1
王景，萊州掖人，家世力田。 景少倜儻，善騎射，不事生業，結里中惡少為群盜。 梁大將王檀鎮滑臺，以景隸麾下，與後唐莊宗戰河上，檀有功，景嘗左右之。 莊宗入汴，景來降，累遷奉聖都虞候。 清泰末，從張敬達圍晉陽，會契丹來援，景以所部歸晉祖。
Wang Jing came from Ye in Laizhou. His family had farmed the land for generations. In youth he was daring and free-spirited, an excellent horseman and archer who shunned honest work and banded with neighborhood troublemakers as outlaws. Liang general Wang Tan held Huatai and took Jing into his service. In the river battles against Later Tang's Emperor Zhuangzong, Tan earned distinction, and Jing was often at his side. After Zhuangzong took Bian, Jing submitted and rose through successive posts to commandant of the Fengsheng Guard. Late in the Qingtai reign he joined Zhang Jingda's siege of Jinyang. When Khitan forces marched to relieve the city, Jing defected with his troops to the future Jin emperor.
2
天福初，授相州刺史。 范延光據鄴叛，屬郡多為所脅從，景獨分兵拒守，晉祖嘉之，遷耀州團練使。 及代，會晉祖幸鄴，留為京城巡檢使，改洺州團練使。 開運初，授侍衛馬軍左廂都校。 二年，契丹南侵，少帝幸澶淵，景與高行周等大破契丹眾於戚城，遷侍衛馬軍都指揮使、領鄭州防禦使，出為晉州巡檢使、知州事，拜橫海軍節度。 契丹至汴，以其黨代景。 景歸次常山，聞契丹主殂欒城，即間道歸鎮，斬關而入，契丹遁去。
Early in the Tianfu reign he was made prefect of Xiangzhou. When Fan Yanguang rebelled from Ye, most neighboring districts were forced to join him, but Jing alone held his ground with divided forces. The Jin emperor commended him and appointed him military commissioner of Yaozhou. At the change of dynasty, while the Jin emperor was at Ye, Jing was left in charge as metropolitan patrol commissioner, then reassigned as military commissioner of Mingzhou. Early in the Kaiyun reign he was named commander of the left wing of the palace guard cavalry. In the second year of the reign the Khitan swept south and the young emperor moved to Chanyuan. Jing and Gao Xingzhou won a crushing victory over the Khitan at Qi City. He was promoted to overall commander of the palace cavalry while holding the defense of Zhengzhou, then sent out to Jinzhou as patrol commissioner and acting prefect, and finally enfeoffed as military governor of Henghai. When the Khitan took Bian, they installed their own men in Jing's place. Jing paused at Changshan. Learning that the Khitan ruler had died at Luancheng, he slipped back to his post by a back road, forced the passes, and drove the Khitan away.
3
漢乾祐初，加同平章事。 會契丹饑，幽州民多度關求食，至滄州境者五千餘人，景善懷撫，詔給田處之。
Early in the Han Ganyou reign he was made co-equal chief councilor. Famine struck Khitan lands, and thousands from Youzhou crossed the border for food—over five thousand reached Cangzhou. Jing received them with care, and the court granted them land to settle.
4
周祖微時與景善，及即位，加兼侍中。 景起身行伍，素無智略，然臨政不尚刻削，民有訟必面詰之，不至大過即諭而釋去，不為胥吏所搖，由是部民便之。 廣順初入朝，民周環等數百人，遮道留之不獲，有截景馬鐙者，俄以景為護國軍節度，歲餘，遷鎮鳳翔。 顯德初，封褒國公，加開府階。 世宗即位，加兼中書令。 先是，秦、鳳陷蜀，州旁蕃漢戶詣闕請收復，世宗命景與向拱率兵出大散關進討，連陷砦柵，遂命景為西面行營都部署，大破蜀軍於上邽，斬首數萬級。 是秋，秦州降。 逾年，徙景鎮秦州兼西面緣邊都部署。 恭帝即位，進封涼國公。
The Zhou founder had been on good terms with Jing in humbler days. When he acceded, Jing was made concurrent Palace Attendant. Jing rose from the ranks and lacked strategic brilliance, yet he governed without harsh exactions. He questioned litigants in person and released those whose offenses were not grave, refusing to be swayed by clerks—so the people of his command found him easy to live under. When he first came to court in Guangshun, several hundred people including Zhou Huan blocked the road to keep him from leaving; some seized his stirrups. Soon he was made military governor of Huguo, and a year later transferred to Fengxiang. Early in Xiande he was enfeoffed as Duke of Bao and given Ministerial rank. When Emperor Shizong acceded, Jing was made concurrent Chief Secretary. Earlier, when Qin and Feng had fallen to Shu, neighboring Tangut and Han households petitioned for their recovery. Emperor Shizong ordered Jing and Xiang Gong to march through Dasanguan, capturing stockade after stockade. He then made Jing overall commander of the western field army and routed the Shu forces at Shanggui, taking tens of thousands of heads. That autumn Qinzhou surrendered. A year later Jing was transferred to Qinzhou as overall commander of the western frontier. When Emperor Gongdi acceded, Jing was advanced to Duke of Liang.
5
宋初，加守太保，封太原郡王。 建隆二年春來朝，太祖宴賜加等，復以為鳳翔節度、西面緣邊都部署。 四年，卒，年七十五。 贈太傅，追封岐王，謚元靖。
Early in the Song he was made Guardian Grand Mentor and enfeoffed as Prince of Taiyuan. In spring of the second Jianlong year he came to court. Taizu entertained him with exceptional honors and restored him as military governor of Fengxiang and overall commander of the western frontier. He died in the fourth year, at the age of seventy-five. The court posthumously made him Grand Tutor and Prince of Qi, with the posthumous name Yuanjing.
6
初，景之奔晉也，妻坐戮，二子逃獲免。 晉祖待之厚，賞賜萬計，嘗問景所欲，對曰：「臣自歸國，受恩隆厚，誠無所欲。」 固問之，景稽顙再拜曰：「臣昔為卒，嘗負胡床從隊長出入，屢過官妓侯小師家，意甚慕之。 今妻被誅，誠得小師為妻足矣。」 晉祖大笑，即以小師賜景。 景甚寵嬖之，後累封楚國夫人。 侯氏嘗盜景金數百兩，私遺舊人，景知而不責。
When Jing first defected to Jin, his wife was executed and two sons fled and survived. The Jin emperor treated him lavishly, with gifts beyond counting. Once he asked what Jing wanted. Jing answered, "Since I came over, Your Majesty's kindness has been boundless. I truly want for nothing." Pressed again, Jing kowtowed and said, "When I was a common soldier I used to carry a camp-chair for my squad leader and often passed the house of the courtesan Hou Xiaoshi. I have long admired her. My wife is gone. If I could have Xiaoshi for my wife, that is all I ask." The Jin emperor laughed and at once gave him Xiaoshi. Jing cherished her devotedly, and she was later raised to Lady of Chu. Lady Hou once stole several hundred taels of his gold to give old friends in secret. Jing knew and said nothing.
