1
王德王彥魏勝張憲楊再興牛皋胡閎休
Wang De, Wang Yan, Wei Sheng, Zhang Xian, Yang Zaixing, Niu Gao, and Hu Hongxiu
2
王德，字子華，通遠軍熟羊砦人。 以武勇應募，隸熙帥姚古。 會金人入侵，古軍懷、澤間，遣德諜之，斬一酋而還。 補進武校尉。 古曰：「能復往乎？」 德從十六騎徑入隆德府治，執偽守姚太師，左右驚擾，德手殺數十百人，眾愕眙莫取前。 古械姚獻於朝，欽宗問狀，姚曰：「臣就縛時，止見一夜叉耳。」 時遂呼德為「王夜叉」。
Wang De, styled Zihua, came from Shuyang Stockade in the Tongyuan Army district. He volunteered on account of his fighting prowess and served under Yao Gu, military commissioner of the Xi circuit. When the Jin invaded, Yao Gu held his forces between Huai and Ze and sent Wang De to scout; Wang De cut down an enemy leader and came back. He was made a Senior Military Academy Officer. Yao Gu asked, "Could you go back again?" With only sixteen riders Wang De rode straight into the Longde prefectural seat, seized the puppet prefect Yao Taishi, and threw his attendants into panic. He killed dozens of men with his own hand; the rest stood dumbfounded and did not dare come forward. Yao Gu had Yao brought to court in chains. When Emperor Qinzong questioned him, Yao said, "When they seized me, I saw nothing but a yaksha demon." From then on Wang De was known as "Wang the Yaksha."
3
三年春，遷前軍統領，屯天長。 金人攻揚州，西軍多潰，德趨宣化。 會叛將張昱、張彥圍和州，太守張績求援於德，德兵傅城下，賊不意其至，大潰。 遲明接戰，斬昱，俘其兵騎萬數，濟自採石。
In the spring of the third year he was made commander of the vanguard and stationed at Tianchang. When the Jin attacked Yangzhou and many western armies broke, Wang De rushed to Xuanhua. When the rebel generals Zhang Yu and Zhang Yan besieged Hezhou, Prefect Zhang Ji asked Wang De for help. Wang De pressed his troops against the walls; the rebels did not expect him and fled in complete disorder. At daybreak he gave battle, killed Zhang Yu, took tens of thousands of his soldiers and horses prisoner, and crossed the river from Caishi.
4
光世方謀討苗、劉之逆，迎至建康，謂德曰：「江都之擾，諸軍不竄則盜。 公可仗義夜涉大江，徇國急變。」 遂以軍屬光世。 會苗、劉走閩中，詔德追擊，隸韓世忠。 德欲自致功名，而世忠必欲德為之使，遣親將陳彥章邀德於信州。 彥章拔佩刀擊德，德殺彥章，屍諸市。 德至浦城，斬苗瑀，擒馬柔吉送行在。 世忠訟其擅殺，下臺獄，侍御史趙鼎按德當死，帝命特原之，編管郴州。
Liu Guangshi was then planning to put down the rebellion of Miao Fu and Liu Zhengyan. He welcomed Wang De to Jiankang and told him, "In the upheaval at Jiangdu, any army that does not scatter will turn to plunder. You can act in the name of duty, cross the Yangtze by night, and answer the empire's urgent need." Wang De then placed his army under Liu Guangshi's command. When Miao and Liu fled into Fujian, the court ordered Wang De to pursue them, and he was placed under Han Shizhong. Wang De wanted to win glory on his own account, but Han Shizhong was determined to have him serve under him and sent his trusted general Chen Yanzhang to waylay Wang De at Xinzhou. Yanzhang drew his sword and attacked Wang De; Wang De killed him and displayed his body in the marketplace. At Pucheng Wang De killed Miao Yu, captured Ma Rouji, and sent him to the imperial camp. Han Shizhong charged him with murder; he was thrown into prison. Attendant Censor Zhao Ding ruled that Wang De deserved death, but the emperor specially pardoned him and banished him to Chenzhou under registration.
5
時光世屯九江，得楊惟忠所失空頭黃敕，即以便宜復德前軍統制，遣平信州妖賊王念經。 行次饒州，會賊劉文舜圍城，德引兵赴之，文舜請降。 德納而誅之，自餘不戮一人。 謂諸校曰：「念經聞吾宿留，必不為備。」 倍道而趨，一鼓擒之，獻俘於朝。 詔還舊秩，加武顯大夫、榮州刺史。
Liu Guangshi was then at Jiujiang. He recovered the blank imperial patent Yang Weizhong had lost and, acting on his own authority, restored Wang De as vanguard commander and sent him to suppress the sorcerer-rebel Wang Nianjing in Xinzhou. On the march at Raozhou he found the rebel Liu Wenshun besieging the city. Wang De marched to the rescue; Wenshun offered to surrender. Wang De accepted the surrender and then executed him, but put no one else to death. He told his officers, "When Nianjing hears that we are stopping here, he will surely let his guard down." He forced the pace, took Nianjing at the first blow, and sent the prisoner to court. An edict restored his former rank and promoted him to Grandee of Martial Brilliance and prefect of Rongzhou.
6
四年，光世鎮京口，以德為都統制。 金兵復南，光世將退保丹陽，德請以死捍江，諸將恃以自強。 分軍扼險，渡江襲金人，收真、揚數郡。 既而又遇敵於揚州北，有被重鎧突陣者，德馳叱之； 重鎧者直前刺德，德揮刀迎之，即墮馬。 眾褫駭，因麾騎乘之，所殺萬計。
In the fourth year Liu Guangshi was stationed at Jingkou and appointed Wang De overall commander. When the Jin armies marched south again, Liu Guangshi was ready to fall back on Danyang. Wang De asked to defend the Yangtze even at the cost of his life, and the other generals took courage from him. He split his forces to hold the defiles, crossed the river to strike the Jin, and recovered several prefectures around Zhen and Yang. Later he met the enemy again north of Yangzhou. A man in heavy armor charged the line, and Wang De galloped up and shouted him down; the armored man thrust straight at Wang De; Wang De swung his blade to meet him, and the man fell from his horse at once. The enemy ranks were shaken with fear. He then ordered his cavalry to press the attack and killed men by the tens of thousands.
7
三年，光世宣撫江、淮，當移屯建康，命韓世忠代之。 德從數十騎自京口逆世忠，度將及麾下，徒步立道左，抗言曰：「擅殺陳彥章，王德迎馬頭請死。」 世忠下馬握其手曰：「知公好漢，鄉來纖介不足置懷。」 乃設酒盡歡而別。 是冬，知鞏州、熙河蘭廓路兵馬鈐轄。
In the third year Liu Guangshi was pacification commissioner for the Jiang and Huai region and was to move his headquarters to Jiankang; Han Shizhong was ordered to replace him. Wang De took several dozen riders from Jingkou to meet Han Shizhong. When he judged that Shizhong was nearly upon him, he dismounted, stood by the roadside, and said plainly, "For killing Chen Yanzhang on my own authority, Wang De meets you at your horse's head and asks for death." Han Shizhong dismounted, took his hand, and said, "I know you are a true fighting man. That little affair before is not worth bearing a grudge over." They then shared wine, made merry, and parted. That winter he was made military intendant of Gongzhou and of the Xihe-Lan-Kuo circuit.
8
明年春，知蘭州，徙屯池陽及當塗，為行營左護軍前軍統制。 金兵掠江北，破滁州。 德越江襲奪之，追至桑根，擒女真萬戶盧孛一人，千戶十餘人。 五年，改環慶副總管。
The next spring he was made prefect of Lanzhou, shifted his camp to Chiyang and Dangtu, and became commander of the vanguard of the Left Guard Army in the field headquarters. Jin forces raided the north bank of the Yangtze and captured Chuzhou. Wang De crossed the river, struck back, and recovered the city. He pursued as far as Sangen, captured the Jurchen commander of ten thousand households Lu Bo, and more than ten commanders of a thousand households. In the fifth year he was made deputy overall commander of the Huanqing circuit.
9
六年冬，劉豫遣麟、猊驅鄉兵三十萬，分東西道入寇，中外甚恐，議欲為保江計。 殿帥楊沂中、統制張宗顏、田師中及德等分兵禦之，大敗猊兵於藕塘，猊挺身走； 麟在順昌聞之，亦拔砦遁。 德追至壽春，弗及，獲其糧舟四百艘。 第功，除武康軍承宣使，真拜相州觀察使。
In the winter of the sixth year Liu Yu sent Lin and Ni at the head of three hundred thousand local militia in eastern and western columns. Court and country were terrified, and some urged a plan merely to defend the Yangtze. Palace commander Yang Yizhong, controllers Zhang Zongyan and Tian Shizhong, and Wang De and others divided their forces to resist. They routed Ni's army at Outang, and Ni himself fled; When Lin at Shunchang heard of it, he too abandoned his camp and fled. Wang De pursued as far as Shouchun but could not catch them. He did seize four hundred of their grain boats. For his merit he was made commissioner of the Wukang Army and formally appointed observer of Xiangzhou.
10
七年，改熙河蘭廓路副總管、行營左護軍都統制，駐師合肥。 會光世罷宣撫，詔德盡護其眾，以酈瓊副之。 瓊與德故等夷，恥屈其下，率眾叛從劉豫。 八年，命隸張俊，名其軍曰「銳勝」。
In the seventh year he was made deputy overall commander of the Xihe-Lan-Kuo circuit and overall commander of the Left Guard Army in the field headquarters, with his army at Hefei. When Liu Guangshi was dismissed as pacification commissioner, an edict ordered Wang De to take over all his troops, with Li Qiong as his deputy. Li Qiong had once been Wang De's equal and was ashamed to serve under him. He led his troops in rebellion to Liu Yu. In the eighth year he was placed under Zhang Jun, and his army was named Sharp Victory.
11
十年，解潁昌圍，俊檄德就取宿州。 德倍道自壽春馳至蘄縣，與敵遊騎遇，遂入城，偃旗臥鼓，騎引去。 因潛師宿州，夜半，薄賊營。 敵將高統軍詰朝壓汴而陳，偽守馬秦、同知耶律溫以三千人陰水邀戰。 德策馬先濟，步騎從之。 遙謂賊曰：「吾與金人大小百戰，雖名王貴酋，莫不糜碎，爾何為者。」 賊遂投兵降。 馬秦、耶律溫馳入，閉門城守。 德至，呼秦諭以逆順，乃自縋而下。 德叱其子順先登，秦率溫降，遣詣行在。 德乘勝趨亳州，俊會于城父。 時叛將酈瓊屯亳，聞德至，謂三路都統制曰：「夜叉未易當也。」 遂遁。 德入亳州，白俊曰：「今兵威已振，請乘破竹之勢，進取東都。」 俊難之，乃班師。 策功第一，拜興甯軍承宣使、龍神衛四廂都指揮使，再遷侍衛親軍馬步軍都虞候，封隴西郡侯。
In the tenth year he lifted the siege of Yingchang. Zhang Jun ordered Wang De to go and take Suzhou. Wang De forced the pace from Shouchun to Qixian. He met enemy scouts, entered the city, lowered the flags and stilled the drums, and the scouts withdrew. He then stole a march on Suzhou and at midnight pressed close to the rebel camp. The enemy general Commander Gao at dawn pressed toward Bian and drew up his line. The puppet prefect Ma Qin and vice commissioner Yelü Wen lay in ambush by the water with three thousand men. Wang De spurred his horse and crossed first; infantry and cavalry followed. From afar he shouted to the rebels, "I have fought the Jin in a hundred battles great and small. Even their princes and noble chiefs have been crushed to pulp—what are you doing here?" The rebels then cast down their weapons and surrendered. Ma Qin and Yelü Wen galloped into the city, shut the gates, and held the walls. When Wang De arrived he called to Ma Qin and lectured him on loyalty and rebellion. Ma Qin then let himself down by rope. Wang De ordered his son Shun to climb up first. Ma Qin brought Wen down in surrender and sent them to the imperial camp. Wang De pressed his victory and hurried to Bozhou, where Zhang Jun joined him at Chengfu. The rebel general Li Qiong was then at Bo. When he heard that Wang De had arrived, he told the three-route commanders, "That Yaksha is not easy to face." Then he fled. Wang De entered Bozhou and told Zhang Jun, "Our army's prestige is already high. I ask that we ride this momentum and advance on the Eastern Capital." Zhang Jun hesitated, and the army withdrew. His merit was ranked first. He was made commissioner of the Xingning Army and commander of the four wings of the Dragon Spirit Guard, then promoted to chief adjutant of the palace horse and foot armies and enfeoffed as Marquis of Longxi.
