Tang Records 29
Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government, Volume 213
Volume 213 [Tang Records 29] From the year Bingyin (726) to the year Xinyou (741), eight years in total.
Xuanzong, the Supreme Way, Great Sage, Great Brilliance, Filial Emperor, Middle Superior, Kaiyuan 14th Year (Bingyin, 726 AD)
Spring, first month, Guiwei day. The Songmo King Li Shaogu was enfeoffed as Guanghua King, and the Xi Raole King Li Lusu was enfeoffed as Fengcheng King. The emperor’s cousin on the paternal side, Chen, was granted the title Donghua Princess and married to Li Shaogu; the daughter of Cheng’an Princess, Wei, was granted the title Dongguang Princess and married to Li Lusu. Zhang Yue submitted a memorial saying: “The current ‘Five Rites’ were twice compiled during the Zhenguan and Xianqing eras. The earlier and later versions differ considerably, and in some places they are not properly balanced. I request permission to discuss ancient and modern practices with the academicians, delete and revise them, and then implement them.” The emperor issued an edict agreeing to his request. The Liao people of Yongzhou Fengling, led by Liang Dahai and others, occupied Binzhou and Hengzhou to rebel. Second month, Jiyou day. The emperor dispatched the inner attendant Yang Sixu to mobilize troops and campaign against them. The emperor summoned Henan Yin Cui Yinpu and wished to employ him. The Secretariat Director Zhang Yue, despising Cui Yinpu for his lack of literary talent, memorialized proposing him as General of the Jinwu Guard. The former Dianzhong Jian Cui Rizhi had long been on good terms with Zhang Yue, and Zhang Yue recommended him as Censor-in-Chief. The emperor did not follow this. On Bingchen day, Cui Rizhi was appointed General of the Left Yulin Guard. On Ding Si day, Cui Yinpu was appointed Censor-in-Chief. From this point, Cui Yinpu developed a grudge against Zhang Yue. Zhang Yue was talented but fond of bribery. When officials reported matters that did not meet his wishes, he liked to refute them face-to-face, even to the point of shouting abuse. He detested the character of Censor Zhongcheng Yu Rong and also feared that Yu Rong’s power was too great. Many of Yu Rong’s proposals were suppressed by Zhang Yue. Secretariat Drafter Zhang Jiuling said to Zhang Yue: “Yu Rong, favored by imperial grace, wields power in affairs. He is eloquent and full of schemes. You must be on guard against him.” Zhang Yue said: “What can a mere rat accomplish?” Summer, fourth month, Renzi day. Cui Yinpu, Yu Rong, and Censor Zhongcheng Li Linfu jointly submitted a memorial impeaching Zhang Yue, stating: “He seduced magicians to interpret astrological signs, engaged in favoritism, exceeded his station, lived extravagantly, and accepted bribes.” The emperor ordered Yuan Qianyao, along with Minister of Justice Wei Kang, Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Ming Gui, and Cui Yinpu and others, to interrogate him together at the Censorate. Li Linfu was the great-grandson of Li Shuliang; Wei Kang was the son of Wei Anshi’s cousin. On Ding Si day, Vice Minister of Revenue Li Yuanhong was appointed Secretariat Drafter and Tong Pingzhang Shi. Li Yuanhong was renowned for his incorruptibility and frugality, so the emperor employed him as chancellor. Yuan Qianyao and others interrogated Zhang Yue, and the matters were largely substantiated. The emperor sent Gao Lishi to visit Zhang Yue. Gao Lishi returned and reported: “Zhang Yue, with disheveled hair and a dirty face, sat on a straw mat, eating from an earthenware vessel, terrified and awaiting punishment.” The emperor felt pity for him. Gao Lishi then took the opportunity to say that Zhang Yue had rendered meritorious service to the state. The emperor considered this correct. On Gengshen day, only Zhang Yue’s position as Secretariat Director was removed; his other offices remained as before. On Ding Mao day, the Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent, Qi Prince Li Fan, died. He was posthumously granted the posthumous title of Huaiwen Heir Apparent. The emperor ceased meals for several tens of days over this. The hundred officials submitted memorials, firmly requesting him to resume eating, and only then did he return to normal. On Ding Hai day, Taiyuan Yin Zhang Xiaosong memorialized, saying: “There is a man named Li Ziqiao, who claims to be an imperial prince, saying he was born in Luzhou and that his mother was Consort Zhao.” The emperor ordered him to be beaten to death with clubs. On Xin Chou day, military garrisons were established in Dingzhou, Hengzhou, Mozhou, Yizhou, and Cangzhou to prepare against the Turks. The emperor wished to establish Consort Wu as Empress. Someone remonstrated, saying: “The Wu family are those with whom we have irreconcilable enmity. How could she become the mother of the state? Among the people, it is widely said that Zhang Yue seeks to claim credit for establishing the empress, thereby plotting a strategy to re-enter court as chancellor. Moreover, the Heir Apparent is not born of Consort Wu, and Consort Wu has her own son. If she ascends to the position of Empress, the Heir Apparent will certainly be endangered.” The emperor therefore desisted. However, in the ceremonial hierarchy within the palace, everything was as for an empress. Fifth month, Guimao day. The Ministry of Revenue memorialized that this year there were 7,069,565 registered households and a population of 41,419,712. Autumn, seventh month. The Yellow River flooded on both the south and north banks. Those drowned numbered in the thousands. Eighth month, Bingwu day, the first day of the month. Weizhou reported that the Yellow River had overflowed. Ninth month, Jichou day. The Deputy Grand Protector of Anxi and Qixi Jiedushi Du Xian was appointed Tong Pingzhang Shi. Since Wang Xiaojie recovered the Four Garrisons and again established the Anxi Protectorate at Qiuci, with 30,000 Tang troops stationed there, the people suffered from this corvée labor. Among those who served as Protector, only Tian Yangming, Guo Yuanzhen, Zhang Song, and Du Xian had good governance records and were praised by the people. Winter, tenth month, Gengshen day. The emperor went to Guangcheng Tang in Ruzhou. On Jiyou day, he returned to the palace. Twelfth month, Ding Si day. The emperor went to Shou’an and hunted at Fangxiuchuan. On Renxu day, he returned to the palace. Yang Sixu campaigned against the rebellious Liao people, captured Liang Dahai and over three thousand others, and beheaded twenty thousand before returning. This year, the Heishui Mohe sent envoys to court for an audience. The emperor established their territory as Heishui Prefecture and set up a Chief Administrator to garrison it. The Bohai Mohe King Wu Yi said: “When the Heishui enter Tang, the route must pass through our territory. Previously, when they requested the Turks to establish a Tuntu (a Turkish official title), they always informed us and traveled with us. Now, without informing us, they request the Tang to set up officials. This is certainly a conspiracy with the Tang, intending to attack us from both front and rear.” He then sent his full brother Men Yi and his uncle Ren Ya to lead troops to attack the Heishui. Men Yi had once been a hostage in Tang. He remonstrated, saying: “The Heishui request the Tang to set up officials, and we attack them for this reason. This is betraying the Tang. The Tang is a great state. In the past, when Koguryo was at its peak, it had over 300,000 strong troops. Not obeying Tang commands, it was utterly destroyed. Moreover, our military strength is not even a tenth or twentieth of Koguryo’s. Once we incur enmity with the Tang, this is the situation of a state’s destruction.” Wu Yi did not listen and forcibly sent him on the campaign. When Men Yi reached the border, he again wrote a letter strongly remonstrating. Wu Yi was greatly angered, sent his cousin Da Yi Xia to replace Men Yi in command of the troops, recalled Men Yi, and wished to kill him. Men Yi abandoned his troops, fled via a byway, and came to the Tang. The emperor issued an edict appointing him General of the Left Xiao Wei Guard. Wu Yi sent envoys to submit a memorial listing Men Yi’s crimes and requesting his execution. The emperor secretly sent Men Yi to Anxi, detained his envoys, and sent another person to report that Men Yi had already been exiled to Lingnan. When Wu Yi learned of this, he submitted a memorial, saying: “A great state should demonstrate its trustworthiness. How can it engage in such deceitful and fraudulent words?” He firmly requested Men Yi’s execution. The emperor, because the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial Li Daosui and Yuan Fu were unable to supervise their subordinates and thus leaked the secret, both were demoted in office. Temporarily, Men Yi was sent to Lingnan to satisfy Wu Yi. Your servant Sima Guang says: What enables an emperor to subdue the barbarians of the four directions is nothing more than authority and trust. Men Yi, because of his loyalty, incurred punishment and voluntarily submitted to the Son of Heaven. The Son of Heaven should have investigated his injustice and the right and wrong of the matter, rewarded Men Yi, and punished Wu Yi. This would be the foundation of governance. Even if he could not campaign against Wu Yi, he should have rightfully informed him that Men Yi was innocent. Now, Tang Minghuang’s authority could not make Wu Yi submit, and his grace could not protect Men Yi. Instead, he imitated petty men by speaking deceitful and fraudulent words, was thus trapped by a small state, and even blamed the Court of State Ceremonial for leaking the secret. Is this not a shameful thing! Du Xian served as Protector of Anxi. The Tujishi Jinhe Princess sent a subordinate officer leading one thousand horses to Anxi for trade. The envoy proclaimed the princess’s order. Du Xian became angry and said: “How can a daughter of the Ashina clan issue orders to me?” He beat her officer with clubs, detained him, and did not let him return. The horses, encountering heavy snow, all froze to death. The Tujishi Khagan Sulu was greatly angered and raised troops to invade the Four Garrisons. It happened that Du Xian was entering court. Zhao Yizhen acted as Protector of Anxi and defended the city in a siege. The population, livestock, and stored provisions of the Four Garrisons were all plundered by Sulu; only Anxi itself was preserved. Shortly afterward, Sulu heard that Du Xian had entered court as chancellor. He gradually withdrew his troops and then sent envoys to court to present tribute.
