Zhao Zongru

Zhao Zongru (趙宗儒; 746 – October 18, 832 ), courtesy name Bingwen (秉文), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty who served as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Dezong—and then served under five more descendants of Emperor Dezong's: his son Emperor Shunzong, his grandson Emperor Xianzong, his great-grandson Emperor Muzong, his great-great-grandsons Emperor Jingzong and Emperor Wenzong.

Background Zhao Zongru was born in 746, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong. His family was from Deng Prefecture (鄧州, in modern Nanyang, Henan) and traced its ancestry to the Northern Wei general Zhao Tong . Other male-line ancestors of Zhao Zongru's served as officials under the Northern Wei, Sui dynasty, and Tang dynasty, including his father Zhao Hua .

Service under Emperor Dezong Zhao Zongru passed the imperial examinations and was made a scribe at Hongwen Pavilion . He served there for over a year, and, because his writing skills were considered excellent, was made the treasurer at Luhun County (陸渾, in modern Luoyang, Henan). Just several months later, he was recalled to the capital Chang'an to serve as You Shiyi , a low-level consultant at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), as well as an imperial scholar. In 783, Zhao Zongru was made Tuntian Yuanwailang , a low-level official at the ministry of public works (工部, Gongbu), and continued to serve as imperial scholar as well. Zhao Zongru left public service to observe a mourning period for his father. After the mourning period was over, he returned to public service and successively served as Simen Yuanwailang , a low-level official at the ministry of justice (刑部, Xingbu) and Sixun Yuanwailang , a low-level official at the ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Libu).

After Zhao's removal as chancellor, it was said that he was careful in his action and all he did was attend imperial meetings when called. Emperor Dezong approved of his carefulness, and in 804 made him the deputy minister of civil service affairs (吏部侍郎, Libu Shilang). When he met Zhao, he stated: "I know that you, Lord, have closed your doors for six years, and therefore decided to give you this office. Do you still remember how you were given commissions on the same day as my old subject ([i.e., Zhao Hua])?" Zhao was so touched that he wept prostrate. Emperor Shunzong put Zhao Zongru in charge of drafting the mourning text for Emperor Dezong. In 821, he was made acting You Pushe , one of the heads of the executive bureau, as well as minister of worship. Part of his responsibilities included supervising a musical corps known as the Lion Orchestra (師子樂, Shizi Yue), which was ordinarily not used except for the solemn imperial meetings, and which used decorations of five different colors, representing the five directions (including center). With Emperor Muzong being young and frivolous, giving many authorities to his musicians, the eunuchs who directed the palace musical corps demanded that the five-colored decorations be given to the palace musical corps. Zhao did not dare to refuse, but reported this to the chancellors. The chancellors, however, felt that it was Zhao's responsibility to refuse this improper demand, and believing Zhao to be cowardly, had him removed and serve only as advisor to the crown prince.

In 825, when Emperor Muzong's son Emperor Jingzong was emperor, Zhao was made a senior advisor to the crown prince. When Emperor Jingzong died in 826 and was succeeded by his brother Emperor Wenzong, Zhao was made the director of Daming Palace . In 830, Emperor Wenzong made him acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies) and senior advisor to the crown prince. Emperor Wenzong summoned him and asked him for advice, and he responded, "The way of Emperor Yao and Emperor Shun [(two mythical emperors known for their benevolent rule)] were based on kindness and frugality. I wish that Your Imperial Majesty would keep that in mind." Emperor Wenzong appreciated the advice. In 831, when the chancellor Song Shenxi was falsely accused of treason, Emperor Wenzong convened a group of senior officials to discuss potential punishments. Zhao was one of the senior officials summoned, but on account of his old age, Emperor Wenzong ordered that he not be required to bow. Soon thereafter, Zhao requested to retire, and in 832, Emperor Wenzong approved of the retirement after conferring on him the full Sikong status. Zhao died in the fall of 832 and was posthumously honored. He was remembered for having come to prominence due to his literary abilities, having served three terms as military governor, and having been in charge of selecting officials eight times. However, he was criticized for being not careful in the rites and paying too much unnecessary attention to details of life.

Notes and references

Old Book of Tang, vol. 167 . New Book of Tang, vol. 151 . Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 235.