Bi Xian
Encyclopedia
Bi Xian (802 – February 4, 864), courtesy name Cunzhi (存之), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Yizong
.
. His family was originally from Yun Prefecture (鄆州, in modern Tai'an
, Shandong
) and originally claimed ancestry from Ji Gao (姬高), a son of King Wen of Zhou
, who was created the Lord of Bi, although his traceable ancestry only went back to his fifth-generation ancestor, Bi Jing (畢憬), who served as a prefectural prefect during Tang Dynasty
. Bi Xian's grandfather Bi Jun (畢浚) served as a prefectural secretary general, while his father Bi Yun (畢勻) served as a musical scholar in the ministry of worship.
Bi Xian lost his father early in life, and was poor in his childhood. However, he was said to be diligent, and he studied by burning wood and reading by the fire. After he was grown, he was well-studied in the Confucian classics and the histories, but was particularly capable in writing poetry.
s in the Jinshi class in the middle of the Taihe era (827-835) of Emperor Dezong's great-great-grandson Emperor Wenzong
, and he later passed a special imperial examination for those who made good rulings. Thereafter, when the official Du Cong
served as the military governor of Zhongwu Circuit (忠武, headquartered in modern Xuchang
, Henan
), Du invited Bi to served as an assistant. When Du later served as the director of finances, Bi served as a traveling reviewer under him. Later, when Du served as the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
), he continued to serve on Du's staff. When Du was recalled to the capital Chang'an
to serve as chancellor in 844 by then-reigning Emperor Wuzong
(Emperor Wenzong's younger brother), Bi returned to Chang'an as well and was made an imperial censor, initially with the title of Jiancha Yushi (監察御史), then as Shi Yushi (侍御史).
At that time, however, another chancellor, Li Deyu
, was the leading figure at court, and Li did not get along with Du. In 845, Du was therefore sent out of Chang'an to serve as the military governor of Dongchuan Circuit (東川, headquartered in modern Mianyang
, Sichuan
). Because Du had offended Li, his former subordinates largely did not dare to send Du off, but Bi did. Li, hearing this, was displeased, and sent Bi out of the capital to serve as the prefect of Ci Prefecture (磁州, in modern Handan
, Hebei
).
, Li Deyu lost power, and many of those whom Li had demoted were promoted. Bi Xian was thereafter made Hubu Yuanwailang (戶部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of census (戶部, Hubu), with his office at the eastern capital Luoyang
. He was then recalled to Chang'an to serve as Jiabu Yuanwailang (駕部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of defense (兵部, Bingbu) in charge of imperial messengers' horses and wagons, and then as Cangbu Langzhong (倉部郎中), a supervisory official at the ministry of census in charge of imperial money and food storages. During those times, the Jiabu and Cangbu assignments were not considered honored assignments, and officials who were from prominent clans would be displeased if assigned to them, but Bi accepted them happily and respectfully, impressing the chancellors who assigned him. He was thereafter made Zhifang Langzhong (職方郎中), a supervisory official at the ministry of defense in charge of military maps, as well as supervisory censor (侍御史知雜, Shi Yushi Zhiza). He was soon made an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi) and Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng).
As of 852, Emperor Xuānzong had to deal with frequent Dangxiang incursions on the northwest borders, and he was hoping to find a suitable military governor (Jiedushi
) for Binning Circuit (邠寧, headuqartered in modern Xianyang
, Shaanxi
), but could not find one. On one occasion, when he discussed with Bi what proper border policies should be, Bi discussed the history and listed a number of suggestions that he had. Emperor Xuānzong was impressed, comparing him to the prominent Zhao
generals Lian Po
and Li Mu
, and asked him whether he would be willing to accept the Binning assignment. Bi agreed cheerfully. Emperor Xuānzong, in order to increase his prominence before sending him out on assignment, first made him the deputy minister of defense (兵部侍郎, Bingbu Shilang), then made him the military governor of Binning. Later that year, he reported that the Dangxiang troubling Binning had all been pacified. That allowed Binning's headquarters, which had been temporarily moved from Bin Prefecture (邠州) to Ning Prefecture (寧州, in modern Qingyang
, Gansu
) due to the Dangxiang incursions, to be returned to Bin Prefecture in spring 855
. It was said that while at Binning, Bi encouraged the soldiers to tend the fields and grow crops for the military food supplies, allowing them to be supplied adequately at a reduced cost to the imperial treasury. He was later transferred to Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
, Shanxi
) and then Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
, Shanxi
). As Hedong was on the border, Bi established 70 watch posts to defend against attacks. However, while it was said that Emperor Xuānzong had previously promised him that he would be recalled to serve as chancellor, then-lead chancellor Linghu Tao
was fearful of him, and therefore he was never recalled during that timespan.
