Tang Annals 66
Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government, Volume 250
[Tang Records, Chapter 66] From the year of the Metal-Stemmed Tiger (867 AD) to the year of the Water-Serpent (874 AD), eight years in total.
Spring, first month, on the Yimao day, the Zhejiang army engaged Qiu Fu at the Tongbai Temple. Fan Juzhi died in battle, while Liu Qing barely escaped with his life. On the Yichou day, Qiu Fu led over a thousand followers to capture Shan County. He opened the government warehouses, recruited strong men, and his forces grew to several thousand. Yuezhou was thrown into great panic. At that time, the two Zhejiang regions had long been at peace, and the people were unfamiliar with warfare. Weapons and armor were rusted and blunt, and the existing soldiers numbered fewer than three hundred. Zheng Zhide recruited new troops to supplement them. The military clerks took bribes, and most of those recruited were weak and frail. Zheng Zhide dispatched the subordinate general Shen Junzong, the deputy general Zhang Gongshu, and Wanghai garrison commander Li Gui, leading five hundred new troops to attack Qiu Fu. On the Xinmao day of the second month, they fought west of Shan County. The rebel forces set up an ambush on the south bank of the Three Streams River and arrayed their troops on the north bank. They dammed the upstream water so that it could be forded on foot. After the battle began, the rebels feigned retreat. The government troops pursued, and when they reached the middle of the stream, the rebels opened the dam. A great flood surged forward, and the government troops were utterly defeated. All three generals died in battle, and the army was nearly annihilated. Consequently, bandits from the mountains and seas, along with outlaws and fugitives from other circuits, gathered from all directions, swelling the ranks to thirty thousand men, divided into thirty-two units. Among the lesser leaders, those with strategy promoted Liu Huang, while those with outstanding bravery promoted Liu Qing and Liu Congjian. Bandits from various groups sent letters and gifts from afar, requesting to join his command. Qiu Fu proclaimed himself "Commissioner of All Military Affairs Under Heaven," changed the reign title to Luoping, and cast official seals with the inscription "Great Peace." He amassed vast supplies of grain and materials, recruited skilled craftsmen, and manufactured weapons and equipment, his prestige shaking the Central Plains.
On the Bingshen day, the Shengwu Xianwen Xiaoxiao Emperor was buried at Zhenling, with the temple name Xuanzong.
On the Bingwu day, Bai Minzhong entered the court, fell down the steps, and injured his waist. He was carried home in a sedan chair. Zheng Zhide submitted multiple memorials reporting urgent situations and requested aid from neighboring circuits. Zhexi dispatched the officer Ling Maozhen with four hundred men, and Xuanshe dispatched the officer Bai Cong with three hundred men to provide relief. Zheng Zhide initially ordered them to garrison at the city gates and the East Little River, but soon recalled them into the prefectural compound for his own defense. He supplied them with provisions thirteen times the standard military rations, but the soldiers from Xuanzhou and Runzhou still considered it insufficient. The Xuanzhou and Runzhou troops requested local soldiers as guides to engage the rebels. Some generals claimed illness, others pretended to fall from their horses, and those willing to go demanded promotions first, ultimately failing to deploy. Rebel scouts reached Pingshui and the East Little River. The gentry and commoners in the city prepared boats, packed food, and sat awake through the night waiting for dawn, each planning to flee. The court, aware of Zheng Zhide's cowardice and timidity, discussed selecting a military officer to replace him. Xiahou Zi said: "Zhedong's mountains and seas are deep and treacherous. It can be taken by strategy, not easily by force. Among the Western Ban (civil officials), there is no one fit to discuss this. The former Annan Protector Wang Shi, though a Confucian scholar, subdued both Chinese and barbarians in Annan and is renowned far and wide. He can be employed." All the chancellors agreed. Thereupon, Wang Shi was appointed as the Zhedong Surveillance Commissioner, and Zheng Zhide was recalled to court as the Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent. On the Xinhai day of the third month, Wang Shi entered the court for an audience. The emperor asked him about strategies to suppress the rebels. He replied: "If you grant me troops, I will surely crush the rebels." A eunuch standing nearby said: "Mobilizing troops is too costly." Wang Shi said: "Your servant would not spare expenses for the state in this way. With more troops, the rebels will be swiftly defeated, and the cost will actually be saved. If fewer troops cannot defeat the rebels, prolonging the matter will expand their power, and then bandits from the Jiang-Huai region will rise in response. The state's expenditures all depend on Jiang-Huai. If that region is blocked, then from the nine ancestral temples above to the ten armies below, none will have supplies. How could the expense then be calculated!" The emperor turned to the eunuch and said: "He should be given troops." He then issued an edict mobilizing troops from Zhongwu, Yicheng, Huainan, and other circuits to be placed under Wang Shi. Qiu Fu divided his forces to plunder Quzhou and Wuzhou. The Wuzhou officer Fang Zhi, the scattered general Lou Zeng, and the Quzhou commander Fang Jingshen led troops to hold strategic passes, and the rebels could not enter. He also sent troops to plunder Mingzhou. The people of Mingzhou discussed among themselves: "If the rebels enter the city, our wives and children will be chopped into mincemeat, let alone our property—can it be preserved?" They then voluntarily contributed money to recruit brave men, build weapons, erect palisades, dig moats, and cut off bridges, preparing for defense. The rebels also sent troops to plunder Taizhou and captured Tangxing. On the Jisi day, Qiu Fu personally led over ten thousand men to plunder Shangyu, setting fires. On the Guiyou day, he entered Yuyao, killing the county magistrate and assistant magistrate. He then turned east, captured Cixi, entered Fenghua, reached Ninghai, killed the county magistrate and occupied the area, and divided his forces to surround Xiangshan. Wherever they passed, they captured the able-bodied, while the old and weak were trampled to death.
When the edict appointing Wang Shi was issued, the people of Zhedong began to feel somewhat reassured. Qiu Fu was feasting with his followers when he heard the news and was displeased. Liu Huang sighed and said: "With so many followers, yet our strategy and plans are still undecided—what a pity! Now the court is sending Commissioner Wang with troops. I hear this man is unmatched in wisdom and courage. He will surely arrive within forty days. The Military Commissioner should swiftly lead troops to capture Yuezhou, rely on its city walls, seize the government warehouses, dispatch five thousand men to guard Xiling, and build fortifications along the Zhe River to resist. Gather large numbers of boats, and when the opportunity arises, drive straight into Zhexi, cross the Yangzi River, and plunder Yangzhou's goods and treasures to enrich ourselves. After returning, repair and hold the Stone City. There will surely be respondents in Xuanshe and Jiangxi. Then send Liu Congjian with ten thousand men along the coast southward to attack Fujian. In this way, all the tribute-paying regions of the state will be ours. I only fear our descendants cannot hold them; in my lifetime, I guarantee no worries." Qiu Fu said: "You are drunk. Discuss this tomorrow!" Angered that Qiu Fu did not adopt his plan, Liu Huang feigned drunkenness and left. A jinshi named Wang Luo was among the rebels, treated as a guest. Wang Luo advised Qiu Fu: "Liu's plan is what Sun Quan did. He took advantage of great chaos under Heaven to seize Jiangdong. But now the Central Plains are peaceful, and such an achievement is not easy. Better to gather your forces, hold strategic points for defense, farm the land and fish the seas, and in emergencies flee to the islands. That is the safest strategy." Qiu Fu feared Wang Shi and hesitated.
Summer, fourth month. Wang Shi’s army reached Shikou. The Yicheng troops were disorderly, and Wang Shi wanted to execute their general but released him after a long time. From then on, wherever the army passed, it was as if there were no obstacles. Upon reaching Xiling, Qiu Fu sent an envoy to request surrender. Wang Shi said: "This surely shows no intention to surrender. He only wants to spy on my actions and make me arrogant and lax." He then said to the envoy: "If Qiu Fu binds himself and comes, he may be spared death." On the Yiwei day, Wang Shi entered Yuezhou. After taking over official duties, he held a banquet for Zheng Zhide, saying: "I, Wang Shi, am in charge of military affairs and cannot drink. The eunuch supervisor may drink to his heart’s content with the guests." By nightfall, candles were lit, and he said: "I, Wang Shi, am here. How can the rebels hinder our drinking!" On the Bingshen day, he saw Zheng Zhide off at the outer suburbs, feasting again before returning. Only then did he begin to tighten military discipline. Complaints about insufficient provisions ceased. Those who had claimed illness and stayed home rose. Those who had previously sought promotions fell silent. A separate rebel leader, Hong Shijian, and Xu Huineng led their followers to surrender. Wang Shi said: "Your surrender is correct. You should render meritorious service to prove yourselves." He let them lead their troops as the vanguard, and when they achieved merits in battle against the rebels, he memorialized the court to grant them official ranks.
