Wei Zhigu

Wei Zhigu

Wei Zhigu (647-715), whose original name is Wei Zheng, was born in Luze County, Shenzhou (now Shenzhou City, Hebei Province). The Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty.

Wei Zhigu was a Jinshi Ji. He successively served as Zhuolang, Fengge Sheren, Weiwei Shaoqing, Libu Shilang, Jinzhou governor, Huangmen Shilang and yousanqi Changshi. In Tang Dynasty, Ruizong was restored and opposed to the construction of Taoist temple. He became the Minister of the Ministry of household and the chief minister of Tongping. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty succeeded to the throne, moved to serve the emperor and became the Duke of Liang. In the second year of Kaiyuan (714), he was dismissed as Minister of the Ministry of industry because of his discord with the prime minister Yao Chong.

In the third year of Kaiyuan (715), he died of illness. He was awarded to the governor of Youzhou, and his posthumous title was Zhong.

Overview image source: < / I >

Life of the characters

Early experience

Wei Zhigu was an upright man. At the age of 20, he passed the entrance examination. He served successively as a writer, Fengge Sheren, Wei Wei Shaoqing. He participated in the compilation of national history, and also served as the commander of the imperial palace. In the first year of Shenlong (705), Wei Zhigu served as the Minister of the Ministry of official affairs and became the official of Yinqing Guanglu. He left his post because of his mother's death and was later restored as the governor of Jinzhou.

Admonish current affairs

In the first year of Jingyun (710), Li Dan, the prime minister, succeeded to the throne as emperor Ruizong of Tang Dynasty. Wei Zhigu was once an official in the prime minister's residence, and was worshipped as the Minister of Huangmen, who also studied the history of the country. In the second year of Jingyun (711), Wei Zhigu was appointed as a regular official of yousanqi. at that time, Tang Ruizong built Taoist temples for his daughters, Princess Jinxian and Princess Yuzhen. Wei Zhigu remonstrated: "to keep the people safe is the foundation of governance. The purpose of building a Taoist temple for the princess is to build up merits and virtues to pray for blessings. However, it occupies houses and makes people have nowhere to live. This is not only against human affairs, but also against heaven. How can your majesty be at ease as a parent. The words and deeds of the monarch should be recorded in the history books, so don't speak or move without courtesy. I have the responsibility of admonishing and repairing history. If I record your Majesty's unreasonable actions, what will future generations think? I think it's very inappropriate to cultivate in the heat. Your majesty, please observe the people's will and stop labor for the benefit of the people. " Tang Ruizong didn't listen. Before long, Wei Zhigu remonstrated again: "I heard that the people regard the king as the heaven, and the king is based on the people. After his majesty ascended the throne, the people thought that the imperial court would implement the new deal, but now the wind and religion are declining, the Treasury is empty, the manpower is poor, the labor is not enough, and the officials are increasing day by day. It was not an urgent task to build a Taoist temple for the two princesses. The minister had asked to stop the labor, but it had not stopped. This year's floods and droughts are disastrous, and the crops are not ripe. If it comes to next spring, there will be a famine. Your majesty is a parent. How do you want to save him? Turks have been suffering for a long time. Now they send envoys to Korea to ask for peace. When they are making peace with their relatives, how should the state be on guard against invasion? " Tang Ruizong believed that his words were sincere, and appointed him as the official of tongzhongshu, and also as the prince Zuo Shuzi.

As Zaifu

In the first year of Xiantian (712), Wei Zhigu served as the Minister of the Ministry of household affairs and the Minister of Tongzhong. In August, Prince Li Longji succeeded to the throne for Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty and respected his father, Emperor Ruizong of the Tang Dynasty. Wei Zhigu was promoted to be a servant. Soon, Wei Zhigu followed Tang Xuanzong to Weichuan to hunt and write poems to satirize and remonstrate. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty issued an imperial edict to praise Wei Zhigu and greatly reward him. In the first year of Kaiyuan (713), Wei Zhigu was granted the title of Duke of Liang. At that time, Princess Taiping and Prime Minister Dou huaizhen and others wanted to make trouble and plotted to abolish the establishment. Wei Zhigu reported to Tang Xuanzong, who then took the lead in launching a coup to kill Princess Taiping and others. After the success of the coup, Wei Zhigu was granted three hundred families.

