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《列傳第一 皇后列傳 Biographies I: Biographies of the Empresses》[View] [Edit] [History]
An aligned English translation of this text is available and can be displayed alongside the source text (instructions). Please note that AI has been used in creating these translations. Translation setting: [None] [English]1  | 漢因秦制，帝之祖母曰太皇太后，母曰皇太后，妃曰皇后，餘則多稱夫人，隨世增損，非如《周禮》有夫人、嬪婦、御妻之定數焉。魏晉相因，時有升降，前史言之具矣。 The Han dynasty followed the system of the Qin dynasty. The emperor's paternal grandmother was called Taihuangtaihou, his mother was Huangtaihou, and his consort was Huanghou; others were mostly referred to as Funü. These titles varied from generation to generation with additions or reductions, unlike in the Rites of Zhou, which specified fixed numbers for Funü, Pinfu, and Yuqi. The Wei and Jin dynasties followed each other's systems, with occasional changes in rank; previous histories have already fully discussed this matter. |
| 2 | 魏氏王業之兆雖始於神元，至於昭成之前，世崇儉質，妃嬙嬪御，率多闕焉，惟以次第為稱。而章、平、思、昭、穆、惠、煬、烈八帝，妃後無聞。太祖追尊祖妣，皆從帝謚謚為皇后，始立中宮，餘妾或稱夫人，多少無限，然皆有品次。世祖稍增左右昭儀及貴人、椒房、中式數等，後庭漸已多矣。又魏故事，將立皇后必令手鑄金人，以成者為吉，不成則不得立也。又世祖、高宗緣保母劬勞之恩，並極尊崇之義，雖事乖典禮，而觀過知仁。高祖改定內官，左右昭儀位視大司馬，三夫人視三公，三嬪視三卿，六嬪視六卿，世婦視中大夫，御女視元士。後置女職，以典內事。內司視尚書令、僕。作司、大監、女侍中三官視二品。監，女尚書，美人，女史、女賢人、書史、書女、小書女五官，視三品。中才人、供人、中使女生、才人、恭使宮人視四品，春衣、女酒、女饗、女食、奚官女奴視五品。 The signs of the Wei dynasty's imperial cause began with Shenyuan, but until before Zhaocheng, successive generations valued frugality and simplicity. Titles for consorts such as fei, qin, pin, and yu were mostly absent; they were merely designated according to order. During the reigns of the eight emperors Zhang, Ping, Si, Zhao, Mu, Hui, Yang, and Lie, there is no record of consorts or empresses. The Taizu emperor posthumously honored his ancestors and their spouses, all of whom were given the imperial title as "Huanghou." He first established a formal empress. Other concubines might be called Funü; there was no fixed number, but they all had ranks and classifications. The Shizu emperor slightly increased the positions of Zuo You Zhaoyi, Guiren, Jiaofang, Zhongshi, and several others; thus, the number of women in the imperial harem gradually grew. In addition, according to Wei dynasty tradition, when a woman was about to be made empress, she had to personally cast a golden figure. Success in casting it was considered auspicious; if the casting failed, she could not become empress. Moreover, due to the deep gratitude for their wet nurse's devoted care and labor, both Shizu and Gaozong bestowed upon her the utmost respect. Although these acts deviated from established rituals, they demonstrated benevolence through such actions. The Gaozu emperor reformed and standardized the ranks of palace officials: Zuo You Zhaoyi held a rank equivalent to that of Daisima, Sanfunü was equivalent to the Three Gong (Three Dukes), Sanpin was equivalent to the Three Qing (Three Ministers), Liu Pin were equivalent to the Six Qing (Six Ministers), Shifu was equivalent to Zhongdafa (Middle Doctor), and Yuniu was equivalent to Yuanshi. Later, female officials were appointed to oversee internal affairs. Neishi held a rank equivalent to Shangshuliu and Pu (Minister of Works). Zuo Si, Dajian, and Nushizhong were three offices ranked as second grade. Jian, Nushangshu, Meiren, Nushi, Nuxianren, Shushi, Shunu, and Xiaoshunu were five offices ranked as third grade. Zhongcairen, Gongren, Zhongshishengnu, Cairen, and Gongshigongren were ranked as fourth grade; Chunyi, Niujiu, Nuxiang, Nushi, Xiguan nulu were ranked as fifth grade. |
| 3 | 神元皇后竇氏，沒鹿回部大人賓之女也。賓臨終，誡其二子速侯、回題，令善事帝。及賓卒，速侯等欲因帝會喪為變，語頗漏洩。帝聞之，知其終不奉順，乃先圖之。於是伏勇士於宮中，晨起以佩刀殺後，馳使告速侯等，言後暴崩。速侯等驚走來赴，因執而殺之。 Shenyuan Huanghou Dou Shi was the daughter of Bin, a great man (dadi) from the Mueluhui tribe. Before his death, Bin admonished his two sons Suhou and Huoti to serve the emperor well. After Bin's death, Suhou and others planned to take advantage of an imperial gathering during the mourning period to stage a coup, but their plot was somewhat exposed. The emperor heard about it and realized that they would ultimately not remain loyal or obedient; thus, he took action against them first. He then stationed brave warriors inside the palace and, at dawn, killed the empress with a dagger. He sent messengers to inform Suhou et al., claiming that the empress had suddenly died. Suhou and others were shocked and hurriedly came to the palace, where they were seized and killed. |
| 4 | 文帝皇后封氏，生桓、穆二帝，早崩。桓帝立，乃葬焉。高宗初，穿天淵池，獲一石銘，稱桓帝葬母封氏，遠近赴會二十餘萬人。有司以聞，命藏之太廟。 Wendi Huanghou Feng Shi bore Emperors Huan and Mu; she died at an early age. When Emperor Huan ascended the throne, he then had her buried. In the early period of Gaozong's reign, when the Tianyuan Chi pond was excavated, a stone inscription was discovered stating that Emperor Huan had buried his mother Feng Shi. It recorded that more than 200,000 people from near and far attended the gathering. The relevant officials reported this to the emperor, who ordered the inscription to be kept in the Taitemple (Imperial Ancestral Temple). |
| 5 | 次妃蘭氏，生二子，長子曰藍，早卒；次子，思帝也。 His secondary consort Lan Shi bore him two sons: the elder, Lan, died at an early age; the younger was Emperor Si. |
| 6 | 桓帝皇后祁氏，生三子，長曰普根，次惠帝，次煬帝。平文崩，後攝國事，時人謂之女國。後性猛忌，平文之崩，後所為也。 Emperor Huan's Huanghou Qi Shi bore him three sons: the eldest, Pugen; the second, Emperor Hui; and the third, Emperor Yang. After Pingwen's death, the empress dowager assumed control of state affairs, and at that time people referred to her as "the female ruler." The empress was fierce and suspicious. The death of Emperor Pingwen was caused by her actions. |
| 7 | 平文皇后王氏，廣寧人也。年十三，因事入宮，得幸於平文，生昭成帝。平文崩，昭成在襁褓。時國有內難，將害諸皇子。後匿帝於褲中，懼人知，咒曰：「若天祚未終者，汝便無聲。」遂良久不啼，得免於難。昭成初欲定都於灅源川，築城郭，起宮室，議不決。後聞之，曰：「國自上世，遷徙為業。今事難之後，基業未固。若城郭而居，一旦寇來，難卒遷動。」乃止。烈帝之崩，國祚殆危，興復大業，後之力也。十八年崩，葬雲中金陵。太祖即位，配饗太廟。 Empress Dowager Wang Shi of Emperor Pingwen was a native of Guangning. At the age of thirteen, she entered the palace due to certain circumstances and gained favor from Emperor Pingwen, giving birth to Emperor Zhaocheng. After Emperor Pingwen died, Emperor Zhaocheng was still an infant in swaddling clothes. At that time, the state faced internal difficulties, and there were plots to harm all the imperial princes. The empress concealed the emperor in her trousers, fearing that others would discover him, and she prayed: "If Heaven has not yet ended your destiny, then you will remain silent." Thus, for a long time the infant did not cry out and was saved from danger. At first, Emperor Zhaocheng wanted to establish the capital at Luyuan Chuan, build city walls and palaces, but the discussion could not reach a decision. The empress heard about this and said: "Since ancient times, our nation has made migration its way of life. Now, after the recent troubles, our foundation is not yet secure. If we settle within city walls, once enemies come, it will be difficult to move suddenly." Thus the plan was abandoned. After Emperor Lie's death, the imperial line nearly perished; reviving and restoring the great cause of the state was due to her efforts. She died in the eighteenth year (of this reign) and was buried at Jinling, Yunzhong. After Taizu ascended the throne, she was honored with sacrifices in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. |
| 8 | 昭成皇后慕容氏，元真之女也。初，帝納元真妹為妃，未幾而崩。元真復請繼好。遣大人長孫秩逆後，元真送於境上。後至，有寵，生獻明帝及秦明王。後性聰敏多知，沉厚善決斷，專理內事，每事多從。初，昭成遣衛辰兄悉勿祈還部落也，後戒之曰：「汝還，必深防衛辰。辰奸猾，終當滅汝。」悉勿祈死，其子果為衛辰所殺，卒如後言。建國二十三年崩。太祖即位，配饗太廟。 Empress Zhaocheng Murong Shi was the daughter of Yuanzhen. Initially, the emperor took Yuanzhen's sister as his consort; however, she died not long after. Yuanzhen then requested to continue the relationship by offering his daughter in marriage. They sent a great man, Changsun Zhi, to escort the empress; Yuanzhen saw her off at the border. After she arrived, she gained favor and bore Emperor Xianming and Prince Qinming. The empress was intelligent, knowledgeable, composed, and good at making decisions; she managed internal affairs exclusively, and the emperor often followed her advice in many matters. Initially, when Emperor Zhaocheng sent Weichen's elder brother Xiwuqi back to his tribal territory, the empress warned him: "When you return, you must be deeply cautious of Weichen. Chen is cunning and treacherous; he will eventually destroy you." After Xiwuqi died, his son was indeed killed by Weichen, just as the empress had foretold. She died in the twenty-third year of Jianguo. After Taizu ascended the throne, sacrifices were offered to her at the Imperial Ancestral Temple (Taitemple). |
| 9 | 獻明皇后賀氏，父野于，東部大人。後少以容儀選入東宮，生太祖。苻洛之內侮也，後與太祖及故臣吏避難北徙。俄而，高車奄來抄掠，後乘車與太祖避賊而南。中路失轄，後懼，仰天而告曰：「國家胤胄，豈止爾絕滅也！惟神靈扶助。」遂馳，輪正不傾。行百餘里，至七介山南而得免難。 Empress Xianming He Shi's father was Ye Yu, a great man of the Dongbu tribe. The empress was young and selected into the eastern palace for her beauty and bearing; she bore Taizu. During Fu Luo's internal aggression, the empress fled north with Taizu and former officials to escape danger. Soon after, the Gaocar people suddenly launched a raid; the empress rode in a carriage with Taizu and fled south to avoid the bandits. On the way, they lost control of their carriage; frightened, the empress looked up to heaven and cried out: "The imperial lineage is not something that can be so easily extinguished! It must only be aided by divine spirits." Then they galloped forward, and the carriage wheels remained upright without tilting. They traveled more than a hundred li and reached the southern side of Qijie Mountain before escaping danger. |
