Early life

Shi Le was born in 274—but was not named Shi Le, and certainly not with the family name Shi, as it appeared that the Jie did not use family names at the time. His likely original name is Bèi (㔨); one other possible original name was Fule (匐勒). His grandfather, named Yeyiyu (耶奕于), and his father, named Zhouhezhu (周曷朱), were minor Jie chiefs, and their tribe traditionally lived in Bing Province (并州, modern Shanxi). Shi grew up in Wuxiang (武乡, in modern Jinzhong, Shanxi).

In 303 or 304, Bing Province suffered a major famine, and the Jie tribes were seriously affected. Shi Le's tribe spread out and became refugees. Shi and many other Jie and Xiongnu men were captured by Jin officials and sold as slaves. Eventually, he was sold to a man named Shi Huan (师欢), but Shi Huan freed him after becoming impressed with his talents. Eventually, he became a leader of bandits, and at one point he befriended Ji Sang, one of Sima Ying the Prince of Chengdu's military commanders. Sima Ying was then stationed at Yecheng and was the most powerful of the Jin imperial princes.

After Sima Ying briefly served as crown prince in 304, he was forced to flee with his brother Emperor Hui to the capital Luoyang and was deposed by Sima Yong the Prince of Hejian. Many of his subordinates, including Ji and Gongsun Fan (公孙藩), deserted, and Gongsun eventually started a rebellion with the stated goal of restoring Sima Ying. Ji and Shi both joined the rebellion—and it was only at that time that Ji gave his friend the family name "Shi" and personal name "Le." After Gongsun was subsequently defeated and killed, Ji became leader of the rebellion and made Shi his key general—now with the goal of avenging Sima Ying, who was forced to commit suicide in 306. However, their rebellion, while briefly successful in capturing Yecheng in 307 and killing Sima Teng (司马腾) the Prince of Xincai, ultimately was defeated in the winter of that year, and Shi instead joined Liu Yuan, an ethnically Xiongnu former Sima Ying subordinate who had by now declared independence from Jin and established his own state Han Zhao. Liu Yuan made him a general.

As Han Zhao general

As commander of a roving army

For the next few years, Shi led his roving band, which he appeared to have largely recruited himself, throughout central China, losing few battles but largely interested in pillaging and not in holding territory. From the beginning, though, Shi showed willingness to accept learned men into his army to serve as advisors and officers, unlike many other agrarian revolt leaders, and he gained many followers, mostly from the Jie and other non-Han ethnicities, but including some Han as well. After Liu Yuan's death in 310, Shi continued to submit to the authority of Liu Yuan's son and successor Liu Cong.

In summer 311, Shi's prestige and power increased greatly when he was able to utterly defeat the largest Jin force remaining in central China. The Jin regent Sima Yue the Prince of Donghai had died earlier that year, and the large force that he commanded was trying to escort his funeral train back to his principality of Donghai (roughly modern Linyi, Shandong). Shi Le intercepted them at Ku (苦县, in modern Zhoukou, Henan), and while the Jin force was much larger than his, Shi's force was mostly cavalry, and it surrounded and disrupted the procession of the Jin force so that it stampeded itself into oblivion. The many Jin princes and officials were captured by Shi, and Shi executed them all. Shi, from that point on, became a feared general.

In summer 311, several major Han Zhao generals, including Shi, Huyan Yan, Liu Yao, and Wang Mi, converged on the Jin capital Luoyang, which had been left defenseless by Sima Yue. Without major resistance, the capital fell, and Emperor Huai of Jin was captured and later executed. Later that year, Shi captured the powerful Jin general Gou Xi (苟晞) and assassinated fellow Han Zhao general Wang, merging their forces with his own. As Shi's army grew, he increasingly trusted his young distant nephew Shi Hu as a general, and under the violent but talented Shi Hu, Shi Le's army became known for its cruel treatment of civilians but was also whipped into shape, rarely losing battles.

In spring 312, though, Shi Le, preparing to have his army cross the Yangtze River to attack Jianye, then under the control of the Jin general Sima Rui the Prince of Langye, encountered difficulties as his army was trapped in the rain. Fearful that Jin forces were going to attack, Shi's key advisor Diao Ying (刁膺) suggested promising to submit to Sima Rui. Another advisor Zhang Bin disagreed, noting that Shi had dealt Jin too much damage previously to be able to submit to them. Instead, he advised Shi to retreat north—noting that Jin forces were so fearful of him that they would not likely attack—and that he should capture a defensible city to serve as headquarters so that he could start to hold and increase his territory. Under Zhang's advice, Shi, later that year, captured Xiangguo (襄国, in modern Xintai, Hebei) and made it his headquarters. He became increasingly reliant on Zhang for advice, and he respected Zhang so much that he no longer referred to him by name.

After settlement in Xiangguo

In early 313, Wang Jun, the Jin governor of Youzhou (modern Beijing, Tianjin, and northern Hebei), allied with the Xianbei Duan chief Duan Jilujuan (段疾陆眷) the Duke of Liaoxi, made a major assault on Xiangguo, the defense of which had not yet been completed. Shi's general Kong Chang, however, made a surprise attack against Duan forces, capturing Duan Jilujuan's cousin Duan Mopei (段末柸). Most of Shi's generals wanted to execute Duan Mopei, but instead Shi treated Duan Mopei with courtesy and returned him to Duan forces. The Duan then withdrew and began to disassociate themselves from Wang. Subsequent to this battle, Shi began to use Xiangguo as a base of operations and gradually took increasingly larger pieces of territory under his control—still under Han Zhao's name, but acting independently. As it became increasingly clear that Liu Cong, who was talented but violent and wasteful, had become distracted by sensual pleasures and was not able to make Han Zhao into an efficient state, Shi began to act even more independently.

