1
劉福，徐州下邳人。 少倜儻，魁岸有膂力。 周顯德中，世宗征淮南，福徒步謁見於壽春。 世宗奇之，因留麾下。 每出戰，則令福率衛士為先鋒，與破紫金山砦。 淮南平，錄功授懷德指揮使。
Liu Fu was from Xiapi in Xuzhou. As a young man he was bold and unconventional, tall and powerfully built. During the Xiande reign of the Later Zhou, when Emperor Shizong campaigned against Huainan, Fu walked to Shouchun to seek an audience. The emperor was struck by him and kept him in his retinue. On every campaign he had Fu lead the imperial guards as vanguard; together they took the Zijin Mountain fort. After Huainan was pacified, his service was recognized with appointment as commander of the Huaide regiment.
2
宋初，遷橫海指揮使，率所部隸步帥劉光毅，由峽路征蜀。 比至成都，孟昶已降。 大將王全斌部送降卒歸京師，至綿州，降卒盜庫兵，劫蜀舊將全師雄以叛，焚廬舍，剽財貨以去。 刺史成彥饒以同、華兵百餘人守其城，全斌遣米光緒將七百騎及福所部以屯護之。 光緒盡殺師雄妻孥，師雄領叛卒，益聚村民十餘萬眾，攻城益急。 會龍捷指揮使田紹斌率精銳百騎，由東山西北行，福領所部由山南行，出賊不意，夾擊之。 賊眾大潰，斬首及溺江死者以萬計，以功授虎捷都虞候。 繼隸曹彬麾下，平江南。 還，授指揮使，領蔚州刺史。 從太宗克幷、汾，遷馬步都軍頭、武州團練使。 端拱初，出為洺州防禦使。 二年，改雄州防禦使兼本州兵馬部署。 雄州地控邊塞，常屯重兵。 福至部，按行城壘，調鎮兵以給繕完，出私錢以資宴犒，寇雖大至，而恃以無恐矣。 淳化初，遷涼州觀察使、判雄州事。 二年，卒，年六十四。 贈太傅。
Early in the Song he was promoted to commander of the Henghai regiment and led his men under infantry commander Liu Guangyi on the campaign against Shu through the gorges. By the time they reached Chengdu, Meng Chang had already submitted. General Wang Quanbin was escorting surrendered troops to the capital when, at Mianzhou, the captives raided the armory, forced the former Shu officer Quan Shixiong to lead a rebellion, burned buildings, and looted property as they fled. Prefect Cheng Yanrao held the city with just over a hundred troops from Tong and Hua; Quanbin sent Mi Guangxu with seven hundred horsemen and Fu's unit to reinforce the garrison. Guangxu had Shixiong's entire family put to death; Shixiong then led the rebels and rallied more than a hundred thousand local villagers, tightening the siege. Longjie commander Tian Shaobin meanwhile led a hundred picked horsemen down the eastern hills from the northwest, while Fu advanced from the south—taking the enemy by surprise and striking from both flanks. The rebel force broke utterly; those killed or drowned in the river ran to tens of thousands. For this feat he was made chief adjutant of the Hujie regiment. He then served under Cao Bin in the pacification of Jiangnan. After returning he was made a regiment commander and concurrently prefect of Weizhou. He followed Emperor Taizong in the capture of Bing and Fen and was promoted to commander-in-chief of cavalry and infantry and regimental commissioner of Wuzhou. At the start of the Duan Gong reign he was posted as defense commissioner of Mingzhou. In the second year he was reassigned as defense commissioner of Xiongzhou and concurrent military deployment commissioner for the prefecture. Xiongzhou commanded the frontier and always held a large garrison. On taking up his post Fu inspected the fortifications, detailed garrison troops to repairs, and paid for feasts and rewards from his own purse; even when large enemy forces appeared, the defenders felt secure. Early in the Chunhua era he was promoted to observation commissioner of Liangzhou and acting administrator of Xiongzhou. In the second year he died at the age of sixty-four. He was posthumously ennobled as Grand Tutor.
3
福雖不學，而御下有方略，為政簡易，人甚德之。 領雄州五年，郡境寧謐。 福既貴，諸子嘗勸起大第，福怒曰：「我受祿厚，足以僦舍以庇。 汝曹既無尺寸功以報朝廷，豈可營度居室，為自安計乎？」 卒不許。 既死，上聞其言，賜其子白金五千兩，使市第宅。
Though Fu had little formal learning, he commanded his men with shrewdness and governed simply and fairly; the people held him in high regard. During his five years at Xiongzhou the prefecture remained peaceful. Once he had risen high, his sons urged him to build a grand residence. Fu grew angry and said, "My salary is ample enough to rent a house for shelter. You have done nothing whatsoever to repay the court—how dare you plan comfortable homes for yourselves?" He never allowed it. After his death the emperor heard what he had said and granted his son five thousand taels of silver to buy a residence.
4
安守忠
An Shouzhong
5
安守忠，字信臣，幷州晉陽人。 父審琦，為周平盧軍節度，封陳王。 晉天福八年，審琦出領山南東道，以守忠為牙內指揮使，領繡州刺史。 周顯德四年春，改鞍轡庫使。 會淮南初下，命守忠馳往宣諭。 時藩臣驕蹇，遇朝使多簡傲，守忠抗以正禮，無所辱命。 未幾，改衛州刺史。
An Shouzhong, courtesy name Xinchen, was from Jinyang in Bingzhou. His father An Shenqi served as military commissioner of the Pinglu army under the Later Zhou and was enfeoffed as Prince of Chen. In the eighth year of the Later Jin Tianfu era, Shenqi took up command of Shannan East Circuit and made Shouzhong commander of his personal guard, with concurrent appointment as prefect of Xiuzhou. In the spring of the fourth Xiande year of the Later Zhou he was made commissioner of the saddle and bridle depot. When Huainan had just been conquered, he was sent posthaste to announce the imperial will. Regional commanders were then arrogant and often treated court envoys with disdain; Shouzhong held them to proper protocol and never failed his mission. Soon afterward he was made prefect of Weizhou.
6
宋初，入為左衛將軍。 建隆四年，湖南初平，命為永州刺史。 乾德中，護河陰屯兵。 蜀平，太祖知遠俗苦苛虐，南鄭為走集之地，故特命守忠知興元府以撫綏之。 四年，改漢州刺史。 時寇難甫平，使車旁午，公帑不足，守忠出私錢以給用。 每遣使，太祖必戒之曰：「安守忠在蜀，能律已以正，汝行見之，當效其為人也。」 開寶初，改濮州刺史。 會河決澶州，命守忠副潁州團練使曹翰護役，河決遂塞。 五年，知遼州。 民有陰召幷寇謀內應者，事泄，守忠悉斬以徇。 九年，命將征太原，守忠受詔與孫晏宣由遼州入，既而與路羅砦監押馬繼恩遇，乃相與會兵入賊境，燔砦四十餘，獲牛羊數千。 議將深入，會上崩，乃班師。
Early in the Song he was recalled to court as general of the Left Guard. In the fourth year of Jianlong, after Hunan was pacified, he was appointed prefect of Yongzhou. During the Qiande era he commanded the garrison at Heyin. After Shu was conquered, the Taizu Emperor knew the frontier peoples had suffered harsh rule and that Nanzheng was a major crossroads; he therefore specially appointed Shouzhong prefect of Xingyuan to pacify the region. In the fourth year he was transferred to prefect of Hanzhou. The region had only just been pacified, envoys arrived in constant succession, and the public treasury was bare; Shouzhong met expenses from his own funds. Whenever he sent envoys to the region, Taizu would warn them: "An Shouzhong in Shu disciplines himself and upholds integrity—when you meet him, take him as your model." At the start of the Kaibao era he was made prefect of Puzhou. When the Yellow River broke its banks at Cao Prefecture, he was ordered to assist Yingzhou regimental commissioner Cao Han in the repair works, and the breach was sealed. In the fifth year he was appointed administrator of Liaozhou. When civilians were discovered secretly inviting Bingzhou raiders to act as inside collaborators, Shouzhong had them all executed as a warning. In the ninth year, when troops were ordered against Taiyuan, Shouzhong was directed to enter with Sun Yanxuan through Liaozhou; he then joined Luluo stockade supervisor Ma Jien, and together they raided enemy territory, burning more than forty forts and capturing thousands of cattle and sheep. They were planning a deeper advance when the emperor died, and the army was withdrawn.
