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卷七十六 列傳第二十六: 太宗諸子

Volume 76 Biographies 26: Taizong's Sons

Chapter 80 of 舊唐書 · Old Book of Tang
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○ Prince of Hengshan Chengqian; Prince of Chu Kuan; Prince of Wu Ke; his son Prince of Cheng Li Qianli; grandson Prince of Xin'an Yi
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Tai Prince of Pu, Commoner You; Prince of Shu Yin; Prince of Jiang Yun; Prince of Yue Zhen; his son Prince of Langye Chong
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Prince of Ji Shen; Prince of Jiang Xiao; Prince of Dai Jian; Prince of Zhao Fu; Prince of Cao Ming
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Emperor Taizong had fourteen sons. Empress Wende bore Gaozong, Chengqian Prince of Hengshan, and Tai Prince of Pu. Consort Yang bore Ke Prince of Wu and Yin Prince of Shu. Consort Yin bore the commoner You. Consort Yan bore Zhen Prince of Yue and Xiao Prince of Jiang. Consort Wei bore Shen Prince of Ji. Another Consort Yang bore Fu Prince of Zhao. Lady Yang bore Ming Prince of Cao. Lady Wang bore Yun Prince of Jiang. The rear palace bore Kuan Prince of Chu and Jian Prince of Dai.
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殿 退便 便 姿
Chengqian, Prince of Hengshan, was Taizong's eldest son. He was born in Chengqian Hall and named for it. In Wude 3 (620) he was created Prince of Hengshan. In Wude 7 (624) his fief was changed to Zhongshan. When Taizong ascended the throne, Chengqian was made crown prince. He was eight years old, quick-witted, and Taizong doted on him. During Taizong's mourning seclusion he was entrusted with routine government and showed a sound grasp of affairs. After that, whenever Taizong traveled he left Chengqian in the capital as regent. As he grew older he took to pleasure and idle wandering, but fearing his father would find out he kept it hidden. In court he preached loyalty and filial piety; once dismissed he caroused with his hangers-on. When palace tutors tried to remonstrate, he would read their mood, sit stiffly composed, and confess fault before they could speak. Sharp in debate and skilled at masking misconduct, he outtalked his ministers, who at first took him for a capable heir and saw through him only later. Chengqian had long been lame and walked with difficulty, while Prince of Wei Tai won contemporary praise; Taizong's affection gradually shifted toward Tai. Chengqian feared deposition and grew deeply jealous of Tai. Tai, confident in his gifts, secretly plotted to supplant his brother. Each gathered partisans, and a bitter rift opened between them. A court musician in his teens, handsome and gifted in song and dance, won Chengqian's special favor; Chengqian called him Chengxin. When Taizong learned of the affair he was furious, seized Chengxin and had him killed, and several others died in the scandal. Chengqian believed Tai had informed on him, and his hatred deepened. Unable to stop mourning Chengxin, he built a shrine in the palace with the youth's image, set out effigies, horses, and carriages, and had palace women sacrifice to it morning and night. Chengqian visited the shrine repeatedly, pacing and weeping. He even raised a tomb inside the palace, buried Chengxin there, granted him a posthumous office, and set up a stele in mourning. After that Chengqian often pleaded illness and skipped court for months on end. He kept dozens of household slaves drilling music and dance day and night—Hu-style topknots, silk dance robes, pole-climbing and sword dances—until drums and horns could be heard outside the palace daily.
6
西 西
Left Mentor Yu Zhining and Right Mentor Kong Yingda were ordered to tutor him. Zhining wrote twenty juan of the Admonitory Garden; Yingda submitted many memorials of counsel. Taizong praised them both and rewarded each with a hundred bolts of silk and ten catties of gold. To encourage Chengqian, he promoted Zhining to Grand Mentor of the Heir Apparent. Soon Zhining left on mourning leave for his mother, and Chengqian's excesses worsened daily. Taizong recalled Zhining as Grand Mentor. Zhining and Left Mentor Zhang Xuansu sent sharp remonstrances again and again, but Chengqian ignored them. He also summoned the strongman Feng Shijin, deputy commandant of the Left Guard, and assassins Zhang Shizheng and Qagan Chengji, honored them lavishly, and ordered them to kill Prince of Wei Tai. The attempt failed and the plot was abandoned. Soon he conspired with Prince of Han Yuanchang, Minister of War Hou Junji, Central Commandant of the Left Garrison Li Anyan, Yangzhou prefect Zhao Jie, and imperial son-in-law Du He to rebel and march troops into the Western Palace. In Zhenguan 17 (643) Prince of Qi You rebelled in Qizhou. Chengqian told Qagan Chengji, "My palace wall on the west is barely twenty paces from the Inner Palace — we are that close. How can we be lumped together with Prince of Qi?" Chengji was also secretly linked to Prince of Qi's rebellion, was jailed and condemned to death, and then revealed the plot. Taizong summoned Chengqian and held him in isolation. He ordered Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Xiao Yu, Li Jing, Sun Fuyan, Cen Wenben, Ma Zhou, Chu Suiliang, and others to investigate. Every charge was proved. Chengqian was deposed to commoner status and banished to Qianzhou; Yuanchang was ordered to commit suicide, and Hou Junji and the rest were executed. Palace mentors Zhang Xuansu and Zhao Hongzhi, Linghu Defen, and Secretariat drafter Xiao Jun had been chosen for talent; after Chengqian's fall Taizong rebuked them on principle and all were removed. In Zhenguan 19 (645) Chengqian died in exile. Taizong canceled court and buried him with ducal honors. He left two sons, Xiang and Jue. Xiang became vice-prefect of Huaizhou; Jue became vice-prefect of Ezhou. Xiang's son Shizhi has a separate biography.
