世民 Shìmín
Biography
太宗文武大聖大廣孝皇帝諱世民，高祖次子也。母曰太穆皇后竇氏。生而不驚。方四歲，有書生謁高祖曰：「公在相法，貴人也，然必有貴子。」及見太宗，曰：「龍鳳之姿，天日之表，其年幾冠，必能濟世安民。」書生已辭去，高祖懼其語泄，使人追殺之，而不知其所往，因以為神。乃採其語，名之曰世民。
大業中，突厥圍煬帝鴈門，煬帝從圍中以木繫詔書，投汾水而下，募兵赴援。太宗時年十六，往應募，隸將軍雲定興，謂定興曰：「虜敢圍吾天子者，以為無援故也。今宜先後吾軍為數十里，使其晝見旌旗，夜聞鉦鼓，以為大至，則可不擊而走之。不然，知我虛實，則勝敗未可知也。」定興從之。軍至崞縣，突厥候騎見其軍來不絕，果馳告始畢可汗曰：「救兵大至矣！」遂引去。高祖擊歷山飛，陷其圍中，太宗馳輕騎取之而出，遂奮擊，大破之。
太宗為人聰明英武，有大志，而能屈節下士。時天下已亂，盜賊起，知隋必亡，乃推財養士，結納豪傑。長孫順德、劉弘基等，皆因事亡命，匿之。又與晉陽令劉文靜尤善，文靜坐李密事繫獄，太宗夜就獄中見之，與圖大事。時百姓避賊多入城，城中幾萬人，文靜為令久，知其豪傑，因共部署。計已定，乃因裴寂告高祖。高祖初不許，已而許之。
高祖已起兵，建大將軍府。太宗率兵徇西河，斬其郡丞高德儒。拜右領軍大都督，封燉煌郡公。唐兵西，將至霍邑，會天久雨，糧且盡，高祖謀欲還兵太原。太宗諫曰：「義師為天下起也，宜直入咸陽，號令天下。今還守一城，是為賊爾。」高祖不納。太宗哭于軍門，高祖驚，召問之，對曰：「還則眾散於前，而敵乘於後，死亡須臾，所以悲爾。」高祖寤，曰：「起事者汝也，成敗惟汝。」時左軍已先返，即與隴西公建成分追之。夜半，太宗失道入山谷，棄其馬，步而及其兵，與俱還。高祖乃將而前，遲明至霍邑。宋老生不出，太宗從數騎傅其城，舉鞭指麾，若將圍之者。老生怒，出，背城陣。高祖率建成居其東，太宗及柴紹居其南。老生兵薄東陣，建成墜馬，老生乘之，高祖軍却。太宗自南原馳下坂，分兵斷其軍為二，而出其陣後，老生兵敗走，遂斬之。進次涇陽，擊胡賊劉鷂子，破之。唐兵攻長安，太宗屯金城坊，攻其西北，遂克之。義寧元年，為光祿大夫、唐國內史，徙封秦國公，食邑萬戶。薛舉攻扶風，太宗擊敗之，斬首萬餘級，遂略地至隴右。二年，為右元帥，徙封趙國公，率兵十萬攻東都，不克而還，設三伏于三王陵，敗隋將段達兵萬人。
Taizong (posthumous title: Wenwu Dasheng Daguang Xiao Huangdi) was named Shimin; he was the second son of Gaozu. His mother was Empress Taimu, of the Dou clan. At birth he was not startled. When he was just four years old, a scholar called on Gaozu and said, "By the art of physiognomy, sir, you are a man of high destiny, and you will surely have a son of high destiny." When he saw Taizong, he said, "He has the bearing of a dragon and a phoenix and the countenance of the sun in heaven. When he is nearly twenty, he will surely be able to save the age and give peace to the people." The scholar took his leave and went away. Gaozu, afraid that his words would get out, sent men after him to kill him, but no one knew where he had gone, and so he was taken to have been a spirit. Gaozu then took his words and named the boy Shimin [literally "save the age, give peace to the people"]. Edit
During the Daye era, the Tujue besieged Emperor Yang at Yanmen. From within the siege Emperor Yang tied an edict to a piece of wood and threw it into the Fen River to float downstream, calling for troops to come to the rescue. Taizong, then sixteen, answered the call and was attached to the general Yun Dingxing. He said to Dingxing, "The caitiffs dare to besiege our Son of Heaven because they think no help is coming. We should now string our army out over several dozen li, so that by day they see our banners and by night hear our gongs and drums, and believe a great force has arrived; then we can drive them off without a fight. Otherwise, once they know how strong or weak we really are, victory or defeat cannot be foreseen." Dingxing followed his advice. When the army reached Guo County, the Tujue scouts saw its troops coming on without end, and, just as he had said, galloped off to tell Shibi Qaghan, "A great relief army has come!" They then withdrew. When Gaozu attacked Lishan Fei, he was caught in his encirclement; Taizong galloped in with light horsemen, brought him out, and then attacked fiercely and routed the enemy. Edit
Taizong was intelligent, heroic and martial by nature, with great ambitions, yet he could humble himself before men of talent. By then the realm was already in chaos and bandits had risen everywhere; knowing that the Sui must fall, he spent his wealth to support men of talent and made friends with bold and able men. Zhangsun Shunde, Liu Hongji and others had all become fugitives over one affair or another, and he hid them. He was also especially close to Liu Wenjing, magistrate of Jinyang. When Wenjing was imprisoned over the affair of Li Mi, Taizong went to see him in the prison at night and planned great undertakings with him. At that time many of the common people had fled into the city to escape the bandits, and there were nearly ten thousand people in it; Wenjing, who had long been magistrate, knew which of them were bold and able men, and so they made their dispositions together. When the plan was settled, they told Gaozu of it through Pei Ji. At first Gaozu would not agree, but later he agreed. Edit
After Gaozu raised his army, he set up the Office of the Grand General. Taizong led troops to take Xihe and beheaded its commandery aide, Gao Deru. He was appointed Grand Area Commander of the Right Army Guard and enfeoffed as Duke of Dunhuang Commandery. As the Tang army went west and was about to reach Huoyi, it rained for a long time and grain was running out, and Gaozu planned to take the army back to Taiyuan. Taizong remonstrated, "The righteous army has risen for the sake of the realm. We should go straight into Xianyang and issue our commands to the realm. To go back now and hold one city is to be mere bandits." Gaozu did not accept this. Taizong wept at the gate of the camp. Gaozu, startled, summoned him and asked why. He replied, "If we go back, the host will scatter before us while the enemy falls on us from behind, and death will come in a moment. That is why I grieve." Gaozu came to his senses and said, "It was you who started this; success or failure rests with you alone." By then the Left Army had already set off back, so Taizong and the Duke of Longxi, Jiancheng, went after it separately. In the middle of the night Taizong lost his way and went into a mountain valley; he abandoned his horse, caught up with the troops on foot, and came back with them. Gaozu then led the army forward and reached Huoyi at dawn. Song Laosheng would not come out. Taizong went up close to the city wall with a few horsemen, raising his whip and pointing as if about to surround it. Laosheng, angered, came out and drew up his ranks with their backs to the wall. Gaozu, with Jiancheng, took up a position to the east, and Taizong and Chai Shao to the south. Laosheng's troops pressed the eastern line; Jiancheng fell from his horse, Laosheng took advantage of it, and Gaozu's army fell back. Taizong galloped down the slope from the southern plateau, split his troops to cut the enemy army in two, and came out behind its lines. Laosheng's troops broke and fled, and Laosheng was beheaded. Advancing, they camped at Jingyang, attacked the Hu bandit Liu Yaozi, and defeated him. When the Tang army attacked Chang'an, Taizong camped at the Jincheng Ward and attacked the northwest of the city, and it was taken. In the first year of Yining he was made Grandee of Splendid Happiness and Palace Secretary of the State of Tang, his fief changed to Duke of the State of Qin, with ten thousand households in fief. When Xue Ju attacked Fufeng, Taizong defeated him, taking more than ten thousand heads, and then seized territory as far as Longyou. In the second year he was made Marshal of the Right and his fief changed to Duke of the State of Zhao. He led a hundred thousand troops against the Eastern Capital but failed to take it and turned back; laying three ambushes at the Tombs of the Three Kings, he defeated ten thousand troops under the Sui general Duan Da. Edit
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武德元年，為尚書令、右翊衞大將軍，進封秦王。薛舉寇涇州，太宗為西討元帥，進位雍州牧。七月，太宗有疾，諸將為舉所敗。八月，太宗疾閒，復屯于高墌城，相持六十餘日。已而舉死，其子仁杲率其眾求戰，太宗按軍不動。久之，仁杲糧盡，眾稍離叛，太宗曰：「可矣！」乃遣行軍總管梁實柵淺水原。仁杲將宗羅睺擊實，太宗遣將軍龐玉救實，玉軍幾敗，太宗率兵出其後，羅睺敗走，太宗追之，至其城下，仁杲乃出降。師還，高祖遣李密馳傳勞之于豳州。密見太宗，不敢仰視，退而歎曰：「真英主也！」獻捷太廟，拜右武候大將軍、太尉、使持節、陝東道大行臺尚書令，詔蒲、陝、河北諸總管兵皆受其節度。
二年正月，鎮長春宮，進拜左武候大將軍、涼州總管。是時，劉武周據幷州，宋金剛陷澮州，王行本據蒲州，而夏縣人呂崇茂殺縣令以應武周。高祖懼，詔諸將棄河東以守關中。太宗以為不可棄，願得兵三萬可以破賊。高祖於是悉發關中兵益之。十一月，出龍門關，屯于柏壁。
三年四月，擊敗宋金剛于柏壁。金剛走介州，太宗追之，一日夜馳二百里，宿于雀鼠谷之西原。軍士皆饑，太宗不食者二日，行至浩州乃得食，而金剛將尉遲敬德、尋相等皆來降。劉武周懼，奔于突厥，其將楊伏念舉幷州降。高祖遣蕭瑀即軍中拜太宗益州道行臺尚書令。七月，討王世充，敗之于北邙。
四年二月，竇建德率兵十萬以援世充，太宗敗建德于虎牢，執之，世充乃降。六月，凱旋，太宗被金甲，陳鐵騎一萬、介士三萬，前後鼓吹，獻俘于太廟。高祖以謂太宗功高，古官號不足以稱，乃加號天策上將，領司徒、陝東道大行臺尚書令，位在王公上，增邑戶至三萬，賜衮冕、金輅、雙璧、黃金六千斤，前後鼓吹九部之樂，班劍四十人。
五年正月，討劉黑闥於洺州，敗之。黑闥既降，已而復反。高祖怒，命太子建成取山東男子十五以上悉阬之，驅其小弱婦女以實關中。太宗切諫，以為不可，遂已。加拜左右十二衞大將軍。
七年，突厥寇邊，太宗與遇于豳州，從百騎與其可汗語，乃盟而去。
八年，進位中書令。初，高祖起太原，非其本意，而事出太宗。及取天下，破宋金剛、王世充、竇建德等，太宗功益高，而高祖屢許以為太子。太子建成懼廢，與齊王元吉謀害太宗，未發。
九年六月，太宗以兵入玄武門，殺太子建成及齊王元吉。高祖大驚，乃以太宗為皇太子。
八月甲子，即皇帝位于東宮顯德殿。遣裴寂告于南郊。大赦，武德流人還之。賜文武官勳、爵。免關內及蒲、芮、虞、泰、陝、鼎六州二歲租，給復天下一年。民八十以上賜粟帛，百歲加版授。廢潼關以東瀕河諸關。癸酉，放宮女三千餘人。丙子，立妃長孫氏為皇后。癸未，突厥寇便橋。乙酉，及突厥頡利盟于便橋。
九月壬子，禁私家妖神淫祀、占卜非龜易五兆者。
十月丙辰朔，日有食之。癸亥，立中山郡王承乾為皇太子。庚辰，蕭瑀、陳叔達罷。
十一月庚寅，降宗室郡王非有功者爵為縣公。
十二月癸酉，慮囚。
是歲，進封子長沙郡王恪為漢王，宜陽郡王祐楚王。
貞觀元年正月乙酉，改元。辛丑，燕郡王李藝反于涇州，伏誅。
二月丁巳，詔民男二十、女十五以上無夫家者，州縣以禮聘娶；貧不能自行者，鄉里富人及親戚資送之；鰥夫六十、寡婦五十、婦人有子若守節者勿彊。
三月癸巳，皇后親蠶。丙午，詔：「齊僕射崔季舒、黃門侍郎郭遵、尚書右丞封孝琰以極言蒙難，季舒子剛、遵子雲、孝琰子君遵並及淫刑，宜免內侍，褒敍以官。」
閏月癸丑朔，日有食之。
四月癸巳，涼州都督、長樂郡王幼良有罪，伏誅。
五月癸丑，敕中書令、侍中朝堂受訟辭，有陳事者悉上封。
六月辛丑，封德彝薨。甲辰，太子少師蕭瑀為尚書左僕射。
是夏，山東旱，免今歲租。
七月壬子，吏部尚書長孫无忌為尚書右僕射。
八月河南、隴右邊州霜。宇文士及檢校涼州都督。戊戌，貶高士廉為安州大都督。
九月庚戌朔，日有食之。辛酉，遣使諸州行損田，賑問下戶。御史大夫杜淹檢校吏部尚書，參議朝政。宇文士及罷。辛未，幽州都督王君廓奔于突厥。
十月丁酉，以歲饑減膳。
十一月己未，許子弟年十九以下隨父兄之官所。
十二月壬午，蕭瑀罷。戊申，利州都督李孝常、右武衞將軍劉德裕謀反，伏誅。
二年正月辛亥，長孫无忌罷。兵部尚書杜如晦檢校侍中，總監東宮兵馬事。癸丑，吐谷渾寇岷州，都督李道彥敗之。丁巳，徙封恪為蜀王，泰越王，祐燕王。庚午，刑部尚書李靖檢校中書令。
二月戊戌，外官上考者給祿。
三月戊申朔，日有食之。壬子，命中書門下五品以上及尚書議決死罪。壬戌，李靖為關內道行軍大總管，以備薛延陀。己巳，遣使巡關內，出金寶贖饑民鬻子者還之。庚午，以旱蝗責躬，大赦。癸酉，雨。
四月己卯，瘞隋人暴骸。壬寅，朔方人梁洛仁殺梁師都以降。
六月甲申，詔出使官稟食其家。庚寅，以子治生，賜是日生子者粟。辛卯，辰州刺史裴虔通以弒隋煬帝削爵，流驩州。
七月戊申，萊州刺史牛方裕、絳州刺史薛世良、廣州長史唐奉義、虎牙郎將高元禮，以宇文化及之黨，皆除名，徙于邊。
八月甲戌，省冤獄于朝堂。辛丑，立二王後廟，置國官。
九月壬子，以有年，賜酺三日。
十月庚辰，杜淹薨。戊子，殺瀛州刺史盧祖尚。
十一月辛酉，有事于南郊。
十二月壬辰，黃門侍郎王珪守侍中。癸巳，禁五品以上過市。
三年正月丙午，以旱避正殿。癸丑，官得上下考者，給祿一年。戊午，享于太廟。癸亥，耕藉田。辛未，裴寂罷。
二月戊寅，房玄齡為尚書左僕射，杜如晦為右僕射，尚書右丞魏徵為祕書監，參預朝政。
三月己酉，慮囚。
四月乙亥，太上皇徙居于大安宮。甲午，始御太極殿。戊戌，賜孝義之家粟五斛，八十以上二斛，九十以上三斛，百歲加絹二匹，婦人正月以來產子者粟一斛。
五月乙丑，周王元方薨。
六月戊寅，以旱慮囚。己卯，大風拔木。壬午，詔文武官言事。
八月己巳朔，日有食之。丁亥，李靖為定襄道行軍大總管，以伐突厥。
九月丁巳，華州刺史柴紹為勝州道行軍總管，以伐突厥。
十一月庚申，幷州都督李世勣為通漠道行軍總管，華州刺史柴紹為金河道行軍總管，任城郡王道宗為大同道行軍總管，幽州都督衞孝節為恆安道行軍總管，營州都督薛萬淑為暢武道行軍總管，以伐突厥。
十二月癸未，杜如晦罷。
閏月癸丑，為死兵者立浮屠祠。辛酉，慮囚。
是歲，中國人歸自塞外及開四夷為州縣者百二十餘萬人。
四年正月丁卯朔，日有食之。癸巳，武德殿北院火。
二月己亥，幸溫湯。甲辰，李靖及突厥戰于陰山，敗之。丙午，至自溫湯。甲寅，大赦，賜酺五日。御史大夫溫彥博為中書令，王珪為侍中；民部尚書戴冑檢校吏部尚書，參豫朝政；太常卿蕭瑀為御史大夫，與宰臣參議朝政。丁巳，以旱詔公卿言事。
三月甲午，李靖俘突厥頡利可汗以獻。
四月戊戌，西北君長請上號為「天可汗」。
六月乙卯，發卒治洛陽宮。
七月甲子朔，日有食之。癸酉，蕭瑀罷。甲戌，太上皇不豫，廢朝。辛卯，疾愈，賜都督刺史文武官及民年八十以上、孝子表門閭者有差。
