Du Yan

Du Yan

Du Yan (?)? In 628, the name Zhili was born in Jingzhao duling (now Chang'an District, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province). The Prime Minister of Tang Dynasty, the son of Du Zheng, the prefect of Hanoi in Sui Dynasty, was named uncle Du Ruhui.

Du Yan was born in the Du family of Jingzhao. In the Sui Dynasty, he served as Zhongcheng. The Sui Dynasty perished, and served Wang Shichong as the Minister of the Ministry of officials. He surrendered to Li Shimin, the king of Qin, and was awarded Cao Canjun, an official of Tiance, and a Bachelor of literature. He was involved in Yang Wengan's incident, was implicated, and was exiled to Hezhou. After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he recalled to the central government and conferred the title of Royal censor, Duke of Anji County. He moved to the Ministry of official affairs and became the prime minister.

In the second year of Zhenguan (628), he died of illness and was given the title of Xiang.

Life of the characters

Early experience

In his youth, Du Yan was intelligent, knowledgeable, and had a good reputation. He was a close friend with his fellow villager Wei Fushi. He said to Wei Fu: "the emperor likes to appoint hermits, and Su Wei was appointed to the post of beauty when he lived in seclusion." Therefore, living together in seclusion in Taibai Mountain is actually fishing for fame. Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty heard that he hated them and exiled them to Jiangnan. Later, Du Yan returned to his hometown and was recommended by Sima Xiaoji of Yongzhou as chengfenglang. He moved to Zhongcheng, the censor.

Attached to Tang Dynasty

In the second year of Wude (619), Du Yan became an official of Wang Shichong's Taiwei mansion. In April, Wang Shichong proclaimed himself Emperor, established the state of Zheng, appointed Du Yan as Minister of the Ministry of officials, and trusted him very much. At that time, Du Yan was slandered in front of Wang Shichong because of his discord with his nephew Du Ruhui, resulting in the killing of Du Ruhui's elder brother, Du (whose name is unknown). Du Ruhui's younger brother, Du Chuke, was an official in the state of Zheng (established for Wang Shichong) and was also imprisoned. In the fourth year of Wude (621), Li Shimin, king of Qin, pacified Wang Shichong. Du Yan, as a senior official of the state of Zheng, was sentenced to death. Du Ruhui worked under Li Shimin, and Du Chuke asked him to rescue him. Du Ruhui refused. Du Chuke cried, "my uncle has killed my elder brother. Now my elder brother refuses to rescue my uncle. It's really sad that my Du family will kill each other." Du Ruhui realized that only by pleading with Li Shimin can Du Yan's death be avoided. Later, because Du Yan had not been promoted for a long time, he wanted to join Prince Li Jiancheng. Feng Deyi, who was in charge of selecting officials, told Fang Xuanling. Fang Xuanling worried that Li Jiancheng's acquisition of Du Yan would pose a threat to Li Shimin, so he recommended Du Yan as Cao Canjun, a member of Tiance government and a Bachelor of literature. In the seventh year of Wude (624), Yang Wengan, the governor of Qingzhou, launched a rebellion, which intensified the contradiction between Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin. Tang Gaozu believed that Du Yan failed to persuade Li Shimin, resulting in his brother's disharmony, and exiled him with Wang Yu and Wei Ting, the East Palace officials (now Xichang, Sichuan). Li Shimin knew that Du Yan was innocent, but he was only involved. He gave him three hundred liang of gold.

As prime minister

In the ninth year of Wude (626), Li Shimin launched the change of Xuanwumen, killed Li Jiancheng, and became the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty. Du Yan was recalled to the imperial court and was granted the title of imperial censor. He was granted the title of Anji County Duke and Shi Shi was granted the title of 400 households. Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty knew that Du Yan was familiar with the ancient Canon system, and asked him to take charge of the editing of the book of rites in the east palace. In the first year of Zhenguan (627), Du Yan was appointed Minister of the Ministry of official affairs and became prime minister. He recommended more than 40 people before and after, and eventually became well-known officials. At that time, Du Yan held two posts, but he had no reputation of being clean and honest, and he was at odds with sun Wuji, the Minister of honor, so he was criticized by public opinion.

He died of serious illness

In the second year of Zhenguan (628), Du Yan fell ill. Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty visited him personally and awarded 300 pieces of silk. In October of the same year, Du Yan died of illness and gave it to you pushe, the Secretary of the Shang Dynasty. His posthumous title was Xiang.

Anecdotes and allusions

Du Yan once recommended Wai Lang Zhi Huai Dao, a member of the Ministry of punishment, and said: "Huai Dao had the name of Qing Shen when he was the head of the Ministry of officials in the Sui Dynasty. At that time, when Emperor Yang went to Jiangdu, all the officials echoed, but Huaidao opposed it. " Emperor Taizong asked, "what was your opinion at that time?" Du Yan replied, "I agree to go." Taizong said: "when dealing with the monarch, we should speak frankly, regardless of the offense. Since you think Zhi Huaidao's opinion is correct, why don't you admonish him instead? " Du Yan said: "my official position is humble, and even if I admonish the emperor, I will not accept it. It will not help to die in vain." Taizong said: "if you think that the monarch has no way, why do you still want to be an official in his court? Since he is an official, how can he not rectify his mistakes? " Taizong then asked Du Yan with a smile: "when you were in the Sui Dynasty, you could not give advice because of the small talk. Then why didn't you still admonish him when you became an official in Wang Shichong's court Du Yan said: "I advised, he refused to accept." Taizong said, "if Wang Shichong is virtuous, he will not perish. Since he refuses to remonstrate, how can you avoid disaster?" Du Yan was speechless. Taizong asked again, "now you are the prime minister, can you still exhort me?" Du Yan said: "I will not hide my views. I will try my best to persuade you. In the spring and Autumn period, bailixi was an official in the state of Yu, and the state of Yu perished. Later, bailixi was an official in the state of Qin, but he helped the state of Qin to dominate the world. I have always compared myself with bailixi. " Taizong laughed.

Character evaluation

Chu suiliang: Your Majesty, any Du Yan will get more than 70 people, which is called by the world. In this way, we should be loyal and good, and we don't need to make clear the effect. Liu Xu: Shi Yan holds two posts at the same time, but he has no reputation of being clean, and he does not agree with Wu Ji, which is ridiculed by the theory. Song Qi: Yan Dian's second position was more valuable than that of the dynasty. He died with a clean name and was ridiculed in the world.

personal works

There is an article in quantangwen: Wenzi family. there are three poems in Quan Tang Shi, which are called to worship the imperial historian and presented to Yuan Tiangang, chanted cold food and cockfighting to the king of Qin, and presented to the Duke of Qi.

member of family

Grandfather: Du ye, the governor of Yuzhou in the Northern Zhou Dynasty. father: Du Zheng, governor of Hanoi in Sui Dynasty. son: Du Jingtong, official to Honglu, Shaoqing, xijue. daughter: Du, married to Zheng Shiji. Sun Tzu: Du congze, a former governor of Puzhou.

Historical records

The 16th biography of Volume 66 of the old book of Tang and the 21st biography of Volume 96 of the new book of Tang

Chinese PinYin : Du Yan