Dou Yizhi
Encyclopedia
Dou Yizhi (died April 29, 833), courtesy name Zongxuan (宗玄), formally Duke Gonghui of Jinyang (晉陽恭惠公), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Jingzong
and Emperor Wenzong
.
, Shaanxi
). His family claimed ancestry from the Han Dynasty
official Dou Wu
(father to Empress Dou Miao
). His grandfather Dou Yuanchang (竇元昌) served as a county magistrate, while his father Dou Yu (竇彧) served as a prefectural prefect.
Dou Yizhi passed the imperial examination
in the Mingjing (明經) class, and was made a copywriter (校書郎, Xiaoshu Lang) at the archival bureau (秘書省, Mishu Sheng). He later passed a special imperial examination in judging cases, and was made the sheriff of Lantian County (藍田, in modern Xi'an). He later successively served as Yousi Langzhong (右司郎中), a supervisorial official in the administration of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng); Bingbu Langzhong (兵部郎中), a supervisorial official at the ministry of defense (兵部, Bingbu); and Libu Langzhong (吏部郎中), a supervisorial official at the ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Libu).
, Dou Yizhi was made the deputy chief imperial censor (御史中丞, Yushi Zhongcheng). In 813
, he was made an imperial attendant (給事中, Geishizhong), and then made the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Shanguo Circuit (陝虢, headquartered in modern Sanmenxia
, Henan
). At a later point, he was made the mayor of Jingzhao. While he was serving at Jingzhao, there was an incident where Han Wu (韓晤), the sheriff of Wannian County (萬年), one of the two counties making up the capital proper Chang'an
, was found to have engaged in corruption. Dou ordered his subordinate Wei Zhengwu (韋正晤) to investigate, and Wei found that Han had embezzled 300,000 coins-worth of money. Then-reigning Emperor Xianzong
, however, did not believe that investigations were sufficiently thorough and ordered a reinvestigation; the reinvestigation concluded that Han actually embezzled 10 times the amount Wei reported. As a result, in 816
, Dou was demoted to be the prefect of Jin Prefecture (金州, in modern Ankang
, Shaanxi
), while Wei was exiled. In 817
, Dou was made the governor of Xuanshe Circuit (宣歙, headquartered in modern Xuancheng
, Anhui
), as well as the prefect of its capital Xuan Prefecture (宣州).
, by which time Emperor Xianzong's son Emperor Muzong
was emperor, there was a mutiny at Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
, Henan
) in which the soldiers expelled their military governor (Jiedushi
) Li Yuan (李愿). Dou Yizhi heard about the mutiny and was concerned that his soldiers may be tempted to do the same. He considered passing out money and silk as rewards to them to endear them to him, but there was advice that doing so, without any reason, may in fact cause soldiers to fear that they were being suspected. He therefore did not do so, but rumors that he was passing out rewards already spread among the soldiers. One of the officers, Wang Guoqing (王國清) thus plotted a mutiny. Wang's plot was discovered, and Dou executed Wang and over 200 of his coconspirators. He was thereafter replaced by Li Deyu
and recalled to Chang'an to serve as the deputy minister of civil service affairs (吏部侍郎, Libu Shilang). Later that year, he was made the deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang) and the acting director of finances.
in 824
, Dou Yizhi was made chancellor with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), along with Li Cheng
, apparently at the recommendation of the chancellor Li Fengji
. He was thereafter made Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng) while remaining as chancellor. He was also created the Duke of Jinyang, while being relieved of his post as director of finances. He was known for avoiding any appearances of nepotism
, although years later, Emperor Jingzong's brother and successor Emperor Wenzong
would comment, while speaking with the chancellors at that time:
, by which time Wenzong was emperor (after Emperor Jingzong was assassinated around the new year 827
), Dou Yizhi was relieved of his chancellor post and made the military governor of Shannan East Circuit (山南東道, headquartered in modern Xiangfan
, Hubei
) as well as the prefect of its capital Xiang Prefecture (襄州), although he retained the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary title. In 831
, he was recalled to Chang'an to serve as Zuo Pushe (左僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng), as well as acting minister of worship (太常卿, Taichang Qing). Later that year, he was made the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji
, Shaanxi
) as well as the mayor of its capital Fengxiang Municipality, and given the honorary title of acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies
). In 832
, he requested a recall to Chang'an due to illness, and was recalled. He died in 833
and was given posthumous honors.
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
dynasty Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Jingzong
Emperor Jingzong of Tang
Emperor Jingzong of Tang , personal name Li Zhan , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 824 to 827...
and Emperor Wenzong
Emperor Wenzong of Tang
Emperor Wenzong of Tang , personal name Li Ang , né Li Han , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 827 to 840. Emperor Wenzong was the second son of Emperor Muzong and younger brother of Emperor Jingzong...
