Annals of the Later Han, Volume 1
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 286 [Annals of the Later Han, Part 1] From the beginning of the first month of the dingwei year (the year of the strong and harmonious conjunction) to the end of the fourth month, less than one full year.
Spring, first month, dinghai (first day), the hundred officials took leave of the Jin ruler from afar at the north of the city, then changed into plain clothes and gauze caps, welcomed the Khitan ruler, and prostrated themselves by the roadside to confess their guilt. The Khitan ruler wore a sable hat and a sable fur coat, with armor underneath, halted his horse on high ground, ordered them to rise, changed into ceremonial robes, and comforted and consoled them. The Left Guard General-in-Chief An Shuqian alone stepped forward and spoke in the Khitan language. The Khitan ruler said, “Are you An the Illiterate? When you formerly garrisoned Xingzhou, you already submitted several memorials expressing your sincerity; I have not forgotten it.” An Shuqian bowed, shouted with joy, and withdrew.
The Jin ruler, together with the Empress Dowager and those below her, waited outside the Fengqiu Gate to welcome him, but the Khitan ruler refused to see them. The Khitan ruler entered the city gates; the common people all panicked, shouting and fleeing. The Khitan ruler ascended the city tower and sent an interpreter to instruct them, saying, “I too am a man; do not be afraid! I will let you rest and recover. I had no intention of coming south; it was the Han soldiers who led me here.” Arriving at the Mingde Gate, he dismounted and performed a ritual bow before entering the palace. He appointed his Vice Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, Liu Mi, as acting magistrate of Kaifeng. At dusk, the Khitan ruler again left the city and encamped at Chigang.
On wuzi (the second day), he arrested the Defense Commissioner of Zhengzhou, Yang Chengxun, and escorted him to Daliang, rebuking him for killing his father and betraying the Khitan, and ordered his guards to slice off his flesh and share it among themselves. Shortly thereafter, he appointed Yang Chengxun’s younger brother, the Right Guard General Yang Chengxin, as Pinglu Military Commissioner, and handed over to him all of his father’s former troops.
Gao Xun accused Zhang Yanze of killing his family members before the Khitan ruler. The Khitan ruler was also angered by Zhang Yanze’s plundering in the capital, and had him arrested together with Fu Zhu’er. He announced Zhang Yanze’s crimes to the hundred officials and asked, “Should he be executed?” The crowd all said, “He should be executed.” The common people also submitted petitions, vying to state Zhang Yanze’s offenses. On jichou (the third day), Zhang Yanze and Fu Zhu’er were beheaded at the Northern Market, and the Khitan ruler ordered Gao Xun to supervise the execution. The sons and grandsons of the scholar-officials whom Zhang Yanze had previously killed all wore mourning clothes and carried mourning staffs, wailing and following, cursing them, and striking them with their staffs. Gao Xun ordered that their wrists be cut off to remove the manacles, and their hearts cut open to offer sacrifices to the dead. The city dwellers vied to break open their heads to take the brain marrow, and cut off their flesh to eat.
The Khitan had earlier escorted Jing Yanguang back to their own country. On gengyin (the fourth day), they lodged at Chenqiao. That night, when the guards relaxed slightly, Jing Yanguang strangled himself to death.
On xinmao (the fifth day), the Khitan ruler enfeoffed the Jin ruler as the Duke of Violated Obligations and placed him at Huanglong Prefecture. Huanglong Prefecture was the Helong City of the Murong clan. The Khitan ruler sent someone to say to Empress Dowager Li, “I have heard that Chonggui did not follow his mother’s orders, leading to this. You may do as you please; do not go with him.” The Empress Dowager said, “Chonggui served me with great respect. What he erred in was violating the will of the late ruler and severing the good relations between the two states. Now, fortunate enough to receive great kindness, with life and clan preserved, if a mother does not follow her son, where else would she wish to go?”
On guisi (the seventh day), the Khitan relocated the Jin ruler and his family to Fengchan Temple, sending the Datong Military Commissioner and Acting Palace Attendant, the Henei man Cui Tingxun, to lead troops and guard them. The Khitan ruler repeatedly sent envoys to offer condolences. Every time the Jin ruler heard that an envoy had arrived, the entire family was anxious and fearful. At that time, rain and snow fell continuously for over ten days; there was no supply from outside, and both high and low suffered from hunger and cold. The Empress Dowager sent someone to say to the temple monks, “I once distributed food to tens of thousands of monks here; now, is there not a single one who remembers me?” The monks refused, saying, “The Hu barbarians’ intentions are unpredictable; we dare not offer food.” The Jin ruler secretly begged the guards, and only then gradually obtained food.
On this day, the Khitan ruler led his troops from Chigang into the palace. All the city gates and the palace gates were guarded by Khitan soldiers, who did not lay down their weapons day or night. They dismembered dogs at the gates, hung sheepskins on poles in the courtyards as a form of exorcism. The Khitan ruler said to the Jin courtiers, “From now on, we will not repair armor or weapons, not purchase warhorses, lighten taxes and reduce corvée labor, and the world will be at peace.” He abolished the Eastern Capital, downgraded Kaifeng Prefecture to Bianzhou, and the prefectural magistrate to a defense commissioner.
On yiwu (the ninth day), the Khitan ruler changed into Chinese clothing and headgear, and the court etiquette for the hundred officials all followed the old system. Zhao Yanshou and Zhang Li jointly recommended Li Song’s talent. It happened that the Weisheng Military Commissioner Feng Dao arrived at court from Dengzhou; the Khitan ruler had long heard of the reputations of both men and treated them both with propriety. Shortly thereafter, he appointed Li Song as Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent, acting as Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, and Feng Dao as Defender-in-Chief, to serve in the Bureau of Military Affairs, awaiting orders and available for consultation.
The Khitan ruler dispatched envoys separately, issuing edicts to the Jin garrisons. The Jin garrisons vied to submit memorials proclaiming themselves vassals; those summoned all came without delay. Only the Zhangyi Military Commissioner Shi Kuangwei held Jingzhou and refused to accept the order. Shi Kuangwei was the son of Shi Jiantang. The Xiongwu Military Commissioner He Chongjian killed the Khitan envoy and led the three prefectures of Qin, Cheng, and Jie to surrender to Shu.
