The granting of temple titles often served the political purposes of the dynasty.
Gaozu and Taizu both belong to the temple numbers of the founders of the dynasty, but the division criteria are not very clear, often creating obstacles for readers to understand. This problem has a long history and cannot but attract attention.
By combing through the historical data, I found that since the Wei and Jin dynasties, "Gaozu" has actually become a substitute for "Taizu". Gaozu often had similar feats to Taizu, but for various reasons, he could not be awarded the title of Taizu.
In the temple system, Taizu is regarded as the founding prince of a dynasty, so Taizu's concubine means the orthodoxy of the dynasty.
The emperor rose slightly, reversed the chaos of the world, calmed the world, and was the han taizu, with the highest merit. --Book of Han, Chronicle of Emperor Gao
Gaozu's influence on legitimacy was weaker than that of Taizu. Therefore, when later generations posthumously sealed, they often determine Taizu first, and then determine Gaozu.
Take the Western Jin Dynasty as an example. Jin Gaozu was Sima Yi, while Jin Taizu was Sima Zhao.
The reason is obvious. If Sima Yi had been made Taizu, the Sima Shi lineage would have become the concubine of the Western Jin Dynasty, but Sima Yan was from the Sima Zhao lineage, so he had to posthumously honor Sima Zhao as Taizu and strengthen his legitimacy.
This was true not only of the Western Jin Dynasty, but also of future generations.
The "Gaozu" of the Wei and Jin dynasties is actually a rather strange product, and it can be regarded as a substitute for "Taizu". The emergence of Gao Zu also often means that the succession of the dynasty fluctuates and changes.
This article would like to discuss the relationship between the temple numbers of Gaozu and Taizu and their relationship to dynastic legitimacy.
This article totals 5100 words and takes 10 minutes to read
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="14" > temple number</h1>
The temple system originated in the Shang Dynasty, and the temple names seen today such as Taizu, Taizong, Zhongzong, and Gaozong all originated from that time.
The King of Wu cut down the temple, abolished the temple number and used the name of the temple, that is, the comments of merit and fault, wen, wu, jing, and xuan.
Qin destroyed the Six Kingdoms and hated the "Son's Father, Subject's King", so he abolished the temple name and the title of the temple. At the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty, the temple, the temple, the temple, and the family were restored.
The ancients have a trumpet, the Middle Ages have a trumpet, and they die in an act. In this way, the Son will discuss the Father and the Subjects will also discuss the King. It's pointless, it's useless. --"History of Qin Shi Huang Benji"
Qin Shi Huang: Son discusses father, subject discusses jun, and Shuofu takes the throne
In summary, the Shang Dynasty had no temples, the Zhou Dynasty had no temples, the Qin Dynasty had no temples, and the Han Dynasty had both temples and temples.
Unlike the number of temple numbers, the number of temple numbers is very limited, so there are very few Han Dynasty monarchs who have temple numbers. The Only Western Han Dynasty were Liu Bang (Taizu), Liu Heng (Taizong), Liu Che (Sejong), and Liu Qing (Zhongzong). In the Eastern Han Dynasty, there were only Liu Xiu (Shizu), Liu Zhuang (Xianzong), and Liu Zhuo (Suzong).
Strictly speaking, some monarchs of the two Han Dynasties originally had temple names, such as Emperor Yuan of the Western Han Dynasty as Emperor Gaozong, and Emperor Muzong of the Eastern Han Dynasty. However, due to historical reasons, their temple numbers have been deposed and stripped away.
It is the age, there is a Si Song, and the four emperors of He, An, Shun, and Huan have no merit, and it is not appropriate to call them Emperors, and the three empresses of Gonghuai, Jingyin, and Gongyi are not concubines, and after they are not properly titled, please remove the honorific title. --Book of the Later Han Dynasty
After the Han Dynasty, temple numbers tended to be obscene, and temple numbers such as Wenzong, Wuzong, Jingzong, Shengzong, and Shenzong were invented, so that everyone had a share and became a common thing, which has to be said to be a kind of historical sadness.
The ancient Tianzi Temple, the ancestors have merit and the sect has virtue. It began in the three dynasties (Xia Shang Zhou), and ended in the two Han Dynasties, and was passed down from ancient to modern times. Descended to the Cao clan, the ancestral name is many indiscriminate. - "Stone Title"
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="137" > the priority of Gaozu and Taizu</h1>
The name of Gaozu was first seen in the Shang Dynasty. Shang Gaozu Wang Hai, in terms of lineage, was the seventh ancestor of Chengtang (Shang Taizu).
