wisely." In time the Taiyuan garrison grew arrogant and lawless. The Siji brothers enforced discipline upon them, and many were executed. The founding emperor flew into a rage and upbraided Rengong, who then laid the blame on the Gao brothers. They were all put to death. Rengong therefore appointed the vanguard's son Xinggui as a guard officer, brought all the sons into his own retinue, and treated them generously to win their hearts. Xingzhou was then barely in his teens; he too was given a post and served at Rengong's side. Xinggui has his own biography in the 《Book of Tang》.
2
及莊宗收燕，以行周隸明宗帳下，常與唐末帝分率牙兵。 明宗征燕，率其下擁從。 鄉人趙德鈞謂明宗曰：「行周心甚謹厚，必享貴位。」 梁將劉鄩之據莘也，與太原軍對壘，旦夕轉鬥。 嘗一日，兩軍成列，元行欽為敵軍追躡，劍中其面，血戰未解。 行周以麾下精騎突陣解之，行欽獲免。 莊宗方寵行欽，召行周撫諭賞勞，而欲置之帳下，又念於明宗帳下已奪行欽，更取行周，恐傷其意，密令人以利祿誘之。 行周辭曰：「總管用人，亦為國家，事總管猶事王也。 余家昆仲，脫難再生，承總管之厚恩，忍背之乎！」 及兩軍屯於河上，覘知梁軍自汴入楊村寨，明宗晨至斗門，設伏將邀之，眾寡不敵，反為所乘。 時矛槊叢萃，勢甚危蹙。 行周聞之，出騎橫擊梁軍，遂得解去。 明宗之襲鄆州也，行周為前鋒。 會夜分澍雨，人無進誌，行周曰：「此天贊也，彼必無備。」 是夜，涉河入東城，比曙平之。 莊宗平河南，累加檢校太保，領端州刺史。 同光末，出守絳州。 明宗即位，特深委遇。 天成中，從王晏球圍定州，敗王都，擒禿諾，皆有功。 賊平，遷潁州團練使。 長興初，以北邊鄰戎王，用為振武節度使。 明年，以河西用軍，移鎮延安。 清泰初，改潞州節度使。 晉祖建義於太原，唐末帝命張敬達征之，行周與符彥卿為左右排陣使。 契丹主入援太原也，行周、彥卿引騎拒之，尋為契丹所敗，遂與敬達保晉安寨，累月救軍不至。 楊光遠欲圖敬達，行周知之，引壯士護之。 敬達性戇，不知其營護，謂人曰：「行周每踵余後，其意何也？」 繇是不復敢然，敬達遂為光遠所害。
When Emperor Zhuangzong reconquered Yan, Xingzhou was assigned to Emperor Mingzong's retinue and often shared command of the guard troops with the Last Emperor of Tang. When Mingzong marched against Yan, he led his men in close attendance. A fellow townsman, Zhao Dejun, told Mingzong, "Xingzhou is deeply sincere and steady in character. He is bound to rise to great eminence." When the Liang general Liu Yan held Xin, he faced the Taiyuan army in a standoff and skirmished from morning to night. On one occasion, as the two armies drew up in battle order, Yuan Xingqin was chased by the enemy. A sword cut his face, and the bloody struggle went on without respite. Xingzhou led his finest horsemen in a charge through the enemy formation and broke the encirclement, and Xingqin was saved. Zhuangzong was then showering favor on Xingqin. He summoned Xingzhou to praise and reward him and wished to bring him into his own retinue. Yet he reflected that he had already lured Xingqin away from Mingzong; to take Xingzhou as well might wound Mingzong's feelings, so he secretly sent an envoy to tempt him with wealth and office. Xingzhou refused, saying, "The commander-in-chief appoints men for the state's sake as well. To serve the commander-in-chief is to serve the throne. My family and brothers were given a new life after escaping ruin. We owe the commander-in-chief a profound debt of gratitude—how could I turn my back on him!" While the two armies were encamped along the Yellow River, scouts reported that the Liang forces had entered Yangjia village from Bian. Mingzong reached Dou Gate at dawn and laid an ambush to cut them off, but his numbers were too few and he was instead caught at a disadvantage. Spears and halberds closed in from every side, and the situation grew desperately tight. When Xingzhou heard what had happened, he led his cavalry out in a flanking charge against the Liang army, and Mingzong was able to break free. When Mingzong stormed Yanzhou, Xingzhou led the vanguard. At midnight a downpour began, and the men lost all heart for advancing. Xingzhou said, "Heaven is on our side. The enemy will surely be caught off guard." That night they forded the river and entered the eastern city. By dawn the place was pacified. After Zhuangzong pacified Henan, Xingzhou was repeatedly promoted, eventually to honorary Grand Guardian, and was made military governor of Duanzhou. Near the end of the Tongguang era he was sent out to hold Jiangzhou. When Mingzong came to the throne, he placed exceptional trust in Xingzhou. During the Tiancheng era he followed Wang Yanqiu in the siege of Dingzhou, helped defeat Wang Du, and took part in capturing Tuo Nuo, distinguishing himself in each action. After the rebels were crushed, he was made regimental commissioner of Yingzhou. Early in the Changxing era, because the northern frontier bordered the Rong and Wang tribes, he was appointed military commissioner of Zhenwu. The following year, with military operations under way in Hexi, he was transferred to Yan'an. Early in the Qingtai era he was made military commissioner of Luzhou. When the founding emperor of Jin raised his banner at Taiyuan, the Last Emperor of Tang sent Zhang Jingda against him. Xingzhou and Fu Yanqing served as the left and right battle-array commanders. When the Khitan ruler marched in to relieve Taiyuan, Xingzhou and Yanqing led their cavalry out to block him but were soon defeated. They then held Jin'an stockade with Jingda, and for months no relief force arrived. Yang Guangyuan plotted against Jingda. Xingzhou learned of it and led picked warriors to guard him. Jingda was a blunt man and did not realize he was being guarded. He said to others, "Xingzhou is always at my heels—what is he after?" After that Yang no longer dared to act—but Jingda was still killed by the traitor Guangyuan.