and was succeeded by his son Emperor Yizong
. Thereafter, Bi Xian was transferred to Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
, Henan
), and yet later recalled to Chang'an to serve as the minister of census (戶部尚書, Hubu Shangshu) as well as the director of finances. In 860
, Emperor Yizong made him the minister of rites (禮部尚書, Libu Shangshu) and gave him the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), making him a chancellor de facto. As chancellor, he was said to be a capable administrator and talented in his writing. He served as a chancellor until 863, when he resigned his chancellor post, ostensibly due to illness, but was said to have actually resigned because he was unhappy that his chancellor colleagues did not uphold the law properly. He was thereafter made the minister of defense (兵部尚書, Bingbu Shangshu). He was thereafter made the military governor of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi), and died two months later, in early 864.
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
dynasty Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Yizong
Emperor Yizong of Tang
Emperor Yizong of Tang , né Li Wen , later changed to Li Cui , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 859 to 873. Yizong was the eldest son of Emperor Xuānzong...
.
Background
Bi Xian was born in 802, during the reign of Emperor DezongEmperor Dezong of Tang
Emperor Dezong of Tang , personally name Li Kuo , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and the oldest son of his father Emperor Daizong. His reign of 26 years was the third longest in the Tang dynasty...
. His family was originally from Yun Prefecture (鄆州, in modern Tai'an
Tai'an
Tai'an is a prefecture-level city in western Shandong province, People's Republic of China.Centered around Mount Tai, the city borders the provincial capital of Jinan to the north, Laiwu to the northeast, Zibo to the east, Linyi to the southeast, Liaocheng to the extreme west and Jining to the south...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
) and originally claimed ancestry from Ji Gao (姬高), a son of King Wen of Zhou
King Wen of Zhou
King Wen of Zhou family name : Ji , Clan name : Zhou Personal name: Chang, known as Zhou Chang or Xibo Chang was the founder of the Zhou Dynasty and the first epic hero of Chinese history....
, who was created the Lord of Bi, although his traceable ancestry only went back to his fifth-generation ancestor, Bi Jing (畢憬), who served as a prefectural prefect during Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
. Bi Xian's grandfather Bi Jun (畢浚) served as a prefectural secretary general, while his father Bi Yun (畢勻) served as a musical scholar in the ministry of worship.
Bi Xian lost his father early in life, and was poor in his childhood. However, he was said to be diligent, and he studied by burning wood and reading by the fire. After he was grown, he was well-studied in the Confucian classics and the histories, but was particularly capable in writing poetry.
During Emperors Wenzong's and Wuzong's reigns
Bi Xian passed the imperial examinationImperial examination
The Imperial examination was an examination system in Imperial China designed to select the best administrative officials for the state's bureaucracy. This system had a huge influence on both society and culture in Imperial China and was directly responsible for the creation of a class of...
s in the Jinshi class in the middle of the Taihe era (827-835) of Emperor Dezong's great-great-grandson Emperor Wenzong
Emperor Wenzong of Tang
Emperor Wenzong of Tang , personal name Li Ang , né Li Han , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 827 to 840. Emperor Wenzong was the second son of Emperor Muzong and younger brother of Emperor Jingzong...
, and he later passed a special imperial examination for those who made good rulings. Thereafter, when the official Du Cong
Du Cong
Du Cong , courtesy name Yongyu , formally the Duke of Bin , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving two terms as chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wuzong and Emperor Wuzong's cousin Emperor Yizong...
served as the military governor of Zhongwu Circuit (忠武, headquartered in modern Xuchang
Xuchang
Xuchang is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province in Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the northwest, Kaifeng to the northeast, Zhoukou to the east, Luohe to the southeast, and Pingdingshan to the southwest....
