生平

隋朝大臣宇文述的第三子，其兄长为宇文化及、宇文智及。隋文帝开皇末年，宇文述被封新城县公，且下诏宇文士及与杨广的女儿南阳公主成婚，二人生有一子宇文禅师。

604年，隋文帝死后，太子杨广即位，是为隋炀帝，宇文士及任尚辇局奉御，与唐国公李渊关系很好，常讨论天下事情。616年，隋炀帝从东都洛阳出游江都（今江苏扬州），宇文述父子随行，不久宇文述病死，为父守孝去职，后起复为鸿胪少卿。618年，宇文化及、宇文智及和骁果军的统领发动政变杀死隋炀帝，拥立隋炀帝的侄子秦王杨浩为皇帝，由于宇文士及是隋炀帝的女婿故未邀他参与政变，后宇文化及任命宇文士及为内史令。

宇文化及带领骁果军北还洛阳，途中遭遇李密的瓦岗军，被李密击败，宇文士及随同遭李密击败的宇文化及北渡黄河至魏县（今河北邯郸）。这时，李渊在长安称帝，派密使到黎阳（今河南鹤壁）见宇文士及，宇文士及让密使捎给李渊一个金环表明愿意还长安归唐，眼见情势越来越糟宇文士及建议宇文化及西归长安但遭拒绝。宇文化及废黜了杨浩自称大许皇帝，封宇文士及为蜀王，宇文化及再遭李神通攻击退至聊城，宇文士及和封德彝前去济北征督军粮，619年春，窦建德攻克聊城，擒斩宇文化及、宇文智及和宇文禅师。

宇文士及的属下建议主帅趁虚夺取窦建德在河北的领地，但宇文士及未同意并和封德彝一起降唐。唐高祖李渊责备其不来早降，惟在涿郡、汾阴宫时宇文士及和李渊就是一起谈论天下事的密友，且宇文士及的妹妹是唐高祖的宠妃宇文昭仪，故仍授宇文士及仪同。后宇文士及跟随秦王李世民讨伐刘武周，因战功复封隋末爵位新城县公，娶寿光县主为妻。620年到621年，跟随秦王李世民讨伐王世充、窦建德，宇文士及进爵郢国公。

625年，宇文士及权检校门下省侍中，成为宰相之一，兼太子詹事（当时的太子是李建成），同时又是秦王李世民的天策府司马。626年，秦王李世民发动玄武门之变杀死李建成和齐王李元吉，李世民即位后任命宇文士及为中书省的主管—中书令。627年，宇文士及免除中书令，改为检校凉州都督，盛陈兵卫、折节下士以防备突厥。后来回京为殿中省的主管殿中监，后因病改为蒲州（今山西运城）刺史，不久回京为右卫大将军，其子被封为新城县公。635年，再任殿中监。642年，宇文士及去世，赠左卫大将军、凉州都督，陪葬唐昭陵。

轶事

• 窦建德事败，南阳公主与宇文士及再次于洛阳相遇，宇文士欲和南阳公主复为夫妇。南阳公主：「你是我的仇人，未杀害你是因为当初政变时你并不知情（我与君仇家，今所以不手刃君者，但谋逆之日，察君不预知耳）」，宇文士及未被劝退仍然坚持和她见面，南阳公主：「必欲就死，可相见也！」后宇文士拜辞离去。

• 唐太宗赞美一棵树，宇文士及随声附和。唐太宗责备他：「魏徵常劝我远佞人，不识佞人是谁，至今知道了」（魏徵常劝我远佞人，不识佞人为谁，乃今信然），宇文士及回覆：「官员们常在宫廷上争吵，陛下都不愿抬头。今天臣有幸在陛下身边，如果不稍微附和一下，虽贵为天子又如何能闲聊呢？」（南衙群臣面折廷争，陛下不得举手。今臣幸在左右，不少有将顺，虽贵为天子，亦何聊？），唐太宗便没有再怪罪他。

