Gao Shilian (高士廉) (576-February 14, 647^[1]), formal name Gao Jian (高儉) but went by the courtesy name of Shilian, formally Duke Wenxian of Shen (申文獻公), was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. For the tv standard see 576i Events The Gokturks besiege Panticapaeum in the Crimea. Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German For the Canadian area code see Area code 416/647. Events By Place Asia A stone tower Astronomical A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name ( zì) is a given name to be used later in life The chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (唐朝宰相 was an office that was semi-formally designated for a number of high level officials at one time during the Chinese Chinese civilization originated in various city-states along the Yellow River ( valley in the Neolithic era The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by He, as the uncle of Emperor Taizong's wife Empress Zhangsun, was a trusted advisor to Emperor Taizong. Emperor Taizong of Tang ( January 23, 599 &ndash July 10 649) personal name Lǐ Shìmín ( was the second emperor of the Empress Zhangsun (長孫皇后 personal name unknown ( 601 - July 28, 636) formally Empress Wendeshunsheng (文德順聖皇后 literally "the

Contents 1 Background 2 During Sui Dynasty and Xiao Xi's restoration of Liang Dynasty 3 During Emperor Gaozu's reign 4 During Emperor Taizong's reign 5 Notes and references

Background

Gao Shilian was born in 576, in the waning years of Northern Qi, as a member of Northern Qi's imperial Gao clan. For the tv standard see 576i Events The Gokturks besiege Panticapaeum in the Crimea. The Northern Qi Dynasty (Chinese 北齊 Běiqí was one of the Northern dynasties of Chinese history and ruled northern China from 550 to 577. His grandfather Gao Yue (高岳)^[2] the Prince of Qinghe was a cousin of Gao Huan, the paramount general of Northern Wei and its branch successor state Eastern Wei and the father of three of Northern Qi's emperors; Gao Yue was an important official for Northern Qi until he was forced by Emperor Wenxuan to commit suicide in 555. Gao Huan (高歡 (496-547 nickname Heliuhun (賀六渾 formally Prince Xianwu of Qi (齊獻武王 later further formally honored by Northern Qi initially The Northern Wei Dynasty (北魏 Pinyin: běi wèi 386 - 534) also known as the Tuoba Wei (拓拔魏 Later Wei (後魏 or The Eastern Wei Dynasty (Chinese 東魏 followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei, and ruled northern China from 534 to 550. Early life Gao Yang was born in 529 while his father Gao Huan was a general under Northern Wei 's paramount general Erzhu Rong. Events By Place Byzantine Empire An Earthquake devastates Latakia. His father Gao Mai (高勱)^[2] initially inherited the title of Prince of Qinghe, and later had his title changed to Prince of Le'an. He served as an important official under several emperors. When Northern Zhou forces launched a major attack on Northern Zhou in 576 and approached the capital Yecheng in spring 577, Gao Mai advocated resisting to the last man, but the emperor Gao Wei could not accept his suggestion and fled instead. The Northern Zhou Dynasty (Chinese北周 followed the Western Wei, and ruled northern China from 557 to 581. For the tv standard see 576i Events The Gokturks besiege Panticapaeum in the Crimea. Ye ( was an ancient Chinese city located in what is now Linzhang County Hebei and the neighbouring Anyang County Henan. Events By Place Europe Battle of Deorham: The Anglo-Saxons under Ceawlin of Wessex defeat the British Celts Background Gao Wei was born in 557 when his father Gao Dan was the Prince of Changguang under Emperor Wenxuan, Gao Dan's older brother After Gao Wei was captured by Northern Zhou forces and Northern Zhou took over Northern Qi territory, Gao Mai was made a minor official with little power. (Contrary to the fate of most Northern Qi princes, who were slaughtered by Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou late in 577, Gao Mai was not killed. Background Yuwen Yong was born in 543 as the fourth son of the Western Wei paramount general Yuwen Tai. ) After Northern Zhou itself was overthrown by Sui Dynasty in 581, Gao Mai was made a provincial governor. The Sui Dynasty ( 581 - 618 AD and in the undertaking of other construction projects including the reconstruction of the Great Wall. Events By Place Europe Tauric Chersonesus is besieged by the Gokturks.

