Emperor Wu of Liang (梁武帝)

Overview

Emperor Wu of Liang was an emperor of Liang.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Xiao Yan	蕭衍	Xiao Yan
Posthumous name	Martial Emperor	武皇帝	Wu huangdi
Temple name	Gaozu	高祖	Gaozu
Regnal name	Tianjian	天監	Tianjian

Life and dates

Death

AD 549 太清三年五月丙辰
Directly stated · Book of Liang 4, passage 29

Attested activity

AD 510 天監九年正月
Directly stated · History of Liao 42, passage 221
AD 547 太清元年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 38, passages 34, 46, 360
AD 548 太清二年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 38, passages 49, 66, 337, 361
AD 540 大同六年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 38, passages 356, 358
AD 540 to AD 549 chapter chronology
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 30, passage 55
AD 546 中大同元年三月
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 37, passage 63

Show 60 more source-backed claims

AD 531 中大通三年
Directly stated · Book of Liang 8, passage 110
AD 530 中大通二年
Directly stated · Book of Liang 8, passage 102
AD 533 中大通五年二月
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 42, passage 29
AD 502 中興二年
Directly stated · Book of Liang 52, passage 61
AD 538 to AD 539 元象初
Dated from the passage context · Book of Wei 86, passage 104
AD 546 冬，十月，乙亥
Dated from the passage context · zizhitongjian:159:s0263a
AD 537 大同三年正月
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 37, passage 48
AD 539 大同五年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 32, passages 14-15
AD 542 大同八年
Directly stated · Book of Chen 24, passage 135
AD 545 大同十一年
Dated from the passage context · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 3; zizhitongjian:159:s0003a
AD 546 大同末
Directly stated · Book of Chen 30, passage 29
AD 502 to AD 519 天監中
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 37, passage 11; Book of Liang 43, passages 69, 72
AD 502 天監之初
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passage 248
AD 503 天監二年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 4, passages 3-4
AD 503 天監二年
Directly stated · Book of Liang 31, passages 72-73
AD 502 天監元年
Directly stated · Book of Liang 8, passages 247-248; Book of Liang 15, passage 144
AD 502 to AD 509 天監初…八年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 52, passages 141, 143
AD 502 天監初
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 17, passage 33
AD 502 天監初
Directly stated · Book of Liang 52, passages 129-130
AD 515 天監十四年
Directly stated · Book of Liang 8, passage 9
AD 549 太清三年五月丙辰
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 4, passage 29
AD 547 to AD 549 太清中
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 33, passages 2, 5
AD 548 太清二年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 42, passage 100
AD 513 to AD 534 延昌二年…永熙三年
Directly stated · Book of Wei 111, passage 150
AD 541 弘正啟梁武帝
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 24, passage 43
AD 502 明年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 17, passage 113
AD 526 普通七年
Directly stated · Book of Liang 8, passage 53; Book of Liang 30, passage 54
AD 520 to AD 527 普通中
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 25, passages 4, 6
AD 523 普通四年
Directly stated · Book of Liang 14, passage 107; Book of Liang 24, passage 76
AD 542 to AD 547 有天下四十餘年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 38, passages 135, 213, 215
AD 502 to AD 557 梁
Directly stated · Book of Chen 17, passage 7
AD 527 梁大通元年
Directly stated · Book of Wei 111, passages 262-263
AD 502 to AD 549 梁武帝
Directly stated · Book of Chen 7, passage 88; Book of Chen 19, passage 75; Old History of the Five Dynasties 144, passage 166; Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passages 17, 103
AD 502 to AD 549 梁武帝之世
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 18, passage 8
AD 502 to AD 549 梁武帝在位
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 29, passages 24, 63
AD 504 梁武帝天監三年
Directly stated · History of Liao 42, passage 220
AD 502 to AD 549 梁武帝朝
Directly stated · Book of Chen 29, passage 197
AD 548 梁武帝納侯景
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 24, passage 60
AD 502 to AD 549 梁武帝脩建庠序
Directly stated · Book of Chen 24, passage 134
AD 502 to AD 549 梁武第三而踐尊位
Dated from the passage context · Book of Sui 79, passage 190
AD 548 梁武見侯景故事
Directly stated · Book of Chen 24, passage 190
AD 502 梁臺建
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 36, passage 18
AD 548 武定中
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 13, passage 149
AD 502 to AD 549 武帝
Directly stated · Book of Southern Qi 60, passage 2
AD 501 永元末
Directly stated · Book of Liang 31, passage 43
AD 528 to AD 530 河陰後
Dated from the passage context · Book of Wei 27, passage 179
AD 439 to AD 499 祖暉濟州刺史
Strongly inferred · Book of Wei 93, passage 92
AD 529 稱藩蕭衍
Dated from the passage context · Book of Wei 110, passage 33
AD 501 義師至
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 17, passage 22
AD 501 義師起
Directly stated · Book of Liang 19, passage 119
AD 502 to AD 549 蕭衍
Directly stated · Book of Wei 24, passage 31; Book of Wei 96, passage 50
AD 502 to AD 549 蕭衍將裴邃、虞鴻襲據壽春，稚諸子驍果，邃
Directly stated · Book of Wei 30, passage 108
AD 501 高祖
Directly stated · Book of Liang 14, passage 293
AD 502 to AD 549 高祖嘉之
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 47, passage 264
AD 502 to AD 524 高祖在位早期至普通五年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 38, passages 21, 24, 28
AD 501 to AD 502 高祖平京邑
Directly stated · Book of Liang 15, passage 66
AD 502 高祖平京邑
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 42, passage 9
AD 502 高祖踐阼
Directly stated · Book of Liang 15, passage 87; Book of Liang 24, passage 35
AD 386 to AD 534 魏世
Dated from the passage context · Book of Wei 98, passage 185
AD 501 齊中興元年
Directly stated · Book of Liang 8, passage 246

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Kin of Wang Zhi (王質)
sister's son 甥 · maternal line · Through Mother of Wang Zhi (王質母)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 18, passage 99
Parent of Xiao Gang (蕭綱)
Crown Prince 太子
sons 諸子
son 子 · paternal line
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 240; Book of Liang 4, passage 3; zizhitongjian:159:s0263a; zizhitongjian:159:s0240b
Parent of Princess Changcheng (長城公主)
daughter 女
Directly stated · Book of Chen 7, passage 88
Sibling of Xiao Yi (蕭懿)
eldest brother 長兄 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 33, passage 2
Child of Xiao Shunzhi (蕭順之)
son 子 · paternal line
father 父
Strongly inferred · Book of Liang 4, passages 56-57; Book of Liang 24, passages 3, 6
Parent of Crown Prince Zhaoming (昭明太子)
father 父
son 子 · paternal line
Sources vary in certainty · Book of Liang 8, passage 244; Book of Liang 4, passage 3
Parent of Xiao Zong (蕭綜)
his Prince of Yuzhang 其豫章王
Strongly inferred · Book of Wei 24, passage 109
Spouse of Honored Concubine Ding (丁貴嬪)
honored concubine 貴嬪
Strongly inferred · Book of Liang 8, passage 245
Spouse of Honored Consort Mu (穆貴嬪)
honored consort 貴嬪 · Uncertain parentage · Secondary marriage
Strongly inferred · Book of Liang 4, passage 17
Kin of Sima Zichan (子產)
maternal elder brother 外兄 · maternal line
Directly stated · Book of Chen 32, passage 118
Kin of Xiao Fan (蕭範)
Prince of Poyang 鄱陽王 · paternal line
Strongly inferred · Book of Wei 110, passage 119
Kin of Prince Cha of Yueyang (岳陽王察)
Prince of Yueyang 岳陽王
Strongly inferred · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 263; zizhitongjian:159:s0263a
Sibling of Princess of Yixing (義興長公主)
sister 妹
Directly stated · Book of Chen 17, passage 3
Sibling of Princess Xin'an Mu (新安穆公主)
sister 妹
Directly stated · Book of Chen 17, passage 3
Sibling of Mother of Wang Zhi (王質母)
sister 姊 · Uncertain siblings
Strongly inferred · Book of Chen 18, passage 99
Parent of Xiao Ji (蕭紀)
sons 諸子
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 240; zizhitongjian:159:s0240a
Parent of Xiao Lun (蕭綸)
sons 諸子
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 240; zizhitongjian:159:s0240a
Parent of Xiao Yi (湘東王繹)
sons 諸子
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 240; zizhitongjian:159:s0240a
Sibling of Xiao Wei (蕭偉)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 33, passage 36
Sibling of Xiao Hui (蕭恢)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 33, passage 49

Key source chapters

Career and standing

Emperor of Liang 皇帝
AD 545 大同十一年 · Held
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 3; zizhitongjian:159:s0003a
Emperor Wu 武帝
Held
Directly stated · Book of Southern Qi 60, passage 2

Places and affiliations

Liang 梁
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Chen 24, passage 190; Old History of the Five Dynasties 144, passage 166; Book of Liang 38, passages 248, 337; Book of Liang 52, passages 61, 130; Book of Wei 110, passage 33
Liang
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Chen 18, passage 8
Polity Liang 梁 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 30, passage 55; Book of Chen 24, passages 43, 134-135; Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 17; Book of Liang 24, passages 17, 35; Book of Liang 42, passage 9; Book of Liang 47, passage 264; Book of Southern Qi 60, passages 1-2; Book of Wei 24, passage 109; Book of Wei 111, passage 262
Polity Liang 梁 · Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · Book of Wei 86, passage 104
Polity Liang 梁 · Relation Served
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:159:s0263a
Polity Liang · Relation Associated with
Directly stated · Book of Chen 25, passage 6

Show 1 more source-backed claim

Polity Southern Liang 蕭衍 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Wei 96, passage 50

