Book of Shu · Biographies of the Consorts and Sons of the Two Rulers

Empress Gan (Lady Gan), consort of the Former Lord (Liu Bei) <the retrospective designation for Shu's founding ruler>, was from Pei. <Gan is her surname; her personal name is not recorded here, and the imperial title is retrospective.> When the Former Lord (Liu Bei) governed Yu Province and resided at Xiaopei, he took her as a concubine. Since he repeatedly lost his principal wives, she regularly managed the household's internal affairs. She accompanied the Former Lord (Liu Bei) to Jing Province and gave birth to the Later Lord (Liu Shan) <the retrospective designation for Shu's second ruler>. When Lord Cao (Cao Cao) <a respectful designation> arrived with his army and overtook the Former Lord (Liu Bei) at Changban in Dangyang, the desperate situation compelled him to abandon Lady Gan and the Later Lord (Liu Shan). Zhao Yun protected them, enabling their escape. She later died and was buried in Nan Commandery. In Zhangwu 2 she was posthumously titled Lady Huangsi (Lady Gan) <a posthumous consort's designation> and reburial in Shu was arranged. Before her remains arrived, the Former Lord (Liu Bei) died. Chancellor Zhuge Liang memorialized:

'Lady Huangsi (Lady Gan) practiced benevolence and conducted herself with goodness and care. When the late emperor (Liu Bei) formerly held high military command, she joined him as a consort and gave birth to Your Sacred Majesty (Liu Shan), but her allotted life did not continue. While alive, the late emperor (Liu Bei) cherished righteousness and bestowed kindness. Remembering that the sacred coffin of Lady Huangsi (Lady Gan) remained far away, he specially sent envoys to receive it. Then the late emperor (Liu Bei) died. Now the sacred coffin of Lady Huangsi (Lady Gan) has arrived, while the imperial coffin is also on the road. The mausoleum is nearing completion, and the time for peaceful interment is fixed. 'I have therefore consulted with Lai Gong, Minister of Ceremonies, and others. The Record of Rites says: "Establishing affection begins with one's parents, teaching the people filial devotion; establishing respect begins with one's elders, teaching the people obedience." One must not forget one's parents, from whom one was born. According to the principle of the Spring and Autumn Annals, a mother is exalted through her son. Formerly Emperor Gao (Liu Bang) <the Han founder's retrospective imperial title> posthumously elevated the Supreme Lady Zhaoling <his mother; her personal name is not given here> to Empress Zhaoling. Emperor Xiaohe (Liu Zhao) <"Filial Harmonious Emperor," a Han posthumous title> reburied his mother, Honored Lady Liang, honoring her as Empress Gonghuai <the consort's posthumous title; her personal name is not given here>. Emperor Xiaomin (Liu Xie) <"Filial Afflicted Emperor," the posthumous designation used for him here> likewise reburied his mother, Lady Wang, honoring her as Empress Linghuai <the consort's posthumous title; her personal name is not given here>. Lady Huangsi (Lady Gan) should now have an exalted title to console the filial longing evoked by the Cold Spring poem. Lai Gong, the others, and I have consulted the rules for posthumous titles: she should be called Empress Zhaolie (Lady Gan) <"Manifestly Valiant Empress," a posthumous title>. The Odes says: "Alive, separate chambers; dead, the same grave."'

'Therefore Empress Zhaolie (Lady Gan) should be buried jointly with the late emperor (Liu Bei). I request that the Grand Commandant announce this to the ancestral temple and proclaim it throughout the realm. A separate memorial will set out the full rites.' <Continuation of Zhuge Liang's memorial in the preceding source segments.>

The imperial response approved it.

Empress Mu (Lady Wu), consort of the Former Lord (Liu Bei), was from Chenliu. <Mu, 'Reverent,' is her posthumous title; Wu is her surname, and her personal name is not recorded here.> Her elder brother was Wu Yi. They lost their father when young. Their father had long been acquainted with Liu Yan, so the whole family followed him into Shu. Liu Yan harbored ambitions beyond his station and heard from a skilled physiognomist that Lady Wu would attain great distinction. His son Liu Mao was then accompanying him, so he obtained her as Liu Mao's wife. Liu Mao died, and she lived as a widow. After the Former Lord (Liu Bei) secured Yi Province, Lady Sun returned to Wu.

The officials urged the Former Lord (Liu Bei) to marry Lady Wu. He hesitated because he belonged to the same clan as Liu Mao. Fa Zheng said: 'In degree of kinship, how does this compare with Duke Wen of Jin (Ji Chong'er) <a duke's posthumous title> and Ziyu (Ji Yu)?' He therefore took her as his consort.

In Jian'an 24, she was established as queen of the King of Hanzhong (Liu Bei) <a territorial royal title>. In summer, the fifth month of Zhangwu 1, the investiture command read: 'I have received Heaven's mandate, occupy the supreme position, and rule the myriad states. I now establish you as empress and send Chancellor Zhuge Liang, bearing the staff of authority, to confer the seal and ribbon. Continue the ancestral temples and act as mother to the realm. Empress Mu (Lady Wu), be reverent!' In the fifth month of Jianxing 1, the Later Lord (Liu Shan) succeeded and honored her as Empress Dowager (Lady Wu), with her residence styled the Changle Palace. Wu Yi rose to General of Chariots and Cavalry and was enfeoffed as a county marquis. In Yanxi 8 she died and was buried jointly at Huiling.

