Meng Zhixiang (孟知祥)

Overview

Meng Zhixiang was a Military Governor of Western Chuan.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Courtesy name	Baoyi	保裔	Baoyi
Epithet	Meng founder	孟祖	Meng zu

Life and dates

Death

AD 934 應順元年七月
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 179
AD 934 知祥卒 / 明德元年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 190

Age

61
AD 934 應順元年七月 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 179

Attested activity

AD 930 丁亥
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 197
AD 930 癸未
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 187
AD 934 應順元年正月甲午
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passages 40, 43-44
AD 925 AD 925-934
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 26, passage 132
AD 925 三年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 69, passage 38
AD 932 三年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 177

Show 32 more source-backed claims

AD 925 丙子
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 166
AD 931 二年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 176
AD 918 to AD 923 初與孟知祥同為中門使
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 72, passage 116
AD 930 十一月乙亥
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 229
AD 934 及知祥建號
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 129, passage 191
AD 924 同光二年丙戌歲入蜀
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 188, 195, 197-199, 201
AD 926 同光四年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 74, passage 45
AD 923 to AD 926 同光時
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 53, passage 125
AD 926 唐天成初
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 129, passage 191
AD 926 to AD 930 天成中
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 158
AD 927 天成二年正月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 160, 164, 167
AD 926 天成元年六月
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passage 116
AD 929 天成四年春正月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 183
AD 926 天成時
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 62, passage 119
AD 917 天祐十四年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 57, passage 8
AD 926 夾攻延孝
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 44, passage 140
AD 926 孟知祥未至…以待知祥之至
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 14, passages 211, 215
AD 925 後唐莊宗同光三年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 157
AD 934 應順元年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 178-179
AD 926 to AD 933 明宗時
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 8, 11
AD 926 to AD 933 明宗朝
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 64
AD 919 昶，知祥之第三子也
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 182, 186-187
AD 934 末帝之起於鳳翔
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 53, passage 135
AD 934 知祥僭號 / 知祥卒 / 明德元年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 189-190
AD 934 知祥僭號于蜀
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 50, passage 127
AD 932 知祥與董璋有隙，舉兵討之
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 202-210
AD 932 長興三年九月壬辰
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 207
AD 932 長興三年六月戊午
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 109
AD 932 長興三年四月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 62, passage 158
AD 930 長興元年冬
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 174-175
AD 930 長興初
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 70, passage 70
AD 933 長興四年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passages 79-80

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Kin of Meng Fangli (孟方立)
father's elder brother 伯父 · paternal line · Through Meng Dao (孟道)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 156
Kin of Meng Qian (孟遷)
father's younger brother 從父 · paternal line · Through Meng Dao (孟道)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 156
Descendant of Meng Cha (孟察)
grandfather 祖 · paternal line · 2 generations · Through Meng Dao (孟道)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 155
Kin of Dong Zhang (董璋)
affines by marriage 婚家 · Marriage
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 173
Parent of Daughter of Meng Zhixiang (孟知祥愛女)
beloved daughter 愛女
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 62, passage 148
Sibling of Mother of Li Gui (李瑰母)
sister (mother of his nephew) 甥之母 · Uncertain siblings · paternal line
brother 兄 · Uncertain siblings · paternal line
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 208
Child of Meng Dao (孟道)
father 父 · paternal line
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 155
Spouse of Lady Li (李氏)
given as a gift 賜 · Concubinage
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 186
Spouse of Princess Fuqing (福慶公主)
married down to 下降 · Marriage
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 79
Kin of Li Gui (李瑰)
maternal uncle 舅 · maternal line
nephew 甥 · maternal line
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 208
Spouse of Princess of Blessing and Celebration (福慶長公主)
Princess of Blessing and Celebration 福慶長公主
Zhixiang 知祥
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 145, 209
Parent of Meng Chang (孟昶)
successor-son 嗣
third son 第三子 · paternal line
Sources vary in certainty · Old History of the Five Dynasties 74, passage 124; Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 182
Spouse of Princess Yuhua (矞華公主)
wife 妻
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 57, passage 11
Spouse of Eldest Princess of Qionghua (瓊華長公主)
wife 妻 · Primary marriage
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 188

Kinship Role kin · Count 1 · bone and flesh in the capital unharmed · Quantity unspecified kin in capital all unharmed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 62, passage 155
Kinship Role sons · Count 3
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 182

Key source chapters

Origins and identity

family served for generations as prefectural military officers
Line paternal
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 155

Career and standing

honorary Grand Preceptor 檢校太師
AD 934 應順元年正月甲午 · Advanced
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 43
southwest supply commissioner 西南面供饋使
AD 930 丁亥 · Appointed concurrent
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 197
acting Grand Tutor 檢校太傅
AD 925 丙子 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 166
Chengdu prefect 成都尹
AD 925 丙子 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 166
co-equal chief minister 同平章事
AD 925 丙子 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 166
Jiannan Xichuan military vice commissioner and acting commissioner 劍南西川節度副大使、知節度事
AD 925 丙子 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 166

