Su Wei
Encyclopedia
Su Wei (542–623), courtesy name Wuwei (無畏), was a high level official of the Chinese
dynasty Sui Dynasty
. He first became an important official during the reign of Sui's founder Emperor Wen
, and after Emperor Wen's death continued to serve Emperor Wen's son Emperor Yang
. He was often praised for his abilities and integrity but criticized for pettiness. After Emperor Yang was assassinated in 618, he was nominally an official under Emperor Yang's nephew Yang Hao
, and then under the warlords Yuwen Huaji
, Li Mi, and Wang Shichong
. After Wang Shichong's state of Zheng was destroyed by Tang Dynasty
in 621, neither the Tang general Li Shimin
(the later Emperor Taizong) nor Li Shiimin's father Emperor Gaozu of Tang
was interested in retaining Su as an official, and Su Wei died soon thereafter.
. His father Su Chuo (蘇綽) was the key assistant for Western Wei
's paramount general Yuwen Tai
. Su Chuo died around the new year 547, and Su Wei inherited his father's title. (The historical sources are in conflict as to whether that title was Count of Meiyang or Duke of Meiyang, but the former seemed more probable.) After Yuwen Tai's death in 556, Yuwen Tai's nephew Yuwen Hu
served as regent, and in 557 forced Emperor Gong of Western Wei
to yield the throne to Yuwen Tai's son Yuwen Jue
, ending Western Wei and founding Northern Zhou
, although Yuwen Hu maintained power over the reigns of three emperors (three sons of Yuwen Tai) -- Emperor Xiaomin (whom Yuwen Hu later deposed and killed), Emperor Ming
(whom Yuwen Hu later poisoned), and Emperor Wu
. Yuwen Hu was impressed with Su Wei's talent and gave his daughter the Princess Xinxing to Su Wei in marriage. Su Wei, however, was fearful of the power that his father-in-law wielded, believing that it would eventually be a source of disaster, so for a while he fled into the mountains to be a hermit. Soon thereafter, his uncle forced him out of the mountains back into governmental service, but he still spent much of his time in Buddhist temples, reading various books. His title was promoted to Duke of Huaidao.
In 572, Emperor Wu ambushed Yuwen Hu and killed him, taking power himself. He tried to retain Su in his government, but Su repeatedly declined under the excuse that he was ill. During this time, he was praised for his actions during a particular incident involving his cousin and her husband Yuan Xiong (元雄) -- Northern Zhou's ally Tujue had resented Yuan (for reasons lost to history) and had requested that Northern Zhou turn Yuan and his wife (Su's cousin) over to it for punishment. Su, believing that Tujue authorities could be bribed, sold all of his belongings to ransom his cousin and Yuan. He returned to governmental service during the reign of Emperor Wu's son Emperor Xuan
.
In 580, the erratic Emperor Xuan died, and Emperor Xuan's father-in-law Yang Jian
seized power as regent. As one of Yang's close advisors, Gao Jiong
, had long praised Su for his abilities, Yang invited Su to join his staff. After serving under Yang for a month, Su heard that Yang was intending to seize the throne, and he fled into the country. Gao requested Yang's permission to track him down, but Yang responded, "He does not want to participate in what I will be doing. Ignore him for the time being." In 581, after Yang had Emperor Xuan's son Emperor Jing
yield the throne to him, ending Northern Zhou and establishing Sui Dynasty
as its Emperor Wen, he summoned Su back to his government, and posthumously honored Su's father Su Chuo as the Duke of Pei, and then had Su Wei inherit the title.
. Su, remembering that his father Su Chuo had often lamented at what heavy taxes he needed to impose on the people due to the governmental needs from the wars of the times, advocated reduction of taxes, and Emperor Wen agreed. At one point, Gao Jiong, believing Su to be more capable, offered to resign and transfer his authorities to Su, and Emperor Wen initially agreed, but then decided that Gao should not lose his position because of his ability to identify Su's talent. Rather, Emperor Wen had Gao and Su share their authorities, effectively as co-prime ministers.
In 582, at Su's suggestion, and after consulting Gao, Emperor Wen moved the capital from the old city of Chang'an
to a nearby, newly built capital city of Daxing (later to be known as Chang'an as well).
In 583, at Su's suggestion, Emperor Wen abolished the commandery level of government, making county government directly below provincial government. Around that time, Emperor Wen, somewhat dissatisfied with the new laws that he promulgated after he became emperor, had Su and Niu Hong (牛弘) further revise the penal code, to reduce the number of laws and reduce the severity of punishment.
In 589, after Emperor Wen's forces conquered rival Chen Dynasty
and unified China, Su suggested that a local governmental layer, the township, be created, each with 500 households, headed by a mayor. Li Delin
, who had often opposed Su's suggestions, pointed out that this would lead to situations where multiple counties would have to share one township and create confusion as well as potential for corruption by the mayors. Emperor Wen nevertheless agreed with Su. In the summer of that year, he also made Su one of the heads of the executive bureau (Shangshu Sheng, 尚書省). At that time, Su, along with Gao, Yu Qingze (虞慶則), and Emperor Wen's nephew Yang Xiong (楊雄) the Prince of Guangping, were known as the "four nobles" due to the power they wielded.
