Siwen (思溫) | 24 Histories

Overview

Siwen was a Liao Chancellor; Ancestor of Zhao Zhi.

IdentityHistorical · Male

Roles

Found in

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal name	Xiao Siwen	蕭思溫	Xiāo Sīwēn
Childhood name	Yingu	寅古

Life and dates

Death

AD 970 保寧二年五月乙卯
Murder · At Pansdao Ridge 盤道嶺
Directly stated · History of Liao 8, passage 32
Assassinated
Directly stated · History of Liao 79, passage 54
Killed by bandits · At Lü Mountain 閭山
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 50
Directly stated · History of Liao 10, passage 88

Attested activity

AD 961 應曆11年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 6, passage 157
AD 969 應歷十九年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 78, passage 45
AD 958 應曆8年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 6, passage 119
AD 959 應曆9年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 6, passage 129
AD 959 應歷九年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 86, passage 27
AD 951 to AD 969 應曆間
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 65, passage 28

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AD 970 保寧二年
Directly stated · History of Liao 8, passages 32, 35
AD 969 保寧元年
Directly stated · History of Liao 8, passages 10, 15
AD 969 保寧元年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 83, passage 171
AD 969 保寧初
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 78, passage 48
AD 960 to AD 982 北府宰相思溫
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 71, passage 211
AD 927 to AD 947 太宗時
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 78, passage 22

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of Xiao Jixian (蕭繼先)
adopted as son 命為子 · Adoptive parentage
successor/heir 後 · Adoptive parentage
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 52; History of Liao 67, passage 56
Sibling of Xiao Shendu (蕭神睹)
brother 弟 · Uncertain siblings
Directly stated · History of Liao 8, passage 35
Parent of Wise Empress Dowager (睿智皇后)
daughter 女
father 父
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 49; History of Liao 67, passage 53
Ancestor of Zhao Zhi (趙質)
descendant 裔
Directly stated · History of Jin 127, passage 82
Parent of Empress Ruizhi (睿智皇后蕭氏)
father 父
Directly stated · History of Liao 71, passage 211
Spouse of Lü Bugu (呂不古)
given in marriage 下嫁 · Marriage
Directly stated · History of Liao 65, passage 28
Spouse of Princess of Yan (燕國公主)
married 尚 · Marriage
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 22
Kin of Xiao Talin (蕭撻凜)
second cousin once removed 再從侄
Directly stated · History of Liao 85, passage 2
Child of Humoli (忽沒裏)
son 子
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 20
Sibling of Father of Xiao Jixian
uncle 叔 · Uncertain siblings
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 78, passage 52
Child of Hulimo (忽里沒)
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 67, passages 53-55

Kinship Role sons · Count 0 · Negated true
Directly stated · History of Liao 67, passage 56

Key source chapters

Career and standing

Northern Prime Minister 北府宰相
AD 969 保寧元年三月甲午 · Appointed concurrent
Directly stated · History of Liao 8, passage 19
grand commander of army and horse 兵馬都總管
Appointed · Date Source Date: Text: 應曆9年戊戌 · Reign Id: liao-yingli · Regnal Year: 9 · Western Year: AD 959
Directly stated · History of Liao 6, passage 129
Northern Chancellery Commissioner 北院樞密使
AD 969 保寧元年三月丙戌 · Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 8, passage 15
Northern Privy Commissioner 北院樞密使
AD 969 保寧初 · Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 48
Minister-in-Chief 尚書令
Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 49
Northern Chancellery chancellor 北府宰相
Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 48

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Southern Capital intendant 南京留守
Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 24
Grand Commandant of the Xi Tuli 奚禿裏太尉
AD 927 to AD 947 太宗時 · Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 22
chancellor 相
Held
Directly stated · History of Jin 127, passage 82
Chief Intendant of the Herds Directorate 群牧都林牙
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 22
Chief Minister 尚書令
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 85, passage 97
Commissioner of Military Affairs 樞密使
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 79, passage 54
Nanjing garrison commander 南京留守
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 6, passage 119
Northern Chancellor 北府宰相
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 65, passage 28; History of Liao 67, passage 55
Northern Office Chancellor 北府宰相
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 71, passage 211
Palace Attendant 侍中
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 8, passage 10
Regent 留守
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 86, passage 27
Prince of Wei 魏王
AD 969 保寧元年十一月乙巳 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · History of Liao 8, passage 28
Prince of Wei 魏王
Enfeoffed
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 49
Prince of Chu 楚國王
AD 972 保寧四年四月 · Posthumously enfeoffed
Directly stated · History of Liao 8, passage 68

