Li Zhen (李振) | 24 Histories

Overview

Li Zhen was an official and Courtier.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Courtesy name	Xingxu	興緒	Xingxu
Nickname	the owl	鴟鴞	Chixiao

Life and dates

Death

AD 923 同光元年十月己卯
Executed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 97
AD 923 終取赤族之禍
Clan extermination
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 234
AD 923 莊宗滅梁入汴
Execution
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 76
AD 923 龍德末
Clan extermination
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 228

Attested activity

AD 918 貞明四年夏四月甲寅
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 9, passages 71, 75-76
AD 905 天祐二年春正月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 211-213, 215-217
AD 880 to AD 923 Tang to Liang career
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 159, 187, 192
AD 912 乾化二年六月
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 3, passages 5-6
AD 907 to AD 923 事梁
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 22
AD 887 光啟三年十一月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 193, 209

Show 29 more source-backed claims

AD 900 劉季述謀廢昭宗
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 50-51, 55, 57
AD 923 及國之亡也
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 233-234
AD 912 to AD 913 友珪時
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 74
AD 923 同光元年十月己卯
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 97
AD 860 to AD 879 咸通、乾符中
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 222
AD 860 to AD 879 咸通、乾符中
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 71
AD 904 to AD 907 天祐中
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 221-222
AD 904 太祖之弒昭宗也
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 67, 69-70
AD 897 太祖兼領鄆州
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 49
AD 907 太祖即位
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 73
AD 907 to AD 923 始輔霸圖，終成帝業
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 232
AD 912 庶人友珪篡立
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 225
AD 878 to AD 896 拜台州刺史，盜起浙東
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 46-47
AD 903 昭宗自岐下還長安
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 123
AD 901 昭宗返正
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 58
AD 904 昭宗遷洛
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 63, 65-66
AD 913 末帝即位
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 226
AD 907 to AD 912 李振亟請罷之
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 153
AD 920 梁末
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 69, passage 134
AD 907 梁祖受禪
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 60, passage 163
AD 907 洎太祖受禪
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 224
AD 903 to AD 905 王師範以青州降梁
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 59, 62
AD 907 to AD 923 至朱梁時
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 200
AD 923 莊宗入汴
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 73, passage 82
AD 923 莊宗平中原
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 63, passage 135
AD 923 莊宗滅梁入汴
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 75-76
AD 905 裴樞等七人賜死白馬驛
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 71-72
AD 883 to AD 897 過梁，以策幹太祖
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 48
AD 923 龍德末
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 227-228

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Child of Father of Li Zhen (李振之父)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 188
Descendant of Li Baozhen (李抱真)
great-grandson 曾孫 · 3 generations
grandfather 祖 · paternal line · 2 generations
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 187; New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 45
Child of Father of Li Zhen (李振之父)
father 父 · paternal line
Strongly inferred · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 45

Kinship Role clan members · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 228
Kinship Role hereditary nobles and generals · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 60, passage 163

Key source chapters

Origins and identity

old Tang family 唐朝舊族
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 60, passage 163

Career and standing

strategist / counselor of Zhu Wen 策士
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 48
powerful minister of the Liang court 梁室權臣
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 200
Qingzhou acting commissioner 青州留後
AD 905 天祐二年春正月 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 217
commissioner of the Court of Esteemed Governance 崇政院使
AD 912 乾化二年六月 · Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 3, passages 5-6
commissioner of the Chongzheng Court 崇政院使
AD 912 to AD 913 友珪時 · Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 74
deputy military governor 節度副使
AD 897 太祖兼領鄆州 · Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 49

