Annals of the Later Zhou, Volume 2
Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 291 [Annals of Later Zhou, Part 2] From the ninth month of the year Xuanmo Kundun to the fourth month of the year Yanfeng Sheti, a total of just over one year.
In the ninth month, on the day Jiayin (the first day of the month), Wu-Yue Chancellor Pei Jian died. The governor of Taizhou, Wu Yancan, was appointed to jointly participate in the affairs of the chancellery. On the day Gengwu, an imperial edict ordered that officials and commoners on the northern border must not enter Khitan territory to capture or plunder. Khitan general Gao Mohan used reed rafts to cross the Hulu River and invade, reaching Ji Prefecture. Chengde Military Governor He Fujin dispatched Longjie Commander-in-Chief Liu Chenghui and others to station troops at Bei Prefecture to resist them. When the Khitan heard of this, they immediately led their troops north across the river. The several hundred able-bodied men they had captured from Ji Prefecture, upon seeing the imperial army, clamored and raised a commotion, wanting to attack the Khitan. But the imperial army dared not respond, and the Khitan killed them all.
Shu's Shannan West Circuit Military Governor Li Tinggui reported that Zhou troops were assembling in Guanzhong and requested reinforcements as a precaution. The Shu ruler dispatched Fengqian Suwei Metropolitan Commander Zhao Jin to lead troops to Li Prefecture. Shortly after, hearing that the Zhou troops were assembled to guard against Northern Han, he led the troops back.
Southern Tang's Wu'an Military Governor Bian Gao was dim-witted, weak, and indecisive. In Hunan, government orders came from multiple departments, not meeting the people's expectations. A man from Jishui, Ouyang Guang, submitted a memorial, saying: "Bian Gao lacks the talent of a general or commander; he will surely lose Hunan. You should choose another excellent general, increase troop strength to salvage his failure." No reply was given.
The Southern Tang ruler ordered Bian Gao to manage and administer Lang Prefecture. Some who came from Lang Prefecture mostly said Liu Yan was loyal and obedient, so Bian Gao did not take precautions. The Southern Tang ruler summoned Liu Yan to court, but Liu Yan did not go. He said to Wang Kui: "Southern Tang will surely attack me. What is to be done?" Wang Kui said: "Wuling relies on the dangers of the Yangzi and Dongting Lakes, with tens of thousands of armed soldiers. How can we fold our hands and be controlled by others! Bian Gao's methods of pacification and command are inept; the scholars and common people are not attached to him. He can be captured in a single battle." Liu Yan hesitated, but Zhou Xingfeng said: "Matters of secrecy are valuable for speed. If delayed, they will be prepared, and we will not be able to plot." Liu Yan then appointed Wang Kui, Zhou Xingfeng, along with the personal guards He Jingzhen, Zhang Fang, Pu Gongyi, Zhu Quanxiu, Yu Wenqiong, Peng Wanhe, Pan Shusi, and Zhang Wenbiao, all ten as Commanders-in-Chief, deploying and dispatching troops. Pan Shusi and Zhang Wenbiao were both men of Lang Prefecture. Zhou Xingfeng was skilled in planning, Zhang Wenbiao skilled in combat, and Pan Shusi resolute and brave. The three often cooperated and achieved successes, and their friendship was very close.
The generals wanted to summon the chieftain of Xu Prefecture, Fu Yantong, as a reinforcement. Zhou Xingfeng said: "The barbarians are greedy and lack righteousness. In previous years, they followed Ma Xichong into Tanzhou, burning and looting until nothing was left. Our army rises with righteous force; wherever we go, we will not fail to conquer. What use is there for such creatures, letting them harm and ravage the people!" So the matter was dropped. However, they still feared Fu Yantong would become a future threat. Because the barbarian chieftain and Tuanjie Commander-in-Chief Liu Mou was feared by the various barbarian tribes, he was appointed as the Western Border Pacification Commissioner to guard against him.
Winter, tenth month. Wang Kui and others led troops in separate routes toward Changsha, appointing Sun Lang and Cao Jin as vanguard commanders. Bian Gao dispatched Commander Guo Zaicheng and others to lead troops and station at Yiyang to resist them. On the day Wuzi, Wang Kui and others captured Yuanjiang, capturing Metropolitan Supervisor Liu Chengyu. Deputy General Li Shide led five hundred men to surrender. On the day Renchen, Wang Kui and others ordered the soldiers to carry small boats as shields, advancing directly to Yiyang. They cut through the camp walls from all sides and charged in, thus capturing it, killing two thousand defenders. Bian Gao sent an urgent report to Southern Tang. On the day Jiawu, Wang Kui and others captured Qiaokou and Xiangyin. On the day Yiwei, they reached Tanzhou. Bian Gao fortified the city for defense. Reinforcements did not arrive, and the city's troops were very few. On the night of the day Bingshen, Bian Gao abandoned the city and fled; officials and commoners all scattered. The bridge at Liling Gate broke, and over ten thousand people died. Dao Prefecture Governor Liao Yong was killed by the mutinous troops. On the morning of the day Dingyou, Wang Kui entered the city, proclaiming himself as Acting Wuping Military Governor and Acting Administrator of the Military Command. He appointed He Jingzhen as Marching Adjutant. He sent He Jingzhen and others to pursue Bian Gao, but they did not catch him, cutting off five hundred heads. Pu Gongyi attacked Yue Prefecture. Southern Tang's Yue Prefecture Governor Song Dequan fled. Liu Yan appointed Pu Gongyi as Acting Administrator of Yue Prefecture. Among the Southern Tang generals guarding the various prefectures in Hunan, upon hearing of Changsha's fall, they fled one after another. Liu Yan recovered all of Ma's former territories north of the Ling Mountains, except for Chen Prefecture and Lian Prefecture, which had fallen into Southern Han.
Khitan's Ying Prefecture, Mo Prefecture, and You Prefecture suffered great floods. Refugee commoners entering the passes and scattering north of the Yellow River numbered in the hundreds of thousands. The Khitan prefectures and counties did not prohibit them either. The Later Zhou emperor issued an edict ordering the places where they were located to relieve and provide for them and settle them. Among the Central Plains commoners previously captured by the Khitan, those able to return were about five or six out of ten.
On the day Dingwei, Li Gu, because his arm ailment had not healed for a long time, submitted three memorials requesting resignation. The emperor sent a palace attendant to convey his intent, saying: "The affairs you manage are extremely important. I find it difficult to find a suitable replacement. If the enterprise and achievements can be completed, why is it necessary to attend court ceremonies! I am now waiting for you in the side hall; you may come in temporarily for an audience." Li Gu entered the Jinxiang Hall for an audience, personally stating his sincere wishes, but the emperor did not permit it. Li Gu had no choice but to resume handling government affairs. Li Gu could not hold a brush to write. The emperor issued an edict, because the affairs of the Three Commissions were heavy, ordering a seal with his name carved for his use.
On the day Xinhai, an edict said: "When common people have lawsuits, they must first go through the prefecture and the circuit inspector's judgment. If not just, only then are they allowed to appeal to the Censorate and the Secretariat. If they cannot write their own complaint, and ask someone else to write it, the writer's name and residence must be stated. If there is no one to entrust, they are allowed to submit a blank sheet. What is sued must be their own affair; they must not harbor private grudges to sue on behalf of others."
Qing Prefecture Governor Guo Yanqin was by nature greedy. The Yezu tribe had many sheep and horses. Guo Yanqin deliberately harassed them to extort bribes. The Yezu then rebelled, robbing merchants and travelers. The emperor ordered the two prefectures of Ning Prefecture and Huan Prefecture to combine forces to attack them.
Liu Yan sent an envoy bearing a memorial to report, saying: "Hunan has served the court for generations. Unfortunately, it was invaded by neighboring enemies. Though I received no imperial edict, I immediately rallied righteous troops and pacified the former vassal state."
The Southern Tang ruler stripped Bian Gao of his official rank and exiled him to Rao Prefecture. Initially, Bian Gao, as Metropolitan Commander, followed Zha Wenhui in capturing Jian Prefecture. Whenever captives were taken, he spared them. The people of Jian Prefecture called him "Buddha's Son Bian." When he captured Tanzhou, the markets continued business as usual, and the people of Tanzhou called him "Bodhisattva Bian." Soon after becoming military governor, government affairs had no order. He only set up vegetarian feasts daily and held grand Buddhist ceremonies. The people of Tanzhou were disappointed and called him "Monk Bian."
Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and Vice Grand Councilor Feng Yanji, and Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and Vice Grand Councilor Sun Sheng submitted memorials requesting punishment. Both were pardoned. Sun Sheng continuously presented his requests, so he and Feng Yanji were both dismissed, retaining their original official titles.
The Southern Tang ruler, because of successive years of military campaigns without success, then discussed resting troops and nurturing the people. Someone said: "I hope Your Majesty will not use arms for several decades, then things can be slightly settled!" The Southern Tang ruler said: "I will not use arms for my entire life; how could it be only several decades!" The Southern Tang ruler, recalling Ouyang Guang's words, appointed him as magistrate of his home county.
Eleventh month, on the day Xinwei, Bao Yi Military Governor Zhe Congruan was transferred to Jingnan Military Governor to attack the Yezu tribe.
On the day Guiyou, an edict said: "Approximately, the yearly leather tax levied on the people is reduced by two-thirds. Calculate for every ten qing of fields, levy one cowhide. The rest is allowed for the people's own use and for buying and selling, only forbidden to be sold to enemy states." Previously, since the rise of hostilities, the people were forbidden to privately buy or sell cowhide. All were ordered to deliver it to the government in exchange for compensation. In the era of Mingzong of Later Tang, the relevant departments only compensated with salt. In the Tianfu era of Later Jin, even the salt was not given. The law of Later Han stipulated death for anyone hiding even an inch of cowhide, yet it was indispensable for daily use. The emperor had long known this abuse. At this time, Li Gu suggested apportioning it evenly among the fields, which was convenient for both public and private.
Twelfth month, on the day Bingxu, the Yellow River broke its banks at Zheng Prefecture and Hua Prefecture. The emperor dispatched envoys to inspect and repair the breaches.
On the day of Jiawu, Hou Zhang, the former Military Commissioner of Jingnan Circuit, presented one thousand bolts of silk and five hundred taels of silver as payment for an imperial banquet. The Emperor refused to accept them, saying: "When feudal lords come to court for an audience, the Son of Heaven should host a banquet to reward them—why should they need to pay for it? From now on, such offerings shall not be accepted."
Wang Dao led his troops, together with fifty thousand Dong Man tribesmen, to attack Chenzhou. The Southern Han general Pan Chongche came to Chenzhou's relief, and the two forces met at Haoshi Rock. Pan Chongche climbed to a height and looked down upon the Hunan army, saying: "They are weary and disordered—they can be defeated." He unleashed his troops to attack, and the Hunan army suffered a great rout, with corpses stretching for eighty li.
The Hanlin Academician Xu Taifu requested that Ge Yanyu and Li Cheng, who had falsely accused Li Song, be executed. Feng Dao argued that they had already been pardoned several times and disagreed. Wang Jun admired Xu Taifu's sense of justice and reported the matter to the Emperor. On the day of Guimao, Ge Yanyu and Li Cheng were arrested and executed.
Liu Yan submitted a memorial stating that Tanzhou was ruined and requested that the administrative seat of the military government be moved to Langzhou. He also requested that tribute and tea sales follow the former precedents of the Ma family. The Emperor agreed.
The Southern Tang Surveillance Commissioner of Jiangxi Circuit, the Prince of Chu Ma Xiyi, came to court. The Southern Tang ruler detained him, and several years later, he died in Jinling, receiving the posthumous title of Gongxiao.
Earlier, the local strongman Yang Xin of Linzhou had proclaimed himself Military Commissioner and received the appointment of the Later Zhou. After Yang Xin died, his son Yang Zhongxun succeeded him and led the prefecture in surrendering to the Northern Han. By this time, surrounded by various Qiang tribes, he again submitted to the Later Zhou and sought aid from Xiazhou and Fuzhou.
In the spring, on the first month, the day of Bingchen (the fifth day), the Later Zhou appointed Liu Yan, the Acting Military Commissioner of Wuping, as Military Commissioner of Wuping, Controller of Military Affairs for Wu'an and Jingjiang, and Vice Grand Councilor; Wang Dao as Military Commissioner of Wu'an; He Jingzhen as Military Commissioner of Jingjiang; and Zhou Xingfeng as Marching Adjutant of Wu'an. An edict was issued to Zhe Congruan, saying: "Among the Yejizu, those who can reform their faults shall be granted office and rewarded with gold, silver, and silk. Otherwise, advance the army to punish them." On the day of Renxu (the eleventh day), Zhe Congruan reported: "Apart from the chieftain Li Wanquan and others who have accepted the edict and sworn oaths, the rest remain unsubmissive and are currently being attacked."
In former times, all military colonies were established on the borders and cultivated by garrison soldiers. At the end of the Tang dynasty, with troops stationed in the central plains, camp fields were set up everywhere to cultivate vacant lands. Later, wealthy families were recruited to farm these lands in exchange for tax payments. The Ministry of Revenue set up a separate office to manage them, independent of the prefectures and counties. Some households had many adult males but no corvée obligations; others harbored criminals and thieves, whom the local authorities could not investigate. When Emperor Taizu of the Later Liang attacked Huainan, he seized hundreds of thousands of oxen and distributed them to farmers in the southeastern prefectures, requiring them to pay an annual ox-rent. From then on, for decades, even after the oxen died, the rent was not abolished, causing great suffering among the people. The Later Zhou Emperor Taizu had long known of these abuses. Just then, Zhang Ning, the Commissioner of the Palace Gate and Acting Governor of Qingzhou, submitted a memorial proposing beneficial measures and requesting the abolition of the camp-field system. Li Gu also raised the matter. On the day of Yichou (the fourteenth day), an imperial decree stated: "All camp-field affairs under the Ministry of Revenue shall be abolished, and the people there shall be placed under the jurisdiction of the prefectures and counties. Their fields, houses, oxen, and farm tools shall all be granted to the current cultivators as their permanent property, and the ox-rent shall be entirely remitted." That year, the Ministry of Revenue gained over thirty thousand new households. Now that the people had permanent property, they dared to repair their houses and plant trees, reaping several times the benefits from the land. Some said: "Among the camp fields, there are fertile ones. It would be better to sell them, which could yield several hundred thousand strings of cash to aid the state." The Later Zhou Emperor Taizu said: "Benefit to the people is the same as benefit to the state. What use would I have for such money?"
Ye Renlu, the Prefect of Laizhou, was a former subordinate of the Later Zhou Emperor Taizu and was convicted of embezzling fifteen thousand bolts of silk and one thousand strings of cash. On the day of Gengwu (the nineteenth day), he was ordered to die. The Later Zhou Emperor Taizu sent a eunuch to give him wine and food, saying: "You have violated the law yourself, and I can do nothing about it. I will see to the comfort of your mother." Ye Renlu wept with emotion.
The Later Zhou Emperor Taizu was troubled by the breaches of the Yellow River. Wang Jun requested to go and inspect them personally, and the Emperor granted permission. Guo Rong, the Military Commissioner of Zhenning Circuit, repeatedly requested an audience at court. Wang Jun, fearing his intelligence and valor, often obstructed him. In the intercalary month, Guo Rong again requested an audience. Just then, Wang Jun was at the Yellow River, so the Later Zhou Emperor Taizu granted it.
The Khitan invaded Dingzhou and surrounded Yifeng Army. Yang Hongyu, the Commander of the Metropolitan Military Forces of Dingzhou, attacked the enemy camp at night and won a great victory, causing the Khitan to flee. They also invaded Zhenzhou, but the local forces drove them back.
On the day of Bingshen (the sixteenth day), Guo Rong, the Military Commissioner of Zhenning Circuit, came to court. Ma Quanyi, a former cavalryman of Li Shouzhen, accompanied Guo Rong to court. The Later Zhou Emperor Taizu summoned him and appointed him Commander of the Palace Guard, saying to his attendants: "Ma Quanyi is loyal to the master he serves. In the past, at Hezhong, he repeatedly defeated our army. You should emulate him." When Wang Jun heard that Guo Rong had come to court, he hurried back from the Yellow River. On the day of Wuxu (the eighteenth day), he arrived at Daliang.
Gao Yunquan, the Military Commissioner of Xiongwu Circuit, died. His son, the Commander of the Inner Guard Gao Shaoji, planned to inherit his father's position. He falsely claimed that Gao Yunquan was ill and submitted a memorial stating that he was managing the military government's affairs. Li Bin, the Administrative Supervisor, earnestly remonstrated. Gao Shaoji became angry and executed Li Bin. On the day of Xinchou (the twenty-first day), he reported falsely that Li Bin had rebelled.