八月甲寅，李靖為尚書右僕射。
九月庚午，瘞長城南隋人暴骨。己卯，如隴州。壬午，禁芻牧于古明君、賢臣、烈士之墓者。
十月壬辰，赦岐、隴二州，免今歲租賦，降咸陽、始平、武功死罪以下。辛丑，獵于貴泉谷。甲辰，獵于魚龍川，獻獲于大安宮。乙卯，免武功今歲租賦。
十一月壬戌，右衞大將軍侯君集為兵部尚書，參議朝政。甲子，至自隴州。戊寅，除鞭背刑。
十二月甲辰，獵于鹿苑。乙巳，至自鹿苑。
是歲，天下斷死罪者二十九人。
五年正月癸酉，獵于昆明池。丙子，至自昆明池，獻獲于大安宮。
二月己酉，封弟元裕為鄶王，元名譙王，靈夔魏王，元祥許王，元曉密王。庚戌，封子愔為梁王，貞漢王，惲郯王，治晉王，慎申王，囂江王，簡代王。
四月壬辰，代王簡薨。
五月乙丑，以金帛購隋人沒于突厥者，以還其家。
八月甲辰，遣使高麗，祭隋人戰亡者。戊申，殺大理丞張蘊古。
十一月丙子，有事于南郊。
十二月丁亥，詔：「決死刑，京師五覆奏，諸州三覆奏，其日尚食毋進酒肉。」壬寅，幸溫湯。癸卯，獵于驪山，賜新豐高年帛。戊申，至自溫湯。癸丑，赦關內。
六年正月乙卯朔，日有食之。癸酉，靜州山獠反，右武衞將軍李子和敗之。
三月，侯君集罷。戊辰，如九成宮。丁丑，降雍、岐、豳三州死罪以下，賜民八十以上粟帛。
五月，魏徵檢校侍中。
六月己亥，酆王元亨薨。辛亥，江王囂薨。
七月己巳，詔天下行鄉飲酒。
九月己酉，幸慶善宮。
十月，侯君集起復。乙卯，至自慶善宮。
十二月辛未，慮囚，縱死罪者歸其家。
是歲，諸羌內屬者三十萬人。
七年正月戊子，斥宇文化及黨人之子孫勿齒。辛丑，賜京城酺三日。
二月丁卯，雨土。
三月戊子，王珪罷。庚寅，魏徵為侍中。
五月癸未，如九成宮。
六月辛亥，戴冑薨。
八月辛未，東西洞獠寇邊，右屯衞大將軍張士貴為龔州道行軍總管以討之。
九月，縱囚來歸，皆赦之。
十月庚申，至自九成宮。乙丑，京師地震。
十一月壬辰，開府儀同三司長孫无忌為司空。
十二月甲寅，幸芙蓉園。丙辰，獵于少陵原。戊午，至自少陵原。
八年正月辛丑，張士貴及獠戰，敗之。壬寅，遣使循省天下。
二月乙巳，皇太子加元服。丙午，降死罪以下，賜五品以上子為父後者爵一級，民酺三日。
三月庚辰，如九成宮。
五月辛未朔，日有食之。
是夏，吐谷渾寇涼州，左驍衞大將軍段志玄為西海道行軍總管，左驍衞將軍樊興為赤水道行軍總管，以伐之。
七月，隴右山崩。
八月甲子，有星孛于虛、危。
十月，作永安宮。甲子，至自九成宮。
十一月辛未，李靖罷。己丑，吐谷渾寇涼州，執行人鴻臚丞趙德楷。
十二月辛丑，特進李靖為西海道行軍大總管，侯君集為積石道行軍總管，任城郡王道宗為鄯善道行軍總管，膠東郡公道彥為赤水道行軍總管，涼州都督李大亮為且末道行軍總管，利州刺史高甑生為鹽澤道行軍總管，以伐吐谷渾。丁卯，從太上皇閱武于城西。
九年正月，党項羌叛。
二月，長孫无忌罷。
三月庚辰，洮州羌殺刺史孔長秀，附于吐谷渾。壬午，大赦。乙酉，高甑生及羌人戰，敗之。
閏四月丙寅朔，日有食之。
五月，長孫无忌起復。庚子，太上皇崩，皇太子聽政。壬子，李靖及吐谷渾戰，敗之。
七月庚子，鹽澤道行軍副總管劉德敏及羌人戰，敗之。
十月庚寅，葬太武皇帝于獻陵。
十一月壬戌，特進蕭瑀參豫朝政。
十年正月甲午，復聽政。癸丑，徙封元景為荊王，元昌漢王，元禮徐王，元嘉韓王，元則彭王，元懿鄭王，元軌霍王，元鳳虢王，元慶道王，靈夔燕王，恪吳王，泰魏王，祐齊王，愔蜀王，惲蔣王，貞越王，慎紀王。
三月癸丑，出諸王為都督。
六月壬申，溫彥博為尚書右僕射，太常卿楊師道為侍中。魏徵罷為特進，知門下省事，參議朝章國典。己卯，皇后崩。
十一月庚寅，葬文德皇后于昭陵。
十二月，蕭瑀罷。庚辰，慮囚。
十一年正月丁亥，徙封元裕為鄧王，元名舒王。庚子，作飛山宮。乙卯，免雍州今歲租賦。
二月丁巳，營九嵏山為陵，賜功臣、密戚陪塋地及祕器。甲子，如洛陽宮。乙丑，給民百歲以上侍五人。壬午，獵于鹿臺嶺。
三月丙戌朔，日有食之。癸卯，降洛州囚見徒，免一歲租、調。辛亥，獵于廣成澤。癸丑，如洛陽宮。
六月甲寅，溫彥博薨。丁巳，幸明德宮。己未，以諸王為世封刺史。戊辰，以功臣為世封刺史。己巳，徙封元祥為江王。
七月癸未，大雨，水，穀、洛溢。乙未，詔百官言事。壬寅，廢明德宮之玄圃院，賜遭水家。丙午，給亳州老子廟、兗州孔子廟戶各二十以奉享，復涼武昭王近墓戶二十以守衞。
九月丁亥，河溢，壞陝州河北縣，毀河陽中潬，幸白司馬坂觀之，賜瀕河遭水家粟帛。
十月癸丑，賜先朝謀臣武將及親戚亡者塋陪獻陵。
十一月辛卯，如懷州。乙未，獵于濟源麥山。丙午，如洛陽宮。
十二年正月乙未，叢州地震。癸卯，松州地震。
二月癸亥，如河北縣，觀厎柱。甲子，巫州獠反，夔州都督齊善行敗之。乙丑，如陝州。丁卯，觀鹽池。庚午，如蒲州。甲戌，如長春宮。免朝邑今歲租賦，降囚罪。乙亥，獵于河濱。
閏月庚辰朔，日有食之。丙戌，至自長春宮。
七月癸酉，吏部尚書高士廉為尚書右僕射。
八月壬寅，吐蕃寇松州，侯君集為當彌道行軍大總管，率三總管兵以伐之。
九月辛亥，闊水道行軍總管牛進達及吐蕃戰于松州，敗之。
十月己卯，獵于始平，賜高年粟帛。乙未，至自始平。鈞州山獠反，桂州都督張寶德敗之。
十一月己巳，明州山獠反，交州都督李道彥敗之。
十二月辛巳，壁州山獠反，右武候將軍上官懷仁討之。
是歲，滁、豪二州野蠶成繭。
十三年正月乙巳，拜獻陵，赦三原及行從，免縣人今歲租賦，賜宿衞陵邑郎將、三原令爵一級。丁未，至自獻陵。
二月庚子，停世封刺史。
三月乙丑，有星孛于畢、昴。
四月戊寅，如九成宮。甲申，中郎將阿史那結社率反，伏誅。壬寅，雲陽石然。
五月甲寅，以旱避正殿，詔五品以上言事，減膳，罷役，理囚，賑乏，乃雨。
六月丙申，封弟元嬰為滕王。
八月辛未朔，日有食之。
十月甲申，至自九成宮。
十一月辛亥，楊師道為中書令。戊辰，尚書左丞劉洎為黃門侍郎，參知政事。
十二月壬申，侯君集為交河道行軍大總管，以伐高昌。乙亥，封子福為趙王。壬辰，獵于咸陽。癸巳，至自咸陽。
是歲，滁州野蠶成繭。
十四年正月庚子，有司讀時令。甲寅，幸魏王泰第，赦雍州長安縣，免延康里今歲租賦。
二月丁丑，觀釋奠于國學，赦大理、萬年縣，賜學官高第生帛。壬午，幸溫湯。辛卯，至自溫湯。乙未，求梁皇偘褚仲都、周熊安生沈重、陳沈文阿周弘正張譏、隋何妥劉焯劉炫之後。
三月，羅、竇二州獠反，廣州總管党仁弘敗之。
五月壬寅，徙封靈夔為魯王。
六月，滁州野蠶成繭。乙酉，大風拔木。
八月庚午，作襄城宮。癸酉，侯君集克高昌。
九月癸卯，赦高昌部及士卒父子犯死、期犯流、大功犯徒、小功緦麻犯杖，皆原之。
閏十月乙未，如同州。甲辰，獵于堯山。庚戌，至自同州。
十一月甲子，有事于南郊。
十二月丁酉，侯君集俘高昌王以獻，賜酺三日。癸卯，獵于樊川。乙巳，至自樊川。
十五年正月辛巳，如洛陽宮，次溫湯。衞士崔卿、刁文懿謀反，伏誅。
三月戊辰，如襄城宮。
四月辛卯，詔以來歲二月有事于泰山。乙未，免洛州今歲租，遷戶故給復者加給一年，賜民八十以上物，惸獨鰥寡疾病不能自存者米二斛。慮囚。
六月己酉，有星孛于太微。丙辰，停封泰山，避正殿，減膳。
七月丙寅，宥周、隋名臣及忠烈子孫貞觀以後流配者。
十月辛卯，獵于伊闕。壬辰，如洛陽宮。
十一月癸酉，薛延陀寇邊，兵部尚書李世勣為朔州道行軍總管，右衞大將軍李大亮為靈州道行軍總管，涼州都督李襲譽為涼州道行軍總管，以伐之。
十二月戊子，至自洛陽宮。庚子，命三品以上嫡子事東宮。辛丑，慮囚。甲辰，李世勣及薛延陀戰于諾真水，敗之。乙巳，贈戰亡將士官三轉。
十六年正月乙丑，遣使安撫西州。戊辰，募戍西州者，前犯流死亡匿，聽自首以應募。辛未，徙天下死罪囚實西州。中書舍人岑文本為中書侍郎，專典機密。
六月戊戌，太白晝見。
七月戊午，長孫无忌為司徒，房玄齡為司空。
十一月丙辰，獵于武功。壬戌，獵于岐山之陽。甲子，賜所過六縣高年孤疾氈衾粟帛，遂幸慶善宮。庚午，至自慶善宮。
十二月癸卯，幸溫湯。甲辰，獵于驪山。乙巳，至自溫湯。
十七年正月戊辰，魏徵薨。代州都督劉蘭謀反，伏誅。
二月己亥，慮囚。戊申，圖功臣于凌煙閣。
三月壬子，禁送終違令式者。丙辰，齊王祐反，李世勣討之。甲子，以旱遣使覆囚決獄。乙丑，齊王祐伏誅，給復齊州一年。
四月乙酉，廢皇太子為庶人，漢王元昌、侯君集等伏誅。丙戌，立晉王治為皇太子，大赦，賜文武官及五品以上子為父後者爵一級，民八十以上粟帛，酺三日。丁亥，楊師道罷。己丑，特進蕭瑀為太子太保，李世勣為太子詹事：同中書門下三品。庚寅，謝承乾之過于太廟。癸巳，降封魏王泰為東萊郡王。
六月己卯朔，日有食之。壬辰，葬隋恭帝。甲午，以旱避正殿，減膳，詔京官五品以上言事。丁酉，高士廉同中書門下三品，平章政事。
閏月丁巳，詔皇太子典左右屯營兵。丙子，徙封泰為順陽郡王。
七月丁酉，房玄齡罷。
八月庚戌，工部尚書張亮為刑部尚書，參豫朝政。
十月丁未，建諸州邸于京城。丁巳，房玄齡起復。
十一月己卯，有事于南郊。壬午，賜酺三日，以涼州獲瑞石，赦涼州。
十二月庚申，幸溫湯。庚午，至自溫湯。
十八年正月乙未，如鍾官城。庚子，如鄠。壬寅，幸溫湯。
二月己酉，如零口。乙卯，至自零口。丁巳，給復突厥、高昌部人隸諸州者二年。
四月辛亥，如九成宮。
七月甲午，營州都督張儉率幽、營兵及契丹、奚以伐高麗。
八月壬子，安西都護郭孝恪為西州道行軍總管，以伐焉耆。甲子，至自九成宮。丁卯，劉洎為侍中，岑文本為中書令，中書侍郎馬周守中書令。
九月，黃門侍郎褚遂良參豫朝政。辛卯，郭孝恪及焉耆戰，敗之。
十月辛丑朔，日有食之。癸卯，宴雍州父老于上林苑，賜粟帛。甲寅，如洛陽宮。己巳，獵于天池。
十一月戊寅，慮囚。庚辰，遣使巡問鄭、汝、懷、澤四州高年，宴賜之。甲午，張亮為平壤道行軍大總管，李世勣、馬周為遼東道行軍大總管，率十六總管兵以伐高麗。
十二月壬寅，庶人承乾卒。戊午，李思摩部落叛。
十九年二月庚戌，如洛陽宮，以伐高麗。癸丑，射虎于武德北山。乙卯，皇太子監國于定州。丁巳，賜所過高年鰥寡粟帛，贈比干太師，謚忠烈。
三月壬辰，長孫无忌攝侍中，吏部尚書楊師道攝中書令。
四月癸卯，誓師于幽州，大饗軍。丁未，岑文本薨。癸亥，李世勣克蓋牟城。
五月己巳，平壤道行軍總管程名振克沙卑城。庚午，次遼澤，瘞隋人戰亡者。乙亥，遼東道行軍總管張君乂有罪，伏誅。丁丑，軍于馬首山。甲申，克遼東城。
六月丁酉，克白巖城。己未，大敗高麗于安市城東南山，左武衞將軍王君愕死之。辛酉，賜酺三日。
七月壬申，葬死事官，加爵四級，以一子襲。
九月癸未，班師。
十月丙午，次營州，以太牢祭死事者。丙辰，皇太子迎謁于臨渝關。戊午，次漢武臺，刻石紀功。
十一月癸酉，大饗軍于幽州。庚辰，次易州。癸未，平壤道行軍總管張文幹有罪，伏誅。丙戌，次定州。丁亥，貶楊師道為工部尚書。
十二月戊申，次幷州。己未，薛延陀寇夏州，左領軍大將軍執失思力敗之。庚申，殺劉洎。
二十年正月辛未，夏州都督喬師望及薛延陀戰，敗之。丁丑，遣使二十二人，以六條黜陟于天下。庚辰，赦幷州，起義時編戶給復三年，後附者一年。
二月甲午，從伐高麗無功者，皆賜勳一轉。庚申，賜所過高年鰥寡粟。
三月己巳，至自高麗。庚午，不豫，皇太子聽政。己丑，張亮謀反，伏誅。
閏月癸巳朔，日有食之。
六月乙亥，江夏郡王道宗、李世勣伐薛延陀。
七月辛亥，疾愈。李世勣及薛延陀戰，敗之。
八月甲子，封孫忠為陳王。己巳，如靈州。庚辰，次涇州，賜高年鰥寡粟帛。丙戌，踰隴山關，次瓦亭，觀馬牧。丁亥，許陪陵者子孫從葬。
九月辛卯，遣使巡察嶺南。甲辰，鐵勒諸部請上號為「可汗」。辛亥，靈州地震。
十月，貶蕭瑀為商州刺史。丙戌，至自靈州。
十一月己丑，詔：「祭祀、表疏，藩客、兵馬、宿衞行魚契給驛，授五品以上官及除解，決死罪，皆以聞，餘委皇太子。」
二十一年正月壬辰，高士廉薨。丁酉，詔以來歲二月有事于泰山。甲寅，以鐵勒諸部為州縣，賜京師酺三日。慮囚，降死罪以下。
二月丁丑，皇太子釋菜于太學。
三月戊子，左武衞大將軍牛進達為青丘道行軍大總管，李世勣為遼東道行軍大總管，率三總管兵以伐高麗。
四月乙丑，作翠微宮。
五月戊子，幸翠微宮。壬辰，命百司決事于皇太子。庚戌，李世勣克南蘇、木底城。
六月丁丑，遣使鐵勒諸部購中國人陷沒者。
七月乙未，牛進達克石城。丙申，作玉華宮。庚戌，至自翠微宮。
八月，泉州海溢。壬戌，停封泰山。
九月丁酉，封子明為曹王。
十月癸丑，褚遂良罷。
十一月癸卯，進封泰為濮王。
十二月戊寅，左驍衞大將軍契苾何力為崑丘道行軍大總管，率三總管兵以伐龜茲。
二十二年正月庚寅，馬周薨。戊戌，幸溫湯。己亥，中書舍人崔仁師為中書侍郎，參知機務。丙午，左武衞大將軍薛萬徹為青丘道行軍大總管，以伐高麗。長孫无忌檢校中書令，知尚書、門下省事。戊申，至自溫湯。
二月，褚遂良起復。乙卯，見京城父老，勞之，蠲今歲半租，畿縣三之一。丁卯，詔度遼水有功未酬勳而犯罪者與成官同。乙亥，幸玉華宮。己卯，獵于華原。流崔仁師于連州。
三月丁亥，赦宜君，給復縣人自玉華宮苑中遷者三年。
四月丁巳，松州蠻叛，右武候將軍梁建方敗之。
六月丙寅，張行成存問河北從軍者家，令州縣為營農。丙子，薛萬徹及高麗戰于泊灼城，敗之。
七月甲申，太白晝見。壬辰，殺華州刺史李君羨。癸卯，房玄齡薨。
八月己酉朔，日有食之。辛未，執失思力伐薛延陀餘部于金山。
九月庚辰，崑丘道行軍總管阿史那社爾及薛延陀餘部處月、處蜜戰，敗之。己亥，褚遂良為中書令。壬寅，眉、卭、雅三州獠反，茂州都督張士貴討之。
十月癸丑，至自玉華宮。己巳，阿史那社爾及龜茲戰，敗之。
十二月辛未，降長安、萬年徒罪以下。
閏月癸巳，慮囚。
二十三年正月辛亥，阿史那社爾俘龜茲王以獻。
三月己未，自冬旱，至是雨。辛酉，大赦。丁卯，不豫，命皇太子聽政于金液門。
四月己亥，幸翠微宮。
五月戊午，貶李世勣為疊州都督。己巳，皇帝崩于含風殿，年五十三。庚午，奉大行御馬輿還京師。禮部尚書于志寧為侍中，太子少詹事張行成兼侍中，高季輔兼中書令。壬申，發喪，謚曰文。上元元年，改謚文武聖皇帝；天寶八載，謚文武大聖皇帝；十三載，增謚文武大聖大廣孝皇帝。
贊曰：甚矣，至治之君不世出也！禹有天下，傳十有六王，而少康有中興之業。湯有天下，傳二十八王，而其甚盛者，號稱三宗。武王有天下，傳三十六王，而成、康之治與宣之功，其餘無所稱焉。雖詩、書所載，時有闕略，然三代千有七百餘年，傳七十餘君，其卓然著見於後世者，此六七君而已。嗚呼，可謂難得也！唐有天下，傳世二十，其可稱者三君，玄宗、憲宗皆不克其終，盛哉，太宗之烈也！其除隋之亂，比迹湯、武；致治之美，庶幾成、康。自古功德兼隆，由漢以來未之有也。至其牽於多愛，復立浮圖，好大喜功，勤兵於遠，此中材庸主之所常為。然春秋之法，常責備於賢者，是以後世君子之欲成人之美者，莫不歎息於斯焉。
校勘記
宋金剛陷澮州 「澮州」，各本原作「滄州」，本書卷八六劉武周傳、舊書卷二太宗紀及通鑑卷一八七均作「澮州」，據改。
高元禮隋書卷四煬帝紀、冊府元龜(下簡稱冊府)卷一五二、通鑑卷一八五、一九二均作「元禮」。
In the first year of Wude he was made Director of the Department of State Affairs and General-in-Chief of the Right Flanking Guard, and his rank raised to Prince of Qin. When Xue Ju raided Jing Prefecture, Taizong was made Marshal for the Western Campaign and raised to Governor of Yong Prefecture. In the seventh month Taizong fell ill, and the generals were defeated by Ju. In the eighth month, when Taizong's illness eased, he camped again at the city of Gaozhi, and the two sides held each other off for more than sixty days. Then Ju died, and his son Rengao led his host to seek battle, but Taizong held his army still. After a long while Rengao's grain ran out and his men gradually deserted. Taizong said, "Now we can!" He sent the Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign Liang Shi to set up a stockade at Qianshuiyuan. Rengao's general Zong Luohou attacked Shi; Taizong sent the general Pang Yu to rescue Shi, and Yu's army was nearly defeated, but Taizong led troops out behind the enemy, and Luohou was defeated and fled. Taizong pursued him to the foot of his city walls, and Rengao came out and surrendered. When the army returned, Gaozu sent Li Mi by post-horse to Bin Prefecture to reward him. When Mi saw Taizong he did not dare look up at him, and withdrew sighing, "A true heroic lord!" Taizong presented his victory at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and was appointed General-in-Chief of the Right Militant Escort Guard, Grand Commandant, Commissioned with Extraordinary Powers, and Director of the Branch Department of State Affairs for the Circuit East of Shan, and an edict put the troops of all the Area Commanders-in-chief of Pu, Shan and Hebei under his command. Edit
In the first month of the second year he guarded the Changchun Palace and was further appointed General-in-Chief of the Left Militant Escort Guard and Area Commander-in-chief of Liang Prefecture. At this time Liu Wuzhou held Bing Prefecture, Song Jingang had taken Kuai Prefecture, Wang Xingben held Pu Prefecture, and Lü Chongmao of Xia County had killed the county magistrate to join Wuzhou. Gaozu was afraid, and by edict ordered the generals to abandon Hedong and defend Guanzhong. Taizong held that it must not be abandoned, and asked for thirty thousand troops with which he could defeat the rebels. Gaozu then sent all the troops of Guanzhong to reinforce him. In the eleventh month he went out through the Longmen Pass and camped at Baibi. Edit
In the fourth month of the third year he defeated Song Jingang at Baibi. Jingang fled to Jie Prefecture; Taizong pursued him, riding two hundred li in a day and a night, and camped on the plateau west of Queshu Valley. The soldiers were all starving; Taizong went without food for two days, and only when they reached Hao Prefecture did they get food. Jingang's generals Yuchi Jingde, Xun Xiang and others all came over and surrendered. Liu Wuzhou, afraid, fled to the Tujue, and his general Yang Funian surrendered Bing Prefecture. Gaozu sent Xiao Yu to the army to appoint Taizong Director of the Branch Department of State Affairs for Yizhou Circuit. In the seventh month he campaigned against Wang Shichong and defeated him at Beimang. Edit
