"The Misrepresented Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty - History as a Puppet in the Hands of Politicians"
Labels: Emperor Yang of Sui, Empress Chen Lihua, Distortion of Facts, Hundred Schools Forum, Old Book of Tang
Who Framed Emperor Yang for His Alleged Debauchery?
Throughout history, fallen emperors have often been smeared with evil reputations. Among these defamations, some are indeed baseless. Take Emperor Yang of Sui (Yang Guang, 569-618 AD) as an example. Besides being infamous for his tyrannical rule that led to the fall of the Sui Dynasty, he was also branded with scandalous accusations such as "incest with his mother" and "adultery with his sister." These charges alone painted him as a decadent ruler indulging in sensual pleasures. However, is this truly an accurate portrayal? After careful examination, I believe Emperor Yang was a victim of historical misrepresentation—"framed" for debauchery. In reality, he was a handsome man of great talent, with a poetic flair and self-disciplined nature—not the lustful and dissolute ruler portrayed by later generations.
Indeed, Emperor Yang did marry one of his father's concubines, Consort Xuanhua. This act, however, stemmed from his partial descent from the Xianbei people, who practiced levirate marriage traditions. In this context, Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (Li Zhi), who married his stepmother Wu Zetian, wasn't much different. Yet, under the lens of traditional Han culture, this practice was condemned as "incest."
As for the allegations of raping his sister Princess Lanling, they appear to be fabricated. Similarly, many of the salacious stories about his infatuation with women were largely fictionalized by later historians.
So, who framed Emperor Yang with these accusations of licentious behavior? Upon closer inspection, the masterminds behind this defamation include the successive rulers of the Tang Dynasty—Li Yuan, Li Shimin, and others—who replaced the Sui regime. Additionally, the official historians who compiled the so-called "orthodox histories," along with irresponsible writers of unofficial historical records, played significant roles. These latter authors, without credible evidence, sensationalized hearsay into written accounts, further distorting Emperor Yang's image and deepening his vilification in history.
1. The Tang Rulers Led by Li Yuan: The Chief Culprits Behind Emperor Yang’s Defamation
Most people understand Emperor Yang through the Book of Sui. But who authored this definitive work on Emperor Yang, and what are its characteristics? The Book of Sui comprises 85 chapters, including five volumes of imperial annals, fifty volumes of biographies, and thirty volumes of treatises. Compiled under the support and organization of the Tang Dynasty rulers Li Yuan and Li Shimin, it is an officially sanctioned history book. Its key features include multiple authors contributing to its two-stage completion process over 35 years. Due to the long span of time involved in its compilation, inaccuracies inevitably crept in due to the unavailability of certain historical facts over time.
Moreover, given the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, many books were lost, leading to insufficient historical materials when the Tang Dynasty compiled the Book of Sui. The numerous authors included Wei Zheng, Linghu Defen, Kong Yingda, Yan Shigu, among others. Although Wei Zheng was known for his integrity, even he, as part of the Tang ruling elite, could not fully adhere to the principles of impartial historiography during the compilation process. Consequently, the Book of Sui contains several instances where the Tang Dynasty is glorified while the Sui Dynasty is disparaged.
For example, the Book of Sui's account of events from the ninth year of Kaihuang (589 AD) seems questionable. It mentions how the then-20-year-old Prince of Jin, Yang Guang, after conquering Chen, sought out Consort Chen Lihua, the favorite concubine of the fallen emperor Chen Shubao, and became infatuated with her, wishing to take her as his own concubine. This claim is laughable considering the age difference between them. Moreover, prior to this campaign, Yang Guang had been cautious and respectful towards his wife, Consort Xiao, avoiding taking concubines to maintain favor with his mother, Empress Dugu, who held feminist views. Therefore, Yang Guang would not jeopardize his carefully cultivated political capital and authority by showing interest in a woman like Consort Chen Lihua during such a crucial campaign. Indeed, Yang Guang's conduct during this campaign earned him praise for his integrity and virtue.
In contrast, another version recorded in the Book of Chen and the Southern History states that Yang Guang, rather than Minister Gao Yin, ordered the execution of Consort Chen Lihua. Comparing Yang Guang's consistent behavior against these conflicting accounts reveals inconsistencies in the Book of Sui, suggesting deliberate attempts to malign Emperor Yang's reputation. Such distortions of previous fallen rulers are common throughout historical writings, aimed at justifying the successor's legitimacy and portraying themselves as saviors.
