Duan Wenchang
Encyclopedia
Duan Wenchang (773 – April 1, 835), courtesy name Moqing (墨卿), alternative name Jingchu (景初), formally the Duke of Zouping (鄒平公), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong
.
. His great-great-grandfather Duan Zhixuan (段志玄) was one of the major contributors to the establishment of Tang
rule, and thus received two great honors — being buried near the tomb of Emperor Taizong
and having his portrait being one of the 24 Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion
. His great-grandfather Duan Guan (段瓘) served as a county magistrate; his grandfather Duan Huaichang (段懷昶) served as a prefectural military advisor; and his father Duan E (段諤) served as a prefectural prefect.
By Duan Wenchang's time, his family, although originally from Qi Prefecture (齊州, in modern Zibo
, Shandong
), had been living at Jing Prefecture (荊州, in modern Jingzhou
, Hubei
). Duan Wenchang, in his youth, became known for his integrity and righteousness, and while this was known by the military governor (Jiedushi
) of the region, Jingnan Circuit (荊南, headquartered in modern Jingzhou), Pei Zhou (裴冑) and Pei respected him for this, Pei did not invite him to serve on staff. However, Wei Gao
the military governor of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu
, Sichuan
) heard about him and invited him to serve on staff. While the future chancellor Li Jifu
was serving as the prefect of Zhong Prefecture (忠州, in modern Chongqing
), a part of Xichuan Circuit, he and Duan had correspondences.
was emperor, Wei Gao's successor Liu Pi
rebelled against imperial rule, but was soon defeated and captured by the imperial general Gao Chongwen
. Duan Wenchang, along with several other members of Liu's staff, wore mourning clothes and met Gao to ask for forgiveness. Gao treated them with respect and released them, recommending several of them for promotions, but stated to Duan, "You, sir, will one day be a major general or chancellor. I do not dare to recommend you."
Meanwhile, in 807, Li Jifu became chancellor. Both he and Pei Ji
recommended Duan, and Duan was made the magistrate of Dengfeng
County. He was soon thereafter made an imperial censor with the title Jiancha Yushi (監察御史), then Zuo Bujue (左補闕), a consultant at the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng). He was later made Cibu Yuanwailang (祠部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of rites (禮部, Libu). In 816, he was made an imperial scholar with the title Hanlin Xueshi (翰林學士), while keeping his office as Cibu Yuanwailang as well. (As Duan was a son-in-law to the deceased chancellor Wu Yuanheng
, the chancellor Wei Guanzhi
, who did not have a friendly relationship with Wu, opposed Emperor Xianzong's previous proposal to make Duan an imperial scholar; only after Wei's removal in 816 was Duan made imperial scholar with the support of the new chancellor Li Fengji
.) In 819, Duan was further given the responsibility of drafting imperial edicts.
. It was said that the very same day that Emperor Muzong took the throne, he summoned Duan Wenchang, along with two scholars that attended to Emperor Muzong's studies while he was Crown Prince
, Xue Fang (薛放) and Ding Gongzhu (丁公著), for a meeting. When Emperor Muzong initially wanted to make Xue and Ding chancellors, they declined, and instead, Duan was made Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎), the deputy head of the legislative bureau (中書省), and de facto chancellor with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), along with Xiao Mian
.
While serving as chancellor with Xiao, both Xiao and Duan were blamed for a major policy misstep that cost the imperial government its control over the region north of the Yellow River
. Both he and Xiao thought that the realm had been permanently pacified after Emperor Xianzong's campaigns against warlords, which destroyed many warlords and caused others to agree to follow imperial orders. He and Xiao submitted a proposal that secret orders be sent to each army, ordering them to reduce armies by forced attrition — such that each army was required to reduce its size by 8% each year by desertions or death. As Emperor Muzong, new to the throne, was spent much of his time in drinking and feasting, he did not see the problems with this proposal and approved it. The soldiers removed from army ranks as a result gathered as bandits as a result, and later, when Lulong (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing
) and Chengde (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang
, Hebei
) Circuits rebelled under the leadership of Zhu Kerong
and Wang Tingcou
respectively in 821 (by which time Xiao was no longer chancellor), the former soldiers joined Lulong and Chengde forces in droves, and as they were experienced soldiers and the soldiers that the imperial armies were forced to gather quickly in response were inexperienced, the Lulong and Chengde forces eventually prevailed over imperial forces despite a major numerical disadvantage — with Lulong and Chengde having less than 20,000 soldiers combined and the imperial forces numbering 150,000.
