Emperor Hailing (海陵)

Overview

Emperor Hailing was a Fourth ruler of the Jin dynasty, born Wanyan Liang.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Epithet	Hailing the commoner	海陵庶人

Life and dates

Death

Assassinated · At Yangzhou 揚州
Directly stated · History of Jin 131, passages 30, 116

Attested activity

AD 1151 天德三年
Directly stated · History of Jin 131, passages 13-14
AD 1123 to AD 1135 太宗之世
Dated from the passage context · History of Jin 59, passage 462
AD 1156 to AD 1161 正隆
Directly stated · History of Jin 46, passages 32, 164
AD 1161 正隆六年
Dated from the passage context · History of Jin 69, passage 109; History of Jin 131, passages 30, 116
AD 1156 正隆間…續降制書
Dated from the passage context · History of Jin 45, passage 43
AD 1149 to AD 1161 海陵
Strongly inferred · History of Jin 68, passage 146

Show 12 more source-backed claims

AD 1149 海陵初
Dated from the passage context · History of Jin 53, passage 52
AD 1149 to AD 1161 海陵在位
Dated from the passage context · History of Jin 78, passage 209
AD 1152 海陵天德四年
Dated from the passage context · History of Jin 33, passage 6
AD 1149 海陵庶人…禁脊杖
Dated from the passage context · History of Jin 45, passage 42
AD 1149 to AD 1161 海陵庶人所置
Strongly inferred · History of Jin 52, passage 16
AD 1149 to AD 1161 海陵時
Directly stated · History of Jin 46, passage 195; History of Jin 131, passage 7
AD 1159 海陵正隆四年正月
Directly stated · History of Jin 50, passage 5
AD 1148 to AD 1149 海陵為相
Dated from the passage context · History of Jin 69, passage 158
AD 1149 to AD 1149 海陵篡立
Dated from the passage context · History of Jin 69, passage 159
AD 1149 to AD 1161 海陵自汴取而用之
Directly stated · History of Jin 43, passage 52
AD 1149 to AD 1161 海陵賜大興國
Dated from the passage context · History of Jin 43, passage 279
AD 1135 to AD 1161 熙宗、海陵之世
Directly stated · History of Jin 46, passage 9

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Spouse of Primary Consort (元妃)
primary consort 元妃 · Primary marriage
Strongly inferred · History of Jin 131, passage 11
Child of Zonggan (宗幹)
son 子
Directly stated · History of Jin 59, passage 462
Parent of Guangying (光英)
son 子
Directly stated · History of Jin 59, passage 577
Parent of Shensiabu (矧思阿不)
son 子
Directly stated · History of Jin 59, passage 577
Parent of Guangyang (廣陽)
son 子
Directly stated · History of Jin 59, passage 577
Parent of Yuanshou (元壽)
son 子
Directly stated · History of Jin 59, passage 577

Kinship Role sons · Count 4
Directly stated · History of Jin 59, passage 577

Key source chapters

Career and standing

Hailing 海陵
Emperor · Reigned
Directly stated · History of Jin 53, passage 52
commoner/usurper 庶人
Deposed ruler
Directly stated · History of Jin 45, passage 42

Places and affiliations

Jin 金
Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · History of Jin 43, passage 279; History of Jin 59, passage 2
Jin 金
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · History of Jin 46, passage 9
Polity Jin
Strongly inferred · History of Jin 68, passage 146
Polity Jin 金 · Relation Ruled
Strongly inferred · History of Jin 43, passage 52; History of Jin 52, passage 16
Polity Jin 金 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · History of Jin 45, passage 42
Polity Jin 金 · Relation Served
Directly stated · History of Jin 131, passages 6, 55

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At Bian 汴 · Relation Took from
Directly stated · History of Jin 43, passage 52

Works and attributed material

Imperial instruction · Author · Speaker Emperor Hailing (海陵) · Addressed to Han Duo (韓鐸) · Topic diligence and advancement in office
Directly stated · History of Jin 78, passages 188-190
Imperial edict · Author · Speaker Emperor Hailing (海陵) · Addressed to Liu Kuo (劉筈) · Topic conditional release from office without permission to return home
Directly stated · History of Jin 78, passages 210-211
Speech · Speaker · With Wang Guangdao (王光道)
Directly stated · History of Jin 131, passages 14-17
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · History of Jin 53, passage 52
Rejected Alubu’s claims to legal privilege and insisted that state law applied equally to high and low.
Direct quotation · Mode direct-speech
Directly stated · History of Jin 68, passages 146-148

