Li Congrong (李從榮)

Overview

Li Congrong was a Later Tang prince of Qin and son of Emperor Mingzong.

Life and dates

Death

AD 933 長興四年
beheaded 斬 · Actor Person Id An Congyi (安從益)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 132
AD 933 從榮之變
Killed · Agent Person Id An Congyi (安從益) · At Henan 河南府
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 200
AD 933 四年十一月
executed 伏誅
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 7, passage 115
AD 926 to AD 933 殺...秦王從榮
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 27
AD 933 長興四年
Killed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passages 93, 172
Killed after defeat
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 122

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Killed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 34

Attested activity

AD 928 三年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 92
AD 932 三年
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 124
AD 930 八月壬寅
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passages 155, 167
AD 933 十一月戊子
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 152-153, 165, 168
AD 926 to AD 933 唐明宗朝
Directly stated · History of Liao 76, passage 36
AD 929 四年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 93

Show 19 more source-backed claims

AD 933 四年
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 127, 134
AD 933 四年十一月
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 7, passage 115
AD 928 天成三年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 112
AD 926 天成元年
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 111
AD 926 天成元年十二月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 135
AD 926 天成初
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 91
AD 929 天成四年八月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 116
AD 929 天成四年夏四月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 40
AD 926 to AD 930 後唐天成中
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 96, passage 10
AD 933 從榮之變與明宗崩
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 169, 172, 200
AD 933 明宗末
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 69, passages 162, 164
AD 933 明宗病 / 殺秦王立湣帝
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 20, 34
AD 933 明宗病從榮謀兵入宮
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 120-121
AD 930 是歲秋
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 120, 123
AD 926 to AD 933 秦王府
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 68, passage 152
AD 930 to AD 933 長興中
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 101
AD 930 長興元年
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 113
AD 930 長興元年九月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 169
AD 933 長興四年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passages 80, 121; Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 89

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Child of Lady Xia (夏氏)
bore 生
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 1
Spouse of Lady Liu (劉氏)
consort 妃
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 132
Child of Li Siyuan (李嗣源)
Prince of Qin 秦王 · paternal line
son 子
the Emperor's second son 皇第二子
father 父
imperial son 皇子
second son 第二子
Sources vary in certainty · New History of the Five Dynasties 7, passages 115-116; History of Liao 76, passage 36; New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 78, 114, 119, 129, 201-202; New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 20, 34, 120-121; Old History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 135; Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 40; Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 90
Sibling of Conghou (從厚)
fellow prince 皇子 · Full siblings
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 166
Sibling of Congjing (從璟)
fellow princes 諸皇子 · Full siblings
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 114
Sibling of Congshen (從審)
four sons 四子 · Full siblings
Strongly inferred · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 78
Spouse of Wife of Congrong (從榮妻)
wife 妻
husband 夫
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 200
Child of Mingzong (明宗)
imperial son 皇子
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 167
Sibling of Li Conghou (李從厚)
imperial son 皇子 · Uncertain siblings
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passages 167, 182

Kinship Role sons · Count 2 · both young; died with him
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 204

Key source chapters

Career and standing

concurrent Director of the Secretariat 兼中書令
AD 932 三年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 124
Intendant of Henan 河南尹
AD 929 四年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 93
Director of the Department of State Affairs 尚書令
AD 933 四年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 127
Grand Marshal of All Armies Under Heaven 天下兵馬大元帥
AD 933 四年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 134
Acting Minister of Education 檢校司徒
AD 926 天成元年 · Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 111
Censor-in-Chief 御史大夫
AD 926 天成元年 · Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 111

Show 28 more source-backed claims

Chief Minister 同中書門下平章事
AD 926 天成元年 · Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 111
military governor of Tianxiong 天雄軍節度使
AD 926 天成元年 · Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 111
Protector of Ye Capital and Tianxiong military commissioner 鄴都留守、天雄軍節度使
AD 926 天成初 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 91
Grand Marshal of All Armies and Horses Under Heaven 天下兵馬大元帥
AD 930 to AD 933 長興中 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 101
concurrent judge of the Six Armies and palace guards 兼判六軍諸衞事
AD 930 長興元年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 113
Governor of Henan 河南尹
AD 930 長興元年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 113
acting Grand Guardian and co-equal Chief Councilor 檢校太保、同平章事
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 135
bridge and relay master for southern suburb 橋道頓遞使
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 116
Grand Marshal 大元帥
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 119
Henan intendant judging the Six Armies 河南尹，判六軍諸衛事
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 40
Tianxiong military commissioner and Yedu regent 天雄軍節度使、鄴都留守
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 37, passage 135
Henan prefect 河南尹
AD 930 八月壬寅 · Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 167
judge of the Six Armies and guards 判六軍諸衛事
AD 930 八月壬寅 · Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 167
controller of the Six Armies 典六軍
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 119
Henan governor 河南尹
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 119
Northern Capital Protector and Hedong military commissioner 北京留守、河東節度使
AD 928 三年 · Transferred
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 92
military governor of Hedong 河東
AD 928 天成三年 · Transferred
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 112
Prince of Qin 秦王
AD 930 八月壬寅 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 167
Prince of Qin 秦王
AD 930 是歲秋 · Enfeoffed
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 120
fief of ten thousand households 食邑萬戶
AD 933 四年 · Granted
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 127
Prince of Qin 秦王
AD 930 八月壬寅 · Granted
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 167
Prince of Qin 秦王
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 68, passage 152; Old History of the Five Dynasties 96, passage 10; New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 175, 180; New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 20, 119
Prince Qin 秦王
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 90
Advanced
AD 933 四年 · Court rank above chief ministers
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 139
Granted
AD 932 三年 · Court rank separate from chancellors on the right
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 125-126
Held
Heir apparent
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 68, passage 159
Posthumous
AD 933 長興四年 · Degraded to commoner
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 133
condemned / household destroyed 得罪
Suffered
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 68, passage 168

