1
資治通鑑第292卷
Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 292
2
【後周紀三】起閼逢攝提格五月，盡柔兆執徐二月，凡一年有奇。
[Later Zhou Annals 3] Covering from the fifth month of 954 through the second month of 956, a span of slightly more than one year.
3
太祖聖神恭肅文武孝皇帝下顯德元年（ 甲寅，公元九五四年）
The Reign of Emperor Shizong — Xiande, year 1 ( 954 CE, cyclical year Jiayin)
4
五月，甲戌朔，王逵自潭州遷於朗州。 以周行逢知潭州事，以潘叔嗣為岳州團練使。
In the fifth month, on the new moon of day Jiaxu, Wang Kui transferred from Tanzhou to Langzhou. Zhou Xingfeng was put in charge of Tanzhou, and Pan Shusi was appointed regimental commissioner of Yuezhou.
5
丙子，帝至晉陽城下，旗幟環城四十里。 楊兗疑北漢代州防禦使鄭處謙貳於周，召與計事，欲圖之。 處謙知之，不往。 兗使胡騎數十守其城門，處謙殺之，因閉門拒兗。 兗奔歸契丹。 契丹主怒其無功，囚之。 處謙舉城來降。 丁丑，置靜塞軍於代州，以鄭處謙為節度使。
On day Bingzi, the emperor arrived below Jinyang; his standards encircled the city for forty li. Yang Gun suspected that Northern Han's Daizhou defense commissioner Zheng Chuqian was leaning toward the Zhou, so he summoned him to discuss plans with the intent of doing away with him. Chuqian learned of the plot and refused to come. Gun posted several dozen Khitan cavalry at the gates; Chuqian killed them, shut the gates, and barred Gun from the city. Gun fled back to the Khitan court. The Khitan emperor, furious at his failure, had him imprisoned. Chuqian surrendered the whole city to the Zhou. On day Dingchou, the Jingse Army was set up at Daizhou, and Zheng Chuqian was made its military governor.
6
契丹數千騎屯忻、代之間，為北漢之援，庚辰，遣符彥卿等將步騎萬餘擊之。 彥卿入忻州，契丹退保忻口。
Several thousand Khitan horsemen lay between Xinzhou and Daizhou in support of Northern Han; on day Gengchen, the court dispatched Fu Yanqing and others at the head of over ten thousand foot and horse to strike them. Yanqing marched into Xinzhou, and the Khitan fell back to defend Xin Pass.
7
丁亥，置寧化軍於汾州，以石、沁二州隸之。 代州將桑珪、解文遇殺鄭處謙，誣奏雲潛通契丹。
On day Dinghai, the Ninghua Army was created at Fenzhou, with the prefectures of Shi and Qin subordinated to it. Daizhou generals Sang Gui and Xie Wenyü assassinated Zheng Chuqian and falsely reported that Yun was in secret contact with the Khitan.
8
符彥卿奏請益兵，癸巳，遣李筠、張永德將兵三千赴之。 契丹游騎時至忻州城下，丙申，彥卿與諸將陳以待之。 史彥超將二十騎為前鋒，遇契丹，與戰，李筠引兵繼之，殺契丹二千人。 彥超恃勇輕進，去大軍浸遠，眾寡不敵，為契丹所殺，筠僅以身免，周兵死傷甚眾。 彥卿退保忻州，尋引兵還晉陽。 府州防禦使折德扆將州兵來朝。 辛丑，復置永安軍於府州，以德扆為節度使。 時大發兵夫，東自懷、孟，西及薄、陝，以攻晉陽，不克。 會久雨，士卒疲病，及史彥超死，乃議引還。
Fu Yanqing asked for reinforcements; on day Guisi, Li Yun and Zhang Yongde were sent with three thousand men to reinforce him. Khitan scouting cavalry kept appearing below Xinzhou; on day Bingshen, Yanqing and his officers formed battle lines to receive them. Shi Yanchao took twenty horsemen as the vanguard, clashed with the Khitan, and Li Yun came up with the main body; together they killed two thousand Khitan. Yanchao, overconfident in his valor, pressed ahead until he was far from the main force; outnumbered, he was slain by the Khitan. Yun barely escaped, and Zhou losses were heavy. Yanqing fell back to hold Xinzhou and soon returned with his army to Jinyang. Fuzhou defense commissioner Zhe Deyi brought his prefectural troops to present themselves at court. On day Xinchou, the Yong'an Army was restored at Fuzhou, and Deyi was appointed its military governor. The court had mobilized vast numbers of laborers from Huai and Meng in the east to Bo and Shan in the west for the assault on Jinyang, yet the city would not fall. Prolonged rains set in, the troops fell ill with exhaustion, and after Shi Yanchao's death the command began to discuss withdrawal.
9
初，王得中返自契丹，值周兵圍晉陽，留止代州。 及桑珪殺鄭處謙，囚得中，送於周軍。 帝釋之，賜以帶、馬，問，「虜兵何時當至？」 得中曰：「臣受命送楊袞，他無所求。」 或謂得中曰：「契丹許公發兵，公不以實告，契丹兵即至，公得無危乎？」 得中太息曰：「吾食劉氏祿，有老母在圍中，若以實告，周人必發兵據險以拒之。 如此，家國兩亡，吾獨生何益！ 不若殺身以全家國，所得多矣！」 甲辰，帝以得中欺罔，縊殺之。
Earlier, Wang Dezong had returned from the Khitan court and, finding Zhou forces besieging Jinyang, stayed at Daizhou. When Sang Gui killed Zheng Chuqian, he seized Dezong and handed him over to the Zhou army. The emperor freed him, gave him a belt and horse, and asked, "When will the enemy forces arrive?" Dezong replied, "I was charged only with escorting Yang Gun back; I know nothing beyond that." Someone warned Dezong, "The Khitan promised you they would raise an army. If you do not tell the truth, their troops will come—and will you not be in peril?" Dezong sighed and said, "I have drawn salary from the house of Liu; my old mother is inside the besieged city. If I told the truth, the Zhou would surely send troops to hold the passes and block them. Then both my family and my state would be destroyed—what good would it do for me alone to survive! Better to die and save them both—that would be the greater gain!" On day Jiachen, the emperor judged that Dezong had deceived him and had him strangled.
10
乙巳，帝發晉陽。 匡國節度使藥元福言於帝曰：「進軍易，退軍難。」 帝曰：「朕一以委卿。」 元福乃勒兵成列而殿。 北漢果出兵追躡，元福擊走之。 然軍還匆遽，芻糧數十萬在城下者，悉焚棄之。 軍中訛言相驚，或相剽掠，軍須失亡不可勝計。 所得北漢州縣，周所置刺史等皆棄城走，惟代州桑珪既叛北漢，又不敢歸周，嬰城自守，北漢遣兵攻拔之。
On day Yisi, the emperor marched out from Jinyang. Kuangguo military governor Yao Yuanfu told the emperor, "It is easy to advance an army but hard to withdraw one." The emperor said, "I leave it entirely to you." Yuanfu then formed the troops into ranks to cover the rear. Northern Han did send troops in pursuit, and Yuanfu beat them back. Yet the withdrawal was rushed, and several hundred thousand loads of fodder and grain stockpiled below the walls were burned and abandoned. Rumors spread panic through the ranks, some men robbed one another, and military stores lost were beyond reckoning. In the Northern Han prefectures and counties the Zhou had taken, the Zhou-appointed prefects and officials all fled their posts. Only Sang Gui at Daizhou, having turned against Northern Han but not daring to submit to the Zhou, held the city under siege until Northern Han sent troops and retook it.
11
乙酉，帝至潞州。 甲子，至鄭州。 丙寅，謁嵩陵。 庚午，至大梁。 帝違眾議破北漢，自是政事無大小皆親決，百官受成於上而已。 河南府推官高錫上書諫，以為：「四海之廣，萬機之眾，雖堯舜不能獨治，必擇人而任之。 今陛下一以身親之，天下不謂陛下聰明睿智足以兼百官之任，皆言陛下褊迫疑忌舉不信群臣也。 不若選能知人公正者以為宰相，能愛民聽訟者以為守令，能豐財足食者使掌金谷，能原情守法者使掌刑獄，陛下但垂拱明堂，視其功過而賞罰之，天下何憂不治！ 何必降君尊而代臣職，屈貴位而親賤事，無乃失為政之本乎！」 帝不從。 錫，河中人也。
On day Yiyou, the emperor arrived at Luzhou. On day Jiazi, he reached Zhengzhou. On day Bingyin, he paid his respects at Songling. On day Gengwu, he entered Daliang. Having overruled his advisers to strike Northern Han, the emperor from then on decided every matter of state himself, great or small, while officials merely received his finished decisions. Henan prefecture investigating censor Gao Xi submitted a memorial arguing that even Yao and Shun could not govern the vast realm and its countless affairs alone—they had to choose the right men and delegate to them. If Your Majesty now handles everything in person, the realm will not take this as proof of wisdom sufficient to discharge every official's duty; men will say instead that Your Majesty is narrow-minded, anxious, and suspicious, trusting no minister at all. Appoint as chancellor one who knows men and judges fairly; as prefects and magistrates those who love the people and hear cases well; put revenue and grain in the hands of those who can enrich the treasury and fill the stores; put justice in the hands of those who weigh circumstances and uphold the law—then Your Majesty need only sit at ease in the Bright Hall, watch their merits and faults, and reward or punish accordingly. What fear is there that the realm will not be well governed? Why lower the dignity of the throne to do ministers' work, or bend exalted rank to petty tasks—does that not abandon the very foundation of rule?" The emperor did not heed him. "Xi was a native of Hezhong.
12
北漢主憂憤成疾，悉以國事委其子侍衛都指揮使承鈞。
The Northern Han ruler fell ill with worry and resentment and entrusted all affairs of state to his son Cheng Jun, commander of the palace guards.
13
河西節度使申師厚不俟詔，擅棄鎮入朝，署其子為留後。 秋，七月，癸酉朔，責授率府副率。
Hexi military governor Shen Shihou, without awaiting orders, abandoned his command and came to court, leaving his son as acting governor. In the seventh month of autumn, on the new moon of day Guiyou, he was demoted to vice-commandant of the Rate Office.
14
丁丑，加吳越王錢弘俶天下兵馬都元帥。
On day Dingchou, Wuyue king Qian Hongchu was promoted to commander-in-chief of all armies under Heaven.
