Kong Wei
Encyclopedia
Kong Wei (died October 1, 895), courtesy name Huawen (化文), formally the Duke of Lu (魯公), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xizong
and Emperor Xizong's brother Emperor Zhaozong
.
). His great-granduncle Kong Chaofu (孔巢父) was a well-known official during the reign of Emperor Dezong
, and his great-grandfather Kong Cenfu (孔岑父) and grandfather Kong Kui (孔戣) also both served as imperial officials. His father Kong Wenru (孔溫孺) served as a county secretary genera, but died earlyl. Kong Wei had at least two younger brothers, Kong Jiang (孔絳) and Kong Jian (孔緘).
As Kong Wenru died early, Kong Wei was raised by his uncles Kong Wenyu (孔溫裕) and Kong Wenye (孔溫業). As both Kong Wenyu and Kong Wenye served as regional governors, Kong Wei followed them to their assignments, and due to the friendships that Kong Wenyu and Kong Wenye had, Kong Wei became well known among the imperial officials. He passed the imperial examination
s in the Jinshi class in 859
, during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong
, and therefore served as a copyeditor (校書郎, Xiaoshu Lang) at the archival bureau (秘書省, Mishu Sheng). When the former chancellor Cui Shenyou
served as the military governor (Jiedushi
) of Dongchuan Circuit (東川, headquartered in modern Mianyang
, Sichuan
), he invited Kong to serve on his staff. Kong later served on the staff of another former chancellor, Cui Xuan
, when Cui Xuan served as the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
). He then served under Cui Shenyou again at Hua Prefecture (華州, in modern Weinan
, Shaanxi
) and then Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi). Under the recommendation of the chancellor Yang Shou
, Kong was made the sheriff of Chang'an County, one of the two counties making up the Tang Dynasty
capital Chang'an
, and also served as a researcher at Hongwen Pavilion (弘文館). Later, Wang Duo
, who was then the deputy chief imperial censor, recommended Kong to be an imperial censor with the title Jiancha Yushi (監察御史), and Kong was then made Libu Yuanwailang (禮部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of rites (禮部, Lǐbu). The chancellor Xu Shang
then recommended that he be made a scholar at Jixian Hall (集賢院) as well as Kaogong Yuanwailang (考功員外郎), a low-level official at the minister of civil service affairs (吏部, Lìbu, note different tone than the ministry of rites).
Kong later left government service when his mother died, to observe a mourning period. He then returned to the imperial government as Yousi Yuanwailang (右司員外郎), a low-level official under one of the secretaries general of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). As the chancellor Zhao Yin
was impressed by his writing ability, Zhao recommended him to be an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi), as well as Kaogong Langzhong (考功郎中), a supervisory official at the minister of civil service affairs; he was also put in charge of drafting edicts. Later, he was made Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), as well as deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang). In the middle of the Qianfu era (874
-879
) of Emperor Xuānzong's grandson Emperor Xizong
, he was relieved of his post as imperial scholar, and made the deputy chief imperial censor (御史中丞, Yushi Zhongcheng). It was said that because Kong had integrity and hated wickedness, during his service at the office of the imperial censors, the office became more cleanly run. Later, when he served successively as the deputy minister of census, then deputy minister of defense (兵部侍郎, Bingbu Shilang), then deputy minister of civil service affairs (吏部侍郎, Lìbu Shilang), he would refuse special requests by powerful individuals. This offended those who made requests of him, and he was given the largely powerless post of minister of worship (太常卿, Taichang Qing).
In late 880
, the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao
attacked Chang'an, and Emperor Xizong fled to Chengdu
. Kong followed Emperor Xizong there, and was made the minister of justice (刑部尚書, Xingbu Shangshu) and acting director of finances. However, as the chancellor Xiao Gou
, who was a colleague of Kong's while both served as imperial scholars, disliked Kong, he accused Kong of mismanagement, and had Kong given the entirely honorary post of advisor to the Crown Prince
(as there was no crown prince at the time). In 885
, Kong followed Emperor Xizong back to Chang'an after Huang's defeat.
