Tang Annals 6
Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government, Volume 190, Chapter 190 [Tang Records 6] From the year of Xuanwu Dunzang to the fifth month of the year of Yanfeng Tuntan, a total of just over two years.
Gaozu Shenyao Dasheng Guangxiao Emperor, Middle and Lower Part, Wude Fifth Year (Renwu, 622 AD)
Spring, first month: Liu Heita proclaimed himself King of Handong, changed the era name to Tianzao, and established his capital at Mingzhou. He appointed Fan Yuan as Left Pushe, Dong Kangmai as Minister of War, and Gao Yaxian as Right Lingjun; he summoned Wang Cong as Zhongshuling and Liu Bin as Zhongshilang; all civil and military officials from the Dou Jiande era were restored to their former positions. He established laws and handled government affairs completely in imitation of Dou Jiande, but surpassed him in the ferocity and decisiveness of his attacks.
On the Bingxu day, the Tong'an rebel leader Yin Gongsu led Shuzhou to surrender.
On the Dinghai day, the Deputy Governor of Jizhou, Liu Botong, seized the Prefect Dou Wuben and led the prefecture to surrender to Xu Yuanlang.
On the Gengyin day, the Administrator of Dongyanzhou, Wang Caiyi, killed the Prefect Tian Hua and held the city in response to Liu Heita.
The King of Qin, Li Shimin, led his army to Huojia. Liu Heita abandoned Xiangzhou and retreated to defend Mingzhou. On the Bingshen day, Li Shimin recaptured Xiangzhou, advanced to Feixiang, and camped by the banks of the Mingshui River to pressure Liu Heita.
After Xiao Xian's defeat, most of his scattered soldiers joined Lin Shihong, and Lin Shihong's military strength revived.
On the Jiyou day, the Lingnan Li chieftain Yang Shilue led Xunzhou and Chaozhou to surrender.
The Tang envoy Wang Yitong captured Quan, Mu, and Jian prefectures. The General-in-Chief of Youzhou, Li Yi, led tens of thousands of troops from his command to join the King of Qin, Li Shimin, in attacking Liu Heita. When Liu Heita heard of this, he left ten thousand troops, sent Fan Yuan to guard Mingzhou, and led the army himself to resist Li Yi. That night, when camping at Shahe, Cheng Mingzhen loaded sixty drums and beat them violently on a dike two li west of the city, shaking the ground within the city. Fan Yuan, terrified, urgently reported to Liu Heita; Liu Heita immediately returned, sending his younger brother Liu Shishan and the Acting Minister of State Zhang Junli to lead ten thousand troops to attack Li Yi at Gucheng. On the Renzi day, they fought at Xuhe; Liu Shishan and Zhang Junli suffered a great defeat, losing more than eight thousand men.
Li Qucheng of Mingshui occupied the city and surrendered. The King of Qin, Li Shimin, sent the Duke of Peng, Wang Junkuo, to lead fifteen hundred cavalry to rush there and enter the city to jointly defend it. Second month: Liu Heita led his troops back to attack Mingshui. On the Guihai day, when marching to Lieren, the King of Qin, Li Shimin, sent Qin Shubao to intercept him and defeated him.
The Yuzhang rebel leader Zhang Shan'an led Qianzhou, Jizhou, and five other prefectures to surrender and was appointed General-in-Chief of Hongzhou.
On the Wuchen day, Yang Xiaocheng of Jinxiang betrayed Xu Yuanlang and led the city to surrender.
On the Jisi day, the King of Qin, Li Shimin, recaptured Xingzhou. On the Xinwei day, Feng Botang of Bingzhou led the city to surrender.
On the Bingzi day, Li Yi captured Liu Heita's prefectures of Ding, Luan, Lian, and Zhao, seized Liu Heita's Minister of State Liu Xidao, and led his troops to join the King of Qin, Li Shimin, at Mingzhou.
Liu Heita attacked Mingshui with great urgency. The city was surrounded by water on all sides, the water being over fifty paces wide. Liu Heita built two raised roads northeast of the city to attack it. Li Shimin led troops to rescue it three times, but was blocked by Liu Heita and could not advance. Li Shimin, fearing that Wang Junkuo could not hold out, summoned his generals for discussion. Li Shiji said, "If the raised roads reach the city wall, the city will certainly not be held." The Commander of the March, Duke of Yong, Luo Shixin, requested to replace Wang Junkuo in defending the city. Li Shimin then ascended a high tomb southwest of the city and used flags to signal Wang Junkuo. Wang Junkuo led his troops in a fierce battle and broke out of the encirclement. Luo Shixin led about two hundred of his men into the city to take over the defense from Wang Junkuo. Liu Heita attacked day and night. Coinciding with a heavy snowfall, the relief forces could not advance. After eight days, on the Dingchou day, the city fell. Liu Heita had long heard of Luo Shixin's bravery and wanted to capture him alive. Luo Shixin's speech and expression showed no submission, so he was killed. He was only twenty years old at the time.
On the Wuyin day, the General-in-Chief of Bianzhou, Wang Yaohan, attacked Xu Yuanlang's Qizhou, captured it, and seized his general Zhou Wenju.
On the Gengchen day, the Commander of the Yanzhou Circuit March, Duan Decao, attacked Liang Shidu's Shibao Fortress. Liang Shidu personally led troops to rescue him. Duan Decao fought with him and heavily defeated Liang Shidu, who escaped with only sixteen men on horseback. The Emperor reinforced Duan Decao and ordered him to take advantage of the victory to attack Xiazhou. He captured the eastern city, and Liang Shidu defended the western city with several hundred men. Coinciding with the arrival of Turkic reinforcements, the Emperor issued an edict ordering Duan Decao to withdraw.
On the Xinsi day, the King of Qin, Li Shimin, captured Mingshui. Third month: Li Shimin and Li Yi camped on the south bank of the Mingshui River and divided their troops to camp on the north bank. Liu Heita repeatedly challenged them, but Li Shimin held firm in his camp and did not respond, instead sending surprise troops to cut off his supply routes. On the Renchen day, Liu Heita appointed Gao Yaxian as Left Pushe and held a grand banquet in the army. Li Shiji led troops to press close to his camp. Gao Yaxian, drunk, chased Li Shiji alone on horseback. Li Shiji's officer Pan Mao stabbed him, causing him to fall from his horse. Gao Yaxian's attendants then arrived and helped him back, but he died before reaching the camp. On the Jiawu day, the generals again went to press close to Liu Heita's camp, and Pan Mao was captured by Wang Xiaohu. Liu Heita transported grain from Ji, Bei, Cang, and Ying prefectures, advancing by both water and land. Cheng Mingzhen led over a thousand men to intercept him, sinking his boats and burning his carts.
The General-in-Chief of Songzhou, Sheng Yanshi, led the General-in-Chief of Qizhou, Wang Bo, to attack Xuchang and requisitioned military grain from Tanzhou. The Prefect of Tanzhou, Li Yiman, had a grudge against Wang Bo and closed his granaries, refusing to give them grain. After Xuchang surrendered, Sheng Yanshi arrested Li Yiman and imprisoned him in the Qizhou jail. The Emperor issued an edict to release him, but before the envoy arrived, Li Yiman died of grief and anger in prison. Wang Bo returned and passed through Tanzhou. On the night of the Wuxu day, Li Yiman's nephew Li Wuyi seized Wang Bo and killed him. Sheng Yanshi was also found guilty and executed.
The Emperor sent envoys to bribe the Turkic Khagan, Jieli, and promised a marriage alliance. Jieli then released Han Yang Gong Li Gui, Zheng Yuanshu, Zhangsun Wuji, and others. On the Gengzi day, he again sent envoys to seek peace. The Emperor also returned the Turkic envoys Tele Rehan, Ashina De, and others. The General-in-Chief of Bingzhou, Liu Shirang, was stationed at Yanmen. Jieli, together with Gao Kaidao and Yuan Junzhang, attacked him. After more than a month, they withdrew.
On the Jiachen day, the Sui dynasty's Governor of Jiaozhi, Qiu He, was appointed General-in-Chief of Jiaozhou. Qiu He sent his Sima Gao Shilian to present a memorial requesting an audience. The Emperor issued an edict granting permission and sent his son Qiu Shili to welcome him.
