Wenxiang (文襄) | 24 Histories

Overview

Wenxiang was a Northern Qi Shizong.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Gao Cheng	高澄	Gao Cheng
Courtesy name	Zihui	子惠	Zihui
Childhood name	Ahuier	阿惠兒	Ahuier
Posthumous name	Emperor Wen	文襄帝

Life and dates

Death

AD 549 世宗崩
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 13, passage 160
AD 549 世宗暴崩
sudden 暴崩
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 30, passage 95
AD 549 文襄遇害
Killed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 98
AD 549 文襄遇難
met with disaster / was killed 遇難
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 19
AD 547 to AD 549 辛卯
Assassination · At Zh: Unknown · En: Unknown
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passages 135, 155
Died
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 172

Show 1 more source-backed claim

Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 98; Book of Northern Qi 40, passage 79

Age

12
AD 532 二年 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 5
29
AD 547 to AD 549 辛卯 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 135

Attested activity

AD 547 to AD 549 天平中
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 14, passage 103
AD 547 太清元年和議
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 38, passage 44
AD 550 context
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 17, passage 194
AD 547 to AD 549 succession and marriage era
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 9, passages 26, 51
AD 544 to AD 549 世宗
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 16, passage 178; Book of Northern Qi 46, passage 116
AD 545 to AD 549 世宗
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 48, passage 32

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AD 547 to AD 549 世宗
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 27, passages 68, 86
AD 547 to AD 549 世宗作宰
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 18, passages 90, 98
AD 543 to AD 549 世宗入朝
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 40, passage 8
AD 549 世宗入輔朝政
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 161
AD 547 世宗嗣事
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 17, passage 38
AD 547 to AD 549 世宗嗣位
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 25, passage 21
AD 549 世宗崩
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 172
AD 549 世宗暴崩
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 30, passage 95
AD 531 中興元年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 3
AD 532 二年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 5
AD 549 侯景反相關
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 192
AD 538 to AD 539 元象中
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 10, passages 15-16
AD 538 元象元年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 10
AD 545 大同十一年
Dated from the passage context · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 3; zizhitongjian:159:s0003a; zizhitongjian:159:s0019j
AD 550 天保受禪 context
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 9, passage 56
AD 534 to AD 549 天平中至世宗嗣事
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 43, passages 15, 26
AD 534 天平元年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 7
AD 547 to AD 549 太清中
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 33, passage 10
AD 548 太清二年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 42, passages 91, 94
AD 525 孝昌元年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 46
AD 534 to AD 549 文襄
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 3, 6-7, 16, 32, 35
AD 534 to AD 549 文襄
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 68
AD 534 to AD 549 文襄
Derived from the source · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 91, 128
AD 536 to AD 549 文襄
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 217, 223
AD 549 文襄之遇賊
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 10, passage 123
AD 547 to AD 549 文襄嗣事
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 38, passage 8
AD 543 to AD 549 文襄執請
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 47, passage 54
AD 536 to AD 549 文襄廟庭
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 15, passage 222
AD 544 to AD 549 文襄啟收
Dated from the passage context · Book of Wei 110, passage 96
AD 547 to AD 549 文襄時
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 39, passages 86, 88
AD 543 to AD 549 文襄輔政
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 7
AD 549 文襄遇害
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 98
AD 549 文襄遇難
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 19
AD 534 to AD 549 文襄館客；瑾謀殺高澄
Strongly inferred · Book of Wei 91, passages 247, 249
AD 543 to AD 549 東魏
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 15, passage 54
AD 534 to AD 549 東魏世宗時
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 29, passages 27, 59
AD 536 to AD 549 東魏至齊前
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 31, passages 36, 81
AD 536 to AD 549 東魏輔政
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 223
AD 546 歡謂澄曰
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 340
AD 549 武定七年
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 33, passage 43
AD 543 to AD 550 武定中
Dated from the passage context · Book of Wei 81, passage 83
AD 547 武定五年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 3, passages 20, 24, 27; Book of Northern Qi 16, passages 63-66; Book of Northern Qi 17, passage 83
AD 546 武定四年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 16, passages 54, 61
AD 546 武定四年十一月
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 19
AD 540 to AD 549 深為文襄所責
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 15, passage 127
AD 540 興和二年
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 15
AD 539 興和初
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 13, passage 143
AD 546 辛亥
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:159:s0303c
AD 547 to AD 549 辛卯
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 135
AD 547 高祖葬後
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 23, passage 139
AD 538 魏元象後
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 6, passage 4
AD 534 to AD 537 魏天平中
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 35, passage 21
AD 534 to AD 549 齊文襄委任
Directly stated · Book of Zhou 46, passage 36
AD 540 齊文襄時
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 28, passage 28
AD 549 to AD 549 齊文襄更益嶽兵
Dated from the passage context · Book of Zhou 18, passage 162
AD 540 to AD 549 齊文襄王攝選
Dated from the passage context · Book of Wei 91, passage 133