3
晉祖入洛，令行周還藩，加同平章事。 晉祖都汴，以行周為西京留守，未幾，移鄴都。 晉祖幸鄴，會安從進叛，命行周為襄州行營都部署。 明年秋，平定漢南。 晉少帝嗣位，加兼侍中，移鎮睢陽。 開運初，從幸澶淵，拒敵於河上。 車駕還京，代景延廣為侍衛親軍都指揮使，移鄆州節度使。 時李彥韜為侍衛都虞候，可否在己。 行周雖典禁兵，心遊事外，退朝歸第，門宇翛然，賓友過從，但引滿而已。 尋改歸德軍節度使，以李守貞代掌兵柄，許行周歸藩。 晉軍降於中渡也，少帝命行周與符彥卿同守澶州。 契丹入汴，召赴京師，會草寇攻宋州急，遣行周歸鎮。 〈（《宋史·高懷德傳》：杜重威降契丹，京東諸州群盜大起，懷德堅壁清野，敵不能入，行周率兵歸鎮，敵遂解去。）〉 及契丹主死於欒城，契丹將蕭翰立許王李從益知南朝軍國事，遣死士召行周，辭之以疾，退謂人曰：「衰世難輔，況兒戲乎！」
When the founding emperor of Jin entered Luoyang, he ordered Xingzhou back to his post and made him co-equal to the Secretariat-Chancellery. When the founding emperor of Jin established his capital at Bian, he made Xingzhou regent of the western capital. Before long he was transferred to the Ye capital. When the founding emperor of Jin visited Ye, An Congjin rebelled, and Xingzhou was appointed overall commander of the Xiangzhou field headquarters. The following autumn the south of Han was pacified. When the young emperor of Jin succeeded, Xingzhou was additionally made Palace Attendant and transferred to Suiyang. Early in the Kaiyun era he accompanied the emperor to Chanyuan and held the enemy on the Yellow River. When the emperor returned to the capital, he replaced Jing Yanguang as commander of the palace guard and was made military commissioner of Yanzhou. At that time Li Yantao was deputy commander of the palace guard, and every decision rested in his hands alone. Although Xingzhou commanded the palace guard, his mind was elsewhere. After court he would return home to a house kept quiet and spare, and when guests and friends called he did nothing but raise his cup. Soon he was made military commissioner of the Guide Army. Li Shouzhen took over command of the troops, and Xingzhou was allowed to return to his post. When the Jin army surrendered at Zhongdu, the young emperor ordered Xingzhou and Fu Yanqing to hold Chanyuan together. When the Khitan entered Bian, he was summoned to the capital. Bandits were pressing Songzhou hard, so he was sent back to his post. (From the Biography of Gao Huaide in the 《History of Song》: When Du Chongwei surrendered to the Khitan, bandits rose everywhere across the eastern capital region. Huaide fortified the walls and cleared the countryside so the enemy could not break in. Xingzhou led his troops back to his post, and the enemy then withdrew.)〉 When the Khitan ruler died at Luancheng, the Khitan general Xiao Han installed Prince Xu Li Congyi to oversee the southern court's military and civil affairs and sent picked warriors to summon Xingzhou. He pleaded illness and declined. In private he said, "A dying age is hard to serve—how much less a child's game!"
4
子懷德，皇朝駙馬都尉、宋州節度使。
His son Huaide served the present dynasty as imperial son-in-law and military commissioner of Songzhou.
5
安審琦，字國瑞，其先沙陀部人也。 祖山盛，朔州牢城都校，贈太傅。 父金全，安北都護、振武軍節度使，累贈太師，《唐書》有傳。 審琦性驍果，善騎射，幼以良家子事莊宗為義直軍使，遷本軍指揮使。 天成初，唐末帝由潞邸出鎮河中，奏審琦為牙兵都校，未幾，入為歸化指揮使。 王師伐蜀，充行營馬軍都指揮使，及凱旋，改龍武右廂都校，領富州刺史。 清泰初，為捧聖指揮使，領順化軍節度使。 其年鎮邢州，兼北面行營排軍陣使，從張敬達圍太原。 及楊光遠舉晉安寨降於晉祖，審琦亦預焉。 晉祖踐阼，加檢校太傅、同平章事，充天平軍節度使兼侍衛馬步軍都指揮使，旋以母喪起復。 天福三年，就加檢校太尉，尋改晉昌軍節度使、京兆尹。 七年，移鎮河中。 晉少帝嗣位，加檢校太師。 開運末，朝廷以北戎入寇，以審琦為北面行營馬軍左右廂都指揮使，與諸將會兵於洺州。 俄而敵騎大至，時皇甫遇、慕容彥超亦預其行，乃率所部兵與敵戰於安陽河上。 時遇馬為流矢所中，勢已危蹙，諸將相顧，莫有敢救者。 審琦謂首將張從恩曰：「皇甫遇等未至，必為敵騎所圍，若不急救，則為擒矣。」 從恩曰：「敵勢甚盛，無以枝梧，將軍獨往何益？」 審琦曰：「成敗命也，若不濟，與之俱死，假令失此二將，何面目以見天子！」 遂率鐵騎北渡。 敵見塵起，謂救兵至，乃引去。 遂救遇與彥超而還。 晉少帝嘉之，加兼侍中，移領許州，未幾，移鎮兗海。
An Shenqi, whose courtesy name was Guorui, was descended from the Shatuo tribe. His grandfather Shansheng had been commandant of the Laocheng garrison in Shuozhou and was posthumously honored as Grand Tutor. His father Jinquan had been protector-general of Anbei and military commissioner of the Zhenwu Army and was repeatedly posthumously honored as Grand Preceptor. He has a biography in the 《Book of Tang》. Shenqi was bold and resolute by nature and excelled at horsemanship and archery. As a youth from a good family he entered Zhuangzong's service as commissioner of the Yizhi Army and rose to command that army. Early in Tiancheng, when the Last Emperor of Tang left the Lu residence to take up the Hezhong command, he recommended Shenqi as chief of the guard troops. Before long Shenqi entered court as commander of the Guihua Army. When the imperial army marched against Shu, he served as commander of the field headquarters cavalry. After the victorious return he was made chief of the right wing of the Dragon Martial Army and given charge of Fuzhou. Early in Qingtai he was made commander of the Sacred Guard and military commissioner of the Shunhua Army. That same year he governed Xingzhou and also served as northern field headquarters battle-array commander, following Zhang Jingda in the siege of Taiyuan. When Yang Guangyuan surrendered Jin'an stockade to the founding emperor of Jin, Shenqi was among those who went over with him. When the founding emperor of Jin took the throne, Shenqi was made honorary Grand Tutor and co-equal to the Secretariat-Chancellery, appointed military commissioner of the