In the second month of the fourth year, Dou Jiande led a hundred thousand troops to rescue Shichong. Taizong defeated Jiande at Hulao and captured him, and Shichong then surrendered. In the sixth month he returned in triumph. Wearing golden armour, with ten thousand armoured horsemen and thirty thousand armoured foot drawn up and bands before and behind, Taizong presented his captives at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Gaozu, holding that Taizong's merit was so high that no ancient title was enough to match it, gave him the added title of Supreme General of Heavenly Strategy, concurrently Grand Minister of Education and Director of the Branch Department of State Affairs for the Circuit East of Shan, ranking above the princes and dukes, raised his fief to thirty thousand households, and granted him the imperial robes and crown, a golden carriage, a pair of jade disks, six thousand jin of gold, bands of nine kinds of music before and behind, and forty guards with ornamented swords. Edit
In the first month of the fifth year he campaigned against Liu Heita at Ming Prefecture and defeated him. Heita surrendered, but soon rebelled again. Gaozu was angry and ordered the Heir Apparent, Jiancheng, to bury alive every man of fifteen and over in Shandong, and to drive the young, the weak and the women off to fill Guanzhong. Taizong remonstrated earnestly that it must not be done, and it was dropped. He was additionally appointed General-in-Chief of the Twelve Guards of the Left and Right. Edit
In the seventh year the Tujue raided the frontier. Taizong met them at Bin Prefecture and, with a hundred horsemen, spoke with their qaghan; they swore a covenant and the Tujue went away. Edit
In the eighth year he was raised to Secretariat Director. In the beginning, when Gaozu rose at Taiyuan, it was not his own wish; the undertaking came from Taizong. When they took the realm and defeated Song Jingang, Wang Shichong, Dou Jiande and the rest, Taizong's merit grew ever higher, and Gaozu several times promised to make him Heir Apparent. The Heir Apparent, Jiancheng, afraid of being set aside, plotted with the Prince of Qi, Yuanji, to harm Taizong, but they had not yet acted. Edit
In the sixth month of the ninth year, Taizong entered the Xuanwu Gate with troops and killed the Heir Apparent, Jiancheng, and the Prince of Qi, Yuanji. Gaozu was greatly shocked, and made Taizong Heir Apparent. Edit
On the jiazi day of the eighth month he took the throne as emperor in the Xiande Hall of the Eastern Palace. He sent Pei Ji to announce it at the Southern Suburb. There was a general amnesty, and those exiled in the Wude era were brought back. Civil and military officials were granted merit ranks and noble ranks. Guannei and the six prefectures of Pu, Rui, Yu, Tai, Shan and Ding were excused two years' land tax, and the whole realm was excused labour service for one year. Commoners of eighty and over were granted grain and silk, and those of a hundred were further granted honorary titles. The passes along the river east of Tong Pass were abolished. On the guiyou day more than three thousand palace women were released. On the bingzi day Consort Zhangsun was made Empress. On the guiwei day the Tujue raided Bianqiao. On the yiyou day a covenant was sworn with Illig of the Tujue at Bianqiao. Edit
On the renzi day of the ninth month, private worship of uncanny spirits and improper sacrifices was forbidden, as was divination by any means other than the tortoise, the Changes and the five omens. Edit
On the first day of the tenth month, bingchen, there was an eclipse of the sun. On the guihai day the Prince of Zhongshan Commandery, Chengqian, was made Heir Apparent. On the gengchen day Xiao Yu and Chen Shuda were dismissed. Edit
On the gengyin day of the eleventh month, the princes of commanderies of the imperial clan who had no merit were reduced in rank to county dukes. Edit
On the guiyou day of the twelfth month, the cases of prisoners were reviewed. Edit
This year his sons, the Prince of Changsha Commandery, Ke, was raised to Prince of Han, and the Prince of Yiyang Commandery, You, to Prince of Chu. Edit
On the yiyou day of the first month of the first year of Zhenguan, the era name was changed. On the xinchou day the Prince of Yan Commandery, Li Yi, rebelled at Jing Prefecture and was put to death. Edit
On the dingsi day of the second month, an edict ordered that men of twenty and over and women of fifteen and over among the people who had no spouse were to be married with proper rites by their prefectures and counties; those too poor to do it themselves were to be given the means by the rich men of their village and by their kin; widowers of sixty, widows of fifty, and women who had sons or kept chaste widowhood were not to be forced. Edit
On the guisi day of the third month, the Empress personally performed the sericulture rite. On the bingwu day an edict said: "The Qi Vice Director Cui Jishu, the Vice Director of the Chancellery Guo Zun and the Right Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs Feng Xiaoyan suffered calamity for speaking out to the utmost, and Jishu's son Gang, Zun's son Yun and Xiaoyan's son Junzun were all caught up in the excessive punishment. They should be released from service as palace eunuchs, honoured and given office." Edit
On the first day of the intercalary month, guichou, there was an eclipse of the sun. Edit
On the guisi day of the fourth month, the Area Commander-in-chief of Liang Prefecture and Prince of Changle Commandery, Youliang, was found guilty and put to death. Edit
On the guichou day of the fifth month, the Secretariat Director and the Chancellery Director were ordered to receive lawsuits in the Court Hall, and all who had matters to set out were to submit them sealed. Edit
On the xinchou day of the sixth month, Feng Deyi died. On the jiachen day the Junior Preceptor of the Heir Apparent, Xiao Yu, was made Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. Edit
This summer there was drought in Shandong, and that year's land tax was remitted. Edit
On the renzi day of the seventh month, the Minister of Personnel, Zhangsun Wuji, was made Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. Edit
In the eighth month there was frost in the frontier prefectures of Henan and Longyou. Yuwen Shiji was made Acting Area Commander-in-chief of Liang Prefecture. On the wuxu day Gao Shilian was demoted to Grand Area Commander-in-chief of An Prefecture. Edit
On the first day of the ninth month, gengxu, there was an eclipse of the sun. On the xinyou day envoys were sent to the prefectures to inspect damaged fields and to give relief and enquire after the poorest households. The Censor-in-chief Du Yan was made Acting Minister of Personnel and took part in deliberations on court affairs. Yuwen Shiji was dismissed. On the xinwei day the Area Commander-in-chief of Youzhou, Wang Junkuo, fled to the Tujue. Edit
On the dingyou day of the tenth month, because of the year's famine, the imperial meals were reduced. Edit
On the jiwei day of the eleventh month, sons and younger brothers of nineteen and under were allowed to go with their fathers and elder brothers to their posts. Edit
On the renwu day of the twelfth month, Xiao Yu was dismissed. On the wushen day the Area Commander-in-chief of Li Prefecture, Li Xiaochang, and the General of the Right Militant Guard, Liu Deyu, plotted rebellion and were put to death. Edit
On the xinhai day of the first month of the second year, Zhangsun Wuji was dismissed. The Minister of War, Du Ruhui, was made Acting Chancellery Director and General Supervisor of the troops and horses of the Eastern Palace. On the guichou day the Tuyuhun raided Min Prefecture, and the Area Commander-in-chief, Li Daoyan, defeated them. On the dingsi day Ke's fief was changed to Prince of Shu, Tai's to Prince of Yue and You's to Prince of Yan. On the gengwu day the Minister of Justice, Li Jing, was made Acting Secretariat Director. Edit
On the wuxu day of the second month, officials outside the capital rated high in the merit assessments were given salaries. Edit
On the first day of the third month, wushen, there was an eclipse of the sun. On the renzi day officials of the fifth grade and above in the Secretariat and Chancellery, together with the Ministers, were ordered to deliberate on and decide capital cases. On the renxu day Li Jing was made Grand Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Guannei Circuit, to guard against the Xueyantuo. On the jisi day envoys were sent to tour Guannei, paying out gold and treasure to redeem the children whom starving people had sold, and returning them. On the gengwu day, blaming himself for the drought and locusts, the emperor declared a general amnesty. On the guiyou day it rained. Edit
On the jimao day of the fourth month, the exposed bones of the people of Sui were buried. On the renyin day Liang Luoren of Shuofang killed Liang Shidu and surrendered. Edit
On the jiashen day of the sixth month, an edict ordered that the families of officials sent out as envoys be given rations. On the gengyin day, because his son Zhi was born, grain was granted to those whose sons were born that day. On the xinmao day the Prefect of Chen Prefecture, Pei Qiantong, was stripped of his noble rank for the murder of Emperor Yang of Sui and exiled to Huan Prefecture. Edit
On the wushen day of the seventh month, the Prefect of Lai Prefecture, Niu Fangyu, the Prefect of Jiangzhou, Xue Shiliang, the Administrator of Guang Prefecture, Tang Fengyi, and the Tiger Fang Commandant, Gao Yuanli, as members of Yuwen Huaji's faction, were all struck off the rolls and banished to the frontier. Edit
On the jiaxu day of the eighth month, cases of injustice were reviewed in the Court Hall. On the xinchou day temples were set up for the descendants of the two former dynasties, and officials for their states were appointed. Edit
