1
明宗聖德和武欽孝皇帝，世本夷狄，無姓氏。 父霓，為雁門部將，生子邈佶烈，以騎射事太祖，為人質厚寡言，執事恭謹，太祖養以為子，賜名嗣源。
Mingzong, temple name for the emperor of sacred virtue, harmonious martial bearing, and reverent filial piety, came of barbarian stock on his father’s side and bore no clan name. His father Ni held a post as an officer of the Yanmen command. Ni’s son Mo Jilie won favor for mounted archery in the service of Li Keyong, the founding sovereign of Jin: steady, sparing of words, exact in duty. Keyong adopted him and gave him the name Siyuan.
2
梁攻兗、鄆，朱宣、朱瑾來乞師，太祖遣李存信將兵三萬救之。 存信留莘縣不進，使嗣源別以兵三幹先擊梁兵，梁兵解去。 存信留莘縣久之，為羅弘信所襲，存信敗走，嗣源獨殿而還，太祖以嗣源所將騎五百號「橫沖都」。 光化三年，李嗣昭攻梁邢、洺，出青山，遇葛從周兵，嗣昭大敗走，梁兵追之。 嗣源從間道後至，謂嗣昭曰：「為公一戰。」 乃解鞍礪鏃，憑高為陣，左右指畫，梁追兵望之莫測。 嗣源急呼曰：「吾取葛公，士卒可無動！」 乃馳騎犯之，出入奮擊。 嗣昭繼進，梁兵解去。 嗣源身中四矢，太祖解衣賜藥以勞之，由是李橫沖名重四方。
When Liang struck Yan and Yun, Zhu Xuan and Zhu Jin pleaded for aid. Keyong dispatched Li Cunxin at the head of thirty thousand men. Cunxin camped at Shen County and would not move forward. He sent Siyuan ahead with three thousand horse to hit Liang first; the enemy broke off and left. Cunxin lingered too long at Shen and Luo Hongxin fell on him. Cunxin ran. Siyuan alone covered the retreat. Keyong took the five hundred riders under Siyuan’s command and titled them the Traverse Charge Command. In Guanghua 3 (900), Li Sizhao marched against Liang’s Xing and Ming and debouched through Green Mountain into Ge Congzhou’s host. Sizhao was routed and fled; Liang gave chase. Siyuan reached the field by a side road and told Sizhao, “Let me stand one fight for you.” He stripped saddle, honed points, and drew up on the heights, signaling this way and that. The Liang pursuers stared and could not tell what they faced. Siyuan cried out, “I mean to seize Lord Ge myself—men, hold your ranks!” and spurred straight into the press, wheeling through the enemy lines again and again. Sizhao pressed after him; Liang drew off. Four shafts lodged in Siyuan’s flesh. Keyong stripped his own coat and sent medicine to comfort him. From that day the name of Li the Traverse Charge rang through the realm.
3
梁、晉相拒於柏鄉，梁龍驤軍以赤、白馬為兩陣，旗幟鎧仗皆如馬色，晉兵望之皆懼。 莊宗舉鐘以飲嗣源曰：「卿望梁家赤、白馬懼乎？ 雖吾亦怯也。」 嗣源笑曰：「有其表爾，翌日歸吾廄也。」 莊宗大喜曰：「卿當以氣吞之。」 因引鐘飲酹，奮楇馳騎，犯其白馬，挾二裨將而還。 梁兵敗，以功拜代州刺史。
Liang and Jin stood opposed at Baixiang. Liang’s Dragon Soar corps split red horses and white horses into two wings; flags, mail, and gear were dyed to match. Jin soldiers looked on and quailed. Zhuangzong lifted a cup to Siyuan and said, “Do those red and white horses of Liang frighten you? I am afraid myself.” Siyuan laughed. “They are show only. Tomorrow they graze in our stables.” Zhuangzong was delighted. “Then take them by sheer nerve.” He drained the cup as offering, seized his lance, and charged the white wing, snatching two Liang officers before wheeling back. Liang was beaten. For his service he was made governor of Dai.
4
莊宗攻劉守光，嗣源及李嗣昭將兵三萬別出飛狐，定山後，取武、媯、儒三州。 莊宗已平魏州，因徇下磁、相，拜相州刺史、昭德軍節度使。 久之，徙鎮安國。 契丹攻幽州，莊宗遣嗣源與閻寶等擊走之。
When Zhuangzong moved on Liu Shouguang, Siyuan and Li Sizhao took thirty thousand men out by Flying Fox, settled the country north of the passes, and seized Wu, Ji, and Ru. After Weizhou fell Zhuangzong swept on through Ci and Xiang. He made Siyuan governor of Xiang and military governor of Zhaode. In time he was shifted to the Anguo command. Khitan raiders hit Youzhou. Zhuangzong sent Siyuan with Yan Bao and others to beat them back.
