1
資治通鑑第210卷
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 210
2
卷第二百一十
Volume Two Hundred Ten
3
【唐紀二十六】起上章閹茂八月，盡昭陽赤奮若，凡三年有奇。
[Tang Records 26] From the eighth month of 710 through 713—a span of a little more than three years.
4
八月，庚寅，往巽第按問。 重福奄至，縣官馳出，白留守； 群官皆逃匿，洛州長史崔日知獨帥眾討之。
In the eighth month, on the gengyin day, investigators went to Pei Xun's mansion to question those involved in the plot. Prince Chongfu appeared without warning; local officers raced out to alert the Eastern Capital's acting governor. Most officials scattered in panic, but Cui Rizhi, chief secretary of Luozhou, alone rallied a force to oppose him.
5
留台侍御史李邕遇重福於天津橋，從者已數百人，馳至屯營，告之曰：「譙王得罪先帝，今無故入都，此必為亂； 君等宜立功取富貴。」 又告皇城使閉諸門。 重福先趣左、右屯營，營中射之，矢如雨下。 乃還趣左掖門，欲取留守兵，見門閉，大怒，命焚之。 火未及然，左屯營兵出逼之，重福窘迫，策馬出上東，逃匿山谷。 明日，留守大出兵搜捕，重福赴漕渠溺死。 日知，日用之從父兄也，以功拜東都留守。
Li Yong, the censor left in charge at the eastern capital, met Chongfu on Tianjin Bridge with several hundred men already at his back. He raced to the garrison camps and urged the soldiers: "The Prince of Qiao was condemned by the late emperor; his sudden entry into the capital can only mean revolt— you should win your reward and rise in rank now." He also ordered the Imperial City commissioner to seal every gate. Chongfu rushed first to the left and right garrison camps, but the troops inside rained arrows down on him. He turned back toward the Left Flank Gate to seize the governor's troops; finding the gate shut, he raged and ordered it set ablaze. Before the flames could spread, the left garrison sallied against him; cornered, Chongfu spurred his horse out the upper east gate and vanished into the hills. The next day the acting governor launched a full search; Chongfu drowned himself in the transport canal. Rizhi was a cousin of Li Riyong on the father's side and was made acting governor of Luoyang for his service.
6
鄭愔貌醜多須，既敗，梳髻，著婦人服，匿車中； 擒獲，被鞫，股慄不能對。 張靈均神氣自若，顧愔曰：「吾與此人舉事，宜其敗也！」 與愔皆斬於東都市。 初，愔附來俊臣得進； 俊臣誅，附張易之； 易之誅，附韋氏； 韋氏敗，又附譙王重福，竟坐族誅。 嚴善思免死，流靜州。 萬騎恃討諸韋之功，多暴橫，長安中苦之； 詔並除外官。 又停以戶奴為萬騎； 更置飛騎，隸左、右羽林。
Zheng Yin was homely and heavily bearded; when the plot collapsed he bound his hair like a woman, dressed in female robes, and hid in a cart. Captured and put to the question, his legs shook so violently he could not speak. Zhang Lingjun kept his composure and, glancing at Yin, said, "Plotting with this fellow—of course we failed!" Both men were beheaded in Luoyang's eastern market. Yin had first risen by clinging to Lai Junchen. When Junchen fell, he shifted to Zhang Yizhi. When Yizhi was killed, he backed Empress Wei's faction. After the Wei clan's ruin he cast his lot with Prince Chongfu—and at last brought extinction on his entire house. Yan Shansi was spared execution and exiled to Jingzhou. The Ten Thousand Riders, proud of their part in crushing the Wei faction, bullied the capital until the city groaned under them. An edict stripped them of every supplemental office they held. The practice of drafting household slaves into the Ten Thousand Riders was abolished. The Flying Cavalry was reinstated and placed under the left and right Imperial Guard.
7
姚元之、宋璟及御史大夫畢構上言：「先朝斜封官悉宜停廢。」 上從之。 癸巳，罷斜封官凡數千人。
Yao Yuanzhi, Song Jing, and Censor-in-Chief Bi Gou urged: "Every 'slant-seal' appointee from the late reign should be dismissed." The emperor agreed. On guisi day, several thousand such appointees were removed from office.
8
刑部尚書、同中書門下三品裴談貶蒲州刺史。
Pei Tan, Minister of Justice and chief minister, was demoted to prefect of Pu Prefecture.
9
贈蘇安恆諫議大夫。
Su Anheng was posthumously made Remonstrance Official.
10
九月，辛未，以太子少師致仕唐休璟為朔方道大總管。
In the ninth month, on xinwei day, the retired Grand Mentor Tang Xiujing was appointed grand general of the Shuofang frontier command.
11
冬，十月，甲申，禮儀使姚元之、宋璟奏：「大行皇帝神主，應祔太廟，請遷義宗神主於東都，別立廟。」 從之。
In the tenth month of winter, on jiashen day, ritual commissioners Yao Yuanzhi and Song Jing argued that the late emperor's tablet belonged in the Grand Ancestral Temple and asked that Emperor Yizong's tablet be moved to Luoyang with a temple of its own. "The court approved."
12
乙未，追復天後尊號為大聖天後。
On yiwei day, Empress Wu's title was restored as Great Sage Heavenly Empress.
13
丁酉，以幽州鎮守經略節度大使薛訥為左武衛大將軍兼幽州都督。 節度使之名自訥始。
On dingyou day, Xue Ne, Youzhou frontier commissioner, was made general of the Left Martial Guard and concurrent protector of Youzhou. The title jiedushi—military governor—dates from Xue Ne's appointment.
14
太平公主以太子年少，意頗易之； 既而憚其英武，欲更擇闇弱者立之以久其權，數為流言，云「太子非長，不當立。」 己亥，制戒諭中外，以息浮議。 公主每覘伺太子所為，纖介必聞於上，太子左右，亦往往為公主耳目，太子深不自安。
Princess Taiping assumed the young crown prince would be easy to control. She soon feared his force of character and hoped to set up a weaker prince to keep her grip on power, spreading rumors that "the heir is not the eldest son and should not succeed." On jihai day an edict warned the court and the realm to cease such gossip. She spied on his every move and reported the least detail to the throne; many in his own household served as her informants, and the heir lived in constant unease.
15
謚故太子重俊曰節愍。 太府少卿萬年韋湊上書，以為：「賞罰所不加者，則考行立謚以褒貶之。 故太子重俊，與李多祚等稱兵入宮，中宗登玄武門以避之，太子據鞍督兵自若； 及其徒倒戈，多祚等死，太子方逃竄。 向使宿衛不守，其為禍也胡可忍言！ 明日，中宗雨泣，謂供奉官曰：『幾不與卿等相見。』 其危如此，今聖朝禮葬，謚為節愍，臣竊惑之。 夫臣子之禮，過廟必下，過位必趨。 漢成帝之為太子，不敢絕馳道。 而重俊稱兵宮內，跨馬御前，無禮甚矣。 若以其誅武三思父子而嘉之，則興兵以誅奸臣而尊君父可也； 今欲自取之，是與三思競為逆也，又足嘉乎！ 若以其欲廢韋氏而嘉之，則韋氏於時逆狀未彰，大義未絕，苟無中宗之命而廢之，是脅父廢母也，庸可乎！ 漢戾太子困於江充之讒，發忿殺充，雖興兵交戰，非圍逼君父也； 兵敗而死，及其孫為天子，始得改葬，猶謚曰戾。 況重俊可謚之曰節愍乎！ 臣恐後之亂臣賊子，得引以為比，開悖逆之原，非所以彰善癉惡也，請改其謚。 多祚等從重俊興兵，不為無罪。 陛下今宥之可也，名之為雪，亦所未安。」 上甚然其言，而執政以為制命已行，不為追改，但停多祚等贈官而已。
The late Crown Prince Chongjun was posthumously titled Jiemin (Steadfast and Lamented). Wei Cou, Vice Minister of the Imperial Treasury, argued in a memorial: "When the living law cannot reach a man, posterity judges him by his posthumous name. Former Crown Prince Chongjun marched into the palace with Li Duozhuo and others; Emperor Zhongzong fled to the Xuanwu Gate while Chongjun sat his saddle and directed the assault without flinching. Only when his men turned on him and Duozhuo fell did the prince finally run. Had the palace guard failed, the catastrophe is beyond words. The next day Zhongzong wept openly and told his attendants, "I nearly never saw you again." The peril was that grave—yet the court now buries him with full honors as Jiemin. I cannot make sense of it. A loyal subject dismounts when passing the ancestral temple and quickens his step before the throne. Even as crown prince, Emperor Cheng of Han would not block the imperial carriage road. Chongjun raised arms inside the palace and rode before his father—an outrage against all propriety. If we honor him for killing the Wu Sansis, then any prince who takes up arms to purge traitors might claim the same merit. But he sought the throne for himself—he was no better than Sansi. What is there to praise? If we praise his plan to depose Empress Wei, remember that her guilt was not yet proven and the bond of filial piety still held—deposing her without the emperor's order would have been forcing a father and casting out a mother. How can that be right? Han's Crown Prince Li, driven by Jiang Chong's slanders, killed Chong in rage; though he took up arms, he never pressed his father. He died in defeat; only when his grandson became emperor was he reburied—and still he was called Li, "the Rebellious." How then can Chongjun deserve the name Jiemin? Future rebels will cite this precedent and the floodgates of treason will open. I beg that his posthumous name be changed. Duozhuo and those who followed Chongjun were hardly innocent. Your Majesty may forgive them, but to call them "Vindicated" in death is still wrong." The emperor agreed heartily, but the chief ministers refused to reverse an edict already issued and merely withheld posthumous honors from Duozhuo and his fellows.
16
十一月，戊申朔，以姚元之為中書令。
In the eleventh month, on the new moon of wushen, Yao Yuanzhi was appointed Director of the Secretariat.
17
乙酉，葬孝和皇帝於定陵，廟號中宗。 朝議以韋後有罪，不應祔葬。 追謚故英王妃趙氏曰和思順聖皇后，求其瘞，莫有知者，乃以禕衣招魂，覆以夷衾，祔葬定陵。
On yiyou day, Emperor Xiaohé was buried at Dingling with the temple name Zhongzong. The court held that guilty Empress Wei should not share his tomb. Emperor Zhongzong's first consort, Lady Zhao of Ying, was posthumously named Empress Hesishun Sheng; no one knew where she lay, so a garment was used to summon her spirit, wrapped in a plain quilt, and she was buried beside him at Dingling.
18
壬子，侍中韋安石罷為太子少保，左僕射、同中書門下三呂蘇瑰罷為少傅。
On renzi day, Wei Anshi was demoted from chief minister to Grand Protector of the Heir Apparent, and Su Gui from Left Vice Director and chief minister to Junior Mentor.
19
甲寅，追復裴炎官爵。
On jiayin day, Pei Yan's offices and titles were posthumously restored.
20
初，裴胄先自嶺南逃歸，復杖一百，徙北庭。 至徙所，殖貨任俠，常遣客言□都下事。 武後之誅流人也，胄先先知之，逃奔胡中； 北庭都護追獲，囚之以聞。 使者至，流人盡死，胄先以待報未殺。 既而武後下制安撫流人，有未死者悉放還，胄先由是得歸。 至是求炎後，獨胄先在，拜詹事丞。
Years before, Pei Zhouxian had escaped from exile in Lingnan, was flogged a hundred strokes, and sent to Beiting. At his place of exile he amassed wealth and played the chivalrous patron, often sending agents to report on affairs in the capital. When Empress Wu moved to execute the exiles, Zhouxian learned of it in advance and fled to the nomad lands. The Beiting protector pursued him, captured him, and reported to the court. When the envoy arrived, every exile was killed; Zhouxian alone was spared, pending further orders. Empress Wu then issued an edict of clemency; survivors were released, and Zhouxian came home. When the court sought Pei Yan's heirs, only Zhouxian survived and was made Vice Director of the Heir Apparent's Household.
21
壬戌，追復王同皎官爵。
On renxu day, Wang Tongjiao's offices and titles were posthumously restored.