.
Background
It is not known when Dou Yizhi was born, but it is known that his family was from the Tang capital municipality Jingzhao (京兆, in modern Xi'anXi'an
Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
). His family claimed ancestry from the Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
official Dou Wu
Dou Wu
Dou Wu , courtesy name Youping , was a Han Dynasty politician who was known as a Confucian scholar and served as a low-level official during the reign of Emperor Huan until his daughter Dou Miao was elevated from imperial consort to empress, which caused him to be promoted, eventually to become...
(father to Empress Dou Miao
Empress Dou Miao
Empress Dou Miao , formally Empress Huansi , was an empress during Han Dynasty. She was the third wife of Emperor Huan...
). His grandfather Dou Yuanchang (竇元昌) served as a county magistrate, while his father Dou Yu (竇彧) served as a prefectural prefect.
Dou Yizhi passed the imperial examination
Imperial examination
The Imperial examination was an examination system in Imperial China designed to select the best administrative officials for the state's bureaucracy. This system had a huge influence on both society and culture in Imperial China and was directly responsible for the creation of a class of...
in the Mingjing (明經) class, and was made a copywriter (校書郎, Xiaoshu Lang) at the archival bureau (秘書省, Mishu Sheng). He later passed a special imperial examination in judging cases, and was made the sheriff of Lantian County (藍田, in modern Xi'an). He later successively served as Yousi Langzhong (右司郎中), a supervisorial official in the administration of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng); Bingbu Langzhong (兵部郎中), a supervisorial official at the ministry of defense (兵部, Bingbu); and Libu Langzhong (吏部郎中), a supervisorial official at the ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Libu).
During Emperor Xianzong's reign
In 811811
Year 811 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Byzantine Empire :...
, Dou Yizhi was made the deputy chief imperial censor (御史中丞, Yushi Zhongcheng). In 813
813
Year 813 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar."813" may also refer to a duology of novels by Maurice Leblanc, starring his gentleman thief Arsène Lupin.- Byzantine Empire :...
, he was made an imperial attendant (給事中, Geishizhong), and then made the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Shanguo Circuit (陝虢, headquartered in modern Sanmenxia
Sanmenxia
-Administration:The prefecture-level city of Sanmenxia administers one district, two county-level cities and three counties.*Hubin District*Lingbao City*Yima City*Lushi County*Shan County*Mianchi County*Sanmenxia Development Zone...
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
). At a later point, he was made the mayor of Jingzhao. While he was serving at Jingzhao, there was an incident where Han Wu (韓晤), the sheriff of Wannian County (萬年), one of the two counties making up the capital proper Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
, was found to have engaged in corruption. Dou ordered his subordinate Wei Zhengwu (韋正晤) to investigate, and Wei found that Han had embezzled 300,000 coins-worth of money. Then-reigning Emperor Xianzong
Emperor Xianzong of Tang
Emperor Xianzong of Tang , personal name Li Chun , né Li Chun , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
, however, did not believe that investigations were sufficiently thorough and ordered a reinvestigation; the reinvestigation concluded that Han actually embezzled 10 times the amount Wei reported. As a result, in 816
816
Year 816 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Frankish king Louis the Pious is crowned emperor by Pope Stephen IV.- Religion :...
, Dou was demoted to be the prefect of Jin Prefecture (金州, in modern Ankang
Ankang
Ankang is a city in Shaanxi province, China.- Geography :Ankang is geographically considered to be part of southern China. However, on administrative terms, as Shaanxi is officially part of Northwestern China, it is considered to be part of the Northwest....
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
), while Wei was exiled. In 817
817
Year 817 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Louis the Pious divides his empire among his sons; Louis the German becomes king of East Francia, Lothar I becomes co-emperor.* The Bulgarian siege of Constantinople ends.- Religion :* The Council of Aachen is...
, Dou was made the governor of Xuanshe Circuit (宣歙, headquartered in modern Xuancheng
Xuancheng
Xuancheng is a prefecture-level city in southeastern Anhui province of Eastern China. It borders Wuhu to the northwest, Chizhou to the west, Huangshan to the southwest, and the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu to the southeast and northeast respectively....
, Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
), as well as the prefect of its capital Xuan Prefecture (宣州).
During Emperor Muzong's reign
In 822822
Year 822 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Byzantine Empire :* The civil war between Byzantine Emperor Michael II and the general Thomas the Slav continues...
, by which time Emperor Xianzong's son Emperor Muzong
Emperor Muzong of Tang
Emperor Muzong of Tang , personal name Li Heng , né Li You , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 821 to 824. Emperor Muzong was the son of Emperor Xianzong...
was emperor, there was a mutiny at Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
Kaifeng
Kaifeng , known previously by several names , is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, Central China. Nearly 5 million people live in the metropolitan area...