Show 25 more source-backed claims

Chongzheng Court commissioner 崇政院使
AD 912 庶人友珪篡立 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 225
prefect of Tai 台州刺史
AD 878 to AD 896 拜台州刺史，盜起浙東 · Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 46
Minister of Revenue 戶部尚書
AD 907 洎太祖受禪 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 224
Palace Supervisor 殿中監
AD 907 洎太祖受禪 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 224
deputy commissioner of the Tianping army 天平軍節度副使
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 191
prefect of Taizhou 台州刺史
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 189
staff officer 從事
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 190
Chongzheng commissioner 崇政使
AD 918 貞明四年夏四月甲寅 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 9, passage 76
honorary Minister of Works 檢校司徒
AD 907 洎太祖受禪 · Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 224
Xuanyi Army vice military commissioner 宣義軍節度副使
AD 907 洎太祖受禪 · Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 224
Golden Crow Guard general 金吾衛將軍
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 46
Golden Guard general 金吾將軍
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 189
Minister of Revenue 户部尚书
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 3, passage 6
Senior Guardian 太保
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 162
Minister of Revenue 戶部尚書
AD 907 太祖即位 · Promoted
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 73
increased esteem 益重之
AD 887 光啟三年十一月 · Received
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 210
Entered
AD 923 莊宗滅梁入汴 · Executed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 76
Entered
AD 923 龍德末 · Retirement
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 227
Fled south
Exile
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 22
Held
High office in Liang
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 22
Deserving clan extermination
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 63, passage 135
clan exterminated 滅其族
AD 923 同光元年十月己卯 · Clan exterminated
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 97
Punished
Punished
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 22
clan extinction 赤族
AD 923 終取赤族之禍 · Clan extermination · Suffered
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 234
clan extermination 族誅
AD 923 龍德末 · Suffered
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 228

Places and affiliations

AD 918 貞明四年夏四月甲寅
Polity Later Liang 後梁 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 9, passage 76
Polity Later Liang 後梁 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 159, 191
Polity Later Liang 梁 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 224-225, 228, 232-234; Old History of the Five Dynasties 60, passage 163; Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 200; New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 97
Polity Liang 梁 · Relation Served
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 48, 73
Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Origin
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 60, passage 163
Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 123

Show 19 more source-backed claims

Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 187, 189, 193, 211, 218-220; New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 46
At not stated; grandfather posted at Luzhou 祖為潞州節度使
Uncertain · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 45
AD 905 天祐二年春正月
At Qingzhou 青州 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 212, 217
AD 900 劉季述謀廢昭宗
At Chang'an 長安 · Relation Traveled to
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 50, 57
AD 897 太祖兼領鄆州
At Yan / Yunzhou 鄆州 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 49
AD 878 to AD 896 拜台州刺史，盜起浙東
At eastern Zhe 浙東 · Relation Blocked from
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 47
AD 878 to AD 896 拜台州刺史，盜起浙東
At Tai prefecture 台州 · Relation Appointed to but did not take
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 46-47
AD 904 昭宗遷洛
At Luoyang 洛 · Relation Traveled to
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 63, 67
AD 903 to AD 905 王師範以青州降梁
At Qingzhou 青州 · Relation Sent to
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 59
AD 923 莊宗滅梁入汴
At Bian 汴 · Relation Present at
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 75
AD 883 to AD 897 過梁，以策幹太祖
At Liang lands 梁 · Relation Traveled through
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 48
AD 923 龍德末
At Bian 汴 · Relation Resided in
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 227
At Bian 汴 · Relation Traveled from
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 220
At Chang'an 長安 · Relation Sent to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 193
At Luoyang 洛 · Relation Traveled to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 220
At Shaan 陝 · Relation Traveled to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 199
At the capital 京師 · Relation Sent to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 208
AD 912 to AD 913 友珪時
Organization Chongzheng Court 崇政院 · Relation Headed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 74
Organization Golden Crow Guard 金吾衛 · Relation Officer of
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 46

Learning and skills

AD 860 to AD 879 咸通、乾符中
Institution jinshi examinations 進士 · Result failed repeatedly
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 71
Failed
AD 860 to AD 879 咸通、乾符中 · Credential Presented Scholar examination 進士舉 · Negated true
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 222
Failed
AD 860 to AD 879 咸通、乾符中 · Credential Presented Scholar 進士 · Negated true
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 71

