1
高瓊，家世燕人。 祖霸，父乾。 五代時，李景據江南，潛結契丹，歲遣單使往復。 霸將契丹之命，以乾從行使景。 方至江左，諜間北使與中夏構隙，以紓疆場之難，遂殺霸，居乾濠州，聲言為汴人所殺。 乾在濠州生三子，以江左蹙弱，尋挈族歸中朝，給田亳州之蒙城，因土著焉。
Gao Qiong came from a family originally of Yan. His grandfather was Ba, and his father was Qian. During the Five Dynasties, Li Jing held sway over the lands south of the Yangtze. He secretly allied himself with the Khitan and each year dispatched lone envoys to and fro. Ba was entrusted with the Khitan mission and brought Qian along as his attendant on the embassy to Li Jing. When they had just reached the south, Li Jing's agents exploited tensions between the northern envoys and the Central State to relieve frontier pressure. Ba was killed, Qian was detained in Haozhou, and the court publicly declared that the envoy had been murdered by men from Bian. While detained in Haozhou, Qian had three sons. Finding the south increasingly enfeebled, he eventually brought his entire clan back to the Central Court, received land grants in Mengcheng, Bozhou, and settled there permanently.
2
瓊少勇鷙無賴，為盜，事敗，將磔於市，暑雨創潰，伺守者稍怠，即掣釘而遁。 事王審琦，太宗尹京邑，知其材勇，召置帳下。 太宗嘗侍宴禁中，甚醉，及退，太祖送至苑門。 時瓊與戴興、王超、李斌、桑讚從，瓊左手執靮，右手執鐙，太宗乃能乘馬。 太祖顧瓊等壯之，因賜以控鶴官衣帶及器帛，且勖令盡心焉。
As a youth Qiong was fierce, truculent, and without restraint. He took to banditry, and when caught he was sentenced to public dismemberment. Summer rains made his wounds suppurate; when his guards relaxed their vigilance even slightly, he tore free the nails holding him and escaped. He entered the service of Wang Shenqi. When Prince Taizong governed the capital district and learned of his courage and ability, he summoned Qiong and placed him in his personal retinue. On one occasion Taizong attended a palace banquet and became thoroughly intoxicated. When he took his leave, Taizu escorted him as far as the garden gate. Qiong was among those accompanying him—along with Dai Xing, Wang Chao, Li Bin, and Sang Zan. Qiong held the bridle in his left hand and the stirrup in his right, enabling the prince to mount. Taizu looked over Qiong and his companions, impressed by their sturdy bearing, and rewarded them with the robes, belts, and equipment of the Crane-Controlling Guard, urging them to serve with full loyalty.
3
會有龍騎亡命卒數十人，因知州臧丙出郊，謀劫其導從以叛。 瓊聞即白丙，趣還城，因自率從卒數十人，挾弓矢單騎追捕，至榆林村，及之。 賊入村後舍，登牆以拒。 賊首青腳狼者注弩將射瓊，瓊引弓一發斃之，遂悉擒送於州。 丙上其事。 會將北伐，召歸。 授馬步軍都軍頭、領薊州刺史、樓船戰棹都指揮使，步船千艘赴雄州。 又城易州。 師還，為天武右廂都指揮使、領本州團練使。
Several dozen deserters from the Dragon Cavalry learned that Prefect Zang Bing was traveling in the countryside and plotted to ambush his escort and rebel. Upon hearing this, Qiong immediately warned Zang Bing and urged him to hurry back to the city. He then personally led several dozen followers, armed with bow and arrows, riding alone in pursuit until he overtook the rebels at Yulin Village. The rebels fled into a rear building in the village and climbed onto the wall to make a stand. Their leader, known as Blue-Footed Wolf, nocked an arrow to shoot Qiong. Qiong drew his bow, loosed a single shot, and killed him on the spot. He then captured the entire band and delivered them to the prefectural authorities. Zang Bing reported the incident to his superiors. When a northern expedition was being planned, he was recalled to court. He was appointed commander-in-chief of cavalry and infantry, given concurrent duties as prefect of Jizhou and commander of the war fleet, and dispatched with a thousand transport ships to Xiongzhou. He also undertook the fortification of Yizhou. After the army returned, he was made commander of the Right Wing of the Celestial Martial Guard and concurrently military commissioner of his home prefecture.
4
端拱初，遷左廂，改領富州團練使。 是秋，出為單州防禦使，改貝州部署。 其出守也，與范廷召、王超、孔守正並命焉。 數月，廷召等皆復補兵職，瓊頗悒悒。 時王承衍鎮貝丘，公主每入禁中，頗知上於瓊厚，承衍每寬慰之。 二年，召還。 故事，廉察以上入朝，始有茶藥之賜，至是特賜瓊焉。 三月，遷朔、易帥臣，制授瓊侍衛步軍都指揮使、領歸義軍節度，廷召輩始加觀察使，不得與瓊比。 出為幷州馬步軍都部署，時潘美亦在太原，舊制，節度使領軍職者居上，瓊以美舊臣，表請居其下，從之。 戍兵有以廩食陳腐嘩言者，瓊知之，一日，出巡諸營，士卒方聚食，因取其飯自啖之，謂眾曰：「今邊鄙無警，爾等坐飽甘豐，宜知幸也。」 眾言遂息。 改鎮州都部署。 至道中，就改保大軍節度，典軍如故。
At the opening of the Duangong era he was transferred to the Left Wing and reassigned as military commissioner of Fuzhou. That autumn he was posted as defense commissioner of Shanzhou, then reassigned to command the garrison at Beizhou. His frontier posting came at the same time as comparable appointments for Fan Tingzhao, Wang Chao, and Kong Shouzheng. Within a few months Fan Tingzhao and the others had all been restored to military command, while Qiong remained in his lesser post and grew increasingly despondent. Wang Chengyan was then stationed at Beiqiu. His wife, a princess who frequently visited the palace, was well aware of the emperor's high regard for Qiong, and Chengyan often reassured him on that account. In the second year of the reign he was recalled to court. By custom only officials of inspector rank and above received gifts of tea and medicine when summoned to court; on this occasion Qiong was granted them as an exceptional honor. In the third month the commanders for Shuozhou and Yizhou were reshuffled. Qiong was appointed commander of the Palace Guard Infantry and given the concurrent title of military governor of the Guiyi Army. Fan Tingzhao and his peers received only observation commissioner ranks—positions that could not compare with Qiong's. He was posted as overall commander of cavalry and infantry at Bingzhou. Pan Mei was then stationed at Taiyuan as well. By established custom a military governor who held a field command outranked a mere deployment commander, but Qiong, respecting Mei as a senior officer of the founding era, petitioned to serve under him, and the request was granted. Some garrison troops had been grumbling that their grain rations were stale and rotten. Learning of this, Qiong one day made the rounds of the camps while the men were at their meal. He took a portion of their food and ate it himself, then told the assembled soldiers: "The frontier is at peace. You sit here eating your fill of good provisions—you ought to count yourselves fortunate." The grumbling then ceased. He was reassigned as overall commander at Zhenzhou. During the Zhidao era he was given the concurrent title of military governor of the Baoda Army while continuing his military duties as before.
