Zi Zhi Tong Jian

Chapter 60 Late Jin Dynasty: The Rise of Khitan (3)
【Translation】

The first year of Tianfu, Emperor Gaozu of the Later Jin Dynasty (936 AD)
Shi Jingtang sent envoys to Khitan to ask for help from a remote road, and asked Sang Weihan to draw up a letter to profess his vassal to the Khitan lord, and asked to serve the Khitan lord with the same etiquette as his father. All the states in the north were given to Khitan.Liu Zhiyuan advised him: "It is enough to be a minister, and it would be too much to serve him with father's etiquette. Bribing him with rich gold, silver and silk is naturally enough to motivate him to send troops to rescue, there is no need to promise to cede to him." His land, if that happens, I'm afraid it will become a major disaster for the Central Plains in the future, and it will be too late to regret it." Shi Jingtang didn't listen to persuasion.He still sent someone to send the seal to Khitan. Khitan Master Yelu Deguang was overjoyed after seeing it, and told his mother, "My child, I recently dreamed that Shi Lang sent envoys to come, and now they have indeed come. This is God's will!" So he wrote a reply letter to Shi Jingtang, promising to wait until the Mid-Autumn Festival, all the soldiers and horses from all over the country will come to rescue him.

Zhang Jingda built a long siege to attack Jinyang.Shi Jingtang asked Liu Zhiyuan to serve as the commander of Ma Budu, and entrusted An Chongrong and Zhang Wandi's surrendered troops to him.Liu Zhiyuan acted in accordance with the law, never played favoritism, and treated military and civilian pensions equally, so his subordinates did not have two minds.Shi Jingtang personally went to the city to inspect the deployment of troops, sitting and lying down under the enemy's arrows and stones.Liu Zhiyuan said: "Look at the people like Zhang Jingda who built high fortifications and deep ditches for a long-term plan. They don't have any unique strategies at all, so it's not worth worrying about. Please send envoys who go out of the way to deal with foreign affairs more. The matter of defending the city is actually very easy, just leave it to me, Zhiyuan.” Shi Jingtang therefore held Liu Zhiyuan’s hand, patted his back and praised him greatly.

Later, the Lord of Tang Dynasty sent Lv Qi, a scholar of Duanming Palace, to go to the east camp to reward the army. Yang Guangyuan said to Lv Qi: "Please attach the above report to your Majesty. I hope the Lord will not work too hard on it. If the bandits don't have reinforcements, it won't take long. He will be put down; if he colludes with Khitan to attack, then let him in on purpose, and he can be defeated in a single battle." After hearing this, the last emperor of the Tang Dynasty was very happy.After the last emperor learned that Khitan promised Shi Jingtang to wait until the Mid-Autumn Festival to send troops to support him, he urged Zhang Jingda to attack Jinyang several times, but failed.Whenever the siege fortifications are built, they often encounter wind and rain. In this way, the long siege fortifications are soaked and damaged by water, and they cannot be closed.Jinyang City is getting more and more distressed, and the food reserves are in short supply due to soaking.

[Original text]

In the ninth month, the Khitan chief general rode 30 horsemen, numbered [-], and headed south from Yangwu Valley, with banners stretching for more than [-] li.Zhang Lang, governor of Daizhou, and Ding Shen, governor of Xinzhou, and Qiying guarded the city by themselves, and the captives rode past the city without luring them.Shen Qi is a native of Mingzhou.Xin Chou, the Lord of Khitan, went to Jinyang and Chen Yubeikou in Fenbei.The advance dispatcher called Jing Tang and said, "I want to destroy the bandits today?" Jing Tang dispatched a dispatcher to report, "The Southern Army is very strong and should not be taken lightly. Please wait until it is too late to discuss the battle tomorrow." Before the envoy arrived, the Khitan He had joined forces with Tang cavalry generals Gao Xingzhou and Fu Yanqing, and Jing Tang sent Liu Zhiyuan to help him.Zhang Jingda, Yang Guangyuan, and An Shenqi sent infantry to Chen Yu at the foot of the northwest mountain of the city. The Khitan sent three thousand light cavalry, who were not armored, and directly attacked Chen.Seeing that he won, the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty fought for it, and when they reached Fenqu, the Khitan waded away.The Tang soldiers marched along the bank, and the Khitan ambush started from the northeast, and broke into two.The Khitan troops took advantage of it, and the Tang soldiers were defeated. Nearly [-] infantry died, and the cavalry was alone.Jingda and others collected the remaining people to protect Jin'an, and the Khitan also led troops back to Hubeikou.Jing Tang received more than a thousand soldiers from the Tang Dynasty, Liu Zhiyuan advised Jing Tang to kill them all.