Places and affiliations

Later Tang 後唐
Relation Member of ruling house
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 20
Polity Later Tang 後唐 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 167
AD 930 長興元年
At Henan 河南 · Relation Posted to
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 113
At Henan 河南 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 167
At Henan 河南府 · Relation Fled to
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 199
At Henan 河南府 · Relation Marched from
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 192

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At Xingsheng Palace 興聖宮 · Relation Intended residence
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 177

Learning and skills

Belief Confucian classical learning 儒 · Relation Student of
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 115, 118
Skill composing songs and poems 歌詩 · Level practiced
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 115, 118
Skill poetry 詩 · Level self-claimed unmatched
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 100

Works and attributed material

Collected Works of the Purple Palace 紫府集
Relation Author
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 100
Proclamation for the Huai Campaign 征淮檄
AD 933 四年 · Relation Commissioned
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 144
Speech · Speaker · With Li Siyuan (李嗣源) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 118
Speech · Speaker · With Fan Yanguang (範延光), Zhao Yanshou (趙延壽) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 133
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passages 107, 144; New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 131, 149, 172, 177, 194

Events and relationships

Attacked palace
AD 933 長興四年 · Rebellion · Leader · At Tianjin Bridge 天津橋
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passages 119, 128
Downfall
Political · Defeated
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 96, passage 12
Enfeoffed Prince of Qin investiture day to be chosen
AD 930 八月壬寅 · Ritual · Investee
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 167
Feasted marshal headquarters and distributed rewards
AD 933 四年 · Ceremony · Host
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 140-142
Fled after defeat
Military · Fleeing commander
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 199
Inquired after Mingzong illness
AD 933 己丑 · Medical visit · Visitor · At Guangshou Hall 廣壽殿
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 153

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Marched on palace
Military · Rebel leader · At Duan Gate 端門
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 183, 192, 195
Pleaded illness and did not attend court
AD 933 己丑 · Absence · Actor
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 165
Plotted to enter palace with troops believing emperor dead
AD 933 己丑 · Political · Plotter
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 168
Raised troops
Military · Rebel · At Tianjin Bridge 天津橋
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 121
Rebellion forming
Rebellion · Leader
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 20
Received enfeoffment patent and worshipped at Grand Temple
AD 930 是歲秋 · Ritual · Recipient · At Grand Temple 太廟
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 123
Requested personal guard of Strict and Sacred Guard troops
AD 933 四年 · Military · Commander
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 143
Sought to appoint marshal adjutants
AD 933 四年 · Political · Actor · With Cui Zhuo (崔棁), Ren Zan (任贊)
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 147-149
Sought to quarter guard in palace
Political · Plotter
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 169, 177
Whipped
Personal · Agent · With Chen Baoji (陳保極)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 96, passage 11
Military · Defeated · With Zhu Hongshi (朱洪實)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 122

Assessments and attributes

Assessment arrogant · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 119
Assessment despised upright men; favored Liu Zhi and Gao Nian · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 193
Assessment envied Conghou's worth and feared not being heir · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 166-167
Assessment faults known but unchecked · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 116
Assessment power rising and reckless; disaster foreseen · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 150
Assessment quick-witted, sharp-eyed, fond of letters and verse, pride fed by flattery · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 115

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Assessment rash plotting brought ruin; calling it high treason is near slander · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 197
AD 933 四年
Item horses and silk bolts distributed as rewards 馬、絹 · Relation Bestowed
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 140-142
Item iron arrowheads 鐵厭心 · Relation Called for
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 197

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 167; New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passages 114, 169
After Congjing's death, Congrong was eldest among the princes in birth order.
Field birth-order-among-princes · Subject Birth Order 1
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 114

References in the histories

Search passages

History

124 passages

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 37Volume 37 Book of Later Tang 13: Mingzong Annals 3 · 1 passage