Note: For wang hai's related research, see Wang Guowei's "Examination of the First Gong and the First King" in Yin Bu Ci.
In other words, the temple of Gaozu, when derived from the posthumous title, initially did not conflict with the temple number of Taizu, nor did it have any similarities. According to the examination, Gao Zudang was a distant ancestor of Taizu, and the nature of the honorary title was relatively strong.
However, with the advancement of history, Gaozu and Taizu not only became more and more similar in status, but also became closer and closer in lineage; there were often cases between father and son, one for Taizu and one for Gaozu.
On this issue, although there is no clear theory at present, I boldly guess that Gao Zu should be a substitute for Taizu. Especially after the Wei and Jin dynasties, "Gaozu" is often equivalent to "Taizu" in the actual sense.
The reason why the lord of the beginning of the dynasty did not get the temple name of Taizu was because there were problems in the succession of the later generations, and there was often a phenomenon of "small sects entering the succession of large sects".
Emperor Xiaozong was not a dynasty concubine, and in order to avoid criticism of his own legitimacy, he must deliberately weaken the status of the founding prince. As a result, the founding prince could not get the temple title of Taizu, but only the honorary title of Gaozu.
It should be noted that the temple number and the title are posthumous titles, so no matter how high or low the monarch's merits are, it is impossible to determine his temple and temple before he dies. In the Twenty-Five Dynasties, the temple number was set before his death, only the case of Cao Rui (Wei Liezu) was seen.
Emperor (referring to Cao Rui) made Xingzhi for Wei Liezu, and used the dance of Zhang Wu. --Book of Wei and The Chronicle of emperor Ming
Cao Ruifang is there, and the temple number is set first, which is ridiculous. --"General Commentary"
Cao Ruifang was there, and the temple number was set first
Therefore, the temple names of Gaozu and Taizu were actually given by the future kings of the dynasty. The political environment in which the future monarch lives is often different from that of the previous life, so the issues to be considered are relatively complex.
In short, the temple name of a monarch is not entirely related to his merits, but to the political considerations of his descendants.
When discussing the temple number, Taizu must be in the highest position. Tai, Daiya; Taizu, the Great Ancestor of a Dynasty.
Taizu is equivalent to the founder of the dynasty, with unparalleled legitimacy and legitimacy, so future generations of kings will inevitably honor their direct ancestors as Taizu.
After the determination of Taizu, the grant of the title of Gaozu will be put on the agenda. If there is a conflict between the two, the future kings of the dynasty may even change the temple name of the previous king to strengthen their own legal system.
In other words, the grants of Gaozu and Taizu are actually contemporary applications of ancient culture, and their purpose is to serve political mission.
Given the relatively abstract discussion in this section, the following will analyze in detail the issue of the temple number granting of Gaozu and Taizu through specific examples.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="141" > the case study of Gaozu and Taizu</h1>
As mentioned earlier, Gaozu was first seen in the Shang Dynasty, and was originally a distant ancestor of the Shang Taizu (Chengtang), with a stronger nature of honor; however, this changed after the Wei and Jin dynasties.
In the world of the two Han Dynasties, there is no gaozu number. Today's so-called Han Gaozu is actually a mixture of the title of "Emperor Gao" and the temple number of "Han Taizu", not the actual title.
QunChen said: "The emperor (referring to Liu Bang) is subtle, the chaos of the world is reversed, the world is pacified, and the Han Taizu is the highest merit." "Emperor Gao of Shangzun is known as Emperor Gao. --Book of Han, Chronicle of Emperor Gao
The name Gaozu reappeared in the Wei Dynasty.
(1) Wei Gaozu
Wei Gaozu was Cao Pi, and Wei Taizu was Cao Cao. The father is Taizu and the son is Gaozu.
Emperor Wu (Cao Cao) corrected the chaos and used the dance of Wu Shi for Wei Taizu. Emperor Wen (Cao Pi) was appointed by Heaven to be Emperor Gaozu of Wei and enjoy the dance of Xianxi. --Book of Wei and The Chronicle of emperor Ming
In the temple system of the Wei Dynasty, Cao Cao was Taizu, there is no doubt about it. Although Cao Pi was a Shu out, he was the head of the Shu Zi. At the same time, Cao Pi's biological mother Bian Shi was later corrected by Cao Cao, which made Cao Pi have the status of a concubine.
