1
李烏王楊曹高劉石
Li, Wu, Wang, Yang, Cao, Gao, Liu, and Shi
2
李光進
Li Guangjin
3
李光進，其先河曲諸部，姓阿跌氏。 貞觀中內屬，以其地為雞田州，世襲刺史，隸朔方軍。
Li Guangjin came from the Hequ tribal confederation; his clan was the Ade. During the Zhenguan reign they came under Tang rule; their lands became Jitian Prefecture, whose prefects were hereditary in the family, and the district was attached to the Shuofang Army.
4
光進與弟光顏少依舍利葛旃，葛旃妻，其女兄也。 初，葛旃殺仆固玚，歸河東辛雲京，遂與光進俱家太原。 以沈果稱。 從馬燧救臨洺，戰洹水有功。 歷前後軍牙門將、兼御史大夫、代州刺史。 元和四年，王承宗反、範希朝引師救易定，表光進為都將。 時光顏亦至大夫，故軍中呼「大小大夫」。 俄檢校工部尚書，為振武節度使，賜姓以光寵之； 別詔光顏拜洺州刺史。 弟兄榮冠當時。 光進徙靈武，卒，年六十五，贈尚書左僕射。
In their youth Guangjin and his brother Guangyan lived under the care of Sheli Gezhan, whose wife was their elder half-sister. Earlier Gezhan had killed Pugu Chang and gone over to Xin Yunjing of Hedong; he and Guangjin then settled together in Taiyuan. He was famed for his steady judgment and resolute action. He followed Ma Sui to relieve Linming and distinguished himself in battle on the Huan River. He rose through the posts of front and rear army gate commander, concurrent Grand Censor, and prefect of Dai. In Yuanhe year 4, when Wang Chengzong rebelled, Fan Xichao marched to relieve Yi and Ding and recommended Guangjin as supreme field commander. Guangyan had by then risen to Grand Censor as well, so the troops nicknamed them "Big Censor" and "Little Censor." He was soon appointed acting Minister of Works and commissioner of Zhenwu, and the imperial Li surname was granted him as a mark of favor. By a separate edict Guangyan was made prefect of Ming. The brothers' renown stood above that of their contemporaries. Guangjin was posted to Lingwu, where he died at sixty-five; he was posthumously honored as Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.
5
有至性，居母喪，三年不歸寢。 光顏先娶，而母委以家事。 及光進娶，母已亡，弟婦籍貲貯、納管鑰於姒，光進命反之，曰：「婦逮事姑，且嘗命主家事，不可改。」 因相持泣，乃如初。
Deeply filial by nature, he observed his mother's mourning without returning to his bedchamber for the full three-year period. Guangyan had married first, and their mother had put him in charge of the household. By the time Guangjin married, their mother was gone. His sister-in-law had inventoried the family stores and turned the keys over to her. Guangjin told her to give them back, saying, "She waited on our mother herself and was once master of this household — that cannot be altered." The two women embraced and wept, and household affairs continued as before.
6
光顏，字光遠。 葛旃少教以騎射，每嘆其天資票健，己所不逮。 長從河東軍為裨將，節度使馬燧謂曰：「若有奇相，終必光大。」 解所佩劍贈之。 討李懷光、楊惠琳，戰有功。 從高崇文平劍南，數搴旗蹈軍，出入若神，益知名。 進兼御史大夫，歷代、洺二州刺史。
Guangyan, whose style name was Guangyuan. Gezhan had taught him horsemanship and archery from boyhood and often marveled that the youth's native vigor outstripped his own. As an adult he served in the Hedong army as a deputy commander. The commissioner Ma Sui told him, "A man with a face like yours is bound to rise to great eminence." He took the sword from his own belt and presented it to him. In the campaigns against Li Huaiguang and Yang Huilin he won distinction in battle. He followed Gao Chongwen in the pacification of Jiannan, again and again snatching enemy standards and charging through hostile ranks with seemingly supernatural daring, and his fame spread further. He was promoted to concurrent Grand Censor and served in turn as prefect of Dai and Ming.
7
元和九年討蔡，以陳州刺史充忠武軍都知兵馬使。 始逾月，擢本軍節度使，詔以其軍當一面。 光顏乃壁溵水。 明年，大破賊時曲。 初，賊晨壓其營以陣，眾不得出，光顏毀其柵，將數騎突入賊中，反往一再，眾識光顏，矢集其身如猬。 子攬馬鞅諫無深入，光顏挺刃叱之，於是士爭奮，賊乃潰北。 當此時，諸鎮兵環蔡十餘屯，相顧不肯前，獨光顏先敗賊。 始，裴度宣慰諸軍還，為憲宗言：「光顏勇而義，必立功。」
In Yuanhe year 9, during the campaign against Cai, he was prefect of Chen and appointed overall commander of the Zhongwu army. Within a month he was promoted to military commissioner of the Zhongwu army, with orders that his command hold one entire sector of the front. Guangyan fortified a camp along the Yin River. The following year he routed the rebels in a major victory at Shiqu. Early in the fighting the rebels drew up at dawn and pinned his camp so tightly that his men could not break out. Guangyan smashed the stockade, took a handful of horsemen, and charged straight into the enemy lines, wheeling back and forth again and again until every rebel knew his face; arrows bristled on his body like quills on a porcupine. His son caught the bridle and begged him not to press so far in; Guangyan leveled his blade and roared him down, and the troops surged forward with fresh fury until the rebels broke and fled north. By then more than a dozen provincial armies had encircled Cai, each camp watching the others and hanging back — only Guangyan struck first and broke the rebels. When Pei Du came back from his tour to rally the allied armies, he told Emperor Xianzong, "Guangyan combines courage with loyalty — he is sure to win a decisive victory."
8
俄又與烏重胤破賊小溵河。 初，都統韓弘約諸軍攻賊，賊先薄重胤壘，重胤中矛創甚，請救於光顏。 光顏策賊既出，則小溵河之堡可乘，且重胤不可破。 遣大將田穎、宋朝隱襲其城，夷之，賊失贅聚。 弘怒不救重胤，違節度，取穎等將戮之，舉軍惜其材，光顏不敢拒。 會中人景忠信至，知其然，即矯詔械系在所，馳以聞，有詔釋之。 弘及光顏更以表言，帝謂弘使曰：「違都統令當死，但以功可贖，赦之以為後圖。」 弘不悅。 自是與弘有隙。
He soon joined Wu Zhongyin in another victory over the rebels at the Little Yin River. Han Hong, supreme commander of the campaign, had set a joint assault on the rebels; the enemy struck first at Zhongyin's fort, wounding him badly with a spear, and he appealed to Guangyan for help. Guangyan reasoned that with the rebels committed forward, the Little Yin River stronghold lay open to attack and that Zhongyin's position must not be allowed to fall. He dispatched his generals Tian Ying and Song Chaoyin to storm the place, raze it to the ground, and deprive the rebels of a key supply base. Han Hong was furious that Guangyan had not relieved Zhongyin and had disobeyed his orders; he seized Tian Ying and the others for execution. The entire army valued their ability, yet Guangyan dared not openly defy him. The palace eunuch Jing Zhongxin arrived, learned what had happened, forged an edict to have the men shackled and held locally, and raced to report to the throne; an imperial order soon arrived freeing them. Hong and Guangyan sent further memorials. The emperor told Han Hong's envoy, "Defying the supreme commander's orders is a capital offense, but their recent merit may redeem it — pardon them and keep them in service for what lies ahead." Han Hong was not pleased. From that point he and Han Hong were at odds.
