Annals of the Later Zhou, Volume 5
From the year beginning with Zhuyong Dunzang to the year ending with Tuwei Xieqia, a total of two years.
Emperor Shizong, the Ruiwu Xiaowen Emperor (Part 2)
Xian De Fifth Year (Wuwu Year, 958 AD)
Spring, first month, on the Yiyou day, the Kuangguo Army was abolished.
The Southern Tang changed the era name to Zhongxing.
On the Dinghai day, the Right Dragon-Tiger General Wang Hanzhang reported that Haizhou had been captured.
On the Jichou day, the Acting Commander of the Imperial Horse Guard, Han Lingkun, was appointed to oversee the military affairs of Yangzhou Prefecture.
Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou intended to lead warships from the Huai River into the Yangtze River, but was blocked by the Beishen Weir and could not cross. He planned to dredge the Guan River northwest of Chuzhou to open this waterway and sent envoys to inspect, who reported that the terrain was unfavorable for construction and the project would be very costly. The emperor personally went to inspect, devised a plan, and mobilized the corvée laborers of Chuzhou to dredge the river. The work was completed in ten days, requiring very little labor. Hundreds of large warships all successfully reached the Yangtze River, greatly astonishing the people of Southern Tang, who considered it divine aid.
On the Renchen day, the Jinghai Army was captured, thereby opening the route to Wuyue. Previously, the emperor had dispatched the Left Remonstrance Advisor, Yin Rijiu of Chang'an, and others as envoys to Wuyue, telling them: "Although you must cross the sea on this trip, by the time you return, Huainan will have been pacified, and you should be able to return by land." This indeed came to pass later.
On the Jiachen day, the Right Supplementer of the Later Shu, Zhang Jiuling, met with the Later Shu ruler and said that governance was poor because there were treacherous ministers at court. The ruler asked who the treacherous ministers were, and Zhang Jiuling pointed to Li Hao and Wang Zhaoyuan. The ruler was greatly angered, considered that Zhang Jiuling had slandered and rejected high officials, and demoted him to be the Recorder of Weizhou. The Later Zhou army attacked Chuzhou for over forty days, but the Southern Tang defense commissioner of Chuzhou, Zhang Yanqing, held the city firmly and it could not be taken. On the Yisi day, the emperor personally led the generals in assaulting the city and camped beneath its walls overnight. On the Dingwei day, Chuzhou was captured. Zhang Yanqing and the Army Supervisor Zheng Zhaoye still led their troops in resistance. When arrows and swords were exhausted, Zhang Yanqing fought to the death using a rope bed, and over a thousand of his subordinates died without a single one surrendering.
Gao Baorong dispatched the Commandant Wei Lin with one hundred warships eastward to participate in the campaign against Southern Tang, reaching Ezhou.
On the Gengxu day, Later Shu established the Yongning Army in Guozhou and placed Tongzhou under its jurisdiction.
Southern Tang elevated Tianchang County to Xiongzhou and appointed the Jianwu Army Commander Yi Wenbin as its prefect. On the Jiayin day of the second month, Yi Wenbin surrendered the entire city.
On the Wuwu day, the emperor departed from Chuzhou. On the Dingmao day, he arrived in Yangzhou and ordered Han Lingkun to mobilize over ten thousand corvée laborers to build a small city southeast of the old city for administrative purposes.
On the Yihai day, the Prefect of Huangzhou, Sichao, reported that together with the Commander of the Imperial Guard Right Wing, Wang Shenqi, they had attacked Shuzhou of Southern Tang and captured its prefect, Shi Renwang.
On the Bingzi day, the Jianxiong Military Governor, Yang Tingzhang of Zhending, reported defeating the Northern Han army beneath the walls of Xizhou. At that time, the Prefect of Xizhou, Sun Yi, had suddenly died. Yang Tingzhang said to the Army Supervisor and Stable Commissioner, Li Qianpu: "Now the emperor's carriage is on campaign in the south, and Zezhou has no defender. Hedong (referring to Northern Han) will surely harbor covetous intentions. If we report and wait for a reply, this isolated city will be in danger!" He immediately issued a directive appointing Li Qianpu as acting prefect of Xizhou, who upon arrival repaired defensive equipment. Soon, the Northern Han army indeed arrived. The various generals requested rapid reinforcement. Yang Tingzhang said: "Xizhou's city walls are solid, and its commander is worthy; it will not be easy to capture." After the Northern Han army attacked the city for a long time without success, Yang Tingzhang judged them to be exhausted and unprepared. He secretly agreed with Li Qianpu to each recruit over a hundred daredevil soldiers and launch a night raid on the Northern Han camp. The Northern Han army panicked and was routed, with over a thousand beheaded. The Northern Han army then lifted the siege and withdrew.
Third month, on the Renwu day of the first month, the emperor went to Taizhou.
On the Dinghai day, Southern Tang granted a general amnesty and changed the era name to Jiaotai.
The Southern Tang Crown Prince's Younger Brother, Li Jingsui, submitted ten memorials in succession resigning the position of Imperial Younger Brother, stating: "Now that the state is in crisis and I cannot assist, I request to leave the court and serve as a regional governor. The Prince of Yan, Li Hongji, is the legitimate eldest son with military merit, and should be established as heir. I respectfully present the treasures and seals of the Imperial Younger Brother." The Prince of Qi, Li Jingda, also resigned as Marshal due to military defeat. The Southern Tang ruler then established Li Jingsui as the Prince of Jin, with the additional titles of Heaven-Commanding General, Marshal of the Jiangnan West Circuit, Grand Governor of Hongzhou, Grand Commandant, and Head of the Secretariat. Li Jingda was appointed Marshal of the Zhexi Circuit and Grand Governor of Runzhou. Because Zhexi was then under military operations, Li Jingda firmly declined and was instead appointed Grand Governor of Fuzhou. Li Hongji was established as the Crown Prince, participating in the deliberation of various governmental affairs. Li Hongji was suspicious and harsh by nature. Those close to Li Jingsui who had not yet left the Eastern Palace were immediately expelled. His younger brother, the Duke of Anding, Li Congjia, feared him and did not dare to participate in government, devoting himself solely to reading classics for amusement.
On the Xinmao day, the emperor went to Yingluan Town and repeatedly arrived at the mouth of the Yangtze River, dispatching the navy to attack the Southern Tang army and defeating it. The emperor heard that several hundred Southern Tang warships were anchored at Dongshuibuzhou, about to head for the sea mouth to control the routes to Suzhou and Hangzhou. He therefore dispatched the Palace Commander of the Left, Murong Yanzhao, leading infantry and cavalry, and the Right Shenwu Army General, Song Yanwo, leading the navy, eastward along the Yangtze. On the Jiawu day, Murong Yanzhao reported a major defeat of the Southern Tang army at Dongshuibuzhou. The emperor dispatched Li Chongjin to lead an army to Luzhou. Hearing that the emperor was on the banks of the Yangtze, the Southern Tang ruler feared he might cross southward and was ashamed to surrender as a vassal. He therefore dispatched the Vice Minister of War, Chen Jue, to present a memorial, requesting to pass the throne to the Crown Prince Li Hongji, allowing him to obey the commands of the Central Court. At that time, only Luzhou, Shuzhou, Qizhou, and Huangzhou in Huainan had not yet been captured. On the Bingshen day, Chen Jue arrived at Yingluan Town. Seeing the strength of the Later Zhou army, he reported to the emperor and requested to send someone across the river to retrieve the memorial, offering the territory of these four prefectures, with the Yangtze as the boundary, to request a cessation of hostilities. His words were extremely sorrowful. The emperor said: "I originally raised the army only to seize the north of the river. Now that your ruler is willing to submit the entire state, what more could I ask for!" Chen Jue bowed in thanks and withdrew. On the Dingyou day, Chen Jue requested to dispatch his subordinate, the Heir Apparent Reception Secretary, Liu Chengyu, to Jinling. The emperor bestowed a letter upon the Southern Tang ruler, addressing him as "The Emperor respectfully inquires of the Lord of Jiangnan," comforting and accepting him. On the Wuxu day, Wuyue reported that it had dispatched the Commandant of the Upper Direct Guard and Prefect of Chuzhou, Shao Keqian, together with the Prefect of Xiuzhou, Lu Yanzhuo, leading four hundred warships and seventeen thousand troops, stationed on the south bank of Tongzhou.
