1
資治通鑑第254卷
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 254
2
【唐紀七十】起上章困敦十一月，盡玄黓攝提格四月，凡一年有奇。
[Tang Records 70] From Shangzhang Kundun, the eleventh month, through Xuanyi Shetige, the fourth month—slightly more than a year in all.
3
僖宗惠聖恭定孝皇帝中之上廣明元年（ 庚子，公元八八零年）
First year of Guangming (middle reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang) ( gengzi, 880 CE)
4
十一月，河中都虞候王重榮作亂，剽掠坊市俱空。
In the eleventh month, Wang Chongrong, army supervisor at Hezhong, rebelled and looted the wards and markets until they stood empty.
5
宿州刺史劉漢宏怨朝廷賞薄。 甲寅，以漢宏為浙東觀察使。
Liu Hanhong, prefect of Suzhou, resented the court's stingy rewards. On jiayin, Liu Hanhong was made military commissioner of Zhedong.
6
詔河東節度使鄭從讜以本道兵授諸葛爽及代州刺史朱玫，使南討黃巢。 乙卯，以代北都統李琢為河陽節度使。
The court ordered Hedong commissioner Zheng Congdang to detach troops from his circuit for Zhuge Shuang and Daizhou prefect Zhu Mei, and march them south against Huang Chao. On yimao, Li Zhuo, overall commander north of Dai, was appointed military commissioner of Heyang.
7
初，黃巢將渡淮，豆盧瑑請以天平節鉞授巢，俟其到鎮討之，盧攜曰：「盜賊無厭，雖與之節，不能止其剽掠，不若急發諸道兵扼泗州，汴州節度使為都統，賊既前不能入關，必還掠淮、浙，偷生海渚耳。」 從之。 既而淮北相繼告急，攜稱疾不出，京師大恐。 庚申，東都奏黃巢入汝州境。
Earlier, as Huang Chao prepared to cross the Huai, Dou Luquan urged granting him the Pingyi command so the court could strike once he took up his post. Lu Xie objected: "Bandits know no limit. A commission will not stop their looting. Better to rush troops from every circuit to block Sizhou, with the Bianzhou commissioner as supreme commander. Denied the passes, Chao will turn back to ravage the Huai and Zhe regions and scrape a living on the coast." The court followed this counsel. Soon urgent dispatches poured in from north of the Huai. Xie pleaded illness and stayed away from court, and panic seized the capital. On gengshen, Luoyang reported that Huang Chao had crossed into Ruzhou.
8
辛酉，以王重榮權知河中留後，以河中節度使同平章事李都為太子少傅。
On xinyou, Wang Chongrong was made acting regent of Hezhong, and Li Du, Hezhong commissioner and associate grand councilor, was demoted to grand mentor of the heir apparent.
9
汝鄭把截制置都指揮使齊克讓奏黃巢自稱天補大將軍，轉牒諸軍雲，「各宜守壘，勿犯吾鋒！ 吾將入東都，即至京邑，自欲問罪，無預眾人。」 上召宰相議之。 豆盧瑑、崔沆請發關內諸鎮及兩神策軍守潼關。 壬戌，日南至，上開延英，對宰要泣下。 觀軍容使田令孜奏：「請選左右神策軍弓弩手守潼關，臣自為都指揮制置把截使。」 上曰：「侍衛將士，不習征戰，恐未足用。」 令孜曰：「昔安祿山構逆，玄宗幸蜀以避之。」 崔沆曰：「祿山眾才五萬，比之黃巢，不足言矣。」 豆盧瑑曰：「哥舒翰以十五萬眾不能守潼關，今黃巢眾六十萬，而潼關又無哥舒之兵。 若令孜為社稷計，三川帥臣皆令孜腹心，比於玄宗則有備矣。」 上不懌，謂令孜曰：「卿且為朕發兵守潼關。」 是日，上幸左神策軍，親閱將士。 令孜薦左軍馬軍將軍張承范、右軍步軍將軍王師會、左軍兵馬使趙珂。 上召見三人，以承范為兵馬先鋒使兼把截潼關制置使，師會為制置關塞糧料使，珂為句當寨柵使，令孜為左右神策軍內外八鎮及諸道兵馬都指揮制置招討等使，飛龍使楊復恭為副使。 癸亥，齊克讓奏：「黃巢已入東都境，臣收軍退保潼關，於關外置寨。 將士屢經戰鬥，久乏資儲，州縣殘破，人煙殆絕，東西南北不見王人，凍餒交逼，兵械刓弊，各思鄉閭，恐一旦潰去，乞早遣資糧及援軍。」 上命選兩神策弩手得二千八百人，令張承范等將以赴之。
Qi Kerang, supreme commander of the Ruzheng interception force, reported that Huang Chao had taken the title Grand General of Heavenly Succor and sent circulars to the armies: "Hold your positions and do not cross our path! I am marching on Luoyang and will soon reach the capital. I mean to settle scores myself—this does not concern the rest of you." The emperor summoned his chief ministers to deliberate. Dou Luquan and Cui Hang urged mobilizing Guannei garrisons and both Shence armies to defend Tong Pass. On renxu, the winter solstice, the emperor held court at Yanying Hall and wept as he faced his ministers' pleas. Army supervisor Tian Lingzi proposed: "Select crossbowmen from the Left and Right Shence armies for Tong Pass, and let me serve as supreme interception commander." The emperor replied, "The palace guards are unused to war—I doubt they will be enough." Lingzi said, "When An Lushan rebelled, Emperor Xuanzong withdrew to Shu to escape him." Cui Hang said, "Lushan had only fifty thousand men—beside Huang Chao he hardly counts." Dou Luquan said, "Geshu Han failed to hold Tong Pass with a hundred and fifty thousand. Huang Chao now fields six hundred thousand, and we have no Geshu Han at the pass. If Lingzi truly had the realm in mind, the Three Gorges commanders are all his creatures—in that respect he is better prepared than Xuanzong was." The emperor, displeased, told Lingzi, "For now, raise troops for me to hold Tong Pass." That day the emperor inspected the Left Shence army in person. Lingzi recommended Zhang Chengfan of the Left Army cavalry, Wang Shihui of the Right Army infantry, and Zhao Ke, Left Army supervisor. The emperor received the three men. Zhang Chengfan became vanguard commander and Tong Pass interception commissioner; Wang Shihui, pass provisions commissioner; Zhao Ke, camp commissioner. Lingzi took supreme command of both Shence armies, eight garrisons, and all circuit forces, with Yang Fugong of the Flying Dragon Bureau as his deputy. On guihai, Qi Kerang reported: "Huang Chao has crossed into the Luoyang region. I have pulled back to Tong Pass and pitched camps outside the gate. Our men have fought again and again and long gone without supplies. The prefectures lie in ruins and the land is all but deserted; nowhere does one see an agent of the throne. Cold and hunger close in, weapons are worn to nothing, and every man yearns for home—I fear they will scatter at the first shock. Send provisions and reinforcements at once." The emperor ordered two thousand eight hundred Shence crossbowmen selected and sent Zhang Chengfan and the others to lead them thither.
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丁卯，黃巢陷東都，留守劉允章帥百官迎謁。 巢入城，勞問而已，閭裡晏然。 允章，乃之曾孫也。 田令孜奏募坊市人數千以補兩軍。
On dingmao, Huang Chao captured Luoyang. Resident commissioner Liu Yunzhang led the officials out to welcome him. Chao entered the city, offered only courteous inquiries, and the streets remained calm. Yunzhang was a great-grandson of Liu Nai. Tian Lingzi proposed recruiting several thousand men from the city wards to fill both Shence armies.
11
辛未，陝州奏東都已陷。 壬申，以田令孜為汝、洛、晉、絳、同、華都統，將左、右軍東討。 是日，賊陷虢州。
On xinwei, Shaanzhou reported that Luoyang had fallen. On renshen, Tian Lingzi was made overall commander of Ru, Luo, Jin, Jiang, Tong, and Hua and marched east with both Shence armies. That same day the rebels captured Guozhou.
12
以神策將羅元杲為河陽節度使。
Shence general Luo Yuangao was appointed military commissioner of Heyang.
13
以周岌為忠武節度使。 初，薛能遣牙將上蔡秦宗權調發至蔡州，聞許州亂，托雲赴難，選募蔡兵，遂逐刺史，據其城。 及周岌為節度使，即以宗權為蔡州刺史。
Zhou Ji was appointed military commissioner of Zhongwu. Earlier, Xue Neng had sent adjutant Qin Zongquan of Shangcai to raise troops at Caizhou. When Xuzhou fell into chaos, Zongquan claimed he was marching to the rescue, recruited local soldiers, expelled the prefect, and seized the city. When Zhou Ji took the Zhongwu commission, Zongquan was promptly made prefect of Caizhou.
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乙亥，張承范等將神策弩手發京師。 神策軍士皆長安富家子，賂宦官竄名軍籍，厚得稟賜，但華衣怒馬，憑勢使氣，未嘗更戰陳。 聞當出征，父子聚泣，多以金帛雇病坊貧人代行，往往不能操兵。 是日，上御章信門樓臨遣之。 承范進言：「聞黃巢擁數十萬之眾，鼓行而西，齊克讓以饑卒萬人依托關外，復遣臣以二千餘人屯於關上，又未聞為饋餉之計，以此拒賊，臣竊寒心。 願陛下趣諸道精兵早為繼援。」 上曰：「卿輩第行，兵尋至矣！」 丁丑，承范等至華州。 會刺史裴虔餘徙宣歙觀察使，軍民皆逃入華山，城中索然，州庫唯塵埃鼠跡，賴倉中猶有米千餘斛，軍士裹三日糧而行。
On yihai, Zhang Chengfan and the others marched the Shence crossbowmen out of Chang'an. The Shence troops were sons of Chang'an's rich who bribed eunuchs for places on the rolls, drew fat stipends, dressed splendidly and rode fine horses, bullied others by their connections, and had never seen a battlefield. Told they were to march, fathers and sons wept together. Many paid paupers from charity wards to take their place, and those substitutes often could not wield arms. That day the emperor saw them off from the Zhangxin Gate tower. Chengfan spoke up: "Huang Chao fields several hundred thousand and marches west in battle order. Qi Kerang holds the outside of the pass with ten thousand starving men, yet I am sent with barely two thousand atop the pass, and I hear no plan for supplies. To face the rebels like this fills me with dread. I beg Your Majesty to hurry elite troops from every circuit as reinforcements." The emperor said, "March on—reinforcements will follow soon!" On dingchou they reached Huazhou. Prefect Pei Qianyu had just been transferred to Xuanshe commissioner. Troops and civilians alike fled into Mount Hua, leaving the city empty and the treasury nothing but dust and rat tracks. They scraped a little over a thousand hu of rice from the granary; each man wrapped three days' grain and marched on.