Before this, spies entered Yuezhou, and military officials hid them and provided food and drink. Civil and military officials often secretly colluded with the, hoping that when the city fell, they would escape death and preserve their wives and children. Some pretended to guide generals to surrender, while actually spying on the situation. Secret plans and private conversations in the city were all known to the. Wang Shi secretly learned of this, arrested them all, and executed them. He especially punished the most overbearing and cunning officials, strictly enforced gate controls, allowing no one without credentials to enter or leave, and maintained tight night patrols. Only then did the cease to know what he was doing. Wang Shi ordered each county to open granaries to relieve the poor. Someone said: "The have not yet been destroyed, and military grain is urgently needed; it cannot be distributed." Wang Shi said: "This is not something you understand." The government army lacked cavalry. Wang Shi said: "The and who were recently exiled to Jiang and Huai are familiar with difficult terrain and accustomed to horses; they can be used." He registered them in the prefectural records and obtained more than a hundred brave and strong men. These captives had long been wandering, treated poorly by their units, and suffered severe hardship and hunger. Wang Shi held a feast to reward them and also provided for their parents, wives, and children. They all wept, knelt, bowed, and cheered, willing to die for him. He appointed them all as cavalry and placed them under the command of cavalry commander Shi Zongben. This was done throughout his jurisdiction, and he also petitioned for and obtained two hundred horses from the Longpi Imperial Horse Pasture, thus making the cavalry sufficient. Someone requested setting up beacon towers to scout the distance and strength of the. Wang Shi smiled but did not answer. He selected weak soldiers, had them ride sturdy horses, and gave them a small force to serve as scouts. Everyone found this strange but dared not ask. He then reviewed the existing troops in each camp and the local militia, obtaining four thousand men, whom he ordered to lead the army in separate routes to attack the. The prefectural seat had no garrison troops left, so he registered another thousand local militia to supplement it. Then he ordered Xuan-She general Bai Cong and Zhexi general Ling Maozhen to lead their own troops, and Beilai general Han Zongzheng and others to lead the local militia, totaling one thousand men; Shi Zongben led the cavalry as the vanguard, heading from Shangyu to Fenghua to lift the siege of Xiangshan, calling this the East Route Army. He also ordered Yicheng general Bai Zongjian, Zhongwu general You Junchu, and Huainan general Wan Lin to lead their own troops and join forces with the Taizhou Tangxing army, calling this the South Route Army. He commanded them: "Do not contend for strategic or flat terrain, do not burn houses, do not kill civilians to increase your head count! Recruit those civilians who were coerced into following the. Confiscated gold, silver, and silk from the will not be investigated by the authorities. Captives are all from Yuezhou; release them."
On the Guimao day, the South Route Army stormed and captured the's Wozhou stockade. On the Jiajia day, they captured the Xinchang stockade, defeated the general Mao Yingtian, and advanced to Tangxing.
Bai Minzhong thrice submitted memorials resigning his post as chief minister, but the emperor did not agree. Right Reminder Wang Pu submitted a memorial, arguing: "At the beginning of Your Majesty's governance, it is precisely the time for the chief ministers to devote themselves wholeheartedly, and the position cannot be left vacant even temporarily. Minzhong has been ill since the first month, and now it is already the fourth month. Although Your Majesty sits and talks with other chief ministers, it never exceeds three quarters of an hour. Does Your Majesty have the leisure to discuss the affairs of the empire with them? I hope you will permit Minzhong to retire and seek out and summon men of great virtue and reputation to assist Your Majesty's wisdom." On the Jiyou day, Wang Pu was demoted to the magistrate of Yangzhai County. Wang Pu was the sixth-generation grandson of Wang Gui. On the first day of the fifth month, the Gengxu day, the Supervising Secretary Zheng Gongyu returned the decree demoting Wang Pu. The emperor ordered the chief ministers to deliberate, and they considered that Wang Pu had offended Bai Minzhong, so he was ultimately demoted.
On the Xinhai day, the Zhejiang East Route government army defeated the general Sun Maqi at Ninghai. On the Wuwu day, the South Route government army heavily defeated the generals Liu Wang and Mao Yingtian at the southern valley of Tangxing, killing Mao Yingtian.
Before this, Wang Shi, because his forces were insufficient, petitioned to mobilize additional troops from Zhongwu and Yicheng, and also requested troops from Zhaoyi. The emperor issued an edict granting this. After the three armies arrived in Yuezhou, Wang Shi ordered Zhongwu general Zhang Yin to lead three hundred men and station them at Tangxing to cut off the's route southward; he ordered Yicheng general Gao Luorui to lead three hundred men, plus the Taizhou local troops, to march directly to Ninghai and attack the's lair; he ordered Zhaoyi general X Jiadie Gui to lead four hundred men to reinforce the East Route Army and cut off the's route into Mingzhou. On the Gengshen day, the South Route Army heavily defeated the at Haiyou Township, and the fled into the Yongxi Cave. On the Wuchen day, the government army camped at the cave entrance. The emerged from the cave to fight and were again defeated. On the Jisi day, Gao Luorui attacked the camp of the lieutenant Liu Pingtian and captured it. From then on, the various government army routes fought nineteen battles with the, and the suffered successive defeats. Liu Wang said to Qiu Fu: "If I had followed my plan and entered Zhaozhou from the start, how could we have fallen into such straits!" Wang Luo and several other jinshi in the army were all wearing green robes. Liu Wang killed them all, saying: "The ones who disrupted my plans were these green insects!" Gao Luorui captured Ninghai and gathered the scattered commoners, obtaining over seven thousand people. Wang Shi said: "The are desperate and starving; they will surely flee to the sea. Once they enter the sea, they cannot be captured for a year or half a year." So he ordered Gao Luorui's army to station at the harbor mouth to block them. He also ordered Wanghai Township general Yun Siyi and Zhexi general Wang Kerong to lead naval forces to patrol along the coast. Yun Siyi and others encountered the general Liu Congjian east of Ninghai. The did not expect a sudden naval attack; they all abandoned their boats and fled into the mountains. The government army captured seventeen of their boats and burned them all. Wang Shi said: "The have no escape route left. Only the Huanghan Ridge leads into Shan County, but unfortunately there are no troops to guard it. Nevertheless, they will ultimately be captured!" After losing Ninghai, Qiu Fu led his troops to camp under Nanchen Hall, still numbering over ten thousand. On the Xinwei day, the East Route Army defeated the general Sun Maqi at Shang Village, and the general Wang Gao, fearing, requested to surrender.
On the Renshen day, Right Reminder Nei Fenggong Xue Tiao submitted a statement, saying: "Since the war began, tax levies have been without limit. Bandits in various places, gathered in groups, are half composed of fugitive households. They certainly must be suppressed, but they are also worthy of pity. I hope Your Majesty will order all prefectures and counties to impose no additional levies beyond the regular taxes, and strictly instruct local officials to investigate." The emperor followed his advice.
Prince Yuan Li Shen passed away.