Wang Jun firmly requested to concurrently hold a provincial military commission. The Later Zhou Emperor Taizu had no choice but to appoint him as Military Commissioner of Pinglu Circuit on the day of Renyin (the twenty-second day).
Gao Shaoji repeatedly reported that various tribes were invading the borders, hoping to have his succession confirmed. The Later Zhou Emperor Taizu sent Zhang Renqian, the Commissioner of the Sixth Palace Office, to Yan Prefecture to investigate. Unable to conceal the truth, Gao Shaoji then held the funeral for his father.
On the day of Wushen (the twenty-eighth day), Zhe Congruan reported that twenty-one tribes of the Yejizu had submitted.
Shao Tang, a commoner of Southern Tang, submitted a memorial saying: "Recently, I traveled on the Huai River and heard that the Zhou ruler is reverent and frugal, constantly cultivating virtuous governance. Our army has just been defeated in Tanzhou and Langzhou. I fear he may have designs to invade the south, and we should prepare for this."
Earlier, after Wang Dao captured Tanzhou, he appointed He Jingzhen, the Commander, as Deputy Military Commissioner of Jingjiang; Zhu Quanxiu as Deputy Military Commissioner of Wu'an; Zhang Wenbiao as Deputy Military Commissioner of Wuping; and Zhou Xingfeng as Marching Adjutant of Wu'an. He Jingzhen and Zhu Quanxiu each established their own personal guards and conducted affairs in separate halls from Wang Dao, so that officials and commoners did not know whom to obey. Whenever there was a banquet, the generals would indulge in drunken brawls, creating chaos like a marketplace, with no distinction between superior and subordinate. Only Zhou Xingfeng and Zhang Wenbiao served Wang Dao with full propriety, and Wang Dao favored and cherished them. He Jingzhen was on bad terms with Wang Dao. He took leave to return to Langzhou but could not get along with Liu Yan either, and he plotted with Zhu Quanxiu to rebel. Liu Yan had long been wary of Wang Dao's strength and suspected that Wang Dao had sent He Jingzhen to spy on him, and he was about to attack him. When Wang Dao heard of this, he was greatly alarmed. Zhou Xingfeng said: "Liu Yan has never been of one mind with us. He Jingzhen and Zhu Quanxiu are ashamed to serve under you. You should deal with them early." Wang Dao was pleased and said: "Together with you, I will eliminate the evil faction and jointly govern Tanzhou and Langzhou—what is there to worry about!" Just then, Southern Han invaded Quanzhou, Daozhou, and Yongzhou. Zhou Xingfeng requested: "Let me go personally to Langzhou to persuade Liu Yan to send He Jingzhen and Zhu Quanxiu south to attack them. When they arrive at Changsha, we can capture them by stratagem, as easily as taking something from the palm of the hand." Wang Dao agreed. Zhou Xingfeng went to Langzhou, and Liu Yan appointed He Jingzhen as Supreme Commander of the Southern Expedition and Zhu Quanxiu as Vanguard Commander, leading over one hundred personal guards to join the Tanzhou army in resisting the Southern Han. When the two arrived at Changsha, Wang Dao went out of the city to welcome them. They met joyfully and feasted for several days, using many beautiful courtesans to seduce them, so He Jingzhen delayed his advance. Li Zhongqian, the Commander of Langzhou, led three thousand troops who had been long stationed in Tanzhou. He Jingzhen ordered him to set out first and hurry to Lingbei. Du Tou Fu Hui and others, exploiting the soldiers' homesickness, seized Li Zhongqian and led the troops back to Langzhou without authorization. Taking advantage of He Jingzhen's drunkenness, Wang Dao sent a man disguised as a messenger from Liu Yan to rebuke He Jingzhen, saying: "The southern invaders are penetrating deep, and you do not hasten to defend against them but devote yourself to debauchery and feasting. The Grand Preceptor orders that you be bound and sent to the Western Mansion." Thereupon, he was arrested and thrown into prison. Zhu Quanxiu fled, but troops were sent to capture him. On the second month, on the day of Xinhai (the first day), He Jingzhen was beheaded and his head exposed. Soon after, Zhu Quanxiu and more than ten of his confederates were captured and all executed.
On the day of Guichou (the third day), Guo Rong, the Military Commissioner of Zhenning Circuit, returned to Chanzhou.
Earlier, when the Khitan ruler Yelü Deguang returned north, he took the Heirloom Seal of the Later Jin with him. At this time, two new seals were made from jade.
Wang Dao sent an envoy to report the execution of He Jingzhen to Liu Yan. Liu Yan had no choice, and on the day of Gengshen (the tenth day), he executed Fu Hui and several others.
The Privy Councillor, Military Governor of Pinglu, and Concurrent Grand Councilor Wang Jun, in his later years, became even more arrogant and irritable. He memorialized, requesting that Academician of the Duanyan Hall Yan Kan and Privy Council Direct Academician Chen Guan replace Fan Zhi and Li Gu as Grand Councilors. Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou said, "Promotions and demotions of chief ministers cannot be done hastily. Let me think it over again." Wang Jun forcefully stated his reasons, and his words gradually became disrespectful. The sun had already reached noon, and Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou had not yet eaten, but Wang Jun continued his argument without stopping. Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou said, "Today is the Cold Food Festival. After the holiday ends, I will submit the memorial as you say." Only then did Wang Jun withdraw.
On the guihai day (the 13th day), Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou urgently summoned the Grand Councilors and the Privy Councillor to the palace and placed Wang Jun under house arrest in a separate place. When Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou saw Feng Dao and the others, he wept and said, "Wang Jun has insulted me too severely. He wanted to expel all the high ministers and cut off my wings and feathers. I have only one son; he specifically tried to sow discord and obstruct him. When I temporarily allowed him to come to court, he already harbored resentment. How can it be reasonable for one to personally manage the pivotal organs, concurrently serve as Grand Councilor, and also seek a major military command! Looking at his ambitions, they are far from being satisfied. To be so disrespectful to his sovereign—who can tolerate this!" On the jiazi day (the 14th day), Wang Jun was demoted to be the Commandant of Shangzhou. The text of the edict roughly said, "He treated the multitude of officials as fish and meat, and regarded my person as a child." Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou, worried that Wang Yin, the of Yedu, would feel uneasy, ordered Wang Yin's son, the Shangshi Commissioner Wang Chenghui, to go to Wang Yin and inform him of the reasons for Wang Jun's crime. When Wang Jun reached Shangzhou, he contracted an abdominal illness. Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou still pitied him, ordered his wife to go to visit him, and he soon died.
Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou ordered Zhe Congruan to divide his troops and station them in Yanzhou. Gao Shaogi began to feel fear and repeatedly presented tribute. He also ordered the Forbidden Army Officer Zhang Huaizhen to lead two commands of the Forbidden Army and station them in Fuzhou and Yanzhou. Gao Shaogi then handed over all military headquarters affairs to the Deputy Commissioner Zhang Kuangtu. On the jiaxu day (the 24th day), the Guest Commissioner Xiang Xun was appointed to act as the administrator of Yanzhou.
In the third month, on the jiashen day (the 4th day), Guo Rong, the Military Governor of Zhenning, was appointed as the Mayor of Kaifeng and the Prince of Jin. On the bingxu day (the 6th day), Zheng Renhui, the Deputy Privy Councillor, was appointed as the Military Governor of Zhenning.
Initially, the Bull-Killing Tribe had a grievance with the Wild Pheasant Tribe. Hearing that the imperial army was attacking the Wild Pheasant Tribe, they supplied grain and welcomed and served them. The imperial army, coveting their property and livestock, plundered them. The Bull-Killing Tribe rebelled, allied with the Wild Pheasant Tribe, and defeated the Prefect of Ningzhou, Zhang Jianwu, at Baoshan. Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou, because Guo Yanqin had harassed the various Hu tribes, causing them to revolt, dismissed and confined him to his home.
