1
五行志
Treatise on the Five Elements
2
昔武王克商，以箕子歸，作《洪範》。 其九疇之序，一曰五行，所以紀休咎之征，窮天人之際。 故後之修史者，咸有其說焉。 蓋欲使後代帝王見災變而自省，責躬修德，崇仁補過，則禍消而福至，此大略也。 今故按五代之簡編，記五行之災沴，追為此誌，以示將來。 其於京房之舊說，劉向之緒言，則前史敘之詳矣，此不復引以為證焉。
In ancient times, after King Wu of Zhou conquered Shang, he brought Jizi home and composed the 《Great Plan》. Of the nine divisions in sequence, the first is the Five Elements, meant to record omens of blessing and calamity and to probe the relationship between Heaven and humanity. For this reason, later historians all set forth their own accounts of it. The aim was broadly to teach later rulers that when they witnessed disasters and portents they should reflect on themselves, take personal responsibility, cultivate virtue, cherish benevolence, and remedy their faults—then misfortune would fade and good fortune follow. Such is the general idea. I have therefore drawn on the brief annals of the Five Dynasties to record disasters associated with the Five Elements, compiled this treatise for posterity, and set it forth for those who come after. As for the older theories of Jing Fang and the introductory remarks of Liu Xiang, earlier histories have already treated them at length, and they are not cited again here as evidence.
3
○水淹風雨
○ Floods and Storms
4
梁開平四年十月，梁、宋、輝、亳水，詔令本州開倉賑貸。 十一月，大風，下詔曰：「自朔至今，異風未息，宜命祈禱。」
In the tenth month of the fourth year of Kaiping of Later Liang, the regions of Liang, Song, Hui, and Bo were flooded. An edict ordered each prefecture to open its granaries for relief grain loans. In the eleventh month a violent wind arose. An edict declared: "From the first of the month until now the abnormal wind has not subsided. Prayers should be commissioned."
5
唐同光二年七月，汴州雍丘縣大雨風，拔樹傷稼。 曹州大水，平地三尺。 八月，江南大雨溢漫，河水溢漫流入鄆州界。 十一月，中書門下奏」：「今年秋，天下州府多有水災，百姓所納秋稅，請特放加耗。」 從之。 三年六月至九月，大雨，江河崩決，壞民田。 七月，洛水泛漲，壞天津橋，漂近河廬舍，艤舟為渡，覆沒者日有之。 鄴都奏，御河漲於石灰窯口，開故河道以分水勢。 鞏縣河堤破，壞廒倉。 八月，敕：「如聞天津橋未通往來，百官以舟船濟渡，因茲傾覆，兼踣泥塗。 自今文武百官，三日一趨朝，宰臣即每日中書視事。」 四年正月，敕：「自京以來， 〈（案：此句疑有脫誤。）〉 幅圜千里，水潦為沴，流亡漸多。 宜自今月三日後，避正殿，減常膳，撤樂省費，以答天譴。 應去年經水災處鄉村，有不給及逃移人戶，夏秋兩稅及諸折科，委諸處長吏切加點檢，並與放免，仍一年內不得雜差遣。 應在京及諸縣，有停貯斛斗，並令減價出糶，以濟公私，如不遵守，仰具聞奏。」
In the seventh month of the second year of Tongguang of Later Tang, Yongqiu County in Bian Prefecture was struck by heavy rain and wind that uprooted trees and damaged the crops. Cao Prefecture suffered severe flooding, with water three feet deep across the flatlands. In the eighth month torrential rains in the south caused widespread flooding, and the swollen rivers poured into the borders of Yan Prefecture. In the eleventh month the Secretariat submitted a memorial: "This autumn many prefectures across the realm suffered flooding. We request that the autumn tax surcharges for wastage paid by the common people be specially remitted." The request was granted. From the sixth through the ninth months of the third year, heavy rains caused rivers to burst their banks and destroy farmland. In the seventh month the Luo River surged, destroying the Tianjin Bridge and sweeping away houses along its banks. People crossed by boat, and drownings occurred every day. Yedu reported that the Imperial Canal had swollen at Lime Kiln Pass and that old channels were reopened to divert the floodwaters. The river dike at Gong County burst, destroying the state granaries. In the eighth month an edict declared: "We have heard that the Tianjin Bridge still cannot be used for passage and that officials are crossing by boat, with capsizings and people thrown into the mud as a result. Henceforth civil and military officials shall attend court once every three days, while the chief ministers shall conduct daily business at the Secretariat." In the first month of the fourth year an edict declared: "From the capital eastward, (Editorial note: This sentence is suspected to contain omissions or errors.)〉 for a thousand li in every direction flooding has become a calamity, and displaced persons are steadily increasing. Beginning three days from now, the main hall should be avoided, regular meals reduced, music suspended, and expenses cut back, in response to Heaven's rebuke. In villages that suffered flooding last year, local officials are ordered to inspect closely all households that lack provisions or have fled, and to remit their summer and autumn taxes and all apportioned levies. For one year no miscellaneous corvée duties shall be imposed on them. In the capital and in all counties, wherever grain is held in reserve, officials are ordered to sell it at reduced prices to relieve public and private distress. Failure to comply must be reported to the throne."
