New History of the Five Dynasties (Full Three Volumes))

Author: Ouyang Xiu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1974-12-01
Features: Read the excerpt: In March, Renzan fell severely ill and was unconscious. His deputy, Sun Yu, forged Renzan's letter and surrendered the city. Emperor Shizong ordered Renzan brought before his tent, where he sighed deeply, bestowed upon him a jade belt and imperial horse, and then allowed him to return to the city to recover. He passed away that very day. The edict said [3]: "Liu Renzan remained loyal to his duty, maintaining his integrity without flaw. Among the famous officials of previous generations, how many could compare to him! In my southern campaign, having you was of great help." Renzan was appointed as Acting Grand Tutor, Vice Director of the Chancellery, and Military Commissioner of Tianping Army. Renzan could not accept the appointment and passed away at the age of fifty-eight. Emperor Shizong sent an envoy to mourn and provide funeral arrangements, posthumously ennobling him as Prince of Pengcheng. His son, Chongzan, was appointed as the Prefect of Huai Prefecture, and he was granted a mansion and estate. Li Jing also heard of Renzan's passing and posthumously honored him as Grand Tutor. The former seat of Shou Prefecture was Shouchun, but Emperor Shizong found it difficult to govern and moved the city to Xiaocai, renaming the military unit as Zhongzheng Army, saying, "I do this to honor Renzan's virtue." Alas, the world has long despised the Liang Dynasty! Yet, scholars who were to live during that time could choose not to serve as officials. Those who accepted the state's sustenance must die for the state's cause—like Yan Zhang, one could say he died with dignity! Renzan had already sacrificed his son to prove his innocence. How could he betray his principles at the brink of death? Now, the Annals of Emperor Shizong of the Zhou Dynasty record Renzan's surrender letter, but it was likely forged by his deputy, Sun Yu, and others. During Emperor Shizong's reign, Wang Huan served as the governor of Qin Prefecture in Shu, but after failing to conquer it for a long time, he surrendered when his forces were exhausted. Emperor Shizong greatly admired his loyalty but only promoted him to Grand General. By comparing Emperor Shizong's treatment of the two and examining the imperial edicts, one can see that Renzan did not truly surrender. How rare it is to find loyal officials and righteous scholars throughout history! During the chaos of the Five Dynasties, these three—whether from the ranks of soldiers or as officials of pseudo-states—deserve endless admiration! How can they not be admired!
Notes on Textual Collation [1] "Zhang" in "Yanzhou Shouzhang" in various editions originally read "Chang." According to the Biography of Wang Yan Zhang in Volume 21 of the New History of the Song Dynasty and the Portrait of Wang Yan Zhang in Volume 39 of the Collection of Ouyang the Virtuous, it is written as "Yanzhou Shouzhang," and the Zizhi Tongjian in Volume 267 also refers to "Shouzhang Wang Yan Zhang." Examining the Regional Gazetteers of the New and Old Tang Dynasties and the Great World Atlas of Taiping, it is found that Yanzhou only has Shouzhang County, which belongs to Henan Circuit; Shouchang County belongs to Shazhou, which is under Longyou Circuit (the Old Book places it under Hexi Circuit). This should be "Shouzhang," and it has been corrected accordingly. [2] Fu Cunshen In the Biography of Emperor Zhuangzong in Volume 29 of the New History of the Tang Dynasty, the Biography of Pei Yue in Volume 52, and the Zizhi Tongjian in Volume 272, it is written as "Li Shaobin." [3] "Allowed to return to the city to recover and passed away that very day" The Biography of Liu Renzan in Volume 129 of the New History of the Song Dynasty states: "(Emperor Shizong) allowed him to return to the city to recover and soon appointed him as Military Commissioner of Tianping Army and Vice Director of the Chancellery. The edict was issued, and he passed away at home." According to the Zizhi Tongjian in Volume 293, the day Liu Renzan returned to the city to recover was Wuxin; the edict was issued on Xinhai, and he passed away that day. The chronological order in this history is unclear, and there may be errors.