9
十一年，屢困賊，遂拔淩雲柵。 捷奏入，帝大悅，厚賚其使。 進檢校尚書左僕射。 十二年四月，敗賊於郾城，死者什三，數其甲凡三萬，悉畫雷公符、鬥星，署曰：「破城北軍。」 郾守將鄧懷金大恐，其令董昌齡因是勸懷金降，且來請曰：「城中兵父母妻子皆質賊，有如不戰而屈，且赤族。 請公攻城，我舉火求援，援至，公迎破之，我以城下。」 光顏許之。 賊已北，昌齡奉偽印，懷金率諸將素服開門待。 光顏入之，城自壞者五十版。
In year 11 he harried the rebels again and again and finally took the Lingyun stockade. When the victory report reached court the emperor was delighted and lavished rewards on the messenger. He was promoted to acting Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. In the fourth month of year 12 he routed the rebels at Yancheng; nearly a third of them were killed. The captured armor numbered thirty thousand sets, each marked with thunder-god charms and constellation signs and labeled "Northern Assault Force." Yan's defender Deng Huaijin was terrified. His magistrate Dong Changling urged him to surrender and sent this plea: "Every soldier in the city has parents, wives, or children held hostage by the rebels — if we yield without a fight, our families will be wiped out. Ask the general to storm the walls; we will light beacon fires calling for rebel reinforcements; when they arrive, let him crush them in ambush, and we will open the gates." Guangyan agreed to the plan. The rebel column had already marched north; Changling brought out the rebel seal of office, and Huaijin led his officers out in white robes to open the gates in surrender. Guangyan marched in to find fifty panels of the city wall already fallen of their own accord.
10
弘素蹇縱，陰挾賊自重，且惡光顏忠力，思有以撓蔑之。 乃飭名姝，教歌舞、六博，襦衤屬珠琲，舉止光麗，費百鉅萬，遣使以遺光顏，曰：「公以君暴露於外，恭進侍者，慰君征行之勤。」 光顏約旦日納焉。 乃大合將校置酒，引使者以侍姝至，秀曼都雅，一軍驚視。 光顏徐曰：「我去室家久，以為公憂，誠無以報德。 然戰士皆棄妻子，蹈白刃，奈何獨以女色為樂？ 為我謝公：天子於光顏恩厚，誓不與賊同生！」 指心曰：「雖死不貳。」 因嗚咽泣下，將卒數萬皆感激流涕，乃厚賂使者還之，於是士氣益勵。
Han Hong was by nature arrogant and self-indulgent; he secretly used the rebellion to inflate his own leverage and resented Guangyan's loyal effectiveness, seeking some way to undermine him. He assembled celebrated courtesans, trained them in song, dance, and dice games, dressed them in fine robes and pearls with dazzling grace, at a cost of more than a million cash, and sent them to Guangyan with the message: "Knowing how you endure the hardships of campaign, we humbly send these attendants to ease your labors in the field." Guangyan agreed to accept them the following day. He summoned all his officers to a feast, had the envoy bring in the women — graceful, poised, and striking — and the entire army stared in amazement. Guangyan said calmly, "I have been long away from my family and have troubled you with worry — I truly have no way to repay such kindness. But my soldiers have left their families behind and walk among naked blades — how could I alone indulge in courtesans? Tell him for me: the Son of Heaven has shown me great favor, and I swear I will not live while the rebels still stand!" He struck his breast and said, "Even in death I will not waver." He broke into tears; tens of thousands of officers and men wept with him in renewed fervor. He gave the envoy a rich gift and sent the women back, and army morale surged higher than before.
11
裴度築赫連城於沲口，率輕騎觀之。 賊以奇兵自五溝至，大呼薄戰，城為震壞，度危甚，光顏力戰卻之。 先是，光顏策賊必至，密遣田布伏精騎溝下，扼其歸。 賊敗，棄騎去，顛死溝中者千餘。 由是賊悉銳士當光顏，而李得乘虛入蔡矣。 董重質棄洄曲軍降，光顏躍馬入賊營大呼，眾萬餘人投甲請命。 賊平，加檢校司空。 入朝，召對麟德殿，賜與蕃渥，命宴其第，歸芻米二十車。
Pei Du built Helian City at the Tuo River mouth and rode out with a light escort to inspect the works. Rebel strike forces came up from Wugou, shouting as they closed for battle; the new walls shook and cracked; Pei Du was in grave danger until Guangyan fought them off. Guangyan had foreseen the attack and secretly posted Tian Bu with picked cavalry in the ravine below to block the enemy's retreat. The rebels broke, abandoned their mounts, and fled; more than a thousand were killed tumbling into the ravine. The rebels therefore massed their best troops against Guangyan, allowing Li Su to slip in and take Cai. When Dong Chongzhi deserted the Huaiqu force and surrendered, Guangyan spurred into the rebel camp shouting; more than ten thousand men threw down their armor and pleaded for mercy. After the rebellion was crushed he was appointed acting Minister of Works. He came to court, was received in audience at the Linde Hall, and showered with gifts; the emperor held a feast at his mansion and sent him home with twenty cartloads of fodder and grain.
12
帝討李師道，徙義成節度使，許以忠武兵自隨。 不三旬，再敗賊濮陽，拔鬥門，斬數千級。 上言許、鄭兵合不可用，遂復鎮忠武。 吐蕃入寇，徙邠寧軍。 時虜毀鹽州城，使光顏復城之，亦以忠武兵從。 初，田縉鎮夏州，以叨沓開邊隙，故党項引吐蕃圍涇州，郝比力戰破之。 光顏聞賊至，料兵以赴，邠人慢言忷忷，騰噪不肯行。 光顏為陳說大義，感慨流涕，聞者亦泣下，遽即路，虜走出塞。
When the emperor moved against Li Shidao, Guangyan was transferred to commissioner of Yicheng, allowed to bring his Zhongwu troops with him. Within thirty days he twice routed the rebels at Puyang, took Dou Gate, and killed several thousand. He reported that the combined Xu and Zheng forces were unfit for use and was therefore returned to command at Zhongwu. When Tibetans invaded, he was transferred to command the Binning army. The Tibetans had destroyed the walls of Yan Prefecture; he was ordered to rebuild the city, again accompanied by his Zhongwu troops. Earlier Tian Ji's corrupt and dilatory rule at Xia Prefecture had provoked border trouble, leading the Tangut to bring Tibetans against Jing; Hao Bi fought them off in a hard-won victory. When Guangyan heard the enemy was near he gathered his troops to march out, but the Binning soldiers grumbled in alarm and clamored, refusing to move. Guangyan addressed them on duty and loyalty until he wept openly; his men wept with him, set out at once, and the invaders fled beyond the border.