| 10 | 後劉顯使人將害太祖，帝姑為顯弟亢泥妻，知之，密以告後，梁眷亦來告難。後乃令太祖去之。後夜飲顯使醉。向晨，故驚廄中群馬，顯使起視馬。後泣而謂曰：「吾諸子始皆在此，今盡亡失。汝等誰殺之？」故顯不使急追。太祖得至賀蘭部，群情未甚歸附。後從弟外朝大人悅，舉部隨從，供奉盡禮。顯怒，將害後。後夜奔亢泥家，匿神車中三日。亢泥舉室請救，乃得免。會劉顯部亂，始得亡歸。 Later, Liu Xian sent men to plot against Taizu; the emperor's aunt, who was married to Kangni, Liu Xian's younger brother, learned of this and secretly informed the empress. Liang Juan also came to warn her about the danger. The empress then ordered Taizu to leave. At night, the empress got Liu Xian's men drunk. Early in the morning, she deliberately startled the horses in the stable; Liu Xian's men arose to check on them. The empress wept and said, "My sons were all here at first, but now they have all disappeared. Who among you killed them?" Thus Liu Xian did not order his men to pursue urgently. Taizu was able to reach the Helan tribe, but at that time the people had not yet fully pledged their allegiance. The empress's cousin, Wai Chao Dadi Yue, led his entire tribe to follow and serve Taizu with utmost courtesy and offerings. Liu Xian became angry and planned to harm the empress. At night, the empress fled to Kangni's home and hid in a sacred cart for three days. Kangni pleaded with his entire household for her rescue, and thus she was saved. When Liu Xian's tribe fell into chaos, she finally managed to escape back home. |
| 11 | 後後弟染干忌太祖之得人心，舉兵圍逼行宮。後出謂染干曰：「汝等今安所置我，而欲殺吾子也？」染干慚而去。 Later, the empress's younger brother Randgan, jealous of Taizu's popularity among the people, raised troops to surround and threaten the imperial traveling palace. The empress went out and said to Randgan: "Where do you intend to put me now, yet still wish to kill my son?" Randgan felt ashamed and left. |
| 12 | 後後少子秦王觚使於燕，慕容垂止之。後以觚不返，憂念寢疾，皇始元年崩，時年四十六，祔葬於盛樂金陵。後追加尊謚，配饗焉。 Later, the empress's youngest son, Qin Wang Gu, was sent as an envoy to Yan; Murong Chui detained him. Because Gu did not return, the empress became increasingly worried and fell ill. She died in the first year of Huangshi, at the age of forty-six, and was buried together with her husband at Jinling, Shengle. Posthumously, she received a revered title; sacrifices were offered to her in the temple. |
| 13 | 道武皇后慕容氏，寶之季女也。中山平，入充掖庭，得幸。左丞相衛王儀等奏請立皇后，帝從群臣議，令後鑄金人，成，乃立之，告於郊廟。封後母孟為漂陽君。後崩。 Empress Daowu Murong Shi was the youngest daughter of Bao. After Zhongshan fell, she entered the imperial palace and gained favor. Zuo Chengxiang Wei Wang Yi and others submitted a memorial requesting the emperor to establish an empress. The emperor followed the advice of his ministers, ordered her to cast a golden figure, and upon its successful completion, he made her empress and announced it at the altars for sacrifices in the suburbs and temples. The emperor conferred the title Piaoyang Jun on Sheng, the mother of the empress. The empress died. |
| 14 | 道武宣穆皇後劉氏，劉眷女也。登國初，納為夫人，生華陰公主，後生太宗。後專理內事，寵待有加，以鑄金人不成，故不得登後位。魏故事，後宮產子將為儲貳，其母皆賜死。太祖末年，後以舊法薨。太宗即位，追尊謚號，配饗太廟。自此後宮人為帝母，皆正位配饗焉。 Empress Xuemu of Emperor Daowu, Liu Shi, was the daughter of Liu Juan. In the early years of Dengguo, she was taken as a Funü and bore Princess Huayin; later, she gave birth to Taizong. The empress managed internal affairs exclusively and was especially favored. However, because she failed the golden figure casting ritual, she did not attain the position of empress. According to Wei dynasty tradition, if a woman in the palace gave birth to a son who would become heir apparent, his mother was always executed. In the later years of Taizu's reign, she died according to this old law. After Taizong ascended the throne, he posthumously honored her with a title and offered sacrifices for her in the Imperial Ancestral Temple (Tai庙). From then on, all palace women who became emperors' mothers were given official titles and honored with sacrifices in the temple. |
| 15 | 明元昭哀皇後姚氏，姚興女也，興封西平長公主。太宗以後禮納之，後為夫人。後以鑄金人不成，未升尊位，然帝寵幸之，出入居處，禮秩如後焉。是後猶欲正位，而後謙讓不當。泰常五年薨，帝追恨之，贈皇后璽綬，而後加謚焉。葬雲中金陵。 Empress Zhaoai of Emperor Mingyuan, Yao Shi, was the daughter of Yao Xing; Yao Xing had granted her the title Chang Gongzhu of Xiping. Taizong received her according to imperial rites and made her a Funü (lady). Because she failed the golden figure casting, she did not ascend to a higher rank. However, the emperor favored and loved her; when entering or leaving, and in her residence, she was treated with rites equal to those of an empress. The emperor still wished for her to become empress, but she humbly declined the position. She died in the fifth year of Taichang; the emperor deeply regretted her death, posthumously bestowing on her an empress seal and sash, and later added a title to honor her. She was buried at Jinling in Yunzhong. |
| 16 | 明元密皇后杜氏，魏郡鄴人，陽平王超之妹也。初以良家子選入太子宮，有寵，生世祖。及太宗即位，拜貴嬪。泰常五年薨，謚曰密貴嬪，葬雲中金陵。世祖即位，追尊號謚，配饗太廟。又立後廟於鄴，刺史四時薦祀。以魏郡太后所生之邑，復其調役。後甘露降於廟庭。高祖時，相州刺史高閭表修後廟。詔曰：「婦人外成，理無獨祀，陰必配陽以成天地，未聞有莘之國，立太姒之饗。此乃先皇所立，一時之至感，非經世之遠制。便可罷祀。」 Empress Mi of Emperor Mingyuan Du Shi was a native of Ye, Wei Jun; she was the younger sister of Yangping Wang Chao. Initially selected from an ordinary family into the palace of the crown prince, she gained favor and gave birth to Emperor Shizu. When Taizong ascended the throne he appointed her as Gui-pin (a high-ranking concubine). She died in the fifth year of Tai Chang, posthumously honored with the title "Mi Gui-pin," and was buried at Jin Ling in Yun Zhong. When Shizu ascended the throne, he bestowed posthumous titles upon her and honored her with sacrifices in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. He also established a temple for her at Ye, where the local governor offered seasonal sacrifices on her behalf. Because it was the native county of an empress who had given birth to a queen mother, its corvée labor and taxes were exempted. Later, sweet dew fell in the courtyard of her temple. During the reign of Gaozu, Xiangzhou Cishi Gao Lu submitted a memorial requesting repairs to the empress's temple. The imperial edict stated: "Women's achievements are external, and by principle they cannot be worshipped alone. Yin must always be paired with Yang to complete the harmony of heaven and earth; I have never heard that the State of You had a sacrifice for Tai Si." "This was established by the late emperor out of deep emotion at the time, not an enduring regulation for future generations." "Therefore, the sacrifices may be discontinued." |
| 17 | 先是，世祖保母竇氏，初以夫家坐事誅，與二女俱入宮。操行純備，進退以禮。太宗命為世祖保母。性仁慈，勤撫導。世祖感其恩訓，奉養不異所生。及即位，尊為保太后，後尊為皇太后，封其弟漏頭為遼東王。太后訓厘內外，甚有聲稱。性恬素寡欲，喜怒不形於色，好揚人之善，隱人之過。世祖征涼州，蠕蠕吳提入寇，太后命諸將擊走之。真君元年崩，時年六十三。詔天下大臨三日，太保盧魯元監護喪事，謚曰惠，葬崞山，從後意也。初，後嘗登崞山，顧謂左右曰：「吾母養帝躬，敬神而愛人，若死而不滅，必不為賤鬼。然於先朝本無位次，不可違禮以從園陵。此山之上，可以終托。」故葬焉。別立後寢廟於崞山，建碑頌德。 Previously, Dou Shi, the wet nurse of Emperor Shizu, was originally brought into the palace with her two daughters after her husband's family had been executed for a crime. She possessed exemplary conduct and always acted in accordance with propriety. Taizong appointed her as the wet nurse for Emperor Shizu. She was kind-hearted and diligently cared for and guided him. Emperor Shizu was deeply moved by her kindness and teachings, and he provided for her no differently than if she were his biological mother. When he ascended the throne, Shizu honored her as Baotaihou; later she was elevated to Huangtaihou. Her younger brother Loudou was granted the title of Liaodong Wang (Prince of Liaodong). The empress dowager managed both internal and external affairs with great care, earning widespread acclaim. She was naturally tranquil, simple in nature, and had few desires; she never showed her joy or anger on her face. She liked to praise others' virtues and concealed their faults. When Emperor Shizu campaigned in Liangzhou, the Ruru chief Wu Di launched an invasion; the empress dowager ordered the generals to drive them away. In the first year of Zhenjun she passed away at the age of sixty-three. An imperial edict ordered a three-day mourning period for the entire realm. Taibao Lu Luyuan was entrusted with overseeing funeral arrangements, and she received the posthumous title "Hui." She was buried on Guoshan Mountain, in accordance with her wishes. Initially, when the empress once ascended Guoshan Mountain, she turned to those around her and said: "I raised the emperor with devotion; I revered gods and loved people. If after death my spirit does not vanish, it will surely not become a lowly ghost." "However, since I held no official rank in the previous dynasty, I cannot violate ritual propriety by being buried near the imperial mausoleum." "This mountain is a suitable place for me to rest forever." Thus, she was buried there. A separate temple and mausoleum were established for her on Guoshan Mountain; a stele was erected to extol her virtues. |
| 18 | 太武皇后赫連氏，赫連屈丐女也。世祖平統萬，納后及二妹俱為貴人，後立為皇后。高宗初崩，祔葬金陵。 Empress of Taibu Helian Shi was the daughter of Helian Qugai. When Emperor Shizu pacified Tongwan, he took her and her two younger sisters into the palace as guiren (consorts), later making her empress. After Gaozong's death in his early reign, she was buried together with him at Jinling. |
