Yu Zhining
Encyclopedia
Yu Zhining (588–665), courtesy name Zhongmi (仲謐), formally Duke Ding of Yan (燕定公), was a chancellor of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, during the reigns of Emperor Taizong
and Emperor Gaozong
. He had served on the staff of Emperor Taizong's oldest son and crown prince
Li Chengqian and, after Li Chengqian was removed for plotting to overthrow Emperor Taizong in 643, received approval for having tried to correct Li Chengqian in his ways. Emperor Taizong promoted him, and he subsequently played prominent roles in the imperial government late in Emperor Taizong's reign and early in Emperor Gaozong's reign. In 659, however, because he had previously not supported the ascension of Emperor Gaozong's second wife Empress Wu
(later known as Wu Zetian), he was removed from his office based on accusations by her ally Xu Jingzong
that he had conspired with Emperor Gaozong's uncle Zhangsun Wuji
, who had opposed Empress Wu's ascension.
. He was from Sui's capital province Yong Province (雍州, roughly modern Xi'an
, Shaanxi
), and his ancestors, ethnically Xianbei
, were of a prominent line of generals during Sui's predecessor dynasty Northern Zhou
. His great-grandfather Yu Jin (于謹), in particular, was a renowned general during the latter years of Northern Zhou's predecessor Western Wei
and Northern Zhou. His father Yu Xuandao (于宣道) was a mid-level official in the legislative bureau of government, the Neishi Sheng (內史省).
Late in the reign of Emperor Wen's son and successor Emperor Yang
, Yu Zhining served as the county magistrate for Guanshi County (冠氏, in modern Liaocheng
, Shandong
). As at the time, most of Sui realm was engulfed by agrarian rebellions, he left his post without leave and fled home, to Yong Province. In 617, the general Li Yuan
rebelled at Taiyuan
and proceeded towarded the capital Chang'an
(i.e., Yong Province), with Emperor Yang away at Jiangdu (江都, in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
), capturing Chang'an in winter 617 and declaring Emperor Yang's grandson Yang You
the Prince of Dai emperor (as Emperor Gong). Yu led a group of men to welcome him at one of Emperor Yang's secondary palaces, Changchun Palace (長春宮). As Li Yuan had heard of Yu's reputation of being capable earlier, he bestowed the honorific title of Yinqing Guanglu Daifu (銀青光祿大夫) on Yu. Meanwhile, as Li Yuan's son and major general Li Shimin
was then pacifying the cities north of the Wei River
, he made Yu a member of his staff.
In 618, after news arrived at Chang'an that Emperor Yang had been killed in a coup led by the general Yuwen Huaji
, Li Yuan had Emperor Gong yield the throne to him, establishing Tang Dynasty
as its Emperor Gaozu. Li Shimin was created the Prince of Qin, and became his father's most reliable general in fighting the various contenders for supremacy. Yu continued to serve on Li Shimin's staff and often accompanied him on campaigns. When Emperor Gaozu allowed Li Shimin to retain a staff of literary men, Yu was named to that staff as well.
the Crown Prince, ambushed Li Jiancheng and another brother who supported Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji
the Prince of Qi, at Xuanwu Gate
and killed them both. He then effectively forced Emperor Gaozu to first create him crown prince and then yield the throne to him, and he took the throne as Emperor Taizong. It appeared that he did not initially promote Yu Zhining, but in 629, Yu was promoted to the post of deputy head of the legislative bureau of government. On one occasion, when Emperor Taizong invited the high level officials to a feast, he was surprised not to see Yu -- and when he asked, the answer he received was that Yu, who was observant of protocol, decided not to attend because the orders actually only stated that officials of the third rank or above were invited, and his post was not of the third rank, but of the fourth rank, first class. Emperor Taizong thereafter specifically issued an invitation addressed to Yu, and also soon bestowed on him the honorific post of Sanqi Changshi (散騎常侍) -- which was the third rank, second class -- while also making him one of the key staff members for his oldest son Li Chengqian the Crown Prince and creating him the Duke of Liyang.
