Volume 64 Biographies 14: Gaozu's Twenty Two Sons

隱太子建成衛王玄霸巢王元吉楚王智雲荊王元景漢王元昌酆王元亨周王元方徐王元禮韓王元嘉彭王元則鄭王元懿霍王元軌虢王鳳道王元慶鄧王元裕舒王元名魯王靈夔江王元祥密王元曉滕王元嬰

The Hidden Crown Prince Jiancheng; the Prince of Wei, Xuanba; the Prince of Chao, Yuanji; the Prince of Chu, Zhiyun; the Prince of Jing, Yuanjing; the Prince of Han, Yuanchang; the Prince of Feng, Yuanheng; the Prince of Zhou, Yuanfang; the Prince of Xu, Yuanli; the Prince of Han, Yuanjia; the Prince of Peng, Yuanze; the Prince of Zheng, Yuanyi; the Prince of Huo, Yuangui; the Prince of Guo, Feng; the Prince of Dao, Yuangqing; the Prince of Deng, Yuanyu; the Prince of Shu, Yuanming; the Prince of Lu, Lingkui; the Prince of Jiang, Yuanxiang; the Prince of Mi, Yuanxiao; and the Prince of Teng, Yuanying.

高祖二十二男：太穆皇后生隱太子建成及太宗、衛王玄霸、巢王元吉，萬貴妃生楚王智雲，尹德妃生酆王元亨，莫嬪生荊王元景，孫嬪生漢王元昌，宇文昭儀生韓王元嘉、魯王靈夔，崔嬪生鄧王元裕，楊嬪生江王元祥，小楊嬪生舒王元名，郭婕妤生徐王元禮，劉婕妤生道王元慶，楊美人生虢王鳳，張美人生霍王元軌，張寶林生鄭王元懿，柳寶林生滕王元嬰，王才人生彭王元則，魯才人生密王元曉，張氏生周王元方。

Gaozu had twenty-two sons. Empress Taimu bore the Hidden Crown Prince Jiancheng, Taizong, Prince Xuanba of Wei, and Prince Yuanji of Chao. Consort Wan Gui bore Prince Zhiyun of Chu. Consort Yin De bore Prince Yuanheng of Feng. Lady Mo bore Prince Yuanjing of Jing. Lady Sun bore Prince Yuanchang of Han. Lady Wen, a zhaoyi, bore Prince Yuanjia of Han and Prince Lingkui of Lu. Lady Cui bore Prince Yuanyu of Deng. Lady Yang bore Prince Yuanxiang of Jiang. Lady Xiao Yang bore Prince Yuanming of Shu. Lady Guo, a jieyu, bore Prince Yuanli of Xu. Lady Liu, a jieyu, bore Prince Yuangqing of Dao. Lady Yang Mei bore Prince Feng of Guo. Lady Zhang Mei bore Prince Yuangui of Huo. Lady Zhang Baolin bore Prince Yuanyi of Zheng. Lady Liu Baolin bore Prince Yuanying of Teng. Lady Wang, a cairen, bore Prince Yuanze of Peng. Lady Lu, a cairen, bore Prince Yuanxiao of Mi. Lady Zhang bore Prince Yuanfang of Zhou.

隱太子建成

The Hidden Crown Prince Jiancheng

隱太子建成，高祖長子也。大業末，高祖捕賊汾、晉，建成攜家屬寄於河東。義旗初建，遣使密召之，建成與巢王元吉間行赴太原。建成至，高祖大喜，拜左領軍大都督，封隴西郡公。引兵略西河郡，從平長安。義寧元年冬，隋恭帝拜唐國世子，開府，置僚屬。二年，授撫軍大將軍、東討元帥，將兵十萬徇洛陽。及還，恭帝授尚書令。武德元年，立為皇太子。二年，司竹群盜祝山海有眾一千，自稱護鄉公，詔建成率將軍桑顯和進擊山海，平之。時涼州人安興貴殺賊帥李軌，以眾來降，令建成往原州應接之。時甚暑，而馳獵無度，士卒不堪其勞，逃者過半。高祖憂其不閒政術，每令習時事，自非軍國大務，悉委決之。又遣禮部尚書李綱、民部尚書鄭善果俱為宮官，與參謀議。四年，稽胡酋帥劉仚成擁部落數萬人為邊害，又詔建成率師討之。軍次鄜州，與仚成軍遇，擊，大破之，斬首數百級，虜獲千餘人。建成設詐放其渠帥數十人，並授官爵，令還本所招慰群胡，仚成與胡中大帥亦請降。建成以胡兵尚眾，恐有變，將盡殺之。乃揚言增置州縣，須有城邑，悉課群胡執板築之具，會築城所，陰勒兵士，皆執之。仚成聞有變，奔於梁師都。竟誅降胡六千餘人。時太宗功業日盛，高祖私許立為太子，建成密知之，乃與齊王元吉潛謀作亂。及劉黑闥重反，王珪、魏徵謂建成曰：「殿下但以地居嫡長，爰踐元良，功績既無可稱，仁聲又未遐布。而秦王勳業克隆，威震四海，人心所向，殿下何以自安？今黑闥率破亡之餘，眾不盈萬，加以糧運限絕，瘡痍未瘳，若大軍一臨，可不戰而擒也。願請討之，且以立功，深自封植，因結山東英俊。」建成從其計，遂請討劉黑闥，擒之而旋。

The Hidden Crown Prince Jiancheng was Gaozu's eldest son. Late in the Daye era, while Gaozu was hunting down bandits in Fen and Jin, Jiancheng took his household and lodged them in Hedong. When the uprising was first proclaimed, Gaozu sent secret messengers to summon him; Jiancheng and Prince Yuanji of Chao made their way by concealed routes to Taiyuan. When Jiancheng arrived, Gaozu was overjoyed. He appointed him Grand Commander of the Left Army and enfeoffed him as Duke of Longxi. He led troops in operations against Xihe commandery and took part in the conquest of Chang'an. In the winter of the first year of Yining, Emperor Gong of Sui named him heir to the State of Tang, granted him an establishment with full staff, and appointed his officials. In the second year he was appointed General Who Pacifies the Army and commander of the eastern campaign, leading a hundred thousand men against Luoyang. On his return, Emperor Gong appointed him Director of the Department of State Affairs. In the first year of Wude he was installed as crown prince. In the second year, the Sizhu bandit Zhu Shanhai mustered a thousand followers and proclaimed himself Duke Who Protects the District. An edict ordered Jiancheng to lead General Sang Xianhe against Shanhai, and the rebellion was put down. At that time An Xinggui of Liangzhou killed the rebel leader Li Gui and surrendered with his troops. Jiancheng was sent to Yuanzhou to meet and receive them. The weather was fiercely hot, yet he rode out to hunt without restraint. The troops could not endure the hardship, and more than half deserted. Gaozu worried that Jiancheng was unversed in governance and had him study current affairs every day. Aside from major military and state affairs, he entrusted him with full decision-making power. He also appointed Minister of Rites Li Gang and Minister of Revenue Zheng Shanguo as palace officials to counsel him in deliberation. In the fourth year the Ji Hu chieftain Liu Qian'cheng led tens of thousands of tribesmen in raiding the borderlands. Again an edict ordered Jiancheng to take command against him. The army encamped at Fuzhou, met Qian'cheng's forces in battle, and routed them decisively, taking several hundred heads and more than a thousand prisoners. Jiancheng devised a stratagem: he released several dozen of their chieftains, invested them with titles and ranks, and sent them back to their people to win over the Hu tribes. Qian'cheng and the senior Hu leaders also petitioned to surrender. Jiancheng judged that the Hu forces were still too numerous and feared an uprising, so he planned to slaughter them all. He then announced that new prefectures and counties would be established and required walled towns, and levied all the Hu to bring tools for rammed-earth work. When they assembled at the building site, he secretly ordered his soldiers to seize them all. When Qian'cheng learned of the treachery, he fled to Liang Shidu. In the end he executed more than six thousand Hu who had surrendered. By then Taizong's achievements were growing daily, and Gaozu had privately promised to make him crown prince. Jiancheng learned of this in secret and conspired with Prince Yuanji of Qi to stage a rebellion. When Liu Heita rose in rebellion again, Wang Gui and Wei Zheng said to Jiancheng, "Your Highness holds your position only as the legitimate eldest son who has taken up the role of heir apparent. You have no achievements worth speaking of, and your reputation for benevolence has not spread far and wide. Yet the Prince of Qin's achievements are abundant, his prestige shakes the four seas, and the people's hearts turn to him. How can Your Highness feel secure? Heita now leads only the shattered remnants of defeat; his forces number fewer than ten thousand, grain supply is cut off, and his wounds are still unhealed. If a great army advances, he can be captured without a battle. We urge you to request the campaign against him, both to win merit and to strengthen your own position, and thereby win over the outstanding men of the east." Jiancheng followed their advice, requested the campaign against Liu Heita, captured him, and returned.

時高祖晚生諸王，諸母擅寵椒房，親戚並分事宮府，競求恩惠。太宗每總戎律，惟以撫接才賢為務，至於參請妃媛，素所不行。初平洛陽，高祖遣貴妃等馳往東都選閱宮人及府庫珍物，因私有求索，兼為親族請官。太宗以財簿先已封奏，官爵皆酬有功，並不允許，因此銜恨彌切。時太宗為陝東道行台，詔於管內得專處分。淮安王神通有功，太宗乃給田數十頃。後婕妤張氏之父令婕妤私奏以乞其地，高祖手詔賜焉。神道以教給在前，遂不肯與。婕妤矯奏曰：「敕賜妾父地，秦王奪之以與神通。」高祖大怒，攘袂責太宗曰：「我詔敕不行，爾之教命，州縣即受。」他日，高祖呼太宗小名謂裴寂等：「此兒典兵既久，在外專制，為讀書漢所教，非復我昔日子也。」又德妃之父尹阿鼠所為橫恣，秦王府屬杜如晦行經其門，阿鼠家僮數人牽如晦墜馬毆擊之，罵云：「汝是何人，敢經我門而不下馬！」阿鼠或慮上聞，乃令德妃奏言：「秦王左右凶暴，凌轢妾父。」高祖又怒謂太宗曰：「爾之左右，欺我妃嬪之家一至於此，況凡人百姓乎！」太宗深自辯明，卒不被納。妃嬪等因奏言：「至尊萬歲後，秦王得志，母子定無孑遺。」因悲泣哽咽。又云：「東宮慈厚，必能養育妾母子。」高祖惻愴久之。自是於太宗恩禮漸薄，廢立之心亦以此定，建成、元吉轉蒙恩寵。

At that time Gaozu had fathered younger princes late in life, and their mothers monopolized favor in the inner palace. Their relatives all attached themselves to one palace or the other and competed for patronage. Whenever Taizong held military command, he devoted himself solely to winning over men of talent. As for currying favor with imperial consorts, he had never done so. When Luoyang was first pacified, Gaozu sent consorts and others posthaste to the eastern capital to inspect palace women and treasury treasures. They sought private gain and also requested offices for their relatives. Taizong replied that the account books had already been sealed and submitted to the throne, and that offices and ranks were rewards for merit alone. He granted none of their requests, and their resentment toward him grew all the sharper. At that time Taizong served as Director-General of the Shandong Circuit and was authorized by edict to exercise sole discretion within his jurisdiction. Prince Shitong of Huai'an had rendered meritorious service, and Taizong granted him several dozen qing of land. Later the father of Jieyu Lady Zhang had her submit a private memorial requesting that land. Gaozu personally issued an edict that it be granted to him. Shitong, on the ground that the land had already been granted to him by edict, refused to yield it. The jieyu submitted a false memorial, saying, "An edict granted land to my father, but the Prince of Qin seized it and gave it to Shitong." Gaozu flew into a rage, rolled up his sleeves, and rebuked Taizong: "My edicts go unheeded, yet your orders are accepted at once by every prefecture and county." On another day Gaozu called Taizong by his childhood name and said to Pei Ji and the others, "This boy has held military command so long that he acts as a law unto himself abroad. Bookish men have taught him, and he is no longer the son I once knew." Moreover, Consort De's father Yin Ashu acted with violent arrogance. Du Ruhui, a member of the Prince of Qin's staff, passed his gate, and several of Ashu's household slaves pulled Ruhui from his horse and beat him, crying, "Who are you to dare pass my gate without dismounting!" Ashu, fearing the emperor might hear of the affair, had Consort De memorialize: "The Prince of Qin's attendants are brutal and have insulted my father." Gaozu again said angrily to Taizong, "Your attendants bully the households of my consorts to this degree. What must they do to ordinary people!" Taizong defended himself at length, but in the end his explanations were not accepted. The consorts therefore memorialized, "After Your Majesty's ten thousand years, when the Prince of Qin has his way, we and our sons will surely leave no survivor." They wept in grief, choked with sobs. They also said, "The Eastern Palace is kind and generous and will surely nurture us, mother and sons." Gaozu was moved to compassion for a long while. From then on his favor toward Taizong grew thin, and his mind to depose and establish an heir was thereby settled. Jiancheng and Yuanji in turn received his grace and favor.

