1
周三臣○韓通李筠李重進
Three Zhou Officials — Han Tong, Li Yun, and Li Chongjin
2
《五代史記》有《唐六臣傳》,示譏也。 《宋史》傳周三臣,其名似之,其義異焉,求所以同,則歸於正名義、扶綱常而已。 韓通與宋太祖比肩事周,而死於宋未受禪之頃,然不傳於宋,則忠義之誌何所托而存乎? 李筠、李重進舊史書叛,叛與否未易言也,洛邑所謂頑民,非殷之忠臣乎? 孔子定《書》,不改其舊稱焉。 或曰:三人者嚐臣唐、晉、漢矣。 曰:智氏之豫讓非歟! 作《周三臣傳》。
Ouyang Xiu's Historical Records of the Five Dynasties includes a "Biographies of the Six Tang Ministers" — a work meant as satire. The History of Song devotes a chapter to the Three Zhou Officials: the title echoes Ouyang's work, yet the intent differs. What the two share is a commitment to set names right and uphold the moral order. Han Tong had stood shoulder to shoulder with the future Song founder in service to Zhou, only to die on the eve of the Song succession. Had the Song history not taken him up, where would posterity have kept the memory of his loyalty? Earlier histories called Li Yun and Li Chongjin rebels, yet the charge is far from clear. Were not those whom the Zhou called the "stubborn people" of Luoyi in truth loyalists of the fallen Shang? When Confucius edited the Book of Documents, he left its original designations intact. One might object that all three had once served the Tang, the Jin, and the Han. The answer is Yu Rang of the house of Zhi — was he not such a man? Here I write the Biographies of the Three Zhou Officials.
3
乾祐初,周祖為樞密使,統兵伐河中。 知通謹厚,命之自隨,先登,身被六創,以功遷本軍都虞候。 周祖鎮大名,奏通為天雄軍馬步軍都校,委以心腹,及入汴,通甚有力焉。 授奉國左第六軍都校,領雷州刺史。
In the opening year of Qianyou, the future Zhou founder, then Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, led an army against Hezhong. Finding Tong prudent and steadfast, he kept him at his side. Tong was first over the wall, took six wounds, and was promoted to chief adjutant of the army for his valor. While stationed at Daming, the Zhou founder had Tong made commander of the Tianxiong horse and foot forces and treated him as a trusted confidant. When he marched into Bian, Tong proved indispensable. He was made commander of the Left Sixth Army of the Fengguo Corps and given concurrent charge of Leizhou.
4
廣順初,為虎捷右廂都校,遷左廂,充孟州巡檢,繼領永、睦二州防禦使。 周祖親征兗州,以通為在京右廂都巡檢。 時河溢,灌河陰城,命通率廣銳卒千二百浚汴口,又部築河陰城,創營壁。 未幾,拜保義軍節度觀察留後,周祖親郊,正授節度。 并州劉崇南侵,命通副河中王彥超出晉州道擊之,敗於高平。 以通為太原北面行營部署,為地道攻其城。 俄班師,移鎮曹州,檢校太保。
At the start of Guangshun he commanded the right wing of the Tiger Swift Corps, then the left, served as inspector of Mengzhou, and afterward held the defense commissions of Yong and Mu. On the Zhou founder's personal campaign against Yanzhou, Tong was named chief inspector of the capital's right wing. When the Yellow River burst its banks and inundated Heyin, Tong was sent with twelve hundred Guangrui elite troops to dredge the Bian mouth, rebuild Heyin, and raise new fortifications. Soon afterward he was made acting military governor of the Baoyi circuit, and received the full commission when the Zhou founder offered the suburban sacrifice. When Liu Chong of Bingzhou marched south, Tong was sent under Wang Yanchao of Hezhong to intercept him by way of Jinzhou; the force was beaten at Gaoping. Tong was placed in command of the northern field headquarters against Taiyuan and besieged the city with mining tunnels. The army soon withdrew. Tong was reassigned to Caozhou and given the honorary rank of Grand Guardian.
5
世宗征淮南,命通為京城都巡檢。 世宗以都城狹小,役畿甸民築新城,又廣舊城街道。 命左龍武統軍薛可信、右衛上將軍史佺、右監門衛上將軍蓋萬、右羽林將軍康彥環分督四面,通總領其役。 功未就,世宗幸淮上,留通為在京內外都巡檢、權點檢侍衛司。 是役也,期以三年,才半歲而就。 三年,追敘秦、鳳功,改領忠武軍節度、檢校太傅,又改侍衛馬步軍都虞候。 世宗幸壽春,為京城內外都巡檢。 淮南平,為歸德軍節度。
On Emperor Shizong's Huainan campaign, Tong was made chief inspector of the capital. Finding the capital too cramped, Shizong pressed the metropolitan peasantry into building a new outer city and widening the old city's streets. Xue Kexin of the Left Dragon Martial Army, Shi Quan of the Right Guard, Gai Wan of the Right Gate Guard, and Kang Yanhuan of the Right Forest Guard were each assigned one quarter of the work, with Tong directing the entire undertaking. The project was still unfinished when Shizong went south to the Huai. Tong remained in charge of security throughout the capital and served as acting inspector of the Palace Guard. Though the work was budgeted for three years, it was finished in six months. In the third year his victories in Qin and Feng were belatedly honored: he was made military governor of Zhongwu, Honorary Grand Tutor, and chief adjutant of the Palace Guard. While Shizong was at Shouchun, Tong again held chief inspection duties for the entire capital. After Huainan was pacified, he was appointed military governor of Guide.