Events and relationships

Abolished border markets except sizhou
AD 1159 海陵正隆四年正月 · Administrative · Ruler
Directly stated · History of Jin 50, passage 5
bestowed pearl-knotted belt cords 賜大興國
AD 1149 to AD 1161 海陵賜大興國 · Personal · Giver · Bestowed · With Daxingguo (大興國)
Directly stated · History of Jin 43, passage 279
Established
AD 1149 to AD 1161 海陵庶人所置 · Administrative · Creator · Offices legal reviewers, legal specialists, and National History Academy scribes 檢法、知法、國史院書寫
Directly stated · History of Jin 52, passage 16
Hailing, who had once served in the ranks and disliked Alubu, decreed: "Measured by merit and service, others have done more than this.
Biographical record · Source Text 海陵嘗在軍中，惡阿魯補，詔曰：「若論勳勞，更有過於此者。
Directly stated · History of Jin 68, passage 146
Southern campaign against Song
Military · Commander
Directly stated · History of Jin 131, passages 22-23
Summoned and instructed clerks
Political · Speaker · At Changming Hall 昌明殿
Directly stated · History of Jin 53, passage 52

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Took and used
Seizure · Taker · Item seven-treasure palanquin 七寶輦 · At Bian 汴
Directly stated · History of Jin 43, passage 52
Uneven horse and livestock requisition
AD 1149 to AD 1161 海陵時 · Fiscal · Ruler
Directly stated · History of Jin 46, passage 195
Relation Benefactor of · Person Daxingguo (大興國)
Directly stated · History of Jin 43, passage 279

Assessments and attributes

Assessment Harsh and violent, causing officials to lose composure · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · History of Jin 78, passage 93
AD 1149 to AD 1161 海陵賜大興國
Item pearl-knotted cords hanging beside headcloth bands 帶旁各絡珠結綬 · Relation Bestowed · With Daxingguo (大興國)
Directly stated · History of Jin 43, passage 279
Item seven-treasure palanquin 七寶輦 · Relation Used
Directly stated · History of Jin 43, passage 52

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · History of Jin 33, passage 6

References in the histories

Search passages

History

59 passages

History of Jin, Chapter 33Volume 33 Treatises 14: Rites 6: Original Shrines, Invocation Ceremonies, Pilgrimages, Other Temples · 1 passage

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海陵天德四年，有司言：「燕京興建太廟，複立原廟。 In Hailing's fourth Tiande year, the responsible offices reported: "With the Grand Ancestral Temple rising in Yanjing, original shrines should be re-established as well.

History of Jin, Chapter 43Volume 43 Treatises 24: Carriages and Clothing 1: Emperor's Carriages, Empress' and Consorts' Carriages; Crown Prince's Carriages; Princes, Dukes, and Below Carriages and Saddlery; Carriages and Clothing 2: Emperors' Robes and Crowns; Clothing for Those Accompanying the Emperor; Empresses' Crown and Clothing; Crown Princes' Crown and Clothing; Dress for the Imperial Clan, Families of Imperial Consorts, and Titled Nobility; Court Dress for Officials; Ceremonial Clothing; Official Clothing; Carriages and Clothing 3: Tailoring · 2 passages

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宋欽宗為上皇制，海陵自汴取而用之。 Emperor Qinzong of the Song had it made for the Retired Emperor; Prince Hailing took it from Bian and put it to use.

帶旁各絡珠結綬，長半帶，垂之，海陵賜大興國者是也。 Beside the bands hung pearl-knotted cords half the belt's length—the type Prince Hailing bestowed on Daxingguo.

History of Jin, Chapter 45Volume 45 Treatises 26: Punishment · 1 passage

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及海陵庶人以脊近心腹，遂禁之，雖主決奴牌，亦論以違制。 When the usurper Hailing took power, he forbade back strokes because the back lies near the vital organs; even when masters punished slaves by tablet, back strokes were treated as a violation of regulations.