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Spouse of Princess Chang of Fengyi (馮翊長公主)
married 尚 · Marriage · AD 532 二年
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 5
Spouse of Yuyi (玉儀)
Concubinage · AD 545 大同十一年
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:159:s0019m
Spouse of Lady Yan (燕氏)
bore him a son 生 · Secondary marriage
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 6
Spouse of Lady Chen (陳氏)
bore him a son 生 · Secondary marriage
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 6
Spouse of Lady Wang (王氏)
bore him a son 生 · Secondary marriage
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 6
Parent of Gao Xiaowan (高孝琬)
bore 生
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 6
Sibling of Duke Yang of Taiyuan (太原公洋)
brothers 兄弟 · Full siblings
Strongly inferred · zizhitongjian:159:s0340g
Sibling of Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi (文宣帝)
brothers 兄弟 · Full siblings
Duke of Taiyuan Yang 太原公洋 · Full siblings · paternal line
elder brother 兄 · Full siblings
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Sources vary in certainty · Book of Northern Qi 39, passages 62, 97; Book of Northern Qi 3, passages 1, 29; Book of Northern Qi 30, passage 75; Book of Northern Qi 31, passages 81, 97
Child of Lou Zhaojun (婁昭君)
Wenxiang 文襄
conceived Wenxiang 孕文襄
mother 母
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 9, passage 37; Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 1
Parent of Princess Le'an (樂安公主)
daughter 女
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 30, passage 75
Sibling of Emperor Xiaozhao (孝昭帝)
elder brother 兄 · paternal line
younger brother 弟
younger brother 弟 · Paternal half siblings · paternal line
Sources vary in certainty · Book of Northern Qi 6, passage 4; Book of Northern Qi 31, passage 81
Sibling of Huan (渙)
eldest brother 大兄 · Uncertain siblings
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 10, passage 123
Child of Gao Huan (高歡)
eldest son 長子 · paternal line
father 父 · paternal line
father 父
heir apparent 世子
son 子
son and heir 父子、世子
temple heir of Gaozu 世宗
Sources vary in certainty · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 1; Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 86; Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 46-48; Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 97; Book of Northern Qi 10, passages 3, 116, 123; Book of Northern Qi 30, passages 28, 35; Book of Northern Qi 31, passages 79, 81; Book of Northern Qi 47, passage 54; Book of Northern Qi 14, passage 103; Book of Northern Qi 9, passage 37; Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 61; Book of Zhou 18, passage 162; Book of Northern Qi 6, passage 4; Book of Northern Qi 18, passages 220, 223; zizhitongjian:159:s0303c; zizhitongjian:159:s0019e
Parent of Gao Xiaoyu (高孝瑜)
eldest son 長子
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 6-7
Spouse of Empress Yuan of Wenjing (文敬元皇后)
empress 皇后 · Primary marriage
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 6
Parent of Gao Yanzong (高延宗)
father of 生
father 父 · paternal line
son 子 · paternal line
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 6, 128
Parent of Prince Changgong of Lanling (長恭)
father of 生
father 父 · paternal line
third son 第三子
son 子 · paternal line
Sources vary in certainty · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 6, 91; Book of Northern Qi 5, passage 43
Parent of Gao Shaoxin (高紹信)
father of 生
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 6
Kin of Duan Xiaoxian (段孝先)
kinsman 親戚
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:159:s0340k
Parent of Xiaowan (孝琬)
legitimate heir of the generation 世嫡 · paternal line
legitimate son 嫡子 · paternal line
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 68, 86
Spouse of Empress Yuan of Wenxiang (元氏)
married to Wenxiang 歸於文襄 · Primary marriage
Primary marriage
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 9, passage 51
Spouse of Mother of Gao Changgong (蘭陵王長恭之母)
mother of his son 母氏 · Concubinage
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 6
Child of Empress Wuming (武明後)
mother 母
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 46-48
Child of Empress Wuming née Lou (武明婁皇后)
mother 母
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 10, passage 3
Child of Mother of Gao Cheng
mother 母
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 38, passage 123
Parent of Prince Xiaowan of Hejian (河間王孝琬)
Prince Xiaowan 河間王孝琬
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 9, passage 53
Parent of Prince Xiaoheng of Guangning (孝珩)
second son 第二子
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 5, passage 43
Parent of Gao Xiaoheng (高孝珩)
second son 第二子
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 6, 35
Parent of Prince Shaoxin of Yuyang (紹信)
sixth son 第六子
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 217
Parent of Yanzong (延宗)
sons 諸子
son 子
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 223, 227
Parent of Prince of Lanling (蘭陵)
sons 諸子
son 諸子
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 223, 225
Parent of Gao Xiaoheng (孝珩)
sons 諸子
son 諸子
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 223, 229
Spouse of Lady Song (宋氏)
took into his household 所納 · Secondary marriage
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 32
Sibling of Younger brother of Gao Cheng
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 38, passage 123
Sibling of Sister of Gao Cheng
younger sister 妹
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 30, passage 72
Sibling of Emperor Wucheng (武成)
younger-brother-of-father 叔 · Paternal half siblings · paternal line
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 84, 86
Sibling of Empress Yongxi of Wei (魏永熙后)
Full siblings
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 46
Spouse of Mother of Xiaowan
Marriage
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 86

Kinship Role daughters · Count 2
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 9, passage 55
Kinship Role sons · Count 6
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 6
Kinship Role brothers · 汝兄弟 · Quantity unspecified plural
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:159:s0340g
Kinship Role sons · Quantity unspecified
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 223

Key source chapters

Origins and identity

Ethnicity Xianbei 鮮卑 · Mode named-speech Speaker Hou Jing (侯景)
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:159:s0332a

Career and standing

Minister of Personnel 吏部尚書
AD 538 元象元年 · Acting
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 10
charge of the Left and Right 領左右
AD 536 三年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 8
Grand Commander of the Capital Region 京畿大都督
AD 536 三年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 8
Grand Lord Equal to Three Imperator 開府儀同三司
AD 532 二年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 5
Palace Attendant 侍中
AD 532 二年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 5
Bearer of Credentials 使持節
AD 534 天平元年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 7

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Director of the Masters of Writing 尚書令
AD 534 天平元年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 7
Grand Mobile Headquarters 大行臺
AD 534 天平元年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 7
Inspector of Bing Province 幷州刺史
AD 534 天平元年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 7
Grand Chancellor 大丞相
AD 547 武定五年七月 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 27
Grand General 大將軍
AD 540 興和二年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 15
Secretariat Supervisor 中書監
AD 540 興和二年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 15
junior tutor of the heir apparent 太子少傅
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 25, passage 24
Chancellor of Wei 魏相
AD 547 太清元年 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 38, passage 44
Grand General 大將軍
Held
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 31, passage 81
heir of the Prince of Bohai 渤海王世子
AD 531 中興元年 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 3
Prince of Bohai 渤海王
AD 547 武定五年七月 · Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 27
Prince Wenxiang of Qi 齊文襄王
Held
Directly stated · Book of Wei 91, passage 133
Entered
Death concealed
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 158
heir 世子
Heir of Gao Huan
Directly stated · Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance 159, passage 61
As successor 嗣位
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 9, passage 26
took up affairs 嗣事
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 43, passage 26

Places and affiliations

Eastern Wei 東魏
Relation Ruled
Dated from the passage context · Book of Zhou 18, passage 162
Eastern Wei 東魏
Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passages 3, 27
Northern Qi 齊
Relation Posthumously honored
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 137
Wei 魏
Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passage 44
Polity Eastern Wei 東魏 · Relation Ruled as regent
Strongly inferred · Book of Wei 91, passage 249
Polity Eastern Wei 東魏 · Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 16, passage 178; Book of Northern Qi 23, passage 142