Initially, Guo Yuanzhao, the Prefect of Xiezhou and a native of Junyi, had a grievance with Li Wenwen, the Salt Monopoly Commissioner. Li Wenwen's son-in-law, Wei Renpu, was a Clerk of the Privy Council, and Guo Yuanzhao suspected Wei Renpu of shielding him. It happened that Li Shouzhen rebelled, and Li Wenwen had a son in Hezhong. Guo Yuanzhao arrested Li Wenwen and memorialized that he had rebelled, and the matter implicated Wei Renpu. At that time, Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou was the Privy Councillor. Knowing it was a false accusation, he released him without pursuing the matter. By this time, Wei Renpu was the Director of the Privy Council. Guo Yuanzhao's term of office expired, and he returned to the capital, extremely fearful. Passing through Luoyang, he told the situation to Wei Renpu's younger brother, Wei Rendi. Wei Rendi said, "My elder brother has never borne grudges against anyone in his life. How could he harm the public good for personal reasons?" When they arrived at the capital, on the dinghai day (the 7th day), Wei Renpu informed Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou, who appointed Guo Yuanzhao as the Prefect of Qingzhou.
On the jichou day (the 9th day), Wang Renkai, the Military Training Commissioner of Dizhou and a native of Taiyuan, was appointed as the Commissioner of the Northern Court of the Xuanhui Institute and concurrently Deputy Privy Councillor.
The Lord of the Southern Tang again appointed the Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, Feng Yanji, as Concurrent Grand Councilor.
Zhou Xingfeng despised Zhang Fang, the Deputy Military Governor of Wuping, and said to Wang Kui, "He Jingzhen was a relative of Zhang Fang. When facing execution, he entrusted his affairs to Zhang Fang. You should be on guard against him." In summer, the fourth month, on the gengshen day (the 11th day), Wang Kui summoned Zhang Fang for a drinking party, got him drunk, and then killed him.
On the bingyin day (the 17th day), Chang Si, the Military Governor of Guide and Concurrent Attendant-in-Chief, entered the court. On the wuchen day (the 19th day), he was transferred to be the Military Governor of Pinglu. When he was about to depart, he memorialized, "When I was in Songzhou, I distributed over forty thousand liang of raw silk among the people. I respectfully submit this and request that it be collected." Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou nodded in agreement. On the dinghai day (the 8th day) of the fifth month, an imperial edict was posted in Songzhou, stating that all raw silk distributed by Chang Si was to be exempted from collection, and what had already been paid was to be returned to the people. Chang Si showed no sign of shame.
Since the end of the Tang dynasty, schools in various regions had been abandoned. Wu Zhaoyi of Shu used his private fortune of one million to build a school and requested to carve woodblocks to print the Nine Classics. The Lord of Shu consented. From then on, literature in Shu flourished again.
In the sixth month, on the renzi day (the 4th day), Cangzhou memorialized that Zhang Zangying, a native of Fanyang who was the Commander of the Luta Army of the Khitan, had come to surrender.
Initially, during the reign of Emperor Mingzong of the Later Tang, the Grand Councilors Feng Dao and Li Yu requested that the Superintendent of the Imperial Academy, Tian Min, correct the Nine Classics, carve woodblocks, and print them for sale. The court consented. On the dingsi day (the 9th day), the carving was completed and presented. From then on, even though it was a chaotic era, the Nine Classics spread widely.
Wang Kui appointed Zhou Xingfeng to manage the affairs of Tanzhou, personally led an army to attack Langzhou, captured it, killed the Commandant Zheng Jiao, captured the Military Governor of Wu'an and Concurrent Grand Councilor Liu Yan, and imprisoned him in a separate hall.
In autumn, the seventh month, Wang Yin thrice submitted memorials requesting to enter the court. Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou, suspecting his sincerity, sent an envoy to stop him.
There was a great drought in the Southern Tang. Springs and wells dried up, and the Huai River could be crossed on foot. Starving people crossed the Huai River to the north in an unbroken stream. The troops of Haozhou and Shouzhou resisted them, and the people fought with the soldiers to come north. When Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou heard of this, he said, "The people on both sides are the same. Allow them to buy grain and cross the Huai River." The Southern Tang people then built granaries and bought large quantities of grain to supply their armies. On the jiwei day (the 12th day) of the eighth month, an edict was issued to the people of the Southern Tang, allowing them to carry grain on their backs or by pack animals, but not by boat or cart.
Wang Kui sent an envoy to submit a memorial, falsely claiming, "Liu Yan plotted to lead Langzhou to surrender to the Southern Tang, and also wanted to attack Tanzhou. His followers did not obey, so I deposed and imprisoned him. I have now arrived in Langzhou and pacified the military headquarters." He also requested to move the seat of the military governorship back to Tanzhou. On the jiaxu day (the 27th day), the Communication Officer Zhai Guangyi was sent to Hunan to offer comfort and reassurance, and his request was granted. Wang Kui returned to Changsha, appointed Zhou Xingfeng to manage the affairs of Langzhou, and also sent Pan Shusui to kill Liu Yan in Langzhou.
In the ninth month, on the jihai day (the 22nd day), Bai Zhongzan, the Military Governor of Wucheng, memorialized that he had blocked the breach of the Yellow River.
The Khitan invaded Leshou. Liu Yanzhang, the Right Baoning Commander of the Qizhou garrison troops, killed the Army Supervisor Du Yanxi, plotting to respond to the Khitan, but failed. He and his accomplices were executed.
The Lord of the Southern Han established his son Liu Jixing as the Prince of Wei, Liu Xuanxing as the Prince of Gui, Liu Qingxing as the Prince of Jing, Liu Baoxing as the Prince of Zhen, and Liu Chongxing as the Prince of Mei.
From Qingzhou and Xuzhou in the east, south to Anzhou and Fuzhou, west to Danzhou and Cizhou, and north to Beizhou and Zhenzhou, there were great floods.
Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou had suffered from a wind-bi (paralytic) illness since the beginning of autumn, which affected his eating and walking. The magicians said that he should scatter wealth to avert disaster. The Emperor wanted to perform the suburban sacrifice at the Southern Suburb. However, since the Later Liang, the suburban sacrifice had always been performed in Luoyang, and he was hesitant about this. The officials in power said, "The Son of Heaven can perform the rites to all the spirits in the city where the capital is located. Why must it be in Luoyang?" Therefore, they began to construct the Circular Mound Altar and the Altars of Soil and Grain, and built the Imperial Ancestral Temple in Daliang. On the guihai day (the 17th day), Feng Dao was sent to Luoyang to welcome the spirit tablets of the Imperial Ancestral Temple and the Altars of Soil and Grain.
The Southern Tang declared a general amnesty. In winter, the eleventh month, on the jichou day (the 13th day), the Court of Imperial Sacrifices requested to construct the various altars of the four suburbs in accordance with the model of Luoyang. Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou consented. On the dingwei day (the 1st day) of the twelfth month, the spirit tablets arrived in Daliang. Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou welcomed them at the Western Suburb and installed them in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
Wang Yin, the of Yedu, Military Governor of Tianxiong, Concurrent Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard and Bodyguard Army, and Concurrent Grand Councilor, relied on his merits and acted tyrannically and arrogantly. Whenever the various garrison troops in Hebei required an imperial edict to be handled, Wang Yin would directly issue his own official documents. He also extorted vast amounts of money from the people. When Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou heard of this, he was displeased and sent someone to say to him, "You and the state are one body. The warehouses in Yedu are very abundant. If you want to use something, just take it. Why worry about not having money?" He Fujin, the Military Governor of Chengde, had always detested Wang Yin. On the jiazi day (the 18th day), He Fujin entered the court and secretly reported Wang Yin's conspiracy to Emperor Taizu of the Later Zhou. The Emperor therefore became suspicious of Wang Yin. On the yichou day (the 19th day), Wang Yin entered the court. An edict was issued, retaining Wang Yin to serve as the Inspector-in-Chief inside and outside the capital.
On the wuchen day (the 22nd day), the Defense Commissioner of Fuzhou, Zhe Degong, memorialized that the Northern Han general Qiao Yun had invaded, and he had repelled him.
Whenever Wang Yin went in or out, he was often accompanied by several hundred followers. Wang Yin requested permission to be supplied with armor and weapons on a discretionary basis for patrol duties, which put the Later Zhou Emperor Taizu in a difficult position. At the time, the emperor was unwell and was about to conduct the suburban sacrifices, but Wang Yin, wielding the power to overawe his sovereign, remained at his side, causing fear among the courtiers. On the day ren-shen (the 26th day), the Later Zhou Emperor Taizu, forcing himself to attend despite his illness, went to the Zide Hall. When Wang Yin entered the hall to pay his respects, the emperor had him seized. An edict was issued falsely accusing Wang Yin of plotting rebellion on the day of the suburban sacrifices; he was exiled to Dengzhou, but after leaving the city, he was executed. The emperor ordered the Zhenning Jiedushi Zheng Renhui to go to Ye Commandery to pacify the region. Zheng Renhui, coveting Wang Yin’s family wealth, took it upon himself to kill Wang Yin’s son and moved his family to Dengzhou.
