1
沙陀，西突厥別部處月種也。 始，突厥東西部分治烏孫故地，與處月、處蜜雜居。 貞觀七年，太宗以鼓纛立利邲咄陸可汗，而族人步真觖望，謀並其弟彌射乃自立。 彌射懼，率處月等入朝。 而步真勢窮，亦歸國。 其留者，咄陸以射匱特勒劫越之子賀魯統之。
The Shatuo were a branch of the Chuyue people, a dependent tribe of the Western Turks. In the beginning, as the Eastern and Western Turks partitioned the old Wusun territories, they dwelt alongside the Chuyue and Chumi peoples. In Zhenguan 7 (633), Emperor Taizong invested Ashina Yipiduolu as khan in the formal drum-and-banner ceremony. A clansman named Böke, resentful of the appointment, conspired to ally with his younger brother Mishe and seize power for himself. Fearing for his safety, Mishe led the Chuyue and other tribes to present themselves at court. Böke, his position hopeless, likewise submitted to the Tang. Those who stayed behind were placed under Helu, son of the Shegui tegin Jeučü, by Ashina Duolu.
2
西突厥浸強，內相攻，其大酋乙毗咄陸可汗建廷鏃曷山之西，號北庭，而處月等又隸屬之。 處月居金娑山之陽，蒲類之東，有大磧，名沙陀，故號沙陀突厥雲。
As the Western Turks grew more powerful and turned on one another, their paramount leader Ashina Yipiduolu set up his court west of Mount Zhuo'e and styled it Beiting; the Chuyue and related peoples once again fell under his authority. The Chuyue lived south of Mount Jinsuo and east of Pulei, in a vast desert known as Shatuo—whence they came to be called the Shatuo Turks.
3
咄陸寇伊州，引二部兵圍天山，安西都護郭孝恪擊走之，拔處月俟斤之城。 後乙毗可汗敗，奔吐火羅。 賀魯來降，詔拜瑤池都督，徙其部庭州之莫賀城。 處月朱邪闕俟斤阿厥亦請內屬。
Duolu attacked Yizhou and led warriors from both tribes to encircle Tianshan. Guo Xiaoke, Protector-General of Anxi, drove him off and captured the Chuyue yabghu's stronghold. Later Ashina Yipiduolu was defeated and fled to Tokharistan. Helu submitted to the Tang. The court appointed him Protector of Yaochi and resettled his people at Mohe City in Tingzhou. The Chuyue Zhuye yabghu Aque likewise petitioned to come under Tang rule.
4
永徽初，賀魯反，而朱邪孤註亦殺招慰使連和，引兵據牢山。 於是射脾俟斤沙陀那速不肯從，高宗以賀魯所領授之。 明年，弓月道總管梁建方、契何力引兵斬孤註，俘九千人。 又明年，廢瑤池都督府，即處月地置金滿、沙陀二州，皆領都督。 賀魯亡，安撫大使阿史那彌射次伊麗水，而處月來歸。 乃置昆陵都護府，統咄陸部，以彌射為都護。
Early in the Yonghui era, Helu rose in revolt. Zhuye Guzhu killed the pacification commissioner Lianhe and seized Laoshan with his forces. The Shepi yabghu Shatuo Nasu refused to join the rebellion, and Emperor Gaozong transferred to him the followers who had been under Helu's command. The following year Liang Jianfang, commander of the Gongyue circuit, and Qibi Heli marched against Guzhu, killed him, and took nine thousand prisoners. In the year after that the Yaochi Protectorate was abolished, and on Chuyue lands the court set up the Jinman and Shatuo prefectures, each headed by a commander. After Helu's defeat, Pacification Commissioner Ashina Mishe took position on the Ili River, and the Chuyue submitted once more. The court then established the Kunling Protectorate to govern the Duolu tribes, appointing Mishe as protector.
5
龍朔初，以處月酋沙陀金山從武衛將軍薛仁貴討鐵勒，授墨離軍討擊使。 長安二年，進為金滿州都督，累封張掖郡公。 金山死，子輔國嗣。 先天初避吐蕃，徙部北庭，率其下入朝。 開元二年，復領金滿州都督，封其母鼠尼施為鄯國夫人。 輔國累爵永壽郡王。 死，子骨咄支嗣。
Early in the Longshuo era the Chuyue chief Shatuo Jinshan accompanied Martial Guard General Xue Rengui in the campaign against the Tiele and was appointed strike commander of the Mohe Army. In Chang'an 2 (702) he was promoted to commander of Jinman Prefecture and eventually enfeoffed as Duke of Zhangye. When Jinshan died, his son Fuguo succeeded him. Early in the Xiantian era, fleeing Tibetan pressure, he relocated his tribe to Beiting and led his followers to present themselves at court. In Kaiyuan 2 (714) he was again appointed commander of Jinman Prefecture, and his mother Shunishi was ennobled as Lady of Zheng. Fuguo was eventually enfeoffed as Prince of Yongshou. Upon his death his son Gutuzhi succeeded.
6
天寶初，回紇內附，以骨咄支兼回紇副都護。 從肅宗平安祿山，拜特進、驍衛上將軍。 死，子盡忠嗣，累遷金吾衛大將軍、酒泉縣公。 至德、寶應間，中國多故，北庭、西州閉不通，朝奏使皆道出回紇，而虜多漁擷，尤苦之，雖沙陀之倚北庭者，亦困其暴斂。
Early in the Tianbao era, when the Uyghurs came under Tang rule, Gutuzhi was also appointed deputy protector over them. He followed Emperor Suzong in suppressing An Lushan and was appointed Special Advancement and general of the Valiant Cavalry Guard. After his death his son Jinzhong succeeded him and rose to Grand General of the Golden Crow Guard and Duke of Jiuquan. Between the Zhide and Baoying eras China was torn by upheaval. Beiting and Xizhou were sealed off, and all envoys to court had to travel through Uyghur lands, where they were preyed upon relentlessly. Even the Shatuo, who still looked to Beiting, were ground down by Uyghur exactions.
7
貞元中，沙陀部七千帳附吐蕃，與共寇北庭，陷之。 吐蕃徙其部甘州，以盡忠為軍大論。 吐蕃寇邊，常以沙陀為前鋒。
During the Zhenyuan era seven thousand Shatuo households submitted to Tibet and joined in the assault on Beiting, which fell to the combined forces. Tibet resettled the tribe in Ganzhou and appointed Jinzhong army chief minister. Whenever Tibet raided the frontier, the Shatuo were regularly sent as the vanguard.
