1
太祖劉太妃貞簡皇后曹氏
Taizu’s Grand Consort Liu and Empress Zhenjian, Lady Cao
2
太祖正室劉氏，代北人也； 其次妃曹氏，太原人也。 太祖封晉王，劉氏封秦國夫人。 自太祖起兵代北，劉氏常從征伐。 為人明敏多智略，頗習兵機，常教其侍妾騎射，以佐太祖。 太祖東追黃巢，還軍過梁，館於封禪寺。 梁王邀太祖入城，置酒上源驛，夜半以兵攻之。 太祖左右有先脫歸者，以難告夫人，夫人神色不動，立斬告者，陰召大將謀保軍以還。 遲明，太祖還，與夫人相向慟哭，因欲舉兵擊梁。 夫人曰：「公本為國討賊，今梁事未暴，而遽反兵相攻，天下聞之，莫分曲直。 不若斂軍還鎮，自訴於朝。」 太祖從之。
Taizu’s chief wife, Lady Liu, came from northern Dai; his secondary consort was Lady Cao of Taiyuan. When Taizu became Prince of Jin, Liu was titled Lady of Qin. From Taizu’s first campaigns in northern Dai, Liu marched with him. Sharp-witted and versed in strategy, she trained her maids in riding and archery to aid Taizu. Pursuing Huang Chao east, Taizu marched back through Liang and quartered at Fengchan Temple. The Liang prince lured him into the city for wine at Shangyuan Post, then struck at midnight. Men who had broken out first brought word to the lady; she never flinched, had the messengers killed at once, and quietly rallied the generals to save the army and withdraw. At daybreak Taizu returned; husband and wife wept together, and he meant to march against Liang. She said: “You took the field for the realm against rebels; Liang’s treachery is not yet public. If you turn your arms on them now, the world will not know who is in the right. Better withdraw to your post and lay the case before the court. Taizu took her counsel.
3
其後，太祖擊劉仁恭，敗歸。 梁遣氏叔琮、康懷英等連歲攻晉，圍太原，晉兵屢敗，太祖憂窘，不知所為。 大將李存信等勸太祖亡入北邊，收兵以圖再舉，太祖然之。 入以語夫人，夫人問誰為此謀者，曰：「存信也。」 夫人罵曰：「存信，代北牧羊兒耳，安足與計成敗邪！ 且公嘗笑王行瑜棄邠州走，卒為人擒，今乃自為此乎？ 昔公亡在達靼，幾不能自脫，賴天下多故，乃得南歸。 今屢敗之兵，散亡無幾，一失其守，誰肯從公？ 北邊其可至乎？」 太祖大悟而止。 已而亡兵稍稍復集。
Later he attacked Liu Rengong and came back beaten. Liang sent Shi Shuzong, Kang Huaiying, and others against Jin for years, besieging Taiyuan; Jin troops lost again and again, and Taizu was desperate. Li Cunxin and others urged him to flee north, regroup, and try again; Taizu agreed. He told the lady, who asked whose plan it was. “Cunxin’s,” he said. She swore: “Cunxin is a shepherd lad from the north—what does he know of victory or ruin! You laughed at Wang Xingyu for abandoning Bin and running, only to be taken—will you do the same? You once lived among the Tatars and barely got away; only the chaos of the times let you come south again. Your beaten troops are few; lose your base and who follows you? Could you even reach the north? Taizu saw clearly and abandoned the plan. Soon stragglers drifted back.
4
夫人無子，性賢，不妒忌，常為太祖言：「曹氏相，當生貴子，宜善待之。」 而曹氏亦自謙退，因相得甚歡。
Childless but kind and without jealousy, she often said: “Lady Cao’s face promises a noble heir—treat her well.” Lady Cao in turn was modest, and the two women grew close.
5
莊宗敬皇后劉氏
Zhuangzong’s Empress Jing, Lady Liu
6
其父聞劉氏已貴，詣魏宮上謁。 莊宗召袁建豐問之，建豐曰：「臣始得劉氏於成安北塢，時有黃須丈人護之。」 乃出劉叟示建豐，建豐曰：「是也。」 然劉氏方與諸夫人爭寵，以門望相高，因大怒曰：「妾去鄉時，略可記憶，妾父不幸死於亂兵，妾時環屍慟哭而去。 此田舍翁安得至此！」 因命笞劉叟於宮門。
When her father heard she had risen, he came to the Wei palace to see her. Zhuangzong called Yuan Jianfeng, who said: “I first took Lady Liu at the north stockade of Cheng’an; a yellow-bearded elder was guarding her.” Old Liu was brought out; Jianfeng said: “That is the man.” Liu was then fighting the other consorts for rank and flew into a rage: “I remember leaving home—my father died in the soldiers’ riot, and I wept over his body and fled. How could this peasant be here!” She had him beaten at the palace gate.