• 宇文士及对幼弟子侄以友爱见称，但自己的生活奢侈，宇文士及的谥号原定为恭，但黄门侍郎刘洎认为生活奢侈不宜以恭为谥号，故改为纵。

家庭

父

• 宇文述

兄弟姊妹

• 宇文智及

• 宇文化及

• 宇文昭仪

夫人

• 南阳公主

• 寿光县主

子女

• 宇文禅师，宇文化及遭窦建德击败后被俘虏，在其母南阳公主首肯下遭杀死。

•

• 宇文修多罗，赵王李福妃

During Emperor Wens reign

It is not known when Yuwen Shiji was born. He was a son of the Sui Dynasty general and official Yuwen Shu, and he had at least two older brothers, Yuwen Huaji and Yuwen Zhiji (宇文智及). During the reign of Sui's founder Emperor Wen, Yuwen Shiji was, on account of his father's contributions to Sui, created the Duke of Xincheng County (新城县公). On one occasion, Emperor Wen took Yuwen Shiji into his bedroom to converse with him privately, and he was impressed by Yuwen Shiji sufficiently that he gave his granddaughter the Princess Nanyang (南阳公主) (the daughter of his son Yang Guang the Crown Prince) to Yuwen Shiji in marriage. They had one son, Yuwen Chanshi (宇文禅师). Because he married a princess, he looked down at his brother Yuwen Zhiji, but appeared to have a cordial relationship with Yuwen Huaji.

During Emperor Yangs reign

In 604, Emperor Wen died and was succeeded by Yang Guang (as Emperor Yang). Yuwen Shiji's activities early in Emperor Yang's reign were unclear. He was friendly with the general Li Yuan the Duke of Tang, and was said to have discussed much about military matters with Li Yuan.

By the middle of Emperor Yang's reign, Yuwen Shiji was the director of imperial transportation. When Emperor Yang went from the eastern capital Luoyang to Jiangdu (江都, in modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu) in 616, Yuwen Shiji followed him there. When Yuwen Shu, who also followed Emperor Yang to Jiangdu, fell ill and died later in the year, Yuwen Shiji briefly resigned to observe a mourning period for his father, but was soon returned to imperial service as the deputy minister of imperial supplies.

In spring 618, Yuwen Huaji and Yuwen Zhiji, along with a number of high-level officers in Emperor Yang's elite Xiaoguo Army (骁果), were plotting a coup, but they, fearing that Yuwen Shiji, as Emperor Yang's son-in-law, would reveal the plot, did not inform Yuwen Shiji their plan. They soon launched the coup and killed Emperor Yang, declaring Emperor Yang's nephew Yang Hao the Prince of Qin emperor.

Under Yuwen Huajis command

Yuwen Huaji retained power as regent, and he made Yuwen Shiji Neishi Ling (内史令), the head of the legislative bureau of the government. Yuwen Huaji soon abandoned Jiangdu and led the Xiaoguo Army back north, toward Luoyang. His army battled those of another rebel leader, Li Mi the Duke of Wei, but was repeatedly defeated by Li Mi. During this time, Li Yuan, who has himself taken the throne at Chang'an, establishing Tang Dynasty as its Emperor Gaozu, sent secret messengers to Yuwen Shiji, then at Liyang (黎阳, in modern Hebi, Henan), and Yuwen Shiji secretly sent messengers to him as well, offering him golden bracelets—using bracelets (环, huan, a homophone to 还, meaning "return") to show that he intended to support Tang at some point. Later, Yuwen Huaji, unable to prevail over Li Mi, crossed the Yellow River north to Wei (魏县, in modern Handan), Yuwen Shiji suggested that he head west and submit to Tang. Yuwen Huaji refused, and instead poisoned Yang Hao and declared himself emperor of a new state of Xu. He created Yuwen Shiji the Prince of Shu (蜀王).

