The Consort Who Joined the Army: Chai Shao

The true narrative value of Chai Shao's life lies not in the labels “imperial son-in-law” and “meritorious official,” but in four tensions:

First, he was a former Sui official who had to bet on the rebellion against the Sui. Second, he was married into the Li family, yet had to leave his wife behind to join the cause. Third, he was Princess Pingyang's husband, yet lived for years in the enormous shadow of her “women's army.” Fourth, he was a founding hero, yet around the Xuanwu Gate Incident he had to choose anew which of the Li Tang contenders would prevail. To write Chai Shao is to write of his ability, ruthlessness, fear, and patience: his ability to read military affairs, his ruthlessness in sacrificing personal ties, his fear of being swallowed by his status as an in-law, and his patience in enduring until he finally secured his place in the Lingyan Pavilion.