Ren Yaxiang
Encyclopedia
Ren Yaxiang (died March 9, 662) was an official and general of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong
.
or the New Book of Tang
. It is known that he was from Weinan
.
, Ren Yaxiang was serving as Protector General of Yanran (燕然, headquartered in modern Bayan Nur
, Inner Mongolia
), when he was made a deputy to the general Su Dingfang
in Su's campaign against Western Tujue's Shabuolüe Khan Ashina Helu (阿史那賀魯). He later participated in Su's battles against Ashina Helu and was a participant in the victories, which ultimately resulted in Ashina Helu's capture by another deputy of Su, Xiao Siye (蕭嗣業).
As of 659, Ren was serving as minister of defense, when he was given the designation of Canzhi Zhengshi (參知政事), making him a chancellor de facto. Later that year, when the former chancellor and Emperor Gaozong's uncle Zhangsun Wuji
, who had already been exiled on suspicion of treason, was accused of further plotting, Ren, along with fellow chancellors Li Ji
, Xu Jingzong
, Xin Maojiang
, and Lu Chengqing
were put in charge of the investigation (although it was Xu, who was an ally of Emperor Gaozong's powerful wife Empress Wu
(later known as Wu Zetian), who drove the investigation), which resulted in Zhangsun's forced suicide.
In 661, when Emperor Gaozong launched a major campaign against Goguryeo
, Ren was one of generals commissioned with a major part of the force, along with Su, Xiao, and Qibi Heli (契苾何力). He died in spring 662, while still serving on the campaign against Goguryeo.
It was said that during Ren's service as major general, he never promoted his friends or relatives, but rather, when there were positions to be filled, would always request the proper agencies to fill them. Explaining his actions, he said, "Offices, no matter great or small, are all offices of the state. How can I use them to satisfy my own desires?" It was therefore said that within his army, rewards and punishments were fair, and that the people admired Ren for his fairness.
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 chancellor during the reign of 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...
.
Background
Despite Ren Yaxiang's high status, little is firmly established about his background or career except for the years that he served as chancellor -- as, unusual for a chancellor, he did not have a biography in either the Book of TangBook of Tang
The Book of Tang , Jiu Tangshu or the Old Book of Tang is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. The book began when Gaozu of Later Jin ordered its commencement in 941...
or the New Book of Tang
New Book of Tang
The New Book of Tang , is a classic work of history about the Tang Dynasty edited by Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi and other official scholars of the Song Dynasty. The emperor called for a revision of the former Book of Tang in 1044. The New Book was presented to the throne in 1060. It was given its...
. It is known that he was from Weinan
Weinan
Weinan is a Municipality in the province of Shaanxi, PRC. The Grand Historian Sima Qian was born in Weinan.-Administration:...
.
Service under Emperor Gaozong
As of 657, during the reign of Emperor GaozongEmperor 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...
, Ren Yaxiang was serving as Protector General of Yanran (燕然, headquartered in modern Bayan Nur
Bayan Nur
Bayannur is a prefecture-level city in western Inner Mongolia. Until December 1, 2003, the area was called the Bayannur league.Bayannur city has an area of 65,788 km². It borders Mongolia to the north, Alxa to the west, Ordos to the south and Baotou to the east...
, Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China, located in the northern region of the country. Inner Mongolia shares an international border with the countries of Mongolia and the Russian Federation...
), when he was made a deputy to the general Su Dingfang
Su Dingfang
Su Dingfang , formal name Su Lie but went by the courtesy name of Dingfang, formally Duke Zhuang of Xing , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who succeeded in destroying the Western Tujue in 657. He was born in Wuyi...
in Su's campaign against Western Tujue's Shabuolüe Khan Ashina Helu (阿史那賀魯). He later participated in Su's battles against Ashina Helu and was a participant in the victories, which ultimately resulted in Ashina Helu's capture by another deputy of Su, Xiao Siye (蕭嗣業).
As of 659, Ren was serving as minister of defense, when he was given the designation of Canzhi Zhengshi (參知政事), making him a chancellor de facto. Later that year, when the former chancellor and Emperor Gaozong's uncle Zhangsun Wuji
Zhangsun Wuji
Zhangsun Wuji , courtesy name Fuji , formally Duke of Zhao , was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty during the reigns of his brother-in-law Emperor Taizong and nephew Emperor Gaozong...
, who had already been exiled on suspicion of treason, was accused of further plotting, Ren, along with fellow chancellors Li Ji
Li Shiji
Li Shiji , né Xu Shiji , later known in the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang as Li Ji , courtesy name Maogong , formally Duke Zhenwu of Ying , was one of the most celebrated generals early in the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
, Xu Jingzong
Xu Jingzong
Xu Jingzong , courtesy name Yanzu , formally Duke Gong of Gaoyang , was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
, Xin Maojiang
Xin Maojiang
Xin Maojiang was an official and general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor for about a year during the reign of Emperor Gaozong.- Background :...
, and Lu Chengqing
Lu Chengqing
Lu Chengqing , courtesy name Ziyu , formally Duke Ding of Fanyang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong.- Background :...
were put in charge of the investigation (although it was Xu, who was an ally of Emperor Gaozong's powerful wife Empress Wu
Wu Zetian
Wu Zetian , personal name Wu Zhao , often referred to as Tian Hou during the Tang Dynasty and Empress Consort Wu in later times, was the only woman in the history of China to assume the title of Empress Regnant...
(later known as Wu Zetian), who drove the investigation), which resulted in Zhangsun's forced suicide.
In 661, when Emperor Gaozong launched a major campaign against Goguryeo
Goguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
, Ren was one of generals commissioned with a major part of the force, along with Su, Xiao, and Qibi Heli (契苾何力). He died in spring 662, while still serving on the campaign against Goguryeo.
It was said that during Ren's service as major general, he never promoted his friends or relatives, but rather, when there were positions to be filled, would always request the proper agencies to fill them. Explaining his actions, he said, "Offices, no matter great or small, are all offices of the state. How can I use them to satisfy my own desires?" It was therefore said that within his army, rewards and punishments were fair, and that the people admired Ren for his fairness.