5
同光元年，徙鎮橫海。 是時，梁、唐相拒於河上，李繼韜以潞州叛降梁，莊宗有憂色，召嗣源帳中，謂曰：「繼韜以上黨降梁，而梁方急攻澤州，吾出不意襲鄆州，以斷梁右臂，可乎？」 嗣源對曰：「夾河之兵久矣，茍非出奇，則大計不決，臣請獨當之。」 乃以步騎五千涉濟，至鄆州，鄆人無備，遂襲破之，即拜天平軍節度使、蕃漢馬步軍副都總管。
In Tongguang 1 (923) he was moved to the Henghai command. Liang and Tang were locked along the Yellow River. Li Jiyao turned Luzhou over to Liang. Zhuangzong’s face darkened. He called Siyuan to his tent and said, “Jiyao has given Shangdang to Liang while they hammer Ze. Suppose we take Yan by surprise and cut Liang’s right arm—would that serve?” Siyuan answered, “The river armies have stared at each other for years. Nothing decisive will come without a surprise. Let me carry this alone.” With five thousand mixed horse and foot he crossed the Ji, reached Yan unawares, and took the city by assault. He was made military governor of Tianping and deputy commander of all Tangut and Han horse and foot.
6
梁軍攻破德勝南柵，莊宗退保楊劉。 王彥章急攻鄆州，莊宗悉軍救之，嗣源為前鋒，擊梁軍。 追至中都，擒彥章及梁監軍張漢傑。 彥章雖敗，而段凝悉將梁兵屯河上，莊宗未知所向，諸將多言乘勝以取青、齊，嗣源曰：「彥章之敗，凝猶未知，使其聞之，遲疑定計，亦須三日。 縱使料吾所向，亟發救兵，必渡黎陽，數萬之眾，舟楫非一日具也。 此去汴州，不數百里，前無險阻，方陣而行，信宿可至，汴州已破，段凝豈足顧哉！」 而郭崇韜亦勸莊宗入汴，莊宗以為然，遣嗣源以千騎先至汴州，攻封丘門，王瓚開門降。 莊宗後至，見嗣源大喜，手攬其衣，以頭觸之曰：「天下與爾共之。」 拜中書令。
Liang breached the southern palisade at Desheng. Zhuangzong fell back to Yangliu. Wang Yanzhang hammered Yan. Zhuangzong marched out in full force. Siyuan led the van and hit Liang. The chase ran to Zhongdu. Yanzhang and Liang inspector Zhang Hanjie were taken. Yanzhang was down, but Duan Ning still had every Liang soldier on the river. Zhuangzong could not choose a course. Officers urged pressing on to Qing and Qi. Siyuan said, “Ning has not heard of Yanzhang’s fall. When he does he will stall and reckon—that buys three days. Even if he guesses our aim and rushes help, he must cross at Liyang. Tens of thousands cannot be boated across in one day. Bian lies fewer than two hundred li ahead with no choke point between. In battle order we reach it in two marches. Bian falls—then who cares for Duan Ning?” Guo Chongtao seconded the plan. Zhuangzong assented and sent Siyuan with a thousand riders to Bian to storm the Fengqiu Gate. Wang Zan opened and yielded. Zhuangzong came after, saw Siyuan, and rejoiced. He seized his robe and pressed forehead to forehead. “The empire is yours and mine together.” He was made Director of the Department of State Affairs.
7
二年，莊宗祀天南郊，賜以鐵券。 五月，破楊立於潞州。 六月，徙鎮宣武，兼蕃漢內外馬步軍總管。 冬，契丹侵漁陽，嗣源敗之於涿州。
In the second year Zhuangzong offered to Heaven at the southern suburb and gave him an iron certificate of mercy. In the fifth month Yang Li was crushed at Luzhou. In the sixth month he was shifted to Xuanwu and named overall commander of all Tangut and Han horse and foot, court and field. That winter Khitan raiders struck Yuyang. Siyuan beat them at Zhuo.
8
三年，徙鎮成德。 莊宗幸鄴，請朝行在，不許。 貞簡太后疾，請入省，又不許。 太后崩，請赴山陵，許之，而契丹侵邊，乃止。 十二月，遂朝於洛陽。
In the third year he was moved to the Chengde command. Zhuangzong went to Ye. Siyuan asked leave to attend at the traveling palace and was refused. Empress Dowager Zhenjian lay ill. He asked to visit her within the palace and was refused again. When the empress dowager died he sought leave for the tomb. Leave was granted, but Khitan struck the frontier and he stayed. In the twelfth month he was finally received at Luoyang.