On the wuyin day, the government forces of Zhedong East Route inflicted a great defeat on Qiu Fu’s army at Nanchen Hall, beheading several thousand men. The rebel troops abandoned silks and cloths that piled up on the road, hoping to slow down the pursuers. [Wang] Shi, holding back his anger, ordered the soldiers: “Whoever dares to look back (to seize them) shall be beheaded!” None of the soldiers dared to violate this order. The rebel army indeed fled via Huanghan Ridge. On the jiashen day of the sixth month, the rebel forces again entered Shan County. The various government troops lost track of Qiu Fu and did not know where he was. The Yicheng Army general Zhang Yin captured a prisoner at Tangxing and was about to interrogate him when the prisoner said: “The rebels have entered Shan County. If you release me, I request to serve as a guide for the government forces.” Zhang Yin followed his advice. Zhang Yin arrived at Shan County one day later than Qiu Fu and built a camp to the southeast of the county seat. When the Yuezhou prefectural office heard that Qiu Fu had entered Shan County, they became very panicked again. Wang Shi said: “The rebels have come to surrender themselves!” He ordered that the eastern and southern government forces be urged to converge on Shan County. On the xinmao day, the government forces surrounded Shan County. The rebels defended the city very firmly; the government forces attacked but could not capture it. The various generals discussed cutting off the stream to deprive the rebels of water and make them thirsty. The rebels learned of this plan and therefore sallied out to fight. Within three days, they fought a total of eighty-three battles. Although the rebels were defeated, the government forces were also exhausted. The rebels requested to surrender, and the various generals came out to report to Wang Shi. Wang Shi said: “The rebels merely want to rest for a while. We should be even more cautious and vigilant; the great achievement is nearly complete.” The rebels indeed came out again to fight, and they fought another three battles. On the gengzi day at night, Qiu Fu, Liu Huang, and Liu Qing led over a hundred men out of the city to surrender. They spoke from a distance with the government generals, and when they were several dozen paces from the city, the government forces charged forward swiftly, cut off their retreat, and thus captured them. On the renyin day, Qiu Fu and the others were escorted to Yuezhou. Wang Shi had Liu Huang, Liu Qing, and over twenty others executed by waist-cutting, placed Qiu Fu in a cangue, and sent him under escort to the capital. The county of Shan had not yet been taken; after the various generals had captured Qiu Fu, they no longer set up defenses. Liu Congjian led five hundred elite soldiers to break out and flee. The various generals pursued them to Dalan Mountain, where Liu Congjian held a strategic stronghold. In autumn, on the dingsi day of the seventh month, the various generals combined their forces to take this mountain. The Taizhou prefect Li Shiwang recruited rebels to capture and kill each other to redeem themselves; several hundred surrendered, and they obtained Liu Congjian’s head and presented it. The various generals returned to Yuezhou, and Wang Shi held a great banquet. The generals then asked: “We have grown up in the military and have been through many campaigns. This year we were able to follow you in defeating the rebels, but we have some private matters we do not understand. We presume to ask: When you first arrived, military provisions were urgent, yet you immediately distributed grain to relieve the poor. Why was that?” Wang Shi said: “This is easy to understand. The rebels hoarded grain to lure the starving people. I gave them grain, so they would not become bandits. Moreover, the various counties had no defending troops; if the rebels arrived, the grain in the granaries would have been enough to supply them.” They asked again: “Why did you not set up beacon towers?” Wang Shi said: “Beacon towers are used to hasten relief troops. The soldiers had already been sent out, and there were no troops in the city to follow up. They would only have alarmed the soldiers and people, causing them to scatter in confusion.” They asked again: “Why did you send weak soldiers as scouts and only give them a small force?” Wang Shi said: “Those brave soldiers, holding sharp weapons, would fight recklessly when encountering the enemy; if they fought and died, then the arrival of the rebels would not be known.” All the generals bowed and said: “This is something we cannot match!”
The son of Emperor Xianzong, Li Xin, was enfeoffed as the Prince of Xin. In the eighth month, Qiu Fu was escorted to the capital and executed at the Eastern Market. Wang Shi was granted the additional title of Jianxiao You Sanqi Changshi, and the various generals received ranks and rewards of different levels. Previously, the emperor had often worried about the bandits in the Yue region, and Xiahou Zi said: “Wang Shi has more than enough talent; news of victory will soon arrive.” Xiahou Zi wrote to Wang Shi, saying: “You should focus solely on capturing Qiu Fu; regardless of the size of the military needs, I will do my utmost to supply them.” Therefore, nothing that Wang Shi requested was not granted, and thus he was able to achieve great success.
The Prince of Wei, Li Guan, passed away.
In the ninth month, Bai Minzhong submitted five memorials to resign as chief minister. On the xinhai day, Bai Minzhong was appointed as Minister of Education and Zhongshu Ling.
On the guichou day, the Right Reminder Liu Ye of Jurong submitted a statement: “Li Deyu and his father served as chief ministers and had reputation, achievements, and effectiveness. Since his exile, his relatives have nearly all died, and his livelihood is exhausted. He should be shown mercy and granted a posthumous official position.” In winter, on the dinghai day of the tenth month, the emperor issued an edict restoring Li Deyu’s title as Taizi Shaobao and Duke of Weiguo, and posthumously appointing him as Zuo Puye.
On the yihai day, the Menxia Shilang and Tongping Zhangshi Xiahou Zi was appointed, with the title Tongping Zhangshi, to serve as Xichuan Jiedushi. The Hubu Shangshu and Pan Duzhi Bi Xian was appointed as Libu Shangshu and Tongping Zhangshi.
The Annan Duhu Li Hu again captured Bozhou.
On the dingchou day of the eleventh month, the emperor performed the suburban sacrifice at the Round Altar; he granted a general amnesty and changed the reign title.
On the wushen day of the twelfth month, native barbarians of Annan led Nanzhao troops, totaling over thirty thousand, to take advantage of a gap and attack Jiaozhi, capturing it. The Duhu Li Hu and the eunuch supervisor fled to Wuzhou.
In spring, the first month, the emperor issued an edict mobilizing troops from Yongguan and neighboring circuits to rescue Annan and attack the southern barbarians.
In the second month, the Zhongshu Ling Bai Minzhong was appointed as Jianxiao Zhongshu Ling to serve as Fengxiang Jiedushi; the Zuo Puye and Pan Duzhi Du Cong was appointed as Jianxiao Menxia Shilong and Tongping Zhangshi.
One day, the two Shumi Commissioners came to the Zhongshu Provincial office; the Xuanhui Commissioner Yang Gongqing then arrived as well. He only saluted Du Cong and told him to receive the imperial decree. The other three chief ministers rose and withdrew to the western gallery. Yang Gongqing took out a document sealed on a slant and handed it to Du Cong. Du Cong opened it and saw that it was a memorial from the eunuchs when Emperor Xuanzong was critically ill, requesting that the Prince of Yun be appointed as regent. It also said: “Those among the chief ministers at the time who did not sign this should be dealt with on charges of rebellion.” Du Cong read it repeatedly for a long time, then said: “The sage emperor has ascended the throne and the myriad regions support him. Today, this document is not something that a subject should look at.” He again sealed it and handed it back to Yang Gongqing, saying: “If the sovereign wishes to punish the chief ministers, he should present the imperial decree in person at the Yanying Hall and conduct the execution or condemnation openly.” After Yang Gongqing left, Du Cong again sat down with the two Shumi Commissioners and said to them: “Inner and outer court officials serve the sovereign as one body; the chief ministers and the Shumi Commissioners jointly participate in major state affairs. Now, the sovereign has just ascended the throne and is not yet familiar with the myriad affairs of government; he needs to rely on the assistance of both inner and outer courts. He should prioritize benevolence and put punishment and killing later. How could he immediately agree to the execution of chief ministers! If the sovereign becomes accustomed to this practice and it becomes his nature, then the Zhongwei and Shumi Commissioners, holding great power within the palace, how can they not worry about themselves! I, Du Cong, have received favors from six reigns; what I hope for is to assist the sovereign to become a sage like Yao and Shun; I do not wish the court to enforce laws based on personal likes and dislikes.” The two Shumi Commissioners looked at each other, remained silent for a while, and then slowly said: “We should report your words in detail to the sovereign; if not for a person of your high virtue, no one could have thought of this.” They withdrew, ashamed and fearful. The other three chief ministers returned to see Du Cong and cautiously inquired about the meaning of the decree. Du Cong said nothing. The three chief ministers, in panic, begged to preserve their families. Du Cong said: “Do not have any other worries.” Afterward, everything was quiet and nothing happened; there was no further decree. When the Yanying Hall court session was held, the emperor’s expression was very joyful. At this time, the scholar-officials deeply hated the eunuchs; if a matter was even slightly connected to them, everyone would jointly despise the person involved. The Jinshi Ye Jing of Jianzhou had once attended a banquet of the Xuanwu Army and recognized the face of the eunuch supervisor. Later, when he passed the Jinshi examination, he was touring the capital with his cohort during the same year of graduation. On the road, they encountered that eunuch supervisor, and he saluted him on horseback. Because of this, public opinion was in an uproar, and Ye Jing was thus permanently cast aside and abandoned. At that time, the incompatibility between scholar-officials and eunuchs had reached such an extent.
The Prince of Fu, Li Wan, passed away.
In summer, the sixth month, on the guichou day, Wang Kuan, the Defense Commissioner of Yanzhou, was appointed as the Jinglüe Commissioner of Annan. At that time, Li Hu had gathered local troops from Wuzhou, attacked the various Man tribes, and recaptured Annan. The court investigated his crime of losing the territory and demoted him to be the Sihu of Danzhou. When Li Hu first arrived in Annan, he killed the Man chieftain Du Shoucheng, whose clan and followers then led the various Man tribes to attack and capture Jiaozhi. Because the Du family was powerful, the court sought to appease them, hoping to win them over for its own use, so it posthumously appointed Du Shoucheng’s father, Du Cuncheng, as the Jinwu General, and further pursued Li Hu’s crime of killing Du Shoucheng, exiling him permanently to Yazhou.
