Xue Yuanchao
Encyclopedia
Xue Yuanchao (622–683), formal name Xue Zhen (薛振) but went by the courtesy name of Yuanchao, formally Baron of Fenyin (汾陰男), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
who served as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong
.
). His grandfather Xue Daoheng (薛道衡) was a high level official of Sui Dynasty
before being executed in 609 due to jealousy that Emperor Yang of Sui
had for his literary talent, and as a result, Xue Yuanchao's father Xue Shou (薛收) declined to serve under Sui Dynasty, and eventually joined the rebellion by the general Li Yuan
in 617, serving under Li Yuan's son Li Shimin
. After Li Yuan founded Tang Dynasty
in 618 as its Emperor Gaozu, Xue Shou continued to serve Li Shimin as a secretary and advisor, but died fairly early in 624, still during Emperor Gaozu's reign at age 32. He was bestowed various honors in 633, after Li Shimin became emperor in 626 (as Emperor Taizong).
Xue Yuanchao inherited the title Baron of Fenyin in 630, which Xue Shou had been created for his contributions in the campaign against Liu Heita
. When he grew older, he became known for his studiousness and writing ability. Emperor Taizong was impressed by him, and had him marry Lady Hejing, the daughter of Emperor Taizong's brother Li Yuanji
. He was made an attendant to Emperor Taizong's crown prince
Li Zhi
, and participated in drafting the official history of Jin Dynasty
, the Book of Jin
.
In 654, on account of his mother's death, Xue Yuanchao left governmental service to observe a period of mourning. In 655, he returned to governmental service as Huangmen Shilang (黃門侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng), as well as a staff member for Emperor Gaozong's crown prince Li Zhong
. By this point, Xue was known not only for his literary talent, but his ability to find capable people and recommend them for government service. Among the people he recommended were later key officials Ren Xigu (任希古), Gao Zhizhou
, Guo Zhengyi
, Wang Yifang (王義方), and Meng Lizhen (孟利貞). Later, though, he was sent out of the capital Chang'an
to serve as the prefect of Rao Prefecture (饒州, roughly modern Shangrao
, Jiangxi
), on account of illness.
In 658 or 663, he became Dong Tai Shilang (東臺侍郎), the deputy head of the legislative bureau, which by this time was renamed Dong Tai (東臺). In 663, the chancellor Li Yifu
was removed from office and exiled to Xi Prefecture (巂州, roughly modern Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture
, Sichuan
), and according to regulations, exiles were not allowed to ride horses on the way to the place of exile. Xue made a request that Li be given a horse, and offended the emperor in doing so and was demoted to be the prefect of Jian Prefecture (簡州, roughly modern Ziyang
, Sichuan
). In 664, another chancellor, Shangguan Yi
, was executed for opposing Emperor Gaozong's powerful wife Empress Wu
(later known as Wu Zetian), and as Xue often exchanged correspondences with Shangguan, Xue was himself removed from office and exiled to Xi Prefecture.
Early in Emperor Gaozong's Shangyuan era (674-676), there was a general pardon, and Xue was allowed to return to Chang'an and was made an imperial advisor with the examination bureau. In 676, he became Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎), the deputy head of the legislative bureau, which by this time had changed its name back to Zhongshu Sheng, and later that year he received the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin (同中書門下三品), making him a chancellor de facto. Also that year, he was commissioned by Emperor Gaozong to go on a tour of the Hebei Circuit (河北道, roughly modern Hebei
) to examine the prefects in the circuit. Around that time, there was an occasion when Emperor Gaozong was on a hunt when he had non-Han
tribal chiefs attend the hunt, armed with weapons. Xue submitted a secret petition advising against it on the account of dangerousness, and Emperor Gaozong was touched by the concern he showed. From that point on, he often invited Xue to share meals with him and the imperial princes. Emperor Gaozong, impressed with Xue's talent in governance, also made the comment to him, "Given that you are at Zhongshu Sheng, I do not need a large number of people there." In 680, when Emperor Gaozong's then-crown prince Li Xian
was accused of treason, Emperor Gaozong put Xue, along with Pei Yan
and Gao Zhizhou, in charge of the investigations, after which Li Xian was deposed and replaced with his brother Li Zhe
.