The King of Qin, Li Shimin, and Liu Heita were locked in a stalemate for over sixty days. Liu Heita secretly sent troops to attack Li Shiji's camp. Li Shimin led troops to rescue him from behind and was surrounded by Liu Heita. Yuchi Jingde led strong warriors to charge into the encirclement, and Li Shimin and the Duke of Lueyang, Li Daozong, took the opportunity to break out. Li Daozong was the Emperor's nephew. Li Shimin estimated that Liu Heita's provisions were exhausted and that he would certainly come for a decisive battle. He therefore sent men to dam the upper reaches of the Mingshui River and said to the officer in charge, "When I engage the rebels in battle, then breach the dam." On the Dingwei day, Liu Heita led twenty thousand infantry and cavalry south across the Mingshui River, approached the Tang camp, and formed a battle line. Li Shimin personally led his elite cavalry to attack Liu Heita's cavalry, defeated them, and then took advantage of the victory to trample his infantry. Liu Heita led his men in a desperate fight. From noon until dusk, they fought several rounds, and gradually Liu Heita could no longer hold out. Wang Xiaohu said to Liu Heita, "Our strategy and strength are exhausted; we should flee early." So he and Liu Heita fled first. The rest of the troops did not know and continued to fight desperately. The officer breached the dam, and the Mingshui River surged in, over a zhang deep. Liu Heita's forces were completely routed, with over ten thousand beheaded and several thousand drowned. Liu Heita and Fan Yuan, along with two hundred others, fled on horseback to the Turks. The Shandong region was completely pacified.
Gao Kaidao invaded Yizhou and killed the Prefect Murong Fengan.
Summer, fourth month: On the Jiwei day, the Sui dynasty's Grand Herald Ning Changzhen led the lands of Ningyue and Yulin to request surrender from Li Jing. The roads to Jiaozhou and Aizhou began to open. Ning Changzhen was appointed General-in-Chief of Qinzhou.
The General-in-Chief of Kuizhou, the Prince of Zhao Commandery, Li Xiaogong, was appointed General-in-Chief of Jingzhou.
Xu Yuanlang heard that Liu Heita had been defeated and was greatly frightened, not knowing what to do. A man from Hejian, Liu Fuli, advised Xu Yuanlang, saying: "There is a man named Liu Shiche, whose talent and strategy are unparalleled in the world. His reputation is very high in the eastern lands, and he has an extraordinary appearance—truly the vessel of a king. If you, General, declare yourself independent, I fear you will ultimately not succeed; but if you welcome Liu Shiche and honor him, the empire can be pacified with a wave of the hand." Xu Yuanlang thought he was right and sent Liu Fuli to Junyi to welcome Liu Shiche. Someone advised Xu Yuanlang, saying: "General, you have been deceived by others. If you want to welcome Liu Shiche and honor him, and Liu Shiche achieves his ambitions, where will you, General, have a place to stand? I dare not cite events from distant ages—has the General not seen the fate of Zhai Rang and Li Mi?" Xu Yuanlang then thought this man was also right. When Liu Shiche arrived, he had several thousand troops, stationed outside the city, waiting for Xu Yuanlang to come out and welcome him; Xu Yuanlang did not come out, but sent someone to summon him into the city. Liu Shiche knew that things had changed, and wanted to flee, but feared he could not escape, so he entered the city for an audience; Xu Yuanlang took away all his troops, appointed him as Commandant, and sent him on a tour of Qiao and Qi prefectures. The eastern people had long heard of his reputation, and wherever he went, they submitted in droves, so Xu Yuanlang then killed him.
Qin Wang Li Shimin led troops from Hebei, preparing to attack Xu Yuanlang, when he happened to be summoned by the Emperor, who ordered him to take a post-horse and enter the court. He then entrusted the military authority to Qi Wang Yuanji. On the Gengshen day, Li Shimin arrived at Chang'an, and the Emperor welcomed him at Changle Palace. Li Shimin detailed the situation for attacking and capturing Xu Yuanlang, and the Emperor again sent him to Liyang to rendezvous with the main army and advance directly to Jiying.
On the Dingmao day, the Shandong Branch Secretariat was abolished.
On the Renshen day, Daizhou General-in-Chief, Dingxiang King Li Da'en, was killed by the Turks. Prior to this, Li Da'en had memorialized that the Turks were suffering a famine, and that Mayi could be taken. The Emperor issued an edict ordering Diannei Shaojian Dugu Cheng to lead troops and join Li Da'en in attacking Yuan Junzhang, agreeing to rendezvous at Mayi in the second month; Dugu Cheng failed to arrive on time, and Li Da'en could not advance alone, so he encamped at Xincheng. Jieli Khagan sent several tens of thousands of cavalry to join Liu Heita in surrounding Li Da'en. The Emperor sent You Xiaowei General-in-Chief Li Gaoqian to rescue him. Before Li Gaoqian arrived, Li Da'en's provisions were exhausted, and he fled by night; the Turks intercepted him, his troops scattered, and Li Da'en died in battle. The Emperor was deeply grieved. Dugu Cheng was convicted and had his death sentence commuted, then exiled to the frontier.
On the Bingzi day, Xingtai Minister of Civil Affairs Shi Wanbao attacked Xu Yuanlang's Chen Prefecture and captured it.
On the Wuyin day, the Cantonese rebel leader Deng Wenjin, the Sui dynasty's Hepu Commandery Governor Ning Xuan, and Rinan Commandery Governor Li Jun all came to surrender together.
In the fifth month, on the Gengyin day, Guazhou local strongman Wang Gan killed Heba Xingwei and surrendered, and Guazhou was pacified.
The Turks invaded Xin Prefecture, and Li Gaoqian defeated them.
In the sixth month, on the Xinhai day, Liu Heita led the Turks to invade Shandong. The Emperor issued an edict ordering Yanjun Wang Li Yi to meet them in battle.
On the Guichou day, Tuyuhun invaded Tao, Xu, and Die prefectures; Minzhou General-in-Chief Li Changqing defeated them.
On the Yimao day, the Emperor sent Huai'an Wang Li Shentong to attack Xu Yuanlang.
On the Dingmao day, Liu Heita led the Turks to invade Ding Prefecture.
Autumn, seventh month, on the Jiashen day, the Hongyi Palace was built for Qin Wang Li Shimin to reside in. Li Shimin attacked Xu Yuanlang, capturing over ten cities, and his might shook the Huai and Si river regions. Du Fowei was terrified and requested to come to court. Li Shimin, considering that the area between the Huai and Ji rivers was largely pacified, sent Huai'an Wang Li Shentong, Marching General-in-Chief Ren Gui, and Li Shiji to attack Xu Yuanlang. On the Yiyou day, he returned in triumph.
On the Dinghai day, Du Fowei came to court and was invited to ascend the imperial couch. He was appointed Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, still concurrently serving as Xingtai Minister of Works, and was kept in Chang'an, with a rank above that of Qi Wang Yuanji, to show special favor. Kan Leng was appointed Left Leading General. Li Zitong said to Le Botong: "Du Fowei has already entered court, and Jiangdong is not yet pacified. If I go to gather my old troops, I can achieve great merit." So they fled together to Lantian Pass, but were captured by officials and both executed.
Liu Heita arrived at Ding Prefecture. His former generals Cao Zhan and Dong Kangmai had fled to Xianyu, where they reassembled troops to respond to him. On the Jiawu day, Huaiyang Wang Li Daoxuan was appointed Hebei Circuit Marching General-in-Chief to campaign against Liu Heita.
On the Bingshen day, a man from Qian Prefecture, Deng Shizheng, seized the Prefect Li Jing'ang and raised a rebellion.
On the Dingyou day, the Sui dynasty's Hanyang Commandery Governor Feng Ang received Li Jing's proclamation and led his troops to surrender. His territory was used to establish Gao, Luo, Chun, Bai, Ya, Dan, Lin, and Zhen prefectures, and Feng Ang was appointed Gao Prefecture General-in-Chief and enfeoffed as Duke of Geng. Before this, someone advised Feng Ang, saying: "The Tang dynasty has just pacified the central plains and has no strength to attend to distant regions. You, sir, rule over more than twenty prefectures—your territory is already broader than that of Zhao Tuo. You should proclaim yourself King of Nanyue." Feng Ang said: "My family has lived here for five generations; those who served as prefects and commandery governors have all come from my household. My wealth and honor have reached their peak. I constantly fear that I cannot bear the heavy responsibility and bring shame to my ancestors. How would I dare to emulate Zhao Tuo and proclaim myself king in one region?" So he came to surrender. At this point, Lingnan was completely pacified.
In the eighth month, on the Xinhai day, Luo, Jing, Jiao, Bing, and You prefectures were established as Grand General-in-Chief Administrations.
Sui Yangdi was reburied at Leigang in Yang Prefecture.
On the Jiaxu day, Tuyuhun invaded Min Prefecture and defeated General-in-Chief Li Changqing. The Emperor issued an edict ordering Yizhou Xingtai Right Vice Director Dou Gui and Weizhou Prefect Qie Luosheng to go to his rescue.
On the Yimao day, Turkic Jieli Khagan invaded the border. The Emperor sent Zuo Wuwei General Duan Decao and Yunzhou General-in-Chief Li Zihe to lead troops to resist. Li Zihe's original surname was Guo, but he was granted the surname Li for his merits in campaigning against Liu Heita. On the Bingchen day, Jieli led 150,000 cavalry into Yanmen. On the Jiwei day, he invaded Bing Prefecture, and also sent troops to invade Yuan Prefecture. On the Gengshen day, the Heir Apparent was ordered to march out via Youzhou Circuit, and Qin Wang Li Shimin via Qinzhou Circuit to resist. Li Zihe advanced directly to Yunzhong to attack the Khagan, and Duan Decao advanced directly to Xiazhou to cut off his retreat.
