Tang Annals 10
In the tenth year of the Tang reign, beginning from the year Xuanmo Zhixu and extending to the fourth month of the year Qiangyu Zuoe, a total of over five years.
In the sixth year of the Zhenguan reign (Ren Chen, 632 AD), in spring, the first month, on the first day of the month (Yi Mao), a solar eclipse occurred. On the nineteenth day (Gui You), the Liao people of Jingzhou rebelled, and General Li He led troops to suppress the rebellion and pacified it.
The civil and military officials repeatedly requested the performance of the Fengshan sacrificial rites. The Emperor said: "You all consider Fengshan a grand event for emperors, but I do not see it that way. If the empire is at peace, and every household is well-fed and well-clothed, what harm is there even without Fengshan? In the past, the First Emperor of Qin performed Fengshan, but Emperor Wen of Han did not; do later generations think Emperor Wen’s virtue was inferior to that of the First Emperor? Moreover, when sacrificing to Heaven, one sweeps the ground and offers sacrifice—why must one ascend the peak of Mount Tai, pile up a few feet of earth, and only then be considered sincere in reverence?" The assembled ministers still ceaselessly petitioned, and the Emperor was inclined to follow their advice, but only Wei Zheng considered it unacceptable. The Emperor said: "Do you not want me to perform Fengshan because my achievements are not high enough?" Wei Zheng replied: "They are high enough." "Is my virtue not deep enough?" He replied: "It is deep enough." "Is the Central Plains not peaceful enough?" He replied: "It is peaceful." "Have the four barbarian tribes not submitted?" He replied: "They have submitted." "Has the harvest not been bountiful?" He replied: "It has been bountiful." "Have auspicious omens not appeared?" He replied: "They have appeared." "Then why can Fengshan not be performed?" Wei Zheng replied: "Although Your Majesty possesses these six points, yet after succeeding the great chaos of the late Sui dynasty, the population has not yet recovered, and the granaries are still empty. When Your Majesty’s carriage proceeds eastward with thousands of chariots and tens of thousands of horsemen, the provision and labor along the route will be difficult to bear. Moreover, when Your Majesty performs Fengshan, the rulers of all states will gather, and the chieftains of distant barbarians must follow and attend. From east of the Yi and Luo rivers to the sea and Mount Tai, the population is still sparse, overgrown with thickets, and desolate everywhere—this is like leading the Rong and Di into the heart of the Central Plains, showing them our weakness. Furthermore, rewards and provisions cannot be inexhaustible and will not satisfy the desires of those who come from afar; exemptions from corvée and taxes year after year cannot compensate for the people’s toil. Esteeming empty fame while suffering real harm—how will Your Majesty benefit from this?" Just then, floods occurred in several prefectures north and south of the Yellow River, and the matter of Fengshan was thus abandoned.
The Emperor was about to travel to the Jiucheng Palace, and the Tongzhi Sanqi Changshi Yao Silian remonstrated. The Emperor said: "I suffer from a respiratory ailment, and it flares up as soon as it gets hot; I am merely going to avoid the heat." He rewarded Yao Silian with fifty bolts of silk.
The Censor Ma Zhou submitted a memorial, stating: "The Eastern Palace is within the palace city, but the Da'an Palace is west of the palace city, and its scale, when compared to the emperor’s residence, appears small and inadequate for the view of the four quarters. It should be expanded and raised to meet the expectations of the court and the realm. Furthermore, the Retired Emperor is advanced in years; Your Majesty should attend to him morning and evening and present his meals. Now the Jiucheng Palace is over three hundred li from the capital; if the Retired Emperor occasionally misses Your Majesty, how can Your Majesty return in time? Additionally, Your Majesty’s current journey is intended to avoid the heat; the Retired Emperor remains in the heat, while Your Majesty dwells alone in a cool place—this, in the rites of warmth and coolness, I privately consider improper. Since the travel plan is already fixed and cannot be halted, I hope you will quickly announce the date of return to dispel the doubts of the people. Moreover, Wang Changtong and Bai Mingda are mere musicians, while Wei Panti and Hu Si Zheng are only horse-trainers. Even if their skills are outstanding, they should merely be rewarded with gold and silk; how can they be granted rank and office out of proportion, allowing them to wear jade pendants and drag their shoes, standing shoulder to shoulder with scholar-officials and eating at the same table? I privately consider this a disgrace." The Emperor deeply adopted his advice.
Because the newly promulgated laws and statutes did not include the office of the Three Preceptors, on the second day of the second month (Bing Xu), the Emperor issued an edict specially establishing this office.
On the fifteenth day of the third month (Wu Chen), the Emperor visited the Jiucheng Palace.
On the seventeenth day (Geng Wu), Tuyuhun invaded Lanzhou, and the prefectural troops repelled them.
Princess Changle was about to marry. Because the princess was born of the Empress, the Emperor favored her especially and ordered the relevant offices to provide a dowry twice that of Princess Yongjia. Wei Zheng remonstrated, saying: "In the past, Emperor Ming of Han wished to enfeoff the lands of his imperial princes and said: 'How can my sons be compared to the sons of the former emperor?' He gave them only half of what the Prince of Chu and the Prince of Huaiyang received. Now, in giving the princess’s dowry twice that of the elder princess, is this not contrary to Emperor Ming’s intent?" The Emperor considered him correct and went into the palace to inform the Empress. The Empress sighed and said: "I have often heard Your Majesty praise and value Wei Zheng, but I did not know the reason. Now I see him using ritual principles to curb the ruler’s private desires, and I realize he is truly a minister of the state! I and Your Majesty were married as young couple and have received favor and courtesy; every time I speak, I must first observe Your Majesty’s expression and dare not easily offend your dignity. How much more so for a minister, who is distant in relationship, yet can speak so directly—Your Majesty must not fail to heed him." She then requested to send a eunuch with four hundred strings of cash and four hundred bolts of silk to reward Wei Zheng, and also told him: "I have heard you are upright; only today have I seen it, so I reward you with this. You should always maintain this heart and not change it." Once, after the Emperor had adjourned the court and returned to the palace, he angrily said: "I will surely kill this peasant." The Empress asked who it was, and the Emperor said: "Wei Zheng always insults me in court." The Empress withdrew, put on her court robes, and stood in the courtyard. The Emperor was surprised and asked her the reason. The Empress said: "I have heard that when the ruler is wise, the ministers are upright. Now that Wei Zheng is upright, it is because Your Majesty is wise—how could I not offer congratulations!" The Emperor then became pleased.
In summer, the fourth month, on the ninth day (Xin Mao), Zhang Gongjin, the Governor of Xiangzhou and Duke of Zouxiang, died. The next day, the Emperor went out to mourn. The relevant officials reported that the day was a Chen day, on which weeping was taboo. The Emperor said: "The ruler’s relationship with his minister is like that of father and son; emotions arise from the heart—why should one avoid a Chen day?" He then wept and mourned for him.
On the seventeenth day of the sixth month (Ji Hai), Li Yuanheng, the Prefect of Jinzhou and Prince of Diaofeng, died. On the twenty-ninth day (Xin Hai), Li Xiao, the Prince of Jiang, died.
In autumn, the seventh month, on the fourth day (Bing Chen), the King of Yanqi, Tuqizhi, sent an envoy to pay tribute. Initially, Yanqi’s route into the Central Plains was via the desert road, but in the late Sui it was blocked, so they detoured through Gaochang. Tuqizhi requested the reopening of the desert road for travel, and the Emperor agreed. Because of this, Gaochang resented Yanqi and sent troops to attack Yanqi, plundering heavily before withdrawing.
On the nineteenth day (Xin Wei), the Emperor hosted a banquet for officials of the third rank and above at the Danxiao Hall. The Emperor calmly said: "The peace and stability within and outside the court are all due to the efforts of you ministers. Yet Emperor Yang of Sui exerted his might over China and the four barbarians, Jieli Khan dominated the northern wilderness, and Tongyehu Khan held sway over the Western Regions—now they are all destroyed. This is something you and I have witnessed with our own eyes; do not become complacent because of strength!"
The Western Turkic Siyebu Khan led troops to attack Xueyantuo and was defeated by them. Siyebu was by nature suspicious and cruel, and he heeded slander. There was a Yili Khan who had the greatest merit, but Siyebu, because he was not of the same clan, killed him. As a result, all the tribes could not feel secure. Siyebu also feared Nidu, the son of Moheshe, and secretly plotted against him, causing Nidu to flee to Yanqi. The tribes Shebida Guan and Nushibi attacked Siyebu, who fled with a light cavalry to Kangju and soon died. The people of the state went to Yanqi to welcome Nidu and establish him as Khan, known as Chulu Khan, who sent envoys to submit to the Tang. On a certain day (Ding You, date uncertain), the Emperor sent the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, Liu Shanyin, to formally install Nidu as Xilibi Chulu Khan.