22
庚午，許文貞公蘇瑰薨。 制起復其子頲為工部侍郎，頲固辭。 上使李日知諭旨，日知終坐不言而還，奏曰：「臣見其哀毀，不忍發言，恐其隕絕。」 上乃聽其終制。
On gengwu day, Duke Wen Zhen Su Gui died. An edict recalled his son Ting from mourning to serve as Vice Minister of Works; Ting firmly refused. The emperor sent Li Rizhi to convey the order; Rizhi sat in silence and returned, reporting: "His grief was so overwhelming I dared not speak—for fear he would die of it." The emperor let him complete his mourning.
23
十二月，癸未，上以二女西城、隆昌公主為女官，以資天皇天後之福，仍欲於京城西造觀。 諫議大夫寧原悌上言，以為：「先朝悖逆庶人以愛女驕盈而及禍，新都、宜城以庶孽抑損而獲全。 又釋、道二家皆以清淨為本，不當廣營寺觀，勞人費財。 梁武致敗於前，先帝取災於後，殷鑒不遠。 今二公主入道，將為之置觀，不宜過為崇麗，取謗四方。 又，先朝所親狎諸僧，尚在左右，宜加屏斥。」 上覽而善之。
In the twelfth month, on guiwei day, the emperor made his daughters, the Princesses of Xicheng and Longchang, Daoist nuns to win blessings for his parents and planned to build an abbey west of the capital. Remonstrance Official Ning Yuantie argued: "The rebel prince of the last reign was ruined by indulging his favorite daughter; Princesses Xindu and Yicheng survived because they were kept in check as lesser-born daughters. Buddhism and Daoism alike prize purity and restraint; lavish temples waste the people's labor and the treasury's coin. Emperor Wu of Liang ruined his state with such excess; our late emperor suffered for the same folly—the lesson is recent. If the two princesses take vows and an abbey is built for them, it should not be so grand as to draw scandal from every quarter. The monks the late emperor favored still linger at court and should be dismissed." The emperor read the memorial and approved.
24
宦者閭興貴以事屬長安令李朝隱，朝隱繫於獄。 上聞之，召見朝隱，勞之曰：「卿為赤縣令，能如此，朕復何憂！」 因御承天門，集百官及諸州朝集使，宣示以朝隱所為，且下制稱「宦官遇寬柔之代，必弄威權。 朕覽前載，每所歎息。 能副朕意，實在斯人，可加一階為太中大夫，賜中上考及絹百匹。」
When the eunuch Lü Xinggui tried to pull rank on Chang'an Magistrate Li Chaoyin, Chaoyin threw him in jail. When the emperor heard, he summoned Chaoyin and said, "As magistrate of the imperial county, if you can act thus, what have I to fear!" He then appeared at Chengtian Gate, assembled officials and provincial envoys, proclaimed Chaoyin's conduct, and issued an edict: "In lenient times eunuchs always seize power. Reading history, I sigh every time. The man who fulfills my intent is before you: promote him one rank to Grand Master of Palace Attendance, grant him a middle-upper evaluation, and award a hundred bolts of silk."
25
壬辰，奚、□犯塞，掠漁陽、雍奴，出盧龍塞而去。 幽州都督薛訥追擊之，弗克。
On renchen day, Xi and Khitan forces raided the frontier, plundered Yuyang and Yongnu, and withdrew through Lulong Pass. Youzhou Commander Xue Ne pursued them but failed to defeat them.
26
舊制，三品以上官冊授，五品以上制授，六品以下敕授，皆委尚書省奏擬，文屬吏部，武屬兵部，尚書曰中銓，侍郎曰東西銓。 中宗之末，嬖倖用事，選舉混淆，無復綱紀。 至是，以宋璟為吏部尚書，李乂、盧從願為侍郎，皆不畏強禦，請謁路絕。 集者萬餘人，留者三銓不過二千，人服其公。 以姚元之為兵部尚書，陸象先、盧懷慎為侍郎，武選亦治。 從願，承慶之族子； 象先，元方之子也。
By established rule, third-rank officials and above received patent appointments, fifth-rank and above edict appointments, sixth-rank and below decree appointments—all nominated through the Department of State Affairs. Civil posts fell to the Ministry of Personnel, military to the Ministry of War; the minister headed the central selection board, the vice ministers the eastern and western boards. By the end of Zhongzong's reign, favorites had corrupted appointments beyond recognition. Now Song Jing headed the Ministry of Personnel with Li Yi and Lu Congyuan as vice ministers; they feared no power, and favor-seeking at their door ended. More than ten thousand candidates presented themselves; the three boards retained fewer than two thousand, and the realm admired their integrity. Yao Yuanzhi headed the Ministry of War with Lu Xiangxian and Lu Huaiqian as vice ministers, and military appointments were brought to order as well. Lu Congyuan was a kinsman of Chengqing. Lu Xiangxian was Lu Yuanfang's son.
27
侍御史蒿城倪若水，奏彈國子祭酒祝欽明、司業郭山惲亂常改作，希旨病君； 於是左授欽明饒州刺史，山惲括州長史。
Ni Ruoshui, a censor from Gaocheng, impeached Zhu Qinming, Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, and Guo Shanyun, his vice-chancellor, for subverting orthodoxy and reshaping institutions to please the throne by maligning their sovereign. Zhu Qinming was demoted to prefect of Raozhou, and Guo Shanyun to senior administrator of Kuozhou.
28
侍御史楊孚，彈糾不避權貴，權貴毀之。 上曰：「鷹搏狡兔，須急救之，不爾必反為所噬。 御史繩奸慝亦然。 敬非人主保衛之，則亦為奸慝所噬矣。」 孚，隋文帝之侄孫也。 置河西節度、支度、營田等使，領涼、甘、肅、伊、瓜、沙、西七州，治涼州。
Censor Yang Fu investigated without fear of the mighty, and the mighty in turn defamed him. The emperor said, "When a hawk closes on a cunning hare, it must be rescued at once—otherwise the hawk itself will be torn apart. The same is true when censors pursue treachery and villainy. Without the sovereign's protection, they too would be consumed by those very villains." Yang Fu was a grand-nephew of Emperor Wen of Sui. Posts of Hexi military commissioner, supply commissioner, and garrison-farming commissioner were created, governing Liang, Gan, Su, Yi, Gua, Sha, and Xi—seven prefectures—with headquarters at Liangzhou.
29
姚州群蠻，先附吐蕃，攝監察御史李知古請發兵擊之； 既降，又請築城，列置州縣，重稅之。 黃門侍郎徐堅以為不可； 不從。 知古發劍南兵築城，因欲誅其豪傑，掠子女為奴婢。 群蠻怨怨，蠻酋傍名引吐蕃攻知古，殺之，以其屍祭天，由是姚、巂路絕，連年不通。 安西都護張玄表侵掠吐蕃北境，吐蕃雖怨而未絕和親，乃賂鄯州都督楊矩，請河西九曲之地以為公主湯沐邑； 矩奏與之。
The tribal peoples of Yaozhou had earlier submitted to Tibet; Li Zhigu, acting censor, asked that troops be sent against them. Once they had submitted, he asked again to build fortifications, set up prefectures and counties, and impose heavy taxes. Xu Jian, Vice Director of the Yellow Gate, argued against it. The emperor would not heed him. Zhigu raised troops from Jiannan to build the fortifications, intending to kill the tribal leaders and carry off their sons and daughters as slaves. The tribes seethed with resentment. Their chief Bangming brought in the Tibetans, attacked Zhigu, and killed him, offering his body in sacrifice to Heaven. From that time the roads through Yao and Xi were severed for years. Zhang Xuanbiao, Protector-General of Anxi, raided Tibet's northern borderlands. The Tibetans resented it but had not yet broken the marriage alliance; instead they bribed Yang Ju, prefect of Shanzhou, asking for the Nine Bends west of the Yellow River as a maintenance fief for the princess. Yang Ju memorialized recommending the grant, and it was given.
30
春，正月，癸丑，突厥可汗默啜遣使請和； 許之。
In spring, in the first month, on guichou, Moqu, khaghan of the Turks, sent envoys to sue for peace. The emperor agreed.
31
己未，以太僕卿郭元振、中書侍郎張說並同平章事。
On jiwei, Guo Yuanzhen, Grand Master of the Imperial Stud, and Zhang Shuo, Vice Director of the Secretariat, were both made Grand Councilors of State.
32
以溫王重茂為襄王，充集州刺史，遣中郎將將兵五百就防之。
Prince Wen Zhongmao was renamed Prince Xiang, made prefect of Jizhou, and a battalion commander was sent with five hundred men to keep watch over him.
33
乙丑，追立妃劉氏曰肅明皇后，陵曰惠陵； 德妃竇氏曰昭成皇后，陵曰靖陵。 皆招魂葬於東都城南，立廟京師，號儀坤廟。 竇氏，太子之母也。
On yichou, Consort Liu was posthumously enthroned as Empress Suming; her tomb was called Huiling. Virtuous Consort Dou was named Empress Zhaocheng; her tomb was called Jingling. Both were given soul-summoning burials south of the Eastern Capital; shrines were raised in the capital and named the Yikun Shrine. Dou was the crown prince's mother.
34
太平公主與益州長史竇懷貞等結為朋黨，欲以危太子，使其婿唐晙邀韋安石至其第，安石固辭不往。 上嘗密召安石，謂曰：「聞朝廷皆傾心東宮，卿宜察之。」 對曰：「陛下安得亡國之言！ 此必太平之謀耳。 太子有功於社稷，仁明孝友，天下所知，願陛下無惑讒言。」 上瞿然曰：「朕知之矣，卿勿言。」 時公主在簾下竊聽之，以飛語陷安石，欲收按之，賴郭元振救之，得免。
Princess Taiping joined in faction with Dou Huaizhen, senior administrator of Yizhou, and others, plotting to undermine the crown prince. She had her son-in-law Tang Jun invite Wei Anshi to her house, but Anshi firmly refused and would not go. The emperor once summoned Anshi in secret and said, "I hear the whole court is turning toward the Eastern Palace. You should look into this." Anshi answered, "How can Your Majesty utter words that would destroy the realm! This must be Princess Taiping's doing. The crown prince has served the altars of state with merit; his benevolence, wisdom, filial piety, and brotherly devotion are known to all under Heaven. I beg Your Majesty not to be swayed by calumny." The emperor started and said, "I understand. Say no more." The princess was then eavesdropping from behind the curtain. She spread slander to entrap Anshi and tried to have him arrested and prosecuted, but Guo Yuanzhen intervened and he was spared.
35
公主又嘗乘輦邀宰相於光范門內，諷以易置東宮，眾皆失色，宋璟抗言曰：「東宮有大功於天下，真宗廟社稷之主，公主奈何忽有此議！」
The princess also once rode in her carriage to summon the chief ministers inside the Guangfan Gate, hinting that the Eastern Palace might be replaced. All paled. Song Jing spoke up boldly: "The Eastern Palace has won great merit for the realm and is the true heir to the ancestral temples. How can Your Highness suddenly broach such a thing!"
36
璟與姚元之密言於上曰：「宋王陛下之元子，豳王高宗之長孫，太平公主交構其間，將使東宮不安。 請出宋王及豳王皆為刺史，罷岐、薛二王左、右羽林，使為左、右率以事太子。 太平公主請與武攸暨皆於東都安置。」 上曰：「朕更無兄弟，惟太平一妹，豈可遠置東都！ 諸王惟卿所處。」 乃先下制云：「諸王、駙馬自今毋得典禁兵，見任者皆改它宮。」
Song Jing and Yao Yuanzhi spoke privately to the emperor: "Prince Song is Your Majesty's eldest son; Prince Bin is the eldest grandson of Emperor Gaozong. Princess Taiping is stirring trouble between them and will make the Eastern Palace insecure. We ask that Princes Song and Bin be sent out as prefects, and that Princes Qi and Xue be removed from command of the Left and Right Forest Armies and made Left and Right Guard Commanders to attend the crown prince. We also ask that Princess Taiping and Wu Youji both be relocated to the Eastern Capital." The emperor said, "I have no brothers left—only my sister Taiping. How can I send her far off to the Eastern Capital! As for the princes, do with them as you judge best." An edict was then issued first: "Henceforth princes and imperial sons-in-law may not hold command of the forbidden armies; those now in such posts shall all be reassigned."
