Zhao Guangfeng facts for kids

Zhao Guangfeng was an important government official in ancient China. He lived during a time when China was changing a lot, from the end of the Tang dynasty into the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. He was known for his wisdom and good behavior. Zhao Guangfeng even became a chancellor, which was a very high-ranking advisor to the emperor, during the Later Liang dynasty. His courtesy name was Yanji, and he was formally known as the Duke of Qi. He passed away around January 20, 928.

Early Life and Career in the Tang Dynasty

We don't know exactly when Zhao Guangfeng was born. His father, Zhao Yin, was also a chancellor for two emperors, Emperor Yizong of Tang and Emperor Xizong of Tang. Zhao Guangfeng and his younger brother, Zhao Guangyi, were both very talented at writing and known for being good people when they were young. People especially admired Zhao Guangfeng for always acting properly. They even called him "Jade Ruler" because he was so precise and correct in his actions.

In 878, Zhao Guangfeng passed the difficult imperial examinations. This was a special test that allowed people to become government officials. After passing, he started working as a secretary in Fengxiang Municipality, which is in modern-day Baoji, Shaanxi. Later, he was called back to the main government in the capital city. He became an imperial censor, a kind of official who watched over others to make sure they were doing their jobs correctly.

When his father died in 881, Zhao Guangfeng took a break from his government work to mourn, which was a tradition at the time. After Emperor Xizong returned to the capital, Chang'an, in 885, Zhao Guangfeng was given a new job. He became a scholar at the ministry of worship. He then held several other positions, including low-level roles in the ministry of rites and the ministry of civil service affairs. He also worked as a scholar at Jixian Hall. Eventually, he was promoted to a supervisory role in the ministry of rites.

Working for Emperor Zhaozong

During the rule of Emperor Zhaozong, who was Emperor Xizong's brother, Zhao Guangfeng continued to rise in the government. Around 892-893, he became a supervisory official in the ministry of rites again. He was also given the important task of writing official imperial orders for the emperor. Soon after, he became an imperial scholar and a mid-level official in the legislative bureau of the government.

He was later promoted to deputy minister of census and became the chief imperial scholar. His career continued to advance, and he became one of the secretaries general of the executive bureau, while still holding his chief imperial scholar position.

In 895, Emperor Zhaozong had to flee Chang'an because of attacks from powerful warlords. Zhao Guangfeng did not follow the emperor at first, even though the emperor sent someone to summon him. He claimed he was ill and retired from his duties for a short time.

However, in 896, when Emperor Zhaozong fled to Hua Prefecture, Zhao Guangfeng joined him there. He was made the deputy chief imperial censor. At this time, some people at court were trying to use magic or sorcery to gain favor with the emperor. Zhao Guangfeng was strict about following the law. He stopped this trend by punishing many of those involved, which helped bring order back to the court. After this, he was made the deputy minister of rites and put in charge of the imperial examinations, which were very important for finding talented officials.

Retreating to Luoyang

In 898, Emperor Zhaozong returned to Chang'an. Around 900, a powerful eunuch named Liu Jishu briefly removed the emperor from power. Although the emperor was soon restored, this event showed there were big power struggles happening. Zhao Guangfeng did not want to get involved in these dangerous political fights. So, he claimed he was sick again and moved to the eastern capital, Luoyang. He stayed there for several years, refusing to meet with anyone.

In 904, a powerful warlord named Zhu Quanzhong forced Emperor Zhaozong to move. One of the chancellors Zhu installed was Liu Can. Liu Can felt grateful to Zhao Guangfeng because Zhao had helped him pass his imperial examinations earlier. Because of this, Liu Can brought Zhao Guangfeng back into the government. Zhao Guangfeng became the deputy minister of civil service affairs, a secretary general, and the minister of worship.

In 907, Zhu Quanzhong forced Emperor Zhaozong's son, Emperor Ai, to give up his throne. This ended the Tang Dynasty and started a new dynasty called Later Liang, with Zhu Quanzhong as its first emperor. Zhao Guangfeng was part of this important ceremony. He helped carry the imperial seal and present it to Zhu Quanzhong, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another.

Service in the Later Liang Dynasty

In 908, Emperor Taizu (Zhu Quanzhong) sent Zhao Guangfeng's brother, Zhao Guangyi, and another official to meet with a powerful local ruler named Liu Yin. Liu Yin controlled a large area in southern China. However, Liu Yin kept Zhao Guangyi and the other official and would not let them return. Later, Liu Yin's brother would declare himself emperor of a new state called Southern Han, and he made both Zhao Guangyi and the other official chancellors in his new government.

In 909, Emperor Taizu removed two chancellors from their positions. Zhao Guangfeng, who was still the minister of worship, and another official named Du Xiao, were then made chancellors. This was a very high and important position in the government.

In 915, when Emperor Taizu's son, Zhu Zhen, was emperor, Zhao Guangfeng decided to retire. He was given an honorary title, which meant he still had respect but was no longer actively working. However, in 916, he was called back to serve as chancellor again. He also received another high honorary title. He retired once more in 918 and was given yet another honorary title. It is said that after this retirement, he stopped seeing visitors at his home.

Life During the Later Tang Dynasty

In 923, the Later Liang Dynasty was defeated by its northern rival, the Later Tang. The new emperor of Later Tang, Emperor Zhuangzong, made another of Zhao Guangfeng's brothers, Zhao Guangyin, a chancellor.

It is said that when Zhao Guangyin visited Zhao Guangfeng, he often tried to talk about the political issues of the day. But Zhao Guangfeng wanted to stay out of politics after his retirement. One day, he put a sign on his door that said, "Please do not speak of the matters of the Office of the Chancellors." This showed he truly wanted to live a quiet life away from government affairs.

Later, around 926-929, during the rule of Emperor Mingzong, Zhao Guangfeng was given the honorary title of Taibao and was made the Duke of Qi. He eventually passed away in Luoyang and was given special honors after his death.