1
資治通鑑第215卷
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 215
2
卷第二百一十五
Volume 215
3
【唐紀三十一】起玄黓敦牂，盡強圉大淵獻十一月，凡五年有奇。
[Tang Records 31] From 742 through the eleventh month of 746—a span of somewhat more than five years.
4
玄宗至道大聖大明孝皇帝中之下天寶元年（ 壬午，公元七四二年）
Middle and late reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang—Tianbao, year 1 ( 742 CE)
5
春，正月，丁未朔，上御勤政樓受朝賀，赦天下，改元。
In spring, on the first day of the first month, the emperor went up to the Qinzheng Tower to receive the New Year court, proclaimed a general amnesty, and changed the era name.
6
壬子，分平盧別為節度，以安祿山為節度使。
On renzi day, Pinglu was split off as a separate frontier command, and An Lushan was made its jiedushi.
7
是時，天下聲教所被之州三百三十一，羈縻之州八百，置十節度、經略使以備邊。 安西節度撫寧西域，統龜茲、焉耆、于闐、疏勒四鎮，治龜茲城，兵二萬四千。 北庭節度防制突騎施、堅昆，統瀚海、天山、伊吾三軍，屯伊、西二州之境，治北庭都護府，兵二萬人。 河西節度斷隔吐蕃、突厥，統赤水、大斗、建康、寧寇、玉門、黑離、豆盧、新泉八軍，張掖、交城、白亭三守捉，屯涼、肅、瓜、沙、會五州之境，治涼州，兵七萬三千人。 朔方節度捍御突厥，統經略、豐安、定遠三軍，三受降城，安北、單于二都護府，屯靈、夏、豐三州之境，治靈州，兵六萬四千七百人。 河東節度與朔方掎角以御突厥，統天兵、大同、橫野、岢嵐四軍，雲中守捉，屯太原府忻、代、嵐三州之境，治太原府，兵五萬五千人。 范陽節度臨制奚、契丹，統經略、威武、清夷、靜塞、恆陽、北平、高陽、唐興、橫海九軍，屯幽、薊、媯、檀、易、恆、定、漠、滄九州之境，治幽州，兵九萬一千四百人。 平盧節度鎮撫室韋、靺鞨，統平盧、盧龍二軍，榆關守捉，安東都護府，屯營、平二州之境，治營州，兵三萬七千五百人。 隴右節度備御吐蕃，統臨洮、河源、白水、安人、振威、威戎、漠門、寧塞、積石、鎮西十軍，綏和、合川、平夷三守捉，屯鄯、廊、洮、河之境，治鄯州，兵七萬五千人。 劍南節度西抗吐蕃，南撫蠻獠，統天寶、平戎、昆明、寧遠、澄川、南江六軍，屯益、翼、茂、當、巂、柘、松、維、恭、雅、黎、姚、悉十三州之境，治益州，兵三萬九百人。 嶺南五府經略綏靜夷、獠，統經略、清海二軍，桂、容、邕、交四管，治廣州，兵萬五千四百人。 此外又有長樂經略，福州領之，兵千五百人。 東萊守捉，萊州領之； 東牟守捉，登州領之； 兵各千人。 凡鎮兵四十九萬人，馬八萬餘匹。 開元之前，每歲供邊兵衣糧，費不過二百萬； 天寶之後，邊將奏益兵浸多，每歲用衣千二十萬匹，糧百九十萬斛，公私勞費，民始困苦矣。
At this time the empire had 331 regular prefectures and 800 suzerain prefectures; ten frontier commands and pacification commissioners were set up to defend the borders. The Anxi command pacified the Western Regions and oversaw the four garrisons of Kucha, Karashahr, Khotan, and Kashgar, headquartered at Kucha with 24,000 soldiers. The Beiting command held the Turgesh and Kyrgyz in check, commanding the Hanhai, Tianshan, and Yiwu armies in Yi and Xi prefectures from the Beiting Protectorate with 20,000 men. The Hexi command blocked Tibetan and Turkic power, commanding eight armies and three defense posts across five prefectures from Liangzhou, with 73,000 troops. The Shuofang command guarded against the Turks from Lingzhou, commanding three armies, three surrender cities, and two protectorates across Ling, Xia, and Feng prefectures, with 64,700 troops. The Hedong command worked in tandem with Shuofang against the Turks from Taiyuan, commanding four armies and the Yunzhong defense post in Xin, Dai, and Lan prefectures, with 55,000 troops. The Fanyang command controlled the Xi and Khitan from Youzhou, commanding nine armies across nine northeastern prefectures with 91,400 troops. The Pinglu command kept the Shiwei and Mohe in line from Yingzhou, commanding two armies, the Yuguan defense post, and the Andong Protectorate in Ying and Ping prefectures, with 37,500 troops. The Longyou command guarded against Tibet from Shanzhou, commanding ten armies and three defense posts across Shan, Lang, Tao, and He prefectures, with 75,000 troops. The Jiannan command fought Tibet in the west and pacified southern tribes, commanding six armies across thirteen prefectures from Yizhou with 39,900 troops. The Lingnan pacification commissioner quieted the Yi and Liao, commanding two armies and four circuits from Guangzhou with 15,400 troops. There was also the Changle pacification commission under Fuzhou, with 1,500 troops. The Donglai defense post was under Laizhou; the Dongmou defense post was under Dengzhou; each with a thousand men. In all the frontier armies numbered 490,000 men and more than 80,000 horses. Before Kaiyuan, clothing and grain for the frontier armies cost no more than two million a year; but after Tianbao the frontier generals kept requesting more troops until the annual cost reached 10.2 million bolts of cloth and 1.9 million hu of grain; public and private resources were strained, and the people grew distressed.
8
甲寅，陳王府參軍田同秀上言：「見玄元皇帝於丹鳳門之空中，告以『我藏靈符，在尹喜故宅。』」 上遣使於故函谷關尹喜台旁求得之。
On jiayin day, Tian Tongxiu, adjutant of the Prince of Chen's household, reported: "I saw the Mysterious Origin Emperor in the sky above the Danfeng Gate. He said, 'I have hidden a sacred talisman in Yin Xi's old home. The emperor sent men to the old Hangu Pass, searched beside Yin Xi's terrace, and found it.'
9
陝州刺史李齊物穿三門運渠，辛未，渠成。 齊物，神通之曾孫也。
Li Qiwu, prefect of Shan, cut a transport canal at Sanmen; on xinwei day the canal was finished. Qiwu was the great-grandson of Li Shentong.
10
壬辰，群臣上表，以「函谷寶符，潛應年號； 先天不違，請於尊號加『天寶』字。」 從之。
On renchen day the officials submitted a memorial: "The Hangu talisman secretly matches the reign title; it accords with Xiantian. We ask that the honorific title include the words 'Heavenly Treasure.'" The emperor agreed.
11
二月，辛卯，上享玄元皇帝於新廟。 甲午，享太廟。 丙申，合祀天地於南郊，赦天下。 改侍中為左相，中書令為右相，尚書左、右丞相復為僕射； 東都、北都皆為京，州為郡，刺史為太守； 改桃林縣曰靈寶。 田同秀除朝散大夫。 時人皆疑寶符同秀所為。 間一歲，清河人崔以清復言：「見玄元皇帝於天津橋北，雲藏符在武城紫微山。」 敕使往掘，亦得之。 東京留守王倕知其詐，按問，果首服。 奏之。 上亦不深罪，流之而已。
In the second month, on xinmao day, the emperor sacrificed to the Mysterious Origin Emperor in the new temple. On jiawu day he sacrificed at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On bingshen day he offered the joint sacrifice to Heaven and Earth at the southern suburb and proclaimed a general amnesty. He renamed Shizhong as Left Chancellor and Zhongshu Ling as Right Chancellor, and restored the titles of the heads of the Department of State Affairs to Pushe; both the Eastern and Northern Capitals were elevated to imperial capitals, prefectures became commanderies, and prefects became grand administrators; and Taolin County was renamed Lingbao. Tian Tongxiu was appointed Grand Master of Palace Attendance. At the time many suspected Tongxiu had forged the talisman himself. A year later Cui Yiqing of Qinghe reported again: "I saw the Mysterious Origin Emperor north of the Tianjin Bridge. He said a talisman was hidden on Mount Ziwei in Wucheng." The emperor sent men to dig there, and they found one as well. Wang Yun, regent of the Eastern Capital, saw through the fraud; when he investigated, the men confessed at once. He reported it to the throne. The emperor did not punish them harshly and merely had them exiled.
12
三月，以長安令韋堅為陝郡太守，領江、淮租庸轉運使。
In the third month Wei Jian, magistrate of Chang'an, was made grand administrator of Shan commandery and commissioner for Jiang-Huai grain transport.
13
初，宇文融既敗，言利者稍息。 及楊慎矜得幸，於是韋堅、王□之徒競以利進，百司有事權者，稍稍別置使以領之，舊官充位而已。 堅，太子之妃兄也，為吏以干敏稱。 上使之督江、淮租運，歲增巨萬； 上以為能，故擢任之。 王□，方翼之孫也，亦以善治租賦為戶部員外郎兼侍御史。
Earlier, after Yuwen Rong's downfall, talk of profit-seeking had largely subsided. When Yang Shenjin won the emperor's favor, Wei Jian, Wang Yue, and others vied to rise by promising revenue. Offices with real power gradually set up special commissioners to run things, while the old officials held empty titles. Jian was the crown prince's brother-in-law and was known as a capable, quick-witted official. The emperor put him in charge of Jiang-Huai transport, and revenue increased by tens of thousands each year; the emperor judged him capable and promoted him accordingly. Wang Yue, grandson of Wang Fangyi, likewise became vice director in the Ministry of Revenue and attending censor for his skill in managing taxes.
14
李林甫為相，凡才望功業出己右及為上所厚、勢位將逼己者，必百計去之； 尤忌文學之士，或陽與之善，啖以甘言而陰陷之。 世謂李林甫「口有蜜，腹有劍。」
As chief minister, Li Linfu removed by every means anyone more talented, accomplished, or favored than himself, or anyone whose power threatened his own; he especially hated literary men and would sometimes feign friendship, speak honeyed words, and ruin them in secret. People said of Li Linfu, "Honey on the lips, a sword in the belly."
15
上嘗陳樂於勤政樓下，垂簾觀之。 兵部侍郎盧絢謂上已起，垂鞭按轡，橫過樓下； 絢風標清粹，上目送之； 深歎其蘊藉。 林甫常厚以金帛賂上左右，上舉動必知之； 乃召絢子弟謂曰：「尊君素望清崇，今交、廣藉才，聖上欲以尊君為之，可乎？ 若憚遠行，則當左遷； 不然，以賓、詹分務東洛，亦優賢之命也，何如？」 絢懼，以賓、詹為請。 林甫恐乖眾望，乃除華州刺史。 到官未幾，誣其有疾，州事不理，除詹事、員外同正。
Once the emperor had music performed below the Qinzheng Tower and watched from behind a lowered curtain. Lu Xuan, vice director of the Ministry of War, thinking the emperor had already left, rode across below the tower with whip lowered and reins in hand; Xuan had a refined bearing, and the emperor watched him go; deeply admiring his cultivated ease. Linfu regularly bribed the emperor's attendants with gold and silk and always knew the emperor's every move; then summoned Xuan's sons and said, "Your father has long enjoyed a lofty reputation. Jiao and Guang need talent now, and His Majesty wishes to appoint him there. Would that be acceptable? If he fears the long journey, he will be demoted instead; otherwise, to serve in the Eastern Capital as guest of the crown prince and junior mentor while sharing duties—that too is an honorable post for a worthy man. What do you think?" Terrified, Xuan asked for the guest and junior mentor posts. Linfu, fearing public backlash, then appointed him prefect of Hua. Soon after he took office, Linfu claimed he was ill and neglected his duties; he was made mentor of the heir apparent with an honorary attendant title.