| 19 | 太武敬哀皇后賀氏，代人也。初為夫人，生恭宗。神䴥元年薨，追贈貴嬪，葬雲中金陵。後追加號謚，配饗太廟。 Empress Jingai of Taibu He Shi was a native of Dai. Initially she held the rank of Funü and gave birth to Gongzong. She died in the first year of Shenjia, was posthumously honored as Gui-pin, and buried at Jinling, Yunzhong. Later she received a posthumous title and was honored with sacrifices in the Imperial Ancestra Temple. |
| 20 | 景穆恭皇后鬱久閭氏，河東王毗妹也。少以選入東宮，有寵。真君元年，生高宗。世祖末年薨。高宗即位，追尊號謚。葬雲中金陵，配饗太廟。 Empress Gong of Jingmu Yujiu Lv Shi was the younger sister of Hedong Wang Pi. She was selected at a young age to enter the eastern palace and gained favor. In the first year of Zhen Jun, she gave birth to Gaozong. She died in the later years of Emperor Shizu's reign. When Gaozong ascended the throne, she was posthumously honored with a title and name. She was buried at Jinling, Yun Zhong, and honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple with sacrifices. |
| 21 | 高宗乳母常氏，本遼西人。太延中，以事入宮，世祖選乳高宗。慈和履順，有劬勞保護之功。高宗即位，尊為保太后，尋為皇太后，謁於郊廟。和平元年崩，詔天下大臨三日，謚曰昭，葬於廣寧磨笄山，俗謂之鳴雞山，太后遺志也。依惠太后故事，別立寢廟，置守陵二百家，樹碑頌德。 Chang Shi, Gaozong's wet nurse, was originally from Liaoxi. During Taiyan, she entered the palace due to certain circumstances; Emperor Shizu chose her as Gaozong's nursemaid. She was kind and gentle in nature, always obedient, and had great merit for her devoted care and protection of the emperor. loyd When Gaozong ascended to the throne, he honored her as Baotaihhou; soon after she was elevated to Huangtaitou and received homage at the altars of heaven and earth. She passed away in the first year of Heping. An imperial edict ordered three days of mourning for the entire realm, and she was posthumously given the title "Zhao." She was buried at Mojishan, Guangning, which is commonly known as Mingjishan—this was according to her own wishes before death. Following the precedent of Empress Dowager Hui, a separate mausoleum and temple were established for her; 200 families were assigned to guard the tomb, and a stele was erected in honor of her virtues. |
| 22 | 文成文明皇后馮氏，長樂信都人也。父朗，秦、雍二州刺史、西城郡公。母樂浪王氏。後生於長安，有神光之異。朗坐事誅，後遂入宮。世祖左昭儀，後之姑也，雅有母德，撫養教訓。年十四，高宗踐極，以選為貴人，後立為皇后。高宗崩，故事：國有大喪，三日之後，御服器物一以燒焚，百官及中宮皆號泣而臨之。後悲叫自投火中，左右救之，良久乃蘇。 Empress Wen Cheng Ming Hui Feng Shi was a native of Xindu, Changle. Her father Fu Lang served as Cishi (governor) of Qin and Yong provinces and held the title Gong (prince) of Xicheng Jun. Her mother was Wang Shi from Lelang. The empress was born in Chang'an and was accompanied by an unusual divine light. After Fu Lang was executed for a crime, the empress entered the palace. Zuo ZhaoYi of Emperor Shizu was her aunt and possessed noble maternal virtues, raising and educating her with care. At the age of fourteen, when Gaozong ascended throne, she was selected as guiren and later made empress. After Gaozong passed away, by tradition: in the event of a great national mourning, three days later all imperial garments and belongings were burned. All officials and the empress dowager wept aloud as they attended the ceremony. The empress cried out in grief and threw herself into the fire; those around her rescued her, and after a long time she regained consciousness. |
| 23 | 顯祖即位，尊為皇太后。丞相乙渾謀逆，顯祖年十二，居於諒暗，太后密定大策，誅渾，遂臨朝聽政。及高祖生，太后躬親撫養。是後罷令，不聽政事。太后行不正，內寵李弈。顯祖因事誅之，太后不得意。顯祖暴崩，時言太后為之也。 When Xianzu ascended the throne, he honored her as Huangtaihou (Empress Dowager). When Chancellor Yi Hun plotted rebellion, Xianzu was only twelve years old and in mourning. The empress dowager secretly decided on a major strategy to execute Hun, then took power and began to rule the court directly. When Gaozu was born, the empress dowager personally raised him with great care. After this, she retired from office and no longer participated in political affairs. The empress dowager acted improperly and favored Li Yi within the palace. Xianzu executed him on a charge, which made the empress dowager unhappy. When Xianzu died suddenly, it was said that the empress dowager had been responsible for his death. |
| 24 | 承明元年，尊曰太皇太后，復臨朝聽政。太后性聰達，自入宮掖，粗學書計。及登尊極，省決萬機。高祖詔曰：「朕以虛寡，幼纂寶歷，仰恃慈明，緝寧四海。欲報之德，正覺是憑，諸鷙鳥傷生之類，宜放之山林。其以此地為太皇太后經始靈塔。」於是罷鷹師曹，以其地為報德佛寺。太后與高祖游於方山，顧瞻川阜，有終焉之志。因謂群臣曰：「舜葬蒼梧，二妃不從。豈必遠祔山陵，然後為貴哉！吾百年之後，神其安此。」高祖乃詔有司營建壽陵於方山，又起永固石室，將終為清廟焉。太和五年起作，八年而成，刊石立碑，頌太后功德。太后以高祖富於春秋，乃作《勸戒歌》三百餘章，又作《皇誥》十八篇，文多不載。太后立文宣王廟於長安，又立思燕佛圖於龍城，皆刊石立碑。太后又制：內屬五廟之孫，外戚六親緦麻，皆受復除。性儉素，不好華飾，躬御縵繒而已。宰人上膳，案裁徑尺，羞膳滋味減於故事十分之八。太后嘗以體不安，服庵䕡子。宰人昏而進粥，有蝘蜓在焉，後舉匕得之。高祖侍側，大怒，將加極罰。太后笑而釋之。 In the first year of Chengming, she was honored as Taihuangtaihhou and resumed ruling the court directly. The empress dowager was naturally intelligent and perceptive; since entering the palace, she had studied basic writing and arithmetic. When she ascended to supreme power, she reviewed and decided on all major affairs of state. Gaozu issued an edict stating: "I, being young and lacking in virtue, have inherited the imperial legacy. I rely on your kindness and wisdom to bring peace and stability to all under heaven." "I wish to repay this virtue, relying on the true enlightenment. All fierce birds and creatures that harm life should be released into the mountains and forests." "Therefore, let this place become a sacred stupa built by Taihuangtaihou for spiritual cultivation." Thus the department of falconers was abolished, and the site was converted into Baode Temple in honor of her virtue. The empress dowager traveled with Gaozu to Fangshan, gazing at the rivers and hills, expressing a wish to rest there for eternity. She then said to her ministers: "Shun was buried in Cangwu, but his two consorts did not follow him." "Is it necessarily noble for a wife to be buried far from her husband's mausoleum in the mountains?" "After my death, may my spirit find peace here." Gaozu then issued an imperial decree ordering the officials to construct a mausoleum at Fangshan, and also built the Yonggu Stone Chamber, intending it eventually to become a temple for ancestral worship. Construction began in the fifth year of Taihe and was completed in the eighth year; stone inscriptions were carved, and a stele erected to extol the empress dowager's virtues and achievements. Because Gaozu was still young, the empress dowager composed more than three hundred chapters of "Quanjie Ge" (Songs of Admonition) and eighteen essays titled "Huanggao," most of which are no longer extant. The empress dowager established a temple for Wenxuan Wang in Chang'an, and also built Suyan Fotu at Longcheng; both were accompanied by stone inscriptions and steles. The empress dowager also decreed: the grandsons of five generations within her family, and six categories of relatives from outside the clan who wore the mourning clothes of si or ma, would all be exempt from taxes and labor. She was naturally frugal and simple in nature; she did not like luxurious ornaments but wore only plain silk garments. The attendants serving food presented meals on plates no larger than a chi in diameter, and the variety and richness of the dishes were reduced by eight-tenths compared to previous standards. The empress dowager once took anacardium seeds (annacardium) due to illness. One day, when the attendants were drowsy and served porridge, a gecko was in it; she picked it out with her spoon. Gaozu, who stood by, became very angry and intended to impose the harshest punishment. The empress dowager smiled and forgave them. |
| 25 | 自太后臨朝專政，高祖雅性孝謹，不欲參決，事無巨細，一稟於太后。太后多智略，猜忍，能行大事，生殺賞罰，決之俄頃，多有不關高祖者。是以威福兼作，震動內外。故杞道德、王遇、張祐、苻承祖等拔自微閹，歲中而至王公；王叡出入臥內，數年便為宰輔，賞賚財帛以千萬億計，金書鐵券，許以不死之詔。李沖雖以器能受任，亦由見寵帷幄，密加錫賚，不可勝數。後性嚴明，假有寵待，亦無所縱。左右纖介之愆，動加捶楚，多至百餘，少亦數十。然性不宿憾，尋亦待之如初，或因此更加富貴。是以人人懷於利欲，至死而不思退。 Since the empress dowager assumed power, Gaozu by nature was filial and cautious; he did not wish to interfere in decisions. No matter how big or small a matter was, he referred it entirely to her for judgment. The empress dowager possessed great wisdom and strategy; she was shrewd, decisive, and capable of handling major affairs. Matters concerning life, death, rewards, or punishments were decided by her in an instant, often without consulting Gaozu at all. Thus, she wielded both authority and blessings, causing tremors of influence within the court and beyond. Therefore, figures such as Qi Daode, Wang Yu, Zhang You, and Fu Chengzu were elevated from obscure eunuchs to marquises or dukes within a year; Wang Rui, who had access to the inner palace chambers, became a chancellor in just several years. The rewards of wealth and silk given to them amounted into tens of thousands of units, and they received golden edicts on iron tablets promising them exemption from death sentences. Li Chong, although appointed for his talent and ability, also received secret favors and gifts from the empress dowager in private, which were too numerous to count. The empress dowager was strict and discerning; even those who received her favor were not indulged. Even minor faults committed by those around her would be met with beatings, often over a hundred strokes and at least several dozen. However, she did not hold grudges; soon after, she would treat them as before, and some even became wealthier or more powerful because of this. Thus, everyone was driven by desire for profit and power, to the point that they never considered retiring until death. |