Late that year, the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi
provoked the warlord Wang Chongrong
the military governor of Hezhong by ordering Wang transferred, and Wang and his ally Li Keyong
the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
, Shanxi
) reacted by engaging forces under Tian and Tian's allies Zhu Mei
the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (靜難, headquartered in modern Xianyang
, Shaanxi
) and Li Changfu
the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji
, Shaanxi
). Wang Chongrong's and Li Keyong's forces defeated Tian's, Zhu's, and Li Changfu's forces, and approached Chang'an. As a result, Tian escorted Emperor Xizong to flee to Fengxiang, and then to Xingyuan (興元, in modern Hanzhong
, Shaanxi
). The imperial officials largely followed Emperor Xizong to Fengxiang, but when he suddenly fled to Xingyuan, few followed (because they were not aware that he had fled further), with Kong and Du Rangneng
being among the few who did. Emperor Xizong then commissioned Kong as the chief imperial censor (御史大夫, Yushi Daifu) and ordered him to return to Chang'an and Fengxiang to order the imperial officials to report to Xingyuan. However, when Kong arrived at Fengxiang, the imperial officials — including the chancellors Xiao and Pei Che
, who by this point were thoroughly disgusted with Tian's control over the emperor, refused to meet Kong, and even the imperial censors — Kong's subordinates — were finding excuses to refuse to follow him. In anger, Kong stated, "My wife is ill and about to die, and I have left her. If you, gentlemen, are going to care about yourselves this much, this is farewell!" He then met Li Changfu and asked Li Changfu to give him an escort. Li Changfu, impressed, agreed, and had soldiers escort him to Xingyuan.
(who was promised that if he did so, he could succeed Zhu as military governor of Jingnan), Kong was given the additional post of Zuo Pushe (左僕射, one of the heads of the executive bureau), and was given an iron certificate, guaranteeing that he would not be put to death.
After Emperor Xizong died in 888
and was succeeded by his brother Emperor Zhaozong
, Kong continued to serve as chancellor, and was further created the Duke of Lu. Around the new year 889
, when Emperor Zhaozong was set make sacrifices to heaven, the powerful eunuchs (including Yang Fugong
, who was instrumental in in Emperor Zhaozong's ascension) wanted to participate in the ceremony. Kong opposed, on account that this was against tradition. Emperor Zhaozong, however, still allowed eunuchs to do so, under Kong's subsequently compromise proposal that the eunuchs be required to wear the uniforms for the non-eunuch office titles that they held, rather than the eunuch titles that they held.
Still, Kong and fellow chancellor Zhang Jun
were repeatedly advising Emperor Zhaozong to try to reduce Yang's influence, and Emperor Zhaozong was receptive. Kong went as far as publicly denouncing Yang for plotting treason (for gathering a large group of army officers around himself as adoptive sons, as well as maintaining a private army). Kong also tried to stand against the influence of the warlord Zhu Quanzhong, the military governor of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
, Henan
), and when Zhu requested the post of director of salt and iron monopolies for himself, Kong refused, stating to Zhu's emissary, "If Lord Zhu wants this post, he would need to use force to obtain it." Zhu thus withdrew the request.
Kong's and Zhang's drive to reduce the eunuchs' and the warlords' power, however, caused them to make an ill-advised recommendation to Emperor Zhaozong in 890
, however. As of 890, Zhu, Helian Duo
the defender of Yun Prefecture (雲州, in modern Datong
, Shanxi
), and Li Kuangwei
the military governor of Lulong Circuit (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing
), were all resentful of Li Keyong's efforts to expand his territory, and all three submitted petitions that the imperial government declare Li Keyong a renegade and declare a general campaign against him. When Emperor Zhaozong had the imperial officials discuss this matter, most imperial officials, including Kong's and Zhang's chancellor colleagues Du and Liu Chongwang
, opposed. However, Kong and Zhang, believing that this was the time to assert imperial authority over warlords and to try to use a victory to then overpower the eunuchs, were insistent on a campaign against Li Keyong, citing Li Keyong's participation in the campaign that forced Emperor Xizong to flee the capital a second time. Emperor Zhaozong finally agreed, and put Zhang in overall command of the operation. However, despite the participation of forces from many circuits whose military governors resented Li Keyong, including Zhu, Li Kuangwei, Han Jian
, Li Maozhen
, and Tuoba Sigong
, the imperial forces were crushed by Li Keyong, and Zhang fled back to Chang'an. Li Keyong then submitted a petition to Emperor Zhaozong condemning Zhang. To placate Li Keyong, Emperor Zhaozong issued a general pardon for him and his troops and restored his offices. In spring 891
, Emperor Zhaozong further removed Kong and Zhang from their chancellor offices, making Kong the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (荊南, headquartered in modern Jingzhou
, Hubei
, not the same Jingnan Circuit previously ruled by Zhu Mei) and making Zhang the military governor of Wuchang Circuit (武昌, headquartered in modern Wuhan
, Hubei
).