37
頃之，上謂侍臣曰：「術者言於五日當有急兵入宮，卿等為朕備之。」 張說曰：「此必讒人欲離間東宮。 願陛下使太子監國，則流言自息矣。」 姚元之曰：「張說所言，社稷之至計也。」 上悅。
Before long the emperor told his attendants, "A diviner says that within five days armed men will enter the palace. Prepare for this on my behalf." Zhang Shuo said, "This must be the work of slanderers trying to estrange Your Majesty from the Eastern Palace. Let Your Majesty put the crown prince in charge of the realm, and the rumors will die away of themselves." Yao Yuanzhi said, "What Zhang Shuo advises is the highest policy for the altars of state." The emperor was pleased.
38
二月，丙子朔，以宋王成器為同州刺史，豳王守禮為豳州刺史，左羽林大將軍岐王隆范為左衛率，右羽林大將軍薛王隆業為右衛率； 太平公主蒲州安置。
In the second month, on the first day, bingzi, Prince Song Chengqi was made prefect of Tongzhou; Prince Bin Shouli, prefect of Binzhou; Prince Qi Longfan, Grand General of the Left Forest Army, was made Left Guard Commander; and Prince Xue Longye, Grand General of the Right Forest Army, was made Right Guard Commander. Princess Taiping was relocated to Puzhou.
39
丁丑，命太子監國，六品以下除官及徒罪以下，並取太子處分。 殿中侍御史崔蒞、太子中允薛照素言於上曰：「斜封官皆先帝所除，恩命已布，姚元之等建議，一朝盡奪之，彰先帝之過，為陛下招怨。 今眾口沸騰，遍於海內，恐生非常之變。」 太平公主亦言之，上以為然。 戊寅，制：「諸緣斜封別敕授官，先停任者，並量材敘用。」
On dingchou, the crown prince was put in charge of the realm. Appointments and dismissals of officials of the sixth rank and below, and punishments up to penal servitude, were all entrusted to his judgment. Palace Censor Cui Li and Crown Prince Attendant Xue Zhaosu told the emperor: "The slant-seal appointees were all installed by the late emperor, and his grace has already been proclaimed. To strip them all away at once, as Yao Yuanzhi urged, exposes the late emperor's errors and wins Your Majesty resentment. Talk is boiling across the realm; I fear some extraordinary upheaval may follow." Princess Taiping said the same, and the emperor agreed. On wuyin day an edict declared: "All officials appointed by irregular slant-seal edicts who were previously suspended shall be reassigned according to merit."
40
太平公主聞姚元之、宋璟之謀，大怒，以讓太子。 太子懼，奏元之、璟離間姑、兄，請從極法。 甲申，貶元之為申州刺史，璟為楚州刺史。 丙戌，宋王、豳王亦寢刺史之命。
When Princess Taiping learned of Yao Yuanzhi's and Song Jing's plan, she flew into a rage and rebuked the crown prince. Frightened, the crown prince memorialized that Yuanzhi and Jing had estranged his aunt and brother and asked that they be punished to the full extent of the law. On jiashen day, Yuanzhi was demoted to prefect of Shenzhou and Jing to prefect of Chuzhou. On bingxu day, the orders sending Princes Song and Bin out as prefects were also suspended.
41
中書舍人、參知機務劉幽求罷為戶部尚書； 以太子少保韋安石為侍中。 安石與李日知代姚、宋為政，自是綱紀紊亂，復如景龍之世矣。 前右率府鎧曹參軍柳澤上疏，以為：「斜封官皆因僕妾汲引，豈出孝和之意！ 陛下一切黜之，天下莫不稱明。 一旦忽盡收斜，善惡不安，反覆相攻，何陛下政令之不一也！ 議者咸稱太平公主令胡僧慧范曲引此曹，誑誤陛下。 臣恐積小成大，為禍不細。」 上弗聽。 澤，亨之孫也。
Secretariat Drafter Liu Youqiu, who had shared in governing, was demoted to Minister of Revenue. Grand Protector of the Heir Apparent Wei Anshi was made chief minister. Anshi and Li Rizhi replaced Yao and Song at the helm; from then on discipline collapsed again, as in the Jinglong years. Former armor-office clerk of the Right Guard Office, Liu Ze, argued in a memorial: "Those slant-seal officials all entered through maidservants' favor—how could that have been Emperor Xiaohé's intent! Your Majesty dismissed them all at once, and the realm hailed your wisdom. Yet in a single morning you recall them all—good and evil alike are unsettled, and factions attack one another. How can Your Majesty's orders be so inconsistent! Everyone says Princess Taiping had the monk Huifan draw this crowd back in and mislead Your Majesty. I fear small errors will grow into great disaster." The emperor would not listen. Ze was the grandson of Liu Hen.
42
左、右萬騎與左右羽林為北門四軍，使葛福順等將之。
The left and right Ten Thousand Riders and the left and right Imperial Guard formed the four Northern Gate armies under Ge Fushun and others.
43
三月，以宋王成器女為金山公主，許嫁突厥默啜。
In the third month, Prince Song Chengqi's daughter was made Princess Jinshan and betrothed to Moqu, khaghan of the Turks.
44
夏，四月，甲申，宋王成器讓司徒； 許之，以為太子賓客。 以韋安石為中書令。
In the fourth month of summer, on jiashen day, Prince Song Chengqi resigned as Minister of Works. The request was granted, and he was made Guest of the Heir Apparent. Wei Anshi was made Director of the Secretariat.
45
上召群臣三品以上，謂曰：「朕素懷澹泊，不以萬乘為貴，曩為皇嗣，又為皇太弟，皆辭不處。 今欲傳位太子，何如？」 群臣莫對。 太子使右庶子李景伯固辭，不許。 殿中侍御史和逢堯附太平公主，言於上曰：「陛下春秋未高，方為四海所依仰，豈得遽爾！」 上乃止。
The emperor summoned officials of the third rank and above and said, "I have long cherished simplicity and do not prize the throne; as heir and again as imperial younger brother I declined both. Now I wish to pass the throne to the crown prince—what do you think?" No one answered. The crown prince sent Right Vice Director Li Jingbo to decline firmly; the emperor would not allow it. Palace Censor He Fengyao, aligned with Princess Taiping, said, "Your Majesty is not yet old, and the realm still depends on you—how can you act so hastily!" The emperor then abandoned the idea.
46
戊子，制：「凡政事皆取太子處分。 其軍旅死刑及五品已上除授，皆先與太子議之，然後以聞。」
On wuzi day an edict declared: "All government affairs shall be decided by the crown prince. Military matters, death sentences, and appointments and dismissals of the fifth rank and above must first be discussed with the crown prince before being reported."
47
辛卯，以李日知守侍中。
On xinmao day, Li Rizhi was appointed acting chief minister.
48
壬寅，赦天下。
On renyin day there was a general amnesty.
49
五月，太子請讓位於宋王成器； 不許。 請召太平公主還京師：許之。
In the fifth month, the crown prince asked to yield the throne to Prince Song Chengqi. The request was denied. He asked that Princess Taiping be recalled to the capital; this was granted.
50
庚戌，制：「則天皇后父母墳仍舊為昊陵、順陵，量置官屬。」 太平公主為武攸暨請之也。
On gengxu day an edict restored the tombs of Empress Wu's parents as Haoling and Shunling, with officials appointed in due measure." Princess Taiping had requested this for Wu Youji.
51
辛酉，更以西城為金仙公主，隆昌為玉真公主，各為之造觀，逼奪民居甚多，用功數百萬。 右散騎常侍魏知古、黃門侍郎李乂諫，皆不聽。
On xinyou day the Princess of Xicheng was renamed Princess Jinxian and the Princess of Longchang Princess Yuzhen; an abbey was built for each, displacing many households at a cost of millions. Wei Zhigu, Right Regular Attendant, and Li Yi, Vice Director of the Yellow Gate, remonstrated; the emperor ignored them both.
52
壬戌，殿中監竇懷貞為御史大夫、同平章事。
On renxu day, Palace Supervisor Dou Huaizhen was made Censor-in-Chief and Grand Councilor of State.
53
僧慧范恃太平公主勢，逼奪民產，御史大夫薛謙光與殿中侍御史慕容珣奏彈之。 公主訴於上，出謙光為岐州刺史。
The monk Huifan, relying on Princess Taiping's power, seized commoners' property; Censor-in-Chief Xue Qianguang and Palace Censor Murong Xun impeached him. The princess complained to the emperor, and Qianguang was sent out as prefect of Qizhou.
54
明遣使按察十道，議者以山南所部闊遠，乃分為東西道； 又分隴右為河西道。 六月、壬午，又分天下置汴、齊、兗、魏、冀、並、蒲、鄜、涇、秦、益、綿、遂、荊、岐、通、梁、襄、揚、安、淮、越、洪、潭二十四都督，各糾察所部刺史以下善惡，惟洛及近畿州不隸都督府。 太子右庶子李景伯、舍人盧輔等上言：「都督專殺生之柄，權任太重。 或用非其人，為害不細。 今御史秩卑望重，以時巡察，奸宄自禁。」 其後竟罷都督，但置十道按察使而已。
The court sent envoys to inspect the ten circuits; because Shannan's jurisdiction was too vast, it was divided into eastern and western circuits. Longyou was also split into a Hexi circuit. In the sixth month, on renwu day, the realm was further divided into twenty-four area commands—Bian, Qi, Yan, Wei, Ji, Bing, Pu, Fu, Jing, Qin, Yi, Mian, Sui, Jing, Qi, Tong, Liang, Xiang, Yang, An, Huai, Yue, Hong, and Tan—each to investigate officials from prefect on down; only Luoyang and the capital prefectures were exempt. Li Jingbo, Right Vice Director of the Heir Apparent, Lu Fu, Attendant, and others argued: "Area commanders hold the power of life and death—their authority is too great. If the wrong men are appointed, the harm will be grave. Censors held modest rank yet real authority; regular inspection kept wrongdoing in check. In the end the area commanders were abolished, leaving only ten circuit inspecting commissioners."
55
秋，七月，癸巳，追復上官昭容，謚曰惠文。
Autumn, seventh month, guisi: Shangguan Zhaorong was posthumously rehabilitated as Huiwen.
56
乙卯，以高祖故宅枯柿復生，赦天下。
On yimao, a dead persimmon at the Founding Emperor's old home leafed out again; the court pardoned the empire.
57
己巳，以右御史大夫解琬為朔方大總管。 琬考按三城戍兵，奏減十萬人。
On jisi, Jie Wan, Right Censor-in-Chief, was made Grand Commander of Shuofang. Jie Wan audited the three frontier garrisons and recommended cutting a hundred thousand troops.
58
庚午，以中書令韋安石為左僕射兼太子賓客、同中書門下三品。 太平公主以安石不附己，故崇以虛名，實去其權也。
On gengwu, Wei Anshi was named Left Vice Director of State Affairs and Crown Prince's Mentor with third-rank standing. Princess Taiping, finding Wei Anshi unwilling to side with her, gave him hollow honors while removing his real authority.
59
九月，庚辰，以竇懷貞為侍中。 懷貞每退朝，必詣太平公主第。 時修金仙、玉真二觀，群臣多諫，懷貞獨勸成之，身自督役。 時人謂懷貞前為皇后阿{父者}，今為公主邑司。
Ninth month, gengchen: Dou Huaizhen was made Palace Attendant. Each time court adjourned, Dou Huaizhen went straight to the princess's mansion. While the Jin Xian and Yuzhen abbeys were rising, most of the court objected, but Dou Huaizhen alone pressed on and oversaw the labor. Wags said he had gone from the empress's father-in-law to the princess's purse-keeper.
60
冬，十月，甲辰，上御承天門，引韋安石、郭元振、竇懷貞、李日知、張說宣制，責以「政教多闕，水旱為災，府庫益竭，僚吏日滋； 雖朕之薄德，亦輔佐非才。 安石可左僕射、東都留守，元振可吏部尚書，懷貞可左御史大夫，日知可戶部尚書，說可左丞，並罷政事」。 以吏部尚書劉幽求為侍中，右散騎常侍魏知古為左散騎常侍，太子詹事崔湜為中書侍郎，並同中書門下三品； 書中侍郎陸象先同平章事。 皆太平公主之志也。
Winter, tenth month, jiachen: at Chengtian Gate the emperor had Wei Anshi, Guo Yuanzhen, Dou Huaizhen, Li Rizhi, and Zhang Yue hear a decree of censure: 'Rule is in disarray; flood and drought plague the land; the treasury drains while the bureaucracy swells. If Our own merit is thin, Our ministers have proved no better. Wei Anshi to Left Vice Director and Eastern Capital Commissioner; Guo Yuanzhen, Minister of Personnel; Dou Huaizhen, Left Censor-in-Chief; Li Rizhi, Minister of Revenue; Zhang Yue, Left Vice Director—all removed from power.' Liu Youqiu became Palace Attendant; Wei Zhigu became Left Regular Attendant; Cui Shi became Vice Director of the Secretariat—all raised to third rank. Lu Xiangxian, Vice Director of the Secretariat, was also made Grand Councilor. Every appointment reflected Princess Taiping's design.