In 590, due to an investigative report submitted by Yu that pointed out that the township mayors were indeed often corrupt, Emperor Wen ordered that the township layor be abolished—but instead of punishing Su, he became angry when Li pointed out that he had previously opposed the idea but now wanted to wait to see if the idea could be reworked, and he demoted Li to a provincial governship, particularly with Su accusing Li himself of corruption.
Also in 590, another ill-advised idea by Su contributed to a major problem that Sui was facing. After Chen's conquest, Su had written a work known as the Five Teachings (五教) and ordered that all former citizens of Chen be required to read and memorize it. (The Five Teachings is no longer extant, but is believed to be a work that concentrated on loyalty to the emperor.) This, along with other dissatisfactions about Sui rule and rumors that Sui was about to force Chen's people to move to the Guanzhong
region, caused mass-scale rebellions, which were eventually suppressed by Yang Su
.
In 592, the official He Tuo (何妥), who had previously had disputes with Su, had a dispute with Su's son Su Kui (蘇夔), and was angry that despite Su Kui's younger status, the other officials were largely supporting Su Kui due to Su Wei's power. He therefore submitted a petition to Emperor Wen accusing Su Wei of factionalism and nepotism. Emperor Wen had Yu and his son Yang Xiu
the Prince of Shu investigate, and the accusations were found true. In anger, Emperor Wen removed Su from his post and abolished his dukedom, although soon thereafter somewhat relented and restored Su's privilege to visit the palace, commenting, "Su Wei is virtuous, but was misled by the people around him." Yang Su took over Su Wei's posts. By summer 594, Emperor Wen had restored Su Wei to his dukedom and again made him the head of the examination bureau.
In 595, Su was accused of a lack of proper respect when accompanying Emperor Wen in sacrificing to the god of Mount Tai
, and was removed, but soon restored. It was around this time that Emperor Wen made a comment that appears to be observant of Su's character -- "It has been said by many that Su Wei was only pretending to be clean and that his house was filled with gold and jade. That accusation is ridiculous. However, he is overly ferocious and unrealistic, and he overly paid attention to his reputation. He is happy if you go along with him and resents if you do not. That is his true problem."
In 597, Emperor Wen, in order to divide and conquer Tujue, married the daughter of a clansman, whom he created the Princess Anyi, to Tuli Khan
Ashina Rangan, a subordinate khan to the leader of Tujue, the Dulan Khan Ashina Yongyulü. In order to solemnize the ceremony and further pull Ashina Rangan to his camp, Emperor Wen made Su, Niu, and Hulü Xiaoqing (斛律孝卿) masters of ceremony. (Thereafter, Ashina Rangan became a submissive Sui vassal.)
In 601, after Gao had been removed from his post in 600, Su was restored to his prior post as co-head of the executive bureau, effectively serving as co-prime minister again with Yang Su.
the Crown Prince
. Yang Guang took the throne as Emperor Yang, and Su Wei continued to serve as co-prime minister.
In 606, Emperor Yang revised the methods for promoting officials, requiring not only that they be competent but also show virtues and specific accomplishments before they could be promoted. He put seven officials in charge of the process of reviewing officials' performance and promotions—Su, along with Niu Hong, Yuwen Shu
, Zhang Jin (張瑾), Yu Shiji
, Pei Yun (裴蘊), and Pei Ju
, and they were known collectively as the "seven nobles of officialdom." However, although all seven consulted on the decisions, the main authority fell into the hands of Yu, and it was alleged that Yu decided the promotions based on the amounts of bribes he received.
In 607, despite Su's opposition, Emperor Yang built a section of the Great Wall
from Yulin
to Zihe (紫河, in modern Hohhot
, Inner Mongolia
), employing over a million men in labor. Su was subsequently removed from office. However, Su escaped the fate of Gao Jiong, Yuwen Bi (宇文弼), and Heruo Bi (賀若弼), who were executed for their similar oppositions to Emperor Yang's construction and military campaigns.
Sometime between 607 and 613, however, Su was again named the head of the examination bureau. In 613, when Yang Su's son Yang Xuangan
rebelled against Emperor Yang in the midst of Emperor Yang's second campaign against Goguryeo
, Emperor Yang asked Su whether Yang Xuangan, whom Emperor Yang considered intelligent, was capable of causing great trouble. Su responded, "Only a person who is capable of judging what is right and wrong and what is successful and unsuccessful can be called intelligent. Yang Xuangan is careless and unattentive, and he will not cause much trouble. What I am afraid of is that he is merely starting the prelude of great troubles." Much as Su feared, while Yang Xuangan's rebellion was quickly suppressed, thereafter, there was little peace for the rest of Sui's history.
In 615, when Emperor Yang was visiting the city of Yanmen (雁門, in modern Xinzhou, Shanxi
), Tujue's Shibi Khan
Ashina Duojishi (the son and successor to Ashina Rangan) made a surprise attack and put the city under siege. Yuwen initially suggested that Emperor Yang fight his way out of the siege, but Su opposed taking such risks, and eventually, under the advice of Emperor Yang's brother-in-law Xiao Yu
, Emperor Yang sought aid from Ashina Duojishi's wife Princess Yicheng (the daughter of a Sui imperial clansman). After Princess Yicheng falsely informed Ashina Duojishi that Tujue was under attack from the north, Ashina Duojishi lifted the siege. With the northern empire under the effects of agrarian rebellions, Su subsequently advised Emperor Yang to return to the capital Chang'an, and Emperor Yang initially agreed. However, Yuwen suggested going to the eastern capital Luoyang
instead, and Emperor Yang went to Luoyang, and would never again go to Chang'an in his lifetime. Subsequently, when Su was examining the proposed promotions to soldiers based on their contributions defending Yanmen against the siege, he reviewed them strictly and promoted few of them, a decision that Emperor Yang agreed with, which brought much dissension among the army ranks.
