KĐVSTGCM 4
[TB 4/1a] The Fourth Chapter of the Prefatory Compilation of the Imperially Commissioned Itemized Summaries of the Comprehensive Mirror of Việt History
(Tân dậu [541 C.E.]; the seventh year of the Datong era of the Liang.) In winter, during the 12th lunar month, Lý Bí/Li Bi of Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi rallied troops and drove out the regional inspector, Tiêu Tư/Xiao Zi, and occupied Long Biên/Longbian.[1]
Lý Bí’s ancestors were Northerners. At the end of the Western Han they fled to take up residence in the Southern lands. In the seven generations to Lý Bí they became Southerners. Bí was skilled in civil and military affairs. He served the Liang as a supervisor of the Cửu Đức/Jiude troops. Not able to fulfill his ambition, he returned to Thái Bình/Taiping and rallied troops. The chief of Chu Diên/Zhuyuan, Triệu Túc/Zhao Su, led his followers to join [Lý Bí]. When [Xiao] Zi learned of this, he bribed Lý Bí and returned to Guang Region. Lý Bí thereupon occupied Long Biên/Longbian.
[According to] the Itemized Summaries [of the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government] [TB 4/1b], Lý Bí was from a line of strongmen. [At that time] there was a man, Tinh Thiều/Bing Shao, who was good at words who went [to the Liang] and was selected to serve as an official. The Liang minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Cai Zun, felt that Bing was not from a family of worthies and had him demoted to a gatekeeper in Quảng Dương/Guangyang. Shao felt disgraced by this and returned to plot with Bí to rally troops. At that time, Regional Inspector of Giao/Jiao Region Xiao Zi was violent and had lost the people’s trust. These two men then allied together, and strongmen from several regions all responded to their call.
Notes. Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi. See the note under the 10th year [in the reign] of King Wu of the Zhao [198 B.C.E.; TB 1/20a]. The old history said that Lý Bí was from Long Hưng/Longxing in Thái Bình/Taiping. In examining this now [we find that] Thái Bình was established in the fourth year of the Wude era [621 C.E.] of the Tang. Long Hưng was established during the Trần [1225-1400 C.E.]. During the Liang this place name did not exist. The old history therefore used it anachronistically. [TB 4/2a] At present there is a shrine to Emperor Bí in Từ Đường Commune, Thụy Anh District, Thái Bình Prefecture, Nam Định Province.
Long Biên/Longbian is Long Uyên/Long Yuan. See the note under the first year of the Yuanfeng era of the Han [110 B.C.E.; TB 2/7b].
Chu Diên/Zhuyuan. See the note under the 16th year of the Jianwu era of the Han [40 C.E.; TB 2/10a].
Guang Region. First established under the Wu [222-280 C.E.], some of Giao/Jiao Region’s land was divided off and put under its jurisdiction.
Cai Zun. He was from Kaocheng in Jiyang.[2]
Xiao Zi. He held the title of Marquis of Wulin and was a member of the royal house of the Liang.
(Quý hợi [543 C.E.]; the ninth year in the Datong era of the Liang.) Linyi [troops] invaded Nhật Nam/Rinan. Lý Bí dispatched his general, Phạm Tu/Fan Xiu, to attack them at Cửu Đức/Jiude. They were defeated.
[TB 4/2b] Notes. Linyi. See the note under the ninth year of the Yonghe era of Emperor Mu of the Jin [353 C.E.; TB 3/20a-3/21b].
Nhật Nam/Rinan. See the note under the first year in the reign of King Shuyang of the Zhao [111 B.C.E.; TB 2/5b-2/6a].
Cửu Đức/Jiude. See the note under the third year of the Jianheng era of the Wu [271 C.E.; TB 3/15a].
(Giáp tý [544 C.E.]; the first year in the Thiên Đức era of Emperor Nam Việt of the of Lý, Bí; the tenth year in the Datong era of the Liang.) In spring, during the first lunar month, Lý Bí declared himself Emperor Nam Việt, established the era name of Thiên Đức, and called his kingdom Vạn Xuân [10,000 Springs].[3]
After defeating his enemies, Lý Bí declared himself emperor, and established a new era and name for the kingdom, Vạn Xuân, in the hope that the realm [xã tắc/sheji] would endure for 10,000 generations. He had the Vạn Xuân Palace built for holding court meetings.
[TB 4/3a] Note. Vạn Xuân: Yue Shi’s Record of the World in the Taiping Era from the Song [records that] there was a Vạn Xuân Pavilion in Long Biên/Longbian District, and that Lý Bí of Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi built this pavilion during the Datong era of the Liang. At present in Vạn Phúc Community, Thanh Trì District there is a Vạn Xuân Lake, also called Vạn Phúc Pool. Perhaps this is where Vạn Xuân Palace was.
Established various official positions.
Appointed Triệu Túc/Zhao Su as grand mentor, and Tinh Thiều/Jing Shao and Phạm Tu/Fan Xiu as aiding generals.
(Ất sửu [545 C.E.]; the second year of the Thiên Đức era of the Lý; the 11th year of the Datong era of the Liang.) In summer, during the sixth lunar month, the Liang dispatched Dương Phiếu/Yang Piao and Trần Bá Tiên/Chen Baxian to come [TB 4/3b] and attack. Emperor Bí fled to Gia Ninh/Jianing.
[According to] the Itemized Summaries [of the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government], at first when Bí occupied the regional capital, the Liang dispatched the regional inspector of Gao Region, Sun Jiong, and the regional inspector of Xin Region, Lu Zixiong, to bring troops and attack him.[4] Right at that time a spring pestilence was spreading, so they asked to wait until the autumn. The Marquis of Wulin, Zi, urged [then to proceed]. Upon reaching Hợp Phố/Hepu, their troops scattered and returned.
At this point, [the Liang] dispatched Regional Inspector of Giao/Jiao Region Yang Piao to attack Lý, and appointed Chen Baxian as commander. The regional inspector of Ding Region, Xiao Bo, met Piao at the Xi River. Bo knew that the generals and soldiers feared distant campaigns and tricked Piao into staying. Piao assembled the generals to ask about their strategies. Baxian spoke first saying “Ding Region [meaning Xiao Bo, see below] wants to steal some temporary peace, [TB 4/4a] and does not think of the larger plan. His Honor [meaning Yang Piao, also see below] received orders to lead a punitive expedition, and is carrying them out with no regard for his life. How can we not advance and let the rebels depress the people?” [Baxian] then led is followers to depart first. [Yang] Piao placed Baxian at the vanguard. When he reached the region, Bi was soundly defeated and fled to Gia Ninh/Jianing Citadel. The Liang troops advanced and laid siege to it.
Notes. 1. Gia Ninh/Jianing. [According to] the Gazeteer of Commanderies and Districts in the Yuanhe Era [Yuanhe junxian zhi] of the Tang, this was the area of what was originally Mi Linh/Miling District under the Han.[5] The Wu divided it and established Gia Ninh/Jianing District, and this was continued in subsequent years.
2. Hợp Phố/Hepu. See the note under the first year in the reign of King Shuyang of the Zhao [111 B.C.E.; TB 2/5b].
3. Xi River. It is a half league to the west of the Qing [Dynasty’s] Yongfu District [seat] in Guilin [TB 4/4b] Prefecture.
Yang Piao. He was from Xi District in Tianshui.[6]
[Chen] Baxian. He was from Changcheng in Wuxing. He later became Chen Gaozu.[7]
Xiao Bo. He was a member of the royal house of the Liang.
Dingzhou. This refers to Xiao Bo.
His Honor. This is the same as His Excellency. It refers to Yang Piao.
(Bính dần [546 C.E.]; the third year of the Thiên Đức era of the Lý; the first year of the Zhongdatong era of the Liang.) In spring, during the first lunar month, Yang Piao and others conquered Gia Ninh/Jianing. Emperor Bí fled to Tân Xương/Xinchang.
Note. Tân Xương/Xinchang. This is the same as Phong/Feng Region. See the note under the third year of the Jianheng era of the Wu [271 C.E.; TB 3/14a].
In autumn, during the eighth lunar month, Emperor Bí garrisoned troops at Lake Điển Triệt. The Liang troops attacked and soundly crushed them. [Those who remained] retreated to hold Khuất [TB 4/5a] Liêu Aboriginal Settlement.
[According to] the Itemized Summaries [of the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government], Lý Bí again led his followers out from Lạo territory to garrison at Lake Điển Triệt. The Liang troops feared them and stationed at the edge of the lake, not daring to precede further forward. Baxian said to the generals, “Our soldiers have [fought] long without any support. This has affected them deeply. If we cannot achieve victory in a single decisive battle, how can we hope to make it back alive? We should take advantage of the fact that the enemy has suffered repeated defeats and their resolve is not firm to do our utmost to engage in a final decisive battle to take them. There is no reason to linger, for this chance will be lost.”
None of the generals responded. That night, the river water rose violently seven xích/chi and poured into the lake. Baxian ordered the troops under his authority to follow the current and advance. The Liang followers beat drums [TB 4/5b] to make a ruckus as they all advanced. Bí’s followers were crushed, and [the survivors] again escaped to Lạo.
The old history stated that Emperor Bí again retreated to hold Khuất Liêu Aboriginal Settlement, where he got his troops in order and planned for the next battle. He entrusted General of the Left Triệu Quang Phục/Zhao Guangfu with the task of holding the kingdom, and sent troops to resist Baxian.
Notes. 1. Lake Điển Triệt. During the Qing, Hu Sansheng noted in the Overview of the Comprehensive Mirror [for Aid in Government] [(Zizhi) tongjian jilan] that this was in Tân Xương/Xinchang, that is Phong/Feng Region. [According to] Gu Zuyu’s Ming-era Essentials of the Terrain [for Reading History] [(Dushi) fangyu jiyao], Lake Điển Triệt was to the west of Thái Nguyên Prefecture and that it had filled in. It is not clear which of these two theories is correct. We present them both for consideration.
2. Khuất Liêu Aboriginal Settlement: There is no longer any information about this place.
[TB 4/6a] Đinh mão [547 C.E.]; the fourth year of the Thiên Đức era of the Lý; the first year of the Taiqing era of the Liang.) In spring, during the first lunar month, Triệu Quang Phục held Night Swamp [Dạ Trạch].
Quang Phục and Baxian engaged each other with neither able to gain a decisive victory. Baxian’s soldiers were very powerful. Quang Phục estimated that he could not hold out, so he retreated to hold Night Swamp. This swamp was so far around that one could not calculate the distance. It was dense with vegetation and in its center was an islet which one could occupy. With mud and mire in all four directions, the locals knew the pathways and moved about by pushing boats with poles.
Quang Phục led over 10,000 followers to hold the swamp. In the daytime they put out fires so that there would be no smoke. At night they engaged in battles. They launched a surprise attack on the Liang camp, killing and capturing many, and used the provisions they obtained to support a long campaign. Baxian followed by attacking, [TB 4/6b] [Quang Phục] but could not defeat him. The people in the kingdom called [Triệu Quang Phục] the King of Night Swamp.
