Zhang Ji , courtesy name Yisun , was a poet born in during the Tang Dynasty. He is credited under the name Chang Tsi as the author of the original Chinese text for the second movement of Das Lied von der Erde by Gustav Mahler. The movement's title is "Der Einsame im Herbst" in German and "The Lonely Soul of Autumn" in English. The lyrics lament the dying of flowers and the passing of beauty.
Zhang is also credited with an untitled work listed as ''Fengqiao Yebo'' in the classic anthology ''Three Hundred Tang Poems''.
The identity of Mahler's Chang Tsi, sometimes Tchang-Tsi and Ts'ien-Ts'i, has not been definitively determined because the Western translation of the name corresponds to several combinations of Chinese characters, and the text as adapted by Mahler, after very free treatment by more than one translator, is hard to match to a specific Chinese original. Some believe he is Chang Tsi whereas others think that he is his companion Chien Chi .
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Yuan Zhen
Yuan Zhen , courtesy name Weizhi , was an important Chinese writer and poet in the middle Tang Dynasty known for his work ''Yingying's Biography''.
A native of Luoyang, Yuan was a descendant of Northern Wei's ruling elites. He lost his father at the age of eight and moved to Fengxiang, near today's with his mother Lady Zheng . Yuan began his writings at the age of fifteen, he was a member of Bai Juyi's literary circle and a key figure in the ancient literature revival. He was a friend of Bai Juyi and also of Xue Tao, a courtesan and famous poet who might have been his lover.
Yuan was the author of ''Yingying's Biography'' which was adapted for operas and songs. In 813, he wrote a grave inscription for Du Fu, which contains some of the earliest known praise for his predecessor's works.
A native of Luoyang, Yuan was a descendant of Northern Wei's ruling elites. He lost his father at the age of eight and moved to Fengxiang, near today's with his mother Lady Zheng . Yuan began his writings at the age of fifteen, he was a member of Bai Juyi's literary circle and a key figure in the ancient literature revival. He was a friend of Bai Juyi and also of Xue Tao, a courtesan and famous poet who might have been his lover.
Yuan was the author of ''Yingying's Biography'' which was adapted for operas and songs. In 813, he wrote a grave inscription for Du Fu, which contains some of the earliest known praise for his predecessor's works.
Yu Xuanji
Yu Xuanji , courtesy names Youwei and Huilan , was a born in Chang'an during the Tang Dynasty. She is distinctive for being the first Chinese poet to break the conventional passive voice of women in poetry and lyrics. She is the first Chinese feminist poet.
Yu was married as a concubine to Li Yi at 16, and after separating three years later she became a courtesan and a Daoist nun. She was a fellow of Wen Tingyun, to whom she addressed a number of poems. She died early, at the age of 26.
In her lifetime, her poems were published as a collection called ''Fragments of a Northern Dreamland'', which has been lost. The forty-nine surviving poems were collected in the Song Dynasty mainly for their freak value in an anthology that also included poems from ghosts and foreigners. Apart from names and dates in her poems, the tabloid-style Little Tablet from the Three Rivers gives the only facts about her life, although these are selacious in detail: that she had an affair with Wen Tingyun, lived a scandalously promiscuous life, and was executed for beating her maid to death.
In the 2000s, her work was translated by Stephen Owen, Justin Hill and David Young.
Yu was married as a concubine to Li Yi at 16, and after separating three years later she became a courtesan and a Daoist nun. She was a fellow of Wen Tingyun, to whom she addressed a number of poems. She died early, at the age of 26.
In her lifetime, her poems were published as a collection called ''Fragments of a Northern Dreamland'', which has been lost. The forty-nine surviving poems were collected in the Song Dynasty mainly for their freak value in an anthology that also included poems from ghosts and foreigners. Apart from names and dates in her poems, the tabloid-style Little Tablet from the Three Rivers gives the only facts about her life, although these are selacious in detail: that she had an affair with Wen Tingyun, lived a scandalously promiscuous life, and was executed for beating her maid to death.
In the 2000s, her work was translated by Stephen Owen, Justin Hill and David Young.
Xue Tao
Xue Tao , courtesy name Hongdu , together with Yu Xuanji and Li Zhi was one of the three famous female from the Tang Dynasty.
Xue was the daughter of a minor government official in Changan, which was the Chinese capital during the Tang Dynasty. Her father, Xue Yun was transferred to Chengdu, when she was still little. Her father died before she became an adult, but it's possible that she got some literary education from him.
Since her mother, Lady Pei did not return to Changan, it is possible that they were too poor to do so. Xue was registered with the guild of courtesans and entertainers in Chengdu.
Her poetry attracted the attention Wei Gao , the military governor of Jiannan and Xichuan Circuit and was made his official hostess. In this position she met poets like Bo Juyi and Yuan Zhen, with whom she became close.
Since Wei Gao left Xue provided for, she was able to live independently until her death. A contemporary wrote that she became a priestess.