In the intercalary month, on the Yimao day (doubtful), Taizong feasted his close ministers in the Danxiao Hall. Changsun Wuji said, "Wang Gui and Wei Zheng were once enemies; I never expected that today we could drink together at the same table." Taizong said, "Wei Zheng and Wang Gui devoted themselves wholeheartedly to those they served, so I employ them. Yet whenever Wei Zheng offers remonstrance and I do not follow it, if I speak with him, he does not respond. Why is this?" Wei Zheng replied, "I consider that the matter is not feasible, so I remonstrate; if Your Majesty does not heed me and I respond, then the matter will be carried out, so I dare not respond." Taizong said, "For the moment, respond first and then remonstrate later—what harm is there?" Wei Zheng replied, "In ancient times, Shun admonished his ministers: 'Do not follow face to face only to speak behind your backs afterward.' If I know in my heart that something is wrong yet verbally agree with Your Majesty, that is following face to face—how could this be the original intent of Hou Ji and Xie in serving Shun!" Taizong laughed heartily and said, "People say Wei Zheng’s demeanor is coarse and arrogant, but I see him as all the more charming—precisely for this reason!" Wei Zheng rose, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty opens the way for me to speak, so I am able to exhaust my foolish loyalty; if Your Majesty refused and did not accept, how would I dare repeatedly offend the dragon’s countenance!"
On the Wuchen day (doubtful), the Vice Director of the Palace Library, Yu Shinan, presented the "Treatise on Sagely Virtue." Taizong bestowed a personal edict, saying, "Your treatise is too lofty. How dare I compare myself to the ancient emperors! I am merely slightly better than those of recent times. Yet you see only the beginning, not the end. If I can be cautious to the end as at the start, then this treatise can be preserved; if not, I fear it will only cause later generations to laugh at you."
On the Jiyou day (twenty-ninth day of the ninth month), Taizong visited the Qingshan Palace, which was his birthplace and old residence. There he feasted with honored ministers and composed poetry. The Scribe of the Palace, Lü Cai of Qingping, set the poems to music and wind instruments, naming it the "Music of Success and Qingshan." He had sixty-four boys perform the "Dance of the Nine Accomplishments." At the grand banquet, it was performed together with the "Dance of the Broken Formation" in the courtyard. The Prefect of Tongzhou, Yuchi Jingde, attended the banquet. There was an official whose rank was above his. Yuchi Jingde grew angry and said, "What merit do you have to sit above me?" The Prince of Rencheng, Li Daozong, was ranked below him and tried to dissuade him. Yuchi Jingde struck Li Daozong with his fist, nearly blinding him. Taizong, displeased, ended the banquet and said to Yuchi Jingde, "I saw that Han Gaozu killed his meritorious ministers, and I often blamed him in my heart. Therefore, I wished to preserve wealth and honor together with you all, so that your descendants might continue unbroken. Yet you, holding office, repeatedly violate the law. Only now do I realize that Han Xin and Peng Yue were minced into meat sauce not because of Han Gaozu’s guilt. The state’s principles consist only of rewards and punishments. Unmerited favors cannot be obtained repeatedly. You should strive to restrain yourself and not leave behind regrets!" From then on, Yuchi Jingde became fearful and restrained himself.
On the Xinmao day (doubtful), the Prefect of Qinzhou, Cui Shanwei, died at the age of sixty-two.
In winter, on the tenth month, the Yimao day (sixth day), Taizong’s carriage returned to the capital. Taizong feasted the Retired Emperor in the Da’an Palace. Taizong and the Empress took turns presenting food, drink, and clothing items until late at night. Taizong personally carried the Retired Emperor’s sedan chair to the palace gate, but the Retired Emperor did not permit it and ordered the Crown Prince to take his place.
The Turkic Jiali Khan was dejected and dissatisfied. He often wept with his family, looking haggard and weary. Taizong saw this and pitied him. Because the Guozhou region had many deer and elk, suitable for hunting, he appointed Jiali as the Prefect of Guozhou. Jiali declined, unwilling to go. On the Guiwei day (doubtful), he was again appointed as General of the Right Guard.
On the eleventh month, the Xinsi day (second day), the Chibi chieftain Heli led over six thousand households of his tribe to surrender at Shazhou. An edict was issued to settle them between Ganzhou and Liangzhou, and Heli was appointed as General of the Left Guard.
On the Gengyin day (eleventh day), the Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, Chen Shuda, was appointed as Minister of Rites. Taizong said to Chen Shuda, "During the Wude reign, you spoke upright words, so I repay you with this office." Chen Shuda replied, "I saw that the Sui dynasty’s father and son harmed each other, leading to chaos and ruin. My words at that time were not for Your Majesty’s sake but for the great plan of the state."
On the twelfth month, the Guichou day (fourth day), Taizong discussed the root of safety and danger with his attendant ministers. The Director of the Chancellery, Wen Yanbo, said, "I hope Your Majesty will always be as you were in the early years of the Zhenguan reign—that would be excellent." Taizong said, "Have I recently become negligent in governance?" Wei Zheng said, "In the early years of Zhenguan, Your Majesty was determined to be frugal and tirelessly sought remonstrance. Recently, construction and repairs have slightly increased, and those who remonstrate have often offended Your Majesty’s intent—this is where you differ from the beginning." Taizong clapped his hands and laughed heartily, saying, "This is indeed true!"
On the Xinwei day (twenty-second day), Taizong personally reviewed the prisoners. Seeing those condemned to death, he pitied them and released them to return home, with an agreement that they would come back the following autumn to face execution. He then ordered that all death-row prisoners in the empire be released and allowed to return, with instructions to arrive at the capital by the appointed time.
In this year, the Dangxiang and other Qiang tribes, one after another, submitted with a total of 300,000 people.
Officials from the Duke and below repeatedly requested the Fengshan sacrifices. Taizong instructed them, saying, "I have long suffered from a respiratory illness. I fear that ascending a high mountain might worsen it. Do not bring this up again."
Taizong said to his attendant ministers, "Recently, when I decide matters, I sometimes do not fully conform to the laws. You think the matters are minor and do not insist on memorializing. No matter is not small at first but grows large—this is the beginning of danger and ruin. In the past, Guan Longfeng died for his loyal remonstrance, and I always grieve over it. Emperor Yang of Sui perished through arrogance and cruelty—you have all seen this with your own eyes. You should always think for me of Emperor Yang’s downfall, and I always think for you of Guan Longfeng’s death. Why should we worry that the ruler and ministers cannot preserve each other!"
Taizong said to Wei Zheng, "In selecting talents for office, one must not be careless. If one gentleman is employed, then gentlemen will all come; if one petty person is employed, then petty people will vie to advance." Wei Zheng replied, "Indeed. When the empire is not yet settled, one focuses solely on ability without examining conduct; after chaos and destruction are pacified, then only those with both ability and virtue are fit for appointment."
The Emperor, Taizong, the Great Sage, the Great Civilizer, the Great Filial Emperor, the Upper and Lower of the Zhenguan reign, the seventh year (Gui Si year, 633 AD).
In spring, the first month, the "Dance of the Broken Formation" was renamed the "Dance of the Seven Virtues." On the Guisi day, Taizong feasted officials of the third rank and above, along with provincial governors and barbarian chieftains, at the Xuanwu Gate, performing the "Dance of the Seven Virtues" and the "Dance of the Nine Accomplishments." The Grand Master of Ceremonies, Xiao Yu, memorialized: "The 'Dance of the Seven Virtues' represents Your Majesty’s sagely virtue and military achievements, but there are still details that are not fully covered. I request that the capture of Liu Wuzhou, Xue Renguo, Dou Jiande, Wang Shichong, and others also be included." Taizong said, "These people were all heroes of their time. Many of the court’s ministers once served as their subjects. If they see their former masters in a humiliated state, can they not be grieved?" Xiao Yu apologized, saying, "This is something my foolish mind could not conceive." Wei Zheng hoped that Taizong would cease military affairs and cultivate culture. Whenever he attended a banquet, upon seeing the "Dance of the Seven Virtues," he would lower his head and not watch; upon seeing the "Dance of the Nine Accomplishments," he would observe it attentively.
On the third month, the Wuzi day, the Attendant-in-Chief, Wang Gui, was convicted of leaking palace conversations and demoted to Prefect of Tongzhou. On the Gengyin day, the Director of the Palace Library, Wei Zheng, was appointed as Attendant-in-Chief.
The Chief Astronomer, Li Chunfeng of Yong, memorialized that the armillary sphere at the observatory was crude and simple, only having the equator, and requested permission to build a new armillary sphere with the ecliptic. Taizong approved. On the Guisi day, it was completed and presented.