13
穆宗立，召還，賜開化裏第，加同中書門下平章事。 還軍，賚況不貲，以寵示群臣。 俄徙鳳翔。 帝將伐鎮州，復還忠武，又兼深冀行營節度使。 宰相百官班餞，帝禦通化門臨送，賜珍器、良馬、玉帶。 光顏提軍深入，而饋運不至，有詔以滄、景、德、棣州益之。 光顏以宰相處置失宜，辭兼領，亦會赦王廷湊，復所治。 李亂汴州，詔總軍出討，朝受命，暮即戎。 翌日，拔尉氏。 與汴人戰琵琶溝，未陣，薄之，賊走。 平，進兼侍中。 敬宗初，真拜司徒、河東節度。 寶歷二年卒，年六十六，贈太尉，謚曰忠，賻賜良厚。 及葬，文宗以其功高，復賜帛二千匹。
When Emperor Muzong came to the throne Guangyan was recalled to court, given a house in Kaihua Lane, and appointed Grand Counselor. On returning to his command he received rewards beyond counting, a display of imperial favor for the whole court to see. He was soon transferred to Fengxiang. When the emperor prepared to attack Zhen Prefecture, Guangyan was sent back to Zhongwu and also named commander of the Shen-Ji campaign circuit. Chancellors and officials lined up to bid him farewell; the emperor himself came to Tonghua Gate to see him off and gave him precious vessels, fine horses, and a jade belt. Guangyan pushed deep into enemy territory while supplies failed to reach him; an edict added Cang, Jing, De, and Di to his jurisdiction. Guangyan protested that the court's arrangements were unsound and declined the added command; when Wang Tingcou was pardoned he returned to his former post. When Li Yun rebelled at Bianzhou, Guangyan was ordered to take overall command; he received his orders in the morning and was in the field by evening. The next day he took Weishi. He met the Bian rebels at Pipa Ditch, closed on them before they could form ranks, and drove them off. After the rebellion was suppressed he was promoted to concurrent Palace Attendant. Early in Emperor Jingzong's reign he received formal appointment as Minister of Education and commissioner of Hedong. He died in Baoli year 2 at sixty-six, was posthumously honored as Grand Preceptor with the temple name Loyal, and received lavish funeral gifts from the throne. At his burial Emperor Wenzong, honoring his great service, granted another two thousand bolts of silk.
14
光顏性忠義，善撫士，其下樂為用。 許師勁悍，常為諸軍鋒，故數立勛。 王仙芝、黃巢反，諸道告急，多請以助守。 大校曹師罕以千五百人隸招討使宋威，張貫以四千人隸副使曾元裕。 僖宗倚許軍以屏蔽東都，有請以為援，率不報。 大將張自勉討雲南、党項； 龐勛亂，解圍壽州，戰淮口，以功累擢右威衛上將軍。 至是表請討賊，詔乘傳赴軍，解宋州圍。 威忌自勉成功，請以隸麾下，且欲殺之。 宰相得其謀，不聽，以自勉代元裕。
Guangyan was loyal by nature and excelled at winning his men; they served him gladly. The Xu army was fierce and often led the allied van, which is why it won distinction again and again. When Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao rose in rebellion, circuit after circuit begged for Xu troops to help hold the line. The senior commander Cao Shihan led fifteen hundred men under the pacification commissioner Song Wei, while Zhang Guan led four thousand under the vice commissioner Zeng Yuanyu. Emperor Xizong depended on the Xu army to shield the Eastern Capital; requests to detach troops for other fronts usually went unanswered. The general Zhang Zimian campaigned against Yunnan and the Tangut; During Pang Xun's rebellion he raised the siege of Shou, fought at the Huai estuary, and rose through repeated promotions to General-in-Chief of the Right Weiwu Guard. He then petitioned to lead the campaign against the rebels, was ordered to ride post-haste to the front, and raised the siege of Song. Song Wei envied Zimian's success, asked that he be placed under his own command, and even plotted to kill him. The chancellors learned of Wei's scheme and refused; they sent Zhang Zimian to replace Zeng Yuanyu.
15
烏重胤
Wu Zhongyin
16
烏重胤，字保君，河東將承比子也。 少為潞牙將，兼左司馬。 節度使盧從史奉詔討王承宗，陰與賊連。 吐突承璀將圖之，以告重胤，乃縛從史。 帳下士持兵合讙，重胤叱曰：「天子有命，從者賞，違者斬！」 士斂手還部無敢動。 憲宗嘉其功，擢河陽節度使，封張掖郡公。
Wu Zhongyin, styled Baojun, was the son of the Hedong general Cheng Bi. In his youth he served as a gate commander at Lu and as Left Vice Marshal. The commissioner Lu Congshi was ordered to campaign against Wang Chengzong but secretly colluded with the rebels. Tutu Chenghuan planned to move against Congshi and confided in Zhongyin, who then seized and bound him. Congshi's men seized their weapons and shouted in uproar; Zhongyin roared, "The emperor has spoken — obey and be rewarded, resist and die!" The men lowered their weapons, returned to ranks, and no one stirred. Emperor Xianzong commended his deed, made him commissioner of Heyang, and enfeoffed him as Duke of Zhangye.
17
帝討淮蔡，詔重胤以兵壓賊境，割汝州隸其軍，與李光顏相掎角。 大小百餘戰，凡三年，賊平，再遷檢校司空，進邠國公。 徙橫海軍，建言：「河朔能拒朝命者，蓋刺史失權，鎮將領軍能作威福也。 使刺史得職，大帥雖有祿山、思明之奸，能據一州為叛哉？ 臣所管三州，輒還刺史職，各主其兵。」 因請廢景州。 法制脩立，時以為宜。
During the Huai-Cai campaign the emperor ordered Zhongyin to press the rebel border, attached Ru Prefecture to his command, and paired him with Li Guangyan in a pincer. After more than a hundred engagements over three years the rebels were crushed; he was promoted again to acting Minister of Works and made Duke of Bin. Transferred to Henghai, he argued that Hebei's defiance of the throne stemmed from powerless prefects and garrison commanders who ruled their troops like petty kings. Restore the prefects' authority, he said, and even a commander as treacherous as Lushan or Siming could not turn a single prefecture into rebellion. In the three prefectures under my command I have already restored the prefects and returned each his own troops." He also petitioned to abolish Jing Prefecture. He set the laws in order, and contemporaries judged the reform sound.