After Emperor Gaozu's death in 635, Emperor Taizong began building the imperial temples to worship his ancestors (including his father). The chancellor Fang Xuanling
suggested that Emperor Gaozu's seventh-generation ancestor, Li Gao
(the founder of the Sixteen Kingdoms
period state Western Liang
) be honored as the main Tang ancestor, but Yu opposed, arguing that Tang's imperial powers did not originate from Li Gao, and therefore Li Gao should not be honored as the main ancestor. Emperor Taizong agreed.
In 639, when Emperor Taizong instituted a feudal scheme where key contributors to Tang rule were given prefectural prefect posts, to be passed to their descendants, Yu was among its key opponents. Eventually, particularly due to fervent opposition by Emperor Taizong's brother-in-law Zhangsun Wuji
, the feudal scheme was cancelled.
During the years that Yu served on Li Chengqian's staff, he often made suggestions to Li Chengqian to try to improve Li Chengqian's behavior, and when Emperor Taizong heard about this, he awarded Yu with gold and silk. In 640, he promoted Yu to the post of Li Chengqian's head of household. In 641, when Yu's mother died, Yu resigned to observe a mourning period for her but was soon recalled to the post. When he requested that he be allowed to observe the three-year mourning period, Emperor Taizong sent the official Cen Wenben
to persuade him otherwise, stating: "In this case, your faithfulness and filial piety may conflict. My son needs your guidance, and I am asking you to hold back your emotions." Yu therefore returned to his post.
For the next few years, Yu continued to try to correct Li Chengqian's behavior, and several of the submissions he made to Li Chengqian are extant, including his counsel against building palaces during the summer heat, Li Chengqian's liking for music, and his closeness to eunuch
s. On one occasion, when Yu wrote a particularly blunt submission on two matters -- Li Chengqian's refusal to allow his staff members to go on vacation, and his reception of the ethnically Tujue man Dageyou (達哥友) into his palace -- Li Chengqian became so incensed that he sent the assassins Zhang Sizheng (張思政) and Gegan Chengji (紇干承基) to assassinate Yu. When Zhang and Gegan went to Yu's house to kill him, however, they saw that Yu was living frugally and continuing to mourn his mother, and they could not bring themselves to kill him.
In 643, Li Chengqian was discovered to have conspired with his uncle Li Yuanchang (李元昌) the Prince of Han, his brothers-in-law Zhao Jie (趙節) and Du He (杜荷), and the general Hou Junji
, to overthrow Emperor Taizong (over his fears that Emperor Taizong would replace him with his favored brother Li Tai the Prince of Wei). Emperor Taizong deposed Li Chengqian and replaced him with a younger son, Li Zhi
the Prince of Jin. Most of Li Chengqian's staff were blamed for not correcting his behavior and were demoted or exiled, but Yu was praised for having tried to correct Li Chengqian. Emperor Taizong subsequently made him a member of Li Zhi's staff.
. Under Zhangsun's suggestion, Emperor Taizong's death was kept secret, as Li Zhi escorted Emperor Taizong's casket back to Chang'an. Once that happened, three key members of Li Zhi's staff -- Yu Zhining, Zhang Xingcheng
, and Gao Jifu
-- were promoted to chancellor posts, before Emperor Taizong's death was announced. Li Zhi took the throne as Emperor Gaozong. (In Yu's case, he was promoted to be Shizhong (侍中), the head of the examination bureau of government, a post considered one for a chancellor.)
In 650, Emperor Gaozong bestowed the honorific title of Guanglu Daifu (光祿大夫) on Yu, and also created him the greater title of Duke of Yan -- a title that his great-grandfather Yu Jin once held.
In 651, Yu was made in charge of editing imperial historical records. He was also made Pushe (僕射), the head of the executive bureau, and continued to serve as chancellor. In 652, when Emperor Gaozong created his oldest son Li Zhong
crown prince, Yu was made titularly an advisor of the young crown prince as well. There was an occasion when Emperor Gaozong awarded estates to him, Zhang, and Gao. Yu declined, pointing out that neither Zhang nor Gao was from the region near the capital and therefore needed estates, but he himself was from the capital region and therefore already had property in the region, offering to have his share be given to Zhang and Gao instead. Emperor Taizong was impressed and accepted his suggestion.
