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卷三十 本紀第三十: 天祚皇帝四 耶律淳 耶律雅里 耶律大石子:夷列 夷列妹:普速完 夷列次子:直魯古

Volume 30 Annals 30: Emperor Tianzuo 4 - Ye Luchun, Ye Luyali, Ye Ludashi and son: Yilie, Yi Lie and younger sister: Pu Suwan, Yi Lieci and son: Zhilugu

Chapter 30 of 遼史 · History of Liao
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Chapter 30
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Emperor Tianzuo IV; Yelü Chun; Yelü Yali; Yelü Dashi — Yilie; Yilie's sister Pusuwan; Yilie's second son Zhilugu
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Emperor Tianzuo IV
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祿 [1] 宿紿宿 使 祿西使
In the fifth year, on xinsi day of the first spring month, Xiang Xiaohulu sent envoys asking the emperor to visit his territory. On wuzi day he hastened toward Tiande; crossing the desert, Jin troops suddenly appeared. The emperor fled on foot; attendants offered a pearl cap, but he refused it, mounted Zhang Rengui's horse, and escaped to Tiande. [1] On jichou day he met snow and had no cold-weather gear; diviners presented sable-fur caps; on the road food ran out; diviners presented bu and jujubes; when he wished to rest, the diviners at once knelt and sat so he could lean on them for a brief sleep. The diviners could only gnaw ice and snow to stave off hunger. He passed Tiande. At night, about to lodge in a commoner's house, he deceived them by saying scouting horsemen were about; the household knew who he was, knocked the horse's head, knelt and wept greatly, and he lodged secretly in their home. After several days he praised their loyalty and from afar invested them as military commissioner, then hastened to Xiang. He made Xiaohulu southwestern frontier commissioner for suppression and overall commander of military affairs, and still granted his son and various officers titles and rewards in differing degrees.
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In the second month, sixty li east of Ying Prefecture's new city, he was captured by the Jin commander Wanyan Lou Shi and others.
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In the eighth month, on guimao day, he reached Jin territory. On bingwu day he was demoted and enfeoffed as Prince of the Sea Shore. He died of illness at fifty-four, having reigned twenty-four years. In the second month of Jin Huangtong year 1 he was changed to Prince of Yu. In year 5 he was buried beside Qian Mausoleum in Lüyang County, Guangning Prefecture.
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Yelü Chun
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[2] 使
Yelü Chun — his age is known as Northern Liao. Chun's childhood name was Nieli; he was Emperor Xingzong's fourth-generation grandson, son of Southern Capital regent and Song Prince of Wei Heluwo. In early Qingning the Empress Dowager raised and nurtured him. [2] When grown he was devoted to literature. When the Memorializing Heir Apparent was condemned, the emperor wished to make Chun heir. The emperor was angry at Yelü Baisi, knowing he was friendly with Chun, and sent Chun out as Zhangsheng and other armies military commissioner.
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In Tianqing year 5, on the eastern campaign, superintendent Zhangnu crossed the Yazi River; with Chun's son Asa and more than three hundred others he fled back, first sending Dili and others to report to Chun the plan to depose and enthrone; Chun beheaded Dili and presented his head, was advanced Prince of Qin-Jin, appointed commander-in-chief, granted the gold warrant, exempted from Han bowing ritual, and not called by name. Permitted to choose his own officers and soldiers, he thereupon recruited elite troops of Yan and Yun. Going east to Jinzhou, company chief Wu Chaoyan made disorder and seized Chun. Chun hid and escaped, gathered Chaoyan and executed him. When Jin troops arrived he gathered troops and fought at Ali Zhendou, was defeated, gathered several thousand scattered soldiers and resisted them. Chun entered court; his crime was pardoned; an edict ordered Nanjing to carve stone recording his merit.
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Yelü Yali
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Yelü Yali was Emperor Tianzuo's second son; his style was Saluan. At age seven the court wished to establish him as heir apparent, separately set up inner guard, and enfeoffed him Prince of Liang.
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In Baoda year 3 Jin troops besieged Green Mound Stockade; Yali was in the army. Grand Protector Temuge seized him and fled; by a hidden route they reached Yin Mountain. Hearing Tianzuo had met defeat and was hastening to Yunnei, Yali galloped to join him. At the time those in attendance were more than a thousand — more than Tianzuo had. Tianzuo feared Temuge would cause trouble and wished to execute him. He blamed him for being unable to fully save the princes and was about to interrogate him. Drawing his sword he summoned Yali and asked, "What did Temuge teach you to do?" Yali replied, "Nothing else was said." He then released him.
