Annals of the Later Zhou, Volume 1
[Later Zhou Annals, Volume 1] From the year Chongguang (Xin, 8th Celestial Stem) Dayuanxian (Hai, 12th Earthly Branch) to the end of the eighth month of the year Xuanmo (Ren, 9th Celestial Stem) Kundun (Zi, 1st Earthly Branch), a total of a little over one year.
Emperor Taizu, the Sagely, Divine, Reverent, Solemn, and Filial Literary Emperor, Part I, Guangshun Year 1 (951 CE, Later Zhou Guangshun Year 1)
In the spring of the first year (951 CE), on the day Dingmao, Empress Dowager Li of the Later Han issued an edict, handing over the Imperial Seal to the regent Guo Wei, who then ascended the imperial throne. The regent entered the imperial palace through the Gao Gate, ascended the throne in the Chongyuan Hall, and issued a decree: "We are a descendant of the Zhou royal house, the progeny of Guo Shu; the dynastic name should be Zhou." He then changed the reign title and declared a general amnesty. He posthumously granted official titles to Yang Bin, Shi Hongzhao, Wang Zhang, and others, had them encoffined and buried by the government, and sought out their descendants to employ according to their abilities. All warehouses, courtyards, and officials in charge of revenue collection were forbidden to collect additional levies such as "dou yu" (surplus from grain measures) or "cheng hao" (weighing losses). All previously presented "xian yu" (surplus tribute) from various regions was completely stopped. Those guilty of theft or adultery were to be convicted according to the penal code before the first year of Tianfu in the Later Jin; unless guilty of treason or rebellion, no one was to be implicated in the punishment of their relatives or have their property confiscated. Ten households each were assigned to guard the tombs of Emperor Zhuangzong and Emperor Mingzong of the Later Tang, and Emperor Gaozu of the Later Jin; the staff, palace women, seasonal sacrifices, and tomb-guarding households for the mausoleum of Emperor Gaozu of the Later Han were all to remain unchanged.
Initially, when the Tang dynasty declined, there were many bandits, and the original legal statutes were no longer followed; instead, harsh penal laws were enacted: theft of goods worth three bolts of silk was punishable by death. During the Tianfu era of the Later Jin, this was increased to five bolts before execution. For adultery with a married woman, whether rape or consensual, both parties were executed. Under Later Han law, theft of even one cash or more was punishable by death. Furthermore, even for crimes other than treason or rebellion, offenders were often executed along with their entire families and had their property confiscated. Thus, upon ascending the throne, Guo Wei first abolished these malpractices.
Initially, Yang Bin, because many of the meritorious officials and imperial relatives serving as military governors were unfamiliar with government affairs, used military officers from the Three Departments to fill positions such as Du Yaya, Kongmuguan, and Neizhike. These men, relying on being appointed by imperial decree, were often overbearing and tyrannical, and the military governors could not control them. At this point, this practice was entirely abolished. Guo Wei ordered Li Chongju, a trusted subordinate of Shi Hongzhao from Shangdang, to seek out Shi Hongzhao's relatives and clan. Li Chongju said, "Shi Hongzhao's younger brother, Shi Hongfu, is still alive." Initially, Shi Hongzhao had Li Chongju manage the account books of his household property; thus, Li Chongju knew all his assets, and now he handed them all over to Shi Hongfu. Guo Wei considered Li Chongju virtuous and assigned him to serve under his son, Guo Rong.
On the day Wuchen, Wang Yanchao, former Prefect of Fuzhou, was appointed acting Military Governor of Wuning.
Empress Dowager Li of the Later Han moved to the Western Palace. On the day Jisi, Guo Wei bestowed upon her the honorific title "Zhaosheng Empress Dowager."
Liu Xun, Kaifeng Yin and concurrent Zhongshu Ling, passed away.
On the day Guiyou, Wang Jun was granted the title Tong Pingzhangshi.
Liu Hao, Director of the Court of the Imperial Clan, was appointed to oversee the funeral arrangements for the Later Han Emperor Yin.
Initially, Liu Chong, Military Governor of Hedong and concurrent Zhongshu Ling, upon hearing of Emperor Yin's murder, wanted to raise troops and march south. Then, hearing that the court intended to welcome and install Liu Yun, Duke of Xiangyin, as emperor, he stopped, saying, "My son becoming emperor—what more could I seek!" Li Xiang, Junior Administrator of Taiyuan, privately advised Liu Chong, saying, "Observing Guo Wei's intentions, he ultimately wants to seize the throne for himself. You should quickly lead your troops across the Taihang Mountains, occupy Mengjin, and wait until the Xuzhou Lord (referring to Liu Yun) ascends the throne before returning to your post. This way, Guo Wei would not dare to act rashly. Otherwise, I fear you will be betrayed by him." Liu Chong angrily said, "You pedantic scholar, you want to sow discord between father and son!" He ordered his attendants to drag Li Xiang out and behead him. Li Xiang shouted, "I possess talents for governing the world, yet I planned for a foolish man—death is fitting! But I have an old wife at home; I wish to die with her." Liu Chong then killed his wife as well, and reported this to the court, declaring his lack of disloyal intent. When Liu Yun was deposed, Liu Chong only then sent an envoy to request that Liu Yun be allowed to return to Jinyang. The court replied with an edict: "The Duke of Xiangyin is currently in Songzhou; we are now sending someone to bring him back to the capital. He will certainly be properly settled; you need not worry. If you can work in unison to support the court, you will be enfeoffed as a prince and will forever guard Hedong." Gong Tingmei and Yang Wen, upon hearing that Liu Yun, Duke of Xiangyin, had lost the throne, honored Liu Yun's consort, Lady Dong, and occupied Xuzhou to resist and hold out, awaiting reinforcements from Hedong. Guo Wei had Liu Yun write a letter to persuade them. Gong Tingmei and Yang Wen wanted to surrender but feared execution. Guo Wei again wrote to Liu Yun, saying, "Considering that these men are devoted to their master, their loyalty is worthy of reward—how could their faults be pursued? After the new military governor enters the city, they should each be granted the position of prefect. You may write to them again, explaining this in detail."
When the Khitan attacked Neiqiu, they suffered many casualties, and there was also a lunar eclipse, with many strange occurrences in the army. The Khitan ruler, frightened, did not dare to advance further, withdrew his troops, and sent an envoy to seek peace with the Later Han. Coinciding with the fall of the Later Han, Liu Ci, Military Governor of Anguo, escorted the Khitan envoy to Daliang. Guo Wei sent Zhu Xian, General of the Left Thousand-Niue Guard, on a return visit, explaining the reasons for the dynastic change and presenting the Khitan ruler with gold vessels and a jade belt.
Because Yedu required pacification of Hebei and control over the Khitan, Guo Wei wanted to send a trusted person to guard it. On the day Yihai, Wang Yin, Military Governor of Ningjiang and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard, was appointed Yedu Commissioner, Military Governor of Tianxiong, and Tong Pingzhangshi, retaining his military post unchanged, and was ordered to take the Imperial Guard headquarters with him to his post.
On the day Bingzi, Guo Wei led the hundred officials to the Western Palace, held a mourning ceremony for the Later Han Emperor Yin, and donned mourning garments, all according to the rites for a Son of Heaven.
Murong Yanchao sent an envoy to present tribute. Guo Wei, fearing he might be suspicious and fearful, issued a comforting edict saying, "Now that my affairs have come to this, I do not wish to say too much. I hope you, my brother, will support me and together we can bring peace to the people of the realm."
On the day Wuyin, Liu Yun, Duke of Xiangyin, was killed in Songzhou.
On that same day, Liu Chong ascended the imperial throne in Jinyang, still using the Qián Yòu reign title. His territory comprised only twelve prefectures: Bingzhou, Fenzhou, Xinzhou, Daizhou, Lanzhou, Xianzhou, Longzhou, Weizhou, Qinzhou, Liaozhou, Linzhou, and Shizhou. He appointed Zheng Gong, Administrative Assistant of the Circuit, as Zhongshu Shilang; Zhao Hua of Xingyang, Administrative Supervisor of the Circuit, as Hubu Shilang, both with the title Tong Pingzhangshi. He appointed his second son, Liu Chengjun, as Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard and Taiyuan Yin; Li Cunhuai, Vice Military Governor, as Defense Commissioner of Daizhou; Zhang Yuanhui of Wu'an, a subordinate general, as Commander of the Cavalry and Infantry; and Chen Guangyu as Commissioner of the Palace Receptions.