Places and affiliations

Polity Id liao · Relation Served
Directly stated · History of Jin 127, passage 82; History of Liao 78, passage 20; History of Liao 86, passage 27
Polity Id liao · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 8, passage 10; History of Liao 67, passage 55
Polity Id liao · Relation Subject of
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 65, passage 28

Learning and skills

Skill versed in classics and histories 通書史
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 21

Works and attributed material

Memorial · Author · With Muzong (穆宗)
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 40
Speech · Speaker · Quote true
Directly stated · History of Liao 83, passage 172
敵眾而銳…可以必勝。
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passages 31-32

Events and relationships

Captured border counties
Military · Commander · Date Source Date: Text: 應曆8年四月甲寅 · Reign Id: liao-yingli · Regnal Year: 8 · Western Year: AD 958
Directly stated · History of Liao 6, passage 119
Defended against Zhou at Fengmu Dongcheng Hutuo
Military · Commander
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passages 26, 29-30, 35
Enthroned Jingzong
Political · Kingmaker · With Yelü Xian (耶律賢)
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 47
Failed to stop Zhou capture of passes and prefectures
Military · Commander · With Emperor Shizong (世宗)
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passages 36-39
Offered wine after Muzong shot bear
AD 969 十九年，春蒐 · Ritual · Participant
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 45
Reported Zhou invasion of Yan
Military · Reporter
Directly stated · History of Liao 86, passage 27

Show 2 more source-backed claims

Trailed Zhou at Yangzhou but withdrew after taking border towns
Military · Commander
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 25
Withdrew to Yijin defeated 2000 infantry then withdrew on Zhou mourning
Military · Commander
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passages 41-43

Assessments and attributes

Assessment close kinsman in government but offered no correction; scholarly opinion disapproved · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 44
Assessment clung to salary and sought favor; contemptible · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 70
Assessment fussy about dress; staff said no commander talent · Mode named-source-report
Directly stated · History of Liao 78, passage 23

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · History of Liao 8, passage 10; History of Liao 65, passage 28

References in the histories

Search passages

History

41 passages

History of Jin, Chapter 127Volume 127 Biographies 65: Xiao You, Wendihanwolubu, Chen Yan, Liu Yu, Meng Xing, Wang Zhen, Liu Zheng, Yin Yi, Chu Chengliang, Wang Qufei, Zhao Zhi, Du Shisheng, Hao Tianting, Xue Jiyuan, Gao Zhongzhen, Zhang Qian, Wang Rumei, Song Ke, Xin Yuan, Wang Yuke · 1 passage

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趙質，字景道，遼相思溫之裔。 Zhao Zhi, styled Jingdao, was a descendant of Siwen, a chancellor of the Liao.

History of Liao, Chapter 6Volume 6 Annals 6: Muzong 1 · 5 passages

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夏四月甲寅，南京留守蕭思溫攻下沿邊州縣，遣人勞之。 That summer, on jiayin day in the fourth month, Nanjing garrison commander Xiao Siwen captured border prefectures and counties, and the Emperor sent men to reward the troops.

六月辛未，蕭思溫請益兵，乞駕幸燕。 On xinwei day in the sixth month Xiao Siwen asked for reinforcements and pleaded that the Emperor come in person to Yan.

戊戌，以南京留守蕭思溫為兵馬都總管，擊之。 On wuxu day Xiao Siwen, Nanjing garrison commander, was made grand commander of army and horse and sent to attack them.

六月庚申，漢以宋兵圍石州來告，遣大同軍節度使阿剌率四部往援，詔蕭思溫以三部兵助之。 On gengshen day in the sixth month Han reported that Song troops were besieging Shizhou; Datong Army military governor Ala was dispatched with four tribes to the rescue, and Xiao Siwen was ordered to assist with troops from three tribes.

三月丙辰，蕭思溫奏老人星見，乞行赦宥。 On bingchen day in the third month Xiao Siwen reported that the Old Man Star had appeared and asked that an amnesty be proclaimed.

History of Liao, Chapter 8Volume 8 Annals 8: Jingzong 1 · 7 passages

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己巳，穆宗遇弒，帝率飛龍使女裏、侍中蕭思溫、南院樞密使高勛率甲騎千人馳赴。 On jisi day Muzong was assassinated; the Emperor led Flying Dragon Commissioner Nüli, Palace Attendant Xiao Siwen, and Southern Chancellery Commissioner Gao Xun at the head of a thousand armored horsemen in haste to the scene.