Show 21 more source-backed claims

pacification commissioner for the western mountains' eight states and Yunnan 西山八國雲南都招撫等使
AD 925 丙子 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 166
deputy military governor of Xichuan, exercising the governor's authority 西川節度副大使，知節度事
AD 925 同光三年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 157
acting Grand Preceptor and Palace Attendant 檢校太傅、兼侍中
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passage 116
military governor of eastern and western Chuan 東、西兩川節度使
AD 932 三年 · Assumed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 177
northern capital deputy regent 北京副留守
AD 925 丙子 · Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 166
Taiyuan prefect 太原尹
AD 925 丙子 · Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 166
acting administrator of Taiyuan military affairs 太原軍府事
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 53, passage 125
Commissioner of the Central Gate 中門使
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 72, passage 116
commissioner of the Eastern and Western Circuits of Jiannan, honorary Grand Commandant, concurrent Director of the Secretariat 劍南東、西兩川節度使、檢校太尉、兼中書令
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 43
military governor of Xichuan 西川節度使
Held
Strongly inferred · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 8
Military Governor of Xichuan 西川節度使
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 26, passage 132
Sword South western circuit military vice commissioner and acting commissioner 劍南西川節度副大使、知節度使事
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 36, passage 116
Western Shu / Xichuan commissioner 西川節度使
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 183
Xichuan military commissioner 西川節度使
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passages 187, 197
Xichuan military commissioner 西川節度使
AD 930 十一月乙亥 · Stripped · At Xichuan 西川
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 229
Prince of Shu 蜀王
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 43
Rebelled
AD 930 十一月乙亥 · Rebel
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 229
Ordered
Execution · With Li Yan (李嚴) · At before the steps 階前
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 164
stripped of office and noble rank 削奪官爵
AD 930 十一月乙亥 · Stripped of office and titles
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 229
Declared emperor
AD 934 知祥僭號 · At Shu 蜀
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 189
AD 933 長興四年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 82

Places and affiliations

AD 934 及知祥建號
Polity Later Shu 後蜀 · Relation Founded
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 129, passage 191
AD 926 唐天成初
Polity Later Tang 後唐 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 129, passage 191
AD 934 應順元年
Polity Shu 蜀 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 178
Later Shu 後蜀
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 82
Shu 蜀
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 53, passage 135
Shu/Xichuan 西川
Relation Controlled
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 8, 11

Show 13 more source-backed claims

Polity Later Shu 後蜀 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 189-190, 195
Polity Later Tang 後唐 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 166; Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 229; Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 157; New History of the Five Dynasties 14, passage 211
Polity Later Tang 後唐 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 109, 207
Polity Shu 蜀 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 43
At Longgang, Xing Prefecture 邢州龍岡
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 154
AD 925 丙子
At Chengdu 成都 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 166
AD 925 同光三年
At Xichuan 西川 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 157
AD 924 洎抵成都
At Chengdu 成都 · Relation Traveled to · Mode named-source-report Source Work Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties 五代史補
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 198
AD 924 知祥鎮蜀 / 同光二年丙戌歲入蜀
At Shu 蜀 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 188, 195
At Chengdu 成都 · Relation Received at
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 53, passage 135
At Shu 蜀 · Relation Appointed to
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 14, passages 211, 215
At western Sichuan 西川 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 109
At Xichuan 西川 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 187

Works and attributed material

letter to Dong Zhang 遺書董璋
AD 932 及將戰 · Relation Author
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 205
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Li Yan (李嚴) · Direct quotation · Extent Unit Ids s0160, s0161
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 160-161
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Li Yan (李嚴) · Direct quotation · Extent Unit Ids s0167 · Mode named-source-report Source Work Ouyang's History 歐陽史 Source Person Id Ouyang (歐陽)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 167
AD 934 末帝之起於鳳翔
Speech · Speaker · With Hanshao (漢韶) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 53, passage 137
Letter · Author · With Dong Zhang (董璋) · Paraphrased · Mode named-source-report Source Work Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties 五代史補
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 205-206
Memorial · Author
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 40, passage 183

Show 3 more source-backed claims

事未可測，何賀耶！
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Mode named-source-report Source Work Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties 五代史補
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 207
汝車所勝幾袋？
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Mode named-source-report Source Work Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties 五代史補
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 199
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Mode named-source-report Source Work Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties 五代史補
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 66, passage 67

Events and relationships

Appointed
AD 925 丙子 · Appointment · Appointee · At Chengdu 成都
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 166
Asked to appoint civil and military officers by provisional ink edict; the court allowed it
Diplomatic · Petitioner
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 147
Asked to appoint prefects and lower officials by provisional ink edict
Diplomatic · Petitioner
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 212
Asked to bring soldiers' families into Sichuan; the court refused
Diplomatic · Petitioner
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 146
Besieged Suizhou through generals
Military · Planner · At Suizhou 遂州
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 174
Declared vassalage as before and reported the princess's death and Dong Zhang's defeat
Diplomatic · Vassal
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passages 209-210

