Du Shenquan
Encyclopedia
Du Shenquan courtesy name Yinheng (殷衡), formally Duke De of Xiangyang (襄陽德公), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Yizong
.
chancellor Du Ruhui
. His grandfather Du Zuo (杜佐) served as a judge at the supreme court. His uncle Du Yuanying
served as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong
, while his father Du Yuanjiang (杜元絳) served as an advisor for a crown prince
.
Both Du Shenquan and his younger brother Du Wei (杜蔚) passed the imperial examinations in the Jinshi class. He thereafter served as an assistant to the governor of Jiangxi Circuit (江西, headquartered in modern Nanchang
, Jiangxi
), and, after subsequently passing a special imperial examination for those who made good rulings, remained at the capital Chang'an
to serve as You Shiyi (右拾遺), a low-level advisory official at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng). He was later promoted to Zuo Bujue (左補闕), an advisory official at the examination bureau (門下省, Menxia Sheng).
, Du Shenquan was made Sixun Yuanwailang (司勛員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Lìbu), and then was promoted to supervisor (郎中, Langzhong). He was later put in charge of drafting edicts, and later made Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau. In 856, he was put in charge of determining the passage for imperial examinees at the ministry of rites (禮部, Lǐbu, note different tone), and in 857
, he selected some 30 of them; it was said that many of them became prominent officials later. He was thereafter made the deputy minister of rites (禮部侍郎, Libu Shilang). That winter, he was sent out of Chang'an to serve as the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Shanguo Circuit (陝虢, headquartered in modern Sanmenxia
, Henan
). In 859, he was recalled to serve as the deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎), in charge of taxation.
. Thereafter, Du Shenquan was made the military governor (Jiedushi
) of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi) as well as the mayor of its capital Hezhong Municipality, but almost immediately thereafter recalled to serve as the deputy minister of defense (兵部侍郎, Bingbu Shilang) and the director of finances, and then made a chancellor de facto with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). Because, during the time he served as chancellor, the more senior official Du Cong
also served as chancellor, Du Shenquan became known colloquially as "Little Duke Du."
Du Shenquan served as chancellor until 863, when he was sent to Zhenhai Circuit (鎮海, headquartered in modern Zhenjiang
, Jiangsu
) to serve as its military governor, continuing to carry the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary chancellor title. During the subsequent 868
-869
rebellion by the officer Pang Xun
, who seized Xusi Circuit (徐泗, headquartered in modern Xuzhou
, Jiangsu
) and attacked nearby circuits, Du, along with fellow military governors Linghu Tao
(of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
)) and Cui Xuan
(of Shannan East Circuit (山南東道, headquartered in modern Xiangfan
, Hubei
)) ensured that the supply route for Chang'an and the eastern capital Luoyang
was continued to be open despite the rebellion. He also sent troops under his officer Zhai Xingyue (翟行約) to try to lift the siege that Pang's followers Wu Jiong (吳迥) and Liu Ji (劉佶) put Si Prefecture (泗州, in modern Huai'an
, Jiangsu
) under, although Zhai and his soldiers were subsequently annihilated by the rebels. When Xin Dang (辛讜), a friend of Si's prefect Du Tao (杜慆), subsequently fought his way out of the siege to seek aid from Linghu and Du Shenquan, Du sent another officer, Zhao Yi (趙翼), with 2,000 soldiers and a supply of rice and salt, to join forces with Linghu to try to again lift the siege. Xin, along with the Huai'nan and Zhenhai soldiers, were able to fight their way back into the siege to assist its defense, and subsequently, Ma Ju (馬舉), who had by that point succeeded Linghu as the military governor of Huai'nan, was able to defeat the rebels and lift the siege. After Pang was defeated and killed, for his contributions, Du Shenquan was given the honorary title of acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies
), and subsequently recalled to Chang'an to serve as Zuo Pushe (左僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). He was also created the Duke of Xiangyang. In 870, he was again sent to Hezhong Circuit to serve as its military governor, as well as the mayor of Hezhong. He served there for a few years before he was transferred to Zhongwu Circuit (忠武, headquartered in modern Xuchang
, Henan
). Yet later, he was made a senior advisor to the Crown Prince
, with his office at Luoyang. It is not known when he died, but it is known that after he died, he was given posthumous honors, as well as the posthumous name
of De (德, "virtuous"). His son Du Rangneng
later served as a chancellor under Emperor Yizong's sons Emperor Xizong
and Emperor Zhaozong
.
