Linghu Chu
Encyclopedia
Linghu Chu (766 – December 18, 837), courtesy name Keshi (殼士), formally Duke Wen of Pengyang (彭陽文公), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xianzong
and (briefly) Emperor Xianzong's son Emperor Muzong
.
. According to his biography in the Book of Tang
, he "claimed to be" a descendant of the early-Tang Dynasty
historian Linghu Defen
— with the language used in the biography indicating some skepticism. The claim of descendance from Linghu Defen was accepted without question in his biography in the New Book of Tang
, although the table of the chancellors' family trees in the New Book of Tang did not show a direct line from Linghu Defen. His grandfather Linghu Chongliang (令狐崇亮) served as a county magistrate, while, his father Linghu Chengjian (令狐承簡) served as an officer at the Taiyuan
Municipality government. Linghu Chu had at least two younger brothers, Linghu Cong (令狐從) and Linghu Ding (令狐定). It was said that his family had a literary tradition, and even when Linghu Chu was a child, he studied literature.
s in his youth, and in 781, during the reign of Emperor Daizong's son Emperor Dezong
, when Linghu was 15, he passed the imperial examinations. (Also among those passing the imperial examinations that year were Huangfu Bo
and Xiao Mian
, with whom he became friendly.) It was said that the governor of Gui District (桂管, headquartered in modern Guilin
, Guangxi
) Wang Gong (王拱) favored his talent and wanted to invite him to serve on staff. Concerned that Linghu would decline, he made the request to Emperor Dezong directly. As Linghu's father Linghu Chengjian was then still serving in Taiyuan, he wanted to stay in Taiyuan, but was thankful for Wang's high regard of him, so after he passed the imperial examinations he headed for Gui District's capital Guilin to thank Wang, but did not accept Wang's feasts and tours before he requested to return to Taiyuan to support his parents. As a result of his actions, he gained a good reputation. Later, as Li Shuo (李說), Yan Shou (嚴綬), and Zheng Dan (鄭儋) successively served as the military governor (Jiedushi
) of Hedong Circuit (河東), headquartered at Taiyuan, they had high opinions of Linghu Chu and thus invited him to serve on staff, and he eventually rose to the be the military governor's assistant. It was said that Linghu was highly intelligent, and whenever Emperor Dezong received reports from the military governor of Hedong and could tell that it was Linghu who drafted them, he had much praise for Linghu's writing. In 801, when Zheng died suddenly without leaving instructions, the soldiers were disturbed and went into a near-mutiny state. In the middle of the night, a number of soldiers gathered and forced Linghu, under the threats by swords, to head to the headquarters. With the officers surrounding him, they ordered him to draft a final report for Zheng. Despite the duress of swords, Linghu had little trouble drafting such a report, and when the report was read to the soldiers, all were touched by his words, thus calming a serious situation. After his father died, he was known for his filial piety during the period of mourning. He thereafter was summoned to the capital Chang'an
to serve as You Shiyi (右拾遺), a low-level consultant at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), and thereafter served as Taichang Boshi (太常博士), a consultant at the ministry of worship (太常寺, Taichang Si) and Libu Yuanwailang (禮部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of rites (禮部, Libu). At some point, Linghu left governmental service to observe a period of mourning for his mother when she died. After the mourning period was over, he was recalled to governmental service to serve as Xingbu Yuanwailang (刑部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of justice (刑部, Xingbu).
, Linghu was made Zhifang Yuanwailang (職方員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of defense (兵部, Bingbu), but was put in charge of drafting edicts. As Linghu was friendly with Huangfu Bo and Xiao Mian, in 813, by which point Huangfu had gained Emperor Xianzong's favor by his enriching the palace treasury, both Xiao and Linghu were made imperial scholars (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi). Linghu was subsequently also promoted in his regular duties to be Zhifang Langzhong (職方郎中), a supervisorial official at the ministry of defense, and then Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau.
As of 817, Emperor Xianzong was engaging a campaign against the warlord Wu Yuanji
, who controlled Zhangyi Circuit (彰義, headquartered in modern Zhumadian
, Henan
). The chancellor Li Fengji
, whom Linghu was friendly to, opposed the campaign, but Emperor Xianzong's campaign was supported by the chancellor Pei Du
, who volunteered to head to the front to oversee the campaign. Before Pei's departure from Chang'an, as he was concerned that Li and Linghu would work together to impede the campaign, he accused Linghu of using inappropriate language in his (Pei's) commissioning edict. Linghu was thus relieved of his duties as imperial scholar and drafter of imperial edicts, although he remained Zhongshu Sheren.
