2
3
In the fifth year of Tianfu, hulu bojilie Gao commanded all armies and took the Central Capital; the emperor separately led the hezha meng'an, received gold plaques, and once the Central Capital fell, together with Gao he raided the Liao ruler at Yuanyang Marsh. The Liao ruler fled to Yinshan; Geng Shouzhong came to relieve the Western Capital; the emperor with Zonghan and others struck and drove him off. South of the Western Capital stood a pagoda; the enemy seized it first and shot downward, wounding many soldiers. The emperor said: "Take that first, and the Western Capital can be taken." They then attacked the pagoda, took it, and thereafter took the Western Capital. When Taizu died, the emperor with his elder brother Zonggan led the imperial clan and ministers to install Taizong. In the second year of Tianhui he died.
4
When Xizong succeeded, Jingxuan was given the posthumous title Emperor Jingxuan and the temple name Huizong. His tomb was moved to Xingling. After Hailing murdered his way to the throne, Xizong was demoted to Prince of Eastern Darkness and Jingxuan to Prince of Feng. Shizong restored Xizong's temple name and posthumous honors and again raised Jingxuan to emperor. His sons were Hela, Changsheng, and Zhala. Hela was Xizong.
5
Ruizong—posthumously the Virtuous, Manifest, Initiating-Sagacity, Broad-Fortune, Literary-Martial, Simple-and-Solemn Emperor—was taboo-named Zongyao, first Zongfu, born Woliduo; in the Dading era his honors were raised and he received the name he bears now. Massive and imposing, he made men afraid at a glance. He was forgiving by nature, generous in giving, and held honesty dear. While Taizu warred in every direction his sons led armies; the emperor himself usually kept to the command tent.
6
In the sixth year of Tianfu, while Taizu marched in person and Taizong held Huanglong Prefecture, Anfuge stirred newly submitted folk to revolt; the emperor and Wugunai crushed them. Southern Route commander Heshida fell to bribery; the emperor went to review the case and everyone said the ruling was just.
7
In the fifth year of Tianhui Zongwang died; the emperor became right deputy commander-in-chief and stationed troops at Yanjing. In the eleventh month the generals were divided and sent against Song; the emperor set out from Hejian and pacified Zi and Qing. In the first month of the sixth year Song general Ma Kuo with two hundred thousand troops reached Le'an; the emperor led his army and defeated them. Hearing the Song ruler was at Yangzhou and that spring planting was underway, he left the main army to farm both banks of the river and withdrew, encamping in Shanxi. In the second month Yelü Gu broke fifty thousand troops of Song generals Tai Zongjun and Song Zhong at Daming; the next day he defeated them again, captured Zongjun and Zhong, and returned. People of Jizhou by night sent troops to raid Zhaoli's camp. Zhaoli defeated them. The Song ruler submitted a memorial begging peace and sent secret letters to entice the Khitan and Han. An edict ordered war on Song. The emperor set out from Hebei, reduced Huazhou, took Kaide Prefecture, attacked Daming Prefecture, captured it, and Hebei was pacified.
8
Early in the war on Song, Hebei and Hedong commanders split: some wanted Hebei settled first, others Shaanxi—and Taizong followed both courses. Zonghan met him at Pu; Hebei secured, they took Dongping and Xuzhou, emptied the Song treasury of Huai–Yang gold stored at Xuzhou, shared the spoils among the hosts, and Liu Yu surrendered Jinan. Bagaosu and others were sent to make a surprise attack on the Song ruler at Yangzhou, but the Song ruler learned of it and had already crossed the Yangtze the night before Bagaosu reached Yangzhou. The Song ruler stripped his imperial title and wrote again to beg the realm be spared—the story is in Zonghan's biography; then Zongbi chased him, Song crossed the Yangtze into Hangzhou, fled to sea, and Zongbi withdrew.
9
Then the Shaanxi cities Lou Shi had taken rose again, and Zonghan said, "When we first struck Song we merged the western host with the eastern army, but the five Shaanxi circuits are strong—we should strike with united force. Tadan has pacified the country north of the river; let Zongbi march twenty thousand picked men to Luoyang first. In the eighth month march on Shaanxi—either Zongbi leads the whole way, or one of Zongfu, Zonggan, and Xiyin goes." The throne answered, "Lou Shi once finished whatever he undertook; set on Shaanxi alone, has he grown weary and begun to spare himself? Do your utmost together!" An edict then sent the emperor west.
