Tang Annals 65

[Tang Dynasty Annals, Volume 65] From the year of Gengwu (starting from the constellation Dunzang) to the year of Jimao (starting from the constellation Túwéi Dān'è), a total of ten years.

Spring, first month, on the first day of the month (Gengchen, a cyclical day), a general amnesty was granted throughout the empire.

Second month, Qin Prefecture was placed under the jurisdiction of Fengxiang.

Summer, fourth month, on a day (Gengxu, possibly erroneous), Ma Zhi, Vice Director of the Secretariat and Grand Councilor, was appointed as Military Governor of Tianping. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang owed his accession to the efforts of the Left Army Commander Ma Yuanzhi, who consequently received imperial favor unmatched among eunuchs. Ma Zhi sought to establish a clan relationship with him. The emperor bestowed a precious belt upon Ma Yuanzhi, who then gave it to Ma Zhi. Ma Zhi wore the belt to court, and the emperor recognized it upon seeing him. Ma Zhi’s face changed color greatly, and he dared not conceal the matter. The next day, Ma Zhi was dismissed from his post as Grand Councilor, and his trusted subordinate Dong Mou was arrested and sent to the Censorate for interrogation. The full extent of the collusion between Ma Zhi and Ma Yuanzhi was uncovered, and Ma Zhi was further demoted to be Prefect of Changzhou.

Sixth month, on a day (Wushen, possibly erroneous), Wei Fu, Minister of War and Grand Councilor, died. Cui Guicong, Minister of Revenue and Commissioner of State Expenditure, was appointed Grand Councilor.

Autumn, eighth month, Bai Minzhong was appointed to oversee the Yanzhi Treasury.

Zhou Bin, Military Governor of Lulong, died. The military headquarters petitioned to appoint Yaya and Cavalry and Infantry Commander Zhang Yunshen as Acting Governor. Ninth month, on a day (Dingyou, possibly erroneous), the emperor approved the petition.

The Dangxiang tribes invaded the Tang border. The court mobilized troops from various circuits to campaign against them, but for years achieved no success, while frontier grain supplies were continuously transported. The Right Rectifier of Omissions, Kong Wenyu, submitted a memorial offering direct remonstrance. Emperor Xuanzong, angered, demoted Kong Wenyu to be Marshal of Liuzhou. Kong Wenyu was the son of Kong Gui’s elder brother.

The Tibetan Lun Kongre sent the monk Mangluo Linzhen to lead troops in building a bridge south of Jixiang Pass, in order to attack Shang Bibi. The troops camped at Baituling. Shang Bibi dispatched his general Shang Duoluo Tazang to lead troops to occupy Linfan Army and resist Lun Kongre’s attack, but the battle was unfavorable. He then sent Moli Pizi and Zhu Lu Gongli to lead troops to occupy Maoniu Gorge to resist Lun Kongre. Zhu Lu Gongli requested: “Hold the troops still, rely on strategic defenses, do not engage the enemy in battle, but dispatch surprise forces to cut off the enemy’s supply routes. Make it so the enemy cannot advance to fight, nor retreat to return. Within ten days or a month, the enemy will surely collapse.” Moli Pizi did not heed this advice. Zhu Lu Gongli said: “I would rather be an unused man than a defeated general.” So he feigned illness and returned to Shanzhou. Moli Pizi engaged Lun Kongre in battle, was defeated, and died in action. Shang Bibi, lacking food, left Tuoba Huaiguang to guard Shanzhou, while he led over three thousand of his tribe westward to pursue water and pasture beyond Ganzhou. Lun Kongre, hearing that Shang Bibi had abandoned Shanzhou, personally led five thousand light cavalry in pursuit. Upon reaching Guazhou, he learned that Tuoba Huaiguang was guarding Shanzhou, so he plundered the eight prefectures of Hexi, including Shanzhou and Kuozhou, killing the able-bodied men, cutting off the noses and legs of the old, weak, women, and children, piercing infants with spears as a game, and burning the people’s houses. For five thousand li, the land was almost completely scorched bare.

Winter, tenth month, on a day (Xinwei, possibly erroneous), Linghu Tao, Hanlin Academician-in-Chief and Minister of War, was appointed Grand Councilor.

Eleventh month, on a day (Renyin, possibly erroneous), Hanlin Academician Liu Zhuan was appointed as Imperial Commissioner to Pacify the Dangxiang Campaign in the Western Capital Circuit.

Zhang Yunshen, the Acting Governor of Lulong, was appointed Military Governor.

Twelfth month, Li Ye, Military Governor of Fengxiang, and Li Shizhe, Military Governor of Hedong, were concurrently appointed as Commissioners for Pacifying the Dangxiang.

The Minister of Personnel, Kong Wenye, informed the chief ministers that he wished to be appointed to an external post. Bai Minzhong said to his colleagues: “We should be self-restrained; the Minister of Personnel does not wish to remain in the court.” Kong Wenye was the son of Kong Gui’s younger brother.

Spring, second month, on a day (Renxu, possibly erroneous), the Tian De Army reported that the Acting Prefect of Shazhou, Zhang Yichao, had sent an envoy to submit to the Tang. Zhang Yichao was a native of Shazhou. At the time, Tibet was in great turmoil, and Zhang Yichao secretly befriended local heroes, plotting to break away from Tibet and submit to the Tang. One morning, Zhang Yichao led his followers, armed, shouting before the prefectural gate. The Tang people all responded to him. The Tibetan defending general fled in panic, and Zhang Yichao then took over the prefectural administration, presenting a memorial to submit to the Tang court. The court appointed Zhang Yichao as Defense Commissioner of Shazhou.

Pei Xiu, Minister of War, was appointed Salt and Iron Transport Commissioner. Pei Xiu was the son of Pei Su. Since the Taihe era, the annual grain transport from the Jiang-Huai region had not exceeded 400,000 hu. Losses due to embezzlement by officials and soldiers, and shipwrecks, meant that less than three or four out of ten hu reached Weicang, greatly undermining the transport laws established by Liu Yan. Pei Xiu thoroughly investigated the abuses in transport, formulated ten articles of transport law, and thereafter the annual grain reaching Weicang amounted to 1,200,000 hu.

Emperor Xuanzong was well aware that the Dangxiang rebellion was due to frontier generals’ greed for their sheep and horses, their repeated bullying and plundering, and even unwarranted killings, which provoked the Dangxiang’s immense anger and resentment, leading to rebellion. He therefore appointed Li Fu, Right Advisor to the Imperial Secretariat, as Military Governor of Xia-Sui. From then on, the court successively selected civil officials to replace the greedy and tyrannical frontier generals, and personally admonished and encouraged them before their departure. As a result, the Dangxiang became pacified. Li Fu was the younger brother of Li Shi.

Because the Dangxiang of Nanshan and Pingxia had long not been pacified, Emperor Xuanzong grew weary of military campaigns. Cui Xuan suggested that a high-ranking minister should be sent to pacify and control the region.

Third month, Bai Minzhong was appointed Minister of Works and Grand Councilor, and concurrently Commander-in-Chief for the Pacification of the Dangxiang Campaign, Commissioner for Organization, and Military Governor of Bin-Ning, as well as Commissioner for Supplying the Armies on the Southern and Northern Routes. Bai Minzhong requested, following the precedent of Pei Du, to select court officials as his staff and aides, and the emperor approved.

Summer, fourth month, Sun Jingshang, Left Advisor to the Imperial Secretariat, was appointed Left Chief of the Heir Apparent’s Household, and concurrently Acting Marshal of Bin-Ning. Jiang Shen, Drafter of Imperial Edicts, was appointed Right Chief of the Heir Apparent’s Household, and concurrently Deputy Military Governor. Jiang Shen was the younger brother of Jiang Xi.

Initially, Emperor Xuanzong ordered Bai Minzhong to select a suitable husband for Princess Wanshou. Bai Minzhong recommended Zheng Hao. At that time, Zheng Hao was already betrothed to a daughter of the Lu family. When he reached Zhengzhou, a summons from the Grand Councilor’s office recalled him. Zheng Hao thus harbored a deep grudge against Bai Minzhong, and repeatedly slandered him before Emperor Xuanzong. Bai Minzhong, about to depart for his post, said to the emperor: “Zheng Hao was unwilling to marry the princess, and resents me to the bone. While I am in court managing affairs, he can do nothing to me. Now that I am going out to a frontier post, Zheng Hao will surely seize the opportunity to slander me; I am not far from death!” The emperor replied: “I have long known this; why have you spoken so late!” He ordered a close attendant to bring a small wooden box from the palace and gave it to Bai Minzhong, saying: “Inside are all the slanderous letters from Zheng Hao. If I had believed them, how could I have entrusted you with such responsibilities up to today?” Bai Minzhong returned home, placed the box before a Buddhist statue, and burned incense in reverence. Bai Minzhong stationed his troops at Ningzhou. On a day (Renzi, possibly erroneous), the Commander of Dingyuan Fort, Shi Yuan, defeated over 9,000 Dangxiang tents at Sanjiaogu. Bai Minzhong reported that the Dangxiang had been pacified.

