Xiao Ge (蕭革) | 24 Histories

Overview

Xiao Ge was a rebel Statesman and Chancellor.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Courtesy name	Hutujin	胡突堇	Hutujin
Childhood name	Huage	滑哥	Huage

Life and dates

Death

AD 1063 清寧九年秋
Execution by dismemberment
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 122

Attested activity

AD 1046 十五年十一月丁亥
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 19, passage 201
AD 1055 清寧元年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 113, passage 114
AD 1021 太平初
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 113, passage 90
AD 1056 清寧二年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 90, passage 89
AD 1058 清寧四年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 21, passages 124, 137
AD 1063 清寧九年秋
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 113, passage 122

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AD 1055 to AD 1064 清寧
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 111, passage 6
AD 1055 to AD 1064 清寧中
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 114, passages 8-9
AD 1052 二十一年秋
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 20, passages 148, 162
AD 1062 八年三月戊申朔
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 22, passage 4
AD 1044 十三年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 19, passages 107, 139, 141
AD 1050 十九年三月甲辰
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 20, passage 93
AD 1050 十九年閏月辛未
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 20, passage 127
AD 1043 十二年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 19, passages 68-69
AD 1031 景福戊戌
Directly stated · History of Liao 18, passage 42
AD 1052 秋七月甲辰朔
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 20, passages 148, 152
AD 1055 道宗即位
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 86, passage 72
AD 1032 重熙初
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 113, passage 92
AD 1044 重熙十三年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 90, passages 10-11
AD 1043 重熙十二年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 113, passages 93-94

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Sibling of Xiao Ala (蕭阿剌)
elder brother 兄 · Uncertain siblings
Directly stated · History of Liao 114, passage 16
Parent of Son of Xiao Ge (蕭革之子)
son 子
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 122
Child of Heshang (和尚)
son 子
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 88

Key source chapters

Career and standing

Associate Northern Court Privy Commissioner 同知北院樞密使事
AD 1046 十五年十一月丁亥 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 19, passage 201
southern commissioner of military affairs 南院樞密使
AD 1055 清寧元年 · Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 114
Northern Court privy commissioner 北院樞密使
AD 1052 二十一年秋 · Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 20, passage 162
Southern Court privy commissioner 南院樞密使
AD 1050 十九年閏月辛未 · Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 20, passage 127
northern linya 北面林牙
AD 1032 重熙初 · Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 92
chancellor of the northern administration 北府宰相
AD 1044 重熙十三年 · Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 96

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vice commissioner of the northern bureau of military affairs 北院樞密副使
AD 1043 重熙十二年 · Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 93
associate commissioner of the northern bureau 同知北院樞密事
AD 1046 重熙十五年 · Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 97
commissioner of the southern bureau of military affairs 南院樞密使
Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 111
Northern Privy Vice Commissioner 北院樞密副使
Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 19, passage 69
Southern Court privy commissioner 南院樞密使
Appointed · From Source Date: Text: 清寧四年六月乙丑 · Reign Id: liao-qingning · Regnal Year: 4 · Western Year: AD 1058
Directly stated · History of Liao 21, passage 124
zhongshu ling 中書令
Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 112
Northern Chancellor 北府宰相
AD 1046 十五年十一月丁亥 · Held
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 19, passage 201
associate Northern Court privy commissioner 同知北院樞密使
AD 1050 十九年三月甲辰 · Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 20, passage 93
associate Northern Court privy commissioner 同知北院樞密使事
AD 1050 十九年閏月辛未 · Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 20, passage 127
associate administrator of the Privy Council 同知樞密院事
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 90, passage 11
Northern Chancellery Military Affairs Commissioner 北院樞密使
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 86, passage 72
Northern Court privy commissioner 北院樞密使
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 21, passage 124
privy commissioner 樞密使
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 114, passage 9
Southern Court privy commissioner 南院樞密使
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 20, passages 152, 162
Northern Court privy commissioner 北院樞密使
Restored · From Source Date: Text: 清寧四年十二月辛亥 · Reign Id: liao-qingning · Regnal Year: 4 · Western Year: AD 1058
Directly stated · History of Liao 21, passage 137
Prince of Wu 吳王
AD 1052 二十一年秋 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · History of Liao 20, passage 162
Prince of Zheng 鄭國王
AD 1062 八年三月戊申朔 · Advanced to
Directly stated · History of Liao 22, passage 4
Prince of Chu 楚王
AD 1055 清寧元年 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 114
King of Zheng 鄭國王
AD 1062 清寧八年 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 121
Prince of Wu 吳王
AD 1052 二十一年秋 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · History of Liao 20, passage 162
Prince of Wu 吳王
Enfeoffed
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 111
Prince of Zheng 鄭王
Enfeoffed
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 112
Prince of Chu 楚王
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 22, passage 4
Prince of Zheng 鄭王
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 21, passage 124
Prince of Chu 楚王
Transferred · From Source Date: Text: 清寧四年六月乙丑 · Reign Id: liao-qingning · Regnal Year: 4 · Western Year: AD 1058
Directly stated · History of Liao 21, passage 124
Entered
AD 1062 八年三月戊申朔 · Retired
Directly stated · History of Liao 22, passage 4
Retired
AD 1062 清寧八年 · Retirement
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 121

