Wang Bo (Late Tang)
Encyclopedia
Wang Bo (759
– February 15, 830), courtesy name Mingyang (明敭), formally Duke Jing of Taiyuan (太原敬公), was an official of the Chinese
Tang Dynasty
, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Muzong
and Emperor Wenzong
. In traditional histories, he was credited with his fight against corruption and administrative abilities early in his career, but was blamed for his later corruption, engagement in political intrigue, and extraction of wealth from the people.
, during the reign of Emperor Suzong
. His ancestors were from Taiyuan
, but as his father Wang Shu (王恕) served as an officer in charge of army supplies at Yang Prefecture (揚州, in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
), the family settled in Yang Prefecture. Wang Bo had at least two younger brothers, Wang Qi (王起) and Wang Yan (王炎).
-805
) of Emperor Suzong's grandson Emperor Dezong
, Wang Bo and his brothers Wang Yan and Wang Qi all became well-known, and they all passed the imperial examination
s. Wang Bo and Wang Qi further passed a special examination for the good and righteous. Wang Bo was made an assistant at Jixian Institute (集賢院), and thereafter became an imperial censor, initially with the title Jiancha Yushi (監察御史) then Dianzhong Shiyushi (殿中侍御史). Late in the Zhenyuan era, one of Emperor Dezong's favorite officials, Li Shi (李實) the mayor of Jingzhao Municipality (京兆, i.e., the region of the capital Chang'an
), was arrogant, and once, when he encountered Wang on the street, instead of yielding to the censor as was appropriate under the regulations (due to the censors' having the responsibility of examining the officials' deeds), he refused to. Wang wrote a formal letter rebuking him. Li, in anger, recommended to Emperor Dezong that Wang be made the magistrate of Sanyuan County (三原, in modern Xianyang
, Shaanxi
), which was part of Jingzhao, in order to get a chance to humiliate Wang. Instead of reacting angrily, Wang went to the Jingzhao Municipality government to thank Li for the recommendation as was appropriate under the regulations. It was said that once Wang started his service as the magistrate of Sanyuan, he governed the county well, and the powerful clans of the county did not dare to resist the law. At the end of the year, he was rated the highest among the county magistrates of Jingzhao. Li was impressed and further recommended him for promotion. Emperor Dezong was about to promote him when his mother died, and he left governmental service to observe a mourning period for her.
and was succeeded by his severely-ill son Emperor Shunzong
, Wang Bo was recalled to governmental service to serve as Jiabu Yuanwailang (駕部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of defense (兵部, Bingbu). When guests of Yu Di
the magistrate of Chang'an County (one of the two counties making up the capital) committed horse robbery along with others, the Chang'an county police released the guests, only arresting the other people they were working with. It was at Wang's insistence that all were arrested and punished equally. He was thereafter made Gongbu Langzhong (工部郎中), a supervisorial official at the ministry of public works (工部, Gongbu), but took some of the responsibilities at the office of the imperial censors (御史臺, Yushi Tai) as well. He was said to be capable at finding illegality and acting against them. There happened to be a famine in the region at the time, and it was said that it was because Wang brought it to the emperor's attentions that the people received disaster relief. He later served as the prefect of Guo Prefecture (虢州, in modern Sanmenxia
, Henan
).
After Li Xun (李巽) became the director of salt and iron monopolies in 806
, by which time Emperor Shunzong's son Emperor Xianzong
was emperor, at Li's request, Wang was made the deputy director as well as Bingbu Langzhong (兵部郎中), a supervisorial official at the ministry of defense. In 810
, Wang became deputy chief imperial censor (御史中丞), replacing Li Yijian
, and it was said that he worked hard to reestablish the authority of law. Later in the year, he became the mayor of Jingzhao, replacing Xu Mengrong (許孟容). As, at that time, there were many armies stationed in the Chang'an region, with soldiers frequently carrying swords, a side effect was that there was much banditry because it became difficult to distinguish bandits from soldiers. At Wang's request, orders were issued that soldiers not carry swords in daily lives and that the noble families not be allowed to use hunting equipment within the Chang'an region; these actions were said to be effective in ending the epidemic of banditry in the region.