5
真宗即位，加彰信軍節度，充太宗山陵部署，復為幷代都部署。 咸平中，契丹犯塞，其母車帳至狼山大夏。 上親巡河朔，遣楊允恭馳往，召瓊率所部出土門，與石保吉會鎮、定。 既而傅潛以逗留得罪，即召瓊代之。 兵罷，復還本任。 轉運使言其政績，詔褒之。
When Emperor Zhenzong ascended the throne, Qiong received the additional title of military governor of the Zhangxin Army, was appointed overseer of Taizong's imperial tomb, and was again made overall commander of Bing and Dai. During the Xianping era the Khitan invaded the frontier, and the empress dowager's own camp advanced as far as Langshan and Daxia. The emperor personally toured Hebei and dispatched Yang Yonggong posthaste to summon Qiong, ordering him to lead his troops out through Tumen and rendezvous with Shi Baoji at Zhen and Ding. Fu Qian was soon punished for his delay in advancing, and Qiong was summoned to replace him. When the campaign ended, he returned to his previous post. The transport commissioner reported on his administrative achievements, and the emperor issued an edict praising him.
6
咸平三年，代還，以手創不任持笏，詔執梃入謁，授殿前都指揮使。 先是，范廷召、桑讚所將邊兵臨敵退衄，言者請罪之。 以問瓊，瓊對曰：「兵違將令，於法當誅。 然陛下去歲已釋其罪，今復行之，又方屯諸路，非時代易，臣恐眾心疑懼。」 乃止。
In the third year of Xianping, upon returning from his frontier tour of duty, a wound to his hand left him unable to hold the audience tablet. The emperor granted him permission to attend audience bearing a staff and appointed him commander of the Palace Guard. Earlier, the frontier troops under Fan Tingzhao and Sang Zan had retreated before the enemy, and critics at court called for their punishment. The emperor asked Qiong for his view. Qiong replied: "When troops disobey their commander's orders, the law calls for execution. Yet Your Majesty already pardoned them last year. To punish them again now, while troops are garrisoned across many routes and it is not the season for rotation, would, I fear, sow suspicion and alarm among the ranks." The emperor thereupon dropped the matter.
7
景德中，車駕北巡。 時前軍已與敵接戰，上欲親臨營壘，或勸南還，瓊曰：「敵師已老，陛下宜親往，以督其成。」 上悅，即日進幸澶淵。 明年，以罷兵，料簡兵卒諸班直十年者出補軍校，年老者退為本班剩員。 瓊進曰：「此非激勸之道，宿衛豈不勞乎？」 自是八年者皆得敘補焉。
During the Jingde era the emperor personally led a northern tour. The vanguard had already engaged the enemy, and the emperor wished to visit the camps in person. Some advisers urged him to return south. Qiong said: "The enemy army is already exhausted. Your Majesty should go in person to ensure victory." The emperor was pleased and that same day advanced to Chanyuan. The following year, after the truce, a review was held: guard regulars with ten years of service were selected for promotion to officer rank, while older men were retired to surplus positions within their original units. Qiong submitted: "This is no way to reward merit. Is palace guard duty not arduous as well?" From then on, even those with eight years of service were eligible for promotion.
8
馬軍都校葛霸權步軍司，會以疾在告，令瓊兼領二司。 瓊從容上言曰：「臣衰老，儻又有犬馬之疾，則須一將總此二職。 臣事先朝時，侍衛都虞候以上常至十員，職位相亞，易於遷改，且使軍伍熟其名望，邊藩緩急，亦可選用。」 上深然之。 未幾，以久疾求解兵柄，授檢校太尉、忠武軍節度。 三年冬，疾甚，上欲親臨問之，宰相不可，乃止。 卒，年七十二，贈侍中。
Ge Ba, colonel of the Cavalry Guard, was acting head of the Infantry Bureau. When he fell ill and took leave, Qiong was ordered to command both bureaus concurrently. Qiong calmly submitted: "I am old and failing. Should I again fall ill, a single general will be needed to command both posts. When I served the previous court, there were often as many as ten vice commanders of the Palace Guard and above. Their ranks were nearly equal, which made rotation easy and allowed the ranks to become familiar with their reputations, so that in frontier emergencies they could readily be selected for duty." The emperor strongly agreed. Before long, citing prolonged illness, he requested release from military command and was granted the honorary title of Grand Preceptor and appointed military governor of the Zhongwu Army. In the winter of the third year his illness grew severe. The emperor wished to visit him in person, but the chief ministers objected, and he desisted. He died at the age of seventy-two and was posthumously granted the title of Palace Attendant.
9
瓊不識字，曉達軍政，然頗自任，罕與副將參議。 善訓諸子：繼勳、繼宣、繼忠、繼密、繼和、繼隆、繼元。 繼勳、繼宣最知名。
Qiong was illiterate, yet thoroughly versed in military affairs. He was rather self-willed, however, and rarely consulted with his deputy commanders. He was skilled at training his sons: Jixun, Jixuan, Jizhong, Jimi, Jihe, Jilong, and Jiyuan. Of these, Jixun and Jixuan were the most renowned.
10
子繼勳
His son Jixun
11
繼勳，字紹先，初補右班殿直。 儀狀頎偉，太宗見而異之，召問其家世，以瓊子對。 擢寄班祗候，累遷內殿崇班。
Jixun, styled Shaoxian, was initially appointed a Right Guard palace attendant. Tall and imposing in bearing, he caught Taizong's eye. The emperor summoned him and asked about his family background; Jixun replied that he was Qiong's son. He was promoted to attendant of the Attendant Guard and rose through successive appointments to senior attendant of the Inner Palace.