In autumn, the seventh month, the southern Man attacked Yongzhou and captured it. Before this, the three circuits of Guangzhou, Guizhou, and Rongzhou had jointly dispatched three thousand soldiers to garrison Yongzhou, rotating every three years. The Jinglüe Commissioner Duan Wenchu requested to use the military uniforms and provisions of these three circuits to recruit local soldiers to replace them, and the court agreed, but only about five hundred men were recruited. Duan Wenchu entered the court as the Jinwu General, and the Jinglüe Commissioner Li Meng, coveting the surplus military uniforms and provisions for himself, dismissed and sent back all the garrison soldiers from the three circuits, relying only on the recruited soldiers to defend the Zuo and You Rivers, reducing the force by seven or eight tenths compared to before. Consequently, the Man took advantage of the weakness to invade. At that time, Li Meng had already died, and the Jinglüe Commissioner Li Hongyuan had been in his post for only ten days. Having no troops to resist, the city was captured. Li Hongyuan and the eunuch monitor fled to Manzhou, and only returned after more than twenty days when the Man left. Li Hongyuan was consequently blamed and demoted to be the Sihu of Jianzhou. Duan Wenchu, then serving as the Dianzhong Jian, was again appointed as the Jinglüe Commissioner of Yongguan. When he arrived at his post, not one in ten of the city’s inhabitants remained. Duan Wenchu was a grandson of Duan Xiushi.
Du Cong submitted a memorial, saying: “Nanzhao has been submissive to civilization for seventy years. In Shu, warfare has ceased without trouble, and all the various Man tribes have been obedient. Now, the troops and provisions in Xichuan are meager and weak, so it is not easy to break relations with them lightly. It would be appropriate to send an envoy to offer condolences and sacrifices, clearly informing the Qingping Officials and others that because the new king’s name violates the temple taboo, no enfeoffment has been carried out. Let him change his name and express gratitude, and then we can send an envoy to perform the enfeoffment. This should preserve the greater propriety.” The emperor followed his advice. He ordered Zuo Langzhong Meng Mu to be the envoy for mourning and sacrifice. Before he set out, it happened that Nanzhao invaded Xi Prefecture and attacked Qionglai Pass, so Meng Mu did not proceed.
In winter, the tenth month, Zheng Ya, the Yushi Daifu, was appointed as the Jiedushi of Shannan East Circuit. In the eleventh month, he was given the additional title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi.
In spring, the first month, on the gengyin day (the first day of the month), the assembled officials presented the honorific title of Ruiming Wensheng Xiaode Emperor. A general amnesty was granted.
Jiang Shen, the Zhongshu Shilang and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi, was appointed as Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi while serving as the Jiedushi of Hezhong.
In the second month, the Prince of Di, Li Zhui, died.
Nanzhao again invaded Annan. The Jinglüe Commissioner Wang Kuan repeatedly sent urgent reports. The court appointed the former Guannanchao Observer Cai Xi to replace him, and dispatched soldiers from the circuits of Xuzhou, Huazhou, Xuzhou, Bianzhou, Jingzhou, Xiangzhou, Tanzhou, and Ezhou, totaling thirty thousand men, to be placed under Cai Xi’s command to resist Nanzhao. The army’s momentum was already strong, so the Man withdrew. The Jinglüe Commissioner of Yongguan, Duan Wenchu, was blamed for changing the old system and was demoted to be the Weiwei Jiangjun and assigned to a branch office.
Cai Jing, the Zuoshuzi, was by nature greedy, cruel, and deceitful. The contemporary prime ministers thought he had administrative talent and memorialized to send him to handle affairs in the Lingnan region. In the third month, Cai Jing returned, and his report pleased the emperor. He was again appointed as acting Taipu Qing, serving as the Pacifying Commissioner for the area south of Jingxiang.
In summer, the fourth month, on the jihai day (the first day of the month), an imperial decree ordered the establishment of ordination platforms at the two streets and four temples, with twenty-one days set aside for tonsuring monks. The emperor excessively revered Buddhism, neglecting state affairs. He once built an altar in the Xiantai Hall to ordain nuns from the inner temples, and monks and nuns from both streets all participated. He also set up lecture halls within the palace, recited sutras himself, and personally copied palm-leaf scriptures. He frequently visited various temples, giving alms without restraint. The Libu Shilang Xiao Fang submitted a memorial, stating: “The Way of the Primordial Emperor [Laozi] takes compassion and frugality as its first principles; the style of the Plain Sage [Confucius] takes benevolence and righteousness as foremost. These have set standards for a hundred generations and must not be altered. The Buddha abandoned his royal position to become a monk, renouncing the most difficult attachments of love and desire, seeking the supreme realm after nirvana. This is not what an emperor should admire. I hope Your Majesty will frequently open the Yanying Hall, receive the Four Assistant Ministers, earnestly seek to understand the hardships of the common people, and reverently attend to the ancestral temple. Think that indiscriminate rewards and punishments will surely bring calamity; know that transforming the cruel and eliminating killing through benevolent governance brings great blessings. Suspend the lecture halls and personally attend to state affairs diligently.” Although the emperor praised him, he ultimately did not follow his advice.
In the old days, Lingnan was divided into five garrisons: Guangzhou, Guizhou, Yongzhou, Rongzhou, and Annan, all under the jurisdiction of the Lingnan Jiedushi. Cai Jing memorialized requesting the division of Lingnan into two circuits of Jiedushi, and the court agreed. In the fifth month, an imperial decree designated Guangzhou as the Eastern Circuit and Yongzhou as the Western Circuit. It also separated Gongzhou and Xiangzhou from Guiguan, and Tengzhou and Yanzhou from Rongguan, placing them under Yongguan. Shortly after, the Lingnan Jiedushi Wei Zhou was appointed as the Jiedushi of the Eastern Circuit, and Cai Jing was appointed as the Jiedushi of the Western Circuit.
Cai Xi was leading troops from various circuits in Annan. Cai Jing was jealous of him, fearing he might achieve merit, and memorialized: “The southern Man have fled far away, and the border has no worries. Martial officers seek to claim merit, recklessly occupying garrison soldiers and wasting provisions and transport. It is probably because the remote frontier is far and difficult to verify that they can indulge in deceit. I request the dismissal of the garrison soldiers, each returning to their own circuit.” The court followed his advice. Cai Xi repeatedly memorialized that the various Man tribes had been watching for an opportunity for a long time and that preparations could not be neglected, requesting that five thousand garrison soldiers be retained. The court did not follow his advice. Cai Xi believed that the Man bandits would certainly come. Jiaozhi lacked both troops and provisions, and his plans and strength were exhausted. He wrote a report detailing ten inevitable death scenarios and submitted it to the Zhongshu Sheng. The prime ministers of the time believed Cai Jing’s words and ultimately did not awaken.
In autumn, the seventh month, the Xuzhou army mutinied and expelled the Jiedushi Wen Zhang. At first, after Wang Zhixing gained control of Xuzhou, he recruited two thousand fierce and brave soldiers, known as the Seven Armies: Silver Knife, Carved Flag, Gate Lance, and Horse-Holding. They often used over three hundred men for personal defense, sitting with drawn swords under the double eaves of the corridors, rotating monthly. Later, the Jiedushi were mostly civil officials, and these soldiers gradually became arrogant. If slightly dissatisfied, one man would shout, and the crowd would respond, so the Jiedushi often fled through the back gate. The previous Jiedushi, Tian Mou, even sat and drank with them, arm in arm, patting their backs, sometimes holding a clapper and singing for them. The daily cost of rewards and gifts was tens of thousands. In wind, rain, cold, or heat, he would offer additional, yet they still often made noise, demanding endlessly. When Tian Mou died, Wen Zhang succeeded him. The arrogant soldiers had long heard that Wen Zhang had a strict temperament and feared him. Wen Zhang tried to pacify and comfort them openly, but the arrogant soldiers remained suspicious, refusing to touch the wine and food he bestowed. One day, they gathered in a uproar and expelled him. The court knew Wen Zhang was innocent. On the yihai day, Wen Zhang was appointed as the Jiedushi of Bin’ning, and Wang Shi, the Guannanchao Observer, was appointed as the Jiedushi of Wuning.
