Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang (後唐莊宗)

Overview

Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang was an emperor of Later Tang.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Li Cunxu	李存勗	Li Cunxu
Childhood name	Yazi	亞子	Yazi
Posthumous name	Guang Sheng Shen Min Filial Emperor	光聖神閔孝皇帝
Regnal name	Zhaowen Ruiwu Zhide Guangxiao Emperor	昭文睿武至德光孝皇帝

Life and dates

Birth

Date Source Date: Text: 唐光啟元年歲在乙巳，冬十月二十二日癸亥 · Regnal Year: 1 · Western Year: AD 885 · At Jinyang palace 晉陽宮
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 2

Death

AD 926 四月丁丑朔
Killed in combat · Cause struck by a stray arrow 為流矢所中 · At under the eaves of Jiangxiao Hall 絳霄殿之廡下 · Age Years: 43
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 205
As of already deceased · Tomb mausoleum 陵寢
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 111, passage 91
Cause Disaster begun by Huang Fuhui mutiny · Related Person Id Huangfu Hui (皇甫暉)
Strongly inferred · New History of the Five Dynasties 49, passage 67
AD 926 四月丁亥朔
Killed in mutiny · At Jiangxiao Hall corridor 絳霄殿廊下
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passages 104, 109-110
AD 926 天成元年
Assassinated
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passage 125
AD 926 莊宗遇弒、明宗入立
Assassinated
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 8, passage 17

Show 4 more source-backed claims

Assassination · Killed by Guo Cunqian (郭存謙)
Directly stated · History of Liao 2, passage 167
Assassinated
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passage 125
calamity/crisis at court 莊宗之難作
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 69, passage 46
AD 926 莊宗沒
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passage 5

Age

11
AD 895 存勖年十一，從克用破王行瑜 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 4
5
AD 889 初，克用破孟方立於邢州…時存勖在側，方五歲 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 3
24
AD 908 天祐五年 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 34
13
AD 897 十三習《春秋》 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 15
11
AD 895 帝時年十一 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 6
Years 43 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 205

Attested activity

AD 923 Supplementary 新五代史/卷05 - 维基文库，自由的图书馆: 夏四月己巳，皇帝即位，大赦，改元，國號唐。
Event SUPPLEMENTARY PERSONAL EVIDENCE: Li Cunxu accedes as emperor. 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 37
AD 920 貞明六年九月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 10, passages 45-46
AD 924 同光二年五月丙午
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 56
AD 885 唐光啟元年歲在乙巳，冬十月二十二日癸亥
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 2
AD 923 天祐二十年／同光元年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 10, passages 195, 206
AD 922 龍德二年春正月至二月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 10, passages 139, 141

Show 152 more source-backed claims

AD 908 天祐五年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 50, passage 86
AD 908 天祐五年二月壬戌
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 33, 59
AD 908 天祐五年春正月
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 33-34
AD 923 AD 923-926
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 26, passage 3
AD 915 to AD 918 from Zhenming 1 through the Zhenming 4 campaign
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 23, passages 129, 133
AD 913 七年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 1, passage 109
AD 923 to AD 926 不三四年，以致顛隕
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passages 8-9
AD 925 丙子
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 166
AD 925 丙戌
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 178
AD 926 乙丑
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 161
AD 926 乙亥
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passages 139-140
AD 908 二年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 1, passage 57
AD 908 二月二十日
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 50, passage 112
AD 908 五年正月
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 4, passage 147
AD 923 to AD 926 先帝好作歌詩
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 119
AD 906 六年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 4, passages 138-141
AD 921 六年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 2, passages 42-43
AD 918 其戰於胡柳也
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 27
AD 925 冬十月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 91
AD 925 冬十月丁亥
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 111
AD 925 冬十月丙子
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 100
AD 925 冬十月己巳
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 90
AD 925 冬十月辛酉
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 85
AD 889 初，克用破孟方立於邢州…時存勖在側，方五歲
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 3
AD 923 to AD 926 初從莊宗
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 236
AD 897 十三習《春秋》
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 15
AD 922 十九年三月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 62, passage 95
AD 915 十二年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 69, passage 10
AD 925 十二月壬戌
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 159
AD 921 十八年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 72, passage 63
AD 901 to AD 907 及安塞不利之後
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 20-21
AD 896 to AD 907 及長
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 5
AD 915 to AD 923 取魏、清平、胡柳
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 8, passages 5, 7-8
AD 923 to AD 930 同光、天成之際
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 144, passages 5-6
AD 923 to AD 926 同光
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passages 56, 64
AD 923 同光
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 69, passage 22; New History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 165
AD 925 同光三年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 1
AD 925 同光三年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 139, passages 12, 42
AD 925 同光三年四月
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 73, passage 93
AD 923 to AD 926 同光中
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 38; Old History of the Five Dynasties 70, passages 7, 14
AD 924 同光二年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 31, passage 1
AD 924 同光二年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 139, passage 61
AD 924 同光二年二月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 147, passage 15
AD 924 同光二年四月
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 138, passages 49-50
AD 923 同光元年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 65, passage 55; Old History of the Five Dynasties 72, passage 100
AD 923 同光元年
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 141, passages 115-116
AD 923 同光元年八月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 74, passage 159
AD 923 同光入汴
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 62, passage 110
AD 923 同光初
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 64, passage 147; Old History of the Five Dynasties 73, passage 53
AD 923 同光初
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 56; Old History of the Five Dynasties 106, passages 22-23
AD 923 同光初胡柳陂
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 127, passage 87
AD 926 同光四年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 74, passage 77
AD 926 同光四年二月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 43
AD 926 同光四年二月乙未
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 41
AD 926 同光四年二月甲午
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 34, 40
AD 926 同光四年春正月戊午朔
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 1
AD 926 同光四年正月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 64, passage 122
AD 926 同光四年正月丙寅
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 14
AD 926 同光四年正月乙酉
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 25-26
AD 926 同光四年正月壬戌
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 2
AD 926 同光四年正月庚辰
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 18
AD 926 同光四年正月甲申
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 24
AD 923 to AD 926 唐莊宗
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 111, passage 91; Old History of the Five Dynasties 144, passage 38
AD 923 唐莊宗
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 49, passages 22, 53
AD 923 唐莊宗同光元年十二月
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 147, passage 10
AD 923 to AD 926 唐莊宗在位
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 9, passage 1
AD 923 唐莊宗已下魏博
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 50, passage 116
AD 923 to AD 926 唐莊宗時
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 138, passage 31
AD 923 to AD 926 唐莊宗朝
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 106, passage 2
AD 918 to AD 923 唐莊宗與梁軍對壘於河上
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 106, passage 119
AD 926 四年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 69, passages 44, 50
AD 926 四年二月
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 73, passage 94
AD 926 四月一日
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 70, passage 42
AD 926 四月丁丑朔
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 200, 205
AD 926 四月丁亥朔
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passages 104, 110
AD 926 壬申
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 163
AD 926 天成元年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passages 6, 42
AD 926 天成元年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 2
AD 910 天祐七年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 54, passage 80
AD 910 天祐七年冬
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 15
AD 908 天祐五年九月
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 13
AD 908 天祐五年二月
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passages 8, 10-12
AD 908 天祐五年正月
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passages 6-7
AD 911 天祐八年正月
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passages 16-18
AD 909 天祐六年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 14
AD 916 天祐十三年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 106, passages 78-79
AD 921 天祐十八年
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passage 39
AD 923 天贊二年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 2, passage 73
AD 922 天贊元年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 2, passage 53
AD 926 天顯元年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 2, passage 167
AD 895 存勖年十一，從克用破王行瑜
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 4
AD 925 己丑
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passages 157-158
AD 925 己卯
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passages 169-173
AD 895 帝時年十一
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 6
AD 925 庚午
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 165
AD 923 to AD 926 後唐莊宗
Directly stated · History of Jin 131, passage 15; Old History of the Five Dynasties 87, passage 6
AD 923 to AD 926 後唐莊宗朝
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 106, passage 86
AD 926 明宗自魏兵反而南
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 124
AD 926 明宗軍變於魏
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 81
AD 921 是歲八月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 62, passage 90
AD 908 晉王之將終也
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passages 2-3
AD 911 to AD 912 晉王以會歸太原
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 44, passage 50
AD 912 晉王出澤、潞以救之
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 69
AD 922 to AD 923 晉王將即帝位
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 35, passage 84
AD 908 to AD 923 晉王時
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passage 12
AD 908 to AD 926 晉王欲結援
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 71, passage 46
AD 908 晉王病且革
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passage 13
AD 923 末帝與莊宗對壘於河上
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passage 7
AD 907 to AD 913 李存勖問罪於燕
Directly stated · History of Liao 76, passage 109
AD 917 李存遣李嗣源等救幽州
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 1, passage 232
AD 911 柏鄉之役
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 65, passages 6-7; Old History of the Five Dynasties 72, passage 26
AD 911 柏鄉戰勝之後
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 62, passage 66
AD 923 梁亡
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 69, passage 27
AD 912 to AD 923 梁與莊宗交戰於河
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 64, passage 146
AD 917 梁貞明三年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 23
AD 908 to AD 926 武皇與莊宗禮遇俱厚，給賜優異。
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 11
AD 923 滅梁
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 44, passage 110
AD 923 滅梁入汴
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 28
AD 926 甲戌
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 187
AD 925 甲申
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 177
AD 926 甲辰
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 115-116, 118, 126
AD 923 to AD 926 莊宗
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 96, passages 85, 190
AD 923 莊宗入汴
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 16, passage 135; Old History of the Five Dynasties 64, passage 16
AD 912 莊宗入魏州
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 130, passage 4
AD 912 to AD 923 莊宗初略地河朔
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 54, passage 180
AD 923 莊宗即位，授鴻臚少卿。
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 78
AD 923 莊宗即位
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 12, passage 15
AD 923 莊宗即位
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 50, passage 33; New History of the Five Dynasties 35, passage 91; New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passage 119
AD 917 莊宗嗣位
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 57, passages 7-8
AD 912 to AD 923 莊宗在魏，與梁戰河上十餘年
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passage 15
AD 923 莊宗已定魏博
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 73, passage 2
AD 923 to AD 926 莊宗平定梁室
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passage 8
AD 923 莊宗平定河南
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 68, passage 14
AD 926 莊宗敗
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 2
AD 923 to AD 926 莊宗時
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 183-184; New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 204; New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 43-44, 123
AD 923 to AD 926 莊宗時
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 213
AD 923 to AD 926 莊宗朝
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 125
AD 926 莊宗沒
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passage 5
AD 923 莊宗滅梁
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 11, passage 12
AD 923 莊宗滅梁入汴
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 75
AD 923 to AD 926 莊宗破梁
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 107
AD 923 莊宗立
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 44, passage 51
AD 926 莊宗遇弒
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passage 125
AD 923 to AD 926 莊宗遣幽州符存審
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 19, passage 25
AD 918 貞明四年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 16, passage 78
AD 915 贞明元年夏六月
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 3, passage 29
AD 926 遇弒
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 8, passages 15-17
AD 911 開平五年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 6, passage 28
AD 925 閏十二月甲午
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passages 179-193, 195, 198-199, 201, 203
AD 925 魏王繼岌已破蜀
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 70
AD 923 龍德三年夏
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passage 34
AD 923 龙德三年四月
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 3, passage 112

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Kin of Third Aunt Song (宋氏)
paternal aunt 姑 · paternal line
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 178
Kin of Kening (克寧)
paternal uncle 叔父 · paternal line
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passages 7-8
Kin of Kening (克寧)
younger paternal uncle 季父 · paternal line
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 41
Parent of Li Siyuan (李嗣源)
adopted son 養子 · Adoptive parentage
Directly stated · History of Liao 2, passage 167
Kin of Li Siyuan (李嗣源)
clansman 宗臣 · paternal line
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 121
Spouse of Lady Xia (夏氏)
consort 后 · Ended
Directly stated · History of Liao 72, passage 127
Parent of Daughter of Emperor Zhuangzong (莊宗女)
daughter 女
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 54, passage 85
Sibling of Elder Sister Meng (孟氏)
elder sister 長姊 · Uncertain siblings
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 178
Child of Li Keyong (李克用)
eldest son 長子 · paternal line
son 子
father 父
his son 其子 · paternal line
Sources vary in certainty · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 1; Old History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 11; Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 91; New History of the Five Dynasties 4, passages 138, 147; Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 1; History of Liao 1, passage 57
Child of Wuhuang (武皇)
eldest son 長子 · paternal line
eldest son 長子
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 1
Sibling of Prince Yong Cunba (永王存霸)
younger brothers 諸弟 · Uncertain siblings
emperor's brother 皇弟
Sources vary in certainty · Old History of the Five Dynasties 64, passage 123
Child of Empress Dowager Zhenjian (貞簡太后)
empress dowager 太后
empress dowager / mother 太后
Sources vary in certainty · Old History of the Five Dynasties 72, passages 36, 50-51; Old History of the Five Dynasties 50, passage 105; New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passages 28-29, 32
Child of Empress Dowager (皇太后)
Empress Dowager 太后
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 31, passages 29, 42-43, 96
Child of Empress Dowager Zhenjian (貞簡皇太后)
empress dowager 皇太后
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passages 84, 91
Child of Empress Dowager Zhenjian (貞簡皇太后)
empress dowager 皇太后
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 157
Spouse of Empress of Zhuangzong (莊宗之后)
empress 後
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 143, passage 184
Spouse of Empress Liu (劉皇后)
empress 後 · Primary marriage
empress 皇后 · Primary marriage
empress 皇后
Sources vary in certainty · Old History of the Five Dynasties 73, passage 54; New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 22; Old History of the Five Dynasties 70, passage 21; Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 20; Old History of the Five Dynasties 57, passages 57, 99; Old History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 99; Old History of the Five Dynasties 31, passages 88, 156
Spouse of Empress of Zhuangzong (皇后)
empress 皇后
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 180
Spouse of Empress of Li Cunxu (皇后)
empress 皇后
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 169
Descendant of Exalted Ancestor (獻祖)
Exalted Ancestor 獻祖 · paternal line
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 164
Child of Prince of Jin (晉王)
father and son 父子
father 父
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passages 13, 40; New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passages 3, 5
Child of Taizu (太祖)
father 父
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 89
Sibling of Li Cunyi (李存乂)
imperial younger brother 皇弟 · Uncertain siblings
fifth younger brother 第五弟 · Paternal half siblings
younger half-brother 異母弟 · Paternal half siblings
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 72; Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passages 23, 28; Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 18
Sibling of Li Cunwo (存渥)
fourth younger brother 第四弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passages 16, 18
Descendant of Grand Ancestor (太祖)
Grand Ancestor 太祖 · paternal line
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 31, passages 2, 24
Sibling of Li Cunhao (李存顥)
half-brother 庶孽 · Paternal half siblings
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 46, 48
Parent of Li Jiji (李繼岌)
Hege 和哥
imperial son 皇子
Li Jiji 繼岌
son 兒
son 子
Sources vary in certainty · Old History of the Five Dynasties 72, passages 36-37; Old History of the Five Dynasties 54, passage 161; Old History of the Five Dynasties 73, passage 16; Old History of the Five Dynasties 57, passage 119; New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 24; New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passage 19; Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 43; Old History of the Five Dynasties 31, passage 48; New History of the Five Dynasties 44, passage 121
Descendant of Honored Ancestor (懿祖)
Honored Ancestor 懿祖 · paternal line
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 31, passages 2, 24
Descendant of Illustrious Ancestor (懿祖)
Illustrious Ancestor 懿祖 · paternal line
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 164
Parent of Son of Zhuangzong by the palace lady (宮人所生皇子)
imperial son 皇子
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 70, passage 21
Sibling of Li Cunji (李存紀)
imperial younger brother 皇弟 · Uncertain siblings
seventh younger brother 第七弟 · Full siblings
uterine younger brother 同母弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 31, passage 48; Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passages 18, 37
Descendant of Martial Ancestor (太祖)
Martial Ancestor 太祖 · paternal line
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 164
Child of Empress Zhenjian (貞簡皇后)
mother 母 · maternal line
mother 母
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 2
Child of Mother of Zhuangzong (莊宗母)
mother 母 · maternal line
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 18
Child of Emperor Wu (武皇)
son 吾兒
my son 吾兒
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 72, passage 14
Descendant of Offered Ancestor (獻祖)
Offered Ancestor 獻祖 · paternal line
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 31, passages 2, 24
Kin of Tang Taizu (唐太祖)
one family 一家
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 16, passage 37
Parent of Prince of Wei (魏王)
Prince of Wei 魏王
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 201
Sibling of Li Cunba (李存霸)
second younger brother 第二弟 · Paternal half siblings
uterine younger brother 同母弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passages 1, 18
Sibling of Li Cunque (李存確)
sixth younger brother 第六弟 · Paternal half siblings
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 37
Parent of Li Jitong (李繼潼)
son 子
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 76
Parent of Li Jichan (李繼蟾)
son 子
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 76
Parent of Li Jiyao (李繼嶢)
son 子
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 76
Parent of Li Jisong (李繼嵩)
son 子
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 76
Child of Li Congke (從珂)
the prince’s son 王子
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 7, passage 33
Sibling of Li Cunmei (存美)
third younger brother 第三弟 · Paternal half siblings
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 10
Sibling of Li Cunju (李存矩)
younger brother 弟 · Uncertain siblings
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 41
Sibling of Eleventh Younger Sister Zhang (張氏)
younger sister 妹 · Uncertain siblings
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 178

Kinship Role younger-brothers · Count 2
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 72, passages 34, 58
Kinship Role illegitimate half-brothers · Quantity six or seven · Wuhuang's bastard sons older than the heir
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 46
Kinship Role imperial sons · Quantity unspecified · Kinship Term imperial sons 皇子
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 169

Key source chapters

Origins and identity

barbarian / non-Han origin 夷狄
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 53
three generations wholly loyal to the royal house
家世三代，盡忠王室
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 22

Career and standing

emperor 帝
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 116, 163
acting Sikong 檢校司空
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 13
prefect of Xi 隰州刺史
Appointed · held in absentia
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 13
prefect of Fen and Jin 汾、晉二郡
Transferred · both held in absentia
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 13
temple established in the Western Capital 立廟於西京
AD 939 天福四年冬十一月乙亥 · Commemorated · Authority Shi Jingtang (石敬瑭)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 8, passage 128
king 王
AD 908 天祐五年正月 · Assumed · At Taiyuan 太原
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 6

Show 21 more source-backed claims

Prince of Jin 晉王
AD 913 七年 · Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 1, passage 109
Prince of Jin 晉王
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 10, passages 46, 140-141, 146, 206; New History of the Five Dynasties 23, passage 129
Prince of Jin 晋王
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 3, passage 29
Held
AD 931 長興二年 · Former emperor · Source Label 莊宗
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 42, passage 41
executed Tang Congyi 誅從益
AD 923 同光初 · Executed · With Tang Congyi (唐從益)
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 64, passages 147, 152
arrested and executed Kening 執而戕之
AD 908 天祐五年二月 · Executed · With Kening (克寧)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 8
ordered Zhang Quanyi to collect and bury the Last Emperor's body; the head remained at the Grand Altar
Ordered burial · Subject Person Id Later Liang Last Emperor (末帝) · Agent Person Id Lou Jiying (婁繼英)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 10, passage 195
About to claim throne
AD 921 十八年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 72, passage 63
Succeeded
AD 908 五年正月
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 4, passage 147
As Emperor of Tang 即皇帝位，國號唐
Directly stated · History of Liao 2, passage 73
Tang emperor 唐帝
AD 923 天祐二十年／同光元年夏四月己巳 · At Weizhou 魏州
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 10, passage 206
King at Jinyang 嗣王位於晉陽
AD 908 天祐五年春正月 · At Jinyang 晉陽
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 34
AD 924 同光二年
Honorific Zhaowen Ruiwu Zhide Guangxiao Emperor 昭文睿武至德光孝皇帝
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 31, passages 73, 150
king 王
AD 908 天祐五年正月 · At Taiyuan 太原
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 6
founded the state and began Tongguang era 開國，改元同光
AD 923 改元同光
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 56
emperor 皇帝
AD 923 滅梁
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 26, passage 90
AD 923 莊宗即位
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 35, passage 91
AD 923 莊宗即位於魏州
At Weizhou 魏州
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 57, passage 23
AD 908 莊宗嗣位
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 50, passages 90, 95
AD 923 龙德三年四月
proclaimed Tang
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 3, passage 112
Polity Name Later Tang 唐
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passages 39, 119

Places and affiliations

Jin 晉
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 2
Later Tang 唐
Relation Founded
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 56
Later Tang 唐
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 64, passage 16; Old History of the Five Dynasties 73, passage 10; Old History of the Five Dynasties 144, passages 5, 38; Old History of the Five Dynasties 147, passage 10; New History of the Five Dynasties 26, passage 3; New History of the Five Dynasties 71, passage 56
Later Tang 後唐
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 6, passage 28; Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 44; Old History of the Five Dynasties 96, passage 190; New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 236
Later Tang 後唐
Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 164
Later Tang
Relation Associated with
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 143, passage 7

Show 27 more source-backed claims

Polity Jin 晉 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 34; New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passages 6, 10; New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passage 12; New History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 69
Polity Later Tang 唐 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 31, passage 1; Old History of the Five Dynasties 111, passage 91; Old History of the Five Dynasties 127, passage 87; New History of the Five Dynasties 9, passage 1; New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passages 47, 72; New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 75, 123; New History of the Five Dynasties 49, passage 22
Polity Later Tang 唐 · Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 64, passages 146-147
Polity Later Tang 後唐 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · History of Jin 131, passage 15; Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passages 91, 158, 165, 177, 179, 195; Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 1; Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passage 139; Old History of the Five Dynasties 69, passage 22; Old History of the Five Dynasties 74, passage 159; Old History of the Five Dynasties 106, passage 86; Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passage 4; Old History of the Five Dynasties 139, passage 41; Old History of the Five Dynasties 141, passage 115; New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 213
Polity Later Tang 後唐 · Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passage 42; Old History of the Five Dynasties 72, passages 63, 100; Old History of the Five Dynasties 78, passage 163
Polity Later Tang 後唐 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 116
Polity Later Tang 後唐 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 163
Polity Later Tang · Relation Associated with
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 2
Polity Later Tang · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 65, passage 55
Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Subject of
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 2, 7
Polity Name Jin 晉 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passage 13
AD 926 乙亥
At Yongling 雍陵 · Relation Buried at
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passage 140
AD 925 冬十月辛酉
At Ganquan 甘泉 · Relation Visited
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 85
AD 925 冬十月辛酉
At Shou'an tomb 壽安陵 · Relation Visited
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 85
AD 926 四月丁丑朔
At Jiangxiao Hall 絳霄殿 · Relation Died at
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 205, 208
AD 926 壬申
At Xingze 滎澤 · Relation Arrived
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 163
AD 908 天祐五年正月
At Taiyuan 太原 · Relation Acceded at
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 6
AD 926 是夜
At Sishui 汜水 · Relation Halted at
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 171-172
AD 926 甲戌
At Stone Bridge 石橋 · Relation Halted at
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 187
AD 923 莊宗滅梁入汴
At Bian 汴 · Relation Captured
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 75
At Fen and Jin 汾、晉 · Relation Cultural association
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 18
At Jinyang palace 晉陽宮 · Relation Born at
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 2
At Luoyang 洛 · Relation Resided at
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 64
At Luoyang 洛陽 · Relation Temple established at
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 78, passage 163
At palace 宮 · Relation Returned to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 192
At Wansheng post 萬勝鎮 · Relation Stayed at
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 167
At Yongling, Xin'an 新安之雍陵 · Relation Buried at
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 111

Learning and skills

Spring and Autumn Annals 春秋
AD 897 十三習《春秋》 · Studied
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 15
Subject Spring and Autumn Annals 春秋 · Level studied-somewhat
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 5
Skill music, song, dance, and comic performance 音聲歌舞俳優之戲 · Level delighted-in
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 5
Skill horsemanship and archery 騎射 · Level excelled
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 5
Skill mounted archery 射騎 · Level excelled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 16
Skill composing songs and poems 歌詩 · Level fond
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 119

Show 2 more source-backed claims

Skill music composition 度曲 · Level practiced
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 18
Skill music 音律 · Level thorough
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 14

Works and attributed material

imperial compositions / songs 御製
Relation Author
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 18
Spring and Autumn Annals 春秋
Relation Studied
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 5
Veritable Record of Emperor Zhuangzong 莊宗實錄
Relation Subject of
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 164
Veritable Records 實錄
Relation Subject of
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passages 89, 96, 100
AD 908 天祐五年二月
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Addressee commanders · Mode quotation Speaker Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang (後唐莊宗)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 10
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Zhang Chengye (張承業) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 54

