Tang Annals 52
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 236
[Tang Records, Chapter 52] From the year chongguang dahuangluo to the year zhanmeng zuoe, five years in total.
Spring, first month, day jianyin: Han Quanyi arrived at Chang’an. Dou Wenchang covered up the traces of his defeat, and the emperor treated him with great courtesy. Quanyi claimed he had a foot ailment and could not attend court, sending his adjutant Cui Fang to respond to the audience. Cui Fang took the blame on Quanyi's behalf and apologized for failing to achieve merit. The emperor said: "Quanyi served as the pacification commissioner. He was able to induce Shaocheng to surrender; his merit is already great. Why must he kill people to be considered meritorious?" Intercalary month, day jiaxu: Quanyi returned to Xiazhou. After Wei Shizong entered Qianzhou, he indiscriminately killed generals and officials, causing great turmoil among the people. Shizong became fearful. In the third month, he fled. Summer, fourth month, day xinhai: The court appointed the Right Remonstrance Advisor Pei Ji as the Qianzhou Surveillance Commissioner.
Fifth month, day renxu (first day of the month): A solar eclipse occurred.
Yang Chaosheng, the military governor of Shuofang, Binzhou, Ningzhou, and Qingzhou, was defending against autumn floods in Ningzhou. On day yiyou, he died.
Previously, Hun Zhen had sent the Military Commissioner Li Chaocai to lead troops to guard Dingping. After Hun Zhen died, Chaocai requested that his troops be placed under the Shence Army. The emperor issued an edict granting this.
When Yang Chaosheng was gravely ill, he summoned his subordinates and said: "I will certainly not recover. When Shuofang appoints a commander, they often choose from within the army itself. Although this satisfies the feelings of the troops, it is not in accord with the proper state system. The prefect of Ningzhou, Liu Nanjin, is familiar with military affairs. He should be made acting adjutant, temporarily in charge of military matters. When the court selects a commander, there will surely be no worries." He also wrote a personal letter to the eunuch overseer Liu Yingqian, who reported it to the court. The soldiers privately discussed among themselves: "If the court appoints a commander, we will accept him. If they appoint Lord Liu, we will serve him. If they appoint a commander from another army, he will surely bring his own troops, and we will be cast aside. We must refuse him."
On day jichou, the emperor sent a palace emissary to observe the military situation. The majority of the army favored Liu Nanjin. On day xinmao, the emperor again sent the senior eunuch Xue Yingzhen with an edict to Ningzhou. Sixth month, day jiawu: Yingzhen arrived at the army and read the edict: "The troops that Chaocai led were originally from the Shuofang Army. Now they are to be merged to strengthen the army's power and awe the barbarians. I appoint Li Chaocai as military governor and Nanjin as vice-governor. What do the troops think of this?" All the generals accepted the edict.
On day bingshen, the Commander of the Capital Guard Shi Jing said to the crowd: "Lord Li has ordered the collection of bows and swords and the delivery of two thousand sets of armor." The soldiers all said: "Lord Li wants to make his two thousand men his confidants. Can our wives and children survive?" That night, they went to Liu Nanjin, wishing to honor him as their commander. Nanjin said: "A military governorship is certainly what I desire, but without the Son of Heaven's command, it is unacceptable. Are there no other generals in the army?" The crowd said: "Bows and swords have all been confiscated by the authorities. Only the military arsenal still has weapons. We want to use them to accomplish this." Nanjin said: "If you do not want Chaocai as commander, you should tell the truth to the imperial emissary. If you take up arms, that is resisting the imperial edict." He ordered the gates closed and refused to admit them. The soldiers left and went to the Military Commissioner Gao Gu. Gao Gu fled and hid, but was searched out. Gao Gu said: "If you can obey my orders, it can be done." The crowd said: "We will obey." Gao Gu said: "Do not kill anyone. Do not plunder gold, silver, or goods." The crowd said: "Good." They then went together to the eunuch overseer and requested a memorial to the throne. The crowd said: "Lord Liu has already received the court's intention to be vice-governor. He will surely obstruct our affairs." They pretended to have the overseer's order, summoned him for consultation, and when he arrived, killed him. On day wuxu, the emperor ordered the appointment of Li Chaocai as the military governor of Binning. That same day, news of the rebellion in Ningzhou reached the court. The emperor recalled the commission document and again sent Xue Yingzhen to investigate the military situation. On day renyin, Yingzhen arrived at the army. The army requested that Gao Gu be put in charge. Yingzhen then, by imperial decree, ordered Gao Gu to manage military affairs. Some spread the rumor that the commission document of day wuxu had arrived at Binzhou, and the Binzhou army was confused, not knowing whom to obey. Evil men took advantage to cause unrest. The acting commissioner Meng Zizhou concentrated all the elite troops in the government headquarters, feasted the soldiers daily, and internally used this to please the troops, externally to intimidate the evil faction. There was no rebellion in the Binzhou army; this was Zizhou's plan.
After Li Qi took control of the nation's financial resources and profits, he used tribute to secure the emperor's favor and gifts to ingratiate himself with the powerful. Relying on these, he became arrogant and unrestrained, showing no caution, and embezzling government property. His subordinate officials were killed without cause in an unbroken succession. A commoner from Zhexi, Cui Shanzhen, submitted a sealed memorial to the court, discussing the abuses of the palace markets, tribute offerings, and the salt and iron monopoly, and also spoke of Li Qi's illegal activities. The emperor, upon reading it, was displeased and ordered him to be placed in chains and delivered to Li Qi. Li Qi, hearing that he was about to arrive, first dug a pit along the road. On day jihai, Shanzhen arrived and was thrown into the pit together with his chains and cangue, and buried alive. People far and near, upon hearing this, trembled with fear. Li Qi also planned for his own security by expanding his army. He selected men with talent, strength, and archery skills, calling them "Wanqiang," and mixed groups of Hu and Xi people, calling them "Fanluo," rewarding them ten times more than ordinary soldiers. The transport judge Lu Tan repeatedly remonstrated, but Li Qi did not change. Lu Tan and staff member Li Yue and others all left him. Li Yue was the son of Li Mian.
On day jiyou, Gao Gu was appointed military governor of Binning. Gao Gu was an old general, known for his leniency and ability to win people's hearts. The previous military governor had been wary of him and placed him in a sinecure position, where his colleagues often slighted and insulted him. When he was raised to the command, he did not retaliate at all, and so the army became stable.
On day dingsi, the military governor of Chengde, Wang Wujun, died.
Autumn, seventh month, day wuyin: The Tibetans invaded Yanzhou.
On day xinsi, Wang Shizhen, the vice military governor of Chengde, was appointed military governor.
On day jichou, the Tibetans captured Linzhou, killed the prefect Guo Feng, razed the city walls, plundered the inhabitants and the Dangxiang tribes, and then left. Guo Feng was the son of Guo Yao. The monk Yansu was taken captive. Among the Tibetan generals was one named Xu Sheren, who said to Yansu: "I am the fifth-generation descendant of the Duke of Ying (Xu Shiji). During the time of Empress Wu, my great-grandfather rebelled but did not succeed, and his descendants were exiled to foreign lands. Although we have held official positions and military commands for generations, our longing for our roots has never ceased. However, our clan is too large, and we have no way to free ourselves. Now I will release you." So he let him go.
