2
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
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
5
曹氏封晉國夫人，後生子，是謂莊宗，太祖奇之，曹氏由是專寵。 太祖性暴，怒多殺人，左右無敢言者，惟曹氏從容諫譬，往往見聽。 及莊宗立，事曹氏尤謹，其救趙破燕取魏博，與梁戰河上十餘歲，歲嘗馳省其母至三四，人皆稱其孝。 莊宗即位，冊尊曹氏為皇太后，而以嫡母劉氏為皇太妃。 太妃往謝太后，太后有慚色。 太妃曰：「願吾兒享國無窮，使吾獲沒于地以從先君，幸矣，復何言哉！」 莊宗滅梁入汴，使人迎太后歸洛，居長壽宮，而太妃獨留晉陽。 同光三年五月，太妃薨。 七月，太后薨，謚曰貞簡，葬于坤陵。 而太妃無謚，葬魏縣。 太妃與太后甚相愛，其送太后于洛也，涕泣而別，歸而相思慕，遂至不起。 太后聞之，欲馳至晉陽視疾，及其卒也，又欲自往葬之，莊宗泣諫，羣臣交章請留，乃止。 而太后自太妃卒，悲哀不飲食，逾月亦崩。 莊宗神閔敬皇后劉氏，魏州成安人也。 莊宗正室曰衞國夫人韓氏，其次燕國夫人伊氏，其次后也，初封魏國夫人。 后父劉叟，黃鬚，善醫卜，自號劉山人。 后生五六歲，晉王攻魏，掠成安，裨將袁建豐得后，納之晉宮，貞簡太后教以吹笙歌舞。 既筓，甚有色，莊宗見而悅之。 莊宗已為晉王，太后幸其宮，置酒為壽，自起歌舞，太后歡甚，命劉氏吹笙佐酒，酒罷去，留劉氏以賜莊宗。 先時，莊宗攻梁軍於夾城，得符道昭妻侯氏，寵專諸宮，宮中謂之「夾寨夫人」。 莊宗出兵四方，常以侯氏從軍。 其後，劉氏生子繼岌，莊宗以為類己，愛之，由是劉氏寵益專，自下魏博、戰河上十餘年，獨以劉氏從。 劉氏多智，善迎意承旨，其佗嬪御莫得進見。
Lady Cao was titled Lady of Jin and later bore Zhuangzong. Taizu was delighted, and she became his favorite. Taizu was violent and killed in anger; no one dared speak except Lady Cao, who calmly remonstrated and was often heard. As ruler Zhuangzong treated Lady Cao with great devotion. Through campaigns in Zhao, Yan, and Weibo and more than ten years of war with Liang on the river, he rode to see her three or four times a year, and all called him filial. At his accession he made Lady Cao empress dowager and his chief mother, Lady Liu, grand consort. The grand consort came to pay respects; the dowager looked ashamed. The grand consort said: “May my son reign forever; if I may die and join my late husband, that is blessing enough—what more can I ask?” After destroying Liang and entering Bian, Zhuangzong brought the dowager to Luoyang’s Changshou Palace; the grand consort stayed at Jinyang. In the fifth month of Tongguang 3 the grand consort died. In the seventh month the dowager died, posthumously titled Zhenjian, and was buried at Kunling. The grand consort had no posthumous title and was buried in Wei County. The two women were deeply attached. Seeing the dowager off to Luoyang, the grand consort wept; home again, she pined until she took to her bed. Hearing of her illness, the dowager wanted to ride to Jinyang; when she died, she wished to attend the burial. Zhuangzong wept and pleaded, and officials begged her to stay—so she did not go. After the grand consort’s death the dowager grieved without eating; within a month she too was gone. Zhuangzong’s Empress Shenminjing, Lady Liu, came from Cheng’an in Weizhou. His chief wife was Lady Han of Weiguo, then Lady Yi of Yanguo; the empress ranked after them and was first titled Lady of Weiguo. Her father, Old Liu, had a yellow beard, practiced medicine and divination, and called himself the Mountain Man Liu. At five or six she was taken when the Prince of Jin raided Cheng’an; Yuan Jianfeng brought her to the Jin palace, where Dowager Zhenjian taught her music and dance. When she came of age she was strikingly beautiful, and Zhuangzong was taken with her. When Zhuangzong was Prince of Jin, the dowager visited his palace for his birthday feast and danced for joy. She had Lady Liu play the sheng, and when she left she gave Liu to Zhuangzong. Earlier, at Jiacheng, Zhuangzong took Fu Daozhao’s wife Lady Hou, who dominated the inner quarters; the palace called her "the Jiazai Lady." On campaign he often took Lady Hou with him. Later Liu bore Jiji. Zhuangzong thought the boy resembled him and loved him; from then Liu alone shared his campaigns for more than ten years on the river. Liu was clever and adept at pleasing him; the other consorts could not approach.
6
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.
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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 guiwei in Tongguang 2, he held court at the Hall of Civil Splendor and invested Liu as empress. She took the patent in the pheasant carriage, with guards and music, and was presented at the ancestral temple. Lady Han and the others seethed; Han was made Shufei and Yi was made Defei.
8
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
Dowager and empress dealt with governors; the dowager issued “edicts,” the empress “commands,” and their envoys clogged the roads. Wen Tao of Xu Prefecture, 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
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
In autumn of Tongguang 3 floods ravaged the two He regions; 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.
12
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
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
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
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.
17
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
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 Sigong. Sibi governed Zhuo; in Tianyou 19 the Khitan took the city and he died captive. Sigong was bold; under Zhou Dewei he won many fights and became chief adjutant of horse and foot. At Hubi, with Li Cunshen’s victory, Sigong took a Liang general. When Liang besieged Tiao, Sigong relieved it with Cunshen; his merit was greatest and he became prefect of Yu and commander north of Yanmen. He later governed Ze and Dai. Wang Yu of Xin rebelled to the Khitan; Sigong 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
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
Kening was kind and filial, the best of the brothers, and served Taizu tirelessly. From the wars with Helian Duo and Li Keju 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
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. Uncle’s merit and virtue are both high; the late king once entrusted you with government—I dare trouble my younger uncle with the army and government until I can stand on my own." Kening said: “My brother gave him to me—who would change that?” He bowed north in congratulation, and Zhuangzong became Prince of Jin.
23
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
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.
26
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 Yong, Cunli Prince of Xue, Cunwo Prince of Shen, Cunyi Prince of Mu, Cunque Prince of Tong, Cunji Prince of Ya.
27
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: "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
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
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.
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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 Commandant 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.
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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. After Shu fell, its nobles showered Chongtao with treasures and entertainers; the Prince of Wei got only horses, silk, spittoons, and fly-whisks. 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: “His Majesty relies on the Palace Attendant as on Mount Heng and Mount Hua—he will not leave you in the wilds. That is not for me to say.”
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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。
Hearing that Chongtao wished to remain in Shu, Zhuangzong was also displeased and sent the eunuch Xiang Yansi to urge Jiji to withdraw the army. 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. The two Sichuans were newly pacified; Meng Zhixiang had not yet arrived; bandits still gathered in the hills; Chongtao was sending Ren Yuan and others to recruit them, fearing later trouble, so the army did not return at once. Yan’gui told the empress: “Shu is lost—disaster is instant—no time for orders from home!” She told Zhuangzong; he said: “The rumor is unverified—how can we decide at once?” 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.
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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 to Jiji: "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. From youth Jiji suffered a eunuch-like affliction and left no sons. Mingzong welcomed Ren Yuan’s twenty thousand from Shu and asked for Jiji; Yuan told how he died.
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