Tang Records 38
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 222
Volume 222 [Tang Records 38] From the year Xin You (beginning with the year of the Light-Serpent) to the month of June of the year Gui Hai (ending with the year of the Shining-Goat), a total of over two years.
Spring, first month, Gui Mao, Shi Siming changed the era name to Yingtian. Zhang Jingchao led troops to attack Hangzhou and defeated Li Qiang, a subordinate of Li Cangyong, at Shiyi Gate. Sun Daifeng marched south from Wukang, intending to join Zhang Jingchao in attacking Hangzhou. Wen Chao, relying on the strategic terrain, defeated him. Sun Daifeng fled to Wucheng, while Li Kefeng surrendered Changzhou. Ding Wei, Tian Shengong sent Tejin Yang Huiyuan and others leading 1,500 men westward to attack Wang Heng. On the night of Xin Hai, Tian Shengong first sent Tejin Fan Zhixin and others leading 4,000 men from Baisha across the river, heading straight west toward Xiashu. Deng Jingshan and others led 1,000 men from Hailing across the river, heading straight east toward Changzhou. Tian Shengong, along with Xing Yane, led 3,000 men stationed at Guazhou. Ren Zi, they crossed the river. Liu Zhan deployed over 10,000 infantry and cavalry in formation at Suanshan. Tian Shengong used boats to transport troops straight toward Jinshan. By chance, a strong wind blew five boats to the foot of Jinshan. Liu Zhan massacred the men on two boats and sank three boats. Tian Shengong could not cross the river and withdrew to Guazhou. Meanwhile, Fan Zhixin’s army had already reached Xiashu. Liu Zhan attacked them but could not prevail. Liu Zhan’s younger brother Liu Yin urged Liu Zhan to lead the troops and flee into the sea to delay the inevitable. Liu Zhan said, “If the matter does not succeed, why needlessly kill many people’s fathers and sons? Death—sooner or later, it is the same!” So he rallied his forces again and fought fiercely. General Jia Yinlin shot an arrow at Liu Zhan, hitting his eye. Liu Zhan fell, and they beheaded him. Liu Yin, Xu Feng, and others all died in battle. Jia Yinlin was from Huazhou. Yang Huiyuan and others defeated Wang Heng at Huainan. Wang Heng led his army eastward in flight, reached Changshu, and surrendered. Sun Daifeng surrendered to Li Cangyong. Zhang Jingchao had gathered over 7,000 troops. Hearing that Liu Zhan was dead, he handed over his entire army to Zhang Falei, ordering him to attack Hangzhou, while Zhang Jingchao fled into the sea. Zhang Falei reached Hangzhou, but Li Cang attacked and defeated him. The remaining bandits were all pacified. The Pinglu army plundered heavily in Jianghuai for over ten days. During the An-Shi Rebellion, the rebel troops had not reached Jianghuai, but now the people there began to suffer devastation.
Jingnan Jiedushi Lü Yin submitted a memorial, requesting that Tanzhou, Yuezhou, Chenzhou, Shaozhou, Yongzhou, Daozhou, and Lianzhou in Jiangnan, and Fuzhou in Qianzhong, all be placed under Jingnan’s jurisdiction. The court approved his request.
Second month, the Nula and Dangxiang tribes invaded Baoji, burned Dasanguan, and advanced south into Fengzhou, killing Prefect Xiao Xinyi. They plundered heavily and then went westward. Fengxiang Jiedushi Li Ding pursued and defeated them.
Wu Chen, King Kim Heon of Silla entered the court and requested to serve as a palace guard.
Someone said, “The troops in Luoyang are all from Yan. They have been garrisoned long and want to return home. Their superiors and inferiors are at odds. If we attack them swiftly, we can break them.” The Army Supervisor of Shanzhou, Yu Chao’en, considered this true and repeatedly spoke to the Emperor. The Emperor issued an edict ordering Li Guangbi and others to advance and seize Dongdu. Li Guangbi memorialized, saying, “The rebels’ edge is still sharp; we cannot attack rashly.” Shuofang Jiedushi Pugu Huaien was brave but stubborn and self-willed. His subordinates were all elite troops from the barbarians and Han. He relied on his merits and often acted unlawfully. Guo Ziyi was magnanimous and tolerant, accommodating him, and whenever deploying troops against the enemy, he relied on him to accomplish things. Li Guangbi was severe in character, strictly applying the law without leniency. Pugu Huaien feared Li Guangbi but resented him in his heart, so he attached himself to Yu Chao’en, saying that Dongdu could be taken. Consequently, court envoys came one after another to urge Li Guangbi to send out troops. Li Guangbi had no choice but to order Zheng Chen Jiedushi Li Baoyu to guard Heyang and joined forces with Pugu Huaien to lead troops, together with Yu Chao’en and Shence Jiedushi Wei Bobo, to attack Luoyang.
Wu Yin, they deployed in formation at Mount Mang. Li Guangbi ordered them to take positions relying on strategic terrain. Pugu Huaien deployed on the plain. Li Guangbi said, “Relying on strategic terrain, we can advance or retreat. If we fight on the plain, if the battle goes badly, we will be utterly lost. Shi Siming must not be taken lightly.” He ordered a move to the strategic position, but Pugu Huaien stopped him. Shi Siming, taking advantage of their unsettled formation, advanced and pressed them. The government army suffered a great defeat, with several thousand dead, and all military supplies and equipment discarded. Li Guangbi and Pugu Huaien fled across the Yellow River and withdrew to hold Wenxi. Yu Chao’en and Wei Bobo fled back to Shanzhou. Li Baoyu also abandoned Heyang and fled. Heyang and Huaizhou both fell into rebel hands. When the court heard this, it was greatly alarmed and sent additional troops to garrison Shanzhou.
Li Kui and Lü Yin were both chancellors and were on bad terms. Lü Yin, in Jingnan, was renowned for good governance. Li Kui feared he might return to court as chancellor again, so he memorialized that setting up troops in Hunan was inappropriate and secretly sent people to Jing and Hu regions to seek out Lü Yin’s faults. Lü Yin submitted a memorial accusing Li Kui of crimes. Gui Wei, Li Kui was demoted to Chief Administrator of Yuanzhou. Hezhong Jiedushi Xiao Hua was appointed Zhongshu Shilang and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi.
Shi Siming was suspicious and cruel, fond of killing. If his subordinates slightly displeased him, he would exterminate their entire clans. No one could feel secure. Shi Chaoyi was his eldest son. He often followed Shi Siming in leading troops and was quite modest and cautious, caring for the soldiers. The officers and men mostly attached themselves to him. But he was not favored by Shi Siming, who loved his younger son Shi Chaoqing and had him guard Fanyang. Shi Siming often wanted to kill Shi Chaoyi and establish Shi Chaoqing as heir apparent. Those around him often leaked his schemes. After Shi Siming defeated Li Guangbi, he wanted to take advantage of the victory and advance westward through the pass. He sent Shi Chaoyi to lead troops as the vanguard, attacking Shancheng from the northern route, while Shi Siming followed with the main army from the southern route. Third month, Jia Wu, Shi Chaoyi’s army reached Jiangzi Ridge. Wei Bobo engaged them and defeated them. Shi Chaoyi attacked several times but was always defeated by the troops from Shanzhou. Shi Siming withdrew and stationed at Yongning. He considered Shi Chaoyi cowardly and said, “He is ultimately not enough to accomplish my great enterprise!” He wanted to execute Shi Chaoyi and the other generals according to military law. Wu Xu, he ordered Shi Chaoyi to build a three-cornered fort, intending to store military grain, and set a deadline of one day. Shi Chaoyi completed the fort but had not yet plastered it when Shi Siming arrived. He loudly rebuked him and ordered his attendants to stand on horseback and supervise the plastering, which was finished in a short while. Shi Siming then said, “When we capture Shanzhou, I will eventually kill this scoundrel.” Shi Chaoyi was anxious and fearful, not knowing what to do.