In 811
, Wang was made the deputy minister of justice (刑部侍郎, Xingbu Shilang) as well as the director of salt and iron monopolies. It was said that Wang was talented at administration. Despite the heavy amount of administrative work that his positions entailed, he was able to analyze the issues quickly, and his subordinates who tried to deceive him were discovered quickly. With the realm not peaceful at the time, there were many criminal cases to be judged, and Wang collected the prior rulings and placed them near his seat. This allowed him to make rulings quickly. The speed at which he was able to carry out his task amazed his subordinates.
In 815
, Wang was made the minister of rites (禮部尚書) and continued to serve as the director of the monopolies. He had requested another official who had served under Li Xun, Cheng Yi
, to serve as his deputy director, due to Cheng's knowledge about money and goods. Subsequently, during Emperor Xianzong's campaign against the warlord Wu Yuanji
, Cheng was sent out to the circuits to gather funds and was capable in doing so. After Huangfu Bo
became powerful, he feared Wang as a rival, and therefore persuaded Emperor Xianzong that Cheng be made director of the monopolies, with Wang serving as the minister of rites only. In 818
, Wang was made the military governor (Jiedushi
) of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu
, Sichuan
) and the mayor of its capital Chengdu Municipality.
and was succeeded by his son Emperor Muzong
. Huangfu Bo was immediately exiled. Wang Bo made a request to Emperor Muzong to allow him to return to Chang'an. The request was accompanied by a large tribute, and Wang further sent bribes to the powerful eunuchs, hoping to be made chancellor. The chancellor Duan Wenchang
also spoke on his behalf. Emperor Muzong thus recalled Wang to Chang'an in 821
. Another chancellor, Xiao Mian
, objected vehemently, calling Wang "delicate and wicked" and arguing that the popular sentiment was against Wang's being made chancellor. When Emperor Muzong refused to listen, Xiao resigned his chancellorship. Emperor Muzong subsequently ordered Wang to return to Xichuan, but after Wang pleaded to remain, as Duan was also offering to resign, Duan was made the military governor of Xichuan. Wang, while not made chancellor, was kept at Chang'an to serve as the minister of justice (刑部尚書) and again as the director of the salt and iron monopolies. Wang subsequently proposed an increase in the tea tax, and Emperor Muzong, despite opposition from Li Jue
, accepted Wang's proposal.
Later in the year, Wang was made Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎), the deputy head of the legislative bureau of government (中書省), and chancellor de facto with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事); he also remained as the director of salt and iron monopolies. It was said that while serving as chancellor, Wang was only interested in flattering the emperor and did not speak of important matters of state. In 822
, however, when there was a crisis over how Liu Wu
the military governor of Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
, Shanxi
) had detained one of Emperor Muzong's favorite eunuchs, Liu Chengjie (劉承偕), after he suspected Liu Chengjie of plotting to overthrow him. Wang joined the senior official Pei Du
's proposal for Emperor Muzong to issue an edict exiling Liu Chengjie to induce Liu Wu to release Liu Chengjie. Liu Wu subsequently did so.
Meanwhile, Pei was set to be made the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
), but many advisorial officials suggested that Pei should not be sent out of the capital. Emperor Muzong himself respected Mu, and he kept Pei at Chang'an to serve as chancellor, while sending Wang to Huainan in Pei's stead. Wang also remained the director of salt and iron monopolies. It was said that when Wang arrived at Huainan, there was a famine caused by a severe drought
, but Wang did not reduce tax burdens and continued to collect heavily from the people, leading to much popular resentment.