16
上又嘗問林甫以「嚴挺之今安在？ 是人亦可用。」 挺之時為絳州刺史。 林甫退，召挺之弟損之，諭以「上待尊兄意甚厚，盍為見上之策，奏稱風疾，求還京師就醫。」 挺之從之。 林甫以其奏白上云：「挺之衰老得風疾，宜且授以散秩，使便醫藥。」 上歎吒久之； 夏，四月，壬寅，以為詹事，又以汴州刺史、河南採訪使齊澣為少詹事，皆員外同正，於東京養疾。 澣亦朝廷宿望，故並忌之。
The emperor also once asked Linfu, "Where is Yan Tingzhi now? That man could also be used." At the time Tingzhi was prefect of Jiang. Linfu withdrew and summoned Tingzhi's younger brother Sunzhi. "The emperor thinks highly of your brother," he said. "Why not have him memorialize that he has a wind ailment and ask to return to the capital for treatment?" Tingzhi did so. Linfu reported the memorial to the emperor: "Tingzhi is old and has a wind ailment. He should be given an honorary post for now so he can receive treatment." The emperor sighed for a long time; In summer, the fourth month, on renyin day, he was made mentor of the heir apparent, and Qi Huan, prefect of Bian and Henan investigation commissioner, was made junior mentor; both received honorary attendant titles and were to convalesce in the Eastern Capital. Huan was also a man of long standing at court, and Linfu envied them both.
17
上發兵納十姓可汗阿史那昕於突騎施，至俱蘭城，為莫賀達干所殺。 突騎施大纛官都摩度來降，六月，乙未，冊都摩度為三姓葉護。
The emperor sent troops to install Ashina Xin of the Ten Surnames among the Turgesh; at Julan city he was killed by Mohedagan. Dumodu, the Turgesh great-banner officer, surrendered; in the sixth month, on yiwei day, he was enfeoffed as yabghu of the Three Surnames.
18
秋，七月，癸卯朔，日有食之。
In autumn, on the first day of the seventh month, there was a solar eclipse.
19
辛未，左相牛仙客薨。 八月，丁丑，以刑部尚書李適之為左相。
On xinwei day Left Chancellor Niu Xianke died. In the eighth month, on dingchou day, Li Shizhi, minister of justice, was made left chancellor.
20
突厥拔悉蜜、回紇、葛邏祿三部共攻骨咄葉護，殺之，推拔悉蜜酋長為頡跌伊施可汗，回紇、葛邏祿自為左、右葉護。 突厥餘眾共立判闕特勒之子為烏蘇米施可汗，以其子葛臘哆為西殺。
The Basmyl, Uyghur, and Karluk tribes jointly attacked and killed Yabghu Kutlug, installed the Basmyl chieftain as Irdaš Iš Qaghan, and made themselves left and right yabghu. The remaining Turks installed the son of Panjue Tegin as Qaghan Wu-su-mi-shi and appointed his son Geladuo as western shad.
21
上遣使諭烏蘇令內附，烏蘇不從。 朔方節度使王忠嗣盛兵磧口以威之，烏蘇懼，請降，而遷延不至。 忠嗣知其詐，乃遣使說拔悉蜜、回紇、葛邏祿使攻之，烏蘇遁去。 忠嗣因出兵擊之，取其右廂以歸。
The emperor sent envoys urging Wu-su to submit; Wu-su refused. Wang Zhongsi, Shuofang military commissioner, massed troops at Qikou to intimidate him; Wu-su grew afraid and asked to surrender but kept delaying. Zhongsi saw through the ruse and sent envoys to persuade the Basmyl, Uyghurs, and Karluk to attack; Wu-su fled. Zhongsi then attacked, captured his right wing, and returned.
22
丁亥，突厥西葉護阿布思及西殺葛臘哆、默啜之孫勃德支、伊然小妻、毘伽登利之女帥部眾千餘帳，相次來降，突厥遂微。 九月，辛亥，上御花萼樓宴突厥降者，賞賜甚厚。
On dinghai day the Turkic western yabghu Abu Si, western shad Geladuo, Mo-ch'o's grandson Bodezhi, junior consort Yiran, and Bilge Qaghan Dengli's daughter led more than a thousand yurts to surrender in succession, and Turkish power waned. In the ninth month, on xinhai day, the emperor feasted the surrendering Turks at the Hua'e Tower and rewarded them lavishly.
23
護密先附吐蕃，戊午，其王頡吉裡匐遣使請降。
Humi had earlier sided with Tibet; on wuwu day its king Fazang sent envoys to surrender.
24
冬，十月，丁酉，上幸驪山溫泉； 己巳，還宮。
In winter, the tenth month, on dingyou day, the emperor went to the hot springs at Mount Li; on jisi day he returned to the palace.
25
十二月，隴右節度使皇甫惟明奏破吐蕃大嶺等軍； 戊戌，又奏破青海道莽布支營三萬餘眾，斬獲五千餘級。 庚子，河西節度使王倕奏破吐蕃漁海及游弈等軍。
In the twelfth month Huangfu Weiming, Longyou military commissioner, reported defeating the Tibetan armies of Daling and others; on wuxu day he further reported defeating more than 30,000 men in Mangbuje's camp on the Qinghai route, killing and capturing more than 5,000. On gengzi day Wang Yun, Hexi military commissioner, reported defeating the Tibetan armies of Yuhai and Youyi.
26
是歲，天下縣一千五百二十八，鄉一萬六千八百二十九，戶八百五十二萬五千七百六十三，口四千八百九十萬九千八百。
That year the empire had 1,528 counties, 16,829 townships, 8,525,763 households, and a population of 48,909,800.
27
回紇葉護骨力裴羅遣使入貢，賜爵奉義王。
Kutlug Bilge, Uyghur yabghu, sent tribute envoys and was granted the title Prince Who Upholds Righteousness.
28
玄宗至道大聖大明孝皇帝中之下天寶二年（ 癸未，公元七四三年）
Middle and late reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang—Tianbao, year 2 ( 743 CE)
29
春，正月，安祿山入朝； 上寵待甚厚，謁見無時。 祿山奏言：「去秋營州蟲食苗，臣焚香祝天云：『臣若操心不正，事君不忠，願使蟲食臣心； 若不負神祇，願使蟲散。』 即有群鳥從北來，食蟲立盡。 請宣付史官。」 從之。
In spring, the first month, An Lushan came to court; The emperor showered him with favor and allowed him to attend audience at any hour. Lushan memorialized: "Last autumn in Ying Prefecture insects devoured the crops. I burned incense and prayed to Heaven: 'If my heart is not upright and my service to my lord is not loyal, may the insects eat my heart; if I have not failed the spirits, may the insects disperse.'" At once a flock of birds came from the north and devoured the insects in an instant. I ask that this be proclaimed and recorded by the historians." The emperor agreed.
30
李林甫領吏部尚書，日在政府，選事悉委侍郎宋遙、苗晉卿。 御史中丞張倚新得幸於上，遙、晉卿欲附之。 時選人集者以萬計，入等者六十四人。 倚子奭為之首，群議沸騰。 前薊令蘇孝韞以告安祿山，祿山入言於上，上悉召入等人面試之，奭手持試紙，終日不成一字，時人謂之「曳白」。 癸亥，遙貶武當太守，晉卿貶安康太守，倚貶淮陽太守，同考判官禮部郎中裴朏等皆貶嶺南官。 晉卿，壺關人也。
Li Linfu held the ministry of personnel and was at the secretariat every day; he entrusted all selections entirely to Vice Ministers Song Yao and Miao Jinqing. Censor-in-Chief Zhang Yi had recently won the emperor's favor, and Yao and Jinqing sought his patronage. Tens of thousands of candidates had assembled; only sixty-four passed the selection. Yi's son Shi ranked first, and public outrage erupted. Former prefect of Ji Su Xiaoyun reported the affair to An Lushan, who brought it to the emperor. The emperor summoned all sixty-four passers for a personal examination. Shi held his paper all day and could not write a single character. People called it "dragging a blank sheet." On guihai day, Yao was demoted to prefect of Wudang, Jinqing to prefect of Ankang, and Yi to prefect of Huaiyang; the co-examiners, including Ministry of Rites section chief Pei Fei, were all sent to posts in Lingnan. Jinqing came from Huguan.
31
三月，壬子，追尊玄元皇帝父周上御大夫為先天太皇； 又尊皋繇為德明皇帝，涼武昭王為興聖皇帝。
In the third month, on renzi day, the court posthumously honored the father of the Profound Origin Emperor, once senior grand master of Zhou, as Prior Heaven Grand Emperor; and also honored Gao Yao as Virtuous Brightness Emperor and the martial enlightened King of Liang as Flourishing Sage Emperor.
32
江、淮南租庸等使韋堅引滻水抵苑東望春樓下為潭，以聚江、淮運船，役夫匠通漕渠，發人丘壟，自江、淮至京城，民間蕭然愁怨，二年而成。 丙寅，上幸望春樓觀新潭。 堅以新船數百艘，扁榜郡名，各陳郡中珍貨於船背； 陝尉崔成甫著錦半臂，鈌胯綠衫而裼之，紅袹首，居前船唱《得寶歌》，使美婦百人盛飾而和之，連檣數里； 堅跪進諸郡輕貨，仍上百牙盤食。 上置宴，竟日而罷，觀者山積。 夏，四月，加堅左散騎常侍，其僚屬吏卒褒賞有差； 名其潭曰廣運。 時京兆尹韓朝宗亦引渭水置潭於西街，以貯材木。
Wei Jian, commissioner for Jiang and Huai rents and corvée, diverted the Chan River into a basin below Wangchun Tower east of the palace gardens to receive grain ships from the Jiang and Huai. He pressed laborers into opening canals and conscripted men for embankment work; from the Jiang and Huai to the capital, the people were left desolate and bitter. The project took two years. On bingyin day, the emperor visited Wangchun Tower to view the new basin. Jian arrayed several hundred new ships, each labeled with a commandery name and displaying that region's finest goods on deck; Shan assistant magistrate Cui Chengfu wore brocade half-sleeves, green trousers with iron clasps bared to the thigh, and a red headcloth; he stood on the lead ship singing "Song of Obtaining Treasure," while a hundred lavishly dressed women harmonized behind him, and the fleet stretched for miles. Jian knelt to present the finest goods of each commandery and also offered a hundred dishes on elaborate trays. The emperor held a feast that lasted all day; the crowd of onlookers was immense. In summer, the fourth month, Jian was promoted to left regular attendant of the scattered cavalry, and his staff and laborers were rewarded in varying measure; and the basin was named Broad Transport. At the same time Metropolitan Prefect Han Chaozong diverted the Wei to create a basin on West Street for storing lumber.
33
丁亥，皇甫惟明引軍出西平，擊吐蕃，行千餘里，攻洪濟城，破之。
On dinghai day, Huangfu Weiming marched from Xiping against Tibet, advanced more than a thousand li, attacked Hongji City, and took it.
34
上以右贊善大夫楊慎矜知御史中丞事。 時李林甫專權，公卿之進，有不出其門者，必以罪去之； 慎矜由是固辭，不敢受。 五月，辛丑，以慎矜為諫議大夫。
The emperor had Right Palace Companion Yang Shenjing act as censor-in-chief. Li Linfu monopolized power at the time; any minister who rose without his patronage was invariably removed on some charge. Shenjing firmly declined and would not accept the post. In the fifth month, on xinchou day, Shenjing was made remonstrance officer.
35
冬，十月，戊寅，上幸驪山溫泉； 乙卯，還宮。
In winter, the tenth month, on wuyin day, the emperor went to the hot springs at Mount Li; On yimao day he returned to the palace.
36
玄宗至道大聖大明孝皇帝中之下天寶三年（ 甲申，公元七四四年）
Middle-lower portion of the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang—Tianbao year 3 ( jiashen, AD 744)
37
春，正月，丙申朔，改年曰載。
In spring, the first month, on the new moon of bingchen day, the era name was changed to Zai.