In summer, the fifth month, the Guiwei day, Taizong went to the Jiucheng Palace.
The Commander of the Yazhou Circuit, Zhang Shigui, attacked the rebellious Lao people and defeated them.
In autumn, the eighth month, the Yichou day, the General of the Left Guard, the Reverent Duke of Qiao, Zhou Fan, died. When Taizong went out, he often had Zhou Fan and Fang Xuanling remain behind. Zhou Fan was loyal, honest, serious, and upright. When he became seriously ill, he refused to leave the palace and ultimately died in the inner secretariat. He embraced Fang Xuanling and bade him farewell, saying, "I regret that I cannot see Your Majesty’s countenance again!"
On the Xinwei day, Zhang Shigui was appointed as Commander of the Gongzhou Circuit to attack the rebellious Lao people.
On the ninth month, over forty prefectures in Shandong and Henan suffered from floods. Envoys were sent to provide relief.
The three hundred and ninety death-row prisoners released the previous year, without any supervision, all arrived at the court on time of their own accord, with none fleeing or hiding. Taizong pardoned them all.
In winter, the tenth month, the Gengshen day, Taizong returned to the capital.
In the eleventh month, on the renchen day, the Emperor appointed Grand Preceptor of the Palace with Equal Honors to the Three Ducal Ministers, Zhangsun Wuji, as Minister of Works. Zhangsun Wuji firmly declined, saying, "I am ashamed to occupy the position of an imperial relative by marriage, and I fear that people in the world will say that Your Majesty is partial." Emperor Taizong did not agree, saying, "I select men for office based solely on their abilities. If a man is without talent, even a relative is not employed—as in the case of Prince Xiangyi, Li Shenfu; if a man has talent, even an enemy is not overlooked—as in the case of Wei Zheng and others. Today's appointment is not an act of favoritism toward a relative."
In the twelfth month, on the jiayin day, Emperor Taizong went to the Hibiscus Garden; on the bingchen day, he hunted at Shaolingyuan. On the wuwu day, he returned to the palace and held a banquet with the Grand Emperor at the old Han dynasty Weiyang Palace. The Grand Emperor ordered the Tujue Qaghan, Jieli, to dance, and also ordered the Southern Barbarian chieftain, Feng Zhidai, to recite a poem. Then he laughed and said, "The barbarians of the Hu and Yue have become one family—this has never happened since ancient times!" Emperor Taizong raised his wine cup to offer a toast, saying, "Now the four quarters' barbarians and Di peoples all submit to Your Majesty's rule; this is the result of Your Majesty's instruction, not something my own intelligence could achieve. In former times, Emperor Gaozu of Han also once held a banquet with the Grand Emperor in this palace, but he was arrogant and self-important—I do not follow his example." The Grand Emperor was greatly pleased. Everyone in the hall shouted, "Long live the Emperor!"
Emperor Taizong said to the Left Steward of the Heir Apparent, Yu Zhining, and the Right Steward, Du Zhenglun, "When I was eighteen years old, I was still among the common people, and I knew all the true conditions of the people's hardships. But after I ascended to a high position and managed state affairs, I still made mistakes and errors. How much more so for the Heir Apparent, who grows up in the deep palace and has never seen or heard the hardships of the common people? Can he avoid being arrogant and self-indulgent? You must exert yourselves to remonstrate with him to the utmost." The Heir Apparent delighted in games and play, and greatly violated the rules of propriety. Yu Zhining and the Right Steward, Kong Yingda, repeatedly gave frank remonstrances. When Emperor Taizong heard of this, he commended them and bestowed on each one catty of gold and five hundred bolts of silk.
The Minister of Works, Duan Lun, memorialized requesting the summoning of the skilled artisan Yang Siqi. Emperor Taizong ordered him to be tested. Duan Lun had him first make puppet-show props. Emperor Taizong said, "Obtaining a skilled artisan is for the purpose of supplying state affairs. You had him first make playthings—does this accord with the intention of the hundred artisans cautioning each other not to make strange and ingenious objects?" Thereupon, he reduced Duan Lun's official rank.
The Lao people of Jiazhou and Lingzhou revolted. The Emperor ordered the Commander of the Hanjiang Prefecture Army, Niu Jinda, to defeat them.
Emperor Taizong asked Wei Zheng, "When the various officials submit memorials, there are those with points worth adopting. But when I summon them for an audience and reply, many of them are incoherent in their speech. Why is this?" Wei Zheng replied, "I observe that when the various departments memorialize on affairs, they often ponder for several days. But by the time they come before Your Majesty, they cannot express even one part out of three. Moreover, those who remonstrate must go against Your Majesty's intention and touch upon taboos. If Your Majesty does not give them the benefit of your words and expression, how would they dare to express their opinions fully?" From then on, when Emperor Taizong received the various officials, his words and expression became even more gentle. He once said, "Emperor Yang of Sui was very suspicious and jealous. When he held court, he rarely spoke to the various officials. I am not like this. I am intimate with the various officials, as if we were one body."
The Following Part of the Emperor Taizong's Reign, the Eighth Year of the Zhenguan Era (Jiawu, Corresponding to 634 AD)
The Ninth Year of the Zhenguan Era (Yiwei, Corresponding to 635 AD)
In the spring, the first month, on the guiwei day, the Tujue Qaghan, Jieli, died. Emperor Taizong ordered the Tujue to follow their custom and cremate the corpse before burial.
On the xinchou day, the Acting Commander-in-Chief, Zhang Shigui, campaigned against the revolting Lao people of the Eastern and Western Wang Caves and pacified the rebellion.
Emperor Taizong wished to dispatch high ministers to serve as the Imperial Commissioners for Promoting or Demoting Officials in the various circuits, but he could not find suitable candidates. Li Jing recommended Wei Zheng. Emperor Taizong said, "Wei Zheng corrects my errors in remonstrance; he cannot be separated from my side for a single day." Thereupon, he ordered Li Jing, together with the Grand Master of Ceremonies, Xiao Yu, and thirteen others, to separately tour the realm, "to investigate whether the local officials are worthy or not, to inquire about the people's hardships, to treat the aged with courtesy, to relieve the poor and destitute, to promote those of hidden talent, so that wherever the envoys go, it will be as if I had seen it with my own eyes."
In the third month, on the gengchen day, Emperor Taizong arrived at the Jiucheng Palace.
In the summer, the fourth month, on the xinsi day, which was the first day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred.
Initially, the Tuyuhun Qaghan, Fuyun, had sent an envoy to the court to present tribute. Before the envoy had returned, Fuyun plundered extensively in Shanzhou and then departed. Emperor Taizong sent an envoy to reprimand him and summoned Fuyun to court. Fuyun pretended to be ill and did not come, but he requested a marriage for his son, the Zun Wang. Emperor Taizong agreed and ordered the Zun Wang to come in person to receive the bride; the Zun Wang again did not come, and so the marriage alliance was broken off. Fuyun then sent troops to invade Lan and Guo provinces. Fuyun was old and listened to the schemes of his minister, the Tianzhu Wang, repeatedly invading the borders. He also detained the Tang envoy, Zhao Dekai. Emperor Taizong sent envoys to instruct him, making ten trips back and forth. He also summoned his envoys and personally, in front of the palace, explained the principles of fortune and misfortune to them, but Fuyun showed no sign of repentance. In the sixth month, the Emperor appointed the General of the Left Brave Guard, Duan Zhixuan, as Commander-in-Chief of the West Sea Circuit, and the General of the Left Swift Guard, Fan Xing, as Commander-in-Chief of the Red Waters Circuit, to lead the border troops and the tribes of the Qibi and Dangxiang to attack Tuyuhun.
In the autumn, the seventh month, there was a severe flood in the regions of Shandong, Henan, the Huai River, and the coast.
Emperor Taizong repeatedly invited the Grand Emperor to the Jiucheng Palace to escape the summer heat. The Grand Emperor disliked the place because Emperor Wen of Sui had died there. In the winter, the tenth month, the Daming Palace was constructed as a summer residence for the Grand Emperor to cool off. Before it was completed, the Grand Emperor became bedridden with illness and ultimately never went there.
On the xinchou day, Duan Zhixuan attacked Tuyuhun and defeated them, pursuing them for over eight hundred li until they were about thirty li from Qinghai. The Tuyuhun drove away their grazing horses and fled.
On the jiazi day, Emperor Taizong returned to the capital.
The Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, Li Jing, requested retirement due to illness. Emperor Taizong agreed. On the xinwei day of the eleventh month, Li Jing was appointed as a Special Advanced Official, retaining his former title. His salary, rewards, officials, and attendants were all provided as before. When his illness had somewhat improved, he was to go to the Chancellery and the Secretariat every two or three days to participate in discussions of state affairs.