Empress Jing'ai (Lady Zhang), consort of the Later Lord (Liu Shan), was the eldest daughter of Zhang Fei, General of Chariots and Cavalry. <Jing'ai is a posthumous title; Zhang is her surname, and her personal name is not recorded here.> In Zhangwu 1 she was taken as consort to the crown prince (Liu Shan). In Jianxing 1 she was established as empress. She died in Jianxing 15 and was buried at Nanling.

Empress Zhang (Lady Zhang), consort of the Later Lord (Liu Shan), was the younger sister of the preceding empress, Empress Jing'ai (Lady Zhang). <The sisters share the surname Zhang; neither personal name is recorded here.> In Jianxing 15 she entered the palace as an Honored Lady. In spring, the first month of Yanxi 1, the investiture command read: 'I have inherited the great enterprise, rule the realm, and serve the suburban altars, ancestral temples, and altars of soil and grain. I now establish the Honored Lady as empress and send Xiang Lang, General of the Left acting in the chancellor's affairs, bearing the staff of authority, to confer the seal and ribbon. Strive to cultivate the duties of the inner household and reverently attend the sacrifices. Empress Zhang (Lady Zhang), be reverent!' In Xianxi 1 she accompanied the Later Lord (Liu Shan) in moving to Luoyang.

Liu Yong, courtesy name Gongshou, was a son of the Former Lord (Liu Bei) and a younger half-brother of the Later Lord (Liu Shan). In the sixth month of Zhangwu 1, Xu Jing, Minister over the Masses, was sent to establish him as King of Lu (Liu Yong) <a territorial royal title>. The investiture command read: 'Young Yong, receive this blue-green earth. I have received Heaven's succession and inherited the great enterprise. Observing ancient institutions, I establish your state and house, enfeoffing you in the eastern lands to possess Mount Gui and Mount Meng and serve as a hereditary vassal and support. Heed my command! That state of Lu, with one further transformation, could attain the Way; its civilizing influence remains. Its people's love of virtue has transmitted this excellence through generations. King of Lu (Liu Yong), hold your heart to the rites and pacify your officers and people. Enjoy what is fitting, and be vigilant!' In Jianxing 8 his fief was changed to the kingship of Ganling. Earlier Liu Yong had hated the eunuch Huang Hao. After Huang Hao gained trust and power, he slandered Liu Yong to the Later Lord (Liu Shan), who gradually estranged him. For more than ten years Liu Yong could not obtain an audience. In Xianxi 1, Liu Yong moved east to Luoyang, was appointed Commandant of Attending Carriages, and was enfeoffed as a district marquis.

Liu Li, courtesy name Fengxiao, was likewise a younger half-brother of the Later Lord (Liu Shan), with a different mother from Liu Yong. In the sixth month of Zhangwu 1, Xu Jing, Minister over the Masses, was sent to establish him as King of Liang (Liu Li) <a territorial royal title>. The investiture command read: 'Young Li, I have inherited Han's succession and reverently follow Heaven's mandate. Observing the established institutions, I establish you in the east as Han's vassal and support. That land of Liang lies within the royal domain. Its people are accustomed to civilizing instruction and easily guided through the rites. Go and devote your whole heart to caring for the common people, so that your state may endure. King of Liang (Liu Li), be reverent!' In Jianxing 8 he was transferred to become King of Anping (Liu Li). He died in Yanxi 7 and received the posthumous title King Dao (Liu Li) <a posthumous royal title>. His son King Ai (Liu Yin) <a posthumous royal title> succeeded and died in Yanxi 19. Liu Yin's son King Shang (Liu Cheng) <a posthumous royal title> succeeded and died in Yanxi 20. In Jingyao 4 an edict said: 'The kingship of Anping was established by the late emperor (Liu Bei). Three generations have died young, and the state's succession has collapsed. I grieve for this. Let the Marquis of Wuyi (Liu Ji) <a territorial marquisate> succeed to the royal position.' Liu Ji was Liu Li's son. In Xianxi 1 he moved east to Luoyang, was appointed Commandant of Attending Carriages, and was enfeoffed as a district marquis.

Liu Xuan, crown prince of the Later Lord (Liu Shan), had the courtesy name Wenheng. His mother, Honored Lady Wang <a consort's rank followed by her surname; her personal name is not recorded here>, had originally been an attendant to Empress Jing'ai (Lady Zhang). In the first month of Yanxi 1, the investiture command read: 'From ancient times, emperors and kings have established heirs to continue their line and serve as the second to the state's ruler. This is the constant Way, ancient and modern. I now establish Xuan as imperial crown prince to manifest the might of our ancestors. I command Xiang Lang, General of the Left acting in the chancellor's affairs, to bear the staff of authority and confer the seal and ribbon. Strive to cultivate your abundant qualities, reverently observe the Way and righteousness, inquire into institutions and ritual, respectfully associate with your tutors, draw upon all good qualities, and complete your virtue. Should you not devote yourself to cultivation and self-encouragement?' He was then fifteen. In winter of Jingyao 6, Shu fell. In the first month of Xianxi 1, Zhong Hui rebelled at Chengdu, and Liu Xuan was killed by the mutinous soldiers. <The source prints 印緩 in the investiture formula, where 'seal and ribbon' is understood; 緩 differs from the usual 綬.> <The name is 璿, Xuan, here; the preceding volume writes 睿, Rui, at the establishment of the crown prince.>

Appraisal: The Changes says that only after there are husband and wife are there father and son. Nothing exceeds this as the beginning of human relationships and the fullest foundation of affection and order. They are therefore recorded here to complete the account of the structure of a state.