In the Southern Tang, the Director of the Ministry of Rites and Drafter of the Secretariat Xu Xuan submitted a memorial stating that the imperial examinations had just been established and should not be abolished immediately, so they were reinstated.
Previously, the Prefect of Chuzhou, Tian Jingqiu, requested the repair of the Baishui Pond to irrigate fields and strengthen the border, which Feng Yanji deemed beneficial. Li Deming then proposed opening up large tracts of wasteland for military colonies and repairing various abandoned canals and ponds. Officials took advantage of this to harass the people, initiating large-scale corvée labor and seizing large amounts of farmland, causing the commoners to harbor resentment with no outlet for their grievances. Xu Xuan reported the situation to the Southern Tang ruler, who ordered Xu Xuan to inspect the area. Xu Xuan registered the farmland and returned it all to its original owners. Someone slandered Xu Xuan for acting arbitrarily and abusing his authority, angering the Southern Tang ruler, who exiled Xu Xuan to Shuzhou. However, the Baishui Pond was ultimately never completed.
The Southern Tang ruler also ordered the Junior Palace Supervisor Feng Yanlu to inspect and pacify the various prefectures. The Reminder of the Right Xu Kai submitted a memorial stating that Feng Yanlu was talentless and guilty of many faults, with frivolous and shallow behavior, and was unfit to be sent on such a mission. The Southern Tang ruler, enraged, demoted Xu Kai to Collator and assigned him to the Eastern Capital branch office. Xu Kai was Xu Xuan’s younger brother.
The chieftain Pan Chong of the Panrong Caves in Daozhou gathered his followers, proclaimed himself the Commander-in-Chief of Panrong Prefecture, and repeatedly invaded Chenzhou and Daozhou.
On the day yi-hai (the 29th day), the Later Zhou Emperor Taigu went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to perform sacrifices, wearing the royal robe and crown. Supported by attendants, he ascended the steps, but upon reaching the first chamber and pouring the libation, he was unable to bow down. He withdrew and ordered the Prince of Jin, Guo Rong, to complete the ritual. That evening, he stayed at the Southern Suburb Altar, where his illness worsened severely, almost beyond recovery, but by midnight it improved slightly.
In the spring, on the first day of the first month, the day bing-zi, the emperor performed the sacrifice to Heaven at the Circular Mound. He could only manage to lift his head in reverence; the presentation of the wine vessels and silk offerings was carried out by the relevant officials. A general amnesty was proclaimed, and the reign name was changed. Trade with the Shu region was permitted.
On the third day, wu-yin, the Ye Commandery administrative structure was abolished, leaving only the Tianxiong Army.
On the fifth day, geng-chen, the Prince of Jin, Guo Rong, was additionally appointed as Acting Director of the Chancellery, with authority to manage all military and civil affairs. At that time, few courtiers could see the emperor, causing fear both at court and beyond. When news spread that the Prince of Jin was in charge of the military, people’s hearts were somewhat calmed.
Among the soldiers, rumors circulated that the rewards for the suburban sacrifices were less than those under Emperor Mingzong of the Later Tang. When the emperor heard this, on the seventh day, ren-wu, he summoned the generals to his bedchamber and rebuked them, saying: “Since I ascended the throne, I have worn coarse clothes and eaten simple food, focusing solely on supporting the army. The accumulations in the treasury and the tribute from the four directions, aside from supporting the army, have left little surplus. Do you not know this? Yet now you indulge reckless ruffians in speaking irresponsibly, without regard for the sovereign’s frugality or the state’s poverty, and without considering what merits you have to deserve rewards—only knowing how to complain. Is this fitting for you?” The generals all trembled in fear and apologized. After withdrawing, they investigated and executed those who had spread rumors, and the gossip subsided.
Earlier, when the emperor was in Ye Commandery, he had a special fondness for the talents of the petty official Cao Han, appointing him to serve the Prince of Jin, Guo Rong. When Guo Rong governed Chanzhou, he made Cao Han a personal attendant. When Guo Rong entered the court as the Mayor of Kaifeng, he did not specially summon Cao Han. Cao Han came on his own, and Guo Rong found this strange. Cao Han requested a private audience, saying: “Your Highness is the heir apparent of the state. Now that the reigning sovereign is ill, Your Highness should enter the palace to attend to his medicine. Why are you still handling affairs outside?” Guo Rong realized his mistake and that very day entered the palace to stay.
On the eleventh day, bing-xu, the emperor’s illness grew critical. He ordered that all minor affairs of the various offices need not be reported; only major matters were to be reported to the Prince of Jin, Guo Rong, who would then announce and execute them after receiving the emperor’s intent.
Zheng Renhui, the Zhenning Jiedushi, was appointed Privy Councilor and Grand Councilor of the Secretariat.
On the thirteenth day, wu-zi, the Yiwu Deputy Commander Sun Xingyou, the Baoyi Deputy Commander Han Tong, and the Shuofang Deputy Commander Feng Jiye were all promoted to Jiedushi. Han Tong was a native of Taiyuan.
The emperor repeatedly instructed the Prince of Jin, saying: “In the past, when I campaigned westward, I saw that none of the eighteen imperial tombs of the Tang dynasty had escaped being plundered. This was for no other reason than that they contained too much gold and jade. After I die, I should be dressed in paper clothes and buried in a clay coffin; quickly construct the tomb and do not keep my body long in the palace; do not use stone in the tomb chamber, but replace it with brick; employ craftsmen and laborers fairly, without troubling the people; after the burial is complete, recruit thirty households near the tomb, exempt them from corvée duties, and have them guard the tomb; do not build a lower palace, do not set up palace women to guard the tomb, and do not make stone sheep, stone tigers, stone figures, or stone horses. Only carve one stone tablet in front of the tomb, inscribed with: ‘The Son of Heaven of Zhou loved frugality in life and decreed in his will to use paper clothes and a clay coffin. His successor, the Son of Heaven, dares not disobey.’ If you violate my words, I will not bless you!” He also said: “Li Hongyi should be granted a military command, and do not let Wei Renpu leave the Privy Council.”
On the fifteenth day, geng-yin, an edict was issued ordering the former Prefect of Dengzhou, Zhou Xun, and others to block the breaches of the Yellow River. Previously, the Yellow River had breached at eight places: Linghe, Yuchi, Suanzao, Yangwu, Changle Post, Heyin, Liumingzhen, and Yuanwu. At this time, envoys were dispatched separately to block them.
The emperor ordered the rapid drafting of an edict appointing the Academician of the Duanming Hall and Vice Minister of Revenue, Wang Pu, as Vice Director of the Secretariat and Grand Councilor. On the seventeenth day, ren-chen, after the edict was announced, attendants reported this to the emperor, who said: “I have no regrets!” He appointed Vice Privy Councilor Wang Renhao as the Yongxing Jiedushi, and concurrently appointed the Palace Commander-in-Chief Li Chongjin as the Wuxin Jiedushi, the Cavalry Commander-in-Chief Fan Aineng as the Wuding Jiedushi, and the Infantry Commander-in-Chief He Hui as the Zhaowu Jiedushi. Li Chongjin was older than the Prince of Jin, Guo Rong. The emperor summoned him to the palace, entrusted him with the affairs of state after his death, and also ordered him to pay homage to Guo Rong to establish the proper lord-vassal relationship. That very day, the emperor passed away in the Zide Hall. The news of his death was not announced. On the twentieth day, yi-wei, the testamentary edict was proclaimed. On the twenty-first day, bing-shen, the Prince of Jin ascended the throne as emperor.
Initially, when the Jinghai Jiedushi Wu Quan died, his son Wu Changji succeeded him. After Wu Changji died, his younger brother Wu Changwen succeeded him. In this month, he finally requested an appointment from the Southern Han, who appointed Wu Changwen as the Jinghai Jiedushi and concurrently the Annan Protector.
When the ruler of the Northern Han heard of the Later Zhou Emperor Taizu’s death, he was overjoyed and planned a major invasion. He sent envoys to request reinforcements from the Khitan. In the second month, the Khitan sent their Wuding Jiedushi and Director of State Affairs Yang Gun with over ten thousand cavalry to Jinyang. The Northern Han ruler personally led thirty thousand troops, appointing the Yicheng Jiedushi Bai Conghui as the Chief Campaign Commander and the Wuning Jiedushi Zhang Yuanhui as the Vanguard Commander. Together with the Khitan army, they advanced from Tuanbai southward toward Luzhou.
