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卷十 本紀第十: 聖宗一

Volume 10 Annals 10: Shengzong 1

Chapter 10 of 遼史 · History of Liao
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Chapter 10
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1
Shengzong, Part One
2
The Emperor Shengzong, posthumous title Wenwu Daxiao Xuan, personal name Longxu, childhood name Wenshunu. He was the eldest son of Emperor Jingzong; his mother was Empress Ruizhi, née Xiao. As a boy the Emperor delighted in letters and brushwork; by ten he could write verse. When he came of age he excelled at archery, knew music, and took pleasure in painting. In the second year of Qianheng he received the title Prince of Liang.
3
殿 使 使 使 使 使使 涿 西使 使 殿 使 殿殿 使 使歿 使西 使 使 西使 殿 沿 使 西西 使 西使 西使 使 使 西 西 使鹿殿 西 使 使 使 使 殿 殿使殿
In the first year of Tonghe, on the wuwu new moon of the first spring month, with the late emperor's coffin still in state, the court held no audience. On yichou day, in accordance with the testamentary edict, the late emperor's younger half-brother Zhimu was called before the Zaitu Hall and restored as Prince of Ning. Chancellor Shifang, Commissioner of the Palace Attendants Puling, and others received added honors. On bingyin day Prince of Jing Daoyin took ill, and an edict sent envoys to inquire after him. That same day the Empress Dowager went in person to his residence to visit him. On wuchen day Yelü Zhangwa, military commissioner of the Wuyu Wuguli division, was appointed co-director of the Secretariat with the rank of co-chancellor under the Gate. On jiaxu day Prince of Jing Daoyin died; court mourning lasted three days; he was posthumously enfeoffed Prince of Jin, and envoys were sent to comfort his family. On bingzi day yuyue Xiuge was appointed Nanjing regent and given the seal and cord of Southern Route camp commander-in-chief to oversee the frontier; Bohai tamasa Jieli, who had received the late emperor's great kindness, begged to follow him in death; the court refused but rewarded him with gifts. On wuyin day envoys were dispatched with medicinal broth for yuyue Xiuge, Xi King Chouning, circuit military commissioner Pide, and others. Ken Du was ordered to carry and post Xiuge's proclamation on alighting from his carriage, to reassure the people of Yan. On xinsi day Susa presented prisoners taken from the Zubu. On renwu day Anji, prefect of Zhuo, reported that Song was building fortifications north of the Yellow River; an edict ordered regent yuyue Xiuge to thwart the work and prevent its completion. Consort Zhao, Princess Hugudian, Xi King Chouning, Chancellor Anning, Northern Court Great King Pununing, tihu Qulie, Prince of Wu Shao, Prince of Ning Zhimei, members of the horizontal tents, imperial in-laws, Khitan, and Han officials all contributed to the mausoleum expenses. On guiwei day the Princess of Qi led the inner and outer titled ladies in presenting gifts in the same manner. On jiawu day Southwest Route pacification commissioner Han Derang reported that fifteen Tangut divisions had raided the frontier; troops were dispatched and routed them. On yiyou day, because Susa had broken the Zubu, an edict commended him; he was also ordered to join Dahan in campaigning against the Tangut divisions. On dinghai day Commissioner of Military Affairs and Chief Councillor Shifang, citing age, asked to be relieved of his concurrent office; the court refused. On the wuzi new moon of the second month, officials, soldiers, and civilians everywhere were forbidden to gather in crowds for private talk or to travel at night in violation of curfew; offenders would be punished. On jichou day Nanjing reported that Song was stockpiling grain on the frontier and that the Song emperor would soon visit Mount Tai; an edict ordered Xiuge to prepare defenses strictly. On jiawu day Emperor Jingzong was interred at Qian Mausoleum; the close attendants Lang and the wine-serving entertainer Dalu were buried alive with him. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager each wrote a letter and placed it with the late emperor's coffin. On bingshen day the Empress Dowager went to the mausoleum to offer sacrifice; she ordered portraits of close ministers painted in the Imperial Portrait Hall and rewarded the mausoleum workers according to rank. On gengzi day the late emperor's personal effects were distributed to the imperial clan and close ministers. On xinchou day Nanjing circuit military commissioner Yelü Shanbu reported that more than seventy Song border villages had submitted; an edict ordered them settled and cared for. On yisi day the court renamed the Imperial Portrait Hall the Jade Hall and Wine Valley the Sacred Valley. Susa reported victory over the Tangut; envoys were dispatched to comfort and reward the troops. On wushen day tihu Huage was appointed Northern Court Great King, and Jieling was made Southern Prime Minister. On xinhai day the court visited Sacred Mountain and then paid respects at the three imperial tombs. On jiayin day Princess Changshou was married to Wuliu, son of imperial in-law and chancellor Xiao Poxiang. In the third month, on wuwu day, Tiande Army Military Commissioner Tuila and his son were killed in battle; his younger brother Nieli inherited the post. On jiwei day the court encamped at Solitary Mountain. Envoys were sent to reward the meritorious officers and soldiers on the southwest frontier. On xinyou day Yelü Heluning of the grand-father's tent was appointed tihu. On jiazi day the court made camp at the Pingdian ford of the Liao River. On xinsi day imperial in-law and co-chancellor Xiao Daoning was appointed Liaoxing Army military commissioner and granted the title Meritorious Minister of Loyal Brightness and Aiding Governance. On renwu day the court sacrificed a green ox and white horse to heaven and earth. On the bingxu new moon of the fourth summer month the court visited the Eastern Capital. Vice Commissioner of Military Affairs Yelü Mojie was also made Palace Attendant and appointed regent of the Eastern Capital. On gengyin day the court visited Taizu Temple in homage. On guisi day an edict ordered gifts granted to titled ladies living in widowhood. On bingshen day the Emperor traveled south. On xinchou day the court paid respects at the three mausoleums and distributed the goods sent from the Eastern Capital among the tomb officials. An edict again granted Southwest Route pacification commissioner Dahan a sword, authorizing him to execute on the spot anyone who disobeyed orders. On renyin day the court offered sacrifice at the Ningshen Hall. On guimao day the court visited Qian Mausoleum in homage. On yisi day envoys were sent with wine and dried meat to offer sacrifice at the tomb of co-chancellor Yelü Heyang. On gengxu day the court visited Lady Wuguli's residence; after paying respects to Taizu's portrait, it went to Princess Hugudian's residence for a banquet and bestowed lavish gifts. On renzi day the ministers, because the Empress Dowager would share in government, argued that she should receive an honorific title and asked the relevant offices to draft the investiture rites in detail. An edict instructed the Commissioner of Military Affairs to notify frontier commanders that on the day of the rite they should send only their sons with congratulatory memorials, lest border defenses suffer. The Commissioner of Military Affairs asked that an edict order Northern Prime Minister Pide to translate the legal texts submitted from Nanjing; the request was granted. The court then proceeded to Huizhou. Yelü Qinglang was appointed Xinzhou military commissioner. On the bingchen new moon of the fifth month, imperial in-law and co-chancellor Xiao Daoning, because the Empress Dowager was celebrating her birthday, asked to return to his parents' home to perform the rite; the Princess of Qi, titled ladies, and officials each presented gifts. A banquet was held and the elders of the imperial in-law tents were rewarded with gifts according to rank. On renxu day the Southwest Route pacification commissioner asked for reinforcements against the Western Turkic divisions; an