Xiao Xiaomu (蕭孝穆)

Overview

Xiao Xiaomu was a prince of Qin and King of Wu.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Childhood name	Hudujin	胡獨堇	Hudujin
Posthumous name	Zhen	貞	Zhen
Epithet	national treasure minister	國寶臣

Life and dates

Death

Date Source Date: Text: 重熙十二年 · Western Year: AD 1043
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 147
AD 1043 十二年
Directly stated · History of Liao 19, passage 97

Attested activity

AD 1023 三年十一月辛卯朔
Directly stated · History of Liao 16, passage 187
AD 1024 四年六月辛未
Directly stated · History of Liao 16, passage 201
AD 1030 十年三月甲寅朔
Directly stated · History of Liao 17, passage 144
AD 1030 十年十一月翌日
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 17, passages 153-154
AD 1030 十年十一月辛亥
Directly stated · History of Liao 17, passage 153
AD 1043 重熙十二年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 93, passages 160, 166

Show 19 more source-backed claims

AD 1022 太平二年
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 16
AD 1010 統和二十八年
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 8
AD 1028 太平八年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 17, passage 88
AD 1029 太平九年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 17, passage 135; History of Liao 88, passage 110
AD 1029 太平九年
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 18
AD 1043 十二年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 19, passages 68-69, 86, 97
AD 1041 十年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 19, passages 2, 34
AD 1031 景福丁巳
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 18, passages 21-22
AD 1031 to AD 1055 興宗仁懿皇后父孝穆
Directly stated · History of Liao 67, passages 161, 168
AD 1031 興宗即位
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 87, passage 132
AD 1037 重熙
Directly stated · History of Liao 18, passages 148, 162
AD 1039 重熙
Directly stated · History of Liao 18, passage 225
AD 1032 to AD 1055 重熙中
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 114, passages 3, 5
AD 1037 重熙六年
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 133
AD 1037 重熙六年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 90, passages 82, 84
AD 1044 重熙十三年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 91, passages 47, 49
AD 1043 重熙十二年
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 147
AD 1013 開泰二年
Dated from the passage context · History of Liao 15, passage 159
AD 1012 開泰元年
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 9

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Kin of Xiao Paizhe (蕭朮哲)
paternal uncle 伯父 · paternal line · Through Gao Jiu (高九)
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 91, passage 47
Kin of Xiao Hudu (蕭胡睹)
uncle 伯父 · paternal line
Directly stated · History of Liao 114, passage 3
Descendant of Aguzhi (阿古只)
fifth-generation descendant 五世孫 · paternal line · 5 generations
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 5
Sibling of Father of Xiao Hudu (蕭胡睹之父)
brothers 兄弟 · Uncertain siblings · paternal line
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 114, passage 3
Sibling of Xiao Xiaoyou (蕭孝友)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
elder brother 兄 · Full siblings
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passages 35, 69
Parent of Empress Renyi of Xiao (仁懿皇后蕭氏)
father 父
Directly stated · History of Liao 67, passage 161
Child of Taogui (陶瑰)
father 父
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 6
Child of Mother of Xiao Xiaomu (蕭孝穆母)
mother 母
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 87, passages 35, 44
Parent of Xiao Ala (蕭阿剌)
son 子
Directly stated · History of Liao 90, passage 82
Parent of Ala (阿剌)
son 子
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 35
Parent of Saba (撒八)
son 子
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 35
Parent of Shun (順)
son 子
Directly stated · History of Liao 16, passage 201
Spouse of Wife of Xiao Xiaomu (蕭孝穆妻)
wife 妻子
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 27
Sibling of Gao Jiu (高九)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · History of Liao 91, passage 47
Sibling of Xiao Xiaoxian (蕭孝先)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 35
Sibling of Xiao Xiaozhong (蕭孝忠)
younger brother 弟 · Full siblings
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 35
Child of Taogui (陶瑰)
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 67, passages 161, 167-168
Parent of Ala (阿剌)
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 67, passages 168-169

Kinship Role children · Count 2
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 87, passages 27, 35

