Emperor Shizong (世宗)

Overview

Emperor Shizong was an emperor of Later Zhou.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Chai Rong	柴榮	Chái Róng
Posthumous name	Sagacious Martial Filial Civil Emperor	睿武孝文皇帝	Ruìwǔ Xiàowén huángdì

Life and dates

Death

Date Source Date: Text: 應曆9年 · Reign Id: liao-yingli · Regnal Year: 9 · Western Year: AD 959
Directly stated · History of Liao 6, passage 137
AD 959 後十日而世宗崩
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 78
AD 959 显德六年六月癸巳
At Zide Hall 滋德殿
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 145, 150
AD 959 聞周喪
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 43
AD 959 顯德六年六月
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passage 40
AD 959 顯德六年六月癸巳
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 120, passage 124

Age

39
Reckoning Stated
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 146

Attested activity

AD 954 Supplementary 新五代史/卷12 - 维基文库，自由的图书馆: 丙申，發喪，皇帝即位于柩前。
Event SUPPLEMENTARY PERSONAL EVIDENCE: Chai Rong accedes after Guo Wei's death. This is not the author's later act of reference. The local reference is preserved separately as an undated retrospective event.
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 16, passage 38
AD 955 顯德二年七月二十一日
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passage 103
AD 957 顯德四年夏四月
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passage 94
AD 954 顯德元年七月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 127, passage 154
AD 954 顯德元年夏
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passage 53
AD 954 顯德元年十二月，世宗謂侍臣曰
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passage 133

Show 37 more source-backed claims

AD 955 顯德二年冬
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 69
AD 955 周顯德二年正月，世宗謂侍臣曰
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passage 188
AD 956 顯德三年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 50
AD 954 應曆4年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 6, passage 70
AD 957 顯德四年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 69
AD 959 六年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passages 75, 78
AD 959 應曆9年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 6, passage 137
AD 953 三年春
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 130, passages 58-59
AD 954 世宗即位
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passages 4, 41
AD 954 世宗即位
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 31, passages 7, 38
AD 956 世宗召見
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 49, passage 76
AD 954 世宗戰高平
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 49, passage 100
AD 956 世宗攻太原
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 49, passage 128
AD 954 世宗顯德元年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 29
AD 950 乾祐三年冬
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 8
AD 958 五年，既取江北諸州…白帝
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passages 185-186
AD 956 周世宗征淮
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passages 85, 89
AD 954 to AD 959 周世宗時
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passage 79
AD 953 广顺三年正月
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 10
AD 957 明年正月
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passage 95
AD 959 是年（周師北侵、周主榮以病歸、聞周喪）
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 78, passages 36, 41, 43
AD 956 显德三年
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 64
AD 955 显德二年
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 52
AD 958 显德五年
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 104
AD 954 显德元年正月
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 13
AD 959 显德六年
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 126
AD 957 显德四年
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 87
AD 956 淮南為周世宗所取
Directly stated · History of Song 359, passage 46
AD 954 to AD 956 顯德
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 127, passages 143, 151
AD 956 顯德三年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passage 30; New History of the Five Dynasties 31, passage 43
AD 958 顯德五年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 30
AD 954 顯德元年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 19, passage 20
AD 959 顯德六年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passages 38-40
AD 959 顯德六年六月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 120, passages 28, 79, 124
AD 959 顯德六年春
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 31, passage 56
AD 959 顯德六年春正月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 39
AD 957 顯德四年夏四月癸未
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passages 16, 31; New History of the Five Dynasties 19, passage 54

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Child of Empress Shenmu Chai (柴氏)
adopted as son 養 · Adoptive parentage
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 2
Child of Guo Wei (郭威)
adopted son 養子 · Adoptive parentage
raised as son 養為己子 · Adoptive parentage
son 子 · Uncertain parentage
father 父 · Uncertain parentage
made him his son 以为子 · Adoptive parentage
raised as his own son 養為己子 · Adoptive parentage
son 兒
son 子 · Adoptive parentage
Sources vary in certainty · History of Liao 6, passage 70; Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passage 16; Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passages 17, 29; New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 4; Old History of the Five Dynasties 130, passage 80; New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 2
Kin of Empress Shenmu Chai (柴氏)
nephew 侄
aunt 姑 · paternal line
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passage 16; New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 4
Kin of Xun (遜)
imperial cousin 皇從弟
cousin 從弟
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 19, passage 58; Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passage 20
Kin of Fengchao (奉超)
imperial cousin 皇從弟
cousin 從弟
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 19, passage 58; Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passage 20
Kin of Shouyuan (守願)
imperial cousin 皇從弟
cousin 從弟
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 19, passage 58; Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passage 20
Spouse of Later Empress Fu (後符後)
empress 皇后 · Primary marriage
Primary marriage
installed as empress 立皇后 · Primary marriage
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 46; Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passages 107, 116; New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 141
Spouse of Empress Zhenhui (貞惠皇后)
posthumously enthroned as empress 追册...为皇后 · Ended
Marriage
empress 皇后 · Primary marriage · Widowed
wed 娶 · Primary marriage · Ended
Sources vary in certainty · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 94; Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passage 89; Old History of the Five Dynasties 120, passage 79; New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passages 40, 66
Spouse of Empress Xuanyi Fu (宣懿皇后符氏)
enthroned as empress 立...为皇后 · Primary marriage
Primary marriage
successor wife 繼室 · Primary marriage
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 37; Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passages 100-101; New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passages 40-41
Parent of Yi (誼)
father 父
son 子
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passages 22, 28; New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 70
Parent of Cheng (誠)
father 父
son 子
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passages 28-29; New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 70
Parent of Prince Xian (諴)
father 父
son 子
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passages 28-29; New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 70
Parent of Emperor Gongdi (恭帝)
son 子
father 父
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passages 28, 40; New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 70; Old History of the Five Dynasties 120, passage 121; History of Liao 6, passage 137; New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 142, 147
Parent of Zongrang (宗讓)
father 父
son 子
younger brother of Gong 弟
Sources vary in certainty · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passages 24, 28; New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 142, 147, 154; New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 70
Parent of Chai Xijin (柴熙謹)
father 父
younger brother of Gong 弟
son 子
Sources vary in certainty · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passages 25, 28; New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 147, 154; New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 70
Parent of Chai Xihui (柴熙誨)
son 子
father 父
younger brother of Gong 弟
Sources vary in certainty · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passages 26, 28; New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 70; New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 147, 154
Child of Chai Shouli (柴守禮)
father 父
son 子
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passages 2, 13; New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 4
Sibling of Tong (侗)
imperial younger brother 皇弟
younger brother 弟
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 19, passage 55; Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passage 17
Sibling of Xin (信)
imperial younger brother 皇弟
younger brother 弟
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 19, passage 55; Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passage 17

