[1]Identity and datesXiao Yu lived from 574 to 647 and was an early Tang chancellor and official.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The basic record gives Xiao Yu's name and dates, while the status and office data identify him as a chancellor.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The profile and biographical text place Xiao Yu in the early Tang and give his dates as 574–647, with a senior court office.
WikidataXiao Yu (Q1291074)The English label, description, and date claims identify Xiao Yu as a Tang chancellor born in 574 and dead in 647.
[2]Courtesy name and native placeHis courtesy name was Shiwen; Nanlanling, Chang'an, and Xuzhou are the three recorded formulations of his native place.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The name data gives the courtesy name Shiwen, while the address data gives Chang'an and Xuzhou.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The profile and biography give Shiwen as the courtesy name and Nanlanling as the ancestral place.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database蕭瑀 (A002385)The name authority record gives the form Xiao Shiwen.
[3]Alternative datingA separate date range places his birth in 575 and his death in 648.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database蕭瑀 (A002385)The birth and death fields give date ranges in 575 and 648, differing from the 574–647 dating.
[4]Family backgroundXiao Yu was Xiao Kui's son and Xiao Cong's paternal cousin; his elder sister was a consort of Yang Guang and later became the empress appointed by Emperor Wen of Sui.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The kinship data identifies Xiao Kui as his father, gives Xiao Kui's dates as 542–585, and identifies Xiao Cong as a paternal cousin.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The biography calls him the son of the Later Liang emperor Mingdi Xiao Kui and says that his sister was the Sui emperor's empress.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database蕭瑀 (A002385)The note identifies Xiao Kui as his father and says that his sister was Yang Guang's consort and was made empress when Emperor Wen came to the throne.
WikidataXiao Yu (Q1291074)A family claim links Xiao Yu to a father entity, corroborating the father–son relationship.
[5]EnfeoffmentsHe was enfeoffed as Prince of Xin'an in 583, also styled Prince of Xin'an Commandery; after joining Tang he became Duke of Song, with Duke of Zong as another form.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The profile and biographies give the titles Duke of Song and Prince of Xin'an Commandery, and describe the enfeoffments.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database蕭瑀 (A002385)The note gives the 583 enfeoffment as Prince of Xin'an and the post-Tang title Duke of Song; the aliases include Duke of Zong.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The office data gives Prince of Xin'an and the entry data records the initial enfeoffment.
[6]Sui appointmentsAfter Emperor Wen's accession, Xiao Yu held Shangyi Fengyu, concurrently Zuoyiwei Yingyang Langjiang, was entrusted with confidential affairs, and rose to Neishi Shilang.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database蕭瑀 (A002385)The note gives Shangyi Fengyu, concurrent Zuoyiwei Yingyang Langjiang, the entrusting of confidential affairs, and the rise to Neishi Shilang.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The biography confirms his Sui service up to Yinqing Guanglu Dafu and Neishi Shilang.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The office list separately gives Shangyi, Fengyu, Weiyingyang Langjiang, and Neishi Shilang.
[7]Hechi appointmentDuring the Sui he also held You Qianniu; the office data places the listed Sui posts in 611 and the appointment as governor of Hechi Commandery in 617.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The office data gives You Qianniu from 586, the Shangyi, Fengyu, Weiyingyang Langjiang, and Neishi Shilang entries from 611, and the Hechi Commandery governorship from 617.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The biography says that he went out as governor of Hechi Commandery.
[8]Submission to TangWhen Gaozu entered the capital, he summoned Xiao Yu; Xiao Yu brought Hechi Commandery over to Tang and thereafter received high office and the Duke of Song title.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The biographies describe Gaozu's summons, Xiao Yu's submission of the commandery, the Duke of Song title, the Ministry of Revenue, and promotion to You Pushe.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database蕭瑀 (A002385)The note adds the grant of Guanglu Dafu and confirms the Duke of Song and Minister of Revenue appointments.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The office list gives Duke, Minister of Revenue, and You Pushe.
[9]Early Tang officesThe office data gives the governorship of Yongzhou in 618, You Pushe in 621, and Zuo Pushe in 626, while the biography places the promotion after Taizong's accession.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The office data gives governor of Yongzhou in 618, You Pushe in 621, and Zuo Pushe in 626.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The biographies confirm the sequence from You Pushe to Zuo Pushe after Taizong's accession.
[10]Zhenguan officesHe served as Taichang Qing in 627–630 and again in 632–634, and held Yushi Dafu, the chancellorship, Taizi Shaofu, Tejin, and Xunsheng Dashi for Henan Circuit in the stated years.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The office data gives both Taichang Qing periods, plus Yushi Dafu, chancellor, Taizi Shaofu, Tejin, and the Henan Circuit inspection post in 630, 632, and 634.