Shi Siming was at Luyi Station. He ordered his trusted officer General Cao to lead troops and serve as guards; Shi Chaoyi was staying at an inn. His generals Luo Yue and Cai Wenjing urged Shi Chaoyi, saying: "You and we are near death! Since ancient times, there have been depositions and successions. Please summon General Cao to discuss this." Shi Chaoyi bowed his head and did not answer. Luo Yue and the others said: "If you do not agree, we will now defect to the Li family, and you will not be able to save yourself." Shi Chaoyi wept and said: "You gentlemen handle this matter well—do not frighten the Sage!" Luo Yue and the others then ordered Xu Shuji's son Xu Jichang to summon General Cao. When General Cao arrived, they told him their plan; knowing that all the generals resented Shi Siming and fearing that disaster would reach himself, General Cao dared not refuse. That night, Luo Yue and others led three hundred of Shi Chaoyi's troops, clad in armor, to the station. The guards on duty found it strange but feared General Cao and did not act. Luo Yue and his men entered Shi Siming's bedchamber. It happened that Shi Siming was in the latrine. They questioned his attendants, and before they could answer, several people were killed. The attendants pointed out where he was. Hearing that something was wrong, Shi Siming climbed over the wall to the stable, saddled a horse himself, and mounted. Luo Yue's follower Zhou Zijun shot him, hitting his arm, and he fell from the horse, whereupon they captured him. Shi Siming asked: "Who is the rebel?" Luo Yue said: "Acting on orders from the Prince of Huai." Shi Siming said: "I spoke improperly this morning, so I deserve this fate. But killing me is too early—why not wait until I capture Chang'an! Now the great undertaking cannot succeed." Luo Yue and the others sent Shi Siming to Liuquan Station, imprisoned him, and returned to report to Shi Chaoyi, saying: "The matter has succeeded." Shi Chaoyi said: "You did not frighten the Sage, did you?" Luo Yue said: "No." At that time, Zhou Zhi and Xu Shuji were leading the rear army at Fuchang. Luo Yue and the others sent Xu Jichang to inform them. Zhou Zhi fell to the ground in shock. Shi Chaoyi led his army back; Zhou Zhi and Xu Shuji came to greet him. Luo Yue and the others urged Shi Chaoyi to seize Zhou Zhi and kill him. When the army reached Liuquan, Luo Yue and others, fearing that the troops' minds were not yet unified, strangled Shi Siming, wrapped his body in a felt rug, and carried him back to Luoyang on a camel.
Shi Chaoyi ascended the imperial throne and changed the reign title to Xiansheng. He secretly sent someone to Fanyang, ordering the Sanqi Changshi Zhang Tongru and others to kill Shi Chaoqing and Shi Chaoqing's mother, Lady Xin, as well as several dozen people who were not submissive to him. Their partisans attacked each other, fighting within the city for several months, killing several thousand people, before Fanyang was pacified. Shi Chaoyi appointed his general, Li Huaixian of Liucheng, as Fanyang Yin and Yanjing Liushou. At that time, for several hundred li around Luoyang, prefectures and counties were all in ruins. The Jiedushi under Shi Chaoyi were all old generals of An Lushan, equal in rank to Shi Siming. When Shi Chaoyi summoned them, most did not come; they merely maintained a loose connection and could not be made to exert their efforts.
Li Guangbi submitted a memorial, firmly requesting a demotion of his own official rank. The court issued an edict appointing him Kaifu Yitong Sansi and Shizhong, concurrently serving as Hezhong Jiedushi.
The sorcerer and Changsai Garrison Commander Zhu Rong, together with General of the Left Martial Guard Dou Rufeng and others, plotted to establish a descendant of Prince Qi Li Zhen and rebel. The Jinwu General Xing Ji reported them. Summer, fourth month, on the first day of the month (yimao), Li Zhen was deposed and made a commoner, exiled to Zhenzhou, and his partisans were all executed. Li Zhen was the son of Li Ye. On the day bingchen, the Left Sanqi Changshi Zhang Gao was demoted to Chenzhou Sihu. This was because Zhang Gao had once purchased Li Zhen's residence.
On the day jiwei, the Minister of Personnel, Pei Zunqing, was appointed Huangmen Shilang and Tong Pingzhangshi.
On the day yihai, the Qingmi Jiedushi, Shang Heng, defeated Shi Chaoyi's army, beheading over five thousand men.
On the day dingchou, the Yanyun Jiedushi, Neng Yuanhao, defeated Shi Chaoyi's army.
On the day renwu, the Zizhou Cishi, Duan Zizhang, rebelled. Duan Zizhang was fierce and had merit following the Former Emperor in Shu. The Dongchuan Jiedushi, Li Huan, submitted a memorial requesting his replacement. Duan Zizhang raised troops and attacked Li Huan in Mianzhou. On the way, he passed through Suizhou. The Cishi, Prince of Guo Li Ju, hastily welcomed him with the rites due to a subordinate commandery governor. Duan Zizhang killed him. Li Huan was defeated and fled to Chengdu. Duan Zizhang proclaimed himself Prince of Liang, changed the reign title to Huanglong, made Mianzhou Long'an Prefecture, established a full bureaucracy, and then captured Jianzhou.
Fifth month, on the day jichou, Li Guangbi entered court from Hezhong.
Earlier, Li Fuguo had plotted with Empress Zhang to move the Former Emperor to the West Palace. On this day, the Dragon Boat Festival, the mountain hermit Li Tang came to see the Emperor. The Emperor was holding his young daughter and said to Li Tang: "I miss her; do not take offense." Li Tang replied: "The Former Emperor misses Your Majesty, surely just as Your Majesty misses the princess." The Emperor shed tears, but fearing Empress Zhang, he still dared not go to the West Palace.
On the day guisi, the Dangxiang invaded Baoji. Earlier, Shi Siming had appointed his Bozhou Cishi, Linghu Zhang, as Huazheng Bian Jiedushi, leading several thousand troops to guard Huatai. Linghu Zhang secretly sent a memorial through the eunuch Yang Wanding requesting surrender and moved his garrison to Xingyuandu. Shi Siming suspected him and sent his general Xue Ji to besiege him. Linghu Zhang fought Xue Ji, heavily defeated him, and then followed Yang Wanding into court. On the day jiawu, Linghu Zhang was appointed Jiedushi of Hua, Wei, and six other prefectures.
On the day wuxu, the Pinglu Jiedushi, Hou Xiyi, attacked Shi Chaoyi's Fanyang troops and defeated them.
On the day yiwei, the Xichuan Jiedushi, Cui Guangyuan, together with the Dongchuan Jiedushi, Li Huan, jointly attacked Mianzhou. On the day gengzi, they captured it and beheaded Duan Zizhang.
Li Guangbi was reappointed as Henan Vice Marshal, Taiwei, and concurrently Shizhong, commanding overall the eight circuits' Xingying Jiedushi of Henan, Huainan East and West, Shannan East, Jingnan, Jiangnan West, and Zhejiang East and West, and sent out to garrison Linhuai.
Sixth month, on the day jiayin, the Qingmi Jiedushi, Neng Yuanhao, defeated Shi Chaoyi's general Li Yuanyu.
The Jianghuai Dudu, Li Huan, fearing punishment for losing his post, blamed the Zhexi Jiedushi, Hou Lingyi. On the day bingzi, Hou Lingyi was stripped of his name and exiled permanently to Kangzhou. Tian Shengong was granted the title Kaifu Yitong Sansi and transferred to be Xuzhou Cishi. Li Huan and Deng Jingshan were summoned back to the capital.
On the day wuyin, the Dangxiang invaded Haozhi.
Autumn, seventh month, on the first day of the month (guiwei), a solar eclipse occurred. During the height of the eclipse, large stars could be seen.
The acting Shaofu Jian, Li Cangyong, was appointed Zhexi Jiedushi Vice Commissioner.
Eighth month, on the first day of the month (guichou), the Kaifu Yitong Sansi Li Fuguo was appointed Minister of War. On the day yiwei, Li Fuguo took office. The chief ministers and courtiers all came to see him off; the imperial kitchen prepared a feast, and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices arranged music. Li Fuguo's arrogance and tyranny grew daily. He requested to be made a chief minister. The Emperor said: "With your merits, what office could you not hold? But what can be done if the court's prestige does not permit it?" Li Fuguo then hinted to the Puye Pei Mian and others to recommend him. The Emperor privately said to Xiao Hua: "Li Fuguo requests to be chief minister. If the high officials and nobles submit a memorial recommending him, I will have no choice but to give it to him." Xiao Hua went out and asked Pei Mian. Pei Mian said: "This matter has never existed. My arm can be broken, but the chief minister's position cannot be given to him!" Xiao Hua entered the palace and reported this. The Emperor was very pleased; Li Fuguo harbored a grudge.