Some 450 poems by Xue were gathered in ''The Brocade River Collection'' that survived until the 1300s. About 100 poems of her are known nowadays, which is more than of any other Tang dynasty woman.
Xue was the daughter of a minor government official in Changan, which was the Chinese capital during the Tang Dynasty. Her father, Xue Yun was transferred to Chengdu, when she was still little. Her father died before she became an adult, but it's possible that she got some literary education from him.
Since her mother, Lady Pei did not return to Changan, it is possible that they were too poor to do so. Xue was registered with the guild of courtesans and entertainers in Chengdu.
Her poetry attracted the attention Wei Gao , the military governor of Jiannan and Xichuan Circuit and was made his official hostess. In this position she met poets like Bo Juyi and Yuan Zhen, with whom she became close.
Since Wei Gao left Xue provided for, she was able to live independently until her death. A contemporary wrote that she became a priestess.
Some 450 poems by Xue were gathered in ''The Brocade River Collection'' that survived until the 1300s. About 100 poems of her are known nowadays, which is more than of any other Tang dynasty woman.
Xiao Zhizhong
Xiao Zhizhong was an official of the dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Wu Zetian's sons and and grandsons and . He was known for his willingness to point out corruption in high level officials, but was later himself implicated as a partisan of the powerful Princess Taiping and executed in 713 when Emperor Xuanzong suppressed Princess Taiping's party.
It is not known when Xiao Zhizhong was born, but it is known that his family was from Yi Prefecture . His family traced its ancestry back to Xiao Zhuo , the father of Liu Song's Empress Dowager Xiao Wenshou , whose line then served as officials for Liu Song and its succeeding Southern Dynasties Southern Qi, Liang Dynasty, and Chen Dynasty. Xiao Zhizhong's great-grandfather Xiao Deyan served as the deputy head of the archival bureau during Tang Dynasty, and Xiao Zhizhong's grandfather Xiao Shen and father Xiao Anjie also served as officials, but in lesser positions.
In his youth, Xiao Zhizhong successively served as the sheriff of Yijue and Luoyang Counties -- both parts of the Tang eastern capital Luoyang, which later served as the capital for Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty. On one occasion, when he was set to meet a friend at an intersection, there was a sudden snowstorm, and the people around him all scattered to look for cover, but Xiao, believing that he needed to keep his word to the friend, stayed at the intersection until the friend appeared. At one point during Wu Zetian's reign, he was made ''Jiancha Yushi'' , a low-level imperial censor, when he became known for daring to file an indictment against the Su Weidao, on charges that Su had illegally seized land from his neighbors, and Su was removed from his position. Xiao became well-known for this indictment and began to develop a reputation for being willing to indict powerful people for crimes. On an occasion, when his superior, the chief imperial censor Li Chengjia , stated to the censors, "How can it be that you indict people without informing me?" None of the other censors dared to respond, but Xiao responded, "In the past, there was no supervisor among censors. The censors are supposed to serve as the ears and the eyes of the Son of Heaven, and what they submit should directly reach the emperor. If we have to receive approval from the chief imperial censor, then what would happen when the chief imperial censor is the one who is to be indicted?" Li turned away, embarrassed.
In 705, Wu Zetian was overthrown in a coup, and her son and crown prince , a former emperor whom she had removed in 694, was restored . Emperor Zhongzong's cousin Wu Sansi, who was also the lover of Emperor Zhongzong's wife , soon became exceedingly powerful, and Xiao Zhizhong became a member of Wu Sansi's party. On account of that, he was promoted to be ''Yushi Zhongcheng'' , the deputy chief imperial censor, and with Wu Sansi's support, he continued to be willing to indict powerful people, including Li Chengjia, Zhu Qinming, and Dou Xijie . He was soon given the additional responsibility as deputy minister of civil service affairs , and continued to serve as deputy chief imperial censor as well. Again with Wu Sansi's support, it was said that he selected officials without outside influence and refused all lobbying and bribes.
In 707, Emperor Zhongzong's son Li Chongjun the Crown Prince, born of a concubine, was angry at insults repeatedly thrown at him by his sister Li Guo'er the Princess Anle and her husband Wu Chongxun and Li Guo'er's repeated attempts to become crown princess to displace him. He rose in rebellion and killed Wu Sansi and Wu Chongxun and then marched on to the palace, seeking to arrest Empress Wei, Li Guo'er, and another concubine of Emperor Zhongzong's, , who also had an affair with Wu Sansi, but was soon defeated and killed in flight. In the aftermaths of Li Chongjun's rebellion, there were investigations into anyone who might have conspired with Li Chongju. The chancellors Zong Chuke and Ji Chuna, aligned with Empress Wei, had the censor Ran Zuyong accuse Emperor Zhongzong's brother the Prince of Xiang and sister Princess Taiping of having conspired with Li Chongjun. Emperor Zhongzong requested Xiao to investigate, but Xiao, weeping, responded:
Emperor Zhongzong accepted Xiao's words and took no further actions on the matter. Later in the year, he made Xiao ''Huangmen Shilang'' , the deputy head of the examination bureau , and also gave Xiao the designation ''Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin'' , making Xiao a chancellor ''de facto''. At that time, powerful persons were often able not only to get their family members and friends made officials, but further be made officials near the capital Chang'an. Xiao submitted a petition asking Emperor Zhongzong to stop the practice and have the powerful people's family members and friends be sent out to the prefectures, so that people without powerful connections would have a chance to be promoted. Emperor Zhongzong did not accept his suggestion.
