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高祖皇后李氏
Empress Li, wife of Gaozu of Later Han
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高祖皇后李氏，晉陽人也，其父為農。 高祖少為軍卒，牧馬晉陽，夜入其家劫取之。 高祖已貴，封魏國夫人，生隱帝。 開運四年，高祖起兵太原，賞軍士，帑藏不足充，欲斂於民。 后諫曰：「方今起事，號為義兵，民未知惠而先奪其財，殆非新天子所以救民之意也。 今後宮所有，請悉出之，雖其不足，士亦不以為怨也。」 高祖為改容謝之。 高祖即位，立為皇后。 高祖崩，隱帝冊尊為皇太后。
Empress Li of Gaozu was a native of Jinyang; her father was a farmer. Gaozu was once a soldier herding horses at Jinyang; one night he entered her home and abducted her. When Gaozu rose to power, she was made Lady of Wei and bore the Hidden Emperor. In Kaiyun 4, Gaozu rebelled at Taiyuan and meant to reward his troops, but the treasury fell short and he planned to levy the people. She admonished him: "We call this a righteous rising, yet we seize people's goods before they know our kindness—is that how a new emperor saves his people? Take everything the inner palace holds; even if it is not enough, the soldiers will not resent it." Gaozu softened and thanked her. When Gaozu ascended, she was made empress. After Gaozu's death, the Hidden Emperor made her empress dowager.
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帝年少，數與小人郭允明、後贊、李業等遊戲宮中，後數切責之。 帝曰：「國家之事，外有朝廷，非太后所宜言也。」 太常卿張昭聞之，上疏諫帝，請：「親近師傅，延問正人，以開聰明。」 帝益不省。 其後，帝卒與允明等謀議，遂至於亡。
As a youth the emperor often caroused in the palace with Guo Yunming, Hou Zan, Li Ye, and other low companions; the empress scolded him again and again. He said: “Government belongs to the court outside—the empress dowager should not meddle.” Minister of Ceremonies Zhang Zhao heard and urged him to keep close to tutors, seek wise counsel, and sharpen his mind.” The emperor paid even less heed. In time he plotted with Yunming and the rest—and brought ruin on himself.
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初，帝與允明等謀誅楊邠、史弘肇等，議已定，入白太后。 太后曰：「此大事也，當與宰相議之。」 李業從旁對曰：「先皇帝平生言，朝廷大事，勿問書生。」 太后深以為不可，帝拂衣而去，曰：「何必謀於閨門！」 邠等死，周太祖起兵向京師，慕容彥超敗於劉子陂，帝欲出自臨兵，太后止之曰：「郭威本吾家人，非其危疑，何肯至此！ 今若按兵無動，以詔諭威，威必有說，則君臣之際，庶幾尚全。」 帝不從以出，遂及於難。
When he and Yunming had settled on killing Yang Bin, Shi Hongzhao, and the others, he told the empress dowager. She said: “This is grave—it must go to the chief ministers.” Li Ye cut in: “The late emperor always said never to ask scholars about great affairs of state.” She strongly objected; he flung off and left, saying: “Must we take counsel only from the inner quarters!” After their deaths, Guo Wei marched on the capital; Yanchao fell at Liuzipo; the emperor meant to take the field himself; the dowager stopped him: “Guo Wei was always of our house—only fear and suspicion drove him here! Hold your troops, send him an edict of explanation—he will answer, and lord and minister may yet be whole.” He refused and went out—and met disaster.
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周太祖入京師，舉事皆稱太后誥。 已而議立湘陰公赟為天子，赟未至，太祖乃請太后臨朝。 已而太祖出征契丹，軍士擁之以還。 太祖請事太后為母，太后誥曰：「侍中功烈崇高，德聲昭著，剪除禍亂，安定邦家，謳歌有歸，歷數攸屬，所以軍民推戴，億兆同歡。 老身未終殘年，屬此多難，唯以衰朽，托於始終。 載省來箋，如母見待，感認深意，涕泗橫流。」 於是遷后於太平宮，上尊號曰昭聖皇太后。 顯德元年春崩。
When Guo Wei entered the capital, he acted in the dowager’s name. They meant to make the Duke of Xiangyin, Yun, emperor; before he arrived, Guo Wei had the dowager hold court. Guo Wei marched against the Khitan; the army forced him back. He asked to honor her as mother; her edict read: “The attendant-in-chief’s merit towers, his virtue shines; he has ended chaos and steadied the realm—the army and people have chosen him, and all rejoice. I have not outlived my years, yet meet such troubles; in my weakness I trust myself to the end. Your letter treats me as a mother—I am moved to tears.” She was moved to Taiping Palace and titled Empress Dowager Zhaosheng. She died in spring of Xiande 1.
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隱帝，舊史、實錄皆無皇后。 帝立三年崩，時年二十，蓋未嘗立后也。
The Hidden Emperor: older histories and the Veritable Records record no empress. He reigned three years and died at twenty—he never seems to have taken an empress.
