1
王繼忠
Wang Jizhong
2
王繼忠，開封人。 父充，為武騎指揮使，戍瓦橋關，卒。 繼忠年六歲，補東班殿侍。 真宗在藩邸，得給事左右，以謹厚被親信。 即位，補內殿崇班，累遷至殿前都虞候，領雲州觀察使，出為深州副都部署，改鎮、定、高陽關三路鈐轄兼河北都轉運使，遷高陽關副都部署，俄徙定州。
Wang Jizhong was a native of Kaifeng. His father Chong had been commander of the Martial Cavalry and was posted to garrison Waqiao Pass, where he died in service. At the age of six, Jizhong was enrolled as a palace attendant of the Eastern Class. While the future Emperor Zhenzong was still heir apparent, Jizhong served in his household; his careful, steadfast manner won the prince's close trust. After Zhenzong took the throne, Jizhong entered the Inner Hall Honored Company and rose step by step to chief adjutant of the Palace Front, with the nominal title of military commissioner of Yunzhou. He was posted as deputy commander of Shenzhou, then made superintendent of the Zhen, Ding, and Gaoyang Pass circuits and chief transport commissioner for Hebei, transferred to deputy commander of Gaoyang Pass, and soon afterward reassigned to Dingzhou.
3
咸平六年，契丹數萬騎南侵，至望都，繼忠與大將王超及桑讚等領兵援之。 繼忠至康村，與契丹戰，自日失至乙夜，敵勢小卻。 遲明復戰，繼忠陣東偏，為敵所乘，斷餉道，超、讚皆畏縮退師，竟不赴援。 繼忠獨與麾下躍馬馳赴，服飾稍異，契丹識之，圍數十重。 士皆重創，殊死戰，且戰且行，旁西山而北，至白城，遂陷於契丹。 真宗聞之震悼，初謂已死，優詔贈大同軍節度，賵賻加等，官其四子。
In the sixth year of Xianping (1003), a Khitan force of many tens of thousands of horsemen pushed south to Wangdu. Jizhong marched to the rescue with the senior commander Wang Chao, Sang Zan, and others. At Kang Village he engaged the Khitan and fought from dusk deep into the second watch of the night, until the enemy's pressure eased slightly. When battle resumed at dawn, Jizhong held the eastern wing. The enemy exploited the opening, severed his supply line, and Wang Chao and Sang Zan, both unnerved, pulled their forces back without ever coming to his relief. Jizhong alone charged forward with his men. His dress was distinctive enough that the Khitan recognized him and closed in with ring after ring of troops. His troops were all badly wounded yet fought with desperate fury, fighting as they withdrew along the western hills toward the north until they reached Baicheng, where they were finally captured by the Khitan. The news plunged Emperor Zhenzong into shock and mourning. At first he believed Jizhong had been killed, issued a gracious edict granting him the posthumous title of military commissioner of Datong, added an extra grade to the funeral gifts, and gave offices to all four of his sons.
4
景德初，契丹請和，令繼忠奏章，乃知其尚在。 朝廷從之，自是南北戢兵，繼忠有力焉。 歲遣使至契丹，必以襲衣、金帶、器幣、茶藥賜之，繼忠對使者亦必泣下。 嘗附表懇請召還，上以誓書約各無所求，不欲渝之，賜詔諭意。 契丹主遇繼忠甚厚，更其姓名為耶律顯忠，又改名宗信，封楚王，後不知其所終。 子懷節、懷敏、懷德、懷政。
Early in the Jingde era (1004), when the Khitan sued for peace, they had Jizhong submit a memorial on their behalf, and only then did the court learn that he was still alive. The court agreed, and from that time the north and south ceased fighting; Jizhong had played a significant part in bringing the peace about. Every year when envoys went to the Khitan court, they brought him layered robes, gold belts, ritual vessels, tea, and medicines; whenever Jizhong met the envoys he wept without fail. He once sent a memorial pleading to be brought home. The emperor, citing the sworn covenant by which each side had pledged to seek nothing further from the other, was unwilling to break faith and issued an edict explaining his reasons. The Khitan ruler treated him with exceptional favor, gave him the Khitan name Yelü Xianzhong, later renamed him Zongxin, and enfeoffed him as King of Chu. What became of him in the end is not recorded. His sons were Huaijie, Huaimin, Huaide, and Huaizheng.
5
真宗宮邸攀附者，繼忠之次有王守俊至濟州刺史，蔚昭敏至殿前都指揮使、保靜軍節度，翟明至洺州團練使，王遵度至磁州團練使，楊保用至西上閣門使、康州刺史，鄭懷德至御前忠佐馬步軍都軍頭、永州團練使，張承易至禮賓使，吳延昭至供備庫使，白文肇至引進使、昭州團練使，彭睿至侍衛馬軍副都指揮使、武昌軍節度，靳忠至侍衛馬軍都虞候、端州防禦使，郝榮至安國軍節度觀察留後，陳玉至冀州刺史，崔美至濟州團練使，高漢美至鄭州團練使，楊謙至御前忠佐馬步軍副都軍頭、河州刺史。
Among the men who had risen through attachment to Zhenzong's household when he was heir, the next rank after Jizhong included Wang Shoujun, who became prefect of Jizhou; Wei Zhaomin, commander of the Palace Front and military commissioner of Baojing; Zhai Ming, regimental commissioner of Mingzhou; Wang Zundu, regimental commissioner of Cizhou; Yang Baoyong, commissioner of the Western Upper Gate and prefect of Kangzhou; Zheng Huaide, chief commander of the Loyal Assistants Horse and Foot and regimental commissioner of Yongzhou; Zhang Chengyi, commissioner of ritual guests; Wu Yanzhao, commissioner of the supply depots; Bai Wenzhao, introducing commissioner and regimental commissioner of Zhaozhou; Peng Rui, deputy commander of the Imperial Horse and military commissioner of Wuchang; Jin Zhong, adjutant of the Imperial Horse and defender of Duanzhou; Hao Rong, acting military commissioner of Anguo; Chen Yu, prefect of Jizhou; Cui Mei, regimental commissioner of Jizhou; Gao Hanmei, regimental commissioner of Zhengzhou; and Yang Qian, deputy chief commander of the Loyal Assistants Horse and Foot and prefect of Hezhou.
6
傅潛，冀州衡水人。 少事州將張廷翰。 太宗在藩邸，召置左右。 即位，隸殿前左班，三遷東西班指揮使。 征太原，一日，再中流矢。 又從征范陽，先到涿州，與契丹戰，生擒五百餘人。 翌日，上過其所，見積屍及所遺器仗，嘉歎之。 師旋，擢為內殿直都虞候。 上對樞密言：“潛從行有勞，賞薄。 ”復加馬步都軍頭、領羅州刺史，改捧日右廂都指揮使、領富州團練使，遷日騎、天武左右廂都指揮使，領雲州防禦使。
Fu Qian was a native of Hengshui in Jizhou. In his youth he served under the prefectural commander Zhang Tinghan. When the future Emperor Taizong was still heir apparent, he summoned Qian into his personal service. After Taizong took the throne, Qian was posted to the Left Company of the Palace Front and was promoted three times until he became commander of the Eastern and Western Companies. During the campaign against Taiyuan he was hit by stray arrows twice in a single day. He also took part in the expedition against Fanyang, reached Zhuozhou ahead of the main force, fought the Khitan there, and took more than five hundred prisoners alive. The next day the emperor passed the battlefield, saw the piles of dead and abandoned arms and armor, and praised him warmly. When the army returned, he was promoted to chief adjutant of the Inner Hall Direct. The emperor told the Bureau of Military Affairs, "Qian served on campaign with real merit, yet his reward has been meager. " He was further appointed chief commander of the horse and foot with the nominal title of prefect of Luozhou, made commander of the Right Wing of the Sun-Bearing Guard and regimental commissioner of Fuzhou, and then transferred to command both wings of the Day-Riding and Heavenly Martial Guards with the nominal title of defender of Yunzhou.
7
雍熙三年，命大將曹彬北征，以潛為幽州道行營前軍馬步軍都指揮使。 師敗於拒馬河，責授右領軍衛大將軍，自檢校司徒降為右僕射，仍削功臣爵邑。 明年，起為內外馬步都軍頭、領藩州防禦使，尋拜殿前都虞候、領容州觀察使。 端拱初，加殿前副都指揮使、領昭化軍節度，出為高陽關都部署。 淳化二年四月，拜侍衛馬步軍都虞候、領武成軍節度。 至道中，出為延州路都部署，改鎮州。
In the third year of Yongxi (986), when the great general Cao Bin was ordered on a northern expedition, Qian was appointed overall commander of horse and foot for the vanguard of the Youzhou circuit field headquarters. When the army was defeated at the Juma River, he was demoted to great general of the Right Army Guard, reduced from honorary Grand Preceptor to Vice Director of the Right, and stripped of his merit noble rank and fief as well. The following year he was recalled as chief commander of the inner and outer horse and foot with the nominal title of defender of Fanzhou, and soon afterward appointed chief adjutant of the Palace Front and military commissioner of Rongzhou. At the beginning of Duangong (988) he was made deputy commander of the Palace Front and military commissioner of Zhaohua, then posted as commander of Gaoyang Pass. In the fourth month of the second year of Chunhua (991) he was appointed adjutant of the Imperial Horse and Foot and military commissioner of Wucheng. During the Zhidao era (995–997) he was posted as commander of the Yanzhou circuit, then transferred to Zhenzhou.