12
十一年，金人自合肥入侵，游騎及江。 俊議分軍守南岸，德曰：「淮者，江之蔽也，棄淮不守，是謂唇亡齒寒也。 敵數千里遠來，餉道決不繼，及其未濟急擊之，可以奪氣； 若遲之，使稍安，則淮非吾有矣」俊猶豫未許。 德請益堅，曰：「願父子先越江，俟和州下，然後宣撫北渡。」 俊乃許德即渡採石，俊督軍繼之。 宿江中，德曰：「明旦，當會食曆陽。」 已而夜拔和州，晨迎俊入。 敵退保昭關，又擊走之，追至柘皋，與金人夾河而軍。
In the eleventh year the Jin invaded from Hefei, and their scouts reached the Yangtze. Zhang Jun proposed dividing the army to hold the south bank. Wang De said, "The Huai is the Yangtze's shield. To abandon the Huai and not defend it is what people mean when they say that when the lips are gone the teeth grow cold. The enemy has marched thousands of li from home. Their supply line cannot possibly hold. Strike them hard before they finish crossing and you can break their spirit; if you delay and let them settle in, the Huai will no longer be ours." Zhang Jun hesitated and would not agree." Wang De pressed harder and said, "Let my son and I cross the river first. When Hezhou falls, then the pacification commissioner may cross north." Zhang Jun then let Wang De cross at once from Caishi while he followed with the main army. They spent the night on the river. Wang De said, "Tomorrow morning we shall breakfast together at Liyang." That night he stormed Hezhou, and at dawn he welcomed Zhang Jun into the city. The enemy fell back to hold Zhaoguan. He struck again and drove them off, pursued to Zhegao, and encamped facing the Jin across the river.
13
諸將帥皆集，惟張俊後至，統制田師中欲待之，德怒曰：「事當機會，復何待！」 徑上馬。 兀朮以鐵騎十余萬夾道而陣，德曰：「賊右陣堅，我當先擊之。」 麾軍渡橋，首犯其鋒。 一酋被甲躍馬始出，德引弓一發而斃； 乘勝大呼，令萬兵持長斧，如牆而進。 敵大敗，退屯紫金山，德復尾擊之。 劉錡謂德曰：「昔聞公威略如神，今果見之，請以兄禮事。」 召拜清遠軍節度使、建康府駐劄御前諸軍都統制，曆浙東福建總管、荊南副都統制。 二十五年，卒，贈檢校少保，再贈少傅。 二子琪、順，亦以驍勇聞。
All the generals had assembled; only Zhang Jun was late. Controller Tian Shizhong wanted to wait for him. Wang De said angrily, "This turns on the moment—why wait again!" He mounted at once. Wuzhu drew up more than a hundred thousand armored cavalry along both sides of the road. Wang De said, "Their right wing is strong—we should strike it first." He led his army across the bridge and was the first to strike their front. One chieftain in armor leaped out on his horse; Wang De drew his bow and dropped him with a single shot; pressing the victory he shouted and ordered ten thousand men to take long axes and advance like a moving wall. The enemy was routed and fell back to Purple Gold Mountain. Wang De struck them again from the rear. Liu Qi told Wang De, "I have long heard that your martial prestige and strategy were godlike. Today I have seen it for myself. I ask to treat you with the courtesy due an elder brother." He was summoned and made military commissioner of the Qingyuan Army and overall commander of all imperial armies stationed at Jiankang. He later served as overall administrator of Zhedong and Fujian and as deputy overall commander of Jingnan. In the twenty-fifth year he died. He was posthumously made Junior Guardian and later Junior Tutor. His two sons Qi and Shun were also famed for their fighting prowess.
14
王彥，字子才，上黨人。 性豪縱，喜讀韜略。 父奇之，使詣京師，隸弓馬子弟所。 徽宗臨軒閱試，補下班祗應，為清河尉。 從涇原路經略使種師道兩入夏國，有戰功。
Wang Yan, styled Zicai, came from Shangdang. By nature he was bold and unrestrained and loved to read works on military strategy. His father thought him remarkable and sent him to the capital, where he was enrolled in the Institute of Archery and Horsemanship. When Emperor Huizong reviewed the examination in the hall, he was appointed an attendant of the lower shift and made captain of Qinghe. He followed Jingyuan circuit commissioner Zhong Shidao on two campaigns into the Western Xia and won distinction in battle.
15
金人攻汴京，彥慨然棄家赴闕，求自試討賊。 時張所為河北招撫使，異其才，擢為都統制。 使率裨將張翼、白安民、岳飛等十一將，部七千人渡河，與金人戰。 敗之，復衛州新鄉縣，傳檄諸郡。
When the Jin attacked Bianjing, Wang Yan left his family behind and went to court, asking for a chance to prove himself against the invaders. Zhang Suo was then pacification commissioner of Hebei. Impressed by Wang Yan's talent, he promoted him to overall commander. He was sent to lead deputy generals Zhang Yi, Bai Anmin, Yue Fei, and ten other commanders with seven thousand men across the river to fight the Jin. He defeated them, recovered Xinxiang County in Weizhou, and sent proclamations to the surrounding prefectures.
16
金人以為大軍至，率數萬眾薄彥壘，圍之數匝。 彥以眾寡不敵，潰圍出。 諸將散歸，彥獨保共城西山，遣腹心結兩河豪傑，圖再舉。 金人購求彥急，彥慮變，夜寢屢遷。 其部曲覺之，相率刺面，作「赤心報國，誓殺金賊」八字，以示無他意。 彥益感勵，撫愛士卒，與同甘苦。 未幾，兩河回應，忠義民兵首領傅選、孟德、劉澤、焦文通等皆附之，眾十余萬，綿亙數百里，皆受彥約束。 金人患之，召其首領，俾以大兵破彥壘。 首領跪而泣曰：「王都統砦堅如鐵石，未易圖也。」 金人乃間遣勁騎撓彥糧道，彥勒兵待之，斬獲甚眾。 益治兵，刻日大舉，告期於東京留守宗澤。
The Jin thought a great army had arrived. They brought tens of thousands against Wang Yan's camp and surrounded it layer upon layer. Seeing that he was outnumbered, Wang Yan broke through the encirclement and escaped. The other generals scattered homeward. Wang Yan alone held the western hills of Gongcheng, sent trusted men to rally the magnates of the two Hebei circuits, and planned to rise again. The Jin urgently offered a reward for Wang Yan's capture. Fearing betrayal, he changed his sleeping place many times each night. His personal troops noticed this. They tattooed their faces with the eight characters "Loyal heart to serve the state, sworn to kill the Jin bandits" to show they had no other intent. Wang Yan was deeply moved. He cherished his soldiers and shared their hardships. Before long the two Hebei circuits answered his call. Loyal militia leaders Fu Xuan, Meng De, Liu Ze, Jiao Wentong, and others joined him. His forces numbered more than a hundred thousand and stretched for hundreds of li, all under Wang Yan's command. The Jin were alarmed. They summoned their chieftains and ordered them to break Wang Yan's camp with a great army. The chieftains knelt and wept, saying, "Commander Wang's stockade is firm as iron and stone. It is not easy to take." The Jin then secretly sent crack cavalry to harass Wang Yan's supply lines. He held his troops ready and killed or captured a great many. He trained his troops harder, set a date for a major campaign, and informed Zong Ze, defender of the Eastern Capital, when he would move.
17
澤召彥會議，乃將兵萬餘渡河，金人以重兵襲其後而不敢擊。 既至汴京，澤大喜，令彥宿兵近甸，以衛根本。 彥即以所部兵馬付留守司，量帶親兵趨行在。 時已遣宇文虛中為祈請使議和。 彥見黃潛善、汪伯彥，力陳兩河忠義延頸以望王師，願因人心，大舉北伐。 言辭憤激，大忤時相意，遂降旨免對，以彥為武翼郎、閣門宣贊舍人，差充禦營平寇統領。 時范瓊為平寇前將軍，彥知瓊有逆節，稱疾不就，乞致仕，許之。
Zong Ze summoned Wang Yan for counsel. Wang Yan then led more than ten thousand troops across the river. The Jin sent a heavy force against his rear but did not dare attack. When he reached Bianjing, Zong Ze was overjoyed and ordered Wang Yan to encamp in the nearby countryside to guard the capital. Wang Yan then handed his troops over to the defender's office and, taking only a portion of his personal guard, hurried to the imperial camp. Yuwen Xuzhong had already been sent as petition envoy to negotiate peace. Wang Yan saw Huang Qianshan and Wang Boyan and argued forcefully that the loyal men of the two Hebei circuits were waiting eagerly for the imperial army. He urged a great northern expedition while popular sentiment was on their side. His words were impassioned and greatly offended the chief minister. An edict excused him from further audience. Wang Yan was made Military Wing Gentleman and Palace Gate Proclamation Attendant and assigned to pacify bandits in the Imperial Camp. Fan Qiong was then forward general for pacifying bandits. Wang Yan knew Fan harbored treasonous intent, pleaded illness, refused the post, asked to retire, and was permitted.
18
知樞密院事張浚宣撫川、陝，奏彥為前軍統制。 浚與金酋婁宿相持于富平，欲大舉，初至漢中，會諸將議，彥獨以為不可，曰：「陝西兵將上下之情，皆未相通，若少不利，則五路俱失。 不若且屯利、閬、興、洋，以固根本，敵入境，則檄五路兵來援，萬一不捷，未大失也。」 浚幕府不然其言。 彥即請為利路鈐轄，俄改金均房州安撫使、知金州。
Zhang Jun, commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, was pacification commissioner for Sichuan and Shaanxi. He recommended Wang Yan as controller of the vanguard. Zhang Jun was locked in stalemate with the Jurchen chieftain Lou Su at Fuping and wanted a major campaign. When he first reached Hanzhong he met the generals in council. Wang Yan alone objected and said, "In Shaanxi the bond between officers and men is not yet firm. One setback and all five routes will be lost. Better to hold Li, Lang, Xing, and Yang for now and secure our base. When the enemy enters our territory, summon the five routes to reinforce us. Even if we fail, the loss will not be catastrophic." Zhang Jun's staff did not agree. Wang Yan then asked to be made military intendant of the Li circuit. Shortly thereafter he was made pacification commissioner of Jin, Jun, and Fang prefectures and prefect of Jinzhou.
19
時中原盜賊蜂起，加以饑饉，無所資食； 惟蜀富饒，巨盜往往窺覬。 桑仲既陷淮安、襄陽，乘勢西向，均、房失守，直搗金州白土關，眾號三十萬。 仲，彥舊部曲也，以申櫝請於彥曰：「仲於公無敢犯，願假道入蜀就食耳。」 彥乃遣統領官門立為先鋒擊之。 賊銳甚，立戰死。 將士失色，或請避之。 彥叱曰：「樞相張公方有事關陝，若仲越金而至梁、洋，則腹背受敵，大事去矣。 敢言避者斬！」 即勒兵趨長沙平，阻水據山，設伏以待。 賊見官軍少，蟻附搏戰。 彥執幟一麾，士殊死鬥，賊敗走。 彥休士進擊，追奔至白磧，復房州。
Bandits swarmed across the central plains, and famine made matters worse. There was nothing with which to live; only Shu was rich and abundant, and great bandits often cast covetous eyes upon it. Sang Zhong had already taken Huai'an and Xiangyang. Riding the momentum he turned west. Jun and Fang fell, and he drove straight at Baitu Pass in Jinzhou. His forces were said to number three hundred thousand. Zhong had once served under Wang Yan. He sent a petition asking, "I would not dare offend you, sir. I only wish to pass through your territory into Shu to find food." Wang Yan then sent commander Men Li as vanguard to strike him. The rebels were very fierce, and Men Li was killed in battle. The officers and men turned pale. Some urged retreat. Wang Yan shouted, "Chief Councillor Zhang is already occupied in Shaanxi. If Zhong crosses Jin territory and reaches Liang and Yang, we will be attacked front and rear and the great cause will be lost. Whoever dares speak of retreat shall be beheaded!" He then led his troops to Changshaping, blocked the water and held the hills, and set ambushes to wait. The rebels saw that the government troops were few and swarmed up to fight. Wang Yan seized the banner and waved it once. His men fought to the death. The rebels were routed and fled. Wang Yan rested his men and pressed the attack, pursued the fugitives to Baiqi, and recovered Fangzhou.
20
初，桑仲既敗還襄陽，乃鳩集散亡陷鄧州，兇焰復熾。 南攻德安，西據均陽，分眾三道：一攻住口關，一出馬郎嶺，一搗洵陽，前軍去金州不三十里。 彥曰：「仲以我寡彼眾，故分三道以離吾勢，法當先破其堅，則脆者自走。」 遣副將焦文通禦住口，自以親兵營馬郎。 相持一月，大戰六日，賊大敗，仲為其下所殺。 又有王辟、董貴、祁守中阻兵窺蜀，勢雖不及桑仲，然小者猶不減數萬，彥悉討平之。
Earlier, after Sang Zhong was defeated and returned to Xiangyang, he gathered the scattered survivors, took Dengzhou, and his power flared up again. He attacked De'an in the south and held Junyang in the west, dividing his forces in three columns: one attacked Zhukou Pass, one came out at Malang Ridge, one struck Xunyang. The vanguard was less than thirty li from Jinzhou. Wang Yan said, "Zhong, seeing that we are few and they are many, has divided into three columns to disperse our strength. We should break their strongest point first, and the weaker columns will flee on their own." He sent deputy general Jiao Wentong to hold Zhukou and himself encamped with his personal troops at Malang. They faced each other for a month. After six days of heavy fighting the rebels were routed, and Zhong was killed by his own men. Wang Pi, Dong Gui, and Qi Shouzhong also blocked the roads with troops and cast eyes on Shu. Though their power did not match Sang Zhong's, even the smaller bands numbered tens of thousands. Wang Yan pacified them all.
21
是冬，偽齊秦鳳經略使郭振以數千騎掠白石鎮，彥與關師古並兵禦之，賊大敗，獲振，復秦州。 張浚承制以彥節制商、虢、陝、華州軍馬。
That winter Guo Zhen, commissioner of Qin and Feng for the puppet Qi state, raided Baishi Stockade with several thousand horsemen. Wang Yan and Guan Shigu joined forces to resist, routed the enemy, captured Zhen, and recovered Qinzhou. Zhang Jun, acting on imperial commission, placed Wang Yan in command of the troops and horses of Shang, Guo, Shan, and Huazhou.
22
三年正月，兀朮入侵，浚召彥與吳玠、劉子羽會於興元。 撒離曷自上津疾馳，不一日至洵陽。 統制官郭進死之，彥退保石泉縣。 金人入金、均，彥趨西鄉。 二月，金人攻饒風關，彥與吳玠禦之，不能卻，關破，彥收余兵奔達州。 五月，彥遣兵至漢陰縣，與劉豫將周貴戰，大敗之，復金州。 浚承制進彥保康軍承宣使兼宣撫司參議，彥不受。
In the first month of the third year Wuzhu invaded. Zhang Jun summoned Wang Yan, Wu Jie, and Liu Ziyu to meet at Xingyuan. Salihe galloped from Shangjin and reached Xunyang in less than a day. Controller Guo Jin was killed. Wang Yan withdrew to hold Shiquan County. The Jin entered Jin and Jun prefectures. Wang Yan hastened to Xixiang. In the second month the Jin attacked Raofeng Pass. Wang Yan and Wu Jie resisted but could not drive them back. The pass fell. Wang Yan gathered his remaining troops and fled to Dazhou. In the fifth month Wang Yan sent troops to Hanyin County, fought Liu Yu's general Zhou Gui, routed him, and recovered Jinzhou. Zhang Jun, acting on commission, promoted Wang Yan to commissioner of the Baokang Army and staff adviser to the pacification office. Wang Yan declined.
23
五年四月，差知荊南府，充歸、峽、荊門公安軍安撫使。 彥因荊南曠土措置屯田，自蜀買牛千七百頭，授官兵耕，營田八百五十頃，分給將士有差。 六年二月，知襄陽府、京西南路安撫使，彥以岳飛嫌辭。 浚奏彥為行營前護副軍都統制、督府參謀軍事。
In the fourth month of the fifth year he was assigned as prefect of Jingnan and made pacification commissioner of the Gui, Xia, Jingmen, and Gong'an districts. Because of the vacant land in Jingnan, Wang Yan organized garrison farming. He bought seventeen hundred oxen from Shu, gave them to officers and soldiers to farm, opened eight hundred fifty qing of fields, and distributed them to the troops in varying shares. In the second month of the sixth year he was made prefect of Xiangyang and pacification commissioner of the southwestern capital circuit. Wang Yan declined because of Yue Fei's resentment. Zhang Jun recommended Wang Yan as deputy overall commander of the Forward Guard Army in the field headquarters and military adviser on the command staff.
24
六月，以八字軍萬人赴行在。 至鎮江，聞母喪，上疏乞解官，不許。 詔免喪服，趣入對，遂以為浙西、淮東沿海制置副使，以所部屯通州之料角。 七年正月，彥因遣將捕亡者于解潛軍中，軍士交鬥于市，言者論其軍政不肅，貶秩二等。 彥不自安，乞終餘服。 二月，復洪州觀察使、知邵州。 彥入辭，帝撫勞甚厚，曰：「以卿能牧民，故付卿便郡，行即召矣。」 九年，卒於官，年五十。
In the sixth month he led ten thousand men of the Eight-Character Army to the imperial camp. When he reached Zhenjiang he heard of his mother's death and submitted a memorial asking to resign. The request was denied. An edict excused him from mourning and urged him to audience. He was then made deputy commissioner for coastal defense of Zhexi and Huaidong, and his troops were stationed at Liaojiao in Tongzhou. In the first month of the seventh year Wang Yan sent a general to capture deserters in Xie Qian's army. His soldiers brawled in the market. Critics argued that his military discipline was lax, and his rank was reduced by two grades. Wang Yan was ill at ease and asked to complete his mourning period. In the second month he was restored as observer of Hongzhou and prefect of Shaozhou. Wang Yan came to take leave. The emperor comforted and rewarded him generously and said, "Because you can govern the people well, I have given you a convenient prefecture. You will soon be summoned back." In the ninth year he died in office at the age of fifty.
25
彥稱名將，當建炎初，屢破大敵，威聲振河朔。 時方撓於和議，遽召之還，又奪其兵柄而使之治郡，士議惜之。 彥事親孝，居官廉，子弟有戰功，不與推賞。 將死，召其弟侄，以家財均給之。
Wang Yan was accounted a famous general. At the beginning of the Jianyan era he repeatedly defeated major enemies, and his martial renown shook Hebei. The court was then yielding to peace talks. He was suddenly recalled, stripped of military command, and made to govern a prefecture. Scholars regretted the waste of his talent. Wang Yan was filial to his parents and incorrupt in office. When his sons and younger brothers won battle merit he did not recommend them for reward. When he was about to die he summoned his younger brothers and nephews and divided his family property equally among them.
26
魏勝，字彥威，淮陽軍宿遷縣人。 多智勇，善騎射，應募為弓箭手，徙居山陽。 紹興三十一年，金人將南侵，聚芻糧，造器械，籍諸路民為兵。 勝躍曰：「此其時也。」 聚義士三百，北渡淮，取漣水軍，宣佈朝廷德意，不殺一人，漣水民翕然以聽。
Wei Sheng, styled Yanwei, came from Suqian County in the Huaiyang Army district. He was resourceful and brave, skilled in horsemanship and archery. He enlisted as an archer and moved to Shanyang. In the thirty-first year of the Shaoxing era the Jin were about to invade the south. They gathered fodder and grain, made weapons, and registered the people of the various circuits as soldiers. Wei Sheng leaped up and said, "This is the time." He gathered three hundred loyal volunteers, crossed the Huai northward, took Lianshui, proclaimed the court's benevolent intent, killed no one, and the people of Lianshui submitted at once.
27
遂取海州。 郡守渤海高文富聞勝起，遣兵來捕勝。 距海州南八十里大伊，與金兵遇，勝迎擊走之，追至城下。 眾驚傳水陸悉有兵，城中大恐，文富閉門守，驅民上城禦之。 勝令城外多張旗幟，舉煙火為疑兵； 又遣人向諸城門，諭以金人棄信背盟，無名興師，本朝寬大愛民之意。 城上民聞之，即開門，勝遣勇銳者登城樓，餘自門入，莫有禦者。 獨文富與其子安仁率牙兵拒守，勝整軍與安仁父子戰譙門內，殺安仁及州兵千余，擒文富，民皆按堵。
He then took Haizhou. Prefect Gao Wenfu of Bohai, hearing that Wei Sheng had risen, sent troops to capture him. At Dayi, eighty li south of Haizhou, he met Jin troops. Wei Sheng attacked and drove them off, pursuing to the city walls. Panic spread through the city. Rumor said there were troops on land and water alike. The city was terrified. Wenfu shut the gates, held the defense, and drove the people onto the walls to resist. Wei Sheng ordered many banners displayed outside the city and raised smoke and fire as a decoy force; he also sent men to the gates to proclaim that the Jin had broken faith and betrayed the alliance, had raised arms without cause, and to explain the court's magnanimity toward the people. When the people on the walls heard this they opened the gates. Wei Sheng sent his best fighters up onto the tower while the rest entered through the gates. No one resisted. Only Wenfu and his son Anren led the guard troops in resistance. Wei Sheng arrayed his army and fought them inside the gate tower, killed Anren and more than a thousand prefectural troops, captured Wenfu, and the people were left in peace.