61
像先清淨寡慾，言論高遠，為時人所重。 湜私侍太平公主，公主欲引以為相，湜請與象先同升，公主不可，湜曰：「然則湜亦不敢當。」 公主乃為之並言於上。 上不欲用湜，公主涕泣以請，乃從之。
Lu Xiangxian lived plainly; his words carried weight, and the age respected him. Cui Shi was the princess's favorite; she meant to make him chief minister. He asked that Lu Xiangxian rise with him; she refused. 'Then I dare not take the office,' he said. The princess then pleaded for both before the throne. The emperor was reluctant, but the princess wept until he gave way.
62
右補闕辛替否上疏，以為：「自古失道破國亡家者，口說不如身逢，耳聞不如目睹。 臣請以陛下所目睹者言之。 太宗皇帝，陛下之祖也，撥亂返正，開基立極； 官不虛授，財無枉費； 不多造寺觀而有福，不多度僧尼而無災，天地垂祐，風雨時若，粟帛充溢，蠻夷率服，享國久長，名高萬古。 陛下何不取而法之！ 中宗皇帝，陛下之兄，棄祖宗之業，徇女子之意； 無能而祿者數千人，無功而封者百餘家； 造寺不止，費財貨者數百億，度人無窮，免租庸者數十萬，所出日滋，所入日寡； 奪百姓口中之食以養貪殘，剝萬人體上之衣以塗土木，於是人怨神怒，眾叛親離，水旱並臻，公私俱罄，享國不永，禍及其身。 陛下何不懲而改之！ 自頃以來，水旱相繼，兼以霜蝗，人無所食，未聞賑恤，而為二女造觀，用錢百餘萬婚。 陛下豈可不計當今府庫之蓄積有幾，中外之經費有幾，而輕用百餘萬緡，以供無用之役乎！ 陛下族韋氏之家，而不去韋氏之惡，忍棄太宗之法，不忍棄中宗之政乎！ 且陛下與太子當韋氏用事之時，日夕憂危，切齒於群凶； 今幸而除之，乃不改其所為，臣恐復有切齒於陛下者也。 然則陛下又何惡於群凶而誅之！ 昔先帝之憐悖逆也，宗晉卿為之造第，趙履溫為之葺園，殫園財，竭人力，第成不暇居，園成不暇游，而身為戮沒。 今之造觀崇侈者，必非陛下、公主之本意，殆有宗、趙之徒從而勸之，不可不察也。 陛下不停斯役，臣恐人之愁怨，不減先朝之時。 人人知其禍敗，而口不敢言，言則刑戮隨之。 如韋月將、燕欽融之徒，先朝誅之，陛下賞之，豈非陛下知直言之有益於國乎！ 臣今所言，亦先朝之直也，惟陛下察之。」 上雖不能從，而嘉其切直。
Xin Tifu memorialized: 'Rulers who lost the Way learned more from experience than from hearsay, more from their own eyes than from others' tongues. I beg to speak from what Your Majesty has witnessed. Emperor Taizong, your grandfather, swept away chaos and laid the foundation of the realm. He gave no office without merit and spent no coin without reason. He built few temples yet prospered, ordained few clergy yet knew no disaster. Heaven smiled, harvests brimmed, the frontier bowed, and Tang endured—its name bright across the ages. Why not take him as your model? Emperor Zhongzong cast aside the founders' legacy and bent to women's will. Thousands drew stipends without talent; hundreds received fiefs without service. Monasteries rose without end at vast cost; ordinations never stopped; hundreds of thousands were freed from tax. Spending mounted while revenue shrank. He took bread from common mouths to feed the rapacious and stripped the people's clothes to gild brick and timber. Men cursed, heaven raged, subjects turned away; flood and drought struck; the treasury drained; the reign proved brief; ruin overtook him. Why not take that as your warning and turn back? Lately flood, drought, frost, and locusts have left people starving while no relief is offered—yet two abbeys are raised for the princesses at a cost of more than a million strings. Will you not count what the treasury holds and what the realm must spend before throwing a million strings at so useless a project? You destroyed the Wei root and branch yet kept their ways. You can forsake Taizong's code—but not Zhongzong's habits? When the Wei faction held sway, you and the heir lived in daily dread, your teeth set against those villains. You have removed them—yet you repeat their conduct. I fear others will soon grind their teeth at you. If so, why did you hate those villains enough to kill them? When the late emperor doted on the rebel prince, Zong Jinqing built him a palace and Zhao Luwen planted gardens at ruinous cost. Palace and garden were finished before he could enjoy either—and then he was slain. This lavish building cannot be your true wish. Men like Zong and Zhao are surely whispering again. Look closely. If you do not stop this work, the people's bitterness will match the last emperor's day. All see disaster coming, yet none dare speak—speech means the block. Wei Yuejiang and Yan Qinrong spoke plainly; the last reign killed them, yet you have honored them. Surely you know honest counsel serves the realm! What I say now is the same plain truth they died for. I beg Your Majesty to weigh it.' The emperor could not act on the memorial, but he commended its blunt honesty.
63
御史中丞和逢堯攝鴻臚卿，使於突厥，說默啜曰：「處密、堅昆聞可汗結昏於唐，皆當歸附。 可汗何不襲唐冠帶，使諸胡知之，豈不美哉！」 默啜許諾，明日，襆頭、衣紫衫，南向再拜，稱臣，遣其子楊我支及國相隨逢堯入朝，十一月，戊寅，至京師。 逢堯以奉使功，遷戶部侍郎。
He Fengyao, Vice Censor and acting Director of Banquets, told Mo-chuo: 'Once Chumiji and Jiankun hear you have wed the Tang court, they will come over. Why not take Tang dress and cap and let every tribe see it? Would that not be fine?' Mo-chuo consented. The next day he donned Tang dress, bowed toward the south, declared himself a vassal, and sent his son Yang Wuzhi and his chancellor to court with Fengyao. Eleventh month, wuyin: they reached the capital. For his embassy, He Fengyao was promoted to Vice Minister of Revenue.
64
壬辰，令天下百姓二十五入軍，五十五免。
On renchen, the throne ordered universal conscription at age twenty-five and discharge at fifty-five.
65
十二月，癸卯，以興昔亡可汗阿史那獻為招慰十姓使。
In the twelfth month, on guimao, Ashina Xian—the exiled Khan of Xingxi—was named envoy to win over the Ten Surname tribes.
66
上召天台山道士司馬承禎，問以陰陽數術，對曰：「道者，損之又損，以至於無為，安肯勞心以學術數乎！」 上曰：「理身無為則高矣，如理國何？」 對曰：「國猶身也，順物自然而心無所私，則天下理矣。」 上歎曰：「廣成之言，無以過也。」 承禎固請還山，上許之。
The emperor summoned Sima Chengzhen, a Daoist of Mount Tiantai, and asked him about yin-yang lore and divination. Chengzhen answered: 'The Way is ever to lessen and lessen, until one arrives at nonaction. Why would anyone weary the heart studying the tricks of number and fate?' The emperor said: 'To govern oneself through nonaction is sublime—but what of governing the realm?' He answered: 'The realm is like the body. Yield to the natural way of things, keep the heart free of selfish design, and the empire will govern itself.' The emperor sighed: 'The teaching of Guangchengzi could not be bettered.' Chengzhen pressed earnestly to return to his mountain retreat, and the emperor consented.
67
尚書左丞盧藏用指終南山謂承禎曰：「此中大有佳處，何必天台！」 承禎曰：「以愚觀之，此乃仕宦之疾徑耳！」 藏用嘗隱終南，則天時征為左拾遺，故承禎言之。
Lu Zangyong, Left Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs, gestured toward Mount Zhongnan and told Chengzhen: 'These hills hold every delight—why trouble yourself with Tiantai?' Chengzhen replied: 'As I see it, this is nothing but the fast track to office and rank!' Zangyong had once retired to Zhongnan, only to be summoned under Empress Wu as Left Reminder of the Palace—hence Chengzhen's barb.
68
玄宗至道大聖大明孝皇帝上之上
The Reign of Emperor Xuanzong (First Section)
69
春，正月，辛巳，睿宗祀南郊，初用諫議大夫賈曾議合祭天地。 曾，言忠之子也。
In spring, the first month, on xinsi, Emperor Ruizong offered sacrifice at the Southern Suburb, inaugurating the joint rite of Heaven and Earth as urged by Remonstrance and Counselor Jia Zeng. Jia Zeng was the son of Jia Yanzhong.
70
戊子，幸滻東，耕籍田。
On wuzi, the emperor traveled east to Chan and performed the ceremonial plowing of the sacred field.
71
己丑，赦天下； 改元太極。
On jichou, he proclaimed a general amnesty throughout the realm. The reign era was renamed Taiji.
72
乙未，上御安福門，宴突厥楊我支，以金山公主示之； 既而會上傳位，婚竟不成。 以左御史大夫竇懷貞、戶部尚書岑羲並同中書門下三品。
On yiwei, the emperor presided at Anfu Gate, entertained the Turk envoy Yang Wozhi, and presented Princess Jinshan to him. But the emperor soon abdicated, and the marriage was never concluded. Dou Huaizhen, Left Censor-in-Chief, and Cen Xi, Minister of Revenue, were both made Grand Councilors of the Third Rank.
73
二月，辛酉，廢右御史台。
In the second month, on xinyou, the Right Censorate was dissolved.
74
蒲州刺史蕭至忠自托於太平公主，公主引為刑部尚書。 華州長史蔣欽緒，其妹夫也，謂之曰：「如子之才，何憂不達！ 勿為非分妄求。」 至忠不應。 欽緒退，歎曰：「九代卿族，一舉滅之，可哀也哉！」 至忠素有雅望，嘗自公主第門出，遇宋璟，璟曰：「非所望於蕭君也。」 至忠笑曰：「善乎宋生之言！」 遽策馬而去。
Xiao Zhizhong, prefect of Puzhou, placed himself under Princess Taiping's patronage, and she had him appointed Minister of Justice. Jiang Qinxu, chief secretary of Huazhou and Zhizhong's brother-in-law, told him: 'With gifts like yours, what need is there to fear advancement? Do not grasp after what is not rightfully yours.' Zhizhong made no answer. As Qinxu withdrew, he sighed: 'Nine generations of ministerial rank—undone in a single reckless move. What a pity!' Zhizhong had long borne a name for integrity. Once, as he came out of the princess's gate, he met Song Jing, who said: 'This is not what one hoped to see from you, Master Xiao.' Zhizhong smiled: 'Well put, young Song!' He wheeled his horse at once and rode away.
75
幽州大都督薛訥鎮幽州二十餘年，吏民安之。 未嘗舉兵出塞，虜亦不敢犯。 與燕州刺史李璡有隙，璡毀之於劉幽求，幽求薦左羽林將軍孫佺代之。 三月，丁丑，以佺為幽州大都督，徙訥為并州長史。
Xue Ne, Great Protector-General of Youzhou, had held the frontier for more than twenty years, and officials and commoners alike lived in security under his rule. He never led an army beyond the border forts, and the nomads in turn did not dare cross in. He fell out with Li Jin, prefect of Yanzhou. Jin denounced him to Liu Youqiu, who recommended Left General of the Feathered Forest Sun Wan to take his place. In the third month, on dingchou, Sun Wan was appointed Great Protector-General of Youzhou, and Xue Ne was reassigned as chief secretary of Bingzhou.
76
夏，五月，益州獠反。
In summer, the fifth month, the Liao tribes of Yizhou rose in revolt.
77
戊寅，上祭北郊。
On wuyin, the emperor offered sacrifice at the Northern Suburb.