The Southern Tang ruler again dispatched Liu Chengyu to present a memorial, calling himself the Lord of Tang, requesting to offer the four prefectures north of the river and annual tribute of several hundred thousand in goods. At this point, the north of the river was entirely pacified, encompassing a total of fourteen prefectures and sixty counties.
On the Gengzi day, the emperor bestowed a letter upon the Southern Tang ruler, informing him: "The various armies along the river, as well as those from Liangzhe, Hunan, and Jingnan, should all be withdrawn. Among them, the three routes of Luzhou, Qizhou, and Huangzhou are also ordered to contract their forces to the vicinity of the border. After your officers, soldiers, and their families have set out, you may send someone to summon the generals and hand over the cities. Warships on the river, if needing to pass back and forth, are all to be guided to the north bank." On the Xinchou day, Chen Jue took his leave, and the emperor again bestowed a letter upon the Southern Tang ruler, informing him that there was no need to pass the throne to his son.
On the Renyin day, the emperor traveled from Yingluan Town back to Yangzhou.
On the Guimao day, an edict was issued ordering the armies of Wuyue and Jingnan to return to their respective circuits. A reward of thirty thousand bolts of silk was given to Qian Hongchu for his troops, and ten thousand bolts to Gao Baorong.
On the Jiachen day, the Baoxin Army was established in Luzhou, with the Right Dragon-Tiger Army General Zhao Kuangzan appointed as its Military Governor.
On the Bingwu day, the Southern Tang ruler dispatched Feng Yanji to present silver, silk, cash, tea, and grain totaling one million, to reward the Later Zhou army.
On the Jiyou day, Song Yanwo was ordered to lead three thousand naval troops upstream along the Yangtze for patrol and vigilance.
On the Gengxu day, an order was issued to allocate appropriate households to guard the tombs of the late Huainan Military Governor Yang Xingmi and the late Sheng Prefecture Military Governor Xu Wen. The tombs of Jiangnan officials located north of the river were also entrusted to local authorities to inspect and maintain at appropriate times.
On the Xinhai day, the Southern Tang ruler dispatched his Lin'ao Duke, Xu Liao, to represent him in offering congratulations on the emperor's birthday.
That month, the Biankou was dredged to channel water from the Yellow River into the Huai River, and from then on, boats on the Yangtze and Huai rivers could begin to pass.
In summer, the fourth month, on the day Yimao, Emperor Shizong returned north from Yangzhou.
The new Ancestral Temple was completed. On the day Gengshen, the spirit tablets were placed in the Ancestral Temple.
On the night of the day Xinyou, a fire broke out south of Qiantang City, spreading to the inner city, and nearly all government offices and private residences were burned. On the morning of the day Renxu, the fire was about to reach Zhencang Granary. King Qian Hongchu of Wuyue had been ill for a long time but forced himself to come out to fight the fire. After the fire was extinguished, he said to those around him: "My illness has been cured by this disaster." Only then did everyone's minds settle slightly.
When Emperor Shizong campaigned in the south, the Khitan took advantage of the void to invade. On the day Renshen, Emperor Shizong arrived at Daliang and ordered Zhang Yongde, the military governor of Zhenning, to lead troops to guard and defend against the northern border.
In the fifth month, on the day Xinsi, the first day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred.
An edict was issued to reward the soldiers of the southern campaign and the newly submitted people of Huainan.
On the day Xinmao, Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty (Zhao Kuangyin) was appointed concurrently as military governor of Zhongwu, and An Shenqi was transferred to be military governor of Pinglu.
Guo Chong, the military governor of Chengde, attacked and captured the eastern city of the Khitan, thereby retaliating for the Khitan invasion.
To avoid the naming taboo of the Later Zhou, the ruler of the Southern Tang changed his name to Li Jing, decreed the abolition of the imperial title, called himself "State Ruler," reduced and lowered all imperial rituals and systems, abolished the reign title, adopted the Later Zhou calendar, and reported this to the Ancestral Temple. Feng Yanji, the Left Chief Steward and co-chancellor, was dismissed to be the Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent; Yan Xu, the Vice Director of the Chancellery and co-chancellor, was dismissed to be Junior Guardian and Privy Councilor; Chen Jue, the Minister of War, was dismissed but retained his original post. Initially, Feng Yanji had persuaded the Southern Tang ruler with strategies for seizing the Central Plains, thereby gaining favor. Feng Yanji once mocked Liezu (Li Bian) for ceasing hostilities and resting troops, saying he was narrow-minded: "The battle at Anlu only cost a few thousand soldiers, yet he stopped eating and sighed for ten days. This is just the vision of a country bumpkin—how could one achieve great things with him! How can it compare to our current emperor (referring to the Southern Tang ruler), who deploys tens of thousands of troops outside yet plays polo and feasts as usual—truly an enlightened ruler!" When Feng Yanji and his faction discussed matters, they often took the world as their own responsibility, echoing each other. Hanlin Academician Chang Mengxi repeatedly advised that Feng Yanji and others were hollow and arrogant and could not be trusted, but the Southern Tang ruler did not listen. Chang Mengxi said: "Their deceitful words seem loyal, but if Your Majesty does not wake up, the state will surely perish!" By the time the Southern Tang submitted to the Later Zhou, Feng Yanji's faction discussed among themselves, and some referred to the Later Zhou as the "Great Court." Chang Mengxi laughed loudly and said: "You gentlemen always wanted to assist the ruler in becoming a Yao or Shun; how did it come to this, that you yourselves have become a small court today?" Everyone was silent.
Since the Southern Tang ruler submitted, Emperor Shizong only sent letters through the Southern Tang envoys and had never dispatched envoys to the Southern Tang. On the day Jiyou, he finally ordered Feng Yanlu, the Grand Servitor of the Imperial Stud, and Zhong Mo, the Junior Chamberlain of the Palace Garrison, to go as envoys to the Southern Tang, bestowing on the Southern Tang ruler imperial garments, jade belts, and other items, as well as one hundred thousand bolts of silk to reward the troops, and also granted that year's "Qintian Calendar."
After Liu Chengyu returned from Jinling, the Southern Tang ruler sent Chen Jue to report to Emperor Shizong, saying that Jiangnan had no salt fields and hoping that the salt monopoly at Hailing could be assigned to Jiangnan to supply military needs. Emperor Shizong said: "Hailing is north of the Yangtze; it is difficult to administer it across regions. This should be handled separately." By this time, an edict was issued to grant Jiangnan three hundred thousand hu of salt annually, and the captured Jiangnan soldiers were gradually returned to them.
In the sixth month, on the day Renzi, Li Yun, the military governor of Zhaoyi, reported an attack on the Shihui Pass of the Northern Han, capturing six camps. On the day Yimao, Jinzhou reported that the military supervisor Li Qianpu attacked the Northern Han and breached Xiaoyi.
Gao Baorong sent envoys to persuade the ruler of Shu to submit to the Later Zhou. The Shu ruler replied that in the previous year, he had sent Hu Li with a letter to the Later Zhou but had received no reply.
In autumn, the seventh month, on the day Bingxu, the "Dazhou Xingtong" (Great Zhou Criminal Code) was put into effect.
Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou wanted to equalize land taxes. On the day Dinghai, he widely distributed Yuan Zhen's "Equal Land Tax Chart" to each circuit.
In the intercalary month, Liu Congxiao, the military governor of Qingyuan and concurrent Chief Councilor of the Southern Tang, sent his officer Cai Zhongyun dressed in merchant's clothing, with a silk memorial hidden in his belt, to take a byway to submit to the Later Zhou. When Li Jing, the Prince of Jin and Jiangxi Field Marshal of the Southern Tang, went to Hongzhou, because there was warfare at the time, he requested a high minister to be his deputy. The Southern Tang ruler appointed Li Zhenggu, the Vice Privy Councilor and Vice Minister of Works, as the deputy military governor of Zhennan. Li Zhenggu was arrogant, fierce, and tyrannical. Although Li Jingsui was lenient, he found it hard to endure over time and often wanted to kill Li Zhenggu and then surrender himself to the authorities. He was only dissuaded by those around him and gave up, and hence Li Jingsui was deeply unhappy.