6
清泰元年九月，連雨害稼。 詔曰：「久雨不止，禮有祈禳，禜都城門，三日不止，乃祈山川，告宗廟社稷。 宜令太子賓客李延範等禜諸城門，太常卿李懌等告宗廟社稷。」
In the ninth month of the first year of Qingtai, unceasing rain damaged the crops. An edict declared: "When prolonged rain will not stop, ritual prescribes prayers and exorcisms: perform exorcistic rites at the capital gates; if after three days the rain still does not cease, then pray to the mountains and rivers and announce the matter to the ancestral temple and the altars of soil and grain. Palace Lecturer Li Yanfan and others are to perform exorcistic rites at the city gates, and Minister of Ceremonies Li Yin and others are to announce the matter to the ancestral temple and the altars of soil and grain."
7
晉天福初，高祖將建義於太原，城中數處井泉暴溢。 四年七月，西京大水，伊、洛、、澗皆溢，壞天津橋。 八月，河決博平，甘陵大水。 六年九月，河決於滑州，一概東流。 居民登丘冢，為水所隔。 詔所在發舟楫以救之。 兗州、濮州界皆為水所漂溺，命鴻臚少卿魏比、將作少監郭廷讓、右金吾衛將軍安濬、右驍衛將軍田峻於滑、濮、澶、鄆四州，檢河水所害稼，並撫問遭水百姓。 兗州又奏，河水東流，闊七十里。 至七年三月，命宋州節度使安彥威率丁夫塞之。 河平，建碑立廟於河決之所。
At the beginning of the Tianfu era of Later Jin, as the High Ancestor was preparing to raise his banner at Taiyuan, wells and springs in several parts of the city suddenly burst forth. In the seventh month of the fourth year the Western Capital was inundated. The Yi, Luo, Chan, and Jian rivers all overflowed and destroyed the Tianjin Bridge. In the eighth month the Yellow River broke through at Boping, and Ganling was severely flooded. In the ninth month of the sixth year the Yellow River broke through at Hua Prefecture and shifted entirely to an eastward course. Residents took refuge on mounds and burial knolls, cut off by the floodwaters. An edict ordered local authorities to dispatch boats for rescue. The border regions of Yan and Pu prefectures were inundated. Wei Bi, Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Entertainments; Guo Tingrang, Assistant Director of Imperial Construction; An Jun, General of the Right Golden Crow Guard; and Tian Jun, General of the Right Valiant Cavalry Guard, were dispatched to Hua, Pu, Cao, and Yan prefectures to inspect flood-damaged crops and to comfort the afflicted populace. Yan Prefecture further reported that the river had shifted eastward and was seventy li wide. By the third month of the seventh year Military Governor An Yanwei of Song Prefecture was ordered to lead laborers in blocking the breach. Once the river was brought under control, a stele and shrine were erected at the site of the breach.
8
開運元年六月，黃河、洛河泛溢堤堰，鄭州原武、滎澤縣界河決。
In the sixth month of the first year of Kaiyun the Yellow River and Luo River overflowed their dikes and weirs, and the river broke through at the border of Yuanwu and Xingze counties in Zheng Prefecture.