Learning and skills

Belief Buddhism 佛教 · Relation Adherent of
Directly stated · Book of Liang 8, passage 16
Belief Buddhism 釋氏法、佛戒 · Relation Practitioner
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:159:s0148b; zizhitongjian:159:s0171g
Belief Buddhist merit works 功德 · Relation Patron of
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passages 262-263, 267
Skill writing and wide learning 博學能文 · Level accomplished
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 148
Skill music 音樂 · Level skilled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 144, passage 166

Works and attributed material

Commentary on the Correct Sayings of Confucius 孔子正言章句
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Chen 24, passage 135
Thousand-Character Poem 千字詩
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Chen 18, passage 8
Expositions on the Five Classics 五經講疏
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Liang 4, passage 147
Meaning of the Doctrine of the Mean in the Book of Rites 禮記中庸義
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passage 358
Meaning of the Laozi 老子義
Relation Author
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passage 356
Correct Sayings of Confucius 孔子正言
Relation Commentator
Directly stated · Book of Chen 24, passage 135

Show 41 more source-backed claims

Book of Liang, fascicle 5, Basic Annals of Emperor Wu 3 梁書卷五武帝紀三
Relation Subject of
Directly stated · Book of Wei 111, passage 262
Edict · Author · About Person Id Kong Xiuyuan (孔休源) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 36, passages 48-56
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · With Xie Ju (謝舉) · About Person Id Kong Xiuyuan (孔休源)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 36, passages 45-46
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · About Person Id Kong Xiuyuan (孔休源)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 36, passages 170-171
Edict · Author · About Person Id Jiang Ge (江革) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 36, passages 117-118
Speech · Speaker · With Xu Mian (徐勉) · About Person Id Jiang Ge (江革) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 36, passage 136
AD 501 永元末
Letter · Author · With Yuan Ang (袁昂)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 31, passages 43-60
Edict of rebuke · Speaker and issuer · With He Chen (賀琛) · Mode direct-quotation Speaker Emperor Wu of Liang (梁武帝)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passages 213-243
Edict on coin counting rules · Author · Direct quotation · Mode direct-quotation Speaker Emperor Wu of Liang (梁武帝)
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:159:s0225h; zizhitongjian:159:s0225i; zizhitongjian:159:s0225j; zizhitongjian:159:s0225k; zizhitongjian:159:s0225l
Edict replying to He Chen's memorial · Speaker and author · With He Chen (賀琛) · Direct quotation · Mode direct-quotation Speaker Emperor Wu of Liang (梁武帝)
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passages 109, 122, 133; zizhitongjian:159:s0109a; zizhitongjian:159:s0109b; zizhitongjian:159:s0109c; zizhitongjian:159:s0109d; zizhitongjian:159:s0109e; zizhitongjian:159:s0109f; zizhitongjian:159:s0109g; zizhitongjian:159:s0109h; zizhitongjian:159:s0109i; zizhitongjian:159:s0109j; zizhitongjian:159:s0109k; zizhitongjian:159:s0109l; zizhitongjian:159:s0122a; zizhitongjian:159:s0122b; zizhitongjian:159:s0122c; zizhitongjian:159:s0122d; zizhitongjian:159:s0122e; zizhitongjian:159:s0122f; zizhitongjian:159:s0122g; zizhitongjian:159:s0122h; zizhitongjian:159:s0122i; zizhitongjian:159:s0122j; zizhitongjian:159:s0133a; zizhitongjian:159:s0133b; zizhitongjian:159:s0133c; zizhitongjian:159:s0133d; zizhitongjian:159:s0133e; zizhitongjian:159:s0133f; zizhitongjian:159:s0133g; zizhitongjian:159:s0133h; zizhitongjian:159:s0133i; zizhitongjian:159:s0133j; zizhitongjian:159:s0133k; zizhitongjian:159:s0133l; zizhitongjian:159:s0133m
Edict to rebuild Tongtai Temple pagoda · Speaker and author · Direct quotation · Mode direct-quotation Speaker Emperor Wu of Liang (梁武帝)
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:159:s0200b; zizhitongjian:159:s0200d; zizhitongjian:159:s0200e
Edict · Author · With Yuan Ang (袁昂)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 31, passages 109-112
Edict · Author · With Zhou Hongzheng (周弘正)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 24, passages 54-57
Edict · Author · With Xiao Gang (蕭綱) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 36, passage 33
Edict · Author · With Crown Prince Zhaoming (昭明太子) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 8, passages 53-56, 59-61
Edict · Author · With He Chen (賀琛)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passages 244-334
Edict · Author · With Shen Zhong (沈眾)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 18, passage 9
Edict · Author · With Wang Zhenguo (王珍國) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 17, passages 28-29
Edict · Author · With Gu Xie (顧協)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 30, passages 111-116
Edict · Author · With Xiao Yu (蕭昱)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 24, passages 123-138
Edict · Author · With Xiao Jing (蕭景)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 24, passages 64-65
Edict · Author · With Jiang Ge (江革) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 36, passage 122
Edict · Author · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 42, passages 31-33
Edict · Author
Directly stated · Book of Liang 4, passages 21-26; Book of Liang 30, passages 74-77
Memorial · Author · With Xie Fei (謝朏)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 15, passages 66-85
Awakened Intent Poem 覺意詩
Poem · Author · With Jiang Ge (江革) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 36, passages 119-121
Posthumous edict · Issuer · Subject Person Id Zhu Yi (朱异) · Mode direct-quotation Speaker Emperor Wu of Liang (梁武帝)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passages 59-63
Speech · Speaker · Mode quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 52, passage 130
Speech · Speaker · With Li Hun (李渾)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 29, passages 24-25
Speech · Speaker · With Yuan Ang (袁昂)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 31, passage 92
Speech · Speaker · With Zhu Yi (朱异) · Mode direct-quotation Speaker Emperor Wu of Liang (梁武帝)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passage 21
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · With Xu Mian (徐勉)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 36, passages 18-19
Speech · Speaker · With Ming Shanbin (明山賓) · Subject Person Id Zhu Yi (朱异) · Mode direct-quotation Speaker Emperor Wu of Liang (梁武帝)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passage 22
Speech · Speaker · With Ma Xianpin (馬仙琕) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 17, passages 62-63
Speech · Speaker · With Li Hui (李繪)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 29, passages 63, 65-66, 69
Speech · Speaker · With Yu Jianwu (庾肩吾) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Chen 32, passage 15
Speech · Speaker · With Wang Zhenguo (王珍國) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 17, passage 30
Speech · Speaker · With Yue Facai (樂法才) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 19, passage 100
Speech · Speaker · With Jiang Ge (江革) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 36, passages 125-126
Speech · Speaker · Quote true
Directly stated · Book of Liang 30, passages 55, 134, 136; Book of Wei 110, passage 95
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Liang 42, passage 63

Events and relationships

Accepted Hou Jing after adopting Zhu Yi's advice and recalling his dream
AD 547 太清元年 · Political · Ruler · With Hou Jing (侯景)
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 38, passages 35, 43
Became angry at He Chen's memorial and dictated a detailed rebuke
Political · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passages 213-214
Broke gold in answer
Diplomatic · Recipient · With Wang Zhenguo (王珍國)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 17, passage 22
Changed Nine Summers to Twelve Elegances
Cultural · Ruler
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 144, passage 166
Changed nine summers to twelve elegances
Music naming · Renamer
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 17
Defended personal frugality and rejected He Chen's critique of extravagance
Administrative · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passages 244, 265, 285, 334

Show 14 more source-backed claims

Dreamed that the Central Plains were pacified
AD 547 太清元年 · Dream · Dreamer · Mode dream Source Person Id Emperor Wu of Liang (梁武帝)
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 38, passage 34
Lectured on the Sutra of Three Wisdoms
AD 546 中大同元年 · Religious lecture · Lecturer · At Tongtai Temple 同泰寺
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 200; zizhitongjian:159:s0200a
Made four sitong and twelve flutes
Music invention · Inventor
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 103
Ordered adoption of calendar
AD 510 天監九年正月 · Administrative · Authority · With Zu Chongzhi (祖沖之)
Directly stated · History of Liao 42, passage 221
Ordered National University to expound imperial interpretation
AD 542 大同八年 · Scholarly · Author
Directly stated · Book of Chen 24, passage 135
Personally lectured on the Classic of Filial Piety
Scholarly · Lecturer · With Zhu Yi (朱异)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passage 24
Praised Xie Lan's eulogy and ordered compositions
Political · Ruler
Directly stated · Book of Liang 47, passage 264
Produced eighty four modes
Music theory · Theorist
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 145, passage 104
Rebuilt schools opened five halls
Institutional · Founder
Directly stated · Book of Chen 24, passage 134
Received Hou Jing
AD 548 梁武帝納侯景 · Political · Ruler · With Hou Jing (侯景)
Dated from the passage context · Book of Chen 24, passage 60
Received petition
Political · Addressee · With Xiao Zixian (蕭子顯)
Directly stated · Book of Southern Qi 60, passage 2
Received
AD 548 梁武見侯景故事 · Political · Host · With Hou Jing (侯景) · Mode named-source-report Speaker Yuan Xian (袁憲)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 24, passage 190
Sent troops to besiege Guancheng
Military · With Gou Jinlong (苟金龍)
Directly stated · Book of Wei 98, passage 185
Relation Ruler of · Person He Chen (賀琛)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passages 334-335