In the autumn and July of the 24th year, (Cao Cao) made his wife Bian the queen of Wei. --Book of Wei, Chronicle of Emperor Wu
Therefore, although Cao Pi had cao Ang as the elder brother above, cao Ang died early and had no children, and Cao Pi could naturally act as the legitimate spokesman of the Wei Dynasty.
In other words, Cao Cao's posthumous honor as Taizu would not damage the legitimacy of Cao Pi and Cao Rui.
(2) Jin Gaozu
Jin Gaozu was Sima Yi, and Jin Taizu was Sima Zhao. The father is Gaozu and the son is Taizu, which is the opposite of Cao Wei.
Emperor Wu was enthroned as Emperor Xuan of Shang (Sima Yi), and the temple was called Gaozu (高祖). --Book of Jin Xuandi Ji
Emperor Wu was enthroned as Emperor Yuwen (Sima Zhao) and was called Taizu (太祖). --Book of Jin, Chronicle of Emperor Wen
Sima Yan was enthroned as Emperor Taizu of Jin
In terms of the merits of the Western Jin Dynasty, Sima Yi was significantly stronger than Sima Zhao. Therefore, Sima Zhao obtained the most honorable Taizu Temple title, and he could not fail to attract attention.
This is related to the dynastic unification of the Western Jin Dynasty.
The Western Jin Dynasty posthumously sealed the temple number, which was already in the life of Sima Yan, and Sima Yan was from the Sima Zhao lineage. Sima Zhao was originally Sima Yi's second son, and in terms of the order of succession, he ranked after his eldest brother Sima Shiyi.
Emperor Wen (Sima Zhao) took Emperor Jing (Sima Shi) as the concubine of Emperor Xuan (司馬懿), and after his early death, he took emperor's brother (Sima Zhao) as his heir, and tega loved him. Claiming to be in the position of regent, after a hundred years, the great cause should be returned to (Sima You). --Book of Jin, Chronicle of Emperor Wu
If Sima Yi is posthumously crowned as Taizu, the legitimacy of the Sima Shi-Sima You lineage will be strengthened; the legitimacy of the Sima Zhao-Sima Yan lineage will be weakened.
As an emperor, Sima Yan naturally would not dismantle his own platform, so he posthumously made his biological father Sima Zhao taizu and strengthened his own position. As for Sima Yi, he had to be subordinated to the ranks of the high ancestors.
(3) Han Zhao Gaozu
Han Zhao Gaozu was Liu Yuan, and his temple name was later changed to Taizu.
(Liu Yuan) reigned for six years, falsely known as Emperor Guangwen, and the temple name Gaozu. --The Book of Jin, Liu Yuanhai
Liu Yuan was a Southern Xiongnu nobleman and the de facto founder of the puppet Han regime. Logically, Liu Yuandu should be Taizu, but the original temple name was set as Gaozu.
This is related to historical reasons.
When Liu Yuan was arrogant, he claimed to be the successor of the Han Dynasty, and once pursued the Three Ancestors and Five Sects of the Two Han Dynasties.
The "Three Ancestors" are Taizu Liu Bang, Shizu Liu Xiu, and Liezu Liu Bei. The "Five Sects" are Emperor Taizong Liu Heng, Sejong Liu Che, Emperor Zhongzong Liu Quan, Emperor Xianzong Liu Zhuang, and Suzong Liu Zhuo. Liu Yuan took this opportunity to emphasize his legitimacy of "using the Han Dynasty to promote the Jin Dynasty".
(Liu Yuan) pardoned his territory, took the era name Yuan Xi, posthumously honored Liu Chan as Emperor Xiaohuai, and established the three ancestors and five gods below Han Gaozu and sacrificed him. --The Book of Jin, Liu Yuanhai
Since Liu Yuan considered himself a descendant of the Han Dynasty, he naturally could no longer use the temple name of Taizu (Liu Bang) and had to be relegated to the position of Gaozu. After Liu Yao succeeded to the throne, he changed the name of the (pseudo) Han to (former) Zhao, and Liu Yuan naturally became the former Zhao Taizu.