Be greedy

Wei Zhigu had been introduced by Yao Chong in his early years, and then he was in parallel with Yao Chong, and was despised by Yao Chong. Yao Chongzou knew the emperor and appointed Wei Zhigu as the Minister of the Ministry of official affairs. He went to Luoyang, the eastern capital, to preside over the election of officials. Wei Zhigu was very dissatisfied. Yao Chong's son thought that his father was kind to Wei Zhigu, so he took the opportunity to ask him. In the second year of Kaiyuan (714), Wei Zhigu returned to Beijing from Luoyang and informed Tang Xuanzong of the matter. Before long, Xuanzong asked Yao Chong falsely, "what can your son do? Where is it now? " Knowing Xuanzong's intention, Yao chongchuai replied, "I have two sons who work in Luoyang. I have a lot of desires, but I'm not careful. I was kind to Wei Zhigu in my early years. They must have asked Wei Zhigu for help. " Tang Xuanzong thought Yao Chong was just and selfless, but Wei Zhigu failed Yao Chong, so he wanted to dismiss him. Yao Chong said: "my son's behavior is out of order and disturbs the law and discipline, but your majesty dismisses Wei Zhigu. People in the world will surely think that your majesty is partial to me." In May of the same year, Emperor Xuanzong finally dismissed Wei Zhigu as Minister of the Ministry of industry.

Death of illness

In the third year of Kaiyuan period (715), Wei Zhigu died of illness at the age of 69. He was awarded to the governor of Youzhou with the posthumous title of Zhong.

Anecdotes and allusions

Wei Zhigu had a good example to learn from. He recommended Lu Taiyi, the huanshui order, Qi Jing, the former younei official cavalry Cao, Liu Ze, song Yao, Yuan Hui, Feng Xiyan, and Chen xilie. All these people later held important positions in the Qing Dynasty.

Character evaluation

Song Jing: uncle to the ancient legacy straight, son of the ancient legacy, can have both, in the Duke of Wei. Liu Xu: Wei Zhigu, Lu Huaishen, yuan Qianyao, Li Yuanzhen, Du Siam, Han Xiu, Pei Yaoqing, who knew about the ability of Yun Qi and lived in Zaifu. They are either inspired, or aspired to recommend sages, or sent out Aizi as a foreign official, or stopped farming in Guanfu, or were not bribed by the Tibetans, or impeached the traitors of Boxian, or widened the canal to serve the country. Song Qi: if a man is full of ambition, he will suddenly take his plan. If he is proud, he will be happy and familiar. Although he has more strength, he will not be as effective as Yao and song. At the end of the day, Hu's youth were in chaos, and his body was sown on the edge of Zou. If you know that all the prime ministers in ancient times are chosen, you can be saved when you are Tianbao! Zhao Yuanfu: Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty had Wei Xuancheng, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui; Emperor Ming had Yao Chong and Wei Zhigu, all of whom were appointed as assistant prime minister, appointed as heart and brawn, and became emperor Cai, nine districts of Kangji, Zong Si Yanhong, Shi CE Zhaohuan, and Liang youdeng.

Posterity status

In 780 (the first year of Jianzhong), Wei Zhigu, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui and other 37 prime ministers were rated as the first class by Tang Dezong. In 848 (the second year of Dazhong), Wei Zhigu, Li Xian, Wang Yi and other 37 meritorious officials were imaged in Lingyan Pavilion by Tang Xuanzong.

personal works

Wei Zhigu has a collection of 20 volumes. Four of his articles are included in quantangwen: reply to Zhang Jiuling's he Xixing's extension form, admonishment of JinXianYu's true view, admonishment of yingdao's view, and report to Prime Minister of Tufan. His five poems are included in the whole Tang Poetry: Huaiqun Gong in Zhifeng Pavilion on a spring night, Yingzhao in Xiyu on the way to Fenghe on a spring day, offering poems from Weichuan and Xuanyuan Guan's not meeting Mr. Li.

member of family

Ancestors

Great grandfather: Wei Zheng, Secretary Supervisor, crown prince, Taishi, Zheng Guogong, grandfather: Wei Yi, the word Shu Yu, Shangshu Youcheng, Jianyi doctor, father: Wei Hua.

Son

Wei Zhe, governor of Yan'an. Wei Ji, governor of Yang'an. Wei Lin, governor of Shuozhou. Wei Jue, Honglu Shaoqing. Wei Yao, doctor Zuo zanshan.

Historical records

Volume 98 of the old book of the Tang Dynasty, biography 48; volume 126 of the new book of the Tang Dynasty, biography 51; Volume 27 of Zizhitongjian, Tangji 23; volume 210 of Zizhitongjian, Tangji 26; volume 211 of Zizhitongjian, Tangji 17

Chinese PinYin : Wei Zhi Gu