During Sui Dynasty and Xiao Xi's restoration of Liang Dynasty

Gao Shilian was known for proper conduct in his youth, and he was studied in literature and history. He became a friend of the important officials Xue Daoheng (薛道衡) and Cui Zujun (崔祖濬), although he was much younger than they were. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, Gao became a junior official at the ministry of ceremonies. Background Yang Jian's clan was from Hongnong Commandery (弘農 roughly modern Sanmenxia, Henan) Meanwhile, his younger sister married the general Zhangsun Sheng (長孫晟), but after Zhangsun Sheng died in 609, Zhangsun Sheng's son, by a prior wife, Zhangsun Anye (長孫安業), expelled her and her two children -- a son named Zhangsun Wuji and a daughter -- from the Zhangsun household. Events By Place Asia Edessa is taken by the Sassanids. The tax Census of the Sui Dynasty Zhangsun Wuji (長孫無忌 (d 659 Courtesy name Fuji (輔機 formally Duke of Zhao (趙公 was a chancellor of the Chinese She took her children to Gao Shilian's household, and Gao Shilian took them in and raised the children. In 613, it was by his decision that young Lady Zhangsun, then 12, married Li Shimin, the 14-year-old son of the general Li Yuan the Duke of Tang, as he was impressed by Li Shimin. Events By Place Europe Clotaire II reunites the Frankish kingdoms by ordering the murder of Sigebert II. Empress Zhangsun (長孫皇后 personal name unknown ( 601 - July 28, 636) formally Empress Wendeshunsheng (文德順聖皇后 literally "the Emperor Taizong of Tang ( January 23, 599 &ndash July 10 649) personal name Lǐ Shìmín ( was the second emperor of the Background and early career Li Yuan's seventh-generation ancestor was Li Gao, the founder of the Sixteen Kingdoms state Western Liang.

In 614, during the second campaign against Goguryeo by Emperor Wen's son Emperor Yang, the general Yang Xuangan rebelled, and one of Yang Xuangan's associates, the minister of defense Husi Zheng (斛斯政), fled to Goguryeo. Events By Place Europe The Palace of Diocletian is damaged by the Avars who sack nearby Salona. Goguryeo or Koguryo was an ancient Korean kingdom located in the northern and central parts of the Korean peninsula, southern Manchuria, and Background Yang Guang was born in 569 during the reign of Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou. Yang Xuangan (楊玄感 (d 613 was an official of the Chinese dynasty Sui Dynasty. As Gao was friendly with Husi, he was demoted and exiled to being the secretary general of Zhuyuan County (朱鳶, in modern northern Vietnam). Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially As he did not want to subject his parents to the distant travel into the remote region, he left his wife Lady Xianyu to stay with his parents and went by himself. Further, in order to allow his sister to continue be able to live without him around, he sold his mansion and bought a smaller house, and then divided the remaining proceeds with his sister before departing for Zhuyuan.

In 617, with almost the entire Sui territory engulfed in agrarian rebellions against Emperor Yang's rule, Xiao Xi, a descendant of Liang Dynasty's imperial line, rose as well, declaring a restoration of Liang, and soon seized the modern Hubei and Hunan region and was seeking to expand. Events By Place Europe Heathens revolt in Kent under king Eadbald. Background Xiao Xi was a great-grandson of Emperor Xuan of Western Liang -- a vassal of Western Wei and Northern Zhou who claimed Liang imperial Liang Dynasty ( 梁[[wikt 朝|朝]] Pinyin: Liáng cháo (502-557 also known as Southern Liang Dynasty (南梁 was the third of Southern dynasties ( Postal map spelling: Hupeh) is a central province of the People's Republic of China. ( is a province of China, located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting (hence the name Hunan, meaning In spring 618, Xiao sent his general Ning Changzhen (寧長真) south. Events By Place Asia The Sui Dynasty ends and the Tang Dynasty begins in China. At that time, Gao had become the legal assistant to Qiu He (丘和) the governor of Jiaozhi Commandery (交趾, modern northern Vietnam). Qiu had previously rejected overtures by both Xiao and another rebel ruler, Lin Shihong the Emperor of Chu, but in light of Ning's attack was considering submitting to Xiao. Initial uprising Virtually nothing is known about Lin Shihong's background other than that he was from Rao Province (饒州 roughly modern Shangrao, Jiangxi Gao advised against it, arguing that Ning's forces had marched a long distance and would be fatigued, and Qiu agreed, engaging and defeating Ning. However, when news came that Emperor Yang had been killed in a coup at Jiangdu (江都, in modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu) led by the general Yuwen Huaji, Qiu submitted to Xiao. Administration The Prefecture-level city of Yangzhou administers 7 county-level divisions. ( Postal map spelling: Kiangsu) is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country Background It is not known when Yuwen Huaji was born He was the oldest son of the Sui Dynasty official Yuwen Shu, a close associate of Yang Guang