In 709, Xiao was made ''Shizhong'' , the head of the examination bureau and a post considered one for a chancellor and was also responsible for editing the imperial history. Later in the year, he was made ''Zhongshu Ling'' , the head of the legislative bureau , still a chancellor. At that time, Zong and Ji were organizing a faction in supporting Empress Wei, and other chancellors Wei Juyuan, Yang Zaisi, and Li Jiao went along with what this powerful faction wanted to do. Xiao along did not do so and was much praised in popular opinion for this, and Emperor Zhongzong once commented, "Among the chancellors, Zhizhong cares about me the most." Nevertheless, Xiao gave his deceased daughter in a to Empress Wei's deceased brother Wei Xun , and also married a daughter to a son of Empress Wei's uncle Cui Congli . On the day of the wedding, Emperor Zhongzong presided on the Xiao side, and Empress Wei presided on the Cui side, leading to a popular comment, "The Son of Heaven is giving away a daughter, and the Empress is taking in a daughter-in-law." Sometime during Emperor Zhongzong's reign, Xiao was also created the Duke of Zan.
In 710, Emperor Zhongzong died suddenly -- a death that traditional historians believed to be a poisoning by Empress Wei and Li Guo'er, so that Empress Wei could eventually become "emperor" like Wu Zetian, and Li Guo'er could become crown princess. Meanwhile, though, Emperor Zhongzong's son by another concubine, the Prince of Wen, was named emperor , but Empress Wei retained power as empress dowager and regent. Xiao remained chancellor. Less than a month later, Princess Taiping and Li Dan's son the Prince of Linzi rose in rebellion, killing Empress Wei and Li Guo'er. Li Dan became regent over Emperor Shang. Xiao, upon hearing of Empress Wei's death, went to the tomb where his daughter and Wei Xun were jointly buried and dug out his daughter's casket. Still, he was considered a member of Empress Wei's party and was set to be punished, but Princess Taiping spoke on his behalf, and he was only demoted to be the prefect of Xu Prefecture .
Several days later, Li Dan took the throne himself , and Emperor Shang was deposed and again took the title of Prince of Wen. Almost immediately, Xiao Zhizhong was recalled to again serve as ''Zhongshu Ling'', but later in the year was again demoted to be a prefectural prefect, this time to Jin Prefecture . He was said to be an effective governor while serving there. It was said that when am emissary sent by the Eastern Tujue khan Ashina Mochuo went through Jin Prefecture while on the way to Chang'an and saw Xiao, he was surprised by Xiao's appearance and stated to another person, "He should be serving the Son of Heaven. Why is he here at a prefecture?" While at Jin Prefecture, Xiao sent messages to Princess Taiping -- who by now was in a rivalry with Li Longji, whom Emperor Ruizong created crown prince -- offering to join her faction, and Princess Taiping also believed that because one of Xiao's sons died in the coup, he might be discontent and she might be able to use that to her advantage. In 712, at her recommendation, Xiao was recalled to serve as the minister of justice . It was said that his brother-in-law Jiang Qinxu warned him that siding with Princess Taiping was dangerous, but he paid no heed to Jiang's warnings. On another occasion, when he came out of Princess Taiping's mansion, he happened to encounter Song Jing, who was at one point a censor serving under him, and Song semi-joked, "This is not what we expect of you, Professor Xiao." Xiao responded in the manner one would toward a student, "You, Mr. Song, speak capably." However, he did not take Song's warning either.
Later in 712, Emperor Ruizong passed the throne to Li Longji, who took the throne as Emperor Xuanzong, but Emperor Ruizong continued to wield actual power as ''Taishang Huang'' at Princess Taiping's urging. Xiao Zhizhong was soon made the minister of civil service affairs , and in spring 713 was made ''Zhongshu Ling'' again, and again created the Duke of Zan. Soon thereafter, the work ''Xingzuxilu'' , which compiled the family trees of prominent clans, edited by Xiao, Dou Huaizhen, Wei Zhigu, Cui Shi, Lu Xiangxian, Liu Cong , Xu Jian , and Liu Zixuan, was completed, and all of them were awarded with silk.