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
It is not known when Du Shenquan was born. He was a sixth-generation descendant of the early Tang DynastyTang 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...
chancellor Du Ruhui
Du Ruhui
Du Ruhui , courtesy name Keming , formally Duke Cheng of Lai , was one of the most celebrated chancellors of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, and he and his colleague Fang Xuanling, both serving during the reign of Emperor Taizong, were often asserted to be ideal models for chancellors.- During...
. His grandfather Du Zuo (杜佐) served as a judge at the supreme court. His uncle Du Yuanying
Du Yuanying
Du Yuanying , formally the Baron of Jian'an , was an official of the Chinese dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong. His policy error while being chancellor was blamed for the imperial government's losing control over the circuits north of the Yellow River...
served as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong
Emperor Muzong of Tang
Emperor Muzong of Tang , personal name Li Heng , né Li You , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 821 to 824. Emperor Muzong was the son of Emperor Xianzong...
, while his father Du Yuanjiang (杜元絳) served as an advisor for a crown prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
.
Both Du Shenquan and his younger brother Du Wei (杜蔚) passed the imperial examinations in the Jinshi class. He thereafter served as an assistant to the governor of Jiangxi Circuit (江西, headquartered in modern Nanchang
Nanchang
Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province in southeastern China. It is located in the north-central portion of the province. As it is bounded on the west by the Jiuling Mountains, and on the east by Poyang Lake, it is famous for its scenery, rich history and cultural sites...
, Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
), and, after subsequently passing a special imperial examination for those who made good rulings, remained at 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 You Shiyi (右拾遺), a low-level advisory official at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng). He was later promoted to Zuo Bujue (左補闕), an advisory official at the examination bureau (門下省, Menxia Sheng).
During Emperor Xuānzong's reign
Early in the Dazhong era (847-860) of Emperor Muzong's younger brother 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...
, Du Shenquan was made Sixun Yuanwailang (司勛員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Lìbu), and then was promoted to supervisor (郎中, Langzhong). He was later put in charge of drafting edicts, and later made Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau. In 856, he was put in charge of determining the passage for imperial examinees at the ministry of rites (禮部, Lǐbu, note different tone), and in 857
857
Year 857 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Byzantine Empire :* Michael III of Byzantium, under the influence of his uncle Bardas, banishes his mother Theodora...
, he selected some 30 of them; it was said that many of them became prominent officials later. He was thereafter made the deputy minister of rites (禮部侍郎, Libu Shilang). That winter, he was sent out of Chang'an to serve as the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Shanguo Circuit (陝虢, headquartered in modern Sanmenxia
Sanmenxia
-Administration:The prefecture-level city of Sanmenxia administers one district, two county-level cities and three counties.*Hubin District*Lingbao City*Yima City*Lushi County*Shan County*Mianchi County*Sanmenxia Development Zone...
, 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...
). In 859, he was recalled to serve as the deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎), in charge of taxation.
During Emperor Yizong's reign
Emperor Xuānzong died later in 859 and was succeeded by his son Emperor YizongEmperor 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, Du Shenquan was made the 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...
) of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi) as well as the mayor of its capital Hezhong Municipality, but almost immediately thereafter recalled to serve as the deputy minister of defense (兵部侍郎, Bingbu Shilang) and the director of finances, and then made a chancellor de facto with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). Because, during the time he served as chancellor, the more senior 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...
also served as chancellor, Du Shenquan became known colloquially as "Little Duke Du."
Du Shenquan served as chancellor until 863, when he was sent to Zhenhai Circuit (鎮海, headquartered in modern Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang is a prefecture-level city in the southwest of Jiangsu province in the eastern People's Republic of China . Sitting on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the west, Changzhou to the east, and Yangzhou across the river to the north.Once...
, 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...