During Emperor Gaozu's reign

Li Yuan, who established Tang Dynasty at Chang'an in 618, sent his nephew Li Xiaogong the Prince of Zhao Commandery and Li Jing to attack Liang in 621. The Tang Dynasty ( Middle Chinese: dhɑng (June 18 618&ndashJune 4 907 was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by Chang'an ( is an ancient Capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history. Li Xiaogong (李孝恭 (591-640 formally Prince Yuan of Hejian (河間元王 often referred to by his earlier title as Prince of Zhao Commandery (趙郡王 Li Jing (李靖 Pinyin: Lǐ Jìng ( 571 - July 2, 649) né Yaoshi (藥師/药师 Pinyin: Yàoshī formally Events By Place Byzantine Empire Byzantine Emperor Heraclius invades Persia. Li Xiaogong and Li Jing were successful in capturing Xiao Xi's capital Jiangling (江陵, in modern Jingzhou, Hubei) and forcing him to surrender. Jingzhou ( is a city in the Hubei province of the People's Republic of China, on the banks of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang ( Postal map spelling: Hupeh) is a central province of the People's Republic of China. Thereafter, most of Liang territory submitted to Tang, and in spring 622, Qiu He sent Gao Shilian to Chang'an to show submission to Tang; Emperor Gaozu in turn sent Qiu He's sons Qiu Shili (丘師利) to Jiaozhi to accept his submission. Events Religion July 16 — Year one of the Islamic calendar begins during which the Hijra occurs — Prophet Muhammad Li Shimin, who was then the Prince of Qin and a major general under his father, retained Gao to serve on his staff as part of the government for the capital prefecture Yong Prefecture (雍州), of which he was prefect. As Gao was Princess Zhangsun's uncle, Li Shimin respected and trusted him.

By 626, Li Shimin was locked in an intense rivalry with his older brother Li Jiancheng the Crown Prince, and he feared that Li Jiancheng would kill him. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The Byzantines defeat the Avars and Slavs, who were besieging Constantinople Li Jiancheng (李建成 ( 589 - July 2, 626) formally Crown Prince Yin (隱太子 literally "the hidden crown prince" nickname Crown Princess redirects here for the ship see Crown Princess (ship. Gao and his nephew Zhangsun Wuji both suggested Li Shimin to act first, and Li Shimin agreed. In summer 626, he laid an ambush for Li Jiancheng and another brother who supported Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji the Prince of Qi, killing them at Xuanwu Gate. Li Yuanji (李元吉 ( 603 - July 2, 626) formally Prince La of Chao (巢剌王 more commonly known by the title of Prince of Qi The Incident at Xuanwu Gate (玄武門之變 refers to an incident on July 2, 626, when Li Shimin the Prince of Qin a son of Emperor Gaozu of Tang Gao participated in leading part of Li Shimin's personal guards against the guards of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji in the aftermaths. After Li Shimin's victory, he effectively forced Emperor Gaozu to create him crown prince. Gao was made an honored advisor to Li Shimin, and soon was made the Shizhong (侍中) -- the head of the examination bureau of the government (門下省, Menxia Sheng) and a post considered one for a chancellor. The chancellor of the Tang Dynasty (唐朝宰相 was an office that was semi-formally designated for a number of high level officials at one time during the Chinese Two months later, Emperor Gaozu yielded the throne to Li Shimin (as Emperor Taizong).

During Emperor Taizong's reign

Later in 626, when Eastern Tujue's Jiali Khan Ashina Duobi launched a major incursion into Tang territory, reaching all the way to Chang'an, Gao Shilian, along with Fang Xuanling, attended to Emperor Taizong as he personally met Ashina Duobi to promise additional tributes, to induce Ashina Duobi to withdraw. Göktürks ( Turkish: Gök Türkler) were a Turkic people of ancient Central Asia. Jiali Khan ( Bagatur-Shad Il-khan Chieli Kara-Khieli Hieli Jiele Duobi 咄苾 Illig-Qaghan Kara Kagan) later Tang posthumous title Prince Huang of Guiyi (歸義荒王 Fang Xuanling (房玄齡 (579–648 formal name Fang Qiao (房喬 but went by the Courtesy name of Xuanling formally Duke Wenzhao of Liang (梁文昭公 In 627, Emperor Taizong created Gao the Duke of Yixing. Events By Place Byzantine Empire December 12 — Battle of Nineveh: Emperor Heraclius defeats the Persians ending

