Background and life prior to Later Tangs establishment

Zhao Feng was probably born during the reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang in the late 870s or early 880s, as he would describe himself as either 49 or in his 50s in 934 shortly before his death, but the exact year is not known. It is known, however, that he was from You Prefecture (幽州, in modern Beijing). In his youth, he became a Confucian scholar. As he was later referred to as a Jinshi (進士), he probably also passed the imperial examinations during Tang.

The region eventually came under control of the warlord Liu Shouguang the military governor of Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered at You Prefecture), and sometime after Liu became a nominal vassal of Tang's successor state Later Liang (the first of the five dynasties that controlled the Central Plains in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period) and received the title of Prince of Yan, Liu decided to conscript as many men into his army as possible and tattoo their faces. Many scholars were fearful of this fate and became Buddhist monks to avoid this. Zhao was one of those who took tonsure to avoid this fate, although he subsequently fled to Yan's neighboring state Jin, and came to serve on staff of Liu Shouguang's brother Liu Shouqi (劉守奇), who had also fled to Jin to avoid his brother's rule.

In 912, when Jin's prince Li Cunxu launched a major attack on Yan (which Liu Shouguang had proclaimed a separate empire by that point with himself being emperor), commanded by his major general Zhou Dewei, Liu Shouqi accompanied Zhou on the campaign. When Zhou put Yan's Zhuo Prefecture (涿州, in modern Baoding, Hebei) under siege, the prefect Liu Zhiwen (劉知溫) initially defended the city against the siege, but when Liu Shouqi appeared at the city walls to persuade him to surrender, he did. Zhou, however, was jealous of Liu Shouqi's easily being able to persuade Liu Zhiwen to surrender, and made a false accusation against Liu Shouqi to Li. When Li subsequently summoned Liu Shouqi to his presence, Liu Shouqi, not sure what Li would do, fled with Zhao and another staff member, Liu Qufei (劉去非), to Later Liang. Later Liang's Emperor Taizu commissioned Liu Shouqi as the prefect of Bo Prefecture (博州, in modern Liaocheng, Shandong), and Zhao accompanied Liu Shouqi to Bo Prefecture to serve as his secretary. It was not stated in historical accounts whether Zhao also accompanied Liu Shouqi to Shunhua Circuit (順化, headquartered in modern Cangzhou, Hebei) when Later Liang took it from Yan in 913 and made Liu Shouqi its military governor (Jiedushi), but it was said that after Liu Shouqi's subsequent death, Zhao became the secretary to the military governor of Tianping Circuit (天平, headquartered in modern Tai'an, Shandong).

During Later Tang

During Emperor Zhuangzongs reign

In 923, Li Cunxu declared himself emperor of a new Later Tang (as Emperor Zhuangzong), claiming to be the legitimate successor to Tang. Soon thereafter, in a surprise attack across the Yellow River commanded by Emperor Zhuangzong's adoptive brother Li Siyuan, Later Tang forces captured Tianping's capital Yun Prefecture (鄆州). Li Siyuan took Zhao Feng and the deputy military commander Cui Dang (崔簹) captive and delivered them to Emperor Zhuangzong's then-location, Xingtang (興唐, in modern Handan, Hebei). Emperor Zhuangzong, who had been impressed with Zhao's reputation previously, made him an imperial scholar with the title of Huluan Xueshi. After he completed the conquest of Later Liang later in the year, he gave Zhao the more formal imperial scholar title of Hanlin Xueshi and also made him Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng).

During Emperor Zhuangzong's reign, Zhao became known for his frank advice to Emperor Zhuangzong — which the emperor appreciated but rarely accepted. For example, in 924, when Emperor Zhuangzong's wife Empress Liu wanted to make the very wealthy ex-Later Liang official Zhang Quanyi her godfather, apparently because he offered her many gifts, Empress Liu asked Zhao to draft a letter thanking Zhang. Zhao, instead, submitted a secret petition to Emperor Zhuangzong, stating, "Ever since ancient times, there was no occasion when the mother of the territory under the heavens called a subject her father." Emperor Zhuangzong praised Zhao for his frankness, but still allowed Empress Liu and Zhang to enter into this relationship. On another occasion, when Zhang's adoptive son Hao Jisun (郝繼孫) was sentenced to death for a crime, Emperor Zhuangzong's close associates, including eunuchs and actors, wanted to confiscate Hao's considerable wealth. Zhao submitted another petition, pointing out that as an adoptive son to Zhang, Hao should not have had his separate wealth, and that confiscating the wealth that Hao maintained would give an impression that sentencing him to death was for the purpose of taking that wealth. It appeared that Emperor Zhuangzong also did not accept this advice.