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Kuan, Prince of Chu, was Taizong's second son. He was adopted to succeed his uncle Zhiyun, Prince Ai of Chu. He died young. Early in Zhenguan he was posthumously enfeoffed, but left no heir and the fief lapsed.
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Ke, Prince of Wu, was Taizong's third son. In Wude 3 (620) he was created Prince of Shu and named Grand Governor of Yizhou, but was too young to serve. In Zhenguan 10 (636) his fief was changed to Wu. In Zhenguan 12 (638) he was appointed governor of Anzhou. Before he left for his post, Taizong wrote to admonish him: "As sovereign I rule the myriad people and set the standard for all states. You stand as a honored kinsman and bulwark of the realm. Strive to honor the bond between father and sons and match the virtue of the Lords of Shen and Bi. Let righteousness govern your conduct and ritual govern your heart. Do not neglect the three winds and ten faults. Do so and you will secure the foundation stone and forever uphold the realm's wall. Outwardly show a minister's loyalty; inwardly keep a son's filial piety. Steel your will and renew yourself daily. You are leaving my side, and your grief at parting is boundless. I would have sent rare treasures, but feared they would only feed pride and extravagance. So I offer this single admonition as your instruction from the courtyard." When Gaozong ascended the throne, Ke was made Minister of Works and governor of Liangzhou. Ke's mother was a daughter of Emperor Yang of Sui. Ke had both civil and military gifts; Taizong often said he resembled himself. His reputation was already high and public sentiment favored him. Zhangsun Wuji, who had helped place Gaozong on the throne, deeply envied Ke. During Yonghui, when Fang Yi'ai plotted rebellion, Ke was executed on a pretext to extinguish popular hopes. The realm regarded it as a grave injustice. He had four sons—Ren, Wei, Kun, and Jing—all banished to the far south.
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使 使
Ke was soon posthumously created Prince of Yulin and temples were established for the family. Ren was also created Marquis of Yulin county. In Yongchang 1 (689) he was appointed prefect of Xiangzhou. He did not actually govern the prefecture and later changed his name to Li Qianli. After the Tianshou era he served successively as prefect of Tang, Lu, Xu, Wei, and Pu. In those days talented imperial princes were routinely killed. Li Qianli alone escaped—narrow, impetuous, and untalented, he kept submitting reports of auspicious omens and so survived Empress Wu's reign. In Chang'an 3 (703) he served as pacification commissioner of Lingnan and was promoted to general of the Right Golden Guard. At the Restoration he was advanced to Prince of Cheng, made grand general of the Left Golden Guard and concurrent grand governor of Yizhou, and his father was posthumously made Minister of Works. In the third year he also became grand governor of Guangzhou and commissioner for pacification of the five prefectures. When Crown Prince Jingmin killed Wu Sansi, Li Qianli and his son Xi, Prince of Tianshui, led dozens of men to hack at the Right Yanming Gate, intending to kill Sansi's allies Zong Chuke and Ji Chuna. When the crown prince's forces were defeated, Li Qianli, Xi, and their followers were executed, their property confiscated, and their clan name changed to Fu. When Ruizong took the throne, an edict said, "The late Grand General of the Left Golden Guard, Prince of Cheng Li Qianli, guarded the state and its people, upheld loyalty and righteousness, sought to remove villains, yet was executed instead. His fall is beyond words; grief is profound. Let his former rank be restored and new honors granted; let him resume his former office." The clan was also ordered to resume its original surname.
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𥙆 祿
Wei died young. At the Restoration he was posthumously created Prince of Langling. His son Yi, originally named Yu, was adopted to succeed Yin, Prince of Shu. In Jinglong 4 (710) he was made Silver-Gleam Grand Master of the Palace and vice director of the Secretariat. In Kaiyuan 13 (725) he was transferred to Prince of Guanghan commandery and regular associate grand master of the Imperial Stud, and died.
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使
Under Empress Wu, Kun served successively as prefect of Zi, Wei, Song, Zheng, Liang, and You and won a reputation for competence. During Shengli the southern tribes rebelled. Kun was sent as pacification commissioner and handled the remote frontier admirably. In Chang'an 2 (702) he died in office and was posthumously made Minister of the Court for the Imperial Clan. At the Divine Dragon Restoration he was posthumously created Prince of Zhangye commandery. In Kaiyuan 17 (729), because his son Yi had risen in honor, he was posthumously made Minister of Works and Prince of Wu.
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Jing was created Prince of Guizheng commandery at the Restoration, served as director of the Imperial Clan, was demoted to vice-prefect of Nanzhou over Li Qianli's affair, and died.