78
辛巳，赦天下，改元延和。
On xinsi, he proclaimed a general amnesty and renamed the era Yanhe.
79
六月，丁未，右散騎常侍武攸暨卒，追封定王，
In the sixth month, on dingwei, Right Attendant Cavalier-at-Court Wu Youji died and was posthumously created Prince of Ding.
80
上以節愍太子之亂，岑羲有保護之功，癸丑，以羲為侍中。
In recognition of Cen Xi's service in shielding the throne during the turmoil of Crown Prince Jiemin, on guichou the emperor appointed him Vice Director of the Secretariat.
81
庚申，幽州大都督孫佺與奚酋李大酺戰於冷陘，全軍覆沒。 是時，佺帥左驍衛將軍李楷洛，左威衛將軍周以悌發兵二萬、騎八千，分為三軍，以襲奚、契丹。 將軍烏可利諫曰：「道險而天熱，懸軍遠襲，往必敗。」 佺曰：薛訥在邊積年，竟不能為國家復營州。 今乘其無備，往必有功。」 使楷洛將騎四千前驅，遇奚騎八千，楷洛戰不利。 佺怯懦，不敢救，引軍欲還，虜乘之，唐兵大敗。 佺阻山為方陳以自固，大酺使謂佺曰：「朝廷既與我和親，今大軍何為而來？」 佺曰：「吾奉敕來招慰耳。 楷洛不稟節度，輒與汝戰，請斬以謝。」 大酺曰：「若然，國信安在？」 佺悉斂軍中帛，得萬餘段，並紫袍、金帶、魚袋以贈之。 大酺曰：「請將軍南還，勿相驚擾。」 將士懼，無復部伍，虜追擊之，士卒皆潰。 佺、以悌為虜所擒，獻於突厥，默啜皆殺之； 楷洛、可利脫歸。
On gengshen, Sun Wan, Great Protector-General of Youzhou, clashed with the Xi chieftain Li Dapu at Cold Gorge Pass—and his whole force was annihilated. By then Sun Wan had marched under Left General of the Vigorous Guard Li Kailuo and Left General of the Awe-Inspiring Guard Zhou Yiti with twenty thousand foot soldiers and eight thousand horsemen, split into three columns, to strike the Xi and Khitan. General Wu Keli warned him: 'The road is treacherous and the heat fierce. To drive an army deep into enemy country on such a raid is to invite disaster.' Sun Wan replied: 'Xue Ne held the border for years and still could not win back Yingzhou for the empire.' Now we catch them off guard—victory is certain. He sent Li Kailuo ahead with four thousand cavalry. They met eight thousand Xi riders, and Kailuo was driven back. Sun Wan, too cowardly to reinforce him, began to withdraw—and the enemy pressed hard, routing the Tang army. Sun Wan drew up a square formation against the hills to hold his ground. Li Dapu sent a messenger: 'Your court has already bound us in marriage alliance—why does a great army come now?' Sun Wan answered: 'I come only under imperial command to offer reassurance and goodwill. Li Kailuo defied my orders and attacked you of his own accord. Permit me to behead him in atonement.' Li Dapu said: 'If that is so, what becomes of the good faith of your empire?' Sun Wan collected every bolt of silk in the camp—more than ten thousand in all—along with purple robes, gold belts, and official fish purses, and sent them as gifts. Li Dapu said: 'General, withdraw to the south, and let neither side trouble the other further.' Officers and soldiers panicked and lost all formation. The enemy chased them down, and the whole force scattered in rout. Sun Wan and Zhou Yiti were taken captive, handed over to the Turks, and Khaghan Moqur put them both to death; Li Kailuo and Wu Keli broke free and made it back.
82
秋，七月，彗星出西方，經軒轅入太微，至於大角。
In autumn, the seventh month, a comet rose in the west, swept through Xuanyuan into the Supreme Palace Enclosure, and reached the Horn star.
83
有相者謂同中書門下三品竇懷貞曰：「公有刑厄。」 懷貞懼，請解官為安國寺奴； 敕聽解官。 乙亥，復以懷貞為左僕射兼御史大夫、平章軍國重事。
A fortune-teller told Dou Huai'zhen, co-chancellor of the third rank: 'You face a sentence of punishment. Dou Huai'zhen was terrified and asked to resign and serve as a temple slave at Anguo Abbey; The throne granted his resignation. On yihai, Dou Huai'zhen was restored as Left Vice Director, Censor-in-Chief, and co-chancellor for state and military affairs.
84
太平公主使術者言於上曰：「彗所以除舊布新，又帝座及心前星皆有變，皇太子當為天子。」 上曰：「傳德避災，吾志決矣！」 太平公主及其黨皆力諫，以為不可。 上曰：「中宗之時，群奸用事，天變屢臻。 朕時請中宗擇賢子立之以應災異，中宗不悅，朕憂恐，數日不食。 豈可在彼則能勸之，在己則不能邪！」 太子聞之，馳入見，自投於地，叩頭請曰：「臣以微功，不次為嗣，懼不克堪，未審陛下遽以大位傳之，何也？」 上曰：「社稷所以再安，吾之所以得天下，皆汝力也。 今帝座有災，故以授汝，轉禍為福，汝何疑邪！」 太子固辭。 上曰：「汝為孝子，何必待柩前然後即位邪！」 太子流涕而出。
Princess Taiping had a soothsayer tell the emperor: 'Comets sweep away the old to make way for the new—and both the Imperial Seat and the star before the Heart have shifted. The crown prince is destined for the throne. The emperor said: 'I will pass on my virtue to avert disaster—my decision is firm! Princess Taiping and her allies all pressed him hard, insisting it must not be done. The emperor said: 'Under Zhongzong, villains ran the court and omens piled up one after another. I then urged Zhongzong to name a worthy son and set him up to answer the omen. He took it ill. I was sick with fear and would not eat for days. How can I have counselled that then and refuse to act on it now! When the crown prince heard this, he rushed in, flung himself to the floor, and kowtowed: 'I was made heir ahead of my deserts by a small service, and I fear I am not equal to the charge. Why would Your Majesty suddenly hand me the throne? The emperor said: 'The realm was twice brought back to peace, and I owe the throne to you alone. Now the Imperial Seat is under a sign of disaster, so I give it to you—turning ill luck to good. What is there to doubt! The crown prince refused again and again. The emperor said: 'A filial son need not wait for the bier to take the throne! The crown prince withdrew in tears."
85
壬辰，制傳位於太子，太子上表固辭。 太平公主勸上雖傳位，猶宜自總大政。 上乃謂太子曰：「汝以天下事重，欲朕兼理之邪？」 昔舜禪禹，猶親巡狩。 聯雖傳位，豈忘家國？ 其軍國大事，當兼省之。
On renchen, an edict passed the throne to the crown prince; he memorialized a firm refusal. Princess Taiping urged that even after abdicating he should still keep the reins of power. The emperor then asked the crown prince: 'You find the burden of empire heavy—do you want me to share the rule? When Shun yielded to Yu, he still went on tour in person. Though I yield the throne, shall I forget home and realm? On military and state affairs of first importance, I shall still share oversight.'
86
八月，庚子，玄宗即位，尊睿宗為太上皇。 上皇自稱曰朕，命曰誥，五日一受朝於太極殿。 皇帝自稱曰予，命曰制、敕，日受朝於武德殿。 三品以上除授及大刑政決於上皇，餘皆決於皇帝。
In the eighth month, on gengzi, Xuanzong took the throne and ennobled Ruizong as Retired Emperor. The Retired Emperor called himself zhen, issued gao, and held court at Taiji Hall once every five days. The emperor called himself yu, issued zhi and chi, and held daily court at Wude Hall. Third-rank appointments and capital crimes fell to the Retired Emperor; everything else to the emperor.
87
壬寅，上大聖天後尊號曰聖帝天後。
On renyin, the Great Sage Empress Dowager was styled Sage-Emperor Empress Dowager.
88
甲辰，赦天下，改元。
On jiachen, the realm was amnestied and the reign era renamed.
89
乙巳，於漠州北置渤海軍，恆、定州境置恆陽軍，媯、蔚州境置懷柔軍，屯兵五萬。
On yisi, Bohai Army was posted north of Mochou; Hengyang Army on the Heng and Ding frontier; Huairou Army on the Gui and Yu frontier—fifty thousand men in all.
90
丙午，立妃王氏為皇后，以後父仁皎為太僕卿。 仁皎，下邽人也。 戊申，立皇子許昌王嗣直為郯王，真定王嗣謙為郢王。
On bingwu, Lady Wang was made empress and her father Wang Renjiao appointed Grand Master of the Imperial Stud. Renjiao came from Xiaji. On wushen, Prince Sizhi of Xuchang was created Prince of Tan, and Prince Siqian of Zhending Prince of Ying.
91
以劉幽求為右僕射、同中書門下三品，魏知古為侍中，崔湜為檢校中書令。
Liu Youqiu became Right Vice Director and third-rank co-chancellor; Wei Zhigu, Attendant-in-Chief; Cui Shi, acting Grand Counselor.
92
初，河內王琚預於王同皎之謀，亡命，傭書於江都。 上之為太子也，琚還長安，選補諸暨主簿，過謝太子。 琚至廷中，故徐行高視，宦者曰：「殿下在簾內。」 琚曰：「何謂殿下？ 當今獨有太平公主耳！」 太子遽召見，與語，琚曰：「韋庶人弒逆，人心不服，誅之易耳。 太平公主，武後之子，凶猾無比，大臣多為之用，琚竊憂之。」 太子引與同榻坐，泣曰：「主上同氣，唯有太平，言之恐傷主上之意，不言為患日深，為之奈何？」 琚曰：「天子之孝，異於匹夫，當以安宗廟社稷為事。 蓋主，漢昭帝之姊，自幼供養，有罪猶誅之。 為天下者，豈顧小節！」 太子悅曰：「君有何藝，可與寡人游？」 琚曰：「能飛煉、詼嘲。」 太子乃奏為詹事府司直，日與游處，累遷太子中舍人； 及即位，以為中書侍郎。
Earlier, Wang Ju of Henei had joined Wang Tongjiao's conspiracy, gone into hiding, and copied books for hire at Jiangdu. When the heir was still crown prince, Ju returned to Chang'an, was appointed chief clerk of Zhuji, and came to pay his respects. Ju entered the court, strolled in slowly with his chin up; a eunuch said, 'His Highness is behind the curtain. Ju said, 'What "Highness"? In this age there is only Princess Taiping! The crown prince summoned him at once. Ju said: 'Empress Wei murdered her sovereign and the people would not follow her—cutting her down was easy. Princess Taiping, Empress Wu's daughter, is savagely cunning, and great ministers do her bidding—I worry for you. The crown prince pulled him onto the same couch and wept: 'The emperor's only close kin is Taiping. To speak may hurt him; to stay silent lets the danger grow—what can I do? Ju said: 'A Son of Heaven's filial duty is not a common man's—he must secure the ancestral temples and the realm. Princess Gai, Emperor Zhao's elder sister, was raised from childhood—yet when she was guilty she was still put to death. One who holds the empire cannot cling to small points of decorum! The crown prince was pleased and asked: 'What talents have you, that we might keep company? Ju said: 'I can compound elixirs and crack jokes. The crown prince had him appointed rectifier in the heir's household and kept him close day after day, promoting him step by step to attendant of the heir; When Xuanzong took the throne, he was made Vice Director of the Secretariat."
93
是時，宰相多太平公主之黨，劉幽求與右羽林將軍張□謀以羽林兵誅之，使□密言於上曰：「竇懷貞、崔湜、岑羲皆因公主得進，日夜為謀不軌。 若不早圖，一旦事起，太上皇何以得安！ 請速誅之。 臣已與幽求定計，惟俟陛下之命。」 上深以為然。 □洩其謀於侍御史鄧光賓，上大懼，遽列上其狀。 丙辰，幽求下獄。 有司奏：「幽求等離間骨肉，罪當死。」 上為言幽求有大功，不可殺。 癸亥，流幽求於封州，張□於峰州，光賓於繡州。
Most chancellors then were Princess Taiping's men. Liu Youqiu and Zhang Wei, Right General of the Feathered Forest, plotted to kill them with the guard and sent Zhang Wei secretly to tell the emperor: 'Dou Huai'zhen, Cui Shi, and Cen Xi all owe their rise to the princess and plot rebellion day and night. If we wait, when trouble erupts the Retired Emperor will not be safe! Please put them to death at once. I have already settled the plan with Youqiu—we await only Your Majesty's order. The emperor strongly agreed. Zhang Wei leaked the plot to Palace Censor Deng Guangbin. The emperor was terrified and immediately reported everything. On bingchen, Liu Youqiu was thrown into prison. The prosecutors reported: 'Youqiu and the others estranged kin—death is the penalty. The emperor pleaded that Youqiu had great service and must not be executed. On the day guihai, Youqiu was exiled to Fengzhou, Zhang Wei to Peak Prefecture, and Guangbin to Xiuzhou."