On the renzi day of the ninth month, because of the good harvest, three days of feasting were granted. Edit
On the gengchen day of the tenth month, Du Yan died. On the wuzi day the Prefect of Ying Prefecture, Lu Zushang, was put to death. Edit
On the xinyou day of the eleventh month, the emperor sacrificed at the Southern Suburb. Edit
On the renchen day of the twelfth month, the Vice Director of the Chancellery, Wang Gui, was made Acting Chancellery Director. On the guisi day officials of the fifth grade and above were forbidden to pass through the markets. Edit
On the bingwu day of the first month of the third year, because of drought, the emperor withdrew from the main hall. On the guichou day officials rated upper-lower in the merit assessments were given a year's salary. On the wuwu day he sacrificed at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On the guihai day he ploughed the sacred field. On the xinwei day Pei Ji was dismissed. Edit
On the wuyin day of the second month, Fang Xuanling was made Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, Du Ruhui Right Vice Director, and the Right Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs Wei Zheng Director of the Palace Library, taking part in court affairs. Edit
On the jiyou day of the third month, the cases of prisoners were reviewed. Edit
On the yihai day of the fourth month, the Retired Emperor moved to live in the Da'an Palace. On the jiawu day the emperor first held court in the Taiji Hall. On the wuxu day grain was granted: five hu to households honoured for filial piety and righteousness, two hu to those of eighty and over, three hu to those of ninety and over, with two bolts of silk added for those of a hundred, and one hu of grain to women who had borne children since the first month. Edit
On the yichou day of the fifth month, the Prince of Zhou, Yuanfang, died. Edit
On the wuyin day of the sixth month, because of drought, the cases of prisoners were reviewed. On the jimao day a great wind uprooted trees. On the renwu day an edict invited civil and military officials to speak on affairs of state. Edit
On the first day of the eighth month, jisi, there was an eclipse of the sun. On the dinghai day Li Jing was made Grand Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Dingxiang Circuit, to attack the Tujue. Edit
On the dingsi day of the ninth month, the Prefect of Hua Prefecture, Chai Shao, was made Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Shengzhou Circuit, to attack the Tujue. Edit
On the gengshen day of the eleventh month, to attack the Tujue, the Area Commander-in-chief of Bing Prefecture, Li Shiji, was made Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Tongmo Circuit; the Prefect of Hua Prefecture, Chai Shao, Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Jinhe Circuit; the Prince of Rencheng Commandery, Daozong, Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Datong Circuit; the Area Commander-in-chief of Youzhou, Wei Xiaojie, Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Heng'an Circuit; and the Area Commander-in-chief of Ying Prefecture, Xue Wanshu, Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Changwu Circuit. Edit
On the guiwei day of the twelfth month, Du Ruhui was dismissed. Edit
On the guichou day of the intercalary month, Buddhist temples were set up for soldiers who had died in battle. On the xinyou day the cases of prisoners were reviewed. Edit
This year more than one million two hundred thousand people came in, Chinese returning from beyond the frontier and peoples of the four borderlands whose lands were opened as prefectures and counties. Edit
On the first day of the first month of the fourth year, dingmao, there was an eclipse of the sun. On the guisi day there was a fire in the northern court of the Wude Hall. Edit
On the jihai day of the second month, the emperor went to the Hot Springs. On the jiachen day Li Jing fought the Tujue at the Yin Mountains and defeated them. On the bingwu day he returned from the Hot Springs. On the jiayin day there was a general amnesty and five days of feasting were granted. The Censor-in-chief Wen Yanbo was made Secretariat Director and Wang Gui Chancellery Director; the Minister of Revenue Dai Zhou was made Acting Minister of Personnel, taking part in court affairs; and the Chief Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Xiao Yu was made Censor-in-chief, taking part with the chief ministers in deliberations on court affairs. On the dingsi day, because of drought, an edict invited the high ministers to speak on affairs of state. Edit
On the jiawu day of the third month, Li Jing captured Illig Qaghan of the Tujue and presented him. Edit
On the wuxu day of the fourth month, the rulers of the northwestern peoples asked to give the emperor the title "Heavenly Qaghan". Edit
On the yimao day of the sixth month, soldiers were called out to repair the Luoyang Palace. Edit
On the first day of the seventh month, jiazi, there was an eclipse of the sun. On the guiyou day Xiao Yu was dismissed. On the jiaxu day the Retired Emperor was unwell, and court was suspended. On the xinmao day he recovered, and gifts in proportion to rank were granted to the area commanders-in-chief, prefects and civil and military officials, and to commoners of eighty and over and filial sons whose gates had been honoured. Edit
On the jiayin day of the eighth month, Li Jing was made Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. Edit
On the gengwu day of the ninth month, the exposed bones of the people of Sui south of the Great Wall were buried. On the jimao day the emperor went to Long Prefecture. On the renwu day cutting fodder and grazing at the tombs of the enlightened rulers, worthy ministers and martyrs of old was forbidden. Edit
On the renchen day of the tenth month, the two prefectures of Qi and Long were pardoned and excused that year's land tax and levies, and sentences of death and below in Xianyang, Shiping and Wugong were reduced. On the xinchou day the emperor hunted at Guiquan Valley. On the jiachen day he hunted at Yulong River and presented the game at the Da'an Palace. On the yimao day Wugong was excused that year's land tax and levies. Edit
On the renxu day of the eleventh month, the General-in-Chief of the Right Guard, Hou Junji, was made Minister of War, taking part in deliberations on court affairs. On the jiazi day the emperor returned from Long Prefecture. On the wuyin day flogging on the back was abolished. Edit
On the jiachen day of the twelfth month, he hunted in the Deer Park. On the yisi day he returned from the Deer Park. Edit
This year twenty-nine people in the whole realm were sentenced to death. Edit
On the guiyou day of the first month of the fifth year, he hunted at Kunming Pond. On the bingzi day he returned from Kunming Pond and presented the game at the Da'an Palace. Edit
On the jiyou day of the second month, his younger brothers were enfeoffed: Yuanyu as Prince of Kuai, Yuanming as Prince of Qiao, Lingkui as Prince of Wei, Yuanxiang as Prince of Xu and Yuanxiao as Prince of Mi. On the gengxu day his sons were enfeoffed: Yin as Prince of Liang, Zhen as Prince of Han, Yun as Prince of Tan, Zhi as Prince of Jin, Shen as Prince of Shen, Xiao as Prince of Jiang and Jian as Prince of Dai. Edit
On the renchen day of the fourth month, the Prince of Dai, Jian, died. Edit
On the yichou day of the fifth month, gold and silk were paid to ransom people of Sui held among the Tujue, so that they could return to their homes. Edit
On the jiachen day of the eighth month, an envoy was sent to Goguryeo to sacrifice to the men of Sui who had died in the wars. On the wushen day the Assistant of the Court of Judicial Review, Zhang Yungu, was put to death. Edit
On the bingzi day of the eleventh month, the emperor sacrificed at the Southern Suburb. Edit
On the dinghai day of the twelfth month, an edict said: "When a death sentence is decided, it shall be memorialized for review five times in the capital and three times in the prefectures, and on that day the Office of Imperial Food shall serve no wine or meat." On the renyin day the emperor went to the Hot Springs. On the guimao day he hunted at Mount Li and granted silk to the aged of Xinfeng. On the wushen day he returned from the Hot Springs. On the guichou day Guannei was pardoned. Edit
On the first day of the first month of the sixth year, yimao, there was an eclipse of the sun. On the guiyou day the mountain Lao of Jing Prefecture rebelled, and the General of the Right Militant Guard, Li Zihe, defeated them. Edit
In the third month Hou Junji was dismissed. On the wuchen day the emperor went to the Jiucheng Palace. On the dingchou day sentences of death and below in the three prefectures of Yong, Qi and Bin were reduced, and commoners of eighty and over were granted grain and silk. Edit
In the fifth month Wei Zheng was made Acting Chancellery Director. Edit
On the jihai day of the sixth month, the Prince of Feng, Yuanheng, died. On the xinhai day the Prince of Jiang, Xiao, died. Edit
On the jisi day of the seventh month, an edict ordered the whole realm to hold the village wine-drinking ceremony. Edit
On the jiyou day of the ninth month, the emperor went to the Qingshan Palace. Edit
In the tenth month Hou Junji was brought back to office. On the yimao day the emperor returned from the Qingshan Palace. Edit
On the xinwei day of the twelfth month, the cases of prisoners were reviewed, and those condemned to death were let go home. Edit
This year three hundred thousand of the Qiang peoples submitted to the empire. Edit