8
久之，回鶻取涼州，吐蕃疑盡忠持兩端，議徙沙陀於河外，舉部愁恐。 盡忠與朱邪執宜謀，曰：「我世為唐臣，不幸陷汙，今若走蕭關自歸，不愈於絕種乎？」 盡忠曰：「善。」 元和三年，悉眾三萬落循烏德山而東。 吐蕃追之。 行且戰，旁洮水，奏石門，轉鬥不解，部眾略盡，盡忠死之。 執宜裒瘢傷，士裁二千，騎七百，雜畜橐它千計，款靈州塞。 節度使範希朝以聞。 詔處其部鹽州，置陰山府，以執宜為府兵馬使。 沙陀素健鬥，希朝欲藉以捍虜，為市牛羊，廣畜牧，休養之。 其童耄自鳳翔、興元、太原道歸者，皆還其部。 盡忠弟葛勒阿波率殘部七百叩振武降，授左武衛大將軍，兼陰山府都督。
In time the Uyghurs seized Liangzhou. Tibet, suspecting Jinzhong of playing both sides, proposed relocating the Shatuo beyond the Yellow River, and the entire tribe was seized with fear. Jinzhong took counsel with Zhuye Zhuyi. "We have been subjects of the Tang for generations," he said. "Though we have fallen into shameful servitude, if we break for Xiaoguan and return to the dynasty of our own accord, is that not better than being wiped out? Jinzhong replied, "Well said." In Yuanhe 3 (808) the whole tribe—thirty thousand households—set out eastward along Mount Wude. Tibetan forces gave chase. They marched and fought along the Tao River, passed through Shimen, and battled without respite until the tribe was nearly destroyed and Jinzhong fell in the fighting. Zhuyi gathered the wounded survivors—barely two thousand foot soldiers and seven hundred horsemen, with roughly a thousand head of livestock and camels—and presented himself at the Lingzhou frontier. Military Governor Fan Xichao reported the arrival to court. An edict resettled the tribe in Yanzhou, established the Yinshan Garrison, and appointed Zhuyi its horse commander. The Shatuo were renowned fighters. Xichao meant to use them against the frontier enemies, bought cattle and sheep on their behalf, expanded their herds, and gave them time to recover. Children and elders who had strayed to Fengxiang, Xingyuan, and Taiyuan were all returned to the tribe. Jinzhong's younger brother Geleabo led seven hundred survivors to Zhenwu to surrender. He was appointed Grand General of the Left Martial Guard and concurrently commander of the Yinshan Garrison.
9
執宜朝長安，賜金幣袍馬萬計，授特進、金吾衛將軍。 然議者以靈武迫吐蕃，恐後反覆生變，又濱邊，益口則食翔價。 頃之，希朝鎮太原，因詔沙陀舉軍從之。 希朝乃料其勁騎千二百，號沙陀軍，置軍使，而處餘眾於定襄川。 執宜乃保神武川之黃花堆，更號陰山北沙陀。 是時，天子伐鎮州，執宜以軍七百為前鋒，王承宗眾數萬伏木刀溝，與執宜遇，飛矢雨集。 執宜提軍橫貫賊陣鏖鬥，李光顏等乘之，斬首萬級。 鎮兵解，進蔚州刺史。 王鍔節度太原，建言：「朱邪族孳熾，散居北川，恐啟野心，願析其族隸諸州，勢分易弱也。」 遂建十府以處沙陀。 八年，回鶻過磧南取西城、柳谷，詔執宜屯天德。 明年，伐吳元濟，又詔執宜隸李光顏，破蔡人時曲，拔淩雲柵。 元濟平，授檢校刑部尚書，猶隸光顏軍。 長慶初，伐鎮州，悉發沙陀，與易定軍掎角，破賊深州。 執宜入朝，留宿衛，拜金吾衛將軍。 大和中，柳公綽領河東，奏陘北沙陀素為九姓、六州所畏，請委執宜治雲、朔塞下廢府十一，料部人三千禦北邊，號代北行營，授執宜陰山府都督、代北行營招撫使，隸河東節度。
Zhuyi came to court at Chang'an and received lavish gifts of gold, coin, robes, and horses numbering in the tens of thousands. He was appointed Special Advancement and general of the Golden Crow Guard. Critics objected that Lingwu lay too close to Tibet and might invite future trouble, and that settling more people on the frontier would drive up grain prices. Soon afterward Xichao was posted to Taiyuan, and an edict ordered the Shatuo to march their forces under his command. Xichao selected twelve hundred of their finest horsemen, organized them as the Shatuo Army under a dedicated commander, and resettled the remainder along the Dingxiang River. Zhuyi established himself at Huanghuadui on the Shenwu River and took the name Northern Shatuo of Yinshan. The emperor was then campaigning against Zhenzhou. Zhuyi led seven hundred men as the vanguard. Wang Chengzong had tens of thousands lying in wait at Mudao Ravine; when they met Zhuyi's force, arrows fell like rain. Zhuyi drove his troops straight through the rebel formation in savage fighting. Li Guangyan and the other Tang commanders pressed the advantage and claimed ten thousand enemy heads. With the siege of Zhenzhou lifted, he was promoted to prefect of Youzhou. Wang E, military governor of Taiyuan, memorialized: "The Zhuye clan is growing rapidly and scattered through the northern valleys. I fear they may turn ambitious. I propose dividing them among the prefectures so their strength is dispersed and they are easier to control. The court accordingly established ten garrisons to resettle the Shatuo. In the eighth year the Uyghurs crossed south of the desert and seized Xicheng and Liugu. Zhuyi was ordered to garrison Tiande. The following year, in the campaign against Wu Yuanji, Zhuyi was again placed under Li Guangyan. He routed the Cai forces at Shiqu and captured Lingyun Stockade. After Yuanji's defeat he was appointed Acting Minister of Justice while remaining under Li Guangyan's command. Early in the Changqing era, in the campaign against Zhenzhou, every Shatuo fighter was mobilized. Working in concert with the Yiding army, they routed the rebels at Shenzhou. Zhuyi came to court, was retained in the palace guard, and appointed general of the Golden Crow Guard. During the Dahe era Liu Gongchuo took command of Hedong and memorialized that the Shatuo of the northern passes had long been feared by the Nine Surnames and the Six Prefectures. He proposed putting Zhuyi in charge of eleven abandoned garrisons below Yun and Shuo, mustering three thousand tribesmen to guard the northern frontier under the title Northern Dai Camp, and appointing Zhuyi commander of the Yinshan Garrison and pacification commissioner of that camp under Hedong command.
10
執宜死，子赤心嗣。 開成四年，回鶻徑磧口，抵榆林塞。 宰相掘羅勿以良馬三百遺赤心，約共攻彰信可汗。 可汗死，節度使劉沔以沙陀擊回鶻於殺胡山。 久之，伐潞，誅劉稹，詔赤心率代北騎軍三千隸石雄為前軍，破石會關，助王宰下天井，合太原軍，次榆社，與監軍使呂義忠禽楊弁。 潞州平，遷朔州刺史，仍為代北軍使。
When Zhuyi died, his son Chixin succeeded him. In Kaicheng 4 (839) the Uyghurs marched straight through the desert pass and reached the Yulin frontier. Chancellor Jueluowu sent Chixin three hundred fine horses and proposed a joint attack on Khan Zhangxin. After the khan's death, Military Governor Liu Mian led the Shatuo against the Uyghurs at Shahu Mountain. Later, in the campaign against Lu to execute Liu Zhen, Chixin was ordered to lead three thousand Northern Dai horsemen under Shi Xiong as the vanguard. They stormed Shihui Pass, helped Wang Zai take Tianjing, joined forces with the Taiyuan army, encamped at Yushe, and together with Army Supervisor Lü Yizhong captured Yang Bian. After Luzhou was pacified he was transferred to prefect of Shuozhou while retaining command of the Northern Dai army.
11
大中初，吐蕃合党項及回鶻殘眾寇河西，太原王宰統代北諸軍進討，沙陀常深入，冠諸軍。 赤心所向，虜輒披靡，曰：「吾見赤馬將軍火生頭上。」 始，沙陀臣吐蕃，其左老右壯，混男女，略與同，而馳射趫悍過之，虜倚其兵，常苦邊。 及歸國，吐蕃由此亦衰。 宣宗已復三州、七關，征西戍皆罷，乃遷赤心蔚州刺史、雲州守捉使。
Early in the Dazhong era Tibet allied with Tangut and remnant Uyghur forces to raid Hexi. Wang Zai of Taiyuan led the Northern Dai armies in the counteroffensive; the Shatuo habitually pushed deepest and outfought every other contingent. Wherever Chixin led, the enemy broke and fled. "I see the Red-Horse General with fire blazing above his head," they would say. When the Shatuo first served Tibet, their formation placed elders on the left and warriors on the right, with men and women intermingled much like Tibetan custom; yet in mounted archery they were swifter and fiercer still. Tibet leaned on their strength and they constantly ravaged the frontier. Once they returned to Tang allegiance, Tibetan power waned accordingly. After Emperor Xuanzong had recovered the Three Prefectures and Seven Passes and withdrawn the western expeditionary forces, Chixin was appointed prefect of Youzhou and frontier commander of Yunzhou.