7
性謙退，折節下士，每朝廷使至，雖卑位必降階送迎，周旋盡禮。 左右或曰：「王位尊崇，無自謙抑。」 景曰：「人臣重君命，固當如是，我惟恐不謹耳。」 初封郡王，朝廷以吏部尚書張昭將命，景尤加禮重，以萬餘緡遺昭。 左右或言其過厚，景曰：「我在行伍間，即聞張尚書名，今使於我，是朝廷厚我也，豈可以往例為限耶？」
He was modest by nature and humbled himself before men of learning. Whenever a court envoy arrived, however lowly the man's rank, Jing would come down the steps to greet and see him off with full ceremony. His attendants would say, "Your Highness's station is lofty—there is no need for such self-abasement." Jing replied, "A subject honors the sovereign's commission—that is how it should be. I only fear I am not courteous enough." When he was first made a commandery prince, the court sent Zhang Zhao, Minister of Personnel, with the patent of enfeoffment. Jing treated him with exceptional respect and gave him more than ten thousand strings of cash. Attendants said the gift was too lavish. Jing said, "Even in the ranks I knew Minister Zhang's reputation. That the court sends him to me is an honor—how can I measure that by old custom?"
8
景子廷義、廷睿、廷訓。 廷訓至驍衛大將軍致仕。
Jing's sons were Tingyi, Tingrui, and Tingxun. Tingxun rose to Grand General of the Valiant Guard before retiring.
9
廷義起家供奉官，改如京副使，以善騎射，周世宗擢為虎捷都虞候，遷龍捷右第二軍都校、領珍州刺史。 宋初，改內外馬步軍副都軍頭。 乾德四年，與韓重贇率師護治滑州靈河新堤。 六年，增治京城，又命廷義董其役。 開寶二年，加領橫州團練使，從征太原。 廷義性勇敢，親鼓士乘城，獨免胄，矢中其腦而顛，經宿卒，年四十七。 太祖甚惜之，優詔贈建雄軍節度。
Tingyi entered service as a palace attendant, then became deputy commissioner for the capital. His horsemanship won him promotion under Zhou Shizong to commandant of the Tiger Swift Guard, then colonel of the second right Dragon Swift army while holding Zhenzhou. Early in the Song he was made deputy commander of the inner and outer horse and foot armies. In the fourth Qiande year he and Han Chongyun led troops to repair the new Ling River embankment at Huazhou. In the sixth year further work was done on the capital, and Tingyi was put in charge again. In the second Kaibao year he was given Hengzhou as well and joined the Taiyuan campaign. Tingyi was fearless. He beat the drums himself to lead the assault on the walls, bareheaded, took an arrow in the head, and died the next night at forty-seven. Taizu mourned him deeply and by special edict posthumously made him military governor of Jianxiong.
10
廷睿性驕傲，好夸誕，每言：「我當代王景之子。」 聞者咸笑之，因目為『王當代』。
Tingrui was arrogant and fond of grand talk. He liked to say, "I am the son who should succeed Wang Jing." Everyone who heard it laughed, and people nicknamed him "Wang the Successor."
11
王晏，徐州滕人，家世力田。 晏少壯勇無賴，嘗率群寇行攻劫。 梁末，徐方大亂，屬邑皆為他盜所剽，惟晏鄉里恃晏獲全。 後唐同光中，應募隸禁軍，累遷奉國小校。
Wang Yan came from Teng in Xuzhou. His family had farmed for generations. In youth Yan was fierce and lawless and led gangs in robbery and pillage. Late in the Liang, chaos engulfed Xu. Neighboring districts were looted by other bandits, but Yan's home village alone was spared because of him. Under Later Tang in the Tongguang era he enlisted in the palace army and rose to junior officer of the Fengguo Guard.
12
晉開運末，與本軍都校趙暉、忠衛都校侯章等戍陜州。 會契丹至汴，遣其將劉愿據陜，恣行暴虐，晏與暉等謀曰：「今契丹南侵，天下洶洶，英雄豪傑固當乘時自奮。 且聞太原劉公威德遠被，人心歸服，若殺愿送款河東，為天下倡首，則取富貴如反掌耳。」 暉等然之。 晏乃率敢死士數人夜踰城，入府署，劫庫兵給其徒，遲明，斬愿首級府門外。 眾請暉為帥，章為本城副指揮使、內外巡檢使兼都虞候； 遣其子漢倫奉表晉陽。 時漢祖雖建號，威聲未振，得晏等來歸，甚喜，即日以暉為保平軍節度，章為鎮國軍節度，晏為絳州防禦使，仍領舊職。 既而暉等表晏始謀功為第一，遷建雄軍節度。 漢祖入汴，加同平章事。
Late in the Jin Kaiyun reign he garrisoned Shaanzhou with his colonel Zhao Hui, Zhongwei colonel Hou Zhang, and others. When the Khitan took Bian they sent Liu Yuan to hold Shaan, where he ruled with savage cruelty. Yan and Hui plotted together: "The Khitan are south, the realm is in chaos—this is the hour for a true man to rise. We hear that Liu of Taiyuan's fame reaches far and men flock to him. Kill Yuan, open the gates to Hedong, and lead the realm—fortune and rank would be ours in a stroke." Hui and the rest agreed. Yan led a handful of daredevils over the wall by night into the yamen, seized arms from the arsenal for his men, and at dawn cut off Yuan's head and hung it outside the gate. The troops made Hui their commander. Zhang became deputy garrison commander, patrol commissioner inside and out, and commandant as well; and Yan sent his son Hanlun to Jinyang with a letter of submission. The Han emperor had taken the throne but his name still rang small. Yan's defection delighted him. That same day he made Hui governor of Baoping, Zhang of Zhenguo, and Yan defender of Jiangzhou while keeping their old posts. Hui and the others then reported that Yan had conceived the plot and deserved first credit. He was promoted to military governor of Jianxiong. When the Han emperor entered Bian, Yan was made co-equal chief councilor.
13
周祖即位，加兼侍中。 廣順元年，劉崇侵晉州，晏閉關不出，設伏城上。 幷人以為怯，競攀堞而登，晏麾伏兵擊之，顛死者甚眾，遂焚橋遁。 遣漢倫追北數十里，斬首百餘級，擢漢倫濱州刺史。 八月來朝，周祖以晏家彭城，授武寧軍節度，俾榮其鄉里。 三年，周祖征兗州，次張康鎮，晏來朝，獻馬七匹，賜襲衣、金帶。 親郊畢，封滕國公，加開府階。 世宗即位，加兼中書令。
When the Zhou founder acceded, Yan was made concurrent Palace Attendant. In the first Guangshun year, Liu Chong invaded Jinzhou. Yan shut the gates and refused to emerge, posting ambushes on the walls. The Bing troops thought him cowardly and swarmed the battlements. Yan signaled his ambush, and many fell to their deaths. He then burned the bridge and withdrew. He sent Hanlun in pursuit for dozens of li, took more than a hundred heads, and promoted Hanlun to prefect of Binzhou. He came to court in the eighth month. Because Yan's family came from Pengcheng, the Zhou founder made him military governor of Wuning so his homeland might share in the honor. In the third year, while the Zhou founder campaigned against Yanzhou and halted at Zhangkang, Yan came to court with seven horses and received ceremonial robes and a gold belt. After the suburban sacrifice he was enfeoffed as Duke of Teng and given Ministerial rank. When Emperor Shizong acceded, Yan was made concurrent Chief Secretary.
