Later Jin Records 5
The Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 284 [Later Jin Record 5] begins in the second month of the year Jia Chen () and ends in the seventh month of the year Yi Si (), covering a total of just over one year.
In the second month, on the day of Jia Chen () which was the first day of the month, the former Baoyi Jiedushi Shi Yun was appointed to guard Majiakou, the former Weisheng Jiedushi He Chongjian to guard Yangliuzhen, the Husheng Commander-in-Chief Bai Zairong to guard Majiakou, and the Xijing Defender-in-Chief An Yanwei to guard Heyang. Shortly thereafter, Zhou Ru led the Khitan general Mada across the Yellow River at Majiakou, established a camp on the eastern bank, and attacked the northern ferry crossing of Yunzhou to support Yang Guangyuan. Mada was a cousin of the Khitan ruler. On the day of Yi Si (), the second day, the emperor dispatched the Marshal of the Imperial Cavalry, the Yicheng Jiedushi Li Shouzhen, the Shenwu Commander-in-Chief Huangfu Yu, the Chenzhou Defense Commissioner Liang Hanzhang, and the Huaizhou Prefect Xue Huairang, leading ten thousand troops, to advance along the Yellow River by both land and water. Li Shouzhen was a native of Heyang; Liang Hanzhang was from Yingzhou; Xue Huairang was from Taiyuan.
On the day of Bing Wu (), the third day, the Khitan surrounded Gao Xingzhou, Fu Yanqing, and the Vanguard Commander Shi Gongba at Qicheng. Previously, Jing Yanguang had ordered the various generals to defend their assigned areas separately and not to support each other. Gao Xingzhou and the others sent urgent reports, but Jing Yanguang delayed in reporting to the emperor. The emperor personally led troops to rescue them. The Khitan lifted the siege and departed, and the three generals wept, saying that the relief force had come too late and they had barely escaped disaster.
On the day of Wu Shen (), the fifth day, Li Shouzhen and his troops arrived at Majiakou. The Khitan sent ten thousand infantry to build fortifications, deployed cavalry on the periphery, and stationed several tens of thousands of troops west of the river. They used several dozen boats to ferry troops across; before the crossing was complete, the Jin army pressed upon them. The Khitan cavalry withdrew, and the Jin army attacked their fortifications and captured them. The Khitan suffered a great defeat; several thousand men drowned in the Yellow River as they fled on horseback, and several thousand more were captured or beheaded. The Khitan army west of the river wailed in grief and retreated, and from then on dared not come east again. On the day of Xin Hai (), the eighth day, the Dingnan Jiedushi Li Yiyin reported that he was leading forty thousand troops from Linzhou across the Yellow River to invade Khitan territory. On the day of Ren Zi (), the ninth day, Li Yiyin was appointed as the Khitan Southwestern Circuit Recruiter and Pacifier. Initially, when the Khitan ruler conquered Beizhou and Bozhou, he had pacified the local people, sometimes granting them official positions and bestowing robes and seals. But after his defeats at Qicheng and Majiakou, he became angry and resentful. All captured civilians were killed, and captured soldiers were roasted alive. Consequently, the Jin people were enraged and fought with united effort.
Yang Guangyuan led the Qingzhou army, intending to go west and join forces with the Khitan. On the day of Wu Wu (), the fifteenth day, an imperial edict ordered Shi Yun to divide his forces and station them in Yunzhou to guard against him. Another edict ordered Liu Zhiyuan to lead his troops from Tumen, pass through Hengzhou, and attack the Khitan, and further ordered him to rendezvous with Du Wei and Ma Quanjie at Xingzhou. Liu Zhiyuan led his army to station at Leping and did not advance further.
After the emperor had completed one year of mourning, he began to perform soft female music in the palace. When he went on campaign, he often ordered his attendants to play the sanxian pipa, accompanied by the Qiang flute, and beat drums and danced, saying, "This is not music." On the day of Geng Shen (), the seventeenth day, the hundred officials submitted a memorial requesting permission to perform music, but the emperor refused the request.
On the day of Ren Xu (), the nineteenth day, Yang Guangyuan besieged Dizhou. The prefect Li Qiong led troops out and defeated him, and Yang Guangyuan burned his camp and fled back to Qingzhou. On the day of Gui Hai (), the twentieth day, the former Weisheng Jiedushi He Chongjian was appointed as the Eastern Front Horse and Foot Commander-in-Chief, leading troops stationed in Yunzhou.
Wang Junhuai, the Righteous Army Commander of Jiezhou and Chengzhou, led over a thousand of his men to rebel and surrender to Shu, requesting to serve as a guide to capture Jiezhou and Chengzhou. On the day of Jia Zi (), the twenty-first day, the Shu people attacked Jiezhou.
The Khitan feigned abandoning Yuancheng and left, ambushing elite cavalry at the old Dunqiu City, waiting to attack the Jin army after it joined forces with the troops from Hengzhou and Dingzhou. Zhang Cong'en, the Yedu Defender-in-Chief, repeatedly reported that the enemy had already fled. The main army wanted to pursue, but heavy rain for several days forced them to stop. The Khitan lay in ambush for ten days, with their men and horses exhausted and hungry. Zhao Yanshou said, "The entire Jin army is on the banks of the Yellow River. They fear our sharp edge and certainly dare not advance. It would be better to go directly to their city, besiege it from all sides, capture their pontoon bridge, and then the realm will be pacified." The Khitan ruler followed his advice. On the day of Gui You (), the first day of the third month, he personally led over one hundred thousand troops to form a battle line north of Chanzhou, stretching from east to west across both corners of the city walls. From the walls, the Jin army could see no end. Gao Xingzhou's vanguard was south of Qicheng, and they engaged the Khitan in battle from noon until late afternoon (15:00–17:00), with both sides gaining and losing. The Khitan ruler led his elite troops directly toward the center of the Jin army, and the emperor also came out of the city to form a line to await him. When the Khitan ruler saw the formidable size of the Jin army, he said to his attendants, "Yang Guangyuan said that half of the Jin army had already starved to death. How is it there are so many now?" He sent elite cavalry to attack the Jin formation from both flanks, but the Jin formation stood firm. Arrows were shot like a shower, covering the ground. The Khitan troops retreated slightly; then they attacked the eastern flank of the Jin formation but could not breach it. The fierce battle continued until evening, with countless dead on both sides. After nightfall, the Khitan army withdrew and set up camp thirty li away. On the day of Yi Hai (), the third day, a junior officer from the Khitan ruler's camp stole a horse and fled to the Jin side, reporting that the Khitan had already issued wooden tally orders to withdraw northward. Jing Yanguang suspected a trick and, closing the camp gates, dared not pursue.
The ruler of the Southern Han ordered the Zhongshu Ling and Commander-in-Chief of the Yue King Liu Hongchang to pay homage at the tomb of the Lie Ancestor at Hai Qu. When he reached Changhua Palace, assassins were sent to kill him.
The Khitan ruler, from Chanzhou, divided his forces into two routes northward: one route passed through Cangzhou and Dezhou, and the other through Shenzhou and Jizhou, before returning. Wherever they passed, they burned and plundered, leaving a thousand-li radius almost completely stripped of people's property. Zhao Yanzhao was left as the Beizhou Prefect. Mada captured Dezhou and seized its prefect Yin Jufan.
Zhu Wenjin, the Gongchen Commander-in-Chief of Min, and Lian Chongyu, the Palace Gate Attendant, after assassinating Emperor Kangzong, constantly feared retribution from the state's people and intermarried to strengthen their positions. The Min ruler Wang Xi was decisive in executions. Once, while touring the Western Garden, he killed in a drunken state the Konghe Commander-in-Chief Wei Conglang, who was an associate of Zhu Wenjin and Lian Chongyu. On another occasion, while drunk, he recited a poem by Bai Juyi: "Only human hearts, when face to face, / The feelings of a close distance cannot be fathomed." He then raised a cup and urged the two men to drink. They rose, wept, and bowed repeatedly, saying, "How could a minister, serving his lord and father, have any different intention?" Wang Xi did not respond. The two became greatly terrified. Empress Li, jealous of Consort Shangxian's favor, wanted to kill Wang Xi and establish her son Wang Yacheng. She sent someone to tell the two men, "The master is very displeased with you two. What can be done?" It happened that Empress Li's father, Li Zhen, was ill. On the day of Yi You (), the thirteenth day, Wang Xi went to Li Zhen's residence to inquire about his illness. Zhu Wenjin and Lian Chongyu sent Qian Da, the Gongchen Horse and Foot Commissioner, to kill Wang Xi while he was on horseback. They then assembled the hundred officials at court and said to them, "The Taizu Zhaowu Emperor founded the state of Min. Now his descendants are debauched and tyrannical, causing the foundation to fall into ruin. Heaven has abandoned the Wang clan. We should choose another virtuous man to be established as ruler." No one dared to speak. Lian Chongyu then pushed Zhu Wenjin forward to ascend the hall, dressed him in the emperor's ceremonial robes and crown, and led the assembled officials to bow northward repeatedly, proclaiming themselves as his subjects. Zhu Wenjin styled himself as the ruler of Min. He arrested all members of the Wang clan, from Wang Yanxi down, including over fifty old and young, and killed them all. He buried the Min ruler Wang Xi with the posthumous title of Emperor Ruiwen Guangwu Mingsheng Yuande Longdao Daxiao and the temple name of Jingzong. He appointed Lian Chongyu to command the Six Armies. The Minister of Rites and Judge of the Three Departments, Zheng Yuanbi, refused to submit in his words and was dismissed and sent back to his hometown. When he tried to flee to Jianzhou, Zhu Wenjin killed him. Zhu Wenjin issued orders to release the palace women and halt construction projects, in order to correct Wang Xi's misrule. The ruler of Yin, Wang Yanzheng, sent the Commander-in-Chief Wu Chengyi to lead an army to punish Zhu Wenjin, but he did not succeed. Zhu Wenjin promoted the Privy Councilor Bao Sirun to the rank of Tongping Zhangshi, appointed the Yulin Commander-in-Chief Huang Shaopo as the Prefect of Quanzhou, and the Left Army Commissioner Cheng Wenwei as the Prefect of Zhangzhou. The Prefect of Tingzhou, Xu Wenzhen from Tong'an, surrendered his entire command to him.
On the day of Ding Hai (), the fifteenth day, an imperial edict ordered the troops from Taiyuan, Hengzhou, and Dingzhou to return to their respective garrisons.
On the day of Xin Mao (), the nineteenth day, Ma Quanjie attacked the Khitan's Taizhou and captured it.
An imperial decree ordered a nationwide registration of local militia, requiring every seven households to jointly provide military equipment and supplies to support one soldier.
The Qinzhou army came to the rescue of Jiezhou, setting out from Huangjieling and defeating the Shu troops at Xiping.
The Southern Han appointed Vice Director of the Revenue Bureau Chen Wo as Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi.
Summer, fourth month, Dingwei day (5th), the River Patrol Inspector Liang Jin led the village militia to recapture Dezhou. Jiyou day (7th), an order was issued for the Guide Circuit Military Governor Gao Xingzhou and the Baoyi Circuit Military Governor Wang Zhou to remain and guard Chanzhou. Gengxu day (8th), the emperor departed from Chanzhou; Jiayin day (12th), he arrived at Daliang. The Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard Cavalry and Infantry, Tianping Circuit Military Governor, and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi Jing Yanguang, was already detested by both superiors and subordinates. The emperor also resented his lack of deference and found him difficult to control. Sang Weihan cited his crime of failing to rescue Qicheng. Xin You day (19th), Jing Yanguang was given the additional title of Acting Zhongshu Ling and transferred out to serve as the Defender-in-Chief of the Western Capital. The Guide Circuit Military Governor and Acting Zhongshu Ling Gao Xingzhou was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard Cavalry and Infantry. Jing Yanguang, frustrated and discontent, saw the power of the Khitan and only then began to fear the ruin of his state and his own death, so he indulged in wine day and night. The imperial court, due to the Khitan invasion, found state finances even more depleted, and dispatched thirty-six envoys along different routes to extort wealth from the people, each given a sword. Most of the envoys brought with them clerks and soldiers, carrying chains, clubs, and knives as they entered people's homes, causing great terror among old and young alike, with no escape from death. Local officials at the prefecture and county level also took advantage of the situation to commit crimes. Henan Prefecture was required to produce two hundred thousand strings of cash, and Jing Yanguang was to produce three hundred and seventy thousand. The Prefectural Administrative Assistant of Henan, a man of Henan named Lu Yi, said to Jing Yanguang: "You hold the posts of both general and chancellor, with wealth and honor already at their peak. Now the state is unfortunate, the treasuries and storehouses empty, and we are forced to levy from the people. How can you bear to profit further from this, becoming a burden to your sons and grandsons!" Jing Yanguang, ashamed, stopped. Before this, an edict had been issued because of Yang Guangyuan's rebellion, ordering Yunzhou to repair its defenses. The Taining Circuit Military Governor An Shenxin, under the pretext of building city fortifications, extorted the people's wealth to fill his own private storehouses. The Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Zhang Renyuan, served as the Commissioner for Levying Contributions, and upon arriving in Yunzhou, he levied one hundred thousand strings of cash. Just as An Shenxin was absent, he detained the officials in charge of the storehouses and seized a storehouse full of money, thereby meeting the required amount.
Wuyin day (6th), an order was issued for the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard Cavalry and Infantry and Taining Circuit Military Governor Li Shouzhen to lead twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Yang Guangyuan in Qingzhou. The Spirit and Martial Army Commander, a man of Luoyang named Pan Huan, along with Zhang Yanze and others, were also dispatched to station troops in Chanzhou to guard against the Khitan. The Khitan sent troops to rescue Qingzhou, but the Inspector of Qi Province, a man of Tangyang named Xue Keyan, intercepted and defeated them.
Bingxu day (14th), an edict was issued for the militia registered in each prefecture to be called the Wuding Army, totaling over seventy thousand men. At a time of war and famine, this additional harassment left the people with no means to survive.
Dinghai day (15th), the Defender-in-Chief of Yedu, Zhang Cong'en, submitted a memorial saying: "Although Zhao Yanzhao occupies Beizhou, the soldiers under his command are all long-term sojourners away from home and yearn for their native places. We should advance quickly to attack him." An edict was issued appointing Zhang Cong'en as the Commander-in-Chief of the Beizhou Expeditionary Camp, directing all generals to attack him. Xinmao day (19th), Zhang Cong'en reported that Zhao Yanzhao had set fires, plundered extensively, abandoned the city, and fled, taking up positions in Yingzhou and Mozhou, relying on water defenses.