10
是時，宋張浚兵取陝西，帝至洛水治兵，張浚騎兵六萬，步卒十二萬壁富平。 帝至富平，婁室為左翼，宗弼為右翼，兩軍並進，自日中至於昏暮，凡六合戰，破之。 耀州、鳳翔府皆來降。 遂下涇、渭二州。 敗宋經略使劉倪軍於瓦亭，原州降。 撒離喝破德順軍靜邊寨，宋涇原路統制張中孚、知鎮戎軍李彥琦以城降。 宋秦鳳路都統制吳玠軍於隴州境上，招討都監馬五擊走之，降一縣而還。 帝進兵降甘泉等三堡，取保川城，破宋熙河路副總管軍三萬，獲馬千余，拔安西等二寨，熙州降。 分遣左翼都統阿盧補、右翼都統守弼招撫城邑之未下者，遂得鞏、洮、河、樂、西寧、蘭、廓、積石等州，定遠、和政、甘峪、甯洮、安隴等城寨及鎮堡蕃漢營部四十餘，於是涇原、熙河兩路皆平。 撒離喝降慶陽府，慕洧以環州降。 既定陝西五路，乃選騎兵六千，使撒離喝列屯沖要。 於是班師，與宗翰俱朝京師，立熙宗為諳版勃極烈，帝為左副元帥。
Song's Zhang Jun was then recovering Shaanxi; the emperor trained his men on the Luo while Zhang Jun walled Fuping with sixty thousand horse and a hundred and twenty thousand foot. At Fuping Lou Shi took the left and Zongbi the right; both wings pressed from noon to dusk, fought six rounds, and shattered Zhang Jun. Yaozhou and Fengxiang surrendered. Jing and Wei prefectures fell next. They routed Song frontier commissioner Liu Ni at Wating; Yuan Prefecture came over. Salianha broke De'an Army's Jingbian Stockade; Zhang Zhongfu, Jingyuan commander, and Li Yanqi, prefect of Zhenrong, yielded their cities. Wu Jie of Qinfeng held the Longzhou line; Pacification Commissioner Ma Wu beat him back, took one county, and withdrew. The emperor marched on, took three Ganquan stockades and Baochuan, shattered thirty thousand men under Song's Xihé deputy commander, seized a thousand horses and two Anxi stockades, and Xizhou submitted. Alubu on the left and Shoubi on the right were sent to bring in holdouts, winning Gong, Tao, He, Le, Xining, Lan, Kuo, Jishi, Dingyuan, Hezheng, Ganyu, Ningtao, Anlong, and forty-odd Tangut and Han strongpoints until Jingyuan and Xihé were fully pacified. Salianha seized Qingyang; Mu Wei surrendered Huan Prefecture. With the five Shaanxi circuits secure, six thousand horse were picked and Salianha posted them on the vital routes. They withdrew to court; with Zonghan they installed Hela as an-ban boji lie and made the emperor left deputy commander-in-chief.
11
In Tianhui 13, he died while traveling through Guizhou at the age of forty. He was buried beside Ruiling and posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Lu, with the posthumous name Xiangmu. In the sixth year of Huangtong he was raised to Prince of Ji. In the second year of Zhenlong he was posthumously made grand preceptor and upper pillar of state and enfeoffed as Prince of Xu. At Shizong's accession he received the full posthumous title and the temple name Ruizong. In the second year his tomb was moved to Great Fang Mountain, called Jingling.
12
Xianzong—posthumously Embodying the Way, Magnifying Benevolence, Cultured, Sagacious, Bright, and Filial—was taboo-named Yungong, born Hutuwa, Shizong's second son; his mother was Empress Mingde of the Ulinada clan. He was born in the sixth year of Huangtong, the bingyin year. His frame was imposing; in filial duty and brotherhood he was careful and grave.
13
In the eleventh month of the first year of Dading, Shizong took the throne in the Eastern Capital. On yiyou he was enfeoffed as Prince of Chu and a staff was appointed. In the twelfth month he followed him to Zhongdu.