14
初，晏至鎮，悉召故時同為盜者遺以金帛，從容置酒語之曰：「吾鄉素多盜，我與諸君昔嘗為之。 後來者固當出諸君之下，為我告諭，令不復為，若不能改，吾必盡滅其族。」 由是境內安靜，吏民詣闕舉留，請為晏立衣錦碑。 世宗初，復請立德政碑。 世宗命比部郎中、知制誥張正撰文賜之，詔改其鄉里為使相鄉勳德里，私門立戟。 未幾，改河南尹、西京留守。 顯德三年，移鳳翔節度。 六年，從世宗北征，為益津關一路馬軍都部署，韓令坤副焉，遂平三關。
When Yan first took his post he summoned his old bandit comrades, gave them gold and silk, and over wine said gently, "Our country has always had its thieves—you and I were among them once. Anyone who comes after you must stay beneath you. Tell them to stop—or I will wipe out their families to the last man." The district grew quiet. Officials and commoners petitioned the throne to keep him and asked for a "glorious return" stele in his honor. Early in Shizong's reign they asked again for a stele praising his rule. Shizong had Zhang Zheng compose the inscription, renamed his home village Xunde Lane in Ministers' Township, and ordered halberds set before his gate. Soon he was made metropolitan magistrate of Henan and regent of the western capital. In the third Xiande year he was transferred to Fengxiang as military governor. In the sixth year he joined Shizong's northern campaign as cavalry commander on the Yijin route with Han Lingkun as deputy, and helped secure the three frontier passes.
15
太祖即位，進封趙國公。 從征李筠，師還，改安遠軍節度。 乾德元年，進封韓國公，上章請老，拜太子太師致仕。 每朝會，令綴中書門下班。 俄歸洛陽別墅。 四年冬，卒，年七十七。 廢朝三日，贈中書令。
When Taizu took the throne, Yan was advanced to Duke of Zhao. He joined the campaign against Li Yun and, on the army's return, was made military governor of Anyuan. In the first Qiande year he was raised to Duke of Han, asked to retire, and was made Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent with permission to leave office. At court assemblies he was placed in the row just after the chief ministers. Before long he withdrew to his villa at Luoyang. He died in the winter of the fourth year, at seventy-seven. Court mourned three days and posthumously made him Chief Secretary.
16
初，晏為軍校，與平陸人王興善，其妻亦相為娣姒。 晏既貴，乃薄興，興不能平。 晏妻病，興語人曰：「吾能治之。」 晏遽訪興，興曰：「我非能醫，但以公在陜時止一妻，今妓妾甚眾，得非待糟糠之薄，致夫人怏怏成疾耶？ 若能斥去女侍，夫人之疾可立愈。」 晏以為謗己，乃誣以他事，悉案誅其夫妻。
When Yan was still a junior officer he was close to Wang Xing of Pinglu, and their wives were sisters-in-law. Once Yan rose high he snubbed Xing, who could not bear the slight. When Yan's wife fell ill, Xing told people, "I can cure her." Yan rushed to see him. Xing said, "I am no physician—but in Shaan you had one wife and now a houseful of concubines. Have you neglected the woman who stood by you in poverty and made your lady sick with grief? Send the concubines away and your wife will recover at once." Yan took this for slander, trumped up other charges, and had husband and wife executed together.
17
守西洛日，白重贊鎮河陽，時世宗征淮南，重贊慮幷人乘間為寇，因葺城壘，且約晏為援。 晏意欲兼有三城，即與漢倫同率兵赴之。 重贊聞其來，拒不納，遣人語之曰：「公在陜州已立大功，河陽小城不煩枉駕。」 慚不能對，遂引兵還。
While Yan held the western capital, Bai Chongzan held Heyang. Shizong was campaigning in Huainan, and Chongzan feared the Bingzhou forces might strike while he was weak, so he strengthened his walls and asked Yan for support. Yan meant to seize all three cities for himself and marched with Hanlun to Heyang. Chongzan heard he was coming and shut the gates, sending word: "You won great glory at Shaanzhou. This little town of Heyang hardly needs your presence." Yan, shamed, had no answer and marched home.
18
郭從義
Guo Congyi
19
郭從義，其先沙陀部人。 父紹古，事後唐武皇忠謹，特見信任，賜姓李氏。 紹古卒，從義才丱角，莊宗畜於宮中，與諸子齒。 明宗與紹古同事武皇，情好款狎，即位，以從義補內職，累遷內園使。
Guo Congyi's forebears were of the Shatuo tribe. His father Shaogu served Later Tang's Martial Emperor with loyal care, won exceptional trust, and was granted the surname Li. When Shaogu died, Congyi was still a small boy. Zhuangzong raised him in the palace alongside his own sons. Mingzong had served with Shaogu under the Martial Emperor and held the family dear. On his accession he gave Congyi a palace post, and Congyi rose to commissioner of the inner gardens.
20
晉天福初，始復姓郭氏。 坐事出為宿州團練副使。 丁內艱北歸，遂家太原。 漢祖在鎮，表為馬步軍都虞候，屢率師破破契丹於代北，及建大號，從義首贊其謀，擢鄭州防禦使，充東南道行營都虞候，領首軍自太行路渡河。
Early in the Jin Tianfu reign he resumed the surname Guo. After an offense he was sent out as deputy military commissioner of Suzhou. When his mother died he went north for mourning and settled in Taiyuan. While the Han emperor still held his fief, he named Congyi commandant of horse and foot. Congyi repeatedly beat the Khitan north of Dai. When the Han throne was proclaimed, Congyi was first to back the plan. He was made defender of Zhengzhou, commandant of the southeast campaign, and led the vanguard across the Taihang route.
21
漢祖入汴，以為河北都巡檢使。 杜重威據大名叛，以為行營諸軍都虞候，重威降，為鎮寧軍節度。 趙思綰之叛，為行營都部署，賜戎裝、器仗、金帶。 師至永興，圍其城，即以從義為永興軍節度。 思綰糧盡，城中人相食，從義繫書矢上，射入城中，說思綰令降，仍表於朝廷，許以華州節制。 隱帝從其計，即遣使諭思綰，思綰開門納款。 翌日，從義具軍容入城，憩候館中，思綰入謁，即令武士執之，並其黨三百餘人悉斬於市，以功加同平章事。 周廣順初，加兼侍中，移鎮許州。 顯德初，親郊，加檢校太師。 世宗將征劉崇，從義適來朝，因請扈從，世宗甚悅，改天平軍節度，即令從符彥卿破契丹於忻口。 師還，以功加兼中書令。 四年，從征淮南，移鎮徐州。 及世宗自迎鑾至泗州，見於行在。 恭帝即位，加開府階。
When the Han emperor entered Bian, Congyi was made overall patrol commissioner of Hebei. When Du Chongwei rebelled from Daming, Congyi was made commandant of the campaign armies. After Chongwei surrendered, Congyi was made military governor of Zhenning. When Zhao Sihuan rebelled, Congyi was made overall campaign commander and given military dress, arms, and a gold belt. The army reached Yongxing and laid siege, and Congyi was at once made military governor of Yongxing. Sihuan's stores ran out and the besieged turned to cannibalism. Congyi shot a letter into the city urging surrender and asked the court to promise him Huazhou. Emperor Yindi agreed and sent envoys. Sihuan opened the gates and submitted. The next day Congyi entered in full array and waited at the guest lodge. When Sihuan came to pay respects, Congyi had his men seize him and more than three hundred followers and beheaded them all in the market. For this he was made co-equal chief councilor. Early in Zhou Guangshun he was made Palace Attendant as well and transferred to Xuzhou. Early in Xiande, at the suburban sacrifice, he was made Inspector Grand Preceptor. When Shizong prepared to campaign against Liu Chong, Congyi happened to be at court and asked to join him. Shizong was delighted, made him governor of Tianping, and sent him with Fu Yanqing to defeat the Khitan at Xinkou. On the army's return he was given the concurrent title of Chief Secretary for his service. In the fourth year he joined the Huainan campaign and was transferred to Xuzhou. When Shizong reached Sizhou after escorting the imperial carriage, Congyi was received at the field headquarters. When Emperor Gong succeeded, Congyi was granted the privilege of an independent staff.