94
初，崔湜為襄州刺史，密與譙王重福通書，重福遺之金帶。 重福敗，湜當死，張說、劉幽求營護得免。 既而湜附太平公主，與公主謀罷說政事，以左丞分司東都。 及幽求流封州，湜諷廣州都督周利貞，使殺之。 桂州都督景城王晙知其謀，留幽求不遣。 利貞屢移牒索之，晙不應，利貞以聞。 湜屢逼晙，使遣幽求，幽求謂晙曰：「公拒執政而保流人，勢不能全，徒仰累耳。」 固請詣廣州，晙曰：「公所坐非可絕於朋友者也。 晙因公獲罪，無所恨！」 竟逗遛不遣。 幽求由是得免。
Earlier, as prefect of Xiangzhou, Cui Shi had secretly corresponded with Prince Chongfu of Qiao, who sent him a gold belt. When Chongfu fell, Cui Shi should have died; Zhang Yue and Liu Youqiu saved him. Then Cui Shi joined Princess Taiping; together they pushed Zhang Yue out of office and sent him to the Eastern Capital as Left Assistant Director without duties. When Liu Youqiu was banished to Fengzhou, Cui Shi urged Zhou Lizhen, prefect of Guangzhou, to kill him. Wang Jun of Jingcheng, prefect of Guizhou, learned of the plot and kept Youqiu from being forwarded. Zhou Lizhen repeatedly demanded him by official letter; Wang Jun refused, and Lizhen reported it. Cui Shi pressed Wang Jun again and again. Youqiu told Jun: 'You defy the chief ministers to shield an exile—you cannot save me and will only harm yourself. He insisted on going to Guangzhou. Jun said: 'Your offense is not one that should sever friendship. If I am punished for you, I shall not regret it! In the end he stalled and would not hand him over. Youqiu was thus spared."
95
九月，丁卯朔，日有食之。
In the ninth month, on the dingmao new moon, there was a solar eclipse.
96
辛卯，立皇子嗣升為陝王。 嗣升母楊氏，士達之曾孫也。 王后無子，母養之。
On xinmao, Prince Sisheng was created Prince of Shan. Sisheng's mother, Lady Yang, was a great-granddaughter of Yang Shida. The empress was childless; Lady Yang raised the boy.
97
冬，十月，庚子，上謁太廟，赦天下。
In winter, the tenth month, on gengzi, the emperor worshipped at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and proclaimed a general amnesty.
98
癸卯，上幸新豐，獵於驪山之下。
On guimao, the emperor went to Xinfeng and hunted at the foot of Mount Li.
99
辛酉，沙陀金山遣使入貢。 沙陀者，處月之別種也，姓朱邪氏。
On xinyou, Jinshan of the Shatuo sent envoys with tribute. The Shatuo were a branch of the Chuyue, surnamed Zhuye.
100
十一月，乙酉，奚、契丹二萬騎寇漁陽，幽州都督宋璟閉城不出，虜大掠而去。
In the eleventh month, on yiyou, twenty thousand Xi and Khitan riders struck Yuyang. Song Jing, prefect of Youzhou, shut the gates and would not sally; the raiders looted heavily and left.
101
上皇誥遣皇帝巡邊，西自河、隴，東及燕、薊，選將練卒。 甲午，以幽州都督宋璟為左軍大總管，并州長史薛訥為中軍大總管，朔方大總管，兵部尚書郭元振為右軍大總管。
The Retired Emperor ordered the emperor to tour the frontier—from He and Long in the west to Yan and Ji in the east—to choose commanders and drill soldiers. On jiawu, Song Jing, prefect of Youzhou, became Grand Commander of the Left Army; Xue Ne, chief secretary of Bingzhou, Grand Commander of the Central Army and Grand Protector of Shuofang; Guo Yuanzhen, Minister of War, Grand Commander of the Right Army.
102
十二月，刑部尚書李日知請致仕。
In the twelfth month, Li Rizhi, Minister of Justice, asked to retire.
103
日知在官，不行捶撻而事集。 刑部有令史，受敕三日，忘不行。 日知怒，索杖，集群吏，欲捶之； 既而謂曰：「我欲捶汝，天下人必謂汝能撩李日知嗔，受李日知杖，不得比於人，妻子亦將棄汝矣。」 遂釋之。 吏皆感悅，無敢犯者，脫有稽失，眾共謫之。
Li Rizhi governed without ever using the beating rod, yet business was always done. A clerk in the Ministry of Justice received an edict and forgot to act on it for three days. Li Rizhi was furious, called for the rod, gathered the clerks, and was about to flog him; Then he told them: 'If I beat you, the world will say you knew how to bait Li Rizhi and take his rod—you will be disgraced, and even your families will turn from you. He let him go. The clerks were grateful and dared not err; if anyone slipped, the rest censured him together.
104
春，正月，乙亥，誥：「衛士自今二十五入軍，五十免； 羽林飛騎並以衛士簡補。」
In spring, the first month, on yihai, a gao: 'Henceforth guardsmen enter service at twenty-five and are discharged at fifty; Feathered Forest and Flying Cavalry units are to be recruited from the guards.'
105
以吏部尚書蕭至忠為中書令。
Xiao Zhibo, Minister of the Civil Service, was made Grand Counselor.
106
皇帝巡邊改期，所募兵各散遣，約八月復集，竟不成行。
The frontier tour was postponed; the levies were sent home with orders to reassemble in the eighth month—the expedition never happened.
107
二月，庚子夜，開門然燈，又追作去年大酺，大合伎樂。 上皇與上御門樓臨觀，或以夜繼晝，凡月餘。 左拾遺華陰嚴挺之上疏諫，以為：「酺者因人所利，合醵為歡。 今乃損萬人之力，營百戲之資，非所以光聖德美風化也。」 乃止。
In the second month, on the night of gengzi, the city gates were opened and lanterns lit; they staged again last year's great puhui, with music and performers on a lavish scale. Retired Emperor and emperor watched from the gate tower, sometimes feasting from night into day—for more than a month altogether. Yan Tingzhi of Huayin, Left Reminder, memorialized in protest: 'A puhui lets people combine what they can spare for shared joy. To squander the labor of ten thousand men on lavish spectacles is no way to burnish the throne's virtue or set an example for the realm. The emperor thereupon stopped them."
108
初，高麗既亡，其別種大祚榮徙居營州。 及李盡忠反，祚榮與靺鞨乞四北羽聚眾東走，阻險自固。 盡忠死，武後使將軍李楷固討其餘黨。 楷固擊乞四北羽，斬之，引兵逾天門嶺，逼祚榮。 祚榮逆戰，楷固大敗，僅以身免。 祚榮遂帥其眾東據東牟山，築城居之。 祚榮驍勇善戰，高麗、靺鞨之人稍稍歸之，地方二千里，戶十餘萬，勝兵數萬人，自稱振國王，附於突厥。 時奚、契丹皆叛，道路阻絕，武後不能討。 中宗即位，遣侍御史張行岌招慰之，祚榮遣子入侍。 至是，以祚榮為左驍衛大將軍、渤海郡王； 以其所部為忽汗州，令祚榮兼都督。
Earlier, when Goguryeo fell, a remnant of its people led by Da Zuorong resettled in Ying Prefecture. When Li Jinzhong rose in revolt, Zuorong and the Mohe chieftain Qi Sibeiyu rallied their bands and fled eastward, fortifying themselves in rugged country. After Jinzhong's death, Empress Wu dispatched General Li Kaigu to hunt down the survivors. Kaigu struck Qi Sibeiyu and killed him, then crossed Tianmen Ridge and closed in on Zuorong. Zuorong met him in battle and routed him; Kaigu barely escaped alive. Zuorong then led his people east to Dongmoushan, walled a city, and made it his seat. Bold and warlike, Zuorong drew Goguryeo and Mohe followers to him in growing numbers. His territory stretched two thousand li; households numbered more than a hundred thousand, and fighting men several tens of thousands. He proclaimed himself King of Zhen and submitted to the Turks. The Xi and Khitan were both in revolt, communications were severed, and Empress Wu could not reach him with an army. On Zhongzong's accession he sent Supervising Censor Zhang Xingji to offer reassurance; Zuorong sent his son to serve at court. Now Zuorong was made Left Cavalry Guard General and Prince of Bohai; his people were organized as Huhan Prefecture, with Zuorong serving concurrently as governor.
109
庚申，敕以嚴挺之忠直宣示百官，厚賞之。
On gengshen day an edict proclaimed Yan Tingzhi's loyalty and uprightness to the whole bureaucracy, and he received a generous reward.
110
三月，辛巳，皇后親蠶。
In the third month, on xinsi day, the empress personally tended the silkworms.
111
晉陵尉楊相如上疏言時政，其略曰：「煬帝自恃自強，不憂時政，雖制敕交行，而聲實舛謬，言同堯、舜，亦如桀、紂，舉天下之大，一擲而棄之。」 又曰：「隋氏縱欲而亡，太宗抑欲而昌，願陛下詳擇之！」 又曰：「人主莫不好忠正而惡佞邪，然忠正者常疏，佞邪者常親，以至於覆國危身而不寤者，何哉？ 誠由忠正者多忤意，佞邪者多順指，積忤生憎，積順生愛，此親疏之所以分也。 明主則不然。 愛其忤以收忠賢，惡其順以去佞邪，則太宗太平之業，將何遠哉！」 又曰「夫法貴簡而能禁，罰貴輕而必行； 陛下方興崇至德，大布新政，請一切除去碎密，不察小過。 小過不察則無煩苛，大罪不漏則止奸慝，使簡而難犯，寬而能制，則善矣。」 上覽而善之。
Jinling magistrate Yang Xiangru memorialized on affairs of the day. In essence he wrote: 'Emperor Yang trusted only his own power and ignored governance. Edicts poured forth, yet words and deeds diverged—he spoke like Yao and Shun while acting like Jie and Zhou, and wagered the empire on a single reckless throw.' He added: 'The Sui dynasty drowned in excess and fell; Taizong checked his appetites and prospered. I beg Your Majesty to choose between these paths.' He went on: 'Every sovereign favors loyalty and detests flattery—yet the loyal are pushed away and sycophants embraced, until realm and ruler are ruined without a change of heart. Why? Because the upright speak against the ruler's wishes and flatterers echo them. Offense piled up breeds dislike; compliance piled up breeds fondness—that is how favor and exile are sorted. A wise sovereign does otherwise. Welcome contradiction to win true servants; reject smooth agreement to purge sycophants—then Taizong's peace would be near at hand.' He also wrote: 'Good law is simple yet binding; good punishment is light yet inevitable— Your Majesty is proclaiming supreme virtue and sweeping reforms. Abolish petty rules and stop policing minor slips. Overlook small faults and bureaucracy loses its bite; miss no grave crime and villainy is checked. Law that is simple to grasp yet hard to break, and clemency that still holds the line—that is the ideal. The emperor read the memorial and was pleased."
112
先是，修大明宮未畢，夏，五月，庚寅，敕以農務方勤，罷之以待閒月。
The Daming Palace was still unfinished. In the fifth month, on gengyin day in summer, an edict halted work until the farming season eased.
113
六月，丙辰，以兵部尚書郭元振同中書門下三品。
In the sixth month, on bingchen day, Minister of War Guo Yuanzhen was appointed Associate of the Three Departments.
