1
資治通鑑第288卷
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 288
2
【後漢紀三】起著雍涒□灘三月，盡屠維作噩，凡一年有奇。
[Later Han Records 3] From Zhuoyong Chitan, third month, through Tuyu Zuoe—a little more than one year in all.
3
高祖睿文聖武昭肅孝皇帝下
(Latter annals of) Emperor Gaozu, posthumously styled Sagacious, Cultured, Sacred, Martial, Illustrious, Solemn, and Filial
4
三月，丙辰，史弘肇起復，加兼侍中。
In the third month, on bingchen, Shi Hongzhao returned from mourning and was also made concurrent Palace Attendant.
5
侯益家富於財，厚賂執政及史弘肇等，由是大臣爭譽之。 丙寅，以益兼中書令，行開封尹。
Hou Yi was immensely wealthy and lavished bribes on the chief ministers and on Shi Hongzhao and others, so the court grandees competed to sing his praises. On bingyin, Hou Yi was made concurrent Director of the Secretariat and acting mayor of Kaifeng.
6
改廣晉府為大名府，晉昌軍為永興軍。
The Guangjin palace precinct was renamed Daming Prefecture, and the Jinchang army district was renamed the Yongxing army district.
7
侯益盛毀王景崇於朝，言其恣橫。 景崇聞益尹開封，知事已變，內不自安，且怨朝廷。 會詔遣供奉官王益如鳳翔，征趙匡贊牙兵詣闕，趙思綰等甚懼，景崇因以言激之。 思綰途中謂其黨常彥卿曰：「小太尉已落其手，吾屬至京師，並死矣，奈何？」 彥卿曰：「臨機制變，子勿復言。」
At court Hou Yi repeatedly denounced Wang Jingchong, accusing him of acting with reckless arrogance. When Wang Jingchong learned that Hou Yi had taken office as mayor of Kaifeng, he knew the situation had shifted; uneasy at heart, he also grew resentful toward the court. Just then an edict sent the palace attendant Wang Yi to Fengxiang to call Zhao Kuangzan's troops to the capital; Zhao Sixian and his fellows were deeply alarmed, and Wang Jingchong seized the moment to goad them. On the march Sixian told his follower Chang Yanqing, "The junior grand marshal is already in their grasp; once we reach the capital we are all dead men—what can we do?" Chang Yanqing replied, "We must seize the moment and act—say no more."
8
癸酉，至長安，永興節度副使安友規、巡檢喬守溫出迎王益，置酒於客亭。 思綰前白曰：「壕寨使已定捨館於城東。 今將士家屬皆在城中，欲各入城挈家詣城東宿。」 友規等然之。 時思綰等皆無鎧仗，既入西門，有州校坐門側，思綰遽奪其劍斬之。 其徒因大譟，持白梃，殺守門者十餘人，分遣其黨守諸門。 思綰入府，開庫取鎧仗給之，友規等皆逃去。 思綰遂據城，集城中少年，得四千餘人，繕城隍，葺樓堞，旬日間，戰守之具皆備。 王景崇諷鳳翔吏民表景崇知軍府事，朝廷患之。 甲戌，徙靜難節度使王守恩為永興節度使，徙保義節度使趙暉為鳳翔節度使，並同平章事。 以景崇為邠州留後，令便道之官。 虢州伶人靖邊庭殺團練使田令方，驅掠州民，奔趙思綰。 至潼關，潼關守將出擊之，其眾皆潰。
On guiyou they arrived at Chang'an; the Yongxing deputy commissioner An Yougui and the inspector Qiao Shouwen went out to receive Wang Yi and laid out wine in the guest pavilion. Sixian came forward and said, "The encampment commissioner has already arranged quarters for you east of the city. Our men's families are all still in the city; we would like each to go in, bring out our households, and camp east of the city." An Yougui and the others assented. At the time Sixian and his men were unarmed; after they entered the West Gate, a prefectural clerk sat by the gate; Sixian snatched his sword and struck him down. His men burst into a roar, seized white staves, killed more than ten gatekeepers, and posted their partisans at every gate. Sixian entered the government compound, broke open the armory, and distributed arms; Yougui and the rest all fled. Sixian then held the city, mustered more than four thousand youths from within the walls, repaired ramparts and battlements, and within ten days had every means of war and defense in place. Wang Jingchong prompted Fengxiang's officials and populace to petition that he be put in charge of the prefectural command; the court was alarmed. On jiaxu Wang Shouen, commissioner of Jingnan, was moved to Yongxing, and Zhao Hui, commissioner of Baoyi, was moved to Fengxiang; both received the title of co–Grand Councilor. Wang Jingchong was appointed acting prefect of Bin and told to take office by the most direct route. At Guo Prefecture the actor Jing Bianting murdered the regimental commissioner Tian Lingfang, looted the prefecture, and fled to Zhao Sixian. At Tong Pass the defenders sallied against them and the band broke and fled.
9
初，契丹主北歸，至定州，以義武節度副使邪律忠為節度使，徙故節度使孫方簡為大同節度使。 方簡怨恚，且懼入朝為契丹所留，遷延不受命，帥其黨三千人保狼山故寨，控守要害。 契丹攻之，不克。 未幾，遣使請降，帝復其舊官，以扞契丹。 邪律忠聞鄴都既平，常懼華人為變。 詔以成德留後劉在明為幽州道馬步都部署，使出兵經略定州。 未行，忠與麻荅等焚掠定州，悉驅其人棄城北去。 孫方簡自狼山帥其眾數百，還據定州，又奏以弟行友為易州刺史，方遇為泰州刺史。 每契丹入寇，兄弟奔命，契丹頗畏之。 於是晉末州縣陷契丹者，皆復為漢有矣。
Earlier, as the Khitan emperor marched north and reached Ding Prefecture, he appointed Yelü Zhong, deputy commissioner of Yiwu, as military commissioner and transferred the former commissioner Sun Fangjian to Datong. Sun Fangjian was bitter and afraid that if he went to court the Khitan would detain him; he stalled and refused the order, leading three thousand followers to occupy the old stronghold on Lang Mountain and guard the passes. The Khitan besieged him but could not prevail. Soon he sent envoys to offer submission; the emperor restored his former post and employed him to hold the Khitan at bay. When Yelü Zhong learned that Ye Prefecture had been recovered, he lived in constant fear of a Chinese uprising. An edict named Liu Zaiming, acting prefect of Chengde, commander of cavalry and infantry on the Youzhou circuit and ordered him to advance on Ding Prefecture. Before he could march, Zhong with Mada and others burned and pillaged Ding, drove out the entire population, and abandoned the city fleeing north. Sun Fangjian led several hundred men from Lang Mountain back into Ding and memorialized appointing his brother Xingyou prefect of Yi and Fangyu prefect of Tai. Whenever the Khitan invaded, the brothers raced to meet them, and the Khitan grew wary of them. Thus every prefecture and county lost to the Khitan at the end of Later Jin was restored to Later Han rule.
10
丙子，以劉在明為成德節度使。
On bingzi Liu Zaiming was appointed military commissioner of Chengde.
11
麻荅至其國，契丹主責以失守。 麻荅服，曰：「因朝廷征漢官致亂耳。」 契丹主鴆殺之。
When Mada reached Khitan territory, the Khitan emperor rebuked him for the loss of his command. Mada bowed and said, "Disorder arose because the court summoned Han officials away." The Khitan emperor had him poisoned.
12
蘇逢吉等為相，多遷補官吏。 楊邠以為虛費國用，所奏多抑之，逢吉等不悅。 中書侍郎兼戶部尚書、同平章事李濤上疏言：「今關西紛擾，外御為急。 二樞密皆佐命功臣，官雖貴而家未富，宜授以要害大鎮。 樞機之務在陛下目前，易以裁決，逢吉、禹珪自先帝時任事，皆可委也。」 楊邠、郭威聞之，見太后泣訴。 稱：「臣等從先帝起艱難中，今天子取人言，欲棄之於外。 況關西方有事，臣等何忍自取安逸，不顧社稷。 若臣等必不任職，乞留過山陵。」 太后怒，以讓帝，曰：「國家勳舊之臣，奈何聽人言而逐之！」 帝曰：「此宰相所言也。」 因詰責宰相。 濤曰：「此疏臣獨為之，他人無預。」 丁丑，罷濤政事，勒歸私第。
With Su Fengji and others as chancellors, official appointments and promotions were frequent. Yang Bin regarded this as squandering the treasury; he rejected most of their proposals, to the chancellors' displeasure. Li Tao, Vice Director of the Secretariat, concurrent Minister of Revenue, and co–Grand Councilor, memorialized: "The northwest is in uproar; guarding against external enemies must come first. Both chiefs of staff are founding ministers; though exalted in rank, their families are not yet wealthy—they should be granted major frontier commands. Secretariat business lies before Your Majesty and is easy to judge; Fengji and Yu Gui, who have served since the previous emperor, can both be relied upon." When Yang Bin and Guo Wei heard of it, they went to the empress dowager in tears to protest. They said, "We rose with the late emperor through hardship; now the emperor, heeding others, would cast us aside. With the west in turmoil, how could we seek comfort for ourselves and ignore the realm? If we are truly unfit to serve, let us at least remain until the tomb rites are complete." The empress dowager was furious and upbraided the emperor: "These are the realm's meritorious veterans—how can you heed talk and banish them!" The emperor replied, "This came from the chancellors." He then took the chancellors to task. Li Tao said, "I wrote this memorial alone; no one else was involved." On dingchou Li Tao was stripped of office and sent home.
13
是日，邠、涇、同、華四鎮俱上言護國節度使兼中書令李守貞與永興、鳳翔同反。
That same day Bin, Jing, Tong, and Hua all reported that Li Shouzhen, Huguo military commissioner and concurrent Director of the Secretariat, had rebelled in concert with Yongxing and Fengxiang.