9
天成元年，郭崇韜、朱友謙皆以讒死，嗣源以名位高，亦見疑忌。 趙在禮反於魏，大臣皆請遣嗣源討賊，莊宗不許。 群臣屢請，莊宗不得已，遣之。 三月壬子，嗣源至魏，屯御河南，在禮登樓謝罪。 甲寅，軍變，嗣源入於魏，與在禮合，夕出，止魏縣。 丁巳，以其兵南，遣石敬瑭將三百騎為先鋒。 嗣源行過鉅鹿，掠小坊馬二千匹以益軍。 壬申，入汴州。
In Tiancheng 1 (926) Guo Chongtao and Zhu Youqian fell to calumny. Siyuan’s standing made him suspect as well. Zhao Zaili rose at Wei. Ministers begged Zhuangzong to send Siyuan against him. Zhuangzong refused. They pressed repeatedly until Zhuangzong yielded and dispatched him. On renzi of the third month Siyuan reached Wei and camped south of the imperial ford. Zaili climbed the wall and sued for mercy. On jiayin the troops mutinied. Siyuan entered Wei and threw in with Zaili. At dusk he marched out and stopped at Wei County. On dingsi he turned south with the host and sent Shi Jingtang ahead with three hundred riders. Passing Julu he stripped two thousand horses from the roadside hamlets to swell his columns. On renshen he entered Bian.
10
五月丙辰朔，太子賓客鄭玨、工部尚書任圜為中書侍郎：同中書門下平章事。 戊辰，趙在禮為義成軍節度使。 六月丁酉，汴州控鶴軍亂，指揮使張諫殺其權知州事高逖。 己亥，諫伏誅。 秋七月庚申，安重誨殺殿直馬延於御史臺門。 契丹使梅老述骨來，渤海使大昭佐來。 己卯，貶豆盧革為辰州刺史，韋說敘州刺史。 甲申，流革於陵州，說於合州。 八月乙酉朔，陜州硤石縣民高存妻一產三男子。 丁酉，以象笏三十二賜百官之無笏者。 閱稼於冷泉宮。 己亥，契丹寇邊。 丁未，平盧軍節度使霍彥威殺其登州刺史王公儼。 甲寅，醫官張誌忠為太原少尹。 九月己未，幸至德宮及袁建豐第。 冬十月丁亥，雲南山後兩林百蠻都鬼主、右武衛大將軍李卑晚使大鬼主傅能何華來。 辛丑，契丹使沒骨餒來告阿保機哀，廢朝三日。 旱，辛亥雨。
On the bingchen new moon of the fifth month, Zheng Jue, guest of the heir apparent, and Ren Huan, minister of works, became vice directors of the Department of State Affairs and co-grand councilors. On wuchen Zhao Zaili was made military governor of Yicheng. On dingyou in the sixth month the Crane Control garrison at Bian mutinied. Commander Zhang Jian killed Gao Di, acting prefect. On jihai Jian was put to death. On gengshen of the seventh month An Chonghui had palace attendant Ma Yan killed at the Censorate gate. A Khitan envoy, Mei Laoshugu, arrived; a Bohai envoy, Da Zhaozuo, arrived. On jimao Dou Lu Ge was demoted to prefect of Chen and Wei Shuo to prefect of Xu. On jiashen Ge was exiled to Ling and Shuo to He. On the yiyou new moon of the eighth month, the wife of Gao Cun in Xiashi, Shaan, gave birth to three boys at once. On dingyou thirty-two ivory court tablets were given to officials who lacked them. The emperor inspected the harvest at Cold Spring Palace. On jihai Khitan struck the frontier. On dingwei Huo Yanwei, military governor of Pinglu, killed his Deng prefect Wang Gongyi. On jiayin the physician Zhang Zhizhong was made vice governor of Taiyuan. On jiwei of the ninth month he visited Perfect Virtue Palace and Yuan Jianfeng’s house. On dinghai of the tenth month, Li Beiwan, chief spirit lord of the Two Forests Hundred Clans south of Cloud Mountain and great general of the Right Martial Guard, sent the great spirit lord Fu Nenghua as envoy. On xinchou the Khitan envoy Mogunei came with word of Abaoji’s death. The court mourned three days. Drought held the land; on xinhai rain fell.
