Xiao Mian
Xiao Mian (Chinese: 蕭俛; died March 16, 842[1][2]), courtesy name Siqian (思謙), formally the Duke of Xu (徐公), was a Chinese politician during the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong. In traditional histories, he was praised for his integrity but blamed for faulty decisions that led to the imperial government's loss of control over the circuits north of the Yellow River.
Background
It is not known when Xiao Mian was born. His family was prominent, having been descended from the imperial house of
During Emperor Xianzong's reign
In 806, during the reign of Emperor Dezong's grandson Emperor Xianzong, Xiao Mian passed a special examination for those with strategic recommendations,[6] and was thereafter made a consultant at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), initially at the low post of You Shiyi (右拾遺) and then promoted to You Bujue (右補闕). In 811, he was made an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi) in addition to his post as You Bujue. In 812, in addition to being imperial scholar, he was moved from the You Bujue post to be Sifeng Yuanwailang (司封員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Lìbu). In 814, he was made Jiabu Langzhong (駕部郎中), a supervisorial official at the ministry of rites (禮部, Lǐbu, note different tone than the ministry of civil service affairs), but continued to serve as imperial scholar, and was also given the responsibility of drafting imperial edicts.[5]
In 814, when Emperor Xianzong was in the middle of a campaign against the warlord
By 818, Xiao's friend Huangfu Bo, due to his ability to garner revenues for Emperor Xianzong, was greatly favored by Emperor Xianzong and was made a chancellor.[9] Huangfu recommended Linghu Chu to be chancellor as well, and both Huangfu and Linghu thereafter often recommended Xiao. As a result, Xiao was favored by Emperor Xianzong as well, and received a number of honorific titles. He was also made the deputy chief imperial censor (御史中丞, Yushi Zhongcheng).[5] It was deputy chief imperial censor that in 818, he submitted an indictment against the eunuch Yang Chaowen (楊朝汶), who had arrested over 1,000 people for allegedly owing money to the palace. As a result of the indictment that Xiao submitted, which the chancellors Pei Du and Cui Qun also supported, Emperor Xianzong ordered Yang to commit suicide.[9]
During Emperor Muzong's and Emperor Jingzong's reigns
Emperor Xianzong died in spring 820 and was succeeded by his son Emperor Muzong. Emperor Muzong, who disliked Huangfu Bo, immediately exiled Huangfu. Subsequently, when he considered whom to make chancellor, Linghu Chu recommended Xiao Mian. Thereafter, Xiao was made Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎) — the deputy head of the legislative bureau — and chancellor de facto with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), along with Duan Wenchang. Thereafter, Emperor Muzong considered killing Huangfu, but Xiao and the eunuchs interceded, and Huangfu was not killed.[10]
It was said that, as chancellor, Xiao was humble and careful, and he tried to do what was righteous and hated the wicked. He was also said to be filially pious, and he served his mother Lady Wei carefully as an ordinary son would despite his honored chancellor status. Further, when Emperor Muzong ordered him to draft the text of a monument for the deceased warlord
In spring 821,
During Emperor Wenzong's and Emperor Wuzong's reigns
In 826, by which time Emperor Muzong's son Emperor Jingzong was emperor, Xiao Mian was again made an advisor to the Crown Prince,[13] and sent out to have his office at Luoyang.[5] After Emperor Jingzong died later that year and was succeeded by his brother Emperor Wenzong,[14] Emperor Wenzong recalled Xiao to serve as acting Zuo Pushe (左僕射), the other head of the executive bureau, as well as advisor to the crown prince.[5][13] Xiao claimed an illness and declined to report to Chang'an; Emperor Wenzong thereafter allowed him to retire.[5]
Around this time, Xiao's mother Lady Wei died, and he observed a period of mourning for her. After the period of mourning was over, Emperor Wenzong again tried to recall him, but he again declined based on claim of illness. As he still considered Luoyang to be too busy of a place, and particularly did not want to be receiving guests all the time, he went to live at his vacation mansion at Jiyuan, and it was said that he enjoyed life in the hills. In 834, by which time Emperor Wenzong had created his son Li Yong crown prince, he again tried to recall Xiao to serve as advisor to Li Yong. Xiao sent his brother Xiao Jie (蕭傑) to Chang'an with his petition declining the post. Emperor Wenzong accepted his petition and allowed him to remain in retirement.[5] He died in 842.[2]
Notes and references
- ^ http://dbo.sinica.edu.tw/ftms-bin/kiwi1/luso.sh?lstype=2&dyna=%AD%F0&king=%AAZ%A9v&reign=%B7%7C%A9%F7&yy=2&ycanzi=&mm=2&dd=&dcanzi=%A4%FE%B1G[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Old Book of Tang, vol. 18, part 1.
- ^ New Book of Tang, vol. 101.
- ^ "漢川草廬-二十四史-新唐書-卷七十一‧表第十一". Archived from the original on June 13, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2010.New Book of Tang, vol. 71 Archived June 20, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Old Book of Tang, vol. 172.
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 237.
- ^ a b Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 239.
- ^ Old Book of Tang, vol. 148.
- ^ a b Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 240.
- ^ a b Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 241.
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 242.
- ^ However, there was no crown prince at the time (although later in the year, Emperor Muzong would create his son Li Zhan crown prince), so the post was entirely honorary.
- ^ a b Likewise, there was no crown prince at the time, so the post was entirely honorary.
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 243.
- Old Book of Tang, vol. 172.
- New Book of Tang, vol. 101.
- Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 237, 239, 240, 241, 242.