14
始，守貞聞杜重威死而懼，陰有異志，自以晉世嘗為上將，有戰功，素好施，得士卒心。 漢室新造，天子年少初立，執政皆後進，有輕朝廷之志。 乃招納亡命，養死士，治城塹，繕甲兵，晝夜不息。 遣人間道繼蠟丸結契丹，屢為邊吏所獲。
At first Shouzhen, hearing of Du Chongwei's execution, grew fearful and nursed secret designs; he reckoned that under Jin he had been a top commander with battle honors, was generous by nature, and had won his troops' loyalty. Later Han was newly established, the emperor young and just crowned, and the ministers all newcomers—he looked down on the court. He recruited fugitives, kept desperate fighters, repaired walls and moats, and forged arms day and night without pause. He repeatedly sent agents by hidden paths with wax-sealed messages to the Khitan; frontier officers often intercepted them.
15
浚儀人趙修己，素善術數，自守貞鎮滑州，署司戶參軍，累從移鎮，為守貞言：「時命不可，勿妄動！」 前後切諫非一，守貞不聽，乃稱疾歸鄉里。 僧總倫，以術媚守貞，言其必為天子，守貞信之。 又嘗會將佐置酒，引弓指《舐掌虎圖》曰：「吾有非常之福，當中其舌。」 一發中之，左右皆賀。 守貞益自負。 會趙思綰據長安，奉表獻御衣於守貞，守貞自謂天人協契，乃自稱秦王。 遣其驍將平陸王繼勳將兵據潼關，以思綰為晉昌節度使。
Zhao Xiuji of Junyi, versed in divination, had served Shouzhen as revenue registrar since his posting at Hua and followed him through successive commands; he warned, "Fortune is not with you—do not move rashly!" He urged this again and again, but Shouzhen refused to heed him and Xiuji then pleaded illness and went home. The monk Zonglun curried favor with divination, declaring Shouzhen would surely become emperor; Shouzhen believed him. Once at a feast with his commanders he drew his bow, pointed at the painting "Licking the Tiger's Paw," and said, "I have an extraordinary fate—I shall strike its tongue." One arrow struck true; his attendants all hailed the omen. Shouzhen grew still more conceited. When Zhao Sixian held Chang'an and sent a memorial offering imperial robes to Shouzhen, Shouzhen took it as heaven and men in concert and proclaimed himself King of Qin. He dispatched his fierce general Wang Jixun of Pinglu to seize Tong Pass and appointed Sixian Jinchang military commissioner.
16
同州距河中最近，匡國節度使張彥威，常詗守貞所為，奏請先為之備。 詔滑州馬軍都指揮使羅金山將部兵戍同州。 故守貞起兵，同州不為所並。 金山，雲州人也。
Tong Prefecture lay closest to Hezhong; Zhang Yanwei, Kuangguo military commissioner, constantly watched Shouzhen and memorialized for prior preparations. An edict ordered Luo Jinshan, commander of the Hua horse corps, to garrison Tong with his troops. Thus when Shouzhen rebelled, Tong was not swallowed up. Luo Jinshan was a native of Yun Prefecture.
17
定難節度使李彝殷發兵屯境上，奏稱：「去三載前羌族㖡毋殺綏州刺史李仁裕叛去，請討之。」 慶州上言：「請益兵為備。」 詔以司天言，今歲不利先舉兵，諭止之。
Li Yiyin, Dingnan military commissioner, mobilized troops on his frontier and memorialized: "Three years ago the Qiang chieftain Xu Mou murdered Sui commissioner Li Renyu and fled; I request leave to attack." Qing Prefecture reported, "We request additional troops for defense." An edict, citing the Astronomical Bureau's finding that the year was ill-suited to striking first, forbade the campaign.
18
夏，四月，辛巳，陝州都監王玉奏克復潼關。
In summer, the fourth month, on xinsi, Wang Yu, Shan Prefecture overseer, reported the recovery of Tong Pass.
19
帝與左右謀，以太后怒李濤離間，欲更進用二樞密，以明非帝意。 左右亦疾二蘇之專，欲奪其權，共勸之。 壬午，制以樞密使楊邠為中書侍郎兼吏部尚書、同平章事，樞密使如故，以副樞密使郭威為樞密使，又加三司使王章同平章事。 凡中書除官，諸司奏事，帝皆委邠斟酌。 自是三相拱手，政事盡決於邠。 事有未更邠所可否者，莫敢施行，遂成凝滯。 三相每進擬用人，苟不出邠意，雖簿、尉亦不之與。 邠素不喜書生，常言：「國家府廩實，甲兵強，乃為急務。 至於文章禮樂，何足介意！」 既恨二蘇排己，又以其除官太濫，為眾所非，欲矯其弊，由是艱於除拜，士大夫往往有自漢興至亡不沾一命者。 凡門廕及百司入仕者悉罷之。 雖由邠之愚蔽，時人亦咎二蘇之不公所致云。
The emperor consulted his attendants: the empress dowager was furious at Li Tao for driving a wedge; he wished to promote the two chiefs of staff to show this was not his own wish. His attendants likewise resented the two Su ministers' grip on power and urged stripping it from them. On renwu an edict made Yang Bin, chief of staff, Vice Director of the Secretariat, concurrent Minister of Personnel, and co–Grand Councilor while retaining his chief-of-staff post; Guo Wei, deputy chief of staff, became chief of staff; and Wang Zhang, commissioner of the Three Departments, was also made co–Grand Councilor. Thereafter every Secretariat appointment and every ministry submission the emperor left to Bin to judge. From then on the three chancellors stood idle with folded hands; Yang Bin decided everything. Nothing could be enacted unless Bin had first approved or rejected it, and government ground to a halt. Whenever the three chancellors proposed candidates, if Bin disapproved, even a clerk or assistant would not receive appointment. Yang Bin disliked scholars and often said, "Full treasuries and strong armies—that is what matters. Literature, ritual, and music—why trouble over them!" He resented the two Su for sidelining him and thought their appointments excessive, inviting public censure; trying to correct the abuse he made promotions scarce, and many literati served from Han's founding to its fall without ever receiving a post. Everyone who had entered service by inherited privilege or through the ministries was removed. Though this stemmed from Yang Bin's obtuseness, men of the time also faulted the two Su for their partiality.
20
以鎮寧節度使郭從義充永興行營都部署，將侍衛兵討趙思綰。 戊子，以保義節度使白文珂為河中行營都部署，內客省使王峻為都監。 辛卯，削奪李守貞官爵，命文珂等會兵討之。 乙未，以寧江節度使、侍衛步軍都指揮使尚洪遷為西面行營都虞候。
Guo Congyi, Zhenning military commissioner, was appointed commander of the Yongxing field army and led the palace guard against Zhao Sixian. On wuzi Bai Wenke, Baoyi military commissioner, was named commander of the Hezhong field army, with Wang Jun of the inner service as overseer. On xinmao Li Shouzhen was stripped of rank and title and Wenke and others were ordered to converge and attack him. On yiwei Shang Hongqian, Ningjiang military commissioner and commander of the palace foot soldiers, was made deputy commander of the western campaign.
21
王景崇遷延不之邠州，閱集鳳翔丁壯，詐言討趙思綰，仍牒邠州會兵。
Wang Jingchong lingered and would not proceed to Bin; he mustered Fengxiang's able-bodied men, claiming falsely to march against Zhao Sixian, and still sent orders to Bin to join forces.
22
契丹主如遼陽，故晉主與太后、皇后皆謁見。 有禪奴利者，契丹主之妻兄也，聞晉主有女未嫁，詣晉主求之，晉主辭以幼。 後數日，契丹主使人馳取其女而去，以賜禪奴。
The Khitan emperor went to Liaoyang; the former Jin emperor with the empress dowager and empress all came to pay homage. Chan Nuli, brother-in-law to the Khitan emperor's consort, hearing the Jin emperor had an unwed daughter, asked for her; the Jin emperor pleaded she was too young. Days later the Khitan emperor sent riders to seize the girl and gave her to Chan Nu.
23
王景崇遺蜀鳳州刺史徐彥書，求通互市。 壬戌，蜀主使彥復書招之。
Wang Jingchong wrote to Xu Yan, Feng Prefecture commissioner in Shu, seeking to open border trade. On renxu the Shu emperor had Xu Yan answer with a letter inviting him over.
24
契丹主留晉翰林學士徐台符於幽州，台符逃歸。
The Khitan emperor detained the former Jin Hanlin academician Xu Taifu at You; Taifu fled home.
25
五月，乙亥，滑州言河決魚池。
In the fifth month, on yihai, Hua Prefecture reported the Yellow River breached its banks at Yuchi.
26
六月，戊寅朔，日有食之。
In the sixth month, on wuyin, the new moon, there was a solar eclipse.
27
辛巳，以奉國左廂都虞候劉詞充河中行營馬步都虞候。
On xinsi, Liu Ci, deputy commander of the Fengguo left wing, was made deputy commander of horse and foot for the Hezhong campaign.
28
乙酉，王景崇遣使請降於蜀，亦受李守貞官爵。 高從誨既與漢絕，北方商旅不至，境內貧乏，乃遣使上表謝罪，乞修職貢。 詔遣使尉撫之。
On yiyou, Wang Jingchong sent envoys to offer submission to Shu and also accepted rank and titles from Li Shouzhen. Once Gao Conghui severed ties with Later Han, northern trade ceased and his domain grew destitute; he sent envoys with a memorial of apology, begging to restore tribute relations. An edict sent envoys to console and reassure him.
29
西面行營都虞候尚洪遷攻長安，傷重而卒。
Shang Hongqian, deputy commander of the western campaign, assaulted Chang'an, died of severe wounds, and passed away.
30
秋，七月，以工部侍郎李穀充西南面行營都轉運使。
In autumn, the seventh month, Li Gu, Vice Minister of Works, was appointed transport commissioner for the southwestern campaign.
31
庚申，加樞密使郭威同平章事。
On gengshen, Guo Wei, chief of staff, was also made co–Grand Councilor.