On the Xinyou day, the Emperor said to his ministers: "The Turks invade and then seek peace—between war and negotiation, which is more advantageous?" Taichang Qing Zheng Yuanshu said: "War will deepen the enmity; it is better to negotiate for peace." Zhongshu Ling Feng Deyi said: "The Turks rely on their numerous tribes and have a contemptuous attitude toward China. If we negotiate peace without fighting, we show weakness, and they will return next year. In my humble opinion, it is better to attack first, and then negotiate peace after victory. Thus we can display both favor and authority." The Emperor followed his advice.
On the Jisi day, Bingzhou Grand General-in-Chief, Xiangyi Wang Li Shenfu, defeated the Turks at Fendong; Fenzhou Prefect Xiao Yi defeated the Turks, beheading over 5,000 men.
Tuyuhun captured Tao Prefecture. The Emperor sent Wu Prefecture Prefect Heba Liang to resist.
On the Bingzi day, the Turks invaded Lian Prefecture. On the Wuyin day, they captured Dazhen Pass. The Emperor sent Zheng Yuanshu to see Jieli. At that time, several hundred thousand elite Turkic cavalry filled the valleys for several hundred li from Jiexiu to Jin Prefecture. Zheng Yuanshu saw Jieli and rebuked him for violating the covenant, debating and interrogating him until Jieli was quite ashamed. Zheng Yuanshu then took the opportunity to persuade Jieli, saying: "Tang and the Turks have different customs. Even if the Turks obtained Tang territory, they could not inhabit it. Now, whatever you plunder falls into the hands of your people—what benefit is it to the Khagan? It would be better to withdraw your troops, renew friendly relations and marriage ties, spare yourselves the toil of marching, and sit back to enjoy gold, silver, and silks, all of which will enter the Khagan's treasury. Is this not better than abandoning years of brotherly goodwill and incurring endless enmity for your descendants?" Jieli was pleased and withdrew his troops. From the Yining era onward, Zheng Yuanshu had been sent as an envoy to the Turks five times, and had nearly lost his life on several occasions.
In the ninth month, on the Guisi day, Jiaozhou Prefect Quan Shitong, Hongzhou General-in-Chief Yuwen Xin, and Lingzhou General-in-Chief Yang Shidao defeated the Turks at Mount Sanguan. On the Yiwei day, the Heir Apparent returned in triumph. On the Bingshen day, Yuwen Xin intercepted the Turks at Chonggang Garrison, heavily defeated them, and beheaded over a thousand men. On the Renshen day, Dingzhou General-in-Chief Shuang Shiluo and others defeated the Turks south of Mount Heng. On the Bingwu day, Leading General An Xinggui defeated the Turks at Gan Prefecture. All achieved victories.
Liu Heita captured Ying Prefecture and killed the Prefect Ma Kuangwu. A man from Yan Prefecture, Ma Junde, held the city and rebelled, joining Liu Heita.
Gao Kaidao invaded Li Prefecture.
In winter, the tenth month, on the jiyou day, an imperial edict ordered Prince Qi, Yuanji, to march on Shandong and attack Liu Heita. On the renzi day, Yuanji was appointed General-in-Chief of the Leading Army and Grand Commander of Bingzhou. On the guichou day, the prefect of Beizhou, Xu Shanhu, fought against Liu Heita’s younger brother, Liu Shishan, at Shu County; Xu Shanhu’s entire army was annihilated. On the jiayin day, General of the Right Martial Guard, Sang Xianhe, defeated Liu Heita at Yancheng. The prefect of Guanzhou, Liu Hui, rebelled by holding the city and submitted to Liu Heita.
The Qidan invaded Beiping.
On the jiazi day, the Prince of Qin, Li Shimin, was appointed concurrently General-in-Chief of the Left and Right Twelve Guards.
On the yichou day, the (Army Commander), Prince Huaiyang Zhuang, Li Daoxuan, fought against Liu Heita at Xiabo; he was defeated and killed by Liu Heita. At that time, Li Daoxuan commanded 30,000 troops and was at odds with his deputy, Shi Wanbao. Daoxuan led light cavalry to charge the enemy lines first and ordered Shi Wanbao to follow with the main army. Shi Wanbao held back his troops and said to his confidants: “I have received the emperor’s personal decree that the Prince of Huaiyang is a child, and military matters are entrusted to me, an old man. Now he rashly advances; if I go forward with him, we will both be defeated and annihilated. It is better to use the Prince of Huaiyang as bait to lure the bandits. When the prince is defeated, the bandits will surely rush forward. I will then form ranks and await them, and we are sure to defeat them.” Therefore, Daoxuan advanced alone and died in battle. Shi Wanbao marshaled his troops and prepared to fight, but the soldiers had no fighting spirit; thus, the entire army was routed, and Shi Wanbao fled back. Li Daoxuan had often followed the Prince of Qin on campaigns; he was only nineteen when he died. Li Shimin deeply grieved and said to others: “Daoxuan often followed me on campaigns and saw me penetrate deep into enemy lines; he admired and imitated me, which led to this.” He wept for him. From the start of his uprising, Li Shimin had fought dozens of battles, always leading his troops and charging deep with light cavalry; though he faced many dangers, he was never wounded by blade or arrow.
Lin Shihong sent his younger brother, the Prince of Poyang, Lin Yaoshi, to attack Xunzhou. Prefect Yang Lue fought him and killed Lin Yaoshi. Lin Shihong’s general, Wang Rong, surrendered with Nanchangzhou. Lin Shihong was terrified; on the jisi day, he requested to surrender. Soon after, he fled to the caves of Ancheng Mountain. The people of Yuanzhou gathered to respond to him. The (Grand Commander of Hongzhou), Ruogan Ze, sent troops to defeat them. It happened that Lin Shihong died, and his followers scattered.
After the defeat of Prince Huaiyang, Li Daoxuan, the Shandong region was shaken with alarm. The (Grand Commander of Mingzhou), Prince Lujiang, Li Yuan, abandoned the city and fled west. The prefectures and counties all rebelled and submitted to Liu Heita. Within ten days, Liu Heita recovered all his former territory. On the yihai day, he advanced and occupied Mingzhou. In the eleventh month, on the gengchen day, the prefect of Cangzhou, Cheng Damai, pressured by Liu Heita, abandoned the city and fled. Prince Qi, Yuanji, feared Liu Heita’s strength and dared not advance.
When the emperor rose in arms at Jinyang, it was all the planning of the Prince of Qin, Li Shimin. The emperor said to Li Shimin: “If the matter succeeds, then the empire will be what you have brought about; you should be made heir apparent.” Li Shimin bowed and declined. When they became the Prince of Tang, the generals and officials also requested that Li Shimin be made the heir. The emperor was prepared to establish him, but Li Shimin firmly declined, and so it was abandoned. Crown Prince Li Jiancheng was lenient and simple in nature, fond of wine, women, and hunting. Prince Qi, Li Yuanji, had many faults; neither was favored by the emperor. Li Shimin’s achievements and fame grew increasingly prominent, and the emperor often had the intention of letting him replace Li Jiancheng. Li Jiancheng felt uneasy and thus conspired with Li Yuanji to jointly undermine Li Shimin, each cultivating their own faction of allies.
In his later years, the emperor had many favored consorts, and the young princes numbered nearly twenty. Their mothers vied to curry favor with the various elder princes to secure their positions. Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji ingratiated themselves with the consorts, offering flattery and bribes, stopping at nothing, to gain the emperor’s affection. Some said they had illicit relations with Consort Zhang and Consort Yin, but the palace was deep and secret, making it impossible to verify. At the time, the Eastern Palace, the various princes, the families of consorts and princesses, and the relatives of the rear palace behaved tyrannically in Chang’an, breaking the law at will, and the authorities dared not investigate. Li Shimin resided in the Chengqian Hall, and Li Yuanji in the rear compound of the Wude Hall. Communication with the emperor’s residence and the Eastern Palace went on day and night without restriction. When the crown prince and the two princes entered the emperor’s residence, they all rode horses and carried bows, arrows, swords, and other items; when they met, they observed family rituals. The crown prince’s orders, the Prince of Qin’s and Prince Qi’s instructions were implemented alongside the emperor’s edicts; the authorities did not know which to follow, only abiding by whichever arrived first. Only Li Shimin did not serve the consorts; they all vied to praise Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji while slandering Li Shimin.