Zhu Wenjin sent envoys to the Southern Tang. The Southern Tang ruler imprisoned the envoys and was about to attack him, but the hot weather and an outbreak of plague caused the plan to be abandoned.
Sixth month, Xinyou day (20th), the imperial army captured Zizhou and beheaded the Prefect Liu Han.
The Grand Preceptor and Acting Zhongshu Ling Feng Dao, although serving as chief minister, handled affairs ambiguously and without decisiveness. Someone said to the emperor: "Feng Dao is a good minister for times of peace; in these difficult times, he is like a Zen monk sent to fly a hawk." Guimao day (2nd), Feng Dao was appointed as the Kuangguo Circuit Military Governor and Acting Zhongshu Ling.
Yisi day (4th), the Southern Han ruler placed the Prince of Qi, Liu Hongbi, under house arrest.
Someone said to the emperor: "If Your Majesty wishes to resist the Northern Di and pacify the realm, you must use Sang Weihan." Bingwu day (5th), the Bureau of Military Affairs was re-established, and Sang Weihan was appointed as Zhongshu Ling and Commissioner of Military Affairs, with all matters, great or small, entrusted to him. Within a few months, the imperial court gradually became well-ordered.
The Yellow River breached its banks in Huazhou, flooding the areas of Bian, Cao, Shan, Pu, and Yun Prefectures, encircling Mount Liang and merging with the Wen River. An edict was issued to mobilize large numbers of conscripted laborers from several circuits to block the breach. After the breach was sealed, the emperor wanted to carve a stele to record the event. The Secretariat Drafter Yang Zhaojian remonstrated, saying: "If Your Majesty carves stone to record your merits, it would be better to issue a decree of mourning; if you wield the brush to sing praises, it would be better to issue a proclamation of self-blame." The emperor considered this well said and stopped.
Initially, the Gaozu had ceded northern territories to bribe the Khitan, and consequently the Prefect of Fuzhou, Zhe Congyuan, also came under northern rule. The Khitan wanted to relocate all the people west of the Yellow River to fill Liaodong, causing great panic among the people of the prefecture. Zhe Congyuan therefore relied on strategic terrain to resist them. When the emperor broke relations with the Khitan, he sent envoys to inform Zhe Congyuan, ordering him to attack the Khitan. Zhe Congyuan led his troops deep into Khitan territory and captured more than ten camps. Wuwu day (17th), Zhe Congyuan was appointed as the Military Training Commissioner of Fuzhou. Zhe Congyuan was a man of Yunzhou.
Jiazi day (23rd), the Hanlin Academy was re-established. Wuchen day (27th), the Right Sanqi Changshi Li Shenyi was appointed as Minister of War and Hanlin Academician Recipient of Edicts; the Director of the Bureau of All Officials, Liu Wensou; the Director of the Bureau of the Treasury and Drafter, a man of Wuqiang named Xu Taifu; the Director of the Bureau of Rites, Li Han; and the Assistant Director of the Bureau of Guests, a man of Zongcheng named Fan Zhi, were all appointed as Hanlin Academicians. Liu Wensou was the son of Liu Yue.
Autumn, seventh month, Xinwei day (1st), a general amnesty was proclaimed, and the reign title was changed.
Jichou day (19th), the Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent Liu Xu was appointed as Minister of Works, Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi.
Eighth month, Xinchou day (1st), the Hedong Circuit Military Governor Liu Zhiyuan was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Expedition, and the Shunguo Circuit Military Governor Du Wei was appointed as the Chief Recruiting and Punishing Commissioner, directing thirteen circuit military governors to guard against the Khitan. Sang Weihan, having twice taken charge of the court, had pushed Yang Guangyuan and Jing Yanguang out of the government. By this time, with a single edict directing fifteen circuit military governors, none dared to disobey. People of the time admired his courage and strategy. The Shuofang Circuit Military Governor Feng Hui submitted a memorial claiming he was not yet old and could still be employed, but the edict had omitted him. Sang Weihan ordered a secretary of the Imperial Library to draft an imperial reply for him, saying: "It is not that the edict deliberately forgot you, but Shuofang is a strategically important place, and no one but you can control it. Recently, I considered moving you to an inland post, but your successor would also need extraordinary talent." Feng Hui, upon receiving the edict, was greatly pleased. At that time, military and state affairs were numerous, and documents from various offices and envoys seeking advice converged like spokes of a wheel. Sang Weihan made decisions on matters as they came, initially appearing not to have given them thought, and people suspected he was careless and negligent; but when he deliberated carefully after leaving court, they could not change his decisions. However, as chief minister, he acted quite a bit based on personal likes and dislikes, always repaying even a meal's favor or a glare's enmity, and people thus belittled him. When the Khitan invaded, the emperor twice ordered Liu Zhiyuan to rendezvous his troops in Shandong, but he delayed and did not arrive. The emperor grew suspicious of him and said to his close associates: "Taiyuan is of little help to me; he must have different plans. If he truly has the Mandate of Heaven, why does he not quickly take it!" By this time, although he served as Commander-in-Chief, he had no actual command authority on the front line and could not participate in secret plans and major strategies. Liu Zhiyuan also knew he was being kept at a distance and merely acted cautiously to preserve himself. Guo Wei, seeing Liu Zhiyuan's worried expression, said to him: "Hedong has secure mountains and rivers, its customs value martial prowess, its scholars have many warhorses. In peace, they diligently farm; in turmoil, they are familiar with military affairs. This is the capital for achieving hegemony—what is there to worry about!"
Zhu Wenjin styled himself as the Acting Military Governor of Weiwu, temporarily acting as the ruler of the Min state, and sent envoys to present a memorial to the Jin court, declaring himself a vassal. Guichou day (13th), Zhu Wenjin was appointed as the Weiwu Circuit Military Governor, acting as the ruler of the Min state.
Guihai day (23rd), the Zhenning Army was established in Chanzhou, and Puzhou was placed under its jurisdiction.
In the beginning, Liu Jin, the governor of Haozhou in the Wu state, died, and his son Liu Rengui succeeded him; when Liu Rengui died, his son Liu Chongjun succeeded him. The Liezu of the Southern Tang established the Dingyuan Army in Haozhou and appointed Liu Chongjun as its military commissioner. Just then, Yao Jing, the Qinghuai military commissioner, died, and Liu Chongjun used heavy bribes to court the powerful, requesting to also oversee Shouzhou. The Southern Tang ruler pretended not to understand his intention, transferred Liu Chongjun to be Qinghuai military commissioner, and appointed Liu Yanzhen, the governor of Chuzhou, as the observer commissioner of Haozhou, sending him to take over quickly; Liu Chongjun regretted this. Liu Yanzhen was the son of Liu Xin.
In the ninth month, on the day of Gengwu, the first day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred.
On the day of Bingzi, the seventh day, the Khitan invaded Suicheng and Leshou, but Shenzhou governor Kang Yanjin repelled them.
In winter, the tenth month, on the day of Bingwu, the eighth day, the Southern Han ruler poisoned Zhen Wang Liu Hongze in Yongzhou.
