Background
Gao Wei was born in 557, when his father Gao Dan was the Prince of Changguang under Emperor Wenxuan, Gao Dan's older brother. Gao Wei's mother was Gao Dan's wife Princess Hu, and he was her first son, but not his father Gao Dan's first son—as Gao Dan's concubine Lady Li also gave birth several hours earlier on the same day Princess Hu did, to Gao Chuo (高綽). However, as Princess Hu was his wife, Gao Dan publicly announced that Gao Wei was born first and treated him as the first-born. Thereafter, he was named Gao Dan's heir apparent.
In 561, another older brother of Gao Dan, Emperor Xiaozhao, died, leaving instructions for the throne to be passed to Gao Dan. Gao Dan therefore took the throne (as Emperor Wucheng). In 562, he created his wife Princess Hu empress and created Gao Wei crown prince. While Gao Wei was crown prince, he married the daughter of the key general Hulü Guang as his wife and crown princess.
In 565, with astrological signs indicating that the imperial position should be changed, Emperor Wucheng's favored officials He Shikai and Zu Ting, wanting to ingratiate themselves with Empress Hu and Gao Wei as well, suggested that Emperor Wucheng avoid the ill fortune by passing the throne to Gao Wei. Emperor Wucheng agreed, and Gao Wei, at age eight, became emperor, although Emperor Wucheng, carrying the title of Taishang Huang (retired emperor), retained the actual powers. Emperor Wucheng created Gao Wei's wife Crown Princess Hulü empress.
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