Wei Hongmin
Encyclopedia
Wei Hongmin was briefly a chancellor of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, during the first reigns of Emperor Zhongzong
and Emperor Ruizong
(both of whom reigned twice).
Very little is known about Wei Hongmin's life or career, as, unusual for a chancellor, he did not have a biography in either the Book of Tang
or the New Book of Tang
. He was from Duling (杜陵, in modern Xi'an
, Shaanxi
).
Emperor Zhongzong had taken the throne late in 683
after the death of his father Emperor Gaozong
. In spring 684
, he made Wei Hongmin, who was then Zuo Sanqi Changshi (左散騎常侍), a chief advisor at the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng), to be the minister of palace supplies (太府卿, Taifu Qing), and also gave him the designation of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin (同中書門下三品), making him a chancellor de facto. (Some modern historical discussions make much of the fact that he was distant relative of Emperor Zhongzong's wife Empress Wei
, although the actual significance of this very distant relationship—Empress Wei's great-great-grandfather Wei Yi (韋議) shared a 10th generation ancestor, the Cao Wei
official Wei Zhou (韋冑), with Wei Hongmin -- was not stated in official histories.) In spring 684, after Emperor Zhongzong showed signs of independence from his powerful mother Empress Dowager Wu
(later known as Wu Zetian), Empress Dowager Wu deposed him and reduced him to the title of Prince of Lulin, replacing him with his brother Li Dan the Prince of Yu (as Emperor Ruizong).
After Emperor Ruizong took the throne, Wei Hongmin remained chancellor for about eight more months, but in winter 684 was demoted to the post of prefect of Fen Prefecture (汾州, roughly modern Linfen
, Shanxi
) -- on the same day that another chancellor, Liu Jingxian
, was demoted for having defended fellow chancellor Pei Yan
against accusations of treason, although there was no indication in historical accounts that Wei's demotion was also related to defending Pei. There was no further records about Wei in history.
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...
, during the first reigns of Emperor Zhongzong
Emperor Zhongzong of Tang
Emperor Zhongzong of Tang , personal name Lǐ Xiǎn , at times during his life Li Zhe and Wu Xian , was the fourth Emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, ruling briefly in 684 and again from 705 to 710.Emperor Zhongzong was the son of Emperor Gaozong of Tang and Empress Wu...
and Emperor Ruizong
Emperor Ruizong of Tang
Emperor Ruizong of Tang , personal name Lǐ Dàn , known at times during his life as Li Xulun , Li Lun , Wu Lun , and Wu Dan , was the fifth and ninth emperor of Tang Dynasty...
(both of whom reigned twice).
Very little is known about Wei Hongmin's life or career, as, unusual for a chancellor, he did not have a biography in either 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...
or 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...
. He was from Duling (杜陵, 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...
).
Emperor Zhongzong had taken the throne late in 683
683
Year 683 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 683 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- America :* The reign of Pacal the Great, ruler of...
after the death of his father Emperor Gaozong
Emperor Gaozong of Tang
Emperor Gaozong of Tang , personal name Li Zhi , was the third emperor of the Tang Dynasty in China, ruling from 649 to 683...
. In spring 684
684
Year 684 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 684 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Asia :* Wu Ze Tian takes power in China.* The Ummayad...
, he made Wei Hongmin, who was then Zuo Sanqi Changshi (左散騎常侍), a chief advisor at the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng), to be the minister of palace supplies (太府卿, Taifu Qing), and also gave him the designation of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Sanpin (同中書門下三品), making him a chancellor de facto. (Some modern historical discussions make much of the fact that he was distant relative of Emperor Zhongzong's wife Empress Wei
Empress Wei (Zhongzong)
Empress Wei was an empress of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. She was the second wife of Emperor Zhongzong, who reigned twice, and during his second reign, she tried to emulate the example of her mother-in-law Wu Zetian and seize power...
, although the actual significance of this very distant relationship—Empress Wei's great-great-grandfather Wei Yi (韋議) shared a 10th generation ancestor, the Cao Wei
Cao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
official Wei Zhou (韋冑), with Wei Hongmin -- was not stated in official histories.) In spring 684, after Emperor Zhongzong showed signs of independence from his powerful mother Empress Dowager Wu
Wu Zetian
Wu Zetian , personal name Wu Zhao , often referred to as Tian Hou during the Tang Dynasty and Empress Consort Wu in later times, was the only woman in the history of China to assume the title of Empress Regnant...
(later known as Wu Zetian), Empress Dowager Wu deposed him and reduced him to the title of Prince of Lulin, replacing him with his brother Li Dan the Prince of Yu (as Emperor Ruizong).
After Emperor Ruizong took the throne, Wei Hongmin remained chancellor for about eight more months, but in winter 684 was demoted to the post of prefect of Fen Prefecture (汾州, roughly modern Linfen
Linfen
-Administrative divisions:The prefecture-level city of Linfen is divided in one district, two cities and fourteen counties. The information here presented uses the metric system and data from 2010 Census.-Pollution:...
, 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....
) -- on the same day that another chancellor, Liu Jingxian
Liu Jingxian
Liu Jingxian , né Liu Qixian , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor late in the reign of Emperor Gaozong and the subsequent regency of Emperor Gaozong's wife Empress Dowager Wu over their sons Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong...
, was demoted for having defended fellow chancellor Pei Yan
Pei Yan
Pei Yan , courtesy name Zilong , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, as well as regency by his wife Empress Wu over their sons Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong...
against accusations of treason, although there was no indication in historical accounts that Wei's demotion was also related to defending Pei. There was no further records about Wei in history.