In 616, with the empire even more engulfed in rebellions, Emperor Yang was asking his officials how the rebellions were being suppressed. Yuwen falsely stated that the rebels had been reduced to less than 10% of what they used to be. Su initially declined to answer the question, but after Emperor Yang insisted on hearing his answer, he responded that while he did not know the numbers, the rebels were getting closer to Luoyang—and that, further, the taxes and labor levies were severely decreased due to rebel activities. He further pointed out that Emperor Yang was reneging on his promise to stop considering campaigns against Goguryeo. Emperor Yang was displeased. Further, at Duanwu Festival
, while the other officials submitted treasures as gifts to the emperor, Su submitted a copy of the Classic of History
. Emperor Yang was displeased when someone pointed out that the Classic of History contained a chapter entitled the Song of the Five Sons -- a lament by the five brothers of King Taikang
of Xia Dynasty
that he lost his kingdom due to his excessive cruelty and hunting—and believed that Su was criticizing him. He was further incensed when Su, while discussing the issue of another campaign against Goguryeo, sarcastically suggested that if Emperor Yang pardoned all of the agrarian rebels, there would be hundreds of thousands of soldiers available to attack Goguryeo. Emperor Yang thereafter complained about Su to Pei Yun, and Pei Yun then had a man named Zhang Xingben (張行本) accuse Su of inappropriate promotions and fear of Tujue. Emperor Yang removed Su from his posts, and then further accusations that Su was conspiring with Tujue were made. Emperor Yang had Pei Yun investigate it, and Pei proposed that Su be executed. Su, unable to prove his innocence, begged for forgiveness. Emperor Yang took pity and released him, but stripped him of citizenship rights, along with his descendants for three generations. Soon, however, it appeared that Su was restored to some extent, as he accompanied Emperor Yang to Jiangdu (江都, in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
) in 617, although he was not restored to his posts, as Pei Yun and Yu suggested to Emperor Yang that Su was too old to be effective.
(Yuwen Shu's son) killed Emperor Yang, along with a number of his relatives and high level officials. Yuwen Huaji, however, did not kill Su, as Su was at that point no longer involved in policy-making. Further, as Su was respected by the officials and the people, Yuwen made Su the nominal leader of the government, although Yuwen was in actual control. Yuwen subsequently made Emperor Yang's nephew Yang Hao
the Prince of Qin emperor, and Su became a part of Yang Hao's regime, as Yuwen soon abandoned Jiangdu and headed north toward Luoyang. Later that year, after Yuwen was defeated by Li Mi, Su surrendered to Li, and people were surprised when he bowed readily to Li, stating, "I did not know that today I will again see a capable ruler!" When Li was subsequently defeated by Sui troops under Wang Shichong
, who at that point controlled Luoyang and was nominally supporting Emperor Yang's grandson Yang Tong
as emperor, Su surrendered to Wang and was restored to the title of Duke of Pei. In 619, after Wang had Yang Tong yielding the throne to him, ending Sui and establishing a state of Zheng, he gave Su honorific titles, although Su tried to decline them.
In 621, Wang, facing military pressure from Li Shimin
, the son of Emperor Gaozu of Tang
, surrendered. Li Shimin set up headquarters at Luoyang, and Su requested an audience with him, but stated that he was too old to bow to Li Shimin. Li Shimin sent back a messenger to rebuke him for bowing to Li Mi and Wang and refused to meet him. Su subsequently went to the Tang capital Chang'an and sought an audience with Emperor Gaozu, and was similarly rebuked and not given an office. He died in 623.
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
dynasty Sui Dynasty
Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty was a powerful, but short-lived Imperial Chinese dynasty. Preceded by the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it ended nearly four centuries of division between rival regimes. It was followed by the Tang Dynasty....
. He first became an important official during the reign of Sui's founder Emperor Wen
Emperor Wen of Sui
Emperor Wen of Sui — personal name Yang Jian , Xianbei name Puliuru Jian , nickname Naluoyan — was the founder and first emperor of China's Sui Dynasty . He was a hard-working administrator and a micromanager. As a Buddhist, he encouraged the spread of Buddhism through the state...
, and after Emperor Wen's death continued to serve Emperor Wen's son Emperor Yang
Emperor Yang of Sui
Emperor Yang of Sui , personal name Yang Guang , alternative name Ying , nickname Amo , known as Emperor Ming during the brief reign of his grandson Yang Tong), was the second son of Emperor Wen of Sui, and the second emperor of China's Sui Dynasty.Emperor Yang's original name was Yang Ying, but...
. He was often praised for his abilities and integrity but criticized for pettiness. After Emperor Yang was assassinated in 618, he was nominally an official under Emperor Yang's nephew Yang Hao
Yang Hao (Sui Dynasty)
Yang Hao , often known by his princely title of Prince of Qin , was one of the claimants of the throne of the Chinese Sui Dynasty at the dynasty's end.-Background:...