Show 33 more source-backed claims

Declared emperor
AD 934 應順元年 · Accession · Usurper · At Shu 蜀
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 178
Declined the appointment
AD 934 應順元年正月甲午 · Political · Declining official
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 45, passage 44
Defeated Dong Zhang
Military · Commander · With Dong Zhang (董璋)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 62, passages 164-165
Defeated
AD 932 一戰而董璋敗 · Military · Commander · With Dong Zhang (董璋) · Outcome Dong Zhang defeated in a single battle · Mode named-source-report Source Work Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties 五代史補
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 210
Defeated
AD 932 三年 · Military · Commander · With Dong Zhang (董璋)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 177
Entered and held Shu
AD 924 同光二年丙戌歲入蜀 · Political · Ruler · At Shu 蜀
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 195
Entered
AD 924 孟知祥之入蜀 / 同光二年 · Travel · Entrant · At Shu 蜀 · Mode named-source-report Source Work Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties 五代史補
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 195, 197
Enumerated five crimes and ordered execution
Legal · Judge · With Li Yan (李嚴) · Mode named-source-report Source Work Record of Mirrors and Warnings 鑒戒錄
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 168
Executed
AD 933 擒斬 · Legal · Executioner · With Li Yan (李嚴)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 26, passage 144
Killed army supervisor
Military · Actor · With Li Yan (李嚴)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 8
Linked to Dong Zhang plot
AD 930 癸未 · Political · Named ally · With Dong Zhang (董璋)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 187
Met Dong Zhang in battle, defeated him, and entered Zizhou
AD 932 長興三年六月戊午 · Military · Commander · With Dong Zhang (董璋)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 109
Mistook Dong for heavy
Omen · Writer · With Dong Zhang (董璋) · Mode named-source-report Source Work Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties 五代史補
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 206
Ordered beheading
Legal · Authority · With Li Yan (李嚴)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 164
Questioned cart pusher
AD 924 抵成都 · Omen · Witness · At suburbs of Chengdu 成都郊外 · Mode named-source-report Source Work Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties 五代史補
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 198-201
Raised army against
AD 932 知祥與董璋有隙，舉兵討之 · Military · Commander · With Dong Zhang (董璋) · Mode named-source-report Source Work Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties 五代史補
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 202
Rebelled
AD 934 遂反 · Political · Rebel
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 26, passage 144
Rebelled
Rebellion · Rebel
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 11
Received courteously
Reception · Host · With Li Yan (李嚴) · At Shu 蜀
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 160
Recommended
Political · Recommender · With Hanshao (漢韶)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 53, passage 126
Stripped for collusion
AD 930 十一月乙亥 · Political · Subject · With Dong Zhang (董璋)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 229
Took as ill omen
Omen · Interpreter · Outcome Two generations later the state fell · Mode named-source-report Source Work Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties 五代史補
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 201
Took command
AD 924 鎮蜀 / 同光二年丙戌 · Appointment · Commander · At Shu 蜀
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 188, 195
AD 930 十一月乙亥
Relation Ally of · Person Dong Zhang (董璋)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 229
Relation Recommended · Person Guo Chongtao (郭崇韜)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 57, passage 13
Relation Allied with · Person Dong Zhang (董璋)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 41, passage 187
Relation Ally of · Person Dong Zhang (董璋)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 62, passage 149; Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passages 173-174
Relation Rival of · Person Dong Zhang (董璋)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 202
Relation Commander of · Person Zhao Tingyin (趙廷隱)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 174
Relation Old acquaintance of · Person Emperor Zhuangzong (莊宗)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 158
Relation Commander of · Person Li Renhan (李仁罕)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 174
Relation Old friend of · Person Hanshao (漢韶)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 53, passage 135
Relation Old friend of · Person Mingzong (明宗)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 43, passage 111

Assessments and attributes

Assessment secretly resolved to carve out a domain after seeing Shu's defensibility · Mode named-source-report Source Work Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties 五代史補
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 197

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 33, passage 166; Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 182; New History of the Five Dynasties 14, passage 211
Value historical
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 154

References in the histories

Search passages

History

105 passages

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 33Volume 33 Book of Later Tang 9: Zhuangzong Annals 7 · 1 passage

Open chapter

丙子，以北京副留守、太原尹孟知祥為檢校太傅、同平章事、成都尹、劍南西川節度副大使、知節度事、西山八國雲南都招撫等使； On bingzi Meng Zhixiang—northern deputy regent and Taiyuan prefect—became acting Grand Tutor, chancellor, Chengdu prefect, Jiannan Xichuan vice commissioner and acting commissioner, and pacification commissioner for the western mountains and Yunnan;

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 36Volume 36 Book of Later Tang 12: Mingzong Annals 2 · 1 passage

Open chapter

劍南西川節度副大使、知節度使事孟知祥加檢校太傅、兼侍中，劍南東川節度副大使、知節度事董璋加檢校太傅。 Meng Zhixiang of western Shu became acting Grand Marshal and Palace Attendant; Dong Zhang of eastern Shu became acting Grand Marshal.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 40Volume 40 Book of Later Tang 16: Mingzong Annals 6 · 1 passage

Open chapter

西川孟知祥奏：「支屬刺史乞臣本道自署。」 Meng Zhixiang of Western Shu asked: "I beg that branch prefects be appointed by this circuit itself."