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二年春正月癸丑朔，更名亶。 癸亥，端明殿學士兵部侍郎馮道、太常卿崔協為中書侍郎：同中書門下平章事。 二月壬午朔，新羅使張芬來。 西川節度使孟知祥殺其兵馬都監李嚴。 丙申，赦京師囚。 郭從謙為景州刺史，既而殺之。 戊戌，山南東道節度使劉訓為南面招討使，以伐荊南。 三月壬子朔，幸會節園，群臣買宴。 盧臺軍亂，殺其將寫震。 新羅使林彥來。 夏四月庚寅，盧臺軍將龍至等伏誅。 夏四月庚寅，盧臺軍將龍至等伏誅。 六月丙戌，任圜罷。 庚子，幸白司馬坡，祭突厥神。 秋七月甲子，隨州刺史西方鄴取夔、忠、萬州。 癸酉，殺豆盧革、韋說。 八月乙酉，牂牁使宋朝化及昆明使者來。 九月庚午，党項使如連山來。 壬申，契丹使梅老來。 冬十月乙酉，如汴州。 宣武軍節度使朱守殷反，馬步軍都指揮使馬彥超死之。 己丑，守殷自殺。 乙未，殺太子少保致仕任圜。 辛丑，德音釋輕系囚。 是月，傳箭於霍彥威。 十一月乙亥，契丹使梅老來。 十二月己丑，回鶻西界吐蕃遣使者來。 甲辰，畋於東郊。 丙午，追尊祖考為皇帝，妣為皇后； 高祖聿謚曰孝恭，廟號惠祖，祖妣劉氏謚曰孝恭昭； 曾祖敖謚曰孝質，廟號毅祖，祖妣張氏謚曰孝質順； 祖琰謚曰孝靖，廟號烈祖，祖妣何氏謚曰孝靖穆； 考謚曰孝成，廟號德祖，妣劉氏謚曰孝成懿。 立廟於應州。
In the second year, spring, on the guichou new moon of the first month, he changed his personal name to Dan. On guihai Feng Dao, Bright Hall academician and vice minister of war, and Cui Xie, grand master of splendid happiness, became vice directors of the Department of State Affairs and co-grand councilors. On the renwu new moon of the second month the Silla envoy Zhang Fen arrived. Meng Zhixiang, military governor of Western Shu, killed his inspector of horse and foot, Li Yan. On bingchen prisoners in the capital were amnestied. Guo Congqian was made prefect of Jing—and soon after was executed. On wuxu Liu Xun, military governor of Shannan East, was named southern suppression commissioner to strike Jingnan. On the renzi new moon of the third month he went to Festival Garden and gave a feast for the court. The Lutai garrison mutinied and killed its commander Wu Zhen. The Silla envoy Lin Yan arrived. On gengyin in the fourth month of summer, Lutai officers Long Zhi and others were put to death. On gengyin in the fourth month of summer, Lutai officers Long Zhi and others were put to death. On bingxu Ren Huan was removed from office. On gengzi he went to White Horse Slope and offered to the Turkic spirit. On jiazi of the seventh month Fang Ye of the west, prefect of Sui, seized Kui, Zhong, and Wan. On guiyou Dou Lu Ge and Wei Shuo were executed. On yiyou envoys arrived from Zangge and from Kunming. On gengwu Tangut envoys came through Lianshan. On renshen the Khitan envoy Mei Lao came. On yiyou of the tenth month he went to Bian. Zhu Shouyin, military governor of Xuanwu, rose in revolt. Ma Yanchao, overall commander of horse and foot, fell in the fighting. On jichou Shouyin took his own life. On yiwei Ren Huan, retired grand guardian of the heir apparent, was executed. On xinchou a mercy edict freed prisoners held on lesser offenses. That month a summoning arrow was sent to Huo Yanwei. On yihai of the eleventh month the Khitan envoy Mei Lao came. On jichou envoys arrived from the Uyghur western marches and from Tibet. On jiachen he hunted at the eastern suburb. On bingwu he posthumously raised his grandfather to emperor and his grandmother to empress; The High Ancestor received the posthumous name Xiaogong and the temple title Huizu; his consort, Lady Liu, the name Xiaogong Zhao; great-grandfather Ao the posthumous Xiaozhi and temple name Yizu; his consort, Lady Zhang, Xiaozhi Shun; grandfather Yan the posthumous Xiaojing and temple name Liezu; his consort, Lady He, Xiaojing Mu; his father the posthumous Xiaocheng and temple name Dezu; his mother, Lady Liu, Xiaocheng Yi. A dynastic temple was raised at Ying.