In 681, Xue was made Zhongshu Ling (中書令) -- the head of the legislative bureau and a post considered one for a chancellor -- as well as a member of Li Xián's staff. In 682, when there was a major famine in the Guanzhong
region (i.e., the Chang'an region), Emperor Gaozong left Chang'an to take up residence at the eastern capital Luoyang
, and he left Li Zhe in charge of the capital, assisted by Xue and fellow chancellors Liu Rengui
and Pei. Emperor Gaozong told Xue that Li Zhe was still young and needed counsel. Xue thereafter recommended a number of officials, including the later important officials Zheng Zuxuan (鄭祖玄), Deng Xuanting (鄧玄挺), and Cui Rong (崔融) to be resident scholars at Li Zhe's palace, and he often submitted advice to Li Zhe, counseling him against frequently spending time in hunting. Emperor Gaozong heard of this and awarded him with silk, and then summoned him to Luoyang.
In 683, Xue suffered a throat illness that rendered him unable to speak, and he offered to retire. Emperor Gaozong allowed him to retire, and bestowed on him the honorific title Jinzi Guanglu Daifu (金紫光祿大夫). He died in winter 683 -- around the same time that Emperor Gaozong himself died -- and was buried with honors, near the tomb of Emperor Gaozong.
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...
who served as a 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
Xue Yuanchao was born in 622. His family was from what would eventually become Pu Prefecture (蒲州, roughly modern Yuncheng, ShanxiShanxi
' 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 grandfather Xue Daoheng (薛道衡) was a high level official of Sui Dynasty
Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty was a powerful, but short-lived Imperial Chinese dynasty. Preceded by the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it ended nearly four centuries of division between rival regimes. It was followed by the Tang Dynasty....
before being executed in 609 due to jealousy that Emperor Yang of Sui
Emperor Yang of Sui
Emperor Yang of Sui , personal name Yang Guang , alternative name Ying , nickname Amo , known as Emperor Ming during the brief reign of his grandson Yang Tong), was the second son of Emperor Wen of Sui, and the second emperor of China's Sui Dynasty.Emperor Yang's original name was Yang Ying, but...
had for his literary talent, and as a result, Xue Yuanchao's father Xue Shou (薛收) declined to serve under Sui Dynasty, and eventually joined the rebellion by the general Li Yuan
Emperor Gaozu of Tang
Emperor Gāozǔ of Táng , born Lǐ Yuān , courtesy name Shūdé , was the founder of the Tang Dynasty of China, and the first emperor of this dynasty from 618 to 626. Under the Sui dynasty, Li Yuan was the governor in the area of modern-day Shanxi, and was based in Taiyuan.In 615, Li Yuan was assigned...
in 617, serving under Li Yuan's son Li Shimin
Emperor Taizong of Tang
Emperor Taizong of Tang , personal name Lǐ Shìmín , was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, ruling from 626 to 649...
. After Li Yuan founded 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...
in 618 as its Emperor Gaozu, Xue Shou continued to serve Li Shimin as a secretary and advisor, but died fairly early in 624, still during Emperor Gaozu's reign at age 32. He was bestowed various honors in 633, after Li Shimin became emperor in 626 (as Emperor Taizong).
Xue Yuanchao inherited the title Baron of Fenyin in 630, which Xue Shou had been created for his contributions in the campaign against Liu Heita
Liu Heita
Liu Heita was an agrarian rebel leader during China's transition period from Sui Dynasty to Tang Dynasty, who initially successively served under Hao Xiaode , Li Mi, and Wang Shichong. He eventually followed Dou Jiande the Prince of Xia...
