Three Kingdoms and Six Dynasties · Ruler

Founding Emperor 高祖

Gaozu

Attested AD 399 - AD 422

Passages: 44
Chapters: 3
Histories: 1

Overview

The translated histories identify Founding Emperor as a general and ruler. This record brings together 44 passages from 3 chapters across 1 history, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.

Names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal	Founding Emperor	高祖	Gaozu
Temple name	Founding Emperor	高祖	Gaozu
Temple	Founding Emperor	高祖
Title	Founding Emperor	高祖
Temple	Gaozu	高祖
Title	Gaozu	高祖
Title	Prince of Song	宋王

Identity

Historicity: Historical
Identification: Named
Sex: Male

Sex: male
Strongly inferred · songshu:049:s0005
Sex: male
Explicit · songshu:055:s0024

Roles

General
Ruler

Life and dates

Attested activity

Source Date: Text: 元熙二年 · Western Year: AD 420
Explicit event contextual date · songshu:049:s0146
Source Date: Text: 永初三年 · Western Year: AD 422
Explicit · songshu:055:s0080
Source Date: Text: 義熙中 · Western Interval: Start: AD 405 · End: AD 418
Explicit event contextual date · songshu:062:s0023
Source Date: Text: 高祖東征孫恩 · Western Year: AD 399
Explicit event contextual date · songshu:049:s0005
Source Date: Text: 高祖見而愛之 · Western Interval: Start: AD 405 · End: AD 422
Explicit event contextual date · songshu:062:s0049

Family

Immediate source-linked family. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select a person to open their record.

Sibling of Liu Daogui (劉道規)
Kinship Term: Daogui / 道規 · Shared Parentage: full
Sibling of Liu Daolin (劉道憐)
Kinship Term: Daolian / 道憐 · Shared Parentage: full
Parent of Liu Yizhen (劉義真)
Kinship Term: duke / 公 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son
Parent of Prince Yikang of Pengcheng (彭城王義康)
Kinship Term: fourth son / 第四子 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son · Object Birth Order: 4
Parent of Heir of the Founding Emperor (世子)
Kinship Term: heir / 世子 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son
Kin of Fu Hongren (傅弘仁)
Kinship Term: younger brother by marriage / 外弟

Places and affiliations

Polity Id: eastern-jin · Relation: served
Explicit · songshu:049:s0005
Polity Id: liu-song · Relation: ruled
Explicit · songshu:049:s0146

Works and attributed material

Kind: letter · Role: author · Other Person Id: Zang Tao (臧燾)
Explicit · songshu:055:s0024, songshu:055:s0025, songshu:055:s0026, songshu:055:s0027, songshu:055:s0028, songshu:055:s0029
Kind: memorial · Role: author · Other Person Id: Sun Chu (孫處) · Quoted: true
Explicit · songshu:049:s0021, songshu:049:s0022, songshu:049:s0023, songshu:049:s0024, songshu:049:s0025, songshu:049:s0026, songshu:049:s0027, songshu:049:s0028, songshu:049:s0029
Kind: speech · Role: speaker · Other Person Id: Sun Chu (孫處) · Quoted: true
Explicit · songshu:049:s0009
Kind: speech · Role: speaker · Other Person Id: Liu Zhong (劉鍾) · Quoted: true
Explicit · songshu:049:s0083, songshu:049:s0085
Kind: speech · Role: speaker · Other Person Id: Zheng Xianzhi (鄭鮮之) · Quoted: true · Provenance: Mode: quoted-speech · Speaker Person Id: Founding Emperor (高祖)
Explicit · songshu:062:s0023

References in the histories

Open any source group to read the Chinese and English passage in context.

Book of Song, Chapter 49Volume 49 Biographies 9: Sun Chu, Kuai En, Liu Zhong, Yu Qiujin · 31 passages

高祖東征孫恩，季高義樂隨。 When the Founding Emperor marched east against Sun En, Jigao gladly followed him out of loyalty.

高祖平定京邑，以為振武將軍，封新夷縣五等侯。 After the Founding Emperor secured the capital, he appointed Sun Chu General Who Quells Martiality and enfeoffed him as a fifth-rank marquis of Xin'yi county.

高祖謂季高曰：「此賊行破，應先傾其巢窟，令奔走之日，無所歸投，非卿莫能濟事。」 The Founding Emperor told Jigao, "These rebels are on the verge of collapse. We must first destroy their base, so that when they flee they have nowhere to go. No one but you can see this through."

九年，高祖念季高之功，乃表曰：「孫季高嶺南之勳，已蒙褒贈。 In the ninth year, remembering Jigao's service, the Founding Emperor submitted a memorial: "Sun Jigao's exploits in the Lingnan region have already been honored with posthumous rewards.

高祖征孫恩，縣差為征民，充乙士，使伐馬芻。 When the Founding Emperor marched against Sun En, the county drafted him for the campaign as a second-class soldier and set him to cutting horse fodder.