| 26 | 太后曾與高祖幸靈泉池，燕群臣及籓國使人、諸方渠帥，各令為其方舞。高祖帥群臣上壽，太后忻然作歌，帝亦和歌。遂命群臣各言其志，於是和歌者九十人。 The empress dowager once accompanied Gaozu on a visit to the Lingquan Pool, where she hosted a banquet for ministers, envoys from vassal states, and leaders of various regions. She ordered each group to perform dances representing their respective regions. Gaozu led the ministers in offering longevity wishes, and the empress dowager joyfully composed a song, to which the emperor also responded with a harmonizing verse. She then ordered all ministers present to express their aspirations, and thus ninety people joined in singing songs in harmony. |
| 27 | 太后外禮民望元丕、游明根等，頒賜金帛輿馬。每至褒美叡等，皆引丕等參之，以示無私。又自以過失，懼人議己，小有疑忌，便見誅戮。迄後之崩，高祖不知所生。至如李訢、李惠之徒，猜嫌覆滅者十餘家，死者數百人，率多枉濫，天下冤之。 The empress dowager publicly honored prominent civilians such as Yuan Pi and You Minggen, bestowing upon them gold, silk, carriages, and horses. Whenever she praised Wang Rui or others, she would also involve Yuan Pi and the rest to demonstrate impartiality. She was also afraid of being criticized for her own mistakes, so whenever there were even slight suspicions or jealousies, she would have people executed. Until the empress dowager's death, Gaozu did not know who his biological mother was. As for figures like Li Xin and Li Hui, more than ten families were destroyed due to suspicions or accusations, with hundreds of people executed—most of them innocent. People across the land regarded this as a great injustice. |
| 28 | 十四年，崩於太和殿，時年四十九。其日，有雄雉集於太華殿。高祖酌飲不入口五日，毀慕過禮。謚曰文明太皇太后，葬於永固陵。日中而反，虞於鑒玄殿。詔曰：「尊旨從儉，不申罔極之痛；稱情允禮，仰損儉訓之德。進退思惟，倍用崩感。又山陵之節，亦有成命：內則方丈，外裁掩坎；脫於孝子之心有所不盡者，室中可二丈，墳不得過三十餘步。今以山陵萬世所仰，復廣為六十步。辜負遺旨，益以痛絕。其幽房大小，棺槨質約，不設明器。至於素帳、縵茵、瓷瓦之物，亦皆不置。此則遵先志，從冊令，俱奉遺事。而有從有違，未達者或以致怪。梓宮之里，玄堂之內，聖靈所憑，是以一一奉遵，仰昭儉德。其餘外事，有所不從，以盡痛慕之情。其宣示遠近，著告群司，上明儉誨之善，下彰違命之失。」及卒哭，孝文服衰，近臣從服，三司已下外臣衰服者，變服就練，七品已下盡除即吉。設祔祭於太和殿，公卿已下始親公事。高祖毀瘠，絕酒肉，不內御者三年。 In the fourteenth year (of her reign), she passed away in Taihe Palace at the age of forty-nine. On that day, a male pheasant gathered on Taihua Hall. Gaozu drank no wine for five days and mourned with excessive grief beyond the prescribed rites. She was posthumously honored as Taihuangtaihou Wenming, and buried in Yonggu Mausoleum. He returned at noon and rested in Jianxuan Hall. The imperial decree stated: "Honoring the late empress dowager with simplicity, we cannot fully express our boundless grief; yet in accordance with filial sentiment and proper rites, we must uphold her virtue of frugality." We pondered the matter carefully, and each step only deepened our sorrow. Regarding the rites for her burial, there were also established instructions: within the tomb chamber, it should be only one square zhang in size; externally, the mound should barely cover the pit. If a filial son felt his grief was not fully expressed, then the inner chamber might be extended to two zhang, but the height of the tomb must not exceed thirty paces. Now, since this mountainous mausoleum is something for all generations to revere, we have expanded it to sixty paces in width. This violates her final wishes and only deepens our anguish. The size of the underground chamber, as well as the coffins and outer cases, should be modest in quality and simple in design; no ritual objects or grave goods are to be placed inside. As for plain canopies, coarse mats, porcelain tiles, and similar items, they should also not be included. This is to follow her previous wishes, obey the imperial decree, and honor all of her final instructions. Yet some matters were followed while others were not; those who failed to understand might find this strange or suspicious. Within the coffin and in the inner chamber, where her sacred spirit resides, every detail was carefully followed to honor her virtue of frugality. As for other external matters, we have deviated somewhat in order to fully express our grief and mourning. This should be proclaimed far and wide, announced to all government offices: above, it clarifies the virtue of frugality; below, it highlights the failure to follow orders." After the completion of mourning rites, Xiaowen wore a hemp robe in deep mourning; close ministers followed suit. Officials below the Three Boards who had worn mourning robes changed to lighter mourning attire, while all officials at the seventh rank and lower removed their mourning clothes entirely and resumed normal dress. A posthumous memorial sacrifice was held in Taihe Hall, after which officials at the level of gongqing and below resumed their official duties. Gaozu mourned so deeply that he became emaciated, abstaining from alcohol and meat for three years and refraining from any intimate relations during this time. |
| 29 | 初，高祖孝於太后，乃於永固陵東北里餘，豫營壽宮，有終焉瞻望之志。及遷洛陽，乃自表纏西以為山園之所，而方山虛宮至今猶存，號曰「萬年堂」云。 Initially, Gaozu was filial to the empress dowager and had prepared his own mausoleum more than a mile northeast of Yonggu Mausoleum, expressing his wish to be buried there so he could gaze upon her resting place for eternity. Later, when he moved the capital to Luoyang, he designated Chuanxi as the site for his mausoleum. The empty palace at Fangshan still stands today and is known as "Wannian Hall." |
| 30 | 文成元皇后李氏，梁國蒙縣人，頓丘王峻之妹也。後之生也，有異於常，父方叔恆言此女當大貴。及長，姿質美麗。世祖南征，永昌王仁出壽春，軍至後宅，因得後。及仁鎮長安，遇事誅，後與其家人送平城宮。高宗登白樓望見，美之，謂左右曰：「此婦人佳乎？」左右咸曰「然」。乃下臺，後得幸於齋庫中，遂有娠。常太后後問後，後云：「為帝所幸，仍有娠。」時守庫者亦私書壁記之，別加驗問，皆相符同。及生顯祖，拜貴人。太安二年，太后令依故事，令後具條記在南兄弟及引所結宗兄洪之，悉以付托。臨訣，每一稱兄弟，輒拊胸慟泣，遂薨。後謚曰元皇后，葬金陵，配饗太廟。 Empress Yuanhou of Wencheng, Lady Li, was a native of Meng Xian, Liang Guo. She was the younger sister of Dunqiu Wang Jun. When she was born, there were unusual signs that set her apart from ordinary people; her father Fang Shu often said this daughter would achieve great honor. As she grew up, she became beautiful in appearance and graceful in demeanor. During Shizu's southern campaign, Yongchang Wang Ren advanced to Shouchun; when his troops arrived at her family home, they captured her and brought her in. Later, when Ren was stationed in Chang'an and executed for a crime, she and her family were sent to Pingcheng Palace. Gaozong was on the White Tower when he saw her, admired her beauty, and asked those around him: "Is this woman beautiful?" Those present all replied, "Yes." He then descended from the tower and visited her in the斋库 (zhai ku), where she gained his favor and became pregnant. Later, Changhuangtaihou asked her about the matter, and she replied: "I was favored by the emperor and became pregnant." At that time, the keeper of the storehouse had also secretly recorded it on the wall. When separately questioned and verified, all accounts matched exactly. After she gave birth to Xianzu, she was honored as Gui Ren (a rank of concubine). In the second year of Taian, the empress dowager ordered her to follow established precedent and record in detail her brothers living in the south as well as her cousin Hong Zhi, entrusting them all with specific responsibilities. At the moment of parting, whenever she mentioned one of her brothers by name, she would clutch her chest and weep bitterly until she passed away. She was posthumously honored with the title Yuan Huanghou, buried in Jinling, and enshrined for ancestral worship at the imperial temple. |
| 31 | 獻文思皇后李氏，中山安喜人，南郡王惠之女也。姿德婉淑，年十八，以選入東宮。顯祖即位，為夫人，生高祖。皇興三年薨，上下莫不悼惜。葬金陵。承明元年追崇號謚，配饗太廟。 Empress Si of Xianwen, Lady Li, was from Anxi, Zhongshan; she was the daughter of Nanjun Wang Hui. She possessed graceful beauty and virtuous character. At the age of eighteen, she entered the eastern palace through selection. When Xianzu ascended the throne, she was made Funü (a title for a consort) and gave birth to Gaozu. She died in the third year of Huangxing; both court officials and common people mourned her deeply, feeling great sorrow for her passing. She was buried in Jinling. In the first year of Chengming, her title and posthumous name were bestowed in a grand ceremony, and she was enshrined for ancestral worship in the imperial temple. |
| 32 | 孝文貞皇後林氏，平原人也。叔父金閭，起自閹官，有寵於常太后，官至尚書、平涼公。金閭兄勝為平涼太守。金閭，顯祖初為定州刺史。未幾為乙渾所誅，兄弟皆死。勝無子，有二女，入掖庭。後容色美麗，得幸於高祖，生皇子恂。以恂將為儲貳，太和七年後依舊制薨。高祖仁恕，不欲襲前事，而稟文明太后意，故不果行。謚曰貞皇后，葬金陵。及恂以罪賜死，有司奏追廢後為庶人。 Empress Zhen of Xiaowen, Lady Lin, was from Pingyuan. Her uncle Jinlvu rose from the rank of eunuch and gained favor with Changhuangtaihou. He held the position of Shangshu (Minister) and was granted the title Gong of Pingliang. Jinlvu's elder brother, Sheng, served as Taishou (Governor) of Pingliang. Jinlvu was initially appointed as Zhizhou (governor) of Dingzhou during the reign of Xianzu. Not long after, he was executed by Yihun, and all his brothers perished as well. Sheng had no sons but two daughters, who were taken into the palace. The daughter was beautiful and graceful; she gained favor with Gaozu and gave birth to Crown Prince Xun. Since Xun was about to be designated as the crown prince, in the seventh year of Tahe, she passed away according to established palace customs. Gaozu was compassionate and merciful; he did not wish for the same fate as before but followed the will of Empress Dowager Wenming, so the matter was not carried out. She was posthumously honored as Huanghou Zhen and buried in Jinling. After Xun was executed for his crimes, the officials reported to the court requesting that she be posthumously demoted from empress status back to commoner rank. |