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
), Du invited Bi to served as an assistant. When Du later served as the director of finances, Bi served as a traveling reviewer under him. Later, when Du served as the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
Yangzhou
Yangzhou is a prefecture-level city in central Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the southwest, Huai'an to the north, Yancheng to the northeast, Taizhou to the east, and Zhenjiang across...
, Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
), he continued to serve on Du's staff. When Du was recalled to the capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
to serve as chancellor in 844 by then-reigning Emperor Wuzong
Emperor Wuzong of Tang
Emperor Wuzong of Tang , né Li Chan , later changed to Li Yan just before his death, was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, reigning from 840 to 846. Emperor Wuzong is mainly known in modern times for the religious persecution that occurred during his reign...
(Emperor Wenzong's younger brother), Bi returned to Chang'an as well and was made an imperial censor, initially with the title of Jiancha Yushi (監察御史), then as Shi Yushi (侍御史).
At that time, however, another chancellor, Li Deyu
Li Deyu
Li Deyu , courtesy name Wenrao , formally the Duke of Wei , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of brothers Emperor Wenzong and Emperor Wuzong and their uncle Emperor Xuānzong...
, was the leading figure at court, and Li did not get along with Du. In 845, Du was therefore sent out of Chang'an to serve as the military governor of Dongchuan Circuit (東川, headquartered in modern Mianyang
Mianyang
Mianyang is the second largest prefecture-level city of Sichuan province in Southwest China. Its administrative area includes the city proper of Mianyang, with 985,586 inhabitants in the built up area , the county-level city of Jiangyou, and six counties, covering an area of over and a population...
, Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
). Because Du had offended Li, his former subordinates largely did not dare to send Du off, but Bi did. Li, hearing this, was displeased, and sent Bi out of the capital to serve as the prefect of Ci Prefecture (磁州, in modern Handan
Handan
Handan is a prefecture-level city located in the southwestern part of Hebei Province of China.- History :Handan was the capital of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period , after the capital moved from Zhongmu. The city was conquered by the State of Qin after the virtual annexation of...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
).
During Emperor Xuānzong's reign
After Emperor Wuzong died in 846 and was succeeded by his uncle Emperor XuānzongEmperor Xuanzong of Tang
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang , also commonly known as Emperor Ming of Tang , personal name Li Longji , known as Wu Longji from 690 to 705, was the seventh emperor of the Tang dynasty in China, reigning from 712 to 756. His reign of 43 years was the longest during the Tang Dynasty...
, Li Deyu lost power, and many of those whom Li had demoted were promoted. Bi Xian was thereafter made Hubu Yuanwailang (戶部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of census (戶部, Hubu), with his office at the eastern capital Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
. He was then recalled to Chang'an to serve as Jiabu Yuanwailang (駕部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of defense (兵部, Bingbu) in charge of imperial messengers' horses and wagons, and then as Cangbu Langzhong (倉部郎中), a supervisory official at the ministry of census in charge of imperial money and food storages. During those times, the Jiabu and Cangbu assignments were not considered honored assignments, and officials who were from prominent clans would be displeased if assigned to them, but Bi accepted them happily and respectfully, impressing the chancellors who assigned him. He was thereafter made Zhifang Langzhong (職方郎中), a supervisory official at the ministry of defense in charge of military maps, as well as supervisory censor (侍御史知雜, Shi Yushi Zhiza). He was soon made an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi) and Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng).
As of 852, Emperor Xuānzong had to deal with frequent Dangxiang incursions on the northwest borders, and he was hoping to find a suitable military governor (Jiedushi
Jiedushi
The Jiedushi were regional military governors in China during the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. Originally set up to counter external threats, the jiedushi were given enormous power, including the ability to maintain their own armies, collect taxes, and pass their...