, Hubei
). Only then was Li Keyong placated, and he returned to Hedong.
As Zhang was departing for his exile, however, he fled instead to Han Jian, who was then the military governor of Zhenguo Circuit (鎮國, headquartered at Hua Prefecture), and wrote Zhu Quanzhong, asking for him to intercede. Zhu submitted a petition proclaiming Zhang's and Kong's innocence. Emperor Zhaozong acceded to Zhu's request and freed Zhang and Kong from their exile orders, and thereafter, Kong also went to Zhenguo to stay with Han.
, with the chancellor Cui Zhaowei
conspiring with Li Maozhen, Wang Xingyu, and Han Jian, going as far as having Li, Zhu, and Han march on Chang'an to kill Cui's fellow chancellors and rivals Li Xi
and Wei Zhaodu
, Emperor Zhaozong, wanting to find chancellors who could stand up to the warlords, and so he recalled Kong Wei and Zhang Jun to Chang'an, intending to make them chancellors again. At that time, Kong was ill, but forced himself to get to Chang'an, to personally meet Emperor Zhaozong to decline. Emperor Zhaozong refused and made him chancellor anyway. (Emperor Zhaozong cancelled his plan to make Zhang chancellor again, however, after Li Keyong vehemently objected.)
Meanwhile, in reaction to the killing of Li Xi and Wei Zhaodu by Li Maozhen, Wang, and Han, Li Keyong started a campaign against them and approached Chang'an. In response, Li Maozhen's adoptive son, the imperial guard officer Li Jipeng (李繼鵬), as well as the eunuch Luo Quanguan (駱全瓘), plotted to seize Emperor Zhaozong and take him to Fengxiang (where Li Maozhen was military governor), while another eunuch, Liu Jingxuan (劉景宣), and Wang Xingyu's brother Wang Xingshi (王行實), plotted to seize Emperor Zhaozong and take him to Jingnan. In fear, Emperor Zhaozong, under the protection of the imperial guard general Li Yun (李筠), fled toward the Qinling Mountains
. Kong followed, but when the imperial train reached Shacheng (莎城, in modern Xi'an
, Shaanxi
), Kong fell seriously ill, and he returned to Chang'an. He died shortly after, and was given posthumous honors.
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 reigns of Emperor Xizong
Emperor Xizong of Tang
Emperor Xizong of Tang , né Li Yan , later name changed to Li Xuan , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 873 to 888. He was the fifth son of his predecessor Emperor Yizong and was the elder brother of his successor Emperor Zhaozong...
and Emperor Xizong's brother 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...
.
Background and early career
Kong Wei's family was descended from the Spring and Autumn Period philosopher Kong Qiu (ConfuciusConfucius
Confucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
). His great-granduncle Kong Chaofu (孔巢父) was a well-known official during the reign of 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...
, and his great-grandfather Kong Cenfu (孔岑父) and grandfather Kong Kui (孔戣) also both served as imperial officials. His father Kong Wenru (孔溫孺) served as a county secretary genera, but died earlyl. Kong Wei had at least two younger brothers, Kong Jiang (孔絳) and Kong Jian (孔緘).
As Kong Wenru died early, Kong Wei was raised by his uncles Kong Wenyu (孔溫裕) and Kong Wenye (孔溫業). As both Kong Wenyu and Kong Wenye served as regional governors, Kong Wei followed them to their assignments, and due to the friendships that Kong Wenyu and Kong Wenye had, Kong Wei became well known among the imperial officials. He 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 in 859
859
Year 859 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* January 15 – Battle of Saint-Quentin, Aisne: Humfrid defeats Louis the German....
, 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...
, and therefore served as a copyeditor (校書郎, Xiaoshu Lang) at the archival bureau (秘書省, Mishu Sheng). When the former chancellor Cui Shenyou
Cui Shenyou
Cui Shenyou , courtesy name Jingzhi , 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 Cui Shenyou was born...
served as 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...
), he invited Kong to serve on his staff. Kong later served on the staff of another former chancellor, Cui Xuan
Cui Xuan
Cui Xuan , courtesy name Taishuo , formally the Duke of Wei , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving two terms as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wuzong and Emperor Wuzong's uncle Emperor Xuānzong....