8
〈附〉 張昭允
〈Appended biography〉 Zhang Zhaoyun
9
張昭允者，字仲孚，衛州人。 以父秉蔭，試大理評事。 潘美妻以女，奏換右班殿直，以久次，遷通事舍人。 端拱初，契丹內擾，命為雄州監軍。 敵騎乘秋掠境上，昭允與知州田仁朗選銳卒襲其帳，敗走之。 進西上閣門副使，提總左右藏金銀錢帛。
Zhang Zhaoyun, whose style was Zhongfu, was a native of Weizhou. Through his father's official privilege he qualified for trial appointment as reviewer at the Court of Judicial Review. He married a daughter of Pan Mei's wife, petitioned to exchange his post for attendant of the Right Class, and after long service was promoted to courier attendant. At the beginning of Duangong, when the Khitan raided across the border, he was appointed military overseer of Xiongzhou. Khitan horsemen used the autumn season to raid the frontier. Zhaoyun and the prefect Tian Renlang chose elite troops, struck their camp, and drove them off in defeat. He was promoted to deputy commissioner of the Western Upper Gate and placed in overall charge of the left and right treasuries of gold, silver, cash, and silks.
10
昭允以諸州絹常度外長數尺，請裂取付工官備他用，歲獲羨餘。 既而土卒受冬服，度之不及程，出怨言，昭允坐免官。 俄起為崇儀副使，累遷西上閣門使、河西馬步軍鈐轄，屯石州。 會討李繼遷，王超出夏、綏州路，領後陣，超深入數百里，逾白池，道阻糧絕，昭允以所部援之，戎人大敗。
Zhaoyun found that silk deliveries from the prefectures routinely ran several feet longer than the standard measure. He petitioned to have the surplus cut off and turned over to the craft offices for other uses, yielding a substantial annual surplus. Later, when soldiers received their winter uniforms, the cloth fell short of the required measure and complaints erupted. Zhaoyun was dismissed from office on that account. He was soon recalled as deputy commissioner of Honored Ceremonial, rose through successive promotions to commissioner of the Western Upper Gate and superintendent of the Hexi horse and foot, and was stationed at Shizhou. During the campaign against Li Jiqian, Wang Chao marched out on the Xia and Sui circuit route at the head of the rear echelon. Chao pushed several hundred li deep, crossed Baichi, and found his line of march blocked and supplies exhausted. Zhaoyun led his troops to his relief and inflicted a crushing defeat on the enemy.
11
昭允喜筆劄，習射，曉音律。 子正中、居中。
Zhaoyun was fond of writing, practiced archery, and understood musical pitch. His sons were Zhengzhong and Juzhong.
12
雍熙三年，曹彬等北征失律，諸將多坐黜免，以興為侍衛步軍都虞候，領雲州防禦使。 契丹撓邊，命興屯澶州以備非常，改本州觀察使，充天雄軍副都部署。
In the third year of Yongxi (986), when Cao Bin and others were defeated on the northern expedition and many generals were dismissed, Dai Xing was appointed adjutant of the Imperial Foot with the nominal title of defender of Yunzhou. When the Khitan harassed the frontier, he was ordered to garrison Chunzhou against emergencies, made military commissioner of his home prefecture, and appointed deputy commander of the Tianxiong army.
13
端拱初，遷步軍都指揮使、領鎮武軍節度，賜襲衣、金帶、鞍勒馬。 曆澶州，天雄軍都部署，改殿前副都指揮使，出帥鎮、定二州。 時盜賊群起，會五巡檢兵討之，逾月不能克。 興陰勒所部潛出擊之，擒戮殆盡。 未幾，徙高陽關，遷殿前都指揮使，領定國軍節度，賜白金萬兩，歲加給錢七百萬。
At the beginning of Duangong he was made commander of the Foot and military commissioner of Zhenwu, and was granted layered robes, a gold belt, and saddled horses. He served as commander at Chunzhou and of the Tianxiong army, was made deputy commander of the Palace Front, and went out as commander-in-chief of Zhen and Ding prefectures. Bandits were rising everywhere. Troops from the five inspection circuits were assembled to suppress them, but for more than a month they could not prevail. Xing secretly ordered his troops to slip out and strike them, capturing and killing nearly all of them. Before long he was transferred to Gaoyang Pass, promoted to commander of the Palace Front and military commissioner of Dingguo, granted ten thousand taels of white gold, and given an additional seven million cash per year.
14
淳化五年，出為定武軍節度，歲加給錢千萬。 西北未平，徙夏州路行營都部署、知州事。 時五路討李繼遷，興所部深入千餘里，不見賊。 會太宗崩，三上表求赴國哀，不俟報上道。 及至京師，以擅離所部，左遷左領衛上將軍。 咸平初，兼判左金吾街仗，俄出知京兆府，卒。 贈太尉，遣中使護其喪歸葬鄉里。 錄其子永和、永豐。
In the fifth year of Chunhua (994) he was posted as military commissioner of Dingwu, with an additional ten million cash granted each year. With the northwest still unsettled, he was transferred to commander of the Xiazhou circuit field headquarters and acting prefect. At the time five routes were campaigning against Li Jiqian. Xing's command pushed more than a thousand li into enemy territory without ever encountering the rebels. When Emperor Taizong died, he submitted three memorials begging to attend the national mourning and, without waiting for a reply, set out for the capital. When he reached the capital he was demoted to senior general of the Left Army Guard for leaving his post without authorization. At the beginning of Xianping he was additionally assigned to judge the Left Golden Crow Street Guard, was soon afterward posted as prefect of Jingzhao, and died in office. He was posthumously granted the title of Grand Preceptor, and a palace envoy was dispatched to escort his coffin home for burial in his native district. His sons Yonghe and Yongfeng were given offices.
15
王漢忠
Wang Hanzhong
16
五年，罷西面經略使，命漢忠為邠寧、環慶兩路都部署，李允正、宋沆為鈐轄，領戍兵二萬五千人，委漢忠分道控制。 數月召還，坐違詔無功，責為左屯衛上將軍、出知襄州，常奉外增歲給錢二百萬。 未上道，暴得疾卒。 贈太尉，以其長子內殿崇班從吉為閣門祗候，次子從政、從益為左右侍禁。
In the fifth year the western frontier commissioner was abolished. Hanzhong was appointed commander of the Binning and Huanqing circuits, with Li Yunzheng and Song Hong as superintendents, in charge of twenty-five thousand garrison troops divided among separate routes under his overall control. After several months he was recalled. For defying the edict and achieving nothing he was demoted to senior general of the Left Garrison Guard and posted as prefect of Xiangzhou, with an additional two million cash per year beyond his regular salary. Before he could set out he was stricken by sudden illness and died. He was posthumously granted the title of Grand Preceptor. His eldest son Congji of the Inner Hall Honored Company was made gate attendant, and his younger sons Congzheng and Congyi were made attendants of the Left and Right.
17
漢忠有識略，軍政甚肅，每行師，詰旦，必行香祝曰：“願軍民無犯吾令，違者一毫不貸。 ”故所部無盜。 性剛果，不務小節，輕財樂施。 好讀書，頗能詩。 喜儒士，待賓佐有禮，名稱甚茂，以是自矜尚，群帥不悅。
Hanzhong was a man of strategic insight and ran an exceptionally strict military administration. Whenever he took the field, at dawn he burned incense and prayed: "May soldiers and civilians alike not violate my orders; those who do shall not be spared in the slightest. " Under his command there were accordingly no bandits. He was firm and resolute by nature, cared little for minor proprieties, and was generous with his wealth. He loved to read and was a capable poet. He delighted in scholars and treated his staff with courtesy. His reputation was widely celebrated, but this self-regard won him little favor among his fellow commanders.
18
漢忠沒後，其子從吉詣闕上書訟父冤，因歷詆群臣有行賂樹黨及蒙蔽邊防屯戍艱苦之事。 真宗命樞密王繼英等問狀，從吉止誦狀中語，他無所對。 上以從吉付御史，具伏，乃進士楊逢為之辭。 從吉坐除名，配隨州； 逢杖配春州。
After Hanzhong's death his son Congji came to court with a memorial pleading his father's wrong, denouncing in turn various ministers for bribery, faction-building, and concealing the hardships of frontier garrisons. Emperor Zhenzong ordered Wang Jiying of the Bureau of Military Affairs and others to examine the case. Congji could only recite the words of his memorial and had nothing further to say. The emperor handed Congji over to the censorate. He confessed fully, and it emerged that a jinshi named Yang Feng had drafted the memorial for him. Congji was struck from the rolls and exiled to Suizhou; Feng was flogged and exiled to Chunzhou.