Show 28 more source-backed claims

Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Zhang Chengye (張承業)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passages 19, 24, 29-30, 36, 42
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Wuhuang (武皇) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 21-26, 29-31
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Kening (克寧) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 42-43
Speech · Speaker · Addressee Person Ids Li Kening (李克寧) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 50, passages 90-91
AD 908 天祐五年二月
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Mode quotation Speaker Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang (後唐莊宗)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 11
AD 926 甲戌
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 187-189
AD 925 甲申
Imperial note · Author
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 177
AD 926 甲辰
Memorial · Addressee
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 118
AD 926 甲辰
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 119, 122
AD 925 閏十二月甲午
Edict · Author
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passages 179-191
AD 925 閏十二月甲午
Imperial note · Author
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 198
Edict · Author · With Guo Chongtao (郭崇韜)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 57, passages 103-115
Edict · Author
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 31, passages 13-14, 53
Edict · Authority
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 2-10, 29
Speech · Speaker · Mode quotation
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 69, passages 32, 42
Speech · Speaker · With Guo Chongtao (郭崇韜)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 57, passages 54-55; New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passages 36-37
Speech · Speaker · With Li Keyong (李克用) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 4, passages 138-141
Speech · Speaker · With Li Siyuan (李嗣源)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 64, passage 18
Speech · Speaker · With Zhu Youqian (朱友謙)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 70
Speech · Speaker · With Guo Congqian (郭從謙)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passages 96-97
Speech · Speaker · With Congshen (從審)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 81-82
Speech · Speaker · With Ma Yu (馬郁)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 71, passages 21-23
Speech · Speaker · Quoted · Summary said grudges should not pass to descendants and regretted never meeting the Liang ruler alive · With Later Liang Last Emperor (末帝) · Mode direct-quotation Speaker Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang (後唐莊宗)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 10, passages 193-194
Speech · Speaker · With Hu Zhuang (胡裝)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 69, passages 111-112
Disunity among Liang commanders meant Liang would soon fall.
Speech · Speaker · Speaker Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang (後唐莊宗) · Mode direct-quotation Speaker Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang (後唐莊宗)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 23, passage 133
Speech · Speaker · Mode named-source-report
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 16, passage 78
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 174; Old History of the Five Dynasties 50, passages 107, 113-114; New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passages 34-35, 53-55, 72-76
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 33, passages 23-24

Events and relationships

Appointed campaign commander
AD 926 甲辰 · Political · Ruler · With Li Siyuan (李嗣源)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 126
Approved hold Sishui to await Jiji
AD 926 丙子 · Court · Ruler
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 198
Approved reburial
AD 926 同光四年正月乙酉 · Administrative · Approver
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 26
Approved rites memorial
AD 925 己丑 · Political · Approver
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 158
Approved separate tomb at Shouan
Planning · Sovereign
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passages 92, 99
Approved tomb name Kunling
AD 925 冬十月己巳 · Ritual · Sovereign
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passages 89-90

Show 112 more source-backed claims

Asked not to attend mausoleum
AD 925 冬十月丁亥 · Ritual · Sovereign
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 111
Asked offices for flood relief methods
AD 925 閏十二月甲午 · Political · Inquirer
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 195
Avoided main hall reduced meals withdrew music
AD 926 同光四年正月壬戌 · Ritual · Emperor
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 2
Began to decide great affairs
Political · Ruler
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 40
Besieged Xingzhou then attacked Wei
AD 911 天祐八年正月 · Military · Commander · At Xingzhou 邢州
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 17
Besieged Zhenzhou
Military · Commander
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 2, passage 53
Bound yan and took liang
Military · Commander · With Prince of Yan (燕王)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 8
Broke Jia Fortress through fog
AD 908 天祐五年二月 · Military · Commander · At Jia Fortress 夾城
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 12
Broke Liang jia city and fought Baxiang
Military · Commander
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 107
Called for swimmers to break siege
Military · Summoner
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 106, passage 121
Campaigned against
AD 895 帝時年十一 · Military · Accompanied · With Wang Xingyu (王行瑜)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 6
Captured
AD 913 七年 · Military · Commander · With Liu Shouguang (劉守光) · At Youzhou 幽州
Directly stated · History of Liao 1, passage 109
Coffin escorted and buried
AD 926 乙亥 · Funeral · Deceased
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passages 139-140
Comforted guards about Jiji silver
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 174
Confirmed Feng Dao in office
AD 925 冬十月丙子 · Appointment · Sovereign
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 100
Death announced to circuits
Political · Subject
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passage 6
Declined New Year court
AD 926 同光四年春正月戊午朔 · Ritual · Emperor
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 1
Defeated Liang at Baixiang
AD 911 天祐八年正月 · Military · Commander · At Baixiang 柏鄉
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 16
Defeated Wang Jingren at Baixiang
Military · Victor · With Wang Jingren (王景仁) · At Baixiang 柏鄉
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 6, passage 28
Defeated
Military · Commander · With Kang Huaiying (康懷英) · At Jie county 解縣
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 69
Destroyed Liang and entered Bian
AD 923 莊宗滅梁入汴 · Military · Conqueror
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 75
Destroyed Liang
Military · Conqueror
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 11, passage 12
destroyed Liang 滅梁
Military · Commander · Destroyed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 44, passage 110
Died of arrow wound
AD 926 四月丁丑朔 · Death · Subject
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 205
Dynasty collapsed
AD 923 to AD 926 不三四年，以致顛隕 · Political · Ruler · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passages 8-9
Enfeoffed kinswomen
AD 925 丙戌 · Enfeoffment · Grantor
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 178
Entered the palace and was welcomed by Consort Guo
Ritual · Conquering ruler · With Consort Guo (妃郭氏)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 10, passage 184
Entered Weizhou after its surrender and later took Weibo
Military · Ruler commander
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 23, passages 87, 129
Entered Bian
AD 923 同光初 · Military · Conqueror · At Bian 汴
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 64, passage 147
Entered Wei
Military · Ruler
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 49, passage 22
Entered Weizhou and took Dezhou
AD 915 贞明元年夏六月庚寅朔 · Military · Commander
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 3, passage 29
Entered
AD 923 莊宗入汴 · Military · Conqueror · At Bian 汴
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 73, passage 51
Entered
Military · Commander · At Wei 魏
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 23
Faced Liang on Yellow River
Military · Commander · At Desheng Ford 德勝渡
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 106, passage 119
Failed to relieve Desheng south city
Military · Commander
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passages 36-37
Feasted princes and martial officers
AD 925 庚午 · Ritual · Host · At Everlasting Spring Hall 長春殿
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 165
Followed in defeating
AD 895 存勖年十一，從克用破王行瑜 · Military · Follower · With Wang Xingyu (王行瑜)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 4
Fought at Wangdu
Military · Commander
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 2, passages 43-44
Fought Liang on the river
AD 912 to AD 923 梁與莊宗交戰於河 · Military · Commander · At Yellow River 河
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 64, passage 146
Fought mutineers and killed hundreds
AD 926 四月丁丑朔 · Military · Commander
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 203-204
Granted jade book and gold seal
Political · Actor · With Qian Liu (錢鏐)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passage 71
Greatly defeated Wang Jingren at Boxiang
AD 911 開平五年正月二日 · Military · Victor · With Wang Jingren (王景仁) · At Boxiang 柏鄉
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 139, passage 41
Had executed
Legal · Authority · With Guo Chongtao (郭崇韜)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 122
Had executed
Legal · Authority · With Zhu Youqian (朱友謙)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 122
Halted
AD 925 壬午 · Travel · Traveler · At Kan Ravine 龕澗
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 172
Halted
AD 925 庚辰 · Travel · Traveler · At Yique 伊闕
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 170
Halted
AD 925 辛巳 · Travel · Traveler · At Tan Marsh 潭泊
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 171
Hunted at Lengquan
AD 926 同光四年二月甲午 · Hunt · Participant · At Lengquan 冷泉
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 40
Hunted
AD 925 己卯 · Personal · Hunter · At White Sand 白沙
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 169
Imperial carriage left capital
AD 926 乙丑 · Travel · Ruler
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 161
Issued edict seeking talent and remedies
AD 925 閏十二月甲午 · Political · Issuer
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passages 179-191
Issued favorable edict praising Li Qi
AD 925 閏十二月甲午 · Political · Issuer · With Li Qi (李琪)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 203
Issued imperial note on floods and levies
AD 925 甲申 · Political · Issuer
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 177
Led army to Yindi Pass
AD 909 天祐六年 · Military · Commander · At Yindi Pass 陰地關
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 14
Lost over ten thousand horse
Military · Ruler · At Sishui 汜水
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 172
Marched on Shangdang
AD 908 天祐五年二月 · Military · Commander · At Shangdang 上黨
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 11
Met inner turmoil
Political · Victim
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passage 42
Observed mourning
Ritual · Mourner
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 36
Ordered Fu Cunshen to suppress Zhang Wenli
AD 921 天祐末 · Military · Commander · With Fu Cunshen (符存審)
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 121, passage 57
Ordered burial of heads
AD 926 甲辰 · Ritual · Authority · With Guo Chongtao (郭崇韜)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 128
Ordered killing of Wang Yan
Political · Actor · With Wang Yan (王衍) · At Chang'an 長安
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passage 63
Ordered turnback
Military · Ruler · At Wansheng post 萬勝鎮
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 167
Overthrew Liang
AD 923 to AD 926 莊宗平定梁室 · Military · Conqueror
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passage 8
Pacified Central Plains
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 94
Pacified
Military · Commander · At Henan 河南
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 68, passage 14
Played as old liu
Performance · Participant · With Empress Liu (劉皇后)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passages 24-26
Present at feast
AD 889 初，克用破孟方立於邢州…時存勖在側，方五歲 · Military · Attendant · With Li Keyong (李克用) · At Triple Mound Ridge 三垂崗
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 3
Presented victory and escorted throne
AD 895 帝時年十一 · Court · Envoy · With Zhaozong (昭宗)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 7
Presented victory at capital
AD 895 存勖年十一，從克用破王行瑜 · Diplomatic · Envoy · With Emperor Zhaozong (昭宗)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 4
Preserved frontier zheng music
Cultural · Ruler · At northern marches 朔野
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 144, passage 5
Reburial of Tang clansmen ordered
AD 923 to AD 926 莊宗時 · Ritual · Reigning emperor
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 43-44
Recalled Tang eunuchs
Political · Ruler
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passage 84
Received three arrows
AD 908 晉王之將終也 · Ritual · Heir · With Prince of Jin (晉王)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passages 3, 6
Remonstrated Keyong to aid Yan
AD 906 六年 · Political · Adviser · With Li Keyong (李克用)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 4, passages 138, 141-142
Reported victory at ancestral temple
AD 908 天祐五年二月 · Ritual · Officiant
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 12
Reproached generals at Stone Bridge
AD 926 甲戌 · Court · Ruler
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 187-189
Rescued Zhao
AD 910 天祐七年冬 · Military · Commander · With Wang Rong (王鎔)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 15
Resumed regular meals after three memorials
AD 926 同光四年正月丙寅 · Ritual · Emperor
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 14
Returned to palace
AD 926 甲戌 · Travel · Ruler
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 192
Returned to palace
AD 925 癸未 · Travel · Traveler
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 173
Reviewed cavalry at upper east gate
AD 926 丙子 · Military · Ruler
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 199
Seized by mutiny
Military · Victim
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 38
Seized lands
AD 912 to AD 923 莊宗初略地河朔 · Military · Commander · At Hebei region 河朔
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 54, passage 180
Seized
Political · Arrestor · With Li Kening (李克寧)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 50, passage 112
Seized
Political · Arrestor · With Li Cunhao (李存顥)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 50, passage 112
Sent army against Wenli
Military · Commander · With Zhang Wenli (張文禮)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 62, passage 90
Sent Fu Cunjian against Zhang Wenli
Military · Orderer
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 19, passage 25
Sent out as prefect
AD 923 同光初 · Political · Appointer · With Zhou Zhiyu (周知裕)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 64, passage 152
Sent relief
AD 917 秋八月 · Military · Sender · With Li Siyuan (李嗣源)
Directly stated · History of Liao 1, passage 232
Sent Zhou Dewei against Jinzhou
AD 908 天祐五年九月 · Military · Commander · With Zhou Dewei (周德威) · At Jinzhou 晉州
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 13
Sent Zhou Dewei to raid Liang territory
AD 911 天祐八年正月 · Military · Commander · With Zhou Dewei (周德威)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 18
Showed exceptional favor
AD 923 同光初 · Personal · Patron · With Zhou Zhiyu (周知裕)
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 64, passages 147, 150
Stalemated across Yellow River
AD 923 末帝與莊宗對壘於河上 · Military · Commander · With Youzhen (友貞) · At Yellow River 河
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passage 7
Succeeded Keyong and buried him at Yanmen
AD 908 五年正月 · Political · Successor · With Li Keyong (李克用)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 4, passage 147
Survived coup
AD 908 天祐五年二月壬戌 · Political · Target of plot · With Kening (克寧)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 51-52, 59
Temple established
Ritual · Honoree · At Luoyang 洛陽
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 78, passage 163
Took throne
AD 908 天祐五年春正月 · Political · Successor · At Jinyang 晉陽
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 34
Trampled fields
Hunting · Actor · At Zhongmou 中牟
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passages 39-40
Tried to spare Yanzhang
Political · Ruler
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passages 57, 60
Wailed for
Ritual · Mourner · With Tang Lesser Emperor (唐少帝)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 61
Wept after soldiers rebuke
Personal · Participant
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 175-176
Wept at Sorrow Terrace
Personal · Participant
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 168-170
Wished companion burial at Daizhou
Planning · Sovereign · At Daizhou Martial Emperor tomb 代州武皇陵
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 91
Wished to campaign in person
AD 926 甲辰 · Political · Ruler
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 118
Military · Commander and ruler · Actions sent commanders to relieve Tongzhou, attacked Zhenzhou, relieved Desheng and Yangliu, captured Zhongdu and entered the Eastern Capital
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 10, passages 46, 140-141, 152, 154, 156, 162, 166, 193
Political · Detainer attempted · With Gao Jixing (高季興)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 69, passages 29, 35
called Zhuangzong's crown prince 呼為莊宗太子
Relation Namesake of false title · Person Li Jitao (李繼陶)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 54, passage 183
Relation Addressed as aunt · Person Shulu (舒嚕氏)
Directly stated · History of Liao 71, passage 46
Relation Commander of · Person Zhou Dewei (周德威)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passages 8, 13-14, 18
Relation Treated as elder brother · Person Zhang Chengye (張承業)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 38, passage 14
Relation Predecessor of · Person Li Siyuan (李嗣源)
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passages 139, 171
Relation Appointed · Person Kong Qian (孔謙)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passage 8

Assessments and attributes

Assessment courage and daring few could match; mind at ease · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 16
Assessment daring surpassed others; loved music and players · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 5
Assessment dynasty fell because taxes and corvée grew crushing and the realm lost hope · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passage 9
Assessment faults listed by Kang Yicheng · Mode speech Speaker Kang Yicheng (康義誠)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 205
Assessment fondness for verse was pointless · Mode speech Speaker Li Siyuan (李嗣源)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 119
Assessment formerly broad and trusting; after executing Guo Chongtao and Zhu Youqian, grew suspicious under eunuch and actor-official counsel and did not want great ministers to command armies · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 122

Show 19 more source-backed claims

Assessment founded rule in Hebei; dynasty short-lived · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 50, passage 123
Assessment had already lost good government · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 49, passage 53
Assessment late-palace-calamity-from-boundless-rewards-and-weak-commands · Mode named-source-report Speaker Li Chengjian (李承進) Source Work Longping Collection 隆平集
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 185
Assessment loved-hunting-and-gave-guards-whatever-they-wanted · Mode named-source-report Speaker Li Chengjian (李承進) Source Work Longping Collection 隆平集
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 183-184
Assessment praised Jingtang's valor and fed him curd by hand · With Shi Jingtang (石敬瑭) · Mode narrative-action
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 8, passage 7
Assessment remarkable face; future pillar of the realm · Mode named-source-report Speaker Zhaozong (昭宗)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 7-8
Assessment restoration-omen-of-fallen-tree-rising · Mode named-source-report Source Work commentators 議者
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 141, passage 115
Assessment ruined by actors and indulgence · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passages 15-16
Assessment solemn, unusual, especially cherished · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 5
Assessment the personal note seeking chancellor counsel was not real concern for the people · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 198
Assessment vain, boastful, neglectful of government for hunting · Mode named-person-report Speaker Gao Jixing (高季興)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 69, passages 41, 43-44
Assessment Youqian’s arms were too short for his rank · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang (後唐莊宗)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 70
AD 895 存勖年十一，從克用破王行瑜
Item jadeite platter 翡翠盤 · Relation Bestowed by · With Emperor Zhaozong (昭宗)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 4
AD 895 存勖年十一，從克用破王行瑜
Item mandarin-duck goblet 鸂鶒卮 · Relation Bestowed by · With Emperor Zhaozong (昭宗)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 4
Item court instruments burned on the corpse 樂器簇於帝屍之上發火焚之 · Relation Associated with
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 211
Item jadeite dish 翡翠盤 · Relation Bestowed · With Zhaozong (昭宗)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 9
Item musical instruments 樂器 · Relation Cremated with
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 110
Item three arrows 三矢 · Relation Received
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passages 3, 6
Item xichi wine cup 鸂鶒酒卮 · Relation Bestowed · With Zhaozong (昭宗)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 9

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passages 91, 158; Old History of the Five Dynasties 34, passages 1, 116, 163; Old History of the Five Dynasties 54, passage 80; Old History of the Five Dynasties 78, passage 163; Old History of the Five Dynasties 139, passage 12; Old History of the Five Dynasties 146, passage 7; Old History of the Five Dynasties 147, passage 10; History of Liao 1, passage 232; New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 1; New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 119, 206; New History of the Five Dynasties 32, passage 34; New History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 2; New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 43, 123
Stated he had held the succession for three years.
AD 925 閏十二月甲午
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 181

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: s0037 · Quote: 唐太祖、莊宗為一家，明宗、湣帝為一家，廢帝為一家； · Source Hash: sha256:3ed0056923c9e6eee12c6893e01a86a7c57200596c81934a4523df560dc720ca · 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 37

References in the histories

Search passages

History

662 passages

History of Jin, Chapter 131Volume 131 Biographies 69: Huan Zhe, Liang Chong, Song Gui, Pan Shouheng, Fang Ji, Liu Wansu, Zhang Congzheng, Li Qingsi, Ji Tianxi, Zhang Yuansu, Ma Guizhong, Wu Zhen Son: Kang, Li Mao, Hu Dexin · 1 passage

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後唐莊宗委張承業以軍，竟立大功，此中豈無人乎。 Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang entrusted Zhang Chengye with his armies, and Zhang won great merit in the end. Surely capable men can be found among them as well.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 6Volume 6 Book of Later Liang 6: Taizu Annals 6 · 1 passage

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至五年正月二日，果為後唐莊宗大敗于柏鄉。 On the second of the first month of the fifth year he was indeed crushed at Baixiang by Zhuangzong of Later Tang.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 10Volume 10 Book of Later Liang 10: Later Emperors Annals 3 · 13 passages

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晉王遣都將李嗣昭、李存審、王建及率師來援同州，戰於城下。 The Prince of Jin sent Li Sizhao, Li Cunshen, and Wang Jianji to relieve Tongzhou and battle was joined under the walls.

時晉王方攻鎮州，故思遠乘虛以襲之，陷成安，而思遠遂急攻德勝北城，晉將李存審極力拒守。 While the Prince of Jin besieged Zhenzhou, Siyuan took Cheng'an and stormed Desheng’s north wall; Li Cunshen held firm.

二月，晉王以兵至，思遠收軍而退，復保楊村。 In the second month the Prince of Jin came up; Siyuan withdrew to Yang village.

先是，繼韜父嗣昭為潞州節度使，戰歿於鎮州城下，晉王欲以嗣昭長子繼儔襲父位。 His father Li Sizhao had held Luzhou and died at Zhenzhou; the Prince of Jin meant to give the post to eldest son Jichou.

夏四月己巳，晉王即唐帝位於魏州，改天祐二十年為同光元年。 On jisi in the fourth month of summer the Prince of Jin took the Tang throne at Weizhou, renaming Tianyou 20 Tongguang 1.

唐帝棄德勝之北城，並軍保楊劉。 The Tang emperor abandoned Desheng’s north wall and concentrated at Yangliu.

六月乙亥，唐帝引軍援楊劉，潛軍至博州，築壘於河東岸。 On yihai in the sixth month the Tang emperor relieved Yangliu while secretly fortifying east of Bozhou.

秋七月丁未，唐帝引軍沿河而南。 On dingwei in the seventh month the Tang emperor led his army south along the river.

庚寅，唐帝軍於胡城，先鋒將康延孝率百騎奔於唐，盡泄其軍機。 On gengyin at Hucheng vanguard Kang Yanxiao defected with a hundred riders and betrayed Liang dispositions.

甲戌，唐帝引師襲中都，王彥章兵潰，於是彥章與監軍張漢傑及趙廷隱、劉嗣彬、李知節、唐文通、王山興等皆為唐人所獲。 On jiaxu the Tang emperor stormed Zhongdu; Yanzhang’s army broke; he, Zhang Hanjie, Zhao Tingyin, and others were taken.

帝置傳國寶於臥內，俄失其所在，已為左右所竊迎唐帝矣。 He laid the seal in his chamber; it vanished—courtiers had stolen it to greet the Tang emperor.

唐帝入宮，妃郭氏號泣迎拜。 The Tang emperor entered the palace; Consort Guo wept and bowed in welcome.

唐帝初入東京，聞帝殂，憮然歎曰：「敵惠敵怨，不在後嗣。 Entering the Eastern Capital, the Tang emperor learned of the Last Emperor’s death and sighed: "Grudges need not pass to sons.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 12Volume 12 Book of Later Liang 12: Biographies 2: Imperial Family · 1 passage

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及莊宗即位，盡誅朱氏，惟全昱先令終。 When Emperor Zhuangzong came to power he killed the whole Zhu house; only Quan Yu had already died in his bed.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 16Volume 16 Book of Later Liang 16: Biographies 6: Ge Congzhou, Xie Yanzhang, He Zhen, Zhang Guiba, Zhang Guihou, Zhang Guibian · 2 passages

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晉王聞之，喜曰：「彼將帥如是，亡無日矣。」 The Prince of Jin rejoiced, "With generals like that they will soon fall."

及莊宗入汴，漢傑與兄漢倫、弟漢融同日伏誅於汴橋下。 When Zhuangzong took Bian the three brothers were executed at Bian Bridge.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 27Volume 27 Book of Later Tang 3: Zhuangzong Annals 1 · 19 passages

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莊宗光聖神閔孝皇帝，諱存勖，武皇帝之長子也。 Zhuangzong, the Guangsheng Shenmin Xiao emperor, bore the taboo name Cunxu and was Wuhuang's eldest son.

母曰貞簡皇后曹氏，以唐光啟元年歲在乙巳，冬十月二十二日癸亥，生帝於晉陽宮。 His mother was Empress Zhenjian, née Cao; in Tang Guangqi 1 (yisi), on the twenty-second of the tenth month (guihai), he was born at the Jinyang palace.

及武皇之討王行瑜，帝時年十一，從行。 When Wuhuang marched against Wang Xingyu, Cunxu was eleven and went with him.

時人號曰「亞子」。）〉 So people called him "Lesser Son." )〉

帝洞曉音律，常令歌舞於前。 Cunxu knew music well and kept singers and dancers before him.

武皇緩於禁制，惟帝不平之，因從容啟於武皇，武皇依違之。 Wuhuang enforced little discipline; only Cunxu minded it and spoke to him gently, but Wuhuang could not decide.

帝因啟曰：「夫盛衰有常理，禍福係神道。 Cunxu urged him: "Rise and fall follow law; fortune and disaster rest with Heaven.

帝白曰：「此吾復振之道也，不得以嫌怨介懷。 Cunxu argued: "This is how we rise again—we cannot let old resentment block us.

及武皇厭代，帝乃嗣王位於晉陽，時年二十有四。 When Wuhuang died, Cunxu took the throne at Jinyang at twenty-four.

帝方居喪，將吏不得謁見，監軍使張承業排闥至廬所，言曰：「夫孝在不墜家業，不同匹夫之孝。 Cunxu was in mourning and would see no one; Zhang Chengye burst into the mourning lodge and said, "True filial piety keeps the house from falling—not the piety of a private man.

帝於是始聽斷大事， Cunxu then took up major affairs,

時振武節度使克寧，即帝之季父也，為管內蕃漢馬步都知兵馬使，典握兵柄。 Zhenwu commissioner Kening, his uncle, commanded all Tartar and Chinese forces in the circuit and held the army.

帝以軍府事讓季父，曰：「兒年幼稚，未通庶政，雖承遺命，恐未能彈壓。 Cunxu offered him the army and said, "I am young and know no government; though I inherit the mandate I may not hold the troops.

及帝紹統，或強項不拜，鬱鬱憤惋，托疾廢事。 When Cunxu took power some refused to bow, sulked, feigned sickness, and shirked duty.

克寧意將激發，乃擅殺大將李存質，請授己雲州節度使，割蔚、朔、應三州為屬郡，帝悉俞允，然知其陰禍有日矣。 Kening grew reckless, killed Li Cunzhi on his own, demanded Yunzhou and Yu, Shuo, and Ying; Cunxu granted everything yet knew treason was near.

克寧俟帝過其第，則圖竊發。 Kening waited for Cunxu to visit his house to strike.

時幸臣史敬熔者，亦為克寧所誘，盡得其情，乃來告帝。 Favored minister Shi Jingrong was drawn in but learned all and warned Cunxu.

帝謂張承業曰：「季父所為如此，無猶子之情，骨肉不可自相魚肉，予當避路，則禍亂不作矣！」 Cunxu told Zhang Chengye, "Uncle acts without kinship—kin must not devour kin; I should step aside and peace will hold!"

帝聞之，舉哀號慟。 Cunxu heard and wailed in deep mourning.