15
癸巳，加門下侍郎、同平章事范質守司徒，以樞密直學士、工部侍郎長山景范為中書侍郎、同平章事、判三司。 加樞密使、同平章事鄭仁誨兼侍中。 乙未，以樞密副使魏仁浦為樞密使。 范質既為司徒，司徒竇貞固歸洛陽，府縣以民視之，課役皆不免。 貞固訴於留守向訓，訓不聽。
On day Guisi, Fan Zhi, vice director of the Secretariat and co-equal councilor, was made Defender of the Situ; Jing Fan of Changshan, bureau academician and vice minister of Works, was appointed vice director of the Secretariat, co-equal councilor, and overseer of the Three Offices. Bureau commissioner and co-equal councilor Zheng Renhui was also made Palace Attendant. On day Yiwei, bureau vice commissioner Wei Renpu was promoted to commissioner. After Fan Zhi received the title of Situ, the former holder Dou Zhengu returned to Luoyang; local officials treated him as an ordinary subject, and he remained liable for taxes and labor service. Zhengu appealed to Luoyang regent Xiang Xun, who refused to intervene.
16
初，帝與北漢主相拒於高平，命前澤州刺史李彥崇將兵守江豬嶺，遏北漢主歸路。 彥崇聞樊愛能等南遁，引兵退，北漢主果自其路遁去。 八月，己酉，貶彥崇率府副率。
Earlier, when the emperor and the Northern Han ruler faced each other at Gaoping, he had ordered former Zezhou prefect Li Yanchong to hold Jiangzhu Ridge and cut off the Northern Han ruler's line of retreat. Yanchong heard that Fan Aineng and others had broken south in flight and pulled his men back; the Northern Han ruler escaped by that very route. In the eighth month, on day Jiyou, Yanchong was demoted to vice-commandant of the Rate Office.
17
己巳，廢鎮國軍。
On day Jisi, the Zhenguo Army was abolished.
18
初，太祖以建雄節度使王晏有拒北漢之功，其鄉里有滕縣，徙晏為武寧節度使。 晏少時嘗為群盜，至鎮，悉召故黨，贈之金帛、鞍馬，謂曰：「吾鄉素名多盜，昔吾與諸君皆嘗為之，想後來者無能居諸君之右。 諸君幸為我語之，使勿復為，為者吾必族之。」 於是一境清肅。 九月，徐州人請為之立衣錦碑。 許之。
Earlier, because Jianxiong military governor Wang Yan had distinguished himself against Northern Han and his home district included Teng County, Taizu transferred him to Wuning. Yan had been a bandit in his youth; on taking up his post he summoned all his old comrades, gave them gold, silks, saddles, and horses, and said, "Our district has long been notorious for bandits. You and I were among them once, and I doubt any newcomer could match you. Please pass the word for me: let them not take it up again, for I will exterminate the clan of anyone who does." The whole region was soon pacified. In the ninth month, the people of Xuzhou asked to erect for him a "Returning in Brocade" memorial stele. The request was granted.
19
冬，十月，甲辰，左羽林大將軍孟漢卿坐納蒿稅，場官擾民，多取耗餘，賜死。 有司奏漢卿罪不至死。 上曰：「朕知之，欲以懲眾耳！」
In the tenth month of winter, on day Jiachen, Left Feathered Forest great general Meng Hanqing was sentenced to death for taking rush-tax payments while his field officers harassed the people and exacted excessive surcharges. The judicial offices reported that Hanqing's offense did not merit death. The emperor said, "I know—but I mean to make an example of him!"
20
己酉，廢安遠、永清軍。
On day Jiyou, the Anyuan and Yongqing armies were abolished.
21
初，宿衛之士，累朝相承，務求姑息，不欲簡閱，恐傷人情，由是羸老者居多。 但驕蹇不用命，實不可用，每遇大敵，不走即降。 其所以失國，亦多由此。 帝因高平之戰，始知其弊。 癸亥，謂侍臣曰：「凡兵務精不務多，今以農夫百未能養甲士一，奈何浚民之膏澤，養此無用之物乎！ 且健懦不分，眾何所勸！」 乃命大簡諸軍，精銳者升之上軍，羸者斥去之。 又以驍勇之士多為諸籓鎮所蓄，詔募天下壯士，咸遣詣闕，命太祖皇帝選其尤者為殿前諸班，其騎步諸軍，各命將帥選之。 由是士卒精強，近代無比，征伐四方，所向皆捷，選練之力也。
For generations the palace guards had been managed with indulgence: no one wanted to inspect them for fear of giving offense, and so the ranks were filled with the weak and the old. They were arrogant and insubordinate, useless in practice: whenever they met a serious enemy they either fled or surrendered. Many a dynasty had lost its realm for just this reason. The battle of Gaoping taught the emperor how deep the problem ran. On day Guihai he told his ministers, "In war, quality matters, not numbers. A hundred farmers can barely support one armored soldier—why drain the people's substance to feed these useless men? And if the fit and the feeble are not separated, what incentive is there for anyone to excel?" He ordered a thorough review of all armies: the elite were promoted to the upper corps, the weak were dismissed. Because many of the bravest men were hoarded by the regional commands, he decreed a nationwide levy of stalwarts to be sent to court, where Taizu was to pick the best for the palace guard companies while each army commander selected men for his own cavalry and infantry. The troops became the finest seen in generations; in every campaign they carried the day. This was the fruit of rigorous selection and training.
22
戊辰，帝謂侍臣曰：「諸道盜賊頗多，討捕終不能絕，蓋由累朝分命使臣巡檢，致籓侯、守令皆不致力。 宜悉召還，專委節鎮、州縣，責其清肅。」
On day Wuchen the emperor told his ministers, "Banditry is rife in the circuits and never seems to end, largely because past reigns sent touring inspectors, so the regional lords, prefects, and magistrates never threw themselves into the work. Recall them all and leave the work solely to the military governors and local officials, holding them responsible for restoring order."
23
河自楊劉至於博州百二十里，連年東潰，分為二派，匯為大澤，瀰漫數百里。 又東北壞古堤而出，灌齊、棣、淄諸州，至於海涯，漂沒民田廬不可勝計，流民采菰稗、捕魚以給食，朝廷屢遣使者不能塞。 十一月，戊戌，帝遣李穀詣澶、鄆、齊按視堤塞，役徒六萬，三十日而畢。
For a hundred twenty li from Yangliu to Bozhou the Yellow River had breached eastward year after year, splitting into two channels and spreading into a vast marsh hundreds of li across. It then burst the old dike to the northeast and flooded Qi, Di, and Zi prefectures all the way to the coast, drowning fields and homes beyond reckoning. Refugees lived on wild grains and fish, and repeated imperial missions failed to staunch the breach. In the eleventh month, on day Wuxu, the emperor sent Li Gu to inspect the dikes of Yan, Yun, and Qi; sixty thousand laborers finished the repairs in thirty days.
24
北漢主疾病，命其子承鈞監國，尋殂。 遣使告哀於契丹。 契丹遣驃騎大將軍、知內侍省事劉承訓冊命承鈞為帝，更名鈞。 北漢孝和帝性孝謹，既嗣位，勤於為政，愛民禮士，境內粗安。 每上表於契丹主稱男，契丹主賜之詔，謂之「兒皇帝」。
The Northern Han ruler fell ill, put his son Cheng Jun in charge of state affairs, and soon died. Envoys were sent to announce his death to the Khitan court. The Khitan dispatched swift-cavalry great general Liu Cheng Xun, director of the Inner Palace Service, to invest Cheng Jun as emperor and rename him Jun. Northern Han's Emperor Xiaohé was filial and prudent by nature; once enthroned he applied himself to government, cared for the people, honored scholars, and brought a measure of peace within his borders. In every memorial to the Khitan ruler he styled himself the Khitan's "son"; the Khitan addressed him in edicts as the "Son Emperor."
25
馬希萼之帥群蠻破長沙也，府庫累世之積，皆為漵州蠻酋苻彥通所掠，彥通由是富強，稱王於溪洞間。 王逵既得湖南，欲遣使撫之，募能往者，其將王虔朗請行。 既至，彥通盛侍衛而見之，禮貌甚倨。 虔朗厲聲責之曰：「足下自稱苻秦苒裔，宜知禮義，有以異於群蠻。 昔馬氏在湖南，足下祖父皆北面事之。 今王公盡得馬氏之地，足下不早往乞盟，致使者先來，又不接之以禮，異日得無悔乎！」 彥通慚懼，起，執虔朗手謝之。 虔朗知其可動，因說之曰：「溪洞之地，隋、唐之世皆為州縣，著在圖籍。 今足下上無天子之詔，下無使府之命，雖自王於山谷之間，不過蠻夷一酋長耳！ 曷若去王號，自歸於王公，王公必以天子之命授足下節度使，與中國侯伯等夷，豈不尊榮哉！」 彥通大喜，即日去王號，因虔朗獻銅鼓數枚於王逵。 逵曰：「虔朗一言勝數萬兵，真國士也！」 承製以彥通為黔中節度使，以虔朗為都指揮使，預聞府政。 虔朗，桂州人也。
When Ma Xie led the tribal forces that sacked Changsha, the treasury's hoard of generations fell to Xuzhou Man chieftain Fu Yantong, who grew rich and powerful enough to proclaim himself king among the hill country. After Wang Kui secured Hunan, he sought envoys to pacify the region; his officer Wang Qianlang volunteered. On arrival, Yantong received him with an imposing guard and treated him with studied arrogance. Qianlang rebuked him sharply: "You claim descent from the house of Fu Qin—you ought to know ritual and propriety and stand apart from the hill tribes. When the Ma clan held Hunan, your grandfather and father both bowed north to serve them. Now Lord Wang holds all that the Ma once possessed. You did not come early to seek alliance; when his envoy arrived first, you failed to receive him properly—will you not regret this one day?" Yantong, ashamed and alarmed, rose and took Qianlang's hand in apology. Seeing that Yantong could be swayed, Qianlang urged him on: "In Sui and Tang times these stream lands were regular prefectures and counties, entered in the official registers. You hold no imperial edict from above and no commissioner's order from below; though you call yourself king in the hills, you are no more than a tribal chieftain! Better to drop your royal title and submit to Lord Wang, who will surely have the Son of Heaven appoint you military governor, your rank equal to the great lords of the realm—what honor could surpass that?" Yantong was delighted, renounced his royal title that same day, and sent several bronze drums to Wang Kui through Qianlang. Kui said, "One speech from Qianlang is worth tens of thousands of troops—a true pillar of the realm!" By imperial order Yantong was made military governor of Qianzhong, and Qianlang commander-in-chief with a voice in prefectural affairs. Qianlang was a native of Guizhou.