Tianping Army and commander of the palace horse and foot armies. He was soon recalled from mourning for his mother. In the third year of Tianfu he was further made honorary Grand Commandant and soon transferred to military commissioner of the Jinchang Army and metropolitan governor of Jingzhao. In the seventh year he was transferred to Hezhong. When the young emperor of Jin succeeded, he was made honorary Grand Preceptor. Late in Kaiyun, with the northern barbarians invading, the court appointed Shenqi commander of the left and right wings of the northern field headquarters cavalry. He joined the other generals in assembling troops at Mingzhou. Before long the enemy cavalry arrived in force. Huangfu Yu and Murong Yanchao were also on the march, and he led his troops to fight the enemy on the Anyang River. Yu's horse was struck by a stray arrow, and the situation was already desperate. The generals looked at one another, but none dared go to his aid. Shenqi said to the chief general Zhang Congen, "Huangfu Yu and the others have not yet come up. The enemy cavalry will surely surround them. If we do not rescue them at once, they will be taken." Congen said, "The enemy is too strong for us to hold. What good will it do if you go alone, General?" Shenqi said, "Success or failure is in heaven's hands. If we fail, I shall die with them. If we lose these two generals, what face will we have when we see the Son of Heaven!" He then led his iron cavalry north across the river. The enemy saw the dust rising and thought relief troops had arrived, so they withdrew. He rescued Yu and Yanchao and returned with them. The young emperor of Jin praised his deed, additionally made him Palace Attendant, transferred him to Xuzhou, and before long moved him to Yanhai.
6
漢有天下，授襄州節度使、兼中書令。 屬荊人叛命，潛遣舟師數千屠襄、郢，審琦禦之而遁，朝廷賞功，就加守太保，進封齊國公。 歲餘，又加守太傅。 國初，封南陽王。 顯德初，進封陳王。 世宗嗣位，加守太尉。 三年，拜章請覲，優詔許之，加守太師，增食邑至一萬五百戶，食實封二千三百戶。 審琦鎮襄、沔僅一紀，嚴而不殘，威而不暴，故南邦之民甚懷其惠。 五年，移平盧軍節度使，承詔赴鎮，因朝於京師，世宗以國之元老，禮遇甚厚，車駕親幸其第以寵之。 六年正月七日夜，為其隸人安友進、安萬合所害，時年六十三。 初，友進與審琦之愛妾私通，有年數矣。 其妾常慮事泄見誅，因與友進謀害審琦，友進甚有難色。 其妾曰：「爾若不從，我當反告。」 友進乃許之。 至是夕，審琦沈醉，寢於帳中，其妾乃取審琦所枕劍與友進，友進猶惶駭不敢剚刃，遽召其黨安萬合，便殺審琦。 既而慮事泄，乃引其帳下數妓，盡殺以滅其跡。 不數日，友進等竟敗，悉為子守忠臠而戮之。 世宗聞之震悼，輟視朝三日，詔贈尚書令，追封齊王。
When the Han dynasty held the realm, he was appointed military commissioner of Xiangzhou and concurrently Secretariat Director. When the people of Jing rebelled, they secretly sent several thousand warships to sack Xiang and Ying. Shenqi drove them off, and the court rewarded his merit by immediately making him acting Grand Guardian and advancing him to Duke of Qi. A little more than a year later he was further made acting Grand Tutor. At the founding of the dynasty he was enfeoffed as Prince of Nanyang. Early in Xiande he was advanced to Prince of Chen. When Shizong succeeded, he was made acting Grand Commandant. In the third year he submitted a memorial asking to come to court. An edict graciously granted his request, made him acting Grand Preceptor, increased his fief to ten thousand five hundred households, and gave him two thousand three hundred actual fief households. Shenqi governed Xiang and Mian for nearly twelve years. He was strict but not cruel, awe-inspiring but not violent, and the people of the south deeply cherished his kindness. In the fifth year he was transferred to military commissioner of the Pinglu Army. He received the edict and set out for his post, stopping at the capital on the way to pay court. Shizong treated him, as an elder statesman of the realm, with exceptional courtesy, and the emperor himself visited his residence to honor him. On the night of the seventh day of the first month of the sixth year he was murdered by his retainers An Youjin and An Wanhe. He was sixty-three. Earlier, Youjin had been carrying on a secret affair with Shenqi's favorite concubine for several years. The concubine constantly feared that if the affair came out she would be executed, so she plotted with Youjin to kill Shenqi. Youjin was deeply reluctant. The concubine said, "If you refuse, I shall turn and inform on you instead." Youjin then agreed. That night Shenqi was drunk and asleep in his tent. The concubine took the sword he kept under his pillow and gave it to Youjin. Youjin was still terrified and did not dare strike, so he hastily summoned his accomplice An Wanhe, and together they killed Shenqi. Then, fearing the affair would come out, they brought several singing girls from the tent and killed them all to destroy the evidence. Within a few days Youjin and the others were exposed and defeated. Shenqi's son Shouzhong had them all dismembered and executed. When Shizong heard the news he was shaken with grief, suspended court for three days, and by edict posthumously honored Shenqi as Director of the Imperial Secretariat and enfeoffed him posthumously as King of Qi.
7
守忠仕皇朝，累為郡守。
Shouzhong served the present dynasty and repeatedly held prefectural governorships.
