Ma Zhi
Ma Zhi (馬植) (? - 857
Background and early career
It is not known when Ma Zhi was born. It is known that his family was from
Ma Zhi passed the imperial examinations in the Jinshi class in 819, during the reign of Emperor Xianzong, and further passed a special imperial examination for those who were capable in planning. He was thereafter made the deputy military prefect (團練副使, Tuanlian Fushi) of Shou Prefecture (壽州, in modern Lu'an, Anhui). He thereafter served as Xiaoshu Lang (校書郎), a copyeditor at the Palace Library, and yet later served as the prefect of Rao Prefecture (饒州, in modern Shangrao, Jiangxi).[2]
During Emperor Wenzong's reign
Early in the Kaicheng era (836-840) of Emperor Xianzong's grandson Emperor Wenzong, Ma Zhi was made the protector general of Annan (安南, modern northern Vietnam). It was said that Ma, in addition to his literary abilities, was a capable administrator. In 838, he submitted a report in which he claimed that the nominal magistrate of Wulu County (武陸) — under Tang's system of commissioning local tribal leaders with official titles — was faithful to Tang and was often giving good suggestions, and requested that Wulu County be upgraded to be a prefecture; Emperor Wenzong approved the request.[2][5] It was also said that because of Ma's good governance, the tribal chiefs all sent their sons to serve as hostages and offered to pay tributes. Further, a pool at Wulu Prefecture that had previously produced pearls but were no longer doing so by Ma's time again began to produce pearls, which was viewed as a sign of divine approval. Ma was thereafter promoted to be the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Qianzhong Circuit (黔中, headquartered in modern Chongqing).[3]
During Emperor Wuzong's reign
During the middle of the Huichang era (841-846) of Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong, Ma Zhi was recalled to the capital Chang'an to serve as the minister of palace supplies (光祿卿, Guanglu Qing), and later became Dali Qing (大理卿), the chief judge at the supreme court (大理寺, Dali Si). However, neither of these posts carried great power, as Ma, despite a reputation for being capable, was not well regarded by then-leading chancellor Li Deyu. It was said that Ma thus bore resentment toward Li Deyu.[3]
During Emperor Xuānzong's reign
In 846, Emperor Wuzong died and was succeeded by his uncle
In 848, Ma was made a chancellor de facto with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事).
Ma Zhi was later made an advisor to the
Notes and references
- ^ Ma Zhi died as military governor of Xuanwu Circuit, while in 857 the next military governor named Zheng Ya was appointed.
- ^ a b c d Old Book of Tang, vol. 176.
- ^ a b c d e New Book of Tang, vol. 184.
- ^ "漢川草廬-二十四史-新唐書-卷七十二‧表第十二". Archived from the original on 2008-11-20. Retrieved 2008-10-03.New Book of Tang, vol. 72 Archived 2010-06-20 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ New Book of Tang, vol. 43, part 2.
- ^ a b Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 248.
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 249.
- ^ However, as there was no crown prince at the time, the post was entirely honorary.
- Old Book of Tang, vol. 176.
- New Book of Tang, vol. 184.
- Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 248, 249.