In early 314, Shi considered plans to destroy the still powerful Wang. Knowing that Wang long had dreams of becoming an emperor, since he believed that his name was prophesied as one for an emperor, Shi pretended to be ready to submit to him and offered him the imperial throne. Wang, trusting Shi's intentions, no longer defended against him. Several months later, Shi, under the guise of offering tribute, made a surprise attack on Wang's headquarters in Ji (蓟, in modern Beijing), capturing and executing Wang. (However, at this time Shi was unable to hold You Province permanently, and it fell into the hand of the Duan chief Duan Pidi, still loyal to Jin.) In fall 315, Liu Cong officially granted Shi imperial authority in the eastern empire, formalizing Shi's hold on his domain.

In early 317, Shi defeated the Jin governor of Bing Province, Liu Kun, who had previously posed a major threat to Han Zhao, and took Bing Province under his control, forcing Liu to flee to You Province to join Duan.

In 318, Liu Cong died and was succeeded by his son Liu Can. Shortly after, however, Liu Can was killed by his father-in-law Jin Zhun in a coup, and Jin slaughtered all members of the imperial Liu household in the capital Pingyang (平阳, in modern Linfen, Shanxi). Both Shi and Liu Yao, a cousin of Liu Cong, led their armies against Jin Zhun. Liu Yao declared himself emperor, and Shi decided, at that time, to submit to Liu Yao's authority. Liu Yao created him the Duke of Zhao. Subsequently, Jin Zhun, with his forces under pressure from two sides, was assassinated and succeeded by his cousin Jin Ming (靳明), who abandoned Pingyang and surrendered to Liu Yao. Shi entered the capital but did not occupy it. Shi Le burned palaces in Pingyang. With the capital heavily damaged by the coup and the subsequent battles, Liu Yao moved the capital to Chang'an.

In early 319, Shi sent a delegation to pay tribute to Liu Yao. Liu Yao was very pleased, and made Shi the Prince of Zhao. However, subsequently, Liu Yao became suspicious that Shi was about to rebel, so killed Shi's lead delegate. Shi became angry, and later that year declared independence under the title of Prince of Zhao. (Because Liu Yao, also in 319, changed the formal name of his state from Han to Zhao, Shi's state became known as Later Zhao.)

Independence and reign as Prince of Zhao

For the first several years of his independence, Shi concentrated on annexing remaining pockets of Jin power in northern and central China. Later in 319, he attacked and defeated Duan Pidi, seizing You Province, and Duan was forced to flee to join Shao Xu the Jin governor of Ji Province (冀州, normally referring to central Hebei, but now only with control of northwestern Shandong). In 320, Shi Le sent Shi Hu and Kong Chang against Shao, capturing him. For a while longer, Duan served as the leader of the Jin forces remaining in Ji Province, but in 321, Shi Hu captured him as well. The only remaining point of Jin power north of the Yellow River became the Xianbei chief Murong Hui the Duke of Liaodong, who claimed Jin vassal status but was acting fairly independently in controlling the modern Liaoning. Shi, however, reached a stalemate to the south with the Jin governor of Yu Province (豫州, modern eastern Henan and northwestern Anhui) Zu Ti, and eventually the sides reached an informal détente with the Yellow River serving as the border, leading to peace and trade relations. After Zu's death in 321, however, Later Zhao forces began to again attack Jin, gradually capturing Jin territory between the Yellow River and the Huai River.

In 322, Zhang Bin died—and Shi lamented at the time that Zhang's death might prevent him from completing greater things.

In 323, Shi Hu attacked Cao Ni -- a general occupying modern Shandong who vacillated between being a Jin vassal and a Han Zhao vassal but acting independently—capturing him and annexing his domain into Later Zhao control.

In 324, Later Zhao and Han Zhao began actively engaging each other, and for the next several years, they would wage war against each other bitterly, fighting over both their border territory and the parts of territory near the Yellow River still under Jin control. In 325, Shi Hu would defeat the Han Zhao general Liu Yue (刘岳), seizing the entire Luoyang region, which had previously been under split Jin and Han Zhao control, for Later Zhao.

In 328, however, Han Zhao fought back, and forces under Liu Yao's personal command defeated Shi Hu's forces and surrounded Luoyang. Shi Le personally led his force to aid Luoyang, engaging Liu Yao in battle and capturing him. He initially treated Liu Yao with some respect and ordered Liu Yao to order his crown prince Liu Xi to surrender, but when Liu Yao refused, Shi executed him. Liu Xi, in fear of Later Zhao forces, abandoned the Han Zhao capital Chang'an and retreated to Shanggui (上邽, in modern Tianshui, Gansu) with his brother Liu Yin. In fall 328, Liu Yin tried to lead Han Zhao forces to recapture Chang'an, but Shi Hu defeated him, and subsequently marched on Shanggui, capturing it and killing Liu Xi, Liu Yin, and the other Han Zhao nobles, ending Han Zhao. The former Han Zhao territory became Later Zhao possessions.

As emperor

In 330, Shi Le assumed the title "Heavenly King" (Tian Wang) and made his wife Lady Liu the queen and his son Shi Hong the crown prince; he granted another son, Shi Hong (石宏, note different character) the Prince of Qin the title "Grand Chanyu," as official leader of the five nomadic tribes (collectively called in Ch. Wu Hu) under his rule. This drew secret ire from Shi Hu, who felt that as the general who contributed the most to Shi Le's campaign successes, he should have been the crown prince or at least Grand Chanyu and was not satisfied with his title as the Prince of Zhongshan. Later that year, Shi assumed the title of emperor and made Princess Liu the empress.

Shi Le, not realizing Shi Hu's intentions, still trusted Shi Hu greatly, despite warnings from his advisors Cheng Xia (the brother of Crown Prince Hong's mother Consort Cheng) and Xu Guang, who advised him to gradually strip Shi Hu's powers and transfer them to Shi Hong. In 332, Shi Le did transfer some of Shi Hu's authority to Shi Hong and the eunuch Yan Zhen (严震), but this only served to aggravate Shi Hu.

