Siwen (思溫) | 24 Histories

Overview

The translated histories identify Siwen as an aristocrat, general, military officer, and named individual. This record brings together 39 passages from 11 chapters across 2 histories, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.

Names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal	Siwen	思溫	Siwen
Descriptive kinship	father of Empress Ruizhi	景宗睿智皇后父
Title	Liao chancellor Siwen	遼相思溫	Siwen
Title	Prince of Chu	楚國王	Chǔguó wáng
Title	Regent	留守
Personal name	Siwen	思溫	Siwen
Personal	Siwen	思溫	Sīwēn
Given name	Siwen	思溫
Surname	Xiao	蕭	Xiāo
Surname	Xiao	蕭
Personal name	Xiao Siwen	蕭思溫	Xiāo Sīwēn
Personal	Xiao Siwen	蕭思溫	Xiāo Sīwēn
Personal	Xiao Siwen	蕭思溫	Xiao Siwen
Personal name	Xiao Siwen	蕭思溫
Personal	Xiao Siwen	蕭思溫
Personal name	Xiao Siwen	蕭思溫	Xiao Siwen
Childhood name	Yingu	寅古
Personal name		思溫

Identity

Historicity: Historical
Identification: Named
Sex: Male

Sex: male
Strongly inferred · jinshi:127:s0082, liaoshi:008:s0010, liaoshi:067:s0053, liaoshi:083:s0171, liaoshi:086:s0027
Sex: male
Explicit · liaoshi:010:s0088, liaoshi:065:s0028, liaoshi:078:s0020, liaoshi:085:s0002
Value: male
Strongly inferred · liaoshi:079:s0054

Roles

Aristocrat
General
Military Officer
Named Individual
Official
Royal Family Member
Statesman

Life and dates

Death

Manner: murder · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 保寧二年五月乙卯 · Lunar Month: 5 · Sexagenary Day: 乙卯 · Western Year: AD 970 · Place: Pansdao Ridge / 盤道嶺
Explicit · liaoshi:008:s0032
Manner: assassinated
Explicit · liaoshi:079:s0054
Manner: killed-by-bandits · Place: Lü Mountain / 閭山
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0050
Explicit · liaoshi:010:s0088

Attested activity

Source Date: Text: 統和元年 · Reign Id: liao-tonghe · Regnal Year: 1 · Western Year: AD 983
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:010:s0088
Source Date: Text: 應曆11年 · Reign Id: liao-yingli · Regnal Year: 11 · Western Year: AD 961
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:006:s0157
Source Date: Text: 應歷十九年 · Reign Id: liao-yingli · Regnal Year: 19 · Western Year: AD 969
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:078:s0045
Source Date: Text: 應曆8年 · Reign Id: liao-yingli · Regnal Year: 8 · Western Year: AD 958
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:006:s0119
Source Date: Text: 應曆9年 · Reign Id: liao-yingli · Regnal Year: 9 · Western Year: AD 959
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:006:s0129
Source Date: Text: 應歷九年 · Reign Id: liao-yingli · Regnal Year: 9 · Western Year: AD 959
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:086:s0027
Source Date: Text: 應曆間 · Reign Id: liao-yingli · Western Interval: Start: AD 951 · End: AD 969
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:065:s0028
Source Date: Text: 保寧中 · Western Interval: Start: AD 969 · End: AD 979
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:085:s0097
Source Date: Text: 保寧二年 · Western Year: AD 970
Explicit · liaoshi:008:s0032, liaoshi:008:s0035
Source Date: Text: 保寧元年 · Western Year: AD 969
Explicit · liaoshi:008:s0010, liaoshi:008:s0015
Source Date: Text: 保寧元年 · Western Year: AD 969
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:083:s0171
Source Date: Text: 保寧初 · Western Year: AD 969
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:078:s0048
Source Date: Text: 保寧四年 · Western Year: AD 972
Explicit · liaoshi:008:s0068
Source Date: Text: 保寧末 · Western Year: AD 979
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:079:s0054
Source Date: Text: 太宗時 · Western Interval: Start: AD 927 · End: AD 947
Explicit event contextual date · liaoshi:078:s0022
Source Date: Text: 景宗睿智皇后父思溫 · Western Interval: Start: AD 969 · End: AD 982
Explicit · liaoshi:067:s0053, liaoshi:067:s0055, liaoshi:067:s0056
Source Date: Text: 遼 · Western Interval: Start: AD 916 · End: AD 1125
Explicit · jinshi:127:s0082