Initially, when Du Chongwei had led the Jin army to surrender to the Khitan, the Khitan ruler had confiscated all their armor and weapons, several million pieces, and stored them in Hengzhou, driven several tens of thousands of horses back to his own country, and ordered Du Chongwei to lead his troops to follow him south. Upon reaching the Yellow River, the Khitan ruler, concerned that the Jin soldiers were numerous and feared they might rebel, wanted to have Khitan cavalry drive them all into the Yellow River to drown them. Someone remonstrated, saying, “There are still many Jin soldiers elsewhere; if they hear that those who surrendered have all died, they will certainly all resist orders and become a calamity. It would be better to temporarily pacify them and slowly devise a plan.” The Khitan ruler then ordered Du Chongwei to lead his troops to encamp at Chenqiao. It happened that there was a long period of snow; the government provided no supplies, and the soldiers, frozen and starving, all resented Du Chongwei, gathered together and wept. Whenever Du Chongwei went out, people by the roadside cursed him.
The Khitan ruler still wanted to kill the Jin soldiers. Zhao Yanshou said to the Khitan ruler, “The Emperor personally braved arrows and stones to conquer Jin—was it to possess it himself, or to take it for someone else?” The Khitan ruler changed color and said, “I mobilized the entire realm to campaign south, never removing my armor for five years, and barely managed to conquer it—how could it be for someone else!” Zhao Yanshou said, “Jin has Tang to the south and Shu to the west; they have long been enemies—does the Emperor know this?” The Khitan ruler said, “I know.” Zhao Yanshou said, “Jin stretches from Yi and Mi in the east to Qin and Feng in the west, several thousand li, bordering Wu and Shu, and constantly had to station troops for defense. The south is hot and humid; the people of the upper country cannot dwell there. In the future, when the Emperor’s chariot returns north, with Jin so vast and without troops to defend it, Wu and Shu will certainly both take advantage of the void to invade; would that not be taking it for someone else?” The Khitan ruler said, “I did not know. Then what should be done?” Zhao Yanshou said, “The surrendered troops at Chenqiao can be sent to garrison the southern borders, and then Wu and Shu will not be able to cause trouble.” The Khitan ruler said, “Formerly, at Shangdang, I made a mistaken decision and handed all the Tang troops over to Jin. Later, they became my enemies, fighting against me in the north, toiling for years before I barely defeated them. Now, fortunately, they have fallen into my hands—if I do not take this opportunity to eliminate them all, how can I leave them again as a future calamity?” Zhao Yanshou said, “Formerly, the Jin troops were left south of the Yellow River without their wives and children being detained, so this worry arose. Now, if we move all their families to the area between Heng, Ding, Yun, and Shuo, and rotate them annually to garrison the south, why worry about them rebelling? This is the superior plan.” The Khitan ruler was pleased and said, “Good! Let the Great King handle this matter.” Therefore, the soldiers at Chenqiao were spared death and were sent back to their garrisons.
The Khitan ruler killed the Right Guard General-in-Chief Li Yanshen and the eunuch Qin Jimin, because they were the ones who had killed the Prince of Dongdan for the Tang Prince of Lu. He bestowed their family property on the Prince of Dongdan’s son, the Prince of Yongkang, Wuyu. Wuyu was blind in one eye; he was a vigorous and generous man.
On the day of Guimao (17th day), the Jin ruler, along with Empress Dowager Li, Consort An, Empress Feng, his younger brother Shi Rui, and his sons Shi Yanxu and Shi Yanbao, all moved northward, accompanied by over a hundred attendants from the rear palace. The Khitan sent three hundred cavalry to escort them, and also sent Jin’s Zhongshu Ling Zhao Ying, Privy Councilor Feng Yu, and Military Commandant of the Horse Army Li Yantao to travel with them. On the road, the Jin ruler’s supplies were insufficient; at times, he and the Empress Dowager both went without food, and none of his former ministers dared to come and pay respects. Only the Cishi of Cizhou, Li Gu, met them on the road, bowed, and wept with them. Li Gu said, “Your subject is worthless and has failed Your Majesty.” He then offered all his family wealth. When the Jin ruler reached Zhongdu Bridge and saw Du Zhongwei’s camp, he sighed and said, “Heaven! What wrong has my family done to be broken by this traitor?” He wept bitterly and moved on.
On the day of Guichou (27th day), the Shu ruler appointed Li Jixun, General-in-Chief of the Left Thousand-Niu Guard, as Commissioner of Pacification for Qinzhou.
The Khitan ruler appointed former Yanjing Liushou Liu Xi as Liushou of Xijing, Yongkang Prince Wuyu’s younger brother Liu Gui as Yicheng Jiedushi, his clansman Lang Wu as Zhenning Jiedushi, Wuyu’s brother-in-law Pan Yuning as Heng Hai Jiedushi, Zhao Yanshou’s son Zhao Kuangzan as Huguo Jiedushi, Han general Zhang Yanchao as Xiongwu Jiedushi, Shi Quan as Zhangyi Jiedushi, Deputy Commissioner of the Guest Department Liu Yanseng as Zhongwu Jiedushi, former Huguo Jiedushi Hou Yi as Fengxiang Jiedushi, and Acting Prefect of Fengxiang Prefecture Jiao Jixun as Baoda Jiedushi. Liu Xi was from Zhuo Prefecture. Soon after, He Chongjian submitted to Shu, and Shi Kuangwei refused to accept the replacement, causing the Khitan’s momentum to falter slightly.
When Jinchang Jiedushi Zhao Zaili entered the court, his deputy in Chang’an rebelled. The Jiedushi Vice Commissioner, Li Su of Jian Prefecture, suppressed and executed them, stabilizing the military headquarters.