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祿 祿 使 使 西 退 耀 使使 使
Kun's son was Yi. From youth Yi was resolute, served his mother devotedly, and was known for brotherly care toward Zhi and his other younger brothers. In Jinglong 4 (710) he was master of the crown prince's household and concurrent vice-prefect of Xuzhou, with the rank of Silver-Gleam Grand Master of the Palace. In youth he succeeded Xiao, Prince of Jiang, and was created heir prince of Jiang. In Jingyun 1 (710) he again served as prefect of De, Cai, Qu, and other prefectures. After Kaiyuan he served repeatedly as prefect of Shu, Pu, and other prefectures. His rule was stern and clear; officials and commoners feared him and submitted. As trust in him grew he entered the capital as Minister of the Imperial Household and was promoted to Director of Palace Construction. He left office to mourn his mother, was recalled, and was appointed prefect of Yingzhou. He memorialized again to complete full mourning, and the request was granted. In Kaiyuan 12 (724) he was transferred to Prince of Xin'an commandery. In Kaiyuan 15 (727), when mourning ended, he was made grand general of the Left Golden Guard, deputy military governor of Shuofang with full authority, and acting censor-in-chief. Soon he was made Minister of Rites while continuing as military governor of the Shuofang army. Shibao Fortress on the frontier had been held by Tibet and was harassing the lands west of the Yellow River. Yi was ordered to consult with the Hexi and Longyou commands on capturing it. When Yi reached the army he marshaled the troops and fixed a date for the assault. Someone said, "The fortress sits on perilous ground and Tibet prizes it. If we drive the whole army deep in, the enemy will mass to hold it. If we fail, retreat will be a shambles. Better to hold the army steady and watch how things develop." Yi said, "What subject's integrity shrinks from hardship and peril? If numbers must tell against us, I will follow with my life. If it profits the state, what is one life worth?" He then drove the generals forward by forced marches, attacked with combined strength, and took Shibao Fortress, capturing large numbers of heads, grain, and weapons. He garrisoned the fortress and blocked the enemy's routes. The emperor was greatly pleased and renamed Shibao Fortress Zhenwu Army. From then on the He-Long commands patrolled and expanded territory by more than a thousand li. In Kaiyuan 19 (731) the Khitan yabgu Kedughan killed King Shaogu and led his tribes to surrender to the Turks. Emperor Xuanzong sent the Loyal Prince as commander-in-chief of the Hebei field army against the Xi and Khitan, with Yi as deputy. The prince did not take the field. Yi led Vice Minister of Revenue Pei Yaoqing and other deputies in separate columns north of Fanyang, routed both tribes, captured their chieftains, and drove the rest into the mountains. On return Yi was rewarded with the rank Opening the Government with Equipage Equal to the Three Excellencies, concurrent posts over internal support and military farms, and a commission for investigation and disposition; his two sons also received offices. Those in power resented his merit, so his reward was thin—a fact much lamented at the time. In Kaiyuan 22 (734) he was made Minister of War and grand military governor of Shuofang. After some time he was dismissed for an offense and sent out as prefect of Quzhou. He soon served successively as prefect of Hua and Huai. Early in Tianbao he was made Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince and, on account of age, was allowed to retire. In Tianbao 2 (743) he was made Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince; when the appointment was issued he fell ill and died, aged over eighty. The emperor grieved for him a long while. At home Yi was stern and strict and trained his sons well; all won fine reputations. He had three sons—Huan, Yi, and Xian—all rose to high office and have separate biographies.
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祿 祿 使 使
During the Divine Dragon Restoration Zhi was created heir prince of Wu. In Jingyun 1 (710) he was made Silver-Gleam Grand Master of the Palace. In Tianbao 14 (755) he was prefect of Dongping. When An Lushan rebelled he crossed the Yellow River in force. Henan's Chenliu, Xingyang, Lingchang, and other commanderies fell to him. Zhi raised troops for the throne, and Xuanzong admired him. In the second month of Tianbao 15 (756) he was made prefect of Lingchang, grand general of the Left Golden Guard, and commander of Henan military affairs. That month he was also made acting vice censor-in-chief and prefect of Chenliu, with credentials as military governor and investigation commissioner of Henan, retaining his other posts. In the fifth month an edict made him Grand Master of the Imperial Stud and sent Censor-in-Chief Prince of Guo Ju to replace him.
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輿
Tai, Prince of Pu, style name Huibao, was Taizong's fourth son. From youth he was skilled at literary composition. In Wude 3 (620) he was created Prince of Yidu. In Wude 4 (621) he was advanced to Prince of Wei to succeed Ba, Prince Huai of Wei. In Zhenguan 2 (628) he was changed to Prince of Yue and named Grand Governor of Yangzhou. In Zhenguan 5 (631) he was also named to the Left Martial Guard and grand governorship, but took neither post. In Zhenguan 8 (634) he was made governor of Yongzhou and grand general of the Left Martial Guard. In Zhenguan 7 (633) he was transferred to grand governor of Fuzhou. In Zhenguan 10 (636) he was transferred to Prince of Wei with nominal governorship of Xiangzhou; his other posts remained. Seeing Tai's love of scholars and literature, Taizong set up a separate Literary Academy at his mansion and let him recruit scholars himself. Because Tai's girth made bowing difficult, he was allowed a small carriage to the place of court audience. Such was the favor shown him. In Zhenguan 12 (638) mansion director Su Xu, noting that famous princes since antiquity gathered guests and took compiling works as an honor, urged Tai to request compiling the Comprehensive Gazetteer of the Realm. Tai memorialized and summoned compiler Xiao Deyan, secretariat clerk Gu Yin, recorder Jiang Yaqing, merit officer Xie Yan, and others to compile at his mansion. In Zhenguan 14 (640) Taizong visited Tai's Yan'ang Ward residence, granted a special pardon in Yongzhou and Chang'an for capital crimes and below, exempted Yan'ang Ward from that year's rent and taxes, and gave graded gifts of silk to Tai's staff. In Zhenguan 15 (641) Tai completed the Comprehensive Gazetteer of the Realm and submitted it. An edict ordered it deposited in the secret archive and gave Tai ten thousand gifts; Xiao Deyan and the others received additional rewards. Soon Tai's monthly supplies exceeded the crown prince's. Remonstrance official Chu Suiliang submitted a memorial of remonstrance:
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殿殿 殿便 殿便西
Taizong also ordered Tai to move into Wude Hall. Attendant-in-ordinary Wei Zheng submitted a memorial: "I have seen the order directing Prince of Wei Tai to move to Wude Hall. The hall lies inside the palace, spacious and convenient for attendance. Yet Prince of Wei is a beloved son whom Your Majesty constantly wishes secure, restraining pride and extravagance and keeping him from suspicious ground. Moving him there now places him west of the Eastern Palace. When Prince Hailing once lived there, people thought it improper. Though times differ, one still fears much talk. Moreover the prince's own heart cannot be at peace. Since favor itself can frighten him, I venture to hope Your Majesty will help him become a man. Tomorrow is the first of the month and I may not be able to speak face to face. Troubled by doubt, I dare not sleep and lightly intrude on Your Majesty's hearing; I submit this in deep trembling." Taizong accepted both men's counsel.