18
討王廷湊也，出屯深州，方朝廷號令乖迕，賊浸不制，重胤久不敢進。 穆宗以為觀望，詔杜叔良代之，以重胤為太子太保。 長慶末，以檢校司徒、同中書門下平章事為山南西道節度使。 召至京師，改節天平軍。 文宗初，真拜司徒。 李同捷請襲父位，帝方務靜安，授同捷兗海，以重胤耆將，兼節度滄景，以齊州隸軍。 未幾卒，年六十七，贈太尉，謚懿穆。
In the campaign against Wang Tingcou he encamped at Shen, but contradictory court orders and unchecked rebels left him stalled for months. Emperor Muzong took this as foot-dragging, replaced him with Du Shuliang, and named Zhongyin Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent. Late in the Changqing era he was appointed acting Minister of Education, Grand Counselor, and commissioner of Shannan West. Recalled to the capital, he was reassigned to command the Tianping army. Early in Emperor Wenzong's reign he received formal appointment as Minister of Education. When Li Tongjie sought to succeed his father, the court sought peace and granted him Yanhai; Zhongyin, as a senior commander, was also given Cang and Jing, with Qi Prefecture placed under his army. He died soon after at sixty-seven, was posthumously honored as Grand Preceptor, and given the temple name Reverent and Solemn.
19
重胤出行伍，善撫士，與下同甘苦。 蔡將李端降重胤，蔡人執其妻殺之，妻呼曰：「善事烏僕射！」 得士心大抵如此。 待官屬有禮，當時有名士如溫造、石洪皆在幕府。 既歿，士二十餘人刲股以祭。
A man of the ranks, Zhongyin excelled at caring for his troops and shared their hardships. When the Cai officer Li Duan defected to Zhongyin, the rebels seized his wife and killed her; her last words were, "Serve Vice Director Wu faithfully!" Such was the devotion he won from his men. He treated his staff with courtesy; noted scholars such as Wen Zao and Shi Hong served in his headquarters. After his death more than twenty soldiers cut flesh from their thighs in mourning sacrifice.
20
子漢弘嗣爵。 居母喪，奪為左領軍衛將軍，固辭。 帝嘉許之。
His son Hanhong inherited the noble rank. During his mother's mourning the court tried to recall him as general of the Left Leading Army Guard, but he firmly refused. The emperor commended his filial resolve.
21
石洪者，字浚川，其先姓烏石蘭，後獨以石為氏。 有至行，舉明經，為黃州錄事參軍，罷歸東都，十餘年隱居不出。 公卿數薦，皆不答。 重胤鎮河陽，求賢者以自重，或薦洪，重胤曰：「彼無求於人，其肯為我來邪？」 乃具書幣邀辟，洪亦謂重胤知己，故欣然戒行。 重胤喜其至，禮之。 後詔書召為昭應尉、集賢校理。
Shi Hong, styled Junchuan, came from a clan originally called Wushilan that later adopted the surname Shi. A man of exceptional integrity, he passed the classics examination, served briefly as recording secretary at Huang, then retired to the Eastern Capital and lived in seclusion for more than ten years. High officials recommended him again and again, but he never responded. When Zhongyin governed Heyang he sought able men to strengthen his staff; someone recommended Hong. Zhongyin said, "He wants nothing from the world — why would he come for me?" He sent a formal invitation with gifts; Hong, believing Zhongyin truly understood him, set out gladly. Zhongyin welcomed his arrival and treated him with full courtesy. Later an edict recalled him as aide of Zhaoying and collator of the Imperial Library.
22
又有李珙者，世儒家，珙獨尚材武，有崖岸。 嘗至澤潞見李抱真，欲署牙將，聞其使酒，不用。 都將王虔休曰：「珙奇士，不能用，即殺之，無為它人得也。」 抱真不納。 虔休代節度，引為將。 重胤禽從史，珙將救之，既聞謀出朝廷，乃止。 重胤愛其才，討淮西也，表為行營都將。 終右武衛上將軍。
There was also Li Gong, from a long line of scholars, who alone prized martial talent and bore himself with stern integrity. He once visited Li Baozhen in Ze-Lu, who meant to appoint him gate commander but dropped the idea on hearing of his drinking. The chief commander Wang Qianxiu said, "Gong is a rare man — if you won't use him, kill him rather than let another have him." Baozhen would not hear of it. When Qianxiu succeeded to the command he took Gong on as a general. When Zhongyin seized Congshi, Gong prepared to rescue him but halted on learning the action had court backing. Zhongyin valued his ability and, in the Huaixi campaign, recommended him as chief commander of the field camp. He ended his career as General-in-Chief of the Right Wuwei Guard.
23
王沛，許州許昌人。 少勇決，為節度使上官涚所器，妻以女，署牙門將。 涚卒，它婿田偁脅涚子襲領其軍，謀殺監軍。 沛知其計，密告之，支黨悉禽。 德宗嘉美，即拜行軍司馬。 而劉昌裔領節度，奏沛為監察御史，有詔護涚喪還京師。 帝召見嘆息，以為功異等，嫌昌裔所請薄，謂沛曰：「吾意殊未厭，爾歸矣，方使別奏。」 沛未至許，拜兼御史中丞。
Wang Pei was a native of Xuchang in Xu Prefecture. Brave and resolute from youth, he won the favor of Commissioner Shangguan Shuo, who gave him his daughter and made him a gate commander. After Shuo's death another son-in-law, Tian Chen, forced Shuo's son to seize the command and plotted to murder the army supervisor. Pei learned of the plot, reported it in secret, and the entire faction was arrested. Emperor Dezong praised his loyalty and immediately appointed him campaigning vice marshal. When Liu Changyi took command he recommended Pei as investigating censor, and an edict sent him to escort Shuo's coffin to the capital. The emperor received him, sighed in admiration, judged his service extraordinary, and found Changyi's recommendation too modest. He told Pei, "I am not nearly satisfied with your reward — go back; I will have a separate recommendation made." Before Pei even reached Xu he was appointed concurrent Vice Censor-in-Chief.
24
李光顏討吳元濟，奇沛風概，署行營兵馬使，使將勁兵別屯，數破賊有功。 時詔書趨戰，諸將觀望，不敢度溵以壁。 沛引兵五千夜濟合流，扼賊沖，遂城以居。 於是河陽、宣武、太原、魏博等軍繼度，圍郾城。 沛先結壘與賊對，蔡將鄧懷金遂降。 蔡平，加兼大夫。 復從光顏定淄青。 及光彥鎮邠，詔分許兵往戍，沛又為都將，救鹽州，敗吐蕃，以功擢寧州刺史。 徙陳州。
When Li Guangyan campaigned against Wu Yuanji he admired Pei's bearing, made him field camp military commissioner, and set him with elite troops in an independent camp, where he won repeated victories. Edicts pressed for action, but the generals hung back, afraid to cross the Yin and build camps. Pei took five thousand men across the Heliu ford by night, seized the enemy's main approach, and built a fortified camp. The armies of Heyang, Xuanwu, Taiyuan, Weibo, and others then crossed in turn and besieged Yancheng. Pei was first to build a camp facing the enemy, after which the Cai general Deng Huaijin surrendered. After Cai fell he was promoted to concurrent Grand Censor. He again followed Guangyan in the pacification of Ziqing. When Li Guangyan took command at Bin, part of the Xu army was detached to reinforce him; Pei again served as chief commander, relieved Yan, defeated the Tibetans, and was promoted to prefect of Ning for his merit. He was transferred to Chen Prefecture.