, and then under the warlords Yuwen Huaji
Yuwen Huaji
Yuwen Huaji was a general of the Chinese dynasty Sui Dynasty who, in 618, led a coup against Emperor Yang of Sui, killing him. He subsequently declared Emperor Yang's nephew Yang Hao led Emperor Yang's elite Xiaoguo Army north, but was then repeatedly defeated by Li Mi, Li Shentong , and...
, Li Mi, and Wang Shichong
Wang Shichong
Wang Shichong , courtesy name Xingman , was a general of the Chinese Sui Dynasty who deposed Sui's last emperor Yang Tong and briefly ruled as the emperor of a succeeding state of Zheng...
. After Wang Shichong's state of Zheng was destroyed by Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
in 621, neither the Tang general Li Shimin
Emperor Taizong of Tang
Emperor Taizong of Tang , personal name Lǐ Shìmín , was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, ruling from 626 to 649...
(the later Emperor Taizong) nor Li Shiimin's father Emperor Gaozu of Tang
Emperor Gaozu of Tang
Emperor Gāozǔ of Táng , born Lǐ Yuān , courtesy name Shūdé , was the founder of the Tang Dynasty of China, and the first emperor of this dynasty from 618 to 626. Under the Sui dynasty, Li Yuan was the governor in the area of modern-day Shanxi, and was based in Taiyuan.In 615, Li Yuan was assigned...
was interested in retaining Su as an official, and Su Wei died soon thereafter.
Background
Su Wei was born in 542, during the reign of Emperor Wen of Western WeiEmperor Wen of Western Wei
Emperor Wen of Western Wei , personal name Yuan Baoju , was an emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei state Western Wei -- a branch successor state to Northern Wei...
. His father Su Chuo (蘇綽) was the key assistant for Western Wei
Western Wei
The Western Wei Dynasty followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei, and ruled northern China from 535 to 556.After the Xianbei general Yuwen Tai killed the Northern Wei emperor Yuan Xiu, he installed Yuan Baoju as emperor of Western Wei while Yuwen Tai would remain as the virtual ruler...
's paramount general Yuwen Tai
Yuwen Tai
Yuwen Tai , nickname Heita , formally Duke Wen of Anding , later further posthumously honored by Northern Zhou initially as Prince Wen then as Emperor Wen with the temple name Taizu , was the paramount general of the Chinese/Xianbei state Western Wei, a branch successor state of Northern Wei...
. Su Chuo died around the new year 547, and Su Wei inherited his father's title. (The historical sources are in conflict as to whether that title was Count of Meiyang or Duke of Meiyang, but the former seemed more probable.) After Yuwen Tai's death in 556, Yuwen Tai's nephew Yuwen Hu
Yuwen Hu
Yuwen Hu , with Chinese title Sabao , formally Duke Dang of Jin , was a regent of the Xianbei dynasty Northern Zhou in China...
served as regent, and in 557 forced Emperor Gong of Western Wei
Emperor Gong of Western Wei
Emperor Gong of Western Wei , personal name né Yuan Kuo , later changed to Tuoba Kuo , was the last emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei state Western Wei -- a branch successor state to Northern Wei. He was made emperor in 554 after his older brother Emperor Fei was deposed by the paramount general...
to yield the throne to Yuwen Tai's son Yuwen Jue
Emperor Xiaomin of Northern Zhou
Emperor Xiaomin of Northern Zhou , personal name Yuwen Jue , nickname Tuoluoni , was an emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei dynasty Northern Zhou Emperor Xiaomin of Northern Zhou ((北)周孝閔帝) (542–557), personal name Yuwen Jue (宇文覺), nickname Tuoluoni (陀羅尼), was an emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei dynasty...
, ending Western Wei and founding Northern Zhou
Northern Zhou
The Northern Zhou Dynasty followed the Western Wei, and ruled northern China from 557 to 581. It was overthrown by the Sui Dynasty.Northern Zhou's basis of power was established by Yuwen Tai, who was paramount general of Western Wei, following the split of Northern Wei into Western Wei and...
, although Yuwen Hu maintained power over the reigns of three emperors (three sons of Yuwen Tai) -- Emperor Xiaomin (whom Yuwen Hu later deposed and killed), Emperor Ming
Emperor Ming of Northern Zhou
Emperor Ming of Northern Zhou , personal name Yuwen Yu , nickname Tongwantu , was an emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei dynasty Northern Zhou, although at the start of his reign he used the alternative title "Heavenly Prince" . He was made emperor after his younger brother Emperor Xiaomin was deposed...
(whom Yuwen Hu later poisoned), and Emperor Wu
Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou
Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou , personal name Yuwen Yong , nickname Miluotu , was an emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei dynasty Northern Zhou. As was the case of the reigns of his brothers Emperor Xiaomin and Emperor Ming, the early part of his reign was dominated by his cousin Yuwen Hu, but in 572 he...
. Yuwen Hu was impressed with Su Wei's talent and gave his daughter the Princess Xinxing to Su Wei in marriage. Su Wei, however, was fearful of the power that his father-in-law wielded, believing that it would eventually be a source of disaster, so for a while he fled into the mountains to be a hermit. Soon thereafter, his uncle forced him out of the mountains back into governmental service, but he still spent much of his time in Buddhist temples, reading various books. His title was promoted to Duke of Huaidao.