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十二月，庚辰朔，承范等至潼關，搜菁中，得村民百許，使運石汲水，為守禦之備。 與齊克讓軍皆絕糧，士卒莫有鬥志。 是日，黃巢前鋒軍抵關下，白旗滿野，不見其際。 克讓與戰，賊小卻，俄而巢至，舉軍大呼，聲振河、華。 克讓力戰，自午至酉始解，士卒饑甚，遂喧噪，燒營而潰，克讓走入關。 關左有谷，平日禁人往來，以榷徵稅，謂之「禁坑」。 賊至倉猝，官軍忘守之，潰兵自谷而入，谷中灌木壽籐茂密如織，一夕踐為坦塗。 承范盡散其輜囊以給士卒，遣使上表告急，稱：「臣離京六日，甲卒未增一人，饋餉未聞影響。 到關之日，巨寇已來，以二千餘人拒六十萬眾，外軍饑潰，蹋開禁坑。 臣之失守，鼎鑊甘心。 朝廷謀臣，愧顏何寄！ 或聞陛下已議西巡，苟鑾輿一動，則上下土崩。 臣敢以猶生之軀奮冒死之語，願與近密及宰臣熟議，未可輕動，急徵兵以救關防，則高祖、太宗之業庶幾猶可扶持，使黃巢繼安祿山之亡，微臣勝哥舒翰之死！」
In the twelfth month, on the gengchen new moon, Chengfan reached Tong Pass, rounded up about a hundred villagers from the thickets, and set them hauling stone and drawing water for the defense. Both armies were out of grain and the men had no stomach for battle. That day Chao's vanguard reached the pass; white banners blanketed the plain as far as the eye could see. Kerang engaged them and the rebels gave ground briefly. Then Chao arrived; his whole host roared, and the sound shook the river and Huazhou. Kerang fought from noon until evening. Starving, the men raised a din, burned their camps, and fled; Kerang ran back through the pass. Left of the pass lay a ravine normally closed to traffic so transit tolls could be collected—the "Forbidden Ravine." The rebels came too fast; the government troops forgot the ravine. Fleeing soldiers poured through it, and in one night their feet beat the dense brush and vines into a level track. Chengfan gave out all his baggage to feed the men and sent an urgent memorial: "Six days out of the capital, not one more soldier has joined me, and no word of supplies has come. The day I reached the pass the great rebel host was already here. I hold the pass with barely two thousand against six hundred thousand. The outer army, starving, broke and trampled open the Forbidden Ravine. If I lose the pass, I accept death without complaint. As for the court's strategists—where can they hide their faces! I hear Your Majesty has discussed a flight west. If the imperial carriage moves, court and realm will crumble together. With my life still in me I dare speak as one facing death: deliberate long with your intimates and ministers before you move. Rush troops to save the passes, and Gaozu and Taizong's legacy may yet stand; let Huang Chao follow An Lushan to ruin, and this humble servant will have died a better death than Geshu Han!"
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辛巳，賊急攻潼關，承范悉力拒之，自寅及申，關上矢盡，投石以擊之。 關外有天塹，賊驅民千餘人入其中，掘土填之，須臾，即平，引兵而度。 夜，縱火焚關樓俱盡。 承范分兵八百人，使王師會守禁坑，比至，賊已入矣。 壬午旦，賊夾攻潼關，關上兵皆潰，師會自殺，承范變服，帥餘眾脫走。 至野狐泉，遇奉天援兵二千繼至，承范曰：「汝來晚矣！」 博野、鳳翔軍還至渭橋，見所募新軍衣裘溫鮮，怒曰：「此輩何功而然，我曹反凍餒！」 遂掠之，更為賊鄉導，以趣長安。 賊之攻潼關也，朝廷以前京兆尹蕭廩為東道轉運糧料使。 廩稱疾，請休官，貶賀州司戶。 黃巢入華州，留其將喬鈐守之。 河中留後王重榮請降於賊。 癸未，制以巢為天平節度使。
On xinsi the rebels stormed Tong Pass. Chengfan held with all his might from dawn to mid-afternoon until arrows ran out and his men hurled stones. Outside the pass lay a natural moat. The rebels drove a thousand civilians in to fill it with earth; in moments it was level and their army crossed. That night they burned the pass towers to the ground. Chengfan sent Wang Shihui with eight hundred men to hold the Forbidden Ravine, but the rebels were already through when they arrived. At dawn on renwu the rebels attacked from both sides. The garrison broke; Shihui killed himself. Chengfan changed clothes and fled with the survivors. At Yehu Spring they met two thousand Fengtian reinforcements marching up. Chengfan said, "You are too late!" The Boye and Fengxiang troops returning to Weiqiao Bridge saw the newly recruited men in warm, fresh clothing and cried, "What have they done to dress so while we freeze and starve!" They looted them and then guided the rebels toward Chang'an. When the rebels attacked Tong Pass, the court had named former Jingzhao governor Xiao Lin eastern-route transport commissioner. Lin pleaded illness and asked to retire; he was demoted to registrar of Hezhou. Huang Chao entered Huazhou and left general Qiao Ling to garrison it. Hezhong regent Wang Chongrong offered to surrender to the rebels. On guiwei the court appointed Chao military commissioner of Pingyi.
17
甲申，以翰林學士承旨、尚書左丞王徽為戶部侍郎，翰林學士、戶部侍郎裴澈為工部侍郎，並同平章事。 以盧攜為太子賓客、分司。 田令孜聞黃巢已入關，恐天子責己，乃歸罪於攜而貶之，薦徽、澈為相。 是夕，攜飲藥死，澈，休之從子也。 百官退朝，聞亂兵入城，布路竄匿，田令孜帥神策兵五百奉帝自金光門出，惟福、穆、澤、壽四王及妃嬪數人從行，百官皆莫知之。 上奔馳晝夜不息，從官多不能及。 車駕既去，軍士及坊市民競入府庫盜金帛。
On jiashen, chief Hanlin academician Wang Hui became vice minister of revenue and Hanlin academician Pei Che vice minister of works; both joined the grand council. Lu Xie was made grand mentor of the heir apparent and sent to the eastern office. Tian Lingzi, hearing Chao had broken through the passes, feared the emperor would blame him. He pinned the fault on Xie, had him demoted, and pushed Hui and Che for the council. That evening Xie drank poison and died. Che was a nephew of Pei Xiu. As officials left court they heard rebels had entered the city and scattered to hide. Tian Lingzi led five hundred Shence troops and the emperor out the Jinguang Gate with only Princes Fu, Mu, Ze, and Shou and a few consorts—no official knew. The emperor rode day and night without pause; most attendants could not keep pace. Once the court had fled, soldiers and townspeople looted the government treasuries of gold and silk.
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晡時，黃巢前鋒將柴存入長安，金吾大將軍張直方帥文武數十人迎巢於霸上。 巢乘金裝肩輿，其徒皆被發，約以紅繒，衣錦繡，執兵以從，甲騎如流，輜重塞塗，千里絡繹不絕。 民夾道聚觀，尚讓歷諭之曰：「黃王起兵，本為百姓，非如李氏不愛汝曹，汝曹但安居毋恐。」 巢館於田令孜第，其徒為盜久，不勝富，見貧者，往往施與之。 居數日，各出大掠，焚市肆，殺人滿街，巢不能禁。 尤憎官吏，得者皆殺之。
Late that afternoon Chao's vanguard general Chai Cun entered Chang'an. Imperial Guards general Zhang Zhifang led several dozen officials to welcome Chao at Bashang. Chao rode a gold-trimmed palanquin. His men wore their hair loose, bound with red silk, dressed in brocade, and bore arms. Armored horsemen streamed past; baggage choked the roads for a thousand li. Crowds lined the roads. Shang Rang told them: "King Huang took up arms for the people, not like the Li house that cared nothing for you. Stay at home and do not fear." Chao lodged in Tian Lingzi's mansion. Long accustomed to robbery, his men, overwhelmed by wealth, often gave alms to the poor. After a few days they sallied out to loot on a grand scale, burned the markets, and filled the streets with the dead; Chao could not stop them. They hated officials above all and killed every one they caught.
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上趣駱谷，鳳翔節度使鄭畋謁上於道次，請車駕留鳳翔。 上曰：「朕不欲密邇巨寇，且幸興元，徵兵以圖收復。 卿東扞賊鋒，西撫諸蕃，糾合鄰道，勉建大勳。」 畋曰：「道路梗澀，奏報難通，請得便宜從事。」 許之，戊子，上至婿水，詔牛勖、楊師立、陳敬瑄，諭以京城不守，且幸興元，若賊勢猶盛，將幸成都，宣豫為備擬。
The emperor pressed through Luogu Valley. Fengxiang commissioner Zheng Tian met him on the road and begged him to stay at Fengxiang. The emperor said, "I will not lodge near the great rebel. I go to Xingyuan to raise troops and plan recovery. Hold the rebel spearhead in the east, pacify the western tribes, rally the neighboring circuits, and strive for great merit." Tian said, "The roads are blocked and dispatches will not get through. I beg discretion to act as need requires." This was granted. On wuzi he reached Xu River and notified Niu Xu, Yang Shili, and Chen Jingxuan that the capital was lost, that he was bound for Xingyuan, and that if the rebels still held sway he would go on to Chengdu; Xuan and Yu were to prepare accordingly.
20
庚寅，黃巢殺唐宗室在長安者無遺類。 辛卯，巢始入宮。 壬辰，巢即皇帝位於含元殿，畫皁繒為袞衣，擊戰鼓數百以代金石之樂。 登丹鳳樓，下赦書。 國號大齊，改元金統。 謂廣明之號，去唐下體而著黃家日月，以為己符瑞。 唐官三品以上悉停任，四品以下位如故。 以妻曹氏為皇后。 以尚讓為太尉兼中書令，趙璋兼侍中，崔璆、楊希古並同平章事，孟楷、蓋洪為左右僕射、知左右軍事，費傳古為樞密使。 以太常博士皮日休為翰林學士。 璆，邠之子也，時罷浙東觀察使，在長安，巢得而相之。
On gengyin, Huang Chao slaughtered every Tang imperial clansman in Chang'an. On xinmao, Chao entered the palace for the first time. On renchen, Chao took the throne in Hanyuan Hall, wore robes of painted black silk, and beat hundreds of war drums in place of ritual music. He mounted Danfeng Tower and proclaimed an amnesty. He named his state Great Qi and adopted the era name Jintong. He read the era name Guangming as stripping Tang's lower element to reveal the Huang house's sun and moon—a sign that the mandate was his. All Tang officials of third rank and above were dismissed; fourth rank and below kept their posts. He made his wife, Lady Cao, empress. Shang Rang became grand marshal and Secretariat director; Zhao Zhang, chief steward; Cui Qiu and Yang Xigu, associate grand councilors; Meng Kai and Gai Hong, vice directors overseeing left and right forces; Fei Chuanggu, military affairs commissioner. Pi Rixiu, doctor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, was appointed Hanlin academician. Qiu was Cui Bin's son, lately dismissed from Zhedong and still in Chang'an; Chao took him for chief minister.
21
諸葛爽以工北行營兵頓櫟陽，黃巢將碭山朱溫屯東渭橋，巢使溫誘說之，爽遂降於巢。 溫少孤貧，與兄昱、存隨母王氏依蕭縣劉崇家，崇數笞辱之，崇母獨憐之，戒家人曰：「朱三非常人也，汝曹善遇之。」 巢以諸葛爽為河陽節度使，爽赴鎮，羅元杲發兵拒之，士卒皆棄甲迎爽，元杲逃奔行在。
Zhuge Shuang camped at Liyang with the northern campaign army. Chao's general Zhu Wen of Dangshan held Dongwei Bridge and persuaded him to surrender. Wen was orphaned and poor. With brothers Yu and Cun he lived with his mother at Liu Chong's house in Xiao County. Chong often beat him, but Chong's mother pitied him and warned the family: "Zhu the Third is no ordinary man—treat him kindly." Chao made Shuang Heyang commissioner. When Shuang marched to his post, Luo Yuangao resisted, but the troops cast off armor to welcome Shuang and Yuangao fled to the emperor's camp.