Key source chapters

Career and standing

Nanjing regent 南京留守
AD 1023 三年十一月辛卯朔 · Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 16, passage 187
Eastern Capital regent 東京留守
AD 1030 十年十一月翌日 · Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 17, passage 154
Chancellor of the Northern Commission 北府宰相
Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 14
Commissioner of the Northern Bureau of Military Affairs 北院樞密使
Appointed · From Source Date: Text: 重熙六年 · Western Year: AD 1037
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 133
Director of the Bureau of Military Affairs 知樞密院事
Appointed · From Source Date: Text: 太平二年 · Reign Id: liao-taiping · Regnal Year: 2 · Western Year: AD 1022
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 16
Military Commissioner of the Jianxiong Army 建雄軍節度使
Appointed · From Source Date: Text: 開泰元年 · Western Year: AD 1012
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 9

Show 26 more source-backed claims

Northern Privy Commissioner 北院樞密使
Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 19, passage 86
Pacification Commissioner-in-Chief of the Northwest Circuit 西北路招討都監
Appointed · From Source Date: Text: 統和二十八年 · Reign Id: liao-tonghe · Regnal Year: 28 · Western Year: AD 1010
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 8
Southern Privy Commissioner 南院樞密使
Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 19, passage 69
supreme commander 都統
Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 17, passage 135
Northern Court Privy Commissioner 北院樞密使
Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 18, passage 148
Northern Chancellery chancellor 北府宰相
AD 1023 三年十一月辛卯朔 · Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 16, passage 187
supreme commander 都統
AD 1030 十年三月甲寅朔 · Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 17, passage 144
Nanjing regent 南京留守
AD 1030 十年十一月辛亥 · Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 17, passage 153
Grand Chancellor 大丞相
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 67, passage 168
Northern Court Privy Commissioner 北院樞密使
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 90, passage 82
Southern or Northern Privy Commissioner 南、北樞密
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 19, passage 34
Southern Chancellor 南府宰相
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 18, passage 22
Grand Chancellor 大丞相
Posthumously granted
Directly stated · History of Liao 19, passage 97
King of Yan 燕王
AD 1023 三年十一月辛卯朔 · Enfeoffed
Directly stated · History of Liao 16, passage 187
Grand Chancellor 大丞相
Posthumously granted
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 148
Prince of Wu 吳國王
Advanced · From Source Date: Text: 重熙六年 · Western Year: AD 1037
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 133
King of Dongping 東平王
AD 1030 十年十一月翌日 · Appointed
Directly stated · History of Liao 17, passage 154
Prince of Yan 燕王
Enfeoffed · From Source Date: Text: 太平三年 · Reign Id: liao-taiping · Regnal Year: 3 · Western Year: AD 1023
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 17
King of Yan 燕王
AD 1024 四年六月辛未 · Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 16, passage 201
Prince of Yan 燕王
AD 1030 十年十一月辛亥 · Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 17, passage 153
Prince of Qin 秦王
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 18, passage 148
Prince of Wu 吳國王
Held
Directly stated · History of Liao 19, passage 34
Prince of Jin 晉國王
Posthumously enfeoffed
Directly stated · History of Liao 19, passage 97; History of Liao 87, passage 148
Prince of Qi 齊國王
Transferred to
Directly stated · History of Liao 19, passage 86
Prince of Qin 秦王
Transferred · From Source Date: Text: 興宗即位 · Western Year: AD 1031
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 132
King of Wu 吳王
Transferred
Directly stated · History of Liao 18, passage 148

Places and affiliations

Polity Id liao · Relation Served
Directly stated · History of Liao 15, passage 159; History of Liao 16, passages 187, 201; History of Liao 17, passages 88, 144, 153; History of Liao 18, passages 22, 148, 162, 225; History of Liao 19, passage 34; History of Liao 87, passage 8; History of Liao 90, passage 1
Polity Id liao · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · History of Liao 67, passage 168

Works and attributed material

Collected Works of the Treasure Elder 寶老集
Relation Author
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passage 34
Memorial · Author · With Emperor Xingzong of Liao (遼興宗)
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passages 140-144
Speech · Speaker · Quote true
Directly stated · History of Liao 93, passages 160-162
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passages 30-31, 33