When the Jin ruler broke relations with the Khitan, Kuangguo Jiedushi Liu Jixun served as Deputy Commissioner of the Xuanhui Northern Institute and participated in the planning. When the Khitan ruler entered Bian Prefecture, Liu Jixun appeared at court, and the Khitan ruler rebuked him. At that time, Feng Dao was in the hall, and Liu Jixun hastily pointed at Feng Dao, saying, “Feng Dao is the chief minister; he and Jing Yanguang actually devised this plan. Your subject is of low rank; how would I dare to speak!” The Khitan ruler said, “This old man is not a meddler; do not recklessly implicate him!” He ordered Liu Jixun to be shackled and was about to send him to Huanglong Prefecture. When Zhao Zaili reached Luoyang, he said to others, “The Khitan ruler once said that the rebellion of Zhuangzong was caused by me. This journey truly worries me.” The Khitan ruler sent Khitan general Shuozha, Xi King Yelali, and Bohai general Gao Mohan to guard Luoyang. Zhao Zaili entered for an audience and knelt in the courtyard, while Yelali and the others sat arrogantly to receive him. On the day of Yimao (29th day), Zhao Zaili reached Zheng Prefecture and, hearing that Liu Jixun had been shackled, was greatly alarmed. That night, he hanged himself in the stable. When the Khitan ruler heard that Zhao Zaili had died, he released Liu Jixun, who died of worry and anger. When Liu Xi served in the Khitan, he had been Privy Councilor and Tongping Zhangshi. Upon reaching Luoyang, he rebuked the Xi King, saying, “Zhao Zaili was a high minister of Han; you are merely a chieftain from the north. How could you treat him so rudely!” He stood in the courtyard to humiliate him. Thus, the people of Luoyang were somewhat calmed.
The Khitan ruler widely accepted tribute from all directions, indulged in heavy drinking and merrymaking, and often said to the Jin ministers, “I know all about affairs in China; you do not know about affairs in my state.”
Zhao Yanshou requested to supply provisions for the Upper Kingdom’s soldiers, but the Khitan ruler said, “Our state has no such method.” He then let the Hu cavalry roam freely, using horse grazing as a pretext to plunder in batches, calling it “gathering grass and grain.” Strong men died by the blade, while the old and weak were left to die in ditches. In the vicinity of the Eastern and Western Capitals, as well as Zheng, Hua, Cao, and Pu, within several hundred li, property and livestock were nearly all looted.
The Khitan ruler said to Liu Xu, the Judge of the Three Departments, “The Khitan army of three hundred thousand, having pacified the Jin state, should receive generous rewards; make preparations quickly.” At that time, the treasury was empty, and Liu Xu did not know how to raise funds. He requested to borrow money and silk from the capital’s scholars and commoners; even the generals and ministers could not avoid it. He also sent dozens of envoys to various prefectures to borrow, using severe executions to coerce them, causing the people to have no means of living. In reality, no rewards were issued; everything was stored in the inner treasury, intended to be transported back to their own state by cart. Thus, resentment and anger arose both inside and outside, and people began to suffer from the Khitan’s presence, all thinking of driving them out.
Initially, the Jin ruler and the Hedong Jiedushi, Zhongshu Ling, and Beiping King Liu Zhiyuan were suspicious of each other. Although Liu Zhiyuan was appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the Northern March, it was only an empty title to honor him, and he could not actually participate in the movements of the various armies. Therefore, Liu Zhiyuan extensively recruited soldiers. After the Battle of Yangcheng, several thousand scattered troops from various armies joined him, and he also obtained property and livestock from the Tuyuhun, making Hedong the wealthiest and strongest among all the towns, with infantry and cavalry reaching fifty thousand.
When the Jin ruler fell out with the Khitan, Liu Zhiyuan knew the Jin ruler was doomed but never advised him. The Khitan repeatedly penetrated deep into the territory, and Liu Zhiyuan initially had no intention of intercepting or aiding. When he heard that the Khitan had entered Bian Prefecture, Liu Zhiyuan divided his troops to guard the four borders to prevent invasion. He sent his guest general, Wang Jun of Anyang, to present three memorials to the Khitan ruler: first, congratulating him on entering Bian Prefecture; second, because Taiyuan was inhabited by a mix of Chinese and barbarians, and the garrison troops were gathered, he dared not leave his own town; third, regarding all tribute goods, it happened that the Khitan general Liu Jiuyi’s army had entered from Tumen and was stationed in the Southern River region, causing fear and concern in the city. He requested that this army be recalled so that the roads could be cleared and tribute could be presented. The Khitan ruler issued an edict praising him, and in his reply, he personally added the character “son” to Liu Zhiyuan’s name and bestowed upon him a wooden staff. According to barbarian custom, a wooden staff was given as a mark of favor to high ministers, similar to the Han custom of giving a staff or armrest; only Prince Wei, due to his uncle’s status, had received it. Liu Zhiyuan also sent Bai Wenke, Deputy Commander of the Northern Capital and a native of Taiyuan, to present rare silks and famous horses. The Khitan ruler knew Liu Zhiyuan was watching from afar and not coming, so when Bai Wenke returned, he sent someone to tell Liu Zhiyuan, “You do not serve the Southern Dynasty, nor do you serve the Northern Dynasty; what are you waiting for?” Guo Wei, the Fan-Han Clerical Officer, said to Liu Zhiyuan, “The barbarians hate us deeply! Wang Jun says the Khitan are greedy and cruel, losing the hearts of the people; they cannot hold China for long.” Some advised Liu Zhiyuan to raise troops and advance. Liu Zhiyuan said, “Using troops requires a sense of urgency or delay; one must act according to the situation. Now the Khitan have just subdued one hundred thousand Jin troops, like a tiger holding the capital, with no other changes; how can we act rashly! Moreover, observe that what they covet is merely wealth; once they have enough wealth, they will surely go north. Besides, the snow and ice are already melting; the situation is hard for them to stay long. We should wait for them to leave, then seize the opportunity; this will ensure success without fail.”
Zhaoyi Jiedushi Zhang Cong’en, because his region was close to Huai and Luo, wanted to submit to the Khitan and sent an envoy to consult Liu Zhiyuan. Liu Zhiyuan said, “I rely on a corner of the land; how dare I resist the whole empire! You should go first; I will come later.” Zhang Cong’en agreed. The Judge Gao Fang admonished him, saying, “You are a close relative of the Jin house; you must not lightly change your allegiance.” Zhang Cong’en did not listen. Zuo Xiaowei General-in-Chief Wang Shou’en was a relative by marriage of Zhang Cong’en. At that time, he was in Shangdang. Zhang Cong’en appointed Deputy Commissioner Zhao Xingqian as acting Liuhou and issued an order making Wang Shou’en acting Patrol Commissioner, with Gao Fang assisting him, and then departed. Wang Shou’en was the son of Wang Jianli.