Read the excerpt: In March, Renzan fell severely ill and was unconscious. His deputy, Sun Yu, forged Renzan's letter and surrendered the city. Emperor Shizong ordered Renzan brought before his tent, where he sighed deeply, bestowed upon him a jade belt and imperial horse, and then allowed him to return to the city to recover. He passed away that very day. The edict said [3]: "Liu Renzan remained loyal to his duty, maintaining his integrity without flaw. Among the famous officials of previous generations, how many could compare to him! In my southern campaign, having you was of great help." Renzan was appointed as Acting Grand Tutor, Vice Director of the Chancellery, and Military Commissioner of Tianping Army. Renzan could not accept the appointment and passed away at the age of fifty-eight. Emperor Shizong sent an envoy to mourn and provide funeral arrangements, posthumously ennobling him as Prince of Pengcheng. His son, Chongzan, was appointed as the Prefect of Huai Prefecture, and he was granted a mansion and estate. Li Jing also heard of Renzan's passing and posthumously honored him as Grand Tutor. The former seat of Shou Prefecture was Shouchun, but Emperor Shizong found it difficult to govern and moved the city to Xiaocai, renaming the military unit as Zhongzheng Army, saying, "I do this to honor Renzan's virtue." Alas, the world has long despised the Liang Dynasty! Yet, scholars who were to live during that time could choose not to serve as officials. Those who accepted the state's sustenance must die for the state's cause—like Yan Zhang, one could say he died with dignity! Renzan had already sacrificed his son to prove his innocence. How could he betray his principles at the brink of death? Now, the Annals of Emperor Shizong of the Zhou Dynasty record Renzan's surrender letter, but it was likely forged by his deputy, Sun Yu, and others. During Emperor Shizong's reign, Wang Huan served as the governor of Qin Prefecture in Shu, but after failing to conquer it for a long time, he surrendered when his forces were exhausted. Emperor Shizong greatly admired his loyalty but only promoted him to Grand General. By comparing Emperor Shizong's treatment of the two and examining the imperial edicts, one can see that Renzan did not truly surrender. How rare it is to find loyal officials and righteous scholars throughout history! During the chaos of the Five Dynasties, these three—whether from the ranks of soldiers or as officials of pseudo-states—deserve endless admiration! How can they not be admired!
Notes on Textual Collation [1] "Zhang" in "Yanzhou Shouzhang" in various editions originally read "Chang." According to the Biography of Wang Yan Zhang in Volume 21 of the New History of the Song Dynasty and the Portrait of Wang Yan Zhang in Volume 39 of the Collection of Ouyang the Virtuous, it is written as "Yanzhou Shouzhang," and the Zizhi Tongjian in Volume 267 also refers to "Shouzhang Wang Yan Zhang." Examining the Regional Gazetteers of the New and Old Tang Dynasties and the Great World Atlas of Taiping, it is found that Yanzhou only has Shouzhang County, which belongs to Henan Circuit; Shouchang County belongs to Shazhou, which is under Longyou Circuit (the Old Book places it under Hexi Circuit). This should be "Shouzhang," and it has been corrected accordingly. [2] Fu Cunshen In the Biography of Emperor Zhuangzong in Volume 29 of the New History of the Tang Dynasty, the Biography of Pei Yue in Volume 52, and the Zizhi Tongjian in Volume 272, it is written as "Li Shaobin." [3] "Allowed to return to the city to recover and passed away that very day" The Biography of Liu Renzan in Volume 129 of the New History of the Song Dynasty states: "(Emperor Shizong) allowed him to return to the city to recover and soon appointed him as Military Commissioner of Tianping Army and Vice Director of the Chancellery. The edict was issued, and he passed away at home." According to the Zizhi Tongjian in Volume 293, the day Liu Renzan returned to the city to recover was Wuxin; the edict was issued on Xinhai, and he passed away that day. The chronological order in this history is unclear, and there may be errors.