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
) in which the soldiers expelled their military governor (Jiedushi
Jiedushi
The Jiedushi were regional military governors in China during the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. Originally set up to counter external threats, the jiedushi were given enormous power, including the ability to maintain their own armies, collect taxes, and pass their...
) Li Yuan (李愿). Dou Yizhi heard about the mutiny and was concerned that his soldiers may be tempted to do the same. He considered passing out money and silk as rewards to them to endear them to him, but there was advice that doing so, without any reason, may in fact cause soldiers to fear that they were being suspected. He therefore did not do so, but rumors that he was passing out rewards already spread among the soldiers. One of the officers, Wang Guoqing (王國清) thus plotted a mutiny. Wang's plot was discovered, and Dou executed Wang and over 200 of his coconspirators. He was thereafter replaced by Li Deyu
Li Deyu
Li Deyu , courtesy name Wenrao , formally the Duke of Wei , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of brothers Emperor Wenzong and Emperor Wuzong and their uncle Emperor Xuānzong...
and recalled to Chang'an to serve as the deputy minister of civil service affairs (吏部侍郎, Libu Shilang). Later that year, he was made the deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang) and the acting director of finances.
During Emperor Jingzong's reign
Shortly after the death of Emperor Muzong and the ascension of Emperor Muzong's son Emperor JingzongEmperor Jingzong of Tang
Emperor Jingzong of Tang , personal name Li Zhan , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 824 to 827...
in 824
824
Year 824 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Third Battle of Roncevaux Pass: The Basques and Banu Qasi defeat counts Eblo and Aznar, Frankish vassals....
, Dou Yizhi was made chancellor with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), along with Li Cheng
Li Cheng (Tang Dynasty)
Li Cheng , courtesy name Biaochen , formally Duke Miao of Pengyuan , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Jingzong.-Background:...
, apparently at the recommendation of the chancellor Li Fengji
Li Fengji
Li Fengji , courtesy name Xuzhou , formally Duke Cheng of Zheng or Duke Cheng of Liang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xianzong, Emperor Xianzong's son Emperor Muzong, and grandson Emperor Jingzong...
. He was thereafter made Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng) while remaining as chancellor. He was also created the Duke of Jinyang, while being relieved of his post as director of finances. He was known for avoiding any appearances of nepotism
Nepotism
Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit. The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos, nepotis , from which modern Romanian nepot and Italian nipote, "nephew" or "grandchild" are also descended....
, although years later, Emperor Jingzong's brother and successor Emperor Wenzong
Emperor Wenzong of Tang
Emperor Wenzong of Tang , personal name Li Ang , né Li Han , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 827 to 840. Emperor Wenzong was the second son of Emperor Muzong and younger brother of Emperor Jingzong...
would comment, while speaking with the chancellors at that time:
During Emperor Wenzong's reign
In 828828
Year 828 was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Al-Andalus: The city of Merida rises twice in one year against the Umayyad emirate....
, by which time Wenzong was emperor (after Emperor Jingzong was assassinated around the new year 827
827
Year 827 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Beginning of the invasion of Sicily by the Aghlabid dynasty of Ifriqiya . The campaign in the island against Byzantium will take 51 years...
), Dou Yizhi was relieved of his chancellor post and made the military governor of Shannan East Circuit (山南東道, headquartered in modern Xiangfan
Xiangfan
Xiangyang is a prefecture-level city in Hubei Province of the People's Republic of China. It was formed from two famous ancient cities, Xiangyang and Fancheng...
, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
) as well as the prefect of its capital Xiang Prefecture (襄州), although he retained the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary title. In 831
831
Year 831 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* In this year, an Uyghur Turk sues the son of a Chinese Tang Dynasty grand general who had failed to repay a debt of 11 million government-issued copper coins...
, he was recalled to Chang'an to serve as Zuo Pushe (左僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng), as well as acting minister of worship (太常卿, Taichang Qing). Later that year, he was made the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji
Baoji
Baoji is a prefecture-level city in Shaanxi province, China.-Geography:The prefecture-level city of Baoji has a population of 3,716,731 according to the 2010 Chinese census, inhabiting an area of . The city itself has a population of approximately 800,000. Surrounded on three sides by hills,...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
) as well as the mayor of its capital Fengxiang Municipality, and given the honorary title of acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies
Three Excellencies
The Three Ducal Ministers , also translated as the Three Dukes, Three Excellencies, or the Three Lords, was the collective name for the three highest officials in ancient China...
). In 832
832
Year 832 was a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Pepin I of Aquitaine and Louis the German revolt against Louis the Pious, Emperor of the Franks....
, he requested a recall to Chang'an due to illness, and was recalled. He died in 833
833
Year 833 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* al-Mu'tasim succeeds his brother Al-Ma'mun as Abbasid caliph....
and was given posthumous honors.