In 572, Emperor Wu ambushed Yuwen Hu and killed him, taking power himself. He tried to retain Su in his government, but Su repeatedly declined under the excuse that he was ill. During this time, he was praised for his actions during a particular incident involving his cousin and her husband Yuan Xiong (元雄) -- Northern Zhou's ally Tujue had resented Yuan (for reasons lost to history) and had requested that Northern Zhou turn Yuan and his wife (Su's cousin) over to it for punishment. Su, believing that Tujue authorities could be bribed, sold all of his belongings to ransom his cousin and Yuan. He returned to governmental service during the reign of Emperor Wu's son Emperor Xuan
Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou
Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou , personal name Yuwen Yun , courtesy name Qianbo , was an emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei dynasty Northern Zhou. He was known in history as an erratic and wasteful ruler, whose actions greatly weakened the Northern Zhou regime...
.
In 580, the erratic Emperor Xuan died, and Emperor Xuan's father-in-law Yang Jian
Emperor Wen of Sui
Emperor Wen of Sui — personal name Yang Jian , Xianbei name Puliuru Jian , nickname Naluoyan — was the founder and first emperor of China's Sui Dynasty . He was a hard-working administrator and a micromanager. As a Buddhist, he encouraged the spread of Buddhism through the state...
seized power as regent. As one of Yang's close advisors, Gao Jiong
Gao Jiong
Gāo Jiǒng Gāo Jiǒng Gāo Jiǒng (d. August 27, 607 courtesy name Zhaoxuan (昭玄), alternative name Min (敏), known during the Northern Zhou period by the Xianbei name Dugu Jiong (独孤颎/獨孤熲), was a key official and general of the Chinese Sui Dynasty...
, had long praised Su for his abilities, Yang invited Su to join his staff. After serving under Yang for a month, Su heard that Yang was intending to seize the throne, and he fled into the country. Gao requested Yang's permission to track him down, but Yang responded, "He does not want to participate in what I will be doing. Ignore him for the time being." In 581, after Yang had Emperor Xuan's son Emperor Jing
Emperor Jing of Northern Zhou
Emperor Jing of Northern Zhou , personally name né Yuwen Yan , later Yuwen Chan , was the last emperor of the Chinese/Xianbei dynasty Northern Zhou. He became emperor at the age of six, after his father Emperor Xuan formally passed the throne to him, but Emperor Xuan retained the imperial powers...
yield the throne to him, ending Northern Zhou and establishing Sui Dynasty
Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty was a powerful, but short-lived Imperial Chinese dynasty. Preceded by the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it ended nearly four centuries of division between rival regimes. It was followed by the Tang Dynasty....
as its Emperor Wen, he summoned Su back to his government, and posthumously honored Su's father Su Chuo as the Duke of Pei, and then had Su Wei inherit the title.
During Emperor Wen's reign
Emperor Wen made Su Wei the head of the examination bureau (Menxia Sheng, 門下省), one of the five main bureaus in his governmental structure, and the minister of finance as well as appointing him to assist with the legal reforms of the Kaihuang CodeKaihuang Code
The Kaihuang Code was a series of laws formulated in China at the time of Sui Dynasty Emperor Wen of Sui . Containing twelve chapters with 500 provisions, the code reconfirmed the legal institutions of the Five Punishments, Eight Deliberations and Ten Abominations...
. Su, remembering that his father Su Chuo had often lamented at what heavy taxes he needed to impose on the people due to the governmental needs from the wars of the times, advocated reduction of taxes, and Emperor Wen agreed. At one point, Gao Jiong, believing Su to be more capable, offered to resign and transfer his authorities to Su, and Emperor Wen initially agreed, but then decided that Gao should not lose his position because of his ability to identify Su's talent. Rather, Emperor Wen had Gao and Su share their authorities, effectively as co-prime ministers.
In 582, at Su's suggestion, and after consulting Gao, Emperor Wen moved the capital from the old city of Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
to a nearby, newly built capital city of Daxing (later to be known as Chang'an as well).
In 583, at Su's suggestion, Emperor Wen abolished the commandery level of government, making county government directly below provincial government. Around that time, Emperor Wen, somewhat dissatisfied with the new laws that he promulgated after he became emperor, had Su and Niu Hong (牛弘) further revise the penal code, to reduce the number of laws and reduce the severity of punishment.
In 589, after Emperor Wen's forces conquered rival Chen Dynasty
Chen Dynasty
The Chen Dynasty , also known as the Southern Chen Dynasty, was the fourth and last of the Southern dynasties in China, eventually destroyed by the Sui Dynasty....
and unified China, Su suggested that a local governmental layer, the township, be created, each with 500 households, headed by a mayor. Li Delin
Li Delin
Li Delin , courtesy name Gongfu , formally either Duke Wen of Anping or Viscount Wen of Cheng'an , was an official of the Chinese dynasties Northern Qi, Northern Zhou, and Sui Dynasty...
, who had often opposed Su's suggestions, pointed out that this would lead to situations where multiple counties would have to share one township and create confusion as well as potential for corruption by the mayors. Emperor Wen nevertheless agreed with Su. In the summer of that year, he also made Su one of the heads of the executive bureau (Shangshu Sheng, 尚書省). At that time, Su, along with Gao, Yu Qingze (虞慶則), and Emperor Wen's nephew Yang Xiong (楊雄) the Prince of Guangping, were known as the "four nobles" due to the power they wielded.