and was succeeded by his son Emperor Jingzong
, Wang Bo was relieved of his duties as director of salt and iron monopolies, but remained as the military governor of Huainan. He was also given the honorific title of Yinqing Guanglu Daifu (銀青光祿大夫) and made acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies
). At that time, the eunuch Wang Shoucheng
was very powerful, and Wang Bo sent various treasures to Wang Shoucheng to ingratiate Wang Shoucheng. Wang Shoucheng thus recommended Wang Bo to Emperor Jingzong. When Emperor Jingzong brought this up at an imperial gathering, various advisorial officials, including Dugu Lang (獨孤朗), Zhang Zhongfang (張仲方), Kong Minxing (孔敏行), Liu Gongquan
, Song Shenxi
, Wei Renshi (韋仁實), Liu Dunru (劉敦儒), Li Jingrang (李景讓), and Xue Tinglao (薛廷老), argued that Wang Bo was evil. Despite all the opposition, however, Wang Bo was again made the director of salt and iron monopolies in 825
. It was said that Wang Bo, once he was the director again, was interested in ingratiating the emperor by submitting "surpluses" even though the regular revenues were lacking. However, he was credited for dredging the canals within Huainan's capital Yang Prefecture to allow proper shipment of supplies. His successors were able to rely on the canals that he dredged.
and was succeeded by his brother Emperor Wenzong
, Wang Bo was given the title of acting Situ (司徒, also one of the Three Excellencies). In 827
, he went from Huainan to Chang'an to pay homage to Emperor Wenzong, and he submitted much tribute — including a large amount of silver vessels and silk — seeking to remain at Chang'an. Emperor Wenzong thereafter made him Zuo Pushe (左僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省), and Wang was made a chancellor again with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi. He was also allowed to remain the director of the salt and iron monopolies. In 828
, Wang was created the Duke of Taiyuan, and also made the director of Taiqing Palace (太清宮). In 830
, he suffered a throat illness and died quickly. He was given posthumous honors.
The Book of Tang
had these comments about Wang:
759
Year 759 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 759 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* The Franks capture Narbonne; the Saracens...
– February 15, 830), courtesy name Mingyang (明敭), formally Duke Jing of Taiyuan (太原敬公), was an official of the Chinese
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...
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 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...
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...
. In traditional histories, he was credited with his fight against corruption and administrative abilities early in his career, but was blamed for his later corruption, engagement in political intrigue, and extraction of wealth from the people.
Background
Wang Bo was born in 759759
Year 759 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 759 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* The Franks capture Narbonne; the Saracens...
, during the reign of Emperor Suzong
Emperor Suzong of Tang
Emperor Suzong of Tang , personal name Li Heng , né Li Sisheng , known as Li Jun from 725 to 736, known as Li Yu from 736 to 738, known briefly as Li Shao in 738, was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty and the son of Emperor Xuanzong...
. His ancestors were from 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...
, but as his father Wang Shu (王恕) served as an officer in charge of army supplies at Yang Prefecture (揚州, in modern Yangzhou
Yangzhou
Yangzhou is a prefecture-level city in central Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the southwest, Huai'an to the north, Yancheng to the northeast, Taizhou to the east, and Zhenjiang across...
, Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
), the family settled in Yang Prefecture. Wang Bo had at least two younger brothers, Wang Qi (王起) and Wang Yan (王炎).
During Emperor Dezong's reign
During the middle of the Zhenyuan era (785785
Year 785 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The article denomination 785 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years...
-805
805
Year 805 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Byzantine Empire :* Emperor Nicephorus I of Byzantium suffers a major defeat against the Saracens at Crasus.- Asia :...
) of Emperor Suzong's grandson 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...
, Wang Bo and his brothers Wang Yan and Wang Qi all became well-known, and they all 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...
s. Wang Bo and Wang Qi further passed a special examination for the good and righteous. Wang Bo was made an assistant at Jixian Institute (集賢院), and thereafter became an imperial censor, initially with the title Jiancha Yushi (監察御史) then Dianzhong Shiyushi (殿中侍御史). Late in the Zhenyuan era, one of Emperor Dezong's favorite officials, Li Shi (李實) the mayor of Jingzhao Municipality (京兆, i.e., the region of 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...