7
莊宗已即皇帝位，欲立劉氏為皇后，而韓夫人正室也，伊夫人位次在劉氏上，以故難其事而未發。 宰相豆盧革、樞密使郭崇韜希旨，上章言劉氏當立，莊宗大悅。 同光二年四月已卯，皇帝御文明殿，遣使冊劉氏為皇后。 皇后受冊，乘重翟車，鹵簿、鼓吹，見於太廟。 韓夫人等皆不平之，乃封韓氏為淑妃，伊氏為德妃。
Zhuangzong wished to make Liu empress, but Lady Han was principal wife and Lady Yi outranked her, so the matter stalled. Chief minister Doulu Ge and commissioner Guo Chongtao flattered him with a memorial that Liu should be empress; Zhuangzong was delighted. On jimao in the fourth month of Tongguang 2, he held court at the Hall of Civil Splendor and invested Liu as empress. She took the patent in the state carriage, with guards and music, and was presented at the ancestral temple. Lady Han and the others seethed; Han was made Shufei and Yi Defei.
8
莊宗自滅梁，誌意驕怠，宦官、伶人亂政，后特用事於中。 自以出於賤微，逾次得立，以為佛力。 又好聚斂，分遣人為商賈，至於市肆之間，薪芻果茹，皆稱中宮所賣。 四方貢獻，必分為二，一以上天子，一以入中宮，宮中貨賄山積。 惟寫佛書，饋賂僧尼，而莊宗由此亦佞佛。 有胡僧自于闐來，莊宗率皇后及諸子迎拜之。 僧遊五臺山，遣中使供頓，所至傾動城邑。 又有僧誠惠，自言能降龍。 嘗過鎮州，王镕不為之禮，誠惠怒曰：「吾有毒龍五百，當遣一龍揭片石，常山之人，皆魚鱉也。」 會明年滹沱河大水，壞鎮州關城，人皆以為神。 莊宗及后率諸子、諸妃拜之，誠惠端坐不起，由是士無貴賤皆拜之，獨郭崇韜不拜也。
After Liang fell, Zhuangzong grew arrogant and lax; eunuchs and actors ruined government, and the empress ruled from within. She believed her leap from humble birth to the throne was Buddha’s work. She hoarded wealth, sending agents to trade; in the markets even fuel, fodder, and produce were sold as “from the inner palace.” Every gift from the provinces was halved—half for the emperor, half for her—and the palace stores overflowed. She copied sutras and lavished gifts on clergy, and Zhuangzong turned devout as well. A monk from Khotan arrived; Zhuangzong led the empress and princes out to bow. When he toured Wutai, imperial envoys fed his train and every town trembled. Another monk, Chenghui, claimed he could subdue dragons. At Zhenzhou, Wang Rong slighted him; Chenghui raged: “I command five hundred poison dragons; one can lift a stone slab and drown every soul in Changshan.” Next year the Hutuo flooded and broke Zhenzhou’s gate; people called it divine. Zhuangzong and the empress led the court to bow; Chenghui never rose, and soon everyone bowed—only Guo Chongtao refused.
9
是時，皇太后及皇后交通藩鎮，太后稱「誥令」，皇后稱「教命」，兩宮使者旁午於道。 許州節度使溫韜以后佞佛，因請以私第為佛寺，為后薦福。 莊宗數幸郭崇韜、元行欽等私第，常與后俱。 其後幸張全義第，酒酣，命后拜全義為養父。 全義日遣姬妾出入中宮，問遺不絕。
Dowager and empress dealt with governors; the dowager issued “edicts,” the empress “commands,” and their envoys clogged the roads. Wen Tao of Xuzhou, courting her piety, offered his mansion as a temple for her merit. Zhuangzong often visited Guo Chongtao, Yuan Xingqin, and others, the empress always at his side. Later, drunk at Zhang Quanyi’s house, he made the empress bow to Quanyi as foster father. Quanyi sent concubines to the palace daily, gifts flowing without end.
10
莊宗有愛姬，甚有色而生子，后心患之。 莊宗燕居宮中，元行欽侍側，莊宗問曰：「爾新喪婦，其復娶乎？ 吾助爾聘。」 后指愛姬請曰：「帝憐行欽，何不賜之？」 莊宗不得已，陽諾之。 后趣行欽拜謝，行欽再拜，起顧愛姬，肩輿已出宮矣。 莊宗不樂，稱疾不食者累日。
A favorite concubine, lovely and with a son, drew the empress’s envy. At ease in the palace with Yuan Xingqin beside him, Zhuangzong asked: “Your wife has just died—will you wed again? I will pay the bride-price. I will arrange the match.” The empress pointed at the favorite: “You pity Xingqin—why not give her to him?” Zhuangzong had no choice and feigned assent. She hurried Xingqin to bow; he rose and looked for the girl—her litter was already gone from the palace. Zhuangzong sulked and for days refused food, pleading illness.