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

Open chapter

癸未，利、閬、遂三州奏，東川節度使董璋謀叛，結連西川孟知祥。 On guiwei Li, Lang, and Su reported Dongchuan commissioner Dong Zhang plotting rebellion with Xichuan Meng Zhixiang.

丁亥，以西川節度使孟知祥兼西南面供饋使，天雄軍節度使石敬瑭兼東川行營都招討使，以遂州節度使夏魯奇兼東川行營招討副使。 On dinghai Meng Zhixiang became southwest supply commissioner; Shi Jingtang became Dongchuan campaign commander; Xia Luqi became deputy.

乙亥，製西川節度使孟知祥削奪官爵，以其同董璋叛也。 On yihai an order stripped Xichuan commissioner Meng Zhixiang of rank for colluding with Dong Zhang.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 43Volume 43 Book of Later Tang 19: Mingzong Annals 9 · 11 passages

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戊午，荊南奏：「東川董璋領兵至漢州，西川孟知祥出兵逆戰，璋大敗，得部下人二十餘，走入東川城，尋為前陵州刺史王暉所殺，孟知祥已入梓州。」 On wuwu Jingnan reported: "Dong Zhang of eastern Sichuan had marched on Han; Meng Zhixiang of western Sichuan met him; Zhang was routed with only twenty-odd followers, fled into the eastern Sichuan capital, was killed by former Ling prefect Wang Hui, and Meng Zhixiang had entered Zizhou."

辛酉，範延光奏曰：「孟知祥兼有兩川，彼之軍眾皆我之將士，料其外假朝廷形勢以製之，然陛下苟不能屈意招攜，彼亦無由革麵。」 On xinyou Fan Yanguang said: "Meng Zhixiang holds both circuits; his soldiers are our men; he likely uses the court's prestige outwardly—but unless Your Majesty humbles yourself to win him, he cannot reform."

帝曰：「知祥予故人也，以賊臣間諜，故茲阻隔，今因而撫之，何屈意之有！」 Mingzong said: "Zhixiang is my old friend; rebel spies caused the breach; to comfort him now—why humble myself!"

由是遣供奉官李瑰使西川，齎詔以賜知祥。 He sent attendant envoy Li Gui to western Sichuan with an edict for Zhixiang.

壬辰，供奉官李瑰自西川回，節度使孟知祥附表陳敘隔絕之由，並進物，先賜金器等。 On renchen Li Gui returned from western Sichuan; Meng Zhixiang attached a memorial on the estrangement and presented goods, and gold vessels were bestowed first.

瑰，知祥甥也，母在蜀，故今瑰往焉。 Gui was Zhixiang's nephew; his mother was in Shu, so Gui had been sent there.

瑰至蜀，具述朝廷厚待之意，知祥稱藩如初，奏福慶長公主以今年正月十二日薨。 At Shu Gui conveyed the court's generous treatment; Zhixiang declared vassalage as before and reported that Princess of Blessing and Celebration had died on the twelfth of the first month this year.

冬十月己酉朔，再遣供奉官李瑰使西川，兼押賜故福慶長公主祭贈絹三千匹，並賜知祥玉帶。 On the jiyou new moon in the tenth month Li Gui was again sent to western Sichuan with three thousand bolts of silk for the late Princess of Blessing and Celebration and a jade belt for Zhixiang.

先是，兩川隔遠，朝廷兵士不下三萬人，至是，知祥上表乞發遣兵士家屬入川，詔報不允。 Earlier the circuits were remote and fewer than thirty thousand court troops were there; now Zhixiang asked to bring soldiers' families in; the court refused.

知祥所奏兩川部內文武將吏，乞許權行墨製除補訖奏，詔許之。 Zhixiang asked to appoint civil and military officers in both circuits by provisional ink edict and report afterward; the court allowed it.

知祥所奏立功大將趙季良等五人正授節鉞，續有處分。 Zhixiang asked regular commissioner seals for Zhao Jiliang and four other meritorious generals; further orders would follow.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 45Volume 45 Book of Later Tang 21: Emperor Min Annals 1 · 2 passages

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劍南東、西兩川節度使、檢校太尉、兼中書令、蜀王孟知祥加檢校太師。 Meng Zhixiang, commissioner of the Eastern and Western Circuits of Jiannan, honorary Grand Commandant, concurrent Director of the Secretariat, and Prince of Shu, was advanced honorary Grand Preceptor.

製下，知祥辭不受命。 When the edict was issued, Zhixiang declined the appointment.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 51Volume 51 Book of Later Tang 27: Biographies 3: Imperial Family · 2 passages

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〈（《清異錄》：唐福慶公主下降孟知祥。 (Records of Pure Wonders records that Princess Fuqing of Tang was given in marriage to Meng Zhixiang.

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.)〉

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 53Volume 53 Book of Later Tang 29: Biographies 5: Li Cunxin, Li Cunxiao, Li Cunjin, Li Cunzhang, Li Cunxian · 4 passages

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時孟知祥權知太原軍府事，會契丹侵北鄙。 Meng Zhixiang was then acting administrator of Taiyuan military affairs when the Khitan raided the northern frontier.