19
初，真宗詢軍校勤勇者，委以方面，因語宰相曰：“聞王能、魏能頗宣力公家，陳興、張禹珪亦有聲於時，才固難全，拔十得五，亦有助也。 ”景德初，擢本州防禦使，與魏能、張凝並命出為邢洺路都部署，俄改鎮、定、高陽關三路行營都部署、押策先鋒。 護城祁州，躬率丁夫，旦暮不離役所，宴犒周洽。 會詔使自北至者言之，手詔褒飭，連徙天雄軍、高陽關二部署，改定州副都部署。
Earlier, when Emperor Zhenzong was looking among military officers for diligent, brave men to entrust with regional command, he told the chief ministers: "I have heard that Wang Neng and Wei Neng serve the state with real force, and that Chen Xing and Zhang Yugui also enjoy strong reputations. Talent is never found in full measure, but if from ten candidates one obtains five who are sound, that is help enough. " Early in the Jingde era (1004), Wang Neng was promoted to defender of his home prefecture and, together with Wei Neng and Zhang Ning, appointed commander of the Xing and Mo circuit. He was soon transferred to commander of the field headquarters for the Zhen, Ding, and Gaoyang Pass circuits and commander of the vanguard of the assault corps. He fortified Qizhou, personally led the corvée laborers, and from dawn to dusk never left the worksite, feasting and rewarding the men with generous care. When an imperial envoy returning from the north reported his conduct, the emperor sent an autograph edict of praise. Neng was transferred in succession to command the Tianxiong army and Gaoyang Pass, then made deputy commander of Dingzhou.
20
大中祥符二年，詔合鎮、定兩路部署為一，命能領之。 明年召入，拜侍衛步軍副都指揮使、領曹州觀察使。 祀汾陰，留為京城巡檢兼留司殿前司事。 禮成，加領振武軍節度，復為鎮、定副都部署兼知定州。 八年，表求入覲，許之。
In the second year of Dazhong Xiangfu (1009), an edict merged the commands of the Zhen and Ding circuits into one and placed Neng in charge. The following year he was recalled to court and appointed deputy commander of the Imperial Foot and military commissioner of Caozhou. When the emperor performed the Fenyin sacrifices, Neng was left behind as capital inspector and placed in charge of Palace Front affairs during the emperor's absence. When the rites were completed, he was additionally made military commissioner of Zhenwu and again posted as deputy commander of Zhen and Ding and acting prefect of Dingzhou. In the eighth year he petitioned for an audience at court and was granted permission.
21
先是，節帥陛見，必飲於長春殿，掌兵者則不預。 至是，特令用藩臣例。 有司言：“能既赴坐，則殿前馬軍帥皆當侍立。 ”由是特令諸帥預坐，自是掌兵者率以為例。 俄還屯所，改領靜江軍節度。 天禧元年，轉都指揮使、領保靜軍節度。 是冬代還，入見，以足疾免舞蹈，賜宴。 累表求解，特與告醫療。 二年，制授彰信軍節度，罷軍職赴鎮，以地近其鄉里，寵之也。 明年，卒，年七十八。 贈太尉，而錄其子守信等官。
Previously, when military commissioners had audience at court they were always entertained in the Ever-Spring Hall, but commanders who held active military posts were not included. On this occasion he was specially granted the treatment accorded to regional lords. The responsible offices said: "Since Neng has been seated, the commanders of the Palace Front horse ought all to stand in attendance. " Thereupon the various commanders were specially ordered to take seats as well, and from then on commanders who held active military posts generally followed this precedent. He soon returned to his garrison and was made military commissioner of Jingjiang. In the first year of Tianxi (1017) he was transferred to commander and military commissioner of Baojing. That winter, when his tour of duty ended and he returned to court, he was granted an audience. Because of a foot ailment he was excused from the ritual dance and given a feast. He repeatedly petitioned to resign and was specially granted leave for medical treatment. In the second year he was appointed by decree military commissioner of Zhangxin, relinquished his military post, and went to his commandery — a mark of favor, since the post lay near his home district. The following year he died at the age of seventy-eight. He was posthumously granted the title of Grand Preceptor, and his son Shouxin and others were given offices.
22
淳化初，以其有材幹，與王斌、王憲並授洛苑使，凝領繡州刺史，賜襲衣、金帶，每頒賚必異等。 出為天雄軍駐泊都監，移貝州，改高陽關行營鈐轄、六宅使。 真宗踐祚，加莊宅使，遷北作坊使。
At the beginning of Chunhua (990), Zhang Ning's ability won him appointment, together with Wang Bin and Wang Xian, as commissioner of the Luoyuan, with the nominal title of prefect of Xiuzhou. He was granted layered robes and a gold belt, and whenever gifts were distributed he always received a higher grade than the rest. He was posted as garrison overseer of the Tianxiong army, transferred to Beizhou, and made superintendent of the Gaoyang Pass field headquarters and commissioner of the Six Residences. When Emperor Zhenzong took the throne, Ning was made commissioner of the Manor Estates and transferred to commissioner of the Northern Workshops.
23
咸平初，契丹南侵，凝率所部兵設伏於瀛州西，出其不意，腹背奮擊，挺身陷敵。 凝子昭遠，年十六，從行。 即單騎疾呼，突入陣中，掖凝出，左右披靡不敢動。 明年，契丹兵大至，車駕幸大名，凝與范廷召於莫州東分據要害，斷其歸路。 契丹宵遁，凝縱兵擊之，盡奪所掠生口、資畜。 徙鎮、定、高陽關路前陣鈐轄，遷趙州刺史。
Early in Xianping, when the Khitan invaded south, Ning led his command in an ambush west of Yingzhou, took them by surprise, struck from front and rear with full force, and plunged personally into the enemy ranks. His son Zhaoyuan, sixteen years old, accompanied him on campaign. He spurred his horse forward alone with urgent cries, burst into the battle line, pulled his father clear, and the enemy on either side fell back in awe and dared not stir. The following year a great Khitan army advanced and the emperor went to Daming. Ning and Fan Tingzhao seized key positions east of Mozhou and cut off the enemy's line of retreat. The Khitan fled by night. Ning loosed his troops in pursuit and recovered all the captives and livestock they had taken. He was made superintendent of the vanguard for the Zhen, Ding, and Gaoyang Pass circuit and promoted to prefect of Zhaozhou.
24
四年，召還，代潘璘為邠寧環慶靈州路副部署兼安撫使。 時斥堠數擾，轉運使劉綜懼飛免不給，問計於凝。 凝曰：“今當深入，因敵資糧，不足慮也。 ”乃自白豹鎮率兵入敵境，生擒賊將，燒蕩三百餘帳、芻糧八萬，斬首五千餘，獲牛馬、器甲二萬，降九百餘人。 慶州蕃族胡家門等桀黠難制，凝因襲破之。 又熟戶與生羌錯居，頗為誘脅，凝引兵至八州原、分水嶺、柔遠鎮，降峇<者多>等百七十餘族，合四千戶，邊境獲安。 就加寧州團練使。
In the fourth year he was recalled to replace Pan Lin as deputy commander and pacification commissioner of the Binning, Huanqing, and Lingzhou circuit. Scouts were being harassed repeatedly. Transport commissioner Liu Zong feared that relay couriers could not keep supplies moving and asked Ning for advice. Ning said, "We should push deep into enemy territory now and live off their supplies. There is no need to worry. " He then led troops from Baibao town into enemy territory, captured rebel generals alive, burned more than three hundred camps and eighty thousand bundles of fodder, beheaded more than five thousand men, seized twenty thousand head of cattle and horses and sets of armor, and accepted the surrender of more than nine hundred people. The Hu family gate and other Qingzhou Fan clans were crafty and hard to control. Ning struck them by surprise and broke their power. Registered households and raw Qiang also lived intermixed and were much subject to enticement and coercion. Ning led troops to Bazhou Plain, Watershed Ridge, and Rouyuan town and received the submission of the Ba duo and more than one hundred seventy other clans, totaling four thousand households, and the frontier was pacified. He was thereupon additionally made regimental commissioner of Ningzhou.
25
景德初，遷本州防禦使，代楊嗣為定州路行營副部署，徙保州駐泊，又兼北面安撫使。 時王超為總帥，以大兵頓中山，朝議擇凝與魏能、田敏、楊延昭分握精騎，俟契丹至，則深入以牽其勢。 超嘗請四人悉隸所部，上以本設奇兵撓敵之心腹，若復取裁大將，則無以責效，乃令凝等不受超節度。 時魏能逗撓，退保城堡，眾皆憤悱，責讓能，凝獨默然。 或問之，凝曰：“能粗材險愎，既不為諸君所容，吾復切言之，使其心不自安，非計也。 ”上聞而嘉其有識。
Early in the Jingde era he was made defender of his home prefecture, replaced Yang Si as deputy commander of the Dingzhou circuit field headquarters, posted to garrison Baozhou, and additionally made northern frontier pacification commissioner. Wang Chao was then overall commander with the main army encamped at Zhongshan. The court chose Ning, Wei Neng, Tian Min, and Yang Yanzhao each to command elite cavalry so that when the Khitan arrived they could strike deep and pull at the enemy's momentum. Chao once asked that all four be placed under his command. The emperor replied that these irregular forces had been set up to strike at the enemy's vitals; if they were again subject to the great commander's discretion there would be no way to demand results. He therefore ordered that Ning and the others not answer to Chao. Wei Neng was then dilatory and held back, retreating to guard castles and forts. The others were indignant and reproached him, but Ning alone remained silent. When someone asked why, Ning said, "Neng is a coarse, obstinate man. Since the rest of you already cannot abide him, if I speak sharply again and unsettle his mind, that is no good plan. " When the emperor heard this he praised his discernment.