edict ordered Northern Court Prince Yelü Pununing to march with the Dibi and Dielie divisions to his aid. On guihai day, because yuyue Xiuge had overused clerks in the Southern Court, an edict warned the Southern Court Great King not to follow suit. On gengwu day Yelü Shanbu recruited fugitives who had entered Song and brought back more than a thousand households; an edict ordered them settled and reassured. On xinwei day the court encamped at Yongzhou and offered sacrifice at the tomb of Prince Yaoshinü. On yihai day an edict ordered close ministers to discuss the Empress Dowager's honorific investiture; Commissioner of Military Affairs Han Dedu drafted a plan based on the Later Han precedent of empress dowager regency and submitted it. On bingzi day the court sacrificed a green ox and white horse to heaven and earth. On wuyin day the Emperor went to Mount Muye. Southwest Route pacification commissioner Dahan reported that he had recently sent zhaila Balaige to summon the Tangut divisions and a great many had come; an edict commended him. On the yiyou new moon of the sixth month an edict ordered that on the day of the Empress Dowager's investiture, officials of third rank and above were to receive court robes and those below third rank the great willow-shooting robes. The Southwest Route pacification commissioner reported that Tangut chieftains including the son of yilijin Zuiyin were begging to submit; an edict ordered them received and settled, but also to test their sincerity and maintain strict border defenses. On bingxu day the court came back to the Supreme Capital. On jichou day the relevant offices reported that co-chancellor and Commissioner of the Imperial Son-in-law's Office Lu Jun was estranged from the princess; an edict ordered them separated, and Jun was sent out as Liaoxing Army military commissioner. On xinmao day the court offered sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On jiawu day the Emperor led the ministers in honoring the Empress Dowager as Empress Dowager Chengtian; the ministers honored the Emperor as Emperor Tianfu; a grand amnesty was proclaimed and the era name was changed to Tonghe. On dingwei day favor was extended throughout court and country; civil and military officials each advanced one step in rank. Vice Commissioner of Military Affairs Yelü Xiezhen was ordered to serve as Minister of Works. On the jiayin new moon of the seventh autumn month the Empress Dowager began to govern. On yimao day the Emperor personally reviewed the prisoners. Prince and Minister of Works Louguo was flogged twenty strokes for feigning illness and failing to attend the mausoleum rites. On xinyou day the court performed the rebirth rite. On guiyou day Linhuang prefect Gun brought food and drink for the court. The Emperor and the princes formed teams and played cuju. On bingzi day Han Derang sent xiangwen zhamas to defeat the Tangut and reported the number of captives; the son of a yilijin was also sent as tribute. On xinsi day meritorious officers and soldiers on the southwest frontier were rewarded. On wuzi day in the eighth month the Emperor toured west. On jichou day the court visited the ancestral mausoleum in homage. On xinmao day the Empress Dowager offered sacrifice at the tomb of Prince of Chu Xiao Siwen. On guisi day the Emperor and the Empress Dowager visited Huai Mausoleum in homage and then went to Huaizhou. On jiawu day before the Empress Dowager the Emperor and Xiezhen exchanged bows, arrows, saddles, and horses and swore friendship. On jihai day the court hunted at Red Mountain and sent envoys to offer bear fat and dried venison at the Ningshen Hall of Qian Mausoleum. Because Chief Councillor Sun Zhen had no son, an edict made Taowei, a langjun of imperial in-law Xiao Weng's tent, his heir. On yisi day an edict put yuyue Xiuge in charge of Yuancheng. On renzi day Han Derang memorialized requesting a campaign against the Tangut who had rebelled again; the court approved; several thousand troops from a separate division were also dispatched to assist. On