Lu Sui
Encyclopedia
Lu Sui (776 – August 16, 835), courtesy name Nanshi (南氏), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong
.
. His ancestors were originally from Yangping (陽平, in modern Hanzhong
, Shanxi
). His great-great-grandfather Lu Jie (路節) served on staff of Li Zhen
the Prince of Yue (a son of Emperor Daizong's great-great-grandfather Emperor Gaozong
); his great-grandfather Lu Weishu (路惟恕) served as a prefectural prefect; and his grandfather Lu Junzhi (路俊之) served on the staff of a crown prince
.
Lu Sui's father Lu Mi (路泌) was known for being learned and studious. When, during the revolt of the general Zhu Ci
against Emperor Daizong's son Emperor Dezong
, Emperor Dezong was forced to flee the capital Chang'an
, first to Fengtian (奉天, in modern Xianyang
, Shaanxi
) and then to Xingyuan (興元, in modern Hanzhong), Lu Mi followed the emperor in his flight, leaving his wife and children at Chang'an. During flight, he was also injured when stricken by an arrow. He eventually came to serve under the important imperial general Hun Zhen
and was much respected by Hun, and he participated in Hun's campaign against another rebel general, Li Huaiguang
, as Hun's secretary. He was with Hun in 787 when Hun met with the Tufan prime minister Shang Jiezan (尚結贊) to sign a peace treaty — when Shang laid a trap for Hun, intending to capture Hun; Hun escape, but many of his staff members were captured or killed. Lu Mi was captured and taken to the Tufan capital Lhasa
. It was said that in his years at Lhasa, Lu Mi became well-learned in Buddhism
, and was much respected by Tufan's king, but was never allowed to return to Tang until his death.
When Lu Mi was captured, Lu Sui was just a child, and it was said that after he grew up and found out that his father had been captured by Tufan, he would often weep day and night, and whenever he sat, he would face the west (toward Tufan); he also did not eat meat to mourn his father's capture. Because his mother told him that his appearance resembled his father's, he would refuse to look at mirrors. In 803, when Tufan sent letters offering peace, Lu Sui made three petitions to Emperor Dezong, begging for peace — such that Emperor Dezong sent an imperial eunuch to explain to him that Emperor Dezong distrusted Tufan offers of peace and was waiting for further proof of Tufan's good faith. Such proof never came for several years, however, and no further peace talks were held at that point.
s in the Mingjing (明經) class, and he was made a military advisor at Run Prefecture (潤州, in modern Zhenjiang
, Jiangsu
), which was then controlled by the warlord Li Qi
, the military governor of Zhenhai Circuit (鎮海, headquartered at Run Prefecture). Li Qi wanted to humiliate Lu, so he made Lu be in charge of the market, but Lu, unembarrassed, sat in the market while overseeing it. When Wei Xiaqing (韋夏卿) the defender of the eastern capital Luoyang
heard about this, he was impressed with Lu and invited Lu to serve on his staff, which furthered Lu's reputation.
was emperor, and Tufan made periodic overtures of peace. Lu submitted five petitions to Emperor Xianzong arguing for peace and further also petitioned the chancellors; thereafter, the chancellors Pei Ji
and Li Fan
both spoke on his behalf as well. After peace was finally reached with Tufan, in 810, at the request of Emperor Xianzong, Tufan returned the caskets of Lu Mi and his colleague Zheng Shuju (鄭叔矩), as well as their tombstones and writings. Emperor Xianzong bestowed posthumous honors on Lu Mi and had him buried at state expense. Lu Sui observed a mourning period for his father, and after the mourning period was over, was made Zuo Bujue (左補闕), a low-level advisory official at the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng). Once, when the chancellor Li Jiang
suggested that Emperor Xianzong listen more to advisory officials, Emperor Xianzong cited Lu and Wei Chuhou
as two examples of advisory officials that he listened to. He was also made an editor of imperial history. He was subsequently made an imperial chronicler (起居郎, Qijulang), and then Sixun Yuanwailang (司勳員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Libu), and continued to serve as an imperial history editor.
. After Emperor Muzong's ascension, Lu Sui was promoted to be Sixun Langzhong (司勳郎中), a supervisory official at the ministry of civil service affairs, and both he and Wei Chuhou also became assistant imperial scholars at Hanlin Institute (翰林院). He was later made Jianyi Daifu (諫議大夫), a mid-level advisory official and continued to serve as assistant imperial scholar. As Emperor Muzong was commissioning the editing of the chronicles of Emperor Xianzong's reign, he again made Lu an editor as well.