In 655, when Emperor Gaozong, whose favors for his wife Empress Wang
had waned, believed in the accusations of his favorite concubine Consort Wu
(later known as Wu Zetian) that Empress Wang and her mother Lady Liu had used witchcraft and that Empress Wang had killed Consort Wu's daughter, wanted to depose Empress Wang and replace her with Consort Wu. The chancellors Chu, Han Yuan
, and Lai Ji
all strenuously objected. Zhangsun also showed disapproval by his silent refusal to endorse the acts. Yu was described to be neutral on the matter, while Li Ji
stated that it was Emperor Gaozong's own household business. Emperor Gaozong thus became resolved, and he deposed Empress Wang and replaced her with Consort Wu. (Empress Wang was subsequently killed on the new Empress Wu's orders.) In 659, Yu requested to retire from his post, and he was made a senior advisor to the new crown prince -- Empress Wu's oldest son Li Hong
, but continued to carry the designation of a chancellor de facto.
By then, however, Empress Wu's grip on power was firm, and she was taking vengeance on people she believed opposed her ascension, having her ally Xu Jingzong
accuse them of having plotted treason. Zhangsun was exiled and then forced to commit suicide. Empress Wang's uncle Liu Shi
was executed. Their households, as well as that of Han Yuan (who would have suffered execution as well but for the fact that he had already died by the time that executioners arrived at his place of exile), were confiscated to become servants. Empress Wu was not satisfied, and she had Xu accuse Yu of having been part of Zhangsun's faction. Yu was thus removed from his post and demoted to be the prefect of Rong Prefecture (榮州, roughly modern Zigong
, Sichuan
), and eight other members of his were demoted as well.
In 664, Yu was made the prefect of Hua Prefecture (華州, roughly modern Weinan
, Shaanxi
), close to the capital, a sign that he had regained some imperial favor, and later that year, he requested retirement, which was granted. In 665, he died at his mansion. In 676, his prior honors were all posthumously restored.
It was said that Yu liked welcoming guests, and many young officials gathered around him. However, he was criticized for not being able to find the most capable among them and recommend them.
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 reigns of Emperor Taizong
Emperor Taizong of Tang
Emperor Taizong of Tang , personal name Lǐ Shìmín , was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, ruling from 626 to 649...
and 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...
. He had served on the staff of Emperor Taizong's oldest 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 Chengqian and, after Li Chengqian was removed for plotting to overthrow Emperor Taizong in 643, received approval for having tried to correct Li Chengqian in his ways. Emperor Taizong promoted him, and he subsequently played prominent roles in the imperial government late in Emperor Taizong's reign and early in Emperor Gaozong's reign. In 659, however, because he had previously not supported the ascension of Emperor Gaozong's second wife Empress 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), he was removed from his office based on accusations by her ally Xu Jingzong
Xu Jingzong
Xu Jingzong , courtesy name Yanzu , formally Duke Gong of Gaoyang , was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
that he had conspired with Emperor Gaozong's uncle Zhangsun Wuji
Zhangsun Wuji
Zhangsun Wuji , courtesy name Fuji , formally Duke of Zhao , was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty during the reigns of his brother-in-law Emperor Taizong and nephew Emperor Gaozong...
, who had opposed Empress Wu's ascension.
Background
Yu Zhining was born in 588, during the reign of Emperor Wen of SuiEmperor Wen of Sui
Emperor Wen of Sui — personal name Yang Jian , Xianbei name Puliuru Jian , nickname Naluoyan — was the founder and first emperor of China's Sui Dynasty . He was a hard-working administrator and a micromanager. As a Buddhist, he encouraged the spread of Buddhism through the state...
. He was from Sui's capital province Yong Province (雍州, roughly 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...