9
周廣順二年七月，暴風雨，京師水深二尺，壞墻屋不可勝計。 諸州皆奏大雨，所在河渠泛溢害稼。 三年六月，諸州大水，襄州漢江漲溢入城，城內水深一丈五尺，倉庫漂盡，居人溺者甚眾。
In the seventh month of the second year of Guangshun of Later Zhou, a violent storm struck the capital. Water stood two feet deep, and countless walls and houses were destroyed. Prefectures throughout the realm reported heavy rains, with rivers and canals overflowing and damaging crops everywhere. In the sixth month of the third year many prefectures were inundated. At Xiang Prefecture the Han River surged into the city, where water stood fifteen feet deep. Storehouses were swept away entirely, and a great many residents drowned.
10
○地震
○ Earthquakes
11
唐同光二年十一月，鎮州地震。 三年十一月二十五日夜，魏、博、徐、宿地大震。 天成三年七月，鄭州地震。
In the eleventh month of the second year of Tongguang of Later Tang, Zhen Prefecture was shaken by an earthquake. On the night of the twenty-fifth day of the eleventh month of the third year, Wei, Bo, Xu, and Su were struck by a major earthquake. In the seventh month of the third year of Tiancheng, Zheng Prefecture was shaken by an earthquake.
12
長興二年六月，太原地震，自二十五日子時至二十七日申時，二十餘度。 左補闕李詳上疏曰：
In the sixth month of the second year of Changxing, Taiyuan was shaken by earthquakes from midnight on the twenty-fifth day until mid-afternoon on the twenty-seventh, more than twenty tremors in all. Left Remonstrator Li Xiang submitted a memorial, saying:
13
臣聞天地之道，以簡易示人； 鬼神之情，以禍福為務。 王者祥瑞至而不喜，災異見而輒驚，罔不寅畏上穹，思答天譴。 臣聞北京地震，日數稍多。 臣曾覽國書，伏見高宗時，晉州地震，上謂群臣曰：「豈朕政教之不明，使晉州地震耶？」 侍中張行成奏曰：「天陽也，地陰也，天陽君象，地陰臣象，君宜轉動，臣宜安靜。 今晉州地震，彌旬不休，將恐女謁使事，臣下陰謀。 且晉州是陛下本封，今地震焉，尤彰其應。 伏願深思遠慮，以杜未萌。」 又，開元中，秦州地震，尋差官宣慰，兼降使致祭山川，所損之家，委量事安置奏聞。
I have heard that the Way of Heaven and Earth is revealed to humanity through what is simple and direct; and that the intent of ghosts and spirits is to dispense blessing and calamity. When a ruler receives auspicious omens he does not rejoice, but when disasters and portents appear he is immediately alarmed. None fail to revere Heaven above and seek to answer its rebuke. I have heard that earthquakes in the Northern Capital have continued for several days in unusual number. I once read the dynastic records and saw that in the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, when Jin Prefecture was shaken, the emperor asked his ministers: "Could it be that my governance and teachings are unclear, and that this is why Jin Prefecture has been shaken?" Attendant-in-Chief Zhang Xingcheng replied: "Heaven is yang and Earth is yin. Heaven yang symbolizes the ruler; Earth yin symbolizes the minister. The ruler ought to be active; the minister ought to be still. Now Jin Prefecture has been shaking for more than ten days without cease. I fear that women may be meddling in affairs and that ministers may be plotting in secret. Moreover, Jin Prefecture was Your Majesty's original fief. That it should now be shaken makes the omen all the more pointed. I pray that Your Majesty will reflect deeply and plan far ahead to forestall what has not yet taken shape." Moreover, in the Kaiyuan era, when Qin Prefecture was shaken, officials were soon dispatched to comfort the people, and envoys were sent to offer sacrifices to the mountains and rivers. Damaged households were to be assisted as circumstances required and reported to the throne.
14
伏惟陛下中興唐祚，起自晉陽，地數震於帝鄉，理合思於天戒。 況聖明禦宇，於今六年，歲稔時康，人安俗阜。 臣慮天意恐陛下忘創業艱難之時，有功成矜滿之意。 伏望特委親信，兼選勛賢，且往北京慰安，密令巡問黎民之疾苦，嚴山川之祭祀，然後鑒前朝得喪之本，采歷代聖哲之規，崇不諱之風，罷不急之務。
Your Majesty restored the Tang mandate, rising from Jinyang. That the earth should shake in the imperial homeland surely calls for reflection on Heaven's warning. Moreover, Your sagely rule has now endured six years, with abundant harvests, a peaceful age, a secure populace, and flourishing customs. I fear Heaven's intent may be to warn lest Your Majesty forget the hardships of founding the realm and grow complacent in success. I pray that Your Majesty will specially commission trusted men and select meritorious worthies to go to the Northern Capital to comfort the people, secretly ordering them to inquire into the hardships of the common folk and to perform sacrifices to the mountains and rivers with due solemnity. Then take as your mirror the roots of rise and fall in former dynasties, adopt the standards of sage rulers through the ages, honor the spirit of frank counsel, and set aside non-urgent affairs.