8
安審暉，字明遠，審琦之兄也。 起家自長直軍使，轉外衙左廂軍使。 從莊宗平幽、薊，戰山東，定河南，皆預其功。 同光中，授蔚州刺史。 天成初，改汝州防禦副使，歷鳳翔徐州節度副使、河東行軍司馬。 晉高祖龍飛，以霸府上僚授振武兵馬留後，遷河陽節度使，不逾月移鎮鄜州，丁內艱，起復視事。 五年，李金全據安州叛，詔馬全節為都部署，領兵討之，以審暉為副。 安睦平，移鎮鄧州，進位檢校太傅。 六年冬，襄州安從進叛，舉漢南之眾北攻南陽。 南陽素無城壁，唯守衙城，賊傅城下，審暉登陴，召賊帥以讓之，從進不克而退。 襄州平，就加檢校太尉。 少帝嗣位，加檢校太師，罷鎮，授右羽林統軍。 歲餘，出鎮上黨，屬契丹內侵，授邢州節度使。 居無何，目疾暴作，上章求代，歸於京師，養疾累年。 太祖即位，召於內殿，從容顧問，尤所嘆重。 將以祿起之，審暉辭以暮齒，願就頤養。 拜太子太師致仕，封魯國公，累食邑五千戶，實封四百戶。 廣順二年春卒，年六十三。 廢朝二日，詔贈侍中，謚曰靜。
An Shenhui, whose courtesy name was Mingyuan, was Shenqi's elder brother. He began his career as commissioner of the Changzhi Army and rose to command the left wing of the outer guard. He followed Zhuangzong in pacifying You and Ji, fought in Shandong, and helped settle Henan, distinguishing himself in each campaign. During the Tongguang era he was appointed governor of Weizhou. Early in Tiancheng he was made deputy defense commissioner of Ruzhou, then served successively as deputy military commissioner of Fengxiang and Xuzhou and as field headquarters marshal of Hedong. When the high ancestor of Jin took the throne, as a senior official of the hegemon's residence he was appointed acting commander of the Zhenwu army and cavalry, made military commissioner of Heyang, and within a month transferred to Fuzhou. He went into mourning for his mother but was soon recalled to duty. In the fifth year Li Jinquan seized Anzhou and rebelled. Ma Quanjie was appointed overall commander to lead the campaign, with Shenhui as his deputy. After An and Mu were pacified, he was transferred to Dengzhou and promoted to honorary Grand Tutor. In the winter of the sixth year An Congjin of Xiangzhou rebelled and led the armies of southern Han north against Nanyang. Nanyang had never had proper walls and held only the yamen compound. When the rebels pressed the walls, Shenhui mounted the battlements, summoned the rebel leader, and rebuked him. Congjin failed to take the city and withdrew. When Xiangzhou was pacified, he was immediately made honorary Grand Commandant. When the young emperor succeeded, he was made honorary Grand Preceptor, relieved of his post, and appointed commander of the Right Feathered Forest. A little more than a year later he was sent out to govern Shangdang. When the Khitan invaded, he was appointed military commissioner of Xingzhou. Before long he was stricken with a sudden eye ailment. He submitted a memorial asking to be replaced, returned to the capital, and spent years convalescing. When Taizu took the throne, he summoned Shenhui to the inner hall, spoke with him at length, and held him in special esteem. Taizu was about to recall him to office with salary and rank, but Shenhui declined on account of his advanced years and asked to live out his days in quiet retirement. He was made Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent and retired, enfeoffed as Duke of Lu, with a cumulative fief of five thousand households and four hundred actual fief households. He died in the spring of the second year of Guangshun, aged sixty-three. Court was suspended for two days. By edict he was posthumously honored as Palace Attendant and given the posthumous name Jing.
9
子守鏻，仕皇朝為贊善大夫。
His son Shoulian served the present dynasty as gentleman attendant.
10
安審信，字行光，審琦之從父兄也。 父金祐，世為沙陀部偏裨，名聞邊塞。 審信習騎射。 從父金全，天成初，為振武節度使，補為牙將。 俄而兄審通為滄州節度使，用為衙內都虞候，歷同、陜、許三州馬步軍都指揮使。 晉祖起義於太原，唐末帝命張敬達以兵攻之，而審信率先以部下兵遁入并州，晉祖以其故人，得之甚悅。 其妻與二子在京師，皆為唐末帝所戮，但貸其老母而已。 契丹既降晉安寨，晉高祖以審信為汾州刺史、檢校太保，充馬步軍副部署。 晉祖入洛，授河中節度使、檢校太尉、同平章事。 審信性既翻覆，率多疑忌，在蒲中時，每王人告諭，騎從稍多，必潛設備，以防其圖己。 尋歷許、兗州鎮，所至以聚斂為務，民甚苦之。 會朝廷謀大舉北伐，凡藩侯皆預將帥，以審信為馬步軍右廂都排陣使，俄改華州節度使。 漢初，移鎮同州，入為左衛上將軍。 國初，轉右金吾上將軍。 三年夏四月，太祖禦乾元殿入閣，審信不赴班位，為御史所彈，詔釋之。 時審信久病，神情恍惚，聞臺司奏劾，揚言曰：「趨朝偶晚，未是大過，何用彈舉！ 我終進奉二萬緡，盡逐此乞索兒輩。」 未幾，以病請退，授太子太師致仕。 是歲秋卒，年六十。 贈侍中，謚曰成穆。
An Shenxin, whose courtesy name was Xingguang, was Shenqi's elder cousin. His father Jinyou had for generations served the Shatuo as a junior officer, and his name was known on the frontier. Shenxin trained in horsemanship and archery. His cousin Jinquan was military commissioner of Zhenwu early in Tiancheng, and Shenxin was appointed a guard officer in his retinue. Soon his elder brother Shentong became military commissioner of Cangzhou and made him deputy commander of the inner guard. He then served successively as commander of the horse and foot armies of Tong, Shan, and Xu. When the founding emperor of Jin raised his banner at Taiyuan, the Last Emperor of Tang sent Zhang Jingda against him. Shenxin was the first to defect with his troops into Bingzhou. The founding emperor of Jin, recognizing an old acquaintance, was greatly pleased. His wife and two sons in the capital were all executed by the Last Emperor of Tang. Only his aged mother was spared. After the Khitan reduced Jin'an stockade, the high ancestor of Jin appointed Shenxin governor of Fenzhou and honorary Grand Guardian and made him deputy commander of the horse and foot armies. When the founding emperor of Jin entered Luoyang, he made Shenxin military commissioner of Hezhong, honorary Grand Commandant, and co-equal to the Secretariat-Chancellery. Shenxin was fickle by nature and habitually suspicious. While at Puzhong, whenever imperial envoys arrived, if their mounted escort was even slightly large he would secretly take precautions, fearing a plot against him. Soon he governed Xu and Yan in succession. Wherever he went he made exaction his chief business, and the people suffered greatly. When the court planned a major northern campaign, all the regional lords were named among the commanders. Shenxin was made overall battle-array commander of the right wing of the horse and foot armies and soon was made military commissioner of Huazhou. Early in the Han dynasty he was transferred to Tongzhou and then entered court as general of the Left Guard. At the founding of the dynasty he was transferred to general of the Right Golden Crow. In the fourth month of summer of the third year Taizu held court at the Qianyuan Hall for the inner audience. Shenxin failed to take his place in the ranks and was impeached by the censorate, but an edict pardoned him. Shenxin had long been ill and his mind was clouded. When he heard of the censorate's impeachment he declared aloud, "Arriving at court a little late is no great fault. Why impeach me! I will eventually present twenty thousand strings of cash and drive out all these beggarly fellows." Before long he requested retirement on grounds of illness and was made Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent and retired. He died that autumn, aged sixty. He was posthumously honored as Palace Attendant and given the posthumous name Chengnu.