26
逵慮西界鎮遏使、錦州刺史劉瑫為邊患，表為鎮南節度副使，充西界都招討使。
Fearing that frontier commissioner and Jinzhou prefect Liu Tan might become a border menace, Kui had him appointed vice military governor of Zhennan and overall commander of the western frontier.
27
是歲，湖南大饑，民食草木實。 武清節度使、知潭州事周行逢開倉以賑之，全活甚眾。 行逢起於微賤，知民間疾苦，勵精為治，嚴而無私，辟署僚屬，皆取廉介之士，約束簡要，吏民便之，其自奉甚薄； 或譏其太儉，行逢曰：「馬氏父子窮奢極靡，不恤百姓，今子孫乞食於人，又足效乎！」
That year Hunan suffered severe famine, and the people lived on wild plants and tree fruit. Wuqing military governor and Tanzhou administrator Zhou Xingfeng opened the granaries for relief and saved countless lives. Xingfeng had risen from humble origins, knew the people's hardships, and governed with tireless zeal—strict yet impartial. He appointed only upright men, kept regulations simple, and made government easy for officials and commoners alike, while living himself on very little; when some mocked his frugality he said, "The Ma father and son spent themselves into ruin and cared nothing for the people—now their descendants beg for food. Is that an example to follow?"
28
世宗睿武孝文皇帝上
Emperor Shizong — Part One
29
太祖聖神恭肅文武孝皇帝下顯德二年（ 乙卯，公元九五五年）
The Reign of Emperor Shizong — Xiande, year 2 ( 955 CE, cyclical year Yimao)
30
春，正月，庚辰，上以漕運自晉、漢以來不給斗耗，綱吏多以虧欠抵死，詔自今每斛給耗一鬥。
In the first month of spring, on day Gengchen, the emperor decreed that because canal transport since Jin and Han times had granted no allowance for spillage, transport officers were often executed for shortages; henceforth one dou of surplus allowance would be granted per hu.
31
定難節度使李彝興以折德扆亦為節度使，與己並列，恥之，塞路不通周使。 癸未，上謀於宰相，對曰：「夏州邊鎮，朝廷向來每加優借，府州褊小，得失不系重輕，旦宜撫諭彝興，庶全大體。」 上曰：「德扆數年以來，盡忠戮力以拒劉氏，奈何一旦棄之！ 且夏州惟產羊馬，貿易百貨，悉仰中國，我若絕之，彼何能為！」 乃遣供奉官齊藏珍繼招書責之，彝興惶恐謝罪。
Dingnan military governor Li Yixing, shamed that Zhe Deyi had also been made military governor as his equal, blocked the roads to Zhou envoys. On day Guiwei the emperor consulted his chancellors, who said, "Xiazhou is a favored frontier post; Fuzhou is small and its fate is not critical. For now soothe Yixing and preserve the larger peace." The emperor said, "Deyi has for years served with loyal devotion against the Liu house—how can we cast him aside in a day! Besides, Xiazhou produces only sheep and horses and depends on us for all other trade—cut them off, and what can they do?" He sent palace attendant Qi Cangzhen with a stern summons; Yixing apologized in alarm.
32
戊子，蜀置威武軍於鳳州。
On day Wuzi, Shu established the Weiwu Army at Fengzhou.
33
辛卯，初令翰林學士、兩省官舉令、錄。 除官之日，仍署舉者姓名，若貪穢敗官，並當連坐。
On day Xinmao, Hanlin academicians and officials of the Two Departments were for the first time required to nominate county magistrates and recorders. On appointment the recommender's name was to be recorded; if the nominee proved corrupt, the recommender would share the penalty.
34
契丹自晉、漢以來屢寇河北，輕騎深入，無籓籬之限，效野之民每困殺掠。 言事者稱深、冀之間有胡盧河，橫亙數百里，可浚之以限其奔突。 是月，詔忠武節度使王彥超、彰信節度使韓通將兵夫浚胡盧河，築城於李晏口，留兵戍之。 帝召德州刺史張藏英，問以備邊之策，藏英具陳地形要害，請列置戍兵，募邊人驍勇者，厚其稟給，自請將之，隨便宜討擊。 帝皆從之，以藏英為沿邊巡檢招收都指揮使。 藏英到官數月，募得千餘人。 王彥超等行視役者，嘗為契丹所圍。 藏英引所募兵馳擊，大破之。 自是契丹不敢涉胡盧河，河南之民始得休息。
Since Jin and Han times the Khitan had repeatedly raided Hebei; their light cavalry rode deep without frontier barriers, and border villagers suffered constant slaughter and plunder. Memorialists reported a Hulu River between Shen and Ji, hundreds of li long, that could be dredged to block Khitan raids. That month Wang Yanchao of Zhongwu and Han Tong of Zhangxin were ordered to dredge the Hulu River with labor troops, build a fortress at Li Yankou, and garrison it. The emperor summoned Dezhou prefect Zhang Zangying and asked his views on border defense. Zangying mapped the critical terrain, proposed garrison posts, recruitment of brave border men on generous pay, and offered to lead them in opportunistic strikes. The emperor approved all of this and appointed Zangying overall frontier inspection and recruitment commander. Within months of taking office Zangying had recruited over a thousand men. While Wang Yanchao and others were inspecting the work crews, Khitan forces once surrounded them. Zangying led his recruits in a swift charge and routed them. After that the Khitan dared not cross the Hulu River, and the people south of the Yellow River could at last breathe easier.
35
二月，庚子朔，日有食之。
In the second month, on the new moon of day Gengzi, there was a solar eclipse.
36
蜀夔恭孝王仁毅卒。
Shu's Respectful and Filial Prince of Kui, Ren Yi, died.
37
壬戌，詔群臣極言得失，其略曰：「朕於卿大夫，才不能盡知，面不能盡識，若不採其言而觀其行，審其意而察其忠，則何以見器略之淺深，知任用之當否！ 若言之不入，罪實在予； 苟求之不言，咎將誰執！」
On day Renxu the court ordered ministers to speak freely of what was right and wrong in governance. The edict read in part: "I cannot know all your talents nor recognize all your faces. Unless I heed your words, watch your conduct, weigh your intent, and test your loyalty, how can I judge your capacity or know whether my appointments are sound? If your words do not reach me, the fault is mine; but if I ask and you stay silent, upon whom will blame fall?"
38
唐主以中書侍郎、知尚書省嚴續為門下侍郎、同平章事。
The Tang ruler appointed Yan Xu, vice director of the Secretariat and overseer of the Department of State Affairs, as vice director of the Chancellery and co-equal councilor.
39
三月，辛未，以李晏口為靜安軍。
In the third month, on day Xinwei, Li Yankou was established as the Jing'an Army.
40
帝常憤廣明以來中國日蹙，及高平既捷，慨然有削平天下之志。 會秦州民夷有詣大梁獻策請恢復舊疆者，帝納其言。
The emperor had long resented how the Central Realm had shrunk since the Guangming era; after the victory at Gaoping he burned with ambition to reunify the empire. When Han and tribal leaders from Qinzhou came to Daliang urging recovery of the old borders, the emperor took their advice to heart.
41
蜀主聞之，遣客省使趙季札案視邊備。 季札素以文武才略自任，使還，奏稱：「雄武節度使韓繼勳、鳳州刺史王萬迪非將帥才，不足以御大敵。」 蜀主問：「誰可往者？」 季札自請行。 丙申，以季札為雄武監軍使，仍以宿衛精兵千人為之部曲。
Hearing of this, the Shu ruler sent guest-bureau commissioner Zhao Jizha to inspect the border defenses. Jizha had always prided himself on civil and military talent. On his return he reported that Xiongwu military governor Han Jixun and Fengzhou prefect Wang Wandi were not fit to command and could not face a major enemy." The Shu ruler asked, "Who can go?" Jizha volunteered himself. On day Bingshen, Jizha was made military inspector of Xiongwu with a thousand elite palace guards as his personal retinue.
42
帝以大梁城中迫隘，夏，四月，乙卯，詔展外城，先立標幟，俟今冬農隙興板築，東作動則罷之，更俟次年，以漸成之。 且令自今葬埋皆出所標七里之外，其標內俟縣官分畫街衢、倉場、營廨之外，聽民隨便築室。
Finding Daliang cramped, the emperor in the fourth month of summer, on day Yimao, ordered the outer walls extended. Markers were set out; construction would wait for the winter agricultural slack, halt when spring planting began, and resume the following year until the work was done. Burials were henceforth to lie outside the markers by seven li; within them, once officials had laid out streets, granaries, and barracks, commoners might build houses as they wished.
43
丙辰，蜀主命知樞密院王昭遠按行北邊城寨及甲兵。
On day Bingchen the Shu ruler ordered bureau overseer Wang Zhaoyuan to inspect the northern border fortresses and armaments.