The Northern Han ruler, Liu Chong, said to Li Cunhuai and Zhang Yuanhui, "I, the Emperor, because the foundations laid by Emperor Gaozu were broken in a single day, have assumed this imperial title today out of necessity. What kind of Son of Heaven am I, and what kind of military governors are you?" Therefore, he did not establish an ancestral temple, and his sacrifices followed the customs of an ordinary household. The monthly salary of a chancellor was only one hundred strings of cash, that of a military governor only thirty strings, and other officials received only meager allowances. Consequently, there were few upright officials in his state. Li Guangmei of Henan, Commissioner of the Bureau of Receptions, had previously served as a direct provincial official and was well-versed in precedent; all the institutions of the Northern Han court were established by him. When the Northern Han ruler heard that Liu Yun, Duke of Xiangyin, was dead, he wept and said, "I did not heed the words of a loyal minister, and thus have come to this!" He then built a shrine for Li Xiang and offered sacrifices to him at the proper times.
On the day Jimao, the Grand Preceptor Feng Dao was appointed Zhongshu Ling; Dou Zhengu was granted the title Shizhong; and Su Yujue was made Sikong.
Wang Yanchao reported that he had sent an envoy with an imperial edict to Xuzhou, but Gong Tingmei and others were hesitant and refused to open the city gates. Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou issued an order to advance and attack Xuzhou.
The Later Zhou said to Wang Jun, “I was born into poverty and lowliness, enduring every hardship, and encountered a time of chaos and ruin. Once becoming emperor, how dare I indulge in self-gratification and harm the common people!” He ordered Wang Jun to list by categories the rare and precious delicacies offered as tribute from various regions. On the day gengchen, an edict was issued to cease all tribute entirely. The edict roughly stated, “These things are only for my personal enjoyment, yet they harm the people of the realm.” It further said, “Piled up in the government offices, they are truly useless objects.” Another edict proclaimed, “I grew up in the military, never having been close to learning, and do not understand the principles of governing the realm. All civil and military officials who have methods beneficial to the state and the people should submit sealed memorials directly, and they should write straightforwardly without seeking ornate rhetoric.” The Later Zhou bestowed Su Fengji’s mansion upon Wang Jun, but Wang Jun said, “This very mansion is where Su Fengji caused the extermination of Li Song’s clan!” He declined and did not accept it.
Earlier, when the Khitan ruler returned north, the Military Governor of Heng Sea Circuit, Pan Yulian, abandoned his post and followed him north. The Khitan ruler appointed Pan Yulian as the Commander of the Southwest Route. Later, when the Northern Han ruler Liu Chong ascended the throne, the Khitan ruler had Pan Yulian deliver a letter to Liu Chengjun. The Northern Han ruler had Liu Chengjun reply, saying, “Our dynasty has fallen, and I have inherited the throne, wishing to follow the precedent of the Later Jin and seek aid from the Northern Dynasty.” The Khitan ruler was overjoyed. The Northern Han ruler dispatched troops to station at Yindi, Huangze, and Tuibai. On the day dinghai, he appointed Liu Chengjun as Commander of the Expeditionary Force, along with Deputy Commander Bai Conghui and Supervisor Li Cunhuai, leading ten thousand infantry and cavalry to invade Jin Prefecture. Bai Conghui was a Tuyuhun native.
Guo Chongwei changed his name to Guo Chong, and Cao Wei changed his name to Cao Ying.
(951 AD) In the second month of spring, on the day dingyou, the emperor appointed the imperial son and Heavenly Majesty’s Inner Commander of the Yamen, Guo Rong, as the Military Governor of Zhenning, selecting court scholars to serve as his aides and advisors. He appointed the Attending Censor Wang Min as the Administrative Judge, the Right Rectifier Cui Song as the Supervisory Judge, and the Collator Wang Pu as the Chief Secretary. Cui Song was the son of Cui Xie; Wang Pu was from Dongping.
On the day wuxu, the Northern Han army attacked Jin Prefecture from five directions. The Military Governor Wang Yan closed the city gates and did not engage in battle. Liu Chengjun thought Wang Yan was cowardly and ordered his soldiers to scale the city walls like ants. Wang Yan ambushed his troops and counterattated fiercely, killing over a thousand Northern Han soldiers. Liu Chengjun sent Deputy Military Commissioner An Yuanbao to burn the western city wall of Jin Prefecture, but An Yuanbao surrendered to the Later Zhou. Liu Chengjun then shifted his forces to attack Xi Prefecture. On the day guimao, the Prefect of Xi Prefecture, Xu Qian, sent the Commander of the Infantry, Geng Jiye, to intercept the Northern Han army at Changshou Village, capturing the Northern Han general Cheng Jun and others, and executed them. Shortly after, the Northern Han army attacked the prefectural city but failed to capture it after several days, suffering heavy losses, and thus withdrew. Xu Qian was from Yun Prefecture.
On the day jiachen, the King of Chu, Ma Xiyao, sent his Chief Secretary Liu Guangfu to present tribute to the Southern Tang.
The Later Zhou brought out dozens of jade and precious vessels from the former Han palace and smashed them in the courtyard, saying, “For those who become emperors, what use are these things! I have heard that the Han Yin Emperor spent every day with his favorites playing and amusing himself in the palace, never letting go of treasures and curios. This affair is not far in the past; it should serve as a warning!” He then admonished his attendants that from then on, rare and exquisite items pleasing to the eye and ear should not be brought into the palace.
On the day dingwei, the Khitan ruler sent his minister Niaoguzhi and Zhu Xian together to congratulate the Later Zhou on his ascension.
On the day wushen, the Later Zhou ordered that the officials of the previous dynasty could go as they pleased and live freely in other prefectures. Chen Sirang had not yet reached Hunan when Ma Xiyao had already captured Changsha. Chen Sirang remained stationed in Ying Prefecture, and the Later Zhou issued an edict recalling him.
On the day dingsi, he sent the Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, Tian Min, as an envoy to the Khitan. The Northern Han ruler sent the Secretariat Drafter Li Gongyan as an envoy to the Khitan, requesting military support.
An edict was issued to confer upon the Military Governor of Taining, Murong Yanchao, the title of Grand Councilor, and sent the Hanlin Academician Yu Chongliang to Yan Prefecture to convey the imperial intent. Yu Chongliang was originally named Yu Chongyuan. Murong Yanchao submitted a memorial of thanks. On the first day of the third month, the Later Zhou issued an edict in reply, saying: “Previously, because the former ruler lost his virtue and the young ruler listened to slanderous talk, I hastily summoned you to court. You immediately rushed to respond, arriving at the capital within two days, risking your life for the state’s crisis without regard for your own safety, and not even preparing your carriage when hearing the ruler’s call. Later, when Heaven decreed the fall of the Han dynasty and the army was routed at Liangjiao, defeated generals and troops came one after another, and you immediately turned your horse around and returned directly to Guiyin. For the ruler and the times, you had a beginning and an end. This is what is meant by seeing the loyalty of a minister in times of danger and knowing the steadfastness of a strong grass in a fierce wind. If all ministers could be like this, then who possessing a state would not want to employ them! As for what you said about me being in obscurity in Heshuo and during the pacification of the turmoil at Junjiao, because you did not receive my explicit instructions, you also could not send anyone to my temporary palace. Moreover, the way of serving a ruler—why must it be so! If you had been disloyal to the Han, how could you be faithful to the Zhou! Is it not too excessive for you to worry about this! You only need to exert your utmost effort and sincerity, console the people and care for the state, serve me as you served the former ruler—not only will the common people be at peace, but the state’s altars will also be secured. As long as you persist in setting an example, I will not consider replacing you. My heartfelt words are all here.”
The Southern Tang enfeoffed the King of Chu, Ma Xiyao, as the Heavenly Strategy Generalissimo, Military Governor of Wu’an, Wuping, Jingjiang, and Ningyuan, Concurrently Grand Councilor, and King of Chu. They sent the Right Deputy Director of the Department of State Affairs, Sun Sheng, and the Guest Bureau Commissioner Yao Feng as the envoys for the investiture ceremony.
On the fifteenth day of the third month, the Later Zhou sent the former Prefect of Zi Prefecture, Chen Sirang, to lead troops to garrison Ci Prefecture and block the Huangze road.
After the King of Chu, Ma Xiyao, achieved his ambitions, he constantly remembered old grudges, killed without restraint, indulged in wine and debauchery day and night, and entrusted all military and government affairs to Ma Xichong. Ma Xichong, in turn, had many selfish motives, and governance and punishments were chaotic. The treasury had already been emptied by mutinous soldiers, so he registered the people’s property to reward the troops, sometimes directly sealing doors and seizing goods, yet the soldiers still resented the unequal distribution. Even the old generals and aides from Langzhou who had followed Ma Xiyao were all discontented and harbored thoughts of separation.