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Polity Eastern Wei 東魏 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 161
Polity Eastern Wei 東魏 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 68, 91; Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 223
Polity Eastern Wei 東魏 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 16, passages 61, 64; Book of Northern Qi 39, passages 7, 86; zizhitongjian:159:s0303c
Polity Eastern Wei 魏 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Book of Liang 42, passage 91
Polity Northern Qi 北齊 · Relation Posthumously titled in
Directly stated · Book of Wei 91, passage 249
AD 547 武定五年
At Ye 鄴 · Relation Returned to
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 16, passage 64
At east of Ye 鄴東 · Relation Built pleasure grounds at
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 16
At Jinyang 晉陽 · Relation Death aftermath destination of officials
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 172
At Juncheng Tomb 峻成陵 · Relation Buried at
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 136

Learning and skills

Relation Student of · Person Du Xun (杜詢)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 4
Skill quick comprehension 敏悟 · Level surpassing
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 4

Works and attributed material

Northern History, volume 6, annals of Prince Wenxiang of Qi 北史卷六齊文襄紀
Relation Biographical subject
Directly stated · Book of Wei 91, passage 249
stone classics 石經
Relation Commissioner
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 6, passage 81
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Cui Xuan (崔暹)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 30, passage 16
Letter · Author · With Hou Jing (侯景) · Direct quotation · Mode speech Speaker Wenxiang (文襄)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passages 36-61
Letter · Author · With Liu Yi (劉禕) · Mode quotation Speaker Wenxiang (文襄)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 35, passages 151-152
Proclamation · Speaker
Directly stated · Book of Zhou 18, passages 186-187

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Speech · Speaker · With Yuan Huiye (元暉業) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 28, passage 88
Speech · Speaker · With Zhao Yanshen (趙彥深)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 38, passages 123, 128, 130-131
Speech · Speaker · With Chen Yuankang (陳元康)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 43, passage 30
Speech · Speaker · With Du Bi (杜弼)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 43, passage 27
Speech · Speaker · With Helian Ziyue (赫連子悅)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 40, passages 64, 66
Speech · Speaker · With Xiao Ming (蕭明)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 33, passages 10-14
Speech · Speaker · With Wang Xi (王晞)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 31, passages 81-83
Speech · Speaker · With Erzhu Wenlüe (尒朱文略)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 48, passages 33, 35
Speech · Speaker · Quote true
Directly stated · Book of Wei 110, passages 113-117, 121
Not needed 不須也
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 39, passage 88
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 23, passages 143, 150, 153, 156, 159; Book of Northern Qi 28, passage 36
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 43, passage 25

Events and relationships

Administering affairs
Administration · Chief minister
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 90
Assisted court governance
Political · Assistant in governance
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 161
Beat Li Zizhen to death
Legal · Authority · With Li Zizhen (李子貞)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 47, passage 112
Bestowed consort
AD 544 to AD 549 世宗 · Political · Grantor · With Lady Huangfu (皇甫氏) · Counterpart Person Id Duan Shao (段韶)
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 16, passage 178
Built hills and pools east of Ye
Construction · Builder
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 16
Called to
Political · Summoned · At Jinyang 晉陽
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:159:s0303c

Show 23 more source-backed claims

Campaigned against
Military · Commander · At Yingchuan 潁川
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 16, passage 66
Copied Forest Compendium overnight and returned original
AD 547 to AD 549 文襄時 · Scholarly · Patron
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 39, passages 87-88
Entered to assist and rebuke arrogance
Political · Regent assistant
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 223
Fell from ox
AD 525 孝昌元年 · Flight · Child
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passages 46-48
Fell to assassins
AD 549 文襄之遇賊 · Violent · Victim
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 10, passage 123
Flood siege; captured Wang Sizheng
Military · Commander
Dated from the passage context · Book of Zhou 18, passages 162, 175, 186, 191
Forged letter
Political · Actor · With Gao Huan (高歡)
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:159:s0332c
Had Zhang Yongxing play pipa for Wenlüe to transcribe
Personal · Host
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 48, passage 32
Moved fifty two Luoyang Stone Classics steles to Ye
AD 546 中大同元年 · Cultural transfer · Principal
Directly stated · zizhitongjian:159:s0244a
Pardoned Shiyun younger brothers and exiled north
AD 549 侯景反後 · Legal · Authority
Dated from the passage context · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 192
Proposed renewing peace with Liang
Diplomatic · Proposer
Directly stated · Book of Liang 38, passage 44
Proposed Xing Xin as Right Chief Clerk while overseeing appointments
Administrative · Selector
Directly stated · Book of Wei 91, passage 133
Reformed appointments
AD 538 元象元年 · Administrative · Reformer
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 12
Released
Legal · Authority · With Cui Ling (崔㥄)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 23, passage 158
Reprimanded
Political · Reprimander · With Rui (叡)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 15, passage 127
Sent Li Tonggui to tutor younger brothers
Administrative · Actor
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 6, passage 4
Starved Wen Zisheng
Legal · Authority · With Wen Zisheng (溫子升)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 47, passage 85
Targeted for assassination
Assassination plot · Target · With Yuan Jin (元瑾)
Directly stated · Book of Wei 91, passage 249
Wrote letter
AD 547 武定五年 · Diplomatic · Author · With Hou Jing (侯景)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 35
favoring 寵
Relation Favored consort of · Person Princess of Langye (琅邪公主)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 146
Relation Patron of · Person Cui Xuan (崔暹)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passages 98, 223
Relation Patron of · Person Cui Jishu (崔季舒)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 98
Relation Recommender of · Person Li Zhilian (李稚廉)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 43, passages 16, 30

Assessments and attributes

Assessment greatly disliked to refuse Duan Shao · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 16, passage 178
Assessment harsh in law; fell short of former king's virtue · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 161
Assessment his sons all had force of character; though falling short of Hejian and Pingyuan in literary refinement, many had martial skill to withstand insult · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 11, passages 223-224
Assessment inherited hegemonic enterprise; power and strategy unmistakable · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 159
Assessment reproached and humiliated Gao Longzhi for bribes · Mode named-person-judgment Speaker Wenxiang (文襄)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 90
precocious and keen from birth
Precocity
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 3, passage 2

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 1, passage 46; Book of Northern Qi 11, passage 3; Book of Northern Qi 16, passages 61, 178; Book of Northern Qi 18, passage 90; Book of Northern Qi 23, passage 142; Book of Northern Qi 28, passage 1; Book of Northern Qi 39, passages 7, 86
Sihao served him in horsemanship and archery in youth
With Gao Sihao (高思好)
Directly stated · Book of Northern Qi 14, passage 103

References in the histories

Search passages

History

255 passages

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 1Volume 1 Annals 1: Emperor Shenwu 1 · 2 passages

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文襄及魏永熙后皆幼，武明後於牛上抱負之。 Wenxiang and the future Empress Yongxi of Wei were still small children; Empress Wuming carried them on the ox in her arms.