26
車駕觀兵澶淵，凝率眾抵易州。 既而契丹受盟北歸，所過猶侵剽不已，遂以凝為緣邊安撫使，提兵躡其後，契丹乃不敢略奪。 改高陽關部署。 明年議勞，就加殿前都虞候，卒。
When the emperor reviewed troops at Chanyuan, Ning led his forces to Yizhou. After the Khitan accepted the treaty and returned north they still raided along the way without cease. Ning was made frontier pacification commissioner and led troops in their tracks until the Khitan no longer dared to plunder. He was transferred to commander of Gaoyang Pass. The following year, when merits were discussed, he was additionally made chief adjutant of the Palace Front and died in office.
27
凝忠勇好功名，累任西北，善訓士卒，繕完器仗，前後賞賜多以犒師，家無餘資，京師無居第。 真宗悼惜之，贈彰德軍節度，遣中使護喪還京，官給葬事，厚恤其家。 子昭遠。
Ning was loyal and brave and loved reputation. He served repeatedly in the northwest, trained soldiers well, kept weapons and armor in good repair, and spent most of his rewards on his troops. His household had no surplus wealth and he owned no house in the capital. Emperor Zhenzong mourned him, posthumously made him military commissioner of Zhangde, sent a palace envoy to escort the coffin to the capital, provided an official funeral, and gave generous relief to his family. His son was Zhaoyuan.
28
魏能，鄆人也。 少應募，隸雲騎軍，後選補日騎左射，又隸殿前班，七遷散員左班都知。 舊制，諸軍辭見，才器勇敢或迥異出群者，許將校交舉以任，使毋枉其志。 能時戍外藩，咸未有舉者。 太宗曰：“能材勇過人，朕可自保。 ”由是進用之。
Wei Neng was a native of Yun prefecture. In youth he enlisted, was assigned to the Cloud Cavalry, was later selected for the Left Archers of the Day-Riding, then posted to the Palace Front company, and rose through seven promotions to commander of the Left Company of the Unattached. Under the old regulations, when troops from the various armies came to court for audience, men of talent, courage, or markedly outstanding ability could be recommended for appointment by their officers so that their ambitions would not be thwarted. Neng was then garrisoned on the outer frontier and no one had recommended him. Emperor Taizong said, "Neng's talent and courage surpass other men. I can rely on him myself. " From that time he was promoted and employed.
29
端拱二年，加御前忠佐馬軍副都軍頭，歷殿前左班都虞候、領溪州刺史，加秩轉馬步軍都軍頭。 咸平三年，真拜黃州刺史。 明年，為鎮、定、高陽關三路前陣鈐轄。 五年，知鄭州團練使，復任威虜軍。
In the second year of Duangong he was made deputy chief commander of the Loyal Assistants Horse before the throne, served as adjutant of the Left Company of the Palace Front and nominal prefect of Xizhou, was raised in rank, and transferred to chief commander of the horse and foot. In the third year of Xianping he was formally appointed prefect of Huangzhou. The following year he was made superintendent of the vanguard of the Zhen, Ding, and Gaoyang Pass circuits. In the fifth year he was made acting regimental commissioner of Zhengzhou and again placed in command of the Weilu army.
30
契丹入寇，能當城西，與諸將合戰，無憚色，大敗其眾，斬首二萬級。 契丹統軍鐵林相公來薄陣，能發矢殪之，並其將十五人，奪甲馬、兵械益眾。 契丹復入，能率州軍逆戰南關門，遣其子正與都監劉知訓間道絕敵行勢，戰數十合，退薄西山下，破走之，獲器甲十八萬。 契丹嘗謀入鈔，能偵知，即發兵逆擊，生擒酋帥，殄滅殆盡。
When the Khitan invaded, Neng held the western side of the city, fought alongside the other generals without fear, and inflicted a crushing defeat, beheading twenty thousand of the enemy. The Khitan commander-in-chief, the Iron Forest Duke, pressed the line. Neng shot him dead with an arrow, together with fifteen of his officers, and seized armor, horses, and weapons in still greater numbers. When the Khitan invaded again, Neng led the prefectural troops to meet them at the South Gate, sent his son Zheng and overseer Liu Zhixun by a side path to cut off the enemy's movement, fought several dozen engagements, withdrew pressed against the western hills, broke the enemy and drove them off, and seized one hundred eighty thousand sets of armor. The Khitan once plotted a raiding incursion. Neng detected it, immediately sent troops to strike them in advance, captured their chieftain alive, and exterminated them nearly to the last man.
31
六年，改威虜軍部署、知軍事。 士民詣闕下乞留能，詔嘉之。 能建言戍卒逸邊境者，請沒其妻與子為奴婢。 上慮嚴迫，聽緩期自新，違以法坐。 會浚順安軍營田河道以扼寇，徙莫州路部署。 石普屯兵順安之西境，詔能與楊延昭、田敏掎角為備。 景德初，破敵長城口，追越陽山，斬首級、獲兵器益眾，詔賜錦袍、金帶。 復以所部禦寇於順安。
In the sixth year he was made commander of the Weilu army with charge of military affairs. Soldiers and civilians went to court to beg that Neng be retained, and an edict praised their loyalty. Neng proposed that garrison soldiers who fled across the border should have their wives and children confiscated as slaves. The emperor feared the measure was too harsh, allowed a grace period for reform, and punished violations according to law. When the Shun'an army's garrison-farm canals were being dredged to check the enemy, he was transferred to commander of the Mozhou circuit. Shi Pu encamped on the western border of Shun'an. An edict ordered Neng, Yang Yanzhao, and Tian Min to support each other in readiness. Early in the Jingde era he broke the enemy at Changcheng Pass, pursued beyond Yang Mountain, took many heads and seized weapons in still greater numbers, and was granted brocade robes and a gold belt by edict. He again used his command to defend against the enemy at Shun'an.
32
六月，召拜防禦使，復出為寧邊軍路部署。 詔推能果略，再任以威虜，使副精兵伺敵動止。 邊人百餘掠居民，樹蕃僧為帥，能與田敏、楊勳合兵設伏擊之，擒其帥。 賊來逼城，能出兵拒之，少衄，即卻陣入城，張凝以兵擊卻之。 會詔能與凝領偏師分道入幽、易，牽制契丹之勢，能畏愞不前，且不戢所部，多俘奪人馬。 俄徙屯定州，及遣凝躡跡北行，能粗險，自度無功，心愧，多怨辭，以訕聞。 朝議謂能剛猾少檢，不可專任，乃命綦政敏為鈐轄，俾同職焉。
In the sixth month he was recalled and appointed defender, then again sent out as commander of the Ningbian circuit. An edict commended Neng's resolution and resourcefulness, again entrusted him with the Weilu army, and had him lead elite troops to watch the enemy's movements. More than a hundred frontier people plundered civilians and set up a Fan monk as leader. Neng, Tian Min, and Yang Xun combined forces, set an ambush, struck them, and captured their leader. When bandits pressed the city, Neng led troops to resist, suffered a slight setback, withdrew into the city, and Zhang Ning drove the enemy off. When an edict ordered Neng and Ning to lead detached columns by separate routes into You and Yi to check the Khitan's momentum, Neng, fearful and timid, would not advance and failed to restrain his men, who seized many people, horses, and goods. Soon he was transferred to garrison at Dingzhou. When Ning was sent to follow the enemy's tracks north, Neng was coarse and dangerous by nature, judged that he himself had achieved nothing, felt ashamed, uttered many complaints, and his slander reached the court. The court held that Neng was obstinate, cunning, and lacking in restraint and could not be solely entrusted. Qi Zhengmin was therefore appointed superintendent so that they might share the duty.
33
明年，師還大名。 時王能、曹璨各領兵歸闕，即城下，鈐轄孫全照遣能、璨之師由北門分道先入，能師繼之。 能怒全照之後己，即疾驅競入，全照射之，能嚄唶不堪，奪全照弓以去。 翌日，詣判府王欽若誣全照射傷押隊閣門楊凝，詞頗紛競。 全照密疏能摧兵退縮，師緩失期，及師旋不整狀。 上初聞能逗遛，微怒。 會全照奏，乃質實於張凝、白守素等，即責授右羽林將軍，出為鞏縣都監。 明年，以自陳，特改官右驍衛大將軍、虢州都監，累遷加領康州團練使。 大中祥符八年，卒。 錄其子正為閣門祗候，靖為三班奉職。
The following year the army returned to Daming. Wang Neng and Cao Shen each led troops returning to court and reached the foot of the wall. Superintendent Sun Quanzhao sent their armies in first by the north gate by separate routes, and Neng's army followed. Neng was angry that Quanzhao had placed him behind and spurred his horse in a racing entry. Quanzhao shot at him. Neng roared in fury, seized Quanzhao's bow, and rode off. The next day he went to administrative prefect Wang Qinruo and falsely accused Quanzhao of shooting and wounding column escort Yang Ning. The dispute was bitter. Quanzhao submitted a secret memorial charging that Neng had crushed his troops in retreat, slowed the army and missed the deadline, and returned with his ranks in disorder. When the emperor first heard that Neng had been dilatory he was slightly angry. When Quanzhao's memorial arrived the charges were verified through Zhang Ning, Bai Shousu, and others. Neng was demoted to general of the Right Feathered Forest and sent out as overseer of Gong county. The following year, on his own petition, he was specially changed to great general of the Right Valiant Cavalry and overseer of Guo prefecture, and in successive promotions was additionally made regimental commissioner of Kangzhou. In the eighth year of Dazhong Xiangfu he died. His son Zheng was enrolled as gate attendant and Jing as third-class attendant on duty.
