Cui Shenyou
Encyclopedia
Cui Shenyou courtesy name Jingzhi (敬止), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong
.
, Hebei
), which claimed ancestry from the ruling house of the Spring and Autumn Period state Qi, and which traced its ancestry to officials of Qin Dynasty
, Han Dynasty
, Cao Wei
, Jin Dynasty (265-420)
, Later Zhao
, Southern Yan
, Liu Song, Northern Wei
, Northern Qi
, and Tang Dynasty
. Cui Shenyou's grandfather Cui Yi (崔異) served as a prefectural prefect, and his father Cui Cong (崔從) served as a regional governor and was created the Count of Qinghe. He had at least one older brother, Cui Yanfang (崔彥方) and at least three younger brothers, Cui Zhoushu (崔周恕), Cui Anqian
(who would later become a major general), and Cui Yanchong (崔彥沖).
Cui Shenyou passed the imperial examination
s in the Jinshi class early in the Taihe era (827
-835
) of Emperor Wenzong
, and further passed a special examination for those who were considered good and righteous. He was said to be intelligent, with good memory, and mild in his disposition. He later served on the staff of Gao Zhu (高銖) when Gao served as the military governor of Yicheng Circuit (義成, headquartered in modern Anyang
, Henan
).
, Cui was recalled to serve as You Shiyi (右拾遺), an advisory official at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), as well as imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi). He later served as the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Hunan Circuit (湖南, headquartered in modern Changsha, Hunan
) and then of Zhexi Circuit (浙西, headquartered in modern Zhenjiang
, Jiangsu
). At that time, he was suffering from an eye ailment that caused him to be unable to see, but was cured after treatment. After he was cured, he was recalled to the capital Chang'an
to serve as the deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang) and the director of taxation.
In 856
, Cui, who was then serving as the minister of public works (工部尚書, Gongbu Shangshu), was given the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), making him a chancellor de facto. (Originally, Emperor Xuānzong was set to give the position to Xiao Ye
, who was then the director of finances, instead. However, as he was ready to announce the commission, the eunuchs Wang Guichang (王歸長) and Ma Gongru (馬公儒) asked him whether Xiao should remain as director of taxation as well — causing Emperor Xuānzong to suspect Wang and Ma of associating with Xiao. Emperor Xuānzong therefore commissioned Cui as chancellor instead, and also had him remain as director of taxation.)
However, in 857
, Xiao was made chancellor as well, and Xiao, who had previously been a colleague of Cui's while both served as imperial scholars, did not have a good relationship with Cui. Xiao recommended Liu Zhuan
to serve as chancellor as well, and Liu was made a chancellor in 858
. After Liu was made chancellor, there was an occasion when Cui, when discussing the policy priorities of the time with Emperor Xuānzong, mentioned that he wanted to make distinguishing officials' ancestries a top priority. Liu sharply disagreed and pointed out that the priorities should be to make sure that the officials' talents were appropriate for their positions, and Cui was unable to respond.
Later in 858, there was an incident that caused Emperor Xuānzong to be displeased with Cui. Emperor Xuānzong wanted to declare a general pardon, which the senior chancellor Linghu Tao
opposed on the basis of the expense involved (as general pardons customarily required bestowing of rewards to imperial guard soldiers) and that the state should not have repeated pardons without good reasons. (Emperor Xuānzong had previously declared general pardons four times in his reign — in 847
, 848
, 850
, and 853
.) When Cui subsequently suggested that if Emperor Xuānzong created one of his sons Crown Prince
that that would be a good reason to declare a general pardon, Emperor Xuānzong, who did not want to create a crown prince and whose disposition had turned impatient and suspicious due to side effects of alchemists'
pills that he was taking, was displeased with Cui. Xiao used the opportunity to persuade Emperor Xuānzong to remove Cui. Cui was thereafter made the military governor (Jiedushi
) of Dongchuan Circuit (東川, headquartered in modern Mianyang
, Sichuan
).