Assessments and attributes

Assessment praised literary style; no dishonor to ancestor · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Emperor Wu of Liang (梁武帝) · About Person Id Shen Zhong (沈眾)
Directly stated · Book of Chen 18, passage 9
Assessment deeply loved and relied on him · With Ma Xianpin (馬仙琕) · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Liang 17, passage 95
Assessment did not keep achievement; low halls and plain food; great compassion · Mode edict Source Person Id Xiao Gang (蕭綱)
Directly stated · Book of Liang 4, passage 60
Assessment failed to accept useful remonstrance and thereby endangered and overthrew his state · Assessor Person Id Sima Guang (司馬光) · Mode commentator-judgment Source Person Id Sima Guang (司馬光)
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 161; zizhitongjian:159:s0161e; zizhitongjian:159:s0161f; zizhitongjian:159:s0161g; zizhitongjian:159:s0161h; zizhitongjian:159:s0161i
Assessment filial, kind, respectful, frugal, learned, and highly skilled · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 148
Assessment grieved Zhu Yi's death and exceptionally honored his wish to wield the law · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passages 64-66

Show 3 more source-backed claims

Assessment laughed and praised him · With Ma Xianpin (馬仙琕) · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Liang 17, passage 65
Kept no harem and no debauchery for more than thirty years; did not sleep in the same room with a woman for more than thirty years
Ascetic practice
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passages 285-286
Waist reduced from more than ten spans to barely over two feet; old belt still kept
Physical description
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passage 292

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Liang 37, passage 11
Value historical
Directly stated · Book of Chen 24, passage 190

References in the histories

Search passages

History

244 passages

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 13Volume 13 Biographies 5: Gao Chen; Gao Rui (Northern Qi); Gao Yue (Northern Qi); Gao Mai · 1 passage

Open chapter

而武帝乘間遣其貞陽侯明率衆於寒山，擁泗水灌彭城，與景為掎角聲援。 Emperor Wu of Liang seized the moment and sent his Marquis of Zhenyang Ming with an army to Hanshan, damming the Si to flood Pengcheng and coordinating with Jing in pincer support.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 29Volume 29 Biographies 21: Li Hun; Zi Zhan; Hun Dihui; Zuzi Gongxu; Li Yu; Di Jin; Zu Dixiao; Zheng Shuzu; Zi Yuande · 4 passages

Open chapter

梁武謂之曰：「伯陽之後，久而彌盛，趙李人物，今實居多。 Emperor Wu of Liang said to him, "Descendants of Boyang — the longer the line runs, the more it flourishes; men of the Zhao Li clan are truly numerous today.

梁武帝問繪：「高相今在何處？」 Emperor Wu of Liang asked Hui, "Where is Chancellor Gao now?"

梁武曰：「黑獺若為形容？ Emperor Wu said, "What is Black Badger's appearance like?

梁武曰：「如卿言極佳。」 Emperor Wu said, "As you say — excellent."

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 30Volume 30 Biographies 22: Cui Xian; Gao Dezheng; Cui Ang · 1 passage

Open chapter

梁武帝聞之，為繕寫，以幡花寶蓋贊唄送至館焉。 Emperor Wu of Liang heard of it, had them copied, and sent them to the lodge with streamers, flowers, precious canopies, hymns, and chants.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 33Volume 33 Biographies 25: Xiao Yuanming; Xiao Zhi (Liang); Xiao Tui; Xiao Fang (Liang); Xu Zhicai · 9 passages

Open chapter

蕭明，蘭陵人，梁武帝長兄長沙王懿之子。 Xiao Ming was from Lanling, son of Prince of Changsha Yi, eldest brother of Emperor Wu of Liang.

在其本朝，甚為梁武所親愛。 In his own court he was greatly beloved by Emperor Wu of Liang.

梁主旣納侯景，詔明率水陸諸軍趨彭城，大圖進取。 After the Liang ruler accepted Hou Jing, an edict ordered Ming to lead land and river forces toward Pengcheng for a major advance.

世宗禮明甚重，謂之曰：「先王與梁主和好十有餘年，聞彼禮佛文，常雲奉為魏主，並及先王，此甚是梁主厚意。 Gao Cheng treated Ming with great courtesy and said to him, "The late king and the Liang ruler were on good terms for more than ten years; I heard that when he performed Buddhist rites he would say he did them for the Wei ruler and for the late king as well—this was truly the Liang ruler's great kindness.

境上之事，知非梁主本心，當是侯景違命扇動耳。 Matters on the border—I know they are not the Liang ruler's true intent; surely Hou Jing defied orders and stirred this up.

於是使人以明書告梁主，梁主乃致書以慰世宗。 Thereupon he had men report to the Liang ruler with Ming's letter; the Liang ruler then sent a letter in reply to comfort Gao Cheng.

蕭祗，字敬式，梁武弟南平王偉之子也。 Xiao Zhi, style Jingshi, was son of Emperor Wu of Liang's younger brother Prince of Nanping Wei.

於時江左承平，政寬人慢，祗獨莅以嚴切，梁武悅之。 At that time the lands east of the Yangtze were at peace; government was lax and people grew slack—Zhi alone governed with severity, and Emperor Wu of Liang was pleased.

蕭退，梁武帝弟司空鄱陽王恢之子也。 Xiao Tui was son of Emperor Wu of Liang's younger brother minister of works Prince of Poyang Hui.

Book of Chen, Chapter 7Volume 7: Empresses and Consorts · 2 passages

Open chapter

父偃，尚梁武帝女長城公主，拜駙馬都尉，大寶中，為鄱陽太守，卒官。 Her father Yan married Princess Changcheng, daughter of Emperor Wu of Liang, and was made commandant of imperial sons-in-law. During Dabao he served as administrator of Poyang and died in office.

按《南史·后妃傳》序，梁武帝所制九嬪之序，「昭儀」在「昭容」上，陳制多襲梁，當以作「昭儀、昭容」為是。 The Southern Dynasties preface to the consorts' biographies lists Liang's nine ranks with "Zhaoyi" above "Zhaorong"; Chen largely followed Liang, so "Zhaoyi, Zhaorong" is correct.

Book of Chen, Chapter 17Volume 17: Wang Chong; Wang Tong; Yuan Jing · 5 passages

Open chapter

沖母，梁武帝妹新安穆公主，卒於齊世，武帝以沖偏孤，深所鍾愛。 Chong's mother was Princess Xin'an Mu, a sister of Emperor Wu of Liang. She died in Qi times, and the emperor, seeing that Chong had been left partially orphaned, doted on him.

[2]琳，齊代娶梁武帝妹義興長公主，有子九人，嵭知名。 Lin, in Qi times, married Emperor Wu of Liang's sister, Princess of Yixing long; he had nine sons, all of whom won notice.

大同末，梁武帝謁園陵，道出朱方，勱隨例迎候，队勱令從輦側，所經山川，莫不顧問，勱隨事應對，咸有故實。 Near the end of Datong, Emperor Wu of Liang visited the imperial tombs by way of Zhufang; Mo met him as custom required. The emperor ordered Mo to ride beside the carriage; at every hill and stream he asked questions, and Mo answered each with historical precedent.

按梁武帝即位後，追尊其父為文皇帝。 After Liang Wudi's accession he honored his father posthumously as Emperor Wen.

王沖傳言其母為梁武帝妹新安穆公主，與此合。 Wang Chong's biography says his mother was Liang Wudi's sister Princess Xin'an Mu, which matches.

Book of Chen, Chapter 18Volume 18: Shen Zhong; Yuan Bi; Liu Zhongwei; Lu Shancai; Wang Zhi; Wei Zai · 5 passages

Open chapter

是時，梁武帝制千字詩，眾為之注解。 When Emperor Wu of Liang composed the Thousand-Character Poem, Zhong annotated it.

與陳郡謝景同時召見于文德殿，帝令眾為竹賦，賦成，奏，帝善之，手敕答曰：[1]「卿文體翩翩，可謂無忝爾祖。」 He and Xie Jing of Chen were summoned together to the Wende Hall. The emperor ordered Zhong to write a rhapsody on bamboo; when it was done he presented it, and the emperor praised it and wrote back in his own hand: [1] "Your style flows lightly—you truly do no dishonor to your ancestor."

侯景之亂，眾表於梁武，稱家代所隸故義部曲，並在吳興，求還召募以討賊，梁武許之。 During Hou Jing's rebellion Zhong memorialized Emperor Wu of Liang, saying the loyal household troops his line had long commanded were in Wuxing, and asked leave to return and raise them against the rebel. The emperor agreed.

梁武於城內遙授眾為太子右衛率。 From within the city Emperor Wu of Liang appointed Zhong right commandant of the heir's guard by remote commission.

梁世以武帝甥封甲口亭侯，補國子周易生，射策高第。 Under Liang, as the emperor's sister's son, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Jiakou and studied the Book of Changes at the national university, ranking high in the archery examination.

Book of Chen, Chapter 19Volume 19: Shen Jiong; Yu Li; Ma Shu · 2 passages

Open chapter

梁武帝於城西置士林館，荔乃製碑，奏上，帝命勒之于館，仍用荔為士林學士。 Emperor Wu of Liang set up the Forest of Scholars west of the city. Li composed a stele and submitted it; the emperor had it carved in the hall and made Li an academician there.

大同中，嘗驟雨，殿前往往有雜色寶珠，梁武觀之甚有喜色，寄因上瑞雨頌。 In the Datong era a sudden rain once left mixed-colored pearls before the hall. Emperor Wu of Liang was greatly pleased, and Ji submitted a eulogy on the auspicious rain.

Book of Chen, Chapter 24Volume 24: Zhou Hongzheng; Yuan Xian · 7 passages

Open chapter

弘正啟梁武帝周易疑義五十條，又請釋乾坤二繫曰：「臣聞易稱立象以盡意，繫辭以盡言，然後知聖人之情，幾可見矣。 Hongzheng submitted to Emperor Wu of Liang fifty doubtful points on the Book of Changes and asked to explain the two Appended Phrases on Qian and Kun. He said, "I have heard that the Changes says, 'Establish images to exhaust meaning; attach words to exhaust speech'—then the sage's feeling may be known and the subtle seen.