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三年春正月丁巳，契丹陷平州。 二月辛巳，吐渾都督李紹虜來。 乙未，孔循罷。 戊戌，回鶻使李阿山來。 三月丁未朔，御劄求直言。 己未，鄭玨罷。 癸亥，成德軍節度使王建立為尚書右僕射、同中書門下平章事。 西方鄴克歸州。 戊辰，宣徽南院使範延光為樞密使。 夏四月戊寅，延光罷。 乙酉，達靼遣使者來。 義武軍節度使王都反。 壬寅，歸德軍節度使王晏球為北面行營招討使。 五月，契丹禿餒入於定州。 辛酉，右衛上將軍趙敬怡為樞密使。 封回鶻可汁王仁裕為順化可汗。 秋七月己未，殺齊州防禦使曹廷隱。 八月，盧龍軍節度使趙德鈞執契丹首領惕隱赫邈。 慶州防禦使竇廷琬反。 冬十月，靜難軍節度使李敬周討之。 丁巳，突厥使張慕晉來。 十一月壬午，吐渾使念九來。 甲午，王建立罷。 十二月，李敬周克慶州，竇廷琬伏誅。 幸亥，幸康義誠第。
In the third year, spring, on dingsi of the first month, Khitan seized Pingzhou. On xinsi of the second month the Tuhun commander Li Shaolu arrived. On yimou Kong Xun left office. On wuxu the Uyghur envoy Li Ashan came. On the dingwei new moon of the third month the throne called for blunt counsel in an imperial rescript. On jiwei Zheng Jue left office. On guihai Wang Jianli, military governor of Chengde, became Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and co-grand councillor. Xifang Ye seized Gui prefecture. On wuchen Fan Yanguang of the southern Secretariat bureau was named Bureau Military Affairs commissioner. On wuyin of the fourth month, in summer, Yanguang left office. On yiyou the Tatars sent envoys. Wang Du, military governor of Yiwu, rose in revolt. On renyin Wang Yanqiu, military governor of Guide, was made northern campaign suppression commissioner. In the fifth month the Khitan leader Tuyi entered Ding. On xinyou Zhao Jingyi, general of the Right Guard, became Bureau Military Affairs commissioner. The Uyghur kaghan Wang Renyu was enfeoffed as Shunhua Kaghan. On jiwei of the seventh month, in autumn, Cao Tingyin, defense commissioner of Qi, was executed. In the eighth month Zhao Dejun of Lulong captured the Khitan tiyin Hemi. Dou Tingwan, defense commissioner of Qing, rebelled. In the tenth month of winter Li Jingzhou, military governor of Jingnan, marched against him. On dingsi the Turk envoy Zhang Mujin came. On renwu of the eleventh month the Tuhun envoy Nianjiu came. On jiawu Wang Jianli left office. In the twelfth month Li Jingzhou took Qing; Dou Tingwan was put to death. On xinhai he called at Kang Yicheng’s house.
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長興元年春正月丁卯，閱馬於苑。 辛卯，宣徽南院使朱弘昭為大內留守。 二月，戊戌，黑水兀兒遣使者來。 乙巳，天雄軍節度使石敬瑭為御營使。 癸丑，朝獻於太微宮。 甲寅，享於太廟。 乙卯，有事於南郊，大赦，改元。 三月庚寅，立淑妃曹氏為皇后。 夏四月戊戌，安重誨使河中衙內指揮使楊彥溫逐其節度使從珂。 壬寅，西京留守索自通、侍衛步軍指揮使藥彥稠討之。 辛亥，自通執彥溫殺之。 戊午，群臣上尊號曰聖明神武文德恭孝皇帝。 辛酉，吐蕃首領於撥葛來。 五月丁丑，回鶻使孽栗祖來。 庚辰，回鶻使安黑連來。 秋七月壬午，訪莊宗子孫瘞所。 八月乙未，忠武軍節度使張延朗為三司使。 壬寅，殺捧聖都軍使李行德、大將張儉，滅其族。 吐渾來附。 封子從榮為秦王。 戊申，海州將王傳極殺其刺史陳宣，叛於吳來降。 乙卯，吐渾康合畢來。 丙辰，封子從厚為宋王。 九月壬戌，吐蕃使王滿儒來。 東川節度使董璋反。 甲申，成德軍節度使範延光為樞密使。 丁亥，石敬瑭為東川行營都招討使。 冬十月丁酉，始藏冰。 甲辰，驍衛上將軍致仕張筠進助軍粟。 乙巳，董璋陷閬州，殺節度使李仁矩，指揮使姚洪死之。 孟知祥反。 十一月庚申朔，秦王從榮受冊，謁於太廟。 丙戌，契丹東丹王突欲來奔。 十二月丁未，二王後、秘書丞、酅國公楊仁矩卒，廢朝一日。 丁巳，回鶻順化可汗王仁裕使翟末斯來。 安重誨討董璋。 沙州曹義金遣使者來。
In Changxing 1 (930), spring, on dingmao of the first month, he reviewed horses in the imperial park. On xinmao Zhu Hongzhao of the southern Secretariat bureau was made grand custodian of the inner palace. On wuxu of the second month Heishui Wuer sent envoys. On yisi Shi Jingtang, military governor of Tianxiong, was made imperial camp commissioner. On guichou he made offering at the Grand Weiyang Palace. On jiayin he sacrificed at the dynastic temple. On yimao he worshipped at the southern suburb, declared a great amnesty, and changed the reign title. On gengyin of the third month Consort Cao was raised to empress. On wuxu of the fourth month, in summer, An Chonghui had Yang Yanwen, Hezhong garrison commander, drive out the circuit’s military governor Congke. On renyin Suo Zitong, custodian of the western capital, and Yao Yanchou, commander of the palace foot soldiery, marched against him. On xinhai Zitong seized Yanwen and executed him. On wuwu the ministers offered the honorific Sagacious, Luminous, Divine, Martial, Civil, Virtuous, Reverent, and Filial