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同光二年春正月庚子朔，帝御明堂殿受朝賀，仗衛如式。 On the gengzi new moon in spring of Tongguang 2, Cunxu held new-year court in Mingtang Hall with full guard.

帝龍潛時，寺人數已及五百，至是合諸道赴闕者，約千餘人，皆給賜優贍，服玩華侈，委之事務，付以腹心。 In his days as heir Cunxu already had five hundred eunuchs; now a thousand from the circuits came to court, richly paid, splendidly dressed, and trusted with power.

及帝奄有天下，當知戒彼前車，以為殷鑒，一朝復興茲弊，議者惜之。 Having taken the realm he should have heeded that overturned cart, yet the abuse returned at once—commentators mourned it.

壬子，蜀主王衍致書於帝，稱有詐為天使，馳報收復汴州者，詔捕之，不獲。 On renzi Wang Yan of Shu wrote that a fake envoy had reported Bian recovered; Cunxu ordered arrest but found no one.

鳳翔節度使、秦王李茂貞上表，請行藩臣之禮，帝優報之。 Li Maozhen of Fengxiang asked to act as a feudatory prince; Cunxu answered graciously.

甲寅，帝於中興殿麵賜郭崇韜鐵券。 On jiayin Cunxu personally gave Guo Chongtao an iron tally at Zhongxing Hall.

有司上言：「皇太后到闕，皇帝合於銀台門內奉迎。」 The rites office memorialized, "When the Empress Dowager reaches court, the Emperor should welcome her inside Yintai Gate."

詔親至懷州奉迎。 Cunxu was ordered to go himself to Huai to meet her.

詔改至河陽奉迎。 Cunxu changed the meeting place to Heyang.

車駕幸河陽，奉迎皇太后。 Cunxu went to Heyang to meet the Empress Dowager.

辛酉，帝侍皇太后至，文武百僚迎於上東門。 On xinyou Cunxu escorted her in; the hundred officials met them at Shangdong Gate.

丙寅，帝赴明堂殿致齋。 On bingyin Cunxu fasted at Mingtang.

二月己巳朔，親祀昊天上帝於圜丘，禮畢，宰臣率百官就次稱賀，還禦五鳳樓。 On the jisi new moon of the second month Cunxu sacrificed to Heaven on the round altar, received congratulations, and returned to Wufeng Tower.

癸酉，宰臣豆盧革率百官上尊號，曰昭文睿武至德光孝皇帝，凡三上表，從之。 On guiyou Dou Luge led three memorials offering the title Illustrious in Culture, Sagacious in Warfare, Utmost in Virtue, Radiant in Filial Piety; Cunxu accepted.

戊寅，幸李嗣源第，作樂，盡歡而罷。 On wuyin Cunxu feasted at Li Siyuan's house and left in high spirits.

是日，帝幸左龍武軍。 That day Cunxu visited the Left Dragon Martial Army.

壬辰，樞密使郭崇韜再上表，請退樞密之職，優詔不允。 On renchen Guo Chongtao again asked to leave the bureau; Cunxu graciously refused.

樞密使郭崇韜奏時務利便一十五件，優詔褒美。 Guo Chongtao submitted fifteen reforms; Cunxu praised them.

有司上言：「皇帝四月一日禦文明殿，受冊徽號，合服袞冕，御殿前一日，散齋於內殿。」 The rites offices memorialized, "On the first of the fourth month the Emperor will take the honorific at Civilized Hall in dragon robe and crown; the day before he should fast in the inner hall."

幸左龍武軍，以皇子繼岌代張全義判六軍諸衛事故也。 Cunxu visited the Left Dragon Martial Army as Prince Jiji took over Zhang Quanyi's charge of the Six Armies and Guards.

甲子，幸東宅。 On jiazi Cunxu visited the eastern residence.

夏四月己巳朔，帝御文明殿，具袞冕，受冊尊號曰昭文睿武至德光孝皇帝。 On the jisi new moon of the fourth month Cunxu took dragon robe and crown at Civilized Hall and received the honorific Zhaowen Ruiwu Zhide Guangxiao Emperor.

己卯，帝御文明殿，冊魏國夫人劉氏為皇后。 On jimao Cunxu enfeoffed Lady Liu of Wei as empress at Civilized Hall.

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初卜山陵，帝欲祔於代州武皇陵，奏議：「天子以四海為家，不當分其南北。」 At first the Emperor wished to bury her beside the Martial Emperor's tomb at Daizhou; memorial debate said: "The Son of Heaven takes the four seas as his home and should not divide north and south."

丁亥，文武百官上表，以貞簡皇太后靈駕發引，請車駕不至山陵所。 On dinghai the civil and military ranks asked that with Empress Dowager Zhenjian's spirit carriage setting out Cunxu not go to the tomb precinct.

庚午，宴諸王武臣於長春殿，始用樂。 On gengwu Cunxu feasted princes and martial officers at Everlasting Spring Hall and used music for the first time.

己卯，以臘辰狩於白沙，皇后、皇子、宮人畢從。 On jimao, the La festival, Cunxu hunted at White Sand with the empress, princes, and palace women in attendance.

帝深憂之，問所司濟贍之術。 Cunxu was deeply troubled and asked the offices for relief.

即命學士草詞，帝親劄以訪宰臣，非帝憂民之實也。 Academicians were ordered to draft words; Cunxu personally wrote a note to the chancellors—it was not real concern for the people.

唯吏部尚書李琪引古田租之法，從權救弊之道，上疏言之，帝優詔以獎之。 Only Li Qi of Personnel cited ancient land-tax law and flexible relief, memorialized, and the Emperor answered with a gracious edict of praise.

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同光四年春正月戊午朔，帝不受朝賀，契丹寇渤海。 On the wuwu new moon in spring of Tongguang 4, Cunxu skipped New Year court; Khitan forces raided Bohai.

丙寅，百官上表，請復常膳，凡三上表，乃允之。 On bingyin officials petitioned three times before Cunxu resumed regular meals.

庚辰，帝異母弟鄜州節度使存乂伏誅。 On gengchen Cunxu's half-brother Cunyi, commissioner of Fuzhou, was beheaded.

是日，帝幸冷泉校獵。 That day Cunxu hunted at Lengquan.

初，帝令魏博指揮使楊仁晸率兵戍瓦橋，至是代歸，有詔令駐於貝州。 Yang Renjian's Weibo troops, recalled from Waqiao, had been ordered to camp at Beizhou.

帝素倚愛元行欽，鄴城軍亂，即命為行營招討使，久而無功。 Cunxu had long favored Yuan Xingqin; when Ye mutinied he made him pacification commissioner, but months passed without success.

帝欲親征，樞密使與宰臣奏言：「京師者，天下根本，雖四方有變，陛下宜居中以製之，但命將出征，無煩躬禦士伍。」 Cunxu wished to lead the army himself; the Privy Council and chancellors said, "The capital is the realm's root; though trouble stirs in the four quarters, Your Majesty should stay at the center and only send generals—there is no need to lead the ranks yourself."

帝曰：「紹榮討亂未有成功，繼岌之軍尚留巴、漢，餘無可將者，斷在自行。」 Cunxu said, "Shaorong has not yet put down the revolt, Jiji's army is still in Ba and Han, and no one else can command—I must go myself."

帝素寬大容納，無疑於物，自誅郭崇韜、朱友謙之後，閹宦伶官交相讒諂，邦國大事皆聽其謀，繇是漸多猜惑，不欲大臣典兵，既聞奏議，乃曰：「予恃嗣源侍衛，卿當擇其次者。」 Cunxu had always been broad and trusting; after Guo Chongtao and Zhu Youqian were killed, eunuchs and actors slandered one another and state affairs went through them—he grew suspicious and would not let great ministers command armies; hearing this he said, "I rely on Siyuan for my guard—choose someone else."

帝乃命嗣源行營。 Cunxu then put Siyuan in command of the campaign.

魏王繼岌傳送郭崇韜父子首函至闕下，詔張全義收瘞之。 Jiji sent Guo Chongtao's and his son's heads in a box to court; Cunxu ordered Zhang Quanyi to bury them.

壬申，帝至滎澤，以龍驤馬軍八百騎為前軍，遣姚彥溫董之。 On renshen Cunxu reached Xingze, made eight hundred Dragon-Flight horsemen the vanguard, and put Yao Yanwen in command.

帝聞諸軍離散，精神沮喪，至萬勝鎮即命旋師。 Hearing the armies had scattered, Cunxu was dispirited; at Wansheng post he ordered an immediate turnback.

俄有野人進雉，因問塚名，對曰：「里人相傳為愁台。」 Soon a countryman brought a pheasant; the emperor asked the mound's name, and he answered, "The villagers pass down that it is Sorrow Terrace."

帝彌不悅，罷酒而去。 Cunxu was all the more displeased, broke off the wine, and left.

初，帝東出關，從駕兵二萬五千，及復至汜水，已失萬餘騎。 When Cunxu first went east through the pass he had twenty-five thousand men; by Sishui he had lost more than ten thousand horse.

帝過罌子穀，道路險狹，每遇衛士執兵仗者，皆善言撫之曰：「適報魏王繼岌又進納西川金銀五十萬，到京當盡給爾等。」 Passing Jar Valley on a narrow road, whenever he met armed guards he comforted them, saying, "Word just came that Jiji has forwarded another fifty thousand in western Shu gold and silver; when it reaches the capital you shall all have it."

軍士對曰：「陛下賜與大晚，人亦不感聖恩。」 The soldiers answered, "Your Majesty's gifts come too late—we feel no grace."

帝流涕而已。 Cunxu could only weep.

衛士叱容哥曰：「致吾君社稷不保，是此閹豎！」 Guards shouted at Rongge, "You cost our lord his state—this eunuch!"

〈（《隆平集》：內臣李承進逮事唐莊宗，太祖嘗問莊宗時事，對曰：「莊宗好畋獵，每次近郊，衛士必控馬首曰：『兒郎輩寒冷，望陛下與救接。』 (The 《Longping Collection》 says inner attendant Li Chengjian long served Zhuangzong; Taizu once asked about his reign and he said, "Zhuangzong loved the hunt; each time he neared the suburbs guards seized the bridle and said, 'Lads, we are cold—grant relief.'

莊宗隨所欲給之，如此者非一。 Zhuangzong gave whatever they wanted—not once or twice.

甲戌，次石橋，帝置酒野次，悲啼不樂，謂元行欽等諸將曰：「鄴下亂離，寇盜蜂起，總管迫於亂軍，存亡未測，今訛言紛擾，朕實無聊。 On jiaxu he halted at Stone Bridge; Cunxu set wine in the wild and wept, telling Yuan Xingqin and the rest, "Below Ye there is disorder and bandits swarm; Siyuan is pressed by mutineers and may live or die; rumors stir and I am at a loss.

元行欽等百餘人垂泣而奏曰：「臣本小人，蒙陛下撫養，位極將相，危難之時，不能立功報主，雖死無以塞責，乞申後效，以報國恩。」 Yuan Xingqin and more than a hundred wept and said, "We were petty men Your Majesty raised to general and minister; in danger we cannot repay you—though we die we cannot fulfill our charge; let us show later merit for the state's grace."

是日，西京留守張筠部署西征兵士到京，見於上東門外，晡晚，帝還宮。 That day Zhang Yun of the western capital brought the western campaign troops to the upper east gate; in late afternoon Cunxu returned to the palace.

初，帝在汜水，衛兵散走，京師恐駭不寧，及帝至，人情稍安。 At Sishui the guards had scattered and the capital was afraid; when Cunxu returned, feeling calmed somewhat.

午時，帝出上東門親閱騎軍，誡以詰旦東幸，申時還宮。 At noon Cunxu went out the upper east gate to review the cavalry and told them to march east at dawn; at shen he returned to the palace.

帝內殿食次，從馬直指揮使郭從謙自本營率所部抽戈露刃，至興教門大呼，與黃甲兩軍引弓射興教門。 While the Emperor dined in the inner palace, Guo Congqian, commander of the Direct Horse Corps, led his troops from camp with drawn swords to Xingjiao Gate, shouting; the Yellow Armor armies shot at the gate.

帝聞其變，自宮中率諸王近衛禦之，逐亂兵出門。 Hearing the mutiny, the Emperor led princes and palace guards out to fight and drove the rebels from the gate.

既而焚興教門，緣城而入，登宮牆歡噪，帝御親軍格鬥，殺亂兵數百。 They soon burned Xingjiao Gate, scaled the wall, and cheered from the palace ramparts; the Emperor fought with his personal guard and killed hundreds of rebels.

俄而帝為流矢所中，亭午，崩於絳霄殿之廡下，時年四十三。 Soon a stray arrow struck the Emperor; at noon he died under the eaves of Jiangxiao Hall, aged forty-three.

莊宗中流矢，扶掖歸絳霄殿，全斌慟哭而去。 Zhuangzong was hit by a stray arrow and was helped back to Jiangxiao Hall; Quanbin wept and withdrew.

《東都事略·符彥卿傳》云：郭從謙之亂，莊宗左右皆引去，惟彥卿力戰，殺十餘人。 The 《Outline of the Eastern Capital · Fu Yanqing Biography》 says that in Guo Congqian's revolt Zhuangzong's attendants all fled; only Yanqing fought hard and killed more than ten men.

莊宗崩，彥卿慟哭而去。）〉 When Zhuangzong died, Yanqing wept and left.)〉

是時，帝之左右例皆奔散，唯五坊人善友斂廓下樂器簇於帝屍之上，發火焚之。 By then the Emperor's attendants had all scattered; only Shan You of the Five Workshops piled court instruments on the body and burned them.

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遣使往諸道及淮南告哀。 Envoys announced Zhuangzong's death to the circuits and Huainan.

內李紹虔上言：「臣本姓王，後移杜氏，蒙前朝賜今姓名，乞復本姓。」 Li Shaogian added, "I was born Wang, then Du; Zhuangzong gave me Li Shaogian—I ask to be Wang again."

初，莊宗遇內難，宦者數百人竄匿山谷，落發為僧，奔至太原七十餘人，至是盡誅於都亭驛。 After Zhuangzong's fall several hundred eunuchs had fled as monks; more than seventy reached Taiyuan and were now executed at Duting Post.

初，莊宗遣中官向延嗣就長安之殺王衍也，旋屬蕭牆之禍，延嗣藏竄，不知所之，而衍之資裝妓樂並為篯所有，復懼事泄，故聊有此獻。 Zhuangzong had sent the eunuch Xiang Yansi to Chang'an to kill Wang Yan; after the palace coup Yansi vanished and Yan's goods and entertainers passed to Zhang Qian, who now offered a slice of the hoard for fear of exposure.

初，同光季年，鏐上疏密求玉冊、金印，郭崇韜進議以為不可，而樞密承旨段徊受其重賂，讚成其事，莊宗即允其請，至是故有貢謝。 Late in Tongguang Qian Liu had secretly asked for a jade book and seal; Guo Chongtao opposed it, but Duan Hui of the Privy Council took heavy bribes and pushed it through; Zhuangzong granted it—hence the thank-offering.

〈（《通鑒考異》引《十國紀年荊南史》：天成元年二月壬辰，請忠、夔、萬州及雲安監隸本道，莊宗許之。 (The 《Zizhi Tongjian Collated Variants》 cites the 《Annals of Jingnan in the Records of the Ten Kingdoms》: in the second month of Tiancheng 1, on renchen, he sought Zhong, Kui, Wan, and the Yun'an salt office; Zhuangzong approved.

詔命未下，莊宗遇弑。 Before the edict arrived, Zhuangzong was killed.

乙亥，莊宗皇帝梓宮發引，帝縗服臨送於樓前。 On yihai Zhuangzong's coffin was moved; the Emperor in hemp mourning saw it off before the tower.

是日，葬莊宗於雍陵。 That day Zhuangzong was buried at Yongling.

甲申，又詔曰：「責授費州司戶參軍豆盧革、夷州司戶參軍韋說等，自居台輔，累換歲華，負先皇倚注之恩，失大國燮調之理。 On jiashen another edict: "Dou Lu Ge of Fei and Wei Shuo of Yi, long at the councilor's bench, betrayed the late emperor's trust and failed the state's harmony.

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有司上言：「莊宗廟室酌獻，請奏武成之舞。」 The ritual offices asked: "We ask to perform the Wucheng dance at Zhuangzong's libation offering."

丁亥，莊宗神主祔廟，有司請祧懿祖室，從之。 On dinghai Zhuangzong's tablet entered the temple; the court asked to retire the Yizu chamber and Mingzong agreed.

趙在禮之據魏州，習奉詔以本軍進討，俄而帝為亂軍所劫，習即罷歸。 When Zhao Zaili took Wei, Fu Xi marched to attack, but Zhuangzong was seized by mutineers and Fu Xi withdrew.

至滑州，帝遣人招之，習至，乃從帝入汴。 At Hua Zhuangzong summoned him; Fu Xi came and followed him into Bian.

公儼遂與州將李謹等謀據州城，以邀符節，即令軍府飛章留己，兼揚言符習在鎮，人不便其政，帝乃除公儼為登州刺史。 Gongyan and Li Jin seized the city, memorialized to keep the post, and claimed Fu Xi's rule was unpopular; Zhuangzong named him Deng prefect.

有司上言：「莊宗祔廟，懿祖祧遷，準例舍故而諱新，懿祖例不諱，忌日不行香。」 The ritual offices said: "With Zhuangzong enshrined and Yizu retired, the old taboo should yield to the new, but Yizu is not tabooed and needs no death-day incense."

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史館上言：「所編修莊宗一朝事跡，欲名為實錄，太祖、獻祖、懿祖名為紀年錄。」 The historiography office asked to title Zhuangzong's reign Veritable Records and the three ancestors Chronological Records."

莊宗皇帝終平大憝，奄有中原，倘闕編修，遂成湮墜。 Zhuangzong had pacified the realm; without compilation their deeds would be lost.

伏請與當館修撰，參序條綱，撰太祖、莊宗實錄者。』」 He asked to compile Veritable Records of the founding ancestor and Zhuangzong with the office."』」

四年七月，監修國史趙鳳奏：「奉敕修懿祖、獻祖、太祖、莊宗四帝實錄，自今年六月一日起手，旋具進呈。 In the seventh month of year 4, Zhao Feng, supervising compiler of state history, reported: "By edict we are compiling the Veritable Records of the four emperors Yizu, Xianzu, Taizu, and Zhuangzong, beginning on the first day of the sixth month of this year and to be presented as they are completed.

所修前件史書，今欲自莊宗一朝名為實錄，其太祖以上並目為紀年錄。」 Zhao Feng proposed Zhuangzong alone as Veritable Records and the founding ancestor and above as Chronological Records."

史官張昭遠等以新修獻祖、懿祖、太祖《紀年錄》共二十卷、《莊宗實錄》三十卷上之，賜器帛有差。 Historiographers Zhang Zhaoyuan and others presented the new 《Chronicle Records》 of the exalted and illustrious and martial ancestors in twenty juan and the 《Veritable Record》 of Zhuangzong in thirty juan; vessels and silks were graded by rank.

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故昭義節度使李嗣昭、故幽州節度使周德威、故汴州節度使符存審，並配饗莊宗廟廷。 Li Sizhao, Zhou Dewei, and Fu Cunshen were given collateral offerings in Zhuangzong's temple.

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莊宗即位，追贈太師。 When Emperor Zhuangzong came to the throne, Ke Xiu was posthumously enfeoffed as Grand Preceptor.

明年，從莊宗會朱友謙於猗氏，改教練使，與存審援河中，敗汴軍於胡壁堡，獲將龐讓。 The following year he accompanied Emperor Zhuangzong to meet Zhu Youqian at Yishi and was made training commissioner. With Cunshen he marched to relieve Hezhong, defeated the Liang army at Hubi Fort, and captured the general Pang Rang.

因召莊宗侍側，謂克寧、張承業曰：「亞子累公等。」 He then had Emperor Zhuangzong brought to his side and said to Ke Ning and Zhang Chengye, "Yazi will be a burden on you all."

莊宗英察，懼及於禍，將嗣位，讓克寧曰：「兒年孤稚，未通庶政，雖承遺命，恐未能彈壓大事。 Emperor Zhuangzong was sharp-witted and feared for his life. As he was about to succeed, he offered the position to Ke Ning, saying, "I am young and alone, with no experience of government. Though I have my father's last command, I doubt I can hold the great affairs together.

視事之日，率先拜賀。 On the day Zhuangzong took office, Ke Ning was the first to bow in congratulation.

莊宗嗣位，軍民政事，一切委之，權柄既重，趣向者多附之。 After Zhuangzong succeeded, he entrusted all military and civil affairs to Ke Ning. As Ke Ning's power grew, ambitious men flocked to his side.

莊宗召張承業、李存璋謂曰：「季父所為如此，無猶子之情，骨肉不可自相魚肉，吾即避路，則禍亂不作矣。」 Zhuangzong summoned Zhang Chengye and Li Cunzhang and said, "My uncle has acted as though he felt no bond between us. Kin must not tear one another apart. I will step aside at once, and the realm will be spared this disaster."

莊宗垂泣數之曰：「兒初以軍府讓季父，季父不忍棄先人遺命。 Zhuangzong wept as he rebuked them, saying, "I first offered the military government to you, uncle, and you would not set aside my father's last command.

史臣曰：昔武皇發跡於陰山，莊宗肇基於河朔，雖奄有天下，而享國日淺，眷言枝屬，空秀棣華，固未及推帝堯敦敘之恩，廣成王封建之義。 The historiographer writes: The Martial Emperor rose from the Yin Mountains and Emperor Zhuangzong founded his rule in Hebei. Though they briefly held the realm, their dynasties were short-lived. Their kinsmen bloomed like catalpa blossoms yet bore no fruit—they never attained Emperor Yao's generous ordering of kin or broadly extended King Cheng's principles of enfeoffment.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 51Volume 51 Book of Later Tang 27: Biographies 3: Imperial Family · 30 passages

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永王存霸，武皇子，莊宗第二弟，同光三年封。 Prince Yong Cunba, a son of the Martial Emperor and Zhuangzong's second younger brother, received his princely title in Tongguang 3.

莊宗敗，為軍卒所殺。 After Zhuangzong's defeat, he was killed by common soldiers.

趙在禮反，乃遣存霸於河中，莊宗再幸汜水，徙存霸北京留守。 When Zhao Zaili rose in revolt, Cunba was dispatched to Hezhong. Zhuangzong returned to Si River a second time and reassigned Cunba as Protector of the Northern Capital.

邕王存美，武皇子，莊宗第三弟，同光三年封。 Prince of Yong Cunmei, a son of the Martial Emperor and Zhuangzong's third younger brother, received his title in Tongguang 3.

莊宗敗，不知所終。 After Zhuangzong's defeat, his fate was never learned.

申王存渥，莊宗第四弟， Prince Shen Cunwo, Zhuangzong's fourth younger brother,

〈（《歐陽史》，存渥與存霸、存紀皆莊宗同母弟。）〉 (The Ouyang History adds that Cunwo, like Cunba and Cunji, was Zhuangzong's uterine younger brother.)〉

莊宗敗，與劉皇后同奔太原，為部下所殺。 After Zhuangzong's defeat, he fled toward Taiyuan with Empress Liu and was killed by his own followers.

睦王存乂，莊宗第五弟，同光三所封。 Prince Mu Cunyi, Zhuangzong's fifth younger brother, was enfeoffed in Tongguang 3.

曆鄜州節度使，後以郭崇韜婿為莊宗所殺。 He had served as military commissioner of Fuzhou and was later executed by Zhuangzong for being Guo Chongtao's son-in-law.

〈（《北夢瑣言》云：莊宗異母弟存乂，以郭崇韜女婿伏誅。 (Beimeng Suoyan records that Cunyi, Zhuangzong's half-brother, was put to death for being married to Guo Chongtao's daughter.

莊宗令閹人察訪外事，言存乂於諸將坐上訴郭氏之無罪，其言怨望。 Zhuangzong sent eunuchs to spy on affairs beyond the palace, and they reported that seated among the generals Cunyi had argued for the Guo family's innocence in tones full of resentment.

通王存確，莊宗第六弟，雅王存紀，莊宗第七弟，同光三年封。 Prince Tong Cunque, Zhuangzong's sixth younger brother, and Prince Ya Cunji, his seventh, both received their titles in Tongguang 3.

莊宗敗，並為霍彥威所殺。 After Zhuangzong's defeat, both were killed by Huo Yanwei.

《盧文進傳》，莊宗又有弟存矩。 the biography of Lu Wenjin mentions another younger brother of Zhuangzong, Cunju;

魏王繼岌，莊宗子也。 Prince Wei Jiji was a son of Zhuangzong.

莊宗即位於魏州，以繼岌充北都留守； When Zhuangzong assumed the throne at Weizhou, he appointed Jiji Protector of the Northern Capital;

師回，至渭南，聞莊宗敗。 On the march home the army reached Weinan and learned of Zhuangzong's defeat.

〈（《太平廣記》引《王氏見聞錄》云：後唐莊宗巴子魏王繼岌伐蜀，回軍在道，而有鄴都之變。 (The Extensive Records of the Taiping, citing Wang's Records of Things Seen and Heard, relates that Zhuangzong's son Prince Wei Jiji marched against Shu and was already on the homeward road when the upheaval at Ye Capital broke out.

