Zheng Congdang

Zheng Congdang (鄭從讜) (died 887? ), courtesy name Zhengqiu (正求), was an official of the Chinese Tang dynasty, serving as a chancellor twice during the reign of Emperor Xizong.

Background and early career It is not known when Zheng Congdang was born. His family claimed ancestry from the ruling house of the Spring and Autumn period state Zheng, and his grandfather Zheng Yuqing served as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Dezong and Emperor Dezong's grandson Emperor Xianzong. Zheng Congdang's father Zheng Guan (鄭澣) was himself a long-time imperial official, although he was never chancellor, dying while serving as the military governor (Jiedushi) of Shannan West Circuit (山南西道, headquartered in modern Hanzhong, Shaanxi) in 839 at the age of 63. Zheng Congdang had three older brothers, Zheng Yunmo (鄭允謨), Zheng Maoxiu (鄭茂休), and Zheng Chuhui (鄭處誨), each of whom served in the imperial government as well. (A third cousin, Zheng Yanchang, would be a future chancellor.)

Zheng Congdang himself passed the imperial examinations in the Jinshi class in 842, during the reign of Emperor Xianzong's grandson Emperor Wuzong. He started as his governmental career as a copyeditor (校書郎) at the Palace Library, and thereafter served as an advisory official, and then a supervisory official at the executive bureau of government (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng), eventually becoming responsible for drafting edicts. As the chancellors Linghu Tao and Wei Fu both passed the imperial examinations while Zheng Guan oversaw the imperial examinations, they both felt indebted to Zheng Congdang and thus enhanced Zheng Congdang's reputation. As a result, Zheng was subsequently promoted to Zhongshu Sheren (中書舍人), a mid-level official at the legislative bureau (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng).

During Emperor Yizong's reign In 862, by which time Emperor Wuzong's cousin Emperor Yizong was emperor, Zheng Congdang was made deputy minister of rites (禮部侍郎, Lǐbu Shilang) and put in charge of the imperial examinations. He was later made deputy minister of justice (刑部侍郎, Xingbu Shilang) and then deputy minister of civil service affairs (吏部侍郎, Lìbu Shilang, note different tone). It was said that he selected appropriate officials while overseeing the civil service, but that, as a result of refusing to bow to powerful individuals' wishes, was sent out of the capital to serve as the military governor of Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan, Shanxi) as well as the mayor of its capital Taiyuan Municipality. After he served there for a year, he requested a return to the capital, but the request was not accepted; rather, he was transferred to Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng, Henan) to serve as its military governor and the prefect of its capital Bian Prefecture (汴州). He was said to have governed Xuanwu well, causing the powerful individuals at that time to be apprehensive that he would be promoted.

During Emperor Xizong's reign

Prior to first chancellorship Emperor Yizong died in 873 and was succeeded by his young son Emperor Xizong. Zheng Congdang, who did not want to remain in Lingnan East longer, submitted repeated petitions, offering even to accept an honorary position at the eastern capital Luoyang. Emperor Xizong then recalled him to Chang'an to serve as minister of justice (刑部尚書, Xingbu Shangshu).

First chancellorship Not much was recorded about Zheng Congdang's acts as chancellor in his first term. At this time, Hedong Circuit had been plagued by repeated mutinies, as well as the danger of being attacked by Shatuo rebels led by the chieftain Li Guochang and Li Guochang's son Li Keyong.

In 882, Qibi Zhang received imperial permission (from Emperor Xizong, who was then at Chengdu) to attack Li Keyong, and Emperor Xizong further ordered Zheng to assist Qibi.

After the Tang forces recaptured Chang'an in spring 883—a battle in which Li Keyong's contribution was instrumental—Li Keyong returned to Dai Prefecture briefly, but soon, Emperor Xizong issued an edict to reward Li Keyong by making him the military governor of Hedong, while summoning Zheng to Emperor Xizong's presence. Zheng accepted the edict and yielded Hedong to Li Keyong. Zheng was then made Sikong (司空), one of the Three Excellencies, as well as Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau (門下省, Menxia Sheng), as well as chancellor again with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi.

Second chancellorship and death Not much was recorded about Zheng Congdang's acts as chancellor in his second term. In 886, he was given the greater chancellor title of Shizhong (侍中, i.e., the head of the examination bureau), as well as Taifu (太傅). In 887, he offered to retire, and he was made a senior advisor to the Crown Prince—an entirely honorary title since there was no crown prince at the time. He died soon thereafter. He was given the posthumous name Wenzhong (文忠, "civil and faithful").

Notes and references

Old Book of Tang, vol. 158. New Book of Tang, vol. 165. Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 253, 254, 255, 256.

Congdang