Pei Che
Encyclopedia
Pei Che (died April 6, 887), courtesy name Shenyuan (深源), 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.
(and ultimately to the mythical emperor Zhuanxu
). His traceable male-line ancestry included officials of Han Dynasty
, Jin Dynasty (265-420)
, Former Yan
and/or Later Yan
, Later Qin
, Northern Wei
, Northern Zhou
, and Tang Dynasty
. His grandfather Pei Su (裴肅) served as a governor during the reign of Emperor Dezong
, and his father Pei Qiu (裴俅), a younger brother of Pei Xiu
, who served as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong
, served as an advisory official. However, while Pei Qiu was referred to in Pei Xiu's biographies in the Book of Tang
and the New Book of Tang
, no reference was made to Pei Che, perhaps because of Pei Che's eventual end.
, during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong's grandson Emperor Xizong
, as the major agrarian rebel Huang Chao
was on the cusp of reaching the imperial capital Chang'an
, the leading chancellor Lu Xi
was blamed for the imperial defeats by the powerful eunuch Tian Lingzi
and removed from his post. (In response, Lu committed suicide.) Pei Che, who was then an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi) and deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang), was made a chancellor with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), along with Wang Hui
. However, that same day, news arrived that Huang was about to attack Chang'an, and Tian took Emperor Xizong and fled toward Chengdu
, where Tian's brother Chen Jingxuan
served as military governor (Jiedushi
) of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu). Pei was initially unable to catch up with Emperor Xizong, but in spring 881 reached Chengdu as well. He served as chancellor in Emperor Xizong's administration until late 881, when he was made the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Eyue Circuit (鄂岳, headquartered in modern Wuhan
, Hubei
), retaining the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary title.
In 883, by which time Huang had been defeated and Chang'an recaptured by Tang forces, and Emperor Xizong was beginning to prepare to return, then-leading chancellor Zheng Tian
had offended Tian Lingzi and Chen and was removed. Pei was recalled to serve as Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎), the deputy head of the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), and chancellor again with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi. He continued to serve as chancellor after Emperor Xizong's return to Chang'an. However, after Tian provoked the warlords Wang Chongrong
the military governor of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi) and Li Keyong
the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan
, Shanxi
) into attacking Chang'an in late 885, Emperor Xizong fled Chang'an again, to Xingyuan (興元, in modern Hanzhong
, Shaanxi
). Because Tian was considered an overpowering and corrupting influence for Emperor Xizong, few imperial officials cared to follow Emperor Xizong on this flight, and neither Pei nor his chancellor colleague Xiao Gou
did so.
the military governor of Jingnan Circuit (靜難, headquartered in modern Xianyang
, Shaanxi
), who was initially allied with Tian but now turned against him as well, took over Chang'an and was poised to proclaim a distant relative of Emperor Xizong's, Li Yun
the Prince of Xiang, emperor. As Zhu prepared to do so in summer 886, he gave himself the chancellor title of Shizhong (侍中) and made himself the director of the salt and iron monopolies, while making Pei the acting director of finances and Zheng Changtu
the acting director of taxation. In winter 886, after Li Yun claimed imperial title, Pei and Zheng continued to serve as chancellors.
, who was given the task of attacking Xingyuan and capturing Emperor Xizong, was unable to do so, and feared punishment from Zhu. Further, Yang Fugong
, who had by this point succeeded Tian Lingzi as the director of palace communications, issued a proclamation that anyone who killed Zhu would be made the military governor of Jingnan. Wang thus turned against Zhu and made a surprise return to Chang'an. When Zhu heard of this, he, not knowing Wang's intent to turn against him, summoned Wang and rebuked him for returning without orders. Instead, Wang seized and killed him, and Wang's soldiers subsequently pillaged the capital. Pei Che and Zheng Changtu, as well as some 200 officials, escorted Li Yun to Hezhong, hoping for protection from Wang Chongrong. Wang Chongrong, however, after initially feigning to welcome Li Yun, seized Li Yun and executed him. He also arrested Pei and Zheng.
In spring 887, Emperor Xizong issued an edict that Pei, Zheng, and Xiao Gou (who had also accepted a chancellor title from Li Yun but did not actively participate in the regime) be executed wherever they were at the time of the edict — and thus, all three were executed at Qishan (岐山, in modern Baoji
, Shaanxi
).
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 the pretender to the throne Li Yun
Li Yun
Li Yun is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 97th of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 61st of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Green Eyed Tiger".-Background:...
. After Li Yun was defeated and executed, Pei was also executed for his service under Li Yun.
Background
It is not known when Pei Che was born. It is known that his family claimed original ancestry from a branch of the ruling house of the Spring and Autumn Period state QinQin (state)
The State of Qin was a Chinese feudal state that existed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history...
(and ultimately to the mythical emperor Zhuanxu
Zhuanxu
Zhuanxu , also known as Gaoyang is a mythological monarch of ancient China.A grandson of the Yellow Emperor, Zhuanxu led the Shi clan in an eastward migration to present-day Shandong, where intermarriages with the Dongyi clan enlarged and augmented their tribal influences...
). His traceable male-line ancestry included officials of 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...
, 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...
, Former Yan
Former Yan
The Former Yan was a state of Xianbei ethnicity during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China.Initially, Murong Huang and his son Murong Jun claimed the Jin Dynasty -created title "Prince of Yan," but subsequently, in 352, after seizing most of the former Later Zhao territory, Murong Juan would...
and/or Later Yan
Later Yan
The Later Yan was a Murong-Xianbei state, located in modern day northeast China, during the era of Sixteen Kingdoms in China.All rulers of the Later Yan declared themselves "emperors". Later Yan fell to the Goguryeo dynasty.-Rulers of the Later Yan:...