12
咸平初，王均據益州。 以崇儀副使為益州兵馬都監、提舉西川諸州軍巡檢公事。 招安使雷有終以兵五百授繼勳，守東郭二門，會賊攻彌牟砦，繼勳引兵轉鬥至嘉州，敗之，獲黃繖、金塗鎗以還。 有終益以勁兵復進攻二門，克之，乃建幟城上。 諸將知城拔，有終乃引軍薄天長門，賊復來拒戰。 會日暮，有終欲少休，繼勳曰：「賊窘矣，急擊之，無失也。」 率十數騎鏖戰，身被數創，血濡甲； 馬死，更馬以進。 會入內都知秦翰來援，賊退保子城，不敢出。 繼勳潛知賊欲夜遁，開圍使得潰去，均卒敗滅。 以功遷崇儀使。 賊餘黨保山藪中，時出剽劫，乃徙綿漢劍門路都巡檢使。 繼勳募惡少年偵賊動靜，窮躡岩穴，掩其不備，悉擒殺之。
At the beginning of the Xianping era, Wang Jun seized Yizhou. As vice commissioner of Honored Ceremonial he was appointed military supervisor of Yizhou and commissioner overseeing inspection affairs for the prefectures and armies of western Sichuan. Pacification Commissioner Lei Youzhong assigned Jixun five hundred troops to hold the two eastern gates. When the rebels attacked Mizhou Fort, Jixun led his men fighting in retreat all the way to Jiazhou, defeated them, and returned with a yellow parasol and gold-plated spears as trophies. Youzhong reinforced him with crack troops and again assaulted the two gates. Once they were taken, banners were raised atop the wall. When the other generals learned the city had fallen, Youzhong led his army to press against the Tianchang Gate, and the rebels came out to fight again. As dusk fell, Youzhong wished to pause and rest. Jixun said: "The rebels are cornered. Press the attack at once—do not let the opportunity slip." He led a dozen or so horsemen into fierce combat, suffering several wounds until blood soaked his armor; when his horse was killed he mounted another and pressed forward. Just then Qin Han, director of the Inner Palace, arrived with reinforcements. The rebels retreated to the inner citadel and dared not emerge. Jixun secretly learned the rebels planned to flee by night. He opened the encirclement and let them break out and scatter, and Wang Jun was ultimately defeated and destroyed. For his achievements he was promoted to commissioner of Honored Ceremonial. Rebel remnants held out in mountain fastnesses and periodically emerged to plunder and raid. He was then transferred to serve as overall inspector of the Mian-Han-Jianmen route. Jixun recruited tough young men to spy on rebel movements, tracked them relentlessly to their mountain caves, struck when they were unprepared, and captured and killed them all.
13
又徙峽路鈐轄，還朝，遷洛苑使、幷代州鈐轄。 徙屯岢嵐軍。 契丹聚兵五萬屯草城川，繼勳登高望之，謂軍使賈宗曰：「彼眾而陣不整，將不才也。 我兵雖少，可以奇取勝。 先伏兵山下，敵見我弱，必急攻我。 我誘之南走，爾起乘之，當大潰。」 轉戰至寒光嶺，伏發，契丹果敗，相蹂躪死者萬餘人，獲馬、牛、橐駝甚眾。 遷弓箭庫使，賜金帶、錦袍，領榮州刺史，徙麟、府州鈐轄。
He was next transferred to controller of the Gorges route. Upon returning to court he was promoted to director of the Luoyang Park and controller of Bing and Dai. He was transferred to garrison Kelan Army. The Khitan massed fifty thousand troops at Caochengchuan. Jixun climbed to a high vantage and observed them, then said to Army Commissioner Jia Zong: "They are numerous but their formation is disorderly—their commander lacks ability. Though our force is small, we can win by a surprise attack. First conceal troops below the hill. When the enemy sees how weak we appear, they will surely press the attack. I will lure them into a feigned retreat to the south. You rise and strike from ambush, and they should collapse utterly." Fighting in feigned retreat to Hanguang Ridge, the ambush was sprung. The Khitan were routed; more than ten thousand were trampled to death in the chaos, and a great many horses, cattle, and camels were captured. He was promoted to director of the Bow and Arrow Storehouse, granted a gold belt and brocade robe, given concurrent charge as prefect of Rongzhou, and transferred to controller of Lin and Fu.
14
時屯兵河外，饋運不屬。 繼勳扼兔毛川，援送軍食，師乃濟。 徙知環州，又徙瀛州。 時歲饑，募富人出粟以給貧者。 明年大稔，木生連理者四，郡人上治狀請留。 遷內藏庫使，以宮苑使奉使契丹。 還，知定州，遷西上閤門使、昭州團練使，徙鄜延路鈐轄，坐市馬虧價失官。 已而復為西上閤門使、榮州刺史、知冀州、領果州團練使。 徙貝州，復知瀛州。
Troops were then garrisoned beyond the river, and supply lines could not keep pace. Jixun held Tumaochuan, escorted grain supplies to the army, and the troops were thus able to cross. He was transferred to serve as prefect of Huanzhou, and later transferred again to serve as administrator of Yingzhou. Famine struck the region, and he recruited wealthy households to contribute grain for the poor. The next year brought a bountiful harvest, and four trees were found growing with conjoined trunks. The people of the prefecture submitted a report on his governance requesting that he be retained. He was promoted to director of the Inner Treasury and dispatched to the Khitan as palace park commissioner on an embassy. Upon returning he served as prefect of Dingzhou, was promoted to Western Upper Gate Commissioner and military commissioner of Zhaozhou, then transferred to controller of the Fuyan route. He lost his post for having purchased horses at a loss. Before long he was restored as Western Upper Gate Commissioner, prefect of Rongzhou, administrator of Jizhou, and concurrently military commissioner of Guozhou. He was transferred to Beizhou and again served as administrator of Yingzhou.
15
恭謝禮成，徙昭信軍節度使，為莊獻明肅太后山陵、莊懿太后園陵都總管，以老病乞骸骨。 召見便殿，許一子扶掖，俾勿拜，聽辭管軍。 授建雄軍節度使、知滑州。 河水暴溢，齧堤岸，繼勳雖老，躬自督役，露坐河上，暮夜猶不輟，水乃殺怒，滑人德之。 卒，年七十八，輟視朝一日，贈太尉。 繼勳性謙，有機略，善撫禦士卒，臨戰輒勝。 在蜀有威名，號「神將」。
When the Thanksgiving ceremony was completed, he was transferred to military governor of the Zhaoxin Army and appointed overall director of the tombs of Empress Dowager Zhuangxian Mingsu and Empress Dowager Zhuangyi. He then requested retirement on grounds of age and illness. He was summoned to audience in the side hall. The emperor permitted one son to support him, excused him from bowing, and allowed him to resign his military command. He was appointed military governor of the Jianxiong Army and administrator of Huazhou. The river surged and overflowed, eroding the dikes. Though Jixun was old, he personally supervised the repair work, sitting in the open on the riverbank without rest day or night. The flood eventually subsided, and the people of Huazhou were deeply grateful. He died at the age of seventy-eight. Court audiences were suspended for one day, and he was posthumously granted the title of Grand Preceptor. Jixun was modest by nature, possessed strategic cunning, excelled at winning the loyalty of his troops, and invariably prevailed in battle. In Sichuan he enjoyed a formidable reputation and was known as the "Divine General."