44
上謂宰相曰：「朕每思致治之方，未得其要，寢令不忘。 又自唐、晉以來，吳、蜀、幽、并皆阻聲教，未能混壹，宜命近臣著《為君難為臣不易論》及《開邊策》各一篇，朕將覽焉。」 比部郎中王樸獻策，以為：「中國之失吳、蜀、幽、并，皆由失道。 今必先觀所以失之之原，然後知所以取之之術。 其始失之也，莫不以君暗臣邪，兵驕民困，奸黨內熾，武夫外橫，因小致大，積微成著。 今欲取之，莫若反其所為而已。 夫進賢退不肖，所以收其才也； 恩隱誠信，所以結其心也； 賞功罰罪，所以盡其力也； 去奢節用，所以豐其財也； 時使薄斂，所以阜其民也。 俟群才既集，政事既治，財用既充，士民既附，然後舉而用之，功無不成矣！ 彼之人觀我有必取之勢，則知其情狀者願為間諜，知其山川者願為鄉導，民心既歸，天意必從矣。 凡攻取之道，必先其易者。 唐與吾接境幾二千里，其勢易擾也。 擾之當以無備之處為始，備東則擾西，備西則擾東，彼必奔走而救之。 奔走之間，可以知其虛實強弱，然後避實擊虛，避強擊弱。 未須大舉，且以輕兵擾之。 南人懦怯，聞小有警，必悉師以救之。 師數動則民疲而財竭，不悉師則我可以乘虛取之。 如此，江北諸州將悉為我有。 既得江北，則用彼之民，行我之法，江南亦易取也。 得江南則嶺南、巴蜀可傳檄而定。 南方既定，則燕地必望風內附。 若其不至，移兵攻之，席捲可平矣。 惟河東必死之寇，不可以恩信誘，當以強兵制之。 然彼自高平之敗，力竭氣沮，必未能為邊患。 宜且以為後圖，俟天下既平，然後伺間一舉可擒也。 今士卒精練，甲兵有備，群下畏法，諸將效力，期年之後可以出師，宜自夏秋蓄積實邊矣。」 上欣然納之。 時群臣多守常偷安，所對少有可取者，惟樸神峻氣勁，有謀能斷，凡所規畫，皆稱上意，上由是重其器識。 未幾，遷左諫議大夫，知開封府事。
The emperor told his chancellors, "I constantly search for the way to good government but have not found its core; I cannot put it from my mind even in sleep. Since Tang and Jin, Wu, Shu, You, and Bing have all stood outside our civilizing reach. Order my close advisers each to write one essay on the difficulty of rule and service, and one on opening the frontiers—I will read them." Revenue ministry director Wang Pu submitted a strategy arguing that the loss of Wu, Shu, You, and Bing had all come from abandoning the Way of rule. We must first study why they were lost, and only then will we know how to recover them. Every loss began the same way: dim rulers and corrupt ministers, arrogant armies and exhausted people, treachery within and warlords without—small faults swelling into ruin. To recover them, we need only reverse those errors. Promote the worthy and dismiss the unworthy—that gathers talent; show kindness and keep faith—that binds men's hearts; reward merit and punish crime—that brings forth their full effort; ban luxury and husband resources—that fills the treasury; levy lightly and on time—that enriches the people. When talent is assembled, government sound, coffers full, and the people loyal—then strike, and nothing will fail! Once they see we mean to conquer, men who know their secrets will offer themselves as spies and guides; when the people's hearts turn, Heaven's mandate will follow. In conquest, always strike first where the foe is weakest. Tang shares a border of nearly two thousand li with us—easy ground for harassment. Harass them where they are unprepared: if they guard the east, strike the west; if the west, strike the east—they will rush back and forth to respond. In that scrambling we will learn their strengths and gaps; then avoid the solid, strike the empty, shun the strong, hit the weak. No major campaign is needed yet—light troops alone will suffice to harry them. The southerners are timid; at the slightest alarm they will mobilize every available unit. Repeated mobilizations will exhaust their people and treasury; if they fail to mobilize fully, we can seize ground at our leisure. Thus the prefectures north of the Yangtze will fall to us one by one. Once we hold the north bank, we can govern with their people under our laws, and the south bank will be easy to take. With the south bank in hand, Lingnan and Ba-Shu can be won by proclamation alone. Once the south is settled, the Yan region will surely submit at our approach. If they do not, we move troops against them and sweep the land flat. Only Hedong is a foe that will fight to the death; favor and trust will not move them—only strong armies can hold them in check. Yet since their defeat at Gaoping they are spent in strength and broken in spirit—they cannot threaten our borders for now. Leave them for later; once the realm is pacified, watch for an opening and take them in a single stroke. Our troops are now elite, our arms ready, our officers law-abiding and our generals eager. Within a year we may march; from this summer and autumn we should stock the border with provisions." The emperor gladly accepted the plan. Most ministers clung to routine and comfort, offering little of value; only Pu was forceful and decisive, and everything he proposed pleased the emperor, who came to value his judgment highly. "Soon he was promoted to Left Remonstrance Grandee and put in charge of Kaifeng.
45
上謀取秦、鳳，求可將者。 王溥薦宣徽南院使、鎮安節度使向訓。 上命訓與鳳翔節度使王景、客省使高唐昝居潤偕行。 五月，戊辰朔，景出兵自散關趣秦州。
The emperor planned to seize Qin and Feng and sought a suitable commander. Wang Pu recommended Xiang Xun, commissioner of the Southern Bureau of the Palace Secretariat and military governor of Zhen'an. The emperor ordered Xun to proceed with Fengxiang military governor Wang Jing and Gaotang guest-bureau commissioner Zan Jurun. In the fifth month, on the new moon of day Wuchen, Jing marched from San Pass toward Qinzhou.
46
敕天下寺院，非敕額者悉廢之。 禁私度僧尼，凡欲出家者必俟祖父母、父母、伯叔之命。 惟兩京、大名府、京兆府、青州聽設戒壇。 禁僧俗捨身、斷手足、煉指、掛燈、帶鉗之類幻惑流俗者。 令兩京及諸州每歲造僧帳，有死亡、歸俗，皆隨時開落。 是歲，天下寺院存者二千六百九十四，廢者三萬三百三十六，見僧四萬二千四百四十四，尼一萬八千七百五十六。
An edict abolished every monastery in the realm that lacked an imperial charter. Private ordination was forbidden; anyone wishing to become a monk or nun required permission from grandparents, parents, and uncles. Ordination platforms were permitted only in the Two Capitals, Daming, Jingzhao, and Qingzhou. Monks and lay devotees were forbidden such practices as offering their bodies, mutilating limbs, burning fingers, hanging lamps from the flesh, and wearing shackles—all delusions that misled the people. The Two Capitals and all prefectures were ordered to compile annual monk registers, striking names promptly upon death or return to lay life. That year 2,694 monasteries remained nationwide while 30,336 were abolished; registered monks numbered 42,444 and nuns 18,756.
47
王景拔黃牛等八寨。 戊寅，蜀主以捧聖控鶴都指揮使、保寧節度使李廷珪為北路行營都統，左衛聖步軍都指揮使高彥儔為招討使，武寧節度使呂彥珂副之，客省使趙崇韜為都監。
Wang Jing took Huangniu and seven other fortified camps. On day Wuyin, the Shu ruler named Li Tinggui—commander of the Sacred Crane Guard and military governor of Baoning—overall commander of the northern route army, with Left Sacred Guard infantry commander Gao Yanchou as punitive commissioner, Wuning military governor Lü Yanke as his deputy, and Reception Bureau envoy Zhao Chongtao as chief inspector.
48
蜀趙季札至德陽，聞周師入境，懼不敢進，上書求解邊任還奏事，先遣輜重及妓妾西歸。 丁亥，單騎馳入成都，眾以為奔敗，莫不震恐。 蜀主問以機事，皆不能對。 蜀主怒，系之御史台，甲午，斬之於崇禮門。
When the Shu officer Zhao Jizha reached Deyang and learned that Zhou armies had crossed the border, he was too frightened to advance. He asked to be relieved of his frontier command so he could return to court, and sent his baggage train, entertainers, and concubines back west ahead of him. On day Dinghai he galloped into Chengdu alone. Everyone assumed he had fled in defeat, and panic spread through the city. When the Shu ruler questioned him about the military situation, he could answer nothing. The Shu ruler, enraged, had him imprisoned by the Censorate and, on day Jiawu, executed him at Chongli Gate.
49
六月，庚子，上親錄囚於內苑。 有汝州民馬遇，父及弟為吏所冤死，屢經覆按，不能自伸，上臨問，始得其實，人以為神。 由是諸長吏無不親察獄訟。
In the sixth month, on day Gengzi, Emperor Shizong personally heard criminal cases in the inner palace grounds. A commoner of Ruzhou named Ma Yu had seen his father and brother wrongly killed by officials. Repeated reinvestigations had failed to clear the case until Emperor Shizong questioned him in person and finally got at the truth. People took it as proof of his almost supernatural judgment. After that, senior officials everywhere began to examine lawsuits in person.
50
壬寅，西師與蜀李廷珪等戰於威武城東，不利，排陳使濮州刺史胡立等為蜀所擒。 丁未，蜀主遣間使如北漢及唐，欲與之俱出兵以制周，北漢主、唐主皆許之。
On day Renyin the western army fought Li Tinggui and other Shu commanders east of Weiwu city and was defeated. Array commissioner Hu Li, prefect of Puzhou, and others were captured. On day Dingwei the Shu ruler sent secret envoys to Northern Han and Southern Tang, hoping to coordinate a joint campaign against Zhou. Both rulers agreed.
51
己酉，以彰信節度使韓通充西南行營馬步軍都虞候。
On day Jiyou, Zhangxin military governor Han Tong was made chief adjutant of cavalry and infantry for the southwestern field army.
52
戊午，南漢主殺禎州節度使通王弘政，於是高祖之諸子盡矣。
On day Wuwu the Southern Han ruler executed Wang Hongzheng, Prince of Tong and military governor of Zhenzhou. With that, all of Gaozu's sons were gone.
53
壬戌，以樞密院承旨清河張美為右領軍大將軍、權點檢三司事。 初，帝在澶州，美掌州之金谷隸三司者，帝或私有所求，美曲為供副。 太祖聞之怒，恐傷帝意，但徙美為濮州馬步都虞候。 美治財精敏，當時鮮及，故帝以利權授之。 帝征伐四方，用度不乏，美之力也，然思其在澶州所為，終不以公忠待之。 秋，七月，丁卯朔，以王景兼西南行營都招討使，向訓兼行營兵馬都監。 宰相以景等久無功。 饋運不繼，固請罷兵。 帝命太祖皇帝往視之，還，言秦、鳳可取之狀，帝從之。
On day Renxu, Zhang Mei of Qinghe, a Hanlin commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, was made Right Leading Army Grand General and acting inspector of the Three Offices. Earlier, when Emperor Shizong was stationed at Cazhou, Zhang Mei oversaw the prefecture's treasury funds under the Three Offices. When Shizong occasionally made private requests, Mei contrived to satisfy them. Taizu heard of it and was furious, but fearing to wound Emperor Shizong's feelings he merely transferred Mei to be cavalry and infantry adjutant at Puzhou. Zhang Mei was exceptionally sharp at managing finances, and few in his day could match him, so Emperor Shizong gave him control over revenue. Emperor Shizong's campaigns in every direction never ran short of funds, and much of that was Mei's doing. Yet remembering his conduct at Cazhou, Shizong never treated him with the trust owed a loyal public servant. In autumn, the seventh month, on the new moon of day Dingmao, Wang Jing was also made overall punitive commissioner of the southwestern field army, and Xiang Xun was made its army supervisor. The chancellors argued that Jing and his colleagues had achieved nothing after a long campaign. With supplies failing to keep up, they strongly urged that the campaign be halted. Emperor Shizong ordered Zhao Kuangyin, the palace guard commander whom Sima Guang retrospectively styles Emperor Taizu, to inspect the front. On his return he reported that Qin and Feng could be taken, and Shizong accepted his judgment.
54
八月，丁未，中書侍郎、同平章事景范罷判三司，尋以父喪罷政事。
In the eighth month, on day Dingwei, Vice Director of the Secretariat and Co-Ranking Censor-in-Chief Jing Fan was removed from overseeing the Three Offices, and soon afterward left office to mourn his father.