The emperor sent an envoy with an edict ordering Wei Gao to lead a deep incursion into Tibet to disperse their forces and alleviate the troubles on the northern border. Wei Gao sent generals leading 20,000 troops, divided into nine routes, to attack the Tibetan prefectures of Wei, Bao, and Song, as well as the cities of Xiji and Laoweng.
The military governor of Hedong, Zheng Dan, died suddenly, leaving no time for final instructions. The army was in turmoil, and a change of command was imminent. In the middle of the night, a dozen riders with weapons summoned the chief secretary Linghu Chu to the military gate. The generals surrounded him and ordered him to draft a posthumous memorial. Linghu Chu, amidst drawn blades, took up his brush and wrote it immediately. Linghu Chu was a clansman of Linghu Defen. Eighth month, day wuwu: Yan Shou, the army adjutant of Hedong, was appointed military governor.
Ninth month: Wei Gao reported a great victory over the Tibetans in Yazhou.
The Left Shence Army Chief Eunuch Dou Wenchang retired and was replaced by his deputy Yang Zhilian.
Wei Gao repeatedly defeated the Tibetans, fighting across a thousand li, capturing seven cities and five military towns in total, burning 150 forts, beheading over 10,000 men, capturing 6,000, and receiving the submission of 3,000 households. He then besieged Weizhou and Kunming City. Winter, tenth month, day gengzi: Wei Gao was granted the additional titles of Minister of Works and Acting Chief of the Chancellery, and was enfeoffed as the Prince of Nankang. The King of Nanzhao, Yimouxun, captured and plundered even more. The emperor sent a palace emissary to comfort and reward him.
On day wuwu, the prefect of Yanzhou, Du Yanxian, abandoned his city and fled to Qingzhou.
Spring, first month: The king of Piao, Jimoluosina, sent his son Xilijiyi to court with tribute. Piao is 6,800 li southwest of Nanzhao. Hearing of Nanzhao's submission to the court, it admired this. Through Nanzhao, it entered the court and audience, and presented its music.
Tubo sent its great minister and concurrently eastern five-circuit military governor, Lunmang Re, with 100,000 troops to relieve the siege of Wei Prefecture. The Xichuan army occupied strategic points, set up ambushes, and waited. When the Tubo army arrived, Xichuan sent out a thousand men to challenge them; the Tubo forces pursued with their full strength. The ambush sprang, the Tubo army was heavily defeated, and Lunmang Re was captured alive, with more than half of his soldiers dead. Wei Prefecture and Kunming ultimately were not taken, and the Xichuan army returned with their troops. On the day Yihai, Wei Gao sent an envoy to present Lunmang Re; the emperor pardoned him.
The observer-inspector of Zhedong, Pei Su, had already advanced in office through tributes. His administrative assistant, Qi Zong, took charge of the rear affairs and surpassed him in exploiting the people to curry favor. In the third month, on the day Guiyou, an edict promoted Qi Zong to be prefect of Quzhou. The Palace Censor-in-Chief, Xu Mengrong of Chang'an, sealed and returned the edict, saying: "Quzhou has no other troubles, and Qi Zong has no special merit. Suddenly jumping to such an excessive reward deeply shocks public sentiment. If Qi Zong must have something worthy of record, I hope his achievements and merits will be clearly stated, then he may be promoted beyond the normal order to dispel the people's doubts." The edict was thus kept in the palace. On the day Jihai, the emperor summoned Xu Mengrong and comforted and commended him.
In autumn, the seventh month, on the day Xinwei, Advisor to the Jia Prince's Mansion, Gao Hongben, presented a matter at the main court session, personally pleading about his debts. On the day Yihai, an edict was issued: "From now on, let no high officials or nobles present matters at the main court session. If there is anything to be stated or reported, they should go to the Yanying Gate to request a face-to-face audience." Those who discussed this considered: "The main court session, unchanged since the Wude era, was meant to connect the various opinions and discuss governance. Hongben was ignorant; demoting him would be acceptable, but the practice should not be abandoned because of one man."
The military governor of Huainan, Du You, repeatedly submitted memorials requesting a replacement. In winter, the tenth month, on the day Dinghai, the Minister of Justice, Wang E, was appointed as vice military governor of Huainan and concurrently commander of the marching army.
On the day Jiyou, the military governor of Fufang, Wang Qiyao, died. The central army general, He Chaozong, plotted rebellion and set fires at night. The commander of the capital guard, Pei Bin, hid and did not come out to extinguish the fire. At dawn, he captured Chaozong and killed him. The prefect of Tongzhou, Liu Gongji, was appointed military governor of Fufang, and Pei Bin was made commander of the marching army.
In spring, the second month, on the day Dinghai, the Anhuang Army was named the Fengyi Army.
On the day Jihai, the adjutant of Annan, Wang Jiyuan, expelled its observer-inspector, Pei Tai, who fled to Zhuyuan. The next day, the left commander of the cavalry, Zhao Yun, beheaded Jiyuan and his accomplices, welcomed Pei Tai, and restored him to his post.
On the day Jiachen, Du You entered the court. On the day Renzi of the third month, Du You was appointed as Minister of Works with the honorary title of Jianxiao, and as Grand Councilor with the title Tongping Zhangshi; Wang E was appointed military governor of Huainan.
The Grand Herald, Wang Quan, requested that the spirit tablets of the two ancestors, Xianzu and Yizu, be moved to the Deming and Xingsheng temples, and that during the Di and Xia sacrifices, the founding ancestor, Taizu, should occupy the east-facing seat of honor. The emperor followed this.
On the day Yihai, the Minister of Agriculture, Li Shi, was concurrently appointed as mayor of the capital. Li Shi was harsh in his governance, but the emperor favored and trusted him. Relying on imperial favor, Li Shi became arrogant and unrestrained. When he promised to recommend someone, he would appoint them out of order, and when he falsely accused and drove people away, it all happened as scheduled. The scholar-officials feared him and dared not look him straight in the eye.
In summer, the fourth month, the military governor of Jingyuan, Liu Chang, memorialized requesting that the seat of Yuan Prefecture be moved to Pingliang. The emperor followed this.
On the day Yihai, Tubo sent their minister, Lun Jiala, to present tribute.
On the day Xinmao of the sixth month, the vice director of the Right Divine Strategy Army, Sun Rongyi, was appointed as its director. Both he and Yang Zhilian were arrogant, overbearing, and accepted bribes. Many people attached themselves to them, and the power of the eunuchs became even greater.
On the day Renchen, the Right Dragon Wu General-in-Chief, Xue Pi, was sent as an envoy to Tubo.
The military governor of Chenxu, Shangguan Dui, died. His son-in-law, Tian Cheng, tried to coerce Shangguan Dui's son into taking over the military and political power. The adjutant, Wang Pei, also Shangguan Dui's son-in-law, learned of Tian Cheng's plot and informed the army supervisor, Fan Riyong. They attacked and captured Tian Cheng. On the day Yiwei, the commander of the Chenxu marching army, Liu Changyi, was appointed military governor. Wang Pei was a man of Xuzhou.
From the first month, there was no rain, lasting until the autumn of the seventh month.
On the day Jiwei, the Vice Director of the Chancellery and Grand Councilor with the title Tongping Zhangshi, Qi Kang, was dismissed due to illness and made a Guest of the Heir Apparent.