文襄屢落牛，神武彎弓將射之以決去。 Wenxiang kept falling from the ox; Gao Huan bent his bow intending to shoot him to decide whether to abandon the flight.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 3Volume 3 Annals 3: Emperor Wenxiang · 37 passages

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世宗文襄皇帝，諱澄，字子惠，神武長子也，母曰婁太后。 Emperor Wenxiang, temple name Shizong of Northern Qi, bore the personal name Cheng and the style Zihui. He was the eldest son of Gao Huan; his mother was Empress Dowager Lou.

魏中興元年，立為渤海王世子。 In Zhongxing 1 (531) he was made heir to the Prince of Bohai.

選人常以年勞為制，文襄乃釐改前式，銓擢唯在得人。 appointments had been governed by seniority; Gao Cheng reformed the old practice so that selection rested only on finding the right men.

文襄乃奏吏部郎崔暹為御史中尉，糾劾權豪，無所縱捨，於是風俗更始，私枉路絕。 Gao Cheng then had Cui Xian of the Ministry of Personnel appointed Vice Censor-in-Chief; he impeached the powerful without sparing any, custom was renewed, and private wrongdoing and bribery ceased.

武定四年十一月，神武西討，不豫班師，文襄馳赴軍所，侍衛還晉陽。 In the eleventh month of Wuding 4 (546), Gao Huan marched west, fell ill, and withdrew; Gao Cheng raced to the army, attended him, and escorted him back to Jinyang.

遣司空韓軌率衆討之。 Gao Cheng sent Minister of Works Han Gui at the head of an army to attack him.

夏四月壬申，文襄朝於鄴。 In the fourth month, on renshen day, Gao Cheng attended court at Ye.

丁丑，文襄還晉陽，乃發喪，告喻文武，陳神武遺志。 On dingchou day Gao Cheng returned to Jinyang, announced the death, informed civil and military officials, and set forth Gao Huan's final wishes.

七月戊戌，魏帝詔以文襄為使持節、大丞相、都督中外諸軍、錄尚書事、大行臺、渤海王。 In the seventh month, on wuxu day, the Eastern Wei emperor issued an edict that Gao Cheng be Bearer of Credentials, Grand Chancellor, Commander-in-Chief of All Armies at Home and Abroad, Recorder of Affairs of the Masters of Writing, Grand Mobile Headquarters, and Prince of Bohai.

文襄啟辭位，願停王爵。 Gao Cheng memorialized to decline and wished to relinquish the princely rank.

八月戊辰，文襄啟申神武遺令，請減國邑分封將督，各有差。 In the eighth month, on wuchen day, Gao Cheng memorialized to carry out Gao Huan's final command, asking to reduce the royal fief and enfeoff generals and commanders, each according to rank.

王以為信然，謂可誘而致，乃遺景書曰： Gao Cheng believed it and thought he could be lured back; he sent Hou Jing a letter saying,

王尋覽書，問誰為作。 When Gao Cheng had read the letter, he asked who had written it.

王曰：「偉才如此，何因不使我知？」 Gao Cheng said, "With talent like this, why was I not told?"

王欲間景於梁，又與景書而謬其辭，云本使景陽叛，欲與圖西，西人知之，故景更與圖南為事。 Gao Cheng wished to drive a wedge between Hou Jing and Liang, and wrote to Jing with falsified wording, saying he had originally sent Jing to stir rebellion at Jingyang and meant to plot the west together; when Western Wei learned of it, Jing turned instead to plotting with the south.

壬申，東魏主與王獵於鄴東，馳逐如飛。 On renshen the Eastern Wei emperor hunted with Gao Cheng east of Ye, galloping as if in flight.

監衛都督烏那羅受工伐從後呼曰：「天子莫走馬，大將軍怒。」 Supervisory Guard Commander Wunaluo Shougongfa shouted from behind, "Your Majesty, do not gallop—the Grand General will be angry!"

王嘗侍飲，舉大觴曰：「臣澄勸陛下酒。」 Once, while attending him at drink, Gao Cheng raised a great goblet and said, "Your servant Cheng urges Your Majesty to drink."

王怒曰：「朕！ Gao Cheng raged, "Imperial We!

東魏主賜季舒彩，季舒未敢即受，啟之於王，王使取一段。 The Eastern Wei emperor bestowed silk on Jishu; Jishu dared not accept at once and reported to Gao Cheng, who told him to take one bolt.

三月辛亥，王南臨黎陽，濟於虎牢，自洛陽從太行而反晉陽。 On xinhai of the third month Gao Cheng went south to Liyang, crossed at Hulao, and returned to Jinyang from Luoyang by way of the Taihang.

六月，王巡北邊城戍，賑賜有差。 In the sixth month Gao Cheng toured the northern border forts and gave relief in varying measure.

七月，王還晉陽。 In the seventh month Gao Cheng returned to Jinyang.

辛卯，王遇盜而殂，時年二十九。 On xinmao Gao Cheng fell to assassins and died; he was twenty-nine.

齊受禪，追諡為文襄皇帝，廟號世宗。 When Qi received the abdication, he was posthumously titled Emperor Wenxiang, with the temple name Shizong.

識者以為王將殂之兆也。 Those who understood took it as an omen that Gao Cheng would die.

初，梁將蘭欽子京為東魏所虜，王命以配廚。 Earlier, Zi Jing, son of the Liang general Lan Qin, had been captured by Eastern Wei; Gao Cheng ordered him assigned to the kitchen staff.

欽請贖之，王不許。 Lan Qin asked to ransom him; Gao Cheng refused.

京再訴，王使監廚蒼頭薛豐洛杖之，曰：「更訴當殺爾。」 Jing appealed again; Gao Cheng had the kitchen-overseer bondman Xue Fengluo beat him and said, "Complain again and you will be killed."

時王居北城東柏堂蒞政，以寵琅邪公主，欲其來往無所避忌，所有侍衛，皆出於外。 At the time Gao Cheng held court at the East Cypress Hall in the North City; favoring the Princess of Langye, he wished her comings and goings to be without restraint, and had all guards posted outside.

王曰：「小人新杖之，故嚇我耳。」 Gao Cheng said, "That wretch was just flogged—he only wants to frighten me."