-874
) of Emperor Xuānzong's son Emperor Yizong
, Cui Shenyou was made the prefect of Hua Prefecture (華州, headquartered in modern Weinan
, Shaanxi
) and the defender of Tong Pass. He was later made the military governor of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi) as well as the mayor of its capital Hezhong Municipality. He was later recalled to Chang'an to serve as the minister of civil service affairs (吏部尚書, Libu Shangshu). After he later requested retirement due to illness, he was made an advisor to the Crown Prince, with his office at Luoyang
. He died there, but the death date is not clear. His son Cui Yin
later served as a chancellor under Emperor Zhaozong
, at the end of Tang Dynasty.
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 Xuānzong
Emperor 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...
.
Background and early career
It is not known when Cui Shenyou was born. He was from the prominent Cui clan of Qinghe (清河, in modern XingtaiXingtai
Xingtai is a city in southern Hebei province, North China. The prefecture-level city of Xingtai, with a total area of , administers 2 districts, 2 county-level cities and 15 counties. In 2004 it had an urban population of 561,400 and a total population of 6.73 million...
, 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...
), which claimed ancestry from the ruling house of the Spring and Autumn Period state Qi, and which traced its ancestry to officials of Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
, Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
, Cao Wei
Cao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
, Jin Dynasty (265-420)
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...
, Later Zhao
Later Zhao
The Later Zhao was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty in China. It was founded by the Shi family of the Jie ethnicity...
, Southern Yan
Southern Yan
The Southern Yan was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China. Its territory roughly coincided with modern Shandong...
, Liu Song, Northern Wei
Northern Wei
The Northern Wei Dynasty , also known as the Tuoba Wei , Later Wei , or Yuan Wei , was a dynasty which ruled northern China from 386 to 534 . It has been described as "part of an era of political turbulence and intense social and cultural change"...
, Northern Qi
Northern Qi
The Northern Qi Dynasty was one of the Northern dynasties of Chinese history and ruled northern China from 550 to 577.-History:The Chinese state of Northern Qi was the successor state of the Chinese/Xianbei state of Eastern Wei and was founded by Emperor Wenxuan...
, and 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...
. Cui Shenyou's grandfather Cui Yi (崔異) served as a prefectural prefect, and his father Cui Cong (崔從) served as a regional governor and was created the Count of Qinghe. He had at least one older brother, Cui Yanfang (崔彥方) and at least three younger brothers, Cui Zhoushu (崔周恕), Cui Anqian
Cui Anqian
Cui Anqian , courtesy name Jinzhi , was an official and general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who was a participant in Tang's campaigns against the agrarian rebels Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao.- Background and early career :...
(who would later become a major general), and Cui Yanchong (崔彥沖).
Cui Shenyou passed the imperial examination
Imperial 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 early in the Taihe era (827
827
Year 827 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Beginning of the invasion of Sicily by the Aghlabid dynasty of Ifriqiya . The campaign in the island against Byzantium will take 51 years...
-835
835
Year 835 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Ragnar Lodbrok rises to power ....
) 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...
, and further passed a special examination for those who were considered good and righteous. He was said to be intelligent, with good memory, and mild in his disposition. He later served on the staff of Gao Zhu (高銖) when Gao served as the military governor of Yicheng Circuit (義成, headquartered in modern Anyang
Anyang
Anyang is a prefecture-level city in Henan province, People's Republic of China. The northernmost city in Henan, Anyang borders Puyang to the east, Hebi and Xinxiang to the south, and the provinces of Shanxi and Hebei to its west and north respectively....
, 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...
).
During Emperor Xuānzong's reign
Later, during the reign of Emperor Wenzong's 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...
, Cui was recalled to serve as You Shiyi (右拾遺), an advisory official at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), as well as imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi). He later served as the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Hunan Circuit (湖南, headquartered in modern Changsha, Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
) and then of Zhexi Circuit (浙西, 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...
). At that time, he was suffering from an eye ailment that caused him to be unable to see, but was cured after treatment. After he was cured, he 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 the deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang) and the director of taxation.
In 856
856
Year 856 was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* December 22 – Another deadly earthquake strikes Damghan, Iran, killing 200,000 people.- Europe :...