11
同光三年秋大水，兩河之民，流徙道路，京師賦調不充，六軍之士，往往殍踣，乃預借明年夏、秋租稅，百姓愁苦，號泣於路，莊宗方與后荒於畋遊。 十二月己卯臘，畋於白沙，后率皇子、後宮畢從，歷伊闕，宿龕澗，癸未乃還。 是時大雪，軍士寒凍，金槍衛兵萬騎，所至責民供給，壞什器，徹廬舍而焚之，縣吏畏懼，亡竄山谷。
In autumn of Tongguang 3 floods ravaged the Yellow River country; refugees clogged the roads, taxes failed, soldiers starved, and next year’s rent was collected early while Zhuangzong and the empress still hunted. On jimao in the twelfth month they hunted at Baisha; the empress led princes and the whole harem through Yique to Longjian, returning on guiwei. Snow buried the land; ten thousand guards extorted supplies, smashed goods, burned homes, and clerks fled to the hills.
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明年三月，客星犯天庫，有星流於天棓。 占星者言：「御前當有急兵，宜散積聚以禳之。」 宰相請出庫物以給軍，莊宗許之，后不肯，曰：「吾夫婦得天下，雖因武功，蓋亦有天命。 命既在天，人如我何！」 宰相論於延英，后於屏間耳屬之，因取妝奩及皇幼子滿喜置帝前曰：「諸侯所貢，給賜已盡，宮中所有惟此耳，請鬻以給軍！」 宰相惶恐而退。 及趙在禮作亂，出兵討魏，始出物以賫軍，軍士負而詬曰：「吾妻子已饑死，得此何為！」
Next third month a guest star struck the Treasury; another streaked toward the Flail. Astrologers said: “Soldiers will threaten the throne—scatter the hoards to avert disaster.” Ministers asked to open the stores for the troops; Zhuangzong agreed; she refused: “We won the realm by the sword, but Heaven ordained it too. Fate rests with Heaven—what can men do?” In council she listened behind the screen, then set her jewel box and the child Manxi before him: “The lords’ gifts are gone; this is all we have—sell it for the troops!” The ministers fled in dismay. When Zhao Zaili rose and the army marched on Wei, pay was issued at last; soldiers cursed: “Our families are dead—what is this to us!”
13
莊宗東幸汴州，從駕兵二萬五千，及至萬勝，不得進而還，軍士離散，所亡太半。 至罌子谷，道路隘狹，莊宗見從官執兵仗者，皆以好言勞之曰：「適報魏王平蜀，得蜀金銀五十萬，當悉給爾等。」 對曰：「陛下與之太晚，得者亦不感恩。」 莊宗泣下，因顧內庫使張容哥索袍帶以賜之，容哥對曰：「盡矣。」 軍士叱容哥曰：「致吾君至此，皆由爾輩！」 因抽刀逐之，左右救之而免。 容哥曰：「皇后惜物，不以給軍，而歸罪於我。 事若不測，吾身萬段矣！」 乃投水而死。
He went east to Bian with twenty-five thousand men; blocked at Wansheng, he turned back and lost more than half his force. At Yingzi Valley he spoke to armed followers: “Word came that the Prince of Wei took Shu and five hundred thousand in gold and silver—it is all for you.” They answered: “Too late, sire—even those who receive it will not thank you.” He wept and asked Zhang Rongge for robes and belts; Rongge said: “Nothing left.” Soldiers shouted: “You brought our lord to this—all of you!” They drew swords; attendants barely saved him. Rongge said: “The empress would not pay the army, yet I am blamed. If disaster comes, I will be torn limb from limb!” He drowned himself.
14
郭從謙反，莊宗中流矢，傷甚，臥絳霄殿廓下，渴欲得飲，后令宦官進飧酪，不自省視。 莊宗崩，后與李存渥等焚嘉慶殿，擁百騎出師子門。 后於馬上以囊盛金器寶帶，欲於太原造寺為尼。 在道與存渥奸，及至太原，乃削髮為尼。 明宗入立，遣人賜后死。 晉天福五年，追謚曰神閔敬皇后。
When Guo Congqian rebelled, Zhuangzong took an arrow and lay under Jiangxiao Hall, parched; the empress sent broth and cheese by eunuch and never came to him. At his death she burned Jiaqing Hall with Li Cunwo and fled Shizi Gate with a hundred riders. On horseback she stuffed gold and jeweled belts into sacks, planning a nunnery at Taiyuan. On the road she took Cunwo as lover; at Taiyuan she shaved her head. Mingzong sent men to grant her death. In Jin Tianfu 5 she was posthumously titled Empress Shenmin Jing.
