1
李茂貞，本姓宋，名文通，深州博野人。 祖鐸，父端。 唐乾符中，鎮州有博野軍，宿衛京師，屯於奉天，文通時隸本軍為市巡，累遷至隊長。 黃巢犯闕，博野軍留於鳳翔，時鄭畋理兵於岐下，畋遣文通以本軍敗尚讓之眾於龍尾坡，以功為神策軍指揮使。 朱玫之亂，唐僖宗再幸興元，文通扈蹕山南，論功第一，遷檢校太保、同平章事、洋蓬壁等州節度使，賜姓，名茂貞，僖宗親為制字曰正臣。 光啟二年，王行瑜殺朱玫於京師，李昌符擁兵於岐下，詔茂貞與陳佩等討之。 三年，誅昌符，車駕還京，以茂貞為鳳翔節度使，加檢校太尉、兼待中、隴西郡王。
Li Maozhen was born Song Wentong, a native of Boye in Shenzhou. His grandfather was Duo and his father Duan. During the Qianfu reign of Tang, the Boye Army from Zhenzhou served as capital guards and was posted at Fengtian; Wentong then belonged to that unit as a market patrolman and rose in stages to company commander. When Huang Chao stormed the capital, the Boye Army stayed at Fengxiang; Zheng Tian was then marshaling forces in the Qi region and sent Wentong with his own troops to rout Shang Rang at Longwei Slope, for which he was appointed commander of the Shence Army. In Zhu Mei's revolt, when Emperor Xizong again fled to Xingyuan, Wentong escorted the court into the southern mountains and was judged foremost in merit; he was promoted to acting Grand Guardian and Tongping Zhangshi, made military commissioner of Yang, Peng, Bi and other prefectures, granted the surname Li and the name Maozhen, and given characters composed by Xizong himself reading "Loyal Minister." In the second year of Guangqi, Wang Xingyu killed Zhu Mei at the capital while Li Changfu massed troops in the Qi region; the court ordered Maozhen, Chen Pei, and others to campaign against him. The next year Changfu was put to death and the emperor returned to the capital; Maozhen was appointed military commissioner of Fengxiang and further honored as acting Grand Commandant, concurrent Palace Attendant, and Prince of Longxi.
2
大順二年，觀軍容使楊復恭得罪，奔山南，與楊守亮據興元叛，茂貞與王行瑜討平之。 詔以宰相徐彥若鎮興元，茂貞違詔，表其假子繼徽為留後，堅請旄鉞，昭宗不得已而授之。 自是茂貞恃勛恣橫，擅兵窺伺，頗幹朝政，始萌問鼎之志矣。 既而逐涇原節度使張球、洋州節度使楊守忠、鳳州刺史滿存，皆奪據其地，奏請子弟為牧伯，朝廷不能制。 大臣奏議言其過者，茂貞即上章論列，辭旨不遜，奸邪者因之附麗，遂成朋黨，朝政於是隳焉。 昭宗性英俊，不任其逼，欲加討伐。 乾寧初，命宰臣杜讓能調發軍旅，師未越境，為茂貞所敗。 茂貞乘勝進屯三橋，京師大震，士庶奔散，天子乃誅中尉西門君遂、李周潼等謝之。 茂貞嚴兵不解，勢將指闕，抗言讓能之罪，誅之方罷。 及韋昭度、李谿為相，茂貞聽崔昭緯之邪說，復沮其事，表昭度等無相業，不可置之臺司，恐亂天下。 詔報曰：「軍旅之事，吾則與藩臣圖之，朝廷命相，出自朕懷。」 又請授王珙河中節度使，詔報曰：「太原表先至，已許王珂，不可追改。」 乾寧二年五月，茂貞與王行瑜、韓建稱兵入覲，京師震恐，天子禦樓待之，抗表請殺宰相韋昭度、李谿以謝天下，移王珙於河中。 既還，留其假子繼鵬宿衛，即閻珪也。 時後唐武皇上表，請討三鎮以寧關輔。 是歲七月，太原之師至河中，繼鵬與中尉景宣之子繼晟迫車駕幸鳳翔，昭宗曰：「太原軍未至，鑾輿不可輒動，朕與諸王固守大內，卿等安輯京師，如太原實至，吾可以方略制之。」 繼鵬與景宣、中尉駱全權因燔燒東市，中夜大噪。 昭宗登承天門樓避亂，令捧日都將李雲守樓下，繼鵬率眾攻雲。 昭宗憑軒慰諭，繼鵬彎弧大呼，矢拂禦衣，中樓桷。 侍臣掖昭宗下樓還宮，繼鵬即縱火攻宮門。 昭宗詔諸王謀其所向，李雲奏曰：「事急矣，請且幸臣營。」 雲乃與扈蹕都將李君慶衛昭宗出啟夏門，駐華嚴寺。 晡晚，出幸南山之莎城，駐於石門山之佛寺。 是月，武皇至渭北，遣副使王瑰奉表行在，昭宗以武皇為行營都統，進討邠、岐。 茂貞懼，斬繼鵬、繼晟，上表待罪，昭宗原之，武皇曰：「不誅茂貞，關輔無由寧謐。」 時附茂貞者奏云：「若太原盡殄邠、岐，必入關輔，京師憂未艾也。」 乃詔武皇與茂貞和。 及行瑜誅，武皇班師，茂貞怨望驕橫如故。
In the second year of Dashun, Army Supervisory Commissioner Yang Fugong fell from grace and fled into the southern mountains, where he joined Yang Shouliang in holding Xingyuan in revolt; Maozhen and Wang Xingyu put the rebellion down. The court ordered chief minister Xu Yanruo to take Xingyuan, but Maozhen defied the order and petitioned that his adopted son Jihui be left in charge, pressing hard for the commissioner's insignia until Zhaozong reluctantly granted them. From then on Maozhen traded on his past service to act with impunity, kept his armies poised for advantage, and meddled heavily in court affairs, first nursing the ambition to take the throne. He then expelled Zhang Qiu from Jingyuan, Yang Shouzhong from Yangzhou, and Man Cun from Fengzhou, seized their territories, and petitioned to install his sons and brothers as governors, which the court was powerless to prevent. Whenever ministers memorialized about his misconduct, Maozhen answered with rebuttals in defiant language; unscrupulous men rallied to him, a faction took shape, and court government collapsed. Zhaozong was spirited by nature and would not submit to such pressure; he resolved to attack him. Early in Qianning he ordered chief minister Du Rangneng to raise an army, but the force was beaten by Maozhen before it had even crossed the frontier. Maozhen followed up his victory and encamped at Sanqiao; panic swept the capital and the populace scattered; the emperor then executed palace eunuchs Ximen Junsui, Li Zhoutong, and others to placate him. Maozhen held his army in readiness and showed no sign of standing down; his forces seemed poised to march on the palace; he loudly demanded Rangneng's punishment, and withdrew only after Rangneng was executed. When Wei Zhaodu and Li Xi were made chief ministers, Maozhen heeded Cui