Later in 627, there was an incident in which Gao Shilian's deputy, Wang Gui, had written a secret petition to Emperor Taizong and, per protocol, submitted it first to Gao and requested that Gao attach it to his own submission to Emperor Taizong. Events By Place Byzantine Empire December 12 — Battle of Nineveh: Emperor Heraclius defeats the Persians ending Wang Gui (王珪 (571-639 Courtesy name Shujie (叔玠 formally Duke Yi of Yongning (永寧懿公 was a chancellor during the reign Gao, however, held onto Wang's petition and did not submit it, and also did not inform Wang that he did so. When Emperor Taizong found out about this, he demoted Gao to the post of commandant at An Prefecture (安州, roughly modern Xiaogan, Hubei). Xiaogan (孝感 Pinyin: Xiàogǎn is a Prefecture-level city in Hubei province of the People's Republic of China. ( Postal map spelling: Hupeh) is a central province of the People's Republic of China. Gao was later made the secretary general of Yi Prefecture (益州, roughly modern Chengdu, Sichuan), and as the titular commandant at Yi Prefecture was Emperor Taizong's young son Li Ke the Prince of Shu, Gao was effectively commandant. ( located in southwest People's Republic of China, is the capital of Sichuan province and a Sub-provincial city. ( Postal map spelling: Szechwan and Szechuan) is a province in western China with its capital in Chengdu. Li Ke (李恪 (d March 6, 653) posthumously known as the Prince of Yulin (鬱林王 often known by his greater title as the Prince of Wu It was said that while serving at Yi Prefecture, Gao disabused the people of superstitions that led them not to attend to their parents when their parents were ill, improved irrigation, and encouraged learning.

In 631, Gao was recalled to the capital to serve as the minister of civil service affairs, and was created the greater title of Duke of Xu. Events By Place Europe The Battle of Wogastisburg is fought between the Slavs led by Samo, and the Franks One of his sons was also created a lesser duke. When Emperor Gaozu died in 635, Gao was in charge of building Emperor Gaozu's tomb, and was rewarded after the projet was completed. Events By Topic Religion Saint Aidan founds Lindisfarne in Northumbria, England

In 637, as part of Emperor Taizong's scheme to bestow prefectures on his relatives and great generals and officials as their permanent domains, Gao's title was changed to Duke of Shen, and he was given the post of a prefectural prefect for his heirs to inherit. Events By Place Europe Battle of Mag Rath Dál Riata influence in Ulster is greatly reduced or ended Soon, however, with many objections to the system, the strongest of which came from Zhangsun Wuji, Emperor Taizong cancelled the scheme, although Gao's title remained Duke of Shen.

Sometime before 638, Emperor Taizong, disgusted with the traditional noble clans of Cui, Lu, Li, and Zheng and believing that they were abusing their highly honored names, commissioned Gao, Wei Ting (韋挺), Linghu Defen, and Cen Wenben to compile a work later to be known as the Records of Clans (氏族志), with the intent of dividing the clans into nine classes based on their past contributions, good deeds, and ill deeds. Events By Place Asia The Muslims capture Jerusalem, Antioch, Caesarea Maritima and Akko Linghu Defen (令狐德棻 (582-666 formally Duke Xian of Pengyang (彭陽憲公 was an official of the Chinese dynasties Sui Dynasty and Tang Cen Wenben (岑文本 ( 595 - May 10, 645) Courtesy name Jingren (景仁 formally Viscount Xian of Jiangling (江陵憲子 In an initial draft that Gao submitted, he nevertheless ranked the branch of the Cui clan that the official Cui Min'gan (崔民幹) belonged to as the highest, a decision that Emperor Taizong rebuked, as he pointed out that Gao was merely again looking at tradition and not the recent contributions. He therefore personally intervened in revising the work, reducing Cui's clan to the third class. However, after the work was completed in 638, Emperor Taizong nevertheless rewarded Gao for compiling the work. In fall 638, he made Gao Pushe (僕射), a head of the important executive bureau of the government and also a post for a chancellor. In 641, when Emperor Taizong visited the eastern capital Luoyang, he left his crown prince Li Chengqian in charge of Chang'an, but had Gao serve as his assistant and effectively in charge. Events By Place Europe Chindaswinth deposes Tulga, and becomes king of the Visigoths. Luoyang ( is a Prefecture-level city in western Henan province, People's Republic of China. Li Chéngqián (李承乾 (619?- January 5, 645) Courtesy name Gaoming (高明 formally Prince Min of Hengshan (恆山愍王 Later in 641, Gao and Fang drew rebuke from Emperor Taizong when they inquired of the deputy imperial architect, Dou Desu (竇德素) of imperial construction projects — which Emperor Taizong saw as an encroachment on his liberty. However, Wei pointed out that chancellors were supposed to be responsible for all affairs of state, and Emperor Taizong, realizing that he had erred, was humbled.