In spring 821, it was said that then-military governor of Xichuan, Wang Bo, was making many attempts in official circles to become chancellor, including bribing the powerful eunuchs. Duan also was trying to affect the situation on Wang's behalf. Xiao opposed Wang's ascension, and when Emperor Muzong would not listen to Xiao, Xiao resigned. Shortly thereafter, Duan also offered to resign, and he was made the military governor of Xichuan, while Wang was kept at the capital Chang'an
to serve as the minister of justice and director of salt and iron monopolies. He continued to carry the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary title.
Shortly after Duan was sent to Xichuan, a major scandal broke over high-level officials' influence over the imperial examination
results that year. Both Duan and the imperial scholar Li Shen
had submitted a list of examinees that they hoped would be passed to Qian Hui (錢徽), one of the officials in charge of the examinations that season, but once the results were published, the examinees that Duan and Li Shen recommended did not pass, while those who passed included the several relatives of other officials — Zheng Tan
's brother Zheng Lang
; Pei Du
's son Pei Zhuan (裴譔); Li Zongmin
's son-in-law Su Chao (蘇巢); and Yang Yinshi (楊殷士), brother to the other official in charge of the examinations that year, Yang Rushi (楊汝士). Duan complained to Emperor Muzong that the examinations that year were not fair. When Emperor Muzong consulted imperial scholars, several imperial scholars who were political enemies of Li Zongmin, including Li Deyu
, Yuan Zhen
, and Li Shen, all agreed with Duan. Emperor Muzong thus ordered a reexamination, while demoting Qian, Li Zongmin, and Yang Rushi, along with 10 examinees who passed based on perceived influence. When Qian's friends subsequently suggested that he submit Duan's and Li Shen's letters trying to influence the examinations to the emperor to show that they were the ones trying to influence results, Qian, who believed that revealing these private letters was inappropriate, burned them. (This was considered a precipitating event to a partisan struggle among Tang officials later known as the Niu-Li Factional Struggles
.)
Meanwhile, because Duan was familiar with the customs of the Xichuan people, it was said that he governed with lenience and decisiveness, and that the non-Han
people around the circuit respected and feared him. In 822, when Nanzhao attacked Tang territory, Duan sent an emissary and was able to persuade Nanzhao forces to withdraw.
, Duan Wenchang was recalled to Chang'an to serve as the minister of justice (刑部尚書, Xingbu Shangshu). He was later made minister of defense (兵部尚書, Bingbu Shangshu), as well as acting Shangshu Zuo Cheng (尚書左丞), one of the Secretaries General of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng).
After Emperor Jingzong died in 826 and was succeeded by his brother Emperor Wenzong
, Duan was made chief imperial censor (御史大夫, Yushi Daifu). Soon thereafter, he was made the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
), carrying an honorary chancellor title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi. In 830, he was moved to Jingnan Circuit (荊南, headquartered in modern Jingzhou
, Hubei
). As Duan's ancestors had kept mansions in both Jingnan and Xichuan, he bought those mansions back from current owners and converted them into Buddhist temples. As many of his ancestors were buried at Jingnan, he also built a new ancestral shrine, and he often offered sacrifices to his ancestors as well as presenting dances and music to them, in contravention to the usual Confucian customs of ancestor worship, and therefore was criticized.
In 832, Duan was moved back to Xichuan Circuit. In 835, when the imperial eunuch was at Xichuan to deliver new spring uniforms for the soldiers, Duan attended the ceremony for the eunuch to read the imperial edict, and died at the ceremony after the edict was read, without apparent illness. He was given posthumous honors, and he left a 30-volume collection of his works.
It was said that after Duan became prominent, he spent much wealth on clothes, decorations, singing boys, and prostitutes, and was much criticized for this.
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 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...
.