Zhaowei's malicious advice and blocked the appointments, claiming Zhaodu and the others lacked the talent to serve in the Secretariat and would throw the realm into chaos. The court replied by edict: "Military affairs I shall discuss with the frontier lords; ministerial appointments at court come from my own judgment." He also demanded that Wang Gong be made military commissioner of Hezhong; the reply edict said: "Taiyuan's memorial arrived first; Wang Ke has already been granted the post, and the decision cannot be reversed." In the fifth month of the second year of Qianning, Maozhen, Wang Xingyu, and Han Jian marched on the capital for an audience; terror gripped the city as the emperor mounted the tower to receive them; they submitted defiant memorials demanding the execution of chief ministers Wei Zhaodu and Li Xi to appease the realm and the transfer of Wang Gong to Hezhong. On their return he left his adopted son Jipeng — Yan Gui — behind as a palace guard garrison. At that time the Prince of Jin submitted a memorial asking to campaign against the three garrisons to restore order around the capital. That seventh month the Jin army reached Hezhong; Jipeng and the eunuch Jing Xuan's son Jisheng tried to force the court to flee to Fengxiang; Zhaozong said: "The Jin army has not yet arrived; the imperial carriage must not be moved lightly. I and the princes will hold the inner palace while you restore order in the capital; if Jin forces truly come, I have a plan to deal with them." Jipeng, Jing Xuan, and the eunuch Luo Quanquan then set fire to the eastern market and raised a great clamor at midnight. Zhaozong climbed the Chengtian Gate tower to escape the turmoil and ordered Sun-Upholding Division commander Li Yun to hold the foot of the tower; Jipeng led his men against Yun. Zhaozong leaned on the railing to reason with them; Jipeng drew his bow and shouted; an arrow grazed the imperial robe and struck a roof beam. Attendants helped Zhaozong down from the tower and back into the palace; Jipeng immediately set fire to the palace gates. Zhaozong summoned the princes to decide their next move; Li Yun said: "Matters are desperate — please come to my camp for the moment." Yun and imperial escort commander Li Junqing then escorted Zhaozong out through the Qixia Gate to Huayan Temple. Toward evening he fled to the Sha fortress in the southern mountains and lodged at a Buddhist temple on Shimen Mountain. That month the Prince of Jin reached the north bank of the Wei and sent deputy envoy Wang Gui with a memorial to the traveling court; Zhaozong made him overall commander of the campaign army to advance against Bin and Qi. Maozhen grew afraid, executed Jipeng and Jisheng, and submitted a confession; Zhaozong pardoned him, but the Prince of Jin said: "Unless Maozhen is executed, the capital region will never be secure." Maozhen's supporters then memorialized: "If Jin annihilates Bin and Qi, it will surely march on the capital region, and the capital's troubles will not be over." The court then ordered the Prince of Jin and Maozhen to make peace. After Xingyu was executed the Prince of Jin withdrew his army, but Maozhen's resentment and arrogance were unchanged.
3
明年五月，制授茂貞東川節度使。 仍命通王、覃王治禁軍於闕下，如茂貞違詔，即討之。 茂貞懼，將赴鎮。 王師至興平，夜自驚潰，茂貞因出乘之，官軍大敗。 車駕倉卒出幸華州，茂貞之眾因犯京師，焚燒宮闕，大掠坊市而去，自此長安大內盡為丘墟矣。 四年，昭宗復命宰臣孫偓統軍進討，韓建諫止，令茂貞上章請雪。 光化中，加茂貞尚書令、岐王，令其子繼筠以兵宿衛。
The following fifth month an imperial ordinance appointed Maozhen military commissioner of Dongchuan. The princes of Tong and Tan were also ordered to drill the palace guards below the palace; if Maozhen defied the edict, they were to attack him at once. Maozhen grew afraid and prepared to take up his new post. The imperial army reached Xingping, but panicked and routed itself in the night; Maozhen sallied out to exploit the disorder and routed the government forces completely. The emperor fled in haste to Huazhou while Maozhen's troops stormed the capital, burned the palaces, and looted the wards before withdrawing; from then on the great inner precinct of Chang'an lay in ruins. In the fourth year Zhaozong again ordered chief minister Sun Wo to lead a punitive campaign; Han Jian dissuaded him and had Maozhen petition for exoneration. During Guanghua, Maozhen was further made Director of the Department of State Affairs and Prince of Qi, and his son Jijun was stationed at court with troops.