6
太祖奉詔北征,至陳橋為諸軍推戴。 通在殿閣,聞有變,惶遽而歸。 軍校王彥升遇通於路,策馬逐之,通馳入其第,未及闔門,為彥升所害,妻子皆死。 太祖聞通死,怒彥升專殺,以開國初,隱忍不及罪。 即下詔曰:“易姓受命,王者所以應期; 臨難不苟,人臣所以全節。 故周天平軍節度、檢校太尉、同中書門下平章事、侍衛親軍馬步軍副指揮使韓通,振跡戎伍,委質前朝,彰灼茂功,踐更勇爵。 夙定交於霸府,遂接武於和門,艱險共嚐,情好尤篤。 朕以三靈眷佑,百姓樂推,言念元勳,將加殊寵,蒼黃遇害,良用憮然。 可贈中書令,以禮收葬。 遣高品梁令珍護喪事。”
The future Song founder marched north under imperial orders; at Chenqiao the troops acclaimed him as emperor. Tong was at the palace when news of the coup reached him. He rushed home in panic. The officer Wang Yansheng overtook Tong in the street and chased him home. Tong reached his gate but could not bar it in time; Yansheng killed him, and his wife and children perished as well. The founder was furious that Yansheng had killed Tong on his own authority, yet in the turmoil of founding the dynasty he swallowed his anger and imposed no punishment. He at once issued an edict: "To change the ruling house and receive Heaven's Mandate is how a true king answers his time; to face peril without compromise is how a loyal minister keeps his integrity whole. The late Han Tong — military governor of Ping, Honorary Grand Commandant, Grand Councilor, and deputy commander of the Palace Guard — rose from the ranks, gave his allegiance to the former dynasty, won conspicuous honors, and climbed again and again through the grades of martial distinction. We had sealed our friendship in the days of the military headquarters and served together at the Gate of Harmony, sharing every hardship; our bond was especially deep. By the favor of Heaven, earth, and the spirits, and with the people's willing acclaim, I had meant to honor this founding companion with exceptional favor — only to learn that he had been struck down in sudden violence. My grief is profound. Let him be posthumously appointed Director of the Secretariat and buried with full state honors. The senior attendant Liang Lingzhen is dispatched to supervise the funeral.
7
通性剛而寡謀,言多忤物,肆威虐,眾謂之“韓瞠眼”。 其子頗有智略,幼病傴,人目為“橐駝兒”。 見太祖有人望,常勸通早為之所,通不聽。 後太祖幸開寶寺,見通及其子畫像於壁,遽命去之。
Tong was rigid and short on counsel; his speech often gave offense, and he ruled by intimidation. Men nicknamed him "Han Stare-Eyes." His son was clever and far-seeing, though crippled from childhood by a hunchback; people called him "the Camel Boy." Seeing the founder's rising prestige, the son repeatedly urged Tong to deal with him while there was still time, but Tong refused to listen. Later, on a visit to Kaibao Temple, the founder came upon wall portraits of Tong and his son and ordered them taken down at once.
8
李筠,并州太原人。 善騎射。 後唐秦王從榮判六軍諸衛,募勇士為爪牙,筠操弓矢求見。 弓力及百斤,府中無能挽者,從榮令筠射,引滿有餘力,再發皆中,因以隸麾下。 從榮難作,筠騎從至天津橋,射殺十數人,知事不濟,棄馬遁去。 清泰初,應募為內殿直,遷控鶴指揮使。
Li Yun came from Taiyuan in Bingzhou. He was skilled in horsemanship and archery. When the Later Tang Prince of Qin, Li Congrong, took charge of the Six Armies and the palace guards, he recruited bold fighters as his personal retainers. Yun presented himself with bow in hand. His bow required a draw of a hundred jin — none in the prince's household could bend it. Congrong had him shoot: Yun drew to the full with power to spare and hit the mark twice. The prince took him into his service. When Congrong's rebellion collapsed, Yun rode with him to Tianjin Bridge and killed more than ten men with his bow. Realizing the cause was lost, he abandoned his horse and escaped. At the start of the Qingtai reign he enlisted in the Inner Palace Guard and rose to command the Crane Control Corps.