In Shu, the Left Chief Commander of the Imperial Guard of the Capital, also the Baoning Jiedushi, An Siqian, had falsely accused and killed Zhang Ye and ousted Zhao Tingyin, earning the hatred of the Shu people. The Shu ruler ordered him to lead troops to rescue Wang Jingchong, but An Siqian delayed and achieved no merit. Feeling ashamed and fearful, he could not rest easy. Since Zhang Ye’s death, the palace gate guards had become stricter, and An Siqian believed this was due to suspicion of him, often speaking disrespectfully. An Siqian, in charge of palace security, frequently killed soldiers to establish his authority. When the Shu ruler inspected the guards and found some who were still young but had been dismissed by An Siqian, he kept them on the rolls. An Siqian then killed them, causing the Shu ruler to feel uneasy. An Siqian had three sons: An Yi, An Si, and An Yi, who relied on their father’s power to act tyrannically, becoming a scourge to the people. The Hanlin Commissioner Wang Zao repeatedly reported that An Siqian harbored resentment and was plotting rebellion. On the twenty-fourth day, ding-si, An Siqian entered the court, and the Shu ruler ordered strong men to strike him dead, also killing his three sons. Wang Zao was also executed on the charge of improperly opening border reports.
The Northern Han army encamped at Lianghouyi. Li Yun, the military governor of Zhaoyi, sent his subordinate commander Mu Lingjun with two thousand infantry and cavalry to meet the enemy, while Li Yun himself led his main force to camp at Taipingyi. Zhang Yuanhui engaged Mu Lingjun, feigned defeat and retreated. Mu Lingjun pursued, whereupon an ambush was sprung, killing Mu Lingjun and capturing or killing over a thousand soldiers. Li Yun fled back to Shangdang and defended the city. Li Yun was originally Li Rong, but had changed his name to avoid the emperor's personal name.
When Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou heard of the Northern Han ruler's invasion, he wished to lead the troops personally to resist. All his ministers said: "Since Liu Chong fled from Pingyang, his power has been straitened and his morale depressed. He surely dares not come in person. Your Majesty has just ascended the throne; the day of burying the late emperor is not far off. People's hearts are easily shaken, and it is not fitting to act rashly. You should order generals to resist." Shizong said: "Liu Chong rejoices in my great mourning, despises me as young and newly established, and has the ambition to swallow the empire. This time he will surely come in person, and I cannot but go." Feng Dao stubbornly remonstrated against it. Shizong said: "In former times, Emperor Taizong of Tang pacified the empire, and never failed to go on campaign himself. How dare I crave ease and comfort?" Feng Dao said: "I do not know whether Your Majesty can become another Emperor Taizong of Tang." Shizong said: "With the strength of my troops, defeating Liu Chong is like crushing an egg with a great mountain!" Feng Dao said: "I do not know whether Your Majesty can become that mountain." Shizong was displeased. Only Wang Pu urged Shizong to go on campaign, and Shizong followed his advice.
On the first day of the third month, the day of yihai, the ruler of Shu enfeoffed Sun Han Shao, the commander-in-chief of the Fengsheng and Konghe guards and concurrent Zhongshu Ling, as military governor of Wuxin, granted him the title of Prince of Le'an Commandery, and dismissed him from his military post. The ruler of Shu, taking warning from An Siqian's overbearing behavior, ordered Li Tinggui, the military governor of Shannan West Circuit, and nine others to take charge of the forbidden troops separately.
The Northern Han army, taking advantage of their victory, pressed forward against Luzhou. On the third day, the day of dingchou, an edict ordered Fu Yanqing, the military governor of Tianxiong, to lead troops out from Cizhou's Guzhen and attack the rear of the Northern Han army, with Guo Chong, the military governor of Zhenning, as his deputy. Another edict ordered Wang Yanchao, the military governor of Hezhong, to lead troops eastward from Jinzhou to intercept the Northern Han army, with Han Tong, the military governor of Baoyi, as his deputy. Further, the edict ordered Fan Aineng, the commander of the Horse Army and military governor of Ningjiang; He Hui, the commander of the Foot Army and military governor of Qinghuai; Bai Zhongzan, the military governor of Yicheng; Shi Yanchao, the defense commissioner of Zhengzhou; and Fu Yanneng, the former militia commissioner of Yaozhou, to lead troops and hasten to Zezhou, with Xiang Xun, the commissioner of the Palace Secretariat, as supervisor. Bai Zhongzan was from Xianzhou.
On the seventh day, the day of xinsi, a general amnesty was granted.
On the ninth day, the day of guiwei, Shizong ordered Feng Dao to escort the late emperor's coffin to the imperial mausoleum, and appointed Zheng Renhui as the of Dongjing.
On the eleventh day, the day of yiyou, Shizong set out from Daliang. On the sixteenth day, the day of gengyin, he arrived at Huaizhou. Shizong wished to press forward with all speed. Zhao Chao, the commander-in-chief of the Konghe guards, a man of Zhending, privately said to Zheng Haoqian, the gentleman attendant of the palace secretariat: "The enemy's momentum is strong; we should wear them down with steady tactics." Zheng Haoqian reported these words to Shizong. Shizong said angrily: "How could you have such words! You must have been instigated by someone. Speak that person's name and you will live; otherwise, you will surely die." Zheng Haoqian told the truth, and Shizong ordered him and Zhao Chao to be imprisoned together in the jail at Huaizhou. On the eighteenth day, the day of renchen, Shizong passed through Zezhou and lodged to the northeast of the prefectural city.
The Northern Han ruler did not know of Shizong's arrival. He passed by Luzhou without attacking it and led his troops southward. That evening, the army encamped south of Gaoping. On the nineteenth day, the day of guisi, the vanguard encountered the Northern Han army, attacked, and the Northern Han troops retreated. Shizong, fearing they might escape, urged all the various armies to advance rapidly. The Northern Han ruler drew up his central army in battle formation at Bagongyuan, with Zhang Yuanhui's army on the east and Yang Gun's army on the west, the formations being quite well-ordered. At that time, the rearguard led by Liu Ci, the military governor of Heyang, had not yet arrived, and the hearts of the troops were filled with fear and danger, but Shizong's spirit was even more keen. He ordered Bai Zhongzan, together with Li Zhongjin, the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Guard and concurrent commander of the Horse and Foot Armies, to lead the left army on the west; Fan Aineng and He Hui to lead the right army on the east; Xiang Xun and Shi Yanchao to lead the elite cavalry in the center; and Zhang Yongde, the commander-in-chief of the Palace Guard, to lead the forbidden troops in protecting Shizong. Shizong, mounted on horseback and clad in armor, personally supervised the battle. The Northern Han ruler, seeing that the Zhou army was small in number, regretted having summoned the Khitan. He said to his generals: "I can defeat them with the Han army alone; why use the Khitan! Today I will not only overcome the Zhou army but also make the Khitan submit in their hearts." All the generals thought this correct. Yang Gun rode forward to observe the Zhou army, then returned and said to the Northern Han ruler: "These are tough opponents; do not attack them lightly!" The Northern Han ruler stroked his beard and said: "The opportunity must not be missed. Please say no more, and watch me fight." Yang Gun fell silent, displeased in his heart. At that time, a strong northeast wind was blowing, but soon it suddenly turned into a south wind. Wang Yansi, the deputy commissioner of the Northern Han's Military Council, had Li Yi, the director of the Astronomical Bureau, report to the Northern Han ruler: "Now we can engage in battle." The Northern Han ruler followed his advice. Wang Dezheng, the academician of the Military Council, pulled at the bridle and remonstrated, saying: "Li Yi deserves death! With such a wind, how can it be helping us!" The Northern Han ruler said: "My mind is made up. Do not speak nonsense, old scholar. If you speak again, I will kill you!" He commanded the eastern army to attack first, and Zhang Yuanhui led a thousand cavalry to attack the Zhou right army.