), was arrogant, and once, when he encountered Wang on the street, instead of yielding to the censor as was appropriate under the regulations (due to the censors' having the responsibility of examining the officials' deeds), he refused to. Wang wrote a formal letter rebuking him. Li, in anger, recommended to Emperor Dezong that Wang be made the magistrate of Sanyuan County (三原, in modern Xianyang
Xianyang
Xianyang is a former capital of China in Shaanxi province, on the Wei River, a few kilometers upstream from Xi'an. It has an area of...
, 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...
), which was part of Jingzhao, in order to get a chance to humiliate Wang. Instead of reacting angrily, Wang went to the Jingzhao Municipality government to thank Li for the recommendation as was appropriate under the regulations. It was said that once Wang started his service as the magistrate of Sanyuan, he governed the county well, and the powerful clans of the county did not dare to resist the law. At the end of the year, he was rated the highest among the county magistrates of Jingzhao. Li was impressed and further recommended him for promotion. Emperor Dezong was about to promote him when his mother died, and he left governmental service to observe a mourning period for her.
During Emperor Shunzong's and Emperor Xianzong's reigns
After Emperor Dezong died in 805805
Year 805 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Byzantine Empire :* Emperor Nicephorus I of Byzantium suffers a major defeat against the Saracens at Crasus.- Asia :...
and was succeeded by his severely-ill son Emperor Shunzong
Emperor Shunzong of Tang
Emperor Shunzong of Tang , personal name Li Song , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty. He was created crown prince in 779 and became emperor in 805 after the death of his father Emperor Dezong, of whom he was the oldest son...
, Wang Bo was recalled to governmental service to serve as Jiabu Yuanwailang (駕部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of defense (兵部, Bingbu). When guests of Yu Di
Yu Di
Yu Di , courtesy name Yunyuan , formally initially Duke Li of Yan and later Duke Si of Yan , was a general and official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
the magistrate of Chang'an County (one of the two counties making up the capital) committed horse robbery along with others, the Chang'an county police released the guests, only arresting the other people they were working with. It was at Wang's insistence that all were arrested and punished equally. He was thereafter made Gongbu Langzhong (工部郎中), a supervisorial official at the ministry of public works (工部, Gongbu), but took some of the responsibilities at the office of the imperial censors (御史臺, Yushi Tai) as well. He was said to be capable at finding illegality and acting against them. There happened to be a famine in the region at the time, and it was said that it was because Wang brought it to the emperor's attentions that the people received disaster relief. He later served as the prefect of Guo Prefecture (虢州, 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...
).
After Li Xun (李巽) became the director of salt and iron monopolies in 806
806
Year 806 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Emperor Heizei succeeds Emperor Kammu as Emperor of Japan....
, by which time Emperor Shunzong's son 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...
was emperor, at Li's request, Wang was made the deputy director as well as Bingbu Langzhong (兵部郎中), a supervisorial official at the ministry of defense. In 810
810
Year 810 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Byzantine Empire :* October 1 – A man with a sword makes an attempt on emperor Nicephorus I's life...
, Wang became deputy chief imperial censor (御史中丞), replacing Li Yijian
Li Yijian
Li Yijian , courtesy name Yizhi , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong.- Background :Li Yijian was born in 756...
, and it was said that he worked hard to reestablish the authority of law. Later in the year, he became the mayor of Jingzhao, replacing Xu Mengrong (許孟容). As, at that time, there were many armies stationed in the Chang'an region, with soldiers frequently carrying swords, a side effect was that there was much banditry because it became difficult to distinguish bandits from soldiers. At Wang's request, orders were issued that soldiers not carry swords in daily lives and that the noble families not be allowed to use hunting equipment within the Chang'an region; these actions were said to be effective in ending the epidemic of banditry in the region.
In 811
811
Year 811 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar.- Byzantine Empire :...