On the wuzi day of the first month of the seventh year, the sons and grandsons of the members of Yuwen Huaji's faction were barred from office. On the xinchou day three days of feasting were granted to the capital. Edit
On the dingmao day of the second month, it rained earth. Edit
On the wuzi day of the third month, Wang Gui was dismissed. On the gengyin day Wei Zheng was made Chancellery Director. Edit
On the guiwei day of the fifth month, the emperor went to the Jiucheng Palace. Edit
On the xinhai day of the sixth month, Dai Zhou died. Edit
On the xinwei day of the eighth month, the Lao of the eastern and western caves raided the frontier, and the General-in-Chief of the Right Encampment Guard, Zhang Shigui, was made Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Gongzhou Circuit to put them down. Edit
In the ninth month the prisoners who had been let go came back, and all were pardoned. Edit
On the gengshen day of the tenth month, the emperor returned from the Jiucheng Palace. On the yichou day there was an earthquake in the capital. Edit
On the renchen day of the eleventh month, Zhangsun Wuji, Commander Unequalled in Honour, was made Grand Minister of Works. Edit
On the jiayin day of the twelfth month, the emperor went to the Furong Park. On the bingchen day he hunted at Shaolingyuan. On the wuwu day he returned from Shaolingyuan. Edit
On the xinchou day of the first month of the eighth year, Zhang Shigui fought the Lao and defeated them. On the renyin day envoys were sent to tour and inspect the realm. Edit
On the yisi day of the second month, the Heir Apparent was capped. On the bingwu day sentences of death and below were reduced, sons of officials of the fifth grade and above who were their fathers' heirs were granted one degree of noble rank, and the people were granted three days of feasting. Edit
On the gengchen day of the third month, the emperor went to the Jiucheng Palace. Edit
On the first day of the fifth month, xinwei, there was an eclipse of the sun. Edit
This summer the Tuyuhun raided Liang Prefecture. To attack them, the General-in-Chief of the Left Courageous Guard, Duan Zhixuan, was made Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Xihai Circuit, and the General of the Left Courageous Guard, Fan Xing, Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Chishui Circuit. Edit
In the seventh month there was a landslide in Longyou. Edit
On the jiazi day of the eighth month, a comet appeared in the lodges Xu and Wei. Edit
In the tenth month the Yong'an Palace was built. On the jiazi day the emperor returned from the Jiucheng Palace. Edit
On the xinwei day of the eleventh month, Li Jing was dismissed. On the jichou day the Tuyuhun raided Liang Prefecture and seized the envoy, the Assistant of the Court of State Ceremonial Zhao Dekai. Edit
On the xinchou day of the twelfth month, to attack the Tuyuhun, Li Jing, Specially Advanced, was made Grand Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Xihai Circuit; Hou Junji, Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Jishi Circuit; the Prince of Rencheng Commandery, Daozong, Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Shanshan Circuit; the Duke of Jiaodong Commandery, Daoyan, Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Chishui Circuit; the Area Commander-in-chief of Liang Prefecture, Li Daliang, Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Qiemo Circuit; and the Prefect of Li Prefecture, Gao Zengsheng, Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Yanze Circuit. On the dingmao day the emperor accompanied the Retired Emperor to review the troops west of the city. Edit
In the first month of the ninth year, the Dangxiang Qiang rebelled. Edit
In the second month Zhangsun Wuji was dismissed. Edit
On the gengchen day of the third month, the Qiang of Tao Prefecture killed their prefect, Kong Changxiu, and went over to the Tuyuhun. On the renwu day there was a general amnesty. On the yiyou day Gao Zengsheng fought the Qiang and defeated them. Edit
On the first day of the intercalary fourth month, bingyin, there was an eclipse of the sun. Edit
In the fifth month Zhangsun Wuji was brought back to office. On the gengzi day the Retired Emperor died, and the Heir Apparent heard state affairs. On the renzi day Li Jing fought the Tuyuhun and defeated them. Edit
On the gengzi day of the seventh month, the Deputy Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Yanze Circuit, Liu Demin, fought the Qiang and defeated them. Edit
On the gengyin day of the tenth month, Emperor Taiwu was buried at the Xian Mausoleum. Edit
On the renxu day of the eleventh month, Xiao Yu, Specially Advanced, was made to take part in court affairs. Edit
On the jiawu day of the first month of the tenth year, the emperor resumed hearing state affairs. On the guichou day fiefs were changed: Yuanjing became Prince of Jing, Yuanchang Prince of Han, Yuanli Prince of Xu, Yuanjia Prince of Han, Yuanze Prince of Peng, Yuanyi Prince of Zheng, Yuangui Prince of Huo, Yuanfeng Prince of Guo, Yuanqing Prince of Dao, Lingkui Prince of Yan, Ke Prince of Wu, Tai Prince of Wei, You Prince of Qi, Yin Prince of Shu, Yun Prince of Jiang, Zhen Prince of Yue and Shen Prince of Ji. Edit
On the guichou day of the third month, the princes were sent out as area commanders-in-chief. Edit
On the renshen day of the sixth month, Wen Yanbo was made Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and the Chief Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Yang Shidao, Chancellery Director. Wei Zheng was relieved and made Specially Advanced, in charge of the affairs of the Chancellery and taking part in deliberations on the rules of the court and the statutes of the state. On the jimao day the Empress died. Edit
On the gengyin day of the eleventh month, Empress Wende was buried at the Zhao Mausoleum. Edit
In the twelfth month Xiao Yu was dismissed. On the gengchen day the cases of prisoners were reviewed. Edit
On the dinghai day of the first month of the eleventh year, fiefs were changed: Yuanyu became Prince of Deng and Yuanming Prince of Shu. On the gengzi day the Feishan Palace was built. On the yimao day Yong Prefecture was excused that year's land tax and levies. Edit
On the dingsi day of the second month, Mount Jiuzong was laid out as the emperor's tomb, and meritorious ministers and close kin were granted burial plots beside it and funerary goods. On the jiazi day the emperor went to the Luoyang Palace. On the yichou day commoners of a hundred and over were given five attendants. On the renwu day he hunted at Lutai Ridge. Edit
On the first day of the third month, bingxu, there was an eclipse of the sun. On the guimao day the sentences of the prisoners and convicts held in Luo Prefecture were reduced, and the prefecture was excused a year's land tax and cloth tax. On the xinhai day the emperor hunted at Guangcheng Marsh. On the guichou day he went to the Luoyang Palace. Edit
On the jiayin day of the sixth month, Wen Yanbo died. On the dingsi day the emperor went to the Mingde Palace. On the jiwei day the princes were made hereditary prefects of their fiefs. On the wuchen day meritorious ministers were made hereditary prefects of their fiefs. On the jisi day Yuanxiang's fief was changed to Prince of Jiang. Edit
On the guiwei day of the seventh month, there was heavy rain and flooding, and the Gu and Luo rivers overflowed. On the yiwei day an edict invited the officials to speak on affairs of state. On the renyin day the Xuanpu Court of the Mingde Palace was abolished and given to the families hit by the flood. On the bingwu day twenty households each were assigned to the Temple of Laozi in Bo Prefecture and the Temple of Confucius in Yan Prefecture to maintain the sacrifices, and twenty households near the tomb of King Wuzhao of Liang were excused labour service to guard it. Edit
On the dinghai day of the ninth month, the Yellow River overflowed, damaging Hebei County in Shan Prefecture and destroying the Zhongtan [the islet fortress] at Heyang. The emperor went to Baisimaban to see it, and granted grain and silk to the families along the river hit by the flood. Edit
On the guichou day of the tenth month, the deceased strategists, generals and kin of the former reign were granted burial plots beside the Xian Mausoleum. Edit
On the xinmao day of the eleventh month, the emperor went to Huai Prefecture. On the yiwei day he hunted at Mai Mountain in Jiyuan. On the bingwu day he went to the Luoyang Palace. Edit
On the yiwei day of the first month of the twelfth year, there was an earthquake in Cong Prefecture. On the guimao day there was an earthquake in Song Prefecture. Edit
On the guihai day of the second month, the emperor went to Hebei County to see the Dizhu [the Pillar Rock in the Yellow River]. On the jiazi day the Lao of Wu Prefecture rebelled, and the Area Commander-in-chief of Kui Prefecture, Qi Shanxing, defeated them. On the yichou day the emperor went to Shan Prefecture. On the dingmao day he viewed the salt lake. On the gengwu day he went to Pu Prefecture. On the jiaxu day he went to the Changchun Palace. Chaoyi was excused that year's land tax and levies, and the sentences of prisoners were reduced. On the yihai day he hunted on the bank of the Yellow River. Edit
On the first day of the intercalary month, gengchen, there was an eclipse of the sun. On the bingxu day the emperor returned from the Changchun Palace. Edit
On the guiyou day of the seventh month, the Minister of Personnel, Gao Shilian, was made Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. Edit
On the renyin day of the eighth month, Tibet raided Song Prefecture. Hou Junji was made Grand Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Dangmi Circuit and led the troops of three area commanders-in-chief to attack them. Edit