25
李之亂，以忠武節度副使率師討，加檢校右散騎常侍，進拜兗海沂密節度使。 是時新建府，俗獷驁，沛明示法制，搜閱以時，軍政大治。 以檢校工部尚書徙忠武。 太和元年卒，贈尚書右僕射。
When Li Yun rebelled he led the Zhongwu army as vice commissioner, was made acting Right Gentleman for Casual Conversation, and was promoted to commissioner of Yanhai-Yimi. The new command was a rough frontier post; Pei enforced the law openly, inspected his troops on schedule, and brought army and administration to order. He was transferred to Zhongwu as acting Minister of Works. He died in Taihe year 1 and was posthumously honored as Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.
26
子逢，從父征伐，累功署忠武都知兵馬使。 太和中，入為諸衛將軍。 從劉沔、石雄破回鶻於天德，有士二千人未嘗戰，欲冒賞賜，逢不與。 或為請之，答曰：「士奮死取賞，若無功而賞，何哉？」 武宗以逢用法嚴，使宰相李德裕讓之，逢曰：「戰者，前踏白刃，不以法，人孰用命？」 討劉稹也，為太原道行營將，領陳許兵七千屯翼城。 稹平，加檢校右散騎常侍。 後亦至忠武節度使雲。
His son Feng campaigned with him, won repeated honors, and was appointed overall commander of the Zhongwu army. During the Taihe era he entered court service as a guard general. He followed Liu Mian and Shi Xiong in defeating the Uyghurs at Tiande; two thousand men who had never fought demanded rewards anyway, and Feng refused. When others interceded for them he replied, "Men risk death for reward — what becomes of discipline if the idle are paid?" Emperor Wuzong, finding Feng too strict, had Chancellor Li Deyu rebuke him. Feng answered, "In battle men face naked steel — without discipline, who will give his life?" In the campaign against Liu Zhen he served on the Taiyuan front, leading seven thousand Chen-Xu troops at Yicheng. After Zhen's defeat he was made acting Right Gentleman for Casual Conversation. He later also rose to military commissioner of Zhongwu.
27
楊元卿
Yang Yuanqing
28
楊元卿，史失其何所人。 少孤，慷慨有術略。 客江海上，時時高論，人謂狂生。 吳少誠跋扈蔡州，元卿以褐衣見，署劇縣，俄召入幕府。 又事少陽。 每奏事至京師，頗為宰相李吉甫慰納。 元卿還，與少陽言君臣大義以動其心，賊黨惡而共構之，判官蘇肇保救，乃免。 然元卿陰橈少陽事，而輸款朝廷。 及元濟擅襲節度，元卿欲困其財使不振，謬說曰：「先公吝於財，諸將至寒餒。 府之有亡，我具知之。 君若大賜將士以自固，又卑辭厚禮邀事諸鎮，則諸將悅，庶幾助我。 吾為君持表見天子，安有不從者？」 元濟許之。 既至，則具條賊虛實，請敕諸道執元濟誅之。 元濟覺，乃殺其妻並四子，圬為一堋射之，肇亦被害。
Yang Yuanqing — the histories no longer record his place of origin. Orphaned young, he was openhanded and resourceful. He wandered the coast and rivers, airing bold opinions that earned him the nickname "mad scholar." When Wu Shaocheng dominated Cai, Yuanqing presented himself in plain clothes, was assigned a difficult county, and was soon called into headquarters. He later served Wu Shaoyang as well. On his missions to the capital he won the favor and counsel of Chancellor Li Jifu. Back in Cai he urged Shaoyang with the duties of subject and sovereign; rebel hard-liners hated him and framed him, but the judge Su Zhao saved him from punishment. Meanwhile he quietly undermined Shaoyang's plans while keeping the court informed. When Yuanji seized power unlawfully, Yuanqing sought to drain his treasury and misled him, saying, "Your father hoarded wealth while his officers went hungry and cold. I know exactly what your treasury holds and what it lacks. If you lavish gifts on your officers and send humble, costly embassies to the other circuits, they will be pleased and may help me win the throne's favor for you. I will carry your petition to the emperor — how could he refuse?" Yuanji agreed to the plan. Once at court he laid out the rebels' strengths and weaknesses in detail and asked that the circuits be ordered to seize and execute Yuanji. Yuanji discovered the betrayal, murdered Yuanqing's wife and four sons, buried them in one mound, and shot arrows into it; Su Zhao was killed as well.
29
憲宗拜元卿嶽王府司馬，與李議僑置蔡州，以元卿為刺史，優納降附，壞賊黨與。 元卿入見，願假度支錢及它奏請，不合旨； 又裴度以諸將討蔡三年，功且成，若又以州與元卿，恐觖望生事，議格。 更授光祿少卿。 蔡平，超拜左金吾衛將軍。 建言：「淮西多怪珍寶帶，往取必得。」 帝曰：「我討賊，為人除害。 賊平，我求得矣，焉用寶！ 止勿復言。」 出為汾州刺史，復入為金吾。
Emperor Xianzong named him aide to the Prince of Yue; with Li Yi he was posted to Cai as prefect, welcomed defectors generously, and broke up rebel cliques. At court Yuanqing asked for revenue funds and other favors that did not please the emperor; Pei Du also argued that after three years of campaigning the generals were near victory and giving Cai to Yuanqing might breed resentment and trouble — the plan was rejected. He was reassigned as Vice Director of the Imperial Household. When Cai fell he was promoted to general of the Left Gold Crow Guard. He suggested, "Huaixi is full of strange treasures and jeweled belts — send men to collect them and you are sure to succeed." The emperor replied, "I fought the rebels to rid the people of a scourge. When they are crushed I will have what I sought — what need have I for loot! Say no more of it." He was posted as prefect of Fen, then recalled to serve in the Gold Crow Guard.