On a day (Xinwei, possibly erroneous), Emperor Xuanzong issued an edict: “The Pingxia Dangxiang have already been pacified. The Nanshan Dangxiang, it is reported that those who have come out of the mountains, driven by cold and hunger, are still engaging in plunder. The Pingxia Dangxiang do not take them in, leaving them destitute and without refuge. The court should entrust Li Fu to go and comfort and reassure them, granting them idle lands within the borders of Yin Prefecture and Xia Prefecture. If they can reform their hearts and submit to civilizing influence, they should be comforted like infants. Past misdeeds will not be pursued. If they have grievances, they may submit petitions to their own garrison for redress. If they again invade the frontier, or again enter the mountains, and refuse to obey the court’s instructions, they shall be punished and exterminated without pardon. Meritorious officials and soldiers shall be rewarded; those killed or wounded shall be generously compensated. For the people of the four circuits of Ling, Xia, Bin, and Fu, taxes shall be exempted for three years; for neighboring circuits, taxes shall be reduced as appropriate. In the past, due to the greed and baseness of frontier generals, the Dangxiang became resentful and rebellious. Henceforth, honest and capable generals should be selected to pacify them. If rebellions or invasions occur again, the frontier generals shall be punished first, and then the rebels shall be campaigned against.”

The Tibetan Lun Kongre was cruel and tyrannical, and many of his subordinates defected. Tuoba Huaiguang sent people to persuade and entice them. Some of Lun Kongre’s followers scattered to their tribes, others surrendered to Tuoba Huaiguang. With his power isolated, Lun Kongre then boasted to his followers: “I will go to the Tang court today to pay homage, borrow 500,000 troops to punish those who do not obey me, then make Weizhou the capital, and ask the Tang to enfeoff me as the Tsenpo. Who would dare not submit!”

In the fifth month, Lun Kongre entered the court. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang sent the Left Attendant Li Jingrang to the Reception Pavilion to ask Lun Kongre what he desired. Lun Kongre’s demeanor was arrogant and haughty, and his words were absurd; he requested to be appointed Military Commissioner of He and Wei Prefectures. Emperor Xuanzong did not permit it. He summoned Lun Kongre at the Three Halls, receiving him as he would ordinary Hu guests, and after bestowing rewards and consoling him, sent him back. Lun Kongre departed discontentedly, returning to Luomen River. He gathered his old followers, intending to continue harassing the Tang border. It happened that there was a long period of continuous rain, and they lacked food. His followers gradually scattered, leaving only over three hundred men, who fled to Guo Prefecture.

In the sixth month, the Emperor established his son Li Run as the Prince of E.

The Presented Scholar Sun Qiao submitted a memorial, saying: “The common people—men plow and women weave—yet they cannot obtain enough to keep warm or full. Meanwhile, a crowd of monks sit peacefully in splendid houses, wearing fine clothes and eating exquisite food. Roughly ten households cannot support a single monk. Emperor Wuzong was greatly indignant at this and ordered 170,000 monks to return to lay life, allowing one million seven hundred thousand households across the empire to rest and recover. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, you have restored abandoned monasteries. The sound of axes and saws has not ceased throughout the empire to this day, and the number of those who have taken monastic vows has nearly returned to its original figure. Your Majesty, even if you cannot eradicate longstanding abuses like Emperor Wuzong, how can you revive monasteries that have already been abandoned! Recently, Your Majesty wished to repair the eastern gate of the capital. When remonstrating officials spoke against it, you immediately halted the work. Now, the monasteries being restored—are they more urgent than the eastern gate? The labor expended—is it less than that for the eastern gate? I hope Your Majesty will promptly issue a clear edict: for monks who have not yet resumed their status, let them not resume it; for monasteries not yet built, let them not be built. Perhaps then the common people may still obtain some rest.”

In autumn, the seventh month, the Secretariat-Chancellery submitted a memorial: “Your Majesty reveres the Buddhist faith, and your subjects all hasten to exert themselves. We fear that financial resources may be insufficient, thereby giving rise to incidents and harassing the people. We request that local officials be entrusted to consider and exercise restraint. The ordination of monks should also be entrusted to them to select those of virtue. If vicious and coarse individuals are admitted, that would be even more contrary to revering the Buddha’s way. As for Buddhist shrines in villages, we request that their construction be postponed until the cessation of military campaigns.” Emperor Xuanzong approved.

In the eighth month, Bai Minzhong submitted a memorial stating that the Southern Mountain Dangxiang also requested to surrender. At the time, military operations had been prolonged, and state finances were quite depleted. Emperor Xuanzong issued an edict pardoning the Southern Mountain Dangxiang, allowing them to live and work in peace.

In winter, the tenth month, on Yimao (date uncertain), the Secretariat-Chancellery submitted a memorial: “Now that border conflicts have subsided, the prefectural monasteries have not yet been fully constructed. We request that they be allowed to complete them for the time being. For large counties far from prefectural seats, the establishment of one monastery may be permitted. In villages, no further Buddhist shrines may be set up.” Emperor Xuanzong approved.

On Wuchen (date uncertain), the Emperor appointed the Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue Wei Mo as Tong Pingzhangshi, still in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. At that time, Emperor Xuanzong was advanced in years and had not yet established the heir apparent. None of the court officials dared to speak of it. Wei Mo entered the court to express gratitude for the appointment and took the opportunity to say: “Now within the seas there are no troubles, only the failure to establish the heir apparent and have him guided by righteous men—this is what I privately worry about.” Thereupon he shed tears. People at the time greatly respected him.

Bands of bandits from Peng and Guo Prefectures relied on the dangerous terrain of Mount Ji as a stronghold and raided and plundered the Three Rivers region. The court appointed the Prefect of Guo Prefecture, Wang Zhibong, as Acting Chief Military Commissioner of the Three Rivers March, to campaign against the bandits.

The Emperor issued an edict, because the Dangxiang had been pacified, relieving Bai Minzhong of his post as Commander-in-Chief, and only allowing him to serve as Military Commissioner of Bin and Ning Prefectures with the titles of Minister of Works and Tong Pingzhangshi. Zhang Yichao led troops to pacify and recover ten prefectures: Gua, Yi, Xi, Gan, Su, Lan, Shan, He, Min, and Guo. He sent his elder brother Zhang Yize to present the maps and registers of these eleven prefectures to the court. Thus, all the lands of the Yellow River and Huangshui River basins were brought back into Tang territory.

In the eleventh month, the Guiyi Army was established in Sha Prefecture, and Zhang Yichao was appointed as its Military Commissioner and Surveillance Commissioner of the Eleven Prefectures. Zhang Yichao’s administrative assistant Cao Yijin was appointed as Chief Administrator of the Guiyi Army.

The Emperor appointed the Vice Director of the Secretariat and Tong Pingzhangshi Cui Guicong as Tong Pingzhangshi, to serve as Military Commissioner of Xuanwu.

The General-in-Chief of the Right Yulin Guard, Zhang Zhifang, was found guilty of going out hunting for days on end without returning and failing to fulfill his duty of guarding the palace. He was demoted to General of the Left Swift Cavalry Guard.

In spring, the second month, Wang Zhibong campaigned against the bandits of Mount Ji and pacified them.

At this time, the Military Commissioner of Shannan West Circuit, Feng Ao, submitted a memorial stating that the demonic bandits of Banan had used rebellious and insolent words. The Emperor was very angry. Cui Xuan said: “These men are all Your Majesty’s subjects, driven by cold and hunger. They have stolen Your Majesty’s weapons and created disturbances in the mountain valleys. They are not worth troubling a large army. Sending a single envoy would suffice to pacify them.” Thereupon, the Deputy Magistrate of the Capital, Liu Tong, was sent to Guo Prefecture to issue proclamations and instruct them. Liu Tong submitted a memorial requesting that no troops be sent to attack them, and further said: “Now, by using the sun-and-moon-like brilliance of the Sage to shine upon the ignorant and deluded people, making them kowtow and submit—this situation is very easy. What is to be feared is that military officials may be ashamed of achieving victory without battle, and those who discuss matters may be overly eager for quick results.” When Liu Tong reached the mountains, the bandits had drawn their bows and were waiting for him. Liu Tong dismissed his attendants and went straight forward, saying: “I have personally received the imperial edict pardoning your crimes, allowing you to become common people again. I have heard that your wooden bows can shoot two hundred paces. Now I am only ten paces from you. If you truly intend to rebel, you may shoot me!” The bandits all threw down their bows and arrows, lined up, and knelt in obeisance, requesting to surrender. Liu Tong returned to his lodgings. However, Wang Zhibong and the palace envoy Sixian Yiyi had already led troops to the foot of the mountain. In the end, they attacked and exterminated them.