22
宋初，加守中書令。 太祖征揚州，從義迎謁於路，願扈從，不允。 乾德二年，又為河中尹、護國國節度。 六年，以疾歸京師。 開寶二年，改左金吾衛上將軍。 逾年，上章請老，拜太子太師致仕。 四年，卒，年六十三，贈中書令。
Early in the Song he was made Guardian Chief Secretary. When Taizu marched on Yangzhou, Congyi met him on the road and asked to join the campaign, but Taizu refused. In the second Qiande year he was again made metropolitan magistrate of Hezhong and military governor of Huguo. In the sixth year illness brought him back to the capital. In the second Kaibao year he was made Grand General of the Left Golden Crow Guard. A year later he asked to retire and was made Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent with permission to leave office. He died in the fourth year at sixty-three. The court posthumously made him Chief Secretary.
23
從義性重厚，有謀略，多技藝，尤善飛白書。 初，思綰之叛也，巡檢使喬守溫遁去，姬妾悉入思綰，思綰敗，從義盡取之。 守溫詣從義求其愛妾，雖不敢拒，而心銜焉，遂發守溫逃遁事，坐棄市，人皆冤之。 從義善擊毬，嘗侍太祖於便殿，命擊之。 從義易衣跨驢，馳驟殿庭，周旋擊拂，曲盡其妙。 既罷，上賜坐，謂之曰：「卿技固精矣，然非將相所為。」 從義大慚。
Congyi was steady and thoughtful, skilled in many arts, and especially masterful at feibai calligraphy. When Sihuan rebelled, patrol commissioner Qiao Shouwen fled and left his concubines behind. Sihuan took them, and when he fell Congyi claimed them all. Shouwen came to ask for his favorite concubine. Congyi dared not refuse but nursed a grudge and exposed Shouwen's desertion. Shouwen was executed in the market, and everyone thought it unjust. Congyi was an expert polo player. Once in the informal hall Taizu ordered him to play. He changed clothes, mounted a donkey, and galloped through the courtyard, striking and parrying with perfect grace. When he finished, the emperor seated him and said, "Your skill is fine—but it is not what a minister should be doing." Congyi was deeply ashamed.
24
子守忠、守信。 守忠至閑廄副使。 守信字寶臣，頗知書，與士大夫遊，至東上閣門使、知邢州，卒。 子世隆為比部員外郎。 世隆子昭祐、承祐。 昭祐為閣門祗候。
His sons were Shouzhong and Shouxin. Shouzhong rose to deputy commissioner of the spare stables. Shouxin, styled Baochen, was literate and moved among scholar-officials. He rose to eastern upper gate commissioner and prefect of Xingzhou, then died. His son Shilong served as outer-section director in the Ministry of Revenue. Shilong's sons were Zhaoyou and Chengyou. Zhaoyou was a privy chamber gate attendant.
25
曾孫承祐
Great-grandson Chengyou
26
承祐，字天錫，娶舒王元偁女，授西頭供奉官。 仁宗為皇太子，承祐補左清道率府率、春坊左謁者，真宗為玉石小牌二，勒銘為戒飭之。 帝即位，遷西院副使兼閣道通事舍人、勾當翰林司，遷西上閣門副使。 坐盜御酒及用尚方金器除名，岳州編管，徙許州別駕。 起為率府率，遷西京作坊使、勾當右騏驥院。 院之大校試路馬者，前鳴鞭擁御蓋，承祐代試之，其狂僭如此。 進六宅使、象州團練使。 承祐性狡獪，緣東宮恩，又憑藉王邸親，既廢復用，廼僭言事，或指切人過失，同列謂之『武諫官』。 真授衛州刺史、知相州，入為群牧副使，改濰州團練使，歷知曹、鄭、澶、鄆、貝州。 徙澶州兵馬總管，役卒有異謀者，廉得不待奏，捕斬之。 再知澶州，會中使過，遽延入問管軍闕補何人，使者曰：「聞朝廷方擇才武者。」 承祐起挽彊自衒，左右皆笑。
Chengyou, styled Tiansi, married a daughter of Prince Shu Yuan Cheng and was appointed western-head palace attendant. When Renzong was crown prince, Chengyou became colonel of the Left Pure Path guard and left usher of the Eastern Palace. Zhenzong had two small jade tablets inscribed as warnings to keep him in line. When Renzong took the throne, Chengyou was made deputy commissioner of the western court, privy-passage usher, and superintendent of the Hanlin office, then deputy commissioner of the western upper gate. He was dismissed for stealing imperial wine and using palace gold vessels, confined at Yuezhou, then sent to Xuzhou as assistant administrator. He was recalled as guard colonel, then made commissioner of the western capital workshops and superintendent of the right fine-horse park. When the park's senior officer tested road horses, runners cracked whips and bore the imperial parasol before him. Chengyou took the test himself—such was his arrogance. He was promoted to commissioner of the Six Residences and military commissioner of Xiangzhou. Chengyou was cunning. He traded on Eastern Palace favor and princely kinship, and after dismissal was brought back to speak out of turn on policy and pick at colleagues' faults. They nicknamed him the "military remonstrator." He was made prefect of Weizhou and acting prefect of Xiangzhou, then deputy herds commissioner, military commissioner of Weifang, and in turn prefect of Cao, Zheng, Chan, Yun, and Bei. As overall commander at Chanzhou he learned that corvée troops were plotting rebellion, arrested them without waiting for court approval, and had them beheaded. Serving again at Chanzhou, he detained a passing palace envoy and asked who would fill the vacant military post. The envoy said, "I hear the court is looking for a capable warrior." Chengyou stood, drew a strong bow to show off, and his attendants laughed.
27
入為龍神衛四廂都指揮使。 以父喪，起復真定府、定州等路副都總管。 諫官歐陽脩、余靖論其非才，改知相州，尋徙大名府副都總管。 樞密使杜衍惡承祐驕恣，奏罷軍權，為相州觀察使、永興軍副都總管，改知邢州，徙河陽兵馬總管。 衍去位，復進為殿前都虞候、幷代州副都總管兼知代州，徙邢州。 諫官錢明逸言承祐無廉守，邢民素厭苦之，改相州，徙秦鳳路副總管。 累遷建武軍節度使、殿前副都指揮使。
He was made overall commander of the four wings of the Dragon Spirit Guard. When his father died he was recalled from mourning to serve as deputy overall commander on the Zhending and Dingzhou routes. Remonstrators Ouyang Xiu and Yu Jing argued he was unfit. He was made acting prefect of Xiangzhou, then deputy overall commander at Daming. Councilor Du Yan hated Chengyou's arrogance and stripped his military command, making him observation commissioner of Xiangzhou and deputy commander at Yongxing, then prefect of Xingzhou and overall commander at Heyang. When Du Yan left office, Chengyou was restored as commandant of the palace front guard and deputy overall commander of Bing and Daizhou while holding Daizhou, then transferred to Xingzhou. Remonstrator Qian Mingyi said Chengyou was corrupt and the people of Xing had long suffered under him. He was moved to Xiangzhou, then deputy overall commander on the Qinfeng circuit. He rose to military governor of Jianwu and deputy overall commander before the palace.