Note. Night Swamp: Today this is in Đông An District, Khoái Châu Prefecture. The Unified Gazeteer [Yitong zhi] of the Qing [recorded that] it was in Đông Kết District, Kiến Xương Prefecture. During the time of Emperor Wu of the Liang, Chen Baxian attacked Lý Bí and Bi fled into the swamp.[8] At night he would come out to raid. It was therefore called Night Swamp. Đông An was formerly called Đông Kết.
The old history noted that it is said that the daughter of the Hùng King, Tiên Dung Mị Nương, sailed out to sea. When her boat returned to Chử Gia Islet, she met Chử Đồng Tử and the two became husband and wife. They resided there on the islet which then became a trading hub. Then suddenly in the middle of one night the wind became fierce and ripped up [TB 4/7a] all of the houses, their occupants and animals, and carried them away. The people at that time called the islet “Just Like That Islet” [Tự Nhiên Châu] and the swamp, “One Night Swamp” [Nhất Dạ Trạch]. This story comes from Selected Oddities from South of the Passes [Lĩnh Nam trích quái]. It is absurd, but we include it here for reference.
(Mậu thìn [548 C.E.]; the fifth year of the Thiên Đức era of the Lý; the second year of the Taiqing era of the Liang.) In spring, during the third lunar month, Emperor Bí passed away in Khuất Liêu Aboriginal Settlement.
Emperor Bí became ill from mountain miasmas in Khuất Liêu Aboriginal Settlement and passed away.
Imperial Appraisal [4/7a-4/7b]: As for the Southern Emperor [Nam Đế] of the Lý, although he did not have the strength to hold out [against the Liang], thus causing his endeavor to not succeed, that he could take advantage of the times, rise up and serve as emperor himself over his kingdom was sufficient to lead the way for the Đinh and [Later] Lý. Is his fame not magnificent?
Comment. The old history [recorded that] in the tenth year of the Datong era of the Liang, a giáp tý year [544 C.E.], Lý Bí declared himself emperor and established the era name of Thiên Đức, and that in the third month of the mậu thìn year [548 C.E.] he passed away. This would be in the fifth year of the [TB 4/7b] Thiên Đức era, before [Triệu] Quang Phục had declared himself monarch. The old history made this the first year [of Triệu Quang Phục’s reign], but this does not fit proper practice. Here we have kept the mậu thìn year as the fifth year of the Thiên Đức era, and have placed the first year of Quang Phục’s reign in the kỷ tỵ year [549 C.E.] so as to not obstruct proper practice and to maintain the facts.
The Lý came to an end. It began in the giáp tý year [544 C.E.] and ended in the mậu thìn year [548 C.E.], for a total of five years.
(Kỷ tỵ [549 C.E.]; the first year [in the reign] of King Việt of the Triệu, Quang Phục; the third year of the Taiqing era of the Liang. Triệu Quang Phục declared himself King Việt.
Quang Phục was the son of Triệu Túc/Zhao Su, and was from Chu Diên. As a person, he was brave and inspired awe. He achieved merit following Emperor Bí [TB 4/8a] on campaigns, and was appointed general of the left. When Emperor Bí passed away, he declared himself king. At that time, the king was garrisoned in Night Swamp. As the Liang troops would not retreat, he lit incense and beseeched Heaven [for assistance]. He then obtained such auspicious items as a dragon’s claw and a helmet. He used these to awe the bandits. From this point the spirit of the soldiers lifted and wherever they went no one could resist them.
Notes. 1. Chu Diên. See the note under the 16th year of the Jianwu era under the Han [40 C.E.; TB 2/10b].
2. Dragon’s claw: the old history noted that there was a customary tale that an immortal in Night Swamp, Chử Đồng Tử, rode a yellow dragon down from Heaven, took off one of its claws and gave it to the king, ordering him to place it on top of a helmet and to use this to attack the bandits. (“Helmet” [đâu mâu/doumou] is pronounced “đâu/dou” and “mâu/mou.”) [According to] the Shuowen, a helmet [đâu mâu/doumou] is armor for the head.[9] The “Charge of Yue” section of the [Venerated] Documents [states that] “armor and helmets give rise to [TB 4/8b] war,” and glosses “headgear” [trụ/zhou] as “helmet” [đâu mâu/doumou].[10]
(Canh ngọ [550 C.E.]; the second year [in the reign] of King Việt of the Triệu; the first year of the Dabao era [in the reign] of Emperor Jianwen of the Liang.) In spring, during the first lunar month, King Việt of the Triệu attacked and defeated the Liang general, Yang Chan. He then entered and occupied Long Biên/Longbian Citadel.
At that time, the Liang appointed [Chen] Baxian as Awe-Illuminating General and regional inspector of Giao Region. The Triệu king was still based in Night Swamp. Baxian wanted to carry out a long-term plan of cutting off supplies so that [the Triệu king’s] troops would weaken. Right at that time though the Liang experienced the Hou Jing disturbance. Baxian was recalled and the assistant general, Yang Chan, was left to attack the king. The king sent soldiers out to attack him, and Chan was defeated and killed. The Liang troops scattered and returned to the north. The kingdom was now at peace. The king [TB 4/9a] entered Long Biên/Longbian Citadel and occupied it.
Note. Hou Jing: He was from Huaishuo Defense Command in the [Kingdom of] Wei.[11] He betrayed the Wei and surrendered to the Liang. Emperor Wu of the Liang accepted him. Jing then again betrayed the Liang and attacked Weitai Citadel. [Chen] Baxian brought together troops and attacked him.
Lý Thiên Bảo/Li Tianbao occupied Dã Năng Aboriginal Settlement and declared himself King Đào Lang.
Earlier, when Lý Bí fled and occupied Khuất Liêu, his older brother, Thiên Bảo, along with a general from the same lineage, Lý Phật Tử/Li Fozi, entered Cửu Chân/Jiuzhen. [Chen] Baxian went in pursuit and attacked them. Thiên Bảo’s troops were defeated. He then got together those that remained and fled to the border of Ailao, among the Di and Lạo peoples. He found that the land at Dã Năng Aboriginal Settlement, at the source of the Đào River, was rich and [TB 4/9b] level, so he built a citadel and occupied the area. He called his kingdom after the name of the area. [People] urged him to become ruler, and called him King Đào Lang.
Notes. 1. Ailao. This is the name of a kingdom. The History of the Later Han [records that] the Ailao barbarians first resided around Mount Lao. They then gradually grew in number and divided themselves under the rule of little kings. They always live spread about in mountain valleys.
Yue Shi’s Record of the World in the Taiping Era from the Song [records that] the kingdom of Ailao was brought under the Han during the Yongping era [58-75 C.E.]. Their land was divided into the two districts of Ailao and Bonan, which together constituted Yongchang Commandery. [That work] notes that this was the same as the present [i.e., during the Song] Yunnan Commandery. This kingdom’s west connected to Daqin. Its south [TB 4/10a] connected with Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi.
[According to] Yang Shen of the Ming’s Records of Dian [Dian zaiji], their ancestors lived at the base of Mount Ailao in Yongchang. Their type [tộc loại/zulei] grew and their descendents spread across the land, dividing into 99 tribes. They had six chiefs who were called “chiếu/zhao.” During the Tang, the Meng clan declared [the establishment] of Nanzhao.
[According to] Cai Fangbing of the Ming’s Record of the Territory of Guang [Guangyu ji], Yunnan’s Yongchang Tribal Office is where the old kingdom of Ailao was. After the Kaiyuan era [713-741 C.E.] of the Tang, Nanzhao occupied it. Then in the Song it was occupied by the Duan clan and the Gao clan. When the Yuan opened up Yunnan, they established the Jinchi Pacification Commission. The Ming changed this to Yongchang Tribal Command.
[According to] Nguyễn Trãi of the Lê’s Treatise on Geography [4/10b] [Dư địa chí], there are many Ailao tribes. Wherever they are found, they are called Lao.
In examining these works together, [we see that] at present the Ailao are under the jurisdiction of Yunnan. However, their type is very numerous and is spread among mountain valleys. Therefore the various savages in the border areas of our kingdom, from Lão Qua and Vạn Tượng all the way to Trấn Ninh, Trấn Man and Lạc Biên, are all commonly known as Lao.
The old history talked first about entering Cửu Chân/Jiuzhen, and then later about fleeing to the border of Ailao, among the Di and Lạo peoples. Perhaps these were the same places as what is today Trấn Man and Nam Chưởng.
2. Dã Năng Aboriginal Settlement. There is no longer any information about this place.
[TB 4/11a] (Ất hợi [555 C.E.]; the seventh year [in the reign] of King Việt of the Triệu; the first year of the Shaotai era [in the reign] of Emperor Jing of the Liang.) Lý Thiên Bảo died. His followers encouraged Lý Phật Tử to serve as commander.
Thiên Bảo died at Dã Năng [Aboriginal Settlement] without a successor. The people encouraged Lý Phật Tử to be the successor and to lead the followers.
(Đinh sửu [557 C.E.]; the ninth year [in the reign] of King Việt of the Triệu; the first year of the Yongding era [in the reign] of Emperor Wu of the Liang.) Lý Phật Tử battled King Việt of the Triệu, but could not defeat him, and thereupon requested a peace agreement.
Phật Tử led his followers down to the east to battle King Việt at Thái Bình/Taiping. They met in battle five times, but neither could garner a victory. Phật Tử’s troops retreated a little and then requested an alliance. Given that Phật Tử was from the same lineage as the emperor of the Former [Lý], Bí, the [TB 4/11b] king could not bear to break off relations. He therefore set a boundary at Quân Thần Islet for [Lý Phật Tử] to occupy his kingdom to the west of there. Lý Phật Tử moved to Ô Diên/Wuyuan Citadel.
Notes. 1. Thái Bình/Taiping. This is a place name. At that time, Phật Tử led his followers down to the east from among the Di and Lạo to battle King Việt here. Later, a border was set at Quân Thần Islet in Từ Liêm District. This should be where the old Phong/Feng Region was, and where Sơn Tây [Province] is now. In consulting the “Treatise on Geography” from the Tang, it says that [a portion of] Thai Binh/Taiping District was cut off and became Phong Khê/Fengxi which is said to have been under the jurisdiction of Phong/Feng Region. This can be cited as proof. However, the records are not detailed, and it is still not clear where this was. Later, the two [TB 4/12a] villages of Đường and Nguyễn in Thái Bình/Taiping, might have been here. However, it is incorrect to say that this was the Thái Bình in Sơn Nam [Province].