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庚子，皇第二子金紫光祿大夫、檢校司徒從榮可檢校太保、同平章事、天雄軍節度使、鄴都留守。 On gengzi the second prince Li Congrong—Gold and Purple Glory grand master and acting Minister of Education—could become acting Grand Guardian, co-equal councilor, Tianxiong commissioner, and Yedu regent.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 40Volume 40 Book of Later Tang 16: Mingzong Annals 6 · 2 passages

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壬子，以皇子北京留守、河東節度使從榮為河南尹，判六軍諸衛事； On renzi Prince Congrong of Beijing and Hedong became Henan intendant judging the Six Armies;

甲辰，以宰臣馮道為南郊大禮使，兵部尚書盧質為禮儀使，御史中丞許光義為儀仗使，兵部侍郎姚顗為鹵簿使，河南尹從榮為橋道頓遞使，客省使、衛尉卿張遵誨為修裝法物使。 On jiachen Feng Dao became southern suburban chief ritualist; Lu Zhi of War, ritualist; Xu Guangyi, censor-in-chief, equipage master; Yao Yi of War, halberd master; Congrong of Henan, bridge and relay master; Zhang Zunhui, guest commissioner and Court of the Imperial Clan director, repair and regalia master.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 41Volume 41 Book of Later Tang 17: Mingzong Annals 7 · 3 passages

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壬寅，皇子河南尹、判六軍諸衛事從榮封秦王，仍令所司擇日冊命。 On renyin Congrong—Henan prefect and judge of the Six Armies—was enfeoffed Prince of Qin, with investiture day to be chosen.

〈（《五代會要》：長興元年九月，太常禮院奏，草定冊秦王儀注。 (The 《Five Dynasties Essentials》 says in the ninth month of Changxing 1 the ritual office drafted Prince of Qin investiture rites.

今當司欲準《開元禮》，其日秦王服朝服，自理所乘輅車、備鹵簿，與群臣俱集朝堂，就次受冊訖，至應天門外，奉冊置於載冊之車，秦王升輅，出謁太廟訖，歸理所，儀仗鹵簿如來時之儀。 The office wished to follow the 《Kaiyuan Rites》: the prince in court dress would ride from his residence with escort, gather at court, receive investiture, place the book on the carriage outside Yingtian Gate, ride to the ancestral temple, then return home with the same escort.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 51Volume 51 Book of Later Tang 27: Biographies 3: Imperial Family · 32 passages

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秦王從榮，明宗第二子也。 Prince Qin Congrong was Mingzong's second son.

一日，明宗謂安重誨曰：「近聞從榮左右有詐宣朕旨，令勿接儒生，儒生多懦，恐鈍誌相染。 One day Mingzong said to An Chonghui, "I have lately heard that men around Congrong are falsely speaking in my name, telling him not to receive Confucian scholars—scholars are too timid, they say, and might dull his ambition.

餘比以從榮方幼，出臨大藩，故先儒雅，賴其裨佐。 I sent scholars to him earlier because he was still young when he went out to govern a great circuit, and I relied on them to guide him.

從榮為詩，與從事高輦等更相唱和，自謂章句獨步於一時，有詩千餘首，號曰《紫府集》。 Congrong wrote poetry and exchanged verses with his staff officer Gao Nian and others, claiming that in his generation no one matched his lines. He compiled more than a thousand poems under the title Collected Works of the Purple Palace.

從榮乃請以嚴衛、捧聖步騎兩指揮為秦府衙兵，每入朝，以數百騎從行，出則張弓挾矢，馳騁盈巷。 Congrong then asked that the Yanwei and Pingsheng infantry and cavalry commands serve as his Qin Palace guard. Whenever he attended court, several hundred horsemen escorted him; when he went abroad he rode with bow strung and arrows at hand, filling the streets with his galloping retinue.

初，言事者請為親王置師傅，明宗顧問近臣，執政以從榮名勢既隆，不敢忤旨，即奏云：「王官宜委。」 Earlier, officials had urged that tutors be appointed for the prince. Mingzong consulted his close advisers, but the chief ministers, knowing Congrong's power was already formidable, dared not cross him and memorialized, "Let the prince choose his own staff."

從榮乃奏刑部侍郎劉讚為王傅，又奏翰林學士崔棁為元帥府判官。 Congrong then nominated Vice Minister of Justice Liu Zan as his tutor and Hanlin Academician Cui Zhuo as chief administrator of the marshal's headquarters.

衣榮不悅，退謂左右曰：「既付以元帥之任，而阻予請僚佐，又未諭製旨也。」 Congrong was displeased. Withdrawing, he told his attendants, "I am given the marshal's command, yet my choice of staff is blocked—and no explanation of the emperor's intent is offered."

〈（《宋史·趙上交傳》：秦王從榮開府兼判軍衛，以上交為虞部員外郎，充六軍諸衛推官。 (The Song History, biography of Zhao Shangjiao, records that when Prince Qin Congrong opened his headquarters and concurrently judged the army guards, Shangjiao was made Vice Director of the Bureau of Parks and investigating officer of the Six Armies and various guards.