38
辛丑，上幸驪山溫泉； 二月，庚午，還宮。
On xinchou day the emperor went to the Mount Li hot springs; In the second month, on gengwu day, he returned to the palace.
39
辛卯，太子更名亨。
On xinmao day the crown prince was renamed Heng.
40
海賊吳令光等抄掠台、明，命河南尹裴敦復將兵討之。
Sea bandits led by Wu Lingguang raided Tai and Ming; the emperor ordered Henan prefect Pei Dunfu to lead troops against them.
41
三月，己巳，以平盧節度使安祿山兼范陽節度使； 以范陽節度使裴寬為戶部尚書。 禮部尚書席建侯為河北黜陟使，稱祿山公直； 李林甫、裴寬皆順旨稱其美。 三人皆上所信任，由是祿山之寵益固不搖矣。
In the third month, on jisi day, An Lushan, commissioner of Pinglu, was also made commissioner of Fanyang; and Pei Kuan, commissioner of Fanyang, was appointed minister of revenue. Minister of rites Xi Jianhou, sent as Hebei review commissioner, praised Lushan as upright; Li Linfu and Pei Kuan both flattered him to the emperor's satisfaction. All three men enjoyed the emperor's trust, and Lushan's favor grew unshakeable.
42
夏，四月，裴敦復破吳令光，擒之。 五月，河西節度使夫蒙靈察討突騎施莫賀達干，斬之，更請立黑姓伊裡底蜜施骨咄祿毘伽； 六月，甲辰，冊拜骨咄祿毘伽為十姓可汗。
In summer, the fourth month, Pei Dunfu defeated Wu Lingguang and took him prisoner. In the fifth month, Hexi commissioner Fumeng Lingcha campaigned against the Turgesh chief Mohadagan, killed him, and asked that the Black Clan leader Yili Di Mish Boneulu Pijia be enthroned; In the sixth month, on jiachen day, Boneulu Pijia was invested as khan of the Ten Surnames.
43
秋，八月，拔悉蜜攻斬突厥烏蘇可汗，傳首京師。 國人立其弟鶻隴匐白眉特勒，是為白眉可汗。 於是突厥大亂，敕朔方節度使王忠嗣出兵乘之。 至薩河內山，破其左廂阿波達乾等十一部，右廂未下。 會回紇、葛邏祿共攻拔悉蜜頡跌伊施可汗，殺之。 回紇骨力裴羅自立為骨咄祿毘伽闕可汗，遣使言狀； 上冊拜裴羅為懷仁可汗。 於是懷仁南據突厥故地，立牙帳於烏德犍山，舊統藥邏葛等九姓，其後又並拔悉蜜、葛邏祿，凡十一部，各置都督，每戰則以二客部為先。
In autumn, the eighth month, the Basmyl killed the Türk khagan Wusu and sent his head to the capital. The Türks installed his younger brother Helongfu as the White-Eyebrow Tegin, and he became the White-Eyebrow Khagan. The Türks fell into chaos, and the court ordered Shuofang commissioner Wang Zhongsi to march and exploit the disorder. At Sahenei Mountain within the Sa River region he defeated the left wing's Apodagan and eleven other tribes; the right wing remained unconquered. Meanwhile the Uyghurs and Qarlugs jointly attacked and killed the Basmyl khagan Yiedie Yishi. The Uyghur leader Kul Bilge Külü proclaimed himself Boneulu Pijia Qaghan Khagan and sent envoys to report; and the emperor invested Bilge as Huairan Khagan. Huairan then held the old Türk lands in the south and established his court at Mount Wudejian. He had once ruled the nine tribes including the Yaghlakar; later he also absorbed the Basmyl and Qarlugs—eleven tribes in all, each with its own superintendent—and in battle the two subject tribes always led the van.
44
李林甫以楊慎矜屈附於己，九月，甲戌，復以慎矜為御史中丞，充諸道鑄錢使。
Because Yang Shenjing had submitted to him, Li Linfu in the ninth month, on jiaxu day, restored him as censor-in-chief and also made him commissioner for casting coin in all circuits.
45
冬，十月，癸巳，上幸驪山溫泉； 十一月，丁卯，還宮。
In winter, the tenth month, on guisi day, the emperor went to the hot springs at Mount Li; In the eleventh month, on dingmao day, he returned to the palace.
46
術士蘇嘉慶上言：「遁甲術有九宮貴神，典司水旱，請立壇於東郊，祀以四孟月。」 從之。 禮在昊天上帝下，太清宮、太廟上，所用牲玉，皆侔天地。
Technician Su Jiaqing memorialized: "The dunjia art holds that the Nine Palaces Noble Spirits govern flood and drought. I ask that an altar be built in the eastern suburbs and sacrifices offered in the first month of each season." The emperor agreed. Its rites ranked below August Heaven but above the Grand Purity Palace and the ancestral temple; the victims and jade offered matched those for Heaven and Earth.
47
十二月，癸巳，置會昌縣於溫泉宮下。
In the twelfth month, on guisi day, Huichang County was established at the foot of the Hot Spring Palace.
48
戶部尚書裴寬素為上所重，李林甫恐其入相，忌之。 刑部尚書裴敦復擊海賊還，受請托，廣序軍功，寬微奏其事。 林甫以告敦復，敦復言寬亦嘗以親故屬敦復。 林甫曰：「君速奏之，勿後於人。」 敦復乃以五百金賂女官楊太真之姊，使言於上。 甲午，寬坐貶睢陽太守。
Minister of revenue Pei Kuan had long enjoyed the emperor's regard; Li Linfu, fearing he might become chancellor, envied him. Minister of justice Pei Dunfu, returning from campaigning against sea bandits, had taken bribes and inflated his battle honors; Pei Kuan quietly memorialized against him. Linfu informed Dunfu, who replied that Kuan too had once asked favors for his relatives and friends. Linfu said, "Memorialize at once—do not let anyone beat you to it." Dunfu then bribed one of Lady Yang Taizhen's sisters with five hundred taels of gold to speak to the emperor. On jiawu day, Kuan was demoted to prefect of Suiyang.
49
初，武惠妃薨，上悼念不已，後宮數千，無當意者。 或言壽王妃楊氏之美，絕世無雙。 上見而悅之，乃令妃自以其意乞為女官，號太真； 更為壽王娶左衛郎將韋昭訓女； 潛內太真宮中。 太真肌態豐艷，曉音律，性警穎，善承迎上意，不期歲，寵遇如惠妃，宮中號曰「娘子」，凡儀體皆如皇后。
After Consort Wu Huifei died, the emperor could not stop mourning her; among the thousands of women in the inner palace, none pleased him. Someone spoke of the beauty of Lady Yang, consort of the Prince of Shou, saying she was without peer in the age. The emperor saw her and was delighted; he had her petition, of her own accord, to become a female official titled Taizhen; then found another bride for the Prince of Shou, marrying him to the daughter of Left Guard general Wei Zhaoxun; and secretly installed Taizhen in the inner palace. Taizhen was voluptuous and radiant, understood music, and was quick-witted and skilled at pleasing the emperor. Within a year her favor matched that of Consort Wu Huifei; the palace called her "My Lady," and in ceremony she was treated like an empress.
50
癸卯，以宗女為和義公主，嫁寧遠奉化王阿悉爛達干。
On guimao day, an imperial clanswoman was made Princess of Harmony and married to Ashilan Daghan, the submitting king of Ningyuan.
51
癸丑，上祀九宮貴神，赦天下。
On guichou day, the emperor sacrificed to the Nine Palaces Noble Spirits and issued a general amnesty.
52
初令百姓十八為中，二十三成丁。
For the first time the court ruled that commoners counted as middling age at eighteen and reached full adult service status at twenty-three.
53
初，上自東都還，李林甫知上厭巡幸，乃與牛仙客謀增近道粟賦及和糴以實關中。 數年，蓄積稍豐。 上從容謂高力士曰：「朕不出長安近十年，天下無事，朕欲高居無為，悉以政事委林甫，何如？」 對曰：「天子巡狩，古之制也。 且天下大柄，不可假人； 彼威勢既成，誰敢復議之者！」 上不悅。 力士頓首自陳：「臣狂疾，發妄言，罪當死！」 上乃為力士置酒，左右皆呼萬歲。 力士自是不敢深言天下事矣。
After the emperor returned from the Eastern Capital, Li Linfu knew he had grown weary of touring and, with Niu Xianke, plotted to increase grain levies on nearby routes and government grain purchases to fill the stores of Guanzhong. Within a few years the granaries grew fairly full. The emperor said casually to Gao Lishi, "I have scarcely left Chang'an in nearly ten years, and all under Heaven is at peace. I wish to retire into nonaction and entrust all government to Linfu. What do you think?" He replied, "The Son of Heaven's tours of inspection are an ancient institution. Moreover, the great handles of power may not be lent to another; once his authority is established, who will dare speak against him again!" The emperor was displeased. Lishi kowtowed and said, "I spoke in madness; my crime deserves death!" The emperor then set out wine for Lishi, and those around them all cried "Long live the emperor!" From then on Lishi no longer dared speak frankly about affairs of state.
54
玄宗至道大聖大明孝皇帝中之下天寶四年（ 乙酉，公元七四五年）
Middle-lower portion of the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang—Tianbao year 4 ( yiyou, AD 745)
55
春，正月，庚午，上謂宰相曰：「朕比以甲子日，於宮中為壇，為百姓祈福，朕自草黃素置案上，俄飛升天，聞空中語去：『聖壽延長。』 又朕於嵩山煉藥成，亦置壇上，及夜，左右欲收之，又聞空中語云：『藥未須收，此自守護。』 達曙乃收之。」 太子、諸王、宰相，皆上表賀。
In spring, the first month, on gengwu day, the emperor told the chancellors, "Recently on a jiazi day I set up an altar in the palace to pray for the people. I wrote a prayer on yellow silk and placed it on the table; it suddenly flew up into the sky, and I heard a voice from the air say, 'May the sage's years be prolonged. Again, when I had finished refining elixirs on Mount Song, I placed them on the altar; that night, when my attendants tried to collect them, I again heard a voice from the air say, 'The elixir need not be gathered yet; it will guard itself. Only at dawn did they collect it.' The crown prince, the princes, and the chancellors all submitted congratulatory memorials.
56
回紇懷仁可汗擊突厥白眉可汗，殺之，傳首京師。 突厥毘伽可敦帥眾來降。 於是北邊晏然，烽燧無警矣。
The Uyghur khagan Huairan attacked the Türk White-Eyebrow Khagan, killed him, and sent his head to the capital. The Türk khatun Pijia led her people in surrender. The northern frontier was now tranquil, and the beacon towers stood without alarm.
57
回紇斥地愈廣，東際室韋，西抵金山，南跨大漠，盡有突厥故地。 懷仁卒，子磨延啜立，號葛勒可汗。
The Uyghurs extended their territory ever wider: east to the Shiwei, west to Mount Jin, south across the Great Desert, holding all the old Türk lands. When Huairan died, his son Moyanchuo succeeded him as khagan Gele.
58
二月，己酉，以朔方節度使王忠嗣兼河東節度使。 忠嗣少以勇敢自負，及鎮方面，專以持重安邊為務，常曰：「太平之將，但當撫循訓練士卒而已，不可疲中國之力以邀功名。」 有漆弓百五十斤，常貯之橐中，以示不用。 軍中日夜思戰，忠嗣多遣謀人伺其間隙，見可勝，然後興師，故出必有功。 既兼兩道節制，自朔方至去雲中，邊陲數千里，要害之地，悉列置城堡，斥地各數百里。 邊人以為自張仁但之後，將帥皆不及。
In the second month, on jiyou day, Shuofang commissioner Wang Zhongsi was also made commissioner of Hedong. Zhongsi had once prided himself on bravery, but once he governed the frontier he devoted himself to steady border defense and often said, "A general in peacetime should only comfort and train his troops; he must not exhaust the empire's strength to win glory." He kept a lacquered bow weighing a hundred fifty jin in his bag to show that he did not use it. His troops were eager for battle day and night, but Zhongsi sent spies to watch for openings and marched only when victory was assured; every campaign he undertook succeeded. Once he commanded both circuits, from Shuofang to Yunzhong he fortified every strategic point along thousands of li of frontier, extending his sway for hundreds of li in every direction. On the frontier he was held to be unmatched among commanders since Zhang Rendan.