Yin ruler Wang Yanzheng sent his general Chen Jingquan with three thousand troops to garrison Youxi and Gutian, and Lu Jin with two thousand troops to garrison Changxi. Quanzhou's scattered commissioner, the Taolin man Liu Congxiao, said to his colleagues Wang Zhongshun, Dong Si'an, and Zhang Hansi: "Zhu Wenjin has slaughtered and exterminated the Wang clan, sending his trusted men to occupy the various prefectures. We have received the Wang clan's favor for generations, yet we fold our hands and serve the rebels. Once Fusha Wang captures Fuzhou, we will die with lingering shame!" All agreed. In the eleventh month, Liu Congxiao and the others each led their trusted strongmen from the army, drinking at night at Liu Congxiao's home. Liu Congxiao deceived them, saying: "Fusha Wang has already pacified Fuzhou, and a secret decree orders us to punish Huang Shaopo. I observe your appearances; none of you are destined to remain in lowly poverty forever. If you follow my words, wealth and honor can be obtained; otherwise, calamity will come." All were stirred up, took white wooden clubs, climbed over the walls, seized Huang Shaopo, and killed him. Liu Congxiao took the prefectural seal to Wang Jixun's residence, asking him to oversee the military government. Liu Congxiao styled himself the Pacifying Rebel Army Commander, put Huang Shaopo's head in a box, and sent Deputy Commander, the Linhuai man Chen Hongjin, to rush it to Jianzhou. When Chen Hongjin reached Youxi, several thousand Fuzhou garrison soldiers blocked the road. Chen Hongjin deceived them, saying: "The righteous army has already killed Zhu Wenjin in Fuzhou. I am traveling double-time to Jianzhou to welcome the new ruler. Why are you still stationed here?" He showed them Huang Shaopo's head, and the multitude scattered. Several great generals followed Chen Hongjin to Jianzhou. Wang Yanzheng appointed Wang Jixun as Chief of Palace Attendants and Quanzhou governor, and Liu Congxiao, Wang Zhongshun, Dong Si'an, and Chen Hongjin all became Commanders-in-Chief. When Zhangzhou general Cheng Mo heard of this, he immediately killed Governor Cheng Wenwei and established Wang Jicheng as acting prefect. Wang Jixun and Wang Jicheng were both nephews of Wang Yanzheng; when Zhu Wenjin exterminated the Wang clan, the two were spared because of their distant relationship. Tingzhou governor Xu Wenzhen submitted a memorial requesting to surrender to the Yin state.
In the twelfth month, on the day of Guichou, the fifteenth day, Zhu Wenjin was given the additional title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi and enfeoffed as the King of Min.
Li Shouzhen had besieged Qingzhou for some time; the city's food was exhausted, and more than half had died of starvation. The Khitan relief forces did not arrive, and Yang Guangyuan kowtowed from afar to the Khitan, saying: "Emperor, Emperor, you have delayed my Yang Guangyuan!" His sons Yang Chengxun, Yang Chengzuo, and Yang Chengxin advised Yang Guangyuan to surrender, hoping to preserve the family. Yang Guangyuan did not agree, saying: "In the past, when I was in Daibei, I once used paper money to sacrifice to the Tianchi Lake and sank it into the water. People all said I should become the Son of Heaven; let us wait a while." On the day of Dingsi, the nineteenth day, Yang Chengxun killed the administrative assistant Qiu Tao and others who had urged Yang Guangyuan to rebel, sent their heads to Li Shouzhen, set fires and raised a clamor, seized his father and brought him out to live in a private residence, submitted a memorial awaiting punishment, and opened the city gates to welcome the imperial army.
Zhu Wenjin heard that Huang Shaopo was dead and was greatly terrified. He recruited twenty thousand troops with heavy rewards and sent Commander-in-Chief Lin Shouliang and Palace Commissioner Li Ting'e to lead them in attacking Quanzhou. The sound of war drums could be heard five hundred li away. Yin ruler Wang Yanzheng sent Grand General Du Jin with twenty thousand troops to rescue Quanzhou. Liu Congxiao opened the city gates and fought with the Fuzhou troops, heavily defeating them, killing Lin Shouliang and capturing Li Ting'e alive. Wang Yanzheng sent Commander-in-Chief Wu Chengyi to lead a thousand warships to attack Fuzhou. Zhu Wenjin sent his sons and younger brothers as hostages to Wuyue to request aid.
Initially, the Southern Tang Hanlin Daizhao Zang Xun was from the same hometown as Deputy Privy Councilor Zha Wenhui. Zang Xun had once been a merchant and was familiar with Fujian's mountain and river terrain, devising a strategy for Zha Wenhui to capture Jianzhou. Zha Wenhui submitted a memorial requesting the use of troops to attack Wang Yanzheng, and most within the state thought it inadvisable. The Southern Tang ruler appointed Zha Wenhui as Jiangxi Pacification Commissioner, sending him to patrol the borders to observe feasibility; when Zha Wenhui reached Xinzhou, he reported that an attack would surely succeed. The Southern Tang ruler appointed Hongzhou Barracks Commander and General of the Guards Bian Hao as the Chief of Staff for the March to pacify the various armies, leading troops to follow Zha Wenhui in the campaign against the Yin state. Zha Wenhui advanced from Jianyang and camped at Gaizhu. Hearing that Zhangzhou, Quanzhou, and Tingzhou had all surrendered to the Yin state, and that Yin general Zhang Hanzhen was leading eight thousand troops from Yongzhou and would soon arrive, Zha Wenhui became fearful and withdrew to protect Jianyang. Zang Xun was stationed at Shaowu, and the people of Shaowu led Yin troops to attack and rout Zang Xun's army, capturing Zang Xun alive and sending him to Jianzhou to be executed.
The imperial court considered Yang Guangyuan's crimes to be great, but his several sons had submitted and obeyed orders, making it difficult to execute him openly. It ordered Li Shouzhen to handle the matter according to circumstances. In the intercalary month, on the day of Guiyou, the fifth day, Li Shouzhen entered Qingzhou, sent someone to beat Yang Guangyuan to death in a separate residence, and reported that he had died of illness. On the day of Bingxu, the eighteenth day, Yang Chengxun was reinstated and appointed as the Defense Commissioner of Ruzhou.
Yin general Wu Chengyi, hearing of the Southern Tang army, falsely sent word to the officials and commoners of Fuzhou, saying: "The Southern Tang is helping me punish the rebel minister; the great army has now arrived." The people of Fuzhou became even more terrified. On the day of Yiwei, the twenty-seventh day, Zhu Wenjin sent Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi Li Guangzhun and others to present state treasures to the Yin state. On the day of Dingyou, the twenty-ninth day, Fuzhou's Nanklang Chengzhi Lin Renhan said to his subordinates: "We have served the Wang clan for generations. Now that we are under the control of a rebel minister, when Fusha Wang arrives, how can we have the face to see him!" He led thirty of his subordinates, donned armor, and went straight to Lian Zhongyu's residence. Lian Zhongyu had heavily guarded himself, and when the thirty men saw him, they gradually fled. Lin Renhan, holding a long spear, charged forward and stabbed Lian Zhongyu to death, cut off his head, and showed it to the crowd, saying: "Fusha Wang is about to arrive; your families will be exterminated! Now that Lian Zhongyu is dead, why not quickly seize Zhu Wenjin to atone for your crimes!" The crowd stirred and followed, thus killing Zhu Wenjin, welcoming Wu Chengyi into the city, putting the heads of both men in boxes, and sending them to Jianzhou.