| 33 | 孝文廢皇后馮氏，太師熙之女也。太和十七年，高祖既終喪，太尉元丕等表以長秋未建，六宮無主，請正內位。高祖從之，立後為皇后。高祖每遵典禮，後及夫、嬪以下接御皆以次進。車駕南伐，後留京師。高祖又南征，後率六宮遷洛陽。及後父熙、兄誕薨，高祖為書慰以敘哀情。及車駕還洛，恩遇甚厚。高祖後重引后姊昭儀至洛，稍有寵，後禮愛漸衰。昭儀自以年長，且前入宮掖，素見待念，輕後而不率妾禮。後雖性不妒忌，時有愧恨之色。昭儀規為內主，譖構百端。尋廢後為庶人。後貞謹有德操，遂為練行尼。後終於瑤光佛寺。 Empress Fei of Xiaowen, Lady Feng, was the daughter of Taishi Xi. In the seventeenth year of Tahe, after Gaozu had completed his mourning period, Taiwei Yuan Pi and others submitted a memorial stating that since the position of Changqiu (a high-ranking consort title) remained vacant and no one presided over the Six Palaces, they requested that an empress be formally appointed. Gaozu agreed to their request and established her as empress. Whenever Gaozu followed the traditional rites, he received consorts such as the empress, fu, and pin in order of rank. When the imperial procession launched a southern campaign, she remained in the capital. Gaozu again led a southern expedition, and she led the Six Palaces to relocate to Luoyang. When her father Xi and brother Dan passed away, Gaozu personally wrote a letter of condolence to express his grief. After the imperial procession returned to Luoyang, she received great favor and generous treatment from the emperor. Later, Gaozu summoned her elder sister, Zhao Yi, to Luoyang and showed her some favor; as a result, the empress gradually lost his affection and respect. Zhao Yi considered herself older in age and had entered the palace earlier, where she was long accustomed to being favored. She looked down on the empress and did not observe proper etiquette as a concubine should. Although the empress by nature was not jealous, she occasionally showed expressions of shame and resentment. Zhao Yi schemed to become the head of the inner palace and fabricated numerous accusations against her. Soon after, she was deposed from empress rank and reduced to commoner status. She remained virtuous, modest, and morally upright, so later became a Buddhist nun practicing ascetic discipline. She passed away at Yaoguang Temple. |
| 34 | 孝文幽皇后，亦馮熙女。母曰常氏，本微賤，得幸於熙，熙元妃公主薨後，遂主家事。生後與北平公夙。文明太皇太后欲家世貴寵，乃簡熙二女俱入掖庭，時年十四。其一早卒。後有姿媚，偏見愛幸。未幾疾病，文明太后乃遣還家為尼。高祖猶留念焉。歲餘而太后崩。高祖服終，頗存訪之。又聞後素疹痊除，遣閹官雙三念璽書勞問，遂迎赴洛陽。及至，寵愛過初，專寢當夕，宮人稀復進見。拜為左昭儀，後立為皇后。 Empress You of Xiaowen was also the daughter of Feng Xi. Her mother, Lady Chang, had originally been lowly and gained favor with Feng Xi. After the death of Feng's first wife, Princess Yuanfei, she took charge of household affairs. She gave birth to this empress as well as Beiping Gong Su. Empress Dowager Wenming Taihuangtaihou wished for the family to enjoy noble status and favor, so she selected two daughters of Feng Xi to enter the palace at the age of fourteen. One of them died young. The other was graceful and charming, and thus especially favored by the emperor. Not long after she fell ill, Empress Dowager Wenming sent her back home to become a nun. Gaozu still cherished memories of her. More than a year later, the empress dowager passed away. After completing his mourning period for Gaozu, he still inquired about her from time to time. He also heard that the empress had long since recovered from her illness, so he sent an eunuch named Shuang San Nian with a sealed imperial edict to express his concern and inquire after her well-being. He then summoned her to Luoyang. When she arrived, he favored her even more than before; she occupied the emperor's attention each night, and palace attendants rarely had an opportunity to see him. She was first conferred the title of Zuo ZhaoYi, and later made empress. |
| 35 | 始以疾歸，頗有失德之聞。高祖頻歲南征，後遂與中官高菩薩私亂。及高祖在汝南不豫，後便公然醜恣，中常侍雙蒙等為其心腹。中常侍劇鵬諫而不從，憤懼致死。是時，彭城公主，宋王劉昶子婦也，年少嫠居。北平公馮夙，後之同母弟也，後求婚於高祖，高祖許之。公主志不願，後欲強之。婚有日矣，公主密與侍婢及家僮十餘人，乘輕車，冒霖雨，赴懸瓠奉謁高祖，自陳本意，因言後與菩薩亂狀。高祖聞而駭愕，未之全信而秘匿之，惟彭城王侍疾左右，具知其事。此後，後漸憂懼，與母常氏求托女巫，禱厭無所不至，願高祖疾不起，一旦得如文明太后輔少主稱命者，賞報不貲。又取三牲宮中妖祠，假言祈福，專為左導。母常或自詣宮中，或遣侍婢與相報答。高祖自豫州北幸鄴，後慮還見治檢，彌懷危怖，驟令閹人托參起居，皆賜之衣裳，殷勤托寄，勿使漏洩。亦令雙蒙充行，省其信不。然惟小黃門蘇興壽密陳委曲。高祖問其本末，敕以勿洩。至洛，執問菩薩、雙蒙等六人，迭相證舉，具得情狀。高祖以疾臥含溫室，夜引後，並列菩薩等於戶外。後臨入，令閹人搜衣中，稍有寸刃便斬。後頓首泣謝，乃賜坐東楹，去禦筵二丈餘。高祖令菩薩等陳狀，又讓後曰：「汝母有妖術，可具言之。」后乞屏左右，有所密啟。高祖敕中侍悉出，唯令長秋卿白整在側，取衛直刀柱之。后猶不言。高祖乃以綿堅塞整耳，自小語呼整再三，無所應，乃令後言。事隱，人莫知之。高祖乃喚彭城、北海二王令入坐，言：「昔是汝嫂，今乃他人，但入勿避。」二王固辭，不獲命。及入，高祖云：「此老嫗乃欲白刃插我肋上！可窮問本末，勿有所難。」高祖深自引過，致愧二王。又云：「馮家女不能復相廢逐，且使在宮中空坐，有心乃能自死，汝等勿謂吾猶有情也。」高祖素至孝，猶以文明太后故，未便行廢。良久，二王出，乃賜后辭死訣。再拜稽首，涕泣歔欷。令入東房。及入宮後，帝命閹人有所問於后。后罵曰：「天子婦，親面對，豈令汝傳也！」高祖怒，敕后母常入，示與后狀，常撻之百餘乃止。高祖尋南伐，后留京師。雖以罪失寵，而夫人嬪妾奉之如法。惟令世宗在東宮，無朝謁之事。高祖疾甚，謂彭城王勰曰：「後宮久乖陰德，自絕於天。若不早為之所，恐成漢末故事。吾死之後，可賜自盡別宮，葬以后禮，庶掩馮門之大過。」高祖崩，梓宮達魯陽，乃行遺詔。北海王詳奉宣遺旨，長秋卿白整等入授后藥。后走呼不肯引決，曰：「官豈有此也，是諸王輩殺我耳！」整等執持，強之，乃含椒而盡。殯以后禮。梓宮次洛南，咸陽王禧等知審死，相視曰：「若無遺詔，我兄弟亦當作計去之，豈可令失行婦人宰制天下，殺我輩也。」謚曰幽皇后，葬長陵塋內。 Initially she had returned home due to illness, but there were already rumors about her moral failings. As Gaozu frequently launched southern campaigns year after year, the empress then engaged in an illicit relationship with the eunuch Gao Pusa. When Gaozu fell ill in Ruanan, the empress openly indulged in her vices, with Zhongchangshi Shuang Meng and others serving as her close confidants. Zhongchangshi Ju Peng advised against it but was not heeded; in anger and fear, he died. At that time, Princess Pengcheng, the daughter-in-law of Prince Songwang Liu Chang, was young and a widow. Beiping Gong Feng Su, the empress's full younger brother, proposed marriage to Gaozu on her behalf, and Gaozu agreed. The princess did not wish to agree, but the empress wanted to force her hand. The wedding date had already been set, but the princess secretly traveled with more than ten of her attendants and household servants in a light carriage, braving heavy rain, to Xuanhu where she paid homage to Gaozu. She explained her true intentions and also reported on the empress's illicit relationship with Pusa. Gaozu was shocked upon hearing this, but did not fully believe it and kept the matter secret. Only Prince Pengcheng Wang, who attended to Gaozu's illness, knew all the details of the affair. After this, the empress gradually became anxious and fearful. She sought out her mother Chang Shi and hired female shamans to perform prayers and curses without limit, hoping that Gaozu would not recover from his illness so that she might one day become a regent like Empress Dowager Wenming, guiding a young emperor and receiving immeasurable rewards. She also took three sacrificial animals from the palace to offer at an evil shrine, falsely claiming it was for blessings, and used them as a means of guidance. Her mother Chang sometimes visited the palace in person or sent attendants to exchange messages with her. When Gaozu traveled north from Yu Zhou to Ye, the empress feared that upon his return he would investigate and punish her misconduct. She became increasingly fearful and anxious, frequently instructing eunuchs who were sent as attendants on his daily routines, bestowing them with clothes and earnestly entrusting them not to reveal any information. She also ordered Shuang Meng to accompany the journey in order to verify whether her messages were being delivered properly. Yet only Xiao Huangmen Su Xingshou secretly reported the details of these events. Gaozu inquired about the entire matter and ordered him not to disclose it further. Upon arriving at Luoyang, Gaozu interrogated Pusa, Shuang Meng, and five others. Through repeated questioning and mutual accusations, the full details of their misconduct were uncovered. While Gaozu was lying ill in the Hantunshi (a warm room), he summoned the empress at night and had Pusa and others lined up outside the door. Before she entered, Gaozu ordered eunuchs to search her clothes; if any blade were found on her person, she would be executed immediately. The empress kowtowed and wept in gratitude, then was granted a seat at the eastern pillar, more than two zhang away from the imperial banquet. Gaozu ordered Pusa and others to recount their actions, then rebuked the empress, saying, "Your mother practices witchcraft. You must fully explain it." The empress requested that all attendants be dismissed so she could make a secret report. Gaozu ordered the attendants to leave, and only instructed Changqiu Qing Bai Zheng to remain by his side, taking a guard's straight sword and placing it upright. The empress still did not speak. Gaozu then tightly plugged Bai Zheng's ears with cotton, and called out to him in a low voice several times. When there was no response, he ordered the empress to speak. The matter remained secret; no one else knew about it. Gaozu then summoned the two princes, Pengcheng and Beihai Wang, to sit with him and said, "She was once your sister-in-law, but now she is a stranger. Just enter without hesitation." The two princes repeatedly declined, but were not allowed to refuse the order. When they entered, Gaozu said, "This old woman wanted a blade plunged into my ribs!" "You may thoroughly question her about the whole matter and show no hesitation." Gaozu deeply acknowledged his own fault, causing shame to the two princes. He also said, "I cannot now depose or expel this woman of the Feng family. Let her sit idly in the palace; if she has any intention at all, she will kill herself. Do not think I still have feelings for her." Gaozu had always been extremely filial; because of Empress Dowager Wenming's influence, he did not immediately proceed with the act of deposing her. After a long time, the two princes left, and Gaozu then allowed the empress to say her final farewell as if she were about to die. She bowed twice in deep reverence, weeping bitterly with sobs and gasps. He ordered her to