16
子繼宣
His son Jixuan
17
繼宣，字舜舉。 幼善騎射，頗工筆劄，知讀書。 以恩補西頭供奉官、惠民河巡督漕船。 會歲饑多盜，兼沿河巡檢捉賊，遷閤門祗候、邠州兵馬都監。 曹瑋守邠，數與言兵，薦其可用。
Jixuan, styled Shunju, From youth he excelled at horsemanship and archery, was accomplished at writing, and had a solid literary education. By privilege of birth he was appointed a Western Attendant and assigned to oversee grain-transport ships on the Huimin Canal. When famine brought a surge of banditry, he was also assigned as river-route inspector to hunt down thieves. He was promoted to Gate Attendant and military supervisor of Binzhou. Cao Wei was then garrisoning Binzhou. He often discussed military affairs with Jixuan and recommended him as a capable officer.
18
乾興初，以內殿崇班為益州都監。 蜀人富侈，元夕大張燈，知府薛奎戒以備盜，繼宣籍惡少年飲犒之，使夜中潛誌盜背，明日皆獲。 歷磁、相、邢、洺都巡檢使，知安肅軍，徙保州。 累遷禮賓使、益州路兵馬鈐轄。 還，為西上閤門使、涇原路鈐轄兼安撫使、知渭州，遷四方館使、昭州刺史、知雄州。
At the beginning of the Qianxing era he was appointed overall supervisor of Yizhou with the rank of senior attendant of the Inner Palace. The people of Shu were wealthy and extravagant, and on the Lantern Festival they displayed elaborate lantern displays. Prefect Xue Kui warned them to guard against thieves. Jixuan registered unruly youths, treated them to food and drink, and had them secretly mark the backs of thieves in the night. The next day all were captured. He served successively as overall inspector of Ci, Xiang, Xing, and Ming, as administrator of Ansu Army, and was then transferred to Baozhou. He rose through successive appointments to commissioner of Ceremonial Reception and controller of troops on the Yizhou route. Upon returning to court he was appointed Western Upper Gate Commissioner, controller and pacification commissioner of the Jingyuan route, and administrator of Weizhou. He was later promoted to commissioner of the Four Directions Hall, prefect of Zhaozhou, and administrator of Xiongzhou.
19
初，元昊反，聲言侵關隴。 繼宣請備麟府。 未幾，羌兵果入寇河外，陷豐州。 擢捧日天武四廂都指揮使、恩州團練使、知幷州。 俄寇麟府，繼宣帥兵營陵井，抵天門關。 是夕大雨，及河，師半濟，黑凌暴合，舟不得進，乃具牲酒為文以禱。 已而凌解，師濟，進屯府谷，間遣勇士夜亂賊營。 又募黥配廂軍，得二千餘人，號清邊軍，命偏將王凱主之。 軍次三松嶺，賊數萬眾圍之，清邊軍奮起，斬首千餘級。 其相躪藉死者不可勝計。 築寧遠砦，相視地脈，鑿石出泉。 已而城五砦，遷眉州防禦使，卒。
When Yuanhao first rebelled, he declared his intention to invade the Guan and Long region. Jixuan petitioned for defensive preparations at Lin and Fu. Before long Qiang forces did invade beyond the river and captured Fengzhou. He was promoted to commander of the Four Wings of the Sun-Bearing Celestial Martial Guard, military commissioner of Enzhou, and administrator of Bingzhou. Soon the enemy raided Lin and Fu. Jixuan led his troops to encamp at Lingjing and advanced to Tianmen Pass. That evening a heavy rain fell. When they reached the river the army was half across when black ice suddenly closed over the water and the boats could not advance. Jixuan then prepared sacrificial offerings and wine and wrote a prayer to supplicate the spirits. Before long the ice broke up and the army crossed. They advanced to garrison at Fugu and intermittently sent brave men to raid the enemy camp by night. He also recruited tattooed convicts assigned to garrison duty, assembling more than two thousand men. They were called the Clear-the-Border Army, and he placed them under the command of Deputy General Wang Kai. At Sansong Ridge the army was surrounded by tens of thousands of rebels. The Clear-the-Border Army fought back fiercely and cut off more than a thousand enemy heads. The number trampled to death in the chaos was beyond counting. He built Ningyuan Fort, surveyed the terrain for water sources, and drilled through rock to bring forth a spring. Before long he fortified five additional forts, was transferred to defense commissioner of Meizhou, and died.
20
范廷召
Fan Tingzhao
21
宋初，從平李筠、李重進，轉本班都知。 又從征太原，再轉散都頭、都虞候、領費州刺史。 太平興國中，以日騎軍都指揮使從平太原，征范陽。 秦王廷美嘗遣親吏閻懷忠、趙瓊犒禁軍列校，廷召預焉，坐出為唐州馬步軍都指揮使。
In the early Song he took part in the suppression of Li Yun and Li Chongjin and was promoted to director of his guard unit. He also took part in the campaign against Taiyuan and rose through successive appointments to loose company commander, vice commander, and concurrently prefect of Feizhou. During the Taiping Xingguo era, as commander of the Day-Cavalry Guard he took part in the pacification of Taiyuan and the campaign against Fanyang. Prince of Qin Tingmei once sent personal clerks Yan Huaizhong and Zhao Qiong to distribute rewards among the column commanders of the Palace Guard. Tingzhao was implicated and was demoted to commander of cavalry and infantry at Tangzhou.