), and his ancestors, ethnically Xianbei
Xianbei
The Xianbei were a significant Mongolic nomadic people residing in Manchuria, Inner Mongolia and eastern Mongolia. The title “Khan” was first used among the Xianbei.-Origins:...
, were of a prominent line of generals during Sui's predecessor dynasty 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...
. His great-grandfather Yu Jin (于謹), in particular, was a renowned general during the latter years of Northern Zhou's predecessor 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...
and Northern Zhou. His father Yu Xuandao (于宣道) was a mid-level official in the legislative bureau of government, the Neishi Sheng (內史省).
Late in the reign of Emperor Wen's son and successor Emperor Yang
Emperor Yang of Sui
Emperor Yang of Sui , personal name Yang Guang , alternative name Ying , nickname Amo , known as Emperor Ming during the brief reign of his grandson Yang Tong), was the second son of Emperor Wen of Sui, and the second emperor of China's Sui Dynasty.Emperor Yang's original name was Yang Ying, but...
, Yu Zhining served as the county magistrate for Guanshi County (冠氏, in modern Liaocheng
Liaocheng
Liaocheng , also known as the Water City, is a prefecture-level city in western Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It borders the provincial capital of Jinan to the southeast, Dezhou to the northeast, Tai'an to the south, and the province of Hebei and Henan to the west...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
). As at the time, most of Sui realm was engulfed by agrarian rebellions, he left his post without leave and fled home, to Yong Province. In 617, the general Li Yuan
Emperor Gaozu of Tang
Emperor Gāozǔ of Táng , born Lǐ Yuān , courtesy name Shūdé , was the founder of the Tang Dynasty of China, and the first emperor of this dynasty from 618 to 626. Under the Sui dynasty, Li Yuan was the governor in the area of modern-day Shanxi, and was based in Taiyuan.In 615, Li Yuan was assigned...
rebelled at 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...
and proceeded towarded 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...
(i.e., Yong Province), with Emperor Yang away at Jiangdu (江都, 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...
), capturing Chang'an in winter 617 and declaring Emperor Yang's grandson Yang You
Emperor Gong of Sui
Emperor Gong of Sui , personal name Yang You , was an emperor of the Chinese Sui Dynasty. Traditionally, he was considered the last emperor of the dynasty because he was the one who formally yielded the throne to the founding emperor to the succeeding Tang Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu of Tang ,...
the Prince of Dai emperor (as Emperor Gong). Yu led a group of men to welcome him at one of Emperor Yang's secondary palaces, Changchun Palace (長春宮). As Li Yuan had heard of Yu's reputation of being capable earlier, he bestowed the honorific title of Yinqing Guanglu Daifu (銀青光祿大夫) on Yu. Meanwhile, as Li Yuan's son and major general Li Shimin
Emperor Taizong of Tang
Emperor Taizong of Tang , personal name Lǐ Shìmín , was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, ruling from 626 to 649...
was then pacifying the cities north of the Wei River
Wei River
The Wei River is a major river in west-central China's Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. It is the largest tributary of the Yellow River and very important in the early development of Chinese civilization....
, he made Yu a member of his staff.
In 618, after news arrived at Chang'an that Emperor Yang had been killed in a coup led by the general Yuwen Huaji
Yuwen Huaji
Yuwen Huaji was a general of the Chinese dynasty Sui Dynasty who, in 618, led a coup against Emperor Yang of Sui, killing him. He subsequently declared Emperor Yang's nephew Yang Hao led Emperor Yang's elite Xiaoguo Army north, but was then repeatedly defeated by Li Mi, Li Shentong , and...
, Li Yuan had Emperor Gong yield the throne to him, establishing 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...
as its Emperor Gaozu. Li Shimin was created the Prince of Qin, and became his father's most reliable general in fighting the various contenders for supremacy. Yu continued to serve on Li Shimin's staff and often accompanied him on campaigns. When Emperor Gaozu allowed Li Shimin to retain a staff of literary men, Yu was named to that staff as well.