三月丙戌，入上京，以蕭思溫為北院樞密使。 In the third month, on bingxu day, he entered the Supreme Capital and appointed Xiao Siwen Northern Chancellery Commissioner.

甲午，以北院樞密使蕭思溫兼北府宰相。 On jiawu day Northern Chancellery Commissioner Xiao Siwen was also made Northern Prime Minister.

乙巳，蕭思溫封魏王，北院大王屋質加於越。 On yisi day Xiao Siwen was enfeoffed as Prince of Wei, and Northern Grand Prince Wuzhi was promoted to yuyue.

乙卯，次盤道嶺，盜殺北院樞密使蕭思溫。 On yimao day the court halted at Pansdao Ridge, where bandits murdered Northern Chancellery Commissioner Xiao Siwen.

九月辛丑，得國舅蕭海只及海裏殺蕭思溫狀，皆伏誅，流其弟神睹於黃龍府。 In the ninth month, on xinchou day, proof was obtained that the empress's uncle Xiao Haizhi and Haili had murdered Xiao Siwen; both were put to death, and Siwen's brother Shendu was banished to Huanglong Prefecture.

夏四月庚寅朔，追封蕭思溫為楚國王。 That summer, on the gengyin new moon of the fourth month, Xiao Siwen was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Chu.

History of Liao, Chapter 10Volume 10 Annals 10: Shengzong 1 · 1 passage

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辛卯，皇太后祭楚國王蕭思溫墓。 On xinmao day the Empress Dowager offered sacrifice at the tomb of Prince of Chu Xiao Siwen.

History of Liao, Chapter 65Volume 65 Tables 3: Princesses · 1 passage

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下嫁北府宰相蕭思溫。 She was given in marriage to Xiao Siwen, Northern Chancellor.

History of Liao, Chapter 67Volume 67 Tables 5: Families of Imperial Consorts · 3 passages

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景宗睿智皇后父思溫 Siwen, father of Empress Ruizhi, consort of Emperor Jingzong

北府宰相思溫。 Siwen, Northern Chancellor.

北府宰相繼先。思溫無嗣，睿智皇后命為後。 Jixian, Northern Chancellor. As Siwen had no male heirs, Empress Ruizhi appointed him as his successor.

History of Liao, Chapter 71Volume 71 Biographies 1: Empresses and Consorts · 2 passages

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景宗睿智皇后蕭氏，諱綽，小字燕燕，北府宰相思溫女。 Empress Ruizhi (Xiao), wife of Jingzong, taboo name Chuo, childhood name Yanyan, daughter of Northern Office Chancellor Xiao Siwen.

思溫嘗觀諸女掃地，惟后潔除，喜曰：「此女必能成家。」 Siwen once watched his daughters sweeping the floor; only the future empress swept thoroughly, and he said with delight, "This girl will surely make a household."

History of Liao, Chapter 78Volume 78 Biographies 8: Yelu Yilage, Xiao Haili, Xiao Husi, Xiao Siwen, Xiao Jixian · 16 passages

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耶律夷臘葛蕭海璃蕭護思蕭思溫蕭繼先 Yelü Yilage; Xiao Haili; Xiao Husi; Xiao Siwen; Xiao Jixian

蕭思溫，小字寅古，宰相敵魯之族弟忽沒裏之子。 Xiao Siwen, whose childhood name was Yingu, was the son of Humoli, a younger cousin of Chancellor Diru's clan.

思溫在軍中，握齱修邊幅，僚佐皆言非將帥才。 In camp Siwen was fussy about dress and decorum, and his staff all said he was no commander.

初，周人攻揚州，上遣思溫躡其後，憚暑不敢進，拔緣邊數城而還。 When the Zhou first attacked Yangzhou, the emperor sent Siwen to follow in their rear, but he shrank from the summer heat and would not advance, seized a few border towns, and withdrew.

思溫請益兵，帝報曰：「敵來，則與統軍司並兵拒之； Siwen asked for reinforcements. The emperor replied: "When the enemy comes, join the Commissariat and resist together;

思溫勒兵徐行，周軍數日不動。 Siwen led his troops forward at a deliberate pace, and the Zhou army held still for days.

