Yang Sifu
Encyclopedia
Yang Sifu (783–848), courtesy name Jizhi (繼之), nickname Qingmen (慶門), formally Count Xiaomu of Hongnong (弘農孝穆伯), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong
and (briefly) the reign of Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong
. He was considered one of the leaders of the Niu Faction in the Niu-Li Factional Struggles
.
. His ancestors claimed origins from the royal house of Zhou Dynasty
, through a series of officials of the State of Jin of the Spring and Autumn Period, the State of Han
of the Warring States Period
, Qin Dynasty
, Han Dynasty
, Former Yan
, Northern Wei
, Western Wei
, Northern Zhou
, Sui Dynasty
, and Tang Dynasty
. Yang Sifu's great-grandfather Yang Guansu (楊冠俗) and grandfather Yang Taiqing (楊太清) both served at the county government level.
Yang Sifu's father Yang Yuling (楊於陵), however, would eventually become a prominent official. Prior to Yang Yuling's becoming prominent, he served a term as the sheriff of Jurong County (句容, in modern Zhenjiang
, Jiangsu
). The governor of Zhexi Circuit (浙西, headquartered in modern Zhenjiang), which Jurong was in, Han Huang
(who would, eventually, become a chancellor), was impressed with Yang Yuling. At that time, Han was looking for a husband for his daughter, and he stated to his wife Lady Liu, "I have met many people, but none appears as primed for honors and long life as Mr. Yang. His son will be a chancellor." He thus gave his daughter to Yang Yuling in marriage. After Yang Yuling's term as the sheriff of Jurong for a time, he stayed at nearby Yang Prefecture (揚州, in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
), where Yang Sifu was born. When Han eventually was able to see Yang Sifu, he stroked Yang Sifu's head and stated, "Your name and position will exceed your father's. This is a great celebration for the Yang household." He thus nicknamed Yang Sifu "Qingmen" (meaning, "celebration at the gate"). It was said that when Yang Sifu was six or seven, he could already write well.
In 802, then-19-year-old Yang Sifu passed the imperial examination
s in the Jinshi class, and the next year, he passed a special examination for those with broad knowledge and grand speech. He was thereafter made a copyeditor (校書郎, Xiaoshulang) at the archival bureau (秘書省, Mishu Sheng). As he passed the imperial examinations under the auspices of the chancellor Quan Deyu
, as were Niu Sengru
(after whom the Niu Faction would be named by later historians) and Li Zongmin
, he developed deep friendships with them.
, it was said that because Yang Sifu became well known by the chancellor Wu Yuanheng
(along with Pei Du
and Liu Gongchuo (柳公綽)), Wu, while later serving as the military governor of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu
, Sichuan
), invited them to serve on his staff. Yang was later recalled to the capital Chang'an
to serve as You Shiyi (右拾遺), a low-level advisory official at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), and also served as an editor of the imperial history. Because Yang was well-learned in the ceremonies, he was later made Taichang Boshi (太常博士), a scholar at the ministry of ceremonies (太常寺, Taichang Si).
By 815, Yang had become Xingbu Yuanwailang (刑部員外郎), a low-level official at the Ministry of Justice (刑部, Xingbu). At that time, the former chancellor Zheng Yuqing
was commissioned to revise the ceremonies, and at his request, Yang was made his secretary for the task. Yang was also made Libu Yuanwailang (禮部員外郎), a low-level official at the Ministry of Rites
. As this ministry was part of the Department of State Affairs (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng) where at that time, Yang Sifu's father Yang Yuling served as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Revenue (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang) that was also part of the Department of State Affairs, Yang Sifu requested a different position to avoid suggestions of impropriety. Emperor Xianzong issued an edict in which he opined that there could be no impropriety since Yang Yuling was not his son's superior. Later, Yang Sifu was made Bingbu Langzhong (兵部郎中), a supervisory official at the Ministry of War (兵部, Bingbu).
was emperor, Yang Sifu was made Kubu Langzhong (庫部郎中), also a supervisory official at the ministry of defense, but was also put in charge of drafting imperial edicts. He was soon thereafter made Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau.