12
龐勛亂，詔義成康承訓為行營招討使，赤心以突騎三千從。 承訓兵絕渙水，遇伏，墮圍中幾沒，赤心以騎五百掀出之。 勛欲速戰，眾八萬，短兵接，赤心勒勁騎突賊，與官軍夾擊，敗之。 其弟赤衰以千騎追之亳東。 勛平，進大同軍節度使，賜氏李，名國昌，預鄭王屬籍，賜親仁裏甲第。 回鶻叩榆林，擾靈、鹽，詔國昌為鄜延節度使。 又寇天德，乃徙節振武，進檢校司徒。 王仙芝陷荊、襄，朝廷發諸州兵討捕，國昌遣劉遷統雲中突騎逐賊，數有功。
When Pang Xun rose in rebellion, Kang Chengxun of Yicheng was appointed campaign pacification commissioner, and Chixin followed with three thousand shock cavalry. Chengxun's army was cut off at the Huan River, ambushed, and nearly destroyed. Chixin charged in with five hundred horsemen and wrenched them free. Xun sought a decisive battle with eighty thousand men. In close fighting Chixin drove his elite cavalry into the rebel ranks while government forces struck from both flanks, and the rebels were routed. His younger brother Chishuai pursued with a thousand horsemen east of Bo. After Pang Xun's defeat he was promoted to military governor of the Datong Army, granted the surname Li and the name Guochang, enrolled in Prince Zheng's clan register, and given a mansion in Qinren Lane. When the Uyghurs pressed Yulin and raided Ling and Yan, Guochang was appointed military governor of Fuyan. When they raided Tiande again, his command was shifted to Zhenwu and he was promoted to Acting Grand Mentor. When Wang Xianzhi seized Jing and Xiang, the court mobilized troops from every prefecture. Guochang sent Liu Qian at the head of Yunzhong shock cavalry to hunt the rebels, with repeated success.
13
乾符三年，段文楚為代北水陸發運、雲州防禦使。 是時無年，文楚晙損用度，下皆怨。 邊校程懷信、王行審、蓋寓、李存璋、薛鐵山、康君立等曹議曰：「世多難，丈夫當投罅立功。 段公乃儒者，難共計。 沙陀雄勁，李振武父子勇冠軍，我若推之，無不應，則代北唾手可定。 拾取富貴若何？」 咸曰：「善！」 乃夜謁國昌子雲中守捉使克用曰：「歲艱稟食削，吾等不忍餓死，公家威德著聞，請誅虐帥，安部內。」 克用許之，募得士萬人，趨雲州，次鬥雞臺。 城中執文楚至，殺之； 據州以聞，共丐克用為大同防禦留後。 不許，發諸道兵進捕，諸道不甚力，而黃巢方引度江，朝廷度未能制，乃赦之，以國昌為大同軍防禦使。 國昌不受命，詔河東節度使崔彥昭、幽州張公素共擊之，無功。
In Qianfu 3 (876) Duan Wenchu was appointed Northern Dai land-and-water transport commissioner and defense commissioner of Yunzhou. Harvests had failed and Wenchu sharply cut expenditures; his subordinates were bitterly resentful. Frontier officers Cheng Huaixin, Wang Xingshen, Gai Yu, Li Cunzhang, Xue Tieshan, Kang Junli, and others plotted together. "These are troubled times," they said. "A man should seize his chance and win glory. Lord Duan is a bookish scholar—we cannot plan with him. The Shatuo are formidable, and Li Zhenwu and his son are the boldest fighters in the army. If we put them forward, everyone will follow, and Northern Dai will be ours in an instant. Why not seize wealth and rank for ourselves? All agreed: "Well said!" That night they visited Guochang's son Keyong, frontier commander of Yunzhou. "Hard times have cut our rations," they said, "and we will not starve in silence. Your family's renown is great—kill the cruel commander and bring peace to the tribe." Keyong agreed, raised ten thousand men, marched on Yunzhou, and encamped at Douji Terrace. The city seized Wenchu and brought him out; he was killed. They held the prefecture and reported to court, jointly petitioning for Keyong as acting Datong defense commissioner. The court refused. Troops from every circuit were sent to capture them, but the circuits made little effort. Huang Chao was then crossing the Yangzi, and the court judged it could not bring them to heel—so they were pardoned and Guochang was appointed defense commissioner of the Datong Army. Guochang refused the appointment. Military Governors Cui Yanzhao of Hedong and Zhang Gongsu of Youzhou were ordered to attack jointly, but achieved nothing.
14
國昌與党項戰，未決，大同川吐渾赫連鐸襲振武，盡取其貲械。 國昌窮，挈騎五百還雲州，州不納，鐸遂取之。 克用轉側蔚、朔間，裒兵才三千，屯新城，鐸引萬人圍之，隧而攻，三日不拔，鐸兵殺傷甚。 國昌自蔚州來，鐸引去。 僖宗以鐸領大同節度，畀討國昌。 六年，詔昭義李鈞為北面招討使，督潞、太原兵屯代州； 幽州李可舉會鐸攻蔚州，國昌以一隊當之。 克用分兵抵遮虜城拒鈞，天大雪，士仆，鈞眾潰，還代州，軍遂亂，鈞死於兵。 廣明元年，以李琢為蔚、朔招討都統，率兵數萬屯代州。 克用使傅文達調蔚、朔兵，朔州刺史高文集縛以送琢。 琢進攻蔚州，國昌敗，與克用舉宗奔達靼。 鐸密畀酋長圖之，克用得其計，因豪桀大會馳射，百步外針芒木葉無不中，部人大驚，即倡言：「今黃巢北寇，為中原患，一日天子赦我，願與公等南向定天下，庸能終老沙磧哉！」 達靼知不留，乃止。
Guochang was locked in battle with the Tangut when, on the Datong River, the Tuyuhun Helian Duo raided Zhenwu and carried off all his stores and weapons. Ruined, Guochang fled with five hundred horsemen to Yunzhou. The city refused him entry, and Duo seized it. Keyong ranged between You and Shuo, mustering barely three thousand men, and garrisoned Xincheng. Duo led ten thousand to besiege him and attacked by tunnel for three days without success; his army suffered heavy losses. When Guochang advanced from Youzhou, Duo withdrew. Emperor Xizong appointed Duo military governor of Datong and charged him with subduing Guochang. In the sixth year Li Jun of Zhaoyi was appointed northern campaign commissioner, directing Lu and Taiyuan troops encamped at Daizhou. Li Keju of Youzhou joined Duo in an attack on Youzhou; Guochang met them with a single detachment. Keyong detached troops to hold Zhelu City against Li Jun. A blizzard struck, men collapsed in the cold, Jun's army broke and fled back to Daizhou, the force mutinied, and Jun was killed by his own soldiers. In Guangming 1 (880) Li Zhuo was appointed overall commander for the You and Shuo campaigns and led tens of thousands of troops to encamp at Daizhou. Keyong sent Fu Wenda to rally the You and Shuo forces, but Shuozhou Prefect Gao Wenji seized him and delivered him to Li Zhuo. Li Zhuo advanced on Youzhou. Guochang was defeated and fled with Keyong and the entire clan to the Tatars. Duo secretly enlisted chieftains to plot against them, but Keyong learned of the scheme. At a grand gathering of tribal leaders he held a mounted archery contest and at a hundred paces struck every needle tip and leaf on wood without fail. His followers were astonished, and he declared: "Huang Chao is raiding northward and ravaging the Central Plains. If the Son of Heaven pardons us, I mean to march south with you and settle the realm—who would spend his life in the desert sands? The Tatars, seeing they would not be retained, abandoned the plot.