28
尋以宣徽南院使判應天府，府壁壘不完，盜至卒無以禦，承祐始城南關，浚沙、濉、盟三河。 徙亳州。 諫官言承祐在應天府給糧不以次，且擅留糧綱，批宣頭，不發戍還兵，越法杖配輕罪，借用翰林器，出入擁旗槍，以禁兵同周衛，體涉狂僭，無人臣禮。 罷宣徽南院使，許州都總管，徙節保靜軍、知許州。
Soon he was made southern Palace Secretariat commissioner for Yingtian. The walls were unfinished and bandits overran the city. Chengyou walled the southern gate and dredged the Sha, Sui, and Meng rivers. He was transferred to Bozhou. Remonstrators charged that at Yingtian he issued grain out of turn, detained supply convoys, annotated imperial orders, held back returning garrison troops, punished minor offenses beyond his authority, borrowed Hanlin equipment, marched with banners and spears like a prince, and treated palace troops as a royal guard—conduct arrogant, presumptuous, and unbecoming a subject. He was stripped of his Palace Secretariat post, made overall commander of Xuzhou, and transferred to military governor of Baojing while holding Xuzhou.
29
轉運使蘇舜元薦承祐有將帥才，政事如龔、黃。 帝謂輔臣曰：「彼庸人，監司乃龔、黃比之，何所取信哉。」 改知鄭州，未行，暴疾卒。 贈太尉，謚曰密。 承祐所至，多興作為煩擾，百姓苦之。
Transport commissioner Su Shunyuan recommended Chengyou as a general and administrator on par with Gong and Huang. The emperor told his ministers, "That fool—and a supervisor compares him to Gong and Huang? Who could believe that?" He was appointed acting prefect of Zhengzhou but died suddenly before he could take up the post. He was posthumously made Grand Commandant with the posthumous name Mi. Wherever Chengyou served he launched construction projects that harassed the people.
30
李洪信，幷州晉陽人，漢昭聖太后弟也。 后弟六人，洪信居長，少善騎射。 後唐明宗在藩時，隸帳下，及即位，愛將朱弘實總領捧聖軍，弘實擢洪信為爪牙，漸遷小校。 應順中，潞王舉兵，少帝弘實而東奔，捧聖軍數百騎從行，洪信預焉。 及次衛州，少帝與晉高祖遇，因有疑貳，謀害晉祖，其從兵皆亂。 時漢祖方護晉祖，洪信以兵應之，獲免。 清泰中，又為雍王重美牙校。
Li Hongxin came from Jinyang in Bingzhou and was the younger brother of Han empress dowager Zhaosheng. The empress had six younger brothers, of whom Hongxin was the eldest. In youth he excelled at mounted archery. When Later Tang's Emperor Mingzong was still a prince, Hongxin served in his retinue. After Mingzong acceded, his favored general Zhu Hongshi commanded the Fengsheng army and made Hongxin his henchman; Hongxin gradually rose to junior officer. During Yingshun, the Prince of Lu rebelled. The young emperor fled east with Hongshi, followed by several hundred Fengsheng cavalry including Hongxin. At Weizhou the young emperor met the Jin founding emperor. Mutual suspicion led to a plot against him, and the attendant troops fell into chaos. The Han founding emperor was then protecting the Jin emperor. Hongxin answered with troops, and the Jin emperor escaped harm. During Qingtai he again served as adjutant to Prince Yong Chongmei.
31
晉初，為興順左廂都指揮使。 漢祖統禁軍，遷鎮太原，奏隸麾下。 漢祖領陳州刺史、左護聖左廂都指揮使，俄加岳州防禦使。 從漢祖降鄴，以警扈之勞，授侍衛馬軍都指揮使、領武信軍節度。
Early in the Jin he was overall commander of the left wing of the Xingshun Guard. When the Han emperor took command of the palace army and moved to Taiyuan, he brought Hongxin under his command. The Han emperor held Chenzhou and commanded the left wing of the Left Sacred Guard; soon Hongxin was also made defender of Yuezhou. When the Han emperor took Ye, Hongxin was rewarded for escort duty with command of the palace cavalry and the Wuxin governorship.
32
乾祐中，以群小用事，心懷憂懼，白太后求解軍職，出為鎮寧軍節度。 歲餘，遷保義軍節度。 初，楊邠以元從功臣為方鎮者，不諳政務，令三司擇軍將分補諸鎮都押牙、孔目官，或恃以朝選，藩帥難制。 洪信聞內難，即召馬步軍都校聶召，奉國軍校楊德、王建、黃全武、楊進、翟本，右牙都校任溫、武德，護聖都校康審澄及判官路濤、掌書記張洞、都押牙楊昭𠡽、孔目官魏守恭，悉殺之，誣奏謀逆。
During Ganyou, with petty men in power, he grew fearful and asked the empress dowager to release him from military office. He was sent out as military governor of Zhenning. A year later he was transferred to military governor of Baoyi. Earlier Yang Bin had noticed that founding followers serving as governors knew little of civil administration. He had fiscal offices assign army officers as adjutants and clerks in each command. Some relied on court backing, and governors could not control them. When Hongxin heard of court turmoil he summoned colonel Nie Zhao, Fengguo officers Yang De, Wang Jian, Huang Quanwu, Yang Jin, and Zhai Ben, right-wing colonels Ren Wen and Wu De, Sacred Guard colonel Kang Shencheng, aide Lu Tao, secretary Zhang Dong, adjutant Yang Zhao, and clerk Wei Shougong—and killed them all, then falsely reported a plot against him.
33
周廣順初，加同平章事。 洪信常以此妄殺自歉，及革命，內不自安。 周祖猶以漢太后之故，移鎮京兆。 本城兵不滿千，王峻西征至陜州，以援晉州為辭，又取去數百人。 及劉崇北遁，遣禁兵千餘屯京兆，洪信益懼，即請入朝，懇辭藩鎮，拜左武衛上將軍。 世宗即位，遷左驍衛上將軍。 顯德五年，改右龍武軍統軍，從世宗北征，為合流口部署。
Early in Zhou Guangshun, Hongxin was made co-equal chief councilor. Hongxin often reproached himself for those wrongful killings. When the dynasty changed, he grew inwardly uneasy. For the Han empress dowager's sake, the Zhou founder transferred him to Jingzhao. His city had fewer than a thousand troops. When Wang Jun marched west to Shaanzhou, he took several hundred more on the pretext of reinforcing Jinzhou. When Liu Chong fled north, more than a thousand palace troops garrisoned Jingzhao. Hongxin grew still more fearful, asked to come to court, declined his regional command, and was made Grand General of the Left Martial Guard. When Emperor Shizong acceded, Hongxin was made Grand General of the Left Valiant Guard. In the fifth Xiande year he became overall commander of the Right Dragon Martial Guard and followed Emperor Shizong on the northern campaign as commander at Heliukou.