Works and attributed material

Zhuan is Xiao Qing son-in-law—should the Secretariat weigh this? 專是宰臣蕭頃女婿，令中書商量可否？
AD 918 貞明四年夏四月甲寅 · Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Addressee chancellors · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Li Zhen (李振)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 9, passage 76
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Addressed to Wang Shifan (王師範) · Mode quotation Speaker Li Zhen (李振)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 59-61
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Addressed to Zhu Wen (朱溫) · Mode quotation Speaker Li Zhen (李振)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 55-56, 69, 71
muddy-stream speech 濁流之言
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 234
Speech · Speaker · With Zhu Quanzhong (硃全忠)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 154
Speech · Speaker · With Wang Shifan (王師範) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 213-215

Show 6 more source-backed claims

Speech · Speaker · With Han Yifan (韓彝範) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 200
Speech · Speaker · With Xizhen (希貞) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 195-196
Speech · Speaker · With Founder (太祖) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 203-204, 206
Speech · Speaker · With Founder (太祖) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 222
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Mode quotation Speaker Li Zhen (李振)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 52-53
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 159

Events and relationships

Admonished with Zhang Xiu precedent
AD 905 天祐二年春正月 · Political · Adviser · With Wang Shifan (王師範)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 213-215
Advised killing Yougong as scapegoat
AD 904 太祖之弒昭宗也 · Political · Counselor · With Zhu Yougong (朱友恭)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 68-70
Asked
AD 918 貞明四年夏四月甲寅 · Political · Envoy · With Emperor (帝) · sent by the Emperor to ask the chancellors about Dou Zhuan Hanlin appointment
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 9, passage 76
Begged mercy
AD 923 龍德末 · Political · Supplicant · With Jin lord (晉主) · At Bian 汴
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 227
Blocked from Tai by Zhe pirates
AD 878 to AD 896 拜台州刺史，盜起浙東 · Career · Officer
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 47
Bowed to Guo Chongtao then was executed
AD 923 莊宗滅梁入汴 · Political · Supplicant · With Guo Chongtao (郭崇韜)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 75-76

Show 35 more source-backed claims

Clan exterminated
AD 923 龍德末 · Legal · Victim · With Jing Xiang (敬翔)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 228
when the state fell, merely breathed on to steal life 視息以偷生
AD 923 及國之亡也 · Political · Participant · Clung to life in shame · With Jing Xiang (敬翔)
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 233
Conveyed transfer order
AD 905 天祐二年春正月 · Diplomatic · Envoy · With Wang Shifan (王師範) · At Qingzhou 青州
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 211-212
Dominated court appointments
Political · Actor
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 219-220
first aided the hegemonic design and in the end accomplished the imperial enterprise 始輔霸圖，終成帝業
AD 907 to AD 923 始輔霸圖，終成帝業 · Political · Aide · Helped build hegemony and empire
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 232
Mission to restore throne
AD 887 光啟三年十一月 · Diplomatic · Envoy · At capital 京師
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 208
Moved south
Political · Transfer
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 200
Offered office
Offer · Offerer · With Zheng Ao (鄭遨)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 22
Offered salary
Political · Patron · With Zheng Yunsou (鄭雲叟)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 200
Offered strategy and was kept by Zhu Wen
AD 883 to AD 897 過梁，以策幹太祖 · Political · Client · With Zhu Wen (朱溫)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 48
Persuaded Wang Shifan to come west
AD 903 to AD 905 王師範以青州降梁 · Political · Envoy · With Wang Shifan (王師範)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 59-62
Pleaded illness to avoid affairs
AD 913 末帝即位 · Political · Sidelined official
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 226
Presence in capital caused demotions
AD 904 昭宗遷洛 · Political · Intimidator
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 63-65
Proposed throwing clear stream into Yellow River
AD 905 天祐中 · Political · Adviser · With Founder (太祖)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 222-223
Rebuked congratulation
AD 887 光啟三年十一月 · Political · Advisor · With Han Yifan (韓彝範) · At Shaan 陝
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 199-200
Refused to join Jishu coup
AD 900 劉季述謀廢昭宗 · Political · Refuser · With Liu Jishu (劉季述)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 52-53
Rejected deposition plot
AD 887 光啟三年十一月 · Political · Refuser · With Xizhen (希貞)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 195-197
Replaced Jing Xiang as Chongzheng commissioner
AD 912 to AD 913 友珪時 · Career · Appointee · With Jing Xiang (敬翔)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 74
Sent to plot Zhaozong murder with Yougong and Shucong
AD 904 太祖之弒昭宗也 · Assassination · Planner
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 67
Sent to report
AD 887 光啟三年十一月 · Diplomatic · Envoy · At Chang'an 長安 · With Founder (太祖)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 193
first had the muddy-stream speech 始有濁流之言
Political · Speaker · Spoke of muddy stream
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 234
Submitted
AD 907 梁祖受禪 · Political · Minister · With Liang Founder (梁祖)
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 60, passage 163
Summoned with Jing Xiang to Ascending Bliss Tower
Court audience · Honoree · With Zhaozong (昭宗)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 123
Urged punish eunuchs
AD 887 光啟三年十一月 · Political · Advisor · With Founder (太祖)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 203-204, 206
Urged throwing Clear Stream officials in the river
AD 905 裴樞等七人賜死白馬驛 · Legal · Counselor · With Pei Shu (裴樞)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 71-72
Urged Zhu Wen to restore Zhaozong
AD 900 劉季述謀廢昭宗 · Political · Counselor · With Zhu Wen (朱溫)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 55-56
Went to Cui Yin to free Zhaozong
AD 901 昭宗返正 · Political · Envoy · With Cui Yin (崔胤)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 57
Relation Envoy to · Person Wang Shifan (王師範)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 211-212
Relation Successor of · Person Jing Xiang (敬翔)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 225; New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 74
Relation Friend of · Person Zheng Ao (鄭遨)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 34, passage 22
Relation Planner with · Person Zhu Yougong (朱友恭)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 67
Relation Client of · Person Founder (太祖)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 193, 209-210
Relation Counselor of · Person Zhu Wen (朱溫)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 48, 55, 69
Relation Subordinate of · Person Founder (太祖)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 211, 217, 222, 224
Relation Friend of · Person Zheng Yunsou (鄭雲叟)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 200