, when Cui Xuan served as 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...
). He then served under Cui Shenyou again at Hua Prefecture (華州, 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 then Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi). Under the recommendation of the chancellor Yang Shou
Yang Shou
Yang Shou , courtesy name Cangzhi , formally Baron of Jinyang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Yizong. He was known for his literary talent as a young man, but subsequently, as chancellor, was accused of corruption...
, Kong was made the sheriff of Chang'an County, one of the two counties making up the 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...
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...
, and also served as a researcher at Hongwen Pavilion (弘文館). Later, Wang Duo
Wang Duo
Wang Duo , is a Chinese calligrapher, painter, and poet in Ming Dynasty.Wang was born in Mengjin in the Henan province. His style name was 'Juesi' or 'Juezhi' and his sobriquets were 'Songqiao', 'Chi'an', or 'Yantan Yusou'...
, who was then the deputy chief imperial censor, recommended Kong to be an imperial censor with the title Jiancha Yushi (監察御史), and Kong was then made Libu Yuanwailang (禮部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of rites (禮部, Lǐbu). The chancellor Xu Shang
Xu Shang
Xu Shang , courtesy name Yisheng or Qiuqing , formally Viscount of Dongguan , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Yizong of Tang.- Background :...
then recommended that he be made a scholar at Jixian Hall (集賢院) as well as Kaogong Yuanwailang (考功員外郎), a low-level official at the minister of civil service affairs (吏部, Lìbu, note different tone than the ministry of rites).
Kong later left government service when his mother died, to observe a mourning period. He then returned to the imperial government as Yousi Yuanwailang (右司員外郎), a low-level official under one of the secretaries general of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). As the chancellor Zhao Yin
Zhao Yin
Zhao Yin , courtesy name Dayin , formally the Count of Tianshui , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Yizong and Emperor Yizong's son Emperor Xizong....
was impressed by his writing ability, Zhao recommended him to be an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi), as well as Kaogong Langzhong (考功郎中), a supervisory official at the minister of civil service affairs; he was also put in charge of drafting edicts. Later, he was made Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), as well as deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang). In the middle of the Qianfu era (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 ....
-879
879
Year 879 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Pope John VIII recognizes the Duchy of Croatia as an independent state....
) of Emperor Xuānzong's grandson Emperor Xizong
Emperor Xizong of Tang
Emperor Xizong of Tang , né Li Yan , later name changed to Li Xuan , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 873 to 888. He was the fifth son of his predecessor Emperor Yizong and was the elder brother of his successor Emperor Zhaozong...
, he was relieved of his post as imperial scholar, and made the deputy chief imperial censor (御史中丞, Yushi Zhongcheng). It was said that because Kong had integrity and hated wickedness, during his service at the office of the imperial censors, the office became more cleanly run. Later, when he served successively as the deputy minister of census, then deputy minister of defense (兵部侍郎, Bingbu Shilang), then deputy minister of civil service affairs (吏部侍郎, Lìbu Shilang), he would refuse special requests by powerful individuals. This offended those who made requests of him, and he was given the largely powerless post of minister of worship (太常卿, Taichang Qing).
In late 880
880
Year 880 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Religion :* Pope John VIII issues the bull Industriae Tuae, creating an independent ecclesiastical province in Great Moravia with Archbishop Saint Methodius as its head...
, the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao
Huang Chao
Huang Chao was the leader of the Huang Chao Rebellion , known in mainland China as the Huang Chao Revolution in China that seriously weakened the once mighty Tang Dynasty of China...
attacked Chang'an, and Emperor Xizong fled to Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
. Kong followed Emperor Xizong there, and was made the minister of justice (刑部尚書, Xingbu Shangshu) and acting director of finances. However, as the chancellor Xiao Gou
Xiao Gou
Xiao Gou , courtesy name Desheng , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong. He was later forced to accept a commission from the pretender Li Yun and, after Li Yun's defeat and death, was forced to commit suicide.- Background...
, who was a colleague of Kong's while both served as imperial scholars, disliked Kong, he accused Kong of mismanagement, and had Kong given the entirely honorary post of advisor to the 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....
(as there was no crown prince at the time). In 885
885
Year 885 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The Vikings besiege Paris.* Godfrith, the Sea King is killed in Lobith...
, Kong followed Emperor Xizong back to Chang'an after Huang's defeat.