15
巢攻潼關，入京師，詔河東監軍陳景思發代北軍。 時沙陀都督李友金屯興唐軍，薩葛首領米海萬、安慶都督史敬存屯感義軍，克用客塞下，眾數千無所屬。 景思聞天子西，乃與友金料騎五千入居絳，兵擅劫帑自私。 還代州，益募士三萬，屯崞西，士囂縱，友金不能制，謀曰：「今合大眾，不得威名宿將，且無功。 吾兄司徒父子，材而雄，眾所推畏，比得罪於朝，僑戍北部不敢還。 今若召之使將兵，代北豪英，一呼可集，整行伍，鼓而南，賊不足平也。」 景思曰：「善！」 乃丐赦國昌，使討賊贖罪。 有詔拜克用代州刺史、忻代兵馬留後，促本軍討賊。 克用募達靼萬人，趨代州，將南道太原。 節度使鄭從讜塞石嶺關，不得前，克用儳道至太原，營城下五日，邀糧貲，從讜不答，乃大略，還屯代州。
Huang Chao stormed Tong Pass and entered the capital. An edict ordered Hedong Army Supervisor Chen Jingsi to mobilize the Northern Dai forces. Shatuo commander Li Youjin was then garrisoned at Xingtang; Sige chief Mihaiwan and Anqing commander Shi Jingcun held Ganyi. Keyong lingered below the frontier pass with several thousand men who answered to no commander. Hearing that the emperor had fled west, Jingsi and Youjin mustered five thousand horsemen and entered Jiang, where the troops plundered the treasury for their own gain. Back in Daizhou they raised another thirty thousand men and encamped west of Guo, but the troops grew unruly and Youjin could not control them. "We have assembled a great host," he said, "yet without a renowned veteran commander we will accomplish nothing. My elder brother the Grand Mentor and his son are gifted and formidable, and all men fear them. Having lately offended the court, they linger in the north and dare not return. Summon them to lead the army and every hero of Northern Dai will answer at a shout. Put the ranks in order, beat the drums, and march south—the rebels will not stand. Jingsi said, "Well said!" They petitioned for Guochang's pardon and charged him to attack the rebels and redeem his guilt. An edict appointed Keyong prefect of Daizhou and acting commander of the Xin and Dai horse forces, ordering his army to attack the rebels. Keyong recruited ten thousand Tatars, marched to Daizhou, and prepared to advance south through Taiyuan. Military Governor Zheng Congdang blocked Shiling Pass and refused passage. Keyong slipped by another route to Taiyuan, camped beneath the walls for five days, and demanded supplies. When Congdang refused, he plundered the region and withdrew to Daizhou.
16
中和二年，蔚州刺史蘇祐會赫連鐸兵將攻代州，克用率騎五百先襲蔚州，下之。 祐屯美女谷，鐸與幽州李可舉眾七萬攻蔚州，譙柵相屬。 克用直搗營，入蔚州，燔府庫，棄而去，屯雁門。 國昌自達靼率兵歸代州。 擾汾、並、樓煩，不釋鎧。 帝詔克用還軍朔州。
In Zhonghe 2 (882) Youzhou Prefect Su You joined Helian Duo's forces to attack Daizhou. Keyong led five hundred horsemen in a surprise assault on Youzhou and captured it. Su You encamped at Meinü Valley while Duo and Li Keju of Youzhou advanced on Youzhou with seventy thousand men, their watchtowers and stockades stretching in an unbroken line. Keyong drove straight into the enemy camps, entered Youzhou, burned the treasury, abandoned the city, and withdrew to encamp at Yanmen. Guochang led his forces back from the Tatars to Daizhou. They raided Fen, Bing, and Loufan without ever doffing their armor. The emperor ordered Keyong to withdraw his army to Shuozhou.
17
於是義武節度使王處存、河中節度使王重榮傳詔招克用同討巢。 克用喜，即大閱雁門，得忻、代、蔚、朔、達靼眾三萬、騎五千而南。 於是國昌守代州。 鄭從讜不肯假道，克用軍傅太原而營，奉幣馬遺從讜，身從數騎呼曰：「我且西，願與公一言。」 從讜升陴慰勉，歸貨幣饔餼。 克用乃自陰地趨晉，會河中。 帝聞，擢克用雁門節度、神策天寧軍鎮遏、忻代觀察使。 明年，宰相王鐸承制，授克用東北面行營都統，河東監軍陳景思為監軍使。 克用使弟克脩領彀騎五百度河，克用自夏陽濟，留薛阿檀扼津口，次同州，壁乾坑，與賊戰梁田坡，敗之。 進壁渭橋，遂收京師。 功第一，進同中書門下平章事、隴西郡公； 國昌為代北軍節度使。 未幾，以克用領河東節度。
Yiwu Military Governor Wang Chucun and Hezhong Military Governor Wang Zhongrong then relayed the edict inviting Keyong to join the campaign against Huang Chao. Keyong rejoiced, held a grand review at Yanmen, and marched south with thirty thousand men from Xin, Dai, You, Shuo, and the Tatars plus five thousand horsemen. Guochang remained to hold Daizhou. Zheng Congdang still refused passage. Keyong's army camped against Taiyuan, sent gifts of coin and horses, and rode forward with only a few followers calling out, "I am marching west and wish a word with you. Congdang mounted the wall to encourage him and sent down goods, coin, and provisions. Keyong then marched from Yindi toward Jin and joined the Hezhong forces. On hearing this, the emperor promoted Keyong to military governor of Yanmen, suppressor of the Shence Tianning Army, and commissioner for Xin and Dai. The following year Chancellor Wang Duo, acting under imperial commission, appointed Keyong overall commander of the northeastern campaign army, with Hedong Army Supervisor Chen Jingsi as his supervisor. Keyong sent his younger brother Kexiu with five hundred armored horsemen across the river while he himself crossed from Xiayang, left Xue Atan to hold the ford, advanced to Tongzhou, encamped at Gankeng, and routed the rebels at Liangtian Slope. He advanced to Weiqiao and recovered the capital. His merit ranked first. He was promoted to Grand Councilor of the Secretariat and Chancellery and enfeoffed as Duke of Longxi. Guochang was appointed military governor of the Northern Dai Army. Before long Keyong was given command of Hedong.