It was evening, Jing Tang went out to the north gate to meet the Khitan Lord, the Khitan Lord held Jing Tang's hand, and hated seeing each other so late.Jing Tang asked: "The emperor came from afar, and the men and horses were tired, so he fought the Tang and won a great victory, why?" I can't get in. If people spy on me, there will be nothing. I will drive deep in the long run, knowing that great things will be helped. When soldiers meet, my energy will be sharp, and the other's energy will be depressed. If you don't take advantage of this rapid attack, If it lasts for a long time, the outcome is uncertain. The reason why I won the battle urgently is that I can't just talk about it." Jing Tang sighed deeply.

【Translation】

In September, Yelu Deguang, Lord of Khitan, personally commanded 30 cavalry, claiming to be 50, marching south from Yangwu Valley in Daizhou, with banners stretching continuously for more than 1000 li.Inspectors Zhang Lang of Daizhou and Inspectors Ding Shenqi of Xinzhou guarded the city alone. When the Khitan cavalry passed by the city, they did not lure them to surrender and threaten them.Ding Shenqi is from Mingzhou.On the [-]th, the Khitan Lord and his party arrived in Jinyang, and set up troops and horses at Hubeikou in Fenbei.First send someone to say to Shi Jingtang, "I'm going to attack the bandits today, what do you think?" Shi Jingtang sent someone to gallop to tell him, "The southern army is very powerful, so don't underestimate the enemy. Please wait until tomorrow to discuss it before going out to fight. It’s not too late.” Before the envoy arrived at the Khitan camp, the Khitan soldiers had already started fighting with the later Tang cavalry generals Gao Xingzhou, Fu Yanqing and others, and Shi Jingtang immediately sent Liu Zhiyuan to help them.Zhang Jingda, Yang Guangyuan, and An Shenqi deployed infantry at the foot of the mountain in the northwest of the city.Khitan sent [-] light cavalry without armor, and directly clashed into the formation of Tang soldiers.Seeing that the Khitan soldiers were single and weak, the Tang soldiers rushed to drive them away. When they reached the bend in Fen River, the Khitan soldiers waded away.The Tang soldiers marched north along the river bank. At this time, the Khitan's ambush soldiers swarmed out from the northeast and attacked the Tang soldiers, dividing the Tang soldiers into two parts. Most of the infantry in the north were killed by the Khitan, and the cavalry in the south retreated. Went to Jin'an camp.Khitan allowed the soldiers and horses to take advantage of the chaos to attack, and the Tang soldiers were defeated immediately. Nearly [-] infantry died, but the cavalry survived.Zhang Jingda and others concentrated the remaining troops to retreat to Jin'an, and Khitan also led his soldiers back to Hubeikou to garrison.Shi Jingtang captured more than [-] soldiers from the later Tang Dynasty, and Liu Zhiyuan persuaded Shi Jingtang to kill them all.

That night, Shi Jingtang went out from the north gate to meet the Khitan Lord.Lord Khitan held Shi Jingtang's hand, as if seeing each other and hating the lateness.Shi Jingtang asked: "The emperor came from a long distance, the soldiers were exhausted, and he was eager to fight the Tang soldiers, but he still won a complete victory. Thinking that Tang soldiers would definitely cut off all the roads of Yanmen, and send troops to set up ambushes in dangerous places. In that case, it would be impossible for me to move forward smoothly. So I sent people to reconnaissance, but they did not find the roads and ambushes. Let me go straight ahead, knowing that victory is in sight. When the soldiers and horses meet, our army's momentum is in full swing, while the other army's momentum is very depressed. If we don't take this opportunity to attack him quickly, it will take a long time to wait. At that time, who will win and who will lose will be unpredictable. This is the reason why I can make a quick decision, and it cannot be measured by the usual logic of who works hard and who loses." Shi Jingtang was very impressed after hearing this.

[Original text]

Renyin, Jingtan led troops to Khitan to encircle Jin'an stronghold, and set up camp to the south of Jin'an. It was more than a hundred li long and fifty li thick.Jingda and other soldiers had 5 soldiers and [-] horses, and they looked around with nothing to do.In Jiachen, Jingda's envoy was defeated in the Tang Dynasty, so he couldn't communicate with each other.The Lord of the Tang Dynasty was terrified, and sent Fu Yanrao, the commander of Zhang Shengdu, to station the Luoyang infantry and cavalry in Heyang. After Zhao Dejun, king of Beiping, sent troops from Youzhou to the Khitan army from Feihu, the recruiting envoy from the northeast and Zhongshu ordered Pan Huanyi, the defense envoy of Yaozhou, to join the garrison troops on the west road from Ci and Xi from Ruling of Jin and Jiang to save Jin'an village together. .The Khitan Lord moved his tent to the willow forest and rode across Shihui Pass, but Tang Bing was not seen.