) for Binning Circuit (邠寧, headuqartered in modern Xianyang
Xianyang
Xianyang is a former capital of China in Shaanxi province, on the Wei River, a few kilometers upstream from Xi'an. It has an area of...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
), but could not find one. On one occasion, when he discussed with Bi what proper border policies should be, Bi discussed the history and listed a number of suggestions that he had. Emperor Xuānzong was impressed, comparing him to the prominent Zhao
Zhao (state)
Zhao was a significant Chinese state during the Warring States Period, along with six others...
generals Lian Po
Lian Po
Lian Po was a prominent military General of Zhao during the Warring States period of China. Bai Qi, Wang Jian, Li Mu and he were commonly known as the Four Greatest Generals in Warring States....
and Li Mu
Li Mu
Li Mu was a prominent military General of Zhao during the Warring States period of China. He, together with Bai Qi, Wang Jian, and Lian Po were known as the Four Greatest Generals in Warring States era.-Career:...
, and asked him whether he would be willing to accept the Binning assignment. Bi agreed cheerfully. Emperor Xuānzong, in order to increase his prominence before sending him out on assignment, first made him the deputy minister of defense (兵部侍郎, Bingbu Shilang), then made him the military governor of Binning. Later that year, he reported that the Dangxiang troubling Binning had all been pacified. That allowed Binning's headquarters, which had been temporarily moved from Bin Prefecture (邠州) to Ning Prefecture (寧州, in modern Qingyang
Qingyang
Qingyang is a prefecture-level city in China's Gansu province.-Geography and climate:Qingyang is in eastern Gansu province and is sometimes referred to in Chinese as "Longdong" . Ningxia province is to the north west and Shaanxi is to the east. It is in the lower middle part of the Yellow River on...
, Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
) due to the Dangxiang incursions, to be returned to Bin Prefecture in spring 855
855
Year 855 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Louis II succeeds Lothar as Western Emperor...
. It was said that while at Binning, Bi encouraged the soldiers to tend the fields and grow crops for the military food supplies, allowing them to be supplied adequately at a reduced cost to the imperial treasury. He was later transferred to Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
Changzhi
Changzhi is a prefecture-level city in Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China. It lies between the city of Huozhou in Shanxi and the city of Hebi in Henan....
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
) and then Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
Taiyuan
Taiyuan is the capital and largest city of Shanxi province in North China. At the 2010 census, it had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants on 6959 km² whom 3,212,500 are urban on 1,460 km². The name of the city literally means "Great Plains", referring to the location where the Fen River...
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
). As Hedong was on the border, Bi established 70 watch posts to defend against attacks. However, while it was said that Emperor Xuānzong had previously promised him that he would be recalled to serve as chancellor, then-lead chancellor Linghu Tao
Linghu Tao
Linghu Tao , courtesy name Zizhi , formally the Duke of Zhao , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He was the leading chancellor during the last nine years of the reign of Emperor Xuānzong, but was removed from his chancellor position after Emperor Xuānzong's death, subsequently...
was fearful of him, and therefore he was never recalled during that timespan.
During Emperor Yizong's reign
Emperor Xuānzong died in 859859
Year 859 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* January 15 – Battle of Saint-Quentin, Aisne: Humfrid defeats Louis the German....
and was succeeded by his son Emperor Yizong
Emperor Yizong of Tang
Emperor Yizong of Tang , né Li Wen , later changed to Li Cui , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 859 to 873. Yizong was the eldest son of Emperor Xuānzong...
. Thereafter, Bi Xian was transferred to Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
Kaifeng
Kaifeng , known previously by several names , is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, Central China. Nearly 5 million people live in the metropolitan area...
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
), and yet later recalled to Chang'an to serve as the minister of census (戶部尚書, Hubu Shangshu) as well as the director of finances. In 860
860
Year 860 was a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Ethelbert succeeds as king of Wessex.* The later Harald I of Norway becomes king.- Art :...
, Emperor Yizong made him the minister of rites (禮部尚書, Libu Shangshu) and gave him the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), making him a chancellor de facto. As chancellor, he was said to be a capable administrator and talented in his writing. He served as a chancellor until 863, when he resigned his chancellor post, ostensibly due to illness, but was said to have actually resigned because he was unhappy that his chancellor colleagues did not uphold the law properly. He was thereafter made the minister of defense (兵部尚書, Bingbu Shangshu). He was thereafter made the military governor of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi), and died two months later, in early 864.