, Wang was made the deputy minister of justice (刑部侍郎, Xingbu Shilang) as well as the director of salt and iron monopolies. It was said that Wang was talented at administration. Despite the heavy amount of administrative work that his positions entailed, he was able to analyze the issues quickly, and his subordinates who tried to deceive him were discovered quickly. With the realm not peaceful at the time, there were many criminal cases to be judged, and Wang collected the prior rulings and placed them near his seat. This allowed him to make rulings quickly. The speed at which he was able to carry out his task amazed his subordinates.
In 815
815
Year 815 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Bulgaria and the Byzantine Empire sign the Treaty of 815 in Constantinople....
, Wang was made the minister of rites (禮部尚書) and continued to serve as the director of the monopolies. He had requested another official who had served under Li Xun, Cheng Yi
Cheng Yi (Tang Dynasty)
Cheng Yi , courtesy name Shiju , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong...
, to serve as his deputy director, due to Cheng's knowledge about money and goods. Subsequently, during Emperor Xianzong's 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...
, Cheng was sent out to the circuits to gather funds and was capable in doing so. After 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...
became powerful, he feared Wang as a rival, and therefore persuaded Emperor Xianzong that Cheng be made director of the monopolies, with Wang serving as the minister of rites only. In 818
818
Year 818 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.-Europe:* Al-Andalus: Grave rebellion in the suburbs of Cordoba against the Umayyads.- Religion :...
, Wang was made 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 Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
, Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
) and the mayor of its capital Chengdu Municipality.
During Emperor Muzong's reign
Emperor Xianzong died in 820820
Year 820 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Tahir, the son of a slave, is rewarded with the governorship of Khurasan for supporting the caliphate...
and was succeeded by his 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...
. Huangfu Bo was immediately exiled. Wang Bo made a request to Emperor Muzong to allow him to return to Chang'an. The request was accompanied by a large tribute, and Wang further sent bribes to the powerful eunuchs, hoping to be made chancellor. The chancellor Duan Wenchang
Duan Wenchang
Duan Wenchang , courtesy name Moqing , alternative name Jingchu , formally the Duke of Zouping , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong.- Background :Duan Wenchang was born in 773, during the reign of Emperor Daizong...
also spoke on his behalf. Emperor Muzong thus recalled Wang to Chang'an in 821
821
Year 821 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Tang Mu Zong becomes emperor of China.* First recorded session of the Parliament of Croatia- Byzantine Empire :...
. Another chancellor, 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...
, objected vehemently, calling Wang "delicate and wicked" and arguing that the popular sentiment was against Wang's being made chancellor. When Emperor Muzong refused to listen, Xiao resigned his chancellorship. Emperor Muzong subsequently ordered Wang to return to Xichuan, but after Wang pleaded to remain, as Duan was also offering to resign, Duan was made the military governor of Xichuan. Wang, while not made chancellor, was kept at Chang'an to serve as the minister of justice (刑部尚書) and again as the director of the salt and iron monopolies. Wang subsequently proposed an increase in the tea tax, and Emperor Muzong, despite opposition from Li Jue
Li Jue (Tang Dynasty)
Li Jue , courtesy name Daijia , formally Duke Zhenmu of Zanhuang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wenzong and Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong...
, accepted Wang's proposal.
Later in the year, Wang was made Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎), the deputy head of the legislative bureau of government (中書省), and chancellor de facto with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事); he also remained as the director of salt and iron monopolies. It was said that while serving as chancellor, Wang was only interested in flattering the emperor and did not speak of important matters of state. In 822
822
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...
, however, when there was a crisis over how Liu Wu
Liu Wu
Liu Wu , formally the Prince of Pengcheng , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, whose killing of his superior, the warlord Li Shidao, and subsequent submission to the imperial government, were the high point of Emperor Xianzong's campaign to end warlordism...
the military governor of Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
Changzhi
Changzhi is a prefecture-level city in Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China. It lies between the city of Huozhou in Shanxi and the city of Hebi in Henan....
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
) had detained one of Emperor Muzong's favorite eunuchs, Liu Chengjie (劉承偕), after he suspected Liu Chengjie of plotting to overthrow him. Wang joined the senior official 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...