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高祖弟子侄
Gaozu's younger brothers and nephews
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高祖二弟三子：弟曰崇、曰信，子曰承訓、承祐、承勳。 崇子曰赟，高祖愛之，以為己子。 乾祐元年，拜赟徐州節度使。 承訓早卒，追封魏王。 承祐次立，是謂隱帝。 承勳為開封尹。
Gaozu had two brothers—Chong and Xin—and three sons: Chengxun (承訓), Chengyou, and Chengxun (承勳). Chong’s son Yun was loved by Gaozu and adopted as his son. In Qianyou 1, Yun became military governor of Xuzhou. Chengxun died young and was posthumously made Prince of Wei. Chengyou succeeded next—the Hidden Emperor. Chengxun was governor of Kaifeng.
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周太祖已敗漢兵於北郊，隱帝遇弒。 太祖入京師，以謂漢大臣必相推戴，及見宰相馮道等，道殊無意，太祖不得已，見道猶下拜，道受太祖拜如平時，徐勞之曰：「公行良苦！」 太祖意色皆沮，以謂漢大臣未有推立己意，又難於自立，因白漢太后擇立漢嗣。 而宗室河東節度使崇等在者四人，乃為太后誥曰：「河東節度使崇，許州節度使信，皆高祖之弟，徐州節度使赟，開封尹承勳，皆高祖之子，文武百辟，其擇嗣君以承天統。」 於是周太祖與王峻入見太后，言：「開封尹承勳，高祖皇帝之子，宜立。」 太后以承勳久病，不任為嗣。 太祖與群臣請見承勳視起居，太后命以臥榻舁承勳出見群臣，群臣視之信然，乃共奏曰：「徐州節度使赟，高祖愛之，以為子，宜立為嗣。」 乃遣太師馮道率群臣迎赟。 道揣周太祖意不在赟，謂太祖曰：「公此舉由衷乎？」 太祖指天為誓。 道既行，謂人曰：「吾平生不為謬語人，今謬語矣！」 道見赟，傳太后意召之。
Guo Wei had beaten Han at the northern suburb; the Hidden Emperor was killed. Entering the capital, Guo Wei expected Han ministers to acclaim him; Feng Dao showed no sign; forced, Guo Wei still bowed; Dao accepted the bow as usual and said slowly: “A hard road!” Guo Wei’s face fell; no Han minister meant to make him emperor; he asked the dowager to choose a Han heir. Four of the Liu clan remained; the dowager's edict read: "Chong of Hedong, Xin of Xu, Yun of Xuzhou, and Chengxun of Kaifeng—brothers and sons of Gaozu—and bade the court choose an heir." Guo Wei and Wang Jun told the dowager: “Chengxun, Gaozu’s son, should reign.” She said Chengxun was too ill. They asked to see Chengxun; he was borne out on a couch; seeing him truly ill, they memorialized: "Yun, whom Gaozu had adopted, should be enthroned as heir." Feng Dao led the ministers to welcome Yun. Dao sensed Guo Wei did not mean to enthrone Yun and asked: “Do you mean this sincerely?” Guo Wei swore to Heaven. Leaving, he said: “I have never lied to anyone—today I lied!” He told Yun the dowager summoned him.
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赟行至宋州，太祖自澶州為兵士擁還京師，王峻慮赟左右生變，遣侍衛馬軍指揮使郭崇以兵七百騎衛赟。 崇至宋州，赟登樓問崇所以來之意，崇曰：「澶州軍變，懼未察之，遣崇護衛，非惡意也。」 赟召崇，崇不敢進，馮道出與崇語，崇乃登樓見赟，已而奪赟部下兵。
At Songzhou, Guo Wei was forced back from Dazhou; Wang Jun sent Guo Chong with seven hundred horse to guard Yun. Chong came; Yun asked why; Chong said Dazhou had mutinied and he came to protect him, not harm him.” Yun called him up; Chong hesitated until Feng Dao spoke with him; then he entered—and disarmed Yun’s men.
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太祖以書召道先歸，留其副趙上交、王度奉赟入朝太后。 道乃先還，赟謂道曰：「寡人此來，所恃者以公三十年舊相，是以不疑。」 道默然。 赟客將賈正等數目道，欲圖之。 赟曰：「勿草草，事豈出於公邪！」 道已去，郭崇幽赟於外館，殺賈正及判官董裔、牙內都虞候劉福、孔目官夏昭度等。
Guo Wei recalled Dao first and left Zhao Shangjiao and Wang Du to bring Yun to court. Dao left; Yun said: “I trusted you as minister of thirty years—that is why I came.” Dao said nothing. Jia Zheng and others watched Dao, plotting. Yun said: “Do not be hasty—surely the minister is not behind this!” Dao gone, Chong imprisoned Yun and killed Jia Zheng, Dong Yi, Liu Fu, Xia Zhaodu, and others.
