Later depiction of Emperor Gaozu of Tang
Later depiction of Emperor Gaozu of Tang · 明代A transmitted or later depiction, not presented as a contemporary documentary portraitUnknown artistSource·Public domain

CIVILIZATION DOSSIER

Li Yuan李渊

TangHistory × Fiction

Emperor Gaozu of Tang, father of Li Shimin, rose in rebellion against the Sui dynasty.

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DIRECT FIGURES
48
RELATION RECORDS
79
SOURCE WORKS
7

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Li Yuan, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

6 figures · 6 records
2 more in the complete record
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

16 figures · 22 records
12 more in the complete record
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

9 figures · 11 records
6 more in the complete record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

1 figure · 1 record
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In history · History of Song · Old Book of Tang

Emperor Gaozu of Tang, father of Li Shimin, rose in rebellion against the Sui dynasty.; Emperor Gaozu of Tang, reigning during the Xuanwu Gate Incident.; Founding emperor of the Tang dynasty, corresponded with Li Mi.

In fiction · Book of the Later Han · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era · New Book of Tang · Journey to the West · Romance of Sui and Tang

A general of the Sui dynasty, served as Marshal's Sima during the campaign against Chen, later became Emperor Gaozu of Tang.; A Sui official, suggested killing Zhang Lihua, incurred the resentment of the Prince of Jin.; A former subordinate, refused to accept gifts from the Prince of Jin, saying a minister should not have private dealings.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. Official history

    Book of the Later Han

    1 profile notes
    1 relations1 verified quotations
    • Emperor Guangwu→ father-son →Li Yuan
    Verified original text · 1
    1. 祀父南顿君

      father-son · Book of the Later Han, 祭祀下宗庙社稷灵星先农迎春

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  2. Official history

    Old Book of Tang

    41 profile notes
    18 relations34 verified quotations
    • Li Shimin→ father-son →Li Yuan
    • Li Yuan→ make crown prince →Li Shimin
    • Li Yuan→ scold →Li Shimin
    • Emperor Gaozong of Tang→ accompanied sacrifice →Li Yuan
    Verified original text · 34
    1. 高祖第二子也

      father-son · Old Book of Tang, 太宗本纪上

    2. 太宗朝于献陵

      father-son · Old Book of Tang, 礼仪志五

    32 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  3. Official history

    History of Song

    3 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  4. Literature / legend

    Romance of Sui and Tang

    18 profile notes
    10 relations14 verified quotations
    • Li Shimin→ father-son →Li Yuan
    • Li Yuan→ make crown prince →Li Shimin
    • Emperor Yang of Sui→ appoint →Li Yuan
    • Li Yuan→ appoint official →Li Mi
    Verified original text · 14
    1. 先帝李渊

      father-son · Romance of Sui and Tang, 068

    2. 封世民为秦王

      enfeoff king · Romance of Sui and Tang, 046

    12 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  5. 9 profile notes
    3 relations4 verified quotations
    • Emperor Yang of Sui→ nickname →Li Yuan
    • Li Yuan→ appoint →Li Yuanji
    • Li Yuanji→ offer →Li Yuan
    Verified original text · 4
    1. 帝目为阿婆面

      nickname · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 谶应

    2. 高祖令齐王元吉留守

      stay behind · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 谶应

    2 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  6. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    44 profile notes
    26 relations37 verified quotations
    • Li Shimin→ father-son →Li Yuan
    • Li Yuan→ make crown prince →Li Shimin
    • Li Yuan→ ruler-subject →Emperor Yang of Sui
    • Li Yuan→ rebel →Emperor Yang of Sui
    Verified original text · 37
    1. 高祖次子也

      father-son · New Book of Tang, 太宗本纪

    2. 贞观初，圆丘、明堂、北郊以高祖配

      father-son · New Book of Tang, 礼乐志三

    35 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  7. Literature / legend

    Journey to the West

    1 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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History vs. fiction

Whether Li Yuan was robbed by troops sent by Yuwen Shu before he raised an army

  • novel inventionLi Yuan was robbed by troops sent by Yuwen Shu before he raised an army.

    In the novel 'Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties', Chapter 5, it is fictionalized that Li Yuan was robbed by the Eastern Palace guards sent by Yuwen Shu before he raised an army: 'We are not robbers, but guards of the Eastern Palace, ordered by Lord Yuwen, because you have a grudge with the Eastern Palace, so we were sent to rob you.' In the official history 'Old Book of Tang: Annals of Gaozu', this event is not recorded, and it belongs to the novelist's embellishment.

Relationship network

36 figures · 258 links
Li YuanLi YuanLi ShiminLi ShiminEmperor GuangwuEmperor GuangwuEmperor Gaozong of TangEmperor Gaozong of TangEmperor Yang of SuiEmperor Yang of SuiLi JingLi JingLi MiLi MiTuboTuboQin ShubaoQin ShubaoWang ShichongWang ShichongXu ShijiXu ShijiZhangsun WujiLi YuanjiFang XuanlingYuchi JingdeCheng ZhijieJiali KhanLi JianchengYuwen HuajiLiu WuzhouXiao YuLuo ShixinEmperor Wen of SuiLiu WenjingGao ShilianYu ShinanXiao XianPei JiLuo YiChai ShaoYuwen ShijiXue JuWen YanboTang JianQu TutongJiali
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: Book of the Later Han, 祭祀下宗庙社稷灵星先农迎春; Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 书三; History of Song, 乐二志; New Book of Tang, 二刘殷许程柴任丘传; Old Book of Tang, 儒学传上; Journey to the West, ch. 11; Romance of Sui and Tang, 001; Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 将帅一

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Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.