Gao Shilian高士廉

History vs. fiction

In the official history, when Gao Shilian died of illness, Emperor Taizong wanted to personally attend the funeral but was dissuaded by the tearful remonstrance of his ministers. The novel faithfully narrates the earnest remonstrance of Zhangsun Wuji.

• attestedAfter Gao Shilian's death, Emperor Taizong of Tang, having taken medicine, was prevented from personally attending the mourning.

  The Old Book of Tang, Biography of Gao Shilian, records that when Gao Shilian passed away, Emperor Taizong ordered his carriage to personally go to mourn. Zhangsun Wuji lay prostrate before the horse and tearfully remonstrated, saying, 'Taking medicine and attending a funeral is clearly forbidden by medical prescriptions.' The emperor then returned and ascended a tower to weep from afar. The Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, chapter 70, recounts this matter, describing that when Gao Shilian died, Taizong wished to go and weep for him. Zhangsun Wuji and others remonstrated, saying, 'Your Majesty has taken gold and stone medicine; according to prescriptions, you must not attend a funeral. Why not consider the ancestral temple and the state?' Wuji lay on the ground, weeping and earnestly remonstrating. Taizong returned to the palace and wept looking south, fully matching the official history.