莊宗與劉後命內臣張漢賓齎急詔，所在催魏王歸闕。 Zhuangzong and Empress Liu dispatched the palace eunuch Zhang Hanbin with an urgent edict ordering Prince Wei to return to court at once.

張以莊宗命嚴，不敢遷延，督令進發，魏王至渭南遇害。）〉 Bound by Zhuangzong's strict order, Zhang would not delay and drove the march forward; Prince Wei reached Weinan and was killed.)〉

繼潼、繼嵩、繼蟾、繼嶢並莊宗子，同光三年拜光祿大夫、檢校司徒，未封。 Jitong, Jisong, Jichan, and Jiyao were all sons of Zhuangzong. In Tongguang 3 they were made Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and honorary Ministers of Education, but received no princely titles.

莊宗敗，並不知所終。 After Zhuangzong's defeat, none of their fates was ever learned.

莊宗諸兒削髮為芻，間道走蜀。 Zhuangzong's sons shaved their heads like common monks and stole away to Shu by back roads.

時知祥新稱帝，為分主厚待猶子，賜予千計。）〉 Meng Zhixiang had just proclaimed himself emperor; treating them as kin of the fallen house, he received Zhuangzong's sons with great favor and showered them with gifts by the thousand.)〉

從莊宗於河上，累有戰功，莊宗器賞之，用為金槍指揮使。 He followed Zhuangzong on the Yellow River campaigns and won repeated victories; Zhuangzong prized him and appointed him commander of the Golden Spear Guard.

明宗在魏府為軍士所逼，莊宗詔從璟曰：「爾父於國有大功，忠孝之心，朕自明信，今為亂兵所劫，爾宜自去宣朕旨，無令有疑。」 When Mingzong at Weifu was seized by mutinous troops, Zhuangzong sent Congjing this command: "Your father has rendered great service to the state, and I trust his loyalty without question. He is now held by rebellious soldiers. Go yourself and proclaim my will so that no suspicion remains."

莊宗改其名為繼璟，以為己子，命再往，從璟固執不行，願死於御前，以明丹赤。 Zhuangzong renamed him Jijing and treated him as a son, then ordered him to go again. Congjing refused outright, saying he would rather die before the throne than leave his loyalty in doubt.

從莊宗赴汴州，明宗之親舊多策馬而去，左右或勸從璟令自脫，終無行意，尋為元行欽所殺。 When Zhuangzong marched toward Bianzhou, many of Mingzong's kinsmen and old friends rode away. His attendants urged Congjing to flee on his own, but he would not budge, and soon Yuan Xingqin killed him.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 54Volume 54 Book of Later Tang 30: Biographies 6: Wang Rong, Wang Zhaohui, Wang Chuzhi · 15 passages

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鎔遣使告急莊宗，莊宗命周德威率兵應之； Rong urgently appealed to Emperor Zhuangzong, who ordered Zhou Dewei to lead troops in response;

及破梁軍於高邑，我軍大振，自是遣大將王德明率三十七都從莊宗征伐，收燕降魏，皆預其功，然鎔未嘗親軍遠出。 After the Liang army was defeated at Gaoyi our forces were greatly heartened. Thereafter the great general Wang Deming led thirty-seven commands in Zhuangzong's campaigns, sharing in the conquest of Yan and the submission of Wei, yet Rong never personally led armies far afield.

八年七月，鎔至承天軍，與莊宗合宴同盟，奉觴獻壽，以申感概。 In the seventh month of the eighth year Rong came to Chengtian army, joined Zhuangzong in an allied feast, offered wine and birthday wishes, and expressed his gratitude.

莊宗以鎔父友，曲加敬異，為之聲歌，鎔亦報之，謂莊宗為四十六舅。 Zhuangzong, considering Rong a friend of his father, showed him special respect and sang for him; Rong reciprocated, calling Zhuangzong his forty-sixth uncle.

中飲，莊宗抽佩刀斷衿為盟，許女妻鎔子昭誨。 Mid-feast Zhuangzong drew his sword and severed his collar in alliance, promising his daughter in marriage to Rong's son Zhaohui.

因茲堅附於莊宗矣。 From this he was firmly bound to Zhuangzong.

宦者李宏規謂鎔曰：「方今晉王親當矢石，櫛沐風雨，王殫供軍之租賦，為不急之遊盤，世道未夷，人心多梗，久虛府第，遠出遊從，如樂禍之徒，翻然起變，拒門不納，則王欲何歸！」 The eunuch Li Honggui told Rong: "The Prince of Jin now personally faces arrows and braves storms, while Your Highness exhausts supply revenues on frivolous excursions. The world is unsettled and hearts are restless. Headquarters has long stood empty, and you roam far afield—if troublemakers rise and bar the gates, where will Your Highness go!"

初，鎔之遇害，不獲其屍，及莊宗攻下鎮州，鎔之舊人於所焚府第灰間方得鎔之殘骸。 When Rong was killed his corpse could not be recovered. After Zhuangzong captured Zhenzhou, Rong's old retainers found his remains among the ashes of the burned mansion.

莊宗命幕客致祭，葬於王氏故塋。 Zhuangzong ordered his staff to perform sacrifices and buried him in the Wang family ancestral tomb.

後仕偽梁，授北平王、檢校太尉，不數歲，復歸於莊宗。 Later he served the Liang, was appointed Prince of Beiping and Honorary Grand Commandant, and within a few years returned to Zhuangzong.

天祐十八年十二月，莊宗親征鎮州，敗契丹於沙河。 In the twelfth month of the eighteenth year of Tianyou Zhuangzong personally campaigned against Zhenzhou and defeated the Khitan at Shahe.

明年正月，乘勝追敵，過定州，都馬前奉迎，莊宗幸其府第曲宴。 In the first month of the following year, pressing his victory in pursuit of the enemy, he passed Dingzhou. Du met him on the road to welcome him, and Zhuangzong visited his mansion for a private feast.

都有愛女，十餘歲，莊宗與之論婚，許為皇子繼岌妻之。 Du had a beloved daughter of more than ten. Zhuangzong discussed marriage with him and promised her as wife to his son Jiji.

同光三年，莊宗幸鄴都，都來朝覲，留宴旬日，錫賚钜萬，遷太尉、侍中。 In the third year of Tongguang Zhuangzong visited Yedu. Du came to court, was kept for a ten-day feast, granted gifts worth tens of thousands, and promoted to Grand Commandant and Palace Attendant.

李繼陶者，莊宗初略地河朔，俘而得之，收養於宮中，故名曰得得。 Li Jitao was captured when Zhuangzong first seized lands in the Hebei region, was raised in the palace, and therefore was named Dede.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 57Volume 57 Book of Later Tang 33: Biographies 9: Gao Chongtao · 43 passages

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莊宗嗣位，尤器重之。 When Emperor Zhuangzong took the throne, he placed exceptional trust in him.

莊宗謂知祥曰：「公欲避路，當舉其代。」 Emperor Zhuangzong said to Meng Zhixiang, "If you wish to step aside, you must name your successor."

契丹引眾至新樂，王師大恐，諸將鹹請退還魏州，莊宗猶豫未決。 When the Khitans marched on Xinle, the imperial forces were gripped with fear. The generals unanimously urged a retreat to Weizhou, but Emperor Zhuangzong remained undecided.

莊宗從之，王師果捷。 The emperor took his advice, and the imperial army duly won the day.

莊宗即位於魏州，崇韜加檢校太保、守兵部尚書，充樞密使。 When Emperor Zhuangzong took the throne at Weizhou, Guo Chongtao was promoted to Honorary Grand Mentor and Acting Minister of War and appointed Chief Privy Commissioner.

莊宗登城四望，計無所出。 Emperor Zhuangzong climbed the city wall and scanned the horizon, but no plan suggested itself.

臣請於博州東岸立柵，以固通津，但慮汴人偵知，徑來薄我，請陛下募敢死之士，日以挑戰，如三四日間。 I propose building fortifications on the east bank of the Bo River to secure the crossing, but I fear the Liang may learn of it and strike at us directly. Your Majesty should recruit fearless soldiers to engage them in daily skirmishes—for three or four days.

崇韜身先督眾，四面拒戰，有急即應，城垂陷，俄報莊宗領親軍次西岸，梁軍聞之退走，因解楊劉之圍。 Guo Chongtao personally directed the defense on every side, rushing wherever the fighting was fiercest. The city was near capture when word came that Emperor Zhuangzong had reached the west bank with his elite guard. The Liang army withdrew at the news, lifting the siege of Yangliu.

莊宗憂之，召諸將謀進取之策。 The emperor was deeply troubled and summoned his generals to devise an offensive strategy.

莊宗不悅，獨臥帳中，召崇韜謂曰：「計將安出？」 Emperor Zhuangzong was displeased. Retiring alone to his tent, he summoned Guo Chongtao and asked, "What is your plan?"

自陛下十五年起義圖霸，為雪家讎國恥，甲胄生蟣虱，黎人困輸挽。 Since Your Majesty took up arms at fifteen to forge an empire and avenge your family's wrongs and the nation's shame, armor has rusted on men's backs and the people have been broken by conscription and supply levies.

將來歲賦不充，物議谘怨，設若劃河為界，誰為陛下守之？ Annual revenue will fail, public resentment will swell, and if we carve out the river as a border, who will defend it for you?

陛下親禦六軍，長驅倍道，直指大梁，汴城無兵，望風自潰。 Your Majesty should lead the main army in forced march straight upon Daliang. Bianliang stands undefended and will crumble at your approach.

臣聞作舍道邊，三年不成，帝王應運，必有天命，成敗天也，在陛下獨斷。」 They say a house built by the roadside never gets finished in three years, yet an emperor who rises by Heaven's decree cannot lack Heaven's mandate. Victory or defeat is Heaven's to grant—it is for Your Majesty alone to decide."

莊宗蹶然而興曰：「正合吾意。 Zhuangzong leapt to his feet and declared, "That is precisely what I mean.

莊宗送劉皇后與興聖宮使繼岌至朝城西野亭泣別，曰：「事勢危蹙，今須一決，事苟不濟，無復相見。」 Zhuangzong saw Empress Liu and Jiji, Director of the Palace of Exalted Sanctity, off to the wild pavilion west of Chaocheng, weeping as he parted from them. He said, "The crisis leaves no room for delay—we must settle this now. If we fail, we will never see each other again."

莊宗至汴州，宰相豆盧革在魏州，令崇韜權行中書事。 When Zhuangzong arrived at Bianzhou, Grand Counselor Doulu Ge remained at Weizhou, and Zhuangzong put Guo Chongtao in charge of Secretariat affairs on a provisional basis.

時近臣勸莊宗以貢奉物為內庫，珍貨山積，公府賞軍不足。 At the time, close advisers urged Zhuangzong to hoard tribute goods in the inner treasury. Precious valuables piled up like mountains, yet the public coffers could not cover military rewards.

崇韜奏請出內庫之財以助，莊宗沉吟有靳惜之意。 Guo Chongtao petitioned to draw on the inner treasury to make up the shortfall, but Zhuangzong hesitated, clearly unwilling to spend it.

是時天下已定，寇仇外息，莊宗漸務華侈，以逞己欲。 By then the empire was pacified and external threats had subsided. Zhuangzong gradually gave himself over to luxury and indulgence.

莊宗駭異其事，且問其故。 Zhuangzong was disturbed and asked why this should be.

莊宗常擇高樓避暑，皆不稱旨。 Zhuangzong tried one high pavilion after another seeking relief from the heat, but none satisfied him.

宦官曰：「今大內樓觀，不及舊時長安卿相之家，舊日大明、興慶兩宮，樓觀百數，皆雕楹畫栱，幹雲蔽日，今官家納涼無可禦者。」 The eunuchs said, "The towers and halls of today's inner palace cannot compare even with the mansions of Chang'an officials in the old days. The Daming and Xingqing palaces once had hundreds of towers, all with carved pillars and painted brackets soaring to the clouds and blotting out the sun. His Majesty now has nowhere fit to escape the heat."

莊宗曰：「餘富有天下，豈不能辦一樓！」 Zhuangzong replied, "I rule all under Heaven—surely I can afford one tower!"

崇韜奏：「陛下頃在河上，汴寇未平，廢寢忘食，心在戰陣，祁寒溽暑，不介聖懷。 Guo Chongtao replied, "When Your Majesty was on the river, the rebels of Bian had not yet been crushed. You went without sleep and food, your mind wholly on the battlefield. Bitter cold and crushing heat alike never touched you.

願陛下思艱難創業之際，則今日之暑，坐變清涼。」 If Your Majesty would only remember the hardships of building this empire, today's heat would feel cool enough while you sit still."

莊宗默然。 Zhuangzong said nothing.

初，崇韜與李紹宏同為內職，及莊宗即位，崇韜以紹宏素在己上，舊人難製，即奏澤潞監軍張居翰同掌樞密，以紹宏為宣徽使。 Earlier, Guo Chongtao and Li Shaohong had both served in the inner administration. After Zhuangzong's accession, Guo Chongtao—finding that Li Shaohong had always outranked him and that an old associate was difficult to manage—petitioned to have Zhang Juhán, military commissioner of Ze and Lu, share control of Military Affairs, while appointing Li Shaohong Commissioner of the Palace Secretariat.

會客省使李嚴使西川回，言王衍可圖之狀，莊宗與崇韜議討伐之謀，方擇大將。 About then Guest Affairs Commissioner Li Yan returned from his mission to the West River circuit and reported that Wang Yan's realm was ripe for conquest. Emperor Zhuangzong and Guo Chongtao debated the campaign and were still choosing a commander.

莊宗方愛繼岌，即曰：「小兒幼稚，安能獨行，卿當擇其副。」 Emperor Zhuangzong, who doted on Jiji, said at once: "The boy is still young. How could he go alone? You must choose his deputy."

崇韜未奏，莊宗曰：「無逾於卿者。」 Before Guo Chongtao could answer, the emperor said: "There is no one better suited than you."

崇韜將發，奏曰：「臣以非才，謬當戎事，仗將士之忠力，憑陛下之威靈，庶幾克捷。 As Guo Chongtao was about to depart, he memorialized: "I am unworthy and have been wrongly placed in command of war. Trusting in the loyalty and strength of the troops and in Your Majesty's august power, I hope we may prevail.

若西川平定，陛下擇帥，如信厚善謀，事君有節，則孟知祥有焉，望以蜀帥授之。 If the West River circuit is pacified and Your Majesty chooses a governor—one loyal, trustworthy, prudent in counsel, and restrained in service—Meng Zhixiang is such a man. I ask that the Shu command be given to him.

莊宗禦嘉慶殿，置酒宴征西諸將，舉酒屬崇韜曰：「繼岌未習軍政，卿久從吾戰伐，西面之事，屬之於卿。」 Emperor Zhuangzong held court in the Jiaqing Hall and feasted the generals bound for the west. Raising his cup to Guo Chongtao, he said: "Jiji has not yet learned the arts of war. You have long marched at my side. The western campaign is yours to command."

莊宗令內官李廷安、李從襲、呂知柔為都統府紀綱，見崇韜幕府繁重，將吏輻輳，降人爭先賂遺，都統府唯大將省謁，牙門索然，由是大為詬恥。 Emperor Zhuangzong appointed the eunuchs Li Ting'an, Li Congxi, and Lü Zhirou as disciplinarians of the overall command headquarters. They saw Guo Chongtao's headquarters thronged with officers and clerks, with surrendered men vying to offer bribes, while the prince's own headquarters received only the chief generals on formal visits and its gate stood empty. They were deeply shamed.

繼岌覽狀謂崇韜曰：「主上倚侍中如衡、華，安肯棄元老於蠻夷之地，況餘不敢議此。」 Jiji read the petitions and said to Guo Chongtao: "His Majesty relies on you as on Mount Heng and Mount Hua—how would he cast a senior minister off into barbarian country? As for me, I dare not even speak of such a thing."

莊宗令中官向延嗣齎詔至蜀，促班師，詔使至，崇韜不郊迎，延嗣憤憤。 Emperor Zhuangzong sent the eunuch Xiang Yansi to Shu with an edict ordering the army's return. When the imperial messenger arrived, Guo Chongtao failed to greet him with the customary ceremony at the city outskirts, and Yansi was incensed.

延嗣使還具奏，皇后泣告莊宗，乞保全繼岌。 Yansi reported everything on his return. The empress wept before Emperor Zhuangzong and begged him to protect Li Jiji.

莊宗復閱蜀簿曰：「人言蜀中珠玉金銀，不知其數，何如是之微也！」 Emperor Zhuangzong again reviewed the Shu account books and said, "Everyone says the pearls, jade, gold, and silver of Shu are beyond numbering—how can the tally be so small?"

莊宗初聞崇韜欲留蜀，心已不平，又聞全有蜀之妓樂珍玩，怒見顏色。 Emperor Zhuangzong had already resented the rumor that Guo Chongtao meant to stay in Shu; when he heard next that Chongtao had taken for himself all the region's courtesans, musicians, and treasures, his anger was plain on his face.

皇后再言之，莊宗曰：「未知事之實否，詎可便令果決？」 The empress pressed the point again. Emperor Zhuangzong said, "We do not yet know whether any of this is true—how can we order so fatal a step on hearsay alone?"

從襲等泣曰：「聖上既有口敕，王若不行，苟中途事泄，為患轉深。」 Li Congxi and the others wept and said, "The emperor has already given the command by word of mouth. If you refuse and the plot leaks midway, the consequences will only grow worse."

雖莊宗季年為群小所惑，致功臣不保其終，亦崇韜自貽其災禍也。 True, in his final years Emperor Zhuangzong was led astray by petty men, and many a meritorious minister failed to die in peace—but Guo Chongtao also made his own disaster.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 62Volume 62 Book of Later Tang 38: Biographies 14: Meng Fangli, Zhang Wenli, Dong Zhang · 6 passages

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自柏鄉戰勝之後，常從莊宗行營。 After the victory at Baixiang he often campaigned with Emperor Zhuangzong's headquarters.

以事上聞，兼要節旄，尋亦奉箋勸進，莊宗姑示含容，乃可其請。 He reported to the throne and demanded the commissioner's insignia; he soon sent a memorial urging Zhuangzong's accession, and Zhuangzong, for the moment forbearing, granted his request.

南通朱氏，北結契丹，往往擒獲其使，莊宗遣人送還，文禮由是愈恐。 He courted the Zhu clan in the south and the Khitan in the north, often seizing their envoys until Zhuangzong returned them—which only deepened Wenli's terror.

是歲八月，莊宗遣閻寶、史建瑭及趙將符習等率王鎔本軍進討。 In the eighth month Zhuangzong sent Yan Bao, Shi Jiantan, and the Zhao general Fu Xi with Wang Rong's former army to suppress him.

十九年三月，閻寶為處瑾所敗，莊宗以李嗣昭代之。 In the third month of the nineteenth year Yan Bao was defeated by Chujin, and Zhuangzong replaced him with Li Sizhao.

是歲，莊宗入汴，璋來朝，莊宗素聞其名，優以待之。 That year, when Zhuangzong entered Bian, Zhang came to court; Zhuangzong had long known his reputation and received him generously.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 64Volume 64 Book of Later Tang 40: Biographies 16: Hou Yanwei, Wang Yanqiu, Dai Siyuan, Zhu Hanbin, Kong Qing, Liu Qi, Zhou Zhiyu · 21 passages

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莊宗入汴，彥威自陝馳至請罪，詔釋之。 When Emperor Zhuangzong entered Bian, Yanwei rode in from Shan to surrender and beg pardon, and an edict absolved him.

一日，莊宗於崇元殿宴諸將，彥威與段凝、袁象先等預會。 One day Emperor Zhuangzong entertained his generals in the Chongyuan Hall; Yanwei was there with Duan Ning, Yuan Xiangxian, and others.

酒酣，莊宗舉酒屬明宗曰：「此席宴客，皆吾前歲之勁敵也，一旦與吾同宴，蓋卿前鋒之效也。」 As the wine flowed, Emperor Zhuangzong raised his cup to Emperor Mingzong and said, "Every guest at this table was a formidable enemy of mine only a year ago. That they now sit and feast with me is surely thanks to your work on the front lines."

彥威等伏陛謝罪，莊宗曰：「與卿話舊，無足畏也。」 Yanwei and the others prostrated themselves on the steps to beg forgiveness. Emperor Zhuangzong said, "We are only talking over old times; there is nothing to fear."

契丹犯塞，莊宗以明宗為北面招討使，命彥威為副。 When the Khitan raided the border, Emperor Zhuangzong appointed Emperor Mingzong northern pacification commissioner and made Yanwei his deputy.

莊宗入汴，晏球率騎軍入援。 When Emperor Zhuangzong entered Bian, Yanqiu led his cavalry in to reinforce the city.

至封丘，聞梁末帝殂，即解甲降於莊宗。 At Fengqiu he learned that the Last Liang Emperor was dead and at once laid down his arms and surrendered to Emperor Zhuangzong.

莊宗平定魏博，以兵臨滄、德，思遠棄鎮渡河歸汴，累遷天平軍節度使兼北面招討使，將兵與莊宗對壘。 When Emperor Zhuangzong pacified Weibo and marched on Cang and De, Siyuan abandoned his post, crossed the river, and fled to Bian; he rose to military governor of Tianping and northern pacification commissioner and led troops to face Emperor Zhuangzong in the field.

久之，莊宗討張文禮於鎮州，契丹來援，莊宗追襲契丹至幽州。 Later Emperor Zhuangzong marched against Zhang Wenli at Zhen; when the Khitan came to his aid, Emperor Zhuangzong pursued them all the way to You.

莊宗自薊五日馳至魏州，思遠聞之解去。 Emperor Zhuangzong rode from Ji to Wei in five days; on hearing of his approach Siyuan broke off and withdrew.

其年，莊宗入汴，思遠自鄧州入朝，復令歸鎮。 That year, when Emperor Zhuangzong entered Bian, Siyuan came to court from Deng and was sent back to his post.

莊宗至洛陽，漢賓自鎮入覲，復令還鎮。 When Emperor Zhuangzong reached Luoyang, Hanbin came from his post for an audience and was sent back.

莊宗嘗幸漢賓之第，漢賓妻進酒上食，奏家樂以娛之，自是漢賓頗蒙寵待。 Emperor Zhuangzong once visited Hanbin at home; Hanbin's wife served wine and food and played household music for him, and from then on Hanbin enjoyed considerable favor.

莊宗諸弟在席，友謙坐在永王存霸之上。 Emperor Zhuangzong's younger brothers were present; Youqian was seated above Prince Yong Cunba.

莊宗至洛陽，自鎮來朝，復令歸鎮，尋移昭義節度使。 When Zhuangzong reached Luoyang, Qing came from his post to court and was sent back; soon he was transferred to military commissioner of Zhaoyi.

莊宗至汴，玘來朝。 When Zhuangzong reached Bian, Qi came to court.

莊宗見而勞之曰：「劉侯無恙，控我晉陽之南鄙，歲時久矣，不早相見。」 Zhuangzong saw him and said with praise, "Marquis Liu, are you well? You have held our southern border at Jinyang for many years—why did we not meet sooner?"

梁與莊宗交戰於河，摧堅挫銳，惟恃歸化一軍，然歲將一紀，位不及郡守。 In Liang's battles with Emperor Zhuangzong on the Yellow River, where hardened lines were broken and elite troops blunted, they relied solely on the Return-to-Grace Army; yet after nearly twelve years his rank still fell short of a prefect.

同光初，莊宗入汴，知裕隨段凝軍解甲封丘。 Early in Tongguang, when Emperor Zhuangzong entered Bian, Zhiyu followed Duan Ning's army in surrendering at Fengqiu.

莊宗撫憐尤異，而諸校心妒之。 Emperor Zhuangzong showed him exceptional favor, but the other officers grew jealous.

莊宗遂誅從益，出知裕為房州刺史。 Emperor Zhuangzong executed Congyi and sent Zhiyu out as prefect of Fang.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 65Volume 65 Book of Later Tang 41: Biographies 17: Li Jianji, Shi Junli, Gao Xinggui, Zhang Tingyu, Wang Sitong, Suo Zitong · 16 passages

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莊宗登高而望，鎮、定兵將衄，謂建及曰：「如賊過橋，則勢不可遏，卿計若何？」 Emperor Zhuangzong took a vantage point and saw the Zhen and Ding lines buckling. He asked Jianji, "If they get across that bridge we cannot stop them—what do you advise?"

莊宗欲收軍，詰朝合戰。 Emperor Zhuangzong wanted to pull the army back and fight again at dawn.

城中矢石將盡，守城將氏延賞危急，莊宗令積帛軍門，召能破賊船者。 Missiles and stones inside the walls were almost gone, and the defender Shi Yanzhang was at the breaking point. Emperor Zhuangzong heaped silk at the camp gate and offered it to anyone who could destroy the enemy fleet.

其年十二月，與汴將王瓚戰於戚城，建及傷手，莊宗解禦衣金帶賜之。 That twelfth month he fought the Bian commander Wang Zan at Qicheng. Jianji took a wound to the hand, and Emperor Zhuangzong took off his own court robe and gold belt and gave them to him.

建及有膽氣，慷慨不群，臨陣鞠旅，意氣橫壯，自莊宗至魏州，建及都總內外衙銀槍效節帳前親軍，善於撫禦，所得賞賜，皆分給部下，絕甘分少，頗洽軍情。 Jianji was bold and high-spirited, generous and unlike ordinary men. On the battlefield his bearing was formidable. From Zhuangzong's arrival in Weizhou onward he commanded the silver-spear Xiaojie guard of the inner and outer gates and knew how to win soldiers' hearts. Every reward he shared with his men, refusing the choicest portion and taking the least—so he held the army's loyalty.