55
王景等敗蜀兵，獲將卒三百。 己未，蜀主遣通奏使、知樞密院、武泰節度使伊審征如行營慰扶，仍督戰。
Wang Jing and his colleagues defeated Shu forces and captured three hundred officers and men. On day Jiwei the Shu ruler sent memorial envoy Yin Shenzheng—commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs and military governor of Wutai—to the front to console the troops and press the fighting.
56
帝以縣官久不鑄錢，而民間多銷錢為器皿及佛像，錢益少，九月，丙寅朔，敕始立監採銅鑄錢，自非縣官法物、軍器及寺觀鐘磐鈸鐸之類聽留外，自餘民間銅器、佛像，五十日內悉令輸官，給其直； 過期隱匿不輸，五斤以上其罪死，不及者論刑有差。 上謂侍臣曰：「卿輩勿以毀佛為疑。 夫佛以善道化人，苟志於善，斯奉佛矣。 彼銅像豈所謂佛邪！ 且吾聞佛志在利人，雖頭目猶捨以佈施，若朕身可以濟民，亦非所惜也。」
Because the government had long ceased minting coin while commoners melted cash into utensils and Buddha images until currency grew scarce, Emperor Shizong—in the ninth month, on the new moon of day Bingyin—decreed the establishment of mints to mine copper and cast coin. Apart from official ritual objects, weapons, and temple bells, chimes, cymbals, and clappers, all other copperware and Buddha images in private hands were to be surrendered to the state within fifty days in exchange for payment; Anyone who hid goods past the deadline faced death if the amount was five jin or more; lesser amounts brought graded punishments. Emperor Shizong told his attending ministers, "Do not doubt this policy because it destroys Buddha images. Buddha teaches people through the path of goodness. Whoever is devoted to goodness is already honoring Buddha. Are those copper statues what Buddha really is? Besides, I have heard that Buddha's purpose is to benefit others, giving even his head and eyes in charity. If my own person can save the people, I will not begrudge that either."
57
臣光曰：若周世宗，可謂仁矣！ 不愛其身而愛民； 若周世宗，可謂明矣！ 不以無益廢有益。
Your subject Guang remarks: Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou may truly be called benevolent! He did not spare himself, but cared for his people; Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou may truly be called enlightened! He did not sacrifice what was useful for what was useless.
58
蜀李廷珪遣先鋒都指揮使李進據馬嶺寨，又遣奇兵出斜谷，屯白澗，又分兵出鳳州之北唐倉鎮及黃花谷，絕周糧道。 閏月，王景遣裨將張建雄將兵二千抵黃花，又遣兵千人趣唐倉，扼蜀歸路。 蜀染院使王巒將兵出唐倉，與建雄戰於黃花，蜀兵敗，奔唐倉，遇周兵，又敗，虜巒及其將士三千人。 馬嶺、白澗兵皆潰，李廷珪、高彥儔等退保青泥嶺。 蜀雄武節度使兼侍中韓繼勳棄秦州，奔還成都、觀察判宮趙玭舉城降，斜谷援兵亦潰。 成、階二州皆降，蜀人振恐。 玭，澶州人也。 帝欲以玭為節度使，范質固爭以為不可，乃以為郢州刺史。 壬子，百官入賀，帝舉酒屬王溥曰：「邊功之成，卿擇帥之力也！」
Shu's Li Tinggui sent vanguard commander Li Jin to hold Maling camp, dispatched a flanking force through Xie Valley to encamp at Baixian, and split troops through Tangcang north of Fengzhou and through Huanghuagu Valley to sever Zhou supply lines. In the intercalary month, Wang Jing sent subordinate general Zhang Jianxiong with two thousand men to Huanghua and another thousand toward Tangcang to cut off the Shu army's retreat. Shu Dye House commissioner Wang Luan marched out of Tangcang and fought Jianxiong at Huanghua. The Shu force was beaten, fled toward Tangcang, ran into Zhou troops, and was defeated again. Luan and three thousand of his officers and men were captured. The forces at Maling and Baixian broke and fled. Li Tinggui, Gao Yanchou, and the others fell back to Qingni Ridge. Shu Xiongwu military governor and palace attendant Han Jixun abandoned Qinzhou and fled to Chengdu, while observation aide Zhao Pi surrendered the city. The relief force from Xie Valley also disintegrated. Cheng and Jie prefectures both submitted, and panic spread through Shu. Zhao Pi was a native of Cazhou. Emperor Shizong wanted to make Zhao Pi a military governor, but Fan Zhi strongly objected, and Pi was appointed prefect of Ezhou instead. On day Renzi the court officials came to offer congratulations. Emperor Shizong raised his cup toward Wang Pu and said, "This frontier victory is owed to your skill in choosing commanders!"
59
甲子，上與將相食於萬歲殿，因言：「兩日大寒，朕於宮中食珍膳，深愧無功於民而坐享於祿，既不能躬耕而食，惟當親冒矢石為民除害，差可自安耳！」
On day Jiazi Emperor Shizong dined with his generals and chancellors in the Hall of Longevity and said, "These past two days have been bitterly cold. I eat rich food in the palace while doing nothing for the people, and I am deeply ashamed to enjoy my salary. Since I cannot plow for my own bread, I can at least face arrows and stones myself to remove threats from the people. Only that can somewhat ease my conscience!"
60
乙丑，蜀李廷珪上表待罪。 冬，十月，壬申，伊審征至成都請罪。 皆釋之。 蜀主致書於帝請和，自稱大蜀皇帝，帝怒其抗禮，不答。 蜀主愈恐，聚兵糧於劍門、白帝，為守禦之備，募兵既多，用度不足，始鑄鐵錢，榷境內鐵器，民甚苦之。
On day Yichou Shu's Li Tinggui submitted a memorial accepting blame. In winter, the tenth month, on day Renshen Yin Shenzheng reached Chengdu to plead guilty. Both were pardoned. The Shu ruler wrote to Emperor Shizong seeking peace, styling himself Emperor of Great Shu. Shizong, angered by this breach of protocol, did not answer. The Shu ruler grew more frightened still. He stockpiled troops and grain at Jianmen and Baidi to prepare a defense. Recruitment swelled until expenses could not keep up, and the court began minting iron coin and monopolizing iron goods within the realm. The people suffered greatly.
61
唐主性和柔，好文章，而喜人順己，由是諂諛之臣多進用，政事日亂。 既克建州，破湖南，益驕，有吞天下之志。 李守貞、慕容彥超之叛，皆為之出師，遙為聲援。 又遣使自海道通契丹及北漢，約共圖中國。 值中國多事，未暇與之校。 先是，每冬淮水淺涸，唐人常發兵戍守，謂之「把淺」。 壽州監軍吳廷紹以為疆場無事，坐費資糧，悉罷之。 清淮節度使劉仁贍上表固爭，不能得。 十一月，乙未朔，帝以李穀為淮南道前軍行營都部署兼知廬、壽等行府事，以忠武節度使王彥超副之，督侍衛馬軍都指揮使韓令坤等十二將以伐唐。 令坤，磁州武安人也。
The Southern Tang ruler was mild by nature and loved literature. He delighted in those who agreed with him, so flatterers rose in number and government grew more chaotic by the day. After conquering Jianzhou and crushing Hunan, he grew ever prouder and set his sights on ruling all under Heaven. When Li Shouzhen and Murong Yanchao rebelled, he sent armies on each occasion to lend them distant support. He also sent envoys by sea to contact the Khitan and Northern Han, agreeing to join in a plot against the Central Plains. China was beset with troubles at the time and had no leisure to confront him. Earlier, each winter when the Huai ran low, Southern Tang regularly posted troops to guard the shallows in what they called "holding the shallows" (ba qian). Shouzhou army supervisor Wu Tingshao decided the frontier was quiet and that the posts wasted supplies, and abolished them all. Huaiqing military governor Liu Renzhan memorialized in strong protest but could not prevail. In the eleventh month, on the new moon of day Yimao, Emperor Shizong made Li Gu overall commander of the Huainan advance army and administrator of the field headquarters at Lu, Shou, and neighboring posts, with Zhongwu military governor Wang Yanchao as his deputy. He ordered palace guard cavalry commander Han Lingkun and eleven other generals to attack Southern Tang. Han Lingkun was a native of Wu'an in Cizhou.
62
汴水自唐末潰決，自埇橋東南悉為污澤。 上謀擊唐，先命武寧節度使武行德發民夫，因故堤疏導之，東至泗上。 議者皆以為難成，上曰：「數年之後，必獲其利。」
Since late Tang the Bian River had burst its banks, and from Yongqiao southeastward the land had turned into marsh. Planning an attack on Southern Tang, Emperor Shizong first ordered Wuning military governor Wu Xingde to mobilize laborers to dredge the old channel eastward as far as Si prefecture. Critics all said it could not be done. Emperor Shizong replied, "In a few years we will surely reap the benefit."
63
丁未，上與侍臣論刑賞，上曰：「朕必不因怒刑人，因喜賞人。」 先是，大梁城中民侵街衢為捨，通大車者蓋寡，上悉命直而廣之，廣者至三十步。 又遷墳墓於標外。 上曰：「近廣京城，於存歿擾動誠多。 怨謗之語，朕自當之，他日終為人利。」
On day Dingwei Emperor Shizong discussed punishments and rewards with his attending ministers. He said, "I will never punish anyone in anger or reward anyone in a fit of pleasure." Earlier, in Daliang commoners had built into the streets until few large carts could pass. Emperor Shizong ordered the roads straightened and widened, in places to thirty paces. Graves were also moved outside the boundary markers. Emperor Shizong said, "In expanding the capital lately, we have disturbed the living and the dead alike. Let the complaints fall on me. In time this will benefit the people."
64
王景等圍鳳州，韓通分兵城固鎮以絕蜀之援兵。 戊申，克鳳州，擒蜀威武節度使王環及都監趙崇溥等將士五千人。 崇溥不食而死。 環，真定人也。 乙卯，制曲赦秦、鳳、階、成境內，所獲蜀將士，願留者優其俸賜，願去者給資裝而遣之。 詔曰：「用慰眾情，免違物性，其四州之民，二稅征科之外，凡蜀人所立諸色科徭，悉罷之。」
Wang Jing and his colleagues besieged Fengzhou while Han Tong detached troops to hold Chenggu and block Shu reinforcements. On day Wushen Fengzhou fell. Shu's Weiwu military governor Wang Huan, inspector Zhao Chongbo, and five thousand officers and men were captured. Chongbo starved himself to death. Wang Huan was a native of Zhending. On day Yimao a partial amnesty was issued for Qin, Feng, Jie, and Cheng. Captured Shu officers and soldiers who wished to remain were given generous pay and rewards; those who wished to leave were supplied with funds and equipment and sent home. The decree read, "To soothe the people and avoid violating their ways: in these four prefectures, beyond the regular two-tax assessments, every levy and corvee imposed under Shu rule is abolished."