11
李從敏，字叔達，唐明宗之猶子也。 沈厚寡言，善騎射，多計數。 初，莊宗召見，試弓馬，用為衙內馬軍指揮使，從平汴、洛，補帳前都指揮使，遷捧聖都將。 明宗移鎮真定，表為成德軍馬步軍都指揮使。 從明宗入洛，補皇城使，出為陜府節度使。 王都據定州叛，命王晏球為招討使，率師討之，以從敏為副，領滄州節度使。 王都平，移授定州。 尋代範延光為成德軍節度使，加檢校太尉，封涇王。 鎮州有市人劉方遇，家富於財。 方遇卒，無子。 妻弟田令遵者，幼為方遇治財，善殖貨，劉族乃共推令遵為方遇子，親族共立券書，以為誓信。 累年後，方遇二女取資於令遵不如意，乃訟令遵冒姓，奪父家財，從敏令判官陸浣鞫其獄，而殺令遵。 〈（《北夢瑣言》云：鎮州市人劉方遇，家財數十萬。 方遇妻田氏蚤卒，田之妹為尼，常出入方遇家，方遇使尼長發為繼室。 有田令遵者，方遇之妻弟也，善貨殖，方遇以所積財令令遵興殖焉。 方遇有子年幼，二女皆嫁。 方遇疾卒，子幼不能督家業，方遇妻及二女以家財素為令遵興殖，乃聚族合謀，請以令遵姓劉，為方遇繼嗣，即令鬻券人安美為親族請嗣。 券書既定，乃遣令遵服斬衰居喪。 而二女初立令遵時，先邀每月供財二萬，及後求取無厭，而石、李二女夫使二女詣本府論訴，雲令遵冒姓，奪父家財，令遵下獄。 石、李二夫族與本府要吏親黨，上至府帥判官、行軍司馬、隨使都押衙，各受方遇二女賂錢數千緡，而以令遵與姊及書券安美同情共盜，俱棄市，人知其冤。）〉 令遵父詣臺訴冤，詔本州節度副使符蒙、掌書記徐臺符鞫之，備明奸狀。 及詰二女，伏行賂於節度使趙環、代判高知柔、觀察判官陸浣，並捕下獄，具服贓罪。 事連從敏，甚懼，乃令其妻赴洛陽，入宮告王淑妃。 明宗知之，怒曰：「朕用從敏為節度使，而枉法殺人，我羞見百官，又令新婦奔赴，不須見吾面。」 時王淑妃頗庇護之，趙環等三人竟棄市，從敏等止於罰俸而已。 〈（《北夢瑣言》：從敏初欲削官，中宮哀祈，竟罰一年俸。）〉
Li Congmin, whose courtesy name was Shuda, was a nephew of Emperor Mingzong of Tang. He was deep and taciturn, skilled in horsemanship and archery, and full of stratagems. At first Zhuangzong summoned him, tested his bow and horsemanship, and made him commander of the inner guard cavalry. He followed in pacifying Bian and Luo, was appointed commander before the tent, and rose to colonel of the Sacred Guard. When Mingzong moved his command to Zhending, he recommended Congmin as commander of the horse and foot armies of the Chengde Army. He followed Mingzong into Luoyang, was appointed commissioner of the Imperial City, and was then sent out as military commissioner of the Shan prefecture. When Wang Du held Dingzhou and rebelled, Wang Yanqiu was appointed pacification commissioner to lead the campaign, with Congmin as his deputy and concurrent military commissioner of Cangzhou. After Wang Du was crushed, Congmin was transferred to Dingzhou. Soon he replaced Fan Yanguang as military commissioner of the Chengde Army, was made honorary Grand Commandant, and enfeoffed as Prince of Jing. In Zhenzhou there was a townsman named Liu Fangyu whose family was very wealthy. Fangyu died without a son. His wife's younger brother Tian Lingzun had managed Fangyu's finances from youth and was skilled at increasing wealth. The Liu clan then jointly urged that Lingzun be adopted as Fangyu's son, and the kin drew up a written bond as sworn proof. Years later Fangyu's two daughters, dissatisfied with the funds they received from Lingzun, sued him for falsely taking the Liu surname and seizing their father's estate. Congmin ordered his judicial officer Lu Huan to try the case and had Lingzun executed. (The 《Miscellaneous Words of Northern Dreams》 says: Liu Fangyu, a townsman of Zhenzhou, had family wealth of several hundred thousand. Fangyu's wife, née Tian, died early. Tian's younger sister was a nun who often visited Fangyu's house. Fangyu had the nun let her hair grow long and made her his successor wife. There was Tian Lingzun, Fangyu's wife's younger brother, skilled at trade. Fangyu entrusted his accumulated wealth to Lingzun to increase it. Fangyu had a young son. Both daughters were already married. Fangyu died suddenly. The son was too young to manage the household. Because the family wealth had long been increased by Lingzun, Fangyu's wife and the two daughters gathered the clan in conspiracy and petitioned that Lingzun take the surname Liu as Fangyu's successor heir, with An Mei, who had drawn up the bond, petitioning the kin for the succession. Once the written bond was settled, they had Lingzun wear the hemmed sackcloth of mourning and observe the funeral rites. When the two daughters first established Lingzun, they had demanded twenty thousand in monthly support. Later their demands knew no limit. The husbands of the Shi and Li daughters sent the two daughters to the prefectural office to plead their case, saying Lingzun had falsely taken the surname and seized their father's estate. Lingzun was thrown into prison. The Shi and Li husbands' clans were kin to key officials of the prefecture, from the prefect's judicial officer and field headquarters marshal up to the chief military adjutant of the attendant mission. Each received several thousand strings in bribes from Fangyu's two daughters. Lingzun, his elder sister, and An Mei, who had drawn up the bond, were charged with conspiring to steal together and all were executed in the marketplace. People knew they had been wronged.)〉 