2. Quân Thần Islet. Now it is the two communes of Thượng Cát and Hạ Cát in Từ Liêm District, Hà Nội Province. There is a theory that Thượng Cát and Hạ Cát were formerly called Thượng Cát Giới and Hạ Cát Giới, and these names were subsequently changed.[12]
3. Ô Diên/Wuyuan. This was in the old area of Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi. In the fourth year of the Wude era of the Tang [621 C.E.], Ô Diên/Wuyuan District was established, and together with Từ Liêm/Cilian and Vũ Lập/Wuli constituted the three districts under Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi. The old history noted that Ô Diên/Wuyuan was the same as Hạ Mỗ Community in Từ Liêm [District]. That community has a shrine to the spirit Bát Lang. Perhaps this was Nhã Lang.
(Tân mão [571 C.E.]; the first year in the reign of the Later Emperor of the Lý, Phật Tử; the third year in the Dajian era [in the reign] of Emperor Xuan of the Chen.) Lý Phật Tử attacked and captured the Triệu.
[TB 4/12b] According to the old history, Phật Tử made peace with the Triệu, and sought to marry his son Nhã Lang. The Triệu king offered his daughter Cảo Nương in marriage, and had Nhã Lang live there as a hostage son-in-law. Nhã Lang then stole [the Triệu king’s] dragon claw and returned to plot with Phật Tử to attack the Triệu. When Phật Tử led his troops in an attack, King Việt of the Triệu frantically engaged the enemy. However he had lost the dragon claw, and therefore fled to the south with Cảo Nương. He was pursued by the Lý soldiers, who forced them to Đại Nha seaport. The road came to an end, so they jumped into the sea
Comment. The old history’s account that King Việt of the Triệu obtained a dragon claw from Chử Đồng Tử, that Nhã Lang went as a live-in [son-in-law] and stole it, and that the Triệu king was thereupon defeated is all but the same as [TB 4/13a] the matter of King An Dương of the Thục and Zhao Zhongshi. It is an absurdity which need not be discussed. The same information is repeated and the truth has been lost. To ask people to believe this and to pass it on is indeed difficult.
Note. Đại Nha seaport. This was formerly called Đại Nha and Đại Ác.[13] The Lý changed it to Đại An. Now there is a shrine to King Việt of the Triệu at Liêu estuary, Quần Liêu Community, Đại An District.
The Triệu came to an end. It began in the kỷ tỵ year [549 C.E.] and ended in the canh dần year [570 C.E.], for a total of 22 years.
Lý Phật Tử declared himself emperor, and established his capital at Phong/Feng Region.
[TB 4/13b] Having eliminated the Triệu, Phật Tử inherited the title of Southern Emperor, and moved from Ô Diên to Phong Region, calling himself the Later Southern Emperor.
(Nhâm tuất [602 C.E.]; the 32nd year [in the reign] of the Later Emperor of the Lý; the second year in the Renshou era of Emperor Wen of the Chen.) The emperor, Phật Tử, sent Lý Đại Quyền/Li Daquan to occupy Long Biên/Longbian, and Lý Phổ Đỉnh/Li Puding to occupy Ô Diên Citadel.
Notes. 1. Đại Quyền. This was the son of the older brother of the Later Emperor of the Lý. The old history wrote Đại Quyền as Đại Quyền.[14] Here it has been changed based on the History of the Sui.
2. Phổ Đỉnh. This was another commander.
The Sui sent Lưu Phương/Liu Fang to invade. The emperor, Phật Tử, surrendered.
[TB 4/14a] [According to] the History of the Sui, when Phật Tử occupied the region and declared himself emperor, Yang Su recommended the regional inspector of Gua Region, Liu Fang, as someone with the strategies of a commander. The Sui emperor appointed him area commander-in-chief of the army of Giao Châu/Jiaozhou Circuit to oversee 27 campaigning armies. When they advanced to Đô Long/Doulong Ridge, they met and crushed the more than 2,000 soldiers of Phật Tử. Reaching Phong/Feng Region, [Liu Fang] dispatched people to make announcements about fortune and calamity. Phật Tử became afraid and surrendered. Fang brought Phật Tử back to the north, and captured his former generals and crafty followers and had them all executed.
Notes. 1. Yang Su. He was from Huayin in Hongnong.[15]
2. Liu Fang. He was from the imperial capital, Chang’an.
3. Gua Region. During the Tang this was under the jurisdiction of Shannan Circuit.[16]
4. Đô Long/Doulong Ridge. [According to the] Unified Gazeteer [Yitong zhi] of the Qing, Khánh Viễn/Qingyuan Prefecture [TB 4/14b], which was under the control of An Nam/Annan during the Tang, has a Mount Đô Long/Doulong.[17]
The Later Lý fell. It began in the tân mão year [571 C.E.] and ended in the nhâm tuất year [602 C.E.], a total of 32 years.[18]
(Ất sửu [605 C.E.]; the first year of the Daye era [in the reign] of Emperor Yang of the Sui.) In spring, during the first lunar month, the Sui appointed Liu Fang area commander-in-chief of the army of Hoan Châu/Huanzhou Circuit. He attacked and crushed Linyi.
[According to] the Itemized Summaries [of the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government], various Sui officials said that Linyi has many precious treasures. At that time, across All Under Heaven there were no disturbances, and Liu Fang had just pacified Giao/Jiao Region. Emperor Yang appointed Liu Fang area commander-in-chief of the army of Hoan Châu/Huanzhou Circuit to manage [an attack on] Linyi. When the troops reached the estuary, [they found that] the king of Linyi, Fan Zhi, had sent troops to hold strategic points. Fang [TB 4/15a] attacked and drove them away. The army then crossed the Chà Lê River. The Linyi soldiers rode on enormous elephants and approached from all four directions. Fang[’s troops] fought but could not gain an advantage. They thereupon dug many small holes, covered them with grass, and then engaged in battle. They pretended to retreat and the Linyi [troops] pursued them. Many of the elephants fell over. [The soldiers] shot at the elephants with their crossbows, and the elephants fled, trampling the [Linyi] formations. [Liu Fang] thereupon released his crack troops to engage in fierce battle. Linyi was defeated [in this battle] and [Liu Fang] advanced his army in pursuit. After eight days of moving southward past Ma Yuan’s bronze pillars, they reached the capital of the kingdom [of Linyi]. In the fourth lunar month, Fan Zhi abandoned his citadel and fled out to sea.
Fang entered the citadel and captured 18 temple statues, all cast in gold. He had a stone inscription carved to mark his accomplishments, and then returned. The troops had edema in their feet, and four or five out of 10 died. Fang also became sick [TB 4/15b] and died en route.
Imperial Appraisal [TB 4/15a-4/15b]: The army is a fierce weapon. Sages use it with reluctance in order to put an end to violence and to calm the people.[19] How can one be greedy for goods, covet profit, and seek to satiate ones desires and thereby cause the people to be destroyed and the kingdom degraded? And to do this without any concern or sympathy, what kind of heart is that? That “a single general’s victory [comes at the expense of] 10,000 dried bones” is [an obvious point] not worth mentioning.[20] What is more, the general could not avoid [death] and the kingdom also subsequently fell. This is a strong admonishment to those who use military force to excess.
Notes. 1. Hoan Châu [i.e., Hoan/Huan Region]. This was the old Hoài Hoan Region under the Hùng Kings. During the Qin it was under the jurisdiction of Tượng/Xiang Commandery, and during the Han under the jurisdiction of Nhật Nam/Rinan Commandery. The Liang changed it to Đức/De Region. During the Kaihuang era [581-600 C.E.] of the Sui it was changed to Hoan/Huan Region, and during the Daye era [605-616 C.E.] to Nhật Nam/Rinan. During the Zhenguan era of the Tang [627-649 C.E.] it was again established as Hoan/Huan Region. The Đinh and [Former] Lê followed this. The Lý changed it to Nghệ An Region. The Trần changed it to Lâm Giang Defense Command. Under the jurisdiction of the Ming it became such prefectures as Nghệ An and Diễn Châu. During the Quang Thuận era [1460-1469 C.E.] of the Lê, Nghệ An Pacification Commission was established. Now it is Nghệ An Province.
2. Linyi. See the note under the ninth year of the Yonghe era [in the reign] of Emperor Mu under the Jin [353 C.E.; TB 3/20a-3/21b].
3. Chà Lê. [According to] the Overview [of the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government], this was [TB 4/16a] to the north of the kingdom of Champa. Now it is not clear where it was.
4. Capital of the Kingdom of Linyi. On present examination, Trung Ái Communinty in Bình Chính District and Uẩn Áo Communinty in Lệ Thủy District in Quảng Bình [Province]; Nguyệt Biếu Community in Hương Thủy District and Thành Trung Community in Quảng Điền District in Thừa Thiên [Province]; Thăng Bình Communinty in Diên Phúc District in Quảng Nam [Province]; and the two settlements of Nam An and Bắc Thuận in Tuy Viễn District in Bình Định [Province] all have ancient citadels of Cham kings. It is not clear where the capital of the kingdom was.
5. Bronze pillars. See the note under the 19th year of the Jianwu era under the Han [43 C.E.; TB 2/12b-2/14a].
(Tân tỵ [621 C.E.]; the fourth year of the Wude era [in the reign] of Tang Gaozu.) The Tang appointed Khâu Hòa/Qiu He commander-in-chief of Giao/Jiao Region.
[TB 4/16b] [According to] the History of the Tang, at the end of the Daye era [605-616 C.E.] all within the seas suffered from the transgressions of officials and repeated uprisings. Seeing that everywhere he served [Qiu] He had been called pure and good, Emperor Yang appointed him governor of Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi. He did his utmost to assuage the people, and the people in the distant wilds were calmed by this. The various kingdoms to the west of Linyi repeatedly sent He luminous pearls, lined rhinoceros horns, gold and treasure. [Qiu] He therefore became as wealthy as a king. When the king of the Liang, Xiao Xian, learned of this he dispatched Ning Changzhen to lead Man and Lý [peoples] to attack He.[21] [Qiu] He became afraid and wanted to receive [Ning Changzhen in peace]. His aide, Cao Sĩ Liêm/Gao Shilian, said to He, “Although Changzhen has many troops, they have been sent from afar and are on their own. They cannot keep their strength for long. Within the citadel there are crack troops who can still put up a fight. Why should one accept the control of another?”
He followed this [advice] and appointed [Gao Shilian] adjutant. [Gao Shilian] engaged [Ning Zhangzhen] in battle [TB 4/17a] and drove him away. In the commandery a stone inscription was erected to record his accomplishment. When the Sui fell, [Qiu He] submitted to the Tang. The Tang granted him the position of commander-in-chief of Giao/Jiao Region, and the title of Duke of Tanguo.
Notes. 1. Qiu He. The biography of Qiu He in the History of the Tang [states that] he was from Luoyang. He served the [Northern] Zhou [with the honorific title of] Commander Unequalled in Honor. He then joined the Sui and served successively in the three regions of Zi, Liang and Pu where he had a reputation for being tolerant.