Initially, the Hanlin academician-in-waiting, Wang Pi, was skilled in calligraphy, and Wang Shuwen of Shanyin was skilled in chess. The two often went in and out of the Eastern Palace, attending and serving the Heir Apparent. Wang Pi was a man of Hangzhou. Wang Shuwen was cunning, treacherous, and full of schemes. He claimed to have read books and understood the way of governance, and would often take the opportunity to speak to the Heir Apparent about the hardships of the people. The Heir Apparent once discussed the matter of the palace markets with the various tutors and Wang Shuwen, saying: "I was just thinking of doing my utmost to speak about it." Everyone praised this, but only Wang Shuwen remained silent. After they withdrew, the Heir Apparent kept Wang Shuwen alone and said to him: "Just now you alone remained silent—did you have any thoughts?" Wang Shuwen said: "Shuwen, having received the Heir Apparent's favor, has some insights. How dare I not report them? The Heir Apparent's duty is to attend to meals and ask after health; he should not discuss external affairs. His Majesty has been on the throne for a long time. If he suspects the Heir Apparent of buying the people's hearts, how will you defend yourself?" The Heir Apparent was greatly startled, then wept and said: "Without you, sir, I could not understand this principle." From then on, he greatly favored and trusted Wang Shuwen, who became mutually dependent with Wang Pi. Taking the opportunity, Wang Shuwen said to the Heir Apparent: "So-and-so can be made a minister, so-and-so can be made a general—I hope you will employ them in the future." He secretly formed friendships with the Hanlin academician, Wei Zhiyi, and with court officials of the time who had reputations and sought rapid promotion, such as Lu Chun, Lü Wen, Li Jingjian, Han Ye, Han Tai, Chen Jian, Liu Zongyuan, and Liu Yuxi, forming a bond of life and death. And Ling Zhun, Cheng Yi, and others were introduced through their faction, spending time with them daily in secret meetings, their movements and traces mysterious, with no one knowing the details. Among the circuit governors, some secretly presented money and goods to form connections with them. Lu Chun was a man of Wu, who had served as Left Vice Director of the Bureau of Appointments; Lü Wen was the son of Lü Wei, then serving as Left Reminder; Li Jingjian was the grandson of Li Ru, a successful candidate in the imperial examinations; Han Ye was a nephew of Han Huang's clan; Chen Jian had served as an imperial censor; Liu Zongyuan and Liu Yuxi were then serving as investigating censors.
The Left Rectifier, Zhang Zhengyi, submitted a memorial and was summoned by the emperor. Zhang Zhengyi was on close and friendly terms with the Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, Wang Zhongshu, and the Secretary of the Bureau of Receptions, Liu Bochu, among others. The faction of Wang Shuwen suspected Zhang Zhengyi of speaking about their secret affairs, so they had Wei Zhiyi falsely accuse Zhang Zhengyi and the others before the emperor, saying they formed cliques and indulged in unrestrained feasting. On the day Jiayin of the ninth month, Zhang Zhengyi and the others were all therefore banished to distant places, and people did not know the reason. Liu Bochu was the son of Liu Nai. The administrative assistant of the Yanxia circuit, Cui Wenxian, temporarily acted as prefect of Yanzhou, dealing with affairs harshly. In winter, in the intercalary tenth month, on the day Gengxu, the subordinate general, Li Tingjun, revolted, killed Cui Wenxian, and cut him into pieces to eat. The commander of the Left Divine Strategy Army, Li Xinggan, was garrisoning Yanzhou; he killed Li Tingjun and reported it to the court.
On the day Dingsi, the Vice Director of the Chancellery and Grand Councilor with the title Tongping Zhangshi, Cui Sun, died.
On the day Wuyin of the eleventh month, Li Xinggan was appointed prefect of Yanzhou and was permitted to memorialize directly to the court. From then on, Yanzhou was no longer subordinate to Xiazhou.
On the day Gengshen of the twelfth month, the Grand Court Minister, Gao Ying, was appointed Vice Director of the Secretariat, and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Zheng Juyu, was appointed Vice Director of the Chancellery, both with the title Tongping Zhangshi. Zheng Juyu was a cousin of Zheng Yuqing.
In the early years of the Jianzhong era, an edict was issued that for prisoners detained by the various commissioners in the capital and by the prefectural and county authorities, the imperial censors should inspect them at the end of each quarter, and any cases of injustice or excessive punishment should be reported. In recent years, the Northern Army merely sent official documents. The Investigating Censor, Cui Chí, was strict and perceptive in dealing with his subordinates. His subordinates wanted to frame him and led him into the Right Divine Strategy Army. The army commander and those below were very frightened and reported the matter in detail. The emperor was enraged, had Cui Chí beaten forty strokes, and exiled him to Yazhou.
The mayor of the capital, Prince of the Dao Lineage Li Shi, extorted wealth vigorously to present tributes, saying to the emperor: "Although there has been a drought this year, the grain seedlings are growing well." Therefore, the taxes were never reduced. The people were so poor that they tore down their houses, sold the tiles and timber, and even the wheat seedlings to pay the official taxes. The court entertainer, Cheng Fuduan, composed a song to mock him. Li Shi memorialized that Cheng Fuduan was slandering the government, and had him beaten to death.
The Investigating Censor, Han Yu, submitted a memorial, stating: "The people of the capital district are extremely poor. For the taxes and money, as well as the hay and grain, that cannot be collected this year, I request that they be deferred until next year's harvest of silk and wheat." Han Yu was therefore found guilty and demoted to be the magistrate of Yangshan.
In the spring, in the first month, on the bingxu day, Li Jinglüe, the Military Governor of the Tian De Army for Defense and Pacification and Prefect of Feng Prefecture, passed away. Previously, Li Jinglüe had hosted a banquet for his staff, and the wine server mistakenly presented vinegar. Ren Dijian, the Administrative Assistant from Jingzhao, fearing that the wine server would be punished because of Li Jinglüe’s strict nature, forced himself to drink it, and after returning home, he vomited blood. When the soldiers heard of this, they all wept. By the time Li Jinglüe died, the soldiers said the Administrative Assistant was a benevolent man and wished to support him as their commander. The Eunuch Supervisor carried him into another room, but the soldiers broke the lock and took him out. The Eunuch Supervisor reported this to the court, and an edict was issued appointing Ren Dijian to replace Li Jinglüe.
The Tufan Tsanpu died, and his younger brother succeeded him.
In summer, in the fourth month, on the bingyin day, the Chen Xu Army was renamed the Zhongwu Army.
The General of the Left Gold Guard, Li Shengyun, led the Imperial Guard to garrison Xianyang. He fell ill, and his son Li Zhengyi, along with Yu hou Shangguan Wang and others, plotted to imitate the Shandong, having the officers submit a petition requesting that Li Zhengyi act in his father’s stead. In the sixth month, on the renzi day, Li Shengyun died. On the jiayin day, an edict was issued posthumously stripping Li Shengyun of his official titles and confiscating his property.