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便
Crown Prince Chengqian was lame; Tai secretly plotted for the succession, recruiting imperial son-in-law Chai Lingwu, Fang Yi'ai, and more than twenty others with lavish gifts as his inner circle. Vice Director of the Yellow Gate Wei Ting and Minister of Works Du Chuke successively ran Tai's mansion; both worked to win court officials and channel bribes. Civil and military officials each attached themselves and formed factions. Fearing Tai would overpower him, Chengqian secretly sent men posing as Tai's mansion recorders to present a sealed memorial at Xuanwu Gate denouncing Tai. Taizong read it and found only charges against Tai. Knowing the fraud, he tried to seize the men but failed. In Zhenguan 17 (643) Chengqian's plot collapsed; Taizong reproached him in person. Chengqian said, "I am crown prince—what more could I want? Tai plotted against me, and I joined court officials only to find a way to secure myself. Unruly men then taught me improper deeds. If you now make Tai crown prince, that is exactly what he has been scheming for." Taizong then told his ministers, "Chengqian has a point. If I make Tai heir, the succession becomes something to be schemed for. If Tai is made heir, Chengqian and Prince of Jin will not survive; if Prince of Jin is made heir, Tai and Chengqian can both be safe." Tai was confined at the Directorate of Palace Construction and an edict was issued:
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使
I have heard that in begetting and nurturing the myriad things, nothing is greater than Heaven and Earth; in love and reverence without limit, nothing is weightier than sovereign and parent. For a minister the precious thing is full loyalty; failure brings punishment. For a son the thing lies in filial piety; violation brings death. Great offenses are exposed in marketplace and court; lesser ones end in dismissal and shame. Governor of Yongzhou, governor of Xiangzhou, grand general of the Left Martial Guard Prince of Wei Tai is my beloved son, in whom my heart is set. Clever from childhood and fond of letters, he received favor beyond ordinary honor and rank beyond ordinary grace. He ignored the sage's admonitions, built arrogance and overreach, believed slander and flattery, and trusted talk meant to divide. Though Chengqian as eldest legitimate son had long been ill, he secretly hoped to replace the heir and ignored filial and righteous norms. Chengqian feared Tai would overpower him; Tai daily grew more suspicious. Each won court gentlemen and drew in wicked men. Civil and military officials each took sides; within the family, factions divided. My will rests in justice; my righteousness in impartiality. I make manifest their great crimes and dismiss both. This sets a standard not only for the four seas but for a hundred generations. Let Tai be removed as governor of Yongzhou, governor of Xiangzhou, and grand general of the Left Martial Guard, and demoted to Prince of Donglai commandery.
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祿 婿
Taizong then told his ministers, "From now on, if a crown prince is unprincipled or a territorial prince covets the succession, both are to be cast aside. Transmit this to sons and grandsons as an everlasting rule." Soon Tai was changed to Prince of Shunyang and moved to Yunxiang in Junzhou. Later Taizong once held a memorial Tai had submitted and told close officials, "Tai's prose is beautiful—is he not a man of talent? In my heart I still think of Tai—you all know this. But for the sake of the altars of state I sever favor and charge him to live outside—that too is securing both sides." In Zhenguan 21 (647) he was advanced to Prince of Pu. When Gaozong ascended the throne he opened an office for Tai with staff; carriages, robes, and provisions were especially generous. In Yonghui 3 (652) he died at Yunxiang, aged thirty-five. He was posthumously made Grand Minister and governor of Yongzhou, with posthumous title Gong. His collected writings ran to twenty juan. He had two sons, Xin and Hui. Xin was created Heir Prince of Pu; Hui was created Prince of Xin'an commandery. At the start of Empress Wu's reign Xin fell into the cruel officials' prison, was demoted to vice-prefect of Zhaozhou, and died. His son Qiao, originally named Yuqing, was created Heir Prince of Pu at the Restoration. In Jingyun 1 (710) he was made Silver-Gleam Grand Master of the Palace. In Kaiyuan 12 (724) he was chancellor of the Directorate of Education, regular associate. As brother-in-law to Wang Shouyi's sister he was demoted to vice-prefect of Shaozhou, moved to Dengzhou, and later had his title restored.
