1
資治通鑑第271卷
Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Governance, Volume 271
2
【後梁紀六】起屠維單閼十月，盡玄黓敦牂，凡三年有奇。
【Later Liang Records 6】 Spanning from the tenth month of jiyou through xuanchou in the sexagenary cycle—three years and a fraction in all.
3
冬，十月，出濛為楚州團練使。
That winter, in the tenth month, Yang Meng was removed from his regency and made regimental commissioner of Chuzhou.
4
晉王如魏州，發徒數萬，廣德勝北城，日與梁人爭，大小百餘戰，互有勝負。 左射軍使石敬瑭與梁人戰於河壖，梁人擊敬瑭，斷其馬甲，橫衝兵馬使劉知遠以所乘馬授之，自乘斷甲者徐行為殿； 梁人疑有伏，不敢追，俱得免，敬瑭以是親愛之。 敬瑭、知遠，其先皆沙陀人。 敬瑭，李嗣源之婿也。
Li Cunxu, Prince of Jin, traveled to Weizhou and drafted tens of thousands of workers to enlarge Desheng's north wall. Day after day he skirmished with the Liang army—over a hundred clashes, large and small, with neither side holding a lasting edge. Commissioner Shi Jingtang of the Left Shear Army battled Liang troops on the river levee. They struck him hard enough to shear his horse's barding. Liu Zhiyuan, commissioner of the Vanguard Cavalry, handed over his own horse and rode the damaged mount at an unhurried pace to cover the retreat. The Liang suspected a trap and held back. Both men escaped, and from that day Jingtang cherished Zhiyuan. Jingtang and Zhiyuan both traced their ancestry to the Shatuo. Jingtang was married to a daughter of Li Siyuan.
5
劉鄩圍張萬進於兗州經年，城中危窘，晉王方與梁人戰河上，力不能救。 萬進遣親將劉處讓乞師於晉，晉王未之許，處讓於軍門截耳曰：「苟不得請，生不如死！」 晉王義之，將為出兵，會鄩已屠兗州，族萬進，乃止。 以處讓為行台左驍衛將軍。 處讓，滄州人也。
Liu Xun had kept Zhang Wanjin bottled up in Yanzhou for a year. Inside the walls supplies ran thin. The Prince of Jin was fully engaged against Liang forces along the Yellow River and could not spare troops for a rescue. Wanjin dispatched his confidant Liu Churang to plead for Jin reinforcements. The prince refused. At the camp gate Churang sliced off his own ear and cried, "If you will not help us, death is kinder than this life! 」Moved by his devotion, the prince prepared to march—but Liu Xun had already overrun Yanzhou and wiped out Wanjin's household, so the expedition was called off. Churang was made Left Valiant Guard general on the prince's field staff. Churang came from Cangzhou.
6
十一月，吳武寧節度使張崇寇安州。
In the eleventh month, Zhang Chong, military commissioner of Wuning in Wu, attacked Anzhou.
7
丁丑，以劉鄩為泰寧節度使、同平章事。 辛卯，王瓚引兵至戚城，與李嗣源戰，不利。
On dingchou, Liu Xun received the posts of Taining military commissioner and associate chief councilor. On xinmao, Wang Zan marched to Qicheng and clashed with Li Siyuan, coming off the worse.
8
梁築壘貯糧於潘張，距楊村五十里，十二月，晉王自將騎兵自河南岸西上，邀其餉者，俘獲而還； 梁人伏兵於要路，晉兵大敗。 晉王以數騎走，梁數百騎圍之，李紹榮識其旗，單騎奮擊救之，僅免。 戊戌，晉王復與王瓚戰於河南，瓚先勝，獲晉將石君立等； 既而大敗，乘小舟渡河，走保北城，失亡萬計。 帝聞石君立勇，欲將之，繫於獄而厚餉之，使人誘之。 君立曰：「我晉之敗將，而為用於梁，雖竭誠效死，誰則信之！ 人各有君，何忍反為仇讎用哉！」 帝猶惜之，盡殺所獲晉將，獨置君立。 晉王乘勝遂拔濮陽。 帝召王瓚還，以天平節度使戴思遠代為北面招討使，屯河上以拒晉人。
The Liang fortified Panzhang and stockpiled grain fifty li from Yangcun. In the twelfth month the Prince of Jin led cavalry up the south bank, waylaid Liang supply columns, took prisoners and booty, and withdrew; Liang troops ambushed the route and routed the Jin force. The prince broke away with only a handful of riders. Hundreds of Liang cavalry ringed him. Li Shaorong spotted his standard and charged in alone to break the ring; the prince escaped by a hair's breadth. On wuxu the prince met Wang Zan again south of the Yellow River. Zan struck first and took the Jin commander Shi Junli among others; then was smashed in turn. Zan crossed in a skiff, fell back to the north citadel, and left tens of thousands dead or missing. The Later Liang Emperor heard of Junli's valor and wanted him in service. He was jailed but lavished with gifts while envoys tried to win him over. Junli replied, "I am a beaten Jin officer. If I now serve Liang, even dying in earnest—who would trust me! Every man has his sovereign. How could I let my enemy wield me!" 」The emperor still regretted losing him. Every other captured Jin commander was put to death; only Junli was spared. Riding the momentum, the Prince of Jin seized Puyang. The emperor recalled Wang Zan and named Dai Siyuan of Tianping northern campaign commissioner in his stead, stationing him along the river to block the Jin.
9
己酉，蜀雄武節度使兼中書令王宗朗有罪，削奪官爵，復其姓名曰全師朗，命武定節度使兼中書令桑弘志討之。
On jiyou, Wang Zonglang—Xiongwu commissioner and chief councilor in Shu—was found guilty. His offices were revoked and his birth name Quan Shilang restored. Sang Hongzhi of Wuding was sent to bring him in.
10
吳禁民私畜兵器，盜賊益繁。 御史台主簿京兆盧樞上言：「今四方分爭，宜教民戰。 且善人畏法禁而奸民弄乾戈，是欲偃武而反招盜也。 宜團結民兵，使之習戰，自衛鄉里。」 從之。
Wu banned private arms among the populace, and robbery only multiplied. Lu Shu, registrar of the Censorate from Jingzhao, memorialized: "The realm is split by war on every side. The people should be trained to fight. The law-abiding fear the ban while rogues brandish weapons anyway—an attempt to pacify that only feeds the bandits. Organize militia, drill them, and let each community defend itself." 」The court agreed.
11
春，正月，戊辰，蜀桑弘志克金州，執全師朗，獻於成都，蜀主釋之。
In spring, the first month, on wuchen, Sang Hongzhi of Shu captured Jinzhou and Quan Shilang, brought him to Chengdu, and the Shu ruler set him free.
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吳張崇攻安州，不克而還。 崇在廬州，貪暴不法。 廬江民訟縣令受賕，徐知誥遣侍御史知雜事楊廷式往按之，欲以威崇，廷式曰：「雜端推事，其體至重，職業不可不行。」 知誥曰：「何如？」 廷式曰：「械系張崇，使吏如升州，簿責都統。」 知誥曰：「所按者縣令耳，何至於是！」 廷式曰：「縣令微官，張崇使之取民財轉獻都統耳，豈可捨大而詰小乎！」 知誥謝之曰：「固知小事不足相煩。」 以是益重之。 廷式，泉州人也。
In Wu, Zhang Chong besieged Anzhou, failed, and withdrew. Chong ruled Luzhou with greed and brutality, heedless of law. People of Lujiang accused their magistrate of bribery. Xu Zhigao sent Yang Tingshi, censor on miscellaneous matters, to investigate—hoping to intimidate Chong. Tingshi said, "A censor's inquiry carries grave weight. The duty must be carried out. 」Zhigao asked, "What do you propose? 」Tingshi answered, "Put Zhang Chong in irons, send clerks to Shengzhou, and audit the regional commander's books. 」Zhigao protested, "We are only looking into a county magistrate—why escalate like this!" 」Tingshi replied, "A magistrate is a minor post. Chong used him to wring the people and funnel silver to the commander. Why chase the clerk and let the chief walk free!" 」Zhigao apologized. "I should have known a trifle was beneath your notice. 」From that day he held Tingshi in higher regard. Tingshi came from Quanzhou.