28
勝權知州事，遣人諭朐山、懷仁、沐陽、東海諸縣，皆定。 乃蠲租銳，釋罪囚，發倉庫，犒戰士； 分忠義士為五軍，紀律明肅，部分如宿將。 勝自兼都統制，益募忠義以圖收復，遠近聞之回應，旬日，得兵數千。 即具其事報境上帥守，冀給軍裝器甲。 時帥守雖知金人將渝盟，未有發其端者，莫敢以聞。
Wei Sheng acted as provisional prefect and sent men to Qushan, Huairen, Muyang, Donghai, and the other counties. All submitted. He remitted harsh rents, released prisoners, opened the storehouses, and rewarded his fighting men; he divided the loyal volunteers into five armies with clear, strict discipline, deploying them like a veteran general. Wei Sheng also served as overall commander. He recruited more loyal volunteers to plan recovery. Men near and far heard and responded. Within ten days he had several thousand troops. He then reported the whole affair to the border commanders, hoping they would supply arms and armor. The border commanders knew the Jin were about to break the alliance, but no overt sign had yet appeared, and none dared report it.
29
左軍統制董成謀出西北取沂州，勝先遣間還，知金兵數萬至沂，以我軍器甲未備，戒成勿動。 成不從勝，率所部千餘人直入沂州巷戰，殺其守及軍士三千余，眾悉降，得器甲數萬。 金人生兵復集，競登屋擲瓦擊之，成軍幾敗。 勝欲斬成，以其驍勇，釋之。
Dong Cheng, controller of the left army, planned to march northwest and take Yizhou. Wei Sheng sent spies back first and learned that tens of thousands of Jin troops had reached Yi. Because their arms and armor were not ready, he warned Cheng not to move. Cheng disobeyed. He led more than a thousand men straight into Yizhou for street fighting, killed the defender and more than three thousand soldiers, took the rest in surrender, and seized tens of thousands of pieces of armor and weapons. Fresh Jin troops gathered again. They scrambled onto roofs and hurled tiles down. Cheng's army was nearly defeated. Wei Sheng wanted to behead Cheng but spared him because of his fighting prowess.
30
金人遣同知海州事蒙恬鎮國以兵萬餘取海州，抵州北二十里新橋。 勝帥兵出迎之，設伏於隘，陣以待。 眾殊死戰，伏發，賊大敗，殺鎮國，馘千人，降三百人，軍聲益振。 山東之民鹹欲來附，勝傳檄招諭，結集以待王師之至。
The Jin sent Meng Tian Zhenguo, vice commissioner of Haizhou, with more than ten thousand troops to retake Haizhou. They reached Xinqiao, twenty li north of the city. Wei Sheng led his troops out to meet them, set ambushes in the pass, and drew up his line to wait. His men fought to the death. The ambush sprang. The enemy was routed. Zhenguo was killed, a thousand heads were taken, and three hundred men surrendered. The army's renown rose still higher. The people of Shandong all wished to join him. Wei Sheng sent proclamations summoning them, gathering forces to await the imperial army.
31
沂民壁蒼山者數十萬，金人圍之，久不下，砦首滕{曰狄}告急於勝。 勝提兵往救之，陣於山下。 金人多伏兵，勝兵遇伏，皆赴砦。 金人襲之，勝單騎而殿，以大刀奮擊。 金人望見勝，知其為將也，以五百騎圍之數重。 勝馳突四擊，金陣開復闔。 戰移時，身被數十槍，冒刃出圍。 金兵追之，馬中矢踣，步而入砦，無敢當者。 金人又急攻，絕其水，砦中食幹Я，殺牛馬飲血，勝默禱而雨驟作。
Several hundred thousand people of Yi who had fortified Cang Mountain were besieged by the Jin for a long time without falling. The stockade leader Teng Gao sent urgent word to Wei Sheng. Wei Sheng led troops to the rescue and drew up his line at the foot of the mountain. The Jin had set many ambushes. Wei Sheng's troops met them and all fled to the stockade. The Jin struck them. Wei Sheng alone on horseback brought up the rear and fought fiercely with a great blade. The Jin saw Wei Sheng and knew he was the commander. Five hundred horsemen surrounded him in ring after ring. Wei Sheng galloped and charged in every direction. The Jin line opened and closed again around him. The battle lasted some time. He took scores of spear wounds but braved the blades and broke out of the encirclement. Jin troops pursued him. His horse was struck by an arrow and fell. He entered the stockade on foot, and no one dared stand in his way. The Jin pressed the attack again and cut off their water. Inside the stockade they ate dried provisions, killed cattle and horses and drank their blood. Wei Sheng prayed in silence, and rain suddenly fell.
32
金人攻盆急，周山為營，勝度其必復攻海州，因間出砦越城中。 金人果解蒼山圍，自新橋抵城下，勝出戰皆捷。 金分兵四面攻之，勝募士登城以禦，矢石如雨者七日，金兵死傷多，遁去。 勝嘗出戰，矢中鼻貫齒，不能食，猶親禦戰。
The Jin attacked all the more urgently and encircled the mountain with camps. Wei Sheng judged that they would certainly attack Haizhou again. He stole out of the stockade by night and crossed through the city. The Jin indeed lifted the siege of Cangshan, marched from Xinqiao to the foot of the walls, and Wei Sheng sallied forth to fight, winning every engagement. The Jin split their army and attacked from all four sides. Wei Sheng recruited men to man the walls in defense. For seven days arrows and stones rained down without cease. Many Jin soldiers were killed or wounded, and they withdrew. Once when Wei Sheng went out to fight, an arrow struck his nose and pierced through to his teeth. He could not eat, yet he still commanded the battle in person.
33
勝起義久，朝廷尚未知。 沿海制置使李寶遣其子公佐由海道覘敵，至州，始遣忠義將朱震、褚道詣行在，白勝姓名於執政，始知勝之功焉。
Wei Sheng had been in rebellion for a long time, but the court still did not know of it. The Coastal Military Commissioner Li Bao sent his son Gongzuo by sea to scout the enemy. When he reached Haizhou, he dispatched the loyalist generals Zhu Zhen and Chu Dao to the mobile court to report Wei Sheng's name to the chief ministers, and only then did the court learn of his achievements.
34
金主亮舉兵渡淮，慮勝睨其後，分軍數萬來攻。 會李寶帥舟師往膠西，破金人舟艦，勝遣人邀之，同擊金人於新橋，大敗之。 金兵未退，寶知金舟將遁，復以兵登舟備海道。 金主初命造海艦，欲分軍入蘇、杭，悉以中原民操舟楫。 民家送衣裘者相告語，俟王師至即背之。 及寶舟入島中，適北風勁，舟不進。 有頃反風，金人艤舟於岸，操舟者望見寶舟，謬雲此金國兵也，俾皆入舟中。 舟忽至，金人不知，寶縱火焚其舟。 舟以赤油絹為帆，風順火熾，操舟者皆登岸走。 金兵在舟中者，坐以待縛，載之檻車，悉獲其舟。
Emperor Liang raised an army and crossed the Huai River. Fearing that Wei Sheng might threaten his rear, he detached several tens of thousands of men to attack Haizhou. Just then Li Bao led his fleet to Jiaoxi and destroyed the Jin ships. Wei Sheng sent men to invite him, and together they attacked the Jin at Xinqiao and inflicted a crushing defeat. The Jin army had not yet withdrawn. Li Bao knew the Jin fleet was about to flee, so he again put his men aboard ship to guard the sea lanes. The Jin ruler had earlier ordered sea vessels built, intending to send troops in separate columns into Suzhou and Hangzhou, with men from the Central Plains entirely crewing the boats. Families delivering clothing and furs told one another that they would turn against the Jin as soon as the imperial army arrived. When Li Bao's ships entered the islands, a strong north wind was blowing and the fleet could not advance. Before long the wind shifted. The Jin moored their boats along the shore. The boatmen, seeing Li Bao's fleet, falsely declared them to be Jin troops and ordered everyone back aboard. The ships suddenly arrived. The Jin did not realize what was happening. Li Bao set fire and burned their vessels. The ships had sails of red oiled silk. With the wind at their backs, the flames roared. The boatmen all scrambled ashore and fled. Jin soldiers still aboard sat waiting to be bound. They were loaded into caged carts, and all their ships were captured.
35
寶既捷，勝亦還州為捍禦計。 金兵至，營於城北砂巷，列陣將攻關門，先遣人說勝使降。 勝開門出諭之曰：「汝主叛盟失信，無故興兵，我朝以仁義之師，來復舊疆，汝主渡淮必敗。 爾等宜早來歸，必獲爵賞。」 時金兵已逼關，勝登關門張樂飲酒，犒軍士，令固守勿出戰。 金兵攻之逾時，乃少遣士出，憑險隘擊之。 金人知不可攻，率軍轉而渡河，襲關後。 勝斂兵入城，金兵追將及，勝獨乘馬逐之，叱曰：「魏勝在此！」 聞之皆辟易，士卒後入者不復敢追。
After his victory, Li Bao departed, and Wei Sheng also returned to Haizhou to plan its defense. Jin troops arrived, encamped at Shaxiang north of the city, formed battle lines to assault the pass gate, and first sent envoys to urge Wei Sheng to surrender. Wei Sheng opened the gate and came out to address them, saying, "Your ruler broke the alliance and betrayed his word, raising troops without cause. Our dynasty sends an army of benevolence and righteousness to recover our old territories. Your ruler will surely be defeated when he crosses the Huai. You should come over to us early, and you will surely receive ranks and rewards. By then the Jin army had already pressed close to the pass. Wei Sheng mounted the pass gate, set out music and drank wine, rewarded his soldiers, and ordered them to hold firm and not sally forth. The Jin attacked for a long while. Then Wei Sheng sent out only a few men to strike them from the narrow defile. The Jin realized the position could not be taken. They led their army around to cross the river and attack from behind the pass. Wei Sheng drew in his troops and entered the city. Jin soldiers pursued, nearly catching up. He alone rode out after them, shouting, "Wei Sheng is here! Hearing this, they all shrank back. The soldiers who entered the city last no longer dared pursue.
36
勝軍已入城，金兵徑趨城東，欲過砂堰環城為營。 勝先已據堰備之，金軍不得過，拒戰竟日，終不能近。 有新募士守河者，不知兵，金兵遽過河，勝恐絕河路，亟收軍入城。 金兵追至東門外黃土阪，勝單騎逐之，大叱之，金兵五百皆望風退。 勝又追十數里，士得入城； 有不得入者，由城南入西門。 金兵復自西南來襲，勝從後叱之，金兵駭散，手殺數人。 奏功授閣門祗候，差知海州兼山東路忠義軍都統。 遣其子昌同峒峿山首領張榮，持旗榜往結山東忠義。
Wei Sheng's army had entered the city. The Jin troops headed straight for the east side, intending to pass Shayan and encircle the city with their camp. Wei Sheng had already seized the weir and prepared defenses. The Jin army could not get through. They fought at the barricade all day but ultimately could not draw near. Newly recruited men were guarding the river and did not understand warfare. The Jin suddenly crossed the river. Wei Sheng feared his river route would be cut off and hastily withdrew his army into the city. Jin troops pursued to the Yellow Earth Slope outside the east gate. Wei Sheng alone on horseback chased them, shouting fiercely. Five hundred Jin soldiers all fled at the sight of him. Wei Sheng chased them another ten-odd li until his soldiers were able to enter the city. Those who could not enter did so through the west gate from the south of the city. Jin troops again attacked from the southwest. Wei Sheng shouted from behind them. The Jin soldiers scattered in terror, and he personally killed several men. His achievements were reported to the throne, and he was appointed Gate Attendant and assigned as prefect of Haizhou, concurrently serving as commander of the Shandong Loyalist Army. He sent his son Chang together with Zhang Rong, chieftain of Dongmou Mountain, bearing flags and proclamations to rally the Shandong loyalists.