. Lu Sui was thereafter promoted to be Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng) and full imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi). When people sent congratulatory gifts of gold and silk, he responded, "How should I receive private wealth for a public matter?" and returned the gifts.
Around new year 827, Emperor Jingzong was assassinated by eunuchs and imperial guard officers who were resentful of his temper. The leading eunuch involved in the conspiracy, Liu Keming (劉克明), thereafter had Lu draft a will on Emperor Jingzong's behalf entrusting the matters of state to Emperor Muzong's younger brother Li Wu
the Prince of Jiàng, but soon, a group of powerful eunuchs, including the directors of palace communications Wang Shoucheng
and Yang Chenghe (楊承和) and the commanders of the Shence Armies (神策軍) Wei Congjian (魏從簡) and Liang Shouqian (梁守謙) counteracted against the conspirators and slaughtered them. In the aftermaths, Wang, after consulting with Wei Chuhou, had an edict issued in the name of Emperor Muzong's mother Grand Empress Dowager Guo
naming Emperor Jingzong's younger brother Li Han
(whose name was then changed to Li Ang) the Prince of Jiāng (note different tone than Li Wu) emperor (as Emperor Wenzong).
While Lu was serving as the lead editor of the imperial history, he became involved in a controversy over the editing. Previously, when Han Yu
had been responsible for editing the chronicles of the reign of Emperor Xianzong's father Emperor Shunzong
, Han wrote about much of what was going on in the palace, and that led to resentment by eunuchs, who often told the emperors that the chronicles were untrue. After Lu submitted the chronicles of Emperor Xianzong's reign to Emperor Wenzong, Emperor Wenzong ordered him to modify the chronicles of Emperor Shunzong's reign, which led Lu to submit a softly-worded apology about the inaccuracies and yet defended the integrity of the officials involved, as well as their independence as historians. As a result, Emperor Wenzong issued a modified order that suggested that, to the extent that there were references to events in the palace during Emperor Dezong's and Emperor Shunzong's reigns that could not be corroborated that those references should be removed, but that the chronicles should otherwise remain untouched.
In 829, at Lu's suggestion that it was inappropriate for chancellors to also oversee the finances of the state — citing past corrupt chancellors Yang Guozhong
, Yuan Zai
, and Huangfu Bo
as examples — Lu's senior colleague Pei Du
resigned his financial responsibilities to serve just as chancellor. In 830, Lu was made Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau, and was given the additional title of senior scholar at Chongwen Pavilion (崇文館). In 833, he was also made a senior advisor to Emperor Wenzong's son and crown prince Li Yong
; it was also that year that submitted chronicles of Emperor Xianzong's and Muzong's reigns to Emperor Wenzong. In 834, he offered to resign due to illness, but the resignation was not accepted. In 834, when Emperor Wenzong's close associate Zheng Zhu
accused the former chancellor Li Deyu
of conspiring with Du Zhongyang (杜仲陽) the wet nurse
of Emperor Wenzong's brother Li Cou
the Prince of Zhang, Lu not only did not cosign the accusation but further tried to defend Li Deyu, thus drawing Zheng's ire. Later that year, he was therefore sent out of Chang'an to serve as the military governor of Zhenghai Circuit and the prefect of Run Prefecture, without an opportunity to even meet the emperor to bid farewell, although he retained the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary title. He died on the way to Zhenghai, while riding on a ship on the Yangtze River
, and was given posthumous honors and the posthumous name
Zhen (貞, "untainted").
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 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...
.
Background
Lu Sui was born in 776, during the reign of Emperor DaizongEmperor Daizong of Tang
Emperor Daizong of Tang , personal name Li Yu , né Li Chu , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty....
. His ancestors were originally from Yangping (陽平, in modern Hanzhong
Hanzhong
Hanzhong is a municipality in southwest Shaanxi Province, China, occupying a historically significant valley in the mountains between the Xi'an area, home to many Chinese capitals, and the fertile but isolated Sichuan Basin...
, 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....
). His great-great-grandfather Lu Jie (路節) served on staff of Li Zhen
Li Zhen (Tang Dynasty)
Li Zhen , formally Prince Jing of Yue , posthumously known during Wu Zetian's reign as Hui Zhen , was an imperial prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who, along with his son Li Chong rose against Wu Zetian, then empress dowager and regent, as they feared that she was about to slaughter the...
the Prince of Yue (a son of Emperor Daizong's great-great-grandfather Emperor Gaozong
Emperor Gaozong of Tang
Emperor Gaozong of Tang , personal name Li Zhi , was the third emperor of the Tang Dynasty in China, ruling from 649 to 683...