When Liu Guangfu went to present tribute to the Southern Tang, the Southern Tang ruler treated him generously. Liu Guangfu secretly said, “The people of Hunan are exhausted, and the ruler is arrogant; it can be taken.” The Southern Tang ruler then appointed the Camp Commander of the Capital, Bian Gao, as the Prefect of Xin Prefecture, leading troops to garrison Yuan Prefecture, secretly planning an advance.
The Gate Attendant Xie Yanyong, originally a household slave of Ma Xiyao, gained favor with Ma Xiyao due to his handsome appearance, to the point of sitting indiscriminately among Ma Xiyao’s wives and concubines, relying on his favor to act arrogantly and tyrannically. He often followed behind Ma Xichong, sometimes patting him on the back, which Ma Xichong resented. According to precedent, at feasts in the government office, the gate attendants stood outside the door holding weapons. Ma Xiyao allowed Xie Yanyong to participate in the feasts, sometimes seating him above the generals, causing all the generals to feel humiliated.
Ma Xiyao, because the government residence was burned down, ordered the Langzhou Commander of the Jingjiang Army, Wang Kui, and his Deputy Zhou Xingfeng, to lead their troops of over a thousand men to repair it. The labor was very heavy, and there was no reward, so the soldiers all resented it, privately saying, “Only prisoners who escape death are forced into labor. We followed the king through nine deaths to capture Hunan. What crime have we committed to be treated like prisoners! Moreover, the king spends the whole day indulging in drink and song; how would he know of our toil!” When Wang Kui and Zhou Xingfeng heard this, they said to each other, “The men’s resentment is deep; if we do not plan early, disaster will spread to us.” On the twenty-first day of the third month, at dawn, they led their troops, each holding long-handled axes and white wooden clubs, and fled back to Langzhou. At that time, Ma Xiyao was still drunk and not yet awake, and his attendants dared not report it. Only on the twenty-second day was it reported. Ma Xiyao sent the Hunan Commander Tang Shizhu with over a thousand men to pursue them, but they did not catch up, and they went straight to Langzhou. Wang Kui and his men took advantage of Tang Shizhu’s exhausted troops, set up an ambush, and struck fiercely, nearly annihilating the soldiers. Tang Shizhu alone escaped. Wang Kui and others deposed the acting governor Ma Guangzan and instead installed Ma Guanghui, the son of Ma Xiyao’s elder brother, to oversee the prefecture’s affairs. Ma Guanghui was the son of Ma Xizhen. Soon, they honored Ma Guanghui as the Military Governor, with Wang Kui, He Jingzhen, and various army commanders Zhang Fang participating in deciding military and government matters. Ma Xiyao reported the situation in detail to the Southern Tang. The Southern Tang ruler sent envoys with generous rewards to appease them. Wang Kui and his men accepted the rewards but sent the envoys back without replying to the edict, and the Southern Tang did not dare to pursue the matter.
Wang Yanchao reported the capture of Xu Prefecture, killing Gong Tingmei and others.
The Northern Han envoy Li Gong arrived among the Khitan, and the Khitan ruler sent Yala Meili to return the visit.
On the twenty-fifth day of the third month, the Later Zhou issued an edict: "The imperial court and the Southern Tang originally had no enmity. The garrison towns along the Huai River shall each guard their own borders and must not allow troops or civilians to enter Southern Tang territory without authorization. The movement of merchants and travelers shall not be prohibited."
On the twenty-eighth day of the third month, Luzhou returned more than 260 captured Northern Han officers and soldiers taken at She County, each given clothing, trousers, headscarves, and shoes before being sent back.
The Later Zhou conferred upon Qian Hongchu, King of Wuyue, the title of Supreme Commander of All Circuits.
(In the year Xinhai, 951 AD) On the first day of the fourth month of summer, the prefectures and towns along the Huai River reported: "Famine victims from Huainan are crossing the Huai River to buy grain; we dare not prohibit them." Emperor Taizu of Later Zhou issued an edict saying: "What difference is there between the people there and the people here? The prefectures, counties, ferries, and checkpoints should be ordered not to forbid them."
Gao Yanzhao, the Tongzou Commissioner of Shu, firmly declined the position of Administrator of the Privy Council. On the seventeenth day of the fourth month, the former Yunnan Salt Monopoly Commissioner, Yishen Zheng, a native of Taiyuan, was appointed Tongzou Commissioner and Administrator of the Privy Council. Yishen Zheng was the son of the sister of Gaozu of Shu, the Princess of Baoguo. In his youth, he was intimate with the ruler of Shu. After taking charge of the Privy Council, the ruler consulted him on all matters of state, large or small. Yishen Zheng also took governing the state and relieving the people as his responsibility, but he was greedy, extravagant, and depraved. He colluded internally and externally with Wang Zhaoyuan, and from then on, the governance of Shu gradually declined.
Qian Hongchu, King of Wuyue, moved the deposed King Qian Hongzong to the Eastern Prefecture, built him a palace, renovated the gardens, and made him happy, providing generous annual offerings.
The Khitan ruler sent an envoy to Northern Han, informing them that the Later Zhou envoy Tian Min had arrived and that it was agreed to send an annual tribute of one hundred thousand strings of cash. The Northern Han ruler sent Zheng Gong with generous gifts to thank the Khitan, styling himself in his letter as "the nephew emperor writing to his uncle, the Heavenly Ordained Emperor," and requested the performance of the investiture ceremony.
(In the year Xinhai, 951 AD) On the nineteenth day of the fifth month of summer, the Later Zhou sent the General of the Left Golden Guard, Yao Hanying, and others as envoys to the Khitan, but the Khitan detained them. On the twenty-first day, Zheng Gong, Vice Director of the Ministry of Rites and co-chief chancellor of Northern Han, died among the Khitan.
On the twenty-fourth day, Sun Fangjian, the Yiwu Military Governor, avoided the taboo name of Emperor Taizu of Later Zhou's father and changed his personal name to Fangjian.
Li Yiyin, the Dingnan Military Governor, sent an envoy to present a memorial to the Northern Han ruler.
(In the year Xinhai, 951 AD) On the fifth day of the sixth month of summer, the Later Zhou appointed Wang Jun, Commissioner of the Privy Council and co-chief chancellor, as Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and concurrent Vice Director of the Chancellery; Fan Zhi, Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council and Vice Minister of War, and Li Gu, Vice Minister of Revenue and concurrent Judge of the Three Departments, as Vice Directors of the Secretariat, all with the title of co-chief chancellor. Li Gu remained Judge of the Three Departments. Dou Zhengu, Minister of Education and concurrent Palace Attendant, and Su Yujia, Minister of Works and concurrent Vice Director of the Secretariat and co-chief chancellor, were both dismissed from their chancellorships but retained their substantive offices. On the seventh day, Fan Zhi was made a participant in the deliberations of the Privy Council. On the eleventh day, Zhai Guangye, Commissioner of the Northern Proclamation and Defense Institute, was concurrently appointed Vice Commissioner of the Privy Council.
Initially, when Emperor Taizu of Later Zhou was campaigning against Hezhong, he was already looked upon with high expectations by the multitude. Li Gu was then serving as Transport Commissioner. The emperor repeatedly hinted to him with subtle words, but Li Gu only replied by discussing the duty of a subject to maintain his integrity. For this reason, the emperor considered him virtuous. After ascending the throne, he first appointed him as chancellor. At that time, the state was newly established, and affairs were numerous on all sides. Wang Jun devoted himself day and night, knowing no task he would not undertake, and he contributed much to military planning. Fan Zhi was intelligent, quick-witted, and had a strong memory, and he strictly adhered to the laws and regulations. Li Gu was composed, resolute, and possessed of breadth of vision and strategy. When discussing matters before the emperor, his words and demeanor were impassioned, and he was adept at using metaphors to enlighten his sovereign's intentions.
Ma Guanghui, the Wuping Military Governor, was foolish, weak, and addicted to alcohol, unable to command his generals. Wang Kui, Zhou Xingfeng, and He Jingzhen plotted together. Because Liu Yan, the Chenzhou Prefect and a native of Luling, was brave and won the hearts of the barbarian peoples, they wanted to welcome him and set him up as Vice Commissioner. Liu Yan knew that Wang Kui and the others were difficult to control and said, "If I do not go, they will attack me." So he went alone on horseback. Upon his arrival, the deposed Ma Guanghui and sent him to Southern Tang. They then recommended Liu Yan to act as acting Wuping Defender-in-Chief, and submitted a memorial to Southern Tang requesting the ceremonial banner and tally of authority. Southern Tang did not grant the request. Liu Yan also declared himself a vassal to Later Zhou.
Qian Hongchu, King of Wuyue, restored the official rank and noble title of Qian Renjun, the former Commander-in-Chief of all Inner and Outer Horse and Foot Army, who had been innocent.
