Wen Yanbo (Song dynasty)

Wen Yanbo
Portrait of Wen Yanbo in the Sancai Tuhui
Personal details
Born	October 23, 1006 Jiexiu, Fen Prefecture, Song Empire
Died	June 16, 1097(1097-06-16) (aged 90) Kaifeng?, Song dynasty
Children	Sons: Wen Gongzu (文ぶん恭きょう祖そ) Wen Yiqing (文ぶん貽慶) Wen Qixian (文ぶん齊ひとし賢けん) Wen Baoyong (文ぶん保ほ雍) Wen Juzhong (文ぶん居中きょちゅう) Wen Jifu (文ぶん及甫) Wen Weishen (文ぶん維申) Wen Zongdao (文ぶん宗道そうどう) At least 3 daughters
Parent	Wen Ji (文ぶん洎) (father)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	文ぶん彥博ひろし
Simplified Chinese	文ぶん彦博ひろし
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wén Yànbó
Wen Kuanfu
Traditional Chinese	文ぶん寬ひろし夫おっと
Simplified Chinese	文ぶん宽夫おっと
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wén Kuānfū

In this Chinese name, the family name is Wen.

Wen Yanbo (23 October 1006 – 16 June 1097), courtesy name Kuanfu, was a scholar-official of the Song dynasty who served four emperors over more than five decades. He was a grand councilor during Emperor Renzong's reign.

During Emperor Renzong's reign

After passing the imperial examination in 1027, Wen Yanbo first became the magistrate of Yicheng County. Later he was appointed controller-general (通つう判ばん) of Jiang Prefecture. Eventually he arrived in the capital Kaifeng to serve under Emperor Renzong, first as an investigating censor (監かん察御史し) and later as a palace censor (殿中でんちゅう侍さむらい御ご史し).

In 1038, Tangut people in Song's northwestern region declared their independence, naming their state Xia (known in history as Western Xia) and invaded Song. Wen Yanbo suggested to Emperor Renzong that marshals in the front line should be given independent authorities to discipline subordinate generals for desertion and cowardice. The rule had been that marshals needed permission from the imperial court first, in order to carry out such orders. Wen argued that this rule may only be implemented during peaceful times, because during times of war, enforcement of military law and concentration of military power is of utmost importance to military commanders. Emperor Renzong took his advice and praised him.

In 1040, Western Xia army attacked Yan Prefecture. General Liu Ping (劉りゅう平たいら) went to reinforce the city, but was ambushed and trapped in a hill. Liu sent urgent messages asking another general Huang Dehe (黃き德和とくわ) to reinforce him, but Huang was afraid and deserted in the opposite direction. As a result Liu was captured, and Huang told the emperor that Liu defected, even bribing Liu's servant to corroborate his claims. Emperor Renzong sent Wen Yanbo to Hezhong to judge the case. After careful examinations, Wen discovered the truth, but Huang, who had many "connections" in the capital, attempted to discredit Wen's findings. As a result, Emperor Renzong sent another official, Pang Ji, to re-investigate the case. Wen told Pang that he should go back as the case was already closed. Eventually Pang accepted Wen's findings and executed both Huang and Liu's servant.

References

• Li Tao (1183). Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian (續ぞく資し治ち通どおり鑑かん長編ちょうへん) [Extended Continuation to Zizhi Tongjian] (in Chinese).
• Toqto'a; et al., eds. (1345). Song Shi (宋そう史し) [History of Song] (in Chinese).