伏惟陛下一日萬機，匪勞神於瞬息，凝心妙本，常自得於天真，聖智無以隱其幾深，明神無以淪其不測。 I bow before Your Majesty, who handles ten thousand affairs in a day without taxing your spirit in an instant; who concentrates on the subtle root and constantly attains natural truth; whose sage wisdom cannot hide its depths and whose bright spirit cannot be lost in the unfathomable.

自制旨降談，裁成易道，析至微於秋毫，渙曾冰於幽谷。 Since Your Majesty's own instructions came down and shaped the Way of the Changes, splitting the utmost subtle to an autumn hair and melting layered ice in a dark valley.

及梁武帝納侯景，弘正謂弘讓曰：「亂階此矣。」 When Emperor Wu of Liang received Hou Jing, Hongzheng told Hongrang, "The stair of disorder starts here."

梁武帝脩建庠序，別開五館，其一館在憲宅西，憲常招引諸生，與之談論，每有新議，出人意表，同輩咸嗟服焉。 When Emperor Wu of Liang rebuilt the schools and opened five halls, one stood west of Xian's house. He often gathered students to debate; his fresh readings surprised everyone, and his peers admired him.

大同八年，武帝撰孔子正言章句，詔下國學，宣制旨義。 In Datong year eight the emperor composed his commentary on the Correct Sayings of Confucius and ordered the National University to expound the imperial interpretation.

臣願陛下正衣冠，御前殿，依梁武見侯景故事。」 I beg Your Majesty to dress properly, sit in the front hall, and follow Emperor Wu of Liang's example when he received Hou Jing."

Book of Chen, Chapter 25Volume 25: Pei Ji; Sun Yang · 1 passage

Open chapter

及之平至，即皆平殄，梁武帝甚嘉賞之。 When Zhiping arrived, he put them all down at once, and Emperor Wu of Liang praised and rewarded him highly.

Book of Chen, Chapter 29Volume 29: Zong Yuanrao; Sima Shen; Mao Xi; Cai Zheng · 1 passage

Open chapter

又云梁武帝每與對棋，從夕達旦。 It also says Emperor Wu of Liang played chess with him from evening until dawn.

Book of Chen, Chapter 30Volume 30: Xiao Ji; Lu Qiong; Gu Yewang; Fu Zai · 3 passages

Open chapter

少好學，博通經史，諮梁武帝左氏疑義三十餘條，尚書僕射范陽張纘、太常卿南陽劉之遴並與濟討論，纘等莫能抗對。 From boyhood he loved books and mastered the classics and histories. He put more than thirty questions on the Zuo Commentary before Liang's Emperor Wu; Zhang Zuan of Fanyang, vice director of the masters of writing, and Liu Zhiliao of Nanyang, minister of ceremonies, debated them with him—and could not hold their ground.

大同末，雲公受梁武帝詔校定棋品，到溉、朱异以下並集，瓊時年八歲，於客前覆局，由是京師號曰神童。 Near the end of Datong, Yungong received Emperor Wu of Liang's order to fix the grades of weiqi players. Dao Gai, Zhu Yi, and the rest assembled; Qiong was eight and, before the guests, reconstructed a game from memory. The capital thereafter called him a prodigy.

异言之武帝，有敕召見，瓊風神警亮，進退詳審，帝甚異之。 Zhu Yi spoke of him to the throne, and an edict called him in. Qiong's presence was keen and luminous; he moved with careful grace. The emperor was deeply struck.

Book of Chen, Chapter 32Volume 32: Filial Piety · 3 passages

Open chapter

是時朝廷政事多委東宮，不害與舍人庾肩吾直日奏事，梁武帝嘗謂肩吾曰：「卿是文學之士，吏事非卿所長，何不使殷不害來邪？」 At that time many court and government affairs were entrusted to the eastern palace. Buhai and attendant Yu Jianwu attended on the days of direct audience to report affairs. Emperor Wu of Liang once told Jianwu, "You are a man of letters; clerical business is not your strength—why not have Yin Buhai come instead?"

父子產，梁尚書水部侍郎、岳陽太守，即梁武帝之外兄也。 His father Zichan had been Liang minister of the masters of writing for the water bureau and administrator of Yueyang—the maternal elder brother of Emperor Wu of Liang.

服闋，以姻戚子弟，預入問訊，梁武帝見暠羸瘦，歎息良久，謂其父子產曰； When mourning ended he entered audience as a kinsman by marriage. Emperor Wu of Liang saw how thin Hao was, sighed long, and said to Zichan:

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 143Volume 143: Treatises 5 Rites 2 · 1 passage

Open chapter

臣聞古者燔黍捭豚，尚多質略，近則梁武面牲竹脯，不可宗師，雖好生之德則然，於奉先之儀太劣。 I have heard that in antiquity roasted millet and split pig were offered in a largely plain and simple way; recently Emperor Wu of Liang used bamboo effigies of victims and dried meat—this cannot serve as a model; although the virtue of cherishing life is admirable, for rites honoring ancestors it is far too inferior.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 144Volume 144: Treatises 6 Music 1 · 1 passage

Open chapter

其賓祭常用，別有《九夏之樂》，即《肆夏》、《皇夏》等是也，梁武帝善音樂，改《九夏》為《十二雅》，前朝祖孝孫改雅為和，示不相沿也。 For guest rites and sacrifices in common use there were separately the "Nine Summers Pieces," such as "Free Summer" and "August Summer." Emperor Wu of Liang was skilled in music and changed the "Nine Summers" to the "Twelve Elegances." In the previous dynasty Zu Xiaosun changed elegance to harmony, showing that one should not simply follow precedent.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 145Volume 145: Treatises 7 Music 2 · 3 passages

Open chapter

梁武帝改《九夏》為《十二雅》，以協陽律、陰呂、十二管旋宮之義，祖孝孫改為《十二和》。 Emperor Wu of Liang had replaced the Nine Summers with the Twelve Elegances to align with the yang pitches, yin notes, and the twelve-pipe system of circulatory tonality; Zu Xiaosun later renamed them the Twelve Harmonies.

梁武帝素精音律，自造四通十二笛，以鼓八音。 Emperor Wu of Liang, himself expert in pitch theory, devised four sitong pitch-standards and twelve flutes to sound the eight categories of instruments.

樞密使王樸，采京房之準法，練梁武之通音，考鄭譯、寶常之七均，校孝孫、文收之九變，積黍累以審其度，聽聲詩以測其情，依權衡嘉量之前文，得備數和聲之大旨，施於鐘虡，足洽《簫韶》。 Privy Council Commissioner Wang Pu drew on Jing Fang's pitch standard, mastered Emperor Wu of Liang's universal tones, studied the seven keys of Zheng Yi and Wan Baochang and the nine transformations of Zu Xiaosun and Zhang Wenshou, calibrated measures with millet grains, tested pitches against the Sound Poems, followed ancient standards of weight and measure, recovered the principle of numbered harmony, and applied it to bells and stands until it matched the legendary Xiao-Shao music.

Book of Liang, Chapter 4Volume 4: Emperor Jianwen · 7 passages

Open chapter

太宗簡文皇帝諱綱，字世纘，小字六通，高祖第三子，昭明太子母弟也。 Taizong Emperor Jianwen, personal name Gang, courtesy name Shizuan, childhood name Liutong, was Gaozu's third son and Zhaoming Crown Prince's younger brother by the same mother.

太清三年五月丙辰，高祖崩。 On bingchen in the fifth month of Taiqing 3 Gaozu died.

大行皇帝奄棄萬國，攀慕號躃，厝身靡所。 The late emperor has suddenly left the myriad realms; in longing and wailing I have nowhere to set myself.

高祖武皇帝道洽二儀，智周萬物。 Gaozu the Martial Emperor made the Way fill the two principles and his wisdom encompass the myriad things.

太宗幼而敏睿，識悟過人，六歲便屬文，高祖驚其早就，弗之信也。 Taizong from childhood was quick and perceptive, his insight beyond others; at six he could write, and Gaozu marveled at his early gift but did not believe it.

高祖歎曰：「此子，吾家之東阿。」 Gaozu sighed and said, "This boy is our family's Dong'e."

高祖所制《五經講疏》，嘗於玄圃奉述，聽者傾朝野。 When Gaozu composed his Expositions on the Five Classics, Taizong once lectured on them at the Dark Garden; listeners filled court and countryside.

Book of Liang, Chapter 8Volume 8: Crown Prince Zhaoming; Crown Prince Ai; Crown Prince Minhuai · 14 passages

Open chapter

昭明太子統字德施，高祖長子也。 Crown Prince Zhaoming, Tong, styled Deshi, was Gaozu's eldest son.

初，高祖未有男，義師起，太子以齊中興元年九月生于襄陽。 At first Gaozu had no sons; when the righteous army arose, the crown prince was born at Xiangyang in the ninth month of Qi Zhongxing 1.

高祖旣受禪，有司奏立儲副，高祖以天下始定，百度多闕，未之許也。 After Gaozu accepted the abdication, the offices memorialized asking to establish an heir. Because the realm had only just been settled and many institutions were still lacking, Gaozu did not yet approve it.

高祖知之，每五日一朝，多便留永福省，或五日三日乃還宮。 Gaozu knew it: court was held every five days, and he often kept the heir at Yongfu Ward—or only let him return after three or five days.

十四年正月朔旦，高祖臨軒，冠太子于太極殿。 At dawn on New Year's Day of year fourteen Gaozu faced the hall and capped the crown prince in the Hall of Supreme Ultimate.

高祖大弘佛教，親自講說； Gaozu greatly promoted Buddhism and lectured on it himself;

高祖遣中書舍人顧協宣旨曰：「毀不滅性，聖人之制。 Gaozu sent Palace Secretary Gu Xie with an edict: "Self-destruction does not extinguish nature—the sage's rule.

高祖又勅曰：「聞汝所進過少，轉就羸瘵。 Gaozu commanded again: "I hear you eat too little and grow wasted and ill.