The Heir Apparent, Li Hongji, committed many improper acts in the Eastern Palace. The Southern Tang ruler was furious and once hit him with a polo stick, saying: "I should summon Li Jingsui back." Yuan Congfan, the Director of the Zhaogong Palace, had followed Li Jingsui as the commander in Hongzhou. Someone slandered Yuan Congfan's son, claiming he was guilty, and Li Jingsui wanted to kill him, so Yuan Congfan harbored a grudge. When Li Hongji heard of this, he secretly sent Yuan Congfan to poison Li Jingsui. In the eighth month, on the day Gengchen, Li Jingsui was very thirsty after playing polo. Yuan Congfan presented a drink, and Li Jingsui died after drinking it. Before he was encoffined, his body had already decomposed. The Southern Tang ruler was unaware of these details and posthumously granted him the title of Imperial Younger Brother, with the posthumous name Wencheng.
On the day Xinsi, Liu Sheng, the Zhongzong of the Southern Han, died. His eldest son, the Prince of Wei, Liu Jixing, ascended the throne, changed his name to Liu Chang, and set the reign title as Dabao. Liu Chang was sixteen years old. All major state affairs were decided by the eunuch Gong Chengshu, Director of the Yuqing Palace, and the female attendant Lu Qiongxian, among others. The officials in the various departments were merely figureheads.
On the day Jiashen, the Southern Tang began to establish a mission in Daliang.
On the day Renchen, Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou ordered Cao Bin, the Commissioner of the Western Upper Gate and a native of Lingshou, to go as an envoy to Wuyue, bestowing two hundred suits of cavalry armor, five thousand suits of infantry armor, and other weapons on King Qian Hongchu of Wuyue. Cao Bin immediately returned after completing his business, refusing to accept gifts. People from Wuyue pursued him in small boats to offer gifts, and this happened repeatedly. Cao Bin said: "If I ultimately still refuse, I would be seeking fame." So he registered all the gifted items and offered them to the emperor upon his return. Emperor Shizong said: "In the past, envoys extorted endlessly, causing the four quarters to despise the court's command. That you acted thus is very good. However, since these were given to you, keep them yourself." Only then did Cao Bin bow and accept, then distributed them all to relatives and friends, keeping nothing for his household.
On the day Xinchou, Feng Yanlu and Zhong Mo came from the Southern Tang. The Southern Tang ruler personally wrote a memorial of thanks, the gist of which said: "The grace of Heaven and Earth is deep; the kindness of parents is profound. A son does not thank his father; how can a man repay Heaven! Only with a wholehearted sincerity can one requite Heaven's virtue." He also requested to be treated like a vassal state, with edicts bestowed. He further said: "There are matters for Zhong Mo to report; I beg that he be allowed to return early." The Southern Tang ruler also had Zhong Mo tell Emperor Shizong that he wished to abdicate in favor of the Heir Apparent. In the ninth month, on the day Dingsi, the Later Zhou appointed Feng Yanlu as Vice Minister of Punishments and Zhong Mo as Palace Censor. On the day Jiwei, Zhong Mo was first sent back, with an edict informing him of the meaning that "abdication is not permitted." The Southern Tang ruler again sent Yin Chongyi, the Minister of Personnel and Director of the Privy Council, to congratulate on the Tianqing Festival.
Emperor Shizong of the Later Zhou planned to attack Shu. In winter, the tenth month, on the day Jimao, he appointed Gao Fang, the Vice Minister of Revenue, as the Southwest Land and Water Military Commissioner, and Li Yu, the Right Admonisher of the Palace, as his assistant. On the day Jiawu, Emperor Shizong released Feng Yanlu, along with Xu Wenzhen, the General of the Left Palace Gate Guard, Bian Gao, the General of the Right Elite Cavalry Guard, Zhou Tinggou, the Chamberlain for the Palace Revenues, and others, back to the Southern Tang. The Southern Tang ruler considered Xu Wenzhen and the others to be defeated and captured generals and abandoned them, refusing to employ them.
Gao Baorong again sent a letter to the Lord of Shu, urging him to declare himself a vassal of Later Zhou. The Lord of Shu summoned his generals and ministers to discuss this matter. Li Hao said, "If we comply, it will be a disgrace to our lord and father; if we do not comply, the Later Zhou army will surely come. Can all you generals withstand the Later Zhou?" All the generals said, "With Your Majesty’s wisdom and the natural defenses of our rivers and mountains, how can we bow to the wind and submit! Sharpening weapons and feeding horses, we have been preparing precisely for this day. Your servants request to die defending the altars of state." On the dingyou day, the Lord of Shu ordered Li Hao to draft a reply, using extremely severe language to refuse him.
The Later Zhou Shizong issued an edict, ordering the Left Sanqi Changshi, A Ying from Xucheng, and thirty-four others to inspect each province separately and equalize land taxes. On the gengzi day, an edict was issued for each province and rural area, roughly grouping one hundred households into a tuan, with three qizhang appointed per tuan. Shizong, concerned with agriculture, carved wooden figures of a plowman and a silkworm woman and placed them in the palace courtyard. He ordered the Wusheng Jiedushi Song Yanwo to lead naval forces on patrol along the Yangzi River.
Gao Baorong submitted a memorial, stating that he had heard the imperial court’s army was about to attack Shu and requested to lead naval forces to the Three Gorges. Shizong issued an edict commending him.
In the eleventh month, on the gengxu day, an imperial decree ordered Dou Yi to compile the Da Zhou Tong Li and the Da Zhou Zheng Yue.
On the xinhai day, the Southern Han buried the Civil and Military Brilliant and Filial Emperor in the Zhao Mausoleum, with the temple name Zhongzong.
On the yichou day, the Lord of Southern Tang again dispatched the Libu Shilang Zhong Mo to the court for an audience.
Li Yu arrived at Chang’an. Someone said, "The Shu town of Gui’an is over three hundred li south of Chang’an, and it can be taken by surprise." Li Yu believed this and issued a document to the Yongxing Jiedushi Wang Yanchao, requesting two hundred soldiers. Wang Yanchao thought the road to Gui’an was treacherous and difficult to take, but Li Yu said, "I have secret orders." Wang Yanchao, unable to refuse, gave him the troops. Li Yu led them forward. In the twelfth month, Li Chengxun, the Zhenyushi of Shu’s Gui’an, occupied a strategic position and ambushed them, killing Li Yu, and his entire force was annihilated.
On the yiyou day, the Lord of Shu appointed the You Weisheng Bujun Duzhihuishi Zhao Chongtao as the Northern Facing Zhaotaoshi. On the bingxu day, he appointed the Feng Luan Suwei Duzhihuishi, Wu Xin Jiedushi, and Zhongshu Ling Meng Yeye as the Zhaowu and Wenzhou Du Zhaotaoshi, the Zuo Weisheng Majun Duzhihuishi Zhao Sijin as the Eastern Facing Zhaotaoshi, and the Shannan Xidao Jiedushi Han Baozhen as the Northern Facing Du Zhaotaoshi, leading sixty thousand troops to garrison key strategic points to prepare against Later Zhou.
On the bingxu day, the Later Zhou Shizong issued an edict, ordering that all various tax-paying households and salary households be placed under the administration of the provinces, and that from then on, staff officials and provincial and county officials be paid salaries in cash and rice and wheat.
