釋鑑稽古略續集 1.229

1.229

張士誠　白駒場人。為鹽綱司牙儈。資性輕財好施頗得眾心。見諸處兵起。與其弟士信士德。聚眾起兵。陷泰州殺知府李齊。因乘間呼噪入城。官吏倉卒遁走。即據高陲稱王。國號周。建元天祐。將兵攻陷平江松江常州諸路。地廣兵強遂為勍敵。戰爭始于此。

Zhang Shicheng was a man of Baijuchang. He had been a broker in the Salt Distribution Commission. Being generous with wealth and fond of giving by nature, he won the hearts of the multitude. Seeing troops rising in rebellion in various places, he and his younger brothers Shixin and Shide assembled followers and raised troops. They captured Taizhou and killed the prefect Li Qi. Taking advantage of the turmoil, they clamored into the city while the officials fled in haste. Thereupon he occupied Gaoyou, declared himself king, named his state Zhou, and established the reign era Tianyou. Leading troops, he attacked and took the various circuits of Pingjiang, Songjiang, and Changzhou. With his territory broadened and his troops strengthened, he became a formidable adversary. Warfare began with this.