the guichou new moon of the ninth month, because the Eastern Capital and Pingzhou suffered drought and locusts, an edict ordered relief. On yimao day the court visited the Yongxing, Changning, and Dunmu palaces in homage. On bingchen day the Nanjing regent reported that autumn rains had ruined the harvest and asked that frontier tolls be suspended temporarily to allow grain trade with Shanxi; the request was granted. On gengshen day the court visited the temple of Emperor Xuanjian in homage. On xinyou day the court went to Zuzhou and paid homage at the ancestral mausoleum. On renxu day the Emperor returned to the Supreme Capital. On xinwei day the authorities petitioned to designate the Emperor's birthday as the Thousand-Age Festival, and the request was granted. The Empress Dowager said that the late yuyue Wuzhi had earned merit chiefly as tutor and guide and that his descendants deserved recognition; His son Panyang was accordingly appointed linyal. On bingzi day the Emperor went to Old Man River. On the guiwei new moon of the tenth winter month the Directorate of Astronomy reported the appearance of the Old Man star. On wuzi day Princess Shuge was married to the Empress's brother, xiangwen Zhaogu. On guisi day Susa reported that the Dilie division and rebellious tribes had submitted and that all lost territory had been recovered. On yiwei day, acting on memorial from yuyue Xiuge, regent of Yanjing, that circuit commissioners should follow Khitan precedent and present only saddles and horses as annual tribute, the court agreed. On dingyou day Prince of Wu Shao was appointed regent of the Supreme Capital and acted concurrently as intendant of Linhuang. Preparing to campaign against Goryeo, the Emperor personally inspected the forces under Eastern Capital regent Yelü Mojie. On bingwu day Pulie, commissioner of the Palace Attendants and concurrent Palace Attendant, Kend the linyal, and others were ordered east with an expeditionary force and were granted campaign drums, banners, and silver tally-seals. On the renzi new moon of the eleventh month the court watched the fishing at Tama Marsh. On guichou day Yingzhou reported the capture of a Song spy who said Song was opening a route at Mount Wutai and would enter the Lingqiu frontier. An edict ordered the spy and those who had sheltered him torn apart by carts in the marketplace. On gengchen day the Emperor and Empress Dowager sacrificed at Qian Mausoleum and issued an edict to the chancellors, vice-regents, circuit and army staff, and recording secretaries of the three capitals, directing them to govern with impartial integrity and not to flatter and yield. County magistrates and assistants who encounter unlawful exactions from prefectural officials or imperial envoys must not give way out of fear. They were to keep constant watch and use what they learned to rank officials for promotion and demotion. Commoners who kept separate households while their parents still lived were to be reported by neighbors and punished. Families noted for filial piety and three generations living together were to have their gates and lanes publicly honored. On the renwu new moon of the twelfth month the Emperor visited Ningshen Hall, sent envoys to offer sacrifice at the various mausoleums, and granted wine to the officials who guarded the halls. That day the Emperor visited Xian Prefecture. On dinghai day the annual tribute of silk brocade from Xian Prefecture was divided and distributed to the left and right offices. On jiawu day the Emperor traveled east. On yihai day the Empress Dowager watched the fishing at Jade Basin Bay. On xinchou day the court watched the fishing at Junyuan. On jiachen day an edict allowed those who believed themselves wrongfully convicted in cases already decided and sentenced to appeal to the censorate. That evening ten thousand fish lanterns were lit at Twin Streams. On wushen day, the Thousand-Age Festival, the court sacrificed to the sun and moon, and when the rites were finished the hundred officials offered congratulations.