自武德初，高祖令太宗居西宮之承乾殿，元吉居武德殿後院，與上台、東宮晝夜並通，更無限隔。皇太子及二王出入上台，皆乘馬攜弓刀雜用之物，相遇則如家人之禮。由是皇太子令及秦、齊二王教與詔敕並行，百姓惶惑，莫知准的。建成、元吉又外結小人，內連嬖倖，高祖所寵張婕妤、尹德妃皆與之淫亂。復與諸公主及六宮親戚驕恣縱橫，並兼田宅，侵奪犬馬。同惡相濟，掩蔽聰明，苟行己志，惟以甘言諛辭承候顏色。建成乃私召四方驍勇，並募長安惡少年二千餘人，畜為宮甲，分屯左、右長林門，號為長林兵。及高祖幸仁智宮，留建成居守，建成先令慶州總管楊文干募健兒送京師，欲以為變。又遣郎將爾硃煥、校尉橋公山齎甲以賜文干，令起兵共相應接。公山、煥等行至豳鄉，懼罪馳告其事。高祖托以他事，手詔追建成詣行在所。既至，高祖大怒，建成叩頭謝罪，奮身自投於地，幾至於絕。其夜，置之幕中，令殿中監陳萬福防禦，而文干遂舉兵反。高祖馳使召太宗以謀之，太宗曰：「文干小豎狂悖，起兵州府，官司已應擒剿。縱其假息時刻，但須遣一將耳。」高祖曰：「文幹事連建成，恐應之者眾，汝宜自行，還，立汝為太子。吾不能效隋文帝誅殺骨肉，廢建成封作蜀王，地既僻小易制。若不能事汝，亦易取耳。」太宗既行，元吉及四妃更為建成內請，封倫又外為遊說，高祖意便頓改，遂寢不行，復令建成還京居守。惟責以兄弟不能相容，歸罪於中允王珪、左衛率韋挺及天策兵曹杜淹等，並流之巂州。後又與元吉謀行鴆毒，引太宗入宮夜宴，既而太宗心中暴痛，吐血數升，淮安王神通狼狽扶還西宮。高祖幸第問疾，因敕建成：「秦王素不能飲，更勿夜聚。」乃謂太宗曰：「發跡晉陽，本是汝計；克平宇內，是汝大功。欲升儲位，汝固讓不受，以成汝美志。建成自居東宮，多歷年所，今復不忍奪之。觀汝兄弟是不和，同在京邑，必有忿競。汝還行台，居於洛陽，自陝已東，悉宜主之。仍令汝建天子旌旗，如梁孝王故事。」太宗泣而奏曰：「今日之授，實非所願，不能遠離膝下。」言訖嗚咽，悲不自勝。高祖曰：「昔陸賈漢臣，尚有遞過之事，況吾四方之主，天下為家。東西兩宮，途路咫尺，憶汝即往，無勞悲也。」及將行，建成、元吉相與謀曰：「秦王今往洛陽，既得土地甲兵，必為後患。留在京師，制之一匹夫耳。」密令數人上封事曰：「秦王左右多是東人，聞往洛陽，非常欣躍，觀其情狀，自今一去，不作來意。」高祖於是遂停。是後，日夜陰與元吉連結後宮，譖訴愈切，高祖惑之。太宗懼，不知所為。李靖、李勣等數言：「大王以功高被疑，靖等請申犬馬之力。」封倫亦潛勸太宗圖之，並不許。倫反言於高祖曰：「秦王恃有大勳，不服居太子之下。若不立之，願早為之所。」又說建成作亂，曰：「夫為四海者，不顧其親。漢高乞羹，此之謂矣。」

From the beginning of Wude, Gaozu had Taizong reside in Chengqian Hall of the Western Palace and Yuanji in the rear court of Wude Hall. Day and night they passed freely to the Supreme Palace and the Eastern Palace without any barrier between them. The crown prince and the two princes, entering and leaving the Supreme Palace, all rode horses and carried bows, blades, and assorted gear. When they met, they observed the informal etiquette of family members. Hence the crown prince's orders and the instructions and edicts of the Princes of Qin and Qi circulated side by side. The people were alarmed and did not know which authority to obey. Jiancheng and Yuanji also allied outwardly with petty men and inwardly with palace favorites. Jieyu Lady Zhang and Consort Yin De, whom Gaozu favored, both had illicit relations with them. They also joined with the princesses and the kin of the six palaces in arrogant license, seizing fields and houses together and plundering livestock. Evil men aided one another, obscured Gaozu's clear judgment, indulged their own wills, and offered only sweet words and flattery to attend his mood. Jiancheng then secretly summoned fierce warriors from the four quarters and recruited more than two thousand vicious youths of Chang'an. He kept them as palace guards, stationed them at the left and right Changlin Gates, and called them the Changlin Army. When Gaozu visited Renzhi Palace, he left Jiancheng to hold the capital. Jiancheng first ordered Qingzhou Inspector-General Yang Wengan to recruit stalwart men and send them to the capital, intending to use them for a coup. He also sent Commandant Erzhu Huan and Captain Qiao Gongshan bearing armor as gifts to Wengan, ordering him to raise troops in mutual support. Gongshan, Huan, and the others reached Bin township, feared punishment, and galloped to report the affair. Gaozu used another matter as pretext and personally issued an edict to Jiancheng to come to the traveling palace. When he arrived, Gaozu was furious. Jiancheng kowtowed in confession, threw himself to the ground, and nearly lost consciousness. That night he was placed in a tent and Palace Supervisor Chen Wanfu was ordered to guard him. Meanwhile Wengan raised troops in rebellion. Gaozu sent swift messengers to summon Taizong to consult him. Taizong said, "Wengan is a petty fellow, mad and rebellious. He has raised troops in the prefectures, and the officials should already be capturing and suppressing him. Even if he gains a moment's respite, one need only send a single general." Gaozu said, "Wengan's affair is linked to Jiancheng, and I fear many will rally to him. You should go yourself. When you return, I will establish you as crown prince. I cannot imitate Emperor Wen of Sui in executing my own flesh and blood. I will depose Jiancheng and enfeoff him as Prince of Shu—the territory is remote and small and easy to control. If he cannot serve you, he will be easy to remove as well." After Taizong had set out, Yuanji and the four consorts again pleaded inwardly for Jiancheng, and Feng Lun lobbied outwardly. Gaozu's mind abruptly changed, the plan was shelved, and Jiancheng was again ordered back to the capital to hold it. He only blamed them for the brothers' inability to tolerate one another, laid the fault on Palace Companion Wang Gui, Left Guard Commander Wei Ting, and Heavenly Stratagem Army Clerk Du Yan, and exiled them all to Xizhou. Later they again plotted with Yuanji to use poisoned wine and drew Taizong into the palace for a night banquet. Taizong then suffered sudden violent pain in the chest and vomited several sheng of blood. Prince Shitong of Huai'an helped him back to the Western Palace in disarray. Gaozu visited his residence to inquire after his illness and thereupon charged Jiancheng, "The Prince of Qin has never been able to hold his wine. Do not gather at night again." He then said to Taizong, "Our rise from Jinyang was originally your plan; the conquest and pacification of the realm are your great merit. I wished to raise you to the heirship, but you firmly declined, thereby fulfilling your noble wish. Jiancheng has dwelt in the Eastern Palace for many years. Now I again cannot bear to take it from him. Seeing that you brothers are not in harmony, if you remain together in the capital there will surely be angry rivalry. Return to your directorate and reside in Luoyang. From Shan eastward, you should hold sway over all. I will further let you raise the Son of Heaven's banners, following the precedent of Prince Xiao of Liang." Taizong wept as he replied, "This grant today is truly not what I wish. I cannot bear to be far from Your Majesty's knee." When he had spoken he sobbed, overcome with grief. Gaozu said, "In former times the Han minister Lu Jia still had occasions of passing back and forth. How much more so for me, lord of the four quarters, with all under Heaven as my household. The Eastern and Western Palaces are but a foot's journey apart. When I think of you I can go at once—do not grieve needlessly." When he was about to depart, Jiancheng and Yuanji plotted together, saying, "If the Prince of Qin now goes to Luoyang and gains land, armor, and troops, he will surely become a future threat. Keep him in the capital, and he is controlled as a mere commoner." They secretly ordered several men to submit sealed memorials saying, "Most of the Prince of Qin's attendants are men of the east. Hearing that he is going to Luoyang, they are extraordinarily joyful. Judging from their manner, once he leaves he will not intend to return." Gaozu thereupon halted the plan. After this they joined with Yuanji day and night in secret with the inner palace. Their slanders grew ever sharper, and Gaozu was misled. Taizong was afraid and did not know what to do. Li Jing, Li Ji, and others repeatedly said, "Great Prince, because your merit is high you are suspected. We beg to exert the strength of dogs and horses on your behalf." Feng Lun also secretly urged Taizong to plot against them, but he would not permit it. Lun then spoke to Gaozu in turn, saying, "The Prince of Qin relies on his great merit and will not submit to serving below the crown prince. If you do not establish him, I beg you to deal with the matter early." He also urged Jiancheng to rebel, saying, "One who holds the four seas does not heed his kin. When the Founder of Han begged for broth—that is what is meant."

九年，突厥犯邊，詔元吉率師拒之，元吉因兵集，將與建成剋期舉事。長孫無忌、房玄齡、杜如晦、尉遲敬德、侯君集等日夜固爭曰：「事急矣！若不行權道，社稷必危。周公聖人，豈無情於骨肉？為存社稷，大義滅親。今大王臨機不斷，坐受屠戮，於義何成？若不見聽，無忌等將竄身草澤，不得居王左右。」太宗然其計。六月三日，密奏建成、元吉淫亂後宮，因自陳曰：「臣於兄弟無絲毫所負，今欲殺臣，似為世充、建德報仇。臣今枉死，永違君親，魂歸地下，實亦恥見諸賊。」高祖省之愕然，報曰：「明日當勘問，汝宜早參。」四日，太宗將左右九人至玄武門自衛。高祖已召裴寂、蕭瑀、陳叔達、封倫、宇文士及、竇誕、顏師古等，欲令窮覆其事。建成、元吉行至臨湖殿，覺變，即回馬，將東歸宮府。太宗隨而呼之，元吉馬上張弓，再三不彀。太宗乃射之，建成應弦而斃，元吉中流矢而走，尉遲敬德殺之。俄而東宮及齊府精兵二千人結陣馳攻玄武門，守門兵仗拒之，不得入，良久接戰，流矢及於內殿。太宗左右數百騎來赴難，建成等兵遂敗散。高祖大驚，謂裴寂等曰：「今日之事如何？」蕭瑀、陳叔達進曰：「臣聞內外無限，父子不親，當斷不斷，反受其亂。建成、元吉，義旗草創之際，並不預謀；建立已來，又無功德，常自懷憂，相濟為惡，釁起蕭牆，遂有今日之事。秦王功蓋天下，率土歸心，若處以元良，委之國務，陛下如釋重負，蒼生自然乂安。」高祖曰：「善！此亦吾之夙志也。」乃命召太宗而撫之曰：「近日已來，幾有投杼之惑。」太宗哀號久之。建成死時年三十八。長子太原王承宗早卒。次子安陸王承道、河東王承德、武安王承訓、汝南王承明、鉅鹿王承義並坐誅。太宗即位，追封建成為息王，謚曰隱，以禮改葬。葬日，太宗於宜秋門哭之甚哀，仍以皇子趙王福為建成嗣。十六年五月，又追贈皇太子，謚仍依舊。