114
太平公主依上皇之勢，擅權用事，與上有隙，宰相七人，五出其門。 文武之臣，太半附之。 與竇懷貞、岑羲、蕭至忠、崔湜及太子少保薛稷、雍州長史新興王晉、左羽林大將軍常元楷、知右羽林將軍事李慈、左金吾將軍李欽、中書舍人李猷、右散騎常侍賈膺福、鴻臚卿唐晙及僧慧范等謀廢立，又與宮人元氏謀於赤箭粉中置毒進於上。 晉，德良之孫也。 元楷、慈數往來主第，相與結謀。
Princess Taiping leaned on the Retired Emperor's backing, seized power, and fell out with the emperor. Five of seven chancellors were her clients. Well over half the court, civil and military alike, lined up behind her. With Dou Huaizhen, Cen Xi, Xiao Zhizhong, Cui Shi, Heir Apparent Grand Mentor Xue Ji, Yong Prefecture chief administrator Prince Jin of Xinxing, Left Feathered Forest General Chang Yuankai, acting Right Feathered Forest commander Li Ci, Left Golden Guard General Li Qin, drafting officer Li You, Right Regular Attendant Jia Yingfu, Chamberlain for Dependencies Tang Jun, and the monk Huifan she plotted to depose the emperor and raise another. With the palace woman Lady Yuan she also schemed to lace arrowroot powder with poison and serve it to the throne. Prince Jin was a grandson of Deliang. Yuankai and Ci shuttled in and out of the princess's residence, plotting together.
115
王琚言於上曰：「事迫矣，不可不速發！」 左丞張說自東都遣人遺上佩刀，意欲上斷割。 荊州長史崔日用入奏事，言於上曰：「太平謀逆有日，陛下往在東宮，猶為臣子，若欲討之，須用謀力。 今既光臨大寶，但下一制書，誰敢不從？ 萬一奸宄得志，悔之何及！」 上曰：「誠如卿言。 直恐驚動上皇。」 日用曰：「天子之孝在於安四海。 若奸人得志，則社稷為墟，安在其為孝乎！」 請先定北軍，後收逆黨，則不驚動上皇矣。」 上以為然。 以日用為吏部侍郎。
Wang Ju told the emperor, 'This has gone too far—you must strike at once.' From Luoyang, Left Assistant Director Zhang Yue sent the emperor a belt knife—a signal to cut the knot. Jingzhou chief administrator Cui Riyong came to audience and warned the emperor: 'The princess has been plotting treason for some time. When you were still crown prince you were only a subject; to strike her then would have taken cunning and armed strength. Now you sit on the throne. One edict is enough—who would refuse? If the plotters win, regret will come too late.' The emperor said, 'You are right. I only fear upsetting the Retired Emperor.' Riyong replied, 'A son of Heaven shows filial piety by securing the realm. If traitors prevail the altars lie in ruins—where is the filiality in that?' Secure the Northern Army first, then round up the rebels—the Retired Emperor need never be disturbed.' The emperor agreed. Riyong was made Vice Minister of Personnel.
116
秋，七月，魏知古告公主欲以是月四日作亂，令元楷、慈以羽林兵突入武德殿，懷貞、至忠、羲等於南牙舉兵應之。 上乃與岐王范、薛王業、郭元振及龍武將軍王毛仲、殿中少監姜皎、太僕少卿李令問、尚乘奉御王守一、內給事高力士、果毅李守德等定計誅之。 皎，謨之曾孫； 令問，靖弟客師之孫； 守一，仁皎之子； 力士，潘州人也。
In the seventh month of autumn, Wei Zhigu reported that the princess planned a coup on the fourth, with Yuankai and Ci to burst into Wude Hall at the head of Feathered Forest troops while Huaizhen, Zhizhong, Xi, and their allies mustered forces at the Southern Compound. The emperor then plotted with Princes Fan of Qi and Ye of Xue, Guo Yuanzhen, Longwu General Wang Maozhong, Palace Supervisor Assistant Jiang Jiao, Court of the Imperial Stud vice minister Li Lingwen, Palace Stud attendant Wang Shouyi, inner palace supply officer Gao Lishi, guardsman Li Shoude, and others to kill the conspirators. Jiao was a great-grandson of Mo. Lingwen was a grandson of Li Jing's younger brother Keshi. Shouyi was the son of Wang Renjiao. Lishi came from Pan Prefecture.
117
甲子，上因王毛仲取閒廄馬及兵三百餘人，與同謀十餘人，自武德殿入虔化門，召元楷、慈，先斬之，擒膺福、猷於內客省以出，執至忠、羲於朝堂，皆斬之。 懷貞逃入溝中，自縊死，戮其屍，改姓曰毒。 上皇聞變，登承天門樓。 郭元振奏，皇帝前奉誥誅竇懷貞等，無他也。 上尋至樓上，上皇乃下誥罪狀懷貞等，因赦天下，惟逆人親黨不赦。 薛稷賜死於萬年獄。
On jiazi day the emperor, through Wang Maozhong, took three hundred-odd spare-stable horses and soldiers plus a dozen co-conspirators, left Wude Hall for Qianhua Gate, summoned Yuankai and Ci and cut them down first, seized Yingfu and You in the Inner Reception Office, dragged Zhizhong and Xi from the audience hall, and executed them all. Huaizhen fled into a drainage ditch and hanged himself. His corpse was mutilated and his clan name changed to Du—'Poison.' Hearing of the coup, the Retired Emperor climbed Chengtian Gate tower. Guo Yuanzhen announced, 'The emperor has just executed Dou Huaizhen and his fellows by imperial order—nothing beyond that.' The emperor soon joined him on the tower. The Retired Emperor issued an edict enumerating Huaizhen's crimes, then proclaimed a general amnesty—rebel kin and accomplices excepted. Xue Ji was ordered to take his own life in Wannian Prison.
118
乙丑，上皇誥：「自今軍國政刑，一皆取皇帝處分。 朕方無為養志，以遂素心。」 是日，徙居百福殿。
On yichou day the Retired Emperor decreed: 'Henceforth every matter of war, state, law, and governance rests with the emperor. I shall retire from affairs and tend my peace, as I have always wished.' That same day he moved into Baifu Hall.
119
太平公主逃入山寺，三日乃出，賜死於家，公主諸子及黨與死者數十人。 薛崇簡以數諫其母被撻，特免死，賜姓李，官爵如故。 籍公主家，財貨山積，珍物侔於御府，廄牧羊馬、田園息錢，收之數年不盡。 慧范家產亦數十萬緡。 改新興王晉之姓曰厲。
Princess Taiping hid in a mountain temple. After three days she emerged, was ordered to die at home, and dozens of her sons and followers perished with her faction. Xue Chongjian, who had often warned his mother and been beaten for it, was spared, given the surname Li, and kept his titles. Her estate was seized. Treasure heaped like hills; curios matched the imperial vaults. Livestock, pastures, and interest from landholdings—years would not exhaust what was there. Huifan's holdings too ran to several hundred thousand strings of cash. Prince Jin of Xinxing had his clan name changed to Li—'Cruel.'
120
初，上謀誅竇懷貞等，召崔湜，將托以心腹。 湜弟滌謂湜曰：「主上有問，勿有所隱。」 湜不從。 懷貞等既誅，湜與右丞盧藏用俱坐私侍太平公主，湜流竇州，藏用流瀧州。 新興王晉臨刑歎曰：「本為此謀者崔湜，今吾死湜生，不亦冤乎！」 會有司鞫宮人元氏，元氏引湜同謀進毒，乃追賜死於荊州。 薛稷之子伯陽以尚主免死，流嶺南，於道自殺。
Earlier, while planning to kill Dou Huaizhen and his circle, the emperor summoned Cui Shi intending to make him a trusted insider. Shi's brother Di urged him: 'If the emperor asks, hide nothing.' Shi refused. Once Huaizhen's faction was dead, Shi and Right Assistant Director Lu Zangyong were punished for secretly serving the princess. Shi was banished to Dou Prefecture, Zangyong to Long Prefecture. Facing execution, Prince Jin of Xinxing cried, 'Cui Shi hatched this plot—yet I die and he lives. Where is the justice in that?' Then investigators examined the palace woman Lady Yuan, who named Shi as her co-conspirator in the poisoning. He was recalled and ordered to die at Jing Prefecture. Xue Ji's son Boyang, spared because he had married a princess, was sent to Lingnan and killed himself on the way.
121
初，太平公主與其黨謀廢立，竇懷貞、蕭至忠、岑羲、崔湜皆以為然，陸象先獨以為不可。 公主曰：「廢長立少，已為不順； 且又失德，若之何不去？」 象先曰：「既以功立，當以罪廢。 今實無罪，像先終不敢從。」 公主怒而去。 上既誅懷貞等，召象先謂曰：「歲寒知松柏，信哉！」 時窮治公主枝黨，當坐者眾，像先密為申理，所全甚多； 然未嘗自言，當時無知者。 百官素為公主所善及惡之者，或黜或陟，終歲不盡。
When the princess and her allies first plotted to depose the emperor, Huaizhen, Zhizhong, Cen Xi, and Cui Shi all assented—only Lu Xiangxian refused. The princess argued: 'Replacing the elder with the younger is already wrong; and besides, he lacks virtue—why keep him?' Xiangxian replied: 'If merit raised him, crime should remove him. But he has committed no crime. I cannot go along.' The princess stormed off. After Huaizhen's faction was destroyed the emperor summoned Xiangxian and said, 'Cold weather reveals the pine and cypress—truer words were never spoken.' With the princess's network under relentless prosecution, Xiangxian quietly interceded for many who would otherwise have fallen; yet he never claimed credit, and no one knew. Officials the princess had favored or despised were promoted or cashiered in turn—a year's work did not clear the backlog.
122
丁卯，上御承天門樓，赦天下。
On dingmao day the emperor ascended Chengtian Gate tower and proclaimed a general amnesty.
123
己巳，賞功臣郭元振等官爵、第捨、金帛有差。 以高力士為右監門將軍，知內侍省事。
On jisi day the emperor rewarded Guo Yuanzhen and other loyalists with titles, estates, gold, and silk according to their deserts. Gao Lishi was appointed Right Gate Guard General and put in charge of the Palace Domestic Service.
124
初，太宗定制，內侍省不置三品官，黃衣廩食，守門傳命而已。 天後雖女主，宦官亦不用事。 中宗時，嬖倖猥多，宦官七品以上至千餘人，然衣緋者尚寡。 上在籓邸，力士傾心奉之，及為太子，奏為內給事，至是以誅蕭、岑功賞之。 是後宦官稍增至三千餘人，除三品將軍者浸多，衣緋、紫至千餘人，宦官之盛自此始。
Taizong had decreed that the Palace Domestic Service would appoint no third-rank officers: eunuchs wore yellow, drew rations, and merely kept gates and carried orders. Even under Empress Wu, eunuchs held no power. Under Zhongzong favorites multiplied and eunuchs of seventh rank or higher numbered over a thousand, though few yet wore scarlet. While the emperor was still a prince, Lishi served him wholeheartedly; when he became heir apparent Lishi was made inner palace supply officer—and now was rewarded for helping bring down Xiao and Cen. Thereafter eunuchs swelled to more than three thousand. Third-rank generalships multiplied; scarlet and purple robes numbered over a thousand. Eunuch power dates from this moment.
125
壬申，遣益州長史畢構等六人宣撫十道。 乙亥，以左丞張說為中書令。
On renshen day Bi Gou of Yi Prefecture and five others were sent to pacify and reassure the ten circuits. On yihai day Left Assistant Director Zhang Yue became Director of the Secretariat.
126
庚辰，中書侍郎、同平章事陸象先罷為益州長史、劍南按察使。 八月，癸巳，以封州流人劉幽求為左僕射、平章軍國大事。
On gengchen day Secretariat Vice Director and Associate Director Lu Xiangxian was dismissed to serve as chief administrator of Yi Prefecture and Jiannan inspector. In the eighth month, on guisi day, the Feng Prefecture exile Liu Youqiu was recalled as Left Vice Director and Associate Director for Military and State Affairs.
127
丙辰，突厥可汗默啜遣其子楊我支來求昏； 丁巳，許以蜀王女南和縣主妻之。
On bingchen day Turkic khan Moqie sent his son Yang Wozhi to sue for a bride; on dingsi day the court agreed to marry him to Princess Nanhe, daughter of the Prince of Shu.