On the xinhai day of the ninth month, the Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Kuoshui Circuit, Niu Jinda, fought the Tibetans at Song Prefecture and defeated them. Edit
On the jimao day of the tenth month, the emperor hunted at Shiping and granted grain and silk to the aged. On the yiwei day he returned from Shiping. The mountain Lao of Jun Prefecture rebelled, and the Area Commander-in-chief of Gui Prefecture, Zhang Baode, defeated them. Edit
On the jisi day of the eleventh month, the mountain Lao of Ming Prefecture rebelled, and the Area Commander-in-chief of Jiao Prefecture, Li Daoyan, defeated them. Edit
On the xinsi day of the twelfth month, the mountain Lao of Bi Prefecture rebelled, and the General of the Right Militant Escort Guard, Shangguan Huairen, put them down. Edit
This year wild silkworms spun cocoons in the two prefectures of Chu and Hao. Edit
On the yisi day of the first month of the thirteenth year, the emperor paid his respects at the Xian Mausoleum. He pardoned Sanyuan and those in his train, excused the people of the county that year's land tax and levies, and granted one degree of noble rank to the commandants guarding the mausoleum town and to the magistrate of Sanyuan. On the dingwei day he returned from the Xian Mausoleum. Edit
On the gengzi day of the second month, the hereditary prefectures were stopped. Edit
On the yichou day of the third month, a comet appeared in the lodges Bi and Mao. Edit
On the wuyin day of the fourth month, the emperor went to the Jiucheng Palace. On the jiashen day the Commandant Ashina Jieshelü rebelled and was put to death. On the renyin day stones burned at Yunyang. Edit
On the jiayin day of the fifth month, because of drought, the emperor withdrew from the main hall, invited officials of the fifth grade and above by edict to speak on affairs of state, reduced his meals, stopped labour service, reviewed the cases of prisoners and gave relief to the needy; and then it rained. Edit
On the bingshen day of the sixth month, his younger brother Yuanying was enfeoffed as Prince of Teng. Edit
On the first day of the eighth month, xinwei, there was an eclipse of the sun. Edit
On the jiashen day of the tenth month, the emperor returned from the Jiucheng Palace. Edit
On the xinhai day of the eleventh month, Yang Shidao was made Secretariat Director. On the wuchen day the Left Assistant Director of the Department of State Affairs, Liu Ji, was made Vice Director of the Chancellery, taking part in administration. Edit
On the renshen day of the twelfth month, Hou Junji was made Grand Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Jiaohe Circuit, to attack Gaochang. On the yihai day his son Fu was enfeoffed as Prince of Zhao. On the renchen day the emperor hunted at Xianyang. On the guisi day he returned from Xianyang. Edit
This year wild silkworms spun cocoons in Chu Prefecture. Edit
On the gengzi day of the first month of the fourteenth year, the officials concerned read out the seasonal ordinances. On the jiayin day the emperor went to the mansion of the Prince of Wei, Tai, pardoned Chang'an County in Yong Prefecture and excused Yankang Ward that year's land tax and levies. Edit
On the dingchou day of the second month, he watched the offering to the former sages at the State Academy, pardoned the Court of Judicial Review and Wannian County, and granted silk to the teaching officials and the students of highest standing. On the renwu day he went to the Hot Springs. On the xinmao day he returned from the Hot Springs. On the yiwei day a search was made for the descendants of Huang Kan and Chu Zhongdu of Liang, Xiong Ansheng and Shen Zhong of Zhou, Shen Wen'e, Zhou Hongzheng and Zhang Ji of Chen, and He Tuo, Liu Zhuo and Liu Xuan of Sui. Edit
In the third month the Lao of the two prefectures of Luo and Dou rebelled, and the Area Commander-in-chief of Guang Prefecture, Dang Renhong, defeated them. Edit
On the renyin day of the fifth month, Lingkui's fief was changed to Prince of Lu. Edit
In the sixth month wild silkworms spun cocoons in Chu Prefecture. On the yiyou day a great wind uprooted trees. Edit
On the gengwu day of the eighth month, the Xiangcheng Palace was built. On the guiyou day Hou Junji conquered Gaochang. Edit
On the guimao day of the ninth month, the people of Gaochang and the soldiers were pardoned: where fathers and sons had committed capital crimes, kin in the one-year mourning grade crimes punishable by exile, kin in the greater-merit grade crimes punishable by penal servitude, and kin in the lesser-merit and hemp grades crimes punishable by beating, all were forgiven. Edit
On the yiwei day of the intercalary tenth month, the emperor went to Tong Prefecture. On the jiachen day he hunted at Mount Yao. On the gengxu day he returned from Tong Prefecture. Edit
On the jiazi day of the eleventh month, he sacrificed at the Southern Suburb. Edit
On the dingyou day of the twelfth month, Hou Junji presented the captured King of Gaochang, and three days of feasting were granted. On the guimao day the emperor hunted at Fanchuan. On the yisi day he returned from Fanchuan. Edit
On the xinsi day of the first month of the fifteenth year, the emperor set out for the Luoyang Palace and halted at the Hot Springs. The guardsmen Cui Qing and Diao Wenyi plotted rebellion and were put to death. Edit
On the wuchen day of the third month, he went to the Xiangcheng Palace. Edit
On the xinmao day of the fourth month, an edict announced that in the second month of the following year he would sacrifice at Mount Tai. On the yiwei day Luo Prefecture was excused that year's land tax; households moved there that had earlier been excused labour service were excused a further year; commoners of eighty and over were given gifts, and the orphaned, childless, widowed and sick who could not support themselves two hu of rice. The cases of prisoners were reviewed. Edit
On the jiyou day of the sixth month, a comet appeared in the Taiwei enclosure. On the bingchen day the feng sacrifice at Mount Tai was called off, and the emperor withdrew from the main hall and reduced his meals. Edit
On the bingyin day of the seventh month, the sons and grandsons of famous ministers and loyal martyrs of Zhou and Sui who had been exiled since the start of Zhenguan were pardoned. Edit
On the xinmao day of the tenth month, the emperor hunted at Yique. On the renchen day he went to the Luoyang Palace. Edit
On the guiyou day of the eleventh month, the Xueyantuo raided the frontier. To attack them, the Minister of War, Li Shiji, was made Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Shuozhou Circuit; the General-in-Chief of the Right Guard, Li Daliang, Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Lingzhou Circuit; and the Area Commander-in-chief of Liang Prefecture, Li Xiyu, Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Liangzhou Circuit. Edit
On the wuzi day of the twelfth month, the emperor returned from the Luoyang Palace. On the gengzi day the eldest sons by principal wives of officials of the third grade and above were ordered to serve in the Eastern Palace. On the xinchou day the cases of prisoners were reviewed. On the jiachen day Li Shiji fought the Xueyantuo at the Nuozhen River and defeated them. On the yisi day officers and men who had died in battle were posthumously given office raised three degrees. Edit
On the yichou day of the first month of the sixteenth year, envoys were sent to pacify Xi Prefecture. On the wuchen day men were recruited to garrison Xi Prefecture, and those who had earlier committed crimes punishable by exile or death and fled into hiding were allowed to give themselves up and enlist. On the xinwei day prisoners condemned to death from all over the realm were moved to fill Xi Prefecture. The Secretariat Drafter Cen Wenben was made Vice Director of the Secretariat, in sole charge of confidential matters. Edit
On the wuxu day of the sixth month, Venus was seen in daytime. Edit
On the wuwu day of the seventh month, Zhangsun Wuji was made Grand Minister of Education and Fang Xuanling Grand Minister of Works. Edit
On the bingchen day of the eleventh month, the emperor hunted at Wugong. On the renxu day he hunted on the south side of Mount Qi. On the jiazi day he granted felt quilts, grain and silk to the aged, the orphaned and the sick of the six counties he had passed through, and then went to the Qingshan Palace. On the gengwu day he returned from the Qingshan Palace. Edit
On the guimao day of the twelfth month, he went to the Hot Springs. On the jiachen day he hunted at Mount Li. On the yisi day he returned from the Hot Springs. Edit
On the wuchen day of the first month of the seventeenth year, Wei Zheng died. The Area Commander-in-chief of Daizhou, Liu Lan, plotted rebellion and was put to death. Edit
On the jihai day of the second month, the cases of prisoners were reviewed. On the wushen day portraits of the meritorious ministers were painted in the Lingyan Pavilion. Edit
On the renzi day of the third month, funerals that broke the statutes and regulations were forbidden. On the bingchen day the Prince of Qi, You, rebelled, and Li Shiji put him down. On the jiazi day, because of drought, envoys were sent to review the cases of prisoners and decide lawsuits. On the yichou day the Prince of Qi, You, was put to death, and Qi Prefecture was excused labour service for one year. Edit