22
鄭畋還鳳翔，召將佐議拒賊，皆曰：「賊勢方熾，且宜從容以俟兵集，乃圖收復。」 畋曰：「諸君勸畋臣賊乎！」 因悶絕仆地，甃傷其面，自午到明旦，尚未能言。 會巢使者以赦書至，監軍彭敬柔與將佐序立宣示，代畋草表署名以謝巢。 監軍與巢使者宴，樂奏，將佐以下皆哭。 使者怪之，幕客孫儲曰：「以相公風痺不能來，故悲耳。」 民間聞者無不泣。 畋聞之曰：「吾固知人心尚未厭唐，賊授首無日矣！」 乃刺指血為表，遣所親間道詣行在，召將佐諭以逆順，皆聽命，復刺血與盟，然後完城塹，繕器械，訓士卒，密約鄰道合兵討賊，鄰道皆許諾發兵，會於鳳翔。 時禁軍分鎮關中兵尚數萬，聞天子幸蜀，無所歸，畋使人招之，皆往從畋，畋分財以結其心，軍勢大振。
Zheng Tian returned to Fengxiang and asked his officers about resisting the rebels. All said the rebels were at their peak and they should wait for troops to gather before planning recovery." Tian cried, "Are you urging me to serve the rebels!" He fainted and struck his face on the bricks. From noon until dawn he could not speak. Chao's envoy arrived with the amnesty. Supervisor Peng Jingrou and the officers read it aloud and, for Tian, drafted a thank-you memorial to Chao. The supervisor feasted the envoy. When music played, every officer wept. The envoy was puzzled. Staff member Sun Chu said, "They grieve because the chief minister's paralysis keeps him away." Every commoner who heard wept. Tian heard and said, "I knew hearts had not yet forsaken Tang. The rebels' end is near!" He wrote a blood memorial and sent a trusted man by secret route to the emperor. He rallied his officers on loyalty and treason, sealed the pact in blood, repaired defenses, trained troops, and secretly enlisted neighboring circuits to join at Fengxiang—all promised troops. Tens of thousands of palace troops still garrisoned Guanzhong. Hearing the emperor had fled to Shu, they had nowhere to go; Tian recruited them all, paid them generously, and his army swelled.
23
丁酉，車駕至興元，詔諸道各出全軍收復京師。
On dingyou the court reached Xingyuan and ordered every circuit to march its full strength to recover the capital.
24
己亥，黃巢下令，百官詣趙璋第投名銜者，復其官。 豆盧瑑、崔沆及左僕射-{于}-琮、右僕射劉鄴、太子少師裴諗、御史中丞趙水蒙、刑部侍郎李溥、京兆尹李湯扈從不及，匿民間，巢搜獲，皆殺之。 廣德公主曰：「我唐室之女，誓與於僕射俱死！」 執賊刃不置，賊並殺之。 發盧攜屍，戮之於市。 將作監鄭綦、庫部郎中鄭系義不臣賊，舉家自殺。 左金吾大將軍張直方雖臣於巢，多納亡命，匿公卿於復壁。 巢殺之。
On jihai, Chao ordered that officials who registered at Zhao Zhang's residence would regain their posts. Dou Luquan, Cui Hang, left vice director Yu Cong, right vice director Liu Ye, grand mentor Pei Shen, censor Zhao Shuimeng, vice minister Li Pu, and Jingzhao governor Li Tang could not keep pace, hid among the people, were found by Chao, and all were killed. Princess Guangde declared, "I am Tang's daughter and swear to die with Vice Director Yu!" She seized a rebel blade and would not release it; the rebels killed them both. Lu Xie's corpse was dug up and exposed in the market. Palace construction director Zheng Qi and bureau director Zheng Xi, refusing to serve the rebels, killed their entire families. Left Imperial Guards general Zhang Zhifang had submitted to Chao but sheltered fugitives and hid officials in secret rooms. Chao had him killed.
25
初，樞密使楊復恭薦處士河間張濬，拜太常博士，遷度支員外郎。 黃巢逼潼關，濬避亂商山。 上幸興元，道中無供頓，漢陰令李康以騾負糗糧數百馱獻之，從行軍士始得食。 上問康：「卿為縣令，何能如是？」 對曰：「臣不及此，乃張濬員外教臣。」 上召濬詣行在，拜兵部郎中。
Earlier, military affairs commissioner Yang Fugong had recommended recluse Zhang Jun of Hejian, who became a Court of Imperial Sacrifices doctor and then assistant revenue director. When Chao threatened Tong Pass, Jun fled to Shangshan. On the road to Xingyuan there were no supply stations. Hanyin magistrate Li Kang sent hundreds of mule-loads of grain, and the marching troops ate at last. The emperor asked Kang, "As a county magistrate, how could you manage this?" He answered, "I could not have done it alone—Assistant Director Zhang Jun taught me." The emperor summoned Jun and made him director of the Ministry of War.
26
義武節度使王處存聞長安失守，號哭累日，不俟詔命，舉軍入援，遣二千人間道詣興元衛車駕。
Yiwu commissioner Wang Chucun wailed for days when Chang'an fell. Without waiting for orders he marched to the rescue and sent two thousand men by secret route to guard the emperor at Xingyuan.
27
黃巢遣使調發河中，前後數百人，吏民不勝其苦。 王重榮謂眾曰：「始吾屈節以紓軍腐之患，今調財不已，又將徵兵，吾亡無日矣！ 不如發兵拒之。」 眾皆以為然，乃悉驅巢使者殺之。 巢遣其將朱溫自同州，弟黃鄴自華州，合兵擊河中，重榮與戰，大破之，獲糧仗四十餘船，遣使與王處存結盟，引兵營於渭北。
Chao sent envoys to levy Hezhong again and again—hundreds in all—and officials and commoners were crushed. Wang Chongrong told the troops, "I submitted at first to ease the army's exactions, but levies never stop and they will draft troops again—I am as good as dead! Better to raise troops and resist." All agreed, drove out Chao's envoys, and killed them. Chao sent Zhu Wen from Tongzhou and his brother Huang Ye from Huazhou against Hezhong. Chongrong routed them, took forty-odd boatloads of grain and arms, allied with Wang Chucun, and camped north of the Wei.
28
陳敬瑄聞車駕出幸，遣步騎三千奉迎，表請幸成都。 時從兵浸多，興元儲偫不豐，田令孜亦功上。 上從之。
Hearing the court had fled, Chen Jingxuan sent three thousand troops to welcome it and asked that the emperor come to Chengdu. The retinue kept growing, Xingyuan's stores ran thin, and Tian Lingzi also urged the emperor on. The emperor agreed.
29
僖宗惠聖恭定孝皇帝中之上中和元年（ 辛丑，公元八八一年）
First year of Zhonghe (middle reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang) ( xinchou, 881 CE)
30
春，正月，車駕發興元。 加牛勖同平章事。 陳敬瑄以扈從之人驕縱難制，有內園小兒先至成都，游於行宮，笑曰：「人言西川是蠻，今日觀之，亦不惡！」 敬瑄執而杖殺之，由是眾皆肅然。 敬瑄迎謁於鹿頭關。 辛未，上至綿州，東川節度使楊師立謁見。 壬申，以工部侍郎、判度支蕭遘同平章事。
In spring, the first month, the court left Xingyuan. Niu Xu joined the grand council. Chen Jingxuan found the entourage unruly. A palace pageboy reached Chengdu first, toured the traveling palace, and laughed, "They say western Shu is barbarian land—today it does not look so bad!" Jingxuan seized and flogged him to death, and thereafter all were subdued. Jingxuan welcomed the court at Lutou Pass. On xinwei the emperor reached Mianzhou; Dongchuan commissioner Yang Shili paid homage. On renshen, vice minister of works Xiao Gou, acting revenue director, joined the grand council.
31
鄭畋約前朔方節度使田弘夫、涇原節度使程宗楚同討黃巢。 巢遣其將王暉繼詔召畋，畋斬之，遣其子凝績詣行在，凝績追及上於漢州。
Zheng Tian enlisted former Shuofang commissioner Tian Hongfu and Jingyuan commissioner Cheng Zongchu to attack Huang Chao. Chao sent general Wang Hui with a forged summons. Tian beheaded him and sent his son Ningji to the emperor; Ningji caught up at Hanzhou.
32
丁丑，車駕至成都，館於府捨。
On dingchou the court reached Chengdu and lodged in the prefectural compound.
33
上遣中使趣高駢討黃巢，道路相望，駢終不出兵。 上至蜀，猶冀駢立功，詔駢巡內刺史及諸將有功者，自監察至常侍，聽以墨敕除訖奏聞。
The emperor sent envoys one after another urging Gao Pian to attack Chao, but Pian never marched. Reaching Shu, the emperor still hoped Pian would serve and authorized him to appoint officials from surveillance commissioner through regular attendant by informal edict, reporting afterward.
34
裴澈自賊中奔詣行在。 時百官未集，乏人草制，右拾遺樂朋龜謁田令孜而拜之，由是擢為翰林學士。 張濬先稱亦拜令孜。 令孜嘗召宰相及朝貴飲酒，濬恥於眾中拜令孜，乃先謁令孜，謝酒。 及賓客畢集，令孜言曰：「令孜與張郎中清濁異流，嘗蒙中外，既慮玷辱，何憚改更，今日於隱處謝酒則又不可。」 濬慚懼無所容。
Pei Che escaped the rebels to join the emperor. With officials not yet assembled and no one to draft edicts, remonstrance official Yue Penggui bowed to Tian Lingzi and was made Hanlin academician. Zhang Jun had likewise announced he would bow to Lingzi. Lingzi once summoned ministers and nobles to drink. Jun, ashamed to bow in public, visited Lingzi beforehand to decline. When all had gathered, Lingzi said, "Director Zhang and I move in different worlds. I was once honored at court. If he fears disgrace, why not change openly? Declining wine in private will not do." Jun was mortified and had nowhere to turn.
35
二月，乙卯朔，以太子少師王鐸守司徒兼門下侍郎、同平章事。
In the second month, on the yimao new moon, grand mentor Wang Duo became acting grand marshal, chief steward, and associate grand councilor.
36
丙申，加鄭畋同平章事。
On bingshen, Zheng Tian joined the grand council.
37
加淮南節度使高駢東面都統，加河東節度使鄭從讜兼侍中，依前行營招討使。 代北監軍陳景思帥沙陀酋長李友金及薩葛、安慶、吐谷渾諸部入援京師。 至絳州，將濟河。 絳州刺史瞿稹，亦沙陀也，請景思曰：「賊勢方盛，未可輕進，不若且還代北募兵。」 遂與景思俱還雁門。
Huainan commissioner Gao Pian became eastern overall commander; Hedong commissioner Zheng Congdang was also made chief steward and kept his pacification post. Dai army supervisor Chen Jingsi led Shatuo chief Li Youjin and Sige, Anqing, and Tuyuhun tribes toward the capital. They reached Jiangzhou and prepared to cross the Yellow River. Jiangzhou prefect Qu Zhi, also Shatuo, urged Jingsi, "The rebels are at their peak—do not advance rashly. Better return north of Dai and recruit." They returned to Yanmen together.
38
以樞密使楊復光為京城西南面行營都監。
Military affairs commissioner Yang Fuguang became overall supervisor of the southwestern capital-area campaign.
39
黃巢以朱溫為東南面行營都虞候，將兵攻鄧州。 三月，辛亥，陷之，執刺史趙戎，因戍鄧州以扼荊、襄。 壬子，加陳敬瑄同平章事。 甲寅，敬瑄奏遣左黃頭軍使李鋋將兵擊黃巢。
Chao made Zhu Wen eastern-area army supervisor and sent him against Dengzhou. In the third month, on xinhai, he captured it, seized prefect Zhao Rong, and garrisoned Dengzhou to block Jing and Xiang. On renzi, Chen Jingxuan joined the grand council. On jiayin, Jingxuan proposed sending Li Xian of the Left Yellow-Head Army against Chao.
40
辛酉，以鄭畋為京城四面諸軍行營都統。 賜畋詔：「凡蕃、漢將士赴難有功者，並聽以墨敕除官。」 畋奏以涇原節度使程宗楚為副都統，前朔方節度使唐弘夫為行軍司馬。 黃巢遣其將尚讓、王播帥眾五萬寇鳳翔，畋使弘夫伏兵要害，自以兵數千，多張旗幟，疏陳於高岡。 賊以畋書生，輕之，鼓行而前，無復行伍，伏發，賊大敗於龍尾陂，斬首二萬餘級，伏屍數十里。
On xinyou, Zheng Tian became overall commander of all capital-area armies. The emperor told Tian, "All Han and non-Han troops who serve with merit may be appointed by informal edict." Tian named Jingyuan commissioner Cheng Zongchu deputy commander and former Shuofang commissioner Tang Hongfu campaign marshal. Chao sent Shang Rang and Wang Bo with fifty thousand against Fengxiang. Tian hid Hongfu in ambush and himself deployed several thousand with many banners on the heights. The rebels despised the scholar Tian, marched carelessly, and were ambushed. At Longwei Slope more than twenty thousand were killed; corpses stretched for miles.
41
有書尚書省門為詩以嘲賊者，尚讓怒，應在省官及門卒，悉抉目倒懸之； 大索城中能為詩者，盡殺之； 識字者給賤役。 凡殺三千餘人。
Someone posted a mocking poem on the Personnel Ministry gate. Shang Rang had every official on duty and every gate guard blinded and hung upside down; everyone in the city who could write poetry was hunted down and killed; the literate were given menial labor. More than three thousand died in all.
42
瞿稹，李友金至代州，募兵逾旬，得三萬人，皆北方雜胡，屯於崞西，獷悍暴橫，稹與友金不能制。 友金乃說陳景思曰：「今雖有眾數萬，苟無威望之將以統之，終無成功。 吾兄司徒父子，勇略過人，為眾所服。 驃騎誠奏天子赦其罪，召以為帥，則代北之人一麾響應，狂賊不足平也！」 景思以為然，遣使詣行在言之。 詔如所請。 友金以五百騎繼詔詣達靼迎之，李克用帥靼諸部萬人赴之。
Qu Zhi and Li Youjin raised thirty thousand northern tribesmen west of Guo—fierce and ungovernable. Youjin told Chen Jingsi, "Tens of thousands mean nothing without a commander of prestige. My brother the grand marshal and his son excel in courage and are trusted by all. If you seek an imperial pardon and summon them as commander, all north of Dai will answer, and the rebels will fall!" Jingsi agreed and sent word to the emperor. The court assented. Youjin rode five hundred cavalry to the Tartar lands with the pardon. Li Keyong came with ten thousand tribesmen.
43
群臣追從車駕者稍稍集成都，南北司朝者近二百人。 諸道及四夷貢獻不絕，蜀中府庫充實，與京師無異。 賞賜不乏，士卒欣悅。
Ministers who had followed the court gradually gathered at Chengdu; nearly two hundred northern and southern officials attended. Tributes from circuits and foreign states flowed in; Shu's treasuries were as full as the capital's. Rewards were generous and the troops rejoiced.
44
黃巢得王徽，逼以官，徽陽瘖，不從。 月餘，逃奔河中，遣人間道奉絹表詣行在。 詔以徽為兵部尚書。
Chao seized Wang Hui and pressed office on him. Hui feigned muteness and refused. After a month he fled to Hezhong and sent a secret memorial to the emperor. The court made Hui minister of war.
45
前夏綏節度使諸葛爽復自河陽奉表自歸，即以為河陽節度使。
Former Xia-Sui commissioner Zhuge Shuang submitted again from Heyang and was restored as Heyang commissioner.
46
宥州刺史拓跋思恭，本党項羌也，糾合夷、夏兵會鄜延節度使李孝昌於鄜州，同盟討賊。 奉天鎮使齊克儉遣使詣鄭畋求自效。 甲子，畋傳檄天下籓鎮，合兵討賊。 時天子在蜀，詔令不通，天下謂朝廷不能復振，及得畋檄，爭發兵應之。 賊懼，不敢復窺京西。
Tuoba Sigong, prefect of Youzhou, was a Tangut Qiang by origin. He mustered both tribal and Chinese forces, joined Fuyan military commissioner Li Xiaochang at Fuzhou, and entered an alliance to campaign against the rebels. Qi Kejian, commander of the Fengtian garrison, dispatched an envoy to Zheng Tian offering to serve the cause. On the jiazi day, Zheng Tian issued a call to arms to every regional command, summoning united forces against the rebels. The emperor was then in Shu, and court orders no longer reached the provinces. Many had concluded that the dynasty could not rise again—until Zheng Tian's proclamation arrived and commands across the land scrambled to answer it with troops. The rebels, alarmed, no longer dared probe the approaches to Chang'an from the west.
47
夏，四月，戊寅朔，加王鐸兼侍中。
In the fourth month of summer, on the new moon of wuyin, Wang Duo was additionally appointed Vice Director of the Chancellery.
48
以拓跋思恭權知夏綏節度使。
Tuoba Sigong was appointed acting military commissioner of Xia-Sui.
49
黃巢以其將王玫為邠寧節度使，邠州通塞鎮將朱玫起兵誅之，讓別將李重古為節度使，自將兵討巢，是時，唐弘夫屯渭北，王重榮屯沙苑，王處存屯渭橋，拓跋思恭屯武功，鄭畋屯盩厔。 弘夫乘龍尾之捷，進薄長安。
Huang Chao had appointed his general Wang Mei military commissioner of Binning. Zhu Mei, garrison commander at Tongsa in Bin Prefecture, rose up, killed Wang Mei, installed another officer, Li Chonggu, in the post, and marched against Chao in person. Tang Hongfu was then encamped north of the Wei River, Wang Chongrong at Shayuan, Wang Chucun at Weiqiao, Tuoba Sigong at Wugong, and Zheng Tian at Zhouzhi. Buoyed by his victory at Longwei Slope, Tang Hongfu pressed toward Chang'an.
50
壬午，黃巢帥眾東走，程宗楚先自延秋門入，弘夫繼至，處存帥銳卒五千夜入城。 坊市民喜，爭歡呼出迎官軍，或以瓦礫擊賊，或拾箭以供官軍。 宗楚等恐諸將分其功，不報鳳翔、鄜夏，軍士釋兵入第捨，掠金帛、妓妾。 處存令軍士首系白{須巾}為號，坊市少年或竊其號以掠人。 賊露宿霸上，詗知官軍不整，且諸軍不相繼，引兵還襲之，自諸門分入，大戰長安中，宗楚、弘夫死，軍士重負不能走，是以甚敗，死者什八九。 處存收餘眾還營。 丁亥，巢復入長安，怒民之助官軍，縱兵屠殺，流血成川，謂之洗城。 於是諸軍皆退，賊勢愈熾。 賊所署同州刺史王溥、華州刺史喬謙、商州刺史宋巖聞巢棄長安，皆率眾奔鄧州，朱溫斬溥、謙，釋巖，使還商州。
On renwu, Huang Chao fled east with his army. Cheng Zongchu entered first through Yanqiu Gate; Hongfu arrived next, and Wang Chucun led five thousand elite soldiers into the city under cover of night. People in the wards and markets erupted in joy, rushing out to greet the imperial troops with cheers. Some pelted the rebels with bricks and rubble; others gathered fallen arrows for the soldiers. Fearful that other commanders might claim a share of the glory, Zongchu and his allies failed to notify the Fengxiang and Fuxia forces. Their troops threw aside their arms, stormed private homes, and looted gold, silk, and concubines. Wang Chucun had his men wear white headcloths as identification, but street youths sometimes copied the badge to rob civilians. The rebels had camped in the open at Bashang. Learning that the imperial forces were disorganized and that no units were backing one another up, they wheeled about, re-entered the city through multiple gates, and fought through Chang'an. Zongchu and Hongfu were killed; soldiers weighed down with loot could not escape. The rout was catastrophic—eight or nine soldiers in ten perished. Wang Chucun rallied what was left of his force and withdrew to camp. On dinghai, Chao reoccupied Chang'an. Furious that the populace had aided the imperial army, he unleashed a wholesale massacre. Blood ran in streams—a slaughter remembered as "washing the city." All imperial forces fell back, and rebel strength surged anew. Wang Pu of Tongzhou, Qiao Qian of Huazhou, and Song Yan of Shangzhou—all Huang Chao's appointees—heard that he had abandoned Chang'an and fled with their troops toward Dengzhou. Zhu Wen executed Pu and Qian, spared Yan, and sent him back to Shangzhou.
51
庚寅，拓跋思恭、李孝昌與賊戰於王橋，不利。
On gengyin, Tuoba Sigong and Li Xiaochang met the rebels at Wangqiao and were defeated.
52
詔以河中留後王重榮為節度使。
Wang Chongrong, deputy military governor of Hezhong, was formally appointed military commissioner of the circuit.
53
賊眾上黃巢尊號曰承天應運啟聖睿文宣武皇帝。
The rebel host enthroned Huang Chao under the grand title "Emperor Who Receives Heaven, Aligns with Destiny, Opens the Sage Age, and Embodies Sagely Letters and Martial Valor."
54
有雙雉集廣陵府捨，占者以為野鳥來集，城邑將空之兆，高駢惡之，乃移檄四方，雲將入討黃巢，悉發巡內兵八萬，舟二千艘，旌旗甲兵甚盛。 五月，己未，出屯東塘。 諸將數請行期，駢托風濤為阻，或雲時日不利，竟不發。
Two pheasants settled on the Guangling prefectural headquarters. Augurs read this as the classic omen of wild birds foretelling a deserted city—a sign Gao Piao found ominous. He issued proclamations in every direction announcing a campaign against Huang Chao, mobilizing eighty thousand circuit troops and two thousand ships in a show of banners, armor, and arms. On jiwei in the fifth month, he marched out and encamped at Dongtang. His subordinates pressed repeatedly for a departure date. Piao cited stormy seas, then inauspicious astrological timing—and never sailed.
55
李克用牒河東，稱奉詔將兵五萬討黃巢，令具頓遞，鄭從讜閉城以備之。 克用屯於汾東，從讜犒勞，給其資糧，累日不發。 克用自至城下大呼，求與從讜相見，從讜登城謝之。 癸亥，復求發軍賞給，從讜以錢千緡、米千斛遺之。 甲子，克用縱沙陀剽掠居民，城中大駭。 從讜求救於振武節度使契苾璋，璋引突厥、吐谷渾救之，破沙陀兩寨，克用追戰至晉陽城南，璋引兵入城，沙陀掠陽曲、榆次而歸。
Li Keyong notified Hedong that he was marching fifty thousand men against Huang Chao by imperial order and demanded relay supplies. Zheng Congyan shut Taiyuan's gates against him. Keyong camped east of the Fen. Congyan feasted his army and sent provisions—but kept them idle for days. Keyong rode to the foot of the walls and shouted for a meeting. Congyan appeared atop the battlements and apologized. On guihai he demanded marching pay. Congyan sent a thousand strings of cash and a thousand bushels of grain. On jiazi, Keyong's Shatuo troops looted the city, spreading panic. Congyan appealed to Zhenwu commissioner Qibi Zhang, who marched in with Turk and Tuyuhun auxiliaries, smashed two Shatuo camps, and fought Keyong to the southern walls of Jinyang before retreating into the city. Keyong's men looted Yangqu and Yuci on their way out.