30
長慶初，鎮、魏易帥，元卿具道所以成敗事，穆宗久乃悟，賜白玉帶，擢涇原渭節度使。 元卿墾發屯田五千頃，屯築高垣，牢鍵閉，寇至，耕者保垣以守。 居六年，涇人德之。 徙節河陽。 何進滔亂魏博，元卿請自賫三月糧舉軍出討，文宗嘉美，加檢校司空。 獻粟二十萬石，助天子經費。 進光祿大夫。 徙宣武軍。 太和七年，以疾歸東都，授太子太保。 卒，贈司徒。 然性憸巧，所至聚斂，諧結權近，故累更方任雲。
Early in Changqing, when Zhen and Wei changed rulers, Yuanqing explained in detail how rebellions had risen and fallen; Emperor Muzong took time to grasp it, then granted him a white jade belt and made him commissioner of Jingyuan-Wei. He opened five thousand qing of frontier farms, walled the colonies, kept the gates barred, and when raiders came the farmers defended from behind the ramparts. After six years the people of Jing revered him. He was transferred to command Heyang. When He Jintao rebelled in Weibo, Yuanqing offered to supply three months' rations himself and march out; Emperor Wenzong praised him and made him acting Minister of Works. He presented two hundred thousand shi of grain to help fund the imperial treasury. He was promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He was transferred to command the Xuanwu army. In Taihe year 7 he retired ill to the Eastern Capital and was named Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent. He died and was posthumously honored as Minister of Education. Yet he was crafty by nature, enriched himself wherever he served, cultivated the powerful at court, and so held one regional command after another.
31
子延宗，開成中為磁州刺史，與河陽兵謀逐帥自立。 事敗，詔以元卿嘗毀家歸忠，全其宗，杖死延宗於京兆府，賜還田產。
His son Yanzong, as prefect of Ci in the Kaicheng era, conspired with Heyang troops to oust the commander and seize power. The plot failed; because Yuanqing had once sacrificed his family for the throne, the court spared the clan, executed Yanzong by beating in the capital, and restored their estates.
32
曹華，宋州楚丘人。 始從宣武軍。 縛亂將李乃送闕下，節度使董晉署為牙將。 後避仇奔東都，會吳少誠叛，留守王翃署華襄城戍將。 華浚隍埤堞，日與賊搏，數禽馘，賊憚之。 憲宗初，累拜檢校右散騎常侍，召至京師，賜矛甲繒錦，還屯。 拜寧州刺史，未行，屬吳元濟不受命，詔河陽懷汝節度使烏重胤討之，重胤請華自副。 戰青陵城，賊大奔，拔淩雲柵，以功封陳留郡王。
Cao Hua was a native of Chuqiu in Song Prefecture. He began his career in the Xuanwu army. He captured the mutineer Li Nai and sent him to court; Commissioner Dong Jin made him a gate commander. Later, fleeing enemies, he went to the Eastern Capital; when Wu Shaocheng rebelled, the garrison commander Wang Hong named him defender of Xiangcheng. Hua deepened the moats and repaired the walls, fought the rebels daily, took many heads, and the enemy feared him. Early in Xianzong's reign he rose to acting Right Gentleman for Casual Conversation, was summoned to court, given arms and silks, and returned to his post. Named prefect of Ning before he could depart, he was drawn into the campaign when Wu Yuanji defied the throne; Wu Zhongyin of Heyang was ordered to suppress him and asked for Hua as his deputy. At Qingling the rebels broke and fled; he took the Lingyun stockade and was enfeoffed Prince of Chenliu for his merit.
33
蔡平，進棣州刺史。 州與鄆比，時賊略定滴河，華遽逐賊，斬二千級，復其縣。 又募群盜可用者，貸死，補屯卒，使據孔道。 賊至，輒擊卻之，不敢北。 擢橫海節度副使。 時朝廷披鄆為三鎮。 其明年，兗海軍亂，殺觀察使王遂，詔華往代。 視事三日，合軍大饗，幕甲士於廡，酒中，令曰：「天子以鄆人參別而戍，有轉徒勞，欲厚賞之。 請鄆人右，州兵左。」 既而出州兵，乃闔門大言曰：「天子有命，誅殺帥者！」 甲起於幕，環之。 凡斬千二百人，血流殷渠，赤氛冒門高丈餘。 海、沂之人，重足屏息。
After Cai fell he was made prefect of Di. Bordering Yan, he rushed out when rebels seized Dihe, killed two thousand, and recovered the county. He recruited useful bandits, pardoned them from death, enrolled them as garrison troops, and posted them on the main roads. Whenever rebels appeared he drove them back, and they no longer dared march north. He was promoted to vice commissioner of Henghai. The court had just divided Yan into three military districts. The following year the Yanhai army mutinied and killed Commissioner Wang Sui; Hua was ordered to take his place. Three days after taking office he held a grand feast for the army, hid armored men in the side halls, and mid-feast announced, "The emperor knows the Yan garrison was transferred here at great hardship and means to reward you handsomely. He asked the Yan troops to line up on the right and the local soldiers on the left." Once the local troops had left, he shut the gates and shouted, "By imperial order — kill the mutineers!" Armored men burst from the side halls and surrounded the Yan troops. Twelve hundred were killed; blood filled the ditches and a red mist rose above the gates to the height of a man. Throughout Hai and Yi people walked in fear and held their breath.
34
華惡沂地褊，請治兗，許之。 自李正己盜，齊、魯俗益汙驁，華下令曰：「鄒、魯禮義鄉，不可忘本。」 乃身見儒士，春秋祀孔子祠，立學官講誦，斥家貲佐贍給，人乃知教，成就諸生，仕諸朝。 鎮人害田弘正，華亟請以本軍進討，不從。 進華檢校工部尚書，就充節度使。
Disliking the cramped territory of Yi, he asked to govern Yan instead and was permitted. Since Li Zhengji's rebellion Qi and Lu had grown coarse and violent; Hua proclaimed, "Zou and Lu are the homeland of ritual — do not forget your roots." He received scholars in person, sacrificed at Confucius's temple each spring and autumn, founded schools for lecturing, spent his own wealth on stipends, and restored learning until many of his students entered service across the empire. When the Zhen rebels murdered Tian Hongzheng, Hua urgently asked to march against them with his army, but the court refused. He was promoted to acting Minister of Works and confirmed as military commissioner.
35
李叛，以兵取宋州。 華不待命，以兵逆擊，破之。 平，檢校尚書右僕射，徙鎮義成軍。 盜殺商賈，吏捕得，乃華嬖人。 華怒，斷其頸以祭死者。 卒，年六十九，贈左僕射。
When Li Yun rebelled he seized Song Prefecture by force. Without waiting for orders Hua struck back and routed them. After the rebellion was crushed he was made acting Right Vice Director and transferred to command Yicheng. When bandits murdered merchants the culprit proved to be one of Hua's favorites. Hua in fury cut off his head as an offering to the victims. He died at sixty-nine and was posthumously honored as Left Vice Director.
36
華雖出戎伍，而動必由禮，愛重士大夫，不以貴倨人，至廝豎必待以誠信，人以為難。
Though a soldier by origin, Hua acted always with propriety, honored scholars, never lorded his rank over others, and treated even servants with sincerity — a rarity among commanders.