京將進食，王却，謂諸人曰：「昨夜夢此奴斫我，宜殺却。」 When Jing was about to bring food, Gao Cheng held back and told the others, "Last night I dreamed this slave hacked at me—I ought to kill him."

王怒曰：「我未索食，爾何據來！」 Gao Cheng raged, "I did not ask for food—why do you press in!"

王自投傷足，入于床下。 Gao Cheng threw himself aside, wounded in the foot, and crawled under the bed.

秘不發喪，徐出言曰：「奴反，大將軍被傷，無大苦也。」 They kept the death secret, then slowly announced, "The slave rebelled; the Grand General was wounded—nothing grave."

論曰：文襄嗣膺霸道，威略昭著。 The appraisal says: Wenxiang inherited the hegemonic enterprise, and his power and strategy were unmistakable.

然文襄之禍生所忽，蓋有由焉。 Yet Wenxiang's disaster grew out of what he neglected; it had its cause.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 5Volume 5 Annals 5: Emperor Fei · 2 passages

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左右問其故，太子曰：「世宗遇賊處，河間王復何宜在此。」 When his attendants asked why, the crown prince said, "This is where Shizong met the assassins; why should the Prince of Hejian be here again?"

壬申，封文襄第二子孝珩爲廣甯王，第三子長恭爲蘭陵王。 On renshen, Xiaoheng, Wenxiang's second son, was enfeoffed as Prince of Guangning, and Changgong, his third son, as Prince of Lanling.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 6Volume 6 Annals 6: Emperor Xiaozhao · 4 passages

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及文襄執政，遣中書侍郎李同軌就霸府為諸弟師。 Once Wenxiang took charge of the government, he dispatched Li Tonggui, Gentleman of the Secretariat, to the Overlord's residence to instruct his younger brothers.

其文襄帝所運石經，宜即施列於學館。 The stone classics commissioned by Emperor Wenxiang should immediately be set up and displayed in the academy.

世宗文襄皇帝廟宜奏《文德》之樂，舞《宣政》之舞； The temple of Emperor Wenxiang should use the hymn "Civil Virtue" and the dance "Proclaiming Governance."

庚申，詔以故太師尉景、故太師竇泰、故太師太原王婁昭、故太宰章武王厙狄幹、故太尉段榮、故太師万俟普、故司徒蔡儁、故太師高乾、故司徒莫多婁貸文、故太保劉貴、故太保封祖裔、故廣州刺史王懷十二人配饗太祖廟庭，故太師清河王岳、故太宰安德王韓軌、故太宰扶風王可朱渾道元、故太師高昂、故大司馬劉豐、故太師万俟受洛干、故太尉慕容紹宗七人配饗世宗廟庭，故太尉河東王潘相樂、故司空薛脩義、故太傅破六韓常三人配饗顯祖廟庭。 On the gengshen day, an edict ordered twelve deceased ministers to receive associated sacrifice in the Founding Emperor's temple, including Wei Jing, Dou Tai, Lou Zhao, She Digan, Duan Rong, Wan Sipo, Cai Jun, Gao Gan, Moduo Lou Daiwen, Liu Gui, Feng Zuyi, and Wang Huai; seven others in Emperor Wenxiang's temple, including Princes Yue, Han Gui, and Kezhuhun Daoyuan, Liu Feng, Wan Sipo Shouluogan, and Murong Shaozong; and three more in Emperor Wenxuan's temple—Pan Xiangle, Xue Xiuyi, and Poliuhan Chang.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 9Volume 9 Biographies 1: Empresses and Consorts · 5 passages

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文襄嗣位，進為太妃。 When Gao Cheng succeeded to the throne, she was advanced to Grand Consort.

太后凡孕六男二女，皆感夢：孕文襄則夢一斷龍； The empress dowager in all bore six sons and two daughters, each pregnancy attended by a dream: when she conceived Gao Cheng she dreamed of a severed dragon;

孝武帝時，封馮翊公主而歸於文襄。 In the time of Emperor Xiaowu of Wei she was enfeoffed Princess of Fengyi and given in marriage to Gao Cheng.

初生河間王孝琬，時文襄為世子，三日而孝靜帝幸世子第，贈錦彩及布帛萬匹。 When she first bore Prince Xiaowan of Hejian, Gao Cheng was then heir; on the third day Emperor Xiaojing visited the heir's residence and bestowed brocades, silks, and cloth in ten thousand bolts.

世子辭，求通受諸貴禮遺，於是十屋皆滿。 The heir declined and asked instead to receive the gifts and presents of the nobles; thereupon ten rooms were filled.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 10Volume 10 Biographies 2: Eleven Princes of Shenwu · 4 passages

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神武皇帝十五男：武明婁皇后生文襄皇帝、文宣皇帝、孝昭皇帝、襄城景王淯、武成皇帝、博陵文簡王濟，王氏生永安簡平王浚，穆氏生平陽靖翼王淹，大尒朱氏生彭城景思王浟、華山王凝，韓氏生上党剛肅王渙，小尒朱氏生任城王湝，游氏生高陽康穆王湜，鄭氏生馮翊王潤，馮氏生漢陽敬懷王洽。 Gao Huan, the Shenwu Emperor, had fifteen sons: Empress Wuming née Lou bore Gao Cheng, Gao Yang, Gao Yan, Prince Jing of Xiangcheng Yu, Gao Zhan, and Prince Wenjian of Boling Ji; Lady Wang bore Prince Jianping of Yong'an Jun; Lady Mu bore Prince Jingyi of Pingyang Yan; the Grand Lady Erzhu bore Prince Jingsi of Pengcheng You and Prince of Huashan Ning; Lady Han bore Prince Gangsu of Shangdang Huan; the Lesser Lady Erzhu bore Prince of Rencheng Jie; Lady You bore Prince Kangmu of Gaoyang Shi; Lady Zheng bore Prince of Fengyi Run; Lady Feng bore Prince Jinghuai of Hanyang Qia.

豪爽有氣力，善騎射，為文襄所愛。 Bold and open, possessed of strength, skilled at riding and archery — he was loved by Gao Cheng.

文宣性雌懦，每參文襄，有時涕出。 Gao Yang was by nature timid and effeminate; whenever he attended upon Gao Cheng, tears would sometimes fall.

文襄之遇賊，渙年尚幼，在西學，聞宮中嘩，驚曰：「大兄必遭難矣！」 When Gao Cheng fell to assassins, Huan was still a boy at the Western Academy; hearing uproar in the palace, he cried, "Eldest brother has met disaster!"