15
自唐末喪亂，后妃之制不備，至莊宗時，後宮之數尤多，有昭容、昭儀、昭媛、出使、禦正、侍真、懿才、咸一、瑤芳、懿德、宣一等，其餘名號，不可勝紀。 莊宗遇弒，後宮散走，朱守殷入宮，選得三十餘人。 虢國夫人夏氏以嘗幸於莊宗，守殷不敢留。 明宗立，悉放莊宗時宮人還其家，獨夏氏無所歸，乃以河陽節度使夏魯奇同姓也，因以歸之，後嫁契丹突欲李贊華。 贊華性酷毒，喜殺人，婢妾微過，常加刲灼。 夏氏懼，求離婚，及削髮為尼以卒。 而韓淑妃、伊德妃皆居太原，晉高祖反時，為契丹所虜。
After Tang’s fall the harem rites were broken; under Zhuangzong titles multiplied beyond count—Zhaorong, Zhaoyi, Zhaoyuan, and dozens more. At the assassination the harem fled; Zhu Shouyin took thirty-odd women. Lady Xia of Guo, whom Zhuangzong had favored, Shouyin dared not keep. Mingzong sent Zhuangzong’s women home; only Lady Xia remained and was given to Xia Luqi of Heyang for the shared surname, then married the Khitan prince Li Zanhua. Zanhua was vicious, branding and burning maids for trifles. She feared him, sought divorce, took the tonsure, and died. Shufei Han and Defei Yi lived at Taiyuan and were taken by the Khitan when Jin Gaozu rose.
16
太祖四弟
Taizu’s four younger brothers
17
唐自朱邪得姓而為李氏，得國而為晉，得天下而為唐。 其始出於夷狄，而終以亂亡，故其世次不可詳見。 其可見者，曰太祖四弟、八子、五孫，三世而絕。 太祖四弟，曰克讓、克修、克恭、克寧，皆不知其父母名號。
Tang began as the Zhuye who took the name Li, became Jin, then Tang. They rose from the borderlands and fell in chaos, so their line cannot be traced fully. What survives in the record: four brothers, eight sons, five grandsons—three generations, then nothing. The four were Kerang, Kexiu, Kegong, and Kening; their parents’ names are lost.
18
克讓，少善騎射，為振武軍校，從討王仙芝，以功拜金吾衛將軍，留京師。 李氏自憲宗時以部族歸唐，唐處之河西，嘗遣一子宿衛京師，賜第於親仁坊。 其後太祖起兵雲中，殺唐守將段文楚。 唐發兵討太祖，遣王處存以兵圍親仁坊，捕宿衛子克讓。 克讓與其仆何相溫、石的歷等十餘騎，彎弧躍馬，突圍而出。 處存以千餘人追至渭橋，克讓等射殺百餘人，追兵乃止，克讓奔於雁門。 明年，太祖復歸唐，克讓還宿衛京師。 黃巢犯長安，克讓守潼關，為賊所敗，奔於南山，匿佛寺，為寺僧所殺。
Kerang excelled at horsemanship and archery, served in Zhenwu, campaigned against Wang Xianzhi, and won a post in the Golden Guard at court. Since Xianzong the Li had submitted; Tang settled them west of the river and kept a son at court in a mansion on Qinren Lane. Later Taizu rose in Yunzhong and killed the Tang commander Duan Wenchu. Tang marched on him; Wang Chucun besieged Qinren Ward to seize Kerang. Kerang with He Xiangwen, Shi Deli, and a dozen men shot their way out. Chucun pursued with a thousand to Wei Bridge; they killed a hundred and escaped to Yanmen. Next year Taizu submitted again and Kerang returned to court. When Huang Chao took Chang’an, Kerang held Tong Pass, was beaten, hid in a monastery in the southern hills, and monks killed him.
19
克修字崇遠，從討龐勛，以功拜朔州刺史。 太祖鎮雁門，以為奉誠軍使。 從入關，討黃巢，為先鋒，遷左營軍使。 潞州孟方立遷於邢州，晉取潞州，表克修昭義軍節度使。 數出山東擊方立，又與李罕之攻寇懷、孟之間。 其後，太祖自將擊方立，還軍過潞，克修性儉嗇，供饋甚薄，太祖大怒，詬而擊笞之。 克修慚憤，發疾卒。 二子：嗣弼、嗣肱。 嗣弼為涿州刺史，天祐十九年，契丹攻破涿州，嗣弼歿於虜。 嗣肱少有膽略，從周德威數立戰功，為馬步軍都虞候。 李存審敗梁軍於胡壁，嗣肱獲梁將一人。 梁太祖圍蓚縣，嗣肱從存審救蓚，梁軍解去，嗣肱功為多，超拜蔚州刺史、雁門以北都知兵馬使。 累遷澤、代二州刺史。 新州王郁叛晉，亡入契丹，山後諸州皆叛，嗣肱取媯、儒、武三州，拜新州刺史、山北都團練使。 同光元年春，卒於官。
Kexiu, styled Chongyuan, fought Pang Xun and became prefect of Shuo. When Taizu held Yanmen, he was made commissioner of Fengcheng. He entered the passes against Huang Chao as vanguard and became commissioner of the Left Camp. When Meng Fangli left Luzhou for Xing, Jin took it and made Kexiu governor of Zhaoyi. He raided Shandong against Fangli and with Li Hanzhi harried Huai and Meng. When Taizu passed through Lu after attacking Fangli, Kexiu’s meager hospitality enraged him; he cursed and beat him with a staff. Kexiu died of shame and rage. He left two sons: Sibi and Sigu. Sibi governed Zhuo; in Tianyou 19 the Khitan took the city and he died captive. Sigu was bold; under Zhou Dewei he won many fights and became chief adjutant of horse and foot. At Hubi, with Li Cunshen’s victory, Sigu took a Liang general. When Liang besieged Zhuo, Sigu relieved it with Cunshen; his merit was greatest and he became prefect of Wei and commander north of Yanmen. He later governed Ze and Dai. Wang Yu of Xin rebelled to the Khitan; Sigu recovered Ji, Ru, and Wu and became prefect of Xin and commissioner of the northern mountains. He died in office in spring of Tongguang 1.
