Bi Xian

Bi Xian (; 802 – February 4, 864 ), courtesy name Cunzhi , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang dynasty, who served as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Yizong.

Background Bi Xian was born in 802, during the reign of Emperor Dezong. His family was originally from Yun Prefecture (鄆州, in modern Tai'an, Shandong)

Bi Xian lost his father early in life, and was poor in his childhood. However, he was said to be diligent, and he studied by burning wood and reading by the fire. After he was grown, he was well-studied in the Confucian classics and the histories, but was particularly capable in writing poetry. When Du later served as the director of finances, Bi served as a traveling reviewer under him. Later, when Du served as the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu), he continued to serve on Du's staff. When Du was recalled to the capital Chang'an to serve as chancellor in 844 by then-reigning Emperor Wuzong (Emperor Wenzong's younger brother), Bi returned to Chang'an as well and was made an imperial censor, initially with the title of Jiancha Yushi , then as Shi Yushi . In 845, Du was therefore sent out of Chang'an to serve as the military governor of Dongchuan Circuit (東川, headquartered in modern Mianyang, Sichuan). Because Du had offended Li, his former subordinates largely did not dare to send Du off, but Bi did. Li, hearing this, was displeased, and sent Bi out of the capital to serve as the prefect of Ci Prefecture (磁州, in modern Handan, Hebei). Bi Xian was thereafter made Hubu Yuanwailang , a low-level official at the ministry of census (戶部, Hubu), with his office at the eastern capital Luoyang. During those times, the Jiabu and Cangbu assignments were not considered honored assignments, and officials who were from prominent clans would be displeased if assigned to them, but Bi accepted them happily and respectfully, impressing the chancellors who assigned him. It was said that while at Binning, Bi encouraged the soldiers to tend the fields and grow crops for the military food supplies, allowing them to be supplied adequately at a reduced cost to the imperial treasury. He was later transferred to Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi, Shanxi) and then Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan, Shanxi). As Hedong was on the border, Bi established 70 watch posts to defend against attacks. However, while it was said that Emperor Xuānzong had previously promised him that he would be recalled to serve as chancellor, then-lead chancellor Linghu Tao was fearful of him, and therefore he was never recalled during that timespan. As chancellor, he was said to be a capable administrator and talented in his writing. He served as a chancellor until 863, when he resigned his chancellor post, ostensibly due to illness, but was said to have actually resigned because he was unhappy that his chancellor colleagues did not uphold the law properly. He was thereafter made the minister of defense (兵部尚書, Bingbu Shangshu). He was thereafter made the military governor of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi), and died two months later, in early 864.

Notes and references

Old Book of Tang, vol. 177. New Book of Tang, vol. 183. Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 249, 250.