The Lord of the Khitan called Shi Jingtang and said: "I will succeed if I go three thousand miles away. Look at your appearance and knowledge, and you will be the master of the Central Plains. I want to make you the Son of Heaven." Four of Jingtang's resignations were made, and the officials were persuaded to come in. Xu Zhi.The Khitan master wrote the book, ordered Jingtang to be the emperor of the Jin Dynasty, gave him his clothes and crowns, and built an altar in the willow forest.It is the day, that is, the throne of the emperor.Cut you, Ji, Ying, Mo, Zhuo, Tan, Shun, Xin, Wei, Confucianism, Wu, Yun, Ying, Huan, Shuo, Wei sixteen prefectures and Khitan, and still allow 30 horses of silk to be exported every year.In Jihai, the seventh year of Changxing was reformed as the first year of Tianfu, amnesty; imperial order and legal system, all follow the old Mingzong.

【Translation】

On the 100th, Shi Jingtang led troops and horses to join the Khitan soldiers and horses to surround Jin'an Village, and set up camp in the south of Jin'an. It was more than 5 li long and about [-] li wide. Don't even think about it.At this time, Zhang Jingda and others still had [-] soldiers and [-] horses. They looked around, but they didn't know where to go.On the [-]th, Zhang Jingda sent an envoy to report the defeat to the Later Tang court, and there was no further news after that.The Emperor of the later Tang Dynasty was deeply frightened and sent Fu Yanrao, the commander of Zhangshengdu, to command the Luoyang infantry and cavalry stationed in Heyang. Qingshan of Xingzhou rushed to Yuci, Lulong Jiedu envoy, Northeast recruitment envoy and Zhongshuling Beiping Wang Zhao Dejun led Youzhou soldiers to attack quietly from behind the Khitan army formation, Yaozhou defense envoy Pan Huanyi joined the soldiers guarding the west road from Liangruling between Jinzhou and Jiangzhou sent troops to Cizhou and Xizhou to jointly rescue Jin'an Village.Lord Khitan moved his tent to Liulin, rode past Shihui Pass, but he still didn't meet Tang Bing.

Lord Khitan said to Shi Jingtang: "I came from three thousand miles away to solve your crisis, and I will definitely succeed. I have seen your appearance and insight, and you really look like the king of the Central Plains! I plan to support you. You are the Son of Heaven." Shi Jingtang declined many times, and the generals repeatedly persuaded him to take the high position, so he agreed.The Lord of the Khitan ordered Shi Jingtang to be the emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty, took off his clothes and the crown, and personally handed it over to him, and built a platform and an altar in the willow forest.On that day, Shi Jingtang was allowed to ascend the throne of the emperor.Shi Jingtang promised to cede the sixteen prefectures of You, Ji, Ying, Mo, Zhuo, Tan, Shun, Xin, Wei, Ru, Wu, Yun, Ying, Huan, Shuo, and Wei to Khitan, and still promised to send 30 horses every year. The silk was given to Khitan.On November [-]th, Shi Jingtang, Emperor Gaozu of the Later Jin Dynasty, issued an order to change the year name from the seventh year of Changxing to the first year of Tianfu, and amnesty the world; he ordered that all legal systems continue to follow the old rules of Mingzong.

[Original text]

The Jiedu judge Zhao Ying served as the Hanlin scholar, the servant of the household department, and the governor of the East Army. The secretary Sang Weihan was the Hanlin scholar, the minister of the Ministry of Rites, and the envoy of the Privy Council. , Jiedu Tui Guan Baishui Dou Zhengu was a Hanlin scholar, Liu Zhiyuan, the inspector of the military city capital, was the commander of the guards, and Jing Yanguang, the guest general, was the commander of the infantry capital.Yanguang is also from Shanzhou.The princess of the Jin Dynasty was established as the queen.