By 713, it was said that Princess Taiping, Dou, Cen Xi, Xiao, Cui; along with other officials Xue Ji, Li Jin the Prince of Xinxing , Li You , Jia Yingfu , Tang Jun ; the generals Chang Yuankai , Li Ci , and Li Qin ; and the monk Huifan , were plotting to overthrow Emperor Xuanzong. It was further said that they discussed, with the lady in waiting Lady Yuan to poison an aphrodisiac that Emperor Xuanzong took regularly known as ''chijian'' ). When this alleged plot was reported to Emperor Xuanzong by Wei, Emperor Xuanzong, who had already received advice from Wang Ju , Zhang Shuo, and Cui Riyong to act first, did so. He convened a meeting with his brothers Li Fan the Prince of Qi, Li Ye the Prince of Xue, Guo Yuanzhen, along with a number of his associates — the general Wang Maozhong , the officials Jiang Jiao and Li Lingwen , his brother-in-law Wang Shouyi , the eunuch Gao Lishi, and the military officer Li Shoude — and decided to act first. On July 29,, Emperor Xuanzong had Wang Maozhong take 300 soldiers to the imperial guard camp to behead Chang and Li Ci. Then, Jia, Li You, Xiao, and Cen were arrested and executed as well.
It was said that Xiao was thrifty in his living style and free of corruption, but did little to give his wealth to others or to host guests, and therefore his salaries were saved. When he was executed, he had considerable properties that were confiscated.
Background
It is not known when Xiao Zhizhong was born, but it is known that his family was from Yi Prefecture . His family traced its ancestry back to Xiao Zhuo , the father of Liu Song's Empress Dowager Xiao Wenshou , whose line then served as officials for Liu Song and its succeeding Southern Dynasties Southern Qi, Liang Dynasty, and Chen Dynasty. Xiao Zhizhong's great-grandfather Xiao Deyan served as the deputy head of the archival bureau during Tang Dynasty, and Xiao Zhizhong's grandfather Xiao Shen and father Xiao Anjie also served as officials, but in lesser positions.
In his youth, Xiao Zhizhong successively served as the sheriff of Yijue and Luoyang Counties -- both parts of the Tang eastern capital Luoyang, which later served as the capital for Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty. On one occasion, when he was set to meet a friend at an intersection, there was a sudden snowstorm, and the people around him all scattered to look for cover, but Xiao, believing that he needed to keep his word to the friend, stayed at the intersection until the friend appeared. At one point during Wu Zetian's reign, he was made ''Jiancha Yushi'' , a low-level imperial censor, when he became known for daring to file an indictment against the Su Weidao, on charges that Su had illegally seized land from his neighbors, and Su was removed from his position. Xiao became well-known for this indictment and began to develop a reputation for being willing to indict powerful people for crimes. On an occasion, when his superior, the chief imperial censor Li Chengjia , stated to the censors, "How can it be that you indict people without informing me?" None of the other censors dared to respond, but Xiao responded, "In the past, there was no supervisor among censors. The censors are supposed to serve as the ears and the eyes of the Son of Heaven, and what they submit should directly reach the emperor. If we have to receive approval from the chief imperial censor, then what would happen when the chief imperial censor is the one who is to be indicted?" Li turned away, embarrassed.
During Emperor Zhongzong's second reign and Emperor Shang's reign
In 705, Wu Zetian was overthrown in a coup, and her son and crown prince , a former emperor whom she had removed in 694, was restored . Emperor Zhongzong's cousin Wu Sansi, who was also the lover of Emperor Zhongzong's wife , soon became exceedingly powerful, and Xiao Zhizhong became a member of Wu Sansi's party. On account of that, he was promoted to be ''Yushi Zhongcheng'' , the deputy chief imperial censor, and with Wu Sansi's support, he continued to be willing to indict powerful people, including Li Chengjia, Zhu Qinming, and Dou Xijie . He was soon given the additional responsibility as deputy minister of civil service affairs , and continued to serve as deputy chief imperial censor as well. Again with Wu Sansi's support, it was said that he selected officials without outside influence and refused all lobbying and bribes.
In 707, Emperor Zhongzong's son Li Chongjun the Crown Prince, born of a concubine, was angry at insults repeatedly thrown at him by his sister Li Guo'er the Princess Anle and her husband Wu Chongxun and Li Guo'er's repeated attempts to become crown princess to displace him. He rose in rebellion and killed Wu Sansi and Wu Chongxun and then marched on to the palace, seeking to arrest Empress Wei, Li Guo'er, and another concubine of Emperor Zhongzong's, , who also had an affair with Wu Sansi, but was soon defeated and killed in flight. In the aftermaths of Li Chongjun's rebellion, there were investigations into anyone who might have conspired with Li Chongju. The chancellors Zong Chuke and Ji Chuna, aligned with Empress Wei, had the censor Ran Zuyong accuse Emperor Zhongzong's brother the Prince of Xiang and sister Princess Taiping of having conspired with Li Chongjun. Emperor Zhongzong requested Xiao to investigate, but Xiao, weeping, responded:
Emperor Zhongzong accepted Xiao's words and took no further actions on the matter. Later in the year, he made Xiao ''Huangmen Shilang'' , the deputy head of the examination bureau , and also gave Xiao the designation ''Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin'' , making Xiao a chancellor ''de facto''. At that time, powerful persons were often able not only to get their family members and friends made officials, but further be made officials near the capital Chang'an. Xiao submitted a petition asking Emperor Zhongzong to stop the practice and have the powerful people's family members and friends be sent out to the prefectures, so that people without powerful connections would have a chance to be promoted. Emperor Zhongzong did not accept his suggestion.
