Qian Weidao
Encyclopedia
Qian Weidao (died January 11, 689) was twice briefly a chancellor of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, during the first reign of Emperor Ruizong
.
Little is known about Qian Weidao's career before his first stint as chancellor, as, atypical for a chancellor, he did not have a biography in either the Book of Tang
or the New Book of Tang
. It is, however, known that his family was from Jincheng (金城, in modern Lanzhou
, Gansu
). As of 684, he was serving as imperial censor reviewing central government affairs (左肅政大夫), when he and his subordinate, Yu Chengye (魚承曄), was put in charge by Emperor Ruizong's powerful mother and regent Empress Dowager Wu
(later known as Wu Zetian) of investigating and interrogating the chancellor Pei Yan
after accusations of treason, as Pei had angered her by suggesting that she return imperial authority to Emperor Ruizong. Many officials spoke on Pei's behalf, but Empress Dowager Wu reacted by arresting and demoting them, while promoting Qian and an official who had testified that Pei had committed treason, Li Jingchen
, to be chancellors -- in Qian's case, with the designation Tong Fengge Luantai Sanpin (同鳳閣鸞臺三品), a greater designation than Li's Tong Fengge Luantai Pingzhangshi (同鳳閣鸞臺平章事) designation. She also made him acting Neishi (內史) -- the head of the legislative bureau of government (鳳閣, Fengge) and a post considered one for a chancellor.
In 685, there was an incident that made Empress Dowager Wu demote Qian. At that time, the official Fang Xianmin (房先敏) was demoted, and he met the chancellors to complain about the demotion. Qian told Fang, "This was the Empress Dowager's decision." Another chancellor, Liu Yizhi
, instead stated, "You were dragged into this because of another's fault, and your demotion was based on the decision of the officials." These words were reported to Empress Dowager Wu, and she was displeased that Qian blamed her and pleased that Liu did not, and she demoted Qian to be the prefect of Qing Prefecture (青州, roughly modern Weifang
, Shandong
) while promoting Liu.
By 688, Qian was again the imperial censor reviewing central government affairs. Winter of that year, he was made chancellor again, this time with the designation of Tong Fengge Luantai Pingzhangshi. However, he was soon falsely accused of unspecified crimes -- and Empress Dowager Wu gave the case to Qian's subordinate Zhou Ju (周矩) for investigation. It was said that Qian had often been unimpressed with Zhou and rebuked him for being unable to complete tasks. When Zhou interrogated Qian, Zhou stated, "You often rebuke me for being unable to complete tasks. I will complete one for you today." Around the new year 689, Qian and his son Qian Ciyu (騫辭玉) were executed.
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...
, during the first reign of Emperor Ruizong
Emperor Ruizong of Tang
Emperor Ruizong of Tang , personal name Lǐ Dàn , known at times during his life as Li Xulun , Li Lun , Wu Lun , and Wu Dan , was the fifth and ninth emperor of Tang Dynasty...
.
Little is known about Qian Weidao's career before his first stint as chancellor, as, atypical for a chancellor, he did not have a biography in either 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...
or 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...
. It is, however, known that his family was from Jincheng (金城, in modern Lanzhou
Lanzhou
Lanzhou is the capital and largest city of Gansu Province in Northwest China. A prefecture-level city, it is a key regional transportation hub, allowing areas further west to maintain railroad connections to the eastern half of the country....
, Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
). As of 684, he was serving as imperial censor reviewing central government affairs (左肅政大夫), when he and his subordinate, Yu Chengye (魚承曄), was put in charge by Emperor Ruizong's powerful mother and regent Empress Dowager Wu
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...
(later known as Wu Zetian) of investigating and interrogating the chancellor Pei Yan
Pei Yan
Pei Yan , courtesy name Zilong , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, as well as regency by his wife Empress Wu over their sons Emperor Zhongzong and Emperor Ruizong...
after accusations of treason, as Pei had angered her by suggesting that she return imperial authority to Emperor Ruizong. Many officials spoke on Pei's behalf, but Empress Dowager Wu reacted by arresting and demoting them, while promoting Qian and an official who had testified that Pei had committed treason, Li Jingchen
Li Jingchen
Li Jingchen was briefly a chancellor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, during the first reign of Emperor Ruizong.Little is known about Li Jingchen's career before or after his brief stint as chancellor, as, atypical for a chancellor, he did not have a biography in either the Book of Tang or the...
, to be chancellors -- in Qian's case, with the designation Tong Fengge Luantai Sanpin (同鳳閣鸞臺三品), a greater designation than Li's Tong Fengge Luantai Pingzhangshi (同鳳閣鸞臺平章事) designation. She also made him acting Neishi (內史) -- the head of the legislative bureau of government (鳳閣, Fengge) and a post considered one for a chancellor.
In 685, there was an incident that made Empress Dowager Wu demote Qian. At that time, the official Fang Xianmin (房先敏) was demoted, and he met the chancellors to complain about the demotion. Qian told Fang, "This was the Empress Dowager's decision." Another chancellor, Liu Yizhi
Liu Yizhi
Liu Yizhi , courtesy name Ximei , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as chancellor during the first reign of Emperor Ruizong...
, instead stated, "You were dragged into this because of another's fault, and your demotion was based on the decision of the officials." These words were reported to Empress Dowager Wu, and she was displeased that Qian blamed her and pleased that Liu did not, and she demoted Qian to be the prefect of Qing Prefecture (青州, roughly modern Weifang
Weifang
Weifang is a prefecture-level city in central Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It borders Dongying to the northwest, Zibo to the west, Linyi to the southwest, Rizhao to the south, Qingdao to the east, and looks out to the Laizhou Bay to the north.-History:Weifang is a historical city...
, 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...
) while promoting Liu.
By 688, Qian was again the imperial censor reviewing central government affairs. Winter of that year, he was made chancellor again, this time with the designation of Tong Fengge Luantai Pingzhangshi. However, he was soon falsely accused of unspecified crimes -- and Empress Dowager Wu gave the case to Qian's subordinate Zhou Ju (周矩) for investigation. It was said that Qian had often been unimpressed with Zhou and rebuked him for being unable to complete tasks. When Zhou interrogated Qian, Zhou stated, "You often rebuke me for being unable to complete tasks. I will complete one for you today." Around the new year 689, Qian and his son Qian Ciyu (騫辭玉) were executed.