Assessments and attributes

Assessment called a genius of the age but judged ordinary · Mode quotation Speaker Guo Chongtao (郭崇韜)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 75
Assessment called the owl by Tang court officials · Mode named-source-report
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 220
Assessment domineering at court as if alone · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 219
Assessment generation strange talent · Negated true · Mode named-person-judgment Speaker Guo Chongtao (郭崇韜)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 227
Assessment hated Tang grandees after failing the exams · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 71
Assessment held-firm-to-righteous-course · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 206

Show 7 more source-backed claims

Assessment ordinary man · Mode named-person-judgment Speaker Guo Chongtao (郭崇韜)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 227
Assessment ought to have stood in loyalty; submitted to Zhu Liang, and the worst praised regicide · Mode commentator-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 60, passage 163
Assessment owl and kite / bird of ill omen · 鴟梟 · Mode named-source-report
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 66
Assessment plan-was-correct-and-valued · Mode named-person-speech Speaker Founder (太祖)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 209-210
Assessment retribution for the muddy-stream speech made manifest in clan extinction · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 234
Assessment you saw it right · Mode quotation Speaker Zhu Wen (朱溫)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 58
ministers glared; he walked as if halls were empty; a flicker of temper brought demotion
Reputation
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 63-65

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 211, 232; Old History of the Five Dynasties 60, passage 163; Old History of the Five Dynasties 63, passage 135; New History of the Five Dynasties 5, passage 97; New History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 45
Value historical
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 159
Under the Last Emperor, the Zhao and Zhang clans held power and Zhen was sidelined
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 226
Whenever Zhen came from Bian to Luoyang, someone at court was demoted or exiled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 220

References in the histories

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Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 9Volume 9 Book of Later Liang 9: Later Emperors Annals 2 · 1 passage

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初，學士竇夢征草錢鏐麻，貶蓬萊尉，帝召專入翰林，遣崇政使李振問宰相云：「專是宰臣蕭頃女婿，令中書商量可否？」 Earlier, Dou Mengzheng had drafted Qian Liu's edict and was banished to Penglai; the Emperor now summoned Zhuan to the Hanlin and sent Li Zhen to ask: "Zhuan is Xiao Qing's son-in-law—should the Secretariat weigh this?"