Li Changrong, the Military Governor of Zhaoyi Circuit, died. The emperor sent an imperial eunuch with a personal edict to the circuit’s senior generals, stating that whomever the soldiers favored would be appointed Military Governor. At that time, the senior general Lai Xihao was trusted by the. The imperial eunuch prepared to present the edict to him. Lai Xihao said to the crowd, “For the selection of a leader for this army, it should be I, Lai Xihao, but I cannot serve as Military Governor. If the court sends a bundle of straw, I, Lai Xihao, will still serve it respectfully.” The imperial eunuch said, “I have received the sacred decree in person; it only allows this army to select a senior general to receive the token of command. The court will not appoint anyone else.” Lai Xihao firmly declined. Lu Congshi, the Military Commissioner, ranked fourth, had secretly colluded with the Eunuch Supervisor. He stepped forward and said, “If Lai Dafu is unwilling to accept the edict, I, Lu Congshi, request to temporarily manage this army.” The Eunuch Supervisor said, “If Lu Zhongchen does this, it certainly accords with the sacred will.” The imperial eunuch then took the edict from his bosom and handed it to him. Lu Congshi received the edict, bowed twice, and performed a dance of thanks. Lai Xihao hastily turned back, waved his hand to signal his colleagues, faced north, and offered congratulations. All the soldiers gathered, and no one spoke a word. In autumn, in the eighth month, on the jisi day, an edict was issued appointing Lu Congshi as Military Governor.
In the ninth month, the Heir Apparent first contracted a wind ailment and could not speak.
Shunzong, the Emperor of Supreme Virtue, Great Dao, Great Sage, and Great Peace
In the spring, in the first month, on the xinwei day, which was the first day of the month, the various princes and relatives entered the palace to congratulate Dezong. The Heir Apparent alone could not come due to illness. Dezong wept and sighed in sorrow, and as a result, he fell ill, growing worse day by day. For over twenty days, there was no communication within or outside the palace, and no one knew whether Dezong and the Heir Apparent were safe. On the guisi day, Dezong passed away. The academicians Zheng Yin and Wei Cigong were hastily summoned to the Jinluan Hall to draft the posthumous edict. Among the eunuchs, someone said, “In the palace, it has not yet been decided who should be established.” The crowd dared not answer. Wei Cigong quickly said, “Although the Heir Apparent is ill, he holds the position of the eldest legitimate son, and both court and populace look to him. If truly unavoidable, we should establish the Prince of Guangling. If not, there will certainly be great chaos.” Zheng Yin and others followed suit in agreement, and the decision was made. Wei Cigong was a man from Hedong. The Heir Apparent, knowing that people’s hearts were filled with worry and suspicion, wore purple clothes and hemp shoes, forced himself out of the Nine Immortals Gate despite his illness, and summoned the various army commissioners, which somewhat calmed people’s minds. On the jiawu day, the posthumous edict was proclaimed in the Xuanzheng Hall. The Heir Apparent, in mourning garments, received the hundred officials. On the bingshen day, he ascended the throne in the Taiji Hall. The guards still doubted him, standing on tiptoe and stretching their necks to look at him, saying, “It truly is the Heir Apparent!” Then they wept with joy.
At that time, Shunzong had lost his voice and could not make decisions on government affairs. He constantly resided in the palace behind drawn curtains, with only the eunuch Li Zhongyan and the Consort Niu attending to him. When the hundred officials presented matters, approval was given through the curtains. Since Dezong’s critical illness, Wang Pi had first entered the palace, falsely claiming an edict to summon Wang Shuwen, who sat in the Hanlin Academy and decided government affairs. Wang Pi conveyed Wang Shuwen’s intentions to Li Zhongyan, falsely claiming edicts for their issuance, and initially no one outside knew of this. Du You was appointed to act as Chief Minister. In the second month, on the guimao day, the emperor first received the hundred officials in audience at the Zichen Gate.
On the jiyou day, Zhang Maozhao, the Military Governor of Yiwu Circuit, was granted the title of Tong Pingzhangshi.
On the xinhai day, Wei Zhiyi, the Director of the Ministry of Personnel, was appointed as Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and Tong Pingzhangshi. Wang Shuwen wished to monopolize state power. He first recommended Wei Zhiyi as Chancellor, while he himself held power within the palace, coordinating with him.
On the renzi day, Li Shigu sent troops to station on the western border to threaten Hua Prefecture. At that time, the envoy announcing the mourning had not yet reached the various circuits. Among the Yicheng staff officers, someone returned from Chang’an with the posthumous edict. Li Yuansu, the Military Governor, because Li Shigu was a neighboring circuit, wished to show there was no rift, so he sent an envoy secretly to show him the edict. Li Shigu wanted to take advantage of the national mourning to encroach on neighboring territory, so he gathered his officers and said, “The Sacred Lord is in good health, yet Li Yuansu suddenly transmits an edict of mourning; this is rebellion, and he should be attacked.” He then caned Li Yuansu’s envoy, stationed troops in Cao Prefecture, and requested passage through Bian Prefecture. Han Hong, the Military Governor of Xuanwu Circuit, sent a man to say to him, “Can you cross my territory to act as a bandit? I have means to deal with you; do not speak empty words!” Li Yuansu reported the emergency, and Han Hong sent a man to say to him, “I am here; you can rest assured, do not be afraid.” Someone reported, “The enemy has already cleared thorns and leveled the roads; the army is about to arrive. Please make preparations.” Han Hong said, “If the army comes, there is no need to repair roads.” He did not respond to this. Li Shigu’s deceptive schemes were exhausted and his plans exposed, and upon hearing that the emperor had ascended the throne, he withdrew his troops. Li Yuansu submitted a memorial requesting self-demotion. The court pacified and mediated both sides. Li Yuansu was a younger cousin of Li Mi.
Wu Shaocheng gave leather materials for boots to Li Shigu, and Li Shigu supplied salt to Wu Shaocheng, secretly transporting them through Xuanwu territory. The matter was discovered, and Han Hong seized and stored them in his treasury, saying, “According to the law, these cannot be privately exchanged as gifts.” Li Shigu and others all feared Han Hong.
On the xinyou day, the emperor issued an edict listing the crimes of the Metropolitan Governor, Prince Dao Li Shi, for cruelly extorting the common people, and demoted him to Chief of Tong Prefecture. The people in the markets rejoiced, all hiding tiles and stones in their sleeves and blocking the road, waiting for him to pass. Li Shi escaped by taking a small path and thus avoided capture. On the renxu day, Wang Pi, the Director of the Palace Secretariat, was appointed Left Vice Director of the Secretariat, still concurrently serving as Hanlin Academician-in-Waiting, and Wang Shuwen, the Secretary of Suzhou, was appointed as Secretariat Drafter and Hanlin Academician. Wang Pi had a coarse appearance and spoke with a Wu accent; the emperor was very intimate with him. Wang Shuwen, however, considered himself capable and somewhat understood literary principles, enjoying discussing government affairs. The emperor therefore respected him somewhat more, but he could not enter and leave the palace with the same freedom as Wang Pi. Wang Shuwen entered the Hanlin Academy, while Wang Pi entered the Shilin Academy, discussing matters with Li Zhongyan and Consort Niu. In general, Wang Shuwen relied on Wang Pi, Wang Pi relied on Li Zhongyan, and Li Zhongyan relied on Consort Niu, forming a collusion. Every matter was first sent to the Hanlin Academy for Wang Shuwen to decide on its feasibility, then announced to the Secretariat, where Wei Zhiyi carried it out. Among their external party were Han Tai, Liu Zongyuan, Liu Yuxi, and others, responsible for gathering and investigating external affairs. They plotted and discussed, singing in unison, busily day and night as if mad, praising each other as Yi Yin, the Duke of Zhou, Guan Zhong, and Zhuge Liang, arrogantly self-satisfied, thinking no one else existed in the world. The promotions and demotions of officials were decided in haste, following their whims, without adhering to regulations. The scholar-officials all feared them, exchanging glances on the road. Those who had previously associated with them were successively promoted, sometimes several people being appointed in a single day. Among their party, someone would say, “So-and-so can hold such an office,” and within a day or two, that person would have already received the position. Consequently, the gates of Wang Shuwen and his party of over ten families were thronged with carriages and horses day and night, like a marketplace. Guests waiting to visit Wang Shuwen and Wang Pi even stayed overnight in the cake shops and wine shops of their wards, paying a thousand cash each to be allowed to remain. Wang Pi was particularly base, specializing in accepting bribes. He made a large chest to store gold, silver, and silk, and he and his wife slept on top of it.