mothers of the sons unknown 皆不知其母為誰氏
Kinship Role mothers-of-sons · Count 0 · Negated true
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passage 28
identity of each mother unknown
Kinship Role mothers-of-sons · Negated false · Count 7 · mothers unidentified
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 70
Kinship Role sons · Count 7
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passage 28; New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 70

Key source chapters

Career and standing

Mayor of the Eastern Capital 开封尹
AD 953 广顺三年三月 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 11
associate grand councilor 同中书门下平章事
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 9
honorary grand tutor 检校太傅
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 9
military commissioner of Zhenning 镇宁军节度使
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 9
prefect of Chanzhou 澶州刺史
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 9
commander-in-chief of the Tianxiong inner guard 天雄军牙内都指挥使
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 7

Show 11 more source-backed claims

general of the Left Gate Guard 左監門衞將軍
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 66
Grand General of the Left Gate Guard 左监门卫大将军
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 6
prefect of Guizhou 贵州刺史
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 7
Prince of Jin 晋王
AD 953 广顺三年三月 · Enfeoffed
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 11
Prince of Jin 晉王
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 6, passage 70
destroyed Buddhist temples / banned improper ordination 大毁佛寺
AD 955 显德二年五月甲戌 · Ordered
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 55, 177
general amnesty 大赦
AD 954 显德元年三月辛巳 · Proclaimed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 21
AD 954 顯德元年
Emperor
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 29
Emperor
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passages 4, 41
AD 954 世宗嗣位
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passage 64
AD 954 显德元年正月丙申
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 15

Places and affiliations

Later Zhou 周
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · History of Liao 6, passages 70, 137; New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 69
Polity Later Han 汉 · Relation Served
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 6
Polity Later Zhou 周 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 127, passages 143, 154; Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 29; History of Liao 78, passage 36; New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 15, 145; New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 4; New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passage 79; New History of the Five Dynasties 49, passage 76
Polity Later Zhou 後周 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passages 52, 101
At Longgang in Xingzhou 邢州龙冈
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 2
AD 959 顯德六年十一月壬寅朔
At Qingling 慶陵 · Relation Buried at
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 120, passage 79

Show 2 more source-backed claims

At Longgang in Xingzhou 邢州龙冈 · Relation Native of
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 2
At Qingling, Guancheng County, Zheng Prefecture 庆陵，郑州管城县 · Relation Buried at
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 157-158

Works and attributed material

Comprehensive Rites 通礼
Relation Compiled
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 124, 175
Correct Music 正乐
Relation Compiled
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 124, 175
Equal-Field Diagram 均田图
Relation Promulgated
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 121, 181
AD 955 周顯德二年正月，世宗謂侍臣曰
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passages 188-190
AD 958 帝曰
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passage 186
AD 958 顯德五年十一月
Edict · Author · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passages 34-38

Show 10 more source-backed claims

AD 954 顯德元年十二月，世宗謂侍臣曰
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passages 133-135
AD 959 顯德六年
Edict · Author · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passages 129-135
AD 957 顯德四年
Edict · Author
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passages 52-56
AD 957 顯德四年夏四月癸未
Edict · Author
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passages 16-21, 32-36
Edict · Author · Direct quotation
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passages 99-100
Edict · Issuer · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 127, passages 154, 157, 163
Edict · Author
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 19, passages 54-59
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passage 105
Buddha body as illusion; copper images not to be cherished
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 178
Equal-Field Diagram is the root of good order
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 180

Events and relationships

Attended funeral
Ritual · Mourner · With Wang Pu (王樸)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 31, passage 57
Attended funeral
Ritual · Mourner · With Zheng Renhui (鄭仁誨)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 31, passage 72
Besieged Shou
Military · Commander
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passages 89-91
Besieged Taiyuan
Military · Commander
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 19, passage 20
Broke Purple Gold Mountain camps
AD 957 明年正月 · Military · Commander
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passage 95
Campaigned in Hedong
AD 954 顯德元年夏 · Military · Commander · At Hedong 河東
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passage 53