The battle had not been going on for long when Fan Aineng and He Hui led their cavalry in flight first, and the right army collapsed. Over a thousand infantry threw off their armor, shouted "Long life," and surrendered to the Northern Han. When Shizong saw that the army's situation was critical, he personally led his personal guards and, facing arrows and stones, urged on the battle. At that time, the future Emperor Taizu of Song (Zhao Kuangyin) was serving as a guard general. He said to his colleagues: "The ruler is in such danger; how can we not fight to the death!" He also said to Zhang Yongde: "The enemy is arrogant; if we fight with full strength, we can defeat them! Your subordinates have many who are skilled in shooting with their left hands. Please lead your troops out from the high ground to the west and act as the left wing. I will lead my troops as the right wing and attack them. The safety of the state depends on this one move!" Zhang Yongde followed his advice, and each led two thousand men into battle. The future Emperor Taizu of Song took the lead, galloping his horse and charging into the enemy vanguard. The soldiers fought desperately, each one matching a hundred, and the Northern Han troops fled in disorder. Ma Renyu of Xiajin, a palace guard, said to the men: "To allow the Son of Heaven to be attacked by the enemy—what are we here for!" He spurred his horse, drew his bow, shouted loudly, and killed several tens of men in succession, further boosting morale. Ma Quanyi, the leader of the right division of the palace guard, said to Shizong: "The enemy's spirit is exhausted; they are about to be captured by us. I hope Your Majesty will rein in your horse and not move, slowly watching the generals defeat them." Thereupon he led several hundred cavalry and charged into the enemy formation.
The Northern Han ruler knew that Shizong was personally commanding the battle. He praised and rewarded Zhang Yuanhui, urging him to press the advantage and advance. Zhang Yuanhui advanced to attack the formation, but his horse stumbled and fell, and he was killed by Zhou soldiers. Zhang Yuanhui was a fierce general of the Northern Han, and because of this, the Northern Han army's morale declined. By that time, the south wind was even stronger. The Zhou troops vied with each other to strike fiercely, and the Northern Han army was utterly defeated. The Northern Han ruler personally raised the red flag to rally his troops, but could not stop the rout. Yang Gun, fearing the strength of the Zhou army, did not dare to go to the rescue, and moreover resenting the Northern Han ruler's words, he withdrew his entire army.
Fan Aineng and He Hui led several thousand cavalry in flight to the south. They drew their bowstrings, bared their blades, and plundered the supply train. The laborers fled in panic, and many were lost. Shizong sent close ministers and imperial guard officers to pursue them, inform them, and stop them, but none was willing to obey the edict. Some of the messengers were killed by the soldiers, who also shouted: "The great Khitan army has arrived; the imperial army has suffered a great defeat; the rest have already surrendered to the enemy." Liu Ci encountered Fan Aineng and his group on the road. Fan Aineng and the others tried to stop him, but Liu Ci would not listen and led his troops northward. At that time, the Northern Han ruler still had over ten thousand remnant troops, who formed a battle line relying on a mountain stream. At dusk, Liu Ci arrived and again attacked them together with the other armies. The Northern Han troops were defeated once more. Wang Yansi was killed, and the pursuit reached Gaoping. Corpses filled the valleys, and the discarded imperial equipment, supplies, weapons, and various animals were beyond count. That night, Shizong camped in the field. He took those infantry who had surrendered to the enemy and had them all killed. When Fan Aineng and his group heard of the great Zhou victory, they gradually returned with their soldiers, some not arriving until dawn. On the twenty-first day, the day of jiawu, the army was rested at Gaoping. Several thousand surrendered Northern Han soldiers were formed into the Xiaoshun Command, and Tang Sijing, the former administrative assistant of the Wusheng march, was ordered to lead them, stationing them on the Huai River. The remaining two thousand or more were given supplies and clothing and released. Li Gu, pressed by the disorderly troops, had secretly hidden in a mountain valley and did not come out until several days later. On the twenty-fourth day, the day of dingyou, Shizong arrived at Luzhou.
The Northern Han ruler, dressed in coarse cloth and a bamboo hat, riding the yellow-maned horse gifted by the Khitan, fled back from Gaoping with over a hundred cavalrymen via the Diaoji Ridge. At night they lost their way, captured a villager as a guide, but the guide mistakenly led them toward Jinzhou. After traveling over a hundred li, they realized the error and killed the guide. They fled north day and night; wherever they stopped, before they could even pick up chopsticks for food, sometimes rumors of Zhou pursuers arriving would send them fleeing in panic. The Northern Han ruler, aged and exhausted, slumped over his horse, galloping day and night, barely able to endure, and only managed to enter Jinyang.
Emperor Shizong wished to execute Fan Aineng and his ilk to rectify military discipline, but he hesitated. On the jihai day of the third month (26th day), lying in his tented palace during the day, with Zhang Yongde attending him, Shizong consulted him on the matter. Zhang Yongde replied: "Fan Aineng and the others have never achieved great merit and are unworthy of the honor of holding the ceremonial axe. Seeing the enemy, they fled first; death would not atone for their crimes. Moreover, Your Majesty seeks to pacify the realm; if military law cannot be established, even with warriors as fierce as bears, a million troops would be useless!" Shizong threw his pillow to the ground and shouted approval. He then arrested Fan Aineng, He Hui, and over seventy military commissioners and above from their units. He rebuked them: "You are all veteran generals of several reigns, not incapable of battle. Yet now you flee at the sight of the enemy. There is no other reason: you wished to treat me as a rare commodity to sell to Liu Chong!" He had them all executed. Because He Hui had previously distinguished himself defending Jinzhou, Shizong wanted to spare him, but soon decided that military law could not be abandoned, and so executed him as well, granting a coffin for burial. From then on, arrogant generals and lazy soldiers learned fear, and leniency ceased. On the gengzi day (27th day), rewards were given for the Gaoping battle: Li Zhongjin was appointed concurrently as Zhongwu Jiedushi, Xiang Xun as Yicheng Jiedushi, Zhang Yongde as Wuxin Jiedushi, and Shi Yanchao as Zhenguo Jiedushi. Zhang Yongde strongly praised the wisdom and bravery of the Emperor Taizu of the Song. Shizong promoted the Emperor Taizu of the Song to Commander of the Palace Rear Guard, concurrently serving as Yanzhou Prefect; Ma Renyu was appointed Commander of the Konghe Archery Direct Guard, and Ma Quanyi as Commander of the San Yuan Guard. Dozens of other officers were promoted and appointed; some soldiers were promoted from the ranks to lead a regiment. Zhao Chao was released from imprisonment.
The Northern Han ruler gathered his scattered troops, repaired armor and weapons, and strengthened the city moats to defend against the Zhou army. Yang Gun led his troops north to station at Daizhou. The Northern Han ruler sent Wang Dezheng to escort Yang Gun and, taking the opportunity, begged the Khitan for aid. The Khitan ruler sent Wang Dezheng back with a reply, promising to send troops to rescue Jinyang. On the renyin day (29th day), Fu Yanqing was appointed as Chief Commander of the Hedong Campaign and concurrently as Administrator of the Taiyuan Prefectural Government, Guo Chong as deputy, Xiang Xun as supervisor, Li Zhongjin as Commander of Cavalry and Infantry, and Shi Yanchao as Vanguard Commander, leading 20,000 infantry and cavalry to depart from Luzhou. An edict was also issued ordering Wang Yanchao and Han Tong to enter via the Yindi Pass, join forces with Fu Yanqing, and advance. Liu Ci was appointed as Commander of the Escort Force, with Baoda Jiedushi Bai Zhongzan as deputy.
Empress Dowager Zhao Sheng, nee Li of the Han, passed away in the Western Palace.
Summer, fourth month. The Northern Han county of Meng surrendered. Fu Yanqing's army reached the vicinity of Jinyang city. Wang Yanchao attacked Fenzhou, and the Northern Han defense commissioner Dong Xiyan surrendered. Shizong sent Laizhou Defense Commissioner Kang Yanzhao to attack Liaozhou, and Mizhou Defense Commissioner Tian Qiong to attack Qinzhou, but neither succeeded. Li Qianpu, Vice Director of the Supply Warehouse and a native of Taiyuan, went alone on horseback to persuade Liaozhou Prefect Zhang Hanchao, who then surrendered.
On the yimao day (13th day), the Saintly, Reverent, Solemn, Cultured, and Martial Emperor was interred at Songling, with the temple name Taizu.
The Southern Han ruler appointed Prince Gao, Liu Hongmiao, as Xiongwu Jiedushi, stationed at Yongzhou. Liu Hongmiao, because Prince Qi and Prince Zhen had successively died in Yongzhou, firmly declined and requested to serve as palace guard, but the Southern Han ruler did not permit him. After arriving at his post, he entrusted government affairs to his aides, drinking daily and praying to spirits. Someone submitted a memorial falsely accusing Liu Hongmiao of plotting rebellion. On the wuwu day (17th day), the Southern Han ruler sent Ganquan Palace Commissioner Lin Yanyu to poison him to death.