18
黃巢與秦宗權合寇河南。 四年，克用率河東、代北兵將自澤、潞下天井關，河陽諸葛爽堙井以拒，克用乃由河中濟，趨許州，合徐、汴兵破尚讓於太康。 戰西華，又破之。 賊走，河南平。 追北曹州，還過汴，朱全忠邀之，克用留兵於郊，入舍上源館。 夜帳飲，全忠自佐饔，進貲寶，握手諄勞。 是時，全忠忌克用桀邁難制，則連車外環，陳兵道左右。 克用醉。 乃攻館，下拒戰，親將郭景銖滅燭扶克用，徐告之，尚被酒，乃引弓射。 會煙囂四合，大震電，克用與薛誌勤等間關升南譙門，縋走營。 部下死者數百人，所獲賊乘輿物盡亡之。 克用整眾歸太原，益訓兵，將報仇，使弟克勤以萬騎屯河中，乃請擊全忠。 使者八返，內外震恐，帝使內謁慰解。 尋進位檢校太傅、隴西郡王。
Huang Chao allied with Qin Zongquan to ravage Henan. In the fourth year Keyong led Hedong and Northern Dai troops toward Tianjing Pass from Ze and Lu, but Zhuge Shuang of Heyang blocked the pass. Keyong crossed by Hezhong, hurried to Xuzhou, and with Xu and Bian forces defeated Shang Rang at Taikang. At Xihua he defeated them again. The rebels fled and Henan was pacified. Pursuing north to Caozhou, he returned by way of Bian, where Zhu Quanzhong invited him to stay. Keyong left his troops in the suburbs and took lodging at the Shangyuan Inn. That night they feasted in the tent. Quanzhong himself attended the table, presented treasures, and clasped his hands in earnest courtesy. Quanzhong, resenting Keyong's proud spirit as impossible to control, ringed the inn with wagons and posted troops along both roads. Keyong was drunk. They then attacked the inn. As fighting broke out below, his personal officer Guo Jingquan snuffed the candles and steadied Keyong, telling him what was happening. Still drunk, Keyong drew his bow and shot. Smoke and dust closed in on every side as thunder crashed. Keyong, Xue Zhiqin, and a few others fought their way up the south gate tower and were lowered by rope to escape to camp. Several hundred of his followers were killed, and all the rebel chariots and booty he had taken were lost. Keyong reorganized his forces and returned to Taiyuan, redoubled his training, and plotted revenge. He sent his younger brother Keqin with ten thousand horsemen to garrison Hezhong and petitioned to attack Quanzhong. Envoys shuttled back and forth eight times as court and country trembled. The emperor sent inner attendants to console and mediate. He was soon promoted to Acting Grand Tutor and Duke of Longxi.
19
光啟元年，幽州李可舉、鎮州王景崇言：「易定故燕、趙境，請取分之。」 於是可舉攻易州，下之； 景崇攻無極。 易定節度使王處存求救於克用，克用自將救無極，敗鎮人，攻馬頭，固新城。 鎮兵走，處存復取易州。 鳳翔李昌符、邠寧朱玫與全忠連和，觀軍容使田令孜惡克用與王重榮合，建言：「不可處近輔，請授王處存河中，而徙重榮於易定，則克用孤矣。」 帝從之。 重榮以告，克用怒曰：「我當從公提鼓出汜水關誅全忠，回殲穴鼠耳。」 重榮計曰：「公兵朝出關，則邠、岐兵夕傅吾堞，願先治邠、岐。」 克用乃表言：「玫、昌符連全忠為亂，請以兵十五萬度河梟二豎，然後平汴雪大恥，願陛下戒嚴，無為賊所搖。」 帝遣使慰止，背相望也。 克用不奉詔，玫亦引邠、鳳兵營沙苑。 克用薄戰，玫敗，夜亡去。 克用還河中，天子出趣鳳翔，道傳兵且至，即趣寶雞。 克用與重榮聯章請還宮，願留兵衛京師，即還鎮。 帝懼，走大散關，駐興元。 克用引歸。 嗣襄王煴偽詔至太原，克用燔之，執其使，間道奉表興元。 始，朝廷意玫結克用迫乘輿，及表至，示群臣，因騰曉山南諸鎮，行在少安。 王行瑜斬玫，克用以千騎經略京畿。 三年，國昌卒。 俄而昭宗即位，進克用檢校太師兼侍中。
In Guangqi 1 (885) Li Keju of Youzhou and Wang Jingchong of Zhenzhou petitioned: "Yiding was once Yan and Zhao territory—we ask to seize and partition it. Keju thereupon attacked Yizhou and captured it. Jingchong attacked Wuji. Yiding Military Governor Wang Chucun begged Keyong for aid. Keyong led the rescue of Wuji in person, routed the Zhenzhou army, attacked Matou, and besieged Xincheng. The Zhenzhou troops fled and Chucun recovered Yizhou. Li Changfu of Fengxiang, Zhu Mei of Binning, and Quanzhong formed an alliance. Army Supervisor Tian Lingzi, resenting Keyong's alliance with Wang Zhongrong, advised: "He must not remain near the capital. Appoint Wang Chucun to Hezhong and transfer Zhongrong to Yiding, and Keyong will stand alone. The emperor agreed. Zhongrong told him the news. Keyong raged: "I ought to march with you through Sishui Pass and execute Quanzhong, then come back and wipe out the rats in their burrows. Zhongrong replied: "If your army leaves the pass in the morning, Bin and Qi troops will be on our walls by evening. Deal with Bin and Qi first." Keyong memorialized: "Mei and Changfu have joined Quanzhong in rebellion. I ask to lead one hundred fifty thousand troops across the river to behead these two villains, then pacify Bian and avenge this great humiliation. I pray Your Majesty keep strict guard and not be swayed by the rebels." The emperor sent envoys to console and restrain him, and messages shuttled back and forth. Keyong ignored the edict. Mei likewise led Bin and Feng troops to camp at Shayuan. Keyong pressed the attack. Mei was defeated and fled by night. Keyong returned to Hezhong. The emperor set out for Fengxiang, but hearing that troops were approaching, hurried on to Baoji. Keyong and Zhongrong jointly petitioned for the emperor's return to the palace, offering to leave troops to guard the capital before returning to their commands. Terrified, the emperor fled through Dasanguan and halted at Xingyuan. Keyong withdrew. A forged edict in the name of Prince Yun of Xiang reached Taiyuan. Keyong burned it, seized the envoy, and sent a memorial to Xingyuan by a secret route. The court had feared Mei and Keyong were jointly pressuring the imperial carriage. When Keyong's memorial arrived it was shown to the ministers and proclaimed to the southern mountain circuits, and the traveling court was somewhat reassured. Wang Xingyu beheaded Mei. Keyong secured the capital region with a thousand horsemen. In the third year Guochang died. Soon after Emperor Zhaozong ascended the throne, Keyong was promoted to Acting Grand Preceptor and Palace Attendant.
20
大順初，克用自攻赫連鐸於雲州，拔東郛。 幽州李匡威以兵三萬救之，殺其將安金俊，克用走。 鐸與匡威共建言：「山南亂，克用實首之。 今乘其敗，可伐而取也。」 全忠亦請與河北三鎮共討之。 宰相張浚是其計，乃下制削克用官爵、屬籍，以浚為兵馬招討、制置、宣慰使，京兆尹孫揆副之，樞密使駱全諲為行營都監，華州節度使韓建為行營馬步都虞候兼供軍糧料使，王镕領河東東面，全忠南面，李匡威北面，並為行營招討使。 鐸副匡威，先薄戰。 克用追潞兵，不肯行，共殺守將李克恭，送款於汴，南首闕下。 更詔揆為昭義節度使，克用將李存孝邀揆長子殺之。 匡威、鐸並吐蕃、黠戛斯眾十萬攻遮虜軍，殺其將劉胡子。 克用乃屯渾河川，存孝與鐸戰樂安，鐸敗走。 浚入陰地關，壁汾、隰，薛鐵山、李承嗣營洪洞迎戰。 存孝次趙城，韓建夜出壯士三百乘其營，存孝伏以待，建兵大奔。 存孝攻絳州，未下，晉州刺史張行恭棄城走，建與浚遁還。 明年，克用奉表自陳，乃復拜檢校太師、守中書令、隴西郡王。
Early in the Dashun era Keyong personally attacked Helian Duo at Yunzhou and captured the eastern suburb. Li Kuangwei of Youzhou brought thirty thousand men to the rescue, killed Keyong's general An Jinjun, and Keyong fled. Duo and Kuangwei jointly memorialized: "The turmoil in the southern mountains was chiefly Keyong's doing. Now that he is defeated, he can be attacked and destroyed. Quanzhong likewise asked to join the three Hebei circuits in attacking him. Chancellor Zhang Jun approved the plan. An edict stripped Keyong of office, rank, and clan register. Zhang Jun was appointed campaign commander, disposition commissioner, and pacification commissioner, with Jingzhao Prefect Sun Kui as deputy, Privy Councilor Luo Quanqian as campaign supervisor, and Huazhou Military Governor Han Jian as chief adjutant and provisions commissioner. Wang Rong commanded the eastern Hedong front, Quanzhong the south, and Li Kuangwei the north—all as campaign commanders. Duo served under Kuangwei and pressed the attack first. Keyong pursued the Lu troops, but they refused to march, killed garrison commander Li Kejing, submitted to Bian, and turned south toward the palace. Sun Kui was reappointed military governor of Zhaoyi. Keyong's officer Li Cunxiao ambushed and killed Kui's eldest son. Kuangwei and Duo, with one hundred thousand Tibetan and Qarluk allies, attacked Zhelu Army and killed its commander Liu Huzi. Keyong encamped on the Hun River. Cunxiao fought Duo at Le'an and drove him off. Zhang Jun entered Yindi Pass and encamped at Fen and Xi. Xue Tieshan and Li Chengsi encamped at Hongdong to meet him. Cunxiao halted at Zhaocheng. Han Jian sent three hundred stalwarts by night to strike his camp, but Cunxiao lay in wait and Jian's men fled in disorder. Cunxiao attacked Jiangzhou without success. Jinzhou Prefect Zhang Xinggong abandoned his city and fled. Han Jian and Zhang Jun withdrew in defeat. The following year Keyong memorialized in his own defense and was restored as Acting Grand Preceptor, Keeper of the Secretariat, and Duke of Longxi.
