Zheng Lang

Zheng Lang (; died 857), courtesy name Yourong , was a Chinese historian and politician during the Tang dynasty, who served as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong.

Background and early career It is not known when Zheng Lang was born. He came from a prominent family, as both his father Zheng Xunyu and brother Zheng Tan served as chancellors during their respective careers. Zheng Lang himself passed the imperial examinations in the Jinshi class in 821, during the reign of Emperor Muzong, by which time Zheng Xunyu was deceased but Zheng Tan was already a prominent official—but his passage, as well as the passages of several other examinees related to prominent officials, including Pei Du's son Pei Zhuan , Li Zongmin's son-in-law Su Chao , and Yang Yinshi the brother of Yang Rushi , who was one of the lead examiners, were embroiled in controversy as the officials Duan Wenchang, Li Deyu, Yuan Zhen, and Li Shen, accused the examiners Yang Rushi and Qian Hui of being unfair in their decisions. As a result, Emperor Muzong ordered a reexamination, while demoting Qian, Li Zongmin, and Yang Rushi, as well as the 10 examinees who passed based on perceived influence. This incident was considered to have precipitated the subsequent decades-long Niu-Li Factional Struggles.

As a result of this incident, Zheng Lang was not able to remain at Chang'an to start his official service, but instead served as a staff member of the military governor (jiedushi) Liu Gongchuo at Shannan East Circuit (, headquartered in modern Xiangfan, Hubei). Zheng was eventually recalled to Chang'an to serve as You Shiyi , a low-level advisory official at the legislative bureau of government (, Zhongshu Sheng). He later served as an imperial attendant (, Jishizhong), then the prefect of Hua Prefecture (, in modern Weinan, Shaanxi), then the deputy minister of census (, Hubu Shilang), also serving as the director of taxation. He was also made Zhongshu Shilang , the deputy head of the examination bureau, as well as a senior scholar at Jixian Hall , in charge of editing the imperial history. He died later that year and was given posthumous honors.

Notes and references

Old Book of Tang, vol. 173. New Book of Tang, vol. 165. Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 241, 246, 249.

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