洎至成都，孟知祥以漢韶故人，尤善待之。 On reaching Chengdu, Meng Zhixiang received him with special warmth as an old friend.

《九國志》：漢韶與知祥敘汾上舊事，及洛中更變，相對感泣。 The Nine States Chronicle relates that Hanshao and Zhixiang recalled old days in Fen and the upheavals in Luoyang, and wept face to face.

知祥曰：「豐沛故人，相遇於此，何樂如之！」 Zhixiang said, "Old companions from Feng and Pei meeting again here—what could bring greater joy!"

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

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天祐十四年，用為中門副使，與孟知祥、李紹宏俱參機要。 In the fourteenth year of Tianyou he was appointed Vice Commissioner of the Inner Gate and, together with Meng Zhixiang and Li Shaohong, shared in confidential state affairs.

俄而紹宏出典幽州留事，知祥懇辭要職。 Soon afterward Shaohong was sent to administer Youzhou as resident commissioner, and Zhixiang earnestly sought to relinquish his key post.

知祥懼，求為外任，妻矞華公主泣請於貞簡太后。 Meng Zhixiang grew fearful and petitioned for a provincial assignment; his wife, Princess Yuhua, tearfully appealed to Empress Dowager Zhenjian.

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."

知祥因舉崇韜。 Zhixiang thereupon nominated Guo Chongtao.

乃署知祥為太原軍在城都虞候。 The emperor then appointed Meng Zhixiang Chief Garrison Officer of the Taiyuan army stationed in the capital.

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.

時蜀土初平，山林多盜，孟知祥未至，崇韜令任圜、張筠分道招撫，慮師還後，部曲不寧，故歸期稍緩。 Shu had only just been pacified; bandits still roamed the hills, and Meng Zhixiang had not yet arrived. Guo Chongtao sent Ren Yuan and Zhang Jun along separate routes to win over and settle the countryside, fearing unrest among his followers once the army withdrew—hence the slight delay in their return.

四年正月六日，馬彥珪至軍，決取十二日發成都赴闕，令任圜權知留事，以俟知祥。 On the sixth day of the first month of the fourth year, Ma Yan'gui reached headquarters. They set the twelfth as the day to march from Chengdu for the capital, left Ren Yuan in charge of local affairs, and waited for Meng Zhixiang.

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

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是時安重誨當國，采人邪謀，言孟知祥必不為國家使，惟董璋性忠義，可特寵任，令圖知祥。 An Chonghui then held power and listened to slanderers who said Meng Zhixiang would never serve the throne, whereas Dong Zhang was loyal and should be specially favored to counter Zhixiang.

又璋之子光業為宮苑使，在朝結托勢援，爭言璋之善，知祥之惡。 Zhang's son Guangye, palace park commissioner, cultivated powerful allies at court and ceaselessly praised his father while denouncing Zhixiang.

先是，璋欲謀叛，先遣使持厚幣於孟知祥，求為婚家。 Before his rebellion Zhang had sent envoys with rich gifts to Meng Zhixiang proposing a marriage alliance.

且言為朝廷猜忌，將有替移，去則喪家，住亦致討，地狹兵少，獨力不任，願以小兒結婚愛女。 He said the court suspected him and would replace him; flight meant ruin, staying meant punishment; his territory was small and his army weak—he could not stand alone—and he asked to marry his son to Zhixiang's daughter.

時知祥亦貳於朝廷，因許以為援。 Zhixiang too was estranged from the court and promised him support.

既而知祥出師以圍遂州，故璋攻閬州得恣其毒焉。 When Zhixiang later marched to besiege Suizhou, Zhang was free to ravage Langzhou at will.

時孟知祥其骨肉在京師者俱無恙焉，因遣使報璋，欲連表稱謝。 Zhixiang's kin in the capital had been spared; he sent word to Zhang proposing a joint memorial of thanks to the throne.

自是璋疑知祥背己，始構隙矣。 From that moment Zhang suspected Zhixiang had betrayed him, and the rift between them began.

三年四月，璋率所部兵萬餘人以襲知祥。 In the fourth month of the third year Zhang led more than ten thousand men in a surprise attack on Zhixiang.

〈（《九國誌·趙季良傳》：季良嘗與知祥從容語曰：「璋性狼戾，若堅守一城，攻之難克。」 (From the biography of Zhao Jiliang in the Records of the Nine Kingdoms: Jiliang once told Zhixiang in private, "Zhang is brutal and savage; if he holds a single city firm, he will be hard to defeat."

及聞璋起兵，知祥憂形於色。 When news came that Zhang had taken the field, worry showed on Zhixiang's face.

知祥與諸將率師拒之，戰於漢州之彌牟鎮。 Zhixiang and his generals marched to meet him and fought at Mizhen in Hanzhou.

知祥親督諸將，與璋戰雞縱橋前，頗為所挫。 Zhixiang personally led his generals against Zhang before Jizong Bridge and was driven back.