Initially, the Southern Tang Taifu, Zhongshu Ling, and Duke of Chu, Song Qiqiu, extensively formed factions and sought to monopolize court power. Those eager for quick success and profit vied to attach themselves to him, praising him as the state’s elder statesman. The Shumishi Chen Jue and the Fushi Li Zhenggu, relying on Song Qiqiu’s influence, were particularly arrogant and overbearing. After Xu Wenzhen and others were defeated at Purple Gold Mountain, Chen Jue, Song Qiqiu, and Li Jingda fled back from Haozhou, causing panic throughout the state. The Lord of Southern Tang once sighed and said, "My state has suddenly come to this!" and then wept. Li Zhenggu said, "Your Majesty should prepare the army and strengthen defenses to resist the enemy. What use is weeping and crying! Is it because you have drunk too much, or has your wet nurse not come to attend you?" The Lord of Southern Tang’s expression changed greatly, but Li Zhenggu behaved as usual. It happened that the Sitian Tai submitted a memorial: "There is a change in the celestial phenomena; the ruler should abdicate to avert disaster." The Lord of Southern Tang then said, "Calamities and difficulties are many. I wish to set aside the myriad affairs and immerse myself in purity and nothingness. To whom can I entrust the state?" Li Zhenggu said, "Song Qiqiu is a master of founding the state. If Your Majesty tires of government affairs, why not entrust the entire state to him!" Chen Jue said, "Your Majesty may dwell deep in the palace, entrust all state affairs to Song Qiqiu, who will implement them first and then report. We will attend court at the proper times, only discussing the doctrines of Buddhism and Daoism." The Lord of Southern Tang was furious in his heart and immediately ordered the Zhongshu Sheren, Chen Qiao of Yuzhang, to draft an edict for implementation. Chen Qiao, frightened, requested an audience and said, "Once Your Majesty signs this edict, your servant will never see Your Majesty again!" He then strenuously argued that it was inadvisable. The Lord of Southern Tang laughed and said, "Do you also know it is wrong?" Thereupon, he dropped the matter. Consequently, taking advantage of the Prince of Jin’s departure to guard the frontier, he appointed Li Zhenggu as his deputy. After Chen Jue returned from Later Zhou, he was also dismissed from his close posts. Zhong Mo had always been on good terms with Li Deming and resented Song Qiqiu for Li Deming’s death. After completing his mission and returning to Southern Tang, he said to the Lord of Southern Tang, "Song Qiqiu, taking advantage of the state’s crisis, suddenly plotted to usurp the throne. Chen Jue and Li Zhenggu are his partisans, and reason cannot tolerate them." When Chen Jue returned from Later Zhou, he falsely conveyed Shizong’s order to the Lord of Southern Tang, saying, "I have heard that Jiangnan has defied orders for years, all due to the chancellor Yan Xu’s schemes. You should kill him for me." The Lord of Southern Tang knew that Chen Jue had long had a grudge against Yan Xu and did not believe him. Zhong Mo went to Later Zhou to verify this matter. The Lord of Southern Tang then, taking advantage of Zhong Mo’s return to report, submitted a memorial saying, "The long resistance to the imperial army was entirely due to your servant’s foolishness and confusion, not Yan Xu’s fault." Shizong, upon hearing this, was very surprised and said, "If this is true, then Yan Xu is a loyal minister. I, as the ruler of the realm, how could I teach someone to kill a loyal minister!" When Zhong Mo returned, he told this to the Lord of Southern Tang. The Lord of Southern Tang wanted to execute Song Qiqiu and the others, but again sent Zhong Mo to the court to inform Shizong. Shizong, considering them ministers of another state, gave no opinion. On the jihai day, the Lord of Southern Tang ordered the Zhi Shumiyuan Shi Yin Chongyi to draft an edict, publishing the crimes of Song Qiqiu, Chen Jue, and Li Zhenggu. Song Qiqiu was allowed to return to his former retreat at Mount Jiuhua, with all his official titles and ranks retained; Chen Jue was demoted to Guoziboshi and placed in Xuanzhou; Li Zhenggu was stripped of his official titles and ranks and ordered to commit suicide; their partisans were generally not pursued. He then sent an envoy to inform Later Zhou of this.
On the bingwu day, Shu appointed the Xiazhou Xunjian Zhizhishi Gao Yanzhuo as Zhaotaoshi.
The servant of the Pinglu Jiedushi, Taishi, Zhongshu Ling, and Prince of Chen, An Shenqi, named An Youjin, had an affair with An Shenqi’s favorite concubine. The concubine, fearing the affair would be exposed, conspired with An Youjin to kill An Shenqi. An Youjin at first refused, but the concubine said, "If not, I will accuse you instead." An Youjin, frightened, complied.
In the sixth year of Xiande (Jisi, 959 AD)
Spring, first month, on the guichou day, An Shenqi, after drinking heavily, fell into a deep sleep. The concubine took the sword from beside An Shenqi’s pillow and gave it to An Youjin, who killed him. They then killed all the maidservants under the curtain to cover their tracks. Several days later, An Shenqi’s son, An Shouzhong, learned of this, captured An Youjin and the others, and executed them by dismemberment.
In the beginning, when the responsible officials were preparing to establish the formal court ceremonial regalia, they set up suspended musical instruments in advance in the palace courtyard. After Later Zhou Emperor Shizong observed them, he noticed that some bells and chime stones were set up but not struck. When he asked the musicians, none of them could answer. Thus, Emperor Shizong ordered Dou Yan to discuss and study ancient and contemporary musical systems, and to examine and correct the refined music. Wang Pu had always been well-versed in musical temperament, and Emperor Shizong consulted him on music matters. Wang Pu submitted a memorial, stating: "Ritual is used to regulate the body; music is used to cultivate the mind. When the body is outwardly harmonious and the mind inwardly peaceful, there has never been a case where the world is not well-governed. Therefore, when ritual and music are cultivated above, the myriad states are transformed below. The sage's teachings are not harsh yet succeed; governance is not strict yet order is achieved—this is the principle by which it works. Music arises from the human mind, and sound is emitted by objects. Once the sound of an object is formed, it can in turn move the human mind. In ancient times, the Yellow Emperor blew a bamboo pipe nine inches long and obtained the correct pitch of the Yellow Bell. He halved it to get the clear pitch, doubled it to get the slow pitch, and used the method of subtracting one-third and adding one-third to generate the twelve pitch standards. Each of the twelve pitch standards served in turn as the tonic (gong), generating seven modes, forming one 'yun' (key). There were twelve yun in total, and eighty-four modes were thus complete. But the Qin dynasty destroyed learning, and few of those who governed music in later generations could put this into practice. During the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Zu Xiaosun and Zhang Wenshou examined and corrected the Grand Music, completing the eighty-four modes. After the An Lushan Rebellion, instruments and musicians were lost by eighty or ninety percent; by the time of the Huang Chao Rebellion, they were completely gone. At that time, there was a Grand Music Erudite named Yin Yingsun, who, based on the 'Kao Gong Ji' (Artificers' Record), cast twelve bo bells and two hundred and forty bian bells. The hermit Xiao Chengxun examined and corrected the stone chimes. The instruments now hanging in the hall courtyard are these. Although they have the shape of bells and chime stones, they completely lack any harmonious correspondence of sound. Those bo bells are struck in a fixed cycle regardless of pitch, while the bian bells and bian chime stones are merely hung up uselessly. The silk, bamboo, gourd, and earthenware instruments only produce seven notes, collectively called the Yellow Bell tonic (Huangzhong zhi gong), of which nine pieces of music have been preserved. Upon examining them, three pieces conform to the proper pitch, while six pieces are mixed with other modes. Probably, the decay and loss of music have never been more severe than today.
"Your Majesty’s martial achievements have been illustrious, and now you pay attention to ritual and music. Because your servant once studied the pitch pipes, you have shown me the ancient and contemporary music records and ordered me to discuss and study them. Your servant has carefully followed the ancient method, using black millet to determine the standard, and made a Yellow Bell pipe nine inches long and three tenths of an inch in circumference, which corresponds to the present-day Yellow Bell pitch. From this, I derived the twelve pitch standards. Since blowing on many pipes to produce sound is inconvenient, I made a pitch standard (lü zhun) with thirteen strings, nine feet long, all matching the Yellow Bell pitch. I set bridges in sequence for the eleven other pitch standards, plus the clear Yellow Bell, and used seven pitches in rotation to form one key. The tonic (gong) is the master of the key, with zhi, shang, yu, jiao, bian gong, and bian zhi arranged in order. When the sound of the tonic master is produced, it returns to the proper pitch of its own note, alternating in harmony without confusion, thus forming melodies. Altogether, there are eighty-one modes. This method had been lost for a long time and comes from your servant’s personal insight. I request that you summon the assembled officials to examine its merits and defects." Emperor Shizong issued an edict following his proposal. The officials all deemed it correct, and it was therefore put into practice.