Places and affiliations

Polity Id liao · Relation Served
Directly stated · History of Liao 18, passage 42; History of Liao 19, passages 69, 201; History of Liao 20, passages 93, 127, 152, 162; History of Liao 21, passage 124; History of Liao 22, passage 4; History of Liao 90, passage 1; History of Liao 97, passage 48; History of Liao 113, passage 88
Polity Id liao · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 111, passage 6

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Liao emperor (帝)
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 95
Reported that Yuanhao personally led three Tangut tribes.
Report · Author
Directly stated · History of Liao 19, passage 141
Speech · Speaker · With Emperor Xingzong of Liao (遼興宗)
Directly stated · History of Liao 90, passage 20
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · History of Liao 86, passage 72

Events and relationships

Appointed New Year envoy to Song
Diplomatic · Envoy
Directly stated · History of Liao 18, passage 42
Discussed governance
AD 1052 秋七月甲辰朔 · Court audience · Summoned councilor
Directly stated · History of Liao 20, passage 152
Framed
Political · Framer · With Xiao Ala (蕭阿剌)
Directly stated · History of Liao 114, passage 16
Inspected border troops as support
AD 1050 十九年三月甲辰 · Military · Inspector
Directly stated · History of Liao 20, passage 93
Joined Chongyuan plot
AD 1063 清寧九年秋 · Political · Conspirator · With Chongyuan (重元)
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 122
Made northern privy commissioner and prince of wu
AD 1052 二十一年秋 · Appointment · Appointee
Directly stated · History of Liao 20, passage 162

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Made Southern Court privy commissioner
AD 1050 十九年閏月辛未 · Appointment · Appointee
Directly stated · History of Liao 20, passage 127
Slandered Xiao Ala leading to his death
Political · Slanderer · With Xiao Ala (蕭阿剌)
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passages 118-119
Diplomatic rebuke · Reproached Yuanhao for accepting rebels and breaking the alliance · With Yuanhao (元昊)
Directly stated · History of Liao 19, passage 141
Diplomatic reception · Met Yuanhao's envoys · With Yuanhao (元昊)
Directly stated · History of Liao 19, passage 139
Relation Slanderer of · Person Xiao Ala (蕭阿剌)
Directly stated · History of Liao 111, passage 6

Assessments and attributes

Assessment feigned devotion and flattery · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · History of Liao 113, passage 110
Assessment sycophantic and lawless · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · History of Liao 90, passage 90

References in the histories

Search passages

History

51 passages

History of Liao, Chapter 18Volume 18 Annals 18: Xingzong 1 · 1 passage

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戊戌，以蕭革、趙為果、耶律郁、馬保業充來歲賀宋正旦使副。 On wuxu day Xiao Ge, Zhao Weiguo, Yelü Yu, and Ma Baoye were appointed chief and deputy envoys to congratulate Song on New Year's Day of the coming year.

History of Liao, Chapter 19Volume 19 Annals 19: Xingzong 2 · 4 passages

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壬申，以吳國王蕭孝穆為南院樞密使，北府宰相蕭孝忠北院樞密使，封楚王，韓國王蕭惠北府宰相、同知元帥府事，韓八南院大王，耶律侯哂東京留守，北院樞密副使耶律仁先同知東京留守事，北面林牙蕭革北院樞密副使。 On renshen day Prince of Wu Xiao Xiaomu was appointed Southern Privy Commissioner; Northern Chancellor Xiao Xiaozhong was made Northern Privy Commissioner and enfeoffed as Prince of Chu; Prince of Han Xiao Hui was made Northern Chancellor and co-administrator of the marshal headquarters; Han Ba was made Southern Court great king; Yelü Houshen was appointed Eastern Capital regent; Northern Privy Vice Commissioner Yelü Renxian was made co-administrator of Eastern Capital regent affairs; and Northern Court linya Xiao Ge was appointed Northern Privy Vice Commissioner.

