Wang Bo

Wang Bo (759 – February 15, 830 ), courtesy name Mingyang , formally Duke Jing of Taiyuan , was a Chinese politician during the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Muzong and Emperor Wenzong. In traditional histories, he was credited with his fight against corruption and administrative abilities early in his career, but was blamed for his later corruption, engagement in political intrigue, and extraction of wealth from the people.

Background Wang Bo was born in 759, during the reign of Emperor Suzong. His ancestors were from Taiyuan, but as his father Wang Shu served as an officer in charge of army supplies at Yang Prefecture (揚州, in modern Yangzhou, Jiangsu), the family settled in Yang Prefecture. Wang Bo had at least two younger brothers, Wang Qi and Wang Yan .

During Emperor Dezong's reign During the middle of the Zhenyuan era (785–805) of Emperor Suzong's grandson Emperor Dezong, Wang Bo and his brothers Wang Yan and Wang Qi all became well-known, and they all passed the imperial examinations. Wang Bo and Wang Qi further passed a special examination for the good and righteous.

During Emperor Shunzong's and Emperor Xianzong's reigns After Emperor Dezong died in 805 and was succeeded by his severely ill son Emperor Shunzong, Wang Bo was recalled to governmental service at Li's request, Wang was made the deputy director as well as Bingbu Langzhong , a supervisorial official at the ministry of defense. In 810, Wang became deputy chief imperial censor , replacing Li Yijian, and it was said that he worked hard to reestablish the authority of law. Later in the year, he became the mayor of Jingzhao, replacing Xu Mengrong . As, at that time, there were many armies stationed in the Chang'an region, with soldiers frequently carrying swords, a side effect was that there was much banditry because it became difficult to distinguish bandits from soldiers. At Wang's request, orders were issued that soldiers not carry swords in daily lives and that the noble families not be allowed to use hunting equipment within the Chang'an region; these actions were said to be effective in ending the epidemic of banditry in the region.

Later in the year, Wang was made Zhongshu Shilang , the deputy head of the legislative bureau of government , and chancellor de facto with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi ; he also remained as the director of salt and iron monopolies. It was said that while serving as chancellor, Wang was only interested in flattering the emperor and did not speak of important matters of state. In 822, however, when there was a crisis over how Liu Wu the military governor of Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi, Shanxi) had detained one of Emperor Muzong's favorite eunuchs, Liu Chengjie , after he suspected Liu Chengjie of plotting to overthrow him. Wang joined the senior official Pei Du's proposal for Emperor Muzong to issue an edict exiling Liu Chengjie to induce Liu Wu to release Liu Chengjie. Liu Wu subsequently did so.

Meanwhile, Pei was set to be made the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou), but many advisorial officials suggested that Pei should not be sent out of the capital. Emperor Muzong himself respected Mu, and he kept Pei at Chang'an to serve as chancellor, while sending Wang to Huainan in Pei's stead. Wang also remained the director of salt and iron monopolies. He was also given the honorific title of Yinqing Guanglu Daifu and made acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies). At that time, the eunuch Wang Shoucheng was very powerful, and Wang Bo sent various treasures to Wang Shoucheng to ingratiate Wang Shoucheng. Wang Shoucheng thus recommended Wang Bo to Emperor Jingzong. When Emperor Jingzong brought this up at an imperial gathering, various advisorial officials, including Dugu Lang , Zhang Zhongfang , Kong Minxing , Liu Gongquan, Song Shenxi, Wei Renshi , Liu Dunru , Li Jingrang , and Xue Tinglao , argued that Wang Bo was evil. Despite all the opposition, however, Wang Bo was again made the director of salt and iron monopolies in 825. It was said that Wang Bo, once he was the director again, was interested in ingratiating the emperor by submitting "surpluses" even though the regular revenues were lacking. However, he was credited for dredging the canals within Huainan's capital Yang Prefecture to allow proper shipment of supplies. His successors were able to rely on the canals that he dredged.

During Emperor Wenzong's reign After Emperor Jingzong died in 826 and was succeeded by his brother Emperor Wenzong, Wang Bo was given the title of acting Situ (司徒, also one of the Three Excellencies). In 827, he went from Huainan to Chang'an to pay homage to Emperor Wenzong, and he submitted much tribute—including a large amount of silver vessels and silk—seeking to remain at Chang'an. Emperor Wenzong thereafter made him Zuo Pushe , one of the heads of the executive bureau , and Wang was made a chancellor again with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi. He was also allowed to remain the director of the salt and iron monopolies. In 828, Wang was created the Duke of Taiyuan, and also made the director of Taiqing Palace . In 830, he suffered a throat illness and died quickly. He was given posthumous honors.

The Old Book of Tang had these comments about Wang:

Notes and references

Old Book of Tang, vol. 164. New Book of Tang, vol. 167. Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 241, 242, 243.