Song, Liao, and Jin · Ruler

Emperor Taizu 太祖

Taizu

Attested AD 960 - AD 976

Passages: 4
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Emperor Taizu was a ruler.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 960 to AD 976 宋太祖在位
Directly stated · History of Song 399, passage 217

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Ancestor of Emperor Gaozong (高宗)
ancestor 祖宗 · paternal line
Strongly inferred · History of Song 399, passage 223
Child of Emperor Xuanzu (宣祖)
Xuanzu 宣祖 · paternal line
Strongly inferred · History of Song 399, passage 226
Sibling of Emperor Taizong (太宗)
younger brother 弟
Directly stated · History of Song 399, passage 217

Kinship Role grandsons · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · History of Song 399, passage 226
Kinship Role son-set-aside · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · History of Song 399, passage 217

Places and affiliations

Polity Song 宋 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · History of Song 399, passage 217

Events and relationships

Established younger brother
Succession · Ruler · With Emperor Taizong (太宗)
Directly stated · History of Song 399, passage 217

References in the histories

History of Song, Chapter 399Volume 399 Biographies 158: Zheng Jue, Wang Tingxiu, Chou Yu, Gao Deng, Lou Yinliang, Song Ruwei · 4 passages

「先正有言：『太祖舍其子而立弟，此天下之大公； " A former worthy said, "Taizu set aside his son and established his younger brother—this was the great public-mindedness of the realm;

崇寧以來，諛臣進說，獨推濮王子孫以為近屬，餘皆謂之同姓，遂使昌陵之後，寂寥無聞，奔迸藍縷，僅同民庶。 Since the Chongning era, fawning ministers have promoted only descendants of Prince Pu as close kin while calling all others mere same-surname clansmen. Thus Taizu's descendants have been forgotten, fleeing in rags scarcely different from commoners.

恐祀豐於昵，仰違天監，太祖在天莫肯顧歆，是以二聖未有回鑾之期，金人未有悔禍之意，中原未有息肩之日。 I fear sacrifices favor the near at hand but violate Heaven's regard, and Taizu in Heaven will not look down with favor. Therefore the two emperors have no date of return, the Jin show no intent to repent, and the Central Plains have no day of rest.

臣愚不識忌諱，欲乞陛下於子行中遴選太祖諸孫有賢德者，視秩親王，俾牧九州，以待皇嗣之生，退處藩服，並選宣祖、太宗之裔，材武可稱之人，升為南班，以備環衛。 Your humble servant does not know taboo and begs Your Majesty to select a worthy grandson of Taizu from among the princes, treat him as an imperial prince, and let him govern the realm while awaiting the birth of an heir, then retire to princely status. Also select descendants of Xuanzu and Taizong of proven martial talent for the southern ranks as palace guards.