Zhao of the Tan family (譚氏婦趙)

Overview

Zhao of the Tan family was an Exemplary Woman.

Life and dates

Death

AD 1277 至元十四年
Killed together with her infant · At Yongxin ritual hall 禮殿
Dated from the passage context · History of Song 460, passage 310

Attested activity

AD 1277 至元十四年
Dated from the passage context · History of Song 460, passages 306-308

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Kin of Father-in-law of Zhao of the Tan family (譚氏婦趙舅)
father-in-law 舅
Directly stated · History of Song 460, passage 308
Parent of Infant of Zhao of the Tan family (譚氏婦趙嬰兒)
infant 嬰兒
Directly stated · History of Song 460, passage 308
Kin of Mother-in-law of Zhao of the Tan family (譚氏婦趙姑)
mother-in-law 姑
Directly stated · History of Song 460, passage 308
Spouse of Husband of Zhao of the Tan family (譚氏婦趙之夫)
wife 婦
Directly stated · History of Song 460, passage 306

Places and affiliations

Polity Southern Song 南宋 · Relation Subject of
Strongly inferred · History of Song 460, passages 306-307
At Yongxin in Jizhou 吉州永新
Directly stated · History of Song 460, passage 306

Works and attributed material

AD 1277 至元十四年
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Dated from the passage context · History of Song 460, passage 309

Events and relationships

Hid with infant and in laws in the district school; seized
AD 1277 至元十四年 · Military · Refugee · At Yongxin district school 邑校
Dated from the passage context · History of Song 460, passage 308
Refused violation under threat of death
AD 1277 至元十四年 · Personal · Victim
Dated from the passage context · History of Song 460, passage 308

Assessments and attributes

Assessment chose death with her in-laws rather than unrighteous life · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · History of Song 460, passages 309-310

Source notes

Blood stained the ritual-hall pillars and formed woman-and-infant shapes in the brick that grinding and fire could not efface.
Field miraculous-remains
Directly stated · History of Song 460, passages 311-312

References in the histories

History of Song, Chapter 460Volume 460 Biographies 219: Exemplary Women: Zhu E, Zhang Shi, Peng Lienu, Hao Jiee, Zhu Shi, Cui Shi, Zhao Shi, Ding Shi, Xiang Shi, Wang Shierfu, Xu Shi, Rong Shi, He Shi, Dong Shi, Tan Shi, Liu Shi, Zhang Shi, Shi Shi, Chen Tangqian, Jie Fuliaoshi, Liu Dangkemu, Ceng Shifu, Wang Maoqi, Tu Duanyouqi, Zhan Shinu, Liu Shengqi, Xie Biqi, Xie Fangdeqi, Wang Zhenfu, Zhao Huaiqie, Tan Shifu, Wu Zhongfuqi, Lu Zhong Zhunu, Lin Laonu, Tong Shinu, Han Shinu, Wang Shifu, Liutong Ziqi Mao Xixi · 3 passages

Open chapter

譚氏婦趙，吉州永新人。 Zhao, a wife of the Tan family, was from Yongxin in Jizhou.

天兵破城，趙氏抱嬰兒隨其舅、姑同匿邑校中，為悍卒所獲，殺其舅、姑，執趙欲汙之，不可，臨之以刃曰：“從我則生，不從則死。” Yuan troops took the city. Zhao, holding her infant, hid with her father-in-law and mother-in-law in the district school but was seized by brutal soldiers who killed her father-in-law and mother-in-law. They seized Zhao and tried to violate her; she refused. They threatened her with blades: 'Follow me and live; refuse and die.'

趙罵曰：“吾舅死於汝，吾姑又死於汝，吾與其不義而生，寧從吾舅、姑以死耳。” Zhao cursed: 'My father-in-law died by your hand, my mother-in-law by your hand—I would rather die with them than live in unrighteousness.'