Subsequently, when Yuwen Huaji was further forced to retreat to Liaocheng (聊城, in modern Liaocheng, Shandong), Yuwen Shiji and Feng Deyi requested permission to leave Liaocheng to collect food supplies, and the supplies he obtained allowed Yuwen Huaji to withstand attacks from the Tang general Li Shentong (李神通, Emperor Gaozu's cousin). Later, however, Yuwen Huaji was attacked by another rebel ruler, Dou Jiande the Prince of Xia, and Dou captured Liaocheng in spring 619, executing Yuwen Huaji and Yuwen Zhiji. (Initially, Dou offered to spare Yuwen Shiji's son Yuwen Chanshi, but the Princess Nanyang, reasoning that the Sui laws required that the nephews of treasonous individuals, allowed Yuwen Chanshi to be executed.)

At the time Liaocheng fell, Yuwen Shiji and Feng were at Jibei (济北, also in modern Liaocheng). Some of Yuwen Shiji's followers suggested that he gather his troops and attack Dou and try to take over the land north of the Yellow River. Yuwen Shiji refused, but instead headed to Chang'an with Feng and surrendered to Tang.

During Emperor Gaozus reign

When Emperor Gaozu received Yuwen Shiji, he initially rebuked him, but Yuwen Shiji was able to point out that they had previously been friends and that he had offered to submit earlier. Further, Yuwen Shiji's sister was by this point Emperor Gaozu's concubine, and so Emperor Gaozu made Yuwen Shiji an official. He later served under Emperor Gaozu's son Li Shimin the Prince of Qin in defeating Liu Wuzhou the Dingyang Khan, and as a result was created his old title of Duke of Xincheng County, and was given the Princess of Shouguang County (寿光县主, a relative of Emperor Gaozu, although the relationship is not clear) as his wife. Later, in 620 and 621, he followed Li Shimin in his campaign against Wang Shichong the Emperor of Zheng, at the end of which Li Shimin defeated not only Wang, but Dou Jiande as well. After Dou's defeat, the Princess Nanyang, who had become a Buddhist nun, headed back from the Xia capital Ming Prefecture (洺州, in modern Handan) to Chang'an, and she happened to encounter Yuwen Shiji at Luoyang. Yuwen Shiji wanted her back as his wife, but she refused, stating to him, "My clan and yours have great enmity. The only reason why I am not killing you by my own hand is that you did not participate in the treasonous plot." She nevertheless ordered Yuwen Shiji to leave. Yuwen Shiji initially persisted, but she then stated, "You can see me again if you want death." Yuwen Shiji knew that she would not yield, and therefore left her.

For Yuwen Shiji's contributions in the campaign against Zheng and Xia, he was created the Duke of Ying. He was also made the Zhongshu Shilang (中书侍郎), the deputy head of the legislative bureau (中书省, Zhongshu Sheng). In 625, he was made acting Shizhong (侍中), the head of the examination bureau (门下省, Menxia Sheng), a post considered one for a chancellor, as well as the head of the household at the palace of Emperor Gaozu's crown prince Li Jiancheng. (By this point, there was an intense rivalry between Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin, although whether Yuwen Shiji participated in either of their factions is not known.)

During Emperor Taizongs reign

In summer 626, Li Shimin, fearful that Li Jiancheng was about to kill him, laid an ambush for Li Jiancheng and another brother, Li Yuanji the Prince of Qi, who had supported Li Jiancheng, at Xuanwu Gate and killed them. He then effectively forced Emperor Gaozu to first create him crown prince and then yield the throne to him (as Emperor Taizong). He reorganized the government, and as part of the reorganization, Yuwen Shiji was made the Zhongshu Ling (中书令), the head of the legislative bureau and clearly a chancellor.