On the day jisi, Li Guangbi went to the Henan Xingying.
On the day xinsi, the Dianzhong Jian Li Ruoyou was appointed Jiedushi of the Shuofang, Zhenxi, Beiting, Xingping, Chenzheng, and other circuits' Xingying, and also Hezhong Jiedushi, garrisoning Jiangzhou. His name was changed to Guozhen.
Ninth month, on the day jiashen, was the Tiancheng Diping Festival. The Emperor set up a prayer hall in the Three Halls, had palace women dress as Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and Northern Gate warriors dress as Vajra Warrior Kings, summoning the great officials to circle around and worship.
On the day renyin, an edict was issued renouncing the honorific title, calling the Emperor only "Emperor"; renouncing the reign title, calling the year only "First Year"; making the month of Jianzi the beginning of the year, and numbering months by the earthly branches corresponding to the season's establishment. A general amnesty was then proclaimed. The designations of the four capitals—Jingzhao, Henan, Taiyuan, Fengxiang—and the Southern Capital Jiangling were abolished. Henceforth, whenever appointing fifth-rank and above Qingwang capital officials, Lang officials, Censors, or Cishi, each was ordered to recommend one person to replace himself. The recommended person was to be examined, and based on that, the recommender's merits and demerits would be assessed.
The Jianghuai region suffered a severe famine, with cases of cannibalism occurring.
In winter, the tenth month, Cui Yuan, the overall commander of Jianghuai, temporarily appointed Li Zangyong as the prefect of Chuzhou. It happened that the commissioner for revenue and tax levies, because of the rebellion of Liu Zhan, found that the prefectures had used warehouse supplies without standards, and submitted a memorial requesting verification. At that time, troops had been hastily recruited, and many supplies had been lost; the verification was insufficient, and the various generals often sold off their family assets to compensate. Li Zangyong, fearing that disaster would reach him, once spoke with others, showing considerable regret. His personal guard Gao Gan, harboring an old grudge, sent someone to Guangling to report that Li Zangyong was plotting rebellion, and first led troops to attack him. Li Zangyong fled, but Gao Gan caught up and killed him. Cui Yuan then interrogated Li Zangyong’s officers and clerks according to the registers to verify the matter. The officers and clerks, terrified, all echoed the accusations to fabricate the crime. Only Sun Daifeng insisted that Li Zangyong had not plotted rebellion. Cui Yuan ordered him to be taken out and executed. Someone said to him, “Why do you not go along with the crowd to seek survival?” Sun Daifeng replied, “I initially followed Grand Master Liu, who came to the garrison by imperial edict, and people said I was plotting rebellion. Lord Li raised troops to eliminate Grand Master Qi, and now Lord Li is also accused of rebellion. In this way, who is not a rebel? Where is the end? I would rather die than falsely accuse another of an untrue crime.” Thus, he was executed.
In the month of Jianzi, on the renwu day, which was the first day of the month, the emperor received court congratulations, following the ritual of the New Year’s Day.
Someone reported that Honglu Qing Kang Qian was colluding with Shi Chaoyi, and the matter implicated Sinong Qing Yan Zhuang; both were imprisoned. The chief minister of the capital, Liu Yan, sent officials to guard Yan Zhuang’s residence. The emperor soon ordered Yan Zhuang’s release and summoned him for an audience. Yan Zhuang, resenting Liu Yan, then said that Liu Yan had spoken with him, often mentioning palace affairs, boasting of his merits, and resenting the emperor. On the dinghai day, Liu Yan was demoted to the post of prefect of Tongzhou, Yan Zhuang was demoted to the post of marshal of Nanjiang, and Kang Qian was executed. On the wuzi day, the censor-in-chief Yuan Zai served as the vice director of the Ministry of Revenue, acting as the commissioner for the administration of expenditures, minting coins, salt and iron, and concurrently as the commissioner for Jianghuai transport. Yuan Zai had initially served as the director of the Ministry of Revenue; he was clever and adept at memorializing. The emperor cherished his talent and entrusted him with the grain transport on the Jianghuai waterways. After a few months, he replaced Liu Yan, taking sole charge of financial and profit matters.
On the wuxu day, it was the winter solstice; on the jihai day, the emperor went to the Western Palace to pay respects to the retired emperor.
Shence Jiedushi Wei Boyu attacked Shi Chaoyi, captured Yongning, and breached the counties of Mianchi, Fuchang, and Changshui.
On the jiyou day, the emperor went to the Taiqing Palace to present offerings; on the gengxu day, he performed sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and the Yuanxian Temple. In the month of Jianchou, on the xinhai day, which was the first day of the month, he performed sacrifices at the Circular Mound and the Taiyi Altar.
Pinglu Jiedushi Hou Xiyi had been attacking each other with Fanyang for successive years; relief had been cut off, and he was also invaded by the Xi tribe. Thus, he led his entire army of over twenty thousand men to attack Li Huaxian, defeated him, and subsequently led his troops southward.
On the day jiashen of the month bingyue, the posthumous title of Reverent Virtue Crown Prince Li Cong was elevated to Fengtian Emperor, and his consort Dou was posthumously named Gongying Empress. On the day dingyou, they were buried at Qi Mausoleum. On the day jiashen, the Tibetan envoys arrived seeking peace. Li Guangbi captured Xuzhou and took Li Chun, the Yingchuan Prefect appointed by Shi Chaoyi. Shi Chaoyi’s general Shi Can came to his aid, but on the day bingwu, they fought beneath the city walls and were defeated again. On the day wushen, Pinglu Jiedushi Hou Xiyi crossed the Yellow River north of Qingzhou and joined forces with Tian Shengong and Neng Yuanhao in Yanzhou. The tax commissioner Yuan Zai believed that although the Jianghuai region had suffered war and famine, its people were still wealthier than those in other circuits. Therefore, based on household registers, he collected arrears from the previous eight years, including taxes owed by fugitive households, and estimated a large sum to levy. He appointed harsh officials as county magistrates to enforce this, disregarding whether households actually owed taxes or what their assets were. Whenever grain or cloth was found in a household, soldiers would surround the home, register all property, and take half, sometimes even eight or nine out of ten parts—this was called “baizhu” (plain confiscation). Those who resisted were threatened with severe punishment. People who had even ten hu of grain were terrified and helpless, waiting for their fate. Some gathered in the mountains and marshes as bandits, and the prefectures and counties could not control them. On the day xinhai, the first day of the month jianmaoyue, a general amnesty was proclaimed. The capital was re-established as Shangdu (), Henan Prefecture as Dongdu, Fengxiang Prefecture as Xidu, Jiangling Prefecture as Nandu, and Taiyuan Prefecture as Beidu. The Nula tribe invaded Chenggu. Earlier, when Wang Sili served as Hedong Jiedushi, he had amassed abundant supplies; beyond military provisions, he stored up to a million hu of grain and requested to transport 500,000 hu to the capital. After Wang Sili died, Guan Chongsi succeeded him, governing with laxity and trusting his attendants. Within a few months, the supplies were nearly exhausted, leaving only over 10,000 hu of spoiled grain. When the emperor heard this, he sent Deng Jingshan to replace him. Upon arrival, Deng Jingshan audited the accounts. Many officers had embezzled or concealed goods and grew fearful. A certain lieutenant committed a capital crime; the generals pleaded for his life, but Deng Jingshan refused. The lieutenant’s brother begged to die in his place, but Deng still refused. He then offered a horse to ransom the man’s life, and Deng agreed. The generals angrily said, “Are we worth less than a horse?” and on the day guichou, they rebelled and killed Deng Jingshan. The emperor believed that Deng’s poor governance caused the trouble, so he did not pursue the rebels. Instead, he sent an envoy to pacify the situation. The generals requested that Du Zhima bingshi and Daizhou Prefect Xin Yunjing be made Jiedushi. On the day jiwei, Xin Yunjing was appointed Beidu