59
三月，壬申，上以外孫獨孤氏為靜樂公主，嫁契丹王李懷節； 甥楊氏為宜芳公主，嫁奚王李延寵。
In the third month, on renshen day, the emperor made his Dugu granddaughter Princess of Jingle and married her to the Khitan king Li Huaijie; and his Yang clanswoman niece was made Princess of Yifang and married to the Xi king Li Yanchong.
60
乙巳，以刑部尚書裴敦復充嶺南五府經略等使。 五月，壬申，敦復坐逗留不之官，貶淄川太守，以光祿少卿彭杲代之。 上嘉敦復平海賊之功，故李林甫陷之。
On yisi day, Minister of Justice Pei Dunfu was appointed commissioner for the five Lingnan prefectures. In the fifth month, on renshen day, Dunfu was charged with delaying his departure and demoted to prefect of Zichuan; Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Entertainments Peng Gao replaced him. The emperor had praised Dunfu for defeating the sea bandits, and Li Linfu engineered his fall.
61
李適之與李林甫爭權有隙。 適之領兵部尚書，附馬張□為侍郎，林甫亦惡之，使人發兵部銓曹奸利事，收吏六十餘人付京兆與御史對鞫之，數日，竟不得其情。 京兆尹蕭炅使法曹吉溫鞫之。 溫入院，置兵部吏於外，先於後廳取二重囚訊之，或杖或壓，號呼之聲，所不忍聞； 皆曰：「苟存餘生，乞紙盡答。」 兵部吏素聞溫之慘酷，引入，皆自誣服，無敢違溫意者。 頃刻而獄成，驗囚無榜掠之跡。 六月，辛亥，敕誚責前後知銓侍郎及判南曹郎官而宥之。 □，均之兄； 溫，頊之弟子也。
Li Shizhi and Li Linfu were rivals for power and deeply at odds. Shizhi was minister of war, and Imperial Son-in-Law Zhang Ya was his vice minister; Linfu hated them too and exposed corruption in the War Ministry selection office, arresting more than sixty clerks for interrogation by the metropolitan prefecture and the censorate—but after several days no proof emerged. Metropolitan Prefect Xiao Jiong put Legal Officer Ji Wen in charge of the interrogation. Wen entered the compound, left the War Ministry clerks outside, and in the rear hall first tortured two hardened criminals—beating and crushing them until their cries were unbearable; both begging, "Spare our lives and we will confess everything in writing." The War Ministry clerks, who knew Wen's cruelty, were brought in and all falsely confessed; none dared defy him. The case was closed in moments, and examination of the prisoners showed no marks of beating. In the sixth month, on xinhai day, an edict rebuked the past and present selection vice ministers and Southern Office judges but pardoned them. Zhang Ya was Zhang Jun's brother; Ji Wen was a disciple of Xu Hao.
62
溫始為新豐丞，太子文學薛嶷存溫才，上召見，顧嶷曰：「是一不良人，朕不用也。」
Wen had begun as magistrate of Xinfeng; Palace literary companion Xue Yi recommended his talent, and when the emperor summoned him he told Yi, "This is a bad man; I will not use him."
63
蕭炅為河南尹，嘗坐事，西台遣溫往按之，溫治炅甚急。 及溫為萬年丞，未幾，炅為京兆尹。 溫素與高力士相結，力士自禁中歸，溫度炅必往謝官，乃先詣力士，與之談謔，握手甚歡。 炅後至，溫陽為驚避。 力士呼曰：「吉七不須避。」 謂炅曰：「此亦吾故人也。」 召還，與炅坐。 炅接之甚恭，不敢以前事為怨。 他日，溫謁炅曰：「曩者溫不敢隳國家法，自今請洗心事公。」 炅遂與盡歡，引為法曹。 及林甫欲除不附己者，求治獄吏，炅薦溫於林甫； 林甫得之，大喜。 溫常曰：「若遇知己，南山白額虎不足縛也。」 時又有杭州人羅希奭，為吏深刻，林甫引之，自御史台主簿再遷殿中侍御史。 二人皆隨林甫所欲深淺，鍛煉成獄，無能自脫者，時人謂之「羅鉗吉網」。
When Xiao Jiong was Henan prefect he once ran afoul of the law; the censorate sent Wen to investigate, and Wen prosecuted him harshly. When Wen became assistant magistrate of Wannian, Jiong soon became metropolitan prefect. Wen was allied with Gao Lishi; when Lishi returned from the palace, Wen guessed Jiong would come to thank him for his appointment and went first to Lishi, chatting and laughing with him in warm familiarity. When Jiong arrived, Wen feigned surprise and drew back. Lishi called out, "Ji the Seventh need not withdraw." He told Jiong, "He is an old friend of mine as well." He called Wen back and had him sit with Jiong. Jiong received him with great respect and dared not bear a grudge over the past. Another day Wen visited Jiong and said, "Before I would not break the law; from now on I ask to serve you with a clean heart." Jiong drank with him freely and appointed him legal officer. When Linfu sought to destroy opponents, he looked for skilled interrogators; Jiong recommended Wen to him; Linfu was delighted to have him. Wen often said, "With the right patron, even the white-browed tiger of the southern mountains is nothing." There was also Luo Xiyi of Hangzhou, a ruthless officer whom Linfu promoted from chief clerk of the censorate to palace attending censor. Both men forged cases to Linfu's liking; none could escape them, and people called them "Luo's pincers and Ji's net."
64
秋，七月，壬午，冊韋昭訓女為壽王妃。
In autumn, the seventh month, on renwu day, the daughter of Wei Zhaoxun was invested as consort of the Prince of Shou.
65
八月，壬寅，冊楊太真為貴妃； 贈其父玄琰兵部尚書，以其叔父玄珪為光祿卿，從兄銛為殿中少監，金奇為駙馬都尉。 癸卯，冊武惠妃女為太華公主，命金奇尚之。 及貴妃三姊，皆賜第京師，寵貴赫然。
In the eighth month, on renyin day, Lady Yang Taizhen was invested as Noble Consort; her father Xuanyan was posthumously made minister of war; her uncle Xuangui was made director of the court for the imperial clan; her cousin Xian was made vice director of the palace service; and Jin Qi was made commandant of the imperial sons-in-law. On guimao day, the daughter of Consort Wu Huifei was made Princess of Taihua and given to Jin Qi in marriage. The Noble Consort's three elder sisters were also given mansions in the capital, and their splendor was unmistakable.
66
楊釗，貴妃之從祖兄也，不學無行，為宗黨所鄙。 從軍於蜀，得新都尉； 考滿，家貧不能自歸，新政富民鮮于仲通常資給之。 楊玄琰卒於蜀，釗往來其家，遂與其中女通。
Yang Zhao, a cousin of the Noble Consort's grandfather's generation, was uneducated and dissolute and despised by his clan. He joined the army in Shu and became magistrate of Xindu; when his term ended he was too poor to return home, and Xianyu Zhongtong, a wealthy man of Xinzheng, regularly supported him. When Yang Xuanyan died in Shu, Zhao frequented the household and took up with one of the daughters.
67
鮮于仲通名向，以字行，頗讀書，有材智，劍南節度使章仇兼瓊引為採訪支使，委以心腹。 嘗從容謂仲通曰：「今吾獨為上所厚，苟無內援，必為李林甫所危。 聞楊妃新得幸，人未敢附之。 子能為我至長安與其家相結，吾無患矣。」 仲通曰：「仲通蜀人，未嘗游上國，恐敗公事。 今為公更求得一人。」 因言釗本末。 兼瓊引見釗，儀觀甚偉，言辭敏給； 兼瓊大喜，即闢為推官，往來浸親密。 乃使之獻春彩於京師，將別，謂曰：「有少物在郫，以具一日之糧，子過，可取之。」 釗至郫，兼瓊使親信大繼蜀貨精美者遺之，可直萬緡。 釗大喜過望，晝夜兼行，至長安，歷抵諸妹，以蜀貨遺之，曰：「此章仇公所贈也。」 時中女新寡，釗遂館於其室，中分蜀貨以與之。 於是諸楊日夜譽兼瓊； 且言釗善樗蒲，引之見上，得隨供奉官出入禁中，改金吾兵曹參軍。
Xianyu Zhongtong, whose given name was Xiang, was known by his style name; he was well read and capable. Jiannan commissioner Zhang Qiu Jianqiong made him investigation support officer and treated him as a confidant. He once told Zhongtong frankly, "I alone enjoy the emperor's deep favor now; without support inside the palace I shall surely be ruined by Li Linfu. I hear Consort Yang has newly won favor, and no one yet dares court her. Can you go to Chang'an for me and win over her family? Then I shall be safe." Zhongtong replied, "I am a man of Shu and have never been to the capital; I fear I may ruin your plan. Let me find someone else for you." He then told Zhao's whole story. Jianqiong received Zhao, who was imposing in appearance and quick of speech; Jianqiong was delighted and at once made him investigating officer; they grew increasingly close. He sent him to present spring silks in the capital. As Zhao was leaving he said, "I have a few things in Pi for one day's provisions—stop and take them on your way." When Zhao reached Pi, Jianqiong's agent Da Ji gave him the finest Shu goods, worth ten thousand strings of cash. Zhao was overjoyed and hurried day and night to Chang'an, visiting each sister and giving them Shu goods, saying, "These are gifts from Lord Zhang Qiu." The middle sister was newly widowed; Zhao lodged with her and shared the goods with her. The Yang clan then praised Jianqiong day and night; and said Zhao was skilled at dice; he was introduced to the emperor, allowed to enter the inner palace as an attendant officer, and made military staff officer of the Golden Guard.
68
九月，癸未，以陝郡太守、江淮租庸轉運使韋堅為刑部尚書，罷其諸使，以御使中丞楊慎矜代之。 堅妻姜氏，皎之女，林甫之舅子也，故林甫暱之。 及堅以通漕有寵於上，遂有入相之志，又與李適之善； 林甫由是惡之，故遷以美宮，實奪之權也。
In the ninth month, on guiwei day, Wei Jian, prefect of Shan and Jiang-Huai transport commissioner, was made minister of justice; his commissions were abolished and Censor-in-Chief Yang Shenjing replaced him. Jian's wife was Jiang's daughter and Linfu's nephew by marriage, so Linfu had been fond of him. But when Jian won favor for opening canal transport, he aspired to the chancellorship and befriended Li Shizhi; Linfu therefore hated him and gave him a handsome court post that in fact stripped him of power.
69
安祿山欲以邊功市寵，數侵掠奚、契丹； 奚、契丹各殺公主以叛，祿山討破之。
An Lushan sought favor through frontier victories and repeatedly raided the Xi and Khitan; each people killed their Tang princesses and rebelled; Lushan defeated them.
70
隴右節度使皇甫惟明與吐蕃戰於石堡城，為虜所敗，副將褚□戰死。
Longyou commissioner Huangfu Weiming fought Tibet at Shibao City, was defeated, and Vice General Chu Sizhuang was killed.
71
冬，十月，甲午，安祿山奏：「臣討契丹至北平郡，夢先朝名將李靖、李勣從臣求食。」 遂命立廟。 又奏薦奠之日，廟梁產芝。
In winter, the tenth month, on jiawu day, An Lushan memorialized: "While campaigning against the Khitan as far as Beiping Commandery, I dreamed that the famed generals Li Jing and Li Ji followed me begging for food." He ordered a temple built. He also reported that on the day of the sacrifice, auspicious fungus appeared on the temple beams.
