Five Dynasties · Ruler

Martial Emperor of Later Tang 後唐武皇

First attested AD 907; died AD 908

Passages: 4
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Martial Emperor of Later Tang was a ruler.

Life and dates

Death

AD 908 莊宗初嗣世
Summary Death announced to Abaoji when Zhuangzong first succeeded.
Strongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 137, passage 19

Attested activity

AD 907 天祐四年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 137, passage 13

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of Emperor Zhuangzong (莊宗)
son 子
father 父
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 137, passage 19

Career and standing

Martial Emperor of Later Tang 後唐武皇
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 137, passage 13

Places and affiliations

Later Tang 後唐
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 137, passage 13

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · With Yelü Abaoji (耶律阿保機) · Mode quotation Speaker Martial Emperor of Later Tang (後唐武皇)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 137, passage 13
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Mode quotation Speaker Martial Emperor of Later Tang (後唐武皇)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 137, passage 15

Events and relationships

Refused to seize
AD 907 天祐四年 · Diplomatic · Host · With Yelü Abaoji (耶律阿保機) · Summary Rejected attendants' advice to capture Abaoji, refusing to break faith with tribal allies while rebels remained undestroyed, and sent him away with full ceremony.
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 137, passages 15-16
Swore brotherhood
AD 907 天祐四年 · Diplomatic · Host · With Yelü Abaoji (耶律阿保機) · At eastern city of Yunzhong 雲中東城 · Summary Sent envoys, met Abaoji face to face, feasted him, and pledged brotherhood, asking for twenty thousand picked cavalry to recover Bian and Luo.
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 137, passage 13

Assessments and attributes

Assessment would not break faith with tribal allies · Mode quotation Speaker Martial Emperor of Later Tang (後唐武皇)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 137, passage 15

References in the histories

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 137Volume 137: Foreign States Biographies 1: Khitan · 4 passages

天祐四年，大寇雲中，後唐武皇遣使連和，因與之面會於雲中東城，大具享禮，延入帳中，約為兄弟，謂之曰：「唐室為賊所篡，吾欲今冬大舉，弟可以精騎二萬，同收汴、洛。」 In Tianyou 4 Abaoji invaded Yunzhong in force. The Martial Emperor of Later Tang sent envoys to treat with him and met him at the eastern quarter of Yunzhong city. He laid on a grand feast, brought Abaoji into his tent, and swore brotherhood. "The Tang throne has been seized by traitors," he said. "I mean to strike in force this winter. Brother, bring twenty thousand elite horsemen and we will retake Bian and Luoyang together."

安巴堅許之，賜與甚厚，留馬三千匹以答貺。 Abaoji agreed. The Martial Emperor lavished gifts upon him, and Abaoji left three thousand horses in return.

左右咸勸武皇可乘間擄之，武皇曰：「逆賊未殄，不可失信於部落，自亡之道也。」 His attendants all urged him to seize Abaoji while he could. The Martial Emperor replied, "The rebels are not yet destroyed. I cannot break faith with our tribal allies — that would be the path to ruin."

莊宗初嗣世，亦遣使告哀，賂以金繒，求騎軍以救潞州，答其使曰：「我與先王為兄弟，兒即吾兒也，寧有父不助子耶！」 When Emperor Zhuangzong first succeeded to the throne, he too sent envoys to announce his father's death, offered gold and silks, and asked for cavalry to relieve Luzhou. Abaoji told the envoy, "Your late sovereign and I were brothers. His son is my son. Would a father refuse to help his own child?"