9
晉開運末,契丹犯汴京,其將趙延壽聞筠驍勇,召置帳下。 及契丹主北歸,死欒城,延壽至常山,為永康王所縶。 契丹眾數萬,據常山,後北去。 留耶律解裏,眾才二千騎,又分別部首領楊袞以千騎掠邢、洺。 來還中朝士大夫多在城中,契丹與漢相雜,解裏性貪恣自奉,削漢軍日食,眾皆菜色。 筠乘其怨,密與王蕘、石公霸、何福進等謀,以閏七月二十九日伺契丹守閽者旦食,撞寺鍾為期,相率入據兵庫,次焚牙門,大呼市人,並力擊焉。 契丹眾大驚,由北門而出,解裏趣族乘列之於野。 明日集眾入郛力戰,屬晉士卒分掠,唯控鶴一軍與市民禦之,死傷相繼。 午後,郛外民千餘知契丹奔敗者,持兵趣其族乘,將劫之,守者入郛馳告,解裏聞之,遂挈族而去。 初,筠建謀約諸將同力,控鶴左廂都校白再榮首匿於室不敢應,筠拔佩刀破幕引臂迫之,再榮不得已而行,諸將次第赴之。 及契丹去,百姓死者二千餘人。 諸將互伐其功,筠詣故相馮道請權領節度事,道曰:“子主奏事而已,留後事當議功臣為之。 ”道恐諸將爭功復亂,乃以再榮前職貴加諸將,權推為留後,人心遂定。 是戰,筠功居多,即送款漢祖,以其子赴朝,漢祖深賞之。 以控鶴一軍力戰,優加賜與,授再榮留後,筠博州刺史。 筠以賞薄不悅。
Late in the Jin Kaiyun era the Khitans stormed Bianjing. Their general Zhao Yanshou, hearing of Yun's prowess, took him into his retinue. When the Khitan emperor withdrew north, he died at Luancheng. Yanshou reached Changshan only to be seized by the Prince of Yongkang. Tens of thousands of Khitans held Changshan before eventually marching north. They left Yelü Heli with barely two thousand horsemen and detached the tribal chief Yang Gun with a thousand riders to raid Xing and Ming. By the time they returned, many court officials were still trapped in the city, Khitans and Chinese living side by side. Heli was greedy and self-indulgent; he cut the Chinese troops' rations until the men were hollow with hunger. Yun exploited their anger and secretly plotted with Wang Rao, Shi Gongba, He Fujin, and others. On the twenty-ninth of the intercalary seventh month, while the Khitan gate guards were at breakfast, they rang the temple bell as signal, seized the armory, set fire to the headquarters gate, roused the townspeople, and struck together. The Khitans panicked and fled through the north gate. Heli rallied his clan and baggage train and formed them up in the open country. The next day he massed his troops and fought into the suburbs. Jin soldiers were off looting on their own, leaving only the Crane Control Corps and townspeople to hold the line; the dead and wounded mounted without pause. That afternoon, hearing the Khitans were in flight, more than a thousand suburban men took up arms and rushed the baggage train to loot it. The guards galloped back to report; Heli gathered his clan and withdrew. When Yun first proposed the plot and called on the generals to join, Bai Zairong of the Crane Control Left Wing hid indoors and would not answer. Yun drew his sword, slashed through the curtain, seized his arm, and dragged him out; the others then fell in behind. By the time the Khitans left, more than two thousand civilians lay dead. The generals quarreled over credit. Yun went to the former chief councilor Feng Dao and asked to take provisional charge of the circuit. Dao replied, "You need only memorialize the throne on current affairs; the acting governorship should go to whichever officer the court deems most deserving." Fearing fresh turmoil from the merit dispute, Dao cited Zairong's senior former rank and had him provisionally named acting governor; order was restored. In this fight Yun's contribution had been greatest. He at once pledged allegiance to the Han founder and sent his son to court; the founder was deeply impressed. The Crane Control Corps was richly rewarded for its fighting; Zairong received the acting governorship, while Yun was given only the prefecture of Bo. Yun was bitterly dissatisfied with so slight a reward.
10
周祖鎮大名,表為先鋒指揮使,又為北面緣邊巡檢。 周祖起兵入汴,筠同郭崇從,與慕容彥超戰於留子陂,彥超東奔。 廣順初,權知滑州,俄真拜義成軍節度。 數月,改彰德軍節度。 會並人侵晉州,王峻率師往拒,筠亦請西征,詔褒之。 又乞免黃澤關商稅,奏可。 周祖征兗,還次濮,筠因朝,獻馬,賜襲衣、金帶。 從至澶,宴訖遣還。 及召潞州常思入朝,命筠權知軍府,思改宋、亳,以筠為昭義軍節度。 三年,加檢校太傅。 時王峻兼節製,以筠及王殷、何福進皆創業功臣,故並加恩焉。 顯德初,周祖親郊,加同平章事。
While the Zhou founder was stationed at Daming, he had Yun made vanguard commander and northern frontier inspector. When the Zhou founder marched on Bian, Yun followed with Guo Chong, routed Murong Yanchao at Liuzi Slope, and drove him east in flight. At the start of Guangshun he was made acting prefect of Hua, then formally appointed military governor of Yicheng. Within months he was transferred to the Zhangde command. When the Northern Han invaded Jinzhou, Wang Jun marched to meet them. Yun too petitioned for a western campaign and received an imperial commendation. He also secured approval to abolish commercial taxes at Huangze Pass. On the Zhou founder's Yan campaign he halted at Pu on the return march; Yun attended court, presented horses, and received a ceremonial robe and gold belt. He accompanied the founder as far as Chan; after the feast he was dismissed to his post. When Chang Si of Luzhou was recalled to court, Yun was left in provisional command of the headquarters; Si was moved to Song and Bo, and Yun received the Zhaoyi military governorship. In the third year he was made Honorary Grand Tutor. Wang Jun then held concurrent command over several circuits; Yun, Wang Yin, and He Fujin were all treated with extra favor as founders of the dynasty. At the start of Xiande, when the Zhou founder offered the suburban sacrifice in person, Yun was made Grand Councilor.
11
世宗即位,並人入侵,其將張暉率先鋒自團柏穀入營梁侯驛,攻劫堡柵,所至焚略蕩盡,筠遣護軍穆令均率步騎二千拒之。 令均營於太平驛,驛東南距潞八十里,失於偵邏,暉淩晨奄至,潞兵被甲介馬,暉見之佯退,潞兵追之,並伏遂發。 令均且鬥且卻,步卒降並者數百人,騎不復者百人,餘眾還保潞。 世宗親征沁州,降之,命筠率沁之行營兵赴太原,符彥卿戍忻口,拒契丹援兵。 彥卿請益師,詔筠與張永德以三千騎益之,既至,以偏師繞契丹後,奮擊走之。 師還,加兼侍中。
After Shizong's accession the Northern Han invaded. Their general Zhang Hui led the vanguard through Tuanbai Valley to Lianghou Post, storming and looting every fort along the way until the countryside was scorched bare. Yun sent Mu Lingjun with two thousand infantry and cavalry to meet him. Lingjun camped at Taiping Post, eighty li southeast of Luzhou, but neglected his scouts. Hui struck at dawn. The Luzhou men armed and mounted; Hui feigned retreat, drew them in pursuit, and sprang his ambush. Lingjun fought a fighting retreat. Hundreds of foot soldiers defected to the enemy; a hundred horsemen never returned. The survivors fell back on Luzhou. Shizong personally took Qinzhou and accepted its surrender. Yun was ordered to lead the Qinzhou field army against Taiyuan while Fu Yanqing held Xinkou against Khitan reinforcements. Yanqing asked for reinforcements; Yun and Zhang Yongde were sent with three thousand cavalry. They swung a flanking force behind the Khitans and drove them off in a sharp assault. On the army's return he was additionally appointed Palace Attendant.