15
明宗深嘉之，錫以三品章服。 十一月，雄武軍士上言，洛陽地震。 三年八月，秦州地震。
Emperor Mingzong greatly commended the memorial and bestowed third-rank ceremonial robes upon him. In the eleventh month soldiers of the Xiongwu Army reported that Luoyang had been shaken. In the eighth month of the third year, Qin Prefecture was shaken by an earthquake.
16
漢乾祐二年四月丁丑，幽、定、滄、營、深、貝等州地震，幽、定尤甚。
On the dingchou day of the fourth month of the second year of Qianyou of Later Han, You, Ding, Cang, Ying, Shen, Bei, and other prefectures were shaken by earthquakes, You and Ding most severely.
17
周廣順三年十月，魏、邢、洺等州地震數日，凡十餘度，魏州尤甚。 ○蟲魚禽獸
In the tenth month of the third year of Guangshun of Later Zhou, Wei, Xing, Ming, and other prefectures were shaken for several days, more than ten tremors in all, Wei Prefecture most severely. ○ Insects, Fish, Birds, and Beasts
18
梁龍德末，許州進綠毛龜，宮中造室以畜之，命之曰「龜堂」。 識者以為不祥之言。
At the end of the Longde era of Later Liang, Xu Prefecture presented a green-haired tortoise. The palace built a chamber to house it and named it the "Hall of the Tortoise." Those versed in omens took this as an inauspicious name.
19
唐天祐十八年二月，張文禮叛於鎮州，時野水變，其色如血，遊魚多死，浮於水上，識者知其必敗。 十九年，定州王處直卒。 先是，處直自為德政碑，建樓於衙城內，言有龍見。 或睹之，其狀乃黃麽晰蜴也。 處直以為神異，造龍床以安之。 又，城東麥田中，有群鵲數百，平地為巢，處直以為己德所感。 識者竊論曰：「蟲蛇陰物，比藏山澤，今據屋室，人不得而有也。 南方為火，火主禮，禮之壞則羽蟲失性，以文推之，上失其道，不安於位之兆也。」 果為其子都所廢。
In the second month of the eighteenth year of Tianyou of Later Tang, Zhang Wenli rebelled at Zhen Prefecture. Wild waters turned the color of blood, fish died in great numbers and floated on the surface, and those versed in omens knew he was doomed to defeat. In the nineteenth year Wang Chuzhi of Ding Prefecture died. Earlier, Chuzhi had erected for himself a stele praising his virtuous governance and built a tower within the yamen compound, claiming that a dragon had appeared. Those who saw it found the creature to be nothing but a yellow hemp-colored lizard. Chuzhi took it for a divine marvel and fashioned a dragon couch on which to install it. Moreover, in the wheat fields east of the city several hundred magpies built nests on open ground, which Chuzhi took as a response to his own virtue. Those versed in omens remarked privately: "Insects and serpents are creatures of yin, meant to dwell in mountains and marshes. To occupy human dwellings is something people ought not possess. The south corresponds to fire, and fire governs ritual. When ritual collapses, feathered creatures lose their proper nature. By this pattern one may infer an omen that the ruler has lost the Way and no longer holds his position securely." In the end he was deposed by his son Wang Du.
20
應順元年閏正月丙寅辰時，唐閔帝幸至德宮，初出興教門，有飛鳶自空而落，死於御前，是日，大風晦冥。
At the chen hour on the bingyin day of the intercalary first month of the first year of Yingshun, Emperor Min of Later Tang visited Zhide Palace. As he first passed through Xingjiao Gate, a kite fell from the sky and died before him. That day brought fierce wind and murky darkness.