enter the eastern chamber. After she entered the palace, the emperor ordered eunuchs to ask her certain questions. The empress scolded them, saying, "I am the wife of an emperor; if I must face him in person, how could you be allowed to act as intermediaries!" Gaozu became angry and ordered the empress's mother Chang to enter, showing her the empress's misconduct. Lady Chang beat her more than a hundred times before stopping. Not long after, Gaozu launched another southern campaign and left the empress behind in the capital. Although she had lost favor due to her crimes, the imperial consorts and concubines still treated her according to protocol. Only Shizong, who was in the eastern palace, did not perform court visits or pay homage to her. When Gaozu's illness worsened, he said to Prince Pengcheng Wang Xie, "For a long time now, the empress has violated moral virtue and has cut herself off from heaven. If we do not deal with her soon, I fear it will become like the old tale of the end of the Han dynasty." "After my death, you may grant her permission to commit suicide in a separate palace and bury her with the rites for an empress. This will perhaps conceal the great disgrace of the Feng family." After Gaozu passed away, when his coffin arrived at LuYang, they carried out the emperor's last will. Prince Beihai Wang Xiang announced the imperial decree, and Changqiu Qing Bai Zheng and others entered to give her the poison. The empress ran about, crying out and refusing to take the poison, saying, "How could an official do this? It is those princes who are killing me!" Bai Zheng and others seized her by force and compelled her to take it, so she swallowed the pepper and died. She was buried with the rites befitting an empress. When the coffin was en route to Luoyang's southern side, Prince Xianyang Wang Xi and others learned of her death. Glancing at each other, they said, "If there had been no last will from the emperor, my brothers and I would have also devised a plan to get rid of her. How could we allow such an immoral woman to rule over the empire and kill us?" She was posthumously honored as Empress You, and buried within the mausoleum of Changling. |
| 36 | 孝文昭皇后高氏，司徒公肇之妹也。父揚，母蓋氏，凡四男三女，皆生於東裔。高祖初，乃舉室西歸，達龍城鎮，鎮表後德色婉艷，任充宮掖。及至，文明太后親幸北部曹，見後姿貌，奇之，遂入掖庭，時年十三。 Empress Zhao of Emperor Xiaowen, Gao Shi, was the younger sister of Situ Gong Zhao. Her father was Yang and her mother Ge Shi; they had four sons and three daughters, all born in the eastern territories. In the early years of Gaozu's reign, they moved their entire household westward and arrived at Longcheng Zhen. The commander there reported to the court that Lady Gao was graceful in appearance and charming in demeanor, recommending her for service in the palace. When she arrived, Empress Dowager Wenming personally visited the northern department and saw Lady Gao's beauty and bearing. She was impressed and thus entered the palace at the age of thirteen. |
| 37 | 初，後幼曾夢在堂內立，而日光自窗中照之，灼灼而熱，後東西避之，光猶斜照不已。如是數夕，後自怪之，以白其父揚，揚以問遼東人閔宗。宗曰：「此奇徵也，貴不可言。」揚曰：「何以知之？」宗曰：「夫日者，君人之德，帝王之象也。光照女身，必有恩命及之。女避猶照者，主上來求，女不獲已也。昔有夢月入懷，猶生天子，況日照之徵。此女必將被帝命，誕育人君之象也。」遂生世宗。後生廣平王懷，次長樂公主。及馮昭儀寵盛，密有母養世宗之意。後自代如洛陽，暴薨於汲郡之共縣，或云昭儀遣人賊後也。世宗之為皇太子，三日一朝幽後，後拊念慈愛有加。高祖出征，世宗入朝，必久留後宮，親視櫛沐，母導隆備。 Initially, when she was young, the empress once dreamed that she stood inside a hall where sunlight streamed in through the window, shining intensely and warmly. She tried to avoid it by moving east or west, but the light continued to shine obliquely without ceasing. This happened for several nights in a row, and the empress herself found it strange. She told her father Yang, who then asked Liao Dong native Min Zong about it. Min Zong said, "This is an extraordinary omen; your future greatness cannot be described in words." Yang asked, "How do you know this?" Min Zong replied, "The sun represents the virtue of a ruler and is an image of emperors. Sunlight shining on a woman's body means she will surely receive imperial favor." The fact that the light continues to shine even when she tries to avoid it indicates that the emperor himself is seeking her, and she cannot escape this fate." "In the past, a woman who dreamed of the moon entering her arms bore an emperor. How much more so is it with such an omen of sunlight?" "This girl will surely be chosen by imperial decree and bear a ruler, as the dream indicates." She then gave birth to Shizong. The empress later bore Prince Guangping Wang Huai and the next, Princess Changle. When Feng ZhaoYi gained great favor, she secretly harbored intentions to raise Shizong as her own son. When the empress traveled from Dai to Luoyang, she suddenly died in Gong Xian of Ji Jun. Some claimed that it was Feng ZhaoYi who had sent people to murder her. When Shizong was the crown prince, he paid homage to Empress You every three days, and she treated him with extra tenderness and affection. When Gaozu went on a campaign, Shizong would visit the palace upon returning to court and always stayed for an extended time in the inner quarters. The empress personally oversaw his grooming and bathing, providing abundant maternal guidance. |
| 38 | 其後有司奏請加昭儀號，謚曰文昭貴人，高祖從之。世宗踐阼，追尊配饗。後先葬城西長陵東南，陵制卑局。因就起山陵，號終寧陵，置邑戶五百家。肅宗詔曰：「文昭皇太后，德協坤儀，美符文姒，作合高祖，實誕英聖，而夙世淪暉，孤塋弗祔。先帝孝感自衷，遷奉未遂，永言哀恨，義結幽明。廢呂尊薄，禮伸漢代。」又詔曰：「文昭皇太后尊配高祖，祔廟定號，促令遷奉，自終及始，太后當主，可更上尊號稱太皇太后，以同漢晉之典，正姑婦之禮。廟號如舊。」文昭遷靈櫬於長陵兆西北六十步。初開終寧陵數丈，於梓宮上獲大蛇長丈餘，黑色，頭有「王」字，蟄而不動。靈櫬既遷，置蛇舊處。 Later, officials submitted a memorial requesting the bestowal of the title ZhaoYi on her, posthumously honoring her as Wenzhao Guiren. Gaozu approved this request. When Shizong ascended the throne, he posthumously honored and enshrined her for ancestral worship. She was first buried to the southeast of Changling in the western part of the city, but the tomb's structure was modest and unimpressive. Later, when building his own mausoleum, he relocated her remains there, naming it Zhongning Ling, and established a fief of 500 households for the tomb. Emperor Suzong issued an edict stating, "Empress Dowager Wenzhao, whose virtue harmonized with the Earth's principles and matched that of Wen Si, united in marriage with Gaozu and bore a truly outstanding and holy ruler. Yet she passed away early, her brilliance dimmed, and was buried alone without being enshrined alongside him." "The late emperor felt deep filial sorrow from within his heart, wishing to relocate and honor her remains but was unable to do so. He often spoke of this grief and regret, binding the living and the dead in eternal moral duty." "Discarding the example of Lady Lv's disrespect and restoring respect for her, we now fulfill proper rites as was done during the Han dynasty." Another edict stated, "Empress Dowager Wenzhau was honored as the consort of Gaozu and enshrined in the ancestral temple with a fixed title. We now urgently order her remains to be relocated for proper veneration, from beginning to end. The empress dowager should preside over this matter. She may henceforth receive an additional honorific title as Taihuangtaihou (Grand Empress Dowager), following the Han and Jin dynastic precedents and upholding the proper rites between grandmother and granddaughter-in-law." "The temple designation shall remain as it was." The remains of Empress Dowager Wenzhao were relocated to a site sixty paces northwest of the designated area for Changling. When they first excavated Zhongning Ling by several zhang, a large snake over one zhang long was found on the coffin. It was black in color with a "Wang" character on its head and remained coiled without moving. After the remains were moved, the snake was placed back at its original location. |
| 39 | 宣武順皇后于氏，太尉烈弟勁之女也。世宗始親政事，烈時為領軍，總心膂之任，以嬪御未備，因左右諷諭，稱後有容德，世宗乃迎入為貴人。時年十四，甚見寵愛，立為皇后，謁於太廟。後靜默寬容，性不妒忌，生皇子昌，三歲夭歿。其後暴崩，宮禁事秘，莫能知悉，而世議歸咎於高夫人。葬永泰陵，謚曰順皇后。 Empress Shun of Emperor Xuanwu, Yu Shi, was the daughter of General Taiwei Lie's younger brother, Jing. When Emperor Shizong first began to personally handle state affairs, General Lve Jun was in charge of the imperial guards and held a position of great trust. Because the emperor's consorts were not yet fully appointed, he subtly advised from both sides, praising Lady Yu for her beauty and virtue. Thus, Shizong welcomed her into the palace as Guiren (a high-ranking concubine). She was fourteen years old at that time and greatly favored. She was soon made empress and honored in the ancestral temple. The empress was quiet, tolerant, and by nature not jealous. She bore a son, Crown Prince Chang, who died at the age of three. Later she suddenly collapsed and died; palace affairs were kept secret, so no one knew the full details. However, public opinion blamed Gao Funü for her death. She was buried in Yongtai Ling and posthumously honored as Empress Shun. |