In summer 818, Linghu was sent out of Chang'an to serve as the prefect of Hua Prefecture (華州, in modern Weinan
, Shaanxi
). In winter 818, by which time Huangfu was a chancellor, Linghu was made the military governor of Heyang Circuit (河陽, headquartered in modern Luoyang
, Henan
), succeeding Wu Chongyin
, who was made the military governor of Henghai Circuit (橫海, headquartered in modern Cangzhou
, Hebei
). Wu took 3,000 Heyang soldiers with him as he was reporting to Henghai, but the Heyang soldiers did not want to leave their home, and therefore, on the way, deserted and headed back to Heyang. As they reached Heyang's capital, they did not dare to enter, and they were set to pillage the area. Linghu happened to be arriving at that time, and he went to see them without guards, comforting them and persuading them to return to headquarters with him.
In 819, after Pei was sent out of the capital to serve as the military governor of Hedong, Huangfu recommended Linghu. Linghu was thereafter recalled to Chang'an and made Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎), the deputy head of the legislative bureau, as well as chancellor de facto with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). Shortly after taking up his position, Linghu was presented with a collection of poetry written by the writer and poet Yuan Zhen
. Linghu had been Yan's patron since at least 809. Late in the year, there was an incident in which his subordinate Wu Ruheng (武儒衡), who was much respected by Emperor Xianzong, was rumored to be ready to be chancellor. Linghu was apprehensive of Wu, and therefore tried to find some way to damage Wu's reputation. As Wu was a descendant of Wu Pingyi (武平一), a relative of Wu Zetian
, who seized the throne and interrupted Tang earlier in the dynasty's history, he recommended Di Jianmo (狄兼謨), a relative of Di Renjie
, a chancellor of Wu Zetian's time, for a promotion — and, as he was drafting the edict to declare Di's promotion, wrote a in flowery language that deprecated Wu Zetian as an usurper and praised Di Renjie for protecting her son Emperor Zhongzong
. This drew a teary defense by Wu Ruheng of his ancestor Wu Pingyi, who had declined the posts that Wu Zetian gave him, and caused Emperor Xianzong to view Linghu poorly, although Linghu remained chancellor.
. Emperor Muzong immediately exiled Huangfu Bo and initially wanted to execute him. Xiao Mian, whom Emperor Muzong made chancellor at Linghu's recommendation, interceded, however, along with eunuchs, and Huangfu was spared. Meanwhile, the other officials who had long resented Huangfu also resented Linghu for his involvement with Huangfu, but did not dare at that point to act against Linghu, on Xiao's account. However, subsequently, as Linghu was responsible for overseeing the construction of Emperor Xianzong's tomb and drafting his mourning text, Linghu's close associates were accused of corruption, and Linghu was thereafter demoted to be the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Xuanshe Circuit (宣歙, headquartered in modern Xuancheng
, Anhui
). Shortly after, those associates of his were executed, and Linghu was further demoted to be the prefect of Hengzhou (modern Hengyang
in Hunan
). (However, during the later rule of Emperor Muzong's younger brother Emperor Xuanzong
, Emperor Xuanzong would recall a memory that he had that, during Emperor Xianzong's funeral processing, all of the officials and palace ladies dispersed during a storm, but Linghu faithfully held onto Emperor Xianzong's casket — with then-chancellor Bai Minzhong
confirming Emperor Xuanzong's recollection of the event; it was because of this memory that Emperor Xuanzong eventually promoted Linghu's son Linghu Tao
to be chancellor.) At that time, Linghu Chu's former client Yuan Zhen was well-trusted by Emperor Muzong, and Yuan had long disliked Huangfu and Linghu's governance. Yuan drafted an edict that condemned Linghu severely, and thereafter Linghu bore a hatred for Yuan.
In 821, Linghu was moved to be the prefect of Ying Prefecture (郢州, in modern Wuhan
, Hubei
). He was then made an advisor to the Crown Prince
but with his office set at the eastern capital Luoyang
. In 822, he was initially set to be made the governor of Shanguo Circuit (陝虢, headquartered in modern Sanmenxia
, Henan
) and the secretary general of its capital Shan Prefecture (陝州), when the advisorial officials submitted petitions arguing that due to Linghu's past faults, he should not be allowed to serve as a governor. Emperor Muzong thus rescinded LInghu's commission, and Linghu, who had already arrived at Shan Prefecture and started ruling the circuit, was removed after serving one day. He was instead again made advisor to the Crown Prince and returned to Luoyang. After Li Fengji became chancellor again later that year, he worked for Linghu's restoration, but was thwarted by Emperor Muzong's trusted advisor Li Shen (李紳).