22
雍熙三年，議北征，召入為馬步軍都軍頭、領平州刺史、幽州道前軍先鋒都指揮使。 與賊遇固安南，破其眾三千，斬首千餘級，克固安、新城二縣，乘勝下涿州。 廷召復與賊戰，中流矢，血漬甲縷，神色自若，督戰益急，詔褒之。 師還，遷日騎右廂都指揮使、領本州圍練使，又遷左廂，移領高州。 端拱初，出為齊州防禦使，數月，授捧日天武四廂都指揮使、領澄州防禦使。 二年，轉殿前都虞候、領涼州觀察使、鎮州副都部署。 大破契丹三萬眾於徐河，斬首數千級。
In the third year of Yongxi, when a northern campaign was being planned, he was recalled as commander-in-chief of cavalry and infantry, concurrently prefect of Pingzhou, and vanguard commander of the Youzhou route advance force. He encountered the enemy south of Gu'an, routed a force of three thousand, cut off more than a thousand heads, captured the counties of Gu'an and Xincheng, and pressed the advantage to take Zhuozhou. Tingzhao fought the enemy again and was struck by a flying arrow, blood soaking the threads of his armor. His expression remained calm and he pressed the battle even harder. An edict commended him for his valor. When the army returned, he was made commander of the Right Wing of the Day-Cavalry Guard and concurrently military commissioner of his home prefecture. He was later transferred to the Left Wing and reassigned as military commissioner of Gaozhou. At the opening of the Duangong era he was posted as defense commissioner of Qizhou. Several months later he was appointed commander of the Four Wings of the Sun-Bearing Celestial Martial Guard and concurrently defense commissioner of Chengzhou. In the second year he was transferred to vice commander of the Palace Guard, concurrently observation commissioner of Liangzhou, and deputy overall commander at Zhenzhou. He routed thirty thousand Khitan at Xuhe, cutting off several thousand heads.
23
淳化二年，為平虜橋砦都部署，歷幷代、環慶兩路副部署。 至道中，遣將從五路討李繼遷，命廷召副李繼隆為環慶靈都部署。 廷召出延州路，與賊遇白池，獲米募軍主吃囉等兵器、鎧甲數萬。 是役也，諸將失期，獨廷召與王超大小數十戰，屢克捷，上嘉之。 俄又為幷代兩路都部署。 三年，遷侍衛馬軍都指揮使、領河西軍節度，為定州行營都部署。
In the second year of Chunhua he was appointed overall commander of Pingluqiao Fort and successively served as deputy commander of the Bing-Dai and Huan-Qing routes. During the Zhidao era generals were dispatched along five routes to campaign against Li Jiqian. Tingzhao was ordered to serve under Li Jilong as overall commander of Huan, Qing, and Ling. Tingzhao advanced by the Yanzhou route and encountered the enemy at Baichi. He captured Chiluo, leader of the rice-recruited army, along with tens of thousands of weapons and suits of armor. In this campaign the other generals failed to meet their deadlines. Only Tingzhao and Wang Chao fought several dozen engagements, large and small, and repeatedly won victories. The emperor commended them. Soon he was again appointed overall commander of the Bing and Dai routes. In the third year he was transferred to commander of the Palace Guard Cavalry, given the concurrent title of military governor of the Hexi Army, and appointed overall commander of the mobile camp at Dingzhou.
24
咸平二年，契丹入塞，車駕北巡。 廷召與戰瀛州西，斬首二萬級，逐北至莫州東三十里，又斬首萬餘，奪其所掠老幼數萬口，契丹遁去。 師還，錄功加檢校太傅，益賦邑，又改殿前都指揮使。 四年正月被疾，車駕臨問，卒，年七十五，贈侍中。
In the second year of Xianping the Khitan invaded the frontier, and the emperor personally led a northern tour. Tingzhao fought them west of Yingzhou and cut off twenty thousand heads. He pursued them north to a point thirty li east of Mozhou, cut off more than ten thousand more, recovered tens of thousands of elderly and children the Khitan had seized, and the invaders fled. When the army returned, his achievements were recorded and he was granted the honorary title of Grand Tutor, given an increase in fief income, and appointed commander of the Palace Guard. In the first month of the fourth year he fell ill. The emperor personally visited to inquire after him. He died at the age of seventy-five and was posthumously granted the title of Palace Attendant.
25
廷召在軍四十餘年，由顯德以來，凡親征，未嘗不從。 善騎射，嘗出獵，有群鳥飛過，廷召發矢，並貫其三，觀者駭異。 性惡飛禽，所至處彈射殆絕。 尤不喜驢鳴，聞必擊殺之。
Tingzhao served in the army for more than forty years. From the Xiande era onward, whenever the emperor personally led a campaign, he was always in attendance. He was skilled in horsemanship and archery. Once while out hunting, a flock of birds flew past and Tingzhao loosed a single arrow that pierced three of them together. Onlookers were astonished. By nature he detested birds, and wherever he went he shot them nearly to extinction. He especially could not abide the braying of donkeys; whenever he heard it he would have the animal beaten to death.
26
子守均，至散員都虞候、演州刺史； 守信，內殿承製、閤門祗候； 守宣，內殿崇班； 守慶更名珪，後為西京作坊副使、淮南江浙荊湖制置發運副使。
His son Shoujun rose to vice commander of Loose Company and prefect of Yanzhou; Shouxin served as inner palace artisan and gate attendant; Shouxuan served as senior attendant of the Inner Palace; Shouqing changed his name to Gui and later served as deputy director of the Western Capital workshop and deputy commissioner for transport and supply in Huainan, Jiang-Zhe, and Jing-Hu.
27
葛霸，真定人。 姿表雄毅，善擊刺騎射。 始事太宗於藩邸； 踐阼，補殿前指揮使，稍遷本班都知，三遷至散員都虞候。 雍熙中，幽州之師失律，大補軍校，以霸為驍騎軍都指揮使、領檀州刺史，戍定州。 嘗遇敵唐河，與戰，敗走之，斬獲甚眾。 俄召為御前忠佐馬步軍都軍頭。 端拱初，出為博州團練使，歷潞、代二州部署。 淳化元年，擢殿前都虞候、領潘州觀察使，為高陽關副都部署，進都部署。 凡七戰。 召還，制授保順軍節度，典軍如故。 出為鎮州都部署，徙天雄軍。
Ge Ba was a native of Zhending. Heroic and imposing in bearing, he was skilled in close combat, horsemanship, and archery. He first entered the service of Taizong when the latter was still a prince; when Taizong ascended the throne he was appointed a palace guard commander, gradually rose to director of his guard unit, and after three promotions reached vice commander of Loose Company. During the Yongxi era, after the Youzhou army lost discipline, military officers were greatly replenished. Ba was appointed commander of the Valiant Cavalry Guard, given concurrent charge as prefect of Tanzhou, and garrisoned at Dingzhou. He once encountered the enemy at Tanghe, fought them, routed their force, and cut down and captured a great many. Soon he was recalled as commander-in-chief of the Imperial Front Loyal Assistant Cavalry and Infantry. At the opening of the Duangong era he was posted as military commissioner of Bozhou and successively served as deployment commander at Lu and Dai. In the first year of Chunhua he was promoted to vice commander of the Palace Guard, given the concurrent title of observation commissioner of Panzhou, appointed deputy overall commander at Gaoyang Pass, and later promoted to overall commander. In all he fought seven battles. He was recalled and appointed military governor of the Baoshun Army while continuing to command troops as before. He was posted as overall commander at Zhenzhou and later transferred to the Tianxiong Army.