In the third year of Tianfu, the emperor honored the Lord of Khitan and the Empress Dowager, Wu Yin, took Feng Dao as the envoy of the Empress Dowager, and the left servant shot Liu Xu as the envoy of the main envoy of the Khitan, prepared the brine book, honor guard, and chariot, and went to the Khitan to salute; The Lord of Khitan is very happy.The emperor served the Khitan very seriously, proclaiming himself a minister, calling the Khitan lord the "father emperor"; every time the Khitan envoys came, the emperor paid homage to the other hall to receive the imperial edict.In addition to losing 30 gold and silk every year, good and bad luck is celebrated, and bequests are donated every year, and rare and rare things are played, one after another.Even the Empress Dowager Yingtian, Prince Marshal, King Wei, the Second King of the South and the North, Han Yanhui, Zhao Yanshou and other ministers all had bribes.Small unsatisfactory, noir to blame, the emperor often thanked him humbly.When Jin envoys came to Khitan, Khitan was arrogant and condescending.The envoy also heard that the government and the public are ashamed, but the emperor's affairs have never been tired, so there will be no gap between the emperor's life and Khitan.However, the amount of money and silk donated is only a few county rents, which are often entrusted to the poor people and cannot be full.Afterwards, the Khitan Lord repeatedly stopped the emperor from proclaiming himself a minister, but ordered him to be called "son emperor" in the book, just like a family ritual.

【Translation】

Let the Jiedu judge Zhao Ying serve as the Hanlin Bachelor Chengzhi, the Minister of the Household Department, and the Zhihe Army Mansion, the secretary Sang Weihan as the Hanlin Bachelor, the Minister of Rites, and the Privy Envoy of Quanzhi, and observe the judge Xue Rong as the servant of Shizhi Miscellaneous , Jiedu Tuiguan Baishui native Dou Zhengu served as a scholar of the Imperial Academy, Liu Zhiyuan, the inspector of the military city capital, served as the commander of the guard and horse army, and Jing Yanguang, a guest general, served as the commander of the infantry capital.Jing Yanguang is from Shanzhou.The princess of the Jin Dynasty was established as the queen.

In the third year of Tianfu (938 A.D.), Emperor Gaozu of the Jin Dynasty became the ruler of Khitan, Yelu Deguang, and Empress Dowager Shulu, and appointed Feng Dao as the envoy of the Empress Dowager, and Liu Xu, the left servant, as the envoy of the Khitan master, equipped with halogen books and guards of honor , The chariot was sent to the Khitan to salute; the Khitan Lord was very happy.The Emperor Gaozu of the Later Jin Dynasty was very respectful to the Khitan, and he praised the Lord Khitan as the "Father Emperor" in the memorial. Whenever the Khitan envoys came, the Emperor Gaozu of the Later Jin Dynasty would specially receive the imperial edicts and edicts of the Khitan in the other hall.In addition to transporting 30 yuan of gold and silk to Khitan every year, there are also various celebrations for good and bad luck, seasonal gifts, and rare treasures.Even the Empress Dowager Shulu, Marshal Prince, Wei Wang, Nan Wang, Bei Wang, Han Yanhui, Zhao Yanshou and other ministers were given bribes; if they were slightly dissatisfied, they would come to blame and ask for it. Always apologize with humble words.When envoys from the Jin Dynasty went to Khitan, Khitan was often arrogant and condescending, and spoke rudely.After the envoy returned to the court, he reported the truth to the Emperor Gaozu of the Later Jin Dynasty, and both inside and outside the court were ashamed of it. However, the Emperor Gaozu of the Later Jin Dynasty still treated the Khitan submissively, never daring to be slighted.Therefore, during the lifetime of Emperor Gaozu of the later Jin Dynasty, there was no friction with the Khitan Kingdom.However, the gold and silk transported were nothing more than the land rent and taxes of several counties.It is often an excuse that the people are poor and cannot be delivered in full.Later, the Lord Khitan repeatedly stopped Emperor Gaozu of the later Jin Dynasty from proclaiming himself a minister, and only allowed him to call himself "Emperor Son" when writing letters, just like family members saluting each other.

[Comment and Analysis]

In order to fight against the Later Tang Dynasty, Shi Jingtang sent envoys to ask Khitan for assistance, and proposed to respect Yelu Deguang as his father emperor, and to enshrine You, Ji, Ying, Mo, Zhuo, Tan, Shun, Xin, Gui, Confucianism, Wu, Yun, Ying, and Huan. The land in the sixteen prefectures of Shuo, Shuo and Wei were all ceded to Khitan.Yelu Deguang had long had the ambition to enter the Central Plains, so he immediately led [-] cavalry to the south, causing great panic to the countries in the Central Plains.Some ministers with ulterior motives took the opportunity to make friends with them, intending to stand on their own, and some loyal ministers dared to scold the Khitan people.The Khitan supported Shi Jingtang to become the emperor of the Later Jin Dynasty, and later directly eliminated the Later Jin Dynasty, but the notoriety of "son emperor" Shi Jingtang was handed down.

(End of this chapter)