, Later Qin
Later Qin
The Later Qin was a state of Qiang ethnicity of the Sixteen Kingdoms during the Jin Dynasty in China. Note that the Later Qin is entirely distinct from the ancient Qin Dynasty, the Former Qin, and the Western Qin....
, 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 Zhou
Northern Zhou
The Northern Zhou Dynasty followed the Western Wei, and ruled northern China from 557 to 581. It was overthrown by the Sui Dynasty.Northern Zhou's basis of power was established by Yuwen Tai, who was paramount general of Western Wei, following the split of Northern Wei into Western Wei and...
, 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...
. His grandfather Pei Su (裴肅) served as a governor 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 father Pei Qiu (裴俅), a younger brother of Pei Xiu
Pei Xiu (Tang Dynasty)
Pei Xiu , courtesy name Gongmei , formally the Viscount of Hedong , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong.- Background and early career :...
, who served 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...
, served as an advisory official. However, while Pei Qiu was referred to in Pei Xiu's biographies in the Book of Tang
Book of Tang
The Book of Tang , Jiu Tangshu or the Old Book of Tang is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. The book began when Gaozu of Later Jin ordered its commencement in 941...
and the New Book of Tang
New Book of Tang
The New Book of Tang , is a classic work of history about the Tang Dynasty edited by Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi and other official scholars of the Song Dynasty. The emperor called for a revision of the former Book of Tang in 1044. The New Book was presented to the throne in 1060. It was given its...
, no reference was made to Pei Che, perhaps because of Pei Che's eventual end.
Service under Emperor Xizong
In late 880880
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...
, during the reign 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...
, as 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...
was on the cusp of reaching the imperial 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...
, the leading chancellor Lu Xi
Lu Xi
Lu Xi , courtesy name Zisheng , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving two terms as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong...
was blamed for the imperial defeats by 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...
and removed from his post. (In response, Lu committed suicide.) Pei Che, who was then an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi) and deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang), was made a chancellor with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), along with Wang Hui
Wang Hui (Tang Dynasty)
Wang Hui , courtesy name Zhaowen , formally Marquess Zhen of Langye , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong.- Background :...
. However, that same day, news arrived that Huang was about to attack Chang'an, and Tian took Emperor Xizong and fled toward Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
, where Tian's brother Chen Jingxuan
Chen Jingxuan
Chen Jingxuan was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who came to control Xichuan Circuit Chen Jingxuan (陳敬瑄) (d. April 26, 893) was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who came to control Xichuan Circuit Chen Jingxuan (陳敬瑄) (d. April 26, 893) was a general of the Chinese...
served as 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 Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu). Pei was initially unable to catch up with Emperor Xizong, but in spring 881 reached Chengdu as well. He served as chancellor in Emperor Xizong's administration until late 881, when he was made the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Eyue Circuit (鄂岳, 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...
), retaining the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary title.
In 883, by which time Huang had been defeated and Chang'an recaptured by Tang forces, and Emperor Xizong was beginning to prepare to return, then-leading chancellor Zheng Tian
Zheng Tian
Zheng Tian , courtesy name Taiwen , formally Duke Wenzhao of Xingyang , was a chancellor of late Tang Dynasty, serving two terms as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong...
had offended Tian Lingzi and Chen and was removed. Pei was recalled to serve as Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎), the deputy head of the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), and chancellor again with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi. He continued to serve as chancellor after Emperor Xizong's return to Chang'an. However, after Tian provoked the warlords 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 Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi) and 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....
) into attacking Chang'an in late 885, Emperor Xizong fled Chang'an again, 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...
). Because Tian was considered an overpowering and corrupting influence for Emperor Xizong, few imperial officials cared to follow Emperor Xizong on this flight, and neither Pei nor his chancellor colleague 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...
did so.
Service under Li Yun
Meanwhile, another warlord, Zhu MeiZhu 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...
), who was initially allied with Tian but now turned against him as well, took over Chang'an and was poised to proclaim a distant relative of Emperor Xizong's, Li Yun
Li Yun
Li Yun is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 97th of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 61st of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Green Eyed Tiger".-Background:...
the Prince of Xiang, emperor. As Zhu prepared to do so in summer 886, he gave himself the chancellor title of Shizhong (侍中) and made himself the director of the salt and iron monopolies, while making Pei the acting director of finances and Zheng Changtu
Zheng Changtu
Zheng Changtu , courtesy name Guangye , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He served as a chancellor in the administration of the pretender Li Yun, who claimed the throne in competition with Emperor Xizong...
the acting director of taxation. In winter 886, after Li Yun claimed imperial title, Pei and Zheng continued to serve as chancellors.
Execution
Li Yun's claim, however, was short-lived, as Zhu's 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 given the task of attacking Xingyuan and capturing Emperor Xizong, was unable to do so, and feared punishment from Zhu. Further, 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 had by this point succeeded Tian Lingzi as the director of palace communications, issued a proclamation that anyone who killed Zhu would be made the military governor of Jingnan. Wang thus turned against Zhu and made a surprise return to Chang'an. When Zhu heard of this, he, not knowing Wang's intent to turn against him, summoned Wang and rebuked him for returning without orders. Instead, Wang seized and killed him, and Wang's soldiers subsequently pillaged the capital. Pei Che and Zheng Changtu, as well as some 200 officials, escorted Li Yun to Hezhong, hoping for protection from Wang Chongrong. Wang Chongrong, however, after initially feigning to welcome Li Yun, seized Li Yun and executed him. He also arrested Pei and Zheng.
In spring 887, Emperor Xizong issued an edict that Pei, Zheng, and Xiao Gou (who had also accepted a chancellor title from Li Yun but did not actively participate in the regime) be executed wherever they were at the time of the edict — and thus, all three were executed at Qishan (岐山, 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...
).