13
晉王自得魏州，以李建及為魏博內外牙都將，將銀槍效節都。 建及為人忠壯，所得賞賜，悉分士卒，與同甘苦，故能得其死力，所向立功； 同列疾之。 宦者韋令圖監建及軍，譖於晉王曰：「建及以私財驟施，此其志不小，不可使將牙兵。」 王疑之。 建及知之，自恃無它，行之自若。 三月，王罷建及軍職，以為代州刺史。
After securing Weizhou, the prince appointed Li Jianji commander of Weibo's palace guard and head of the Silver Spear Effectiveness Corps. Jianji was loyal and fearless. Every reward he shared with his men, eating and marching as they did, and they repaid him with their lives on every campaign; his peers grew jealous. The eunuch Wei Lingtu, overseeing Jianji's command, whispered to the prince, "He showers the ranks with his own coin—ambition on that scale is dangerous. Do not let him keep the guard. 」The prince began to doubt him. Jianji heard of the suspicion but, confident he had done nothing wrong, carried on as usual. In the third month the prince stripped him of command and appointed him prefect of Daizhou.
14
漢楊洞潛請立學校，開貢舉，設銓選； 漢主巖從之。
In Han, Yang Dongqian urged founding schools, reviving civil examinations, and setting up an appointment process; and the Han ruler Yan agreed.
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夏，四月，乙亥，以尚書右丞李琪為中書侍郎、同平章事。 琪，珽之弟也，性疏俊，挾趙巖、張漢傑之勢，頗通賄賂。 蕭頃與琪同為相，頃謹密而陰伺琪短。 久之，有以攝官求仕者，琪輒改攝為守，頃奏之。 帝大怒，欲流琪遠方，趙、張左右之，止罷為太子少保。 河中節度使冀王友謙以兵襲取同州，逐忠武節度使程全暉，全暉奔大梁。 友謙以其子令德為忠武留後，表求節鉞，帝怒，不許。 既而懼友謙怨望，己酉，以友謙兼忠武節度使。 制下，友謙已求節鉞於晉王，晉王以墨制除令德忠武節度使。
In summer, the fourth month, on yihai, Li Qi rose from vice director of the Secretariat to vice director of the Chancellery and associate chief councilor. Qi was younger brother to Ting—open-handed, handsome, and brazen. Backed by Zhao Yan and Zhang Hanjie, he traded freely in favors and bribes. Xiao Xiang shared the premiership with Qi. Careful and close-mouthed, he watched for slips. In time a man sought a post while serving only as acting officer. Qi upgraded acting status to full appointment. Xiang reported it. The Later Liang Emperor flew into a rage and meant to banish Qi. Zhao and Zhang pleaded for him, and the sentence was reduced to dismissal as Junior Mentor of the Heir. Zhu Youqian, Prince of Ji and commissioner of Hezhong, stormed Tongzhou and expelled Cheng Quanhui, Zhongwu commissioner, who fled to the Liang capital at Daliang. Youqian installed his son Lingde as acting Zhongwu commissioner and petitioned for the full commission. The emperor refused in anger. Soon fearing Youqian's bitterness, on jiyou the court added Zhongwu commissioner to his titles. Before the edict arrived, Youqian had already asked the Prince of Jin for the commission. The prince issued an informal appointment making Lingde Zhongwu commissioner.
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吳宣王重厚恭恪，徐溫父子專政，王未嘗有不平之意形於言色，溫以是安之。 及建國稱制，尤非所樂，多沉飲鮮食，遂成寢疾。
The Prince of Xuan in Wu was grave and courteous. Xu Wen and his son ran the state, yet the prince never let resentment show in face or speech, and Wen took comfort in that. When Wu declared itself an empire he liked it even less. He drowned himself in wine and rich food until a wasting sickness took hold.
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五月，溫自金陵入朝，議當為嗣者。 或希溫意言曰：「蜀先主謂武侯：『嗣子不才，君宜自取。』」 溫正色曰：「吾果有意取之，當在誅張顥之初，豈至今日邪！ 使楊氏無男，有女亦當立之。 敢妄言者斬！」 乃以王命迎丹楊公溥監國，徙溥兄濛為舒州團練使。
In the fifth month Wen came from Jinling to court to settle the succession. Someone eager to please Wen quoted the Shu founder's words to Zhuge Liang: "The heir lacks talent—you should take the throne yourself. 』" Wen's face hardened. "If I had wanted the throne, I would have taken it when Zhang Hao was killed—not waited until now! Even if the Yang line lacked sons, a daughter would still inherit. Anyone who speaks such nonsense loses his head!" 」By the prince's order, Yang Pu of Danyang was summoned as regent, and Pu's elder brother Meng was posted to Shuzhou as regimental commissioner.
18
己丑，宣王殂。 六月，戊申，溥即吳王位。 尊母王氏曰太妃。
On jichou the Prince of Xuan died. In the sixth month, on wushen, Pu took the throne of Wu. His mother, Lady Wang, was styled Grand Consort.
19
丁巳，蜀以司徒兼門下侍郎、同平章事周庠同平章事，充永平節度使。
On dingsi, Shu confirmed Zhou Xiang—already Minister of Works and Chancellery vice director—as associate chief councilor and named him Yongping military commissioner.
20
帝以泰寧節度使劉鄩為河東道招討使，帥感化節度使尹皓、靜勝節度使溫昭圖、莊宅使段凝攻同州。
The Later Liang Emperor appointed Liu Xun of Taining as Hezhong campaign commissioner, with Yin Hao of Ganhua, Wen Zhaotu of Jingsheng, and Duan Ning of the palace estates to besiege Tongzhou.
21
閏月，庚申朔，蜀主作高祖原廟於萬里橋，帥后妃、百官用褻味作鼓吹祭之。 華陽尉張士喬上疏諫，以為非禮，蜀主怒，欲誅之，太后以為不可，乃削官流黎州，士喬感憤，赴水死。
On the intercalary month's gengshen new moon, the Shu ruler built a shrine to the founding emperor at Wanli Bridge and led consorts and officials in a raucous offering of humble foods. Zhang Shiqiao, commandant of Huayang, protested that the rite was improper. The Shu ruler raged and wanted him killed until the empress dowager intervened. He was demoted and banished to Lizhou. Shiqiao, in despair, threw himself into the water and died.
22
劉鄩等圍同州，朱友謙求救於晉。 秋，七月，晉王遣李存審、李嗣昭、李建及、慈州刺史李存質將兵救之。
Liu Xun's coalition tightened the siege of Tongzhou, and Zhu Youqian appealed to the Prince of Jin for aid. In autumn, the seventh month, the prince dispatched Li Cunshen, Li Sizhao, Li Jianji, and Li Cunzhi of Cizhou with an army to relieve the siege.
23
乙卯，蜀主下詔北巡，以禮部尚書兼成都尹長安韓昭為文思殿大學士，位在翰林承旨上。 昭無文學，以便佞得幸，出入宮禁，就蜀主乞通、渠、巴、集數州刺史賣之以營居第，蜀主許之。 識者知蜀之將亡。 八月，戊辰，蜀主發成都，被金甲，冠珠帽，執弓矢而行，旌旗兵甲，亙百餘里。 雒令段融上言：「不宜遠離都邑，當委大臣征討。」 不從。 九月，次安遠城。
On yimao the Shu ruler announced a northern progress and named Han Zhao of Chang'an—Minister of Rites and Chengdu intendant—Grand Academician of the Wensi Hall, senior even to the Hanlin chief. Zhao had no scholarship but won favor by flattery, drifting freely through the inner palace. He asked the ruler to let him sell the prefectures of Tong, Qu, Ba, and Ji to fund a mansion—and the ruler agreed. Observers knew Shu was nearing its end. In the eighth month, on wuchen, the Shu ruler left Chengdu in golden armor and a jeweled cap, bow in hand. Banners and steel filled the road for a hundred li. Duan Rong, magistrate of Luoyang, urged, "The capital should not be left so lightly. Entrust the campaign to your ministers. 」He ignored the advice. In the ninth month he encamped at Anyuan.