28
咸平三年，車駕勞師於大名，霸與石保吉同來覲。 時康保裔沒於河間，即日以霸為貝、冀、高陽關前軍行營都部署。 二月，就遷副都指揮使。 未幾，改邠寧、涇原、環慶三路都部署。 四年，遷侍衛馬軍都指揮使，領感德軍節度。
In the third year of Xianping the emperor went to Daming to reward the troops. Ba and Shi Baoji came together to audience. Kang Baoyi had just perished at Hejian, and that same day Ba was appointed overall commander of the advance camp at Bei, Ji, and Gaoyang Pass. In the second month he was concurrently promoted to vice commander. Before long he was reassigned as overall commander of the Bin-Ning, Jing-Yuan, and Huan-Qing routes. In the fourth year he was transferred to commander of the Palace Guard Cavalry and given the concurrent title of military governor of the Gande Army.
29
景德元年，河決澶州橫壟埽，命為修河都部署。 未行，屬北邊有警，真宗議親征，以霸為駕前西面邢洺路都部署，又副李繼隆為駕前東面排陣使，駐澶州。 明年召還，以功特加封邑。 上言朝廷居明德心喪，尚遏音樂，請停迎授之制，奏可。 是年冬，以霸久典兵，年且老，罷軍職，授昭德軍節度、幷代都部署。 時廷臣有隸麾下者，頗擾軍民，霸昏耄，為所罔，真宗知之，故有是召。
In the first year of Jingde the Yellow River breached the Henglong Embankment at Chenzhou, and he was appointed overall commander of river repair. Before he could depart, alarms arose on the northern frontier and Zhenzong deliberated a personal campaign. Ba was appointed overall commander of the Xing-Ming route on the western flank before the imperial carriage and additionally served under Li Jilong as battle formation commissioner on the eastern flank, garrisoned at Chenzhou. The following year he was recalled and specially granted an increase in fief income for his achievements. He submitted that the court was still in the heart-mourning period for Empress Mingde and had restrained musical performances. He requested that the welcoming and investiture ceremony be suspended, and the memorial was approved. That winter, because Ba had long held military command and was growing old, his military post was removed. He was appointed military governor of the Zhaode Army and overall commander of Bing and Dai. At the time there were court officials under his command who greatly harassed soldiers and civilians. Ba, growing senile, was deceived by them. Zhenzong knew of this, and therefore issued the recall.
30
四年夏，徙知耀州。 霸雖懦，然能謹直自持。 會東封，表求扈蹕。 既以疾不能從，車駕還次衛南，疾少間，迎謁行在。 上嘉其意，勞問久之。 未幾卒，年七十五，贈太尉。
In the summer of the fourth year he was transferred to serve as administrator of Yaozhou. Though Ba was timid by nature, he maintained himself with scrupulous integrity. When the eastern feng ceremony was held, he submitted a memorial requesting to escort the imperial procession. Illness prevented him from joining the procession. When the imperial carriage returned and halted at Weinan, his illness having eased somewhat, he came to greet the emperor at the temporary palace. The emperor commended his devotion and questioned and consoled him at length. Before long he died at the age of seventy-five and was posthumously granted the title of Grand Preceptor.
31
子懷信、懷正、懷敏、懷煦。 懷信至如京副使； 懷煦，內殿承制； 懷正，博州團練使、知滄、莫二州。
His sons were Huaixin, Huaizheng, Huaimin, and Huaixu. Huaixin rose to deputy commissioner to the capital; Huaixu served as inner palace artisan; Huaizheng served as military commissioner of Bozhou and administrator of Cang and Mo.
32
〈子〉 懷敏
〈His son〉 Huaimin
33
懷敏以蔭授西頭供奉官，加閤門祗候。 歷同提點益州路刑獄、襄鄧都巡檢。 使契丹，知隰、莫、保三州，累遷東染院使、康州刺史、知雄州，就遷西上閤門使。 上《平燕策》。 會歲旱，塘水涸，懷敏慮契丹使至測知其廣深，乃擁界河水注之，塘復如故。 召對邊事，復還雄州，改萊州團練使。 濁流砦兵叛，殺官吏潰去，懷敏發兵掩襲，盡誅其黨。 在雄州五年，徙滄州。
Huaimin by privilege of birth was appointed a Western Attendant and additionally made a gate attendant. He successively served as co-commissioner for criminal affairs on the Yizhou route and overall inspector of Xiang and Deng. He served as envoy to the Khitan and as administrator of Xi, Mo, and Bao. He rose through successive appointments to director of the Eastern Dyeing Bureau, prefect of Kangzhou, and administrator of Xiongzhou, and was concurrently promoted to Western Upper Gate Commissioner. He submitted a memorial titled "Strategy for Pacifying Yan." When drought caused the moat to dry up, Huaimin feared that Khitan envoys would measure its width and depth on arrival. He therefore diverted boundary river water to refill it, and the moat was restored to its former state. He was summoned to discuss frontier affairs, returned again to Xiongzhou, and was reassigned as military commissioner of Laizhou. Troops at Zhuoliu Fort rebelled, killed their officers, and fled in disorder. Huaimin dispatched troops in a surprise attack and executed all the ringleaders. After five years at Xiongzhou he was transferred to Cangzhou.
34
懷敏為王德用妹婿，德用貶，亦絳知滁州。 陝西用兵，起為涇原路馬步軍副總管兼涇原秦鳳兩路經略、安撫副使。 既入對，以曹瑋嘗所被介胄賜之，令制置鄜延、環慶兩路存廢砦柵。 擢龍神衛四廂都指揮、眉州防禦使、本路副都總管、知涇原。 遷捧日天武四廂都指揮使、鄜延路副都總管。 進殿前都虞候、知延州。 范仲淹言其猾懦不知兵，復徙涇原路兼招討、經略、安撫副使。
Huaimin was the son-in-law of Wang Deyong's younger sister. When Deyong was demoted, Huaimin was also reduced in rank and appointed administrator of Chuzhou. When warfare broke out in Shaanxi, he was recalled as deputy overall commander of cavalry and infantry on the Jingyuan route and concurrently deputy commissioner for frontier strategy and pacification on the Jingyuan and Qin-Feng routes. After his audience with the emperor, he was granted the armor Cao Wei had once worn and ordered to determine which forts and stockades on the Fuyan and Huan-Qing routes should be retained or abandoned. He was promoted to commander of the Four Wings of the Dragon Spirit Guard, defense commissioner of Meizhou, deputy overall commander of his route, and administrator of Jingyuan. He was transferred to commander of the Four Wings of the Sun-Bearing Celestial Martial Guard and deputy overall commander of the Fuyan route. He was promoted to vice commander of the Palace Guard and administrator of Yanzhou. Fan Zhongyan declared him cunning, timid, and ignorant of military affairs. He was reassigned to the Jingyuan route as concurrently deputy pacification, frontier strategy, and pacification commissioner.