In 333, Shi Le grew ill, and Shi Hu, during Shi Le's illness, began to put his sons in command of armies, preparing for a coup. When Shi Le died in the fall, Shi Hu immediately seized power in a coup, killing Cheng and Xu. Apparently pursuant to Shi Le's directions, he was secretly buried at a location unknown publicly, and an empty casket was instead buried in a grand ceremony at an imperial tomb. Shi Hu made Shi Hong take the throne, but would depose Shi Hong in 334 and seize the throne himself. Shi Le's descendants would all die at Shi Hu's hands.

Era names

• Zhaowang ("Prince of Zhao") (赵王 zhào wáng) 319–328

• Taihe (太和 taì hé) 328–330

• Jianping (建平 jiàn píng) 330–333

Personal information

• Father

　• Zhouhezhu (周曷朱), also named Qiyijia (乞翼加), minor Jie tribal chief.

• Mother

　• Lady Wang.

• Wife

　• Empress Liu (became the Empress in 330, deposed and killed by Shi Hu 333).

• Major Concubines

　• Consort Cheng, sister of Cheng Xia (程遐), mother of Crown Prince Hong.

• Children

　• Shi Xing (石兴), the original heir apparent, died sometime before 319

　• Shi Hong (石弘, note the different character from his brother's name), the Crown Prince (330), later emperor

　• Shi Hong (石宏, note the different character from his brother's name), the Prince of Qin (330, executed by Shi Hu 335)

　• Shi Hui (石恢), the Prince of Nanyang (330, executed by Shi Hu 335)

出身

石勒出身羯胡，为南匈奴羌渠人。其祖先为匈奴分支部落的贵族。石勒原没有汉文姓名，其姓与名皆是由牧人汲桑所起。

羯人的起源不详，可能起源自小月氏，而历史学家陈寅恪认为可能起源于中亚康居。

生平

石勒壮健有胆量和魄力，雄健威武，更喜爱骑射。父亲周曷朱为部落小帅，因性格粗暴凶恶而不被一众胡人心服，常命石勒代他领导部众，却得众人信赖。当时相士和父老都称石勒相貌奇特，气度非常，前途无可限量，劝邑中人厚待他。但大部份人对这说法都嗤之以鼻，唯独郭敬和甯驱相信，更加借资源给他，石勒亦感恩，尽心为他耕作。

太安二年（303年），并州发生大饥荒，石勒与一众胡人逃散，于是去依靠甯驱。当时北泽都尉刘监打算将他卖掉，幸得甯驱协助才没有成事。之后石勒暗中改投都尉李川，路上遇见郭敬，于是向他哭诉饥寒之苦。郭敬听后伤心流涕，送他衣服和食物。当时石勒向郭敬建议诱一众胡人到冀州吃粮，藉故卖掉他们换取金钱，既可解诸胡饥困，亦能获利。而同时建威将军阎粹说服并州刺史司马腾迁诸胡到太行山以东地区贩卖，以获得军事资本，于是司马腾就派人到冀州捕捉一众胡人，连石勒都被抓著。当时负责捕捉胡人的张隆多次殴打石勒，而且路上常有人饥饿或病倒，石勒全靠郭敬亲族郭阳和郭时的资助才成功到冀州。到冀州后石勒被卖给师欢为奴，师欢却因其仪表堂堂，气质出众，让他做了自己的佃客。

当时师欢家在牧苑侧，石勒于是与牧帅汲桑往来，更以自己有相马的能力而自荐给汲桑。后结集王阳、夔安、支雄、冀保、吴豫、刘膺、桃豹、逯明、郭敖、刘徵、张曀仆、呼延莫、郭黑略、张越、孔豚、赵鹿、支屈六十八个壮士一同号称为「十八骑」，并与他们抢掠园林，以财宝巴结汲桑。

纵兵河北

永兴二年（305年），成都王司马颖被河间王司马顒废去官位和皇太弟身份，因司马颖曾镇邺城，很多河北人都可怜司马颖的遭遇。司马颖旧将公师藩于是自称将军，以司马颖之名在赵、魏之间举兵，聚众数万，汲桑与石勒亦率数百骑师附公师藩。此时，汲桑才命石勒以石为姓，以勒为名。公师藩则拜石勒为前队督，并与他进攻守邺城的平昌公司马模，却被苟晞、丁绍和司马模部将冯嵩击败。次年，公师藩在白马县打算南渡黄河，被苟晞击杀。

公师藩死后，石勒与汲桑逃回茌平牧苑，石勒被汲桑命为伏夜牙门，率领牧人劫掠郡县的囚犯，又招纳潜居山间的亡命之徙。汲桑于是在永嘉元年（307年）自称大将军，声称要为上一年被杀的司马颖报仇。汲桑以石勒为前驱，屡次取胜，于是署石勒为讨虏将军、忠明亭侯。石勒即随汲桑进攻邺城，担任前锋都督，大破冯嵩，并且长驱直进，于五月攻陷邺城。汲桑在邺城杀司马腾和万多个兵民，焚毁邺城宫室和抢掠城中妇女珍宝后才离开。

石勒及后又跟汲桑进攻幽州刺史石鲜。石勒在乐陵击杀石鲜后又击败率五万兵营救石鲜的乞活军将领田禋，并与苟晞相持于平原、阳平之间数月，期间发生三十多场战事，互有胜负，迫使太傅司马越率兵在官渡为苟晞声援。石勒和汲桑于九月大败给苟晞，于是收拾馀众，打算投奔刘渊建立的汉国，但又于赤桥败于冀州刺史丁绍，石勒于是逃到乐平。后汲桑更在乐陵被晋兵所杀。