時宦官韋令圖監建及軍，每於莊宗前言：「建及以家財驟施，其趨向誌意不小，不可令典衙兵。」 The eunuch Wei Lingtu was then overseeing Jianji's command and kept telling Zhuangzong, "Jianji is throwing his family fortune around in sudden largesse; his ambitions are larger than they look—he must not be left in charge of the gate army."

莊宗因猜之。 Zhuangzong took the hint and began to distrust him.

時莊宗在魏博，救應不暇，人心危懼，嗣昭遣君立率五百騎，自上黨朝發暮至。 Zhuangzong was in Weibo and could not break away to help; panic spread. Sizhao dispatched Junli with five hundred cavalry from Shangdang—they left at dawn and reached Taiyuan by nightfall.

時汴軍自滑州轉餉以給楊村寨，莊宗親率騎軍於河外，循岸而上，邀擊之。 The Bian forces were shipping grain from Huazhou to Yangcun village; Zhuangzong himself led cavalry along the north bank upstream to intercept the convoys.

汴人距楊村五十里，於河曲潘張村築壘以貯軍儲，莊宗令諸軍攻之。 Fifty li short of Yangcun the enemy threw up a depot at Panzhang Village in the river bend; Zhuangzong ordered a general assault.

同光元年，莊宗至汴前一日，梁主始令殺之。 In the first year of Tongguang, the day before Zhuangzong entered Bian, the Liang ruler finally had him executed.

燕帥劉守光僭逆不道，莊宗令周德威征之，守光大懼，以行珪為武州刺史，令張犄角之勢。 When the Yan warlord Liu Shouguang seized power unlawfully, Zhuangzong sent Zhou Dewei against him. Shouguang in alarm made Xinggui prefect of Wu and set him to brace the frontier.

莊宗定魏，補天雄軍左廂馬步都虞候，曆蔚、慈、隰三州刺史。 When Zhuangzong secured Wei he was made left-wing horse-and-foot commandant of the Tianxiong Army and later held the prefectures of Wei, Ci, and Xi in succession.

從莊宗平定山東，累典諸軍。 He followed Zhuangzong in the pacification of Shandong and held a series of army commands.

自通少能騎射，嘗於山墅射獵，莊宗鎮太原時，遇之於野，訊其姓名，即補右番廳直軍使。 As a youth Zitong was skilled in horsemanship and archery. Hunting at a mountain lodge while Zhuangzong held Taiyuan, he met the prince in the field; asked his name, Zhuangzong at once made him an officer of the Right Barracks guard.

從莊宗定魏博，改突騎指揮使。 He followed Zhuangzong in the pacification of Weibo and was made commander of the assault cavalry.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 66Volume 66 Book of Later Tang 42: Biographies 8: an Zhonghui, Zhu Hongzhao, Zhu Hongshi, Kang Yicheng, Yao Yanchou, Song Lingxun · 1 passage

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少以騎射事武皇，從莊宗入魏博，補突騎使，累遷本軍都指揮使。 Young he rode for the Martial Emperor; entering Weibo with Zhuangzong he became a Swift Cavalry officer and rose to command the household guard.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 68Volume 68 Book of Later Tang 44: Biographies 20: Xue Tinggui, Cui Yi, Liu Yue, Liu Ye, Feng Shunqing, Dou Mengzheng, Li Baoyin, Gui Ai, Kong, Miao, Zhang Wenbao, Chen Yi, Liu Zan · 8 passages

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莊宗平定河南，以廷珪年老，除太子少師致仕。 After Zhuangzong pacified Henan, Tinggui was granted retirement as Mentor of the Heir Apparent on account of his advanced age.

莊宗興復唐室，復用為左丞，判吏部尚書銓選司，坐累謫石州司馬。 When Zhuangzong restored the Tang, Yi was again appointed left vice director and placed in charge of the Ministry of Personnel's selection bureau; he was later demoted to defender of Shizhou on accumulated charges.

莊宗入汴，隨例貶均州司馬，尋丁母憂，許自貶所奔喪，服闋，授太子詹事。 When Zhuangzong took Bian, Yue was demoted under the usual purge to defender of Junzhou. He soon entered mourning for his mother and was allowed to leave his post of exile for the funeral; when the mourning ended he was appointed grand mentor of the heir apparent.

莊宗同光已來，累曆清顯。 From Zhuangzong's Tongguang era onward he held a series of high, prestigious posts.

及莊宗入汴，夢徵以例貶沂州，居嘗感梁末帝舊恩，因為《祭故君文》云：「嗚呼！ When Zhuangzong took Bian, Mengzheng was demoted under the usual purge to Yizhou. Grateful still for the Last Liang Emperor's past kindness, he wrote A Eulogy for the Former Lord, which begins: "Alas!

莊宗即位於魏州，以文寶知制誥，曆中書舍人、刑部侍郎、左散騎常侍、知貢舉，遷吏部侍郎。 When Zhuangzong took the throne at Weizhou, Wenbao was made drafting commissioner and rose through the posts of Secretariat drafting secretary, vice minister of punishments, left honorary cavalier attendant-in-ordinary, and examination supervisor before becoming vice minister of personnel.

莊宗平梁，郭崇韜遙領常山，召居賓榻。 When Zhuangzong pacified Liang, Guo Chongtao held distant charge of Changshan and summoned him to his guest couch.

莊宗入汴，租庸副使孔謙以讚里人，表為鹽鐵判官。 When Zhuangzong took Bian, Deputy Grain-Tax Commissioner Kong Qian, a fellow townsman, recommended Zan as salt and iron commissioner.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 69Volume 69 Book of Later Tang 45: Biographies 21: Zhang Xian, Wang Zhengyan, Hu Zhuang, Cui Yisun, Meng Hu, Sun Yue, Zhang Yanlang, Liu Yanhao, Liu Yanlang · 17 passages

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莊宗為行軍司馬，廣延髦俊，素知憲名，令朱守殷齎書幣延之。 When Zhuangzong served as acting commander on campaign, he widely gathered eminent talents and, knowing Xian's reputation by name, had Zhu Shouyin bring letters and gifts to invite him.

歲餘，釋褐交城令，秩滿，莊宗嗣世，補太原府司錄參軍。 After more than a year he left the white collar as magistrate of Jiaocheng; when his term ended and Zhuangzong succeeded to the throne, he was appointed recorder in the Taiyuan prefectural office.

十二年，莊宗平河朔，念藩邸之舊，征赴行台。 In the twelfth year Zhuangzong pacified Hebei and, mindful of old ties from the princely residence, summoned him to the field headquarters.

是夜，莊宗令於軍中求憲，或曰：「與王緘俱歿矣！」 That night Zhuangzong ordered a search for Xian in the army; someone said, "He perished together with Wang Jian!"

莊宗垂涕求屍，數日，聞其免也，遣使慰勞。 Zhuangzong wept and sought his corpse; after several days word came that he had escaped, and he sent an envoy to comfort and reward him.

莊宗即位，詔還魏都，授尚書工部侍郎，充租庸使。 When Zhuangzong took the throne he was ordered back to the Wei capital, appointed vice minister of works in the Secretariat, and made commissioner of the transport and corvée tax.

莊宗遷洛陽，以憲檢校吏部尚書、興唐尹、東京副留守，知留守事。 When Zhuangzong moved to Luoyang, Xian was made acting minister of personnel, prefect of Xingtang, deputy eastern capital intendant, and given charge of the intendant's affairs.

初，莊宗行即位之禮，卜鞠場吉，因築壇於其間，至是詔毀之。 Earlier, when Zhuangzong performed the accession rites, divination had shown the cuju ground to be auspicious, so an altar was built there; now an edict ordered it destroyed.

四月五日，李存渥自洛陽至，口傳莊宗命，並無書詔，惟云天子授以隻箭，傳之為信。 On the fifth day of the fourth month Li Cunwo arrived from Luoyang, orally transmitting Zhuangzong's command without any written edict, saying only that the Son of Heaven had given him a single arrow and that passing it on was proof.

莊宗平定魏博，正言仍舊職任，小心端慎，與物無競。 When Zhuangzong pacified Weibo, Zhengyan remained in his former post, careful and upright, without striving against others.

莊宗初至，裝謁見，求假官，司空頲以其居官貪濁，不得調者久之。 When Zhuangzong first arrived, Zhuang called on him and sought a provisional appointment; Sikong Ting, because Zhuang had been corrupt in office, long kept him from receiving a transfer.

十三年，莊宗還太原，裝候於離亭； In the thirteenth year Zhuangzong returned to Taiyuan; Zhuang waited at the parting pavilion;

莊宗愕然曰：「孤未之知，何至如是！」 Zhuangzong said in astonishment, "I did not know of this—how could it come to such a pass!"

十七年，莊宗自魏州之德勝，與賓僚城樓餞別，既而群僚離席，裝獨留，獻詩三篇，意在章服。 In the seventeenth year Zhuangzong went from Weizhou to Desheng; on the city tower he gave a farewell feast for his guests and staff. When the group had left their seats Zhuang alone remained and presented three poems, his aim being official robes and insignia.

莊宗舉大鍾屬裝曰：「員外能釂此乎？」 Zhuangzong raised a great bell-cup and handed it to Zhuang, saying, "Director, can you drain this?"

裝飲酒素少，略無難色，為之一舉而釂，莊宗即解紫袍賜之。 Zhuang ordinarily drank little but showed hardly any difficulty and drained it in one draft; Zhuangzong at once removed his purple robe and bestowed it on him.

莊宗初定魏博，選幹吏以計兵賦，以鵠為度支孔目官。 When Zhuangzong first pacified Weibo he selected capable officials to calculate military levies and made Hu a clerical officer in the expenditure section.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 70Volume 70 Book of Later Tang 46: Biographies 22: Yuan Xingqin, Xia Luqi, Yao Hong, Li Yan, Li Renju, Kang Sili, Zhang Jingda · 31 passages

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莊宗東定趙、魏，選驍健置之麾下，因索行欽，莊宗不得已而遣之。 When Zhuangzong pacified Zhao and Wei in the east, he picked out the fiercest fighters for his personal command and asked for Xingqin. Zhuangzong, unable to refuse, sent him on.

時有散指揮都頭，名為散員，命行欽為都部署，賜姓，名紹榮。 There was then a corps of scattered guard commanders called the "scattered guards." Zhuangzong made Xingqin their overall commander, granted him the imperial surname, and gave him the name Shaorong.

莊宗好戰，勇於大敵，或臨陣有急兵，行欽必橫身解鬥翼衛之。 Zhuangzong loved combat and was fearless before strong foes. Whenever danger closed in on the field, Xingqin would throw himself into the melee and fight at Zhuangzong's side to cover him.

莊宗營於德勝也，與汴軍戰於潘張，王師不利，諸軍奔亂。 While Zhuangzong was encamped at Desheng, he fought the Bian army at Panzhang. The imperial forces were beaten and the ranks broke in flight.

莊宗得三四騎而旋，中野為汴軍數百騎攢槊攻之，事將不測，行欽識其幟，急馳一騎，奮劍斷二矛，斬一級，汴軍乃解圍，翼莊宗還宮。 Zhuangzong got away with only three or four riders. In the open field several hundred Bian horsemen closed on him with leveled spears, and the outcome hung by a thread. Xingqin recognized their banners, spurred forward alone, slashed two spears apart with his sword, and cut down one man. The Bian troops broke off, and he escorted Zhuangzong back to camp.

莊宗因流涕言曰：「富貴與卿共之。」 Zhuangzong wept and said, "Whatever wealth and rank are mine shall be yours as well."

及莊宗平梁，授武寧軍節度使。 After Zhuangzong conquered Liang, he was made military governor of Wuning.

嘗因內宴群臣，使相預會，行欽官為保傅，當地褥下坐。 Once Zhuangzong gave an inner banquet for his ministers and invited the commissioners as well. Xingqin held the post of guardian-tutor and was to sit below the floor cushions.

酒酣樂作，莊宗敘生平戰陣之事，因左右顧視，曰：「紹榮安在？」 As the wine warmed and the music began, Zhuangzong recounted the battles of his life, then glanced about and asked, "Where is Shaorong?"

莊宗徹會不懌。 Zhuangzong broke up the banquet in displeasure.

莊宗有所愛宮人生皇子者，劉皇后心忌之，會行欽入侍，莊宗勞之曰：「紹榮喪婦復娶耶！ Zhuangzong favored a palace woman who had borne him a son, and Empress Liu resented her. When Xingqin came to attend him, Zhuangzong said kindly, "Shaorong, your wife is dead—will you take another?

皇后指所忌宮人謂莊宗曰：「皇帝憐紹榮，可使為婦。」 The empress pointed at the woman she hated and told Zhuangzong, "Your Majesty pities Shaorong—let her become his wife."

莊宗難違所請，微許之。 Zhuangzong could not easily refuse and gave a faint assent.

莊宗心不懌，佯不豫者累日，業已遣去，無如之何。 Zhuangzong was inwardly displeased and for days pretended to be unwell. The woman had already been sent off, and he could do nothing about it.

及貝州軍亂，趙在禮入魏州，莊宗方擇將，皇后曰：「小事不勞大將，促紹榮指揮可也。」 When the Beizhou garrison mutinied and Zhao Zaili seized Weizhou, Zhuangzong was choosing a commander. The empress said, "A trifle like this need not burden a senior general—send Shaorong to take charge and that will do."

莊宗覽奏釋然曰：「吾知紹榮妄矣。」 Zhuangzong read the memorial and said with relief, "I knew Shaorong was lying."

及莊宗出成皋，知明宗在黎陽，復令繼璟渡河召明宗，行欽即殺之，仍勸班師。 When Zhuangzong advanced from Chenggao and learned that Mingzong was at Liyang, he again ordered Jijing to cross the river and summon him. Xingqin killed Jijing on the spot and pressed for a general withdrawal.

四月一日，莊宗既崩，行欽引皇后、存渥，得七百騎出師子門，將之河中就存霸，沿路部下解散，從者數騎而已。 On the first day of the fourth month Zhuangzong died. Xingqin escorted the empress and Cunwo with seven hundred horsemen out the Lion Gate, planning to reach Hezhong and join Cunba. Along the road his men melted away until only a handful of riders were left.

初事宣武軍為軍校，與主將不協，遂歸於莊宗，以為護衛指揮使。 He first served the Xuanwu army as a regimental officer. At odds with his commander, he defected to Zhuangzong, who appointed him commander of the imperial guard.

梁將劉鄩在洹水，莊宗深入致師，鄩設伏於魏縣西南葭蘆中。 The Liang general Liu Yun held Huanshui. Zhuangzong pushed deep to bring him to battle, and Yun laid an ambush in the reed beds southwest of Wei County.

莊宗不滿千騎，汴人伏兵萬餘，大噪而起，圍莊宗數重。 Zhuangzong had fewer than a thousand horsemen with him. More than ten thousand Bian troops in ambush rose with a deafening roar and closed around him in ring after ring.

魯奇持槍攜劍，獨衛莊宗，手殺百餘人。 Spear in one hand and sword in the other, Luqi alone shielded Zhuangzong and killed more than a hundred men himself.

烏德兒等被擒，魯奇傷痍遍體，自是莊宗尤憐之，曆磁州刺史。 Wude'er and the others were taken prisoner. Luqi was covered with wounds, and from then on Zhuangzong favored him all the more. He later served as prefect of Cizhou.

莊宗壯之，賞絹千匹。 Zhuangzong was impressed and rewarded him with a thousand bolts of silk.

及彥章敗，庭隱為莊宗所獲，將以就戮，大將夏魯奇奏曰：「此矬也，其材可用。」 When Yanzhang was defeated, Tingyin was taken by Zhuangzong and was about to be executed. The great general Xia Luqi memorialized, "He is a short man, but his abilities are worth keeping."

奉使於蜀，及與王衍相見，陳使者之禮，因於笏記中具述莊宗興復之功，其警句云：「才過汶水，縛王彥章於馬前； Sent on embassy to Shu, he met Wang Yan and performed the rites due an envoy. In the notes on his tablet he recounted Zhuangzong's deeds of restoration, with this striking line: "Hardly past the Wen River, Wang Yanzhang was bound before his horse;

嚴對曰：「吾皇前年四月即位於鄴宮，當月下鄆州。 Yan replied, "Our Emperor took the throne at the Ye palace in the fourth month of the year before last and that same month marched on Yanzhou.

吾皇以德懷來，以威款附。 Our Emperor wins men by virtue and binds them by power.

莊宗嗣位，從解圍於上黨，敗梁人於柏鄉，及平薊兵，後戰於河上，皆有功，累承製加檢校戶部尚書，右突騎指揮使。 When Zhuangzong succeeded, he helped lift the siege at Shangdang, defeated the Liang at Baixiang, pacified the Ji forces, and later fought along the Yellow River, winning merit in every campaign. He was repeatedly promoted by edict to acting Minister of Revenue and commander of the Right Vanguard Cavalry.

莊宗即位，繼改軍帥，賜忠勇拱衛功臣，加檢校尚書右僕射。 When Zhuangzong took the throne, he was again made an army commander, granted the title Loyal Brave Arch-guard Merit Subject, and promoted to acting Vice Director of the Right Secretariat.

敬達少以騎射著名，莊宗知之，召令繼父職； Jingda was famed in youth for mounted archery. Zhuangzong knew of him and summoned him to inherit his father's post;

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 71Volume 71 Book of Later Tang 47: Biographies 23: Ma Yu, Si Kongting, Cao Tingyin, Xiao Xifu, Yao Zongzhi, Jia Fu, Ma Gao, Luo Guan, Chun Yuyan, Zhang Ge, Xu Ji, Zhou Xuanbao · 18 passages

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武皇與莊宗禮遇俱厚，給賜優異。 Li Keyong and his son Zhuangzong both honored him richly and showered him with exceptional rewards.

郁在莊宗幕，寄寓他土，年老思鄉，每對莊宗欷歔，言家在范陽，乞骸歸國，以葬舊山。 Under Zhuangzong, far from home and advanced in years, he often wept before the throne, pleading to return to Fanyang to die and be buried among his ancestral hills.

莊宗謂之曰：「自卿去國已來，同舍孰在？ Zhuangzong told him, "Since you left your homeland, who among your old companions still survives there?

莊宗仍以頲為判官，後以頲權軍府事。 Zhuangzong kept him as secretary and later entrusted him with authority over the military headquarters.

〈（《通鑒》：晉王責頲曰：「自吾得魏博，庶事悉以委公，公何得見欺如是，獨不可先相示耶！」 (The 《Comprehensive Mirror》 records that the Prince of Jin rebuked him: "Since I took Weibo I have entrusted you with everything—how could you deceive me like this? Could you not have told me first?!"

賀德倫使西迎莊宗於晉陽，莊宗既得鄴城，擢為馬步都虞候，以其稱職，自是遷拜日隆。 When He Delun sent him west to welcome Zhuangzong at Jinyang, Zhuangzong, after taking Yecheng, made him chief inspector of horse and foot; his capable service brought ever higher appointments thereafter.

莊宗將建國，置百官，李紹宏薦為魏州推官。 As Zhuangzong prepared to found his dynasty and fill the bureaucracy, Li Shaohong recommended him as investigating officer at Weizhou.

初，莊宗欲以希甫知制誥，宰相豆盧革等附居翰，共排斥之，以為駕部郎中。 Zhuangzong had wanted to make him a drafter of edicts, but Chief Ministers Doulu Ge and others, siding with Zhang Juhan, blocked him and gave him only a post as director in the Transport Department.

莊宗滅梁室，遣希甫宣慰青、齊，希甫始知其母已死，妻袁氏亦改嫁。 When Zhuangzong destroyed Liang he sent Xifu to console Qing and Qi; only then did he learn his mother was dead and his wife of the Yuan clan had remarried.

張文禮殺王鎔，時莊宗未即尊位，文禮遣馥至鄴都勸進，因留鄴下，棲遲郵舍。 After Zhang Wenli killed Wang Rong, while Zhuangzong had not yet taken the throne, Wenli sent Fu to Yedu to urge his accession; Fu stayed on there, lodging at the post station.

莊宗即位，授鴻臚少卿。 When Zhuangzong ascended the throne he appointed Fu Vice Director of the Court of State Ceremonial.

全義怒，因令女使告劉皇后從容白於莊宗，宦官又言其短，莊宗深怒之。 Quanyi, furious, had a female attendant ask Empress Liu to speak to Zhuangzong on his behalf; the eunuchs added their complaints, and Zhuangzong grew deeply angry.

會莊宗幸壽安山陵，道路泥濘，莊宗訪其主者，宦官曰：「屬河南縣。」 When Zhuangzong visited the Shou'an tombs the roads were muddy; asked who was responsible, a eunuch said, "That is Henan County's charge."

莊宗怒曰：「母後靈駕將發，天子車輿往來，橋道不修，是誰之過也？」 Zhuangzong raged, "The late empress's funeral procession is about to set out, and the emperor's carriages must pass—whose fault is it that the roads are ruined?"

莊宗曰：「既卿所愛，任卿裁決。」 Zhuangzong said, "Since he is your man, you decide."

崇韜從而論列，莊宗自闔殿門，不得入。 Chongtao followed, arguing each point; Zhuangzong shut the hall doors himself, and Chongtao could not get in.

京師旱，莊宗迎至洛下，親拜之，六宮參禮，士庶瞻仰，謂朝夕可致甘澤。 When the capital suffered drought, Zhuangzong brought him to Luoyang, bowed to him in person, the inner court paid homage, and the people looked to him for rain at any moment.

莊宗署元豹北京巡官。 Zhuangzong appointed him touring officer of the Northern Capital.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 72Volume 72 Book of Later Tang 48: Biographies 24: Zhang Chengye, Zhang Juhan, Ma Shaohong, Meng Hangqiong · 47 passages

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使還，武皇病篤，啟手之夕，召承業屬之曰：「吾兒孤弱，群臣縱橫，後事公善籌之。」 When he returned from the mission, Emperor Wu was dying. On the night of his death he summoned Chengye and said, "My son is young and weak, and the ministers are unruly. You must plan carefully for what comes next."

承業奉遺顧，爰立嗣王，平內難，策略居多。 Chengye carried out the dying charge, established the heir as king, and quelled the internal crisis — in all of this, strategy was largely his work.

莊宗深感其意，兄事之，親幸承業私第，升堂拜母，賜遺優厚。 Zhuangzong was deeply moved and treated Chengye as an elder brother. He visited Chengye's home in person, entered the hall to bow to his mother, and gave him lavish gifts.

時莊宗初行墨製，凡除拜之命，皆成於盧汝弼之手。 At that time Zhuangzong had just begun issuing appointments in his own hand, and every commission was drafted by Lu Rubi.

莊宗怒其懦，不聽，垂帳而寢，諸將不敢言事，鹹詣監軍請白。 Zhuangzong, angry at what he took for cowardice, refused to listen. He lowered his curtain and went to sleep. The generals dared not speak and all went to the army supervisor to ask him to intervene.

承業遽至牙門，褰帳而入，撫莊宗曰：「此非王安寢時，周德威老將，洞識兵勢，姑務萬全，言不可忽。」 Chengye hurried to headquarters, lifted the curtain, and went in. Placing a hand on Zhuangzong he said, "This is no time to sleep. Zhou Dewei is a veteran who knows the battlefield inside out. For now seek complete safety — do not ignore what he says."

莊宗蹶然而興曰：「予方思之。」 Zhuangzong started up at once and said, "I was just thinking about that."

德威討劉守光，令承業往視賊勢，因請莊宗自行，果成大捷。 When Dewei marched against Liu Shouguang, he sent Chengye to scout the enemy and urged Zhuangzong to take command in person. The result was a great victory.

承業感武皇厚遇，自莊宗在魏州垂十年，太原軍國政事，一委承業； Grateful for Emperor Wu's generous treatment, and with Zhuangzong at Weizhou for nearly ten years, all military and civil affairs at Taiyuan were entrusted entirely to Chengye;

或有中傷承業於莊宗者，言專弄威柄，廣納賂遺。 Some slandered Chengye to Zhuangzong, saying he wielded power alone and accepted bribes on a wide scale.

莊宗歲時還晉陽宮省太后，須錢蒱博、給伶官，嘗置酒於泉府，莊宗酣飲，命興聖宮使李繼岌為承業起舞，既竟，承業出寶帶幣馬奉之。 Each year when Zhuangzong returned to the Jinyang palace to visit the empress dowager, he needed money for gambling and to pay the entertainers. Once he held a feast at the treasury. Zhuangzong drank heavily and ordered Li Jiya, commissioner of the Xingsheng Palace, to dance for Chengye. When the dance was done, Chengye presented a precious belt, coins, and a horse as gifts.

莊宗指錢積謂承業曰：「和哥無錢使，七哥與此一積，寶馬非殊惠也。」 Zhuangzong pointed to a pile of money and said to Chengye, "Hege has no spending money — Seventh Elder Brother, give him this pile. The fine horse is no special favor."

此錢是大王庫物，準擬支贍三軍，不敢以公物為私禮也。」 This money belongs to the Great King's treasury and is earmarked to supply the three armies. I dare not use public funds as a private gift."

莊宗不悅，使酒侵承業。 Zhuangzong was displeased and, drunk, insulted Chengye.