On the jiashen day, the Tufan Zanpu, Qizong Longzan, sent an envoy to the court to present tribute and also to request a marriage alliance. Tufan was to the southwest of Tuyuhun. In recent times, it had gradually grown strong, annexing other states, and its territory was vast, with several hundred thousand elite troops, but it had never had intercourse with the Central Plains. Their king was called the Zanpu. Their custom was not to use surnames; the royal clan were all called Lun, and the official families were all called Shang. Qizong Longzan was brave and resourceful, and his four neighbors all feared him. Emperor Taizong sent the envoy, Feng Dexia, to go and offer comfort and consolation.
On the dinghai day, Tuyuhun invaded Liangzhou. On the jichou day, an edict was issued for a large-scale campaign against Tuyuhun. Emperor Taizong wished to use Li Jing as the general, but because he was old, he feared giving him too much trouble. When Li Jing heard of this, he requested to lead the expedition. Emperor Taizong was very pleased. On the xinchou day of the twelfth month, Li Jing was appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the West Sea Circuit to command and dispatch the various armies. The Minister of War, Hou Junji, became Commander-in-Chief of the Jishi Circuit; the Minister of Punishments, Prince Rencheng, Li Daozong, became Commander-in-Chief of the Shanshan Circuit; the Governor of Liangzhou, Li Daliang, became Commander-in-Chief of the Qiemo Circuit; the Governor of Minzhou, Li Daoyan, became Commander-in-Chief of the Red Waters Circuit; and the Governor of Lizhou, Gao Zengsheng, became Commander-in-Chief of the Yenze Circuit. Together with the tribes of the Tujue and Qibi, they attacked Tuyuhun.
Emperor Taizong was to marry the daughter of Zheng Renji, a former Gentleman for Ceremonial Receptions of the Sui dynasty, as a Chonhua. The edict had already been issued, and the envoy for the conferment of the title was about to set out. Wei Zheng heard that she had previously been betrothed to a scholar, Lu Shuang, and hastily submitted a memorial to remonstrate. When Emperor Taizong heard this, he was very surprised. He personally wrote an edict profoundly reproaching himself and ordered the envoy for the conferment of the title to stop. Fang Xuanling and others memorialized, saying, "The betrothal to Lu Shi has no clear evidence. The great ceremony of conferment has already been initiated; it cannot be stopped midway." Lu Shuang also submitted a memorial stating that there had originally been no discussion of a marriage agreement. Emperor Taizong said to Wei Zheng, "The various officials perhaps are trying to please me. Lu Shuang himself also came to state his case—why is this?" Wei Zheng replied, "He thought that although Your Majesty outwardly abandoned this matter, you might secretly impose punishment or blame. Therefore, he had no choice but to do this." Emperor Taizong laughed and said, "The thoughts of outsiders might be so. Is my word not yet enough to make people deeply trust it?"
The magistrate of Zhongmou County, Huangfu Decan, submitted a memorial saying: “The construction of the Luoyang Palace exhausts the people and wastes resources; the levy of land taxes increases burdens; the folk custom of favoring high chignons is likely influenced by the atmosphere in the palace.” The Grand Emperor was greatly angered and said to Fang Xuanling and others: “Does Decan want the state to employ not a single person, collect not a single dou of grain, and have all palace maids without hair, before his mind is satisfied?” He intended to punish him for the crime of slander. Wei Zheng remonstrated, saying: “When Jia Yi presented a memorial to Emperor Wen of Han, he said, ‘There is one matter that can cause weeping, and two matters that can cause tears.’ Since ancient times, if a memorial is not vehement and cutting, it cannot move the ruler’s heart. As the saying goes, the words of a madman are selected by the sage. I hope Your Majesty will judge and examine clearly.” The Grand Emperor said: “If I punish this man, then who would dare to speak further?” So he rewarded him with twenty bolts of silk. Later, Wei Zheng submitted a memorial saying: “Your Majesty recently does not like straightforward words. Although you tolerate them reluctantly, it is not as magnanimous as before.” The Grand Emperor then rewarded him even more generously and appointed him as a Censor-in-Chief.
The Secretariat Drafter Gao Jifu submitted a memorial saying: “Among local officials, those of low rank have not yet received salaries. With hunger and cold pressing on their persons, it is difficult for them to maintain integrity. Now that the granaries are gradually filling, they should be given generous support as appropriate, and then they can be required not to be corrupt, with strict regulations and prohibitions. Furthermore, Prince Mi Li Yuanxiao and others are all Your Majesty’s younger brothers. Recently, I have seen the Emperor’s sons pay respects to their various uncles, and the uncles all return the bows, disrupting the order of generations. They should be taught with ritual propriety.” When the memorial was submitted, the Grand Emperor considered his words correct.
The Western Turkic Duolu Qaghan died, and his younger brother Tong’e was established, who became the Shabolüe Xilishi Qaghan.
In spring, the first month, the Dangxiang tribes that had previously submitted to Tang all rebelled and returned to Tuyuhun. On the Gengchen day of the third month, the Qiang people in Taozhou rebelled, fled to Tuyuhun, and killed the Prefect Kong Changxiu. On the Renzi day, a general amnesty was granted. On the Yiyou day, the Salt Marsh Circuit Marching General Gao Zengsheng attacked the rebellious Qiang and defeated them. On the Gengyin day, an edict was issued: The division of household property into three grades is not detailed enough; it should be divided into nine grades.
The Grand Emperor said to Wei Zheng: “The Later Lord of Qi and the Heavenly Yuan of Zhou both levied heavy taxes on the people to support themselves, and in the end, the people’s strength was exhausted, and their states perished. It is like a greedy man eating his own flesh; when the flesh is gone, he dies. How foolish! Yet between these two rulers, who is superior and who is inferior?” Wei Zheng replied: “The Later Lord of Qi was weak, with decrees issuing from multiple departments; the Heavenly Yuan of Zhou was arrogant and tyrannical, monopolizing rewards and punishments. Although both perished, the Later Lord of Qi was the worse.”
In summer, the intercalary fourth month, on the Guiyou day, the Prince of Rencheng, Li Daozong, defeated Tuyuhun at Ku Mountain. The Tuyuhun Khan Fuyun burned all the grass, then led his light troops and fled into the desert. The various generals thought: “The warhorses have no grass to eat; they are exhausted and weak and cannot pursue deeply.” Hou Junji said: “That is not correct. Previously, when Duan Zhixuan’s army returned, they had just reached Shanzhou when the enemy was already at the city walls. That was because the enemy’s strength was still intact, and their followers all exerted themselves for them. Now, after suffering one defeat, they flee like rats and scatter like birds. Even their scouts are cut off; ruler and minister are estranged, father and son separated. To capture them is easier than picking up weeds. If we do not press the pursuit now, we will regret it later.” Li Jing followed his advice. He divided the army into two routes: Li Jing, together with Xue Wanjun and Li Daliang, advanced by the northern route; Hou Junji, together with the Prince of Rencheng, Li Daozong, advanced by the southern route.
On the Wuzi day, Li Jing’s general Xue Gu’er defeated Tuyuhun at Mantou Mountain, beheading their famous chieftain, and capturing large numbers of livestock, which were used to supplement military rations. On the Guisi day, Li Jing and his forces defeated Tuyuhun at Niu Xin Dui, and again at Chishui Yuan. Hou Junji and the Prince of Rencheng, Li Daozong, marched through uninhabited territory for over two thousand li. In the height of summer, there was frost. Passing through the Poluo Valley, where there was no water, the soldiers gnawed on ice, and the warhorses ate snow. In the fifth month, they caught up with Fuyun at Wuhai, engaged him in battle, heavily defeated the Tuyuhun army, and captured their famous chieftain. Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanqie again defeated Tianzhu Wang at Sihai.
The Retired Emperor had suffered from a stroke since the previous autumn. On the Gengzi day, he passed away in the Chuigong Hall. On the Jiachen day, the court officials requested that the Grand Emperor handle military and state affairs according to the late emperor’s testamentary edict, but the Grand Emperor did not agree. On the Yisi day, an edict was issued appointing the Crown Prince Li Chengqian to adjudicate daily affairs in the Eastern Palace.