Show 25 more source-backed claims

Campaigned against
AD 956 显德三年 · Military · Commander · At Huainan 淮南
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 66, 78
Campaigned
Military · Commander · At Huai 淮
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 43
Declined to prosecute
Legal · Authority · With Chai Shouli (柴守禮)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passages 5, 13
Defeated
AD 954 显德元年三月 · Military · Commander · With Liu Chong (劉崇) · At Gaoping / high plain 高原、高平
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 26, 28
Defeated
AD 954 顯德元年 · Military · Commander · With Liu Chong (劉崇) · At Gaoping 高平
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 19, passage 20
Defeated
Military · Commander · With Liu Chong (劉崇) · At Gaoping 高平
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 31, passage 38
Fell ill and returned to capital
AD 959 顯德六年 · Medical · Patient
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passage 38
Fought at Gaoping
Military · Commander
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 49, passage 100
Granted annual salt supply to Jiangnan
AD 958 乃詔歲支鹽二十萬斛以給江南 · Administrative · Ruler · At Jiangnan 江南
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passage 187
Invaded north besieged Yingzhou took three passes
Military · Commander
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 36
Libation at taizu temple
AD 954 顯德元年 · Ritual · Benefiting ancestor · With Guo Wei (郭威)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 29
Northern campaign
AD 959 显德六年 · Military · Commander · At Three Passes 三关
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 132, 137
Ordered empty tombs at Songling
Ritual · Orderer
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 19, passage 19
Ordered officials to deliberate wang pu method
Deliberation · Commissioner · With Wang Pu (王樸)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 88
Ordered prefectures to switch to crystal salt
AD 954 今宜分割十餘州，令食顆鹽 · Political · Ruler
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passages 133, 135-136
Personally examined court ensemble
Music inspection · Inspector
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 61
Recovered three northern passes
AD 959 顯德六年 · Military · Commander · At the three northern passes 三關
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passage 38
Recovered
AD 959 六年 · Military · Commander · At Three Passes 三關
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passage 75
Refused enfeoffment of living sons
Political · Ruler
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passages 50, 57
Refused to cede Hailing salt monopoly jointly
AD 958 海陵在江北難以交居 · Diplomatic · Emperor · With Tang Ruler (唐主) · At Hailing 海陵
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passages 185-186
Restored transport handling loss allowance
AD 955 起今後每石宜與耗一斗 · Administrative · Ruler
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passages 188, 190
Secured
AD 958 显德五年三月 · Military · Commander · At fourteen Huainan prefectures 淮南十有四州
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 114
Southern campaign / Huai region
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passage 102
Summoned and rewarded
Audience · Ruler · With Huangfu Hui (皇甫暉)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 49, passage 76
Took
AD 957 显德四年三月 · Military · Commander · At Shou Prefecture 寿州
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 90

Assessments and attributes

Assessment broadly learned; restored correct tones of six dynasties · About Person Id Wang Pu (王樸) · Mode edict Speaker Emperor Shizong (世宗)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 133
Assessment commendable judgment and sound reasoning · About Person Id Dou Yan (竇儼) · Mode edict Speaker Emperor Shizong (世宗)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 34
Assessment clear-sighted, resolute, worthy sovereign · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passages 176, 184
Assessment deferred-enfeoffment-until-merit-achieved · Mode self-report Speaker Emperor Shizong (世宗)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 122, passage 30
Assessment heroic and martial; delighted to gather extraordinary men; especially honored literati · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 31, passage 91
Assessment knew how to weigh circumstances (知權) · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 20, passages 13, 21

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passage 133; New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passage 79
From Kind: Personal · To Shizong 世宗 · posthumous temple name conferred
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 120, passage 28

Later references and commemoration

Cited in authorial comparison of dynastic families
Retrospective reference · Recalled historical example · Mode historian-judgment · Source Book: xinwudaishi · Chapter: 016 · Unit: s0038 · Quote: 周太祖為一家，世宗為一家。 · Source Hash: sha256:361709b03e3695a04fc80e2134fb5453031d92817148b2149a02338097d3fbf3 · Reception Date Note The chapter supplies no date for the act of reference. No composition year, reception year, exact death, or posthumous classification is inferred.
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 16, passage 38

References in the histories

Search passages

History

127 passages

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 120Volume 120 Book of Later Zhou 22: Emperor Gong Annals · 8 passages

Open chapter

恭帝，諱宗訓，世宗子也。 Emperor Gong, whose personal name was Zongxun, was Shizong's son.

癸巳，世宗崩。 On guisi Shizong died.

乙亥，翰林學士兼判太常寺竇儼撰進大行皇帝尊謚曰睿武孝文皇帝，廟號世宗，從之。 On yihai Dou Yan presented the late emperor's posthumous title Sagacious Martial Filial Cultured Emperor and temple name Shizong; the court approved.

丁酉，世宗皇帝靈駕發引。 On dingyou Emperor Shizong's coffin set out on the funeral procession.

十一月壬寅朔，葬世宗皇帝於慶陵，以貞惠皇后劉氏祔焉。 On the first day renyin of the eleventh month Emperor Shizong was buried at Qingling, with Empress Zhenhui, Lady Liu, interred beside him.

十二月壬申朔，史館奏，請差官修撰世宗實錄，從之。 On the first day renshen of the twelfth month the Historiography Office asked that officials be assigned to compile Shizong's Veritable Records; the court approved.

稟上聖之姿，有神武之略，佐我高祖，格於皇天，逮事世宗，功存納麓，東征西怨，厥績懋焉。 You bear the stature of a supreme sage and a divinely martial mind; you aided our founding emperor and won Heaven's approval; you served Shizong to the end and secured the succession; your campaigns east and west won the realm—your achievements are great.

以其年十月，歸葬於世宗慶陵之側。 That October he was buried beside Emperor Shizong at Qingling.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 121Volume 121 Book of Later Zhou 23: Biographies 1: Empresses and Consorts · 15 passages

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世宗皇帝即後之侄也，幼而謹願，後甚憐之，故太祖養之為己子。 Emperor Shizong was her nephew; dutiful even as a boy, he won her deep affection, and the Emperor therefore raised him as his own son.

時以妃喪在賊境，未及遷窆，世宗乃詔有司於嵩陵之側，預營一冢以虛之，俟賊平即議襄事。 Because her remains still lay in rebel-held territory and could not yet be moved, Shizong ordered the offices to prepare an empty tomb beside Songling, to be filled once the rebels were subdued.

顯德元年夏，世宗征河東，果成素誌焉。 In summer of Xiande 1 Shizong campaigned in Hedong and at last fulfilled his long-held wish.

太祖踐阼，追冊為貴妃，發哀，故世宗有起復之命。 After he took the throne he posthumously invested her as Honored Consort and proclaimed mourning; therefore there was an order for Shizong to leave mourning and resume office.

世宗嗣位，以太祖舊宅即妃遇禍之地，因施為僧院，以皇建為名焉。 After Shizong succeeded, the Emperor's old residence—where she had met her end—was converted into a Buddhist monastery called Huangjian.

世宗貞惠皇后劉氏，將家女也，幼歸於世宗。 Empress Zhenhui of Emperor Shizong, née Liu, came from a military family and married Shizong in her youth.