Jingnan Jiedushi Gao Conghui sent envoys to present tribute to the Khitan, who sent envoys to bestow horses upon him. Gao Conghui also sent envoys to Hedong to urge Liu Zhiyuan to ascend the throne.
The Lord of Tang installed Qi Prince Li Jing as Crown Prince. He changed the title of Yan Prince Li Jingda to Qi Prince, placing him in command of the various circuits' armies as Marshal. He changed the title of Nanchang Prince Li Hongji to Yan Prince, appointing him as Deputy Marshal. Li Jing once held a banquet with his palace officials, and the Praise and Admonishment Grand Master, Zhang Yi of Yuancheng, offered some remonstrance and advice. Li Jing was just then passing around a jade cup with his guests for amusement, and did not look at him. Zhang Yi said angrily: "Your Highness values precious objects more than scholars." He took the cup and smashed it on the ground, shattering it. Everyone present was greatly startled. Li Jing composed his expression, apologized to him, and treated Zhang Yi with even greater generosity. Li Jingda had a forthright nature. When the Lord of Tang drank with the imperial clan and close ministers, Feng Yanji, Feng Yanlu, Wei Cen, Chen Jue, and others exhausted all their flattering mannerisms, sometimes taking advantage of drunkenness to shout and laugh boisterously. Li Jingda repeatedly scolded and reproached them, and also earnestly admonished the Lord of Tang, saying that he should not be close to treacherous and fawning ministers. Feng Yanji, because installing the two younger brothers was not his own intention, wanted to use empty words to make them feel grateful to him. Once during a banquet at the Eastern Palace, he feigned drunkenness, patted Li Jingda on the back and said: "You must not forget me!" Li Jingda was furious, flicked his sleeves, and entered the palace to inform the Lord of Tang, requesting that he be executed. The Lord of Tang pacified him before the matter was dropped. Zhang Yi said to Li Jingda: "A pack of petty men are weaving slanders together; this is a matter of fortune and calamity. Your Highness's strength cannot remove them, yet you repeatedly rebuke them to their faces, making them fearful and preparing their defenses—what can they not do!" From then on, whenever there was a pleasure outing or banquet, Li Jingda mostly claimed illness and did not attend.
The Lord of Tang sent envoys to congratulate the Khitan on the destruction of Jin, and also requested to go to Chang'an to repair the various tombs of the Tang imperial house. The Khitan did not agree, but instead sent envoys to return the courtesy.
The Jin Mi Prefectural Governor, Huangfu Hui, and Di Prefectural Governor, Wang Jian, both fled from the Khitan, leading their troops to defect to Tang. The bandit leaders north of the Huai River mostly requested appointments from Tang.
The Tang Vice Director of the Ministry of Forestry and Parklands and History Academy Compiler, Han Xizai, submitted a memorial, stating: "Your Majesty is restoring the foundation of the ancestral enterprise; now is precisely the opportune moment. If the barbarian ruler returns north and the Central Plains gains a sovereign, it will not be easy to plot against them." At that time, the army was continuously engaged in Fuzhou, with no leisure to look north. The people of Tang all regretted this, and the Lord of Tang also had misgivings.
The Khitan ruler summoned all the hundred officials of Jin to assemble at court and asked: "My country is vast, stretching tens of thousands of li in all directions, with twenty-seven rulers. Now the customs of China differ from those of my country. I wish to choose one man to be your sovereign—what do you think?" The hundred officials all said: "There is no second sun in the sky. The hearts of both the barbarians and the Chinese all wish to support and honor the Emperor." They said this twice. The Khitan ruler then said: "Since you wish me to be your sovereign, what is the foremost thing to do now?" They replied: "When a king first possesses the realm, he should grant a general amnesty." On the first day of the second month (Dingsi), the Khitan ruler, wearing a Tongtian crown and a crimson gauze robe, ascended the main hall. He set up hanging musical instruments and ceremonial guards in the courtyard. The hundred officials offered congratulations; the Chinese all wore formal robes, while the barbarians still wore their barbarian attire, standing in the midst of the civil and military ranks. He issued an edict proclaiming the Great Liao's tenth year of the Tonghe era and granting a general amnesty. He also said: "From now on, military governors and prefectural governors shall not establish personal troops or purchase warhorses."
Zhao Yanshou, because the Khitan ruler had violated his agreement, felt disgruntled and resentful. He had Li Song speak to the Khitan ruler, saying: "I dare not hope for the title of Emperor of the Han, but I request to be made Crown Prince." Li Song, unable to refuse, said it for him. The Khitan ruler said: "To the Prince of Yan, even if I were to cut off my own flesh, if it were of use to the Prince of Yan, I would have nothing to begrudge. But I have heard that the Crown Prince should be the son of the Son of Heaven—how could the Prince of Yan be such!" He then ordered that the Prince of Yan be promoted in office. At that time, the Khitan made Hengzhou the Central Capital. The Hanlin Academy Director-in-Chief, Zhang Li, submitted a memorial proposing to appoint the Prince of Yan as Central Capital Garrison Commander, Grand Councilor, Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Commander-in-Chief of All Military Affairs Inside and Outside the Capital, while retaining his post as Privy Councilor. The Khitan ruler took a brush and crossed out "Director of the Department of State Affairs and Commander-in-Chief of All Military Affairs Inside and Outside the Capital" but implemented the rest.
On Renxu (the sixth day), the Shu Li Jixun and Xing Prefectural Governor Liu Jing attacked Gu Town and captured it. On Yichou (the ninth day), He Chongjian requested that Shu troops be sent to join with the troops of Jie and Cheng prefectures to jointly hold San Pass to attack Feng Prefecture. On Bingyin (the tenth day), the Shu ruler dispatched 3,700 troops from the southern mountains.