非為子孫之謀，惜錢為大王基業，王若自要散施，何妨老夫，不過財盡兵散，一事無成。」 I am not hoarding it for my descendants — I am hoarding it for the Great King's foundation. If Your Highness insists on giving it away, what can an old man do? Nothing more than exhaust the treasury, scatter the troops, and achieve nothing."

莊宗怒，顧元行欽曰：「取劍來！」 Zhuangzong flew into a rage and turned to Yuan Xingqin, saying, "Bring a sword!"

承業引莊宗衣，泣而言曰：「仆荷先王遺顧，誓為本朝誅汴賊，為王惜庫物，斬承業首，死亦無愧於先王，今日請死！」 Chengye seized Zhuangzong's robe and said through tears, "Your servant received the late king's dying charge and swore to destroy the Bian rebels for the dynasty and to guard the treasury for the king. Cut off Chengye's head and I will die without shame before the late king — I ask to die today!"

太后聞莊宗酒失，急召入。 The empress dowager, hearing of Zhuangzong's drunken outburst, urgently summoned him.

莊宗性至孝，聞太后召，叩頭謝阿業曰：「吾杯酒之間，忤於七哥，太后必怪吾。 Zhuangzong was deeply filial. Hearing the empress dowager's summons, he kowtowed and apologized to Aye: "Over a few cups of wine I offended Seventh Elder Brother — the empress dowager is sure to blame me.

莊宗連飲四鍾，勸承業，竟不飲。 Zhuangzong drank four cups in a row and urged Chengye to drink, but Chengye would not.

莊宗歸宮，太后使人謂承業曰：「小兒忤特進，已笞矣，可歸第。」 When Zhuangzong returned to the palace, the empress dowager sent word to Chengye: "The boy offended the Special Advancement and has already been flogged. You may go home."

翌日，太后與莊宗俱幸其第，慰勞之。 The next day the empress dowager and Zhuangzong both visited his home to comfort him.

是時，盧質在莊宗幕下，嗜酒輕傲，嘗呼莊宗諸弟為豚犬，莊宗深銜之。 At that time Lu Zhi was on Zhuangzong's staff. He was fond of drink and lightly arrogant and once called Zhuangzong's younger brothers "pigs and dogs." Zhuangzong deeply resented it.

承業慮質被禍，因乘間謂莊宗曰：「盧質多行無禮，臣請為大王殺之，可乎？」 Chengye feared that Zhi would come to harm and, seizing an opportunity, said to Zhuangzong, "Lu Zhi repeatedly behaves without propriety. Your servant asks to kill him for the Great King — may I?"

莊宗曰：「予方招禮賢士，以開霸業，七哥何言之過也！」 Zhuangzong said, "I am just now recruiting worthy men to build hegemony — how can Seventh Elder Brother speak so harshly!"

承業因聳立而言曰：「大王若能如此，何憂不得天下！」 Chengye then stood straight and said, "If the Great King can be like this, what worry is there of not winning the realm!"

其後盧質雖成縱誕，莊宗終能容之，蓋承業為之藻藉也。 Thereafter, although Lu Zhi grew increasingly unrestrained, Zhuangzong was ultimately able to tolerate him — largely because Chengye had given him cover.

十八年，莊宗受諸道勸進，將纂帝位。 In the eighteenth year the various circuits urged Zhuangzong to take the throne, and he was about to claim the imperial title.

承業以為晉王三代有功於國，先人怒朱氏弑逆，將復舊邦，讎既未平，不宜輕受推戴。 Chengye held that the Prince of Jin's house had served the state with merit across three generations and that his forebears, angered by the Zhu family's usurpation, meant to restore the old realm. With the enemy not yet subdued, one ought not lightly accept elevation.

方疾作，肩輿之鄴宮，見莊宗曰：「王父子血戰三十餘年，蓋言報國仇讎，復唐宗社。 Though he was ill, he was carried in a litter to the palace at Ye, where he saw Zhuangzong and said, "Your Highness and your father have fought in blood for more than thirty years — all to avenge the state's enemy and restore the Tang imperial altar.

王若化家為國，新立廟朝，不可乖於制度。 If Your Highness transforms a household into a state and newly establishes ancestral temples and courts, you must not depart from established codes.

〈（《通鑒考異》引秦再思《洛中記異》云：承業諫帝曰：「大王何不待誅克梁孽，更平吳、蜀，俾天下一家，且先求唐氏子孫立之，後更以天下讓有功者，何人輒敢當之！ (The 《Examination of Discrepancies in the Zizhi Tongjian》 cites Qin Zaisi's 《Records of Strange Events in Luoyang》: Chengye remonstrated with the emperor, saying, "Why does Your Highness not wait until the Liang rebels are destroyed and Wu and Shu are pacified, so that the realm becomes one family? First find a descendant of the Tang house and install him, then later yield the realm to the man of merit — who would dare take it!

今大王一旦自立，頓失從前仗義征伐之旨，人情怠矣。 If Your Highness now proclaims yourself sovereign in a single stroke, you will at once lose the righteous purpose that has guided these campaigns, and men's hearts will slacken.

老夫是閹官，不愛大王官職富貴，直以受先王付屬之重，欲為大王立萬年之基爾。」）〉 I am an old eunuch — I care nothing for Your Highness's offices and riches. I speak only because I bore the late king's heavy charge and wish to lay a foundation that will endure ten thousand years.")〉

莊宗曰：「奈諸將何？」 Zhuangzong said, "What am I to do about the generals?"

承業知莊宗不從，因號泣而言之。 Chengye knew Zhuangzong would not follow his advice and spoke while weeping aloud.

〈（《五代史闕文》：莊宗將即位於魏州，承業自太原至，謂莊宗曰：「吾王世奉唐家，最為忠孝，自貞觀以來，王室有難，未嘗不從。 From the 《Lost Writings on the History of the Five Dynasties》: When Zhuangzong was about to take the throne at Weizhou, Chengye came from Taiyuan and said to Zhuangzong, "Our princely house has served the Tang with utmost loyalty and filial piety. Since the Zhenguan era, whenever the royal house faced crisis, we have never failed to respond.

所以老奴三十餘年為吾王捃拾財賦、召補軍馬者，誓滅逆賊朱溫，復本朝宗社耳。 That is why this old slave for more than thirty years has gathered revenue and recruited troops and horses for our prince — swearing to destroy the rebel Zhu Wen and restore our dynasty's imperial altar.

今河朔甫定，朱氏尚存，吾王遽即大位，可乎？」 Now the Hebei region has just been pacified and the Zhu clan still survives — can our prince hastily assume the throne?"

莊宗曰：「奈諸將意何！」 Zhuangzong said, "What of the generals' wishes!"

承業知不可諫止，乃慟哭曰：「諸侯血戰者，本為李家，今吾王自取之，誤老奴矣！」 Chengye knew he could not dissuade him and wailed, "The feudal lords fought in blood for the Li family — now our prince takes it for himself. You have misled this old slave!"

臣謹按：《莊宗實錄》敘承業諫即位事甚詳，惟「吾王自取」之言不書，史官諱之也。）〉 Your servant respectfully notes: The 《Veritable Records of Zhuangzong》 narrates Chengye's remonstrance against enthronement in great detail but does not record the words "our prince takes it for himself" — the historiographers suppressed it.)〉

十月，莊宗將渡河，留居翰與李紹宏同守魏州。 In the tenth month, as Zhuangzong prepared to cross the river, he left Juhan and Li Shaohong to hold Weizhou together.

莊宗入汴，加驃騎大將軍，知內侍省事，依前充樞密使。 When Zhuangzong entered Bian, Juhan was promoted to Grand General of Agile Cavalry, made Director of Palace Affairs, and continued as Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs.

行及秦川，時關東已亂，莊宗慮衍為變，遣中官向延嗣馳騎齎詔殺之。 When they reached Qinchuan, the region east of the pass was already in turmoil. Zhuangzong feared Yan might stir up trouble and sent the palace eunuch Xiang Yansi galloping with an edict to kill him.

初與孟知祥同為中門使，及周德威薨，莊宗兼領幽州，令紹宏權知州事。 At first he and Meng Zhixiang served together as Commissioners of the Central Gate. When Zhou Dewei died, Zhuangzong also took command of Youzhou and ordered Shaohong to act as prefect.

史臣曰：承業感武皇之大惠，佐莊宗之中興，既義且忠，何以階也。 The historiographer says: Chengye, grateful for Emperor Wu's great kindness, assisted Zhuangzong's restoration — righteous and loyal. To what rank could such a man be compared?

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 73Volume 73 Book of Later Tang 49: Biographies 25: Mao Zhang, Nie Yu, Wen Tao, Duan Ning, Kong Qian, Li Ye · 12 passages

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梁將戴思遠帥滄州，時莊宗已定魏博，思遠勢蹙，棄州遁去，璋據城歸莊宗， When Liang general Dai Siyuan held Cangzhou, Emperor Zhuangzong had already secured Weibo. With his position collapsing, Siyuan abandoned the prefecture and fled, and Zhang seized the city and submitted to Zhuangzong,

未幾，毛以州歸命於唐莊宗，莊宗以毛為其州刺史，後竟帥滄海。）〉 Not long afterward Mao turned the prefecture over to Tang Emperor Zhuangzong, who made him prefect of that prefecture; he eventually rose to command the Canghai circuit.)〉

莊宗入汴，岩恃韜與己素厚，遂奔許州。 When Emperor Zhuangzong entered Bian, Yan counted on his long friendship with Tao and fled to Xuzhou.

凝以眾五萬營於高陵津，裨將康延孝叛歸莊宗，延孝具陳梁軍虛實，莊宗遂決長驅之計。 Ning encamped fifty thousand men at Gaoling Ford. Subordinate general Kang Yanxiao defected to Emperor Zhuangzong and gave a full account of the Liang army's strengths and weaknesses, and Zhuangzong thereupon resolved on a direct advance.

未幾，莊宗入汴，凝自滑率兵而南，前鋒杜晏球至封丘，解甲聽命。 Before long Emperor Zhuangzong entered Bian. Ning led troops south from Hua, and vanguard commander Du Yanqiu reached Fengqiu, laid down his arms, and awaited orders.

翌日，凝率大軍乞降於汴郊，莊宗釋之，復以凝為滑州兵馬留後，賜姓，名紹欽。 The next day Ning led the main army to surrender in the suburbs of Bian. Emperor Zhuangzong spared him, reappointed him military reserve officer of Hua Prefecture, granted him the imperial surname, and gave him the name Shaoqin.

凝初見莊宗，因伶人景進通貨於宮掖。 When Ning first met Emperor Zhuangzong, he used the actor Jing Jin to convey gifts into the inner palace.

四年二月，趙在禮據鄴城，李紹宏請用凝為大將，莊宗許之，令具方略條奏。 In the second month of the fourth year Zhao Zaili seized Ye City. Li Shaohong asked that Ning be appointed commander; Emperor Zhuangzong agreed and ordered him to submit a detailed plan.

凝所請偏裨皆取其己黨，莊宗疑之，乃止。 Every subordinate commander Ning requested was from his own faction. Emperor Zhuangzong grew suspicious and halted the appointment.

莊宗同光初，為租庸副使。 Early in the Tongguang era under Emperor Zhuangzong, he served as deputy commissioner of taxation and corvée.

莊宗圖霸，以供饋兵食，謙有力焉。 When Emperor Zhuangzong pursued hegemony, Qian contributed greatly to supplying the army with provisions.

幼事楊師厚，及莊宗入魏，漸轉裨將，曆數郡刺史，後遷亳州。 In youth he served Yang Shihou. When Emperor Zhuangzong entered Wei he gradually rose to subordinate general, served in turn as prefect of several commanderies, and was later transferred to Bozhou.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 74Volume 74 Book of Later Tang 50: Biographies 126: Kang Yanxiao, Zhu Shouyin, Yang Li, Dou Tingwan, Zhang Qianzhao, Yang Yanwen · 15 passages

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莊宗得之，喜，解禦衣金帶以賜之。 Zhuangzong welcomed him gladly, stripped off his own imperial robe and gold belt, and gave them to him.

莊宗屏人問梁兵機，延孝備陳利害，語在《莊宗紀》中。 Zhuangzong sent everyone else away and asked about Liang's military situation. Yanxiao laid out the pros and cons in full; the account appears in the "Annals of Zhuangzong."

莊宗平汴，延孝頗有力焉，以功授檢校太保、鄭州防禦使，賜姓，名紹琛。 When Zhuangzong took Bian, Yanxiao had done much to help. For his service he was made acting Grand Guardian and Zhengzhou defense commissioner and granted the surname with the name Shaochen.

莊宗就學，以廝養之役給事左右。 While Zhuangzong was still a student, Shouyin served him as a groom in his household.

及莊宗即位，為長直軍使，雖列戎行，不聞戰攻。 When Zhuangzong became emperor, Shouyin was made commander of the Long-Direct Guard. He held military rank but was never known for seeing combat.

每構人之短長，中於莊宗，漸以心腹受委。 He constantly played on people's faults and virtues until he had Zhuangzong's ear, and gradually became one of his most trusted intimates.

莊宗聞之曰：「駑才大誤予事！」 Zhuangzong said when he heard the news, "That worthless fool has ruined my campaign!"

明宗在鄆州，密請以覆軍之罪罪之，莊宗私於腹心，忍而不問。 Mingzong, then at Yan Prefecture, privately urged that Shouyin be punished for losing the army. Zhuangzong, speaking only with his closest confidants, let the matter pass.

及郭從謙犯興教門，步軍始亂，中使急召騎士，守殷按甲不進，莊宗獨領宦官斫射，屢退，而騎軍終不至。 When Guo Congqian stormed Xingjiao Gate the infantry broke first. Palace envoys urgently summoned the cavalry, but Shouyin held his men back. Zhuangzong fought on alone with his eunuchs, was driven back again and again, and the horsemen never came.

莊宗既崩，守殷擁眾方在北邙，憩於茂林之下。 When Zhuangzong died, Shouyin was camped with his troops on North Mang, resting in a wooded grove.

莊宗怒，命明宗與李紹真攻討，一月拔之，生擒立及其同惡十餘人，送於闕下，皆磔於市。 Zhuangzong was furious and ordered Mingzong and Li Shaozhen to attack. Within a month the city fell. Yang Li and more than ten of his accomplices were taken alive, sent to the capital, and dismembered in the marketplace.

潞州城峻而隍深，攻立輒敢據之，莊宗因茲詔諸道撤防城之備焉。 Luzhou's walls were high and its moat deep, yet Yang Li had dared to hold it. Zhuangzong therefore ordered every circuit to dismantle its outer defensive works.

初為太原牙校，以武勇聞於流輩，武皇、莊宗之世，累補左右突騎軍使。 He began as a military aide at Taiyuan and won a reputation for courage among his peers. Under Emperor Wuzong and Zhuangzong he rose repeatedly to command the Left and Right Flying Cavalry.

〈（《九國志》：莊宗嘗以偏師取鎮陽，命虔釗率騎為先鋒，屢挫賊銳，遂陷其城。）〉 (According to the Annals of the Nine States: Zhuangzong once took Zhenyang with a detached column and made Qianzhao lead the cavalry vanguard. Qianzhao repeatedly broke the enemy's best troops and finally captured the city.)〉

莊宗朝，累遷裨將。 Under Zhuangzong he rose repeatedly to deputy commander.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 78Volume 78 Book of Later Jin 4: Gaozu Annals 4 · 1 passage

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乙亥，詔立唐高祖、太宗及莊宗、明宗、閔帝五廟於洛陽。 On the yihai day, an edict ordered five temples established at Luoyang to Gaozu and Taizong of Tang and to Zhuangzong, Mingzong, and Emperor Min.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 87Volume 87 Book of Later Jin 13: Biographies 2: Imperial Family · 1 passage

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敬威少善騎射，事後唐莊宗，以從戰有功，累歷軍職。 From youth Jingwei excelled at horsemanship and archery. He served Later Tang's Emperor Zhuangzong and, for his service in battle, rose through a series of military posts.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 96Volume 96 Book of Later Jin 22: Biographies 11: Kong Chongbi, Chen Baoji, Wang Yu, Zhang Jizuo, Zhen Ruan, Hu Rao, Liu Suiqing, Fang Gao, Meng Chenghui, Liu Jixun, Zheng Shouyi, Cheng Xun, Li Yu, Zheng Xuansu, Ma Zhongji, Chen Xuan · 2 passages

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少為本部牙將，唐莊宗略地山東，以阮首歸義旗，繼遷軍職。 In youth he served as a military adjutant of his circuit. When Emperor Zhuangzong of Tang conquered eastern Shandong, Ruan was the first to rally to the loyalist cause and thereafter rose through military ranks.

遂清少敏惠，初仕梁為保鑾軍使，歷內諸司使，莊宗入汴，不改其職。 Suiqing was clever from youth. He first served Liang as commissioner of the palace guard, then held a series of posts as commissioner of the inner bureaus; when Zhuangzong entered Bian his offices were left unchanged.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 106Volume 106 Book of Later Jin 8: Biographies 3: Wang Zhou, Liu Shenjiao, Wu Hanqiu, Zhang Guan, Li Yin, Liu Zaiming, Ma Wan, Li Yancong, Guo Jin, Huang Fuli, Bai Zairong, Zhang Peng · 9 passages

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少勇健，從軍事唐莊宗、明宗，稍遷裨校，以戰功累歷郡守。 As a young man he was vigorous and daring. He served under Emperors Zhuangzong and Mingzong of Tang, rose step by step through the officer ranks, and with repeated victories held one prefectural post after another.

莊宗知之，用為諸府從事。 Zhuangzong heard of him and put him to work as an aide in several headquarters.

少拳勇，潞帥李嗣昭倚為親信，事唐莊宗、明宗，繼為禁軍裨校。 As a youth he was famed for courage in combat. Li Sizhao, military governor of Lu, trusted him as a confidant. He served under Zhuangzong and Mingzong of Tang and rose to staff officer in the palace guards.

唐天祐中，承業佐唐武皇、莊宗有功，甚見委遇，瓘聞之，與昆仲五人，自故裏奔於太原，莊宗皆任用之。 During Tang Tianyou Chengye served the Martial Emperor and Zhuangzong with distinction and won great trust. When Guan heard of his success, he and his brothers—five in all—left their village for Taiyuan, and Zhuangzong gave them all posts.

自後唐莊宗、明宗、晉高祖朝，以偏校遞遷，歷官至檢校司徒，累為郡守。 From the reigns of Zhuangzong and Mingzong of Later Tang through Jin Gaozu he rose step by step from junior officer to honorary Minister of Works and held one prefectural post after another.

守光敗，歸於太原，唐莊宗收為列校。 When Shouguang fell he made his way to Taiyuan, where Zhuangzong of Tang enrolled him among the officer corps.

唐莊宗與梁軍對壘於河上，莊宗於德勝渡夾河立南北寨。 When Zhuangzong of Tang faced the Liang army on the Yellow River, he built north and south camps on either bank at Desheng Ford.

會梁軍急攻南寨，於中流聯戰艦以絕援路，晝夜攻城者三日，寨將氏延賞告急於莊宗。 The Liang forces then pressed hard against the southern camp, chaining warships across the river to block reinforcements and attacking day and night for three days. The camp commander Shi Yanshang sent urgent word to Zhuangzong.

莊宗隔河望敵，無如之何，乃召人能水遊破賊者。 Zhuangzong watched the enemy from the far bank, helpless, and called for men who could swim across and break the siege.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 111Volume 111 Book of Later Zhou 13: Taizu Annals 2 · 1 passage

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壬寅，詔唐莊宗、明宗、晉高祖三處陵寢，各有守陵宮人，並放逐便。 On renyin day, an edict ordered the palace women guarding the mausoleums of Tang Zhuangzong, Mingzong, and Jin Gaozu all dismissed and sent away.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 121Volume 121 Book of Later Zhou 23: Biographies 1: Empresses and Consorts · 4 passages

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〈（《東都事略·張永德傳》云：周太祖柴後，本唐莊宗之嬪御也。 (The 《Eastern Capital Miscellany》, Biography of Zhang Yongde, states that Empress Chai of Emperor Taizu of Zhou had originally been a concubine of Emperor Zhuangzong of Tang.

莊宗沒，明宗遣歸其家，行至河上，父母迓之，會大風雨，止於逆旅數日。 After Zhuangzong's death Mingzong sent her home; on the way to the Yellow River her parents came out to meet her, but a violent storm forced them to halt at an inn for several days.

天祐末，趙將張文禮殺王镕，以鎮州歸梁，莊宗命將符存審討平之。 At the end of Tianyou the Zhao general Zhang Wenli killed Wang Rong and surrendered Zhenzhou to Liang; Zhuangzong sent Fu Cunshen to suppress him.

宣懿皇后符氏，祖存審，事後唐武皇、莊宗，位極將相，追封秦王。 Empress Xuanyi, née Fu, was granddaughter of Cunshen, who served Later Tang's Martial Emperor and Zhuangzong, rose to the highest ranks of general and minister, and was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Qin.

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 · 1 passage

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時瑰與唐莊宗相拒於河上，戰胡柳陂，瑰軍敗而北，惟凝隨之，瑰顧曰：「子勿相隨，當自努力。」 Gui then opposed Zhuangzong on the Yellow River at Huliu Slope. Defeated, Gui fled north; only Ning followed. Gui said, "Do not follow—save yourself."

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 130Volume 130 Book of Later Zhou 32: Biographies 10: Wang Jun, Murong Yanchao, Yan Honglu, Cui Zhoudu · 1 passage

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及莊宗入魏州，筠棄鎮南渡，以峻自隨。 When Emperor Zhuangzong entered Weizhou, Yun abandoned his command and fled south, taking Jun with him.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 138Volume 138: Foreign States Biographies 2: Tubo, Huihu, Goryeo, Bohai Tungusic Tribes, Heishui Tungusic Tribes, Silla, Tangut, Kunming Tribes, Yutian, Champa, Zangkeman · 2 passages

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至唐莊宗時，回鶻來朝，沙州留後曹義金亦遣使附回鶻以來，莊宗拜義金爲歸義軍節度使、瓜沙等州觀察處置等使。 Under Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang, when the Uyghurs came to court, Cao Yijin, acting governor of Sha Prefecture, sent envoys along with the Uyghur mission. Zhuangzong appointed Yijin military governor of the Army of Returning Allegiance and commissioner overseeing Gua, Sha, and the other prefectures.

莊宗召對於文明殿，乃命司農卿鄭績、將作少監何延嗣持節冊仁美爲英義可汗。 Zhuangzong received them in audience in the Hall of Civilizing Culture and ordered Minister of Agriculture Zheng Ji and Vice-Director of Imperial Works He Yansi to invest Renmei as Khan of Heroic Righteousness.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 139Volume 139: Treatises 1 Astronomy · 4 passages

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唐莊宗同光三年，四月癸亥朔，時有司奏：「日蝕在卯，主歲大旱。」 In the third year of Tongguang under Tang Zhuangzong, on the new moon of the fourth month (guihai), the astronomical office reported: "The eclipse falls in the mao hour and portends a severe drought for the year."

至五年正月二日，果為後唐莊宗大敗於柏鄉。 On the second day of the first month of the fifth year he was indeed routed by Later Tang Zhuangzong at Boxiang.

唐莊宗同光三年，三月戊申，月蝕。 In the third year of Tongguang under Tang Zhuangzong, on wushen of the third month, there was a lunar eclipse.

唐莊宗同光二年，八月戊子，熒惑犯星。 In the second year of Tongguang under Tang Zhuangzong, on wuzi of the eighth month Mars encroached on the Star asterism.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 141Volume 141: Treatises 3 Five Elements · 1 passage

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今木理成文，仆而重起，乃莊宗中興之兆也。 Now the grain of the wood had formed characters, and a fallen tree had risen again—an omen of Emperor Zhuangzong's restoration of the Tang.

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聖朝中興，重修宗廟，今太廟見饗高祖、太宗、懿宗、昭宗、獻祖、太祖、莊宗七廟，太祖景皇帝在祧廟之數，不列廟饗。 After the dynasty's revival the ancestral shrines were rebuilt; the Imperial Temple now served seven halls—the High Ancestor, Great Ancestor, Yizong, Zhaozong, Xianzu, Taizu, and Zhuangzong—while Grand Ancestor Emperor Jing was relegated to the distant-lineage shrine and no longer received regular temple offerings.

今請立近朝莊宗、明宗、閔帝三廟，庶合前規。 We now request establishing three temples to the recent Zhuangzong, Mingzong, and Emperor Min, thus following former regulations.

莊宗立興復之功，明宗垂光大之業，逮乎閔帝，實繼本枝，然則丕緒洪源，皆尊唐室。 Zhuangzong established the achievement of revival; Mingzong handed down the enterprise of glorious expansion; reaching Emperor Min, he truly continued the main branch—the great line and vast source all honor the Tang house.

宜立唐高祖、太宗及莊宗、明宗、閔帝五廟。」 Five temples should be established to Tang's High Ancestor, Great Ancestor, Zhuangzong, Mingzong, and Emperor Min."

高祖、太宗與其後暨莊宗、明宗，凡六主在清化裏之寢宮，祭前二日，以殿中傘扇二十，迎置新廟以享祀。 The High Ancestor, Great Ancestor, and their empresses together with Zhuangzong and Mingzong—six tablets in the sleeping palace at Qinghua Lane; two days before the sacrifice, twenty palace umbrellas and fans welcome and install them in the new temple for the offering.