Emperor. On xinyou the Tibetan leader Yuboge came. On dingchou of the fifth month the Uyghur envoy Nielizu came. On gengchen the Uyghur envoy An Heilian came. On renwu of the seventh month, in autumn, he searched out where Zhuangzong’s line lay buried. On yiwei of the eighth month Zhang Yanlang, military governor of Zhongwu, was made Three Commissions commissioner. On renyin Li Xingde, commander of the Paladin Capital Guard, and the general Zhang Jian were executed and their kin wiped out. The Tuhun submitted. His son Congrong was enfeoffed as Prince of Qin. On wushen Wang Chuanji, a Haizhou officer, killed the prefect Chen Xuan, had thrown in with Wu, and now came over in surrender. On yimao the Tuhun leader Kang Hebi came. On bingchen his son Conghou was enfeoffed as Prince of Song. On renxu of the ninth month the Tibetan envoy Wang Manru came. Dong Zhang, military governor of Dongchuan, rose in revolt. On jiashen Fan Yanguang, military governor of Chengde, became Bureau Military Affairs commissioner. On dinghai Shi Jingtang was made grand suppression commissioner for the eastern Sichuan campaign. On dingyou of the tenth month, in winter, the court began the rite of storing ice. On jiachen Zhang Yun, retired general of the Valiant Guard, sent grain to support the troops. On yisi Dong Zhang seized Lang, killed the military governor Li Renju, and the commander Yao Hong fell in the fighting. Meng Zhixiang rebelled. On the gengshen new moon of the eleventh month Prince of Qin Congrong took the seal and bowed at the dynastic temple. On bingxu the Khitan Prince of Eastern Dān, Tuyu, defected to the throne. On dingwei of the twelfth month Yang Renju, heir of the two royal houses, secretary aide, and Duke of Xi, died; court business ceased one day. On dingsi Zhai Mosi arrived as envoy from the Uyghur Shunhua Kaghan Wang Renyu. An Chonghui marched against Dong Zhang. Cao Yijin of Shazhou sent envoys.
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二年春正月戊辰，党項使折七移來。 庚辰，達靼使列六薛娘居來。 二月丁酉，幸安元信第。 戊戌，突厥使杜阿熟、吐渾使康萬琳來。 辛丑，安重誨罷。 三月，趙鳳罷。 丁亥，太常卿李愚為中書侍郎、同中書門下平章事。 夏四月甲辰，宣徽北院使趙延壽為樞密使。 甲寅，董璋陷遂州，武信軍節度使夏魯奇死之。 乙卯，以旱赦流罪以下囚。 閏五月丁酉，殺太子太師致仕安重誨及其妻張氏、子崇贊崇緒。 秋八月己未，契丹使邪姑兒來。 九月丁亥，放五坊鷹隼。 冬十一月戊申，吐蕃遣使者來。 辛丑，旌表棣州民邢釗門閭。 十二月甲寅朔，除鐵禁，初稅農具錢。 己未，西涼府遣使者來。 己巳，回鶻使安永思來。 辛未，渤海使文成角來。 党項寇方渠。
In the second year, spring, on wuchen of the first month, the Tangut envoy Zheqiyi came. On gengchen the Tatar envoy Lieliuxueniangju came. On dingyou of the second month he called at An Yuanxin’s house. On wuxu the Turk envoy Du Ashu and the Tuhun envoy Kang Wanlin came. On xinchou An Chonghui left office. In the third month Zhao Feng left office. On dinghai Li Yu, grand minister of imperial sacrifices, became Vice Director of the Secretariat and co-grand councillor. On jiachen of the fourth month, in summer, Zhao Yanshou of the northern Secretariat bureau was named Bureau Military Affairs commissioner. On jiayin Dong Zhang seized Sui; Xia Luqi, military governor of Wuxin, fell in the fighting. On yimao, because of drought, prisoners convicted below exile were amnestied. On dingyou of the intercalary fifth month the retired grand preceptor of the heir An Chonghui, his wife Lady Zhang, and his sons Chongzan and Chongxu were put to death. On jiwei of the eighth month, in autumn, the Khitan envoy Yeguer came. On dinghai of the ninth month the court freed the hawks and falcons of the Five Pens. On wushen of the eleventh month, in winter, Tibet sent envoys. On xinchou the court honored the household of Xing Zhao of Di at his gate. On the jiayin new moon of the twelfth month the iron ban was lifted and a levy on farm implements was first imposed. On jiwei Xiliang sent envoys. On jisi the Uyghur envoy An Yongsi came. On xinwei the Parhae envoy Wenchengjiao came. Tangut struck Fangqu.