By 824, Niu Sengru was a chancellor, and he wanted to see Yang also promoted, but as Yang did not want to exceed, in his post, his father Yang Yuling, who was then the defender of the eastern capital Luoyang
and who had never been chancellor, Yang was not made chancellor but was made acting minister of rites (禮部侍郎, Libu Shilang) and put in charge of the imperial examinations. In 825, by which time Emperor Muzong's son Emperor Jingzong
, Yang, in that capacity, selected the examinees for passage, and it was said that many of them later became prominent officials.
, Yang Sifu was made the deputy minister of census. By that point, Yang Yuling had retired, and was old and ill. Yang Sifu requested to resign so that he could attend to his father, but Emperor Wenzong did not accept his resignation. After Yang Yuling died in 830, Yang Sifu left government service to observe a mourning period for him. In 833, at which time LI Zongmin was a chancellor, Yang Sifu was recalled to government service to serve as Shangshu Zuo Cheng (尚書左丞), one of the secretaries general of the executive bureau. However, that year, Li Zongmin was removed from his chancellor post, and Li Zongmin's political enemy Li Deyu
(after whom the Li Faction would be named by later historians) was the leading chancellor. Soon thereafter, Yang was sent out of the capital to serve as the military governor (Jiedushi
) of Dongchuan Circuit (東川, headquartered in modern Mianyang
, Sichuan
), as well as the prefect of Dongchuan's capital Zi Prefecture (梓州). After Li Zongmin again became chancellor in 835, Yang was moved to the nearby (and larger) circuit Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu
, Sichuan
) and to also serve as the mayor of Xichuan's capital Chengdu Municipality.
In 837, Yang was recalled to the capital to serve as deputy minister of census, as well as the director of the salt and iron monopolies. In 838, he was made, along with Li Jue
, chancellors de facto with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). He was also created the Count of Hongnong. (Emperor Wenzong's favorite concubine Consort Yang
might have been a sister of Yang Yuling's, making her an aunt, and in an allegation that Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong
would later make against her (posthumously) and Yang Sifu, he stated that Yang Sifu had written her a letter in which he referred to her as aunt, although in the same allegation, he referred to a younger brother of hers as Yang Xuansi (楊玄思), and it would have been somewhat unusual, although not highly so, for Yang Xuansi and Yang Yuling to be brothers but not share a character in their personal names.)
was said to despise Yang and offered to resign, but Chen's request to resign was not accepted by Emperor Wenzong. Further, as Yang advocated for Li Zongmin, who had been exiled, to be moved closer to the capital, and Chen and another chancellor, Zheng Tan
, both opposed. It was said that from this point, Yang and Li Jue were often in a factional struggle against Chen and Zheng, causing Emperor Wenzong to be unable to rule on their proposals easily.
In 839, there was a major argument that led to the removals of Chen and Zheng. Emperor Wenzong had praised the talents of the acting director of finances, Du Cong
. Yang and Li Jue thereafter recommended Du to be the ministry of census. Chen responded, "Such orders should come from the Emperor. In the past, those who lost stately sovereignty did so by losing their authorities to their subjects." Li Jue responded, "Your Imperial Majesty had told me previously that an Emperor should select chancellors, not suspect them." In a subsequent discussion, Chen again emphasized that the Emperor should not yield authority to his subjects. Li Jue, offended, responded, "Chen Yixing is obviously suspecting that there are chancellors who are stealing power from Your Imperial Majesty. I have often requested retirement, and I would be fortunate to be given a post as an imperial prince's teacher." Zheng then stated, "Your Imperial Majesty ruled well in the first and second years of the Kaicheng era [(i.e., 836 and 837)], while less so in the third and fourth years of Kaicheng [(i.e., 838 and 839)]." Yang responded, "In the first and second years, Zheng Tan and Chen Yixing were in power. In the third and fourth years, your subject and Li Jue joined them. Of course, the crime is mine." He then stated, "I do not dare to again enter the Office of the Chancellors!" He withdrew from Emperor Wenzong's presence. Emperor Wenzong subsequently sent a eunuch to comfort him, and Zheng partially apologized, stating, "Your subject is foolish. I did not intend to point at Yang Sifu, but Yang Sifu's reaction shows that he has no tolerance for me." Yang responded, "Zheng Tan stated that the governance is deteriorating year by year. This does not only incriminate your subject, but also speaks ill of your holy virtues." Yang then submitted multiple offers to resign. Soon thereafter, Zheng and Chen were stripped of their chancellor posts. It was said that from this point on, the imperial governance was largely in Yang's hands, and he was made, in addition to chancellor, Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau (門下省, Menxia Sheng). When the official Wei Wen (韋溫) argued that capable administrators should not be given high positions unless they had honored origins, Yang pointed out that this would lead to incompetence in the government, like what happened during Jin Dynasty
.