37
金兵自新橋、關子門、砂堰之敗，殺傷者眾。 一日黎明，乘昏霧，四面薄城急攻。 勝激厲士卒，竭力捍禦，矢石交下。 城上鎔金液，投火牛。 金兵不能前，多死傷，乃拔砦走。 距海州為長垣，包州城於中，使不能出。 及亮死，乃解去。
From their defeats at Xinqiao, Guanzimen, and Shayan, many Jin soldiers had been killed or wounded. One day at dawn, taking advantage of thick mist, they pressed in from all sides and launched a fierce assault on the city. Wei Sheng roused his soldiers and defended with all their strength as arrows and stones rained down from both sides. From atop the walls they poured molten metal and hurled fire oxen. The Jin could not advance. Many were killed or wounded, and they then broke camp and fled. They built a long wall around Haizhou, enclosing the prefectural city within so that no one could get out. When Wanyan Liang died, they finally withdrew.
38
勝善用大刀，能左右射，旗揭曰「山東魏勝」，金人望見即退走。 勝為旗十數，書其姓名，密付諸將，遇鏖戰即揭之，金兵悉避走。 初，勝起義時，無州郡糧餉之給，無府庫倉廩之儲。 勝經畫市易，課酒榷鹽，勸糶豪右。 環海州度視敵兵攻取處，築城浚隍，塞關隘，在軍，未嘗一日懈弛，恒如寇至。 方糾集遠邇，犒勞士卒，期約有日，會金主亮被弑，金兵北歸，王師亦南還矣。
Wei Sheng was skilled with the broadsword and could shoot to left and right. His banner read "Wei Sheng of Shandong." When the Jin saw it they immediately retreated. Wei Sheng made more than ten banners inscribed with his name and secretly gave them to his generals. Whenever fierce fighting broke out they would raise them, and Jin soldiers all avoided and fled. At first when Wei Sheng rose in rebellion, there was no grain or pay from the prefectures and districts, and no stores in government treasuries or granaries. Wei Sheng organized market trade, levied taxes on wine and monopolized salt, and encouraged wealthy landowners to sell grain. All around Haizhou he surveyed where enemy troops might attack, built walls and dug moats, and blocked the passes. While with the army he never relaxed for a single day, always as if invaders were about to arrive. Just as he was gathering men from near and far and preparing to reward the soldiers on a set day, Wanyan Liang was assassinated. Jin troops returned north, and the imperial army also withdrew south.
39
初，亮聞勝在海州，知不可取，曰：「少須，他時取之易耳。」 亮既殞，勝益得自治軍旅，人皆精銳。 獲金諜者，犒以酒食，厚賂遣還。 有自北方來歸者，與之同臥起，共飲食，示以不疑； 周其窶貧，使之感激。 自是山東、河北歸附者眾，得金人虛實，悉以上聞。 又第其忠義士功能，假授官資，因李寶轉達於朝，悉如所請。
Earlier, when Wanyan Liang heard that Wei Sheng was at Haizhou and knew it could not be taken, he said, "Wait a little; it will be easy to take another time. After Liang died, Wei Sheng was all the more able to manage his own army. Every man was elite and sharp. When he captured Jin spies, he treated them with wine and food, gave them generous gifts, and sent them back. When men came over from the north to defect, he slept and rose with them, ate and drank together, showing that he harbored no suspicion. He attended to their poverty and hardship, moving them to gratitude. From then on many from Shandong and Hebei came to join him. Whatever intelligence they obtained on Jin strength and disposition, he reported entirely to the throne. He also ranked his loyalists by merit and provisionally granted them official titles and stipends. Through Li Bao he forwarded these to the court, and all were granted as requested.
40
金人遣山東路都統、總管以兵十萬攻海州。 時寶帥海舟水陸並進，抵城北砂巷，勝率眾合寶軍大破之，斬首不可計，堰水為之不流，餘悉奔潰。 勝獨率兵追北二十里，至新橋，又破之，盡獲其鞍馬器甲。 寶亦駐海州，為進取計。
The Jin sent the Shandong circuit commander-in-chief and grand commander with an army of one hundred thousand to attack Haizhou. At the time Li Bao led his sea fleet advancing by land and water together, reaching Shaxiang north of the city. Wei Sheng led his forces to join Li Bao's army and inflicted a great defeat. Heads cut off were beyond counting. The weir water was choked so it would not flow. The rest all fled in rout. Wei Sheng alone led troops pursuing the fleeing enemy twenty li to Xinqiao, defeating them again and capturing all their saddles, horses, armor, and weapons. Li Bao also stationed himself at Haizhou to plan further advances.
41
金人復遣五斤太師發諸路兵二十余萬來攻海州，先遣一軍自州西南斷勝軍餉道。 勝驛勇悍士三千餘騎，拒于石闥堰，金軍不能進。 逮夜始還，留千人備險隘。 金兵十萬來奪，勝率眾鏖戰，殺數千人，餘皆遁去，下令守險勿追。 報寶，寶以防海道，登舟，不復發兵。 金兵盛集，勝力拒之，自旦至暮，金兵不能奪。 勝令步卒整隊前行，自為殿。
The Jin again sent Grand Preceptor Wujin to mobilize more than two hundred thousand troops from all routes to attack Haizhou. They first dispatched one army from the southwest of the prefecture to cut Wei Sheng's supply line. Wei Sheng selected more than three thousand fierce riders and blocked them at the Shitie Weir. The Jin army could not advance. He returned only at nightfall, leaving one thousand men to guard the narrow passes. One hundred thousand Jin troops came to seize the position. Wei Sheng led his forces in fierce battle, killing several thousand. The rest all fled. He ordered those guarding the passes not to pursue. He reported to Li Bao. Li Bao, to guard the sea routes, went aboard his ships and no longer sent out troops. Jin troops massed in great numbers. Wei Sheng resisted with all his strength from dawn until dusk. The Jin could not seize the position. Wei Sheng ordered the infantry to march in formation ahead while he himself served as rearguard.
42
時百姓以寶既登舟，懼金兵大至，皆欲入城，統制郭蔚閉城門不納。 人民牛馬蔽野，呼號動地，城中亦懼。 勝入城，諭以賊勢退怯之狀，固守可保無虞，乃開門盡納之。 居無何，金兵環城圍數重，勝與郭蔚分兵備禦，偃旗僕鼓，寂若無人。 金軍驚疑，數日不敢攻，已乃植雲梯，置炮石，四面合圍，負土填壕。 勝俟其近城，鳴鼓張旗，矢石俱發，繼以火牛、金液，凡三晝夜，金兵竟不能近。 於是罷攻，修營壘，絕河道，謀為固守。 勝俟其不備掩擊，或獨出擾之，使不得休息。 又間夜發兵劫其營，或焚其攻具。
At the time the people, seeing that Li Bao had already boarded ship, feared that great Jin forces were coming and all wanted to enter the city. The regimental commander Guo Wei closed the city gates and would not admit them. People, cattle, and horses covered the fields. Their cries shook the earth. Inside the city there was fear as well. Wei Sheng entered the city and told them the enemy was in retreat and growing timid, that holding firm could ensure their safety. He then opened the gates and admitted them all. Before long, Jin troops encircled the city in many rings. Wei Sheng and Guo Wei divided their forces to defend, lowered flags and muffled drums, silent as if no one were there. The Jin army was alarmed and suspicious. For several days they dared not attack. Then they erected cloud ladders, emplaced catapults and stones, closed in from all four sides, and carried earth to fill the moat. Wei Sheng waited until they drew near the walls, then sounded drums and raised flags. Arrows and stones flew together, followed by fire oxen and molten metal. For three days and nights the Jin ultimately could not approach. Thereupon they ceased the assault, repaired fortifications, cut off the river channels, and planned to hold firmly. Wei Sheng waited for them unprepared and struck by surprise, or went out alone to harass them so they could not rest. He also sent troops by night at intervals to raid their camps or burn their siege equipment.
43
既而金人並力急攻，勝告急于李寶。 寶以聞，還報城中，已命張子蓋率兵來解圍。 金人亦知子蓋軍且至，已有退意。 頃之，子蓋先帥騎兵至，勝出與子蓋議戰事，且促其步卒。 勝出軍城北砂巷，與金軍大戰，斬首不可計，追數十里，餘兵皆遁。 勝與子蓋議進討，子蓋曰：「受詔解圍，不知其他。」 遂率軍還。 城中疑懼，欲隨王師出，勝親邀於道而諭之，至漣水軍，與偕還。
Before long the Jin combined their strength in a fierce assault. Wei Sheng urgently informed Li Bao. Li Bao reported upward and sent word back to the city that he had already ordered Zhang Zigai to lead troops to relieve the siege. The Jin also knew that Zhang Zigai's army was about to arrive and already had thoughts of retreat. Shortly thereafter Zhang Zigai arrived first leading cavalry. Wei Sheng went out to discuss military affairs with him and also urged on his infantry. Wei Sheng led his army out at Shaxiang north of the city, fought a great battle with the Jin army, cut off heads beyond counting, pursued for several tens of li, and the remaining troops all fled. Wei Sheng discussed advancing to attack further with Zhang Zigai. Zhang said, "I received orders to relieve the siege. I know nothing beyond that. Thereupon he led his army back. Inside the city people were anxious and afraid, wanting to leave with the imperial army. Wei Sheng personally intercepted them on the road and persuaded them. At Lianshui Army camp he went back together with them.
44
時都督張浚在建康，招勝，詢以軍務。 轉閣門宣贊舍人，差充山東路忠義軍都統制兼鎮江府駐劄御前前軍統制，仍知海州。 勝還。
At the time the overall commander Zhang Jun was at Jiankang. He summoned Wei Sheng and inquired about military affairs. He was transferred to Gate Proclamation Attendant, assigned as commander of the Shandong Loyalist Army and concurrently commander of the forward army stationed at Zhenjiang Prefecture under the imperial direct command, while still serving as prefect of Haizhou. Wei Sheng returned.
45
隆興元年，詔以鎮江御前同統制魏全來守海州，督府亦遣賈和仲充山東、河北路招撫使，節制本路軍馬，海州駐劄。 和仲忌勝，陰誘忠義軍使不安。 勝與辨是非，和仲又讒勝於都督，惑之。 呼勝至鎮江計事，罷其職，改京東路馬步軍副總管、都督府統制，建康府駐劄。 既而督府知和仲所誣，罷之，復勝舊職，仍遣鎮江御前後軍屯海州，代前軍還鎮江。
In the first year of Longxing, an edict appointed Wei Quan, co-commander of the Zhenjiang imperial direct forces, to garrison Haizhou. The headquarters also dispatched Jia Hezhong as commissioner for pacifying Shandong and Hebei routes, controlling the troops of those circuits, stationed at Haizhou. Jia Hezhong envied Wei Sheng and secretly incited the loyalist army to feel insecure. Wei Sheng debated right and wrong with him. Hezhong also slandered Wei Sheng to the overall commander, confusing him. He summoned Wei Sheng to Zhenjiang to discuss affairs, dismissed him from his post, and changed his appointment to deputy grand commander of cavalry and infantry on the Jingdong route and headquarters regimental commander, stationed at Jiankang Prefecture. Later the headquarters learned that Hezhong's accusations were false. They dismissed him, restored Wei Sheng to his former post, and still sent the rear army of the Zhenjiang imperial direct forces to garrison Haizhou, replacing the forward army which returned to Zhenjiang.