Lingzun's father appealed to the censorate to protest the injustice. An edict ordered the deputy military commissioner Fu Meng and chief secretary Xu Taifu to try the case and fully expose the corrupt conduct. When the two daughters were questioned, they confessed to bribing the military commissioner Zhao Huan, acting judicial officer Gao Zhirou, and observation judicial officer Lu Huan. All were arrested and imprisoned and fully confessed their crimes of bribery. The affair implicated Congmin, who was greatly afraid. He sent his wife to Luoyang to enter the palace and appeal to Consort Wang Shufei. When Mingzong learned of it he said in anger, "I made Congmin a military commissioner, yet he killed a man in violation of the law. I am ashamed to face my officials. To send his new wife rushing here—she need not see my face." Consort Wang Shufei sheltered him considerably, but Zhao Huan and the other three were nevertheless executed in the marketplace. Congmin and the others were punished only by forfeiture of salary. (The 《Miscellaneous Words of Northern Dreams》: Congmin was at first to be stripped of office. The inner palace pleaded piteously on his behalf, and in the end he was fined one year's salary.)〉
12
鄭仁誨，字日新，晉陽人。 父霸，累贈太子太師。 仁誨幼事唐驍將陳紹光，恃勇使酒，嘗乘醉抽佩劍，將事刂刃於仁誨，左右無不奔避，唯仁誨端立以俟，略無懼色。 紹光因擲劍於地，謂仁誨曰：「汝有此器度，必當享人間富貴。」 及紹光典郡，仁誨累為右職。 後退歸鄉里，以色養為樂。 漢高祖之鎮河東也，太祖累就其第，與之燕語，每有質問，無不以正理為答，太祖深器之。 漢有天下，太祖初領樞務，即召為從職。 及太祖西征，嘗密贊軍機，西師凱旋，累遷至檢校吏部尚書。 太祖踐阼，旌佐命功，授檢校司空、客省使兼大內都點檢、恩州團練使，尋為樞密副使。 逾年轉宣徽北院使、右衛大將軍，出鎮澶淵，轉檢校太保，入為樞密使，加同平章事。 世宗之北征也，以仁誨為東京留守，調發軍須，供億無所闕，駕回，加兼侍中。 尋丁內艱，未幾起復。 顯德二年冬，疾亟，世宗幸其第，親加撫問，欷歔久之。 及卒，世宗親臨其喪，哭逾數舉。 是時，世宗將行，近臣奏云：「歲道非便，不宜臨喪。」 弗聽，然而先之以桃茢之事，時以為得禮。 仁誨為人端厚謙損，造次必由於禮。 及居樞務，雖權位崇重，而能孜孜接物，無自矜之色，至終，故朝廷鹹惜之。 詔贈中書令，追封韓國公，謚曰忠正。 既葬，命翰林學士陶穀撰神道碑文，官為建立，表特恩也。
Zheng Renhui, whose courtesy name was Rixin, came from Jinyang. His father Ba was repeatedly posthumously honored as Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent. In youth Renhui served the Tang fierce general Chen Shaoguang, who relied on his courage and drank heavily. Once, drunk, he drew his sword and was about to cut Renhui down. Everyone around fled, but Renhui alone stood upright and waited, showing not the slightest fear. Shaoguang thereupon threw his sword to the ground and said to Renhui, "With composure like yours, you are bound to enjoy wealth and honor in this world." When Shaoguang governed a commandery, Renhui repeatedly held senior posts. Later he retired to his home district and took pleasure in supporting his parents. When the high ancestor of Han governed Hedong, Taizu repeatedly visited his home and conversed with him at ease. Whenever questioned, Renhui answered with sound principle, and Taizu came to value him deeply. When Han held the realm, as soon as Taizu first took charge of the Bureau of Military Affairs he summoned Renhui as an attendant official. When Taizu campaigned westward, Renhui secretly advised on military affairs. When the western army returned in triumph he was repeatedly promoted, eventually to honorary Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. When Taizu took the throne he honored those who had aided his accession. Renhui was made honorary Minister of Works, commissioner of the Reception Office and overall inspector of the great inner palace, and regimental commissioner of Enzhou. Soon he was made deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. After a year he was transferred to commissioner of the Northern Court of the Palace Attendant Service and general of the Right Guard, sent out to govern Chanyuan, made honorary Grand Guardian, recalled as commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, and made co-equal to the Secretariat-Chancellery. When Shizong marched north, he made Renhui regent of the eastern capital. Renhui mobilized military supplies and provisions without any shortage. When the emperor returned, he was additionally made Palace Attendant. Soon he went into mourning for his mother. Before long he was recalled to office. In the winter of the second year of Xiande his illness grew critical. Shizong visited his home and personally comforted him, sighing with emotion for a long while. When he died, Shizong personally attended his funeral and wept long and bitterly. As Shizong was about to set out, close officials submitted, "The year's course is inauspicious. It is not fitting for Your Majesty to attend the funeral in person." He paid no heed, yet he first performed the peach-branch and reed-branch rites. At the time this was considered proper ritual observance. Renhui was upright, steady, humble, and self-restrained. Even in haste he always acted through ritual. When he held the Bureau of Military Affairs, although his power and rank were exalted, he still worked diligently in receiving others without a trace of self-conceit. To the end the whole court mourned him. By edict he was posthumously honored as Secretariat Director, enfeoffed posthumously as Duke of Han, and given the posthumous name Zhongzheng. After the burial he ordered Hanlin academician Tao Gu to compose the spirit-way inscription and had officials erect it, a mark of special favor.