In 590, due to an investigative report submitted by Yu that pointed out that the township mayors were indeed often corrupt, Emperor Wen ordered that the township layor be abolished—but instead of punishing Su, he became angry when Li pointed out that he had previously opposed the idea but now wanted to wait to see if the idea could be reworked, and he demoted Li to a provincial governship, particularly with Su accusing Li himself of corruption.
Also in 590, another ill-advised idea by Su contributed to a major problem that Sui was facing. After Chen's conquest, Su had written a work known as the Five Teachings (五教) and ordered that all former citizens of Chen be required to read and memorize it. (The Five Teachings is no longer extant, but is believed to be a work that concentrated on loyalty to the emperor.) This, along with other dissatisfactions about Sui rule and rumors that Sui was about to force Chen's people to move to the Guanzhong
Guanzhong
Guanzhong , or Guanzhong Plain, is a historical region of China corresponding to the lower valley of the Wei River. It is called Guanzhong or 'within the passes' to distinguish it from 'Guandong' or 'east of the pass', that is, the North China Plain. The North China Plain is bordered on the west by...
region, caused mass-scale rebellions, which were eventually suppressed by Yang Su
Yang Su
Yang Su , courtesy name Chudao , formally Duke Jingwu of Chu , was a powerful general during Sui Dynasty whose authority eventually became nearly as supreme as the emperor's...
.
In 592, the official He Tuo (何妥), who had previously had disputes with Su, had a dispute with Su's son Su Kui (蘇夔), and was angry that despite Su Kui's younger status, the other officials were largely supporting Su Kui due to Su Wei's power. He therefore submitted a petition to Emperor Wen accusing Su Wei of factionalism and nepotism. Emperor Wen had Yu and his son Yang Xiu
Yang Xiu (Sui Dynasty)
Yang Xiu was an imperial prince of the Chinese dynasty Sui Dynasty. He was a son of Emperor Wen and his wife Empress Dugu Qieluo, and during most of his father's reign was given great control over the modern Sichuan and Chongqing region...
the Prince of Shu investigate, and the accusations were found true. In anger, Emperor Wen removed Su from his post and abolished his dukedom, although soon thereafter somewhat relented and restored Su's privilege to visit the palace, commenting, "Su Wei is virtuous, but was misled by the people around him." Yang Su took over Su Wei's posts. By summer 594, Emperor Wen had restored Su Wei to his dukedom and again made him the head of the examination bureau.
In 595, Su was accused of a lack of proper respect when accompanying Emperor Wen in sacrificing to the god of Mount Tai
Mount Tai
Mount Tai is a mountain of historical and cultural significance located north of the city of Tai'an, in Shandong province, People's Republic of China. The tallest peak is the Jade Emperor Peak , which is commonly reported as tall, but is described by the PRC government as .Mount Tai is one of the...
, and was removed, but soon restored. It was around this time that Emperor Wen made a comment that appears to be observant of Su's character -- "It has been said by many that Su Wei was only pretending to be clean and that his house was filled with gold and jade. That accusation is ridiculous. However, he is overly ferocious and unrealistic, and he overly paid attention to his reputation. He is happy if you go along with him and resents if you do not. That is his true problem."
In 597, Emperor Wen, in order to divide and conquer Tujue, married the daughter of a clansman, whom he created the Princess Anyi, to Tuli Khan
Qimin Khan
Yаmi Qaghan, personal name: Ashina Jankan , at one point known as Tolis Qaghan and after Yаmi Qaghan(Old Turkic: , Jаmï qaγan, Chinese: 啓民可汗, 啟民可汗/启民可汗, Modern Chinese: (Pinyin): qǐmín kěhàn, (Wade-Giles): ch'i-min k'o-han, Middle Chinese: (Guangyun) ), personal name: Ashina Jankan (阿史那染幹/阿史那染干,...
Ashina Rangan, a subordinate khan to the leader of Tujue, the Dulan Khan Ashina Yongyulü. In order to solemnize the ceremony and further pull Ashina Rangan to his camp, Emperor Wen made Su, Niu, and Hulü Xiaoqing (斛律孝卿) masters of ceremony. (Thereafter, Ashina Rangan became a submissive Sui vassal.)
In 601, after Gao had been removed from his post in 600, Su was restored to his prior post as co-head of the executive bureau, effectively serving as co-prime minister again with Yang Su.
During Emperor Yang's reign
In 604, Emperor Wen died—a death that traditional historians, while admitting a lack of direct evidence, generally believed to be a murder ordered by his son and Yang GuangEmperor Yang of Sui
Emperor Yang of Sui , personal name Yang Guang , alternative name Ying , nickname Amo , known as Emperor Ming during the brief reign of his grandson Yang Tong), was the second son of Emperor Wen of Sui, and the second emperor of China's Sui Dynasty.Emperor Yang's original name was Yang Ying, but...
the Crown Prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
. Yang Guang took the throne as Emperor Yang, and Su Wei continued to serve as co-prime minister.
