Wu Yuanheng facts for kids

Wu Yuanheng (Chinese: 武元衡; 758 – 13 July 815) was an important Chinese official. He was also a talented poet. Wu Yuanheng lived during the Tang dynasty, a powerful time in Chinese history. He worked as a top advisor, called a chancellor, for Emperor Xianzong.

Wu Yuanheng came from a family of government workers. His family was even related to the famous Empress Wu Zetian. He started his career during the rule of Emperor Dezong. He held many important jobs in different parts of the empire and at the main court. Later, when Emperor Xianzong became ruler, Wu Yuanheng became a chancellor. He also served as a successful governor in a region called Xichuan. There, he supported the famous poet Xue Tao.

In 813, he returned to the capital to be a chancellor again. He helped lead the government's efforts against a powerful local leader named Wu Yuanji. Sadly, on July 13, 815, Wu Yuanheng was attacked and killed in the capital city of Chang'an. This happened because of people working for one of Wu Yuanji's friends.

Wu Yuanheng's Early Life

Wu Yuanheng was born in the year 758. This was during the time when Emperor Suzong was the ruler. His family came from the Henan area, near the eastern capital city of Luoyang.

His family had a connection to Empress Wu Zetian. She was a very powerful female ruler who led China before the Tang dynasty fully returned. Wu Yuanheng's great-grandfather was a cousin of Empress Wu Zetian. His grandfather, Wu Pingyi, was a respected scholar. His father, Wu Jiu, worked as an imperial censor, which was like a government watchdog.

Working for the Emperor

Wu Yuanheng passed the special government exams. These exams were how people got important jobs in ancient China. He likely passed them during the rule of Emperor Dezong. After that, he worked for several military governors. These were powerful leaders in different regions.

He then became a local official in Huayuan County. This county was close to the main Tang capital, Chang'an. At one point, he left his job because some military leaders were causing trouble. He spent time relaxing and writing poems. But Emperor Dezong knew Wu Yuanheng was talented. The emperor called him back to work in the government.

Wu Yuanheng started as a lower-level official in the ministry of rites. After about a year, he was promoted. He became one of the main secretaries in the executive part of the government. In 804, he was promoted again to be a deputy chief imperial censor. Emperor Dezong once said that Wu Yuanheng had the skills to become a chancellor.

During Emperor Shunzong's Time

In 805, Emperor Dezong passed away. His son, Emperor Shunzong, became the new ruler. However, Emperor Shunzong was very ill. A powerful official named Wang Shuwen gained a lot of influence. Many officials who worked under Wu Yuanheng joined Wang Shuwen's group.

Wu Yuanheng did not like Wang Shuwen. He did not treat Wang's friends with much respect. Also, when Wu Yuanheng was in charge of building Emperor Dezong's tomb, Wang's friend Liu Yuxi wanted to be Wu's helper. But Wu Yuanheng said no. Wang Shuwen tried to get Wu Yuanheng to join his group, but Wu refused. Because of this, Wang Shuwen had Wu Yuanheng moved to work for the Crown Prince Li Chun. This gave Li Chun a chance to meet Wu Yuanheng.

Serving Emperor Xianzong

Later in 805, Emperor Shunzong gave his throne to Li Chun. Li Chun became Emperor Xianzong. One of the first things Emperor Xianzong did was bring Wu Yuanheng back. He made him deputy chief imperial censor again. People said Wu Yuanheng was fair and organized. Everyone respected him.

Soon, he became the deputy minister of census. In the spring of 807, Wu Yuanheng was made a deputy head of the examination bureau. He also became a chancellor, one of the emperor's top advisors. He shared this role with another official named Li Jifu.

Right away, Emperor Xianzong faced a challenge. A military governor named Li Qi had promised to visit the capital. But then he changed his mind. Emperor Xianzong asked his chancellors what to do. Wu Yuanheng bravely told the emperor: "Your Majesty is new to the throne. If Li Qi can do whatever he wants, then he is in charge, not you. How can you lead the empire?"

Emperor Xianzong agreed. He ordered Li Qi to come. Li Qi panicked and started a rebellion. But his own helpers captured him. He was sent to Chang'an and executed. This showed Emperor Xianzong's strength.

Later that year, a general named Gao Chongwen offered to step down from his post as military governor of Xichuan Circuit. This area was in modern Chengdu, Sichuan. Emperor Xianzong needed a good replacement. He chose Wu Yuanheng to be the new military governor of Xichuan. Wu still held his chancellor title as an honor. The emperor also gave him the higher title of Duke of Linhuai.

People said that when Gao Chongwen left, he took many treasures. But Wu Yuanheng lived and governed simply. After three years, both the government and the people were happy. He was kind to the non-Han tribes in the area. He stopped his soldiers from bothering them. He was also careful in his actions. He did not spend much time meeting guests, but he still had a very skilled team working for him.

In 813, Wu Yuanheng was called back to Chang'an. He again served as a chancellor. At that time, the other chancellors, Li Jifu and Li Jiang, often argued. Wu Yuanheng was the one who helped them find a middle ground. After Li Jifu died in 814, Emperor Xianzong put Wu Yuanheng in charge. He was to manage the campaign against the powerful local leader Wu Yuanji.

Wu Yuanji had allies, including Wang Chengzong and Li Shidao. They kept asking the emperor to pardon Wu Yuanji. But Emperor Xianzong refused. Li Shidao hired some people to kill Wu Yuanheng. They thought if Wu Yuanheng was killed, the other chancellors would be scared. They would then ask the emperor to stop the campaign.

On July 13, 815, Wu Yuanheng was going to a meeting with the emperor. As he left his house, attackers shot arrows at him. His servants ran away, and Wu Yuanheng was killed. The attackers also tried to kill another official who supported the campaign, Pei Du, but they failed. People in the capital were very shocked. Imperial guards were sent to protect the chancellors. For a while, officials were afraid to leave their homes until daylight.

The attackers sent letters threatening anyone who tried to catch them. Because of this, officials did not search for them very hard, even though the emperor ordered them to. Later, some officers from Wang Chengzong's area were arrested. They confessed to killing Wu Yuanheng and were executed. The people sent by Li Shidao escaped. Emperor Xianzong declared five days of mourning for Wu Yuanheng. He also gave him great honors after his death.

See also

• Bai Juyi