Song Qiuji of Southern Tang reached Mount Jiuhua. The Southern Tang ruler ordered his residence locked, with food supplied through a hole in the wall. Song Qiuji sighed and said: "In the past, I proposed imprisoning the family of the abdicated emperor in Taizhou; I deserve to end up like this!" He then hanged himself. His posthumous title was Chou Miu.
Earlier, Hanlin Academician Chang Mengxi was in charge of the Xuanzheng Yuan (Office of Proclamations) and participated in confidential government affairs. He deeply hated the faction of Song Qiuji and repeatedly said to the Southern Tang ruler: "If these people are not eliminated, the state will surely be in danger." He argued daily with Feng Yanji, Wei Cen, and others. After a long time, the Xuanzheng Yuan was abolished. Chang Mengxi, frustrated and unable to achieve his ambitions, no longer participated in government affairs. He drank heavily every day, fell ill, and died. After Song Qiuji’s death, the Southern Tang ruler said: "Chang Mengxi wanted to kill Song Qiuji all his life. It is a pity that he did not live to see this day!" He posthumously appointed Chang Mengxi as Left Pushe.
In the second month, on the bingzi day (the first day of the month), Emperor Shizong ordered Wang Pu to go to Heyin to inspect the Yellow River dikes and to set up a sluice gate at the mouth of the Bian River. On the renwu day (the seventh day), he ordered the Commander of the Imperial Guard Han Tong and the Vice Commissioner of the Southern Palace of the Palace Secretariat (Xuanhui Nan Yuan Shi) Wu Yanzuo, to mobilize tens of thousands of able-bodied men from Xuzhou, Suzhou, Songzhou, Danzhou, and other prefectures to dredge the Bian River. On the jiashen day (the ninth day), he ordered the Cavalry Commander-in-Chief Han Lingkun to divert the Bian River east of Daliang City into the Cai River, to connect the grain transport of Chenzhou and Yingzhou. He ordered the Infantry Commander-in-Chief Yuan Yan to dredge the Wuzhang Canal, going east through Caozhou, Yunzhou, and Liangshanbo, to connect the grain transport of Qingzhou and Yunzhou. He mobilized several thousand able-bodied men from the capital region and from Huazhou and Bozhou to supply this project.
On the dinghai day (the twelfth day), the Kaifeng Prefecture reported: The original farmland tax was based on over 102,000 qing. After inspection, an additional 42,000 qing of land was discovered. By imperial decree, 38,000 qing were exempted from tax. When the inspectors of farmland from various prefectures returned, the additional land they reported was also reduced in the same proportion.
A famine occurred in Huainan. Emperor Shizong ordered grain to be lent to the people. Someone said: "The people are poor; I fear they may not be able to repay." Emperor Shizong said: "The people are my children. How could there be a case where a child is in dire straits and the father does not relieve them? Why must I insist on repayment?"
On the gengshen day (the sixteenth day), Privy Councillor Wang Pu died. Emperor Shizong attended his funeral, struck the ground with a jade axe, wept many times, and could not control himself. Wang Pu’s nature was strong and acute, and his wisdom and strategy surpassed ordinary men. This is why Emperor Shizong deeply mourned him.
On the jiazi day (the twentieth day), an edict was issued because the northern territories had not yet been recovered. The emperor was about to personally visit Cangzhou. He ordered Yiwu Military Governor Sun Xingyou to defend the Xishan route. He appointed Vice Commissioner of the Southern Palace of the Palace Secretariat (Xuanhui Nan Yuan Shi) Wu Yanzuo as acting Left Capital of the Eastern Capital (Dongjing Liushou) and acting Prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture, and Third Treasurer Zhang Mei as acting Grand Interior Commander (Danei Du Buzhu). On the dingmao day (the twenty-third day), he ordered the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard (Qinjun Du Yuhou) Han Tong and others to lead water and land troops to set out first. On the jiaxu day (the thirtieth day), Emperor Shizong departed from Daliang.
Summer, fourth month, on the gengyin day (the seventeenth day), Han Tong reported: He had dredged a waterway from Cangzhou into Khitan territory, set up palisades south of Gunning Jun, repaired damaged dikes, and opened thirty-six overflow channels, thereby opening a water route to Yingzhou and Mozhou.
On the xinmao day (the eighteenth day), Emperor Shizong arrived at Cangzhou. That same day, he led several tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry from Cangzhou and set out directly for Khitan territory. In the various prefectures and counties of Hebei that were not on the emperor’s route, the common people knew nothing of this. On the renchen day (the nineteenth day), Emperor Shizong arrived at Gunning Jun. The Khitan prefect of Ningzhou, Wang Hong, surrendered the city.
On the yiwei day (the twenty-second day), a large-scale naval training was held. The various generals were ordered to advance by water and land simultaneously. Han Tong was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Land Route, and the Grand Progenitor Emperor (Zhao Kuangyin) was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Water Route. On the dingyou day (the twenty-fourth day), Emperor Shizong boarded a dragon boat and went north with the current. The boats were linked end to end for several tens of li. On the jihai day (the twenty-sixth day), they reached Duliu Kou and then went west against the current. On the xinchou day (the twenty-eighth day), they reached Yijin Pass. The Khitan defending general, Zhong Tinghui, surrendered the city. From this point westward, the waterway gradually narrowed and could not accommodate large boats, so they abandoned the boats and went ashore. On the renyin day (the twenty-ninth day), Emperor Shizong went ashore and marched west, camping in the open field. The guard soldiers numbered less than one brigade (lü), and the attendant officials were all terrified. Khitan cavalry appeared in groups to the left and right of them, but did not dare to approach.
On the guimao day (the thirtieth day), the Grand Progenitor Emperor (Zhao Kuangyin) arrived first at Wagua Pass. The Khitan defending general, Yao Neibin, surrendered the city. Emperor Shizong entered Wagua Pass. Yao Neibin was a native of Pingzhou.
On the jiachen day (the first day of the fifth month), the Khitan prefect of Mozhou, Liu Chuxin, surrendered the city. On the yisi day (the second day of the fifth month), the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard (Qinjun Du Zhihuishi) and Tianping Military Governor Li Chongjin and others arrived with troops. The Khitan prefect of Yingzhou, Gao Yanhui, surrendered the city. Gao Yanhui was a native of Jizhou. Thus, the region south of the passes (Guannan) was entirely pacified.
On the day bingwu (third day), the Emperor of Zhou hosted a banquet for the generals in the temporary palace to discuss attacking Youzhou. The generals all believed: "Your Majesty left the capital forty-two days ago, conquered the land south of Yan without bloodying weapons, an unparalleled achievement. Now the Khitan cavalry has gathered north of Youzhou; it is inadvisable to advance deep." The Emperor was displeased. That day, he urged the Vanguard Commander-in-Chief Liu Chongjin to set out first and occupy Gu'an. The Emperor personally reached Anyang River, ordered a bridge built, and as it grew dark, returned to Wagua Pass to lodge. That day, the Emperor fell ill and halted the campaign. The Khitan ruler sent envoys galloping seven hundred li daily to Jinyang, ordering the Northern Han ruler to raid the Zhou border, but upon hearing of the Emperor's southward return, he ceased the operation.
On the day wushen (fifth day), Sun Xingyou reported capturing Yizhou, seizing the Khitan prefect Li Zaiqin, presenting him, and beheading him in the military market.
On the day jiyou (sixth day), Wagua Pass was renamed Xiongzhou, with Rongcheng and Guiyi counties placed under it. Yijin Pass was renamed Bazhou, with Wen'an and Dacheng counties placed under it. Several thousand laborers from Binzhou and Bozhou were conscripted to build Bazhou city, with Han Tong supervising the project.
