Yuan Dezhao

Yuan Dezhao (元德昭) (891-April 2, 968), probably né Wei Dezhao (危德昭), courtesy name Mingyuan (名遠), was an official of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Wuyue, serving as a chancellor during the rule of Qian Hongzong (King Zhongxun) and Qian Chu (King Zhongyi, né Qian Hongchu).

Background Yuan Dezhao was born in 891, during the reign of Emperor Zhaozong of Tang, probably under the name of Wei Dezhao. While he was described to be "from Nancheng (南城), in Fǔ Prefecture (撫州, in modern Fuzhou, Jiangxi)," he was actually probably born at Xin Prefecture (信州, in modern Shangrao, Jiangxi) — because his uncle Wei Quanfeng, who then controlled Fǔ Prefecture, had sent Wei Dezhao's father Wei Zaichang to take over Xin in or around 882. While at Xin, Wei Zaichang had once called out his sons to be viewed by a fortuneteller so that the fortuneteller could tell their fates. When the fortuneteller saw Wei Dezhao, he stated to Wei Zaichang, "Of your sons, only this one is not going to serve in the military." Later, when he began to study, his teachers several times, after marveling at his talent, left their seats and stated, "You, son, have the ability to be a chancellor. You should take good care of yourself." he found it difficult to find people to draft his orders for him. His assistant Lin Ding recommended Yuan Dezhao to him. After Qian Yuanguan had a lengthy conversation with Yuan Dezhao, he told Lin, "Yuan Dezhao has the ability to serve as a guide of the state. My descendants will not need to worry." He then put Yuan in charge of drafting his orders.

In 946, when Li Da, the former Min general then occupying Min's capital Fú Prefecture (福州, in modern Fuzhou, Jiangsu, note different tone than Yuan's ancestral prefecture) was being attacked by Southern Tang forces, sought aid from Qian Hongzuo, Qian Hongzuo decided to send an army to aid Li Da. He put Cheng Zhaoyue in charge of army supplies, while putting Yuan in charge of military strategies.

During Qian Hongzong's rule After Qian Hongzuo died in 947 and was succeeded by his brother Qian Hongzong (King Zhongxun), Qian Hongzong continued to entrust Yuan Dezhao with the military matters in campaigns involving the former Min territory. He soon thereafter made Yuan chancellor.

Wu's attack on Chang was initially successful, as the outer city fell. The Southern Tang military prefect of Chang, Zhao Renze , was captured by Wuyue forces and delivered to Qiantang. When brought to Qian Hongchu, Zhao refused to bow to him and rebuked him for breaking the peace between Wuyue and Southern Tang. In anger, Qian had his face lacerated severely, from mouth to ear. Yuan pitied Zhao for his faithfulness, and obtained the best medicine for him to save him. Subsequently, the Southern Tang general Chai Kehong defeated Wu, who was forced to flee back to Wuyue territory, and Qian relieved Wu of his offices. In 959, after the end of the war between Later Zhou and Southern Tang, Wu Yanfu and he were sent on a mission to pay homage to Guo Rong, and it was said that he acted appropriately during the mission.

In Yuan's late years, he appeared weary and tired. When Qian Hongchu saw Yuan, he quietly spoke and wept to his attendants, "Yuan Dezhao's expressions looked weak and tired. If the unspeakable happened to him, who can assist me?" When Yuan subsequently fell ill, he made preparations for his own burial and tomb inscriptions. He died in 968, and was given posthumous honors, including the posthumous name Wenzhen (文貞, "civil and honest").

Notes and references

Spring and Autumn Annals of the Ten Kingdoms, vol. 87. Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 285, 287, 292, 293.