When Li Shimin pacified Luoyang, the emperor sent several people, including the Noble Consort, to Luoyang to select Sui palace women and take over the treasury’s treasures. The Noble Consort and others privately asked Li Shimin for treasures and sought official positions for their relatives. Li Shimin said: “The treasures have all been recorded and reported; official posts should be granted to the worthy and meritorious.” He did not agree to any, so they resented him even more. Because the Prince of Huai’an, Li Shentong, had merit, Li Shimin granted him several tens of qing of farmland. Zhang Jieyu’s father, through Zhang Jieyu, asked the emperor for this land. The emperor personally wrote an edict granting it to him. Li Shentong, citing that the Prince of Qin’s instruction came first, did not give it. Zhang Jieyu complained to the emperor, saying: “Your Majesty’s edict granting land to my father was taken away by the Prince of Qin and given to Li Shentong.” The emperor then became angry and reprimanded Li Shimin, saying: “Is my personal edict inferior to your instruction?” Later, the emperor said to the Left Vice Director, Pei Ji: “This child has long held military power outside and has been corrupted by scholars; he is no longer the son he once was.” Yin Defei’s father, Yin Ashu, was arrogant and tyrannical. A subordinate of the Prince of Qin’s mansion, Du Ruhui, passed by his gate. Several servants of Yin Ashu dragged Du Ruhui off his horse, beat him, and broke one of his fingers, saying: “Who are you to dare pass by our master’s gate without dismounting?” Yin Ashu, fearing Li Shimin would report to the emperor, first had Yin Defei submit a memorial saying: “The Prince of Qin’s attendants bully my family.” The emperor again became angry and reprimanded Li Shimin, saying: “Even my consort’s family is bullied by your attendants; how much more the common people!” Li Shimin vehemently defended himself, but the emperor never believed him.
Every time Li Shimin attended banquets in the palace, in the presence of the consorts, he thought of Empress Taimu, who died early, and that she could not see the emperor possess the empire. Sometimes he sighed and wept. The emperor, seeing this, was displeased. The consorts then secretly joined forces to slander Li Shimin, saying: “Fortunately, the empire is at peace, and Your Majesty is advanced in years; you should only seek pleasure. Yet the Prince of Qin weeps alone every time, which is precisely his hatred of us. After Your Majesty’s ten thousand years, we, mother and son, will certainly not be tolerated by the Prince of Qin and will be wiped out to the last!” Then they wept together, and said: “The crown prince is benevolent and filial; if Your Majesty entrusts us, mother and son, to him, we are sure to be preserved.” The emperor was moved by this. From then on, he had no intention of replacing the crown prince. His treatment of Li Shimin grew increasingly distant, while Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji grew closer day by day.
The crown prince’s Zhongyun, Wang Gui, and the Xima, Wei Zheng, advised the crown prince, saying: “The Prince of Qin’s achievements overshadow the empire, and all within and without turn their hearts to him. Your Highness is only the elder in years and occupies the Eastern Palace, but has no great achievements to awe the realm. Now, Liu Heita, after his scattered remnants, has fewer than 10,000 troops and lacks supplies. If you attack him with a large army, it will be like crushing dry weeds and smashing rotten wood. Your Highness should personally lead the expedition to gain merit and reputation, and at the same time, befriend the heroes of Shandong. Perhaps you can thus secure yourself.” The crown prince then asked the emperor to go on the campaign, and the emperor consented. Wang Gui was the son of Wang Gui’s elder brother. On the jiashen day, an edict ordered the crown prince, Li Jiancheng, to lead troops to attack Liu Heita. The Shandong Circuit Grand Marshal’s Office and the Shandong Circuit Marching Marshal, as well as all prefectures in Henan and Hebei, were placed under Jiancheng’s command, allowing him to act as he saw fit.
On the yiyou day, eighteen members of the imperial clan, including the Duke of Lueyang, Li Daozong, were enfeoffed as commandery princes. Li Daozong was the cousin of Li Daoxuan. He served as the Grand Commander of Lingzhou. Liang Shidu sent his younger brother, Liang Luo’er, leading tens of thousands of (Tujue) troops to besiege him. Li Daozong seized the opportunity to attack and heavily defeated the enemy. The Tujue allied with Liang Shidu and sent Yulushe to encamp in the former Wuyuan region. Li Daozong drove them out, expanding the territory by over a thousand li. The emperor considered Li Daozong’s military strategy and talent comparable to Cao Zhang, the Prince of Rencheng of Wei, and so enfeoffed him as the Commandery Prince of Rencheng.
On the bingshen day, the emperor arrived at Yizhou.
On the jihai day, Prince Qi, Yuanji, sent troops to attack Liu Shishan at Weizhou and defeated him.
On the guimao day, the emperor hunted at Fuping.
Liu Heita led his troops southward. All the prefectures and counties from Xiangzhou northward submitted to him, except for the prefect of Weizhou, Tian Liu’an, who held his troops and defended. Liu Heita attacked Weizhou but could not take it. He then led his troops south to take Yuancheng, then turned back to attack Weizhou.
In the twelfth month, on the gengxu day, eight members of the imperial clan, including Li Xiaoyou, were enfeoffed as commandery princes. Li Xiaoyou was the son of Li Shentong.
On the bingchen day, the emperor hunted at Huachi.
On the wuwu day, Liu Heita captured Hengzhou and killed the prefect Wang Gongzheng.
On the gengshen day, the imperial chariot returned to Chang'an.
On the guihai day, the grand general of Youzhou, Li Yi, recovered Lian and Ding prefectures.
On the jiazi day, Tian Liu'an defeated Liu Heita, captured his Shenzhou prefect Meng Zhu, and caused six thousand officers and men to surrender. At that time, the bold men of Shandong mostly killed local officials and responded to Liu Heita; superiors and subordinates suspected each other, and people's hearts became even more estranged and resentful. Tian Liu'an alone treated his officials and people with complete openness and without suspicion. Those who came to report matters, regardless of kinship or distance, were allowed to enter his sleeping quarters directly. He often said to his officials and people, "I and you all are defending against the rebels for the state. We should be of one mind and united strength. If you must abandon obedience and follow rebellion, you need only cut off my head and go." The officials and people all admonished each other, saying, "Duke Tian treats others with utmost sincerity. We should together exhaust our strength to repay him, and certainly must not let him down." There was a man named Yuan Zhulin, originally a member of Liu Heita's party, who secretly harbored a different intent. Tian Liu'an knew of this but did not expose him; he placed him by his side and entrusted him with the important duty of guarding the keys. Yuan Zhulin was moved by gratitude and thereupon turned his heart to sincere submission, ultimately rendering valuable service. For his merit, Tian Liu'an was advanced in rank and enfeoffed as the Duke of Dao.
On the yichou day, the prefect of Bingzhou, Cheng Renzhong, attacked Fan Yuan and defeated him.
Liu Heita attacked Weizhou but could not capture it. The great army of the Heir Apparent, Li Jiancheng, and the Prince of Qi, Li Yuanji, reached Changle. Liu Heita led his troops to oppose them, and twice drew up his battle lines, but each time the engagement was halted without a fight. Wei Zheng said to the Heir Apparent, "Previously, when we defeated Liu Heita, his generals and commanders were all named and executed, and their wives and children were taken captive. Therefore, when the Prince of Qi came, although there was an imperial edict pardoning the crimes of their confederates, no one believed it. Now we should release all the captured prisoners, comfort and instruct them, and then send them back. Then we can sit and watch them disperse!" The Heir Apparent followed his advice. Liu Heita's provisions were exhausted, and most of his troops deserted. Some bound their leaders and came to surrender. Liu Heita, fearing that the city would send out troops and attack him from both within and without together with the great army, fled by night. When he reached Guantao, the Yongji Bridge had not yet been repaired, and he could not cross the river. On the renshen day, the Heir Apparent and the Prince of Qi arrived with the great army. Liu Heita sent Wang Xiaohu to draw up his battle line with his back to the river, while he himself watched the bridge being repaired. As soon as it was finished, he crossed over to the west bank. His troops then completely collapsed, throwing away their weapons and coming to surrender. The great army crossed the bridge in pursuit of Liu Heita, but only a little over a thousand cavalry had crossed when the bridge broke. Because of this, Liu Heita was able to escape with several hundred cavalry.
Because many soldiers had died in battle during the wars at the end of the Sui dynasty in Koguryo, this year the emperor sent a letter to the Koguryo king, Gao Jianwu, ordering him to send them all back. He also ordered the prefectures and counties to search out Koguryo people in the Central Lands and send them back to their country. Gao Jianwu obeyed the edict, and over the course of time sent back tens of thousands of Chinese people.
The Middle and Lower Parts of the Reign of Gaozu Shenyao Dasheng Guangxiao Huangdi, Sixth Year of Wude (Guiwei, 623 AD)
Spring, first month, on the ji mao day, Pei Ju, the Left Deputy of the Heir Apparent, was appointed as Shizhong (Palace Attendant). Second month, on the bing yin day, an imperial edict said: "In all prefectures, those who have mastered one or more of the Classics but have not yet taken office, let their names all be reported; prefectures, counties, and townships shall all establish schools."
On the renwu day, the imperial chariot went to Huayin. Fourth month, on the jisi day, returned to Chang'an.