Events and relationships

Besieged city
AD 1030 十年三月甲寅朔 · Military · Commander
Directly stated · History of Liao 17, passage 144
Portrait ordered in Imperial Portrait Hall
Ritual · Subject
Directly stated · History of Liao 18, passage 22
Received imperial visit while ill
Medical · Patient
Directly stated · History of Liao 18, passage 225
Returned victorious from eastern expedition
AD 1030 十年十一月辛亥 · Military · Commander
Directly stated · History of Liao 17, passage 153
Suppressed
Military · Commander · With Da Yanlin (大延琳) · At Pu River 蒲水 · From Source Date: Text: 太平九年 · Reign Id: liao-taiping · Regnal Year: 9 · Western Year: AD 1029
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passages 18-19, 21-22
Policy deliberation · Advised Xingzong on recovering ten counties · With Emperor Xingzong of Liao (遼興宗)
Directly stated · History of Liao 19, passage 34

Assessments and attributes

Assessment national treasure minister · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · History of Liao 87, passages 34, 130

References in the histories

Search passages

History

40 passages

History of Liao, Chapter 15Volume 15 Annals 15: Shengzong 6 · 2 passages

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以宰臣劉晟監修國史，牛璘為彰國軍節度使，蕭孝穆為西北路招討使。 Grand Chancellor Liu Sheng was put in charge of compiling the National History; Niu Lin was made military commissioner of Zhangguo Army; and Xiao Xiaomu was made Northwestern Road pacification commissioner.

丙子，以西北路招討都監蕭孝穆為北府宰相。 On bingzi day Northwestern Road pacification surveillance commissioner Xiao Xiaomu was appointed Northern Court Grand Chancellor.

History of Liao, Chapter 16Volume 16 Annals 16: Shengzong 7 · 2 passages

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十一月辛卯朔，以皇侄宗範為歸德軍節度使，北府宰相蕭孝穆南京留守，封燕王，南京留守韓制心南院大王、兵馬都總管，仇正燕京轉運使。 On the xinmao new moon of the eleventh month Imperial Nephew Zongfan was appointed military commissioner of the Guide Army; Northern Chancellery chancellor Xiao Xiaomu was made Nanjing regent and enfeoffed as King of Yan; Nanjing regent Han Zhixin was made Southern Court Great King and supreme commander of troops and horses; and Qiu Zheng was made Yanjing transport commissioner.

辛未，以燕王蕭孝穆子順為千牛衛將軍。 On xinwei day Yan King Xiao Xiaomu's son Shun was appointed general of the Qianniu Guard.

History of Liao, Chapter 17Volume 17 Annals 17: Shengzong 8 · 5 passages

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二月戊子，燕京留守蕭孝穆乞於拒馬河接宋境上置戍長巡察，詔從之。 On wuzi day of the second month Yanjing regent Xiao Xiaomu requested guard posts on the Juma River at the Song border for patrol; an edict approved.

冬十月丙戌朔，以南京留守燕王蕭孝穆為都統，國舅詳穩蕭匹敵為副統，奚六部大王蕭蒲奴為都監以討之。 On the bingxu new moon of the tenth winter month Nanjing regent Prince of Yan Xiao Xiaomu was appointed supreme commander, imperial maternal uncle xiangwen Xiao Pide deputy supreme commander, and Xi Six Tribes king Xiao Punu inspector general to suppress him.

三月甲寅朔，詳穩蕭匹敵至自遼東，言都統蕭孝穆去城四面各五里許，築城堡以圍之。 On the jiayin new moon of the third month xiangwen Xiao Pide returned from Liaodong and reported that supreme commander Xiao Xiaomu had built fortresses five li from each side of the city to besiege it.

十一月辛亥，南京留守燕王蕭孝穆以東征將士凱還，戎服見上，上大加宴勞。 On xinhai day of the eleventh month Nanjing regent Prince of Yan Xiao Xiaomu returned victorious with the eastern expedition troops and appeared before the Emperor in martial dress; the Emperor greatly feasted and rewarded him.

