Zhangsun Song

Biography

Family background and early years

Zhangsun Song came from the Xianbei Tuoba aristocracy and was originally of the Baba clan. His father Zhangsun Ren served as Chief of the Southern Division under Tuoba Shiyiqian, Emperor Zhaocheng of Dai. According to the Old Book of Tang, the Zhangsun clan descended from the Tuoba house and took the surname Zhangsun because it represented the senior branch of the imperial lineage. Some scholars have argued that the Baba surname was granted only during the reign of Emperor Daowu of Northern Wei and that Zhangsun Song may still have used the Tuoba surname in his lifetime; the Book of Song accordingly calls him "Tuoba Song."

As a youth Zhangsun Song was described as generous, cultivated, and dignified. At fourteen he took over command of troops from his father, demonstrating unusual military ability. In 376, the thirty-ninth year of Jianguo, Emperor Zhaocheng Tuoba Shiyiqian died and the state of Dai fell into internal disorder. Fu Jian, Emperor Xuanzhao of Former Qin, sent troops to destroy Dai and divided its territory into eastern and western sectors under Liu Kuren and Liu Weichen. Zhangsun Song, Yuan Ta, and others led their followers to join Liu Kuren and attached themselves to the Dugu group.

Submission to Emperor Daowu and founding service

In 385, the twenty-first year of Jianyuan under Former Qin, Liu Xian, son of Liu Kuren, plotted rebellion. Zhangsun Song assessed the situation and led more than seven hundred households of former followers and fellow townsmen away from Liu Xian, intending to go to Wuyuan. On the way he encountered Tuoba Wo, son of Tuoba Shijun, who had gathered followers and proclaimed himself ruler. Zhangsun Song initially considered joining him, but Wuwo argued that Tuoba Wo was the son of a rebel and urged Zhangsun Song instead to join Tuoba Gui, grandson of Emperor Zhaocheng. Zhangsun Song hesitated until Wuwo turned back the heads of his oxen, after which Zhangsun Song reluctantly followed his advice and eventually met Tuoba Gui at Sanhanting, also recorded as Erhanting. From then on he submitted to Tuoba Gui.

In the first month of 386, the first year of Dengguo, Tuoba Gui became Prince of Dai and in the fourth month changed his title to King of Wei, establishing Northern Wei. Zhangsun Song was appointed Chief of the Southern Division and became one of the regime's founding supporters. In the first month of 387, Tuoba Gui rewarded seventy-three meritorious followers, including Zhangsun Song. Zhangsun Song subsequently won repeated military distinction. In 391 he joined Tuoba Gui in attacking the Rouran and defeated a Rouran detachment at Pingwang River, capturing and killing its leader Wuji. In 392, when Maoxian, leader of the western Qili group, defected, Zhangsun Song pursued and heavily defeated him.

Important offices under Emperor Daowu

In 396, the first year of Huangshi, Zhangsun Song accompanied Tuoba Gui in the campaign against Zhongshan in Later Yan. For his military achievements he was appointed General Who Pacifies the South and Governor of Ji Province and granted the title Duke of Julu; he later became Palace Attendant. In 398, the first year of Tianxing, the Right Army General Yin Guo, who was supervising tax collection in Ji Province, plotted rebellion and attempted to seize Xindu. Zhangsun Song arrested him and sent him to Zhongshan Commandery, where Tuoba Gui ordered his execution.

On the first day of the fourth month that year, Zhangsun Song was promoted to Minister of Education. He later served as Governor of Xiang Province and was re-enfeoffed as Duke of Nanping. The source states that he earned a good reputation in each of his appointments.

The "Eight Lords" under Emperor Mingyuan

In the tenth month of 409, the sixth year of Tianci, the Prince of Qinghe Tuoba Shao assassinated Emperor Daowu. Soon afterward the emperor's eldest son Tuoba Si killed Tuoba Shao and ascended the throne as Emperor Mingyuan. After his accession, Emperor Mingyuan ordered Zhangsun Song and Marquis of Beixin An Tong to handle civil litigation and recommend worthy officials.

In the first month of 410, the second year of Yongxing, Emperor Mingyuan ordered Zhangsun Song and others to campaign north against the Rouran. In the fifth month, while returning from beyond the desert, Zhangsun Song's army was pursued by the Rouran and surrounded at Niuchuan. Emperor Mingyuan personally led a relief expedition, and the Rouran withdrew upon hearing of his approach.

In the twelfth month of 411, the third year of Yongxing, Emperor Mingyuan ordered Zhangsun Song, Marquis of Shanyang Xi Jin, Marquis of Beixin An Tong, Marquis of Baima Cui Hong, and four others to sit to the right of Zhiche Gate and handle the review of prisoners and other governmental matters with an emphasis on fairness. They became known as the "Eight Lords." In 417, the second year of Taichang, the Eastern Jin Prince of Qiao Sima Wensi sent a memorial requesting military action against Liu Yu. Emperor Mingyuan ordered Zhangsun Song to lead forces to intercept Liu Yu, and the two sides fought at Pancheng with mixed results.

