Five Dynasties · Official and Poet

Gao Nian 高輦

First attested AD 930; died AD 933

Passages: 8
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Gao Nian was an official and Poet.

Life and dates

Death

AD 933 長興四年
executed in marketplace 棄市
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 147

Attested activity

AD 930 to AD 933 長興中
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passages 100-101
AD 933 長興四年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passages 121, 147

Career and standing

investigating officer of Henan Prefecture 河南府推官
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passage 137

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passages 143, 145-146, 150

Events and relationships

Relation Staff officer of · Person Li Congrong (李從榮)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 51, passages 100, 137

References in the histories

Search passages

History

8 passages

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 51Volume 51 Book of Later Tang 27: Biographies 3: Imperial Family · 8 passages

從榮為詩，與從事高輦等更相唱和，自謂章句獨步於一時，有詩千餘首，號曰《紫府集》。 Congrong wrote poetry and exchanged verses with his staff officer Gao Nian and others, claiming that in his generation no one matched his lines. He compiled more than a thousand poems under the title Collected Works of the Purple Palace.

好為詩，判河南府，辟高輦為推官。 He loved poetry; as judge of Henan Prefecture he recruited Gao Nian as investigating officer.

輦尤能為詩，賓主相遇甚歡。 Gao Nian was himself a fine poet, and prince and officer took great pleasure in each other's company.

高輦知其謀，因勸秦王托疾：「此輩須來問候，請大王伏壯士，出其不意皆斬之，庶幾免禍矣。」 Gao Nian learned of the plot and urged the prince to feign illness: "They will come to inquire after you. Hide strong men and cut them down by surprise—that may be your only escape."

輦曰：「子弄父兵，罪當笞爾； Gao Nian replied, "A son who misuses his father's soldiers deserves no more than a beating;

從榮猶豫不決，未幾及禍，高輦棄市。 Congrong wavered and could not decide. Before long disaster struck, and Gao Nian was executed in the marketplace.

初，從榮之敗也，高輦竄於民家，且落發為僧。 When Congrong fell, Gao Nian hid in a commoner's house and shaved his head to pass as a monk.

輦神色自若，屬聲曰：「朱衣才脫，白刃難逃。」 Gao Nian's face was calm. He cried aloud, "Scarlet robes just cast off—white blades you cannot escape."