石勒投汉国后，于十月就成功让据守上党的㔨督和冯莫突归降汉国，刘渊于是封石勒为辅汉将军、平晋王。后又因据守乐平的乌桓人张伏利度不肯加盟汉国，石勒于是假称得罪刘渊而投奔张伏利度，并与他结为兄弟，与其胡人部众一同抢掠郡县，所向无敌，于是众人畏服。石勒在众人心附自己后乘宴会抓著张伏利度，让部众推举自己为主。石勒后释放张伏利度而率领其部众归附汉国。刘渊于是加石勒为督山东征讨诸军事，并让这些胡人部众跟随他。

侵扰(古代)|山东

刘渊派兵向外扩张，于永嘉二年（308年），派石勒领兵东侵。石勒于九月攻陷邺城，征北将军和郁逃走。十月刘渊称帝，授予使持节，平东大将军。不久石勒又率三万进攻魏郡、汲郡和顿丘，五十多个由当地人集结的壁垒望风归附，于是获假垒主将军、都尉印绶。后更杀魏郡太守王粹和冀州西部都尉冯冲，并击败杀害乞活军将领赦亭和田禋。刘渊于是授予石勒安东大将军、开府。石勒于永嘉三年（309年）进攻钜鹿和常山，部众增加至十多万人，更有文士加入，以他们成立「君子营」，石勒以汉人张宾为谋主，刁膺、张敬为股肱。因军事力量强大，在石勒派张斯游说之下，并州的胡羯大多亦跟从石勒。

刘渊之后派兵进攻壶关，石勒后被任命为前锋都督，击破刘琨派来救援壶关的军队，助汉国攻陷壶关。九月，晋司空王浚派祁弘与段务勿尘在飞龙山进攻石勒，石勒大败，退屯黎阳，但仍能分派诸将攻打未及叛变的部众，收降三十多个壁垒，并置守宰安抚。十一月，石勒进攻信都，杀害冀州刺史王斌。当时，王浚命裴整和王堪领兵讨伐石勒，石勒于是立刻回军抵御。石勒到黎阳后，裴宪抛弃军队逃到淮南，王堪则退守仓垣。刘渊于是授命石勒为镇东大将军，封汲郡公，石勒辞让封爵。

永嘉四年（310年），石勒南渡黄河，攻陷白马后与王弥一同进攻徐、豫、兖三州。不久更攻下鄄城和仓垣，并北渡黄河进攻冀州诸军，投降他的平民多达九万多人。及后又协助刘聪等人进攻河内，并进攻冠军将军梁巨，晋怀帝派兵援救。梁巨因兵败请降，石勒不许，最终坑杀万多名降卒并杀死梁巨，援兵亦退还。此战战果使得河北各个自守的堡垒都震惊，纷纷送人质到石勒处。同年刘渊逝世，刘聪杀兄刘和继位，任命石勒为征东大将军、并州刺史、汲郡公。石勒这次辞让征东大将军。随后便会合刘粲、刘曜、王弥大军进攻洛阳，直入洛川。石勒又进攻仓垣，但被守将王赞击败。

转攻荆州

石勒后来改攻南阳，早前在荆州叛变的雍州流民王如、侯脱和严嶷等都感到恐惧，于是派了一万兵屯守襄城以作抵抗。但石勒到后击败守军并将部众全数俘虏，进驻宛城以北。当时侯脱据有宛城而王如守穰县，王如怕石勒进攻，于是以珍宝贿赂石勒，与他结为兄弟；同时又因王如与侯脱不睦，于是劝石勒进攻侯脱。严嶷知道石勒攻宛后领兵救援，但石勒十二日便攻陷宛城，严嶷赶不及而直接向石勒投降。石勒诛杀侯脱，囚禁严嶷，吞并了二人部众，军力愈为强盛。

石勒于是进一步南侵，进攻襄阳并循汉水攻陷三十多个处于江西的壁垒。石勒留刁膺守襄阳后就率三万精锐骑兵还攻王如，但因怕王如强盛，于是改攻襄城。王如知道后就命弟弟王璃率兵，假称犒军而袭击石勒，但遭石勒击灭。石勒至此有雄据长江、汉水一带的意愿，张宾虽然反对并劝他北归但都不听。

永嘉五年（311年），驻镇建业的琅琊王司马睿见石勒南侵荆州，于是派王导率兵讨伐。而石勒军粮不继，更加因疫症损失大半士兵。石勒于是接纳张宾建议，焚毁辎重，收好粮食和卷起盔甲，轻兵渡过沔水并进攻江夏，然后北归，先攻陷新蔡，杀新蔡王司马确，后再攻陷许昌。

永嘉之乱

永嘉五年（311年）三月，率领行台和二十多万晋兵讨伐石勒的司马越死在项县，大军于是在王衍及襄阳王司马范带领下护送司马越灵柩回东海国。四月，石勒率轻骑追击晋军，终在苦县宁平城追上大军，并杀败王衍所派的将军钱端。晋兵在钱端败死后溃败，被石勒包围并射杀，士兵在混乱中互相践踏，全军覆没。石勒诛杀包括王衍以内随行的官员和西晋宗室。不久石勒在洧仓追上司马越世子司马毗由洛阳东归的部众，又将司马毗及宗室王等人杀害。

随后，刘聪派呼延晏率大军进攻洛阳，石勒领三万骑兵到洛阳与大军会合，攻陷洛阳，俘虏晋怀帝。战后石勒将战功归于王弥和刘曜，于出屯许昌。七月，石勒领兵攻晋大将军苟晞所驻蒙城，生擒苟晞并任用为左司马。刘聪于是以石勒为幽州牧。