In the Battle of Chishui, Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanqie led light cavalry forward and were surrounded by the Tuyuhun army. Both brothers were wounded by spears, lost their horses, and fought on foot. Of the cavalry following them, six or seven out of ten were killed. The Left Leading Army General Qibi Heli led several hundred cavalry to rescue them, attacking with great force, and was invincible, thereby enabling Xue Wanjun and Xue Wanqie to escape. Li Daliang defeated Tuyuhun at Shu Hun Mountain, capturing twenty of their famous chieftains. General Zhishi Sili defeated Tuyuhun at Juru River. Li Jing, supervising the various armies, passed through the source of the Yellow River at Jishi Mountain, reached Qiemo, and advanced to the western border of Tuyuhun. Hearing that Fuyun was at Tulum River and about to flee to Yutian, Qibi Heli wanted to pursue and attack him. Xue Wanjun, apprehensive due to their previous defeat, firmly said it should not be done. Qibi Heli said: “The enemy has no walled cities; they move following water and grass. If we do not attack and capture them while they are gathered, once they scatter like clouds, how can we then destroy their lair?” So he personally selected over a thousand elite cavalry and charged straight to Tulum River. Only then did Xue Wanjun lead his troops to follow. In the desert, there was no water; the officers and men stabbed their horses to drink their blood. They attacked and broke Fuyun’s camp, beheading several thousand, capturing over two hundred thousand head of livestock. Fuyun escaped by himself, and his wife and children were taken captive. Hou Junji and his forces advanced past Xingxiu River, reached Baihai, and then returned to join Li Jing’s army.
The Grand Ning Wang Murong Shun was the nephew of the Sui dynasty and the legitimate son of Fuyun. He had served as a hostage in Sui and had long been unable to return home. Fuyun had established another son as the Crown Prince. When Murong Shun finally returned, he was constantly despondent. It happened that Li Jing broke his state; the people in the state were in dire straits and resented Tianzhu Wang. Murong Shun, following the people’s will, killed Tianzhu Wang and led the entire state in requesting surrender. Fuyun led over a thousand cavalry and fled into the desert. After more than ten days, his followers gradually scattered until they were gone, and he was killed by those around him. The people of the state established Murong Shun as the Khan. On the Renzi day, Li Jing reported the pacification of Tuyuhun. On the Yimao day, an edict was issued restoring the state of Tuyuhun, and Murong Shun was enfeoffed as the Prince of Xiping Commandery and the Qie Gu Lü Wu Gan Dou Khan. The Grand Emperor, concerned that Murong Shun might not be able to command the obedience of his subjects, still ordered Li Daliang to lead several thousand elite troops as his support.
In the sixth month, on the Jichou day, the court officials again requested that the Grand Emperor attend court to handle affairs. The Grand Emperor agreed, but entrusted daily matters still to the Crown Prince, who was very capable in hearing and deciding government affairs. Thereafter, whenever the Grand Emperor went out on tours, he often had the Crown Prince remain behind to oversee the state.
In autumn, the seventh month, on the Gengzi day, the Salt Marsh Circuit Deputy Marching General Liu Demin attacked the rebellious Qiang and defeated them.
On the day ding-si, an edict was issued: "The mausoleum's regulations shall follow the precedent of Han Changling, and must be made grand and richly buried." However, the deadline was urgent, and the work could not be completed. The Imperial Secretary Yu Shinan submitted a memorial, stating: "The sages lightly buried their own parents, not because they were unfilial, but because they thought deeply and planned far ahead, believing that lavish burials would actually bring harm to their parents, and therefore did not act thus. In the past, Zhang Shizhi said: 'If the tomb contains things people desire, even sealing up Mount South would still leave a gap.' Liu Xiang said: 'The dead have no end, while states rise and fall; Zhang Shizhi's words are for the sake of infinite generations to come.' These words are profound and pertinent, truly in accord with the highest principles. Your Majesty's sage virtue surpasses that of Yao and Shun, yet you treat your own parents with the lavish burial practices of Qin and Han. Your servant privately believes that Your Majesty should not act thus. Even if no gold or jade is stored in the tomb, later generations, seeing the mound so high, how can they know there is no gold or jade within? Moreover, since the removal of mourning garments has already followed the precedent of Han Baling, yet the mound's regulations alone follow those of Han Gaozu's Changling, I fear this is inappropriate. I hope you will follow the Bai Hu Tong regulations and build a tomb three ren high, with all vessels and systems frugally reduced, and erect a stone tablet beside the tomb, with another copy stored in the ancestral temple, as a permanent rule for descendants to observe." The memorial was submitted but received no reply. Yu Shinan submitted another memorial, stating: "In the Han dynasty, emperors began building their tombs upon ascending the throne, and the longest took over fifty years. Now, using a few months to complete work requiring decades of effort, I fear human strength cannot achieve it." Taizong then referred Yu Shinan's memorial to the relevant departments for detailed study. Fang Xuanling and others deliberated and said: "Han Changling was nine zhang high, and Yuanling was six zhang high. Now, nine zhang is too high, and three ren is too low. We request to follow the regulations of Yuanling." Taizong agreed.
On the day xin-hai, an edict was issued: "At the founding of the state, things were hastily established, and the ancestral temple's regulations were not yet complete. Now, as we are about to move the spirit tablets into place, the ritual officials should be ordered to deliberate in detail." The Remonstrance Official Zhu Zishe requested the establishment of three zhao and three mu positions, leaving the position of the Grand Progenitor vacant. Therefore, the Great Temple was expanded, and the spirit tablets of Hongnong Fujun and Gaozu were combined with the original four spirit tablets, making six chambers in total. Fang Xuanling and others deliberated, taking Liang Wuzhao Wang as the founding ancestor. The Left Son of the Household Yu Zhining considered that Wuzhao Wang was not the ancestor from whom the royal enterprise arose and could not serve as the founding ancestor; Taizong followed his opinion.
The Dangxiang invaded Diezhou.
When Li Jing attacked Tuyuhun, he bribed the Dangxiang generously to serve as guides. The Dangxiang chieftain Tuoba Chici came and said to the generals: "The Sui people were untrustworthy and liked to plunder us. Now, if the various armies have no treacherous intentions, I am willing to supply them with provisions and fodder. If not, I will occupy the strategic terrain to block the armies' paths." The generals formed an alliance with him and sent him off. The Red Water Circuit General Li Daoyan marched to the Kuo River and, seeing that Tuoba Chici was unprepared, attacked him, capturing several thousand cattle and sheep. Then the various Qiang tribes became resentful and angry, encamping at Yexia Gorge, and Li Daoyan could not advance. Tuoba Chici attacked him, and Li Daoyan suffered a great defeat, with tens of thousands dead or wounded, retreating to defend Songzhou. The Left Valiant Guard General Fan Xing delayed the campaign, and many soldiers fled or were lost. On the day yi-mao, Li Daoyan and Fan Xing were both convicted and sentenced to reduced death penalties and exile to the border.
Taizong sent envoys to Dadoubagu to console the generals. Xue Wanjun slandered Qibi Heli, taking credit for his achievements. Qibi Heli could not contain his anger, drew his sword, and rose to kill Xue Wanjun, but the generals rescued and stopped him. When Taizong heard of this, he reproached Qibi Heli, who explained the matter in detail. Taizong was furious and wanted to dismiss Xue Wanjun from his post and give it to Qibi Heli, but Qibi Heli firmly declined, saying: "If Your Majesty dismisses Xue Wanjun because of me, the Hu people, being ignorant, will think that Your Majesty values the Hu and despises the Han. They will slander each other in turn, and disputes over achievements will surely increase. Moreover, if the Hu believe that all generals are like Xue Wanjun, they will develop contempt for the Han." Taizong considered this correct and stopped the dismissal. Soon after, he had Qibi Heli serve guard duty at the North Gate, inspect camp affairs, and married him to the imperial clan daughter, the Lin Tao County Mistress.
The Minzhou Governor and Salt Marsh Circuit General Gao Zhensheng delayed the campaign, and Li Jing investigated him. Gao Zhensheng resented Li Jing and falsely accused him of plotting rebellion, but upon investigation, no evidence was found. In the eighth month, on the day geng-chen, Gao Zhensheng was convicted and sentenced to reduced death penalty and exile to the border. Someone said: "Gao Zhensheng was a meritorious official of the Qin Prince's mansion; his crime should be pardoned." Taizong said: "Gao Zhensheng defied Li Jing's orders and then falsely accused him of rebellion. If this can be pardoned, how can the law be enforced? Moreover, since the state rose from Jinyang, there have been many meritorious officials. If Gao Zhensheng can be exempted from punishment, then everyone will commit crimes, and how can they be stopped? I have never forgotten my former meritorious officials, but precisely because of this, I dare not pardon him." Li Jing thereafter closed his doors to visitors, and even relatives could not see him casually.
Taizong wanted to personally visit the mausoleum, but the officials, fearing that his grief had made him too thin and weak, strongly advised against it, and so he stopped.
Winter, tenth month, on the day yi-hai, the Chuyue tribe sent envoys to court for the first time to pay tribute. Chuyue and Chumi were both branches of the Western Turks.