Liu Zhiyuan, upon hearing that He Chongjian had surrendered to Shu, sighed and said: "The barbarians invade and insult, the Central Plains have no lord, causing the frontier commanderies to submit to outside powers. As the leader of one region, I am truly ashamed!" Then his generals and advisors urged Liu Zhiyuan to proclaim himself emperor, so as to issue commands to all directions and observe the inclinations of the regional lords. Liu Zhiyuan did not agree. Hearing that the Jin ruler had returned north, he claimed he would send troops through Jingxing Pass to welcome the Jin ruler back to Jinyang. On Dingmao (the eleventh day), he ordered the Capital Commandant of Martial Prowess, Shi Hongzhao of Xingze, to assemble the various armies on the ball field and announce the date for the campaign. The soldiers all said: "Now the Khitan have captured the capital and taken the Son of Heaven prisoner; the realm has no ruler. The one who rules the world, besides our Great King, who else could it be! We should first rectify the title and title, then send out the army." They vied to shout "Long live!" without stopping. Liu Zhiyuan said: "The barbarians' power is still strong; our army's might is not yet aroused. We should first establish achievements. What do the soldiers know!" He ordered his attendants to stop them.
On Jisi (the thirteenth day), the Marching Adjutant, Zhang Yanwei of Lucheng, and others submitted three memorials urging him to take the throne. Liu Zhiyuan hesitated and did not decide. Guo Wei and the Capital Deputy Inspector, Yang Ye of Guanshi, entered to persuade Liu Zhiyuan, saying: "Now the hearts of those near and far, without prior consultation, are of one accord. This is the will of Heaven. If the Great King does not seize this opportunity and modestly declines, I fear that people's hearts may shift, and if they shift, they may instead bring disaster." Liu Zhiyuan heeded them.
The Khitan ruler appointed his general Liu Yuan as Military Commissioner of Baoyi Circuit. The people of Shan Prefecture suffered from his cruelty. The Fengguo Capital Commander, Wang Yan, together with Commandant Zhao Hui and Capital Commander Hou Zhang, plotted, saying: "Now the Khitan are disturbing China; this is precisely our time to rise. Liu Gong of Hedong has widespread prestige and virtue. If we kill Liu Yuan and lead Shan City to submit to him, becoming the vanguard for the realm, achieving wealth and honor will be as easy as turning over one's hand." Zhao Hui and the others agreed. Wang Yan and several strong men, climbing over the wall of the inner city at night, entered the prefectural office, took out the weapons from the armory, and distributed them to the crowd. On the morning of Gengwu (the fourteenth day), they cut off Liu Yuan's head and hung it on the prefectural gate, also killed the Khitan military inspector, and recommended Zhao Hui as acting Military Commissioner. Wang Yan was from Xuzhou; Zhao Hui was from Chan Prefecture; Hou Zhang was from Taiyuan.
On Xinwei (the fifteenth day), Liu Zhiyuan ascended the throne as emperor. He claimed he could not bear to change the dynastic name of Jin, and also loathed the Kaiyun reign title, so he changed it to the twelfth year of Tianfu. On Renshen (the sixteenth day), he issued an edict: "All circuits that have been collecting money and silk for the Khitan shall cease. Those Jin officials who were forced to serve as envoys shall not be pursued; order them to come to the emperor's presence. As for the remaining Khitan, wherever they are found, they are all to be killed."
He Chongjian sent the Palace Parks Commissioner, Cui Yanchen, to lead troops to attack Feng Prefecture. They did not capture it and withdrew to hold Gu Town.
On Jiaxu (the eighteenth day), the Emperor personally led the army eastward to welcome the Jin ruler and the Empress Dowager. When he reached Shouyang, he heard that they had already passed Hengzhou several days earlier, so he left troops to guard the Chengce Army and returned.
After the Jin ruler had left the border, the Khitan no longer supplied them. The accompanying officials and palace ladies all gathered tree fruits and grass leaves to eat. When they reached Jin Prefecture, the Khitan ordered the Jin ruler and his consorts to pay homage at the tomb of the Khitan ruler Abaoji. The Jin ruler could not bear the humiliation, wept, and said: "Xue Chao has harmed me!" Empress Feng secretly ordered her attendants to seek poison, intending to commit suicide together with the Jin ruler, but they did not succeed.
The Khitan ruler, upon hearing that the Emperor had ascended the throne, appointed the Tongshi, Geng Chongmei, as Military Commissioner of Zhaoyi Circuit, Gao Tangying as Military Commissioner of Zhangde Circuit, and Cui Tingxun as Military Commissioner of Heyang Circuit, to control and hold the strategic points.
Initially, Jin had established a militia, calling it the Heavenly Majesty Army. After drilling for more than a year, the villagers were unfamiliar with military affairs and ultimately could not be used. It was completely abolished; only an order was given for seven households to pay ten thousand cash, and their armor and weapons were all turned over to the government. The unruly youths no longer were willing to engage in farming, and bandits in the mountains and forests increased from then on. When the Khitan entered Bianzhou, they let their cavalry loose to forage for grain. They also frequently appointed their own sons, younger brothers, and trusted followers as military governors and prefects, who were ignorant of governance. Many cunning Chinese attached themselves to their command and taught them to act arbitrarily, bullying others and extorting wealth, so the common people could not endure it. Consequently, people everywhere gathered together as bandits; the largest groups numbered tens of thousands, and the smallest were no fewer than a thousand. They overran prefectures and counties, killing and plundering officials and commoners. The bandit leader Liang Hui from Fuyang had a following of several hundred men. He sent a message to Jinyang expressing submission and requesting to serve; the Emperor agreed to it. The prefect of Cizhou, Li Gu, secretly submitted a memorial to the Emperor, suggesting that Liang Hui attack Xiangzhou. Liang Hui reconnoitered and learned that Gao Tangying had not yet arrived, and that Xiangzhou had accumulated weapons but had no defenses. On the night of Dingchou (the twenty-first day), he sent strong warriors to scale the city wall and enter, then opened the gates to let his followers in. They killed several hundred Khitan; the defending commander broke through the encirclement and fled. Liang Hui occupied Xiangzhou, proclaimed himself acting military governor, and submitted a memorial explaining the situation.