21
克用悉兵攻鐸雲州，以騎將薛阿檀為前軍，設伏河上。 鐸縱騎追阿檀，遇伏而奔。 鐸亡入吐渾。 克用取雲州，以部將石善友為刺史、大同軍防禦使。
Keyong mobilized his entire force against Duo at Yunzhou, made cavalry commander Xue Atan his vanguard, and laid an ambush along the river. Duo sent horsemen in pursuit of Atan, ran into the ambush, and fled. Duo fled among the Tuyuhun. Keyong took Yunzhou and appointed his officer Shi Shanyou prefect and defense commissioner of the Datong Army.
22
景福初，鎮州王镕攻堯山，克用使李嗣勛擊之，斬級三萬，克用遂拔天長，略常山，度滹沱，燔其郛。 徇地至趙，取鼓、槁二城。 赫連鐸眾八萬攻天成軍，克用飛檄發軍太原，匡威已壁雲州北郊，克用自神堆引軍夜入雲州，死戰，走之。 乾寧元年，克用次新城，鐸膝行詣軍門降，克用鞭而縱之。 進下武州，攻新州。 李匡籌引步騎七萬救之，克用迎戰，斬首萬級，俘少將三百，徇城下，新州降。 取媯州，匡籌棄幽州走。 明年，幽州降，克用以劉仁恭為留後，乃旋。
Early in the Jingfu era Wang Rong of Zhenzhou attacked Yaoshan. Keyong sent Li Sikuen against him and claimed thirty thousand heads. Keyong then took Tianchang, overran Changshan, crossed the Hutuo, and burned its outer walls. He overran the country as far as Zhao and took the cities of Gu and Gao. Helian Duo attacked Tiancheng Army with eighty thousand men. Keyong issued urgent orders from Taiyuan while Kuangwei had already encamped at the north suburb of Yunzhou. Keyong led his men by night from Shendui into Yunzhou, fought savagely, and drove him off. In Qianning 1 (894) Keyong halted at Xincheng. Duo came on his knees to the camp gate to surrender. Keyong whipped him and let him go. He advanced to take Wuzhou and attacked Xinzhou. Li Kuangchou led seventy thousand foot and horse to the rescue. Keyong met him in battle, claimed ten thousand heads, took three hundred junior officers prisoner, overran the walls, and Xinzhou surrendered. He took Guizhou. Kuangchou abandoned Youzhou and fled. The following year Youzhou surrendered. Keyong appointed Liu Rengong acting commander and returned home.
23
王行瑜、韓建、李茂貞連兵南闕下，殺李溪。 克用盡調北部兵度河，拔絳州，斬刺史王瑤。 次河中，王珂謁於道。 同州王行約奔京師。 圍韓建於華州，京師震動，帝為幸石門、莎城，遣內謁郗廷昱慰勞，且言茂貞屯盩厔，行瑜屯興平，克用乃進營渭橋。 帝以嗣延王戒丕、嗣丹王允詔克用擊邠、鳳。 克用奉詔，屯渭北，遣史儼以票騎三千護石門，且令王珂輸河中粟備行在。 帝以赤詔嘉答，進克用諸道兵馬都招討使，命二嗣王兄事之，令促討行瑜。 克用請帝還京師，以二千騎衛乘輿。 時宮室煨殘，駐尚書省，百官喪馬，克用進乘輿金具裝二駟，又上百乘給從官。 進太師、兼中書令、邠寧四面行營都統。
Wang Xingyu, Han Jian, and Li Maozhen joined forces below the southern palace gates and killed Li Xi. Keyong mobilized every northern soldier across the river, took Jiangzhou, and beheaded Prefect Wang Yao. He halted at Hezhong, where Wang Ke came out to pay his respects along the road. Wang Xingyue of Tongzhou fled to the capital. He besieged Han Jian at Huazhou, throwing the capital into alarm. The emperor withdrew to Shimen and Shacheng and sent Inner Attendant Xi Tingyu to console the army, reporting that Maozhen was encamped at Zhouzhi and Xingyu at Xingping. Keyong then advanced and encamped at Weiqiao. The emperor sent Princes Jiepi and Dan with orders for Keyong to attack Bin and Feng. Keyong obeyed the edict, encamped north of the Wei, sent Shi Yan with three thousand swift horsemen to guard Shimen, and ordered Wang Ke to ship Hezhong grain for the traveling court. The emperor answered with a vermilion edict of praise, promoted Keyong to overall commander of all circuits' forces, instructed the two princes to treat him as an elder brother, and urged him to crush Xingyu quickly. Keyong asked the emperor to return to Chang'an and provided two thousand horsemen to guard the imperial carriage. The palaces lay in charred ruins and the court lodged at the Secretariat; officials had lost their horses. Keyong presented two gold-trimmed teams for the imperial carriage and a hundred mounts for the attending officials. He was promoted to Grand Preceptor, concurrently Secretariat Director, and overall commander of the four-sided Binning campaign army.
24
行瑜堅壁梨園，茂貞自率師三萬逼咸陽而屯。 克用請帝責茂貞罷兵，因削官爵，願與河中共討之。 帝詔弟事行瑜，貸茂貞，俾結好。 朱詔賜魏國夫人陳氏。 陳，襄陽人也，善書，帝所愛，欲急平賊，故予之。 茂貞以兵援龍泉，克用使李罕之、李存審夜引兵劫其餉，援兵亡，行瑜潰而走，追殺萬計。 行瑜入邠州，丐歸款，克用使史儼入其城。 行瑜死慶州，傳首京師。 帝悉論幕府官屬及諸子功，封爵之，克用賜號「忠貞平難功臣」，進封晉王。
Xingyu held fast at Liyuan while Maozhen personally led thirty thousand men to press Xianyang and encamp nearby. Keyong asked the emperor to rebuke Maozhen, order him to withdraw, strip his rank, and offered to join Hezhong in attacking him. The emperor ordered him to treat Xingyu as a younger brother, pardon Maozhen, and seek reconciliation. A vermilion edict ennobled Lady Chen as Duchess of Wei. Chen was from Xiangyang, skilled in calligraphy, and a favorite of the emperor, who granted her the title in hope of speeding the rebels' defeat. Maozhen sent troops to relieve Longquan. Keyong had Li Hanzhi and Li Cunshen strike by night and seize their supplies. The relief force scattered, Xingyu's army broke and fled, and the pursuit claimed tens of thousands of lives. Xingyu entered Binzhou and begged to submit. Keyong sent Shi Yan into the city. Xingyu died at Qingzhou, and his head was sent to the capital. The emperor reviewed the merits of every member of Keyong's staff and household and enfeoffed them accordingly. Keyong was granted the title Loyal and Upright Pacifier of Rebellion and advanced to Prince of Jin.