In the third month, an edict ordered that the estates in Hu County and Yunyang previously granted to the General of the Right Guards, Zheng Guang, should also be exempted from taxes and corvée labor. The Secretariat-Chancellery submitted a memorial, stating: “The laws concerning taxes and corvée labor are uniform throughout the empire. Your Majesty has repeatedly issued gracious edicts, wishing to standardize regulations both within and outside the court. Now, to exempt Zheng Guang alone from taxes and labor seems slightly to contradict your original intentions. Although the matter is extremely small, it bears greatly upon the national polity.” The edict said: “I, the Emperor, because of the honorable status of Zheng Guang, my maternal uncle, wished to grant him special favor and ordered the exemption of taxes, initially without careful consideration. Moreover, matters among relatives are difficult for others to discuss. If you were not devoted to me, how could you offer such excellent advice! If all affairs could be handled like this, what worry would there be that the empire could not be well governed! Having a beginning and an end should be observed together. Let everything be handled according to your memorial.”

In summer, the fourth month, on Jiazi, the Emperor appointed the Military Commissioner of Bin and Ning Prefectures, Bai Minzhong, as Military Commissioner of Xichuan.

Hunan submitted a memorial: The Vice Military Training Commissioner Feng Shaoduan campaigned against the bandit leader Deng Pei of Heng Prefecture and pacified them.

The Dangxiang again raided the border. The Emperor wished to select someone suitable to be the commander of Bin and Ning Prefectures but found the selection difficult. During his leisure time, he discussed border defense matters with the Academician of the Hanlin Academy and Secretariat Drafter, Bi Xian of Xuchang. Bi Xian cited examples from ancient and modern times and laid out strategies in detail. The Emperor was pleased and said: “I was just thinking of selecting a commander, and I did not expect that a fine general like Lian Po or Li Mu was so close at hand in the palace. Are you willing to go on a mission for me?” Bi Xian gladly accepted the order. The Emperor wished to increase his seniority and experience. In the sixth month, on Renshen, he first appointed Bi Xian as Vice Minister of Justice. On Guiyou, he then appointed him as Military Commissioner of Bin and Ning Prefectures. The Prince of Yong, Li Shuimei, died and was posthumously given the title of Jinghuai Heir Apparent.

The Military Commissioner of Hedong, Li Ye, allowed his officials and common people to plunder the various Hu tribes and also arbitrarily killed those who had surrendered. As a result, the northern border was thrown into turmoil. In the intercalary month, on Gengzi, the Emperor appointed the Junior Preceptor of the Heir Apparent, Lu Jun, as Military Commissioner of Hedong. Li Ye had support at court, and no one dared to criticize him. Only Wei Mo requested that he be demoted. The Emperor did not permit it, but merely transferred him to become Military Commissioner of Yicheng. Lu Jun submitted a memorial appointing the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, Wei Zhou, as his assistant. Wei Zhou traveled throughout the border region, summoned all the tribal chieftains, explained to them the consequences of good and evil, and strictly forbade Tang subjects from entering Hu territory to plunder, under penalty of death. The various Hu tribes were thus pacified. The Administrative Assistant Li Zhang flogged a minor officer. The next day, over a hundred officers came to Lu Jun to appeal. Lu Jun flogged the ringleader and exiled him to an outlying garrison, and punished the rest, saying: “On the border, over a hundred men without cause lodge a complaint—this cannot go unchecked.” Li Zhang was the son of Li Jiang.

In the eighth month, on Jiazi, the Emperor appointed the Minister of Rites, Pei Xiu, as Tong Pingzhangshi.

The Lao people raided Chang and Zi Prefectures.

In winter, the tenth month, Bi Xian, the military governor of Bin’ning, submitted a memorial stating that he had issued an imperial proclamation to pacify the Dangxiang tribes, and the Dangxiang all surrendered.

Zhang Zhifang, the general of the Ferocious Guard, was convicted for repeatedly killing slaves over minor offenses and was demoted to be the Revenue Manager of Enzhou.

In the eleventh month, Li Zhui, a son of Emperor Xianzong, was established as the Prince of Di.

In the twelfth month, the Secretariat-Chancellery submitted a memorial: “If the ordination of monks is not carefully examined, then the monastic precepts and laws will be corrupted; if the construction of monasteries is not restrained, then waste and extravagance will be excessive. We request that henceforth, aside from the prefectures that are permitted to establish monasteries according to previous edicts, places with famous historical sites, scenic spots, or miraculous relics may be allowed for restoration, and populous counties may be permitted to establish one monastery. Private ordination of monks and nuns must be strictly prohibited. If there is a vacancy among the officially ordained monks and nuns, a suitable person shall be selected to fill it, and the matter shall still be reported to the Ministry of Sacrifices for issuance of a certificate of ordination. Those who wish to travel far to seek a teacher must hold an official travel permit from their home prefecture.” The emperor followed this advice.

In spring, the first month, on the day of Wushen, the emperor performed the suburban sacrifice to Heaven at the Round Mound; a general amnesty was granted to the empire.

In summer, the fourth month, on the day of Bingyin, an edict declared: “Henceforth, when judicial authorities impose punishments, they shall use the standard staff. One blow on the back counts as ten blows of the statutory staff; one blow on the buttocks counts as five blows of the light bamboo. This will give officials a fixed standard for the use of punishments.”

In winter, the twelfth month, Zhao Lin, the Left Remonstrant, requested the cancellation of the New Year’s Day Grand Court Assembly for the coming year, with the emperor only receiving homage in the Xuanzheng Hall. The emperor consulted the chancellors about this, and the chancellors replied, “The New Year’s Day Grand Court Assembly is an important ritual and cannot be canceled. Moreover, the realm is at peace and without incident.” The emperor said, “Recently, Huazhou has reported that bandits openly raided Xiegui with torches and weapons, and in the Guanzhong region there is a lack of snowfall. These are anxieties of mine—how can it be said there are no incidents! Even if it were in the Xuanzheng Hall, I could not go there to receive homage.”

The emperor served Empress Dowager Zheng with great respect and care, not residing in other palaces, and attending to her morning and evening. His maternal uncle, Zheng Guang, served successively as military governor of Pinglu and Hezhong. When he came to court, the emperor discussed the principles of governance with him, but Zheng Guang’s responses were coarse and shallow, which displeased the emperor, who made him remain as the Commander of the Right Feather Forest Guard, allowing him to attend court assemblies. The empress dowager repeatedly said that Zheng Guang was poor, so the emperor generously bestowed gold, silver, and silk upon him, but ultimately did not appoint him to any office governing the people.

The Ministry of Finance submitted a memorial: “Since the pacification of the He-Huang region, the total annual revenue paid to the empire amounts to 9,250,000 strings of cash, of which 5,500,000 strings come from land and head taxes, 820,000 strings from the liquor tax, and 2,780,000 strings from the salt monopoly.”

In spring, the first month, on the day of Bingxu, which was the first day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred. The New Year’s Day Grand Court Assembly was canceled.

Since his accession to the throne, the emperor had punished the faction that murdered Emperor Xianzong, and many eunuchs, imperial relatives, and even officials of the Eastern Palace had been executed or exiled. Fearing that the hearts of the people might be unsettled, on the day of Bingshen, he issued an edict: “In the early years of the Changqing era, there were traitorous ministers and rebellious sons. Recently, the remnants of their factions have been sought out, and their banishment and exile have been completed. As for the distant branches of their clans, no further investigation shall be made.”

In the second month, the Secretariat-Chancellery submitted a memorial stating that there were vacancies among the Remonstrants and Rectifiers and requested that additional appointments be made. The emperor said, “The key to remonstrance officials lies in their performance of duties, not necessarily in their numbers. Men like Zhang Daofu, Niu Cong, and Zhao Lin are enough to allow me to hear daily what I have not heard before.” Niu Cong was the son of Niu Sengru. After a long time, Niu Cong was appointed from the post of Vice Director of the Bureau of Merits to the prefect of Muzhou. When he came to court to thank the emperor, the emperor bestowed upon him a purple robe. After giving thanks, Niu Cong stepped forward and said, “What your servant is wearing is a crimson robe; this is a borrowed prefect’s robe.” The emperor immediately said, “I will temporarily grant you the crimson robe.” The emperor was very sparing with the colors of official robes, and the relevant departments often prepared several sets of crimson and purple robes to accompany him, ready for bestowal, but sometimes half a year would pass without one being used. Thus, at that time, receiving a crimson or purple robe was considered an honor. The emperor respected the Hanlin Academicians; when it came to promotions, he always examined the number of years and months served, believing that he could not show favoritism to those close to him by granting official titles.

In autumn, the ninth month, on the day of Bingxu, Gao Shaoyi, the Right Grand Master of Remonstrance, was appointed as the Surveillance Commissioner of Shan-Guo. An imperial envoy passed through Xiashi, and because the cakes were black, he became angry and flogged the postal station clerk until he bled. Gao Shaoyi sealed the cake and presented it to the emperor. When the envoy returned, the emperor reprimanded him, saying, “Is such food in the deep mountains easy to obtain!” He demoted him to guard the Gongling Mausoleum.

The emperor established his son Li Qia as the Prince of Huai, Li Rui as the Prince of Zhao, and Li Wen as the Prince of Kang.

The emperor was hunting north of the imperial park when he encountered a woodcutter. He asked him which county he was from, and the woodcutter replied, “I am a man from Jingyang County.” The emperor asked, “Who is the county magistrate?” The woodcutter replied, “His name is Li Xingyan.” The emperor asked, “How is his governance?” The woodcutter replied, “He has a stubborn disposition. There were several bandits, and the military headquarters came to demand them, but he ultimately refused to hand them over and had all the bandits executed.” After returning to the palace, the emperor pasted the name of Li Xingyan on a pillar in his bedchamber.