35
慶曆二年，元昊寇鎮戎軍，懷敏出瓦亭砦，督砦主都監許思純、環慶路都監劉賀、天聖砦主張貴，及緣邊都巡檢使向進、劉湛、趙瑜等禦敵。 軍次安邊砦，給芻秣未絕，懷敏輒離軍，夜至開遠堡北一里而舍。 既而自鎮戎軍西南，又先引從騎百餘以前，承受趙正曰：「敵近，不可輕進。」 懷敏乃少止。 日暮趨養馬城，與知鎮戎軍曹英及涇原路都監李知和王保王文、鎮戎軍都監李嶽、西路都巡檢使趙璘等會兵。 聞元昊徙軍新壕外，懷敏議質明襲之，乃命諸命將分四路趣定川砦：劉湛、向進出西水口，涇原路都監趙珣出蓮華堡，曹英、李知和出劉璠堡，懷敏出定西堡。 知和與英督軍夜發。 翌日，湛、進行次趙福堡，遇敵，戰不勝，保向家峽，懷敏使珣、英並鎮戎軍西路巡檢李良臣、孟淵援之。
In the second year of Qingli, Yuanhao raided Zhenrong Army. Huaimin advanced from Wating Fort and directed Fort Commander and Supervisor Xu Sichun, Huan-Qing route supervisor Liu He, Tiansheng Fort Commander Zhang Gui, and frontier overall inspectors Xiang Jin, Liu Zhan, Zhao Yu, and others to resist the enemy. The army halted at Anbian Fort. Fodder was still being distributed when Huaimin abruptly left the army and by night encamped one li north of Kaiyuan Fort. Then from the southwest of Zhenrong Army he again led more than a hundred mounted followers ahead. Attendant Zhao Zheng said: "The enemy is near. Do not advance lightly." Huaimin then halted briefly. At dusk he hurried to Yangma City and joined forces with Zhenrong Army administrator Cao Ying, Jingyuan route supervisors Li Zhihe, Wang Bao, and Wang Wen, Zhenrong Army supervisor Li Yue, and Western Route overall inspector Zhao Lin and others. Hearing that Yuanhao had moved his army outside the new moat, Huaimin proposed a dawn attack. He ordered his commanders to advance by four routes toward Dingchuan Fort: Liu Zhan and Xiang Jin by the Western Water Pass, Jingyuan route supervisor Zhao Xun from Lianhua Fort, Cao Ying and Li Zhihe from Liu Fan Fort, and Huaimin himself from Dingxi Fort. Zhihe and Ying led their troops out by night. The next day Zhan and Jin halted at Zhaofu Fort, encountered the enemy, and fought without success. They fell back to hold Xiangjia Gorge. Huaimin sent Zhao Xun, Ying, and Zhenrong Army Western Route inspectors Li Liangchen and Meng Yuan to reinforce them.
36
俄報敵已拔柵逾邊壕，懷敏入保定川砦，敵毀板橋，斷其歸路，別為二十四道以過軍，環圍之。 又絕定川水泉上流，以饑渴其眾。 劉賀率蕃兵門於河西，不勝，餘眾潰去。 懷敏為中軍屯塞門東偏，英等陣東北隅。 敵自褊江三、葉燮會出，四面環之。 先以銳兵衝中軍，不動，回擊英軍。 會黑風起東北，部伍相失，陣遂擾。 士卒攀城堞爭入，英面被流矢，仆壕中，懷敏部兵見之亦奔駭。 懷敏為眾蹂躪幾死，輿致甕城，久之乃蘇。 復選士據門橋，揮手刃以拒入城者。 趙珣等以騎軍四合禦敵，敵眾稍卻，然大軍無鬥志。 珣馳入，勸懷敏還軍中。
Soon word came that the enemy had pulled up their palisades and crossed the frontier moat. Huaimin entered Baodingchuan Fort. The enemy destroyed the plank bridge, cut off his retreat, made twenty-four separate crossings to pass their army through, and surrounded him. They also cut off the upper reaches of the Dingchuan springs to starve and thirst his troops. Liu He led tribal troops to block the gate on the west bank of the river but was defeated, and the remaining force fled in disorder. Huaimin stationed the central army on the eastern flank of Saimen, while Ying and the others formed their line in the northeast corner. The enemy emerged under the command of Bian Jiang, San, and Ye Xiehui and surrounded them on all four sides. First they sent elite troops to charge the central army, which held firm. They then turned and struck Ying's army. Just then a black wind rose from the northeast. Units lost contact with one another and the formation collapsed into disorder. Soldiers scrambled up the battlements to get inside. Ying was struck in the face by a flying arrow and fell into the moat. Huaimin's troops, seeing this, also fled in panic. Huaimin was nearly trampled to death in the chaos and was carried into the barbican. Only after a long time did he revive. He again selected men to hold the gate bridge and waved his blade to repel those trying to force their way into the city. Zhao Xun and others closed in with cavalry from four sides to resist the enemy. The enemy force retreated slightly, but the main army had lost all will to fight. Xun galloped in and urged Huaimin to return to the army.