Initially, when Shizong dispatched Fu Yanqing and others on the northern campaign, he intended only to show force at Jinyang city, not to discuss conquest. After entering Northern Han territory, the common people vied to welcome the Zhou army with food, weeping about the heavy taxes and corvée under the Liu clan, and offered to supply military provisions and help attack Jinyang. Counties and prefectures of Northern Han surrendered one after another. Upon hearing this, Shizong began to have ambitions for annexation. He sent envoys to consult with the generals, who all said, "Provisions are insufficient; please temporarily withdraw and await another campaign." Shizong did not listen. Soon, several hundred thousand troops from various routes gathered at Taiyuan city. Soldiers inevitably plundered, and the Northern Han people became disillusioned, gradually fortifying themselves in mountain valleys. When Shizong heard this, he hastily issued an edict banning plunder, comforting farmers, collecting only the current year's taxes, and recruiting people to deliver grain, granting official ranks according to the quantity. He also mobilized people from Zezhou, Luzhou, Jinzhou, Jiangzhou, Cizhou, Xizhou, and nearby prefectures east of the mountains to transport food to supply the army. On the jiwei day (18th day), Li Gu was sent to Taiyuan to calculate and arrange provisions.
On the gengshen day (19th day), Grand Preceptor, Chief Minister, Prince Yingwen of Yi, Feng Dao, died. Feng Dao was known in his youth for filial piety and caution. He rose to prominence during Tang Zhuangzong's reign, and thereafter served several dynasties, never leaving the positions of general, chief minister, or the Three Dukes and Three Preceptors. He was frugal, honest, generous, and magnanimous; others could not fathom his joy or anger. He was witty, versatile, and went with the flow to please others. He once wrote "The Account of the Old Man of Eternal Joy," recounting the honors he received under various dynasties. Contemporaries often esteemed him for his virtue and capacity.
Ouyang Xiu commented: "Propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame are the four pillars of a state. If the four pillars are not established, the state will perish." Propriety and righteousness are the great principles for governing people; integrity and shame are the great standards for personal conduct. Moreover, if a high minister lacks integrity and shame, how can the realm not be in chaos, and how can the state not perish? When I read Feng Dao's "Account of the Old Man of Eternal Joy" and saw him boasting of his honors, I truly say he was a man without integrity and shame. The state of the realm and the nation can thus be known. I have found among the Five Dynasties three men of pure integrity who preserved their honor, and fifteen ministers who died for their country—all were military men and soldiers. Could it be that among the Confucian scholars there were truly none? Or perhaps men of lofty integrity, detesting the chaos of the times and despising that era, refused to come forth? Or perhaps the rulers of the realm were not worthy of their regard and thus could not attract them? I once heard of a man named Wang Ning during the Five Dynasties, whose home was between Qingzhou and Qizhou. He served as a Military Aide in Guozhou and died in office from illness. Wang Ning's family had always been poor; he had a young son. His wife, nee Li, carrying her son and bearing Wang Ning's remains, traveled east through Kaifeng. She lodged at an inn, but the innkeeper refused to receive her. Li, seeing it was getting dark, refused to leave. The innkeeper grabbed her arm and pushed her out. Li looked up to Heaven and wailed, "As a woman, I cannot preserve my chastity, and now this hand has been seized by a man!" She then took an axe and cut off her own arm. Those who saw it sighed and shed tears for her. When the Kaifeng Prefectural Governor heard of this, he reported it to the court, which generously consoled Li and beat the innkeeper. Alas! If the scholar-officials who do not cherish themselves and endure shame to survive hear of Li's conduct, they should surely feel some shame!
Sima Guang says: Heaven and Earth establish their positions; the sage emulates them to formulate rites and laws. Within, there are husband and wife; without, there are ruler and subject. A woman follows her husband and does not change for life; a minister serves his lord and has no second intention until death. This is the great principle of human morality. If it is abandoned, there is no greater calamity! Fan Zhi praised Feng Dao for his pure virtue, emulating the ancients, with vast talent and broad capacity. Although dynasties changed, others had no criticism of him; he stood like a great mountain, immovable. In my humble opinion, a proper woman does not follow two husbands; a loyal minister does not serve two lords. If a woman is improper, even with a beautiful appearance and skillful weaving, she is not worth praising; if a minister is disloyal, even with abundant talent and good governance, he is not worth respecting. Why? Because the great integrity has been compromised. Feng Dao served as chancellor, passing through five dynasties and eight surnames, treating them like an inn treats passing guests. In the morning they were enemies, in the evening they became lord and minister; changing his face and altering his words, he had no sense of shame. With such great integrity compromised, even if he had some minor virtues, what is there to commend? Some say that since the fall of the Tang dynasty, heroes contended, emperors rose and fell, the longest lasting a dozen years, the shortest two or three. Even with loyalty and wisdom, what could one do? At that time, those who lost their ministerial integrity were not only Feng Dao; could one blame Feng Dao alone? In my humble opinion, a loyal minister worries about the state as if it were his family, sees danger and sacrifices his life, remonstrates vigorously when the lord errs, and dies for his integrity when the state perishes. A wise man appears when the state has the Way and hides when it lacks the Way, either vanishing into the mountains and forests or contenting himself with a lowly position. Now, Feng Dao’s honor and favor surpassed the Three Dukes, his power and position ranked first among the chancellors. When the state existed, he equivocated and remained silent, stealing office and drawing a salary without merit. When the state fell, he schemed to preserve himself and avoid disaster, greeting and urging the new ruler to ascend. Lords rose and fell one after another, yet Feng Dao remained wealthy and honored as before. This is the most extreme among treacherous ministers; how can he be compared with others? Some say Feng Dao could preserve himself and avoid harm in chaotic times; this also counts as worthy. I say that the gentleman sacrifices himself to achieve benevolence, does not seek life to harm benevolence. How can one exclusively regard preserving oneself and avoiding harm as worthy? If so, then Robber Zhi died of illness while Zilu was chopped into meat sauce; which one is more worthy? But this is not only Feng Dao’s fault; the lords of that time also bore responsibility. Why? A woman lacking chastity, even an ordinary scholar would be ashamed to marry her; a man lacking loyalty, even an average lord would be ashamed to employ him as a minister. Feng Dao served as chancellor in the previous dynasty; speaking of loyalty, he betrayed his lord and served an enemy; speaking of wisdom, the state and altars turned to ruins. Later lords, without killing or abandoning him, again employed him as chancellor—how could he be willing to be loyal to me and serve my purposes? Therefore, I say: it is not only Feng Dao’s fault, but also the fault of the lords of that time!
On the twentieth day, Xinyou, Fu Yanqing reported that the Northern Han Xianzhou prefect, a native of Taiyuan named Han Guangyuan, and the Lanzhou prefect Guo Yan, both surrendered their cities. Initially, Fu Yanqing had a daughter who married Li Shouzhen’s son Li Chongxun. A physiognomist said she would be noble enough to become the mother of the empire. Li Shouzhen rejoiced, saying: “My daughter-in-law can still become the mother of the empire—how much more so for me!” Thus his resolve to rebel was fixed. When the rebellion failed, Li Chongxun first killed his younger brothers and sisters, then turned to Fu. She hid beneath a curtain; Li Chongxun could not find her in haste and committed suicide. After the rebel soldiers entered, Fu sat calmly in the hall, rebuking them: “My father is a sworn brother of Duke Guo; do not act disrespectfully!” The Later Zhou Taizu sent an envoy to return her to Fu Yanqing. By the time Shizong guarded Chanzhou, Taizu married her to him. On the twenty-first day, Renxu, she was established as empress. The empress was gentle, intelligent, and decisive; Shizong greatly respected her.
Wang Yanchao and Han Tong attacked Shizhou, captured it, and seized the prefect An Yanjin. On the twenty-second day, Guihai, the Qinzhou prefect Li Tinghui surrendered. On the twenty-eighth day, Gengwu, Shizong departed from Luzhou and hastened toward Taiyuan.
On the first day of the eighth month, Guiyou, the Northern Han Xinzhou military supervisor Li Qing killed the prefect Zhao Gao and the Khitan interpreter Yang Nugu, surrendering the city. Li Qing was appointed prefect of Xinzhou.
Wang Kui submitted a memorial requesting to move the commandery seat back to Langzhou.