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西 便
You, the commoner, was Taizong's fifth son. In Wude 8 (625) he was created Prince of Yiyang; that year his fief was changed to Chu. In Zhenguan 2 (628) he was transferred to Prince of Yan and served repeatedly as governor of Binzhou. In Zhenguan 10 (636) he was changed to Prince of Qi and appointed governor of Qizhou. His maternal uncle Yin Hongzhi, direct attendant of the Imperial Stud, told You, "Your Highness has many brothers; when the Emperor is gone you will need warriors to aid yourself." He introduced You's brother-in-law Yan Hongxin, whom You received generously, lavishing gold and silk and ordering him secretly to recruit swordsmen. At first Taizong, fearing his grown sons would violate law, insisted that chief administrators and directors be upright men. Any prince's misconduct was to be reported to the throne. You indulged petty men and loved falconry and hunting. Chief administrator Xue Dading remonstrated repeatedly in vain; Taizong dismissed him for failing to guide the prince. Quan Wanji, formerly chief administrator to Prince of Wu Ke and a man of integrity, was made You's chief administrator to correct him. Wanji saw You's lawlessness and often remonstrated to his face. Zan Junmo and Liang Mengbiao, both skilled in mounted archery, won You's favor. Wanji remonstrated and then expelled them, but You secretly recalled them and grew still more intimate with them. Fearing You would not repent, Taizong wrote to reproach him several times. Wanji, fearing he too would be punished, told You, "Your Highness is the Emperor's beloved son. He wishes you to reform and therefore instructs you. If you can discipline yourself and acknowledge fault, I will go in and speak for you." You then submitted a memorial of apology. When Wanji reached court he said You would surely reform. Taizong's mind eased somewhat. He rewarded Wanji and instructed him, and because of You's former faults issued an edict of admonition. Hearing Wanji was rewarded while he alone was reproached, You thought Wanji had betrayed him and grew deeply resentful. Narrow by nature, Wanji controlled You by severity alone: no leaving the city gate, all hawks and dogs released, Junmo and Mengbiao expelled and forbidden to see him. You and Junmo therefore nursed anger and plotted to kill Wanji. When the plot leaked Wanji seized and imprisoned them all and sent express report to the throne. In Zhenguan 17 (643) an edict sent Minister of Justice Liu Dewei to investigate; both You and Wanji were summoned to the capital. You was terrified. When Wanji set out first under edict, You sent Yan Hongxin's brother Hongliang to overtake him on the road and shoot him dead. After killing Wanji, Junmo and the others urged rebellion. You summoned every man in the city aged fifteen or above, falsely appointed them Upper Pillar of State and Opening the Government with Equipage Equal to the Three Excellencies, and opened the storehouses to pay them. He drove commoners into the city and readied arms and armor. He appointed officials, including fanciful titles such as Prince Who Expands the East and Prince Who Expands the West. An edict sent Minister of War Li Jing and Liu Wei to raise troops by the fastest route and attack him. Each night You feasted and made music with his consort, summoning Hongliang and five others, thinking himself triumphant. Jesting over wine, when talk turned to the government army, Hongliang said, "No need to worry! Wine in the right hand, blade in the left—that is all." You loved and trusted Hongliang and was greatly pleased. Taizong wrote a personal edict to You: "I often warned you not to draw near petty men—precisely for this. You long turned from sincere virtue, believed wicked words, and invited this ruin yourself. Alas—how foolish! You have become owl and jackal, forgotten filial piety and loyalty, disturbed Qi's borders, and slaughtered the innocent. You left the realm's solid wall and approached a pile of kindling; you broke foundation-stone kinship and raised spears against your own house. To turn from ritual and righteousness is what Heaven and Earth cannot contain; to abandon father and flee sovereign is what men and spirits together rage at. Yesterday you were my son; today you are the state's enemy. Wanji in life was a loyal martyr; in death he does not harm righteousness; you in life are a traitor minister; in death a rebellious ghost. His good fame will not fall; your evil traces will have no end. I have heard Prince Shu of Zheng and Prince Li of Han were wildly unruly—who expected a father to breed it in his own son? For this I am ashamed before Heaven and Earth; my grief is beyond words—what more can I say?" When Taizong finished the edict he wept over it. Li Jing's army had not yet reached Qi, but troops from Qing, Zi, and other prefectures refused You's orders, as did the counties he summoned. Some urged him to seize the city's women and children and flee into Mount Douzi as bandits. Before he decided, military affairs officer Du Xingmin plotted to seize him, and many soldiers wished to follow. That night they broke through the wall. You, Hongliang, and five others donned armor, drew bows, and barricaded themselves in a room. Xingmin surrounded them and said to You, "Once you were the emperor's son; now you are the state's rebel. I punish rebels for the state and have nothing more to consider. If you do not surrender quickly, you will become ashes." He ordered firewood piled to burn them. You came out and was seized; the rest were executed. Xingmin sent You to the capital. He was granted death in the Inner Quarters and demoted to commoner. The fief was abolished. He was soon buried with ducal honors.
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調 滿 便
Yin, Prince of Shu, was Taizong's sixth son. In Zhenguan 5 (631) he was created Prince of Liang. In Zhenguan 7 (633) he was appointed prefect of Xiangzhou. In Zhenguan 10 (636) he was changed to Prince of Shu and transferred to governor of Yizhou. In Zhenguan 13 (639) he received a substantive fief of eight hundred households and was made prefect of Qi. Yin often beat his county magistrates without cause, hunted without limit, and repeatedly broke the law. Taizong said angrily, "Beasts, once tamed, can be made docile toward men; iron and stone, forged and refined, can be shaped into square and round vessels. As for Yin—is he not even as good as beasts, iron, and stone?" His fief and half his state offices were cut, and he was demoted to prefect of Guo. In Zhenguan 23 (649) his substantive fief was increased to a full thousand households. In the prefecture he hunted repeatedly without avoiding grain crops, deeply resented by the people. Army controller Yang Daozheng seized his bridle and remonstrated; Yin dragged him down and beat him. In Yonghui 1 (650) censor-in-chief Li Qianyou impeached him. Gaozong told Prince of Jing Yuanjing and others, "The previous reign braved wind and rain, pacified the four quarters, brought order near and far, and unified the realm. Heaven sent calamity and suddenly took him from the realm. I have inherited the great enterprise, fearing I drive rotten wood, and share sorrow with you princes for family and state. Prince of Shu hunts without limit, harasses the people, and punishes guiltless magistrates and army controllers. Flattery pleases him; crossing his will angers him. How can we govern the people together on such terms? Looking through history's princes, those who kept ritual norms blessed their descendants; those who overstepped statutes were executed without delay. Yin has been impeached by the law officers; I am truly shamed." The emperor also summoned Yang Daozheng, comforted him, appointed him commandant of Kuangdao prefecture, and gave fifty bolts of silk. Yin was demoted to prefect of Huangzhou. In the fourth year, for plotting rebellion with Ke, he was demoted to commoner and moved to Bazhou. He was soon changed to Prince of Fuling. He died in Qianfeng 2 (667). Early in Xianheng his title and fief were restored. He was posthumously made grand governor of Yizhou, buried at Zhaoling, with posthumous title Dao. His son Fan was created Heir Prince of Shu; in the Yongchang era he was banished to Guicheng and died there. At the Divine Dragon Restoration Ke's grandson Wei, Prince of Langling, and his son Yu were made to succeed as heir prince of Shu.