Family

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

Parent of Xiao Jixian (蕭繼先)
Kinship Term: adopted as son / 命為子 · Parentage: adoptive · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son
Kinship Term: successor/heir / 後 · Parentage: adoptive · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son · Relationship State: formed
Sibling of Xiao Shendu (蕭神睹)
Kinship Term: brother / 弟 · Shared Parentage: uncertain · Subject Role: elder-brother · Object Role: younger-brother · Subject Relative Age: elder
Parent of Wise Empress Dowager (睿智皇后)
Kinship Term: daughter / 女 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: daughter
Kinship Term: father / 父 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: daughter
Ancestor of Zhao Zhi (趙質)
Kinship Term: descendant / 裔
Spouse of Lü Bugu (呂不古)
Kinship Term: given in marriage / 下嫁 · Union Category: marriage · Subject Role: wife · Object Role: husband · Relationship State: formed
Spouse of Princess of Yan (燕國公主)
Kinship Term: married / 尚 · Union Category: marriage
Kin of Xiao Talin (蕭撻凜)
Kinship Term: second cousin once removed / 再從侄 · Subject Role: second-cousin-once-removed · Object Role: kinsman
Child of Humoli (忽沒裏)
Kinship Term: son / 子 · Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son
Sibling of Father of Xiao Jixian
Kinship Term: uncle / 叔 · Shared Parentage: uncertain
Child of Hulimo (忽里沒)
Parentage: biological · Subject Role: father · Object Role: son

Kinship Role: sons · Count: 0 · Negated: true
Explicit · liaoshi:067:s0056

Career and standing

Label: Northern Prime Minister / 北府宰相 · Action: appointed-concurrent · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 保寧元年三月甲午 · Western Year: AD 969
Explicit · liaoshi:008:s0019
Label: grand commander of army and horse / 兵馬都總管 · Action: appointed · Date: Source Date: Text: 應曆9年戊戌 · Reign Id: liao-yingli · Regnal Year: 9 · Western Year: AD 959
Explicit · liaoshi:006:s0129
Label: Northern Chancellery Commissioner / 北院樞密使 · Action: appointed · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 保寧元年三月丙戌 · Lunar Month: 3 · Sexagenary Day: 丙戌 · Western Year: AD 969
Explicit · liaoshi:008:s0015
Label: Northern Privy Commissioner / 北院樞密使 · Action: appointed · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 保寧初 · Western Year: AD 969
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0048
Label: Minister-in-Chief / 尚書令 · Action: appointed
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0049
Label: Northern Chancellery chancellor / 北府宰相 · Action: appointed
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0048
Label: Southern Capital intendant / 南京留守 · Action: appointed
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0024
Label: Grand Commandant of the Xi Tuli / 奚禿裏太尉 · Action: held · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 太宗時 · Western Interval: Start: AD 927 · End: AD 947
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0022
Label: chancellor / 相 · Action: held
Explicit · jinshi:127:s0082
Label: Chief Intendant of the Herds Directorate / 群牧都林牙 · Action: held
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0022
Label: Chief Minister / 尚書令 · Action: held
Explicit · liaoshi:085:s0097
Label: Commissioner of Military Affairs / 樞密使 · Action: held
Explicit · liaoshi:079:s0054
Label: Nanjing garrison commander / 南京留守 · Action: held
Explicit · liaoshi:006:s0119
Label: Northern Chancellor / 北府宰相 · Action: held
Explicit · liaoshi:065:s0028, liaoshi:067:s0055
Label: Palace Attendant / 侍中 · Action: held
Explicit · liaoshi:008:s0010
Label: Regent / 留守 · Action: held
Explicit · liaoshi:086:s0027
Title: Prince of Wei / 魏王 · Action: enfeoffed · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 保寧元年十一月乙巳 · Western Year: AD 969
Explicit · liaoshi:008:s0028
Title: Prince of Wei / 魏王 · Action: enfeoffed
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0049
Title: Prince of Chu / 楚國王 · Action: posthumously-enfeoffed · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 保寧四年四月 · Western Year: AD 972
Explicit · liaoshi:008:s0068