In 423, the eighth year of Taichang, Emperor Mingyuan became seriously ill and asked Zhangsun Song about the succession. Zhangsun Song replied that appointing the eldest son would follow the natural order and that appointing by virtue would win the people's support; the eldest imperial son Tuoba Tao was both able and the legitimate heir, so he should be installed. Emperor Mingyuan accepted this advice and ordered Tuoba Tao to supervise government at court, appointing Zhangsun Song as Left Assistant. Emperor Mingyuan died in the eleventh month, and Tuoba Tao ascended the throne as Emperor Taiwu. In the twelfth month Emperor Taiwu promoted Zhangsun Song to Prince of Beiping and appointed him central evaluator for Sizhou.

Senior statesman under Emperor Taiwu

In 425, the second year of Shiguang, Emperor Taiwu asked senior officials whether the empire should first campaign against Hu Xia or the Rouran. Zhangsun Song, Zhangsun Han, Xi Jin, and others argued that the Rouran had long been a frontier threat and should be attacked first, while the Chamberlain for Ceremonials Cui Hao advocated attacking Hu Xia. Emperor Taiwu initially decided on a western tour. After learning that Helian Bobo had died and that Guanzhong was in disorder, he wanted to campaign there. Zhangsun Song and others repeatedly advised against it. The emperor became angry, accused them of corruption in office, and had soldiers humiliate them. On the second day of the third month, however, Emperor Taiwu promoted Zhangsun Song to Defender-in-chief.

In 429, the second year of Shenjia, Emperor Taiwu campaigned north against the Rouran and ordered Zhangsun Song and Lou Fulian to remain in the capital at Pingcheng. In the ninth month of 431, the fourth year of Shenjia, Zhangsun Song received the additional title Pillar of State General-in-Chief. Thereafter, whenever Emperor Taiwu went on campaign, Zhangsun Song, as a senior elder of the regime, regularly remained in the capital and sat in court to decide criminal cases and appeals. He died on the twelfth day of the first month of 437, the third year of Taiyan, at the age of eighty and received the posthumous title Prince Xuan. During the reign of Emperor Xiaowen, Tuoba Hong, the court honored meritorious officials of earlier reigns and Zhangsun Song was accorded sacrificial commemoration in the ancestral temple.

Major Activities

Founding service and military campaigns

Zhangsun Song was an important founding figure of Northern Wei. When Tuoba Gui established the regime in 386, the first year of Dengguo, he appointed Zhangsun Song Chief of the Southern Division. Zhangsun Song then repeatedly campaigned for the new state: he joined Tuoba Gui against the Rouran in 391 and defeated the detachment led by Wuji at Pingwang River; pursued and defeated the defecting Qili leader Maoxian in 392; and took part in the 396 campaign against Zhongshan in Later Yan. In 410 he campaigned north against the Rouran. Although surrounded at Niuchuan, he coordinated with Emperor Mingyuan's personal relief campaign and forced the Rouran to withdraw. In 417 he supervised military affairs east of the Taihang Mountains and fought Liu Yu's Eastern Jin forces at Pancheng. The source states that, despite setbacks, he successfully constrained the Jin army.

Political activity and the "Eight Lords"

After Emperor Mingyuan took the throne, Zhangsun Song joined Xi Jin, An Tong, Cui Hong, and others in the group of eight officials seated by Zhiche Gate to deliberate and administer major affairs, later known as the "Eight Lords." They handled litigation, appointments, and the review of prisoners and were expected to act impartially. In 423, when the gravely ill Emperor Mingyuan asked about the succession, Zhangsun Song strongly supported the emperor's legitimate eldest son Tuoba Tao. The advice played an important role in the smooth transfer of power. Under Emperor Taiwu, Zhangsun Song repeatedly stayed behind in the capital as a senior statesman, presiding over court decisions in criminal and judicial matters.

Military confrontation with Liu Yu

In 417, the second year of Taichang, Liu Yu advanced westward along the Yellow River in his campaign against Later Qin. Emperor Mingyuan granted Zhangsun Song credentials and placed him in charge of military affairs east of the Taihang Mountains, with troops deployed along the north bank of the Yellow River at Pancheng. Liu Yu, seeing Zhangsun Song's banners and carriage canopies from his ships, sent him Linghu wine and foods from the south. Zhangsun Song forwarded all of these gifts to the capital, and Emperor Mingyuan ordered a generous return gift.