廷隱偽遁，璋逐之，知祥與張公鐸繼進，璋軍亂不成列，廷隱整陣，與知祥合擊之，璋軍大敗。）〉 Tingyin feigned retreat; Zhang pursued; Zhixiang and Zhang Gongduo pressed forward; Zhang's army fell into disorder; Tingyin reformed his line and joined Zhixiang in a combined assault that shattered Zhang's force.)〉

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 · 3 passages

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〈（《五代史補》：初，知祥將據蜀也，且上表乞般家屬。 (The 《Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties》: When Meng Zhixiang was seizing Shu he asked to move his family.

時樞密使安重誨用事，拒其請，知祥曰：「吾知之矣。」 Privy Council commissioner An Chonghui ruled and refused; Zhixiang said, "I see."

及家屬至，知祥對僚吏笑曰：「天下聞知樞密，將謂天地間未有此，誰知隻銷此百金耶，亦不足畏也。」 When his kin arrived he laughed to his officers, "The world fears the Privy Council as unmatched—yet a hundred taels of gold buys it off; nothing to dread."

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 · 1 passage

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會孟知祥鎮蜀川，選北京留守，徊揚言曰：「北門，國家根本，非重德不可輕授； When Meng Zhixiang was posted to govern Shu, the northern capital intendant was to be chosen. Huai proclaimed publicly, "The northern gate is the root of the state; without great virtue it cannot be lightly conferred;

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 · 4 passages

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〈（《九國誌·李仁罕傳》：夏魯奇稟朝廷之命，繕治甲兵，將圖蜀，孟知祥與董璋謀先取魯奇，令仁罕攻遂州。）〉 (From the Biography of Li Renhan in the Jiuguo Zhi: Xia Luqi obeyed the court's orders, repaired arms and armor, and prepared to move against Shu. Meng Zhixiang and Dong Zhang plotted to strike him first and ordered Renhan to attack Suizhou.)〉

董璋之叛，與孟知祥攻遂州，援路斷絕，兵盡食窮， When Dong Zhang rebelled, he and Meng Zhixiang besieged Suizhou. Relief routes were cut, the garrison was spent, and provisions ran out,

孟知祥覺之，既至，執而害之。 Meng Zhixiang saw through him, and when Yan arrived he seized and executed him.

〈（《九國誌·王彥銖傳》：李嚴之為監軍也，密懷異謀，知祥數其過，命彥銖擒斬之，嚴之左右無敢動者。）〉 (From the Biography of Wang Yanyin in the Records of the Nine Kingdoms: When Li Yan served as military inspector, he secretly plotted rebellion. Zhixiang listed his offenses and ordered Yanyin to seize and execute him, and none of Yan's attendants dared stir.)〉

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 72Volume 72 Book of Later Tang 48: Biographies 24: Zhang Chengye, Zhang Juhan, Ma Shaohong, Meng Hangqiong · 1 passage

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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.

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 · 6 passages

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西川孟知祥以兵二萬，與圜合勢攻之。 Meng Zhixiang of western Sichuan brought twenty thousand men and joined Yuan in a combined assault.

〈（《九國誌·李延厚傳》：康延孝入漢州，知祥遣延厚率兵二千會李仁罕討之，將行，誓士卒曰：「今出師不三旬必破賊，乃立功圖賞之日也。 (According to the Annals of the Nine States, biography of Li Yanhou: When Kang Yanxiao seized Han Prefecture, Zhixiang sent Yanhou with two thousand men to join Li Renhan against him. Before marching, Yanhou swore to his troops, "We will break the rebels within thirty days. This is the day to win glory and rewards.

時孟知祥與任圜、董璋置酒高會，因引令延孝檻車至會。 Meng Zhixiang, Ren Yuan, and Dong Zhang were holding a victory banquet and had Yanxiao brought to the feast in his cage.

知祥問曰：「明公頃自梁朝脫身歸命，才平汴水，節制陝郊，近領前鋒，克平劍外，歸朝之後，授爵冊勳，巨鎮尊官，誰與為競！ Zhixiang asked him, "You left the Liang, came over to us, helped pacify Bian, governed Shaan, led the vanguard and conquered the lands beyond the passes. Back at court you were ennobled and richly rewarded with the highest posts. Who could have rivaled you?

知祥因手自注杯以飲之。 Zhixiang filled a cup with his own hand and offered it to him.

孟知祥待之尤厚，偽授本鎮節度使，俾知祥坐獲山南之地，由虔釗之故也。 Meng Zhixiang treated him with exceptional generosity and invested him as military governor of his former circuit. It was largely through Qianzhao that Zhixiang gained the lands of Shannan without a fight.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 129Volume 129 Book of Later Zhou 31: Biographies 9: Chang Si, Di Guangye, Cao Ying, Li Yanyun, Li Hui, Li Jianchong, Wang Zhongyi, Sun Hanyin, Xu Qian, Zhao Feng, Qi Cangzhen, Wang Huan, Zhang Yanchao, Zhang Ying, Liu Renshan · 1 passage

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唐天成初，孟知祥鎮西川，環往事之，及知祥建號，環累典軍衛，孟昶嗣位，環兼領左、右衛。 In Tang Tiancheng year one Meng Zhixiang governed Western Chuan; Huan served him; when Zhixiang declared a state Huan rose through guard commands; when Meng Chang succeeded, Huan held both left and right guards.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 136Volume 136: Biographies of Usurpers 3: Wang Jian, Meng Zhixiang · 27 passages

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孟知祥，字保裔，邢州龍岡人也。 Meng Zhixiang, styled Baoyi, came from Longgang in Xing Prefecture.