. When he grew older, he became known for his studiousness and writing ability. Emperor Taizong was impressed by him, and had him marry Lady Hejing, the daughter of Emperor Taizong's brother Li Yuanji
Li Yuanji
Li Yuanji , formally Prince La of Chao , more commonly known by the title of Prince of Qi , nickname Sanhu , was an imperial prince of the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
. He was made an attendant to Emperor Taizong's 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....
Li Zhi
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...
, and participated in drafting the official history of Jin Dynasty
Jìn Dynasty (265-420)
The Jìn Dynasty , was a dynasty in Chinese history, lasting between the years 265 and 420 AD. There are two main divisions in the history of the Dynasty, the first being Western Jin and the second Eastern Jin...
, the Book of Jin
Book of Jin
The Book of Jin is one of the official Chinese historical works. It covers the history of Jin Dynasty from 265 to 420, which written by a number of officials commissioned by the court of Tang Dynasty, with the lead editor being the Prime Minister Fang Xuanling, drawing mostly from the official...
.
During Emperor Gaozong's reign
After Emperor Taizong died in 649, Li Zhi took the throne (as Emperor Gaozong). He made Xue Yuanchao an imperial attendant. He often submitted suggestions to Emperor Gaozong as to proper relations with his subject officials and the various current affairs, and Emperor Gaozong was impressed by them. He was soon made a mid-level official at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng) and an imperial scholar, continuing to be in charge of writing imperial histories. It was said that the legislative bureau had a large flat rock that Xue Yuanchao's grandfather Xue Daoheng had often used as a table on which to draft various regulations, and whenever Xue Yuanchao saw it, he would shed tears for his grandfather.In 654, on account of his mother's death, Xue Yuanchao left governmental service to observe a period of mourning. In 655, he returned to governmental service as Huangmen Shilang (黃門侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng), as well as a staff member for Emperor Gaozong's crown prince Li Zhong
Li Zhong
Li Zhong is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 86th of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 50th of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Tiger Slaying General".-Background:...
. By this point, Xue was known not only for his literary talent, but his ability to find capable people and recommend them for government service. Among the people he recommended were later key officials Ren Xigu (任希古), Gao Zhizhou
Gao Zhizhou
Gao Zhizhou was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong.Gao Zhizhou was born in 602, during the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, the founding emperor of Tang's predecessor Sui Dynasty. His family was from what would become Chang...
, Guo Zhengyi
Guo Zhengyi
Guo Zhengyi was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong and the regency of Emperor Gaozong's wife Empress Wu over their son Emperor Zhongzong.- Background :It is not known when Guo Zhengyi was born...
, Wang Yifang (王義方), and Meng Lizhen (孟利貞). Later, though, he was sent out of 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 the prefect of Rao Prefecture (饒州, roughly modern Shangrao
Shangrao
Shangrao is a medium-sized prefecture-level city located in the northeast of China's Jiangxi province. According to the 2010 Census, Shangrao has a population of 6,579,714 inhabitants....
, 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...
), on account of illness.
In 658 or 663, he became Dong Tai Shilang (東臺侍郎), the deputy head of the legislative bureau, which by this time was renamed Dong Tai (東臺). In 663, the chancellor Li Yifu
Li Yifu
Li Yifu was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. He became particularly powerful because of his support for Emperor Gaozong's second wife Empress Wu when her ascension was opposed by then-chancellors, and he had a reputation for treachery...
was removed from office and exiled to Xi Prefecture (巂州, roughly modern Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture
Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture
Liangshan , officially the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, is an autonomous prefecture in Sichuan, south central China whose capital is Xichang. Liangshan has an area of 60,423 km² and over 4.5 million inhabitants...
, 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...
), and according to regulations, exiles were not allowed to ride horses on the way to the place of exile. Xue made a request that Li be given a horse, and offended the emperor in doing so and was demoted to be the prefect of Jian Prefecture (簡州, roughly modern Ziyang
Ziyang
Ziyang prefecture-level city in the Sichuan Province, in south central China, with more than 300,000 inhabitants.- Subdivisions :-External links:*...
, 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...