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 11Volume 11 Biographies 3: Six Princes of Wenxiang · 14 passages

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文襄六王 The Six Princes of Wenxiang

文襄六男：文敬元皇后生河間王孝琬，宋氏生河南王孝瑜，王氏生廣寧王孝珩，蘭陵王長恭不得母氏姓，陳氏生安德王延宗，燕氏生漁陽王紹信。 Gao Cheng had six sons: Empress Yuan of Wenjing bore Prince Xiaowan of Hejian; Lady Song bore Prince Xiaoyu of Henan; Lady Wang bore Prince Xiaoheng of Guangning; Prince Changgong of Lanling never learned his mother's surname; Lady Chen bore Prince Yanzong of Ande; Lady Yan bore Prince Shaoxin of Yuyang.

河南康獻王孝瑜，字正德，文襄長子也。 Prince Xiaoyu of Henan, posthumously Prince Kangxian, style name Zhengde, was Wenxiang's eldest son.

初，文襄於鄴東起山池遊觀，時俗眩之。 When Wenxiang first built ornamental hills and pools for recreation east of Ye, the fashion dazzled the age.

孝瑜母，魏吏部尚書宋弁孫也，本魏潁川王斌之妃，為文襄所納，生孝瑜，孝瑜還第，為太妃。 Xiaoyu's mother was a granddaughter of Song Bian, Wei's Minister of Personnel. She had originally been consort to Prince Bin of Yingchuan in Wei, but Wenxiang took her into his household and she bore Xiaoyu. When Xiaoyu took up residence in his own mansion, she became Grand Consort.

廣寧王孝珩，文襄第二子也。 Prince Xiaoheng of Guangning was Gao Cheng's second son.

孝琬以文襄世嫡，驕矜自負。 Xiaowan, as Gao Cheng's legitimate heir of the generation, was proud and self-important.

訊其諸姬，有陳氏者無寵，誣對曰「孝琬畫作陛下形哭之」，然實是文襄像，孝琬時時對之泣。 His concubines were interrogated; one surnamed Chen, who had no favor, falsely answered that "Xiaowan painted the emperor's likeness and wept before it" — but in truth it was a portrait of Gao Cheng, before which Xiaowan often wept.

孝琬曰：「神武皇帝嫡孫，文襄皇帝嫡子，魏孝靜皇帝外甥，何為不得喚作叔也？」 Xiaowan said, "Grandson of Gao Huan, son of Gao Cheng, nephew of Emperor Xiaojing of Wei — why may I not call you uncle?"

蘭陵武王長恭，一名孝瓘，文襄第四子也。 Prince Wu of Lanling, Changgong — also named Xiaoguan — was Gao Cheng's fourth son.

安德王延宗，文襄第五子也。 Prince Yanzong of Ande was the fifth son of Gao Cheng.

漁陽王紹信，文襄第六子也。 Prince Shaoxin of Yuyang was the sixth son of Gao Cheng.

論曰：文襄諸子，咸有風骨。 Appraisal: Wenxiang's sons all had force of character.

北齊書卷十一按此卷原缺，後人以北史卷五二齊宗室諸王傳下文襄諸子傳補。 Book of Northern Qi, juan 11: This juan was originally lost; later editors restored it from the account of Wenxiang's sons in Beishi, juan 52, Biographies of Princes of the Imperial Clan of Qi.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 13Volume 13 Biographies 5: Gao Chen; Gao Rui (Northern Qi); Gao Yue (Northern Qi); Gao Mai · 10 passages

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世宗謂之曰：「我為爾娶鄭述祖女，門閥甚高，汝何所嫌而精神不樂？」 Gao Cheng said to him, "I will marry you to the daughter of Zheng Shuzu — her family standing is very high; what do you find objectionable, that your spirits are not glad?"

世宗為之憫默。 Gao Cheng was moved to pity and fell silent.

興和初，世宗入總朝政，岳出為使持節、都督、冀州刺史，侍中、驃騎、開府儀同如故。 At the beginning of Xinghe the heir apparent took charge of government; Yue went out as bearer of the staff, military governor, and governor of Ji Province; palace attendant, flying-cavalry general, and opening-establishment honors remained.

及高祖崩，侯景叛，世宗徵岳還幷，共圖取景之計。 When Gao Huan died and Hou Jing rebelled, Gao Cheng summoned Yue back to Bing to plan the campaign against Jing.

會世宗親臨，數日城下，獲思政等。 Gao Cheng came in person; within days beneath the walls Sizheng and the rest were captured.

以功別封真定縣男，世宗以為己功，故賞典弗弘也。 For merit he was separately enfeoffed baron of Zhending; Gao Cheng claimed the credit, so rewards were not fully granted.

世宗崩，顯祖出撫晉陽，令岳以本官兼尚書左僕射，留鎮京師。 When Gao Cheng died Gao Yang went out to administer Jinyang and left Yue at his original post while additionally serving as left vice minister of the Masters of Writing, guarding the capital.

世宗之末，岳以四海無事，表求納之。 At the end of Gao Cheng's reign Yue, because the realm was at peace, memorialized asking to turn them in.

世宗敦至親之重，推心相任，云：「叔屬居肺腑，職在維城，所有之甲，本資國用，叔何疑而納之。」 Gao Cheng, honoring close kin, gave him his full trust and said, "Uncle is of our inner flesh; your charge is to guard the walls — the armor you hold is meant for the state; why doubt and turn it in?"

皇建中，配享世宗廟庭。 In the Huangjian era he was given paired sacrifice in Gao Cheng's temple hall.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 14Volume 14 Biographies 6: Guangping Gongcheng; Yangzhou Gong Yongle; Di Zhangbi; Prince of Xiangle, Xiang Guo; Prince of Shangluo, Si Zong; Zi Yuanhai; Di Sihao; Prince of Pingqin, Guiyan; Prince Pu of Wuxing; Changle, Governor of Lingshan; Sizi Fuhu · 1 passage

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少以騎射事文襄。 In youth he served Gao Cheng in horsemanship and archery.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 15Volume 15 Biographies 7: Dou Tai; Wei Jing; Lou Zhao; His Nephew Rui; Kudie Gan; His Son Shiwen; Han Gui; Pan Le · 5 passages

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使崔暹謂文襄曰：「語阿惠兒，富貴欲殺我耶！」 He had Cui Xian tell Gao Cheng, "Tell Ahuier — does his wealth and power mean to kill me!"