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便
Tianzuo crossed the river fleeing to Xia; company commander Yelü Dilie and others seized Yali and fled north. Reaching Sha Ridge they saw a snake cross the road; those who knew omens deemed it inauspicious. Three days later the assembled officials together set up Yali as lord. Yali thereupon took the throne, changed the era to Shenli, and ordered gentry and commoners to submit whatever was expedient.
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使 使 西使 使
Yali's nature was generous; he hated executions. Those captured who had fled were only flogged. Those who returned of themselves were at once given office. He thereupon said to those at his side, "If you wish to attach, come and attach; if you do not attach, then go. Why must there be coercion? Each time he took Tang's Zhenguan zhengyao and Linya Zizhong's poem on governing the state and ordered attendants to read them. Ugu Route military commissioner Jiuzhe, Dilie Tribe commander-in-chief Tabuye, and superintendent Tulideng each led their masses to come and attach. From this time the various tribes came in succession. But Yali daily grew negligent and fond of cuju. Temuge urgently remonstrated; he then no longer went out. He made Yelü Dilie privy commissioner; Temuge was his deputy. Dilie impeached Northwestern Route commissioner for suppression Xiao Jiuli for deluding the masses, his intent not that of a subject, and together with his son Manei executed them. He made Yaoshe commissioner for suppression; fighting with the various tribes, several times defeated, was flogged and dismissed from office.
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Among those following, if any were weary, he would at once give relief. Direct attendant Baode remonstrated, saying, "Now the state is empty; if bestowals are like this, how will we supply them?" Yali angrily said, "Formerly when hunting at Fushan you slandered the hunt officer; now you again have this speech. Without the various tribes, what would I take?" He did not accept it. Earlier he had ordered the herd offices to transport Salt Marsh granary grain, but the people stole it; discussion was to register them to compensate. Yali thereupon set the rate himself: for each cart of grain, one sheep; three carts, one ox; five carts, one horse; eight carts, one camel. Those at his side said, "Now one sheep cannot even be exchanged for two dou of grain, yet you compensate one cart!" Yali said, "If the people have, then I have. If you make them compensate in full, how can the people bear it?"
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Later hunting at Chala Mountain, in one day he shot forty yellow sheep and twenty-one wolves; he thereupon fell ill and died at thirty.
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Yelü Dashi
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西 使
Yelü Dashi — his age is known as Western Liao (Qara-Khitai). Dashi's style was Chongde; he was the eighth-generation grandson of Taizu. He mastered Khitan and Han script, was skilled at riding and archery, in Tianqing year 5 passed the jinshi examination, was selected Hanlin attendant-in-waiting, and soon was promoted Hanlin academician-director. Liao took Hanlin as linya, so he was called Great Stone Linya. He served successively as Tai and Xiang two prefectures' prefect, and Liaoxing Army military commissioner.
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使
In Baoda year 2, as Jin troops daily pressed, Tianzuo was driven from his capital; with the great ministers he set up King of Qin-Jin Chun as emperor. When Chun died he set up his wife Virtuous Consort Xiao as Empress Dowager to guard Yan. When Jin troops arrived Virtuous Consort Xiao returned to Tianzuo. Tianzuo angrily executed Virtuous Consort Xiao and blamed Dashi, saying, "While I live, how dare you set up Chun?" He replied, "Your Majesty with the power of the whole state could not repulse the enemy once, abandoned the state and fled far away, making the black-haired people suffer torment. To set up the ten Chuns — all are Taizu's descendants — is surely better than begging life from others, is it not?" The emperor had no reply; he granted wine and food and pardoned his crime.