's proposal for Emperor Muzong to issue an edict exiling Liu Chengjie to induce Liu Wu to release Liu Chengjie. Liu Wu subsequently did so.
Meanwhile, Pei was set to be made the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
Yangzhou
Yangzhou is a prefecture-level city in central Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the southwest, Huai'an to the north, Yancheng to the northeast, Taizhou to the east, and Zhenjiang across...
), but many advisorial officials suggested that Pei should not be sent out of the capital. Emperor Muzong himself respected Mu, and he kept Pei at Chang'an to serve as chancellor, while sending Wang to Huainan in Pei's stead. Wang also remained the director of salt and iron monopolies. It was said that when Wang arrived at Huainan, there was a famine caused by a severe drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
, but Wang did not reduce tax burdens and continued to collect heavily from the people, leading to much popular resentment.
During Emperor Jingzong's reign
After Emperor Muzong died in 824824
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....
and was succeeded by his son 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...
, Wang Bo was relieved of his duties as director of salt and iron monopolies, but remained as the military governor of Huainan. He was also given the honorific title of Yinqing Guanglu Daifu (銀青光祿大夫) and made 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...
). At that time, the eunuch Wang Shoucheng
Wang Shoucheng
Wang Shoucheng was a powerful eunuch of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, wielding substantial powers during the reigns of Emperor Xianzong, Emperor Muzong, Emperor Jingzong, and Emperor Wenzong...
was very powerful, and Wang Bo sent various treasures to Wang Shoucheng to ingratiate Wang Shoucheng. Wang Shoucheng thus recommended Wang Bo to Emperor Jingzong. When Emperor Jingzong brought this up at an imperial gathering, various advisorial officials, including Dugu Lang (獨孤朗), Zhang Zhongfang (張仲方), Kong Minxing (孔敏行), Liu Gongquan
Liu Gongquan
Liu Gongquan , courtesy name Chengxuan , was a Chinese calligrapher who stood with Yan Zhenqing as the two great masters of late Tang calligraphy....
, Song Shenxi
Song Shenxi
Song Shenxi , courtesy name Qingchen , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving briefly as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong...
, Wei Renshi (韋仁實), Liu Dunru (劉敦儒), Li Jingrang (李景讓), and Xue Tinglao (薛廷老), argued that Wang Bo was evil. Despite all the opposition, however, Wang Bo was again made the director of salt and iron monopolies in 825
825
Year 825 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Egbert of Wessex defeats Beornwulf of Mercia at Ellandun. Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Essex submit to Wessex and East Anglia acknowledges Egbert as overlord.* Emperor Louis the Pious of the Franks wars against the Wends...
. It was said that Wang Bo, once he was the director again, was interested in ingratiating the emperor by submitting "surpluses" even though the regular revenues were lacking. However, he was credited for dredging the canals within Huainan's capital Yang Prefecture to allow proper shipment of supplies. His successors were able to rely on the canals that he dredged.
During Emperor Wenzong's reign
After Emperor Jingzong died in 826826
Year 826 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Religion :* June 24 – The Danish king Harald Klak accepts Christianity.- Deaths :...
and was succeeded by his brother 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...
, Wang Bo was given the title of acting Situ (司徒, also one of the Three Excellencies). In 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...
, he went from Huainan to Chang'an to pay homage to Emperor Wenzong, and he submitted much tribute — including a large amount of silver vessels and silk — seeking to remain at Chang'an. Emperor Wenzong thereafter made him Zuo Pushe (左僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省), and Wang was made a chancellor again with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi. He was also allowed to remain the director of the salt and iron monopolies. In 828
828
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....
, Wang was created the Duke of Taiyuan, and also made the director of Taiqing Palace (太清宮). In 830
830
Year 830 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.-Africa:* Creation of the Ad-dimnah hospital in al-Qayrawan by the Aghlabid ruler Ziyadat Allah I.- Europe :...
, he suffered a throat illness and died quickly. He was given posthumous honors.
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...
had these comments about Wang: