Dou Yizhi

Dou Yizhi (died April 29, 833 ), courtesy name Zongxuan , formally Duke Gonghui of Jinyang , was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Jingzong and Emperor Wenzong.

Background It is not known when Dou Yizhi was born, but it is known that his family was from the Tang capital municipality Jingzhao (京兆, in modern Xi'an, Shaanxi). His family claimed ancestry from the Han dynasty official Dou Wu (father to Empress Dou Miao). His grandfather Dou Yuanchang served as a county magistrate, while his father Dou Yu served as a prefectural prefect.

Dou Yizhi passed the imperial examination in the Mingjing class, and was made a copywriter (校書郎, Xiaoshu Lang) at the Palace Library. He later passed a special imperial examination in judging cases, and was made the sheriff of Lantian County (藍田, in modern Xi'an). He later successively served as Yousi Langzhong , a supervisorial official in the administration of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng); Bingbu Langzhong , a supervisorial official at the ministry of defense (兵部, Bingbu); and Libu Langzhong , a supervisorial official at the ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Libu). Dou was demoted to be the prefect of Jin Prefecture (金州, in modern Ankang, Shaanxi), while Wei was exiled. In 818, Dou was made the governor of Xuanshe Circuit (宣歙, headquartered in modern Xuancheng, Anhui), as well as the prefect of its capital Xuan Prefecture . He was thereafter replaced by Li Deyu and recalled to Chang'an to serve as the deputy minister of civil service affairs (吏部侍郎, Libu Shilang). Later that year, he was made the deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang) and the acting director of finances. He was thereafter made Menxia Shilang , the deputy head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng) while remaining as chancellor. He was also created the Duke of Jinyang, while being relieved of his post as director of finances.

During Emperor Wenzong's reign In 828, by which time Wenzong was emperor (after Emperor Jingzong was assassinated around the new year 827), Dou Yizhi was relieved of his chancellor post and made the military governor of Shannan East Circuit (山南東道, headquartered in modern Xiangfan, Hubei) as well as the prefect of its capital Xiang Prefecture , although he retained the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary title. In 831, he was recalled to Chang'an to serve as Zuo Pushe , one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng), as well as acting minister of worship (太常卿, Taichang Qing). Later that year, he was made the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji, Shaanxi) as well as the mayor of its capital Fengxiang Municipality, and given the honorary title of acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies). In 832, he requested a recall to Chang'an due to illness, and was recalled. He died in 833 and was given posthumous honors.

Notes and references

Old Book of Tang, vol. 167. New Book of Tang, vol. 151. Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 242, 243.