Liushou and Hedong Jiedushi. Xin Yunjing memorialized to appoint Zhang Guangsheng as Daizhou Prefect. Jiangzhou had no reserves, and the people suffered famine, making tax collection impossible. Soldiers’ grain and rewards were insufficient, and Li Guozhen, the Dudu of Shuofang and other circuits’ field armies, repeatedly reported this to the court. No reply came, and the army was filled with resentment. The sudden officer Wang Yuanzhen planned a revolt, falsely issuing an order: “Tomorrow, repair the Dudu’s residence. Each of you prepare baskets and shovels and await orders at the gate.” The soldiers angrily said, “Are we, the strong men of Shuofang, mere laborers for repairing houses?” On the day yichou, Wang Yuanzhen led his followers in revolt, burning the inner city gate. Li Guozhen fled to the prison, but Wang captured him, placed the soldiers’ grain before him, and said, “You eat this grain yet force them to labor—is this right?” Li Guozhen replied, “There was no order to repair the house. As for military grain, I reported it repeatedly but received no reply—everyone knows this.” The crowd began to withdraw. Wang Yuanzhen said, “What need is there to ask further today? If the Dudu does not die, then we will die.” He then drew his sword and killed him. The Zhenxi and Beiting field armies, stationed at Yicheng, also killed Jiedushi Lifei Yuanli and promoted the lieutenant Bai Xiaode as Jiedushi. The court granted this appointment. On the day wuchen, Huaxi Jiedushi Wang Zhongsheng fought with Shi Chaoyi’s general Xie Qinrang at Shenzhou city walls; he was captured by the rebel forces, and the Huaxi region was thrown into panic. Just then, Hou Xiyi, Tian Shengong, and Neng Yuanhao attacked Bianzhou, and Shi Chaoyi recalled Xie Qinrang’s army to relieve it. The various armies of Jiangzhou continued to loot, and the court feared they might ally with the Taiyuan rebels and collude with the bandits. A newly appointed general could not control them. On the day xinwei, Guo Ziyi was appointed Prince of Fenyang, overseeing the affairs of Shuofang, Hezhong, Beiting, and Luze field armies, and serving as Vice Marshal of Xingping and Dingguo armies. Forty thousand bolts of silk, fifty thousand lengths of cloth, and sixty thousand hu of grain were dispatched from the capital to supply the Jiangzhou army. On the day gengyin of the month jianchenyue, as Guo Ziyi was about to depart, the emperor was unwell, and his ministers could not have an audience. Guo Ziyi requested, saying, “Your old servant receives the command and will die in battle abroad. If I cannot see Your Majesty, I will die with my eyes unclosed!” The emperor summoned him into the bedchamber and said, “The affairs of Hedong are entrusted entirely to you.” Shi Chaoyi sent troops to surround Li Baoyu in Zezhou. Guo Ziyi deployed the Dingguo army to relieve him, and Shi Chaoyi’s forces withdrew. The emperor summoned Shannan East Dao Jiedushi Lai Tian to the capital. Lai Tian preferred to remain in Xiangyang, and his officers and men were also devoted to him. He thus hinted to his subordinates to submit a petition requesting his retention. When he reached Dengzhou, an order was sent for him to return to his post. Jingnan Jiedushi Lü Yin, Huaxi Jiedushi Wang Zhongsheng, and eunuchs traveling to and from the palace all said, “Lai Tian curries favor with the people; if left too long, he may become uncontrollable.” The emperor therefore carved out Shang, Jin, Jun, and Fang prefectures to form a separate observation circuit, leaving Lai Tian with only six prefectures. Around this time, Xie Qinrang besieged Wang Zhongsheng in Shenzhou for several months. Lai Tian, bearing a grudge against Wang Zhongsheng, held his troops back and did not rescue him, leading to Wang’s eventual defeat and death. The Pei, seeking to seize Lai Tian’s position, secretly memorialized that Lai Tian was stubborn and uncontrollable, requesting a surprise attack. The emperor agreed. On the day guisi, Lai Tian was appointed Jiedushi of Huaxi and sixteen prefectures of Henan, ostensibly showing favor and trust, but in reality plotting against him. Secret orders were given for Pei to replace Lai Tian as the defense commissioner of Xiang and Deng prefectures. On the day jiawu, the Nula tribe invaded Liangzhou. The observation commissioner Li Mian abandoned the city and fled. The prefect of Binzhou, a man from Hexi named Zang Xirang, was appointed Shannan West Dao Jiedushi. On the day bingshen, the Dangxiang tribe invaded Fengtian. Li Fuguo, resentful that he had not been made Chancellor, bore a grudge against Xiao Hua. On the day gengwu, the Vice Minister of Revenue Yuan Zai was appointed Jingzhao Yin. Yuan Zai went to Li Fuguo and firmly declined, and Li Fuguo understood his intent. On the day renyin, the Minister of Agriculture Tao Rui was appointed Jingzhao Yin. Li Fuguo accused Xiao Hua of monopolizing power and requested his removal as Chancellor, but the emperor refused. Li Fuguo insisted repeatedly, and the emperor finally relented, appointing Yuan Zai to replace Xiao Hua. On the day wushen, Xiao Hua was demoted to Minister of Rites, and Yuan Zai was made Tong Pingzhang Shi, still concurrently overseeing the fiscal and transport commissions. On the day gengxu, the first day of the month jiansiyue, Zezhou Prefect Li Baoyu defeated Shi Chaoyi’s forces beneath the city walls. On the day renzi, Chuzhou Prefect Cui Shen presented a memorial stating that a nun named Zhenru had, in a trance, ascended to heaven and met the Emperor of Heaven, who bestowed upon her thirteen precious jades, saying, “There is calamity in the Central Plains; use these jades to suppress it.” The ministers presented congratulations. On the day jiayin, the Retired Emperor passed away in the Shenlong Hall at the age of seventy-eight. On the day yimao, the coffin was moved to the Taiji Hall. Because the emperor was bedridden with illness, he mourned within the inner hall, while the ministers mourned in the Taiji Hall. Over four hundred foreign officials cut their faces and ears (as a sign of mourning). On the day bingchen, Miao Jinqing was ordered to act as zhongzai (chief mourner). The emperor had been ill since mid-spring. Upon hearing of the Retired Emperor’s death, he grieved deeply, and his illness worsened. He then ordered the Crown Prince to act as regent. On the day jiazi, an edict changed the reign title, reverting to the jianyin month as the first month, restoring the old order of months, and proclaiming a general amnesty. Earlier, Empress Zhang and Li Fuguo had colluded, wielding power together, but in later years, they fell out. The Inner Fushe Commander, a man from Sanyuan named Cheng Yuanzhen, allied himself with Li Fuguo. The emperor was critically ill. Empress Zhang summoned the Crown Prince and said to him, “Li Fuguo has long controlled the Imperial Guard, issuing edicts as he pleases, and forcibly moved the Retired Emperor. His crimes are great. The only ones he fears are myself and you, the Crown Prince. Now that His Majesty is gravely ill, Li Fuguo is secretly plotting rebellion with Cheng Yuanzhen. He must be killed.” The Crown Prince wept and said, “Your Majesty’s condition is critical. These two men are meritorious old ministers. If we kill them without informing him, it will surely cause a great shock, and I fear His Majesty cannot bear it.” Empress Zhang said, “Then you, the Crown Prince, should return for now, and I will consider further.” After the Crown Prince left, Empress Zhang summoned Prince Yue Li Xi and said, “The Crown Prince is kind but weak; he cannot kill the treacherous ministers. Can you do it?” Li Xi replied, “I can.” Li Xi then ordered the Inner Attendant Supervisor Duan Hengjun to select two hundred strong eunuchs and distribute armor behind the Changsheng Hall. On the day yichou, Empress Zhang issued an order in the emperor’s name to summon the Crown Prince. Cheng Yuanzhen learned of the plan and secretly informed Li Fuguo. They stationed soldiers at Lingxiao Gate to ambush the Crown Prince. When the Crown Prince arrived, they told him of the danger. The Crown Prince said, “This cannot be true. His Majesty is gravely ill and urgently summons me. How can I fear death and not go?” Cheng Yuanzhen said, “The state’s affairs are paramount; the Crown Prince must not enter.” They then sent soldiers to escort the Crown Prince to the Feilong Stable and guarded him with armed men. That night, Li Fuguo and Cheng Yuanzhen led troops to the Three Halls, arrested Prince Yue Li Xi, Duan Hengjun, and Zhu Guanghui, the Director of the Inner