On the day Jiazi, the emperor ascended the Danfeng Gate and issued a general amnesty. All overdue taxes and levies were completely remitted, and all regular tributes beyond the standard were halted. The harmful policies of the late Zhenyuan era, such as the Palace Market and the Five Workshops boys, were all abolished. Previously, the Five Workshops boys, who set nets to catch birds and sparrows among the people, were tyrannical and seized money and goods from others. Some even set nets at people’s doorways, forbidding entry or exit, or placed nets over wells to prevent people from drawing water. If anyone approached, they would say, “You have startled the imperial birds!” and then beat that person severely until they offered money and goods to beg for forgiveness, only then leaving. Sometimes they gathered in taverns and restaurants, eating and drinking until drunk and full, then left without paying. If the proprietor, unaware, asked for payment, they were often beaten and cursed. Occasionally, they left a bag of snakes as a pledge, saying, “These snakes are for catching birds. Now I leave them with you; take good care of them and do not let them starve or thirst.” The proprietor, ashamed and apologetic, would beg, and only then would they take the snakes and leave. The emperor, while in the Eastern Palace, knew of all these abuses, so upon ascending the throne, he first prohibited them.
On the day Yichou, the monthly tribute of “monthly advance money” from the Salt and Iron Commissioner was abolished. Previously, the Salt and Iron Commissioner presented surplus tax revenue each month, while regular fiscal income diminished. At this time, this practice was stopped.
In the third month, on the day Xinwei, Wang Pi was appointed as a Hanlin Academician.
In the late years of Emperor Dezong, there had been no general amnesty for ten years. Officials who were exiled for minor offenses were never recalled. At this time, they were finally allowed to be transferred and promoted based on circumstances. On the day Renshen, orders were issued to recall to the capital the Prefect of Zhongzhou, Lu Zhi; the Prefect of Chenzhou, Zheng Yuqing; the Prefect of Hangzhou, Han Gao; and the Prefect of Daozhou, Yang Cheng. When Lu Zhi was in power, he had demoted the Vice Director of the Bureau of Appointments, Li Jifu, to be the Chief of Mingzhou, and later transferred him to be the Prefect of Zhongzhou. Lu Zhi’s brothers and students worried about this, but when Li Jifu arrived at his post, he treated Lu Zhi with the courtesy due to a former chief minister, showing great pleasure. At first, Lu Zhi felt ashamed and fearful, but later they became close friends. Li Jifu was the son of Li Qiyun. Wei Gao, in Chengdu, repeatedly submitted memorials requesting that Lu Zhi replace him. Both Lu Zhi and Yang Cheng died before the recall orders reached them.
On the day Bingxu, Du You was additionally appointed as Commissioner of Finances and Salt and Iron Transport Commissioner for all circuits. Li Qi, the Surveillance Commissioner of Zhexi, was appointed as the Military Commissioner of Zhenhai, and his position as Salt and Iron Transport Commissioner was removed. Although Li Qi lost control of fiscal power, he received the ceremonial banner of a military commissioner, so his rebellious plans were not set in motion.
On the day Wuzi, the army of Xuzhou was named the Wuning Army, and Zhang Yin was appointed as its Military Commissioner.
Wu Shaocheng, the Military Commissioner of Zhangyi Circuit, was additionally appointed as a Grand Councilor.
Wang Shuwen was appointed as the Deputy Commissioner of Finances and Salt and Iron Transport. Previously, Wang Shuwen and his partisans had plotted, believing that if they controlled the nation’s fiscal power, they could make friends with those in authority, win over the army’s loyalty, and consolidate their own power. Yet they feared that suddenly seizing great power would cause public resentment. Since Du You had a reputation for financial expertise and was content with self-preservation, he was easy to control. Thus, they first had Du You nominally in charge, while Wang Shuwen was made the deputy to wield actual authority. Although Wang Shuwen managed both the Finance and Salt and Iron Commissions, he paid no attention to accounts or documents, spending day and night in secret conversations with his partisans, away from others, so that no one could fathom their plans. Wu Yuanheng, the Censor-in-Chief, was appointed as a Left Deputy Chief. In the late Dezong era, many of Wang Shuwen’s partisans served as censors, and Wu Yuanheng despised their conduct, treating them rudely. When Wu Yuanheng served as the Commissioner for the Imperial Mausoleum, Liu Yuxi requested to be a judge, but Wu Yuanheng refused. Wang Shuwen, because Wu Yuanheng was in the Censorate, wanted him to submit, sending partisans to tempt him with power and profit, but Wu Yuanheng refused, and thus was demoted. Wu Yuanheng was the grandson of Wu Pingyi. Attendant Censor Dou Qun submitted a memorial stating that Liu Yuxi, the Vice Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Lands, harbored treachery and disturbed court affairs, and was unfit to remain at court. He also once visited Wang Shuwen, and bowing, said, “There are matters that are unpredictable.” Wang Shuwen asked, “What do you mean?” Dou Qun replied, “Last year, Li Shi relied on imperial favor and was overwhelmingly powerful. You, at that time, lingered by the roadside, merely a minor official from Jiangnan. Now, suddenly you occupy his position—how do you know there is no one like you by the roadside?” Wang Shuwen’s partisans wanted to expel Dou Qun, but Wei Zhiyi, because Dou Qun had a reputation for uprightness and integrity, stopped them.
The emperor had been ill for a long time without recovery. Sometimes he was supported to the throne, but the officials could only gaze from afar, unable to present memorials in person. Both within and outside the court, there was fear and urgency, and many wanted to establish the heir apparent as soon as possible. However, Wang Shuwen’s partisans, wanting to monopolize power, detested hearing about establishing the heir. The eunuchs Ju Wenzhen, Liu Guangqi, Xue Yingzhen, and others, all old hands appointed in previous reigns, hated that Wang Shuwen, Li Zhongyan, and others were forming cliques and acting arbitrarily. They thus memorialized the emperor to summon the Hanlin Academicians Zheng Yin, Wei Cigong, Li Cheng, and Wang Ya into the Golden Bells Hall to draft an edict establishing the heir apparent. At the time, Consort Niu and others considered the Prince of Guangling, Li Chun, to be intelligent and wise, and they disliked him. Zheng Yin, without further consultation, wrote on paper the words “Establish the eldest son of the principal wife” and presented it to the emperor, who nodded in agreement. On the day Guisi, Li Chun was established as the heir apparent and his name was changed to Li Chun. Li Cheng was a fifth-generation descendant of Li Shenfu.
Jia Dan, disgusted that Wang Shuwen’s partisans were in power, feigned illness and did not go out, repeatedly requesting retirement. On the day Dingyou, the various chief ministers were having a collective meal in the Secretariat. According to precedent, while the chief ministers were dining, no official dared to visit. Wang Shuwen went to the Secretariat, wanting to discuss matters with Wei Zhiyi, and ordered the duty official to announce him. The duty official told him the precedent, but Wang Shuwen became angry and berated the duty official. The duty official, frightened, entered to report. Wei Zhiyi hesitated, embarrassed, and blushed, but eventually rose to welcome Wang Shuwen, leading him into his private chamber for a long discussion. Du You, Gao Ying, and Zheng Xunyu all put down their chopsticks to wait. Someone came to report, saying, “Wang Shuwen has ordered food, and Chancellor Wei is already dining with him in his chamber.” Du You and Gao Ying knew this was improper but feared Wang Shuwen and Wei Zhiyi, so they dared not speak. Only Zheng Xunyu sighed and said, “How can I continue in this position?” He looked around, called for his horse, and went straight home, never again coming out to serve. The three chief ministers—Du You, Gao Ying, and Zheng Xunyu—were all men of great renown in the empire. One after another, they returned home on the pretext of illness. Wang Shuwen, Wei Zhiyi, and their partisans became even more unrestrained, and both far and near, people were greatly terrified.
In the summer, the fourth month, on the day Renyin, the emperor’s younger brothers were established: Li E as Prince of Qin, and Li Cheng as Prince of Zhen. His sons were established: Li Jing as Prince of Tan, Li Wei as Prince of Jun, Li Zong as Prince of Xu, Li Shu as Prince of Ju, Li Chou as Prince of Mi, Li Zong as Prince of Xun, Li Yue as Prince of Shao, Li Jie as Prince of Song, Li Xiang as Prince of Ji, Li Siqiu as Prince of Ji, Li Qi as Prince of He, Li Xuan as Prince of Heng, Li Sixun as Prince of Hui, Li Wan as Prince of Fu, Li Hong as Prince of Fu, Li Gun as Prince of Yue, Li Shen as Prince of Yuan, Li Lun as Prince of Gui, and Li Yu as Prince of Yi.
On the yisi day, the emperor ascended the Xuanzheng Hall and formally installed the crown prince. When the hundred officials saw the crown prince’s bearing, they withdrew from court and congratulated one another; some were even moved to tears. Both within and outside the court, there was great joy. Only Wang Shuwen wore a worried expression. He dared not speak aloud, but merely recited a line from Du Fu’s poem on Zhuge Liang’s shrine: “Before the expedition succeeded, his body was cut down; forever this makes heroes weep into their robes.” Those who heard it sneered at him. Prior to this, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, Du Huangshang, had been disliked by Pei Yanling and was kept stagnant in the Censorate and the Chancellery, not receiving promotion for ten years. Only when his son-in-law, Wei Zhiyi, became chief minister was he promoted to Grand Master of Ceremonies. Du Huangshang urged Wei Zhiyi to lead the hundred officials in requesting the crown prince to act as regent. Wei Zhiyi said in astonishment, “Your Lordship has just obtained an office, so how can you at once speak of matters within the palace?” Du Huangshang flew into a rage and said, “I, Du Huangshang, have received the favor of three reigns. How could I be bought by a single office!” He shook his sleeves, rose, and left. On the wushen day, the Supervising Secretary Lu Chun was appointed as the crown prince’s tutor and renamed Lu Zhi. Wei Zhiyi, believing he held sole power, feared the crown prince might be displeased, so he used Lu Zhi as a tutor to secretly observe the crown prince’s intentions and to plead his own case. When Lu Zhi spoke, the crown prince angrily said, “His Majesty has ordered you, sir, to explain the classics to me—why do you meddle in other matters?” Lu Zhi withdrew in terror.
In the fifth month, on the xinwei day, the Right Jinwu General Fan Xichao was appointed as the Military Commissioner of the Left and Right Shence Armies and the Various Towns and Camps West of the Capital. On the jiaxu day, the Director of the Bureau of Revenue, Han Tai, was appointed as his marching army adjutant. Wang Shuwen knew he was hated by everyone in the court and outside, and he wanted to seize military power from the eunuchs to strengthen himself. He used Fan Xichao, who was an old general, to hold the nominal command, while actually letting Han Tai take exclusive charge of affairs. People could not fathom what they were trying to do and became even more suspicious and fearful.
On the xinmao day, Wang Shuwen was appointed Vice Director of the Revenue Bureau, still concurrently serving as Vice Commissioner of the Salt and Iron Monopoly and the Finance Commission. Ju Wenzhen and others hated his monopolization of power and stripped him of his post as Hanlin Academician. When Wang Shuwen saw the edict, he was greatly startled and said to others, “I come here every day to discuss state affairs. If I do not hold the Hanlin post, I have no reason to enter.” Wang Pi immediately submitted a petition on his behalf, but the emperor did not grant it. He submitted another petition, and only then was he permitted to enter the Hanlin Academy once every three to five days, but his academician title was removed. Wang Shuwen began to feel fear.
In the sixth month, on the jihai day, the Xuanshe Circuit Inspector Yang Shie was demoted to be the Marshal of Ninghua County in Tingzhou. Yang Shie had come to Chang’an on official business and, encountering Wang Shuwen in power, openly criticized his faults. When Wang Shuwen heard this, he was furious and wanted to issue an edict to have him killed, but Wei Zhiyi disagreed. He then ordered him to be beaten to death with a club, and again Wei Zhiyi thought it unacceptable, so he was merely demoted. From then on, Wang Shuwen began to hate Wei Zhiyi deeply, and those who moved between their two gates were all terrified. Earlier, Liu Pi, acting as the deputy commander of the Jiannan Circuit, had come on behalf of Wei Gao to see Wang Shuwen, requesting command of the three circuits of Jiannan. He said to Wang Shuwen, “The Grand Protector sent me to express his sincerity to you. If you give me the three circuits, I will surely serve you to the death; if not, I will also have something to repay.” Wang Shuwen was enraged and also wanted to kill him, but Wei Zhiyi firmly thought it unacceptable. Liu Pi was still wandering in Chang’an and had not left. When he heard that Yang Shie had been demoted, he fled back. Wei Zhiyi had originally been promoted and used by Wang Shuwen, and he deeply relied on him. But after reaching high office, he wanted to cover up this past, and under pressure from public opinion, he often showed differences of opinion. He always sent someone to apologize to Wang Shuwen, saying, “I dare not violate the agreement; I only want to accomplish your elder brother’s affairs in a roundabout way!” Wang Shuwen angrily scolded him and did not believe him, and thus the two became enemies.