In 606, Emperor Yang revised the methods for promoting officials, requiring not only that they be competent but also show virtues and specific accomplishments before they could be promoted. He put seven officials in charge of the process of reviewing officials' performance and promotions—Su, along with Niu Hong, Yuwen Shu
Yuwen Shu
Yuwen Shu , courtesy name Botong , formally Duke Gong of Xu , was an official and general of the Chinese dynasty Sui Dynasty...
, Zhang Jin (張瑾), Yu Shiji
Yu Shiji
Yu Shiji , courtesy name Maoshi , was an official of the Chinese dynasties Chen Dynasty and Sui Dynasty. He was particularly powerful during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui and became prime minister, and was faulted by traditional historians for placating Emperor Yang and not reacting properly...
, Pei Yun (裴蘊), and Pei Ju
Pei Ju
Pei Ju , courtesy name Hongda , formally Duke Jing of Anyi , was a high level official during the Chinese dynasties Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty, briefly serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozu of Tang...
, and they were known collectively as the "seven nobles of officialdom." However, although all seven consulted on the decisions, the main authority fell into the hands of Yu, and it was alleged that Yu decided the promotions based on the amounts of bribes he received.
In 607, despite Su's opposition, Emperor Yang built a section of the Great Wall
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups...
from Yulin
Yulin, Shaanxi
Yulin is a prefecture-level city in the Shaanxi province of the People's Republic of China. It has an area of 43,578 km² and a population of 3,380,000.-Geography and climate:...
to Zihe (紫河, in modern Hohhot
Hohhot
Hohhot , is a city in north-central China and the capital of the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, serving as the region's administrative, economic, and cultural centre....
, Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China, located in the northern region of the country. Inner Mongolia shares an international border with the countries of Mongolia and the Russian Federation...
), employing over a million men in labor. Su was subsequently removed from office. However, Su escaped the fate of Gao Jiong, Yuwen Bi (宇文弼), and Heruo Bi (賀若弼), who were executed for their similar oppositions to Emperor Yang's construction and military campaigns.
Sometime between 607 and 613, however, Su was again named the head of the examination bureau. In 613, when Yang Su's son Yang Xuangan
Yang Xuangan
Yang Xuangan was an official of the Chinese dynasty Sui Dynasty. He was the son of the powerful official Yang Su, and, as he knew that Emperor Yang was apprehensive of his father, was never quite secure. In 613, when Emperor Yang was attacking Goguryeo, he rebelled near the eastern capital...
rebelled against Emperor Yang in the midst of Emperor Yang's second campaign against Goguryeo
Goguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
, Emperor Yang asked Su whether Yang Xuangan, whom Emperor Yang considered intelligent, was capable of causing great trouble. Su responded, "Only a person who is capable of judging what is right and wrong and what is successful and unsuccessful can be called intelligent. Yang Xuangan is careless and unattentive, and he will not cause much trouble. What I am afraid of is that he is merely starting the prelude of great troubles." Much as Su feared, while Yang Xuangan's rebellion was quickly suppressed, thereafter, there was little peace for the rest of Sui's history.
In 615, when Emperor Yang was visiting the city of Yanmen (雁門, in modern Xinzhou, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
), Tujue's Shibi Khan
Shibi Khan
Shibi Khagan , 611 - 619 AD, succeeded Qimin Khan as the ninth khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate...
Ashina Duojishi (the son and successor to Ashina Rangan) made a surprise attack and put the city under siege. Yuwen initially suggested that Emperor Yang fight his way out of the siege, but Su opposed taking such risks, and eventually, under the advice of Emperor Yang's brother-in-law Xiao Yu
Xiao Yu
Xiao Yu , courtesy name Shiwen , formally Duke Zhenbian of Song , was an imperial prince of the Chinese dynasty Liang Dynasty who later became an official for Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor at times during the reigns of Emperor Gaozu of Tang and Emperor Taizong of Tang.-...
, Emperor Yang sought aid from Ashina Duojishi's wife Princess Yicheng (the daughter of a Sui imperial clansman). After Princess Yicheng falsely informed Ashina Duojishi that Tujue was under attack from the north, Ashina Duojishi lifted the siege. With the northern empire under the effects of agrarian rebellions, Su subsequently advised Emperor Yang to return to the capital Chang'an, and Emperor Yang initially agreed. However, Yuwen suggested going to the eastern capital Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
instead, and Emperor Yang went to Luoyang, and would never again go to Chang'an in his lifetime. Subsequently, when Su was examining the proposed promotions to soldiers based on their contributions defending Yanmen against the siege, he reviewed them strictly and promoted few of them, a decision that Emperor Yang agreed with, which brought much dissension among the army ranks.
In 616, with the empire even more engulfed in rebellions, Emperor Yang was asking his officials how the rebellions were being suppressed. Yuwen falsely stated that the rebels had been reduced to less than 10% of what they used to be. Su initially declined to answer the question, but after Emperor Yang insisted on hearing his answer, he responded that while he did not know the numbers, the rebels were getting closer to Luoyang—and that, further, the taxes and labor levies were severely decreased due to rebel activities. He further pointed out that Emperor Yang was reneging on his promise to stop considering campaigns against Goguryeo. Emperor Yang was displeased. Further, at Duanwu Festival
Dragon Boat Festival
Duanwu Festival, also known as Dragon Boat Festival and the Double Fifth, is a traditional and statutory holiday originating in China and associated with a number of East Asian and Southeast Asian societies...