Palace Service, along with over a hundred others, and imprisoned them. On the Crown Prince’s orders, Empress Zhang was moved to another palace. At that time, the emperor was in the Changsheng Hall. Envoys forced Empress Zhang out of the hall and confined her along with dozens of her attendants in the rear palace; eunuchs and palace women scattered in panic. On the day dingmao, the emperor died. Li Fuguo and his followers killed Empress Zhang, Li Xi, and Prince Yan Li Xian. That same day, Li Fuguo led the Crown Prince, dressed in plain clothes, to meet the ministers at the Jiuxian Gate. They recounted the Retired Emperor’s death, knelt and wept, and began issuing regent’s orders. On the day wuchen, mourning was declared for the deceased emperor in the Liangyi Hall, and the testamentary edict was read. On the day jisi, Daizong ascended the throne. Gao Lishi, having been pardoned and returning, reached Langzhou. Hearing of the Retired Emperor’s death, he wailed bitterly, vomited blood, and died. On the day jiaxu, the emperor’s son, Fengjie Prince Li Kuo, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the realm’s armies. Li Fuguo, relying on his merits, grew even more arrogant. He openly said to the emperor, “Your Majesty need only remain in the palace; leave all external affairs to this old servant.” The emperor was inwardly displeased but, because Li Fuguo controlled the Imperial Guard, outwardly treated him with respect and courtesy. On the day yihai, Li Fuguo was addressed as Shangfu (Imperial Father) without using his name; all matters, great or small, were referred to him. Ministers coming and going from the palace had to first visit him, and Li Fuguo accepted this as natural. The Deputy Commissioner of the Inner Feilong Stable, Cheng Yuanzhen, was appointed General of the Left Jianmen Guard. Zhu Guanghui, the Director of the Inner Palace Service, along with the Inner Regular Attendant Dianting Yao, the hermit Li Tang, and over twenty others, were all exiled to Qianzhong. Earlier, Li Guozhen had governed the army harshly, and the Shuofang officers were dissatisfied, all missing Guo Ziyi. Thus, Wang Yuanzhen took the opportunity to rebel. When Guo Ziyi arrived at the army, Wang Yuanzhen considered himself meritorious. Guo Ziyi said, “You were near the enemy’s borders and killed your commanding general. If the bandits had taken advantage, there would be no Jiangzhou left. I am a Chancellor—how can I accept the personal favor of a common soldier?” In the fifth month, on the day gengchen, Wang Yuanzhen and forty of his co-conspirators were arrested and all executed. When Xin Yunjing heard of this, he also investigated and executed several dozen of those who had killed Deng Jingshan. From then on, the various garrisons of Hedong generally followed the law. On the day renwu, Li Fuguo was appointed Minister of Works and concurrently Zhongshu Ling. The Dangxiang tribe invaded Tongguan and Huayuan. On the day jiashen, Pinglu Jiedushi Hou Xiyi was appointed Jiedushi of Pinglu, Qing, Zi, and six other prefectures. From then on, the Qingzhou Jiedushi bore the title of Pinglu. On the day yiyou, Fengjie Prince Li Kuo was renamed Lu Wang. On the day gengyin, the emperor’s mother, Consort Wu, was posthumously honored as Empress Dowager. On the day renchen, the Minister of Rites Xiao Hua was demoted to the position of Xiazhou Marshal. Yuan Zai, currying favor with Li Fuguo, falsely accused him. An edict ordered that the large and small coins minted during the Qianyuan period be used at the rate of one to one, and the people began to settle down. Shi Chaoyi had besieged Songzhou for several months. The city’s food was exhausted, and it was about to fall. Prefect Li Cen was at a loss. The suicheng guoyi from Kaifeng, Liu Chang, said, “There are still several thousand jin of distiller’s yeast in the granary. Please grind it into flour for the soldiers to eat. Within twenty days, Grand Commandant Li (Guangbi) will surely come to relieve us. The southeast corner of the city is the most dangerous; I, Liu Chang, request to defend it.” Li Guangbi reached Linhuai. The generals believed Shi Chaoyi’s forces were still strong and requested a retreat south to hold Yangzhou. Li Guangbi said, “The court relies on me to decide the fate of the realm. If I retreat further, what hope has the court? Moreover, if I strike unexpectedly, how will the bandits know the size of my forces?” He then marched directly to Xuzhou and sent Yanyun Jiedushi Tian Shengong to attack Shi Chaoyi, inflicting a major defeat. Earlier, after Tian Shengong had conquered Liu Zhan, he lingered in Yangzhou without returning. The Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince Shang Heng and the Left Yulin General Yin Zhongqing clashed in Yan and Yun regions. When they heard of Li Guangbi’s arrival, they feared his reputation. Tian Shengong hurried back to Henan, and Shang Heng and Yin Zhongqing successively entered the capital. In Xuzhou, Li Guangbi handled only military affairs personally; all other matters were delegated to the Administrative Assistant Zhang Can. Zhang Can handled affairs with precision and efficiency, managing tasks as smoothly as flowing water. When generals reported matters, Li Guangbi often told them to consult Zhang Can. The generals served Zhang Can as they served Li Guangbi, and the army became disciplined, bringing peace to the eastern region. Earlier, Tian Shengong, having risen from a lieutenant to Jiedushi, kept the former Jiedushi’s Administrative Assistant Liu Wei and others in his staff. Tian Shengong accepted their kneeling obeisance without question. When he saw Li Guangbi and Zhang Can treating each other as equals, he was startled and then knelt before Liu Wei and the others, saying, “I rose from the ranks and am ignorant of etiquette. Why did none of you tell me, causing me to err?” On the day dingyou, a general amnesty was proclaimed. The emperor’s sons, Yichang Prince Li Miao was made Zheng Wang, Li Yan was made Qing Wang, and Li Jiong was made Han Wang. Lai Tian, upon hearing of his transfer to Huaxi, was greatly alarmed and memorialized, saying, “Huaxi has no grain; please allow me to wait until after the wheat harvest before departing.” He also hinted to his officers to retain him. The emperor, wanting to avoid conflict, reappointed Lai Tian as Shannan East Dao Jiedushi on the day renyin. The Deputy Feilong Commissioner Cheng Yuanzhen plotted to seize Li Fuguo’s power. He secretly advised the emperor to restrict Li Fuguo slightly. In the sixth month, on the day jiwei, Li Fuguo was relieved of his posts as Director of the Army and Minister of War, while retaining his other titles. Cheng Yuanzhen was appointed as acting Deputy Director of the Army, and Li Fuguo was ordered to move out of the palace to a private residence. People on the roads congratulated each other. Li Fuguo became afraid and memorialized requesting retirement. On the day xinyou, Li Fuguo was relieved of his concurrent post as Zhongshu Ling and enfeoffed as Prince of Bowang. When Li Fuguo entered the palace to thank the emperor, he sobbed and said, “This old servant can no longer serve the young master. Allow me to go below and serve the former emperor!” The emperor comforted him and sent him away. On the day renxu, the Vice Minister of War Yan Wu was appointed Xichuan Jiedushi. The Xiang-Deng Defense Commissioner Pei, stationed at Gucheng, received the secret edict and immediately led his two thousand troops along the Han River toward Xiangyang. On the day jisi, he arrayed his forces north of the Gushui River. Lai Tian led his troops to meet him and asked why he had come. Pei replied, “The Shangshu (Lai Tian) did not accept the court’s command, so I have come. If you accept the replacement, I will naturally withdraw.” Lai Tian said, “I have already received imperial favor and been allowed to remain here. What replacement is there?” He then produced the edict and appointment document to show him. Pei was shocked and confused. Lai Tian, together with Vice Commissioner Xue Nanyang, launched a pincer attack, heavily defeating Pei. They pursued him to Shenkou, captured him, and sent him to the capital, where he was executed. On the day yihai, the Tongzhou Prefect Liu Yan was appointed Vice Minister of Revenue and Jingzhao Yin, concurrently serving as Commissioner of Fiscal, Transport, Salt and Iron, and Minting. In autumn, the seventh month, on the day renchen, Guo Ziyi was appointed as the overall commander of the Shuofang, Hedong, Beiting, Lu, Yi, Ze, Qin, Chen, and Zheng field armies, as well as Vice