12
二年,筠破並軍於榆社,獲其將安濬、康超等七十餘人。 三年,筠遣行軍司馬範守圖率兵入遼州界,殺並卒三百餘,獲小校數人以獻。 四年,又遣守圖入河東界,降二砦。 五年,筠自將入石會關,破並人六砦。 是冬,又破遼州長清砦,擒其磁州刺史李戴興以獻。 俄又敗並人於境,斬三百餘級。 六年,平遼州,獲刺史張丕旦等二百四十五人以獻。 筠在鎮擅用征賦,頗集亡命,嚐以私忿囚監軍使,世宗心不能堪,但詔責而已。 恭帝即位,加檢校太尉。 是秋,令裨將劉繼忠將兵與吐渾入並境,平賈家砦,斬百餘級,獲牛羊而還。
In the second year he routed the Northern Han at Yushe and took more than seventy officers, including An Jun and Kang Chao. In the third year he sent his campaign marshal Fan Shoutu into Liaozhou, killed over three hundred enemy troops, and presented several captured junior officers to court. In the fourth year Shoutu again raided into Hedong and took two stockades by surrender. In the fifth year Yun led the assault through Shihui Pass and stormed six Northern Han stockades. That winter he took Liaozhou's Changqing stockade and sent its captured Cizhou prefect Li Daixing to the capital. Soon after he beat the enemy again within his borders and took more than three hundred heads. In the sixth year he pacified Liaozhou and sent two hundred forty-five prisoners to court, including the prefect Zhang Pidan. In his command Yun levied taxes on his own authority, gathered fugitives, and once imprisoned the army inspector in a private vendetta. Shizong was deeply displeased but issued only a reprimand. When Emperor Gong succeeded, Yun was made Honorary Grand Commandant. That autumn his lieutenant Liu Jizhong led Tuguhun allies into Northern Han territory, took the Jia family stockade, killed over a hundred men, and returned with livestock.
13
太祖建隆初,加兼中書令,遣使諭以受周禪。 筠即欲拒命,左右為陳曆數,方僶俛下拜,貌猶不恭。 及延使者升階,置酒張樂,遽索周祖畫像懸壁,涕泣不已。 賓佐惶駭,告使臣曰:“令公被酒失其常性,幸勿為訝。 ”及太原劉鈞以蠟書結筠共舉兵,筠雖緘書上太祖,心已畜異謀,太祖手詔慰撫之。 是時,筠子守節為皇城使,嚐泣諫,筠不聽。 太祖又遣守節諭旨曰:“吾聞汝諫汝父,汝父不聽,吾今殺汝,何如汝歸語汝父,我未為天子時,任自為之,既為天子,獨不能臣我耶? ”守節白筠,筠謀愈甚,遂起兵,令幕府為檄書,辭多不遜。 從事閭丘仲卿獻策於筠曰:“公以孤軍舉事,其勢甚危,雖倚河東之援,亦恐不得其力。 大梁兵甲精銳,難與爭鋒。 不如西下太行,直抵懷、孟,塞虎牢,據洛邑,東向而爭天下,計之上也。 ”筠曰:“吾周朝宿將,與世宗義同昆弟,禁衛皆舊人,聞吾之來,必倒戈歸我,況有儋珪槍、撥汗馬,何憂天下哉。 ”儋珪,筠愛將,有勇力,善用槍; 撥汗,筠駿馬,日馳七百里,故筠誇焉。 執監軍亳州防禦使周光遜、閑廄使李廷玉,遣判官孫孚、衙校劉繼忠送於劉鈞求濟師。 又遣人殺澤州刺史張福,往據其城。
Early in Jianlong the founder additionally made him Director of the Secretariat and sent envoys to announce the Zhou succession. Yun was ready to refuse outright until his advisers pleaded the mandate of Heaven; he bowed only with reluctance, his manner still openly disrespectful. When he detained the envoy and brought him up to the hall for wine and music, he suddenly demanded the Zhou founder's portrait, hung it on the wall, and wept without stopping. His staff, horrified, told the envoy, "The commander is drunk and not himself — please do not take offense." When Liu Jun of Taiyuan sent a sealed letter proposing a joint rebellion, Yun forwarded a loyal report to the founder even as he nursed treason in his heart. The founder answered with a personal edict of reassurance. Yun's son Shoujie, then commissioner of the Imperial City, pleaded with tears again and again, but Yun would not heed him. The founder sent Shoujie back with a message: "I hear you pleaded with your father and he would not listen. Shall I kill you instead? Go tell him this: when I was not yet emperor he could do as he liked; now that I am emperor, does he alone refuse to bow to me?" Shoujie reported this to his father. Yun's conspiracy deepened; he raised an army and had his staff draft a proclamation full of defiant language. His aide Lüqiu Zhongqing urged him: "You are committing a lone army to rebellion — the odds are desperate. Even with Hedong's help, you may not get the support you need." Daliang's troops are superbly armed — you cannot hope to match them in open battle. Better to descend the Taihang westward, seize Huai and Meng, block Tiger Cage Pass, hold Luoyang, and fight for the empire with your face to the east — that is the superior strategy. Yun replied: "I am a veteran of Zhou, sworn to Shizong like a brother. The palace guards are my old comrades — they will turn their spears to me at once. With Dan Gui's spear and Bo Han's horse, what have I to fear?" Dan Gui was his favorite officer — strong, brave, and master of the spear; Bo Han was his charger, said to cover seven hundred li in a day — hence his boast. He seized the army inspector Zhou Guangxun of Bozhou and the stable commissioner Li Tingyu, and sent Sun Fu and Liu Jizhong to Liu Jun to beg for troops. He also had Zezhou prefect Zhang Fu killed and seized the city.