In 709, Xiao was made ''Shizhong'' , the head of the examination bureau and a post considered one for a chancellor and was also responsible for editing the imperial history. Later in the year, he was made ''Zhongshu Ling'' , the head of the legislative bureau , still a chancellor. At that time, Zong and Ji were organizing a faction in supporting Empress Wei, and other chancellors Wei Juyuan, Yang Zaisi, and Li Jiao went along with what this powerful faction wanted to do. Xiao along did not do so and was much praised in popular opinion for this, and Emperor Zhongzong once commented, "Among the chancellors, Zhizhong cares about me the most." Nevertheless, Xiao gave his deceased daughter in a to Empress Wei's deceased brother Wei Xun , and also married a daughter to a son of Empress Wei's uncle Cui Congli . On the day of the wedding, Emperor Zhongzong presided on the Xiao side, and Empress Wei presided on the Cui side, leading to a popular comment, "The Son of Heaven is giving away a daughter, and the Empress is taking in a daughter-in-law." Sometime during Emperor Zhongzong's reign, Xiao was also created the Duke of Zan.
In 710, Emperor Zhongzong died suddenly -- a death that traditional historians believed to be a poisoning by Empress Wei and Li Guo'er, so that Empress Wei could eventually become "emperor" like Wu Zetian, and Li Guo'er could become crown princess. Meanwhile, though, Emperor Zhongzong's son by another concubine, the Prince of Wen, was named emperor , but Empress Wei retained power as empress dowager and regent. Xiao remained chancellor. Less than a month later, Princess Taiping and Li Dan's son the Prince of Linzi rose in rebellion, killing Empress Wei and Li Guo'er. Li Dan became regent over Emperor Shang. Xiao, upon hearing of Empress Wei's death, went to the tomb where his daughter and Wei Xun were jointly buried and dug out his daughter's casket. Still, he was considered a member of Empress Wei's party and was set to be punished, but Princess Taiping spoke on his behalf, and he was only demoted to be the prefect of Xu Prefecture .
During Emperor Ruizong's second reign
Several days later, Li Dan took the throne himself , and Emperor Shang was deposed and again took the title of Prince of Wen. Almost immediately, Xiao Zhizhong was recalled to again serve as ''Zhongshu Ling'', but later in the year was again demoted to be a prefectural prefect, this time to Jin Prefecture . He was said to be an effective governor while serving there. It was said that when am emissary sent by the Eastern Tujue khan Ashina Mochuo went through Jin Prefecture while on the way to Chang'an and saw Xiao, he was surprised by Xiao's appearance and stated to another person, "He should be serving the Son of Heaven. Why is he here at a prefecture?" While at Jin Prefecture, Xiao sent messages to Princess Taiping -- who by now was in a rivalry with Li Longji, whom Emperor Ruizong created crown prince -- offering to join her faction, and Princess Taiping also believed that because one of Xiao's sons died in the coup, he might be discontent and she might be able to use that to her advantage. In 712, at her recommendation, Xiao was recalled to serve as the minister of justice . It was said that his brother-in-law Jiang Qinxu warned him that siding with Princess Taiping was dangerous, but he paid no heed to Jiang's warnings. On another occasion, when he came out of Princess Taiping's mansion, he happened to encounter Song Jing, who was at one point a censor serving under him, and Song semi-joked, "This is not what we expect of you, Professor Xiao." Xiao responded in the manner one would toward a student, "You, Mr. Song, speak capably." However, he did not take Song's warning either.
During Emperor Xuanzong's reign
Later in 712, Emperor Ruizong passed the throne to Li Longji, who took the throne as Emperor Xuanzong, but Emperor Ruizong continued to wield actual power as ''Taishang Huang'' at Princess Taiping's urging. Xiao Zhizhong was soon made the minister of civil service affairs , and in spring 713 was made ''Zhongshu Ling'' again, and again created the Duke of Zan. Soon thereafter, the work ''Xingzuxilu'' , which compiled the family trees of prominent clans, edited by Xiao, Dou Huaizhen, Wei Zhigu, Cui Shi, Lu Xiangxian, Liu Cong , Xu Jian , and Liu Zixuan, was completed, and all of them were awarded with silk.