In 643, when Emperor Taizong commissioned the Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion to commemorate the 24 great contributors to Tang rule, Gao's portrait was one commissioned. Events By Place Europe Rothari King of the Lombards, issues the Lombard law code The Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion (凌煙閣畫像 refer to the 24 portraits that Emperor Taizong of Tang commissioned the great painter Yan Liben to paint on Lingyan Later in 643, Gao requested to retire from the post of Pushe. Emperor Taizong agreed, but had him continue to serve as a chancellor de facto,^[3] and also commissioned him and Wei Zheng to lead a project to compile notable literary works into a 1,200-volume compendium known as the Wensi Boyao (文思博要). Wei Zheng ( 580-643 Courtesy name Xuancheng (玄成 formally Duke Wenzhen of Zheng (鄭文貞公 was a Chinese politician and the lead editor

In 644, when Emperor Taizong, at an imperial gathering, stated to his key officials their strengths and weaknesses, he spoke, with regard to Gao:

Gao Shilian is well studied in both historical and current matters and has a clean heart. Events By Place Asia The Tang dynasty of China begins the invasion of Goguryo. Even great disasters could not get him to lose his integrity. He never engaged in factionalism while in government. However, he had no fortitude to criticize and suggest to his superiors.

In 645, when Emperor Taizong attacked Goguryeo and left his crown prince Li Zhi (who replaced Li Chengqian in 643 after Li Chengqian was discovered to have plotted to overthrow Emperor Taizong) in charge of logistics at Ding Prefecture (定州, roughly modern Baoding, Hebei), Gao was left there as well to assist Li Zh, along with Liu Ji, Ma Zhou, Zhang Xingcheng, and Gao Jifu. Events By Place Byzantine Empire The Byzantines recapture Alexandria from the Arabs Asia Goguryeo or Koguryo was an ancient Korean kingdom located in the northern and central parts of the Korean peninsula, southern Manchuria, and Background and life as Prince of Jin Li Zhi was born in 628 He was the ninth son of his father Emperor Taizong, and the third son of his mother Emperor Taizong's wife Baoding ( is a Prefecture-level city in Hebei province China. ( Postal map spelling: Hopeh) is a northern province of the People's Republic of China. Liu Ji (劉洎 (d January 18, 646) Courtesy name Sidao (思道 was a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang Ma Zhou (馬周 (601-648 Courtesy name Binwang (賓王 was a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang. Zhang Xingcheng (張行成 ( 587 - October 10, 653) Courtesy name Deli (德立 formally Duke Ding of Beiping (北平定公 Gao Jifu (高季輔 ( 596 - January 16, 654) formal name Gao Feng (高馮 but went by the Courtesy name of Jifu formally Duke When Li Zhi heard and decided important matters, he set up a seat for Gao next to him, but Gao declined the honor.

In spring 647, Gao was gravely ill. For the Canadian area code see Area code 416/647. Events By Place Asia A stone tower Astronomical Emperor Taizong personally went to visit him. The next day, Gao died, and Emperor Taizong wanted to personally attend his wake, despite urgings by Fang not to, as Emperor Taizong was also himself recently ill. However, before Emperor Taizong could get to Gao's mansion, Zhangsun Wuji intercepted him and earnestly sought to stop him, lying down in the street before him to stop him. Emperor Taizong instead went up on the city walls to watch Gao's funeral procession in order to mourn. Gao was buried near the tomb of Empress Zhangsun (who died in 636), where Emperor Taizong would eventually be buried as well. Events By Place Byzantine Empire August 20 — Battle of Yarmuk: Khalid ibn al-Walid 's victory against the By Gao's own will, no treasures were buried with him, only one set of clothes and some of Gao's own favorite books. Later, when Li Zhi became emperor after Emperor Taizong's death in 649 (as Emperor Gaozong), he ordered that Gao, along with Fang and Qutu Tong (屈突通), be worshipped at the same temple as Emperor Taizong. Events By Place Europe Reccaswinth succeeds his father Chindaswinth as king of the Visigoths.

Notes and references

• Book of Tang, vol. The Book of Tang ( or the Old Book of Tang (舊唐書/旧唐书 is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. 65. [5]
• New Book of Tang, vol. The New Book of Tang ( is a classic work of history about the Tang Dynasty edited by Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi (宋祁 and other official scholars of the 95. [6]
• Zizhi Tongjian, vols. The Zizhi Tongjian ( was a pioneering reference work in Chinese historiography. 185, 189, 190, 191, 192, 195, 196, 197, 198.

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