14
劉鈞遂率兵與契丹數千眾來援,至太平驛,筠以臣禮迎謁,見鈞兵衛寡弱,甚悔之,而業已然矣。 鈞封筠西平王,賜馬三百匹,召與之語,筠自言受周祖大恩,敢愛死不寤。 鈞與周祖有世仇,鈞默然,遂疑之。 命其宣徽使盧讚監筠軍,筠心不能平,頗與讚不協,鈞復命平章事衛融和解之。
Liu Jun marched to his aid with several thousand Khitans. Yun met him at Taiping Post with the deference of a vassal, then saw how few and weak Jun's troops were and bitterly regretted his choice — but it was too late. Jun made him Prince of Xiping and gave him three hundred horses. In private audience Yun declared that the Zhou founder's kindness bound him to give his life without flinching. Jun, who bore a hereditary feud with the Zhou house, said nothing — and began to doubt him. Jun appointed his palace commissioner Lu Zan to oversee Yun's army. Yun resented the intrusion and clashed with Zan until Jun sent Grand Councilor Wei Rong to patch the quarrel.
15
筠有馬三千匹,辟鞠場閱習,日夜謀畫為寇。 留其子守節守上黨,引眾南向。 太祖遣石守信、高懷德將兵討之。 敕曰:“勿縱筠下太行,急進師扼其隘,破之必矣。 ”又遣慕容延釗、王全斌由東路會守信,與監軍李崇矩破筠眾於長平,斬首三千級。 又攻大會砦,下之。
He kept three thousand horses, drilled them on a polo ground, and plotted rebellion day and night. Leaving Shoujie to hold Shangdang, he marched south with his army. The founder dispatched Shi Shouxin and Gao Huaide to crush the rebellion. The edict ran: "Do not let Yun descend the Taihang. Strike quickly and seal the passes — his defeat is certain." Murong Yanhao and Wang Quanbin were sent by the eastern route to join Shouxin. With the inspector Li Chongju they routed Yun at Changping and took three thousand heads. They stormed and captured the Dahui stockade as well.
16
太祖遂親征。 山路險峻多石不可行,太祖先於馬上負數石,群臣六軍皆負之,即日平為大道。 與守信、懷德會,破筠眾三萬於澤南,降者三千餘,殺筠監軍使盧讚,擒筠河陽節度範守圖,筠走還保澤。 太祖至,列柵圍之,筠龍捷使王廷魯、吐渾留後汾州團練使王全德率所部自昭義來降,筠益失援。 太祖親督戰,拔其城,筠赴水死,獲鈞相衛融,鈞懼而遁歸。 太祖進伐上黨,守節以城降,釋其罪,賜襲衣、金帶、銀鞍勒馬。 是日宴從官,守節預焉,以為單州團練使; 以昭義軍節度副使趙處願為郢州刺史; 節度判官孫孚為屯田郎中; 觀察判官史文通為水部郎中; 前遼州衙內指揮使馬廷禹為右監門衛將軍,領壁州刺史。
The founder took the field in person. The mountain track was steep and littered with boulders. The founder began by carrying stones from horseback; ministers and soldiers followed until a level road was cleared in a single day. Joining Shouxin and Huaide, he shattered thirty thousand of Yun's men south of Ze. Over three thousand surrendered; Lu Zan was killed and Fan Shoutu captured. Yun fled back into Ze. The founder arrived and invested the city. Wang Tinglu of the Dragon Swift Corps and the Tuguhun regent Wang Quande of Fenzhou defected from Zhaoyi with their commands. Yun's isolation deepened. The founder directed the final assault himself. The city fell; Yun drowned himself. Wei Rong, Liu Jun's councilor, was taken prisoner, and Jun fled north in terror. Advancing on Shangdang, the founder accepted Shoujie's surrender, pardoned him, and rewarded him with a ceremonial robe, gold belt, and silver-trapped horse. That evening he feasted his officers with Shoujie present and appointed him training commissioner of Shan; Zhao Chuyuan, deputy governor of Zhaoyi, was made prefect of Ying; Sun Fu, the governor's judge, was made director of the agricultural colonies bureau; Shi Wentong, the observation judge, was made director of the waterways bureau; and the former Liaozhou inner-palace commander Ma Tingyu was made general of the Right Gate Guard with concurrent charge of Bizhou.
17
筠性雖暴,事母甚孝,每怒將殺人,母屏風後呼筠,筠趨至,母曰:“聞將殺人,可免乎? 為吾曹增福爾。 ”筠遽釋之。 筠稍知書,頗好調謔。 初名榮,避周世宗諱,將改之,或令名“筠”,筠曰:“李筠,李筠,玉帛雲乎哉。 ”聞者皆笑。
For all his violence, Yun was deeply filial. Whenever rage drove him to execute someone, his mother would call from behind the screen. He would hurry to her side, and she would ask, "I hear you mean to kill someone — can he be spared? It will bring us merit." Yun would release the man at once. Yun had some schooling and loved a jest. His birth name was Rong; to avoid Shizong's taboo he was to rename himself. When someone proposed "Yun," he quipped, "Li Yun, Li Yun — silks and jades raining from the sky!" Everyone who heard it laughed.