思溫與諸將議曰：「敵眾而銳，戰不利則有後患。 Siwen consulted the generals: "The enemy are numerous and keen — if we fight and fare badly, trouble will follow.

周人引退，思溫亦還。 The Zhou withdrew, and Siwen returned as well.

思溫不知計所出，但雲車駕旦夕至。 Siwen had no plan to offer and could only say that the emperor's carriage would arrive at any moment.

思溫以邊防失利，恐朝廷罪己，表請親征。 Fearing blame for the border defeat, Siwen memorialized asking the emperor to lead the campaign in person.

會周主榮以病歸，思溫退至益津，偽言不知所在。 When the Later Zhou emperor Chai Rong returned because of illness, Siwen withdrew to Yijin and pretended not to know where the enemy was.

時穆宗湎酒嗜殺，思溫以密戚預政，無所匡輔，士論不與。 While Emperor Muzong drowned himself in wine and delighted in killing, Siwen, though a close kinsman in government, offered no correction — and learned opinion did not approve of him.

十九年，春蒐，上射熊而中，思溫與夷離畢牙裏斯等進酒上壽，帝醉還宮。 In his nineteenth year, at the spring hunt, the emperor shot a bear and hit it. Siwen, Yilibi Yalisi, and others offered wine and wished him long life; the emperor returned to the palace drunk.

思溫與南院樞密使高勛、飛龍使女裏等立景宗。 Siwen, together with Southern Privy Commissioner Gao Xun, Dragon Flight Commissioner Nüli, and others, enthroned Emperor Jingzong.

幼穎悟，叔思溫命為子，睿智皇后尤愛之。 Clever as a boy, he was adopted as a son by his uncle Siwen, and Empress Ruizhi was especially fond of him.

於以知護思、思溫處位優重，耽祿取容，真鄙夫矣！ This shows that Husi and Siwen, for all their high rank, clung to salary and sought favor — nothing but contemptible men!

History of Liao, Chapter 79Volume 79 Biographies 9: Shi Fang, Yelu Xianshi, Nu Li, Guo Xi, Yelu Ameili · 1 passage

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保寧末，坐私藏甲五百屬，有司方按詰，女裏袖中又得殺樞密使蕭思溫賊書，賜死。 Near the end of Baoning he was charged with privately hoarding five hundred suits of armor while the authorities were still investigating; from Nuli's sleeve they also recovered a letter from the assassin of Commissioner of Military Affairs Xiao Siwen, and he was sentenced to death.

History of Liao, Chapter 83Volume 83 Biographies 13: Yelu Xiuge, Yelu Xiezhen, Yelu Xidi, Yelu Xuegu · 1 passage

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保寧元年，樞密使蕭思溫薦斜軫有經國才，上曰：「朕知之，第佚蕩，豈可羈屈？」 In Baoning 1, Privy Council Commissioner Xiao Siwen recommended Xiezhen as possessing talent to govern the state. The emperor said, "I know him, but he is free-spirited and unruly—how can he be confined to office?"

History of Liao, Chapter 85Volume 85 Biographies 15: Xiao Talin, Xiao Guanyinnu, Yelu Tizi, Yelu Xieli, Yelu Nugua, Xiao Liu, Gao Xun, Xi Heshuonu, Xiao Taliege, Yelu Sahe · 2 passages

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蕭撻凜，字駝寧，思溫之再從侄。 Xiao Talin, whose style name was Tuoning, was a second cousin once removed of Xiao Siwen.

尋又謀害尚書令蕭思溫，詔獄誅之，沒其產，皆賜思溫家。 He soon plotted again, this time against Chief Minister Xiao Siwen. By imperial order he was executed in prison; his property was confiscated and given entirely to Siwen's family.

History of Liao, Chapter 86Volume 86 Biographies 16: Yelu Hezhu, Liu Jing, Liu Liufu, Ye Luniaolu, Niu Wenshu, Du Fang, Xiao Heshang, Yelu Helizhi, Yelu Pode · 1 passage

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九年，周人侵燕，留守蕭思溫上急變，帝欲俟秋出師，景諫曰：「河北三關已陷於敵，今復侵燕，安可坐視！」 In the ninth year the Zhou attacked Yan. Regent Xiao Siwen reported the crisis, but the emperor wanted to wait until autumn before marching. Jing urged him, saying, "The three passes of Hebei have already fallen to the enemy, and now they invade Yan again—how can we simply look on!"