56
黃巢之克長安也，忠武節度使周岌降之。 岌嘗夜宴，急召監軍楊復光，左右曰：「周公臣賊，將不利於內侍，不可往。」 復光曰：「事已如此，義不圖全。」 即詣之。 酒酣，岌言及本朝，復光泣下，良久，曰：「丈夫所感者，恩義耳！ 公自匹夫為公侯，奈何捨十八葉天子而臣賊乎！」 岌亦流涕曰：「吾不能獨拒賊，故貌奉而心圖之。 今日召公，正為此耳。」 因瀝酒為盟。 是夕，復光遣其養子守亮殺賊使者於驛。
When Huang Chao took Chang'an, Zhongwu military commissioner Zhou Ji surrendered to him. One night at a feast Ji urgently summoned army supervisor Yang Fuguang. His attendants warned, "Lord Zhou has submitted to the rebels—he may mean you harm. Do not go." Fuguang replied, "Matters have reached this pass. Honor leaves no room for self-preservation." He went at once. As the wine flowed, Ji spoke of loyalty to the dynasty. Fuguang wept. At length he said, "What moves a true man is gratitude and obligation! You rose from common birth to noble rank—how can you abandon an emperor of eighteen generations to serve rebels!" Zhou Ji wept as well. "I could not stand alone against the rebels, so I bowed outwardly while plotting in secret. I summoned you tonight for exactly this purpose." They sealed the pact with wine. That night Fuguang's adopted son Shouliang murdered the rebel envoy at the relay station.
57
時秦宗權據蔡州，不從岌命，復光將忠武兵三千詣蔡州，說宗權同舉兵討巢。 宗權遣其將王淑將兵三千從復光擊鄧州，逗留不進，復光斬之，並其軍，分忠武八千人為八都，遣牙將鹿晏弘、晉暉、王建、韓建、張造、李師泰、龐從等八人將之。 王建，舞陽人； 韓建，長社人； 晏弘、暉、造、師泰，皆許州人也。 復光帥八都與朱溫戰，敗之，遂克鄧州，逐北至藍橋而還。
Qin Zongquan held Cai Prefecture and ignored Zhou Ji's orders. Fuguang marched three thousand Zhongwu troops there to enlist him in the campaign against Chao. Zongquan sent Wang Shu with three thousand men to join Fuguang against Dengzhou. Shu stalled. Fuguang executed him, absorbed his force, split eight thousand Zhongwu soldiers into eight battalions, and assigned Lu Yanhong, Jin Hui, Wang Jian, Han Jian, Zhang Zao, Li Shitai, Pang Cong, and four other adjutants to lead them. Wang Jian was from Wuyang; Han Jian was from Changshe; Lu Yanhong, Jin Hui, Zhang Zao, and Li Shitai were all from Xuzhou. Fuguang led the eight battalions against Zhu Wen, routed him, took Dengzhou, chased the enemy north to Lanqiao, and withdrew.
58
昭義節度使高潯會王重榮攻華州，克之。 六月，戊戌，以鄭畋為司空兼門下侍郎、同平章事，都統如故。
Zhaoyi commissioner Gao Xun joined Wang Chongrong in an assault on Huazhou and captured the city. On wuxu in the sixth month, Zheng Tian was appointed Grand Minister of Works, Vice Director of the Chancellery, and Grand Councilor, while retaining his post as supreme commander.
59
李克用遇大雨，己亥，引兵北還，陷忻、代二州，因留居代州。 鄭從讜遣教練使論安等軍百井以備之。 邠寧節度副使朱玫屯興平，黃巢將王播圍興平，玫退屯奉天及龍尾陂。
Li Keyong was caught in heavy rains. On jihai he marched north, seized Xin and Dai prefectures, and settled at Dai. Zheng Congyan dispatched drill instructor Lun An with troops to Baijing to block Keyong's advance. Binning deputy commissioner Zhu Mei was encamped at Xingping when Huang Chao's general Wang Bo besieged the city. Zhu Mei withdrew to Fengtian and Longwei Slope.
60
西川黃頭軍使李鋌將萬人，鞏鹹將五千人屯興平，為二寨，與黃巢戰，屢捷。 陳敬瑄遣神機營使高仁厚將二千人益之。
Li Chen of the Xichuan Yellow-Head Army commanded ten thousand men; Gong Xian led five thousand. They established two camps at Xingping, clashed with Huang Chao's forces, and won victory after victory. Chen Jingxuan sent Shenji Camp commander Gao Renhou with two thousand reinforcements.
61
秋，七月，丁巳，改元，赦天下。
In the seventh month of autumn, on dingsi, the dynasty changed the reign title and granted a general amnesty.
62
庚申，以翰林學士承旨、兵部侍郎韋昭度同平章事。
On gengshen, Hanlin Academician-in-Chief and Minister of War Wei Zhaodu was appointed Grand Councilor.
63
論安自百井擅還，鄭從讜不解靴衫斬之，滅其族。 更遣都頭溫漢臣將兵屯百井。 契苾璋引兵還振武。
Lun An withdrew from Baijing without authorization. Zheng Congyan executed him on the spot—boots and official robes still on—and wiped out his entire family. He replaced Lun An with commandant Wen Hanchen, stationed at Baijing. Qibi Zhang withdrew his forces to Zhenwu.
64
初，車駕至成都，蜀軍賞錢人三緡。 田令孜為行在都指揮處置使，每四方貢金帛，輒頒賜從駕諸軍無虛月，不復及蜀軍，蜀軍頗有怨言。 丙寅，令孜宴土客都頭，以金盃行酒，因賜之，諸都頭皆拜而受，西川黃頭軍使郭琪獨不受，起言曰：「諸將月受俸料，豐贍有餘，常思難報，豈敢無厭！ 顧蜀軍與諸軍同宿衛，而賞賚懸殊，頗有觖望，恐萬一致變。 願軍容減諸將之賜以均蜀軍，使土客如一，則上下幸甚！」 令孜默然有間，曰：「汝嘗有何功？」 對曰：「琪生長山東，征戍邊鄙，嘗與党項十七戰，契丹十餘戰，金創滿身。 又嘗征吐谷渾，傷脅腸出，線縫復戰。」 令孜乃自酌酒於別樽以賜琪。 琪知其毒，不得已，再拜飲之。 歸，殺一婢，吮其血以解毒，吐黑汁數升，遂帥所部作亂，丁卯，焚掠坊市。 令孜奉天子保東城，閉門登樓，命諸軍擊之。 琪引兵還營，陳敬瑄命都押牙安金山將兵攻之，琪夜突圍出，奔廣都，從兵皆潰，獨廳吏一人從，息於江岸。 琪謂廳吏曰：「陳公知吾無罪，然軍府掠擾，不可以莫之安也。 汝事吾能始終，今有以報汝。 汝繼吾印劍詣陳公曰：『郭琪走渡江，我以劍擊之，墜水，屍隨湍流下矣。 得其印劍以獻。」 陳公必據汝所言，榜懸印劍於市以安眾。 汝當獲厚賞，吾家亦保無恙。 吾自此適廣陵，歸高公，後數日，汝可密以語吾家也。」 遂解印劍授之而逸。 廳吏以獻敬瑄，果免琪家。
When the court first reached Chengdu, each local Sichuan soldier received three strings of cash as a reward. Tian Lingzi, chief commander of the refugee court, distributed tribute gold and silk monthly to every unit that had followed the emperor—but never to the Sichuan garrison. Resentment festered among the local troops. On bingyin Tian Lingzi banqueted the local and visiting commandants, passing wine in golden cups and presenting the cups as gifts. Every commandant bowed and accepted—except Guo Qi of the Yellow-Head Army. He stood and declined: "We already receive generous monthly pay and rations. We can scarcely repay such favor—how could we be greedy for more! Yet our Sichuan troops stand the same guard duty as the rest, while rewards are wildly unequal. Resentment runs deep—I fear it may spark rebellion. If Your Lordship would trim the other commanders' bonuses to level the field with us, so local and visiting troops were treated alike, the whole camp would be grateful!" Tian Lingzi fell silent. At last he asked, "What deeds have you ever performed?" Guo Qi answered, "I grew up in the east, soldiering on the frontier. I have fought the Tangut seventeen times and the Khitan more than ten. My body is a map of scars. Once against the Tuyuhun, a wound tore open my side and spilled my intestines. I was sewn up and went back to the fight." Tian Lingzi poured wine into a separate cup and offered it to Guo Qi. Guo Qi knew it was poisoned. He had no choice but to bow twice and drink. Back at camp he killed a servant girl and drank her blood to draw out the toxin, vomiting gallons of black bile. He then led his troops in revolt. On dingmao they torched and looted the city wards. Tian Lingzi hurried the emperor into the eastern city, barred the gates, mounted the watchtower, and ordered all units to strike. Guo Qi withdrew to camp. Chen Jingxuan sent chief adjutant An Jinshan after him. Guo Qi broke out by night, fled to Guangdu, and lost his army—all but one clerk who stayed with him. They rested on the riverbank. Guo Qi told the clerk, "Lord Chen knows I am guiltless, but the commandery is in uproar. Order cannot be restored without a reckoning. You have stood by me to the end. Now I can repay you. Take my seal and sword to Lord Chen and tell him: 'Guo Qi fled across the river. I struck him with my sword. He fell into the water and his body was swept downstream. Bring his seal and sword as proof." Chen will take you at your word, post the seal and sword in the marketplace, and calm the city." "You will win a rich reward, and my family will be spared." "I will make for Guangling and seek shelter with Lord Gao. In a few days, send word privately to my family." He handed over seal and sword and disappeared. The clerk did as instructed. Guo Qi's family was spared.