In the ninth year the Turks invaded the frontier, and an edict ordered Yuanji to lead troops against them. With troops assembling, Yuanji planned with Jiancheng to rise on a set date. Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Yuchi Jingde, Hou Junji, and others argued day and night, saying, "The matter is urgent! If you do not take the expedient course, the altars of state will surely be in peril. The Duke of Zhou was a sage—did he lack feeling for his kin? To preserve the altars of state, he extinguished kin for the greater righteousness. Great Prince, you hesitate at the critical moment and sit waiting to be slaughtered. How can righteousness be fulfilled? If you will not heed us, Wuji and the others will flee into the marshes and cannot remain at your side." Taizong approved their plan. On the third day of the sixth month he secretly memorialized that Jiancheng and Yuanji had debauched the inner palace, and stated himself, "I have not failed my brothers in the slightest. Now they wish to kill me, as if to avenge Shimin and Jiande. If I must die unjustly now, I shall forever be parted from my sovereign and kin. Returning in spirit to the underworld, I would indeed be ashamed to face those villains." Gaozu read it and was startled. He replied, "Tomorrow I shall investigate. You should attend early." On the fourth day Taizong brought nine attendants to Xuanwu Gate to guard himself. Gaozu had already summoned Pei Ji, Xiao Yu, Chen Shuda, Feng Lun, Yuwen Shiji, Dou Yan, Yan Shigu, and others, intending to have them thoroughly investigate the matter. Jiancheng and Yuanji reached Linhu Hall, sensed that something was amiss, turned their horses at once, and were about to return east to their palaces. Taizong followed and called to them. Yuanji drew his bow on horseback but could not fully draw it after several tries. Taizong then shot at them. Jiancheng fell dead at the twang of the bowstring. Yuanji was struck by a flying arrow and fled, and Yuchi Jingde killed him. Soon two thousand elite troops of the Eastern Palace and Qi establishment formed ranks and galloped to attack Xuanwu Gate. The gate guards with weapons repelled them and they could not enter. After a long while fighting continued, and stray arrows reached the inner halls. Several hundred horsemen of Taizong's attendants came to the rescue, and Jiancheng's troops were defeated and scattered. Gaozu was greatly alarmed and said to Pei Ji and the others, "What is to be done about today's affair?" Xiao Yu and Chen Shuda advanced and said, "We have heard that when inner and outer have no bounds and father and son are not close, one who should cut off but does not will suffer disorder in turn. Jiancheng and Yuanji, at the time the righteous banner was first raised, took no part in the planning. Since the establishment they have had no merit, constantly harbored anxiety, aided one another in evil, and raised trouble within the palace walls—hence today's affair. The Prince of Qin's merit covers all under Heaven; the realm turns to him in heart. If he is placed as heir apparent and entrusted with state affairs, Your Majesty will be as one who has laid down a heavy burden, and the people will naturally be at peace." Gaozu said, "Good! This too has long been my own wish." He then ordered Taizong summoned and comforted him, saying, "In recent days I have nearly had the confusion of casting aside the pestle." Taizong wailed for a long while. Jiancheng was thirty-eight years old at his death. His eldest son, Prince Chengzong of Taiyuan, died early. His second sons Prince Chengdong of Anlu, Prince Chengde of Hedong, Prince Cheng Xun of Wu'an, Prince Chengming of Runan, and Prince Chengyi of Julu were all executed on account of the affair. When Taizong took the throne, he posthumously enfeoffed Jiancheng as Prince of Xi and gave him the posthumous title Hidden, reinterring him with full rites. On the day of the burial Taizong wept bitterly at Yichiu Gate and made Prince Zhao Fu his heir in Jiancheng's line. In the fifth month of the sixteenth year he again posthumously invested him as crown prince; the posthumous title remained as before.

衛王玄霸

Prince Xuanba of Wei

巢王元吉

Prince Yuanji of Chao

巢王元吉，高祖第四子也。義師起，授太原郡守，封姑臧郡公。尋進封齊國公，授十五郡諸軍事、鎮北大將軍，留鎮太原，許以便宜行事。武德元年，進爵為王，授并州總管。二年，劉武周南侵汾、晉，詔遣右衛將軍宇文歆助元吉守并州。元吉性好畋獵，載網罟三十餘兩，嘗言「我寧三日不食，不能一日不獵」，又縱其左右攘奪百姓。歆頻諫不納，乃上表曰：「王在州之日，多出微行，常共竇誕遊獵，蹂踐谷稼，放縱親暱，公行攘奪，境內六畜，因之殆盡。當衢而射，觀人避箭以為笑樂。分遣左右，戲為攻戰，至相擊刺毀傷至死。夜開府門，宣淫他室。百姓怨毒，各懷憤嘆。以此守城，安能自保！」元吉竟坐免。又諷父老詣闕請之，尋令復職。時劉武週率五千騎至黃蛇嶺，元吉遣車騎將軍張達以步卒百人先嘗之。達以步卒少，固請不行。元吉強遣之，至則盡沒於賊。達憤怒，因引武周攻陷榆次，進逼并州。元吉大懼，紿其司馬劉德威曰：「卿以老弱守城，吾以強兵出戰。」因夜出兵，攜其妻妾棄軍奔還京師，并州遂陷。高祖怒甚，謂禮部尚書李綱曰：「元吉幼小，未習時事，故遣竇誕、宇文歆輔之。強兵數萬，食支十年，起義興運之基，一朝而棄。宇文歆首畫此計，我當斬之。」綱曰：「賴歆令陛下不失愛子，臣以為有功。」高祖問其故，綱封曰：「罪由竇誕不能規諷，致令軍人怨憤。又齊王年少，肆行驕逸，放縱左右，侵漁百姓。誕曾無諫止，乃隨順掩藏，以成其釁，此誕之罪。宇文歆論情則疏，向彼又淺，王之過失，悉以聞奏。且父子之際，人所難言，而歆言之，豈非忠懇？今欲誅罪，不錄其心，臣愚竊以為過。」翌日，高祖召綱入，升御坐，謂曰：「今我有公，遂使刑罰不濫。元吉自惡，結怨於人。歆既曾以表聞，誕亦焉能禁制？皆非其罪也。」尋加授元吉侍中、襄州道行台尚書令、稷州刺史。四年，太宗征竇建德，留元吉與屈突通圍王世充於東都。世充出兵拒戰，元吉設伏擊破之，斬首八百級，生擒其大將樂仁昉、甲士千餘人。世充平，拜司空，余官如故，加賜袞冕之服、前後部鼓吹樂二部、班劍二十人、黃金二千斤，與太宗各聽三爐鑄錢以自給。六年，加授隰州總管。及與建成連謀，各募壯士，多匿罪人。復內結宮掖，遞加稱譽，又厚賂中書令封倫以為黨助。由是高祖頗疏太宗而加愛元吉。太宗嘗從高祖幸其第，元吉伏其護軍宇文寶於寢內，將以刺太宗。建成恐事不果而止之，元吉慍曰：「為兄計耳，於我何害！」九年，轉左衛大將軍，尋進位司徒、兼侍中，并州大都督、隰州都督、稷州刺史並如故。

Prince Yuanji of Chao was Gaozu's fourth son. When the righteous army rose, he was appointed Administrator of Taiyuan commandery and enfeoffed as Duke of Guzang. Soon he was advanced to Duke of Qi, given command over military affairs in fifteen commanderies as Grand General Who Pacifies the North, left to hold Taiyuan, and permitted to act at his own discretion. In the first year of Wude he was advanced to prince and appointed Inspector-General of Bingzhou. In the second year Liu Wuzhou invaded south into Fen and Jin. An edict ordered Right Guard General Yuwen Xin to assist Yuanji in holding Bingzhou. Yuanji was fond of hunting. He carried more than thirty sets of nets and snares and once said, "I would rather go three days without food than one day without hunting." He also let his attendants plunder the common people. Xin repeatedly remonstrated but was not heeded. He then submitted a memorial saying, "While the prince was in the prefecture he often went out incognito, constantly hunting with Dou Yan, trampling the grain in the fields, indulging his intimates, and openly seizing goods until the livestock within the borders were nearly exhausted. He would shoot in the middle of the road and laugh to see people dodge his arrows. He sent his attendants to play at battle until they stabbed and wounded one another to death. At night he opened the princely gates and debauched other men's wives. The people hated him and each harbored bitter sighs. With such a man defending the city, how can he protect himself!" Yuanji was dismissed from office on this account. He also prompted the elders to go to the palace gate to request his restoration, and before long he was ordered back to his post. At that time Liu Wuzhou led five thousand horsemen to Huangshe Ridge. Yuanji sent Cavalry General Zhang Da with a hundred foot soldiers to test them first. Da said the foot soldiers were too few and firmly refused to go. Yuanji forced him to go. When he arrived he was entirely destroyed by the rebels. Da, in anger, then led Wuzhou to take Yuci and advance against Bingzhou. Yuanji was greatly afraid and deceived his Chief Administrator Liu Dewei, saying, "You hold the city with the old and weak. I will go out to battle with strong troops. He then led troops out by night, took his wives and concubines, abandoned the army, and fled back to the capital. Bingzhou was lost. Gaozu was furious and said to Minister of Rites Li Gang, "Yuanji is young and has not learned current affairs, so I sent Dou Yan and Yuwen Xin to assist him. Tens of thousands of strong troops and provisions for ten years—the foundation of our righteous rising—were abandoned in a single morning. Yuwen Xin first devised this plan. I ought to execute him." Gang said, "Thanks to Xin, Your Majesty did not lose a beloved son. I consider that a merit." Gaozu asked the reason. Gang sealed his lips and said, "The fault lies with Dou Yan's failure to admonish and correct, which caused the soldiers' resentment. Moreover the Prince of Qi is young and acts with arrogant license, indulging his attendants and encroaching on the common people. Yan never once remonstrated but followed along and concealed the facts, thereby completing the disaster—this is Yan's fault. Yuwen Xin, judged by affection, was distant, and toward the prince he was shallow. Yet he reported all the prince's faults to the throne. Between father and son, what is hard for anyone to speak—yet Xin spoke of it. Was that not loyal earnestness? Now if you wish to punish guilt without recording his intent, I foolishly think it a fault." The next day Gaozu summoned Gang in, ascended the imperial seat, and said, "Now that I have you, punishments are not wantonly applied. Yuanji brings hatred on himself and makes enemies among men. Xin had already reported by memorial. How could Yan have restrained him? Neither is guilty." Soon Yuanji was further appointed Attendant-in-ordinary, Director of the Xiangzhou Circuit Department of State Affairs, and Inspector of Jizhou. In the fourth year Taizong campaigned against Dou Jiande. Yuanji was left with Qu Tu Tong to besiege Wang Shichong at the eastern capital. Shichong sent troops out to resist. Yuanji set an ambush, routed them, took eight hundred heads, and captured alive his great general Yue Renfang and more than a thousand armored soldiers. When Shichong was pacified he was appointed Minister of Works. His other offices remained as before, and in addition he was granted robes of honor, two sets of front and rear guard music, twenty guards with swords, two thousand catties of gold, and he and Taizong were each permitted three mints to cast coin for their own supply. In the sixth year he was further appointed Inspector-General of Xi prefecture. When he joined Jiancheng in conspiracy they each recruited stalwart men and hid many criminals. They also joined inwardly with the inner palace, heaping praise on one another, and richly bribed Director of the Department of State Affairs Feng Lun as a partisan ally. Hence Gaozu grew somewhat distant from Taizong and increased his love for Yuanji. When Taizong once followed Gaozu on a visit to his residence, Yuanji hid his Protector of the Army Yuwen Bao in the sleeping quarters intending to stab Taizong. Jiancheng feared the affair would not succeed and stopped him. Yuanji said angrily, "I am scheming for my elder brother—what harm is it to me! In the ninth year he was transferred to Grand General of the Left Guard, and soon advanced to Minister of Education, concurrently Attendant-in-ordinary. His posts as Grand Commander of Bingzhou, Inspector-General of Xi, and Inspector of Jizhou remained as before.

