Understanding Chinese Imperial Legacy

“Filial Emperor: ”

Emperor Xiao’ai, born as the son of the King of Dingtao, grandson of Emperor Yuan, ascended to the throne at the age of three. His mother, Lady Ding, nurtured him. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in literature, rhetoric, and legal matters. In the fourth year of Yuan Yan’s reign, he entered the court and diligently followed the teachings of his tutors, ministers, and commanders.

During that time, the younger brother of Emperor Cheng, King Xiaowang of Zhongshan, also came to court but only followed his tutors. The Emperor questioned this and asked King Dingtao. The King replied, “When vassal kings come to court, they are entitled to retain their local officials up to the rank of 2,000 stones. Tutors, ministers, and commanders also hold the rank of 2,000 stones, hence he follows them.”

The Emperor ordered recitations of the Book of Songs to test their literacy, and he excelled. On another occasion, he questioned King Zhongshan, who could not answer the legal recitations and was dismissed. Observing the King of Dingtao’s capabilities, Emperor Cheng considered him virtuous and praised his abilities.

At that time, the King’s grandmother, Empress Dowager Fu, accompanied him to court, bribing favored courtiers such as Zhao Zhaoyi and the Emperor’s uncle, General Quyang Hou Wang Gen. Empress Zhaoyi and Gen saw the Emperor as a long-term ally, endorsing King Dingtao as his heir. The Emperor himself admired the King’s abilities, conducted his coming-of-age ceremony, and sent him off at the age of seventeen.

The following year, the Chief Minister Jinwu Ren Hong was appointed Grand Marshal, leading an expedition against King Dingtao and establishing him as Crown Prince. King Dingtao respectfully declined, stating, “I am fortunate to inherit my father’s fief as a vassal king. My abilities are not sufficient to serve as Crown Prince. Your Majesty’s benevolence and respect for our ancestors, reverence for the gods, should be rewarded with blessings upon your descendants. I wish to remain in my homeland, attending to my daily affairs, awaiting the emergence of a true heir before returning to my fiefdom.” The Emperor accepted his request, and the news spread throughout the empire.

A month later, Chu Xiao, King Jingsun’s grandson, was appointed King of Dingtao in honor of King Gong. This was to reward and honor the friendship between the two. This account is documented in the “Records of the Empress Dowager.”

In the second year of Suihe, Emperor Cheng passed away in March. In April, Prince Tai succeeded to the throne and paid respects at the Gao Temple. Empress Dowager Fu was honored as Grand Empress Dowager, and the Empress was honored as Empress Dowager. A general amnesty was declared nationwide. Members of the royal family received horses, and officials and citizens of various ranks received cattle and wine. The elderly, filial sons, strong farmers, widows, orphans, and the destitute received silk.

Empress Dowager issued a decree to honor King Dingtao as the respectful emperor. In May, the Empress was appointed Empress. The decree states, “The Spring and Autumn Annals dictate that ‘a mother should honor her son.’ Empress Dowager Ding should be honored as the respectful Empress Dowager, and Lady Ding should be honored as the respectful Empress. Each shall have left and right assistants, and they shall be provided with estates such as Changxin Palace and Zhong Palace.”

Posthumous honors were given to Fu’s father, Hou Chongzhu, and Ding’s father, Hou Bode. Ding Ming was appointed as Yang’an Hou, and Ding Man was appointed as Pingzhou Hou. Posthumous honors were given to Fu’s father, Hou Chongzhu, and Ding’s father, Hou Bode. Ding Ming was appointed as Yang’an Hou, and Ding Man was appointed as Pingzhou Hou.