65
上日夕專與宦官同處，議天下事，待外臣殊疏薄。 庚午，左拾遺孟昭圖上疏，以為：「治安之代，遐邇猶應同心； 多難之時，中外尤當一體。 去冬車駕西幸，不告南司，遂使宰相、僕射以下悉為賊所屠，獨北司平善。 況今朝臣至者，皆冒死崎嶇，遠奉君親，所宜自茲同休等戚。 伏見前夕黃頭軍作亂，陛下獨與令孜、敬瑄及諸內臣閉城登樓，並不召王鐸已下及收朝臣入城。 翌日，又不對宰相，亦不宣慰朝臣。 臣備位諫官，至今未知聖躬安否，況疏冗乎！ 儻群臣不顧君上，罪固當誅； 若陛下不恤群臣，於義安在！ 夫天下者，高祖、太宗之天下，非北司之天下； 天子者，四海九州之天子，非北司之天子。 北司未必盡可信，南司未必盡無用。 豈天子與宰相了無關涉，朝臣皆若路人！ 如此，恐收復之期，尚勞宸慮，尸祿之士，得以宴安。 臣躬被寵榮，職在裨益，雖遂事不諫，而來者可追。」 疏入，令孜屏不奏。 辛未，矯詔貶昭圖嘉州司戶，遣人沉於蟆頤津，聞者氣塞而莫敢言。
Day and night the emperor kept company only with eunuchs, deliberating on state affairs; he treated the outer court with open disdain. On gengwu, Left Remonstrator Meng Zhaotu memorialized the throne: "Even in peaceful times, court and provinces must stand as one. In crisis, that unity is all the more essential between palace and bureaucracy. Last winter, when the court fled west, the southern offices—that is, the civil bureaucracy—were never warned. Grand councilors, vice directors, and their colleagues were butchered by the rebels, while the northern offices—the eunuch establishment—emerged unscathed. Those civil officials who have now rejoined the court risked death on hazardous roads to reach their sovereign. Henceforth they deserve to share the dynasty's fortunes and sorrows as equals. When the Yellow-Head Army mutinied the night before last, Your Majesty sealed the eastern quarter with Tian Lingzi, Chen Jingxuan, and the inner eunuchs alone atop the wall. Wang Duo and the other ministers were neither summoned nor admitted into the refuge. The next day brought no audience for the grand councilors, no words of reassurance for the court. I hold the rank of remonstrator, yet still do not know whether Your Majesty is safe—what of the humble officials far below me? If ministers neglect their sovereign, they deserve punishment— but if Your Majesty shows no concern for your ministers, where does duty lie? The realm belongs to Gaozu and Taizong—not to the northern offices. The Son of Heaven reigns over the four seas and nine provinces—not over the eunuch establishment alone. The eunuchs are not invariably trustworthy; the civil officials are not invariably useless. Can the emperor and his grand councilors have no connection at all, with court officials treated like strangers in the street? At this rate, restoring the dynasty will remain an exhausting burden on Your Majesty, while salary-drawers who do no work will live in comfort. I have received imperial favor; my office is to advise. Past errors cannot be undone—but the future can still be set right." Tian Lingzi intercepted the memorial and never forwarded it to the emperor. On xinwei a forged edict demoted Meng Zhaotu to registrar of Jiazhou and ordered men to drown him at Ma'yi Ford. All who heard it were suffocated with outrage—and none dared speak.
66
鄜延節度使李孝昌、權夏州節度使拓跋思恭屯東渭橋，黃巢遣朱溫拒之。 以義武節度使王處存為東南面行營招討使，以邠寧節度副使朱玫為節度使。
Fuyan commissioner Li Xiaochang and acting Xia commissioner Tuoba Sigong encamped at the Eastern Wei Bridge. Huang Chao sent Zhu Wen to oppose them. Wang Chucun, Yiwu military commissioner, was appointed commander of the southeastern campaign headquarters; Binning deputy commissioner Zhu Mei was promoted to full military commissioner.
67
八月，己丑夜，星交流如織，或大如杯，至丁酉乃止。
In the eighth month, on the night of jichou, stars crossed like woven threads, some as large as cups, until dingyou, when the spectacle ended.
68
武寧節度使支詳遣牙將時溥、陳璠將兵五千入關，討黃巢，二人皆詳所獎拔也。 溥至東都，矯稱詳命，召師還與璠合兵，屠河陰，掠鄭州而東。 及彭城，詳迎勞，犒賞甚厚。 溥遣所親說詳曰：「眾心見迫，請公解印以相授。」 詳不能制，出居大彭館，溥自知留務。 璠謂溥曰：「支僕射有惠於徐人，不殺，必成後悔。」 溥不許，送詳歸朝。 璠伏甲於七里亭，並其家屬殺之。 詔以溥為武寧留後。 溥表璠為宿州刺史，璠到官貪虐，溥以都張友代還，殺之。
Wuning commissioner Zhi Xiang sent adjutants Shi Pu and Chen Fan with five thousand men through the pass against Huang Chao; both were men he had raised. At the eastern capital, Pu forged orders in Xiang's name, recalled the army, joined Fan, sacked Heyin, plundered Zhengzhou, and marched east. At Pengcheng, Xiang welcomed them with lavish rewards. Pu sent a confidant to tell Xiang, "The men demand it—please surrender your seal." Powerless to resist, Xiang moved to the Da Peng Inn while Pu seized control. Fan told Pu, "Vice Director Zhi has done good for Xu. Leave him alive and we'll regret it." Pu refused and sent Xiang to the capital. Fan ambushed Xiang at Qili Pavilion and killed him and his household. The court made Pu acting Wuning commissioner. Pu got Fan appointed Suzhou prefect, but Fan proved greedy and cruel. Pu sent commander Zhang You to replace him—and had Fan killed.
69
楊復光奏升蔡州為奉國軍，以秦宗權為防禦使。 壽州屠者王緒與妹夫劉行全聚眾五百，盜據本州，月餘，復陷光州，自稱將軍，有眾萬餘人。 秦宗權表為光州刺史。 固始縣佐王潮及弟審邽、審知皆以材氣知名，緒以潮為軍正，使典盜糧，閱士卒，信用之。
Fuguang had Caizhou elevated to the Fengguo Army and Qin Zongquan made its defense commissioner. Shouzhou butcher Wang Xu and his brother-in-law Liu Xingquan raised five hundred men, seized their home prefecture, and a month later took Guangzhou as well, proclaiming himself a general at the head of ten thousand. Zongquan had him appointed Guangzhou prefect. Gushi assistant Wang Chao and his brothers Shen Gui and Shen Zhi were known for ability and spirit. Xu made Chao army rectifier, put him in charge of loot and troop inspection, and trusted him completely.
70
高潯與黃巢將李詳戰於石橋，潯敗，奔河中，詳乘勝復取華州。 巢以詳為華州刺史。
Gao Xun fought Li Xiang at Shiqiao, was beaten, and fled to Hezhong. Xiang pressed his advantage and retook Hua Prefecture. Chao appointed Xiang Hua prefect.
71
以權知夏綏節度使拓跋思恭為節度使。
Tuoba Sigi was confirmed as Xia-Sui commissioner, ending his acting appointment.
72
宗正少卿嗣曹王龜年自南詔還，驃信上表款附，請悉遵詔旨。
Prince of Cao line Gui Nian returned from Nanzhao. The Nanzhao ruler submitted a loyal memorial pledging full compliance with imperial orders.
73
九月，李孝昌、拓跋思恭與尚讓、朱溫戰於東渭橋，不利，引去。
In the ninth month, Xiaochang and Sigi fought Shang Rang and Zhu Wen at East Wei Bridge, lost, and withdrew.
74
初，高駢與鎮海節度使周寶俱出神策軍，駢以兄事寶。 及駢先貴有功，浸輕之。 既而封壤相鄰，數爭細故，遂有隙。 駢檄寶入援京師，寶治舟師以俟之，怪其久不行。 訪諸幕客，或曰：「高公幸朝廷多故，有併吞江東之志，聲雲入援，其實未必非圖我也！ 宜為備。」 寶未之信，使人覘駢，殊無北上意。 會駢使人約寶面會瓜洲議軍事，寶遂以言者為然，辭疾不往。 且謂使者曰：「吾非李康，高公復欲作家門功勳以欺朝廷邪？」 駢怒，復遣使責寶，「何敢輕侮大臣？」 寶詬之曰：「彼此夾江為節度使，汝為大臣，我豈坊門卒邪！」 由是遂為深仇。
Gao Pian and Zhenhai commissioner Zhou Bao had both served in the Shence Army; Pian treated Bao like an older brother. Once Pian rose first to power and glory, he began to look down on Bao. Their territories bordered one another; petty disputes bred a breach between them. Pian called on Bao to march north and relieve the capital. Bao readied a fleet and waited—but wondered why Pian never came. His staff warned him, "Gao Pian exploits the chaos to aim at Jiangdong. He talks of relieving the capital—but he may be aiming at you. You should prepare." Bao did not believe it. Spies reported no sign Pian meant to march north. When Pian invited Bao to meet at Guazhou, Bao took the warning to heart, pleaded illness, and stayed away. He told the envoys, "I'm no Li Kang. Does Gao plan another family triumph to fool the court?" Pian sent envoys to rebuke him: "How dare you insult a grand minister?" Bao shot back, "We're equals across the river—commissioners both. Am I some gate guard for you to bully?" From then on they were mortal enemies.
75
駢留東塘百餘日，詔屢趣之，駢上表，托以寶及浙東觀察使劉漢寵將為後患，辛亥，復罷兵還府，其實無赴難心，但欲禳雉集之異耳。
Pian lingered at Dongtang for over a hundred days despite repeated imperial orders. He cited Bao and Zhedong governor Liu Hanchong as future threats. On xinhai he disbanded and went home—he never meant to save the capital, only to avert the omen of pheasants gathering.
76
高駢召石鏡鎮將董昌至廣陵，欲與之俱擊黃巢。 昌將錢鏐說昌曰：「觀高公無討賊心，不若以扞御鄉里為辭而去之。」 昌從之，駢聽昌還。 會杭州刺史路審中將之官，行至嘉興，昌自石鏡引兵入杭州，審中懼而還。 昌自稱杭州都押牙、知州事，遣將吏請於周寶。 寶不能制，表為杭州刺史。
Pian summoned Shijing commander Dong Chang to Guangling to join him against Huang Chao. Qian Liu told Chang, "Gao Pian has no heart for fighting rebels. Plead hometown defense and leave." Chang took his advice; Pian let him go. Hangzhou prefect Lu Shenzhong was en route to office when Chang marched from Shijing into the city at Jiaxing. Shenzhong fled. Chang declared himself Hangzhou's chief administrator and acting prefect and asked Zhou Bao for recognition. Bao could not stop him and had him appointed Hangzhou prefect.
77
臨海賊杜雄陷台州。
Linhai bandit Du Xiong took Taizhou.
78
辛酉，立皇子震為建王。
On xinyou, Prince Zhen was created Prince of Jian.
79
昭義十將成麟殺高潯，引兵還據潞州。 天井關戍將孟方立起兵攻麟，殺之。 方立，刑州人也。
Zhao-Yi general Cheng Lin killed Gao Xun, marched back, and held Lu Prefecture. Tianjing Pass garrison commander Meng Fangli rose against Cheng Lin and killed him. Fangli was from Xing Prefecture.
80
忠武監軍楊復光屯武功。
Zhongwu supervisor Yang Fuguang camped at Wugong.
81
永嘉賊朱褒陷溫州。
Yongjia bandit Zhu Bao took Wenzhou.
82
鳳翔行軍司馬李昌言將本軍屯興平。 時鳳翔倉庫虛竭，犒賞稍薄，糧饋不繼。 昌言知府中兵少，因激怒其眾。 冬，十月，引軍還襲府城。 鄭畋登城與士卒言，其眾皆下馬羅拜曰：「相公誠無負我曹。」 畋曰：「行軍苟能戢兵愛人，為國滅賊，亦可以順守矣。」 乃以留務委之。 即日西赴行在。
Fengxiang campaign marshal Li Changyan encamped at Xingping with the main army. Fengxiang's stores were empty, rewards thin, and grain supplies failing. Knowing the capital garrison was weak, Changyan stirred his troops to mutiny. That winter, in the tenth month, he marched back and seized the prefectural seat. Zheng Tian mounted the wall to address them. They dismounted and bowed: "Chancellor, you've never wronged us." Tian said, "If the marshal keeps order, cares for the people, and destroys the rebels for the state, he may hold command lawfully." He entrusted remaining affairs to Changyan. That day he went west to the emperor's camp.
83
天平節度使、南面招討使曹全晸與賊戰死，軍中立其兄子存實為留後。
Tianping commissioner and southern campaign commander Cao Quanzhen was killed fighting rebels; the army made his nephew Cunshi acting commissioner.
84
十一月，乙巳，孟楷、朱溫襲鄜、夏二軍於富平，二軍敗，奔歸本道。
In the eleventh month, on yisi, Meng Kai and Zhu Wen routed the Fu and Xia armies at Fuping; both fled home.
85
鄭畋至鳳州，累表辭位。 詔以畋為太子少傅、分司，以李昌言為鳳翔節度行營招討使。
At Feng Prefecture, Zheng Tian repeatedly asked to resign. Tian was made Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent in a nominal post; Li Changyan became Fengxiang campaign commander.
86
以門下侍郎、同平章事裴澈為鄂岳觀察使。
Vice director and councilor Pei Che was made E-Yue governor.
87
加鎮海節度使周寶同平章事。 遂昌賊盧約陷處州。
Zhenhai commissioner Zhou Bao joined the grand council. Suichang bandit Lu Yue took Chuzhou.
88
十二月，江西將閔勖戍湖南，還，過潭州，逐觀察使李裕，自為留後。
In the twelfth month, Hunan garrison general Min Xu of Jiangxi passed through Tanzhou, expelled governor Li Yu, and made himself acting commissioner.
89
以感化留後時溥為節度使。
Acting Ganhu commissioner Shi Pu was confirmed in office.
90
賜夏州號定難軍。
Xia Prefecture was renamed the Dingnan Army.
91
初，高駢鎮荊南，補武陵蠻雷滿為牙將，領蠻軍，從駢至淮南，逃歸，聚眾千人，襲朗州，殺刺史崔翥，詔以滿為朗州留後。 歲中，率三四引兵寇荊南，入其郛，焚掠而去，大為荊人之患。 陬溪人周岳嘗與滿獵，爭肉而鬥，欲殺滿，不果。 聞滿據朗州，亦聚眾襲衡州，逐刺史徐顥。 詔以岳為衡州刺史。 石門洞蠻向環亦集夷獠數千攻陷澧州，殺刺史呂自牧，自稱刺史。
When Gao Pian governed Jingnan, he made Wuling tribesman Lei Man an adjutant commanding tribal forces. Man followed Pian to Huainan, then fled home, raised a thousand men, seized Lang Prefecture, killed prefect Cui Zhu, and was recognized as acting prefect. That year he raided Jingnan three or four times, burning and looting within the walls—a plague on the region. Zhou Yue of Zouxi had hunted with Man, fought over the kill, and tried to murder him without success. Learning Man held Langzhou, Yue raised troops, seized Heng Prefecture, and expelled prefect Xu Hao. Yue was appointed Heng prefect. Shimen Cave tribesman Xiang Huan rallied thousands of tribal warriors, took Li Prefecture, killed prefect Lü Zimu, and declared himself prefect.
92
王鐸以高駢為諸道都統無心討賊，自以身為首相，發憤請行，懇款流涕，至於再三。 上許之。
Convinced Gao Pian would never fight, chief minister Wang Duo begged repeatedly to take the field himself—earnest, weeping, and insistent. The emperor agreed.
93
僖宗惠聖恭定孝皇帝中之上中和二年（ 壬寅，公元八八二年）
Second year of Zhonghe (middle reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang) ( renyin, 882 CE)
94
春，正月，辛亥，以王鐸兼中書令，充諸道行營都都統，權知義成節度使，俟罷兵復還政府。 高駢但領鹽鐵轉運使，罷其都統及諸使。 聽王鐸自辟將佐，以太子少師崔安潛為副都統。 辛未，以周岌、王重榮為都都統左右司馬，諸葛爽及宣武節度使康實為左右先鋒使，時溥為催遣綱運租賦防遏使，以右神策觀軍容使西門思恭為諸道行營都都監。 又以王處存、李孝昌、拓跋思恭為京城東北西面都統，以楊復光為南面行營都監使。 又以中書舍人鄭昌圖為義成節度行軍司馬，給事中鄭畯為判官，直弘文館王摶為推官，司勳員外郎裴贄為掌書記。 昌圖，從讜之從祖兄弟； 畯，畋之弟； 摶，璵之曾孫； 贄，坦之子也。 又以陝虢觀察使王重盈為東面都供軍使。 重盈，重榮之兄也。
In spring, on xinhai, Wang Duo became Secretariat Director and overall campaign commander with acting Yicheng commission—a temporary leave from court until the war ended. Pian kept only the salt and iron transport post; his supreme command and other titles were stripped. Duo could choose his own staff; heir-apparent mentor Cui Anqian became deputy commander. On xinwei, Zhou Ji and Wang Chongrong became left and right marshals; Zhuge Shuang and Xuanwu commissioner Kang Shi became vanguard commanders; Shi Pu oversaw grain, taxes, and supply lines; and Right Shence observer Ximen Sijing became overall campaign supervisor. Chucun, Xiaochang, and Sigi took the capital's northeast and west; Fuguang supervised the southern camp. Secretariat drafter Zheng Changtu became Yicheng campaign marshal; censor Zheng Jun became aide; Hongwen scholar Wang Tuan became investigator; and personnel secretary Pei Zhi became chief clerk. Changtu was a cousin of Congdan. Jun was Tian's brother. Tuan was Yu's great-grandson. Zhi was Tan's son. Shan-Guo governor Wang Chongying became eastern supply commissioner. Chongying was Chongrong's brother.
95
黃巢以朱溫為同州刺史，令溫自取之。 二月，同州刺史米誠奔河中，溫遂據之。
Chao made Zhu Wen Tong prefect and told him to take the post himself. In the second month, Tong prefect Mi Cheng fled to Hezhong; Wen seized the prefecture.
96
己卯，以太子少傅、分司鄭畋為司空兼門下侍郎、同平章事，召詣行在，軍務一以咨之。 以王鐸兼判戶部事。
On jimao, nominal heir-apparent mentor Zheng Tian became Minister of Works, vice director, and councilor, summoned to the emperor's camp with full authority over military affairs. Wang Duo also took charge of revenue affairs.
97
朱溫寇河中，王重榮擊敗之。
Zhu Wen raided Hezhong; Wang Chongrong beat him back.
98
以李昌言為京城西面都統，朱玫為河南都統。
Li Changyan took the capital's west; Zhu Mei took Henan.
99
涇原節度使胡公素薨，軍中請命於都統王鐸，承製以大將張鈞為留後。
Jingyuan commissioner Hu Gongsu died. The army appealed to overall commander Wang Duo, who provisionally named senior general Zhang Jun acting commissioner.
100
李克用寇蔚州。 三月，振武節度使契苾璋奏與天德、大同共討克用。 詔鄭從讜與相知應接。
Li Keyong raided You Prefecture. In the third month, Zhenwu commissioner Qibi Zhang reported a joint campaign with Tiande and Datong against Li Keyong. The court ordered Zheng Congdan to coordinate mutual support.
101
陳敬瑄多遣人歷縣鎮詗事，謂之尋事人，所至多所求取。 有二人過資陽鎮，獨無所求。 鎮將謝弘讓邀之，不至。 自疑有罪，夜，亡入群盜中。 明旦，二人去，弘讓實無罪也。 捕盜使楊遷誘弘讓出首而執以送使，雲討擊擒獲，以求功。 敬瑄不之問，杖弘讓脊二十，釘於西城二七日，煎油潑之，又以膠麻掣其瘡，備極慘酷，見者冤之。 又有邛州牙官阡能，因公事違期，避杖，亡命為盜。
Chen Jingxuan sent "search-for-trouble men" through every county and garrison to spy and extort. Two passed through Ziyang garrison and asked for nothing. Garrison commander Xie Hongrang invited them; they refused. Fearful he was guilty of something, Hongrang fled by night and joined the bandits. Come dawn the next day, the two men departed; Hongrang had done nothing wrong after all. Bandit-capture envoy Yang Qian tricked Hongrang into turning himself in, then arrested him and reported a capture in the field to claim credit. Jingxuan never looked into the matter. Hongrang was flogged twenty times on the back, nailed to the west gate for fourteen days, scalded with boiling oil, and had his wounds torn open with sticky hemp paste—torture as brutal as any could be. All who witnessed it called it an outrage. There was also Qian Neng, a garrison officer at Qiong Prefecture, who missed a deadline on official business, fled to escape the lash, and turned bandit.
102
楊遷復誘之，能方出首，聞弘讓之冤，大罵楊遷，發憤為盜，驅掠良民，不從者舉家殺之。 逾月，眾至萬人，立部伍，署職級，橫行邛、雅二州間，攻陷城邑，所過塗地。 先是，蜀中少盜賊，自是紛紛競起，州縣不能制，敬瑄遣牙將楊行遷將三千人，胡洪略、莫匡時各將二千人以討之。
Yang Qian tricked him again. Neng had just turned himself in when he heard how Hongrang had been wronged. He cursed Yang Qian and, in fury, took up banditry again—driving raids against civilians and slaughtering entire families of those who resisted. Within a month his force swelled to ten thousand. He organized ranks and commands, roamed between Qiong and Ya, and stormed towns wherever he went, leaving devastation in his wake. Banditry had once been rare in Shu; now it erupted everywhere, beyond what local officials could handle. Jingxuan sent aide-general Yang Xingqian with three thousand troops, and Hu Honglue and Mo Kuangshi each with two thousand, to suppress them.
103
以右神策將軍齊克儉為左右神策軍內外八鎮兼博野、奉天節度使。
Qi Kejian, Right Shence Army general, was made commander of the eight garrisons of the Left and Right Shence Armies, and concurrently military commissioner of Boye and Fengtian.
104
賜鄜坊軍號保大。
The Zhe-Fang army received the designation Baoda.
105
夏，四月，甲午，加陳敬瑄兼侍中。
In the fourth month of summer, on jiawu, Chen Jingxuan was also made Privy Councilor.
106
赫連鐸、李可舉與李克用戰，不利。
Helian Duo and Li Keju fought Li Keyong and were defeated.