辛亥，元昊遣使來進方物，詔北院樞密副使蕭革迓之。 On xinhai day Yuanhao sent envoys presenting local products; an edict ordered Northern Court Privy Vice Commissioner Xiao Ge to meet them.

革言元昊親率党項三部來，詔革詰其納叛背盟，元昊伏罪，賜酒。 Xiao Ge reported that Yuanhao was personally leading three Tangut tribes; an edict ordered Ge to reproach him for accepting rebels and breaking the alliance; Yuanhao acknowledged guilt and was granted wine.

十一月丁亥，以南院樞密使蕭孝友為北府宰相，契丹行宮都部署耶律仁先南院大王，北府宰相蕭革同知北院樞密使事，知夷離畢事耶律信先漢人行宮都部署，左夷離畢旅墳惕隱，漢人行宮都部署耶律敵烈左夷離畢。 On dinghai day of the eleventh month Southern Court Privy Commissioner Xiao Xiaoyou was appointed Northern Chancellor; Khitan mobile palace deployment director Yelü Renxian was made Southern Court great king; Northern Chancellor Xiao Ge was appointed associate Northern Court Privy Commissioner; yilibi affairs commissioner Yelü Xinxian was made Han mobile palace deployment director; Left yilibi Lü Fen was appointed tiyin; and Han mobile palace deployment director Yelü Dilie was made Left yilibi.

History of Liao, Chapter 20Volume 20 Annals 20: Xingzong 3 · 4 passages

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甲辰，遣同知北院樞密使蕭革按軍邊城，以為聲援。 On jiachen day associate Northern Court privy commissioner Xiao Ge was dispatched to inspect troops at the border cities as a supporting force.

辛未，以同知北院樞密使事蕭革為南院樞密使，南院大王耶律仁先知北院樞密使事，封宋王。 On xinwei day associate Northern Court privy commissioner Xiao Ge was made Southern Court privy commissioner; Southern Court great king Yelü Renxian was appointed to administer Northern Court privy affairs and enfeoffed Prince of Song.

秋七月甲辰朔，召北府宰相蕭塔烈葛、南府宰相漢王貼不、南院樞密使蕭革、知北院樞密使事仁先等，賜坐，論古今治道。 On the jiachen new moon of the seventh autumn month Northern Court chancellor Xiao Taliege, Southern Court chancellor Prince of Han Tiebu, Southern Court privy commissioner Xiao Ge, and Renxian, who administered Northern Court privy affairs, were summoned; they were granted seats and discussed the ways of governing ancient and modern times.

以南院樞密使蕭革為北院樞密使，封吳王。 Southern Court privy commissioner Xiao Ge was made Northern Court privy commissioner and enfeoffed Prince of Wu.

History of Liao, Chapter 21Volume 21 Annals 21: Daozong 1 · 2 passages

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六月乙丑，以北院樞密使鄭王蕭革為南院樞密使，徙封楚王，南院樞密使吳王仁先為北院樞密使。 On yichou day of the sixth month Northern Court privy commissioner Prince of Zheng Xiao Ge was made Southern Court privy commissioner and transferred to Prince of Chu; Southern Court privy commissioner Prince of Wu Renxian was made Northern Court privy commissioner.

辛亥，南院樞密使楚王蕭革復為北院樞密使。 On xinhai day Southern Court privy commissioner Prince of Chu Xiao Ge again became Northern Court privy commissioner.

History of Liao, Chapter 22Volume 22 Annals 22: Daozong 2 · 1 passage

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三月戊申朔，楚王蕭革致仕，進封鄭國王。 On the wushen new moon of the third month Prince of Chu Xiao Ge retired and was advanced to Prince of Zheng.

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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道宗即位，將行大冊禮，北院樞密使蕭革曰：「行大禮備儀物，必擇廣地，莫若黃川。」 When Emperor Daozong came to the throne and prepared the great investiture rite, Northern Chancellery Military Affairs Commissioner Xiao Ge said, "A great ceremony requires ample space and full ritual equipment—no place is better than Huangchuan."