46
勝既還海州，鎮撫一方，民安其政。 改忠州刺史。 海州城西南枕孤山，敵至，登山瞰城中，虛實立見，故西南受敵最劇。 勝築重城，圍山在內，寇至則先據之，不能害。
Once Wei Sheng returned to Haizhou, he pacified the region. The people were secure under his governance. He was transferred to prefect of Zhongzhou. Haizhou city's southwest rested against Lone Mountain. When enemies arrived they mounted the hill and overlooked the city; strength and weakness were immediately visible. Thus the southwest bore the heaviest enemy pressure. Wei Sheng built an outer wall enclosing the mountain within. When invaders came he first seized it, and they could do no harm.
47
勝嘗自創如意戰車數百兩，炮車數十兩，車上為獸面木牌，大槍數十，垂氈幕軟牌，每車用二人推轂，可蔽五十人。 行則載輜重器甲，止則為營，掛搭如城壘，人馬不能近； 遇敵又可以禦箭簇。 列陣則如意車在外，以旗蔽障，弩車當陣門，其上置床子弩，矢大如鑿，一矢能射數人，發三矢可數百步。 炮車在陣中，施火石炮，亦二百步。 兩陣相近，則陣間發弓弩箭炮，近陣門則刀斧槍手突出，交陣則出騎兵，兩響掩擊，得捷拔陣追襲，少卻則入陣間稍憩。 士卒不疲，進退俱利。 伺便出擊，慮有拒遏，預為解脫計，夜習不使人見。 以其制上於朝，詔諸軍遵其式造焉。
Wei Sheng once on his own devised several hundred Ruyi war chariots and several dozen cannon chariots. On each chariot were beast-faced wooden shields, several dozen long spears, hanging felt curtains and soft shields. Each chariot used two men to push the wheels and could shelter fifty men. When moving they carried baggage, weapons, and armor. When halted they formed camps, rigged up like walled fortifications that men and horses could not approach. When encountering the enemy they could also shield against volleys of arrows. When forming battle arrays the Ruyi chariots were placed outside with flags as screens. Crossbow chariots stood at the array gates, mounting bed crossbows whose bolts were as large as chisels—one bolt could strike several men, and three shots could reach several hundred paces. Cannon chariots were in the center of the array, firing fire-stone cannons, also effective to two hundred paces. When the two arrays drew near, bows, crossbows, arrows, and cannon fired from within the formation. Near the array gates sword, axe, and spear men burst forth. When the arrays clashed cavalry sallied out. At two signals they struck under cover. Gaining victory they broke formation to pursue. If they fell back slightly they withdrew into the formation to rest briefly. The soldiers did not grow weary; advance and retreat were both advantageous. When they saw an opportunity they sallied forth to attack; fearing they might be blocked and cut off, he prepared escape plans in advance, drilling at night where no one could see. He submitted his design to the court, and an edict ordered every army to follow his model in building them.
48
二年，以議和撤海州戍，命勝知楚州，以本州官吏及部兵赴新治。 詔勝同淮東路安撫使劉寶、知高郵軍劉敏措置盱眙軍、楚州一帶，勝專一措置清河口。 時和議尚未決，金兵乘其懈，以舟載器甲糗糧自清河出，欲侵邊。 勝覘知之，身帥忠義士拒于清河口。 金兵詐稱欲運糧往泗州，由清河口入淮。 勝知其謀，欲禦之，都統制劉寶以方議和，不許。 金騎軼境，勝率諸軍拒于淮陽，自卯至申，勝負未決。 金軍增生兵來，勝與之力戰，又遣人告急於寶。 寶在楚州，相距四十里，堅謂方講和，決無戰事，迄不發一兵。 勝矢盡，救不至，猶依士阜為陣，謂士卒曰：「我當死此，得脫者歸報天子。」 乃令步卒居前，騎為殿，至淮陰東十八里，中矢，墜馬死，年四十五。
In the second year, because of the peace negotiations the Haizhou garrison was withdrawn. Wei Sheng was ordered to serve as prefect of Chuzhou, taking that prefecture's officials and his troops to the new administrative seat. An edict ordered Wei Sheng, together with Huaidong Circuit pacification commissioner Liu Bao and Gaoyou prefect Liu Min, to arrange defenses for the Xuyi and Chuzhou region, while Wei Sheng alone was responsible for the Qinghe River mouth. At that time the peace agreement had not yet been settled. Jin troops took advantage of their laxity, loading armor, weapons, and rations onto boats and coming out through the Qinghe River, intending to raid the border. Wei Sheng learned of this through reconnaissance and personally led loyalist volunteers to block them at the Qinghe River mouth. The Jin troops falsely claimed they wished to transport grain to Sizhou, entering the Huai River via the Qinghe River mouth. Wei Sheng understood their scheme and wished to repel them, but commander-in-chief Liu Bao, citing the ongoing peace talks, would not permit it. Jin cavalry raided across the border. Wei Sheng led his various armies to resist at Huaiyang. From the mao hour to the shen hour, victory and defeat remained undecided. The Jin army brought up reinforcements. Wei Sheng fought them fiercely and also sent men to urgently report to Liu Bao. Liu Bao was at Chuzhou, forty li away. He firmly maintained that peace was being negotiated and there would definitely be no fighting, and to the end did not send a single soldier. Wei Sheng exhausted his arrows and relief did not arrive. He still formed battle lines on an earthen mound and told his soldiers, "I shall die here. Those who can escape should return and report to the Son of Heaven. He then ordered the infantry to take the front and the cavalry to bring up the rear. Eighteen li east of Huaiyin he was struck by an arrow, fell from his horse, and died at the age of forty-five.
49
事聞，贈保甯軍節度使，諡忠壯。 時淮南未平，詔于鎮江府江口鎮立廟，賜號褒忠，仍俟事定更祠于戰沒處。 且令有司刻木以斂，葬於鎮江。 官其二子，郊武功大夫、忠州刺史，昌承信郎。 賜銀千兩，絹千匹，宅一區，田百頃。 其後使者過淮東，始得其詳，還言於朝。 以劉寶不出救兵，削兩鎮節鉞，沒入家貲，貶瓊州死。 勝所糾集忠義，有為賈和仲誘隸別屯及撤戍隔絕者，尚五千餘人，入京口屯駐前軍。
When word reached the court, he was posthumously awarded the title of military commissioner of Baoning Army and given the posthumous name Zhongzhuang (Loyal and Valiant). At that time Huainan was not yet pacified. An edict ordered a temple established at Jiangkou town in Zhenjiang prefecture, bestowing the title Honoring Loyalty, and further decreed that once affairs were settled worship would be moved to the place where he fell in battle. Moreover, officials were ordered to carve a wooden effigy for his interment, and he was buried at Zhenjiang. His two sons were given official appointments: Jiao as Defender-in-Chief of Martial Achievement and prefect of Zhongzhou, and Chang as Gentleman for Fidelity and Trust. The court granted one thousand taels of silver, one thousand bolts of silk, one residence, and one hundred qing of farmland. Later an envoy passing through eastern Huai obtained the full details and reported them upon returning to court. Because Liu Bao had failed to send relief troops, his posts as commissioner of two circuits were stripped, his family assets confiscated, and he was demoted and sent to Qiongzhou, where he died. The loyalist volunteers Wei Sheng had gathered—some of whom had been induced by Jia Hezhong to serve in separate encampments and cut off by the withdrawal of garrisons—still numbered more than five thousand. They entered Jingkou and were stationed as the vanguard.
50
郊，添差揚州兵馬鈐轄。 淳熙十五年，孝宗語樞臣曰：「魏勝之子，當與優異。」 又曰：「人材須用而後見，使魏勝不因邊釁，何以見其才？」 詔郊添差兩浙西路馬步軍副總管。
Jiao was given an additional assignment as superintendent of Yangzhou horse and foot forces. In the fifteenth year of Chunxi, Emperor Xiaozong said to the privy councilors, "Wei Sheng's son should receive exceptional treatment. He also said, "Talent must be employed before it can be seen. If Wei Sheng had not faced a border crisis, how would his talent ever have been revealed? An edict ordered Jiao given an additional assignment as deputy commander of the horse and foot forces of western Zhejiang Circuit.
51
張憲，飛愛將也。 飛破曹成，憲與徐慶、王貴招降其党二萬。 有郝政率眾走沅州，首被白布，為成報仇，號「白巾賊」，憲一鼓擒之。
Zhang Xian was Yue Fei's beloved general. When Yue Fei defeated Cao Cheng, Zhang Xian together with Xu Qing and Wang Gui induced twenty thousand of Cheng's followers to surrender. One Hao Zheng led his band to flee toward Yuanzhou. With white cloth on their heads, seeking revenge for Cao Cheng, they were called the White-Turban Bandits. Zhang Xian captured them at the first drum roll.
52
飛遣憲復隨州，敵將王嵩不戰而遁。 進兵鄧州，距城三十里，遇賊兵數萬迎戰。 與王萬、董先各出騎突擊，賊眾大潰，遂復鄧州。
Yue Fei sent Zhang Xian to recover Suizhou. The enemy general Wang Song fled without fighting. Advancing on Dengzhou, thirty li from the city they encountered tens of thousands of bandits coming out to fight. Together with Wang Wan and Dong Xian, each led cavalry in a sudden assault. The bandit horde was utterly routed, and they recovered Dengzhou.
53
十年，金人渝盟入侵，憲戰潁昌、戰陳州皆大捷，復其城。 兀朮頓兵十二萬於臨潁縣，楊再興與戰，死之。 憲繼至，破其潰兵八千，兀朮夜遁。 憲將徐慶、李山復捷于臨潁東北，破其眾六千，獲馬百匹，追奔十五里，中原大震。
In the tenth year, the Jin broke the treaty and invaded. Zhang Xian won great victories at Yingchang and Chenzhou, recovering those cities. Wuzhu massed one hundred twenty thousand troops at Linying county. Yang Zaixing fought him and died in battle. Zhang Xian arrived afterward, defeated eight thousand of their routed soldiers, and Wuzhu fled by night. Zhang Xian's subordinates Xu Qing and Li Shan won another victory northeast of Linying, defeating six thousand of the enemy, capturing one hundred horses, and pursuing the fleeing enemy fifteen li. The Central Plain was greatly shaken.
54
會秦檜主和，命飛班師，憲亦還。 未幾，檜與張俊謀殺飛，密誘飛部曲，以能告飛事者，寵以優賞，卒無人應。 聞飛嘗欲斬王貴，又杖之，誘貴告飛。 貴不肯，曰：「為大將甯免以賞罰用人，苟以為怨，將不勝其怨。」 檜、俊不能屈，俊劫貴以私事，貴懼而從。 時又有王俊者，善告訐，號「雕兒」，以奸貪屢為憲所裁。 檜使人諭之，俊輒從。
When Qin Hui advocated peace, an order came for Yue Fei to withdraw his army, and Zhang Xian also returned. Before long, Qin Hui and Zhang Jun plotted to kill Yue Fei. They secretly tried to entice Yue Fei's officers and men, promising lavish rewards to anyone who could inform on Yue Fei's affairs. In the end no one responded. Hearing that Yue Fei had once wished to execute Wang Gui and had also beaten him, they tried to induce Wang Gui to inform against Yue Fei. Wang Gui refused, saying, "As a great general one cannot avoid using reward and punishment to command men. If one resents this, a general cannot bear all such resentments. Qin Hui and Zhang Jun could not break him. Zhang Jun extorted Wang Gui over a private matter, and Wang Gui, in fear, complied. At that time there was also a Wang Jun, skilled at informing, nicknamed the Eagle. Because of his corrupt greed he had repeatedly been punished by Zhang Xian. Qin Hui sent men to persuade him, and Wang Jun readily complied.