34
陳興，澶州衛南人。 開寶中應募為卒，得隸禦龍右直。 太宗征河東，幸幽陵，興常從，特被賞賜，累遷天武指揮使。 端拱中，改御前忠佐步軍副都軍頭。 王超為並、代部署，奏興隨軍，遣戍汾州。 明年，李繼隆行營河西，興隸麾下，部清朔、龍衛諸軍，克綏、夏、銀州，繼隆命權知夏州。 尋還屯所，受詔提轄河東緣邊城池、器甲、芻糧。 至道初，繼隆薦其材幹，召補禦龍弩直都虞候。 咸平初，為馬軍都軍頭、領蒙州刺史。 三年，真授憲州刺史、知霸州，徙滄州副都部署，移石、隰駐泊。 會城綏州，詔與錢若水往視利害，事具《若水傳》。
Chen Xing was a native of Weinan in Chunzhou. During the Kaibao era he enlisted as a soldier and was assigned to the Right Direct of the Imperial Dragon. When Taizong campaigned in Hedong and visited Youling, Xing often accompanied him, received special rewards, and rose to commander of the Heavenly Martial. During Duangong he was made deputy chief commander of the Loyal Assistants Foot before the throne. When Wang Chao was commander of Bing and Dai, he memorialized that Xing should follow the army and sent him to garrison Fenzhou. The following year Li Jilong's field headquarters went west of the river. Xing served under him, directed the Qing and Long guards and other armies, captured Sui, Xia, and Yin prefectures, and Jilong appointed him acting prefect of Xiazhou. Soon he returned to his garrison and received an edict placing him in overall charge of the frontier cities, weapons, armor, and fodder of eastern Hedong. At the beginning of Zhidao, Jilong recommended his ability and he was recalled as adjutant of the Imperial Dragon Crossbow Direct. At the beginning of Xianping he was made chief commander of the Horse and nominal prefect of Mengzhou. In the third year he was formally appointed prefect of Xianzhou and made prefect of Bazhou, transferred to deputy commander of Cangzhou, and moved to garrison at Shi and Xi. When Suizhou was being fortified, an edict ordered him and Qian Ruoshui to inspect the advantages and disadvantages. The matter is given in full in the biography of Qian Ruoshui.
35
又徙涇原儀渭鎮戎軍部署。 上言鎮戎軍去渭州瓦亭砦七十餘里，中有二堡，請留兵三百人戍之。 俄與曹瑋、秦翰領兵抵鎮戎軍西北武延鹹泊川，掩擊蕃寇章埋族帳，斬二百餘級，生擒三百餘人，奪鎧甲、牛羊、駝馬三萬計。 詔書嘉獎，賜金帶、錦袍、器幣。 繼遷所部康奴族，往歲鈔劫靈州援糧，恃險與眾，尤桀黠難制。 復與秦翰等合眾進討，窮其巢穴，俘老幼、獲器畜甚眾，盡焚掘其窖藏。 復詔褒之，仍加賜賚。 其年，六穀大首領潘羅支言，欲率諸蕃擊賊，請會兵靈州。 上以道遠難刻師期，詔興侯羅支報至，即勒所部過天都山以援，勿須奏命。 會繼遷死，事寢。 景德三年，遷本州團練使、知徐州。
He was again transferred to commander of the Jingyuan, Yi, Wei, and Zhenrong army. He memorialized that Zhenrong army lay more than seventy li from Wating fort of Weizhou, with two forts between, and requested that three hundred troops be left to garrison them. Soon, together with Cao Wei and Qin Han, he led troops to Wuyan Salt Marsh northwest of Zhenrong army and made a surprise attack on the Zhangmai clan camps, beheading more than two hundred, capturing more than three hundred alive, and seizing on the order of thirty thousand sets of armor, cattle, sheep, and camels. An edict praised and rewarded him and granted a gold belt, brocade robe, and ritual vessels. The Kangnu clan under Jiqian's command had in past years raided grain sent to relieve Lingzhou. Relying on difficult terrain and superior numbers, they were especially crafty and hard to control. Again, together with Qin Han and others, he combined forces, advanced to their nest lairs, captured many old and young and seized livestock in great numbers, and burned and dug up all their stored caches. Again an edict praised him and granted additional gifts. That year the great chieftain of the Liugu, Pan Luozhi, said he wished to lead the various Fan to attack the rebels and requested to assemble troops at Lingzhou. The emperor held that the road was distant and it was hard to fix a date for the army. He issued an edict to Xing to wait until Luozhi's report arrived, then immediately lead his command past Tiandu Mountain to relieve them without needing to memorialize for approval. When Jiqian died the matter was dropped. In the third year of Jingde he was transferred to regimental commissioner of his home prefecture and made prefect of Xuzhou.
36
興起行伍，有武略，所至頗著聲績。 真宗言軍校之材，必以興為能。 大中祥符初，召為龍神衛四廂都指揮使、領登州防禦使，出為邠寧環慶路副都部署兼知邠州。 坐擅釋劫盜，罷軍職，改敘州防禦使、知懷州。 六年，卒。
Xing rose from the ranks, had military stratagem, and wherever he served achieved considerable reputation and success. Emperor Zhenzong said that among military officers' talents, Xing must be counted able. At the beginning of Dazhong Xiangfu he was recalled as commander of all four wings of the Dragon Spirit Guard and defender of Dengzhou, then sent out as deputy commander of the Binning and Huanqing circuit and acting prefect of Binzhou. For releasing robbers on his own authority he was removed from military office and made defender of Xuzhou and prefect of Huaizhou. In the sixth year he died.
37
許均，開封人。 父邈，太常博士。 均，建隆中應募為龍捷卒，征遼州，以功補武騎十將，賜錦袍、銀帶。 開寶中，遷武騎副兵馬使。 從曹彬征金陵，率眾陷水砦，流矢貫手。 改本軍使。 從征河東，攻隆州城，先登，陷之，中八創。 遷副指揮使，前後屢被賞賚。 出屯杭州，妖僧紹倫結黨為亂，均從巡檢使周瑩悉擒殺之。
Xu Jun was a native of Kaifeng. His father Miao was a doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. During the Jianlong era Jun enlisted in the Dragon Swift, campaigned against Liaozhou, and for merit was appointed deputy commander of ten of the Martial Cavalry and granted a brocade robe and silver belt. During the Kaibao era he was transferred to deputy horse-and-troop commander of the Martial Cavalry. He followed Cao Bin in the campaign against Jinling, led troops in the assault on the water fort, and a stray arrow pierced his hand. He was promoted to commander of his original army. He followed the campaign in Hedong, was first to scale Longzhou city and take it, and was wounded eight times. He was promoted to deputy commander and was repeatedly rewarded. Posted to garrison Hangzhou, he followed inspection commissioner Zhou Ying in capturing and killing the sorcerer-monk Shaolun and his rebel faction.
38
端拱初，補指揮使。 從李繼隆、秦翰赴夏州。 擒趙保忠，令均率兵衛守。 改龍衛第四指揮使，俄屯夏州，賊來犯境，一日十二戰，走之。 又從石普擊賊於原州牛欄砦，深入，獲牛羊、漢生口甚眾。 普表上其功，遷第三軍指揮使。
At the beginning of Duangong he was appointed commander. He followed Li Jilong and Qin Han to Xiazhou. When Zhao Baozhong was captured, Jun was ordered to lead troops to guard him. He was made commander of the Fourth Company of the Dragon Guard and soon garrisoned Xiazhou. When rebels invaded the border he fought twelve battles in one day and drove them off. He again served under Shi Pu in attacking rebels at Niulan fort in Yuanzhou, pushed deep into enemy territory, and seized large numbers of cattle, sheep, and Han captives. Shi Pu memorialized his achievements and he was transferred to commander of the Third Army.