On the yiyou day of the fourth month, the Heir Apparent was deposed and made a commoner, and the Prince of Han, Yuanchang, Hou Junji and others were put to death. On the bingxu day the Prince of Jin, Zhi, was made Heir Apparent. There was a general amnesty; civil and military officials, and sons of officials of the fifth grade and above who were their fathers' heirs, were granted one degree of noble rank; commoners of eighty and over were granted grain and silk; and there were three days of feasting. On the dinghai day Yang Shidao was dismissed. On the jichou day Xiao Yu, Specially Advanced, was made Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and Li Shiji Supervisor of the Household of the Heir Apparent, both Jointly of the Third Grade with the Secretariat and Chancellery. On the gengyin day the emperor apologized at the Imperial Ancestral Temple for the faults of Chengqian. On the guisi day the Prince of Wei, Tai, was reduced in rank to Prince of Donglai Commandery. Edit
On the first day of the sixth month, jimao, there was an eclipse of the sun. On the renchen day Emperor Gong of Sui was buried. On the jiawu day, because of drought, the emperor withdrew from the main hall and reduced his meals, and by edict invited officials of the fifth grade and above in the capital to speak on affairs of state. On the dingyou day Gao Shilian was made Jointly of the Third Grade with the Secretariat and Chancellery and Joint Manager of Affairs. Edit
On the dingsi day of the intercalary month, an edict put the Heir Apparent in charge of the troops of the Left and Right Encampments. On the bingzi day Tai's fief was changed to Prince of Shunyang Commandery. Edit
On the dingyou day of the seventh month, Fang Xuanling was dismissed. Edit
On the gengxu day of the eighth month, the Minister of Works, Zhang Liang, was made Minister of Justice, taking part in court affairs. Edit
On the dingwei day of the tenth month, residences for each prefecture were built in the capital. On the dingsi day Fang Xuanling was brought back to office. Edit
On the jimao day of the eleventh month, the emperor sacrificed at the Southern Suburb. On the renwu day three days of feasting were granted, and because an auspicious stone had been found in Liang Prefecture, Liang Prefecture was pardoned. Edit
On the gengshen day of the twelfth month, he went to the Hot Springs. On the gengwu day he returned from the Hot Springs. Edit
On the yiwei day of the first month of the eighteenth year, he went to Zhongguan City. On the gengzi day he went to Hu. On the renyin day he went to the Hot Springs. Edit
On the jiyou day of the second month, he went to Lingkou. On the yimao day he returned from Lingkou. On the dingsi day people of the Tujue and Gaochang attached to the prefectures were excused labour service for two years. Edit
On the xinhai day of the fourth month, he went to the Jiucheng Palace. Edit
On the jiawu day of the seventh month, the Area Commander-in-chief of Ying Prefecture, Zhang Jian, led the troops of You and Ying and the Khitan and Xi to attack Goguryeo. Edit
On the renzi day of the eighth month, the Protector-General of Anxi, Guo Xiaoke, was made Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Xizhou Circuit, to attack Karashahr. On the jiazi day the emperor returned from the Jiucheng Palace. On the dingmao day Liu Ji was made Chancellery Director, Cen Wenben Secretariat Director, and the Vice Director of the Secretariat, Ma Zhou, Acting Secretariat Director. Edit
In the ninth month the Vice Director of the Chancellery, Chu Suiliang, was made to take part in court affairs. On the xinmao day Guo Xiaoke fought Karashahr and defeated it. Edit
On the first day of the tenth month, xinchou, there was an eclipse of the sun. On the guimao day the emperor feasted the elders of Yong Prefecture in the Shanglin Park and granted them grain and silk. On the jiayin day he went to the Luoyang Palace. On the jisi day he hunted at Tianchi. Edit
On the wuyin day of the eleventh month, the cases of prisoners were reviewed. On the gengchen day envoys were sent to visit the aged of the four prefectures of Zheng, Ru, Huai and Ze, to feast them and give them gifts. On the jiawu day, to attack Goguryeo, Zhang Liang was made Grand Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Pyongyang Circuit, and Li Shiji and Ma Zhou Grand Area Commanders-in-chief on Campaign for Liaodong Circuit, leading the troops of sixteen area commanders-in-chief. Edit
On the renyin day of the twelfth month, the commoner Chengqian died. On the wuwu day the tribe of Li Simo rebelled. Edit
On the gengxu day of the second month of the nineteenth year, the emperor went to the Luoyang Palace for the campaign against Goguryeo. On the guichou day he shot a tiger on the northern hill of Wude. On the yimao day the Heir Apparent acted as regent at Ding Prefecture. On the dingsi day grain and silk were granted to the aged, widowers and widows of the places he passed through, and Bigan was posthumously made Grand Preceptor with the posthumous name Zhonglie. Edit
On the renchen day of the third month, Zhangsun Wuji was made Acting Chancellery Director, and the Minister of Personnel, Yang Shidao, Acting Secretariat Director. Edit
On the guimao day of the fourth month, the emperor swore in the army at You Prefecture and feasted the troops. On the dingwei day Cen Wenben died. On the guihai day Li Shiji took the city of Gaemo. Edit
On the jisi day of the fifth month, the Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Pyongyang Circuit, Cheng Mingzhen, took the city of Sabi. On the gengwu day the emperor halted at the Liao marshes and buried the men of Sui who had died in battle. On the yihai day the Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Liaodong Circuit, Zhang Junyi, was found guilty and put to death. On the dingchou day the army camped at Mount Mashou. On the jiashen day the city of Liaodong was taken. Edit
On the dingyou day of the sixth month, the city of Baegam was taken. On the jiwei day Goguryeo was heavily defeated on the hills southeast of the city of Ansi, and the General of the Left Militant Guard, Wang Jun'e, died in the battle. On the xinyou day three days of feasting were granted. Edit
On the renshen day of the seventh month, officials who had died in the service of the state were buried, their noble rank raised four degrees, to be inherited by one son. Edit
On the guiwei day of the ninth month, the army was withdrawn. Edit
On the bingwu day of the tenth month, the emperor halted at Ying Prefecture and sacrificed a full set of victims to those who had died in the service of the state. On the bingchen day the Heir Apparent came to greet him at the Linyu Pass. On the wuwu day he halted at the Terrace of Emperor Wu of Han and had a stone carved to record his achievements. Edit
On the guiyou day of the eleventh month, he feasted the army at You Prefecture. On the gengchen day he halted at Yi Prefecture. On the guiwei day the Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Pyongyang Circuit, Zhang Wengan, was found guilty and put to death. On the bingxu day he halted at Ding Prefecture. On the dinghai day Yang Shidao was demoted to Minister of Works. Edit
On the wushen day of the twelfth month, he halted at Bing Prefecture. On the jiwei day the Xueyantuo raided Xia Prefecture, and the General-in-Chief of the Left Army Guard, Zhishi Sili, defeated them. On the gengshen day Liu Ji was put to death. Edit
On the xinwei day of the first month of the twentieth year, the Area Commander-in-chief of Xia Prefecture, Qiao Shiwang, fought the Xueyantuo and defeated them. On the dingchou day twenty-two envoys were sent out to demote and promote officials across the realm by six articles. On the gengchen day Bing Prefecture was pardoned; households registered at the time of the righteous rising were excused labour service for three years, and those who joined later for one year. Edit
On the jiawu day of the second month, all who had followed the campaign against Goguryeo without distinction were granted one degree of merit rank. On the gengshen day grain was granted to the aged, widowers and widows of the places the emperor passed through. Edit
On the jisi day of the third month, the emperor returned from Goguryeo. On the gengwu day he was unwell, and the Heir Apparent heard state affairs. On the jichou day Zhang Liang plotted rebellion and was put to death. Edit
On the first day of the intercalary month, guisi, there was an eclipse of the sun. Edit
On the yihai day of the sixth month, the Prince of Jiangxia Commandery, Daozong, and Li Shiji attacked the Xueyantuo. Edit
On the xinhai day of the seventh month, the emperor recovered from his illness. Li Shiji fought the Xueyantuo and defeated them. Edit
On the jiazi day of the eighth month, his grandson Zhong was enfeoffed as Prince of Chen. On the jisi day the emperor went to Ling Prefecture. On the gengchen day he halted at Jing Prefecture and granted grain and silk to the aged, widowers and widows. On the bingxu day he crossed the Longshan Pass, halted at Wating and viewed the horse pastures. On the dinghai day the sons and grandsons of those buried beside the imperial mausoleums were allowed to be buried with them. Edit
On the xinmao day of the ninth month, envoys were sent to inspect Lingnan. On the jiachen day the Tiele tribes asked to give the emperor the title "Qaghan". On the xinhai day there was an earthquake in Ling Prefecture. Edit
In the tenth month Xiao Yu was demoted to Prefect of Shang Prefecture. On the bingxu day the emperor returned from Ling Prefecture. Edit
On the jichou day of the eleventh month, an edict said: "Sacrifices, memorials, envoys of vassal states, troops and horses, the issuing of post-horses on fish tallies for the palace guard, appointments to and removals from offices of the fifth grade and above, and decisions on capital cases are all to be reported to me; everything else is entrusted to the Heir Apparent." Edit