漢乾祐中，世宗在西班，後始封彭城縣君。 During the Han Qianyou era, while Shizong served in the western bureau, she was first ennobled as Lady of Pengcheng county.

世宗隨太祖在鄴，後留居邸第。 When Shizong followed the Emperor to Ye, she remained at their residence.

世宗鎮澶淵日，太祖為世宗聘之。 When Shizong was garrisoned at Chanyuan, the Emperor betrothed her to him.

後性和惠，善候世宗之旨，世宗或暴怒於下，後必從容救解，世宗甚重之，及即位，冊為皇后。 Gentle and kind by nature, she read Shizong's moods well; when he flew into rages at his subordinates she would calmly intercede on their behalf. He valued her deeply, and when he took the throne he invested her as Empress.

世宗將南征，後常諫止之，言甚切直，世宗亦為之動容，洎車駕駐於淮甸，久冒炎暑，後因憂恚成疾。 When Shizong prepared to campaign south she often urged him to stay, speaking with blunt earnestness that moved him; but when the imperial train halted in the Huai region, long exposure to summer heat and anxiety brought on her illness.

世宗甚悼之。 Shizong mourned her deeply.

〈（案：世宗有後符後，即宣懿之女弟也，薛史不為立傳，未免闕略。 (Note: Shizong later had another consort, Lady Fu, the younger sister of Empress Xuanyi; Xue's History gives her no separate biography, which is a regrettable omission.

至世宗即位，納為皇后。 When Shizong took the throne he made her his Empress.

世宗素以後賢，又聞命不以出家為念，愈賢之，所以為天下母也。）〉 Shizong had always known her for her virtue, and when he heard she would not take orders merely to prolong life, he esteemed her all the more—thus she became mother of the realm.)〉

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 122Volume 122 Book of Later Zhou 24: Biographies 2: Imperial Family · 10 passages

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皇侄守筠贈左領軍衛將軍，以「筠」聲近「榮」，為世宗避，更名守願； The imperial nephew Shoujun was made General of the Left Army of Inspired Majesty, but because "jun" sounded like "rong," to avoid Shizong's taboo he was renamed Shouyuan;

世宗顯德四年夏四月癸未，詔曰：「禮以緣情，恩以悼往，矧在友於之列，尤鐘惻愴之情。 On guiwei day in the fourth month of Xiande 4, Shizong proclaimed: "Ritual springs from human feeling, and favor should mourn the dead—above all among brothers, where compassion runs deepest.

越王宗誼，世宗子，漢末遇害。 Prince Zongyi of Yue was a son of Shizong who was murdered in the final days of the Later Han.

曹王宗讓，世宗子，顯德六年封。 Prince Zongrang of Cao, another son of Shizong, was enfeoffed in Xiande 6.

紀王熙謹，世宗子，顯德六年封，皇朝乾德二年卒。 Prince Xi Jin of Ji, also Shizong's son, was enfeoffed in Xiande 6 and died in the second year of the Song Qiande era.

蘄王熙誨，世宗子，顯德六年封。 Prince Xi Hui of Qi was enfeoffed in Xiande 6, likewise a son of Shizong.

〈（《歐陽史·家人傳》云：世宗子七人，長曰宜哥，次二皆未名，次曰恭皇帝，次曰熙讓，次曰熙謹，次曰熙誨，皆不知其母為誰氏，宜哥與其二皆為漢誅。 Ouyang Xiu's family biographies record seven sons of Shizong: the eldest Yige, two younger boys still unnamed, then the future Emperor Gong, then Xi Rang, Xi Jin, and Xi Hui. Their mothers are unknown. Yige and the two unnamed boys were killed by the Later Han.

顯德三年，君臣請封宗室，世宗以謂為國日淺，恩信未及於人，須功德大成，慶流於世，而後議之可也。 In Xiande 3 the court asked to enfeoff the imperial clan. Shizong replied that the dynasty was still young, its grace had not yet won men's hearts, and titles should wait until great deeds had been done and blessings could be shared with the realm.

六年，北復三關，遇疾還京師。 In his sixth year Shizong reconquered the three northern passes, fell ill, and returned to the capital.

後十日而世宗崩，梁王即位，是為恭皇帝。 Ten days later Shizong died. The Prince of Liang succeeded him as Emperor Gong.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 127Volume 127 Book of Later Zhou 29: Biographies 7: Lu Wenji, Ma Yisun, He Ning, Su Yugui, Jing Fan · 6 passages

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世宗嗣位，封莒國公，未幾，受代歸第。 When Shizong succeeded he was enfeoffed Duke of Ju; soon he retired home.

據《世宗紀》，景範父名初，以戶部郎中致仕。）〉 According to Shizong's annals, Fan's father was named Chu and retired as revenue bureau director.〉

世宗之北征也，命為東京副留守。 On Shizong's northern campaign he was made vice guardian of the Eastern Capital.

車駕回自河東，世宗以艱於國用，乃以範為中書侍郎平章事、判三司。 Returning from Hedong, Shizong, pressed for revenue, made Fan vice minister, grand councilor, and overseer of the Three Bureaus.

〈（《冊府元龜》載：世宗即位，七月癸巳，制曰：「朕自履宸極，思平泰階，出一令慮下民之未從，行一事懼上穹之罔祐，晨興夕惕，終歲於茲。〈The Imperial Tortoise Mirror records: On Shizong's accession, guisi of the seventh month, an edict said: "Since I took the throne I have sought to level the great stair. One order I fear the people have not followed; one act I fear Heaven has not blessed—diligent dawn to dusk the whole year through.

世宗知之，因其有疾，乃罷司計。 Shizong knew it; when illness came he removed him from fiscal office.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 130Volume 130 Book of Later Zhou 32: Biographies 10: Wang Jun, Murong Yanchao, Yan Honglu, Cui Zhoudu · 3 passages

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既而世宗自澶州入覲，峻素憚世宗之聰明英果，聞其赴闕，即自河次歸朝。 Soon afterward Shizong came from Chanzhou to attend court. Jun had long feared his intelligence and resolve; hearing that he was on his way to the capital, Jun left the river works at once and returned.