高祖聞之，即給器仗，恩大喜。 When the Founding Emperor heard this, he immediately gave En weapons and armor, and En was overjoyed.

高祖西征劉毅，恩與王鎮惡輕軍襲江陵，事在鎮惡傳。 When the Founding Emperor marched west against Liu Yi, En and Wang Zhen'e led light troops in a surprise attack on Jiangling— the full account appears in Zhen'e's biography.

高祖伐司馬休之及魯宗之，恩與建威將軍徐逵之前進。 When the Founding Emperor attacked Sima Xiuzhi and Lu Zongzhi, En advanced with General Who Establishes Might Xu Dazhi.

高祖善其能將軍持重。 The Founding Emperor praised his ability to hold an army steady under pressure.

高祖錄其前後功勞，封新寧縣男，食邑五百戶。 The Founding Emperor recorded his accumulated service and enfeoffed him as Baron of Xining county with a fief of five hundred households.

高祖世子為征虜將軍，恩以大府佐領中兵參軍，隨府轉中兵參軍。 When the Founding Emperor's heir was made General Who Pacifies Barbarians, En served as Central Army Adjutant on the grand headquarters staff, and when the headquarters moved he retained that post.

高祖北伐，留恩侍衛世子，命朝士與之交。 On the Founding Emperor's northern campaign En was left to guard the heir, and was instructed to keep company with court gentlemen.

隆安四年，高祖伐孫恩，鍾願從餘姚、浹口攻句章、海鹽、婁縣，皆摧堅陷陣，每有戰功。 In the fourth year of Long'an the Founding Emperor marched against Sun En; Zhong volunteered and fought at Juzhang, Haiyan, and Lou county from Yuyao and Jiakou, breaking through every strong position and winning merit in every engagement.

高祖每有戎事，鍾不辭艱劇，專心盡力，甚見愛信。 Whenever the Founding Emperor took the field, Zhong never shrank from hardship, giving himself wholly to the task, and won great trust and favor.

義旗將建，高祖版鍾為郡主簿。 As the righteous banner was about to be raised, the Founding Emperor commissioned Zhong chief clerk of the commandery.

將向京邑，高祖命曰：「預是彭、沛鄉人赴義者，並可依劉主簿。」 As they prepared to march on the capital, the Founding Emperor ordered, "All men of Peng and Pei who have risen in the cause may report to Chief Clerk Liu."

於是立為義隊，恆在左右，連戰皆捷。 A volunteer unit was formed with Zhong always at the Founding Emperor's side, and battle after battle was won.

明日，桓謙屯於東陵，卞範之屯覆舟山西，高祖疑賊有伏兵，顧視左右，正見鍾，謂之曰：「此山下當有伏兵，卿可率部下稍往撲之。」 The next day Huan Qian encamped at Dongling and Bian Fanzhi west of Fuzhou mountain. Suspecting an ambush, the Founding Emperor looked about and spotted Zhong. "There are likely hidden troops on this hillside," he said. "Take your men forward and flush them out."

桓玄西奔，其夕，高祖止桓謙故營，遣鍾宿據東府，轉鎮軍參軍督護。 Huan Xuan fled west; that evening the Founding Emperor camped at Huan Qian's former position and sent Zhong to hold the Eastern Palace. Zhong was then made Inspector-and-Protector on the Army Pacification General's staff.

桓歆寇歷陽，遣鍾助豫州刺史魏詠之討之，歆即奔迸。 When Huan Xin raided Liyang, the Founding Emperor sent Zhong to assist Inspector of Yuzhou Wei Yongzhi; Xin fled at once.

自陳情事，改葬父祖及親屬十喪，高祖厚加資給。 He petitioned to reinter his father, grandfather, and ten other relatives; the Founding Emperor generously provided the funds.

高祖討劉毅，鍾率軍繼王鎮惡。 When the Founding Emperor marched against Liu Yi, Zhong led an army in support of Wang Zhen'e.

高祖討司馬休之，前軍將軍道憐留鎮東府，領屯兵。 When the Founding Emperor marched against Sima Xiuzhi, Vanguard Army General Daolian remained to guard the Eastern Palace and command the garrison troops.

十二年，高祖北伐，復留鎮居守，增其兵力，又命府置佐史。 In the twelfth year, when the Founding Emperor marched north, Zhong was again left to guard the capital; his forces were increased, and he was ordered to appoint staff assistants and clerks for his headquarters.

荊州刺史道憐獻名馬三匹，并精麗乘具，高祖悉以賜鍾三子。 Inspector of Jingzhou Daolian presented three famous horses with fine harness and riding gear, and the Founding Emperor gave them all to Zhong's three sons.

隆安中，從高祖征孫恩，戍句章城，被圍數十日，無日不戰，身被數創。 During Long'an he followed the Founding Emperor against Sun En, garrisoned Juzhang, and was besieged for several tens of days; he fought every day and suffered several wounds.