18
筠有愛妾劉氏,隨筠至澤,時被攻城危,劉謂筠曰:“城中健馬幾何? ”筠曰:“爾安問此? ”劉曰:“孤城危蹙,破在俄頃,今誠得馬數百,與腹心潰圍,出保昭義,求援河東,猶愈於坐待死也。 ”筠然之。 召左右計馬尚不減千匹,以是夕將出,或謂筠曰:“今帳前計議,皆云一心,縣門既發,不可保矣,倘劫公而降,悔其可及。 ”筠猶豫不決。 明日城陷,筠將赴火,劉欲俱死,筠以其有娠,麾令去。 守節既購得之,果生子焉。
His favorite concubine Lady Liu had followed him to Ze. As the siege tightened she asked, "How many sound horses remain in the city?" Yun said, "Why do you ask?" She said, "The city is doomed within moments. With a few hundred horses and your closest men you could break out, reach Zhaoyi, and beg Hedong for help — better than waiting here to die." Yun agreed. His attendants counted more than a thousand horses, and he planned a breakout that night. An adviser warned, "The men in council swear loyalty, but once the gate opens anything may happen. If they seize you and surrender, it will be too late for regret." Yun wavered and could not decide. The next day the city fell. Yun prepared to burn himself; Liu meant to die with him, but he sent her away because she was with child. After Shoujie ransomed her, she did indeed bear a son.
19
字節字得臣,初補東頭供奉官。 廣順中,嚐以心疾乘醉擊殺供禦白鶻,筠上章待罪,詔釋之。 四遷至皇城使,曆單、濟二州團練使。 乾德六年,出知遼州。 開寶三年,改和州團練使。 四年,卒,年三十三。 無後,以劉氏所生之弟為嗣。
Courtesy name Jie, style Dechen. He began as an eastern-head palace attendant. During Guangshun, in a drunken spell of madness he killed an imperial white crane. Yun submitted himself for punishment; an edict pardoned him. Four promotions brought him to commissioner of the Imperial City and training commands in Shan and Ji. In the sixth year of Qiande he was posted to govern Liaozhou. In the third year of Kaibao he was transferred to training commissioner of He. He died in the fourth year, aged thirty-three. He left no heir; the younger son Lady Liu had borne was adopted as his successor.
20
李重進,其先滄州人。 周太祖之甥,福慶長公主之子也,生於太原。 晉天福中,仕為殿直。 漢初,從周祖征河中。 廣順初,遷內殿直都知,領泗州刺史,改小底都指揮使。 二年,改大內都點檢、權侍衛馬步軍都軍頭,領恩州團練使,遷殿前都指揮使。 三年,加領泗州防禦使。 顯德初,領武信軍節度。
Li Chongjin's family came originally from Cangzhou. Nephew of the Zhou founder and son of the Princess of Fuqing, he was born in Taiyuan. Under the Later Jin he served as a palace attendant. At the founding of the Later Han he followed the Zhou founder against Hezhong. At the start of Guangshun he became director of the Inner Palace Guard, took charge of Sizhou, and was made commander of the Junior Guard. In the second year he became chief inspector of the Inner Palace, acting head of the Palace Guard, training commissioner of En, and then commander of the Palace Front Army. In the third year he additionally received the Sizhou defense commission. At the start of Xiande he held the Wuxin military governorship.
21
重進年長於世宗,及周祖寢疾,召重進受顧命,令拜世宗,以定君臣之分。 世宗嗣位,為侍衛親軍馬步軍都虞候。 從世宗征劉崇,戰於高平,不利,大將樊愛能、何徽以其眾遁,唯重進與白重讚勒兵不動。 既而太祖先以麾下犯敵,重讚繼領所部力戰,世宗躬率衛兵合勢,周師復振,崇遂大敗。 以功領忠武軍節度。 及進討太原,又為行營馬步軍都虞候。 師還,加同中書門下平章事,改歸德軍節度兼侍衛馬步軍都指揮使。
Chongjin was older than Shizong. On his deathbed the Zhou founder summoned him, entrusted him with the succession, and made him bow to Shizong to fix their roles as sovereign and subject. On Shizong's accession he became chief adjutant of the Palace Guard. On Shizong's campaign against Liu Chong, the battle at Gaoping turned sour and generals Fan Aineng and He Hui fled with their men. Only Chongjin and Bai Chongzan held their lines firm. Then the future Song founder struck with his household troops; Chongzan followed with a fierce assault; Shizong led the guards in person; the Zhou line rallied and Liu Chong was routed. For this service he received the Zhongwu command. On the advance against Taiyuan he again served as chief adjutant of the field army. On the army's return he was made Grand Councilor, military governor of Guide, and commander of the Palace Guard.
