Pi Guangye facts for kids

Pi Guangye (Chinese: 皮光業; 877 – March 16, 943) was an important official in ancient China. He lived during a time called the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. This was when China was split into many smaller states. Pi Guangye served as a chancellor (a very high-ranking government official, like a prime minister) for the state of Wuyue. He worked for its second king, Qian Yuanguan. His formal adult name was Wentong (文通).

Early Life and Family

Pi Guangye was born in the year 877. His family had lived in a place called Xiangyang for a long time. His father, Pi Rixiu, was a very famous poet during the late Tang dynasty.

Pi Rixiu later became an assistant to the prefect (a local leader) of Su Prefecture. This is in modern Suzhou, Jiangsu province. His family then moved there. Pi Guangye was born in Su Prefecture. It is said that he was very smart and could write well even when he was only nine years old!

Working for King Qian Liu

When Pi Guangye grew up, he went to meet Qian Liu. Qian Liu was the powerful leader who controlled the region that is now Zhejiang province. Qian Liu was impressed by Pi Guangye. He invited Pi to join his team of advisors. Pi Guangye eventually became an assistant to Qian Liu. At that time, Qian Liu was a military governor, which meant he was a powerful regional leader.

In 916, the Tang dynasty had ended. Qian Liu's land was now known as the state of Wuyue. Wuyue was a smaller state that was loyal to a bigger one called Later Liang. Qian Liu wanted to send gifts (called tribute) to the Later Liang emperor. But the way to the capital city was blocked by a rival state called Wu.

Pi Guangye was chosen for this difficult mission. He took a very long and winding route. He traveled through many other smaller states that were also loyal to Later Liang. The Later Liang emperor was very touched by Pi Guangye's hard journey. He gave Qian Liu a special title. He also gave Pi Guangye an honorary title. He even said Pi had passed the Jinshi imperial examinations. These were tough tests to get a government job, even though Pi had not actually taken them!

Soon after, the state of Wu sent people to talk about peace. Qian Liu sent Pi Guangye on a diplomatic mission to Wu. When Pi arrived, he was offered money. But the Wu government said he couldn't take the money back to Wuyue. They told him he had to spend it on goods to take home. Pi Guangye bravely replied, "I am a diplomat. I am not a merchant." He left the money behind and started to leave. The Wu officials had to chase him to give him the money! Because of his honesty, he was soon given the title of governor for two important regions in Wuyue.

Serving Later Kings

Qian Liu died in 932. His son, Qian Chuanguan, became the new ruler of Wuyue. He later changed his name to Qian Yuanguan. Qian Yuanguan put Pi Guangye in charge of a major region called Zhendong Circuit.

In 937, Qian Yuanguan officially took the title of king. He then made Pi Guangye a chancellor, along with two other officials. As chancellor, Pi Guangye was in charge of writing many of the state's laws and rules for ceremonies.

People said that Pi Guangye always looked very neat and spoke very well. Those who talked to him felt he was very wise. He loved tea and often wrote poems about it. He even called tea "the bitter-mouthed teacher." Many people in Wuyue started to follow his example.

Pi Guangye continued to serve as chancellor after King Qian Yuanguan died in 941. Qian Yuanguan's son, Qian Hongzuo, became the next king. Pi Guangye died in 943. After his death, he was given a special name called Zhenjing, which means "honest and alert." He also wrote a 13-volume book about all the interesting places he had seen during his travels.