The former Xichuan Jiedushi and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi Xiahou Zi was appointed as Zuo Puye and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi.
The soldiers of the Zhongwu and Yicheng armies who had followed Wang Shi in suppressing Qiu Fu were still in Zhedong. An imperial edict ordered Wang Shi to lead them to Xuzhou. When the arrogant soldiers heard this, they were very afraid. In the eighth month, Wang Shi arrived at Dapeng Hall, and only then did they come out to welcome and pay respects. After handling government affairs for three days, Wang Shi feasted the officers and soldiers of the two armies and sent them back. Already clad in armor and grasping weapons, he ordered them to surround the arrogant soldiers and kill them all. Thousands of people, including the Silver Sword Commander Shao Ze, died. On the day Jiaz, an imperial edict stated that because Xuzhou had previously belonged to the Ziqing circuit, and Li Ji had submitted on his own, the office of the Xuhai Commissioner had been established. By the time Zhang Jianfeng, due to his prestige and favor, was specially granted jurisdiction over the two prefectures of Hao and Si. At that time, the original intention was to control and contain Ziqing and Guangcai. Since the calamity of the bandits had been eliminated, the Wuning circuit alone became a source of trouble. Now, Xuzhou was changed to a Military Training Commissioner, subordinate to the Yuhai Circuit. Hao Prefecture was also returned to the Huainan Circuit, and in Su Prefecture, the Susu Dutuanlian Guanchashi was established. Two thousand soldiers were left to guard Xuzhou, and the rest were assigned to Yan and Su prefectures respectively. Moreover, Wang Shi was appointed as the Wuning Military Governor, concurrently serving as the Commissioner for Military Affairs of Xu, Si, Hao, and Su. Wang Shi was tasked, together with the Eunuch Supervisor Yang Xuanzhi, to allocate the officers and soldiers to the various circuits. After this was completed, he was to lead the two armies of Zhongwu and Yicheng to Bian and Hua prefectures, send them back to their respective circuits, and then personally proceed to the capital. For those officers and soldiers of the Silver Sword and other units who had fled and gone into hiding, they were allowed to surrender within one month, and all would be pardoned.
The military governor of the Lingnan West Circuit, Cai Jing, governed with harsh cruelty, instituting the punishment of burning to death. The entire region resented him, and he was consequently expelled by the Yongzhou troops. He fled to Teng Prefecture, forged an imperial edict and a seal for a punitive expedition commissioner, and recruited local militiamen and nearby aboriginal troops to re-enter Yongzhou. Since his followers were a motley crowd, they were routed at the first encounter. He then went to seek refuge in Gui Prefecture, but the people of Gui Prefecture resented him for having split Lingnan and refused to accept him. Cai Jing had nowhere to go. An edict demoted him to the rank of Sihu in Yazhou, but he refused to assume the post and turned back. When he reached Lingling, an edict ordered him to commit suicide. Zheng Yu, the Guanguan Observer, was appointed as the military governor of the Lingnan West Circuit.
Winter, tenth month, on the day Bingshen (the first day of the month), the emperor established his son Li Yi as the Prince of Wei, Li Ting as the Prince of Liang, and Li Ji as the Prince of Shu.
Eleventh month, Li Ji, the son of Emperor Shunzong, was established as the Prince of Qi, and Li Fen, the son of Emperor Xianzong, was established as the Prince of Rong.
Nanzhao led fifty thousand troops from various barbarian tribes to invade Annan. The Protector Cai Xi reported the emergency. An edict ordered the dispatch of two thousand soldiers from the Jingnan and Hunan circuits, and three thousand soldiers from the Guiguan volunteer corps, to go to Yongzhou and place themselves under the command of Zheng Yu.
The military governor of the Lingnan East Circuit, Wei Zhou, memorialized: "The barbarian will surely advance towards Yongzhou. If we do not protect it first, and hastily attempt a distant expedition, I fear the barbarians will strike from behind, taking advantage of our emptiness and cutting off our supply routes." Consequently, an edict ordered Cai Xi to station himself at Haimen, and Zheng Yu to divide his troops for defense and resistance. In the twelfth month, Cai Xi again requested reinforcements. An edict ordered the Shannan East Circuit to dispatch one thousand crossbowmen to proceed there. At that time, Nanzhao had already besieged Jiaozhi. Cai Xi defended the city from within the walls, and relief troops could not arrive.
Prince Yi, Li Dan, died.
That year, the Wamo began to come to court and pay tribute. The Wamo were the name for slaves among the Tubo. Whenever the Tubo mobilized troops, wealthy families mostly had their slaves follow them, often with one family having over a dozen slaves, so the Tubo forces were numerous. By the time Lun Kongre rebelled, most of the slaves had no masters, so they banded together and formed tribes, scattered among Gan, Su, Gua, Sha, He, Wei, Min, Kuo, Die, and Dang prefectures. The weakened Tubo people instead submitted to them.
Spring, first month. On the day Gengwu, the emperor performed the suburban sacrifice to Heaven; a general amnesty was granted.
On this same day, Nanzhao captured Jiaozhi. The men around Cai Xi all died in battle. Fighting vigorously on foot, he was hit by ten arrows. Wanting to reach the eunuch supervisor's boat, he found it had already left the shore, so he fell into the sea and died. His staff officer Fan Chuo took his official seal and crossed the river. Over four hundred officers and soldiers from Jingnan, Jiangxi, Eyue, and Xiangzhou fled to the riverbank east of the city. The Jingnan Commander of the Guard, Yuan Weide, and others said to the crowd: "We have no boats; if we go into the water, we will die. It is better to return to the city and fight the barbarians. If we exchange one for two barbarians, it is also advantageous." So they returned to the city and entered the East Luo Gate. The barbarians were unprepared. Yuan Weide and his men unleashed their troops and killed over two thousand barbarians. By nightfall, the barbarian general Yang Sijin only then came out from the inner city to rescue them, and Yuan Weide and his men all died in battle. Nanzhao had twice captured Jiaozhi, killing or capturing nearly one hundred and fifty thousand people. They left twenty thousand troops behind and sent Yang Sijin to occupy Jiaozhi city. The cave-dwelling Yi and Liao barbarians, far and near, all submitted to them. An edict ordered all the armies that had been rushing to Annan to be recalled, to be deployed for the defense of the Lingnan East and West circuits.
The emperor indulged in pleasure and hunting without restraint. The Left Remonstrator Liu Yi submitted a memorial saying: "Now, Xiliang is building city walls, and the decisions on offense or defense are not yet settled. The Southern barbarians are causing trouble, and all the fighting is on the roads. For the past ten days or a month, it has not been without incidents. If Your Majesty does not show concern and compassion to be seen by those far and near, then how can you expect them to exert their utmost effort and die for you! I hope you will moderate your entertainment and pleasure. Wait until the distant people are pacified, and then it will not be too late for amusement." The emperor did not listen.
Second month, on the day Jiawu (the first day of the month), the emperor paid his respects in order to the sixteen imperial tombs.
The Tianxiong Army was established in Qin Prefecture, with the three prefectures of Cheng, He, and Wei placed under its jurisdiction. The former Left Jinwu General Wang Yanshi was appointed as the Tianxiong Observer.
Third month, the Guiyi Military Governor Zhang Yichao memorialized, stating that he had led seven thousand Fan and Han troops and captured Liang Prefecture.
The Southern barbarians invaded the left and right Jiang regions, gradually approaching Yongzhou. Zheng Yu was afraid, claiming that as a civil official he lacked military strategy, and requested the appointment of a military official. The court summoned the Yiwu Military Governor Kang Chengxun to the capital, intending to send him to replace Zheng Yu, and also issued an edict for him to select several army generals and several hundred soldiers to accompany him.
The Secretariat Director and Grand Councilor Bi Xian, because his colleagues were mostly engaging in corruption and bending the law, claimed illness and resigned from his post. Summer, fourth month, he was dismissed from the chancellorship and appointed as the Minister of War.
On the day Gengxu, a band of bandits entered Xuzhou and killed officials. The Prefect Cao Qing suppressed and pacified them.
Kang Chengxun arrived at the capital and was appointed as the military governor of the Lingnan West Circuit. He dispatched ten thousand soldiers from the four circuits of Jing, Xiang, Hong, and E to accompany him.
Fifth month, on the day Wuchen, the Hanlin Academician-in-Chief and Vice Minister of War Yang Shou was appointed as Grand Councilor. Yang Shou was the younger brother of Yang Fa. He curried favor and formed connections by claiming kinship with the Left Army Commander-in-Chief Yang Xuanjia, and thus was able to become Grand Councilor.