, at Li Fengji's instigation, Li Shen was exiled. Linghu was subsequently made the mayor of Henan Municipality (河南, i.e., the Luoyang region). Later that year, he was made the military governor of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
, Henan
) and the prefect of its capital Bian Prefecture (汴州). The Xuanwu soldiers had long been difficult to govern and had expelled several military governors. In reaction, Han Hong and his brother Han Chong (韓充), both of whom had served as military governors of Xuanwu, governed with a heavy hand. Linghu, instead, governed more gently, and in doing so comforted both soldiers and the people. In the preface to the collection of Linghu's literary works, the ninth-century thinker Liu Yuxi
described Linghu's time as military governor:
There was a precedent that military governors of Xuanwu were given large stipends, but Linghu declined it.
was emperor, Linghu Chu was recalled to Chang'an to serve as minister of census (戶部尚書, Hubu Shangshu). In 829, he was again sent to Luoyang to serve as Luoyang's defender. Later that year, he was made the military governor of Tianping Circuit (天平, headquartered in modern Tai'an
, Shandong
) as well as the prefect of its capital Yun Prefecture (鄆州). That year, there was a severe drought, such that in some places people were committing cannibalism
. Linghu spread the wealth to try to relieve the disaster, and it was said that although Tianping was afflicted, there were no waves of refugees leaving Tianping. In 832, he was made the military governor of Hedong and the mayor of Taiyuan. As he was a long-time resident of Taiyuan, he knew the people's customs, and it was said that despite a drought there as well, there were no waves of refugees. He was welcomed by the people of the region. In 833, he was recalled to Chang'an to serve as the minister of civil service affairs (吏部尚書, LIbu Shangshu) and acting You Pushe (右僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). As minister of civil service affairs, he was of the third rank, but at that time, it was customary that acting officers, at imperial meetings, stood in places where the ranks of their acting officers applied, and You Pushe was second rank. Linghu believed this to be inappropriate, and he proposed that he stand with third-rank officials. Emperor Wenzong issued an edict praising him. In 835, he was made the minister of worship (太常卿, Taichang Qing). In 836, he was made acting Zuo Pushe (左僕射), the other head of the executive bureau, and created the Duke of Pengyang.
Later that year, when the Ganlu Incident
erupted (as Emperor Wenzong's trusted chancellor Li Xun
and close associate Zheng Zhu
carried out a failed attempt to massacre the eunuchs and were themselves killed, along with the chancellors Wang Ya
, Jia Su
, and Shu Yuanyu
on accusations of treason) Linghu and his Pushe colleague Zheng Tan
were called to the palace. They were set to be made chancellors, but when the powerful eunuchs, led by Qiu Shiliang
, had Linghu draft an edict to accuse Wang and Jia of treason, Linghu did so — but wrote in empty language that showed that he sympathized with Wang and Jia. This displeased Qiu, and therefore, Li Shi
was made chancellor instead. Linghu was subsequently given the additional office as director of salt and iron monopolies and grain supplies. As part of his responsibilities, he oversaw the collection of the tea tax that Zheng Zhu had instituted, which had drawn much resentment from the people. Linghu requested that the tea tax be abolished, and subsequently it was. Also at his suggestion, the customs that whenever military governors were commissioned, that they would take armed guards and pay homage to the minister of defense before departing Chang'an be abolished (as the customs were used as part of Li Xun's and Zheng Zhu's plot). Also at his request, the silk that was set to be used in the repairs of Qujiang Pavilion (曲江亭) were diverted to repairing the office of the chancellors, which lay in ruins after the Ganlu Incident.
In 836, there was an imperial feast held at Qujiang Pavilion. Linghu, finding a feast to be inappropriate in light of the massacre of the officials that had just occurred, refused to attend by claiming an illness, and the popular sentiment at the time praised him. He also found a chance to get Emperor Wenzong to approve the burial of the bodies of Wang and the other officials killed in the Ganlu Incident — which had been exposed to the elements after their execution. (Qiu, however, subsequently had the bodies disinterred and thrown into the Wei River
.) Soon thereafter, the military governor of Shannan West Circuit (山南西道, headquartered in modern Hanzhong
, Shaanxi
), Li Guyan
, was recalled to Chang'an to serve as chancellor, and Linghu was sent out to serve as the military governor of Shannan West as well as the mayor of its capital Xingyuan Municipality (興元). He died in 837, while still serving at Shannan West. He was given posthumous honors. It was said that even when he was near death, he behaved with elegance, and he submitted a final petition begging Emperor Wenzong (in reality, begging the eunuchs who by that point had Emperor Wenzong effectively under their control) for mercy on people who had been accused of crimes; in drafting his final petition, he was assisted by his staff member Li Shangyin
. He left a 100-volume collection of his writings, and his mourning text for Emperor Xianzong was particularly praised for its engaging use of language.