苟晞被擒后，王弥写了一封言辞卑屈的书信祝贺石勒，同时又知道王弥忌惮自己，打算引自己到青州然后杀害。石勒于是听从张宾的建议：乘王弥当时兵力减弱而消灭他。不久石勒就听从张宾的建议，率兵救援与乞活军相持不下的王弥以换取王弥的信任，随后就借宴会的机会袭杀王弥，吞并了他的部众，并假称王弥谋反。刘聪知道石勒杀王弥后大怒，但又因怕他生了异心而不敢处罚，反而加授镇东大将军、督并、幽二州诸军事、领并州刺史。

后来晋并州刺史刘琨将早年与石勒失散的石勒生母以及侄儿石虎送返，并授予侍中、车骑大将军、领护匈奴中郎将、襄城郡公给石勒以作招降。但石勒拒绝，仅厚待刘琨使者和送名马及珍宝给刘琨以作谢礼。

图攻建业

永嘉六年（312年），石勒在葛陂建屋宇，推广耕作，营造船只，打算攻略建业。但当年正遇上连绵三个月的大雨，司马睿知道石勒的行动后更招集江南的兵众会聚寿春以作抵御。石勒军中缺粮和有疫症，大量士兵死亡，而且多次收到来自司马睿的讨伐文告，似乎即将攻来，于是召集众人讨论。最后石勒接纳张宾的建议，放弃留驻南方而北据邺城三台，经营河北，并以该处作根据地发展势力。

石勒于是先将辎重北归，又派石虎领兵攻寿春以防晋军追击辎重，最终晋兵虽然击败石虎，但仍因怕石勒有伏兵而只驻守寿春。然而石勒北归时经过地方都坚壁清野，石勒试图掠取物资都一无所获，于是军中有大饥荒，士兵相食。到东燕郡时因引诱当地建壁垒自守的向冰并成功在棘津击败向冰的军队，从而获得军需品，重振军力，得以长驱直进，向邺城进发。

驻镇襄国

守邺城的晋北中郎将刘演知道石勒将来攻击就加紧守城，然而其部将临深和牟穆率部众向石勒投降。石勒诸将当时打算强攻邺城，但是张宾认为刘演仍能倚仗邺城三台而负隅顽抗，强攻未必能轻易夺取，反而暂时放弃攻取能让刘演自己溃败。于是建议石勒先消灭大司马、领幽州刺史王浚和并州刺史刘琨这两个大敌，并提出邯郸和襄国两处作为取邺城前的临时根据地。石勒听从，率军进据襄国。

石勒驻镇襄国后，就上表刘聪陈述驻镇当地的意图，又分遣诸将进攻冀州各郡县的垒壁，使他们大多都归附，并运粮给石勒。刘聪收到上表后署石勒为使持节、散骑常侍、都督冀幽并营四州杂夷、征讨诸军事、冀州牧，进封上党郡公，开府、幽州牧、东夷校尉如故。

消灭王浚

石勒后进攻王浚将领游纶、张豺所驻的苑乡，遭王浚派兵联同段部鲜卑的段疾陆眷、段末柸和段匹磾所率部众共五万多人前来讨伐。石勒屡次败于段疾陆眷，更发现对方打算攻城，在张宾及孔苌的建言下，石勒在北城城内设立二十多道突门，并在门内藏伏兵；期间不出战以示弱，待对方松懈来攻时，突门中的伏兵出击，出其不意。石勒最终因而成功生擒段部鲜卑中最勇悍的段末柸，逼得段疾陆眷退兵。石勒之后派使者向段疾陵眷求和，并与其结为兄弟。随著段疾陆眷退兵，王浚军不能独留，石勒于是解除了危机。同时，石勒厚待并送还段末柸的行动令他归心于石勒，削弱了一直支持著王浚的鲜卑力量。游纶、张豺在战后也向石勒请藩。

建兴元年（313年），石勒派石虎攻陷邺城，当地流人都向石勒归降。石勒后又派孔苌攻定陵，杀兖州刺史田徽，王浚所任的青州刺史薄盛归降石勒，山东地区各个郡县相继被石勒夺取，刘聪于是升石勒为侍中、征东大将军。一直支持王浚的乌桓也背叛王浚，暗中归附石勒，使得王浚势力更弱。

永嘉之乱后，王浚就假立太子，设立行台，自置百官，更打算自立为帝，骄奢淫虐。石勒打算消灭王浚，吞并其势力，张宾建议石勒假意投降王浚。石勒于是卑屈的向王浚请降归附，在王浚使者来时特意让弱兵示人，并且故作卑下，接受王浚的书信时朝北向使者下拜和朝夕下拜王浚送来的尘尾，更假称见尘尾如见王浚；又派人向王浚声称想亲至幽州支持王浚称帝。王浚于是完全相信石勒的忠诚。然而，石勒一直派去作为使者的王子春却为石勒刺探了王浚的虚实，让石勒做好充足准备。

建兴二年（314年），石勒正式进兵攻打王浚，乘夜行军至柏人县，接受张宾的建议，利用王浚和刘琨的积怨，写信并送人质向刘琨请和，声称要为他消灭王浚。因此刘琨最终都没有救援王浚，乐见王浚被石勒所灭。石勒一直进军至幽州治所蓟县，先以送王浚礼物为由驱赶数千头牛羊入城，阻塞道路，之后更纵容士兵入城抢掠，并捕捉王浚，数落王浚不忠于晋室，残害忠良的罪行。石勒命将领王洛生押解王浚到襄国处斩，又尽杀王浚手下精兵万人，擢用裴宪和荀绰为官属。石勒留蓟两日后就焚毁王浚宫殿，留刘翰守城而返。

石勒回到襄国后将王浚首级送给刘聪，刘聪于是任命石勒为大都督、督陕东诸军事、骠骑大将军、东单于，并增封二郡。刘聪更与建兴三年（315年）赐石勒弓矢，加崇为陕东伯，专掌征伐，他所拜授的刺史、将军、守宰、列侯每年将名字及官职上呈就可，又以石勒长子石兴为上党国世子。