翌日，以孝穆為東平王、東京留守，國舅詳穩、駙馬都尉蕭匹敵封蘭陵郡王，奚王蒲奴加侍中； The next day Xiao Xiaomu was made King of Dongping and Eastern Capital regent; imperial maternal uncle xiangwen and imperial son-in-law commandant Xiao Pide was enfeoffed as King of Lanling; and Xi king Punu was promoted to Vice Director.

History of Liao, Chapter 18Volume 18 Annals 18: Xingzong 1 · 4 passages

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因詔寫北府宰相蕭孝先、南府宰相蕭孝穆像於御容殿。 Thereupon an edict ordered portraits of Northern Chancellor Xiao Xiaoxian and Southern Chancellor Xiao Xiaomu painted in the Imperial Portrait Hall.

三月戊寅，以秦王蕭孝穆為北院樞密使，徙封吳王； On wuyin day of the third month Prince of Qin Xiao Xiaomu was appointed Northern Court Privy Commissioner and transferred in enfeoffment to King of Wu;

上酒酣賦詩，吳國王蕭孝穆、北宰相蕭撒八等皆屬和，夜中乃罷。 The Emperor, tipsy with wine, composed poetry; King of Wu Xiao Xiaomu, Northern Chancellor Xiao Saba, and others all joined in with matching verses; only at midnight did they stop.

閏十二月壬辰，視吳國王蕭孝穆疾。 On renchen day of the intercalary twelfth month the Emperor visited King of Wu Xiao Xiaomu, who was ill.

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

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上聞宋設關河，治壕塹，恐為邊患，與南、北樞密吳國王蕭孝穆、趙國王蕭貫寧謀取宋舊割關南十縣地，遂遣蕭英、劉六符使宋。 The Emperor heard that Song had fortified the passes and rivers and dug moats and feared it would become a border threat; with Southern and Northern Privy Commissioners Prince of Wu Xiao Xiaomu and Prince of Zhao Xiao Guanning he plotted to recover the ten Song counties south of the passes ceded in former times, and thereupon dispatched Xiao Ying and Liu Liufu as envoys to Song.

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.

甲子，以南院樞密使吳國王蕭孝穆為北院樞密使，徙封齊國王。 On jiazi day Southern Privy Commissioner Prince of Wu Xiao Xiaomu was appointed Northern Privy Commissioner and transferred in enfeoffment to Prince of Qi.

己亥，北院樞密使蕭孝穆薨，追贈大丞相、晉國王。 On jihai day Northern Privy Commissioner Xiao Xiaomu died and was posthumously enfeoffed as Grand Chancellor and Prince of Jin.

History of Liao, Chapter 67Volume 67 Tables 5: Families of Imperial Consorts · 2 passages

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興宗仁懿皇后父孝穆 Xiaomu, father of Empress Renyi, consort of Emperor Xingzong

大丞相孝穆。 Xiaomu, Grand Chancellor.

History of Liao, Chapter 87Volume 87 Biographies 17: · 15 passages

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蕭孝穆 Xiao Xiaomu

蕭孝穆，小字胡獨堇，淳欽皇后弟阿古只五世孫。 Xiao Xiaomu, whose childhood name was Hudujin, was a fifth-generation descendant of Aguzhi, the younger brother of Empress Chunqin.

孝穆廉謹有禮法。 Xiaomu was upright and discreet, and he upheld ritual and law.

是年術烈等變，孝穆擊走之。 That same year, when Shulie and others rose in revolt, Xiaomu drove them off.

阻卜結五群牧長查剌、阿睹等，謀中外相應，孝穆悉誅之，乃嚴備禦以待，餘黨遂潰。 Zhala, Adu, and other chieftains of five Zubu herds plotted to act in concert within and beyond the borders. Xiaomu put them all to death, tightened defenses, and waited; the rest of the plotters then broke apart.

九年，大延琳以東京叛，孝穆為都統討之，戰於蒲水。 In the ninth year, when Da Yanlin rebelled at Dongjing, the Eastern Capital, Xiaomu was appointed overall commander to suppress him and gave battle at the Pu River.

孝穆圍之，築重城，起樓櫓，使內外不相通，城中撤屋以爨。 Xiaomu laid siege, threw up outer walls and siege towers, and severed all contact between the city and the outside world. Inside, the defenders pulled down houses for firewood.