32
蜀司空兼中書侍郎、同平章事張業，性豪侈，強市人田宅，藏匿亡命於私第，置獄，系負債者，或歷年至有瘐死者。 其子檢校左僕射繼昭，好擊劍，嘗與僧歸信訪善劍者，右匡聖都指揮使孫漢韶與業有隙，密告業、繼昭謀反。 翰林承旨李昊、奉聖控鶴馬步都指揮使安思謙復從而譖之。 甲子，業入朝，蜀主命壯士就都堂擊殺之，下詔暴其罪惡，籍沒其家。
Shu's Zhang Ye, Minister of Works and concurrent Vice Director of the Secretariat and co–Grand Councilor, lived lavishly; he seized commoners' land and homes by force, harbored fugitives in his mansion, ran a private jail, and locked up debtors—some held so long they starved to death in custody. His son Jizhao, acting Left Vice Director, was fond of fencing; once, visiting a master swordsman with the monk Guixin, Sun Hanshao of the Right Kuangsheng guard—who hated Ye—secretly accused father and son of treason. Li Hao, Hanlin academician-in-attendance, and An Siqian, commander of the Fengsheng Controlled Crane corps, piled on further accusations. On jiazi, as Ye came to court, the Shu emperor had strongmen beat him to death in the chief ministry hall, published an edict listing his crimes, and seized his estate.
33
樞密使、保寧節度使兼侍中王處回，亦專權貪縱，賣官鬻獄，四方饋獻，皆先輸處回，次及內府，家貲巨萬。 子德鈞，亦驕橫。 張業既死，蜀主不忍殺處回，聽歸私第。 處回惶恐辭位，以為武德節度使兼中書令。
Wang Chuhui, chief of staff, Baoning military commissioner, and concurrent Palace Attendant, likewise hoarded power and took bribes; he sold posts and verdicts, and tribute from every direction reached Chuhui before the inner court—his household amassed vast wealth. His son Dejun was likewise proud and domineering. After Zhang Ye perished, the Shu emperor could not bring himself to execute Chuhui and let him retire home. Chuhui, terrified, resigned and was appointed Wude military commissioner and concurrent Director of the Secretariat.
34
蜀主欲以普豐庫使高延昭、茶酒庫使王昭遠為樞密使，以其名位素輕，乃授通奏使，知樞密院事。 昭遠，成都人，幼以僧童從其師入府，蜀高祖愛其敏慧，令給事蜀主左右。 至是，委以機務，府庫金帛，恣其取與，不復會計。
The Shu emperor wanted Gao Yanzhao of the Pufeng treasury and Wang Zhaoyuan of the tea and wine treasury as chiefs of staff; finding their standing too low, he made them Memorial Transmitters in charge of the Bureau of Military Affairs instead. Zhaoyuan was from Chengdu; as a child monk he entered the palace with his teacher; Shu's founding emperor admired his cleverness and placed him in attendance on the Shu ruler. Now he controlled state business; he helped himself to treasury gold and silk with no reckoning at all.
35
戊辰，以郭從義為永興節度使，白文珂兼知河中行府事。
On wuchen, Guo Congyi became Yongxing military commissioner, and Bai Wenke was also named acting administrator of the Hezhong field command.
36
蜀主以翰林承旨、尚書左丞李昊為門下侍郎兼戶部尚書，翰林學士、兵部侍郎徐光溥為中書侍郎兼禮部尚書，並同平章事。
The Shu emperor appointed Li Hao, Hanlin academician-in-attendance and Left Vice Director, as Vice Director of the Secretariat and concurrent Minister of Revenue, and Xu Guangpu, Hanlin academician and Vice Minister of War, as Vice Director of the Secretariat and concurrent Minister of Rites—both co–Grand Councilors.
37
蜀安思謙謀盡去舊將，又譖衛聖都指揮使兼中書令趙廷隱謀反，欲代其位，夜，發兵圍其第。 會山南西道節度使李廷珪入朝，極言廷隱無罪，乃得免。 廷隱因稱疾，固請解軍職。 甲戌，蜀主許之。
Shu's An Siqian schemed to purge the veteran commanders and accused Zhao Tingyin, Weisheng guard commander and concurrent Director of the Secretariat, of treason so he could seize his post; that night he surrounded Tingyin's mansion with troops. Li Tinggui, commissioner of Shannan West, happened to be at court and insisted Tingyin was innocent; only then was he spared. Tingyin then claimed illness and urgently sought release from military office. On jiaxu the Shu emperor agreed.
38
風翔節度使趙暉至長安。 乙亥，表王景崇反狀益明，請進兵擊之。
Zhao Hui, Fengxiang military commissioner, arrived at Chang'an. On yihai he reported that Wang Jingchong's defiance was ever plainer and begged leave to march against him.
39
初，高祖鎮河東，皇弟崇為馬步都指揮使，與蕃漢都孔目官郭威爭權，有隙。 及威執政，崇憂之。 節度判官鄭珙，勸崇為自全計，崇然之。 珙，青州人也。 八月，庚辰，崇表募兵四指揮，自是選募勇士，招納亡命，繕甲兵，實府庫，罷上供財賦，皆以備契丹為名。 朝廷詔令，多不稟承。
Earlier, while the founding emperor governed Hedong, his brother Chong commanded horse and foot and vied for power with Guo Wei, the Tangut-Han chief clerk—they were at odds. Once Wei took power, Chong grew uneasy. Zheng Gong, the circuit judge, urged Chong to secure himself; Chong assented. Zheng Gong was a native of Qingzhou. In the eighth month, on gengchen, Chong memorialized to raise four command regiments; thereafter he picked fierce fighters, took in fugitives, stocked arms, filled the treasury, and withheld tribute—all ostensibly to prepare against the Khitan. He frequently ignored imperial edicts and orders.
40
自河中、永興、鳳翔三鎮拒命以來，朝廷繼遣諸將討之。 昭義節度使常思屯潼關，白文珂屯同州，趙暉屯咸陽。 惟郭從義、王峻置柵近長安，而二人相惡如水火，自春徂秋，皆相持莫肯攻戰。 帝患之，欲遣重臣臨督。 壬午，以郭威為西面軍前招慰安撫使，諸軍皆受威節度。 威將行，問策於太師馮道。 道曰：「守貞自謂舊將，為士卒所附，願公勿愛官物，以賜士卒，則奪其所恃矣。」 威從之。 由是眾心始附於威。
Since Hezhong, Yongxing, and Fengxiang had rebelled, the court had sent one general after another against them. Chang Si of Zhaoyi held Tong Pass; Bai Wenke held Tong; Zhao Hui held Xianyang. Only Guo Congyi and Wang Jun encamped near Chang'an, yet they loathed each other; from spring to autumn they stared each other down and neither would fight. The emperor was vexed and wanted a senior minister to supervise them on the spot. On renwu Guo Wei was named Pacification Commissioner for the western front; every army fell under his authority. Before marching, Wei sought strategy from Grand Preceptor Feng Dao. Feng Dao said, "Shouzhen thinks himself an old commander his men adore; do not hoard official goods—give them to the troops, and you strip him of his support." Guo Wei took his advice. From then on the troops' loyalty shifted to Guo Wei.
41
詔白文珂趣河中，趙暉趣風翔。
An edict hurried Bai Wenke to Hezhong and Zhao Hui to Fengxiang.
42
甲申，蜀主以趙廷隱為太傅，賜爵宋王，國有大事，就第問之。
On jiashen the Shu emperor made Zhao Tingyin Grand Tutor, ennobled him Prince of Song, and for weighty matters visited him at home for counsel.
43
戊子，蜀改鳳翔曰岐陽軍，己丑，以王景崇為岐陽節度使、同平章事。
On wuzi Shu renamed Fengxiang the Qiyang army district; on jichou Wang Jingchong became Qiyang military commissioner and co–Grand Councilor.
44
乙未，以錢弘俶為東南兵馬都元帥、鎮海、鎮東節度使兼中書令、吳越國王。
On yiwei Qian Hongchu was named commander-in-chief of southeastern forces, Zhenhai and Zhendong military commissioner, concurrent Director of the Secretariat, and king of Wuyue.
45
郭威與諸將議攻討，諸將欲先取長安、鳳翔。 鎮國節度使扈彥珂曰：「今三叛連衡，推守貞為主，守貞亡，則兩鎮自破矣。 若捨近而攻遠，萬一王、趙拒吾前，守貞掎吾後，此危道也。」 威善之。 於是威自陝州，白文珂及寧江節度使、侍衛步軍都指揮使劉詞自同州，常思自潼關，三道攻河中。 威撫養士卒，與同苦樂，小有功輒厚賞之，微有傷常親視之。 士無賢不肖，有所陳啟，皆溫辭色而受之。 違忤不怒，小過不責。 由是將卒咸歸心於威。
Guo Wei consulted his commanders on the campaign; they wanted to seize Chang'an and Fengxiang first. Hu Yanke of Zhenguo said, "The three rebels hold together under Shouzhen; once he falls, the other two will collapse on their own. If you leave the near foe to strike the far one, and Wang and Zhao bar your front while Shouzhen hits your rear, you walk a deadly path." Guo Wei agreed. Then Wei advanced from Shan, Bai Wenke and Liu Ci from Tong, and Chang Si from Tong Pass—three columns against Hezhong. Guo Wei nursed his men, sharing their hardships; he richly rewarded small deeds and personally tended minor wounds. Worthy or not, whoever offered advice met a warm welcome. He did not rage at dissent and overlooked petty faults. Officers and rank and file alike gave Guo Wei their loyalty.
46
始，李守貞以禁軍皆嘗在麾下，受其恩施，又士卒素驕，苦漢法之嚴，謂其至則叩城奉迎，可坐而待之。 既而士卒新受賜於郭威，皆忘守貞舊恩。 己亥，至城下，揚旗伐鼓，踴躍詬譟，守貞視之失色。
At first Shouzhen assumed the palace guard had served under him and owed him favors, and that troops chafed under Later Han's harsh laws; he expected them to batter the gates in welcome so he could sit and wait for victory. Instead the men had just been showered with Guo Wei's gifts and forgot Shouzhen's old largesse. On jihai they reached the walls, unfurled banners, beat drums, and jeered; Shouzhen watched and turned pale.