34
乾德五年，改左驍衛上將軍。 開寶五年請老，以本官致仕。 八年，卒，年七十四。
In the fifth Qiande year he was made Grand General of the Left Valiant Guard. In the fifth Kaibao year he asked to retire and left office with his former rank. He died in the eighth year at seventy-four.
35
洪信無他才術，徒以外戚致位將相。 斂財累鉅萬，而吝嗇尤甚。 時節鎮皆廣置帳下親兵，惟洪信最寡少。 弟洪義。
Hongxin had no real talent and reached general and minister solely through imperial kinship by marriage. He amassed vast wealth yet was miserly in the extreme. Every governor maintained a large personal guard at the time—only Hongxin kept the smallest. His younger brother was Hongyi.
36
弟洪義
Younger brother Hongyi
37
洪義，本名洪威，避周祖名改焉。 漢祖鎮太原，補親校。 開國，授護聖左廂都校、領岳州防禦使，遷侍衛馬軍都指揮使、領武信軍節度。
Hongyi, originally named Hongwei, changed his name to avoid the Zhou founder's taboo. When the Han emperor held Taiyuan, Hongyi joined his personal guard. At the founding of Han he was made colonel of the left Sacred Guard wing and defender of Yuezhou, then commander of the palace cavalry and military governor of Wuxin.
38
少帝即位，改鎮寧軍節度。 會誅楊邠、史弘肇等，時侍衛步軍都指揮使王殷屯澶州，即遣供奉官孟業賫密詔令洪義殺之，又令護聖都指揮使郭崇等害周祖於鄴。 洪義素怯懦，慮殷覺，遷延不敢發，遽引業見殷，殷乃錮業，送密詔於周祖。 洎周祖起兵，少帝又詔洪義扼河橋，及周祖兵至，洪義就降。 漢室之亡，由洪義也。 廣順初，權知宋州節度，未幾，真拜歸德軍節度，加同平章事，權知許州，歲餘，改鎮安州。 顯德初，加檢校太師。 世宗即位，加兼侍中，未幾，徙青州。 六年夏，遷京兆尹、永興軍節度。 恭帝嗣位，加開府階。
When the young emperor acceded, Hongyi was transferred to military governor of Zhenning. When Yang Bin, Shi Hongzhao, and others were executed, palace infantry commander Wang Yin was garrisoned at Chanzhou. The court sent palace attendant Meng Ye with a secret edict ordering Hongyi to kill him, and also ordered Sacred Guard commander Guo Chong and others to kill the Zhou founder at Ye. Hongyi had always been timid. Fearing Yin would discover the plot, he delayed until he abruptly brought Ye to Yin. Yin imprisoned Ye and sent the secret edict to the Zhou founder. When the Zhou founder raised troops, the young emperor again ordered Hongyi to hold the river bridge. When the Zhou army arrived, Hongyi surrendered. The fall of the Han house was due to Hongyi. Early in Guangshun he acted as military governor of Songzhou. Soon he was formally made military governor of Guide, co-equal chief councilor, and acting prefect of Xuzhou. A year later he was transferred to Anzhou. Early in Xiande he was made Inspector Grand Preceptor. When Emperor Shizong acceded, Hongyi was made concurrent Palace Attendant and soon transferred to Qingzhou. In the summer of the sixth year he became metropolitan prefect of Jingzhao and military governor of Yongxing. When Emperor Gongdi succeeded to the throne, Hongyi was given Ministerial rank.
39
宋初，加兼中書令，移鄜州。 乾德五年，代歸。 卒年五十九，贈太師。
Early in the Song he was made concurrent Chief Secretary and transferred to Yanzhou. In the fifth Qiande year he was recalled. He died at fifty-nine and was posthumously made Grand Preceptor.
40
武行德
Wu Xingde
41
武行德，幷州榆次人，身長九尺餘，材貌奇偉，家甚貧，常采樵鬻之自給。 晉祖鎮幷門，暇日，從禽郊外，值行德負薪趨拱於道左，晉祖見其魁岸，又所負薪異常，令力士更舉之，俱不能舉，頗奇之，因留帳下。
Wu Xingde came from Yuci in Bingzhou. He stood more than nine feet tall, with a striking presence. His family was poor, and he supported himself by gathering and selling firewood. While garrisoning Bingzhou, the Jin emperor went hunting one day and saw Xingde on the road bowing with a load of firewood. His size and the unusual weight of the bundle struck the emperor, who had strong men try to lift it—none could. Impressed, he kept Xingde in his service.
42
晉天福初，授奉國都頭，遷指揮使，改控鶴指揮使、寧國軍都虞候。 開運中，契丹至汴，行德被獲，乃偽請於契丹以自效。 契丹信之，方具舟數十艘載鎧甲，令行德率將校軍卒送歸其國。 溯汴至河陰，行德謂諸將曰：「我輩受國厚恩，而受制於契丹，與其離鄉井、投邊塞，為異域之鬼，曷若與諸君驅逐兇黨，共守河陽，姑俟契丹兵退，視天命所屬歸之，建功業，定禍亂，以圖富貴可乎？」 眾素服行德威名，皆曰：「所向惟命，不敢愛死。」 行德即殺契丹監使，分授器甲，由汜水倍道抵河陽。 契丹節度使崔廷勳出兵來拒，行德麾眾逆擊，自旦及午殊死戰，廷勳大敗，棄城走。 行德遂據河陽，盡以府庫分給將士，因推行德知州事。 時契丹兵尚充斥，行德厲士卒，繕甲兵，據上遊，士氣益奮，人望歸之。
Early in the Jin Tianfu reign he was made head of the Fengguo Guard, then commander, then commander of the Crane Control Guard and commandant of the Ningguo army. During Kaiyun the Khitan took Bian and captured Xingde, who pretended to offer his service to them. The Khitan trusted him and prepared dozens of boats loaded with armor for him to escort homeward with officers and troops. Sailing up the Bian to Heyin, Xingde told his officers, "We owe the state a great debt yet serve the Khitan. Better to drive out these invaders and hold Heyang together than die as exiles in a foreign land. When the Khitan withdraw, we can see where Heaven's mandate lies, win glory, end the chaos, and claim our reward—will you join me?" The men had long respected Xingde's reputation. They answered, "We follow your command and will not spare our lives." Xingde killed the Khitan overseer, distributed arms and armor, and marched by forced pace through Sishui to Heyang. Khitan governor Cui Tingxun marched out to resist. Xingde led a counterattack, and from dawn until noon they fought a desperate battle. Tingxun was routed and fled the city. Xingde seized Heyang, distributed the entire treasury to his troops, and took charge as acting prefect. Khitan troops still filled the region. Xingde hardened his men, repaired arms, and held the upper river. Morale soared and men looked to him as their leader.
43
聞漢祖起太原，即自稱河陽都部署，遣其弟行友間道奉表勸進，漢祖覽奏喜甚，即授行德河陽三城節度。 漢祖由晉、絳至洛，行德迎候境上，以所部兵翼至京師，還河陽。
When he heard the Han emperor had risen at Taiyuan, he styled himself overall commander of Heyang and sent his brother Xingyou by a secret route with a memorial urging him to take the throne. The Han emperor was delighted and at once made Xingde military governor of the three Heyang cities. When the Han emperor marched from Jin and Jiang to Luoyang, Xingde met him at the border, escorted him to the capital with his troops, and returned to Heyang.