14
In the second year, fourth month, on jimao, he was given the name Yundi. In the fifth month, on renyin, he was installed as crown prince, and Shizong said to him, "Ritual honors the legitimate heir; that is why I have installed you. Love your brothers; treat officials with courtesy; do not let the crown make you proud. Work at your learning daily; unless I call you, you need not wait on my table." The crown prince submitted a memorial of thanks. He devoted himself to study and held discussions with Confucian officials in Chenghua Hall. In his leisure he read, working past the second watch without tiring, and the next day would hand doubtful characters to Confucian officials for checking. In the ninth month, on gengzi, an edict required the Eastern Palace Three Masters to address the crown prince by name and the junior master and below to call themselves his ministers. On gengzi in the eleventh month, his birthday, officials congratulated him in Chenghua Hall; Shizong gave him court robes and fine horses and hosted a banquet in Renzheng Hall for the imperial clan and officials alike. Thereafter on his birthdays Shizong would visit the Eastern Palace or feast in the inner halls, year after year. In the twelfth month, on xinmao, he memorialized: "At Eastern Palace congratulatory rites princes and first-rank clansmen all bow north prostrate, while I only return a clasped-hands bow. I beg Heaven's grace to let me return bows, so kin may cherish one another." Shizong agreed and fixed it as precedent.
15
Shizong heard the scholar Zheng Song was excellent; Song had retired as Bozhou defense vice commissioner, was recalled as left instructor, excused from court attendance, and told to tutor the crown prince. Song held himself as a friend-instructor; the crown prince once motioned for Song to fetch his belt, and Song said, "I am honored as instructor and dare not take such orders." The crown prince composed himself and praised him; thereafter his courtesy only increased. Whenever he hunted and took a deer, he would share it with Song.
16
In the fourth year, in the ninth month, he married Lady Tushi with the bride-fetching ceremony. By precedent, at major celebrations the emperor's guard rode the jade chariot and the crown prince's guard the gold chariot. In the sixth year, when Shizong returned from the Western Capital, ritual officials unaware that the crown prince had his own gold-chariot guard asked him to ride the imperial procession's trailing section ahead of the emperor on the road. The emperor suspected this breached ritual, scrutinized the old codes, and the ritual officials only then saw their mistake. Director in the Ministry of Rites Li Bangzhi and Vice Director Li Shan were demoted one grade; Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Wu Zhicai, Assistant Director Zhang Ziyu, and Erudite Zhang Ju were demoted two grades.
17
Soon ritual officials proposed that receiving the seal and thanking the ancestral temple be done in regular court dress on horseback; Shizong said, "That matches nothing but an elevated consort's visit to spirit shrines; Hailing did it on impulse—how is that a model? A great investiture and the triennial tu sacrifice should follow the ancient rites. Confucius said, 'In ritual, better be spare than lavish.' It should not be done so lightly." He added, "Right Vice Director Su Baoheng, a Han man, knows no classics; Participating Councillor Shi Ju knows them yet stays silent; ritual officers were demoted only yesterday—are you still unafraid? Compile former dynasties' ritual codes and report; I will choose among them." Later, as the crown prince's seal and treasure were to be conferred, the prescribed rites with full guards were announced at the ancestral temple. The emperor said, "When I received my honored title and thanked the temple, I followed former Song Emperor Zhenzong—regular court dress on horseback. The crown prince is given full ceremony; the two do not match—what sense is there?" He told Right Grand Councillor Liangbi and Left Vice Director Shoudao, "This is because you were inattentive." Liangbi and the others apologized, "Our short-sightedness never reached this." The emperor added, "Civil officials simply follow routine." That year, on jiashen in the tenth month, he performed the secondary offering at the ancestral temple's tu sacrifice.
18
七年，帝有疾，詔左丞守道侍湯藥，徙居瓊林苑臨芳殿調治。
In the seventh year the crown prince fell ill; Shoudao was ordered to tend his medicine, and he moved to Linfang Hall in Qionlin Garden to recuperate.
19
In the eighth year, on jiaxu in the first month, he was renamed Yungong. On gengchen he received the crown prince's seal and treasure and submitted a memorial of thanks.