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天復元年十月，梁祖攻同、華，勢逼京師。 十一月六日，繼筠與中尉韓全誨劫昭宗幸鳳翔，茂貞遂與全誨矯詔征兵天下，將討梁祖。 宰相崔允召梁祖引四鎮之兵屯岐下，重溝復壘圍守。 三年，茂貞山南諸州盡為王建所陷，涇、原、秦、隴、邠、鄜、延、夏皆降於汴。 茂貞獨據孤城，內外援絕，乃請車駕還京，求和於汴，即斬韓全誨等二十人首級送於梁祖。 自是兵力殫盡，垂翅不振，懼梁祖復討，請落尚書令，許之。 〈（《九國誌·李彥琦傳》：彥琦本姓楊氏，鳳翔李茂貞委以心腹之任，易姓李氏，齒於諸子。 後昭宗西幸，梁祖迎駕，攻逼岐下者累年，及昭宗東還，長圍方解。 大軍之後，府庫空竭，彥琦請使甘州以通回鶻，往復二載，美玉、名馬相繼而至，所獲萬計，茂貞賴之。）〉 及梁祖建號，茂貞與王建會兵於太原，誌圖興復，竟無成功。 茂貞疆土危蹙，不遂僭竊之志，但開岐王府，署天官，目妻為皇后，鳴鞘掌扇，宣詞令，一如王者之制，然尚行昭宗之正朔焉。 茂貞鼠形，多智數，軍旅之事，一經耳目，無忘之者。 性至寬，有部將符昭者，人或告其謀變，茂貞親至其家，去其爪牙，熟寢經宿而還。 軍士有鬥而訴者，茂貞曰：「吃令公一碗不托，與爾和解。」 遂致上下服之。 尤善事母，母終，茂貞哀毀幾滅性，聞者嘉之。 但禦軍整眾，都無紀律，當食則造庖廚，往往席地而坐，內外持管鑰者，亦呼為司空太保，與夫細柳、大樹之威名，蓋相遠矣。 及莊宗平梁，茂貞自為季父，以書賀之。 及聞莊宗入洛，懼不自安，方上表稱臣，尋遣其子繼嚴來朝，詔茂貞仍舊官，進封秦王，所賜詔敕不名。 又以茂貞宿望耆老，特加優禮。 及疾篤，遣中使遣醫藥問訊。 同光二年夏四月薨，年六十九。 謚曰忠敬。 子從嚴嗣。
In the tenth month of the first year of Tianfu, the Liang founder attacked Tong and Hua, threatening the capital. On the sixth day of the eleventh month, Jijun and the eunuch Han Quanhui abducted Zhaozong to Fengxiang; Maozhen and Quanhui then forged an edict to levy troops empire-wide for a campaign against the Liang founder. Chief minister Cui Yun summoned the Liang founder to bring troops from four garrisons to encamp below Qi, digging trench after trench and building ramparts in a tightening siege. In the third year Wang Jian seized all of Maozhen's prefectures south of the mountains, while Jing, Yuan, Qin, Long, Bin, Fu, Yan, and Xia all surrendered to Bian. Maozhen held only a lone city with all aid cut off; he then asked the emperor to return to the capital, sued for peace with Bian, and immediately executed Han Quanhui and twenty others, sending their heads to the Liang founder. From then on his forces were spent and he could no longer recover; fearing another Liang attack, he asked to be stripped of the Directorate of State Affairs, and the request was granted. (From the Biography of Li Yanqi in the 《Jiuguo Zhi》: Yanqi was originally surnamed Yang; Li Maozhen of Fengxiang gave him duties of intimate trust, changed his surname to Li, and ranked him with his sons. Later, when Zhaozong fled west, the Liang founder came to receive the court and pressed the siege below Qi for years; only when Zhaozong returned east was the long encirclement lifted. After the armies departed, the treasury was empty; Yanqi asked to be sent to Ganzhou to open contact with the Uyghurs; over two years' travel fine jade and famous horses arrived in succession, yielding gains in the tens of thousands on which Maozhen relied.)〉 When the Liang founder proclaimed his dynasty, Maozhen and Wang Jian joined forces at Taiyuan in hopes of restoring the Tang, but achieved nothing. Maozhen's territory had shrunk to a narrow strip; he never carried out his usurpation, but opened a princely Qi mansion, appointed court officials, styled his wife empress, used royal regalia, and issued proclamations like a sovereign — yet still observed Zhaozong's reign calendar. Maozhen had a rat-like face and was full of stratagems; anything military that reached his eyes or ears he never forgot. He was extremely lenient by nature; when someone reported that his officer Fu Zhao was plotting rebellion, Maozhen went to Fu's home in person, disarmed him, slept soundly there overnight, and returned. When soldiers came to him after brawling, Maozhen said: "Eat a bowl of the Duke's butuo noodles, and I'll settle this between you." In this way he won the loyalty of officers and men alike. He was especially devoted to his mother; when she died his mourning nearly consumed him, to the admiration of all who heard of it. Yet in commanding troops he observed no discipline at all; at mealtimes he would go to the kitchens and often sit on the ground; even those who held the keys were addressed as Acting Grand Guardian — a far cry from the martial renown of Zhou Yafu and Feng Yi. When Emperor Zhuangzong conquered Liang, Maozhen styled himself the emperor's uncle and sent a letter of congratulation. When he heard Zhuangzong had entered Luoyang he grew fearful, submitted a memorial declaring allegiance, and soon sent his son Jiyan to court; Maozhen was confirmed in his former offices, advanced to Prince of Qin, and addressed in edicts without use of his personal name. Because of Maozhen's long-standing prestige and advanced age, he was accorded special honors. When his illness grew grave, the court sent palace envoys with physicians and medicines to inquire after him. He died in the fourth month of summer in the second year of Tongguang, aged sixty-nine. His posthumous title was Loyal and Respectful. His son Congyan succeeded him.