Places and affiliations

Polity Id: liao · Relation: served
Explicit · jinshi:127:s0082, liaoshi:078:s0020, liaoshi:086:s0027
Polity Id: liao · Relation: served
Strongly inferred · liaoshi:008:s0010, liaoshi:067:s0055
Polity Id: liao · Relation: subject-of
Strongly inferred · liaoshi:065:s0028

Learning and skills

Skill: versed in classics and histories / 通書史
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0021

Works and attributed material

Kind: memorial · Role: author · Other Person Id: Muzong (穆宗)
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0040
Kind: speech · Role: speaker · Quote: true
Explicit · liaoshi:083:s0172
Kind: speech · Role: speaker · Text: 敵眾而銳…可以必勝。
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0031, liaoshi:078:s0032

Events and relationships

Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: captured-border-counties · Date: Source Date: Text: 應曆8年四月甲寅 · Reign Id: liao-yingli · Regnal Year: 8 · Western Year: AD 958
Explicit · liaoshi:006:s0119
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: defended-against-Zhou-at-Fengmu-Dongcheng-Hutuo
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0026, liaoshi:078:s0029, liaoshi:078:s0030, liaoshi:078:s0035
Kind: political · Role: kingmaker · Action: enthroned-Jingzong · Other Person Id: Yelü Xian (耶律賢)
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0047
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: failed-to-stop-Zhou-capture-of-passes-and-prefectures · Other Person Id: Emperor Shizong (世宗)
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0036, liaoshi:078:s0037, liaoshi:078:s0038, liaoshi:078:s0039
Kind: ritual · Role: participant · Action: offered-wine-after-Muzong-shot-bear · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 十九年，春蒐 · Reign Id: liao-yingli · Regnal Year: 19 · Western Year: AD 969
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0045
Kind: military · Role: reporter · Action: reported Zhou invasion of Yan
Explicit · liaoshi:086:s0027
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: trailed-Zhou-at-Yangzhou-but-withdrew-after-taking-border-towns
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0025
Kind: military · Role: commander · Action: withdrew-to-Yijin-defeated-2000-infantry-then-withdrew-on-Zhou-mourning
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0041, liaoshi:078:s0042, liaoshi:078:s0043

Assessments and attributes

Assessment: close kinsman in government but offered no correction; scholarly opinion disapproved · Provenance: Mode: historian-judgment
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0044
Assessment: clung to salary and sought favor; contemptible · Provenance: Mode: historian-judgment
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0070
Assessment: fussy about dress; staff said no commander talent · Provenance: Mode: named-source-report
Explicit · liaoshi:078:s0023

Source notes

Historicity: historical
Explicit · liaoshi:008:s0010, liaoshi:065:s0028

References in the histories

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

History of Jin, Chapter 127Volume 127 Biographies 65: Xiao You, Wendihanwolubu, Chen Yan, Liu Yu, Meng Xing, Wang Zhen, Liu Zheng, Yin Yi, Chu Chengliang, Wang Qufei, Zhao Zhi, Du Shisheng, Hao Tianting, Xue Jiyuan, Gao Zhongzhen, Zhang Qian, Wang Rumei, Song Ke, Xin Yuan, Wang Yuke · 1 passage

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趙質，字景道，遼相思溫之裔。 Zhao Zhi, styled Jingdao, was a descendant of Siwen, a chancellor of the Liao.

History of Liao, Chapter 6Volume 6 Annals 6: Muzong 1 · 5 passages

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夏四月甲寅，南京留守蕭思溫攻下沿邊州縣，遣人勞之。 That summer, on jiayin day in the fourth month, Nanjing garrison commander Xiao Siwen captured border prefectures and counties, and the Emperor sent men to reward the troops.

六月辛未，蕭思溫請益兵，乞駕幸燕。 On xinwei day in the sixth month Xiao Siwen asked for reinforcements and pleaded that the Emperor come in person to Yan.

戊戌，以南京留守蕭思溫為兵馬都總管，擊之。 On wuxu day Xiao Siwen, Nanjing garrison commander, was made grand commander of army and horse and sent to attack them.

六月庚申，漢以宋兵圍石州來告，遣大同軍節度使阿剌率四部往援，詔蕭思溫以三部兵助之。 On gengshen day in the sixth month Han reported that Song troops were besieging Shizhou; Datong Army military governor Ala was dispatched with four tribes to the rescue, and Xiao Siwen was ordered to assist with troops from three tribes.

