Lian Xixian

Lian Xixian (, 26 June 1231 — 12 December 1280), born Hindu was an Uyghur politician, general and advisor to Kublai Khan, eventually rising to a position of vice-chancellor of Yuan Empire. His courtesy name was Shanfu and art name was Yeyun . An influential Confucian scholar, he was sometimes remembered as Lian Mencius in comparison with Confucian philosopher Mencius.

Background He was born to an aristocratic Uyghur family as the second son of Buyruq Qaya (1197–1265) in 1231 and a Khitan lady from Shimo (石抹) clan (d. 1264). His grandfather Qitay Qaya and great-grandfather Yarp Qaya were from Beshbalik and served the Idiqut. Buyruq Qaya was orphaned at an early age and raised by his uncle Alp Qaya. He served and accompanied Barchuq Art Tegin when he submitted to Genghis Khan in 1211. His father was darughachi of Sorghaghtani Beki's appanages in North China and later adopted the surname Lian after being appointed as Surveillance Commissioner in 1231, Yan'an. councillor Lian Xishu and others, all receiving Chinese upbringing. His older brother Lian Ximin was married to a sister of famous sanqu author Sevinch Qaya. with its headquarters in Jingzhao. He was aided by famous Chinese officials, including his deputy Shang Ting, agricultural promotion commissioner Yao Shu (1203–1280), superintendent of schools Xu Heng, first secretary Zhao Liangbi and others. However, in 1257, Kublai was accused that he falsified tax revenues. In reaction, Möngke Khan sent Alamdar (Ariq Böke's close friend and governor in North China) and Liu Taiping, to audit Kublai's officials. They found fault, listed 142 breaches of regulations, accused officials and executed over 20 of them, and thus Lian Xixian's new pacification commission was abolished. He later won another victory against Ariq Böke's ally, Liu Taiping, in northwestern China, seizing food supplies intended for Ariq Böke's army. Lian also drove supporters of Ariq Böke out of the towns of Liangzhou and Ganzhou. In southwestern China, his forces protected Sichuan from Ariq Böke's encroaching troops. Kublai paid Kadan and Lian Xixian handsomely for their military service in gifts and promotions. He rewarded Kadan with 300 packs of silk and 300 taels of silver, and appointed Lian Xixian to the position of Prime Minister of the Right in the Secretariat, also known as director of political affairs of the secretariat ), where famous musicians like Jieyuhua (1264–1294) and artists like Xianyu Shu, Lu Zhi and Zhao Mengfu frequented. Zhao later painted "Scenic View of the Myriad Willow Hall", dedicated to Lian Xixian.

He urged for removal of Mongol style appanage system and reestablishment of Chinese conserial system, which came into the force in 1268. He even courageously criticized Kublai. This brought him to a direct conflict with other ministers of the court, especially Ahmad Fanakati, who was against censorial system. He was forced into retirement after Ahmad Fanakati accused him of embezzlement, adultery, and other improprieties in 1270. He spent 1270–1274 in his home, reading, writing and tutoring his children. He administered the Liaodong region together with Qurumshi, Muqali's great-grandson and a cousin of Antong. However, several Mongol princes who had appanages in the region resisted his efforts of centralization. Lian even threatened to report Grand Princess of Lu, Nangiajin (daughter of Kublai) to throne over damaging crops during hunting.