閔皇帝、莊宗明宗二後及魯國孔夫人神主四座，請修制祔廟，及三後請定謚法。」 Emperor Min, the two empresses of Zhuangzong and Mingzong, and Lady Kong of Lu—four spirit tablets—we request drafting regulations for enshrinement in the temple, and fixing posthumous title procedures for the three empresses."

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 144Volume 144: Treatises 6 Music 1 · 2 passages

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莊宗起於朔野，經始霸圖，其所存者，不過邊部鄭聲而已，先王雅樂，殆將泯絕。 Zhuangzong rose from the northern marches and set about his bid for dominion, yet all that survived in his court was the vulgar Zheng music of the frontier; the elegant music of former kings was all but lost.

唐莊宗光聖神閔孝皇帝廟室酌獻，舞《武成之舞》。 For the libation offering at the temple chamber of Tang Zhuangzong, the Guang Sheng, Shen Min, Filial Emperor, the Dance of Martial Accomplishment was performed.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 146Volume 146: Treatises 8 Finance and Economics · 2 passages

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及末帝與莊宗對壘於河上，河南之民，雖困於輦運，亦未至流亡，其義無他，蓋賦斂輕而丘園可戀故也。 When the last Liang emperor and Emperor Zhuangzong faced each other across the Yellow River, the people of Henan were strained by transport corvée, yet they did not take to flight—for no other reason than that levies remained light and they still had homes and fields worth holding on to.

及莊宗平定梁室，任吏人孔謙為租庸使，峻法以剝下，厚斂以奉上，民產雖竭，軍食尚虧。 After Emperor Zhuangzong overthrew the Liang, he put the clerk Kong Qian in charge of land tax and corvée. Kong applied harsh laws to squeeze the populace and heavy exactions to fill the court's coffers; even when civilian wealth was drained dry, army rations still fell short.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 147Volume 147: Treatises 9 Punishment and Law · 1 passage

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唐莊宗同光元年十二月，御史臺奏：「當司刑部、大理寺本朝法書，自朱溫僭逆，刪改事條，或重貨財，輕入人命，或自徇枉過，濫加刑罰。 In the twelfth month of the first year of Tongguang, Emperor Zhuangzong of Tang received a memorial from the Censorate: "The law books of our bureau, the Ministry of Justice, and the Court of Judicial Review—ever since Zhu Wen's usurpation—have had their articles revised, sometimes treating property crimes more harshly than loss of life, sometimes indulging personal bias and imposing punishments arbitrarily.

History of Liao, Chapter 1Volume 1 Annals 1: Taizu 1 · 3 passages

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河東李克用卒，子存勗襲，遣使吊慰。 Li Keyong of Hedong died; his son Li Cunxu took his place, and Taizu sent envoys with condolences.

晉王李存勗拔幽州，擒劉守光。 Li Cunxu, Prince of Jin, marched on Youzhou and took Liu Shouguang prisoner.

秋八月，李存遣李嗣源等救幽州，曷魯等以兵少而還。 In the eighth autumn month Li Cunxu sent Li Siyuan and others to relieve Youzhou; Helu and the others, finding their forces too few, withdrew.

History of Liao, Chapter 2Volume 2 Annals 2: Taizu 2 · 7 passages

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乙亥，存至定州，王都迎謁馬前。 On yihai day Li Cun reached Dingzhou, and Wang Du came out to greet him at his horse's head.

存引兵趨望都，遇我軍禿餒五千騎，圍之，存力戰數四，不解。 Cun pressed toward Wangdu and met five thousand of our horsemen under Tunei, who surrounded him; he fought four fierce engagements but could not break the encirclement.

李嗣昭領三百騎來救，我軍少卻，存乃得出，大戰，我軍不利，引歸。 Li Sizhao led three hundred horsemen to the rescue; our forces fell back slightly, and Cun broke free; in the great battle that followed our army was worsted and withdrew.

存至幽州，遣二百騎躡我軍後，我軍反擊，悉擒之。 When Cun reached Youzhou he sent two hundred horsemen to trail our army; we turned and struck, capturing every man.

癸亥，李存圍鎮州，張文禮求援，命郎君迭烈、將軍康末怛往擊，敗之，殺其將李嗣昭。 On guihai day Li Cun besieged Zhenzhou; Zhang Wenli sought relief, and Langjun Dielie and General Kang Modan were dispatched against him; they routed the enemy and killed their general Li Sizhao.

是月，晉王李存即皇帝位，國號唐。 That month Jin King Li Cun ascended the throne and proclaimed the dynastic name Tang.

是月，唐養子李嗣源反，郭存謙弑其主存，<四>嗣源遂即位。 That month Li Siyuan, Tang's adopted son, rose in rebellion; Guo Cunqian murdered his master Cun, <4> and Siyuan seized the throne.

History of Liao, Chapter 71Volume 71 Biographies 1: Empresses and Consorts · 1 passage

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時晉王李存勖欲結援，以叔母事后。 Prince of Jin Li Cunxu then sought alliance and addressed her as aunt-by-marriage.

History of Liao, Chapter 72Volume 72 Biographies 2: Imperial Family: Yi Zongbei, the Foreign Emperor Zhang Su, Shun Zongjun, Jin Wangaoluwo · 1 passage

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明宗以莊宗后夏氏妻之，賜姓東丹，名之曰慕華。 Mingzong gave him Zhuangzong's consort, Lady Xia, in marriage and granted the surname Eastern Dan, naming him Muhua.

History of Liao, Chapter 76Volume 76 Biographies 6: Yelu Jieli, Yelu Balide, Yelu Shuogu, Yelu Lubugu, Zhao Yanshou, Gao Mohan, Zhao Siwen, Yelu Oulisi, Zhang Li · 2 passages

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李存勖問罪於燕，思溫統偏師拒之。 When Li Cunxu marched against Yan, Siwen led a detached force to hold him off.

為存勖將周德威所擒，存勖壯而釋其縛。 Cunxu's general Zhou Dewei captured him; impressed by his spirit, Cunxu had his bonds cut.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 3Volume 3 Later Liang Annals 3: Later Emperors · 2 passages

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夏六月庚寅朔，晋王李存勖入于魏州，遂取德州。 On the new moon of the sixth month, gengyin, Li Cunxu, Prince of Jin, entered Weizhou and seized Dezhou.

四月，莊宗立，稱唐，十月，梁始亡，見唐不待滅梁而立。 Zhuangzong proclaimed Tang in the fourth month, while Liang did not fall until the tenth; this shows that Tang was founded before Liang was destroyed.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 4Volume 4 Later Tang Annals 1: Zhuangzong 1 · 2 passages

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克用恨仁恭反覆，欲不许，其子存勖谏曰：「此吾复振之时也。 Keyong, bitter over Rengong’s betrayals, meant to refuse. His son Cunxu urged him: “This is when we can rally.

子存勖立，葬克用于雁门。 His son Cunxu took the succession and buried Keyong at Yanmen.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 5Volume 5 Later Tang Annals 2: Zhuangzong 2 · 6 passages

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存勖，克用長子也。 Cunxu was the eldest son of Li Keyong.

時存勖在側，方五歲，克用慨然捋須，指而笑曰：「吾行老矣，此奇兒也，後二十年，其能代我戰於此乎！」 Cunxu stood beside him, just five. Keyong sighed, tugged his beard, pointed at the boy, and said with a laugh: “I am old. Here is a wonder—will he stand in my stead on this field twenty years hence?”

存勖年十一，從克用破王行瑜，遣獻捷於京師，昭宗異其狀貌，賜以鸂鶒卮、翡翠盤，而撫其背曰：「兒有奇表，後當富貴，無忘予家。」 At eleven Cunxu rode with Keyong against Wang Xingyu and carried the victory dispatch to court. Emperor Zhaozong was struck by his bearing, gave him a mandarin-duck goblet and a jade dish, and patting his back said: “You have the look of greatness; fortune will find you—do not forget our house.”

王謂諸將曰：「梁人幸我大喪，謂我少而新立，無能為也，宜乘其怠擊之。」 The king told his commanders: “Liang thinks our mourning has left a boy on the throne who cannot act. We should hit them while they drowse.”

六年，劉知俊叛梁，來乞師，王自將至陰地關，遣周德威攻晉州，敗梁軍於蒙阮。 In the sixth year Liu Zhijun turned on Liang and asked Jin for aid. The king led the host to Yindi Pass, sent Zhou Dewei on Jinzhou, and crushed Liang at Meng Ruan.

七年冬，梁遣王景仁攻趙，趙王王镕來乞師，諸將皆疑镕詐，未可出兵，王不聽，乃救趙。 In the winter of the seventh year Liang sent Wang Jingren against Zhao. Wang Rong of Zhao pleaded for help. His officers suspected a trap and urged caution; the king would not hear it and marched to save Zhao.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 7Volume 7 Later Tang Annals 4: Deposed Emperors · 1 passage

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自晉兵戰梁於河上，從珂常立戰功，莊宗呼其小字曰：「阿三不徒與我同年，其敢戰亦類我。」 While Jin and Liang battled along the Yellow River, Congke piled up merit. Zhuangzong used his pet name and said, “Asan is more than a comrade of my years—he fights the way I do.”

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 8Volume 8 Later Jin Annals 1: Gaozu · 9 passages

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莊宗已得魏，梁將劉掞急攻清平，莊宗馳救之。 Once Zhuangzong held Wei, Liu Yan of Liang hammered Qingping until Zhuangzong raced to relieve the town.

兵未及陣，為掞所掩，敬瑭以十餘騎橫槊馳擊，取之以旋。 Yan caught the column before it could form. Jingtang led barely a dozen riders in a slashing charge, brought Zhuangzong out, and broke clear.

莊宗拊其背而壯之，手啗以酥，啗酥，夷狄所重，由是名動軍中。 Zhuangzong smote his back in admiration and fed him curd from his own hand—a delicacy the nomads prized—so that Jingtang’s fame rang through the host.

十五年，莊宗戰於胡柳，前鋒周德威戰死，敬瑭以左射軍從明宗復擊敗梁兵。 In year fifteen Zhuangzong fought at Huliu; Zhou Dewei, his vanguard, fell. Jingtang and the Left Shooter Army followed Mingzong in a counter-stroke and broke the Liang line.

趙在禮之亂，明宗討之，至魏而兵變，明宗初欲自歸於天子，明己所以不反者。 When Zhao Zaili rebelled Mingzong marched to suppress him; at Wei the troops mutinied. Mingzong at first meant to go back to court and swear he had not risen in revolt.

莊宗自洛後至，不得入，而兵皆潰去。 Zhuangzong arrived from Luoyang too late, could not get in, and his army melted away.

莊宗西還，明宗以敬瑭為前鋒趣汜水，且收其散卒。 Zhuangzong withdrew westward. Mingzong sent Jingtang ahead to Sishui to round up the stragglers.

莊宗遇弒，明宗入立，拜敬瑭保義軍節度使，賜號「竭忠建策興復功臣」，兼六軍諸衛副使。 After Zhuangzong’s murder Mingzong took the throne. He made Jingtang governor of Baoyi, titled him “Loyal Architect of Restoration,” and named him deputy over the Six Armies and palace guards.

冬十一月乙亥，立唐高祖、太宗、莊宗、明宗、湣帝廟於西京。 On yihai of the eleventh month shrines to Tang Gaozu, Taizong, Zhuangzong, Mingzong, and Emperor Min were raised in the Western Capital.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 9Volume 9 Later Jin Annals 2: the Emperor That Fled · 1 passage

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出帝父敬儒，高祖兄也，為唐莊宗騎將，早卒，高祖以其子重貴為子。 The Fleeing Emperor’s father, Jingru, was Gaozu’s elder brother—a horseman under Tang’s Zhuangzong who died young. Gaozu adopted his son Chonggui.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 11Volume 11 Later Zhou Annals 2: Taizu · 1 passage

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繼韜叛晉附於梁，後莊宗滅梁，繼韜誅死，其麾下兵悉隸從馬直，威以通書算補為軍吏。 When Jitao turned on Jin for Liang, Zhuangzong later crushed Liang and put Jitao to death. The remnant force entered the Imperial Horse Guard, and Wei, skilled in letters and accounts, was posted as a clerk.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 12Volume 12 Later Zhou Annals 3: Shizong, Emperor Gong · 1 passage

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唐亡无辞，庄宗之弑，唐已亡矣，而明宗又称唐，愍帝之奔，唐又亡矣，而废帝又称唐，其亡也不可以屡书，故不书也。 Later Tang’s end cannot be repeated: after Zhuangzong’s murder Mingzong still claimed Tang; after Min-di’s flight the deposed emperor did too. The annals cannot record every death, so they omit them.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 15Volume 15: Mingzong of Later Tang's Family · 10 passages

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太常議立莊宗、明宗、湣帝三室，以至德宮為廟； The Ministry of Rites proposed three ancestral tablets—for Zhuangzong, Mingzong, and the Last Emperor—with Zhide Palace as the shrine;

從莊宗戰，數有功，為金槍指揮使。 He campaigned with Zhuangzong, won repeated honors, and became commander of the Golden Spears.

明宗軍變於魏，莊宗謂從璟曰：「爾父於國有大功，忠孝之心，朕自明信。 When Mingzong’s army mutinied at Wei, Zhuangzong told Congjing: “Your father has served the realm with great merit; I know his loyalty and filial heart for myself.

莊宗憐其言，賜名繼璟，以為己子。 Moved by his words, Zhuangzong renamed him Jijing and treated him as a son.

從莊宗如汴州，將士多亡於道，獨從璟不去，左右或勸其逃禍，從璟不聽。 When Zhuangzong marched on Bianzhou, soldiers melted away on the road; Congjing alone stayed. Some urged him to flee, but he refused.

莊宗聞明宗已渡黎陽，復欲遣從璟通問。 Hearing Mingzong had crossed Liyang, Zhuangzong meant to send Congjing again as envoy.

從璟之於莊宗，知所從而得其死矣。 Congjing, facing Zhuangzong, knew where he stood—and met the death that was his due.

明宗曰：「經有君臣父子之道，然須碩儒端士，乃可親之。吾見先帝好作歌詩，甚無謂也。汝將家子，文章非素習，必不能工，傳於人口，徒取笑也。吾老矣，於經義雖不能曉，然尚喜屢聞之，其餘不足學也。」 Mingzong said: "The classics teach the bonds of lord and subject, father and son, but only great upright scholars are fit company. I saw the late emperor dote on verse—to no purpose. You are a soldier's son; letters are not your trade and you will not excel; let them circulate and you become a laughingstock. I am old; I may not grasp the classics, yet I still like to hear them—the rest is not worth your time."

莊宗時，將兵戍常山，聞明宗兵變于魏，乃亦起兵據邢州。 Under Zhuangzong he garrisoned Changshan; hearing of Mingzong's mutiny at Wei, he too raised troops and seized Xingzhou.

初從莊宗為馬步軍都指揮使兼行軍司馬，明宗入立，遷皇城使、保義軍節度使，與討王都。 He first served Zhuangzong as commander of horse and foot and army marshal; when Mingzong succeeded he became imperial city envoy and governor of Baoyi and joined the campaign against Wang Du.

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

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唐太祖、莊宗為一家，明宗、湣帝為一家，廢帝為一家； Later Tang thus falls into three bloodlines: Taizu and Zhuangzong; Mingzong and the short-reigned Min emperor; and the deposed emperor alone.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 19Volume 19: Taizu of Later Zhou's Family · 1 passage

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熔死，鎮州亂，莊宗遣幽州符存審以兵討張文禮，裨將武從諫館於妃家，見妃尚幼，憐之，而從諫家在太原，遂以妃歸，為其子婦。 After Rong's death threw Zhen Prefecture into chaos, Zhuangzong sent Fu Cunjian from Youzhou against Zhang Wenli. The subordinate commander Wu Congjian was quartered at her family's house, took pity on the girl still in her youth, and—his own family being in Taiyuan—brought her home as a daughter-in-law.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 23Volume 23 Later Liang Biographies 3: Yang Shihou, Wang Jingren, He Gui, Wang Tan, Ma Sixun, Wang Qianyu, Xie Yanzhang · 3 passages

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貞明元年，魏兵亂，賀德倫降晉，晉王入魏州。 In the first year of Zhenming Wei troops mutinied. He Delun went over to Jin, and the Prince of Jin entered Weizhou.

瓌與彥章有隙，伏甲殺之，莊宗喜曰：「將帥不和，梁亡無日矣！」 Gui and Yanzhang were at odds. Gui hid armed men and killed him. Zhuangzong rejoiced and said: “When commanders fall out, Liang’s end is near!”

是時，莊宗取魏博，檀以謂晉兵悉在河北，乃以奇兵西出陰地襲太原，不克而還。 When Zhuangzong took Weibo, Tan judged that all Jin troops were in Hebei and led a surprise force west through Yin territory to raid Taiyuan. They did not take it and returned.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 26Volume 26 Later Tang Biographies 6: Fu Xi, Wu Zhen, Kong Qian, Zhang Yanlang, Li Yan, Li Renju, Mao Zhang · 22 passages

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晉軍德勝，張文禮弒趙王王镕，上書莊宗，求習歸趙。 After Jin’s victory at Desheng, Zhang Wenli murdered Wang Rong of Zhao and petitioned Zhuangzong to send Xi home to Zhao.

莊宗遣之，習號泣曰：「臣世家趙，受趙王恩，王嘗以一劍與臣使自效，今聞王死，欲以劍自裁，念卒無益，請擊趙破賊，報王冤。」 Zhuangzong sent him off. Xi wept and said: “My house has served Zhao for generations, and the king once gave me a sword to spend my life in his service. Now that he is dead I mean to fall on that sword—but what good would that do? Let me strike Zhao, break the rebels, and avenge my king.”

莊宗壯之，乃遣閻寶、史建瑭等助習討文禮，以習為鎮州兵馬留後。 Zhuangzong was moved. He sent Yan Bao and Shi Jiantan to help Xi crush Wenli and made Xi acting commander of Zhenzhou’s forces.

習攻文禮不克，莊宗用佗將破之。 Xi besieged Wenli without success; Zhuangzong sent other commanders and broke him.

習從莊宗於河上，而镕為張文禮所弒，震從習討文禮，而家在趙，文禮執震母妻及子十餘人以招震，震不顧。 Xi followed Zhuangzong on the river while Wenli murdered Wang Rong. Zhen marched with Xi against Wenli, but his kin were still in Zhao. Wenli seized Zhen’s mother, wife, and more than ten children to force him over. Zhen would not look.

魏博入於晉，莊宗以為度支使。 When Weibo submitted to Jin, Zhuangzong made him fiscal commissioner.

謙為人勤敏，而傾巧善事人，莊宗及其左右皆悅之。 Qian was quick and clever, slick at pleasing men. Zhuangzong and his court liked him.

晉與梁相拒河上十餘年，大小百餘戰，謙調發供饋，未嘗闕乏，所以成莊宗之業者，謙之力為多，然民亦不勝其苦也。 For more than ten years Jin and Liang fought on the river in a hundred battles, large and small. Qian kept the levies and the grain flowing and never failed Zhuangzong’s cause—but the people groaned under him.

莊宗初建大號，謙自謂當為租庸使，而郭崇韜用魏博觀察使判官張憲為使，以謙為副。 When Zhuangzong took the imperial title, Qian expected to become grain-and-corvée commissioner. Guo Chongtao instead made Zhang Xian, secretary to the Weibo observation commissioner, commissioner—with Qian as his deputy.

既而莊宗滅梁，謙從入汴，謂崇韜曰：「鄴，北都也，宜得重人鎮之，非張憲不可。」 When Zhuangzong destroyed Liang and entered Bian, Qian told Chongtao: “Ye is the northern capital and needs a heavy hand. Only Zhang Xian will do.”

莊宗問：「誰可者？」 Zhuangzong asked, “Who should have it?”

莊宗怒其避事，欲寘之法，賴伶官景進救解之，乃止。 Zhuangzong raged at his shirking and meant to punish him by law. Only Jing Jin, the court entertainer, talked him out of it.

莊宗初即位，推恩天下，除百姓田租，放諸場務課利欠負者，謙悉違詔督理。 When Zhuangzong first ascended he cancelled land tax and wiped market debts across the realm. Qian ignored every word and kept collecting.

莊宗滅梁，因而不改。 Zhuangzong destroyed Liang and kept the system.

事劉守光為刺史，後事莊宗為客省使。 He served Liu Shouguang as regional inspector, then Zhuangzong as commissioner of the guest bureau.

嚴對曰：「前年天子建大號於鄴宮，自鄆趨汴，定天下不旬日，而梁之降兵猶三十萬，東漸於海，西極甘涼，北懾幽陵，南逾閩嶺，四方萬里，莫不臣妾。 Yan answered: “Two years ago the Son of Heaven took the great title at Ye. From Yunzhou he drove on to Bian and settled the realm in less than ten days—and Liang’s surrendered troops still numbered three hundred thousand. East to the sea, west to Gan and Liang, north to You and Ling, south beyond Min Ridge: for ten thousand li in every direction, all bowed as subjects.

天子方懷之以德，而震之以威，天下之勢，不得不一也。」 The Son of Heaven now draws them with kindness and shakes them with force. The realm’s drift is toward unity, and nothing can turn it back.”

初，莊宗遣嚴以名馬入蜀，市珍奇以充後宮，而蜀法嚴禁以奇貨出劍門，其非奇物而出者，名曰「入草物」，由是嚴無所得而還，惟得金二百兩、地衣、毛布之類。 Zhuangzong had first sent Yan into Shu with fine horses to buy treasures for the inner palace. Shu forbade precious goods from passing Sword Gate; anything ordinary enough to leave was called “grass-bound goods.” Yan came back with almost nothing—two hundred taels of gold, moss cloth, hair-felt, and little else.

莊宗聞之，大怒曰：「物歸中國，謂之『入草』，王衍其能免為『入草人』乎？」 Zhuangzong heard and raged: “Treasure bound for the Central Realm is ‘going into the grass.’ Can Wang Yan himself escape becoming grass-bound flesh?”

初，嚴與知祥同事莊宗，時知祥為中門使，嚴嘗有過，莊宗怒甚，命斬之，知祥戒行刑者少緩，入白莊宗曰：「嚴小過，不宜以喜怒殺人，恐失士大夫心。」 Long ago Yan and Zhixiang had served Zhuangzong together. Zhixiang was then middle gate attendant. Yan once offended, and Zhuangzong in fury ordered his head. Zhixiang told the executioners to hold, went in, and said: “Yan’s fault is small. A ruler should not kill in heat and lose the scholar-officials’ hearts.”

莊宗怒稍解，命知祥監笞嚴二十而釋之。 Zhuangzong’s rage cooled. He had Zhixiang oversee twenty strokes and set Yan free.

莊宗滅梁，拜璋華州節度使。 When Zhuangzong broke Liang, Zhang was made military governor of Hua.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 27Volume 27 Later Tang Biographies 7: Zhu Hongzhao, Liu Yanlang, Kang Sili, Kang Yicheng, Yao Yanchou · 3 passages

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少為騎將，從莊宗破梁夾城，戰柏鄉，累以功遷突騎指揮使。 As a young cavalry officer he followed Zhuangzong at Jia City and Baxiang and rose for merit to command the Vanguard Cavalry.

以騎射事晉王，莊宗時為突騎指揮使。 He served the Prince of Jin as a mounted archer and under Zhuangzong became commander of the Sudden Cavalry.

從明宗討趙在禮，至魏而軍變，義誠前陳莊宗過失，勸明宗南嚮。 He followed Mingzong against Zhao Zaili; at Wei the army mutinied. Yicheng listed Zhuangzong’s faults and urged Mingzong south.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 32Volume 32 Biographies of Martyrs to Virtue 12: Wang Yanzhang · 10 passages

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梁、晉爭天下為勁敵，獨彥章心常輕晉王，謂人曰：「亞次鬥雞小兒耳，何足懼哉！」 Liang and Jin were mortal rivals, yet Yanzhang alone always scorned the Prince of Jin. "That second-rate cockfighting brat," he said—"what is there to fear?"

是時莊宗在魏，以朱守殷守夾寨，聞彥章為招討使，驚曰：「彥章驍勇，吾嘗避其鋒，非守殷敵也。 Zhuangzong was at Wei; Zhu Shouyin held the Twin Forts. Hearing Yanzhang had command, he said in alarm: "Yanzhang is fierce—I have always dodged his spear. Shouyin cannot stand against him.

莊宗徹北城為筏，下楊劉，與彥章俱浮於河，各行一岸，每舟抃相及輒戰，一日數十接。 Zhuangzong broke up the north city into rafts and floated down to Yang Liu. He and Yanzhang raced along opposite banks; whenever a boat came within reach they fought—dozens of clashes in a single day.

莊宗見之，曰：「爾常以孺子待我，今日服乎？」 Zhuangzong looked at him and said: "You always called me a stripling—are you satisfied now?"

莊宗惻然，賜藥以封其創。 Zhuangzong was moved and sent medicine to bind his wounds.

莊宗愛其驍勇，欲全活之，使人慰諭彥章，彥章謝曰：「臣與陛下血戰十餘年，今兵敗力窮，不死何待？ Zhuangzong admired his valor and wanted to save him. He sent men to win him over. Yanzhang refused: "I fought you in blood for more than ten years. Now my army is broken and my strength spent—if I do not die, what am I waiting for?