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西[6] 使 西
Dashi was ill at ease; he thereupon killed Xiao Yixue and Poliguo, styled himself king, and led two hundred iron cavalry fleeing by night. Going north three days, crossing Black Water, he met Baidada xiangwen Chuangur. Chuangur presented four hundred horses, twenty camels, and sheep in number. Going west to Kedun city, he encamped at the Protectorate of the Pacified North, meeting the seven prefectures Weiwu, Chongde, Huifan, Xin, Dalin, Zihe, Tuo and the eighteen tribal kings of Great Yellow Shivewei, Dila, Wangjila, Chachila, Yexi, Bigude, Nila, Dalaguai, Damili, Mierji, Hezhu, Wuguli, Zubu, Pusuwan, Tanggu, Humusi, Xide, and Jiuerbi, [6] and addressed them, saying, "Our ancestors with hardship founded the enterprise; through the ages nine lords; through the years two hundred. Jin as subject-state forced our state, ravaged our black-haired people, slaughtered and mowed our prefectures and counties, making our Emperor Tianzuo suffer dust abroad — day and night we are heartsick. I now take righteousness and go west, wishing to borrow the strength of the various fan, cut down our foe, and recover our territory. Do only you masses also grieve for our state, worry for our altars, and think to together save the lord and father and rescue the black-haired people from hardship? He thereupon obtained elite troops of more than ten thousand, set officials, established ranks, and prepared weapons.
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西 [7]使 西
Next year second month, on jiawu day, with green ox and white horse he sacrificed to Heaven, Earth, and ancestors, and arrayed the host westward. First he sent a letter to Uighur king Bilgege, saying, "Formerly our Taizu Emperor on the northern campaign passed Buguhan city, [7] and at once sent envoys to Ganzhou, proclaiming to your ancestor Wumu, saying, 'If you think of the old state, I shall restore it for you; if you cannot return, then I shall possess it. With me, it is as with you. Your ancestor thereupon memorialized thanks, thinking to move the state here; for more than ten generations army and people have all been attached to the soil and heavy to move, and could not return. Thus with your state it is not a single day's goodwill. Now I shall go west to the Great Food; I borrow passage through your state — do not give rise to suspicion. Bilgege received the letter and at once welcomed him to the lodge and feasted him three days. On departure he presented six hundred horses, one hundred camels, and three thousand sheep, wished to pledge sons and grandsons as vassals, and escorted him to the border. Where he passed, those who opposed he overcame; those who submitted he pacified. The army marched ten thousand li; states that returned numbered several; camels, horses, cattle, sheep, and goods obtained could not be counted. Army power daily grew; keen spirit daily doubled.
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西 使 使[8]使
Reaching Xunsi Gan, the various states of the Western Regions gathered troops of one hundred thousand, styled Qusun, and came to resist battle. The two armies faced each other about two li. He addressed the officers and soldiers, saying, "Though their army is many it is without plan; if we attack, head and tail will not rescue each other — our army is sure to win." He sent Six Courts Office great king Xiao Wolila, commissioner for suppression deputy Yelü Songshan, and others to lead two thousand five hundred troops attacking their right; privy deputy Xiao Chala Abu, [8] commissioner for suppression Yelü Shuxue, and others to lead two thousand five hundred troops attacking their left; he himself with the mass attacked the center. The three armies all advanced; Qusun was greatly defeated; corpses lay for several tens of li. Encamped at Xunsi Gan altogether ninety days; the Huihui king came to submit and presented local products.
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西
Again going west to Qier Man, civil and military hundred officials invested Dashi as emperor; on jiachen year second month fifth day he took the throne, age thirty-eight, styled Gur Khan. Again he took the Han honorific title Heavenly Emperor and changed the era to Yanqing. He posthumously titled his grandfather Heir of the Source Emperor and his grandmother Virtuous Consort Empress; he invested primary consort Lady Xiao as Bright Virtue Empress. He thereupon said to the hundred officials, "I with you have marched thirty thousand li, toiled through desert, day and night in hardship. Relying on the ancestors' blessing and your strength, we have rashly ascended the great position. Your ancestors and fathers should receive added favor; together enjoy honor and glory." From Xiao Wolila and forty-nine others' grandfathers, titles were granted in differing degrees.
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Son Yilie
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歿
Son Yilie was young; testamentary order had the empress hold state. Later name Tabuyan, title Gantian Empress; she held rule, changed the era to Xianqing, on the throne seven years. Son Yilie took the throne and changed the era to Shaoxing. Registering the people eighteen sui and above, he obtained eighty-four thousand five hundred households. On the throne thirteen years he died; temple name Renzong.
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Yilie's sister Pusuwan
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The son was young; testamentary edict had younger sister Pusuwan hold state; she held rule, changed the era to Chongfu, title Chengtian Empress Dowager. Later she had relations with the consort's younger brother Puguzhi Shali; she sent the consort out as Prince of Dongping and on false charges killed him. The consort's father Wolila led troops surrounding her palace and shot Pusuwan and Puguzhi Shali to death. Pusuwan was on the throne fourteen years.