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滿 祿 祿 祿西 使 祿
Yun, Prince of Jiang, was Taizong's seventh son. In Zhenguan 5 (631) he was created Prince of Tan. In Zhenguan 8 (634) he was appointed prefect of Mingzhou. In Zhenguan 10 (636) he was changed to Prince of Jiang and governor of Anzhou, with a substantive fief of eight hundred households. In Zhenguan 23 (649) his substantive fief was increased to a full thousand households. In Yonghui 3 (652) he was made governor of Liangzhou. While in Anzhou Yun made many utensils, robes, and playthings; when he departed there were four hundred relay carriages. Prefecture and counties could not bear the labor and officials impeached him; the emperor especially pardoned him. He later served successively as prefect of Sui and Xiang. In Shangyuan 1 (674) someone falsely accused Yun of plotting rebellion at the palace gate. In fear he killed himself and was posthumously made Minister of Works and grand governor of Jingzhou, buried at Zhaoling. His son Wei succeeded, served as prefect of Yi, and in the Chuigong era was killed by Empress Wu. His son Xian died young. At the Divine Dragon Restoration Xian's son Shaozong was created Heir Prince of Jiang. In Jinglong 2 (708) he was made Silver-Gleam Grand Master of the Palace. Early in Kaiyuan he served as regular associate master of the crown prince's household and died. His son Qinfu succeeded as director of the Imperial Observatory, regular associate. Early in Tianbao his office was cut and he was settled at Jinzhou. In Tianbao 12 (753) he was regular associate chief administrator of Nan commandery. Yun's son Huang was Duke of Cai. Huang's grandson Zhifang had a fine reputation from youth, was skilled in five-character poetry, and was esteemed in the imperial clan. Late in Kaiyuan he was vice director of the Imperial Transport Office. In Tianbao 13 (754) An Lushan memorialized appointing him secretary of Fanyang. When Lushan rebelled he escaped to the Western Capital, was appointed vice director of the Right Department, and served successively as vice minister of Works and right vice mentor of the crown prince. In Guangde 1 (763) warfare was not yet settled and Tibet again invaded, raiding Yuan and Hui. Zhifang was sent as acting censor-in-chief to Tibet, was detained on the border, and returned after two years. He was made Minister of Rites and soon changed to mentor of the crown prince. Yun's son was Xiudao. Xiudao's son Ju was originally named Sishun. At the Restoration he was created Heir Prince of Zhao and made Silver-Gleam Grand Master of the Palace. In Kaiyuan 12 (724) he was changed to Prince of Zhongshan commandery and general of the Right Garrison.
23
滿 退 祿 便
Zhen, Prince of Yue, was Taizong's eighth son. In Zhenguan 5 (631) he was created Prince of Han. In Zhenguan 7 (633) he was appointed governor of Xuzhou. In Zhenguan 10 (636) he was changed to Prince of Yuan, soon to Prince of Yue, named governor of Yangzhou, with a substantive fief of eight hundred households. In Zhenguan 17 (643) he was transferred to prefect of Xiangzhou. In Zhenguan 23 (649) his substantive fief was increased to a full thousand households. In Yonghui 4 (653) he was appointed governor of Anzhou. In the Xianheng era he was again transferred to prefect of Xiangzhou. From youth Zhen was skilled in mounted archery, versed in literature and history, and capable in administration. Wherever he served he sometimes heeded slander; upright officials were demoted and his pages bullied the people—men respected his talent yet despised his conduct. When Empress Wu held court she added Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince and made him prefect of Cai. After Empress Wu assumed power, Zhen joined Prince of Han Yuanjia, Prince of Lu Lingqian, Prince of Huo Yuanji, Yuanjia's son Shen Duke of Huangguo, Lingqian's son Ai Prince of Fanyang, Yuanji's son Xu Prince of Jiangdu, and Zhen's eldest son Chong, Langye prince and Bo prefect, in a secret plan to restore the Tang house. In the seventh month of Chuigong 3 (687) Shen forged a letter to Zhen: "The inner person grows gravely ill and needs early treatment; if you wait until winter it may become incurable. Act early and report back quickly." That year Empress Wu completed the Bright Hall and was about to perform the great suburban sacrifice, summoning the imperial clansmen. Yuanjia sent word among them: "At the great sacrifice the empress will surely accuse the princes in secret and slaughter them—no imperial descendant will be left." Shen forged an imperial letter to Chong: "I am held in secret imprisonment; you princes must rescue me." Chong in Bo also forged an imperial letter: "The empress wishes to overturn the Li altars and shift the mandate to the Wu clan." He ordered chief administrator Xiao Decong and others to recruit troops and summon the five princes of Han, Lu, Huo, Yue, and Ji to raise forces and march on the divine capital. Chong had conspired with the princes, but when he rose first none responded—only Zhen, bound by father and son, raised troops alone. He sent troops to capture Shangcai county; hearing Chong was defeated he sought chains and prepared to bind himself and rush to confess. His appointed new magistrate of Shangcai, Fu Yanqing, raised more than two thousand stalwarts, and Zhen found the will to resist. He proclaimed to his host, "Prince of Langye has already broken Wei and several prefectures, gathered two hundred thousand men, and will arrive within the day. Exert yourselves." He summoned seven thousand county troops and divided them into five camps. Zhen took the central camp and appointed his close associate Pei Shoude, vice-magistrate of Ruyang, grand general and commander of the inner camp; Zhao Chengmei as left central commandant commanding the left camp; Lu Hongdao as right central commandant commanding the right camp; An Mohe as commandant and commander of the rear army; Wang Xiaozhi as right general and commander of the vanguard. He also made Cai chief administrator Wei Qingli Silver-Gleam Grand Master of the Palace and acting mansion secretary. In all he appointed more than five hundred officials of the ninth rank and above. He ordered Daoist priests and Buddhist monks to recite scriptures for success; household slaves and warriors wore talismans to ward off weapons. His appointed officials were all compelled followers without fighting will; only Pei Shoude was truly with him. Shoude was fierce, brave, and skilled in mounted archery. When Zhen rose he gave him his daughter, Princess of Liangxiang, in marriage and trusted him as henchman.