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李存審等至河中，即日濟河。 梁人素輕河中兵，每戰必窮追不置。 存審選精甲二百，雜河中兵，直壓劉鄩壘，鄩出千騎逐之； 知晉人已至，大驚，自是不敢輕出。 晉人軍於朝邑。
Li Cunshen's column reached Hezhong and crossed the Yellow River that same day. The Liang had long scorned Hezhong soldiers and pressed every pursuit to the limit. Cunshen picked two hundred armored elites, mingled them with Hezhong troops, and drove straight at Liu Xun's camp. Xun sent a thousand horsemen in pursuit; then learned the Jin army had come. He was shaken and no longer risked casual sorties. The Jin forces camped at Chaoyi.
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河中事梁久，將士皆持兩端。 諸軍大集，芻粟踴貴，友謙諸子說友謙且歸款於梁，以退其師，友謙曰：「昔晉王親赴吾急，秉燭夜戰。 今方與梁相拒，又命將星行，分我資糧，豈可負邪！」
Hezhong had served Liang for years, and its officers wavered between allegiances. Armies converged and fodder prices soared. Youqian's sons urged him to submit to Liang and send the invaders home. Youqian answered, "The Prince of Jin once came himself to my aid and fought through the night by candlelight. Now, even as he battles Liang, he sends his best commanders and shares his stores with me—how could I turn on him!"1
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晉人分兵攻華州，壞其外城。 李存審等按兵累旬，乃進逼劉鄩營，鄩等悉眾出戰，大敗，收餘眾退保羅文寨。 又旬餘，存審謂李嗣昭曰：「獸窮則搏，不如開其走路，然後擊之。」 乃遣人牧馬於沙苑。 鄩等宵遁，追擊至渭水，又破之，殺獲甚眾，存審等移檄告諭關右，引兵略地至下邽，謁唐帝陵，哭之而還。
Jin detachments struck Huazhou and breached its outer walls. Li Cunshen held his lines for weeks, then pressed Liu Xun's camp. Xun marched out with his full strength, was shattered, and fell back to Luowen stockade with the survivors. Another fortnight on, Cunshen told Li Sizhao, "Cornered beasts fight hardest. Open a line of retreat, then hit them. 」He sent men to graze horses openly at Shayuan. Xun's army slipped away at night. The pursuers caught them at the Wei River and broke them again with heavy slaughter. Cunshen proclaimed order west of the pass, marched as far as Xiaji, wept at the Tang imperial tombs, and turned home.
27
河中兵進攻崇州，靜勝節度使溫昭圖甚懼。 帝使供奉官竇維說之曰：「公所有者華原、美原兩縣耳，雖名節度使，實一鎮將，比之雄籓，豈可同日語也，公有意欲之乎？」 昭圖曰：「然。」 維曰：「當為公圖之。」 即教昭圖表求移鎮，帝以汝州防禦使華溫琪權知靜勝留後。
Hezhong forces pressed Chongzhou, and Wen Zhaotu, Jingsheng commissioner, was terrified. The Later Liang Emperor sent Dou Wei to sound him out: "You hold only Huayuan and Meiyuan. You bear the title of commissioner but rule like a garrison captain—nothing like the great frontier lords. Would you want something better?" 」Zhaotu said, "I would." 」Wei replied, "Leave it to me." 」He coached Zhaotu to petition for a transfer. The emperor named Hua Wenqi of Ruzhou acting Jingsheng regent.
28
冬，十月，辛酉，蜀主如武定軍，數日，復還安遠。
In winter, the tenth month, on xinyou, the Shu ruler visited Wuding. After a few days he was back at Anyuan.
29
十一月，戊子朔，蜀主以兼侍中王宗儔為山南節度使、西北面都招討、行營安撫使，天雄節度使、同平章事王宗昱、永寧軍使王宗晏、左神勇軍使王宗信為三招討以副之，將兵伐岐，出故關，壁於咸宜，入良原。 丁酉，王宗儔攻隴州，岐王自將萬五千人屯汧陽。 癸卯，蜀將陳彥威出散關，敗岐兵於箭筈嶺，蜀兵食盡，引還。 宗昱屯秦州，宗儔屯上邽，宗晏、宗信屯威武城。 庚戌，蜀主發安遠城。 十二月，庚申，至利州，閬州團練使林思諤來朝，請幸所治，從之。 癸亥，泛江而下，龍舟畫舸，輝映江渚，州縣供辦，民始愁怨。 壬申，至閬州，州民何康女色美，將嫁，蜀主取之，賜其夫家帛百匹，夫一慟而卒。 癸未，至梓州。
On the eleventh month's wuzi new moon, the Shu ruler named Wang Zongchou—already palace attendant—Shannan commissioner, northwest campaign commander, and field pacifier, with Wang Zongyu of Tianxiong, Wang Zongyan of Yongning, and Wang Zongxin of the Left Divine Valor Army as his three deputy commanders. They marched against Qi through the old pass, camped at Xianyi, and pushed into Liangyuan. On dingyou, Zongchou besieged Longzhou. The Prince of Qi marched in person with fifteen thousand men and held Qianyang. On guimao, Chen Yanwei of Shu sallied from San Pass and routed Qi forces at Jianhe Ridge, but supplies ran out and the Shu army withdrew. Zongyu held Qinzhou, Zongchou Shanggui, and Zongyan and Zongxin Weiwu city. On gengxu the Shu ruler left Anyuan. In the twelfth month, on gengshen, he reached Lizhou. Lin Si'e of Langzhou came to court and invited him to visit his district; the ruler agreed. On guihai he drifted downriver in dragon boats and painted barges that lit the shores. Every district bore the cost, and popular resentment began. On renshen he reached Langzhou. He Kang's daughter, famed for her beauty, was about to wed when the Shu ruler seized her for the palace, compensated the family with a hundred bolts of silk, and her fiancé died of grief on the spot. On guiwei he arrived at Zizhou.
30
趙王鎔自恃累世鎮成德，得趙人心，生長富貴，雍容自逸，治府第園沼，極一時之盛，多事嬉游，不親政事，事皆仰成於僚佐，深居府第，權移左右，行軍司馬李藹、宦者李弘規用事於中外，宦者石希蒙尤以諂諛得幸。
Prince Yin of Zhao trusted that generations of his family had ruled Chengde and won the people's hearts. Raised in luxury, he lived at ease, lavished his estate and gardens until they outshone the age, and chased amusements while leaving government to his staff. Secluded in his mansion, power passed to his intimates—Li Ai as army marshal and Li Honggui the eunuch ruled court and camp alike, while Shi Ximeng curried favor with sycophancy.
31
初，劉仁恭使牙將張文禮從其子守文鎮滄州，守文詣幽州省其父，文禮於後據城作亂，滄人討之，奔鎮州。 文禮好夸誕，自言知兵，越王鎔奇之，養以為子，更名德明，悉以軍事委之。 德明將行營兵從晉王，鎔欲寄以腹心，使都指揮使符習代還，以為防城使。 鎔晚年好事佛及求仙，專講佛經，受符菉，廣齋醮，合煉仙丹，盛飾館宇於西山，每往游之，登山臨水，數月方歸，將佐士卒陪從者常不下萬人，往來供頓，軍民皆苦之。 是月，自西山還，宿鶻營莊，石希蒙勸王復之它所。 李弘規言於王曰：「晉王夾河血戰，櫛風沐雨，親冒矢石，而王專以供軍之資奉不急之費，且時方艱難，人心難測，王久虛府第，遠出遊從，萬一有奸人為變，閉關相距，將若之何？」 王將歸，希蒙密言於王曰：「弘規妄生猜間，出不遜語以劫脅王，專欲誇大於外，長威福耳。」 王遂留，信宿無歸志。 弘規乃教內牙都將蘇漢衡帥親軍，擐甲拔刃，詣帳前白王曰：「士卒暴露已久，願從王歸！」 弘規因進言曰：「石希蒙勸王游從不已，且聞欲陰謀為逆，請誅之以謝眾。」 王不聽，牙兵遂大噪，斬希蒙首，訴於前。 王怒且懼，亟歸府。 是夕，遣其長子副大使昭祚與王德明將兵圍弘規及李靄之第，族誅之，連坐者數十家。 又殺蘇漢衡，收其黨與，窮治反狀，親軍大恐。
Earlier, Liu Rengong had sent his guard officer Zhang Wenli to Cangzhou with his son Shouwen. When Shouwen went to Youzhou to see his father, Wenli seized the city in revolt. Cangzhou drove him out and he fled to Zhenzhou. Wenli was boastful and called himself a master of war. Prince Yin of Yue took him as an adopted son, renamed him Deming, and handed him the army. Deming led the field army with the Prince of Jin. Yin meant to bind him close, recalled him via Fu Xi, commander-in-chief, and named him city-defense commissioner. In old age Yin turned to Buddhism and immortality—sutras, talismans, endless fasts, elixir furnaces, and palatial lodges on West Mountain where he lingered for months among peaks and streams. Ten thousand officers and men routinely escorted him, and the cost fell heavily on army and people. That month, returning from West Mountain, he stayed at Gueying Manor, where Shi Ximeng urged another outing. Li Honggui warned the prince, "The Prince of Jin bleeds along the Yellow River, weathers wind and rain, and faces arrows in person—while you spend army funds on pleasure. Times are perilous and hearts fickle. You leave the mansion empty and wander far. If traitors rise and shut the gates, what then?" 」As the prince prepared to return, Ximeng whispered, "Honggui sows suspicion and speaks insolently to bully you—he only wants power abroad." 」The prince stayed on, and after two nights still would not go home. Honggui had Su Hanheng, inner guard commander, arm the personal troops, draw swords, and announce at the tent, "The men have suffered long in the open—we beg Your Highness to return home!" 」Honggui added, "Ximeng keeps urging these outings and is said to plot rebellion—execute him to satisfy the troops." 」The prince refused. The guards roared, cut off Ximeng's head, and laid their grievance before him. Furious and afraid, the prince rushed home. That night he sent his heir Zhaozuo and Wang Deming to surround the houses of Honggui and Li Ai and wipe out their clans—dozens of families implicated. Su Hanheng was killed too, his followers rounded up, sedition hunted to the root, and the personal guard was terrified.