39
咸平初，以御前忠佐馬軍都軍頭戍秦州。 王均之亂，遣乘傳之蜀，隸雷有終麾下，守魚橋門，又從秦翰追殺賊黨於廣都，降其眾七千餘。 驛召授東西班都虞候、領順州刺史。 五年，稍遷散員都虞候。 嘗召見，訪以北面邊事，翌日，真拜磁州刺史、深州兵馬鈐轄。 六年，改涇州駐泊部署。 數月，知鎮戎軍。 嘗出巡警，至隴山木峽口，真宗以其無故離城，慮有狂寇奔突，詔書戒敕。 俄以其不明吏治，用曹瑋代之，徙為邠州駐泊部署，改永興軍部署。 車駕將巡澶淵，詔均與知府向敏中及鳳翔梁鼎同提總諸州巡檢捕盜事，至河陽，召赴行在。
At the beginning of Xianping he was made chief commander of the Loyal Assistants Horse before the throne and garrisoned Qinzhou. During Wang Jun's rebellion he was sent by relay to Shu, served under Lei Youzhong, guarded Yuqiao Gate, and followed Qin Han in pursuing rebels at Guangdu, accepting the surrender of more than seven thousand men. Summoned by imperial relay, he was appointed adjutant of the Eastern and Western Companies and nominal prefect of Shunzhou. In the fifth year he was gradually promoted to adjutant of the Unattached. He was summoned for audience and questioned about northern frontier affairs. The next day he was formally appointed prefect of Cizhou and superintendent of the horse and foot of Shenzhou. In the sixth year he was made garrison commander of Jingzhou. After several months he was made commander of Zhenrong army. He once went on patrol as far as Muxia Pass on Long Mountain. Emperor Zhenzong, fearing a sudden raid because he had left the city without cause, issued an edict of warning. Soon, because he was incompetent in civil administration, Cao Wei replaced him. He was transferred to garrison commander of Binzhou and then commander of the Yongxing army. When the emperor was about to tour Chanyuan, Jun was ordered together with prefect Xiang Minzhong and Liang Ding of Fengxiang to take overall charge of bandit suppression in the various prefectures. At Heyang he was summoned to the temporary palace.
40
時有王長壽者，本亡命卒，有勇力，多計慮，聚徒百餘。 是春，抵陳留剽劫，縣民捕之不獲，朝廷遣使益兵，逐之澶、濮間。 會契丹南侵，夾河民庶驚擾，長壽結黨愈眾，人皆患之。 均至胙城，長壽與其徒五千餘人入縣鈔掠，均部下徒兵裼袒與鬥。 均以方略誘之，生擒長壽，斬獲惡黨皆盡。 上以方禦敵，未欲因捕賊獎均。 但賞均部下卒，被傷者賜帛遷級焉。 明年，追敘前勞，擢為本州團練使，尋出知代州。 四年秋，均被疾，以米銳代還，未至而均卒。 錄其子懷忠為奉禮郎，懷信為侍禁。 幼子懷德，自有傳。
At the time there was a Wang Changshou, originally a fugitive soldier, brave and resourceful, who gathered more than a hundred followers. That spring he raided Chenliu. Local forces could not capture him, and the court sent envoys to reinforce the pursuit between Chun and Pu. When the Khitan invaded south, the people along the river were thrown into alarm. Changshou's band grew larger and became a widespread menace. When Jun reached Zuocheng, Changshou entered the county with more than five thousand men to plunder. Jun's troops, fighting bare to the waist, engaged them. Jun lured them by stratagem, captured Changshou alive, and killed or captured his entire band. The emperor, then facing the Khitan enemy, did not wish to reward Jun yet for capturing bandits. He rewarded only Jun's soldiers; the wounded received silk and promotions in rank. The following year, recounting his earlier merit, he was promoted to regimental commissioner of his home prefecture and soon posted as prefect of Daizhou. In the autumn of the fourth year Jun fell ill. Mi Rui was sent to replace him, but Jun died before Rui arrived. His son Huaizhong was enrolled as ceremonial attendant and Huaixin as palace attendant. His younger son Huaide has his own biography.
41
張進，兗州曲阜人，拳勇善射，挽強及石餘。 應募曹州，隸鎮兵。 太祖親選勇士，奇進才力，以補控鶴官，積勞至禦龍弩直都虞候、領恩州刺史。 至道中，兼御前忠佐步軍都軍頭。 太宗嘗幸內廄，進以親校執鉞前導，體質魁岸，迥出儕輩。 太宗熟視異之，擢為天武右廂都指揮使、領賀州團練使。
Zhang Jin was a native of Qufu in Yanzhou. He was skilled in boxing and archery and could draw a bow of more than a stone in weight. He enlisted in Caozhou and was assigned to the garrison army. Taizu personally selected brave warriors, admired Jin's strength and ability, appointed him to the Crane Control office, and through accumulated merit rose to adjutant of the Imperial Dragon Crossbow Direct and nominal prefect of Enzhou. During the Zhidao era he was additionally chief commander of the Loyal Assistants Foot before the throne. Taizong once visited the inner stables. Jin, as his personal officer, bore the ceremonial axe and led the way. His towering physique far surpassed his peers. Taizong looked at him with close attention and wonder, then promoted him to commander of the Right Wing of the Heavenly Martial and regimental commissioner of Hezhou.
42
咸平初，遷昭州防禦使，充龍神衛四廂都指揮使、京城左右廂巡檢。 未幾，遷捧日、天武四廂都指揮使。 二年秋，閱武近郊，進與殿前都指揮使王超親執金鼓，節其進退，軍容甚肅。 從上北征，又與超管勾大陣及先鋒策應。 三年，權殿前都虞候，遷侍衛步軍都虞候、鎮州副部署，徙天雄軍部署。 會河決鄆州王陵口，發數州丁男塞之，命進董其役，凡月餘畢，詔褒之。 移並、代副都部署。
At the beginning of Xianping he was made defender of Zhaozhou, commander of all four wings of the Dragon Spirit Guard, and inspector of the left and right wings of the capital. Before long he was transferred to commander of all four wings of the Sun-Bearing and Heavenly Martial Guards. In the autumn of the second year, during a suburban military review, Jin and Wang Chao, commander of the Palace Front, personally beat the gold drums and regulated advance and retreat. The army's bearing was exceptionally stern. He followed the emperor on the northern expedition and again, with Chao, managed the main formation and the vanguard assault corps. In the third year he was acting chief adjutant of the Palace Front, made adjutant of the Imperial Foot and deputy commander of Zhenzhou, then commander of the Tianxiong army. When the Yellow River broke through at Wangling Pass in Yanzhou, corvée labor from several prefectures was mobilized to block it. Jin supervised the work, which was finished in just over a month, and received an edict of praise. He was transferred to deputy commander of Bing and Dai.
43
李重貴
Li Zhonggui
44
咸平二年，契丹南侵，議屯兵楊疃，張凝領先鋒遇敵，重貴率策應兵酣戰，全軍而還。 范廷召自定州至，遇契丹兵交戰，康保裔大陣為敵所覆，重貴與凝赴援，腹背受敵，自申至寅，疾力戰，敵乃退。 時諸將頗失部分，獨重貴與凝全軍還屯。 凝議上將士功狀，重貴喟然曰：“大將陷沒而吾曹計功，何面目也！ ”上聞而嘉之。
In the second year of Xianping, when the Khitan invaded south, the court debated encamping at Yangtuan. Zhang Ning's vanguard met the enemy and Zhonggui led the assault-support troops in fierce fighting, returning with his force intact. Fan Tingzhao came from Dingzhou and engaged the Khitan. Kang Baoyin's main formation was overrun. Zhonggui and Ning rushed to the rescue, were attacked front and rear, and from mid-afternoon until dawn fought with desperate force until the enemy withdrew. Most generals had lost good order. Only Zhonggui and Ning returned with their whole armies intact. Ning proposed to memorialize the troops' merits. Zhonggui sighed and said, "Our great commander has fallen and we would count merit for ourselves — what face have we left? " When the emperor heard this he praised him.
45
明年春，以勞進階及食邑，徙知貝州，召至勞問，復遣入郡。 是冬，徙滄州駐泊副都部署兼知州事。 以疾求還京就醫藥，既愈，連為邢州、天雄軍二部署，又知冀州。 景德初，車駕幸澶淵，召還，為大內都部署。 明年春，出知鄭州，以疾甚，授左武衛大將軍、領潘州防禦使，改左羽林軍大將軍致仕。 大中祥符三年，卒。
The following spring, for his merit he was advanced in rank and fief, made prefect of Beizhou, summoned to court for consolation, and again sent to his post. That winter he was transferred to deputy garrison commander of Cangzhou and acting prefect. He begged to return to the capital for medical treatment. After he recovered he served in succession as commander of Xingzhou, the Tianxiong army, and prefect of Jizhou. Early in the Jingde era, when the emperor went to Chanyuan, he was recalled and made overall commander of the inner palace. The following spring he was posted as prefect of Zhengzhou. Because his illness was severe he was appointed great general of the Left Martial Guard and defender of Panzhou, then retired as great general of the Left Feathered Forest. In the third year of Dazhong Xiangfu he died.