On the day gengxu (seventh day), Li Chongjin was ordered to lead troops from Tumen to attack Northern Han. On the day xinhai (eighth day), Han Lingkun, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard and Cavalry, was appointed Commander of Bazhou, and Chen Silang, Acting Commissioner of Yicheng Circuit, was appointed Commander of Xiongzhou, each leading their troops to garrison. On the day renzi (ninth day), the Emperor returned south from Xiongzhou. On the day jisi (twenty-sixth day), Li Chongjin reported defeating Northern Han forces at Beijing, beheading over two thousand men. On the day jiaxu (thirty-first day), the Emperor returned to Daliang.
In the sixth month, on the yihai day, the first of the month, Li Yun, Commissioner of Zhaoyi Circuit, reported attacking Northern Han, capturing Liaozhou and seizing its prefect Zhang Pi. On the bingzi day, the second day, Zhengzhou reported a Yellow River breach at Yuanyang, and Wu Yanzuo, Vice Commissioner of the Southern Proclamation Office, was ordered to conscript over twenty thousand laborers from nearby counties to plug the breach.
Liu Congxiao, Commissioner of the Qingyuan Circuit of Southern Tang, sent envoys to pay tribute and requested permission to establish a mission in the capital, directly subordinate to the Central Court. On the wuyin day, the fourth day, the Emperor of Zhou replied in an edict: "Jiangnan has only recently submitted; I am focused on pacification and conciliation. You have long served Jinling; do not change your allegiance. If you establish an office in the capital to rival Jinling, and you accept and hold it, the fault lies with me. Your tribute from afar sufficiently shows loyalty and diligence; strive to serve your old master, and let everything remain as before. Thus, for you, it affirms your unwavering loyalty, and for me, it fulfills the proper way of cherishing distant peoples. Only you, who understand reason, will surely grasp my intent." The Southern Tang ruler sent his son, Duke Ji Li Congshan, along with Zhong Mo, to pay tribute. The Emperor asked Zhong Mo, "Does Jiangnan also train troops and repair defenses?" Zhong Mo replied, "Since serving the great state, we dare not do so." The Emperor said, "Not so. Formerly we were enemies; today we are one family. The great righteousness between me and your state is settled, and I assure you there is no other worry. Yet human life is unpredictable; in later generations, matters become unknowable. Return and tell your ruler: You may, while I am alive, repair city walls, refurbish armor and weapons, hold strategic points, and plan for your descendants." Zhong Mo returned and told the Southern Tang ruler. The Southern Tang ruler then rebuilt Jinling's walls, repaired any incomplete fortifications in the prefectures, and supplemented insufficient garrison troops.
Your servant Sima Guang says: Someone asked me: Among the emperors of the Five Dynasties, Tang Zhuangzong and Zhou Shizong were both considered heroic and martial; which of these two rulers was more worthy? I replied: The Son of Heaven governs the myriad states, punishes the disobedient, pacifies the weak, enforces his commands, unifies his laws, and promotes sincerity and trust to love all people. After Tang Zhuangzong destroyed Later Liang, the world trembled. Ma Yin of Hunan sent his son Ma Xifan to pay tribute. Zhuangzong said, "Recently I heard that Ma Yin's foundation would ultimately be seized by Gao Yu. Now he has such a son—how could Gao Yu obtain it?" Gao Yu was Ma Yin's excellent assistant. Ma Xifan's elder brother, Ma Xisheng, heard Zhuangzong's words and eventually falsely used his father's order to kill Gao Yu. This was the conduct of a market merchant—how could it be the manner of a sovereign? Zhuangzong was skilled in warfare, thus able to defeat mighty Later Liang with weak Jin, but after gaining the realm, within a few years, internal and external rebellion left him without refuge. This truly shows he understood military strategy but not the way to govern the realm. Zhou Shizong governed his officials with trustworthy commands, demanded righteousness from all states, rewarded Wang Huan for not surrendering, praised Liu Renzan for holding his city, preserved Yan Xu for his loyalty, executed the Shu soldiers for their fickleness, discarded Feng Dao for losing integrity, and distanced Zhang Mei for private favor. When Jiangnan had not submitted, he personally faced arrows and stones, determined to conquer; after submission, he loved them as his own children, spoke sincerely and directly, and planned for their long-term future. His grand plans and magnanimity—how could he be compared to Tang Zhuangzong? The Book of Documents says: "Without partiality, without partisanship, the kingly way is broad and level." It also says: "Great states fear his power; small states cherish his virtue." Zhou Shizong came close to this!
On the day xinsi, Yang Tingzhang, Commissioner of Jianxiong Circuit, reported sending troops against Northern Han and subduing thirteen fortresses.
On the day guiwei, Empress Fu was established; she was the younger sister of Empress Xuan Yi.
The prince, Zongxun, was made Prince of Liang and concurrently Left Guard General-in-Chief; Zongrang was made Prince of Yan and concurrently Left Valiant Guard General-in-Chief.
The Emperor wished to appoint Wei Renpu, Commissioner of the Privy Council, as Chancellor. Discussants considered that Wei Renpu was not a jinshi graduate and could not serve as Chancellor. The Emperor said, "Since ancient times, have the civil and military talents used as assistants all come from the jinshi examination?" On the day jichou, Wang Pu was appointed Vice Director of the Chancellery, and both he and Fan Zhi were made participants in the Privy Council. Wei Renpu was appointed Vice Director of the Secretariat and co-equal with the Chancellors, retaining his Privy Council post. Though Wei Renpu held a powerful position, he remained humble and cautious. The Emperor’s temperament was severe and impatient; when those serving him violated his will, Wei Renpu often took the blame upon himself to rescue them, saving ten out of seven or eight. Thus, though he rose from a clerical post to Chancellor, contemporaries did not consider it a disgrace. Wu Yanzuo, Vice Commissioner of the Southern Proclamation Office, was appointed Left Valiant Guard General-in-Chief and Acting Commissioner of the Privy Council. Han Tong, Commissioner of the Guide Circuit and Commander of the Imperial Guard, and Zhang Yongde, Commissioner of the Zhenning Circuit and Commander of the Palace Guards, were both made co-equal with the Chancellors; Han Tong was also made Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard; and the future Emperor Taizu was concurrently made Commander of the Palace Guards.
The Emperor once asked Minister of Personnel Zhang Zhao about suitable candidates for Chancellor. Zhang Zhao recommended Li Tao. The Emperor exclaimed in surprise, "Li Tao is frivolous and lacks the dignity of a high minister. I asked for a Chancellor, and you first recommend him—why?" Zhang Zhao replied, "What Your Majesty criticizes are minor behaviors; what I recommend is his great integrity. In the past, under Gaozu of Jin, Zhang Yanze cruelly murdered innocents. Li Tao repeatedly submitted memorials demanding his execution, arguing that not killing him would bring disaster to the state. Under Yin of Han, Li Tao also submitted memorials requesting the removal of the late Emperor’s military command. He foresaw crises before they emerged—this is truly Chancellor material. Therefore I recommend him." The Emperor said, "Your words are very correct and extremely fair. But a man like Li Tao can never be placed in the Secretariat." Li Tao enjoyed joking, was careless in appearance, and, along with his younger brother Li Huan, was famous for literature. Though very fraternal, they often indulged in jest and debauchery, lacking propriety between elder and younger, which made the Emperor disdain him. Because Hanlin Academician Shanfuren Wang Zhu was a former staff member, the Emperor several times considered making him Chancellor but abandoned the idea due to his excessive drinking without restraint.
On the guisi day, the emperor’s illness became critical. He summoned Fan Zhi and others to the palace to receive the final edict. The emperor said: “Wang Zhu is an old associate from the prince’s residence. If I do not recover, he should be appointed chancellor.” After Fan Zhi and the others withdrew, they said to each other: “Wang Zhu is drunk all day long; how could he be fit to serve as chancellor? On no account must this be divulged.” That same day, the emperor died.