During Emperor Mingzongs reign

In 926, Emperor Zhuangzong was killed in a mutiny at the capital Luoyang that spawned from a series of mutinies after the major general Guo Chongtao had been killed on the orders of Empress Liu. Li Siyuan, who had led one of the mutinies, then arrived at Luoyang and, after initially claiming the title of regent, later took the throne (as Emperor Mingzong). As Emperor Mingzong was illiterate, and his chief of staff (Shumishi) An Chonghui, while literate, was not well-versed in the literatures and history, Emperor Mingzong was having difficulty reacting to the petitions that came to him, as emperor. At An's suggestion, Emperor Mingzong thus established two high posts for imperial scholars at Duanming Palace (端明殿), and commissioned Zhao Feng and Feng Dao to serve in those posts.

Zhao, while recommended by An, was also friendly with the chancellor Ren Huan, whom, however, An viewed as a political enemy, and who was removed from his chancellor post in 927, apparently under An's instigation. Later in the year, however, An, believing that Ren might join the general Zhu Shouyin in rebellion, persuaded Emperor Mingzong to order Ren to commit suicide. Despite An's power, Zhao, weeping, nevertheless stated to him, "Ren Huan is a righteous man; how would he consider rebelling? You, Lord, are so excessive in your punishments, and how can you govern the state like this?" It was said that An was shamed by Zhao's speech, but the speech apparently had no effect, as Ren's death was subsequently carried out.

Prior to Emperor Mingzong's becoming emperor, a fortuneteller named Zhou Xuanbao (周玄豹) had stated to him that his appearance showed honor beyond measure. After Emperor Mingzong became emperor, he wanted to summon Zhou to his presence. Zhao recommended against this, stating:

After Zhao's advice, Emperor Mingzong only gave Zhou an honorary commission and awards in gold and silk, and did not summon him.

In 927, Emperor Mingzong had briefly moved his court from Luoyang to the eastern capital Kaifeng. (It was Emperor Mingzong's announcement of this movement that led to Zhu's rebellion, as Zhu, who was then Kaifeng's defender, believed that the move was targeting him.) In 928, Emperor Mingzong considered going from there to Yedu (鄴都, i.e., the same city as Xingtang). The imperial guard soldiers were displeased that they had just had to move their families from Luoyang to Kaifeng and now faced a prospect of further moving them from Kaifeng to Yedu. Further, the warlord Wang Du the military governor of Yiwu Circuit (義武, headquartered in modern Baoding) also believed that the move was targeting him, and therefore prepared to resist. Despite this, most officials did not dare to oppose Emperor Mingzong's move. Zhao reported these issues to An and, in frank words, and An agreed; after An reported Zhao's advice to Emperor Mingzong, Emperor Mingzong stopped the planned movement to Yedu.

On another occasion, when a Buddhist monk who had visited the Western Regions (Xiyu) regions offered to the emperor a relic that the monk claimed to be a tooth from a Buddha, Emperor Mingzong awarded the monk many gifts. Zhao pointed out that under Buddhist tradition, the Buddha's tooth should be indestructible, and asked to test it. He took an axe to it, and it crumbled easily. Emperor Mingzong thereafter stopped the awards to the monk.