, Cui, who was then serving as the minister of public works (工部尚書, Gongbu Shangshu), was given the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), making him a chancellor de facto. (Originally, Emperor Xuānzong was set to give the position to Xiao Ye
Xiao Ye
Xiao Ye , courtesy name Qizhi , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xuānzong and Emperor Xuānzong's son Emperor Yizong.- Background and early career :...
, who was then the director of finances, instead. However, as he was ready to announce the commission, the eunuchs Wang Guichang (王歸長) and Ma Gongru (馬公儒) asked him whether Xiao should remain as director of taxation as well — causing Emperor Xuānzong to suspect Wang and Ma of associating with Xiao. Emperor Xuānzong therefore commissioned Cui as chancellor instead, and also had him remain as director of taxation.)
However, 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...
, Xiao was made chancellor as well, and Xiao, who had previously been a colleague of Cui's while both served as imperial scholars, did not have a good relationship with Cui. Xiao recommended Liu Zhuan
Liu Zhuan
Liu Zhuan , courtesy name Ziquan , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving briefly as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong.- Background and early career :...
to serve as chancellor as well, and Liu was made a chancellor in 858
858
Year 858 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Louis the German invades West Francia, hoping to secure Aquitaine from his brother Charles the Bald, but fails....
. After Liu was made chancellor, there was an occasion when Cui, when discussing the policy priorities of the time with Emperor Xuānzong, mentioned that he wanted to make distinguishing officials' ancestries a top priority. Liu sharply disagreed and pointed out that the priorities should be to make sure that the officials' talents were appropriate for their positions, and Cui was unable to respond.
Later in 858, there was an incident that caused Emperor Xuānzong to be displeased with Cui. Emperor Xuānzong wanted to declare a general pardon, which the senior 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...
opposed on the basis of the expense involved (as general pardons customarily required bestowing of rewards to imperial guard soldiers) and that the state should not have repeated pardons without good reasons. (Emperor Xuānzong had previously declared general pardons four times in his reign — in 847
847
Year 847 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Bari is captured by the Saracens....
, 848
848
Year 848 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The Saracens destroy Leontini.* Charles the Bald, Louis the German and Lothar meet in Koblenz....
, 850
850
Year 850 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Emperor Montoku succeeds Emperor Nimmyō as Emperor of Japan.- Europe :...
, and 853
853
Year 853 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Egypt :* May 22–May 23 – A Byzantine fleet sacks and destroys Damietta in Egypt.- Asia :...
.) When Cui subsequently suggested that if Emperor Xuānzong created one of his sons 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....
that that would be a good reason to declare a general pardon, Emperor Xuānzong, who did not want to create a crown prince and whose disposition had turned impatient and suspicious due to side effects of alchemists'
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
pills that he was taking, was displeased with Cui. Xiao used the opportunity to persuade Emperor Xuānzong to remove Cui. Cui was thereafter 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 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...
).
After Emperor Xuānzong's reign
Early in the Xiantong era (860860
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 :...
-874
874
Year 874 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Ingólfur Arnarson arrives as the first permanent Viking settler in Iceland, settling in Reykjavík ....
) of Emperor Xuānzong's 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...
, Cui Shenyou was made the prefect of Hua Prefecture (華州, headquartered in modern Weinan
Weinan
Weinan is a Municipality in the province of Shaanxi, PRC. The Grand Historian Sima Qian was born in Weinan.-Administration:...
, 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 the defender of Tong Pass. He was later made the military governor of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi) as well as the mayor of its capital Hezhong Municipality. He was later recalled to Chang'an to serve as the minister of civil service affairs (吏部尚書, Libu Shangshu). After he later requested retirement due to illness, he was made an advisor to the Crown Prince, with his office at 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 died there, but the death date is not clear. His son Cui Yin
Cui Yin
Cui Yin , courtesy name Chuixiu , nickname Zilang , formally the Duke of Wei , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong...
later served as a chancellor under 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...
, at the end of Tang Dynasty.