Marshal of the Xingping and other armies. On the day guisi, the Jiannan Army Commander Xu Zhidao rebelled, sending troops to block the strategic passes and obstruct Yan Wu, who could not advance. In the eighth month, Guizhou Prefect Xing Ji campaigned against the western mountain bandit leader Wu Gongcao and pacified him. On the day jiwei, Xu Zhidao was killed by his lieutenant Li Zhongyong, and Jiannan was completely pacified. On the day yichou, Shannan East Dao Jiedushi Lai Tian entered the capital to apologize for his actions. The emperor treated him generously. On the day jisi, Guo Ziyi returned from Hedong to the capital. At that time, Cheng Yuanzhen was in power and, jealous of Guo Ziyi’s high merit and heavy responsibility, repeatedly slandered him before the emperor. Guo Ziyi, feeling uneasy, memorialized requesting to be relieved of his posts as Vice Marshal and Jiedushi. The emperor comforted him, and Guo Ziyi remained in the capital. The Taizhou bandit leader Yuan Chao captured several Zhejiang prefectures, adopting the reign title Baosheng. The people, exhausted by taxes, mostly joined him. Li Guangbi sent troops to attack Yuan Chao at Quzhou and defeated him. On the day yihai, Lu Wang Li Kuo was renamed Yong Wang. In the ninth month, on the day gengchen, Lai Tian was appointed Minister of War, Tong Pingzhang Shi, and acting Shannan East Dao Jiedushi. On the day yiwei, Cheng Yuanzhen was promoted to General of the Chariots and Cavalry and concurrently Director of the Inner Palace Service. The Left Puye Pei Mian served as the Imperial Mausoleum Commissioner. When there was a disagreement with Cheng Yuanzhen over some discussion, on the day bingshen, Pei Mian was demoted to Shizhou Prefect. The emperor sent the Inner Commissioner Liu Qingtan as an envoy to the Uyghurs to renew friendly relations and to request troops for the campaign against Shi Chaoyi. When Liu Qingtan reached the Uyghur court, the Uyghur Dengli Khagan had already been seduced by Shi Chaoyi, who said, “The Tang have suffered successive great funerals. Now the Central Plains have no ruler. The Khagan should come quickly to plunder their treasury.” The Khagan believed this. Liu Qingtan presented the imperial edict, saying, “Though the former emperor has abandoned the world, the present emperor has succeeded to the throne. He is the former Guangping Wang, who together with Yeghe recaptured the two capitals.” The Uyghurs had already raised troops and reached Sancheng. Seeing that the prefectures and counties were in ruins, they developed a contempt for the Tang and humiliated Liu Qingtan. Liu Qingtan sent a messenger to report the situation, adding, “The Uyghurs have mobilized their entire nation—one hundred thousand troops—and are coming!” The capital was greatly alarmed. The emperor sent the Palace Attendant Yao Ziang to go to the south of Xinzhou to comfort the Uyghur army. Earlier, the Bijiagu Khagan had sought a marriage for Dengli. Suzong married off a daughter of Pugu Huai’en to him, making her the Dengli Khatun. The Khagan requested to meet Pugu Huai’en, who was then in Fenzhou. The emperor ordered him to go see the Khagan. Pugu Huai’en spoke to the Khagan of the Tang’s virtue and trustworthiness, which should not be betrayed. The Khagan was pleased and sent an envoy with a memorial, requesting to assist the court in attacking Shi Chaoyi. The Khagan wanted to enter through the Puguan Pass, pass through Shayuan, and exit eastward through Tongguan. Yao Ziang advised him, saying, “The Guanzhong region has suffered repeated wars and famines. The prefectures and counties are desolate and cannot supply provisions—I fear the Khagan will be disappointed. The rebel forces are all in Luoyang. Please exit through the Tumen Pass, capture Xing, Ming, Huai, and Wei prefectures, then march south to obtain resources there to replenish your equipment.” The Khagan refused. Yao Ziang then requested, “Please descend south through the Taihang Mountains and occupy Heyang, cutting off the rebels’ throat.” Again, the Khagan refused. Finally, Yao Ziang requested, “Please cross the Yellow River at the Dayang Ford in Shanzhou, eat from the Taiyuan Granary, and advance together with the various circuits’ armies.” This was agreed to. Yuan Chao captured Xinzhou. In winter, the tenth month, Yuan Chao captured Wenzhou and Mingzhou. Yong Wang Li Kuo was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the realm’s armies. On the day xinyou, he departed. The censor-in-chief Yao Ziang and Wei Ju were appointed Left and Right Wing Army Commissioners, the Secretariat Drafter Wei Shaohua was made Administrative Assistant, and the Advisor to the Crown Prince Li Jin was made Marching Army Commander. They assembled at Shanzhou with the various circuits’ Jiedushi and the Uyghur army to march against Shi Chaoyi. The emperor wanted to appoint Guo Ziyi as Li Kuo’s deputy, but Cheng Yuanzhen and Yu Chao’en prevented this. The Shuofang Jiedushi Pugu Huai’en was appointed Tong Pingzhang Shi and concurrently Jiangzhou Prefect, commanding the various armies’ field headquarters as Li Kuo’s deputy. While the emperor was still the Crown Prince, he had resented Li Fuguo’s arrogance. After ascending the throne, because Li Fuguo had the merit of killing Empress Zhang, he did not want to execute him openly. On the night of the day renxu, bandits entered Li Fuguo’s residence, stole his head and one arm, and left. The emperor ordered the relevant authorities to pursue the bandits and sent a eunuch to comfort his family. A wooden head was carved for burial, and he was posthumously promoted to Grand Tutor. On the day bingyin, the emperor ordered Pugu Huai’en, along with his mother and wife, to proceed to the field headquarters. Yong Wang Li Kuo arrived at Shanzhou. The Uyghur Khagan was encamped on the north bank of the Yellow River. Li Kuo, along with his staff and several dozen cavalry, went to see him. The Khagan reproached Li Kuo for not performing the kneeling ceremony. Yao Ziang replied that according to ritual, this was not proper. The Uyghur general Chebei said, “The Tang Emperor and the Khagan have sworn brotherhood. The Khagan is an uncle to the Yong Wang—how can he not kneel and dance?” Yao Ziang said, “The Yong Wang is the Emperor’s eldest son and is now the Commander-in-Chief. Where is the principle of the Central Plains’ heir apparent kneeling and dancing before a foreign Khagan? Moreover, both former emperors are still in their mourning period—dancing is not appropriate.” They argued for a long time. Chebei then had Yao Ziang, Wei Ju, Wei Shaohua, and Li Jin each beaten one hundred strokes. Because Li Kuo was young and inexperienced, he was sent back to his camp. Wei Ju and Wei Shaohua died the following night. On the day wuchen, the various armies departed from Shanzhou. Pugu Huai’en and the Uyghur Left General were the vanguard. Shaanxi Jiedushi Guo Yingyi and the Shence Army Supervisor Yu Chao’en were the rearguard, advancing from Mianchi. Luze Jiedushi Li Baoyu advanced from Heyang. Henan and other circuits’ Vice Marshal Li Guangbi advanced from Chenliu. Yong Wang remained in Shanzhou. On the day xinwei, Pugu Huai’en’s army reached Tonggui. Shi Chaoyi, hearing that the imperial army was approaching, consulted with his generals. Ashina Chengqing said, “If the Tang only bring Han troops, we should commit all our forces to battle. If they come together with the Uyghurs, their edge is irresistible. We should retreat to Heyang to avoid them.” Shi Chaoyi did not listen. On the day renshen, the imperial army reached the northern outskirts of Luoyang and sent troops to capture Huaizhou. On the day guisi, Huaizhou was taken. On the day yihai, the imperial army arrayed at Hengshui. The rebel forces, numbering tens of thousands, set up stockades for defense. Pugu Huai’en arrayed his troops at Xiyuan to confront them. He sent elite cavalry and Uyghur troops to circle around through the southern mountains to the northeast of the stockades. Attacking from both inside and out, they heavily defeated the rebels. Shi Chaoyi led all his elite troops, one hundred thousand, to rescue them, arraying at Zhaojue Temple. The imperial army attacked fiercely, inflicting many casualties, but the rebel lines did not move. Yu Chao’en sent five hundred archers to fight fiercely. Though many rebels died, the formation remained intact. The Zhenxi Jiedushi Ma Lin said, “The situation is critical!” He then charged alone on horseback, seized two of the rebels’ shields, and plunged into the midst of ten thousand men. The rebels scattered left and