On Wuyin (the twenty-second day), the Emperor returned to Jinyang and discussed levying wealth from the common people to reward the officers and soldiers. His wife, Lady Li, admonished him, saying: “Your Majesty is founding a great enterprise based on Hedong. If you have not yet bestowed favors on the people, yet first seize the resources they rely on for survival, I fear this is not the original intention of a new Son of Heaven to save the people. Now, whatever is in the palace, I request that you give it all out to reward the army. Although it may not be abundant, the people will have no complaints.” The Emperor said, “Excellent!” He immediately stopped levying from the common people and distributed all the accumulated wealth from the inner treasury to reward the officers and soldiers. When those inside and outside the court heard of this, they were very pleased. Lady Li was a native of Jinyang.
Cheng Zhaoyue, the inner capital supervisor of Wuyue, gathered many guests, stored weapons, and associated with sorcerers. The King of Wuyue, Qian Hongzuo, wanted to execute him. He said to Shuiqiu Zhaoquan: “Tonight, lead a thousand armored soldiers to surround Cheng Zhaoyue’s residence.” Shuiqiu Zhaoquan said: “Cheng Zhaoyue is a household servant. If he has committed a crime, he should be executed openly, not by raising troops at night.” Qian Hongzuo said: “Good!” He ordered the inner guard commander, Chu Wen, to wait until Cheng Zhaoyue returned home, arrest him, and send him to the Eastern Residence. On Jimao (the twenty-third day), he was beheaded. Qian Renjun, who had been imprisoned, was released.
The military commander of the Wujie Capital, Shi Hongzhao, attacked Daizhou, captured it, and executed Wang Hui.
The acting military governor of Jianxiong, Liu Zaiming, went to pay homage to the Khitan. The deputy military governor, Luo Conglang, was appointed to act as prefectural administrator. The Emperor sent envoys, including Zhang Yanhong, to Jinzhou to inform them that he had already ascended the throne. Luo Conglang imprisoned them all. The senior general Yao Kechou killed Luo Conglang, promoted Zhang Yanhong to act as acting military governor, and on Gengchen (the twenty-fourth day), sent an envoy to report this.
The Khitan ruler sent the Right Policy Advisory Commissioner, Zhao Xi, as an envoy to Jinzhou to collect money and silk, pressing the matter very urgently. After Luo Conglang died, the common people led each other in killing Zhao Xi. The Khitan ruler issued an edict to Zhao Hui, immediately appointing him as acting Baoyi military governor. Zhao Hui killed the Khitan envoy, burned the edict, and sent the administrative aide, Zhao Ju of Hejian, with a memorial to Jinyang. The Khitan sent the general Gao Mohan to attack Zhao Hui but could not capture him. When the Emperor saw Zhao Ju, he was very pleased and said: “You have come to submit to me, holding the throat of the territory. The world will not be difficult to pacify!” Zhao Ju then urged the Emperor to lead troops southward early to meet the expectations of the people of the realm. The Emperor considered his words correct.
On Xinsi (the twenty-fifth day), Zhao Hui was appointed as the military governor of Baoyi, Hou Zhang as the military governor of Zhenguo and commander-in-chief of the Baoyi army and cavalry, and Wang Yan as the defense commissioner of Jiangzhou and deputy commander-in-chief of the Baoyi army and cavalry.
Gao Fang conspired with Wang Shouen. They sent the commander Li Wanchao to lead a crowd noisily into the residence during the day, kill Zhao Xingqian, and promote Wang Shouen to act as acting Zhaoyi military governor. Wang Shouen killed the Khitan envoy and led the entire command in surrendering.
The military governor of Zhenning, Yelü Langwu, was cruel by nature, and the people of Tanzhou suffered greatly under him. The bandit leader Wang Qiong led over a thousand of his followers, attacked and occupied the southern city by night, crossed the pontoon bridge to the north, let his soldiers loot extensively, and surrounded Yelü Langwu in the inner city. When the Khitan ruler heard of this, he was very frightened. He then sent the Tianping military governor, Li Shouzhen, and the Tianxiong military governor, Du Chongwei, back to their own commands. Consequently, he no longer had any intention of remaining in Henan for long. He sent troops to rescue Tanzhou. Wang Qiong withdrew his forces and camped in the outskirts. He sent his younger brother, Wang Chao, with a memorial to request help. On Guiwei (the twenty-seventh day), the Emperor richly rewarded Wang Chao and sent him back. Wang Qiong was defeated and killed by the Khitan.
The ruler of Shu granted He Chongjian, the military governor of Xiongwu, the additional title of Tongping Zhangshi.
Gao Yunquan, the recorder of Yan Prefecture, was the son of Gao Wanjin. The military governor of Zhangwu, Zhou Mi, was muddled and greedy. The officers and soldiers revolted and attacked him. Zhou Mi was defeated and retreated to defend the eastern city. The crowd, because Gao Yunquan’s family had been commanders of Yan Prefecture for generations, promoted him to act as acting military governor and occupied the western city. Zhou Mi was a native of Yingzhou.
The commander-in-chief of Danzhou, Gao Yanxun, killed the prefect appointed by the Khitan and took control of the prefectural administration himself.
The Khitan Empress Dowager Shulü sent envoys bearing the state’s wine, food, dried meat, and fruit to bestow upon the Khitan ruler, congratulating him on pacifying the Jin state. The Khitan ruler feasted with his ministers in the Yongfu Hall. Every time he raised a cup of wine, he stood to drink it, saying: “It is bestowed by the Empress Dowager; I dare not sit and drink it.”
The Tang Imperial Consort Wang, along with the Duke of Yun, Li Congyi, resided in Luoyang. Zhao Yanshou had married a daughter of Emperor Mingzong as his wife. The Imperial Consort Wang went to Daliang to attend the wedding. When the Khitan ruler saw her, he bowed and said: “This is my sister-in-law.” The commander-in-chief Liu Suining, through the Imperial Consort Wang, requested a military governor’s tally and axe. The Khitan ruler appointed Li Congyi as the Prince of Xu and military governor of Weixin, and Liu Suining as the military governor of Anyuan. Because Li Congyi was young, the Imperial Consort Wang declined to go to the command post and returned to Luoyang. The Khitan ruler appointed Zhang Li as Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, concurrently Vice Director of the Chancellery and Tongping Zhangshi; and Zuo Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, He Ning, concurrently Vice Director of the Secretariat and Tongping Zhangshi. Sikong, concurrently Vice Director of the Chancellery and Tongping Zhangshi, Liu Xu, resigned due to an eye ailment and was removed to the post of Grand Guardian.