2. Xiao Xian. He was a great-grandson of Emperor Xuan of the Liang. [According to] the Itemized Summaries [of the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government], in the 13th year of the Daye era [in the reign] of Emperor Yang of the Sui [617 C.E.], Xiao Xian raised troops and declared himself king of the Liang. Then in the second year of the Yining era [in the reign] of Emperor Gong [618 C.E.] he declared himself emperor. From Jiujiang in the east, to Sanxia in the west; all the way to Giao Chi/Jiaozhi in the south, and holding Hanchuan [TB 4/17b] in the north, Xian possessed it all. Later he surrendered to the Tang.
3. Ning Changzhen. Zhu Chunnian’s Treatise on Qin Region [Qinzhou zhi] [states that] Changzhen was the regional inspector of Qin Region. He was the son of Ning Mengli. When Mengli died, Changzhen carried on as regional inspector. Zhangzhen’s forces were powerful, and he controlled several commanderies in Yu Region.[22] Later he surrendered to the Tang. From that point onward contact could be made with the various regions of Giao/Jiao and Ai.
4. [Gao] Shilian. He was from Tiao [District] in Bohai.[23] During the Renshou era [601-604 C.E.] of the Sui he passed the the exam for literary talents and served as vice director for rituals. However, because of an incident he was demoted to assistant magistrate of Chu Diên/Zhuyuan. Qiu He appointed him administrative clerk in charge of the laws. Later he surrendered with He to the Tang. He served in successive positions until reaching the position of right vice director [of the Department of State Affairs].
5. Distant. Pronounced “quýnh/jiong,” it means “distant.”[24]
6. Distant wilds. The Unified Gazetteer of the Qing [TB 4/18a] uses “wild territories.”
(Kỷ mão [679 C.E.]; the first year of the Tiaolu era [in the reign] of Tang Gaozong.) In autumn, during the eighth lunar month, the Tang established for the first time the Protectorate of An Nam/Annan, with its administrative seat at Giao/Jiao Region.
[According to] the History of the Tang, the Protectorate of An Nam/Annan was originally Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi Commandery, with its administrative seat at Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi. It administered the following 12 regions: Giao/Jiao Region, Lục/Lu Region, Phong/Feng Region, Ái/Ai Region, Hoan/Huan Region, Trường/Chang Region, Phúc Lộc/Fulu Region, Thang/Tang Region, Chi/Zhi Region, Vũ Nga/Wu’e Region, Diễn/Yan Region, and Vũ An/Wu’an Region.
Comment: Ngô [Thì] Sĩ’s history [records that] the Tang changed Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi Commandery to the Protectorate of An Nam/Annan, which consisted of: [TB 4/18b] An Nam/Annan (should say Giao/Jiao Region), Ái/Ai Region, Phúc Lộc/Fulu Region, Hoan/Huan Region, Phong/Feng Region, Lục/Lu Region, Diễn/Yuan Region, and Trường/Chang Region. The regions above were all within the borders of our kingdom. As for Thang/Tang Region, Chi/Zhi Region, Vũ Nga/Wu’e Region, and Vũ An/Wu’an Region, these were not necessarily part of An Nam’s/Annan’s land. It is probably that their territories were connected to Nam Giao/Nanjiao that they were put under the jurisdiction of the protectorate.
In examining Yue Shi’s Record of the World in the Taiping Era of the Song, the area of Trường/Chang Region is the same as that of Cửu Chân/Rinan, so Trường/Chang Region should be close to the area of present-day Thanh Hóa. However, it is not clear exactly where.
According to the Unified Gazetteer of the Qing, in Qin Region the three districts of Wulei, Huaqing and [TB 4/19a] Ninghai have abandoned citadels. What is more, Lục/Lu Region is in the Qing’s Qin Region, so to say that this was all within the bounds of our kingdom is erroneous.
Further, the “Treatise on Geography” in Phan Huy Chú’s Institutions [records that] Hưng Hóa [Province] during the Tang was Chi/Zhi Region, Tuyên Quang [Province] during the Tang was Thang/Tang Region, Thái Nguyên [Province] during the Tang was Vũ Nga/Wu’e Region, and An Bang, which today is Quảng Yên [Province], during the Tang was Vũ An/Wu’an Region.[25] We do not know what evidence this was based on, and simply present it here for consideration.
Notes. The “Treatise on Geography” in the History of the Tang [recorded that], Giao/Jiao Region had jurisdiction over the eight districts of Tống Bình/Songping, Nam Định/Nanding, Thái Bình/Taiping, Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi, Chu Diên/Zhuyuan, Long Biên/Longbian, Bình Đạo/Pingdao and Vũ Bình/Wuping. Lục/Lu Region had jurisdiction over the three districts of [TB 4/19b] Ô Lôi/Wulei, Hoa Thanh/Huaqing and Ninh Hải/Ninghai. Phong/Feng Region had jurisdiction over the five districts of Gia Ninh/Jianing, Thừa Hóa/Chenghua, Tân Xương/Xinchang, Cao Sơn/Gaoshan and Châu Lục/Zhulu. Ái/Ai Region had jurisdiction over the six districts of Cửu Chân/Jiuzhen, An Thuận/Anshun, Sùng Bình/Chongping, Quân Ninh/Junning, Nhật Nam/Rinan and Trường Lâm/Changlin. Hoan/Huan Region had jurisdiction over the four districts of Cửu Đức/Jiude, Phố Dương/Puyang, Việt Thường/Yuechang and Hoài Hoan/Huaihuan. Trường/Chang Region had jurisdiction over the four districts of Văn Dương/Wenyang, Đồng Thái/Tongcai, Trường Sơn/Changshan and Kỳ Thường/Qichang. Phúc Lộc/Fulu Region had jurisdiction over the three regions of Nhu Viễn/Rouyuan, Đường Lâm/Tanglin and Phúc Lộc/Fulu. Thang/Tang Region had jurisdiction over the three regions of Dương Tuyền/Yangquan, Lục Thủy/Lushui and La Thiều/Luoshao. Chi/Zhi Region had jurisdiction over the seven districts of Hân Thành/Xincheng, Phú Xuyên/Fuchuan, Bình Tây/Pingxi, Lạc Quang/Leguang, Lạc Diễm/Leyan, Đa Vân/Duoyun and Ân Long/Enlong. Vũ Nga/Wu’e Region had jurisdiction over the seven districts of [TB 4/20a] Vũ Nga/Wu’e, Như Mã/Ruma, Vũ Nghĩa/Wuyi, Vũ Di/Wuyi, Vũ Duyên/Wuyuan, Vũ Lao/Wulao and Lương Sơn/Liangshan. Diễn/Yan Region had jurisdiction over the seven districts of Trung Nghĩa/Zhongyi, Hoài Hoan/Huaihuan, Long Trì/Longchi, Tư Nông/Sinong, Vũ Lang/Wulang, Vũ Dung/Wurong and Vũ Kim/Wujin. Vũ An/Wu’an Region had jurisdiction over the two regions of Vũ An/Wu’an and Lâm Giang/Linjiang.
2. First year of the Tiaolu era. The old history had the fifth year of the Wude era. This was wrong. Here it has been changed in accordance with the History of the Tang.
3. Giao/Jiao Region. Established by the Han, the seven commanderies of Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi were placed under its authority.
4. Phong/Feng Region. See the note under the Hùng Kings [TB 1/1b-1/2a].
5. Ái/Ai Region. See the note under the sixth year of the Putong era [in the reign] of Emperor Wu under the Liang.[26]
6. Chi/Zhi Region. This is the old Tân Hưng/Xinxing Region.[27] Now it is Hưng Hóa Province.
7. Diễn/Yan Region. This is the old Việt Thường/Yuechang Region. Now it is a prefecture in Nghệ An Province.
[TB 4/20b] 8. Phúc Lộc/Fulu Region. This was in the area of present Thanh Hóa Province, but it is not clear where.
9. Trường/Chang Region and Thang/Tang Region. This is the old Vũ Định/Wuding Region. Now it is Tuyên Quang [Province].
10. Vũ Nga/Wu’e Region. This is the old Vũ Định/Wuding Region. Now it is Thái Nguyên [Province]. (Hoài Hoan/Huaihuan was originally part of Hoan/Huan Region. In the early years of the Zhenguan era [627-650 C.E.] its name was changed to Diễn/Yan Region, but this was later abandoned. Then in the second year of the Guangde era [764 C.E.], [a part of] Hoan/Huan Region was split off to again establish Hoài Hoan.)
(Đinh hợi [687 C.E.]; the fourth year in the Sisheng era [in the reign] of Tang Zhongzong.) In autumn, during the seventh lunar month, a clan of Lý people created a disturbance. They killed the protector-general, Lưu Diên Hựu/Liu Yanyou. The adjutant of Gui Region, Cao Xuanjing, attacked and pacified them.
[According to] the History of the Tang, the Lý clan annually paid half of [the stipulated] taxes. [Liu] Yanyou demanded they pay in full. The people all became resentful and plotted to cause a disturbance. Yanyou killed their leader, Lý Tự Tiên. Đinh Kiến and other members of [Lý Tự Tiên’s] clique revolted. They united [TB 4/21a] with people to encircle the administrative citadel. Inside the citadel there were not many troops. They could not fight off [Đinh Kiến] so they put up ramparts and waited for relief. The member of a powerful tribe in Guang Region, Feng Ziyou, took advantage of this situation to establish his own achievement. He held his troops back, and did not go [to assist]. Yanyou was killed. The adjutant of Gui Region, Cao Xuanjing, advanced with his troops, attacked and beheaded Kiến.
Notes. [Liu] Yanyou. The biography of Liu Yanyou in the History of the Tang [records that] Yanyou was from Pengcheng in Xu Region. He became a presented scholar and was capable as an official. He rose to the post of regional inspector of Ji Region and then was transferred to take up the position of protector-general of An Nam/Annan.[28]
Xuanjing. The old history had Zhijing.
Tự Tiên. The old history had Tiên.
Ziyou. The old history had “You.” These are all wrong. Here they have been changed based on the History of the Tang.[29]
[TB 4/21b] (Nhâm tuất [722 C.E.]; the tenth year of the Kaiyuan era [in the reign] of Tang Xuanzong.) In autumn, during the seventh lunar month, Mai Thúc Loan of Hoan/Huan Region occupied the region and declared himself emperor. The Tang dispatched Palace Attendant Yang Sixu and others to attack, and [Mai Thúc Loan] was defeated.
The History of the Tang [records that] during the Kaiyuan era [713-741 C.E.] Mai Thúc Loan of An Nam/Annan rebelled. He declared himself Emperor Hắc and incited the people of 32 regions. Beyond, he allied with such kingdoms as Linyi, Zhenla and Jinlin, and occupied [the area] south of the sea.[30] His followers came to some 400,000. Sixu requested permission to act. He recruited 10,0000 troops, and together with Guang Chuke, followed the old route of Ma Yuan [to attack] by surprise. Thúc Loan became terrified and did not have time to plan a response. He was completely defeated. [Yang Sixu] had the corpses buried in a mound to mark his accomplishment, and returned.