In winter, the tenth month, Li Xingyan was appointed as the prefect of Haizhou. When he came to court to thank the emperor, the emperor bestowed upon him a gold fish pouch and a purple robe, and asked, “Do you know why you are able to wear the purple robe?” Li Xingyan replied, “I do not know.” The emperor ordered someone to fetch the paper pasted on the palace pillar and showed it to him.

Because of the Sweet Dew Incident, the emperor believed that only Li Xun and Zheng Zhu deserved death, and that the others, Wang Ya, Jia Su, and the like, were without guilt. He issued an edict to exonerate them all.

The emperor summoned Wei Ao, the Hanlin Academician, under the pretext of discussing poetry. After dismissing the attendants, he spoke with him, saying, “Recently, what do people outside think of the power of the inner attendants?” Wei Ao replied, “Your Majesty’s authority and decisiveness are not comparable to those of previous reigns.” The emperor closed his eyes and shook his head, saying, “Not at all, not at all! I am still afraid of them. Do you have any plan?” Wei Ao replied, “If we discuss it with the officials of the outer court, I fear there will be another incident like the Taihe era. It would be better to select those among them who have talent and insight and plan with them.” The emperor said, “This is a poor plan. I have already tried it. From those wearing yellow and green robes to those wearing crimson, all the eunuchs were grateful, but as soon as they put on purple robes, they colluded and became one body!” The emperor had also previously discussed with Linghu Tao the complete extermination of the eunuchs. Linghu Tao, fearing indiscriminate killing, secretly submitted a memorial saying, “As long as they are not let off when they commit offenses, and vacancies are not filled, they will naturally decrease gradually until they disappear entirely.” The eunuchs saw his memorial and from then on hated the scholar-officials of the court even more. The Southern Administration and the Northern Directorate were as incompatible as fire and water.

In spring, the first month, on the day of Jiashen, the Chengde Army submitted a memorial stating that the military governor, Wang Yuankui, had died, and the army had installed his son, the vice military governor Wang Shaoding. On the day of Guimao, Wang Shaoding was appointed as the Acting Governor of Chengde.

In the second month, Li Junshi, the magistrate of Liquan County, was appointed as the prefect of Huaizhou. Initially, the emperor was hunting by the Wei River when a dozen elders gathered in a Buddhist shrine. The emperor asked them the reason, and they replied, “We are people from Liquan County. The magistrate, Li Junshi, has achieved outstanding governance, and his term has expired. He should be transferred, so we came to the prefectural office to request his retention. That is why we are here praying to the Buddha, hoping our wish will be fulfilled.” Later, when the prefect of Huaizhou became vacant, the emperor personally wrote an edict appointing Li Junshi. The chancellors did not understand the reason. When Li Junshi came to court to thank the emperor, the emperor used this matter to encourage him, and only then did everyone learn the cause.

In the third month, an edict ordered Bi Xian, the military governor of Bin’ning, to return to Binzhou. Previously, because the He-Huang region had just been brought under control and the Dangxiang were not yet pacified, the Bin’ning Army had been temporarily moved to Ningzhou. By this time, the Southern Mountains, Pingxia, and the Dangxiang had all been pacified, and the military provisions for Wei, Yan, and Wu prefectures were sufficient, so he was ordered to return to his seat of government.

In summer, the intercalary fourth month, an edict declared: “The corvée labor in the prefectures and counties is unequal. Henceforth, each county shall, according to the wealth or poverty of its people and the weight or lightness of the corvée, create a labor assignment register. After submitting it to the prefect for inspection and endorsement, it shall be locked in the magistrate’s office hall. Whenever there is a corvée matter, the magistrate shall be entrusted to dispatch assignments in order according to the register.”

On the day of Bingyin, in the fifth month, Wang Shaoding was appointed as the military governor of Chengde.

The emperor was intelligent and sharp-witted, with a strong memory. He could remember the names, abilities, and specialties of even the servants tasked with sweeping and cleaning in the palace, and when he summoned or dispatched them, there were no mistakes. When officials across the empire submitted memorials regarding prison officials and soldiers' names, he could remember them all after a single reading. The Ministry of Revenue once reported that silk fabrics had been soaked, mistakenly writing the character for "soaked" () as "clear" (). Sun Yinzhong, the Chief Receiver of the Privy Council, assumed the emperor had not noticed and arbitrarily added a stroke to correct it. When the memorial was submitted again, the emperor became angry, investigated the person who had altered the memorial, and punished him with demotion.

The emperor secretly ordered Hanlin Academician Wei Ao to compile a book detailing the geography, customs, and various advantages and disadvantages of each prefecture. He personally transcribed it and presented it, not even letting his own sons and younger brothers know. The book was titled Chu Fen Yu (Words of Disposition). One day, Xue Hongzong, the Prefect of Dengzhou, came to court to express gratitude for his appointment and, upon leaving, said to Wei Ao, "The emperor’s handling of affairs in my prefecture is astonishing." When Wei Ao inquired, it turned out to be matters recorded in Chu Fen Yu. While Wei Ao served in the Hanlin Academy, the emperor sometimes sent eunuchs to convey his intentions, ordering him to draft edicts. If there was any impropriety in the matter, Wei Ao would say, "This matter requires a personally written imperial decree before I dare to implement it." He would delay until dawn, then submit a memorial discussing the issue, and the emperor often followed his advice.

In autumn, the seventh month, the army in Zhedong mutinied and expelled the Surveillance Commissioner Li Ne. Li Ne was the son of Li Xun’s younger brother. He had a hasty temper and did not treat his officers and soldiers with proper rites, which led to the mutiny.

A famine occurred in Huainan, and many commoners fled. The Circuit Governor Du Cong indulged in excursions and banquets, neglecting governance. When the emperor heard of this, on the jiawu day, he appointed Vice Director of the Chancellery and co-chief minister Cui Xuan as co-chief minister and acting Huainan Circuit Governor.

On the dingyou day, Du Cong was appointed Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent and assigned to the Eastern Capital.

In the ninth month, on the yihai day, Li Ne was demoted to Prefect of Langzhou, and the Army Supervisor Wang Zongjing was given forty strokes of the cane and exiled to the Gong Mausoleum. An edict was issued stating: "From now on, if military officers neglect their duties, the army supervisors shall be punished along with them."

Shen Xun, the Vice Minister of Rites, was appointed Surveillance Commissioner of Zhedong. Shen Xun was the son of Shen Chuanshi.

In winter, the eleventh month, the Vice Minister of Personnel Liu Zhongying was appointed Vice Minister of War and acting Salt and Iron Transport Commissioner. A folk physician named Liu Ji used connections to gain entry to the palace, and the emperor ordered the Salt and Iron Office to appoint him as a field official. Liu Zhongying submitted a memorial saying: "If a physician is skilled in medicine, he should be appointed as a medical official. If he is put in charge of copper and salt affairs, how can his performance be evaluated? Moreover, the position of field official is a lowly post, not one that should be personally appointed by a special imperial decree. I dare not comply with the edict!" The emperor immediately responded: "Liu Ji should be given one hundred bolts of silk and sent away." Later, when he saw Liu Zhongying, he commended him, saying, "Your argument regarding Liu Ji was very good." The emperor once could not eat due to illness and summoned the physician Liang Xin to diagnose his pulse. After several days of treatment, he recovered. Liang Xin then personally requested an official position, but the emperor would not grant it. He only ordered the Salt and Iron Commissioner to give him thirty strings of cash per month.

The Right Preeminent Martial Guard General Kang Jirong had previously served as the Circuit Governor of Jingyuan. He misappropriated twenty thousand strings of public funds. When the matter came to light, Kang Jirong requested to repay it with his family property. Because Kang Jirong had merit in opening up the He and Huang regions, the emperor agreed. The Supervising Secretary returned the rescript, and the remonstrance officials also submitted memorials. In the twelfth month, on the gengchen day, Kang Jirong was demoted to Chief Administrator of Kuizhou.

Zheng Zhide, the Surveillance Commissioner of Jiangxi, became prominent and influential because his son Zheng Hao married a princess. He firmly requested a sinecure. On the jiawu day, Zheng Zhide was appointed Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent and assigned to the Eastern Capital.

In spring, the first month, on the dingsi day, the Censor-in-Chief Zheng Lang was appointed Minister of Works and co-chief minister.

The emperor ordered Pei Xiu to speak exhaustively on current affairs. Pei Xiu requested that the heir apparent be established as soon as possible. The emperor said, "If the heir apparent is established, then I will become a man of leisure." Pei Xiu dared not speak further. In the second month, on the bingxu day, Pei Xiu requested to resign due to illness but was not permitted.

In the third month, on the xinhai day, an edict was issued saying: "The Uyghurs have rendered meritorious service to the court, have intermarried for generations, have submitted as vassals and paid tribute, and there have been no alarms on the northern border. During the Huichang era, the Uyghur court fell into chaos, and their khagan fled. At that time, treacherous ministers held power and immediately sought to destroy them. Recently, some who have surrendered say that Pangli has now become khagan and still resides in Anxi. When he returns to his main camp, he should be enfeoffed and appointed."