5
從嚴，茂貞之長子也。 未冠，授諮議參軍，賜緋魚袋，尋還領彭州副使、鳳翔衙內都指揮使。 天復中，自秦王府行軍司馬、檢校太傅出為涇州兩使留後。 茂貞尋承制加開府儀同三司、檢校太尉、兼待中，四鎮北庭行軍、彰義軍節度使。 及唐莊宗平梁，茂貞令從嚴入覲，制加從嚴兼中書令。 俄而茂貞薨，遣奏權知鳳翔軍府事，詔起復，授鳳翔節度、管內觀察處置等使。 三年九月，以魏王繼岌伐蜀，詔充供軍轉運應接使。 四年正月，蜀平，繼岌命部署王衍一行東下，至岐，監軍使柴重厚不與符印，促令赴闕。 從嚴至華下，聞內難歸鎮，明宗詔誅重厚，從嚴以軍民不擾，重厚之力也，不以前事為隙，上表論救，事雖不允，時議嘉之。 天成元年五月，制落起復，加檢校太師。 其年九月，敕曰：「李從嚴等世聯宗屬，任重藩宣，慶善有稱，忠勤甚著。 既預維城之列，宜新定體之文，是降寵光，以隆惇敘，俾煥成家之美，貴從猶子之規，宜於『嚴』、『昶』、『照』上改稱『從』。」 自長興元年，明宗有事於南郊，從嚴入覲，禮畢，移鎮汴州。 四年，復入覲，改天平軍節度使。 及唐末帝起兵於岐下，盡取從嚴家財器仗，以助軍須。 末帝發離岐城，吏民扣馬，乞以從嚴為帥，末帝許之。 清泰初，即以從嚴復為鳳翔節度使，仍封秦國公。 晉高祖登極，繼封秦王、岐王，累食邑至一萬五千戶，食實封一千五百戶。 少帝嗣位，加守太保。 開運三年冬，卒於鎮，年四十有九。
Congyan was Maozhen's eldest son. Before he came of age he was made advisory staff officer and granted the crimson fish tally pouch; he soon returned to serve as deputy commissioner of Pengzhou and overall commander of the Fengxiang headquarters guard. During Tianfu he left his posts as campaigning marshal of the Qin princely mansion and acting Grand Mentor to become acting commissioner of Jingzhou. Maozhen soon received an imperial ordinance promoting him to Grand Preceptor of the First Rank, acting Grand Commandant, concurrent Palace Attendant, commander of the Four Garrisons Northern Court campaign army, and military commissioner of the Zhangyi army. When Tang Emperor Zhuangzong conquered Liang, Maozhen sent Congyan to court, and an ordinance made him concurrent Director of the Secretariat. Soon after Maozhen died he memorialized to take provisional charge of Fengxiang headquarters; the court ordered him to resume office from mourning and appointed him military commissioner of Fengxiang with full circuit authority. In the ninth month of the third year, when Prince of Wei Jiji campaigned against Shu, an edict appointed Congyan commissioner for supply, transport, and liaison. In the first month of the fourth year Shu was pacified; Jiji ordered Wang Yan and his party escorted east; at Qi, army supervisory commissioner Chai Zhonghou withheld their tally seals and urged them on to the capital. Congyan reached Huazhou, heard of turmoil at court, and returned to his post; Emperor Mingzong ordered Chai Zhonghou executed; Congyan credited Zhonghou with keeping the region calm and, without holding the earlier incident against him, memorialized in his defense; though the plea was denied, contemporaries praised him. In the fifth month of the first year of Tiancheng an ordinance ended his mourning resumption and promoted him to acting Grand Preceptor. That ninth month an imperial command said: "Li Congyan and others are of long imperial kinship, bear heavy frontier responsibilities, are praised for their virtue, and are notably loyal and diligent. As members of the imperial clan who shore up the realm, new forms of address are fitting; favor is therefore bestowed to exalt kinship and complete the family's honor according to the rule for younger imperial clansmen: the character Cong should replace Yan, Chang, and Zhao in their names." From the first year of Changxing, when Mingzong performed the southern suburban rites, Congyan came to court; when the rites ended he was transferred to Bianzhou. In the fourth year he again came to court and was made military commissioner of the Tianping army. When the last Tang emperor raised troops below Qi, he seized all of Congyan's family wealth and weapons for the army. When the last emperor prepared to leave Qi, officials and commoners seized his horse's bridle and begged that Congyan be made commander; the emperor agreed. Early in Qingtai he was restored as military commissioner of Fengxiang and continued as Duke of Qin. When Jin Gaozu took the throne, Congyan was successively enfeoffed as Prince of Qin and Prince of Qi; his cumulative fief households reached fifteen thousand, with one thousand five hundred actual fief households. When the Young Emperor succeeded, he was made acting Grand Guardian. He died at his post in the winter of the third year of Kaiyun, aged forty-nine.
6
從嚴少敏悟，善筆劄，性柔和，無節操。 當莊宗新有天下，因入覲，獻寶裝針珥於皇后宮，時以為佞。 但進退閑雅，慕士大夫之所為，有請謁者，無賢不肖皆盡其敬。 鎮於岐山，前後二紀，每花繁月朗，必陳勝會以賞之，客有困於酒者，雖吐茵墮幘而無厭色。 左右或有過，未嘗笞責。 先人汧、隴之間，有田千頃、竹千畝，恐奪民利，不令理之，致岐陽父老再陳借寇之言，良有以也。
Congyan was clever and perceptive as a youth, skilled with the brush, gentle by nature, and lacking moral firmness. When Zhuangzong had just won the realm, on coming to court he presented jeweled hairpins and earrings to the empress; contemporaries took this for flattery. Yet in bearing he was leisurely and refined, admired the conduct of scholar-officials, and showed full respect to all who sought audience, worthy or not. He governed at Qishan for some twenty years; whenever flowers bloomed and the moon shone bright he held splendid gatherings, and showed no displeasure even when guests vomited on cushions or lost their caps in drunkenness. He never flogged or rebuked attendants who erred. His family held a thousand qing of fields and a thousand mu of bamboo between Qian and Long; fearing to harm the people he would not manage them, so the elders of Qiyang again spoke of wishing he would stay — and with good reason.