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 18Volume 18 Book of Later Liang 18: Biographies 8: Zhang Wenyu, Xue Yiju, Zhang Ce, Du Xiao, Jing Xiang, Li Zhen · 32 passages

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昭宗自岐下還長安，禦延喜樓，召翔與李振登樓勞問，翔授檢校右僕射、太府卿，賜號迎鑾協讚功臣。 When Zhaozong returned from Qi to Chang'an he went up Ascending Bliss Tower and summoned Xiang and Li Zhen to honor them; Xiang was made honorary Right Vice Director and Grand Treasurer with the title Meritorious Worthy Who Welcomes the Imperial Carriage and Assists in Praise.

及晉主陷都城，有詔赦梁氏臣僚，李振謂翔曰：「有制洗滌，將朝新君。」 When the Jin took the capital an edict pardoned Liang officials; Li Zhen told Xiang: "We are absolved—we should attend the new court."

欲曙，左右報曰：「崇政李太保已入朝。」 Near dawn his attendants said: "Senior Guardian Li of the Chongzheng Court has already gone to court."

翔返室歎曰：「李振謬為丈夫耳！ Xiang went inside and sighed: "Li Zhen is no true man!

李振，字興緒，唐潞州節度使抱真之曾孫也。 Li Zhen, styled Xingxu, was great-grandson of Li Baozhen, Tang military commissioner of Lu.

振仕唐，自金吾將軍改台州刺史。 He served Tang as a Golden Guard general, then became prefect of Taizhou.

湖南馬殷為朗州雷滿所逼，振奉命馳往和解，殷、滿皆稟命。 When Ma Yin of Hunan was harried by Lei Man of Langzhou, Zhen was sent to mediate; both submitted.

光啟三年十一月，太祖遣振入奏於長安，舍於州邸，邸吏程岩白振曰：「劉中尉命其侄希貞來計大事，欲上謁，願許之。」 In the eleventh month of Guangqi 3 the Founder sent Zhen to report at Chang'an; lodging at the circuit hostel, clerk Cheng Yan said: "Vice Director Liu has sent his nephew Xizhen to discuss a great matter and wishes an audience—will you allow it?"

振顧希貞曰：「百歲奴事三歲主，亂國不義，廢君不祥，非敢聞也。 Zhen told Xizhen: "An old servant plotting against a young lord is unrighteous; deposing the ruler is ill-omened—I will not hear of it.

及振復命，劉季述等果作亂，程岩率諸道邸吏牽帝下殿，以立幼主，奉昭宗為太上皇。 When Zhen returned, Liu Jishu and his party had rebelled; Cheng Yan and the hostel clerks of every circuit dragged the emperor from the hall, enthroned a child, and made Zhaozong Retired Emperor.

振至陝，陝已賀矣。 When Zhen reached Shaan, Shaan had already offered congratulations.

護軍韓彝範言其事，振曰：「懿皇初升遐，韓中尉殺長立幼，以利其權，遂亂天下，今將軍復欲爾耶！」 Protector-general Han Yifan raised the matter; Zhen said: "When Emperor Yizong died, Vice Director Han killed the elder prince and set up the younger for his own power and threw the realm into chaos—do you mean to do the same?"

振東歸，太祖方在邢、洺，遽還於汴，大計未決，季述遣養子希度以唐之社稷欲輸於太祖，又遣供奉官李奉本、副介支彥勳詐齎上皇誥諭至，皆季述黨也。 Zhen returned east while the Founder was at Xing and Ming and hurried back to Bian before policy was fixed; Liu Jishu sent his adopted son Xidu to hand Tang's realm to him, and Palace Attendant Li Fengben and Vice Messenger Zhi Yanxun with forged retired-emperor edicts—all Jishu's men.

太祖未及迎命，振又言曰：「夫豎貂、伊戾之亂，所以資霸者之事也。 Before the Founder could receive them, Zhen said again: "Rebellions like Shu Diao's and Yi Li's are what make a hegemon's career.

