Xiao Fang

Xiao Fang (; 796–875), courtesy name Sidao (思道), formally the Marquess of Lanling (蘭陵侯), was a Chinese politician during the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong.

Background Xiao Fang was born in 796, during the reign of Emperor Dezong. He came from a prominent clan, descended from the imperial line of Liang Dynasty. Xiao Fang's great-grandfather Xiao Song and grandfather Xiao Hua both served as chancellors, as did his cousin Xiao Mian.

During Emperor Xuānzong's reign During the Dazhong era (847-860) of Emperor Wenzong's uncle Emperor Xuānzong, Xiao Fang served successively as Jianyi Daifu (諫議大夫, an imperial consultant) and imperial attendant (給事中, Jishizhong).

However, on a later occasion, Xiao Fang was accused of having improperly returned an edict to Emperor Xuānzong and was set to be punished. The assistant imperial scholar Kong Wenyu (孔溫裕) argued that Xiao should be encouraged for his review of edicts, and should not be punished; Emperor Xuānzong agreed and did not punish Xiao. Subsequently, there was a time when the powerful chancellor Linghu Tao recommended Li Zhuo (李涿) as the commandant of Annan (安南, i.e., modern northern Vietnam). Li Zhuo was subsequently removed for harshness, and Linghu then wanted to commission Li Zhuo as the governor (觀察使, Guanchashi) of Xuanshe Circuit (宣歙, headquartered in modern Xuancheng, Anhui). Xiao, not afraid of offending Linghu, submitted a petition opposing Li Zhuo's commission, and thus was much admired for his honesty. Later, Xiao was himself commissioned to be the military governor of Lingnan, and it was said that while there were many opportunities to collect valuable objects due to Lingnan being a key post for commerce, he refused to do so. In 863, he was put in charge of the imperial examinations for that year, and subsequently served successively as the deputy minister of rites (禮部侍郎, Libu Shilang) and deputy minister of census (戶部侍郎, Hubu Shilang). He later served for four years as the military governor of Yicheng Circuit (義成, headquartered in modern Anyang, Henan) and the prefect of Yicheng's capital Hua Prefecture (滑州). As Hua Prefecture was situated on the Yellow River, it often suffered from flooding. Xiao carried out a major project moving the course of the Yellow River to an old, more stable course. Emperor Yizong praised him for the project. He was then recalled to be the minister of defense (兵部尚書, Bingbu Shangshu) and the director of finances. He then served some time as the minister of civil service affairs (吏部尚書, Libu Shangshu) and in that capacity selected officials for commissions; he was said to be fair and capable in that capacity. At the end of the Xiantong era, he again became minister of defense and director of finances.

During Emperor Xizong's reign In 874, by which time Emperor Yizong had died and been succeeded by his young son Emperor Xizong, Xiao Fang, who was then referred to as Zuo Pushe (左僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng), was made Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau, and given the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), making him a chancellor de facto. He was subsequently given the honorific title of Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies) and created the Marquess of Lanling. He died in 875.

Notes and references

Old Book of Tang, vol. 172. New Book of Tang, vol. 101. Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 249, 250, 252.