During Emperor Taizong's reign
In 626, Li Shimin, locked in an intense rivalry with his brother Li JianchengLi Jiancheng
Li Jiancheng , formally Crown Prince Yin , nickname Pishamen , was a crown prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He was the oldest son of the founding emperor Emperor Gaozu and therefore was designated crown prince after the founding of the dynasty in 618...
the Crown Prince, ambushed Li Jiancheng and another brother who supported Li Jiancheng, Li Yuanji
Li Yuanji
Li Yuanji , formally Prince La of Chao , more commonly known by the title of Prince of Qi , nickname Sanhu , was an imperial prince of the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
the Prince of Qi, at Xuanwu Gate
Incident at Xuanwu Gate
The Incident at Xuanwu Gate refers to an incident on July 2, 626, when Li Shimin the Prince of Qin, a son of Emperor Gaozu of Tang , in an intense rivalry with his older brother Li Jiancheng the Crown Prince and fearing that Li Jiancheng was about to kill him, set an ambush at Xuanwu Gate, the...
and killed them both. He then effectively forced Emperor Gaozu to first create him crown prince and then yield the throne to him, and he took the throne as Emperor Taizong. It appeared that he did not initially promote Yu Zhining, but in 629, Yu was promoted to the post of deputy head of the legislative bureau of government. On one occasion, when Emperor Taizong invited the high level officials to a feast, he was surprised not to see Yu -- and when he asked, the answer he received was that Yu, who was observant of protocol, decided not to attend because the orders actually only stated that officials of the third rank or above were invited, and his post was not of the third rank, but of the fourth rank, first class. Emperor Taizong thereafter specifically issued an invitation addressed to Yu, and also soon bestowed on him the honorific post of Sanqi Changshi (散騎常侍) -- which was the third rank, second class -- while also making him one of the key staff members for his oldest son Li Chengqian the Crown Prince and creating him the Duke of Liyang.
After Emperor Gaozu's death in 635, Emperor Taizong began building the imperial temples to worship his ancestors (including his father). The chancellor Fang Xuanling
Fang Xuanling
Fang Xuanling , formal name Fang Qiao but went by the courtesy name of Xuanling, formally Duke Wenzhao of Liang , was the lead editor of the Book of Jin and one of the most celebrated chancellors of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, and he and his colleague Du Ruhui, both serving during the reign...
suggested that Emperor Gaozu's seventh-generation ancestor, Li Gao
Li Gao
Li Gao , courtesy name Xuansheng , nickname Changsheng , formally Prince Wuzhao of Liang , was the founding duke of the Chinese state Western Liáng...
(the founder of the Sixteen Kingdoms
Sixteen Kingdoms
The Sixteen Kingdoms, or less commonly the Sixteen States, were a collection of numerous short-lived sovereign states in China proper and its neighboring areas from 304 to 439 AD after the retreat of the Jin Dynasty to South China and before the establishment of the Northern Dynasties...
period state Western Liang
Western Liang
The Western Liang was a state of the Sixteen Kingdoms in China. It was founded by the Li family of the Han Chinese. The founder of the Tang Dynasty, Li Yuan , traced his ancestry to the Western Liang rulers....
) be honored as the main Tang ancestor, but Yu opposed, arguing that Tang's imperial powers did not originate from Li Gao, and therefore Li Gao should not be honored as the main ancestor. Emperor Taizong agreed.
In 639, when Emperor Taizong instituted a feudal scheme where key contributors to Tang rule were given prefectural prefect posts, to be passed to their descendants, Yu was among its key opponents. Eventually, particularly due to fervent opposition by Emperor Taizong's brother-in-law Zhangsun Wuji
Zhangsun Wuji
Zhangsun Wuji , courtesy name Fuji , formally Duke of Zhao , was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty during the reigns of his brother-in-law Emperor Taizong and nephew Emperor Gaozong...
, the feudal scheme was cancelled.