從榮素豪邁，不遵禮法，好昵群小，上交從容言曰：「王位尊嚴，當修令德以慰民望。 Congrong was by nature bold and lawless, fond of low company. Shangjiao said gently, "Your station is exalted; you should cultivate virtue to meet the people's hopes.

從榮怒，出之。 Congrong flew into a rage and dismissed him.

從榮及禍，僚屬皆坐斥。 When Congrong fell, his entire staff was punished and dismissed.

〈（《通鑒·明宗紀》云：己丑，大漸，秦王從榮入問疾，帝俯首不能舉。 (The Comprehensive Mirror, annals of Mingzong, records that on jichou the emperor's illness grew grave. Prince Qin Congrong came to inquire after him, but the emperor could only bow his head and could not lift it.

王淑妃曰：「從榮在此。」 Consort Wang Shufei said, "Congrong is here."

從榮出，聞宮中皆哭。 Congrong left and heard weeping throughout the palace.

從榮意帝已殂，明旦，稱疾不入。 Congrong assumed the emperor was already dead; the next morning he pleaded illness and did not attend court.

是夕，帝實小愈，而從榮不知。 That night the emperor had in fact improved slightly, but Congrong did not know.

從榮自知不為時論所與，恐不得為嗣，與其黨謀，欲以兵入侍，先製權臣。 Knowing he lacked support and fearing he would not succeed to the throne, Congrong plotted with his faction to march in with troops, attend the emperor, and first overpower the powerful ministers.

壬辰，從榮自河南府常服將步騎千人陳於天津橋。 On renchen Congrong left Henan Prefecture in ordinary dress at the head of a thousand foot and horse and formed ranks at Tianjin Bridge.

孟漢瓊被甲乘馬，召馬軍都指揮使朱洪實，使將五百騎討從榮，從榮方據胡床，坐橋上，遣左右召康義誠。 Meng Hanqiong donned armor, mounted his horse, and summoned Horse Army Commander Zhu Hongshi to lead five hundred cavalry against Congrong. Congrong was lounging on a camp chair on the bridge and sent attendants to summon Kang Yicheng.

端門已閉，叩左掖門，從門隙窺之，見朱洪實引騎兵北來，走白從榮，從榮大驚，命取鐵掩心擐之，坐調弓矢。 The main gate was shut; he knocked at the Left Flank Gate and peered through the crack, saw Zhu Hongshi leading cavalry northward, and ran to warn Congrong. Congrong was terrified, ordered iron breastplates brought and put on, and sat stringing his bow.

俄而騎兵大至，從榮走歸府，僚佐皆竄匿，牙兵掠嘉善坊潰去。 Soon the cavalry arrived in force. Congrong fled to his residence; his staff scattered and hid, and his guard soldiers looted Jia Shan Ward and melted away.

從榮與妃劉氏匿床下，皇城使安從益就斬之，以其首獻。 Congrong and his consort Lady Liu hid under a bed. Imperial City Commissioner An Congyi went in and beheaded him, presenting his head.

丙申，追廢從榮為庶人。 On bingshen he was posthumously degraded to commoner status.

《五代史補》：秦王從榮，明宗之愛子。 The Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties calls Prince Qin Congrong Mingzong's beloved son.

時干戈之後，武夫用事，睹從榮所為，皆不悅。 In those days, after years of war, men of the sword held power, and they disliked everything they saw Congrong doing.

於是康知訓等竊議曰：「秦王好文，交遊者多詞客，此子若一旦南面，則我等轉死溝壑，不如早圖之。」 Kang Zhixun and others whispered among themselves, "Prince Qin loves literature and keeps company with poets. If he ever takes the throne, we shall die in the ditches. Better to move against him now."

高輦知其謀，因勸秦王托疾：「此輩須來問候，請大王伏壯士，出其不意皆斬之，庶幾免禍矣。」 Gao Nian learned of the plot and urged the prince to feign illness: "They will come to inquire after you. Hide strong men and cut them down by surprise—that may be your only escape."

從榮曰：「至尊在上，一旦如此，得無危乎？」 Congrong said, "The emperor is still above us. To do such a thing—would it not be perilous?"

從榮猶豫不決，未幾及禍，高輦棄市。 Congrong wavered and could not decide. Before long disaster struck, and Gao Nian was executed in the marketplace.

初，從榮之敗也，高輦竄於民家，且落發為僧。 When Congrong fell, Gao Nian hid in a commoner's house and shaved his head to pass as a monk.

從榮以狂躁之謀，賈覆亡之禍，謂為大逆，則近厚誣。 Congrong, through rash and reckless plotting, brought ruin on himself. To call it high treason comes close to slander.

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 · 9 passages

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四年，秦王從榮為元帥，屢宣惡言，執政大臣皆懼，謀出避之。 Year 4 the Prince of Qin Congrong was marshal and spoke threats; ministers feared and sought posts away from court.