朕兒在外，專意阻隔，暫令到闕，即懷怨望。 My son is abroad, and Jun blocks him at every turn. When I briefly summoned him to court, Jun at once nursed resentment.

及謀大逆，以宏魯子希俊為鎮寧軍節度副使，在世宗幕下而惡之。 When Yanchao plotted rebellion he made Honglu's son Xijun deputy military governor of Zhenning—but Xijun was on Shizong's staff, and Yanchao resented him.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 145Volume 145: Treatises 7 Music 2 · 3 passages

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世宗顯德元年即位，有司上太祖廟室酌獻，奏《明德之舞》。 When Emperor Shizong ascended the throne in the first year of Xiande, the responsible officials offered libations at Taizu's temple hall to the accompaniment of the Dance of Bright Virtue.

世宗善之，詔尚書省集百官詳議。 Emperor Shizong approved the proposal and ordered the Department of State Affairs to convene all officials for full deliberation.

世宗覽奏，善之。 Emperor Shizong read the memorial and approved it.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 146Volume 146: Treatises 8 Finance and Economics · 4 passages

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顯德元年十二月，世宗謂侍臣曰：「朕覽食末鹽州郡，犯私鹽多於顆鹽界分，蓋卑濕之地，易為刮鹼煎造，豈惟違我榷法，兼又汙我好鹽。 In the twelfth month of Xiande 1, Emperor Shizong told his attendants: 'I have reviewed the fine-salt prefectures and find private-salt violations exceed those in crystal-salt zones, because low-lying damp lands make it easy to scrape alkali and boil salt. This not only violates our monopoly law but also taints our good salt.

〈（《文獻通考》：五年，既取江北諸州，唐主奉表入貢，因白帝以江南無鹵田，願得海陵鹽監南屬以贍軍。 (Comprehensive Examination of Documents: In the fifth year, after the Jiangbei prefectures were taken, the Tang ruler submitted tribute and told the emperor that Jiangnan had no brine fields and requested the Hailing salt monopoly in the south to support the army.

帝曰：「海陵在江北難以交居，當別有處分。」 The emperor said: 'Hailing is north of the river and difficult to share jointly; separate arrangements will be made.'

周顯德二年正月，世宗謂侍臣曰：「轉輸之物，向來皆給斗耗，自晉、漢已來，不與支破。 In the first month of Zhou Xiande 2, Emperor Shizong told his attendants: 'For transport goods, allowance for handling loss was always granted; since Jin and Han it has not been paid out.

History of Liao, Chapter 6Volume 6 Annals 6: Muzong 1 · 2 passages

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是月，周主威殂，養子晉王柴榮嗣立。 That month Zhou's ruler Guo Wei died, and his adopted son, Prince of Jin Chai Rong, succeeded him.

是月，周主榮殂，子宗訓立。 That month Zhou's ruler Rong died and his son Zongxun succeeded to the throne.

History of Liao, Chapter 78Volume 78 Biographies 8: Yelu Yilage, Xiao Haili, Xiao Husi, Xiao Siwen, Xiao Jixian · 2 passages

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已而周主復北侵，與其將傅元卿、李崇進等分道並進，圍瀛州，陷益津、瓦橋、淤口三關，垂迫固安。 Soon the Zhou emperor invaded the north again. With Fu Yuanqing, Li Chongjin, and other generals advancing on separate routes, he besieged Yingzhou, captured the passes at Yijin, Wanqiao, and Yukou, and pressed toward Gu'an.

會周主榮以病歸，思溫退至益津，偽言不知所在。 When the Later Zhou emperor Chai Rong returned because of illness, Siwen withdrew to Yijin and pretended not to know where the enemy was.

History of Song, Chapter 359Volume 359 Biographies 118: Li Gang 2 · 1 passage

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後唐李氏有淮南，則可以都金陵，其後淮南為周世宗所取，遂以削弱。 When the Later Tang Li house held Huainan, it could make Jinling its capital; once Huainan was taken by Emperor Shizong of Zhou, the dynasty was weakened.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 12Volume 12 Later Zhou Annals 3: Shizong, Emperor Gong · 18 passages

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世宗睿武孝文皇帝，本姓柴氏，邢州龙冈人也。 Shizong, temple name the Sagacious Martial Filial Civil Emperor, was born of the Chai clan at Longgang in Xingzhou.

后兄守礼子荣，幼从姑长太祖家，以谨厚见爱，太祖遂以为子。 Rong, Shouli’s son and the empress’s nephew, was raised from boyhood in Taizu’s house through his aunt; his sober loyalty won affection, and Taizu adopted him as a son.

太祖后稍贵，荣亦壮，而器貌英奇，善骑射，略通书史黄老，性沈重寡言。 As Taizu’s star rose, Rong matured into a man of striking looks and presence, expert in the saddle and bow, with a modest grounding in the classics, histories, and Daoist texts, and a temperament grave and quiet.

太祖为汉枢密使，荣为左监门卫大将军。 While Taizu served Later Han as privy commissioner, Rong held the post of Grand General of the Left Gate Guard.

太祖镇天雄，荣领贵州刺史、天雄军牙内都指挥使。 When Taizu took command at Tianxiong, Rong became prefect of Guizhou and commander-in-chief of the Tianxiong inner guard.

乾祐三年冬，周兵起魏，犯京师，留荣守魏。 In the winter of Qianyou 3 the Zhou army rose in Wei and struck for the capital; Rong stayed behind to guard Wei.

太祖入立，拜澶州刺史、镇宁军节度使，检校太傅、同中书门下平章事。 After Taizu seized the throne, Rong was made prefect of Chan, military commissioner of Zhenning, honorary grand tutor, and associate grand councilor.

荣素为枢密使王峻所忌，广顺三年正月来朝，不得留。 Privy Commissioner Wang Jun had long resented Rong; when Rong came to court in the first month of Guangshun 3, he was sent back and not allowed to remain.

既而峻有罪诛，三月，拜荣开封尹，封晋王。 Jun was soon condemned and put to death; in the third month Rong became Mayor of the Eastern Capital and Prince of Jin.