46
呼延贊
Hu Yanzan
47
呼延贊，并州太原人。 父琮，周淄州馬步都指揮使。 贊少為驍騎卒，太祖以其材勇，補東班長，入承旨，遷驍雄軍使。 從王全斌討西川，身當前鋒，中數創，以功補副指揮使。 太平興國初，太宗親選軍校，以贊為鐵騎軍指揮使。 從征太原，先登乘城，及堞而墜者數四，面賜金帛獎之。 七年，從崔翰戍定州，翰言其勇，擢為馬軍副都軍頭，稍遷內員寮直都虞候。
Hu Yanzan was a native of Taiyuan in Bingzhou. His father Cong had been horse-and-foot commander of Zizhou under the Zhou. In youth Zan served in the Valiant Cavalry. Taizu, impressed by his talent and courage, appointed him squad leader of the Eastern Class, brought him into the Imperial Secretariat, and made him commander of the Valiant Hero army. He followed Wang Quanbin against western Shu, fought at the front, was wounded several times, and for merit was appointed deputy commander. At the beginning of Taiping Xingguo, Taizong personally selected military officers and made Zan commander of the Iron Cavalry. On the campaign against Taiyuan he was first to scale the wall, fell from the parapet several times, and was rewarded face-to-face with gold and silks. In the seventh year he followed Cui Han to garrison Dingzhou. Han praised his courage and he was promoted to deputy chief commander of the Horse, then gradually to adjutant of the Inner Attendant Direct.
48
雍熙四年，加馬步軍副都軍頭。 嘗獻陣圖、兵要及樹營砦之策，求領邊任。 召見，令之作武藝。 贊具裝執馳騎，揮鐵鞭、棗槊，旋繞廷中數四，又引其四子必興、必改、必求、必顯以入，迭舞劍盤槊。 賜白金數百兩及四子衣帶。
In the fourth year of Yongxi he was made deputy chief commander of the horse and foot. He once presented battle formations, military essentials, and plans for building camps and forts, and requested a frontier command. When summoned for audience he was ordered to perform martial arts. Zan appeared in full armor, mounted his horse, wielded an iron whip and jujube spear, and wheeled several times around the hall. He then brought in his four sons Bixing, Bigai, Biqiu, and Bixian, who danced in turn with sword and circling spear. He was granted several hundred taels of white gold and robes and belts for his four sons.
49
端拱二年，領富州刺史。 俄與輔超並加都軍頭。 淳化三年，出為保州刺史、冀州副都部署。 至屯所，以無統御材，改遼州刺史。 又以不能治民，復為都軍頭、領扶州刺史，加康州團練使。
In the second year of Duangong he held nominal prefect of Fuzhou. Soon he and Fu Chao were together made chief commanders. In the third year of Chunhua he was posted as prefect of Baozhou and deputy commander of Jizhou. At his garrison, because he lacked talent for overall command, he was transferred to prefect of Liaozhou. Again, because he could not govern the people well, he was restored as chief commander with nominal prefect of Fuzhou and additionally made regimental commissioner of Kangzhou.
50
咸平二年，從幸大名，為行宮內外都巡檢。 真宗嘗補軍校，皆敘己功，或至喧嘩，贊獨進曰：“臣月奉百千，所用不及半，忝幸多矣。 自念無以報國，不敢更求遷擢，將恐福過災生。 ”再拜而退，眾嘉其知分。 三年，元德皇太后園陵，命掌護儀衛，及還而卒。
In the second year of Xianping he followed the emperor to Daming and was made overall inspector inside and outside the traveling palace. When Emperor Zhenzong once filled military posts, the others all recounted their own merit, some even clamoring noisily. Zan alone stepped forward and said, "Your servant receives a hundred thousand in monthly salary and uses less than half. I am already excessively favored. Reflecting that I have no means to repay the state, I dare not seek further promotion, lest good fortune exceed its measure and disaster follow. " He bowed twice and withdrew, and the assembly praised his knowing his measure. In the third year he was ordered to take charge of ceremonial guards for the park tomb of the Yuande Empress Dowager and died on his return.
51
贊有膽勇，鷙悍輕率，常言願死於敵。 遍文其體為“赤心殺賊”字，至於妻孥僕使皆然，諸子耳後別刺字曰：“出門忘家為國，臨陣忘死為主。 ”及作破陣刀、降魔杵，鐵折上巾，兩旁有刃，皆重十數斤。 絳帕首，乘騅馬，服飾詭異。 性復鄙誕不近理，盛冬以水沃孩幼，冀其長能寒而勁健。 其子嘗病，贊刲股為羹療之。 贊卒後，擢必顯為軍副都軍頭。
Zan was courageous, fierce, overbearing, and rash, and often said he wished to die fighting the enemy. He tattooed his whole body with the words "Loyal Heart, Slayer of Bandits," and even his wife, children, and servants did the same. Behind his sons' ears he tattooed separately: "Leaving home, forget family for the state; entering battle, forget death for the lord." He also made a battle-breaking saber, a demon-subduing staff, and an iron folded-head turban with blades on both sides, each weighing more than ten pounds. He wore a crimson headcloth, rode a piebald horse, and dressed in bizarre fashion. He was vulgar and absurd by nature. In deep winter he poured water over infants, hoping they would grow hardy enough to endure cold. When his son fell ill, Zan cut flesh from his thigh to make a medicinal broth. After Zan's death, Bixian was promoted to deputy chief commander of the army.
52
真宗即位，加本州團練使、并州副都部署。 咸平中，徙貝州，俄知瀛州，復為高陽關副都部署。 時烽堠數警，用建議益邊兵，俟其南牧，即率驍銳出東路以牽制其勢，因圖上地形。 上召宰相閱視，可其奏，且令轉運使於保州、威虜、靜戎、順安軍預備資糧。
When Emperor Zhenzong took the throne, Liu Yong was additionally made regimental commissioner of his home prefecture and deputy commander of Bingzhou. During Xianping he was transferred to Beizhou, soon made prefect of Yingzhou, and again deputy commander of Gaoyang Pass. The beacon towers were repeatedly alarmed. Yong proposed increasing frontier troops so that when the Khitan came south to pasture, crack troops could strike out on the eastern route to check their momentum, and he submitted a terrain map. The emperor summoned the chief ministers to review it, approved his plan, and ordered transport commissioners to prepare provisions in advance at Baozhou, Weilu, Jingrong, and Shun'an.
53
六年，命將三路出師扞敵，詔用與劉漢凝、田思明領兵五千，由東路會石普、孫全照掎角攻之。 未幾，換鎮州副部署。 景德初，為邢州部署。 車駕北征，用以城守之勞，進爵邑，歷知齊、陳、潞三州，大中祥符二年卒。
In the sixth year three routes were ordered out against the enemy. Yong, Liu Hanning, and Tian Siming were issued an edict to lead five thousand troops by the eastern route to join Shi Pu and Sun Quanzhao in a pincer attack. Before long he was transferred to deputy commander of Zhenzhou. Early in the Jingde era he was commander of Xingzhou. On the northern expedition his merit in city defense won advancement in noble rank and fief. He served in succession as prefect of Qi, Chen, and Lu, and died in the second year of Dazhong Xiangfu.
54
耿全斌
Geng Quanbin
55
從征太原，還，遇契丹於蒲陰，追擊至徐河，因據水口要害。 遷補日騎副兵馬使、雲騎軍使，屯瀛州。 與契丹戰，所乘馬兩中流矢死，凡三易乘，戰不卻，契丹為引去。 端拱初，擊蕃部於宥州，敗之。 曆雲騎指揮使、御前忠佐馬軍副都軍頭，改馬軍都軍頭，戍深州，累轉散直都虞候、領順州刺史，改殿前左班都虞候、馬步軍都軍頭。
On the return from the Taiyuan campaign he met the Khitan at Puyin, pursued them to the Xu River, and seized the key point at the river mouth. He was appointed deputy horse-and-troop commander of the Day-Riding and commander of the Cloud Cavalry, and garrisoned Yingzhou. Fighting the Khitan, two of his horses were killed by arrows. He changed mounts three times, never retreated, and the Khitan withdrew. At the beginning of Duangong he attacked Fan tribes at Youzhou and defeated them. He rose through commander of the Cloud Cavalry and deputy chief commander of the Loyal Assistants Horse, became chief commander of the Horse, garrisoned Shenzhou, and through successive posts reached adjutant of the Unattached and nominal prefect of Shunzhou, then adjutant of the Left Company of the Palace Front and chief commander of the horse and foot.
56
全斌在軍中有能名。 真宗嘗召問邊事，全斌口陳利害，甚稱旨。 因謂輔臣曰：“元澄、鄭誠、耿全斌，人多稱之。 觀其詞氣，若有志操，止在宿衛，無以見其才，宜以邊郡試之。 ”遂拜雄州刺史、知深州，徙石、隰部署以備河西。 繼遷死，全斌率兵入伏落關，誘蕃部來歸者數千人。 俄知安肅軍，嘗繪山川險易為圖以獻。
Quanbin enjoyed a reputation for ability in the army. Emperor Zhenzong once summoned him to question him on frontier affairs. Quanbin stated the advantages and disadvantages orally and greatly pleased the emperor. He therefore told the assisting ministers, "Yuan Cheng, Zheng Cheng, and Geng Quanbin are widely praised. Judging from their words and bearing they seem men of will and integrity. Kept only in palace guard service, their talent cannot be seen. They should be tried on the frontier. " He was therefore appointed prefect of Xiongzhou and acting prefect of Shenzhou, then transferred to the Shi and Xi garrison command to guard the Hexi frontier. When Jiqian died, Quanbin led troops into Fuluo Pass and induced several thousand Fan tribes to submit. Soon he was made commander of Ansou army and once drew and presented a map of the terrain's difficulties and advantages.