). In 664, another chancellor, Shangguan Yi
Shangguan Yi
Shangguan Yi , courtesy name Youshao , formally Duke of Chu , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong...
, was executed for opposing 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), and as Xue often exchanged correspondences with Shangguan, Xue was himself removed from office and exiled to Xi Prefecture.
Early in Emperor Gaozong's Shangyuan era (674-676), there was a general pardon, and Xue was allowed to return to Chang'an and was made an imperial advisor with the examination bureau. In 676, he became Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎), the deputy head of the legislative bureau, which by this time had changed its name back to Zhongshu Sheng, and later that year he received the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin (同中書門下三品), making him a chancellor de facto. Also that year, he was commissioned by Emperor Gaozong to go on a tour of the Hebei Circuit (河北道, roughly modern 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...
) to examine the prefects in the circuit. Around that time, there was an occasion when Emperor Gaozong was on a hunt when he had non-Han
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
tribal chiefs attend the hunt, armed with weapons. Xue submitted a secret petition advising against it on the account of dangerousness, and Emperor Gaozong was touched by the concern he showed. From that point on, he often invited Xue to share meals with him and the imperial princes. Emperor Gaozong, impressed with Xue's talent in governance, also made the comment to him, "Given that you are at Zhongshu Sheng, I do not need a large number of people there." In 680, when Emperor Gaozong's then-crown prince Li Xian
Li Xian
Li Xian , courtesy name Mingyun , formally Crown Prince Zhanghuai , named Li De from 672 to 674, was a crown prince of the Chinese Tang Dynasty. He was the sixth son of Emperor Gaozong, and the second son of his second wife Empress Wu...
was accused of treason, Emperor Gaozong put Xue, along with Pei Yan
Pei Yan
Pei Yan , courtesy name Zilong , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, as well as regency by his wife Empress Wu over their sons Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong...
and Gao Zhizhou, in charge of the investigations, after which Li Xian was deposed and replaced with his brother Li Zhe
Emperor Zhongzong of Tang
Emperor Zhongzong of Tang , personal name Lǐ Xiǎn , at times during his life Li Zhe and Wu Xian , was the fourth Emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, ruling briefly in 684 and again from 705 to 710.Emperor Zhongzong was the son of Emperor Gaozong of Tang and Empress Wu...
.
In 681, Xue was made Zhongshu Ling (中書令) -- the head of the legislative bureau and a post considered one for a chancellor -- as well as a member of Li Xián's staff. In 682, when there was a major famine in the Guanzhong
Guanzhong
Guanzhong , or Guanzhong Plain, is a historical region of China corresponding to the lower valley of the Wei River. It is called Guanzhong or 'within the passes' to distinguish it from 'Guandong' or 'east of the pass', that is, the North China Plain. The North China Plain is bordered on the west by...
region (i.e., the Chang'an region), Emperor Gaozong left Chang'an to take up residence 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...
, and he left Li Zhe in charge of the capital, assisted by Xue and fellow chancellors Liu Rengui
Liu Rengui
Liu Rengui , courtesy name Zhengze , formally Duke Wenxian of Lecheng , was a general and official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong and the subsequent regency of his wife Wu Zetian over his sons Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong...
and Pei. Emperor Gaozong told Xue that Li Zhe was still young and needed counsel. Xue thereafter recommended a number of officials, including the later important officials Zheng Zuxuan (鄭祖玄), Deng Xuanting (鄧玄挺), and Cui Rong (崔融) to be resident scholars at Li Zhe's palace, and he often submitted advice to Li Zhe, counseling him against frequently spending time in hunting. Emperor Gaozong heard of this and awarded him with silk, and then summoned him to Luoyang.
In 683, Xue suffered a throat illness that rendered him unable to speak, and he offered to retire. Emperor Gaozong allowed him to retire, and bestowed on him the honorific title Jinzi Guanglu Daifu (金紫光祿大夫). He died in winter 683 -- around the same time that Emperor Gaozong himself died -- and was buried with honors, near the tomb of Emperor Gaozong.