During the years that Yu served on Li Chengqian's staff, he often made suggestions to Li Chengqian to try to improve Li Chengqian's behavior, and when Emperor Taizong heard about this, he awarded Yu with gold and silk. In 640, he promoted Yu to the post of Li Chengqian's head of household. In 641, when Yu's mother died, Yu resigned to observe a mourning period for her but was soon recalled to the post. When he requested that he be allowed to observe the three-year mourning period, Emperor Taizong sent the official Cen Wenben
Cen Wenben
Cen Wenben , courtesy name Jingren , formally Viscount Xian of Jiangling , was a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang. He was an assistant editor of the Book of Zhou, the official history of Northern Zhou.- Background :Cen Wenben was born in 595, during the reign of Emperor Wen...
to persuade him otherwise, stating: "In this case, your faithfulness and filial piety may conflict. My son needs your guidance, and I am asking you to hold back your emotions." Yu therefore returned to his post.
For the next few years, Yu continued to try to correct Li Chengqian's behavior, and several of the submissions he made to Li Chengqian are extant, including his counsel against building palaces during the summer heat, Li Chengqian's liking for music, and his closeness to eunuch
Eunuch
A eunuch is a person born male most commonly castrated, typically early enough in his life for this change to have major hormonal consequences...
s. On one occasion, when Yu wrote a particularly blunt submission on two matters -- Li Chengqian's refusal to allow his staff members to go on vacation, and his reception of the ethnically Tujue man Dageyou (達哥友) into his palace -- Li Chengqian became so incensed that he sent the assassins Zhang Sizheng (張思政) and Gegan Chengji (紇干承基) to assassinate Yu. When Zhang and Gegan went to Yu's house to kill him, however, they saw that Yu was living frugally and continuing to mourn his mother, and they could not bring themselves to kill him.
In 643, Li Chengqian was discovered to have conspired with his uncle Li Yuanchang (李元昌) the Prince of Han, his brothers-in-law Zhao Jie (趙節) and Du He (杜荷), and the general Hou Junji
Hou Junji
Hou Junji was a major general and chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, particularly known for his campaigns against Gaochang and Tuyuhun...
, to overthrow Emperor Taizong (over his fears that Emperor Taizong would replace him with his favored brother Li Tai the Prince of Wei). Emperor Taizong deposed Li Chengqian and replaced him with a younger son, Li Zhi
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...
the Prince of Jin. Most of Li Chengqian's staff were blamed for not correcting his behavior and were demoted or exiled, but Yu was praised for having tried to correct Li Chengqian. Emperor Taizong subsequently made him a member of Li Zhi's staff.
During Emperor Gaozong's reign
In 649, Emperor Taizong died while at the summer palace Cuiwei Palace (翠微宮), after entrusting Li Zhi to Zhangsun Wuji and Chu SuiliangChu Suiliang
Chu Suiliang , courtesy name Dengshan , formally Duke of Henan , was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, during the reigns of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Taizong's son Emperor Gaozong...
. Under Zhangsun's suggestion, Emperor Taizong's death was kept secret, as Li Zhi escorted Emperor Taizong's casket back to Chang'an. Once that happened, three key members of Li Zhi's staff -- Yu Zhining, Zhang Xingcheng
Zhang Xingcheng
Zhang Xingcheng , courtesy name Deli , formally Duke Ding of Beiping , was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, during the reigns of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong.- Background :...
, and Gao Jifu
Gao Jifu
Gao Jifu , formal name Gao Feng but went by the courtesy name of Jifu, formally Duke Xian of Tiao , was a chancellor of the Chinese court in the Tang Dynasty, during the reigns of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong.- Background :Gao Jifu was born in 596...
-- were promoted to chancellor posts, before Emperor Taizong's death was announced. Li Zhi took the throne as Emperor Gaozong. (In Yu's case, he was promoted to be Shizhong (侍中), the head of the examination bureau of government, a post considered one for a chancellor.)
In 650, Emperor Gaozong bestowed the honorific title of Guanglu Daifu (光祿大夫) on Yu, and also created him the greater title of Duke of Yan -- a title that his great-grandfather Yu Jin once held.