7
子永吉，歷數鎮行軍司馬。 〈（《五代史補》：李嚴，岐王之子，昆仲間第六，官至中書令，世謂之「六令公」。 性情好戲。 為鳳翔節度，因生辰，鄰道持賀禮，使畢至，有魏博使少年如美婦人，秦鳳使矬陋且多髯，二人坐又相接，而魏使在下，嚴因曰：「二使車一妍一醜，何不相嘲以為樂事。」 魏博使恃少俊，先起曰：「今日不幸與水草大王接席。」 秦鳳使徐起應曰：「水草大王不敢承命，然吾子容貌如此，又坐次相接，得非水草大王夫人耶？」 在坐皆笑。）〉
His son Yongji served successively as campaigning marshal in several commands. (From the 《Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties》: Li Yan, son of the Prince of Qi, was sixth among his brothers, rose to Director of the Secretariat, and was known as "the Sixth Commandery Duke." He loved jesting by nature. As military commissioner of Fengxiang, on his birthday neighboring circuits sent congratulatory gifts and all their envoys arrived; a Weibo envoy was a youth like a beautiful woman, while a Qinfeng envoy was short, ugly, and heavily bearded; seated next to each other with the Weibo envoy below, Yan said: "One envoy fair, one foul — why not banter for our amusement?" The Weibo envoy, confident in his youth and looks, rose first and said: "Today I am unfortunate to share a seat with the Water-and-Grass King." The Qinfeng envoy rose slowly and replied: "The Water-and-Grass King dares not accept that title — yet with your looks and your seats side by side, might you not be the Water-and-Grass King's wife?" Everyone present laughed.)〉
8
從昶生於紈綺，少習華侈，以逸遊宴樂為務，而音律圖畫無不通之。 然性好談笑，喜接賓客，以文翰為賞，曾無虛日。 復篤信釋氏，時岐下有僧曰阿阇梨，通五天竺語，為士人所歸。 從昶凡歷三鎮，無尤政可褒，無苛法可貶，人用安之，亦將門之令嗣也。
Congchang was born to luxury, learned extravagance in youth, devoted himself to pleasure and entertainment, and was accomplished in music, painting, and the arts. Yet he loved witty conversation, welcomed guests, delighted in literary exchange, and scarcely let a day pass without such pursuits. He was also a devout Buddhist; at Qi there was a monk called Acarya who knew the languages of the five Indian regions and was revered by the local gentry. Congchang governed three commands in all; his rule offered little to praise or blame, and the people lived in ease — a creditable heir of a martial clan.
9
弟從照，歷隴州刺史、諸衛大將軍，卒。
His younger brother Congzhao served as prefect of Longzhou and as a great general of the palace guards before his death.
10
茂勛，茂貞之從弟也。 唐末為鳳翔都將，茂貞表為鄜州節度使，累官至兼侍中。 梁祖之圍鳳翔也，茂勛兵屯岐山，梁祖以羸師誘之，命孔潛率勁兵襲下鄜州，盡俘其家，茂勛遂歸於梁，改名周彜，署元帥府行軍司馬。 開平中，為河陽節度使，從梁祖伐鎮州，圍棗強縣。 時有一民縋城而出，茂勛納之而不疑，一日，其民竊發，以木檐擊茂勛，踣於地，賴左右救至僅免。 居無何，遷金吾上將軍，副王瓚將兵於景店，瓚令分屯西寨，莊宗擊而敗之，降為左衛上將軍。 逾年，以太子太傅致仕。 同光中，復名茂勛。 天成初，以疾卒於洛陽。
Maoxun was Maozhen's cousin. Late in Tang he was a Fengxiang garrison commander; Maozhen recommended him as military commissioner of Fuzhou, and he rose to concurrent Palace Attendant. When the Liang founder besieged Fengxiang, Maoxun camped at Qishan; the founder baited him with a weak force and sent Kong Qian with elite troops to seize Fuzhou and capture his whole family; Maoxun then submitted to Liang, took the name Zhou Yi, and was made campaigning marshal at headquarters. During Kaiping he was military commissioner of Heyang and followed the Liang founder against Zhenzhou, besieging Zaoqiang County. A townsman once lowered himself from the wall by rope; Maoxun took him in without suspicion, but one day the man attacked by surprise with a wooden beam, knocked him down, and he was saved only by his attendants. Soon he was made senior general of the Golden Crow Guard and assisted Wang Zan at Jingdian; when Zan posted him at the western camp, Zhuangzong attacked and defeated him, and he was demoted to senior general of the Left Guard. A year later he retired as Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent. During Tongguang his name was restored to Maoxun. Early in Tiancheng he died of illness at Luoyang.
11
高萬興，河西人。 祖君佐，鄜延節度判官。 父懷遷，都押衙。 萬興與弟萬金俱有武幹，效用於本軍。 河西自王行瑜敗後，郡邑皆為李茂貞之所強據，以其將胡敬璋為節度使，萬興為敬璋騎將，昆弟俱有戰功。 邠州節度使楊崇本者，茂貞之假子也，號李繼徽。 梁祖既弒昭宗，茂貞、繼徽與西川王建之師會於岐陽，以圖興復，皆陳兵關輔，梁祖遣將王重師守雍州、劉知俊守同州以拒之。 天祐五年冬，敬璋卒，崇本以其愛將劉萬子為鄜延帥，萬子以兇暴而失士心。 又，崇本為汴人所攻。 六年二月，萬子葬敬璋，將佐皆集於葬所，萬興、萬金因會縱兵攻萬子，殺之，歸款於汴。 梁祖以萬興為鄜延招撫使，與劉知俊合兵攻收鄜、坊、丹、延等州，梁祖乃分四州為二鎮，以萬興、萬金皆為帥。 及萬金卒，梁祖以萬興兼彰武、保大兩鎮，累加至太師、中書令，封北平王。 莊宗定河洛，萬興來朝，預郊禮陪位，既還鎮，復以舊爵授之。 同光三年十二月，卒於位，以其子允韜權典留後。
Gao Wanxing was a native of Hexi. His grandfather Junzuo served as judicial aide to the Fu-Yan military commission. His father Huaiqian was overall escort commander. Wanxing and his younger brother Wanjin were both capable soldiers who served in their home army. After Wang Xingyu's defeat, Li Maozhen seized the Hexi prefectures and appointed his general Hu Jingzhang as commissioner; Wanxing served as Hu's cavalry commander, and both brothers won distinction in battle. Binzhou military commissioner Yang Chongben was Maozhen's adopted son and took the name Li Jihui. After the Liang founder murdered Zhaozong, Maozhen, Jihui, and Wang Jian of Xichuan joined forces at Qiyang to restore the Tang and massed troops around the capital; the founder sent Wang Chongshi to hold Yongzhou and Liu Zhijun to hold Tongzhou against them. In the winter of the fifth year of Tianyou, Jingzhang died; Chongben made his favorite Liu Wanzi commander of Fu-Yan, but Liu lost his men's loyalty through brutality. Meanwhile Chongben came under attack from Bian forces. In the second month of the sixth year, when Wanzi buried Jingzhang and all his officers gathered at the funeral, Wanxing and Wanjin seized the moment to attack and kill him, then submitted to Bian. The Liang founder made Wanxing pacification commissioner of Fu-Yan; with Liu Zhijun he recovered Fu, Fang, Dan, Yan and other prefectures; the founder then split the four prefectures into two commands under Wanxing and Wanjin. After Wanjin's death the founder put Wanxing in charge of both Zhangwu and Baoda, promoted him to Grand Preceptor and Director of the Secretariat, and enfeoffed him as Prince of Northern Ping. When Zhuangzong secured the central plains, Wanxing came to court, attended the suburban rites, and on returning to his post was confirmed in his former titles. In the twelfth month of the third year of Tongguang he died in office, and his son Yuntao was left provisionally in charge.