Background
Duan Wenchang was born in 773, 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 great-great-grandfather Duan Zhixuan (段志玄) was one of the major contributors to the establishment of Tang
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...
rule, and thus received two great honors — being buried near the tomb of Emperor Taizong
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...
and having his portrait being one of the 24 Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion
Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion
The Portraits at Lingyan Pavilion refer to the 24 portraits that Emperor Taizong of Tang commissioned the great painter Yan Liben to paint on Lingyan Pavilion in 643, within his palace, to commemorate the 24 great contributors to Tang rule. The commission order was issued on March 23, 643...
. His great-grandfather Duan Guan (段瓘) served as a county magistrate; his grandfather Duan Huaichang (段懷昶) served as a prefectural military advisor; and his father Duan E (段諤) served as a prefectural prefect.
By Duan Wenchang's time, his family, although originally from Qi Prefecture (齊州, in modern Zibo
Zibo
Zibo is a prefecture-level city in central Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It borders the provincial capital of Jinan to the west, Laiwu and Tai'an to the southwest, Linyi to the south, Weifang to the east, Dongying to the northeast, and Binzhou the north.Located in the middle part...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
), had been living at Jing Prefecture (荊州, in modern Jingzhou
Jingzhou
Jingzhou is a prefecture-level city in Hubei Province, People's Republic of China. The city is located on the banks of the Yangtze River.Its population is 5,691,707 at the 2010 census whom 1,154,086 in the built up area made of 3 urban districts.-Geography:Jingzhou occupies an area of...
, 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...
). Duan Wenchang, in his youth, became known for his integrity and righteousness, and while this was known by 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 the region, Jingnan Circuit (荊南, headquartered in modern Jingzhou), Pei Zhou (裴冑) and Pei respected him for this, Pei did not invite him to serve on staff. However, Wei Gao
Wei Gao
Wei Gao , courtesy name Chengwu , formally Prince Zhongwu of Nankang , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
the military governor of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
, 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...
) heard about him and invited him to serve on staff. While the future chancellor Li Jifu
Li Jifu
Li Jifu , courtesy name Hongxian , formally Duke Zhongyi of Zhao , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong.- Background :...
was serving as the prefect of Zhong Prefecture (忠州, in modern Chongqing
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
), a part of Xichuan Circuit, he and Duan had correspondences.
During Emperor Xianzong's reign
In 806, by which time 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, Wei Gao's successor Liu Pi
Liu Pi
Liu Pi was a Yellow Turban rebel general during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history.-Biography:After the decline of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Liu Pi's men allied themselves with Yuan Shu and Sun Jian in the early 190s. His party thrived in the Yingchuan and Runan region, and by the...
rebelled against imperial rule, but was soon defeated and captured by the imperial general Gao Chongwen
Gao Chongwen
Gao Chongwen , formally Prince Weiwu of Nanping , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, most well-known for his defeat of the warlord Liu Pi.- Background :...
. Duan Wenchang, along with several other members of Liu's staff, wore mourning clothes and met Gao to ask for forgiveness. Gao treated them with respect and released them, recommending several of them for promotions, but stated to Duan, "You, sir, will one day be a major general or chancellor. I do not dare to recommend you."
Meanwhile, in 807, Li Jifu became chancellor. Both he and 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 :...
recommended Duan, and Duan was made the magistrate of Dengfeng
Dengfeng
Dengfeng is a county-level city in Zhengzhou, Henan province. In ancient times, it was known as Yangcheng .Dengfeng has an area of 1220 square kilometers and a population of 630,000....
County. He was soon thereafter made an imperial censor with the title Jiancha Yushi (監察御史), then Zuo Bujue (左補闕), a consultant at the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng). He was later made Cibu Yuanwailang (祠部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of rites (禮部, Libu). In 816, he was made an imperial scholar with the title Hanlin Xueshi (翰林學士), while keeping his office as Cibu Yuanwailang as well. (As Duan was a son-in-law to the deceased chancellor Wu Yuanheng
Wu Yuanheng
Wu Yuanheng , courtesy name Bocang , formally Duke Zhongmin of Linhuai , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong...
, the chancellor Wei Guanzhi
Wei Guanzhi
Wei Guanzhi , né Wei Chun , courtesy name Zhengli , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong.- Background :...