Because the capital prefecture had long been poorly governed, in summer, the fifth month, on the dingmao day, the emperor appointed Hanlin Academician and Vice Minister of Works Wei Ao as the Capital Prefect. Wei Ao was upright and impartial. After taking office, the powerful and influential curbed their behavior. A steward of Zheng Guang’s estate acted tyrannically, becoming a scourge in the countryside. He had not paid taxes for years, so Wei Ao arrested him and put him in shackles. The emperor questioned Wei Ao in the Yanying Hall, and Wei Ao reported the situation in detail. The emperor said, "How do you intend to handle him?" Wei Ao replied, "I intend to deal with him according to the law." The emperor said, "Zheng Guang is very fond of him. What can be done?" Wei Ao replied, "Your Majesty appointed me from the inner palace to be the Capital Prefect, intending to clear up the accumulated abuses in the capital region. If this steward of Zheng Guang’s, who has caused harm for years, can be spared severe punishment, then Your Majesty’s laws would only be enforced against the poor and common people. I dare not comply with the edict." The emperor said, "That is indeed true. But Zheng Guang has been pleading with me incessantly. You may give him a severe beating and spare his life. Is that acceptable?" Wei Ao replied, "I dare not disobey the edict. I hope you will allow me to temporarily detain him and release him only after the taxes are fully collected." The emperor said, "Of course. I feel ashamed to obstruct your enforcement of the law for Zheng Guang’s sake." When Wei Ao returned to the prefectural office, he immediately had the steward beaten with a stick. After forcing him to pay several hundred hu of grain in taxes, he returned the steward to Zheng Guang.

In the sixth month, on the wuyin day, Vice Director of the Chancellery and co-chief minister Pei Xiu was appointed co-chief minister and acting Xuanwu Circuit Governor.

Si Nong Qing (Minister of Agriculture) Wei Qin wanted to seek the position of Circuit Governor of Xiazhou. A magician learned of this and went to Wei Qin’s gate, saying, "I am skilled in offering sacrifices to the stars to seek blessings. When seeking office, nothing fails to go as desired." Wei Qin believed him. That night, an altar was set up in the courtyard. The magician said, "Please, sir, personally write a document of official rank." After obtaining it, he looked up to heaven and shouted, "Wei Qin has rebellious intentions and has ordered me to sacrifice to Heaven!" Wei Qin’s entire family knelt and wept, saying, "We hope the immortal will spare our family’s lives!" All the wealth and valuables in the house were given to the magician. Patrol soldiers found the magician’s brightly colored clothes suspicious and arrested him as a thief. In his panic, the magician said, "Wei Qin ordered me to sacrifice to Heaven. I wanted to report him, and he bribed me with his family property." When the matter reached the emperor’s ears, in autumn, the ninth month, the emperor summoned Wei Qin for a personal interrogation and fully understood that he was innocent. He said to the chief ministers, "Wei Qin is from a prominent family in the southern part of the city. He has been falsely accused by a villain. Do not let the prison officials humiliate him." He immediately handed the magician over to the Capital Prefecture, where he was beaten to death. Wei Qin was demoted to the position of Sima of Yongzhou.

The Vice Minister of Revenue, Acting Minister of Revenue, and Commandery Consort-in-Chief Zheng Hao sought the position of chief minister with great urgency. When his father, Zheng Zhide, heard of this, he wrote him a letter saying, "I have heard that you have already been appointed Acting Minister of Revenue. This is the year I will surely die. And I have also heard that you seek to become chief minister. This is the day I will surely die." Zheng Hao became fearful and submitted multiple memorials requesting to be relieved of his heavy responsibilities.

In winter, the tenth month, on the yiyou day, Zheng Hao was appointed Director of the Palace Library.

The emperor sent an envoy to Anxi to pacify and soothe the Uyghurs. When the envoy reached Lingwu, he happened to meet the Uyghur khagan’s envoy entering the court to pay tribute.

In the eleventh month, on the xinhai day, the emperor enfeoffed and appointed the Uyghur khagan as Huaijian Khagan, and sent Weiwei Shaoqing Wang Duanzhang as the envoy.

The Vice Minister of Personnel Li Jingrang submitted a memorial saying: "Emperor Muzong was Your Majesty’s elder brother. Emperors Jingzong, Wenzong, and Wuzong were your elder brother’s sons. Your Majesty may bow to an elder brother, but can you bow to nephews? This would prevent Your Majesty from personally sacrificing to the seven ancestral temples. The four spirit tablets should be moved out of the Supreme Ancestral Temple, and the spirit tablets from Emperor Daizong onward should be moved back." An edict was issued ordering the hundred officials to discuss this matter, but it ended without a conclusion. People at the time looked down on Li Jingrang because of this.

An edict said: "Ordination platforms shall be established at the Linggan and Huishan monasteries. Monks and nuns in various monasteries who should fill vacancies shall be selected by the elder monks, who will issue certificates of verification. They shall proceed to the two ordination platforms to receive the precepts. The two capitals shall each select ten great virtuous ones to preside over this. Those who are unqualified shall be dismissed. Those who are qualified shall be issued ordination certificates and sent back to their home prefectures. Without a certificate of verification from the ordination platform, they shall not be privately harbored. First, existing monks and nuns shall be selected. If there are no qualified ones among the existing monks and nuns, then outsiders may be chosen."

On the renchen day, the Hubu Shilang and Pan Hubu Cui Shenshen was appointed as Gongbu Shangshu and Tong Pingzhangshi. Whenever the emperor appointed a chancellor, those around him did not know beforehand. The day before this, he ordered the Shumishi to go to the Academy of Scholars and proclaim the edict, appointing the Bingbu Shilang and Pan Duzhi Xiao Ye as Tong Pingzhangshi. The Shumishi Wang Guichang and Ma Gongru again memorialized, saying: “Should the Duzhi post that Xiao Ye administers be dismissed?” The emperor believed that Wang Guichang and the others were shielding Xiao Ye, so he personally wrote Cui Shenshen’s name and the new appointment, handed it to the Academy of Scholars, and said, “Dismiss him from the Pan Hubu post.” Xiao Ye was the eighth-generation descendant of Xiao Ming.

The Neiyuanshi Li Jingshi encountered Zheng Lang and did not yield his horse. Zheng Lang memorialized this matter. The emperor reprimanded Li Jingshi, who replied: “By regulation, a Fenggongguan does not yield.” The emperor said: “If you were on an imperial mission, crossing the road would still be permissible. How can you go out on private business and not yield to the chancellor!” He ordered that Li Jingshi’s official robe color be stripped and that he be sent to the Southern Office.

Spring, first month, bingwu day. The Yushizhongcheng and concurrent Shangshu Youcheng Xiahou Zi was appointed as Hubu Shilang and Pan Hubu. Previously, the Pan Hubu post was vacant. The Jingzhao Yin Wei Ao memorialized on government affairs, and the emperor wanted to appoint Wei Ao to fill this post. Wei Ao declined, saying: “Your servant’s strength of mind has waned in recent years, making difficult affairs hard to manage. I have repeatedly begged Your Majesty for a small garrison, but the imperial favor has not yet been granted.” The emperor was displeased at hearing this. When Wei Ao returned home, his nephew Liu Bing came to visit him. Wei Ao said: “The emperor did not consult with the chancellors but privately intended to appoint me. People will certainly say I obtained this post through other channels. How can I explain myself! Besides, do you know that the current situation is gradually worsening? This is caused by people like us coveting rank and position.” On bingchen day, Wei Ao was appointed as the Hedong Jiedushi. Liu Bing was the son of Liu Zhongying.

The emperor wanted to visit the Huaqing Palace. The remonstrance officials strongly advised against it, so the emperor canceled the trip. The emperor was fond of listening to remonstrance and admonition. Whenever remonstrance officials discussed government affairs or the Menxiasheng sealed and returned edicts, if the arguments were reasonable, he often yielded his own will and followed them. When receiving memorials and reports from officials, he would always burn incense and wash his hands before reading them.

Second month, xinsi day. The Menxia Shilang and Tong Pingzhangshi Wei Mo was appointed, with the title Tong Pingzhangshi, to serve as the Xichuan Jiedushi. When Wei Mo served as chancellor and discussed government affairs before the emperor, other chancellors sometimes used indirect and subtle remonstrance, but only Wei Mo spoke directly and without evasion. The emperor often sighed and said: “Wei Mo very much has his grandfather’s style. I deeply respect him in my heart.” Yet ultimately, because of his uprightness, he was resented by Linghu Tao and forced out of court.

The barbarians of the mountain ravines in Lingnan repeatedly raided and plundered.

Summer, fourth month, renshen day. The Youqianniu Da Jiangjun Song Ya was appointed as the Annancong and Yongguan Xuanweishi.

Fifth month, yisi day. Song Ya was appointed as the Annancong Jinglueshi. The Rongzhou army mutinied and expelled the Jinglueshi Wang Qiu.