65
唐人聞周兵將至而懼，劉仁贍神氣自若，部分守禦，無異平日，眾情稍安。 唐主以神武統軍劉彥貞為北面行營都部署，將兵二萬趣壽州，奉化節度使、同平章事皇甫暉為應援使，常州團練使姚鳳為應援都監，將兵三萬屯定遠。 召鎮南節度使宋齊丘還金陵，謀國難，以翰林承旨、戶部尚書殷崇義為吏部尚書、知樞密院。
When Southern Tang learned that Zhou armies were approaching, fear spread—but Liu Renzhan remained as composed as ever, arranging defenses as on any other day, and morale steadied somewhat. The Southern Tang ruler made Shenwu army commander Liu Yanzhen overall commander of the northern route army and sent him with twenty thousand men toward Shouzhou. Fenghua military governor and Co-Ranking Censor-in-Chief Huangfu Hui was made relief commander, and Changzhou regimental trainer Yao Feng relief chief inspector with thirty thousand men encamped at Dingyuan. He recalled Zhennan military governor Song Qiqiu to Jinling to plan for the crisis and appointed Hanlin commissioner and Minister of Revenue Yin Chongyi Minister of Personnel and commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs.
66
李穀等為浮梁，自正陽濟淮。 十二月，甲戌，穀奏王彥超敗唐兵二千餘人於壽州城下，己卯，又奏先鋒都指揮使白延遇敗唐兵千餘人於山口鎮。
Li Gu and his colleagues built a pontoon bridge and crossed the Huai from Zhengyang. In the twelfth month, on day Jiaxu Li Gu reported that Wang Yanchao had defeated more than two thousand Southern Tang troops below Shouzhou. On day Jiji he reported that vanguard commander Bai Yanyu had beaten more than a thousand Southern Tang soldiers at Shankou.
67
丙戌，樞密使兼侍中韓忠正公鄭仁誨卒。 上臨其喪，近臣奏稱歲道非便，上曰：「君臣義重，何日時之有！」 往哭盡哀。
On day Bingxu Hanlin Messenger and Palace Attendant Duke of Loyally Upright Zheng Rensheng died. Emperor Shizong went to the funeral. Close attendants said the season was inauspicious, but he replied, "The bond between ruler and minister outweighs such concerns—what talk of seasons!" He went and mourned with full grief.
68
吳越王弘俶遣元帥府判官陳彥禧入貢，帝以詔諭弘俶，使出兵擊唐。
Wuyue King Hongchu sent Marshal's Headquarters aide Chen Yanxi to pay tribute. Emperor Shizong issued an edict urging Hongchu to send troops against Southern Tang.
69
太祖聖神恭肅文武孝皇帝下顯德三年（ 丙辰，公元九五六年）
The Reign of Emperor Shizong — Xiande, year 3 ( Bingchen, corresponding to the year 956 CE)
70
春，正月，丙午，以王環為右驍衛大將軍，賞其不降也。
In spring, the first month, on day Bingwu Wang Huan was made Right Xiaoqiwei Grand General as a reward for refusing to surrender.
71
丁酉，李穀奏敗唐兵千餘人於上窯。
On day Dingyou Li Gu reported defeating more than a thousand Southern Tang troops at Shangyao.
72
戊戌，發開封府、曹、滑、鄭州之民十餘萬築大梁外城。
On day Wuxu more than a hundred thousand laborers from Kaifeng, Cao, Hua, and Zheng were mobilized to build Daliang's outer wall.
73
庚子，帝下詔親征淮南，以宣徽南院使、鎮安節度使向訓權東京留守，端明殿學士王樸副之，彰信節度使韓通權點檢侍衛司及在京內外都巡檢。 命侍衛都指揮使、歸德節度使李重進將兵先赴正陽，河陽節度使白重贊將親兵三千屯穎上。 壬寅，帝發大梁。 李穀攻壽州，久不克。 唐劉彥貞引兵救之，至來遠鎮，距壽州二百里，又以戰艦數百艘趣正陽，為攻浮梁之勢。 李穀畏之，召將佐謀曰：「我軍不能水戰，若賊斷浮梁，則腹背受敵，皆不歸矣！ 不如退守浮梁以待車駕。」 上至圉鎮，聞其謀，亟遣中使乘驛止之。 比至，已焚芻糧，退保正陽。 丁未，帝至陳州，亟遣李重進引兵趣淮上。
On day Gengzi Emperor Shizong decreed a personal campaign to Huainan. He made Xuannwei South Court envoy and Zhen'an military governor Xiang Xun acting Eastern Capital regent, with Duanming Hall academician Wang Pu as his deputy, and Zhangxin military governor Han Tong acting inspector of the Palace Guard and overall patrol commander inside and outside the capital. He ordered palace guard commander and Guide military governor Li Chongjin to march first to Zhengyang, and Heyang military governor Bai Chongzan to encamp three thousand personal troops at Yingshang. On day Renyin Emperor Shizong set out from Daliang. Li Gu besieged Shouzhou but could not capture it for a long time. Southern Tang's Liu Yanzhen marched to relieve the city, reaching Laiyuan—two hundred li from Shouzhou—and sent several hundred warships toward Zhengyang as if to strike the pontoon bridge. Li Gu was alarmed. He called his officers together and said, "Our army cannot fight on water. If the enemy cuts the pontoon bridge, we will be trapped between two forces and none of us will get home! Better to fall back and hold the pontoon bridge until the emperor arrives." Emperor Shizong had reached Zhenzhen when he learned of the plan and at once sent a palace envoy by post relay to forbid it. By the time the messenger arrived, Li Gu's men had already burned their fodder and supplies and fallen back to defend Zhengyang. On day Dingwei Emperor Shizong reached Chenzhou and immediately ordered Li Chongjin to march toward the Huai.
74
辛亥，李穀奏：「賊艦中淮而進，弩砲所不能及，若浮梁不守，則眾心動搖，須至退軍。 今賊艦日進，淮水日漲，若車駕親臨，萬一糧道阻絕，其危不測。 願陛下且駐蹕陳、穎，俟李重進至，臣與之共度賊艦可御，浮梁可完，立具奏聞。 但若厲兵秣馬，春去冬來，足使賊中疲弊，取之未晚。」 帝覽奏，不悅。
On day Xinhai Li Gu submitted a memorial: "The enemy ships are pushing up the middle of the Huai, out of range of our crossbows and catapults. If we cannot hold the pontoon bridge, morale will collapse and we will have no choice but to retreat. The enemy fleet advances every day and the Huai rises every day. If Your Majesty comes in person and our supply line is cut, the danger is incalculable. I beg Your Majesty to halt at Chen and Ying until Li Chongjin arrives. He and I will then assess together whether the enemy ships can be countered and the pontoon bridge secured, and report at once. If we simply keep our armies ready and wait from spring through winter, that alone will exhaust the enemy. There will still be time to take them." Emperor Shizong read the memorial and was displeased.
75
劉彥貞素驕貴，無才略，不習兵，所歷籓鎮，專為貪暴，積財巨億，以賂權要，由是魏岑等爭譽之，以為治民如龔、黃，用兵如韓、彭，故周師至，唐主首用之。 其裨將咸師朗等皆勇而無謀，聞李穀退，喜，引兵直抵正陽，旌旗輜重數百里，劉仁贍及池州刺史張全約固止之。 仁贍曰：「公軍未至而敵人先遁，是畏公之威聲也，安用速戰！ 萬一失利，則大事去矣！」 彥貞不從。 既行，仁贍曰：「果遇，必敗。」 乃益兵乘城為備。 李重進度淮，逆戰於正陽東，大破之，斬彥貞，生擒咸師朗等，斬首萬餘級，伏屍三十里，收軍資器械三十餘萬。 是時江、淮久安，民不習戰，彥貞既敗，唐人大恐，張全約收餘眾奔壽州，劉仁贍表全約為馬步左廂都指揮使。 皇甫暉、姚鳳退保清流關。 滁州刺史王紹顏委城走。
Liu Yanzhen had long enjoyed rank and privilege but possessed neither talent nor military skill. In every command he had served, he devoted himself to greed and cruelty, amassing wealth in the hundreds of millions to buy favor with the powerful. Wei Cen and others competed to praise him, claiming he governed like Gong Sui and Huang Ba and commanded armies like Han Xin and Peng Yue. When the Zhou armies arrived, the Southern Tang ruler made him his first choice. His subordinate generals, including Xian Shilang, were brave but rash. Learning that Li Gu had withdrawn, they were delighted and marched straight for Zhengyang, their banners and supply trains stretching for hundreds of li. Liu Renshan and Chizhou prefect Zhang Quanyue strongly urged them to stop. Renshan said, "The enemy fled before your army even arrived—that shows they fear your reputation. Why force a quick battle? If we lose even once, the whole campaign is finished!" Yanzhen refused to listen. After Yanzhen marched out, Renshan said, "If they meet the enemy, they are sure to be beaten." He then reinforced the garrison and prepared the city's defenses. Li Chongjin crossed the Huai and met Liu Yanzhen east of Zhengyang, crushing his army. Yanzhen was killed in battle, Xian Shilang and others were captured alive, more than ten thousand heads were taken, the dead covered thirty li of ground, and more than three hundred thousand items of military stores and equipment were seized. The Jiang and Huai regions had long been at peace, and the people were unused to war. After Yanzhen's defeat Southern Tang was gripped by terror. Zhang Quanyue gathered the survivors and fled to Shouzhou, and Liu Renshan recommended him as commander of the left wing of horse and foot. Huangfu Hui and Yao Feng fell back to defend Qingliu Pass. Chuzhou prefect Wang Shaoyan abandoned his post and fled.
76
壬子，帝至永寧鎮，謂侍臣曰：「聞壽州圍解，農民多歸村落，今聞大軍至，必復入城。 憐其聚為餓殍，宜先遣使存撫，各令安業。」 甲寅，帝至正陽，以李重進代李穀為淮南道行營都招討使，以穀判壽州行府事。 丙辰，帝至壽州城下，營於淝水之陽，命諸軍圍壽州，徙正陽浮梁於下蔡鎮。 丁巳，征宋、毫、陳、穎、徐、宿、許、蔡等州丁夫數十萬以攻城，晝夜不息。 唐兵萬餘人維舟於淮，營於塗山之下。 庚申，帝命太祖皇帝擊之，太祖皇帝遣百餘騎薄其營而偽遁，伏兵邀之，大敗唐兵於渦口，斬其都監何延錫等，奪戰艦五十餘艘。
On day Renzi Emperor Shizong reached Yongning and told his ministers, "When the siege of Shouzhou was lifted, many farmers returned to their villages. Now that they hear our army is coming, they will surely flee back into the cities. I pity them—they may crowd together and starve. We should send envoys ahead to reassure them and let each household return to its work in peace." On day Jiayin Emperor Shizong reached Zhengyang. He replaced Li Gu with Li Chongjin as overall commander of the Huainan campaign and put Li Gu in charge of affairs at the Shouzhou field headquarters. On day Bingchen Emperor Shizong reached Shouzhou and encamped on the south bank of the Fei. He ordered all armies to invest the city and had the Zhengyang pontoon bridge relocated to Xiaxia. On day Dingsi he conscripted several hundred thousand laborers from Song, Bo, Chen, Ying, Xu, Su, Xu, and Cai to press the siege, working without pause day or night. More than ten thousand Southern Tang troops anchored their ships on the Huai and encamped below Mount Tu. On day Gengshen Emperor Shizong ordered Zhao Kuangyin, the palace guard commander whom Sima Guang retrospectively styles Emperor Taizu, to attack them. Zhao Kuangyin sent a little over a hundred horsemen to ride up to the enemy camp and then feign retreat. His ambush force cut them off and routed the Southern Tang army at Wokou, killing chief inspector He Yanxi and others and capturing more than fifty warships.
77
詔以武平節度使兼中書令王逵為南面行營都統，使攻唐之鄂州。 逵引兵過岳州，岳州團練使潘叔嗣厚具燕犒，奉事甚謹。 逵左右求取無厭，不滿望者譖叔嗣於逵，雲其謀叛，逵怒形於詞色，叔嗣由是懼不自安。
An edict appointed Wuping military governor and concurrent Grand Censor Wang Kui overall commander of the southern campaign and ordered him to attack Southern Tang's Ezhou. Wang Kui marched through Yuezhou, where regimental commissioner Pan Shusi entertained him lavishly and waited on him with scrupulous care. Wang Kui's attendants demanded gifts without end. Those who felt shortchanged slandered Pan Shusi to Wang Kui, claiming he was plotting rebellion. Wang Kui's anger showed plainly in his words and face, and Pan Shusi grew fearful and uneasy.
78
唐主聞湖南兵將至，命武昌節度使何敬洙徙民入城，為固守之計。 敬洙不從，使除地為戰場，曰：「敵至，則與兵民俱死於此耳！」 唐主善之。
Learning that Hunan troops were approaching, the Southern Tang ruler ordered Wuchang military governor He Jingzhu to move the populace inside the walls and prepare for a stubborn defense. He Jingzhu refused. He cleared ground for a battlefield and said, "When the enemy comes, soldiers and civilians alike will die here together!" The Southern Tang ruler praised him for it.
79
二月，丙寅，下蔡浮梁成，上自往視之。
In the second month, on day Bingyin, the pontoon bridge at Xiaxia was finished, and Emperor Shizong went to inspect it in person.
80
戊辰，廬、拜、光、黃巡檢使元城司超奏敗唐兵三千餘人於盛唐，擒都監高弼等，獲戰艦四十餘艘。 上命太祖皇帝倍道襲清流關。 皇甫暉等陳於山下，方與前鋒戰，太祖皇帝引兵出山後； 暉等大驚，走入滁州，欲斷橋自守。 太祖皇帝躍馬麾兵涉水，直抵城下。 暉曰：「人各為其主，願容成列而戰。」 太祖皇帝笑而許之。 暉整眾而出，太祖皇帝擁馬頸突陳而入，大呼曰：「吾止取皇甫暉，他人非吾敵也！」 手劍擊暉，中腦，生擒之，並擒姚鳳，遂克滁州。 後數日，宣祖皇帝為馬軍副都指揮使，引兵夜半至滁州城下，傳呼開門。 太祖皇帝曰：「父子雖至親，城門王事也，不敢奉命！」 明旦，乃得入。
On day Wuchen Si Chao, patrol commissioner for Luzhou, Haozhou, Guangzhou, and Huangzhou, reported a victory over more than three thousand Southern Tang troops at Sheng Tang. He captured chief inspector Gao Bi and others and took more than forty warships. Emperor Shizong ordered Zhao Kuangyin to force-march and strike Qingliu Pass. Huangfu Hui and his men formed up below the mountain and were fighting the vanguard when Zhao Kuangyin led his troops out from behind the peak; Huangfu Hui and his men were thrown into panic, fled into Chuzhou, and tried to destroy the bridge and hold the city. Zhao Kuangyin spurred his horse forward, led his men through the water, and rode straight to the city wall. Huangfu Hui said, "Every man serves his own master. Grant us leave to form ranks and fight." Zhao Kuangyin smiled and agreed. Huangfu Hui drew up his men and came out. Zhao Kuangyin gathered his horse's reins and charged straight through the ranks, shouting, "I want only Huangfu Hui—the rest of you are no match for me!" He struck Huangfu Hui with his sword and hit him in the head, then took him alive along with Yao Feng and captured Chuzhou. A few days later Zhao Hongyin, Zhao Kuangyin's father whom Sima Guang retrospectively styles Patriarch Xuannzu and who was then deputy commander of the horse army, brought troops to Chuzhou in the middle of the night and called for the gate to be opened. Zhao Kuangyin said, "Father and son may be closest of kin, but the city gate is the king's business. I dare not obey!" Only at dawn the next day was he admitted.
81
上遣翰林學士竇儀籍滁州帑藏，太祖皇帝遣親吏取藏中絹。 儀曰：「公初克城時，雖傾藏取之，無傷也。 今既籍為官物，非有詔書，不可得也。」 太祖皇帝由是重儀。 詔左金吾衛將軍馬崇祚知滁州。
Emperor Shizong sent Hanlin academician Dou Yi to inventory Chuzhou's treasury, but Zhao Kuangyin sent a personal clerk to take silk from the stores. Dou Yi said, "When you first captured the city, you could have emptied the stores without blame. But now that they have been registered as government property, you cannot take them without an imperial edict." From that day Zhao Kuangyin held Dou Yi in high regard. An edict appointed Left Golden Guard general Ma Chongzuo prefect of Chuzhou.
82
初，永興節度使劉詞遺表薦其幕僚薊人趙普有才可用。 會滁州平，范質薦普為滁州軍事判官，太祖皇帝與語，悅之。 時獲盜百餘人，皆應死，普請先訊鞫然後決，所活什七八。 太祖皇帝益奇之。
Earlier, on his deathbed Yongxing military governor Liu Ci had recommended his staff officer Zhao Pu of Ji as a man of talent worth employing. When Chuzhou fell, Fan Zhi recommended Zhao Pu as military adjutant of Chuzhou. Zhao Kuangyin spoke with him and was impressed. At the time more than a hundred captured bandits all faced the death penalty. Zhao Pu asked that they be interrogated before judgment, and seven or eight out of ten were spared. Zhao Kuangyin admired him all the more.
83
太祖皇帝威名日盛，每臨陳，必以繁纓飾馬，鎧仗鮮明。 或曰：「如此，為敵所識。」 太祖皇帝曰：「吾固欲其識之耳！」
Zhao Kuangyin's fame grew daily. Whenever he took the field he adorned his horse with an ornate tassel and wore armor and weapons of striking brilliance. Someone said, "Dress like that and the enemy will recognize you at once." Zhao Kuangyin replied, "That is exactly what I want!"
84
唐主遣泗州牙將王知朗繼書抵徐州，稱：「唐皇帝奉書大周皇帝，請息兵修好，願以兄事帝，歲輸貨財以助軍費。」 甲戌，徐州以聞； 帝不答。 戊寅，命前武勝節度使侯章等攻壽州水寨，決其壕之西北隅，導壕水入於淝。
The Southern Tang ruler sent Sizhou gate officer Wang Zhilang with a letter to Xuzhou, saying, "The Tang emperor writes to the emperor of Great Zhou to ask for peace. He is willing to treat Emperor Shizong as an elder brother and pay tribute each year to help defray military costs." On day Jiaxu Xuzhou forwarded the letter; Emperor Shizong made no reply. On day Wuyin he ordered former Wusheng military governor Hou Zhang and others to attack Shouzhou's river fort, breach the northwest corner of the moat, and divert the water into the Fei.
85
太祖皇帝遣使獻皇甫暉等，暉傷甚，見上，臥而言曰：「臣非不忠於所事，但士卒勇怯不同耳。 臣曏日屢與契丹戰，未嘗見兵精如此。」 因盛稱太祖皇帝之勇。 上釋之，後數日卒。
Zhao Kuangyin sent Huangfu Hui and the other captives to the emperor. Badly wounded, Huangfu Hui was brought before Emperor Shizong and spoke from his couch: "I was not disloyal to my master. It is only that some soldiers are brave and others are not. I have fought the Khitan many times, and I have never seen troops as fine as yours." He then spoke at length of Zhao Kuangyin's valor. Emperor Shizong set him free, but he died a few days later.
86
帝詗知揚州無備，己卯，命韓令坤等將兵襲之，戒以毋得殘民； 其李氏陵寢，遣人與李氏人共守護之。
Learning through scouts that Yangzhou was undefended, Emperor Shizong on day Jimao ordered Han Lingkun and others to strike it by surprise, warning them not to harm the populace; and he sent men to guard the Li clan tombs together with members of the Li family.
