1. Gao Jian, courtesy name Shilian, better known as Gao Shilian, formally Duke Wenxian of Shen, was a Chinese politician of the Tang dynasty.
23 Facts About Gao Shilian
1. 2.
Gao Shilian was the uncle of Empress Zhangsun, Emperor Taizong's wife, and a trusted advisor to Emperor Taizong.
3.
Gao Shilian was born in 576, in the waning years of Northern Qi, as a member of Northern Qi's imperial Gao clan.
4.
Gao Shilian's grandfather Gao Yue the Prince of Qinghe was a cousin of Gao Huan, the paramount general of Northern Wei and its branch successor state Eastern Wei and the father of three of Northern Qi's emperors; Gao Yue was an important official for Northern Qi until he was forced by Emperor Wenxuan to commit suicide in 555.
5.
Gao Shilian served as an important official under several emperors.
6.
When Northern Zhou forces launched a major attack on Northern Zhou in 576 and approached the capital Yecheng in spring 577, Gao Mai advocated resisting to the last man, but the emperor Gao Wei could not accept his suggestion and fled instead.
7.
Gao Shilian was known for proper conduct in his youth, and he was studied in literature and history.
8.
Gao Shilian became a friend of the important officials Xue Daoheng and Cui Zujun, although he was much younger than they were.
9.
At that time, Gao Shilian had become the legal assistant to Qiu He the governor of Jiaozhi Commandery.
10.
Li Shimin, who was then the Prince of Qin and a major general under his father, retained Gao Shilian to serve on his staff as part of the government for the capital prefecture Yong Prefecture, of which he was prefect.
11.
Gao Shilian participated in leading part of Li Shimin's personal guards against the guards of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji in the aftermaths.
12.
Gao Shilian held onto Wang's petition and did not submit it, and did not inform Wang that he did so.
13.
Gao Shilian was later made the secretary general of Yi Prefecture, and as the titular commandant at Yi Prefecture was Emperor Taizong's young son Li Ke the Prince of Shu, Gao Shilian was effectively commandant.
14.
In 631, Gao Shilian was recalled to the capital to serve as the minister of civil service affairs, and was created the greater title of Duke of Xu.
15.
In 637, as part of Emperor Taizong's scheme to bestow prefectures on his relatives and great generals and officials as their permanent domains, Gao Shilian's title was changed to Duke of Shen, and he was given the post of a prefectural prefect for his heirs to inherit.
16.
Soon with many objections to the system, the strongest of which came from Zhangsun Wuji, Emperor Taizong cancelled the scheme, although Gao Shilian's title remained Duke of Shen.
17.
However, after the work was completed in 638, Emperor Taizong nevertheless rewarded Gao Shilian for compiling the work.
18.
In 641, when Emperor Taizong visited the eastern capital Luoyang, he left his crown prince Li Chengqian in charge of Chang'an, but had Gao Shilian serve as his assistant and effectively in charge.
19.
In 643, when Emperor Taizong commissioned the Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion to commemorate the 24 great contributors to Tang rule, Gao Shilian's portrait was one commissioned.
20.
Later in 643, Gao Shilian requested to retire from the post of Pushe.
21.
In 645, when Emperor Taizong attacked Goguryeo and left his crown prince Li Zhi in charge of logistics at Ding Prefecture, Gao Shilian was left there as well to assist Li Zh, along with Liu Ji, Ma Zhou, Zhang Xingcheng, and Gao Shilian Jifu.
22.
The next day, Gao Shilian died, and Emperor Taizong wanted to personally attend his wake, despite urgings by Fang not to, as Emperor Taizong was himself recently ill.
23.
Gao Shilian was buried near the tomb of Empress Zhangsun, where Emperor Taizong would eventually be buried as well.