32
吳金陵城成，隱彥謙上費用冊籍，徐溫曰：「吾既任公，不復會計！」 悉焚之。
When Jinling's walls were finished in Wu, Yin Yanqian submitted the expense ledgers. Xu Wen said, "I put you in charge—I won't audit the books!" 」And burned them all.
33
初，閩王審知承製加其從子泉州刺史延彬領平盧節度使。 延彬治泉州十七年，吏民安之。 會得白鹿及紫芝，僧浩源以為王者之符，延彬由是驕縱，密遣使浮海入貢，求為泉州節度使。 事覺，審知誅浩源及其黨，黜延彬歸私第。
Earlier, Min's Shenzhi had his cousin Yanbin, Quanzhou prefect, also named Pinglu commissioner by imperial order. Yanbin ruled Quanzhou seventeen years to general satisfaction. When a white deer and purple fungus appeared, monk Haoyuan called them royal omens. Yanbin grew arrogant, sent secret tribute by sea, and asked to be Quanzhou commissioner in his own right. Exposed, Shenzhi executed Haoyuan and his circle and sent Yanbin home in disgrace.
34
漢主巖遣使通好於蜀。
The Han ruler Yan sent envoys to court Shu.
35
吳越王鏐遣使為其子傳琇求婚於楚，楚王殷許之。
King Qian Liu of Wuyue asked Chu for his son Chuanyu's bride; King Yin of Chu consented.
36
春，正月，甲午，蜀主還成都。
In spring, the first month, on jiawu, the Shu ruler returned to Chengdu.
37
初，蜀主之為太子，高祖為聘兵部尚書高知言女為妃，無寵，及韋妃入宮，尤見疏薄，至是遣還家，知言驚僕，不食而卒。 韋妃者，徐耕之孫也，有姝色，蜀主適徐氏，見而悅之，太后因納於後宮，蜀主不欲娶於母族，托雲韋昭度之孫。 初為婕妤，累加元妃。 蜀主常列錦步障，擊球其中，往往遠適而外人不知，爇諸香，晝夜不絕。 久而厭之，更爇皁莢以亂其氣。 結繒為山，及宮殿樓觀於其上，或為風雨所敗，則更以新者易之。 或樂飲繒山，涉旬不下。 山前穿渠通禁中，或乘船夜歸，令宮女秉蠟炬千餘居前船，卻立照之，水面如晝。 或酣餘禁中，鼓吹沸騰，以至達旦。 以是為常。
When he had been heir, the founding emperor had matched him with Gao Zhiyan's daughter, Minister of Personnel—but she never won favor. After Lady Wei entered the palace the first consort was cast aside and sent home. Zhiyan collapsed and starved himself to death. Lady Wei was Xu Geng's granddaughter, famed for beauty. The Shu ruler saw her on a visit to the Xu house; the empress dowager installed her in the palace. He disliked marrying kin and claimed she was Wei Zhaodu's granddaughter. She began as a talented lady and rose to primary consort. He pitched brocade screens for polo and slipped away unseen, while incense burned day and night. In time he tired of perfume and burned soap pods to muddle the air. He built silk mountains crowned with palaces; storms destroyed them and he built anew. Sometimes he feasted on the silk mountain ten days without coming down. A canal linked the mountain to the inner palace. He sometimes rowed home at night with a thousand palace women holding torches astern until the water shone like noon. Sometimes he drank inside until drums and pipes roared till dawn. Such became his habit.
38
甲辰，徙靜勝節度使溫昭圖為匡國節度使，鎮許昌。 昭圖素事趙巖，故得名籓。
On jiachen, Wen Zhaotu of Jingsheng was transferred to Kuangguo commissioner at Xuchang. Zhaotu had long served Zhao Yan and thus won a prestigious post.
39
蜀主、吳主屢以書勸晉王稱帝，晉王以書示僚佐曰：「昔王太師亦嘗遺先王書，勸以唐室已亡，宜自帝一方。 先王語余云：『昔天子幸石門，吾發兵誅賊臣，當是之時，威振天下，吾若挾天子據關中，自作九錫禪文，誰能禁我！ 顧吾家世忠孝，立功帝室，誓死不為耳。 汝它日當務以復唐社稷為心，慎勿效此曹所為！』 言猶在耳，此議非所敢聞也。」 因泣。 既而將佐及蕃鎮勸進不已，乃令有司市玉造法物。 黃巢之破長安也，魏州僧傳真之師得傳國寶，藏之四十年，至是，傳真以為常玉，將鬻之，或識之，曰：「傳國寶也。」 傳真乃詣行台獻之，將佐皆奉觴稱賀。
Shu and Wu repeatedly urged the Prince of Jin to take the throne. He showed their letters to his staff: "Grand Mentor Wang once told my father the Tang was finished and he should rule alone. Father said, 'When the emperor came to Shimen I marched against traitors and awed the realm. I could have held the emperor, seized Guanzhong, and forged the ritual of abdication—who would have stopped me? Yet our house has served the throne in loyalty for generations—I swore never to do it. You must restore the Tang—never imitate those men! Those words still ring in my ears. I dare not hear this proposal." He wept. Generals and frontier lords kept pressing him until he ordered jade and regalia purchased. When Huang Chao sacked Chang'an, Chuanzhen's teacher in Weizhou found the imperial seal and hid it forty years. Chuanzhen meant to sell it as common jade until someone cried, "The imperial seal! Chuanzhen brought it to headquarters; the staff toasted in celebration.
40
張承業在晉陽聞之，詣魏州諫曰：「吾王世世忠於唐室，救其患難，所以老奴三十餘年為王捃拾財賦，召補兵馬，誓滅逆賊，復本朝宗社耳。 今河北甫定，朱氏尚存，而王遽即大位，殊非從來征伐之意，天下其誰不解體乎！ 王何不先滅朱氏，復列聖之深仇，然後求唐後而立之，南取吳，西取蜀，汛掃宇內，合為一家，當是之時，雖使高宜、太宗復生，誰敢居王上者？ 讓之愈久則得之愈堅矣。 老奴之志無它，但以受先王大恩，欲為王立萬年之基耳。」 王曰：「此非余所願，奈群下意何。」 承業知不可止，慟哭曰：「諸侯血戰，本為唐家，今王自取之，誤老奴矣！」 即歸晉陽邑，成疾，不復起。
Zhang Chengye at Jinyang heard and hurried to Weizhou: "Our house has served the Tang for generations. I spent thirty years gathering wealth and troops to destroy rebels and restore the dynasty. Hebei is barely settled and Zhu still lives—yet you seize the throne? Who will not lose heart? Destroy Zhu first, avenge the emperors, enthrone a Tang heir, take Wu and Shu, unite the realm—then even if Taizong returned, who would sit above you? Yield longer and your claim grows firmer. I only wish, for your father's sake, to lay an enduring foundation for you." The prince said, "It is not my wish—but what can I do against the multitude? Chengye wept, "Lords bled for the Tang—and you take it yourself. You have misled me! He retired to Jinyang, fell ill, and never rose again.