On the day Yihai, the Rongguan office was abolished and placed under the Lingnan West Circuit in order to supply military provisions. The two prefectures of Gong and Xiang were also placed under the Guiguan office.
On the day Wuzi, the Vice Director of the Chancellery and Grand Councilor Du Shenquan was appointed as Grand Councilor and acting as the Zhenhai Military Governor.
Sixth month, the Annan Protectorate was abolished, and the provisional Jiaozhou was established at Haimen Garrison. The Right Jianmen General Song Rong was appointed as the acting Jiaozhou Prefect. Kang Chengxun was appointed to concurrently serve as the Annan and various armies field commander.
Intercalary month, the Vice Director of the Chancellery and Grand Councilor Du Cong was appointed as Grand Councilor and acting as the Fengxiang Military Governor. The Vice Minister of War and Commissioner of Expenditure, Cao Que of Henan, was appointed as Grand Councilor.
Autumn, seventh month, on the day Xinmao (the first day of the month), a solar eclipse occurred.
The Annan Protectorate was re-established at the provisional Jiaozhou, and Song Rong was appointed as the Jinglueshi. Ten thousand soldiers from Shandong were dispatched to garrison there. At that time, the armies from various circuits that had come to rescue Annan were massed in Lingnan. The boats transporting grain from Jiangxi and Hunan all had to go against the current on the Xiang River, enter the Ling Canal and Li River, causing great toil, expense, and difficulty, and the armies were short of food. A man from Runzhou, Chen Panshi, submitted a proposal, suggesting building large ships capable of carrying a thousand hu of grain, and transporting rice by sea from Fujian, which would reach Guangzhou in less than a month. The court adopted his suggestion, and the army's provisions were thus sufficient. However, the relevant authorities, using the pretext of official hire, seized merchant ships, dumped their cargo on the shore, and when ships went to sea and sometimes encountered storms and sank, the authorities imprisoned the fleet commanders and boatmen, making them compensate for the lost rice. The people were greatly distressed by this.
Eighth month, the military governor of the Lingnan East Circuit, Wei Zhou, memorialized that the Southern barbarians would surely attack Yongzhou, and requested dividing troops to station in Rong and Teng prefectures.
Prince Kui, Li Zi, died.
An imperial decree appointed Ge Men Shi Wu De Ying and others as Yi Guan Shi. The Censorate and remonstrance officials submitted a statement: according to precedent, it was the Censor’s duty to inspect post stations, and inner officials should not suddenly replace them. The emperor informed them that the decree had already been issued and could not be changed. Zuo Shi Yi Liu Tui submitted a statement: “In ancient times, the King of Chu made Chen a county, but upon hearing one word from Shen Shu, he restored Chen. Emperor Taizong conscripted labor to build the Qianyuan Hall, but upon hearing Zhang Xuansu’s remonstrance, he stopped that very day. What the wise rulers of old esteemed was accepting remonstrances as smoothly as flowing water. How could it be that what has been implemented cannot be changed? Moreover, the decree was issued by Your Majesty, and it can also be changed by Your Majesty—what is impossible about it?” The emperor did not heed this.
The Xiajiasi sent their minister He Yi Nan Zhi to present a memorial requesting classical texts, and also to send envoys annually on swift horses to request the calendar. They further wished to attack the Huihu and have all regions west of Anxi submit to the Tang court. The court did not permit this.
Winter, tenth month, on the day of Jia Xu, the Chang’an Magistrate and Jixian Jiaoli Linghu Hao was appointed as Zuo Shi Yi. On the day of Yi Hai, Zuo Shi Yi Liu Tui submitted a statement: “Linghu Hao has specifically ruined the family’s rules for younger sons, wielding the power of a high minister while still a commoner.” Qi Ju Lang Zhang Yun said: “Linghu Hao’s father, Linghu Tao, appointed Li Zhuo as the Annan Dudu, which caused the Nanman to become a lasting disaster. This was because Linghu Hao accepted bribes, causing his father to fall into ill repute.” Eleventh month, on the day of Ding You, Zhang Yun again submitted a statement: “When Linghu Hao’s father, Linghu Tao, was in power, he was called the ‘Commoner Chancellor.’” Linghu Hao also submitted a memorial requesting to withdraw and avoid conflict, so he was reassigned as Zhanshifu Sizhi.
On the day of Xin Si, the Susu Guanchashi was abolished, and Xuzhou was again made the observation seat, with Haozhou and Sizhou placed under its jurisdiction.
Twelfth month, Nanzhao invaded Xichuan.
The servant Gui Qin of Zhaoyi Jiedushi Shen Xun had an illicit affair with Shen Xun’s maidservant. Shen Xun wanted to kill him but failed. On the day of Yi You, Gui Qin conspired with the yajiang to rebel, attacked the Jiedushi mansion, and killed Shen Xun.
Spring, first month, the Jingzhao Yin Li Yi was appointed as Zhaoyi Jiedushi, and Gui Qin’s heart and liver were extracted to sacrifice to Shen Xun.
Huainan Jiedushi Linghu Tao lodged a grievance for his son Linghu Hao. The court demoted Zhang Yun to Xingyuan Shaoyin and Liu Tui to Huayin Commandery Magistrate. The amnesty decree said: “Although we commend their loyal and upright hearts, they cannot escape the charge of rashness and negligence.”
On the day of Bing Wu, Xichuan reported that Nanzhao had invaded Xi Prefecture. The prefect Yu Shizhen defeated them, capturing over a thousand people. An edict was issued to mobilize five thousand soldiers from the Right Shence Army and troops from various circuits to go on garrison duty. Zhongwu General Yan Qingfu requested to build the two cities of Xin’an and Erong; the court followed his suggestion.
Rongguan Jinglueshi Zhang Yin was placed in charge of Jiaozhou affairs. The troops at Haimen Garrison were increased to twenty-five thousand, and Zhang Yin was ordered to advance into Annan.
Second month, on the day of Ji Si, the Minister of Punishments and Yantie Yunshi Li Fu was appointed as Tong Pingzhangshi and acting Xichuan Jiedushi.
On the day of Jia Shen, the former Xichuan Jiedushi Xiao Ye was demoted to Shannan Xidao Guanchashi.
Third month, on the day of Ding You, a comet appeared in the Lou constellation, three chi in length. On the day of Ji Hai, the Director of the Astronomical Observatory reported: “According to the Star Canon, this star is called Hanyu, an auspicious star.” The emperor was very pleased. He requested that this be announced to the court and compiled into the historical records. The court followed his suggestion.
Kang Chengxun arrived at Yongzhou, and the southern barbarians’ incursions became even more rampant. An edict was issued to mobilize troops from the eight circuits of Xu, Hua, Qing, Bian, Yan, Yun, Xuan, and Run to be placed under his command. Kang Chengxun did not deploy scouts. Nanzhao led nearly sixty thousand troops from various barbarian tribes to invade Yongzhou. As they were about to enter the border, Kang Chengxun hastily sent six circuits of troops totaling ten thousand to resist, using Lao people as guides who deceived them. When the enemy arrived, they were unprepared. The troops from five circuits, eight thousand men, were completely annihilated. Only the Tianping Army, arriving a day late, escaped. When Kang Chengxun heard of this, he was terrified and did not know what to do. The Jiedushi Vice Commissioner Li Xingsu led men to repair the moats and palisades. Just as they were finished, the barbarian army had already encircled them. After four days of siege, the barbarians constructed siege equipment and were about to finish. The generals requested to launch night raids on the barbarian camps from different directions, but Kang Chengxun did not allow it. Only after a Tianping Army junior officer repeatedly and urgently insisted did he permit it. The junior officer led three hundred brave men, and at night, they descended the city walls on ropes, scattered to burn the barbarian camps, and beheaded over five hundred men. The barbarians were greatly alarmed, and after a day, they lifted the siege and left. Kang Chengxun then dispatched several thousand troops from various armies to pursue, but the number of captured and killed was less than three hundred, all of whom were coerced Xi Lao people. Kang Chengxun submitted a victory report, claiming a great defeat of the barbarian rebels, and the court and the public all celebrated.
Summer, fourth month, the Vice Minister of War and Pan Hubu Xiao Zhen was appointed as Tong Pingzhangshi. Xiao Zhen was the grandson of Xiao Fu.