元興元年，又從高祖東征臨海，於石步固與盧循相守二十餘日。 In the first year of Yuanxing he again followed the Founding Emperor east against Linhai and at Shibu fortress held Lu Xun at bay for more than twenty days.

二年，又從高祖至東陽，破徐道覆。 In the second year he again followed the Founding Emperor to Dongyang and defeated Xu Daofu.

從高祖伐廣固，於臨朐破賊。 He joined the Founding Emperor's campaign against Guanggu and routed the enemy at Linqu.

盧循逼京邑，孟昶、諸葛長民等建議奉天子過江，進廷議不可，面折昶等，高祖甚嘉之。 When Lu Xun threatened the capital, Meng Chang, Zhuge Changmin, and others proposed moving the emperor south across the Yangzi. Qiujin argued before the court that this was unacceptable and openly refuted Chang and his allies; the Founding Emperor was greatly pleased.

元熙二年，宋王令書以為高祖第四子義康右將軍司馬。 In the second year of Yuanxi an order from the Prince of Song appointed him Major on the staff of Right General Yikang, the Founding Emperor's fourth son.

Book of Song, Chapter 55Volume 55 Biographies 15: Zang Dao, Xu Guang, F Long · 9 passages

高祖鎮京口，與燾書曰：「頃學尚廢弛，後進頹業，衡門之內，清風輟響。 While stationed at Jingkou, the Founding Emperor wrote to Dao: "Learning has lately fallen into neglect, the younger generation's devotion to study has waned, and within humble households the voice of upright conduct has fallen silent.

參高祖中軍軍事，入補尚書度支郎，改掌祠部。 He then served on the Founding Emperor's central army staff as military aide, entered the capital as Director of Revenue in the Secretariat, and was later transferred to head the Sacrifices Bureau.

遷通直郎，高祖鎮軍、車騎、中軍、太尉諮議參軍。 He was promoted to Regular Attendant and served as advisory aide on the staffs of the Founding Emperor as General Who Guards the Army, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Central Army Commander, and Grand Commandant.

高祖北伐關、洛，大司馬琅邪王同行，除大司馬從事中郎，總留府事。 When the Founding Emperor marched north against Guanzhong and Luoyang, the Prince of Langye, serving as Grand Marshal, accompanied the campaign; Dao was appointed attendant gentleman on the Grand Marshal's staff and took charge of all affairs left behind at headquarters.

高祖受命，征拜太常，雖外戚貴顯，而彌自沖約，茅屋蔬餐，不改其舊。 When the Founding Emperor received the mandate, Dao was summoned as Minister of Ceremonies; though he was now a prominent imperial kinsman, he became only more restrained, keeping to his thatched dwelling and plain meals as before.

義熙初，高祖使撰車服儀注，乃除鎮軍諮議參軍，領記室。 At the beginning of Yixi the Founding Emperor commissioned him to compile regulations for carriages, robes, and ceremonial protocol, and appointed him advisory aide on the Army Who Guards the Army staff, with charge of the secretariat.

時有風雹為災，廣獻書高祖曰：「風雹變未必為災，古之聖賢輒懼而修己，所以興政化而隆德教也。 When wind and hail brought disaster, Guang wrote to the Founding Emperor: "Such omens are not necessarily calamities; the sages of antiquity always took them as warnings to refine themselves — and thereby raised good government and exalted moral teaching.

及高祖受禪，恭帝遜位，廣又哀感，涕泗交流。 When the Founding Emperor accepted the abdication and Emperor Gong yielded the throne, Guang was again overcome with grief, tears streaming down his face.

高祖受命，議創國學，宮車早晏，道未及行。 When the Founding Emperor received the mandate, there was discussion of founding a National Academy, but he died before the plan could be carried out.

Book of Song, Chapter 62Volume 62 Biographies 22: Yang Xin, Zhang Fu, Wang Wei · 4 passages

義熙中，弟徽被遇於高祖，高祖謂諮議參軍鄭鮮之曰：「羊徽一時美器，世論猶在兄後，恨不識之。」 During the Yixi years Xin's younger brother Hui won favor with Gaozu, who said to Staff Aide Zheng Xianzhi, "Yang Hui is a rare talent of our time; opinion still ranks him below his brother—I regret never having met the elder."

欣以不堪拜伏，辭不朝覲，高祖、太祖並恨不識之。 Unable to endure prostration, Xin declined court audiences; both Gaozu and Taizu regretted never having met him in person.

高祖鎮京口，以為記室參軍掌事。 When Gaozu was stationed at Jingkou, he made Hui Record-House Staff Aide in charge of affairs.

高祖見而愛之，以為世子中軍參軍，數見接引。 Gaozu took him in at once and made him aide on the Heir Apparent's Central Army staff, summoning him often.