太子自加元服，高祖便使省萬機，內外百司，奏事者填塞於前。 After his capping Gaozu had him review myriad affairs; memorialists from every office filled the forecourt.

高祖優詔以喻焉。 Gaozu replied with a gracious edict explaining his intent.

恐貽高祖憂，敕參問，輒自力手書啓。 Lest he burden Gaozu with worry, he had his attendants questioned but always wrote memorials by hand himself.

高祖幸東宮，臨哭盡哀。 Gaozu came to the Eastern Palace and wept there with full grief.

皇帝哀繼明之寢耀，痛嗣德之殂芳； The emperor mourns his heir's fading radiance and the withering of a successor's virtue;

皇情悼愍，切心纏痛； The emperor's heart is stricken with grief, wound about in pain;

Book of Liang, Chapter 14Volume 14: Jiang Yan; Ren Fang · 10 passages

Open chapter

及義師至新林，淹微服來奔，高祖板爲冠軍將軍，秘書監如故，尋兼司徒左長史。 When the righteous army reached Xinlin, Yan came over in plain clothes. Gaozu provisionally appointed him Champion General, leaving him as Palace Library Director as before, and soon made him concurrently left chief clerk to the Minister over the Masses.

高祖爲素服舉哀。 Gaozu wore plain mourning dress and held a lamentation for him.

普通四年，高祖追念淹功，復封蒍吳昌伯，邑如先。 In Putong year 4 Gaozu remembered Yan's service and made Wei marquis of Wuchang again, with the old fief.

高祖克京邑，霸府初開，以昉爲驃騎記室參軍。 When Gaozu took the capital and the hegemon's office opened, Fang was staff officer and recorder to the agile-cavalry general.

始高祖與昉遇竟陵王西邸，從容謂昉曰：「我登三府，當以卿爲記室。」 When Gaozu first met Fang at the Prince of Jingling's western residence, he said lightly, "When I reach the three offices, you shall be my recorder."

昉亦戲高祖曰：「我若登三事，當以卿爲騎兵。」 Fang joked back, "If I reach the three ministries, you shall be my cavalry officer."

謂高祖善騎也。 He meant Gaozu rode well.

高祖踐阼，拜黃門侍郎，遷吏部郎中，尋以本官掌著作。 When Gaozu took the throne he was yellow-gate gentleman, then personnel section director, soon in that post supervising the compilation office as well.

高祖聞問，卽日舉哀，哭之甚慟。 When Gaozu heard, that very day he mourned and wept with extreme grief.

昉卒後，高祖使學士賀縱共沈約勘其書目，官所無者，就昉家取之。 After Fang died, Gaozu had Academician He Zong and Shen Yue collate his catalog—what the office lacked, they took from Fang's house.

Book of Liang, Chapter 15Volume 15: Xie Fei; Xie Lan · 9 passages

Open chapter

及高祖平京邑，進位相國，表請朏、胤曰：「夫窮則獨善，達以兼濟。 When Gaozu pacified the capital and advanced to chancellor of state, he memorialized for Fei and Yin, saying, "In want one keeps to oneself; risen, one aids all.

高祖踐阼，徵朏爲侍中、左光祿大夫、開府儀同三司，胤散騎常侍、特進、右光祿大夫，又並不屈。 When Gaozu took the throne, Fei was summoned as attendant-in-ordinary, left grand master of splendid happiness, and bearer of the golden halberd with protocol equal to the three excellencies; Yin as regular palace attendant-in-ordinary, special grandee, and right grand master of splendid happiness—they again both refused.

朏固陳本志，不許； Fei firmly stated his original intent; the emperor would not allow it;

到京師，勑材官起府於舊宅，高祖臨軒，遣謁者於府拜授，詔停諸公事及朔望朝謁。 On reaching the capital, an order had the materiel office raise a mansion at his old residence; the emperor came to the front hall and sent an usher to the mansion to invest him; an edict suspended all public business and new-moon and full-moon audiences.

高祖爲大司馬，召補東閤祭酒，遷相國戶曹。 When Gaozu was Grand Marshal, he summoned Lan to fill the post of libationer of the Eastern Lodge; Lan was then transferred to the household section of the Chancellor of State.

覽爲人美風神，善辭令，高祖深器之。 Lan had a handsome presence and gift for speech; the Founding Emperor prized him greatly.

高祖善之，仍使重作，復合旨。 The Emperor approved and asked for another; again it fit the wish.

高祖以覽年少不直，出爲中權長史。 The Emperor, holding Lan young and not upright, sent him out as Central Guards chief clerk.

洎高祖龍興，旁求物色，角巾來仕，首陟台司，極出處之致矣！ When Gaozu rose, he searched widely; Fei came in plain kerchief and first reached the high ministries—the full arc of public life!

Book of Liang, Chapter 17Volume 17: Wang Zhenguo; Ma Xianpin; Zhang Qi · 14 passages

Open chapter

仍密遣郄纂奉明鏡獻誠於高祖，高祖斷金以報之。 He secretly sent Xi Zuan to present a bright mirror to Gaozu as pledge of loyalty; Gaozu broke gold in answer.

十二月丙寅旦，珍國引稷於衛尉府，勒兵入自雲龍門，卽東昏於內殿斬之，與稷會尚書僕射王亮等於西鐘下，使中書舍人裴長穆等奉東昏首歸高祖。 On the morning of day bingyin in the twelfth month, Zhenguo led Ji to the Ministry of Guard headquarters, mustered troops through Cloud Dragon Gate, and at once beheaded Donghun in the inner hall; with Ji he met right vice director Wang Liang and others below the western bell and had palace scribe Pei Changmu and others present Donghun's head to Gaozu.

後因侍宴，帝問曰：「卿明鏡尚存，昔金何在？」 Later at a feast the emperor asked, "Your bright mirror still exists—where is the gold of old?"

五年，魏任城王元澄寇鐘離，高祖遣珍國，因問討賊方略。 In year five, Wei's prince of Rencheng Yuan Cheng raided Zhongli; Gaozu sent Zhenguo and asked how to defeat the rebels.

高祖壯其言，乃假節，與衆軍同討焉。 Gaozu admired his words, granted credentials, and sent him with the armies on the campaign.

以無功，累表請解，高祖弗許。 For lack of merit he repeatedly asked to resign; Gaozu would not allow it.

義師起，四方多回應，高祖使仙琕故人姚仲賓說之，仙琕於軍斬仲賓以徇。 When the Righteous Army rose, all quarters largely responded; Gaozu sent Xianpin's old friend Yao Zhongbin to win him over; Xianpin beheaded Zhongbin in camp to warn the host.

高祖勞之曰：「射鉤斬袪，昔人弗忌。 Gaozu comforted him, saying, "Shooting the hook, cutting the sleeve—men of old did not resent such things.

高祖笑而美之。 Gaozu laughed and praised him.

俄而仙琕母卒，高祖知其貧，賻給甚厚。 Soon Xianpin's mother died; Gaozu knew he was poor and gave funeral gifts very generously.

高祖使仙琕赴之，又遣直閤將軍武會超、馬廣率衆爲援。 Gaozu sent Xianpin; he also sent direct-palace general Wu Huichao and Ma Guang with troops as reinforcements.

其在邊境，常單身潛入敵庭，伺知壁壘村落險要處所，故戰多克捷，士卒亦甘心爲之用，高祖雅愛仗之。 On the borders he often went alone in secret into enemy camps to learn walls, stockades, villages, and passes; hence he mostly won battles, and the soldiers were willing to die for him; Gaozu deeply loved and relied on him.

明年，高祖受禪，封齊安昌縣侯，邑五百戶，仍爲寧朔將軍、歷陽太守。 Next year Gaozu took the throne; Qi was made Marquis of Anchang with five hundred households, retaining pacification north general and Liyang administrator.

四年，魏將王足寇巴、蜀，高祖以齊爲輔國將軍救蜀。 In year four Wei general Wang Zu invaded Ba and Shu; Gaozu made Qi assists-the-state general to relieve Shu.

Book of Liang, Chapter 19Volume 19: Zong Guai; Liu Tan; Yue Ai · 2 passages

Open chapter

高祖師發雍州，穎胄遣夬出自楊口，面稟經略，並護送軍資，高祖甚禮之。 When Gaozu's army set out from Yongzhou, Yingzhou sent Guai out by way of Yangkou to receive his strategy in person and escort military supplies; Gaozu treated him with great courtesy.

高祖嘉其清節，曰：「居職若斯，可以爲百城表矣。」 Gaozu prized his integrity and said, "To hold office like this is to be a model for a hundred cities.”

Book of Liang, Chapter 24Volume 24: Xiao Jing; Xiao Chang; Xiao Ang; Xiao Yu · 14 passages

Open chapter

蕭景字子昭，高祖從父弟也。 Xiao Jing, styled Zizhao, was Emperor Gaozu's cousin on his father's side.

高祖義師至，行會稽郡事，頃之卒。 When Emperor Gaozu's righteous army marched east, he took charge of Kuaiji commandery affairs, but died soon afterward.

高祖卽位，追封東昌縣侯，邑一千戶。 After Gaozu ascended the throne, Lingjun was posthumously enfeoffed as Marquis of Dongchang with a fief of one thousand households.

高祖義師至，以景爲寧朔將軍、行南兗州軍事。 When Gaozu's righteous army arrived, Jing was appointed General Who Pacifies the North and put in charge of Southern Yanzhou affairs.

高祖踐阼，封吳平縣侯，食邑一千戶，仍爲使持節、都督南北兗青冀四州諸軍事、冠軍將軍、南兗州刺史。 When Gaozu took the throne, Jing was enfeoffed as Marquis of Wuping with a fief of one thousand households and continued as Bearer of the Staff of Authority, Commander-in-Chief over North and South Yan, Qing, and Ji, Champion General, and Governor of Southern Yanzhou.