55
檜、俊謀以憲、貴、俊皆飛將，使其徒自相攻發，因及飛父子，庶主上不疑。 俊自為狀付王俊，妄言憲謀還飛兵，令告王貴，使貴執憲。 憲未至，俊預為獄以待之。 屬吏王應求白張俊，以為密院無推勘法。 俊不聽，親行鞫煉，使憲自誣，謂得雲書，命憲營還兵計。 憲被掠無全膚，竟不伏。 俊手自具獄成，告檜械憲至行在，下大理寺。
Qin Hui and Zhang Jun plotted that since Zhang Xian, Wang Gui, and Wang Jun were all Yue Fei's generals, they would have his own men attack one another in their accusations, thus implicating Yue Fei and his son, so that the emperor would not be suspicious. Zhang Jun personally drew up a written statement and gave it to Wang Jun, falsely claiming that Zhang Xian plotted to restore Yue Fei's troops. He ordered Wang Jun to inform Wang Gui and have Wang Gui arrest Zhang Xian. Before Zhang Xian even arrived, Wang Jun had already prepared a prison to await him. A subordinate official Wang Yingqiu reported to Zhang Jun that the Privy Council had no authority to conduct interrogations. Zhang Jun would not listen. He personally conducted the torture-interrogation, forcing Zhang Xian to confess falsely, claiming he had received a letter from Yue Yun and ordering Zhang Xian to draw up plans to restore the troops. Zhang Xian was tortured until not a patch of intact skin remained, yet in the end he would not confess. Wang Jun personally completed the case record and reported to Qin Hui, who had Zhang Xian shackled and brought to the temporary capital, where he was handed over to the Court of Judicial Review.
56
檜奏召飛父子證憲事。 帝曰：「刑所以止亂，勿妄追證，動搖人心。」 檜矯詔召飛父子至。 万俟禼誣飛使于鵬、孫革致書憲、貴，令虛申警報以動朝廷，雲與憲書規還飛軍。 其書皆無有，乃妄稱憲、貴已焚之矣，但以眾證具獄。 語在飛《傳》。 憲坐死，籍家貲。 紹興三十二年，追復龍神衛四廂都指揮使、閬州觀察使，贈寧遠軍承宣使，錄其家。
Qin Hui memorialized requesting that Yue Fei and his son be summoned to testify in Zhang Xian's case. The emperor said, "Punishment exists to halt disorder. Do not recklessly pursue further testimony and shake people's hearts. Qin Hui forged an edict summoning Yue Fei and his son. Wan Qixie falsely charged that Yue Fei had sent Yu Peng and Sun Ge to write letters to Zhang Xian and Wang Gui, ordering them to file false alarm reports to stir up the court, and that Yue Yun had written to Zhang Xian planning to restore Yue Fei's army. None of these letters existed. They falsely claimed Zhang Xian and Wang Gui had already burned them, and relied solely on collective testimony to complete the case. The full account is in Yue Fei's biography. Zhang Xian was executed and his family assets confiscated. In the thirty-second year of Shaoxing, his titles of commander of the fourth company of the Dragon Divine Guard and observation commissioner of Langzhou were posthumously restored. He was posthumously awarded the title of grandee for splendid remote service of Ningyuan Army, and his family was enrolled for office.
57
楊再興
Yang Zaixing
58
楊再興，賊曹成將也。 紹興二年，岳飛破成，入莫邪關。 第五將韓順夫解鞍脫甲，以所虜婦人佐酒。 再興率眾直入其營，官軍卻，殺順夫，又殺飛弟飜。 成敗，再興走躍入澗，張憲欲殺之，再興曰：「願執我見岳公。」 遂受縛。 飛見再興，奇其貌，釋之，曰：「吾不汝殺，汝當以忠義報國。」 再興拜謝。
Yang Zaixing was a general under the bandit Cao Cheng. In the second year of Shaoxing, Yue Fei defeated Cao Cheng and entered Moyé Pass. The fifth company's Han Shunfu removed his saddle and armor, using captive women to help him drink wine. Yang Zaixing led his band straight into the camp. The government troops fell back. He killed Han Shunfu and also killed Yue Fei's younger brother Fan. Cao Cheng was defeated. Yang Zaixing leaped into a ravine to flee. Zhang Xian wished to kill him. Yang Zaixing said, "I wish to be bound and brought before Lord Yue. He then submitted to being bound. Yue Fei saw Yang Zaixing, marveled at his appearance, and released him, saying, "I will not kill you. You should repay the state with loyalty and righteousness. Yang Zaixing bowed in thanks.
59
飛屯襄陽以圖中原，遣再興至西京長水縣之業陽，殺孫都統及統制滿在，斬五百餘人，俘將吏百人，餘黨奔潰。 明日，再戰于孫洪澗，破其眾二千，復長水，得糧二萬石以給軍民，盡復西京險要。 又得偽齊所留馬萬匹，芻粟數十萬。 中原回應。 復至蔡州，焚賊糧。
Yue Fei encamped at Xiangyang planning to recover the Central Plain. He sent Yang Zaixing to Yeyang in Changshui county of the Western Capital. Yang Zaixing killed Supervisor Sun and controller Man Zai, beheaded more than five hundred men, captured one hundred officers and officials, and the rest fled in collapse. The next day he fought again at Sunhong Stream, defeated two thousand of the enemy, recovered Changshui, obtained twenty thousand shi of grain to supply soldiers and civilians, and fully recovered the strategic points of the Western Capital region. He also obtained ten thousand horses left behind by the puppet Qi regime and several hundred thousand units of fodder and grain. The Central Plain responded in kind. He returned to Caizhou and burned the bandits' grain stores.
60
飛敗金人於郾城，兀朮怒，合龍虎大王、蓋天大王及韓常兵逼之。 飛遣子雲當敵，鏖戰數十合，敵不支。 再興以單騎入其軍，擒兀朮不獲，手殺數百人而還。 兀朮憤甚，並力復來，頓兵十二萬於臨潁。 再興以三百騎遇敵于小商橋，驟與之戰，殺二千餘人，及萬戶撒八孛堇、千戶百人。 再興戰死，後獲其屍，焚之，得箭鏃二升。
Yue Fei defeated the Jin at Yancheng. Wuzhu was enraged and combined the forces of the Dragon-Tiger King, the Sky-Covering King, and Han Chang to press the attack. Yue Fei sent his son Yun to meet the enemy. They fought fiercely for several dozen engagements until the enemy could not hold. Yang Zaixing rode alone into their army. He failed to capture Wuzhu but personally killed several hundred men and returned. Wuzhu was greatly enraged. Massing his forces again, he stationed one hundred twenty thousand troops at Linying. Yang Zaixing with three hundred cavalry encountered the enemy at Xiaoshang Bridge. He suddenly joined battle, killing more than two thousand men as well as the commander of ten thousand households Sabac, a military commander, and one hundred commanders of thousand households. Yang Zaixing died in battle. Later his body was recovered and cremated. Two sheng of arrowheads were found in it.
61
牛皋，字伯遠，汝州魯山人。 初為射士，金人入侵，皋聚眾與戰，屢勝，西道總管翟興表補保義郎。 杜充留守東京，皋討劇賊楊進于魯山，三戰三捷，賊黨奔潰。 累遷榮州刺史、中軍統領。 金人再攻京西，皋十余戰皆捷。 加果州團練使。 京城留守上官悟辟為同統制兼京西南路提點刑獄。 金人攻江西者，自荊門北歸，皋潛軍于寶豐之宋村，擊敗之。 轉和州防禦使，充五軍都統制。 又與孛堇戰魯山鄧家橋，敗之。 轉西道招撫使。 偽齊乞師于金入寇，皋設伏要地，自屯丹霞以待。 敵兵悉眾來，伏發，俘其酋豪鄭務兒。 遷安州觀察使，尋除蔡唐州信陽軍鎮撫使、知蔡州。 遇敵戰輒勝，加親衛大夫。
Niu Gao, courtesy name Boyuan, was a native of Lushan in Ruzhou. At first he was an archer. When the Jin invaded, Niu Gao gathered a band to fight them and won repeatedly. Western Route commander Zhai Xing memorialized the throne recommending him for appointment as Gentleman of Protective Righteousness. When Du Chong held the eastern capital, Niu Gao campaigned against the fierce bandit Yang Jin at Lushan. Three battles, three victories—the bandit followers fled in collapse. He was promoted cumulatively to prefect of Rongzhou and commander of the central army. When the Jin again attacked western Jing, Niu Gao fought more than ten engagements, all victorious. He was additionally made military training commissioner of Guozhou. Capital garrison commander Shangguan Wu appointed him co-commander, concurrently serving as judicial intendant for southwestern Jing Road. Jin troops who had attacked Jiangxi were returning north from Jingmen. Niu Gao hid his army at Song village in Baofeng and defeated them. He was transferred to defender-in-chief of Hezhou and appointed commander-in-chief of the Five Armies. He also fought a Jin military commander at Deng Family Bridge in Lushan and defeated him. He was transferred to pacification commissioner of the Western Route. The puppet Qi regime requested Jin troops to join an invasion. Niu Gao set ambushes at key points and personally encamped at Danxia to await them. The enemy came with their full strength. The ambush was sprung, and their chieftain Zheng Wu'er was captured. He was transferred to observation commissioner of Anzhou. Soon he was removed from that post and made pacification commissioner of Caizhou, Tangzhou, and Xinyang Army, and prefect of Caizhou. Whenever he met the enemy in battle he won. He was additionally made Defender-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard.
62
會岳飛制置江西、湖北，將由襄、漢規中原，命皋隸飛軍。 飛喜甚，即辟為唐鄧襄郢州安撫使，尋改神武后軍中部統領。 偽齊使李成合金人入寇，破襄陽六郡。 敵將王嵩在隨州，飛遣皋行，裹三日糧。 糧未盡，城已拔，執嵩斬之，得卒五千，遂復隨州。 李成在襄陽，飛遣皋以騎兵擊破之，復襄陽。
When Yue Fei was appointed to oversee Jiangxi and Hubei, planning to advance on the Central Plain via Xiang and Han, Niu Gao was ordered to serve under Yue Fei's command. Yue Fei was greatly pleased and immediately appointed him pacification commissioner of Tang, Deng, Xiang, and Ying prefectures. Soon he was changed to commander of the middle section of the Shenwu Rear Army. The puppet Qi regime sent Li Cheng to join Jin troops in an invasion, smashing the six prefectures of Xiangyang. The enemy general Wang Song was at Suizhou. Yue Fei sent Niu Gao on the mission with three days' rations. Before the rations were exhausted the city had already been taken. He seized Wang Song and executed him, obtained five thousand soldiers, and thus recovered Suizhou. Li Cheng was at Xiangyang. Yue Fei sent Niu Gao with cavalry to smash him and recover Xiangyang.