Sixth month, guisi day. Song Ya was appointed as the Rongguan Jinglueshi.

Jiawu day. The emperor’s son Li Guan was established as the Prince of Wei, and Li Rong as the Prince of Guang.

Autumn, seventh month, gengzi day. The Bingbu Shilang and Pan Duzhi Xiao Ye was appointed as Tong Pingzhangshi, still concurrently administering Duzhi.

The Jiaofang performer Zhu Hanzhen was quick-witted and nimble. The emperor would sometimes point at an object and order him to improvise a chant, and he would describe and recite it as if it were prepared in advance. Thus, his favor among the many performers was supreme. One day, he clapped his hands and joked before the emperor, and his words involved many matters outside the court. The emperor, with a stern expression, said to him: “I keep men like you precisely to provide me with amusement and entertainment. How can you always meddle in government affairs!” From then on, he kept his distance from him. It happened that Zhu Hanzhen’s son committed a crime of graft and was beaten to death by caning. Zhu Hanzhen was exiled to the Tian De Army. The musician Luo Cheng was skilled at playing the pipa and had been favored since the reign of Emperor Wuzong. The emperor had long been familiar with music and melody, and Luo Cheng was especially favored. Luo Cheng, relying on imperial favor, was violent and tyrannical, and for a trivial matter killed a man. He was imprisoned in the Jingzhaofu jail. Other musicians wanted to plead for him. Taking advantage of the emperor’s visit to the rear garden for music, they set up an empty seat, placed a pipa on it, then knelt in a row in the courtyard and wept. The emperor asked them the reason. They replied: “Luo Cheng has failed Your Majesty; his crime deserves ten thousand deaths. Yet we pity his unparalleled skill in the world, and that he can no longer attend Your Majesty’s banquets and entertainments!” The emperor said: “What you pity is Luo Cheng’s skill. What I cherish is the law established by Gaozu and Taizong.” He finally ordered that Luo Cheng be beaten to death with canes.

Eighth month. The Chengde Jiedushi Wang Shaoding died. Wang Shaoding was addicted to wine and women without restraint, and liked to ascend a high tower and shoot people with a pellet bow for amusement. The multitude wanted to expel him. It happened that he died of illness. The army established his younger brother, the Jiedu Fushi Wang Shaoyi. On wuyin day, Wang Shaoyi was appointed as Chengde Liuhou.

Ninth month, xinyou day. The Taizi Taishi Lu Jun was appointed as Tong Pingzhangshi, serving as the Shan Nan Xi Dao Jiedushi.

Winter, tenth month, jisi day. The Qincheng Fangyushi Li Chengyun was appointed as the Jingyuan Jiedushi. Li Chengyun was the grandson of Li Guangbi. Previously, the Tubo chieftain Shang Yanxin led the tribes of Hezhou and Weizhou to surrender and was granted the post of Wujiang Jiangjun. Li Chengyun, coveting the wealth of his sheep and horses, lured him into entering the Fenglin Pass and settling west of Qinzhou. Li Chengyun plotted with his generals to arrest Shang Yanxin, falsely accuse him of plotting rebellion, plunder all his property, and move his tribes to desolate areas. Shang Yanxin learned of this scheme. Taking advantage of a military banquet held by Li Chengyun, he said to Li Chengyun in the assembly: “The two prefectures of Hezhou and Weizhou have vast, sparsely populated land, and moreover suffer from famine and pestilence. The Tang people mostly migrate inward to the Three Rivers region, and the Tubo people have all fled far away to the west of Diezhou and Dangzhou. For two thousand li, it is silent and devoid of human smoke. I, Shang Yanxin, wish to enter court and have an audience with the Son of Heaven, and request to lead all my tribes to be separately relocated to the interior, to become subjects of the Tang, so that the western border will never again have alarms of war. This achievement would not be less than that of Zhang Yichao.” Li Chengyun wanted to monopolize this merit for himself and hesitated, not agreeing. Shang Yanxin added: “Since I, Shang Yanxin, am entering court and the tribes are relocating inland, it is only a pity that Qinzhou will have nothing left to rely on.” Li Chengyun and his generals looked at each other in silence. The next day, the generals said to Li Chengyun: “Your Excellency was the first to establish farmland colonies, set up a military headquarters, and command ten thousand troops. Provisions depend on the Duzhi for supply. The officers and soldiers have no toil of battle or defense, but have the profit of farming and trade. If we follow Shang Yanxin’s plan, then the western frontier will have no war. The court will surely disband the headquarters, reduce the garrison troops, and return Qinzhou to the jurisdiction of Fengxiang. Then we will have nothing more to hope for.” Li Chengyun thought this was correct, so he memorialized, appointing Shang Yanxin as the Hezhou and Weizhou Duyoushi, allowing him to lead his tribes and reside there.

The Zhongshu Shilang and Tong Pingzhangshi Zheng Lang resigned from the chancellorship due to illness.

On renshen day, Zheng Lang was appointed as Taizi Taishi.

In his later years, the emperor was quite fond of the arts of immortals. He dispatched a Zhongshi to Mount Luofu to welcome the Daoist Xuan Yuan Ji.

Wang Duanfeng was sent to enfeoff the Uighur Khan, but on the way the road was blocked by the Heichezi tribe. He was unable to reach his destination and returned.

On xinmao day, Wang Duanfeng was demoted to the post of Sima of Hezhou.

Eleventh month, renyin day. The Chengde Liuhou Wang Shaoyi was appointed as Jiedushi.

Twelfth month. Xiao Ye was dismissed from the post of Pan Duzhi.

In spring, in the first month, Wang Shi, who held the titles of Tutor to the Prince of Kang and was assigned to the Eastern Capital, was appointed as the Military Governor and Jinglue Commissioner of Annan. Wang Shi was talented and resourceful. After arriving at Jiaozhi, he cut down a type of tree () to build palisades that could last for decades. Outside the palisades, he dug deep trenches to drain the city’s water, and beyond the trenches, he planted bamboo, making it impossible for enemies to cross. He selected and trained soldiers, making them extremely elite. Soon, the Southern Barbarian army arrived in force and encamped at Jintian Bu, only half a day’s journey from Jiaozhi. Wang Shi remained composed and sent an interpreter to deliver a message, striking at their vital points. The Southern Barbarians withdrew overnight and sent someone to apologize, saying, “We only came to capture rebellious Lao people, not to invade.” The chief officer of Annan, Luo Xinggong, had long monopolized the prefectural government, commanding two thousand elite soldiers, while the governor’s central army consisted of only a few hundred weak troops. After Wang Shi took office, he had Luo Xinggong flogged on the back and exiled him to a border region.

Initially, when Liu Zhuan, the Vice Minister of Revenue and Judge of Expenditure, served as an Academician of the Hanlin Academy, the emperor greatly valued him. At that time, he was serving as the Military Governor of Hedong. The emperor issued a personal edict summoning him to court. Liu Zhuan set out from Hedong and submitted a memorial, and only then did outsiders learn of this. On the Wuwu day, Liu Zhuan was appointed as Tongping Zhangshi. Liu Zhuan was the fifth-generation descendant of Liu Rengui. Liu Zhuan and Cui Shenshen discussed state affairs before the emperor. Cui Shenshen said, “One should only distinguish and evaluate social ranks and classes, so as to repay even a ten-thousandth of Your Majesty’s grace.” Liu Zhuan replied, “In the past, Wang Yifu valued vanity and delusion, indiscriminately distinguishing ranks, leading to the Central Plains becoming ruins. Now, in this era of peace and clarity, we should seek reality according to names, so that all officials fulfill their duties. But if we suddenly prioritize ranks, I do not know when we will achieve order in the world.” Cui Shenshen had no response.

Xuanyuan Ji arrived at Chang’an. The emperor summoned him to the palace and asked, “Can the way of longevity be learned?” Xuanyuan Ji replied, “If the emperor abandons selfish desires and upholds virtue, then he will naturally receive heaven’s gift of long-lasting fortune. Why seek longevity elsewhere?” Xuanyuan Ji stayed in the palace for several months but firmly requested to return to the mountains, so the emperor sent him back.

In spring, on the first day of the second month, the practice of officials paying respects at Guangling and burning incense on anniversaries was stopped, and all palace women were transferred to various imperial tombs.

On the Wuchen day, Cui Shenshen, the Vice Director of the Secretariat and Tongping Zhangshi, was appointed as the Military Governor of Dongchuan.

The emperor wanted to ascend the city wall to announce a general amnesty. Linghu Tao said, “Ascending the city wall involves enormous expense, and the event must have a proper reason. Moreover, amnesties should not be frequent.” The emperor, displeased, said, “Then what reason do you expect me to use?” Cui Shenshen said, “Your Majesty has not yet established an heir, and all officials and people under heaven place their hopes on this. If this ritual is carried out, even a suburban sacrifice would be permissible, let alone ascending the city wall!” At that time, the emperor was taking alchemical elixirs from a Daoist, already feeling restless and thirsty, though outsiders did not know. The emperor’s suspicions were deepening. Upon hearing this, he lowered his head and said nothing. Ten days later, Cui Shenshen was removed from his post as chancellor.