高祖將避暑太和宮，二王當從，元吉謂建成曰：「待至宮所，當興精兵襲取之。置土窟中，唯開一孔以通飲食耳。」會突厥郁射設屯軍河南，入圍烏城。建成乃薦元吉代太宗督軍北討，仍令秦府驍將秦叔寶、尉遲敬德、程知節、段志玄等並與同行。又追秦府兵帳，簡閱驍勇，將奪太宗兵以益其府。又譖杜如晦、房玄齡，逐令歸第。高祖知其謀而不制。元吉因密請加害太宗，高祖曰：「是有定四海之功，罪跡未見，一旦欲殺，何以為辭？」元吉曰：「秦王常違詔敕，初平東都之日，偃蹇顧望，不急還京，分散錢帛，以樹私惠。違戾如此，豈非反逆？但須速殺，何患無辭！」高祖不對，元吉遂退。建成謂元吉曰：「既得秦王精兵，統數萬之眾，吾與秦王至昆明池，於彼宴別，令壯士拉之於幕下，因雲暴卒，主上諒無不信。吾當使人進說，令付吾國務。正位已後，以汝為太弟。敬德等既入汝手，一時坑之，孰敢不服？」率更丞王晊聞其謀，密告太宗。太宗召府僚以告之，皆曰：「大王若不正斷，社稷非唐所有。若使建成、元吉肆其毒心，群小得志，元吉狼戾，終亦不事其兄。往者護軍薛寶上齊王符籙云：『元吉合成唐字。』齊王得之喜曰：『但除秦王，取東宮如反掌耳。』為亂未成，預懷相奪。以大王之威，襲二人如拾地芥。」太宗遲疑未決，眾又曰：「大王以舜為何如人也？」曰：「浚哲文明，溫恭允塞，為子孝，為君聖，焉可議之乎？」府僚曰：「向使舜浚井不出，自同魚鱉之斃，焉得為孝子乎？涂廩不下，便成煨燼之餘，焉得為聖君乎？小杖受，大杖避，良有以也。」太宗於是定計誅建成及元吉。元吉死時年二十四。有五子：梁郡王承業、漁陽王承鸞、普安王承獎、江夏王承裕、義陽王承度，並坐誅。尋詔絕建成、元吉屬籍。太宗踐祚，追封元吉為海陵郡王，謚曰剌，以禮改葬。貞觀十六年，又追封巢王，謚如故，復以曹王明為元吉後。

Gaozu was about to take the summer retreat at Taihe Palace. The two princes were to accompany him. Yuanji said to Jiancheng, "When we reach the palace grounds we should raise elite troops and seize him. Place him in an earthen pit with only one opening for food and drink. Just then the Turk Yugu She led troops south of the river and entered to besiege Wucheng. Jiancheng then recommended Yuanji to replace Taizong in commanding the northern campaign, and ordered the Qin establishment's fierce generals Qin Shubao, Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Zhijie, Duan Zhixuan, and others to go with him. He also pursued the Qin establishment's military rolls, selecting the fierce and brave, intending to seize Taizong's troops to augment his own establishment. He also slandered Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling and had them sent home. Gaozu knew their plot but did not restrain it. Yuanji then secretly requested that Taizong be killed. Gaozu said, "He has the merit of settling the four seas. His guilt is not yet seen—if you wish to kill him suddenly, what pretext will you have?" Yuanji said, "The Prince of Qin constantly disobeys edicts and instructions. When the eastern capital was first pacified he was arrogant and looked about, slow to return to the capital, and scattered money and silk to win private favor. Such defiance as this—is it not rebellion? One need only kill him quickly—why worry about lacking a pretext!" Gaozu did not reply. Yuanji then withdrew. Jiancheng said to Yuanji, "Now that we have obtained the Prince of Qin's elite troops and command tens of thousands of men, I and the Prince of Qin will go to Kunming Pool and there take leave at a banquet. Let stalwart men drag him down behind the curtain and say he died suddenly—the sovereign will surely believe it. I will have men advance and persuade him to entrust state affairs to me. Once I take the proper position I will make you Grand Younger Brother. Once Jingde and the others are in your hands, bury them all at once—who will dare not submit? Court Director Wang Zhi heard their plot and secretly informed Taizong. Taizong summoned his establishment officials and told them. All said, "Great Prince, if you do not decide rightly, the altars of state will not belong to Tang. If you let Jiancheng and Yuanji unleash their poison, petty men will have their way. Yuanji is fierce and cruel and in the end will not serve his elder brother. Formerly Protector of the Army Xue Bao presented to the Prince of Qi a talisman slip saying, 'Yuanji completes the character for Tang.' The Prince of Qi, obtaining it, said with joy, 'Once the Prince of Qin is removed, taking the Eastern Palace will be like turning one's palm.' Before the rebellion had even succeeded he already harbored designs to seize it from his brother. With your Great Prince's prestige, to strike down the two of them would be like picking up dust from the ground." Taizong hesitated and had not decided. The crowd again said, "Great Prince, what sort of man do you take Shun to be?" He said, "Deeply wise and civilly accomplished, warm and respectful and truly sincere—as a son filial, as a ruler sage—how can he be discussed?" Had Shun never climbed out of that well, he would have drowned like any fish or turtle—hardly the stuff of filial legend. Had Yu failed to escape the burning granary, he would have been nothing but charred ruin—scarcely a model for sage kingship. Endure the light rod, flee the heavy one—there is wisdom in that ancient rule. At that Taizong resolved to kill Jiancheng and Yuanji. Yuanji was twenty-four when he was killed. His five sons—Chengye, Prince of Liang Commandery; Chengluan, Prince of Yuyang; Chengjian, Prince of Pu'an; Chengyu, Prince of Jiangxia; and Chengnu, Prince of Yiyang—were all put to death as accomplices. Before long an edict struck Jiancheng and Yuanji from the imperial genealogy. After Taizong took the throne, he posthumously made Yuanji Prince of Hailing Commandery, gave him the posthumous name Li, and reinterred him with proper ceremony. In Zhenguan 16 Yuanji was raised posthumously to Prince of Chao, his censorious epithet unchanged, and Li Ming, Prince of Cao, was once more appointed his successor.

楚王智雲

Zhiyun, Prince of Chu

荊王元景

Yuanjing, Prince of Jing

荊王元景，高祖第六子也。武德三年，封為趙王。八年，授安州都督。貞觀初，歷遷雍州牧、右驍衛大將軍。十年，徙封荊王，授荊州都督。十一年，定制元景等為代襲刺史。詔曰：

Yuanjing, Prince of Jing, was Gaozu's sixth son. Wude 3: he received the title Prince of Zhao. In year eight he became Area Commander of An Prefecture. Early in Zhenguan he held the posts of Yongzhou Governor and General-in-Chief of the Right Xiaowei Guard in turn. Year ten: he was transferred to Prince of Jing and made Area Commander of Jing Prefecture. In year eleven a system was decreed whereby Yuanjing and the other princes would hold their prefectures in perpetual succession. An edict declared:

皇王受命，步驟之跡以殊；經籍所紀，質文之道匪一。雖治亂不同，損益或異，至於設官司以制海內，建籓屏以輔王室，莫不明其典章，義存於致治；崇其賢戚，志在於無疆。朕以寡昧，丕承鴻緒，寅畏三靈，憂勤百姓，考明哲之餘論，求經邦之長策。帝業之重，獨任難以成務；天下之曠，因人易以獲安。然則侯伯肇於自昔，州郡始於中代，聖賢異術，沿革隨時，復古則義難頓從，尋今則事不盡理。遂規模周、漢，斟酌曹、馬，采按部之嘉名，參建侯之舊制，共治之職重矣，分土之實存焉。已有制書，陳其至理。繼世垂範，貽厥後昆；維城作固，同符前烈。荊州都督荊王元景、梁州都督漢王元昌、徐州都督徐王元禮、潞州都督韓王元嘉、遂州都督彭王元則、鄭州刺史鄭王元懿、絳州刺史霍王元軌、虢州刺史虢王鳳、豫州刺史道王元慶、鄧州刺史鄧王元裕、壽州刺史舒王元名、幽州都督燕王靈夔、蘇州刺史許王元祥、安州都督吳王恪、相州都督魏王泰、齊州都督齊王裕、益州都督蜀王愔、襄州刺史蔣王惲、揚州都督越王貞、并州都督晉王某、秦州都督紀王慎等，或地居旦、奭，夙聞《詩》、《禮》；或望及間、平，早稱才藝，並爵隆土宇，寵兼車服。誠孝之心，無忘於造次；風政之舉，克著於期月。宜冠恆冊，祚以休命。其所任刺史，咸令子孫代代承襲。

Kings who take Heaven's charge walk different paths to power; yet the classics show that no single formula governs how rule should be shaped in letter and spirit. Whether times are turbulent or calm, reforms wax or wane, every age that sets officials over the empire and raises feudal shields for the throne has codified its institutions to the end of good order; and to exalt royal kin is to aim at a dynasty without limit. Humbly I have taken up the great legacy, tremble before Heaven, Earth, and the spirits, and labor for the people—studying sage counsel and searching out enduring ways to govern. The burden of empire is too heavy for one man alone; the breadth of the realm finds its peace only through the right men. Marquisates date to antiquity and commandery rule to the middle kingdoms; sages chose different tools and institutions shifted with the age. Blind restoration would jar against necessity, yet clinging only to the present would fall short of principle. So I looked to Zhou and Han, weighed the precedents of Cao Wei and the Sima Jin, drew on honored regional titles, and revived the old pattern of enfeoffment—making shared rule a weighty charge while keeping the substance of granted domains. Regulations have already been promulgated, stating the full rationale. May this endure from age to age, a standard for those who come after; and may it buttress the realm as the great founders did of old. Among them are Jingzhou Area Commander Yuanjing, Prince of Jing; Liangzhou Area Commander Yuanchang, Prince of Han; Xuzhou Area Commander Yuanli, Prince of Xu; Luzhou Area Commander Yuanjia, Prince of Han; Suizhou Area Commander Yuanze, Prince of Peng; Zhengzhou Prefect Yuanyi, Prince of Zheng; Jiangzhou Prefect Yuangui, Prince of Huo; Guozhou Prefect Feng, Prince of Guo; Yuzhou Prefect Yuanqing, Prince of Dao; Dengzhou Prefect Yuanyu, Prince of Deng; Shouzhou Prefect Yuanming, Prince of Shu; Youzhou Area Commander Lingkui, Prince of Yan; Suzhou Prefect Yuanxiang, Prince of Xu; Anzhou Area Commander Ké, Prince of Wu; Xiangzhou Area Commander Yuantai, Prince of Wei; Qizhou Area Commander Yu, Prince of Qi; Yizhou Area Commander Yuanyin, Prince of Shu; Xiang Prefecture Prefect Yun, Prince of Jiang; Yangzhou Area Commander Zhen, Prince of Yue; Bingzhou Area Commander, a Prince of Jin [name omitted]; Qinzhou Area Commander Shen, Prince of Ji—some raised in domains worthy of the Duke of Zhou and Duke of Shao, steeped since boyhood in the Odes and Rites; others whose fame rivals the great exemplars Jian and Ping, praised early for ability and arts—all ennobled over broad fiefs, honored with carriages and vestments. Filial devotion they never set aside, even in hurried moments; and their governance has already shown itself within a single month. Let them stand foremost in the everlasting rolls and receive this gracious appointment. The prefectures they now hold shall pass from son to grandson, generation upon generation.

尋又罷代襲之制。元景久之轉鄜州刺史。高宗即位，進位司徒，加實封通前滿一千五百戶。永徽四年，坐與房遺愛謀反賜死，國除。後追封沉黎王，備禮改葬。以渤海王奉慈子長沙為嗣，降爵為侯。神龍初，追復爵土，並封其孫逖為嗣荊王，尋薨，國除。

Soon afterward the hereditary prefect system was revoked. In time Yuanjing was moved to the post of Prefect of Fu Prefecture. At Gaozong's accession he rose to Grand Tutor, his income fief reaching fifteen hundred households in all. Yonghui 4: convicted of treason with Fang Yi'ai, he was executed and his princedom extinguished. He was later posthumously made Prince of Chenli and given a proper reburial. Fengci's son Changsha was appointed successor, though reduced to marquis. In early Shenlong his honors were restored and his grandson Ti made Prince of Jing in succession; Ti soon died and the line ended.