Xuanzong, the Supreme Way, Great Sage, Great Brilliance, Filial Emperor, Middle Superior, Kaiyuan 15th Year (Ding Mao, 727 AD)
Spring, first month, Xin Chou day. The Governor of Liangzhou, Wang Junchuo, defeated the Tubo west of Qinghai.
Initially, the (Tubo) relied on their strength, sending documents with the etiquette of an equal state, their wording arrogant and disrespectful, which the Emperor often resented. After the Emperor returned from the Fengshan sacrifices at Mount Tai, Zhang Shuo advised him, saying: "The Tubo lack proper rites and indeed deserve punitive expedition and elimination, but after more than a decade of continuous warfare, the prefectures of Ganzhou, Liangzhou, Hezhou, and Shanzhou have already suffered unbearable harm. Although our armies have repeatedly won victories, the gains cannot compensate for the losses. I have heard they regret their past mistakes and wish to sue for peace. I hope Your Majesty will accept their submission to ease the burden on the border people." The Emperor replied: "Wait until I discuss this matter with Wang Junchuo." After Zhang Shuo withdrew from court, he said to Yuan Qianyao: "Wang Junchuo is brave but lacks strategy, always hoping for meritorious service through luck. If the two states form a marital alliance, where would his chance for achievement arise? My words will certainly not be adopted." When Wang Junchuo later entered court, he indeed requested a deep invasion of Tubo.
Last winter, the Tubo general Xinuoluo invaded the Dadou Valley, then attacked Ganzhou, burning and looting before withdrawing. Wang Junchuo estimated that their army was exhausted and led his troops in pursuit. Just then, a heavy snowfall occurred, causing many Tubo casualties from the cold, so they withdrew westward from Jishijun. Wang Junchuo had sent men via a small path into Tubo territory to burn the roadside grass. When Xinuoluo reached Dafeichuan and wanted to rest his horses and men, the wild grass was all burnt, killing more than half of the warhorses. Wang Junchuo, together with Qinzhou Governor Zhang Jingshun, pursued them, catching up west of Qinghai Lake and crossing the frozen lake. Xinuoluo had already departed, but Wang Junchuo defeated his rear guard, capturing their baggage train and tens of thousands of sheep and horses before returning. For this achievement, Wang Junchuo was promoted to General of the Left Yu Lin Army, his father Wang Shou was appointed as Junior Steward of the Palace Treasury, and allowed to retire. From then on, the Emperor became even more keen on border military exploits.
Initially, a Luoyang man named Liu Zongqi submitted a memorial suggesting blocking the old Biankou at Sishui and diverting water from the Yellow River into the Bian Canal at Yingze; for this, Liu Zongqi was promoted to Left Wei Rate Fu Cao Canjun. By this time, the newly opened canal was blocked and impassable, so Liu Zongqi was demoted to garrison commander at Anhuaizhu in Xunzhou. The Emperor ordered the Director of the Palace Construction, Fan Anji, to conscript 30,000 men from the six prefectures of Henan, Huai, Zheng, Bian, Hua, and Wei to dredge the old canal, completing the work in ten days.
The Censor-in-Chief Cui Yinpu and the Vice Censor-in-Chief Yu Wenrong feared that the Right Chancellor Zhang Shuo might regain favor, so they repeatedly submitted memorials slandering him, each forming their own factions. The Emperor found this distasteful. On the day Yisi of the second month, he issued an edict ordering Zhang Shuo to retire, Cui Yinpu to be dismissed from office to care for his mother, and Yu Wenrong to be posted as Prefect of Weizhou.
On the day Yimao, an edict stated: "For the escaped households of various prefectures, after their registers have been verified by the agricultural inspectors, any further fugitives arriving shall, in order of their arrival, pay the current year's taxes and corvée labor on par with ordinary commoners, and be prioritized for service when corvée is levied."
In summer, on the day Guiyou of the fifth month, the Emperor appointed his sons, including Prince Qing Li Tan, as prefectural governors, commandery governors, military governors, grand protectors, and grand pacification commissioners, but they did not actually leave the capital.
Initially, Emperor Taizong loved the Prince of Jin and did not allow him to leave the palace to reside elsewhere; the Prince of Yu also, as Empress Wu’s youngest son, did not leave the palace, and only when he became Prince of Xiang from the position of heir apparent did he begin to reside outside. During Emperor Zhongzong’s reign, the Prince of Qiao, due to losing favor, was demoted to reside in an outer prefecture; the Prince of Wen was seventeen years old and still lived within the palace. After the Emperor ascended the throne, he built the Ten Princes’ Residence in the park adjacent to the palace, where the princes lived, managed by eunuchs, and they attended court and paid respects via the covered passageway. From then on, the princes no longer resided outside; although princely offices and staff were established, and they concurrently held frontier command posts, only the tutors regularly entered the residence to teach, while the rest of the staff merely reported their names and paid respects annually. The frontier command staff did not even report their names. When the imperial grandsons grew numerous, the Hundred Grandsons’ Residence was also built. Even the heir apparent did not reside in the Eastern Palace but often stayed in the detached palace where the Emperor was residing.
The Emperor ordered palace women below the rank of consort to raise silkworms within the palace, aiming to teach them women’s work. On the day Dingyou, the summer solstice, he bestowed silk on favored close officials, each receiving one fu (a bolt of silk).
In autumn, on the day Wuyin of the seventh month, the Ji River flooded.
On the day Jimao, the Minister of Rites, Duke Wenxian of Xu, Su Ting, passed away.
In the ninth month, on the day Bingzi, the Tubo generals Xinuoluo Gonglu and Zhulong Mangbuzhi captured Guazhou, taking prisoner the prefect Tian Yuanyuan and the father of Hexi Military Governor Wang Junchuo, then attacked Yumen Army. They released a captured monk and sent him back to Liangzhou to say to Wang Junchuo: "General, you always claim to serve the state with loyalty, why do you not come out and fight?" Wang Junchuo climbed the city wall and gazed westward, shedding tears, but ultimately dared not send out troops. Mangbuzhi separately attacked Changle County, where the magistrate Jia Shishun led the people in resistance and defense. When Guazhou fell, Xinuoluo gathered all his forces to attack Changle County. After more than ten days, the Tubo forces were exhausted and still could not capture it, so they sent someone to persuade Jia Shishun to surrender; Jia Shishun refused. The Tubo people said: "Since the magistrate will not surrender, you should gather the city’s wealth and give it to us, and we will withdraw." Jia Shishun offered to strip the soldiers of their clothes and give them away; Xinuoluo, knowing there was no wealth, led his troops away and destroyed Guazhou city. Jia Shishun quickly opened the city gates, gathered weapons and equipment, and repaired the defenses; the Tubo indeed sent elite cavalry back to reconnoiter the city, and finding it prepared, they departed. Jia Shishun was a native of Qizhou.