44
乾祐中，加同平章事，移真定尹、成德軍節度。 廣順初，加兼侍中，俄改忠武軍節度，遷河南尹、西京留守。 時禁鹽入城，犯者法至死，告者給厚賞。 洛陽民家嫗將入城鬻蔬，俄有僧從嫗買蔬，就筥翻視，密置鹽筥中，少答其直，不買而去。 嫗持入城，抱關者搜得鹽，擒以詣府。 行德見盛鹽襆非村嫗所有，疑而詰之，嫗言：「適有僧自城外買蔬，取視久之而去。」 即捕僧訊治之，具狀與關吏同誣以希賞。 行德釋嫗，斬僧及抱關吏數輩。 人畏之若神明，部下凜然。 三年，丁外艱，起復。
During Ganyou he was made co-equal chief councilor and transferred to metropolitan magistrate of Zhending and military governor of Chengde. Early in Guangshun he was made Palace Attendant, soon military governor of Zhongwu, then metropolitan magistrate of Henan and regent of the western capital. Salt was banned from the city on pain of death, with rich rewards for informers. An old woman was entering Luoyang to sell vegetables when a monk came to buy some, rummaged through her basket, secretly dropped salt into it, underpaid her, and left without buying. She entered the city; gate guards found the salt, seized her, and brought her to the yamen. Xingde saw that the salt bundle was not something a village woman would carry and questioned her. She said, "Just now a monk from outside the city came to buy vegetables, looked through them for a long time, and left." He arrested the monk, who confessed that he and the gate guards had framed her for the reward. Xingde released the woman and beheaded the monk and several gate guards. People feared him like a god, and his subordinates stood in awe. In the third year, after his father's death, he was recalled from mourning to duty.
45
顯德初，加開府階，進封譙國公。 世宗即位，兼中書令。 初，世宗處河東還，次河陽，以洛陽城頭缺，令葺之。 行德率部民萬餘完其城，封邢國公。 是秋，代王晏為武寧軍節度，與晏兩換其任。 先是，唐末楊氏據淮甸，自甬橋東南決汴，匯為汙澤。 二年，將議南征，遣行德率所部丁壯於古堤疏導之，東達於泗上。 及親征，以行德為濠州行營都部署，破淮軍二千餘人於郡境。 俄遣率師屯定遠以逼其城，為吳所敗，死者數百人，行德以身免，左授右衛上將軍。 五年，下淮南，復授行德保大軍節度兼中書令。 恭帝嗣位，進封宋國公。
Early in Xiande he received Ministerial rank and was advanced to Duke of Qiao. When Emperor Shizong acceded, Xingde was made concurrent Chief Secretary. When Emperor Shizong had settled Hedong and was returning, he halted at Heyang. Finding Luoyang's battlements in disrepair, he ordered them restored. Xingde led more than ten thousand local people to complete the walls and was enfeoffed as Duke of Xing. That autumn he and Wang Yan exchanged posts, Xingde taking the Wuning governorship. Earlier, late in Tang the Yang clan held the Huai region. Southeast of Yongqiao they breached the Bian River, turning it into a foul marsh. In the second year, as a southern campaign was planned, Xingde was sent to lead his able-bodied men in dredging the old embankment east to the Si River. On the personal campaign, Xingde was made overall commander at Haozhou and defeated more than two thousand Huai troops in the prefecture. Soon he led troops to garrison Dingyuan and press the city, but Wu defeated him and several hundred died. Xingde escaped alive and was demoted to Grand General of the Right Guard. In the fifth year, after Huainan fell, Xingde was again made military governor of Baoda and concurrent Chief Secretary. When Emperor Gongdi succeeded to the throne, Xingde was advanced to Duke of Song.
46
宋初，加中書令，進封韓國公，再授忠武軍節度，改封魏國公。 乾德二年，冬，移鎮安州，加開府儀同三司。 開寶二年，入為太子太傅。 太平興國三年，以本官致仕。 四年，卒，年七十二，贈太師。
Early in the Song he was made Chief Secretary and Duke of Han, again military governor of Zhongwu, then advanced to Duke of Wei. In the second Qiande year, that winter, he was transferred to Anzhou and granted the privilege of an independent staff with ceremonial parity to the Three Excellencies. In the second Kaibao year he was made Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent. In the third Taiping Xingguo year he retired with his former rank. He died in the fourth year at seventy-two. The court posthumously made him Grand Preceptor.
47
楊承信
Yang Chengxin
48
楊承信，字守真，其先沙陀部人。 父光遠，仕晉至太師、壽王。 承信，光遠第二子，幼以父任，自義武軍節院使領蘭州刺史，歷宣武、平盧二軍牙校。
Yang Chengxin, styled Shouzhen, was descended from the Shatuo tribe. His father Guangyuan served the Jin dynasty as Grand Preceptor and Prince of Shou. Chengxin was Guangyuan's second son. As a youth he rose on his father's coattails from Yiwu army commissioner to prefect of Lanzhou, and served as adjutant in the Xuanwu and Pinglu armies.
49
開運初，光遠以青州叛，少帝遣李守貞等討之，食盡勢窮，承信兄承勳劫其父以降，青州平，光遠死。 承信與弟承祚詣闕請死，詔釋之，以承信為右羽林將軍，承祚為右驍衛將軍，放歸，服喪私第，尋安置鄭州。 初，光遠送款契丹求援，兵未至而光遠降。 及契丹來寇，承勳時為鄭州防禦使，召數其罪殺之。 以承信為平戶軍節度，繼父職。 仕漢歷安、鄜二州節度，累加檢校太師。
Early in Kaiyun, Guangyuan rebelled from Qingzhou. The young emperor sent Li Shouzhen against him. When supplies ran out, Chengxin's brother Chengxun seized their father and surrendered. Qingzhou fell and Guangyuan was killed. Chengxin and his brother Chengzuo went to court to beg for death. The emperor pardoned them, made Chengxin a general of the Right Forest of Feathers Guard and Chengzuo a general of the Right Valiant Guard, and sent them home to mourn. Soon they were resettled at Zhengzhou. Earlier Guangyuan had appealed to the Khitan for help, but surrendered before their troops arrived. When the Khitan invaded, Chengxun was defender of Zhengzhou. He summoned their envoy, listed his crimes, and executed him. Chengxin was made military governor of Pinglu, succeeding his father's post. Under Han he governed An and Fu in turn and was repeatedly made Inspector Grand Preceptor.