In 929, Emperor Mingzong made Zhao Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎, deputy head of the examination bureau (門下省, Menxia Sheng)) and a chancellor, with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi. This brought displeasure from Zhao's fellow imperial scholar Yu Qiao (于嶠), who had been previously friendly with Zhao but who believed himself to be more capable than Zhao. Yu and another official, Xiao Xifu (蕭希甫), thereafter submitted a number of petitions that attacked the governance at the time but particularly targeting Zhao. Zhao became resentful of them, but did not initially react. Meanwhile, Yu also offended An based on a dispute that Yu had with one of his neighbors over a watermill, and at An's instruction, Zhao had Yu demoted to the less prestigious position of Mishu Shaojian (秘書少監), the deputy head of the Palace Library. Yu wanted to discuss with Zhao about this, and so took wine to Zhao's house, intending to drink with Zhao and talk. Zhao knew what Yu wanted to see him for and therefore had his servant refuse the meeting for him, claiming that he was bathing. In anger, Yu urinated on the entryway of Zhao's servant's booth and cursed the servant. The servant instead claimed to Zhao that Yu cursed Zhao and urinated on Zhao's mansion door. Zhao reported this to Emperor Mingzong, who reacted by stripping Yu of his offices and exiling him, first to Wu Prefecture (武州, in modern Zhangjiakou, Hebei), then to Zhenwu (振武, headquartered in modern Shuozhou, Shanxi). It was said that the people lamented this punishment as overly harsh.

In 930, An, who had past grudges against Emperor Mingzong's adoptive son Li Congke, encouraged Li Congke's subordinate Yang Yanwen (楊彥溫) to mutiny, to try to inculpate Li Congke. Li Congke was forced to flee to Luoyang. After Yang's mutiny was put down, An tried to have Feng and Zhao suggest to Emperor Mingzong that Li Congke should be punished for his lack of control over the army, but Emperor Mingzong rebuffed them, only having Li Congke return to his mansion. Subsequently, the officers Li Xingde (李行德) and Zhang Jian encouraged one Bian Yanwen (邊彥溫) into falsely accusing An of plotting a rebellion. Emperor Mingzong, disbelieving the accusation, immediately had Bian put to death, and later, at Zhao's suggestion, also had Li Xingde and Zhang, as well as their families, put to death. Still, An was under much attack for holding onto power too long, such that Emperor Mingzong considered replacing him and such that An himself offered to resign. Feng believed that what was best for An was for him to be relieved of his position as Shumishi. Zhao disagreed and argued to Emperor Mingzong that An, as his chief advisor, should not be easily removed. Emperor Mingzong agreed (at that time) and left An in his post as Shumishi.

In 931, with the Later Tang forces commanded by Emperor Mingzong's son-in-law Shi Jingtang having no success against two rebel generals, Meng Zhixiang the military governor of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu, Sichuan) and Dong Zhang the military governor of Dongchuan Circuit (東川, headquartered in modern Mianyang, Sichuan) — whose rebellions were considered to be caused by An's suspicions against them — An offered to head to the front to oversee the campaign himself. However, as soon as he left the capital, the general Zhu Hongzhao the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji, Shaanxi) accused An of plotting to take over Shi's army. Emperor Mingzong thereafter summoned An back to Luoyang, but even before An could reach there, instead commissioned him to be the military governor of Huguo Circuit (護國, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi), a fairly surprising demotion for someone of such high power. With An's safety considered precarious at that point, Zhao wanted to try to save An and so stated to Emperor Mingzong:

Emperor Mingzong came to believe that Zhao was in league with An, and therefore became very displeased. After An was subsequently ordered to retire, and then killed, Emperor Mingzong also sent Zhao out of the capital, to serve as the military governor of Anguo Circuit (安國, headquartered in modern Xingtai, Hebei), still carrying the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary chancellor title. It was said that while at Anguo, Zhao distributed his salaries to the officers, staff members, and guests, and did not keep wealth for himself.

After Emperor Mingzongs reign

Emperor Mingzong died in 933 and was succeeded by his biological son Li Conghou the Prince of Song (as Emperor Min). In 934, Emperor Min's leading advisors Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun, not wanting Shi Jingtang (who was then the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan, Shanxi)) and Li Congke (who was then the military governor of Fengxiang) to be entrenched, tried to move them both. Li Congke, believing that they had unfriendly intentions toward him, rebelled, and quickly advanced on Luoyang, forcing Emperor Min to flee to Wei Prefecture (衛州, in modern Xinxiang, Henan). When Zhao heard this, he initially wanted to take his soldiers and staff and immediately head to Wei Prefecture to attend to Emperor Min — despite the dangers such an action might have — and the soldiers were initially willing to follow him. He never carried out the journey, however, before news came that Emperor Min had been killed by emissaries sent by Li Congke.

