Emperor Zhuangzong of Tang (唐莊宗)

Overview

Emperor Zhuangzong of Tang was a ruler.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 923 to AD 926 莊宗
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 56, passage 132

References in the histories

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 56Volume 56 Miscellaneous Biographies 36: He Ning, Zhao Ying, Feng Yu, Lu Zhi, Lü Qi, Xue Rong, He Ze, Wang Quan, Shi Gui, Long Min · 3 passages

Open chapter

唐莊宗好畋獵，數踐民田，澤乃潛身伏草間伺莊宗，當馬諫曰：「陛下未能一天下以休兵，而暴斂疲民以給軍食。 Emperor Zhuangzong of Tang loved the hunt and often rode through the people's fields. Ze hid in the grass along the route and stepped before the emperor's horse to remonstrate: "Your Majesty has not yet unified the realm and brought the armies to rest, yet you levy harshly on an exhausted people to feed the troops.

陛下不聽臣言，願賜臣死於馬前，使後世知陛下之過。」 If Your Majesty will not listen, grant me death here before your horse, so that posterity may know where the blame lies."

莊宗大笑，為之止獵。 Zhuangzong laughed heartily and stopped the hunt.