37
高瑀，冀州蓚人。 少沈邃，喜言兵。 釋褐右金吾胄曹參軍，累遷陳、蔡二州刺史，入為太仆卿。 忠武節度使王沛死，衛軍諸將多自謂得之。 宰相裴度、韋處厚以瑀治陳、蔡素有狀，習軍中情偽，欲任之。 會其軍表丐瑀，乃檢校左散騎常侍，領忠武節度使。 自大歷後，擇帥悉出宦人中尉，所輸貨至鉅萬，貧者假貸富人，既得所欲，則椎斫膏血，倍以酬息，十常六七。 及瑀有命，士相告曰：「韋、裴作相，天下無債帥。」 州比水旱無年，瑀相地宜，築堤庸百八十里，時其鐘泄，民賴不饑。 再加檢校尚書右僕射。 六年，徙節武寧軍。 以刑部尚書召，辭疾，拜太子少傅。 不閱月，復詔節度忠武，卒於鎮，贈司空。
Gao Yu was a native of Shuo in Ji Prefecture. As a youth he was reserved and thoughtful, with a passion for military strategy. He entered service as staff officer of the Right Gold Crow Guard, served as prefect of Chen and Cai in turn, and entered court as Minister of the Imperial Stud. When Wang Pei died as commissioner of Zhongwu, many guard generals assumed the post would be theirs. Chancellors Pei Du and Wei Chuhou favored Yu for his proven record at Chen and Cai and his knowledge of army affairs. The Zhongwu army petitioned for him, and he was appointed acting Left Gentleman for Casual Conversation and commissioner of Zhongwu. Since the Dali era commanders had been chosen by eunuch supervisors at vast cost; poor candidates borrowed from the rich, and once installed they squeezed the region dry to repay double interest — seven times in ten. When Yu was appointed the troops said to one another, "With Wei and Pei as chancellors, the empire will have no more commanders bought on credit." The region had suffered endless flood and drought; Yu surveyed the terrain, built dikes for one hundred eighty li, regulated the sluice gates, and the people escaped famine. He was further promoted to acting Right Vice Director. In his sixth year he was transferred to command Wuning. Recalled as Minister of Justice, he pleaded illness and was named Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent. Within a month he was ordered back to Zhongwu, where he died in office and was posthumously honored as Minister of Works.
38
瑀寬和，居官無赫然譽，所至稱治，士人懷之。
Gentle and even-tempered, he won no loud fame yet left every post well governed, and scholars remembered him fondly.
39
劉沔，字子汪，徐州彭城人。 父廷珍，以羽林軍扈德宗奉天，以戰功官左驍衛大將軍、東陽郡王。 沔少孤，客振武，節度使範希朝署牙將。 軍中大會，沔捉刀立堂下，希朝奇之，召謂曰：「後日必處吾坐。」 希朝卒，入為神策將。 太和末，遷累大將軍，擢涇原節度使，徙振武。 開成三年，突厥劫營田，沔發吐渾、契、沙陀部萬人擊之，賊一轡無返者，悉頒所獲馬羊於戰卒，築都護府西北四壘。 進檢校戶部尚書。
Liu Mian, styled Ziwang, was a native of Pengcheng in Xu Prefecture. His father Liu Tingzhen had escorted Emperor Dezong at Fengtian with the imperial guard and won promotion to general of the Left Xiaowei Guard and Prince of Dongyang. Orphaned young, he went to Zhenwu, where Commissioner Fan Xichao made him a gate commander. At a grand army review Mian stood below the hall gripping a blade; Xichao was struck by him and said, "One day you will sit in my chair." After Xichao's death he entered service as a Shence general. Late in the Taihe era he rose to great general, became commissioner of Jingyuan, then transferred to Zhenwu. In Kaicheng year 3, when Turks raided the frontier farms, he sent ten thousand Tuyuhun, Qibi, and Shatuo troops against them; none of the enemy escaped; he gave all captured livestock to his soldiers and built four forts northwest of the protectorate seat. He was promoted to acting Minister of Revenue.
40
武宗立，遷檢校尚書左僕射。 回鶻寇天德，詔以兵據雲伽關，虜引去。 會昌二年，又掠太原、振武，天子使兵部郎中李拭調兵食，因視諸將能否，拭獨稱沔，乃拜河東節度兼招撫回鶻使，進屯雁門關。 虜寇雲州，沔擊之，斬七裨將，敗其眾。 以還太和公主功，加檢校司空。 議者恨其薄，又進金紫光祿大夫，賜一子官。 虜殘眾走，詔沔追北，仍錄李靖平頡利事賜之。 軍還，次代州，歸義軍降虜三千，使隸食諸道，不受詔，據滹沱河叛，沔悉禽誅之。
When Emperor Wuzong came to the throne he was made acting Left Vice Director. When the Uyghurs raided Tiande he was ordered to hold Yunjia Pass and drive them off. In Huichang year 2 they raided Taiyuan and Zhenwu again; Li Shi of the Ministry of War was sent to assess the generals and singled out Mian; he was made commissioner of Hedong and envoy to pacify the Uyghurs and advanced to Yanmen Pass. When the enemy raided Yun he attacked, killed seven deputy commanders, and routed their force. For restoring Princess Taihe he was made acting Minister of Works. Critics thought the reward too small; he was further promoted to Grand Master with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, and one son received an official post. As the enemy fled north he was ordered to pursue, and was given a copy of Li Jing's campaign against the Eastern Turks. On the return march at Dai, three thousand surrendered Guyi troops refused orders to be distributed for rations, rebelled on the Hutuo River, and Mian captured and executed them all.
41
劉稹阻命，詔沔南討，屯榆社。 沔素與張仲武不協，時方追幽州兵，故徙義成。 會王宰逗留，宰相李德裕表沔鎮河陽，以滑兵二千壁萬善，居宰肘腋下，激之俾出軍。 稹平，進檢校司徒，徙忠武節度使。 以病改太子少保，不任謁，拜太子太傅致仕。 卒，年六十五，贈司徒。
When Liu Zhen rebelled Mian was ordered south and encamped at Yushe. Mian had long been at odds with Zhang Zhongwu; with Youzhou forces in pursuit he was shifted to Yicheng. When Wang Zai stalled, Li Deyu had Mian posted at Heyang with two thousand Hua troops at Wanshan to press Zai from the rear and force him forward. After Zhen's defeat he was promoted to acting Minister of Education and made commissioner of Zhongwu. Illness forced him to become Junior Guardian; unable to attend court he was named Grand Tutor and retired. He died at sixty-five and was posthumously honored as Minister of Education.
