Sui and Tang · Warlord and Prince of Liang

Founder 太祖

Taizu

Attested AD 887

Passages: 8
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Founder was a warlord and Prince of Liang.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 887 光啟三年十一月
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 193, 209

Career and standing

Prince of Liang 梁王
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 196

Places and affiliations

Polity Liang princely domain 梁 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 196
Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Commanded
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 196, 202
At Bian 汴 · Relation Returned to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 202
At Xing and Ming 邢、洺 · Relation Stayed at
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 202

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · With Li Zhen (李振) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 209
Speech · Speaker · With Zhang Jun (張浚) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 207

Events and relationships

Bound false envoys and dispatched Zhen
AD 887 光啟三年十一月 · Political · Decision maker · With Li Zhen (李振)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passages 207-208

Assessments and attributes

Assessment keen-witted · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 18, passage 207

References in the histories

Search passages

History

8 passages

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 18Volume 18 Book of Later Liang 18: Biographies 8: Zhang Wenyu, Xue Yiju, Zhang Ce, Du Xiao, Jing Xiang, Li Zhen · 8 passages

光啟三年十一月，太祖遣振入奏於長安，舍於州邸，邸吏程岩白振曰：「劉中尉命其侄希貞來計大事，欲上謁，願許之。」 In the eleventh month of Guangqi 3 the Founder sent Zhen to report at Chang'an; lodging at the circuit hostel, clerk Cheng Yan said: "Vice Director Liu has sent his nephew Xizhen to discuss a great matter and wishes an audience—will you allow it?"

況梁王以百萬之師，匡輔天子，禮樂尊戴，猶恐不及，幸熟計之。」 The Prince of Liang leads a million men to aid the Son of Heaven in restoring rites and honor—he can scarcely do enough; think carefully."

振東歸，太祖方在邢、洺，遽還於汴，大計未決，季述遣養子希度以唐之社稷欲輸於太祖，又遣供奉官李奉本、副介支彥勳詐齎上皇誥諭至，皆季述黨也。 Zhen returned east while the Founder was at Xing and Ming and hurried back to Bian before policy was fixed; Liu Jishu sent his adopted son Xidu to hand Tang's realm to him, and Palace Attendant Li Fengben and Vice Messenger Zhi Yanxun with forged retired-emperor edicts—all Jishu's men.

太祖未及迎命，振又言曰：「夫豎貂、伊戾之亂，所以資霸者之事也。 Before the Founder could receive them, Zhen said again: "Rebellions like Shu Diao's and Yi Li's are what make a hegemon's career.

今閹豎幽辱天子，王不能討，無以令諸侯。」 Eunuchs now hold and humiliate the emperor; if you will not punish them, you cannot command the lords."

時監軍使劉重楚，季述兄也，舊相張浚，寓於河南緱氏，亦來謂太祖曰：「同中官則事易濟，且得所欲。」 Military inspector Liu Chongchu, Jishu's elder brother, and former chancellor Zhang Jun lodging at Gou in Henan also urged the Founder: "Side with the eunuchs and all goes easily—you get what you want."

太祖英悟，忽厲色曰：「張公勸我同敕使，欲傾附自求宰相耶！」 The Founder was sharp-witted; suddenly he said sternly: "Lord Zhang wants me to join the edict commissioners—are you angling to topple me and buy the chancellorship!"

未幾，劉季述伏誅，昭宗復帝位，太祖聞之喜，召振，執其手謂之曰：「卿所謀是吾本誌，穹蒼其知之矣！」 Soon Liu Jishu was executed and Zhaozong restored; the Founder rejoiced, summoned Zhen, took his hand and said: "Your plan was always mine—Heaven knows!"