於高祖屬雖爲從弟，而禮寄甚隆，軍國大事，皆與議決。 Although he was only Gaozu's cousin, the emperor treated him with exceptional honor and consulted him on every major military and state affair.

景越親居揚州，辭讓甚懇惻，至于涕泣，高祖不許。 Though only a cousin, Jing was now to govern Yangzhou. He declined with deep earnestness, even to tears, but Gaozu would not hear of it.

十八年，累表陳解，高祖未之許。 In the eighteenth year he repeatedly petitioned to resign, but Gaozu would not allow it.

將發，高祖幸建興苑餞別，爲之流涕。 Before he departed, Gaozu came to the Jianxing Park to give him a farewell banquet and wept for him.

每求自試，高祖以爲淮南、永嘉、襄陽郡，並不就。 He repeatedly asked for a chance to prove himself in office, but when Gaozu offered him Huainan, Yongjia, and Xiangyang commanderies, he declined them all.

志願邊州，高祖以其輕脫無威望，抑而不許。 He asked to serve on the frontier, but Gaozu, judging him frivolous and lacking authority, refused.

高祖手詔答曰：「昱表如此。 Gaozu replied in his own hand: "Yu's memorial reads as follows.

昱旣至，恂恂盡禮，改意蹈道，持戒又精潔，高祖甚嘉之，以爲招遠將軍、晉陵太守。 When Yu arrived, he was respectful in all ritual observance, turned his heart to the Way, and kept the precepts with pure devotion. Gaozu greatly praised him and appointed him General Who Summons the Distant and Administrator of Jinling.

史臣曰：高祖光有天下，慶命傍流，枝戚屬㜕，咸被任遇。 The historian writes: When Gaozu came to possess the realm, fortune flowed to his kinsmen on every side, and collateral relatives of the imperial house were all given office and favor.

Book of Liang, Chapter 30Volume 30: Pei Ziye; Gu Xie; Xu Chi; Bao Quan · 16 passages

Open chapter

伏惟皇家淳耀，多士盈庭，官人邁乎有媯，棫朴越於姬氏，苟片善宜錄，無論厚薄，一介可求，不由等級。 Your Majesty's house shines with pure brilliance, and talented men fill the court. Its officials surpass those of the age of Gui, and its supply of able men exceeds that of the Zhou. If even the slightest merit deserves record, without regard to high or low station, a single worthy man may be sought without regard to rank.

臣與子野雖未嘗銜杯，訪之邑裏，差非虛謬，不勝慺慺微見，冒昧陳聞。 Your servant and Ziye have never shared a cup together, yet inquiring in the district, what is said of him is not greatly exaggerated. Unable to restrain my earnest sincerity, I venture this slight view and presumptuously lay it before Your Majesty.

伏願陛下哀憐悾款，鑒其愚實，干犯之諐，乞垂赦宥。」 I bow my head and hope Your Majesty will pity my sincere earnestness, discern my foolish honesty, and extend pardon for this presumptuous offense."

至是，吏部尚書徐勉言之於高祖，以爲著作郎，掌國史及起居注。 At this time Director of the Ministry of Personnel Xu Mian spoke of him to Emperor Wu, who appointed him Lang of Composition, in charge of the national history and the records of the ruler's movements.

普通七年，王師北伐，敕子野爲喻魏文，受詔立成，高祖以其事體大，召尚書僕射徐勉、太子詹事周捨、鴻臚卿劉之遴、中書侍郎朱异，集壽光殿以觀之，時並嘆服。 In the seventh year of Putong, the imperial army marched north, and Ziye was ordered to compose a letter admonishing Wei. He received the edict and finished it at once. Because the matter was weighty, Emperor Wu summoned Vice Director of the Secretariat Xu Mian, Supervisor of the Heir Apparent Zhou She, Minister of Ceremonies Liu Zhilin, and Vice Director of the Secretariat Zhu Yi to gather in the Shouguang Hall to read it; all marveled at it.

高祖目子野而言曰：「其形雖弱，其文甚壯。」 Emperor Wu looked at Ziye and said, "His body may be slight, but his writing is very strong."

旣奏，高祖深嘉焉。 Once it was presented, Emperor Wu praised it highly.

高祖悼惜，爲之流涕。 Emperor Wu mourned him deeply and wept for him.

伏惟陛下未明求衣，思賢如渴，爰發明詔，各舉所知。 I bow my head and consider that Your Majesty, rising before dawn to seek your robes, thirsts for the worthy as for water, and has therefore issued a bright edict that each should recommend those he knows.

高祖悼惜之，手詔曰：「員外散騎常侍、鴻臚卿、兼中書通事舍人顧協，廉潔自居，白首不衰，久在省闥，內外稱善。 Emperor Wu mourned him deeply and wrote in his own hand: "Extraordinary Regular Attendant of the Cavalry Gu Xie, who also served as Minister of Ceremonies and concurrent Attendant of General Affairs in the Secretariat — he lived in integrity and purity, which did not fade even in old age. Long in the inner offices, he was praised within and without.

會晉安王綱出戍石頭，高祖謂周捨曰：「爲我求一人，文學俱長兼有行者，欲令與晉安遊處。」 When Prince Jin'an Xiao Gang went out to garrison Shitou, Emperor Wu said to Zhou She, "Find me a man accomplished in both letters and learning who also has proper conduct, to keep company with Jin'an."

高祖曰：「必有仲宣之才，亦不簡其容貌。」 Emperor Wu said, "If he has the talent of Wang Can, I will not be choosy about his appearance."

高祖聞之怒，召摛加讓，及見，應對明敏，辭義可觀，高祖意釋。 Emperor Wu heard of it and grew angry; he summoned Chi to reproach him, but when he saw him, Chi's replies were clear and keen and his words were impressive; the emperor's anger lifted.

摛商較縱橫，應答如響，高祖甚加歎異，更被親狎，寵遇日隆。 Chi debated freely and answered like an echo; Emperor Wu marveled at him, drew him closer, and his favor grew daily.

遂承間白高祖曰：「摛年老，又愛泉石，意在一郡，以自怡養。」 He then seized an opportunity to inform Emperor Wu, saying, "Chi is old and loves springs and rocks; his wish is for one commandery where he may nourish himself in ease."

高祖謂摛欲之，乃召摛曰：「新安大好山水，任昉等並經爲之，卿爲我臥治此郡。」 Emperor Wu thought Chi wished it and summoned him, saying, "Xin'an has excellent mountains and waters; Ren Fang and others have all governed it. You shall govern this commandery for me from your couch."

Book of Liang, Chapter 31Volume 31: Yuan Ang; Yuan Junzheng · 4 passages

Open chapter

高祖手書喻曰：「夫禍福無門，興亡有數，天之所棄，人孰能匡？ Emperor Gaozu wrote to him in his own hand: "Fortune and disaster have no fixed door; rise and fall follow Heaven's reckoning. What Heaven has cast off — who can set right?

建康城平，昂束身詣闕，高祖宥之不問也。 When Jiankang fell, Ang went to court of his own accord; Emperor Gaozu pardoned him and asked nothing further.

高祖答曰：「朕遺射鉤，卿無自外。」 Emperor Gaozu replied: "I forgive the arrow that struck the hook — do not hold yourself apart."

及抗疏高祖，無虧忠節，斯亦存夷、叔之風矣。 when he stood firm in his memorial to Emperor Gaozu without failing in loyalty — this too preserves the spirit of Boyi and Shuqi.

Book of Liang, Chapter 36Volume 36: Kong Xiuyuan; Jiang Ge · 15 passages

Open chapter

高祖嘗問吏部尚書徐勉曰：「今帝業初基，須一人有學藝解朝儀者，爲尚書儀曹郎。 Gaozu once asked Xu Mian, Minister of Personnel: "The dynasty is just taking shape. I need a learned man who knows court ceremony for Director of Ritual in the Masters of Writing.

高祖亦素聞之，卽日除兼尚書儀曹郎中。 Gaozu had already heard of him and appointed him Acting Director of Ritual that very day.

後有選人爲獄司者，高祖尚引休源以勵之。 When a successor was later chosen for the prison post, Gaozu still held Xiuyuan up as the model.

高祖謂之曰：「荊州總上流沖要，義高分陝，今以十歲兒委卿，善匡翼之，勿憚周昌之舉也。」 Gaozu told him: "Jingzhou guards the upper Yangzi and is as vital as the western frontier. I am placing a ten-year-old prince in your hands—guide him well, and do not hesitate to speak bluntly as Zhou Chang did."

上善其對，乃敕晉安王曰：「孔休源人倫儀錶，汝年尚幼，當每事師之。」 Pleased with the answer, Gaozu ordered Prince of Jin'an: "Kong Xiuyuan is a paragon of conduct. You are still young—let him be your teacher in all things."

高祖深嘉之。 Gaozu praised him warmly for it.

普通七年，揚州刺史臨川王宏薨，高祖與羣臣議代王居州任者久之，于時貴戚王公，咸望遷授，高祖曰：「朕已得人。 In Putong 7, when Hong, Prince of Linchuan and Inspector of Yangzhou, died, Gaozu discussed with his ministers for a long time who should replace the prince in the provincial post. At the time noble relatives and princes all hoped to receive the transfer, but Gaozu said, "I have already found the man.

每車駕巡幸，常以軍國事委之。 Whenever the imperial carriage went on tour, the emperor regularly entrusted him with military and state affairs.

四年，遘疾，高祖遣中使候問，並給醫藥，日有十數。 In year 4 he fell ill; Gaozu sent palace messengers to inquire after him and sent medicine ten or more times a day.

高祖爲之流涕，顧謂謝舉曰：「孔休源奉職清忠，當官正直，方欲共康治道，以隆王化。 Gaozu wept and, turning to Xie Ju, said: "Kong Xiuyuan served with pure loyalty and upright integrity. I had hoped to build good government with him and elevate the kingly way.