Zhang Shan'an rebelled in Hongzhou; the court sent the general commander of Shuzhou, Zhang Zhenzhou, and others to punish him.
Fifth month, on the guiwei day, Gao Kaidao led Xi cavalry to raid Youzhou; the chief administrator Wang Shen defeated them. When Liu Heita was defeated, his general Zhang Junli fled to Gao Kaidao, and Gao Kaidao sent him to guard Cangzhou. At this time, Gao Kaidao wanted to flee north to the Turks, but his general Zhang Jinshu killed him, and Gao Kaidao's army was utterly routed. Zhang Jinshu sent an envoy to surrender. An edict appointed Zhang Jinshu as the governor of Beiyanzhou.
On the wuzi day, Li Xiaogong, the Prince of Zhao Commandery, was appointed as the Grand Governor of Jingzhou.
On the xinmao day, Mars invaded the Ghost constellation. On the jiawu day, Li Jing was appointed as Pacification Commissioner, sent to Lingnan, with authority to fill official posts on the emperor's behalf, in order to punish Zhang Shan'an.
Sixth month, on the xinhai day, an edict said: "From now on, no unauthorized shrines to demons or spirits shall be established; all those not recorded in the canonical classics are to be abolished."
Autumn, seventh month, on the jisi day, Yuan Junzhang led the Turks to raid Mayi; the General of the Right Bravo Guard, Li Gaoqian, and Heichi Changzhi attacked and drove them away.
Eighth month, on the bingchen day, the Turkic Jieli Khagan raided Yuanzhou; the court sent the Grand General of the Left Bravo Guard, Yuchi Jingde, and others to punish him.
Ninth month, on the renshen day, the Turks raided Yuanzhou; the court sent the Grand General of the Right Bravo Guard, Li Zihe, and others to punish him.
On the dingchou day, the Turks raided Shuozhou.
On the jimao day, the Heir Apparent led troops to garrison the northern border to prepare against the Turks.
This year, Zhang Shan'an surrendered to Li Jing. Li Jing sent him to the capital. Zhang Shan'an originally had no intention of surrendering; it was only because his situation was desperate, and also because he wanted to watch for an opportunity, that he pretended to surrender. Li Jing detected his deceit, and thereupon detained Zhang Shan'an in the army, while separately dispersing his followers. Zhang Shan'an tried to flee, but Li Jing pursued and killed him.
Spring, first month, on the ji mao day, the Raozhou prefect appointed by Liu Heita, Zhuge Dewei, captured Liu Heita and surrendered the city. At that time, the Heir Apparent had sent the cavalry general Liu Hongji to pursue Liu Heita. Pressed hard by the imperial army, Liu Heita could not stop to rest. When he reached Raoyang, only a little over a hundred followers remained, and they were very hungry. Zhuge Dewei came out of the city to welcome him and invited Liu Heita to enter the city. Liu Heita refused. Zhuge Dewei wept and earnestly begged him, so Liu Heita finally agreed. When they rested in the market place outside the city, Zhuge Dewei brought food. Before they had finished eating, Zhuge Dewei led his troops and arrested him, sending him to the Heir Apparent. He was beheaded in Mingzhou together with his younger brother Liu Shishan. As Liu Heita was about to be executed, he sighed and said, "I was originally contentedly growing vegetables at home. I was brought to this pass because I was implicated in the crimes of Gao Yaxian!"
On the renwu day, a man from Suizhou, Wang Mosha, raised troops, calling himself Yuanshuai (Marshal) and changing the reign title to Jintong. The court sent the General of Agile Cavalry, Wei Yan, to punish him.
On the gengzi day, the Prince of Wu, Du Fuwei, was appointed as Taibao (Grand Guardian).
Second month, on the gengxu day, the emperor went to the hot springs at Mount Li. On the jiayin day, he returned to the palace.
Princess Pingyang Zhao died. On the wuwu day, she was buried. An edict was issued to add front and rear honor guard bands, forty banjian (ceremonial swordsmen), and armed huben guards. The Grand Chamberlain memorialized, saying, "According to ritual, women do not have honor guard bands." The emperor said, "The band is military music. The Princess personally took up the metal drum, raised a righteous army, and assisted in completing the great enterprise. How can she be compared to an ordinary woman?"
On the bingyin day, Xu Yuanlang, finding no way out, abandoned his city and fled with a few cavalry, but was killed by country people. All the regions he had occupied were pacified.
The King of Lin Yi, Fanzhi, sent an envoy to court to present tribute. Originally, during the Sui dynasty, the people had broken Lin Yi and divided its territory into three commanderies. When the Central Lands fell into chaos, Lin Yi was restored as a state, and only now began to present tribute.
The grand governor of Youzhou, Li Yi, requested to come to court. On the gengwu day, Li Yi was appointed as the Grand General of the Left Bravery Guard.
The Twelve Armies, including the Shenqi (Standard Bearer) Army, were abolished.
Third month, on the guiwei day, Gao Kaidao plundered Wen'an and Lucheng. The General of Agile Cavalry, Ping Shanzheng, intercepted and defeated him.
On the gengzi day, Liang Shidu's generals, He Sui and Suo Tong, led the twelve prefectures under their command and surrendered.
On the yisi day, the former grand governor of Hongzhou, Zhang Shan'an, rebelled. The court sent the general commander of Shuzhou, Zhang Zhenzhou, and others to attack him.
Summer, fourth month, the Tuyuhun raided Fangzhou. The prefect Fang Dangshu fled to Songzhou.
Zhang Shan'an captured Sunzhou, took the commander Wang Rong captive, and then left. On the yichou day, the marching commander of Fuzhou circuit, Duan Decao, attacked Liang Shidu, reached Xiazhou, captured its people and livestock, and then returned.
On the bingyin day, the Tuyuhun raided Taozhou and Minzhou.
On the dingmao day, the prefect of Nanzhou, Pang Xiaogong, a man from Nanyuezhou, Ning Daoming, and the Gaozhou chieftain Feng Xuan, all rebelled together. They captured Nanyuezhou and attacked Jiangzhou. The prefect of Hezhou, Ning Chun, led troops to their rescue.
On the renshen day, the emperor's sons were enfeoffed: Li Yuangui as the Prince of Shu, Li Feng as the Prince of Bin, and Li Yuanqing as the Prince of Han.
On the guiyou day, Pei Ji was appointed as Zuopuye (Left Vice Director), Xiao Yu as Youpuye (Right Vice Director), Yang Gongren as Libu Shangshu (Minister of Personnel) and concurrently Zhongshuling (Head of the Secretariat), and Feng Deyi as Zhongshuling (Head of the Secretariat).
Fifth month, on the gengchen day, the prefect of Qizhou, Chai Shao, was sent to rescue Minzhou.
On the gengyin day, the Tuyuhun and the Tangut raided Hezhou. The prefect Lu Shiliang defeated them.
On the bingshen day, Liang Shidu's general, Xin Liao'er, led the Turks to raid Linzhou.
On the wuxu day, Yuan Junzhang's general, Gao Manzheng, raided Daizhou. The General of Agile Cavalry, Li Baoyan, drove him back.
On the guimao day, Gao Kaidao led Xi cavalry to raid Youzhou. The chief administrator Wang Shen defeated him. When Liu Heita rebelled, Tudi Ji led his troops to aid the Tang army and moved his tribe to Changping in Youzhou. Gao Kaidao led the Turks to raid Youzhou, and Tudi Ji led his troops to intercept and defeat him.
In the sixth month, on the wuwu day, Gao Manzheng offered up Mayi and surrendered. Before this, the former Bingzhou General Manager Liu Shirang had been appointed Guangzhou General Manager. When he was about to assume his post, the Emperor asked him about strategies to defend against border incursions. Liu Shirang replied: "The Turks have frequently invaded recently, truly because Mayi serves as their midway resting and resupply point. I request that a brave general be sent to garrison Guocheng, with ample reserves of gold, silver, and silk. Generous rewards should be given to those who come to surrender, and cavalry should be repeatedly dispatched to raid the city’s outskirts, trample their crops, and disrupt their livelihoods. Within no more than a year, when they run out of food, they will surely surrender." The Emperor considered his plan excellent and said: "Other than you, who else could serve as this brave general!" He immediately ordered Liu Shirang to garrison Guocheng, and Mayi consequently became distressed. At this time, most of the people of Mayi were unwilling to submit to the Turks, and the Emperor again sent envoys to summon and pacify Yuan Junzhang. Gao Manzheng urged Yuan Junzhang to kill all the Turkish garrison troops and surrender to the Tang dynasty, but Yuan Junzhang would not comply. Gao Manzheng, acting on the people’s wishes, attacked Yuan Junzhang by night. Yuan Junzhang became aware of the plot and fled to the Turks. Gao Manzheng killed Yuan Junzhang’s son and two hundred Turkish garrison soldiers before surrendering.
On the renxu day, Liang Shidu led the Turks to invade Kuangzhou.