25
克用屯雲陽，遣李習吉入朝，且請與王珂悉力討茂貞，帝不許。 克用私於使者曰：「叛根不除，憂未艾也。」 天子發度支錢三十萬緡勞其軍。 時鄆州朱宣兄弟為全忠所困，使來告，克用請道於魏救之。 兵解復鬥，克用自將而往，使李存信率兵三萬與史儼等次於莘，為魏兵所破。 克用怒，大略相、魏去。
Keyong encamped at Yunyang and sent Li Xiji to court, asking to join Wang Ke in an all-out campaign against Maozhen. The emperor refused. Keyong told the envoy privately, "Until the root of rebellion is cut out, our troubles will not end. The emperor issued three hundred thousand strings of cash from the treasury to reward his army. The Zhu Xuan brothers of Yanzhou were then besieged by Quanzhong and sent envoys begging for aid. Keyong asked passage through Wei to rescue them. The armies disengaged and then fought again. Keyong led in person while sending Li Cunxin with thirty thousand men and Shi Yan to encamp at Shen, where they were defeated by Wei troops. Keyong was enraged, plundered Xiang and Wei on his way out, and withdrew.
26
始，茂貞畏克用見討，修貢獻如藩臣。 及克用還，絕貢獻，與韓建謀以兵入朝。 帝懼，詔克用進衛京師。 帝謀度河幸太原，遣延王入克用軍促迎天子。 既次渭北，建固請幸華州。 克用謂王曰：「患本於不斷，顧上自為之。」 李存信攻魏，葛從周引眾三萬來援，戰洹水上，汴人夜坎諸野，哄合，克用子落落馬陷而顛，克用救之，亦顛； 追兵迫，射之乃免。 存信已傅魏城，克用並力，羅弘信以捉生逆戰，為克用所敗，追及郛，叩闔而還。 於是陜州王珙攻河中，李嗣昭援珂，再戰再勝，珙圍解。
At first Maozhen feared Keyong would attack him and sent tribute like a vassal lord. Once Keyong withdrew, he cut off tribute and plotted with Han Jian to march on the capital. Terrified, the emperor ordered Keyong to advance and guard the capital. The emperor planned to cross the river to Taiyuan and sent Prince Yan into Keyong's camp to urge him to welcome the throne. Once the court halted north of the Wei, Han Jian pressed hard for a move to Huazhou. Keyong told the prince, "The trouble lies in indecision—the emperor brings it on himself. Li Cunxin attacked Wei. Ge Congzhou brought thirty thousand men to the rescue. They fought on the Huan River while Bian troops dug trenches across the fields by night and closed in. Keyong's son Luoluo was thrown when his horse fell; Keyong rushed to save him and was thrown as well. Pursuers pressed close; he shot back and barely escaped. Cunxin had already reached Wei city. Keyong joined forces, defeated Luo Hongxin in a sharp counterattack, pursued to the outer wall, and withdrew after pounding on the gates. Wang Gong of Shaanzhou then attacked Hezhong. Li Cizhao came to Ke's aid, won twice in succession, and lifted the siege.
27
帝使延王持節至太原，謂克用曰：「不用卿計，故逮此，無可言者。 今我寄於華，百司群官無所托，非卿尚誰與憂？ 不則不復見宗廟矣！」 王至太原，克用留累月，每大張飲，王必以舞屬克用，因陳國事，涕數行下，冀感動之。 時劉仁恭據幽州，貳於克用，數召兵不應，克用以書讓之，仁恭得書，抵於地，遂顯絕。 故克用內憂幽州，以好辭謝王，不復有西意。 俄自將屯蔚州，會晨大雺冥，仁恭來薄戰，克用大敗，走太原，大將多死。
The emperor sent Prince Yan with credentials to Taiyuan. "Because I did not heed your counsel," he told Keyong, "I have come to this pass. There is nothing more to say. Now I lodge at Hua and the whole bureaucracy has nowhere to stand. If not you, with whom shall I share these cares? Otherwise I shall never see the ancestral temples again! When the prince reached Taiyuan, Keyong kept him for many months. At every great feast the prince would dance for Keyong and plead the state's cause with tears streaming down his face, hoping to move him. Liu Rengong held Youzhou and had turned against Keyong, repeatedly ignoring summons for troops. Keyong rebuked him in a letter. Rengong threw it to the ground and openly broke with him. Keyong was therefore preoccupied with Youzhou, declined the prince with courteous words, and no longer entertained any thought of marching west. Soon he led the army in person to Youzhou. At dawn a thick fog descended. Rengong pressed the attack, Keyong was routed, fled to Taiyuan, and many of his generals fell.
28
全忠奪邢、磁、洺三州，茂貞度克用沮橈，無能出師，乃與韓建謾好，致書言帝暴露累年，請共治宮室迎天子。 初，長安自石門之奔，宮殿焚圮，及岐人再逆，火閭里皆盡，宮城昏夜狐貍鳴啼，無人跡。 帝幸華西溪，望舊京必泫然流涕，左右淒塞不得語。 王建方盜兩川，茂貞欲披其鄙私之，數南師，不暇東，而全忠繕治洛陽，茂貞因約克用共其勞，克用辭窮，乃出貲為助。
Quanzhong seized Xing, Ci, and Ming. Maozhen judged Keyong thwarted and unable to march, made a show of peace with Han Jian, and wrote that the emperor had been exposed to the elements for years, proposing that they rebuild the palaces and welcome him back. Since the flight through Shimen, Chang'an's palaces had been burned to ruins. When the Qi factions rebelled again, fire consumed the lanes. At night foxes and badgers cried in the palace city where no human footfall remained. At the western stream at Hua the emperor gazed toward the old capital and wept every time; those beside him were choked with grief and could not speak. Wang Jian was seizing the two Sichuan circuits and Maozhen wished to expose his designs, sending repeated southern campaigns with no leisure for the east. Quanzhong was repairing Luoyang, and Maozhen asked Keyong to share the labor. Hard pressed, Keyong contributed funds.
29
全忠知克用迮不振，乃大舉攻太原，分遣銳將氏叔琮等率魏博、兗鄆、邢洺、義武、晉絳兵環入之，晉城邑多下。 會大雨，汴兵糧乏，士瘧癘，遂解。 克用雖內憤悒，憚全忠強難與爭，乃厚致幣馬謝，復請修好。 全忠遂取同、華，屯渭上。 帝如鳳翔，李茂貞、韓全誨請召克用入衛。 克用間道遣使者奔問，並詒書全忠勸還汴，全忠不答。
Knowing Keyong was cornered and failing to recover, Quanzhong launched a major assault on Taiyuan. He sent sharp generals such as Shi Shuzong with Weibo, Yan-Yun, Xing-Ming, Yiwu, and Jin-Jiang forces to surround the region, and many Jin cities fell. Heavy rains came, Bian supplies ran short, and malaria swept the ranks. The siege was lifted. Though inwardly furious, Keyong feared Quanzhong's strength and sent lavish gifts of coin and horses in apology, again asking for peace. Quanzhong then took Tong and Hua and encamped on the Wei. The emperor went to Fengxiang. Li Maozhen and Han Quanhui asked that Keyong be summoned to guard the throne. Keyong sent envoys by secret routes to inquire after the emperor and wrote Quanzhong urging him to return to Bian. Quanzhong did not reply.