20
In the fifth month of the ninth year Shizong sent him to escape the heat at Caoliao; Prince of Sui Weigong went along, and every attendant was given road money. The crown prince memorialized, "Leaving court for a cool place alone is no comfort for a subject; I ask that the trip be canceled." Shizong said, "You are frail; the high country behind the mountains is cool, so I sent you there." On dingchou officials bade farewell north of the capital; they bowed twice and the crown prince bowed in return. That month, by edict, officials prepared memorials asking after his health.
21
In the sixth month officials inquired after his health as before. On yiyou in the eighth month he returned from Caoliao; officials welcomed him north of the capital with the same rites as at his departure. On bingxu he was received in audience; Shizong said, "My son, a whole summer apart—I have missed you sorely." In the ninth month an edict ended monthly kitchen payments to the crown prince and granted him fifty million a year.
22
In the eighth month of the tenth year, while the crown prince attended a classics lecture in Chenghua Hall, Shuang, Prince of Shou and Grand Guardian of the Crown Prince, said, "Your Highness is still weak in our tongue—why not dismiss the Han officials around you and use only Jurchens?" The crown prince said, "Instructors, aides, and attendants—how dare I dismiss them on a whim?" Shuang bowed and withdrew. The crown prince said, "Four palace officers are called instructors and aides—the point is obvious—yet you would remove them; you lack learning." A messenger returned from Shandong; the crown prince asked what troubled the people most, and he said, "Scarce cash is the worst hardship. Treasury coin overflowed and lay heaped in the open, yet commoners had none—that is their hardship." The crown prince said, "Hoarding it in empty rooms—of what use is plenty?" He told Minister of Revenue Zhang Zhongyu, "The Son of Heaven is rich when the realm is stored up—why keep it all in the treasury alone?" He then submitted, "Treasury cash is no different from copper ore left in the open country. I ask that it be put into circulation for the benefit of both state and people." Shizong commended the proposal and ordered the offices to consider implementing it.
23
24
In the twelfth year, fifth month, Shizong heard De Prefecture defensive commissioner Hu La was plotting rebellion and said, "I have always held to kinship—how dare he act like this?" The Heir submitted quietly, "Uncle Hu La is wild and dissipated, devoted to pleasures, and childless—such a rash plot is sudden; I beg the matter be checked again." In the tenth month, on jiwei, a united sacrifice was held at the Grand Temple and the Heir presided over the rites.
25
In the tenth month of the thirteenth year, by edict he hunted with Weizhong, Prince of Zhao, and Weigong, Prince of Cao, in Bao and Ding prefectures. In the eleventh month, on jiawu, he returned to the capital.
26
In the fourteenth year, fourth month, on yihai, Shizong held audience at the Chui Gong Hall with the Heir and the princes in attendance. Shizong spoke of brothers and wives and said, "To heed a wife's words and part from one's brothers—how far it goes!" The Heir answered, "In the 'Si Qi' it is said, 'Be a model to your chief wife, reach your brothers, and thereby govern family and state.' We are ignorant, but we wish to urge one another to live by it." He then drew on the 'Tang Di' theme of flower and calyx sustaining one another and the jiling bird's call in hardship, and wrote an essay for his brothers admonishing kinship.
27
In the fifteenth year Shizong ordered fifth-rank officeholders to pay their respects to the Crown Prince.
28
In the seventeenth year, fifth month, on jiachen, at a feast in the Changwu Hall, Food Service director Niehe served porridge; as the Heir was about to eat, a spider sat in the bowl; Niehe panicked; the Heir said calmly, "The spider spun its thread and drifted down—how is that your fault?" In the tenth month, on jimao, united sacrifice at the Grand Temple; he again conducted the rites.
29
In the nineteenth year, fourth month, on wushen, rites were held at the Grand Temple and he presided. On dingsi, Heir Apparent Household Manager Wulinada Yuan came to give thanks; the Heir had his formal cap and belt fetched; his staff said, "That is the ceremony for seeing the chief minister and tutor." The Heir said, "Yuan has served Your Majesty long—I show extra respect for that alone." All said, "Beyond what your subjects would do." In the eleventh month Empress Mingde was moved to Kunhou Tomb; the Heir walked on foot and drew the spirit carriage. A great wind and snow struck; attendants offered rain gear; the Heir declined it. When he reached the overnight lodge his clothes were soaked through, and onlookers wept. Though Hailing had been reduced to commoner rank, Zonggan was still called Emperor Mingsu; critics said this went too far; the Heir memorialized at length on the matter. Shizong accepted the argument. Zonggan then lost the imperial title and was demoted to Prince of Liao.