十月，范延光出鎮常山，以三司使馮贇與弘昭對掌樞務，與康義誠、孟漢瓊同謀以殺秦王。 Month 10 Fan Yanguang went to Changshan; Feng Yun shared the Privy Council with Hongzhao; they joined Kang Yicheng and Meng Hanqiong to plot the Prince of Qin's death.

秦王為元帥，以洪實驍果，尤寵待之，歲時曲遺，頗厚於諸將。 As marshal the Prince of Qin favored his daring; seasonal gifts outdid other commanders.

弘昭將殺秦王，以謀告之，洪實不以為辭。 Hongzhao told him of the plot to kill the Prince of Qin; Hongshi raised no objection.

及秦王兵扣端門，洪實為孟漢瓊所使，率先領騎軍自左掖門出逐秦王，自是義誠陰銜之。 At the assault on the Duan Gate Meng Hanqiong sent Hongshi's cavalry out the Left Flank Gate against the prince; Yicheng thereafter bore a grudge.

秦王為天下兵馬元帥，氣焰熏灼，大臣皆懼，求為外任。 The Prince of Qin became commander of all armies; his arrogance blazed; ministers feared him and sought posts away from court.

義誠以明宗委遇，無以解退，乃令其子以弓馬事秦王以自結。 Favored by Mingzong, Yicheng could not resign; he had his son serve the Prince of Qin in archery and horsemanship to win favor.

明宗不豫，秦王諷義誠為助，義誠曲意承奉，亦非真誠。 When Mingzong fell ill, the Prince of Qin urged Yicheng to aid him; Yicheng flattered him insincerely.

及秦王既誅，明宗宴駕，閔帝即位，加檢校太尉、兼侍中，判六軍諸衛事。 After the Prince of Qin was killed, Mingzong died, and Emperor Min took the throne; Yicheng was made acting Grand Commandant and Palace Attendant and put in charge of the Six Armies and all guards.

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 · 11 passages

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未幾，改秘書監，兼秦王傅。 Before long he was made director of the Palace Library and tutor to the Prince of Qin.

〈（《冊府元龜》：秦王為元帥，秦王府判官、太子詹事王居敏與讚鄉曲之舊，以秦王盛年自恣，須朝中選端士納誨，冀其稟畏，乃奏薦讚焉。）〉 (The Prime Tortoise records that when the Prince of Qin was grand marshal, Wang Jumin, judge of the Qin princely mansion and grand mentor of the heir apparent, an old fellow townsman of Zan, recommended him because the young prince was self-indulgent and needed upright court scholars to admonish him.)〉

當是時，從榮地居儲副，則秦王傅不可以閑官。 At that time Congrong held the position of heir apparent, so the Prince of Qin's tutor was no sinecure.

言蓋以從榮輕佻峻急，恐豫其禍，故求脫耳。）〉 The comment suggests Zan feared Congrong's rash and violent character and sought to escape before disaster struck.)〉

時秦王參佐，皆新進小生，動多輕脫，每稱頌秦王功德，阿意順旨，隻奉談笑，惟讚從容諷議，必獻嘉言。 The prince's staff were young upstarts, frivolous and eager to flatter. They praised his virtues and joined his revels — only Zan spoke with measured admonition and offered sound counsel.

秦王常接見賓僚及遊客，於酒筵之中，悉令秉筆賦詩。 The prince often entertained guests and wandering scholars at banquets and required everyone present to compose poetry on the spot.

〈（《冊府元龜》：時從榮溺於篇章，凡門客及通謁遊士，必坐於客次，自出題目，令賦一章，然後接見。）〉 (The Prime Tortoise adds that Congrong was obsessed with verse. Every retainer and visiting scholar had to wait in the antechamber, compose a poem on a topic the prince set, and only then be received.)〉

秦王知其意，自是戒典客，讚至勿通，令每月一度至衙。 The prince understood his feelings and ordered the gatekeeper never to admit him except for one monthly visit to the princely headquarters.

〈（《言行龜鑒》載：劉讚諫秦王曰：「殿下宜以孝敬為職，浮華非所尚也。」 (The Mirror of Words and Conduct records that Zan admonished the prince: "Your Highness should devote yourself to filial piety and duty. Frivolity is not becoming."

秦王不悅，戒閽者後弗引進。）〉 The prince took offense and ordered the gatekeepers never to admit him again.)〉

讚既官係王府，不敢朝參，不通慶吊，但閉關喑嗚而已，及秦王得罪，或言讚止於朝降，而讚已服麻衣備驢乘在門矣。 Bound to the princely household, Zan stopped attending court or paying social calls and lived in seclusion. When the prince fell, some expected Zan merely to accept demotion — but he had already donned hemp mourning and had a donkey waiting at his gate.

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 · 3 passages

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受代歸京，秦王從榮欲以嶽為元帥府都押衙，事未行，馮贇舉為三司使，時預密謀。 When relieved and returned to the capital, the Prince of Qin, Congrong, wished to make Yue chief military adjutant of the prince's headquarters; the matter had not been carried out when Feng Yun recommended him as commissioner of the three departments—at the time he shared in secret plotting.