57
契丹來侵，自山北抵河滸，全斌遣子從政焚橋砦，分率精兵擊走之。 改冀州刺史、高陽關鈐轄，擢從政為侍禁、寄班祗候。 大中祥符初，封禪泰山，以為濮州鈐轄。 其年還京師，卒。
When the Khitan invaded from north of the mountains to the river bank, Quanbin sent his son Congzheng to burn bridges and forts and led elite troops in a separate attack that drove them off. He was made prefect of Jizhou and superintendent of Gaoyang Pass. His son Congzheng was promoted to palace attendant and acting relay attendant. At the beginning of Dazhong Xiangfu, for the Feng and Chan rites at Mount Tai, he was made superintendent of Puzhou. That year he returned to the capital and died.
58
周仁美
Zhou Renmei
59
周仁美，深州人。 開寶中，應募隸貝州驍捷軍。 關南李漢超選備給使，屢捕獲契丹諜者。 從漢超戰於西嘉山，身中重創，補隊長。 漢超上其功，隸殿前班，賜衣帶、鞍勒馬、什物、奴婢、器械。 命王繼恩引入縱觀，過祗候庫，太祖問其力能負錢幾許，仁美曰：“臣可勝七八萬。 ”太祖曰：“可惜壓死。 ”止命負四萬五千，因賜之。 稍遷右班都知、御前忠佐馬軍副都軍頭，戍環州。
Zhou Renmei was a native of Shenzhou. During the Kaibao era he enlisted and was assigned to the Valiant Swift army of Beizhou. Li Hankao of Guannan selected him as supply attendant, and he repeatedly captured Khitan spies. He followed Hankao in battle at Xijiashan, was gravely wounded, and was appointed squad leader. Hankao memorialized his merit. He was assigned to the Palace Front company and granted robes, belts, saddled horses, goods, servants, and weapons. Wang Jien was ordered to introduce him for inspection. Passing the attendants' storehouse, Taizu asked how much cash he could carry on his back. Renmei said, "Your servant can bear seventy or eighty thousand." Taizu said, "It would be a pity to crush you to death. He ordered him to bear only forty-five thousand and granted him that amount. He was gradually promoted to commander of the Right Company and deputy chief commander of the Loyal Assistants Horse before the throne, and garrisoned Huanzhou.
60
時牛耶泥族累歲為寇，仁美與陳德玄、宋思恭往擊之，斬首三千級，獲牛羊三百餘，發戎族囷窖以餉師。 又與思恭討募窟泉岌拖族，格鬥，斬八十餘級。 至道初，石昌牛耶泥族復叛，德玄令仁美提兵撫輯之。 仁美謂石昌鎮主和文顯曰：“此賊不除，邊患未弭。 ”因厚設殽酒，召酋長二十八人縛送州獄，自是諸族懾畏。
The Niuyeni clan had raided year after year. Renmei, Chen Dexuan, and Song Sigong attacked them, beheaded three thousand, seized more than three hundred cattle and sheep, and opened Fan granaries to feed the army. Again, with Sigong he attacked the Mukukuquan Jituo clan in close combat and beheaded more than eighty. At the beginning of Zhidao the Shichang Niuyeni clan rebelled again. Dexuan ordered Renmei to lead troops to pacify them. Renmei told the Shichang fort commander Hewenxian, "If this bandit is not removed, the frontier will not be at peace." He set a lavish feast, summoned twenty-eight chieftains, bound them, and sent them to the prefectural prison. From then on the various clans were awed into submission.
61
二年，又與馬紹忠、白守榮、田紹斌部芻糧趣清遠軍，仁美為先鋒。 至岐子平，與虜角，走之。 明日，又戰於浦洛河，自巳至戌，戰數十合，進壁乾河。 紹忠、守榮皆敗走，紹斌退止浦洛，獨仁美所部不滿三千，身中八創，護芻糧、官吏直抵清遠。 紹斌繼至，深歎其勇幹，表上其功。
In the second year he again joined Ma Shaozhong, Bai Shourong, and Tian Shaobin in rushing fodder to Qingyuan army as vanguard. At Qizi Plain they fought the enemy at close quarters and drove them off. The next day they fought again on the Pulu River from mid-morning until evening in several dozen engagements, then advanced to fortify on the Dry River. Shaozhong and Shourong were defeated and fled. Shaobin halted at Pulu. Renmei alone commanded fewer than three thousand men, was wounded eight times, and escorted the fodder and officials through to Qingyuan. When Shaobin arrived afterward he deeply admired Renmei's courage and ability and memorialized his merit.
62
時運糧民道路被傷者相繼，仁美領徒援護，悉抵環州。 又遇虜於橐駝路，擊走之。 先是，諸蕃每貢馬京師，為繼遷邀擊，仁美領騎士為援，賊不敢犯。 補澶州龍衛軍都虞候，部署李繼隆奏留麾下，選軍中伉健者千人，令仁美領之，屢入敵境，戰有功。
Transport workers were being wounded all along the roads. Renmei led corvée troops to escort them, and all reached Huanzhou. He again met the enemy on Camel Road and drove them off. Previously, whenever the various Fan presented horses at the capital Jiqian intercepted them. Renmei led cavalry as escort and the rebels did not dare interfere. He was appointed adjutant of the Dragon Guard of Chunzhou. Li Jilong memorialized to retain him, selected a thousand sturdy soldiers, and ordered Renmei to lead them on repeated incursions with merit.
63
俄還澶州。 召見，會令諸軍射，仁美自陳筋力未衰，願對殿廷發二矢，上許之。 既而前奏曰：“臣老於戎門，多戍外郡，罕曾入覲京闕。 前後征行，體被三十餘創，今日得對萬乘，千載之幸。 儻或備員宿衛，立殿庭下一日足矣。 ”上顧傅潛而笑，潛亦稱其武幹，力留，補馬步軍副都軍頭。
Soon he returned to Chunzhou. When summoned for audience, the various armies were ordered to shoot. Renmei stated that his strength had not declined and asked to shoot two arrows in the hall. The emperor permitted it. He then advanced and said, "Your servant has grown old in military service, garrisoned many outer commanderies, and has rarely seen the capital. In campaigns before and after my body has received more than thirty wounds. Today I may face the Son of Heaven — a fortune of a thousand ages. If perchance I might fill a palace guard post and stand one day beneath the hall steps, that would be enough. " The emperor looked at Fu Qian and smiled. Qian also praised his martial ability and pressed to retain him, appointing him deputy chief commander of the horse and foot.
64
潛屯北面，常以自隨。 契丹攻蒲陰，仁美領萬騎解其圍。 又從王超屯鎮、定、儀、渭，累遷龍衛軍都指揮使、領順州刺史，復屯鎮、定。 時州有亡命卒聚盜，剽村閭為患，王超委仁美招捕。 仁美選勇敢卒，詐亡命趣賊所，得其要領，即自往諭以禍福，留賊中一日。 超忽失仁美，求之甚急。 詰旦，仁美至，具道其事，乃出庫錢付仁美為賞。 不數日，賊悉降，凡得二百餘人，以隸軍籍。
When Qian garrisoned the north he constantly kept Renmei with him. When the Khitan attacked Puyin, Renmei led ten thousand horsemen to relieve the siege. He again followed Wang Chao in garrisoning Zhen, Ding, Yi, and Wei, rose to commander of the Dragon Guard and nominal prefect of Shunzhou, and again garrisoned Zhen and Ding. Fugitive soldiers in the prefecture had gathered as bandits and were plundering villages. Wang Chao entrusted Renmei with capturing them. Renmei selected brave soldiers who pretended to be fugitives, learned the bandits' essentials, then went himself to lecture them on fortune and disaster and remained among them one day. Chao suddenly lost track of Renmei and sought him with extreme urgency. At daybreak Renmei returned, explained the whole affair, and Chao took money from the storehouse as his reward. Within a few days the bandits all surrendered — more than two hundred in all — and were enrolled in the military rolls.
65
論曰：繼忠臨陣赴敵，以死自效，其生也亦幸而免，然在朔庭貴寵用事，議者方之李陵，而大節固已虧矣。 潛為三路帥，握兵八萬餘，大敵在前，逗撓畏縮，致康保裔以無援戰沒，此而不誅，宋於是乎失刑矣。 興、均輩或由藩邸進，或自行伍起，一時際會，出則書勳轅門，入則拱扈岩陛，求其如古名將，則未之見也。
The commentators say: Jizhong rushed to the enemy line and offered his life in loyal service. In life too he was fortunate to survive, yet in the Khitan court he was favored and held power. Critics compared him to Li Ling, and his great integrity was already compromised. Qian commanded three routes with more than eighty thousand troops. With a great enemy before him he was dilatory and shrank back, causing Kang Baoyin to fight and perish without relief. That he was not punished shows that the Song had lost the rule of punishment. Xing, Jun, and their kind either advanced through the princely residence or rose from the ranks. For a time they met with opportunity: going out they won merit at the camp gate, entering they attended beside the throne. Yet to find in them generals like those of antiquity — that has not been seen.