12
允韜，字審機。 初仕梁朝，起家授同州別駕，尋加檢校右僕射，改金紫光祿大夫、檢校司空，充保大軍內外馬步軍指揮使。 唐同光中，檢校太保，充保大軍兩使留後。 萬興卒，允韜自理所奔喪。 天成初，起復檢校太傅，充延州節度使。 長興元年，移鎮邢州，頃之，為右龍武統軍，未幾，授滑州節度使。 清泰二年八月，卒於任，年四十二。 詔贈太師。
Yuntao, courtesy name Shenji. He began his career under Liang as vice-prefect of Tongzhou, was soon made acting Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, then Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and acting Minister of Works, and commander of the Baoda army's horse and foot forces. During Tang Tongguang he was acting Grand Guardian and acting commissioner of the Baoda army. When Wanxing died, Yuntao left his post to observe mourning. Early in Tiancheng he resumed office from mourning as acting Grand Mentor and military commissioner of Yanzhou. In the first year of Changxing he was transferred to Xingzhou, soon made overall commander of the Right Dragon Martial Guard, and shortly afterward appointed military commissioner of Huazhou. He died in office in the eighth month of the second year of Qingtai, aged forty-two. An edict posthumously granted him Grand Preceptor.
13
韓遜，本靈州之列校也。 會唐季之亂，因據有其地，朝廷乃授以節鉞。 梁初，累加檢校太尉、同平章事。 開平中，梁將劉知俊自同州叛歸鳳翔，李茂貞以地褊不能容，乃借兵以窺靈武，且圖牧圉之地。 知俊乃帥邠、岐、秦、涇之師數萬攻遜於靈州，遜竭力以拒之，久之，知俊遁去。 梁祖嘉之，自是累加官至中書令，封潁川郡王。 遜亦善於為理，部民請立生祠堂於其地，梁祖許之，仍詔禮部待郎薛廷珪撰文以賜之，其廟至今在焉。 貞明初，遜卒於鎮。
Han Xun was originally a junior officer of Lingzhou. During the late Tang disorders he seized the region, and the court granted him the commissioner's insignia. Early in Liang he was repeatedly promoted to acting Grand Commandant and Tongping Zhangshi. During Kaiping, Liang general Liu Zhijun rebelled from Tongzhou and fled to Fengxiang; Maozhen's territory was too cramped to hold him, so he borrowed troops to probe Lingwu and seize pasturelands. Zhijun then led tens of thousands from Bin, Qi, Qin, and Jing against Xun at Lingzhou; Xun resisted with all his strength until Zhijun eventually withdrew. The Liang founder commended him; thereafter he rose to Director of the Secretariat and was enfeoffed as Prince of Yingchuan. Xun was also a capable administrator; his people asked to erect a living shrine in his honor, which the founder approved, and he ordered Vice Minister of Rites Xue Tinggui to compose an inscription; the shrine still stands. Early in Zhenming, Xun died in office.
14
洙，遜之子也。 遜卒，三軍推為留後，梁末帝聞之，起復正授靈武節度使、特進、檢校太傅、同平章事。 貞明四年春，靈武將軍尚貽敏等上言，洙已服闋，乞落起復。 梁末帝令中書商量，宰臣奏曰：「舊例藩鎮落起復，如先人已是一品階，即與加爵； 如未是一品階，即合加階。」 乃授洙開府儀同三司。 唐莊宗、明宗累加官爵。 天成四年夏，洙卒，朝廷以其弟澄為朔方軍節度觀察留後。 是歲，有列校李賓作亂，部內不安，乃遣使上表請帥於朝廷，明宗命前磁州刺史康福為朔方河西等軍節度、靈威雄警涼等州觀察處置度支、溫池榷稅等使，仍遣福領兵萬人赴鎮，其後靈武遂受代焉。
Zhu was Xun's son. When Xun died the army made Zhu acting commissioner; the last Liang emperor ordered him to resume office and formally appointed him military commissioner of Lingwu, Special Advancement, acting Grand Mentor, and Tongping Zhangshi. In the spring of the fourth year of Zhenming, Lingwu generals including Shang Yimin memorialized that Zhu had completed mourning and asked to end his mourning resumption. The last Liang emperor ordered the Secretariat to deliberate; the chief ministers submitted: "By precedent, when a frontier commander ends mourning resumption, if his father already held first rank, a noble title is granted; if the father had not yet reached first rank, a promotion in rank is appropriate." Zhu was then appointed Grand Preceptor of the First Rank. Tang emperors Zhuangzong and Mingzong repeatedly added to his offices and titles. In the summer of the fourth year of Tiancheng Zhu died, and the court appointed his younger brother Cheng acting commissioner of the Shuofang army. That year junior officer Li Bin rebelled and unsettled the region; envoys memorialized for a court-appointed commander; Mingzong appointed former Cizhou prefect Kang Fu military commissioner of Shuofang and Hexi with full circuit authority, and sent him with ten thousand men to take the post; Lingwu was thereafter brought under direct court control.