Initially, when the Turkic Moqie (Mochuo) was powerful, he forced and seized the territory of the Tiele, so the four tribes of Huihe, Qibi, Sixie, and Hun crossed the desert and migrated to the area between Ganzhou and Liangzhou to avoid him. When Wang Junchuo was lowly, he traveled among these four tribes and was looked down upon by them. After he became Hexi Military Governor, he used the law to control them. The four tribes, feeling ashamed and resentful, secretly sent envoys to the Eastern Capital to appeal. Wang Junchuo immediately reported via post station, saying: "The four tribes are hard to control and are secretly plotting rebellion." The Emperor sent eunuchs to investigate, but in the end, the tribes did not receive justice. Thus, the Grand Protector of the Hanhai, Huihe Chengzong, was exiled to Rangzhou; Hun Dade was exiled to Jizhou; the Helan Governor Qibi Chengming was exiled to Tengzhou; the Lushan Governor Sixie Guiguo was exiled to Qiongzhou. Huihe Fudin was appointed as the new Grand Protector of the Hanhai. On the day Jimao, the Right Sanji Changshi Li Lingwen was demoted to Biejia of Fuzhou because his son had associated with Huihe Chengzong.
On the day Bingxu, the Turkic Bilge Qaghan sent his minister, Meilu Chuo, to court for tribute. When the Tubo invaded Guazhou, they had sent a letter to Bilge, proposing a joint invasion of Tang, but Bilge Qaghan also presented this letter. The Emperor praised him and allowed the establishment of a trade market at the Western Shouxiang Fortress, transporting hundreds of thousands of bolts of silk each year to exchange for warhorses, to support the army and serve as breeding stock for the imperial pastures. From then on, Tang’s warhorses became even stronger.
In the intercalary ninth month, on the day Gengzi, the Tubo Tsanpo and Tuxishi Sulu besieged Anxi City, but the Deputy Grand Protector of Anxi, Zhao Yizhen, defeated them. A clan nephew of Huihe Chengzong, the Hanhai Sima Hu Shu, gathered partisans to avenge Chengzong. Just then, the Tubo sent an envoy via a small path to the Turks, and Wang Junchuo led elite cavalry to intercept them at Suzhou. On his return, when he reached the Gongbiyi Station south of Ganzhou, Hu Shu’s ambushing soldiers suddenly emerged, seized Wang Junchuo’s banners and symbols, first killed his judge Song Zhen, and cut open his heart, saying: "It was you who first planned this." Wang Junchuo led his dozen attendants in fierce combat from morning to afternoon, until all his attendants were killed. Hu Shu killed Wang Junchuo, loaded his body on a horse, and fled to Tubo; Liangzhou’s troops caught up with them, and Hu Shu abandoned the corpse and fled.
On the day Gengshen, the Emperor’s carriage departed from the Eastern Capital. In winter, on the day Jimao, he arrived at the Western Capital, Chang’an.
On the day xinsi, Li Yi, the Prince of Xin'an and General of the Left Guard, was appointed as the Vice Grand Commissioner of Shuofang Circuit. Li Yi was the grandson of Li Ke. Xiao Song, the Commissioner of Shuofang Circuit, was appointed as the Vice Grand Commissioner of Hexi Circuit. At that time, Wang Junchuo had just been defeated, and Hezhou and Longyou were in a state of shock and fear. Xiao Song recommended Pei Kuan, a Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, to serve as a judge, and together with Wang Junchuo's judge Niu Xianke, they managed military and governmental affairs, gradually stabilizing public sentiment. Pei Kuan was the cousin of Pei Cui. Niu Xianke had originally been a minor official in the county of Changu, and through his talents and military merits, he gradually rose to become the judge of Hexi Circuit, becoming a trusted confidant of Wang Junchuo.
Xiao Song also submitted a memorial requesting that Zhang Shougui, the Military Commissioner of Jiankang and a native of Hebei, be appointed as the Prefect of Guazhou, leading the remaining people to rebuild the old city. Just as the wooden planks and clamps for building the wall were set up, the Tubo army suddenly arrived. The people in the city looked at each other in panic, their faces changing color, and lost all will to fight. Zhang Shougui said, "The enemy is numerous and we are few, and our troops are exhausted from the recent war. We cannot confront them with swords and arrows; we must use a clever strategy to win." He then set up a banquet on the city tower, playing music and drinking joyfully. The Tubo people suspected an ambush in the city, dared not attack, and withdrew. Zhang Shougui took the opportunity to pursue them, and the Tubo army was defeated and fled. Zhang Shougui then repaired the city, gathered the displaced people, and restored their livelihoods. The court praised his merits, elevated Guazhou to the status of a Protectorate, and appointed Zhang Shougui as Protector. Xinuoluo's reputation was very prominent. Xiao Song used a stratagem to sow discord within Tubo, claiming that Xinuoluo was secretly colluding with the Tang. The tsanpo summoned Xinuoluo and killed him; from then on, Tubo gradually weakened.
In the twelfth month, on the day wuyin, an edict was issued because Tubo had become a border threat. It ordered the Longyou Circuit and its various regiments to conscript 50,000 soldiers, the Hexi Circuit and its regiments to conscript 40,000 soldiers, and also mobilized 10,000 soldiers from Guanzhong to assemble at Linxian, and 20,000 Shuofang soldiers to assemble at Huizhou, in preparation for defending against Tubo's autumn incursions. In early winter, if there was no enemy activity, they would withdraw; when scouts detected an enemy invasion, they were to coordinate their forces and attack from both front and rear.
On the day yihai, the emperor visited the hot springs at Mount Li; on the day bingxu, he returned to the palace.
(Spring of the sixteenth year of Kaiyuan, wuchen year, corresponding to 728 AD)
In spring, the first month, on the day renyin, Zhao Yizhen, the Vice Grand Protector of Anxi, defeated the Tubo at Quzi Fort. On the day jiayin, Yuwen Rong, the Prefect of Weizhou, was appointed as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue while concurrently serving as Prefect of Weizhou, and was designated as Pacification Commissioner of Hebei Circuit. On the day yimao, Liao rebels Chen Xingfan of Chunzhou and Longzhou, and Feng Lin and He Youlu of Guangzhou, revolted, capturing over forty cities. Chen Xingfan proclaimed himself emperor, He Youlu styled himself Duke Dingguo General, and Feng Lin styled himself King of Nanyue, intending to occupy the Lingnan region. The emperor ordered the eunuch Yang Sixu to mobilize troops from Guizhou and nearby circuits north of the Lingnan to suppress them. On the day bingyin, Yuwen Rong, the Prefect of Weizhou, was appointed as the acting Prefect of Bianzhou and Commissioner of the Nine Rivers for the Dikes and Canals of Henan and Hebei. Yuwen Rong requested to reclaim rice paddies along the old courses of the Nine Rivers as described in the Tribute of Yu, and to sell the costs of land transportation, with the government collecting the profits; but the projects were continuous and most were not completed. In the second month, on the day renshen, Zhang Yue, who had retired as the Right Chancellor of the Secretariat, was concurrently appointed as an Academician of the Jixian Academy. Although Zhang Yue no longer handled government affairs, he specialized in literary and historical work. Whenever the court had major matters, the emperor often sent eunuchs to consult him. On the day renchen, the kuoji troops were renamed as the Flying Cavalry of the Left and Right Yulin Armies. In autumn, the seventh month, the Tubo general Ximolang invaded Guazhou, but Protector Zhang Shougui repelled him. On the day yisi, Xiao Song, the Commissioner of Hexi Circuit, and Zhang Zhongliang, the Commissioner of Longyou Circuit, decisively defeated the Tubo at the Kebo Valley; Zhang Zhongliang pursued them, captured the Damencheng fortress, took many prisoners, and burned their Camel Bridge before returning. In the eighth month, on the day yisi, the Tejin Zhang Yue presented the Kaiyuan Dayan Calendar, which was promulgated for use. On the day xinmao, the Right General of the Golden Guard Du Binke defeated the Tubo at the foot of Qilian Fortress. At that time, the Tubo invaded again, and Xiao Song sent Du Binke leading 4,000 crossbowmen to attack them. The battle lasted from the chen hour to dusk. The Tubo suffered a major defeat, and one of their generals was captured. The enemy troops scattered and fled, escaping into the mountains, with cries echoing everywhere. In winter, the tenth month, on the day jimao, the emperor visited the hot springs at Mount Li; on the day jichou, he returned to the palace. In the eleventh month, on the day guisi, Xiao Song, the Vice Grand Commissioner of Hexi Circuit, was appointed as Minister of War and Tong Pingshang Shushi. In the twelfth month, on the day bingyin, an imperial decree stated: "Soldiers on long campaigns have no return date, and human feelings are hard to bear. They should be divided into five rotations, with one rotation sent home for rest each year, and within five years, merits will be rewarded in five grades." In this year, it was stipulated that household registers be checked every three years, divided into nine grades. Yang Sixu suppressed Chen Xingfan, reaching Longzhou, defeated them, and captured He Youlu and Feng Lin. Chen Xingfan fled to the Yunjian and Panliao caves. Yang Sixu pursued him, eventually capturing him alive and beheading him, totaling 60,000 beheadings. Yang Sixu was severe in character; when subordinate generals reported matters, they dared not look up at him, and thus his military campaigns were successful without failure. However, his nature was cruel and harsh. Among the captives he took, some had their faces skinned alive, others had their scalps cut off at the hairline and torn away; the barbarians were all terrified of him.