知祥在後唐莊宗同光三年，授西川節度副大使，知節度事。 In Later Tang Tongguang year 3, Emperor Zhuangzong appointed Zhixiang deputy military governor of Xichuan with full authority over military affairs.

天成中，安重誨專權用事，以知祥莊宗舊識，方據大藩，慮久而難制，潛欲圖之。 During the Tiancheng reign An Chonghui monopolized power. Because Zhixiang was an old acquaintance of Zhuangzong and now held a great frontier post, An feared he would grow ungovernable and secretly plotted against him.

是時，客省使李嚴以嘗使於蜀，洞知其利柄，因獻謀於重誨，請以己為西川監軍，庶效方略，以制知祥，朝廷可之。 The guest-house envoy Li Yan, who had once served as envoy to Shu and knew its leverage points well, offered An Chonghui a plan: appoint him military supervisor of Xichuan so he could apply stratagems to control Zhixiang. The court agreed.

及嚴至蜀，知祥延接甚至，徐謂嚴曰：「都監前因奉使，請兵伐蜀，遂使東、西兩川俱至破滅，川中之人，其怨已深。 When Li Yan reached Shu, Zhixiang received him with the utmost courtesy and said slowly, "Supervisor, on your former mission you requested troops to attack Shu and brought ruin on both eastern and western Chuan. The people of the river valleys bear deep resentment.

〈（《歐陽史》云：李嚴至境上，遣人持書候知祥，知祥盛兵見之，冀嚴懼而不來，嚴聞之自若。 (Ouyang's History records: When Li Yan reached the border he sent a letter ahead to Zhixiang. Zhixiang displayed his army in strength, hoping Yan would be afraid and turn back. Yan heard of this and remained perfectly composed.

天成二年正月，嚴至成都，知祥置酒召嚴，因責嚴曰：「今諸方鎮已罷監軍，公何得來？」 In the first month of Tiancheng year 2 Li Yan reached Chengdu. Zhixiang set out wine and summoned him, then rebuked him: "Every other frontier post has abolished military supervisors—how dare you come?"

《鑒戒錄》云：李嚴於天成初復來臨護，孟祖加之禮分，從容數其五罪，命劍斬之。 The Record of Mirrors and Warnings records: Li Yan returned early in the Tiancheng era as military supervisor. Meng Zhixiang treated him courteously, calmly enumerated five crimes, and ordered him executed by the sword.

董璋覺之，乃與知祥通好，結為婚家，以固輔車之勢。 Dong Zhang perceived the threat and made peace with Zhixiang, sealing the bond with a marriage alliance to strengthen their mutual support.

知祥慮唐軍驟至，與遂、閬兵合，則勢不可支吾，遂與璋協謀，令璋以本部軍先取閬州，知祥遣大將軍李仁罕、趙廷隱率軍圍遂州。 Zhixiang feared that if Tang troops arrived suddenly and joined forces from Suizhou and Langzhou he could not hold out. He plotted with Zhang: Zhang would seize Langzhou first with his own troops while Zhixiang sent Generals Li Renhan and Zhao Tingyin to besiege Suizhou.

三年，知祥又破董璋，乃自領東、西兩川節度使。 In the third year Zhixiang defeated Dong Zhang and assumed command of both eastern and western Chuan himself.

〈（案：《孟知祥傳》，《永樂大典》原闕，今采《冊府元龜》僭偽部以存梗概。）〉 (Note: Meng Zhixiang's biography was originally missing from the Yongle Encyclopedia; the present text draws on the usurpers section of the Imperial Archive of the State to preserve the outline.)〉

昶，知祥之第三子也。 Chang was Meng Zhixiang's third son.

母李氏，本莊宗之嬪御，以賜知祥。 His mother Lady Li had originally been a concubine of Emperor Zhuangzong, given to Meng Zhixiang as a gift.

及知祥鎮蜀，昶與其母從知祥妻瓊華長公主同入於蜀。 When Meng Zhixiang took command of Shu, Chang and his mother entered Shu together with Zhixiang's wife, the Eldest Princess of Qionghua.

知祥僭號，偽冊為皇太子。 When Meng Zhixiang declared himself emperor, he named Chang crown prince.

知祥卒，遂襲其偽位，時年十六，尚稱明德元年。 When Meng Zhixiang died, Chang succeeded to the throne at sixteen, still in the first year of the Mingde era.

自知祥同光二年丙戌歲入蜀，父子相繼，凡四十年而亡。 From Meng Zhixiang's entry into Shu in Tongguang year 2, father and son ruled in succession for forty years before the state fell.

〈（《五代史補》：孟知祥之入蜀，視其險固，陰有割據之志。 (The Supplement to the History of the Five Dynasties records: When Meng Zhixiang entered Shu he saw how rugged and defensible it was and secretly resolved to carve out his own domain.