The Khitan again launched a major invasion, with Lulong military commissioner Zhao Yanshou leading the troops in the vanguard. The Khitan vanguard reached Xingzhou, and Shunguo military commissioner Du Wei sent an envoy via a side road to report the emergency. The emperor wanted to personally lead the army to resist, but happened to fall ill. He ordered Tianping military commissioner Zhang Cong'en, Yedu garrison commander Ma Quanjie, and Huguo military commissioner An Shenqi to gather the armies of the various circuits and station them at Xingzhou, and Wuning military commissioner Zhao Zaili to station at Yedu. The Khitan ruler followed with the main army, establishing his field headquarters at Yuanshi. The court feared the Khitan's strength and issued an edict ordering Zhang Cong'en and the others to withdraw their troops slightly. Consequently, the various armies became terrified, lost all formation, abandoned their weapons and armor, burned and plundered wherever they passed, and by the time they reached Xiangzhou, they could no longer be reorganized.
In spring, the first month, the Later Jin issued an edict ordering Zhao Zaili to return to garrison Chan Prefecture and Ma Quanjie to return to Yedu; it also sent Right Shenwu Commander-in-Chief Zhang Yanze to garrison Liyang, and Xijing garrison commander Jing Yanguang to lead troops from Hua Prefecture to defend the Huliang Ford. On the day of Gengzi, Zhang Cong'en reported that the Khitan were approaching Xingzhou, and the Later Jin issued an edict ordering Hua Prefecture and Yedu to advance again to resist. Yicheng military commissioner Huangfu Yu led troops to rush to Xingzhou. The Khitan invaded Xingzhou, Mingzhou, and Cizhou, nearly killing and looting everything, and then entered the territory of Yedu.
On the renzi day, Zhang Cong'en, Ma Quanjie, and An Shenqi led all the infantry and cavalry of the field army, numbering tens of thousands, and deployed south of the Anyang River in Xiangzhou. Huangfu Yu, together with Puzhou Prefect Murong Yanchao, led several thousand cavalry to scout ahead for the Khitan forces. They reached Ye County and were about to cross the Zhang River when they encountered tens of thousands of Khitan troops. Huangfu Yu and his men fought while retreating. When they reached Yulin Village, the main Khitan army caught up. The two generals discussed the situation: "If we try to flee now, we will surely die—not one of us will survive!" So they halted, formed a battle array, and fought from noon until the wei hour, engaging in over a hundred clashes with fierce effort. Both sides suffered extremely heavy casualties. Huangfu Yu's warhorse was killed in battle, and he fought on foot. His servant Du Zhimin gave his own horse to Huangfu Yu to ride, and Huangfu Yu mounted it and continued fighting. After a long time, the fighting eased somewhat. Looking back, he saw that Du Zhimin had been captured by the Khitan. Huangfu Yu said, "Zhimin is a righteous man; I cannot abandon him." Then, together with Murong Yanchao, he galloped into the Khitan formation and rescued Du Zhimin. Soon after, the Khitan sent fresh troops to engage in battle. The two generals said, "Our situation is such that we can no longer retreat; we can only die for our country." As dusk approached, the various generals stationed at Anyang wondered why the scouts had not returned. An Shenqi said, "The Grand Preceptor Huangfu has sent no word; he must be surrounded by the enemy." Before he finished speaking, a cavalryman arrived to report that Huangfu Yu and his men were surrounded by tens of thousands of enemy troops. An Shenqi immediately set out with his cavalry to go to the rescue. Zhang Cong'en said, "This report may not be reliable. If the enemy has indeed come in great numbers, even if we send our entire army, we might not be able to withstand them. What use would your going be?" An Shenqi replied, "Success or failure is up to Heaven. If we fail, we should bear it together. If the Khitan do not attack southward, but we have needlessly lost the Grand Preceptor Huangfu, what face would we have to see the people of the realm?" So he crossed the Anyang River and advanced. The Khitan troops saw the dust rising and immediately lifted the siege and withdrew. Huangfu Yu and his men were then able to return and joined the other generals in going back to Xiangzhou. From the highest to the lowest in the army, all admired the bravery of the two generals. Murong Yanchao was originally a Tuyuhun tribesman, with the same mother as Liu Zhiyuan.
The Khitan also led their army in retreat, and their troops, alarmed, said to one another, "All the Jin troops have come!" At that time, the Khitan ruler was in Handan. Hearing this news, he immediately fled northward and reached Gucheng in less than two days.
That night, Zhang Cong'en and others discussed the situation: "The Khitan have come with the full strength of their nation. Our forces are few, and the grain in the city cannot last ten days. If a spy reports our true situation to the enemy, and they concentrate all their troops to surround us, our death will be at hand. It would be better to lead the army to the granary at Liyang, rely on the Yellow River to the south to resist them—this would ensure safety without risk." Before they reached a decision, Zhang Cong'en led his troops out first, and the other armies followed. The troops fell into disorder, with many men lost, just as had happened when they set out from Xingzhou. Zhang Cong'en and the others left five hundred infantry to guard the Anyang Bridge. In the fourth watch of the night, Fu Yanlun, the acting prefect of Xiangzhou, said to his officers, "The situation tonight is chaotic, and no one has a firm resolve. How can five hundred exhausted soldiers hold the bridge?" He immediately recalled them into the city and had them mount the walls to prepare for defense. By daybreak, they saw tens of thousands of Khitan cavalry already deployed on the north bank of the Anyang River. Fu Yanlun ordered the waving of banners, the beating of drums, and shouting from the walls, and he arrayed the troops in order. The Khitan could not discern the true situation. After the chen hour, Zhao Yanshou and the Khitan Tiyin led their troops across the Anyang River, bypassed Xiangzhou, and advanced southward. Later Jin issued an edict ordering the Right Shenwu Field Army Commander Zhang Yanze to lead troops to rush to Xiangzhou. When Zhao Yanshou and his men reached Tangyin, they heard of this. On the jiayin day, they turned their army back. Ma Quanjie and the others led the main army at Liyang but dared not pursue. Zhao Yanshou arrayed all his cavalry beneath the walls of Xiangzhou, making a show of attacking the city. Fu Yanlun said, "This is a sign that the enemy intends to flee." He sent out five hundred armored troops to deploy north of the city and await them. The Khitan indeed withdrew.
Later Jin appointed Tianping Army Military Governor Zhang Cong'en as acting Dongjing Defender.
On the gengshen day, Zhenwu Army Military Governor Zhe Congyuan attacked the Khitan, besieged Shengzhou, and then proceeded to attack Shuozhou.
The Jin emperor's illness improved slightly, but reports of emergencies came one after another from the Hebei region. The emperor said, "This is not the time to sleep peacefully." So he deployed the various generals and prepared to personally lead the campaign.
The Wuding Army was redesignated as the Tianwei Army.
The Northern Deputy Commander-in-Chief Ma Quanjie and others submitted a memorial: "According to those who have surrendered, the enemy forces are not numerous. We should take advantage of their dispersing to return to their tribes and launch a major offensive to directly attack Youzhou." The emperor agreed and issued a call-up of troops from all circuits. On the renxu day, an edict was issued for a personal campaign. On the yichou day, the emperor departed from Daliang.