高祖深委仗之。 Gaozu relied on him completely.

中興元年，高祖入石頭，時吳興太守袁昂據郡距義師，乃使革制書與昂，于坐立成，辭義典雅，高祖深賞歎之，因令與徐勉同掌書記。 In the first year of Zhongxing Gaozu entered Stone Fort while Yuan Ang, administrator of Wuxing, held the commandery against the cause. Ge was told to draft the letter to Ang and finished it on the spot; its language was elegant, Gaozu praised it highly, and put him in charge of written records together with Xu Mian.

時高祖盛於佛教，朝賢多啓求受戒，革精信因果，而高祖未知，謂革不奉佛教，乃賜革《覺意詩》五百字，云「惟當勤精進，自強行勝脩； Gaozu was then deep in Buddhism; court worthies often asked to take vows. Ge truly believed in karma, but Gaozu did not know and thought he rejected the faith. He gave Ge a five-hundred-character "Awakened Intent Poem," saying, "Only diligence and self-strengthening beat empty practice;

典簽沈熾文以王所制詩呈高祖，高祖謂僕射徐勉曰：「江革果能稱職。」 Chief of staff Shen Chiwen showed the prince's poems to Gaozu. Gaozu told Vice Director Xu Mian, "Jiang Ge has truly done his duty."

史臣曰：高祖留心政道，孔休源以識治見知，旣遇其時，斯爲幸矣。 The historian writes: Gaozu cared for good government. Kong Xiuyuan was known for his grasp of rule, and to meet such a time was fortune.

Book of Liang, Chapter 37Volume 37: Xie Ju; He Jingrong · 5 passages

Open chapter

嘗侍宴華林園，高祖訪舉於覽，覽對曰：「識藝過臣甚遠，惟飲酒不及於臣。」 Once at a banquet in Huaglin Garden the Founding Emperor asked Lan about Ju; Lan answered: “His learning and skill far exceed mine—only in wine he cannot match me.”

高祖大悅。 The Founding Emperor was delighted.

大同三年正月，朱雀門災，高祖謂羣臣曰：「此門制卑狹，我始欲構，遂遭天火。」 In the first month of the third year of Datong the Vermilion Bird Gate burned; the Founding Emperor told the ministers: “The gate was built too low and cramped—I had only just meant to rebuild it when Heaven sent this blaze.”

高祖大怒，付南司推劾。 The Founding Emperor was enraged and sent the case to the Southern Office for prosecution.

中大同元年三月，高祖幸同泰寺講《金字三慧經》，敬容請預聽，敕許之。 In the third month of the first year of Zhongdatong the Founding Emperor went to Tongtai Temple to expound the Golden-character Three Wisdom Sutra; Jingrong asked to hear it and was allowed by edict.

Book of Liang, Chapter 38Volume 38: Zhu Yi; He Chen · 22 passages

Open chapter

高祖召見，使說《孝經》、《周易》義，甚悅之，謂左右曰：「朱异實異。」 The Founding Emperor received him, heard him lecture on the Classic of Filial Piety and the Book of Changes, and delighted in him, telling his attendants, "Zhu Yi is indeed exceptional."

其年，高祖自講《孝經》，使异執讀。 In that year the emperor personally expounded the Classic of Filial Piety and appointed Yi to hold the book and read.

高祖仍遣异報法僧，並敕衆軍應接，受异節度。 The emperor dispatched Yi to answer Faseng and directed the field armies to cooperate, all under Yi’s direction.

六年，异啓於儀賢堂奉述高祖《老子義》，敕許之。 In the sixth year, Yi petitioned to reverently expound Gaozu's Meaning of the Laozi in Yixian Hall, and an edict permitted it.

時城西又開士林館以延學士，异與左丞賀琛遞日述高祖《禮記中庸義》，皇太子又召异於玄圃講《易》。 At the time, the Shilin Hall west of the city was also opened to host scholars. Yi and Left Assistant Director He Chen took turns by day expounding Gaozu's Meaning of the Doctrine of the Mean in the Book of Rites, and the crown prince also summoned Yi to Xuanpu to lecture on the Changes.

高祖夢中原平，舉朝稱慶，旦以語异，异對曰：「此宇內方一之征。」 The emperor dreamed the north was pacified; courtiers rejoiced. At dawn he told Yi, who answered, "It foretells the unification of the empire."

及侯景歸降，敕召羣臣議，尚書僕射謝舉等以爲不可，高祖欲納之，未決； When Hou Jing came in with a surrender offer, the court was convoked to debate; Vice Director Xie Ju and others opposed acceptance, while the emperor leaned toward yes but could not settle his mind;

异探高祖微旨，應聲答曰：「聖明御宇，上應蒼玄，北土遺黎，誰不慕仰？ Reading the emperor’s mind, Yi answered immediately: "Under your sage rule, answering heaven above, every survivor in the north looks to you with longing—

此誠易見，願陛下無疑。」 The point is plain; I pray Your Majesty will not hesitate."

高祖深納异言，又感前夢，遂納之。 The emperor embraced Yi’s counsel, remembered his dream, and accepted Hou Jing.

敕有司定議，异又以和爲允，高祖果從之。 The throne ordered deliberation; Yi again favored peace, and the emperor agreed.

舊尚書官不以爲贈，及异卒，高祖惜之，方議贈事。 Formerly secretariat posts were not granted posthumously; when Yi died the emperor grieved and debated what honor to give.

高祖因其宿志，特有此贈焉。 Honoring that lifelong wish, the emperor granted this exceptional title.

琛始出都，高祖聞其學術，召見文德殿，與語悅之，謂僕射徐勉曰：「琛殊有世業。」 On first reaching the capital Chen was summoned to Wende Hall; the emperor, pleased by their talk, told Vice Director Xu Mian, "Chen indeed inherits a scholarly house."

每見高祖，與語常移晷刻，故省中爲之語曰：「上殿不下有賀雅。」 Audiences with Emperor Gaozu often ran long, and secretariat wits joked, "He who goes up to court and never comes down—that's Elegant He."

是時，高祖任職者，皆緣飾姦諂，深害時政，琛遂啓陳事條封奏曰： By then every man in power under Gaozu trimmed his conduct with flattery and fraud, corroding government; Chen submitted a sealed memorial, item by item, saying:

臣荷拔擢之恩，曾不能效一職； I have enjoyed Your Majesty's favor yet rendered no service worthy of a single post;

脫得聽覽，試加省鑒。 If Your Majesty will read them, please weigh them yourself.

其二事曰：聖主恤隱之心，納隍之念，聞之遐邇，至於翾飛蠕動，猶且度脫，況在兆庶。 Second: the sage ruler's pity for the suffering and his will to save the drowning reach the four quarters—even insects he would spare, how much more the people.

而州郡無恤民之志，故天下顒顒，惟注仰於一人，誠所謂「愛之如父母，仰之如日月，敬之如鬼神，畏之如雷霆」。 Yet provinces and commanderies show no care for the people, so the realm fixes its hope on Your Majesty alone—as the saying has it, "loving you as parents, looking up as to sun and moon, revering you as spirits, fearing you as thunder."

其三事曰：聖躬荷負蒼生以爲任，弘濟四海以爲心，不憚胼胝之勞，不辭臒瘦之苦，豈止日昃忘饑，夜分廢寢。 Third: Your Majesty bears the people's weight and takes the four seas to heart, unafraid of toil that callouses hand and foot or hardship that wastes the flesh—forgetting hunger as the sun sets and sleep at midnight.

書奏，高祖大怒，召主書於前，口授敕責琛曰： The memorial was read; Gaozu flew into a rage, called the chief clerk to his side, and dictated a rebuke to Chen:

Book of Liang, Chapter 42Volume 42: Zang Dun; Zang Jue; Fu Qi · 7 passages

Open chapter

高祖平京邑，霸府建，引爲驃騎刑獄參軍。 When the High Ancestor secured the capital and set up his headquarters, Weizhen was brought onto the staff of General of Agile Cavalry as penal and judicial aide.

盾美風姿，善舉止，每趨奏，高祖甚悅焉。 Dun was handsome in bearing and graceful in manner; each time he hurried to audience the Founding Emperor took great delight in him.

鄉人王端以狀聞，高祖嘉之，敕累遣抑譬。 A townsman, Wang Duan, reported this to the throne; the Founding Emperor praised him and again and again sent orders urging him to moderate his grief.

中大通五年二月，高祖幸同泰寺開講，設四部大會，衆數萬人。 In the second month of the fifth year of Zhongdatong, the High Ancestor went to Tongtai Temple to open a lecture and held a great assembly of the four orders, with tens of thousands present.

南越所獻馴象，忽於衆中狂逸，乘轝羽衛及會皆駭散，惟盾與散騎郎裴之禮嶷然自若，高祖甚嘉焉。 A tame elephant from Southern Yue suddenly ran wild in the crowd; the imperial carriage guards, feathered guards, and the whole assembly fled in terror. Only Dun and Scattered Cavalry Gentleman Pei Zhili stood unmoved, to the High Ancestor's great admiration.

高祖曰：「臧厥旣亡，此事便無可付。」 The Founding Emperor said, "Now that Zang Jue is gone, there is no one to whom this can be entrusted."

朱异等固執，高祖遂從異議。 Zhu Yi and the rest held firm; the Founding Emperor followed Yi's counsel.

Book of Liang, Chapter 43Volume 43: Wei Can; Jiang Ziyi; Jiang Zisi; Jiang Ziwu; Zhang Sheng; Shen Jun; Liu Jingli · 4 passages

Open chapter

啓求觀書秘閣，高祖許之，有敕直華林省。 He memorialized to view books in the secret archive; the Founding Emperor granted it and ordered him to attend directly at the Orchard of Splendor.

