Xiao Mian

Xiao Mian (; died March 16, 842 ), courtesy name Siqian (思謙), noble title Duke of Xu (徐公), was a Chinese politician of the Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong. In traditional histories, he was praised for his integrity but blamed for faulty decisions that led to the imperial government's loss of control over the circuits north of the Yellow River.

Background It is not known when Xiao Mian was born. His family was prominent, having been descended from the imperial house of Liang dynasty, and his grandfather Xiao Hua, great-grandfather Xiao Song, and Xiao Song's great-granduncle Xiao Yu had all served as chancellors during Tang dynasty. Xiao Mian's father Xiao Heng (蕭恆) served as an imperial censor. Xiao Mian passed the imperial examinations in 791, during the reign of Emperor Dezong. (Also passing the imperial examinations that year were Huangfu Bo and Linghu Chu, and the three developed a deep friendship.)

During Emperor Xianzong's reign In 806, during the reign of Emperor Dezong's grandson Emperor Xianzong, Xiao Mian passed a special examination for those with strategic recommendations, and was thereafter made a consultant at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), initially at the low post of You Shiyi (右拾遺) and then promoted to You Bujue (右補闕). In 811, he was made an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi) in addition to his post as You Bujue. In 812, in addition to being imperial scholar, he was moved from the You Bujue post to be Sifeng Yuanwailang (司封員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Lìbu). In 814, he was made Jiabu Langzhong (駕部郎中), a supervisorial official at the ministry of rites (禮部, Lǐbu, note different tone than the ministry of civil service affairs), but continued to serve as imperial scholar, and was also given the responsibility of drafting imperial edicts. Xiao's friend, the official Zhang Zhongfang (張仲方), citing Li Jifu's support for the campaign, which Zhang considered imprudent, opposed the highly honorific posthumous name of Jingxian (敬憲, "alert and knowledgeable") for Li. Viewing this as a criticism against himself, Emperor Xianzong demoted Zhang, but nevertheless changed Li's posthumous name to Zhongyi (忠懿, "faithful and benevolent"). Xiao was considered an associate of Zhang's, and Emperor Xianzong thus stripped Xiao of his imperial scholar status and made the deputy minister of husbandry (太僕少卿, Taipu Shaoqing). Huangfu recommended Linghu Chu to be chancellor as well, and both Huangfu and Linghu thereafter often recommended Xiao. As a result, Xiao was favored by Emperor Xianzong as well, and received a number of honorific titles. He was also made the deputy chief imperial censor (御史中丞, Yushi Zhongcheng).

It was said that, as chancellor, Xiao was humble and careful, and he tried to do what was righteous and hated the wicked. He was also said to be filially pious, and he served his mother Lady Wei carefully as an ordinary son would despite his honored chancellor status. Further, when Emperor Muzong ordered him to draft the text of a monument for the deceased warlord Wang Shizhen (presumably to please Wang Shizhen's son Wang Chengyuan, who had become a faithful imperial subject), Xiao refused, arguing that Wang Shizhen was unfaithful to the imperial government and that he could not bear to draft such a text.

In spring 821, Wang Bo the military governor (jiedushi) of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu, Sichuan) submitted much tribute to Emperor Muzong and also bribed the powerful eunuchs, hoping to be chancellor. Duan also spoke on Wang's behalf. Xiao opposed vehemently, stating that Wang was "delicate and wicked" and should not be chancellor. When Emperor Muzong disagreed, Xiao offered to resign. After Wang was summoned to Chang'an, Xiao was removed from his chancellor position and made You Pushe (右僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng).

During Emperor Wenzong's and Emperor Wuzong's reigns In 826, by which time Emperor Muzong's son Emperor Jingzong was emperor, Xiao Mian was again made an advisor to the Crown Prince, and sent out to have his office at Luoyang. Emperor Wenzong recalled Xiao to serve as acting Zuo Puye (左僕射), the other head of the executive bureau, as well as advisor to the crown prince. Xiao claimed an illness and declined to report to Chang'an; Emperor Wenzong thereafter allowed him to retire.

Around this time, Xiao's mother Lady Wei died, and he observed a period of mourning for her. After the period of mourning was over, Emperor Wenzong again tried to recall him, but he again declined based on claim of illness. As he still considered Luoyang to be too busy of a place, and particularly did not want to be receiving guests all the time, he went to live at his vacation mansion at Jiyuan, and it was said that he enjoyed life in the hills. In 834, by which time Emperor Wenzong had created his son Li Yong crown prince, he again tried to recall Xiao to serve as advisor to Li Yong. Xiao sent his brother Xiao Jie (蕭傑) to Chang'an with his petition declining the post. Emperor Wenzong accepted his petition and allowed him to remain in retirement. He died in 842.

Notes and references

Old Book of Tang, vol. 172. New Book of Tang, vol. 101. Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 237, 239, 240, 241, 242.