Li Congke subsequently took the throne. He summoned Zhao back to Luoyang to serve in the honorary post of Taizi Taibao (太子太保). However, due to a foot ailment, Zhao was unable to attend imperial meetings. When the illness became greater, Zhao tried to discern his own fortune using the I Ching, but as soon as he was about to discern the results, he tossed them aside, stating, "Our family has never had someone who reached the age of 49, and was for generations poor and unhonored. I have already reached that age, and had been both general and chancellor. Why do I want more years?" He died in 935.

Notes and references

• History of the Five Dynasties, vol. 67.

• New History of the Five Dynasties, vol. 28.

• Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 268, 272, 273, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279.

家世及後唐建立前

因趙鳳在死前不久的934年曾稱自己年已過五十，他可能生于唐僖宗年間的870年代末或880年代初，但具體年份不可考。他是幽州人氏。年輕時，他就成為一個儒者。他後來被稱為進士，可能在唐朝年間也通過了科舉考試。

幽州最終為盧龍節度使劉守光所制，劉守光成為接替唐朝的後梁朝名義上的附庸並受封燕王之後，決定儘量多地招兵入伍，並在他們臉上刺字。很多儒生都害怕遭到這樣的命運而為僧，趙鳳也在其中，也落了髮，隨後逃到燕的鄰邦晉國，成為同樣逃到晉國以避其兄的劉守光之弟劉守奇的賓客。

天祐九年（912年），劉守光已稱帝，建立了獨立的帝國，正月，晉王李存勖派蕃漢馬步總管周德威統軍大舉攻燕，劉守奇也從軍。周德威圍燕國的涿州時，刺史劉知溫起初守城，但當劉守奇出現在城下說服他投降時，他投降了。周德威嫉妒劉守奇輕易成功，向李存勖讒言構陷。李存勖召見劉守奇，劉守奇不知他意欲何為，與趙鳳和另一客人劉去非逃到後梁。後梁太祖任劉守奇為博州刺史，趙鳳隨他就任，被劉守奇表為判官。史書沒有記載後來乾化三年（913年）後梁奪取燕國的順化軍並任劉守奇為節度使時，趙鳳是否也隨之赴任，但記載了當劉守奇隨後過世後，趙鳳成為天平軍節度判官。

後唐年間

唐莊宗年間

龍德三年（923年）四月，李存勖建立後唐朝，稱帝，即後唐莊宗，自稱唐朝的合法繼承者。閏四月，後唐軍在莊宗養兄李嗣源指揮的一場渡過黃河的奇襲中攻破天平軍軍部鄆州。諸軍濠寨使張廷蘊俘獲趙鳳，訊問說：「你狀貌必是儒人，不要隱瞞實情。」趙鳳據實以告，張廷蘊引薦于李嗣源，李嗣源令將趙鳳和同時被俘的知州事節度副使崔簹送往莊宗當時所在的興唐行在，推薦趙鳳。莊宗早先知道趙鳳的聲譽，任為翰林學士、中書舍人、行尚書倉部員外郎，又任為扈鑾書制學士。十月，他滅梁，拜趙鳳為禮部員外郎、倉部郎中、知制誥、充翰林學士。

莊宗年間，趙鳳以向莊宗直言聞名，莊宗雖然欣賞，但很少採納。如同光二年（924年）十二月，莊宗劉皇后因為很富有的前後梁官員張全義給了她很多禮物，想認他為義父，要趙鳳寫信答謝張全義，定下往來儀注。趙鳳卻秘密上奏莊宗：「自古沒有天下之母拜臣子為父的。」莊宗表揚了他的直言，卻仍然允許劉皇后和張全義認親。張全義養子郝繼孫犯法當死，莊宗親近的宦官、伶人等想沒收郝繼孫可觀的財富。趙鳳又上書說：「郝繼孫作為張全義的養子，不應該有獨立的財富，沒收他的家產會造成一種處死他是為了奪其財的印象。」顯然莊宗也沒採納此次建議。