攻陷并州

建兴四年（316年），石勒率兵在玷城围困晋乐平太守韩据，韩据向刘琨求援。刘琨因不久以前代国内乱而获得拓跋猗庐旧部箕澹及衞雄率代国晋人和乌桓人加入而大大强化了军力，于是打算藉此讨伐石勒，因此不顾箕澹和衞雄的劝阻，动用所有军力，派箕澹率二万作前锋，自己则进屯广牧为箕澹声援。石勒以箕澹部众远道而来而筋疲力竭，而且乌合之众，号令不齐，不难应付，决意迎击。石勒于是在山中设下伏兵，自己率兵与箕澹作战，然后向北退兵引箕澹深入，与伏兵夹击箕澹而大败对方，箕澹北逃到代郡而韩据则弃城奔刘琨。此战震动并州，守著治所阳曲的刘琨长史李弘竟以并州投降石勒，使得刘琨进退失据，唯有投奔幽州刺史段匹磾。

讨平内乱

太兴元年（318年），刘聪患病，徵石勒为大将军、录尚书事，受遗诏辅政，但石勒不受。刘聪于是又命石勒为大将军、持节钺，都督等如故，并增封十郡，又不受。不久刘聪死，太子刘粲继位后不久便被靳准所杀，自称汉天王。石勒于是命张敬率五千兵作前锋，自己亲率五万兵讨伐靳准。石勒进据襄陵北原，羌羯四万多个部落向石勒投降，靳准数度挑战都不能攻破石勒的防御。十月刘曜北上讨伐靳准，并于赤壁（今山西河津县西北赤石川）即位为帝，任命石勒为大司马、大将军，加九锡，增封十郡，进爵为赵公。

随后石勒进攻首都平阳，各族共十多万部落都向石勒投降。十一月，靳准派卜泰向石勒请和，石勒将使者囚禁后送交刘曜，以示城内并无归附刘曜之意。但刘曜却由卜泰为他传话，劝靳准迎接他到平阳。靳准考虑未决，于十二月被靳康等人所杀，推靳明为主，向刘曜请降。石勒见靳氏不向自己归降，大怒，率军进攻靳明，靳明出战但被击败，于是闭门自守。不久石虎与石勒会合，共攻平阳，靳明向刘曜求救，刘曜派兵迎靳明出城。石勒则进平阳城，焚毁平阳宫室，迁城内浑仪、乐器到襄国，留兵戍守后返回襄国。

建立后赵

太兴二年（319年）二月，石勒派左长史王修献捷报给刘曜，刘曜于是授予石勒太宰、领大将军，进爵赵王，并加一系列特殊礼待，如同昔日曹操辅东汉的先例。刘曜让王修返回襄国后，石勒舍人曹平乐却对刘曜说王修前来的的目的是要探刘曜的虚实，王修返回报告后，石勒就会进袭刘曜。当时刘曜实力的确大为损耗，听到曹平乐的话后十分害怕王修会向石勒报告他的虚实，于是追还王修并杀害王修，原本授予石勒的官位、封爵及礼遇亦搁置。王修副手刘茂却成功逃脱，到石勒于三月回到襄国时就报告王修之死，石勒大怒：「我事奉刘氏，尽心做得比起人臣的本份更有馀了。他们的基业都是我打下来的，今日得志了竟想来谋算我。赵王、赵帝，我自己也能给自己，哪用得著由他们赐予！」自此与前赵结了仇怨。

当年十一月，石勒称大将军、大单于、领冀州牧、赵王，于襄国即赵王位，正式建立后赵，称赵王元年。

吞并冀幽

虽然石勒于建兴二年（314年）杀害王浚，取得蓟县，但不久石勒所命驻守蓟县的刘翰背叛石勒而归附段匹磾，段匹磾于是进据蓟县。然而，因段匹磾多次与段末柸相攻，又于太兴元年（318年）杀死刘琨，使得大批胡人和汉人投奔邵续、段末柸或石勒，导致实力大减。段匹磾于次年因石勒将领孔苌进攻幽州，不能自立，因而投奔晋冀州刺史邵续还据有的厌次。至太兴三年（320年）段末柸再击败段匹磾，段匹磾与邵续联手追击段末柸并击败他，随后就与弟弟段文鸯北攻段末柸弟弟驻守的蓟城。此时，石勒知道邵续势孤，于是派石虎进攻厌次，最终生擒出城迎击的邵续，但厌次城尚由邵续子邵缉等人据守。段匹磾此时回军，尚离厌次城八十里时就听闻邵续被擒的消息，于是部众溃散，石虎也前来袭击，只因段文鸯奋战才得以进入厌次城。

太兴四年（321年），石勒又派石虎和孔苌进攻厌次，段文鸯力战被擒，段匹磾无力抵抗，试图南奔东晋又不行，亦被石虎所捕。至此，晋朝于河北的各个藩镇皆被攻陷。

争持豫州

建兴元年（313年），司马睿以祖逖为奋威将军、豫州刺史，祖逖由此开始收复中原的行动，并进据谯城。太兴二年（319年）豫州一坞主陈川与祖逖相争但不敌，于是向石勒投降，祖逖因此讨伐陈川，石勒则派石虎率兵救援，将祖逖击败，祖逖败退至淮南。但祖逖于下一年就发动反击，击败守著陈川故城的将领桃豹，并多次邀击当地的后赵军队，当地留戍的后赵兵镇深为困扰，很多都归附祖逖。

因为祖逖擅于安抚，不但黄河以南地区的人民归附祖逖，连石勒根据地河北的坞主也向祖逖报告后赵的情况，以至于石勒不敢以军事力量强攻豫州，因而决定与祖逖修好，又允许两地通商。当时祖逖牙门童建杀新蔡内史周密归降石勒，石勒却杀死童建并将首级送交祖逖。而祖逖也不接纳背叛后赵而归降的人，因此两国边境安定，兖、豫二州人民得以休息，但不少人其实都有双重身份，同时归属东晋与后赵。