128
中宗之崩也，同中書門下三品李嶠密表韋後，請出相王諸子於外。 上即位，於禁中得其表，以示侍臣。 嶠時以特進致仕，或請誅之，張說曰：「嶠雖不識逆順，然為當時之謀則忠矣。」 上然之。 九月，壬戌，以嶠子率更令暢為虔州刺史，令嶠隨暢之官。
At Zhongzong's death Li Jiao, Associate of the Three Departments, secretly urged Empress Wei to send the Prince of Xiang's sons out of the capital. On his own accession the emperor found that memorial in the palace archives and showed it to his ministers. Jiao was then retired as Special Emeritus. Some urged his execution, but Zhang Yue said, 'He misread the tide of events, yet for that moment his counsel was loyal.' The emperor agreed. In the ninth month, on renxu day, Jiao's son Chang, Director of the Palace Revisions Office, was appointed prefect of Qianzhou, and Jiao was bidden to join him in taking up the post.
129
庚午，以劉幽求同中書門下三品。
On gengwu day, Liu Youqiu was appointed Associate of the Three Departments.
130
丙戌，復置右御史台，督察諸州，罷諸道按察使。
On bingxu day the Right Censorate was restored to oversee the prefectures, and the circuit inspecting commissioners were abolished.
131
冬，十月，辛卯，引見京畿縣令，戒以歲饑惠養黎元之意。
In the tenth month of winter, on xinmao day, he received the county magistrates of the capital region and urged them to nurture the people through the year's famine.
132
己亥，上幸新豐； 癸卯，講武於驪山之下，徵兵二十萬，旌旗連亙五十餘里。 以軍容不整，坐兵部尚書郭元振於纛下，將斬之。 劉幽求、張說跪於馬前諫曰：「元振有大功於社稷，不可殺。」 乃流新州。 斬給事中、知禮儀事唐紹，以其制軍禮不肅故也。 上始欲立威，亦無殺紹之意，金吾衛將軍李邈遽宣敕斬之。 上尋罷邈官，廢棄終身。 時二大臣得罪，諸軍多震懾失次，惟左軍節度薛訥、朔方道大總管解琬二軍不動，上遣輕騎召之，皆不得入其陳。 上深歎美，慰勉之。
On jihai day the emperor traveled to Xinfeng; On guimao day he held a martial review below Mount Li, mustering two hundred thousand men; banners and standards lined the field for more than fifty li. Finding the army's formation slack, he had Minister of War Guo Yuanzhen placed beneath the command banner and prepared to behead him. Liu Youqiu and Zhang Shuo knelt before the imperial horse and pleaded: "Yuanzhen has served the realm with great merit — he cannot be put to death." Yuanzhen was thereupon banished to Xinzhou. Attendant-in-ordinary Tang Shao, who oversaw ritual protocol, was beheaded for failing to keep the military rites in proper order. The emperor had meant only to assert his authority and had no wish to kill Shao, but Jinwu Guard General Li Miao abruptly announced the decree and had him cut down. The emperor soon stripped Miao of his post and cast him aside for the rest of his days. With two senior ministers now disgraced, most units quailed and fell out of rank; only the divisions under Left Army commander Xue Ne and Shuofang circuit Grand general Jie Wan held steady. The emperor sent light horsemen to call them in, yet none could penetrate their formations. The emperor sighed in deep admiration and praised and encouraged them.
133
甲辰，獵於渭川。 上欲以同州刺史姚元之為相，張說疾之，使御史大夫趙彥昭彈之，上不納。 又使殿中監姜皎言於上曰：「陛下常欲擇河東總管而難其人，臣今得之矣。」 上問為誰，皎曰：「姚元之文武全才，真其人也。」 上曰：「此張說之意也，汝何得面欺，罪當死！」 皎叩頭首服，上即遣中使召元之詣行在。 既至，上方獵，引見，即拜兵部尚書、同中書門下三品。
On jiachen day he hunted along the Wei River. The emperor wished to make Tongzhou Governor Yao Yuanzhi chancellor; Zhang Shuo, who resented him, had Censor-in-chief Zhao Yanzhao bring charges, but the emperor would not heed them. He also had Palace Steward Jiang Jiao tell the emperor, "Your Majesty has long sought a worthy Hedong area commander without finding one — I have the man now." When the emperor asked who, Jiang replied, "Yao Yuanzhi combines civil and military excellence — he is the man." The emperor said, "This is Zhang Shuo's scheme. How dare you lie to my face — the punishment is death!" Jiang kowtowed and admitted his guilt; the emperor at once sent a palace envoy to summon Yuanzhi to the imperial camp. When Yuanzhi arrived the emperor was still out hunting; he received him on the spot and immediately named him Minister of War and Associate of the Three Departments.
134
元之吏事明敏，三為宰相，皆兼兵部尚書，緣邊屯戍斥候，士馬儲械，無不默記。 上初即位，勵精為治，每事訪於元之。 元之應答如響，同僚皆唯諾而已，故上專委任之。 元之請抑權幸，愛爵賞，納諫諍，卻貢獻，不與群臣褻狎； 上皆納之。
Yuanzhi was quick and exact in office. Three times he served as chancellor, each time also holding the Ministry of War; frontier garrisons, outposts, men, horses, and stores of arms — he committed them all to memory without effort. In the early days of his reign the emperor threw himself into government and consulted Yuanzhi on every affair. Yuanzhi answered at once; his fellow ministers could only assent, and the emperor came to rely on him alone. Yuanzhi urged him to curb the privileged, value rank and reward, heed frank counsel, reject lavish tribute, and keep a proper distance from his ministers. The emperor accepted every recommendation.
135
乙巳，車駕還京師。
On yisi day the imperial procession returned to the capital.
136
姚元之嘗奏請序進郎吏，上仰視殿屋，元之再三言之，終不應； 元之懼，趨出。 罷朝，高力士諫曰：「陛下新總萬機，宰臣奏事，當面加可否，奈何一不省察！」 上曰：「朕任元之以庶政，大事當奏聞共議之； 郎吏卑秩，乃一一以煩朕邪？」 會力士宣事至省中，為元之道上語，元之乃喜。 聞者皆服上識君人之體。
Yao Yuanzhi once submitted a request to advance bureau clerks in due order; the emperor gazed up at the rafters of the hall. Yuanzhi pressed the matter again and again, but received no answer; Alarmed, Yuanzhi withdrew in haste. When court adjourned, Gao Lishi advised him: "Your Majesty has only just taken the reins of government. When the chief minister reports, you should answer yes or no on the spot — how can you ignore him entirely!" The emperor said, "I have left routine administration to Yuanzhi. Major affairs should be brought to me for joint deliberation. Must I be bothered with every petty clerk one by one?" When Lishi carried palace business to the Secretariat and repeated the emperor's words to Yuanzhi, Yuanzhi was greatly relieved. All who heard of it admired the emperor's understanding of what it means to rule.
137
左拾遺曲江張九齡，以元之有重望，為上所信任，奏記勸其遠諂躁，進純厚，其略曰：「任人當才，為政大體，與之共理，無出此途。 而向之用才，非無知人之鑒，其所以失溺，在緣情之舉。」 又曰：「自君侯職相國之重，持用人之權，而淺中弱植之徒，已延頸企踵而至，諂親戚以求譽，媚賓客以取容，其間豈不有才，所失在於無恥。」 元之嘉納其言。
Left Reminder Zhang Jiuling of Qujiang, seeing Yuanzhi's high standing and the emperor's trust in him, sent a letter urging him to shun sycophants and the restless, and to promote the steady and sincere. Its gist ran: "To appoint men by talent is the foundation of government; in ruling together there is no better course. In your past appointments you were not without an eye for men; what ruined you was choosing by affection rather than merit. He added: "Since you bear the chancellor's burden and hold the power of appointment, shallow and spineless men are already craning their necks to reach you — flattering kin for praise, courting guests for favor. Some may indeed have talent; what is lost is their shamelessness." Yuanzhi welcomed his counsel."
138
新興王晉之誅也，僚吏皆奔散，惟司功李摠步從，不失在官之禮，仍哭其屍。 姚元之聞之，曰：「欒布之儔也。」 及為相，擢為尚書郎。
When Prince Jin of Xinxing was put to death, his staff scattered — only Departmental Secretary Li Zong walked in attendance, observing every duty of office, and wept over the body. When Yao Yuanzhi heard of it he said, "A man in the mold of Luan Bu." Once he took office as chancellor, he raised Li Zong to Secretariat Gentleman.
139
己酉，以刑部尚書趙彥昭為朔方道大總管。
On jiyou day Minister of Justice Zhao Yanzhao was made Grand general of the Shuofang circuit.
140
十一月，乙丑，劉幽求兼侍中。
In the eleventh month, on yichou day, Liu Youqiu was also named Attendant-in-chief.
141
辛巳，群臣上表請加尊號為開元神武皇帝； 從之。 戊子，受冊。
On xinsi day the officials memorialized asking that his honorific title be raised to Divine Martial Emperor of Kaiyuan; The request was granted. On wuzi day he received the ceremonial investiture.
142
中書侍郎王琚為上所親厚，群臣莫及。 每進見，侍笑語，逮夜方出。 或時休沐，往往遣中使召之。 或言於上曰：「王琚權譎縱橫之才，可與之定禍亂，難與之守承平。」 上由是浸疏之。 是月，命琚兼御史大夫，按行北邊諸軍。
Vice Director of the Secretariat Wang Ju was closer to the emperor than any other minister. Whenever he attended audience they talked and laughed together until nightfall. Even on his days of leave the emperor often sent palace envoys to fetch him. Someone told the emperor, "Wang Ju is a man of crafty, shifting talent — useful in chaos, dangerous in peace." The emperor therefore slowly drew away from him. That month he ordered Wang Ju to serve concurrently as Censor-in-chief and tour the northern frontier armies.
143
十二月，庚寅，赦天下，改元。 尚書左、右僕射為左、右丞相； 中書省為紫微省； 門下省為黃門省，侍中為監； 雍州為京兆府，洛州為河南府，長史為尹，司馬為少尹。
In the twelfth month, on gengyin day, he proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the reign title. The Left and Right Vice Directors of the Department of State Affairs became the Left and Right Chancellors; the Secretariat was renamed the Purple Palace Secretariat; the Chancellery became the Yellow Gate Department, and Attendants-in-chief were retitled Supervisors; Yongzhou became Jingzhao Prefecture and Luozhou Henan Prefecture; chief secretaries were renamed prefects (Yin), and vice prefects (Sima) junior prefects (Shaoyin).
144
甲午，吐蕃遣其大臣來求和。
On jiawu day Tibet dispatched a senior minister to seek peace.
145
壬寅，以姚元之兼紫微令。 元之避開元尊號，復名崇。
On renyin day Yao Yuanzhi was also named Director of the Purple Palace Secretariat. To avoid the Kaiyuan honorific, Yuanzhi took back his original name, Chong.
146
敕：「都督、刺史、都護將之官，皆引面辭畢，側門取進止。」
An edict declared: "Area commanders, prefects, and protector-generals departing for their posts must all be presented for a farewell audience; when that is done, they shall receive their final instructions at the side gate."
147
姚崇即為相，紫微令張說懼，乃潛詣岐王申款。 他日，崇對於便殿，行微蹇。 上問：「有足疾乎？」 對曰：「臣有腹心之疾，非足疾也。」 上問其故。 對曰：「岐王陛下愛弟，張說為輔臣，而密乘車入王家，恐為所誤，故憂之。」 癸丑，說左遷相州刺史。 右僕射、同中書門下三品劉幽求亦罷為太子少保。 甲寅，以黃門侍郎盧懷慎同紫微黃門平章事。
After Yao Chong became chancellor, Purple Palace Secretariat Director Zhang Shuo grew fearful and secretly went to pay court to the Prince of Qi. On another day Chong answered the emperor in the informal hall, walking with a slight hobble. The emperor asked, "Is your foot troubling you?" He answered, "Your subject suffers from a trouble of the heart, not of the foot." The emperor asked what he meant. He said, "The Prince of Qi is Your Majesty's beloved brother; Zhang Shuo is a chief minister, yet he secretly rode into the princely house in a carriage. I fear Your Majesty's brother may be led astray — that is my trouble." On guichou day Zhang Shuo was demoted to prefect of Xiangzhou. Right Vice Director Liu Youqiu, Associate of the Three Departments, was also dismissed and made Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince. On jiayin day Yellow Gate Vice Director Lu Huaishen was made Grand Councilor of the Purple Palace and Yellow Gate Departments.