The Khitan sent the Prince of Yan, Shezha, and others to invest the Northern Han ruler as the Great Han Divine Martial Emperor, and his consort as Empress. The Northern Han ruler changed his name to Liu Min.
(In the year Xinhai, 951 AD) In the seventh month of autumn, the Northern Han ruler sent Wei Rong, a Hanlin Academician and a native of Boxing, and others to the Khitan to thank them for the investiture ceremony and to request troops.
(In the year Xinhai, 951 AD) On the seventeenth day of the eighth month of autumn, the Later Zhou buried the Yin Emperor of Han at Yingling.
Sun Fangjian, the Yiwu Military Governor, came to court. On the seventh day, the Later Zhou transferred him to the post of Zhenguo Military Governor and appointed his younger brother, Sun Xingyou, the Yizhou Prefect, as acting Yiwu Defender-in-Chief. They also transferred the Jianxiong Military Governor, Yu Yan, to garrison Xuzhou, and Wang Yanchao, the Wuning Military Governor, took his place.
On the thirteenth day, the Later Zhou posthumously established the deceased Lady Chai as Empress.
(In the year Xinhai, 951 AD) In the ninth month of autumn, the Northern Han ruler sent the Pacification Commissioner, Li Cungui, to lead troops to invade from Tuanshu. The Khitan wanted to lead their troops to join them and consulted with the tribal chiefs at Ninety-Nine Springs. None of the tribes wanted to invade the south, but the Khitan ruler forced them. On the eighteenth day, when the army had marched to Huoshen Dian, west of Xinzhou, the Prince of Yan, Shezha, and the son of the Prince of Wei, the Prince of Taining, Ouseng, rebelled. They killed the Khitan ruler and set up Shezha. Qilü, the son of the Khitan ruler Yelü Deguang, fled into the Southern Mountains. The tribes then supported Qilü in attacking Shezha and Ouseng, killing them along with their clan and faction. They established Qilü as ruler and changed the era name to Yingli. They entered Youzhou from Huoshen Dian and sent an envoy to inform Northern Han. The Northern Han ruler sent Wang Dezhong, a native of Shangdang and a Hanlin Academician of the Privy Council, to the Khitan to congratulate him on his ascension, and to serve the Khitan ruler as an uncle, requesting troops to attack Jinzhou.
The Khitan ruler was young and fond of games. He did not personally attend to state affairs. Every night he drank heavily until dawn, then slept until noon. The people of the state called him the Sleeping King. He later changed his name to Yelü Ming.
On the twenty-seventh day of the ninth month, Shu appointed Fan Renxu, Minister of Personnel and Censor-in-Chief, as Vice Director of the Secretariat and concurrent Minister of Personnel, with the title of co-chief chancellor.
After the Chu ruler Ma Xigao captured Changsha, he neither rewarded Xu Keqiong nor suspected him of harboring resentment, but transferred him to be the Mengzhou Prefect. He also sent Ma Bu Commander-in-Chief Xu Wei, Left and Right Army Ma Bu Commissioner Chen Jingqian, Navy Commander-in-Chief Lu Gongguan, and Inner Ya Commander-in-Chief Lu Mengjun to lead their troops to set up a camp at the northwest corner of the city to guard against the Langzhou army. He did not comfort or care for the serving officers and men, who all became resentful and angry, plotting rebellion. Ma Xichong learned of this plot. On the day Wuyin, Ma Xigao feasted the generals and officials. Xu Wei and the others did not attend, and Ma Xichong also pleaded illness and did not come. Xu Wei and his men first sent people to drive more than ten kicking and biting horses into the residence, while they themselves led their followers, armed with axes and white wooden clubs, claiming to come to tie up the horses. They suddenly rushed to the seats and struck wildly in all directions, so that those who were struck down lay all over the floor. Ma Xigao climbed over the wall to flee, but Xu Wei and the others caught him and imprisoned him. They also seized Xie Yanyan and chopped him to pieces from head to foot. They established Ma Xichong as acting Wuan Defender-in-Chief and allowed the soldiers to plunder freely. They imprisoned Ma Xigao in Hengshan County.
Liu Yan heard that Ma Xichong had been established as the ruler and sent troops to rush to Tanzhou, claiming to punish him for the crime of usurping power. On the day Renwu, the army camped west of Yiyang. Ma Xichong was frightened. On the day Guiwei, he sent two thousand troops to resist, and also sent an envoy to Langzhou to sue for peace, requesting to be a neighboring vassal. Li Guanxiang, the Director of Records and a native of Guilin, advised Liu Yan, saying: "The former generals and advisors of Ma Xigao are still in Changsha; these men certainly do not wish to be your neighbor. It would be better first to send a proclamation to Ma Xichong, demanding that he hand over the heads of those men. Then, if we plan to take Hunan, we can possess it all at once." Liu Yan followed his advice. Ma Xichong, fearing Liu Yan, cut off the heads of more than ten men, including the Chief Military Judge Yang Zhongmin, Director of Records Liu Guangfu, Inner Ya Commander-in-Chief Wei Shijin, and Chief Deputy Ya Huang Qing, and sent the former Chenyang County Magistrate Li Yi to deliver them to Langzhou. When they arrived, the heads were already rotten. Liu Yan and Wang Kui and the others all thought they were not the heads of Yang Zhongmin and the others. They angrily rebuked Li Yi, who, in fear, committed suicide.
After Ma Xichong inherited the position, he also indulged in wine and debauchery, handled government affairs unfairly, spoke with much falsehood and arrogance, and the people within the state did not submit to him. Initially, when Ma Xi’e entered Changsha, Peng Shishang, though spared death, was still beaten on the back and reduced to commoner status. Ma Xichong thought that Peng Shishang must resent Ma Xi’e, so he sent him to escort Ma Xi’e to Hengshan, actually hoping that Peng Shishang would kill Ma Xi’e. Peng Shishang said, “Do you want me to become a regicide!” He served Ma Xi’e even more cautiously. On the bingxu day, they arrived at Hengshan. Liao Yan, the Hengshan Commandant, son of Liao Kuangtu, conspired with his uncle, the Circuit Inspector Liao Kuangning, saying: “Our family has received the Ma clan’s grace for generations. Now Ma Xi’e is older yet deposed; he will certainly not escape disaster. Why not join in supporting him!” So they led their manor households and villagers to form an army, and together with Peng Shishang, they established Ma Xi’e as the King of Hengshan, using Hengshan County as a temporary princely residence, cutting off the Xiang River to set up palisades, weaving bamboo into warships, appointing Peng Shishang as Wuding Military Governor, and recruiting troops. Within a few days, they reached over ten thousand men, and many prefectures and counties responded to them. They sent the Administrative Assistant Liu Xuji to seek aid from Southern Tang.
Xu Wei and others, seeing Ma Xichong’s actions, knew he would certainly not succeed, and also feared the pressure from Langzhou and Hengshan, worrying that if he failed, they themselves would suffer disaster. They planned to kill Ma Xichong to exonerate themselves. Ma Xichong vaguely sensed this and was greatly terrified. He secretly sent the guest general Fan Shoumu with a memorial to Southern Tang requesting troops. The Southern Tang ruler ordered Bian Gao to lead ten thousand troops from Yuanzhou westward to Changsha.
(Winter, tenth month, xinmao day, of the xinhai year, 951 CE) Chen Sirang, the of Luzhou, defeated the Northern Han army at Siting.
Bian Gao of Southern Tang led his army into Liling. On the guisi day, the Chu king Ma Xichong sent envoys to reward the army. On the renyin day, he sent Tuoba Heng, an Academician of the Tiance Palace, with a letter to Bian Gao requesting surrender. Tuoba Heng sighed and said: “I have lived long without dying, and now I must deliver a surrender letter for a child!” On the guimao day, Ma Xichong led his younger brothers and nephews to welcome Bian Gao. Seeing dust from afar, they bowed. Bian Gao dismounted, read out the imperial edict, and comforted them. On the jiachen day, Ma Xichong and his followers entered Tanzhou city with Bian Gao. Bian Gao lodged in the tower at Liuyang Gate. The Hunan generals and officials all came to offer congratulations, and Bian Gao rewarded them generously. At that time, Hunan was suffering from famine. Bian Gao distributed large amounts of grain from the Ma clan’s granaries to relieve the people, and the people of Chu were very pleased.
The Khitan sent Xiao Yujue, the Military Governor of Zhangguo, leading fifty thousand troops from the Xi and Khitan tribes, together with the Northern Han army, to invade. The Northern Han ruler personally led twenty thousand troops from Yindi Pass to invade Jinzhou. On the dingwei day, the army camped north of Jinzhou city, setting up camps on three sides, attacking the city day and night. Their roving cavalry reached Jiangzhou. At that time, Wang Yan had already left his post, and Wang Yanchao had not yet arrived. The Wang Wangan temporarily acted as acting administrator of Jinzhou and, together with Longjie Commandant Shi Yanchao and Hujie Commandant He Hui, jointly resisted. Shi Yanchao was a native of Yunzhou.