41
二月，吳改元順義。
In the second month Wu adopted the era name Shunyi.
42
趙王既殺李弘規、李靄，委政於其子昭祚。 昭祚性驕愎，既得大權，曏時附弘規者皆族之。 弘規部兵五百人欲逃，聚泣偶語，未知所之。 會諸軍有給賜，趙王仇親軍之殺石希蒙，獨不時與，眾益懼。 王德明素蓄異志，因其懼而激之曰：「王命我盡坑爾曹。 吾念爾曹無罪並命，欲從王命則不忍，不然又獲罪於王，奈何？」 眾皆感泣。 是夕，親軍有宿於潭城西門者，相與飲酒而謀之。 酒酣，其中驍健者曰：「吾曹識王太保意，今夕富貴決矣！」 即逾城入。 趙王方焚香受菉，二人斷其首而出，因焚府第。 軍校張友順帥眾詣德明第，請為留後，德明複姓名曰張文禮，盡滅王氏之族，獨置昭祚之妻普寧公主以自托於梁。
Prince Yin of Zhao, having killed Honggui and Ai, handed rule to his son Zhaozuo. Zhaozuo was proud and harsh; he slaughtered everyone who had backed Honggui. Five hundred of Honggui's men gathered to flee, weeping and unsure where to turn. When pay was due, Yin withheld the personal guard's share to punish them for killing Ximeng, and fear spread. Wang Deming, nursing other ambitions, played on their fear: "The prince orders me to kill you all. You are innocent—I cannot obey—yet disobedience offends him. What then?" They wept. That night guards at Tan's west gate drank and plotted. The boldest drunk cried, "We know the vice commissioner's mind—tonight decides our fortune! They scaled the wall. Yin was receiving talismans when two men struck off his head, burned the mansion, and fled. Zhang Youshun presented Deming as regent. He took back the name Zhang Wenli, wiped out the Wangs, and kept Princess Puning to court Liang.
43
三月，吳人歸吳越王鏐從弟龍武統軍鎰於錢唐，鏐亦歸吳將李濤於廣陵。 徐溫以濤為右雄武統軍，鏐以鎰為鎮海節度副使。
In the third month Wu returned Yi to Qiantang; Liu returned Li Tao to Guangling. Wen made Tao Right Valiant Martial commander; Liu made Yi Zhenhai vice commissioner.
44
張文禮遣使告亂於晉王，且奉箋勸進，因求節鉞。 晉王方置酒作樂，聞之，投杯悲泣，欲討之。 僚佐以為文禮罪誠大，然吾方與梁爭，不可更立敵於肘腋，宜且從其請以安之。 王不得已，夏，四月，遣節度判官盧質承製授文禮成德留後。
Wenli reported to the Prince of Jin, urged enthronement, and sought the commission. The prince was feasting when news came. He dashed his cup, wept, and meant to march. Staff said the crime was grave but Liang was the foe—grant the request for now. In summer, the fourth month, he sent Lu Zhi to name Wenli Chengde regent.
45
陳州刺史惠王友能反，舉兵趣大梁，詔陝州留後霍彥威、宣義節度使王彥章、控鶴指揮使張漢傑將兵討之。 友能至陳留，兵敗，走還陳州，諸軍圍之。
Zhu Youneng of Chenzhou rebelled and marched on Daliang. Huo Yanwei, Wang Yanzang, and Zhang Hanjie were sent against him. He reached Chenliu, was beaten, fled to Chenzhou, and was besieged.
46
五月，丙戌朔，改元。
In the fifth month, bingxu new moon, the era name changed.
47
初，劉鄩與朱友謙為婚。 鄩之受詔討友謙也，至陝州，先遣使移書，諭以禍福； 待之月餘，友謙不從，然後進兵。 尹皓、段凝素忌鄩，因譖之於帝曰：「鄩逗遛養寇，俾俟援兵。」 帝信之。 鄩既敗歸，以疾請解兵柄，詔聽於西都就醫，密令留守張宗奭鴆之，丁亥，卒。
Liu Xun and Zhu Youqian had been linked by marriage. Xun, ordered to attack Youqian, paused at Shaanzhou to write of consequences; waited a month; Youqian refused; then he marched. Yin Hao and Duan Ning slandered him: "Xun coddles the rebel awaiting Jin aid. The Later Liang Emperor believed it. Xun, defeated, asked to resign for illness. The court sent him to the western capital where Zhang Zongshi poisoned him on dinghai.
48
六月，乙卯朔，日有食之。
Sixth month, yimao new moon: solar eclipse.
49
秋，七月，惠王友能降。 庚子，詔赦其死，降封房陵侯。
Autumn, seventh month: Youneng surrendered. On gengzi he was spared death and made Marquis of Fangling.
50
晉王既許籓鎮之請，求唐舊臣，欲以備百官。 朱友謙遣前禮部尚書蘇循詣行台，循至魏州，入牙城，望府廨即拜，謂之拜殿。 見王呼萬歲舞蹈，泣而稱臣。 翌日，又獻大筆三十枚，謂之「畫日筆」。 王大喜，即命循以本官為河東節度副使，張承業深惡之。 張文禮雖受晉命，內不自安，復遣間使因盧文進求援於契丹； 又遣間使來告曰：「王氏為亂兵所屠，公主無恙。 臣已北召契丹，乞朝廷發精甲萬人相助，自德、棣渡河，則晉人遁逃不暇矣。」 帝疑未決。 敬翔曰：「陛下不乘此釁以復河北，則晉人不可復破矣。 宜徇其請，不可失也。」 趙、張輩皆曰：「今強寇近在河上，盡吾兵力以拒之，猶懼不支，何暇分萬人以救張文禮乎！ 且文禮坐持兩端，欲以自固，於我何利焉！」 帝乃止。
Having indulged the frontier lords, the prince sought old Tang officials for his court. Former Minister of Rites Su Xun arrived at headquarters. At Weizhou he entered the ya gate, saw the offices, and prostrated himself—calling it "bowing to the hall." Before the prince he shouted "Long live!", danced, wept, and styled himself a subject. Next day he offered thirty large brushes as "day-painting brushes." The prince was delighted and named Xun Hezhong vice commissioner at his old rank. Zhang Chengye loathed him. Though Wenli held Jin's commission, he sent secret envoys via Lu Wenjin to Khitan; another message: "Mutineers butchered the Wangs; the princess is safe. I have summoned Khitan; send ten thousand elites from De and Di—the Jin will not escape." The Later Liang Emperor hesitated. Jing Xiang urged, "Miss this chance to recover Hebei and Jin will never break. Grant his plea—do not lose it." Zhao and Zhang objected: "The foe is on the river—we barely hold—how spare ten thousand for Wenli! Wenli plays both sides—what gain for us!" The emperor refused.
51
晉人屢於塞上及河津獲文禮蠟丸絹書，晉王皆遣使歸之，文禮慚懼。 文禮忌趙故將，多所誅滅。 符習將趙兵萬人從晉王在德勝，文禮請召歸，以它將代之，且以習子蒙為都督府參軍，遣人繼錢帛勞行營將士以悅之。 習見晉王，泣涕請留，晉王曰：「吾與趙王同盟討賊，義猶骨肉，不意一旦禍生肘腋，吾誠痛之。 汝苟不忘舊君，能為之復仇乎？ 吾以兵糧助汝。」 習與部將三十餘人舉身投地慟哭曰：「故使授習等劍，使之攘除寇敵。 自聞變故以來，冤憤無訴，欲引劍自剄，顧無益於死者，今大王念故使輔佐之勤，許之復冤，習等不敢煩霸府之兵，願以所部徑前搏取凶豎，以報王氏累世之恩，死不恨矣！」
Jin repeatedly captured Wenli's secret letters and returned them; Wenli grew ashamed and afraid. Wenli killed many old Zhao officers. Fu Xi led ten thousand Zhao troops at Desheng. Wenli recalled him, sent gifts to camp officers, and made Xi's son Meng headquarters staff officer. Xi wept before the prince, who said, "Prince Yin and I were brothers in arms—I grieve this treachery. Will you avenge him? I will give troops and grain." Xi and thirty officers prostrated themselves: "Our lord gave us swords against enemies. Since the slaughter we have burned for vengeance. Grant us our own troops—we need no headquarters army—to seize the villain and repay the Wangs, though we die!"2
52
八月，庚申，晉王以習為成德留後，又命天平節度使閻寶、相州刺史史建瑭將兵助之，自邢洺而北。 文禮先病腹疽； 甲子，晉兵拔趙州，刺史王鋌降，晉王復以為刺史，文禮聞之，驚懼而卒。 其子處瑾秘不發喪，與其黨韓正時謀悉力拒晉。 九月，晉兵渡滹沱，圍鎮州，決漕渠以灌之，獲其深州刺史張友順。 壬辰，史建瑭中流矢卒。 晉王欲自分兵攻鎮州，北面招討使戴思遠聞之，謀悉楊村之眾襲德勝北城，晉王得梁降者，知之，冬，十月，己未，晉王命李嗣源伏兵於戚城，李存審屯德勝，先以騎兵誘之，偽示羸怯。 梁兵競進，晉王嚴中軍以待之； 梁兵至，晉王以鐵騎三千奮擊，梁兵大敗，思遠走趣楊村，士卒為晉兵所殺傷及自相蹈藉、墜河陷冰，失亡二萬餘人。 晉王以李嗣源為蕃漢內外馬步副總管、同平章事。
On gengshen the prince named Xi Chengde regent and sent Yan Bao and Shi Jianya north from Xing and Mo. Wenli already suffered an abdominal abscess; on jiazi Jin took Zhaozhou; Wang Kun surrendered and was reappointed; Wenli heard, panicked, and died. Son Chujin hid the death; with Han Zhengshi he resolved to resist. Ninth month: Jin crossed the Hutuo, besieged Zhenzhou, flooded it by canal, and took Zhang Youshun of Shenzhou. On renchen Shi Jianya died of an arrow wound. Dai Siyuan meant to hit Desheng's north wall. On jiwei the prince set Li Sizhao in ambush at Qicheng and Li Cunshen at Desheng, luring Liang with a feigned retreat. Liang charged; the prince held the center; three thousand iron cavalry shattered them; twenty thousand Liang dead or lost. Li Sizhao became vice commander of all horse and foot and associate chief councilor.
53
初，義武節度使兼中書令王處直未有子，妖人李應之得小兒劉雲郎於陘邑，以遺處直曰：「是兒有貴相。」 使養為子，名之曰都。 及壯，便佞多詐，處直愛之，置新軍，使典之。 處直有孽子郁，無寵，奔晉，晉王克用以女妻之，累遷至新州團練使。 餘子皆幼； 處直以都為節度副大使，欲以為嗣。 及晉王存勖討張文禮，處直以平日鎮、定相為脣齒，恐鎮亡而定孤，固諫，以為方御梁寇，且宜赦文禮。 晉王答以文禮弒君，義不可赦； 又潛引梁兵，恐於易定亦不利。 處直患之，以新州地鄰契丹，乃潛遣人語郁，使賂契丹，召令犯塞，務以解鎮州之圍； 其將佐多諫，不聽。 郁素疾都冒繼其宗，乃邀處直求為嗣，處直許之。 軍府之人皆不欲召契丹，都亦慮郁奪其處，乃陰與書吏和昭訓謀劫處直。 會處直與張文禮使者宴於城東，暮歸，都以新軍數百伏於府第，大噪劫之，曰：「將士不欲以城召契丹，請令公歸西第。」 乃並其妻妾幽之西第，盡殺處直子孫在中山及將佐之為處直腹心者。 都自為留後，具以狀白晉王。 晉王因以都代處直。
Wang Chuzhi of Yiwu had no sons. Sorcerer Li Yingzhi gave him Liu Yunlang from Lingyi as "noble of countenance." Chuzhi adopted him as Du. Grown, Du was sly and commanded a new army. Illegitimate son Yu fled to Jin, married Keyong's daughter, and became Xizhou commissioner. Other sons were young; Chuzhi made Du vice commissioner and heir. Chuzhi warned Cunxu: Zhen and Ding were allies—pardon Wenli while fighting Liang. The prince refused: regicide cannot be pardoned; Wenli also courts Liang—bad for Yiding. Chuzhi secretly urged Yu to bribe Khitan to raid and relieve Zhenzhou; staff objected; he ignored them. Yu hated Du and asked to be heir; Chuzhi agreed. Officers opposed Khitan; Du and clerk He Zhaoxun plotted a coup. At dusk Du's new guard seized Chuzhi: "We will not summon Khitan—retire to the west wing." They jailed him westward and slaughtered his kin and trusted men in Zhongshan. Du made himself regent and reported to Jin. The prince accepted Du in Chuzhi's place.
54
吳徐溫勸吳王祀南郊，或曰：「禮樂未備且唐祀南郊，其費巨萬，今未能辦也。」 溫曰：「安有王者而不事天乎！ 吾聞事天貴誠，多費何為！ 唐每郊祀，啟南門，灌其樞用脂百斛。 此乃季世奢泰之弊，又安足法乎！」 甲子，吳王祀南郊，配以太祖。 乙丑，大赦； 加徐知誥同平章事，領江州觀察使。 尋以江州為奉化軍，以知誥領節度使。 徐溫聞壽州團練使崔太初苛察失民心，欲征之，徐知誥曰：「壽州邊隅大鎮，征之恐為變，不若使其入朝，因留之。」 溫怒曰：「一崔太初不能制，如他人何！」 征為右雄武大將軍。
“Xu Wen urged a southern suburb rite; critics cited Tang's ruinous expense.” Wen said, "What king does not serve Heaven! Sincerity, not expense, is what matters! Tang greased gate pivots with a hundred hu of fat— decadence of a dying age, not a model!" On jiazi the Wu king sacrificed at the southern suburb with the founder. On yichou: great amnesty; Xu Zhigao became associate chief councilor and Jiangzhou observer. Jiangzhou became Fenghua Army under Zhigao. “Wen meant to punish harsh Cui Taichu of Shouzhou; Zhigao said summon him to court instead.” Wen snapped, "If I cannot control Cui Taichu, what of others!" Cui was made Right Valiant Martial general.
55
十一月，晉王使李存審、李嗣源守德勝，自將兵攻鎮州。 張處瑾遣其弟處琪、幕僚齊儉謝罪請服，晉王不許，盡銳攻之，旬日不克。 處瑾使韓正時將千騎突圍出，趣定州，欲求救於王處直。 晉兵追至行唐，斬之。
Eleventh month: Cunshen and Sizhao held Desheng; the prince besieged Zhenzhou. Chujin sent Chuji and Qi Jian to submit; the prince refused and assaulted ten days without success. Chujin sent Han Zhengshi with a thousand horse toward Dingzhou for aid. Jin caught him at Xingtang and beheaded him.
56
契丹主既許盧文進出兵，王郁又說之曰：「鎮州美女如雲，金帛如山，天皇王速往，則皆己物也，不然，為晉王所有矣。」 契丹主以為然，悉發所有之眾而南。 述律-{后}-諫曰：「吾有西樓羊馬之富，其樂不可勝窮也，何必勞師遠山以乘危徼利乎！ 吾聞晉王用兵，天下莫敵，脫有危敗，悔之何及！」 契丹主不聽，十二月，辛未，攻幽州，李紹宏嬰城自守。 契丹長驅而南，圍涿州，旬日拔之，擒刺史李嗣弼。 進攻定州，王都告急於晉，晉王自鎮州將親軍五千救之，遣神武都指揮使王思同將兵戍狼山之南以拒之。
Khitan, promised by Lu Wenjin, was urged by Wang Yu: "Zhenzhou's wealth is yours—hurry or Jin takes it." The Khitan ruler marched south with all his forces. “Shulü remonstrated against the risky southern march. She warned of the Prince of Jin's invincibility." He ignored her; twelfth month, xinwei: Khitan attacked Youzhou; Li Shaohong defended. Khitan took Zhuozhou in ten days and captured Li Sibi. Khitan besieged Dingzhou; the prince led five thousand to rescue; Wang Sitong guarded Langshan.
57
高季昌遣都指揮使倪可福以卒萬人修江陵外郭，季昌行視，責功程之慢，杖之。 季昌女為可福子知進婦，季昌謂其女曰：「歸語汝舅：吾欲威眾辦事耳。」 以白金數百兩遺之。
Gao Jichang sent Ni Kefu to repair Jiangling's walls and beat slow workers. “He told his daughter to reassure Kefu he only meant to hurry the work.” He sent hundreds of taels of white gold in compensation.
58
是歲，漢以尚書左丞倪曙同平章事。
That year Han made Ni Shu associate chief councilor.
59
辰、漵蠻侵楚，楚寧遠節度副使姚彥章討平之。
Chen and Xu tribes raided Chu; Yao Yanzhang pacified them.
60
春，正月，壬午朔，王都省王處直於西第，處直奮拳毆其胸，曰：「逆賊，我何負於汝！」 既無兵刃，將噬其鼻，都掣袂獲免。 未幾，處直憂憤而卒。
Spring, renwu new moon: Du visited Chuzhi, who struck his chest crying "Traitor—what did I owe you! Unarmed, Chuzhi tried to bite his nose; Du fled. Soon Chuzhi died of grief.
61
甲午，晉王至新城南，候騎白契丹前鋒宿新樂，涉沙河而南； 將士皆失色，士卒有亡去者，主將斬之不能止。 諸將皆曰：「虜傾國而來，吾眾寡不敵； 又聞梁寇內侵，宜且還師魏州以救根本，或請釋鎮州之圍，西入井陘避之。」 晉王猶豫未決，中門使郭崇韜曰：「契丹為王郁所誘，本利貨財而來，非能救鎮州之急難也。 王新破梁兵，威振夷、夏，契丹聞王至，心沮氣索，苟挫其前鋒，遁走必矣。」 李嗣昭自潞州至，亦曰：「今強敵在前，吾有進無退，不可輕動以搖人心。」 晉王曰：「帝王之興，自有天命，契丹其如我何！ 吾以數萬之眾平定山東，今遇此小虜而避之，何面目以臨四海！」 乃自帥鐵騎五千先進。 至新城北，半出桑林，契丹萬餘騎見之，驚走。 晉王分軍為二逐之，行數十里，獲契丹主之子。 時沙河橋狹冰薄，契丹陷溺死者甚眾。 是夕，晉王宿新樂。 契丹主車帳在定州城下，敗兵至，契丹舉眾退保望都。 晉王至定州，王都迎謁於馬前，宴於府第，請以愛女妻王子繼岌。 戊戌，晉王引兵趣望都，契丹逆戰，晉王以親軍千騎先進，遇奚酋禿餒五千騎，為其所圍。 晉王力戰，出入數四，自午至申不解。 李嗣昭聞之，引三百騎橫擊之，虜退，王乃得出。 因縱兵奮擊，契丹大敗，逐北至易州。 會大雪彌旬，平地數尺，契丹人馬無食，死者相屬於道。 契丹主舉手指天，謂盧文進曰：「天未令我至此。」 乃北歸。 晉王引兵躡之，隨其行止，見其野宿之所，布蒿於地，迴環方正，皆如編剪，雖去，無一枝亂者，歎曰：「虜用法嚴乃能如是，中國所不及也。」 晉王至幽州，使二百騎躡契丹之後，曰：「虜出境即還。」 騎恃勇追擊之，悉為所擒，惟兩騎自它道走免。
On jiawu the prince reached Xincheng; scouts reported Khitan at Xinle crossing the Sha south; troops panicked and fled despite executions. Generals urged retreat: "We are outnumbered; Liang threatens within—return to Weizhou or lift the siege." “Guo Chongtao said Khitan came for loot, not Zhenzhou. Break their vanguard and they flee." “Li Sizhao from Luzhou said advance, never retreat.” “The prince said emperors rise by mandate—Khitan cannot harm him. How face the realm fleeing a small foe!" He led five thousand iron cavalry forward. North of Xincheng ten thousand Khitan horsemen fled at sight of him. He pursued and captured the Khitan ruler's son. Thin ice on the Sha drowned many Khitan. That night he camped at Xinle. Khitan withdrew to Wangdu after defeat. At Dingzhou Wang Du feasted him and offered his daughter to Jiji. On wuxu Khitan fought; a thousand guard cavalry met Tuluwi's five thousand and were surrounded. The prince fought from noon to shen, trapped four or five times. Li Sizhao's three hundred broke the ring and freed him. Jin pursued to Yizhou in great victory. Snow fell ten days; Khitan men and horses starved; corpses lined the roads. The Khitan ruler told Lu Wenjin, "Heaven did not mean me to come." He marched north. “Pursuing, he admired Khitan camp discipline—artemisia squares perfect as cut cloth.” “At Youzhou he sent two hundred horse to shadow Khitan until they crossed the border.” Pursuers were captured; only two escaped.
62
契丹主責王郁，縶之以歸，自是不聽其謀。
Khitan blamed Wang Yu, bound him, and ignored his counsel thereafter.
63
晉代州刺史李嗣肱將兵定媯、儒、武等州，授山北都團練使。
Li Sigong of Daizhou pacified northern prefectures and became mountain regiments commander.
64
晉王之北攻鎮州也，李存審謂李嗣源曰：「梁人聞我在南兵少，不攻德勝，必襲魏州。 吾二人聚於此何為！ 不若分軍備之。」 遂分軍屯澶州。 戴思遠果悉楊村之眾趣魏州，嗣源引兵先之，軍於狄公祠下，遣人告魏州，使為之備。 思遠至魏店，嗣源遣其將石萬全將騎兵挑戰。 思遠知有備，乃西渡洹水，拔成安，大掠而還。 又將兵五萬攻德勝北城，重塹復壘，斷其出入，晝夜急攻之，李存審悉力拒守。 晉王聞德勝勢危，二月，自幽州赴之，五日至魏州。 思遠聞之，燒營遁還楊村。
“Cunshen warned Sizhao: Liang may strike Weizhou while we are few in the south. Why stay here together! Split forces to guard." They camped detachments at Duanzhou. Dai Siyuan marched on Weizhou; Sizhao camped at the Di Gong shrine and warned Weizhou. At Weidian Sizhao's Shi Wanquan challenged him. Siyuan crossed west, sacked Cheng'an, and withdrew looting. He besieged Desheng's north wall with fifty thousand; Cunshen held. Hearing Desheng's peril, the prince rode from Youzhou in five days. Siyuan burned camp and fled to Yangcun.
65
蜀主好為微行，酒肆、倡家靡所不到，惡人識之，乃下令士民皆著大裁帽。
The Shu ruler roamed in disguise and made everyone wear large hats to hide him.
66
晉天平節度使兼侍中閻寶築壘以圍鎮州，決滹沱水環之。 內外斷絕，城中食盡。 丙午，遣五百餘人出求食。 寶縱其出，欲伏兵取之； 其人遂攻長圍，寶輕之，不為備，俄數千人繼至。 諸軍未集，鎮人遂壞長圍而出，縱火攻寶營，寶不能拒，退保趙州。 鎮人悉毀晉之營壘，取其芻粟，數日不盡。 晉王聞之，以昭義節度使兼中書令李嗣昭為北面招討使，以代寶。
Yan Bao of Tianping besieged Zhenzhou and ringed it with the Hutuo. The city was starved and cut off. On bingwu five hundred went out for food. Bao meant to ambush them; they attacked the siege lines; thousands followed. Zhenzhou broke out, burned Bao's camp; he fled to Zhaozhou. They seized Jin stores for days. The prince replaced Bao with Li Sizhao as northern campaign commissioner.
67
夏，四月，蜀軍使王承綱女將嫁，蜀主取之入宮。 承綱請之，蜀主怒，流於茂州。 女聞父得罪，自殺。 甲戌，張處瑾遣兵千人迎糧於九門，李嗣昭設伏於故營，邀擊之，殺獲殆盡，餘五人匿於牆墟間，嗣昭環馬而射之，鎮兵發矢中其腦，嗣昭箙中矢盡，拔矢於腦以射之，一發而殪。 會日暮，還營，創流血不止。 是夕卒。 晉王聞之，不御酒肉者累日。 嗣昭遺命：悉以澤、潞兵授節度判官任圜，使督諸軍攻鎮州，號令如一，鎮人不知嗣昭之死。 圜，三原人也。
Summer, fourth month: the Shu ruler seized Wang Chenggang's daughter on her wedding day. Chenggang pleaded; the ruler exiled him to Maozhou. She killed herself on hearing of his punishment. On jiaxu Sizhao ambushed grain escorts at Jiumen, took an arrow in the brain, pulled it out, and killed his shooter before dying. He bled without cease that night. He died that night. The prince mourned without meat or wine for days. Sizhao left Ze and Lu troops to Ren Yuan; Zhenzhou did not know he was dead. Ren Yuan came from Sanyuan.
68
晉王以天雄馬步都指揮使、振武節度使李存進為北面招討使。 命嗣昭諸子護喪歸葬晉陽； 其子繼能不受命，帥父牙兵數千，自行營擁喪歸潞州。 晉王遣母弟存渥馳騎追諭之，兄弟俱忿，欲殺存渥，存渥逃歸。 嗣昭七子、繼儔、繼韜、繼達、繼忠、繼能、繼襲、繼遠。 繼儔為澤州刺史，當襲爵，素懦弱。 繼韜凶狡，囚繼儔於別室，詐令士卒劫己為留後，繼韜陽讓，以事白晉王。 晉王以用兵方殷，不得已，改昭義軍曰安義，以繼韜為留後。
Li Cunjin became northern campaign commissioner. Sizhao's sons were to bury him at Jinyang; son Jineng defied orders and led guard troops to Luzhou with the coffin. Cunwo fled when the brothers meant to kill him. Sizhao's seven sons: Jichou, Jitao, Jida, Jizhong, Jineng, Jixi, Jiyuan. Heir Jichou of Ze was timid. Jitao imprisoned Jichou and seized power, then feigned yielding. The prince renamed Zhaoyi to Anyi and made Jitao regent.
69
閻寶慚憤，疽發於背，甲戌卒。
Yan Bao's back abscess killed him on jiaxu.
70
漢主巖用術者言，游梅口鎮避災。 其地近閩之西鄙，閩將王延美將兵襲之，未至數十里，偵者告之，巖遁逃僅免。
Han ruler Yan toured Meikou to avoid disaster per diviners. Min's Wang Yanmei nearly caught Yan at Meikou; he barely escaped.
71
五月，乙酉，晉李存進至鎮州，營於東垣渡，夾滹沱水為壘。
Fifth month, yiyou: Li Cunjin camped at Dongyuan Ford on the Hutuo.
72
晉衛州刺史李存儒，本姓楊，名婆兒，以俳優得幸於晉王。 頗有膂力，晉王賜姓名，以為刺史； 志事掊斂，防城卒皆征月課縱歸。 八月，莊宅使段凝與步軍都指揮使張朗引兵夜渡河襲之，詰旦登城，執存儒，遂克衛州。 戴思遠又與凝攻陷淇門、共城、新鄉，於是澶州之西，相州之南，皆為梁有； 晉人失軍儲三之一，梁軍復振。 帝以張朗為衛州刺史。 朗，徐州人也。
Li Cunru of Weizhou, once the actor Yang Po'er, was the prince's favorite. Strong and favored, he was made prefect; he extorted the garrison with monthly levies. Eighth month: Duan Ning and Zhang Lang took Weizhou at dawn and captured Cunru. Siyuan and Ning took Qimen, Gongcheng, Xinxiang—west of Duan and south of Xiang fell to Liang; Jin lost a third of stores; Liang revived. The Later Liang Emperor made Zhang Lang Weizhou prefect. Lang came from Xuzhou.
73
九月，戊寅朔，張處瑾使其弟處球乘李存進無備，將兵七千人奄至東垣渡。 時晉之騎兵亦向鎮州城下，兩不相遇。 鎮兵及存進營門，存進狼狽引十餘人斗於橋上，鎮兵退，晉騎兵斷其後，夾擊之，鎮兵殆盡，存進亦戰沒。 晉王以蕃漢馬步總管李存審為北面招討使。 鎮州食竭力盡，處瑾遣使詣行台請降，未報，存審兵至城下。 丙午夜，城中將李再豐為內應，密投縋以納晉兵，比明畢登，執處瑾兄弟家人及其黨高濛、李翥、齊儉送行台，趙人皆請而食之，磔張文禮屍於市。 趙王故侍者得趙王遺骸於灰燼中，晉王命祭而葬之。 以趙將符習為成德節度使，烏震為趙州刺史，趙仁貞為深州刺史，李再豐為冀州刺史。 震，信都人也。
Ninth month, wuyin: Chuqiu surprised Dongyuan Ford with seven thousand while Jin horse also neared Zhenzhou walls—they missed each other. Zhen troops hit Cunjin's camp; he fought on the bridge with a dozen men; Jin cavalry struck from behind; Cunjin died and Zhen troops were destroyed. The prince named Li Cunshen northern campaign commissioner. Chujin begged to surrender before Cunshen's army reached the walls. At midnight Li Zaifeng let Jin troops in; Chujin was seized; Zhao people devoured the captives; Wenli's corpse was torn apart in the market. An attendant found Prince Yin's bones in the ashes; the prince buried them with rites. Fu Xi became Chengde commissioner; Wu Zhen Zhaozhou; Zhao Renzhen Shenzhou; Li Zaifeng Jizhou. Wu Zhen came from Xindu. Fu Xi refused Chengde until he had buried Prince Yin in mourning.
74
符習不敢當成德，辭曰：「故使無後而未葬，習當斬衰以葬之，俟禮畢聽命。」 既葬，即詣行台。 趙人請晉王兼領成德節度使，從之。 晉王割相、衛二州置義寧軍，以習為節度使。 習辭曰：「魏博霸府，不可分也，願得河南一鎮，習自取之。」 乃以為天平節度使、東南面招討使。 加李存審兼侍中。
“After burial he reported to headquarters.” Zhao asked the prince to hold Chengde; he agreed. He created Yining from Xiang and Wei and made Xi commissioner. Xi declined: give me a Henan commission instead. “He became Tianping and southeast campaign commissioner.” Li Cunshen was made palace attendant. Eleventh month, wuyin: Zhang Chengye died; Lady Cao mourned as kin.
75
十一月，戊寅，晉特進、河東監軍使張承業卒，曹太夫人詣其第，為之行服，如子侄之禮。 晉王聞其喪，不食者累日。 命河東留守判官何瓚代知河東軍府事。
The prince fasted many days. The prince heard and fasted for many days. He Zan was ordered to administer Hezhong military affairs.
76
十二月，晉王以魏博觀察判官晉陽張憲兼鎮冀觀察判官，權鎮州軍府事。
In the twelfth month the prince named Zhang Xian of Jinyang to also judge Zhenji and act for Zhenzhou military government.
77
魏州稅多逋負，晉王以讓司錄濟陰趙季良，季良曰：「殿下何時當平河南？」 王怒曰：「汝職在督稅，職之不修，何敢預我軍事！」 季良對曰：「殿下方謀攻取而不愛百姓，一旦百姓離心，恐河北亦非殿下之有，況河南乎！」 王悅，謝之。 自是重之，每預謀議。
Weizhou taxes were in arrears; the prince rebuked Zhao Jiliang, who asked, "When will Your Highness pacify Henan?" 」The prince snapped, "Your job is tax collection—how dare you lecture me on war!" 」Jiliang answered, "You seek conquest but not the people's hearts—lose them and you lose Hebei before Henan!" 」The prince relented and thanked him. From then on he was valued in every council.
78
是歲，契丹改元天贊。
That year Khitan adopted the era name Tianzan.
79
大封王躬乂，性殘忍，海軍統帥王建殺之，自立，復稱高麗王，以開州為東京，平壤為西京。 建儉約寬厚，國人安之。
Gong Yi of Great Feng was cruel. Wang Jian of the navy killed him, took the throne, restored the title King of Goryeo, and made Kaesong the eastern capital and Pyongyang the western. Wang Jian was frugal and magnanimous, and the realm was calm.
Footnotes
- (End of Youqian's speech.)
- (End of Xi's plea.)