莊宗又遣明宗往諭之，彥章病創，臥不能起，仰顧明宗，呼其小字曰：「汝非邈佶烈乎？ Zhuangzong sent Mingzong to persuade him. Yanzhang’s wounds were too grave to rise. He looked up at Mingzong and called his childhood name: "Are you not Miaojilie?

莊宗以李嗣昭為昭義軍節度使，約以裨將守澤州。 Zhuangzong made Li Sizhao governor of Zhaoyi; Yue, a subordinate commander, held Ze Prefecture.

梁遣董璋率兵圍之，約與州人拒守，求救於莊宗。 Liang sent Dong Zhang to besiege the city. Yue and the people held out and begged Zhuangzong for help.

是時，莊宗方與梁人戰河上，而已建大號，聞繼韜叛降梁，頗有憂色，及聞約獨不叛，喜曰：「吾於繼韜何薄？ Zhuangzong was fighting Liang on the river and had already taken imperial title. Jitao’s defection darkened his face—but hearing Yue alone had held firm, he said with joy: "What did I ever owe Jitao?

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 33Volume 33 Biographies of Martyrs to Service 13: Zhang Yuande, Xia Luqi, Yao Hong, Wang Sitong, Zhang Jingda, Di Jinzong, Shen Bin, Wang Qing, Shi Yanchao, Sun Cheng · 7 passages

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晉王入魏，諸將欲先擊貝州，晉王曰：「貝城小而堅，攻之難卒下。 When the Prince of Jin entered Wei, his generals wanted to attack Bei first; he said, “Bei is small but strong—hard to seize quickly.

唐莊宗時，賜姓名曰李紹奇，其後莊宗賜姓名者，皆復其故。 Zhuangzong granted him the surname Li and the name Shaoqi; later all such granted names were restored.

晉已下魏博，梁將劉鄩軍於洹水，莊宗以百騎覘敵，遇鄩伏兵，圍之數重，幾不得脫，魯奇力戰，手殺百餘人，身被二十餘創，與莊宗決圍而出。 After Jin took Weibo, Liu Yan camped on the Huan; Zhuangzong scouted with a hundred horsemen, walked into an ambush, and was nearly trapped; Luqi fought hand to hand, slew a hundred men, took twenty wounds, and broke out with him.

莊宗益奇之，以為磁州刺史。 Zhuangzong prized him and made him prefect of Ci.

從戰中都，擒王彥章，莊宗壯之，賜絹千疋，拜鄭州防禦使。 At Zhongdu he captured Wang Yanzhang; Zhuangzong rewarded him with a thousand bolts of silk and made him Defender of Zhengzhou.

少以騎射事唐莊宗為廳直軍使。 Young and skilled in archery, he served Zhuangzong as commissioner of the Hall Direct Army.

乃儒服北之趙、魏，謁唐莊宗於鎮州，莊宗以晟為著作佐郎。 He donned scholar’s robes, went north to Zhao and Wei, and met Zhuangzong at Zhenzhou, who made him Assistant in the Palace Library.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 35Volume 35 Biographies 15: Zhan Wenyu, Yang She, Zhang Ce, Zhao Guangfeng, Xue Yiju, Su Xun · 6 passages

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其後，友謙叛梁降晉，晉王將即帝位，求唐故臣在者，以備百官之闕，友謙遣循至魏州。 Later Youqian rebelled to Jin; the Prince of Jin sought Tang ministers to fill office; Youqian sent Xun to Weizhou.

是時梁未滅，晉諸將相多不欲晉王即位。 Liang was not yet destroyed; many Jin generals did not want the Prince of Jin to enthrone himself.

晉王之意雖銳，將相大臣未有贊成其議者。 The Prince of Jin was eager, but his generals and ministers had not yet approved.

及入謁，蹈舞呼萬歲而稱臣，晉王大悅。 In audience he danced, shouted “Long live,” and styled himself minister; the Prince of Jin was delighted.

明日又獻「畫日筆」三十管，晉王益喜，因以循為節度副使。 Next day he presented thirty “day-marking brushes”; the Prince of Jin made him deputy military commissioner.

莊宗即位，贈左僕射。 When Zhuangzong took the throne, Xun was posthumously made Left Vice Director.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 37Volume 37 Biographies 17: · 44 passages

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原莊宗之所以得天下，與其所以失之者，可以知之矣。 Consider how Zhuangzong won the realm and how he lost it—the answer lies there.

世言晉王之將終也，以三矢賜莊宗而告之曰：「梁，吾仇也，燕王吾所立，契丹與吾約為兄弟，而皆背晉以歸梁。 Men say that as the Prince of Jin lay dying he gave Zhuangzong three arrows and said: “Liang is my foe; the Prince of Yan I raised up; the Khitan and I were sworn brothers—yet all turned from Jin to Liang.

莊宗受而藏之於廟。 Zhuangzong took them and laid them in the ancestral temple.

莊宗既好俳優，又知音，能度曲，至今汾、晉之俗，往往能歌其聲，謂之「御製」者皆是也。 Zhuangzong loved actors, knew music, and wrote songs himself—even now in Fen and Jin people still sing his tunes; whatever is called “imperial composition” is his.

其小字亞子，當時人或謂之亞次。 His pet name was Yazi; some called him Yaci.

又别為優名以自目，曰李天下。 He gave himself another stage name: Li Tianxia—“Li Who Owns the World.”

自其為王，至於為天子，常身與俳優杂戲於庭，伶人由此用事，遂至於亡。 From prince to emperor he played the fool with actors in the palace yard; through them power passed into their hands—and on to destruction.

莊宗乃為劉叟衣服，自負蓍囊藥篋，使其子繼岌提破帽而隨之，造其卧内，曰：「劉山人来省女。」 Zhuangzong put on Old Liu’s clothes, shouldered the diviner’s pouch and medicine chest, sent his son Jiji after him in a torn cap, and walked into her chamber: “Liu the Mountain Man is here to see his girl.”

其後滅梁入汴，周匝謁於馬前，莊宗得之喜甚，賜以金帛，勞其良苦。 When Liang fell and he entered Bian, Zhou Za knelt before his horse; Zhuangzong was delighted, heaped gifts on him, and praised his endurance.

莊宗皆許以為刺史。 Zhuangzong agreed to make each of them a prefect.

郭崇韜諫曰：「陛下所與共取天下者，皆英豪忠勇之士。 Guo Chongtao objected: “The men who won the realm with you are heroes—loyal and fierce.

踰年，而伶人屢以為言，莊宗謂崇韜曰：「吾已許周匝矣，使吾慙見此二人。 A year later the actors pressed him again. Zhuangzong said to Guo Chongtao: “I gave Zhou Za my word—I cannot bear to meet those two men now.

莊宗好畋獵，獵于中牟，踐民田。 Zhuangzong loved the chase; at Zhongmou he rode through the farmers’ crops.

中牟縣令當馬切諫，為民請，莊宗怒，叱縣令去，將殺之。 The county magistrate seized his bridle and pleaded for his people; Zhuangzong raged, ordered him away, and prepared to execute him.

伶人敬新磨知其不可，乃率諸伶走追縣令，擒至馬前責之曰：「汝為縣令，獨不知吾天子好獵邪？ Jing Xinmo saw the danger and rallied the actors to chase the magistrate down, drag him before the horse, and scold him: “You hold office under Heaven’s Son—do you not know he loves to hunt?

何不饑汝縣民而空此地，以備吾天子之馳騁？ Why not starve your whole county and clear the ground for the emperor’s horses!

莊宗大笑，縣令乃得免去。 Zhuangzong burst out laughing—and the magistrate was spared.

莊宗嘗與羣優戲于庭，四顧而呼曰：「李天下，李天下何在？」 Once, playing with the actors in the yard, Zhuangzong glanced around and shouted: “Li Tianxia! Where is Li Tianxia?”

莊宗失色，左右皆恐，羣伶亦大驚駭，共持新磨詰曰：「汝奈何批天子頰？」 Zhuangzong went pale; his attendants froze in terror; the actors cried out and seized Xinmo: “How dare you strike the emperor’s face?”

新磨對曰：「李天下者，一人而已，復誰呼邪！」 Xinmo answered: “There is only one Li Who Owns the World—who else did you mean?”

於是左右皆笑，莊宗大喜，賜與新磨甚厚。 The court burst into laughter; Zhuangzong was delighted and heaped gifts on Xinmo.

新磨嘗奏事殿中，殿中多惡犬，新磨去，一犬起逐之，新磨倚柱而呼曰：「陛下毋縱兒女嚙人！」 Reporting to the throne one day, Xinmo was set upon by the palace dogs. He clung to a pillar and yelled: “Your Majesty—control your children! They bite!”

莊宗家世夷狄，夷狄之人諱狗，故新磨以此譏之。 Zhuangzong’s line was Turkic; Turkic peoples shun talk of dogs—so Xinmo was needling his origin.

莊宗大怒，彎弓注矢將射之，新磨急呼曰：「陛下無殺臣！ Zhuangzong snatched up his bow to shoot him; Xinmo screamed: “Do not kill me, Majesty!

臣與陛下為一体，殺之不祥！」 You and I are one—slay me and you slay yourself!”

莊宗大驚，問其故，對曰：「陛下开國，改元同光，天下皆謂陛下同光帝。 Zhuangzong stared, baffled; Xinmo said: “You founded the dynasty and named the era Tongguang—‘Shared Radiance’—so the world calls you the Emperor of Shared Radiance.

莊宗大笑，乃釋之。 Zhuangzong roared with laughter and let him go.

莊宗遣進等出訪民間，事無大小皆以聞。 Zhuangzong sent Jin and his crew to spy on the realm; nothing was too small to reach his ear.

莊宗初入洛，居唐故宫室，而嬪御未備。 Zhuangzong entered Luoyang and moved into the old Tang palaces, but his harem was still thin.

莊宗欣然。 Zhuangzong liked the plan.

莊宗還洛，進载鄴女千人以從，道路相屬，男女無别。 Returning to Luoyang, Jin marched a thousand Ye women in his train; the roads were choked, sex and order forgotten.

皇弟存乂，崇韜之壻也，進讒於莊宗曰：「存乂且反，為婦翁報仇。」 Imperial brother Cunyi was Chongtao’s son-in-law; Jin whispered to Zhuangzong: “Cunyi will rise to avenge his wife’s father.”

鄴人見彦瓊無故夜馳出，因驚傳曰：「劉皇后怒崇韜之殺繼岌也，已弑帝而自立，急召彦瓊計事。」 Seeing Yanqiong bolt at midnight without cause, Ye took fright and whispered: “The empress, enraged that Chongtao killed her son, has slain the emperor and seized the throne—she has called Yanqiong in haste to plot.”

莊宗戲從謙曰：「汝党存乂、崇韜負我，又教王溫反。 Zhuangzong teased Congqian: “Your friends Cunyi and Chongtao betrayed me, and you set Wang Wen on the path of treason.

軍士問其故，從謙因曰：「上以王溫故，俟破鄴，盡坑爾曹。」 They asked why; Congqian said: “The emperor blames you for Wang Wen—when Ye falls he will massacre every one of you.”

李嗣源兵反，嚮京師，莊宗東幸汴州，而嗣源先入。 Li Siyuan’s army rose and marched on the capital; Zhuangzong hurried east to Bianzhou—but Siyuan was already inside.

莊宗至萬勝，不得進而還，軍士離散，尚有二萬餘人。 Zhuangzong reached Wansheng, could not push forward, and withdrew; the army broke apart, but he still had twenty thousand men.

居數日，莊宗復東幸汜水，謀扼關以為拒。 Days later he went east again to Sishui, intending to hold the pass and block his enemies.

莊宗入食内殿，從謙自營中露刃注矢，馳攻興教門，與黄甲軍相射。 Zhuangzong went to eat in the inner palace; Congqian rode out of camp with blades bare and bows drawn, struck Xingjiao Gate, and traded volleys with the yellow-armor guard.

莊宗聞亂，率諸王衛士擊亂兵出門。 Hearing the uproar, Zhuangzong led the princes and guards out to fight the mutineers.

亂兵縱火焚門，緣城而入，莊宗擊殺數十百人。 The mutineers fired the gate and scaled the walls; Zhuangzong cut down hundreds.

亂兵從楼上射帝，帝伤重，踣於絳霄殿廊下，自皇后、諸王左右皆奔走。 Mutineers rained arrows from the tower; Zhuangzong was mortally wounded and collapsed in the corridor of Jiangxiao Hall—the empress, the princes, and everyone near him ran.

至午時，帝崩，五坊人善友聚樂器而焚之。 By noon he was dead; Shanyou of the Five Workshops heaped instruments and set them ablaze.

莊宗好伶，而弑於門高，焚以樂器。 Zhuangzong doted on actors—yet was killed by Men Gao and consumed in a fire of instruments.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 38Volume 38 Biographies 18: Zhang Chengye, Zhang Juhan · 27 passages

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晉王病且革，以莊宗屬承業曰：「以亞子累公等。」 As the Prince of Jin lay dying he entrusted Zhuangzong to Chengye: “I place Yazi in your hands.”

莊宗常兄事承業，歲時升堂拜母，甚親重之。 Zhuangzong treated him like an elder brother, visiting each year to bow to his mother, and held him in the highest regard.

莊宗在魏，與梁戰河上十餘年，軍國之事，皆委承業，承業亦盡心不懈。 For more than ten years Zhuangzong warred with Liang along the Yellow River from Wei; civil and military affairs all went to Chengye, who never slackened in his duty.

凡所以畜積金粟，收市兵馬，勸課農桑，而成莊宗之業者，承業之功為多。 The hoarded grain, the armies bought and trained, the fields urged back to the plow—most of what made Zhuangzong’s rise possible was Chengye’s work.

莊宗歲時自魏歸省親，須錢蒲博、賞賜伶人，而承業主藏，錢不可得。 When Zhuangzong came home from Wei he wanted coin for dice and to tip the actors; Chengye kept the treasury keys and refused him.

莊宗乃置酒庫中，酒酣，使子繼岌為承業起舞，舞罷，承業出寶帶、幣、馬為贈，莊宗指錢積呼繼岌小字以語承業曰：「和哥乏錢，可與錢一積，何用帶、馬為也？」 Zhuangzong held a banquet in the vault. Wine deep, he made his son Jiji dance for Chengye; when the boy finished, Chengye offered a jeweled belt, silks, and a horse. Zhuangzong pointed at the coin stacks and, calling Jiji by his pet name, said to Chengye: “Hege needs money—give him that whole pile. Why offer belt and horse?”

莊宗以語侵之，承業怒曰：「臣，老敕使，非為子孫計，惜此庫錢，佐王成霸業爾！ Zhuangzong sneered; Chengye blazed: “I am an old commissioner of the throne! I am not saving this vault for my heirs—I am saving it to make you king!

莊宗顧元行欽曰：「取劍來！」 Zhuangzong shouted to Yuan Xingqin: “Fetch a sword!”

承業起，持莊宗衣而泣，曰：「臣受先王顧托之命，誓雪家國之讎。 Chengye seized his sleeve and wept: “Your father entrusted you to me—I swore to avenge our house and state.

太后聞之，使召莊宗。 The empress dowager heard and summoned Zhuangzong.

莊宗性至孝，聞太后召，甚懼，乃酌兩卮謝承業曰：「吾杯酒之失，且得罪太后。 Filial to the bone, he was terrified at the summons. He filled two cups and begged Chengye: “A drunkard’s slip will bring the Dowager’s wrath upon me.

莊宗入內，太后使人謝承業曰：「小兒忤公，已笞之矣。」 Inside, the dowager sent word: “The boy was rude—I have already had him whipped.”

明日，太后與莊宗俱過承業第，慰勞之。 Next day mother and son came to Chengye’s door to comfort him.

盧質嗜酒傲忽，自莊宗及諸公子多見侮慢，莊宗深嫉之。 Lu Zhi drank hard and treated everyone with contempt; Zhuangzong and the princes smarted under it, and the emperor hated him for it.

莊宗曰：「吾方招納賢才以就功業，公何言之過也！」 Zhuangzong said: “I am recruiting talent to finish the work—your words go too far!”

天祐十八年，莊宗已諾諸將即皇帝位。 In Tianyou 18 (921) Zhuangzong had already promised his generals the throne.

莊宗謝曰：「此諸將之所欲也。」 Zhuangzong said: “The generals demand it.”

莊宗不聽。 Zhuangzong would not hear him.

莊宗即位，與郭崇韜並為樞密使。 When Zhuangzong took the throne, Juhan and Guo Chongtao were made joint Bureau Commissioners.

莊宗滅梁而驕，宦官因以用事，郭崇韜又專任政，居翰默默，茍免而已。 After Zhuangzong destroyed Liang he grew arrogant; eunuchs took power, Guo Chongtao dominated the government, and Juhan kept quiet, merely trying to stay out of trouble.

莊宗東征，慮衍有變，遣人馳詔魏王殺之。 Zhuangzong marched east, fearing Yan might turn rebellious, and sent urgent orders to the Prince of Wei to kill him.

莊宗遇弒，居翰見明宗於至德宮，求歸田里。 After Zhuangzong was assassinated, Juhan met Mingzong at Zhide Palace and asked to return home to the fields.

及莊宗立，詔天下訪求故唐時宦者悉送京師，得數百人，宦者遂復用事，以至於亡。 Zhuangzong recalled Tang eunuchs to the capital by the hundreds; they took power again—and the house fell.

莊宗未滅梁時，承業已死。 Before Liang fell, Chengye was already dead.

莊宗頗疑其有異志，陰遣紹宏伺其動靜，紹宏反以情告明宗。 Zhuangzong suspected him and sent Shaohong to spy; Shaohong warned Mingzong instead.

郭崇韜已破蜀，莊宗信宦者言而疑之。 Guo Chongtao had taken Shu; Zhuangzong, believing the eunuchs, turned against him.

然崇韜之死，莊宗不知，皆宦者為之也。 Chongtao died without Zhuangzong’s knowledge—the eunuchs killed him.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 43Volume 43 Miscellaneous Biographies 23: Shi Shucong, Li Yanwei, Li Zhen, Pei Di, Wei Zhen, Kong Xun, Sun Dezhao, Wang Jingrao, Jiang Yin · 4 passages

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莊宗時，得故唐內人景姹，言當彥威等弒昭宗時，諸王宗屬數百人皆遇害，而同為一坑，瘞於龍興寺北，請合為一冢而改葬之。 Under Zhuangzong a former Tang inner woman, Jing Cha, testified that when Yanwei and the others killed Zhaozong several hundred imperial clansmen died in one pit north of Longxing Temple. She begged a common tomb and a proper reburial.

莊宗滅梁入汴，振謁見郭崇韜，崇韜曰：「人言李振一代奇才，吾今見之，乃常人爾！」 When Li Cunxu took Bian, Zhen bowed to Guo Chongtao. Chongtao said: “They told me Li Zhen was a genius of the age. I see an ordinary man.”

莊宗時，權知汴州。 Under Zhuangzong he governed Bian Prefecture in an acting capacity.

明宗自魏兵反而南，莊宗東出汜水，循持兩端，遣迎明宗於北門，迎莊宗於西門，供帳牲餼，其禮如一，而戒其人曰：「先至者入之。」 Mingzong rebelled in Wei and marched south while Zhuangzong came east from Sishui. Xun sat on the fence. He sent parties to welcome Mingzong at the north gate and Zhuangzong at the west, laid out the same feast and fodder for both, and told his men: “Whoever gets here first—open the gate for him.”

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 44Volume 44 Miscellaneous Biographies 24: Liu Zhijun, Ding Hui, He Delun, Yan Bao, Kang Yanxiao · 15 passages

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晉王以會歸於太原，賜以甲第，位在諸將上。 The Prince of Jin brought him to Taiyuan, gave him a grand house, and set him above the other generals.

莊宗立，以會為都招討使。 When Zhuangzong rose he made Hui overall pacification commissioner.

乃遣牙將曹廷隱奉書莊宗。 Then he sent tooth officer Cao Tingyin with a letter to Zhuangzong.

莊宗入魏，德倫以彥逼己，遣人陰訴於莊宗，莊宗斬彥於臨清而後入。 When Zhuangzong entered Wei, Delun—pressed by Yan—sent secret word to the throne. Zhuangzong beheaded Yan at Linqing, then marched in.

晉王拜寶檢校太尉、同中書門下平章事，領天平軍節度使、東南面招討使，位在諸將上。 The Prince of Jin made him acting Grand Mentor and Secretariat co-equal, military governor of Tianping and southeastern-route pacifier, set above the other generals.

莊宗欲引兵退保臨濮，寶曰：「夫決勝料勢，決戰料情，情勢既得，斷在不疑。 Zhuangzong meant to pull back to Linpu. Bao said: “Victory is momentum; battle is spirit. Once you have both, strike without hesitation.

莊宗謝曰：「微公，幾敗吾事。」 Zhuangzong thanked him: “Without you I would have ruined everything.”

見莊宗於朝城，莊宗解禦衣、金帶以賜之。 He met Zhuangzong at Chaocheng; Zhuangzong stripped off his own imperial robe and gold belt and gave them to him.

莊宗屏人問延孝梁事，延孝具言：「末帝懦弱。 Zhuangzong sent the room away and asked about Liang. Yanxiao told him plainly: “The Last Emperor is weak.

莊宗又問梁計如何，曰：「臣在梁時，竊聞其議：期以仲冬大舉，遣董璋以陜虢、澤潞之眾出石會以攻太原； Zhuangzong asked what Liang intended next. Yanxiao said: “In Liang I heard them plan a winter offensive—Dong Zhang with Shaan-Guo and Ze-Lu troops through Shihui Pass on Taiyuan;

莊宗初聞延孝言梁必亡，喜，及聞其大舉也，懼，曰：「其將何以禦之？」 At first Zhuangzong rejoiced to hear Liang was finished; when he heard of the grand plan he grew afraid. “How do we answer this?”

莊宗甚壯其言。 Zhuangzong took fire from the plan.

後董璋等雖不出兵，而梁兵悉屬段凝於河上，京師無備，莊宗卒用延孝策，自鄆入汴，凡八日而滅梁。 Dong Zhang never marched, but every Liang soldier on the river went to Duan Ning and the capital stood bare. Zhuangzong took Yanxiao’s counsel, rode from Yan into Bian, and in eight days Liang was gone.

友謙有子令德在遂州，莊宗遣使者詔繼岌即誅之。 Youqian’s son Lingde was at Suizhou. Zhuangzong sent orders for Jiji to kill him on the spot.

任圜東還，延孝檻車至鳳翔，莊宗遣宦者殺之。 Ren Yuan marched east. The cage-cart reached Fengxiang; Zhuangzong sent a eunuch to kill him.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 45Volume 45 Miscellaneous Biographies 25: Zhang Quanyi, Zhu Youqian, Yuan Xiangxian, Zhu Hanbin, Duan Ning, Liu Qi, Zhou Zhiyu, Lu Siduo · 2 passages

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晉王出澤、潞以救之，遇懷英於解縣，大敗之，追至白逕嶺，夜秉炬擊之，懷英又敗，梁兵乃解去。 The Prince of Jin came from Ze and Lu to rescue him. He met Huaiying at Jie County and routed him, pursued him to Baijing Ridge, and attacked by torchlight at night. Huaiying was defeated again, and the Liang army withdrew.

友謙醉寢晉王帳中，晉王視之，顧左右曰：「冀王雖甚貴，然恨其臂短耳！」 Youqian fell asleep drunk in the Prince of Jin's tent. The prince looked him over and said to his attendants, 'The Prince of Ji may be very exalted, but unfortunately his arms are short!'

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 · 7 passages

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唐莊宗入魏，與梁相距於河上，暉以隊長亡入梁軍，王彥章以暉驍勇，隸之麾下。 Zhuangzong entered Wei and faced Liang on the river. Hui fled from his squad into Liang ranks. Wang Yanzhang took his dash and kept him close.

梁亡，莊宗赦暉不問。 Liang fell; Zhuangzong pardoned Hui and let the matter drop.

是時，唐莊宗已失政，天下離心。 Zhuangzong had already lost the realm, and hearts everywhere pulled apart.

魏軍甲不去體、馬不解鞍者十餘年，今天下已定，而天子不念魏軍久戍之勞，去家咫尺，不得相見。 For ten years Wei men never stripped mail or ungirt saddles. The realm is settled, yet the throne forgets our long watch. Home is a step away and we cannot see kin.

不幸天子怒吾軍，則坐據一州，足以起事。」 If the throne rages at us, seize a prefecture and that is enough to rise."

及明宗入魏，遂與在禮合謀，莊宗之禍自暉始。 When Mingzong entered Wei, Fuhui plotted on with Zaili, and Zhuangzong’s ruin began with Fuhui.

初從唐莊宗為卒，後為長劍指揮使。 He first followed Zhuangzong as a soldier and later commanded the Long Sword.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 50Volume 50 Miscellaneous Biographies 30: Wang Jun, Wang Yin, Liu Ci, Wang Huan, Zhe Congruan · 3 passages

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唐莊宗已下魏博，筠棄相州，走歸京師。 When Zhuangzong took Wei-Bo, Zhang Jun abandoned Xiang and fled to the capital.

唐莊宗下魏博，與梁戰夾河，詞以軍功為效節軍使，遷長劍指揮使，坐事左遷汝州十餘年。 Zhuangzong took Wei-Bo and fought Liang along the Yellow River. Ci rose by military merit to Loyalty Manifestation commissioner and Long-Sword commander, then was demoted to Yu Prefecture for more than ten years after an offense.