Linghu Tao

Linghu Tao , courtesy name Zizhi , formally the Duke of Zhao , was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty. He was the leading chancellor during the last nine years of the reign of Emperor Xuānzong but was removed from his chancellor position after Emperor Xuānzong's death, subsequently serving several terms as military governor (Jiedushi) in the circuits.

Background and early career It is not known when Linghu Tao was born. He was probably the second son of Linghu Chu, who was a prominent official under several emperors, including serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xianzong, and Linghu Tao had an older brother named Linghu Xu . His family descended from Linghu Zheng, an aristocrat from the north-western Dunhuang Commandery(Linghu clan of Dunhuang).

Linghu Tao passed the imperial examinations in the Jinshi class in 830, during the reign of Emperor Xianzong's grandson Emperor Wenzong. He was thereafter made a copyeditor at Hongwen Pavilion . Early in Emperor Wenzong's Kaifeng era (836-840), he served as Zuo Shiyi , a low-level advisory official at the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng). When Linghu Chu died in 837, he left governmental service to observe a period of mourning. After the period was over, he was given his old office back, and then promoted to Zuo Bujue and also made an editor of imperial histories. He later was made Kubu Yuanwailang and then Hubu Yuanwailang , both low-level offices at the ministry of census (戶部, Hubu). In 845, during the reign of Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong, he was sent out of the capital Chang'an to serve as the prefect of Hu Prefecture (湖州, in modern Huzhou, Jiangsu).

In 848, Linghu was made an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi). There was an occasion when Emperor Xuānzong was asking Linghu to read him what Linghu would consider to be the key part of the Golden Mirror — a work authored by Emperor Xuānzong's distinguished ancestor Emperor Taizong — when Linghu read, "If the state is in confusion, it is not necessarily the case that you have commissioned those who are inappropriate; if the state is being governed well, it is not necessarily the case that you have commissioned those who are faithful and wise." Emperor Xuānzong approved of this selection greatly. For the next nine years, Linghu would serve as, in effect, the leading chancellor. ) and that the state should not have repeated pardons without good reasons.

During Emperor Yizong's reign Emperor Xuānzong died in 859 and was succeeded by his son Emperor Yizong; during the brief mourning period, Linghu Tao served as regent. Later in the year, with many officials having resented Linghu for his long hold on power and Linghu Hao's lifestyle, there were many accusations against Linghu Tao. As a result, Linghu was removed from his chancellor position and sent to Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi) to serve as its military governor, continuing to carry the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary title; In 864, Linghu Tao submitted a petition defending Linghu Hao; as a result, Emperor Yizong demoted two of the officials who were harshest in their criticism against Linghu Hao, Zhang Yun and Liu Shui . Still, given his defeat, he was soon replaced by Ma Ju . He was also created the Duke of Zhao, and reconferred the Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi title as an honorary title. In 876, with the Tang governmental troops deeply engaged against the agrarian rebels under Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao, Emperor Yizong had Linghu and Li Kan the military governor of Binning Circuit (邠寧, headquartered in modern Xianyang, Shaanxi), select 1,000 infantry soldiers and 500 cavalry soldiers to help defend Tong Pass against a possible attack by the agrarian rebels. That was the last historical record of an act by Linghu, who died while still serving at Fengxiang Circuit, at the age of 77, and was given posthumous honors, but the year was not known.

Notes and references

Old Book of Tang, vol. 172. New Book of Tang, vol. 166. Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 248, 249, 250, 251, 252.