[TB 4/22a] Comment. During the Kaiyuan era of the Tang [713-741 C.E.] the Protectorate of An Nam/Annan was still [based] in Giao/Jiao Region and had jurisdiction over 21 regions and 59 districts, in each of which was appointed an official to govern. The submitting of grain and silk for taxes, and the offering of corvée laborers, all followed Tang regulations.
However [we have] never heard that the protectorate together with the regions of Phong/Feng, Ái/Ai, Lục/Lu and Diễn/Yan all fell [to Mai Thúc Loan]. So how could Thúc Loan rally the masses of 32 regions to gain some 400,000 followers? We humbly believe that Thúc Loan occupied a single region, and that he had little power. At that time, [Tang] Xuanzong was fond of [military] accomplishments on the frontiers. Sixu and Chuke simply took advantage of the remoteness of this region to exaggerate the enemy’s power in order to invite rewards for their [TB 4/22b] accomplishments. Otherwise how could it be that troops in this region scattered in fear with the mere arrival of Tang soldiers? The old history also stated that Thúc Loan joined with 300,000 followers from Linyi and Zhenla. This was probably taken from the History of the Tang without considering the reality.
Notes. 1. [Yang] Sixu. The biography of Yang Sixu in the History of the Tang [states that] Sixu was a eunuch. He was from Shicheng in Luo Region.[31] His original family name was Su.
2. Guang Chuke (The old history had Yuan [Chuke]. That was incorrect.). He was from Jiangling.[32] At the beginning of the Kaiyuan era he was transferred to the Protectorate of An Nam/Annan.
3. Zhenla. This is the name of a kingdom. See the note under the 12th year of the Dazhong era of Tang Xuanzong [858 C.E.; TB 4/39a].
4. Jinlin. This is the name of a kingdom. [According to] the Imperially Reviewed Encyclopaedia of the Taiping Era [Taiping Yulan] of the Song, [TB 4/23a] the kingdom was also called Jinchen. [According to] the Account of Foreign Kingdoms [Waiguo zhuan], it is more than 2,000 leagues to the west of Funan.[33]
5. Old route of Ma Yuan. Zhu Chuannian’s Treatise on Qin Region [records that] the Wulei Range proceeds to the sea. Looking to the west [from there] is Hải Đông/Haidong prefecture in Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi. When Ma the Wave-Suppressor entered An Nam/Annan, he followed this route. There is a temple to Ma the Wave-Suppressor here. Gu Yanwu of the Ming’s Advantages and Disadvantages of the Commanderies and Principalities [states that] following Ma Yuan, navies always headed out to sea from Qin Region and reached Triều Dương/Chaoyang Defense Command in Giao/Jiao Region in one day of sailing.[34] This is the area [of the old route of Ma Yuan].
6. Mai Thúc Loan. He was from Mai Phụ/Meifu, in Thiên Lộc/Tianlu District, Hoan/Huan Region. Today this is Can Lộc District, Đức Thọ [TB 4/23b] Prefecture, Hà Tĩnh Province. Thúc Loan was very dark so the people in the region called him the “Black Emperor.” Today there are the vestiges of an old citadel on Mount Vệ in Nam Đường District. There is also a shrine in Hương Lãm Community in that district. It has been listed among the shrines for worshipping emperors of past generations.
(Đinh dậu [757 C.E.]; the second year of the Zhide era [in the reign] of Tang Xiaozong.) The Tang changed the Protectorate of An Nam/Annan to the Protectorate of Trấn Nam/Zhennan.
Note. Protectorate of Trấn Nam/Zhennan. For the administrative seat and the various regions under its jurisdiction, see the note under the first year of the Tiaolu era of Tang Gaozong.[35]
(Đinh mùi [767 C.E.]; the second year of the Dali era [in the reign] of Tang Daizong.) Côn Luân/Kunlun and Chà Bà/Dupo raided. Military Commissioner Trương Bá Nghi/Zhang Boyi attacked [TB 4/24a] and defeated them. He constructed La/Luo Citadel.
[According to] the Summary Record of Annan [Annan jiyao], Kunlun and Dupo captured regional citadels. Zhang Boyi requested assistance from the commandant of Wuding, Gao Zhengping. When the relief troops arrived, they crushed [the Kunlun and Dupo forces] at Chu Diên/Zhuyuan. Boyi then constructed La/Luo Citadel.
Notes. According to the “Account of the Southern Barbarians” in the History of the Tang, the Kingdom of Chà Bà/Dupo connects to the east with Land Zhenla and to the west with Eastern Tianzhu. To its south is sea and to its north it comes up against Nanzhao. It has 18 kingdoms that are dependencies.
There is also the region of Little Kunlun and the kingdom of Great Kunlun. According to Gu Yanwu’s Advantages and Disadvantages of the Commanderies and Principalities [TB 4/24b], the Kingdom of Côn Luân/Kunlun is to the south of Linyi. According to this work, the area of Dupo was vast and included [the area of what is now] the various kingdoms of Xian[luo] and Mian[dian].[36] However, since [Dupo] did not have administrative control over the dependencies, people in each area declared themselves rulers and all employed raiding and pillaging for their livelihood. Now it has been completely annexed by those various kingdoms [such as Xianluo and Miandian]. [Meanwhile], the areas of Tất Lực/Bili, Hạ Liêu/Xialiao, Giang Lưu Ba/Jiangliubo and Ma Lục Giáp/Maliujia have all been occupied by Westerners.[37] The local people there are still called Chà Bà/Dupo. Kunlun was its dependency. Now in the sea area of Vĩnh Long there are the islands of Big Côn Luân [Kunlun] and Little Côn Luân. Chinese [Hán dân/Hanmin] have settled there and have made their living for generations by now.
2. Vũ Định/Wuding. The “Treatise on Geography” in the History of the Tang [states that] this was the name of a subordinated prefecture.[38]
3. [Zhang] Boyi. The “Biography of [TB 4/25a] Li Guangbi” in the History of the Tang [records that] Boyi was from Wei Region.[39] Because he distinguished himself in battle, he was allowed to join Li Guangbi’s forces.
4. Chu Diên. See the note under the Hùng Kings [TB 1/4b].
5. La/Luo Citadel. See the note under the seventh year of the Xiantong era of Tang Yizong’s reign [866 C.E.; 5/12a-5/12b.
The Tang issued an edict to honor a righteous woman of Giao/Jiao Region, née Jin.
The “Biographies of Exemplary Women” in the History of the Tang [records that] the woman of moral integrity, née Jin, was the mother of the rebel leader, Đào Tề Lượng/Tao Jiliang. She would often instruct Jiliang to be loyal and filial. However Liang was stubborn and did not accept [these teachings], so she cut off relations with him. She cultivated the fields herself to get food to eat, and wove her own clothes. The people in the village all saw her as an exemplar. [The emperor] issued an edict ordering that two people serve and support her, and local officials had to call on her [TB 4/25b] for the rest of her life.
Note. Tề Lượng/Jiliang: He was from Giao/Jiao Region.
(Mậu thân [768 C.E.]; the third year of the Dali era of the Tang.) The Tang changed Trấn Nam/Zhennan back to the Protectorate of An Nam/Annan.
(Tân mùi [791 C.E.]; the seventh year of the Zhenyuan era [in the reign] of Tang Dezong.) In summer, during the fourth lunar month, Phùng Hưng/Feng Xing, from Đường Lâm/Tanglin in Phong/Feng Region started an uprising. He attacked and occupied the [administrative seat of the] protectorate.
Prior to this, Phùng Hưng, from Đường Lâm/Tanglin in Phong/Feng Region, was powerful, wealthy and courageous. He was so strong that he could wrestle with cattle and fight with tigers. During the Dali era [766-779 C.E.] of the Tang, he took the occasion of some unrest to lead followers with his brother, Phùng Hải/Feng Hai, to threaten [TB 4/26a] neighboring settlements. [Phùng Hưng] called himself Lord of the Metropolis and Hải was called Protector of the Metropolis. As a policy, Protector-General Cao Chính Bình/Gao Zhengping taxed the people heavily. Hưng attacked him for a long time but could not defeat him. He then used the strategy of local villager, Đỗ Anh Hàn/Du Yinghan, to lead troops to surround the protectorate seat. Zhengping died of worrying. Hưng entered and occupied the protectorate seat. Not long after this he died. His followers made his son, An, the lord of the military commission, and honored Hưng as Great King Bố Cái.[40]
Notes. 1. Gao Zhengping. [According to] the Summary Record of Annan [Annan jiyao], Zhengping lived during the time of Tang Daizong. At first he was the commandant of Wuding. Because of his achievement in leading troops to aid Zhang Boyi he was appointed as protector-general.
2. Đường Lâm/Tanglin. This is the name of an old communinty. The old history notes that it was in Phúc Lộc District. Phúc Lộc [TB 4/26b] has now been changed to Phúc Thọ/Fushou and is in Sơn Tây Province. In examining the Sơn Tây Provincial Register [we find that] Cam Lâm Community in Phúc Thọ was formerly called Đường Lâm/Tanglin. Phùng Hưng and Ngô Quyền were both from this community. They presently have shrines there.
3. Phong/Feng Region. The old history had Giao/Jiao Region. Here we have changed it. In examining the “Basic Annals” of the History of the Tang, [we find that] in the seventh year of the Zhenyuan era of Dezong’s reign, it only records that An Nam/Annan chieftan, Đỗ Anh Hàn, rebelled. It does not record information about Phùng Hưng. Perhaps this is because it was far away and the details were not clear.
4. Bố Cái. The old history records that in the old days it was customary to call one’s father “bố” and one’s mother “cái.” From this it became a title.
In autumn, in the seventh lunar month, the Tang appointed Triệu Xương/Zhao Chang protector-general.
[TB 4/27a] [According to] the Summary Record of Annan [Annan jiyao], at that time Giao/Jiao Region had yet to be pacified. Chang entered the area and assuaged [the people]. The hearts of the people thereupon became settled. Chang sent an emissary to give orders to Phùng An. An led his followers to surrender. [Zhao Chang] was granted the additional title of bandit-suppression supervisory commissioner.
Chang made additions to La/Luo Citadel. He visited all of the towns, famous mountains, big rivers, ancient relics and shrines and compiled this information in the Record of the Prefecture [Fu zhi]. He was in the protectorate for 10 years. Because of an ailment with his feet he requested a replacement.
Note. Zhao Chang. The History of the Tang [records that] Chang’s courtesy name was Hongzuo, and he was from Tianshui.[41] He was eventually transferred to the post of regional inspector of Qian Region. When Đỗ Anh Hàn/Du Yinghan of An Nam/Annan rebelled, Zhao Chang was appointed protector-general. The people of the region submitted, and none dared to be obstinate. After 10 years he requested to return due to a foot ailment.
[TB 4/27b] (Tân tỵ [801 C.E.]; the 17th year of the Zhengyuan era of the Tang.) The Tang appointed Bùi Thái/Pei Tai as protector-general.