興宗即位，徙王秦，尋復為南京留守。 When Emperor Xingzong took the throne, Xiaomu was transferred to Prince of Qin and soon again became Military Governor of Nanjing.

孝穆諫曰：「昔太祖南伐，終以無功。 Xiaomu remonstrated, saying, "In former times Taizu campaigned south and ultimately achieved no success.

追贈大丞相、晉國王，謚曰貞。 He was posthumously enfeoffed as Grand Chancellor and Prince of Jin, with the posthumous title Zhen.

孝穆雖椒房親，位高益畏。 Though Xiaomu was of the empress's clan, the higher he rose, the more cautious he became.

時稱為「國寶臣」，目所著文曰《寶老集》。 His contemporaries called him a "national treasure minister," and they referred to his collected writings as 《Collected Works of the Treasure Elder》.

後以葬兄孝穆、孝忠，還京師，拜南院樞密使，加賜翊聖協穆保義功臣，進王趙，拜中書令。 Later, after returning to the capital to bury his elder brothers Xiaomu and Xiaozhong, he was appointed Commissioner of the Southern Bureau of Military Affairs, granted the additional merit title Assisting the Sage, Harmonizing with Mu, and Preserving Righteousness, advanced to Prince of Zhao, and made Director of the Secretariat.

蕭孝穆之諫南侵，其意防何其弘遠歟，是豈瞋目語難者所能知哉！ Yet when Xiao Xiaomu remonstrated against the southern invasion, how far-reaching his foresight was — how could men who glare and shout in debate ever grasp it!

為「國寶臣」，宜矣。 To call him a "national treasure minister" was only fitting.

History of Liao, Chapter 88Volume 88 Biographies 18: Xiao Dilie, Yelu Pennu, Xiao Paiya, Yelu Zizhong, Yelu Yaozhi, Yelu Honggu, Gao Zheng, Yelu Delu, Da Kangyi · 2 passages

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九年，渤海大延琳叛，劫掠鄰部，與南京留守蕭孝穆往討。 In the ninth year, when the Bohai leader Dayan Lin rebelled and raided neighboring tribes, he campaigned with Nanjing Regent Xiao Xiaomu to suppress him.

孝穆欲全城降，乃築重城圍之，數月，城中人陰來納款，遂擒延琳，東京平，以功封蘭陵郡王。 Xiaomu wished to secure the city by surrender and built heavy fortifications to besiege it. After several months people inside secretly came to submit, Dayan Lin was captured, the Eastern Capital was pacified, and for this Pike was enfeoffed Prince of Lanling.

History of Liao, Chapter 90Volume 90 Biographies 20: Xiao Ala, Yelu Yixian, Xiao Taowei, Xiao Talage, Yelu Dilu · 1 passage

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蕭阿剌，字阿裏懶，北院樞密使孝穆之子也。 Xiao Ala, styled Alailan, was the son of Northern Court Privy Commissioner Xiao Xiaomu.

History of Liao, Chapter 91Volume 91 Biographies 21: Yelu Hanba, Yelu Tanggu, Xiao Paizhe, Yelu Jue, Yelu Pulidu · 1 passage

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蕭朮哲，字石魯隱，孝穆弟高九之子。 Xiao Paizhe, style name Shiluyin, was the son of Gao Jiu, younger brother of Xiaomu.

History of Liao, Chapter 93Volume 93 Biographies 23: Xiao Hui, Xiao Yulu, Xiao Tuyu, Yelu Duozhen · 1 passage

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蕭孝穆曰：「我先朝與宋和好，無罪伐之，其曲在我； Xiao Xiaomu said, "Our previous dynasty made peace with Song; to attack them without cause puts us in the wrong;

History of Liao, Chapter 114Volume 114 Biographies 44: Rebellious Officials 3 · 1 passage

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口吃，視斜，發卷，伯父孝穆見之曰：「是兒狀貌，族中未嘗有。」 He stuttered, his eyes looked askew, and his hair curled; when his uncle Xiao Xiaomu saw him he said, "This boy's looks are unlike anything our clan has ever produced."