); his great-grandfather Lu Weishu (路惟恕) served as a prefectural prefect; and his grandfather Lu Junzhi (路俊之) served on the staff of 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....
.
Lu Sui's father Lu Mi (路泌) was known for being learned and studious. When, during the revolt of the general Zhu Ci
Zhu Ci
Zhu Ci was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He initially served as military governor of Lulong Circuit , but later became a general for the imperial government...
against Emperor Daizong's son Emperor Dezong
Emperor 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...
, Emperor Dezong was forced to flee 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...
, first to Fengtian (奉天, 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...
) and then to Xingyuan (興元, in modern Hanzhong), Lu Mi followed the emperor in his flight, leaving his wife and children at Chang'an. During flight, he was also injured when stricken by an arrow. He eventually came to serve under the important imperial general Hun Zhen
Hun Zhen
Hun Zhen , né Hun Jin , formally Prince Zhongwu of Xianning , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty of Tiele extraction...
and was much respected by Hun, and he participated in Hun's campaign against another rebel general, Li Huaiguang
Li Huaiguang
Li Huaiguang was a leading general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, of Mohe extraction. He was credited with saving Emperor Daizong in the face of an attack by the rebel Zhu Ci in 783 but, dissatisfied with the lack of trust that Emperor Dezong displayed in him later, also rebelled, but his...
, as Hun's secretary. He was with Hun in 787 when Hun met with the Tufan prime minister Shang Jiezan (尚結贊) to sign a peace treaty — when Shang laid a trap for Hun, intending to capture Hun; Hun escape, but many of his staff members were captured or killed. Lu Mi was captured and taken to the Tufan capital Lhasa
Lhasa
Lhasa is the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China and the second most populous city on the Tibetan Plateau, after Xining. At an altitude of , Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world...
. It was said that in his years at Lhasa, Lu Mi became well-learned in Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, and was much respected by Tufan's king, but was never allowed to return to Tang until his death.
When Lu Mi was captured, Lu Sui was just a child, and it was said that after he grew up and found out that his father had been captured by Tufan, he would often weep day and night, and whenever he sat, he would face the west (toward Tufan); he also did not eat meat to mourn his father's capture. Because his mother told him that his appearance resembled his father's, he would refuse to look at mirrors. In 803, when Tufan sent letters offering peace, Lu Sui made three petitions to Emperor Dezong, begging for peace — such that Emperor Dezong sent an imperial eunuch to explain to him that Emperor Dezong distrusted Tufan offers of peace and was waiting for further proof of Tufan's good faith. Such proof never came for several years, however, and no further peace talks were held at that point.
Early career
Eventually, Lu Sui 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 Mingjing (明經) class, and he was made a military advisor at Run Prefecture (潤州, 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...
), which was then controlled by the warlord Li Qi
Li Qi (Tang Dynasty)
Li Qi was a military governor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, governing Zhenhai Circuit...
, the military governor of Zhenhai Circuit (鎮海, headquartered at Run Prefecture). Li Qi wanted to humiliate Lu, so he made Lu be in charge of the market, but Lu, unembarrassed, sat in the market while overseeing it. When Wei Xiaqing (韋夏卿) the defender of 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...
heard about this, he was impressed with Lu and invited Lu to serve on his staff, which furthered Lu's reputation.
During Emperor Xianzong's reign
Meanwhile, by this point, Emperor Dezong's grandson Emperor XianzongEmperor Xianzong of Tang
Emperor Xianzong of Tang , personal name Li Chun , né Li Chun , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
was emperor, and Tufan made periodic overtures of peace. Lu submitted five petitions to Emperor Xianzong arguing for peace and further also petitioned the chancellors; thereafter, the chancellors Pei Ji
Pei Ji (Late Tang)
Pei Ji , courtesy name Hongzhong , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong.- Background :...
and Li Fan
Li Fan (Tang Dynasty)
Li Fan , courtesy name Shuhan , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong.- Background :...