By 713, it was said that Princess Taiping, Dou, Cen Xi, Xiao, Cui; along with other officials Xue Ji, Li Jin the Prince of Xinxing , Li You , Jia Yingfu , Tang Jun ; the generals Chang Yuankai , Li Ci , and Li Qin ; and the monk Huifan , were plotting to overthrow Emperor Xuanzong. It was further said that they discussed, with the lady in waiting Lady Yuan to poison an aphrodisiac that Emperor Xuanzong took regularly known as ''chijian'' ). When this alleged plot was reported to Emperor Xuanzong by Wei, Emperor Xuanzong, who had already received advice from Wang Ju , Zhang Shuo, and Cui Riyong to act first, did so. He convened a meeting with his brothers Li Fan the Prince of Qi, Li Ye the Prince of Xue, Guo Yuanzhen, along with a number of his associates — the general Wang Maozhong , the officials Jiang Jiao and Li Lingwen , his brother-in-law Wang Shouyi , the eunuch Gao Lishi, and the military officer Li Shoude — and decided to act first. On July 29,, Emperor Xuanzong had Wang Maozhong take 300 soldiers to the imperial guard camp to behead Chang and Li Ci. Then, Jia, Li You, Xiao, and Cen were arrested and executed as well.
It was said that Xiao was thrifty in his living style and free of corruption, but did little to give his wealth to others or to host guests, and therefore his salaries were saved. When he was executed, he had considerable properties that were confiscated.
Wei Zhuang
Wei Zhuang , courtesy name Duanyi , was a Chinese poet and period historical figure, is best known for his poetry in '''' and '''' styles. He was born into a family of minor scholars in Duling county, a town southwest of the capital Changan.
He seems to have begun his official career at the age of forty-four, when he passed the metropolitan examination. His writings of the period are concerned with festive surroundings and friends. In the same year of 880 the Huang Chao's rebellion destroyed the capital and forced the court to remove itself to Sichuan. Wei himself was held captive by the rebels. Wei’s long poem ''Ballad of the Lady Jin'' perhaps recounts these events. Subsequently Wei wandered for ten years. In 894, Wei passed the Jinshi examination, enabling him to secure an official post. However in 896, the Li Maozhen's rebellion led to further dislocations. In 901, proclaimed himself ruler of the court. Wei would eventually become prime minister of the Shu Kingdom. Wei had perhaps perceived the inevitable end of the Tang ruling house and attached himself to the new kingdom in Chengdu. He spent his final years in a compilation of Tang poems as well as his own collected verse.
He seems to have begun his official career at the age of forty-four, when he passed the metropolitan examination. His writings of the period are concerned with festive surroundings and friends. In the same year of 880 the Huang Chao's rebellion destroyed the capital and forced the court to remove itself to Sichuan. Wei himself was held captive by the rebels. Wei’s long poem ''Ballad of the Lady Jin'' perhaps recounts these events. Subsequently Wei wandered for ten years. In 894, Wei passed the Jinshi examination, enabling him to secure an official post. However in 896, the Li Maozhen's rebellion led to further dislocations. In 901, proclaimed himself ruler of the court. Wei would eventually become prime minister of the Shu Kingdom. Wei had perhaps perceived the inevitable end of the Tang ruling house and attached himself to the new kingdom in Chengdu. He spent his final years in a compilation of Tang poems as well as his own collected verse.
Wei Zhigu
Wei Zhigu , formally Duke Zhong of Liang , was an official of the dynasty Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, serving as a during the reigns of and .
Wei Zhigu was born in 647, during the reign of . His family was from Shen Prefecture , but nothing else is known about his ancestors. In his youth, he was known for honesty and abilities, and he passed the imperial examinations. He was eventually made ''Zhuzuo Lang'' , a low level official at the archival bureau , and was involved in editing imperial histories.
During the ''Chang'an'' era of Emperor Taizong's daughter-in-law Wu Zetian , Wei Zhigu successively served as ''Fengge Sheren'' -- a mid-level official at the legislative bureau of government -- and deputy minister of military supplies . He was also made the military advisor to Wu Zetian's son the Prince of Xiang.
In 705, Wu Zetian was overthrown in a coup, and Li Dan's older brother the Crown Prince, a former emperor, returned to the throne . Soon thereafter, Wei Zhigu was made deputy minister of civil service affairs and was again responsible for editing imperial histories. He also soon received the honorific title ''Yinqing Guanglu Daifu'' . In 706, he left public service to observe a mourning period for his mother, but before the mourning period was over, he was recalled to serve as the prefect of Jin Prefecture .
In 710, Emperor Zhongzong died, and after power struggle at court, Li Dan, himself a former emperor, took the throne again . On account of Wei Zhigu's previously having served him, he recalled Wei to the capital Chang'an to serve as ''Huangmen Shilang'' , the deputy head of the examination bureau , and had him resume editing the imperial histories. In 711, he was made ''You Sanqi Changshi'' , a senior advisor at the legislative bureau . At that time, Emperor Ruizong was expending much funds and efforts to build Taoist temples for his daughters Princesses Jinxian and Yuzhen, who had become Taoist nuns. Wei wrote two earnestly-worded petitions asking that the projects be stopped. Emperor Ruizong did not accept them, but thanked him for his honesty and gave him the designation ''Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi'' , making him a ''de facto''. Also at that time, he was made ''Zuo Sanqi Changshi'' , moving him from the legislative bureau to the examination bureau. He was also made a member of the staff of Emperor Ruizong's crown prince . Soon thereafter, he was made the minister of census .