同光初年，趙鳳在朝上推薦自己的朋友劇可久，使其得補徐州司法。

莊宗幸洛陽，趙鳳曾與同僚劉昫、于嶠等議唐高祖、唐太宗廟在洛陽北，請莊宗自己拜廟，讓天下知敬祖奉先之道。宰相豆盧革恥于自己舉措失當，使得此事不行，為時人所譏笑。

唐明宗年間

四年（926年），在劉皇后下令殺大將郭崇韜後，出現了一系列兵變並最終導致都城洛陽的一起兵變，四月，莊宗被殺。領導了其中一起兵變的李嗣源到了洛陽，先稱監國，然後登基，即明宗。明宗不識文字，樞密使安重誨雖然識字，但也不完全通曉文史，明宗因而在回應奏章時遇到困難。在安重誨和另一樞密使孔循建議下，五月，明宗設置端明殿學士，以備顧問，任趙鳳和馮道為此職。十月，他被任為戶部侍郎，依前充職。當月，明宗問趙鳳進奏官的級別，趙鳳答是派來送信的低級將領。當時，端明殿學士排班在翰林學士之下，趙鳳轉侍郎時說服宰相任圜等，于是天成二年（927年）正月，詔定端明殿學士班在翰林學士之上。二月，以趙鳳為兵部侍郎，依前充職。

趙鳳為安重誨所薦，同時和任圜交好，但安重誨視任圜為政敵，當年，顯然在他的煽動下，任圜被罷相。同年稍遲，安重誨認定任圜捲入宣武節度使朱守殷叛亂，說服明宗賜任圜自盡。十月，趙鳳不顧安重誨的權勢，哭著對他說：「任圜是義士，怎麼可能作亂？公如此濫用刑罰，憑什麼管理國家？」安重誨為趙鳳的說辭所慚，笑而不責，但這番說辭顯然無益，任圜仍被賜死。冬季，趙鳳權知貢舉。

明宗登基前，看相者周玄豹曾說他貴不可言。明宗登基後，十二月，想召周玄豹入見。趙鳳反對，說：「周玄豹說陛下會成為天子，現在已經應驗，還有什麼事能問他嗎？如果請他來京師，輕躁狂險之人將蜂擁到他家問以吉凶。自古以來，術士妄言讓很多人滅了族，這不是安邦之道。」于是明宗僅除周玄豹光祿卿致仕，厚賜金帛，沒有召他。

先前十月，明宗曾短暫把朝廷從洛陽遷到東都開封，正是此舉導致時任宣武節度使朱守殷認為此舉是針對自己而作亂。天成三年（928年），明宗又想遷往鄴都（即興唐）。當時扈駕諸軍的家屬剛從洛陽遷到開封，眼看又要遷到鄴都，諸軍因而不悅。此外，軍閥義武軍節度使王都也認為此舉是針對他的，也準備抵抗。儘管如此，絕大部分官員不敢反對明宗遷都。趙鳳將這些情況告訴安重誨並直言，得安重誨認可；安重誨將趙鳳的建議告訴明宗，明宗停止了遷往鄴都的計劃。十一月，明宗問趙鳳：「帝王為何賜人鐵券？」趙鳳對：「與之立誓，令其子孫長享爵祿罷了。」明宗說：「先朝受此賜者三人，郭崇韜、李繼麟不久都被族滅，朕涉險得脫罷了。」于是嘆息很久。趙鳳說：「帝王心存大信，不需要刻之于金石。」

先前，當年春，有僧人游西域，獻給明宗佛牙，明宗賞賜他達數千緡。趙鳳說，世傳佛牙水火不能傷，請求驗証真偽。他用斧頭砍佛牙，佛牙很容易就碎了。明宗便停止了對那個僧人的賞賜。

當年春趙鳳知貢舉，將考場利弊報告明宗，明宗于是下敕：進士帖經通三即可，五科試本業後對策全精即可，諸經學帖經及格後于大經閣用試紙考試五義尚書，令其直解其理，通三即可，對策需要有理有主旨，言關體要。

