Wu Yuanheng
Encyclopedia
Wu Yuanheng (758
– July 13, 815), courtesy name Bocang (伯蒼), formally Duke Zhongmin of Linhuai (臨淮忠湣公), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong
. During Emperor Xianzong's campaign against the warlord Wu Yuanji
, Wu Yuanheng was in charge of the operations, and was thereafter assassinated by assassins sent by Wu Yuanji's ally Li Shidao
.
, during the reign of Emperor Suzong
. His family was from Henan Municipality (河南, i.e., the region of the Tang Dynasty
eastern capital Luoyang
). His great-grandfather Wu Zaide (武載德) was, according to Wu Yuanheng's biographies in the Book of Tang
and the New Book of Tang
, a younger cousin of Wu Zetian
, Emperor Suzong's great-grandmother and the female ruler who interrupted Tang rule from 690
to 705
— although, according to the table of the chancellors' family trees in the New Book of Tang, it was Wu Zaide's father Wu Renfan (武仁範) who was a cousin of Wu Zetian's, as Wu Renfan was a son of Wu Zetian's uncle Wu Shiyi (武士逸). Wu Zaide carried the title of Prince of Yingchuan during Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, and at some point served as a prefectural prefect. Wu Yuanheng's grandfather Wu Pingyi (武平一) served as an imperial scholar, while his father Wu Jiu (武就) served as an imperial censor.
s, probably during the reign of Emperor Suzong's grandson Emperor Dezong
. He then served on the staffs of a number of military governors (Jiedushi
), before serving as the magistrate of Huayuan County (華原, near the Tang capital Chang'an
). It was said that at the time many generals with accomplishments often, because of their accomplishment, disturbed the people and the officials, and Wu, unable to deal with them, resigned after claiming an illness, spending his time in relaxation, feasts, and poems. However, Emperor Dezong knew of his abilities and recalled him to serve as Bibu Yuanwailang (比部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of rites (禮部, Libu). After about a year, he was promoted to be Zuosi Langzhong (左司郎中), one of the chief secretaries at the executive bureau of government (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). In 804
, he was promoted to be deputy chief imperial censor (御史中丞, Yushi Zhongcheng). On one occasion, after he finished making reports to Emperor Dezong and was leaving, Emperor Dezong saw him off and commented to the imperial attendants, "Wu Yuanheng truly has the ability to be a chancellor."
, Emperor Dezong died and was succeeded by his severely-ill son Emperor Shunzong
. Emperor Shunzong's associate Wang Shuwen
became very powerful, and a group of officials gathered around him. Many of those persons were imperial censors serving under Wu, and as Wu despised Wang, he did not treat these associates of Wang's with great respect. Further, when Wu was put in charge of managing the construction of Emperor Dezong's tomb, Wang's associate Liu Yuxi
wanted to serve as Wu's deputy but was denied the position. Further, when Wang wanted to draw Wu into his party, Wu resisted. Wang therefore had Wu made a member of the staff of Li Chun
the Crown Prince
. Li Chun thus got the chance to meet Wu at his investiture as crown prince.
, Wu was made Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau (門下省, Menxia Sheng), and made a de facto chancellor with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), along with Li Jifu
.
Almost immediately thereafter, Emperor Xianzong was faced with the situation where Li Qi
the military governor of Zhenhai Circuit (鎮海, headquartered in modern Zhenjiang
, Jiangsu
), who had initially offered to come to the capital to pay homage to him, instead requested a deferral. When Emperor Xianzong consulted the chancellors, Wu stated:
Emperor Xianzong agreed and issued an edict summoning Li Qi. Li Qi, receiving the edict, panicked and rebelled, and was soon captured by his own subordinates, delivered to Chang'an, and executed. Later that year, when the general Gao Chongwen
, who had in 806
become the military governor of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu
, Sichuan
), offered to resign his position to be moved to a border circuit, Emperor Xianzong looked for an appropriate replacement for Gao but was unable to find one quickly, and so made Wu the military governor of Xichuan, still carrying chancellor title as an honorary title. Wu had previously carried the title of Count of Yaoxiao, and Emperor Xianzong upgraded his title to Duke of Linhuai. It was said that when Gao left the circuit, he carried all kinds of treasures with him; by contrast, Wu lived and governed frugally, and after three years of governance, both the government and the populace were comforted. He also was gentle with the non-Han
tribes and stopped his soldiers from harassing them. He was further said to be careful in his actions, and that while he did not spend much time meeting guests, he was nevertheless able to retain a highly capable staff.