72
丁酉，上幸驪山溫泉。
On dingyou day the emperor went to the hot springs at Mount Li.
73
上以戶部郎中王□為戶口色役使，敕賜百姓復除。 □奏征其輦運之費，廣張錢數，又使市本郡輕貨，百姓所輸乃甚於不復除。 舊制，戍邊者免其租庸，六歲而更。 時邊將恥敗，士卒死者皆不申牒，貫籍不除。 王□志在聚斂，以有籍無人者皆為避課，按籍戍邊六歲之外，悉征其租庸，有並征三十年者，民無所訴。 上在位久，用度日侈，後宮賞賜無節，不欲數於左、右藏取之。 □探知上指，歲貢額外錢帛百億萬，貯於內庫，以供宮中宴賜，曰：「此皆不出於租庸調，無預經費。」 上以□為能富國，益厚遇之。 □務為割剝以求媚，中外嗟怨。 丙子，以□為御史中丞、京畿採訪使。
The emperor appointed Ministry of Revenue section chief Wang Yue commissioner for household registers and corvée labor and issued an edict granting tax exemptions to the people. Yue levied transport fees, inflated the amounts, and forced people to buy light goods from their home commanderies; what the people paid exceeded what they would have owed without the exemption. By old regulation, frontier garrison troops were exempt from rent and corvée and rotated every six years. Frontier generals, ashamed of defeat, did not report dead soldiers, and their names remained on the registers. Wang Yue sought to amass wealth; he treated every name on the registers with no living holder as tax evasion and collected rent and corvée for up to thirty years beyond the six-year rotation, and the people had no recourse. The emperor had reigned long; court spending grew lavish and inner-palace gifts boundless, and he did not wish to draw often on the state treasuries. Yue sensed the emperor's wishes and each year presented extra revenues of a hundred million strings, stored in the inner treasury for palace feasts and gifts, claiming, "These do not come from rent, corvée, or the equalization tax and do not touch regular expenditures." The emperor thought Yue could enrich the state and treated him still more generously. Yue extorted the people to win favor, and resentment spread through the court and the realm. On bingzi day, Yue was made censor-in-chief and investigation commissioner for the capital region.
74
楊釗侍宴禁中，專掌樗蒲文簿，鉤校精密。 上賞其強明，曰：「好度支郎。」 諸楊數征此言於上，又以屬王□，□因奏充判官。
Yang Zhao attended palace banquets, keeping the dice accounts with meticulous precision. The emperor praised his sharp competence and said, "A fine revenue officer." The Yang clan repeated this remark to the emperor and recommended Zhao to Wang Yue, who memorialized to make him his assistant judge.
75
十二月，戊戌，上還宮。
In the twelfth month, on wuxu day, the emperor returned to the palace.
76
玄宗至道大聖大明孝皇帝中之下天寶五年（ 丙戌，公元七四六年）
Middle-lower portion of the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang—Tianbao year 5 ( bingxu, AD 746)
77
春，正月，乙丑，以隴右節度使皇甫惟明兼河西節度使。
In spring, the first month, on yichou day, Longyou commissioner Huangfu Weiming was also made commissioner of Hexi.
78
李適之性疏率，李林甫嘗謂適之曰：「華山有金礦，采之可以富國，主上未之知也。」 他日，適之因奏事言之。 上以問林甫，對曰：「臣久知之，但華山陛下本命，王氣所在，鑿之非宜，故不敢言。」 上以林甫為愛己，薄適之慮事不熟，謂曰：「自今奏事，宜先與林甫議之，無得輕脫。」 適之由是束手矣。 適之既失恩，韋堅失權，益相親密，林甫愈惡之。
Li Shizhi was frank and unguarded; Li Linfu once told him, "Mount Hua has gold mines that could enrich the state, and His Majesty does not yet know." Another day Shizhi mentioned it while memorializing on other business. The emperor asked Linfu, who replied, "I have long known, but Mount Hua is Your Majesty's natal mountain, the seat of the royal qi; mining there would be inauspicious, so I dared not speak." The emperor thought Linfu cared for him and blamed Shizhi for ill-considered counsel, saying, "From now on discuss all memorials with Linfu first; do not speak rashly." Shizhi was effectively silenced. With Shizhi out of favor and Wei Jian stripped of power, they drew closer together, and Linfu hated them all the more.
79
初，太子之立，非林甫意。 林甫恐異日為己禍，常有動搖東宮之志； 而堅，又太子之妃兄也。 皇甫惟明嘗為忠王友，時破吐蕃，入獻捷，見林甫專權，意頗不平。 時因見上，乘間微勸上去林甫。 林甫知之，使楊慎矜密伺其所為。 會正月望夜，太子出遊，與堅相見，堅又與惟明會於景龍觀道士之室。 慎矜發其事，以為堅戚裡，不應與邊將狎暱。 林甫因譖堅與惟明結謀，欲共立太子。 堅、惟明下獄，林甫使慎矜與御史中丞王□、京兆府法曹吉溫共鞫之。 上亦疑堅與惟明有謀而不顯其罪，癸酉，下制，責堅以干進不已，貶縉雲太守； 惟明以離間君臣，貶播川太守； 仍別下制戒百官。
The crown prince's installation had not been Linfu's wish. Linfu feared he would become a threat to him one day and often sought to undermine the Eastern Palace; while Jian was the elder brother of the crown prince's consort. Huangfu Weiming had once been tutor to Prince Zhong; after defeating Tibet and presenting his victory, he saw Linfu's monopoly of power and was deeply discontent. On seeing the emperor he took the chance to urge him subtly to remove Linfu. Linfu learned of this and had Yang Shenjing spy on them. On the night of the first-month full moon the crown prince went out and met Jian; Jian also met Weiming in a Daoist priest's chamber at Jinglong Abbey. Shenjing reported the affair, arguing that Jian, as a royal connection by marriage, should not be on familiar terms with frontier generals. Linfu then accused Jian and Weiming of plotting together to put the crown prince on the throne. Jian and Weiming were imprisoned; Linfu had Shenjing, Censor-in-Chief Wang Yue, and metropolitan legal officer Ji Wen interrogate them together. The emperor also suspected a plot but did not state it openly; on guiyou day he issued a decree rebuking Jian for relentless ambition and demoting him to prefect of Jinyun; Weiming was demoted to prefect of Bo River for sowing division between ruler and minister; and a separate decree warned all officials.
80
以王忠嗣為河西、隴右節度使，兼知朔方、河東節度事。 忠嗣始在朔方、河東，每互市，高估馬價，諸胡聞之，爭賣馬於唐，忠嗣皆買之。 由是胡馬少，唐兵益壯。 及徙隴右、河西，復請分朔方、河東馬九千匹以實之，其軍亦壯。 忠嗣杖四節，控制萬里，天下勁兵重鎮，皆在掌握，與吐蕃戰於青海、積石，皆大捷。 又討吐谷渾於墨離軍，虜其全部而歸。
Wang Zhongsi was made commissioner of Hexi and Longyou and also given charge of Shuofang and Hedong. When Zhongsi was first in Shuofang and Hedong, he bid high at frontier markets; the nomads rushed to sell horses to the Tang, and he bought them all. The nomads were left with few horses, and Tang forces grew stronger. When he moved to Longyou and Hexi, he secured nine thousand horses from Shuofang and Hedong to fill his commands, and those armies too were strengthened. Zhongsi held four frontier commands and controlled ten thousand li; the empire's best troops and key garrisons were in his hands; he fought Tibet at Qinghai and Jishi and won great victories. He also campaigned against the Tuyuhun at Moli Army, captured their entire tribe, and returned.
81
夏，四月，癸未，立奚酋娑固為昭信王，契丹酋楷洛為恭仁王。
In summer, the fourth month, on guiwei day, the Xi chief Suo Gu was made King of Zhaoxin and the Khitan chief Kailuo King of Gongren.
82
己亥，制：「自今四孟月，皆擇吉日祀天地、九宮。」
On jihai day a decree ordered that in each of the four seasonal first months auspicious days be chosen to sacrifice to Heaven and Earth and the Nine Palaces."
83
韋堅等既貶，左相李適之懼，自求散地。 庚寅，以適之為太子少保，罷政事。 其子衛尉少卿霅嘗盛饌召客，客畏李林甫，竟日無一人敢往者。
After Wei Jian and the others were demoted, Left Chancellor Li Shizhi grew afraid and asked for a provincial post. On gengyin day Shizhi was made junior mentor of the crown prince and removed from government. His son Zha, vice director of the court of imperial guards, once gave a lavish banquet; guests feared Li Linfu, and not one dared attend all day.
84
以門下侍郎、崇玄館大學士陳希烈同平章事。 希烈，宋州人，以講老、莊得進，專用神仙符瑞取媚於上。 李林甫以希烈為上所愛，且柔佞易制，故引以為相； 凡政事一決於林甫，希烈但給唯諾。 故事，宰相午後六刻乃出。 林甫奏，今太平無事，巳時即還第，軍國機務皆決於私家； 主書抱成案詣希烈書名而已。
Chen Xilie, vice director of the chancellery and grand academician of the Chongxuan Hall, was made fellow grand councillor. Xilie came from Song Prefecture; he rose by lecturing on Laozi and Zhuangzi and curried favor with omens of immortality and heavenly portents. Li Linfu made him chancellor because the emperor favored him and he was pliable, fawning, and easy to control; all policy was decided by Linfu alone, and Xilie only assented. By precedent chancellors did not leave the office until mid-afternoon. Linfu memorialized that in this age of peace he returned home at mid-morning and decided all military and state affairs at his private residence; chief clerks merely brought completed dossiers for Xilie to sign.
85
五月，壬子朔，日有食之。
In the fifth month, on the renzi new moon, there was a solar eclipse.
86
乙亥，以劍南節度使章仇兼瓊為戶部尚書； 諸楊引之也。
On yihai day Jiannan commissioner Zhang Qiu Jianqiong was made minister of revenue; the Yang clan had recommended him.
87
秋，七月，丙辰，敕：「流貶人多在道逗留。 自今左降官日馳十驛以上。」 是後流貶者多不全矣。
In autumn, the seventh month, on bingchen day an edict declared, "Many exiles linger on the road. From now on demoted officials must travel at least ten post-stages a day." After that many exiles did not survive the journey.
88
楊貴妃方有寵，每乘馬則高力士執轡授鞭，織繡之工專供貴妃院者七百人，中外爭獻器服珍玩。 嶺南經略使張九章，廣陵長史王翼，以所獻精美，九章加三品，翼入為戶部侍郎； 天下從風而靡。 民間歌之曰：「生男勿喜女勿悲，君今看女作門楣。」 妃欲得生荔支，歲命嶺南馳驛致之。 比至長安，色味不變。 至是，妃以妒悍不遜，上怒，命送歸兄銛之第。 是日，上不懌，比日中，猶未食。 左右動不稱旨，橫被棰撻。 高力士欲嘗上意，請悉載院中儲偫送貴妃，凡百餘車； 上自分御膳以賜之。 及夜，力士伏奏請迎貴妃歸院，遂開禁門而入。 自是恩遇愈隆，後宮莫得進矣。
Noble Consort Yang was at the height of favor; whenever she rode, Gao Lishi held her reins and handed her the whip; seven hundred weavers and embroiderers served her courtyard alone, and the court and the realm competed to offer her luxuries. Lingnan commissioner Zhang Jiuzhang and Yangzhou chief administrator Wang Yi, whose tribute was judged finest, were promoted three ranks and made vice minister of revenue respectively; the whole empire rushed to follow suit. A popular song ran, "Do not rejoice at a son or grieve at a daughter—see how a daughter now becomes the lintel of the house." The consort wanted fresh lychees, and each year ordered them rushed from Lingnan by relay. When they reached Chang'an, their color and flavor were unchanged. Then the consort's jealous temper offended the emperor, who ordered her sent to her brother Xian's house. That day the emperor was out of sorts and had not eaten by noon. Attendants who displeased him were beaten without cause. Gao Lishi, testing the emperor's mood, asked to send all the consort's stored goods from her courtyard—more than a hundred cartloads; the emperor himself sent portions of his own meal as a gift. That night Lishi knelt and asked to bring the Noble Consort back; the forbidden gate was opened and she entered the palace. From then on her favor only grew, and no other woman of the inner palace could approach her.
