Cui Xuanbo

Early life and career Cui Hong was a member of the famous Cui clan of Qinghe as the grandson of Cui Yue, a minister and calligrapher under the Later Zhao, and the son of Cui Qian, an official of Former Yan. From a young age, he was described as exceptionally talent, earning the nickname of the "Child Prodigy of Ji Province" (冀州神童). In 372, under the reign of Fu Jian of the Former Qin dynasty, the Duke of Yangping, Fu Rong assigned to Governor of Ji province, during which he recruited Cui Hong as a Palace Attendant, Assistant Officer and Recordkeeper. Cui was decisive in handling general affairs in the province while also developing a close friendship with Fu Rong. His achievements soon gained the attention of Fu Jian, who summoned him to serve in the imperial court, but Cui declined due to his mother's illness and was demoted to an Assistant Editorial Director.

Service under Emperor Daowu In 396, Tuoba Gui (posthumously known as Emperor Daowu) of the Northern Wei invaded Later Yan and conquered Changshan. Cui Hong abandoned his post at Gaoyang and fled east, but Tuoba, hearing of Cui's reputation, sent a cavalry detachment to capture Cui and bring him to his army camp. Tuoba was impressed by Cui from their conversation and promptly appointed him as a Gentleman at the Yellow Gates, tasking him with managing confidential affairs alongside Zhang Gun while establishing state institutions.

Later on, Cui Hong was transferred to Minister of Civil Service Affairs, during which he held executive power over matters pertaining to official ranks, court etiquette, music and laws. Many of his decisions became established rules in the Northern Wei. When the Eight Councillors were established, Cui Hong was placed in chage of the 36 bureau departments below them. Cui's power in the Wei court was unparalleled among his peers, and Tuoba Gui trusted him as his chief consultant and often followed his advice. One particular advice he followed was to forbid his court officials from marrying his princesses, instead marrying these princesses off to his vassal states. Cui was later dismissed from his post as Supervisor but was granted the fiefly title of Marquis of Baima. He was then appointed General of the Zhou Army, holding an equal position to that of Yu Yue and Xi Jin, but with more personal favour from Tuoba Gui. Even as Tuoba Gui reportedly went mad and began a brutal purge of his government during the later years of his life, Cui Hong and his son, Cui Hao continued to receive the emperor's goodwill.

Later, Emperor Mingyuan assigned Cui Hong and Mu Guan to investigate officials accused of illegal activities and oversee their trials. Cui was praised by the emperor for his fair and appropriate handling of these trials, and in 411, he was once again appointed to adjudicate on criminal cases with Zhangsun Song in court.

In 418, Cui Hong fell deathly ill, so Emperor Mingyuan sent Mu Guan to receive his last words as well as courtiers to monitor and report on his condition. Not long after, Cui died. Mingyuan issued an edict to express his grief, posthumously appointing Cui as Minister of Works and giving him the posthumous name of "Wenzhen". During the reign of Emperor Xiaowen (471–499), his name was enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.