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Yilie's second son Zhilugu
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【Commentary and Appraisal】
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In Tianzuo's reign Yelü Chun twice ruled the great state, received the gold warrant, and was honored with bowing while not called by name. For a time no favor could compare with his. When Tianzuo was driven from his capital, could he not—as commander-in-chief at Nanjing—have roused great righteousness among the Yan people and great ministers, raised a loyal host to resist Jin in the east, and welcomed Tianzuo home? Yet he seized the throne for himself—that was usurpation. And how he wronged Tianzuo!
30
Dashi had made Chun emperor, yet still served Tianzuo when he returned. Tianzuo rebuked him on grounds of righteousness; Dashi thereupon styled himself king and departed. By fortune of the ancestors' remaining might and lingering wisdom, he established a realm ten thousand li away. Though a widowed mother and weak son handed on rule in turn for nearly ninety years, one may still call that an achievement hard-won.
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Yet the enthronements of Chun, Yali, and Dashi all fell within Tianzuo's lifetime. To have a sovereign yet set up another—how can that be permitted? When Zhuge the Martial Marquis mourned Emperor Xian and afterward enthroned the Former Lord—that is not a case to be named in the same breath. Therefore this is recorded as a warning.
32
Appraisal: Liao rose from the northern wilds; arms and armor flourished—drums marched beyond the frontier, swept Hebei, planted Jin and raised Han—how magnificent! Taizu and Taizong rode the momentum of a hundred battles and gathered a newly forged state; their heroic stratagem and design may be called far-sighted indeed. Though Shizong was middling in talent and Muzong cruel and violent, regicide and treason followed in succession—yet the sacred vessel did not tremble. Surely because the ancestors' awesomeness and commands still sufficed to overawe their own people.
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From Shengzong onward they cultivated government within and extended territory without. Thereafter they renewed firm neighborly goodwill, and the four borders were secure. That a foundation of more than two hundred years was maintained had its reasons.
34
Descending to Tianzuo, he met the dynasty's final fate and disappointed the people's hopes, trusted wicked flatterers, and himself undermined the state's root—those below lost heart. When Jin troops gathered, internal trouble arose first; plots to depose and enthrone and trails of rebellion and flight swarmed like bees. The realm collapsed like earth and tiles beyond recovery—truly pitiable! Yelü and Xiao for generations were nephew and uncle; their bond was shared weal and woe. Fengxian put private interest above the public good, first stirred disaster and difficulty, until matters came to this pass. Tianzuo in extremity at last saw that Fengxian had misled him—was it not nearly too late?
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Of Chun and Yali it is said: when the name is not correct, speech does not accord, and the affair is not accomplished. Dashi barely prolonged the line—better than the others, yet for how many years more?
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Collation Notes
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1: "Reached Tiande" — According to Jin History 82 Xiao Zhonggong's biography reads "reached Huolidipo."
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2: "In early Qingning the Empress Dowager raised him" — Chun died in Baoda year 2; if "age sixty" is correct he would have been born in Qingning year 9; "early Qingning" has a textual error.
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3: "When Tianzuo took the throne, advanced Prince of Zheng" — According to the annals, in the sixth month of Qianyun year 1 Northern Ping Commandery King Chun was advanced Prince of Zheng.
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4: "Qianyun year 2, advanced Prince of Yue" — According to the annals, in the eleventh month of Qianyun year 3 Prince of Zheng Chun was advanced King of Yue.
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5: Chancellor Li Chun — According to the annals Baoda year 2 third month and juan 102 his biography all read Li Chuwenn.
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6: Great Yellow Shivewei and eighteen tribes — Dila: Offices Annals 2 reads Dilie; Wangjila is Jin History's Guangjici and Yuan History's Hongjila; Chachila: annals Da'an year 10 fourth month and Offices Annals 2 both read Chazhala, which is Yuan History's Zhazhalaite; Bigude: Offices Annals 2 reads Biguode; Mierji: annals Shoulong year 3 second month reads Meiliji, which is Yuan Secret History's Mierqi; Humusi is Offices Annals 2's Humusi Mountain Tribe, Military Guard Annals lower's Humusi Mountain fan; Jiuerbi: Tribal Relations table reads Jierbi.
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7: Buguhan city — Luo collation says it is the Old Uighur city in Taizu Annals.
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8: Xiao Chala Abu — Below reads Xiao Zhala Abu.
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