, while the other officials submitted treasures as gifts to the emperor, Su submitted a copy of the Classic of History
Classic of History
The Classic of History is a compilation of documentary records related to events in ancient history of China. It is also commonly known as the Shàngshū , or simply Shū...
. Emperor Yang was displeased when someone pointed out that the Classic of History contained a chapter entitled the Song of the Five Sons -- a lament by the five brothers of King Taikang
Tai Kang
Tai Kang was the third sovereign of the Xia Dynasty. He was the son of Qi.He loved to hunt and did not rule well. Tai Kang drowned in a lake.He took the throne in the year of Guiwei .His capital was in Zhenxun ....
of Xia Dynasty
Xia Dynasty
The Xia Dynasty is the first dynasty in China to be described in ancient historical chronicles such as Bamboo Annals, Classic of History and Records of the Grand Historian. The Xia Dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great after Shun, the last of the Five Emperors gave his throne to him...
that he lost his kingdom due to his excessive cruelty and hunting—and believed that Su was criticizing him. He was further incensed when Su, while discussing the issue of another campaign against Goguryeo, sarcastically suggested that if Emperor Yang pardoned all of the agrarian rebels, there would be hundreds of thousands of soldiers available to attack Goguryeo. Emperor Yang thereafter complained about Su to Pei Yun, and Pei Yun then had a man named Zhang Xingben (張行本) accuse Su of inappropriate promotions and fear of Tujue. Emperor Yang removed Su from his posts, and then further accusations that Su was conspiring with Tujue were made. Emperor Yang had Pei Yun investigate it, and Pei proposed that Su be executed. Su, unable to prove his innocence, begged for forgiveness. Emperor Yang took pity and released him, but stripped him of citizenship rights, along with his descendants for three generations. Soon, however, it appeared that Su was restored to some extent, as he accompanied Emperor Yang to Jiangdu (江都, in modern Yangzhou
Yangzhou
Yangzhou is a prefecture-level city in central Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the southwest, Huai'an to the north, Yancheng to the northeast, Taizhou to the east, and Zhenjiang across...
, Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
) in 617, although he was not restored to his posts, as Pei Yun and Yu suggested to Emperor Yang that Su was too old to be effective.
After Emperor Yang's death
In spring 618, a coup led by the general Yuwen HuajiYuwen Huaji
Yuwen Huaji was a general of the Chinese dynasty Sui Dynasty who, in 618, led a coup against Emperor Yang of Sui, killing him. He subsequently declared Emperor Yang's nephew Yang Hao led Emperor Yang's elite Xiaoguo Army north, but was then repeatedly defeated by Li Mi, Li Shentong , and...
(Yuwen Shu's son) killed Emperor Yang, along with a number of his relatives and high level officials. Yuwen Huaji, however, did not kill Su, as Su was at that point no longer involved in policy-making. Further, as Su was respected by the officials and the people, Yuwen made Su the nominal leader of the government, although Yuwen was in actual control. Yuwen subsequently made Emperor Yang's nephew Yang Hao
Yang Hao (Sui Dynasty)
Yang Hao , often known by his princely title of Prince of Qin , was one of the claimants of the throne of the Chinese Sui Dynasty at the dynasty's end.-Background:...
the Prince of Qin emperor, and Su became a part of Yang Hao's regime, as Yuwen soon abandoned Jiangdu and headed north toward Luoyang. Later that year, after Yuwen was defeated by Li Mi, Su surrendered to Li, and people were surprised when he bowed readily to Li, stating, "I did not know that today I will again see a capable ruler!" When Li was subsequently defeated by Sui troops under Wang Shichong
Wang Shichong
Wang Shichong , courtesy name Xingman , was a general of the Chinese Sui Dynasty who deposed Sui's last emperor Yang Tong and briefly ruled as the emperor of a succeeding state of Zheng...
, who at that point controlled Luoyang and was nominally supporting Emperor Yang's grandson Yang Tong
Yang Tong
Yang Tong , known in traditional histories by his princely title of Prince of Yue or by his era name as Lord Huangtai , posthumous name Emperor Gong , courtesy name Renjin , was an emperor of the Chinese Sui Dynasty...
as emperor, Su surrendered to Wang and was restored to the title of Duke of Pei. In 619, after Wang had Yang Tong yielding the throne to him, ending Sui and establishing a state of Zheng, he gave Su honorific titles, although Su tried to decline them.
In 621, Wang, facing military pressure from Li Shimin
Emperor Taizong of Tang
Emperor Taizong of Tang , personal name Lǐ Shìmín , was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, ruling from 626 to 649...
, the son of Emperor Gaozu of Tang
Emperor Gaozu of Tang
Emperor Gāozǔ of Táng , born Lǐ Yuān , courtesy name Shūdé , was the founder of the Tang Dynasty of China, and the first emperor of this dynasty from 618 to 626. Under the Sui dynasty, Li Yuan was the governor in the area of modern-day Shanxi, and was based in Taiyuan.In 615, Li Yuan was assigned...
, surrendered. Li Shimin set up headquarters at Luoyang, and Su requested an audience with him, but stated that he was too old to bow to Li Shimin. Li Shimin sent back a messenger to rebuke him for bowing to Li Mi and Wang and refused to meet him. Su subsequently went to the Tang capital Chang'an and sought an audience with Emperor Gaozu, and was similarly rebuked and not given an office. He died in 623.