History of Jin, Chapter 46Volume 46 Treatises 27: Finance and Economics 1: Thorough Examination and Organization of Registered Residences · 2 passages

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熙宗、海陵之世，風氣日開，兼務遠略，君臣講求財用之制，切切然以是為先務。 Under Xizong and Hailing the realm grew cosmopolitan; court and emperor together obsessed over fiscal institutions, making finance their foremost concern.

昔海陵時，拘括馬畜，絕無等級，富者倖免，貧者盡拘入官，大為不均。 Under Hailing, horse requisition ignored rank—the rich escaped and the poor lost all stock to the state, a gross injustice.

History of Jin, Chapter 50Volume 50 Treatises 31: Finance and Economics 5: Monopoly Markets, State Purchase of Grain, Rice Fields, Agricultural Land Administration, Buying of Titles or Pardons With Grain and Selling of Ordination Certificates · 1 passage

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海陵正隆四年正月，罷鳳翔府、唐、鄧、潁、蔡、鞏、洮等州並膠西縣所置者，而專置於泗州。 In the first month of Hailing's Zhenglong 4 (1159), the court closed the markets at Fengxiang Prefecture and at Tang, Deng, Ying, Cai, Gong, Tao, and other prefectures, as well as Jiaoxi County, concentrating border trade at Sizhou alone.

History of Jin, Chapter 52Volume 52 Treatises 33: Selection of Officials 2: Civil and Military Selection · 1 passage

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檢法、知法、國史院書寫，則海陵庶人所置者也。 Legal reviewers, legal specialists, and National History Academy scribes were offices created by Prince Hailing.

History of Jin, Chapter 53Volume 53 Treatises 34: Selection of Officials 3: Miscellaneous Selection of Senior Officials, Minor Officials · 1 passage

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海陵初，除尚書省、樞密院、禦史台吏員外，皆為雜班，乃召諸吏員于昌明殿，諭之曰：「爾等勿以班次稍降為歉，果有人才，當不次擢用也。」 Early in Prince Hailing's reign, clerks outside the ministries, Privy Council, and Censorate were classed as mixed rank. Summoned to the Changming Hall, he told them: "Do not resent a slightly lower class—real talent will win exceptional promotion."

History of Jin, Chapter 59Volume 59 Tables 1: Imperial Family · 2 passages

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遼王宗幹子與海陵五人。 Listed at right: five sons of the Prince of Liao Zonggan, counting Hailing.

右海陵子四人。 Listed at right: four sons of Hailing.

History of Jin, Chapter 68Volume 68 Biographies 6: Huandu and His Son Mouyan; Yehe and His Sons Alubu, Gunan, and Egunai; Sanda's Son Pucha · 1 passage

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海陵嘗在軍中，惡阿魯補，詔曰：「若論勳勞，更有過於此者。 Hailing, who had once served in the ranks and disliked Alubu, decreed: "Measured by merit and service, others have done more than this.

History of Jin, Chapter 69Volume 69 Biographies 7: Taizu Sons: Zong Jun Formerly Named Eluguan, Zong Jie Formerly Named Meiliye, Zong Qiang Formerly Named Alu, Son: Shuang (Formerly Named Alin) Kexi, a Suo, Zong Min Formerly Named Alubu, Yuan Formerly Named Changsheng · 27 passages

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海陵為相，將謀弑立，構而殺之。 While Hailing was chief minister, plotting murder and usurpation, he framed Aleng and had him killed.

海陵篡立，並殺宗傑妻。 When Hailing seized the throne, he also killed Zong Jie's wife.

海陵將伐宋，嚴酒禁，爽坐與其弟阿瑣，及從父兄京、徒單貞會飲，被杖，下遷歸化州刺史，奪猛安。 When Hailing was about to march on Song he banned wine outright. Shuang had drunk with his brother A Suo and with his cousins Jing and Tushan Zhen; he was flogged, demoted to prefect of Guihua, and lost his meng'an.

海陵渡淮，分遣使者翦滅宗室，爽憂懼不知所出。 Hailing crossed the Huai and sent agents to purge the clan. Shuang was sick with fear and could see no way out.

海陵遣使殺之，可喜聞世宗即位，即棄州來歸，與其兄歸化州刺史阿鄰會於中都。 Hailing sent men to kill him. Hearing that Shizong had taken the throne, Kexi abandoned his post and fled in; he met his elder brother Alin, prefect of Guihua, at Zhongdu.