The Zhongshang Emperor Xuanzong, the Great Sage, Great Way, Great Bright, and Filial Emperor: the seventeenth year of Kaiyuan (jisi year, corresponding to 729 AD)
Spring, second month, dingmao day, Xiezhou Governor Zhang Shoujing defeated the southwestern barbarians, captured Kunming and Yancheng, killing and capturing over ten thousand people. Third month, Guazhou Governor Zhang Shougui and Shazhou Prefect Jia Shishun attacked’s Datong Army and heavily defeated them. Jiayin day, Shuofang Military Commissioner Prince Xin’an Li Yi attacked’s Stone Fortress City and captured it. Initially, had taken Stone Fortress City, stationed troops to hold it, and harassed the Heyou region. The emperor ordered Li Yi to coordinate with Hexi and Longyou to plan its capture. All the generals believed that Stone Fortress City was strategically dangerous and distant, and if they failed to take it, they could not return safely; they should temporarily hold their troops and observe the situation. Li Yi did not listen, led his forces deep, attacked fiercely, and captured Stone Fortress City, then divided his troops to hold key points, preventing the enemy from advancing. From then on, the patrols and scouts of the He-Long armies expanded the frontier by over a thousand li. When the emperor heard this, he was very pleased and renamed Stone Fortress City to Zhenwu Army. Bingchen day, National University Sacrificial Wine Director Yang Yang submitted a memorial, stating: “The various departments of the Secretariat restrict the annual number of successful candidates in the Mingjing and Jinshi examinations nationwide to no more than one hundred. I privately observe that those who rise from clerical ranks amount to over two thousand each year, while the number of Mingjing and Jinshi is less than a tenth of that. Thus, scholars diligent in Confucian learning and arts are inferior to petty officials in obtaining office. I fear the Confucian spirit will gradually decline, and the sense of honor and shame will daily weaken. If the number of candidates is too large, all categories should be reduced, not only the Mingjing and Jinshi suppressed.” He also memorialized: “When examiners test the Mingjing on textual passages, they do not seek the original meaning of the classics but deliberately choose difficult and obscure content, posing questions on isolated chapters, broken sentences, or dates. I request that from now on, only plain and easy passages be used.” The emperor greatly approved of his views. Summer, fourth month, gengwu day, the Grand Sacrifice was performed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. In the early Tang, during the He sacrifice, ancestral tablets were arranged in order of generations, but during the Di sacrifice, each was offered in its own chamber. At this time, Grand Court Assistant Minister Wei Hong and others memorialized: “Thus, the Di sacrifice and regular sacrifices are no different; please allow both Di and He sacrifices to follow the generational order.” The emperor followed their advice. Wei Hong was the son of Wei Anshi’s elder brother. Fifth month, renchen day, the ten circuits and the Capital Circuit and Metropolitan Circuit Surveillance Commissioners were re-established. Initially, Zhang Shuo, Zhang Jiazhen, Li Yuanhong, and Du Xian served as chancellors in succession, wielding power. Yuan Qianyao, being pure and cautious, often deferred affairs to Zhang Shuo and others, merely nodding and signing documents. Li Yuanhong and Du Xian often disagreed in their discussions, leading to conflict, and they took turns accusing each other before the emperor. The emperor was displeased. Sixth month, jiaxu day, Vice Director of the Chancellery and Co-Chancellor Du Xian was demoted to Jingzhou Chief Administrator, and Secretariat Drafter and Co-Chancellor Li Yuanhong was demoted to Caozhou Governor; Yuan Qianyao was removed from his concurrent post as Director of the Chancellery and left only as Left Grand Councilor. The Household Department Director Yu Wenrong was appointed Vice Director of the Chancellery, and Military Department Vice Director Pei Guangting was appointed Secretariat Drafter, both as Co-Chancellors; Xiao Song concurrently served as Secretariat Director and remotely commanded Hexi as Military Commissioner. Commander Unequaled in Honor Wang Maozhong and Dragon-Taboo General Ge Fushun became in-laws. Wang Maozhong was trusted by the emperor, and all his words were heeded, so many generals of the Northern Gate attached themselves to him, advancing and retreating only at his command. Personnel Department Vice Director Qi Huan took the opportunity to say to the emperor: “Ge Fushun commands the Imperial Guard and should not form a marriage alliance with Wang Maozhong. Wang Maozhong is a petty man; excessive favor breeds treachery. If not dealt with early, I fear he will become a future calamity.” The emperor said happily: “I know your loyalty; I will slowly consider the appropriate course.” Qi Huan said: “If a ruler cannot keep a secret, he loses his ministers; I hope Your Majesty will keep it confidential.” It happened that Grand Court Judge Ma Cha, due to an offense, was demoted to Xingzhou Deputy Governor. Qi Huan had always been on good terms with Ma Cha and saw him off outside the city, where he spoke of the advice he had given in the palace. Ma Cha, being frivolous and treacherous, immediately reported this matter. The emperor was angry, summoned Qi Huan, and rebuked him: “You suspected I could not keep a secret, yet you told Ma Cha—is this considered keeping a secret? Moreover, Ma Cha has always lacked conduct; did you not know this?” Qi Huan kowtowed and apologized. Autumn, seventh month, dingsi day, an edict was issued: “Qi Huan and Ma Cha have conspired with generals and chancellors to sow discord between ruler and minister. Qi Huan is demoted to Gaozhou Liangde Assistant Magistrate; Ma Cha is demoted to Xunzhou Huanghua Deputy Magistrate.” Eighth month, guihai day, because of the emperor’s birthday, he hosted a banquet for all officials at the Huae Tower. Left Grand Councilor Yuan Qianyao and Right Grand Councilor Zhang Shuo led all officials in presenting a memorial, requesting that the fifth day of the eighth month each year be designated as the Thousand Autumn Festival, proclaimed to the empire, allowing everyone to feast and enjoy themselves. Soon afterward, the She Festival was moved to the same day as the Thousand Autumn Festival. Gengchen day, Minister of Works Zhang Jiazhen died. Zhang Jiazhen did not manage family property; someone advised him to buy fields and houses. Zhang Jiazhen said: “I am honored as a general and chancellor; why worry about hunger and cold? If I commit a crime, even with fields and houses, they would be useless. Recently, I have seen court officials extensively acquiring good land, and when they die, it becomes resources for their dissolute sons to indulge in wine and women. I do not do such things.” Those who heard this considered his words correct. Xinsi day, an imperial decree was issued because of widespread private coin casting; it banned the private sale of copper, lead, and tin, as well as making utensils from copper. Those who mined copper, lead, and tin were to have their output purchased by the government. Yu Wenrong was shrewd and quick-witted, eloquent in debate, and gained the emperor’s favor through managing finances. He began establishing various commissions, competing to amass wealth. From then on, officials gradually lost their duties, the emperor’s desires grew, and the people all harbored resentment and suffering. He was coarse, impetuous, and talkative, fond of self-praise. While in the chancellorship, he said to others: “Let me stay in this position for a few months, and the empire will be at peace.” Prince Xin’an Li Yi, due to military merit, gained the emperor’s favor, and Yu Wenrong was jealous of him. When Li Yi entered the court, Yu Wenrong instructed Censor Li Yin to impeach him and leaked this to his close associates. Li Yi heard of it and reported it to the emperor first. The next day, Li Yin’s memorial indeed arrived, and the emperor was angry. Ninth month, renzi day, Yu Wenrong was demoted to Ruzhou Governor due to his offense; he had served as chancellor for only a hundred days before being dismissed. From then on, those who discussed profit and gained high office all took Yu Wenrong as their model. Winter, tenth month, wuwu day, the first day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred; the sun was not completely obscured, appearing like a hook. After Yu Wenrong’s offense, state revenues became insufficient, and the emperor missed him, saying to Pei Guangting and others: “You all spoke ill of Yu Wenrong, and I have dismissed him. Now state revenues are insufficient—what should be done? Why do you not assist me?” Pei Guangting and the others were too frightened to respond. It happened that an anonymous letter accused Yu Wenrong of embezzlement, and he was further demoted to Pingle Deputy Magistrate. After more than a year in the Lingnan region, Court of Agriculture Deputy Minister Jiang Cen memorialized that Yu Wenrong, while in Bianzhou, had embezzled official funds amounting to tens of thousands. The emperor ordered a thorough investigation, and Yu Wenrong was exiled to Yanzhou, dying on the road. Eleventh month, xinmao day, the emperor traveled to pay homage at the five imperial tombs: Qiaoling, Dingling, Xianling, Zhaoling, and Qianling; wushen day, he returned to the palace; a general amnesty was proclaimed, and the year’s land tax for the people was halved. Twelfth month, xinyou day, the emperor visited the Xin’feng Hot Springs; renshen day, he returned to the palace.