On the guichou day, Liu Renzan, the Wuchang Military Governor of Southern Tang, led two hundred warships to take Yuezhou, pacifying and receiving those who surrendered and submitted, so that the people forgot the pain of the state’s fall. Liu Renzan was the son of Liu Jin.
The Southern Tang officials jointly congratulated on the pacification of Hunan. Gao Yuan, a Court Gentleman for Daily Life, said: “We took advantage of Chu’s internal turmoil and seized it easily. But observing the abilities of the various generals, I fear holding it will be difficult!” Gao Yuan was a native of Youzhou. Li Jianxun, a retired Minister of Personnel, said: “I fear disaster will begin from here!” Since his accession, the Southern Tang ruler had never personally performed sacrifices to Heaven and Earth or his ancestors. The ritual officials used this as a reason to request it. The Southern Tang ruler said: “Wait until the realm is unified, then I will report and make offerings to Heaven and Earth and my ancestors.” After seizing Chu in one stroke, he thought that the other states could also be pacified with a wave of his hand. Wei Cen, attending a banquet, said: “When I was young, I traveled to Yuancheng and liked its local customs. When Your Majesty pacifies the Central Plains, I request to be made the Military Governor of Weibo.” The Southern Tang ruler agreed, and Wei Cen hurried down the steps to bow in thanks. The ruler was so arrogant, and the minister so sycophantic.
Ma Xi’e hoped that the Southern Tang would establish him as the governor of Tanzhou. But the people of Tanzhou detested Ma Xi’e and jointly requested that Bian Gao be made governor. The Southern Tang ruler then appointed Bian Gao as Wu’an Military Governor.
Wang Jun had an old acquaintance named Shen Shihou, who had once served as a yamen general in Yanzhou. After losing his position, he was cold and hungry. On the road, seeing Wang Jun’s horse, he came forward to pay his respects. At that time, Zhedu Gajia, the acting Military Governor of Liangzhou, submitted a memorial to the court requesting a governor. The Later Zhou, considering it a remote area not desired by people, recruited among the officers of the Rate Prefecture Palace Supply Bureau who were willing to go. After more than a month, no one answered the call. Wang Jun recommended Shen Shihou to the. On the dingsi day, Shen Shihou was appointed Hexi Military Governor.
Bian Gao of Southern Tang urged Ma Xichong to lead his family into court. The Ma clan gathered and wept, wanting to heavily bribe Bian Gao to petition to stay in Changsha. Bian Gao smiled slightly and said: “The state has been a hereditary enemy with your family for nearly sixty years, yet it never dared to covet your state. Now you brothers quarrel, fall into distress, and come to surrender of your own accord. If you are of two minds again, I fear there will be unforeseen disaster.” Ma Xichong had nothing to say in reply. On the xinyou day of the eleventh month, he, together with his clan and over a thousand generals and aides, boarded boats amid loud weeping. Those seeing them off all wept, and the cries shook the mountains and rivers.
Because the Northern Han and Khitan armies were still at Jinzhou, the Later Zhou, on the jiazi day, appointed Wang Jun as Chief Commander of the March and sent him with troops to relieve the siege. An edict ordered all armies to accept Wang Jun’s command and control, allowing him to act according to circumstances and select his own generals and officials. On the yichou day, Wang Jun departed, and the personally saw him off west of the city.
Ma Xiyin, the Deputy Military Governor of Jingjiang Circuit and acting administrator of Guizhou affairs, was the youngest son of King Wumu Ma Yin. The Chu kings Ma Xiguang and Ma Xi’e struggled for the state. The Southern Han ruler appointed the Inner Attendant Wu Huai’en as the Northwest Pacification Commissioner, leading troops stationed at the border, watching for opportunities to advance. Ma Xiguang sent Commandant Peng Yanhui with troops to station at Longdong to guard against him. Ma Xi’e, from Hengshan, sent an envoy to appoint Peng Yanhui as Guizhou Commander-in-Chief, Inspector of Inside and Outside the City, and Judge of Military Government Affairs. Ma Xiyin detested this and secretly sent someone to inform Mengzhou Governor Xu Keqiong. Xu Keqiong, fearing pressure from Southern Han, abandoned Mengzhou and led his troops to Guizhou, where he fought Peng Yanhui in the city. Peng Yanhui was defeated and fled to Hengshan. Xu Keqiong remained stationed in Guizhou. Wu Huai’en occupied Mengzhou, advanced to raid and plunder, and the Gui region fell into great chaos. Ma Xiyin and Xu Keqiong did not know what to do; they only drank and wept facing each other.
The Southern Han ruler sent Ma Xiyin a letter, saying: “King Wumu held all the Chu territory, rich and stable for over fifty years. It was precisely because the thirty-fifth and thirtieth uncles, you brothers, resorted to arms and killed each other, handing over the ancestors’ foundation to the northern enemy. Now I hear that the Southern Tang army has already occupied Changsha. I privately estimate that Guilin will be taken by them next. Our dynasty has been friendly with your house for generations, and there are also marriage ties. Seeing you in such danger and ruin, how can I bear not to rescue you! I have already launched a great army, advancing by both water and land. I should let the uncle governor permanently hold the tally and axe, and long guard one region.” Ma Xiyin, receiving the letter, discussed surrender with his aides. The administrative assistant Pan Xuan’gui considered it unacceptable. On the bingyin day, Wu Huai’en led his army suddenly arriving at the city wall. Ma Xiyin and Xu Keqiong led their troops, cutting through the city gate at night and fleeing to Quanzhou. Guizhou then collapsed. Wu Huai’en took the opportunity to lead troops to pacify the prefectures of Yi, Lian, Wu, Yan, Fu, Zhao, Liu, Xiang, and Gong. Southern Han then fully possessed the Lingnan region.
On the xinwei day, Bian Gao of Southern Tang sent the Vanguard Commandant Li Chengzai with troops to Hengshan, urging Ma Xi’e to enter court. On the gengchen day, Ma Xi’e, together with generals, aides, and over ten thousand soldiers, went downstream from Tanzhou by boat.
Wang Jun remained at Shan Prefecture for ten days. Because the Northern Han attack on Jin Prefecture was very urgent, the Later Zhou Taizu feared that Jin Prefecture could not hold out and discussed personally leading troops from the Ze Prefecture route to join Wang Jun in relieving the siege, and sent an envoy to inform Wang Jun. On the first day of the twelfth month, the day of Wuzi, an edict was issued stating that the western expedition would begin in three days. The envoy arrived at Shan Prefecture, and Wang Jun said to the Taizu through the envoy: "Jin Prefecture's city walls are solid and difficult to take by storm. Liu Chong's army is at the height of its offensive power and cannot be engaged head-on. The reason I have halted my advance is to wait for their morale to decline, not because I am timid. Your Majesty has just ascended the throne and should not act rashly. If Your Majesty's chariot leaves Sishui, then Murong Yanchao will lead his troops into Bianliang, and the great enterprise will be lost!" When the Taizu heard this, he covered his ears with his own hands and said: "I almost ruined my great undertaking!" On the day of Gengyin, he ordered the cancellation of the personal expedition.
Initially, the Tai’ning Military Governor and Concurrently Acting Chief Minister Murong Yanchao, upon hearing that Xu Prefecture had been pacified, became even more suspicious and fearful. He then took in fugitives, stockpiled firewood and grain, and secretly sent letters to collude with the Northern Han. Officials captured his messenger and reported it to the court. He also sent men disguised as merchants to seek aid from the Tang state. The Later Zhou Taizu dispatched the Palace Messenger Zheng Haoqian to go and comfort him and swear an oath with him. Murong Yanchao became even more unsettled and repeatedly sent the Commander of the Capital Guard Zheng Lin to the court, feigning sincerity while actually spying on secrets. He also submitted a letter from the Tianping Military Governor Gao Xingzhou, which contained slanderous remarks against the court and evidence of collusion with Murong Yanchao. The Taizu laughed and said: "This is Murong Yanchao's trick!" He showed the letter to Gao Xingzhou, who submitted a memorial thanking the emperor. Soon after, Murong Yanchao's signs of rebellion became more apparent. On the day of Bingshen, the Emperor dispatched the Palace Gate Attendant Zhang Ning to lead troops to Yun Prefecture to patrol and guard against him.
On the day of Gengzi, Wang Jun arrived at Jiang Prefecture. On the day of Yisi, he led his troops straight toward Jin Prefecture. To the south of Jin Prefecture there was the Meng Pit, which was the most strategically dangerous point. Wang Jun feared that the Northern Han army would occupy this place. That day, upon hearing that his vanguard had already crossed the Meng Pit, he said happily: "My great undertaking is accomplished!"
