Xiao Fu
Xiao Fu (Chinese:
Background
[edit]Xiao Fu was born in 732, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong. He was from a prominent clan that descended from the imperial house of the Liang dynasty, and his grandfather Xiao Song was a chancellor during Emperor Xuanzong's reign. His father was Xiao Song's son Xiao Heng (
During Emperor Daizong's reign
[edit]During the Guangde era (763–764) of Emperor Suzong's son Emperor Daizong, there was a span of poor harvests, causing food prices to rise. With the Xiao clan being a large one and needing funds to pay for food, the clan considered selling an ancestral property in Zhaoying County (
During Emperor Dezong's reign
[edit]Prior to chancellorship
[edit]In 779, during the reign of Emperor Daizong's son Emperor Dezong, Xiao Fu was made the governor (
In 783, with Li Xilie the military governor (jiedushi) of Huaixi Circuit (淮西, headquartered in modern Zhumadian, Henan) rebelling against imperial rule, Emperor Dezong, believing that the armies sent against Li Xilie needed a supreme commander to coordinate their actions, commissioned his son Li Yi (
However, before Li Yi could depart Chang'an, soldiers from Jingyuan Circuit (涇原, headquartered in modern Pingliang, Gansu), at Chang'an to await deployment to the east against Li Xilie or other warlords, mutinied after they were not awarded as they believed they deserved. Emperor Dezong fled to Fengtian (
Your Imperial Majesty is making a big mistake. The soldiers at Fengxiang were all formerly under Zhu Ci's command, and there will surely be many who are conspiring with him. I even worry that Zhang Yi will not be able to stand long. How can the imperial train put itself into such great danger?
Emperor Dezong responded that he had already decided to head to Fengxiang, but on Xiao's objection will remain at Fengtian for one more day. The next day, news arrived that Zhu's former subordinate Li Chulin (
During chancellorship
[edit]Zhu Ci, who claimed the title of emperor of his new state of Qin, was soon putting Fengtian under siege,[8] although Fengtian was saved by the major Tang general Li Huaiguang.[9] Meanwhile, Xiao earnestly sought reform of Emperor Dezong's administration at Fengtian. He suggested that Emperor Dezong not give eunuchs authorities and recall the eunuchs who were serving as army monitors—a suggestion that greatly displeased Emperor Dezong. Despite Emperor Dezong's displeasure, Xiao responded:[9]
When Your Imperial Majesty first became emperor, your holy virtues were known throughout the realm. However, after Yang Yan and Lu Qi became chancellors, the governance was disrupted such that we are in the state we are in. If Your Imperial Majesty can change your mind, I will serve the hardest I can. If you want me to be submissive for my own safety, I cannot do that.
On one occasion, when Xiao and Lu met Emperor Dezong together, Lu was merely flattering Emperor Dezong and following everything that Emperor Dezong said, and Xiao stated, "Lu Qi's words are wrongful." This surprised Emperor Dezong, and after the meeting was over, he told his attendants, "Xiao Fu views me lightly." In spring 784, while he was still at Fengtian, he commissioned Xiao Fu to be the examiner of the southern circuits of the empire and sent him out on a mission to survey those circuits, in order to get Xiao away from him. When Liu Congyi and many other officials asked that Xiao be kept at the imperial government, Emperor Dezong's suspicions were further aroused that Xiao had induced these other officials into speaking on his behalf, although he did not investigate the matter further.[9]
By late 784, the general Li Sheng had destroyed Zhu's regime, allowing Emperor Dezong to return to Chang'an. Xiao had also returned from his mission, and he suggested to Emperor Dezong that Chen Shaoyou (
When Emperor Yao and Emperor Shun [(mythical emperors who governed their states in great harmony)] promoted or demoted an official, their officials and the people all agreed. If Li and Lu should not be chancellors, then they should be removed. If they are to be chancellors, how can such important matters be hidden from them and not discussed with them? This is a great problem with the imperial governance. This morning, the Emperor already told me this, and I told him that this is inappropriate, and I am surprised that he is nevertheless doing this. It is not that I would not be willing to coauthor a petition with you, but I am afraid that this would become precedent. Therefore, I do not dare to inform you what my proposal is.
When Liu informed Emperor Dezong about this, Emperor Dezong was displeased. Xiao, seeing that he had lost the emperor's favor, offered to resign. In winter 784, Emperor Dezong removed him from his chancellor position and made him a member of the staff of the Crown Prince Li Song.[10]
After chancellorship
[edit]In 787, a scandal involving Princess Gao—the daughter of Emperor Suzong (and thus aunt to Emperor Dezong) and the widow of Xiao Fu's cousin Xiao Sheng (
Notes and references
[edit]- ^ "
中央 研究 院 ". - ^ Old Book of Tang, vol. 13.
- ^ New Book of Tang, vol. 83.
- ^ a b c d Old Book of Tang, vol. 125.
- ^ a b New Book of Tang, vol. 101 Archived February 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ However, as it is not clear during the reign of which emperor he was made the director of transportation for the crown prince, it is not clear which crown prince he served under.
- ^ Li Yi was actually Emperor Dezong's nephew—the son of Emperor Dezong's brother Li Miao (
李 邈), but was adopted by Emperor Dezong at the directions of Emperor Dezong. See Old Book of Tang, vol. 150 and Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 233. - ^ a b c d Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 228.
- ^ a b c Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 229.
- ^ a b Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 231.
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 233.
- Old Book of Tang, vol. 125.
- New Book of Tang, vol. 101.
- Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 228, 229, 231.