实际上，祖逖一直未忘北伐，他将通商获得的利钱用来准备军需物资，而且又修缮虎牢城，了望四方，并建立壁垒，作为守护豫州土地的堡垒。但壁垒未建成祖逖就死去。永昌元年（322年），石勒因祖逖已死而再度南侵，接替祖逖的祖约不能抵抗，南退至寿春，石勒于是留兵驻屯豫州，豫州再次混乱，再次进入后赵的势力范围。同时石勒派兵侵扰徐、兖二州，东晋驻守当地的部队都只有南退，很多当地坞主都向石勒归降。

太宁元年（323年），石勒派石虎攻灭一直割据青州的曹嶷，尽有青州。

称霸北方

太宁二年（324年），后赵司州刺史石生进攻前赵河南太守尹平并杀害他，而且掠夺了新安县五千多户人。自此开始两国之间的战事，作为两国边界的河东和弘农两郡之间沦为战场。次年西夷中郎将王腾杀并州刺史崔琨并以并州归降前赵，屡败于石生的晋司州刺史李矩、颖川太守郭默等也遣使依附前赵，于是前赵大举进攻后赵。但前赵所派的刘岳被石虎击败，遭生擒和坑杀九千馀人，王腾也被石虎攻灭，李矩等被击败而南奔东晋，大量部众归降后赵。战后后赵尽有司、豫、徐、兖四州之地。

太和元年（328年），石虎攻蒲阪，前赵帝刘曜亲率全国精兵救援蒲阪，大败石虎，于是乘势进攻石生镇守的洛阳，以水灌城，同时又派诸将攻打汲郡和河内郡，后赵举国震惊。石勒见此，不顾程遐的劝阻执意亲自救援洛阳，于是命桃豹、石聪、石堪等到荥阳会合，自己领兵直攻洛阳金镛城。及至十二月，石勒与后赵诸军于成皋集合，发现刘曜竟不设守军，于是轻兵潜行。刘曜直至石勒渡过黄河后才开始准备防御，从前线捕获的羯人口中知道石勒亲率大军前来进攻后更为害怕，于是解围而于洛西列阵。石勒在开始进攻之时曾说：「刘曜设大军于成皋关防御，是他的上策；列兵于洛水阻截则次之；坐守洛阳，就会让我生擒了。」见刘曜列阵于洛西，石勒十分高兴，认为必胜无疑，随后就与石虎及石堪、石聪分三道夹击刘曜，最终大败前赵，更生擒刘曜，押送到襄国。

次年，留守长安的前赵太子刘熙知道刘曜被擒后大惊，于是放弃长安而西奔上邽，各征镇都弃守防地跟随，导致关中大乱，前赵将领以长安城归降后赵，石勒又派石虎进攻关中的前赵残馀力量。终于当年八月，前赵刘胤率大军反攻长安时被石虎击败，前赵一众王公大臣都被石虎所捕，同年石勒亦杀刘曜，前赵亡。石勒又于咸和二年（327年）派石虎击败代王拓跋纥那，逼得对方徙居大宁回避其军事威胁。至此后赵除前凉、段部鲜卑的辽西国及慕容鲜卑的辽东国三个政权外几乎占领整个中国北方。

太和三年（330年）二月，石勒称大赵天王，行皇帝事，并设立百官，分封一众宗室。至九月，石勒正式称帝。

营邺扶子

石勒称帝后，于次年四月到邺城，打算营建邺城新宫，如张宾昔日所言，以其作为新的都城。当时廷尉续咸大力反对，石勒坚决不纳；后中山郡有洪水灾害，有百多万根大木头随水冲到堂阳，石勒视此为上天协助自己营建邺都，于是正式施行，自己亲自视察工程。

石勒在称帝时立了儿子石弘为皇太子，石弘爱好文章，对儒士亲敬，并没有石勒的强悍。然而当时任太尉、尚书令石虎因为战功显赫，掌有重兵和实权，徐光和程遐都认为一旦石勒去世，石弘不能驾驭石虎；同时又因石虎怨恨二人，二人担心一旦石虎夺权会诛灭二人及其宗族，于是多次向石勒进言，要求强化太子权力，让太子亲近朝政，并削弱石虎权力。石勒最终命太子省批核上书奏事，并由中常侍严震协助判断，只有徵伐杀人的大事才送交石勒裁决。于是严震权力高涨，石虎则失势，心有不满。但石勒始终没有听从二人除去石虎的建议。

建平三年（332年），石勒到邺城，到石虎的府第中，石勒知道石虎的不满，于是允诺皇宫建成后会为他建设新府第，以此作安抚。但其实石虎自太和三年（330年）石勒称天王时将大单于位封给石宏就十分不满；对于咸和元年（326年）石勒让石弘驻镇邺城和修建邺城三台时逼迁其家室的事也怀恨在心。

石勒于建平四年（333年）患病，石虎入侍并诏不许亲戚大臣见石勒，因此无人知道石勒的病况。后又矫诏召命石勒用以防备石虎而出为外藩的秦王石宏及彭城王石堪到襄国，将他们留在襄国，即使石勒知道后立刻命二人回到驻地，石虎仍然不让他们回去，更骗石勒说二人已在归途上。七月戊辰日（8月17日），石勒逝世，享年六十岁。庙号高祖，諡号明皇帝，葬于高平陵。

执政措施

• 石勒重视教育，在段部鲜卑和乌桓都相继归附支持自己，王浚势弱，领下司州、冀州等地安定，人民开始缴纳租税时，在当地设立太学，以明经善书的官吏作文学掾，选了部下子弟三百人接受教育。后来，石勒又在襄国增置宣文、宣教、崇儒、崇训等十多间小学，选了部下和豪族子弟入学。石勒更曾亲临学校，考核学生对经典意义的理解，成绩好的就获奖赏。