The former officials of Min jointly welcomed the ruler of Yin, Wang Yanzheng, and requested him to return to Fuzhou and change the state's name back to Min. Wang Yanzheng, as there was an attack by Tang troops, had no time to move the capital. He appointed his nephew, Vice Director of the Chancellery and Grand Councilor Wang Jichang, as Commander-in-Chief of All Military Affairs in the Southern Capital to guard Fuzhou, and appointed Flying Swift Commandant Huang Renfeng as Pacification Commissioner to lead the rear guard. When Lin Renhan arrived in Fuzhou, the Min ruler rewarded him very meagerly. Lin Renhan never boasted of his own merits. The Southern Capital Guard and the 15,000 armored troops from the two armies were conscripted and sent to Jianzhou to resist the Tang army.
In the second month, on the renchen day, the new moon, the emperor arrived in Huazhou. On the renshen day, An Shenqi was ordered to garrison Yedu. On the jiaxu day, the emperor departed from Huazhou. On the yihai day, he arrived in Chanzhou. On the jimao day, Ma Quanjie and the various armies advanced northward in sequence. When Liu Zhiyuan heard of this, he said, "The Central Plains are exhausted and impoverished; even self-defense is barely enough, yet we stir up the powerful barbarians on our own initiative. Even if we win, there will be lasting troubles—let alone if we do not win!"
The Khitan returned from Hengzhou, driving lean soldiers and herding cattle and sheep past the city of Qizhou. The Qizhou Prefect, Xiapi native Shen Bin, led out troops to attack them. The Khitan used elite cavalry to seize the city gate, and the prefectural troops could not re-enter the city. Zhao Yanshou, knowing that there were no surplus troops in the city, led the Khitan in a fierce assault. Shen Bin was on the city wall, and Zhao Yanshou said to him, "Prefect Shen, you are an old acquaintance of mine. 'When choosing misfortune, choose the lesser one.' Why not surrender early?" Shen Bin replied, "You, Director of the Chancellery, and your father made a strategic error and fell into the enemy camp. Yet you have the heart to lead these dogs and sheep to ravage the land of your ancestors? Without shame or disgrace, you even put on an arrogant air—why is that? I, Shen Bin, may have my bowstring broken and my arrows spent, but I would rather die for my country than imitate your actions!" The next day, the city fell, and Shen Bin committed suicide.
On the bingxu day, Later Jin issued an edict ordering the Northern Field Army Commander-in-Chief Du Wei to lead his own circuit's troops and join forces with Ma Quanjie and the others to advance.
The Academician of the Enduring Learning Hall and Vice Minister of Revenue Feng Yu, and the Deputy Commissioner of the Northern Palace Secretariat, Acting Commander of the Imperial Guard and Capital Cavalry and Infantry, Taiyuan native Li Yantao, both relied on the emperor's favor and held power. They detested the Grand Councilor Sang Weihan and repeatedly slandered him. The emperor wanted to remove Sang Weihan from his post in government affairs, but Li Song and Liu Xu firmly remonstrated, and he stopped. When Sang Weihan learned of this, he requested that Feng Yu be appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Privy Council. Feng Yu was very displeased. On the bingshen day, a direct imperial decree appointed Feng Yu as Minister of Revenue and Commissioner of the Privy Council, in order to diminish Sang Weihan's authority. In his youth, Li Yantao had served Yan Bao as a servant, and later became attached to the household of Gaozu. When Gaozu marched south from Taiyuan, he left Li Yantao to serve the emperor as a trusted confidant, and thus he gained favor. His nature was cunning and sycophantic; he colluded with the emperor's favored attendants to blind the emperor's eyes and ears. The emperor trusted him, to the point where he could even participate in discussions about the promotion and dismissal of generals and chancellors. He often said to people, "I don't know what use the court has for civil officials. I want to weed them out and gradually eliminate them all."
Southern Tang's Zha Wenjing submitted a memorial requesting reinforcements. The Southern Tang ruler appointed Tianwei Du Yuhou He Jingshu as Jianzhou Xingying Zhaotao Mabu Du Zhihuishi, General Zu Quanen as Yingyuanshi, Yao Feng as Dujian, leading several thousand soldiers to jointly attack Jianzhou, advancing from Chong'an and encamping at Chiling. The Min ruler Wang Yanzheng dispatched Puye Yang Sigong and Tongjunshen Chen Wang to lead ten thousand troops to resist, setting up palisades on the south bank of the river. They did not engage in battle for over ten days, and the Southern Tang army dared not approach. Yang Sigong, acting on Wang Yanzheng's orders, urged Chen Wang to give battle. Chen Wang said, "The Jiang-Huai troops are elite, and their generals are well-versed in military affairs. The safety of the state rests on this one move; we cannot act without complete certainty." Yang Sigong angrily replied, "The Southern Tang army has invaded deeply, and the Emperor cannot eat or sleep in peace, entrusting the army to you, General. Now the Southern Tang army numbers no more than a few thousand, while you have over ten thousand troops. If you do not attack them before they are established, and if the Southern Tang army retreats out of fear, what face will you have to see the Emperor?" Chen Wang, having no choice, led his troops across the river to engage the Southern Tang army. Zu Quanen and his men met them head-on with the main force while deploying flanking troops to attack from the rear, inflicting a major defeat on the Min army. Chen Wang died in battle, and Yang Sigong barely escaped with his life. Wang Yanzheng, greatly frightened, fortified the city for defense and summoned Dong Si'an and Wang Zhongshun, ordering them to lead five thousand troops from Quanzhou to Jianzhou and guard key strategic points.
Earlier, the Later Jin Gaozu had established the Deqing Army in the old Tanzhou city. When the Khitan invaded, all the fortifications and strongholds between Tanzhou and Yedu fell. Those who discussed the matter believed that Tanzhou and Yedu were fifty li apart, and a city should be built in between to connect north and south. The emperor agreed. In the third month, on the Wuxu day, the Deqing Army city was rebuilt, merging the populations of Deqing and Nanle to fill it.
Earlier, Li Renda of Guang Prefecture served as Yuanzong Congzhihuishi in the Min state, but did not receive promotion for fifteen years. During the reign of Min ruler Wang Xi, he defected to Jianzhou, and Min ruler Wang Yanzheng appointed him a general. When Zhu Wenjin assassinated Wang Xi, he defected again to Fuzhou and presented a plan to capture Jianzhou. Zhu Wenjin, disgusted by his fickleness, demoted him to Fuqing. Previously, Chen Jixun of Pucheng County had also betrayed Min ruler Wang Yanzheng and fled to Fuzhou, plotting with Wang Xi to take Jianzhou, and Wang Xi appointed him a Zhuzuolang. When Wang Yanzheng took Fuzhou, both men felt uneasy. Wang Jichang was weak-willed and fond of drinking, and did not care for his officers and soldiers, who were largely resentful. Li Renda secretly infiltrated Fuzhou and, together with Chen Jixun, persuaded Huang Renfeng: "Now the Southern Tang army is advancing on the momentum of victory, and Jianzhou is isolated and in peril. If Fu Sha Wang (Wang Yanzheng) cannot even hold Jianzhou, how can he preserve Fuzhou? Previously, the Wang brothers, mere commoners from Guangshan, seized Fujian as easily as turning over their hands. How much more so, taking advantage of this opportunity, we can seek wealth and honor for ourselves—are we inferior to them?" Huang Renfeng agreed. That night, Li Renda and his men led armored soldiers into the government compound, killing Wang Jichang and Wu Chengyi. Li Renda wanted to set himself up as ruler, but feared the people would not accept him. Because the monk Zhuo Yanming from Xuefeng Temple had long been respected by the masses, he said, "This monk has double pupils in his eyes and hands that hang past his knees—truly the appearance of a Son of Heaven." So they jointly welcomed him. On the Jihai day, they established him as emperor, stripped him of his monk's robes, dressed him in imperial regalia, and led the officers and officials in paying homage to him from the north. However, they still called it the tenth year of Tianfu, and sent envoys to Later Jin to submit and declare themselves vassals. When Wang Yanzheng heard of this, he exterminated Huang Renfeng's entire family and ordered Tongjunshen Zhang Hanzhen to lead five thousand naval troops, joining forces with the armies of Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, to attack Zhuo Yanming.