Late that year, the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi
Tian Lingzi
Tian Lingzi , courtesy name Zhongze , formally the Duke of Jin , was a powerful eunuch during the reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang...
provoked the warlord Wang Chongrong
Wang Chongrong
Wang Chongrong , formally the Prince of Langye , was a warlord of the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who controlled Hezhong Circuit...
the military governor of Hezhong by ordering Wang transferred, and Wang and his ally Li Keyong
Li Keyong
Li Keyong was a Shatuo military governor during the late Tang Dynasty and was key to developing a base of power for the Shatuo in what is today Shanxi Province in China...
the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
Taiyuan
Taiyuan is the capital and largest city of Shanxi province in North China. At the 2010 census, it had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants on 6959 km² whom 3,212,500 are urban on 1,460 km². The name of the city literally means "Great Plains", referring to the location where the Fen River...
, 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....
) reacted by engaging forces under Tian and Tian's allies Zhu Mei
Zhu Mei
Zhu Mei was a warlord of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. Disillusioned with Emperor Xizong and the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi, he tried to support Emperor Xizong's distant relative Li Yun the Prince of Xiang as the new emperor, but was soon thereafter killed by his own officer Wang Xingyu.-...
the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (靜難, headquartered 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 Li Changfu
Li Changfu
Li Changfu was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who ruled Fengxiang Circuit from 884 to 887...
the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji
Baoji
Baoji is a prefecture-level city in Shaanxi province, China.-Geography:The prefecture-level city of Baoji has a population of 3,716,731 according to the 2010 Chinese census, inhabiting an area of . The city itself has a population of approximately 800,000. Surrounded on three sides by hills,...
, 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...
). Wang Chongrong's and Li Keyong's forces defeated Tian's, Zhu's, and Li Changfu's forces, and approached Chang'an. As a result, Tian escorted Emperor Xizong to flee to Fengxiang, and then to Xingyuan (興元, 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...
, 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...
). The imperial officials largely followed Emperor Xizong to Fengxiang, but when he suddenly fled to Xingyuan, few followed (because they were not aware that he had fled further), with Kong and Du Rangneng
Du Rangneng
Du Rangneng , courtesy name Qunyi , formally the Duke of Jin , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xizong and Emperor Xizong's brother Emperor Zhaozong...
being among the few who did. Emperor Xizong then commissioned Kong as the chief imperial censor (御史大夫, Yushi Daifu) and ordered him to return to Chang'an and Fengxiang to order the imperial officials to report to Xingyuan. However, when Kong arrived at Fengxiang, the imperial officials — including the chancellors Xiao and Pei Che
Pei Che
Pei Che , courtesy name Shenyuan , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xizong and the pretender to the throne Li Yun. After Li Yun was defeated and executed, Pei was also executed for his service under Li Yun.- Background :It...
, who by this point were thoroughly disgusted with Tian's control over the emperor, refused to meet Kong, and even the imperial censors — Kong's subordinates — were finding excuses to refuse to follow him. In anger, Kong stated, "My wife is ill and about to die, and I have left her. If you, gentlemen, are going to care about yourselves this much, this is farewell!" He then met Li Changfu and asked Li Changfu to give him an escort. Li Changfu, impressed, agreed, and had soldiers escort him to Xingyuan.
First chancellorship
After Kong Wei's arrival in Xingyuan, Emperor Xizong made both him and Du Rangneng deputy ministers of defense, as well as chancellors, with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). After Emperor Xizong subsequently was able to return to Chang'an after Zhu Mei was killed by his own officer Wang XingyuWang Xingyu
Wang Xingyu was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who controlled Jingnan Circuit from 887 to his death in 895...
(who was promised that if he did so, he could succeed Zhu as military governor of Jingnan), Kong was given the additional post of Zuo Pushe (左僕射, one of the heads of the executive bureau), and was given an iron certificate, guaranteeing that he would not be put to death.
After Emperor Xizong died in 888
888
Year 888 was a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* January 13 – With the death of Charles the Fat, the Frankish kingdom is split again, and this time permanently...
and was succeeded by his brother 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...
, Kong continued to serve as chancellor, and was further created the Duke of Lu. Around the new year 889
889
Year 889 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Yasovarman I succeeds Indravarman II as ruler of the Khmer empire....