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 Xianzong
Emperor Xianzong of Tang
Emperor Xianzong of Tang , personal name Li Chun , né Li Chun , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
and (briefly) 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...
.
Background
Linghu Chu was born in 766, during the reign of Emperor DaizongEmperor Daizong of Tang
Emperor Daizong of Tang , personal name Li Yu , né Li Chu , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty....
. According to his biography in the Book of Tang
Book of Tang
The Book of Tang , Jiu Tangshu or the Old Book of Tang is the first classic work about the Tang Dynasty. The book began when Gaozu of Later Jin ordered its commencement in 941...
, he "claimed to be" a descendant of the early-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...
historian Linghu Defen
Linghu Defen
Linghu Defen , formally Duke Xian of Pengyang , was an official of the Chinese dynasties Sui Dynasty and Tang Dynasty...
— with the language used in the biography indicating some skepticism. The claim of descendance from Linghu Defen was accepted without question in his biography in the New Book of Tang
New Book of Tang
The New Book of Tang , is a classic work of history about the Tang Dynasty edited by Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi and other official scholars of the Song Dynasty. The emperor called for a revision of the former Book of Tang in 1044. The New Book was presented to the throne in 1060. It was given its...
, although the table of the chancellors' family trees in the New Book of Tang did not show a direct line from Linghu Defen. His grandfather Linghu Chongliang (令狐崇亮) served as a county magistrate, while, his father Linghu Chengjian (令狐承簡) served as an officer at the Taiyuan
Taiyuan
Taiyuan is the capital and largest city of Shanxi province in North China. At the 2010 census, it had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants on 6959 km² whom 3,212,500 are urban on 1,460 km². The name of the city literally means "Great Plains", referring to the location where the Fen River...
Municipality government. Linghu Chu had at least two younger brothers, Linghu Cong (令狐從) and Linghu Ding (令狐定). It was said that his family had a literary tradition, and even when Linghu Chu was a child, he studied literature.
During Emperor Dezong's reign
Linghu Chu stood for the imperial examinationImperial 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...
s in his youth, and in 781, during the reign of Emperor Daizong's son Emperor Dezong
Emperor Dezong of Tang
Emperor Dezong of Tang , personally name Li Kuo , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and the oldest son of his father Emperor Daizong. His reign of 26 years was the third longest in the Tang dynasty...
, when Linghu was 15, he passed the imperial examinations. (Also among those passing the imperial examinations that year were Huangfu Bo
Huangfu Bo
Huangfu Bo was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong. He was viewed by traditional historians as a wicked official who pleased Emperor Xianzong by submitting revenues for Emperor Xianzong's personal use and who used...
and Xiao Mian
Xiao Mian
Xiao Mian , courtesy name Siqian , formally the Duke of Xu , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong...
, with whom he became friendly.) It was said that the governor of Gui District (桂管, headquartered in modern Guilin
Guilin
Guilin is a prefecture-level city in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of far southern China, sitting on the west bank of the Li River. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city...
, Guangxi
Guangxi
Guangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
) Wang Gong (王拱) favored his talent and wanted to invite him to serve on staff. Concerned that Linghu would decline, he made the request to Emperor Dezong directly. As Linghu's father Linghu Chengjian was then still serving in Taiyuan, he wanted to stay in Taiyuan, but was thankful for Wang's high regard of him, so after he passed the imperial examinations he headed for Gui District's capital Guilin to thank Wang, but did not accept Wang's feasts and tours before he requested to return to Taiyuan to support his parents. As a result of his actions, he gained a good reputation. Later, as Li Shuo (李說), Yan Shou (嚴綬), and Zheng Dan (鄭儋) successively served as the 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...
) of Hedong Circuit (河東), headquartered at Taiyuan, they had high opinions of Linghu Chu and thus invited him to serve on staff, and he eventually rose to the be the military governor's assistant. It was said that Linghu was highly intelligent, and whenever Emperor Dezong received reports from the military governor of Hedong and could tell that it was Linghu who drafted them, he had much praise for Linghu's writing. In 801, when Zheng died suddenly without leaving instructions, the soldiers were disturbed and went into a near-mutiny state. In the middle of the night, a number of soldiers gathered and forced Linghu, under the threats by swords, to head to the headquarters. With the officers surrounding him, they ordered him to draft a final report for Zheng. Despite the duress of swords, Linghu had little trouble drafting such a report, and when the report was read to the soldiers, all were touched by his words, thus calming a serious situation. After his father died, he was known for his filial piety during the period of mourning. He thereafter was summoned to the capital 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...
to serve as You Shiyi (右拾遺), a low-level consultant at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), and thereafter served as Taichang Boshi (太常博士), a consultant at the ministry of worship (太常寺, Taichang Si) and Libu Yuanwailang (禮部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of rites (禮部, Libu). At some point, Linghu left governmental service to observe a period of mourning for his mother when she died. After the mourning period was over, he was recalled to governmental service to serve as Xingbu Yuanwailang (刑部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of justice (刑部, Xingbu).