13
子勛，累歷內職，蚤卒，絕嗣。 初，廣順末，王殷受詔赴闕，太祖遣仁誨赴鄴都巡檢，及殷得罪，仁誨不奉詔即殺其子，蓋利其家財妓樂也。 及仁誨卒而無後，人以為陰責焉。
His son Xun repeatedly held inner-court posts, died young, and left no heir. Earlier, at the end of Guangshun, Wang Yin received an edict to come to court. Taizu sent Renhui to inspect Ye. When Yin fell from favor, Renhui, without awaiting an edict, immediately killed Yin's son—presumably coveting his family's wealth, singing girls, and musicians. When Renhui died without an heir, people regarded it as hidden retribution.
14
張彥成，潞州潞城人也。 曾祖靜，汾州刺史。 祖述，澤州刺史。 父礪，昭義行軍司馬。 彥成初為並門牙將。 天成中，自秦州鹽鐵務官改鄆州都押牙。 漢祖鎮北門，表為行軍司馬，以隱帝娶其女，特見親愛。 從平汴、洛，累加特進、檢校太尉、同州節度使。 隱帝即位，就加同平章事。 太祖之伐河中，彥成有饋免之勞，河中平，加檢校太師。 乾祐三年冬，移鎮相州。 廣順初，就加兼侍中，尋移鎮南陽。 三年秋，代歸，授右金吾衛上將軍。 其年秋，以疾卒，年六十。 贈侍中。 〈（《宋史·楊克讓傳》：乾祐中，同州節度使張彥成表授掌書記。 周廣順初，彥成移鎮安陽、穰下，克讓以奮職從行。 彥成入為執金吾，病篤，奏稱其材可用。 克讓以彥成死未葬，不忍就祿，退居別墅，俟張氏子外除，時論稱之。）〉
Zhang Yancheng came from Lucheng in Luzhou. His great-grandfather Jing was governor of Fenzhou. His grandfather Shu was governor of Zezhou. His father Li was field headquarters marshal of Zhaoyi. Yancheng began his career as a guard officer at the Bing Gate. During Tiancheng he moved from salt and iron commissioner at Qinzhou to chief military adjutant of Yanzhou. When the ancestor of Han governed the northern gate, he recommended Yancheng as field headquarters marshal. Because the Hidden Emperor married his daughter, he was especially cherished. He followed in pacifying Bian and Luo and was repeatedly promoted to special advancement, honorary Grand Commandant, and military commissioner of Tongzhou. When the Hidden Emperor took the throne, he was immediately made co-equal to the Secretariat-Chancellery. When Taizu campaigned against Hezhong, Yancheng had the merit of supplying provisions and relief. When Hezhong was pacified he was made honorary Grand Preceptor. In the winter of the third year of Qianyou he was transferred to Xiangzhou. Early in Guangshun he was immediately made concurrent Palace Attendant and soon transferred to Nanyang. In the autumn of the third year he was replaced and returned to court, and was appointed general of the Right Golden Crow Guard. That autumn he died of illness, aged sixty. He was posthumously honored as Palace Attendant. (From the Biography of Yang Kerang in the 《History of Song》: During Qianyou, Zhang Yancheng, military commissioner of Tongzhou, recommended him as chief secretary. Early in Guangshun of Zhou, Yancheng was transferred to Anyang and Rangxia. Kerang followed him in diligent service. Yancheng entered court as commander of the Golden Crow. When his illness grew critical he submitted a memorial saying Kerang's talent should be employed. Kerang, because Yancheng had died and was not yet buried, could not bear to accept salary. He retired to a separate villa and waited until the Zhang family's mourning period had ended. Contemporary opinion praised him.)〉
15
安叔千，沙陀三部落之種也。 父懷盛，事唐武皇，以驍勇聞。 叔千習騎射，從莊宗定河南為奉安部將。 天成初，王師伐定州，命為先鋒都指揮使。 王都平，授秦州刺史，連判涿、易二郡。 清泰初，契丹寇雁門，叔千從晉祖迎戰，敗之，進位檢校太保、振武節度使。 晉祖踐阼，就加同平章事。 天福中，歷邠、滄、邢、晉四鎮節度使。 叔千鄙野而無文，當時謂之「安沒字」，言若碑碣之無篆籀，但虛有其表耳。 開運初，朝廷將大舉北伐，授行營都排陣使，俄改左金吾衛上將軍。 契丹入汴，百僚迎見於赤崗，契丹主登高岡駐馬而撫諭漢官，叔千出班國語，契丹主曰：「爾是安沒字否？ 卿比在邢州日，遠輸誠款，我至此，汝管取一吃飯處。」 叔千拜謝而退，俄授鎮國軍節度使。 漢初，遇代歸京，自以嘗附幕庭，居常愧惕，久之，授太子太師致仕，尋請告歸洛。 廣順二年冬卒，年七十二。 詔贈侍中。
An Shuqian was descended from the three Shatuo tribes. His father Huaisheng served Emperor Wu of Tang and was known for fierce courage. Shuqian trained in horsemanship and archery. He followed Zhuangzong in settling Henan and was made a colonel of the Feng'an division. Early in Tiancheng, when the imperial army marched against Dingzhou, he was appointed vanguard commander. After Wang Du was crushed, he was appointed governor of Qinzhou and concurrently judged Zhuo and Yi commanderies. Early in Qingtai the Khitan raided Yanmen. Shuqian followed the founding emperor of Jin to meet them in battle, defeated them, and was advanced to honorary Grand Guardian and military commissioner of Zhenwu. When the founding emperor of Jin took the throne, he was immediately made co-equal to the Secretariat-Chancellery. During Tianfu he served successively as military commissioner of Bin, Cang, Xing, and Jin. Shuqian was coarse and uncultured. At the time they called him "An Without Characters," meaning like a stele without seal script—only an empty surface. Early in Kaiyun the court planned a major northern campaign. He was appointed overall battle-array commander of the field headquarters and soon was made general of the Left Golden Crow Guard. When the Khitan entered Bian, the hundred officials welcomed them at Chigang. The Khitan ruler mounted a high hill, halted his horse, and comforted the Han officials. Shuqian stepped forward and spoke in the national language. The Khitan ruler said, "Are you not An Without Characters? When you were at Xingzhou you sent sincere pledges from afar. Now that I have come here, you are sure to get a place at my table." Shuqian bowed in thanks and withdrew. Soon he was appointed military commissioner of the Zhenguo Army. Early in the Han dynasty, when a replacement returned to the capital, he reflected that he had once attached himself to the Khitan court and lived in constant shame and fear. After a long while he was made Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent and retired, and soon requested leave to return to Luoyang. He died in the winter of the second year of Guangshun, aged seventy-two. By edict he was posthumously honored as Palace Attendant.