87
唐主兵屢敗，懼亡，乃遣翰林學士、戶部侍郎鐘謨、工部侍郎、文理院學士李德明奉表稱臣，來請平，獻御服、茶藥及金器千兩，銀器五千兩，繒錦二千匹，犒軍牛五百頭，酒二千斛，壬午，至壽州城下。 謨、德明素辯口，上知其欲遊說，盛陳甲兵而見之，曰：「爾主自謂唐室苗裔，宜知禮義，異於他國。 與朕止隔一水，未嘗遣一介修好，惟泛海通契丹，捨華事夷，禮義安在？ 且汝欲說我令罷兵邪？ 我非六國愚主，豈汝口舌所能移邪！ 可歸語汝主：亟來見朕，再拜謝過，則無事矣。 不然，朕欲觀金陵城，借府庫以勞軍，汝君臣得無悔乎！」 謨、德明戰慄不敢言。
After repeated defeats the Southern Tang ruler feared for his state's survival. He sent Hanlin academician and Vice Minister of Revenue Zhong Mo and Vice Minister of Works and Wenli Academy academician Li Deming with a memorial submitting as a vassal and suing for peace. They brought imperial robes, tea and medicines, a thousand liang of gold vessels, five thousand liang of silver vessels, two thousand bolts of silk brocade, five hundred oxen to reward the army, and two thousand hu of wine. On day Renwu they arrived below Shouzhou. Zhong Mo and Li Deming were both gifted speakers. Emperor Shizong knew they had come to negotiate and received them amid a display of armed troops. He said, "Your master claims descent from the Tang house and ought to know ritual and righteousness better than other states. He is separated from me by only one river, yet never sent a single envoy to keep the peace. Instead he sent messages by sea to the Khitan, abandoning China to serve barbarians—where is the ritual and righteousness in that? And do you mean to talk me into halting the campaign? I am no foolish ruler of the Warring States era. Do you think your tongues can move me? Go back and tell your master to come at once, bow before me twice, and confess his fault—then there will be no further trouble. Otherwise I mean to see Jinling for myself and use your treasury to reward my army. Will you and your master not regret that?" Zhong Mo and Li Deming trembled and dared not answer.
88
吳越王弘俶遣兵屯境上以俟周命。 蘇州營田指揮使陳滿言於丞相吳程曰：「周師南征，唐舉國驚擾，常州無備，易取也。」 會唐主有詔撫安江陰吏民，滿告程云：「周詔書已至。」 程為之言於弘俶，請亟發兵從其策。 丞相元德昭曰：「唐大國，未可輕也。 若我入唐境而周師不至，誰與並力，能無危乎！ 請姑俟之。」 程固爭，以為時不可失，弘俶卒從程議。 癸未，遣程督衢州刺史鮑修讓、中直都指揮使羅晟趣常州。 程謂將士曰：「元丞相不欲出師。」 將士怒，流言欲擊德昭。 弘俶匿德昭於府中，令捕言者，歎曰：「方出師而士卒欲擊丞相，不祥甚哉！」
King Qian Hongchu of Wuyue posted troops on the border to await orders from Zhou. Suzhou camp-field commander Chen Man told chief minister Wu Cheng, "The Zhou armies are campaigning south, Southern Tang is in turmoil, and Changzhou is undefended—it can be taken easily." Just then the Southern Tang ruler issued an edict to reassure the officials and people of Jiangyin. Chen Man told Wu Cheng, "The Zhou edict has already reached there." Wu Cheng relayed this to Qian Hongchu and urged him to send troops at once and adopt the plan. Chief minister Yuan Dezhao said, "Southern Tang is a great power and must not be underestimated. If we enter Southern Tang territory and the Zhou armies fail to come, with whom will we join forces? How can we avoid disaster? I beg that we wait a little longer." Wu Cheng argued fiercely that the moment must not be lost, and Qian Hongchu finally accepted his plan. On day Guiwei he sent Wu Cheng to lead Quzhou prefect Bao Xiurang and Central Direct commander Luo Sheng in a rapid march on Changzhou. Wu Cheng told the troops, "Chief Minister Yuan did not want us to march." The soldiers were furious, and word spread that they meant to attack Yuan Dezhao. Qian Hongchu hid Yuan Dezhao in the palace, ordered the rumor-mongers arrested, and sighed, "We are just setting out on campaign and already the soldiers want to attack the chief minister—what an ill omen!"
89
乙酉，韓令坤奄至揚州。 平旦，先遣白延遇以數百騎馳入城，城中不之覺。 令坤繼至，唐東都營屯使賈崇焚官府民舍，棄城南走，副留守工部侍郎馮延魯髡發被僧服，匿於佛寺，軍士執之。 令坤慰撫其民，使皆安堵。
On day Yiyou Han Lingkun suddenly appeared at Yangzhou. At dawn he first sent Bai Yanyu with several hundred horsemen galloping into the city before anyone inside knew what was happening. Han Lingkun arrived next. Southern Tang eastern capital camp commissioner Jia Chong burned the government offices and private houses and fled south. Deputy regent and Vice Minister of Works Feng Yanlu shaved his head, put on monk's robes, and hid in a temple, but soldiers captured him. Han Lingkun reassured the populace and restored order.
90
庚寅，王逵奏拔鄂州長山寨，執其將陳澤等，獻之。
On day Gengyin Wang Kui reported the capture of Changshan stockade in Ezhou and the seizure of its generals Chen Ze and others, whom he sent as captives.
91
辛卯，太祖皇帝奏唐天長制置使耿謙降，獲芻糧二十餘萬。
On day Xinmao Zhao Kuangyin reported that Southern Tang Tianchang commissioner Geng Qian had surrendered and that more than two hundred thousand units of fodder and grain were captured.
92
唐主遣園苑使尹延范如泰州，遷吳讓皇之族於潤州。 延范以道路艱難，恐楊氏為變，盡殺其男子六十人，還報，唐主怒，腰斬之。
The Southern Tang ruler sent garden commissioner Yin Yanfan to Taizhou to move the abdicated Wu emperor's clan to Runzhou. Yin Yanfan feared the Yang clan might rebel on the difficult road and killed all sixty of their men. When he reported back, the Southern Tang ruler was furious and had him cut in two at the waist.
93
韓令坤攻唐泰州，拔之，刺史方訥奔金陵。
Han Lingkun attacked Southern Tang's Taizhou, captured it, and prefect Fang Ne fled to Jinling.
94
唐主遣人以蠟丸求救於契丹。 壬辰，靜安軍使何繼先獲而獻之。
The Southern Tang ruler sent men with wax-sealed messages to beg the Khitan for help. On day Renchen, Jing'an Army commissioner He Jixian captured the wax-sealed message and presented it to the court.
95
以給事中高防權知泰州。
Supervising censor Gao Fang was appointed acting prefect of Taizhou.
96
癸巳，吳越王弘俶遣上直都指揮使路彥銖攻宣州，羅晟帥戰艦屯江陰。 唐靜海制置使姚彥洪帥兵民萬人奔吳越。
On day Guisi, Wuyue king Qian Hongchu sent inner-guard commander Lu Yanzhen against Xuanzhou while Luo Sheng anchored the fleet at Jiangyin. Southern Tang's Jinghai commissioner Yao Yanhong fled to Wuyue with ten thousand troops and civilians.
97
潘叔嗣屬將士而告之曰：「吾事令公至矣，今乃信讒疑怒，軍還，必擊我。 吾不能坐而待死，汝輩能與我俱西乎？」 眾憤怒，請行，叔嗣帥之西襲朗州。 逵聞之，還軍追之，及於武陵城外，與叔嗣戰，逵敗死，或勸叔嗣遂據朗州，叔嗣曰：「吾救死耳，安敢自尊？ 宜以督府歸潭州太尉，豈不以武安見處乎！」 乃歸岳州，使團練判官李簡帥朗州將吏迎武安節度使周行逢。 眾謂行逢：「必以潭州授叔嗣。」 行逢曰：「叔嗣賊殺主帥，罪當族。 所可恕者，得武陵而不有，以授吾耳。 若遽用為節度使，天下謂我與之同謀，何以自明！ 宜且以為行軍司馬，俟逾年，授以節鉞可也。」 乃以衡州刺史莫弘萬權知潭州，帥眾入朗州，自稱武平、武安留後，告於朝廷，以叔嗣為行軍司馬。 叔嗣怒，稱疾不至。 行逢曰：「行軍司馬，吾嘗為之，權與節度使相埒耳，叔嗣猶不滿望，更欲圖我邪！」 或說行逢：「授叔嗣武安節鉞以誘之，令至都府受命，此乃機上肉耳！」 行逢從之。 叔嗣將行，其所親止之，叔嗣自恃素以兄事行逢，相親善，遂行不疑。 行逢遣使迎候，道路相望，既至，自出效勞，相見甚歡。 叔嗣入謁，未至聽事，遣人執之，立於庭下，責之曰：「汝為小校無大功，王逵用汝為團練使，一旦反殺主帥。 吾以疇昔之情，未忍斬汝，以為行軍司馬，乃敢違拒吾命而不受乎！」 叔嗣知不免，以宗族為請。 遂斬之。
Pan Shusi gathered his officers and men and said, "I have served Lord Wang to the limit of loyalty. Now he believes slanders against me and is furious—when his army returns, he will surely destroy me. I will not sit here and wait to die. Will you march west with me?" The men, furious, demanded action, and Shusi led them west in a surprise strike on Langzhou. Wang Kui turned back in pursuit and met Shusi outside Wuling. Kui was defeated and killed. Some urged Shusi to hold Langzhou, but he said, "I acted only to save my life—how dare I set myself up as a lord? The command should go back to the Grand Marshal at Tanzhou—surely he will reward me with the Wu'an post!" He returned to Yuezhou and sent regimental adjutant Li Jian with Langzhou's officials to welcome Wu'an military governor Zhou Xingfeng. His advisers told Xingfeng, "You must give Tanzhou to Shusi." Xingfeng said, "Shusi murdered his commander—the crime warrants the extermination of his clan. The one thing in his favor is that he took Wuling but did not keep it—he handed it to me. If I made him military governor at once, the world would say we had plotted together—how could I clear my name? For now make him campaigning marshal; after a year or more, the full commission would be fitting." He put Hengzhou prefect Mo Hongwan in charge of Tanzhou, marched into Langzhou, styled himself acting governor of Wuping and Wu'an, reported to court, and named Shusi campaigning marshal. Shusi, furious, pleaded illness and refused to come. Xingfeng said, "I once held the post of campaigning marshal myself—its authority rivals that of a military governor. Shusi is still not satisfied—does he mean to plot against me?" An adviser said, "Offer him the Wu'an commission to lure him in—summon him to headquarters to take office, and he will be meat on the block!" Xingfeng agreed. As Shusi prepared to leave, his intimates tried to stop him, but he trusted the old bond—he had always treated Xingfeng as an elder brother—and went without suspicion. Xingfeng sent escorts to meet him all along the road. When Shusi arrived, Xingfeng came out in person to welcome him, and their meeting seemed full of warmth. Shusi came in to pay his respects. Before he reached the audience hall, Xingfeng's men seized him and stood him in the courtyard. Xingfeng rebuked him: "You were a minor officer without great merit when Wang Kui made you regimental commissioner—and you repaid him by murdering your commander. Out of old friendship I spared your life and made you campaigning marshal—and you dared defy my orders and refuse to come!" Shusi knew his end had come and begged only for his clan. Xingfeng had him beheaded.