The emperor further instructed him to select elite troops. If Liu Yu crossed westward, Zhangsun Song was to move south toward Peng and Pei; if Liu Yu did not cross promptly, he was to shadow the army and wait until Liu Yu and Yao Hong were exhausted in confrontation before attacking. Zhangsun Song withdrew only after Liu Yu captured Chang'an.

Position in the succession question

In 423, the eighth year of Taichang, Emperor Mingyuan became seriously ill and asked about arrangements after his death. Zhangsun Song explicitly supported the legitimate eldest son Tuoba Tao, arguing that the eldest succession followed order and that virtue would win obedience; the eldest imperial son was both worthy and legitimate and therefore chosen by Heaven. This position was important to Tuoba Tao's smooth accession and helped establish Zhangsun Song's standing under Emperor Taiwu.

Personal Relations

Family

• Father: Zhangsun Ren, Chief of the Southern Division in Dai.
• Wife: Lady Duan of Yan, daughter of Duan Gan, who had served Later Yan as Bearer of Credentials, General Who Conquers the South, and Governor of Qing and Ji Provinces.
• Son: Zhangsun Tui, Northern Wei General Who Conquers the South and Prince An of Beiping.
• Son: Zhangsun Shou, Northern Wei Regular Mounted Attendant, General Who Conquers the West, and Prince Zhuang of Shu Commandery.
• Son: Zhangsun Difen, Northern Wei General Who Pacifies the East and Duke of Linchuan.

Rulers

• Tuoba Shiyiqian, Emperor Zhaocheng: ruler of his father's generation; Zhangsun Ren served as Chief of the Southern Division.
• Tuoba Gui, Emperor Daowu: Zhangsun Song submitted to him, supported the founding of Wei, and served as Chief of the Southern Division and Minister of Education.
• Tuoba Si, Emperor Mingyuan: Zhangsun Song served among the Eight Lords and helped establish Tuoba Tao as heir.
• Tuoba Tao, Emperor Taiwu: promoted Zhangsun Song to Prince of Beiping and appointed him Defender-in-chief and Pillar of State General-in-Chief. Although the emperor once humiliated him, he continued to entrust him with major responsibilities.

Colleagues

• Xi Jin: one of the Eight Lords and a fellow participant in debates over military strategy.
• An Tong: one of the Eight Lords and colleague in handling civil litigation.
• Cui Hong: one of the Eight Lords and fellow senior minister.
• Cui Hao: disagreed with Zhangsun Song over whether to campaign first against Hu Xia.
• Zhangsun Han: joined Zhangsun Song in debates over military strategy.

Historical Assessment

Northern and Southern Dynasties period

• Wei Shou's Book of Wei described Zhangsun Song as "generous and cultivated, with dignified bearing." He commanded troops in place of his father from the age of fourteen, served three reigns as a senior minister, and became a representative founding meritorious official of Northern Wei.
• When Emperor Mingyuan asked about the succession, Zhangsun Song strongly supported the legitimate eldest son Tuoba Tao and his advice was accepted, illustrating his political weight at the time.
• Although Emperor Taiwu once angrily accused him of corruption and humiliated him during a disagreement over military strategy, the emperor still promoted him to Defender-in-chief and continued to leave him in charge of the capital during campaigns, showing substantial trust.

Sui and Tang periods

• Works such as the "Treatise on Bibliography" in the Book of Sui included Zhangsun Song among the notable ministers of the Northern Dynasties as a founding figure of Northern Wei.
• The Tang-compiled Book of Jin and History of the Northern Dynasties both transmitted biographies or accounts of Zhangsun Song as an important early Northern Wei figure. Li Yanshou's History of the Northern Dynasties repeated the description that he was "generous and cultivated, with dignified bearing."
• The Tang painter Chen Hong painted an Image of the Eight Lords, including Zhangsun Song among the Northern Wei "Eight Lords," showing that he remained a representative famous minister in Tang historical memory.

Song and Yuan periods

• Sima Guang's Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance recorded Zhangsun Song's participation in major early Northern Wei military and political decisions and treated his position in the succession question favorably.
• Hu Sansheng, in his annotations to the Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, examined Zhangsun Song's origins and the history of his surname, reflecting continuing scholarly interest in his historical position.

Modern period

• Scholars including Chen Yinke have used the rule of the "Eight Lords" as an example when discussing the early Northern Wei transition from shared rule by tribal aristocrats toward greater concentration of imperial authority.
• Yao Weiyuan's Study of Non-Han Surnames of the Northern Dynasties made a specialized examination of the origins of Zhangsun Song's surname and the relationship between the Baba clan and Tuoba clans; its conclusions became influential in scholarship.
• Tian Yuqing's Studies on Tuoba History treats Zhangsun Song as a representative founding meritorious official of Northern Wei and analyzes his position and function within the northern Dai political group.