, when Emperor Zhaozong was set make sacrifices to heaven, the powerful eunuchs (including Yang Fugong
Yang Fugong
Yang Fugong , courtesy name Zike , formally the Duke of Wei , was an eunuch official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, playing key roles in the imperial administrations of Emperor Xizong and Emperor Xizong's brother Emperor Zhaozong...
, who was instrumental in in Emperor Zhaozong's ascension) wanted to participate in the ceremony. Kong opposed, on account that this was against tradition. Emperor Zhaozong, however, still allowed eunuchs to do so, under Kong's subsequently compromise proposal that the eunuchs be required to wear the uniforms for the non-eunuch office titles that they held, rather than the eunuch titles that they held.
Still, Kong and fellow chancellor Zhang Jun
Zhang Jun (Tang Dynasty)
Zhang Jun , courtesy name Yuchuan , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xizong and Emperor Xizong's brother Emperor Zhaozong...
were repeatedly advising Emperor Zhaozong to try to reduce Yang's influence, and Emperor Zhaozong was receptive. Kong went as far as publicly denouncing Yang for plotting treason (for gathering a large group of army officers around himself as adoptive sons, as well as maintaining a private army). Kong also tried to stand against the influence of the warlord Zhu Quanzhong, the military governor of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
Kaifeng
Kaifeng , known previously by several names , is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, Central China. Nearly 5 million people live in the metropolitan area...
, 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...
), and when Zhu requested the post of director of salt and iron monopolies for himself, Kong refused, stating to Zhu's emissary, "If Lord Zhu wants this post, he would need to use force to obtain it." Zhu thus withdrew the request.
Kong's and Zhang's drive to reduce the eunuchs' and the warlords' power, however, caused them to make an ill-advised recommendation to Emperor Zhaozong in 890
890
Year 890 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The sovereignty of Great Moravian king Svatopluk I in Bohemia is confirmed.* Lusatia becomes a part of Great Moravia....
, however. As of 890, Zhu, Helian Duo
Helian Duo
Helian Duo was an ethnically-Tuyuhun warlord in late Tang Dynasty. He had a long-running enmity with the Shatuo chieftain Li Keyong, and was killed by Li Keyong in 894.- Background and initial campaign against Li Keyong :...
the defender of Yun Prefecture (雲州, in modern Datong
Datong
Datong is a prefecture-level city in northern Shanxi Province of North China, located a few hundred kilometres west by rail from Beijing with an elevation of...
, 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....
), and Li Kuangwei
Li Kuangwei
Li Kuangwei was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled Lulong Circuit after inherited it from his father Li Quanzhong in 886, until he was overthrown by his brother Li Kuangchou in 893...
the military governor of Lulong Circuit (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...
), were all resentful of Li Keyong's efforts to expand his territory, and all three submitted petitions that the imperial government declare Li Keyong a renegade and declare a general campaign against him. When Emperor Zhaozong had the imperial officials discuss this matter, most imperial officials, including Kong's and Zhang's chancellor colleagues Du and Liu Chongwang
Liu Chongwang
Liu Chongwang , courtesy name Xitu , formally the Baron of Pengcheng , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong.- Background :...
, opposed. However, Kong and Zhang, believing that this was the time to assert imperial authority over warlords and to try to use a victory to then overpower the eunuchs, were insistent on a campaign against Li Keyong, citing Li Keyong's participation in the campaign that forced Emperor Xizong to flee the capital a second time. Emperor Zhaozong finally agreed, and put Zhang in overall command of the operation. However, despite the participation of forces from many circuits whose military governors resented Li Keyong, including Zhu, Li Kuangwei, Han Jian
Han Jian (Tang Dynasty)
Han Jian , courtesy name Zuoshi , was a warlord late in the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who eventually became a subject of the succeeding Later Liang Dynasty...
, Li Maozhen
Li Maozhen
Li Maozhen , né Song Wentong , courtesy name Zhengchen , formally Prince Zhongjing of Qin , was the only ruler of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Qi...
, and Tuoba Sigong
Li Sigong
Li Sigong , né Tuoba Sigong , formally the Duke of Xia , was an ethnically-Dangxiang warlord of the late Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who, for his contributions against the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao, was allowed to retain Dingnan Circuit as its military governor...
, the imperial forces were crushed by Li Keyong, and Zhang fled back to Chang'an. Li Keyong then submitted a petition to Emperor Zhaozong condemning Zhang. To placate Li Keyong, Emperor Zhaozong issued a general pardon for him and his troops and restored his offices. In spring 891
891
Year 891 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Arnulf of Carinthia defeats the Normans at the Battle of Leuven....