先是，景有果下馬，文襄求之，景不與，曰：「土相扶為墻，人相扶為王，一馬亦不得畜而索也。」 Before this Jing had a pony; Gao Cheng asked for it, and Jing would not give it, saying, "Earth piled together makes a wall; men supporting one another make a king — not even one horse may be kept and then demanded back."

神武對景及常山君責文襄而杖之。 Gao Huan, before Jing and Lady Changshan, rebuked Gao Cheng and had him beaten.

在任貪縱，深為文襄所責。 In office he was greedy and self-indulgent, and Gao Cheng sharply reprimanded him.

皇建初，配饗文襄廟庭。 At the beginning of Huangjian he was granted posthumous sacrifice in Wenxiang's temple hall.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 16Volume 16 Biographies 8: Duan Rong; Duan Shao · 6 passages

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即令韶從顯祖鎮鄴，召世宗赴軍。 He thereupon ordered Shao to follow Gao Yang in garrisoning Ye and summoned Gao Cheng to the army.

高祖疾甚，顧命世宗曰：「段孝先忠亮仁厚，智勇兼備，親戚之中，唯有此子，軍旅大事，宜共籌之。」 When Gao Huan's illness grew severe, he entrusted Gao Cheng, saying, "Duan Xiaoxian is loyal, upright, benevolent, and generous, combining wisdom and courage. Among kinsmen, only this man — on great military matters, you should plan together."

俄而侯景構亂，世宗還鄴，韶留守晉陽。 Before long Hou Jing provoked rebellion; Gao Cheng returned to Ye and Shao remained to hold Jinyang.

世宗還，賜女樂十數人，金十斤，繒帛稱是，封長樂郡公。 When Gao Cheng returned, he granted more than ten female musicians, ten jin of gold, and silk and brocade in corresponding measure, and enfeoffed Shao as duke of Changle Commandery.

世宗征潁川，韶留鎮晉陽。 Gao Cheng campaigned against Yingchuan; Shao remained to garrison Jinyang.

韶美其容質，上啟固請，世宗重違其意，因以賜之。 Shao admired her beauty and memorialized a firm request; Gao Cheng greatly disliked to refuse him and therefore bestowed her upon him.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 17Volume 17 Biographies 9: Hulü Jin; Hulü Guang; Hulü Xian · 6 passages

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世宗嗣事，侯景據潁川降於西魏，詔遣金帥潘樂、薛孤延等固守河陽以備。 When Gao Cheng succeeded to affairs, Hou Jing held Yingchuan and surrendered to Western Wei; an edict dispatched Hulü Jin to command Pan Le, Xue Guyuan, and others to hold Heyang in defense.

世宗遣高嶽、慕容紹宗、劉豐等率衆圍之。 Gao Cheng dispatched Gao Yue, Murong Shaozong, Liu Feng, and others to lead troops and besiege the city.

世宗為世子，引為親信都督，稍遷征虜將軍，累加衛將軍。 When Gao Cheng was heir apparent, Hulü Guang was brought in as a trusted commander; he was gradually promoted to general who represses barbarians and cumulatively advanced to general of the guard.

嘗從世宗於洹橋校獵，見一大鳥，雲表飛颺，光引弓射之，正中其頸。 Once he followed Gao Cheng in a hunt at Huan Bridge; he saw a great bird soaring above the clouds; Hulü Guang drew his bow and shot it, striking it square in the neck.

世宗取而觀之，深壯異焉。 Gao Cheng took it to look at it and was deeply struck by the marvel.

世宗擢為開府參軍事。 Gao Cheng promoted him to staff officer of Kaifu.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 18Volume 18 Biographies 10: Sun Teng; Gao Longzhi; Sima Ziru · 7 passages

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時世宗作宰，風俗肅清，隆之時有受納，世宗於尚書省大加責辱。 At that time Gao Cheng was administering affairs; customs were stern and pure, but Gao Longzhi at times accepted bribes; Gao Cheng greatly reproached and humiliated him at the masters of writing office.

初，世宗委任兼右僕射崔暹、黃門郎崔季舒等，及世宗崩，隆之啟顯祖並欲害之，不許。 At first, Gao Cheng entrusted affairs to right vice director Cui Xian, gentlemen attendant Cui Jishu, and others; when Gao Cheng died, Gao Longzhi reported to Gao Yang that they should all be killed, but permission was not granted.

時世宗入輔朝政，內稍嫌之，尋以贓賄為御史中尉崔暹所劾，禁止於尚書省。 At that time Shizong was assisting in court governance and inwardly came to dislike him; soon he was impeached for graft by censor-in-chief Cui Xian and confined at the Imperial Secretariat.

世宗時，中尉崔暹、黃門郎崔季舒俱被任用。 Under Shizong, Censor-in-Chief Cui Xian and Palace Gate Gentleman Cui Jishu were both entrusted with office.

世宗崩，暹等赴晉陽。 When Shizong died, Xian and the others went to Jinyang.

世宗猶以子如恩舊，免其諸弟死罪，徙於北邊。 Shizong still, for Ziru's old kindness, pardoned his younger brothers from the death penalty and exiled them to the northern frontier.

賴世宗入輔，責以驕縱，厚遇崔暹，奮其霜簡，不然則君子屬厭，豈易間焉。 Only when Gao Cheng took charge, rebuked their arrogance, and empowered Cui Xian to wield the censor’s brush were they checked; otherwise they would simply have gone on glutting themselves.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 23Volume 23 Biographies 15: Wei Langen; Cui Ling · 8 passages

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高祖葬後，㥄又竊言：「黃頷小兒堪當重任不？」 After Gao Huan's burial, Ling again spoke in private, "Can this yellow-bearded boy bear heavy responsibility?"

暹啟世宗，絕㥄朝謁。 Xian memorialized Emperor Wen, and Ling's court attendance was cut off.

㥄要拜道左，世宗發怒曰：「黃頷小兒，何足拜也！」 Ling wanted to bow by the roadside; Emperor Wen flared in anger and said, "Yellow-bearded boy — what is there to bow to!"

元康為言之於世宗曰：「崔㥄名望素重，不可以私處言語便以殺之。」 Yuankang spoke for him to Emperor Wen, saying, "Cui Ling's renown has long been weighty; he must not be put to death over private words."

世宗曰：「若免其性命，猶當徙之遐裔。」 Emperor Wen said, "If his life is spared, he should still be banished to the far marches."

世宗曰：「既有季圭之罪，還令輸作可乎？」 Emperor Wen said, "Since he has the crime of Jigui, might he still be sent to corvée labor?"