In 712, Emperor Ruizong passed the throne to Li Longji, who took the throne as Emperor Xuanzong, but Emperor Ruizong retained imperial powers as ''Taishang Huang'' . Soon thereafter, Wei Zhigu was made ''Shizhong'' , the head of the examination bureau and a post considered one for a chancellor. In winter 712, when he accompanied Emperor Xuanzong on a hunt, he wrote a poem that suggested to Emperor Xuanzong that he should not hunt frequently, due to the expense and dangers involved. Emperor Xuanzong wrote an edict thanking him and awarding him with silk.
In 713, Wei was created the Duke of Liang. At that time, the power struggles between Emperor Xuanzong and his aunt Princess Taiping were coming to a head. It was said that Princess Taiping, Dou Huaizhen, Cen Xi, Xiao Zhizhong, Cui Shi; along with other officials Xue Ji, Li Jin the Prince of Xinxing , Li You , Jia Yingfu , Tang Jun ; the generals Chang Yuankai , Li Ci , and Li Qin ; and the monk Huifan , were plotting to overthrow Emperor Xuanzong. It was further said that they discussed, with the lady in waiting Lady Yuan to poison an aphrodisiac that Emperor Xuanzong took regularly known as ''chijian'' ). When this alleged plot was reported to Emperor Xuanzong by Wei, Emperor Xuanzong, who had already received advice from Wang Ju , Zhang Shuo, and Cui Riyong to act first, did so. He convened a meeting with his brothers Li Fan the Prince of Qi, Li Ye the Prince of Xue, Guo, along with a number of his associates — the general Wang Maozhong , the officials Jiang Jiao and Li Lingwen , his brother-in-law Wang Shouyi , the eunuch Gao Lishi, and the military officer Li Shoude — and decided to act first. On July 29, Emperor Xuanzong had Wang Maozhong take 300 soldiers to the imperial guard camp to behead Chang and Li Ci. Then, Jia, Li You, Xiao, and Cen were arrested and executed as well. Dou and Princess Taiping committed suicide. When Emperor Ruizong heard about the incident, he ascended the tower at Chengtian Gate to try to ascertain what was happening, and it was Guo who informed him what happened. Emperor Ruizong subsequently yieldedpowers to Emperor Xuanzong and no longer actively participated in policy decisions thereafter. For Wei's contributions, Emperor Xuanzong enlarged his fief and awarded him with silk. In winter 713, Wei went to the eastern capital Luoyang to carry out a selection process for officials there, and was considered to have done an exceptional job, drawing praises from Emperor Xuanzong. As Emperor Xuanzong carried out major revisions of names of official titles and offices in 713, Wei's title as the head of the examination bureau was changed to ''Huangmen Jian'' , as the bureau itself was renamed ''Huangmen Sheng'' .
That trip to Luoyang, however, would indirectly lead to Wei's fall. By this point, Yao Chong, who had previously served as Wei's superior during Wu Zetian's reign, was again chancellor and was well-trusted by Emperor Xuanzong. While Wei was in Luoyang, two of Yao's sons, then serving as officials at Luoyang, were accepting bribes and using their father's connections with Wei to make requests of Wei, displeasing Wei. Further, Yao aggravated Wei by having Song Jing review the decisions that Wei made while at Luoyang. After Wei returned to Chang'an, he reported what had happened with Yao's sons in Luoyang. Emperor Xuanzong summoned Yao, initially ready to question him, but Yao realized what had happened and preemptively reported on his sons, implying that his sons had only dared to make requests of Wei because of Yao's own good treatment of Wei when Wei was a subordinate. Emperor Xuanzong, now believing that Wei was ungrateful, wanted to remove Wei, but ultimately only demoted Wei to be the minister of public works , no longer a chancellor. Wei died in 715.
Background
Wei Zhigu was born in 647, during the reign of . His family was from Shen Prefecture , but nothing else is known about his ancestors. In his youth, he was known for honesty and abilities, and he passed the imperial examinations. He was eventually made ''Zhuzuo Lang'' , a low level official at the archival bureau , and was involved in editing imperial histories.
During Wu Zetian's reign
During the ''Chang'an'' era of Emperor Taizong's daughter-in-law Wu Zetian , Wei Zhigu successively served as ''Fengge Sheren'' -- a mid-level official at the legislative bureau of government -- and deputy minister of military supplies . He was also made the military advisor to Wu Zetian's son the Prince of Xiang.
During Emperor Zhongzong's second reign
In 705, Wu Zetian was overthrown in a coup, and Li Dan's older brother the Crown Prince, a former emperor, returned to the throne . Soon thereafter, Wei Zhigu was made deputy minister of civil service affairs and was again responsible for editing imperial histories. He also soon received the honorific title ''Yinqing Guanglu Daifu'' . In 706, he left public service to observe a mourning period for his mother, but before the mourning period was over, he was recalled to serve as the prefect of Jin Prefecture .