Murong Yanchao submitted a request to appear at court. The Taizu knew it was a pretense but immediately agreed. Soon after, he claimed that there were many bandits within his territory and that he dared not leave his post.
The Northern Han ruler attacked Jin Prefecture for a long time but could not capture it. It happened to snow heavily, and the people gathered in fortified mountain strongholds. There was nothing to plunder in the countryside, and the army lacked food. The Khitans wanted to return. Upon hearing that Wang Jun had reached the Meng Pit, they burned their camp and fled during the night. Wang Jun entered Jin Prefecture. The various generals requested an immediate pursuit, but Wang Jun hesitated. The next day, he only dispatched the Mobile Camp Horse Army Commander Qiu Hongchao, the Array Commander Yao Yuanfu, the Left Wing Array Commander Chen Sirang, and Kang Yanzhao to lead cavalry in pursuit. They pursued as far as Huoyi, then unleashed their troops to attack fiercely. Many Northern Han soldiers fell to their deaths in ravines and deep valleys. The road at Huoyi was narrow, and Kang Yanzhao, being timid and weak, did not pursue promptly, allowing the Northern Han troops to escape. Yao Yuanfu said: "Liu Chong mobilized his entire force, supported by Khitan cavalry, with the intention of swallowing up Jin Prefecture and Jiang Prefecture. Now their morale is exhausted and their strength depleted, and they are fleeing in disarray. If we do not destroy them at this time, they will surely become a future calamity." The other generals did not want to advance, and Wang Jun again sent an envoy to stop them, so they returned. By the time the Khitan army reached Jinyang, they had lost three or four out of every ten men and horses. Xiao Yujue, ashamed of having no achievements, had a chieftain nailed to death in the marketplace, and only beheaded him after more than ten days. The Northern Han ruler then abandoned his ambitions for expansion. The land of Northern Han was barren and the people poor. Internally, they had to supply the army and the state; externally, they had to provide for the Khitan. Taxes were heavy and corvée labor excessive, leaving the people with no means of survival. Many fled into Later Zhou territory.
The Tang ruler appointed the Zhennan Military Governor and Concurrently Acting Chief Minister Song Qiqiu as Grand Tutor. He appointed Ma Xige as the Jiangnan West Circuit Observer and Acting Chief Minister, stationed at Hongzhou, and granted him the title of Prince of Chu. He appointed Ma Xichong as the Yongtai Military Governor and Concurrently Acting Palace Attendant, stationed at Shuzhou. The Hunan officials and generals, those of high rank, were appointed as prefects, generals, or ministers; those of lower rank were given official positions in order. The Tang ruler praised the loyalty of Liao Yan and Peng Shihao. He appointed Liao Yan as the Left Palace Guard Army Commander and Lai Prefecture Prefect, and Peng Shihao as the Palace Guard Commander-in-Chief, and bestowed upon them very generous rewards. All the Hunan prefects came to court to pay homage to the Tang ruler. Only the Yongzhou Prefect Wang Yun arrived last, and the Tang ruler poisoned him.
The Southern Han ruler dispatched the Palace Attendant Deputy Commissioner Pan Chongche and General Xie Gui to lead troops to attack Chen Prefecture. The Tang general Bian Hao sent troops to relieve it. Pan Chongche defeated the Tang army at Yizhang and then seized Chen Prefecture. Bian Hao requested the appointment of prefects for Quan and Dao Prefectures to guard against the Southern Han. On the day of Bingchen, the Tang ruler appointed Liao Yan as the Dao Prefecture Prefect and appointed the Heiyun Commander Zhang Luan as the acting prefect of Quan Prefecture.
In this year, the Tang ruler appointed the Anhua Military Governor, the Prince of Poyang Wang Yanzheng, as the Shannan West Circuit Military Governor and changed his title to Prince of Guangshan.
Initially, the Mengcheng Town General Xian Shilang led his troops to surrender to the Tang state. The Tang ruler organized his troops into the Fengjie Corps and followed Bian Hao in pacifying Hunan. The Tang state took all of Hunan's gold, silk, precious objects, rare treasures, warehouse grain, and even the finest boats, pavilions, and flowers and fruit trees, and transported them all to Jinling. They dispatched the Director of the Bureau of Revenue Yang Jixun and others to collect the land taxes and rents of Hunan to support the garrison troops. Yang Jixun and the others were harsh in their methods, and the people of Hunan became disheartened. The Mobile Camp Provisions Commissioner Wang Shaoyan reduced the soldiers' rations and rewards. The Fengjie Corps commanders Sun Lang and Cao Jin said angrily: "Previously, we followed General Xian in surrendering to the Tang state. How does the Tang state treat us compared to how it now treats the Hunan officers and soldiers? Now that we have achieved merit, they do not increase our salaries and rewards; instead, they cut them. It would be better to kill Wang Shaoyan and Bian Hao, seize Hunan, and submit to the Central Plains. Wealth and honor can then be plotted!"
The Taizu, Emperor Shengong Susu Wenxiao, First Year of Guangshun (Renzi year, 952 AD, Later Zhou Guangshun First Year)
Spring, first month, day of Gengshen. During the night, Sun Lang and Cao Jin led their troops in rebellion. They bundled up artemisia and secretly set fire to the government office gate, but the fire did not catch. Bian Hao discovered this, led out troops to fight, and ordered the beating of drums and blowing of horns. Sun Lang and Cao Jin and the others, thinking that dawn was near, cut through the pass and fled to Langzhou. Wang Kui asked Sun Lang: "Previously, I followed the Military Prince Wu Mu and fought against Huainan, winning several times. The Huainan troops are easy to handle. Now, if I want to use the Langzhou troops to retake Hunan, can it be done?" Sun Lang said: "I was in Jinling for many years and have fully observed their government. The court has no worthy ministers, the army has no good generals, loyal and treacherous are not distinguished, rewards and punishments are inappropriate. In such a state, it is fortunate if they can preserve their own country. How could they have the leisure to annex others? I beg to be your vanguard. Capturing Hunan will be as easy as picking up grass!" Wang Kui was delighted and treated him generously.
On the day of Renxu, 50,000 civilian laborers from Kaifeng Prefecture were conscripted to build the walls of Daliang. The work was completed in ten days.
Murong Yanchao conscripted local militia into the city, diverted the Si River to fill the moat, and made preparations for defense and battle. He also issued many banners to the generals of the various towns, ordering them to recruit bandits to plunder neighboring regions. All the prefectures reported his rebellion. On the day of Jiazi, an edict was issued that Yi and Mi Prefectures were no longer subordinate to the Tai’ning Army. The Palace Guard Infantry Commander-in-Chief and Zhaowu Military Governor Cao Ying was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the expedition to punish Murong Yanchao. The Qi Prefecture Defense Commissioner Shi Yanchao was appointed as the Deputy Commander. The Palace City Commissioner Xiang Xun of He'nei was appointed as the Supervisor. The Chen Prefecture Defense Commissioner Yao Yuanfu was appointed as the Mobile Camp Horse and Foot Commander-in-Chief. Because Yao Yuanfu was a veteran general, the Taizu ordered Cao Ying and Xiang Xun not to treat him with military protocol. Both served him as if he were their father.
The Tang ruler dispatched 5,000 troops to station at Xiapi to assist Murong Yanchao. Upon hearing that the Later Zhou army was approaching, they withdrew and camped at Shuyang. The Xu Prefecture Patrol and Inspection Commissioner Zhang Lingbin attacked them, inflicting a great defeat on the Tang army, killing or drowning over a thousand men, and capturing their general Yan Jingquan.
Initially, Murong Yanchao believed that the Later Zhou regime was newly established and thought it could be easily shaken. Therefore, he summoned the Northern Han and Khitan from the north and enticed the Tang state from the south, causing them to harass the borders, hoping that the court would become exhausted from constant campaigning and that he could then take action. After the Northern Han and Khitan fled north from Jin Prefecture and the Tang army was defeated at Shuyang, Murong Yanchao's momentum was thus broken.
The military governor of Yongxing, Li Hongxin, considering himself a close relative of the Later Han imperial house, felt uneasy. The city's troops numbered less than a thousand. Wang Jun, stationed in Shanzhou, mobilized several hundred of his men under the pretext of rescuing Jinzhou. When the Northern Han troops fled, he also dispatched over a thousand to guard Chang'an. Li Hongxin, frightened, then entered the court.
On the day Renshen, Wang Jun returned from Jinzhou and had an audience at court.