While the emperor was still a military governor, he made great efforts to conceal his abilities and hide his tracks. After he ascended the throne and defeated the rebels at Gaoping, people began to admire his wisdom and valor. When commanding the army, his orders were strict and clear; no one dared to violate them. When attacking cities or facing the enemy, arrows and stones fell around him; others were greatly alarmed, but the emperor’s expression never changed. He adapted to circumstances, made resolute decisions, and often acted in ways that surprised people. He was also diligent in governing affairs; he could glance at the documents and registers of the various departments and never forget them. He exposed treachery and discerned hidden matters; his intelligence and insight were like those of a deity. In his leisure time, he summoned Confucian scholars to read the histories of previous dynasties and discuss their essential principles. By nature, he disliked music, rare treasures, and curios. He often said that Taizu had nurtured the evil deeds of Wang Jun and Wang Yin, leading to an improper end for the sovereign-minister relationship. Therefore, when his ministers committed faults, he confronted and reprimanded them to their faces; if they confessed their guilt, he pardoned them; if they had merit, he rewarded them generously. He employed civil and military officials in rotation, each fulfilling their abilities. No one did not fear his perspicacity and cherish his grace, so he could defeat enemies and expand territory, meeting no resistance. However, he was excessively severe in applying punishments. If ministers handled affairs with even a slight error, he often inflicted the extreme penalty, even for those with a long reputation for talent; he showed no leniency, though he soon regretted it. In his later years, he gradually became more lenient. On the day of his death, people far and near grieved and longed for him.
On the jiawu day, the final edict was proclaimed, ordering Prince Liang Zongxun to ascend the throne as emperor. He was then seven years old.
Emperor Gongdi Zongxun
In autumn, the seventh month, on the renxu day, the Palace-Attendant Commander of the Imperial Guard Li Zhongjin was concurrently appointed Military Governor of Huainan, the Vice Commander-in-Chief Han Tong was concurrently appointed Military Governor of Tianping, and the Taizu Emperor was concurrently appointed Military Governor of Guide. The Military Governor of Shandong East Circuit and Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs Xiang Gong was appointed Defender-in-Chief of the Western Capital. On the gengshen day, Xiang Gong was additionally made Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. Xiang Gong was formerly Xiang Xun; he changed his name to avoid the taboo on the given name of Emperor Gongdi.
On the bingyin day, a general amnesty was proclaimed.
The Lord of Tang, because Jinling was separated from the Zhou domain only by a single river, and because Hongzhou had a strategically strong and dangerous terrain, located on the upper reaches, summoned his ministers to discuss moving the capital. Most ministers did not want to move the capital; only the Deputy Commissioner of the Privy Council and Supervising Secretary Tang Gao urged him to move. Thereupon, he ordered the construction of Yuzhang, according to the specifications for a capital.
Since the Tang had deployed troops in Huainan and ceded the territory north of the river, it submitted to Zhou, sending tribute regularly every season. The treasury and storehouses were empty and exhausted; coinage became even scarcer, and prices soared. The Vice Minister of Rites, Zhong Mo, requested the casting of large coins, each one worth fifty small coins. The Secretariat Drafter Han Xizai requested the casting of iron coins. The Lord of Tang initially did not follow either request, but Zhong Mo pressed his case repeatedly, and so he was heeded. In this month, the casting of large coins worth ten small coins began, with the inscription “Yongtong Quanhuo”; also, coins worth two small coins were cast, with the inscription “Tangguo Tongbao,” which circulated together with the Kaiyuan Tongbao coins.
In the eighth month, on the wuzi day, the Lord of Shu appointed Li Hao concurrently Military Governor of Wuxin. The Right Remonstrator Li Qi submitted a memorial, saying: “According to precedent, there is no case of a chancellor concurrently holding a military governorship.” The Lord of Shu said: “Li Hao’s household has many surplus expenses; it is merely to treat him with a generous salary.” Li Qi was a man from Qiongzhou, by nature upright and forthright. Li Hao once said to him: “With your talent, if you could be cautious and silent, you ought to become a Hanlin Academician.” Li Qi replied: “Not until I have no tongue will I be silent.”
On the gengyin day, the emperor’s younger brother Zongrang was established as Prince of Cao, and his name was changed to Xirang; Xijin was made Prince of Ji, and Xihui was made Prince of Qi.
In the ninth month, on the bingwu day, the Crown Prince of Tang, Hong Ji, died. The relevant department, citing his military achievements in Zhexi, proposed for him the posthumous title Wuxuan. The County Marshal of Jurong, Zhang Ji, a man from Quanjiao, submitted a memorial, saying: “The virtue of the Crown Prince lies chiefly in filial piety and respect. Now using military achievements as his posthumous title is not the way to guard against the smallest beginnings and to be cautious with regard to virtue.” Thereupon, the posthumous title was changed to Wenxian, and Zhang Ji was promoted to County Marshal of Shangyuan.
The Vice Minister of Rites of Tang and Acting Director of the Department of State Affairs, Zhong Mo, had been repeatedly sent as an envoy to Zhou. He conveyed the orders of Emperor Shizong of Zhou, and both Emperor Shizong and the Lord of Tang treated him generously. Relying on this, he became arrogant and overbearing within the Tang realm, interfering in the affairs of all three departments. When the Wenxian Crown Prince was overseeing state affairs, Zhong Mo requested a concurrent position in the Eastern Palace but did not succeed. He then recommended his close associate Yan Shi as a Secretary of the Bureau of Merit, to manage the memorials and reports from the various departments. When Li Deming was put to death, Tang Gao had participated in the plotting. Zhong Mo, hearing that Tang Gao had accepted bribes, once confronted him face to face, and Tang Gao was greatly terrified. Zhong Mo was on good terms with the Commander of the Heavenly Prestige Guard, Zhang Luan. He often withdrew others and had secret, late-night conversations at Zhang Luan’s residence. Tang Gao slandered them to the Lord of Tang, saying: “Zhong Mo and Zhang Luan are of different temperaments, yet they are overly close and familiar. Zhong Mo has been sent many times as an envoy to the superior state; Zhang Luan is a northerner. I fear they may have treacherous plans.” He also said: “Many commoners are privately casting the Yongtong large coins, and those who violate the law are numerous.” When the Wenxian Crown Prince died, the Lord of Tang wished to establish his younger brother, the Prince of Zheng, Congjia. Zhong Mo had once been sent as an envoy to Zhou together with the Duke of Ji, Congshan, and they were on friendly terms. He then said to the Lord of Tang: “Congjia has slight virtue and a weak will; moreover, he is deeply devoted to Buddhism. He is not material for a ruler. Congshan is resolute and steady; he should be established as the heir.” The Lord of Tang was therefore angered. Shortly thereafter, Congjia was enfeoffed as Prince of Wu, Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Administrator of Government Affairs, residing in the Eastern Palace. In winter, the tenth month, Zhong Mo requested that Zhang Luan be ordered to lead his troops on patrol in the capital. The Lord of Tang then issued an edict announcing Zhong Mo’s crimes of exceeding his authority. He was demoted to Director of the National Academy and exiled to Raozhou; Zhang Luan was demoted to Assistant Military Governor of Xuanzhou. Shortly afterward, both were executed. The Yongtong coinage was abolished.
On the renyin day, the first day of the eleventh month, the Ruizhen Wuwu Xiaowen Emperor was buried in the Qingling mausoleum, with the temple name Shizong.