21
清泰元年十月辛未巳時，有雉金色，自南飛入中書，止於政事堂之上，吏驅之不去，良久又北飛。 是日，民家得之。 二年，鄴西李固鎮，有大鼠與蛇鬥於橋下，鬥及日之申，蛇不勝而死。 三年三月戊午，有蛇鼠鬥於洛陽師子門外，而鼠殺蛇。 夏四月戊子，熊入市，形如人，搏人。 又一熊自老君廟南走向城，會車駕幸近郊，從官射之而斃。
At the si hour on the xinwei day of the tenth month of the first year of Qingtai, a golden pheasant flew in from the south to the Secretariat and alighted atop the Hall of Administration. Clerks tried to drive it away, but it would not leave until, after a long while, it flew north again. That same day a common household captured it. In the second year, at Ligu Town west of Ye, a huge rat and a serpent fought beneath a bridge until mid-afternoon, when the serpent was defeated and killed. On the wuwu day of the third month of the third year a serpent and a rat fought outside the Lion Gate of Luoyang, and the rat killed the serpent. In summer, on the wuzi day of the fourth month, a bear entered the market, stood upright like a man, and attacked people. Another bear came from south of Laojun Temple toward the city just as the emperor was visiting the near suburbs. His attendants shot it dead.
22
漢乾祐三年正月，有狐出明德樓，獲之，比常狐毛長，腹別有二足。
In the first month of the third year of Qianyou of Later Han a fox emerged from Mingde Tower and was captured. Its fur was longer than that of an ordinary fox, and it had an extra pair of feet on its belly.
23
周廣順三年六月，河北諸州旬日內無烏，既而聚澤、潞之間山谷中，集於林木，壓樹枝皆折。 是年，人疾疫死者甚眾。 至顯德元年，河東劉崇為周師所敗，伏屍流血，故先萌其兆。
In the sixth month of the third year of Guangshun of Later Zhou, crows vanished for ten days across the Hebei prefectures. They then gathered in the valleys between Ze and Lu, roosting so thickly on the trees that branches snapped under their weight. That year a great many people died of pestilence. By the first year of Xiande, Liu Chong of Hedong had been defeated by Zhou forces, with corpses strewn and blood flowing—thus the omen had foreshadowed what was to come.
24
顯德元年三月，潞州高平縣有鵲巢於縣郭之南平地，巢中七八雛。 ○蝗
In the third month of the first year of Xiande, magpies built a nest on open ground south of the seat of Gaoping County in Lu Prefecture, with seven or eight fledglings within. ○ Locusts
25
晉天福七年四月，山東、河南、關西諸郡蝗害稼，至八年四月，天下諸州飛蝗害田，食草木葉皆盡。 詔州縣長吏捕蝗，華州節度使楊彥詢、雍州節度使趙瑩命百姓捕蝗一斗，以祿粟一斗償之。 時蝗旱相繼，人民流移，饑者盈路，關西餓殍尤甚，死者十七八。 朝廷以軍食不充，分命使臣諸道括粟麥，晉祚自茲衰矣。
In the fourth month of the seventh year of Tianfu of Later Jin, commanderies in Shandong, Henan, and Guanxi suffered locust damage to their crops. By the fourth month of the eighth year flying locusts ravaged fields throughout the realm, devouring grass, trees, and leaves until nothing remained. An edict ordered local officials to catch locusts. Military Governor Yang Yanxun of Hua Prefecture and Military Governor Zhao Ying of Yong Prefecture ordered the people to catch one dou of locusts in exchange for one dou of grain from official stores. Locusts and drought followed one after another. People fled their homes in droves, and the hungry filled the roads. Guanxi suffered worst of all, with seven or eight in ten dying of starvation. Because military provisions ran short, the court dispatched envoys to the various circuits to requisition grain and wheat. From this point the fortunes of Later Jin began to decline.
26
唐天成四年十一月，汝州火，燒羽林軍營五百餘間。 先是，司天奏，熒惑入羽林，飭京師為火備，至是果應。
In the eleventh month of the fourth year of Tiancheng of Later Tang, a fire at Ru Prefecture burned more than five hundred buildings of the Imperial Guard camp. Earlier the Directorate of Astronomy had reported that Mars had entered the Forest of Feathers constellation and ordered the capital to prepare against fire. Now the omen was fulfilled.