15
李仁福，世為夏州牙將，本拓拔氏之族也。 唐乾符中，有拓拔思恭為夏州節度使，廣明之亂，唐僖宗在蜀，詔以思恭為京城西北收復都統，預破黃巢有功，僖宗賜姓，故仁福亦以李為氏。 思恭卒，弟思諫繼之。 梁開平元年，授思諫檢校太尉、兼待中。 二年，思諫卒，三軍立其子彜昌為留後，尋起復，正授旄鉞。 三年春，牙將高宗益等作亂，彜昌遇害，時仁福為蕃部指揮使，本州軍吏迎立仁福為帥。 其年四月，梁祖降制授仁福檢校司空，充定難軍節度使。 未幾，後唐武皇遣大將周德威會邠、鳳之師五萬同攻夏州，仁福固守月餘，梁援軍至，德威遁去，梁祖喜之，超授檢校太保、同平章事。 仁福自梁貞明、龍德及後唐同光中，累官至檢校太師、兼中書令，封朔方王。 長興四年三月，卒於鎮。 其年追封虢王。 子彜超嗣。
Li Renfu came from a line of Xiazhou yamen officers and was originally of the Toba clan. During Tang Qianfu, Toba Sigong was military commissioner of Xiazhou; during the Guangming disorders, when Xizong was in Shu, Sigong was made overall commander for recovering the northwest around the capital, helped defeat Huang Chao, and was granted the surname Li; Renfu therefore also bore the surname Li. When Sigong died, his younger brother Sijian succeeded him. In the first year of Liang Kaiping, Sijian was appointed acting Grand Commandant and concurrent Palace Attendant. The next year Sijian died; the army made his son Yichang acting commissioner, soon confirmed after mourning resumption with the commissioner's insignia. In the spring of the third year yamen generals including Gao Zongyi rebelled and killed Yichang; Renfu was then tribal commander, and the local military officials installed him as commander. That fourth month the Liang founder appointed Renfu acting Minister of Works and military commissioner of the Dingnan army. Soon the Prince of Jin sent Zhou Dewei with fifty thousand troops from Bin and Feng to attack Xiazhou; Renfu held out for over a month until Liang reinforcements arrived and Dewei withdrew; the founder was pleased and specially promoted him to acting Grand Guardian and Tongping Zhangshi. From Liang Zhenming and Longde through Later Tang Tongguang, Renfu rose to acting Grand Preceptor and concurrent Director of the Secretariat and was enfeoffed as Prince of Shuofang. He died in office in the third month of the fourth year of Changxing. That year he was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Guo. His son Yichao succeeded him.
16
彜超，仁福之次子也。 歷本州左都押衙、防遏使，仁福卒，三軍立為帥，矯為仁福奏云：「臣疾已甚，已委彜超權知軍州事，乞降真命。」 明宗聞之，遂以彜超為延州留後，以延帥安從進為夏州留後。 朝廷慮不從命，詔邠州節度使藥彥稠、宮苑使安從益等率師援送從進赴鎮，仍降詔諭之云：
Yichao was Renfu's second son. He had served as left overall escort commander and defense commissioner; when Renfu died the army made him commander and forged a memorial in Renfu's name: "My illness is grave; I have entrusted Yichao with provisional authority; I beg a formal appointment." Mingzong then appointed Yichao acting commissioner of Yanzhou and Yan commander An Congjin acting commissioner of Xiazhou. Fearing disobedience, the court ordered Binzhou commissioner Yao Yanchou, palace park commissioner An Congyi, and others to escort Congjin to his post with troops, and issued this instruction:
17
近據西北藩鎮奏，定難軍節度使李仁福薨。 朕以仁福自分戎閫，遠鎮塞垣，威惠俱行，忠孝兼著。 當本朝播越之後，及先皇興復之初，爰及眇躬，益全大節，統臨有術，遠邇咸安。 委伏方深，雕殞何速，忽窺所奏，深愴予懷。 不朽之功，既存於社稷； 有後之慶，宜及於子孫。 但以彼藩地處窮邊，每資經略，厥子年才弱冠，未歷艱難，或虧駕御之方，定起奸邪之便。 其李彜超已除延州節度觀察留後，便勒赴任。 但夏、銀、綏、宥等州，最居邊遠，久屬亂離，多染夷狄之風，少識朝遷之命，既乍當於移易，宜普示於渥恩。 應夏、銀、綏、宥等州管內，罪無輕重，常赦所不原者，並公私債負、殘欠稅物，一切並放； 兼自刺史、指揮使、押衙已下，皆勒依舊，各與改轉官資。
Recent memorials from the northwest report that Dingnan military commissioner Li Renfu has died. Renfu rose from the military frontier to govern the distant borderlands, combining authority with kindness and showing both loyalty and filial devotion. From the dynasty's exile through the former emperor's restoration down to Our reign, he preserved his integrity, governed skillfully, and kept far and near at peace. Our reliance on him had only deepened — how swiftly he fell! Reading the memorial, We are deeply grieved. His imperishable service already rests with the state; the blessing of posterity should extend to his descendants. Yet that command lies on the remotest frontier and requires constant strategy; his son has only just come of age, lacks experience, may prove unable to govern, and could give wicked men their chance. Li Yichao has been appointed acting commissioner of Yanzhou and is to proceed to his post at once. But Xia, Yin, Sui, You and other prefectures lie on the farthest frontier, long torn by disorder, steeped in frontier ways and little acquainted with court authority; since they face sudden change, generous favor should be shown broadly. Within Xia, Yin, Sui, You and other prefectures, all crimes, even those not normally pardoned, together with public and private debts and unpaid taxes, are to be remitted entirely; and from prefects, commanders, and escort officers downward, all are to remain in their posts and receive promotions in rank.