In 651, Yu was made in charge of editing imperial historical records. He was also made Pushe (僕射), the head of the executive bureau, and continued to serve as chancellor. In 652, when Emperor Gaozong created his oldest son Li Zhong
Li Zhong
Li Zhong is a fictional character in the Water Margin, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. He ranks 86th of the 108 Liangshan heroes and 50th of the 72 Earthly Fiends. He is nicknamed "Tiger Slaying General".-Background:...
crown prince, Yu was made titularly an advisor of the young crown prince as well. There was an occasion when Emperor Gaozong awarded estates to him, Zhang, and Gao. Yu declined, pointing out that neither Zhang nor Gao was from the region near the capital and therefore needed estates, but he himself was from the capital region and therefore already had property in the region, offering to have his share be given to Zhang and Gao instead. Emperor Taizong was impressed and accepted his suggestion.
In 655, when Emperor Gaozong, whose favors for his wife Empress Wang
Empress Wang (Gaozong)
Empress Wang was an empress of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. She was the first wife and empress of Emperor Gaozong and became empress shortly after he became emperor in 649. She, however, did not bear any sons for him and was not favored...
had waned, believed in the accusations of his favorite concubine Consort 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) that Empress Wang and her mother Lady Liu had used witchcraft and that Empress Wang had killed Consort Wu's daughter, wanted to depose Empress Wang and replace her with Consort Wu. The chancellors Chu, Han Yuan
Han Yuan
Han Yuan , courtesy name Boyu , formally Duke of Yingchuan , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong...
, and Lai Ji
Lai Ji
Lai Ji was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. He later offended Emperor Gaozong by opposing the ascension of Emperor Gaozong's second wife Empress Wu and was exiled to be a prefect in the extreme western part of the state...
all strenuously objected. Zhangsun also showed disapproval by his silent refusal to endorse the acts. Yu was described to be neutral on the matter, while Li Ji
Li Shiji
Li Shiji , né Xu Shiji , later known in the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang as Li Ji , courtesy name Maogong , formally Duke Zhenwu of Ying , was one of the most celebrated generals early in the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
stated that it was Emperor Gaozong's own household business. Emperor Gaozong thus became resolved, and he deposed Empress Wang and replaced her with Consort Wu. (Empress Wang was subsequently killed on the new Empress Wu's orders.) In 659, Yu requested to retire from his post, and he was made a senior advisor to the new crown prince -- Empress Wu's oldest son Li Hong
Li Hong
Li Hong , formally Emperor Xiaojing with the temple name of Yizong , was a crown prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
, but continued to carry the designation of a chancellor de facto.
By then, however, Empress Wu's grip on power was firm, and she was taking vengeance on people she believed opposed her ascension, having her ally Xu Jingzong
Xu Jingzong
Xu Jingzong , courtesy name Yanzu , formally Duke Gong of Gaoyang , was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
accuse them of having plotted treason. Zhangsun was exiled and then forced to commit suicide. Empress Wang's uncle Liu Shi
Liu Shi (chancellor)
Liu Shi , courtesy name Zishao , was a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. His niece was Emperor Gaozong's first wife Empress Wang, and as Emperor Gaozong's favors for her waned, Liu found himself in a precarious position...
was executed. Their households, as well as that of Han Yuan (who would have suffered execution as well but for the fact that he had already died by the time that executioners arrived at his place of exile), were confiscated to become servants. Empress Wu was not satisfied, and she had Xu accuse Yu of having been part of Zhangsun's faction. Yu was thus removed from his post and demoted to be the prefect of Rong Prefecture (榮州, roughly modern Zigong
Zigong
Zigong , ancient name Ziliujing and Gongjing, is a prefecture-level city and the third largest city in Sichuan Province, in southwest China.-Geography:...
, 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 eight other members of his were demoted as well.
In 664, Yu was made the prefect of Hua Prefecture (華州, roughly 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...
), close to the capital, a sign that he had regained some imperial favor, and later that year, he requested retirement, which was granted. In 665, he died at his mansion. In 676, his prior honors were all posthumously restored.
It was said that Yu liked welcoming guests, and many young officials gathered around him. However, he was criticized for not being able to find the most capable among them and recommend them.