| 40 | 宣武皇后高氏，文昭皇后弟偃之女也。世宗納為貴人，生皇子，早夭，又生建德公主。後拜為皇后，甚見禮重。性妒忌，宮人希得進御。及肅宗即位，上尊號曰皇太后。尋為尼，居瑤光寺，非大節慶，不入宮中。建德公主始五六歲，靈太后恆置左右，撫愛之。神龜元年，太后出覲母武邑君。時天文有變，靈太后欲以後當禍，是夜暴崩，天下冤之。喪還瑤光佛寺，嬪葬皆以尼禮。初，高祖幽后之寵也，欲專其愛，後宮接御，多見阻遏。高祖時言於近臣，稱婦人妒防，雖王者亦不能免，況士庶乎？世宗暮年，高后悍忌，夫人嬪御有至帝崩不蒙侍接者。由是在洛二世，二十餘年，皇子全育者，惟肅宗而已。 Empress Gao of Emperor Xuanwu was the daughter of Lady Wenzhao's younger brother, Yan. Shizong took her into his harem as Guiren. She bore an imperial prince who died young and later gave birth to Princess Jiande. She was later honored as empress and greatly respected. She had a jealous nature, and palace ladies rarely gained access to the emperor. When Emperor Suzong ascended the throne, he bestowed her with the honorific title of Huangtaihou (Empress Dowager). Soon after, she became a nun and resided at Yaoguang Temple. She did not enter the palace except for major festivals or ceremonies. Princess Jiande was only five or six years old when Empress Dowager Ling often kept her by her side and doted on her. In Shengui Yuan Nian, the empress dowager went out to visit her mother, Wuyi Jun. At that time, there were changes in the heavens' omens. Empress Dowager Ling wanted to blame Lady Wuyi for the misfortune. That night, she suddenly collapsed and died, and people throughout the land considered her death unjust. Her funeral returned to Yaoguang Temple for Buddhist rites, and all consorts were buried according to nun's ceremonies. Initially, when Empress Gaozu was favored by the emperor and wished to monopolize his affection, she often obstructed or prevented other palace ladies from receiving imperial attention. Emperor Gaozu once spoke to his close ministers, saying that jealousy among women was a natural defense; even the Son of Heaven could not escape it, let alone commoners and scholars. In his later years, Emperor Shizong faced the jealous and domineering nature of Empress Gao. Some consorts and ladies-in-waiting went so long without receiving imperial attention that some did not see him at all until his death. Thus, during the two reigns in Luoyang over more than twenty years, only Emperor Suzong was born and raised successfully among all imperial princes. |
| 41 | 宣武靈皇後胡氏，安定臨涇人，司徒國珍女也。母皇甫氏，產後之日，赤光四照。京兆山北縣有趙胡者，善於卜相，國珍問之。胡云：「賢女有大貴之表，方為天地母，生天地主。勿過三人知也。」後姑為尼，頗能講道，世宗初，入講禁中。積數歲，諷左右稱后姿行，世宗聞之，乃召入掖庭為承華世婦。而椒掖之中，以國舊制，相與祈祝，皆願生諸王、公主，不願生太子。唯後每謂夫人等言：「天子豈可獨無兒子，何緣畏一身之死而令皇家不育塚嫡乎？」及肅宗在孕，同列猶以故事相恐，勸為諸計。後固意確然，幽夜獨誓云：「但使所懷是男，次第當長子，子生身死，所不辭也。」既誕肅宗，進為充華嬪。先是，世宗頻喪皇子，自以春秋長矣，深加慎護。為擇乳保，皆取良家宜子者，養於別宮，皇后及充華嬪皆莫得而撫視焉。及肅宗踐阼，尊後為皇太妃，後尊為皇太后。臨朝聽政，猶稱殿下，下令行事。後改令稱詔，群臣上書曰陛下，自稱曰朕。太后以肅宗沖幼，未堪親祭，欲傍《周禮》夫人與君交獻之義，代行祭禮，訪尋故式。門下召禮官、博士議，以為不可。而太后欲以幃幔自鄣，觀三公行事，重問侍中崔光。光便據漢和熹鄧后薦祭故事，太后大悅，遂攝行初祀。 Empress Ling of Emperor Xuanwu, Hu Shi, was a native of Linjing, Dingan, and the daughter of Siku Tu Guozhen. Her mother, Huangfu Shi, on the day she gave birth to her, was surrounded by a red glow shining in all directions. In Jingzhao's Shanbei Xian there was a man named Zhao Hu, who was skilled in divination and physiognomy. Guozhen consulted him about this matter. Zhao Hu said, "This noble daughter has the appearance of great fortune; she will become the mother of heaven and earth and give birth to their ruler." "Do not let more than three people know about this." The empress's aunt became a nun and was quite capable of expounding Buddhist teachings. In the early years of Emperor Shizong, she entered the palace to lecture within the inner court. After several years, she advised those around her to praise the empress's beauty and virtue. Emperor Shizong heard of this and summoned her into Yechting as Chenghua Shifu (a title for a lady-in-waiting). Yet, within the palace quarters, following old court customs, they would pray and make wishes together, all hoping to give birth to princes or princesses rather than a crown prince. Only the empress often told the other ladies, "How can an emperor possibly have no sons? Why should one fear death and allow the imperial family to lack a legitimate heir?" When Emperor Suzong was still in his mother's womb, other palace ladies still used past precedents to frighten her and advised various plans. The empress remained resolute and, in secret at night, vowed alone: "If what I carry is a son, he shall be the eldest. If my death follows his birth, I will not hesitate." After giving birth to Emperor Suzong, she was promoted to Chonghua Pin (a higher-ranking concubine title). Previously, Emperor Shizong had repeatedly lost his sons. Considering that he was now of advanced age, he took great care and precautions to protect them. He selected wet nurses and caretakers, choosing only those from good families known for bearing healthy children. The prince was raised in a separate palace, where neither the empress nor Lady Chonghua Pin were allowed to visit or care for him. When Emperor Suzong ascended to the throne, he honored her as Huangtaifei (Imperial Grand Concubine), and later elevated her title to Huangtaihou (Empess Dowager). While presiding over court affairs, she was still addressed as "Dianxia" (a respectful honorific), and issued orders to conduct official business. Later, the decree was changed so that she would be addressed as "Zhu" (imperial edict), and officials submitting memorials to her were required to address her as "Bixia," while she referred to herself as "Zhen." The empress dowager, considering that Emperor Suzong was too young to personally conduct sacrifices, wished to follow the principles in the Rites of Zhou where a wife and husband jointly offer sacrifices. She intended to perform the rituals on his behalf and sought out historical precedents for this practice. The Menxia Department summoned ritual officials and scholars to deliberate, who all considered it inappropriate. Yet the empress dowager wished to use curtains and veils to conceal herself while observing the Three Excellencies perform their rituals, so she again consulted Attendant-in-Ordinary Cui Guang. Cui Guang immediately cited the precedent of Empress Dowager Deng Soshi of the Han dynasty, who had performed sacrificial rites on behalf of the emperor. The empress dowager was greatly pleased and thus proceeded to perform the initial sacrifices in her place. |
| 42 | 太后性聰悟，多才藝，姑既為尼，幼相依托，略得佛經大義。親覽萬機，手筆斷決。幸西林園法流堂，命侍臣射，不能者罰之。又自射針孔，中之。大悅，賜左右布帛有差。先是，太后敕造申訟車，時御焉，出自雲龍大司馬門，從宮西北，入自千秋門，以納冤訟。又親策孝秀、州郡計吏於朝堂。太后與肅宗幸華林園，宴群臣於都亭曲水，令王公已下各賦七言詩。太后詩曰：「化光造物含氣貞。」帝詩曰：「恭己無為賴慈英。」王公已下賜帛有差。 The empress dowager had a sharp mind and many talents; since her aunt was a nun, she relied on her from an early age and gained some understanding of the essential meanings in Buddhist scriptures. She personally reviewed all state affairs and made decisions with her own hand. She visited the Faliutang Hall in Xilinyuan (West Forest Garden) and ordered her attendants to shoot arrows, imposing penalties on those who failed. She also shot an arrow at a needle's eye and hit the mark. Greatly pleased, she rewarded her attendants with varying amounts of cloth and silk. Previously, the empress dowager ordered the construction of a special carriage for hearing appeals and often rode in it. It departed from Yunlong Dashimamen Gate, traveled along the western side of the palace, and entered through Qianqiu Men to receive petitions and grievances. She also personally examined filial sons and virtuous scholars as well as officials from the provinces in the court hall. The empress dowager and Emperor Suzong visited Hualin Yuan (Garden of Flowers). They held a banquet for the ministers at Duting QuShui, ordering all princes and officials down to commoners to compose seven-character poems. The empress dowager's poem read: "Hua Guang Zao Wu Han Qi Zhen." The emperor's poem read: "Gong Ji Wu Wei Lai Ci Ying." Princes and officials down to lower ranks were rewarded with varying amounts of silk. |
| 43 | 太后父薨，百僚表請公除，太后不許。尋幸永寧寺，親建剎於九級之基，僧尼士女赴者數萬人。及改葬文昭高後，太后不欲令肅宗主事，乃自為喪主，出至終寧陵，親奠遣事，還哭於太極殿。至於訖事，皆自主焉。後幸嵩高山，夫人、九嬪、公主已下從者數百人，升於頂中。廢諸淫祀，而胡天神不在其列。後幸左藏，王公、嬪、主已下從者百餘人，皆令任力負布絹，即以賜之，多者過二百匹，少者百餘匹。唯長樂公主手持絹二十匹而出，示不異眾而無勞也。世稱共廉。儀同、陳留公李崇，章武王融並以所負過多，顛僕於地，崇乃傷腰，融至損腳。時人為之語曰：「陳留、章武，傷腰折股。貪人敗類，穢我明主。」尋幸闕口溫水，登雞頭山，自射象牙簪，一發中之，敕示文武。 When the empress dowager's father passed away, all government officials submitted a memorial requesting her to observe public mourning rites; she refused their request. Soon after, the empress dowager visited Yongning Temple and personally built a pagoda on its nine-tiered foundation. Tens of thousands of monks, nuns, men, and women gathered to witness this event. When the remains of Empress Wenzhao Gao were to be reburied, the empress dowager did not want Emperor Suzong to preside over the matter. Instead, she took charge of the funeral herself, going out to Zhongning Ling where she personally conducted the rites and sent off the procession. She returned and mourned at Taiji Dian (Hall of Supreme Polarity). From beginning to end, all matters were handled by her personally. Later, she visited Songgao Mountain and was accompanied by hundreds of ladies-in-waiting, consorts, princesses, and others as they ascended to the summit. She abolished all superstitious or excessive religious rites, but the Hu Tian Shen (a deity of the Hu people) was not included in this prohibition. The empress dowager once visited Zuocang (the western treasury), accompanied by over a hundred princes, consorts, and princesses. She ordered them all to carry as much silk and cloth as they could manage, then gave it to them as gifts—those who carried the most received over two hundred bolts, while those with less still took away more than one hundred. Only Princess Changle held twenty bolts of silk in her hands as she left, showing that she was no different from the others and had not exerted herself. The world praised her for this shared virtue of frugality. Yitong and Chenliu Gong Li Chong, as well as Zhangwu Wang Rong, both collapsed from carrying too much weight. Li Chong injured his waist, while Rong even damaged his foot. At the time, people made a saying: "Chenliu and Zhangwu, injured waist and broken legs." "Greedy men bring disgrace to their kind; they have sullied our wise ruler." Soon after, she visited the warm springs at Quekou and climbed Jitou Shan. She personally shot an ivory hairpin with one arrow that hit its mark, and ordered this feat to be shown to both civil and military officials. |