子四自右丞上封事，極言得失，高祖甚善之，詔尚書詳擇施行焉。 From his post as right assistant Zisi submitted a memorial on gains and losses; the Founding Emperor greatly approved and ordered the Secretariat to examine and carry out what was fit.

左民郎沈炯、少府丞顧璵嘗奏事不允，高祖厲色呵責之； Left People Gentleman Shen Jiong and junior palace supplies aide Gu Yu once memorialized without approval; the Founding Emperor shouted and rebuked them in anger;

子四乃趨前代炯等對，言甚激切，高祖怒呼縛之，子四據地不受，高祖怒亦止，乃釋之。 Zisi hurried forward to answer for Jiong and the rest in fierce words; the Founding Emperor ordered him bound; Zisi sat on the ground and would not submit; the emperor's anger ceased and he released him.

Book of Liang, Chapter 47Volume 47: Filial Acts · 1 passage

Open chapter

時甘露降士林館，藺獻頌，高祖嘉之，因有詔使制《北兗州刺史蕭楷德政碑》，又奉令制《宣城王奉述中庸頌》。 When sweet dew fell on the Scholars' Grove, Lan presented a eulogy the emperor praised; he was ordered to compose the stele on Xiao Kai's virtuous rule in North Yanzhou and the eulogy on the Prince of Xuancheng presenting the Mean.

Book of Liang, Chapter 52Volume 52: The Self-Sufficient · 5 passages

Open chapter

中興二年，義師平建康，高祖爲揚州牧，徵憲之爲別駕從事史。 In the second year of Zhongxing, when the righteous army pacified Jiankang, Gaozu was governor of Yangzhou and summoned Xianzhi as Retainer of the Separate Chariot.

比至，高祖已受禪，憲之風疾漸篤，固求還吳。 By the time he arrived, Gaozu had already received the abdication; Xianzhi's wind ailment grew severe and he firmly asked to return to Wu.

高祖曰：「梁有天下，遂不見此人。」 Gaozu said: "Liang has possessed the realm, yet I never saw this man."

梁臺建，高祖引爲中尉驃騎記室參軍。 When the Liang regime was established, Gaozu appointed him Retainer of the Masters of Affairs in the Rapid Cavalry and Central Commandant.

初拜，高祖賜錢八萬，眎素一朝散之親友。 On first taking office Gaozu bestowed eighty thousand cash; Shisu in one morning scattered it among kin and friends.

History of Liao, Chapter 42Volume 42 Treatises 12: Celestial Phenomena 1 · 1 passage

Open chapter

梁武帝天監三年，沖之子恒上疏，論何承天歷乖謬不可用。 In Tianjian 3 (504), during the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang, Zu Chongzhi's son Heng memorialized that He Chengtian's calendar was erroneous and unusable.

Book of Southern Qi, Chapter 60Preface · 1 passage

Open chapter

始江淹已爲十志，沈約又爲《齊紀》，而子顯自表武帝，別爲此書。 Jiang Yan had already drafted ten treatises, and Shen Yue had also written the 《Qi Chronicle》; but Zixian, having presented himself to Emperor Wu of Liang, undertook this work as a separate history.

Book of Sui, Chapter 79Volume 79 Biographies 44: Imperial Affines · 1 passage

Open chapter

吳人見梁武、簡文及詧、巋等兄弟並第三而踐尊位，瓛自以巋之第三子也，深自矜負。 The people of Wu noted that Emperor Wu of Liang, Emperor Jianwen, and the brothers Cha and Kui had all been third sons yet reached the throne. Huan, as Kui's third son, took great pride in this.

Book of Wei, Chapter 24Volume 20: Emperor Wencheng's Five Princes · 3 passages

Open chapter

帝入關，斌之奔蕭衍，後還長安。 When the emperor entered the Pass, Binzhi fled to Xiao Yan; he later returned to Chang'an.

蕭衍遣其豫章王綜鎮徐州。 Xiao Yan posted his Prince of Yuzhang, Zong, to hold Xuzhou.

顥敗，遂將妻子奔蕭衍，死於江南。 Hao's fall sent him south to Xiao Yan with his family; he died in Jiangnan.

Book of Wei, Chapter 27Volume 22: Emperor Xiaowen's Five Princes · 3 passages

Open chapter

俄而聞榮肆毒於河陰，遂南奔蕭衍。 Soon he heard Rong's massacre at Heyin and fled south to Xiao Yan.

衍立為魏主，號年更興。 Xiao Yan set him up as Wei ruler under the reign title Gengxing.

衍遣其將軍王辯送置於境上，以覬侵逼。 Xiao Yan sent Wang Bian to place him on the border [10] as a lever for invasion.

Book of Wei, Chapter 30Volume 25: Zhang Sunsong, Zhangsun Daosheng · 1 passage

Open chapter

蕭衍將裴邃、虞鴻襲據壽春，稚諸子驍果，邃頗難之，號曰「鐵小兒」。 Pei Sui and Yu Hong of Liang seized Shouchun's outer ramparts; Zhi's sons fought like iron, and Sui, finding them hard to beat, called them the "iron boys."

Book of Wei, Chapter 86Volume 81: Qi Jun, Shan Wei, Liu Renzhi, Yuwen Zhongzhi · 1 passage

Open chapter

元象初，兼通直散騎常侍，副鄭伯猷使蕭衍。 At the start of the Yuanxiang era he served concurrently as regular attendant of direct communication at scattered cavalry and accompanied Zheng Boyou on a mission to Xiao Yan.

Book of Wei, Chapter 93Volume 87: Morality and Righteousness: Yu Shenmen, Duan Jin, Shi Wende, Ji Gu, Wang Xuanwei, Lou Ti, Liu Kehou · 5 passages

Open chapter

蕭衍攻圍，糧盡城陷，清抗節不屈，為賊所殺。 When Xiao Yan besieged the city and supplies ran out, the fortress fell. Qing held to his integrity and refused to yield, and the enemy killed him.

蕭衍攻圍，力窮知不可全，乃先焚府庫，後殺妻妾。 When Xiao Yan besieged the fortress and resistance failed, seeing that all could not be saved, he burned the treasury first and then killed his wife and concubines.

孝昌中，蕭衍將樊文熾等寇邊，益州刺史邴虬遣長史和安固守小劍，文熾圍之。 During the Xiaochang period Xiao Yan's generals Fan Wenchì and others raided the border. Bing Qiu, inspector of Yi province, sent his chief clerk He An to hold Xiaojian, and Wenchì laid siege.

永安初，為蕭衍將韋休等所虜，面縛臨刃，巡遠村塢，令其招降鄉曲。 Early in the Yong'an period he was taken prisoner by Xiao Yan's general Wei Xiu and others. Bound and marched at sword-point through distant hamlets, he was forced to urge the countryside to surrender.

按「朐城歸款」事見卷八世宗紀永平四年四月、卷四七盧淵附盧昶傳、卷九八蕭衍傳，「朐城」亦作「朐山」。 The affair of "Qucheng's surrender in allegiance" appears in Shizong annals, juan 8, Yongping fourth year, fourth month; Lu Yuan with appended biography of Lu Chang, juan 47; and the biography of Xiao Yan, juan 98. The place name "Qucheng" is also written "Qushan."

Book of Wei, Chapter 96Volume 90: Retired Officals: Sui Kua, Feng Liang, Li Mi, Zheng Xiu · 1 passage

Open chapter

馮亮，字靈通，南陽人，蕭衍平北將軍蔡道恭之甥也。 Feng Liang, styled Lingtong, came from Nanyang; he was nephew to Xiao Yan's General Who Pacifies the North, Cai Daogong.

Book of Wei, Chapter 98Volume 92: Notable Women: Cui Lan's Consort Feng, Feng Zhuo's Consort Liu, Wei Pu's Consort Fang, Hu Changming's Consort Zhang · 1 passage

Open chapter

[9]蕭衍遣眾攻圍，值金龍疾病，不堪部分，眾甚危懼。 [9] Xiao Yan sent troops to besiege the city; Jinlong fell ill and could not command—the garrison was gripped with fear.

Book of Wei, Chapter 110Volume 104: Author's Preface · 6 passages

Open chapter

初，元顥內逼，莊帝北幸，子建謂所親盧義僖曰：「北海自絕社稷，稱藩蕭衍，吾老矣，豈能為陪臣？」 When Yuan Hao advanced on the capital and Emperor Zhuang fled north, Zijian told his confidant Lu Yixi: "Beihai has abandoned the imperial altars and declared himself a vassal of Xiao Yan. I am too old to serve as anyone's subordinate minister."

收兼通直散騎常侍副王昕聘蕭衍，昕風流文辯，收辭藻富逸，衍及其羣臣咸加敬異。 Shou served as envoy deputy to Wang Xin on a mission to Xiao Yan. Xin was polished and articulate; Shou's prose was rich and fluent. Yan and his entire court treated them with marked respect.

至此，衍稱曰：「盧、李命世，王、魏中興，未知後來復何如耳？」 On this occasion Yan said: "Lu and Li were geniuses of their generation; Wang and Wei renew that glory—but who knows whether those who follow will measure up?"

蕭衍後使，其書乃去「彼」字，自稱猶著「此」，欲示無外之意。 Later, envoys from Xiao Yan dropped the word "your" from their letters while still using "our," intending to imply that no foreign realm existed beyond their own.

又敕兼主客郎，接蕭衍使謝珽徐陵。 He also appointed Shou chief of receiving guests to host the envoys from Xiao Yan, Xie Yan and Xu Ling.

侯景既陷臺城，衍鄱陽王範時為合州刺史，文襄敕收以書喻之。 After Hou Jing captured Taicheng, Fan, Prince of Poyang under Xiao Yan, was serving as governor of Hezhou. Wen Xiang ordered Shou to write a letter urging him to defect.

Book of Wei, Chapter 111Volume 105a Treatise 1: Celestial Phenomena 1 · 3 passages

Open chapter