37
是夕，敵聚火圍城四隅，臨西北呼曰：「爾得非總管廳點陣圖者邪？ 爾固能軍，乃入我圍中，今復何往！」 夜四鼓，懷敏召曹英、趙珣、李知和、王保、王文、許思純、劉賀、李良臣、趙瑜計議，莫知所出，遂謀結陣走鎮戎軍。 雞鳴，懷敏自諭：「親軍左右及在後者皆毋得動，平明，從吾往安西堡。 以英、珣為先鋒，賀、思純為左右翼，知和為殿，聽中軍鼓乃得行。」 至卯，鼓未作，懷敏先上馬，而大軍按堵未動。 懷敏周麾者再，將徑去，有執鞚者勸不可，懷敏不得已而還。 使參謀郭京等取芻城中，未至，懷敏復上馬，叱執轡者使去，不聽，拔劍且擊之，士遂散。 懷敏驅馬東南馳二百里，至長城壕，路已斷，敵周圍之，遂與諸將皆遇害。 餘軍九千四百餘人，馬六百餘匹，為敵所斷。 其子宗晟與趙正、郭京、承受王昭明等還保定川。
That evening the enemy gathered fires around the four corners of the city and called from the northwest: "Are you not the one who drew up battle formations at the commander's hall? You claim to know how to command an army, yet you walked straight into our encirclement. Where can you go now!" At the fourth watch of the night Huaimin summoned Cao Ying, Zhao Xun, Li Zhihe, Wang Bao, Wang Wen, Xu Sichun, Liu He, Li Liangchen, and Zhao Yu to deliberate. None knew what to do, and they planned to form up and retreat to Zhenrong Army. At cockcrow Huaimin announced: "The personal guard on my left and right and those in the rear must not move. At daybreak follow me to Anxi Fort. Ying and Xun shall be the vanguard, He and Sichun the left and right wings, and Zhihe the rearguard. None may move until the central army drum sounds." By the mao hour the drum had not sounded. Huaimin mounted his horse first, while the main army remained still in ranks. Huaimin waved his command baton twice and was about to ride off on his own. Someone holding his bridle urged him not to, and Huaimin had no choice but to return. He sent staff officer Guo Jing and others to fetch fodder inside the city. Before they returned Huaimin mounted again and shouted at those holding his reins to let go. When they would not, he drew his sword and struck at them, and the troops scattered. Huaimin spurred his horse southeast for two hundred li to the Great Wall moat. The road was already cut off, the enemy surrounded him, and he and the various generals were all killed. More than nine thousand four hundred remaining troops and more than six hundred horses were cut down by the enemy. His son Zongcheng, together with Zhao Zheng, Guo Jing, attendant Wang Zhaoming, and others, returned to Baodingchuan.
38
初，懷敏令軍中步兵毋得動，及前陣已去，後軍多不知者，故皆得存。 時韓質、郝從政、胡息以兵六千保蓮華堡，劉湛、向進兵一千保向家峽，皆不赴援。 於是敵長驅抵渭州，幅員六七百里，焚蕩廬舍，屠掠民畜而去。 奏至，帝嗟悼久之，贈懷敏鎮戎軍節度使兼太尉，英、知和、珣、保、文、質、嶽、貴、璘、思純、良臣及同時戰沒者，及涇原巡檢楊遵、籠竿城巡檢姚奭、涇原都巡檢司監押董謙、同巡檢唐斌、指使霍達，皆贈官有差。 復降向進等官，落郝從政、趙瑜職。
Initially Huaimin had ordered the infantry not to move. When the forward ranks had already departed, many in the rear ranks did not know and therefore survived. At the time Han Zhi, Hao Congzheng, and Hu Xi with six thousand troops held Lianhua Fort, and Liu Zhan and Xiang Jin with one thousand troops held Xiangjia Gorge. None came to reinforce. Thereupon the enemy drove straight to Weizhou, sweeping an area six or seven hundred li across, burning dwellings, slaughtering and plundering people and livestock before departing. When the memorial arrived, the emperor sighed in grief for a long time. Huaimin was posthumously granted the title of military governor of Zhenrong Army and concurrently Grand Preceptor. Ying, Zhihe, Xun, Bao, Wen, Zhi, Yue, Gui, Lin, Sichun, Liangchen, and those who fell in battle at the same time, as well as Jingyuan inspector Yang Zun, Longgan City inspector Yao Shi, Jingyuan overall inspection office supervisor Dong Qian, co-inspector Tang Bin, and adjutant Huo Da, were all posthumously granted offices in varying degrees. Xiang Jin and others were demoted in rank, and Hao Congzheng and Zhao Yu were stripped of their posts.
39
懷敏通時事，善候人情，故多以才薦之。 及用為將，而輕率昧於應變，遂至覆軍。 帝念之，賜諡忠隱。 子宗晟、宗壽、宗禮、宗師，皆遷官。
Huaimin was versed in current affairs and skilled at reading people's sentiments, and therefore many recommended him as talented. When he was employed as a general, he proved rash and incapable of adapting to circumstances, and thus brought about the destruction of his army. The emperor remembered him fondly and granted the posthumous name Zhongyin, "Loyal and Retiring." His sons Zongcheng, Zongshou, Zongli, and Zongshi were all promoted in rank.
40
論曰：真宗澶淵之役，高瓊之功亦盛矣。 范廷召年十八，能手刃父仇； 瓊將磔於市，幸以逃免； 葛霸善擊刺馬射，給事藩邸，皆非素習韜略者也，及其出身戎行，迭居節鎮，而卓有可觀，由所遇之得其時也。 或謂瓊頗自用，謀議不及參佐，而洞曉軍政； 霸雖失於巽懦，而能謹直自持； 廷召性雖癖，在軍中四十年，累從征討，所至有功：皆不害其為驍果也。 廷召諸子，珪為最賢，霸子懷敏以戰死，固皆足稱。 若繼宣、繼勳之將業，則過其父遠甚，此「克勤敏功鍾慶之碑」所由以立歟！ 夫以三子之自樹如此，而不得與狄青、郭逵同日而論者，豈非拳勇之有餘，而器識之不足也歟！
Commentary: In Emperor Zhenzong's Chanyuan campaign, Gao Qiong's achievements were also considerable. Fan Tingzhao at eighteen could personally slay his father's enemy; Qiong was sentenced to public dismemberment and fortunately escaped; Ge Ba was skilled in close combat, horsemanship, and archery and had served at the princely residence—none of them were by nature versed in military strategy. Yet when they entered military service and successively held frontier commands, their accomplishments were notably worthy, because the times they encountered were favorable. Some say Qiong was rather self-willed and did not consult his staff in planning, yet was thoroughly versed in military affairs; Ba, though failing through timidity, was able to maintain scrupulous integrity; Tingzhao's nature, though eccentric, did not prevent his being fierce and resolute: in forty years of army service, repeatedly following campaigns, wherever he went he achieved merit. Among Tingzhao's sons, Gui was the most worthy; Ba's son Huaimin died in battle—all are indeed worthy of praise. As for the military achievements of Jixuan and Jixun, they far surpassed their father—is this not why the stele "Meritorious Diligence Bringing Accumulated Blessings" was erected! That these three sons achieved such standing on their own yet cannot be ranked alongside Di Qing and Guo Kui—is this not because they had more than enough raw courage but insufficient breadth of vision and judgment!