, who did not have a friendly relationship with Wu, opposed Emperor Xianzong's previous proposal to make Duan an imperial scholar; only after Wei's removal in 816 was Duan made imperial scholar with the support of the new chancellor Li Fengji
Li Fengji
Li Fengji , courtesy name Xuzhou , formally Duke Cheng of Zheng or Duke Cheng of Liang , 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 grandson Emperor Jingzong...
.) In 819, Duan was further given the responsibility of drafting imperial edicts.
During Emperor Muzong's reign
In spring 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...
. It was said that the very same day that Emperor Muzong took the throne, he summoned Duan Wenchang, along with two scholars that attended to Emperor Muzong's studies while he was 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....
, Xue Fang (薛放) and Ding Gongzhu (丁公著), for a meeting. When Emperor Muzong initially wanted to make Xue and Ding chancellors, they declined, and instead, Duan was made Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎), the deputy head of the legislative bureau (中書省), and de facto chancellor with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), along with Xiao Mian
Xiao Mian
Xiao Mian , courtesy name Siqian , formally the Duke of Xu , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong...
.
While serving as chancellor with Xiao, both Xiao and Duan were blamed for a major policy misstep that cost the imperial government its control over the region north of the Yellow River
Yellow River
The Yellow River or Huang He, formerly known as the Hwang Ho, is the second-longest river in China and the sixth-longest in the world at the estimated length of . Originating in the Bayan Har Mountains in Qinghai Province in western China, it flows through nine provinces of China and empties into...
. Both he and Xiao thought that the realm had been permanently pacified after Emperor Xianzong's campaigns against warlords, which destroyed many warlords and caused others to agree to follow imperial orders. He and Xiao submitted a proposal that secret orders be sent to each army, ordering them to reduce armies by forced attrition — such that each army was required to reduce its size by 8% each year by desertions or death. As Emperor Muzong, new to the throne, was spent much of his time in drinking and feasting, he did not see the problems with this proposal and approved it. The soldiers removed from army ranks as a result gathered as bandits as a result, and later, when Lulong (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
) and Chengde (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang is the capital and largest city of North China's Hebei province. Administratively a prefecture-level city, it is about south of Beijing...
, 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...
) Circuits rebelled under the leadership of Zhu Kerong
Zhu Kerong
Zhu Kerong , formally the Prince of Wuxing , was a military governor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who ruled Lulong Circuit independent of the imperial authority during the reigns of Emperor Muzong and Emperor Jingzong, until he and his son Zhu Yanling were killed by their own soldiers in...
and Wang Tingcou
Wang Tingcou
Wang Tingcou , formally the Duke of Taiyuan , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who, in 821, during the reign of Emperor Muzong, took over control of Chengde Circuit and thereafter ruled it in a de facto independent manner from the imperial government...
respectively in 821 (by which time Xiao was no longer chancellor), the former soldiers joined Lulong and Chengde forces in droves, and as they were experienced soldiers and the soldiers that the imperial armies were forced to gather quickly in response were inexperienced, the Lulong and Chengde forces eventually prevailed over imperial forces despite a major numerical disadvantage — with Lulong and Chengde having less than 20,000 soldiers combined and the imperial forces numbering 150,000.
In spring 821, it was said that then-military governor of Xichuan, Wang Bo, was making many attempts in official circles to become chancellor, including bribing the powerful eunuchs. Duan also was trying to affect the situation on Wang's behalf. Xiao opposed Wang's ascension, and when Emperor Muzong would not listen to Xiao, Xiao resigned. Shortly thereafter, Duan also offered to resign, and he was made the military governor of Xichuan, while Wang was kept 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 the minister of justice and director of salt and iron monopolies. He continued to carry the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary title.
Shortly after Duan was sent to Xichuan, a major scandal broke over high-level officials' influence over 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...
results that year. Both Duan and the imperial scholar Li Shen
Li Shen
Li Shen , courtesy name Gongchui , formally Duke Wensu of Zhao , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wuzong.- Background :...
had submitted a list of examinees that they hoped would be passed to Qian Hui (錢徽), one of the officials in charge of the examinations that season, but once the results were published, the examinees that Duan and Li Shen recommended did not pass, while those who passed included the several relatives of other officials — Zheng Tan
Zheng Tan
Zheng Tan , formally the Duke of Yingyang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong. He was viewed as a Li Faction leader in the Niu-Li Factional Struggles....