107
初，高駢好神仙，有方士呂用之坐妖黨，亡命歸駢，駢厚待之，補以軍職。 用之，鄱陽茶商之子也，久客廣陵，熟其人情，爐鼎之暇，頗言公私利病，駢愈奇之，稍加信任。 駢舊將梁纘、陳珙、馮綬、董瑾、俞公楚、姚歸禮素為駢所厚，用之欲專權，浸以計去之。 駢遂奪纘兵，族珙家，綬、瑾、公楚、歸禮鹹見疏。 用之又引其黨張守一、諸葛殷共蠱惑駢。 守一本滄、景村民，以術干駢，無所遇，窮困甚，用之謂曰：「但與吾同心，勿憂不富貴。」 遂薦於駢，駢寵待埒於用之。 殷始自鄱陽來，用之先言於駢曰：「玉皇以公職事繁重，輟左右尊神一人佐公為理，公善遇之。 欲其久留，亦可縻以人間重職。」 明日，殷謁見，詭辯風生，駢以為神，補鹽鐵劇職。 駢嚴潔，甥侄輩未嘗得接坐。 殷病風疽，搔捫不替手，膿血滿爪，駢獨與之同席促膝，傳杯器而食。 左右以為言，駢曰：「神仙以此試人耳！」 駢有畜犬，聞其腥穢，多來近之。 駢怪之，殷笑曰：「殷嘗於玉皇前見之，別來數百年，猶相識。」 駢與鄭畋有隙，用之謂駢曰：「宰相有遣劍客來刺公者，今夕至矣！」 駢大懼，問計安出。 用之曰：「張先生嘗學斯術，可以御之。」 駢請於守一，守一許諾。 乃使駢衣婦人之服，潛於它室，而守一代居駢寢榻中，夜擲銅器於階，令鏗然有聲。 又密以囊盛彘血，灑於庭宇，如格鬥之狀。 及旦，笑謂駢曰：「幾落奴手！」 駢泣謝曰：「先生於駢，乃更生之惠也！」 厚酬以金寶。 有蕭勝者，賂用之，求鹽城監，駢有難色，用之曰：「用之非為勝也，近得上仙書雲，有寶劍在鹽城井中，須一靈官取之。 以勝上仙左右之人，欲使取劍耳。」 駢乃許之。 勝至監數月，函一銅匕首以獻，用之見，稽首曰：「此北帝所佩，得之，則百里之內五兵不能犯。」 駢乃飾以珠玉，常置坐隅。 用之自謂磻溪真君，謂守一乃赤松子，殷乃葛將軍，勝乃秦穆公之婿也。
Gao Pian had long been devoted to immortals and transcendents. The Taoist adept Lv Yongzhi, condemned for membership in an occult faction, fled to Pian's service. Pian welcomed him warmly and gave him a military commission. Yongzhi was a Poyang tea merchant's son who had lived in Guangling for years and knew its people well. Between his alchemical labors he often discussed matters of public and private concern; Pian grew ever more fascinated and began to trust him. Pian's veteran generals—Liang Zuan, Chen Gong, Feng Shou, Dong Jin, Yu Gongchu, and Yao Guili—had long enjoyed his favor. Yongzhi sought sole power and set out by degrees to remove them. Pian stripped Liang Zuan of his command, executed Chen Gong's entire clan, and Feng Shou, Dong Jin, Yu Gongchu, and Yao Guili were all in turn pushed aside. Yongzhi then introduced his cronies Zhang Shouyi and Zhuge Yin to beguile Pian together. Shouyi was a peasant from Cang and Jing who had tried to impress Pian with occult arts and found only poverty. Yongzhi told him, "Stand with me and you need never fear lacking wealth and rank." He recommended Shouyi to Pian, who treated him with the same favor as Yongzhi. When Yin arrived from Poyang, Yongzhi told Pian first, "The Jade Emperor finds your duties too heavy and has sent one of the august spirits at his side to assist you. Treat him well. If you wish him to remain, you may bind him here with an important earthly office." The next day Yin appeared before him, speaking with dazzling but slippery eloquence. Pian took him for a divine being and gave him a high post in the salt-and-iron bureau. Pian was austere and reserved; even his nephews and nieces were never allowed to sit with him. Yin suffered from festering sores and scratched them incessantly, his nails caked with pus and blood. Pian alone sat knee to knee with him at meals, sharing cups and dishes from the same tableware. His attendants remonstrated, but Pian said, "Immortals test men in just this way!" Pian kept dogs that, drawn by the stench, would often gather around Yin. Pian found this odd. Yin laughed and said, "I once saw these dogs before the Jade Emperor. Though centuries have passed since we parted, we still know each other." Pian was at odds with Chief Minister Zheng Tian. Yongzhi told him, "The chief minister has sent assassins—they arrive tonight!" Pian was terrified and asked what could be done. Yongzhi said, "Master Zhang has studied this art and can defend against them." Pian appealed to Shouyi, who agreed. They dressed Pian in women's clothes and hid him in another room while Shouyi occupied his bed. That night Shouyi hurled bronze vessels onto the steps with a great clamor. Secretly he filled a bag with pig's blood and splashed it across the courtyard as if from a fight. At dawn he told Pian with a laugh, "You nearly fell into that villain's hands!" Pian wept and thanked him: "Master, you have given me life anew!" He rewarded him lavishly in gold and jewels. A man named Xiao Sheng bribed Yongzhi for the post of superintendent at the Yancheng salt market. Pian hesitated, but Yongzhi said, "This is not for Xiao Sheng's sake. I have just received a letter from a superior immortal saying a magic sword lies in the Yancheng well and must be retrieved by a spirit-officer. Sheng is a man from the retinue of a superior immortal—I merely want him to retrieve the sword." Pian agreed. After months at the post, Xiao Sheng presented a boxed bronze dagger. Yongzhi kowtowed upon seeing it and said, "This is the sword the Northern Emperor wore. Whoever holds it cannot be harmed by any weapon within a hundred li." Pian had it adorned with pearls and jade and kept it always at his side. Yongzhi claimed to be the True Lord of Panxi, declared Shouyi the immortal Red Pine, Yin General Ge, and Sheng the son-in-law of Duke Mu of Qin.
108
用之又刻青石為奇字云：「玉皇授白雲先生高駢。」 密令左右置道院香案。 駢得之，驚喜。 用之曰：「玉皇以公焚修功著，將補真官，計鸞鶴不日當降此際。 用之等謫限亦滿，必得陪幢節，同歸上清耳！」 是後，駢於道院庭中刻木鶴，時著羽服跨之，日夕齋醮，煉金燒丹，費以巨萬計。
Yongzhi also had strange characters carved on blue stone: "The Jade Emperor invests Cloud-White Master Gao Pian." He secretly had his attendants place it on the incense table in the Taoist abbey. Pian found it and was overjoyed. Yongzhi said, "The Jade Emperor sees your dedication in incense and cultivation and will appoint you to a transcendent office. Cranes and phoenixes should descend here any day now. Our term of exile will soon end—we shall surely escort your celestial banners home together to Upper Clarity!" Thereafter Pian had a wooden crane carved in the abbey courtyard, sometimes donned feather robes and mounted it, and spent morning and evening in fasting rites and elixir-making at a cost of tens of thousands of strings of cash.
109
用之微時，依止江陽后土廟，舉動祈禱。 及得志，白駢崇大其廟，極江南工材之選，每軍旅大事，以少牢禱之。 用之又言神仙好樓居，說駢作迎仙樓，費十五萬緡。 又作延和閣，高八丈。
In his humble days Yongzhi had lodged at the Queen Earth temple in Jiangyang and prayed over everything he did. Once in power he persuaded Pian to rebuild and enlarge the temple with the finest craftsmen and materials in Jiangnan. Before every major military undertaking he offered the shao-lao sacrifice there. Yongzhi also claimed that immortals prefer living in towers and persuaded Pian to build a Welcome-the-Immortals Tower at a cost of one hundred fifty thousand strings of cash. He also built the Yanhe Pavilion, eighty feet high.
110
用之每對駢呵叱風雨，仰揖空際，雲有神仙過雲表。 駢輒隨而拜之。 然常厚賂駢左右，使伺駢動靜，共為欺罔，駢不之寤。 左右小有異議者，輒為用之陷死不旋踵，但潛撫膺鳴指，口不敢言。 駢倚用之如左右手，公私大小之事皆決於用之，退賢進不肖，淫刑濫賞，駢之政事於是大壞矣！ 用之知上下怨憤，恐有竊發，請置巡察使。 駢即以用之領之，募險獪者百餘人，縱橫閭巷間，謂之「察子」，民間呵妻詈子，靡不知之。 用之欲奪人貨財，掠人婦女，輒誣以叛逆，搒掠取服，殺其人而取之，所破滅者數百家，道路以目，將吏士民雖家居，皆重足屏氣。
In Pian's presence Yongzhi would shout commands at the wind and rain, bow toward the sky, and claim that immortals were passing overhead. Pian would bow along with him. Meanwhile he bribed Pian's attendants to report his every move, and together they ran the whole charade—Pian never caught on. Any attendant who voiced the slightest dissent was framed and executed at once. The rest could only clutch their chests and click their tongues in silence. Pian leaned on Yongzhi as on his right hand; great and small, public and private, all passed through Yongzhi's judgment. Worthy men were pushed aside and fools promoted; punishments multiplied and rewards were showered without measure—and Pian's administration collapsed. Yongzhi knew resentment ran high at every level and feared a secret uprising; he asked to establish patrol inspectors. Pian put Yongzhi in charge. He recruited more than a hundred sharp and unscrupulous men to roam every lane and alley—the "watchlings." Not a harsh word between husband and wife escaped their notice. Whenever Yongzhi wanted someone's property or a man's wife, he framed the victim for treason, tortured a confession out of him, killed him, and seized everything. Hundreds of families were destroyed. People exchanged fearful glances in the streets; soldiers, officials, and commoners alike tread softly even at home and barely dared to breathe.
111
用之又欲以兵威脅制諸將，請選募諸軍驍勇之士二萬人，號左、右莫邪都。 駢即以張守一及用之為左、右莫邪軍使，署置將吏如帥府，器械精利，衣裝華潔，每出入，導從近千人。
Yongzhi also sought to intimidate the generals with military force and asked to recruit twenty thousand elite warriors from every army, called the Left and Right Moye Divisions. Pian made Zhang Shouyi and Yongzhi commissioners of the Left and Right Moye armies, with a full general-staff complement of officers. Their weapons were the finest; their dress was sumptuous. Each time they went out, nearly a thousand attendants escorted them.
112
用之侍妾百餘人，自奉奢靡，用度不足，輒留三司綱輸其家。 用之猶慮人洩其奸謀，乃言於駢曰：「神仙不難致，但恨學道者不能絕俗累，故不肯降臨耳！」 駢乃悉去姬妾，謝絕人事，賓客、將吏皆不得見。 有不得已見之者，皆先令沐浴繼祓，然後見，拜起才畢，已復引出。 由是用之得專行威福，無所忌憚，境內不復知有駢矣。
Yongzhi kept more than a hundred concubines and lived in extravagant luxury. When funds ran short he simply diverted the Sancsi tax convoys to his own household. Still fearing exposure of his schemes, Yongzhi told Pian, "Immortals are easy to summon—if only seekers of the Way could cast off worldly attachments. That is why they will not come down!" Pian then dismissed all his concubines, shut himself off from the world, and refused audience to guests and officers alike. Anyone who had to be received was first made to bathe and undergo purification rites; the moment formal greetings were done, he was ushered out again. From then on Yongzhi wielded absolute power without restraint. Within the circuit, no one any longer knew there was a Gao Pian.
113
王鐸將兩川、興元之軍屯靈感寺，涇原屯京西，易定、河中屯渭北，邠寧、鳳翔屯興平，保大、定難屯渭橋，忠武屯武功，官軍四集。 黃巢勢已蹙，號令所行不出同、華。 民避亂皆入深山築柵自保，農事俱廢，長安城中斗米直三十緡。 賊賣人於官軍以為糧，官軍或執山柵之民鬻之，人直數百緡，以肥瘠論價。
Wang Duo led the armies of the Two Chuan and Xingyuan to camp at Linggan Temple; Jingyuan at Jingxi; Yiding and Hezhong north of the Wei; Binning and Fengxiang at Xingping; Baoda and Dingnan at Wei Bridge; Zhongwu at Wugong—imperial armies converged from every side. Huang Chao's position was already desperate; his orders no longer reached beyond Tong and Hua. Civilians fleeing the chaos retreated into the mountains and built palisades for protection. Farming ceased entirely. In Chang'an, a dou of rice sold for thirty strings of cash. The rebels sold captives to the imperial army for grain. Imperial troops sometimes rounded up people from the mountain palisades and sold them in turn—several hundred strings of cash per person, priced by fat or thin.