Meanwhile, by this point, Emperor Wenzong's son and crown prince
Li Yong
had died, and Consort Yang advocated having Emperor Wenzong's younger brother Li Rong the Prince of An made crown prince. (In Emperor Wuzong's later statements, he alleged that Yang Sifu supported Consort Yang in this attempt.) When Emperor Wenzong consulted the chancellors, however, Li Jue opposed. Emperor Wenzong thus made the youngest son of Emperor Jingzong's, Li Chengmei
the Prince of Chen, crown prince.
In spring 840, Emperor Wenzong became gravely ill. He had his trusted eunuchs Liu Hongyi (劉弘逸) and Xue Jileng (薛季稜) summon Yang Sifu and Li Jue to the palace, to entrust Li Chengmei to them. However, the powerful eunuchs Qiu Shiliang
and Yu Hongzhi (魚弘志), who were not consulted, opposed Li Chengmei, and therefore forged an edict in Emperor Wenzong's name, demoting Li Chengmei back to being the Prince of Chen, while creating another younger brother of Emperor Wenzong's, Li Chan the Prince of Ying, crown prince. Emperor Wenzong soon died, and Li Chan became emperor (as Emperor Wuzong). At Qiu's urging, Emperor Wuzong ordered Li Rong, Li Chengmei, and Consort Yang to commit suicide. During the brief mourning period, Yang Sifu served as regent
.
).
Meanwhile, Qiu Shiliang, who resented Liu Hongyi and Xue Jileng deeply, continued to make allegations against them, and in 841, Emperor Wuzong, believing in those allegations, ordered them to commit suicide, and also sent eunuchs to Hunan's capital Tang Prefecture, and Gui Prefecture (桂州, in modern Guilin
, Guangxi
), where Li Jue was serving as the governor of Gui District, to order Yang and Li Jue to commit suicide as well. (In the allegations that Emperor Wuzong came to believe, Yang had urged Consort Yang to become regent, like Wu Zetian
did.) At Du Cong's urging, as Du pointed out that Emperor Wuzong should not become accustomed to killing officials so easily, Li Deyu interceded, along with Chen Yixing (who was again chancellor by this point) and other chancellors Cui Gong
and Cui Dan
. Emperor Wuzong relented, and both Yang and Li Jue were spared of their lives, but further exiled — in Yang's case, to be the prefect of Chao Prefecture (潮州, in modern Chaozhou
, Guangdong
).
. Emperor Xuānzong, who despised Li Deyu, sent him out of the capital, and began to move the five chancellors that Emperor Wuzong had exiled — Niu Sengru, Li Zongmin, Cui Gong, Yang Sifu, and Li Jue — closer to the capital. In Yang's case, he was made the prefect of Jiang Prefecture (江州, in modern Nanchang
, Jiangxi
). Apparently, soon thereafter, Emperor Xuānzong further ordered Yang recalled to serve as the minister of civil service affairs. In 848, as Yang was on the way back to Chang'an, he died at Yue Prefecture (岳州, in modern Yueyang
, Hunan
). He 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 reign of Emperor Wenzong
Emperor Wenzong of Tang
Emperor Wenzong of Tang , personal name Li Ang , né Li Han , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 827 to 840. Emperor Wenzong was the second son of Emperor Muzong and younger brother of Emperor Jingzong...
and (briefly) the reign of Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong
Emperor Wuzong of Tang
Emperor Wuzong of Tang , né Li Chan , later changed to Li Yan just before his death, was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, reigning from 840 to 846. Emperor Wuzong is mainly known in modern times for the religious persecution that occurred during his reign...
. He was considered one of the leaders of the Niu Faction in 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...
.
Background and early career
Yang Sifu was born in 783, during the reign of Emperor DezongEmperor 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...