朱、馮患從榮之恣橫，嶽曾極言其禍之端，康義誠聞之不悅。 Zhu and Feng feared Congrong's wanton arrogance; Yue had once spoken to the utmost of the beginnings of disaster, and Kang Yicheng heard it with displeasure.

及從榮敗，義誠召嶽同至河南府檢閱府藏。 When Congrong was defeated, Yicheng summoned Yue to go with him to the Henan prefecture to inspect the prefectural treasury.

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 · 4 passages

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好學，善屬文，後唐天成中擢進士第，秦王從榮聞其名，辟為從事。 Fond of study and skilled in prose, he passed the jinshi examination in the Tiancheng era of Later Tang. When Prince of Qin Congrong heard of him, he took him on as a staff officer.

從榮素急暴，後怒保極不告出遊宰相門，以馬箠鞭之，尋出為定州推官。 Congrong was naturally violent and impulsive. He later flew into a rage because Baoji had visited the chief ministers without telling him, and lashed him with a riding crop. Baoji was soon transferred out to serve as investigating officer in Dingzhou.

從榮敗，執政知其屈，擢居三署，歷禮部、倉部員外郎。 After Congrong's downfall the court recognized that Baoji had been treated unjustly and promoted him into the Three Bureaus, where he served successively as vice director in the ministries of rites and of granaries.

初，桑維翰登第之歲，保極時在秦王幕下，因戲謂同輩曰：「近知今歲有三個半人及第。」 When Sang Weihan took his degree, Baoji was still on the prince of Qin's staff. He joked to his colleagues, "I've just heard that three and a half men passed the examination this year."

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 · 1 passage

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明宗子從榮恃權跋扈，內外莫不震懾，延壽求補外避之，出為宣武軍節度使。 Mingzong's son Congrong wielded power arrogantly, and everyone inside and outside the court trembled before him; Yanshou asked for a provincial post to keep clear of him and was sent out as military governor of the Xuanwu army.

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

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四年十一月，秦王從榮伏誅。 In the eleventh month of the fourth year, Congrong, Prince of Qin, was put to death.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 15Volume 15: Mingzong of Later Tang's Family · 45 passages

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明宗三后一妃：和武憲皇后曹氏生晉國公主；昭懿皇后夏氏生秦王從榮、湣帝；宣憲皇后魏氏，潞王從珂母也；淑妃王氏，許王從益之慈母也。 Mingzong had three empresses and one consort: Empress Hewuxian, Lady Cao, bore the Jin State Princess; Empress Zhaoyi, Lady Xia, bore Congrong, Prince of Qin, and the Last Emperor; Empress Xuanxian, Lady Wei, was mother of Congke, Prince of Lu; Chaste Consort Lady Wang was foster mother to Congyi, Xu Wang.

明宗病，妃與宦者孟漢瓊出納左右，遂專用事，殺安重誨、秦王從榮，皆與焉。 When Mingzong sickened, the consort and the eunuch Meng Hanqiong controlled who saw him; she ruled alone thereafter, and had a hand in the deaths of An Chonghui and Congrong, Prince of Qin.

從益乳母司衣王氏，見明宗已老而秦王握兵，心欲自托為後計，乃曰：「兒思秦王。」 Congyi’s wet nurse, wardrobe attendant Lady Wang, saw Mingzong aging and the Prince of Qin commanding troops; scheming for her own future, she said: “The child longs for the Prince of Qin.”

是時從益已四歲，又數教從益自言求見秦王。 Congyi was then four; she also drilled him to beg on his own to visit the Prince of Qin.

明宗遣乳嫗將兒往來秦府，遂與從榮私通，從榮因使王氏伺察宮中動靜。 Mingzong sent the nurse to bring the boy to and from the Prince of Qin’s residence; she then colluded with Congrong, who set her to watch the palace.

從榮已死，司衣王氏以謂秦王實以兵入宮衛天子，而以反見誅，出怨言。 After Congrong’s death, the wardrobe attendant insisted the Prince of Qin had marched in to protect the emperor and been killed as a traitor, and she began to complain aloud.

明宗四子，曰從璟、從榮、從厚、從益。 Mingzong had four sons: Congjing, Congrong, Conghou, and Congyi.

秦王從榮，天成元年，以檢校司徒兼御史大夫，拜天雄軍節度使、同中書門下平章事。 Congrong, Prince of Qin—in Tiancheng 1 he was made Acting Minister of Education and Censor-in-Chief, military governor of Tianxiong, and Chief Minister.

從璟死，從榮於諸皇子次最長，又握兵柄。 After Congjing's death Congrong was eldest among the princes and held the army.

從榮嘗侍側，明宗問曰：「爾軍政之餘，習何事業？」 Once while Congrong stood beside him, Mingzong asked: "Apart from military duties, what do you study?"

是歲秋，封從榮秦王。 That autumn Congrong was made Prince of Qin.