Kang Chengxun was granted the honorary title of Jianxiao You Puye, in reward for his merit in defeating the barbarian army. The others who reported merits and received rewards were all Kang Chengxun’s relatives and close associates. The officer who burned the camp was not promoted even one grade. As a result, resentment and anger spread among the army, and the news circulated on the roads.
Fifth month, an edict said: “Xuzhou’s local customs are bold and strong, its armored soldiers are elite and robust. Recently, because the Jiedushi was abolished, many have fled and hidden. It is ordered that the Xu-Si Tuanlianshi recruit and select three thousand soldiers to proceed to Yongzhou for defense. When the affairs south of the Ling Mountains are settled, they shall be rotated back.”
Autumn, seventh month, Xichuan reported that the Lianglin Guizhu had ambushed and attacked the Nanzhao barbarian army, defeating them, killing and capturing many. The Baosai Chengshi Du Shoulian did not submit to Nanzhao and led his followers to surrender at Lizhou.
Lingnan Dongdao Jiedushi Wei Zhou fully knew of Kang Chengxun’s actions and wrote to inform the Chancellor. Kang Chengxun also became suspicious and fearful, repeatedly submitting memorials claiming illness and requesting resignation. Consequently, Kang Chengxun was appointed as Youwuwei Da Jiangjun, with a separate post in the Eastern Capital. Rongguan Jinglueshi Zhang Yin was appointed as Lingnan Xidao Jiedushi, and the four prefectures of Rongguan were separately established as a Jinglueshi. At that time, Nanzhao knew that Yongzhou was empty and exhausted and did not invade again. Zhang Yin for a long time did not dare to advance and attack Annan. Xiahou Zi recommended the Xiao Wei Jiangjun Gao Pian to replace him, so Gao Pian was appointed as Annan Dudu and Ben Guan Jinglue Taotaoshi, and all the troops Zhang Yin had led were given to him. Gao Pian was the grandson of Gao Chongwen, and his family had served in the Imperial Guard for generations. Gao Pian had read many books, enjoyed discussing ancient and modern affairs, and the eunuchs of the two armies mostly praised him. He was promoted repeatedly to You Shence Du Yuhou. When the Dangxiang rebelled, he led ten thousand Imperial Guard soldiers to garrison Changwu, repeatedly achieving military merit, and was promoted to Qinzhou Fangyushi. He again achieved military merit, so the affairs of Annan were entrusted to him.
Winter, eleventh month, the Menxia Shilang and Tong Pingzhangshi Xiahua Zi was appointed as Tong Pingzhangshi and acting Hedong Jiedushi.
On the day of Ren Yin, the Hanlin Xueshi Chengzhi and Vice Minister of War Lu Yan was appointed as Tong Pingzhangshi. He was thirty-six years old at the time.
Spring, first month, on the day of Ding Si, Empress Yian was first enshrined in the temple of Emperor Xianzong. At that time, Wang Hao again served as Liyuan Jianyi Jian, and he renewed his previous proposal; the court ultimately followed it.
Various circuits presented castrated boys, with the Minzhong region sending the most, so most eunuchs were from Min. The Fujian Guanchashi Du Xuanxuan each year during the Cold Food Festival sent officials to separately sacrifice to their ancestors. The eunuchs were grateful to him, and on the day of Geng Shen, Du Xuanxuan was appointed as Xuan-She Guanchashi. At that time, people called him the “Tomb Guardian of the Imperial Envoys.”
Third month, the Zhongshu Shilang and Tong Pingzhangshi Xiao Zhen died.
Summer, fourth month, the former Dongchuan Jiedushi Gao Qu was appointed as Vice Minister of War and Tong Pingzhangshi. Gao Qu was the son of Gao Yuanyu.
Yang Shou proposed, stating: “The barbarian bandits have not been pacified for many years. Two-thirds of the troops from the He and Hua regions garrisoned in Lingnan die from miasma and fog. I request that grain be stored in Jiangxi, and thirty thousand strong crossbowmen be recruited to respond to Lingnan. The route would be convenient and short, and at the same time, a Jiedushi should be established to strengthen authority.” The emperor followed his suggestion. Fifth month, on the day of Xin Chou, the Zhennan Army was established in Hongzhou.
The Xi Prefecture Prefect Yu Shizhen was greedy and cunning, plundering the Lianglin barbarians to exchange for gold. Nanzhao again invaded Xi Prefecture. The Lianglin barbarians opened the city gates to receive the Nanzhao army. Nanzhao killed all the garrison soldiers, and Yu Shizhen surrendered to Nanzhao.
On the day of Ren Yin, the Guiguan Guancha Shi Yan Zhuan was appointed as Zhennan Jiedushi. Yan Zhuan was the grandnephew of Yan Zhen.
Sixth month, Gao Qu died.
The Censor-in-Chief Xu Shang was appointed as Vice Minister of War and Tong Pingzhangshi.
In autumn, the seventh month, the Emperor established his son Li Kan as Prince of Ying and Li Yan as Prince of Pu.
Gao Pian trained troops at Haimen but did not advance. The eunuch monitor Li Weizhou despised Gao Pian and wanted to eliminate him, repeatedly urging Gao Pian to march. Gao Pian led five thousand men across the river first, agreeing that Li Weizhou would dispatch troops to support him. After Gao Pian departed, Li Weizhou commanded the remaining troops but sent not a single soldier to reinforce him. In the ninth month, Gao Pian arrived at Nanding, where the Man tribes of Fengzhou had nearly fifty thousand men harvesting rice. Gao Pian launched a surprise attack, heavily defeated the Man forces, and seized the rice they had harvested to supply his army.
In winter, the twelfth month, on the renzi day, the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng passed away.
In spring, the second month, Zhang Yichao, the military governor of Guiyi Circuit, reported that Gujun of the Huihu at Beiting had captured the prefectures of Xizhou, Beiting, and the cities of Luntai and Qingzhen.
Lun Kangre took refuge in Guozhou, gathering nearby tribes to create border troubles, but the tribes did not follow him. Wherever he went, he became an enemy and had no place to stay. His enemies informed Tuoba Huaiguang in Shanzhou about him, and Tuoba Huaiguang led troops to attack and defeat him.
In the third month, on the wuyin day, Liu Tong, the military governor of Hedong, was appointed military governor of Xichuan. Initially, when Nanzhao besieged Xizhou, the Dongman Langqiao tribe vigorously assisted Nanzhao and thus slaughtered the city of Xizhou. The Beilong tribe, resenting Nanzhao for killing their fathers and brothers, led the garrison troops from Zhongwu to attack the Langqiao tribe and annihilated them. Because of this, Nanzhao harbored resentment against the Tang. Nanzhao sent the Qingping official Dong Cheng and others to Chengdu. Military governor Li Fu received them with a grand ceremonial guard. According to precedent, when Nanzhao envoys met the military governor, they were to kneel and prostrate in the courtyard. Dong Cheng and others said, "The Piaoxin has already complied with Heaven's will and the people's hearts; when we meet the military governor, we should perform the ceremony of equals." The back-and-forth arguments lasted from morning to noon without result. The officers and soldiers grew angry, so Li Fu ordered them to be seized and beaten, then put in cangues and imprisoned. After Liu Tong took office, he released them and memorialized to request sending them back to their country. The Emperor issued an edict summoning Dong Cheng and the others to the capital, received them in a separate hall, bestowed generous gifts, and sent them back after consoling them.
Wang Shaoyi, the military governor of Chengde Circuit, during his ten years in command, governed with lenience and simplicity, which the military and civilians found convenient. When he fell ill, he summoned Wang Jingchong, the commander of the metropolitan army and nephew of his elder brother Wang Shaoding, and told him, "My elder brother entrusted the military and political authority to me because you were young. Now that you have grown up, I return this authority to you. You must govern diligently, be loyal to the court above, and maintain harmony with neighboring circuits below. Do not ruin the foundation laid by your elder brother—this will be your achievement." After speaking, he passed away.
In the intercalary month, the Tubo invaded Binzhou and Ningzhou, and military governor Xue Hongzong resisted and repelled them.
In summer, the fourth month, on the xinsi day, the former military governor of Xichuan, Li Fu, was demoted to be the tutor of the Prince of Qi.
In the fifth month, Empress Xiaoming was buried beside Jingling, and her spirit tablet was placed in a separate temple.
In the sixth month, He Hongjing, the military governor of Weibo Circuit, died. The army installed his son, the Left Metropolitan Commander He Quangao, as acting military governor.
Wang Jingchong was appointed acting military governor of Chengde.