30
二十四年，世宗將幸上京，詔帝守國，作「守國之寶」以授之。 其遣使、祭享、五品以上官及事利害重者遣使馳奏，六品以下官、其餘常事，並聽裁決。 每三日一次於集賢殿受尚書省啟事。 京朝官遇朔望具朝服問侯。 車駕在路，每二十日一遣使問起居。 已達上京，每三十日一問起居。 世宗曰：「今巡幸或能留一二年，以汝守國。 譬之農家種田，商人營利，但能不墜父業。 即為克家子也。」 帝對曰：「臣在東宮二十餘年，過失甚多，陛下以明德皇后之故未嘗見責。 臣誠愚昧，不克負荷，乞備扈從。」 世宗曰：「凡人養子，皆望投老得力。 朕留太尉、左右丞、參政輔汝，彼皆國家舊人，可與商議。 且政事無難，但用心公正，無納讒邪，一月之後，政事自熟。」 帝流涕堅辭，左右為之感動。 三月，世宗如上京，帝守國留中都。 初，帝在東宮，或攜中侍步于芳苑。 中侍出入禁中，未嘗限阻。 此輩見帝守國，各為得意，帝知之，謂諸中侍曰：「我向在東宮，不親國政，日與汝輩語話。 今即守國，汝等有召命然後得入。」 五月，世宗至上京，賜敕書曰：「朕以前月八日到遼陽，此月二日達上京，翌日祀慶元廟。 省方觀民，古之制也。 汝守國任重，夏暑方熾，益當自愛，無貽朕憂。」 帝謂徒單克寧曰：「車駕巡幸，以國事見屬。 刑名最重，人之死生系焉。 凡有可議，當盡至公。 比主上還都，勿有廢事。」 自是，凡啟稟刑名，帝自披閱，召都事委曲折正，移晷忘倦，或賜之食。 近侍報瑤池位蓮開，當設宴。 帝曰：「聖上東巡，命我守國，何敢宴遊廢事？ 采致數花足矣。」 七月，遣子金源郡王麻達葛奉表問起居，請世宗還都。 十一月壬寅，帝冬獵。 辛亥，還都。
In the twenty-fourth year Shizong was going to the Upper Capital; he ordered the Heir to keep the realm and cast a "Treasure for Guarding the Realm" to give him. He might send envoys and order sacrifices; for fifth-rank officers and grave issues he was to dispatch urgent memorials; sixth-rank and lesser officers and routine business he might decide himself. Every three days he once received the Masters of Writing's business at the Jixian Hall. Capital officials on the first and fifteenth of the month wore court dress to inquire after him. While the emperor was on the road, an envoy inquired after him every twenty days. After the Upper Capital was reached, inquiries came every thirty days. Shizong said, "This tour may keep me a year or two—you will keep the realm. Like a farmer planting fields or a merchant seeking profit—only do not let your father's work fail. Then you are a son who can uphold the house." The Heir answered, "I have been in the Eastern Palace over twenty years with many faults; for Empress Mingde's sake Your Majesty has never blamed me. I am truly dull and cannot bear the load; I beg to go in attendance." Shizong said, "When ordinary men raise a son, they all hope he will be useful in old age. I leave the Grand Marshal, the left and right vice directors, and the participation councillors to help you—they are old servants of the state and you may consult them. Government is not hard—only be fair, take no slander, and after a month you will know the work." The Heir wept and firmly refused; those beside him were moved. In the third month Shizong went to the Upper Capital; the Heir kept the realm and stayed at Zhongdu. Before, in the Eastern Palace, the Heir would sometimes walk in the Fragrant Garden with palace attendants. Palace attendants had never been barred from coming and going in the inner palace. Seeing him keep the realm, the attendants grew bold; the Heir knew it and told them, "When I was in the Eastern Palace I did not touch government and spent my days in talk with you. Now that I keep the realm, you may enter only when summoned." In the fifth month Shizong reached the Upper Capital and sent an edict: "We reached Liaoyang on the eighth of last month and the Upper Capital on the second of this month; the next day we sacrificed at Qingyuan Temple. Inspecting the realm and watching over the people is the ancient way. You bear heavy responsibility as regent; summer heat is fierce — take still greater care of yourself and spare me worry." The emperor told Tudan Kening: "While the carriage is away, state affairs rest with me. Criminal justice is the weightiest matter — lives hang upon it. Whatever may be disputed must be judged with full impartiality. Until the sovereign returns, let no business lapse." Thereafter, on every criminal report the emperor read the papers himself, called the chief clerk to trace each point, and worked past fatigue — sometimes even sending food. Attendants reported lotus in bloom at the Jade Pool and urged a banquet. The emperor said: "The sovereign tours east and left me to keep the realm — how dare I feast and neglect duty? A few blossoms gathered will do." In the seventh month he sent his son, Prince of Jinyuan Madage, with a memorial inquiring after the emperor’s health and begging his return. In the eleventh month, on renyin, the emperor held a winter hunt. On xinhai he returned to the capital.
