Chu Suiliang facts for kids

Chu Suiliang (596–658) was a very important person in ancient China. He was a talented calligrapher (someone who writes beautifully), a historian (someone who records history), and a politician. He worked as a top advisor, called a chancellor, for two emperors of the Tang dynasty: Taizong and Gaozong.

Emperor Taizong trusted Chu Suiliang a lot, especially towards the end of his rule. Chu Suiliang was in charge of writing down history and giving honest advice to the emperor. After Emperor Taizong passed away, Chu Suiliang helped the young Emperor Gaozong rule the country. He became very powerful alongside Emperor Gaozong's uncle, Zhangsun Wuji.

However, in 655, Chu Suiliang strongly disagreed with Emperor Gaozong's decision to remove his first wife, Empress Wang, and replace her with Empress Wu. Because of his strong opposition, Chu Suiliang was sent away from the capital. This was the start of many demotions (being moved to lower positions) that Empress Wu arranged. He was eventually sent to a faraway place called Ai Prefecture (in modern Thanh Hóa Province, Vietnam). He died there in 658, still in exile.

Early Life and Career

Chu Suiliang was born in Hangzhou in 596. This was during the Sui dynasty, before the Tang dynasty began. His father, Chu Liang, was an official known for his writing skills.

Joining the Tang Dynasty

When a rebel leader named Xue Ju rose against the Sui dynasty, Chu Suiliang and his father joined him. But after Xue Ju died, his son was defeated by a Tang dynasty prince named Li Shimin. Li Shimin later became Emperor Taizong. He decided to spare Chu Suiliang and his father.

Chu Suiliang then joined Li Shimin's team. He was very good at literature, history, and especially calligraphy. Even a famous calligrapher named Ouyang Xun praised his skills.

Serving Emperor Taizong

By 636, when Li Shimin had been Emperor Taizong for ten years, Chu Suiliang was working in the imperial archives. He was given the important job of recording the emperor's actions for history.

Giving Honest Advice

Chu Suiliang was known for giving honest advice to Emperor Taizong. The emperor usually respected his advice, even if he didn't always follow it.

Once, Emperor Taizong wanted to read the historical records that Chu Suiliang was writing about him. Chu Suiliang politely refused. He said it was not proper for an emperor to see what historians were writing. Emperor Taizong asked, "Do you record the bad things I do too?" Chu Suiliang replied, "It's my duty, and I wouldn't dare not to record them." Another official, Liu Ji, added, "Even if Chu Suiliang doesn't record them, everyone will know." Emperor Taizong agreed with them.

Advising on Succession

In 642, Chu Suiliang noticed that Emperor Taizong seemed to favor his son Li Tai over the official heir, Li Chengqian. Chu Suiliang warned the emperor that showing too much favor to other sons could cause problems and make people wonder who would become the next emperor. Emperor Taizong agreed but didn't fully change his actions.

Later, in 643, Li Chengqian was involved in a plot against his father. Emperor Taizong removed Li Chengqian as heir. Li Tai then offered to kill his own son to make his younger brother, Li Zhi, the next heir. Chu Suiliang immediately pointed out that Li Tai's offer was not sincere. He strongly suggested that Li Zhi should be made the new crown prince instead. Emperor Taizong's brother-in-law, Zhangsun Wuji, agreed.

Eventually, Emperor Taizong chose Li Zhi to be the crown prince. Chu Suiliang was made an advisor to the new crown prince. Emperor Taizong asked him and other officials to help Li Zhi with his studies.

Important Roles

Emperor Taizong recognized Chu Suiliang's value. He said, "Chu Suiliang is smart and strong. He often gives loyal advice and is very dear to me." Chu Suiliang was promoted to a high position, becoming a de facto (in practice) chancellor.

In 648, Chu Suiliang was made Zhongshu Ling, which was the head of the government's legislative department and a top chancellor role.

In 649, Emperor Taizong became very ill. He called Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang to his side and asked them to take care of Li Zhi. Soon after, Emperor Taizong died, and Li Zhi became Emperor Gaozong. Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang became very powerful, guiding the new emperor.

Serving Emperor Gaozong

At the beginning of Emperor Gaozong's rule, Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang worked together very well. They helped Emperor Gaozong govern effectively, making the government as strong as it was under Emperor Taizong. Chu Suiliang was given the title Duke of Henan.

Facing Challenges

In 650, Chu Suiliang was accused of forcing someone to sell land to him unfairly. Although he had paid for the land, he had not paid the full market price. Because of this, Emperor Gaozong moved Chu Suiliang to a less important position as a prefect in Tong Prefecture. However, in 652, Emperor Gaozong called him back to the capital and gave him a high position again, making him a de facto chancellor.

Opposition to Empress Wu

By 655, Emperor Gaozong's wife, Empress Wang, had lost the emperor's favor. His concubine, Consort Wu, wanted to become empress. Emperor Gaozong called his chancellors, including Chu Suiliang, to discuss replacing Empress Wang with Consort Wu.

Chu Suiliang strongly opposed this idea. He reminded the emperor that Emperor Taizong had trusted him to look after both Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wang. He also pointed out that Consort Wu had previously been a concubine of Emperor Taizong, which made her unsuitable to be the new empress. Chu Suiliang even offered to resign because he felt so strongly about it.

Empress Wu, who was listening from behind a screen, was very angry. But Zhangsun Wuji reminded her that Chu Suiliang was a highly respected official chosen by the previous emperor.

Despite the opposition from Chu Suiliang and other chancellors, Emperor Gaozong decided to go ahead. He removed Chu Suiliang from the capital, sending him to a distant post in Tan Prefecture. A month later, Emperor Gaozong deposed Empress Wang and made Consort Wu the new empress.

Exile and Death

In 656, another official tried to get Chu Suiliang recalled to the capital, but Emperor Gaozong refused. Empress Wu became very powerful. In 657, Chu Suiliang was moved to an even more distant place, Gui Prefecture.

Empress Wu's allies then falsely accused Chu Suiliang and other officials of plotting treason. As a result, Chu Suiliang was demoted even further to Ai Prefecture, which was at the very southern edge of the empire. He sent a plea to the emperor, reminding him of his loyalty and how he had helped him, but his pleas were ignored.

Chu Suiliang died in 658 while still in exile. After his death, his enemies continued to accuse him falsely. Emperor Gaozong stripped him of all his titles and sent his descendants into exile. Chu Suiliang's sons were even killed on their way to exile.

However, after Emperor Gaozong died in 683, Chu Suiliang's family was allowed to return home. In 705, after Empress Wu herself passed away, Chu Suiliang's titles were officially restored.

Calligraphy Skills

Chu Suiliang was an incredibly talented calligrapher. His skill was so great that Emperor Taizong, who loved calligraphy, specifically asked for him.

Once, Emperor Taizong was looking for original works by the famous Jin dynasty calligrapher Wang Xizhi. Many people submitted what they claimed were Wang Xizhi's works, but it was hard to tell which ones were real. Chu Suiliang was put in charge of checking them, and he was able to easily tell the genuine works from the fakes.

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  Meng Fashi Stele (褚遂良 孟法師碑銘)

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  The Emperor’s Preface to the Sacred Teachings (褚遂良 雁塔聖教序)

Ni Kuan Zan (Comments on the Biography of Ni Kuan) by Chu Suiliang