89
將作少匠韋蘭、兵部員外郎韋芝為其兄堅訟冤，且引太子為言； 上益怒。 太子懼，表請與妃離婚，乞不以親廢法。 丙子，再貶堅江夏別駕，蘭、芝皆貶嶺南。 然上素知太子孝謹，故譴怒不及。 李林甫因言堅與李適之等為朋黨，後數日，堅長流臨封，適之貶宜春太守，太常少卿韋斌貶巴陵太守，嗣薛王琄貶夷陵別駕，睢陽太守裴寬貶安陸別駕，河南尹李齊物貶竟陵太守，凡堅親黨連坐流貶者數十人。 斌，安石之子。 琄，業之子，堅之甥也。 琄母亦令隨琄之官。
Wei Lan, vice director of palace construction, and Wei Zhi, Ministry of War outside attendant, petitioned for their brother Jian and invoked the crown prince; the emperor grew angrier still. The crown prince, in fear, memorialized to divorce his consort and begged that kinship not override the law. On bingzi day Jian was demoted again to vice prefect of Jiangxia; Lan and Zhi were both sent to Lingnan. But the emperor had long known the crown prince to be dutiful and careful, and his wrath did not touch him. Li Linfu then accused Jian, Li Shizhi, and others of forming a faction; days later Jian was exiled to Linfeng, Shizhi to prefect of Yichun, Wei Bin to prefect of Baling, Heir of Prince Xue Juan to vice prefect of Yiling, Pei Kuan to vice prefect of Anlu, and Li Qiwu to prefect of Jingling—dozens of Jian's kin and associates in all. Bin was the son of Wei Anshi. Juan was Ye's son and Jian's nephew by marriage. Juan's mother was also ordered to accompany him to his post.
90
冬，十月，戊戌，上幸驪山溫泉； 十一月，乙巳，還宮。
In winter, the tenth month, on wuxu day, the emperor went to the hot springs at Mount Li; In the eleventh month, on yisi day, he returned to the palace.
91
贊善大夫杜有鄰，女為太子良娣，良娣之姊為左驍衛兵曹柳勣妻。 勣性狂疏，好功名，喜交結豪俊。 淄川太守裴敦復薦於北海太守李邕，邕與之定交。 勣至京師，與著作郎王曾等為友，皆當時名士也。
Palace companion Du Youlin's daughter was a senior consort of the crown prince; her elder sister was married to Liu Ji, staff officer of the Left Agile Cavalry Guard. Ji was reckless and ambitious, eager for renown, and fond of befriending bold men. Zichuan prefect Pei Dunfu recommended him to Beihai prefect Li Yong, who became his close friend. In the capital Ji befriended Master of Writings Wang Zeng and other celebrated men of the day.
92
勣與妻族不協，欲陷之，為飛語，告有鄰妄稱圖讖，交構東宮，指斥乘輿。 林甫令京兆士曹吉溫與御史鞫之，乃勣首謀也。 溫令勣連引曾等入台。 十二月，甲戌，有鄰、勣及曾等皆杖死，積屍大理，妻子流遠方； 中外震慄。 嗣虢王巨貶義陽司馬。 巨，邕之子也。 別遣監察御史羅希奭往按李邕，太子亦出良娣為庶人。 乙亥，鄴郡太守王琚坐贓貶江華司馬。 琚性豪侈，與李邕皆自謂耆舊，久在外，意怏怏，李林甫惡其負材使氣，故因事除之。
Ji quarreled with his wife's family and sought to destroy them; he spread slander accusing Youlin of false prophecy, plotting against the Eastern Palace, and insulting the throne. Linfu had metropolitan staff officer Ji Wen and a censor investigate; Ji himself was the chief plotter. Wen made Ji implicate Zeng and the others and bring them before the censorate. In the twelfth month, on jiaxu day, Youlin, Ji, Zeng, and the rest were all beaten to death; bodies piled up at the Court of Judicial Review, and their families were exiled; Court and realm were shaken with terror. Heir of Prince Guo Ju was demoted to militia commander of Yiyang. Ju was Li Yong's son. Attending investigative censor Luo Xiyi was separately sent to investigate Li Yong; the crown prince also demoted his senior consort to commoner. On yihai day Ye prefect Wang Ju was demoted to militia commander of Jianghua on corruption charges. Ju was extravagant; he and Li Yong considered themselves elder statesmen and, long abroad, were resentful; Li Linfu hated their pride and used the affair to destroy them.
93
玄宗至道大聖大明孝皇帝中之下天寶六年（ 丁亥，公元七四七年）
Middle-lower portion of the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang—Tianbao year 6 ( dinghai, AD 747)
94
春，正月，辛巳。 李邕、裴敦復皆杖死。 邕才藝出眾，盧藏用常語之曰：「君如干將、莫邪，難與爭鋒，然終虞缺折耳。」 邕不能用。
In spring, the first month, on xinsi day. Li Yong and Pei Dunfu were both beaten to death. Yong's talent was extraordinary; Lu Zangyong once told him, "You are like the swords Ganjiang and Moye—none can match your edge, yet you will break in the end." Yong would not heed the warning.
95
林甫又奏分遣御史即貶所賜皇甫惟明、韋堅兄弟等死。 羅殺奭自青州如嶺南，所過殺遷謫者，郡縣惶駭。 排馬牒至宜春，李適之憂懼，仰藥自殺。 至江華，王琚仰藥不死，聞希奭已至，即自縊。 希奭又迂路過安陸，欲怖殺裴寬，寬向希奭叩頭祈生，希奭不宿而過，乃得免。 李適之子適迎父喪至東京，李林甫令人誣告適，杖死於河南府。 給事中房琯坐與適之善，貶宜春太守。 琯，融之子也。
Linfu memorialized again to send censors to the places of exile to order the deaths of Huangfu Weiming, Wei Jian's brothers, and others. Luo Sha'yi left Qingzhou for Lingnan, killing exiles wherever he passed, and commanderies and counties were terrified. When the urgent dispatch reached Yichun, Li Shizhi took poison and killed himself in dread. At Jianghua Wang Ju took poison but survived; hearing Xiyi had arrived, he hanged himself. Xiyi detoured through Anlu intending to frighten Pei Kuan to death; Kuan kowtowed begging for his life; Xiyi did not stay the night but passed on, and Kuan was spared. Li Shizhi's son Shi met his father's funeral at the Eastern Capital; Li Linfu had him falsely accused and beaten to death in the Henan prefectural office. Palace attendant Fang Guan, charged with friendship with Shizhi, was demoted to prefect of Yichun. Guan was the son of Fang Rong.
96
林甫恨韋堅不已，遣使於循河及江、淮州縣求堅罪，所在收系綱典船夫，溢於牢獄，征剝逋負，延及鄰伍，皆裸露死於公府，至林甫薨乃止。
Linfu never ceased hating Wei Jian and sent agents along the Xun River and the Jiang and Huai to hunt for crimes; they imprisoned ferry masters and boatmen until the jails overflowed, extorted debts from neighbors, and left men stripped and dead in government offices—the persecution ended only with Linfu's death.
97
丁亥，上享太廟； 戊子，合祭天地於南郊，赦天下。 制免百姓今載田租。 又令除削絞、斬條。 上慕好生之名，故令應絞、斬者皆重杖流嶺南，其實有司率杖殺之。 又令天下為嫁母服三載。
On dinghai day the emperor offered at the imperial ancestral temple; On wuzi day he sacrificed jointly to Heaven and Earth at the southern suburb and issued a general amnesty. A decree exempted the people from the land tax for the current Zai era. It also abolished the statutes on strangulation and decapitation. The emperor wished to be known as merciful and ordered that those liable to strangulation or decapitation be heavily clubbed and exiled to Lingnan—but in practice the authorities usually beat them to death. He also ordered three years of mourning throughout the realm for a remarried mother.
98
上欲廣求天下之士，命通一藝以上皆詣京師。 李林甫恐草野之士對策斥言其奸惡，建言：「舉人多卑賤愚聵，恐有俚言污濁聖聽。」 乃令郡縣長官精加試練，灼然超絕者，具名送省，委尚書覆試，御史中丞監之，取名實相副者聞奏。 既而至者皆試以詩、賦、論，遂無一人及第者，林甫乃上表賀野無遺賢。
The emperor wished to recruit talent broadly and ordered all who had mastered any art to come to the capital. Li Linfu feared that commoners answering policy questions would denounce his crimes and advised: "Candidates are mostly base and ignorant; rustic speech may offend the imperial ear." He ordered local officials to test candidates carefully and send only the truly outstanding to the capital for re-examination under the censor-in-chief's supervision, reporting to the throne only those who proved worthy. When the arrivals were tested in poetry, rhapsody, and discourse, not one passed; Linfu then memorialized to congratulate the emperor that no talent remained hidden in the realm.
99
戊寅，以范陽、平盧節度使安祿山兼御史大夫。
On wuyin day An Lushan, commissioner of Fanyang and Pinglu, was also made censor-in-chief.
100
祿山體充肥，腹垂過膝，嘗自稱重三百斤。 外若癡直，內實狡黠。 常令其將劉駱谷留京師詗朝廷指趣，動靜皆報之。 或應有箋表者，駱谷即為代作通之。 歲獻俘虜、雜畜、奇禽、異獸、珍玩之物，不絕於路，郡縣疲於遞運。
Lushan was enormously fat; his belly hung below his knees, and he claimed to weigh three hundred jin. Outwardly he seemed dull and blunt; inwardly he was crafty and cunning. He kept his general Liu Luogu in the capital to spy on the court and report every move. When memorials were needed, Luogu drafted and submitted them for him. Each year he sent captives, livestock, rare birds and beasts, and curios without end; commanderies and counties were exhausted by relay transport.
101
祿山在上前，應對敏給，雜以詼諧。 上嘗戲指其腹曰：「此胡腹中何所有，其大乃爾！」 對曰：「更無餘物，正有赤心耳！」 上悅。 又嘗命見太子，祿山不拜。 左右趣之拜，祿山拱立曰：「臣胡人，不習朝儀，不知太子者何官？」 上曰：「此儲君也，朕千秋萬歲後，代朕君汝者也。」 祿山曰：「臣愚，向者惟知有陛下一人，不知乃更有儲君。」 不得已，然後拜。 上以為信然，益愛之。 上嘗宴勤政樓，百官列坐樓下，獨為祿山於御座東間設金雞障，置榻使坐其前，仍命捲簾以示榮寵。 命楊銛、楊錡、貴妃三姊皆與祿山敘兄弟。 祿山得出入禁中，因請為貴妃兒。 上與貴妃共坐，祿山先拜貴妃。 上問何故，對曰：「胡人先母而後父。」 上悅。
In the emperor's presence Lushan answered swiftly and wittily. The emperor once joked, pointing at his belly, "What is inside this barbarian's belly that it is so huge!" He replied, "Nothing else—only a loyal heart!" The emperor was delighted. On another occasion he was presented to the crown prince; Lushan did not bow. Attendants urged him to bow; Lushan stood with clasped hands and said, "I am a barbarian, unversed in court ritual—what office is the crown prince?" The emperor said, "This is the heir apparent; when I am gone he will rule you in my place." Lushan said, "I am foolish; I knew only Your Majesty—I did not know there was also an heir apparent." Only then, with no choice, did he bow. The emperor took this as sincere and loved him all the more. At a banquet in the Diligence in Government Tower, officials sat below while Lushan alone was given a golden-cock screen east of the throne, a couch before it, and the curtain raised to display imperial favor. He had Yang Xian, Yang Qi, and the Noble Consort's three elder sisters swear brotherhood with Lushan. Lushan was allowed free access to the inner palace and asked to become the Noble Consort's adopted son. When the emperor and Noble Consort sat together, Lushan bowed first to the consort. Asked why, he said, "Barbarians honor the mother before the father." The emperor was delighted.