世宗曰：「然則奈何？」 Emperor Wen said, "Then what is to be done?"

㥄進謁奉謝，世宗猶怒曰：「我雖無堪，忝當大任，被卿名作黃頷小兒，金石可銷，此言難滅！」 Ling came forward to offer thanks; Emperor Wen was still angry and said, "Though I am unworthy, I shamefully bear great responsibility — yet you named me 'yellow-bearded boy.' Metal and stone may wear away; this saying is hard to extinguish!"

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 25Volume 25 Biographies 17: Zhang Zuan; Zhang Liang; Zhang Yao; Zhang Qi; Xu Yuan; Wang Jun; Wang Hong · 8 passages

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世宗嗣位，侯景作亂潁川，招引西魏。 When Gao Cheng succeeded, Hou Jing rebelled in Yingchuan and called in Western Wei.

會世宗入為太子少傅。 It happened that Gao Cheng entered [the capital] as junior tutor of the heir apparent.

天平中，為世宗行臺郎中，典七兵事。 During Tianping he was Gao Cheng's mobile headquarters gentleman, in charge of the seven military bureaus.

亮性質直，勤力強濟，深為高祖、世宗所信，委以腹心之任。 Liang was plain and upright by nature, diligent and forceful. Gao Huan and Gao Cheng trusted him deeply and gave him duties at the heart of power.

世宗嗣事，出為建州刺史，累遷侍中。 When Gao Cheng succeeded Qi was sent out as inspector of Jian and rose repeatedly to palace attendant.

累遷恒州大中正、世宗相府外兵參軍。 He rose in succession to chief impartial judge of Heng Province and outer-troops clerk in Gao Cheng's chancellor's office.

興和中，世宗召為庫直，除奉朝請。 During Xinghe, Gao Cheng summoned him as vault attendant and made him court gentleman attendant.

世宗暴崩，纮冒刃捍禦，以忠節賜爵平春縣男，賚帛七百段、綾錦五十疋、錢三萬並金帶駿馬，仍除晉陽令。 When Gao Cheng died suddenly, Hong braved blades to ward off attack and for loyal fidelity was granted the rank baron of Pingchun county, given seven hundred bolts of cloth, fifty bolts of damask silk, thirty thousand cash, and a gold belt and fine horse, and was made magistrate of Jinyang.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 27Volume 27 Biographies 19: Moqi Pu; Liu Feng; Poliuhan Chang; Jin Zuo; Wei Zican; · 4 passages

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皇建初，配享世宗廟庭。 Early in Huangjian he was granted joint sacrifice in Gao Cheng's temple hall.

王思政據長社，世宗命豐與清河王岳攻之。 Wang Sizheng held Changshe; Gao Cheng ordered Feng and Prince of Qinghe Yue to attack him.

常啟世宗曰：「常自鎮河陽以來，頻出關口，太谷二道，北荊已北，洛州已南，所有要害，頗所知悉。 Chang addressed Gao Cheng, saying, "Since I garrisoned Heyang I have repeatedly sallied through the passes. Of the two routes through Taiyu, north of Northern Jing and south of Luo Province, I know every strategic point.

世宗納其計，遣大司馬斛律金等築楊志、百家、呼延三鎮。 Gao Cheng adopted his plan and sent Grand Marshal Hulü Jin and others to build the three garrisons of Yangzhi, Baijia, and Huyan.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 28Volume 28 Biographies 20: Yuan Tan (Eastern Wei); Yuan Bin; Yuan Xiaoyou; Yuan Huiye; Yuan Bi; Yuan Shao (Eastern Wei) · 4 passages

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斌美儀貌，性寬和，居官重慎，頗為齊文襄愛賞。 Bin had fine looks; his nature was mild and broad; in office he was cautious and weighty — Gao Cheng greatly loved and appreciated him.

魏靜帝宴文襄於華林，孝友因醉自譽，又云：「陛下許賜臣能。」 Emperor Jing of Wei feasted Gao Cheng at Hualin; Xiaoyou, drunk, praised himself and also said, "Your Majesty promised to grant me ability."

文襄曰：「臨淮王奉旨舍罪。」 Gao Cheng said, "Prince Linhuai has received the decree and is pardoned of guilt."

文襄嘗問之曰：「此何所披覽？」 Gao Cheng once asked him, "What are you reading?"

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 29Volume 29 Biographies 21: Li Hun; Zi Zhan; Hun Dihui; Zuzi Gongxu; Li Yu; Di Jin; Zu Dixiao; Zheng Shuzu; Zi Yuande · 5 passages

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世宗使武士提以入，渾抗言曰：「將軍今日猶自禮賢耶？」 Gao Cheng had warriors seize and bring him in; Hun spoke up boldly, "Does the general still treat the worthy with courtesy today?"

世宗笑而捨之。 Gao Cheng laughed and let him go.

天平初，世宗用為丞相司馬。 At the beginning of Tianping, Gao Cheng employed him as staff officer to the chancellor.

是時世宗使暹選司徒長史，暹薦繪，旣而不果，咸謂由此書。 At the time Gao Cheng had Xian select the chief clerk of the Minister over the Masses; Xian recommended Hui, but in the end it did not come to pass — all said it was because of this letter.

世宗引為館客，歷太子舍人。 Gao Cheng retained him as retainer-guest; he served in turn as crown prince attendant.

Book of Northern Qi, Chapter 30Volume 30 Biographies 22: Cui Xian; Gao Dezheng; Cui Ang · 20 passages

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言邢卲宜任府僚，兼任機密，世宗因以徵卲，甚見親重。 He said Xing Shao was fit for a staff post with access to secret affairs; Gao Cheng thereupon summoned Shao, who was greatly favored and trusted.

世宗不悅，謂暹曰：「卿說子才之長，子才專言卿短，此癡人也。」 Gao Cheng was displeased and said to Xian, "You speak of Zicai's strengths, yet Zicai speaks only of your faults—this is a foolish man."

高慎之叛，與暹有隙，高祖欲殺之，世宗救免。 When Gao Shen rebelled, having a rift with Xian, Gao Huan wished to kill him; Gao Cheng rescued and pardoned him.

世宗欲假暹威勢，諸公在坐，令暹高視徐步，兩人掣裾而入，世宗分庭對揖。 Gao Cheng wished to lend Xian imposing bearing; with the lords seated, he had Xian walk in with head high and slow steps, two men tugging his robes to lead him in; Gao Cheng faced him across the hall and bowed with equal ceremony.