, Emperor Zhaozong further removed Kong and Zhang from their chancellor offices, making Kong the military governor of 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...
, not the same Jingnan Circuit previously ruled by Zhu Mei) and making Zhang the military governor of Wuchang Circuit (武昌, headquartered in modern Wuhan
Wuhan
Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province, People's Republic of China, and is the most populous city in Central China. It lies at the east of the Jianghan Plain, and the intersection of the middle reaches of the Yangtze and Han rivers...
, 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...
).
Between chancellorships
As Kong Wei was departing Chang'an for Jingnan Circuit, Yang Fugong, resentful of Kong, sent his soldiers, disguised as bandits, intercept Kong just outside of Chang'an, damaging Kong's staff and robbing him of his supplies, and it was said that Kong barely escaped with his life. Meanwhile, as Li Keyong was still angry, he submitted another petition against Zhang. Emperor Zhaozong, in ordered to placate Li Keyong further, ordered Kong and Zhang to be exiled to be prefects at distant prefectures — in Kong's case, the prefect of Jun Prefecture (均州, in modern ShiyanShiyan
Shiyan is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Hubei province, People's Republic of China.-Geography:The Wudang Mountains run approximately east-west through the territory of the "Prefecture-level city" of Shiyan, crossing several of its county-level divisions...
, 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...
). Only then was Li Keyong placated, and he returned to Hedong.
As Zhang was departing for his exile, however, he fled instead to Han Jian, who was then the military governor of Zhenguo Circuit (鎮國, headquartered at Hua Prefecture), and wrote Zhu Quanzhong, asking for him to intercede. Zhu submitted a petition proclaiming Zhang's and Kong's innocence. Emperor Zhaozong acceded to Zhu's request and freed Zhang and Kong from their exile orders, and thereafter, Kong also went to Zhenguo to stay with Han.
Second chancellorship
In 895895
Year 895 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The seven tribes of the Magyars settle in the Carpathian Basin under the leadership of Árpád...
, with the chancellor Cui Zhaowei
Cui Zhaowei
Cui Zhaowei , courtesy name Yunyao , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong...
conspiring with Li Maozhen, Wang Xingyu, and Han Jian, going as far as having Li, Zhu, and Han march on Chang'an to kill Cui's fellow chancellors and rivals Li Xi
Li Xi
Li Xi or Li Qi , courtesy name Jingwang , nicknamed Li Shulou , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving briefly as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong...
and Wei Zhaodu
Wei Zhaodu
Wei Zhaodu , courtesy name Zhengji , formally the Duke of Qi , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xizong and Emperor Xizong's brother Emperor Zhaozong...
, Emperor Zhaozong, wanting to find chancellors who could stand up to the warlords, and so he recalled Kong Wei and Zhang Jun to Chang'an, intending to make them chancellors again. At that time, Kong was ill, but forced himself to get to Chang'an, to personally meet Emperor Zhaozong to decline. Emperor Zhaozong refused and made him chancellor anyway. (Emperor Zhaozong cancelled his plan to make Zhang chancellor again, however, after Li Keyong vehemently objected.)
Meanwhile, in reaction to the killing of Li Xi and Wei Zhaodu by Li Maozhen, Wang, and Han, Li Keyong started a campaign against them and approached Chang'an. In response, Li Maozhen's adoptive son, the imperial guard officer Li Jipeng (李繼鵬), as well as the eunuch Luo Quanguan (駱全瓘), plotted to seize Emperor Zhaozong and take him to Fengxiang (where Li Maozhen was military governor), while another eunuch, Liu Jingxuan (劉景宣), and Wang Xingyu's brother Wang Xingshi (王行實), plotted to seize Emperor Zhaozong and take him to Jingnan. In fear, Emperor Zhaozong, under the protection of the imperial guard general Li Yun (李筠), fled toward the Qinling Mountains
Qinling Mountains
The Qin Mountains are a major east-west mountain range in southern Shaanxi province, China. The mountains provide a natural boundary between the North and South of the country, and support a huge variety of plant and wildlife, some of which is found nowhere else on Earth.To the north is the...
. Kong followed, but when the imperial train reached Shacheng (莎城, in modern Xi'an
Xi'an
Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
, 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...
), Kong fell seriously ill, and he returned to Chang'an. He died shortly after, and was given posthumous honors.