102
李林甫以王忠嗣功名日盛，恐其入相，忌之。 安祿山潛蓄異志，托以禦寇，築雄武城，大貯兵器，請忠嗣助役，因欲留其兵。 忠嗣先期而往，不見祿山而還，數上言祿山必反； 林甫益惡之。 夏，四月，忠嗣固辭兼河東、朔方節度； 許之。
Li Linfu, fearing Wang Zhongsi's rising fame might bring him to the chancellorship, envied him. An Lushan secretly harbored rebellion; under pretext of defense he built Xiongwu City, stockpiled weapons, asked Zhongsi to help with labor, and hoped to keep his troops. Zhongsi went early, found Lushan absent, and returned; he repeatedly warned that Lushan would rebel; and Linfu hated him all the more. In summer, the fourth month, Zhongsi firmly declined the additional commands of Hedong and Shuofang; His request was granted.
103
冬，十月，己酉，上幸驪山溫泉，改溫泉宮曰華清宮。
In winter, the tenth month, on jiyou day, the emperor went to the Mount Li hot springs and renamed the Hot Spring Palace Huaqing Palace.
104
河西、隴右節度使王忠嗣以部將哥舒翰為大斗副使，李光弼為河西兵馬使，充赤水軍使。 翰父祖本突騎施別部酋長，光弼，契丹王楷洛之子也，皆以勇略為忠嗣所重。 忠嗣使翰擊吐蕃，有同列為之副，倨慢不為用，翰撾殺之，軍中股心栗； 累功至隴右節度副使。 每歲積石軍麥熟，吐蕃輒來獲之，無能御者，邊人謂之「吐蕃麥莊」。 翰先伏兵於其側，虜至，斷其後，夾擊之，無一人得返者，自是不敢復來。
Hexi and Longyou commissioner Wang Zhongsi made Geshu Han deputy commander of Dadou and Li Guangbi Hexi military commissioner and commander of the Chishui Army. Han's forebears were Turgesh chiefs; Guangbi was son of the Khitan king Kailuo—Zhongsi valued both for courage and strategy. Zhongsi sent Han against Tibet; a deputy was arrogant and disobedient, and Han beat him to death—the army shook with terror; through accumulated merit he rose to vice commissioner of Longyou. Each year when wheat ripened at Jishi Army, Tibet harvested it unopposed—borderers called it "Tibet's wheat farm." Han ambushed them on the flank, cut off their retreat, and attacked from both sides—not one returned, and they never came again.
105
上欲使王忠嗣攻吐蕃石堡城，忠嗣上言：「石堡險固，吐蕃舉國守之。 今頓兵其下，非殺數萬人不能克。 臣恐所得不如所亡，不如且厲兵秣馬，俟其有釁，然後取之。」 上意不快。 將軍董延光自請將兵取石堡城，上命忠嗣分兵助之。 忠嗣不得已奉詔，而不盡副延光所欲，延光怨之。
The emperor wanted Wang Zhongsi to attack Tibet's Shibao City; Zhongsi memorialized, "Shibao is formidable and Tibet defends it with the whole nation. To camp beneath it now would cost tens of thousands of lives. The gain would not repay the cost; better to train the army and wait for an opening." The emperor was displeased. General Dong Yanguang volunteered to take Shibao; the emperor ordered Zhongsi to send supporting troops. Zhongsi obeyed but did not give Yanguang everything he wanted; Yanguang resented him.
106
李光弼言於忠嗣曰：「大夫以愛士卒之故，不欲成延光之功，雖迫於制書，實奪其謀也。 何以知之？ 今以數萬眾授之而不立重賞，士卒安肯為之盡力乎！ 然此天子意也，彼無功，必歸罪於大夫。 大夫軍府充牣，何愛數萬段帛不以杜其讒口乎！」 忠嗣曰：「今以數萬之眾爭一城，得之未足以制敵，不得亦無害於國，故忠嗣不欲為之。 忠嗣今受責天子，不過以金吾、羽林一將軍歸宿衛，其次不過黔中上佐； 忠嗣豈以數萬人之命易一官乎！ 李將軍，子誠愛我矣，然吾志決矣，子勿復言！」 光弼曰：「向者恐為大夫之累，故不敢不言。 今大夫能行古人之事，非光弼所及也。」 遂趨出。
Li Guangbi told Zhongsi, "You will not complete Yanguang's victory out of love for your men; though compelled by order, you are thwarting his plan. How do I know? You give him tens of thousands of men but offer no great rewards—how will they fight their hardest! Yet this is the emperor's wish; if Yanguang fails, he will blame you. Your headquarters overflow with stores—why not spend tens of thousands of bolts of silk to silence slander!" Zhongsi replied, "To fight for one city with tens of thousands—taking it would not break the enemy, and failing would not harm the state. I will not do it. If the emperor rebukes me, at worst I return as a Golden Guard or Feathered Forest general; at worst I become a senior aide in Qianzhong; would I trade tens of thousands of lives for one post! General Li, you truly care for me, but my mind is made up—say no more!" Guangbi said, "I spoke because I feared burdening you. Now you act as the ancients did—I cannot match you." He hurried out.
107
延光過期不克，言忠嗣沮撓軍計，上怒。 李林甫因使濟陽別駕魏林告「忠嗣嘗自言我幼養宮中，與忠王相愛狎」，欲擁兵以尊奉太子。 敕征忠嗣入朝，委三司鞫之。
Yanguang missed his deadline and accused Zhongsi of obstructing the campaign; the emperor was furious. Li Linfu had Jiyang vice prefect Wei Lin report that Zhongsi had said, "I was raised in the palace and was intimate with Prince Zhong," and intended to use troops to support the crown prince. An edict summoned Zhongsi to court and entrusted the Three Offices with his trial.
108
上聞哥舒翰名，召見華清宮，與語，悅之。 十一月，辛卯，以翰判西平太守，充隴右節度使； 以朔方節度使安思順判武威郡事，充河西節度使。
Hearing of Geshu Han, the emperor summoned him to Huaqing Palace, spoke with him, and was pleased. In the eleventh month, on xinmao day, Han was made acting prefect of Xiping and commissioner of Longyou; Shuofang commissioner An Sishun was made acting administrator of Wuwei and commissioner of Hexi.
109
戶部侍郎兼御史中丞楊慎矜為上所厚，李林甫浸忌之。 慎矜與王□父晉，中表兄弟也，少與□狎，□之入台，頗因慎矜推引。 及□遷中丞，慎矜與語，猶名之； □自恃與林甫善，意稍不平。 慎矜奪□職田，□母本賤，慎矜嘗以語人； □深銜之。 慎矜猶以故意待之，嘗與之私語讖書。
Yang Shenjing, vice minister of revenue and censor-in-chief, enjoyed the emperor's deep favor; Li Linfu gradually came to envy him. Shenjing and Wang Yue's father Jin were cousins; Shenjing had been close to Yue in youth and largely secured his entry into the censorate. When Yue became censor-in-chief, Shenjing still addressed him by personal name; Yue, counting on his friendship with Linfu, grew resentful. Shenjing seized Yue's official land; Yue's mother had been of low birth, and Shenjing had gossiped about it; Yue deeply resented him. Shenjing still treated him as an old friend and once discussed prognostic texts with him in private.
110
慎矜與術士史敬忠善，敬忠言天下將亂，勸慎矜於臨汝山中買莊為避亂之所。 會慎矜父墓田中草木皆流血，慎矜惡之，以問敬忠。 敬忠請禳之，設道場於後園，慎矜退朝，輒裸貫桎梏坐其中。 旬日血止，慎矜德之。 慎矜有侍婢明珠，色美，敬忠屢目之，慎矜即以遺敬忠，車載過貴妃姊柳氏樓下，姊邀敬忠上樓，求車中美人，敬忠不敢拒。 明日，姊入宮，以明珠自隨。 上見而異之，問所從來，明珠具以實對。 上以慎矜與術士為妖法，惡之，含怒未發。
Shenjing befriended the technician Shi Jingzhong, who said the realm would fall into chaos and urged him to buy an estate in the Linyou mountains as a refuge. When plants at his father's tomb bled, Shenjing was troubled and asked Jingzhong. Jingzhong offered exorcism rites and set up a ritual ground in the rear garden; Shenjing would return from court and sit there naked in shackles. Within ten days the bleeding stopped, and Shenjing was grateful. Shenjing had a beautiful maid named Bright Pearl; Jingzhong eyed her often, and Shenjing gave her to him; passing the tower of the Noble Consort's Liu sister, she invited Jingzhong up and took the maid—he dared not refuse. The next day the sister entered the palace with Bright Pearl. The emperor was struck by her and asked her origin; Bright Pearl told the whole truth. The emperor, believing Shenjing practiced sorcery with the technician, hated it and nursed his anger in silence.
111
楊釗以告□，□心喜，因侮慢慎矜； 慎矜怒。 林甫知□與慎矜有隙，密誘使圖之。 □乃遣人以飛語告「慎矜隋煬帝孫，與凶人往來，家有讖書，謀復祖業。」 上大怒，收慎矜繫獄，命刑部、大理與侍御史楊釗、殿中侍御史盧鉉同鞫之。 太府少卿張瑄，慎矜所薦也，盧鉉誣瑄嘗與慎矜論讖，拷掠百端，瑄不肯答辯。 乃以木綴其足，使人引其枷柄，向前挽之，身加長數尺，腰細欲絕，眼鼻出血，瑄竟不答。
Yang Zhao told Yue, who rejoiced and treated Shenjing with contempt; Shenjing was furious. Linfu, knowing of the rift, secretly urged Yue to plot against him. Yue sent informers to accuse Shenjing of being a grandson of Emperor Yang of Sui, consorting with villains, keeping prognostic texts, and plotting to restore the Sui. The emperor was furious, arrested Shenjing, and ordered the Ministry of Justice, Court of Judicial Review, Yang Zhao, and Lu Xuan to interrogate him jointly. Zhang Xuan of the imperial treasury, Shenjing's protégé, was accused of discussing prognostics with him; Lu Xuan tortured him in every way, but Xuan would not confess. "They clamped wood to his feet and pulled his cangue forward until his body stretched several feet, his waist nearly snapped, and blood poured from his eyes and nose—yet Xuan would not speak."
112
又使吉溫捕史敬忠於汝州。 敬忠與溫父素善，溫之幼也，敬忠常抱撫之。 及捕獲，溫不與交言，鎖其頸，以布蒙首，驅之馬前。 至戲水，溫使吏誘之曰：「楊慎矜已款服，惟鬚子一辯，若解人意則生，不然必死，前至溫湯，則求首不獲矣。」 敬忠顧謂溫曰：「七郎，求一紙。」 溫陽不應。 去溫湯十餘里，敬忠懇請哀切，乃於桑下令答三紙，辯皆如溫意。 溫徐謂曰：「丈人且勿怪！」 因起拜之。
Ji Wen was also sent to arrest Shi Jingzhong in Ruzhou. Jingzhong had been close to Wen's father and had dandled Wen as a child. When captured, Wen would not speak to him, locked his neck, hooded his head, and drove him before the horses. At Xishui Wen's officer told him, "Shenjing has confessed; only your testimony remains—cooperate and live, resist and die before you even reach the hot springs." Jingzhong turned to Wen and said, "Seventh Son, give me paper." Wen feigned not to hear. Ten li from the hot springs Jingzhong begged piteously; under a mulberry tree he wrote three sheets confessing exactly as Wen wished. Wen said gently, "Sir, do not blame me!" He rose and bowed to him.
113
至會昌，始鞫慎矜，以敬忠為證。 慎矜皆引服，惟搜讖書不獲。 林甫危之，使盧鉉入長安搜慎矜家，鉉袖讖書入暗中，詬而出曰：「逆賊深藏秘記。」 至會昌，以示慎矜。 慎矜歎曰：「吾不蓄讖書，此何從在吾家哉！ 吾應死而己。」 丁酉，賜慎矜及兄少府少監慎餘、洛陽令慎名自盡； 敬忠杖百，妻子皆流嶺南； 瑄杖六十，流臨封，死於會昌。 嗣虢王巨雖不預謀，坐與敬忠相識，解官，南賓安置。 自餘連坐者數十人。 慎名聞敕，神色不變，為書別姊； 慎餘合掌指天而縊。
At Huichang they interrogated Shenjing, using Jingzhong as witness. Shenjing confessed to all charges, but no prognostic texts were found. Linfu, alarmed, had Lu Xuan search Shenjing's house in Chang'an; Xuan slipped prognostic texts from his sleeve and emerged shouting, "The traitor hid secret records." At Huichang he showed them to Shenjing. Shenjing sighed, "I kept no prognostic texts—how did these come to be in my house! I deserve to die, that is all." On dingyou day Shenjing and his brothers Shenyu and Shenming were permitted to kill themselves; Jingzhong was beaten a hundred strokes; his family was exiled to Lingnan; Xuan was beaten sixty strokes, exiled to Linfeng, and died at Huichang. Heir of Prince Guo Ju, though not part of the plot, was dismissed for knowing Jingzhong and settled at Nanbin. Dozens more suffered joint punishment. When Shenming heard the edict, his expression did not change; he wrote farewell to his sister; Shenyu joined his palms toward heaven and hanged himself.
114
三司按王忠嗣，上曰：「吾兒居深宮，安得與外人通謀，此必妄也。 但劾忠嗣沮撓軍功。」 哥舒翰之入朝也，或勸多繼金帛以救忠嗣。 翰曰：「若直道尚存，王公必不冤死； 如其將喪，多賂何為！」 遂單囊而行。 三司奏忠嗣罪當死。 翰始遇知於上，力陳忠嗣之冤，且請以己官爵贖忠嗣罪； 上起，入禁中，翰叩頭隨之，言與淚俱。 上感寤，己亥，貶忠嗣漢陽太守。
The Three Offices tried Wang Zhongsi; the emperor said, "My son lives deep in the inner palace—how could he plot with outsiders? This must be false. Charge Zhongsi only with obstructing the campaign." When Geshu Han came to court, some urged him to bring gold and silk to save Zhongsi. Han said, "If justice still holds in the court, Lord Wang will not die unjustly; if it is already lost, what good are bribes!" He went with only a single bag. The Three Offices reported that Zhongsi deserved death. Han had just won the emperor's favor; he pleaded Zhongsi's innocence and offered his own rank to redeem him; The emperor rose and entered the inner palace; Han kowtowed and followed, speaking through his tears. Moved, the emperor on jihai day demoted Zhongsi to prefect of Hanyang.
115
李林甫屢起大獄，別置推事院於長安。 以楊釗有掖廷之親，出入禁闥，所言多聽，乃引以為援，擢為御史。 事有微涉東宮者，皆指擿使之奏刻，付羅希奭、吉溫鞫之。 釗因得逞其私志，所擠陷誅夷者數百家，皆釗發之。 幸太子仁孝謹靜，張□、高力士常保護於上前，故林甫終不能間也。 十二月，壬戌，發馮翊、華陰民夫築會昌城，置百司。 王公各置第捨，土畝直千金。 癸亥，上還宮。
Li Linfu repeatedly launched great prosecutions and set up a separate interrogation office in Chang'an. Because Yang Zhao had palace connections and free access to the inner gates, and the emperor often heeded him, Linfu made him an ally and promoted him to censor. Anything touching the Eastern Palace he had Zhao accuse, then handed the cases to Luo Xiyi and Ji Wen. Zhao thus fulfilled his private aims; the hundreds of families he destroyed were all brought down by him. Fortunately the crown prince was dutiful and cautious; Zhang Ya and Gao Lishi often shielded him at court, and Linfu could never drive a wedge between them. In the twelfth month, on renxu day, laborers from Fengyi and Huayin were mobilized to build Huichang city and install the central offices. Princes and nobles each built mansions there; land sold for a thousand gold per mu. On guihai day the emperor returned to the palace.
116
丙寅，命百官閱天下歲貢物於尚書省，既而悉以車載賜李林甫家。 上或時不視朝，百司悉集林甫第門，台省為空。 陳希烈雖坐府，無一人入謁者。
On bingyin day officials were ordered to review the year's tribute goods at the Ministry of Revenue; then everything was carted to Li Linfu's house as gifts. When the emperor skipped court, every office gathered at Linfu's gate and the ministries stood empty. Though Chen Xilie sat in his office, no one came to call on him.
117
林甫子岫為將作監，頗以滿盈為懼，嘗從林甫游後園，指役夫言於林甫曰：「大人久處鈞軸，怨仇滿天下，一朝禍至，欲為此，得乎？」 林甫不樂曰：「勢已如此，將若之何？」
Linfu's son Song, director of palace construction, feared their peak had passed; touring the rear garden he pointed at laborers and said, "Father, you have held power so long that enemies fill the realm. If disaster strikes, would you want to end like these men?" Linfu said unhappily, "Things are already thus—what can be done?"
118
先是，宰相皆以德度自處，不事威勢，騶從不過數人，士民或不之避。 林甫自以多結怨，常虞刺客，出則步騎百餘人為左右翼，金吾靜街，前驅在數百步外，公卿走避； 居則重關復壁，以石甃地，牆中置板，如防大敵，一夕屢徙床，雖家人莫知其處。 宰相騶從之盛，自林甫始。
Earlier chancellors conducted themselves with virtue and restraint, cultivated no intimidating display, and kept only a few mounted escorts; commoners sometimes did not even step aside for them. Linfu, knowing he had made many enemies, constantly feared assassins; when he went out, more than a hundred guards flanked him, the Golden Guard cleared the streets, and his vanguard rode hundreds of paces ahead; nobles fled to avoid him; at home he kept double gates and layered walls, paved the floors with stone, set boards in the walls as against a great enemy, and moved his bed many times in a single night—even his family did not know where he slept. The grandeur of a chancellor's escort began with Linfu.
119
初，將軍高仙芝，本高麗人，從軍安西。 仙芝驍勇，善騎射。 節度使夫蒙靈察屢薦至安西副都護、都知兵馬使，充四鎮節度副使。
General Gao Xianzhi was originally from Goguryeo and had joined the army in Anxi. Xianzhi was fierce and skilled in mounted archery. Commissioner Fumeng Lingcha repeatedly promoted him until he became Anxi vice protector-general, overall commander of military affairs, and deputy commissioner of the Four Garrisons.
120
吐蕃以女妻小勃律王，及其旁二十餘國，皆附吐蕃，貢獻不入； 前後節度使討之，皆不能克。 制以仙芝為行營節度使，將萬騎討之。 自安西行百餘日，乃至特勒滿川，分軍為三道，期以七月十三日會吐蕃連雲堡下。 有兵近萬人，不意唐兵猝至，大驚，依山拒戰，砲櫑如雨。 仙芝以郎將高陵李嗣業為陌刀將，令之曰：「不及日中，決須破虜！」 嗣業執一旗，引陌刀緣險先登力戰，自辰至巳，大破之，斬首五千級，捕虜千餘人，餘皆逃潰。 中使邊令誠以入虜境已深，懼不敢進； 仙芝乃使令誠以羸弱三千守期城，復進。
Tibet married a princess to the king of Little Bolü, and more than twenty neighboring states followed Tibet and sent no tribute to Tang; successive commissioners had campaigned against them without success. The court made Xianzhi campaign commissioner and sent him with ten thousand horsemen. From Anxi he marched more than a hundred days to the Teliman River, divided his army into three columns, and set the thirteenth day of the seventh month to converge below Tibet's Lianyun Fortress. Nearly ten thousand defenders, surprised by the sudden Tang arrival, fought from the mountains while projectiles rained down. Xianzhi made Li Siye of Gaoling commander of the long-handled blades and ordered, "Break the enemy before noon!" Siye seized a banner and led the blade troops up the dangerous slope to attack first; from mid-morning to late morning he routed them, took five thousand heads and more than a thousand prisoners, and the rest fled. Palace envoy Bian Lingcheng, fearing they had penetrated too deep, would not advance; Xianzhi left Lingcheng with three thousand weak troops to hold Qicheng and advanced again.
121
三日，至坦駒嶺，下峻阪四十餘里，前有阿弩越城。 仙芝恐士卒憚險，不肯下，先令人胡服詐為阿弩越城守者迎降，云：「阿弩越赤心歸唐，娑夷水籐橋已斫斷矣。」 娑夷，即弱水也，其水不能勝草芥。 籐橋者，通吐蕃之路也。 仙芝陽喜，士卒乃下。 又三日，阿弩越城迎者果至。
On the third day they reached Tanju Ridge, with a steep descent of more than forty li ahead and Anuyue City beyond. Fearing his men would refuse the descent, Xianzhi sent men in barbarian dress to pose as Anuyue defenders welcoming surrender, saying, "Anuyue is loyal to Tang; the vine bridge over the Suoyi River has been cut." The Suoyi is the Weak Water, which cannot bear even a blade of grass. The vine bridge was the route to Tibet. Xianzhi feigned delight, and the soldiers descended. Three days later the welcomers from Anuyue City arrived as promised.
122
明日，仙芝入阿弩越城，遣將軍席元慶將千騎前行，謂曰：「小勃律聞大軍至，其君臣百姓必走山谷，弟呼出，取繒帛稱敕賜之，大臣至，盡縛之以待我。」 元慶如其言，悉縛諸大臣。 王及吐蕃公主逃入石窟，取不可得，仙芝至，斬其附吐蕃者大臣數人。
The next day Xianzhi entered Anuyue City and sent General Xi Yuanqing ahead with a thousand horsemen, saying, "When Little Bolü hears we are coming, the court and people will flee to the hills. Call them out, give silk in the emperor's name, and bind every minister who comes—hold them for me." Yuanqing did as told and bound all the ministers. The king and the Tibetan princess fled into a cave and could not be taken; when Xianzhi arrived he beheaded several ministers who had sided with Tibet.
123
籐橋去城猶六十里，仙芝急遣元慶往斫之，甫畢，吐蕃兵大至，已無及矣。 籐橋闊盡一矢，力修之，期年乃成。
The vine bridge lay sixty li away; Xianzhi urgently sent Yuanqing to cut it, but just as he finished, Tibetan troops arrived in force—it was too late. The bridge spanned a full arrow-shot; they strained to repair it, and it took a full year to finish.
124
八月，仙芝虜小勃律王及吐蕃公主而還。 九月，至連雲堡，與邊令誠俱。 月末，至播密川，遣使奏狀。 至河西，夫蒙靈察怒仙芝不先言己而遽發奏，一不迎勞，罵仙芝曰：「啖狗糞高麗奴！ 汝官皆困誰得，而不待我處分，擅奏捷書！ 高麗奴！ 汝罪當斬，但以汝新有功不忍耳！」 仙芝但謝罪。 邊令誠奏仙芝深入萬里，立奇功，今旦夕憂死。
In the eighth month Xianzhi captured the king of Little Bolü and the Tibetan princess and returned. In the ninth month he reached Lianyun Fortress with Bian Lingcheng. At month's end he reached the Bomi River and sent a victory report. At Hexi, Fumeng Lingcha was furious that Xianzhi had reported victory without telling him first; he did not welcome him and cursed, "Dog-shit-eating Goguryeo slave! Who got you every office you hold—and you did not wait for my orders before sending in your victory report! Goguryeo slave! Your crime deserves death, but I spare you only because of your fresh achievement!" Xianzhi could only apologize. Bian Lingcheng memorialized that Xianzhi had marched ten thousand li, won a great victory, and now feared for his life day and night.