九月，膳部郎中鄭兟奏，諸司使職掌人吏，乘暖坐，帶銀魚、席帽、輕衣、肥馬，位列廷臣之間，尊卑無別，污染時風，請下令禁止。明宗嘉其事，促行之，中書覆奏不可，趙鳳對宰相們說：「此失誠，大不可；不禁，為權吏所庇。」此事最終無果。

天成四年（929年）二月，以趙鳳權知汴州軍州事。趙鳳修《莊宗實錄》不收錄何挺論劉昫疏，劉昫拜相，就引薦趙鳳一同拜相。四月，明宗拜時任端明殿學士、兵部侍郎、中大夫、上柱國、賜紫金魚袋的趙鳳為正議大夫、門下侍郎兼工部尚書、授同中書門下平章事、監修國史、上柱國，封天水縣開國男，食邑三百戶，拜為宰相。這引起和趙鳳同為翰林學士的于嶠不滿。于嶠曾與趙鳳相善，但自認為比趙鳳更能幹。他和另一官員蕭希甫因而數次上表非議時政，尤其針對趙鳳。趙鳳記恨，卻不發作。于嶠和鄰居爭水井，激怒安重誨，趙鳳就在安重誨命令下左遷于嶠為秘書少監。于嶠想找趙鳳議論此事，帶了酒去趙鳳家，想和趙鳳喝酒談說。趙鳳知道于嶠來意，讓省吏以在洗澡為由拒絕會見，于嶠怒而詬罵省吏並在省吏門口撒尿。省吏卻對趙鳳說，于嶠詬罵趙鳳並在趙鳳官邸門前撒尿。趙鳳據此上表章報告明宗，明宗剝奪于嶠官職，先長流武州為百姓，十一月又長流振武軍永不任用，天下冤之。

先前，趙鳳就曾奏請修唐末四帝實錄、修典禮。七月，趙鳳奏：「奉敕修懿祖、獻祖、太祖、莊宗四帝實錄，從今年六月一日開始，已經修完了進呈。纂述務必合乎品題。承乾御宇之君行事才稱實錄；追尊冊號之帝的行文只可紀年。所修的史書現在想只有莊宗一朝為實錄，太祖以上都為紀年錄。」獲准。八月，兼判集賢院事。九月，明宗御中興殿，看著宰相們問近日時事，馮道奏近來無事，趙鳳進言：「《詩》云：『靡不有初，鮮克有終。』願陛下常以此道始終，則運祚無窮矣。」十一月，史官修撰張昭遠等獻上新修獻祖紀年錄二卷、懿祖紀年錄一卷、太祖紀年錄十七卷、《莊宗實錄》三十卷，趙鳳、張昭遠、修撰呂咸休分別獲賜繒彩、銀器等有差。趙鳳獲賜雜彩五十匹、蓋碗一副。

明宗將去南郊祭祀，之前齋戒一日，群臣在殿廷學禮，馮道、趙鳳、皇子河南尹秦王李從榮、安重誨在月華門外排班，時任左散騎常侍的蕭希甫與兩省班先入，馮道等坐在廊下不起身，蕭希甫出去後召堂頭直省朝堂驅使官責問宰相、樞密見兩省官為何不起，並大罵，託病回家。兵部侍郎承旨李愚為馮道、趙鳳起草加恩詔書，馮道鄙視他的措辭，罷為太常卿。