於是從榮朝服，乘輅車，具鹵簿，至朝堂受冊，出，載冊以車，朝於太廟，京師之人皆以為榮。 Congrong donned court robes, rode the state carriage with full guard, received the patent in the hall, then bore it by cart to the Grand Temple; the capital saw it as glory.

有司又言：「故事，親王班宰相下，今秦王位高而班下，不稱。」 The officials again said: “By custom princes stood below chancellors; the Prince of Qin outranks them yet sits lower—this ill becomes his station.”

太僕少卿何澤上書，請立從榮為皇太子。 He Ze, vice director of the Master of Horses, memorialized the throne to name Congrong crown prince.

從榮入白曰：「臣聞奸人言，欲立臣為太子，臣實不願也。」 Congrong entered and said: “I hear schemers want me made heir—I want no part of it.”

從榮出，見範延光、趙延壽等曰：「諸公議欲立吾為太子，是欲奪吾兵柄而幽之東宮耳。」 Leaving, Congrong told Fan Yanguang and Zhao Yanshou: “You mean to make me heir so you can take my troops and lock me in the Eastern Palace.”

延光等患之，乃加從榮天下兵馬大元帥。 Alarmed, Yanguang and the rest made Congrong Grand Marshal of All Armies Under Heaven.

從榮大宴元帥府，諸將皆有頒給：控鶴、奉聖、嚴衛指揮使，人馬一匹、絹十匹； Congrong feasted the marshal’s staff and paid out gifts: Crane Control, Sacred Guard, and Strict Guard commanders each got a horse and ten bolts of silk;

從榮又命其寮屬及四方遊士試作《征淮檄》，陳己所以平一天下之意。 Congrong had his staff and itinerant literati draft a “Proclamation for the Huai Campaign,” proclaiming his will to pacify the realm.

宰相難其事，因請從榮自擇。 The chief ministers balked and asked Congrong to choose his own.

從榮乃請翰林學士崔棁、刑部侍郎任贊為元帥判官。 Congrong named Hanlin Academician Cui Zhuo and Vice Minister Ren Zan marshal adjutants.

從榮出而恚曰：「任以元帥而不得請屬寮，非吾所諭也。」 Congrong left fuming: “You make me marshal but deny me my own staff—that was not the bargain.”

將相大臣見從榮權位益隆，而輕脫如此，皆知其禍而莫敢言者。 Generals and ministers watched Congrong’s power swell and his heedless swagger; all saw the coming ruin, yet none spoke.

惟延光、延壽陰有避禍意，數見明宗，涕泣求解樞密，二人皆引去，而從榮之難作。 Only Yanguang and Yanshou, hoping to dodge the blow, wept before Mingzong again and again to leave the Bureau of Military Affairs; both stepped down—and Congrong’s disaster began.

己丑，從榮與樞密使朱弘昭、馮赟入問起居於廣壽殿，帝不能知人。 On jichou Congrong came with Bureau commissioners Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun to ask after Mingzong in Guangshou Hall; the Emperor knew no one.

王淑妃告曰「從榮在此。」 Consort Wang said: “Congrong is here.”

從榮等去，乃遷於雍和殿，宮中皆慟哭。 Congrong and the rest withdrew; Mingzong was moved to Yonghe Hall, and the palace wept.

至旦，疾少愈，而從榮稱疾不朝。 By dawn he was somewhat better, but Congrong pleaded illness and stayed away from court.

初，從榮常忌宋王從厚賢於己，而懼不為嗣。 Congrong had long resented that the Prince of Song, Conghou, outshone him and feared he would not be heir.

處鈞具以告從榮，從榮還遣處鈞語弘昭等曰：「爾輩不念家族乎？」 Chujun told Congrong everything; Congrong sent him back: “Do you not care for your families?”

義誠有子在秦王府，不敢決其謀，謂弘昭曰：「仆為將校，惟公所使爾！」 Yicheng had a son in the Prince of Qin’s service and would not choose sides; he told Hongzhao: “I am a soldier—I obey your command!”

明日，從榮遣馬處鈞告馮赟曰：「吾今日入居興聖宮。」 Next day Congrong sent Ma Chujun to Feng Yun: “Today I move into Xingsheng Palace.”

今安危之機，間不容發，奈何以子故懷顧望，使秦王得至此門，主上安所歸乎？ Life and death hang on a breath—how can you waver for your son and let the Prince of Qin reach this gate? Where will His Majesty go?

即入見曰：「從榮反，兵已攻端門。」 He went in at once: “Congrong has rebelled; his troops are at Duan Gate.”

從榮得何氣力，而作此惡事！ What strength has Congrong to do this evil!

是日，從榮自河南府擁兵千人以出。 That day Congrong marched out of Henan with a thousand men.

從榮寮屬甚眾，而正直之士多見惡，其尤所惡者劉贊、王居敏，而所昵者劉陟、高輦。 Congrong’s staff was large; upright men he mostly despised—above all Liu Zan and Wang Jumin; he favored Liu Zhi and Gao Nian.