Large bands of bandits arose in the east, overrunning the three prefectures of Song, Bo, and Mi. The Khitan ruler said to his attendants: “I did not know that the Chinese were so difficult to subdue!” He urgently sent the military governor of Taining, An Shenqi, and the military governor of Wuning, Fu Yanqing, back to their commands, still escorting them with Khitan troops. When Fu Yanqing reached Yongqiao, the bandit leader Li Renshu led tens of thousands of followers in a fierce attack on Xuzhou. Fu Yanqing, accompanied by several dozen horsemen, went to the city wall. He raised his whip, intending to call out to them to surrender and enlighten them. Li Renshu seized Fu Yanqing’s horse and begged to follow the Lord Minister into the city. Fu Yanqing’s son, Fu Zhaoxu, from inside the city, sent the military officer Chen Shouxi to be lowered down the wall by rope. Chen shouted among the bandits: “The Lord Minister has already fallen into the tiger’s mouth. If you let the Lord Minister help the bandits attack the city, the city cannot be taken.” The bandits realized they could not take him hostage, so they led each other in lining up before Fu Yanqing’s horse and bowing, begging for pardon for their crimes. Fu Yanqing made an oath with them, and they then lifted the siege and departed.
On the first day of the third month, the day of Bingshu, the Khitan ruler, wearing a crimson robe, sat in the Chongyuan Hall, and the hundred officials performed the ceremony of entering the hall.
On Wuzi (the third day), the Emperor sent envoys with an edict to comfort the peasants who had gathered in the mountains and valleys to avoid the calamity of the Khitan.
On Xinmao (the sixth day), Gao Yunquan submitted a memorial of surrender. The Emperor instructed Gao Yunquan to allow Zhou Mi to come to the Emperor’s location. Zhou Mi then abandoned the eastern city and came to surrender.
On Renchen (the seventh day), Gao Yanxun led Danzhou in surrendering.
Li Hao, the Director of the Imperial Secretariat of Shu, said to the Privy Councilor, Wang Chuhui: “If the enemy occupies Guzhen again, then the road to Xingzhou will be cut off, and we can no longer rescue Qinzhou. Please order the military governor of Shannan West Circuit, Sun Hanchao, to lead troops in a swift attack on Fengzhou.” On Guisi (the eighth day), the ruler of Shu ordered Sun Hanchao to proceed to the Fengzhou field headquarters.
The Khitan ruler summoned the officials of Jin again and declared to them: “The weather is gradually becoming hot, and I find it difficult to remain long. I wish to return temporarily to the Upper State to visit the Empress Dowager. I should leave a trusted agent here to serve as military governor.” The officials requested that the Empress Dowager be welcomed. The Khitan ruler said: “The Empress Dowager’s clan is vast, like the roots of an ancient cypress, which cannot be moved.” The Khitan ruler intended to take all the Jin officials with him. Someone said: “If the entire realm is moved northward, I fear it will shake the people’s hearts; it would be better to move them gradually.” Thus an edict was issued: those with official duties were to accompany him, while the rest remained in Daliang. Bian Prefecture was also renamed Xuanwu Army, and Xiao Han was appointed as its military governor. Xiao Han was the son of Empress Dowager Shulü’s elder brother, and his younger sister was the Khitan ruler’s empress. Xiao Han first took Xiao as his surname, and from then on, all the Khitan empress’s clan were called the Xiao family.
Wuyue again mobilized its navy, sending General Yu An to lead it, rescuing Fuzhou via the sea route. On the day Jihai (the 14th day), they reached Baixiapu. The coast was muddy, and bamboo mats had to be laid to walk, but the Tang troops from the various armies south of the city gathered and shot arrows, preventing the mats from being laid. Feng Yanlu said: “The reason Fuzhou city has not surrendered is that it relies on this rescue. Now, if we remain stalemated without fighting, it will only exhaust our army. It would be better to let them land and kill them all; then the city will fall without assault.” Deputy General Meng Jian said: “The Zhe troops have been here for a long time, unable to advance or retreat, and they cannot even seek a battle to die. If we allow them to land, they will surely fight us to the death, and their edge cannot be withstood. How can they all be killed!” Feng Yanlu did not listen, saying: “I will attack them myself.” After the Wuyue troops landed, they shouted loudly and attacked fiercely. Feng Yanlu could not withstand them, abandoned his troops and fled, while Meng Jian died in battle. The Wuyue troops advanced with their victory, and the city’s troops also sallied forth, attacking the Tang troops from both sides, inflicting a great defeat. The various Tang armies south of the city all fled, and the Wuyue troops pursued them. Wang Chongwen led three hundred personal guards to resist, and the various armies deployed behind him, causing the pursuers to turn back.
Someone said that the Zhe troops intended to abandon Fuzhou, leading Li Da’s followers back to Qiantang. The southeastern defender Liu Hongjin and others reported to Wang Jianfeng, requesting permission to let them all leave the city and seize Fuzhou. Liu Congxiao did not wish for Fuzhou to be pacified, and Wang Jianfeng also resented the arrogance of Chen Jue and others, so he said: “Our army has already been defeated; how can we contend with others for the city!” That night, they burned their camp and fled, and the various armies north of the city also scattered in confusion upon seeing each other. Feng Yanlu drew his saber and stabbed himself, but his close attendant saved him, and he did not die. The Tang troops lost more than twenty thousand men, and abandoned military supplies and equipment worth hundreds of thousands, draining the treasury. Yu An led his troops into Fuzhou, and Li Da handed over all his forces to him.