Chang requested a replacement. The Tang sent Director of the Ministry of War Pei Tai to replace him. When Tai arrived he had soldiers get rid of the moats in the citadel and connect everything into one rampart. He also had citadels built in the two regions of Hoan/Huan and Ái/Ai. He was later driven away by the regional general, Vương Quý Nguyên/Wang Jiyuan.
(Quý mùi [803 C.E.]; the 19th year of the Zhengyuan era of the Tang.) In the 12th lunar month the Tang again appointed Zhao Chang protector-general.
The History of the Tang [records that] at that time Chang entered [the court to serve] as a chancellor. Not long after that, the regional general drove away Tai. [Tang] Dezong summoned Chang to ask about the situation. Chang was over 70 years of age. He submitted a memorial explaining everything precisely. The emperor was intrigued by this and again appointed [Chang] [TB 4/28a] as protector-general. When the official edict [declaring this] reached Giao/Jiao region, the people rejoiced, and the rebellious soldiers were quelled. Chang was later transferred to [the position of] military commisioner of Lingnan, and brought to submission remote areas. Because of his efforts he was transferred to [the positions of] minister of the Ministry of Works and junior guardian of the heir apparent. He died at the age of 85. He was granted [the posthumous position of] commander-in-chief of Yang Region.
Ngô [Thì] Sĩ [stated that] Diên Hựu/Yanyou abused the Lý people and gave rise to the Đinh Kiến disturbance. Zhengping heavily taxed the region and instigated Đỗ Anh Hàn/Du Yinghan to take up arms. As soon as Zhao Chang arrived the people became calm. When he arrived again there was a disturbance which he put down. Whether or not frontier officials are wise has implications such as these. It is mainly that Northerners saw this region as distant and remote and took lightly the selection of officials. At that time [TB 4/28b], the people suffered hardship and had no one to appeal to. Reading the history of this time makes one sigh.
(Mậu tý [808 C.E.]; the third year of the Yuanhe era of Tang Xianzong.) The Tang appointed Trương Chu/Zhang Zhou as protector-general. He renovated Đại La/Daluo Citadel.
[According to] the Summary Record of Annan [Annan jiyao], at first Zhou served as administrative assistant to the military commisioner. When he was promoted to protector-general, he then renovated Đại La/Daluo Citadel and built 300 mông đồng/mengtong ships, each of which was manned by 25 warriors and 23 rowers. When they rowed, [the ships] went backwards and moved as fast as if they were flying.
Hoan/Huan and Ái/Ai citadels had previously been attacked and destroyed by the Hoàn/Huan king [Hoàn Vương/Huanwang]. They were both renovated.
[TB 4/29a] Notes. The Record of the World During the Taiping Era [Taiping huanyu ji] by Yue Shi of the Song [records that] in the fourth year of the Yuanhe era [809 C.E.] the protector-general of An Nam/Annan, Zhang Zhou attacked the usurping campaign commander of Hoan/Huan and Ái/Ai [regions] from the Kingdom of Hoàn Vương/Huanwang and killed more than 30,000 people.
2. Mông đồng/mengtong. The first word is pronounced “mông/meng” and the second “đồng/tong.”[42] It was narrow but long and was called mông đồng/mengtong as it attacked enemy ships.
3. Hoan/Huan and Ái/Ai. These are two citadels which were earlier built by Pei Tai.
4. Hoàn/Huan king [i.e, Hoàn Vương/Huanwang]. This is the title of the ruler of Linyi.[43]
(Kỷ hợi [819 C.E.]; the fourteenth year of the Yuanhe era of the Tang.) The regional inspector of Hoan/Huan Region, Dương Thanh/Yang Qing, rebelled. He attacked administrative centers and killed the protector-general Lý Tượng Cổ/Li Xianggu.
[TB 4/29b] [According to] the Itemized Summaries [of the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government], Xianggu was avaricious and harsh and lost [the support of] people’s hearts. Thanh [was from a family which had served] for generations as savage chieftans. Xianggu recruited him as a company commander and ordered him to attack the Hoàng/Huang Aboriginal Settlement savages. Thanh followed the people’s resentment [of Li Xianggu] and returned at night to attack and capture the regional citadel, and kill Xianggu.
The History of the Tang [records that] Dương Thanh was a savage chieftan. He often had secret thoughts of creating disorder. At the time that he was to attack the Hoàng/Huang bandits, Xianggu sent soldiers to assist him. Thanh thereupon returned and attacked the regional seat by surprise, killing Xianggu. [The emperor] issued an edict which pardoned Thanh and appointed him regional inspector of Qiong Region, and Quế Trọng Vũ/Gui Zhongwu as protector-general. Thanh resisted this order. Zhongwu issued edicts to the chieftans. He then attacked and beheaded Thanh and eliminated his entire lineage.
[TB 4/30a] Notes. 1. [Li] Xianggu. The “Biography of Cao Wangming” in the History of the Tang [records that] Xianggu was the son of Li Gao, a member of the Tang imperial family. He became protector-general of An Nam/Annan in the 14th year of the Yuanhe era [819 C.E.].
2. Gui Zhongwu. The old history had Gui Zhong. This is erroneous. Here we have changed it.
3. Hoàng/Huang Aboriginal Settlement. The “Record of Southern Savages” in the History of the Tang [records that] among the savages on the Western Plateau [Tây Nguyên/Xiyuan] is the Hoàng clan who live in Hoàng Chanh/Huangcheng Aboriginal Settlement. Their land borders Nanzhao and they are called the Hoàng/Huang Aboriginal Settlement savages. They attacked the 18 regions of the Gui Area Command and burned and plundered everywhere they went. Tang people called them the Hoàng/Huang bandits. When the protectorate soldiers revolted, they helped Dương Thanh kill Li Xianggu.
4. Qiong Region. The Unified Gazetteer of the Qing [records that] this was in the area of Zhuyai under the Han. The Tang divided it off and established Qiong Region. It was under the jurisdiction of Lingnan Circuit.
[TB 4/30b] The Tang appointed Mã Tổng/Ma Zong protector-general.
The History of the Tang [records that] Ma Zong was promoted from regional inspector of Qian Region to protector-general of An Nam/Annan.[44] He was not corrupt and did not cause problems. He used the techniques of the scholars to teach [the people and transform] their customs. His administration [of the area] was praiseworthy. The Lý and Lạo were both at ease with him. He erected two bronze pillars to encarve the moral virtue of the Tang and to make clear that he was the Wave-Suppressor’s [i.e. Mã Viện/Ma Yuan] descendent.
Comment. As Protector-General, Ma Zong’s administration was praiseworthy. The old history did not record information about this. Here we have consulted the History of the Tang and supplemented information. However, his biography just mentions the Yuanhe era [806-820 C.E.]. It does not contain clear information about the year and month. We have therefore placed this information at the end of the Yuanhe era to preserve these [TB 4/31a] facts.
Notes. The “Biography of Ma Zong” [records that] Ma Zong’s courtesy name was Yuanhui and he was from Fufeng.
1. Qian Region. The “Treatise on Geography” in the [History of] the Tang [records that] Qian Region was under the jurisdiction of Jiangnan Circuit.
2. Bronze pillars. See the note under 19th year of the Jianwu era of the Han [43 C.E.; TB 2/12b-2/14a].
3. Encarve. Pronounced “sàm(?)/chan,” it means to carve.
(Giáp thìn [824 C.E.]; the fourth year of the Changqing era [in the reign] of Tang Muzong.) In winter, during the 11th lunar month, protector-general Lý Nguyên Gia/Li Yuanjia moved the seat of the protectorate to outside of the Eastern Gate.
[According to] the Summary Record of Annan [Annan jiyao], Yuanjia saw that near the citadel gate there was water which turned against the current and he feared that people in the region would rebel a lot. [TB 4/31b] He thereupon moved the administrative seat to [near the] Tô Lịch River. When a small citadel had been constructed, someone saw it and said, “You Sir do not have the strength to build a large citadel. In 50 years someone surnamed Cao/Gao will establish a town and set up an administrative center here.” During the Xiantong era [860-873 C.E.], [Cao Biền/Gao Pian] built La/Luo Citadel as this [person] said.
Note. Tô Lịch: This is a branch of the Nhị River. The Unified Gazetteer of the Qing [records that] from the east of the administrative seat of Giao/Jiao Region it turns north and then heads westward until it reaches the Nhuệ River. In the past there was someone named Tô Lịch here; hence the name. During the beginning of the Yongle era of the Ming, Hoàng Phúc/Huang Fu dredged it again and changed its name to Lai Tô/Laisu. Presently to the east of the Hà Nội provincial citadel in Thọ [TB 4/32a] Xương District there is a river mouth. This is where it breaks off from the Nhị River.
(Ất tỵ [825 C.E.]; the first year of the Baoli era [in the reign] of Tang Jingzong.) The Tang moved the seat of the protectorate to Tống Bình/Songping.
Note. Tống Bình/Songping: Gu Zuyu’s Essentials of the Terrain [Fangyu jiyao] from the Ming [records that] Tống Bình/Songping was to the south of the administrative seat. This was the area of the Han district of Long Biên/Longbian. The [Liu] Song were the first to separately establish Tống Bình/Songping District. During the Sui it was under the jurisdiction of Giao/Jiao Region. Therefore Tống Bình/Songping was outside the walls of the old protectorate seat. The Unified Gazeteer [Yitong zhi] of the Qing [records that] Tống Bình/Songping was under the jurisdiction of the old Giao/Jiao Region. There is the old citadel of Liên Thụ 75 leagues to the west of the district [seat]. Upon examination we find that Liên Thụ was the administrative center for Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi Commandery during the early Han. [TB 4/32b] Today it is Lũng Khê Community, Siêu Loại District Bắc Ninh Province, more than 30 leagues from the Hà Nội provincial citadel.
(Mậu thân [828 C.E.]; the second year of the Taihe era [in the reign] of Tang Wenzong.) The regional inspector of Phong/Feng Region, Vương Thăng Triều/Wang Shengchao, rebelled. Protector-general Hàn Ước/Han Yue attacked and executed him.
The History of the Tang [records] that Han Yue was decisive, well-read, and was capable in office. He served up to the position of regional inspector of Qian Region. When Shengchao rebelled, Yue took up the position of protector-general of An Nam/Annan and attacked him. After Shenchao was executed, the protectorate troops rioted. Yue was driven away by them and fled back to Guang Region.
[TB 4/33a] Note. Han Yue: The “Biography of Wang Pan” in the History of the Tang [records that] Han Yue was from Wuling in Lang Region.[45] He advanced through [payment of] cash and grain.
(Bính thìn [836]; the first year of the Kaicheng era of the Tang.) The Tang appointed Mã Thực/Ma Zhi protector-general.