從榮兵出，與陟、輦並轡耳語，行至天津橋南，指日景謂輦曰：「明日而今，誅王居敏矣！」 Marching out, Congrong rode beside Zhi and Nian, whispering; south of Tianjin Bridge he pointed at the sun’s shadow and told Nian: “This time tomorrow Wang Jumin dies!”

而端門已閉，叩左掖門，亦閉，而於門隙中見捧聖指揮使朱弘實率騎兵從北來，即馳告從榮。 Duan Gate was shut; the Left Flank Gate too; through a crack he saw Sacred Guard commander Zhu Hongshi riding down from the north and galloped to warn Congrong.

從榮驚懼，索鐵厭心，自調弓矢。 Congrong panicked, called for iron arrowheads, and strung his bow himself.

皇城使安從益率騎兵三百沖之，從榮兵射之，從益稍卻。 Imperial City envoy An Congyi charged with three hundred horse; Congrong’s men shot at him and Congyi gave ground.

弘實騎兵五百自左掖門出，方渡河，而後軍來者甚眾，從榮乃走歸河南府，其判官任贊已下皆走出定鼎門，牙兵劫嘉善坊而潰。 Hongshi came out the Left Flank Gate with five hundred horse; as they crossed the river reinforcements poured in; Congrong fled to Henan; adjutants Ren Zan and the rest ran out Dingding Gate; his guard looted Jiashan Ward and scattered.

從榮夫妻匿床下，從益殺之。 Congrong and his wife hid under a bed; Congyi killed them.

明宗聞從榮已死，悲咽幾墮於榻，絕而蘇者再。 When he heard Congrong was dead, Mingzong wept until he nearly fell from the couch; twice he fainted and came back.

從榮二子尚幼，皆從死。 Congrong’s two young sons died with him.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 27Volume 27 Later Tang Biographies 7: Zhu Hongzhao, Liu Yanlang, Kang Sili, Kang Yicheng, Yao Yanchou · 12 passages

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是時，明宗已病，而秦王從榮禍起有端，唐諸大臣皆欲引去以避禍。 Mingzong was ill, and the Prince of Qin Congrong’s rebellion was taking shape. Tang’s senior ministers all wanted to leave court to escape what was coming.

及殺秦王而立湣帝，益自以為功。 After killing the Prince of Qin and raising Emperor Min, they counted the deed their greatest triumph.

於是決反，使專美作檄書，言：「朱弘昭、馮赟幸明宗病，殺秦王而立湣帝。帝年少，小人用事，離間骨肉，將問罪於朝！」 He then rebelled and had Zhuanmei draft a proclamation: “Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun exploited Mingzong’s illness, killed the Prince of Qin, and enthroned Emperor Min. The boy emperor is ruled by petty men who divide the clan—they mean to bring us to court in chains!”

秦王從榮素驕，自為河南尹，典六軍，拜大元帥，唐諸大臣皆懼禍及，思自脫，獨義誠心結之，遣其子事秦王府。 Prince of Qin Congrong was proud. As Henan governor he held the Six Armies and the title Grand Marshal. Tang’s ministers feared ruin and tried to slip away—only Yicheng tied himself to Congrong and sent his son into the prince’s household.

明宗病，從榮謀以兵入宮，唐大臣朱弘昭、馮赟等皆以為不可，而義誠獨持兩端。 Mingzong lay ill; Congrong planned to march on the palace. Zhu Hongzhao, Feng Yun, and the rest forbade it; Yicheng alone straddled both camps.

從榮已舉兵，至天津橋，弘昭等入，以反白，明宗涕泣召義誠，使自處置，而義誠卒不出兵。 Congrong’s troops reached the Tianjin Bridge. Hongzhao reported treason inside. Mingzong wept and told Yicheng to act—but Yicheng never marched.

馬軍指揮使朱弘實以兵擊從榮，從榮敗走，見殺。 Zhu Hongshi of the horse guard struck Congrong; the prince fled, was caught, and died.

三司使孫嶽嘗為馮赟言從榮必敗之狀，義誠聞而不悅。 Sun Yue of the Three Departments had warned Feng Yun that Congrong must fail. Yicheng heard and took offense.

及從榮死，義誠始引兵入河南府，召嶽檢閱從榮家貲。 After Congrong’s death Yicheng entered the Henan yamen with troops and called Yue to inventory the prince’s property.

義誠已殺嶽，又以從榮故，與弘實有隙。 Having killed Yue, Yicheng hated Hongshi for Congrong’s sake.

湣帝即位，弘實常以誅從榮功自負，義誠心益不平。 When Emperor Min took the throne, Hongshi often boasted of the merit of killing Congrong, and Yicheng’s resentment deepened.

已而彥稠以党項所掠回鶻進奉玉兩團及遺秦王金裝胡錄等來獻，明宗曰：「吾已語彥稠矣，不可失信。」 Soon Yanchou sent up Uyghur jade the Tangut had seized and a gold-mounted barbarian register left by the Prince of Qin. Mingzong said: “I have told Yanchou—do not break faith.”