On the Yisi day, Du Wei and others assembled their armies at Dingzhou, and appointed Fengongguan Xiao Chujun as acting prefect of Qi Prefecture. On the Gengxu day, the armies attacked the Khitan, and Taizhou Prefect Jin Tingqian surrendered the entire prefecture. On the Jiayin day, they captured Mancheng, taking the Khitan chieftain Mola and two thousand of his soldiers prisoner. On the Yimao day, they captured Suicheng. Some of Zhao Yanshou's followers who surrendered said, "The Khitan ruler returned to Hubeikou. When he heard that the Jin army had taken Taizhou, he led his troops south again, about eighty thousand cavalry, and is expected to arrive by tomorrow evening. You should prepare quickly." Du Wei and others, frightened, withdrew to Taizhou on the Bingchen day. On the Wuwu day, the Khitan reached Taizhou. On the Jishen day, the Jin army marched south, with the Khitan army following closely. When the Jin army reached Yangcheng, on the Gengshen day, the main Khitan force arrived. The Jin army engaged them, pursuing the fleeing enemy for over ten li, and the Khitan crossed the Baigou and departed.
On the Renshu day, the Jin army formed ranks and marched south, but the Khitan cavalry surrounded them from all sides, pressing down like a mountain. The various armies fought desperately to resist. That day, they advanced only a little over ten li, with both men and horses suffering from hunger, thirst, and exhaustion.
On the Guihai day, the Jin army reached Baiwei Village, setting up deer antlers as camp defenses. The Khitan army surrounded them in several layers, sending flanking troops behind the camp to cut off the supply route. That night, a strong northeast wind arose, tearing down houses and breaking trees. In the camp, when they dug wells, the walls collapsed as soon as they reached water. The soldiers took mud, wringing out moisture with cloth to drink, and both men and horses were parched. By dawn, the wind grew even stronger. The Khitan ruler, sitting in a Xi chariot, commanded his troops: "The Jin army has come this far; we must capture them all, then march south to take Daliang!" He ordered the Iron Falcon troops to dismount from all sides, remove the deer antlers, and charge into the camp, attacking the Jin army with short weapons, while also using the wind to set fires and raise dust to boost their momentum. The Jin officers and soldiers all shouted in fury, "Why doesn't the Commander-in-Chief send out the troops, letting the soldiers wait for death?" The various generals requested to engage, but Du Wei said, "Wait until the wind eases slightly, then slowly consider whether to fight." Mabu Dujian Li Shouzhen said, "The enemy is numerous and we are few. In the wind and sand, we cannot see clearly how many there are. Only by fighting fiercely can we win—this wind is helping us. If we wait for the wind to stop, none of us will survive." He immediately shouted, "All armies, attack the enemy together!" He also said to Du Wei, "Linggong is good at defense. I, Li Shouzhen, will lead the central army to fight to the death!" Mazu Zuopai Du Paichenshi Zhang Yanze gathered the generals to discuss strategy. They all said, "The enemy has the wind advantage; we should wait for the wind to change direction before engaging." Zhang Yanze agreed. As the generals withdrew, Mazu Youpai Fu Paichenshi Taiyuan native Yao Yuanfu stayed behind alone and said to Zhang Yanze, "Now the army is extremely hungry and thirsty. If we wait for the wind to change, we will become prisoners of the enemy. The enemy thinks we cannot fight against the wind; we should strike suddenly and quickly—this is the art of military deception." Mazu Zuo Youpai Du Paichenshi Fu Yanqing said, "Better to sacrifice ourselves for the country than to be captured with our hands tied!" So he, along with Zhang Yanze, Yao Yuanfu, and Zuopai Du Paichenshi Huangfu Yu, led elite cavalry out through the west gate, with the other generals following. The Khitan army retreated several hundred paces. Fu Yanqing and others said to Li Shouzhen, "Should we ride back and forth, or charge straight ahead and fight until victory?" Li Shouzhen said, "Things have come to this—how can we turn back! We must press forward and win!" Fu Yanqing and the others spurred their horses forward. The wind grew even fiercer, and it became as dark as night. Fu Yanqing and his men led ten thousand cavalry in a horizontal charge against the Khitan army, with shouts shaking heaven and earth. The Khitan army was utterly defeated and fled, collapsing like an avalanche. Li Shouzhen also ordered the infantry to pull up all the deer antlers and join the battle. The infantry and cavalry advanced together, pursuing the fleeing enemy for over twenty li. The Iron Falcon troops, having dismounted, were in such panic that they could not remount, and all abandoned their horses, armor, and weapons, which littered the ground. The scattered Khitan soldiers fled to the water's edge southeast of Yangcheng, where they briefly re-formed their ranks. Du Wei said, "The enemy's spirit is broken; we should not let them form up again!" He sent elite cavalry to attack, and the Khitan all crossed the river and fled. The Khitan ruler fled in his Xi chariot for over ten li, but when the pursuers pressed closely, he obtained a camel and escaped on it. The generals requested an urgent pursuit. Du Wei declared, "To encounter the enemy and escape by luck is enough—should we also look for our baggage?" Li Shouzhen said, "For two days, men and horses have been extremely thirsty. Now that we have water to drink, they are all burdened and it is difficult to pursue the enemy. It is better to preserve the army and return." So they withdrew and held Dingzhou. When the Khitan ruler reached Youzhou, his scattered troops gradually assembled. Because of the military defeat, he had each chieftain flogged several hundred times; only Zhao Yanshou was spared.
On the Yichou day, the various armies led their troops back from Dingzhou. The Later Jin issued an edict placing Taizhou under the jurisdiction of Dingzhou.
In summer, the fourth month, on the Xinsi day, the emperor departed from Chanzhou, and on the Jiashen day, returned to Daliang.
On the Jichou day, Yedu was again redesignated as the Tianxiong Army.