4
使 使使 使便 使 使使使使 沿 使使使 殿使
In the second year, on jiazi day of the first spring month, the Emperor went to Chang Marsh. On guisi day in the second month Zhangde Army Military Commissioner Xiao Talan of the Empress's brother's branch came to court. On jiawu day General Yelü Dibu was granted spring garments and a girdle. On bingshen day Eastern Route field commander and commissioner of the Palace Attendants Yelü Puning reported victory over the Jurchen, and envoys were sent to clasp his hands in praise. On gengzi day the Emperor attended upon the Empress Dowager, who then accompanied him to watch the hunt at Raole River. On yisi day Five States Wuyu Wujue Military Commissioner Yelü Kuiwa, finding the tribes under his command difficult to govern, petitioned for an edict and sword granting discretionary authority, and the request was granted. On bingwu day the Emperor and the princes and great ministers held an archery contest. On dingwei day Han Dewei, returning from the Tangut campaign, raided Hedong and presented prisoners; an edict commending him was issued. On maoyin day in the third month the Huali division petitioned that xiangwen posts should henceforth be filled only from within their own division; the Emperor said, "Officials among the tribes must be chosen for ability — how can appointments be fixed by tribal limits alone." The petition was denied. The late co-chancellor Zhao Yanxu was posthumously granted the additional rank of Palace Attendant. On dinghai day in the fourth summer month commissioner of the Palace Attendants and co-chancellor Yelü Puning and overseer Xiao Qinde reported victory over the Jurchen; Puning was made concurrent chief councillor, Qinde grand general of the Divine Martial Guard, and each received gold vessels and other gifts. On gengyin day the Empress Dowager personally adjudicated delayed cases. On xinmao day the court sacrificed to the Wind Lord. On renchen day Southern Palace Attendants Commissioner Liu Chenggui was appointed Chengde Army military commissioner, and Chongde Palace chief deployer and Baoyi Army Military Commissioner Zhang Deyun was appointed Northern Palace Attendants Commissioner. On maoyin day in the fifth month the court offered sacrifice at Mount Muye. On dingchou day the court encamped at Willow Lake along the route. On the jimao new moon of the sixth month the Empress Dowager held court to decide cases and continued through the end of the month. On guichou day in the seventh autumn month the Empress Dowager performed the rebirth rite. On xinmao day in the eighth month Eastern Capital regent and concurrent Palace Attendant Yelü Mojie reported that the Jurchen chiefs Jubuzhi, Saili, and seven other clans wished to bring their people in submission, and an edict ordered them received. On the wushen new moon of the ninth month the court encamped at Tu River. On xinwei day, Jingzong's death anniversary, an edict ordered every circuit and capital garrison to send officials to burn incense and feed the monks. On the dingchou new moon of the tenth winter month Guihua Prefecture Military Commissioner Yelü Puning was appointed Zhangde Army military commissioner, and Right Martial Guard Grand General Han Zhuo was appointed Zhangguo Army military commissioner and concurrent commander of the Palace Guard cavalry and infantry. On renzi day in the eleventh month Secretariat direct academician and supervising secretary Zheng Gu was appointed prefect of Ruzhou. That month Susa and others campaigned against the Zubu and killed their chieftain Talagan. On xinchou day in the twelfth month Hanlin academician director Ma Dechen was appointed Xuanzheng Hall academician, Yelü Pode Nanjing army commander, Yelü Yao promoted to Great Inner tithen, and Darenjing Eastern Capital Central Secretariat right co-chancellor.
5
使 使使使 使使 使 使使使使使 使 殿 西
In the third year, on the bingwu new moon of the first spring month, the Emperor went to Chang Marsh. On dingsi day Hanlin academician Xing Baopu was appointed Minister of Rites, vice minister, and drafter of edicts; left reminder and drafter of edicts Liu Jing and Ministry of Personnel bureau director and drafter of edicts Niu Cangyong were both made administrative secretaries. On the bingzi new moon of the second month Niu Cangyong was appointed acting Secretariat direct academician. On the yisi new moon of the third month the Secretariat reported that many Khitan corvée households were destitute and petitioned that wealthy households be substituted in their place. The Emperor then reviewed the registers of the various divisions, found that the Niela and Wuyu divisions had few households but heavy corvée burdens, and partially exempted both. On the yihai new moon of the fourth summer month the court offered sacrifice at Mount Muye. On renwu day