有推小車子過者，其物皆以袋盛，知祥見，問曰：「汝車所勝幾袋？」 A man pushing a small cart passed by, his goods packed in bags. Zhixiang asked, "How many bags can your cart hold?"

知祥惡之，後果兩代而亡。 Meng Zhixiang took this as a bad omen—and indeed, two generations later the state fell.

知祥與董璋有隙，舉兵討之。 Meng Zhixiang fell out with Dong Zhang and raised an army against him.

璋素勇悍，聞知祥之來也，以為送死。 Dong Zhang had always been fierce and bold. When he heard Meng Zhixiang was coming, he thought Zhixiang was marching to his death.

諸將兩端，李鎬為知祥判官，深憂之。 The generals wavered. Li Gao, Meng Zhixiang's aide, was deeply worried.

及將戰，知祥欲示閑暇，自寫一書以遺董璋。 On the eve of battle Meng Zhixiang wished to appear at ease and personally wrote a letter to Dong Zhang.

鎬在側大喜，且引諸將賀於馬前，知祥不測，曰：「事未可測，何賀耶！」 Li Gao beside him was delighted and led the generals in congratulation before his horse. Meng Zhixiang could not understand and said, "The outcome is not yet known—why congratulate!"

今大王去『艹』書『重』是『董』已無頭，此必勝之兆也。」 Your Highness has removed the grass and written heavy—Dong has lost his head. This is surely an omen of victory."

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 14Volume 14: Taizu of Later Tang's Family · 2 passages

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是時，兩川新定，孟知祥未至，所在盜賊聚山林，崇韜方遣任圜等分出招集，恐後生變，故師未即還。 The two Sichuans were newly pacified; Meng Zhixiang had not yet arrived; bandits still gathered in the hills; Chongtao was sending Ren Yuan and others to recruit them, fearing later trouble, so the army did not return at once.

明年正月，崇韜留任圜守蜀，以待知祥之至，崇韜期班師有日。 Next first month Chongtao left Ren Yuan in Shu and prepared to march.

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 · 7 passages

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其後孟知祥屈強於蜀，安重誨稍裁抑之，思有以制知祥者，嚴乃求為西川兵馬都監。 Later Meng Zhixiang grew bold in Shu. An Chonghui reined him in where he could and looked for a man to hold him in check. Yan asked to be made military inspector of Xichuan horse and foot.

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.

知祥雖與嚴有舊恩，而惡其來。 Zhixiang owed Yan an old debt of life, but he hated seeing him come.

嚴至，知祥置酒從容問嚴曰：「朝廷以公來邪？ Yan arrived. Zhixiang poured wine and asked, calmly: “Did the court send you?

知祥發怒曰：「天下藩鎮皆無監軍，安得爾獨來此？ Zhixiang erupted: “No frontier post in the realm keeps a military inspector. Why should you alone come here?

即擒斬之，明宗不能詰也，知祥由此遂反。 He seized Yan and killed him. Mingzong could not call him to account. From that day Zhixiang turned rebel.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 27Volume 27 Later Tang Biographies 7: Zhu Hongzhao, Liu Yanlang, Kang Sili, Kang Yicheng, Yao Yanchou · 2 passages

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西川孟知祥殺其監軍李嚴，弘昭大懼，求還京師，璋不許，遂相猜忌，弘昭益開懷待之不疑，璋頗重其為人。 Meng Zhixiang of Xichuan killed the army supervisor Li Yan. Hongzhao was terrified and begged to return to court, but Dong Zhang refused. Suspicion grew between them—yet Hongzhao treated him openly and without mistrust, and Zhang came to respect him.

孟知祥反，石敬瑭伐蜀，久無功，明宗遣安重誨督軍。 When Meng Zhixiang rebelled, Shi Jingtang’s campaign against Shu dragged on without success. Mingzong sent An Chonghui to take charge of the army.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 44Volume 44 Miscellaneous Biographies 24: Liu Zhijun, Ding Hui, He Delun, Yan Bao, Kang Yanxiao · 2 passages

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繼岌遣任圜以七千騎追之，及於漢州，會孟知祥夾攻之，延孝戰敗，被擒，載以檻車。 Jiji sent Ren Yuan with seven thousand horse. At Han, Meng Zhixiang closed the other jaw. Yanxiao lost, was taken, and hauled away in a cage-cart.

圜置酒軍中，引檻車至坐上，知祥酌大卮從車中飲之而謂曰：「公自梁朝脫身歸命，遂擁節旄。 Yuan feasted the army and had the cage-cart drawn to his seat. Zhixiang filled a great cup, drank with the prisoner, and said: “You slipped out of Liang and gave yourself to Tang, and soon you wore a command flag.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 50Volume 50 Miscellaneous Biographies 30: Wang Jun, Wang Yin, Liu Ci, Wang Huan, Zhe Congruan · 1 passage

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以勇力事孟知祥為御者，及知祥僭號于蜀，使典衞兵。 By strength he served Meng Zhixiang as charioteer. When Zhixiang seized the title in Shu, he put Huan in charge of the guard.