16
宋彥筠，雍丘人也。 初隸滑州軍，梁氏與莊宗夾河之戰，彥筠時為戰棹都指揮使，以勞遷開封府牙校。 莊宗有天下，擢領禁軍。 伐蜀之役，率所部從康延孝為前鋒，蜀平，歷維、渝二州刺史。 明宗在位，連典數郡。 晉初，自汝州防禦使討安從進於襄陽，以功拜鄧州節度使，累官至檢校太尉。 未幾，歷晉、陜二鎮。 晉少帝嗣位，再領鄧州，尋移鎮河中。 漢初，授太子太師致仕。 國初，拜左衛上將軍。 世宗嗣位，復為太子太師致仕。 顯德四年冬，卒於西京之私第。 輟視朝一日，詔贈侍中。
Song Yanyun came from Yongqiu. At first he served in the Huazhou army. In the battle between the Liang and Zhuangzong along the river, Yanyun commanded the war boats and was transferred for his merit to guard officer of the Kaifeng prefecture. When Zhuangzong held the realm, he was promoted to command the palace guard. In the campaign against Shu he led his troops under Kang Yanxiao as vanguard. When Shu was pacified he served successively as governor of Wei and Yu. While Mingzong reigned he governed several commanderies in succession. Early in Jin, as defense commissioner of Ruzhou he campaigned against An Congjin at Xiangyang. For his merit he was appointed military commissioner of Dengzhou and rose to honorary Grand Commandant. Before long he governed Jin and Shan in succession. When the young emperor of Jin succeeded, he again took Dengzhou and soon was transferred to Hezhong. Early in the Han dynasty he was made Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent and retired. At the founding of the dynasty he was appointed general of the Left Guard. When Shizong succeeded he again became Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent and retired. In the winter of the fourth year of Xiande he died at his private residence in the western capital. Court was suspended for one day. By edict he was posthumously honored as Palace Attendant.
17
初，彥筠入成都，據一甲第，第中資貨鉅萬，妓女數十輩，盡為其所有。 一旦，與其主母微忿，遽擊殺之，自後常有所睹，彥筠心不自安，乃修浮屠法以禳之，因而溺誌於釋氏。 其後，每歲至金仙入涅之日，常衣斬缞號慟於其像前，其佞佛也如是。 家有侍婢數十人，皆令削髮披緇，以侍左右，大為當時所誚。 又性好貨殖，能圖什一之利，良田甲第，相望於郡國。 將終，以伊、洛之間田莊十數區上進，並籍於官焉。
When Yanyun first entered Chengdu he seized a grand mansion stocked with wealth in the tens of thousands and several dozen singing girls, all of which became his. Once, after a slight quarrel with the mistress of the house, he suddenly struck and killed her. Thereafter he often had visions. Yanyun's heart was uneasy, so he practiced Buddhist rites to exorcise them and became obsessed with the Buddha's teaching. Thereafter, every year on the day when the Golden Immortal entered nirvana, he would wear hemmed sackcloth and wail before the image. Such was his devotion to Buddhism. He had several dozen maidservants at home, all of whom he had shave their heads and don black robes to attend him—a practice greatly mocked by his contemporaries. He also loved trade and could turn a ten-percent profit. Fine fields and grand mansions stretched across the commanderies. As he neared death he presented more than ten estates between the Yi and Luo rivers to the throne, and all were registered to the state.
18
史臣曰：近代領戎藩，列王爵，祿厚而君子不議，望重而人主不疑，能自晦於飲酌之間，保功名於始終之際，如行周之比者，幾何人哉！ 奕世藩翰，固亦宜然。 審琦有分閫之勞，乏禦家之道，峰摧玉折，蓋不幸也。 其餘雖擁戎旃，未聞閫政，固不足與文、召、龔、黃為比也。
The historian says: In recent times, how many men commanded a military frontier, held a princely rank, enjoyed thick salary without gentlemen's censure, carried heavy prestige without the ruler's suspicion, concealed themselves amid drinking, and preserved fame and merit from beginning to end—men like Xingzhou! Generations of frontier pillars—this was only fitting. Shenqi had the merit of sharing command of the frontier but lacked the way of governing his household. Peak shattered, jade broken—this was surely misfortune. The rest, although they bore military banners, were not known for frontier governance and surely cannot be compared with Wen, Zhao, Gong, and Huang.