On the day geng-yin, the Grand Military Emperor was buried at Xianling, with the temple name Gaozu. The Empress Mu was buried with him, posthumously titled Grand Mu Empress.
Eleventh month, on the day geng-xu, an edict was issued to discuss the establishment of a temple for Gaozu in Taiyuan. The Imperial Secretary Yan Shigu believed: "The resting temple should be in the capital. Establishing temples in commanderies and states during the Han dynasty was not in accordance with ritual." So it was stopped.
On the day wu-wu, the Grand Master of Splendid Happiness Xiao Yu was appointed as Special Advanced, and again allowed to participate in government affairs. Taizong said: "After the sixth year of Wude, Gaozu had the intention to depose the heir apparent but did not decide. I was not tolerated by my brothers, and indeed I feared that my merits were too great to be rewarded. This man cannot be tempted by profit, nor intimidated by death. He is truly a pillar of the state!" Then he presented Xiao Yu with a poem: "The strong wind reveals the sturdy grass; in turbulent times, the loyal minister is known." He also said to Xiao Yu: "Your loyalty and uprightness surpass even the ancients. However, your clear distinction between good and evil sometimes leads to faults." Xiao Yu bowed twice in thanks. Wei Zheng said: "Xiao Yu stands alone against the crowd, and only Your Majesty knows his loyalty and integrity. In the past, if he had not met a sage ruler, it would have been difficult to avoid disaster."
The Special Advanced Li Jing submitted a memorial, requesting that, in accordance with the testamentary edict, he wear ordinary clothing and attend court in the main hall. Taizong did not agree.
The Gandou Khan of Tuyuhun had long been a hostage in the Central Plains, and his people did not submit to him. He was eventually killed by his own men. His son, Prince Yan Nuoyoubo, succeeded him. Nuoyoubo was young, and the ministers vied for power, causing great chaos in the state. In the twelfth month, an edict was issued ordering the Minister of War Hou Junji and others to lead troops to assist. They first sent envoys to mediate; any who did not obey the edict would be dealt with according to circumstances.
The Emperor Taizong, the Civil and Military Great Sage and Great Broad Filial Emperor, the Upper Below, in the tenth year of Zhenguan (Bing-Shen, AD 636)
In the spring, the first month, on the jiawu day, the Grand Emperor began personally to handle court affairs. On the xinchou day, he appointed the Turkic Toshe Ashina She’er as General-in-Chief of the Left Valiant Guard. She’er was the son of the Chuluo Khan. At the age of eleven, he was already renowned for his wisdom and strategic planning. The Khan appointed him Toshe, and he set up his headquarters north of the desert, jointly commanding the Tiele tribes with Yugu She. During his ten years in office, he never levied taxes. Other Shes despised him for not seeking wealth and honor, but She’er said, “If the tribes are prosperous, that is enough for me.” Those Shes felt ashamed and admired him. When the Xueyantuo rebelled, they broke through Yugu She’s forces, and She’er’s army was also defeated. He led the remnants of his followers westward to hold a border region. After the death of the Jieli Khan, the Western Turks also fell into chaos, with the Dulu Khan and his brothers contending for the throne. She’er pretended to surrender, then led his army to attack and break the Western Turks, seizing nearly half their territory. He held over one hundred thousand followers and proclaimed himself the Dabu Khan. She’er then said to the tribes, “The one who first rebelled and broke our state was the Xueyantuo. I must avenge the former Khan and destroy them.” All the tribes remonstrated, saying, “We have newly acquired the western lands; we should stay and pacify them. If you hastily abandon them for a distant campaign, the Western Turks will surely come and seize our former territory.” She’er did not listen and attacked the Xueyantuo north of the desert, fighting continuously for over one hundred days. It happened that the Shilishi Khan ascended the throne. She’er’s followers, weary from prolonged warfare, mostly abandoned She’er and fled back. The Xueyantuo sent troops to attack them, and She’er was greatly defeated. He fled to Gaochang to hold out, with only over ten thousand families of his original soldiers remaining. Fearing further pressure from the Western Turks, he led his followers to surrender. The Grand Emperor ordered his tribe settled north of Lingzhou, kept She’er in Chang’an, married him to the Grand Emperor’s younger sister, the Princess Nanyang, and placed him in charge of garrison troops within the imperial park.
On the guichou day, the titles of the various princes were changed: Prince Zhao Li Yuanjing became Prince Jing; Prince Lu Li Yuanchang became Prince Han; Prince Zheng Li Yuanli became Prince Xu; Prince Xu Li Yuanjia became Prince Han; Prince Jing Li Yuanze became Prince Peng; Prince Teng Li Yuanyi became Prince Zheng; Prince Wu Li Yuangui became Prince Huo; Prince Bin Li Yuanfeng became Prince Guo; Prince Chen Li Yuanqing became Prince Dao; Prince Wei Li Lingkui became Prince Yan; Prince Shu Li Ke became Prince Wu; Prince Yue Li Tai became Prince Wei; Prince Yan Li You became Prince Qi; Prince Liang Li Yin became Prince Shu; Prince Tan Li Yun became Prince Jiang; Prince Han Li Zhen became Prince Yue; and Prince Shen Li Shen became Prince Ji.
In the second month, on the yichou day, Li Yuanjing was appointed Governor of Jingzhou, Li Yuanchang Governor of Liangzhou, Li Yuanli Governor of Xuzhou, Li Yuanjia Governor of Luzhou, Li Yuanze Governor of Suizhou, Li Lingkui Governor of Youzhou, Li Ke Governor of Tanzhou, Li Tai Governor of Xiangzhou, Li You Governor of Qizhou, Li Yin Governor of Yizhou, Li Yun Governor of Anzhou, and Li Zhen Governor of Yangzhou. Li Tai did not proceed to his post; the Grand Master of the Palace with Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon, Zhang Liang, acted as governor on his behalf. Because Li Tai was fond of literature and treated scholar-officials with courtesy, the Grand Emperor specially ordered a Literary Academy to be established within his princely establishment, allowing him to recruit scholars on his own.
In the third month, on the dingyou day, the Tuyuhun king, Nuhebo, sent an envoy requesting the adoption of the calendar, the use of the Tang reign title, and to send his younger brother and son to attend court as hostages. The Grand Emperor granted all requests. On the dingwei day, Nuhebo was enfeoffed as the Prince of Heyuan Commandery and the Wudiyebaqindou Khan.
On the guichou day, the various princes departed for their fiefs. The Grand Emperor bade them farewell, saying, “Is it not the bond of brotherhood that one would wish to be always together? But because of the heavy responsibility of the empire, it cannot be otherwise. Sons can still be had again, but brothers cannot be gotten again.” Then he wept and sobbed, unable to stop.
In the summer, the sixth month, on the renshen day, Wen Yanbo was appointed Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and the Grand Master of the Palace with Seals, Yang Shidao, was appointed Shizhong (Head of the Chancellery).
The Shizhong, Wei Zheng, repeatedly requested a sinecure position due to eye disease. The Grand Emperor, having no alternative, appointed Wei Zheng as Tejin (Specially Advanced), but still had him supervise the affairs of the Chancellery. All matters of court statutes and systems, and participation in discussions of gains and losses, as well as cases involving exile or penal servitude, were to be carefully reviewed and then reported. His salary, rewards, clerks, and attendants were all the same as those of an official in active service. Empress Zhangsun was benevolent, filial, frugal, and simple by nature. She was fond of reading and often discussed ancient affairs leisurely with the Grand Emperor, taking the opportunity to offer remonstrances and suggestions, which greatly benefited court governance. Sometimes when the Grand Emperor, without cause, grew angry and punished a palace maid, the Empress would also pretend to be angry and request to interrogate the matter herself. She would then order the maid to be imprisoned, and when the Grand Emperor’s anger had subsided, slowly plead her case. Consequently, within the harem, there were no wrongful or excessive punishments. Princess Yuzhang lost her mother early, and the Empress adopted her, showing her even more kindness than to her own children. Whenever any of the consorts or lower-ranking concubines fell ill, the Empress would personally visit and comfort them, stopping her own medications and meals to assist them. There was no one in the harem who did not love her. The Empress educated the various princes, always placing humility and frugality first. The wet nurse of the Heir Apparent, Lady Sui’an, once said to the Empress that the Eastern Palace lacked utensils and requested that more be petitioned for. The Empress refused, saying, “As the Heir Apparent, his concern should be that his virtue is not established and his reputation is not renowned. Why worry about lacking utensils?”