On the dingmao day, Yuan Junzhang and the Turkish Tutun She invaded Mayi. Gao Manzheng engaged them in battle and defeated them. The court appointed Gao Manzheng as Shuozhou General Manager and enfeoffed him as Duke of Rongguo.
The Guazhou General Manager He Ruo Huaigu was inspecting his subordinate territories and arrived at Shazhou. It happened that the prefectural men Zhang Hu and Li Tong rebelled. He Ruo Huaigu led several hundred men to hold the inner city. The Liangzhou General Manager Yang Gongren sent troops to rescue him, but they were defeated by Zhang Hu and his followers.
On the guiyou day, Chai Shao engaged the Tuyuhun in battle and was surrounded by them. The enemy troops occupied the high ground and shot arrows, which fell like rain. Chai Shao ordered someone to play the hupipa and had two women dance facing each other. The enemy soldiers found this strange, put down their bows and arrows, and gathered to watch. Chai Shao perceived that they were off guard, secretly dispatched elite cavalry to circle behind the enemy formation, and launched an attack. The enemy troops were utterly defeated and scattered.
Autumn, the seventh month, on the bingzi day, Yuan Junzhang led the Turks to invade Mayi. The Right Martial Guard Grand General Li Gaoqian and Gao Manzheng resisted them, engaging in battle at Lagu Valley and defeating them. Zhang Hu and Li Tong killed He Ruo Huaigu, set up Ruzhou Biejia Dou Fuming as their leader, and advanced to pressure Guazhou. The Changshi Zhao Xiaolian repelled them.
Gao Kaidao plundered the Chishan Garrison and the three counties of Lingshou, Jiumen, and Xingtang before departing.
On the dingchou day, Gangzhou Prefect Feng Shihui occupied Xinhui and rebelled. Guangzhou General Manager Liu Gan campaigned against him and compelled him to surrender, restoring him to his original post.
On the xinsi day, the two garrisons of Hongyang and Tonghan, under Gao Kaidao’s jurisdiction, came and surrendered.
On the guiwei day, the Turks invaded Yuanzhou. On the yiyou day, they invaded Shuozhou. Li Gaoqian was defeated by the enemy troops, and the Marching Army General Manager Yuchi Jingde led troops to rescue him. On the jihai day, the Crown Prince was dispatched to lead troops to garrison the northern border, and the King of Qin, Li Shimin, garrisoned Bingzhou, in order to prepare against the Turks.
The eighth month, on the jiashen day, the Turks invaded Zhenzhou, and also invaded Mayi.
On the renzi day, the Huainan Circuit Chief Administrator, Fu Gongshi, rebelled. Initially, Du Fuwei and Fu Gongshi were on friendly terms. Fu Gongshi was older, and Du Fuwei treated him like an elder brother. The army referred to him as Bofu (Uncle), and their reverence for him was equal to that for Du Fuwei. Du Fuwei gradually became suspicious of him, so he appointed his own adopted son Que Leng as General of the Left and Wang Xiongdan as General of the Right, secretly stripping Fu Gongshi of his military power. When Fu Gongshi learned of this, he was disgruntled and, together with his old friend Zuo Youxian, pretended to study the Dao and practice bigu (abstaining from grains) to conceal himself. When Du Fuwei entered the capital, he left Fu Gongshi to guard Danyang and ordered Wang Xiongdan to command the army as his deputy. He secretly said to Wang Xiongdan: "After I arrive at Chang’an, if I can still retain my position, you must not allow Fu Gongshi to cause trouble." After Du Fuwei left, Zuo Youxian urged Fu Gongshi to rebel. However, Wang Xiongdan held military power, and Fu Gongshi could not act. He then falsely claimed to have received a letter from Du Fuwei, suspecting Wang Xiongdan of having treacherous intentions. When Wang Xiongdan heard this, he was displeased and pleaded illness, refusing to attend to government affairs. Fu Gongshi then took the opportunity to seize his military power and sent his partisan Ximen Junyi to persuade him with the plan of rebellion. Only then did Wang Xiongdan awaken and regret, saying: "Now the realm has just been pacified, and the Prince of Wu is in the capital. The might of the Tang army is invincible wherever it goes. Why seek the annihilation of one’s own clan for no reason! I, Wang Xiongdan, have only death to face; I dare not follow your orders. If I were to follow you in rebellion now, it would merely prolong my life by a hundred days. How can a great man begrudge a moment’s death and sink himself into unrighteousness!" Fu Gongshi knew he could not make him submit, so he strangled him. Wang Xiongdan was skilled at comforting his soldiers, enabling them to fight to the death, and he also maintained strict discipline. Whenever he captured a city, he did not commit the slightest wrong. On the day of his death, both the army and the people south of the Yangzi River wept for him. Fu Gongshi further falsely claimed that Du Fuwei could not return south of the Yangzi and sent a letter ordering him to raise an army. He extensively manufactured armor and weapons and transported grain and supplies. Soon after, he proclaimed himself emperor in Danyang, with the state name of Song. He renovated the old palaces of the Chen dynasty and took up residence there. He established a hundred officials, appointed Zuo Youxian as Minister of War, Southeast Circuit Grand Commissioner, and Yuezhou General Manager, and joined forces with Zhang Shan’an, appointing him as Southwest Circuit Grand Chief Administrator.
On the jiwei day, the Turks invaded Yuanzhou.
On the yichou day, an imperial edict ordered the Xiangzhou Circuit Chief Administrator, the Prince of Zhao Commandery, Li Xiaogong, to lead the navy directly to Jiangzhou; the Lingnan Circuit Grand Commissioner, Li Jing, to lead the troops of Jiao, Guang, Quan, and Gui directly to Xuanzhou; Huaizhou General Manager Huang Junhan to send troops from Qiao and Bo; and Qizhou General Manager Li Shiji to send troops from Huai and Si, in order to campaign against Fu Gongshi. When Li Xiaogong was about to depart, he feasted and gathered with the various generals. He ordered someone to fetch water, and the water suddenly turned to blood. All those present were greatly startled. Li Xiaogong remained completely composed and said: "This is an omen that Fu Gongshi is about to die!" He drained the cup in one gulp, and everyone was convinced and pleased.
On the bingyin day, the Tuyuhun submitted to the court.
On the xinwei day, the Turks captured Shanhe Garrison in Yuanzhou. On the guiyou day, they again invaded Weizhou.
Gao Kaidao led the Xi tribe to invade Youzhou, and the prefectural troops repelled them.
The ninth month, on the bingzi day, the Crown Prince led his army back to court.
On the wuzi day, Fu Gongshi dispatched his generals Xu Shaoqong to invade Haizhou and Chen Zhengtong to invade Shouyang. The Liao people of Qiongzhou rebelled, and the court sent the Duke of Pei, Zheng Yuanshou, to campaign against them.
On the gengyin day, the Turks invaded Youzhou.
On the renchen day, an imperial edict appointed the King of Qin, Li Shimin, as the Marching Army Marshal of the Jiangzhou Circuit.
On the yiwei day, Dou Fuming surrendered Shazhou.
The King of Gaochang, Qu Boya, died, and his son, Qu Wentai, succeeded him.
On the bingshen day, Zhang Dazhi of Yuzhou rebelled, and the prefect Xue Jingren abandoned the city and fled.
On the renyin day, Gao Kaidao led twenty thousand Turkish cavalry to invade Youzhou.
The Turks resented Hongnong Duke Liu Shirang for being a source of trouble for them. They sent their subject Cao Bante to the Tang court, claiming that Liu Shirang was plotting with the Khagan to rebel. The Emperor believed this. Winter, the tenth month, on the bingwu day, Liu Shirang was executed, and his property was confiscated.
The King of Qin, Li Shimin, was still in Bingzhou. On the jiwei day, an edict ordered Li Shimin to lead his army back.
The Emperor arrived at Huayin.
Zhang Dazhi invaded Fuzhou. The prefect Tian Shikang and others campaigned against him, and Zhang Dazhi led his followers in surrender.
At first, the Emperor sent the Right Martial Guard Grand General Li Gaojian to assist Shuozhou General-in-Chief Gao Manzheng in defending Mayi. Yuan Junzhang led over ten thousand Turkic cavalry to the city walls, and Gao Manzheng defeated them. Jieli Khagan grew furious and launched a major assault on Mayi. Li Gaojian, terrified, led his two thousand troops to break through the pass and flee by night; the enemy intercepted them, and more than half were lost. Jieli personally led his forces to attack the city. Gao Manzheng sallied forth to resist, sometimes engaging in over ten skirmishes in a single day. The Emperor ordered the Marching Army General-in-Chief Liu Shirang to reinforce them, but upon reaching Songzi Ridge, he dared not advance and withdrew to defend Guocheng. Just then, Jieli sent an envoy to propose marriage. The Emperor said, "Only if the siege of Mayi is lifted can marriage be discussed." Jieli intended to withdraw, but Princess Yicheng insisted on attacking. Because Gao Kaidao was skilled in making siege engines, Jieli summoned him, and together they attacked Mayi with great urgency. Jieli tried to induce Gao Manzheng to surrender, but Gao Manzheng cursed him. With provisions nearly exhausted and relief forces not arriving, Gao Manzheng planned to break out and flee to Shuozhou. Right Yuhou Du Shiyuan, believing the enemy too strong and fearing they could not escape, on the day of Renxu, killed Gao Manzheng and surrendered to the Turks. Yuan Junzhang then slew over thirty of the city's bold men who had conspired with Gao Manzheng. The Emperor appointed Gao Manzheng's son Gao Xuanji as Shangzhuguo, inheriting his title. On the day of Dingmao, the Turks again requested a marriage alliance and returned Mayi to the Tang. The Emperor appointed General Qin Wutong as Shuozhou General-in-Chief.