惟振堅執不改，獨曰：「行正道則大勳可立。」 Only Zhen held firm and said alone: "Follow the righteous way and great merit can be won."

乃定策縶偽使李奉本、支彥勳與希度等，即日請振將命於京師，與宰相謀返正。 He bound the false envoys Li Fengben, Zhi Yanxun, and Xidu, and that day sent Zhen to the capital to work with the chancellors on restoring the throne.

未幾，劉季述伏誅，昭宗復帝位，太祖聞之喜，召振，執其手謂之曰：「卿所謀是吾本誌，穹蒼其知之矣！」 Soon Liu Jishu was executed and Zhaozong restored; the Founder rejoiced, summoned Zhen, took his hand and said: "Your plan was always mine—Heaven knows!"

自是益重之。 From then he valued Zhen all the more.

天祐二年春正月，太祖召振，謂曰：「王師範來降，易歲尚處故藩，今將奏請徙授方面，其為我馳騎，以茲意達之。」 Tianyou 2, spring month 1, the Founder told Zhen: "Wang Shifan has surrendered but still holds his old domain after nearly a year; I will ask to move him to a new post—ride for me and make that clear."

振至青州，師範即日出公府，以節度、觀察二印及文簿管鑰授於振。 At Qingzhou, Shifan left headquarters the same day and gave Zhen the military and surveillance seals, records, and keys.

師範雖已受代，而疑撓特甚，屢揮泣求貸其族，振因以切理諭之曰：「公不念張繡事耶！ Though replaced, Shifan was deeply afraid and wept repeatedly, begging mercy for his clan; Zhen reasoned with him: "Have you forgotten Zhang Xiu!

太祖乃表振為青州留後，未幾，征還。 The Founder made Zhen acting commissioner of Qingzhou, then soon recalled him.

振皆頤指氣使，旁若無人，朋附者非次獎升，私晉者沈棄。 Zhen ordered everyone about as if alone in the room; allies rose out of turn and private petitioners were ruined.

振每自汴入洛，朝中必有貶竄，故唐朝人士目為「鴟鴞」。 Whenever Zhen came from Bian to Luoyang someone at court was demoted or exiled—Tang officials called him "the owl."

時振自以咸通、乾符中嘗應進士舉，累上不第，尤憤憤，乃謂太祖曰：「此輩自謂清流，宜投於黃河，永為濁流。」 Zhen had failed the jinshi repeatedly in Xiantong and Qianfu and burned with resentment; he told the Founder: "These men call themselves the Clear Stream—they should be thrown into the Yellow River and be muddy water forever."

洎太祖受禪，自宣義軍節度副使、檢校司徒授殿中監，累遷戶部尚書。 When the Founder took the throne, Zhen rose from Xuanyi vice commissioner and honorary Minister of Works to Palace Supervisor and then Minister of Revenue.

庶人友珪篡立，代敬翔為崇政院使。 When Yougui seized the throne, Zhen replaced Jing Xiang as Chongzheng Court commissioner.

末帝即位，趙、張二族用事，遂為所間，謀猷獻替，多不見從，振每稱疾避事。 Under the Last Emperor the Zhao and Zhang clans ruled; Zhen was sidelined and his counsel was mostly ignored—he often pleaded illness to stay out of affairs.

龍德末，閑居私第將期矣，晉主入汴，振謁見首罪，郭崇韜指振謂人曰：「人言李振乃一代奇才，吾今見之，乃常人耳！」 At the end of Longde he had lived in retirement nearly a year; when the Jin lord entered Bian, Zhen came to beg mercy; Guo Chongtao pointed at him and said: "They call Li Zhen a wonder of the age—I see an ordinary man!"

會段凝等疏梁氏權要之臣，振與敬翔等同日族誅。 When Duan Ning and others denounced Liang power-holders, Zhen and Jing Xiang were executed to the third degree on the same day.

敬翔、李振，始輔霸圖，終成帝業。 Jing Xiang and Li Zhen first helped build the hegemony and in the end helped build the empire.