漢王元昌

Yuanchang, Prince of Han

漢王元昌，高祖第七子也。少好學，善隸書。武德三年，封為魯王。貞觀五年，授華州刺史，轉梁州都督。十年，改封漢王。元昌在州，頗違憲法，太宗手敕責之。初不自咎，更懷怨望。知太子承乾嫉魏王泰之寵，乃相附托，圖為不軌。十六年，元昌來朝京師，承乾頻召入東宮夜宿，因謂承乾曰：「願陛下早為天子。近見御側，有一宮人，善彈琵琶，事平之後，當望垂賜。」承乾許諾。又刻臂出血，以帛拭之，燒作灰，和酒同飲，共為信誓，潛伺間隙。十七年，事發，太宗弗忍加誅，特敕免死。大臣高士廉、李世勣等奏言：「王者以四海為家，以萬姓為子，公行天下，情無獨親。元昌苞藏凶惡，圖謀逆亂，觀其指趣，察其心府，罪深燕旦，釁甚楚英。天地之所不容，人臣之所切齒，五刑不足申其罰，九死無以當其愆。而陛下情屈至公，恩加梟獍，欲開疏網，漏此鯨鯢。臣等有司，期不奉制，伏願敦師憲典，誅此凶慝。順群臣之願，奪鷹鸇之心，則吳、楚七君，不幽嘆於往漢；管、蔡二叔，不沉恨於有周。」太宗事不獲已，乃賜元昌自盡於家，妻子籍沒，國除。

Yuanchang, Prince of Han, was Gaozu's seventh son. As a boy he studied eagerly and wrote a fine clerical hand. Wude 3: he was created Prince of Lu. Zhenguan 5 brought him the Huazhou prefecture and then the Liangzhou command. In year ten his fief became Prince of Han. Yuanchang's rule in Liangzhou flouted the law, and Taizong sent a personal rebuke. He showed no remorse at first, only growing resentful. Learning that Crown Prince Chenggan resented Yuantai, Prince of Wei, for their father's favor, he joined the heir and plotted rebellion. In year sixteen Yuanchang arrived at court; Chenggan often had him sleep in the Eastern Palace and said, "May Your Majesty take the throne soon. I lately noticed a pipa player in your father's train—when all is settled, I trust you will give her to me. The crown prince agreed. They cut their arms, caught the blood on silk, burned the cloth to ash, mixed it with wine, and drank as one—a blood oath while they waited for their chance. Year seventeen: the plot exposed, Taizong could not bring himself to execute him and specially granted life. Ministers Gao Shilian and Li Shiji submitted: "A true king treats the realm as home and all people as his children; in ruling the world, private affection must not outweigh public duty. Yuanchang concealed vicious intent and plotted revolt; judged by aim and heart, his guilt surpasses Prince Dan of Yan's, his treason worse than Prince Ying of Chu's. Heaven and earth would reject such a man; every loyal minister gnashes his teeth—the five punishments are too light, nine deaths too few. Yet Your Majesty's justice wavers toward mercy, extending grace even to monsters, as if to cast a wide net and release this leviathan. We your servants cannot in conscience obey; we beg you uphold the law and put this villain to death. Grant the court's plea, steel your heart as a ruler must, and the seven princes of Wu and Chu will not groan unavenged under the Han; nor Guan and Cai, the two uncles of Zhou, rest embittered beneath the Zhou. Unable to refuse, Taizong commanded Yuanchang to kill himself at home; his family was confiscated and the princedom ended.

酆王元亨

Yuanheng, Prince of Feng

酆王元亨，高祖第八子也。武德三年受封。貞觀二年，授散騎常侍，拜金州刺史。及之籓，太宗以其幼小，甚思之，中路賜以金盞，遣使為之設宴。六年薨，無子，國除。

Yuanheng, Prince of Feng, was Gaozu's eighth son. He was enfeoffed in Wude 3. Zhenguan 2: he became Attendant Cavalier and Prefect of Jin Prefecture. On the road to his fief the boy prince was still so young that Taizong missed him sorely; the emperor sent ahead a golden goblet and an envoy to feast him on the way. He died in year six without heirs, and the title lapsed.

周王元方

Yuanfang, Prince of Zhou

周王元方，高祖第九子也。武德四年受封。貞觀二年，授散騎常侍。三年薨，贈左光祿大夫，無子，國除。

Yuanfang, Prince of Zhou, was Gaozu's ninth son. He received his title in Wude 4. Zhenguan 2: he was made Attendant Cavalier. He died in year three, was posthumously honored as Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, left no son, and the fief ended.

徐王元禮

Yuanli, Prince of Xu

徐王元禮，高祖第十子也。少恭謹，善騎射。武德四年，封鄭王。貞觀六年，賜實封七百戶，授鄭州刺史，徙封徐王，遷徐州都督。十七年，轉絳州刺史，以善政聞，太宗降璽書勞勉，賜以錦彩。二十三年，加實封千戶。永徽四年，加授司徒，兼潞州刺史。咸亨三年薨，贈太尉、冀州大都督，陪葬獻陵。

Yuanli, Prince of Xu, was Gaozu's tenth son. He was modest and diligent as a youth, and excelled at riding and shooting. Wude 4: he became Prince of Zheng. Zhenguan 6: he received seven hundred income households, took Zhengzhou, was transferred to Prince of Xu, and became Xuzhou Area Commander. Year seventeen he moved to Jiang Prefecture; his able rule won notice, and Taizong sent a sealed letter of praise with silks. In year twenty-three his income fief grew by a thousand households. Yonghui 4: he was also made Grand Tutor and Prefect of Lu Prefecture. He died in Xianheng 3, was posthumously named Grand Commandant and Jizhou Area Commander-in-Chief, and interred at Xian Mausoleum.

淮南王茂嗣

Maosi, Prince of Huainan

韓王元嘉

Yuanjia, Prince of Han

韓王元嘉，高祖第十一子也。母宇文昭儀，隋左武衛大將軍述之女也。早有寵於高祖，高祖初即位，便欲立為皇后，固辭不受。元嘉少以母寵，特為高祖所愛，自登極晚生皇子，無及之者。武德四年，封宋王，徙封徐王。貞觀六年，賜實封七百戶，授潞州刺史，時年十五。在州聞太妃有疾，便涕泣不食。及京師發喪，哀毀過禮，太宗嗟其至性，屢慰勉之。九年，授右領軍大將軍。十年，改封韓王，授潞州都督。二十三年，加實封滿千戶。元嘉少好學，聚書至萬卷，又采碑文古蹟，多得異本。閨門修整，有類寒素士大夫。與其弟靈夔甚相友愛，兄弟集見，如布衣之禮。其修身潔己，內外如一，當代諸王莫能及者，唯霍王元軌抑其次焉。高宗末，元嘉轉澤州刺史。及天后臨朝攝政，欲順物情，乃進授元嘉為太尉，定州刺史、霍王元軌為司徒，青州刺史、舒王元名為司空，隆州刺史、魯王靈夔為太子太師，蘇州刺史、越王貞為太子太傅，安州都督、紀王慎為太子太保，並外示尊崇，實無所綜理。其後漸將誅戮宗室諸王不附己者，元嘉大懼，與其子通州刺史、黃公譔及越王貞父子謀起兵，於是皇宗國戚內外相連者甚廣。遣使報貞及貞子琅邪王沖曰：「四面同來，事無不濟。」沖與諸道計料未審而先發兵，倉卒唯貞應之，諸道莫有赴者，故其事不成。元嘉坐誅。譔少以文才見知，諸王子中，與琅邪王沖為一時之秀，凡所交結皆當代名士。時天下犯罪籍沒者甚眾，唯沖與譔父子書籍最多，皆文句詳定，秘閣所不及。神龍初，追復元嘉爵土，並封其第五子訥為嗣韓王，官至員外祭酒。開元十七年卒。元嘉長子訓，高祖時封潁川王，早卒。次子誼，封武陵王，官至濮州刺史。開元中，封訥子叔璇為嗣韓王、國子員外司業。

Yuanjia, Prince of Han, was Gaozu's eleventh son. His mother, Lady Zhao of Yuwen, was daughter of Yuwen Shu, Sui's General-in-Chief of the Left Martial Guard. She had long been Gaozu's favorite; when he first took the throne he wished to make her empress, but she steadfastly refused. Favored through his mother, Yuanjia was especially dear to Gaozu—none of the sons born after the founding matched his place in the emperor's heart. Wude 4: he was made Prince of Song, then Prince of Xu. Zhenguan 6: seven hundred income households and the Lu Prefecture post came to him at age fifteen. Serving in Lu, he learned his mother was ill and wept until he would not eat. At her funeral in the capital his grief exceeded propriety; Taizong marveled at such filial depth and consoled him again and again. Year nine: he became General of the Right Leading Army. In year ten he was made Prince of Han and Luzhou Area Commander. Year twenty-three brought his income fief to a full thousand households. Yuanjia loved books from boyhood, amassed ten thousand volumes, and by collecting stele texts and antiquities gathered many unusual editions. His household was run with austere decorum, like that of a modest scholar's family. He cherished an especially close bond with his brother Lingkui; whenever they met, the two brothers treated one another with the unpretentious courtesy of ordinary men. His conduct was disciplined and consistent in public and private alike; of all the princes of their day, none matched him, with Prince Yuangui of Huo alone ranking second. Toward the close of Emperor Gaozong's reign, Yuanjia was reassigned as prefect of Cizhou. When Empress Wu assumed the regency, seeking to placate public opinion, she promoted Yuanjia to Grand Commandant; Prince Yuangui of Huo, prefect of Dingzhou, to Minister of Education; Prince Yuanming of Shu, prefect of Qingzhou, to Minister of Works; Prince Lingkui of Lu, prefect of Longzhou, to Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent; Prince Zhen of Yue, prefect of Suzhou, to Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent; and Prince Shen of Ji, governor-general of Anzhou, to Grand Protector of the Heir Apparent — titles meant to honor them in appearance, though they carried no real administrative duties. She then began systematically to eliminate princes of the imperial house who refused to align with her. Yuanjia was seized with terror and, together with his son Fu — prefect of Tongzhou and Duke of Huang — and Prince Zhen of Yue and his son, plotted an armed uprising. The conspiracy drew in a wide network of royal relatives and consanguineous allies. He dispatched messengers to Prince Zhen and his son Prince Chong of Langye with word that if forces converged from every quarter, the enterprise was sure to succeed. Chong, however, mobilized before the allied provinces had settled their plans. In the rush only Prince Zhen answered the call; no other column marched, and the rebellion collapsed. Yuanjia was put to death for his part in the plot. Fu had won early renown for his literary gifts; among the sons of princes he and Prince Chong of Langye stood out as the finest minds of their generation, and his circle included the leading men of letters of the day. Confiscations of property from convicted offenders were widespread at the time, yet the libraries of Chong and of Fu and his father were the largest of all — their texts meticulously collated, surpassing even the holdings of the imperial Secret Archive. In the opening year of the Shenlong reign, Yuanjia's rank and domain were posthumously reinstated, and his fifth son Ne was created heir to the Han princedom, later serving as supernumerary libationer. He died in the seventeenth year of the Kaiyuan era. Yuanjia's eldest son Xun had been created Prince of Yingchuan under Gaozu but died young. The second son Yi was created Prince of Wuling and rose to the post of prefect of Puzhou. During the Kaiyuan period, Ne's son Shuxuan was made heir to the Han princedom and appointed supernumerary vice-director of the Imperial Academy.

