Is “Xiao Zhizhong, as a partisan of Princess Taiping, plotted rebellion and was executed.” true?
The Old Book of Tang, Biographies of Liu Youqiu, Zhong Shaojing, Guo Yuanzhen, and Zhang Shuo, records that in the second year of Xiantian, Xiao Zhizhong and Princess Taiping plotted rebellion, and "when Zhizhong and others were executed," Zhang Shuo and others suppressed the rebellion. In Chapter 78 of the Sui and Tang Romance, "Xiao Zhizhong" together with Dou Huaizhen, Cen Xi, and others attached themselves to Princess Taiping and secretly plotted to depose the emperor. Emperor Xuanzong sent imperial guards to capture and execute the rebels, and Xiao Zhizhong was executed in the court, which is consistent with historical records.
In the official history, Xiao Zhizhong repeatedly changed his allegiance and attached himself to Princess Taiping, plotting rebellion and being executed. The novel faithfully reproduces the process of his downfall.
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