On the guichou day, Wei Gao submitted a memorial, stating: “Your Majesty, because of grief and mourning that have harmed your body, and toil over the many affairs of state, has long been unable to recover. I request that you temporarily allow the crown prince to personally handle court affairs, and when Your Majesty recovers, let him return to the Eastern Palace. I concurrently hold the posts of general and chief minister, and what I now state is precisely my duty.” He also submitted a letter to the crown prince, stating: “His Majesty, in emulation of Emperor Gaozong of old, observed mourning without speaking and entrusted government affairs to his ministers, but the trust was misplaced. Wang Shuwen, Wang Pi, Li Zhongyan, and their ilk have taken heavy responsibilities on themselves, dispensing rewards and punishments as they please, and ruining the laws and regulations. They have scattered the treasury’s reserves to bribe the powerful. They have placed their confidants in high positions everywhere, and secretly colluded with those near the emperor; the calamity lies within. I privately fear that they will overturn the great enterprise of Taizong and harm Your Highness’s house and state. I hope Your Highness will immediately report to His Majesty and drive out these petty men, so that government orders come from the sovereign alone, and then the empire will be at peace.” Wei Gao, relying on his status as a senior minister, far away in Shu, and judging that Wang Shuwen could not shake him, thus vigorously exposed Wang Shuwen’s treachery. Soon, memorials and letters from the Jingnan Circuit Military Commissioner Pei Jun and the Hedong Circuit Military Commissioner Yan Shou arrived in succession, echoing Wei Gao’s views. Both within and outside the court relied on them for support, while the treacherous clique was shaken with terror. Pei Jun was the great-grandson of Pei Guangting.
Wang Shuwen had already placed Fan Xichao and Han Tai in charge of the Shence Army west of the capital, but the various eunuchs had not yet realized what was happening. Just then, the border generals each took leave of the Central Inspector, stating that they were to be placed under Fan Xichao’s command. Only then did the eunuchs understand that military power had been seized by Wang Shuwen and his group, and they were greatly enraged, saying, “If we follow their schemes, we will surely die at their hands.” They secretly ordered their messengers to go back and tell the generals: “Do not hand over the troops to anyone.” When Fan Xichao arrived at Fengtian, none of the generals came. Han Tai galloped back to report, and Wang Shuwen was at a loss, only saying, “What’s to be done? What’s to be done?” Not long after, his mother fell gravely ill. On the bingchen day, Wang Shuwen prepared a lavish feast and drank with the various academicians, as well as Li Zhongyan, Ju Wenzhen, Liu Guangqi, and others in the Hanlin Academy. Wang Shuwen said, “My mother is ill. Because I am burdened with the affairs of state, I cannot personally attend to her medicine. Now I will take leave to go home and care for her. Lately, I have exerted my heart and strength, avoiding no danger, all for the favor of the court. Once I leave and go back, all kinds of slander will come. Who will examine the truth and speak a single word to help me?” Ju Wenzhen contradicted him immediately and Wang Shuwen could not reply; he only kept filling his cup and urging them to drink. After several rounds, they dispersed. On the dingsi day, Wang Shuwen left office due to his mother’s death.
In autumn, the seventh month, on the bingzi day, Li Shigu was given the additional title of Acting Palace Attendant.
After Wang Shuwen went into mourning, Wei Zhiyi increasingly failed to follow his advice. Wang Shuwen was furious and plotted day and night with his partisans to have Wang Shuwen reinstated, intending first to kill Wei Zhiyi and then exterminate all who did not submit to him. Those who heard of it were very frightened. Since Wang Shuwen had gone home to observe mourning, Wang Pi lost his support. Every day he went to the eunuchs and Du You to request that Wang Shuwen be made chief minister and also command the Northern Army. When that failed, he requested that he be made Military Commissioner of the Weiyuan Army and Participator in Deliberations of the Secretariat-Chancellery, but again it was not granted. His partisans were all anxious and fearful, unable to protect themselves. On this day, Wang Pi sat in the Hanlin Academy, submitted three petitions, but received no reply. Knowing that things would not succeed, he walked and lay down in turn. By nightfall, he suddenly cried out, “I have a stroke!” The next day, he was carried home and did not go out again. On the jichou day, the Director of the Granaries Bureau and Judge of the Finance Section, Chen Jian, was demoted to be the Junior Administrator of Hezhong. The partisans of Wang Pi and Wang Shuwen began to disperse at this point.
On the guisi day, the Military Commissioner of the Henghai Army, Cheng Huaixin, died. His son, the Vice Commissioner Cheng Zhigong, was appointed as acting commissioner.
On the yiwei day, an edict was issued, stating: “Because of a long illness that has not yet healed, the affairs of the army and state are temporarily ordered to be handled by the crown prince, Li Chun.” At this time, both within and outside the court hated Wang Shuwen’s clique for their monopolization and insolence, and the emperor also detested them. Ju Wenzhen and others repeatedly submitted memorials requesting that the crown prince act as regent. The emperor was already weary of government affairs, so he agreed. The Grand Master of Ceremonies, Du Huangshang, was appointed Vice Director of the Chancellery, and the Left Jinwu General Yuan Zi was appointed Vice Director of the Secretariat, both with the title of Chief Minister of State. Because they were senior officials, Ju Wenzhen and others promoted and used them. Zheng Xunyu was appointed Minister of Personnel, and Gao Ying was appointed Minister of Justice; both were dismissed from their posts as chief ministers. The crown prince received the hundred officials at the Eastern Audience Hall, and they paid him homage. The crown prince wept and did not return their bows.
In the eighth month, on the gengzi day, an edict was issued: "Order the Crown Prince to ascend the imperial throne. We shall be the Retired Emperor, and our edicts and commands shall be termed 'proclamations.'" On the xinchou day, the Retired Emperor moved to the Xingqing Palace and issued a proclamation changing the reign title to Yongzhen. He established Lady Liangdi, Wang, as the Retired Empress. The Empress was the mother of Emperor Xianzong.
On the renyin day, Wang Pi was demoted to be the Marshal of Kaizhou, and Wang Shuwen to be the Aide of Yuzhou. Wang Pi died shortly thereafter at his place of exile. The following year, Wang Shuwen was ordered to commit suicide.
On the yisi day, Emperor Xianzong ascended the throne in the Xuanzheng Hall.
On the bingwu day, the Princess of Shengping presented fifty women. The Emperor said: "The Retired Emperor did not accept such tributes; how dare I violate his precedent?" So he returned them. On the gengxu day, Jingnan presented two tortoises with fur. The Emperor said: "What I value are only worthy talents. Auspicious grains and divine mushrooms are all vain and false tales; thus, the Spring and Autumn Annals do not record auspicious omens. Henceforth, whenever there are auspicious signs, they are only to be reported to the relevant departments according to the statutes, and no longer submitted to the throne. As for rare birds and strange beasts, none of them are to be offered."
On the guichou day, Wei Gao, the Military Commissioner of Xichuan, Prince of Nankang, and posthumously named Zhongwu, died. Wei Gao had been in Shu for twenty-one years. He increased tax levies, made lavish tributes to gain the Emperor's favor, and gave generous rewards to appease the soldiers. For soldiers' marriages, funerals, and deaths, he supplied all expenses. Therefore, he was able to remain long in his post, and the soldiers were willing to serve him with effort. He subdued Nanzhao and crushed Tubo. Among his staff, those who had served long and held high ranks were appointed as prefects, but afterward, they returned to his headquarters. He never allowed them to return to the court, for fear that they would disclose his actions. When the treasury was well stocked, he would occasionally treat the people generously, exempting them from land taxes every three years. The people of Shu admired his wisdom and feared his authority. To this day, they paint his image and worship him as a local deity. His deputy, Liu Pi, styled himself as acting commissioner.
In Langzhou, the rivers at Wuling and Longyang rose, flooding over ten thousand households.
On the renwu day, Yi Shen, the Military Commissioner of Fengyi, entered the court.