彭王元則

Yuanze, Prince of Peng

彭王元則，高祖第十二子也。武德四年，封荊王。貞觀七年，授豫州刺史。十年，改封彭王，除遂州都督，尋坐章服奢僭免官。十七年，拜澧州刺史，更折節勵行，頗著聲譽。永徽二年薨，高宗為之廢朝三日，贈司徒、荊州都督，陪葬獻陵，謚曰思。發引之日，高宗登望春宮望其靈車，哭之甚慟。無子，以霍王元軌子絢嗣，龍朔中封南昌王。子志暕，神龍初封嗣彭王。景龍初，加銀青光祿大夫。開元中，宗正卿同正員，卒。

Prince Yuanze of Peng was the twelfth son of Emperor Gaozu. In the fourth year of the Wude era he was created Prince of Jing. In the seventh year of the Zhenguan era he was appointed prefect of Yuzhou. In the tenth year his title was changed to Prince of Peng and he was made governor-general of Suizhou; he was soon stripped of his post for ostentatious and presumptuous dress and insignia. In the seventeenth year he was appointed prefect of Lizhou, where he redoubled his self-discipline and won a notable reputation. He died in the second year of the Yonghui era. Emperor Gaozong canceled court for three days in mourning, posthumously ennobled him as Minister of Education and governor-general of Jingzhou, had him interred at Xian Mausoleum, and gave him the posthumous name Si, "Reflective." On the day the funeral cortege departed, Gaozong climbed to Wangchun Palace to watch the bier pass and wept with deep anguish. He left no son, so Yuangui's son Xuan was adopted as his heir and, during the Longshuo era, was created Prince of Nanchang. His son Zhijian was created heir to the Peng princedom at the opening of the Shenlong reign. At the start of the Jinglong era he was promoted to Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. During the Kaiyuan period he served as supernumerary director of the Imperial Clan Court and later died.

鄭王元懿

Yuanyi, Prince of Zheng

鄭王元懿，高祖第十三子也。頗好學。武德四年，封滕王。貞觀七年，授兗州刺史，賜實封六百戶。十年，改封鄭王，歷鄭、潞二州刺史。二十三年，加實封滿千戶。總章中，累授絳州刺史。數斷大獄，甚有平允之譽。高宗嘉之，降璽書褒美，賜物三百段。咸亨四年薨，贈司徒、荊州大都督，謚曰惠，陪葬獻陵。子璥，上元初，封為嗣鄭王，官至鄂州刺史。神龍初，又封璥嫡子希言為嗣鄭王。景龍四年，嗣鄭王希言等共一十四人，並加銀青光祿大夫。開元中，右金吾大將軍。天寶初，再為太子詹事同正員，卒。

Prince Yuanyi of Zheng was the thirteenth son of Emperor Gaozu. He was an avid student of the classics. In the fourth year of the Wude era he was created Prince of Teng. In the seventh year of the Zhenguan era he was made prefect of Yanzhou and granted a substantive fief of six hundred households. In the tenth year his title was changed to Prince of Zheng, and he served in turn as prefect of Zheng and Lu. In the twenty-third year his substantive fief was raised to one thousand households. During the Zongzhang period he was appointed prefect of Jiangzhou. He presided over numerous major trials and earned wide praise for equitable judgments. Emperor Gaozong applauded his service, issued an edict under the imperial seal commending him, and granted three hundred rolls of silk. He died in the fourth year of the Xianheng era and was posthumously ennobled as Minister of Education and governor-general of Jingzhou, given the posthumous name Hui, "Benevolent," and interred at Xian Mausoleum. His son Jing was created heir to the Zheng princedom at the opening of the Shangyuan era and rose to prefect of Ezhou. At the start of the Shenlong reign, Jing's eldest legitimate son Xiyan was likewise created heir to the Zheng princedom. In the fourth year of the Jinglong era, Xiyan, heir to the Zheng princedom, and thirteen others were all promoted to Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. During the Kaiyuan period he served as Right General of the Golden Guard. At the opening of the Tianbao era he was again appointed supernumerary steward of the Heir Apparent and later died.

霍王元軌

Yuangui, Prince of Huo

霍王元軌，高祖第十四子也。少多才藝，高祖甚奇之。武德六年，封蜀王。八年，徙封吳王。貞觀初，太宗嘗問群臣曰：「朕子弟孰賢？」侍中魏徵對曰：「臣愚闇，不盡知其能。唯吳王數與臣言，未嘗不自失。」上曰：「朕亦器之，卿以為前代誰比？」征曰：「經學文雅，亦漢之間、平也。」由是寵遇彌厚，因令娶征女焉。從太宗遊獵，遇群獸，命元軌射之，矢不虛發，太宗撫其背曰：「汝武藝過人，悵今無所施耳。當天下未定，我得汝豈不美乎！」七年，拜壽州刺史，賜實封六百戶。高祖崩，去職，毀瘠過禮，自後常衣布，示有終身之戚焉。每至忌辰，輒數日不食。十年，改封霍王，授絳州刺史，尋轉徐州刺史。元軌前後為刺史，至州，唯閉閣讀書，吏事責成於長史、司馬，謹慎自守，與物無忤，為人不妄。在徐州，唯與處士劉玄平為布衣之交。人或問玄平王之長，玄平答曰：「無長。」問者怪而復問之，玄平曰：「夫人有短，所以見其長。至於霍王，無所不備，吾何以稱之哉？」二十三年，加實封滿千戶，為定州刺史。突厥來寇，元軌令開門偃旗，虜疑有伏，懼而宵遁。州人李嘉運與賊連謀，事洩，高宗令收按其黨。元軌以強寇在境，人心不安，惟殺嘉運，余無所及，因自劾違制。上覽表大悅，謂使曰：「朕亦悔之，向無王，則失定州矣。」有王文操遇賊，而二子鳳、賢遂以身蔽捍，文操獲全，二子皆死。縣司抑而不申，元軌察知，遣使弔祭，表上其事，詔並贈朝散大夫，令加旌表。其禮賢愛善如此。後因入朝，屢上疏陳時政得失，多所匡益，高宗甚尊重之。及在外籓，朝廷每有大事，或密制問焉。高宗崩，與侍中劉齊賢等知山陵葬事，齊賢服其識練故事，每謂人曰：「非我輩所及也。」元軌嘗使國令征封，令白：「請依諸國賦物貿易取利。」元軌曰：「汝為國令，當正吾失，反說吾以利耶！」拒而不納。垂拱元年，加位司徒，尋出為襄州刺史，轉青州。四年，坐與越王貞連謀起兵，事覺，徙居黔州，仍令載以檻車，行至陳倉而死。有子七人。長子緒，最有才藝。上元中，封江都王，累除金州刺史。重拱中，坐與裴承光交通被殺。神龍初，與元軌並追復爵位，仍封緒孫暉為嗣霍王。景龍四年，加銀青光祿大夫。開元中，左千牛員外將軍。

Prince Yuangui of Huo was the fourteenth son of Emperor Gaozu. From boyhood he displayed wide-ranging talents, and Gaozu took a keen interest in him. In the sixth year of the Wude era he was created Prince of Shu. In the eighth year his title was changed to Prince of Wu. Early in the Zhenguan era, Emperor Taizong once asked his ministers, "Which of my sons and brothers is the most capable? Attendant-in-Ordinary Wei Zheng answered, "I am too dull to judge them all with certainty. But whenever I have spoken with the Prince of Wu, I have always found myself at a loss before him." The emperor said, "I hold him in high regard as well. To whom in past ages would you compare him?" Wei Zheng replied, "In scholarship and refinement he recalls the Han princes Liu Jian and Liu Ping." Thereafter imperial favor toward Yuangui deepened, and the emperor had him marry Wei Zheng's daughter. On a hunting expedition with Taizong they came upon a herd of game, and Taizong ordered Yuangui to shoot; every arrow found its mark. Taizong clapped him on the back and said, "Your martial prowess is extraordinary — it is a pity there is no longer a war in which to prove it. Had the empire still been unsettled, how splendid it would have been to put you in the field! In the seventh year he was appointed prefect of Shouzhou and granted a substantive fief of six hundred households. When Gaozu died, Yuangui left his post and mourned so severely that he wasted away beyond what ritual required; thereafter he wore only plain cloth, signaling grief he would never lay aside. On each anniversary of his father's death he would fast for days on end. In the tenth year his title was changed to Prince of Huo; he was appointed prefect of Jiangzhou and soon transferred to Xuzhou. In each prefectural posting Yuangui shut himself in his quarters to read, leaving daily administration to his chief and vice administrators; he was circumspect, offended no one, and never acted rashly. At Xuzhou his sole intimate companion was the recluse Liu Xuanping, with whom he kept the easy friendship of ordinary men. When someone asked Liu Xuanping what the prince did best, he answered, "Nothing in particular. Puzzled, the man pressed him again. Liu Xuanping said, "We notice a man's strengths only because he has shortcomings somewhere. But the Prince of Huo lacks nothing at all — what single virtue could I point to and call his forte?" In the twenty-third year his substantive fief was raised to one thousand households, and he was appointed prefect of Dingzhou. When Turks raided the border, Yuangui had the city gates opened and banners lowered; the invaders, suspecting a trap, withdrew under cover of night. A local man named Li Jiayun was found to have colluded with the enemy; when the plot was exposed, Gaozong ordered a full roundup of his accomplices. With powerful enemies still on the frontier and the populace unsettled, Yuangui executed only Jiayun and no one else, then submitted a self-accusation for exceeding his authority. Gaozong read the memorial with great satisfaction and told the messenger, "I had second thoughts myself — without the prince, we would have lost Dingzhou. A man named Wang Wencao was attacked by bandits; his sons Feng and Xian threw themselves between the blades and died, but their father was saved. The county authorities had suppressed the report, but Yuangui learned of it, sent envoys to perform funeral rites, and memorialized the case; an edict posthumously ennobled both sons as Court Gentlemen for Dispersing Affairs and ordered a public commendation. Such was his regard for the worthy and the good. On later visits to court he repeatedly memorialized the throne on the failings and merits of current policy, offering much useful counsel, and Gaozong held him in high esteem. While he held provincial posts, the court often sought his confidential opinion on weighty matters. When Gaozong died, Yuangui joined Attendant-in-Ordinary Liu Qixian in overseeing the imperial burial; Qixian marveled at his mastery of ritual precedent and often said, "We cannot equal him. Yuangui once ordered his princely steward to collect the fief revenues; the steward proposed trading the princedom's tribute goods for profit, as other princes did. Yuangui replied, "You are the princely steward — your duty is to correct my faults, not to counsel me toward profit!" He rejected the proposal outright. In the first year of the Chuigong era he was promoted to Minister of Education, then dispatched as prefect of Xiangzhou and later transferred to Qingzhou. In the fourth year he was implicated in the conspiracy with Prince Zhen of Yue to raise troops; when the plot was uncovered he was exiled to Qianzhou in a prison cart and died en route at Chencang. Seven sons were born to him. The eldest son Xu was the most gifted. During the Shangyuan period he was created Prince of Jiangdu and served successively as prefect of Jinzhou. During the Chonggong era he was executed for dealings with Pei Chengguang. At the opening of the Shenlong reign, Yuangui's rank was posthumously restored along with his honors, and Xu's grandson Hui was created heir to the Huo princedom. In the fourth year of the Jinglong era he was promoted to Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. During the Kaiyuan period he served as Left Supernumerary General of the Thousand-Ox Guard.