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三年春正月庚子，契丹使拽骨來。 己酉，渤海、回鶻皆遣使者來。 二月己卯，靜難軍節度使藥彥稠及党項戰於牛兒谷，敗之。 三月甲申，契丹遣使者來。 夏四月庚申，新羅遣使者來。 五月己丑，二王後詹事司直楊延紹襲封酅國公。 丙午，孟知祥攻董璋，陷綿州。 六月甲寅，封王建為高麗國王、大義軍使孟知祥殺董璋，陷東川。 達靼首領頡哥以其族來附。 秋八月己卯，吐蕃遣使者來。 冬十月庚申，幸石敬瑭第。
In the third year, spring, on gengzi of the first month, the Khitan envoy Zhuaiyu came. On jiyou Parhae and the Uyghurs each sent envoys. On jimao of the second month Yao Yanchou of Jingnan fought the Tangut at Ox Valley and beat them. On jiashen of the third month Khitan sent envoys. On gengshen of the fourth month, in summer, Silla sent envoys. On jichou of the fifth month Yang Yanshao, aide in the heir’s household, inherited the title Duke of Xi. On bingwu Meng Zhixiang struck Dong Zhang and seized Mian. On jiayin of the sixth month Wang Jian was enfeoffed king of Goryeo; Meng Zhixiang, commissioner of the Dayi army, killed Dong Zhang and took Dongchuan. The Tatar leader Ge led his people in submission. On jimao of the eighth month, in autumn, Tibet sent envoys. On gengshen of the tenth month, in winter, he called at Shi Jingtang’s house.
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四年春正月庚寅，端明殿學士、兵部侍郎劉句為中書侍郎、同中書門下平章事。 二月戊午，孟知祥使朱滉來。 三月甲辰，追冊晉國夫人夏氏為皇后。 夏五月戊寅，封子從珂為潞王，從益許王，侄從溫兗王，從璋洋王，從敏涇王。 丙戌，契丹使述骨卿來。 秋七月乙未，回鶻都督李末來，獻白鶻，命放之。 八月戊申，大赦。 九月戊戌，趙延壽罷。 山南東道節度使朱弘昭為樞密使。 冬十月庚申，範延光罷。 三司使馮赟為樞密使。 壬申，幸士和亭，得疾。 十一月壬辰，秦王從榮以兵入興聖宮，不克，伏誅。 乙未，侍衛親軍都指揮使康義誠殺三司使孫嶽。 戊戌，皇帝崩於雍和殿。
In the fourth year, spring, on gengyin of the first month, Liu Gou, Bright Hall academician and vice minister of war, became Vice Director of the Secretariat and co-grand councillor. On wuwu of the second month Meng Zhixiang’s envoy Zhu Huang came. On jiachen of the third month Lady Xia, consort of Jin, was posthumously raised to empress. On wuyin of the fifth month, in summer, his son Congke was made Prince of Lu, Congyi Prince of Xu, his nephew Congwen Prince of Yan, Congzhang Prince of Yang, and Congmin Prince of Jing. On bingxu the Khitan envoy Shugujing arrived. On yiwei of the seventh month, in autumn, the Uyghur commander Li Mo came, offering a white crane; the court ordered it set free. On wushen of the eighth month the throne proclaimed a general amnesty. On wuxu of the ninth month Zhao Yanshou left office. Zhu Hongzhao, military governor of Shannan East, became Bureau Military Affairs commissioner. On gengshen of the tenth month, in winter, Fan Yanguang left office. Feng Yun, Three Offices commissioner, was named Bureau Military Affairs commissioner. On renshen he went to Shihe Pavilion and took sick. On renchen of the eleventh month Prince of Qin Congrong marched on Xingsheng Palace, could not prevail, and was put to death. On yiwei Kang Yicheng, commander of the Palace Attendant Personal Army, killed Sun Yue, Three Offices commissioner. On wuxu the emperor died in Yonghe Hall.