On the renchen day of the first month of the twenty-first year, Gao Shilian died. On the dingyou day an edict announced that in the second month of the following year the emperor would sacrifice at Mount Tai. On the jiayin day the Tiele tribes were made into prefectures and counties, and three days of feasting were granted to the capital. The cases of prisoners were reviewed and sentences of death and below reduced. Edit
On the dingchou day of the second month, the Heir Apparent made the vegetable offering at the National University. Edit
On the wuzi day of the third month, to attack Goguryeo, the General-in-Chief of the Left Militant Guard, Niu Jinda, was made Grand Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Qingqiu Circuit, and Li Shiji Grand Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Liaodong Circuit, leading the troops of three area commanders-in-chief. Edit
On the yichou day of the fourth month, the Cuiwei Palace was built. Edit
On the wuzi day of the fifth month, the emperor went to the Cuiwei Palace. On the renchen day the government offices were ordered to take their business to the Heir Apparent for decision. On the gengxu day Li Shiji took the cities of Namso and Mokjeo. Edit
On the dingchou day of the sixth month, envoys were sent to the Tiele tribes to ransom Chinese who had been lost among them. Edit
On the yiwei day of the seventh month, Niu Jinda took Seokseong. On the bingshen day the Yuhua Palace was built. On the gengxu day the emperor returned from the Cuiwei Palace. Edit
In the eighth month the sea flooded at Quan Prefecture. On the renxu day the feng sacrifice at Mount Tai was called off. Edit
On the dingyou day of the ninth month, his son Ming was enfeoffed as Prince of Cao. Edit
On the guichou day of the tenth month, Chu Suiliang was dismissed. Edit
On the guimao day of the eleventh month, Tai was raised to Prince of Pu. Edit
On the wuyin day of the twelfth month, the General-in-Chief of the Left Courageous Guard, Qibi Heli, was made Grand Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Kunqiu Circuit and led the troops of three area commanders-in-chief to attack Kucha. Edit
On the gengyin day of the first month of the twenty-second year, Ma Zhou died. On the wuxu day the emperor went to the Hot Springs. On the jihai day the Secretariat Drafter Cui Renshi was made Vice Director of the Secretariat, taking part in confidential affairs. On the bingwu day the General-in-Chief of the Left Militant Guard, Xue Wanche, was made Grand Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Qingqiu Circuit, to attack Goguryeo. Zhangsun Wuji was made Acting Secretariat Director, in charge of the affairs of the Department of State Affairs and the Chancellery. On the wushen day the emperor returned from the Hot Springs. Edit
In the second month Chu Suiliang was brought back to office. On the yimao day the emperor received the elders of the capital and rewarded them, remitting half of that year's land tax, and a third in the counties of the capital region. On the dingmao day an edict ordered that those who had won merit in crossing the Liao River but had not yet been rewarded with merit rank, and who then committed crimes, were to be treated as if they already held office. On the yihai day the emperor went to the Yuhua Palace. On the jimao day he hunted at Huayuan. Cui Renshi was exiled to Lian Prefecture. Edit
On the dinghai day of the third month, Yijun was pardoned, and people of the county moved out of the grounds of the Yuhua Palace were excused labour service for three years. Edit
On the dingsi day of the fourth month, the Man of Song Prefecture rebelled, and the General of the Right Militant Escort Guard, Liang Jianfang, defeated them. Edit
On the bingyin day of the sixth month, Zhang Xingcheng visited the families of the men of Hebei serving in the army, and ordered the prefectures and counties to farm for them. On the bingzi day Xue Wanche fought Goguryeo at the city of Bakjak and defeated it. Edit
On the jiashen day of the seventh month, Venus was seen in daytime. On the renchen day the Prefect of Hua Prefecture, Li Junxian, was put to death. On the guimao day Fang Xuanling died. Edit
On the first day of the eighth month, jiyou, there was an eclipse of the sun. On the xinwei day Zhishi Sili attacked the remnants of the Xueyantuo at the Altai Mountains. Edit
On the gengchen day of the ninth month, the Area Commander-in-chief on Campaign for Kunqiu Circuit, Ashina She'er, fought the Chuyue and Chumi, remnants of the Xueyantuo, and defeated them. On the jihai day Chu Suiliang was made Secretariat Director. On the renyin day the Lao of the three prefectures of Mei, Qiong and Ya rebelled, and the Area Commander-in-chief of Mao Prefecture, Zhang Shigui, put them down. Edit
On the guichou day of the tenth month, the emperor returned from the Yuhua Palace. On the jisi day Ashina She'er fought Kucha and defeated it. Edit
On the xinwei day of the twelfth month, sentences of penal servitude and below in Chang'an and Wannian were reduced. Edit
On the guisi day of the intercalary month, the cases of prisoners were reviewed. Edit
On the xinhai day of the first month of the twenty-third year, Ashina She'er presented the captured King of Kucha. Edit
On the jiwei day of the third month, it rained, after a drought that had lasted since the winter. On the xinyou day there was a general amnesty. On the dingmao day the emperor was unwell, and ordered the Heir Apparent to hear state affairs at the Jinye Gate. Edit
On the jihai day of the fourth month, he went to the Cuiwei Palace. Edit
On the wuwu day of the fifth month, Li Shiji was demoted to Area Commander-in-chief of Die Prefecture. On the jisi day the emperor died in the Hanfeng Hall, at the age of fifty-three. On the gengwu day the late emperor was carried back to the capital in the imperial horse-drawn carriage. The Minister of Rites, Yu Zhining, was made Chancellery Director; the Junior Supervisor of the Household of the Heir Apparent, Zhang Xingcheng, was made concurrently Chancellery Director; and Gao Jifu concurrently Secretariat Director. On the renshen day the death was announced, and he was given the posthumous name Wen. In the first year of Shangyuan his posthumous title was changed to Wenwu Sheng Huangdi; in the eighth year of Tianbao it became Wenwu Dasheng Huangdi; and in the thirteenth year it was enlarged to Wenwu Dasheng Daguang Xiao Huangdi. Edit
The appraisal says: How rare it is for a ruler of perfect government to appear! Yu held the realm, and it passed through sixteen kings, among whom Shaokang achieved a restoration. Tang held the realm, and it passed through twenty-eight kings, the most flourishing of whom were called the Three Zong. King Wu held the realm, and it passed through thirty-six kings, but apart from the government of Cheng and Kang and the achievements of Xuan, none of the rest is worth praising. Although what the Odes and the Documents record has gaps here and there, in the more than seventeen hundred years of the Three Dynasties, through more than seventy rulers, those who stand out clearly to later ages are only these six or seven. Alas, they may truly be called hard to find! The Tang held the realm through twenty generations, and of these, three rulers are worth praising; Xuanzong and Xianzong both failed to keep it up to the end. How splendid were the achievements of Taizong! In putting an end to the disorder of the Sui he walked in the footsteps of Tang and Wu; in the excellence of the government he brought about he came close to Cheng and Kang. Such merit and virtue together at their height have not been seen since the Han. As for his being swayed by his many affections, restoring the Buddhist temples, loving the grand and delighting in glory, and wearing out his troops in distant places, these are what rulers of middling talent and ordinary ability usually do. But the method of the Spring and Autumn Annals is always to demand perfection of the worthy, and so the gentlemen of later ages who wish to help others perfect their virtue all sigh over these things. Edit
Collation notes
Song Jingang had taken Kuai Prefecture: "Kuai Prefecture" was originally "Cang Prefecture" in every edition; the Biography of Liu Wuzhou in chapter 86 of this book, the Annals of Taizong in chapter 2 of the Old Book of Tang and chapter 187 of the Comprehensive Mirror all have "Kuai Prefecture", and it has been corrected accordingly. Edit
Gao Yuanli: the Annals of Emperor Yang in chapter 4 of the Book of Sui, chapter 152 of the Prime Tortoise of the Record Bureau (hereafter the Record Bureau) and chapters 185 and 192 of the Comprehensive Mirror all have "Yuanli". Edit
The English was translated from the original by an AI, not checked sentence by sentence by a person, and is for reference; where it differs from the original, the original is right. Names are in pinyin. If a sentence is wrong, use “Edit” after the paragraph to correct it - no need to sign in.
Source: 新唐书 卷二 本纪第二 太宗 (New Book of Tang, juan 2, Annals 2: Taizong)
Wikipedia: Emperor Taizong of Tang · Chinese Wikipedia: 唐太宗 · Baidu Baike: 唐太宗 (an article of the same name, not checked to be him)
Source
From the historical record: the notes below say where · tang-zongshi-00027
Notes (2)
- [Source] 新唐书 卷二 本纪第二 太宗 New Book of Tang, juan 2, Annals 2: Taizong
- [Collation note] 本纪：「太宗文武大聖大廣孝皇帝諱世民，高祖次子也。」 The annals: “Taizong (posthumous title: Wenwu Dasheng Daguang Xiao Huangdi), personal name Shìmín, was the second son of Gaozu.”