both spoke on his behalf as well. After peace was finally reached with Tufan, in 810, at the request of Emperor Xianzong, Tufan returned the caskets of Lu Mi and his colleague Zheng Shuju (鄭叔矩), as well as their tombstones and writings. Emperor Xianzong bestowed posthumous honors on Lu Mi and had him buried at state expense. Lu Sui observed a mourning period for his father, and after the mourning period was over, was made Zuo Bujue (左補闕), a low-level advisory official at the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng). Once, when the chancellor Li Jiang
Li Jiang
Li Jiang , courtesy name Shenzhi , formally Duke Zhen of Zhao Commandery , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong.- Background :...
suggested that Emperor Xianzong listen more to advisory officials, Emperor Xianzong cited Lu and Wei Chuhou
Wei Chuhou
Wei Chuhou , né Wei Chun , courtesy name Dezai , formally the Duke of Lingchang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong....
as two examples of advisory officials that he listened to. He was also made an editor of imperial history. He was subsequently made an imperial chronicler (起居郎, Qijulang), and then Sixun Yuanwailang (司勳員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Libu), and continued to serve as an imperial history editor.
During Emperor Muzong's reign
In 820, Emperor Xianzong died and was succeeded by his son Emperor MuzongEmperor 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...
. After Emperor Muzong's ascension, Lu Sui was promoted to be Sixun Langzhong (司勳郎中), a supervisory official at the ministry of civil service affairs, and both he and Wei Chuhou also became assistant imperial scholars at Hanlin Institute (翰林院). He was later made Jianyi Daifu (諫議大夫), a mid-level advisory official and continued to serve as assistant imperial scholar. As Emperor Muzong was commissioning the editing of the chronicles of Emperor Xianzong's reign, he again made Lu an editor as well.
During Emperor Jingzong's reign
Emperor Muzong died in 824 and was succeeded by his son Emperor JingzongEmperor Jingzong of Tang
Emperor Jingzong of Tang , personal name Li Zhan , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 824 to 827...
. Lu Sui was thereafter promoted to be Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng) and full imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi). When people sent congratulatory gifts of gold and silk, he responded, "How should I receive private wealth for a public matter?" and returned the gifts.
Around new year 827, Emperor Jingzong was assassinated by eunuchs and imperial guard officers who were resentful of his temper. The leading eunuch involved in the conspiracy, Liu Keming (劉克明), thereafter had Lu draft a will on Emperor Jingzong's behalf entrusting the matters of state to Emperor Muzong's younger brother Li Wu
Li Wu
Li Wu , né Li Liao , formally the Prince of Jiàng , was an imperial prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who, after the assassination of his nephew Emperor Jingzong, was poised to take the throne, but was then himself killed in the armed conflict between the eunuchs who supported him and...
the Prince of Jiàng, but soon, a group of powerful eunuchs, including the directors of palace communications Wang Shoucheng
Wang Shoucheng
Wang Shoucheng was a powerful eunuch of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, wielding substantial powers during the reigns of Emperor Xianzong, Emperor Muzong, Emperor Jingzong, and Emperor Wenzong...
and Yang Chenghe (楊承和) and the commanders of the Shence Armies (神策軍) Wei Congjian (魏從簡) and Liang Shouqian (梁守謙) counteracted against the conspirators and slaughtered them. In the aftermaths, Wang, after consulting with Wei Chuhou, had an edict issued in the name of Emperor Muzong's mother Grand Empress Dowager Guo
Empress Dowager Guo (Muzong)
Empress Dowager Guo , formally Empress Yi'an , was an empress dowager of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
naming Emperor Jingzong's younger brother Li Han
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...
(whose name was then changed to Li Ang) the Prince of Jiāng (note different tone than Li Wu) emperor (as Emperor Wenzong).
During Emperor Wenzong's reign
Lu Sui appeared to not be considered a conspirator in the assassination of Emperor Jingzong, for he suffered no reprisals in the aftermaths — and as Wei Chuhou, who was then chief imperial scholar, was named chancellor soon after Emperor Wenzong's ascension, Lu was named chief imperial scholar to succeed him. He was thereafter made the deputy minister of defense (兵部侍郎, Bingbu Shilang) but was also responsible for drafting edicts. After Wei died in 828, he was made the deputy head of the legislative bureau (中書侍郎, Zhongshu Shilang) and chancellor de facto with the designation of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). He also became responsible for overseeing the editing of the imperial history.While Lu was serving as the lead editor of the imperial history, he became involved in a controversy over the editing. Previously, when Han Yu
Han Yu
Han Yu , born in Nanyang, Henan, China, was a precursor of Neo-Confucianism as well as an essayist and poet, during the Tang dynasty. The Indiana Companion calls him "comparable in stature to Dante, Shakespeare or Goethe" for his influence on the Chinese literary tradition . He stood for strong...
had been responsible for editing the chronicles of the reign of Emperor Xianzong's father Emperor Shunzong
Emperor Shunzong of Tang
Emperor Shunzong of Tang , personal name Li Song , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty. He was created crown prince in 779 and became emperor in 805 after the death of his father Emperor Dezong, of whom he was the oldest son...