The Turks repeatedly caused border troubles. The Chief Administrator of the Bingzhou General-in-Chief's Office, Dou Jing, submitted a memorial requesting the establishment of military colonies in Taiyuan to save on grain transport costs. Those who debated it found it troublesome and did not approve. Dou Jing earnestly argued without cease. The Emperor issued an edict summoning Dou Jing to court, allowing him to debate with Pei Ji, Xiao Yu, and Feng Deyi before the Emperor. Pei Ji and the others could not refute him, so the Emperor adopted Dou Jing's proposal, reaping several thousand hu of grain annually. The Emperor thought it excellent and appointed him to inspect and manage the Bingzhou General-in-Chief's Office. Dou Jing was the son of Dou Kang. On the day of Xinsi, the eleventh month, the Prince of Qin, Li Shimin, again requested to increase military colonies within Bingzhou, and the Emperor consented.
Huangzhou General-in-Chief Zhou Faming led troops to attack Fu Gongshi. Zhang Shan'an occupied Xiakou to resist him. Zhou Faming stationed his army at Jingkou Garrison. On the day of Renwu, Zhou Faming boarded a warship to drink. Zhang Shan'an sent several assassins disguised as fishermen on a boat. Those who saw them suspected nothing, and they killed Zhou Faming before fleeing.
On the day of Jiashen, Shuzhou General-in-Chief Zhang Zhenzhou and others attacked Fu Gongshi's general Chen Dangshi at Huangsha in Youzhou and thoroughly defeated the enemy.
On the day of Dinghai, the Emperor hunted at Huayin. On the day of Jichou, he met and welcomed the Prince of Qin, Li Shimin, at Zhongwudun.
On the day of Guimao, the twelfth month, the Pacification Commissioner Li Daliang tricked Zhang Shan'an and captured him. Li Daliang attacked Zhang Shan'an at Hongzhou, arraying his troops across a river from him and speaking with him from a distance. Li Daliang enlightened him with the principles of disaster and good fortune. Zhang Shan'an said, "I, Zhang Shan'an, originally had no rebellious intent; I was merely misled by my officers and soldiers. I wish to surrender but fear I cannot escape death." Li Daliang said, "Since General Zhang has a mind to surrender, we are of one family." He then crossed the river alone on horseback, entered Zhang Shan'an's camp, shook hands with him, and spoke, showing no suspicion or estrangement. Zhang Shan'an was overjoyed and agreed to surrender. Subsequently, Zhang Shan'an led several dozen cavalry to Li Daliang's camp. Li Daliang kept his cavalry outside the camp gate, led Zhang Shan'an inside, and conversed with him. After a long while, Zhang Shan'an took his leave. Li Daliang ordered his warriors to seize him, and his accompanying cavalry all fled. When those in Zhang Shan'an's camp heard of this, they were enraged, mobilized their entire force, and prepared to attack Li Daliang. Li Daliang sent someone to explain to them, saying, "I did not detain your general. General Zhang, with a sincere heart to submit to the state, said to me: 'If I return to camp, I fear the officers and soldiers might have different opinions and I would be controlled by them.' Therefore he chose to stay of his own accord. Why are you angry with me?" His followers then cursed loudly, saying, "General Zhang has sold us out to curry favor with others." And they all scattered and fled. Li Daliang pursued them, capturing many prisoners and spoils. Zhang Shan'an was sent to Chang'an. Zhang Shan'an claimed he had no dealings with Fu Gongshi. The Emperor pardoned his crime and treated him well. But when Fu Gongshi was defeated, the Emperor obtained letters of correspondence between them, and thus executed him.
On the day of Jiayin, the imperial carriage arrived at Chang'an.
On the day of Jisi, the Turks invaded Dingzhou, and the prefectural troops repelled them.
On the day of Gengshen, the Baijian and Baigou Qiang both sent envoys to court to present tribute.
In spring, the first month, following the old systems of the Northern Zhou and Northern Qi, each prefecture established one Grand Central Rectifier, responsible for understanding the ranks of men within the prefecture and assessing family standing and reputation. This position was filled by someone of high family standing within the prefecture and had no rank or salary. On the Renshen day, the Prince of Zhao Commandery, Li Xiaogong, attacked the subordinate general of Fu Gongshi at Zongyang and defeated him. On the Gengyin day, Deng Tongying, a man from Zouping Prefecture, killed the prefect Li Shiheng and rebelled. On the Bingshen day, using the lands of the White Dog and other Qiang peoples, Weizhou and Gongzhou were established. In the second month, on the Xinchou day, Fu Gongshi sent troops to surround Youzhou. The prefect Zuo Nandang fortified the city and held it. The Pacification Commissioner Li Daliang led troops to attack Fu Gongshi and defeated him. The Prince of Zhao Commandery, Li Xiaogong, attacked Fu Gongshi's Que Tou Garrison and captured it. On the Dingwei day, the King of Goguryeo, Go Geonmu, sent an envoy to request the promulgation of the calendar. The Gaozu Emperor sent an envoy to enfeoff Go Geonmu as the King of Liaodong Commandery and King of Goguryeo; he enfeoffed the King of Baekje, Buyeo Jang, as the King of Daifang Commandery, and the King of Silla, Kim Jinpyeong, as the King of Lelang Commandery. The Lao people of Shizhou rebelled, and the Acting Grand Secretary of the Circuit, Dou Gui, was sent to punish them. On the Jiyou day, an imperial edict stated: "In all prefectures, those who are proficient in one or more classics but have not yet taken office should have their names reported to the court; schools should be established in prefectures, counties, and townships." On the Renzi day, the Deputy Chief of the March, Quan Wenyuan, defeated Fu Gongshi's partisans at Youzhou and captured four towns including Meihui. On the Dingsi day, the Emperor personally attended the National University and performed the Offering Ceremony; he issued an edict ordering the sons and younger brothers of all princes and dukes to each enter the school. On the Wuwu day, the Office of the Grand General-in-Chief was changed to the Office of the Grand Governor. On the Jiwei day, Zhang Jinshu, a general of Gao Kaidao, killed Gao Kaidao and surrendered. Gao Kaidao, seeing that the realm was pacified, wanted to surrender, but considered that he had repeatedly vacillated and dared not surrender; moreover, relying on the military strength of the Turks, he had no intention of surrendering. His officers and soldiers were all from Shandong, missed their homeland, and were all demoralized. Gao Kaidao selected several hundred brave soldiers, called them his "adopted sons," and often had them on duty in the inner chambers, placing Zhang Jinshu in command of them. The former general of Liu Heita, Zhang Junli, had fled to Gao Kaidao and conspired with Zhang Jinshu to capture him. Zhang Jinshu sent several of his partisans into the inner chambers to play games with the adopted sons. By evening, they secretly broke their bowstrings and hid swords and spears under the beds. After dark, they grabbed these weapons and ran out. Zhang Jinshu led his partisans shouting loudly and attacked the gate of Gao Kaidao's inner chambers. The adopted sons prepared to resist, but their bowstrings were all broken, and their swords and spears were lost; they scrambled to come out and surrender. Zhang Junli also raised torches in response from outside, and inside and outside there was panic and confusion. Gao Kaidao, knowing that he could not escape, put on his armor, took up his weapons, and sat in the hall. He played music and drank freely with his wives and concubines. The crowd feared his fierceness and dared not approach. As dawn approached, Gao Kaidao strangled his wives, concubines, and sons, then committed suicide. Zhang Jinshu deployed the troops, arrested and beheaded all the adopted sons, also killed Zhang Junli, and five hundred people died. He sent an envoy to surrender. An imperial edict used his territory to establish Guizhou. On the Renxu day, Zhang Jinshu was appointed Governor of Northern Yanzhou. On the Wuchen day, the Lao people of Yangzhou and Jizhou rebelled and captured Jincheng in Longzhou. In this month, the Grand Guardian, Prince of Wu, Du Fuwai, died. When Fu Gongshi rebelled, he falsely used Du Fuwai's orders to deceive his followers. When Fu Gongshi was pacified, the Prince of Zhao Commandery, Li Xiaogong, not knowing it was a forgery, reported the situation to the court. An edict was issued posthumously stripping Du Fuwai of his official titles and confiscating his wives and children. When Taizong ascended the throne, knowing that he had been wronged, he pardoned him and restored his official titles and ranks. In the third month, laws and regulations were first established. The Grand Preceptor, Grand Mentor, and Grand Guardian were established as the Three Dukes. Next were the six departments: the Department of State Affairs, the Chancellery, the Secretariat, the Palace Library, the Palace Administration, and the Inner Palace Service. Next was the Censorate. Next were the nine courts, from