right, and the main army took advantage, routing them. The battle continued to Shiliuyuan and Laojun Temple, where the rebels were again defeated. Men and horses trampled each other, filling Shangshu Valley. Sixty thousand heads were taken, and twenty thousand men were captured. Shi Chaoyi fled east with several hundred light cavalry. Pugu Huai’en advanced and captured Dongdu (Luoyang) and Heyang City, capturing the rebel Zhongshu Ling Xu Shuji and Wang Zhou, who were later released by edict. Pugu Huai’en left the Uyghur Khagan encamped at Heyang and sent his son, the Right Wing Army Commander Pugu Yang, along with the Shuofang Army Commander Gao Fucheng, leading over ten thousand infantry and cavalry, to pursue Shi Chaoyi. They reached Zhengzhou, winning two battles. Shi Chaoyi reached Bianzhou, but his Chenliu Jiedushi Zhang Xiancheng closed the city gates and refused him entry. Shi Chaoyi fled to Puzhou. Zhang Xiancheng then opened the gates and surrendered. The Uyghur army entered Dongdu and engaged in massive slaughter and looting, with tens of thousands dead. Fires burned for days without stopping. The Shuofang and Shence armies, also considering Dongdu, Zheng, Bian, and Ru prefectures as rebel territory, looted wherever they passed, stopping only after three months. Every household was stripped clean, and the gentry and commoners wore paper clothing. The Uyghurs stored all their plundered treasures at Heyang, leaving a general, An Ke, to guard them. In the eleventh month, on the day dingchou, a victory bulletin () reached the capital. Shi Chaoyi crossed the Yellow River north from Puzhou. Pugu Huai’en attacked and captured Huazhou, pursued and defeated Shi Chaoyi at Weizhou. Shi Chaoyi’s Suiyang Jiedushi Tian Chengsi and others led over forty thousand troops to join Shi Chaoyi and resist again. Pugu Yang defeated them, driving straight east to the east of Changle. Shi Chaoyi led the Weizhou troops to fight, was defeated again, and fled. Thereupon, Yejun Jiedushi Xue Song surrendered Xiang, Wei, Ming, and Xing prefectures to Chen-Zheng and Luze Jiedushi Li Baoyu. Hengyang Jiedushi Zhang Zhongzhi surrendered Heng, Zhao, Shen, Ding, and Yi prefectures to Hedong Jiedushi Xin Yunjing. Xue Song was the son of Xue Chuyu. Li Baoyu and others had already entered their camps, reorganized their troops, and replaced Xue Song and others. Not long after, Pugu Huai’en had them all restored to their original posts. Therefore, Li Baoyu and Xin Yunjing suspected Pugu Huai’en of harboring ulterior motives and each submitted memorials to this effect. The court secretly made preparations. Pugu Huai’en also submitted a memorial defending himself, and the emperor comforted and encouraged him. On the day xinsi, an edict proclaimed: “Those in Dongdu, Henan, and Hebei who accepted rebel offices are all pardoned without inquiry.” On the day jichou, the Vice Minister of Revenue Liu Yan was concurrently appointed Commissioner of Water and Land Transport for Henan Circuit. On the day dingyou, Zhang Zhongzhi was appointed Chengde Jun Jiedushi, commanding Heng, Zhao, Shen, Ding, and Yi prefectures. He was granted the imperial surname Li and given the personal name Baochen. Earlier, when Xin Yunjing led his troops out of Jingxing, the Changshan lieutenant Wang Wujun advised Li Baochen, saying, “The Hedong troops are elite. Coming from afar to fight, they are formidable. Moreover, we are outnumbered and in the wrong; fighting will lead to defeat, and defending will lead to collapse. You should consider carefully.” Li Baochen therefore dismantled his defenses and surrendered with the five prefectures. When he was reappointed Jiedushi, he considered Wang Wujun’s advice wise and promoted him to Vanguard Commander. Wang Wujun was originally a Khitan, his original name Yan Nuogan. Guo Ziyi, believing that Pugu Huai’en had the merit of pacifying Hebei, requested that the post of Vice Marshal be yielded to him. On the day jihai, Pugu Huai’en was appointed Vice Marshal of Hebei, concurrently Left Puye, Zhongshu Ling, Chanyu, Grand Protector of Zhenbei, and Shuofang Jiedushi. Shi Chaoyi fled to Beizhou, where he joined forces with two of his generals, Xue Zhongyi and others. Pugu Yang pursued him to Linqing. Shi Chaoyi led thirty thousand troops from Hengshui and turned back to attack. Pugu Yang ambushed and repelled him. The Uyghur army arrived, and the imperial forces’ momentum grew stronger. They pursued and fought a great battle southeast of Xiapo. The rebels were heavily defeated, their corpses blocking the river as they floated downstream. Shi Chaoyi fled to Mozhou. Pugu Huai’en’s commander of the capital army, Xue Jianxun, and the army commander Hao Tingyu, together with Tian Shengong and Xin Yunjing, gathered at Xiapo and advanced to besiege Shi Chaoyi at Mozhou. The Qing-Zi Jiedushi Hou Xiyi arrived subsequently. In the twelfth month, on the day gengshen, the Grand Progenitor (Taizu) began to be jointly sacrificed to Heaven and Earth. Daizong Ruiwen Xiaowu Huangdi, upper section.
In the spring, in the first month, on the day of Jimao (the fifth day), the posthumous title of Empress Dowager Wu was conferred, and she was honored as Empress Zhangjing. On the day of Guiwei (the ninth day), the Director of the National Academy, Liu Yan, was appointed Minister of Personnel and Tongping Zhangshi, while his duties as Commissioner of Expenditure remained unchanged. Initially, when Lai Tian was in Xiangyang, Cheng Yuanzhen had made certain requests, but Lai Tian did not comply. Later, when Lai Tian became Chancellor, Cheng Yuanzhen falsely accused him of speaking disrespectfully. Wang Zhongsheng, who had been among the rebels and survived by submitting, returned after the rebellion was pacified. Being on good terms with Cheng Yuanzhen, he reported that Lai Tian had conspired with the rebels, leading to Wang Zhongsheng’s capture. On the day of Renyin (the twenty-eighth day), Lai Tian was stripped of his official rank and title, exiled to Bozhou, and on the way, he was ordered to commit suicide. From then on, the military governors of various regions harbored deep hatred for Cheng Yuanzhen.
Shi Chaoyi engaged in battle multiple times but was repeatedly defeated. Tian Chengsi advised Shi Chaoyi to go personally to Youzhou to muster troops and rescue Mozhou, while Tian Chengsi requested to remain and defend Mozhou. Shi Chaoyi followed his advice, selected five thousand elite cavalry, and broke out through the northern gate. After Shi Chaoyi left, Tian Chengsi promptly surrendered the city, handing over Shi Chaoyi’s mother, wife, and son to the government forces. Thereupon, Pu Gu Yang, Hou Xiyi, Xue Jianxun, and others led thirty thousand troops in pursuit of Shi Chaoyi, catching up with him at Guiyi. They engaged in battle, and Shi Chaoyi was defeated and fled.
At that time, Shi Chaoyi’s Fanyang military governor, Li Huaixian, had already requested to surrender through the eunuch envoy Luo Fengxian, and sent the Military Commissioner Li Baozhong to lead three thousand troops to guard Fanyang County. When Shi Chaoyi arrived at Fanyang, he could not enter the city. As the government forces were about to arrive, Shi Chaoyi sent a messenger to explain to Li Baozhong that the main army was still in Mozhou and he had come with light cavalry to summon reinforcements, reproaching him for disregarding the bond between ruler and subject. Li Baozhong replied, “Heaven does not favor the state of Yan; the Great Tang has revived. Now that we have already submitted to the Tang, how can we vacillate again? Are you not ashamed before the three armies? A great man is ashamed of deceitful schemes against each other. I hope you will soon decide whether to stay or leave to ensure your own safety. Moreover, Tian Chengsi must have already rebelled; otherwise, how could the government forces have arrived here?” Shi Chaoyi, greatly frightened, said, “I have not eaten since morning; can you not give me a meal?” Li Baozhong then ordered food to be set out east of the city. Thereupon, all the Fanyang men under Shi Chaoyi’s command bowed to him and took their leave. Shi Chaoyi could only weep, and alone with a few hundred Hu cavalry, he ate and then departed. He fled east to Guangyang, but Guangyang did not admit him. He tried to go north into the lands of the Xi and Khitan, but when he reached the Warm Spring Stockade, Li Huaixian’s troops caught up with him. Finding no way out, Shi Chaoyi hanged himself in a forest. Li Huaixian cut off his head and presented it to the court. Pu Gu Huai’en and the various armies all returned.