显德元年正月丙子，郊，仅而成礼，即以王判内外兵马事。 On bingzi in the first month of Xiande 1 the suburban sacrifice was rushed through; the Prince of Jin was then put in charge of all military affairs within and without.

于书封晋王，正其非子矣。其余假窃嗣君之礼，不待讥贬而可知，故皆无异辞。 By recording the enfeoffment as Prince of Jin, the annals expose the fiction that he was a true son. The other stolen rites of succession need no added rebuke or praise; the facts speak for themselves, and the text therefore gives them without comment.

二年五代乱世，以嗣君即位者五，而改元不依古者四，梁末帝、晋出帝即位逾年，宜改元而不改，又明年然后改，汉隐帝、周世宗皆仍称先帝年号，终其世不改，而本纪无讥者，但书其实，自见其失也。 In the second year: in the chaotic age of the Five Dynasties, five successors took the throne, yet four did not change the reign title according to ancient practice. Liang’s last emperor and Jin’s deposed emperor, more than a year after accession, ought to have changed the era name but did not, changing only the following year. Han’s Hidden Emperor and Zhou’s Shizong both kept their predecessors’ era names to the end without change, and the annals offer no censure—they simply record the facts, and the fault shows itself.

州县废置不书，此书，重复中国故地。世宗下三关，瓦桥、益津以建州及见，淤口关止置寨，故旧史、实录皆阙不书，遂不见其取得时日，今信安军是也。 Changes to prefectures and counties are usually omitted; here they are recorded because old Chinese lands were recovered. Shizong took the Three Passes: Waqiao and Yijin were made prefectures and noted, but Yankou was only fortified, so earlier histories and veritable records left the captures undated—today’s Xin’an command is an example.

恭皇帝，世宗第四子宗训也。 Emperor Gong was Zongxun, the fourth son of Shizong.

世宗即位，大臣请封皇子为王，世宗谦抑久之。 After Shizong’s accession his ministers urged that the princes be enfeoffed as kings, but he long refused out of modest restraint.

显德六年六月癸巳，世宗崩。 On guisi in the sixth month of Xiande 6 Shizong died.

冬十一月壬寅，葬睿武孝文皇帝于庆陵。 On renyin in the eleventh month Shizong, the Sagacious Martial Filial Civil Emperor, was interred at Qingling.

而世宗区区五六年间，取秦陇，平淮右，复三关，威武之声震慑夷夏，而方内延儒学文章之士，考制度、修《通礼》、定《正乐》、议《刑统》，其制作之法皆可施于后世。 Yet in only five or six years Shizong seized Qin and Long, pacified the Huai west, and recovered the Three Passes; his martial fame shook both barbarians and Chinese, while within the realm he gathered Confucian scholars, examined institutions, compiled the Comprehensive Rites, fixed the Correct Music, and debated the Penal Code—institutions fit to govern generations yet unborn.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 16Volume 16: Family of the Tang Deposed Emperor · 1 passage

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周太祖為一家，世宗為一家。 Later Zhou likewise splits in two: the line of Taizu and that of Shizong.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 19Volume 19: Taizu of Later Zhou's Family · 4 passages

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太祖崩，葬嵩陵，一后三妃皆當陪葬，而太原未克，世宗詔有司營嵩陵之側為虛墓以俟。 When Taizu died he was interred at Song Mausoleum. The empress and three consorts were all to be buried with him, but Taiyuan had not yet fallen, so Shizong ordered officials to prepare vacant tombs beside the mausoleum until the time came.

顯德元年，世宗已敗劉旻於高平，遂攻太原，太原閉壁被圍，乃遷妃喪而葬之。 In Xiande 1, after Shizong had defeated Liu Chong at Gaoping, he marched on Taiyuan. With the city shut up under siege, he had the consort's remains brought forward and buried.

皇侄守筠贈左領軍衛將軍，以筠聲近榮，為世宗避，更名守願； that the imperial nephew Shoujun be posthumously made general of the Left Army Guard—because jun sounded like "glory," it was changed for Shizong's taboo to Shouyuan;

世宗顯德四年夏四月癸未，詔曰：「禮以緣情，恩以悼往，矧在友於之列，尤鐘惻愴之情。 On guiwei day in the fourth month of summer, Xiande 4, Shizong issued an edict: "Rites arise from affection, and grace mourns the dead; how much more among brothers, where grief cuts especially deep.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 20Volume 20: Shizong of Later Zhou's Family · 17 passages

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周太祖聖穆皇后柴氏，無子，養後兄守禮之子以為子，是為世宗。 Empress Shengmu of the Chai clan, wife of Later Zhou's Taizu, bore no sons. She adopted her elder brother Shouli's son as her own; that child became Shizong.

世宗即位，加金紫光祿大夫、檢校司空、光祿卿。 When Shizong ascended the throne he was further promoted to Grand Master for Splendid Happiness with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, acting Minister of Works, and Director of the Imperial Household.

致仕，居於洛陽，終世宗之世，未嘗至京師，而左右亦莫敢言，第以元舅禮之，而守禮亦頗恣橫，嘗殺人於市，有司有聞，世宗不問。 He retired to Luoyang and never once came to the capital during Shizong's entire reign, yet no one at court dared raise the matter; they could only honor him as the emperor's maternal uncle. Shouli was also quite overbearing and once killed a man in the marketplace. When officials reported it, Shizong took no action.

予讀周史，見守禮殺人，世宗寢而不問，蓋進任天下重矣，而子於其父亦至矣，故寧受屈法之過，以申父子之道，其所以合於義者，蓋知權也。 Reading the history of Zhou, I see that when Shouli killed a man Shizong let the matter drop. He put the weight of the realm first, yet a son's duty to his father also stood at its height. He would rather bear the fault of bending the law than violate the bond between father and son. That this was righteous shows he knew how to weigh circumstances.

然則為舜與世宗者，宜如何無使瞽叟、守禮至於殺人，則可謂孝矣！ For men like Shun and Shizong, true filial piety would mean keeping Gusou and Shouli from ever killing in the first place.