In 813
, Wu was recalled to Chang'an to again serve as Menxia Shilang and chancellor. It was said that at that time, his fellow chancellors Li Jifu and Li Jiang
often disputed with each other, and that he was the moderate between their opinions. After Li Jifu's death in 814
, Emperor Xianzong put Wu in charge of managing the campaign against the warlord Wu Yuanji
, who then controlled Zhangyi Circuit (彰義, headquartered in Zhumadian
, Henan
.
Meanwhile, Wu Yuanji's allies Wang Chengzong
the military governor of Chengde Circuit (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang
, Hebei
) and Li Shidao
the military governor of Pinglu Circuit (平盧, headquartered in modern Tai'an
, Shandong
), were repeatedly pleading on Wu Yuanji's behalf for an imperial pardon, but Emperor Xianzong refused their requests. A group of assassins that Li Shidao had retained persuaded Li Shidao that if Wu Yuanheng were assassinated, the other chancellors would be fearful and would urge an end of the campaign. Li Shidao agreed and sent them to Chang'an to prepare to assassinate Wu Yuanheng. Meanwhile, Wang had sent his officer Yin Shaoqing (尹少卿) to report to Wu Yuanheng; when Yin did, Yin was insolent, and Wu Yuanheng had him expelled from the office of chancellors. Thereafter, Wang submitted petitions defaming Wu Yuanheng.
On July 13, 815, before dawn, Wu Yuanheng was set to go to the palace for a meeting with Emperor Xianzong. As he left his house, suddenly, arrows were fired at his train. His servants all fled, and the assassins seized Wu and his horse, and then decapitated him, taking his head with them. The assassins also attacked another official who favored the campaign, Pei Du
, but was unable to kill Pei. The people at the capital were shocked, and imperial guards were assigned to protect chancellors. The officials, for some time, would not dare to leave their houses until dawn. The assassins sent letters to the imperial guards and the governments of Jingzhao Municipality (京兆, i.e., the Chang'an region) and the counties, threatening to kill anyone who dared to pursue them, and it was said that the officials thus did not hunt for them diligently, despite Emperor Xianzong's stern orders. Meanwhile, a group of eight Chengde officers stationed at Chang'an, headed by Zhang Yan (張晏). Wang Chengzong's uncle Wang Shize (王士則), who had become a general in the imperial Shence Army (神策軍) after a dispute with Wang Chengzong, submitted a petition accusing Wang Chengzong of having sent Zhang and the other Chengde officers to kill Wu Yuanheng. Emperor Xianzong had Zhang and the others arrested and interrogated by the mayor of Jingzhao, Pei Wu (裴武), and the imperial censor Chen Zhongshi (陳中師). Under intense interrogation, probably including torture, Zhang and the others confessed to assassinating Wu and were executed. The assassins sent by Li Shidao fled. Emperor Xianzong declared a five-day mourning period for Wu Yuanheng and gave him great posthumous honors.
758
Year 758 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 758 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.- Asia :* Emperor Junnin succeeds Empress Kōken on the...
– July 13, 815), courtesy name Bocang (伯蒼), formally Duke Zhongmin of Linhuai (臨淮忠湣公), 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...
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 reign 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...
. 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...
, Wu Yuanheng was in charge of the operations, and was thereafter assassinated by assassins sent by Wu Yuanji's ally Li Shidao
Li Shidao
Li Shidao was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who, as the successor to his brother Li Shigu, ruled Pinglu Circuit in a de facto independent manner from the imperial government...
.
Background
Wu Yuanheng was born in 758758
Year 758 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 758 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.- Asia :* Emperor Junnin succeeds Empress Kōken on the...
, 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 family was from Henan Municipality (河南, i.e., the region of the 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...
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...
). His great-grandfather Wu Zaide (武載德) was, according to Wu Yuanheng's biographies 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...
and 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...
, a younger cousin 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...
, Emperor Suzong's great-grandmother and the female ruler who interrupted Tang rule from 690
690
Year 690 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 690 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.- Asia :* Beginning of Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty in China...
to 705
705
Year 705 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 705 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.- Asia :* Armenia: The Umayyad general Muhammad ibn...