On the xinmao day, Han Quanyi, the Military Commissioner of Xia-Sui, entered the court. After his defeat at Yinshui, Han Quanyi had returned without appearing at court. When the Emperor was still in his princely residence, he heard of this and detested him. Han Quanyi, being afraid, therefore requested to enter the court.
Liu Pi had the various generals submit memorials requesting that he be granted the seal and axes of authority. The court did not agree. On the jiwei day, Yuan Zi was appointed as the Pacification Commissioner for Jiannan East and West Circuits and Shannan West Circuit.
The Ministry of Revenue submitted a memorial stating that the separate treasuries established by Pei Yanling were all created by reducing the items in the main treasury and storing them elsewhere. They requested that all be returned to the main treasury. This was approved.
On the xinyou day, Pan Mengyang, the Deputy Commissioner for the Ministry of Revenue and for Salt and Iron Transport, was dispatched to proclaim imperial grace to Jianghuai, to inspect the advantages and disadvantages of the land tax and monopoly taxes, and to investigate the quality of officials and the hardships of the people.
On the guihai day, Zheng Yuqing, the Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, was appointed as a participant in the deliberations of the Secretariat-Chancellery.
In the ninth month, on the wuchen day, the Master of Ceremonies submitted a memorial: "The Grand Empress Dowager, née Shen, is from a distant era, and the path for seeking and welcoming her has been cut off. According to the discussion of Yu Weizhi of the Jin dynasty, if one seeks for three years without success, then one should wait until a moderate lifespan and then go into mourning for her. I request that on the day when the Great Traveling Emperor's temporary burial chamber is opened, the Emperor lead the hundred officials in raising a lament, and take that day as the anniversary of her death." This was approved.
On the renshen day, Wei Zhiyi, the Director of National History, submitted a memorial, beginning the order for the court historians to compile the Daily Calendar.
On the jimao day, Han Tai, the Marching Commissioner of the Divine Strategy Army, was demoted to be the Prefect of Fuzhou; Han Ye, the Director of the Ministry of Personnel, to be the Prefect of Chizhou; Liu Zongyuan, the Vice Director of the Ministry of Rites, to be the Prefect of Shaozhou; and Liu Yuxi, the Vice Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, to be the Prefect of Lianzhou.
Winter, tenth month, on the dingyou day, Jia Dan, the Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and participant in the deliberations of the Secretariat-Chancellery, died.
On the wuxu day, Yuan Zi, the Vice Director of the Secretariat and participant in the deliberations of the Secretariat-Chancellery, was appointed as participant in the deliberations of the Secretariat-Chancellery and concurrently served as Military Commissioner of Xichuan. Liu Pi was summoned to be a Supervising Secretary.
Shu Prince Li Yi died.
The Grand Master of Ceremonies deliberated on giving the Grand Empress Dowager, née Shen, the posthumous title of Ruizhen Empress.
A mountain man, Luo Lingze, went from Chang'an to Purun, falsely claiming to have a proclamation from the Retired Emperor. He tried to raise troops from Liu Yong, the Prefect of Qinzhou, and also urged Liu Yong to carry out a deposition. Liu Yong arrested him and sent him under guard to Chang'an. He was beaten to death with clubs, along with his associates.
On the jiyou day, the Shenwu Xiaowen Emperor was buried in the Chongling Mausoleum, and his temple name was established as Dezong.
Eleventh month, on the jisi day, the spirit tablets of the Ruizhen Empress and Emperor Dezong were placed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The Master of Ceremonies, Du Huangchang, and others deliberated, arguing: "The state models itself on the Zhou dynasty system. The Grand Progenitor is like Houji, the High Progenitor is like King Wen, and the Great Progenitor is like King Wu; none of them are to be moved. Gaozong is outside the three zhao and three mu. I request that his spirit tablet be moved to the western side chamber." This was approved.
On the renshen day, Wei Zhiyi, the Vice Director of the Secretariat and participant in the deliberations of the Secretariat-Chancellery, was demoted to be the Marshal of Yazhou. Because Wei Zhiyi had previously differed in opinion with Wang Shuwen and was also the son-in-law of Du Huangchang, he alone was demoted last. However, after Wang Shuwen's failure, Wei Zhiyi naturally lost his position. Knowing that disaster was coming, although he was still at the prime minister's post, he often felt uneasy, his breath weak and his spirit listless. Hearing the sound of footsteps, he would turn pale with fear, until he was demoted.
On the wuyin day, Han Quanyi was appointed as the Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and retired.
Liu Pi did not accept the summons and relied on his troops to defend himself. Yuan Zi feared his strength and dared not advance. The Emperor became angry and demoted Yuan Zi to be the Prefect of Jizhou.
Wu Yuanheng, the Right Rectifier of Virtue, was again appointed as the Chief Censor of the Censorate.
Court discussions held that among Wang Shuwen's faction, some had been sent out from Vice Director posts to be prefects, and that such a demotion was too light. On the jimao day, Han Tai was again demoted to be the Marshal of Qianzhou, Han Ye to be the Marshal of Raozhou, Liu Zongyuan to be the Marshal of Yongzhou, Liu Yuxi to be the Marshal of Langzhou. Chen Jian, the Junior Administrator of Hezhong, was again demoted to be the Marshal of Taizhou; Ling Zhun, the Prefect of Hezhou, to be the Marshal of Lianzhou; and Cheng Yi, the Prefect of Yuezhou, to be the Marshal of Chenzhou.
The Huaixie Xinhan Khagan of the Uyghurs died. The court dispatched Sun Gao, the Lesser Steward of the Court of State Ceremonial, to offer condolences and to enfeoff his successor as the Tengli Yehe Julu Pijia Khagan.
Twelfth month, on the jiachen day, Yu Di, the Military Commissioner of Shannan East Circuit, was given the additional title of participant in the deliberations of the Secretariat-Chancellery.
Yi Shen, the Military Commissioner of Fengyi, was appointed as the Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs.
On the jiyou day, Liu Pi, a Supervising Secretary, was appointed as the Deputy Military Commissioner of Xichuan, acting as Military Commissioner. This was because the Emperor had just ascended the throne and his strength was not yet sufficient to punish him. Wei Dan, the Right Remonstrance Advisor, submitted a memorial, arguing: "Now, if we pardon Liu Pi without executing him, then the only areas the court can command, as easily as an arm directs a finger, are the two capital regions. Who else beyond that will not rebel?" The Emperor considered his words correct. On the renzi day, Wei Dan was appointed as the Military Commissioner of Dongchuan. Wei Dan was the fifth-generation grandson of Wei Jin.
On the xinyou day, the hundred officials requested to give the Retired Emperor the honorific title of Yinggan Shengshou Tai-shang-huang, and to give the Emperor the honorific title of Wenwu Dasheng Xiaode Huangdi. The Emperor agreed to give the honorific title to the Retired Emperor, but declined to accept it for himself.
On the renxu day, Zheng Yin, the Academician of the Hanlin Academy, was appointed as the Vice Director of the Secretariat and participant in the deliberations of the Secretariat-Chancellery.
Du Jian, the Director of the Ministry of Justice, was appointed as the Prefect of Suzhou. Before taking leave to depart, Du Jian submitted a memorial stating that Li Qi was about to rebel and would certainly petition the court to exterminate his (Du Jian's) clan. The Emperor considered his words correct and thus retained him as the Director of the Ministry of Personnel.