In 627, while Yuwen Shiji retained the title of Zhongshu Ling, he was no longer actually chancellor, as he was made the commandant at Liang Prefecture (凉州, roughly modern Wuwei, Gansu). It was said that he impressed the people of Liang Prefecture with his dignity and grace, and was able to fend off attacks from Eastern Tujue. Subsequently, he was recalled to Chang'an to serve as Dianzhong Jian (殿中监), the head of the palace affairs bureau (殿中省) – a high-level post, but one not bestowed with great powers. Later, on account of illness, he was made the prefect of Pu Prefecture (蒲州, roughly modern Yuncheng, Shanxi), but was then recalled back to Chang'an to be a minor general. He was often invited to attend Emperor Taizong's feasts, but rarely spoke of what were happening at the feasts, not even to his wife. When Emperor Taizong reviewed the contributions of the officials to the founding of Tang Dynasty, he rewarded Yuwen Shiji by creating his son the Duke of Xincheng County. In or around 635, he was again Dianzhong Jian. He died in 642 and was bestowed posthumous honors and buried near the tomb of Emperor Taizong's wife Empress Zhangsun, which later would become Emperor Taizong's tomb as well.

Yuwen Shiji was praised for his kindness and care for his younger brother or brothers, and his nephews. He was also generous to his relatives, particularly the ones who were poor. However, he was also said to live luxuriously and wastefully. There was also an incident in which Emperor Taizong showed his favor for a tree, and subsequently, Yuwen repeatedly praised the tree, drawing a rebuke from Emperor Taizong:

:Wei Zheng often told me to stay away from flatterers. I did not know whom he was referring to, and I thought it might be you. This proves it.

Yuwen Shiji apologized, but defended his position by stating that emperors did not often have people who would agree with them, and that he only wanted to make the emperor happy. Emperor Taizong did not punish him.

Initially, the officials in charge of considering posthumous names recommended that he be given the posthumous name Gong (恭, "alert"). The official Liu Ji, citing Yuwen's wastefulness, rejected "Gong," instead suggesting "Zong" (纵, "unvirtuous"), and that became Yuwen's posthumous name.

Relatives

Immediate family

• Father: Yuwen Shu (宇文述), general of Northern Zhou, and later Sui

• Known spouses:

　• Princess Nanyang (南阳公主), daughter of Emperor Yang of Sui, separated after the coup d'état of his brothers in 616

　• Princess of Shouguang County (寿光县主), cousin of Emperor Gaozu of Tang

• Siblings:

　• Yuwen Huaji (宇文化及), older half-brother

　• Yuwen Zhiji (宇文智及), older half-brother

　• Consort Yuwen (宇文昭仪), a zhaoyi-ranked concubine of Tang Gaozu's

Descendants

• Yuwen Shiji (宇文士及), Duke Zong of Ying (郢纵公)

　• Yuwen Chanshi (宇文禅师), son with Princess Nanyang, executed by Dou Jiande in 619

　• Yuwen Chongsi (宇文崇嗣), Zhongyu dafu (中御大夫), Imperial Duke Ying (郢国公)

　　• Yuwen Miao (宇文邈)

　　　• Yuwen Ding (宇文鼎)

　　　　• Yuwen Yang (宇文杨)

　　　　• Yuwen Zong (宇文综)

　• Unnamed son, Duke of Fengcheng County (封城县公)

　• Unnamed son, Duke of Xincheng County (新城县公)

　• Yuwen Xiuduoluo (宇文修多罗), consort of Li Fu (李福), the Prince of Zhao, 13th son of Emperor Taizong of Tang

　　• Li Yin (李胤), Prince of Jianping (建平王), died young

　　• Li Mu (李穆), Prince of Zhao (赵王), adopted Li Sishun (李思顺) as his heir

　　• Li Ze (李泽), Duke of Xindou Commandery (信都郡公)

　　• Li Gong (李恭), Duke of Handan (邯郸公)

Footnotes

Sources

• Old Book of Tang, vol. 63.https://web.archive.org/web/20080210041809/http://ef.cdpa.nsysu.edu.tw/ccw/02/tan08.htm

• New Book of Tang, vol. 100.https://web.archive.org/web/20080210053058/http://ef.cdpa.nsysu.edu.tw/ccw/02/ntan14.htm

• Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 181, 183, 185, 187, 188, 189, 191, 192, 194, 196.