Dugu Sun facts for kids

Dugu Sun (Chinese: 獨孤損) was an important government official in ancient China. He lived during the very end of the Tang dynasty, a powerful empire that ruled China for many centuries. Dugu Sun served as a top advisor, called a chancellor, for two emperors: Emperor Zhaozong and his son, Emperor Ai.

Sadly, Dugu Sun's life ended on July 5, 905. He was killed during a dangerous time when a powerful military leader named Zhu Quanzhong was taking control. Zhu Quanzhong was preparing to become the new emperor, and he removed many high-ranking officials like Dugu Sun.

Dugu Sun's Early Life

We don't know exactly when or where Dugu Sun was born. There isn't much information about his younger years because his story wasn't fully written down in the official history books of the Tang dynasty.

However, we do know a little about his family. His family believed they were related to a very old emperor named Emperor Guangwu of Han. They also had ancestors who were leaders of a group called the Dugu tribe. This tribe later became part of a kingdom called Northern Wei. Dugu Sun's family members served as officials in several Chinese dynasties, including Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, the Sui dynasty, and the Tang dynasty.

Dugu Sun's grandfather, Dugu Mi, was a local governor. His father, Dugu Yun, was a deputy minister. Dugu Sun also had several brothers.

Becoming a Chancellor

By the end of 903, Dugu Sun was working as the Minister of Rites. This was an important job in the government. Soon after, he was given an even higher position. He became the Deputy Minister of Defence and was also made a chancellor. A chancellor was like a chief minister or prime minister, helping the emperor run the country.

In early 904, a powerful military leader named Zhu Quanzhong took control of the capital city, Chang'an. Zhu accused another leading chancellor, Cui Yin, of crimes and had him killed. Then, Zhu forced Emperor Zhaozong, all the government officials, and many people to move to a new capital city, Luoyang.

After these big changes, Dugu Sun was given more responsibilities. He was put in charge of half of the imperial guards, who were the emperor's personal soldiers. He also became the director of finances, managing the empire's money.

Removal from Power and Death

Later in 904, Zhu Quanzhong did something terrible: he killed Emperor Zhaozong. Zhu then put Emperor Zhaozong's son, Emperor Ai, on the throne.

At this time, Dugu Sun and the other chancellors, Pei Shu and Cui Yuan, were all older officials from important families. They didn't like another chancellor, Liu Can, because he was too friendly with Zhu Quanzhong.

In early 905, Pei Shu upset Zhu Quanzhong by not wanting to give one of Zhu's friends a high government job. Liu Can used this chance to accuse Dugu Sun, Cui Yuan, and Pei Shu of disrespecting Zhu. Because of these accusations, Zhu removed all three of them from their chancellor positions. Dugu Sun was sent far away to be a military governor in a distant place called Jinghai Circuit, which is in modern-day Vietnam.

Zhu Quanzhong was getting ready to take over the throne and become the new emperor. Liu Can and another friend of Zhu's, Li Zhen, suggested that Zhu should get rid of all the high-ranking officials from old, important families. Zhu agreed. Many officials were first sent away to distant places. Dugu Sun was sent to a different prefecture, and then even further away.

Soon after, about 30 of these officials, including Dugu Sun, Cui Yuan, Pei Shu, and other former chancellors, were gathered at a place called Baima Station. They were ordered to end their own lives. At Li Zhen's request, Zhu had their bodies thrown into the Yellow River. Li Zhen, who had struggled to pass the imperial examinations, disliked these traditional aristocrats and wanted to "taint" them.