50
周廣順初，加同平章事。 諸將西討劉崇，承信表求預行。 以郊祀恩加開府階，封杞國公。 世宗即位，進韓國公。 顯德初，征淮南，為濠州攻城副都部署，改壽州北砦都部署兼知行府事。 壽州平，累戰功，擢忠正軍節度、同平章事。 時徙州治下蔡，承信既增廣其城，又遣監軍薛友柔敗淮人六百餘於廬州北。 恭帝即位，進封魯國公。 宋初，加兼侍中，來朝，會征李筠，命為澤州西面都部署，筠平，移鎮河中。 乾德元年，進封趙國公。 二年，卒，年四十四，贈中書令。
Early in Zhou Guangshun, Chengxin was made co-equal chief councilor. When the generals marched west against Liu Chong, Chengxin asked to join the campaign. By grace of the suburban sacrifice he received Ministerial rank and was enfeoffed as Duke of Qi. When Emperor Shizong acceded, Chengxin was advanced to Duke of Han. Early in Xiande, during the Huainan campaign, he served as deputy siege commander at Haozhou, then became commander of the northern stockade at Shouzhou while administering prefectural affairs. After Shouzhou fell, repeated battle merit won him the Zhongzheng governorship and the title of co-equal chief councilor. When the prefectural seat moved to Xiaocai, Chengxin enlarged the city and sent supervisory commissioner Xue Yourou to defeat more than six hundred Huai troops north of Luzhou. When Emperor Gongdi acceded, Chengxin was advanced to Duke of Lu. Early in the Song he was made concurrent Palace Attendant and came to court. During the campaign against Li Jun he was made western commander at Zezhou, and after Jun fell he was transferred to Hezhong. In the first Qiande year he was advanced to Duke of Zhao. He died in the second year at forty-four and was posthumously made Chief Secretary.
51
承信身長八尺，美儀表，善持論，且多藝能，雖叛臣之子，然累歷藩鎮，刻勵為政而不苛，故能始終富貴。 其卒也，蒲民表乞祠之，則其遺愛之在人者，可知矣。 景德四年，錄其孫松為奉職。
Chengxin stood eight feet tall, with a fine presence, a ready tongue, and many talents. Though a rebel's son, he held one command after another, governed diligently without cruelty, and kept wealth and rank to the end. When he died the people of Pu petitioned for a shrine in his honor—proof enough of the affection he left behind. In the fourth Jingde year his grandson Song was appointed to a palace attendant post.
52
侯章，幷州榆次人。 初在幷門事後唐莊宗為隊長，明宗朝遷小校。 晉開運末，為忠衛指揮使，屯兵陜州，為內外馬步軍都指揮使兼三城巡檢使。
Hou Zhang came from Yuci in Bingzhou. He first served Emperor Zhuangzong at Bingzhou as a squad leader and rose to junior officer under Mingzong. Late in the Jin Kaiyun reign he commanded the Loyal Guard at Shaanzhou and served as overall commander of the inner and outer armies and patrol commissioner of the three cities.
53
會契丹入中原，與趙暉、王晏謀斬契丹將劉愿，送款於漢祖。 漢祖入汴，擢為鎮國軍節度。 乾祐初，加同平章事，尋移鎮邠州。 章居鎮無善政，傲上剝下，以貪猥聞，用見戶為逃，擅其租賦，乃矯奏貧民數千戶負稅租，久禁繫不能輸，願以己俸代。 時方姑息，詔褒之。 副使趙彥鐸有良馬，章欲之不與，誣彥鐸謀逆之，殺之，亦置而不問。 俄加檢校太師。
When the Khitan overran the central plains, he joined Zhao Hui and Wang Yan in killing the Khitan general Liu Yuan and submitting to the Han emperor. When the Han emperor entered Bian, Zhang was made military governor of Zhenguo. Early in Ganyou he was made co-equal chief councilor and soon transferred to Binzhou. In his command Zhang governed badly—arrogant to superiors, harsh on subordinates, notorious for greed. He treated taxpayers as fugitives, seized their dues, then falsely reported that thousands of poor households owed back taxes, had been imprisoned unable to pay, and offered to cover the debt from his own salary. The court was in an indulgent mood and issued an edict praising him. Deputy Zhao Yanduo owned a fine horse. Zhang demanded it, was refused, falsely accused Zhao of treason, and killed him—with no consequences. Soon he was made Inspector Grand Preceptor.
54
周初，加兼侍中。 廣順二年入朝，獻銀帛，請開宴，周祖謂左右曰：「諸侯來朝，天子自當錫宴，以申愷樂，豈俟其貢奉為之耶？」 使復賜之。 仍令有司自今藩鎮有進奉者勿受。 俄賜宴廣政殿，章又獻銀千兩、馬七匹上壽，復不納。 三年，授鄧州節度。 周祖親郊，加開府階，封申國公。 世宗即位，加兼中書令。 世宗親征壽陽，命章為攻城水砦都部署，右衛大將軍王璨副之。 俄徙西北水砦都部署，再為武勝軍節度。 建隆元年八月，授太子太師，封楚國公。 既罷節鎮，居常怏怏。 一日於朝堂與故舊言晉、漢間事，時有輕忽章者，章厲聲曰：「當遼主疾作謀歸，有上書請避暑嵩山者，我麤人，以戰鬥取富貴，若此諛佞，未嘗為之！」 坐中有慚者。 乾德五年，卒。
Early in the Zhou, Zhang was made concurrent Palace Attendant. In the second Guangshun year he came to court with silver and silks and asked for a banquet. The Zhou founder told his attendants, "When feudal lords come to court, the Son of Heaven should grant a feast himself to show cordial joy—why wait for their tribute?" He had the gifts returned and bestowed again. He also ordered the relevant offices never again to accept tribute offerings from regional commands. Soon a banquet was granted in Guangzheng Hall. Zhang again offered a thousand taels of silver and seven horses as birthday gifts, and again they were refused. In the third year he was made military governor of Dengzhou. When the Zhou founder performed the suburban sacrifice in person, Zhang received Ministerial rank and was enfeoffed as Duke of Shen. When Emperor Shizong acceded, Zhang was made concurrent Chief Secretary. When Emperor Shizong personally campaigned against Shouyang, he made Zhang overall commander of the siege water stockades, with Right Guard Grand General Wang Can as his deputy. Soon he was transferred to command the northwestern water stockades and again made military governor of Wusheng. In the eighth month of the first Jianlong year he was appointed Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent and enfeoffed as Duke of Chu. After losing his military command, he was habitually discontented. One day in the court hall he spoke with old associates of Jin and Han times. When some slighted him, Zhang said sharply, "When the Liao ruler fell ill and plotted to return home, someone memorialized asking to escape the heat on Mount Song—I am a rough soldier who won fortune in battle. I have never practiced such flattery!" Some of those present were ashamed. He died in the fifth Qiande year.
55
論曰：王景輩微時，或至為盜、負薪，遭五代之亂，奮身戎功，重據邊要。 宋興，稽顙北嚮，太祖待以誠信，宜無不自安者。 景趨利改圖，乃至滅族。 王晏、郭從義遷怒肆忿，誣人以死。 侯章在藩邸有剝下之名，李洪義狃於肺腑之戚，而無外凜之志，咎孰甚焉！ 斯皆亂世之習，有不能盡去之者。 武行德守洛邑，辯究欺罔，民用畏服，顧不優於諸人耶？
The commentators observe: Men like Wang Jing, in their youth, were sometimes bandits or woodcutters. In the chaos of the Five Dynasties they threw themselves into military service and came to hold weighty frontier commands. When the Song rose, they kowtowed to the north and Taizu treated them with sincerity. They should have had nothing to fear. Yet Jing, chasing profit, changed course—and brought his clan to ruin. Wang Yan and Guo Congyi vented their rage on others and framed innocent men to death. Hou Zhang was known for exploiting his subjects. Li Hongyi rested on family ties and lacked the outward sternness a commander needs—who was more to blame? All of this was the habit of a chaotic age—habits not easily shed. Wu Xingde held Luoyang, exposed fraud, and made the people fear and obey—was he not the better of them all?