Subsequent Tang rulers, like Li Shimin, continued this tradition of criticizing Emperor Yang as a cautionary tale about the rise and fall of dynasties.
The Book of Sui, being the closest authoritative historical document following the fall of the Sui Dynasty, naturally became the foundation for future historians studying Emperor Yang. Its evaluations influenced subsequent generations of historians, cementing Emperor Yang's negative reputation.
2. Fabrication of Emperor Yang’s Alleged Adultery with His Sister in the Old Book of Tang
Mention of Emperor Yang raping his sister Princess Lanling appears in the Biography of Li Mi in the Old Book of Tang. In enumerating Emperor Yang's ten major offenses, Li Mi includes the accusation of incest:
"Like beasts mating indiscriminately, violating human ethics. The case of Princess Lanling being forcibly taken ended tragically. Who would have thought that the virtuous Lanling would face the shame akin to Qi Xiang's disgrace."
Compiled by Liu Xu in the Later Jin Dynasty, the Old Book of Tang is far removed from Emperor Yang's era. It primarily copies existing documents from the Tang period, such as national histories, veritable records, and late Tang administrative archives. Due to the hurried compilation process, it contains numerous issues. Song dynasty scholars criticized the Old Book of Tang: "Lacking proper order, uneven in detail, unclear in prose, and incomplete in facts." Given its reliance on Tang sources, the Old Book of Tang mirrors Tang perspectives, offering no new insights into Emperor Yang's character. Thus, the mention of Li Mi condemning Emperor Yang for raping his sister lacks credibility. If true, earlier critics like Li Yuan and Wei Zheng would not have overlooked such a damning accusation when compiling the Book of Sui.
3. The Role of Unofficial Histories in Portraying and Disseminating Emperor Yang's Negative Image
Unofficial histories and legends play a significant role in shaping public perception. During less informed times, entertainment relied heavily on novels and plays. As a result, legendary tales like those in the Sui-Tang Legends began circulating during the Tang Dynasty. In these literary works, Emperor Yang, as a fallen monarch, was increasingly depicted in darker hues, eventually becoming a fixed negative stereotype.
Following the Tang Dynasty, works like the "Three Records"—the Record of the Maze Tower, the Record of Canal Opening, and the Record of Sea and Mountain—were instrumental in exaggerating Emperor Yang's tyranny and debauchery. Written by the Tang poet Han Wo (842-923), these works are more fiction than fact. They recount sensational tales such as Emperor Yang's use of female chariots, Lady Hou's suicide, and his encounter with Chen Shubao and Zhang Lihua while boating on the Northern Sea. Many details in these accounts are purely fictional or grossly exaggerated, painting Emperor Yang as a rampant sexual deviant.
These fictional portrayals significantly influenced public perception and were further propagated in later eras. By the Ming Dynasty, comprehensive erotic historical novels like The Amorous History of Emperor Yang emerged, solidifying his notorious image.
4. A Millennium-long Miscarriage of Justice: Who Will Redeem Emperor Yang?
After his death, Emperor Yang was hastily buried in Yangzhou in a simple mound. Years later, a Qing dynasty governor erected a tombstone inscribed "Tomb of Emperor Yang of Sui" before his grave. Despite his infamous reputation, he never received the imperial honors due to him posthumously. Today, as Yangzhou promotes tourism, Emperor Yang remains a negative example used to attract visitors. For a ruler once renowned for his reforms, canal construction, and military campaigns against Goguryeo, this treatment feels unjust.
In conclusion, Emperor Yang of Sui was not merely a tyrant but also a capable ruler with grand ambitions. He made significant contributions to defense infrastructure, promoted cultural exchanges, and pursued territorial expansion. His personal life showed fidelity to his wife, Consort Xiao, and he possessed considerable literary talent. Unfortunately, his achievements have been overshadowed by the scandals attributed to him.
History cannot speak for itself, nor can Emperor Yang defend himself from beyond the grave. Who will come forward to clear his name and restore justice to this misunderstood ruler?