Cui Yanzhao

Cui Yanzhao (; 840s - 876), courtesy name Siwen , was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong.

Background While his birth date remains unknown, Cui Yanzhao hailed from the "Lesser Branch" of the prominent Cui clan of Qinghe (清河, in modern Xingtai, Hebei). His ancestors originally claimed descent from the ruling house of the Spring and Autumn period state Qi. Cui Yanzhao's traceable ancestry included officials of Han dynasty (including Cui Yan), Liu Song, Northern Wei, and Tang dynasty. However, neither his grandfather Cui Zhi nor his father Cui Qi was listed with any official titles. Cui's relationship with his maternal cousin (their mothers were sisters), Wang Ning , was famously strained. Their enmity began when Wang passed the imperial examinations in the Jinshi class first and grew arrogant. On one occasion before Cui’s own Jinshi success in 849 this greatly offended Cui. Still, by this point, Cui was already known for his deep understanding of Confucianism. After Cui himself passed the imperial examinations in 849 (during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong), he served on the staffs of several regional governors. He was known for his understanding of the economy as well as his administrative capabilities.

During Emperor Xizong's reign Emperor Yizong died in 873 and was succeeded by his young son Emperor Xizong. In 874, Cui was recalled from Hedong to serve as the deputy minister of civil service affairs (吏部侍郎, Libu Shilang) and the director of the salt and iron monopolies. He died thereafter, but when he did so is not known.