63
金人攻淮西，飛遣皋渡江，自提兵與皋會。 時偽齊驅甲騎五千薄廬州，皋遙謂金將曰：「牛皋在此，爾輩胡為見犯？」 眾皆愕然，不戰而潰。 飛謂皋曰：「必追之，去而復來，無益也。」 皋追擊三十余里，金人相踐及殺死者相半，斬其副都統及千戶五人，百戶數十人，軍聲大振。
When the Jin attacked western Huai, Yue Fei sent Niu Gao across the river; he personally led troops to join Niu Gao. At that time the puppet Qi drove five thousand armored cavalry to press close to Luzhou. Niu Gao shouted from afar to the Jin general, "Niu Gao is here—why do you dare intrude upon us? The enemy troops were thunderstruck and broke ranks without even putting up a fight. Yue Fei told Niu Gao, "You must pursue them. If they withdraw only to return, it will do no good." Niu Gao pursued for more than thirty li. Half the Jin force was killed or trampled in the rout; he cut down their deputy commander-in-chief, five thousand-household commanders, and several dozen hundred-household commanders. The army's prestige soared.
64
廬州平，進中侍大夫。 從平楊麼，破之。 麼技窮，舉鐘子儀投于水，繼乃自僕。 皋投水擒麼，飛斬首函送都督行府。 除武泰軍承宣使，改行營護聖中軍統制，尋充湖北、京西宣撫司左軍統制，加龍、神衛四廂都指揮使。
With Luzhou pacified, he was promoted to Palace Attendant Grandee. He took part in the campaign to suppress Yang Mo and defeated him. Yang Mo was out of options. He seized Zhong Ziyi and threw him into the water, then immediately fell on his face in surrender. Niu Gao leapt into the water and captured Yang Mo. Yue Fei cut off his head, boxed it, and sent it to the commander's field headquarters. He was made Military Promotion Commissioner of the Wutai Army, then reassigned as commander of the middle army of the Mobile Camp Guard of the Sacred Presence; soon after he became commander of the left wing of the Hubei–Jingxi Pacification Commission and was additionally promoted to commander of all four wings of the Dragon and Divine Guard.
65
金人渝盟，飛命皋出師戰汴、許間，以功最，除捧日天武四廂都指揮使、成德軍承宣使，樞密行府以皋兼提舉一行事務。 宣撫司罷，改鄂州駐劄御前左軍統制，升真定府路馬步軍副統總管，轉甯國軍承宣使、荊湖南路馬步軍副總管。
When the Jin broke the peace, Yue Fei ordered Niu Gao to take the field between Bian and Xu. For outstanding service he was made commander of all four wings of the Sun-Bearing Heavenly Martial Guard and Military Promotion Commissioner of the Chengde Army; the mobile Privy Council headquarters put him in charge of all its affairs as well. When the Pacification Commission was dissolved, he was reassigned as commander of the left wing of the Imperial Guard at Ezhou, promoted to deputy overall commander of cavalry and infantry on the Zhending circuit, and made Military Promotion Commissioner of the Ningguo Army and deputy overall commander of cavalry and infantry in southern Jinghu.
66
紹興十七年上巳日，都統制田師中大會諸將，皋遇毒，亟歸，語所親曰：「皋年六十一，官至侍從，幸不啻足。 所恨南北通和，不以馬革裹屍，顧死牖下耳。」 明日卒。 或言秦檜使師中毒皋雲。
On the Upper Si festival day in the seventeenth year of Shaoxing, overall commander Tian Shizhong held a grand gathering of the generals. Niu Gao was poisoned, hurried home, and told his intimates, "I am sixty-one years old and have reached attendant-in-waiting rank—surely that is more than enough. My regret is that with north and south at peace, I shall not die on the battlefield with my body wrapped in horsehide, but only perish beneath my own roof." The next day he died. Some held that Qin Hui had Tian Shizhong poison Niu Gao.
67
初，檜主和，未幾，金渝盟入侵，帝手劄賜飛從便措置。 飛乃命皋及王貴、董先、楊再興、孟邦傑、李寶等經略東西京、汝、鄭、潁、陳、曹、光、蔡諸郡； 又遣梁興渡河，糾合忠義社取河東北州縣。 未幾，李寶捷于曹州，捷于宛亭，捷於渤海廟； 董先、姚政捷於潁昌； 劉政捷于中牟。 張憲復潁昌、淮寧府； 王貴之將楊成復鄭州； 張應、韓清復西京。 皋及傅選捷於京西，捷于黃河上。 孟邦傑復永安軍，其將楊遇復南城軍，又與劉政捷於西京。 梁興會太行忠義及兩河豪傑趙雲、李進、董榮、牛顯、張峪等破金人于垣曲，又捷于沁水，追至孟州之邵原，金張太保、成太保等以所部降，又破金高太尉兵于濟源。 喬握堅等復趙州； 李興捷于河南府，捷于永安軍； 梁興在河北取懷、衛二州，大破兀朮軍，斷山東、河北金帛馬綱之路，金人大擾。 未幾，岳飛還朝，下獄死，世以為恨雲。
At first Qin Hui had pressed for peace. Before long the Jin broke the treaty and invaded. The emperor sent Yue Fei a personally written edict granting him full discretion. Yue Fei then ordered Niu Gao, Wang Gui, Dong Xian, Yang Zaixing, Meng Bangjie, Li Bao, and others to secure the Eastern and Western Capitals and the prefectures of Ru, Zheng, Ying, Chen, Cao, Guang, and Cai. He also sent Liang Xing across the river to rally the Loyal and Righteous Societies and take the prefectures and counties of northeastern Hedong. Before long Li Bao won victories at Caozhou, at Wanting, and at Bohai Temple. Dong Xian and Yao Zheng won victories at Yingchang. Liu Zheng won a victory at Zhongmou. Zhang Xian recovered Yingchang and Huaining Prefecture. Yang Cheng, an officer under Wang Gui, recovered Zhengzhou. Zhang Ying and Han Qing recovered the Western Capital. Niu Gao and Fu Xuan won victories in western Jing and along the Yellow River. Meng Bangjie recovered Yong'an Army; his officer Yang Yu recovered Nancheng Army; Meng also fought alongside Liu Zheng to victory at the Western Capital. Liang Xing joined Taihang loyalists and heroes from the two He regions—Zhao Yun, Li Jin, Dong Rong, Niu Xian, Zhang Yu, and others—to defeat the Jin at Yuanqu. He won again at Qinshui and pursued the enemy to Shaoyuan in Mengzhou, where Jin commanders Zhang the Grand Tutor, Cheng the Grand Tutor, and others surrendered with their troops; he also routed the Jin forces of Senior Captain Gao at Jiyuan. Qiao Wojian and his fellows recovered Zhao Prefecture. Li Xing won victories at Henan Prefecture and at Yong'an Army. In Hebei, Liang Xing captured Huai and Wei, routed Wuzhu's army, and severed the Jin supply routes for gold, silk, and horses from Shandong and Hebei, throwing the enemy into great turmoil. Before long Yue Fei was recalled to court, thrown into prison, and died—a loss the age deeply mourned.
68
胡閎休
Hu Hongxiu
69
胡閎休，字良㢸，開封人。 宣和初，入太學。 時方諱兵，閎休著《兵書》二卷。 靖康初，創知兵科，閎休應試，中優等，補承信郎。
Hu Hongxiu, styled Liangbian, was a native of Kaifeng. At the opening of the Xuanhe era, he enrolled in the Imperial Academy. Military affairs were then a forbidden topic, but Hongxiu wrote a two-scroll Military Treatise. At the start of the Jingkang era a new examination in military knowledge was instituted. Hongxiu sat for it, earned top honors, and was appointed Gentlemen for Manifest Trust.
70
金人圍城，閎休分地而守。 二帝詣金營，閎休欲結義士劫之，何㮚禁止之。 二帝北遷，範瓊散勤王師，閎休曰：「勤王師可進不可退。」 檄令隨軍而無靖康年號，閎休得之泣下，懷檄而走，從辛道宗勤王。 南渡，以忠義進兩官。 湖湘盜起，或曰招之便，或曰討之便，閎休作《致寇》、《禦寇》二篇，言天地之氣，先春後秋，招之不伏則討之。 於是以岳飛為招討使，飛辟閎休為主管機宜文字。 以誅鐘子儀功，進成忠郎。
When the Jin besieged the capital, Hongxiu organized the defense by sector. When the two emperors were taken to the Jin camp, Hongxiu wanted to rally loyal men to rescue them by force, but He Li forbade it. After the two emperors were carried north, Fan Qiong disbanded the relief armies. Hongxiu said, "Armies raised to save the throne may advance but must never retreat." A military proclamation circulated with the troops but carried no Jingkang reign title. Hongxiu wept when he saw it, tucked the document inside his robe, and fled to join Xin Daozong's relief force. After the court crossed south, he was promoted two ranks in recognition of his loyalty. When bandits rose in Hunan and Hubei, some argued for summoning them to surrender and others for crushing them by force. Hongxiu wrote two essays, Inviting Banditry and Repelling Banditry, arguing that Heaven's seasonal rhythm runs from spring to autumn: summon first, and suppress only if they refuse to submit. Yue Fei was accordingly appointed Pacification Commissioner, and he recruited Hongxiu as his chief adviser on military plans. For his part in the execution of Zhong Ziyi, he was promoted to Attendant for Manifest Loyalty.
71
飛被誣死，閎休發憤杜門，佯疾十年，卒。 有《勤王忠義集》藏於家。 孫照，德安太守。
When Yue Fei died under false accusation, Hongxiu shut himself away in bitter rage, feigned illness for ten years, and then died. His writings were collected in Loyalty in Saving the Throne, kept in his family. His grandson Zhao served as prefect of De'an.
72
論曰：王德素有威略，蚤隸劉光世，審其不可恃； 晚從張俊，竟以功名顯，其知所擇哉。 王彥棄家赴國，累破堅敵，威振河朔； 晚奪兵柄，使之治郡，用違其材，惜矣。 魏勝崛起，無甲兵糧餉之資，提數千烏合之眾，抗金人數十萬之師，卒完一州，名震當時，壯哉！ 然見忌于諸將，無援而戰死，亦可惜矣。 張憲等五人皆岳飛部將，為敵所畏，亦一時之傑也； 然或以戰沒，或以憤卒，而憲以不證飛獄冤死，悲夫！
The commentators say: Wang De had long possessed both authority and strategic insight. He served Liu Guangshi early on and saw clearly that Liu was not a man to rely on. Only later did he follow Zhang Jun, and in the end he won fame and rank through merit—surely he knew how to choose his master. Wang Yan left his home to serve the dynasty, broke stubborn enemies again and again, and his renown shook the northern Yellow River region. In his later years his command was stripped away and he was sent to govern a prefecture—a waste of his abilities, and a pity. Wei Sheng rose from nothing, without arms, armor, or supply lines, yet led a few thousand raw recruits against Jin armies numbering in the hundreds of thousands, held a prefecture intact, and made a name that shook his age—magnificent! Yet the other generals envied him; cut off from help, he died in battle—a loss to be mourned indeed. Zhang Xian and the four others were all Yue Fei's officers, and the enemy feared them—they were heroes of their day as well. Some fell in battle, others died of righteous fury—but Zhang Xian died wrongfully because he would not testify against Yue Fei in the prison interrogation. How tragic!