Yuwen Shiji - During Emperor Taizong's Reign

During Emperor Taizong's Reign

In summer 626, Li Shimin, fearful that Li Jiancheng was about to kill him, laid an ambush for Li Jiancheng and another brother, Li Yuanji the Prince of Qi, who had supported Li Jiancheng, at Xuanwu Gate and killed them. He then effectively forced Emperor Gaozu to first create him crown prince and then yield the throne to him (as Emperor Taizong). He reorganized the government, and as part of the reorganization, Yuwen Shiji was made the Zhongshu Ling (中書令), the head of the legislative bureau and clearly a chancellor.

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 (涼州, roughly modern Wuwei, Gansu). It was said that he impressed the people of Liang Prefecture with his dignity and grace, and was able to fend off attacks from Eastern Tujue. Subsequently, he was recalled to Chang'an to serve as Dianzhong Jian (殿中監), the head of the palace affairs bureau (殿中省) -- a high level post, but one not bestowed with great powers. Later, on account of illness, he was made the prefect of Pu Prefecture (蒲州, roughly modern Yuncheng, Shanxi), but was then recalled back to Chang'an to be a minor general. He was often invited to attend Emperor Taizong's feasts, but rarely spoke of what were happening at the feasts, not even to his wife. When Emperor Taizong reviewed the contributions of the officials to the founding of Tang Dynasty, he rewarded Yuwen Shiji by creating his son the Duke of Xincheng. In or around 635, he was again Dianzhong Jian. He 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.

Yuwen Shiji was praised for his kindness and care for his younger brother or brothers, and his nephews. He was also generous to his relatives, particularly the ones who were poor. However, he was also said to live luxuriously and wastefully. There was also an incident in which Emperor Taizong showed his favor for a tree, and subsequently, Yuwen repeatedly praised the tree, drawing a rebuke from Emperor Taizong:

Wei Zheng often told me to stay away from flatterers. I did not know whom he was referring to, and I thought it might be you. This proves it.

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. Emperor Taizong did not punish him.

Initially, the officials in charge of considering posthumous names recommended that he be given the posthumous name Gong (恭, "alert"). The official Liu Ji, citing Yuwen's wastefulness, rejected "Gong," instead suggesting "Zong" (縱, "unvirtuous"), and that became Yuwen's posthumous name.