Cao Ying and others arrived at Yanzhou and set up a long siege. Murong Yanchao repeatedly sallied forth, but Yao Yuanfu defeated him each time, and Murong Yanchao dared not engage. After more than ten days, the long siege was completed, and they then attacked Yanzhou.
Initially, when Murong Yanchao was about to rebel, the judge Cui Zhoudao admonished him, saying: "The land of Lu is a state of poetry and books. Since Bo Qin, it has not been able to dominate the feudal lords, yet by guarding it with ritual and righteousness, it can enjoy long-term peace. Your Excellency bears no personal grudge against the state—why be suspicious of yourself! Moreover, the sovereign’s guidance and admonitions are very earnest. If you remove your defenses and submit with sincerity, you will sit securely like Mount Tai. Have you not seen what ultimately became of Du Zhongling, An Xiangyang, and Li Hezhong?" Murong Yanchao was angered. When the imperial army besieged the city, Murong Yanchao plundered the property of scholars and commoners to support his troops, and many were executed for concealing wealth. The former Sima of Shanzhou, Yan Honglu, son of Yan Bao, feared Murong Yanchao’s cruelty and gave all his family wealth as tribute. Murong Yanchao still believed he had hidden more and ordered Cui Zhoudao to search his house. Cui Zhoudao said to Yan Honglu: "Your life depends on the amount of property—you should not be stingy." Yan Honglu wept and bowed to his wife and concubines, saying: "Give up all our possessions to save my life!" They all said: "There is nothing left!" Cui Zhoudao reported the situation to Murong Yanchao, who did not believe it and arrested Yan Honglu and his wife, throwing them into prison. A wet nurse dug a golden armlet out of the mud and presented it to Murong Yanchao, hoping to redeem her master. Murong Yanchao said: "If this is true, then what he has hidden must be even more." He tortured Yan Honglu and his wife until their flesh was rotten and they died. Believing Cui Zhoudao had been sycophantic and covered for them, he had him beheaded in the marketplace.
Northern Han sent troops to invade Fuzhou. The defense commissioner, Zhe Deyi, defeated them, killing over two thousand men. On the day Gengzi of the second month, Zhe Deyi reported capturing Northern Han’s Kelan Army and stationed troops to guard it.
On the day Jiachen, Taizu released Yan Jingquan and others to return to the Tang state, saying to the Tang ruler: "Rebellious ministers are hated by all under heaven. I did not expect the Tang ruler to aid him—this is probably not a good strategy!" The Tang ruler was deeply ashamed and sent back all the Later Zhou people he had previously captured with proper courtesy. Those who discussed state affairs in Tang still presented plans to seize the Central Plains. The secretariat drafter Han Xizai said: "The Guo family, though they have held the state for a short time, have already consolidated their rule. If our army acts rashly, it will certainly bring harm without benefit."
Since the time of Liezu, the Tang state had often sent envoys across the sea to form alliances with the Khitan, intending to jointly check the Central Plains. They exchanged gifts and swore brotherhood. However, the Khitan coveted their valuables and only exchanged empty words; in reality, they did not serve Tang’s interests.
The Southern Tang ruler was fond of literature, so Han Xizai, along with Feng Yanji, Feng Yanlu, Jiang Wenwei, Pan You, Xu Xuan, and others, all obtained high office. Pan You was a man of Youzhou. At that time, the refined culture of Southern Tang flourished the most among all states, but they had never established a civil examination system; officials were mostly appointed by submitting essays discussing state affairs. At this time, the ruler ordered the Hanlin Academician Jiang Wenwei to preside over the civil examinations. Three candidates, including the Jinshi from Luling, Wang Kezhen, passed. The Southern Tang ruler asked Jiang Wenwei: "How does my selection of scholars compare with that of previous dynasties?" Jiang Wenwei replied: "In previous dynasties, open recommendations and private entreaties each accounted for half. I only act by the most impartial principles." The Southern Tang ruler was very pleased. The secretariat drafter Zhang Wei, a Jinshi from a previous dynasty, heard these words and harbored resentment. At the time, the officials in power were not from the civil examination path, so they united to slander and obstruct it, ultimately abolishing the examinations.
On the day Wuchen of the third month, Zheng Renhui, the Inner Palace Reception Commissioner and the Military Training Commissioner of Enzhou, a native of Jinyang, was appointed Vice Commissioner of Military Affairs.
On the day Jiashu, the Weisheng Army was renamed the Wusheng Army.
The Southern Tang ruler appointed the Grand Heir’s Grand Guardian and Zhaoyi Military Governor Feng Yanji as Left Deputy Director, the former Zhenhai Military Governor Xu Jingyun as Secretariat Director, and the Right Deputy Director Sun Sheng, all as co-Chancellors. After the edict was proclaimed, the Minister of Justice, Chang Mengxi, loudly said among the crowd: "The white-hemp edict is very good, but it is no match for Jiang Wenwei’s memorial!" Sun Sheng had always despised Feng Yanji and said to others: "A gold cup and jade bowl—are they now used to hold dog excrement?" Feng Yanji said to the Southern Tang ruler: "Your Majesty personally handles all affairs of state, so the chancellors cannot fully exert their talents—this is why governance has not succeeded." The Southern Tang ruler then entrusted all state affairs to him, only requiring his approval for memorials. Soon, Feng Yanji could not diligently manage affairs; documents relied on subordinate clerks, and military matters were left to border generals. Before long, governance became even more chaotic, and the Southern Tang ruler took charge again himself.
The Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Xiao Yan, detested Feng Yanji’s character and repeatedly submitted memorials attacking him. It happened that Xiao Yan was found guilty of wrongly judging a death sentence. Zhong Mo, Li Deming, and others insisted he should be executed. Feng Yanji said: "Xiao Yan mistakenly killed one woman, and you consider him deserving of death. Xiao Yan is one of the Nine Ministers—can he be mistakenly killed?" He alone submitted a statement saying: "Xiao Yan has always had a reputation for integrity. Now his crime falls within the scope of a general amnesty; he should be leniently pardoned." Thus Xiao Yan was spared execution. People also praised Feng Yanji for this. Xu Jingyun was soon dismissed and appointed Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent.
Summer, fourth month, the first day of the month (Bingxu), a solar eclipse occurred.
Because Cao Ying and others had been attacking Yanzhou for a long time without success, the Later Zhou Taizu, on the day Yimao, issued an edict for a personal expedition. He appointed Li Gu as acting Defender of the Eastern Capital and acting Prefect of Kaifeng, Zheng Renhui as acting Great Inner Commander, and also appointed the Metropolitan Cavalry Commander Guo Chong as acting Capital Inspector.
After the Southern Tang ruler conquered Hunan, he sent General Li Jianqi to garrison Yiyang to plot against Langzhou, and appointed the acting Prefect of Quanzhou, Zhang Luan, concurrently as the Pacification Commissioner to plot against Guizhou. After a long time, they had not succeeded. The Southern Tang ruler said to Feng Yanji and Sun Sheng: "The Chu people hoped to rest and recover under me, but I did not heal their wounds and instead harshly used their labor—this does not fulfill the mission of satisfying their hopes for revival. I think of stopping the Guilin campaign, withdrawing the Yiyang garrison, and bestowing a commandery seal on Liu Yan—what do you think?" Sun Sheng thought this should be done. Feng Yanji said: "We sent a minor general to seize Hunan, and far and near were shaken. If we lose two-thirds of it, others will despise us. Please entrust the border generals to observe the situation." The Southern Tang ruler then sent the Commander-in-Chief Hou Xun with five thousand troops from the Jizhou road to Quanzhou, to join Zhang Luan’s forces in attacking Guizhou. Southern Han set an ambush in the mountains and valleys. When Zhang Luan and others had just arrived at the city walls, exhausted, the ambush rose from all sides, and the city’s troops attacked in a pincer movement. The Southern Tang army suffered a great defeat. Hou Xun was killed in battle, and Zhang Luan gathered a few hundred scattered troops and fled back to Quanzhou.
Fifth month, day Gengshen, the Later Zhou Taizu departed from Daliang. On Wuchen, he arrived at Yanzhou. On Jisi, the Later Zhou Taizu sent someone to summon Murong Yanchao to surrender, but those on the city wall spoke abusively. On Gengwu, he ordered the various armies to attack.
Before this, a magician had deceived Murong Yanchao, saying: "The planet Saturn is moving between the constellations Horn and Neck; Horn and Neck correspond to Yanzhou’s region, and there will be blessings below." Murong Yanchao then built a shrine and prayed, ordering every household to raise a yellow flag. Murong Yanchao was greedy and stingy by nature. When the imperial army’s siege became urgent, he still buried his treasures, so everyone had no will to fight, and officers and men successively surrendered and came out of the city. On Yihai, the imperial army captured the city. Murong Yanchao was just praying at the Saturn shrine. He led his troops in a fierce battle but could not prevail. He then burned the Saturn shrine and jumped into a well with his wife, dying together. His son Murong Jixun fled but was captured and killed. The imperial army looted extensively, and nearly ten thousand people died in the city. Initially, when Murong Yanchao was about to rebel, he recruited bandits and placed them under his command. Over two thousand came, all fierce villains from the mountains and forests, but in the end, they could not be used by him.
