Yang Zhao (21 February 584 – 30 August 606), formally Crown Prince Yuande (元德太子), was a Chinese imperial prince of the Sui dynasty. He was the eldest son of Emperor Yang of Sui (Yang Guang) and Empress Xiao, and was posthumously honored with the temple name Shǐzōng and the title Emperor Xiaocheng (孝成皇帝) during the brief reign of his son, Emperor Yang Tong.
Early life and background
- Born in the fourth year of the Kaihuang era of Emperor Wen (21 February 584).
- His father, Yang Guang, was then Prince of Jin under Emperor Wen, and his mother was Princess Xiao, later Empress Xiao.
- In infancy he was raised by his paternal grandparents, Emperor Wen and Empress Dugu.
Titles and political role
- In 590, Emperor Wen created him Prince of Henan.
- After his father displaced his uncle Yang Yong as crown prince in 600, Yang Zhao inherited the title Prince of Jin in 601.
- Following Emperor Wen’s death in 604, Yang Guang ascended the throne as Emperor Yang. Yang Zhao was left in charge of the western capital Chang’an.
- In the spring of 605, Emperor Yang formally appointed him Crown Prince.
Marriages and offspring
Yang Zhao married twice:
- Princess Consort Cui of the Cui clan of Boling, later divorced after a family scandal.
- Crown Princess Wei of the Wei clan of Jingzhao.
He had several children, including:
- Yang Tan, Prince of Yan (first son).
- Yang Tong, later Emperor Gong of Sui (second son).
- Yang You, later Emperor Gong of Sui (third son).
Death
In 606, while visiting his parents in Luoyang, Yang Zhao’s health deteriorated, attributed by historical sources to the physical strain of repeatedly kneeling before his father and his severe overweight condition. He died on 30 August 606 at the age of 22.
Posthumous honors
After his son Yang Tong briefly seized the throne in 618 amid the Sui dynasty’s collapse, Yang Zhao was posthumously elevated to emperor status with the temple name Shǐzōng and the honorific title Emperor Xiaocheng.
References
- History of the Northern Dynasties (Bei Shi), vol. 71.
- Book of Sui (Sui Shu), vol. 3.
- Wikipedia article “Yang Zhao” (accessed via Jina AI mirror).