20
克恭，初為決勝軍使。 克修卒，以克恭代為昭義軍節度使。 克修為人簡儉，潞人素安其政，且哀其見笞以死。 克恭橫暴不法，又不習軍事，由是潞人皆怨。 克恭選後院勁兵五百人，獻於太祖，行至銅鞮，其將馮霸以其徒叛。 太祖遣李元審討之，戰於沁水，元審大敗被傷，奔入潞州。 牙將安居受亦叛，殺克恭及元審，使人召霸，霸不受命，居受懼而出奔，行至長子，為野人所殺，傳首於霸。 霸乃入潞州，自稱留後，以附於梁。
Kegong first commanded Juesheng Army. When Kexiu died, Kegong succeeded him at Zhaoyi. Kexiu had ruled Lu frugally and kindly; the people mourned his beating to death. Kegong was brutal and ignorant of war, and Lu turned against him. He sent five hundred picked troops to Taizu; at Tongdi Feng Ba mutinied. Li Yuanshen was sent against them, beaten at Qinshui, and fled wounded into Lu. An Jushou rebelled, killed Kegong and Yuanshen, and summoned Ba, who refused; Jushou fled and rustics killed him at Changzi and sent his head to Ba. Ba entered Lu, made himself acting governor, and submitted to Liang.
21
克寧，為人仁孝，居諸兄弟中最賢，事太祖小心不懈。 太祖與赫連鐸、李可舉戰雲、蔚間，後奔達靼，入破黃巢，克寧未嘗不從行。 太祖鎮太原，以為內外制置蕃漢都知兵馬使，檢校太保、振武軍節度使，軍中之事，無大小皆決克寧。
Kening was kind and filial, the best of the brothers, and served Taizu tirelessly. From the wars with Helian Duo and Li Keyong through exile among the Tatars and the campaign against Huang Chao, Kening always marched with him. At Taiyuan he oversaw Han and barbarian troops as acting Grand Guardian and governor of Zhenwu; every military matter passed through him.
22
太祖病，召莊宗侍側，屬張承業與克寧曰：「以亞子屬公等。」 太祖崩，莊宗告於克寧曰：「兒年孤稚，未通庶政，雖有先王之命，恐不足以當大事。 叔父勛德俱高，先王嘗任以政矣，敢以軍府煩季父，以待兒之有立。」 克寧曰：「吾兄之命，以兒屬我，誰敢易之！」 因下而北面再拜稱賀，莊宗乃即晉王位。
Dying, Taizu called Zhuangzong and told Zhang Chengye and Kening: “I leave Yazi to you.” Zhuangzong told Kening: “I am young and untried; though Father commanded it, I fear I cannot bear the burden. Your merit is great and Father once gave you the realm—I beg you take the command until I can stand alone. Kening said: “My brother gave him to me—who would change that?” He bowed north in congratulation, and Zhuangzong became Prince of Jin.
23
初，太祖起於雲、朔之間，所得驍勇之士，多養以為子，而與英豪戰爭，卒就霸業，諸養子之功為多，故尤寵愛之，衣服禮秩如嫡。 諸養子麾下皆有精兵，恃功自恣，自先王時常見優假。 及新王立，年少，或托疾不朝，或見而不拜。 養子存顥、存實告克寧曰：「兄亡弟及，古之道也。 以叔拜侄，理豈安乎？ 人生富貴，當自取之。」 克寧曰：「吾家三世，父慈子孝，先王土宇，茍有所歸，吾復何求也！」
Taizu adopted many fierce warriors as sons; their merit built his power, and he favored them like true heirs in dress and rank. Each led elite troops, proud of merit; even the late king indulged them. The young king found some feigning illness, others attending without a bow. Cunhao and Cunshi told Kening: “Elder brother dies, younger succeeds—that is the old law. How can an uncle bow to a nephew? Fortune must be seized for oneself. Kening said: “Three generations of kindness—if the realm has an heir, what more do I want?”