7
太平興國初，移知靈州，在官凡七年。 雍熙二年，改知易州，徙夏州。 每西戎犯邊，戰無不捷，錄功就拜濮州團練使。 端拱中，知滄州，改瀛州，兼高陽關駐泊部署，遷瀛州防禦使。 初，守忠嘗夢一「濮」字方丈餘，及領是郡幾二十年，於是始悟。 淳化二年，徙知雄州。 方與僚佐宴飲，有軍校謀變，擐甲及閽，閽者倉卒入白。 守忠言笑自若，徐顧坐客曰：「此輩酒狂爾，擒之可也。」 人服其量焉。 明年，加耀州觀察使，兼判雄州。 未幾召還，條陳邊事，敷奏稱旨，賜錢五百萬。 五年，又知滄州。 至道初，移雄州。 三年，復知滄州。 拜感德軍節度觀察留後，徙宋州，兼制置營田使。 威德兼著，吏民不忍其去。 咸平三年入覲，遣還未行，暴卒，年六十九，贈太尉。 錄其子繼昌為供備庫副使，婿王世及為光祿寺丞。
Early in the Taiping Xingguo era he was transferred to Lingzhou, where he served seven years in all. In the second Yongxi year he was reassigned to Yizhou and then to Xiazhou. Whenever western tribes raided the frontier he was invariably victorious, and for his record of success he was promptly made regimental commissioner of Puzhou. During the Duan Gong era he governed Cangzhou, then Yingzhou, concurrently as deployment commissioner at Gaoyang Pass, and was promoted to defense commissioner of Yingzhou. Long before, Shouzhong had dreamed of the character for "Pu" more than ten feet across; only after governing that prefecture for nearly twenty years did he grasp the omen. In the second Chunhua year he was transferred to Xiongzhou. While he was dining with his staff, an officer plotted mutiny and advanced in armor to the gate; the gatekeeper rushed in to report. Shouzhong remained calm and smiling, then turned leisurely to his guests and said, "They are merely drunk and unruly—arrest them and that will settle it." All admired his composure. The following year he was additionally made observation commissioner of Yaozhou and concurrent acting administrator of Xiongzhou. Soon he was recalled to court, where his detailed report on frontier affairs pleased the emperor, who granted him five million in cash. In the fifth year he was again posted to Cangzhou. At the start of the Zhidao era he was transferred to Xiongzhou. In the third year he returned to Cangzhou. He was appointed military governor and observation deputy of the Gande army, transferred to Songzhou, and concurrently made commissioner for military colonies. His authority and kindness were equally renowned, and officials and commoners alike were reluctant to see him leave. In the third year of Xianping he presented himself at court; he was dismissed to return but died suddenly before he could leave, at sixty-nine; he was posthumously ennobled as Grand Marshal. His son Jichang was enrolled as deputy commissioner of the supply depot, and his son-in-law Wang Shiji as vice director of the Imperial Household Office.
8
守忠謹愨淡薄，為治簡靜。 太祖居藩日，素相厚善，及受禪後，每優任之，守忠處之益謙。 從征太原，多與謀略，人罕知之者。 所至藩郡，樂施予，豐宴犒，且喜與士大夫遊從，故時論多與之。 初，審琦以愛妾故，為隸人所戕。 守忠終身不畜妓妾，而喜佞佛，蓋有所懲云。
Shouzhong was prudent, sincere, and unassuming; his administration was simple and restrained. He and Taizu had been close friends since the emperor's days as a military governor; after the founding of the dynasty Taizu repeatedly favored him with appointments, and Shouzhong grew only more modest. On the Taiyuan campaign he often advised on strategy, though few were aware of it. Wherever he served he was generous, held lavish feasts for his troops, and enjoyed the company of literati; contemporary opinion generally spoke well of him. His father Shenqi had once been murdered by a bondservant over a favored concubine. Shouzhong kept no concubines all his life and favored Buddhist devotion—perhaps, it is said, as a lesson drawn from that tragedy.
9
孔守正
Kong Shouzheng
10
孔守正，開封浚儀人。 幼事後唐明宗子許王從益。 漢初，為東西班承旨，事魏王承訓。 周世宗征淮南，以材勇選為東班承旨。
Kong Shouzheng was from Junyi in Kaifeng. In his youth he served Prince Xu Congyi, son of Later Tang Emperor Mingzong. Early in the Later Han he was an attendant of the eastern and western palace guards and served Prince Wei Chengxun. When Later Zhou Emperor Shizong campaigned against Huainan, he was chosen for his talent and valor as eastern-class attendant.
11
宋初，補內殿直，兼領驍雄、吐渾指揮。 從劉廷翰平蜀，還，遷驍雄副指揮使。 開寶中，太祖征太原，守正隸何繼筠麾下。 會契丹遣兵來援晉陽，守正接戰於石嶺關，大敗之，斬首萬級，獲其將王破得。 時宋師之陷敵者數百人，守正以騎軍馳之，盡奪以還。
Early in the Song he was made an inner palace guard and concurrently commanded the Xiaoxiong and Tuhun regiments. He served under Liu Tinghan in the conquest of Shu and, on returning, was promoted to deputy commander of the Xiaoxiong regiment. During the Kaibao era, when Taizu campaigned against Taiyuan, Shouzheng served under He Jiyun. When the Khitan sent troops to relieve Jinyang, Shouzheng met them at Shiling Pass, inflicted a crushing defeat, took ten thousand heads, and captured their general Wang Pode. Several hundred Song soldiers had been captured; Shouzheng charged with his cavalry and rescued them all.
12
太平興國中，累遷日騎東西班指揮使。 太宗親征晉陽，守正分主城西洞屋，領步卒大呼先登，繼與內侍蔡守恩等率騎兵力戰，晉軍遂潰。 從征范陽，至金臺驛，詔與劉仁蘊先趨岐溝關。 時城未下，守正夜超垣，度鹿角，臨機橋，以大軍將至，說關使劉禹使降。 禹解懸橋，守正遂入城，撫諭其軍民，以城守屬綦廷朗，而已赴行在。 時契丹兵在涿州東，守正與傅潛率御前東西班分兩陣馳擊之，逐北二十餘里，降其羽林兵數百人。 繼與高懷德、劉廷翰合兵追之至桑乾河，契丹自是不敢近塞。 以勞再遷日騎都指揮使，領濡州刺史。
During the Taiping Xingguo era he rose through successive promotions to commander of the eastern and western Riji guards. When Taizong personally besieged Jinyang, Shouzheng commanded the western assault towers; leading infantry he was first over the wall with a great shout, then with the eunuch Cai Shouen and others led the cavalry in fierce fighting until the Jin army broke. On the Fanyang campaign, at Jintai Post Station he was ordered with Liu Renyun to press ahead to Qigou Pass. The city had not yet fallen; Shouzheng scaled the wall by night, crossed the abatis, reached the drawbridge, and persuaded pass commissioner Liu Yu to surrender by warning that the main army was near. Yu lowered the drawbridge; Shouzheng entered, reassured the troops and populace, left the city under Qi Tinglang, and himself hurried to the emperor's camp. Khitan forces were then east of Zhuozhou; Shouzheng and Fu Qian led the eastern and western imperial guards in a two-pronged charge, pursued them more than twenty li, and accepted the surrender of several hundred Yulin guards. He then joined Gao Huaide and Liu Tinghan in pursuit to the Sanggan River, after which the Khitan no longer dared approach the frontier passes. For his service he was again promoted to commander of the Riji guard and concurrently prefect of Ru Prefecture.