47
白文珂克西關城，柵於河西，常思柵於城南，威柵於城西。 未幾，威以常思無將領才，先遣歸鎮。 諸將欲急攻城，威曰：「守貞前朝宿將，健斗好施，屢立戰功。 況城臨大河，樓堞完固，未易輕也。 且彼憑城而鬥，吾仰而攻之，何異帥士卒投湯火乎！ 夫勇有盛衰，攻有緩急，時有可否，事有後先。 不若且設長圍而守之，使飛走路絕。 吾洗兵牧馬，坐食轉輸，溫飽有餘。 俟城中無食，公帑家財皆竭，然後進梯沖以逼之，飛書檄以招之。 彼之將士，脫身逃死，父子且不相保，況烏合之眾乎！ 思綰、景崇，但分兵縻之，不足慮也。」 乃發諸州民夫二萬餘人，使白文珂等帥之，刳長壕，築連城，列隊伍而圍之。 威又謂諸將曰：「守貞曏畏高祖，不敢鴟張； 以我輩崛起太原，事功未著，有輕我心，故敢反耳。 正宜靜以制之。」 乃偃旗臥鼓，但循河設火舖，連延數十里，番步卒以守之。 遣水軍檥舟於岸，寇有潛往來者，無不擒之。 於是守貞如坐網中矣。
Bai Wenke seized the West Pass city and encamped west of the river; Chang Si south of the city; Guo Wei west of the city. Soon Guo Wei, judging Chang Si no general, sent him back to his post. The commanders wanted a swift assault; Guo Wei said, "Shouzhen is an old commander of the previous house—fierce, generous, and battle-tested. Besides, the city fronts the Yellow River; its walls and towers are sound—not to be rushed. If they fight behind walls while we climb up at them, is that not driving men into a cauldron! Courage rises and falls, assaults hurry or wait, timing permits or forbids, and tasks have their sequence. Better lay a long siege and starve them, cutting every path in or out. We rest the army, graze the horses, and live on convoys—warm and well fed. When the city runs out of food and treasuries are empty, bring up towers and rams and shower them with summons. Their men will flee for their lives; fathers and sons will not shield each other—what of a rabble thrown together! Sixian and Jingchong need only be pinned with detached forces—not worth fretting over." He drafted more than twenty thousand laborers from the prefectures, had Bai Wenke lead them in digging a deep trench and building linked walls to encircle the city. Guo Wei also told his commanders, "Shouzhen once feared our founding emperor and dared not strut; Seeing us rise from Taiyuan with little fame, he despises us—hence his revolt. Now we should master him with stillness." He lowered banners and silenced drums, lining fire beacons along the river for miles and posting rotating foot patrols. He moored warships on the bank; anyone who slipped in or out was seized. Shouzhen was caught as if in a net.
48
蜀武德節度使兼中書令王處回請老，辛丑，以太子太傅致仕。
Shu's Wang Chuhui, Wude military commissioner and concurrent Director of the Secretariat, sought retirement; on xinchou he left office as Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent.
49
南漢主遣知制誥宣化鍾允章求婚於楚，楚王希廣不許。 南漢主怒。 問允章：「馬公復能經略南土乎？」 對曰：「馬氏兄弟，方爭亡於不暇，安能害我！」 南漢主曰：「然。 希廣懦而吝嗇，其士卒忘戰日久，此乃吾進取之秋也。」
The Southern Han emperor sent Zhong Yunzhang of Xuanhua to propose marriage to Chu; Chu's ruler Xi Guang refused. The Southern Han emperor was furious. He asked Yunzhang, "Can the Ma clan still campaign in the south?" Yunzhang answered, "The Ma brothers are racing each other to ruin—how could they touch us!" The Southern Han emperor said, "True. Xi Guang is cowardly and stingy; his troops have forgotten war—this is our moment to strike."
50
武平節度使馬希萼請與楚王希廣各修職貢，求朝廷別加官爵，希廣用天策府內都押牙歐弘練、進奏官張仲荀謀，厚賂執政，使拒其請。 九月，壬子，賜希萼及楚王希廣詔書，諭以「兄弟宜相輯睦，凡希萼所貢，當附希廣以聞。」 希萼不從。
Ma Xie of Wuping asked that he and Chu's Xi Guang each pay tribute separately and seek distinct court titles; Xi Guang, advised by Ou Honglian of the Celestial Policy Office and memorial transmitter Zhang Zhongxun, bribed the ministers heavily to block the request. In the ninth month, on renzi, edicts went to Xie and King Xi Guang of Chu, saying, "Brothers must live in harmony; all Xie's tribute shall pass through Xi Guang." Xie refused.
51
蜀兵援王景崇，軍於散關，趙暉遣都監李彥從襲擊，破之，蜀兵遁去。
Shu reinforcements for Wang Jingchong camped at San Pass; Zhao Hui's overseer Li Yanchong attacked, routed them, and they fled.
52
蜀主以張業、王處回執政，事多壅蔽，己未，始置匭函，後改為獻納函。
With Zhang Ye and Wang Chuhui in power, business was often stalled; on jiwei Shu first installed complaint boxes, later renamed them submission boxes.
53
王景崇盡殺侯益家屬七十餘人，益子前天平行軍司馬仁矩先在外，得免。 庚申，以仁矩為隰州刺史。 仁矩子延廣，尚在襁褓，乳母劉氏以己子易之，抱延廣而逃，乞食至於大梁，歸於益家。
Wang Jingchong slaughtered more than seventy of Hou Yi's kin; Yi's son Renju, formerly on the Tianping field staff, was away and survived. On gengshen Renju was appointed prefect of Xi. Renju's infant son Yanguang was swapped by wet nurse Lady Liu for her own child; she fled with Yanguang, begged her way to Daliang, and restored him to the Yi clan.
54
李守貞屢出兵欲突長圍，皆敗而返。 遣人繼蠟丸求救於唐、蜀、契丹，皆為邏者所獲。 城中食且盡，殍死者日眾。 守貞憂形於色，召總倫詰之，總倫曰：「大王當為天子，人不能奪。 但此分野有災，待磨滅將盡，只餘一人一騎，乃大王鵲起之時也。」 守貞猶以為然。
Li Shouzhen repeatedly sallied to break the siege; each time he was beaten back. He again sent wax-sealed pleas to Tang, Shu, and the Khitan; scouts intercepted every message. Provisions ran low; starvation deaths mounted daily. Shouzhen looked haggard; he summoned Zonglun, who said, "You are fated to be emperor—no one can deny it. Only this region suffers disaster; wait until it is nearly spent, until but one man and one horse remain—that is when you soar like the magpie." Shouzhen still believed him.
55
冬，十月，王景崇遣其子德讓，趙思綰遣其子懷乂，見蜀主於成都。
In winter, the tenth month, Wang Jingchong sent his son Deyang and Zhao Sixian his son Huaiyi to audience with the Shu emperor at Chengdu.
56
戊寅，景崇遣兵出西門，趙暉擊破之，遂取西關城。 景崇退守大城，暉塹而圍之，數挑戰，不出。 暉潛遣千餘人擐甲執兵，效蜀旗幟，循南山而下，令諸軍聲言：「蜀兵至矣。」 景崇果遣兵數千出迎之，暉設伏掩擊，盡殪之。 自是景崇不復敢出。
On wuyin Jingchong sallied from the West Gate; Zhao Hui routed him and seized the West Pass city. Jingchong fell back to the inner city; Zhao Hui dug trenches, besieged him, and challenged him again and again, but he would not sally. Zhao Hui secretly dispatched over a thousand armored men with Shu-style banners down the southern slopes, ordering the host to shout, "Shu troops are here!" Wang Jingchong sent several thousand men out to welcome them; Hui's ambush struck and slaughtered them to the last man. After that Jingchong never dared sally forth again.
57
蜀主遣山南西道節度使安思謙將兵救鳳翔，左僕射兼門下侍郎、同平章事毋昭裔上疏諫曰：「臣竊見莊宗皇帝志貪西顧，前蜀主意欲北行，凡在庭臣，皆貢諫疏，殊無聽納，有何所成！ 只此兩朝，可為鑒誡。」 不聽，又遣雄武節度使韓保貞引兵出汧陽以分漢兵之勢。
The Shu emperor sent An Siqian of Shannan West circuit to relieve Fengxiang; Wu Zhaoyi, Left Vice Director and co–Grand Councilor, memorialized: "I have seen how Emperor Zhuangzong coveted the west and the Former Shu ruler yearned to march north—ministers remonstrated in vain. What came of it? Those two reigns alone should warn us." The Shu ruler refused and again sent Xiongwu commissioner Han Baozhen through Qianyang to split Later Han forces.
58
王景崇遣前義成節度使酸棗李彥舜等逆蜀兵。 丙申，安思謙屯右界，漢兵屯寶雞。 思謙遣眉州刺史申貴將兵二千趣模壁，設伏於竹林。 丁酉旦，貴以兵數百壓寶雞而陳，漢兵逐之，遇伏而敗，蜀兵逐北，破寶雞寨。 蜀兵去，漢兵復入寶雞。 己亥，思謙進屯謂水，漢益兵五千戍寶雞。 思謙畏之，謂眾曰：「糧少敵強，宜更為後圖。」 辛丑，退屯鳳州，尋歸興元，貴，潞州人也。
Wang Jingchong sent the former Yicheng commissioner Li Yanhun of Suanzao and others to greet the Shu army. On bingchen An Siqian camped at Youjie while Later Han forces camped at Baoji. Siqian sent Mei prefect Shen Gui with two thousand men toward Mobai and hid troops in a bamboo thicket. At dawn on dingyou Gui drew up a few hundred men before Baoji; Later Han pursuers hit the ambush and broke; Shu troops chased north and stormed the Baoji fort. When Shu withdrew, Later Han reoccupied Baoji. On jihai Siqian moved to Weishui; Later Han reinforced Baoji with five thousand men. Fearing the odds, Siqian told his officers, "Grain is short and the enemy strong—we need another plan." On xinchou he fell back to Feng Prefecture, then to Xingyuan; Gui was from Luzhou.