Emperor Xuanzong, the Perfect Way, Great Sage, Great Bright, Filial Emperor, Central and Upper, Kaiyuan 18th Year (Gengwu Year, AD 730)
Spring, first month, xinmao day, Pei Guangting was appointed Director of the Chancellery.
Second month, guisi day, for the first time, it was ordered that all officials in the spring take a ten-day break each month, choosing scenic spots for entertainment. From the chancellor down to the outer secretaries, twelve banquets were set up, each granted five thousand strings of cash. The emperor sometimes personally attended at the Huae Tower, inviting them to stay on their return for drinking, taking turns to have them dance, and they dispersed only after full enjoyment.
Third month, dingyou day, official salary fields were reissued to capital officials.
Summer, fourth month, dingmao day, the outer wall of the Western Capital was constructed, completed in ninety days.
On the yichou day, Pei Guangting was appointed as acting Minister of Personnel. Previously, when the selection agency proposed appointments for offices, they only looked at whether the person had ability. Some were promoted out of order, skipping ranks, while others remained in low positions until old age, some with twenty years of official eligibility without receiving a salary. Additionally, there were no hierarchical distinctions among the prefectures and counties; some were transferred from high offices to small places, while others started nearby and later moved to distant areas, all without a fixed system. Pei Guangting began to request the adoption of a seniority-based qualification system, where each person would gather for selection after a certain number of examinations following their dismissal from office. Those with high official ranks had fewer examinations, while those with low ranks had more, regardless of ability. Once the required number of examinations was completed, they would be proposed for office, with fixed terms for gradual promotion, without exceeding limits. Unless guilty of a crime resulting in demotion, they could only be promoted, never demoted. Those who were mediocre, dull, or stagnant in their careers were pleased, calling it a "sacred document," but talented individuals all sighed with resentment. Song Jing argued about this matter but failed to succeed. Pei Guangting also ordered that officials in the minor offices be reviewed by the Chancellery.
In the fifth month, the (Tubo) sent envoys to the border with a letter seeking peace.
Initially, the (Qidan) king Li Shaogu sent Keguqian to the court to present tribute, but the Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, Li Yuanhong, treated him discourteously. The Left Grand Councilor Zhang Yue said to others, "The (Xi) and (Qidan) will certainly rebel. Keguqian is cunning and fierce; he has long controlled the (Qidan) state, and the people are loyal to him. Now that he has been slighted, he will surely not come to court again." On the jiyou day, Keguqian killed Shaogu, led his troops, and coerced the (Xi) people to rebel and surrender to the (Tujue). The (Xi) king Li Lusu, his wife Lady Wei, and Shaogu's wife Lady Chen all came to take refuge. The court issued an edict ordering the Governor of Youzhou, Zhao Hanzhang, to attack them, and also ordered the Secretariat Drafter Pei Kuan, the Gentleman for the Palace Administration Xue Kan, and others to recruit volunteers in the Guannei, Hedong, Henan, and Hebei circuits.
In the sixth month, on the bingzi day, the Prince of Shan'yu Daduhu, Zhong Wang Li Jun, was appointed as the Acting Marshal of the Hebei Circuit, with the Censor-in-Chief Li Chaoyin and the Capital Governor of Jingzhao, Pei Zhouxian, as Vice Marshals, leading eighteen commanders-in-chief to attack the (Xi) and (Qidan). Li Jun was ordered to meet with the hundred officials at the Guangshun Gate. Zhang Yue withdrew from the court and said to the Academicians Sun Ti and Wei Shu, "I once saw a portrait of Emperor Taizong; his appearance closely resembles that of Prince Zhong. This is the nation's fortune!" Keguqian invaded Pinglu, and the Vanguard Commander, Wucheng Ci of Zhangye, defeated him at Nalu Mountain.
On the renwu day, the Luo River overflowed, flooding over a thousand households in the Eastern Capital.
In autumn, on the dingsi day of the ninth month, Prince Zhong, Li Jun, was appointed as the Marshal of the Hedong Circuit, but he ultimately did not set out.
The (Tubo) troops were repeatedly defeated and became fearful, so they requested a marriage alliance. The subordinate official of Prince Zhong, Huangfu Weiming, took the opportunity while reporting on affairs to calmly speak of the benefits of a marriage alliance. The Emperor said, "The Zanpu (Tibetan king) once sent me a letter with rebellious and arrogant words. How can this be overlooked?" He replied, "When the Zanpu was young in the early Kaiyuan era, how could he have written such a letter? I suspect it was forged by border generals, wishing to anger Your Majesty. If there is conflict on the border, then generals and officials can take advantage to embezzle government property and falsely claim military achievements to gain titles. These are all benefits for treacherous ministers, not the nation's fortune. If war continues without end, it costs a thousand pieces of gold daily, and the Hexi and Longyou regions are exhausted and impoverished. If Your Majesty sends an envoy to visit the princess and take the opportunity to personally agree on a peace treaty with the Zanpu, making him bow and submit as a vassal, forever pacifying the border troubles, would this not be a long-term strategy for managing the barbarians?" The Emperor was pleased and ordered Huangfu Weiming and the Inner Attendant Zhang Yuanfang to go as envoys to (Tubo). The Zanpu was overjoyed and brought out all the imperial edicts received since the Zhenguan era to show Huangfu Weiming.
In winter, in the tenth month, he sent his minister Lun Mingxilie to follow Huangfu Weiming to court to present tribute, submitting a memorial saying, "Your nephew has for generations married princesses, with bonds of affection like one family. In the middle, Zhang Xuanbiao and others first raised troops to invade, leading to hostility between the two borders. Your nephew deeply understands the distinction between high and low; how dare he be disrespectful! It is precisely because border generals fomented discord that I offended my uncle. I repeatedly sent envoys to court, but they were blocked by border generals. Now, favored by a distant envoy coming to visit the princess, I am beyond happy and grateful. If we can restore the old friendship, I will have no regrets even in death!" From then on, (Tubo) again submitted.
On the gengyin day, the Emperor visited Fengquan Hot Springs; on the guimao day, he returned to the capital.
On the jiayin day, the King of Humi, Luo Zhengtan, came to court and remained to serve as a palace guard.
In the eleventh month, on the dingmao day, the Emperor visited Li Mountain Hot Springs; on the dingchou day, he returned to the palace.