Guangwen (referring to Liu Yuan) has the world in Han, has been thinking about virtue for a long time, and has married the common people. The temple of the ancestors of the Han Dynasty was built to cherish the people's hopes. Zhaowu (referring to Liu Cong) followed suit and did not change his ways. Now that he wants to change the name of the country to the Zongmiao Temple, the Emperor will make Da Dan Yu (referring to Liu Yuan) the Taizu. It's hard to hear. --"Spring and Autumn of the Sixteen Kingdoms"
The case of Liu Yuan can confirm the status of Taizu on the side, which is higher than that of Gaozu.
(4) Later Zhao Gaozu
Later Zhao Gaozu was Shi Le, and Later Zhao Taizu was Shi Hu. The uncle is Gaozu and the nephew is Taizu.
Emperor Ming of Shi Le, temple name Gaozu. --Book of Jin, Shi Le Zai
Emperor Wu of Shihu (Shi Hu), temple name Taizu. --The Book of Jin, The Chronicle of Shi Jilong
Shi Le was the actual founder of Later Zhao, and his merits were great, so he should be Taizu. However, after Shi Le's death, his direct descendants were slaughtered by the powerful minister Shi Hu.
In the first year of Xiankang, Jilong (Shihu character Jilong) abolished (Shi) Lezi (Shi) Hong. --The Book of Jin, The Chronicle of Shi Jilong
As a nephew, Shi Hu usurped his uncle's inheritance, and naturally could not honor his uncle as a grandfather.
Therefore, Shi Hu, the usurper, kept the Taizu Temple number to himself, but instead put Shi Le aside and gave him the honorary title of Gao Zu.
(5) Liu Song Gaozu
Liu Song Gaozu is Liu Yu, and Liu Song Taizu is Liu Yilong. The Father is the High Ancestor and the Son is the Taizu.
Emperor Gaozuwu was a courtesy name. --Book of Song, Chronicle of Emperor Wu
Emperor Taizuwen was emperor of Yilong, a small character che'er, and the third son of Emperor Wu. --Book of Song, Chronicle of Emperor Wen
Liu Yu, the Liu Jinu who "swallowed the air like a tiger" in Xin's poems, went out to the Northern Expedition, restored the two capitals (Chang'an and Luoyang), almost unified half of the country, was the most prosperous monarch of the Southern Dynasty, and was also the actual founder of Liu Song.
Liu Yu was the High Ancestor of the Liu Song Dynasty
Liu Yu did not get Taizu's temple title, also because of the heir's unification problem.
After Liu Yu's death, the crown prince Liu Yifu succeeded to the throne, but unfortunately Liu Yifu did not have the emperor's order, and was soon killed by the powerful ministers and replaced by Liu Yilong.
In July of the second year of Jingping, the Young Emperor (Liu Yifu) was deposed. Hundred officials prepared the law to drive Feng Ying (Liu Yilong) and entered the imperial government. --Book of Song, Chronicle of Emperor Wen
Liu Yilong ascended the throne as a concubine, so naturally he could not pursue Liu Yu as Taizu—if Liu Yu was Taizu, then Liu Yifu's (Liu Yu's eldest son) would overwhelm him.
The Young Emperor was a soldier of the Car, the eldest son of Emperor Wu. --Book of Song, Chronicle of the Young Emperor
Not surprisingly, after Liu Yilong succeeded to the throne, he posthumously honored Liu Yu as Gaozu and left Taizu's temple number to himself.
In summary, it can be seen that the situation of "the father is Gaozu and the son is Taizu" (Western Jin, Later Zhao, Liu Song) is mostly because the later monarchs have won the country incorrectly, and in order to avoid criticism, the "Taizu" of the founder of the king was forcibly changed to "Gaozu".
What is even more interesting is that these future usurpers often do not take the risk of keeping Taizu's temple number to themselves.
(6) Chen Gaozu
Chen Gaozu is Chen Baxian, and Chen Taizumiao is missing.
Emperor Gao zuwu, Zhen Baxian, Zi Xingguo, small character Fasheng. --"Chen Shu Gao Zuji"
Chen Baxian's situation is very similar to that of Sima Yi, Shi Le, and Liu Yu. Chen Baxian was the actual founder of the Chen Dynasty, but after his death, his nephew Chen Xuan forcibly took over, and then sent someone to dispose of Chen Baxian's son Chen Chang, lying to the outside world that "the ship was broken and drowned".