趙鳳拜相後，和張廷蘊關係很好，數次對安重誨推薦他，安重誨也因張廷蘊苦戰勝過諸將，保薦于明宗。但明宗因之前平定楊立兵變時張廷蘊獨占平亂之功而懷恨，沒有重用張廷蘊。

長興元年（930年）四月，加趙鳳吏部尚書。當月，和明宗養子河中節度使李從珂有舊怨的安重誨指使李從珂下屬牙內指揮使楊彥溫兵變，意圖陷李從珂于罪。李從珂被迫逃到洛陽。楊彥溫兵變平息後，安重誨試圖讓馮道和趙鳳建議明宗懲罰李從珂不能馭軍之罪，趙鳳引用《春秋》，但被明宗駁回，指出這並非二人的意思，二人惶恐而退。趙鳳改天在中興殿明宗會見宰相時按安重誨的意思再奏此事，明宗不回答，最後只是讓李從珂閒居家中。同月，趙鳳以銀青光祿大夫、門下侍郎兼吏部尚書、同中書門下平章事、監修國史、判集賢院事、上柱國、天水郡開國伯、食邑七百戶身份與五千八百九十九人上明宗徽號，明宗御文明殿受冊。八月，捧聖軍使李行德、十將張儉指使邊彥溫誣告安重誨謀反。明宗不信誣告，立斬邊彥溫，御中興殿時也聽了趙鳳的建議，族滅了李行德和張儉。但安重誨仍因久專大權被多人攻擊，九月，明宗考慮換掉他，安重誨因而請辭。馮道認為安重誨最好的辦法是辭去樞密使，趙鳳卻不同意，奏稱安重誨這樣的大臣不可輕易罷免。明宗同意了，仍留任安重誨為樞密使。

長興二年（931年），明宗女婿石敬瑭指揮的後唐軍對被認為因受到安重誨懷疑而叛亂的兩位叛將西川節度使孟知祥和東川節度使董璋作戰無功，安重誨請求親往前線督戰。但他一離京，鳳翔節度使朱弘昭就指稱安重誨意圖奪取石敬瑭的軍隊。明宗召安重誨回洛陽，但安重誨還沒到，就改任他為護國節度使，對一個權重如此的人而言，這完全是一個驚人的貶謫。安重誨安全不保，二月，趙鳳試圖救他，對明宗說：「安重誨是陛下的家臣，不會叛變，但行為不謹慎，被人讒言了。陛下不審察他的心思，他很快就要死了。」明宗認為趙鳳和安重誨為黨，很不悅。安重誨被勒令致仕並被殺害後，次年七月趙鳳也被遣出京任檢校太傅、安國節度使，仍保有同中書門下平章事為榮銜，而以太常卿李愚代之。趙鳳在安國軍時，將俸祿都分給將校賓客，自己不斂財，即使在危難之中，軍民也服帖。表劉昫弟史館修撰劉皞為節度判官。

先前，戶部尚書李鏻從容表達自己想做宰相的意思，馮道、趙鳳都怒其犯上，一同說他妄圖拜相但人望不允。馮道、趙鳳因青州從事王延是同鄉，升為左補闕。史館修撰何澤與趙鳳有舊，數次私下求趙鳳讓他做給諫。趙鳳鄙薄其為人，以為太常少卿。詔書未下，何澤先知道了，就自稱新官，上表章自訴，表章下中書省，趙鳳等說：「何澤未拜命而稱新官，輕侮朝廷，請以法治罪。」于是何澤以太僕少卿致仕。

唐明宗身後

長興四年（933年），明宗崩，子宋王李從厚繼位，即閔帝。應順元年（934年）閏正月，加趙鳳爵邑。當年，閔帝的首席謀臣樞密使同平章事朱弘昭和同中書門下二品馮贇不希望河東節度使石敬瑭和鳳翔節度使李從珂站穩腳跟，試圖將他們都遷往他處。李從珂認為二人意不善而起兵，很快進軍洛陽，迫使閔帝逃到衛州。趙鳳集合賓佐軍校，想不顧危險去衛州從駕，哭訴皇帝出奔事，軍校們也願意前往，但閔帝被李從珂派去的使者所殺的消息傳來，故未成行。

李從珂隨後奪取帝位，召趙鳳回洛陽，八月，授太子太保榮銜。後趙鳳有足疾，不能朝謁。病重了，他用《易經》給自己算命，但卦成時，他卻將其投在地上，嘆道：「我家世代沒有活到五十歲的，而且貧賤。我已經活到了五十歲了，將相都當了，怎麼還能指望多餘的壽命呢？」數日後于清泰二年（935年）三月卒于家中。贈太傅。

趙鳳性豁達，輕財重義，士友有告以窮厄的，必傾其所有資助，人士因此褒揚他。賓客朋友路過他家飲食，他從無倦色。

評價

• 《舊五代史》史臣曰：趙鳳、李愚，咸以文學之名，俱踐岩廊之位，校其貞節，愚複優焉。

注釋及參考文獻