31
In the twenty-fifth year, first month, on the yiyou new moon, officials were excused from congratulatory rites. Since taking responsibility for the realm, the heir was deeply modest: palace officers did not make court obeisance to him, and he did not require them to stand in attendance when presenting matters; new-moon and full-moon audiences were waived. Capital officials’ new-moon appearances in court dress to inquire after him were also stopped. When officials would have congratulated him, he still refused. On jiayin the emperor went to the spring waters. In the second month, on gengshen, he returned to the capital. On dingmao he sent Prince of Jinyuan Madage with a memorial congratulating the Wan Spring Festival. In the fourth month, after prolonged drought, the emperor prayed in person and rain came the same day.
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六月甲寅，帝不豫。 庚申，崩于承華殿。 世宗自上京還，次天平山好水川，訃聞，為位臨奠于行宮之南，大慟者久之。 親王、百官、皇族、命婦及侍衛皆會哭，世宗號泣還宮。 比至中都，為位奠哭者凡七焉。 世宗以豳王永成為中都留守，來護喪，遣滕王府長史再興、禦院通進阿裏剌來保護金源郡王，遣左宣徽使唐括鼎來致祭，詔妃徒單氏及諸皇孫喪服並如漢制。 帝王儲位久，恩德在人者深，每日三時哭臨，侍衛軍士皆爭入臨，伏哭于承華殿下，聲殷如雷。 中都百姓市門巷端為位慟哭。 七月壬午朔，賜諡宣孝太子。 九月庚寅，殯于南園熙春殿。 己酉，世宗至自上京，未入國門，先至熙春殿致奠，慟哭久之。 比葬，親臨者六。 帝事世宗，凡巡幸西京、涼陘，及上陵、祭廟、謁衍慶宮，田獵觀稼，拜天射柳，未嘗去左右。 上有事於圓丘，及親享於太廟，則行亞獻禮，不親祀則攝行祀事。 國有大慶則率百官上表賀。 正旦、萬春節則總班上壽。 冬十月庚戌朔，宰相以下朝見于慶和殿，太尉完顏守道上壽，世宗追悼悽愴者久之。 十一月甲申，靈駕發引，世宗路祭於都城之西。 庚寅，葬於大房山。 世宗欲加帝號，以問群臣，翰林修撰趙可對曰：「唐高宗追諡太子弘為孝敬皇帝。」 左丞張汝弼曰：「此蓋出於武后。」 遂止，乃建廟于衍慶宮後，祭和三獻，樂用登歌。
In the sixth month, on jiayin, the emperor fell ill. On gengshen he died in Chenghua Hall. Shizong was returning from the Upper Capital and halted at Tianping Mountain on the Haoshui; on the death report he set a mourning seat south of the traveling palace and wept long. Princes, officials, the clan, consorts, and guards all gathered to weep; Shizong wailed and returned within. By the time he reached the Central Capital he had mourned and wept seven times. Shizong appointed Yongcheng, Prince of Bin, as Stay-behind of the Central Capital, and he came to supervise the mourning. He sent Zaixing, chief steward of the Prince of Teng's household, and Palace Service Commissioner Alila to protect the Prince of Jinyuan; sent Tangkuo Ding, Left Xuanhui Commissioner, to present sacrifices; and ordered Consort Tudan and the imperial grandsons to observe mourning according to Han custom. Long heir to the throne, his kindness ran deep; thrice daily they mourned him, and guards crowded below Chenghua Hall, weeping prostrate till the sound rolled like thunder. Central Capital commoners set mourning seats at markets and lanes and wailed. In the seventh month, on the renwu new moon, he was given the posthumous title Xuanxiao Crown Prince. In the ninth month, on gengyin, the coffin was placed in the Southern Garden’s Xichun Hall. On jiyou Shizong came from the Upper Capital; before the gate he went first to Xichun Hall to mourn and wept long. By burial he had come in person six times. Serving Shizong on tours to the Western Capital and Liang Pass, tomb rites, temple sacrifices, Yanqing audiences, hunts, crop inspection, Heaven worship, and willow-shooting, he never left his side. When the sovereign sacrificed at the Round Mound or the Imperial Temple, he performed the secondary offering; when the sovereign did not attend, he acted as surrogate. On great celebrations he led the hundred officials in congratulatory memorials. At New Year and the