During Emperor Xianzong's reign
During the reign of Emperor Dezong's grandson Emperor XianzongEmperor Xianzong of Tang
Emperor Xianzong of Tang , personal name Li Chun , né Li Chun , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
, Linghu was made Zhifang Yuanwailang (職方員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of defense (兵部, Bingbu), but was put in charge of drafting edicts. As Linghu was friendly with Huangfu Bo and Xiao Mian, in 813, by which point Huangfu had gained Emperor Xianzong's favor by his enriching the palace treasury, both Xiao and Linghu were made imperial scholars (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi). Linghu was subsequently also promoted in his regular duties to be Zhifang Langzhong (職方郎中), a supervisorial official at the ministry of defense, and then Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau.
As of 817, Emperor Xianzong was engaging a campaign against the warlord Wu Yuanji
Wu Yuanji
Wu Yuanji was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who tried to control Zhangyi Circuit without approval from Emperor Xianzong after the 814 death of his father Wu Shaoyang, who had governed the circuit in a de facto independent manner from the imperial government...
, who controlled Zhangyi Circuit (彰義, headquartered in modern Zhumadian
Zhumadian
Zhumadian is a prefecture-level city in southern Henan province, People's Republic of China. It borders Xinyang to the south, Nanyang to the west, Pingdingshan to the northwest, Luohe to the north, Zhoukou to the northeast, and the province of Anhui to the east.Its population is 7,230,744 at the...
, 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...
). 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...
, whom Linghu was friendly to, opposed the campaign, but Emperor Xianzong's campaign was supported by the chancellor Pei Du
Pei Du
Pei Du , courtesy name Zhongli , formally Duke Wenzhong of Jin , 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 Emperor Xianzong's grandsons Emperor Jingzong and Emperor Wenzong...
, who volunteered to head to the front to oversee the campaign. Before Pei's departure from Chang'an, as he was concerned that Li and Linghu would work together to impede the campaign, he accused Linghu of using inappropriate language in his (Pei's) commissioning edict. Linghu was thus relieved of his duties as imperial scholar and drafter of imperial edicts, although he remained Zhongshu Sheren.
In summer 818, Linghu was sent out of Chang'an to serve as the prefect of Hua Prefecture (華州, in modern Weinan
Weinan
Weinan is a Municipality in the province of Shaanxi, PRC. The Grand Historian Sima Qian was born in Weinan.-Administration:...
, 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...
). In winter 818, by which time Huangfu was a chancellor, Linghu was made the military governor of Heyang Circuit (河陽, headquartered in modern Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
, 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...
), succeeding Wu Chongyin
Wu Chongyin
Wu Chongyin , courtesy name Baojun , formally Duke Yimu of Zhangyi , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty.- Background :...
, who was made the military governor of Henghai Circuit (橫海, headquartered in modern Cangzhou
Cangzhou
Cangzhou is a prefecture-level city in Hebei province, People's Republic of China. Cangzhou's urban center has a population of approximately 514,074 at the 2010 census which correspond to the built up area), while the prefecture-level administrative region in total has a population of 7,134,053...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
). Wu took 3,000 Heyang soldiers with him as he was reporting to Henghai, but the Heyang soldiers did not want to leave their home, and therefore, on the way, deserted and headed back to Heyang. As they reached Heyang's capital, they did not dare to enter, and they were set to pillage the area. Linghu happened to be arriving at that time, and he went to see them without guards, comforting them and persuading them to return to headquarters with him.
In 819, after Pei was sent out of the capital to serve as the military governor of Hedong, Huangfu recommended Linghu. Linghu was thereafter recalled to Chang'an and made Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎), the deputy head of the legislative bureau, as well as chancellor de facto with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事). Shortly after taking up his position, Linghu was presented with a collection of poetry written by the writer and poet Yuan Zhen
Yuan Zhen
Yuan Zhen , courtesy name Weizhi , was a politician of the middle Tang Dynasty, but is more known as an important Chinese writer and poet, particularly for work Yingying's Biography , which was often adapted for other treatments, including operatic and musical ones...
. Linghu had been Yan's patron since at least 809. Late in the year, there was an incident in which his subordinate Wu Ruheng (武儒衡), who was much respected by Emperor Xianzong, was rumored to be ready to be chancellor. Linghu was apprehensive of Wu, and therefore tried to find some way to damage Wu's reputation. As Wu was a descendant of Wu Pingyi (武平一), a relative of Wu Zetian
Wu Zetian
Wu Zetian , personal name Wu Zhao , often referred to as Tian Hou during the Tang Dynasty and Empress Consort Wu in later times, was the only woman in the history of China to assume the title of Empress Regnant...
, who seized the throne and interrupted Tang earlier in the dynasty's history, he recommended Di Jianmo (狄兼謨), a relative of Di Renjie
Di Renjie
Dí Rénjié , courtesy name Huaiying , formally Duke Wenhui of Liang , was an official of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, twice serving as chancellor during her reign...
, a chancellor of Wu Zetian's time, for a promotion — and, as he was drafting the edict to declare Di's promotion, wrote a in flowery language that deprecated Wu Zetian as an usurper and praised Di Renjie for protecting her son Emperor Zhongzong
Emperor Zhongzong of Tang
Emperor Zhongzong of Tang , personal name Lǐ Xiǎn , at times during his life Li Zhe and Wu Xian , was the fourth Emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, ruling briefly in 684 and again from 705 to 710.Emperor Zhongzong was the son of Emperor Gaozong of Tang and Empress Wu...
. This drew a teary defense by Wu Ruheng of his ancestor Wu Pingyi, who had declined the posts that Wu Zetian gave him, and caused Emperor Xianzong to view Linghu poorly, although Linghu remained chancellor.
During Emperor Muzong's reign
In 820, Emperor Xianzong died and was succeeded by his son Emperor MuzongEmperor 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...
. Emperor Muzong immediately exiled Huangfu Bo and initially wanted to execute him. Xiao Mian, whom Emperor Muzong made chancellor at Linghu's recommendation, interceded, however, along with eunuchs, and Huangfu was spared. Meanwhile, the other officials who had long resented Huangfu also resented Linghu for his involvement with Huangfu, but did not dare at that point to act against Linghu, on Xiao's account. However, subsequently, as Linghu was responsible for overseeing the construction of Emperor Xianzong's tomb and drafting his mourning text, Linghu's close associates were accused of corruption, and Linghu was thereafter demoted to be the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) 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...
). Shortly after, those associates of his were executed, and Linghu was further demoted to be the prefect of Hengzhou (modern Hengyang
Hengyang
Hengyang is the second largest city of China's Hunan Province. It straddles the Xiang River about 160 km south of Changsha.-History:Its former name was Hengzhou . This was the capital of a prefecture in the Tang Dynasty's Jiangnan and West Jiangnan circuits...
in Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
). (However, during the later rule of Emperor Muzong's younger brother Emperor Xuanzong
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang , also commonly known as Emperor Ming of Tang , personal name Li Longji , known as Wu Longji from 690 to 705, was the seventh emperor of the Tang dynasty in China, reigning from 712 to 756. His reign of 43 years was the longest during the Tang Dynasty...
, Emperor Xuanzong would recall a memory that he had that, during Emperor Xianzong's funeral processing, all of the officials and palace ladies dispersed during a storm, but Linghu faithfully held onto Emperor Xianzong's casket — with then-chancellor Bai Minzhong
Bai Minzhong
Bai Minzhong , courtesy name Yonghui , formally Duke Chou of Taiyuan , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xuānzong and Emperor Xuānzong's son Emperor Yizong...
confirming Emperor Xuanzong's recollection of the event; it was because of this memory that Emperor Xuanzong eventually promoted Linghu's son Linghu Tao
Linghu Tao
Linghu Tao , courtesy name Zizhi , formally the Duke of Zhao , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He was the leading chancellor during the last nine years of the reign of Emperor Xuānzong, but was removed from his chancellor position after Emperor Xuānzong's death, subsequently...
to be chancellor.) At that time, Linghu Chu's former client Yuan Zhen was well-trusted by Emperor Muzong, and Yuan had long disliked Huangfu and Linghu's governance. Yuan drafted an edict that condemned Linghu severely, and thereafter Linghu bore a hatred for Yuan.
In 821, Linghu was moved to be the prefect of Ying Prefecture (郢州, in modern Wuhan
Wuhan
Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province, People's Republic of China, and is the most populous city in Central China. It lies at the east of the Jianghan Plain, and the intersection of the middle reaches of the Yangtze and Han rivers...