History of Liao, Chapter 90Volume 90 Biographies 20: Xiao Ala, Yelu Yixian, Xiao Taowei, Xiao Talage, Yelu Dilu · 11 passages

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明年，改北院樞密使，徙王陳，與蕭革同掌國政。 The next year he became Northern Court privy commissioner, was moved to Prince of Chen, and shared control of government with Xiao Ge.

革諂諛不法，阿剌爭之不得，告歸。 Ge was sycophantic and lawless; Ala argued with him in vain and asked to retire.

革以事中傷，帝怒，縊殺之。 Ge used the affair to strike at him; the emperor flew into a rage and had him strangled.

時蕭革同知樞密院事，席寵擅權，義先疾之。 Xiao Ge was then associate administrator of the Privy Council, privileged and grasping power, and Yixian loathed him.

因侍宴，言於帝曰：「革狡佞喜亂，一朝大用，必誤國家！」 At a palace banquet he told the emperor, "Ge is cunning, servile, and fond of turmoil; the moment he is given great authority, he will surely ruin the realm!"

義先當與革對，憮然曰：「臣縱不能進賢退不肖，安能與國賊博哉！」 Yixian was matched against Ge. He flushed with anger and said, "I may not be able to promote the worthy and remove the unworthy, but how could I cast dice with a traitor to the state!"

義先厲聲詬不已。 Yixian kept on hurling abuse at Ge in a loud voice.

翌日，上謂革曰：「義先無禮，當黜之。」 Next day the emperor told Ge, "Yixian was insolent and ought to be removed from office."

革對曰：「義先天性忠直，今以酒失而出，誰敢言人之過？」 Ge answered, "Yixian is upright by nature; if he is dismissed for a drunken lapse, who will dare point out anyone else's faults?"

上謂革忠直，益加信任。 The emperor took Ge for loyal and straightforward, and trusted him all the more.

阿剌以諂諛不法折蕭革，陶隗以用必基禍言阿思，塔剌葛以忍行不義徒自取赤族之罪責察割，其心可謂忠矣。 Ala rebuked Xiao Ge for sycophancy and lawlessness; Taowei warned that employing Asi must lay the root of disaster; Talage blamed Chaguo that by persisting in injustice he would only bring annihilation on his own clan — their hearts may be called loyal.

History of Liao, Chapter 97Volume 97 Biographies 27: Yelu Wotela, Hai Li, Dou Jingyong, Yelu Yinji, Yang Ji, Zhao Hui, Wang Guan, Yelu Xisun · 2 passages

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時蕭革、蕭圖古辭等以佞見任，鬻爵納賄，引吉以直道處其間，無所阿唯。 At the time Xiao Ge, Xiao Tuguci, and others were employed for their flattery, selling offices and accepting bribes; Yinji stood among them on the straight path and would not fawn or agree to anything.

論曰：孩裏、引吉之為臣也，當乙辛擅權、蕭革貪黷之日，雖與同官，而能以正自處，不少阿唯，其過人遠矣。 The commentary says: As ministers, Hai Li and Yinji lived in the days when Yixin monopolized power and Xiao Ge was greedy and corrupt; though they served alongside such men, they were able to maintain themselves by rectitude and would not fawn or agree—how far they surpassed others.

History of Liao, Chapter 111Volume 111 Biographies 41: Treacherous Ministers 2 · 1 passage

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以父阿剌為蕭革所譖，出餘里也為奉先軍節度使。 When his father Ala was slandered by Xiao Ge, Yulili was posted out as military commissioner of the Fengxian Army.

History of Liao, Chapter 113Volume 113 Biographies 43: Rebellious Officials 2 · 20 passages

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耶律海思耶律敵獵蕭革 Yelü Haishi, Yelü Dilie, and Xiao Ge

蕭革，小字滑哥，字胡突堇，國舅房林牙和尚之子。 Xiao Ge, whose childhood name was Huage and whose style was Hutujin, was the son of Heshang, linya of the Guoju-fang.

帝嘗與近臣宴，謂革曰：「朕知卿才，故自拔擢，卿宜勉力！」 At a feast with his intimates the emperor said to Ge, "I know your ability, which is why I promoted you myself—you must do your utmost!"

革曰：「臣不才，誤蒙聖知，無以報萬一，惟竭愚忠，安敢怠？」 Ge replied, "I am without talent yet have wrongly won Your Majesty's favor; I can never repay you in the least, and can only offer my poor loyalty—how could I dare be remiss?"