CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Wu Chengsi武承嗣
Nephew of Wu Zetian, who curried favor with the Zhang Yizhi brothers.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 8
- RELATION RECORDS
- 13
- SOURCE WORKS
- 3
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Wu Chengsi, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01KINSHIPKinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
2 figures · 3 records＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Wu Chengsi—Wu Zetianaunt niece
Princess Taiping—Wu Chengsispouse
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
5 figures · 6 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Wu Zetian→Wu Chengsiconfer title
Emperor Gaozong of Tang→Wu Chengsiappoint
Emperor Zhongzong of Tang→Wu Chengsiposthumous honor
Pei Xingjian→Wu Chengsihad books taken
Pei Yan→Wu Chengsifellow officials
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
3 figures · 4 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Li Zhaode→Wu Chengsiimpeach
Emperor Zhongzong of Tang→Wu Chengsistrip title
Mo Chuo→Wu Chengsiimprison son
10 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Old Book of Tang
Nephew of Wu Zetian, who curried favor with the Zhang Yizhi brothers.; Nephew of Wu Zetian, who was asked to be made crown prince.; Nephew of Wu Zetian, who carried the imperial seal and letter to comfort Liu Rengui.
In fiction · New Book of Tang · Romance of Sui and Tang
Sought to be crown prince, and was on bad terms with Wu Sansi.
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.
- Official history20 profile notes
Old Book of Tang
11 relations13 verified quotations- Wu Zetian→ confer title →Wu Chengsi
- Wu Chengsi→ aunt niece →Wu Zetian
- Wu Chengsi→ urge to ascend →Wu Zetian
- Wu Zetian→ enfeoff king →Wu Chengsi
Verified original text · 13
同凤阁鸾台三品
confer title · Old Book of Tang, 则天皇后本纪
于是封承嗣为魏王
confer title · Old Book of Tang, 外戚传
11 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Literature / legend1 profile notes
Romance of Sui and Tang
0 relations0 verified quotations - Official history14 profile notes
New Book of Tang
4 relations7 verified quotations- Wu Zetian→ confer title →Wu Chengsi
- Princess Taiping→ spouse →Wu Chengsi
- Pei Yan→ fellow officials →Wu Chengsi
- Li Zhaode→ impeach →Wu Chengsi
Verified original text · 7
礼部尚书武承嗣为太常卿、同中书门下三品。
appoint · New Book of Tang, 则天皇后中宗本纪
天官尚书武承嗣为纳言
appoint · New Book of Tang, 则天皇后中宗本纪
5 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
In the official history, Wu Chengsi, relying on his status as a clan heir, sought to be made crown prince but failed and died of vexation. The novel faithfully dramatizes Di Renjie dissuading Empress Wu.
The Old Book of Tang, Biographies of Relatives of the Emperor, records that Wu Chengsi, as Empress Wu's nephew, presumed he should be made heir, saying, 'Chengsi considered himself next in line for the imperial heir, and ordered Fengge Sheren Zhang Jiafu to subtly persuade the people to submit a petition, but Empress Wu ultimately did not permit... Chengsi, because he was not made crown prince, died of vexation.' In Chapter 074 of Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Empress Wu asks Di Renjie, 'Wu Chengsi seeks to be crown prince; what should be done?' Di Renjie dissuades her based on the closeness of aunt-nephew versus mother-son, which basically conforms to the official history.
Relationship network
- confer title← Wu Zetian → Wu Chengsihist × litNew Book of Tang, 则天皇后中宗本纪New Book of Tang, 后妃传上Old Book of Tang, 则天皇后本纪Old Book of Tang, 外戚传Old Book of Tang, 李纲郑善果杨恭仁皇甫无逸李大亮传Old Book of Tang, 裴炎刘祎之魏玄同李昭德传
Original text (7)
同凤阁鸾台三品
于是封承嗣为魏王
时武承嗣、攸宁相次知政事
Original relation: 知政事 · Old Book of Tang, 李纲郑善果杨恭仁皇甫无逸李大亮传
承嗣俄转太子少保，罢知政事
Original relation: dismiss chancellor · Old Book of Tang, 裴炎刘祎之魏玄同李昭德传
礼部尚书武承嗣为太常卿、同中书门下三品。
Original relation: appoint · New Book of Tang, 则天皇后中宗本纪
天官尚书武承嗣为纳言
Original relation: appoint · New Book of Tang, 则天皇后中宗本纪
命礼部尚书摄太尉武承嗣
Original text (1)
则天顺圣皇后兄子也
Original text (1)
承嗣尝讽则天革命
Original text (1)
以尚辇奉御、周国公武承嗣为宗正卿
Original text (1)
武氏诸王宜削其王爵
Original text (1)
赠太尉、并州牧，谥曰宣
Original text (2)
更嫁武承嗣
更嫁武承嗣
Original relation: 议婚 · New Book of Tang, 诸帝公主传
Original text (1)
遂收延秀等，拘之别所
Original text (1)
则天令秘书监武承嗣诣宅，并密收入内
Original text (1)
十月丁亥，凤阁舍人李景谌同凤阁鸾台平章事，左肃政台御史大夫骞味道检校内史、同凤阁鸾台三品。 丙申，炎被杀。
Original text (2)
昭德密奏曰
昭德谏曰：“承嗣已王，不宜典机衡，以惑众庶。且父子犹相篡夺，况姑侄乎？”后矍然曰：“我未之思也。”乃罢承嗣为太子少保。
Original relation: 谏罢 · New Book of Tang, 裴刘魏李吉传
Original text (1)
承嗣亦尝返谮昭德