Liu Congxiao led his troops back to Quanzhou and said to the Tang garrison commanders: “Quanzhou and Fuzhou have been enemies for generations. To the south, it connects to the miasmatic lands of Linghai; the terrain is dangerous and the soil barren. In recent years, the army has been repeatedly mobilized, agriculture and sericulture have been neglected, and levies in winter and summer barely provide for self-sufficiency. Why is it necessary for a large army to garrison here long-term!” He set up a banquet to bid them farewell, and the garrison commanders, unable to do otherwise, led their troops back. The Tang ruler could not control them and bestowed upon Liu Congxiao the title of Inspector-General and Grand Preceptor.
On the day Renyin (the 17th day), the Khitan ruler departed from Daliang. Among the Jin civil and military officials, several thousand followed, along with several thousand military officers and soldiers, and several hundred palace women and eunuchs. All the goods from the treasury were loaded onto carts and taken away; only musical instruments and ceremonial regalia were left behind. That night, they camped at Chigang. The Khitan ruler saw that the villages were empty and ordered the relevant departments to issue several hundred proclamations, summoning the people wherever they went, but ultimately, they could not stop the Hu cavalry from plundering. On the day Bingwu (the 21st day), the Khitan ruler crossed the Yellow River at Baima and said to Xuanshui Commissioner Gao Xun: “In the Upper State, I took pleasure in hunting and archery; here, it makes me depressed. Now that I can return, I have no regrets even in death.”
Shu’s Sun Hanzhao led twenty thousand troops to attack Feng Prefecture, stationed at Guzhen, and divided his forces to hold the San Pass to cut off the path of reinforcements.
Zhang Yun and Yu An both returned to Qiantang. The Wuyue ruler Qian Hongzuo sent Southeast Pacification Commissioner Bao Xiurang to garrison Fuzhou with troops and appointed East Prefecture Pacification Commissioner Qian Hongzong as Chancellor.
On the day Gengxu (the 25th day), the Emperor appointed his younger brother, the Beijing Horse and Foot Commander-in-Chief Liu Chong, as acting Taiyuan Yin, managing the affairs of the prefecture.
On the day Xinhai (the 26th day), the Khitan ruler was about to attack Xiang Prefecture. Liang Hui requested to surrender, and the Khitan ruler pardoned him, promising to appoint him as Defense Commissioner. Liang Hui suspected treachery and again ascended the walls to resist. In summer, the fourth month, on the day Jiwei (the 4th day), before dawn, the Khitan ruler ordered the Fan and Han armies to urgently attack Xiang Prefecture, capturing it by the Chen hour. They killed all the men in the city, drove the women north, and the Hu people threw infants into the air, catching them on sword tips for amusement. They left Gao Tangying to guard Xiang Prefecture. Gao Tangying inspected the city and found only over seven hundred surviving men and women. Later, Military Governor Wang Jihong collected the skulls from the city and buried them, totaling over a hundred thousand. Someone accused the Cishi of Ci Prefecture, Li Gu, of plotting to lead the prefecture in responding to Han. The Khitan ruler arrested him and interrogated him, but Li Gu would not confess. The Khitan ruler reached into his carriage, as if to retrieve a document he had obtained. Li Gu knew this was a deception, so he requested: “If there is indeed evidence, I ask that it be publicly shown.” After six interrogations, Li Gu’s words and spirit remained unyielding, so he was released.
The Emperor appointed his cousin, the Beijing Horse Army Commander-in-Chief Liu Xin, as acting Yicheng Military Governor, filling the post of Imperial Guard Horse Army Commander-in-Chief; Wujie Commandant Shi Hongzhao as acting Zhongwu Military Governor, filling the post of Imperial Guard Infantry Commander-in-Chief; the Right Chief Secretary Yang Bin as acting Privy Councilor; the Fan-Han Military and Civil Chief Clerk Guo Wei as acting Deputy Privy Councilor; and the Two Offices Chief Clerk, Wang Zhang of Nanle, as acting Director of the Three Departments.
On the day Guihai (the 8th day), the Empress Dowager of Wei, Lady Li, was established as Empress.
The Khitan ruler, seeing that the cities and towns he passed were all in ruins, said to the Fan and Han ministers: “That China has come to this is all the fault of the Prince of Yan.” He turned to Zhang Li and said: “You also share in the blame.”
On the day Jiazi (the 9th day), the Emperor appointed the Hedong Military Governor, Chang’an native Su Fengji, and the Observation Judge Su Yugui, both as Zhongshu Shilang and Tongping Zhangshi. Su Yugui was a native of Mizhou.
The Zhenwu Military Governor and Fuzhou Militia Commissioner Zhe Congyuan came to court, changed his name to Zhe Congruan, established Yong’an Army in Fuzhou, and appointed Zhe Congruan as its Military Governor. He also appointed the Hedong Left Chief Secretary Liu Zhu as Heyang Military Governor. Liu Zhu was a native of Shan Prefecture.
The Khitan Zhaoyi Military Governor Geng Chongmei was stationed at Ze Prefecture and was about to attack Lu Prefecture. On the day Yichou (the 10th day), an edict was issued ordering Shi Hongzhao to lead ten thousand infantry and cavalry to rescue it.
On the day Bingyin (the 11th day), Wang Shou’en was appointed as Zhaoyi Military Governor, Gao Yunquan as Zhangwu Military Governor, and the Kela Army Commissioner Zheng Lian was appointed as Cishi of Xin Prefecture, acting as Zhangguo Military Governor and concurrently as Commander-in-Chief of the Yi Army of Xin and Dai Prefectures. On the day Dingmao (the 12th day), the River Patrol Commissioner Yan Wanjin was appointed as Cishi of Lan Prefecture, acting as Zhenwu Military Governor and concurrently as Commander-in-Chief of the Yi Army of Lan and Xian Prefectures. The Emperor, hearing that the Khitan were returning north, intended to plan for the region south of the Yellow River, so he appointed Shi Hongzhao as the vanguard and also sent Yan Wanjin north to divert the Khitan forces. Yan Wanjin was a native of Bing Prefecture.
The Khitan ruler loaded the Jin armor and weapons onto several dozen boats, intending to sail from the Bian River upstream to the Yellow River and return to his homeland. He ordered Ningguo Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Wu Xingde of Yuci, to lead over a thousand soldiers to escort them. When they reached Heyin, Wu Xingde and the officers plotted, saying: “Now we are under the control of the Hu barbarians, and we will be taken far away...”