's brother Zheng Lang
Zheng Lang
Zheng Lang , courtesy name Yourong , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong.- Background and early career :It is not known when Zheng Lang was born...
; 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...
's son Pei Zhuan (裴譔); Li Zongmin
Li Zongmin
Li Zongmin , courtesy name Sunzhi , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving twice as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong...
's son-in-law Su Chao (蘇巢); and Yang Yinshi (楊殷士), brother to the other official in charge of the examinations that year, Yang Rushi (楊汝士). Duan complained to Emperor Muzong that the examinations that year were not fair. When Emperor Muzong consulted imperial scholars, several imperial scholars who were political enemies of Li Zongmin, including 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...
, Yuan Zhen
Yuan Zhen
Yuan Zhen , courtesy name Weizhi , was a politician of the middle Tang Dynasty, but is more known as an important Chinese writer and poet, particularly for work Yingying's Biography , which was often adapted for other treatments, including operatic and musical ones...
, and Li Shen, all agreed with Duan. Emperor Muzong thus ordered a reexamination, while demoting Qian, Li Zongmin, and Yang Rushi, along with 10 examinees who passed based on perceived influence. When Qian's friends subsequently suggested that he submit Duan's and Li Shen's letters trying to influence the examinations to the emperor to show that they were the ones trying to influence results, Qian, who believed that revealing these private letters was inappropriate, burned them. (This was considered a precipitating event to a partisan struggle among Tang officials later known as the Niu-Li Factional Struggles
Niu-Li Factional Struggles
Niu-Li Factional Struggles referred to the phenomenon that persisted at court in the middle-late Tang Dynasty of China — largely viewed to have started during the reign of Emperor Muzong, circa 821, but having its seeds in the events of his father Emperor Xianzong — between two court factions...
.)
Meanwhile, because Duan was familiar with the customs of the Xichuan people, it was said that he governed with lenience and decisiveness, and that the 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...
people around the circuit respected and feared him. In 822, when Nanzhao attacked Tang territory, Duan sent an emissary and was able to persuade Nanzhao forces to withdraw.
During Emperor Jingzong's and Emperor Wenzong's reigns
After 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...
, Duan Wenchang was recalled to Chang'an to serve as the minister of justice (刑部尚書, Xingbu Shangshu). He was later made minister of defense (兵部尚書, Bingbu Shangshu), as well as acting Shangshu Zuo Cheng (尚書左丞), one of the Secretaries General of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng).
After Emperor Jingzong died in 826 and was succeeded by his brother 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...
, Duan was made chief imperial censor (御史大夫, Yushi Daifu). Soon thereafter, he was made the military governor 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...
), carrying an honorary chancellor title of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi. In 830, he was moved to Jingnan Circuit (荊南, headquartered in modern Jingzhou
Jingzhou
Jingzhou is a prefecture-level city in Hubei Province, People's Republic of China. The city is located on the banks of the Yangtze River.Its population is 5,691,707 at the 2010 census whom 1,154,086 in the built up area made of 3 urban districts.-Geography:Jingzhou occupies an area of...
, 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...
). As Duan's ancestors had kept mansions in both Jingnan and Xichuan, he bought those mansions back from current owners and converted them into Buddhist temples. As many of his ancestors were buried at Jingnan, he also built a new ancestral shrine, and he often offered sacrifices to his ancestors as well as presenting dances and music to them, in contravention to the usual Confucian customs of ancestor worship, and therefore was criticized.
In 832, Duan was moved back to Xichuan Circuit. In 835, when the imperial eunuch was at Xichuan to deliver new spring uniforms for the soldiers, Duan attended the ceremony for the eunuch to read the imperial edict, and died at the ceremony after the edict was read, without apparent illness. He was given posthumous honors, and he left a 30-volume collection of his works.
It was said that after Duan became prominent, he spent much wealth on clothes, decorations, singing boys, and prostitutes, and was much criticized for this.