This year, the empire reported only twenty-four people sentenced to death.
The (Tuqishi) sent envoys to court to present tribute. The Emperor hosted a banquet at the Danfeng Tower, and the (Tujue) envoys also participated. The two envoys argued over the seat of honor. The (Tujue) envoy said, "The (Tuqishi) is a small state, originally a vassal of (Tujue); they cannot sit above me." The (Tuqishi) envoy said, "Today's banquet is set for me; I cannot sit below him." The Emperor then ordered two tents to be set up, east and west, with (Tujue) in the east and (Tuqishi) in the west.
The Defender-in-Chief, Supervisor of the Inner and Outer Imperial Stables and Pastures, Duke of Huo, Wang Maozhong, relying on imperial favor, grew increasingly arrogant and unruly, and the Emperor often indulged him. Wang Maozhong was close and friendly with the Left General of the Guard, Ge Fushun, the Left Gate Guard General, Tang Diwen, the Left Martial Guard General, Li Shoude, and the Right Prestige Guard Generals, Wang Jingyao and Gao Guangji. Ge Fushun and others, relying on his power, engaged in much illegal activity. Wang Maozhong requested to be appointed Minister of War but was not approved, which made him unhappy, and he showed it in his words and demeanor, causing the Emperor to be displeased.
At this time, the Emperor was quite fond of and trusted eunuchs, often appointing them as generals of the third rank, with ceremonial halberds placed before their gates. When they were sent on missions through the provinces, officials rushed to flatter them, and the bribes and gifts they received were no less than a thousand strings of cash. Consequently, half of the residences in the capital and the fields in the suburbs came to be owned by eunuchs. Yang Sixu and Gao Lishi were especially honored and favored; Yang Sixu frequently led troops on campaigns, while Gao Lishi always served in the inner palace. Wang Maozhong regarded the honored and favored eunuchs as if they were nobody; for those of lower rank, even a slight displeasure would lead to insults as if they were servants. Gao Lishi and others envied his favor but dared not speak openly.
It happened that Wang Maozhong's wife gave birth to a son. On the third day, the Emperor ordered Gao Lishi to bestow abundant food, wine, gold, and silk, and also granted the son a fifth-rank official position. When Gao Lishi returned, the Emperor asked, "Is Wang Maozhong happy?" He replied, "Wang Maozhong held his swaddled son and showed him to me, saying, 'Could this child not become a third-rank official?'" The Emperor was furious and said, "When I previously executed the Wei clan, this villain harbored two minds; I did not want to mention it. Now he dares to use his infant to complain to me!" Gao Lishi then said, "The slaves of the Northern Gate have too many high offices; they are united in heart. If not eliminated early, they will surely cause great disaster!" The Emperor worried that their faction would be startled into rebellion.
Emperor Xuanzong, the Great Way, Supreme Sage, Great Light, Filial Emperor, Middle Superior, Kaiyuan Nineteenth Year (Xinwei, AD 731)
In spring, on the renxu day of the first month, the Emperor issued an edict, merely stating that Wang Maozhong was disloyal and harbored resentment, demoting him to be the Biejia (assistant) of Rangzhou. Ge Fushun, Tang Diwen, Li Shoude, Wang Jingyao, and Gao Guangji were all demoted to be Biejia in remote prefectures. Wang Maozhong's four sons were all demoted to be staff officers in remote prefectures. Dozens of people were implicated. When Wang Maozhong reached Yongzhou, he was again ordered to commit suicide. From then on, the power of eunuchs grew even stronger. Gao Lishi was especially trusted by the Emperor. The Emperor once said, "When Gao Lishi is on duty, I sleep peacefully." Therefore, Gao Lishi mostly stayed in the palace, rarely going to his outer residence. All memorials from the provinces were first presented to Gao Lishi, then reported to the Emperor; minor matters were decided by Gao Lishi himself, and his power swayed the court and the public. The General of the Golden Guard, Cheng Boshou, and the Director of the Palace Manufactories, Feng Shaozheng, became sworn brothers with Gao Lishi. When Gao Lishi's mother, Lady Mai, died, Cheng Boshou and others let their hair down to receive condolences, beating their chests and weeping with grief more intense than for their own relatives. Gao Lishi married the daughter of Lü Xuanwu of Yingzhou, and promoted Lü Xuanwu to be a Shaoqing (vice minister), while all the Lü family members became tutors in princely establishments. When Lady Lü died, the court and public competed to offer condolences, and from her home to the grave, carriages and horses were in an endless stream. However, Gao Lishi acted with caution and respect, so the Emperor always remained close and trusted him.
On the day Xinsi, the court sent Cui Lin, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, as an envoy to Tibet. Cui Lin was the son of Cui Shenqing. The Tibetan envoy claimed that Princess Jincheng requested the Mao Commentary on the Book of Songs, the Spring and Autumn Annals, and the Book of Rites. The Correct Character Yu Xiulie submitted a memorial, arguing: “Prince Dongping, Liu Yu, was a close relative of the Han dynasty, and when he requested the Records of the Grand Historian and the Various Masters, the Han court still refused to give them. How much more so with Tibet, which is an enemy of the state? If we give them these books now, allowing them to understand the strategies and tactics of warfare, they will become even more cunning and changeable, which will be disadvantageous to the Central Plains.” This matter was referred to the Secretariat-Chancellery for discussion. Pei Guangting and others submitted a memorial, saying: “Tibet is ignorant and stubborn; after long rebellion, they have only recently submitted. Taking advantage of their request, we bestow upon them the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents, hoping gradually to let them be influenced by the refinement of rites and music, so that our civilizing influence may spread to all quarters. Yu Xiulie only knows that the books contain words of stratagem and deceit, but he does not know that the principles of loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, and righteousness are also all contained in these books.” The Emperor said: “Excellent!” So he gave the books to Tibet. Yu Xiulie was the great-great-grandson of Yu Zhining.
On the day Bingzi, the Emperor personally plowed a field next to the Xingqing Palace, covering a total of three hundred paces.
In the third month, Que Teqin, the Left Virtuous Prince of the Eastern Turks, died. The Emperor sent a letter of condolence.
On the day Bingshen, for the first time, an order was issued to establish a Grand Duke Temple in both capitals and each prefecture, with Zhang Liang as the attendant in sacrifices. Select famous generals from antiquity to make up ten philosophers; hold sacrifices on the first Wu day of the second and eighth months, with rites similar to those for sacrificing to Confucius.
Your servant Sima Guang says: Ordering heaven and earth is called civil virtue; pacifying rebellion is called military virtue. Since ancient times, there has never been anyone who was called a sage without possessing both. Therefore, the Yellow Emperor, Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang of Shang, King Wen of Zhou, King Wu of Zhou, Yi Yin, and the Duke of Zhou, none of them lacked achievements in military campaigns. Although Confucius never personally tested himself in military affairs, he was still able to defeat the Lai barbarians and repel the people of Fei, saying, ‘If I were to fight, I would surely be victorious.’ Was Confucius exclusively devoted to civil virtue and the Grand Duke exclusively devoted to military virtue? The reason Confucius is worshipped in the school halls is because in the ritual system there are the former sages and former teachers. Since the existence of humankind, no one has surpassed Confucius. How can the Grand Duke be mentioned in the same breath as him! In ancient times, when there was a war, the Grand Minister of Education was ordered to teach the officers using chariots and armor, baring their thighs and arms, conducting examinations in archery and charioteering, receiving orders for expeditions and presenting the heads of captives—none of these were not done in the school halls. The reason for this was the desire that they first understand propriety and righteousness and only then attend to courage and strength. A gentleman with courage but without righteousness will create rebellion; a petty man with courage but without righteousness will become a robber. If one only teaches them courage and strength without letting them know propriety and righteousness, then what will they not do! From Sun Wu and Wu Qi downwards, all esteemed courage and strength to prevail and deceit to excel; how could they be ranked among the sages and worthies and be called ‘military’! In fact, they were mistakenly cited to fill the list of ten philosophers, to serve as models for later scholars. If the Grand Duke had a spirit, he would surely be ashamed to be sacrificed alongside them!
In the fifth month, on the day Renxu, the first True Lord Shrines for the Five Sacred Peaks were established.