, Han wrote about much of what was going on in the palace, and that led to resentment by eunuchs, who often told the emperors that the chronicles were untrue. After Lu submitted the chronicles of Emperor Xianzong's reign to Emperor Wenzong, Emperor Wenzong ordered him to modify the chronicles of Emperor Shunzong's reign, which led Lu to submit a softly-worded apology about the inaccuracies and yet defended the integrity of the officials involved, as well as their independence as historians. As a result, Emperor Wenzong issued a modified order that suggested that, to the extent that there were references to events in the palace during Emperor Dezong's and Emperor Shunzong's reigns that could not be corroborated that those references should be removed, but that the chronicles should otherwise remain untouched.
In 829, at Lu's suggestion that it was inappropriate for chancellors to also oversee the finances of the state — citing past corrupt chancellors Yang Guozhong
Yang Guozhong
Yang Guozhong , né Yang Zhao , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor late in the reign of Emperor Xuanzong...
, Yuan Zai
Yuan Zai
Yuan Zai , courtesy name Gongfu , formally Viscount Huang of Xuchang and then Viscount Chengzong of Xuchang , was an official of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Suzong and Emperor Daizong, becoming particularly powerful during the middle of Emperor...
, and Huangfu Bo
Huangfu Bo
Huangfu Bo was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong. He was viewed by traditional historians as a wicked official who pleased Emperor Xianzong by submitting revenues for Emperor Xianzong's personal use and who used...
as examples — Lu's senior colleague Pei Du
Pei Du
Pei Du , courtesy name Zhongli , formally Duke Wenzhong of Jin , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xianzong, Emperor Xianzong's son Emperor Muzong, and Emperor Xianzong's grandsons Emperor Jingzong and Emperor Wenzong...
resigned his financial responsibilities to serve just as chancellor. In 830, Lu was made Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau, and was given the additional title of senior scholar at Chongwen Pavilion (崇文館). In 833, he was also made a senior advisor to Emperor Wenzong's son and crown prince Li Yong
Li Yong (prince)
Li Yong , formally Crown Prince Zhuangke , was a crown prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He was the oldest son of Emperor Wenzong.- Background :It is not known when Li Yong was born...
; it was also that year that submitted chronicles of Emperor Xianzong's and Muzong's reigns to Emperor Wenzong. In 834, he offered to resign due to illness, but the resignation was not accepted. In 834, when Emperor Wenzong's close associate Zheng Zhu
Zheng Zhu
Zheng Zhu , probably né Yu Zhu , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He became a trusted advisor to Emperor Wenzong due to treatments he provided Emperor Wenzong for the emperor's illnesses, and thereafter plotted with Emperor Wenzong and Li Xun to slaughter the powerful eunuchs...
accused the former 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...
of conspiring with Du Zhongyang (杜仲陽) the wet nurse
Wet nurse
A wet nurse is a woman who is used to breast feed and care for another's child. Wet nurses are used when the mother is unable or chooses not to nurse the child herself. Wet-nursed children may be known as "milk-siblings", and in some cultures the families are linked by a special relationship of...
of Emperor Wenzong's brother Li Cou
Li Cou
Li Cou , formally Crown Prince Huaiyi , was an imperial prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who became implicated in an alleged plot that the chancellor Song Shenxi was supporting him to be emperor. He was, as a result, demoted by his brother Emperor Wenzong...
the Prince of Zhang, Lu not only did not cosign the accusation but further tried to defend Li Deyu, thus drawing Zheng's ire. Later that year, he was therefore sent out of Chang'an to serve as the military governor of Zhenghai Circuit and the prefect of Run Prefecture, without an opportunity to even meet the emperor to bid farewell, although he retained the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary title. He died on the way to Zhenghai, while riding on a ship on the Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
, and was given posthumous honors and 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...
Zhen (貞, "untainted").