振始有濁流之言，終取赤族之禍，報應之事，固以昭然。 Zhen first spoke of casting men into the muddy stream and in the end suffered extinction of his clan—retribution could hardly be clearer.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 60Volume 60 Book of Later Tang 36: Biographies 12: Li Xiji, Wang Jian, Li Jingyi, Lu Rubi, Li Dexiu, Su Xun · 1 passage

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臣又案：梁室大臣，如敬翔、李振、杜曉、楊涉等，皆唐朝舊族，本當忠義立身，重侯累將，三百餘年，一旦委質朱梁，其甚者讚成弑逆。 Your subject further notes: Liang ministers such as Jing Xiang, Li Zhen, Du Xiao, and Yang She were old Tang families who should have lived by loyalty; for three hundred years their houses had been enfeoffed and their sons had held command—yet in a day they submitted to Zhu Liang, and the worst praised regicide.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 63Volume 63 Book of Later Tang 39: Biographies 15: Zhang Quanyi, Zhu Youqian · 1 passage

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莊宗平中原，全義合與敬翔、李振等族誅，又通賂於劉皇后，乘莊宗幸洛，言臣已有郊天費用。 When Zhuangzong conquered the Central Plain, Quanyi deserved execution with Jing Xiang, Li Zhen, and their kin; he bribed Empress Liu and, when Zhuangzong came to Luoyang, claimed he already had funds for the suburban sacrifice.

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 · 2 passages

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及李振貶均州，貽孫曲奉之。 When Li Zhen was demoted to Junzhou, Yisun curried favor with him obsequiously.

振入朝，貽孫累遷丞郎。 When Zhen entered court, Yisun was repeatedly promoted to director posts.

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 · 1 passage

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凝納賂於趙、張二族，求為招討使，敬翔、李振極言不可，竟不能止。 Ning bribed the Zhao and Zhang clans in pursuit of the post of campaign commander-in-chief. Jing Xiang and Li Zhen argued strenuously against the appointment but could not prevent it.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 93Volume 93 Book of Later Jin 19: Biographies 8: Lu Zhi, Li Zhuanmei, Lu Zhan, Cui Zhuo, Xue Rong, Cao Guozhen, Zhang Renyuan, Zhao Xi, Li Xia, Yin Yuyu, Zheng Yunsou · 1 passage

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雲叟與梁室權臣李振善，振欲祿之，拒而不諾，及振南遷，雲叟千里徒步以省之，識者高焉。 Yunsou was on good terms with Li Zhen, the powerful minister of the Liang court. Zhen wished to give him an official salary, but Yunsou refused. When Zhen moved south, Yunsou traveled a thousand li on foot to visit him, and those who understood the matter held him in high esteem.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 3Volume 3 Later Liang Annals 3: Later Emperors · 1 passage

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以王为东京留守、开封尹，敬翔为中书侍郎、同中书门下平章事，户部尚书李振为崇政院使。 Youzhen was appointed eastern-capital regent and Kaifeng prefect; Jing Xiang became vice director of the Secretariat and co-equal grand councilor; and Minister of Revenue Li Zhen became commissioner of the Court of Esteemed Governance.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 5Volume 5 Later Tang Annals 2: Zhuangzong 2 · 1 passage

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殺李振、趙巖、張漢傑、朱珪，滅其族。 Li Zhen, Zhao Yan, Zhang Hanjie, and Zhu Gui were put to death and their families wiped out.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 34Volume 34 Biographies of Recluses 14: Zhen Gao, Shi Ang, Cheng Fuyun, Li Zilun · 1 passage

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遨與李振故善，振後事梁貴顯，欲以祿遨，遨不顧，後振得罪南竄，遨徒步千里往省之，由是聞者益高其行。 He had been close to Li Zhen; when Zhen rose high in Liang and offered him office, Ao refused; when Zhen was disgraced and fled south, Ao walked a thousand li to see him—and his fame grew.

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 · 21 passages

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李振，字興緒，其祖抱真，唐潞州節度使。 Li Zhen, courtesy name Xingxu, was grandson of Baozhen, Tang military governor of Luzhou.

振為唐金吾衛將軍，拜台州刺史。 Zhen served Tang as a Golden Crow Guard general and was named prefect of Tai.