海陵伐宋，以左衛將軍蒲察沙離只同知中都留守事，佩金牌，守管簽。 When Hailing attacked Song, Left Guard General Pucha Shalizhi was associate regent of the Central Capital, bearing the gold plaque and keeping charge of the seal.

海陵謀弑立，畏宗敏尊且材勇，欲構誣以除之。 When Hailing plotted murder and usurpation, he feared Zong Min—high in rank, brave and capable—and meant to frame him and destroy him.

時熙宗屢殺大臣，宗敏憂之，謂海陵曰：「主上喜殘殺，而國家事重，奈何。」 In those days Xizong was slaughtering ministers one after another. Zong Min, uneasy, said to Hailing: "The sovereign delights in bloodshed, yet the realm hangs in the balance—what can be done?"

宗敏言時，適左右無人，海陵將以此為指斥構害之，自念無證不可發，乃止。 No one else was near when he spoke. Hailing nearly seized on the words as lese-majeste and moved to destroy him, but saw he had no proof and held back.

宗敏聞海陵召，疑懼不敢往。 When Zong Min heard Hailing summon him, he was afraid and did not dare go.

宗敏入宮，海陵欲殺之，尚猶豫，以問左右。 Zong Min entered the palace. Hailing meant to kill him but still wavered, and asked his attendants what to do.

天德三年，海陵追封宗敏為太師，進封爵。 In Tiande year 3 Hailing posthumously made Zong Min Grand Preceptor and raised his title of nobility.

正隆六年，契丹撒八反，海陵遣使殺諸宗室，阿里罕遂見殺。 Zhenglong year 6: the Khitan Saba rose in revolt. Hailing sent agents to slaughter the clan, and Alihan was killed.

海陵與唐括辯謀廢立，海陵曰：「若舉大事，誰當立者。」 Hailing and Tangguo Bian plotted to depose the throne. Hailing asked: "If we raise a coup, whom should we set up?"

海陵意謂己乃太祖長房之孫，當立。 Hailing meant himself—grandson of Taizu in the senior house—to take the throne.

而辯與秉德初意不在海陵，常勝乃熙宗之弟，辯答曰：「無胙王常勝乎。」 Bian and Bingde had not first thought of Hailing. Changsheng was Xizong’s own brother. Bian said: "What of the Prince of Zu, Changsheng?"

海陵複問其次，辯曰：「鄧王子阿楞。」 Hailing pressed for the next choice. Bian said: "Aleng, son of the Prince of Deng."

海陵曰：「阿楞屬疏。」 Hailing said: "Aleng is too far from the line."

由是海陵謂胙王有人望，不除之將不得立，故心忌常勝並阿楞。 Thence Hailing reckoned the Prince of Zu held the people’s favor—without removing him he could not reign—and so he hated Changsheng and Aleng alike.

特思乃嘗疑海陵與唐括辯時時竊議，告之悼後者。 Tesi had long suspected Hailing and Tangguo Bian of meeting in secret, and had told Empress Dowager Dao.

海陵知熙宗有疑常勝心，因此可以除之，謂熙宗曰：「孫進反有端，不稱他人，乃稱皇弟大王。 Hailing saw that Xizong already doubted Changsheng and that here was his chance. He told Xizong: "Sun Jin’s revolt has a thread to pull—he named no one else but Younger Brother the King.

海陵乘此並擠阿楞殺之。 Hailing used the moment to force Aleng’s death as well.

阿楞弟撻楞，熙宗本無意殺之，海陵曰：「其兄既已伏誅，其弟安得獨存。」 Aleng’s brother Taleng—Xizong had not meant to kill him. Hailing said: "The elder brother is already dead—can the younger live alone?"

熙宗以海陵為忠，愈益任之，而不知其詐也。 Xizong thought Hailing faithful and relied on him ever more heavily, never seeing the fraud.

海陵篡立，追封常勝、查刺、阿楞官爵，親臨葬所致祭。 Once Hailing seized the throne he posthumously restored Changsheng, Chaci, and Aleng, and came in person to their graves to sacrifice.