The Grand Emperor fell ill and did not recover for many years. The Empress attended him day and night without leaving his side. She often tied poison to her sash, saying, “If the Emperor should encounter any misfortune, I swear I will not live on alone!” The Empress had always suffered from asthma. The previous year, when she accompanied the Grand Emperor to Jiucheng Palace, Chai Shao and others reported a disturbance in the night. The Grand Emperor donned his armor and went out of the palace gate to inquire. The Empress, though ill, followed him. Her attendants tried to stop her, but the Empress said, “The Emperor has been startled; how can I be at ease?” Consequently, her illness worsened. The Heir Apparent said to the Empress, “All medications have been exhausted, yet the illness does not heal. Please petition for a general amnesty and for people to be ordained as monks and nuns, so that we might obtain spiritual blessings.” The Empress said, “Life and death are determined by fate, not by human effort. If doing good brings blessings, then I have never done evil. If it is not so, what use is there in vain seeking? Amnesty is a great matter of state and should not be frequently implemented. Daoism and Buddhism are heterodox teachings. They harm the state and injure the people; these are things the Emperor has never done. How can I, a mere woman, cause the Emperor to do what he does not do? If you must do as you say, I would rather die quickly!” The Heir Apparent did not dare to report this, but told Fang Xuanling in private. Fang Xuanling reported it to the Grand Emperor. The Grand Emperor was greatly grieved for her and wanted to grant an amnesty on her behalf, but the Empress firmly stopped him.
When her illness became critical, she took her final leave of the Grand Emperor. At that time, Fang Xuanling had been sent home due to a reprimand. The Empress said to the Grand Emperor, “Fang Xuanling has served Your Majesty for a long time, cautiously and meticulously. His secret plans and schemes have never been leaked. If he has no great fault, I hope you will not abandon him. My own clan, having obtained rank and salary through marriage, and not being promoted through virtue, is prone to fall into danger. To preserve their children and grandchildren, I beg you never to give them positions of power. Simply let them attend court as maternal relatives, and that will be sufficient. I have been of no benefit to others in life; I should not harm others in death. I hope you will not trouble the empire by building a tomb. Just bury me on a hill, using earthenware and wooden objects as burial goods. I still hope Your Majesty will draw near to gentlemen and keep petty men at a distance, accept loyal remonstrance and reject slander and flattery, reduce corvée labor and stop hunting. Even if I die in the Nine Springs, I will truly have no regrets! Do not have the children come; seeing them grieve will only disturb the heart.” Then she took out the poison on her sash and showed it to the Grand Emperor, saying, “During Your Majesty’s illness, I swore to follow you in death. I could not fall to the level of Empress Lü.” On the jimao day, the Empress passed away in the Lizheng Hall.
The Empress had once collected the deeds of success and failure of women from ancient times and compiled them into the Nüze (Model for Women) in thirty juan. She had also written an essay refuting Empress Ma of the Han Ming Emperor for not restraining and humbling her maternal relatives, but allowing them to become powerful at court, only admonishing them about their carriages and horses like flowing water and dragons—this was to open the root of calamity and defeat while only guarding against the branches. After the Empress died, the palace presented the Nüze to the throne. The Grand Emperor, upon reading it, was overcome with grief. He showed it to his close ministers, saying, “This book of the Empress is sufficient to serve as a model for a hundred generations! It is not that I do not know the mandate of heaven and am indulging in profitless grief. But when I enter the harem, I no longer hear words of remonstrance and admonition. I have lost a virtuous assistant, and so I cannot forget her!” Then he summoned Fang Xuanling and ordered him to resume his post.
In autumn, the eighth month, on the bingzi day, the Taizong Emperor said to his ministers, “I have broadly opened the way for direct remonstrance in order to benefit the state. But recently, those who submit sealed memorials have mostly exposed minor faults of others. From now on, if anyone does this again, I will punish them for the crime of slander.”
In winter, the eleventh month, on the gengwu day, Empress Wende was buried in Zhao Mausoleum. Generals Duan Zhixuan and Yuwen Shiji each commanded troops exiting the Suzheng Gate. The Taizong Emperor sent a palace attendant at night to the two encampments. Yuwen Shiji opened the camp gate and let the attendant enter; Duan Zhixuan closed the gate and would not allow entry, saying, “The military gate cannot be opened at night.” The envoy said, “There is an imperial writ here.” Duan Zhixuan said, “At night, one cannot distinguish the genuine from the false.” He actually detained the envoy until dawn. When the Taizong Emperor heard of this, he sighed and said, “Truly a general!”
The Taizong Emperor also composed an inscription to be carved on a stone tablet, saying: “The Empress was frugal, and in her final words she advocated a simple burial, holding that ‘the minds of thieves and robbers seek only precious goods and jewels; since there are no precious goods or jewels, what could they seek?’ My own intention was also like this. Emperors and kings regard all under heaven as their home; why must they place things in the tomb to consider them their own? Now, following the Jiuzong Mountain as the tomb, only a hundred or so stone carvers were used, and they finished in several tens of days. No gold or jade is stored; figures of men and horses, vessels and implements are all made of earth and wood, merely taking on a form. Perhaps this will cause the wicked and robbers to cease their intentions, and leave no burden in life or death. It should serve as a model for all generations of descendants.”
The Taizong Emperor missed the Empress without cease. He built a multi-story observation tower in the imperial garden to look far off at Zhao Mausoleum. Once, he brought Wei Zheng with him to ascend it, and had him look. Wei Zheng looked carefully and said, “Your servant’s eyes are dim with age; I cannot see.” The Taizong Emperor pointed it out to him. Wei Zheng said, “Your servant thought Your Majesty was looking at Xian Mausoleum. If it is Zhao Mausoleum, then I have already seen it.” The Taizong Emperor wept, and because of this, he dismantled the observation tower.
In the twelfth month, on the wuyin day, Zhujubo and Gantang sent envoys to present tribute. Zhujubo was north of the Congling Mountains, three thousand eight hundred li from Guazhou. Gantang was south of the great sea. The Taizong Emperor said, “The Central Plains are already settled, and the four barbarian tribes naturally submit. But I cannot but feel fear. In former times, the First Emperor of Qin overawed the Xiongnu and the Yue, yet his dynasty perished after two generations. I hope that all the great ministers will correct my inadequacies.”
Prince Wei, Li Tai, was favored by the Taizong Emperor. Someone said that officials of the third rank and above mostly slighted Prince Wei. The Taizong Emperor was angered, summoned officials of the third rank and above, and with a changed expression rebuked them, saying: “In the time of Emperor Wen of Sui, officials below the first rank were all bullied by the various princes. Were they not the sons of the Son of Heaven? I simply do not permit my sons to be unrestrained. I hear that those of the third rank and above all slight them. If I let them be unrestrained, could they not humiliate you?” Fang Xuanling and the others were all terrified, sweating, and bowed in apology. Only Wei Zheng, with a stern countenance, said: “Your servant privately thinks that among the current ministers, none dare to slight Prince Wei. In ritual law, the minister and the son are the same. The Spring and Autumn Annals says: Although the envoy of the Son of Heaven is of low status, in the order of precedence he is placed above the feudal lords. Those of the third rank and above are all high ministers and great officials, whom Your Majesty honors and treats with courtesy. If the guiding principles are greatly ruined, there is no need to speak of it. But now, with a sage ruler above, Prince Wei certainly has no reason to humiliate the ministers. Emperor Wen of Sui pampered his sons, causing them to commit many discourtesies, and they all ended in ruin. How is that worth imitating?” The Taizong Emperor said happily: “When the reasoning is fully sound, one cannot but be convinced. I let private affection forget public duty. My anger just now I thought was not wrong, but after hearing Wei Zheng’s words, I realized my error. How can a ruler’s words be incautious!”
The Taizong Emperor said: “Laws and decrees must not be changed frequently. Frequent changes make them cumbersome, and officials cannot fully remember them. Moreover, they become contradictory, and clerks can exploit them for fraud. From now on, any changes to laws and decrees should be carried out with thorough deliberation and caution.”
The Censor of the Governing Documents, Quan Wanji, presented a memorial saying: “The silver mines of Xuanzhou and Raozhou, if extensively mined, could yield several million strings of cash annually.” The Taizong Emperor said: “I am honored as the Son of Heaven; what I lack is not wealth, but only regret that there are no good words to benefit the people. How much better is it to gain one worthy talent than to obtain several million strings of cash? You have never recommended one worthy talent or dismissed one unworthy person, but instead exclusively discuss the profit from taxing silver mines. In former times, Yao and Shun threw jade into the mountains and cast pearls into the valleys. Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling of the Han dynasty accumulated wealth as private treasure. Do you want me to become like Emperors Huan and Ling?” That very day, he demoted Quan Wanji and sent him home.