太祖兼領鄆州，表振節度副使。 When the Founder added Yan to his holdings he named Zhen deputy military governor.

振奏事長安，舍梁邸。 Zhen went to Chang’an on court business and stayed at the Liang embassy.

宦官劉季述謀廢昭宗，遣其侄希正因梁邸吏程巖見振曰：「今主上嚴急，誅殺不辜，中尉懼及禍，將行廢立，請與諸邸吏協力以定中外，如何？」 Eunuch Liu Jishu plotted to depose Zhaozong. His nephew Xizheng came through embassy clerk Cheng Yan to Zhen: “The emperor has turned cruel and kills without cause. The chief eunuch fears for his neck and will depose him. Will you and the clerks act together to settle the court—yes or no?”

振駭然曰：「百歲奴事三歲主，而敢爾邪！ Zhen recoiled: “A slave who has served a hundred years dares raise a hand against a lord of three?

振還，季述卒與巖等廢昭宗，幽之東宮，號太上皇，立皇太子裕為天子。 Zhen left. Jishu still deposed Zhaozong with Yan and the rest, locked him in the eastern palace as “Retired Emperor,” and set Crown Prince Yu on the throne.

是時，太祖用兵在邢、洺間，季述詐為太上皇誥告太祖，太祖猶豫，未知所為，振曰：「夫豎刁、伊戾之亂，所以為霸者資也。 The Founder was fighting between Xing and Ming. Jishu forged a retired-emperor edict to him. Zhu Wen wavered. Zhen said: “The disorders of Shu Diao and Yili became the stuff from which hegemons are made.

太祖大悟，乃囚季述使者，遣振詣京師見崔胤，謀出昭宗。 The Founder seized the point, jailed Jishu’s messenger, and sent Zhen to Chang’an to Cui Yin to free Zhaozong.

昭宗返正，太祖大喜，執振手曰：「卿謀得之矣！」 When Zhaozong was restored the Founder gripped his hand: “You saw it right!”

王師範以青州降梁，遣振往代師範，師範疑懼，不知所為，振曰：「獨不聞漢張繡乎？ Wang Shifan surrendered Qingzhou and the Founder sent Zhen to replace him. Shifan wavered in fear. Zhen asked: “Have you heard of Zhang Xiu?

昭宗遷洛，振往來京師，朝臣皆側目，振視之若無人。 After the move to Luoyang Zhen shuttled to the capital. Ministers glared; he walked past as if the halls were empty.

故振一至京師，朝廷必有貶降。 Whenever Zhen appeared in the capital someone fell.

時人目振為鴟梟。 People called him an owl and a kite—birds of ill omen.

太祖之弒昭宗也，遣振至京師與朱友恭、氏叔琮謀之。 When Zhu Wen ordered Zhaozong’s death he sent Zhen to Luoyang with Yougong and Shucong to arrange it.

昭宗崩，太祖問振所以待友恭等宜如何？ After the murder the Founder asked Zhen what to do with Yougong and the others.

振曰：「昔晉司馬氏殺魏君而誅成濟，不然，何以塞天下口？」 Zhen said: “When the Sima killed the Wei emperor they executed Cheng Ji—otherwise how do you silence the world?”

振嘗舉進士咸通、乾符中，連不中，尤憤唐公卿，及裴樞等七人賜死白馬驛，振謂太祖曰：「此輩嘗自言清流，可投之河，使為濁流也。」 Zhen had failed the civil exams again and again under Xiantong and Qianfu and hated Tang grandees. When Pei Shu and six others were executed at Baima Station he told the Founder: “They called themselves the Clear Stream—throw them in the river and let them be the muddy flow.”

太祖即位，累遷戶部尚書。 After Zhu Wen became emperor Zhen rose to Minister of Revenue.

友珪時，以振代敬翔為崇政院使。 Under Zhu Yougui he replaced Jing Xiang as head of the Chongzheng Court.

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.”

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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李振亟請罷之，太祖曰：「凝未有罪。」 Li Zhen begged to remove him. Zhu Wen said, “Ning has done no crime.”

振曰：「待其有罪，則社稷亡矣！」 Zhen said, “Wait for a crime and the realm will be gone first!”