On the day of Jiachen (the thirtieth day), Shi Chaoyi’s head was delivered to the capital.
In the intercalary month, on the night of the day of Jiyou (the exact day uncertain), fifteen Uighurs broke into the Hanguang Gate and rushed into the Court of State Ceremonial, but the gate officials did not dare to stop them.
On the day of Guihai (the exact day uncertain), Shi Chaoyi’s surrendered general Xue Song was appointed Military Governor of the six prefectures of Xiang, Wei, Xing, Ming, Bei, and Ci; Tian Chengsi was appointed Military Commissioner of Defense for the five prefectures of Wei, Bo, De, Cang, and Ying; Li Huaixian remained in place as Military Governor of Youzhou and Lulong. At that time, all the prefectures of Hebei had surrendered. Xue Song and others welcomed Pu Gu Huai’en, knelt before his horse, and requested to serve in his army. Pu Gu Huai’en also feared that after the rebellion was pacified, his favored position would decline, so he requested to retain Xue Song and the others, along with Li Baochen, to govern Hebei separately as his partisans and support. The court, weary of warfare and hoping for peace, accordingly granted them these offices.
The Uighur Dengli Khagan returned to his country. His troops plundered extensively wherever they passed, and if provisions were not to their satisfaction, they killed people without restraint. Li Baoyu, the Military Governor of Chenzheng and Zelu, wanted to send officials to arrange lodging and meals along the way, but all the officials declined out of fear. Only Ma Sui, the Magistrate of Zhaocheng County, volunteered to go. When the Uighurs were about to arrive, Ma Sui first sent someone to bribe their leader, stipulating that there must be no violence or plunder. The leader gave him a banner, saying, “If anyone violates the order, you may execute them yourself.” Ma Sui found condemned prisoners to serve as attendants, and at the slightest violation, he immediately beheaded them. The Uighurs looked at each other in astonishment, and all who passed through his jurisdiction respectfully complied with the regulations. Li Baoyu was amazed, and Ma Sui took the opportunity to advise him, saying, “I have spoken with the Uighurs and understand their true situation well. Pu Gu Huai’en, relying on his merits, is arrogant and haughty. His son, Pu Gu Yang, is brave but reckless. Now, by establishing four military governors within the court and allying with the Uighurs without, he surely harbors ambitions to spy on Hedong and Zelu. We should strengthen our defenses.” Li Baoyu agreed that he was right.
Initially, a man from Chang’an named Liang Chongyi, serving as a Yulin archer on horseback, followed Lai Tian to guard Xiangyang, and was repeatedly promoted to Right Military Commissioner. Liang Chongyi was strong and brave, able to bend iron and straighten iron hooks. He was steady, taciturn, and deeply won the hearts of the troops. When Lai Tian entered the court, he ordered the various generals to garrison separate prefectures. After Lai Tian’s death, the garrisoned soldiers all fled back to Xiangyang. The Marching Army Commander, Pang Chong, led two thousand troops to Henan. When he reached Ruzhou and heard that Lai Tian had died, he turned back to attack Xiangzhou. The Left Military Commissioner, Li Zhao, resisted him, and Pang Chong fled to Fangzhou. Liang Chongyi returned from Dengzhou with garrison troops, and together with Li Zhao and the Vice Commissioner Xue Nanyang, they deferred to each other as the leader for a long time without resolution. Everyone said, “The army cannot be led without Sir Liang.” So they elevated Liang Chongyi as commander. Soon after, Liang Chongyi killed Li Zhao and Xue Nanyang and reported the matter to the court, which was powerless to punish him. In the third month, on the day of Jiachen (the first day), Liang Chongyi was appointed Prefect of Xiangzhou and Acting Military Governor of Shannan East Circuit. Liang Chongyi requested to rebury Lai Tian and establish a shrine for him, and he himself did not reside in Lai Tian’s office or main hall.
On the day of Xinyou (the eighteenth day), the Great Sage Daoist and Great Filial Emperor was buried in the Tailing Mausoleum, with the temple name Xuanzong. On the day of Gengwu (the twenty-seventh day), the Civilized Military Virtuous Great Sage and Great Filial Emperor was buried in the Qiaoling Mausoleum, with the temple name Suzong.
In the summer, in the fourth month, on the day of Gengchen (the seventh day), Li Guangbi reported the capture of Yuan Chao, and all of Zhedong was pacified. At that time, Yuan Chao had gathered nearly two hundred thousand followers, moving to attack prefectures and counties. Li Guangbi sent his subordinate General Zhang Boyi to suppress them. Zhang Boyi was from Weizhou.
Guo Ziyi repeatedly submitted memorials, saying, “The Tubo and Dangxiang cannot be ignored; we should prepare early.” On the day of Xinchou (the twenty-eighth day), the court dispatched Li Zhifang, concurrently Censor-in-Chief, and others as envoys to Tubo, but they were detained by Tubo and only returned after two years.
The assembled ministers three times presented petitions requesting the establishment of the Crown Prince. In the fifth month, on the day of Guimao (the first day), an edict was issued allowing the matter to be discussed after the autumn harvest.
On the day of Dingmao (the twenty-fifth day), an edict was issued to divide the prefectures of Hebei: You, Mo, Gui, Tan, Ping, and Ji prefectures were assigned to Youzhou; Heng, Ding, Zhao, Shen, and Yi prefectures were assigned to Chengde Army; Xiang, Bei, Xing, and Ming prefectures were assigned to Xiangzhou; Wei, Bo, and De prefectures were assigned to Weizhou; Cang, Di, Ji, and Ying prefectures were assigned to Qingzi; Huai, Wei, and Heyang were assigned to Zelu.
In the sixth month, on the Guiyou day (the first day of the month), Yang Wan, the Vice Minister of Rites from Huayin, submitted a memorial, stating: "In ancient times, when selecting scholars, importance was placed on conduct and practical ability; in recent times, only literary elegance is revered. Since Emperor Yang of Sui established the jinshi examination, it only tested policy essays. By the time of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Liu Sili, the Examining Officer of the Merit Evaluation Bureau, first petitioned to add poetry and fu to the jinshi examination and the memorization of classics to the mingjing examination. From then on, accumulated abuses spread, forming a custom. Court officials treat scholars based on this, and elders at home instruct their children accordingly. For the mingjing examination, they only recite memorized texts in hopes of luck. Moreover, candidates submit their own documents to apply for the examination. If we wish to restore simplicity and advocate integrity and modesty, how is this possible! I request an order for county magistrates to examine candidates for filial piety and incorruptibility, selecting those whose conduct is renowned in their hometowns and whose learning is versed in the classics, then recommending them to the prefectures. The prefectural governors will examine them and then report them to the Department of State Affairs. Allow them to choose one classic each to be tested on. The court should select Confucian scholars to examine them on twenty passages of the classics and three policy questions. Those of the highest grade will be appointed to office, those of the middle grade will be granted candidacy status, and those of the lower grade will be dismissed. Furthermore, the Daoist examination is also unnecessary for governance; I hope it can be abolished along with the mingjing and jinshi examinations." The emperor ordered the various departments to deliberate together. The Supervising Secretary Li Qiyun, the Left Vice Director Jia Zhi, and the Metropolitan Governor Yan Wu all agreed with Yang Wan. Jia Zhi's opinion stated: "Now, testing scholars by memorizing characters is considered proficiency, and evaluating writers by tonal defects is considered correctness. The decline of customs truly requires reform. However, since the Eastern Jin, many people have lived as migrants in other places. Among scholars residing in their native lands, there are fewer than one or two in a hundred. I request that schools be widely established simultaneously: protect those with ancestral homes through village recommendations, and promote migrants through school recommendations." An imperial edict ordered the Ministry of Rites to detail the items and report them. Yang Wan also requested the establishment of the Five Classics Xiucai examination.
On the Gengyin day (the eighteenth day), Tian Chengsi, the Defense Commissioner of Weibo, was appointed as the Military Commissioner. Tian Chengsi conducted a census within his jurisdiction, registering all able-bodied men as soldiers, leaving only the old and weak to cultivate crops. Within a few years, he amassed an army of one hundred thousand. He also selected the bravest and strongest among them, ten thousand in number, as his personal guards, called the "Tooth Soldiers." Li Huairang, the Military Commissioner of Tonghua, was falsely accused by Cheng Yuanzhen and, in fear, committed suicide.