During Emperor Ruizong's second reign
In 710, Emperor Zhongzong died, and after power struggle at court, Li Dan, himself a former emperor, took the throne again . On account of Wei Zhigu's previously having served him, he recalled Wei to the capital Chang'an to serve as ''Huangmen Shilang'' , the deputy head of the examination bureau , and had him resume editing the imperial histories. In 711, he was made ''You Sanqi Changshi'' , a senior advisor at the legislative bureau . At that time, Emperor Ruizong was expending much funds and efforts to build Taoist temples for his daughters Princesses Jinxian and Yuzhen, who had become Taoist nuns. Wei wrote two earnestly-worded petitions asking that the projects be stopped. Emperor Ruizong did not accept them, but thanked him for his honesty and gave him the designation ''Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi'' , making him a ''de facto''. Also at that time, he was made ''Zuo Sanqi Changshi'' , moving him from the legislative bureau to the examination bureau. He was also made a member of the staff of Emperor Ruizong's crown prince . Soon thereafter, he was made the minister of census .
During Emperor Xuanzong's reign
In 712, Emperor Ruizong passed the throne to Li Longji, who took the throne as Emperor Xuanzong, but Emperor Ruizong retained imperial powers as ''Taishang Huang'' . Soon thereafter, Wei Zhigu was made ''Shizhong'' , the head of the examination bureau and a post considered one for a chancellor. In winter 712, when he accompanied Emperor Xuanzong on a hunt, he wrote a poem that suggested to Emperor Xuanzong that he should not hunt frequently, due to the expense and dangers involved. Emperor Xuanzong wrote an edict thanking him and awarding him with silk.
In 713, Wei was created the Duke of Liang. At that time, the power struggles between Emperor Xuanzong and his aunt Princess Taiping were coming to a head. It was said that Princess Taiping, Dou Huaizhen, Cen Xi, Xiao Zhizhong, Cui Shi; along with other officials Xue Ji, Li Jin the Prince of Xinxing , Li You , Jia Yingfu , Tang Jun ; the generals Chang Yuankai , Li Ci , and Li Qin ; and the monk Huifan , were plotting to overthrow Emperor Xuanzong. It was further said that they discussed, with the lady in waiting Lady Yuan to poison an aphrodisiac that Emperor Xuanzong took regularly known as ''chijian'' ). When this alleged plot was reported to Emperor Xuanzong by Wei, Emperor Xuanzong, who had already received advice from Wang Ju , Zhang Shuo, and Cui Riyong to act first, did so. He convened a meeting with his brothers Li Fan the Prince of Qi, Li Ye the Prince of Xue, Guo, along with a number of his associates — the general Wang Maozhong , the officials Jiang Jiao and Li Lingwen , his brother-in-law Wang Shouyi , the eunuch Gao Lishi, and the military officer Li Shoude — and decided to act first. On July 29, Emperor Xuanzong had Wang Maozhong take 300 soldiers to the imperial guard camp to behead Chang and Li Ci. Then, Jia, Li You, Xiao, and Cen were arrested and executed as well. Dou and Princess Taiping committed suicide. When Emperor Ruizong heard about the incident, he ascended the tower at Chengtian Gate to try to ascertain what was happening, and it was Guo who informed him what happened. Emperor Ruizong subsequently yieldedpowers to Emperor Xuanzong and no longer actively participated in policy decisions thereafter. For Wei's contributions, Emperor Xuanzong enlarged his fief and awarded him with silk. In winter 713, Wei went to the eastern capital Luoyang to carry out a selection process for officials there, and was considered to have done an exceptional job, drawing praises from Emperor Xuanzong. As Emperor Xuanzong carried out major revisions of names of official titles and offices in 713, Wei's title as the head of the examination bureau was changed to ''Huangmen Jian'' , as the bureau itself was renamed ''Huangmen Sheng'' .
That trip to Luoyang, however, would indirectly lead to Wei's fall. By this point, Yao Chong, who had previously served as Wei's superior during Wu Zetian's reign, was again chancellor and was well-trusted by Emperor Xuanzong. While Wei was in Luoyang, two of Yao's sons, then serving as officials at Luoyang, were accepting bribes and using their father's connections with Wei to make requests of Wei, displeasing Wei. Further, Yao aggravated Wei by having Song Jing review the decisions that Wei made while at Luoyang. After Wei returned to Chang'an, he reported what had happened with Yao's sons in Luoyang. Emperor Xuanzong summoned Yao, initially ready to question him, but Yao realized what had happened and preemptively reported on his sons, implying that his sons had only dared to make requests of Wei because of Yao's own good treatment of Wei when Wei was a subordinate. Emperor Xuanzong, now believing that Wei was ungrateful, wanted to remove Wei, but ultimately only demoted Wei to be the minister of public works , no longer a chancellor. Wei died in 715.
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