Sui and Tang · Ruler

Gaozu 高祖

Attested AD 617

Passages: 3
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Gaozu was a ruler.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 617 高祖兵叩長安
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 95, passage 235

Places and affiliations

Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passages 235, 241

Events and relationships

Advanced on Chang'an
AD 617 高祖兵叩長安 · Military · Commander · At Chang'an 長安
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 235
Received Deming
Political · Received visitor · With Deming (德明)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 237

References in the histories

New Book of Tang, Chapter 95Volume 95 Biographies 20: Gao Jian and Fifth Generation Descendents: Gao Zhong, Dou Weizhi, Douzhi, Dou Gui, Dou Cong, Dou Kang, Dou Jing, Dou Dan, Dou Zhi, Dou Congsun: Dou Dexuan · 3 passages

高祖兵叩長安，而宗室孝基、神符、道宗及竇誕、趙慈景等並系獄，隋將衛文升、陰世師欲殺之，德明諫曰：「罪不在此，殺之無傷於彼，祗取怨焉，不如縱之。」 When Gaozu's army reached Chang'an, the imperial clansmen Xiaoji, Shenfu, Daozong, Dou Dan, Zhao Cijing, and others languished in prison. The Sui generals Wei Wensheng and Yin Shishi wanted them executed. Deming urged: "The guilt does not lie with these men — killing them will not weaken the enemy, only breed hatred. Better to set them free."

長安平，謁高祖，終不自言，時稱長者。 When Chang'an fell, he paid his respects to Gaozu yet never once mentioned his own deeds — men of the time hailed him as a man of true dignity.

德玄始為高祖丞相府千牛，曆太宗時不甚顯，高宗以舊臣，自殿中少監為御史大夫，歲中遷司元太常伯。 Dexuan began as a qianniu imperial bodyguard in Gaozu's chancellor's office and remained relatively obscure through Taizong's reign. Honoring him as an old minister, Gaozong raised him from vice director of the palace department to censor-in-chief and within a year moved him to vice minister of revenue.