Lu Shang

Lu Shang (盧商) (789–859 ), courtesy name Weichen (為臣), formally the Duke of Fanyang (范陽公), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty, briefly serving as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong.

Background and early career Lu Shang was born in 789, during the reign of Emperor Dezong. His family was from "The second house of northern ancestry" of the prominent Lu clan of Fanyang. Lu Shang's grandfather Lu Ang served as a prefectural prefect, and his father Lu Guang served as the sheriff of Henan County , one of the two counties making up the Tang eastern capital Luoyang. Lu was later recalled to the capital Chang'an to serve as Gongbu Yuanwailang , a low-level official at the ministry of public works (工部, Gongbu), and then as the magistrate of Henan County. He later served three terms as supervisory officials at the ministries—Gongbu Langzhong , at the ministry of public works; Duzhi Langzhong , at the ministry of census (戶部, Hubu); and Sifeng Langzhong , at the minister of civil service affairs (吏部, Libu). and he had Lu made the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Zhexi Circuit (浙西, headquartered in modern Zhenjiang, Jiangsu), as well as the prefect of its capital Run Prefecture in 837. Later, Lu was recalled to be the deputy minister of justice (刑部侍郎, Xingbu Shilang), and then the mayor of Jingzhao. He was also created the Duke of Fanyang.

Lu did not serve long as chancellor, however. In 847, during the middle of a drought, which were often viewed as signs of divine displeasure over overly severe punishment, Emperor Xuānzong had Lu and the deputy chief imperial censor Feng Ao review the cases of the prisoners held at Chang'an. Lu and Feng apparently advocated for commutation of many death sentences, but then-chief judge of the supreme court, Ma Zhi, objected, and submitted a petition to Emperor Xuānzong arguing that that leniency would have the opposite effect of drawing further divine displeasure. Due to the machinations of Lu's fellow chancellor Bai Minzhong, Emperor Xuānzong approved Ma's petition, and soon thereafter, Lu was removed from his chancellor position and made the military governor of Wuchang Circuit (武昌, headquartered in modern Wuhan, Hubei).

In 859, Lu was suffering from an illness, and he submitted a petition requesting a replacement. Emperor Xuānzong recalled him to Chang'an to serve as minister of census (戶部尚書, Hubu Shangshu). Later that year, though, before Lu could reach Chang'an, he died at Hanyin (漢陰, in modern Ankang, Shaanxi).

Notes and references

Old Book of Tang, vol. 176. New Book of Tang, vol. 182. Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 248.