世宗之知權，明矣夫！ How clear it is that Shizong knew how to weigh circumstances!

世宗三皇后。 Shizong had three empresses.

貞惠皇后劉氏，不知其世家，蓋微時所娶也，世宗為左監門衞將軍，得封彭城縣君。 Empress Zhenhui of the Liu clan—her family background is unknown; she was probably wed in his humble early days. While Shizong served as general of the Left Gate Guard, she received the title Lady of Pengcheng Commandery.

世宗從太祖于魏，后留京師，太祖舉兵，漢誅其族。 Shizong followed Taizu to Wei while the empress stayed behind in the capital. When Taizu took up arms, Later Han put his entire clan to death.

世宗顯德四年夏四月，始詔彭城郡夫人劉氏追冊為皇后，有司謚曰貞惠，陵曰惠陵。 In the fourth month of summer, Xiande 4, an edict at last posthumously installed Lady Liu of Pengcheng as empress. The responsible offices gave her the posthumous title Zhenhui, and her mausoleum was named Huiling.

太祖於後有恩，而世宗性特英銳，聞後如此，益奇之。 Taizu had shown her kindness, and Shizong, whose nature was keen and bold, admired her all the more when he heard how she had acted.

世宗即位，冊為皇后。 When Shizong became emperor he installed her as empress.

世宗辦急多暴怒，而後嘗追悔，每怒左右，後必從容伺顏色，漸為解說，世宗意亦隨解，由是益重之。 Shizong was quick-tempered and prone to violent anger, yet he often regretted it afterward. Whenever he raged at those around him the empress would calmly watch his mood and gently reason with him until his anger passed. He valued her all the more for this.

世宗征淮，後以帝不宜親行，切諫止之，世宗不聽。 When Shizong campaigned against Huai she urged earnestly that the emperor should not take the field in person. He would not listen.

世宗子七人：長曰宜哥，次二皆未名，次曰恭皇帝，次曰熙讓，次曰熙謹，次曰熙誨，皆不知其母為誰氏。 Shizong had seven sons: the eldest was called Yige; the next two were never named; then came Emperor Gong, followed by Xirang, Xijin, and Xihui. The identity of each mother is unknown.

顯德三年，群臣請封宗室，世宗以謂為國日淺，恩信未及於人，而須功德大成，慶流於世，而後議之可也。 In Xiande 3 the ministers asked to enfeoff the imperial clan. Shizong replied that the state was still young, that favor and trust had not yet reached the people, and that enfeoffment should wait until merit was complete and blessings flowed to the realm.

後十日而世宗崩，梁王即位，是為恭皇帝。 Ten days later Shizong died. The Prince of Liang ascended the throne—this was Emperor Gong.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 31Volume 31 Later Zhou Biographies 11: Wang Pu, Zheng Renhui, Hu Zai · 18 passages

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周世宗鎮澶州，朴為節度掌書記。 When Shizong of Zhou held Chanz, Pu was the military governor’s chief secretary.

世宗為開封尹，拜朴右拾遺，為推官。 When Shizong became Kaifeng Intendant, Pu was made Right Reminder and investigating officer.

世宗即位，遷比部郎中，獻《平邊策》，曰： At Shizong’s accession Pu rose to Director in the Ministry of Revenue and submitted his “Pacifying the Borderlands” memorial:

是時，世宗新即位，銳意征伐，已撓群議，親敗劉旻於高平，歸而益治兵，慨然有平一天下之志。 Shizong had just taken the throne, hungry for war. He had already silenced the doubters, beaten Liu Min at Gaoping himself, and returned to drill the armies harder—suddenly burning to unite the realm.

世宗雅已知朴，及見其議論偉然，益以為奇，引與計議天下事，無不合，遂決意用之。 Shizong had known Pu for years; now his arguments struck like thunder, and Shizong found him even more extraordinary. He brought Pu into every plan for the realm. Nothing clashed. He decided to use him without reserve.

世宗之時，外事征伐，而內修法度。 Under Shizong, war ran outward and law was rebuilt within.

朴性剛果，又見信於世宗，凡其所為，當時無敢難者，然人亦莫能加也。 Pu was hard and decisive, and Shizong believed in him. Whatever he undertook, no one dared stand in his way—nor could anyone outdo him.

世宗征淮，朴留京師，廣新城，通道路，莊偉宏闊，今京師之制，多其所規為。 While Shizong fought on the Huai, Pu stayed in the capital, widened the new city, opened roads—monumental and vast. Much of today’s capital plan is his work.

六年春，世宗遣朴行視汴口，作斗門，還，過故相李穀第，疾作，仆於坐上，舁歸而卒，年五十四。 Spring of year six, Shizong sent Pu to inspect the Bian mouth and build sluice gates. On the way back he stopped at former chancellor Li Gu’s house; sickness took him, he fell from his seat, was carried home, and died at fifty-four.

世宗臨其喪，以玉鉞叩地，大慟者數四。 Shizong came to his funeral, struck the ground with the jade axe of mourning, and broke into great wailing four times.

世宗攻河東，仁誨留守東都。 When Shizong attacked Hedong, Renhui stayed behind to hold the eastern capital.

世宗將臨其喪，有司言歲不利臨喪，世宗不聽，乃先以桃荝而臨之。 Shizong meant to attend his funeral; the officials warned that the year was ill-omened for mourning. Shizong refused to heed them, performed the peach-branch and reed exorcism, and went anyway.

仁誨自其微時，常為太祖謀畫，及居大位，未嘗有所聞，而太祖、世宗皆親重之，然亦能謙謹好禮，不自矜伐，為士大夫所稱。 From humble days Renhui had advised Taizu; in high office he never traded on it—yet Taizu and Shizong both cherished him. He remained modest, courteous, and ritual-minded, never vaunting himself, and the literati spoke well of him.