三月丙辰，蕭思溫奏老人星見，乞行赦宥。 On bingchen day in the third month Xiao Siwen reported that the Old Man Star had appeared and asked that an amnesty be proclaimed.

History of Liao, Chapter 8Volume 8 Annals 8: Jingzong 1 · 7 passages

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己巳，穆宗遇弒，帝率飛龍使女裏、侍中蕭思溫、南院樞密使高勛率甲騎千人馳赴。 On jisi day Muzong was assassinated; the Emperor led Flying Dragon Commissioner Nüli, Palace Attendant Xiao Siwen, and Southern Chancellery Commissioner Gao Xun at the head of a thousand armored horsemen in haste to the scene.

三月丙戌，入上京，以蕭思溫為北院樞密使。 In the third month, on bingxu day, he entered the Supreme Capital and appointed Xiao Siwen Northern Chancellery Commissioner.

甲午，以北院樞密使蕭思溫兼北府宰相。 On jiawu day Northern Chancellery Commissioner Xiao Siwen was also made Northern Prime Minister.

乙巳，蕭思溫封魏王，北院大王屋質加於越。 On yisi day Xiao Siwen was enfeoffed as Prince of Wei, and Northern Grand Prince Wuzhi was promoted to yuyue.

乙卯，次盤道嶺，盜殺北院樞密使蕭思溫。 On yimao day the court halted at Pansdao Ridge, where bandits murdered Northern Chancellery Commissioner Xiao Siwen.

九月辛丑，得國舅蕭海只及海裏殺蕭思溫狀，皆伏誅，流其弟神睹於黃龍府。 In the ninth month, on xinchou day, proof was obtained that the empress's uncle Xiao Haizhi and Haili had murdered Xiao Siwen; both were put to death, and Siwen's brother Shendu was banished to Huanglong Prefecture.

夏四月庚寅朔，追封蕭思溫為楚國王。 That summer, on the gengyin new moon of the fourth month, Xiao Siwen was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Chu.

History of Liao, Chapter 10Volume 10 Annals 10: Shengzong 1 · 1 passage

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辛卯，皇太后祭楚國王蕭思溫墓。 On xinmao day the Empress Dowager offered sacrifice at the tomb of Prince of Chu Xiao Siwen.

History of Liao, Chapter 65Volume 65 Tables 3: Princesses · 1 passage

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下嫁北府宰相蕭思溫。 She was given in marriage to Xiao Siwen, Northern Chancellor.

History of Liao, Chapter 67Volume 67 Tables 5: Families of Imperial Consorts · 3 passages

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景宗睿智皇后父思溫 Siwen, father of Empress Ruizhi, consort of Emperor Jingzong

北府宰相思溫。 Siwen, Northern Chancellor.

北府宰相繼先。思溫無嗣，睿智皇后命為後。 Jixian, Northern Chancellor. As Siwen had no male heirs, Empress Ruizhi appointed him as his successor.

History of Liao, Chapter 78Volume 78 Biographies 8: Yelu Yilage, Xiao Haili, Xiao Husi, Xiao Siwen, Xiao Jixian · 16 passages

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耶律夷臘葛蕭海璃蕭護思蕭思溫蕭繼先 Yelü Yilage; Xiao Haili; Xiao Husi; Xiao Siwen; Xiao Jixian

蕭思溫，小字寅古，宰相敵魯之族弟忽沒裏之子。 Xiao Siwen, whose childhood name was Yingu, was the son of Humoli, a younger cousin of Chancellor Diru's clan.

思溫在軍中，握齱修邊幅，僚佐皆言非將帥才。 In camp Siwen was fussy about dress and decorum, and his staff all said he was no commander.

初，周人攻揚州，上遣思溫躡其後，憚暑不敢進，拔緣邊數城而還。 When the Zhou first attacked Yangzhou, the emperor sent Siwen to follow in their rear, but he shrank from the summer heat and would not advance, seized a few border towns, and withdrew.

思溫請益兵，帝報曰：「敵來，則與統軍司並兵拒之； Siwen asked for reinforcements. The emperor replied: "When the enemy comes, join the Commissariat and resist together;

思溫勒兵徐行，周軍數日不動。 Siwen led his troops forward at a deliberate pace, and the Zhou army held still for days.