The History of the Tang [records that] in the early Kaicheng era [836-840 C.E.], Ma Zhi became protector-general of An Nam/Annan. He was adept at official matters and carried out his administration with refinement. Pure and calm, he did not cause any trouble. All of the people in aboriginal settlements were thus calm. The halter and harness heads all came to submit and to seek tax agreements. In the third year [of the Kaicheng era], Zhi memorialized to have Vũ Lục/Wulu District become Vũ Lục/Wulu Region, and to select a leader to serve as regional inspector. This was approved but then the regional administration was abolished.[46] [TB 4/33b] Pond pearls again appeared. [Ma Zhi] was superior at administering, and was promoted to surveillance commissioner of Qianzhong.
Comment. [According to] his biography in the History of the Tang, as a protector-general Ma Zhi was pure and calm. The aboriginal settlement people were thus calm. Pond pearls again returned. His incorruptibility transformed objects. The Unified Gazetteer [Yitong zhi] of the Qing lists him as one of the famous officials of An Nam/Annan. Together with Zhao Chang and Wang Shi he was truly an outstanding local administrator. Also, the Tang “Treatise on Geography” [records that] in the third year of the Kaicheng era [838 C.E.] Zhi submitted a request to establish Vũ Lục/Wulu Region. This is a fact for which there is evidence. The old history omitted this and only recorded that “Under the Tang, in the first year of the Huichang era [841 C.E.], Vũ Hồn/Wu Hun replaced Han Yue as military commissioner.” Examining now [TB 4/34a] the “Basic Annals” of the Tang [we see that] in the third year of the Taihe era [829 C.E.] in the reign of Wenzong, Yue was driven away by rebellious troops. Between the second year of the Taihe era and the first year of of the Huichang era were the five years of the Kaicheng era during which Ma Zhi was protector-general. Therefore, [Wu] Hun succeeded Zhi, he did not replace Yue. Here we have followed the History of the Tang and have made changes and additions to highlight a meritorious official and correct errors.
Notes. The “Biography of Ma Zhi” [records that] Zhi was from Fufeng.[47] He became a presented scholar and also passed the emperor’s policy question exam.
2. Halter and harness [i.e., subordinated prefectures (cơ mi/jimi)]. The Tang “Treatise on Geography” [records that] after Taizong had pacified the various frontier lands, the savages and barbarians gradually came to submit to [the Tang court’s] control. Districts and regions were established [in the areas of their] tribes and their leaders were appointed [TB 4/34b] commanders-in-chief and regional inspectors. These positions were passed on through heredity. This was called “halter and harness.” [According to] the Overview of the Itemized Summaries [Gangmu jilan], Han Guanyi said that you halter horses and harness cattle.[48] This means that in controlling the Four Barbarians you have to halter and harness them like horses and cattle.
3. Vũ Lục/Wulu Region. This was the name of a halter and harness region [i.e., a subordinated prefecture]. Today it cannot be verified where it was.
4. Pond pearls. The History of the Han [records] that when Meng Chang was the governor of Hợp Phố/Hepu the departed pearls again returned. The Unified Gazetteer [Yitong zhi] of the Qing [records that] Pearl Pond is to the southeast of Hợp Phố/Hepu District. It is where people from that commandery collect pearls.
(Tân dậu [841 C.E.]; the first year of the Huichang era [in the reign] of Tang Wuzong.) The Tang appointed Vũ Hồn/Wu Hun military commissioner.
[TB 4/35a] When Hun arrived, he conscripted officers and soldiers to repair the protectorate citadel. The protectorate soldiers rebelled, burning the citadel towers and plundering the storehouse. Hun fled to Guang Prefecture. Army Supervisor Đoàn Sĩ Tắc/Duan Shize calmed the rebelling masses, and the prefecture became settled.
(Bính dần [846 C.E.]; the sixth year of the Huichang era of the Tang.) In autumn, in the ninth lunar month, Nam Chiếu/Nanzhao savages raided. Military Commissioner Bùi Nguyên Dụ/Pei Yuanyu led the various circuit troops to attack, and defeated them.
Notes. The “Basic Annals” in the History of the Tang has “in the sixth year of the Huichang era, in the ninth lunar month.” The old history has “in autumn, in the seventh lunar month.” This is incorrect.
2. Nanzhao. The Itemized Summaries [of the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government], notes that the predecessors of Nanzhao were the Ailao barbarians [TB 4/35b] and that it occupied an area to the west of Yaozhou. The Tang “Treatise on Geography” [records that it was in] Yunnan Commandery in [the Protectorate of] Yaozhou. To the southwest it bordered Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi, and to the northwest it bordered Tubo.
In their savage language “king” is “chiếu/zhao.” Originally there were six chiếu/zhao: Mengsui, Yuexi, Langqiong, Tengtan, Shilang and Mengshe. Mengshe was the furthest to the south and was therefore called the southern chiếu/zhao [i.e., nam chiếu/nanzhao]. In the Kaiyuan era [713-741 C.E.], the southern chiếu/zhao, Piluoge, gradually became more powerful, and the other five chiếu/zhao weaker. He enticed the military commissioner of Jiannan [Circuit], Wang Yu, to request that the six chiếu/zhao be united.[49] The court agreed to this and granted the name of Guiyi [lit., “returning to righeousness”]. [Piluoge] thereupon used the army to awe into submission the groups of savages, and then [TB 4/36a] crushed Tubo. He then took up residence in Taihe Citadel, and in the end became a border menace [for the Tang].
The “Record of Nanzhao” in the History of the Tang [records that] Nanzhao began in the Kaiyuan era [713-741 C.E.], when Piluoge united the six chiếu/zhao, and was maintained until the son of Fengyou, Qiulong, declared himself emperor in the first year of the Xiantong era [860 C.E.], established the reign era of Jianji and made Dali the name of the kingdom.[50] He repeatedly raided Giao/Jiao Prefecture, but was defeated by Cao Biền/Gao Pian and fled back [to Dali].
3. Teng. His name is pronounced “teng tan.”
(Đinh sụu [857]; the 11th year of the Dazhong era [in the reign] of Tang Xuanzong.) In summer, during the fourth lunar month, the Tang appointed Chu Nhai/Zhu Yai as military commissioner.
At that time this prefecture had many border troubles. Yai was promoted from general-in-chief of the personal guard of the right [TB 4/36b] to military commissioner. Not long after that he again returned to Guang Prefecture.
(Mậu dần [858 C.E.]; the 12th year of the Dazhong era of the Tang.) In spring, during the first lunar month, Vương Thức/Wang Shi was appointed military commissioner.[51]
The History of the Tang [records that] Shi served as prefect of Jin Prefecture.[52] He had a good reputation and was promoted to protector-general of An Nam/Annan. Formerly during times when the fields were dry from drought, the protector-general would have people build stockades and make annual payments in cash. Before it was completed, they would make even more taxing demands. [Wang] Shi took a year’s worth of taxes and purchased le wood to make a rampart 12 leagues in circumference. He abolished the annual tax to ease up on the common people. He had a moat dredged and a stockade erected beyond which was planted thorny bamboo so bandits would not be able to trespass. Later, when savages plundered Cẩm Điền/Jintian Crossing, Shi sent someone to translate his edict to them. Within a night [TB 4/37a] the savages had gone, and sent a person to explain that, “We came to capture rebelling Lạo/Lao, not to raid.”
[According to] the Itemized Summaries [of the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government], Shi was a talented strategist. When he arrived in the protectorate he found that the protectorate guard, La Hành Cung/Luo Xinggong, had long taken control of the administration of the protectorate. He had 2,000 crack troops under his command. The protector-general’s troops were just several hundred leftovers. When Shi arrived he had [Luo Xinggong] caned and dismissed.
Notes. Wang Shi: The “Biography of Wang Bo” in the History of the Tang [records that] Shi was from Taiyuan. He was selected through the exam of the worthy and excellent, straightforward and upright during the Dazhong era [847-859 C.E.], and became prefect of Jin Prefecture. He saved several thousand refugees, and gained a reputation for his goodness. He was promoted to protector-general of An Nam/Annan.
Le wood: Pronounced “le,” it is the name of a type of wood [TB 4/37b] which when used in making stockades can stand for dozens of years.[53] A note in the Itemized Summaries [of the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government] states that during the Yongle era [1403-1424 C.E.] of the Ming, Minister Chen Qia found while in Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi a copy of the Treatise on Annan [Annan chi], [which recorded that] during the Tang, Wang Shi erected pieces of le wood [trees] and had them submerged in a moat. Around this he had planted thorny bamboo so bandits would not be able to trespass. Presently in Giao Chỉ/Jiaozhi there is le wood.
Cẩm Điền/Jintian: It is not clear where this was.
Crossing: This is the same as a ferry. [According to] the Miscellaneous Records from the Green Chest [Qingxiang zaji], in Lĩnh Nam/Lingnan ferries are called crossings [bộ/bu].[54]
In summer, during the fifth lunar month, Thổ/Tu savages raided. Wang Shi fought them back.
The “Record of Nanzhao” in the History of the Tang [records that], earlier, Lý Trác/Li Zhuo served as military commissioner and was cruel and selfish. He would [TB 4/38a] pay for a buffalo with a peck of salt. The barbarians could not endure this anymore and allied with the Nanzhao general, Duan Qiuqian, to raid the protectorate seat. They called themselves the “White-Robed Death Soldiers.” Zhuo killed the savage chieftan, Đỗ Tồn Thành/Du Cuncheng. His savage followers seethed with resentment, and led the Nanzhao bandits to menace the border. It was at this time that Giao/Jiao Prefecture started to have border troubles. Then at this point [i.e., the fifth lunar month] the savages raided and Shi fought them back.
In summer, during the seventh lunar month, the people of the prefecture caused a disturbance. They laid siege to the protectorate seat. Wang Shi captured and executed [the instigators].
[According to] the Summary Record of Annan [Annan jiyao], at that time there were treacherous people who teamed up to cause a disturbance. Taking advantage of [the darkness of] night, they drummed up a clamor and surrounded the citadel, claiming that “the military commissioner, Zhu Yai, was getting those under his command to imitate [the dress of] the Yellow-Head Army, to cross the sea [TB 4/38b] and attack.[55] We wish to send the protector-general back to the north. We will then occupy this citadel and resist the Yellow Head Army from the north.”
Shi was at that time eating. Someone encouraged him to avoid danger. Shi replied, “If I move a single leg this citadel will collapse.” A bit later, after he had finished eating, he donned his armor and ascended the citadel rampart with his assistants. He erected a general-in-chief banner, took a seat and berated those who were making the disturbance. They all dispersed. The next day they were apprehended and executed.
In the prefecture there was famine and unrest such that for six years no tribute was submitted and the troops were not rewarded. Shi then revised the tribute system and feasted the troops. Champa and Zhenla again sent emissaries and returned people they had abducted.