24
克寧妻孟氏素剛悍，存顥等各遣其妻入說孟氏，孟氏數以迫克寧。 克寧仁而無斷，惑於群言，遂至於禍。 都虞候李存質得罪於克寧，克寧殺之，而與張承業，李存璋有隙，又求兼領大同軍節度使。 於是幸臣史敬熔見太后，告克寧與存顥謀執王及太后以降梁。 莊宗召承業、存璋告之曰：「季父所為如此，奈何？ 然骨肉不可自相魚肉，吾當避賢路以紓禍於吾家。」 承業等請誅克寧。 乃伏兵於府，置酒大會，克寧既至，執而殺之。
Lady Meng was fierce; the adoptees’ wives worked on her until she pressed Kening again and again. Kening was kind but weak, swayed by many tongues, and fell to ruin. He killed adjutant Li Cunzhi for an offense, quarreled with Zhang Chengye and Li Cunzhang, and sought Datong as well. Favorite Shi Jingrong told the dowager that Kening and Cunhao meant to seize king and dowager for Liang. Zhuangzong told Chengye and Cunzhang: “My uncle has come to this—what now? Yet kin must not devour kin; I will step aside to spare the house.” They urged Kening’s death. Troops lay in wait; at the feast they seized and killed him.
25
太祖七子
Taizu’s seven sons
26
太祖子八人：莊宗長子也，次曰存美、存霸、存禮、存渥、存乂、存確、存紀。 同光三年十二月辛亥，詔封存美等七人為王。 蓋存霸、存渥、存紀與莊宗同母也，存美、存乂、存確、存禮不知其母名氏號位。 存美封邕王，存霸永王，存禮薛王，存渥申王，存乂睦王，存確通王，存紀雅王。
Taizu had eight sons: Zhuangzong first, then Cunmei, Cunba, Cunli, Cunwo, Cunyi, Cunque, and Cunji. On xinhai in the twelfth month of Tongguang 3, Cunmei and the other seven were made princes. Cunba, Cunwo, and Cunji shared Zhuangzong’s mother; the mothers of the others are unknown. Cunmei was Prince of Yong, Cunba Prince of Yong, Cunli Prince of Xue, Cunwo Prince of Shen, Cunyi Prince of Mu, Cunque Prince of Tong, Cunji Prince of Ya.
27
存乂歷建雄、保大二軍節度使。 娶郭崇韜女。 是時，魏州妖人楊千郎用事，自言有墨子術，能役使鬼神，化丹砂、水銀。 莊宗頗神之，拜千郎檢校尚書郎，賜紫，其妻出入宮禁，承恩寵，而士或因之以求官爵，存乂及存渥等往往朋淫於其家。 及崇韜被族，莊宗遣宦官陰察外議以為如何，而宦官因欲盡誅崇韜親黨以絕後患，乃誣言：「存乂過千郎，酒酣，攘臂號泣，為婦翁稱冤，言甚怨望。」 莊宗大怒，以兵圍其第而誅之，並誅千郎。
Cunyi governed Jianxiong and Baoda. He married Guo Chongtao’s daughter. The Wei sorcerer Yang Qianlang claimed Mohist arts to command spirits and transmute mercury. Zhuangzong made him acting director with purple robes; his wife entered the palace; Cunyi and Cunwo often caroused there. When Chongtao’s clan was killed, eunuchs probed opinion and lied that Cunyi, drunk at Qianlang’s house, had wailed for his father-in-law in rage. Zhuangzong surrounded his house and killed him and Qianlang.
28
存霸歷昭義、天平、河中三軍節度使，存渥義成、天平二軍節度使，皆居京師，食其俸祿而已。 趙在禮作亂，乃遣存霸於河中。 李嗣源兵反，向京師，莊宗再幸汜水，徙存霸北京留守，存渥河中節度使，宣麻未訖，郭從謙反，攻興教門，存渥從莊宗拒賊。 莊宗中流矢崩，存渥與劉皇后同奔於太原，行至風谷，為部下所殺。 存霸聞京師亂，亦自河中奔太原，比至，麾下皆散走，惟使下康從弁不去。 存霸乃剪發、衣僧衣，謁符彥超曰：「願為山僧，冀公庇護。」 彥超欲留之，為軍眾所殺。
Cunba held Zhaoyi, Tianping, and Hezhong; Cunwo held Yicheng and Tianping—they lived at court on stipends. When Zhao Zaili rose, Cunba was sent to Hezhong. When Li Siyuan marched on the capital, Zhuangzong went to Sishui, made Cunba northern regent and Cunwo governor of Hezhong; before the edict was read Guo Congqian struck; Cunwo fought at his side. Zhuangzong fell to an arrow; Cunwo fled with Empress Liu toward Taiyuan and was killed at Fenggu by his own men. Cunba fled from Hezhong to Taiyuan; his men scattered; only Kang Congbian stayed. He shaved, donned monk’s robes, and begged Fu Yanchao: “Make me a mountain monk under your protection.” Yanchao tried to shelter him; the troops killed him.