虢王鳳

Feng, Prince of Guo

虢王鳳，高祖第十五子也。武德六年，封豳王。貞觀七年，授鄧州刺史，賜實封六百戶。十年，徙封虢王，歷虢、豫二州刺史。二十三年，加實封滿千戶。麟德初，累授青州刺史。上元元年薨，年五十二，贈司徒、揚州大都督，陪葬獻陵，謚曰莊。子平陽郡王翼嗣，官至光州刺史。永隆二年卒。子寓嗣，則天時失爵。鳳第三子定襄郡公宏，則天初為曹州刺史。第五子東莞郡公融，少以武勇見知。垂拱中，為申州刺史。初，黃公譔將與越王貞通謀，深倚仗融，以為外助。時詔追諸親赴都，融私使問其所親成均助教高子貢曰：「可入朝以否？」子貢報曰：「來必取死。」融乃稱疾不朝，以俟諸籓期。及得越王貞起兵書，倉卒不能相應，為僚吏所逼，不獲已而奏之，於是擢授銀青光祿大夫，行太子右贊善大夫。未幾，為支黨所引，被誅。子徹，神龍元年襲封東莞郡公。開元五年，繼密王元曉，改為嗣密王。十二年，改封濮陽郡王，歷宗正卿、金紫光祿大夫，卒。神龍初，封鳳嫡孫邕為嗣虢王。邕娶韋庶人妹為妻，由是中宗時特承寵異，轉秘書監，俄又改封汴王，開府置僚屬。月餘而韋氏敗，邕揮刃截其妻首，以至於朝，深為物議所鄙。貶沁州刺史，不知州事，削封邑。景雲二年，復嗣虢王，還封二百戶。累遷衛尉卿。開元十五年卒。子巨嗣，別有傳。

Prince Feng of Guo was the fifteenth son of Emperor Gaozu. In the sixth year of the Wude era he was created Prince of Bin. In the seventh year of the Zhenguan era he was appointed prefect of Dengzhou and granted a substantive fief of six hundred households. In the tenth year his title was changed to Prince of Guo, and he served in turn as prefect of Guo and Yu. In the twenty-third year his substantive fief was raised to one thousand households. At the opening of the Linde era he was appointed prefect of Qingzhou. He died in the first year of the Shangyuan era at the age of fifty-two, was posthumously ennobled as Minister of Education and governor-general of Yangzhou, interred at Xian Mausoleum, and given the posthumous name Zhuang, "Solemn." His son Yi, Prince of Pingyang Commandery, succeeded him and rose to prefect of Guangzhou. He died in the second year of the Yonglong era. His son Yu succeeded to the line but lost his title during Empress Wu's reign. Feng's third son Hong, Duke of Dingxiang Commandery, served as prefect of Cao at the opening of Empress Wu's reign. The fifth son, Rong, Duke of Dongguan Commandery, won early renown for his martial prowess. During the Chui Gong period he served as prefect of Shenzhou. Earlier, when Fu, Duke of Huang, was plotting with Prince Zhen of Yue, he placed great trust in Rong as an outside ally. When an edict ordered all royal relatives to report to the capital, Rong secretly sent a messenger to ask his confidant Gao Zigong, assistant instructor at the Directorate of Education: "Is it safe to go to court? Zigong answered, "If you go, you will certainly be killed." Rong thereupon pleaded illness and stayed away from court, waiting for the day when the princes were to rise together. When Prince Zhen of Yue's call to arms reached him, he could not respond in time. His subordinate officials pressed him, and he had no choice but to report the plot to the throne. He was then promoted to Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and appointed acting Right Assistant to the Heir Apparent's Tutor. Soon afterward he was implicated through his associates and put to death. His son Che inherited the title of Duke of Dongguan Commandery in the first year of the Shenlong era. In the fifth year of Kaiyuan he succeeded Yuanxiao, Prince of Mi, and was redesignated Heir Prince of Mi. In the twelfth year his title was changed to Prince of Puyang Commandery. He later served as Director of the Imperial Clan and as Golden-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness before his death. At the opening of the Shenlong era, Yong, Feng's eldest grandson by the principal wife, was enfeoffed as Heir Prince of Guo. Yong married the younger sister of Empress Wei, and under Zhongzong he enjoyed exceptional favor. He was appointed Director of the Secretariat, then soon redesignated Prince of Bian with a princely establishment and full staff. A little over a month later, when the Wei faction fell, Yong drew a blade and severed his wife's head, then carried it to court—a deed that earned him widespread contempt. He was demoted to prefect of Qinzhou but stripped of administrative authority and had his fief reduced. In the second year of Jingyun he was restored as Heir Prince of Guo, and two hundred fief households were returned to him. He rose through successive appointments to Commandant of the Guard. He died in the fifteenth year of the Kaiyuan era. His son Ju succeeded to the line; he has a separate biography.

道王元慶

Yuangqing, Prince of Dao

鄧王元裕

Yuanyu, Prince of Deng

舒王元名

Yuanming, Prince of Shu

舒王元名，高祖第十八子也。年十歲時，高祖在大安宮，太宗晨夕使尚宮起居送珍饌，元名保傅等謂元名曰：「尚宮品秩高者，見宜拜之。」元名曰：「此我二哥家婢也，何用拜為？」太宗聞而壯之，曰：「此真我弟也。」貞觀五年，封譙王。十一年，徙封舒王，賜實封八百戶，拜壽州刺史。後歷滑、許、鄭三州刺史。二十三年，加實封滿千戶，轉石州刺史。

Yuanming, Prince of Shu, was the eighteenth son of Gaozu. When he was ten, Gaozu was living in Daima Palace, and Taizong sent palace ladies each morning and evening to inquire after his health and bring delicacies. Yuanming's tutors told him, "When you meet a senior palace lady, you should bow to her. Yuanming replied, "They are only my second brother's household servants—why should I bow to them?" When Taizong heard this, he was impressed and said, "That is a true brother of mine." In the fifth year of Zhenguan he was created Prince of Qiao. In the eleventh year his title was changed to Prince of Shu, he received a substantive fief of eight hundred households, and he was appointed prefect of Shouzhou. He later served in turn as prefect of Huazhou, Xuzhou, and Zhengzhou. In the twenty-third year his substantive fief was raised to one thousand households, and he was transferred to prefect of Shizhou.

元名性高潔，罕問家人產業，朝夕矜莊，門庭清肅，常誡其子豫章王亶等曰：「籓王所乏者，不慮無錢財官職，但勉行善事，忠孝持身，此吾志也。」及亶為江州刺史，以善政聞，高宗手敕褒美元名，以賞其義方之訓。高宗每欲授元名大州刺史，固辭曰：「忝預籓戚，豈以州郡戶口為仕進之資？」辭情懇到，故在石州二十年，賞玩林泉，有塵外之意。垂拱年，除青州刺史，又除鄭州刺史。州境鄰接都畿，諸王及帝戚蒞官者，或有不檢攝家人，為百姓所苦。及元名到，大革其弊。轉滑州刺史，政理如在鄭州。尋加授司空。永昌年，與子亶俱為丘神勣所陷，被殺。神龍初，贈司徒，復其官爵，仍令以禮改葬。亶子津為嗣舒王。景龍四年，加銀青光祿大夫。開元中，左威衛將軍，卒。子萬嗣，天寶二年卒。子藻嗣，天寶九載，封嗣舒王。

Yuanming was a man of lofty integrity who rarely concerned himself with household wealth. He maintained a grave and dignified bearing from morning to night, and his household was always orderly and austere. He often warned his sons, including Dan, Prince of Yuzhang: "A prince need never worry about lacking money or office; what matters is to do good, and to conduct yourselves with loyalty and filial piety. That is my aim. When Dan served as prefect of Jiangzhou and won a reputation for good governance, Emperor Gaozong issued a personal edict praising Yuanming to reward his upright teaching of his sons. Whenever Emperor Gaozong tried to appoint Yuanming to a large prefecture, he firmly refused, saying, "As a member of the imperial house, how could I treat a prefecture's population as a stepping-stone to higher office? His refusal was so earnest and sincere that he remained at Shizhou for twenty years, delighting in its woods and streams with the spirit of a man who had stepped beyond worldly affairs. During the Chui Gong period he was appointed prefect of Qingzhou, and later prefect of Zhengzhou. Because the prefecture bordered the capital region, princes and imperial relatives who served there often failed to control their households, to the great distress of the common people. When Yuanming took office, he thoroughly reformed these abuses. Transferred to Huazhou, he governed with the same effectiveness he had shown at Zhengzhou. He was soon additionally appointed Minister of Works. During the Yongchang period he and his son Dan were both framed by Qiu Shenji and put to death. At the opening of the Shenlong era he was posthumously ennobled as Minister of Education, his offices and titles were restored, and he was reinterred with full ceremony. Dan's son Jin succeeded as Heir Prince of Shu. In the fourth year of Jinglong he was additionally appointed Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. During the Kaiyuan era he served as General of the Left Majestic Guard before his death. His son Wan succeeded to the line and died in the second year of the Tianbao era. His son Zao succeeded and was enfeoffed as Heir Prince of Shu in the ninth year of Tianbao.

魯王靈夔

Lingkui, Prince of Lu

魯王靈夔，高祖第十九子也。少有美譽，善音律，好學，工草隸，與同母兄韓王元嘉特相友愛。貞觀五年，封魏王。十年，改封燕王，賜實封八百戶，授幽州都督。十四年，改封魯王，授兗州都督。二十三年，加實封滿千戶。永徽六年，轉隆州刺史，後歷絳、滑、定等州刺史，太子太師。垂拱元年，授邢州刺史。四年，與兄元嘉子黃公譔結謀，欲起兵應接越王貞父子，事洩，配流振州，自縊而死。有二子：長子銑，封清河王。次子藹，封范陽王，歷右散騎常侍，為酷吏所陷。神龍初，追復靈夔官爵，仍令以禮改葬。封藹子道堅為嗣魯王。性嚴整，雖在閨門，造次必於莊敬。少年佐郡，聲實已彰。景龍四年，加銀青光祿大夫，歷果、隴、吉、冀、洺、汾、滄等七州刺史，國子祭酒。開元二十二年，兼檢校魏州刺史，未行，改汴州刺史、河南道採訪使。此州都會，水陸輻湊，實曰膏腴，道堅特以清毅聞。入為宗正卿，卒。子宇嗣，二十九年，封嗣魯王。至德元年，從幸巴蜀，為右金吾將軍。寶應元年，皇太子封為魯王，改宇嗣鄒王。道堅弟道邃，中興初，封戴國公。以恭默自守，修山東婚姻故事，頻任清列。天寶中為右丞，大理、宗正二卿，卒。

Lingkui, Prince of Lu, was the nineteenth son of Gaozu. He enjoyed a fine reputation from youth. Skilled in music, devoted to learning, and accomplished in cursive and clerical calligraphy, he was especially close to his elder uterine brother Yuanjia, Prince of Han. In the fifth year of Zhenguan he was created Prince of Wei. In the tenth year his title was changed to Prince of Yan, he received a substantive fief of eight hundred households, and he was appointed area commander of Youzhou. In the fourteenth year his title was changed to Prince of Lu, and he was appointed area commander of Yanzhou. In the twenty-third year his substantive fief was raised to one thousand households. In the sixth year of Yonghui he was transferred to prefect of Longzhou. He later served in turn as prefect of Jiangzhou, Huazhou, and Dingzhou, and as Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent. In the first year of Chui Gong he was appointed prefect of Xingzhou. In the fourth year he plotted with Fu, Duke of Huang, son of his elder brother Yuanjia, to raise troops in support of Prince Zhen of Yue and his son. When the plot was exposed, he was exiled to Zhenzhou and hanged himself. He had two sons: the elder, Xian, was enfeoffed as Prince of Qinghe. The younger, Ai, was enfeoffed as Prince of Fanyang, served as Right Regular Attendant, and was framed by the harsh officials. At the opening of the Shenlong era Lingkui's offices and titles were posthumously restored, and he was reinterred with full ceremony. Daojian, son of Ai, succeeded as Heir Prince of Lu. He was a man of strict and orderly character who maintained solemn propriety even in the inner quarters of his household. Even as a young man assisting in prefectural administration, his reputation for ability was already well established. In the fourth year of Jinglong he was additionally appointed Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He served in turn as prefect of Guozhou, Longzhou, Jizhou, Jizhou, Mingzhou, Fenzhou, and Cangzhou—seven prefectures in all—and as Chancellor of the Directorate of Education. In the twenty-second year of Kaiyuan he was additionally appointed acting inspector of Weizhou, but before he could take up the post he was reassigned as prefect of Bianzhou and Henan Circuit inspection commissioner. Bianzhou was a great metropolis where land and water routes converged—a truly wealthy and fertile region—and Daojian won particular renown for his integrity and firmness of character. He was recalled to court as Director of the Imperial Clan and died in office. His son Yu succeeded to the line and was enfeoffed as Heir Prince of Lu in the twenty-ninth year. In the first year of Zhide he accompanied the emperor to Ba-Shu and served as General of the Right Golden Guard. In the first year of Baoying the crown prince was created Prince of Lu, and Yu was reassigned to succeed as Prince of Zou. Daojian's younger brother Daosui was enfeoffed as Duke of Dai at the beginning of the Restoration. He kept to a modest and reticent reserve, upheld the marriage customs of the great Shandong clans, and was repeatedly appointed to prestigious offices. During the Tianbao era he served as Right Vice Director and as Chancellor of the Court of Judicial Review and Director of the Imperial Clan before his death.