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嗚呼，自古治世少而亂世多！ 三代之王有天下者，皆數百年，其可道者，數君而已，況於後世邪！ 況於五代邪！ 予聞長老為予言：「明宗雖出夷狄，而為人純質，寬仁愛人。」 於五代之君，有足稱也。 嘗夜焚香，仰天而祝曰：「臣本蕃人，豈足治天下！ 世亂久矣，願天早生聖人。」 自初即位，減罷宮人、伶官； 廢內藏庫，四方所上物，悉歸之有司。 廣壽殿火災，有司理之，請加丹雘，喟然嘆曰：「天以火戒我，豈宜增以侈邪！」 歲嘗旱，已而雪，暴出庭中，詔武德司宮中無得掃雪，曰：「此天所以賜我也。」 數問宰相馮道等民間疾苦，聞道等言谷帛賤，民無疾疫，則欣然曰：「吾何以堪之，當與公等作好事，以報上天。」 吏有犯贓，輒置之死，曰：「此民之蠹也！」 以詔書褒廉吏孫嶽等，以風示天下。 其愛人恤物，蓋亦有意於治矣。 其即位時，春秋已高，不邇聲色，不樂遊畋。 在位七年，於五代之君，最為長世，兵革粗息，年屢豐登，生民實賴以休息。 然夷狄性果，仁而不明，屢以非辜誅殺臣下。 至於從榮父子之間，不能慮患為防，而變起倉卒，卒陷之以大惡，帝亦由此飲恨而終。 當是時，大理少卿康澄上疏言時事，其言曰：「為國家者有不足懼者五，深可畏者六：三辰失行不足懼，天象變見不足懼，小人訛言不足懼，山崩川竭不足懼，水旱蟲蝗不足懼也； 賢士藏匿深可畏，四民遷業深可畏，上下相徇深可畏，廉恥道消深可畏，毀譽亂真深可畏，直言不聞深可畏也。」 識者皆多澄言切中時病。 若從榮之變，任圜、安重誨等之死，可謂上下相徇，而毀譽亂真之敝矣。 然澄之言，豈止一時之病，凡為國者，可不戒哉！
Alas—from antiquity ages of order have been few and ages of chaos many! Kings of the Three Dynasties who held All under Heaven each reigned for centuries, yet only a handful are worth recounting—what of later times! What then of the Five Dynasties! I have heard elders say: “Mingzong was born among the northern tribes, yet in character he was plain and sincere, magnanimous and humane.” Among the sovereigns of the Five Dynasties, he alone is worth the telling. He would burn incense at night, lift his face to Heaven, and pray: “I am a tribesman at root—what right have I to govern the realm! The world has been torn too long; may Heaven soon raise up a sage.” From the day he took the throne he cut back palace women and the actor-officials; he closed the inner treasury, and every tribute from the four quarters went straight to the responsible ministries. After fire took Guangshou Hall the offices set the matter right and asked to restore it in vermilion lacquer. He sighed: “Heaven has warned me with flame—shall I answer with still more display!” One year, after drought, snow fell; he had it left lying in the courtyard and ordered the Wude Bureau not to clear snow inside the palace walls, saying, “This snow is Heaven’s gift to me.” Again and again he asked Feng Dao and the other chief councillors how the people fared. When they reported cheap grain and cloth and no pestilence, he brightened and said, “Such blessing is more than I deserve—we must do good together and repay Heaven.” Any official caught in corruption he put to death on the spot, saying, “These are worms in the people’s flesh!” He issued edicts praising honest officers such as Sun Yue, to set the tone for the empire. In cherishing men and sparing things he showed a real will to govern. He was already old when he ascended; he kept his distance from music and women and took no joy in the chase. Seven years on the throne—the longest of any Five Dynasties sovereign. War subsided in the main; harvests ran rich year on year, and the common people at last breathed easier. Yet the tribal temper is swift and hard: he was kind but not discerning, and more than once executed ministers who had done no wrong. Between himself and Congrong he failed to read trouble in time; the revolt broke without warning, and in the end Congrong was trapped in grave guilt. The emperor, too, carried bitterness to his grave. Then Kang Cheng, vice director of the Court of Judicial Review, memorialized on the times. He wrote: “For the man who holds a state, five things need not be feared and six should deeply alarm him. The sun, moon, and stars astray—no matter; omens in the sky—no matter; rumor from small men—no matter; mountains falling and rivers failing—no matter; flood, drought, insects, and locusts—no matter; worthy men in hiding—deeply to be feared; the four classes abandoning their trades—deeply to be feared; superiors and subordinates shielding one another—deeply to be feared; integrity and shame worn thin—deeply to be feared; praise and blame twisting truth—deeply to be feared; honest counsel never reaching the throne—deeply to be feared.” Men of judgment praised Kang Cheng’s memorial for striking the sickness of the age. Congrong’s revolt, the deaths of Ren Yuan and An Chonghui—these were precisely superiors and subordinates shielding one another, and praise and blame twisting what was true. Yet Kang Cheng spoke to more than the ills of a single reign—whoever holds a state should heed him!