27
長興二年四月辛丑，汴州封禪寺門扉上然火起，延燒近舍。 是月，衛州奏，黎陽大火。 先是，下詔於諸道，令為火備，至是驗之。 三年十二月壬戌，懷州軍營內，三處火光自起，人至即滅，並不焚燒舍宇。 明宗謂侍臣曰：「火妖乎？」 侍臣曰：「恐妖人造作，宜審詰之。」
On the xinchou day of the fourth month of the second year of Changxing, fire broke out on the doors of Fengchan Temple in Bian Prefecture and spread to burn nearby houses. That same month Wei Prefecture reported a major fire at Liyang. Earlier an edict had ordered the various circuits to prepare against fire, and now the warning was borne out. On the renxu day of the twelfth month of the third year, firelight appeared spontaneously in three places within the army camp at Huai Prefecture. It vanished as soon as anyone approached, and no buildings were burned. Emperor Mingzong asked his attending ministers: "Is this a fire demon?" The ministers replied: "We fear this was contrived by sorcerers. A thorough investigation should be ordered."
28
晉天福三年十一月，襄州奏，火燒居民千餘家。 九年春，左龍武統軍皇甫遇從少帝御契丹於鄆州北，將戰之夕，有火光熒熒然，生於牙竿之上。
In the eleventh month of the third year of Tianfu of Later Jin, Xiang Prefecture reported that fire had destroyed more than a thousand households. In the spring of the ninth year, as Left Commander of the Dragon Martial Guard Huangfu Yu accompanied the Young Emperor to face the Khitans north of Yan Prefecture, flickering firelight appeared on the eve of battle atop the command pennant staff.
29
周顯德五年四月，吳越王錢俶奏，十日夜，杭州火，焚燒府署殆盡。 世宗命中使賫詔撫問。 ○草木石冰
In the fourth month of the fifth year of Xiande of Later Zhou, King Qian Chu of Wuyue reported that on the night of the tenth, fire at Hangzhou had burned the government offices nearly to the ground. Emperor Shizong dispatched a palace envoy bearing an edict of consolation and inquiry. ○ Plants, Trees, Stone, and Ice
30
唐天祐五年，長柳巷田家有僵桃樹，經年舊坎猶在，其仆木一朝屹然而起，行數十步，復於舊坎，其家駭異，倉皇散走。 議者以漢昭帝時，上林仆木起生枝，時蟲蠹成文而宣帝興。 今木理成文，仆而重起，乃莊宗中興之兆也。
In the fifth year of Tianyou of Later Tang, a farmer's home in Changliu Lane had a dead peach tree whose old root hollow still remained. One morning the fallen trunk suddenly stood upright, moved several dozen paces, and settled back into the old hollow. The household fled in terror. Commentators cited the reign of Emperor Zhao of Han, when a fallen tree in Shanglin Park rose and put forth branches while insects bored characters into its wood, presaging the rise of Emperor Xuan. Now the grain of the wood had formed characters, and a fallen tree had risen again—an omen of Emperor Zhuangzong's restoration of the Tang.
31
同光元年冬十二月辛卯，亳州太清宮道士上言，聖祖殿前枯檜再生一枝，畫圖以進。
On the xinmao day of the twelfth month of winter in the first year of Tongguang, a Daoist priest of Taiqing Palace in Bo Prefecture reported that a withered cypress before the Hall of the Sagely Ancestor had sprouted a new branch. He submitted a painted record of the event.
32
清泰末年，末帝先人墳側古佛剎中石像，忽然搖動不已，觀者鹹訝焉。
Near the end of the Qingtai era, a stone image in an ancient Buddhist monastery beside the tomb of the Last Emperor's ancestors suddenly began to shake without cease, astonishing all who saw it.
33
漢乾祐元年八月，李守貞叛於河中，境內蘆葉皆若旗旒之狀。
In the eighth month of the first year of Qianyou of Later Han, Li Shouzhen rebelled at Hezhong. Throughout the region reed leaves took the shape of banners and pennants.
34
周廣順三年春，樞密使王峻遙鎮青州，有司制旄節以備迎授。 前夕，其節有聲。 主者曰：「昔後唐長興中，安重誨授河中，其節亦有聲，斯亦木之妖也。」
In the spring of the third year of Guangshun of Later Zhou, as Privy Councilor Wang Jun was to assume distant command of Qing Prefecture, the relevant offices prepared imperial banners and credentials for his investiture. On the eve of the ceremony the credentials emitted a sound. The official in charge said: "In the Changxing era of Later Tang, when An Chonghui was invested at Hezhong, his credentials also made a sound. This too is an omen associated with wood."