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太祖已監國，太后乃下誥曰：「此者樞密使郭威，誌安宗社，議立長君，以徐州節度使赟高祖近親，立為漢嗣，乃自藩鎮召赴京師。 雖誥命已行，而軍情不附，天道在北，人心靡東。 適當改卜之初，俾膺分土之命，赟可降授開府儀同三司，檢校太師、上柱國，封湘陰公。」 赟以幽死。
As regent, the dowager issued an edict: "Guo Wei had meant to enthrone an elder lord; Yun, Gaozu's kin, was chosen and summoned from Xuzhou. The decree went out, but the army would not follow; Heaven favored the north, not the east. Yun was demoted to Kaifu Yitong Sansi, acting Grand Preceptor, supreme pillar of state, and made Duke of Xiangyin.” Yun died imprisoned.
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初，赟自徐州入也，以都押衙鞏庭美、教練使楊溫守徐州。 庭美等聞赟不得立，乃閉城拒命。 太祖拜王彥超徐州節度使，下詔諭庭美等許以刺史，並詔赟赦庭美等。 廣順元年三月，彥超克徐州，庭美等皆見殺。
Leaving Xuzhou, Yun had Gong Tingmei and Yang Wen hold the city. Hearing Yun would not reign, they shut the city and resisted. Guo Wei made Wang Yanchao military governor of Xuzhou, promised Tingmei and the others prefectural posts, and issued pardons for them in Yun’s name. In the third month of Guangshun 1, Yanchao took Xuzhou and killed them.
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承勳，廣順元年以病卒，追封陳王。
Chengxun died of illness in Guangshun 1 and was posthumously made Prince of Chen.
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嗚呼！ 予既悲湘陰公赟之事，又嘉庭美、楊溫之所為。 赟於漢非嫡長，特以周氏移國，畏天下而難之，故假赟以伺間爾。 當是之時，天下皆知赟之必不立也，然庭美、溫之區區為赟守孤城以死，其始終之跡，何愧於死節之士哉！ 然予考於實錄，二人之死狀不明。 夫二人之事，固知其無所成，其所重者死爾，然史氏不著，不知其何以死也。 當王彥超之攻徐州也，周嘗遣人招庭美等，予得其詔書四，皆言庭美等嘗已送款於周，後懼罪而復叛，然庭美等款狀亦不見，是皆不可知也。 夫史之闕文，可不慎哉。 其疑以傳疑，則信者信矣。 予固嘉二人之忠而悲其志，然不得列於死節之士者，惜哉！
Alas! I mourn Duke of Xiangyin Yun, and praise Tingmei and Yang Wen. Yun was not Han’s heir; the Zhou change made him a pawn while they waited their chance. Everyone knew Yun would never reign; yet Tingmei and Wen held one city for him unto death—what loyal death could shame them? Yet the true record does not say how they died. They knew they could not win; they sought death—but the historians leave it blank. When Yanchao besieged Xuzhou, Zhou summoned them; I have four edicts claiming they had submitted then rebelled from fear—but no submission survives; nothing is certain. When history leaves gaps, can one not be cautious! Pass doubt as doubt, and certainty stays certain. I honor their loyalty and mourn their aim—yet they cannot stand among those who died for principle.
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蔡王信
Prince of Cai Xin
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蔡王信，高祖之從弟也。 高祖鎮太原，以信為興捷軍都指揮使領義成軍節度使，徙領許州。 高祖寢疾，隱帝當立為嗣，楊邠等受顧命，不欲信在京師，乃遣信就鎮，信涕泣而去。 信所至黷貨，好行殺戮。 軍士有犯法者，信召其妻子，對之刲剔支解，使自食其肉，血流盈前，信命樂飲酒自如也。 楊邠等死，信大喜，謂其寮佐曰：「吾嘗為天無眼，而使我鬱鬱於此者三年矣！ 主上孤立，幾落賊手。 諸公可以勸我一杯矣。」 已而聞難作，信憂不能食。 周太祖軍變於澶州，王峻遣前申州刺史馬鐸以兵巡檢許州，信乃自殺。 周太祖即位，追封蔡王。 傳，先贇而後信，亦便於述事爾。
Prince of Cai Xin was Gaozu's younger cousin. When Gaozu governed Taiyuan, he made Xin commander of the Xingjie Army and military governor of Yicheng, then moved him to Xu. When Gaozu lay dying and the Hidden Emperor was to succeed, Yang Bin and the others took the deathbed charge; fearing Xin in the capital, they sent him to his post, and he left in tears. Wherever he went Xin extorted wealth and delighted in killing. When soldiers broke the law, he summoned their families and, before their eyes, flayed and dismembered the men, forcing them to eat their own flesh; blood pooled before him while he ordered music and drank as usual. When Yang Bin and the others died, Xin rejoiced and told his staff: "I once thought Heaven was blind to keep me pent here three years! The emperor stood alone and nearly fell to rebels. Gentlemen, toast me a cup!" Soon he heard trouble had broken out, and worry left him unable to eat. When Guo Wei's army mutinied at Dazhou, Wang Jun sent the former prefect of Shenzhou, Ma Duo, to inspect Xu with troops; Xin then killed himself. When Guo Wei took the throne, Xin was posthumously made Prince of Cai. The biography treats Yun before Xin, simply for ease of narration.