22
世宗親征淮南,命重進將兵先赴正陽。 俄聞李穀攻壽春不克,退保正陽,促重進兵助之。 吳人以穀退為懼,乃發兵三萬餘,旌旗輜重亙數百里; 又發戰棹二百艘以張斷橋之勢,列陣鼓噪而北,橫布拒馬以萬數,皆貫以利刃,維以鐵索; 又刻木為戰形,立陣前,號“揵馬牌”,皮囊貯鐵蒺莉以布戰地。 時周師未朝食,吳師奄至,周師望其陣皆笑之。 宣祖領前軍與重進、韓令坤合勢擊之,一鼓而敗,斬首萬餘級,追奔二十餘里,殺大將劉彥貞,擒裨將盛師朗數十人,降三千人,獲戈甲三十萬。 世宗大悅,詔書褒諭,即以重進代穀為行營招討使,賜襲衣、金帶、玉鞍、名馬。
On Shizong's personal Huainan campaign, Chongjin was sent ahead to Zhengyang. Soon word came that Li Gu had failed at Shouchun and fallen back on Zhengyang; Chongjin was ordered to hurry to his aid. The Wu, emboldened by Gu's retreat, marched out more than thirty thousand men, their banners and baggage trains stretching for hundreds of li; two hundred warships to block the crossing, battle lines advancing north with drums and shouts, and tens of thousands of chevaux-de-frise tipped with blades and linked by iron chains; wooden warrior effigies set before the ranks — "horse-blocking boards" — and leather sacks of iron caltrops strewn across the field. The Zhou troops had not yet breakfasted when the Wu host appeared. The Zhou soldiers looked at the enemy array and laughed. The future Song founder led the van with Chongjin and Han Lingkun. One charge broke the Wu line: ten thousand heads, a pursuit of twenty li, the death of Liu Yanzhen, dozens of officers including Sheng Shilang captured, three thousand prisoners, and three hundred thousand sets of arms and armor. Shizong was delighted. An edict praised the victory and replaced Gu with Chongjin as pacification commissioner of the field army, granting him a ceremonial robe, gold belt, jade saddle, and fine horses.
23
三年,以重進為廬、壽等州招討使。 時李繼勳主壽春,重進駐軍城北,聞城南洞屋為淮人所焚,將議退軍。 會太祖自六合歸,道出壽州,因駐師旬餘,重進倚以為援,兵威復振。 吳人大懼,以重進色黔,號“黑大王”。
In the third year he was made pacification commissioner for Lu, Shou, and neighboring prefectures. Li Jixun then held Shouchun while Chongjin camped north of the walls. When Huainan forces burned the southern siege tunnels, he was ready to withdraw. The founder was returning from Liuhe and halted at Shouzhou for more than ten days. Chongjin drew fresh confidence from his presence, and army morale revived. The Wu were terrified of him. His dark complexion earned him the name "Black King."
24
張永德屯下蔡,與重進不協。 永德每宴將吏,多暴重進短,後乘醉謂重進有奸謀,將吏無不驚駭。 永德密遣親信乘驛上言,世宗不之信,亦不介意。 二將俱握重兵,人情益憂恐。 重進遂自壽陽單騎直詣永德帳中,命酒飲,親酌謂永德曰:“吾與公皆國家肺腑,相與戮力,同獎王室,公何疑我之深也。 ”永德意解,二軍皆安。 李景知之,密令人齎蠟書誘重進,啖以厚利,重進表其事。 時行濠州刺史齊藏珍亦說重進,世宗知之,假他事誅藏珍。
Zhang Yongde held Xia'ai and was on bad terms with Chongjin. At every feast Yongde aired Chongjin's faults; once drunk he accused Chongjin of treason, to the horror of every officer present. Yongde sent a trusted courier by post to report the charge; Shizong did not believe it and took no notice. Both generals commanded large forces, and anxiety spread through the ranks. Chongjin rode alone from Shouyang into Yongde's camp, called for wine, and poured for him himself: "We are both pillars of the state, fighting together for the throne — why do you doubt me so bitterly?" Yongde's suspicions melted away, and both armies were calmed. Li Jing of Wu learned of the quarrel and sent a sealed letter tempting Chongjin with rich rewards. Chongjin reported the offer to court. Qi Cangzhen, acting prefect of Hao, also urged Chongjin to defect. Shizong learned of it and had Cangzhen executed on another charge.
25
詔重進夾淮城正陽、下蔡,既成,上其圖。 俄又敗淮兵二千餘於塌山北。 時圍壽經年未下,吳遣將許文緽、邊鎬舟師數萬,溯淮來援。 文緽維舟淮南,據紫金山,山距壽數里,設十餘砦,連亙相望,與城中烽火相應; 又南築夾道,將抵壽為饋路。 重進伺其城北展砦,出兵擊之,敗五千餘眾,奪二砦,獲器甲甚眾。 世宗幸壽,宴從官,召重進賜戎服、玉帶、金銀器、繒彩、鞍勒馬。 及克壽,錄功加檢校太傅兼侍中,又改天平軍節度,仍為招討使。
He was ordered to build fortified towns on the Huai at Zhengyang and Xia'ai and submitted the plans when they were complete. Soon after he routed more than two thousand Huainan troops north of Tashan. The siege of Shou had dragged on a year. Wu sent Xu Wenyun and Bian Hao upstream with a fleet of tens of thousands. Wenyun anchored south of the Huai and seized Purple Gold Mountain, a few li from Shou, where he built more than ten linked stockades in beacon contact with the city; and began a walled supply corridor southward toward the city. When the enemy extended stockades north of the city, Chongjin struck, killed more than five thousand, took two stockades, and captured a vast store of arms. Shizong visited Shou, feasted his officers, and rewarded Chongjin with military dress, a jade belt, gold and silver vessels, silks, and a trapped horse. When Shou fell, his merit earned him Honorary Grand Tutor and Palace Attendant, the Tianping command, and retention of the pacification commission.