. His ancestors claimed origins from the royal house of Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
, through a series of officials of the State of Jin of the Spring and Autumn Period, the State of Han
Han (state)
Han was a kingdom during the Warring States Period in China, located in modern-day Shanxi and Henan. Not to be confused with South Korea which shares the same character....
of the Warring States Period
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
, Qin Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
The Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
, Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
, 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...
, 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"...
, Western Wei
Western Wei
The Western Wei Dynasty followed the disintegration of the Northern Wei, and ruled northern China from 535 to 556.After the Xianbei general Yuwen Tai killed the Northern Wei emperor Yuan Xiu, he installed Yuan Baoju as emperor of Western Wei while Yuwen Tai would remain as the virtual ruler...
, 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...
, Sui Dynasty
Sui Dynasty
The Sui Dynasty was a powerful, but short-lived Imperial Chinese dynasty. Preceded by the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it ended nearly four centuries of division between rival regimes. It was followed by the Tang Dynasty....
, 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...
. Yang Sifu's great-grandfather Yang Guansu (楊冠俗) and grandfather Yang Taiqing (楊太清) both served at the county government level.
Yang Sifu's father Yang Yuling (楊於陵), however, would eventually become a prominent official. Prior to Yang Yuling's becoming prominent, he served a term as the sheriff of Jurong County (句容, in modern Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang is a prefecture-level city in the southwest of Jiangsu province in the eastern People's Republic of China . Sitting on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the west, Changzhou to the east, and Yangzhou across the river to the north.Once...
, Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
). The governor of Zhexi Circuit (浙西, headquartered in modern Zhenjiang), which Jurong was in, Han Huang
Han Huang
Han Huang , courtesy name Taichong , formally Duke Zhongsu of Jin , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Dezong...
(who would, eventually, become a chancellor), was impressed with Yang Yuling. At that time, Han was looking for a husband for his daughter, and he stated to his wife Lady Liu, "I have met many people, but none appears as primed for honors and long life as Mr. Yang. His son will be a chancellor." He thus gave his daughter to Yang Yuling in marriage. After Yang Yuling's term as the sheriff of Jurong for a time, he stayed at nearby Yang Prefecture (揚州, 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...
), where Yang Sifu was born. When Han eventually was able to see Yang Sifu, he stroked Yang Sifu's head and stated, "Your name and position will exceed your father's. This is a great celebration for the Yang household." He thus nicknamed Yang Sifu "Qingmen" (meaning, "celebration at the gate"). It was said that when Yang Sifu was six or seven, he could already write well.
In 802, then-19-year-old Yang Sifu 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, and the next year, he passed a special examination for those with broad knowledge and grand speech. He was thereafter made a copyeditor (校書郎, Xiaoshulang) at the archival bureau (秘書省, Mishu Sheng). As he passed the imperial examinations under the auspices of the chancellor Quan Deyu
Quan Deyu
Quan Deyu , courtesy name Zaizhi , formally Duke Wen of Fufeng , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong.- Background :...
, as were Niu Sengru
Niu Sengru
Niu Sengru , courtesy name Si'an , formally Duke Wenzhen of Qizhang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Muzong and his sons Emperor Jingzong and Emperor Wenzong...
(after whom the Niu Faction would be named by later historians) and 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...
, he developed deep friendships with them.
During Emperor Xianzong's reign
Later, during the reign of 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...
, it was said that because Yang Sifu became well known by the 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...
(along with 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...
and Liu Gongchuo (柳公綽)), Wu, while later serving as 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...
), invited them to serve on his staff. Yang was later recalled to the capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
to serve as You Shiyi (右拾遺), a low-level advisory official at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), and also served as an editor of the imperial history. Because Yang was well-learned in the ceremonies, he was later made Taichang Boshi (太常博士), a scholar at the ministry of ceremonies (太常寺, Taichang Si).
By 815, Yang had become Xingbu Yuanwailang (刑部員外郎), a low-level official at the Ministry of Justice (刑部, Xingbu). At that time, the former chancellor Zheng Yuqing
Zheng Yuqing
Zheng Yuqing , courtesy name Juye , formally Duke Zhen of Yingyang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Dezong and Emperor Dezong's grandson Emperor Xianzong.- Background :Zheng Yuqing was born in 777, during the reign of...
was commissioned to revise the ceremonies, and at his request, Yang was made his secretary for the task. Yang was also made Libu Yuanwailang (禮部員外郎), a low-level official at the Ministry of Rites
Ministry of Rites
The Ministry of Rites was one of the Chinese Three Departments and Six Ministries which existed from the time of the Tang Dynasty until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911 brought an end to Imperial China. Prior to its formation, the tasks given to the Ministry were assigned to officials such as the...
. As this ministry was part of the Department of State Affairs (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng) where at that time, Yang Sifu's father Yang Yuling served as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Revenue (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang) that was also part of the Department of State Affairs, Yang Sifu requested a different position to avoid suggestions of impropriety. Emperor Xianzong issued an edict in which he opined that there could be no impropriety since Yang Yuling was not his son's superior. Later, Yang Sifu was made Bingbu Langzhong (兵部郎中), a supervisory official at the Ministry of War (兵部, Bingbu).
During Emperor Muzong's and Emperor Jingzong's reigns
In 821, by which time Emperor Xianzong's 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...
was emperor, Yang Sifu was made Kubu Langzhong (庫部郎中), also a supervisory official at the ministry of defense, but was also put in charge of drafting imperial edicts. He was soon thereafter made Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau.
By 824, Niu Sengru was a chancellor, and he wanted to see Yang also promoted, but as Yang did not want to exceed, in his post, his father Yang Yuling, who was then the defender of the eastern capital Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
and who had never been chancellor, Yang was not made chancellor but was made acting minister of rites (禮部侍郎, Libu Shilang) and put in charge of the imperial examinations. In 825, by which time Emperor Muzong's son Emperor Jingzong
Emperor 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...
, Yang, in that capacity, selected the examinees for passage, and it was said that many of them later became prominent officials.
Before chancellorship
After Emperor Jingzong was assassinated around the new year 827 and was succeeded by his brother Emperor WenzongEmperor 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...
, Yang Sifu was made the deputy minister of census. By that point, Yang Yuling had retired, and was old and ill. Yang Sifu requested to resign so that he could attend to his father, but Emperor Wenzong did not accept his resignation. After Yang Yuling died in 830, Yang Sifu left government service to observe a mourning period for him. In 833, at which time LI Zongmin was a chancellor, Yang Sifu was recalled to government service to serve as Shangshu Zuo Cheng (尚書左丞), one of the secretaries general of the executive bureau. However, that year, Li Zongmin was removed from his chancellor post, and Li Zongmin's political enemy 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...
(after whom the Li Faction would be named by later historians) was the leading chancellor. Soon thereafter, Yang was sent out of the capital to serve 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...
), as well as the prefect of Dongchuan's capital Zi Prefecture (梓州). After Li Zongmin again became chancellor in 835, Yang was moved to the nearby (and larger) circuit 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...
) and to also serve as the mayor of Xichuan's capital Chengdu Municipality.
In 837, Yang was recalled to the capital to serve as deputy minister of census, as well as the director of the salt and iron monopolies. In 838, he was made, along with Li Jue
Li Jue (Tang Dynasty)
Li Jue , courtesy name Daijia , formally Duke Zhenmu of Zanhuang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wenzong and Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong...
, chancellors de facto with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). He was also created the Count of Hongnong. (Emperor Wenzong's favorite concubine Consort Yang
Consort Yang (Wenzong)
Consort Yang, imperial consort rank Xianfei , was an imperial consort of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
might have been a sister of Yang Yuling's, making her an aunt, and in an allegation that Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong
Emperor Wuzong of Tang
Emperor Wuzong of Tang , né Li Chan , later changed to Li Yan just before his death, was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, reigning from 840 to 846. Emperor Wuzong is mainly known in modern times for the religious persecution that occurred during his reign...
would later make against her (posthumously) and Yang Sifu, he stated that Yang Sifu had written her a letter in which he referred to her as aunt, although in the same allegation, he referred to a younger brother of hers as Yang Xuansi (楊玄思), and it would have been somewhat unusual, although not highly so, for Yang Xuansi and Yang Yuling to be brothers but not share a character in their personal names.)
Chancellorship
Immediately, Yang Sifu's chancellor colleague Chen YixingChen Yixing
Chen Yixing , courtesy name Zhoudao , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving twice as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wenzong and Emperor Wuzong. He was viewed as a Li Faction leader in the Niu-Li Factional Struggles.- Background and early career :It is not known...
was said to despise Yang and offered to resign, but Chen's request to resign was not accepted by Emperor Wenzong. Further, as Yang advocated for Li Zongmin, who had been exiled, to be moved closer to the capital, and Chen and another chancellor, 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....
, both opposed. It was said that from this point, Yang and Li Jue were often in a factional struggle against Chen and Zheng, causing Emperor Wenzong to be unable to rule on their proposals easily.
In 839, there was a major argument that led to the removals of Chen and Zheng. Emperor Wenzong had praised the talents of the acting director of finances, Du Cong
Du Cong
Du Cong , courtesy name Yongyu , formally the Duke of Bin , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving two terms as chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wuzong and Emperor Wuzong's cousin Emperor Yizong...
. Yang and Li Jue thereafter recommended Du to be the ministry of census. Chen responded, "Such orders should come from the Emperor. In the past, those who lost stately sovereignty did so by losing their authorities to their subjects." Li Jue responded, "Your Imperial Majesty had told me previously that an Emperor should select chancellors, not suspect them." In a subsequent discussion, Chen again emphasized that the Emperor should not yield authority to his subjects. Li Jue, offended, responded, "Chen Yixing is obviously suspecting that there are chancellors who are stealing power from Your Imperial Majesty. I have often requested retirement, and I would be fortunate to be given a post as an imperial prince's teacher." Zheng then stated, "Your Imperial Majesty ruled well in the first and second years of the Kaicheng era [(i.e., 836 and 837)], while less so in the third and fourth years of Kaicheng [(i.e., 838 and 839)]." Yang responded, "In the first and second years, Zheng Tan and Chen Yixing were in power. In the third and fourth years, your subject and Li Jue joined them. Of course, the crime is mine." He then stated, "I do not dare to again enter the Office of the Chancellors!" He withdrew from Emperor Wenzong's presence. Emperor Wenzong subsequently sent a eunuch to comfort him, and Zheng partially apologized, stating, "Your subject is foolish. I did not intend to point at Yang Sifu, but Yang Sifu's reaction shows that he has no tolerance for me." Yang responded, "Zheng Tan stated that the governance is deteriorating year by year. This does not only incriminate your subject, but also speaks ill of your holy virtues." Yang then submitted multiple offers to resign. Soon thereafter, Zheng and Chen were stripped of their chancellor posts. It was said that from this point on, the imperial governance was largely in Yang's hands, and he was made, in addition to chancellor, Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau (門下省, Menxia Sheng). When the official Wei Wen (韋溫) argued that capable administrators should not be given high positions unless they had honored origins, Yang pointed out that this would lead to incompetence in the government, like what happened during Jin Dynasty
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...
.
Meanwhile, by this point, Emperor Wenzong's son and 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....
Li Yong
Li Yong (prince)
Li Yong , formally Crown Prince Zhuangke , was a crown prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He was the oldest son of Emperor Wenzong.- Background :It is not known when Li Yong was born...
had died, and Consort Yang advocated having Emperor Wenzong's younger brother Li Rong the Prince of An made crown prince. (In Emperor Wuzong's later statements, he alleged that Yang Sifu supported Consort Yang in this attempt.) When Emperor Wenzong consulted the chancellors, however, Li Jue opposed. Emperor Wenzong thus made the youngest son of Emperor Jingzong's, Li Chengmei
Li Chengmei
Li Chengmei , formally the Prince of Chen , was an imperial prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving briefly as Crown Prince during the reign of his uncle Emperor Wenzong.-Background:...
the Prince of Chen, crown prince.