Wan Spring Festival he led the court in offering longevity. In winter, the tenth month, on the gengxu new moon, chancellors and below attended at Qinghe Hall; Grand Marshal Wanyan Shoudao offered longevity; Shizong mourned long in deep sorrow. In the eleventh month, on jiashen, the spirit carriage set out; Shizong sacrificed by the road west of the capital. On gengyin he was buried at Mount Dafang. Shizong wished to add an imperial title and asked the ministers; Hanlin reviser Zhao Ke said: "Tang Gaozong made Prince Hong posthumously the Filial and Respectful Emperor." Left Vice Director Zhang Rubi said: "That came from Empress Wu." The plan was dropped; a temple was built behind Yanqing Palace with three offerings and ascension hymn music.
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五月甲午，追諡體弘仁英文睿德光孝皇帝，廟號顯宗。 丁酉，祔於太廟，陵曰裕陵。
In the fifth month, on jiawu, he received the posthumous title Explicating Benevolence, Cultured and Civil, Sagacious and Virtuous, Bright and Filial Emperor and temple name Xianzong. On dingyou he was enshrined in the Imperial Temple; his tomb is Yuling.
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By nature he was humane and could not bear punishments and executions. Liang Tan'er stole gold and silver leaf — he pitied her aged mother; Li Fuxing stole silk — it was when Kunhou Tomb rites ended; Household Chief Benba stole silverware — it was Wan Spring Festival: each time he found grounds and spared them. When property was lost he made those responsible for the loss pay compensation but imposed no further penalty. Hearing of famine anywhere, he reported it first and increased relief. On hunts and tours he asked after the people’s hardships. He respected great ministers and was affectionate toward his brothers. When Empress Mingde was buried in Kunhou Mausoleum, all the consorts were buried alongside her. As the procession departed Panning Palace, Weizhong, Prince of Zhao, had his mother's funeral carriage set out first and ordered the yellow-canopy bearers to walk ahead. The emperor called to the canopy bearers, but they did not answer. Junior Palace Steward Zhang Jinyan wished to memorialize the matter, but the emperor stopped him. He wrote an inscription for the Seat of Double Radiance and carved seat inscriptions on a small jade tablet, including the reverse — all deeply reasoned. He excelled at archery but did not kill wantonly; ordered to worship at a tomb he hunted first, took one deer, then ended the hunt, saying: "That suffices for the rite — why kill more?" Cherishing life was truly his nature.
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Appraisal: Gao, Prince of Liao, captured the Central Capital; Zonghan and Zongwang both followed him, while Jingxuan separately commanded the hezha meng'an. The hezha meng'an were Taizu's meng'an. Zonghan urged enthroning Xizong; Zonggan dared not refuse and Taizong could not reject — right in principle and just in grounds. Old histories call Ruizong forgiving and generous; Xizong did not last, Hailing died violently — thereafter the great throne passed only to his line; there was reason in it. Xianzong was filial, friendly, and harmonious — twenty-five years in the Eastern Palace without a fault on record. Carrying out his intent and guiding others, the four quarters quietly received his bounty. Heaven did not grant him years — alas!