In March, (Chen Chang) entered the country, and (Chen Xuan) ordered the main shusha to greet him. Chengzi, (Chen Chang) Jijiang, in the middle of the boat damage, to drown. --"Chen Shu, Biography of Hengyang Xianwang"
If Chen Xuan posthumously honored his uncle as Taizu, he would weaken his own legal system, so Chen Baxian, the founder of the Chen Dynasty, had no choice but to relegate to the position of GaoZu.
Chen Xuan's original plan should have been to keep Taizu's temple number to himself. Unexpectedly, after Chen Xuan's death, his brother Chen Huan followed suit, deposed his brother's sons, and became emperor himself. Therefore, Chen Xuan only received the temple name of the ancestor, and his achievements were lost.
In the first month of the second year of Guangda, (Chen Yan) ascended the throne of Taifu, Ling Situ, Jia Shu Li, Sword Foot Shang temple, Zengyi and the first three thousand households, and the rest were the same. In November, Jia Yin, (Chen Yan) Empress Dowager Cixun deposed Emperor (referring to Chen Xuan's son) as the King of Linhai. --Chen Shu Xuandi Ji
Due to the three generations of monarchs of the Chen Dynasty, the unification was chaotic, and finally Taizu's temple number was vacant, which made people laugh.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="163" > summary</h1>
In the Twenty-Five Dynasties, there are many cases related to Gaozu and Taizu, and it is difficult to exhaust one article; and too many examples also have the disadvantage of being cumbersome and boring, so I have the right to use the above cases for a little analysis.
In fact, through the previous discussion, it can be clearly seen that Gaozu and Taizu can be roughly divided into "Wei style" and "Jin style".
The Wei style is the succession of emperors, and the actual founder of the dynasty is Taizu; the Jin style is the succession of small emperors, and the actual founder of the dynasty is Gaozu.
In the question of Xiaozong's succession, the succession to the dynasty fluctuated, and the eldest son of the concubine failed to succeed smoothly, so the later monarchs (from Xiaozong) had to reduce the status of the founder of the dynasty out of their own legitimacy, and demoted him to Gaozu instead of Taizu.
In short, if "Gao Zu" appears in the temple number of a dynasty, it often means that there are serious problems in the succession of this dynasty.
Take the Tang Dynasty as an example. Li Yuan was the de facto founder of the Tang Dynasty, and was not given the title of Taizu, but was instead awarded the title of Gaozu.
Gaozu Shen Yao Dasheng Daguang Xiao Emperor Zhen Yuan, Zi ShuDe, surname Li Shi, Longxi Chengji ren also. --New Book of Tang, Gao Zuji
Li Yuan was Emperor Gaozu of Tang
The reason is obvious. If Li Yuan is Taizu, then Li Jiancheng, the eldest son of Taizu Concubine, will have the strongest legal system. This was obviously out of place in the political environment of the early Tang Dynasty.
However, this problem did not bother Li Shimin. Because at the beginning of Li Yuan's arrogance, he posthumously honored his grandfather Li Hu as Tang Taizu, which was undoubtedly something that Li Shimin was happy to admit.
Posthumously honored Emperor Gaozu as Duke Xuanjian; Emperor Great-Grandfather Yue Yi Wang; Emperor Wu (Li Hu) as Emperor Jing, with the temple name Taizu. --New Book of Tang, Gao Zuji
Li Hu was a western Wei dynasty man, and he scrupulously adhered to the way of his subjects, and as a result, he inexplicably obtained the temple title of "Tang Taizu", which can also be regarded as the black humor of history.
(Li Hu) light wealth and heavy righteousness, Ya Shang famous festival. --"The Turtle of the Book"
In a nutshell, after the Wei and Jin dynasties, "Gaozu" was often a substitute for "Taizu", whose merit was equivalent to Taizu, but his status was lower than that of Taizu. This strange phenomenon, mostly the descendants of the small ancestors of later generations, in order to strengthen their own legal system, forcibly demoted the ancestral temple number, which belongs to the practical application of cultural engineering.
Proverb cloud: the back wave of the Yangtze River pushes the front wave, the new people in the world chase the old people, the near water tower platform gets the moon first, and the sunflowers and trees are early in spring.
Since the power to grant the temple number is in the hands of the kings of later generations, it must serve the political needs of the dynasty. In a word, all history is nothing more than contemporary history.
I am Fat Mi, the original author of the history of the headline number. Talk about historical anecdotes and focus on the history of the Three Kingdoms. From the clues in Shi Hai's sinking hook and the Yoshimitsu katayu, to analyze the hidden meaning behind the unfolding.
Thanks for reading.