The Later Zhou wanted to execute all the officers and officials of Yanzhou. Hanlin Academician Dou Yi met with Feng Dao and Fan Zhi, and together they reported to the Later Zhou, saying: "They were all merely coerced." Thus they were pardoned. On the Dingchou day, Duanmingdian Academician Yan Kan was appointed to act as administrator of Yanzhou affairs. On the Renwu day, a pardon was issued for the jurisdiction of Yanzhou; the remnants of Murong Yanchao’s party who had fled and hidden were ordered to surrender within one month, and those who had already been executed had their relatives pardoned. On the Guiwei day, the Taining Army was downgraded to a defense prefecture.
Li Jianxun, the retired Director of the Department of State Affairs of the Southern Tang, died. On his deathbed, he admonished his family, saying: "The state of affairs being as it is, I am fortunate to have a good end! Do not pile up earth or erect a stele; let people plow and sow on it, to avoid becoming a marker for future grave robbers." By the time Jiangnan fell, none of the grand tombs of the nobles remained unexcavated, except for Li Jianxun’s tomb, whose location no one knew.
On the first day of the sixth month, Yiyou, the Later Zhou went to Qufu and paid homage at the Confucius Temple. After performing the rites, he was about to kneel and bow. Attendants said: "Confucius was a vassal of the feudal lords; it is not proper for the Son of Heaven to kneel to him." The Later Zhou said: "Confucius is the teacher of emperors and kings for a hundred generations; how dare I not show reverence!" Thus he knelt and bowed. He also knelt at Confucius’s tomb, ordered the repair of the Confucius Temple, and forbade cutting firewood and gathering grass in the Confucian forest. He sought out descendants of Confucius and Yan Yuan, appointing them as the magistrate and assistant magistrate of Qufu. On the Bingxu day, the Later Zhou departed from Yanzhou.
On the Yiwei day, Wu Yue’s Grand Lady of Shunde, née Wu, passed away.
On the Dingyou day, the Later Shu suffered a great flood that entered Chengdu, submerging over a thousand households, drowning more than five thousand people, and destroying four chambers of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On the Wuxu day, the Later Shu issued a general amnesty and provided relief to the flood-stricken families.
On the Jihai day, the Later Zhou returned to Daliang.
Feng Hui, the Military Commissioner of Shuofang and concurrently Zhongshu Ling, Prince of Chenliu, died. His son, the Yanei Dudu Hou Feng Jiye, killed his elder brother Feng Jixun and took control of the military headquarters’ affairs.
Li Tao, the Palace Attendant to the Crown Prince, had a younger brother, Li Han, who served in Khitan as an academician of the Qinzheng Hall and was on friendly terms with the Military Commissioner of Youzhou, Xiao Haizhen. Xiao Haizhen was the younger brother of the Khitan ruler Yelü Wuyu’s wife. Li Han persuaded Xiao Haizhen to submit to the Central Plains, and Xiao Haizhen gladly agreed. Li Han then had an agent, Tian Zhongba, from Dingzhou, carry a silk memorial to the court and also wrote a letter to Li Tao, saying: "The Khitan ruler is young and ignorant, devoted only to feasting and amusement, with no grand ambitions; he cannot compare to his predecessors. If the court can send troops, victory is certain; if not, making peace with them will also succeed. Both courses of action require speed. Estimating their situation, they will ultimately be unable to fully aid Hedong." On the Renyin day, Tian Zhongba arrived in Daliang, but just then the Central Plains were beset with troubles, and in the end, the plan was not adopted.
On the Xinhai day, Feng Jiye was appointed Acting Military Commissioner of Shuofang.
The Chief Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs, Wang Jun, was frivolous and impatient, full of schemes, fond of power and profit, and liked others to attach themselves to him, considering himself responsible for the empire’s affairs. Whenever he discussed state affairs, the Later Zhou was pleased if he agreed, but if sometimes he did not comply, Wang Jun would become resentful and discontented, often uttering disrespectful words. The Later Zhou, because he was an old subordinate and had merit in assisting the founding of the dynasty, and had always known his character, often tolerated him. Wang Jun was older than the Later Zhou; after the latter ascended the throne, he still called him "elder brother" or sometimes referred to him by his style name, which made Wang Jun even more arrogant. The Vice Commissioner Zheng Renhui, the Huangcheng Commissioner Xiang Xun, and the Enzhou Military Training Commissioner Li Zhongjin were all trusted generals and aides from the Later Zhou’s days as a regional commander. After the Later Zhou ascended the throne, he gradually promoted and employed them. Wang Jun was jealous of them and repeatedly submitted memorials claiming illness, requesting release from his key post to test the Later Zhou’s intentions. The Later Zhou repeatedly sent close attendants to urge and explain, but Wang Jun spoke to the envoys with harsh and arrogant words. He also wrote letters to various circuit military commissioners asking them to vouch for him. Each circuit presented his letters to the court. The Later Zhou was shocked for a long time, then sent close attendants again to comfort and urge him, ordering him to resume handling affairs, and saying: "If you do not come, I will personally go to you." Wang Jun still did not come. The Later Zhou knew that the Privy Direct Academician Chen Guan was close and friendly with Wang Jun and ordered him to convey the imperial will. Chen Guan said: "Your Majesty need only claim that you will personally visit his home, prepare the carriage and wait; Wang Jun will surely not dare not to come." The Later Zhou followed his advice. In autumn, on the Wuzi day of the seventh month, Wang Jun entered the court, and the Later Zhou comforted him, ordering him to handle affairs. Li Zhongjin was from Cangzhou; his mother was the Later Zhou’s younger sister, Princess Fuying of Longqing.
Li Gu had a fall, injuring his right arm, and requested a leave of over a month. The Later Zhou, because Li Gu’s duties were weighty, urged him to come to court. Li Gu declined, saying he could not manage the ceremonies of bowing and walking. On the Guisi day, an edict exempted him from court audiences, only ordering him to handle affairs.
The Later Shu Minister of Public Works and Acting Commander of the Wude Army, Shao Yanjun, was disrespectful to the Supervisor Wang Chengpi. Wang Chengpi plotted rebellion. On the Xinchou day, the Left Fengsheng Metropolitan Commander of Anci, Sun Qin, was due to lead his troops to guard the border. He went to take leave of Wang Chengpi, who invited him to visit the prefectural governor together. Sun Qin, unaware of the plot, followed him. After arriving, Wang Chengpi ordered his men to kill Shao Yanjun and massacre his entire family, claiming he had an imperial edict to deal with the military headquarters. He immediately opened the treasury to reward the soldiers, released the prisoners, and mobilized the garrison troops. All officers and officials assembled. Sun Qin said to Wang Chengpi: "Now that Shao Yanjun has been executed, you should show the edict to everyone." Wang Chengpi said: "I can make you wealthy and noble; there is no need to ask about an edict." Sun Qin then realized Wang Chengpi was rebelling, so he deceived him, saying: "Now, both inside and outside are unsettled; I request to lead my troops to patrol for you." He immediately spurred his horse and rode out. Wang Chengpi repeatedly called out to him, but he did not stop. Sun Qin returned to the camp, instructed his subordinates, led them into the headquarters, and attacked Wang Chengpi. Wang Chengpi’s attendants wanted to resist, but Sun Qin shouted at them, and they all dropped their weapons and fled. Thus he captured Wang Chengpi, beheaded him, along with his close confederates, and sent their heads to Chengdu.
Gao Xingzhou, the Military Commissioner of Tianping and concurrently Zhongshu Ling, died. Gao Xingzhou was brave and strong yet understood righteousness. His merits were great, but he did not boast. When spurring his horse into battle, his roar shook the clouds; in daily life, when feasting with guests and colleagues, his speech was gentle and even-tempered. People therefore respected him.
On the Guimao day, the Later Shu ruler sent the Guest Department Commissioner Zhao Jizha to Zizhou to comfort and console the officials and people.
According to Han law, anyone violating the prohibitions on private salt or private liquor yeast, regardless of quantity, was to be executed. In Zhengzhou, a commoner obtained salt from the government as part of his house tax. When passing through the prefectural city, the constables deemed it private salt, arrested him, and killed him. His wife appealed for justice for her husband. On the Guichou day, the court issued an edict stipulating that for violations of the salt and liquor yeast prohibitions, the severity of punishment should be determined according to the weight in catties and taels.