In autumn, the ninth month, on the day Xinsi, Tibet sent its Chancellor Lun Shangtaluo to court for an audience, requesting the establishment of a market at Chiling. The Emperor agreed.
In winter, the tenth month, on the day Bingshen, the Emperor went to the Eastern Capital Luoyang.
Someone accused Zhang Shensu, the Commander of the Xi Prefecture, a native of Xie County, of corruption. The Emperor ordered the Investigating Censor Yang Wang to investigate the matter. The Commander-in-Chief Dong Yuanli led seven hundred soldiers to surround Yang Wang, killed the accuser, and said to Yang Wang: “If you submit a good memorial declaring Zhang Shensu innocent, you will live; otherwise, you will die.” Just then, relief troops arrived, attacked and beheaded Dong Yuanli. Yang Wang submitted a memorial accusing Zhang Shensu of rebellion. In the twelfth month, on the day Guiwei, Zhang Shensu was sentenced to decapitation, and his property was confiscated.
The Luo River within the Imperial Park was dredged, taking sixty days to complete.
The Middle Superior Period of Xuanzong, the Dao-Arriving Great Sage, Great Filial, Bright August Emperor, the Twentieth Year (Ren Shen year, 732 CE)
In spring, the first month, on the day Yimao, the Deputy Grand Marshal of Shuofang, Prince Xin'an Li Yi, was appointed Deputy Grand Commander of the Hedong and Hebei Circuits, leading troops to attack the Xi and Khitan. On the day Renshen, the Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue, Pei Yaoqing, was appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief. In the second month, on the day Guiyou, which was the first day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred.
The Emperor recalled the loyal integrity of the General of the Right Valiant Guard, An Jincang. In the third month, he bestowed upon him the title of Duke of the Dai State, and erected steles on Mount Tai and Mount Hua to inscribe his merits. An Jincang eventually died of natural causes in his old age.
Prince Xin'an Li Yi led Pei Yaoqing and the Military Governor of Youzhou, Zhao Hanzhang, to divide their forces and attack the Xi and Khitan. Zhao Hanzhang encountered the enemy, and the enemy fled at the sight of him. The Vanguard General of Pinglu, Wu Chengyi, said to Zhao Hanzhang: “The Xi and Khitan are fierce bandits. Their flight the other day was not fear of us, but to lure us. We should hold our troops in position and observe their changes.” Zhao Hanzhang did not listen, engaged the enemy at Baishan, and was indeed heavily defeated. Wu Chengci led his troops from the enemy’s right flank, attacked them, and defeated them. On the day Jisi, Li Yi and his forces greatly defeated the Xi and Khitan, capturing and killing many. Ketugan led his men and fled far away, while the remaining party hid in the mountains and valleys. The Xi chieftain Li Shisonggao led over five thousand tents to surrender. Li Yi led his army back. The Emperor bestowed upon Li Shi the title of Prince Guiyi, appointed him Acting Governor of Guiyi Prefecture, and moved his tribe to settle within the borders of Youzhou.
In summer, the fourth month, on the day Yihai, the Emperor feasted the hundred officials at the Eastern Islet of the Shangyang Palace. Those who got drunk were given bedding and carried back in sedan chairs, forming a continuous procession on the road.
In the sixth month, on the day Dingchou, Prince Xin'an Li Yi was granted the honorary title of Open Palace and Equal of the Three Excellencies. The Emperor ordered Pei Yaoqing to transport two hundred thousand bolts of silk to be distributed as rewards to the meritorious Xi officials. Pei Yaoqing said to his subordinates: “The Rong and Di are greedy. Now, transporting valuable goods deep into their territory, we cannot be without precautions.” So he ordered an early departure, dividing the route and advancing simultaneously, completing the distribution of the silk within a single day. The Eastern Turks and Shiwei indeed sent troops to intercept at strategic passes, intending to plunder the goods, but when they arrived, Pei Yaoqing had already returned.
Zhao Hanzhang was found guilty of a huge amount of embezzlement, was flogged in the court, and exiled to Rang Prefecture. He died on the road.
In autumn, the seventh month, Xiao Song submitted a memorial, saying: “Since the sacrifice to the Earth Sovereign, we have repeatedly enjoyed abundant harvests. It is fitting to take advantage of the return to the capital to conduct a sacrificial ceremony of thanksgiving.” The Emperor followed his advice.
An edict ordered Pei Guangting and Xiao Song to take charge of the troops of the Left and Right Wings respectively.
In the eighth month, on the day Xinsi, which was the first day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred.
Initially, the Emperor ordered Zhang Yue together with the various academicians to revise and finalize the Five Rites. After Zhang Yue died, Xiao Song continued this work. The Scribe of the Palace of Rising Life, Wang Zhongqiu, requested that according to the Mingqing Rites, the sacrifices for Praying for Grain, the Great Rain Prayer, and the Hall of Light should all worship the August Lord of Heaven. Xiao Song further requested that according to an edict from the Shangyuan era, when the father is alive, one should wear the unhemmed sackcloth mourning garment for a period of three years for the mother. The Emperor agreed to both. Gao Zu was to be the matching deity at the Round Mound and the Square Mound, Tai Zong at the Rain Prayer and the Earth Spirit of the Divine Continent, and Rui Zong at the Hall of Light. In the ninth month, on the day Yisi, the new rites were completed and presented to the Emperor, titled the Kaiyuan Rites.
King Wu Yi of the Mohe people of Bohai sent his general Zhang Wenxiu to lead pirates to invade Dengzhou, killing the Prefect Wei Jun. The Emperor ordered the General of the Right Valiant Guard, Ge Fushun, to raise troops and punish him.
On the day Renzi, the Military Governor of Hexi, Niu Xianke, was promoted by six grades. Initially, when Xiao Song was in Hexi, he entrusted military and governmental affairs to Niu Xianke; Niu Xianke was incorruptible and diligent, good at fulfilling his duties. Xiao Song recommended him several times, and eventually he replaced Xiao Song as Military Governor.
In winter, the tenth month, on the day Renwu, the Emperor departed from the Eastern Capital Luoyang. On the day Xinmao, he arrived at Lu Prefecture. On the day Xinchou, he arrived at the Northern Capital Taiyuan. In the eleventh month, on the day Gengshen, he sacrificed to the Earth Sovereign at Fenyin and granted a general amnesty. In the twelfth month, on the day Xinwei, he returned to the Western Capital Chang'an.
In this year, the Military Governor of Youzhou was concurrently appointed as the Commissioner of Investigation and Disposition for Hebei, with additional jurisdiction over sixteen prefectures: Wei, Xiang, Luo, Bei, Ji, Wei, Shen, Zhao, Heng, Ding, Xing, De, Bo, Di, Ying, and Mo, as well as the Andong Protectorate.
Throughout the realm, there were a total of 7,861,236 households, with a population of 45,431,265 individuals.