Nanzhao's Qulong sent Yang Jisi, the military governor of Shanshan, to assist Duan Qiuqian, the military governor of Annan, in defending Jiaozhi. He appointed Fan Niexie as the commander-in-chief of Annan and Zhao Nuomei as the commander-in-chief of Fuxie. The imperial commissioner Wei Zhongzai led seven thousand troops to Fengzhou, allowing Gao Pian to expand his army, march to attack Nanzhao, and defeat them repeatedly. Reports of victories reached Haimen, but Li Weizhou suppressed them all, and for several months no news arrived. The Emperor, puzzled, inquired of Li Weizhou, who reported that Gao Pian was stationed at Fengzhou, delaying and not engaging the enemy. The Emperor, enraged, appointed Wang Yanguan, the Right Martial Guard General, to replace Gao Pian as the governor of Annan, and recalled Gao Pian to the court, intending to severely demote him. Wang Yanguan was the nephew of Wang Zhixing. In this month, Gao Pian heavily defeated the Nanzhao Man forces at Jiaozhi, killing and capturing many, and then besieged the city of Jiaozhi.
In autumn, the seventh month, He Quangao was appointed acting military governor of Weibo.
In winter, the tenth month, on the jiashen day, Yang Shou, the Vice Director of the Chancellery and Grand Councilor, was appointed as the surveillance commissioner of Xuanzhou and Shezhou. Yang Shou was by nature extravagant and wasteful, and his clerks and servants often relied on him to engage in corrupt practices. Yang Xuanjia and his brothers accepted bribes from circuits and made numerous requests, but Yang Shou could not comply fully. Yang Xuanjia became angry, believing Yang Shou had betrayed him, and thus had him sent away from the court.
Tuoba Huaiguang led five hundred cavalry into Guozhou, captured Lun Kangre alive, first cut off his feet, then enumerated his crimes and killed him, sending his head to the capital. His followers fled east to Qinzhou, where Shang Yanxin intercepted and defeated them, and memorialized requesting to relocate them to Lingnan. From then on, the Tubo declined and vanished, and the whereabouts of Qilijun and his officials became unknown.
Gao Pian besieged Jiaozhi for over ten days. The Man forces were utterly exhausted and on the verge of the city's fall when Gao Pian received a document from Wang Yanguan stating that he and Li Weizhou were leading a large army from Haimen. Gao Pian then handed over military affairs to Wei Zhongzai and returned north with over a hundred subordinates. Prior to this, Wei Zhongzai had sent the minor envoy Wang Huizan, and Gao Pian had sent the minor officer Zeng Gun to report the victory at Jiaozhi to the court. When they reached the sea, they saw banners coming from the east. Inquiring of patrol boats, they learned it was the new military governor and eunuch monitor. The two discussed, "Li Weizhou will certainly detain the memorial and keep us here." So they hid among the islands, waited for Li Weizhou to pass, and then rushed to the capital. Upon receiving the report, the Emperor was overjoyed and immediately promoted Gao Pian to Acting Minister of Works and sent him back to govern Annan. Gao Pian returned after reaching Haimen.
Wang Yanguan was inept and cowardly, acting entirely on Li Weizhou's orders. Li Weizhou was vicious and greedy, and the generals would not serve him. Thus, he lifted the siege of Jiaozhi, and more than half of the Man forces escaped. After Gao Pian arrived, he again urged and encouraged his troops to attack the city, and they captured Jiaozhi, killing Duan Qiuqian and the local Man leader Zhu Daogu, who had guided Nanzhao. They beheaded over thirty thousand men, and the Nanzhao army fled. Gao Pian also defeated two local Man tribes that had sided with Nanzhao, executed their chiefs, and the Man who surrendered with their tribes numbered seventeen thousand.
In the eleventh month, on the renzi day, a general amnesty was proclaimed. An edict ordered the armies of Annan, Yongzhou, and Xichuan to each defend their own territories and not to attack Nanzhao further. Liu Tong was entrusted to inform Nanzhao that if they could restore friendly relations, all past offenses would be forgiven. The Jinghai Army was established in Annan, and Gao Pian was appointed as its military governor. Since Li Zhuo had stirred up the various Man tribes, causing troubles in Annan for nearly ten years, it was only now that peace was achieved. Gao Pian constructed the city of Annan, with a circumference of three thousand paces, and built over four hundred thousand houses.
In the twelfth month, the Xiajiasi sent General Yizhi Lianji to the court to present tribute, and memorialized requesting saddled horses to welcome the enfeoffment envoy, as well as the calendar for the hai year.
Wang Jingchong, the acting military governor of Chengde, was appointed as military governor.
The Emperor loved music, banquets, and pleasure outings. The court musicians in front of the hall often numbered nearly five hundred, and monthly banquets were held no fewer than ten times, with all kinds of delicacies prepared. He listened to music and watched variety shows without tiring, and rewards often amounted to thousands of strings of cash. He would visit Qujiang, Kunming Pool, Ba River, Chan River, Nangong, Beiyuan, Zhaoying, and Xianyang, going whenever he wished without waiting for supplies to be prepared. The relevant authorities constantly kept music, food, and tents ready, and the various princes were immediately mounted to accompany him. On each outing, over a hundred thousand people from the inner and outer offices followed, and the expenses were incalculable.
In spring, the first month, He Quangao, the acting military governor of Weibo, was appointed as military governor.
In the second month, Zhang Yichao, the military governor of Guiyi, came to court. He was appointed as the commander of the Right Divine Strategy Army, and his clan nephew Zhang Weishen was ordered to guard Guiyi Army.
On the sea route from Annan to Yongzhou and Guangzhou, many reefs caused ships to capsize. Gao Pian, the military governor of Jinghai, recruited artisans to blast the reefs, thus making water transport unimpeded.
The six Man tribes near the borders of Sichuan often took a wait-and-see attitude. When there were no raids, they claimed submission; when raids occurred, they inevitably acted as vanguards. Only the Beilong tribe was loyal to the Tang, holding enmity with the other Man tribes. The court awarded them the surname Li and appointed their chief as prefect. Military Governor Liu Tong sent generals with troops to assist them, attacking the six Man tribes, burning their settlements, and beheading over five thousand men.
The musician Li Keji excelled at composing new tunes. In the third month, the emperor appointed Li Keji as General of the Left Guard. Cao Que remonstrated, saying: "Taizong established a roster of over six hundred civil and military officials, saying to Fang Xuanling, 'I use these offices to await the worthy men of the empire; artisans, merchants, and miscellaneous trades cannot be granted official rank.' In the Dahe era, Emperor Wenzong wished to appoint the musician Yuchi Weizhi as Commander of the Princely Palace Guard; the Reminder Dou Xunzhi remonstrated, and so he was reassigned as Prefect of Guangzhou. I beg that, following the precedents of these two reigns, Li Keji be given a different office." The emperor did not heed this.
In summer, the fourth month, the emperor felt unwell, and few of his ministers were able to have an audience.
On the bingchen day of the fifth month, there was a review of all prisoners in the empire; unless the crime involved bribery or was unpardonable, everyone was reduced one degree in penalty.
In autumn, the seventh month, on the renyin day, the Prince of Qi, Li Ji, died.
The people of Huaizhou petitioned about a drought. The prefect Liu Rengui posted an edict forbidding such petitions. The people, enraged, rose in rebellion, drove Liu Rengui out, and he fled to hide in a village dwelling. The people entered the prefectural office, looted his household goods, climbed the tower, and beat the drums; it was a long time before order was restored.
On the jiazi day, the Vice Director of the Ministry of War, concurrently Commissioner of the Various Circuit Salt and Iron Transport and other duties, and Commandant-Escort Yu Cong was appointed as a co-grand councilor.
The Surveillance Commissioner of Xuanzhou and Shezhou, Yang Shou, passed by the Huayue Temple, donated clothing, and had a shaman pray. The county magistrate falsely accused this as a crime of Yang Shou. The Right Reminder Wei Baohao further stated that when Yang Shou had previously served as grand councilor, in appointing Yan Xuan as Military Governor of Jiangxi, he had accepted one million cash, and had also set up a shipbuilding bureau, with some people accusing him of embezzling and concealing property. In the eighth month, on the gengyin day, Yang Shou was demoted to be the Marshal of Duanzhou.
In the ninth month, the emperor recovered from his illness.
In winter, the twelfth month, the Prince of Xin, Li Xin, died.
The Military Governor of the Lingnan East Circuit, Wei Zhou, was given the additional title of co-grand councilor.