29
存紀、存確聞郭從謙反，奔於南山，匿民家。 明宗詔河南府及諸道：「諸王出奔，所至送赴闕； 如不幸物故者，收瘞以聞。」 存紀等所匿民家以告安重誨，重誨謂霍彥威曰：「二王逃難，主上尋求，恐其所失。 今上既監國典喪，此禮如何？」 彥威曰：「上性仁慈，不可聞奏。 宜密為之所，以安人情。」 乃即民家殺之。
Cunji and Cunque fled to the southern hills and hid with peasants. Mingzong ordered the provinces: “Fugitive princes are to be sent to court; if they die, bury them and report. Their hosts informed An Chonghui, who told Huo Yanwei: “The throne seeks them—what if they are lost? The emperor now rules the mourning—what rite fits? Yanwei said: “He is merciful—do not report it. Act in secret to steady the realm. They went to the house and killed them.
30
存美素病風，居太原，與存禮皆不知其所終。 ○莊宗五子
Cunmei, ill with palsy, lived at Taiyuan; he and Cunli vanished from the record. ○ Zhuangzong’s five sons
31
莊宗五子、長曰繼岌，其次繼潼、繼嵩、繼蟾、繼峣。 繼岌母曰劉皇后，其四皆不著其母名號。
Five sons: Jiji first, then Jitong, Jisong, Jichan, and Jiyao. Jiji’s mother was Empress Liu; the other mothers are unnamed.
32
莊宗即位，繼岌為北都留守，判六軍諸衛事。 遷檢校太尉、同中書門下平章事。 豆盧革為相，建言：唐故事，皇子皆為宮使。 因以鄴宮為興聖宮，以繼岌為使。 同光三年，封魏王。 是歲伐蜀，以繼岌為西南面行營都統，郭崇韜為都招討使，工部尚書任圜、翰林學士李愚皆參軍事。 九月戊申，將兵六萬自鳳翔入大散關，軍無十日之糧，而所至州鎮皆迎降，遂食其粟。 至興州，蜀將程奉璉以五百騎降，因以其兵修閣道，以過唐軍。 王衍將兵萬人屯利州，分其半逆戰於三泉，為先鋒康延孝所敗，衍懼，斷吉柏江浮橋，奔歸成都。 唐軍自文州間道以入。 十月己酉，繼岌至綿州，衍上箋請降。 丙辰，入成都。 王衍乘竹輿至升仙橋，素衣、牽羊，草索系首，肉袒、銜璧、輿櫬，群臣衰绖，徒跣以降。 繼岌下而取璧，崇韜解縛，焚櫬。 自出師至降衍，凡七十五日，兵不血刃，自古用兵之易，未有如此。 然繼岌雖為都統，而軍政號令一出崇韜。
At his accession Jiji was northern regent over the Six Armies. He became acting Grand Preceptor and co-equal with the Secretariat. Doulu Ge said Tang custom made princes palace commissioners. The Ye palace became Xingsheng and Jiji its commissioner. In Tongguang 3 he was made Prince of Wei. That year the Shu campaign made Jiji supreme commander, Guo Chongtao grand marshal, Ren Yuan and Li Yu on staff. On wushen in the ninth month sixty thousand marched from Fengxiang through Dasan with ten days’ grain; every town submitted and fed them. At Xing, Cheng Fenglian surrendered with five hundred horse and repaired the road. Wang Yan held Lizhou with ten thousand; half met Tang at Sanquan and lost to Kang Yanxiao; Yan cut the Jibo bridge and fled to Chengdu. Tang entered by a path from Wen. On jiyou in the tenth month Jiji reached Mian; Yan asked to surrender. On bingchen they entered Chengdu. Yan came in plain clothes on a bamboo litter, leading a sheep, rope on his neck, jade in his mouth, coffin on a cart; ministers barefoot in hemp followed. Jiji took the tablet; Chongtao cut the bonds and burned the coffin. Seventy-five days from march to surrender without a bloody blade—war had never been so easy. Though Jiji commanded, every order came from Chongtao.
33
初，莊宗遣宦者供奉官李從襲監中軍，高品李廷安、呂知柔為典謁。 從襲等素惡崇韜，又見崇韜專任軍事，益不平之。 及破蜀，蜀之貴臣大將，自王宗弼已下，皆爭以蜀寶貨，妓樂奉崇韜父子，而魏王所得，匹馬、束帛、唾壺、麈柄而已； 崇韜日決軍事，將吏賓客趨走盈庭，而都統府惟大將晨謁，牙門闐然。 由是從襲等不勝其憤。 已而宗弼率蜀人見繼岌，請留崇韜鎮蜀，從襲等因言崇韜有異志，勸繼岌為備。 繼岌謂崇韜曰：「陛下倚侍中如衡、華，尊之廟堂之上，期以一天下而制四夷，必不棄元老於蠻夷之地。 此事非予敢知也。」
Zhuangzong had sent Li Congxi to oversee the center and Li Ting’an and Lü Zhirou as ushers. They hated Chongtao and resented his monopoly of command. Chongtao’s hall thronged with officers and guests while the prince’s gate stood empty but for morning calls. Congxi and the others boiled with resentment. Zongbi asked Jiji to leave Chongtao in Shu; Congxi claimed treason and urged caution. Jiji told Chongtao: “Father trusts you as Yi Yin and Huo Guang—he will not leave you in the wilds. That is not for me to say. Hearing Chongtao might stay, Zhuangzong sent Xiang Yansi to hurry withdrawal.