Notes. Yellow-Head Army: The History of the Tang [records that] there were troops stationed at Zhongwu [who wore] tunics which were short and brown in the back, with a yellow [TB 4/39a] turban covering their heads. People in the south called them the “Yellow-Head Army,” and they were some of the best troops in All Under Heaven. At that time Military Commissioner Zhu Yai had returned to Guang Prefecture, so people talked like this [i.e., that he would order the Yellow-Head Army to attack].
Champa: This is Linyi. See the note under the ninth year of the Yonghe era of Emperor Mu of the Jin [353 C.E.; TB 3/20a-3/21b].
Zhenla: It was to the south of Linyi. The History of the Tang [records that] Zhenla was also called Jimie, and that it was a vassal of Funan. After the Shenlong era [705-706 C.E.] of the Tang, it was divided into two halves. The northern [half] had a lot of mountains and hills. It was called Continental Zhenla and corresponds to present-day Cao Miên. The half to the south bordered the sea and was rich in ponds and marshes. It was called Aquatic Zhenla and corresponds to what is now the six provinces of Nam Kỳ.[56]
[TB 4/39b] (Canh thìn [860 C.E.]; the first year of the Xiantong era [in the reign] of Tang Yizong.) In spring, during the third lunar month, the Tang appointed Lý Hộ/Li Hu protector-general.
[According to] the Itemized Summaries [of the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government], a bandit from Zhedong, Qiu Pu, created unrest.[57] The Tang emperor discussed [with his officials] about chosing a general [to put down the unrest]. Xia Houzi said, “Wang Shi is from a family of scholars. Previously he accomplished much in An Nam/Annan. He can be put to use.” Shi was then appointed surveillance commissioner of Zhedong and Li Hu replaced him as protector-general.
In winter, during the 12th lunar month, Nanzhao captured the protectorate seat. Li Hu abandoned the prefecture and fled.
[According to] the Comprehensive Mirror [for Aid in Government], when Hu first arrived in the protectorate he executed the savage chieftan, Đỗ Thủ Trừng/Du Shoucheng, whose followers then enticed the [TB 4/40a] Nanzhao savages to attack and capture the protectorate seat. Hu fled to Wu Prefecture.[58]
(Tân tỵ [861 C.E.]; the second year in the Xiantong era of the Tang.) In summer, during the sixth lunar month, the Tang appointed Vương Khoan/Wang Kuan as military commissioner.
When Li Hu was deated the Tang dispatched troops from Yong Jurisdiction, and troops from along the way, to the rescue.
[According to] the Comprehensive Mirror [for Aid in Government], Li Hu recruited local troops from Wu Prefecture and attacked groups of savages and retook the prefectural citadel. The Tang emperor criticized him for losing control [of the prefecture], and demoted him to revenue manager of Dan Prefecture. Not long after that, seeing that the Đỗ/Du clan was still powerful, [the Tang emperor decided upon] the need to be tolerant for a while in the hope of making use of them. He confered the title General of the Imperial Insignia upon Tồn Thành/Cuncheng, the father of Thủ Trừng/Shoucheng, and punished Hu further for the crime of killing Thủ Trừng/Shoucheng by sending him for a long period of exile in Yai Prefecture. [The emperor] then appointed the defense commissioner of Yan Prefecture [TB 4/40b], Wang Kuan, to replace him.
Notes. Yong Jurisdiction [i.e., Yongguan]. This was Yong Prefecture. It was established by the Tang. [According to the] Overview [of the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government], a jurisdiction [guan] was a like a superior prefecture [fu].
Dan Prefecture: This was Dan’er. During the Tang it was part of Lingnan Circuit. See the note under the first year of the Kiến Đức/Jiande era of King Thuật Dương/Shuyang of the Triệu/Zhao [111 B.C.E.; TB 2/6a].
The above begins with the seventh year of the Datong era of the Liang [541 C.E.], a tân dậu year, and ends with the second year of the Xiantong era of the Tang [861 C.E.], a tân tỵ year, a total of 321 years.
[1] This given name can be pronounced either Bí/Bi or Bôn/Ben.
[2] Jiyang was a commandery which oversaw an area which today falls in the two provinces of Henan and Hebei.
[3] “Nam Việt” means “Southern Việt” and is the same term which Triệu Đà/Zhao Tuo earlier used to name is kingdom. Here, however, it is used as a title, not as the name of a kingdom. As such, it sounds better to leave this term untranslated and refer to Lý Bí as “Emperor Nam Việt” rather than “Emperor Southern Việt.”
[4] Both of these regions were in the area of what is today Guangdong Province.
[5] This text, compiled by Li Jifu in the early ninth century, is actually called the Maps and Gazeteer of Commanderies and Districts in the Yuanhe Era [Yuanhe junxian tuzhi].
[6] Tianshui is the name of a commandery which was in the area of what is today Gansu Province.
[7] Chen Gaozu was the posthumous title he was granted as the founder of the Chen Dynasty (557-589 C.E.). The area he was from was in what is today Zhejiang Province.
[8] The full title of this text is the Unified Gazetteer of the Great Qing [Da Qing yitong zhi].
[9] The Shuowen is the Shuowen jiezi, a dictionary completed by Xu Shen in 100 C.E.
[10] See Shangshu, Yue ming zhong.
[11] Huaishuo was in the area of what is today Inner Mongolia.
[12] The character for “cát” in these earlier and later names sounds the same but is written differently.
[13] The character for “nha” is different in this second name, but it is pronounced the same.
[14] The two characters for “Đại” are different, but are pronounced the same.
[15] These are places in what is today Shaanxi Province.
[16] Shannan Circuit covered an area which included parts of what are today the provinces of Henan, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Hubei.
[17] This is referring to an area which is now in Guangxi Province.
[18] The text here actually has the beginning year as a kỷ mão year. That is incorrect, and has been changed here.
[19] Parts of these first two sentences closely follow a Warring States period military text, the Six Strategies [Liutao].
[20] This is a line from a poem from the Tang period by Cao Su called the “Jihai Year” [Jihai sui].
[21] “Man” means “savage.” The “Lý” were considered to be a similar group.
[22] Yu Region was in the area of what is today Jiangsu Province, whereas Qin Region was in the area of present-day Guangdong Province.
[23] This was in the area of what is today Hebei Province.
[24] Today this character is pronounced “cảnh/jing.”
[25] The text mentioned here is Phan Huy Chú’s early-nineteenth-century Catologed Records of the Institutions of Successive Dynasties [Lịch triều hiến chương loại chí].
[26] The note is actually under the fourth year of the Putong era [523 C.E.; TB 3/33a].
[27] The “old regions” mentioned here and in some of the following notes refer to regions (bộ/bu) that were supposedly established by the Hùng Kings, and not to regions (châu/zhou) which were established by Chinese administrations.
[28] Xu Region was in the area of present-day Jiangsu Province, and Ji Region was in the area of what is today Shanxi Province.
[29] The characters here for “Tiên” and “You” are different from the ones in the old history, but are pronounced the same.
[30] What I have translated as “south of the sea” is “hainan.” That usually refers to the island of “Hainan,” but that does not seem realistic here.
[31] Luo Region was in the area of what is today Guangdong Province.
[32] Jiangling was a district in the area of present-day Hubei Province.
[33] The Account of Foreign Kingdoms [Waiguo zhuan] was compiled by Kang Tai and Zhu Ying in the third century. It is cited in Li Fang et al.’s tenth-century Imperially Reviewed Encyclopaedia of the Taiping Era [Taiping Yulan].
[34] The full title of this text is Documents on the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Commanderies and Principalities of the Empire [Tianxia junguo libing shu] and was compiled by Gu Yanwu in the seventeenth century.
[35] There is no such note.
[36] Tiêm La/Xianluo and Diến Điện/Miandian refer to Siam and Burma, respectively.
[37] Giang Lưu Ba/Jiangliubo and Ma Lục Giáp/Maliujia are Singapore and Melaka, respectively. I am not sure if Tất Lực/Bili, Hạ Liêu/Xialiao are places, or if they could be read to mean “‘through effort the subsidiary’ areas of . . . have all been occupied by Westerners.”
[38] Wuding was in the area of what is now Yunnan Province.
[39] Wei Region was in the area of what is today Hebei Province.
[40] It is difficult to fully grasp the connotations of the titles mentioned in this passage. The title, “lord of the metropolis” (đô quân/doujun) is a term which was used in antiquity to refer to vassal lords, but it was also a (rather uncommon) reference to an emperor. What I have translated as “protector of the metropolis” (đô bảo/doubao) appears to be an invented term. That said, the title which was given to Phùng Hưng’s son, “lord of the military commission” (đô phủ quân/dufu jun), complicates our understanding of the above terms. Mention of this final title makes one wonder if Phùng Hưng’s title of “lord of the metropolis” (đô quân/doujun) was an abbreviated form of “lord of the military commission” (đô phủ quân/dufu jun).
[41] Tianshui was the name of a district in the area of what is now Jiangxi Province.
[42] This is incorrect. This second character was pronounced “xung/chong.” This character does not have a particular meaning. Sometimes another character, pronounced the same way but meaning “to attack,” was used in its place. This second character is used in the following sentence to explain the meaning of this name.
[43] This is not what is recorded in the New History of the Tang [Xin Tangshu]. There it states that Hoàn Vương/Huanwang was a kingdom; “Huangwang is Linyi. It is also called Zhambulao and Zhampo.” Xin Tangshu, Liezhuan 147 xia, Nanman xia, Huanwang.
[44] Qian Region was in the area of what is now Jiangxi Province.
[45] This was in the area of what is today Hunan Province.
[46] From this point onward, following Hucker, I will stop translating “châu/zhou” as “region” and start translating it as “prefecture.” The title of the rulers of this administrative unit, “thứ sử/cishi,” will now be translated as “prefects” instead of “regional inspectors.”
[47] This was the name of a commandery in the area of what is today Shaanxi Province.
[48] This is a reference to a Yuan-era work compiled by Wang Youxue, the Zizhi tongjian gangmu jilan [Overview of the itemized summaries of the comprehensive mirror for aid in government].
[49] Jiannan Circuit was in the area of what is today Sichuan Province.
[50] Qiulong was also known as Shilong.
[51] The text contains a typo here. Wang Shi’s position was military commissioner (jinglueshi). The text adds two additional characters to the middle of this title thereby creating a title which did not exist (jinglue duhushi).
[52] Jin Prefecture was in the area of what is today Hebei Province.
[53] In the New History of the Tang [Xin Tangshu], which is cited above, this type of wood is called “shao.” In the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government [Zizhi tongjian] it is called “tiao.”
[54] The Miscellaneous Records from the Green Chest [Qingxiang zaji] was compiled by Wu Chuhou in the eleventh century.
[55] This person’s name was Song Yai, not Zhu Yai.
[56] Cao Miên refers to Cambodia, and Nam Kỳ, what is today the southern third of Vietnam.
[57] Zhedong refers to part of present-day Zhejiang Province. The text actually erroneously has this as “Xidong.”
[58] Wu Prefecture was in what is today Hunan Province.