24
西 使退
Empress Wu ordered Left Leopard-Tawny Guard grand general Qu Chongyu as central army commander-in-chief and Minister of Summer Works Cen Changqian as rear army commander-in-chief with a hundred thousand troops, with Vice Director of the Phoenix Pavilion Zhang Guangfu as overall commander. An edict stripped Zhen and Chong from the imperial register and changed their surname to Hui. When Chongyu's army reached forty li east of Cai city, Zhen ordered his youngest son Gui and Pei Shoude to resist. Gui's troops collapsed and fled back. Zhen was terrified, closed the gates, and held inside. Pei Shoude pushed open a side door, asking where the prince was, intending to kill Zhen to buy himself off. As the government army pressed the city, Zhen's household slaves fought hard. Zhen said, "Matters have come to this—how accept slaughter in disgrace? I must make my own plan." Zhen drank poison and died. Only then did the household slaves scatter, lay down arms, and submit to capture. Gui hanged his mother and killed himself; Shoude took Princess of Liangxiang and hanged themselves elsewhere. Qu Chongyu beheaded Zhen, his sons, Pei Shoude, and the rest, sent the heads to the Eastern Capital, and displayed them below the gate. Zhen's rising lasted only twenty days before defeat. In Cai he repeatedly memorialized to exempt rent and tax to win hearts. He kept a thousand household slaves and several thousand horses, outwardly hunting while inwardly drilling arms. Once touring west of the city at Water Gate Bridge he gazed into the water and did not see his head—a omen he hated. Soon calamity came. At the Divine Dragon Restoration his title and fief were posthumously restored, and he and Chong resumed their original surnames. When Zhen was about to rise he wrote to Shou prefect and imperial son-in-law Zhao Gui: "I await gathering the righteous army to enter your territory." Gui was pleased and again promised to lead troops in response. Gui's wife was Princess Chang Le, Gaozu's seventh daughter and mother of Empress Hesiji. She told the envoy, "Report to Prince of Yue for me: go forward with him, not back with him. You princes, if you are men, should not by now still have failed to act. I often hear elders say that when Emperor Wen of Sui was about to usurp Zhou, Yuwen Jiong, Zhou's maternal nephew, still raised troops at Xiangzhou, linked with the Turks, and made the realm respond. How much more you princes—all honored kin with the altars entrusted to you—will you not learn from Yuwen Jiong's loyal service and give life for righteousness? As ministers and sons, to save the state is loyalty; not to save is rebellion. You princes must take restoration as urgent and cannot die in vain to become a laughingstock for later generations." When Zhen and the others were defeated, Gui and the princess were also executed.
25
Chong was Zhen's eldest son. He loved literature, was skilled in mounted archery, and served successively as prefect of Mi, Ji, and Bo, all with reputations for ability. At first Chong recruited more than five thousand men at Bo and intended to cross the river to attack Jizhou, first taking Wushui county. County magistrate Guo Wuti went to Weizhou for aid. Shen county magistrate Ma Xuansu in Weizhou led seventeen hundred troops to intercept, fearing insufficient strength, entered Wushui first, and closed the gates. Chong piled hay on carts, set fire to the south gate, and intended to burst in amid the flames. Before the fire rose a strong south wind blew; when it burned the wind suddenly turned north. Before reaching the gate the hay was consumed, and Chong's army lost heart. Tangyi assistant magistrate Dong Xuanji commanded Chong's weapons. When Chong attacked Wushui, Xuanji said, "Prince of Langye is fighting the state—this is rebellion." Chong beheaded Xuanji and displayed the head. The soldiers feared and scattered into marshes; only several tens of household slaves and attendants remained. He turned back into Bo city and was killed by the gate guards. Empress Wu ordered Left Golden Guard general Qiu Shenji as commander-in-chief of the Qingping circuit to attack Chong. Before the troops arrived Chong was dead; his head was sent to the Eastern Capital and displayed below the gate. Chong's rising lasted only seven days before defeat. Chong had three younger brothers. Qian, Duke of Hengshan and vice-prefect of Changzhou, was executed for conspiring with his father and brothers. Wen, because he reported his faction with verified facts, had death reduced to banishment to Lingnan and soon died. At the Divine Dragon Restoration attendant-in-ordinary Jing Hui and others, because Chong father and son had supported the imperial house, requested restoration of their offices and titles; Wu San Si had Lady Shangguan of Zhaorong substitute for Zhongzong's personal edict refusing. In Kaiyuan 4 (716) an edict posthumously restored title and fief and ordered full rites for reburial. The Director of Ceremonies submitted the posthumous discussion: "The late Prince of Yue Zhen once wished to restore the imperial altars and long harbored the plan to execute the Lü clan; his heart was set on the royal house and he struck at the non-Liu. For this he incurred guilt and the sage heart mourned. According to the posthumous norms, 'dying without forgetting the sovereign is called Jing'—I request the posthumous title Jing." The request was accepted. In the fifth year an edict said, "The nine clans through kinship fulfill their teaching; a hundred generations must sacrifice—fully completing their virtue. Therefore the former Cai prefect, Prince of Yue Zhen, held his will unbending and could decide in affairs. From his territorial state he diligently served the royal house. After the broad way the precious chart was about to fail; he cherished Liu Zhang's aid to Han and pursued Zheng Wu's support of Zhou. Thereupon he roused himself without regard for body and took the lead in proclaiming righteousness. Though heroic planning did not succeed, loyal integrity predominated. The succession was cut off and the state abolished for more than twenty years; sacrifices fell into ruin—greatly pitiable. Words of raising and continuing—prepare the canonical records. Enfeoff Zhen's nephew's son, the former Prince of Xu's son, Left Gate Guard general Duke of Kui Lin, as Heir Prince of Yue to attend his sacrifices. Still order an office to erect a stele." Lin soon died and the fief lapsed.