42
石雄，徐州人，系寒，不知其先所來。 少為牙校，敢毅善戰，氣蓋軍中。 王智興討李同捷，收棣州，使雄先驅度河，鼓行無前。 初，徐軍惡智興苛酷，謀逐之而立雄。 智興懼變，因立功奏除州刺史，詔以為壁州刺史。 智興由是殺雄素所善百餘人，誣雄陰結士搖亂，請以軍法論。 文宗素知其能，不殺，流白州。 徙為陳州長史。 党項擾河西，召雄隸振武劉沔軍，破羌有勞，帝難智興，久不擢。
Shi Xiong of Xu Prefecture was of obscure northern origin; his ancestry is unknown. As a youth he was a gate officer, bold and skilled in battle, and dominated the army by force of personality. When Wang Zhixing campaigned against Li Tongjie and recovered Di, Xiong led the vanguard across the river in an unstoppable drum-beating advance. The Xu troops had resented Zhixing's harsh rule and plotted to oust him and make Xiong commander. Fearing mutiny, Zhixing had him transferred on merit to Chu; the court named him prefect of Bi. Zhixing then killed more than a hundred of Xiong's allies, accused him of secretly stirring the troops to mutiny, and demanded court-martial. Emperor Wenzong knew his ability and spared his life, exiling him to Bai. He was transferred to chief administrator of Chen. When the Tangut raided Hexi he was called to Liu Mian's Zhenwu army, defeated the Qiang with distinction, but the emperor, mindful of Zhixing, long withheld promotion.
43
會昌初，回鶻入寇，連年掠雲、朔，牙五原塞下。 詔雄為天德防禦副使，兼朔州刺史，佐劉沔屯雲州。 沔召雄謀曰：「虜離散，當掃除久矣。 國家以公主故，不欲亟攻。 我若徑趨其牙，彼不及備，必棄公主走，我當迎主歸。 有如不捷，吾則死之。」 雄曰：「諾。」 即選沙陀李國昌及契、拓拔雜虜三千騎，夜發馬邑，旦登振武城望之，見罽車十餘乘，從者朱碧衣，諜者曰：「公主帳也。」 雄潛使喻之曰：「天子取公主，兵合，第無動。」 雄穴城夜出，縱牛馬鼓噪，直搗烏介帳。 可汗大駭，單騎走，追至殺胡山，斬首萬級，獲馬牛羊不貲，迎公主還。 進豐州防禦使。
Early in Huichang the Uyghurs invaded, raiding Yun and Shuo year after year and threatening the passes below Wuyuan. He was named vice commissioner of Tiande defense and prefect of Shuo, serving under Liu Mian at Yun. Mian called Xiong to counsel and said, "The enemy is scattered — they should have been destroyed long ago. The court hesitates to strike hard for fear for the princess. If we strike straight for their camp they will be unprepared, abandon the princess, and flee — then we can bring her home. If we fail, I accept death." Xiong answered, "Agreed." He chose three thousand horsemen under the Shatuo Li Guochang and Qibi and Taba auxiliaries, rode out from Mayi by night, and at dawn looked down from Zhenwu walls on a dozen felt carts with attendants in red and green — spies said it was the princess's camp." Xiong sent a secret message: "The emperor comes for the princess; when our forces unite, stay where you are." That night he broke out through a tunnel, stampeded cattle and horses amid shouting, and charged straight at Wujie's camp. The khan fled in terror alone; they pursued to Shahu Mountain, killed ten thousand men, seized countless livestock, and brought the princess home. He was promoted to commissioner of Feng defense.
44
武寧李彥佐討劉稹逗留，以雄為晉絳行營諸軍副使，助彥佐。 是時，王宰屯萬善，劉沔屯石會關，顧望莫先進。 雄受命，即勒兵越烏嶺，破賊五壁，斬獲千計，賊大震。 雄臨財廉，每朝廷賜與，輒置軍門，自取一匹縑，余悉分士伍，由是眾感發，無不奮。 武宗喜曰：「今將帥義而勇罕雄比者。」 就拜行營節度使，代彥佐。 徙河中。 稹危蹙，其大將郭誼密獻款，請斬稹首自歸。 眾疑其詐，雄大言曰：「稹之叛，誼為謀主。 今欲殺稹，乃誼自謀，又何疑？」 雄以七千人徑薄潞，受誼降。 進檢校兵部尚書，徙河陽。 初，雄討稹，水次見白鷺，謂眾曰：「使吾射中其目，當成功。」 一發如言。 帝聞，下詔褒美。
When Li Yanzhuo of Wuning stalled in the campaign against Liu Zhen, Xiong was named vice commander of the Jin-Jiang field armies to assist him. Wang Zai held Wanshan and Liu Mian held Shihui Pass; both hung back, neither willing to advance. Xiong took command at once, crossed Wuling, stormed five rebel forts, killed and captured by the thousands, and threw the enemy into panic. Scrupulous with money, he placed every imperial gift at the camp gate, kept one bolt of silk for himself, and gave the rest to his men; the army was moved to fight with all their might. Emperor Wuzong said with delight, "Among today's commanders for loyalty and courage, few can match Xiong." He was immediately made field camp commissioner, replacing Yanzhuo. He was transferred to Hedong. Zhen was cornered; his general Guo Yi secretly offered surrender, promising to kill Zhen and submit. Some suspected a trick; Xiong declared, "Yi was the chief architect of Zhen's rebellion. If he now wants Zhen dead, that is his own scheme — why doubt him?" Xiong took seven thousand men straight to Lu and accepted Yi's surrender. He was promoted to acting Minister of War and transferred to Heyang. Early in the campaign against Zhen he saw a white egret by the river and told his men, "If I hit its eye, we will win." One shot struck true. The emperor heard and issued an edict of praise.
45
宣宗立，徙鎮鳳翔。 雄素為李德裕識拔。 王宰者，智興子，於雄故有隙。 潞之役，雄功最多，宰惡之，數欲沮陷。 會德裕罷宰相，因代歸。 白敏中猥曰：「黑山、天井功，所酬已厭。」 拜神武統軍。 失勢怏怏卒。
When Emperor Xuanzong came to the throne he was posted to Fengxiang. Xiong had long been favored and promoted by Li Deyu. Wang Zai, son of Zhixing, bore an old grudge against Xiong. In the Lu campaign Xiong won the greatest merit; Zai resented him and repeatedly tried to undermine him. When Deyu lost the chancellorship, Xiong was recalled in his place. Bai Minzhong said dismissively, "His rewards for Heishan and Tianjing are already more than enough." He was named commander-in-chief of the Shenwu army. Stripped of influence, he died embittered.
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贊曰：世皆謂李提孤旅入蔡縛賊為奇功，殊未知光顏於平蔡為多也。 是時，賊戰日窘，盡取銳卒護光顏，憑空堞以居，故能乘一切勢，出賊不意。 然則無光顏之勝，烏能奮哉？
The commentator writes: The world praises Li Su's lone raid into Cai as a marvel, yet scarcely recognizes how much Guangyan contributed to the pacification of Cai. By then the rebels were losing ground daily, massed their best troops against Guangyan, and clung to empty walls — which let Li Su seize every opening and strike where they did not expect. Without Guangyan's victories, how could Li Su have struck at all?