Fengzhou Prefect Zhao Kuangfu was appointed Baojing Army military commissioner. On guiwei day Left Gate Guard Grand General Wang Tingxu was appointed Fengxian Army military commissioner, and Zhangwu Army Military Commissioner Han Dening was appointed Chongyi Army military commissioner. On renzi day in the fifth month the Emperor returned to the Supreme Capital. On guiyou day the Empress's brother Xiao Daoning was appointed co-chancellor and put in charge of Shenzhou military and civil affairs. On the jiaxu new moon of the sixth month the Emperor went to Baipo. The Empress Dowager personally adjudicated delayed cases. On yihai day Guiyi Army Military Commissioner Wang Xiyan was appointed Xingguo Army military commissioner. On the jiachen new moon of the seventh autumn month an edict ordered every circuit to repair armor and weapons in preparation for the eastern campaign against Goryeo. On jiayin day the Emperor traveled east. On jiazi day the langjun corps was dispatched to grant burial goods to Prince of Qin Han Kuangsi. On bingyin day the court encamped at Tu River. Because of sudden flooding he ordered a boat-bridge built, and the next day went out in a palanquin to hold court. The Old Man star appeared. On dingmao day envoys were sent to inspect the weapons of the Eastern Capital armies and the routes for the eastern campaign. Co-chancellor Xiao Daoning was appointed Zhaode Army military commissioner; Wuding Army Military Commissioner, acting Minister of Works and concurrent chief councillor Guo Xi was appointed Tianping Army military commissioner; Datong Army Military Commissioner, acting grand preceptor of the heir apparent and concurrent chief councillor Liu Yangou was appointed Yicheng Army military commissioner; and the late honored father Prince of Qin Han Kuangsi was posthumously granted director of the Department of State Affairs. On the guiyou new moon of the eighth month, because Liao's marshes were waterlogged, the campaign against Goryeo was called off. Secretariat Commissioner Yelü Xiezhen was named commander-in-chief and imperial son-in-law commander Xiao Kende army supervisor and ordered to lead troops against the Jurchen. On dingchou day the court halted at Gaocheng. On gengchen day the Emperor reached Xian Prefecture and visited Ningshen Hall. On xinsi day he visited Qian Prefecture and viewed the new palace. On guiwei day the Emperor visited Qian Mausoleum. On jiashen day he ordered southern and northern court officials to inspect the mountain-mausoleum forests separately and directed Qian and Xian prefectures to submit counts of their subordinate villages and communities. On bingxu day Northern Pishi xiangwen presented seven brave warriors. On wuzi day the widow of the late Southern Court Great King Xieling Yiliwan, Lady Xiao, memorialized that her husband had died and could not be buried, and an edict ordered the authorities to assist. On gengchen day the eastern campaign commander-in-chief reported that the roads were still boggy and advance was not yet possible; an edict ordered the army to wait until the marshes dried before pushing deep inland. On guisi day the Empress Dowager visited Xian Mausoleum. On gengzi day the Emperor visited Qian Mausoleum. On xinchou day the Emperor traveled west. On guiyou day in the intercalary ninth month Xing Baopu was ordered to audit Xian Mausoleum. On bingzi day the march halted at the seashore. On gengchen day, the Double Ninth Festival, the Emperor climbed Camel Mountain and granted chrysanthemum wine to the ministers. On xinsi day an edict instructed the eastern campaign generals to advance when the waters had receded. On bingshen day Jurchen chancellor Jubuli came with tribute. On wuxu day the court encamped at Donggu Mountain. On jihai day Susa reported that the Jubugu tribes had reached the near marshlands and yilijin Yilugu asked permission to raid for captives; the Emperor said, "These tribes have done the state no harm — why raid for captives and needlessly stir up trouble." The request was denied. On jiaxu day in the eleventh winter month an edict put Prince of Wu Shao in charge of the burial rites for Prince of Qin Han Kuangsi. On dingchou day an edict ordered Northeast Route army-and-horse supervisor Qipodili to reassure the border population. On wuyin day Princess Hugudian was granted gold, silk, artisans, and other goods for her husband's burial. On xinmao day Han Derang was also appointed Chief Councillor. On guisi day the court forbade the sale in markets of cloth and silk that did not meet standard dimensions. On bingshen day, during the eastern campaign against the Jurchen, supreme commanders Xiao Talan and Pusa Nu submitted reports on distances along the march route and on local products.
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