, 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...
). He was then made an advisor to the Crown Prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
but with his office set at the eastern capital Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
. In 822, he was initially set to be made the governor 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...
) and the secretary general of its capital Shan Prefecture (陝州), when the advisorial officials submitted petitions arguing that due to Linghu's past faults, he should not be allowed to serve as a governor. Emperor Muzong thus rescinded LInghu's commission, and Linghu, who had already arrived at Shan Prefecture and started ruling the circuit, was removed after serving one day. He was instead again made advisor to the Crown Prince and returned to Luoyang. After Li Fengji became chancellor again later that year, he worked for Linghu's restoration, but was thwarted by Emperor Muzong's trusted advisor Li Shen (李紳).
During Emperor Jingzong's reign
In 824, after Emperor Muzong died and was succeeded by his 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...
, at Li Fengji's instigation, Li Shen was exiled. Linghu was subsequently made the mayor of Henan Municipality (河南, i.e., the Luoyang region). Later that year, he was made the military governor of 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...
) and the prefect of its capital Bian Prefecture (汴州). The Xuanwu soldiers had long been difficult to govern and had expelled several military governors. In reaction, Han Hong and his brother Han Chong (韓充), both of whom had served as military governors of Xuanwu, governed with a heavy hand. Linghu, instead, governed more gently, and in doing so comforted both soldiers and the people. In the preface to the collection of Linghu's literary works, the ninth-century thinker Liu Yuxi
Liu Yuxi
Liu Yuxi was a Chinese poet, philosopher, and essayist, active during the Tang Dynasty. He was an associate of Bai Juyi and was known for his folk-style poems.- External links :* * *...
described Linghu's time as military governor:
Linghu from the start regulated himself with purity and honesty. He treated others with kindness and trust. He eliminated the doubts of the many with evenhandedness. He eliminated the harsh enforcement of law with ritual and deference. From above, he transformed those below, and [his influence] quickly spread. He changed the sound in the Confucian temple, and there were none who returned to their old habits.
There was a precedent that military governors of Xuanwu were given large stipends, but Linghu declined it.
During Emperor Wenzong's reign
In 828, by which time Emperor Jingzong's brother Emperor WenzongEmperor 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...
was emperor, Linghu Chu was recalled to Chang'an to serve as minister of census (戶部尚書, Hubu Shangshu). In 829, he was again sent to Luoyang to serve as Luoyang's defender. Later that year, he was made the military governor of Tianping Circuit (天平, headquartered in modern Tai'an
Tai'an
Tai'an is a prefecture-level city in western Shandong province, People's Republic of China.Centered around Mount Tai, the city borders the provincial capital of Jinan to the north, Laiwu to the northeast, Zibo to the east, Linyi to the southeast, Liaocheng to the extreme west and Jining to the south...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
) as well as the prefect of its capital Yun Prefecture (鄆州). That year, there was a severe drought, such that in some places people were committing cannibalism
Cannibalism
Cannibalism is the act or practice of humans eating the flesh of other human beings. It is also called anthropophagy...
. Linghu spread the wealth to try to relieve the disaster, and it was said that although Tianping was afflicted, there were no waves of refugees leaving Tianping. In 832, he was made the military governor of Hedong and the mayor of Taiyuan. As he was a long-time resident of Taiyuan, he knew the people's customs, and it was said that despite a drought there as well, there were no waves of refugees. He was welcomed by the people of the region. In 833, he was recalled to Chang'an to serve as the minister of civil service affairs (吏部尚書, LIbu Shangshu) and acting You Pushe (右僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). As minister of civil service affairs, he was of the third rank, but at that time, it was customary that acting officers, at imperial meetings, stood in places where the ranks of their acting officers applied, and You Pushe was second rank. Linghu believed this to be inappropriate, and he proposed that he stand with third-rank officials. Emperor Wenzong issued an edict praising him. In 835, he was made the minister of worship (太常卿, Taichang Qing). In 836, he was made acting Zuo Pushe (左僕射), the other head of the executive bureau, and created the Duke of Pengyang.