34
莊宗聞崇韜欲留蜀，亦不悅，遣宦者向延嗣趣繼岌班師。 延嗣至成都，崇韜不出迎，及見，禮益慢，延嗣怒，從襲等因告延嗣崇韜有異志，恐危魏王。 延嗣還，具言之。 劉皇后涕泣請保全繼岌，莊宗遣宦官馬彥珪往視崇韜去就。 是時，兩川新定，孟知祥未至，所在盜賊聚山林，崇韜方遣任圜等分出招集，恐後生變，故師未即還。 而彥珪將行，見劉皇后曰：「臣見延嗣言蜀中事勢已不可，禍機之作，間不容發，安能三千里往復廩命乎！」 劉皇后以彥珪語告莊宗，莊宗曰：「傳言未審，豈可便令果決？」 皇后不得請，因自為教與繼岌，使殺崇韜。 明年正月，崇韜留任圜守蜀，以待知祥之至，崇韜期班師有日。 彥珪至蜀，出皇后教示繼岌，繼岌曰：「今大軍將發，未有釁端，豈可作此負心事！」 從襲等泣曰：「今有密敕，王茍不行，使崇韜知之，則吾屬無類矣！」 繼岌曰：「上無詔書，徒以皇后手教，安能殺招討使？」 從襲等力爭，繼岌不得已而從之。 詰旦，從襲以都統命召崇韜，繼岌登樓以避之。 崇韜入，升階，繼岌從者李環撾碎其首。
At Chengdu Chongtao snubbed Yansi; Congxi accused him of plotting against the prince. Yansi returned and told all. The empress wept for Jiji; Zhuangzong sent Ma Yan’gui to watch Chongtao. Shu was new; bandits roamed; Chongtao delayed withdrawal while Ren Yuan pacified the hills. Yan’gui told the empress: “Shu is lost—disaster is instant—no time for orders from home! ” She told Zhuangzong; he said: “Rumors are not proof.” She wrote her own order to Jiji to kill Chongtao.” She wrote her own order to Jiji to kill Chongtao. Next first month Chongtao left Ren Yuan in Shu and prepared to march. Yan’gui showed the order; Jiji said: “We are marching—how can we murder our marshal!” Congxi wept: “Disobey and we are all dead when he learns of it!” Jiji said: “There is no imperial edict—only her note.” They pressed him until he yielded. At dawn Congxi summoned Chongtao; Jiji hid on the tower. Chongtao entered; Li Huan shattered his skull.
35
繼岌遂班師。 二月，軍至泥溪，先鋒康延孝叛，據漢州，繼岌遣任圜討平之。 四月辛卯，至興平，聞明宗反，兵入京師，繼岌欲退保鳳翔。 至武功，李從襲勸繼岌馳趨京師，以救內難。 行至渭河，西都留守張抃斷浮橋，繼岌不得度，乃循河而東，至渭南，左右皆潰。 從襲謂繼岌曰：「大事已去，福不可再，王宜自圖。」 繼岌徘徊泣下，謂李環曰：「吾道盡途窮，子當殺我。」 環遲疑久之，謂繼岌乳母曰：「吾不忍見王，王若無路求生，當踣面以俟。」 繼岌面榻而臥，環縊殺之。 任圜從後至，葬繼岌華州之西南。 繼岌少病閹，無子。 明宗已即位，圜率征蜀之師二萬至京師，明宗撫慰久之，問圜繼岌何在，圜具言繼岌死狀。
Jiji marched home. In the second month at Nixi, Kang Yanxiao rebelled at Han; Ren Yuan crushed him. On xinmao in the fourth month at Xingping, hearing Mingzong had taken the capital, Jiji meant to hold Fengxiang. At Wugong, Li Congxi urged a dash to save the throne. At the Wei, Zhang Bian cut the bridge; blocked, Jiji went east to Weinan as his guard melted away. Congxi said: “All is lost—save yourself. Jiji wept to Li Huan: “End it for me. Huan told the nurse: “I cannot watch—if there is no way, let him lie face down. Jiji lay on the couch; Huan strangled him. Ren Yuan came after and buried him southwest of Hua. Jiji had been castrated young and left no sons. Mingzong welcomed Ren Yuan’s twenty thousand from Shu and asked for Jiji; Yuan told how he died.
36
同光三年，詔以皇子繼嵩、繼潼、繼蟾、繼峣皆為光祿大夫，檢校司徒。 蓋其皆幼，故不封。 當莊宗遇弒時，太祖子孫在者十有一人，明宗入立，其四人見殺，其餘皆不知所終，太祖之後遂絕。
In Tongguang 3 Jisong, Jitong, Jichan, and Jiyao were made Grand Masters and acting secretaries. They were too young to be enfeoffed. At Zhuangzong’s death eleven of Taizu’s line still lived; Mingzong killed four and the rest disappeared—Taizu’s house was ended.