思溫與諸將議曰：「敵眾而銳，戰不利則有後患。 Siwen consulted the generals: "The enemy are numerous and keen — if we fight and fare badly, trouble will follow.

周人引退，思溫亦還。 The Zhou withdrew, and Siwen returned as well.

思溫不知計所出，但雲車駕旦夕至。 Siwen had no plan to offer and could only say that the emperor's carriage would arrive at any moment.

思溫以邊防失利，恐朝廷罪己，表請親征。 Fearing blame for the border defeat, Siwen memorialized asking the emperor to lead the campaign in person.

會周主榮以病歸，思溫退至益津，偽言不知所在。 When the Later Zhou emperor Chai Rong returned because of illness, Siwen withdrew to Yijin and pretended not to know where the enemy was.

時穆宗湎酒嗜殺，思溫以密戚預政，無所匡輔，士論不與。 While Emperor Muzong drowned himself in wine and delighted in killing, Siwen, though a close kinsman in government, offered no correction — and learned opinion did not approve of him.

十九年，春蒐，上射熊而中，思溫與夷離畢牙裏斯等進酒上壽，帝醉還宮。 In his nineteenth year, at the spring hunt, the emperor shot a bear and hit it. Siwen, Yilibi Yalisi, and others offered wine and wished him long life; the emperor returned to the palace drunk.

思溫與南院樞密使高勛、飛龍使女裏等立景宗。 Siwen, together with Southern Privy Commissioner Gao Xun, Dragon Flight Commissioner Nüli, and others, enthroned Emperor Jingzong.

幼穎悟，叔思溫命為子，睿智皇后尤愛之。 Clever as a boy, he was adopted as a son by his uncle Siwen, and Empress Ruizhi was especially fond of him.

於以知護思、思溫處位優重，耽祿取容，真鄙夫矣！ This shows that Husi and Siwen, for all their high rank, clung to salary and sought favor — nothing but contemptible men!

History of Liao, Chapter 79Volume 79 Biographies 9: Shi Fang, Yelu Xianshi, Nu Li, Guo Xi, Yelu Ameili · 1 passage

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保寧末，坐私藏甲五百屬，有司方按詰，女裏袖中又得殺樞密使蕭思溫賊書，賜死。 Near the end of Baoning he was charged with privately hoarding five hundred suits of armor while the authorities were still investigating; from Nuli's sleeve they also recovered a letter from the assassin of Commissioner of Military Affairs Xiao Siwen, and he was sentenced to death.

History of Liao, Chapter 83Volume 83 Biographies 13: Yelu Xiuge, Yelu Xiezhen, Yelu Xidi, Yelu Xuegu · 1 passage

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保寧元年，樞密使蕭思溫薦斜軫有經國才，上曰：「朕知之，第佚蕩，豈可羈屈？」 In Baoning 1, Privy Council Commissioner Xiao Siwen recommended Xiezhen as possessing talent to govern the state. The emperor said, "I know him, but he is free-spirited and unruly—how can he be confined to office?"

History of Liao, Chapter 85Volume 85 Biographies 15: Xiao Talin, Xiao Guanyinnu, Yelu Tizi, Yelu Xieli, Yelu Nugua, Xiao Liu, Gao Xun, Xi Heshuonu, Xiao Taliege, Yelu Sahe · 2 passages

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蕭撻凜，字駝寧，思溫之再從侄。 Xiao Talin, whose style name was Tuoning, was a second cousin once removed of Xiao Siwen.

尋又謀害尚書令蕭思溫，詔獄誅之，沒其產，皆賜思溫家。 He soon plotted again, this time against Chief Minister Xiao Siwen. By imperial order he was executed in prison; his property was confiscated and given entirely to Siwen's family.

History of Liao, Chapter 86Volume 86 Biographies 16: Yelu Hezhu, Liu Jing, Liu Liufu, Ye Luniaolu, Niu Wenshu, Du Fang, Xiao Heshang, Yelu Helizhi, Yelu Pode · 1 passage

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九年，周人侵燕，留守蕭思溫上急變，帝欲俟秋出師，景諫曰：「河北三關已陷於敵，今復侵燕，安可坐視！」 In the ninth year the Zhou attacked Yan. Regent Xiao Siwen reported the crisis, but the emperor wanted to wait until autumn before marching. Jing urged him, saying, "The three passes of Hebei have already fallen to the enemy, and now they invade Yan again—how can we simply look on!"