The Lord of Southern Han, because the Secretariat Drafter Zhong Yunzhang was an old subordinate from the prince’s residence, promoted him to Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs and Participant in Determining Governmental Affairs, trusting him greatly. Zhong Yunzhang requested the execution of a few lawbreakers to rectify the standards of government. The Lord of Southern Han could not follow this advice, and when the eunuchs heard of it, they hated him. The Lord of Southern Han was about to perform the suburban sacrifice at the Circular Mound. Three days before, Zhong Yunzhang led the ritual officials up the altar, looking around and directing the placement of the spirit tablets. The Palace Attendant Supervisor Xu Yanzhen, seeing him, said: “This is rebellion!” He immediately drew his sword and ascended the altar. Zhong Yunzhang shouted at him. Xu Yanzhen galloped into the palace and reported that Zhong Yunzhang intended to rebel on the day of the suburban sacrifice. The Lord of Southern Han said: “I treat Zhong Yunzhang generously; how could there be such a thing!” The Director of the Jade Purity Palace, Gong Chengshu, the Palace Attendant Supervisor Li Tuo, and others all testified together, affirming that Xu Yanzhen’s words were true. Thereupon, Zhong Yunzhang was arrested and imprisoned under the Hanzhang Tower. Eunuchs and the Minister of Rites, Xue Yongpi, were ordered to interrogate him together. Xue Yongpi had always been on good terms with Zhong Yunzhang and told him that he would certainly not escape death. Zhong Yunzhang grasped Xue Yongpi’s hand and said, weeping: “This old man is today merely meat on a chopping block, fit to be boiled by my enemies. I only regret that my two young sons, Yong and Chang, are still young. They do not know of my wrongful suffering. When they grow up, please tell them for me.” Xu Yanzhen, hearing this, cursed: “The rebel wants his sons to take revenge!” He then reported to the Lord of Southern Han: “Zhong Yunzhang and his two sons together ascended the altar and secretly offered prayers.” Thereupon, they were all executed. From this time on, the eunuchs became even more tyrannical. Li Tuo was a man from Fengzhou. On the xinhai day, the Lord of Southern Han performed the suburban sacrifice at the Circular Mound and proclaimed a general amnesty. Shortly afterward, Gong Chengshu was appointed Left Dragon-Tiger Army Inspector Commissioner and Inner Grand Preceptor; all military and state affairs were decided by him. Whenever there were men of talent among the ministers, or those who had come first in the jinshi examinations, or Buddhist or Daoist monks who were worth conversing with, they were all first sent to the silkworm chamber (to be castrated) before they could be employed. There were also those who castrated themselves to seek employment, and those who were castrated as an alternative to the death penalty. Consequently, there were nearly twenty thousand eunuchs. The powerful and influential figures were mostly eunuchs. They called the scholar-officials “outsiders” and did not allow them to participate in government affairs, which eventually led to the state’s ruin.
Tang changed the designation of Hongzhou to Nanchang Prefecture and established it as the Southern Capital. He Jingzhu, the Military Governor of Wuqing, was appointed Defender-in-Chief of the Southern Capital, and the Minister of War, Chen Jishan, was appointed Magistrate of Nanchang.
When the Later Zhou attacked Qin and Feng provinces, Shu was thrown into panic. The Court Gentleman for Comprehensive Duty Xu Jifu, confident in his own talent and strategic ability but frustrated in his official career, secretly formed a faction and plotted to support the grandson of the late Former Shu Emperor Gaozu, the Junior Steward of the Palace Administration Wang Lingyi, as their lord to raise a rebellion. The plan was abandoned when the Later Zhou army withdrew. At this time, one of his associates informed against him, and he was arrested. Xu Jifu committed suicide. On the jiawu day of the twelfth month, Wang Lingyi was ordered to die.
The Academician of the Duanming Hall and Vice Minister of War Dou Yi was sent as an envoy to Tang. It was raining and snowing, and the Tang lord wanted to receive the imperial edict under the corridor. Dou Yi said: "The envoy has come bearing the imperial edict and dares not depart from the established ritual. If the snow soaks the court robes, please wait for another day." The Tang lord then received the edict with a bow in the courtyard.
The Khitan lord sent his maternal uncle as an envoy to Tang. The Military Training Commissioner of Taizhou, Jing Hanru, recruited an assassin to kill the Khitan envoy. The Tang people held a night banquet at the Qingfeng Post Station to entertain the Khitan envoy. When the wine was flowing freely, the envoy rose to change his clothes. He did not return for a long time. When they went to look, his head was already gone. From this point, Khitan and Tang broke off relations. Jing Hanru was a man of Jizhou.
Postscript
Your servant Sima Guang speaks: Previously, I received an imperial edict to compile the Records of the Deeds of Rulers and Ministers of Past Dynasties, and then received a further imperial decree bestowing the name Zizhi Tongjian. Now the work has been completed. I humbly reflect that your servant is by nature dull and my scholarship shallow; in all endeavors, I am inferior to others. Only towards the historical books of previous dynasties have I made some slight effort, from youth to old age, never tiring of my fondness for them. I have often worried that since the time of Sima Qian and Ban Gu, writings have become so voluminous that commoners and scholars cannot finish reading them, let alone the sovereign, who deals with a myriad affairs daily—what leisure has he to peruse them all! I have frequently overestimated my own abilities, wishing to prune away the long-winded and extract the essential, selecting only those matters concerning the rise and fall of states, tied to the weal and woe of the people, where good deeds can serve as models and evil deeds as warnings, to compile an annalistic history. This would ensure a clear order of precedence, with the refined and the coarse not mixed together. But private efforts are feeble, and I could not complete it. Fortunately, I encountered Emperor Yingzong, endowed with a sagely nature and practicing a civilizing rule, who wished to survey ancient affairs in order to promote the great enterprise. He therefore issued an edict commanding me to undertake the compilation. My lifelong wish was thus realized in a single day. I leaped to obey, fearing only that I might prove unequal to the task. The late emperor also ordered me to select and appoint my own staff, to establish a bureau for historical compilation within the Chongwen Institute, to allow me to borrow books from the Longtu Pavilion, Tianzhang Pavilion, the Three Institutes, and the Bige Library, to bestow brushes and silk from the imperial stores and money from the imperial treasury for snacks and drinks, and to assign a eunuch as my attendant. The favor and honor I received were unmatched among the ministers close to the throne. Unhappily, before the book could be presented for imperial inspection, the late emperor took leave of his ministers. Your Majesty succeeded to the great inheritance, reverently carrying out the late emperor's will, honoring the work with a preface and bestowing upon it a fine name. Every time a classical lecture was held, you often ordered the work to be read aloud. Although I am stubborn and foolish, to have received such generous favor from two reigns, even if I were ground to powder, I could not repay it. As long as my strength and intellect allowed, how could I dare to omit anything! It happened that I was assigned as Governor of Yongxing Army, but because I was old and ill and could not bear the heavy burden, I requested a sinecure. Your Majesty acceded to my wish and graciously allowed me to rest, assigning me as Acting Censor-in-Chief of the Branch Censorate in the Western Capital and Superintendent of the Chongfu Temple on Mount Song. In all, I held six posts, and you still permitted me to keep the historical bureau with me, granting me a salary without requiring me to perform actual duties. Having no other business, I was able to devote myself entirely to research, exhausting all my strength. Daylight was insufficient, so I continued by night. I read through all the old histories and extensively consulted unofficial records. The bamboo slips and wooden tablets piled up like a vast ocean. I picked out hidden and obscure details and weighed the smallest differences. Starting from the Warring States period and ending with the Five Dynasties, covering 1,362 years, I completed 294 juan. I also summarized the main events, using the year as the warp and the states as the weft, to facilitate reference, compiling a table of contents in 30 juan. Furthermore, I consulted various books, evaluated their similarities and differences, and unified them, compiling Kaoyi in 30 juan. The total is 354 juan. Since the bureau was established in the Zhiping era of Emperor Yingzong's reign, the work has only now been completed. Over the long years, if there are any contradictions, I dare not claim it is flawless. The gravity of my faults is certainly inescapable. Your servant Sima Guang, in trembling fear, kowtows and kowtows.
I further reflect that I have been away from the court for fifteen years. Although my body is in the provinces, my humble heart, morning and night, waking and sleeping, has never been absent from Your Majesty's side! Only because I am as slow and useless as a worn-out horse have I devoted myself entirely to this writing, in order to repay your great kindness, hoping to contribute the slightest mote of dust or drop of dew to help the mountain and the sea. I am now as thin as a stick, my eyesight dim and failing, my teeth few, my mind and spirit worn out. I forget what I have just done as soon as I turn around. All my strength has been poured into this book. I humbly beg Your Majesty to forgive the offense of my reckless composition, to see the heart that wishes to be loyal, and in your leisure time, to occasionally deign to peruse it, to take warning from the rise and fall of former dynasties, to examine the gains and losses of the present day, to reward good deeds and pity evil ones, and to choose and reject appropriately. This will suffice to encourage the flourishing virtue of studying antiquity and to achieve unprecedented perfect governance. If the myriad people of the four seas all receive its blessings, then even if my bones are cast aside in the Nine Springs, my wish will be forever fulfilled!
Respectfully I present this memorial to submit for your information. Your servant Sima Guang, in trembling fear, kowtows and kowtows, respectfully speaks.