Yuwen Shiji, courtesy name Renren, formally Duke Zong of Ying, was a Chinese statesman and politician of the Sui and Tang dynasties, serving as a chancellor, as Shizhong and Zhongshu Ling, during the reigns of Emperors Gaozu and Taizong of Tang.
24 Facts About Yuwen Shiji
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Yuwen Shiji was previously an imperial prince in the short-lived state of Xu, which was ruled by his brother Yuwen Huaji.
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Yuwen Shiji was a son of the Sui dynasty general and official Yuwen Shu, and he had at least two older brothers, Yuwen Huaji and Yuwen Zhiji.
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Yuwen Shiji was friendly with the general Li Yuan the Duke of Tang, and was said to have discussed much about military matters with Li Yuan.
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When Emperor Yang went from the eastern capital Luoyang to Jiangdu in 616, Yuwen Shiji followed him there.
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When Yuwen Shu, who followed Emperor Yang to Jiangdu, fell ill and died later in the year, Yuwen Shiji briefly resigned to observe a mourning period for his father, but was returned to imperial service as the deputy minister of imperial supplies.
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Yuwen Shiji's army battled those of another rebel leader, Li Mi the Duke of Wei, but was repeatedly defeated by Li Mi.
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Later, Yuwen Huaji, unable to prevail over Li Mi, crossed the Yellow River north to Wei, Yuwen Shiji suggested that he head west and submit to Tang.
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Yuwen Shiji Huaji refused, and instead poisoned Yang Hao and declared himself emperor of a new state of Xu.
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Yuwen Shiji created Yuwen Shiji the Prince of Shu.
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Some of Yuwen Shiji's followers suggested that he gather his troops and attack Dou and try to take over the land north of the Yellow River.
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Yuwen Shiji refused, but instead headed to Chang'an with Feng and surrendered to Tang.
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Further, Yuwen Shiji's sister was by this point Emperor Gaozu's concubine, and so Emperor Gaozu made Yuwen Shiji an official.
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Yuwen Shiji later served under Emperor Gaozu's son Li Shimin the Prince of Qin in defeating Liu Wuzhou the Dingyang Khan, and as a result was created his old title of Duke of Xincheng County, and was given the Princess of Shouguang County as his wife.
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Yuwen Shiji was made the Zhongshu Shilang, the deputy head of the legislative bureau.
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Yuwen Shiji reorganized the government, and as part of the reorganization, Yuwen Shiji was made the Zhongshu Ling, the head of the legislative bureau and clearly a chancellor.
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In 627, while Yuwen Shiji retained the title of Zhongshu Ling, he was no longer actually chancellor, as he was made the commandant at Liang Prefecture.
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Yuwen Shiji was often invited to attend Emperor Taizong's feasts, but rarely spoke of what were happening at the feasts, not even to his wife.
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When Emperor Taizong reviewed the contributions of the officials to the founding of the Tang dynasty, he rewarded Yuwen Shiji by creating his son the Duke of Xincheng County.
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Yuwen Shiji died in 642 and was bestowed posthumous honors and buried near the tomb of Emperor Taizong's wife Empress Zhangsun, which later would become Emperor Taizong's tomb as well.
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Yuwen Shiji was praised for his kindness and care for his younger brother or brothers, and his nephews.
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Yuwen Shiji was generous to his relatives, particularly the ones who were poor.
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Yuwen Shiji apologized, but defended his position by stating that emperors did not often have people who would agree with them, and that he only wanted to make the emperor happy.
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The official Liu Ji, citing Yuwen Shiji's wastefulness, rejected "Gong," instead suggesting "Zong", and that became Yuwen Shiji's posthumous name.