In spring 840, Emperor Wenzong became gravely ill. He had his trusted eunuchs Liu Hongyi (劉弘逸) and Xue Jileng (薛季稜) summon Yang Sifu and Li Jue to the palace, to entrust Li Chengmei to them. However, the powerful eunuchs Qiu Shiliang
Qiu Shiliang
Qiu Shiliang , courtesy name Kuangmei , formally the Duke of Chu , was an eunuch official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, becoming particularly powerful after the Ganlu Incident — an event in which Emperor Wenzong tried, but failed, to seize power back from powerful eunuchs by slaughtering...
and Yu Hongzhi (魚弘志), who were not consulted, opposed Li Chengmei, and therefore forged an edict in Emperor Wenzong's name, demoting Li Chengmei back to being the Prince of Chen, while creating another younger brother of Emperor Wenzong's, Li Chan the Prince of Ying, crown prince. Emperor Wenzong soon died, and Li Chan became emperor (as Emperor Wuzong). At Qiu's urging, Emperor Wuzong ordered Li Rong, Li Chengmei, and Consort Yang to commit suicide. During the brief mourning period, Yang Sifu served as regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
.
During Emperor Wuzong's reign
Soon after Emperor Wuzong took the throne, Yang Sifu was removed from his chancellor position and made the minister of civil service affairs (吏部尚書, Libu Shangshu), as Emperor Wuzong knew that Yang and Li Jue, who was likewise removed, did not support him. Later that year, after Emperor Wuzong recalled Li Deyu to serve as chancellor, Yang was sent out of the capital to serve as the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Hunan Circuit (湖南, headquartered in modern Changsha, HunanHunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
).
Meanwhile, Qiu Shiliang, who resented Liu Hongyi and Xue Jileng deeply, continued to make allegations against them, and in 841, Emperor Wuzong, believing in those allegations, ordered them to commit suicide, and also sent eunuchs to Hunan's capital Tang Prefecture, and Gui Prefecture (桂州, in modern Guilin
Guilin
Guilin is a prefecture-level city in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of far southern China, sitting on the west bank of the Li River. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city...
, Guangxi
Guangxi
Guangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
), where Li Jue was serving as the governor of Gui District, to order Yang and Li Jue to commit suicide as well. (In the allegations that Emperor Wuzong came to believe, Yang had urged Consort Yang to become regent, like Wu Zetian
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...
did.) At Du Cong's urging, as Du pointed out that Emperor Wuzong should not become accustomed to killing officials so easily, Li Deyu interceded, along with Chen Yixing (who was again chancellor by this point) and other chancellors Cui Gong
Cui Gong
Cui Gong , formally the Duke of Anping , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wuzong.- Background :It is not known when Cui Gong was born...
and Cui Dan
Cui Dan
Cui Dan was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wenzong and Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong.- Background :It is not known when Cui Dan was born...
. Emperor Wuzong relented, and both Yang and Li Jue were spared of their lives, but further exiled — in Yang's case, to be the prefect of Chao Prefecture (潮州, in modern Chaozhou
Chaozhou
Chaozhou is a city in eastern Guangdong province of the People's Republic of China. It borders Shantou to the south, Jieyang to the southwest, Meizhou to the northwest, the province of Fujian to the east, and the South China Sea to the southeast...
, Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
).
During Emperor Xuānzong's reign
In 846, Emperor Wuzong died and was succeeded by his uncle Emperor XuānzongEmperor Xuanzong of Tang
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang , also commonly known as Emperor Ming of Tang , personal name Li Longji , known as Wu Longji from 690 to 705, was the seventh emperor of the Tang dynasty in China, reigning from 712 to 756. His reign of 43 years was the longest during the Tang Dynasty...
. Emperor Xuānzong, who despised Li Deyu, sent him out of the capital, and began to move the five chancellors that Emperor Wuzong had exiled — Niu Sengru, Li Zongmin, Cui Gong, Yang Sifu, and Li Jue — closer to the capital. In Yang's case, he was made the prefect of Jiang Prefecture (江州, in modern Nanchang
Nanchang
Nanchang is the capital of Jiangxi Province in southeastern China. It is located in the north-central portion of the province. As it is bounded on the west by the Jiuling Mountains, and on the east by Poyang Lake, it is famous for its scenery, rich history and cultural sites...
, Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
). Apparently, soon thereafter, Emperor Xuānzong further ordered Yang recalled to serve as the minister of civil service affairs. In 848, as Yang was on the way back to Chang'an, he died at Yue Prefecture (岳州, in modern Yueyang
Yueyang
Yueyang is a prefecture-level city at the northeastern corner of Hunan province, South Central China, on the southern shores of Dongting Lake.The Yueyang metropolitan area occupies 14,896 km². and the city proper occupies 304 km²...
, Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
). He was given posthumous honors.