| 44 | 時太后得志，逼幸清河王懌，淫亂肆情，為天下所惡。領軍元叉、長秋卿劉騰等奉肅宗於顯陽殿，幽太后於北宮，於禁中殺懌。其後太后從子都統僧敬與備身左右張車渠等數十人，謀殺叉，復奉太后臨朝。事不克，僧敬坐徙邊，車渠等死，胡氏多免黜。後肅宗朝太后於西林園，宴文武侍臣，飲至日夕。叉乃起至太后前，自陳外雲太后欲害己及騰。太后答云「無此語」。遂至於極昏。太后乃起執肅宗手下堂，言：「母子不聚久，今暮共一宿，諸大臣送我入。」太后與肅宗向東北小閣，左衛將軍奚康生謀欲殺叉，不果。 At the time, with her power consolidated, the empress dowager forced Qinghe Wang Yi into her favor and indulged in licentious behavior without restraint, which was deeply despised by people throughout the land. General Yuan Cha and Chief Eunuch of Changqiu Qing Liu Teng, among others, took Emperor Suzong to Xianyang Dian (Hall), confined the empress dowager in Beigong (Northern Palace), and had Yi killed within the palace grounds. Later, the empress dowager's nephew, Dujun Sengjing, and several dozen others including Zhang Chequ from the imperial bodyguards, plotted to kill Yuan Cha in order to restore her to power over court affairs. The plot failed; Sengjing was exiled for his involvement, Chequ and others were executed, and many of the Hu family members were dismissed or demoted. Later, Emperor Suzong paid a visit to his mother at Xilinyuan and held a banquet for civil and military attendants. They drank until dusk. Yuan Cha then rose before the empress dowager, claiming that rumors had spread outside the palace accusing her of wanting to kill him and Liu Teng. The empress dowager replied, "I never said such a thing." Thus they continued until the very end of the night. The empress dowager then rose, took Emperor Suzong's hand into the hall, and said, "My son and I have not been together for a long time. Tonight we shall share one night; let all the ministers accompany me in." The empress dowager and Emperor Suong went toward a small pavilion in the northeast. Left Wei General Xi Kangsheng plotted to kill Yuan Cha but failed. |
| 45 | 自劉騰死，叉又寬怠。太后與肅宗及高陽王雍為計，解叉領軍。太后復臨朝，大赦改元。自是朝政疏緩，威恩不立，在下牧守，所在貪惏。鄭儼污亂宮掖，勢傾海內；李神軌、徐紇並見親侍，一二年中，位總禁要，手握王爵，輕重在心，宣淫於朝，為四方之所厭穢。文武解體，所在亂逆，土崩魚爛，由於此矣。僧敬又因聚集親族，遂涕泣諫曰：「陛下母儀海內，豈宜輕脫如此！」後大怒，自是不召僧敬。 After Liu Teng's death, Yuan Cha became more lax and careless. The empress dowager conspired with Emperor Suzong and Gaoyang Wang Yong to strip Yuan Cha of his position as General-in-Charge. The empress dowager resumed power, issued a general pardon, and changed the era name. From then on, court affairs became lax, authority and benevolence were not properly established, and local officials in charge of administration everywhere became corrupt and greedy. Zheng Yan engaged in licentious conduct within the palace and held such power that his influence extended throughout the realm. Li Shengu and Xu He were both favored attendants; within one or two years, they occupied key positions in the imperial court, controlled royal titles at will, and openly indulged their desires in public office, becoming a source of disgust for people across the land. The civil and military institutions collapsed; rebellion broke out everywhere. The realm disintegrated like rotting fish, all stemming from this time. Sengjing once again gathered his relatives and wept as he advised, "Your Majesty is the motherly exemplar of the realm; how could you behave so recklessly?" The empress dowager became greatly angered and from then on no longer summoned Sengjing. |
| 46 | 太后自以行不修，懼宗室所嫌，於是內為朋黨，防蔽耳目。肅宗所親幸者，太后多以事害焉。有蜜多道人，能胡語，肅宗置於左右。太后慮其傳致消息，三月三日於城南大巷中殺之。方懸賞募賊，又於禁中殺領左右、鴻臚少卿穀會、紹達，並帝所親也。母子之間，嫌隙屢起。鄭儼慮禍，乃與太后計，因潘充華生女，太后詐以為男，便大赦改年。肅宗之崩，事出倉卒，時論咸言鄭儼、徐紇之計。於是朝野憤嘆。太后乃奉潘嬪女言太子即位。經數日，見人心已安，始言潘嬪本實生女，今宜更擇嗣君。遂立臨洮王子釗為主，年始三歲，天下愕然。 Because she felt her conduct was flawed, the empress dowager feared being suspected by members of the imperial clan. Thus, she formed factions within and blocked others from gaining access to information or influence. Those favored by Emperor Suzong were often targeted for harm by the empress dowager through various means. There was a Daoist priest named Miduo, who could speak Hu language; Emperor Suzong placed him among his close attendants. The empress dowager feared that he might pass on secret messages, so on the third day of the third lunar month, she had him killed in a major street in the southern part of the city. While publicly offering rewards for capturing criminals, she secretly had General-in-Charge of the Imperial Guards and Assistant Minister of the Honglu Department Gu Hui and Shao Da killed within the palace—both were close to the emperor. Tensions between mother and son arose repeatedly. Zheng Yan, fearing disaster, conspired with the empress dowager. Taking advantage of Pan Chonghua's birth of a daughter, they falsely claimed it was a son and used this as an excuse to issue a general pardon and change the era name. The sudden death of Emperor Suzong led many at the time to claim it was a result of Zheng Yan and Xu He's schemes. Thus, both court officials and common people expressed anger and lamentation. The empress dowager then presented Pan Pin's daughter as the crown prince and declared that she had ascended to the throne. After several days, when she saw that public sentiment had calmed, she finally revealed that Pan Pin had indeed given birth to a daughter and declared that it was now appropriate to select another heir. They then enthroned Lin Tao Wang's son Zhao as emperor, who was only three years old; this shocked the entire realm. |
| 47 | 及武泰元年，爾朱榮稱兵渡河，太后盡召肅宗六宮皆令入道，太后亦自落發。榮遣騎拘送太后及幼主於河陰。太后對榮多所陳說，榮拂衣而起。太后及幼主並沉於河。太后妹馮翊君收瘞於雙靈佛寺。出帝時，始葬以後禮而追加謚。 When Wu Tai first year came, Erzhu Rong led his troops across the Yellow River. The empress dowager summoned all of Emperor Suzong's concubines and ordered them to become nuns; she herself also shaved her head. Erzhu Rong sent cavalrymen to seize the empress dowager and the young emperor, sending them to Heyin. The empress dowager made many arguments before Erzhu Rong, but he merely brushed his robe aside and rose in anger. Both the empress dowager and young emperor were drowned in the river. The empress dowager's sister, Fengyi Jun, retrieved their bodies and buried them at Shuangling Fosi Temple. During the reign of Emperor Chudi, they were finally given a burial with empress dowager rites and posthumously bestowed with temple names. |
| 48 | 孝明皇後胡氏，靈太后從兄冀州刺史盛之女。靈太后欲榮重門族，故立為皇后。肅宗頗有酒德，專嬖充華潘氏，後及嬪御並無過寵。太后為肅宗選納，抑屈人流。時博陵崔孝芬、範陽盧道約、隴西李瓚等女，但為世婦。諸人訴訟，咸見忿責。武泰初，後既入道遂居於瑤光寺。 Empress Hu of Emperor Xiaoming was the daughter of Hu Sheng, a cousin of Empress Dowager Ling and former Cishi (governor) of Jizhou. Empress Dowager Ling wished to honor her family's status, so she had her installed as empress. Emperor Suzong was quite fond of drinking and especially favored Concubine Pan Chonghua; the empress and other consorts did not receive such special favor. The empress dowager selected concubines for Emperor Suzong, often overriding public opinion and personal preferences. At that time, the daughters of Boling Cui Xiaofen, Fanyang Lu Daoyue, Longxi Li Zan and others were merely married as ordinary wives. When these families petitioned for redress, they all faced anger and blame. In the early Wu Tai period, after becoming a nun, the empress moved to live at Yaoguang Temple. |
| 49 | 孝靜皇后高氏，齊獻武王之第二女也。天平四年，娉以為皇后。王前後固辭，帝不許。興和初，詔侍中、司徒公孫騰，司空公、襄城王旭，兼尚書令、司州牧、西河王忭，兼太常卿及宗正卿元孝友等奉詔致禮，並備宮官侍衛，以後駕迎於晉陽之丞相第。五月，立為皇后，大赦天下。齊受禪，降為中山王妃。後降於尚書左僕射楊遵彥。 Empress Xiaojing Gao was the second daughter of King Xiwu Wang of Qi. In the fourth year of Tianping, she was betrothed and made empress. The king repeatedly and firmly declined, but the emperor refused to grant his request. In the early Xinghe period, an imperial edict was issued appointing Shizhong Sun Teng, Siku Gong and Prince of Xiangcheng Xu, concurrently serving as Shangshu Ling, Suzhou Zhu, Hei Wang Bian, concurrently holding the position of Taichang Qing and Zongzheng Qing Yuan Xiaoyou, among others, to carry out the ceremony with due rites. Palace officials and guards were also prepared to escort her by imperial procession from the prime minister's residence in Jinyang. In May, she was enthroned as empress, and a general pardon was declared throughout the realm. When Qi accepted the abdication of power, she was demoted to the wife of Prince Zhongshan. She later married Yang Zunyan, the Left Puye (Minister) of the Shangshu Department. |
| 50 | 史臣曰：始祖生自天女，克昌後葉。靈后淫恣，卒亡天下。傾城之戒，其在茲乎？鉤弋年稚子幼，漢武所以行權，魏世遂為常制。子貴母死，矯枉之義不亦過哉！高祖終革其失，良有以也。 The historian said: The First Ancestor was born from a celestial woman and ensured prosperity for future generations. Empress Dowager Ling, indulging in licentiousness and tyranny, ultimately led to the downfall of the realm. The warning of a city's collapse—could it be found here? Hookyi was young and her son even younger; Emperor Wu of Han acted with expedience, but the Wei dynasty later made it a regular system. When a mother dies because her child is honored, isn't this corrective measure taken to an excessive degree! Emperor Gaozu finally corrected this flaw; there was indeed good reason for it. |
URN: ctp:ws619054
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