) to serve as its military governor, continuing to carry the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary chancellor title. During the subsequent 868
868
Year 868 was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Africa :* Ahmad ibn Tulun, a Turkish mameluk general in Arab army founds Tulunid dynasty in Egypt....
-869
869
Year 869 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* May 26 – An earthquake and tsunami devastate a large part of the Sanriku coast near Sendai, Japan....
rebellion by the officer Pang Xun
Pang Xun
Pang Xun was the leader of a major rebellion, by soldiers from Xu Prefecture , against the rule of Emperor Yizong of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, from 868 to 869...
, who seized Xusi Circuit (徐泗, headquartered in modern Xuzhou
Xuzhou
Xuzhou , otherwise known as Pengcheng in ancient times, is a major city in and the fourth largest prefecture-level city of Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China...
, 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...
) and attacked nearby circuits, Du, along with fellow military governors 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...
(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...
)) and Cui Xuan
Cui Xuan
Cui Xuan , courtesy name Taishuo , formally the Duke of Wei , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving two terms as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wuzong and Emperor Wuzong's uncle Emperor Xuānzong....
(of Shannan East Circuit (山南東道, headquartered in modern Xiangfan
Xiangfan
Xiangyang is a prefecture-level city in Hubei Province of the People's Republic of China. It was formed from two famous ancient cities, Xiangyang and Fancheng...
, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
)) ensured that the supply route for Chang'an and 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...
was continued to be open despite the rebellion. He also sent troops under his officer Zhai Xingyue (翟行約) to try to lift the siege that Pang's followers Wu Jiong (吳迥) and Liu Ji (劉佶) put Si Prefecture (泗州, in modern Huai'an
Huai'an
Huai'an , known as Huaiyin before 2001, is a prefecture-level city in northern Jiangsu province of Eastern China. It borders Suqian to the northwest, Lianyungang to the north, Yancheng to the east, Yangzhou to the southeast, and the province of Anhui to the southwest.The municipality has 4,799,889...
, 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...
) under, although Zhai and his soldiers were subsequently annihilated by the rebels. When Xin Dang (辛讜), a friend of Si's prefect Du Tao (杜慆), subsequently fought his way out of the siege to seek aid from Linghu and Du Shenquan, Du sent another officer, Zhao Yi (趙翼), with 2,000 soldiers and a supply of rice and salt, to join forces with Linghu to try to again lift the siege. Xin, along with the Huai'nan and Zhenhai soldiers, were able to fight their way back into the siege to assist its defense, and subsequently, Ma Ju (馬舉), who had by that point succeeded Linghu as the military governor of Huai'nan, was able to defeat the rebels and lift the siege. After Pang was defeated and killed, for his contributions, Du Shenquan was given the honorary title of acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies
Three Excellencies
The Three Ducal Ministers , also translated as the Three Dukes, Three Excellencies, or the Three Lords, was the collective name for the three highest officials in ancient China...
), and subsequently recalled to Chang'an to serve as Zuo Pushe (左僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). He was also created the Duke of Xiangyang. In 870, he was again sent to Hezhong Circuit to serve as its military governor, as well as the mayor of Hezhong. He served there for a few years before he was transferred to 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...
). Yet later, he was made a senior advisor to the Crown Prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
, with his office at Luoyang. It is not known when he died, but it is known that after he died, he was given posthumous honors, as well as the posthumous name
Posthumous name
A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty, nobles, and sometimes others, in East Asia after the person's death, and is used almost exclusively instead of one's personal name or other official titles during his life...
of De (德, "virtuous"). His son Du Rangneng
Du Rangneng
Du Rangneng , courtesy name Qunyi , formally the Duke of Jin , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xizong and Emperor Xizong's brother Emperor Zhaozong...
later served as a chancellor under Emperor Yizong's sons Emperor Xizong
Emperor Xizong of Tang
Emperor Xizong of Tang , né Li Yan , later name changed to Li Xuan , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 873 to 888. He was the fifth son of his predecessor Emperor Yizong and was the elder brother of his successor Emperor Zhaozong...
and Emperor Zhaozong
Emperor Zhaozong of Tang
Emperor Zhaozong of Tang , né Li Jie , name later changed to Li Min , yet later name changed to Li Ye , was the penultimate emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 888 to 904...
.