Li Yizhen, the King of Bohai, died. On the Guiwei day, his brother Li Qianhuang was established as the King of Bohai.

In summer, in the fourth month, Liu Yi, the Right Street Commissioner and Imperial Son-in-Law, was appointed as the Military Governor of Bin’ning. Liu Yi had married Princess Anping, the emperor’s sister.

On the Gengzi day, Wang Linghuan, a chief officer of Lingnan, rebelled, imprisoning the Military Governor Yang Fa. Yang Fa was from Suzhou.

On the Wushen day, Xiahou Zi, the Vice Minister of War and Salt and Iron Transport Commissioner, was appointed as Tongping Zhangshi.

In the fifth month, on the Bingyin day, Liu Zhuan, the Minister of Works and Tongping Zhangshi, died. When Liu Zhuan was critically ill, he still personally wrote a memorial discussing state affairs, and the emperor deeply regretted his death.

Li Sui, the Right Jinwu General, was appointed as the Military Governor of Lingnan. The emperor had already ordered a eunuch envoy to grant him the ceremonial axe, but the Supervising Secretary Xiao Fang sealed and returned the decree. The emperor was enjoying music at the time and had no time to summon another eunuch envoy, so he sent a performer to chase after the envoy. The axe arrived at Li Sui’s gate but was then returned. Xiao Fang was Xiao Mian’s cousin.

On the Xinsi day, Li Chengxun, the Military Governor of Jingyuan, was appointed as the Military Governor of Lingnan, and troops from neighboring circuits were mobilized to suppress the rebellion, which was pacified.

On the same day, a military rebellion occurred in Hunan. Chief Officer Shi Zaishun and others expelled the Surveillance Commissioner Han Cong and killed the Chief Press Officer Wang Guizhi. Han Cong had treated the officers and soldiers without propriety, thus incurring this disaster.

In the sixth month, on the Bingshen day, a military rebellion occurred in Jiangxi. Chief Officer Mao He expelled the Surveillance Commissioner Zheng Xian.

Initially, Li Zhu, the Military Governor of Annan, was greedy and cruel in governance. He forcibly purchased horses and cattle from the barbarian regions, giving only one peck of salt for each head. He also killed the barbarian chieftain Du Cuncheng. The various barbarian tribes, resentful and angry, led Nanzhao to invade and plunder the border. Fengzhou had Linxi Yuan, where originally six thousand defense troops were stationed for winter. Nearby, in the seven Dong caves, there was a barbarian chieftain named Li Youdu, who often helped the Chinese garrison and paid taxes and tribute. The official managing Fengzhou reported to Li Zhu, requesting the withdrawal of the defense troops and entrusting defense solely to Li Youdu. From then on, Li Youdu became isolated and unable to stand on his own. The Tuodong Military Governor of Nanzhao wrote to entice him, marrying his niece to Li Youdu’s son and appointing him as Tuodong Press Officer. Li Youdu then led his people to submit to Nanzhao. From then on, Annan began to suffer from barbarian troubles. In this month, the barbarians invaded Annan.

In autumn, in the seventh month, on the Bingyin day, Kang Quantai, a chief officer of Xuanzhou, rebelled, expelling the Surveillance Commissioner Zheng Xun. Zheng Xun fled to Yangzhou.

On the Dingmao day, Zhang Qian, a Supplementary Attendant of the Right Remonstrance Bureau, submitted a memorial, stating: “When the governors of circuits and prefectures are replaced, they all report the amount of stored grain and goods in the treasuries, taking surpluses as achievements, and the court evaluates and rewards them accordingly. I privately believe that the wealth and taxes in the circuit treasuries come from fixed sources. If there is no excessive taxation or the reduction of soldiers’ salaries and clothing and food, then where do the surpluses come from? Recently, the various southern circuits have experienced repeated unrest, all for this reason. Once an incident occurs, all accumulated goods are plundered. Moreover, troops must be raised to suppress it, costing a hundred times more. What benefit does the court gain from this? I request that from now on, when circuit governors do not increase taxation or reduce food and rewards, but only save on feasts and entertainment and reduce unnecessary expenses, and then produce a surplus, they should be rewarded.” The emperor approved and adopted his suggestion.

Rongguan reported that the Chief Adjutant Lai Zheng had rebelled, and the Jinglue Commissioner Song Ya arrested and executed him. Initially, the elite soldiers of the Zhongwu Army all wrapped their heads with yellow cloth, called the Yellow Head Army. Li Chengxun led a hundred men to pacify Lingnan, and Song Ya had his subordinates imitate their uniforms, also pacifying Rongzhou. In Annan, there were vicious commoners who often caused trouble. Hearing of this, they were terrified and said, “The Yellow Head Army has crossed the sea to attack us!” Together, they surrounded Jiaozhi city at night, beating drums and shouting, “We want to send the governor back north; we need this city to resist the Yellow Head Army.” Wang Shi was eating when someone advised him to flee. Wang Shi said, “If I take a single step, the city will collapse.” He finished his meal slowly, donned his armor, mounted the city wall with his attendants, raised the general’s banner, sat down and rebuked them, and the besiegers retreated instead. The next day, he arrested and executed them all. There was a man named Du Shoucheng, who, since the Qi and Liang dynasties, had gathered people and occupied the mountain caves, beyond control. Wang Shi sowed discord among his trusted followers, and Du Shoucheng fled and died. Annan had suffered successive famines and disturbances, failing to pay tribute to the court for six years, and the troops had not been rewarded. Wang Shi then restored the payment of tribute and taxes and feasted and rewarded the officers and soldiers. Zhan Cheng and Zhen La both sent envoys again to maintain relations.

Cui Xuan, the Military Governor of Huainan, reported that he had sent troops to suppress the rebels in Xuanzhou. In the eighth month, on the Jiawu day, Cui Xuan was appointed concurrently as the Surveillance Commissioner of Xuanshe. On the Jihai day, Wen Zhang, the Prefect of Songzhou, was appointed as the Training Commissioner of Xuanzhou. Wen Zhang was the son of Wen Zao.

Henan, Hebei, and Huainan suffered severe floods. In Xuzhou and Sizhou, the water was five zhang deep, submerging tens of thousands of households.

In winter, the tenth month, the prefect of Jianzhou, Yu Yanling, entered the court to take his leave. The Emperor said: "How far is Jianzhou from the capital?" He replied: "Eight thousand li." The Emperor said: "I know whether your governance there is good or bad; do not think it is distant. This very step before the hall is ten thousand li—do you understand?" Yu Yanling trembled in fear and spoke incoherently. The Emperor comforted him and sent him off. After arriving at his post, he was ultimately demoted to the post of Sima of Fuzhou for incompetence.

Linghu Tao proposed appointing Li Yuan as the prefect of Hangzhou. The Emperor said: "I have heard Li Yuan’s poem: 'The long day only passes with one game of chess'—how can he govern the people?" Linghu Tao said: "It is merely a poet expressing refined interest; it may not be truly so." The Emperor said: "Let him try for now." The Emperor issued an edict that prefects could not be transferred from outside the capital; they must come to the capital, where he would assess their abilities in person before appointing them. Linghu Tao once transferred an old friend to be the prefect of a neighboring prefecture, and the man went directly to his post. When the Emperor saw his memorial of thanks, he asked Linghu Tao about it. Linghu Tao replied: "Because the road was near, it saved the trouble of sending him off and welcoming him." The Emperor said: "I, because most prefects are unworthy and bring harm to the people, wish to receive each one, ask them about their plans for governance, and understand their merits and demerits to promote or demote them. Yet the edict has been issued and is directly set aside—can the Chancellor defy the powerful?" At the time, the weather was cold, but Linghu Tao’s sweat soaked through his many layers of fur clothing.

The Emperor held court and received and responded to his ministers as if they were guests. Even his close attendants had never seen him show a weary expression. Whenever the Chancellors reported on affairs, no one stood nearby, and his majesty made people dare not look up. After the reports were finished, he would suddenly say cheerfully: "Now we can speak of idle matters." He would then ask about trivial affairs among the people, or discuss palace entertainments and banquets, leaving nothing untouched. After about a quarter of an hour, he would again straighten his expression and say: "You must do well. I often fear that you will fail me, and then we will not meet again." Then he would rise and enter the palace. Linghu Tao said to others: "I have held power for ten years and received the greatest favor; yet every time I report affairs in the Yanying Hall, I never fail to sweat through my clothes!"

Initially, the military governor of Shannan East Circuit, Xu Shang, because his territory was dangerous and vast and had long had many bandits, selected several hundred elite soldiers and set up a separate camp to train them, calling them Bandit-Suppressing Generals. Later, when Hunan expelled its commander, an edict ordered Xu Shang to suppress them. Xu Shang sent two hundred Bandit-Suppressing Generals to pacify them.

Cui Xuan reported that he had captured Xuanzhou and executed Kang Quantai and over four hundred of his followers.

The Emperor, because the Director of the Palace Library, Wei Zhou, had a father, Wei Dan, who had brought beneficial governance to Jiangxi, appointed Wei Zhou as the Surveillance Commissioner of Jiangxi and mobilized troops from neighboring circuits to suppress Mao He.