又因遊相國寺，見庭竹可愛，作《碧鮮賦》，題其壁，世宗聞之，遣小黃門就壁錄之，覽而稱善，因拜水部員外郎、知制誥。 Visiting Xiangguo Temple, he fell in love with the courtyard bamboo and wrote “Fresh Green” on the wall. Shizong heard, sent a palace eunuch to copy it from the wall, read it with praise, and made him Vice Director of the Waterways Office and drafter of edicts.

世宗憐之，賜告還第，遣太醫視疾。 Shizong pitied him, granted leave to go home, and sent the imperial physician to treat him.

是時，天子英武，樂延天下奇才，而尤禮文士，載與張昭、竇儼、陶穀、徐臺符等俱被進用。 The Son of Heaven was bold and martial, hungry for extraordinary men, and especially honored men of letters. Zai, with Zhang Zhao, Dou Yan, Tao Gu, Xu Taifu, and others, all rose into office.

不遇世宗，何所施哉？ Without Shizong, where could he have shown it?

世宗之時，外事征伐，攻取戰勝； Under Shizong the realm campaigned abroad—attacking, conquering, winning in battle;

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 32Volume 32 Biographies of Martyrs to Virtue 12: Wang Yanzhang · 11 passages

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至周世宗時，又有劉仁贍者焉。 By Shizong’s day there was Liu Renzhan.

世宗攻壽州，圍之數重，以方舟載炮，自淝河中流擊其城； Shizong besieged Shou, ring upon ring. He mounted catapults on barges and hammered the walls from midstream on the Fei;

世宗東趨濠梁，以李重進為廬、壽都招討使。 Shizong marched east to Hao Bridge and made Li Chongjin overall commander of Lu and Shou.

明年正月，世宗復至淮上，盡破紫金山砦，壞其夾道，景兵大敗，諸將往往見擒，而景之守將廣陵馮延魯、光州張紹、舒州周祚、泰州方訥、泗州範再遇等，或走或降，皆不能守，雖景君臣亦皆震懾，奉表稱臣，願割土地、輸貢賦，以效誠款，而仁贍獨堅守，不可下。 First month of the next year Shizong returned to the Huai, smashed the Purple Gold Mountain camps, broke the covered road, and routed Jing’s army. Generals fell one after another; Feng Yanlu of Guangling, Zhang Shao of Guang, Zhou Zuo of Shu, Fang Ne of Tai, Fan Zaiyu of Si—commanders fled or surrendered and could not hold. Jing king and court shook, sent tribute, ceded land, bowed as subjects—Renzhan alone held and would not yield.

世宗使景所遣使者孫晟等至城下示之，仁贍子崇諫幸其父病，謀與諸將出降，仁贍立命斬之，監軍使周廷構哭於中門救之，不得，於是士卒皆感泣，願以死守。 Shizong paraded Jing’s envoy Sun Sheng below the walls. Renzhan’s son Chongjian, seeing his father ill, plotted surrender with the generals. Renzhan ordered him killed on the spot. Supervisor Zhou Tinggou wept at the middle gate in vain; the soldiers wept and swore to die with the city.

世宗命舁仁贍至帳前，嘆嗟久之，賜以玉帶、御馬，復使入城養疾，是日卒。 Shizong had Renzhan carried to his tent, sighed a long while, gave him a jade belt and an imperial horse, and sent him back into the city to recover. He died that day.

世宗遣使吊祭，喪事官給，追封彭城郡王，以其子崇贊為懷州刺史，賜莊宅各一區。 Shizong sent envoys to mourn him and pay for the funeral from the treasury. He was posthumously made Prince of Pengcheng; his son Chongzan was named prefect of Huaizhou, and father and son each received an estate.

壽州故治壽春，世宗以其難克，遂徙城下蔡，而復其軍曰忠正軍，曰：「吾以旌仁贍之節也。」 Shou Prefecture had once been governed from Shouchun. Shizong, finding the place hard to take, moved the seat to Xiachai and restored the army’s name to the Loyal Upright Army, saying, “I do this to honor Renzhan’s integrity.”

今《周世宗實錄》載仁贍降書，蓋其副使孫羽等所為也。 The Veritable Records of Shizong credit Renzhan with a surrender letter—but that was forged by his deputy Sun Yu and the rest.

當世宗時，王環為蜀守秦州，攻之久不下，其力屈而降，世宗頗嗟其忠，然止於為大將軍。 Under Shizong, Wang Huan held Qin Prefecture for Shu. The siege wore on without result; when his strength gave out he surrendered. Shizong sighed at his loyalty, yet made him only a Grand General.

視世宗待二人之薄厚而考其制書，乃知仁贍非降者也。 Weigh how differently Shizong treated the two men and read the edicts he wrote, and you will see Renzhan never surrendered.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 49Volume 49 Miscellaneous Biographies 29: Di Guangye, Feng Hui, Huang Fuhui, Tang Jingsi, Wang Jin, Chang Si, Sun Fangjian · 3 passages

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世宗召見，暉金瘡被體，哀之，賜以金帶、鞍馬，後數日卒。 Shizong called him in. Golden wounds covered him; Shizong pitied him, gave belt and horse, and he died days later.

後從世宗戰高平，世宗以所得漢降兵數千為效順指揮，以景思為指揮使，復戍淮上。 Later he followed Shizong at Gaoping. Shizong formed several thousand Han surrender troops into the Obedient Command, made Jingsi commander, and posted him again on the Huai.

世宗攻太原，方諫朝於行在，從還京，至洛得疾，徙鎮匡國，卒於洛陽，年六十二，贈太師。 When Shizong attacked Taiyuan, Fangjian came to the imperial camp, followed him home, fell ill at Luoyang, was moved to Kuangguo, and died there at sixty-two; he was posthumously made Grand Preceptor.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 71Volume 71: Timeline for the Hereditary Houses of the Ten Kingdoms · 1 passage

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而《五代舊史》、《周世宗實錄》、《運歷圖》、《紀年通譜》皆云顯德二年冬旻卒。 But the Old History of the Five Dynasties, the Shilu of Emperor Shizong of Zhou, the Yunli Tu, and the Jinian Tongpu all place Min's death in the winter of the second year of Xiande.