That year, the title tongjun was changed to zhechong duwei, and biejiang to guoyi duwei. The whole realm was divided into ten circuits, and 634 military garrisons were established, of which 261 were in Guannei Circuit, all subordinate to the various guards and the six commands of the Eastern Palace. The upper garrisons had 1,200 men, the middle garrisons 1,000, and the lower garrisons 800. Three hundred men formed a regiment, with a xiaowei in charge; fifty men formed a platoon, with a duizheng in charge; ten men formed a squad, with a huozhang in charge. Each man had a fixed quota of weapons, armor, and provisions, all prepared by himself and stored in the depot, to be issued when there was a campaign. Men were conscripted at age twenty and exempted at age sixty. Those who could ride and shoot were made yueqi (mounted archers); the rest were infantry. Each year, in the twelfth month, the zhechong duwei led their troops in training for battle. For those who should be issued horses, the government provided money to purchase them. For those who served as palace guards, they rotated in shifts. The Ministry of War determined the rotation schedule based on distance; those from far away had longer intervals, those from nearby had shorter intervals, all rotating for one month.
The Taizong Emperor, the Civil and Martial, Great and Sage, Broadly Filial Sovereign, Part Two, below, Zhen’guan Eleventh Year (Dingyou, 637 CE)
Spring, the first month, Prince Kuai, Li Yuanyu, was enfeoffed as Prince of Deng, and Prince Qiao, Li Yuanming, as Prince of Shu. On the xinmao day, Prince Wu, Li Ke, was appointed Governor of Anzhou; Prince Jin, Li Zhi, Governor of Bingzhou; and Prince Ji, Li Shen, Governor of Qinzhou. As they were about to depart for their posts, the Taizong Emperor gave them a letter of admonition, saying: “I wanted to give you precious playthings, but I feared they would increase your pride and extravagance. It is better to give you these words.”
The Taizong Emperor built Feishan Palace. On the gengzi day, Special Advanced Wei Zheng presented a memorial, saying: “Emperor Yang of Sui relied on his wealth and strength, did not consider future troubles, and indulged in the utmost extravagance, impoverishing the people, until he was killed himself, and the state was reduced to ruins. Your Majesty has restored order after chaos; you should contemplate why Sui lost all under heaven and why we gained it. Dismantle the tall palaces and dwell in humble chambers. If you build upon the existing foundations and enlarge them, following the old system and adorning it, this is to replace calamity with calamity, and disaster will surely come. All under heaven is hard to gain and easy to lose—how can you not think deeply!”
Fang Xuanling and others had previously received an imperial edict to compile legal statutes and ordinances. They considered: “The old law stipulated that brothers who divided households were not affected by each other’s patronage privileges, but in cases of rebellion implicating relatives, all were sentenced to death. Grandfathers and grandsons had patronage privileges, yet they were only sentenced to exile. Weighing this against ritual principles, it seems deeply inappropriate. Now, in compiling the statutes and ordinances, grandfathers, grandsons, and brothers implicated in crimes should all be sentenced to hard labor.” The Taizong Emperor followed their advice. From then on, compared with the ancient death penalty, more than half was reduced. All under heaven praised and relied on this change. Fang Xuanling and others compiled five hundred statutes, established twenty grades of punishments, and compared with the Sui statutes, reduced the death penalty by ninety-two articles, reduced exile to penal servitude in seventy-one articles; those eliminating the cumbersome, removing the harmful, and changing severe punishments to light ones were too numerous to count. They also compiled over 1,590 ordinances. Under the old system of the Wude era, the shidian ceremony was held at the Imperial Academy, with the Duke of Zhou as the foremost sage and Confucius as the accompanying sacrifice. Fang Xuanling and others proposed to stop sacrificing to the Duke of Zhou, to make Confucius the foremost sage, and Yan Hui the accompanying sacrifice. They also deleted the imperial decrees, regulations, and forms issued since the Wude era, retaining seven hundred articles, and at this time they were promulgated and implemented. They also established standard sizes for the cangue, handcuffs, fetters, locks, staffs, and light bamboo rods.
Ever since Zhang Yun’gu was executed, judges took acquittals as a caution; at that time, cases where someone was wrongly convicted were not punished either. Taizong once asked Liu Dewei, the Grand Judge of the Court of Judicial Review, “Recently, penal statutes have become slightly more severe—why is this?” Liu Dewei replied, “This rests with the sovereign, not with the ministers. If the sovereign favors leniency, leniency prevails; if he favors harshness, harshness prevails. The law stipulates: wrongly convicting someone reduces punishment by three degrees, while wrongly acquitting someone reduces punishment by five degrees. Nowadays, wrongly convicting incurs no fault, but wrongly acquitting instead brings great guilt. Thus, officials, each seeking to protect themselves, compete in applying harsh legal provisions. It is not that someone instructs them to do so, but rather that they fear offending. If Your Majesty would decide cases entirely according to the law, this trend would immediately change.” Taizong was pleased and followed his advice. From then on, judgments were fair and appropriate.
Because the Han dynasty had built tombs in advance to spare their descendants haste and expense, and also resolved to practice frugality in burials, fearing that descendants might indulge private desires and waste extravagantly, Taizong, on the ding-si day of the second month, personally composed his final testament: to build a tomb by carving into the mountain, just large enough to hold a coffin.
On the jia-zi day, Taizong went to the Luoyang Palace.
When Taizong arrived at the Xianren Palace, officials were reprimanded because stored supplies were insufficient. Wei Zheng remonstrated, saying, “Your Majesty reproaches officials for insufficient supplies—I fear that below, they will follow this trend and imitate each other, and in the future, the people will be unable to survive. This is probably not the original intent of an imperial tour. Formerly, Emperor Yang of the Sui dynasty hinted to commanderies and counties to present food, and based rewards and punishments on the abundance or scarcity of the food, so everyone in the realm rebelled against him. Your Majesty saw this with your own eyes—why imitate him?” Taizong, startled, said, “If not for you, I would not have heard such words.” Then he said to Zhangsun Wuji and others, “When I passed through here before, I bought food to eat and rented lodging to stay in. Now that supplies are so complete, how could I still complain of insufficiency!”
On the bing-xu day of the third month, which was the first day of the month, a solar eclipse occurred. On the geng-zi day, Taizong held a banquet in the Western Garden of the Luoyang Palace, boating on Jicui Pond. Turning to his attendants, he said, “Emperor Yang of Sui built this palace garden, incurring resentment among the people. Now it all belongs to me—precisely because men like Yuwen Shu, Yu Shiji, and Pei Yun flattered and fawned within the court and blinded the sovereign’s sight and hearing from outside. How can we not take this as a warning!”
Fang Xuanling and Wei Zheng presented the New Rituals they had compiled, in 138 chapters; on the bing-wu day, an edict was issued to promulgate them. Wang Gui, the Minister of Rites, was appointed as teacher to Prince Wei, Li Tai. Taizong said to Li Tai, “In serving Wang Gui, you should treat him as you treat me.” Whenever Li Tai saw Wang Gui, he always performed the bowing ceremony first, and Wang Gui also assumed the role of teacher. Wang Gui’s son Wang Jingzhi married Princess Nanping. Before this, when princesses married down, they did not observe the rites of a daughter-in-law toward their parents-in-law. Wang Gui said, “Now the sovereign is enlightened and acts in accordance with ritual. I accept the princess’s obeisance not for my own glory, but to complete a virtuous deed for the state.” So he and his wife took their seats, and had the princess hold a bamboo vessel and perform the rites of presenting water and washing hands for meals. From this point on, princesses began to practice the rites of a daughter-in-law, starting with Wang Gui.
The ministers again requested that the Fengshan sacrifices be performed. Taizong sent Yan Shigu, the Director of the Palace Library, and others to deliberate on the Feng ritual, and had Fang Xuanling make the final decision.
In summer, on the ji-mao day of the fourth month, Wei Zheng submitted a memorial, arguing: “Many sovereigns have a good beginning, but few can end well. Is it because taking the realm is easy while holding it is difficult? Probably because when worries are deep, they treat subordinates with utmost sincerity; when at ease, they become arrogant and disdainful toward everything. Treating subordinates with sincerity makes even Hu and Yue peoples work together in spirit; disdain makes even close relatives drift apart. Even if one intimidates them with majesty and anger, they only comply outwardly but remain unconvinced inwardly. If a sovereign, truly, when seeing something desirable, thinks of contentment; when about to undertake construction, thinks of stopping; when in a high position, thinks of humility; when facing fullness, thinks of reduction; when encountering ease and pleasure, thinks of restraint; when feasting and enjoying, thinks of future troubles; to prevent being blinded, thinks of opening up avenues of remonstrance; detesting slander and evil, thinks of rectifying himself; when granting ranks and rewards, thinks of not exceeding due to favor; when imposing penalties, thinks of not overdoing due to anger—if he embraces these ten reflections and simultaneously selects the worthy and employs the capable, he can naturally govern through non-action. Why must he labor his spirit and tire his body to replace the work of the hundred officials?”