大定十三年六月丁巳，世宗召皇太子諸王，侍食於清輝殿，曰：「或稱海陵多能，何也。 In the sixth month of Dading year 13, day dingsi: Shizong called the crown prince and the princes to dine with him in the Clear Splendor Hall and said: "Some praise Hailing as a man of many talents—why?

海陵譎詐，睢盱殺人，空虛天下三分之二。 Hailing was sly and murderous; he glared down the court and killed until a third of the realm stood empty.

History of Jin, Chapter 78Volume 78 Biographies 16: Liu Yanzong and His Sons E and Kuo; Kuo's Son Zhonghui; Liu Yi; Shi Liai; Han Qixian and His Son Duo · 5 passages

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海陵即位，意頗鄙之。 When Hailing took the throne he held Kuo in considerable contempt.

海陵嚴暴，臣下應對多失次。 Hailing was harsh and violent, and officials often faltered when answering him.

嘗以時政訪問在朝官，仲誨從容敷奏，無懼色，海陵稱賞之。 Once he questioned court officials on current affairs; Zhonghui replied calmly without fear, and Hailing praised him.

再遷刑部員外郎，海陵遣中使諭之曰：「郎官，高選也。 He was transferred again to Outer Director of the Ministry of Punishments. Hailing sent a palace envoy to tell him: "A bureau directorship is a high appointment.

海陵伐宋，改兵部員外郎。 During Hailing's campaign against Song he was transferred to Outer Director of the Ministry of War.

History of Jin, Chapter 131Volume 131 Biographies 69: Huan Zhe, Liang Chong, Song Gui, Pan Shouheng, Fang Ji, Liu Wansu, Zhang Congzheng, Li Qingsi, Ji Tianxi, Zhang Yuansu, Ma Guizhong, Wu Zhen Son: Kang, Li Mao, Hu Dexin · 15 passages

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惟海陵時有梁珫，章宗時有梁道、李新喜幹政，二君為所誤多矣。 Only under Emperor Hailing did Liang Chong, and under Emperor Zhangzong did Liang Dao and Li Xinxi, meddle in government — and both sovereigns were led badly astray.

梁珫，本大抃家奴，隨元妃入宮，以閹豎事海陵。 Liang Chong had been a bondservant in the household of Daban. He entered the palace with the primary consort and served Emperor Hailing as a eunuch attendant.

海陵謂光道等曰：「人言宦者不可用，朕以為不然。 Hailing told Guangdao and the others, "People say eunuchs should never be used. I disagree.

及營建南京宮室，海陵數數使珫往視工役。 When the Southern Capital palace was under construction, Hailing sent Chong again and again to inspect the work.

海陵欲伐宋，珫因極言宋劉貴妃絕色傾國。 When Hailing planned to attack the Song, Chong lavished praise on Consort Liu of Song, declaring her beauty unmatched and enough to topple a kingdom.

海陵大喜，及南征將行，命縣君高師姑兒貯衾褥之新潔者俟得劉貴妃用之。 Hailing was delighted. As the southern campaign was about to begin, he ordered the county lady Gao Shigu'er to lay aside fresh, clean bedding for the day when Consort Liu would be his.

海陵至和州，聞珫與宋人交通有狀，謂珫曰：「聞汝與宋國交通，傳泄事情。 When Hailing reached He Prefecture he learned that Chong's traffic with the Song was well founded. He said to Chong, "I hear you have been dealing with the Song and leaking our affairs.

海陵遇弑，珫、與信皆為亂軍所殺。 When Hailing was assassinated, Chong and Yuxin were both killed by the mutinous soldiers.

與校書郎高守元奏天象災異忤旨，海陵皆杖之，黜貴中為大同府判官。 He and the proofreader Gao Shouyuan memorialized on celestial omens and disasters in a way that displeased the emperor. Hailing had them both beaten and demoted Guizhong to assistant magistrate of Datong Prefecture.

是日，候之不食，海陵謂貴中曰：「自今凡遇日食皆面奏，不須頒示內外。」 That day they waited, but the sun was not eclipsed. Hailing told Guizhong, "From now on, whenever an eclipse is due, report to me in person. Do not issue proclamations inside and outside the court."

海陵伐宋，問曰：「朕欲自將伐宋，天道何如？」 When Hailing prepared to attack the Song, he asked, "I mean to lead the campaign against Song myself. What do the heavens portend?"