Cui Xuan, because Xuanzhou was already pacified, resigned from his concurrent post as Surveillance Commissioner of Xuan and She. In the eleventh month, on the day Wuyin, Wen Zhang was appointed as the Surveillance Commissioner of Xuan and She.

The Vice Minister of War and Acting Minister of Revenue, Jiang Shen, said calmly to the Emperor: "Recently, official positions have become quite easy to obtain, and people all seek them through luck." The Emperor said in surprise: "If so, there will be chaos!" Jiang Shen replied: "Chaos has not yet appeared, but those seeking luck have increased; chaos would not be difficult." The Emperor repeatedly praised him. Jiang Shen rose to take his leave three times, and the Emperor detained him three times, saying: "In the future, I cannot meet you alone again." Jiang Shen did not understand. In the twelfth month, on the day Jiayin, Jiang Shen was appointed as Tong Pingzhangshi.

Wei Zhou reported that he had captured Hongzhou and executed Mao He and over five hundred of his followers. When Wei Zhou passed through Xiangzhou, Xu Shang sent his commander Han Jiyou to lead the Bandit-Suppressing Generals to accompany him. When Wei Zhou reached Jiangzhou, Han Jiyou requested to lead his troops by night overland on a shortcut. By dawn, they reached Hongzhou, and the people in the prefecture were unaware. That same day, they suppressed them. Wei Zhou memorialized requesting to keep two hundred Bandit-Suppressing Generals in Jiangxi, and appointed Han Jiyou as Commander of the Capital.

In spring, the first month, on the day Wuwu (new year’s day), a general amnesty was granted.

In the third month, the three prefectures of Yunzhou, Shuozhou, and Weizhou were split from Hedong and attached to the Datong Army.

In summer, the fourth month, on the day Xinmao, Yu Cong, a Collator of the Imperial Library, was appointed as Left Reminder and Inner Attendant. Initially, the Emperor wanted Yu Cong to marry the Yongfu Princess, but soon stopped. The Chancellors asked why. The Emperor said: "I recently ate with this daughter; she broke a chopstick in front of me. With such a temperament, how can she be the wife of a scholar-official?" He then ordered Yu Cong to marry the Guangde Princess. Both princesses were the Emperor’s daughters. Yu Cong was the son of Yu Ao.

The military governor of Wuning Circuit, Kang Jirong, did not care for his soldiers; the soldiers raised a clamor and expelled him. The Emperor, because the General of the Left Golden Guard, Tian Mou, had once governed Xuzhou and had a reputation for competence, appointed him as the military governor of Wuning Circuit, and the region was thus pacified. Kang Jirong was exiled to Lingnan.

In the sixth month, on the day Guisi, the son of Xianzong, Li Ti, was enfeoffed as the King of Peng. Initially, the Emperor’s eldest son, the Prince of Yun, Li Wen, was not favored and lived in the Sixteen Mansions; the remaining sons all lived in the palace. The Prince of Kui, Li Zi, was the third son; the Emperor loved him and wanted to make him his heir, but because he was not in the proper order, the heir apparent was not established for a long time.

The Emperor took elixirs prepared by the medical officer Li Xuanbo, the Daoist Yu Zizhi, and the hermit Wang Le, and developed a boil on his back.

In the eighth month, the boil became very severe. The Chancellors and court officials could not see him. The Emperor secretly entrusted the Prince of Kui to the Chief Palace Attendants Wang Guichang and Ma Gongru, and the Director of the Southern Palace Service Wang Jufang, ordering them to establish him. These three, along with the Right Army Commander Wang Maoxuan, were all people the Emperor had favored in daily life. Only the Left Army Commander Wang Zongshi had always been at odds with them. The three plotted together and transferred Wang Zongshi to be the eunuch commissioner of Huainan. Wang Zongshi had already accepted the edict outside the Xuanhua Gate and was about to leave through the Yintai Gate. The Deputy Commander of the Left Army, Qi Yuanshi, said to Wang Zongshi: "His Majesty has been ill for over a month; the Commander can only greet him from outside the palace gates. This appointment and transfer today cannot be verified as genuine. Why not see His Majesty before leaving?" Wang Zongshi realized this and re-entered the palace. The gates had already been reinforced with additional guards according to protocol. Qi Yuanshi guided Wang Zongshi straight to the bedchamber. The Emperor had already passed away, and the crowd was facing east, weeping in a circle. Wang Zongshi rebuked Wang Guichang and the others, accusing them of forging the edict. They all clung to his feet, begging for mercy. He then sent the Director of the Northern Palace Service, Qi Yuanjian, to welcome the Prince of Yun. On the day Renchen, an edict was issued establishing the Prince of Yun as the Crown Prince, temporarily managing military and state affairs, and changing his name to Li Cui. Wang Guichang, Ma Gongru, and Wang Jufang were arrested and all executed.

On the day Guisi, the testamentary edict was announced, ordering Linghu Tao to act as regent.

Emperor Xuanzong was intelligent and decisive, impartial in law, receptive to remonstrance, sparing with official titles and rewards, respectful and frugal, and caring for the people and all things. Thus, the governance of the Dazhong era, even until the fall of the Tang, was remembered and praised by the people, who called him the Little Taizong.

On the day Bingshen, Emperor Yizong ascended the throne.

On the day Guimao, the Empress Dowager was honored as the Grand Empress Dowager. Wang Zongshi was appointed as General-in-Chief of the Cavalry. Li Xuanbo, Yu Zizhi, and Wang Le were all executed.

In the ninth month, the Emperor’s mother, Consort Zhao of the Chao clan, was posthumously honored as Empress Yuanzhao.

The military governor of Weibo Circuit, He Hongjing, was concurrently appointed as Zhongshu Ling, and the military governor of Youzhou Circuit, Zhang Yunshen, was appointed as Tong Pingzhangshi.

In winter, the tenth month, on the day Xinmao, a general amnesty was granted.

In the eleventh month, on the day Wuwu, the Vice Director of the Chancellery and Tong Pingzhangshi, Xiao Ye, was appointed as Tong Pingzhangshi and sent to serve as the military governor of Jingnan Circuit.

In the twelfth month, on the day Jiashen, the Hanlin Academy Academician-in-Chief and Vice Minister of War, Du Shenquan, was appointed as Tong Pingzhangshi. Du Shenquan was the grandson of Du Yuanying’s younger brother.

The rebel leader from Zhedong, Qiu Fu, captured Xiangshan. The government troops were repeatedly defeated, and the gates of Mingzhou were closed even during the day. The rebels advanced toward Shan County, with a following of one hundred men, stirring up Zhedong. The Surveillance Commissioner, Zheng Zhide, sent the Vice Pacification Commissioner Liu Qing and the Deputy General Fan Juzhi to lead three hundred soldiers, joining with the Taizhou troops to suppress them.

The Minister of Works, Vice Director of the Chancellery, and Tong Pingzhangshi, Linghu Tao, had held power for many years and was jealous of those more capable than himself. Both inside and outside the court, people looked at him sideways. His son, Linghu Hu, was somewhat involved in power and bribery. After Emperor Xuanzong’s death, those discussing affairs vied in attacking his faults.

On the dingyou day, Linghu Tao was appointed as Tong Pingzhangshi and concurrently as the military governor of Hezhong. The former military governor of Jingnan, Tong Pingzhangshi Bai Minzhong, was appointed as Minister of Education, concurrently as Attendant of the Secretariat and Tong Pingzhangshi.

Previously, when Wei Gao was in Xichuan, he opened the Qingxi Road to facilitate communication with the various Man tribes, allowing them to enter the court and present tribute through Shu. He also selected young men from the Man tribes to gather in Chengdu, teaching them writing and arithmetic, intending to pacify and win them over. Once their studies were completed, they were sent back, and other youths were exchanged to continue learning. This continued for fifty years, with nearly a thousand Man youths studying in Chengdu, and the military government became quite weary of supporting them. Moreover, when Man envoys entered the court to present tribute, they coveted the court’s rewards and brought increasingly large retinues. When Du Cong served as the military governor of Xichuan, he submitted a memorial requesting a reduction in their numbers, and the emperor issued an edict agreeing. Nanzhao’s Fengyou became enraged, and his winter solstice envoy left the submitted memorial at Xi Prefecture before returning. He also demanded the return of the students, sending documents with disrespectful language, and from then on, tribute was no longer offered on schedule, and border incursions frequently occurred. It happened that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang died, and the court sent a eunuch envoy to announce the mourning. At that time, Fengyou of Nanzhao had just died, and his son Qulong ascended the throne. He angrily said, “Our country also has a mourning, yet the court did not send condolences. Moreover, the edict was given to the deceased king.” So he placed the envoy in an outer guesthouse and treated him very poorly. After the envoy returned, he reported the details to the court. Emperor Yizong of Tang, because Qulong did not send an envoy to announce the mourning and because his name was similar to the taboo name of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, did not conduct the investiture ceremony. Qulong then proclaimed himself emperor, with the state title of Dali, changed the era name to Jianji, and sent troops to capture Bozhou.