— although, according to the table of the chancellors' family trees in the New Book of Tang, it was Wu Zaide's father Wu Renfan (武仁範) who was a cousin of Wu Zetian's, as Wu Renfan was a son of Wu Zetian's uncle Wu Shiyi (武士逸). Wu Zaide carried the title of Prince of Yingchuan during Wu Zetian's Zhou Dynasty, and at some point served as a prefectural prefect. Wu Yuanheng's grandfather Wu Pingyi (武平一) served as an imperial scholar, while his father Wu Jiu (武就) served as an imperial censor.
During Emperor Dezong's reign
Wu Yuanheng passed 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, probably during the reign 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...
. He then served on the staffs of a number of military governors (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...
), before serving as the magistrate of Huayuan County (華原, near the Tang 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...
). It was said that at the time many generals with accomplishments often, because of their accomplishment, disturbed the people and the officials, and Wu, unable to deal with them, resigned after claiming an illness, spending his time in relaxation, feasts, and poems. However, Emperor Dezong knew of his abilities and recalled him to serve as Bibu Yuanwailang (比部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of rites (禮部, Libu). After about a year, he was promoted to be Zuosi Langzhong (左司郎中), one of the chief secretaries at the executive bureau of government (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). In 804
804
Year 804 was a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Japanese monk Kukai visits China, from which he brings back texts of Shingon ....
, he was promoted to be deputy chief imperial censor (御史中丞, Yushi Zhongcheng). On one occasion, after he finished making reports to Emperor Dezong and was leaving, Emperor Dezong saw him off and commented to the imperial attendants, "Wu Yuanheng truly has the ability to be a chancellor."
During Emperor Shunzong's reign
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 :...
, Emperor Dezong died 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...
. Emperor Shunzong's associate Wang Shuwen
Wang Shuwen
Wang Shuwen was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He was a close associate of Emperor Shunzong while Li Song was crown prince under his father Emperor Dezong, and was powerful during Emperor Shunzong's brief reign in 805, when Emperor Shunzong was severely ill...
became very powerful, and a group of officials gathered around him. Many of those persons were imperial censors serving under Wu, and as Wu despised Wang, he did not treat these associates of Wang's with great respect. Further, when Wu was put in charge of managing the construction of Emperor Dezong's tomb, Wang's associate 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 :* * *...
wanted to serve as Wu's deputy but was denied the position. Further, when Wang wanted to draw Wu into his party, Wu resisted. Wang therefore had Wu made a member of the staff of Li Chun
Emperor Xianzong of Tang
Emperor Xianzong of Tang , personal name Li Chun , né Li Chun , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
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....
. Li Chun thus got the chance to meet Wu at his investiture as crown prince.
During Emperor Xianzong's reign
Later in the year, Emperor Shunzong passed the throne to Li Chun (as Emperor Xianzong). Once Emperor Xianzong took the throne, he had Wu Yuanheng restored to the position of deputy chief imperial censor, and it was said that Wu was fair and organized, earning the respect of many. He was soon made the deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang). In spring 807807
Year 807 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* After the death of Cuthred, king Coenwulf of Mercia takes control over Kent himself....
, Wu was made Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau (門下省, Menxia Sheng), and made a de facto chancellor with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), along with Li Jifu
Li Jifu
Li Jifu , courtesy name Hongxian , formally Duke Zhongyi of Zhao , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong.- Background :...
.
Almost immediately thereafter, Emperor Xianzong was faced with the situation where Li Qi
Li Qi (Tang Dynasty)
Li Qi was a military governor of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, governing Zhenhai Circuit...
the military governor of Zhenhai Circuit (鎮海, headquartered in modern Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang
Zhenjiang is a prefecture-level city in the southwest of Jiangsu province in the eastern People's Republic of China . Sitting on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the west, Changzhou to the east, and Yangzhou across the river to the north.Once...
, 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...
), who had initially offered to come to the capital to pay homage to him, instead requested a deferral. When Emperor Xianzong consulted the chancellors, Wu stated:
Emperor Xianzong agreed and issued an edict summoning Li Qi. Li Qi, receiving the edict, panicked and rebelled, and was soon captured by his own subordinates, delivered to Chang'an, and executed. Later that year, when the general Gao Chongwen
Gao Chongwen
Gao Chongwen , formally Prince Weiwu of Nanping , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, most well-known for his defeat of the warlord Liu Pi.- Background :...