13
端拱初，遷龍衛都指揮使，領長州團練使，出鎮真定。 是年秋，出為潁州防禦使。 未幾，太宗以其練習戎旅，特置龍衛、神衛四廂都指揮使以授之。 改領振州防禦使。 明年，拜殿前都虞候，領容州觀察使。 一日，侍宴北苑，上入玄武門，守正大醉，與王榮論邊功於駕前，忿爭失儀，侍臣請以屬吏，上弗許。 翌日，俱詣殿廷請罪，上曰：「朕亦大醉，漫不復省。」 遂釋不問。 俄命為定州行營副部署，受詔詣保州軍開道，遇敵於曹河，與戰數合，梟首三十餘，獲馬五十匹，上聞而壯之。
At the start of the Duan Gong era he was made commander of the Longwei guard and regimental commissioner of Changzhou, and posted to garrison Zhending. That autumn he was posted as defense commissioner of Yingzhou. Soon afterward Taizong, recognizing his mastery of military affairs, specially created the four-division commands of Longwei and Shenwei and appointed him to lead them. He was concurrently made defense commissioner of Zhenzhou. The following year he was made chief adjutant of the Palace Front Command and concurrently observation commissioner of Rongzhou. One day at a feast in the Northern Park, as the emperor passed through the Xuanwu Gate, Shouzheng, very drunk, argued with Wang Rong over frontier exploits before the imperial carriage, quarreling loudly and forgetting decorum; attendants asked that they be turned over to the judicial authorities, but the emperor refused. The next day both came to court to apologize; the emperor said, "I was drunk myself and scarcely remember it." He dismissed the matter without further inquiry. Soon afterward he was made deputy commander of the Dingzhou field headquarters and, by imperial order, sent to Ba prefecture to open a route. At Cao River he met the enemy and fought several engagements, taking more than thirty heads and fifty horses. When the emperor heard the report, he praised his martial spirit.
14
淳化初，擢高陽關副都部署。 軍中小將有詈其校長者，守正械送闕下，取裁於上，未嘗專決焉。 明年，護浚惠民河，塞澶州決河，就命知州軍。 改慎州觀察使，還，領代州部署，連移幷代、夏綏、麟府三鎮。 與李繼遷戰大橫岡，援范廷召出塞，破賊於白池，至行莊，焚掠甚眾，改代、夏二州部署。
At the start of the Chunhua era he was promoted to deputy overall commander of Gaoyang Pass. When a junior officer in the ranks cursed his company commander, Shouzheng had him shackled and sent to court for the emperor's decision, never ruling on such cases by his own authority. The following year he oversaw dredging of the Huimin Canal and closing the Yellow River breach at Cao prefecture, and was concurrently appointed military governor there. He was made observation commissioner of Shen prefecture, then upon returning took overall command at Dai prefecture and was transferred in turn among the three frontier commands of Bing-Dai, Xia-Sui, and Lin-Fu. He fought Li Jiqian at Dahenggang, relieved Fan Tingzhao beyond the passes, routed the rebels at Baichi, and pushed on to Xingzhuang, where his forces burned and plundered on a large scale. He was then made overall commissioner of Dai and Xia prefectures.
15
真宗即位，復徙代州。 咸平初，授昌化軍節度觀察留後。 守正上言：「四任雁門，邊亭久安，願徙東北以自效。」 會夏人入寇，改定州行營副都部署。 四年，移彰德軍留後，以風疾妨政，改安化軍留後。 景德初，復以不任職代。 時議防秋北鄙，守正猶屢表請行。 上閔之，不許。 無何，卒，年六十六，贈泰寧軍節度使。
When Emperor Zhenzong came to the throne, he was again posted to Dai prefecture. At the start of the Xianping era he was granted the post of military governor and observer of Changhua Army as interim regent. Shouzheng memorialized: "I have served four terms at Yanmen, where the frontier has long been quiet. I wish to be transferred to the northeast to prove my worth." Just then the Tangut invaded, and he was reassigned as deputy overall commander of the Dingzhou field headquarters. In the fourth year he was transferred to regent of Zhangde Army, but as wind sickness interfered with his duties he was moved to regent of Anhua Army. At the start of the Jingde era he was again replaced on grounds that he could no longer perform his duties. When the court debated autumn defense of the northern frontier, Shouzheng still repeatedly memorialized asking to take the field. The emperor took pity on him and refused. Before long he died, at the age of sixty-six. Posthumously he was granted the post of military governor of Taining Army.
16
譚延美
Tan Yanmei
17
譚延美，大名朝城人。 軀幹壯偉。 少不逞，遇群盜聚謀將行剽劫，延美即趨就之。 及就捕，法皆抵死，延美以與盜素不相識，獲免。 自後往來澶、魏間，為盜於鄉里，鄉里患之。 周世宗鎮澶淵，募置帳下。 即位，補殿前散都頭。 從征淮南，以勞遷控鶴軍副指揮使。 又從克三關。 時太祖領禁兵，留督牙隊。
Tan Yanmei was from Chaocheng in Daming. He had a tall, powerful build. In youth he was wild and unrestrained. Once when he came upon a band of robbers gathered to plan a raid, Yanmei immediately went over to join them. When they were captured, the law called for death for all of them, but Yanmei was spared because he had never known the robbers before. Afterward he traveled back and forth between Cao and Wei, robbing in the countryside until the local people were driven to despair. When Emperor Shizong of Zhou was stationed at Chanyuan, Yanmei was recruited into his personal retinue. When Shizong came to the throne, Yanmei was appointed chief of the Palace Front scattered company. On the Huainan campaign he was promoted for his service to deputy commander of the Crane-Control Army. He also took part in the capture of the Three Passes. At that time Taizu commanded the palace troops and remained behind to oversee the guard formation.
18
建隆元年，補控鶴指揮使，稍遷都虞候、馬步副都軍頭。 征湖南，與解暉分領行營戰棹都指揮使。 時汪端寇攻朗州甚急，招討慕容延釗遣延美率兵赴之，大敗賊眾，擒端以還。 擢鐵騎副指揮使，領睦州刺史，四遷至內殿直都知。
In the first year of Jianlong he was made commander of the Crane-Control Army and gradually rose to chief adjutant and deputy commander-in-chief of horse and foot. On the Hunan campaign he and Xie Hui jointly commanded the field battle-fleet. At that time the rebel Wang Duan was pressing Lang prefecture hard. Pacification commissioner Murong Yanzhao sent Yanmei with troops to the relief, routed the rebel force, captured Duan, and returned. He was promoted to deputy commander of the Iron Cavalry and concurrently made prefect of Mu prefecture, and after four further transfers reached director of the Inner Palace Direct.
19
太平興國初，為蘄州刺史，連徙廬、壽、濠、光州軍巡檢使，劇賊之為害者悉就捕。 六年，徙知威虜軍。 雍熙三年，舉兵北伐，命延美為幽州西面行營都監，與田重進出飛狐北。 俄遇敵，延美曰：「彼恃眾易我，宜出其不意先攻之。」 即麾騎軍直進，敵兵將潰，大軍繼至，遂敗之，斬首五百，獲其將大鵬翼以獻，以功擢本州防禦使。 逾年，改亳州，出為鎮州鈐轄。
At the start of the Taiping Xingguo era he was made prefect of Qi prefecture, then served in succession as prefecture-and-army inspector of Lu, Shou, Hao, and Guang, capturing every major bandit who had been plaguing the region. In the sixth year he was transferred to command Weilu Army. In the third year of Yongxi the court launched a northern expedition. Yanmei was appointed chief overseer of the western field headquarters at You prefecture and, with Tian Chongjin, advanced north of Feihu. Soon they met the enemy. Yanmei said: "They rely on their numbers and take us lightly. We should strike first while they do not expect it." He immediately led the cavalry straight forward. The enemy was on the verge of breaking when the main army arrived, and they were routed. Five hundred heads were taken, and the enemy general Dapeng Yi was captured and presented. For his merit he was promoted to defense commissioner of the local prefecture. A year later he was transferred to Bo prefecture and sent out as supervisory commissioner of Zhen prefecture.
20
子繼倫，至崇儀副使； 雍，虞部員外郎。
His son Jilun rose to deputy commissioner of honored ritual; Yong was an outer-office member of the Board of Works.
21
元達，初名守旻，洺州雞澤人。 身長八尺餘，負膂力，善射。 家業農，不任作苦，委耒耜，慨歎而去之。 事任俠，縱酒。 嘗醉，見道旁槐樹，拔劍斬之，樹立斷。 達私喜曰：「吾聞李將軍射石虎飲羽，今樹為我斷，豈神助歟？」 嘗從少年數十百人欲起為盜，里中父老交戒之，乃止。 時郡以戶籍調役，達當送徒闕下，行數舍，乃悉縱之，曰：「吾觀汝曹，亦丈夫也，豈樂為是哉？ 可善自為計，吾亦從此逝矣！」 已而郡遣追捕，至則達援弓引滿待之，追者不敢近。 由是亡命山林間，為鄉里患。
Yuan Da, originally named Shoumin, was from Jize in Ming prefecture. He stood more than eight feet tall, possessed great strength, and was skilled at archery. His family lived by farming, but unable to bear hard labor he cast aside plow and hoe, sighed, and walked away. He devoted himself to chivalrous deeds and drank to excess. Once when drunk he saw a pagoda tree by the roadside, drew his sword and struck it, and the tree split clean through. Da said privately, delighted: "I have heard that General Li drove an arrow into a stone tiger until the shaft sank in. Now a tree breaks for me — is this the gods lending their aid?" Once he gathered several dozen or hundred young men intending to take to banditry, but the village elders jointly warned him, and he desisted. At the time the prefecture was assigning corvée labor by household registers. Da was obliged to escort conscript laborers to the capital, but after traveling several stops he released them all, saying: "I see that you too are true men. Would you take pleasure in this? Make good plans for yourselves. I too shall depart from here!" Before long the prefecture sent pursuers. When they arrived Da strung his bow and drew it full, waiting for them, and the pursuers did not dare come near. Thereafter he became an outlaw in the mountains and forests, a scourge to the countryside.
22
達雖奮自草野，歷職戎署，至交士夫，能折節盡禮，人以是稱之。
Though Da had risen vigorously from the wilds, once he entered military service and came to know scholar-officials, he could restrain himself and observe full propriety, for which people praised him.
23
常思德
Chang Side
24
常思德，開封人。 周顯德初，以材勇應募，隸天武軍，累遷神衛都虞候。 雍熙初，從曹彬征幽州，因署牙校。 尋鎮威虜軍。 端拱初，以弓箭直都虞候領溪州刺史。 淳化中，李順叛蜀，命往夔、峽招捕，師次達州新寧縣，調近州土兵掩殺賊徒三千餘人於梁山。 時雷有終領大軍抵合州境上，賊眾二萬來拒。 思德與尹元、裴莊等合擊之，合州遂平。 賊帥田奉正、蘇榮據果州，思德因其遁而追捕之，斬首八百。 果州既定，餘賊保渠州，及走廣安、梁山。 乃分兵為二：抵廣安、梁山者，思德領之； 趣渠州者，元、莊領之。 合力進討，盡殲其黨。 自是川、峽賴以安靜，無復寇患，以功真授汝州刺史。
Chang Side was from Kaifeng. At the start of the Xiande era under Zhou, he volunteered for his talent and bravery, was assigned to the Tianwu Army, and rose through successive transfers to chief adjutant of the Divine Guard. At the start of the Yongxi era he followed Cao Bin on the Youzhou expedition and was appointed to the guard staff. Soon afterward he was posted to Weilu Army. At the start of the Duan Gong era he was chief adjutant of the Archers Direct and concurrently prefect of Xi prefecture. During Chunhua, when Li Shun rebelled in Shu, he was ordered to Kuizhou and the Gorges to hunt down rebels. His force halted at Xingning county in Da prefecture, where he mobilized local militia from nearby prefectures and at Liangshan ambushed and killed more than three thousand rebels. At that time Lei Youzhong was leading the main army to the border of He prefecture, where twenty thousand rebels came out to oppose them. Side, with Yin Yuan, Pei Zhuang, and others, jointly attacked them, and He prefecture was pacified. The rebel chiefs Tian Fengzheng and Su Rong held Guo prefecture. Side pursued them as they fled and took eight hundred heads. Once Guo prefecture was settled, the remaining rebels held out at Qu prefecture and fled toward Guang'an and Liangshan. He then divided his force in two: Side led those going to Guang'an and Liangshan; those pressing Qu prefecture were led by Yuan and Zhuang. Advancing together in a combined attack, they destroyed the rebel bands entirely. From then on Sichuan and the Gorges enjoyed peace and were free of further raids. For his merit he was formally invested as prefect of Ru prefecture.
25
初，曹彬北征不利，至涿州，左右皆潰散，獨思德以所部護至易州。 語人曰：「既備戎行，則與主帥同死生可也。 若視利害以為去就，將何面目以見君父乎？」 太宗嘗聞其言，至是陛辭，深加慰勞，且諭之曰：「為臣以忠實為本，汝少壯時，既以驍勇自效，且能盡心於主將，事朕之日雖久，而忠實如一。 今雖老，亦當盡心乃職，庶無負乎朕之委寄也。」
Earlier, when Cao Bin's northern expedition fared badly, at Zhuo prefecture his attendants all scattered. Side alone escorted him with his own command as far as Yi prefecture. He told others: "Once one takes the field, one should share life and death with the commanding general. If one weighs advantage and disadvantage in deciding whether to stay or go, with what face can one appear before lord and father?" Taizong had once heard these words. At this farewell audience he greatly comforted and rewarded him, and instructed him: "Serving as minister, fidelity is the foundation. In your youth you proved yourself by martial valor and devoted your heart to your commander. Though you have served Us long, your fidelity has been the same throughout. Though you are now old, you should still give your full heart to your duties, so as not to betray Our trust."
26
未幾，移慶州路副都部署、屯邠州。 咸平初，與李繼隆同部芻糧赴靈州。 以疾改陳留都監，換左神武大將軍。 二年，卒，年六十五。
Before long he was transferred to deputy overall commander of the Qingzhou circuit and garrisoned at Bin prefecture. At the start of the Xianping era he joined Li Jilong in escorting forage to Ling prefecture. Because of illness he was made supervisory commissioner of Chenliu and exchanged his post for Grand General of the Left Divine Martial Army. In the second year he died, at the age of sixty-five.
27
尹繼倫
Yin Jilun
28
尹繼倫，開封浚儀人。 父勳，郢州防禦使。 嘗內舉繼倫以為可用，太祖以補殿直，權領虎捷指揮，預平嶺表，下金陵。 太宗即位，改供奉官。 從征太原，還，遷洛苑使，充北面緣邊都巡檢使。
Yin Jilun was from Junyi in Kaifeng. His father Xun was defense commissioner of Ying prefecture. He once recommended Jilun internally as capable. Taizu appointed him to the Palace Attendant rank with provisional command of the Tiger Brave Army, and he took part in pacifying Lingnan and capturing Jinling. When Taizong came to the throne, he was made palace supply officer. After the campaign against Taiyuan he returned and was promoted to Luoyang Park commissioner and appointed overall frontier inspector of the northern border.
29
端拱中，威虜軍糧饋不繼，契丹潛議入寇。 上聞，遣李繼隆發鎮、定兵萬餘，護送輜重數千乘。 契丹將於越諜知之，率精銳數萬騎，將邀於路。 繼倫適領兵巡徼，路與寇直。 於越徑趨大軍，過繼倫軍，不顧而去。 繼倫謂其麾下曰：「寇蔑視我爾。 彼南出而捷，還則乘勝驅我而北，不捷亦且泄怒於我，將無遺類矣。 為今日計，但當卷甲銜枚以躡之。 彼銳氣前趣，不虞我之至，力戰而勝，足以自樹。 縱死猶不失為忠義，豈可泯然而死，為胡地鬼乎！」 眾皆憤激從命。 繼倫令軍中秣馬，俟夜，人持短兵，潛躡其後。 行數十里，至唐河、徐河間。 天未明，越去大軍四五里，會食訖將戰，繼隆方陣於前以待，繼倫從後急擊，殺其將皮室一人。 皮室者，契丹相也。 皮室既擒，眾遂驚潰。 於越方食，失箸，為短兵中其臂，創甚，乘善馬先遁。 寇兵隨之大潰，相蹂踐死者無數，餘黨悉引去。 契丹自是不敢窺邊，其平居相戒，則曰：當避「黑面大王」，以繼倫面黑故也。 以功領長州刺史，仍兼巡檢。
During the Duan Gong era supplies to Weilu Army ran short, and the Khitan secretly planned an incursion. When the emperor heard of it he dispatched Li Jilong to mobilize more than ten thousand troops from Zhen and Ding to escort several thousand supply wagons. The Khitan general Yelu Yuyue learned of this through spies and led several tens of thousands of elite cavalry intending to intercept them on the road. Jilun happened to be leading troops on patrol when his route ran directly into the raiders. Yuyue pressed straight toward the main Song army, passed Jilun's force without a glance, and went on. Jilun said to his officers: "The enemy despises us utterly. If they win a quick victory to the south, on their return they will drive us north in triumph. Even if they fail they will still vent their rage upon us, and not one of us will survive. For today the best course is to wrap our armor, take the bit between our teeth, and follow in their tracks. With their fighting spirit rushing forward, they will not expect our arrival. If we fight hard and win, that is enough to establish our fame. Even if we die we shall not fall short of loyalty and righteousness. How can we die in obscurity and become ghosts in barbarian lands!" All were stirred to indignation and obeyed. Jilun ordered the army to feed their horses. At night each man took a short weapon and secretly followed in their rear. After traveling several tens of li they reached the country between the Tang and Xu Rivers. Before dawn Yuyue was four or five li from the main Song army. Having finished eating, the Khitan were about to give battle. Jilong had just formed his battle line in front to wait when Jilun struck fiercely from the rear and killed the Khitan general Pishi. Pishi was a chancellor of the Khitan. Once Pishi had been taken, the Khitan host panicked and broke. Yuyue was eating when, startled, he dropped his chopsticks. He was struck in the arm by a short weapon and badly wounded, then mounted a fine horse and fled first. The Khitan troops followed in a great rout. Countless died trampling one another, and the remnant bands all withdrew. Thereafter the Khitan did not dare again to peer at the frontier. In ordinary times they warned one another to avoid the "Black-faced Great King" — because Jilun's face was black. For his merit he was granted the post of prefect of Chang prefecture while still retaining his inspectorship.
30
淳化初，著作佐郎孫崇諫自契丹逃歸，太宗詢以邊事，極言徐河之戰契丹為之奪氣，故每聞繼倫名，則倉皇不知所措。 於是遷繼倫尚食使，領長州團練使，以勵邊將。 淳化五年，李繼隆奉詔討夏州，以繼倫為河西兵馬都監。 未幾，以深州團練使領本州駐泊兵馬部署。
Early in the Chunhua era, Associate Editorial Director Sun Chongjian escaped from Khitan territory and returned. Emperor Taizong questioned him about frontier affairs, and he insisted that the Khitan had lost their fighting spirit at the Battle of Xu River—so that whenever they heard Jilun's name they were thrown into panic and did not know what to do. Jilun was then promoted to Commissioner of the Court Commissary and made regimental commissioner of Chang prefecture, as encouragement to frontier generals. In the fifth year of Chunhua, Li Jilong received orders to campaign against Xia prefecture, with Jilun appointed overall military supervisor for Hexi. Before long he became regimental commissioner of Shen prefecture and deployment commissioner of garrison troops there.
31
至道二年，分遣將帥為五道，以討李繼遷。 時大將李繼隆由靈環路往，逗撓不進。 上怒，急召繼倫至京師，授靈、慶兵馬副都部署，欲以夾輔繼隆也。 時繼倫已被病，強起受詔。 上素聞其嗜酒，以上尊酒賜而遣之。 即日乘驛赴行營，至慶州卒，年五十。 上聞之嗟悼，賻賵加等，遣中使護其喪而歸葬焉。
In the second year of Zhidao, commanders were dispatched in five columns to campaign against Li Jiyuan. The great general Li Jilong took the Linghuan route but dallied and failed to advance. Enraged, the emperor urgently summoned Jilun to the capital and appointed him deputy overall deployment commissioner for Ling and Qing, intending him to support Jilong. Jilun was already ill but forced himself to rise and accept the orders. Knowing his fondness for wine, the emperor bestowed imperial wine on him and sent him off. That same day he rode post-horses to the field headquarters and died at Qing prefecture, aged fifty. When the emperor heard of it he sighed in grief. Funeral gifts were increased by one grade, and a palace envoy was sent to escort the coffin home for burial.
32
薛超，遼州平城人。 少有勇力。 乾德初，應募為虎捷卒。 從崔彥進伐蜀平，錄功補虞候，遷十將。 太平興國初，四遷至天武指揮使。 從征太原，領遊騎千人備禦鎮、定境上，以張軍勢。 及車駕還，契丹頻寇鎮、定，侵掠無已。 超從大將劉廷翰率兵至徐河，賊將領騎十餘出挑戰，超躍馬直前，連射數人斃，敵勢遂卻。 大軍乘之奮擊，斬首萬餘級。 以功加步軍都軍頭，遷神衛軍都校，領敘州刺史。
Xue Chao was from Pingcheng in Liaozhou. As a young man he was brave and strong. At the beginning of the Qiande era he enlisted as a Tiger Swift soldier. He followed Cui Yanjin on the campaign against Shu, and after its pacification his service was recognized with appointment as adjutant and promotion to company commander. Early in the Taiping Xingguo era he was promoted four times to commander of the Tianwu regiment. On the campaign against Taiyuan he led a thousand mobile cavalry to guard the borders of Zhen and Ding and display military strength. After the emperor returned, the Khitan repeatedly raided Zhen and Ding, plundering without cease. Chao followed General Liu Tinghan to Xu River. An enemy commander led a little over ten horsemen out to challenge him. Chao spurred his horse forward, shot several men dead in succession, and the enemy fell back. The main army pressed the advantage and struck fiercely, beheading more than ten thousand. For his merit he was promoted to chief commander of the infantry army, made chief commander of the Shenwei army, and granted the post of prefect of Xu prefecture.
33
雍熙三年，從潘美北征，至雁門、西陘，路與契丹遇，又戰敗之。 追至寰州，斬首五百餘級，其將趙彥辛以城降。 超連被創，流血濡甲縷，部分軍士自若，乘勝抵應州，其節度副使艾正以城降。 還，加馬步軍都軍頭。 淳化初，屯鎮州，遷天武指揮使，領澄州團練使。 至道元年卒，年五十七。
In the third year of Yongxi he followed Pan Mei on the northern campaign. At Yanmen and Xijing they encountered the Khitan on the road and defeated them again. Pursuing to Huan prefecture, they beheaded more than five hundred. The Khitan general Zhao Yanxin surrendered the city. Chao was wounded repeatedly, blood soaking the threads of his armor, yet he deployed his troops as calmly as ever. Pressing the victory to Ying prefecture, he took the surrender of military governor's deputy Ai Zheng. On his return he was promoted to chief commander of the cavalry and infantry army. Early in the Chunhua era he garrisoned Zhen prefecture, was promoted to commander of the Tianwu regiment, and made regimental commissioner of Cheng prefecture. He died in the first year of Zhidao, aged fifty-seven.
34
丁罕者，潁州人。 應募補衛士，累遷指揮使。 從劉廷翰戰徐河，以奪橋功，遷本軍都虞候。 累遷天武指揮使，領獎州團練使。 淳化三年，出為澤州團練使、知霸州。 會河溢壞城壘，罕以私錢募築，民咸德之。 五年，以容州觀察使領靈環路行營都部署，與李繼遷戰，斬首俘獲以數萬計。 至道中，率兵從大將李繼隆出青岡峽，賊聞先遁，追十日程，不見而返。 三年，真拜密州觀察使、知威虜軍，徙貝州。 咸平二年，卒。 子守德，能世其家。
Ding Han was from Ying prefecture. He enlisted as a guardsman and was repeatedly promoted to commander. Following Liu Tinghan at the Battle of Xu River, he was promoted to deputy commander of his regiment for the merit of seizing the bridge. He rose to commander of the Tianwu regiment and regimental commissioner of Jiang prefecture. In the third year of Chunhua he was posted as regimental commissioner of Ze prefecture and prefect of Ba prefecture. When the river overflowed and destroyed the city walls, Han used his own money to hire repairs, and the people were deeply grateful. In the fifth year he served as observation commissioner of Rong prefecture and overall deployment commissioner of the Linghuan route field headquarters. Fighting Li Jiyuan, he took tens of thousands of heads and captives. During the Zhidao era he led troops under General Li Jilong out through Qinggang Gorge. The rebels fled at the news. After ten days' pursuit without finding them, he returned. In the third year he was formally appointed observation commissioner of Mi prefecture and commander of the Weilu army, then transferred to Bei prefecture. He died in the second year of Xianping. His son Shoude was able to carry on the family tradition.
35
趙瑫者，貝州清河人。 由衛士累遷龍衛指揮使。 亦以徐河戰功，加鎮州團練使，至兵馬部署。 至道二年卒於官，年七十。 贈歸義軍節度使。
Zhao Tao was from Qinghe in Bei prefecture. Starting as a guardsman, he rose to commander of the Longwei regiment. He too was rewarded for service at the Battle of Xu River with promotion to regimental commissioner of Zhen prefecture and eventually deployment commissioner. He died in office in the second year of Zhidao, aged seventy. He was posthumously granted the title of military governor of the Guiyi army.
36
傅思讓
Fu Sirang
37
田仁朗
Tian Renlang
38
乾德中，討蜀，命仁朗為鳳州路壕砦都監。 伐木除道，大軍以濟，錄功遷染院副使。 太祖征太原，與陳承昭壅汾水灌城。 城將陷，會班師。 俄遷內染院使，數日，改左藏庫使。 為中官所讒，太祖怒，立召詰之，至殿門，命去冠帶。 仁朗神色不撓，從容曰：「臣嘗從破蜀，秋毫無犯，陛下固知之。 今主藏禁中，豈復為姦利以自汙？」 太祖怒釋，止停其職。
During the Qiande era, in the campaign against Shu, Renlang was appointed overall supervisor of trenches and stockades on the Fengzhou route. He felled trees and cleared a road so the main army could pass, and for this service was promoted to deputy commissioner of the Dyeing Bureau. When Emperor Taizu campaigned against Taiyuan, he and Chen Chengzhao dammed the Fen River to flood the city. The city was about to fall when the army was ordered to withdraw. Shortly afterward he was transferred to commissioner of the Inner Dyeing Bureau, and within days was reassigned as commissioner of the Left Treasury. Slandered by a eunuch official, Emperor Taizu flew into a rage and immediately summoned him for interrogation. At the palace gate he was ordered to remove his cap and belt. Renlang's expression did not falter. Calmly he said, "Your servant once followed in the conquest of Shu and did not violate so much as a hair's breadth—Your Majesty surely knows this. Now I am in charge of the treasury within the palace—how could I seek illicit profit and defile myself?" Emperor Taizu's anger subsided, and he only suspended him from office.
39
開寶六年，起為榷易使。 七年，以西北邊內侵，選知慶州。 仁朗至，率麾下往擊之，短兵將接，前鋒稍卻，仁朗斬指揮使二人，軍中震恐，爭乞效命，遂大破之。 其酋長相率請和，仁朗烹牛置酒與之約誓，邊境乃寧，璽書褒美。
In the sixth year of Kaibao he was restored to office as commissioner of the Monopoly Exchange. In the seventh year, with the northwestern frontier under internal attack, he was selected to govern Qing prefecture. When Renlang arrived he led his men to attack. As close combat was about to begin the vanguard fell back slightly. Renlang beheaded two commanders, throwing the army into terror; the men all begged to give their lives, and he routed the enemy completely. Their chieftains one after another sued for peace. Renlang slaughtered oxen and set out wine to covenant with them, and the frontier was pacified. An imperial letter praised his achievement.
40
太平興國初，秦州羌為寇，命仁朗屯兵清水。 會李飛雄事敗，召為西上閤門使。 四年，征太原，命仁朗與閤門祗候劉緒按行太原城四面壕砦，閱視攻城梯衝、器械。 太原平，留仁朗為兵馬鈐轄，閑廄使武再興、軍器庫副使賈湜並為巡檢。 俄命仁朗與再興役民築榆次新城。 從幸大名，又命為滄州鈐轄，俄遷東上閤門使、知秦州。 九年，判四方館事。 會議東封，命仁朗自京抵泰山，督役治道。
Early in the Taiping Xingguo era, the Qiang of Qin prefecture raided, and Renlang was ordered to garrison troops at Qingshui. When Li Feixiong's plot failed, Renlang was summoned to serve as commissioner of the Western Upper Gate. In the fourth year, on the campaign against Taiyuan, Renlang and Gate Attendant Liu Xu were ordered to inspect the trenches and stockades on all four sides of Taiyuan and review siege ladders, rams, and equipment. When Taiyuan was pacified, Renlang was left as military controller, with Stable Commissioner Wu Zaixing and Deputy Commissioner of the Armory Jia Shi as inspectors. Shortly afterward Renlang and Zaixing were ordered to conscript labor to build the new city of Yuci. Accompanying the imperial visit to Daming, he was appointed military controller of Cang prefecture, then shortly transferred to commissioner of the Eastern Upper Gate and governor of Qin prefecture. In the ninth year he was put in charge of the Four Directions Office. When the eastern feng sacrifice was planned, Renlang was ordered to go from the capital to Mount Tai and supervise road construction.
41
李繼遷為亂，命仁朗率兵巡銀、夏，歲餘召還。 未幾，繼遷攻麟州，誘殺曹光實，遂圍三族砦。 命仁朗與閤門使王侁、副使董愿、宮苑使李繼隆，馳傳發邊兵數千擊之。 仁朗次綏州，奏請益兵，留月餘俟報。 會三族砦將折遇乜殺監軍使者，與繼遷合。 太宗聞之大怒，亟遣軍器庫使劉文裕自三交乘疾置代仁朗。 繼遷乘急攻撫寧砦，仁朗不知為文裕所代，喜謂諸將曰：「敵人逐水草散保岩險，常烏合為寇，勝則進，敗則走，無以窮其巢穴。 今繼遷嘯聚羌、戎數萬，盡銳以攻孤壘，撫寧小而固，兵少而精，未可以旬浹破。 當留信宿，俟其困，以大兵臨之，分強弩三百，邀其歸路，必成擒矣。」 仁朗部署已定，欲示閑暇，日縱其樗博，不恤軍事。 上知之，遣使召仁朗赴闕，下御史按問仁朗請益兵及陷三族狀。 仁朗對曰：「所召銀、綏、夏兵，其州皆留防城，不遣。 所部有千餘人，皆曹光實舊卒，器甲不完，故請益兵。 況轉輸芻粟未備，三族砦與綏相去道遠，非元詔所救。 昨臣已定擒繼遷策，會詔代臣，其謀不果。」 因言：「繼遷得部落情，願降優詔懷來之，或以厚利啖諸酋長密圖之。 不爾，恐他日難制，大為邊患。」 御史以其狀聞，上大怒，切責憲府官吏曰：「仁朗不恤軍政，得為過乎？」 大理遂當仁朗乏軍興及征人違期二十日以上，坐死，上特貸之，下詔責授商州團練副使，馳驛發遣。
When Li Jiyuan rebelled, Renlang was ordered to lead troops on patrol in Yin and Xia. After more than a year he was recalled. Before long Jiyuan attacked Lin prefecture, lured and killed Cao Guangshi, and then besieged the Sancu stockade. Renlang, Gate Commissioner Wang Yi, Vice Commissioner Dong Yuan, and Park Commissioner Li Jilong were ordered to ride express post-horses and dispatch several thousand frontier troops to attack them. Renlang halted at Sui prefecture, memorialized for reinforcements, and waited more than a month for a reply. At that time the Sancu stockade commander Zhe Yume killed the army inspector envoy and joined forces with Jiyuan. Emperor Taizong was greatly angered and urgently dispatched Armory Commissioner Liu Wenyu from Sanjiao by express relay to replace Renlang. Jiyuan pressed the attack on Funing stockade. Unaware that Wenyu had replaced him, Renlang said happily to the generals, "The enemy follow water and grass, scatter to hold cliffs and passes, and usually gather in loose bands to raid. If they win they advance; if they lose they flee. There is no way to exhaust their lair. Now Jiyuan has rallied tens of thousands of Qiang and Rong and brought all his elite to attack a lone fort. Funing is small but solid, its garrison few but picked—it cannot be taken in ten days. We should stay two nights, wait until they are exhausted, then bring the main army against them and detach three hundred strong crossbowmen to cut off their retreat. He will surely be captured." Renlang's dispositions were already set. Wishing to appear at leisure, day after day he allowed dice and gambling and neglected military affairs. When the emperor learned of this he summoned Renlang to court and ordered the censorate to investigate his request for reinforcements and the fall of the Sancu stockade. Renlang replied, "The troops summoned from Yin, Sui, and Xia were all kept for city defense and not sent. The troops under my command numbered a little over a thousand, all former soldiers of Cao Guangshi, with incomplete armor and weapons. That is why I requested reinforcements. Moreover transport of fodder and grain was not ready, and Sancu stockade was far from Sui by road—it was not within the original orders for rescue. I had already settled a plan to capture Jiyuan, but then an edict replaced me and the plan came to nothing." He then said, "Jiyuan has won the hearts of the tribes. I urge that a gracious edict be sent to win him over, or that generous rewards be used to entice the chieftains to plot against him in secret. Otherwise I fear that in time he will be hard to control and become a great frontier menace." The censorate reported his statement. The emperor was greatly angered and sharply rebuked the censorate officials: "Renlang neglected military affairs—can this be excused?" The Court of Judicial Review found Renlang guilty of failing to supply the army and of troops exceeding the deadline by more than twenty days, a capital offense. The emperor specially pardoned him, issued a rebuking edict appointing him deputy regimental commissioner of Shang prefecture, and sent him off by express post.
42
是役也，仁朗計已決，為王侁等所構，逗撓不進軍，故及於貶。 後數月，上知其無罪，召拜右神武軍大將軍。 部修河北東路諸州城池，數月而就。 留知雄州，加領澄州刺史。 時河北用兵，大藩多用節將，朝議以通判權位不倫，選諸司使有吏幹者佐之，以仁朗知定州節度副使事。 俄召赴闕，未聞命而卒，年六十，時端拱二年也。
In this campaign Renlang's plan was already settled, but he was framed by Wang Yi and others for dalliance and failure to advance, and therefore suffered demotion. Several months later, knowing he was innocent, the emperor summoned him and appointed him great general of the Right Shenwu army. He supervised repairs to the city walls of the eastern Hebei prefectures, completing the work in several months. He was retained as governor of Xiong prefecture and additionally granted the post of prefect of Cheng prefecture. At that time Hebei was at war and great prefectures mostly had military governors. Court opinion held that vice-prefects' rank was unequal to the task, so bureau commissioners with administrative ability were selected to assist them. Renlang was made acting military governor's deputy of Ding prefecture. Shortly afterward he was summoned to court but died before receiving new appointment, aged sixty, in the second year of Duangong.
43
仁朗性沉厚，有謀略。 頗涉書傳，所至有善政。 雅好音律，尤臻其妙。 時內職中咸以仁朗為稱首，故死之日人多惜之。
Renlang was deep and steady in character, with strategic ability. He was well read in the classics and wherever he served governed well. He had an elegant love of music and attained its utmost refinement. Among the inner service ranks all regarded Renlang as foremost, and many mourned his passing.
44
劉謙，博州堂邑人。 曾祖直，以純厚聞於鄉黨，里有盜其衣者，置不問。 州將廉知，俾人故竊其衣，亦不訴理，即召詰前盜衣者，俾還之。 直紿云：「衣乃自以遺少年，非竊也。」 州將義之，賜以金帛，不受而去。 父仁罕，輕俠自任。 五代末，寇盜充斥，仁罕率眾斷澶州浮橋以潰賊，因誘獲數十人，出芻粟給官軍。 補內黃鎮將。 嘗因事至酒家，遇群寇暴集，以計悉梟其首，攜詣西京留守向拱，補汜水鎮將，俄為散都頭。 宋初，遷許州龍衛副指揮使。 會王師征廣南，為前鋒。 還，改同州都校，卒。
Liu Qian was from Tangyi in Bozhou. His great-grandfather Zhi was known in the village for pure sincerity and generosity. When someone in the hamlet stole his clothes, he let the matter pass without inquiry. Prefect Lian Zhi had someone deliberately steal his clothes again. He still did not bring suit but immediately summoned the earlier thief and had him return them. Zhi deceived them, saying, "I gave the clothes to a young man of my own accord—it was not theft." The prefect admired his righteousness and bestowed gold and silk on him, but he refused and departed. His father Renhan was a man who took pride in bold, chivalrous conduct. At the end of the Five Dynasties, bandits filled the land. Renhan led a crowd to cut the pontoon bridge at Cao prefecture and rout the rebels, lured and captured several dozen men, and supplied fodder and grain to the government army. He was appointed garrison commander of Neihuang. Once on business he went to a wine shop and encountered a band of robbers gathering suddenly. By stratagem he beheaded them all, carried the heads to Western Capital garrison commander Xiang Gong, was appointed garrison commander of Sishui, and shortly became a roving company chief. Early in the Song he was promoted to deputy commander of the Longwei regiment in Xu prefecture. When the imperial army campaigned against Guangnan, he served as vanguard. On his return he was made chief commander of Tong prefecture, then died.