30
克用率兵趨平陽，攻吉上堡，破汴軍於晉州。 李嗣昭、周德威下慈、隰，進屯河中。 汴將朱友寧以兵十萬壁其南，全忠自屯晉州。 晉人聞全忠至，皆失色。 時有虹貫德威營，氏叔琮薄壘疾鬥，晉兵大敗，仗械輜儲皆盡。 友寧長驅略汾、慈、隰州，皆下，遂圍太原，攻西門。 德威、嗣昭循山挈餘眾得歸，克用大恐，身荷版築，率士拒守，陰於嗣昭、德威謀奔雲州。 李存信曰：「不如依北蕃。」 國昌妻劉語克用曰：「聞王欲委城入蕃，審乎？ 計誰出？」 曰：「存信等為此。」 劉曰：「彼牧羊奴，安辦遠計。 王常笑王行瑜失城走而死，若何效之？ 且王頃居達靼，危不免。 必一朝去此，禍不旋跬，渠能及北虜哉？」 克用悟，乃止。 居數日，散士復集。 嗣昭夜擾友寧營，汴人驚，引去。 德威追之，抵白壁關，復收慈、隰、汾三州。 三年，克用攻晉州，聞帝自鳳翔還京師，乃去。 雲州都將王敬暉殺刺史劉再立，以地予劉仁恭； 李嗣昭討之。 仁恭援敬暉，嗣昭壁樂安，欲戰，仁恭取敬暉，棄城去。
Keyong led his army to Pingyang, attacked Jishang Fort, and defeated Bian forces at Jinzhou. Li Cizhao and Zhou Dewei took Ci and Xi and advanced to encamp at Hezhong. Bian general Zhu Youning encamped to the south with one hundred thousand men while Quanzhong himself held Jinzhou. When the Jin armies heard Quanzhong had arrived, every face turned pale. A rainbow spanned Dewei's camp. Shi Shuzong pressed the ramparts in fierce fighting. The Jin army was routed and lost all its weapons, gear, and stores. Youning drove deep, overran Fen, Ci, and Xi, and then besieged Taiyuan, assaulting the west gate. Dewei and Cizhao led the survivors back along the mountains. Keyong was terrified, took up a basket himself to work the ramparts, and led the defense while secretly plotting with Cizhao and Dewei to flee to Yunzhou. Li Cunxin said, "Better to submit to the northern tribes. Guochang's wife, Lady Liu, said to Keyong, "I hear you mean to abandon the city and flee to the tribes—is it true? Whose counsel is this?" He said, "Cunxin and the others propose it." Lady Liu said, "They are sheep-herding slaves—what far-reaching plan can they devise? You often mocked Wang Xingyu for losing his city, fleeing, and dying—why imitate him? And when you lately lived among the Tatars, danger was inescapable. Leave in the morning and disaster will be on your heels before nightfall—how will you ever reach the northern tribes?" Keyong took her meaning and abandoned the plan. Within days scattered soldiers began to rally again. Cizhao raided Youning's camp by night. The Bian troops panicked and withdrew. Dewei pursued them to Baiyu Pass and recovered Ci, Xi, and Fen. In the third year Keyong attacked Jinzhou, but hearing the emperor had returned from Fengxiang to the capital, he withdrew. Yunzhou commander Wang Jinghui killed Prefect Liu Zaili and handed the territory to Liu Rengong. Li Cizhao marched against him. Rengong came to Jinghui's aid. Cizhao encamped at Le'an ready to fight, but Rengong carried Jinghui off and abandoned the city.
31
帝東遷，詔至太原，克用泣謂其下曰：「乘輿不復西矣。」 遣使者奔問行在，俄加號「協盟同力功臣。」 李茂貞、王建與邠州楊崇本遣使者來約義舉，克用顧藩鎮皆附汴，不可與共功，惟契丹阿保機尚可用，乃卑辭召之。 保機身到雲中，與克用會，約為兄弟，留十日去，遺馬千匹、牛羊萬計，期冬大舉度河，會昭宗弒而止。 四年，王建、李茂貞約克用大舉。 建將康晏步騎二萬與克用監軍張承業會鳳翔，是時汴將王重師守長安，劉知俊守同州，與戰長安西，建兵敗，遂不振。
When the emperor moved east and the edict reached Taiyuan, Keyong wept and told his followers, "The imperial carriage will never return west again. He sent envoys in haste to the traveling court and was soon granted the title Meritorious Ally of Shared Strength. Li Maozhen, Wang Jian, and Yang Chongben of Bin sent envoys proposing a joint rising. Keyong saw that the military governors had all thrown in with Bian and could not be relied on—only the Khitan Abaoji might still serve. He summoned him with humble words. Abaoji came in person to Yunzhong, met Keyong, and swore brotherhood. After ten days he departed, leaving a thousand horses and vast herds of cattle and sheep. They planned a major river crossing that winter, but the scheme ended when Emperor Zhaozong was assassinated. In the fourth year Wang Jian and Li Maozhen urged Keyong to launch a major campaign. Jian's general Kang Yan brought twenty thousand foot and horse to join Keyong's army supervisor Zhang Chengye at Fengxiang. Bian generals Wang Zhongshi held Chang'an and Liu Zhijun held Tongzhou. They fought west of Chang'an, Jian's army was defeated, and the effort never recovered.
32
唐亡，建與淮南楊渥請克用自王一方，須賊平訪唐宗室立之。 建請悉蜀工制乘輿禦物。 克用答曰：「自王，非吾誌也。」 建又勸茂貞王岐，茂貞孱褊，亦不敢當，但侈府第、僭宮禁而已。 建、渥乃自王。 是歲，克用有疾，城門自壞，明年卒。
After Tang fell, Jian and Yang Wo of Huainan asked Keyong to declare himself king in one region and, once the rebels were pacified, seek out a member of the Tang imperial house to enthrone. Jian asked that all Sichuan craftsmen be set to making imperial carriages and regalia. Keyong answered, "To make myself king is not my aim. Jian also urged Maozhen to declare himself king of Qi. Maozhen was timid and small-minded and dared not accept, contenting himself with enlarging his mansion and usurping palace decor. Jian and Wo then declared themselves kings. That year Keyong fell ill and a city gate collapsed on its own. He died the following year.
33
贊曰：沙陀始歸命天子，仰哺於邊，世喋血助征討，常為邊兵雄。 至克用逢王室亂，遂有太原。 虜性惇固，少它腸，自負材果，欲經營天下而不克也。 兵雖勝，然數敗； 地雖得，輒復失，故熟視帝劫遷，縮頸羞汗，偷景待僵，不亦鄙乎！ 賴其子慓銳，抑而復振。 是時，提兵托勤王者五族，然卒亡朱氏為唐滌恥者，沙陀也。 使克用稍知古今，能如齊桓、晉文，唐遽亡乎哉？
The commentator writes: The Shatuo first submitted to the Son of Heaven and lived on frontier sustenance. Generation after generation they bled in the dynasty's campaigns and were often the strongest troops on the border. When Keyong came of age amid royal turmoil, he seized Taiyuan. Their nature was blunt and stubborn, with little subtlety. Trusting his talent and resolve, he wished to master the realm but could not. His armies won battles yet lost repeatedly. Territory gained was soon lost again. He watched the emperor dragged from capital to capital, shrinking in shame, stealing time while the dynasty stiffened—is that not contemptible? Only his son's fierce energy let the house fall and rise again. Five houses then raised armies in the name of loyal service, yet in the end it was the Shatuo who destroyed the Zhu and avenged Tang's humiliation. Had Keyong understood something of history and possessed the stature of Duke Huan of Qi or Duke Wen of Jin, would Tang have fallen so soon?