江王元祥

Yuanxiang, Prince of Jiang

江王元祥，高祖第二十子也。貞觀五年，封許王。十一年，徙封江王，授蘇州刺史，賜實封八百戶。二十三年，加實封滿千戶。高宗時，又歷金、鄜、鄭三州刺史。性貪鄙，多聚金寶，營求無厭，為人吏所患。時滕王元嬰、蔣王惲、虢王鳳亦稱貪暴，有授得其府官者，以比嶺南惡處，為之語曰：「寧向儋、崖、振、白，不事江、滕、蔣、虢。」元祥體質洪大，腰帶十圍，飲啖亦兼數人，其時韓王元嘉、虢王鳳、魏王恭狀貌亦偉，不逮於元祥。又眇一目。永隆元年薨，贈司徒、并州大都督，陪葬獻陵，謚曰安。子永嘉王晫，永隆中，為復州刺史。以禽獸其行，賜死於家。中興初，元祥子鉅鹿郡公晃子欽嗣江王。景龍四年，加銀青光祿大夫，娶王仁皎女，至千牛將軍，卒。

Yuanxiang, Prince of Jiang, was the twentieth son of Gaozu. In the fifth year of Zhenguan he was created Prince of Xu. In the eleventh year his title was changed to Prince of Jiang, he was appointed prefect of Suzhou, and he received a substantive fief of eight hundred households. In the twenty-third year his substantive fief was raised to one thousand households. Under Emperor Gaozong he served in turn as prefect of Jinzhou, Fuzhou, and Zhengzhou. He was greedy and base by nature, hoarded gold and jewels, and pursued profit without limit, to the great distress of officials and commoners alike. Prince Yuanying of Teng, Prince Yun of Jiang, and Prince Feng of Guo were likewise notorious for greed and cruelty. Men appointed to posts in their households compared service under them to exile in the worst prefectures of Lingnan, and a saying circulated: "Better to be sent to Dan, Ya, Zhen, or Bai than to serve Jiang, Teng, Jiang, or Guo. Yuanxiang was a man of enormous build—his waist measured ten arm-spans around, and he ate and drank enough for several men. Yuanjia, Prince of Han, Feng, Prince of Guo, and Gong, Prince of Wei, were also imposing in stature, but none matched Yuanxiang. He was also blind in one eye. He died in the first year of the Yonglong era, was posthumously ennobled as Minister of Education and governor-general of Bingzhou, interred at Xian Mausoleum, and given the posthumous name An, "Tranquil." His son Zhuo, Prince of Yongjia, served as prefect of Fuzhou during the Yonglong period. Because his conduct was beastly, he was ordered to take his own life at home. At the beginning of the Restoration, Qin, son of Huang, Duke of Julu Commandery and son of Yuanxiang, succeeded as Prince of Jiang. In the fourth year of Jinglong he was additionally appointed Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, married the daughter of Wang Renjiao, rose to General of the Thousand-Ox Guard, and died.

密王元曉

Yuanxiao, Prince of Mi

密王元曉，高祖第二十一子也。貞觀五年受封。九年，授虢州刺史。十四年，賜實封八百戶。二十三年，加滿千戶，轉澤州刺史。永徽四年，除宣州刺史，後歷徐州刺史。上元三年薨，贈司徒、揚州都督，陪葬獻陵，謚曰貞。子南安王穎嗣。神龍初，封穎弟亮子曇為嗣密王。

Yuanxiao, Prince of Mi, was the twenty-first son of Gaozu. He received his princely title in the fifth year of Zhenguan. In the ninth year he was appointed prefect of Guozhou. In the fourteenth year he received a substantive fief of eight hundred households. In the twenty-third year his fief was raised to one thousand households, and he was transferred to prefect of Zezhou. In the fourth year of Yonghui he was appointed prefect of Xuanzhou, and later served as prefect of Xuzhou. He died in the third year of the Shangyuan era, was posthumously ennobled as Minister of Education and governor-general of Yangzhou, interred at Xian Mausoleum, and given the posthumous name Zhen, "Upright." His son Ying, Prince of Nan'an, succeeded to the line. At the opening of the Shenlong era, Tan, son of Ying's younger brother Liang, was enfeoffed as Heir Prince of Mi.

滕王元嬰

Yuanying, Prince of Teng

滕王元嬰，高祖第二十二子也。貞觀十三年受封。十五年，賜實封八百戶，授金州刺史。二十三年，加實封滿千戶。永徽中，元嬰頗驕縱逸游，動作失度，高宗與書誡之曰：「王地在宗枝，寄深磐石，幼聞《詩》、《禮》，夙承義訓。實冀孜孜無怠，漸以成德，豈謂不遵軌轍，踰越典章。且城池作固，以備不虞，關鑰閉開，須有常准。鳩合散樂，並集府僚，嚴關夜開，非復一度。遏密之悲，尚纏比屋，王以此情事，何遽紛紜？又巡省百姓，本觀風問俗，遂乃驅率老幼，借狗求置，志從禽之娛，忽黎元之重。時方農要，屢出畋游，以彈彈人，將為笑樂。取適之方，亦應多緒，何必此事，方得為娛？晉靈虐主，未可取則。趙孝文趨走小人，張四又倡優賤隸，王親與博戲，極為輕脫，一府官僚，何所瞻望？凝寒方甚，以雪埋人，虐物既深，何以為樂？家人奴僕，侮弄官人，至於此事，彌不可長。朕以王骨肉至親，不能致王於法，令與王下上考，以愧王心。人之有過，貴在能改，國有憲章，私恩難再。興言及此，慚嘆盈懷。」三年，遷蘇州刺史，尋轉洪州都督。又數犯憲章，削邑戶及親事帳內之半，於滁州安置。後起授壽州刺史，轉隆州刺史。弘道元年，加開府儀同三司，兼梁州都督。文明元年薨，贈司徒、冀州都督，陪葬獻陵。子長樂王循琦嗣。兄弟六人，垂拱中並陷詔獄。神龍初，以循琦弟循琣子涉嗣滕王，本名茂宗，狀貌類胡而豐碩。開元十二年，加銀青光祿大夫，左驍衛將軍。天寶初，淮安郡別駕，卒。子湛然嗣。十一載，封滕王。十五載，從幸蜀，除左金吾將軍。

Yuanying, Prince of Teng, was the twenty-second son of Gaozu. He received his princely title in the thirteenth year of Zhenguan. In the fifteenth year he received a substantive fief of eight hundred households and was appointed prefect of Jinzhou. In the twenty-third year his substantive fief was raised to one thousand households. During the Yonghui era Yuanying grew arrogant and dissolute, his conduct increasingly unbecoming. Gaozong sent him a letter of admonition: "Prince, you stand among the imperial kinsmen, a pillar on whom the realm is meant to rest. From childhood you were steeped in the Odes and the Rites and reared in proper moral instruction. I had truly hoped you would labor without slackening and gradually ripen into virtue. I never imagined you would stray from the proper path and violate the statutes of the realm. City walls and moats are fortified to meet unforeseen danger; the gates must be opened and shut according to fixed regulations. You summon roaming musicians, crowd your prefectural staff together, and throw open the fortified gates by night — not once, but again and again. The nation's mourning still binds every household in sorrow — how can you, with such grief upon the realm, so hastily stir up this clamor? When you tour the countryside you are meant to observe local customs — yet you drive out old and young alike, borrow hunting dogs from them, and fix your heart on fowling while forgetting what the people mean to the realm. At the height of the farming season you go hunting again and again, shooting people with pellet-bows for your amusement. There are countless ways to take one's pleasures — why must you choose this alone for your diversion? Duke Ling of Jin abused his sovereign — he is no example to follow. Zhao Xiaowen is a runner in your household, and Zhang Si a lowborn actor — yet you gamble with them yourself with scandalous abandon. What are the officers of your prefecture to take as their model? In the dead of winter you bury people in snow. When cruelty runs this deep, what pleasure can remain in it? Your servants bully and mock your officials — conduct like this must not be indulged further. Because you are my nearest kin by blood, I cannot bring you to trial; I assign you the lowest merit rating instead, that shame may move your heart. When one errs, what matters is the will to amend. The realm has its laws — private indulgence cannot be extended twice. As I speak of this, shame and sorrow overflow my heart." In the third year he was transferred to prefect of Suzhou, and soon after was appointed area commander of Hongzhou. He violated the statutes again and again; his fief households and half his personal retainers were struck from the rolls, and he was resettled at Chuzhou. He was later restored to office as prefect of Shouzhou, then transferred to Longzhou. In the first year of Hongdao he was further created Honorary Grand Preceptor of Equivalence to the Three Excellencies and appointed concurrent area commander of Liangzhou. He died in the first year of Wenming and was posthumously appointed Grand Tutor and area commander of Jizhou, with burial at Xianling by imperial accompaniment. He was succeeded by his son Xunqi, Prince of Changle. He had six sons — all six were imprisoned on imperial warrant during the Chui Gong era. At the opening of the Shenlong era She, son of Xunbi, younger brother of Xunqi, succeeded as Prince of Teng. Born Maozong, he had a husky, foreign-looking build and a massive frame. In the twelfth year of Kaiyuan he was created Silver-Gleaming Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and appointed General of the Left Majestic Tiger Guard. At the opening of the Tianbao era he served as vice prefect of Huai'an and died in office. He was succeeded by his son Zhanran. In the eleventh year he was created Prince of Teng. In the fifteenth year he accompanied the emperor to Shu and was appointed General of the Left Golden Guard.

史臣曰：一人元良，萬國以貞。若明異重離，道非出震，雖居嫡長，寧固钅其鎡！況當開創之初，未見太平之兆。建成殘忍，豈主鬯之才；元吉凶狂，有覆巢之跡。若非太宗逆取順守，積德累功，何以致三百年之延洪、二十帝之纂嗣？或堅持小節，必虧大猷，欲比秦二世、隋煬帝，亦不及矣。元嘉修身，元軌無短，元裕名理，元名高潔，靈夔嚴整，皆有封冊之名，而無磐石之固。武氏之亂，或連頸被刑；奸臣擅權，則束手為制。其望本枝百世也，不亦難乎？

The historian writes: When a single heir stands firm as the state's foundation, every realm under heaven finds its stability. If his virtue falls short of the heir's proper brilliance, if he lacks the moral force of the destined successor, then though he ranks as eldest son by birth, how can the crown prince's place be made secure? And this was the hour of the dynasty's founding, when no sign yet pointed toward enduring peace. Jiancheng was cruel — he lacked the talent to tend the ancestral altar. Yuanji was vicious and wildly violent, with the makings of one who would overturn the nest and destroy his kin. Had Taizong not taken power by force yet held it through righteous rule, building virtue upon virtue and merit upon merit, how could the dynasty have endured three hundred years and passed the succession through twenty emperors? Even when they clung to minor proprieties they forfeited the greater design; to compare them with the Second Emperor of Qin or Emperor Yang of Sui would be to overrate them. Yuanjia cultivated his person, Yuangui was without serious flaw, Yuanyu excelled in philosophical disputation, Yuanming was lofty in purity, and Lingkui was stern and orderly — all bore patent princely titles, yet none possessed bedrock solidity. During the turmoil of the Wu clan, some were led to execution in chains, one after another. When treacherous ministers seized power, they could only fold their hands and submit. To expect the imperial branch to flourish for a hundred generations — was that not a vain hope?

贊曰：有功曰祖，有德曰宗。建成、元吉，實為二凶。中外交構，人神不容。用晦而明，殷憂啟聖。運屬文皇，功成守正。善惡既分，社稷乃定。盤維封建，本枝茂盛。元嘉、元軌，修身慎行。元裕、元名，行簡居正。犬牙不固，武氏易姓。既無兵民，若拘陷阱。敢告後人，無或失政。

The encomium reads: "He who achieves merit is called zu; he who embodies virtue is called zong." Jiancheng and Yuanji were veritable twin fiends. They conspired within and without the court — neither men nor spirits could abide them. From adversity came clarity; through deep grief arose the sage. Heaven's mandate fell to the Literary Emperor, who achieved the work of founding and then held firm to righteousness. Once good and evil were separated, the altars of land and grain stood secure. The feudal lords were arrayed like a fortress of entwined roots, and the imperial branch flourished lushly. Yuanjia and Yuangui cultivated their persons and walked with careful virtue. Yuanyu and Yuanming lived simply and held themselves with rectitude. When the interlocking defenses failed, the Wu usurpers changed the dynasty's very surname. Stripped of soldiers and subjects, they were like captives in a pitfall. I warn those who follow: let no prince neglect the duties of rule.

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