26
四年,攻取濠州南關城,其團練使郭廷謂以兵萬餘降,獲糧數萬斛。 從平楚州,命先還揚州。 五年,世宗在迎鑾,遣重進將兵赴廬州。 會李景請畫江為界,世宗遂還,留重進戍守,景遣人以牛酒來犒,俄乃還鎮。 六年,世宗北征,次博州,重進來朝,賜宴行宮,即命將兵先趣北面,及世宗駐瓦橋關,重進與諸將率師而至。 時關南已平,議進取幽州,會世宗不豫而止。 即命率所部赴河東,次百井路,敗並人五千餘,斬二千餘級。 恭帝嗣位,加檢校太尉,改淮南道節度。
In the fourth year he took Haozhou's southern pass; Guo Tingyu surrendered with more than ten thousand men and tens of thousands of hu of grain. He helped pacify Chuzhou and was ordered back to Yangzhou ahead of the main force. In the fifth year, while Shizong was at Yingluan, he sent Chongjin to Luzhou. Li Jing sued for peace with the Yangzi as boundary. Shizong withdrew, leaving Chongjin to garrison the frontier. Jing sent cattle and wine as gifts; Chongjin soon returned to his post. In the sixth year, on Shizong's northern campaign, Chongjin attended him at Bozhou and was feasted at the traveling palace, then sent ahead to the northern front. When Shizong reached Waqiao Pass, Chongjin arrived with the other generals and their armies. The southern passes were pacified and the court debated an advance on Youzhou, but Shizong's illness brought the plan to a halt. He was ordered to Hedong, camped at Baijing Road, routed more than five thousand Northern Han troops, and took over two thousand heads. On Gong's accession he was made Honorary Grand Commandant and military governor of the Huainan circuit.
27
太祖遣石守信、王審琦、李處耘、宋偓四將率禁兵討重進。 會友規至,賜襲衣、金帶、器幣、鞍馬,以為滁州刺史,監前軍。 太祖謂左右曰:“朕於周室舊臣無所猜間,重進不體朕心,自懷反側,今六師在野,當暫往慰撫之爾。 ”遂親征,次大儀鎮。 石守信遣使馳奏,揚州破在旦夕,願車駕臨視。 太祖徑至城下,即日拔之。 初,城將陷,重進左右勸殺思誨,重進曰:“吾今舉族將赴火死,殺此何益。 ”即縱火自焚,思誨亦為其黨所害。 太祖入駐城西南,閱逆黨數百人,盡戮之。 重進兄深州刺史重興,聞其叛,自殺。 弟解州刺史重讚、子尚食使延福並戮於市。
The founder sent Shi Shouxin, Wang Shenqi, Li Chuyun, and Song Wo with palace troops to suppress Chongjin. You Gui arrived and was rewarded with a ceremonial robe, gold belt, gifts, and horse, then made prefect of Chu and supervisor of the vanguard. The founder told his attendants, "I suspect none of Zhou's old ministers. Chongjin has failed to read my intentions and turned rebellious. With the armies already in the field, I should go myself to reassure him." He marched in person and halted at Dayi. Shi Shouxin sent a courier at full speed: Yangzhou would fall within the day and he begged the emperor to come in person. The founder rode straight to the walls and took the city the same day. As the city was falling, his men urged him to kill Si Hui. Chongjin said, "My whole clan is about to die by fire — what good would killing him do?" He set the fire and burned himself; Si Hui was killed by his own followers. The founder encamped in the southwest quarter, reviewed several hundred rebels, and had them all executed. His elder brother Chongxing, prefect of Shen, killed himself on hearing of the rebellion. His brother Chongzan of Jie and his son Yanfu, commissioner of the Imperial Kitchen, were both executed in public.
28
初,重進謀舉兵,遣親吏翟守珣往潞,陰結李筠。 守珣素識太祖,往還京師,潛詣樞密承旨李處耘求見,太祖問曰:“我欲賜重進鐵券,彼信我乎? ”守珣曰:“重進終無歸順之誌。”
When Chongjin first plotted rebellion, he sent his clerk Zhai Shouyun to Luzhou to conspire secretly with Li Yun. Shouyun knew the founder well. On a trip to the capital he secretly sought Li Chuyun and an audience. The founder asked, "If I grant Chongjin an iron certificate of mercy, will he trust me?" Shouyun replied, "Chongjin will never submit in good faith."
29
太祖厚賜守珣,許以爵位,且令說重進緩其謀,無令二凶並作,以分兵勢。 守珣歸,勸重進養威持重,未可輕發,重進甚信之。 及李筠誅,重進反書聞,並如太祖之策,其不信鐵券,亦如守珣所雲。 揚州既平,購得守珣,補殿直,俄為供奉官。
The founder richly rewarded Shouyun, promised him rank, and sent him back to urge Chongjin to delay his plot so the two rebels would not rise together and split the imperial armies. Shouyun returned and urged Chongjin to bide his time and not strike rashly. Chongjin trusted him completely. When Li Yun was killed and Chongjin's rebellion was reported, events unfolded exactly as the founder had planned — including Chongjin's refusal to trust the iron certificate, just as Shouyun had predicted. After Yangzhou fell, Shouyun was found and rewarded with appointment as palace attendant, then tribute commissioner.
30
又有張崇詁者,周廣順初,為樞密承旨。 二年,出為解州刺史、兩池權鹽使,多規畫鹽池利害。 顯德三年,改德州,又改泗州、澤州。 崇詁本名崇訓,恭帝嗣位,避諱改焉。 重進赴淮南時,道出泗上,崇詁說以畜兵完城之計。 重進敗,事露,詔捕之,棄市,籍其家。
There was also Zhang Chonggu, who at the start of Guangshun served as commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs. In the second year he was posted to Jie as prefect and acting salt commissioner of the Two Pools, drafting many plans for the salt works. In the third year of Xiande he was transferred to De, then to Si and Ze. His birth name was Chongxun; he changed it when Gong succeeded to avoid the imperial taboo. When Chongjin marched to Huainan he passed through Si, where Chonggu urged him to stock troops and fortify the city. After Chongjin's defeat the plot came to light. An edict ordered his arrest; he was executed in public and his property confiscated.