26
滿 祿
Shen, Prince of Ji, was Taizong's tenth son. In Zhenguan 5 (631) he was created Prince of Shen. In Zhenguan 7 (633) he was appointed governor of Qinzhou. In Zhenguan 10 (636) he was changed to Prince of Ji with a substantive fief of eight hundred households. In Zhenguan 17 (643) he was transferred to prefect of Xiangzhou, was known for good government, received imperial commendation, and the people erected a stele for him. In Zhenguan 23 (649) his substantive fief was increased to a full thousand households. In Yonghui 1 (650) he was appointed grand general of the Left Guard. In Yonghui 2 (651) he was appointed governor of Jingzhou and later served repeatedly as prefect of Xing. In Wenming 1 (684) he was additionally appointed Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince and transferred to prefect of Bei. From youth Shen loved learning and excelled in literature and history; in the imperial clan he was famed equally with Prince of Yue Zhen—men called them Ji and Yue. When Zhen was about to rise Shen would not join the plot; when Zhen was defeated Shen was also imprisoned. At execution he was released, his surname changed to Hui, loaded in a caged cart and banished to Lingnan; he died on the road at Puzhou. Shen's eldest son Xu, He prefect and Prince of Dongping, was most renowned and died young. Second son Cong, Yi prefect and Prince of Yiyang; third son Rui, Duke of Chu; fourth son Xiu, Duke of Xiang; fifth son Xian, Duke of Guanghua; sixth son Qin, Duke of Jianping—all five were killed in the Chuigong era and their families moved to Lingnan. At the Restoration offices and titles were posthumously restored and reburial with rites was ordered. Shen's youngest son Tiechen was created Heir Prince of Ji and later changed his name to Cheng. In Jingyun 1 (710) he was made Silver-Gleam Grand Master of the Palace. Early in Kaiyuan he served successively as prefect of De, Ying, and Ji and general of the Left Valiant Cavalry, and died. His son Xingtong succeeded and in the Tianbao era was right mentor, regular associate.
27
Xiao, Prince of Jiang, was Taizong's eleventh son. In Zhenguan 5 (631) he was enfeoffed; in Zhenguan 6 (632) he died, with posthumous title Shang.
28
Jian, Prince of Dai, was Taizong's twelfth son. In Zhenguan 5 (631) he was enfeoffed; that year he died without heir and the fief lapsed.
29
Fu, Prince of Zhao, was Taizong's thirteenth son. In Zhenguan 13 (639) he was enfeoffed and adopted to succeed the Hidden Crown Prince Jiancheng. In Zhenguan 18 (644) he was appointed governor of Qinzhou with a substantive fief of eight hundred households. In Zhenguan 23 (649) he was added as grand general of the Right Guard and repeatedly appointed governor of Liangzhou. He died in Xianheng 1 (670) and was posthumously made Minister of Works and governor of Bingzhou, buried at Zhaoling. At the Restoration Yun Prince of Jiang's grandson Sishun was created Heir Prince of Zhao.
30
滿 祿
Ming, Prince of Cao, was Taizong's fourteenth son. In Zhenguan 21 (647) he was enfeoffed. In Zhenguan 23 (649) he received a substantive fief of eight hundred households, soon increased to a full thousand. In the Xianqing era he was appointed governor of Liangzhou and later served successively as prefect of Guo, Cai, and Su. An edict ordered him to succeed Yuanji, Prince Cila of Chao. In Yongchong, for plotting with the commoner Xian, he was demoted to Prince of Lingling and moved to Qianzhou. Governor Xie You, toadying to intent, compelled him to kill himself. The emperor deeply mourned him and Qian prefecture officials were all dismissed. In Jingyun 1 (710) Ming's coffin returned to the capital and he was buried at Zhaoling. He had two sons: Jun, vice-prefect of Nan and Prince of Lingling; Jie, Duke of Li—both were killed in the Chuigong era. At the Restoration Jie's son Yin was created Heir Prince of Cao. Yin's uncle Bei returned from Nan and was also created Heir Prince of Cao and vice minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud, regular associate; Yin's enfeoffment ceased. Later Bei pacified rebellious Liao in Zhongzhou and perished at bandit hands; Yin was again created prince, Silver-Gleam Grand Master of the Palace, and general of the Right Martial Guard. He died; his son Zhan succeeded as central commandant of the Left Guard. He died; his son Gao succeeded. Gao has a separate biography.
31
The historian says: Among Taizong's sons, Ke Prince of Wu and Tai Prince of Pu were the most worthy. For their talent and brilliance Zhangsun Wuji envied them, sowed division between father and sons, and made wolves of them—yet Wuji destroyed his own house. Is this not retribution for hidden malice? Empress Wu hacked at the royal house and secretly shifted the mandate; Zhen Prince of Yue and his son grieved and raged, choosing righteousness over self-preservation. The sorrow of a house destroyed—the poem of The Owl—how wounding! Compared with Prince of Qi You's reckless revolt, how can they be spoken of in the same breath?
32
In praise: Imperial sons made territorial princes—the foundation stone, the wall of the realm. Arrogance and extravagance bring defeat; the body wins no fine name. Chong and Shen roused in anger, viewing death as life. Chengqian and Prince of Qi You—a foolish younger brother, a mediocre elder brother.
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