Gaozu (高祖) | 24 Histories

Overview

Gaozu was a Tang Emperor.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 617 to AD 618 大業末
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 126
AD 617 高祖已定京師
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 160

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of Hidden Crown Prince (隱太子)
crown prince 太子
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 95, passages 126, 140
Parent of Prince of Qin (秦王)
Prince of Qin 秦王
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 95, passages 126-127

Places and affiliations

Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · New Book of Tang 95, passage 162
AD 617 to AD 618 大業末
At Taiyuan 太原 · Relation Based at
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 126
AD 617 高祖已定京師
At Chang'an 長安 · Relation Captured
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passages 160-161

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Dou Kang (竇抗) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passages 159, 162

Events and relationships

Clasped Kang's hand and set out wine
Ritual · Host · With Dou Kang (竇抗)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passages 162-163
Relation Affine kinsman of · Person Dou Kang (竇抗) · Kinship Term son-in-law of our house 吾家婿
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 160
Relation Patron of · Person Dou Cong (竇琮)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 126
Relation Intimate friend of · Person Dou Kang (竇抗)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 158

Assessments and attributes

Assessment broad-minded and magnanimous; a true prince to restore order · Mode quoted-speech Speaker Dou Kang (竇抗)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 95, passage 160

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 · 5 passages

Open chapter

大業末，犯法亡命太原，依高祖。 Near the end of Daye he fled to Taiyuan as an outlaw and placed himself under Gaozu's protection.

抗與高祖少相狎，及楊玄感反，抗謂高祖曰：「玄感為我先耳，李氏名在圖錄，天所啟也。」 Kang and Gaozu had been close since youth. When Yang Xuangan rose in rebellion, Kang told Gaozu, "Xuangan goes before us — the Li are named in the prophecy rolls; Heaven itself has opened the way."

高祖曰：「為禍始不祥，公無妄言。」 Gaozu replied, "To start the trouble would be ill-omened — speak no more of this."

煬帝遣抗出靈武，逴護長城，聞高祖已定京師，喜曰：「此吾家婿，豁達有大度，真撥亂主也。」 Emperor Yang sent Kang to Lingwu to patrol the Great Wall. Learning that Gaozu had taken the capital, Kang exclaimed with delight, "The son-in-law of our house is broad-minded and magnanimous — a true prince to restore order."

高祖見之喜，握手曰：「李氏果王，何如？」 Gaozu greeted him with joy, clasped his hand, and said, "So the Li have taken the throne — what do you say to that?"