45
謙少感概，不拘小節。 初詣嶺表省父，仁罕資以金帛，令北歸行商。 還堂邑舊墅，嘗為鄉里惡少所辱，謙不勝怒，毆殺之。 亡命京師，遂應募從軍，補衛士，稍遷內殿直都知。 至道初，真宗升儲邸，增補宮衛，太宗御便坐，親選諸校，授謙西頭供奉官、東宮親衛都知，賜袍笏、鞾帶、器幣。 真宗即位，擢授洛苑使。 謙起行伍，不樂禁職，求換秩，改殿前左班指揮使，給諸司使奉料。 咸平初，遷御前忠佐馬步軍都軍頭，領勤州刺史，加殿前右班都虞候。 上幸大名，至北苑，屬謙有疾，遣歸將護，謙懇請從行。 既俾其二子隨侍，仍挾尚醫以從，御廚調膳以給之。 疾瘳，毀所服鞍勒以遺中使，上聞，賜白金二百兩。 駕還，改捧日左廂都指揮使，領本州團練使。 四年，遷捧日、天武四廂都指揮使，領本州防禦使，權殿前都虞候。
As a young man Qian was stirred by high ideals and did not constrain himself by petty proprieties. At first he went south to visit his father. Renhan supplied him with gold and silk and told him to return north and engage in trade. Returning to his old estate at Tangyi, he was once insulted by local ruffians. Qian could not contain his anger and beat one to death. He fled to the capital as a fugitive, enlisted in the army, was appointed a guardsman, and gradually rose to director of the Inner Hall Straight guard. Early in the Zhidao era, when Emperor Zhenzong was elevated to the heir's residence and palace guards were augmented, Emperor Taizong took the informal seat and personally selected the commanders. Qian was appointed Western Head Attendant Official and director of the Eastern Palace personal guard, and was given robe and tablet, boots and belt, vessels, and silks. When Emperor Zhenzong ascended the throne, Qian was promoted to Luoyang Park commissioner. Qian had risen from the ranks and did not enjoy palace service. He requested a change of rank and was made commander of the Left Wing of the Palace Front, with the salary of a bureau commissioner. Early in the Xianping era he was promoted to chief commander of the Imperial Front Loyal Assistant cavalry and infantry army, made prefect of Qin prefecture, and additionally appointed deputy commander of the Right Wing of the Palace Front. When the emperor visited Daming and reached the Northern Park, Qian happened to be ill and was sent home to convalesce, but he earnestly requested to accompany the journey. His two sons were ordered to attend him, an imperial physician was sent along, and the imperial kitchen prepared special meals for him. When he recovered he destroyed the saddle and bridle he had worn and gave them to the palace envoy. When the emperor heard of it he bestowed two hundred taels of white gold. When the imperial carriage returned, he was made commander of the Left Wing of the Sun-Bearer regiment and regimental commissioner of his prefecture. In the fourth year he was promoted to commander of all four wings of the Sun-Bearer and Tianwu regiments, made defense commissioner of his prefecture, and given acting appointment as deputy commander of the Palace Front.
46
時高翰為天武左廂都校，有卒負債殺人，瘞屍翰營中，累日，發土得之。 上怒翰失檢察，執見於便殿。 謙即前奏：「翰職在巡邏及閱教諸軍，不時在營，本營事宜責之軍頭。」 上為釋翰罪。
At that time Gao Han was chief commander of the Left Wing of the Tianwu regiment. A soldier in debt killed a man and buried the corpse in Han's camp. After several days the body was found when the earth was dug up. The emperor was angry that Han had failed in inspection and had him brought before the informal hall. Qian immediately stepped forward and said, "Han's duty lies in patrolling and drilling the various armies. He is not always in camp—matters of the home camp should be charged to the company chief." The emperor thereupon released Han from blame.
47
景德初，加侍衛馬軍都虞候，改領潯州防禦使，俄權步軍都指揮使。 明年冬，制授殿前副都指揮使、振武軍節度。 先是，謙久權殿前都虞候，俄擢曹璨正授，謙頗形慨歎。 至是，璨副馬軍，而升謙領禁衛焉。 河北屯兵，常以八月給冬衣。 謙上言邊城早寒，請給以六月，後以為例。 無何，以足疾求典郡，上召見，敦勉之。
Early in the Jingde era he was promoted to deputy commander of the Imperial Guard cavalry army, made defense commissioner of Xun prefecture, and shortly given acting appointment as commander of the infantry army. The next winter he was formally appointed deputy overall commander of the Palace Front and military governor of the Zhenwu army. Earlier Qian had long held acting appointment as deputy commander of the Palace Front. Shortly afterward Cao Shen received formal appointment, and Qian showed visible regret. At this point Can became deputy of the cavalry army while Qian was elevated to command the palace guard. Garrison troops in Hebei usually received winter clothing in the eighth month. Qian memorialized that frontier cities grew cold early and requested issue in the sixth month. This afterward became precedent. Before long, citing foot ailment, he requested appointment to govern a prefecture. The emperor summoned him and earnestly urged him to remain.
48
大中祥符初，從東封，上升泰山，詔都總山下馬步諸軍，與西京左藏庫副使趙守倫閱視山門，設施有法，著籍者乃得上焉。 禮成，進授都指揮使，移領保靜軍節度。 明年八月卒，年六十，贈侍中。 初，謙將應募，與同軍王仁德訊於日者。 日者指謙謂仁德曰：「爾當為此人廄吏。」 及謙帥殿前，仁德果隸役廄中。
Early in the Dazhong Xiangfu era, on the eastern feng sacrifice, the emperor ascended Mount Tai. An edict ordered Qian to command all cavalry and infantry below the mountain and, together with Western Capital Left Treasury deputy commissioner Zhao Shoulun, to inspect the mountain gates. Arrangements were conducted by rule, and only those on the register were permitted to ascend. When the rites were completed he was promoted to overall commander and transferred to military governor of the Baojing army. The next year, in the eighth month, he died aged sixty. He was posthumously granted the title of Palace Attendant. At first, when Qian was about to enlist, he and Wang Rendé of the same army consulted a diviner. The diviner pointed at Qian and said to Rendé, "You shall become this man's stable clerk." When Qian came to command the Palace Front, Rendé indeed served in the stables.
49
子懷懿，後為東染院副使。 懷詮，內殿崇班、閤門祗候。
His son Huaiyi later became deputy commissioner of the Eastern Dyeing Bureau. Huaiquan was an Inner Hall Honored Company officer and Gate Attendant.
50
論曰：宋初諸將，率奮自草野，出身戎行，雖盜賊無賴，亦廁其間，與屠狗販繒者何以異哉？ 及見於用，皆能卓卓自樹，由御之得其道也。 劉福御下有方略，所至著績，受祿雖厚，而不為燕安之謀，可謂國爾忘家者矣。 守忠練達邊事，禔身謙慎，弭卒校之變於談笑之頃，非善於行權者不能也。 仁朗沈毅有謀，累從征討，綏州之役，不惟無功，而反坐逗撓，豈其計之不善哉？ 特為讒邪所構爾。 自餘諸子，皆積戰功以取通侯。 若延美之開門示敵，思德之翼衛主帥，繼倫之襲擊契丹，薛超之裹創赴戰，元達之請赦亡命，郭密之訓撫士卒，斯皆忠義仁勇，有足稱者。 罕、瑫、思讓，若斌、若謙，雖乏奇功，而亦克共乃職，能寡過者也。 守正素練戎旅，累任邊要，而矜勞肆忿，視於勞謙之君子，能無愧乎。
The historians comment: The generals of early Song mostly rose vigorously from the wilds through military service. Even thieves and ruffians were mixed among them—how were they different from dog-butcherers and silk-peddlers? Yet once put to use, all were able to distinguish themselves—because they were governed by the proper method. Liu Fu had strategy in commanding subordinates and achieved notable results wherever he served. Though his salary was generous, he did not plan for ease and comfort—he may be called one who forgot his family for the sake of the state. Shouzhong was practiced in frontier affairs, disciplined himself with humility and caution, and quelled mutiny among the officers in the space of a jest—none but one skilled in exercising expedient authority could have done this. Renlang was deep, resolute, and strategic, and repeatedly followed campaigns. Yet in the Sui prefecture campaign he not only achieved no merit but was convicted of dalliance. Was his plan truly poor? He was simply framed by slanderous villains, that is all. As for the rest, all accumulated battle merit to attain the rank of full marquis. Such as Yanmei's opening the gate to show the enemy, Side's protecting the commander-in-chief, Jilun's surprise attack on the Khitan, Chao's binding his wounds and rushing to battle, Yuanda's petition to pardon fugitives, and Mi's training and comforting the soldiers—all were loyal, righteous, benevolent, and brave, and merit praise. Han, Tao, and Sirang, as well as Bin and Qian, though lacking extraordinary merit, nevertheless fulfilled their duties and committed few faults. Shouzheng was long practiced in military affairs and repeatedly held important frontier posts, yet he prided himself on his labors and indulged his anger. Compared with gentlemen who toil yet remain humble, can he be without shame?