[11]Later governorshipsHe again held the chancellorship in 635 and became governor of Qizhou in 636; other listed governorships were in Jinzhou, Luoyang, and Shangluo in the stated periods.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The office data gives the 635 chancellorship, the 636 Qizhou governorship, and governorships in Jinzhou, Luoyang, and Shangluo.
[12]Additional offices and titlesAdditional offices included Shangzhuguo, Jinzi Guanglu Dafu, Zhongshu Ling, Neishi Ling, and Dudu; his titles also included Duke and Prince of Xin'an.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The office and title data lists Shangzhuguo, Jinzi Guanglu Dafu, Zhongshu Ling, Neishi Ling, Dudu, Duke, and Prince of Xin'an.
[13]Lingyan Pavilion and enfeoffment proposalDuring Zhenguan Xiao Yu was represented at Lingyan Pavilion, rose to Taizi Taibao and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin, was included among the twenty-four meritorious officials, and advocated enfeoffing princes as a defensive screen.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The biographies describe the Lingyan Pavilion portrait, promotion to Taizi Taibao and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin, and the proposal to enfeoff princes.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database蕭瑀 (A002385)The group field places him among the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The office data lists Taizi Taibao from 643 and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin from 643 to 646.
[14]Court conflictsWhen Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were newly entrusted with power, Xiao Yu resented them and criticized them; his inability to tolerate others' shortcomings led to quarrels before the emperor.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The biography describes his resentment and criticism of Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui and his quarrels with ministers before the emperor.
[15]Monastic request and political reversalsHe sought ordination, regretted it after receiving permission, repeatedly offended the emperor, and experienced repeated removals and restorations before reaching Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The biographies describe his request to become a monk, subsequent regret, repeated offenses and removals, and eventual senior office.
[16]Death and posthumous grantsHe died in 647, the twenty-first year of Zhenguan, aged seventy-four, and was posthumously granted Sikong and governor of Jingzhou.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The biography gives the twenty-first year of Zhenguan, age seventy-four, and the posthumous grants of Sikong and governor of Jingzhou.
DILA Buddhist Authority Database蕭瑀 (A002385)The note also gives the posthumous grants of Sikong and governor of Jingzhou.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The office data includes the title Sikong, consistent with the posthumous grant.
[17]Posthumous nameThe Court of Ceremonies first assigned Su, and the emperor changed it to Zhenbian because of Xiao Yu's jealous nature.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The biographies state that the first posthumous name was Su and that it was changed to Zhenbian because of his temperament; the profile lists both names.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The alternate-name data gives Zhenbian as the posthumous name.
WikidataXiao Yu (Q1291074)The posthumous-name claims list Su and Zhenbian.
[18]SonsHe had sons Xiao Rui, Xiao Kai, and Xiao Yue; Xiao Rui was the eldest, and Xiao Kai's death year is also given as 669.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The kinship data identifies Xiao Rui, Xiao Kai, and Xiao Yue as sons, Xiao Rui as the eldest, and gives 669 as one death year for Xiao Kai.
WikidataXiao Yu (Q1291074)The family claims add six child relationships, though the snapshot does not provide their names.
[19]Daughters and descendantsTwo daughters are given as living from 599 to 672 and from 631 to 669; Xiao Jian was a grandson, and a granddaughter, the daughter of Xiao Yi, lived from 662 to 737.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The kinship data gives two daughters with their dates, grandson Xiao Jian, and a granddaughter identified as Xiao Yi's daughter with dates 662–737.
[20]Learning and calligraphyHe valued classical learning, wrote well, favored Buddhism, was described as narrow-tempered, and was known for prose and calligraphy.
Souyun蕭瑀 (19492)The biography directly says that he valued the classics, wrote well, favored Buddhism, and was narrow-tempered.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The status data describes him as a calligrapher and as skilled in prose.
[21]Literary exchangesHe presented poetry and prose to Taizong, Fang Xuanling, and Li Shentong, received such works from Ouyang Xun, Taizong, and Changsun Wuji, and had Taizong as his superior.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The association data lists presentations to Taizong, Fang Xuanling, and Li Shentong, receptions from Ouyang Xun, Taizong, and Changsun Wuji, and Taizong as superior.
[22]Collected worksA collected work titled Wenji, or Collected Works of Xiao Yu, is associated with him.
CBDBXiao Yu (12259)The works data gives the title Wenji (Collected Works of Xiao Yu).
CBDB