Later that year, when the Ganlu Incident
Ganlu Incident
The Ganlu Incident referred to an incident on December 14, 835, where then-reigning Emperor Wenzong of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, angry about the power that the powerful eunuchs had, conspired with the chancellor Li Xun and the general Zheng Zhu to slaughter the eunuchs...
erupted (as Emperor Wenzong's trusted chancellor Li Xun
Li Zhongyan
Li Zhongyan , known as Li Xun in 835, courtesy name initially Zixun , later Zichui , pseudonym Hermit Wang during the mourning period for his mother, was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
and close associate Zheng Zhu
Zheng Zhu
Zheng Zhu , probably né Yu Zhu , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He became a trusted advisor to Emperor Wenzong due to treatments he provided Emperor Wenzong for the emperor's illnesses, and thereafter plotted with Emperor Wenzong and Li Xun to slaughter the powerful eunuchs...
carried out a failed attempt to massacre the eunuchs and were themselves killed, along with the chancellors Wang Ya
Wang Ya
Wang Ya , courtesy name Guangjin , formally Duke of Dai , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Xianzong and Emperor Xianzong's grandson Emperor Wenzong...
, Jia Su
Jia Su
Jia Su , courtesy name Zimei , formally the Baron of Guzang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving briefly as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong...
, and Shu Yuanyu
Shu Yuanyu
Shu Yuanyu was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving briefly as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong...
on accusations of treason) Linghu and his Pushe colleague Zheng Tan
Zheng Tan
Zheng Tan , formally the Duke of Yingyang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong. He was viewed as a Li Faction leader in the Niu-Li Factional Struggles....
were called to the palace. They were set to be made chancellors, but when the powerful eunuchs, led by Qiu Shiliang
Qiu Shiliang
Qiu Shiliang , courtesy name Kuangmei , formally the Duke of Chu , was an eunuch official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, becoming particularly powerful after the Ganlu Incident — an event in which Emperor Wenzong tried, but failed, to seize power back from powerful eunuchs by slaughtering...
, had Linghu draft an edict to accuse Wang and Jia of treason, Linghu did so — but wrote in empty language that showed that he sympathized with Wang and Jia. This displeased Qiu, and therefore, Li Shi
Li Shi (Tang Dynasty)
Li Shi , courtesy name Zhongyu , formally the Count of Longxi , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong...
was made chancellor instead. Linghu was subsequently given the additional office as director of salt and iron monopolies and grain supplies. As part of his responsibilities, he oversaw the collection of the tea tax that Zheng Zhu had instituted, which had drawn much resentment from the people. Linghu requested that the tea tax be abolished, and subsequently it was. Also at his suggestion, the customs that whenever military governors were commissioned, that they would take armed guards and pay homage to the minister of defense before departing Chang'an be abolished (as the customs were used as part of Li Xun's and Zheng Zhu's plot). Also at his request, the silk that was set to be used in the repairs of Qujiang Pavilion (曲江亭) were diverted to repairing the office of the chancellors, which lay in ruins after the Ganlu Incident.
In 836, there was an imperial feast held at Qujiang Pavilion. Linghu, finding a feast to be inappropriate in light of the massacre of the officials that had just occurred, refused to attend by claiming an illness, and the popular sentiment at the time praised him. He also found a chance to get Emperor Wenzong to approve the burial of the bodies of Wang and the other officials killed in the Ganlu Incident — which had been exposed to the elements after their execution. (Qiu, however, subsequently had the bodies disinterred and thrown into the Wei River
Wei River
The Wei River is a major river in west-central China's Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. It is the largest tributary of the Yellow River and very important in the early development of Chinese civilization....
.) Soon thereafter, the military governor of Shannan West Circuit (山南西道, headquartered in modern Hanzhong
Hanzhong
Hanzhong is a municipality in southwest Shaanxi Province, China, occupying a historically significant valley in the mountains between the Xi'an area, home to many Chinese capitals, and the fertile but isolated Sichuan Basin...
, 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...
), Li Guyan
Li Guyan
Li Guyan , courtesy name Zhongshu , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving two terms as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong.- Background and early career :It is not clear when Li Guyan was born...
, was recalled to Chang'an to serve as chancellor, and Linghu was sent out to serve as the military governor of Shannan West as well as the mayor of its capital Xingyuan Municipality (興元). He died in 837, while still serving at Shannan West. He was given posthumous honors. It was said that even when he was near death, he behaved with elegance, and he submitted a final petition begging Emperor Wenzong (in reality, begging the eunuchs who by that point had Emperor Wenzong effectively under their control) for mercy on people who had been accused of crimes; in drafting his final petition, he was assisted by his staff member Li Shangyin
Li Shangyin
Li Shangyin , courtesy name Yishan , was a Chinese poet of the late Tang Dynasty, born in Henei . Along with Li He, he was much admired and "rediscovered" in the 20th century by the young Chinese writers for the imagist quality of his poems...
. He left a 100-volume collection of his writings, and his mourning text for Emperor Xianzong was particularly praised for its engaging use of language.