, who had 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....
become the military governor 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...
), offered to resign his position to be moved to a border circuit, Emperor Xianzong looked for an appropriate replacement for Gao but was unable to find one quickly, and so made Wu the military governor of Xichuan, still carrying chancellor title as an honorary title. Wu had previously carried the title of Count of Yaoxiao, and Emperor Xianzong upgraded his title to Duke of Linhuai. It was said that when Gao left the circuit, he carried all kinds of treasures with him; by contrast, Wu lived and governed frugally, and after three years of governance, both the government and the populace were comforted. He also was gentle with the non-Han
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
tribes and stopped his soldiers from harassing them. He was further said to be careful in his actions, and that while he did not spend much time meeting guests, he was nevertheless able to retain a highly capable staff.
In 813
813
Year 813 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar."813" may also refer to a duology of novels by Maurice Leblanc, starring his gentleman thief Arsène Lupin.- Byzantine Empire :...
, Wu was recalled to Chang'an to again serve as Menxia Shilang and chancellor. It was said that at that time, his fellow chancellors Li Jifu and Li Jiang
Li Jiang
Li Jiang , courtesy name Shenzhi , formally Duke Zhen of Zhao Commandery , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong.- Background :...
often disputed with each other, and that he was the moderate between their opinions. After Li Jifu's death in 814
814
Year 814 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Charlemagne dies in Aachen, aged 67 or 72...
, Emperor Xianzong put Wu in charge of managing the 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 then controlled Zhangyi Circuit (彰義, headquartered in 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...
.
Meanwhile, Wu Yuanji's allies Wang Chengzong
Wang Chengzong
Wang Chengzong was a general of the Chinese Tang Dynasty who served a military governor of Chengde Circuit...
the military governor of Chengde Circuit (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang is the capital and largest city of North China's Hebei province. Administratively a prefecture-level city, it is about south of Beijing...
, 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...
) and Li Shidao
Li Shidao
Li Shidao was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who, as the successor to his brother Li Shigu, ruled Pinglu Circuit in a de facto independent manner from the imperial government...
the military governor of Pinglu Circuit (平盧, 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...
), were repeatedly pleading on Wu Yuanji's behalf for an imperial pardon, but Emperor Xianzong refused their requests. A group of assassins that Li Shidao had retained persuaded Li Shidao that if Wu Yuanheng were assassinated, the other chancellors would be fearful and would urge an end of the campaign. Li Shidao agreed and sent them to Chang'an to prepare to assassinate Wu Yuanheng. Meanwhile, Wang had sent his officer Yin Shaoqing (尹少卿) to report to Wu Yuanheng; when Yin did, Yin was insolent, and Wu Yuanheng had him expelled from the office of chancellors. Thereafter, Wang submitted petitions defaming Wu Yuanheng.
On July 13, 815, before dawn, Wu Yuanheng was set to go to the palace for a meeting with Emperor Xianzong. As he left his house, suddenly, arrows were fired at his train. His servants all fled, and the assassins seized Wu and his horse, and then decapitated him, taking his head with them. The assassins also attacked another official who favored the campaign, 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...
, but was unable to kill Pei. The people at the capital were shocked, and imperial guards were assigned to protect chancellors. The officials, for some time, would not dare to leave their houses until dawn. The assassins sent letters to the imperial guards and the governments of Jingzhao Municipality (京兆, i.e., the Chang'an region) and the counties, threatening to kill anyone who dared to pursue them, and it was said that the officials thus did not hunt for them diligently, despite Emperor Xianzong's stern orders. Meanwhile, a group of eight Chengde officers stationed at Chang'an, headed by Zhang Yan (張晏). Wang Chengzong's uncle Wang Shize (王士則), who had become a general in the imperial Shence Army (神策軍) after a dispute with Wang Chengzong, submitted a petition accusing Wang Chengzong of having sent Zhang and the other Chengde officers to kill Wu Yuanheng. Emperor Xianzong had Zhang and the others arrested and interrogated by the mayor of Jingzhao, Pei Wu (裴武), and the imperial censor Chen Zhongshi (陳中師). Under intense interrogation, probably including torture, Zhang and the others confessed to assassinating Wu and were executed. The assassins sent by Li Shidao fled. Emperor Xianzong declared a five-day mourning period for Wu Yuanheng and gave him great posthumous honors.