59
荊南節度使兼中書令、南平文獻王高從誨寢疾，以其子節度副使保融判內外兵馬事。 癸卯，從誨卒，保融知留後。
Gao Conghui, Jingnan commissioner and Duke of Nanping, lay gravely ill and put his son Baorong, deputy commissioner, in charge of all military affairs. On guimao Conghui died; Baorong became acting governor.
60
彰武節度使高允權與定難節度使李彝殷有隙，李守貞密求援於彝殷，發兵屯延、丹境上，聞官軍圍河中，乃退。 甲辰，允權以其狀聞，彝殷亦自訴，朝廷和解之。
Zhangwu commissioner Gao Yunquan feuded with Dingnan's Li Yiyin; Li Shouzhen secretly begged Yiyin for help, and Yiyin camped on the Yan–Dan frontier until the Hezhong siege drew him off. On jiachen Yunquan reported the affair and Yiyin appealed too; the court reconciled them.
61
初，高祖入大梁，太師馮道、太子太傅李崧皆在真定，高祖以道第賜蘇禹珪，崧第賜蘇逢吉。 崧第中瘞藏之物及洛陽別業，逢吉盡有之。 及崧歸朝，自以形跡孤危，事漢權臣，常惕惕謙謹，多稱疾杜門。 而二弟嶼、嶬，與逢吉子弟俱為朝士，時乘酒出怨言，云：「奪我居第、家貲！」 逢吉由是惡之。 未幾，崧以兩京宅券獻於逢吉，逢吉愈不悅。 翰林學士陶谷，先為崧所引用，復從而譖之。
When Gaozu first entered Daliang, Feng Dao and Li Song were still at Zhending; Gaozu gave Dao's mansion to Su Yugui and Song's to Su Fengji. Fengji seized the buried hoard in Song's house and Song's Luoyang estates. Back at court, isolated and vulnerable, Li Song served Later Han's power brokers in fearful humility, often feigning illness and staying home. Yet his brothers Yu and Wei, like Fengji's sons and nephews, held court posts; drunk, they complained, "They stole our house and fortune!" From that Fengji hated them. Soon Li Song surrendered the deeds to his Luoyang and Kaifeng homes; Fengji liked him even less. Tao Gu of the Hanlin Academy, once promoted by Song, piled on the slander.
62
漢法既嚴，而侍衛都指揮使史弘肇尤殘忍，寵任孔目官解暉，凡入軍獄者，使之隨意鍛煉，無不自誣。 及三叛連兵，群情震動，民間或訛言相驚駭。 弘肇掌部禁兵，巡邏京城，得罪人，不問情輕重，於法何如，皆專殺不請。 或決口斷舌，斫筋，折脛，無虛日。 雖奸盜屏跡，而冤死者甚眾，莫敢辨訴。 李嶼僕夫葛延遇，為嶼販鬻，多所欺匿，嶼抶之，督其負甚急，延遇與蘇逢吉之僕李澄謀上變告嶼謀反。 逢吉聞而誘致之，因召崧至第，收送侍衛獄。 嶼自誣云：「與兄崧、弟嶬、甥王凝及家僮合二十人，謀因山陵發引，縱火焚京城作亂。 又遣人以蠟書入河中城，結李守貞。 又遣人召契丹兵。」 及具獄上，逢吉取筆改「二十」為「五十」字。 十一月，甲寅，下詔誅崧兄弟、家屬及辭所連及者，皆陳屍於市。 仍厚賞葛延遇等，時人無不冤之。 自是士民家皆畏憚僕隸，往往為所脅制。
Later Han's laws were harsh already, but Palace Guard commander Shi Hongzhao was savage; he trusted clerk Jie Hui, and every prisoner was tortured into confession. As the three rebellions linked arms, the realm trembled and rumor panicked the streets. Hongzhao patrolled the capital with the guards and killed at will, never asking whether law or circumstance warranted death. Mouths were split, tongues cut, sinews and shins broken—hardly a day passed without such mutilations. Crime vanished, but innocents died in droves and none dared appeal. Li Yu's servant Ge Yanyu cheated him in trade; Yu beat him and demanded payment; Yanyu joined Fengji's servant Li Cheng to accuse Yu of treason. Fengji lured them in, summoned Li Song to his house, and sent him to the guard prison. Yu confessed: "My brother Song, brother Wei, nephew Wang Ning, and twenty servants and I planned to rebel at the imperial funeral procession, burn the capital, and rise. He also sent wax-sealed letters into Hezhong to Li Shouzhen. He also called for Khitan aid." When the dossier reached Fengji, he changed "twenty" to "fifty." In the eleventh month, on jiayin, an edict executed the Songs, their kin, and all named in the confessions; corpses littered the market. Ge Yanyu and the others were richly rewarded; everyone called it injustice. After that gentry and commoners alike feared their own servants, who often blackmailed them.
63
他日，秘書郎真定李昉詣陶谷，谷曰：「君於李侍中近遠？」 昉曰：「族叔父。」 谷曰：「李氏之禍，谷有力焉。」 昉聞之，汗出。 谷，邠州人也，本姓唐，避晉高祖諱改焉。
One day Secretary Cadet Li Fang of Zhending visited Tao Gu, who asked, "How close are you to Attendant Li?" Fang answered, "He is my uncle in the clan." Gu said, "Gu helped bring down the Lis." Fang broke into a cold sweat. Gu was from Bin; born Tang, he had changed his surname to avoid Later Jin Gaozu's taboo.
64
史弘肇尤惡文士，常曰：「此屬輕人難耐，每謂吾輩為卒。」 弘肇領歸德節度使，委親吏楊乙收屬府公利。 乙依勢驕橫，合境畏之如弘肇，副使以下，望風展敬，乙皆下視之。 月率錢萬緡以輸弘肇，部民不勝其苦。
Shi Hongzhao despised scholars and often said, "Those soft fellows look down on us and call us mere soldiers." Hongzhao also held Guide command and let intimate clerk Yang Yi rake the circuit's revenues. Yi swaggered through the circuit; deputies bowed to him as to Hongzhao himself. Each month he sent Hongzhao ten thousand strings of cash; the people buckled under the levy.
65
初，沈丘人舒元，嵩山道士楊訥，俱以遊客干李守貞。 守貞為漢所攻，遣元更姓朱，訥更姓李，名平，間道奉表求救於唐。 唐諫議大夫查文徽、兵部侍郎魏岑請出兵應之。
Shu Yuan of Shenqiu and the Mount Song daoist Yang Ne, wandering clients, had once served Li Shouzhen. Besieged by Later Han, Shouzhen sent Yuan to take the surname Zhu and Ne the surname Li, called Ping, to Tang by secret paths begging rescue. Tang remonstrance officer Cha Wenhui and Vice Minister of War Wei Cen urged a relief expedition.
66
唐主命北面行營招討使李金全將兵救河中，以清淮節度使劉彥貞副之，文徽為監軍使，岑為沿淮巡檢使，軍於沂州之境。 金全與諸將方會食，候騎白有漢兵數百在澗北，皆羸弱，請掩之。 金全令曰：「敢言過澗者斬！」 及暮，伏兵四起，金鼓聞十餘里，金全令曰：「曏可與之戰乎？」 時唐士卒厭兵，莫有鬥志，又河中道遠，勢不相及。 丙寅，唐兵退保海州。 唐主遺帝書謝，請復通商旅，且請赦守貞，朝廷不報。
The Tang emperor ordered northern commander Li Jinquan to relieve Hezhong, with Qinghuai commissioner Liu Yanzhen as deputy, Cha Wenhui as overseer, and Wei Cen patrolling the Huai, encamped on Yi's border. Jinquan was at table when scouts reported a few hundred weak Later Han troops north of the ravine and asked to strike. Jinquan ordered, "Whoever speaks of crossing the ravine dies!" At dusk ambushers rose on every side; drums rolled for ten li; Jinquan asked, "Could you have fought them then?" Tang troops were war-weary; Hezhong lay far away, and aid could not arrive in time. On bingyin Tang fell back to Haizhou. Tang sent apology and a plea to reopen trade and pardon Shouzhen; Later Han did not answer.
67
壬申，葬睿文聖武昭肅孝皇帝於睿陵，廟號高祖。
On renshen the Sagacious, Cultured, Sacred, Martial, Illustrious, Solemn, and Filial Emperor was buried at Ruiling with temple name Gaozu.
68
十二月，丁丑，以高保融為荊南節度使、同平章事。
In the twelfth month, on dingchou, Gao Baorong became Jingnan commissioner and co–Grand Councilor.
69
辛巳，南漢主以內常侍吳懷恩為開府儀同三司、西北面招討使，將兵擊楚，攻賀州。 楚王希廣遣決勝指揮使徐知新等將兵五千救之。 未至，南漢人已拔賀州，鑿大阱於城外，覆以竹箔，加土，下施機軸，自塹中穿穴通阱中。 知新等至，引兵攻城，南漢遣人自穴中發機，楚兵悉陷，南漢出兵從而擊之。 楚兵死者以千數，知新等遁歸，希廣斬之。 南漢兵復陷昭州。
On xinsi Southern Han made Wu Huaien a Three Excellencies-grade northwest commander and sent him against Chu at He Prefecture. Chu's Xi Guang sent Xu Zhixin and five thousand Decisive Victory troops to relieve it. Southern Han had already taken He Prefecture and dug a pit outside the walls, roofed with bamboo and earth, rigged with traps and linked by tunnel to the moat. When Zhixin assaulted the walls, Southern Han sprung the trap from the tunnel; Chu troops plunged in and were slaughtered. Thousands of Chu soldiers died; Zhixin fled back and Xi Guang had him executed. Southern Han took Zhao Prefecture as well.
70
王景崇累表告急於蜀，蜀主命安思謙再出兵救之。 壬午，思謙自興元引兵屯鳳州，請先運糧四十萬斛，乃可出境。 蜀主曰：「觀思謙之意，安肯為朕進取！」 然亦發興州、興元米數萬斛以饋之。 戊子，思謙進屯散關，遣馬步使高彥儔、眉州刺史申貴擊漢箭筈安都寨，破之。 庚寅，思謙敗漢兵於玉女潭，漢兵退屯寶雞，思謙進屯模壁。 韓保貞出新關，壬辰，軍於隴州神前，漢兵不出，保貞亦不敢進。
Wang Jingchong begged Shu again and again; the Shu emperor ordered An Siqian out once more. On renwu Siqian marched from Xingyuan to Feng Prefecture and demanded four hundred thousand hu of grain before crossing the border. The Shu emperor said, "Siqian has no mind to fight for me!" Still he sent tens of thousands of hu from Xing and Xingyuan. On wuzi Siqian reached San Pass and sent Gao Yanchao and Shen Gui to storm Later Han's Jianhua Andu camp. On gengyin Siqian routed Later Han at Yunu Tan; Later Han fell back to Baoji while Siqian advanced to Mobai. Han Baozhen came through Xinguan and on renchen camped at Shenqian in Long Prefecture; neither side advanced.
71
趙暉告急於郭威，威自往赴之。 時李守貞遣副使周光遜、裨將王繼勳、聶知遇守城西，威戒白文珂、劉詞曰：「賊苟不能突圍，終為我禽； 萬一得出，則吾不得復留於此。 成敗之機，於是乎在。 賊之驍銳，盡在城西，我去必來突圍，爾曹謹備之！」 威至華州，聞蜀兵食盡引去，威乃還。 韓保貞聞安思謙去，亦退保弓川寨。
Zhao Hui begged Guo Wei for help; Wei marched in person. Li Shouzhen held the west with Zhou Guangxun, Wang Jixun, and Nie Zhiyu; Wei warned Bai Wenke and Liu Ci, "If they cannot break out, we will take them; But if they do break out, we cannot stay here. Victory or defeat hangs on this moment. Their best troops are west of the city; when I leave they will rush the lines—guard well!" At Hua Prefecture Wei learned Shu had retreated for lack of grain and turned back. Han Baozhen, hearing Siqian had gone, withdrew to Gongchuan camp.
72
蜀中書侍郎兼禮部尚書、同平章事徐光溥坐以艷辭挑前蜀安康長公主，丁酉，罷守本官。
Shu co–Grand Councilor Xu Guangpu was demoted on dingyou for flirting with the Former Shu Princess of Ankang with lewd verses.
73
隱皇帝上
The Hidden Emperor (first part)
74
高祖睿文聖武昭肅孝皇帝下
(Latter annals of) Emperor Gaozu, posthumously styled Sagacious, Cultured, Sacred, Martial, Illustrious, Solemn, and Filial
75
春，正月，乙巳朔，大赦。
Spring, first month, on yisi, new moon—general amnesty.
76
郭威將至河中，白文珂出迎之。
As Guo Wei neared Hezhong, Bai Wenke rode out to meet him.
77
戊申夜，李守貞遣王繼勳等引精兵千餘人，循河而南，襲漢柵，坎岸而登，遂入之，縱火大譟，軍中狼狽不知所為。 劉詞神色自若，下令曰：「小盜不足驚也！」 帥眾擊之。 客省使閻晉卿曰：「賊甲皆黃紙，為火所照，易辨耳。 奈眾無鬥志何！」 裨將李韜曰：「安有無事食君祿，有急不死鬥者邪！」 援槊先進，眾從之。 河中兵退走，死者七百人，繼勳重傷，僅以身免。 己酉，郭威至，劉詞迎馬首請罪。 威厚賞之，曰：「吾所憂正在於此。 微兄健鬥，幾為虜嗤。 然虜伎殫於此矣。」 晉卿，忻州人也。
On the night of wushen Li Shouzhen sent Wang Jixun with a thousand elite troops south along the river, scaled the bank, burst into the Later Han camp, and set fires; the army panicked. Liu Ci stayed calm and ordered, "Petty raiders are nothing!" He led the host to counterattack. Guest Reception Commissioner Yan Jinqing said, "Their armor is yellow paper—firelight marks them plainly. But the men had no heart to fight!" General Li Tao cried, "Who eats the ruler's rice and will not die fighting?" He charged spear-first; the host followed. Hezhong troops fled; seven hundred died; Jixun was badly wounded and barely escaped. On jiyou Guo Wei arrived; Liu Ci met him at the bridle to accept blame. Wei richly rewarded him, saying, "This was exactly what I feared. Without your fierce stand we would have been the enemy's laughingstock. Their tricks end here." Jinqing was from Xin Prefecture.
78
守貞之欲攻河西柵也，先遣人出酤酒於村墅，或貰與，不責其直，邏騎多醉。 由是河中兵得潛行入寨，幾至不守。 郭威乃下令：「將士非犒宴，毋得私飲！」 愛將李審，晨飲少酒，威怒曰：「汝為吾帳下，首違軍令，何以齊眾！」 立斬以徇。
To attack the western river camp Shouzhen sent men to sell wine on credit at farmsteads until patrol riders were drunk. Thus Hezhong men slipped into the camp in secret and nearly took the position. Guo Wei ordered, "No private drinking except at victory feasts!" His favorite Li Shen drank a little that morning; Wei raged, "You serve in my tent yet break the law first—how can I discipline the host?" He beheaded him on the spot as an example.
79
甲寅，蜀安思謙退屯鳳州，上表待罪，蜀主釋不問。 詔以靜州隸定難軍，二月，辛未，李彝殷上表謝。 彝殷以中原多故，有輕傲之志，每籓鎮有叛者，常陰助之，邀其重賂。 朝廷知其事，亦以恩澤羈縻之。
On jiayin Shu's An Siqian fell back to Feng Prefecture and submitted a guilt memorial; the Shu emperor let it pass. An edict attached Jing Prefecture to Dingnan; in the second month, on xinwei, Li Yiyin thanked the court. Yiyin, seeing chaos in the heartland, grew arrogant; he secretly backed rebel commissioners and extorted rich bribes. The court knew but still bound him with favors.
80
淮北群盜多請命於唐，唐主遣神衛都虞候皇甫暉等將兵萬人出海、泗以招納之。 蒙城鎮將咸師朗等降於暉。 徐州將成德欽敗唐兵於峒峿鎮，俘斬六百級，暉等引歸。
North-of-Huai bandits flocked to Tang; Tang sent Divine Guard officer Huangfu Hui with ten thousand men through Hai and Si to enlist them. Mengcheng garrison commander Xian Shilang and others surrendered to Hui. Xuzhou's Cheng Deqin routed Tang at Dongyu town, killing six hundred; Hui withdrew.
81
晉李太后詣契丹主，請依漢人城寨之側，給田以耕桑自贍。 契丹主許之，並晉主遷於建州。 未至，安太妃卒於路。 遺令：「必焚我骨，南向揚之，庶幾魂魄歸達於漢。」 既至建州，得田五十餘頃，晉主令從者耕其中以給食。 頃之，述律王遣騎取晉主寵姬趙氏、聶氏而去。 述律王者，契丹主德光之子也。
Jin Empress Dowager Li begged the Khitan khan to settle her beside a Han fortress with fields for farming and mulberry. The khan agreed and moved the Jin emperor to Jian Prefecture. Before they arrived Consort Dowager An died on the road. She left word: "Burn my bones and scatter them southward, that my soul may reach Han." At Jian Prefecture they received fifty-odd qing; the Jin emperor had followers farm them for food. Soon Prince Shulü sent riders to seize the Jin emperor's concubines Lady Zhao and Lady Nie. Prince Shulü was son of Khitan ruler Deguang.
82
三月，己未，以歸德牙內指揮使史德珫領忠州刺史。 德珫，弘肇之子也，頗讀書，常不樂父之所為。 有舉人呼譟於貢院門，蘇逢吉命執送侍衛司，欲其痛棰而黥之。 德珫言於父曰：「書生無禮，自有台府治之，非軍務也。 此乃公卿欲彰大人之過耳。」 弘肇大然之，即破械遣之。
In the third month, on jiwei, Guide inner guard commander Shi Dezhi became prefect of Zhong. Dezhi, Hongzhao's son, was bookish and ashamed of his father's ways. A candidate shouted at the examination hall; Su Fengji sent him to the guard office to be flogged and tattooed. Dezhi told his father, "Rude scholars belong to the civil courts, not the army. The ministers only want to expose your fault." Hongzhao agreed, broke his bonds, and freed him.
83
楚將徐進敗蠻於風陽山，斬首五千級。
Chu general Xu Jin defeated the tribes at Fengyang Mountain and took five thousand heads.
84
夏，四月，壬午，太白晝見，民有仰視之者，為邏卒所執，史弘肇腰斬之。
Summer, fourth month, on renwu Venus shone by day; anyone who looked up was seized and Hongzhao had them halved at the waist.
85
河中城中食且盡，民餓死者什五六。 癸卯，李守貞出兵五千餘人，繼梯橋，分五道以攻長圍之西北隅。 郭威遣都監吳虔裕引兵橫擊之，河中兵敗走，殺傷太半，奪其攻具。 五月，丙午，守貞復出兵，又敗之，擒其將魏延朗、鄭賓。 壬子，周光遜、王繼勳、聶知遇帥其眾千餘人來降。 守貞將士降者相繼，威乘其離散，庚申，督諸軍百道攻之。
Hezhong's grain was nearly gone; five or six in ten starved. On guimao Li Shouzhen sent five thousand men with ladders and bridges in five columns against the siege's northwest corner. Guo Wei sent Wu Qianyu to cut them off; Hezhong broke, losing more than half and all their engines. In the fifth month, on bingwu, Shouzhen sallied again and lost again; Wei Yanlang and Zheng Bin were taken. On renzi Zhou Guangxun, Wang Jixun, and Nie Zhiyu surrendered with a thousand followers. Officers and men surrendered in streams; on gengshen Wei drove every column forward at once.
86
趙思綰好食人肝，嘗面剖而膾之。 膾盡，人猶未死。 又好以酒吞人膽，謂人曰：「吞此千枚，則膽無敵矣。」 及長安城中食盡，取婦女、幼稚為軍糧，日計數而給之。 每犒軍，輒屠數百人，如羊豕法。 思綰計窮，不知所出。 郭從義使人誘之。 初，思綰少時，求為左驍衛上將軍致仕李肅僕，肅不納，曰：「是人目亂而語誕，他日必為叛臣。」 肅妻張氏，全義之女也，曰：「君今拒之，後且為患。」 乃厚以金帛遺之。 及思綰據長安，肅閒居在城中，思綰數就見之，拜伏如故禮。 肅曰：「是子亟來，且污我。」 欲自殺。 妻曰：「曷若勸之歸國！」 會思綰問自全之計，肅乃與判官程讓能說思綰曰：「公本與國家無嫌，但懼罪耳。 今國家三道用兵，俱未有功，若以此時翻然改圖，朝廷必喜，自可不失富貴。 孰與坐而待斃乎！」 思綰從之，遣使詣闕請降。 乙丑，以思綰為華州留後，都指揮使常彥卿為虢州刺史，令便道之官。
Zhao Sixian loved human liver and would slice it raw before his victim's eyes. When the meat was gone the man still lived. He swallowed gall bladders in wine and said, "A thousand of these and your courage has no match." When Chang'an starved he rationed women and children to the army by the day. Each time he feasted the troops he butchered hundreds like sheep and swine. Sixian was cornered and saw no way out. Guo Congyi sent men to tempt him. When young Sixian sought service with retired general Li Su, Su refused: "Wild eyes, reckless speech—he will rebel one day." Su's wife Zhang, Quan Yi's daughter, said, "Refuse him now and he will plague you later." She gave him gold and silk instead. When Sixian held Chang'an, Su lived quietly in the city; Sixian visited often and bowed as of old. Su said, "He keeps coming and will foul me." He wanted to die. His wife said, "Why not urge him to surrender?" When Sixian sought a way to survive, Li Su and Cheng Rangneng told him, "You fear punishment, not the throne. Three armies have failed; turn now and the court will welcome you still rich. Better that than waiting to die!" Sixian assented and sent envoys to surrender. On yichou, Sixian was made acting administrator of Hua, and guard commander Chang Yanqing was made prefect of Guo; both were ordered to take office by the direct route.
87
吳越內牙都指揮使鈄滔，胡進思之黨也，或告其謀叛，辭連丞相弘億。 吳越王弘俶不欲窮治，貶滔於處州。
Wuyue inner guard commander Dou Tao, a follower of Hu Jinsi, was accused of treason; testimony touched Chancellor Hongyi. King Hongchu would not press the case and banished Tao to Chu Prefecture.
88
六月，癸酉朔，日有食之。
In the sixth month, on guiyou, new moon, there was a solar eclipse.
89
秋，七月，甲辰，趙思綰釋甲出城受詔，郭從義以兵守其南門，復遣還城。 思綰求其牙兵及鎧仗，從義亦給之。 思綰遷延，收斂財賄，三改行期。 從義等疑之，密白郭威，請圖之，威許之。 壬子，從義與都監、南院宣徽使王峻按轡入城，處於府捨，召思綰酌別，因執之，並常彥卿及其父兄部曲三百人，皆斬於市。
Autumn, seventh month, on jiachen Sixian doffed armor to receive the edict; Guo Congyi held the south gate and sent him back in. Sixian demanded his guard and arms; Congyi gave them. Sixian stalled, hoarded bribes, and thrice changed his departure date. Suspicious, Congyi secretly asked Guo Wei to seize him; Wei agreed. On renzi Congyi and overseer Wang Jun entered the city, feigned a farewell toast, seized Sixian, and beheaded Chang Yanqing and three hundred kin and followers in the market.
90
甲寅，郭威攻河中，克其外郭。 李守貞收餘眾，退保子城。 諸將請急攻之，威曰：「夫鳥窮則啄，況一軍乎！ 涸水取魚，安用急為！」 壬戌，李守貞與妻及子崇勳等自焚，威入城，獲其子崇玉等及所署宰相靖□余、孫願、樞密使劉芮、國師總倫等，送大梁，磔於市。 征趙修己為翰林天文。 威閱守貞文書，得朝廷權臣及籓鎮與守貞交通書，詞意悖逆，欲奏之。 秘書郎榆次王溥諫曰； 「魑魅乘夜爭出，見日自消。 願一切焚之，以安反仄。」 威從之。
On jiayin Guo Wei stormed Hezhong and took the outer city. Li Shouzhen gathered survivors into the inner citadel. Generals urged a rush; Wei said, "Cornered birds peck—how much more an army! Drain the pool for the fish—why hurry?" On renxu Li Shouzhen, his wife, and son Chongxun burned themselves; Wei took Chongyu and appointees prime minister Jing □ Yu, Sun Yuan, chief of staff Liu Rui, and state preceptor Zonglun to Daliang and dismembered them in the market. Zhao Xiuji was called up as Hanlin astronomer. Wei found treasonous letters between court magnates, frontier lords, and Shouzhen and meant to expose them. Secretary Cadet Wang Pu of Yuci remonstrated: "Demons that swarm in darkness vanish at dawn. Burn them all to quiet the realm." Wei burned them.
91
三叛既平，帝浸驕縱，與左右狎暱。 飛龍使瑕丘後匡贊、茶酒使太原郭允明以諂媚得幸，帝好與之為廋辭、丑語，太后屢戒之，帝不以為意。 癸亥，太常卿張昭上言：「宜親近儒臣，講習經訓。」 不聽。 昭，即昭遠，避高祖諱改之。
With the three rebellions crushed, the emperor grew proud and dissolute among his favorites. Flying Dragon commissioner Hou Kuangzan and tea-and-wine commissioner Guo Yunming flattered their way into favor; the emperor traded riddles and filth with them while the empress dowager warned in vain. On guihai Ceremonies Director Zhang Zhao urged the emperor to study the classics with scholar-ministers." He refused. Zhao had been Zhaoyuan, renamed for Gaozu's taboo.
92
戊辰，加永興節度使郭從義同平章事，徙鎮國節度使扈彥珂為護國節度使，以河中行營馬步都虞候劉詞為鎮國節度使。
On wuchen Guo Congyi became co–Grand Councilor; Hu Yanke moved from Zhenguo to Huguo; Liu Ci became Zhenguo commissioner.
93
唐主復進用魏岑。 吏部郎中會稽鐘謨、尚書員外郎李德明始以辯慧得幸，參預國政。 二人皆恃恩輕躁，雖不與岑為黨，而國人皆惡之。 戶部員外郎范沖敏，性狷介，乃教天威都虞候王建封上書，歷詆用事者，請進用正人。 唐主謂建封武臣典兵，不當干預國政，大怒，流建封於池州，未至，殺之，沖敏棄市。 唐主聞河中破，以朱元為駕部員外郎，待詔文理院李平為尚書員外郎。
Tang again promoted Wei Cen. Personnel Director Zhong Mo of Kuaiji and Revenue Outer Court Director Li Deming won favor by wit and joined state affairs. Both were arrogant favorites; though not Wei Cen's clique, the realm despised them. Revenue officer Fan Chongmin, upright by nature, had Tianwei officer Wang Jianfeng denounce the power brokers and demand upright men. Tang said soldiers must not meddle in policy, exiled Jianfeng to Chi, killed him on the road, and executed Chongmin in the market. Hearing Hezhong had fallen, Tang made Zhu Yuan chariot outer director and Literary Academy drafter Li Ping an outer court director.
94
吳越王弘俶以丞相弘億判明州。
King Hongchu put Chancellor Hongyi in charge of Ming Prefecture.
95
西京留守、同平章事王守恩，性貪鄙，專事聚斂。 喪車非輸錢不得出城，下至抒廁、行乞之人，不免課率，或縱麾下令盜人財。 有富室娶婦，守恩與俳優數人往為賓客，得銀數鋌而返。
Western capital regent Wang Shouen was greedy and grasping. Funeral carts paid to leave the walls; latrine men and beggars were taxed; he sent officers to rob the wealthy. At a rich man's wedding Shouen came as a guest with actors and left with silver ingots.
96
八月，甲申，郭威自河中還，過洛陽。 守恩自恃位兼將相，肩輿出迎。 威怒，以為慢己，辭以浴，不見，即以頭子命保義節度使、同平章事白文珂代守恩為留守，文珂不敢違。 守恩猶坐客次，吏白：「新留守已視事於府矣。」 守恩大驚，狼狽而歸，見家屬數百已逐出府，在通衢矣。 朝廷不之問，以文珂兼侍中，充西京留守。
In the eighth month, on jiashen, Guo Wei returned from Hezhong through Luoyang. Shouen, minister and general both, met him in a palanquin. Wei took it as insult, pleaded bathing, refused audience, and by order replaced Shouen with Baoyi commissioner Bai Wenke, who dared not refuse. Shouen still sat waiting when a clerk said, "The new regent already holds the yamen." Shouen fled home to find hundreds of kin expelled into the street. The court asked nothing; Wenke was also made Palace Attendant and western capital regent.
97
歐陽修論曰：自古亂亡之國，必先壞其法制而後亂從之，此勢之然也，五代之際是已。 文珂、守恩皆漢大臣，而周太祖以一樞密使頭子而易置之，如更戍卒。 是時太祖未有無君之志，而所為如此者，蓋習為常事，故文珂不敢違，守恩不敢拒。 太祖既處之不疑，而漢廷君臣亦置而不問，豈非綱紀壞亂之極而至於此歟！ 是以善為天下慮者，不敢忽於微而常杜其漸也，可不戒哉！
Ouyang Xiu wrote: doomed states break their laws first, then fall into chaos—the Five Dynasties proved it. Wenke and Shouen were Later Han ministers, yet Zhou Taizu swapped them with a staff order like changing guards. Taizu had no treason in mind yet acted so because custom allowed it—Wenke obeyed, Shouen yielded. Court and emperor alike ignored it—is this not discipline rotted to the core? Those who guard the realm must choke evil in the bud—take warning!
98
守恩至大梁，恐獲罪，廣為貢獻，重賂權貴。 朝廷亦以守恩首舉潞州歸漢，故宥之，但誅其用事者數人而已。
At Daliang Shouen feared punishment and bribed the mighty with lavish gifts. Because Shouen had first returned Lu to Later Han the court spared him and killed only a few of his agents.
99
馬希萼悉調郎州丁壯為鄉兵，造號靜江軍，作戰艦七百艘，將攻潭州，其妻苑氏諫曰：「兄弟相攻，勝負皆為人笑。」 不聽，引兵趣長沙。 馬希廣聞之曰：「朗州，吾兄也，不可與爭，當以國讓之而已。」 劉彥□、李弘皋等固爭以為不可，乃以岳州刺史王贇為都部署戰棹指揮使，以彥□監其軍。 己丑，大破希萼於僕射洲，獲其戰艦三百艘。 贇追希萼，將及之，希廣遣使召之曰：「勿傷吾兄！」 贇引兵還。 贇，環之子也。 希萼自赤沙湖乘輕舟遁歸，苑氏泣曰：「禍將至矣，余不忍見也。」 赴井而死。
Ma Xie drafted Lang Prefecture's men into the Quiet River Army, built seven hundred warships, and marched on Tan; his wife Lady Yuan warned, "Brother against brother—win or lose, the world laughs." He refused and marched on Changsha. Ma Xi'guang heard and said, "Lang is my brother's—I cannot fight him; I should yield the realm." Liu Yantao and Li Honggao protested; Yue prefect Wang Yun became fleet commander with Yantao overseeing the host. On jichou they crushed Xie at Pushe Islet and took three hundred warships. Yun chased Xie nearly to capture when Xi'guang summoned him: "Do not hurt my brother!" Yun withdrew. Yun was Huan's son. Xie fled by light boat from Chisha Lake; Lady Yuan wept, "Disaster comes—I cannot watch." She drowned herself in a well.
100
戊戌，郭威至大梁，入見，帝勞之，賜金帛、衣服、玉帶、鞍馬，辭曰：「臣受命期年，僅克一城，何功之有！ 且臣將兵在外，凡鎮安京師、供億所須、使兵食不乏，皆諸大臣居中者之力也，臣安敢獨膺此賜！ 請遍賞之。」 又議加領方鎮，辭曰：「楊邠位在臣上，未有茅土。 且帷幄之臣，不可以弘肇為比。」 九月，壬寅，遍賜宰相、樞密、宣徽、三司、侍衛使九人，與威如一。 帝欲特賞威，辭曰； 「運籌建畫，出於廟堂； 發兵饋糧，資於籓鎮； 暴露戰鬥，在於將士； 而功獨歸臣，臣何以堪之！」
On wuxu Guo Wei reached Daliang; the emperor rewarded him with gold, silk, robes, jade belt, and horse; he declined: "In a year I took one city—what merit is that? And while I campaigned abroad, ministers at court secured the capital and fed the army—how dare I take this alone? He asked that all be rewarded." When they offered a commandery he declined: "Yang Bin outranks me and has no fief. And tent ministers cannot be ranked with Hongzhao." In the ninth month, on renyin, nine ministers—the council, staff, palace commissioners, three offices chief, and guard commander—received what Wei received. The emperor wished to reward Wei alone; he declined: "Strategy comes from the court; armies and grain come from the frontiers; blood and battle lie with the soldiers; yet merit falls to me alone—how can I bear it!"
101
乙巳，加威兼侍中，史弘肇兼中書令。 辛亥，加竇貞固司徒，蘇逢吉司空，蘇禹珪左僕射，楊邠右僕射。 諸大臣議，以朝廷執政溥加恩，恐籓鎮觖望。 乙卯，加天雄節度使高行周守太師，山南東道節度使安審琦守太傅，泰寧節度使符彥卿守太保，河東節度使劉崇兼中書令。 己未，加忠武節度使劉信、天平節度使慕容彥超、平盧節度使劉銖並兼侍中。 辛酉，加朔方節度使馮暉、定難節度使李彝殷兼中書令。 冬，十月，壬申，加義武節度使孫方簡、武寧節度使劉贇同平章事； 壬午，加吳越王弘俶尚書令，楚王希廣太尉； 丙戌，加荊南節度使高保融兼侍中。 議者以為：「郭威不專有其功，推以分人，信為美矣。 而國家爵位，以一人立功而覃及天下，不亦濫乎！」
On yisi Wei was also made Palace Attendant and Shi Hongzhao Director of the Secretariat. On xinhai Dou Zhengu became Minister of Education, Su Fengji Minister of Works, Su Yugui Left Vice Director, and Yang Bin Right Vice Director. Ministers feared that enriching court hands alone would anger the frontier lords. On yimao Gao Xingzhou became Grand Preceptor, An Shenqi Grand Mentor, Fu Yanqing Grand Guardian, and Liu Chong also Director of the Secretariat. On jiwei Liu Xin, Murong Yanchao, and Liu Zhu were also made Palace Attendant. On xinyou Feng Hui and Li Yiyin were also made Director of the Secretariat. Winter, tenth month, on renshen Sun Fangjian and Liu Yun became co–Grand Councilors; on renwu King Hongchu became Director of State Affairs and King Xi'guang Grand Marshal; on bingxu Gao Baorong was also made Palace Attendant. Commentators said, "Guo Wei shared merit rather than hoarding it—admirable. Yet one man's deed showering rank on the whole realm—is that not lavish?"
102
吳越王弘俶募民能墾荒田者，勿收其稅，由是境內無棄田。 或請糾民遺丁以增賦，仍自掌其事。 弘俶杖之國門。 國人皆悅。
King Hongchu exempted settlers who opened wasteland; no field lay fallow in his realm. Someone proposed rounding up missing taxpayers to raise revenue and manage it himself. Hongchu had him flogged at the capital gate. The people rejoiced.
103
楚靜江節度使馬希瞻以兄希萼、希廣交爭，屢遣使諫止，不從。 知終覆族，疽發於背，丁亥，卒。
Chu's Quiet River commissioner Ma Xizhan, seeing brothers Xie and Xi'guang at war, sent envoys again and again; they ignored him. Foreseeing ruin, he developed a back abscess and died on dinghai.
104
契丹寇河北，所過殺掠，節度使、刺史各嬰城自守。 游騎至貝州及鄴都之北境，帝憂之。 己丑，遣樞密使郭威督諸將御之，以宣徽使王峻監其軍。
Khitan raided Hebei, slaughtering as they went; every commissioner and prefect walled up. Scouts reached Bei Prefecture and Yedu's north; the emperor worried. On jichou Guo Wei commanded the defense with Wang Jun as overseer.
105
十一月，契丹聞漢兵渡河，乃引去。 辛亥，郭威軍至鄴都，令王峻分軍趣鎮、定。 戊午，威至邢州。
In the eleventh month Khitan withdrew on news that Later Han had crossed the river. On xinhai Wei reached Yedu and sent Wang Jun toward Zhen and Ding. On wuwu Wei reached Xing Prefecture.
106
唐兵渡淮，攻正陽。 十二月，穎州將白福進擊敗之。
Tang crossed the Huai and attacked Zhengyang. In the twelfth month Ying general Bai Fujin routed them.
107
楊邠為政苛細。 初，邢州人周璨為諸衛將軍，罷秩無依，從王景崇西征，景崇叛，遂為之謀主。 邠奏：「諸前資官，喜搖動籓臣，宜悉遣詣京師。」 既而四方雲集，日遮宰相馬求官。 辛卯，邠復奏：「前資官宜分居兩京，以俟有闕而補之。」 漂泊失所者甚眾。 邠又奏：「行道往來者，皆給過所。」 既而官司填咽，民情大擾，乃止。
Yang Bin ruled with petty harshness. Zhou Can of Xing Prefecture, a dismissed guard general, had followed Wang Jingchong west and became his strategist when Jingchong rebelled. Bin memorialized, "Former officials stir the frontiers—send them all to the capital." Soon they flooded in, daily blocking ministers' horses for posts. On xinmao Bin again said former officials should wait in both capitals for vacancies." Multitudes were left homeless. Bin again demanded transit passes for every traveler." Offices choked and the people seethed—then it stopped.
108
趙暉急攻鳳翔，周璨謂王景崇曰：「公曏與蒲、雍相表裡，今二鎮已平，蜀兒不足恃，不如降也。」 景崇曰：「善，吾更思之。」 後數日，外攻轉急。 景崇謂其黨曰：「事窮矣，吾欲為急計。」 乃謂其將公孫輦、張思練曰：「趙暉精兵，多在城北，來日五鼓前，爾二人燒城東門詐降，勿令寇入，吾與周璨以牙兵出北門突暉軍，縱無成而死，猶勝束手。」 皆曰：「善。」 癸巳，未明，輦、思練燒東門請降，府牙火亦發。 二將遣人詗之，景崇已與家人自焚矣。 璨亦降。
Zhao Hui pressed Fengxiang; Zhou Can told Wang Jingchong, "Pu and Yong are gone and Shu cannot save you—surrender." Jingchong said, "Good—I will think on it." Days later the assault tightened. Jingchong told his men, "We are spent—I need a desperate stroke." He told Gongsun Nian and Zhang Silian, "Hui's best troops are north of the city; before dawn burn the east gate and feign surrender but keep the enemy out; Zhou Can and I will burst north—even death beats waiting bound." All agreed." On guisi before dawn Nian and Silian burned the east gate; the yamen burned too. Scouts found Jingchong already burned with his family. Can surrendered too.
109
丁酉，密州刺史王萬敢擊唐海州獲水鎮，殘之。
On dingyou Mizhou prefect Wang Wangan raided Tang's Huoshui town in Haizhou.
110
是月，南漢主如英州。
That month the Southern Han emperor went to Ying Prefecture.
111
是歲，唐泉州刺史留從效兄南州副使從願，鴆刺史董思安而代之。 唐主不能制，置清源軍於泉州，以從效為節度使。
That year Liu Congxiao's brother Congyuan poisoned Quanzhou prefect Dong Si'an and took his place. Tang could not stop it and made Congxiao commissioner of the new Qingyuan army at Quanzhou.