釋氏稽古略 2.248

2.248

Surname Yuwen; people of Wuchuan in Dai Commandery. His father Tai served Wei and was enfeoffed as Duke of Zhou. His third son Jue inherited the title. In the twelfth month of the bingzi year, he received the abdication from Wei. In the first month of this year, he assumed the throne of Heavenly King; the dynastic title was Zhou. He posthumously honored his father Tai as Taizu, Emperor Wen. He had his capital at Chang'an. He did not establish a reign title, designating it the first year. He enfeoffed Emperor Gong of Wei as Duke of Song. Assuming the virtue of Wood to succeed the Water of Wei, they adopted the calendar of Xia and valued the color black for court garments. Jue was resolute and courageous by nature, and detested the monopolization of power by Yuwen Hu, the Minister of War and Duke of Jin. In the eighth month, he plotted to execute Hu, but the matter leaked out. Hu deposed the King to Duke of Lüeyang, and after a little over a month, assassinated him. He reigned for eight months, dying at the age of sixteen. Hu welcomed and enthroned Yu, Duke of Ningdu and Regional Inspector of Qizhou, who ascended the throne of Heavenly King; he was the eldest son of Emperor Wen and was known as Shizong, Emperor Ming. He reigned for four years, and during the first two years he did not establish a reign title. In the first month of the jimao year, Yuwen Hu, Grand Preceptor and Grand Minister of Religion, submitted a memorial returning political power, and Yu began to personally oversee the myriad affairs of state. However, Hu still controlled all military matters. The title of Commander-in-Chief of Regional Military Affairs was changed to Commander-in-Chief (Zongguan). In the eighth month, Palace Attendant Grandee Cui You submitted a proposal, arguing: "Sages adapt to changes according to the times. For the current Son of Heaven to be styled 'King' is insufficient to overawe the realm. We request following the ancient institutions of Qin and Han by adopting the title of Emperor and establishing reign eras." The King of Zhou thereupon assumed the title of Emperor and changed the reign era to Wucheng. The Emperor was discerning, intelligent, and insightful, which made Duke Hu of Jin fear him. In the fourth month of the second year of Wucheng, Hu placed poison in sugar dumplings; the Emperor ate them and died at the age of twenty-seven. Emperor Wu (Yong) was enthroned; he was the fourth son of Emperor Wen. He reigned for eighteen years and abolished the two teachings of Buddhism and Daoism, dying at the age of thirty-six. Emperor Xuan (Bin) was the eldest son of Emperor Wu. He reigned for two years, then abdicated to Crown Prince Chan, styling himself Heavenly Yuan Emperor; he died at the age of twenty-two. Emperor Jing later changed his name to Yan. Yang Jian, Duke of Sui, served as Prime Minister and restored the two teachings of Buddhism and Daoism. He reigned for one year, after which he abdicated the throne to Yang Jian, King of Sui.