the Court of Imperial Ancestral Sacrifices to the Court of the Imperial Treasury. Next was the Directorate of Palace Construction. Next was the National University. Next was the Office of the Heavenly Strategy General-in-Chief. Next were the fourteen guards, from the Left and Right Guards to the Left and Right Commandant Guards. The Eastern Palace established the Three Preceptors, Three Guardians, the Chief Steward, and the Left and Right Spring Bureaus, the three courts including the Court of the Household Administration, and the ten Guards. Princes and Commandery Dukes established their staff officers and state officials. Princesses established their domain offices. All these were capital officials. The prefectures, counties, garrisons, and military outposts were local officials. There were twenty-eight ranks, from the Honorary Grand Preceptor to the Gentleman for Fostering Virtue, as civilian honorary officials. There were thirty-one ranks, from the General of Chariot and Cavalry like a Swift Dragon to the Adjutant Defender, as military honorary officials. There were twelve grades, from the Supreme Pillar of State to the Military Cavalry Commandant, as merit officials. On the Bingxu day, the Prince of Zhao Commandery, Li Xiaogong, defeated Fu Gongshi at Wuhu and captured three towns including Liangshan. On the Xinmao day, the Pacification Commissioner Ren Gui captured Yangzi City, and the master of Guangling City, Long Kan, surrendered. On the Dingyou day, the Turks invaded Yuanzhou. On the Wuxu day, the Prince of Zhao Commandery, Li Xiaogong, captured Danyang. Before this, Fu Gongshi had sent his general Feng Huiliang and Chen Dangshi to station thirty thousand naval troops at Bomang Mountain, and Chen Zhengtong and Xu Shaojiong to station twenty thousand infantry and cavalry at Qinglin Mountain. He also used iron chains to connect across the Yangzi River at Liangshan, blocking the waterway, and built a Queyue Fortress stretching over ten li. He also constructed camps on the western bank of the river to resist the government forces. Li Xiaogong and Li Jing stationed their naval forces at Shuzhou. Li Shiji led ten thousand infantry across the Huai River, captured Shouyang, and stationed at Xiashi. Feng Huiliang and others held their camps firmly and did not engage in battle. Li Xiaogong sent elite troops to cut off their supply routes. Feng Huiliang's army lacked food. At night, they sent troops to approach Li Xiaogong's camp, but Li Xiaogong lay still and did not move. Li Xiaogong assembled all the generals to discuss military affairs. They all said: "Feng Huiliang and his men have strong troops and occupy both water and land strategic points. Attacking them cannot be accomplished quickly. It would be better to strike directly at Danyang and attack their nest. If Danyang falls, Feng Huiliang and the others will naturally surrender!" Li Xiaogong was about to follow their advice when Li Jing said: "Although Fu Gongshi's elite troops are here in these naval and land forces, the troops he leads himself are also considerable. Now, if the various camps at Bomang Mountain cannot be taken, and Fu Gongshi holds Stone City, will it be easy to capture? If we attack Danyang and cannot take it in ten days or half a month, and Feng Huiliang and the others pursue us from behind, we will be attacked from front and rear. This is a dangerous course of action. Feng Huiliang and Chen Zhengtong are both remnants of a hundred battles. In their hearts, they do not wish to avoid battle. It is precisely because Fu Gongshi devised a plan for them to act cautiously in order to exhaust our army. Now, if we attack their cities to provoke them, we can break them in a single battle!" Li Xiaogong considered this correct. He sent old and weak soldiers to first attack the enemy camps, while deploying his elite troops in formation to wait. The soldiers attacking the camps were defeated and fled. The enemy troops came out in pursuit. After pursuing for several li, they encountered the main force. The two sides engaged in battle, and the government forces decisively defeated the enemy. Kan Leng took off his helmet and said to the enemy crowd: "Do you not recognize me? How dare you come to fight me!" Most of the enemy troops were old subordinates of Kan Leng. They had no will to fight. Some even knelt to him. Therefore, the enemy forces collapsed. Li Xiaogong and Li Jing took advantage of the victory to pursue the fleeing enemy. They fought and advanced over a hundred li. The enemy troops guarding Bomang Mountain and Qinglin Mountain all scattered. Feng Huiliang, Chen Zhengtong and others fled back. Those killed, wounded, and drowned numbered over ten thousand. Li Jing's army first arrived at Danyang. Fu Gongshi was terrified. He led several tens of thousands of troops, abandoned the city, and fled eastward, intending to go to Kuaiji to join Zuo Youxian. Li Shiji pursued him. When Fu Gongshi arrived at Jurong, only five hundred of his soldiers could keep up. At night, they stayed in Changzhou. His general Wu Sao and others plotted to capture him. Fu Gongshi detected this. He abandoned his wife and children and fled alone with a few dozen trusted followers, breaking through the city gate and escaping. When he arrived at Wukang, the local people attacked him. Ximen Junyi died in battle. The local people captured Fu Gongshi, sent him to Danyang to be beheaded and exposed. They searched out the remaining partisans in all directions and executed them all. Jiangnan was completely pacified. On the Jihai day, Li Xiaogong was appointed Right Vice Director of the Southeastern Circuit Executive Office, and Li Jing was appointed Minister of War. Soon after, the Executive Office was abolished. Li Xiaogong was appointed Grand Governor of Yangzhou, and Li Jing was appointed Chief Administrator of the office. The Emperor deeply praised Li Jing's achievements, saying: "Li Jing is the root of the illness for Xiao Xian and Fu Gongshi." Kan Leng had many achievements and was rather self-satisfied and boastful. Fu Gongshi had falsely accused Kan Leng of conspiring with him. It happened that the Prince of Zhao Commandery, Li Xiaogong, was confiscating the lands and houses of the rebel party. The lands and houses of Kan Leng, as well as those of Du Fuwai and Wang Xiongdan within the rebel territory, were all confiscated by Li Xiaogong. Kan Leng pleaded his case, which offended Li Xiaogong. Li Xiaogong, enraged, executed him on charges of rebellion. In summer, the fourth month, on the Gengzi day, which was the first day of the month, a general amnesty was granted throughout the realm. On this day, new laws and ordinances were promulgated, adding fifty-three new provisions to the old system of the Kaihuang era. The Equal-field system and the Zu-Yong-Diao taxation system were first established: Adult males and middle-aged males were each granted one qing of land. Those with severe illnesses were reduced by six-tenths, and widows and concubines were reduced by seven-tenths. Two-tenths of this was designated as hereditary land, and eight-tenths as allotment land. Each adult male annually paid two shi of grain as rent (zu). The levy (diao) was based on the products suitable to the land, consisting of silk, silk gauze, coarse silk, or cloth. Each year, twenty days of corvée labor was required; if not performed, a commutation fee was paid, calculated at three chi of silk per day. If there were additional labor services due to special circumstances, fifteen days of extra labor exempted the levy; thirty days of extra labor exempted both rent and levy. If disasters from floods, droughts, insects, or frost caused a loss of four-tenths or more, rent was exempted; if a loss of six-tenths or more, the levy was exempted; if a loss of seven-tenths or more, all taxes and labor were exempted. All commoners' assets were divided into nine grades. One hundred households formed a li, five li formed a xiang, four families formed a lin, and four lin formed a bao. In cities and towns, they were called fang; in the countryside, they were called cun. Families receiving official salaries were not allowed to compete for profit with the common people. Artisans, merchants, and other miscellaneous classes were not allowed to be included in the ranks of the scholar-officials. Newborns were called huang, at four years old xiao, at sixteen zhong, at twenty ding, and at sixty lao. Annual tax registers were compiled, and a population census was taken every three years. On the Dingwei day, the Dangxiang invaded Songzhou. On the Gengshen day, the Court Gentleman for Communication Li Fengqi attacked the rebellious Lao people of Wanzhou and pacified them. In the fifth month, on the Xinwei day, the Turks invaded Shuozhou. On the Jiaxu day, the Qiang and Tuyuhun together invaded Songzhou. The Left Vice Director of the Yizhou Circuit Executive Office, Dou Gui, was sent to attack them via the Yizhou route, and the Prefect of Fuzhou, Jiang Shanhe, via the Fangzhou route. On the Bingxu day, the Renzhi Palace was built at Yijun. On the Dinghai day, Dou Gui defeated the rebellious Lao people at Fangshan, capturing over twenty thousand people.