Yang Zhao

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Yang Zhao (584–606) was a crown prince of the Sui dynasty. He was the oldest son of Emperor Yang (Yang Guang) and Empress Xiao, and was raised by his grandparents, Emperor Wen and Empress Dugu. He is posthumously known as Emperor Xiaocheng and was given the temple name Shizong during his son Yang Tong’s brief reign.

Born in February 584, Yang Zhao was first named Prince of Henan in 590. He initially married Cui Hongsheng’s daughter, but after a scandal involving Cui’s aunt in 597, he divorced and married Wei Shou’s daughter, who held the title of princess.

In 601, he was made Prince of Jin. After Emperor Wen died in 604, Yang Guang became Emperor Yang and moved the capital to Luoyang, leaving Yang Zhao in charge at Chang’an. In 605, Yang Zhao was formally made crown prince.

In 606, he traveled to Luoyang to greet his parents and stayed for several months. He wished to remain longer, but his request was denied. Because he had to kneel before his father repeatedly and he was very overweight, he became ill from the strain and died that summer.

Yang Zhao had three sons: Yang Yan, Yang Tong, and Yang You. When Yang Tong eventually seized the throne in 618 amid the dynasty’s collapse, Yang Zhao was posthumously honored as Emperor Xiaocheng.