The Middle Superior Period of Xuanzong, the Dao-Arriving Great Sage, Great Filial, Bright August Emperor, the Twenty-first Year (Gui You year, 733 CE)
In spring, the first month, on the yisi day, the spirit tablet of Empress Suming was attached to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and the Yikun Temple was dismantled. On the dingsi day, the Emperor went to the hot springs at Mount Li. The Emperor sent Damen Yi to Youzhou to mobilize troops to attack Bohai King Dawu Yi; on the gengshen day, he ordered the Grand Master of the Imperial Stud, Jin Silan, to envoy to Silla to mobilize troops to attack its southern border. It happened that heavy snow fell over a zhang deep, the mountain roads were treacherous, more than half of the soldiers died, and they returned without success. Dawu Yi’s hatred for Damen Yi did not cease; he secretly sent assassins to kill Damen Yi south of Tianjin Bridge, but failed. The Emperor ordered the Henan Prefecture to search for the assassins’ accomplices and execute them all. In the second month, on the dingyou day, Princess Jincheng requested to erect a stele at Red Ridge to mark the boundary between Tang and Tubo; the Emperor agreed. In the third month, on the yisi day, Attendant-in-ordinary Pei Guangting died. Grand Academician of the Court of Sacrifices, Sun Wan, proposed: “Pei Guangting used the method of seniority, losing the way of encouragement and motivation; I request to grant him the posthumous title of ‘Ke’.” His son Pei Zhen appealed, and the Emperor granted the posthumous title of “Zhongxian.” The Emperor asked Xiao Song who could replace Pei Guangting. Xiao Song had a good relationship with Right Sanji Changshi Wang Qiu and intended to recommend him; Wang Qiu heard this and firmly declined in favor of Right Vice Director Han Xiu. Xiao Song recommended Han Xiu to the Emperor. On the jiayin day, Han Xiu was appointed Huangmen Shilang and Tong Pingzhangshi. Han Xiu was stern and upright, not pursuing glory or profit; when he became chancellor, he greatly met the expectations of the time. Initially, Xiao Song thought Han Xiu was mild and peaceful, believing him easy to control, so he recommended him. After working with him, Han Xiu adhered to the right path without flattery, and Xiao Song gradually grew to dislike him. Song Jing sighed and said: “I never expected Han Xiu could be like this!” Sometimes when the Emperor held banquets and entertainment in the palace or hunted in the rear gardens, and there were slight errors, he would say to his attendants: “Does Han Xiu know about this?” As soon as the words were spoken, a remonstrating memorial had already arrived. The Emperor once looked at a mirror in silence, displeased, and his attendants said: “Since Han Xiu became chancellor, Your Majesty has become thinner than before; why not dismiss him!” The Emperor sighed and said: “Although my appearance is thinner, the empire must be wealthy. When Xiao Song reports on affairs, he often follows my wishes; after he withdraws, I cannot sleep peacefully. Han Xiu often argues on principle; after he withdraws, I can sleep soundly. I use Han Xiu for the sake of the state, not for myself.” There was a court jester named Huang, who was clever and cunning. The Emperor often supported him while walking, calling him “meat stool,” and bestowed generous rewards. One day he came late into the palace, and the Emperor scolded him. He replied: “Your servant just now entered the palace and encountered a police officer on the road who disputed the way with me; I knocked him off his horse, so I am late.” Then he descended the steps and kowtowed. The Emperor said: “As long as there is no memorial from outside, you need not worry.” After a moment, the Jingzhao Prefecture reported the matter. The Emperor immediately ordered him out and handed him over to the authorities to be beaten to death. In the intercalary month, on the guiyou day, Deputy General of Youzhou Circuit, Guo Yingjie, fought the Khitan at Dushan and was defeated and killed. At that time, Military Commissioner Xue Chuyu sent Guo Yingjie to lead ten thousand elite cavalry and surrendered Xi people to attack the Khitan, camping outside Yuguan. Keduogan led Turkic troops to join the battle; the Xi had divided loyalties, scattering and occupying strategic points; the Tang army was at a disadvantage, and Guo Yingjie died in battle. The remaining six thousand troops fought fiercely without stopping; the enemy showed them Guo Yingjie’s head, but they ultimately did not surrender and were all killed. Xue Chuyu was Xue Na’s younger brother. In summer, the sixth month, on the guihai day, an edict was issued: “From now on, among candidates for office, those with talent, learning, conduct, and virtue are entrusted to the Ministry of Personnel for temporary appointment and promotion; appointments for external officials are no longer to pass through the Chancellery.” Although this system existed, the relevant departments found the seniority system convenient for themselves and continued to follow it. At this time, officials from the Three Masters down totaled 17,686; clerks from assistant historians up totaled 57,416; and the paths into office were numerous, beyond counting. In autumn, the seventh month, on the yichou day of the new moon, there was a solar eclipse. In the ninth month, on the renwu day, the Emperor’s sons were established: Li Mian as Prince Xin, Li Ci as Prince Yi, Li Cui as Prince Chen, Li Cheng as Prince Feng, Li Hui as Prince Heng, Li Cong as Prince Liang, and Li Tao as Prince Bian. Guanzhong experienced prolonged rain, and grain prices were high; the Emperor prepared to go to the Eastern Capital and summoned the Jingzhao Yin, Pei Yaoqing, to discuss it. Pei Yaoqing replied: “Guanzhong is where imperial enterprise arose; it should remain unchanged for a hundred generations. But because the land is narrow and grain scarce, the Emperor often tours the Eastern Capital to relieve pressure. Your servant has heard that during the Zhenguan and Yonghui eras, salaries and grains were not numerous; each year, 100,000 to 200,000 shi were transported by canal from Guandong, sufficient to supply needs, and the Emperor could live in peace. Now expenditures have gradually expanded, and transport volume has increased several times over, yet still insufficient, so Your Majesty endures cold and heat to comfort the people of the Western Capital. If now the grain taxes of the Court of Agriculture are all sent to the Eastern Capital, and from there transported by canal to gradually fill Guanzhong, if Guanzhong has several years’ reserves, there will be no worry about floods or droughts. Moreover, the people of Wu are unfamiliar with the Yellow River canal transport, stopping everywhere; after a long time, theft secretly occurs. I request to set up a granary at the river mouth, so that Wu boats can deliver their grain there and return, while the government hires laborers to transport it separately into the Yellow and Luo rivers. Also, set up one granary each east and west of Sanmen; store the arriving grain, stop when the water is dangerous, transport when it is smooth, or cut mountain roads to carry it by cart, so there is no delay, saving millions in costs. On the banks of the Yellow and Wei Rivers, there are old granaries from the Han and Sui dynasties; repairing them is not difficult.” The Emperor greatly approved of his words. In winter, the tenth month, on the gengxu day, the Emperor went to the hot springs at Mount Li; on the jiwei day, he returned to the palace. On the wuzi day, Left Chancellor Song Jing retired and returned to the Eastern Capital. Han Xiu repeatedly argued with Xiao Song before the Emperor, pointing out Xiao Song’s shortcomings to his face, and the Emperor was very displeased. Xiao Song then requested retirement, and the Emperor said: “I have not grown tired of you; why are you in such a hurry to leave?” He replied: “Your servant has received great favor and disgraced the position of chancellor; wealth and honor have reached their peak. While Your Majesty has not yet grown tired of me, I can withdraw calmly; if Your Majesty becomes tired of me, my head will not be preserved, much less retire voluntarily!” Then he shed tears. The Emperor was moved and said: “You go back for now; I will consider it slowly.” On the dingsi day, Xiao Song was dismissed as Left Chancellor, and Han Xiu was dismissed as Minister of Works. The Jingzhao Yin, Pei Yaoqing, was appointed Huangmen Shilang, and the former Zhongshu Shilang, Zhang Jiuling, who was then in mourning for his mother, was recalled as Zhongshu Shilang, both as Tong Pingzhangshi. This year, the empire was divided into fifteen circuits: Jingji, Duji, Guannei, Henan, Hedong, Hebei, Longyou, Shannan East, Shannan West, Jiannan, Huainan, Jiangnan East, Jiangnan West, Qianzhong, and Lingnan, each with an Investigation Commissioner, who investigated illegal activities according to the six articles; the two Ji circuits were concurrently held by the Censor-in-Chief, while the rest were concurrently held by capable prefects. Unless officials were transferred or dismissed, the Investigation Commissioners were not changed. Only changes to established systems required reporting for approval; other matters were allowed to be handled flexibly, acted upon first and reported later. Grand Master of the Imperial Treasury, Yang Chongli, was the son of Yang Zhengdao, and served in the Imperial Treasury for over twenty years; no one before or after could match him. At that time, peace had lasted long, and goods piled up like mountains; what passed through Yang Chongli’s hands was all exquisite; each year, he examined and rejected waste, saving millions of strings of cash. This year, he retired as Minister of Revenue, over ninety years old. The Emperor asked the chancellors: “Which of Yang Chongli’s sons can succeed him?” They replied: “Yang Chongli has three sons: Yang Shenyu, Yang Shenjin, and Yang Shenming, all honest, diligent, and talented, but Yang Shenjin is the best.” The Emperor then promoted Yang Shenjin from Magistrate of Ruyang County to Investigating Censor, in charge of the Imperial Treasury’s receipts and disbursements; Yang Shenming was acting Investigating Censor, in charge of the Hanjia Granary’s receipts and disbursements; both were competent, and the Emperor was pleased. Yang Shenjin reported that the cloth and silk delivered by the prefectures had moisture damage and tears, and all were returned to the prefectures to be converted into cash, then used to purchase light goods; thus, the collection and transfer of taxes became increasingly numerous.