Zhang Hanzhen of Min reached Fuzhou and attacked the Eastern Pass. Huang Renfeng, learning that his entire family had been exterminated, opened the city gates and fought fiercely, greatly defeating the Min army, capturing Zhang Hanzhen, and bringing him into the city, where he was killed. Zhuo Yanming had no strategy; he merely sprinkled water and scattered beans in the hall, performing Daoist rituals. He also sent envoys to Putian to welcome his father, honoring him as the Supreme Emperor. After Li Renda established Zhuo Yanming, he himself took command of the Six Armies and all military affairs, sending Huang Renfeng to guard the Western Gate and Chen Jixun to guard the Northern Gate. Huang Renfeng calmly said to Chen Jixun, "What makes a man a man is loyalty, trust, benevolence, and righteousness. In the past, I rendered meritorious service to the Prince of Fusha, but later I betrayed him—this is disloyalty. Someone entrusted his nephew to me, yet I joined others in killing him—this is untrustworthiness. Recently, in battles with the Jianzhou army, those I killed were all old friends from my hometown—this is lacking in benevolence. I abandoned my wife and children, letting others butcher them—this is lacking in righteousness. I have sunk nine times and floated ten times; even in death, I am full of shame!" Thereupon he beat his chest and wept bitterly. Chen Jixun said, "A great man sacrifices himself for fame and achievement; why care about wife and children! You should set this aside and not bring disaster upon yourself because of it." When Li Renda heard of this, he sent someone to accuse Huang Renfeng and Chen Jixun of plotting rebellion, and had them both executed. From then on, all military power fell into the hands of Li Renda.
In the fifth month, on the Bingshen day (the first day of the month), a general amnesty was granted.
Du Wei, the military governor of Shunguo, had long governed Hengzhou. By nature he was greedy and cruel, and relying on his status as a close relative of the imperial family, he committed many unlawful acts. Often using the pretext of defending the border, he extorted money and silk from officials and commoners to fill his own coffers. If wealthy households possessed precious treasures, beautiful women, or fine horses, he forcibly seized them; or he would falsely accuse them of crimes and have them killed, confiscating their property. He was also extremely cowardly. Whenever a few dozen Khitan cavalry entered the border, Du Wei would already close the city gates and ascend the walls. Sometimes a few cavalrymen would drive thousands of captured Chinese past the city walls, and Du Wei would only stare wide-eyed and crane his neck, without any intention of intercepting or rescuing them. As a result, the enemy had no fear; many cities under his jurisdiction were slaughtered, but Du Wei never sent a single soldier to their aid. For a thousand li, corpses lay exposed like grass, and villages were nearly wiped out. Seeing his jurisdiction ruined and desolate, hated by the people, and fearing the strength of the Khitan, Du Wei repeatedly submitted memorials requesting an audience at court, but the emperor did not consent. Without waiting for a reply, Du Wei left his post on his own authority and came to court. When the court heard of this, they were greatly alarmed. Sang Weihan said to the emperor, "Du Wei stubbornly defied court orders and left a border stronghold without authorization. Usually relying on his merit and imperial kinship, he seeks the court's indulgence; but when border troubles arise, he shows no intention of defending it. Now is the time to dismiss him; perhaps this can avert future disaster." The emperor was displeased. Sang Weihan said, "If Your Majesty cannot bear to dismiss him, you should grant him a minor commandery near the capital and no longer entrust him with a powerful frontier command." The emperor said, "Du Wei is my close relative; he surely has no disloyal intentions. It is just that the Princess of Songguo urgently wished to see him—do not suspect him." From then on, Sang Weihan dared not discuss state affairs again and resigned on the grounds of foot illness. On the Bingchen day, Du Wei arrived at Daliang.
On the Dingsi day, Li Renda held a large military review and invited Zhuo Yanming to observe in person. Li Renda secretly incited soldiers to suddenly rush forward, ascend the platform, and assassinate Zhuo Yanming. Li Renda pretended to be alarmed and fled in panic. The soldiers together seized Li Renda and seated him on Zhuo Yanming's seat. Li Renda then proclaimed himself acting Weiwu Commandant, used the Baoda reign title, submitted a memorial to the Southern Tang acknowledging vassalage, and also sent envoys to pay tribute to the Later Jin. He also killed Zhuo Yanming's father. The Southern Tang appointed Li Renda as military governor of Weiwu, with the rank of Tongping Zhangshi, granted him the name Hongyi, and enrolled him in the imperial clan register. Li Hongyi also sent envoys to establish good relations with Wuyue.
On the Jiwei day, Du Wei presented a total of four thousand cavalry and infantry from his personal troops, along with armor and weapons. On the Gengshen day, he also presented one hundred thousand hu of grain and two hundred thousand bundles of fodder, claiming they were all from his own circuit. The emperor assigned the presented cavalry to the Husheng Army and the infantry to the Huguo Army. Du Wei also requested that these troops be made his personal guard, with their provisions and rewards supplied by the government. Du Wei also had the princess petition the emperor, requesting the ceremonial banner of the Tianxiong Army military governor, and the emperor agreed.
The Southern Tang army besieged Jianzhou and repeatedly defeated the Quanzhou troops. Xu Wenzhen defeated the Southern Tang army at Tingzhou and captured their general Shi Houqing.
In the sixth month, on the Guiyou day, Du Wei was appointed military governor of Tianxiong.
For several years, the Khitan invaded, the Central Plains were exhausted from constant military campaigns, and the border people suffered hardship. The Khitan also suffered many deaths among both men and livestock, and their own people grew weary and distressed. Empress Dowager Shulü said to the Khitan ruler, "Can a Han Chinese be made ruler of the Hu?" The Khitan ruler said, "No." The empress dowager said, "Then why do you want to be the ruler of the Han?" The Khitan ruler said, "The Shi family has betrayed our kindness; I cannot tolerate it." The empress dowager said, "Now you have obtained Han territory, but you cannot dwell there. If there is one misstep, where will regret find you?" She also said to her ministers, "How can a Han boy sleep peacefully! Since ancient times, I have only heard of Han seeking peace through marriage, not of Hu seeking peace through marriage. If the Han boy truly repents, why would I begrudge a marriage alliance!" Sang Weihan repeatedly advised the emperor to again seek a peace marriage with the Khitan to alleviate the state's troubles. The emperor appointed the Kaifeng army officer Zhang Hui as a provisioner and sent him with a memorial acknowledging vassalage to the Khitan, using humble words to apologize. The Khitan ruler said, "Let Jing Yanguang and Sang Weihan come in person, and cede the two circuits of Zhen and Ding to me—then peace through marriage can be discussed." The court, believing the Khitan's words were angry and showed no sincere desire for peace, abandoned the matter. Later, when the Khitan ruler entered Daliang, he said to Li Song and others, "If the Jin envoys had come again, then the north and south would not have gone to war."
In autumn, the seventh month, someone in Min reported that the Fuzhou relief troops were plotting rebellion. Min ruler Wang Yanzheng confiscated their armor and weapons, sent them back, and ambushed them at strategic points, killing them all. Over eight thousand people died, and their flesh was made into jerky to be taken back as food.
Bian Gao of the Southern Tang captured Tanzhou. Zha Wenhui's associates, Wei Cen, Feng Yanji, and Feng Yanlu, all enthusiastically approved because the military expedition had achieved merit. Supplies and resources were requisitioned, exhausting the treasury. The people of Hongzhou, Raozhou, Fuzhou, and Xinzhou suffered particularly.
Wang Yanzheng sent envoys with a memorial to Wuyue acknowledging vassalage, requesting to become a dependent state for aid.
Chu ruler Ma Xifan suspected that the Jingjiang military governor and Attendant-in-Chief, Ma Xigao, who was in charge of Langzhou, was winning popular support, and sent people to watch him. Ma Xigao, frightened, claimed illness and requested to return to court, but was not permitted. The Chu ruler sent a physician to visit him on the pretext of treating his illness, and took the opportunity to poison him.