• 石勒称赵王后，命支雄和王阳为门臣祭酒，专掌胡人诉讼，命张离、刘谟等人为门生主书，专掌胡人出入，且禁制胡人欺侮衣冠华族，以胡人为国人。另又迁徙三百家士族到襄国，置崇仁里让他们聚居，又置公族大夫统领，实行胡汉分治。

• 石勒亦重视修史工作，命任播、崔浚为史学祭酒，又命记室佐明楷、程阴、徐机撰写《上党国记》，中太夫傅彪、贾蒲、江轨撰写《大将军起居注》，参军石泰、石同、石谦、孔隆撰写《大单于志》。称帝后又擢升五个太学生为佐著作郎，记录时事。

• 石勒实行考试机制，初建五品，由张宾领选举事。后又定九品，命左右执法郎典定士族，并且副任选举职能。又令僚佐及州郡每年都举秀才、至孝、廉清、贤良、直言、武勇之士各一人。后来更以王波为记室参军，典定九流，始立秀、孝试经的制度。又于称帝后命各郡国设立学官，每郡都置博士祭酒二人，学生一百五十人，经三次考试后才毕业入仕。

• 石勒见百姓久经战乱，社会秩序刚刚恢复，资源不足，于是下令禁止酿酒，祭祀时都只用发酵一晚的甜酒。数年以后就再没人酿酒了。

• 石勒又命人重订度量衡。

• 石勒在北方推度耕作，以右常侍霍皓为劝课大夫，与典农使者朱表及典农都尉陆充等巡核各州郡，核实户籍，鼓励农桑。让收获最多的人爵五大夫。

性格特徵

• 石勒感恩，并会作出报答。例如郭敬在早年曾经对他有恩，接济过他。后来石勒在上白攻灭乞活军将领李恽时重遇郭敬，竟立刻下马抓著他的手，说：「今日相遇，是天意呀！」于是赐他衣服车马，署他为上将军，更将原本打算坑杀的李恽馀众赐给他作为部众。刘琨曾送还石勒母亲以图招降石勒，虽然石勒拒绝，但仍以厚礼作回报；后来刘琨及石勒虽然互相敌对，但在石勒攻打北中郎将刘演时擒获其弟刘啓，而刘演和刘啓都是刘琨的侄儿，石勒此时仍然感谢刘琨让他母子重聚的恩德，不但没有杀死刘啓，还赐他田宅，命儒官教授他经典。

• 石勒下令禁止说「胡」字，更是所有忌讳字中惩罚最重者，并且凡是带「胡」字的事物都要改名。但一次有胡人喝醉了，骑马突入止车门，违反门禁，于是石勒在愤怒之下召责宫门小执法冯翥。冯翥见石勒十分恐惧，只顾申辩而忘了忌讳，说：「刚才有个醉了的胡人，骑马进了门，我已经大声喝止并拦住他，但都不能和他对话。」石勒听后，没有愤怒，反而笑说：「胡人正就是难以与之对话的了。」并宽恕了他的罪。

• 石勒虽不识字，但喜好文史，即使行在军旅仍常听汉儒讲读中国历史，随时发表自己的见解。一次听到郦食其劝刘邦得天下后分封六国诸王，大喊糟糕，怀疑刘邦怎能平定天下。后来知道张良劝阻，才连忙说「赖有此耳。」可见他天资之高，英明贤达。

• 石勒曾在夜间微服出行，到营衞时曾以钱财贿赂守门者让他出去，但永昌门门候王假却不受金钱，更打算收捕他，只因随从及时来到才未被捕。下一日石勒就召王假为振中都尉，赐爵关内侯。

• 石勒曾问大臣徐光他能比作昔日哪位君主，徐光说石勒神谋武略，比汉朝开国君主刘邦更高，而刘邦以后再没有人能和石勒比较。石勒笑言徐光说得太夸张，自我评价道：「我若果与刘邦同时，就当作他的臣下，与韩信、彭越皆为其将；若果与汉光武帝刘秀同时，就会与他争夺中原，不知鹿死谁手。大丈夫行事，应该磊磊落落，如日月皎洁，绝不可以像曹操、司马懿那样欺负孤儿寡妇，用奸计夺取天下。」足见石勒尊崇刘邦、刘秀白手兴家而贬抑曹操和司马懿的夺权行为。

家庭

父亲

• 周曷朱，羯胡部落小率。

母亲

• 王氏，早年曾与石勒失散，因刘琨而得以重聚。曾劝石勒不杀石虎。

妻子

• 刘氏

• 程氏，部下程遐之妹，石弘之母。

子女

• 世子石兴，319年以前逝世。

• 世子石弘，330年立为皇太子，继石勒登基。334年石虎将石弘、弘母程氏、石宏、石恢兄弟幽禁，旋即下令杀死。

• 石宏，330年立为秦王。334年石虎将石弘、弘母程氏、石宏、石恢兄弟幽禁，旋即下令杀死。

• 石恢，330年立为南阳王。334年石虎将石弘、弘母程氏、石宏、石恢兄弟幽禁，旋即下令杀死。

• 养子田堪，被石勒收为养子后改姓石，彭城王。333年反石虎败死。

其他人物

• 石聪，将领。本为晋朝人，333年反石虎败死。

• 石生，将领。河东王，333年反石虎打败，石生被部下斩首，献给石虎。

• 石朗，将领，在洛阳起兵，于333年反石虎打败，砍掉石朗的双脚，再斩首。

• 石越，将领。

• 冉良，石虎部下将领。被石虎收为养子后改姓石，又名石瞻。冉闵之父。咸和三年（328年），冉良在石虎和刘曜部队交战中战死于新绛。

• 石佗，将领。

• 曹豹，将领

• 张宾，谋士

后裔

据出土的石重贵墓志铭，后晋皇室石敬瑭家族为石勒后代。

注释