18
朕自總萬幾，惟宏一德，內安華夏，外撫戎夷，先既懷之以恩，後必示之以信。 且如李從嚴之守岐、隴，疆土極寬； 高允韜之鎮鄜、延，甲兵亦眾。 咸能識時知變，舉族歸朝。 從嚴則見鎮大梁，允韜則尋除鉅鹿，次及昆仲，並建節旄，下至將僚，悉分符竹。 又若王都之貪上谷，李賓之吝朔方，或則結構契丹，偷延旦夕； 或則依憑党項，竊據山河。 不稟除移，惟謀旅拒，才興討伐，已見覆亡。 何必廣引古今，方明利害； 只陳近事，聊諭將來。 彼或要覆族之殃，則王都、李賓足為鑒戒； 彼或要全身之福，則允韜、從嚴可作規繩。 朕設兩途，爾宜自擇。 或慮將校之內、親要之間，幸彼幼沖，恣其熒惑，遂成騷動，致累生靈。 今特差邠州節度使藥彥稠部領馬步兵士五萬人騎，送安從進赴任，從命者秋毫勿犯，違命者全族必誅，先令後行，有犯無赦雲。
Since taking the throne We have sought unified virtue, pacifying China within and soothing the frontier peoples without — first embracing them with kindness, then showing them good faith. Consider Li Congyan, who held Qi and Long with vast territory; Gao Yuntao, who governed Fu and Yan with numerous troops. Both recognized the times, adapted, and brought their clans to submit to the court. Congyan was then posted to Daliang, Yuntao soon to Julu; their brothers received commanders' insignia, and even their officers were granted commissions. Or like Wang Du, who coveted Shanggu, and Li Bin, who clung to Shuofang — some colluded with the Khitan to buy a little more time; others relied on the Tangut and seized territory by force. They ignored court orders and plotted resistance; as soon as campaigns were launched, they were destroyed. Why cite antiquity at length to show advantage and harm? Recent events alone suffice to instruct the future. If they seek the destruction of their clans, Wang Du and Li Bin are warning enough; if they seek to preserve themselves, Yuntao and Congyan may serve as models. We have set out two paths; choose for yourselves. We fear that among his officers or intimates, taking advantage of his youth, some may mislead him into turmoil that harms the people. We now specially dispatch Binzhou commissioner Yao Yanchou with fifty thousand horse and foot to escort An Congjin to his post; those who obey will not be harmed in the slightest; those who defy will have their whole clans executed; orders precede action, and violations will not be pardoned.
19
其年夏四月，彜超上言：「奉詔授延州留後，已迎受恩命，緣三軍百姓擁隔，未放赴任。」 明宗遣閣門使蘇繼彥賫詔促之。 五月，安從進領軍至城下，彜超不受代，從進駐軍以攻之。 秋七月，彜超昆仲登城謂從進曰：「孤弱小鎮，不勞王師攻取，虛煩國家餉運，得之不武，為仆聞天子，乞容改圖。」 時又四面党項部族萬餘騎，薄其糧運，而野無芻牧，關輔之人，運鬥粟束槁，動計數千，窮民泣血，無所控訴，復為蕃部殺掠，死者甚眾，明宗聞之，乃命班師。 彜超亦上表謝罪，乃授彜超檢校司徒，充定難軍節度使，既而修貢如初。 清泰二年，卒於鎮。 弟彜興襲其位。
That fourth month of summer Yichao memorialized: "I have received the edict appointing me acting commissioner of Yanzhou and accepted the gracious command, but the army and populace block my departure." Mingzong sent gatekeeper envoy Su Jiyan with an edict to urge him on. In the fifth month An Congjin brought his army to the city; Yichao refused to yield; Congjin encamped and attacked. In the seventh month Yichao and his brothers mounted the wall and told Congjin: "This is a small, isolated command; it need not trouble the imperial army or state supplies — to take it by force would be unworthy; let me report to the emperor and beg leave to reconsider." Meanwhile more than ten thousand Tangut horsemen pressed their supply lines from all sides while the countryside offered no fodder; people of the capital region hauled grain and hay in thousands of loads; the poor wept blood with nowhere to appeal and were again killed and plundered by tribal forces; the dead were many; when Mingzong heard of this he ordered withdrawal. Yichao also submitted a confession; he was appointed acting Minister of Education and military commissioner of the Dingnan army, and soon resumed tribute as before. He died in office in the second year of Qingtai. His younger brother Yixing succeeded him.
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彜興，本名彜殷，宋受命之初，以犯廟諱故改之。 彜超既卒，時彜興為夏州行軍司馬，三軍推為留後，唐末帝聞之，正授定難軍節度使。 晉天福初，加檢校太尉、同平章事。 少帝嗣位，加檢校太師。 八年秋，彜興弟綏州刺史彜敏與其黨作亂，為彜興所逐，彜敏奔延州，彜興押送到闕，骨肉二百餘口，朝延以彜興之故，縶送本道斬之。 開運元年春，詔以彜興為契丹西南面招討使。 漢乾祐元年春，加兼侍中。 是歲，李守貞叛於河中，潛使人構之，彜興為之出師，駐於延州之北境，既而聞守貞被圍，乃收軍而退。 周顯德中，累加至守太傅、兼中書令，封西平王。 皇朝建隆元年春，制加守太尉，始改名彜興。 乾德五年秋，卒於鎮。 制贈太師，追封夏王。 子光睿繼其位，其後事具皇朝日曆。
Yixing, originally named Yiyin, had his name changed at the founding of Song because it violated an imperial temple taboo. After Yichao died, Yixing was campaigning marshal of Xiazhou; the army made him acting commissioner, and the last Tang emperor formally appointed him military commissioner of the Dingnan army. Early in Jin Tianfu he was made acting Grand Commandant and Tongping Zhangshi. When the Young Emperor succeeded, he was made acting Grand Preceptor. In the autumn of the eighth year, Yixing's brother Yimin, prefect of Suizhou, rebelled with his faction; Yixing drove him out; Yimin fled to Yanzhou; Yixing escorted him to court with more than two hundred kinsmen; for Yixing's sake the court sent them back to his circuit for execution. In the spring of the first year of Kaiyun an edict appointed Yixing pacification commissioner on the Khitan southwestern frontier. In the spring of the first year of Han Qianyou he was made concurrent Palace Attendant. That year Li Shouzhen rebelled at Hezhong and secretly incited Yixing, who marched out and encamped on Yanzhou's northern border; hearing Shouzhen was besieged, he withdrew. During Zhou Xiande he rose to Acting Grand Tutor and concurrent Director of the Secretariat and was enfeoffed as Prince of Western Ping. In the spring of the first year of Song Jianlong an ordinance made him Acting Grand Commandant and first gave him the name Yixing. He died in office in the autumn of the fifth year of Qiande. An ordinance posthumously granted him Grand Preceptor and enfeoffed him as Prince of Xia. His son Guangrui succeeded him; subsequent events are recorded in the Song court calendar.