Pang Ji (Song dynasty)
| Pang Ji | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 988 Chengwu,Shanzhou | ||||
| Died | 1063 (aged 74–75) Kaifeng | ||||
| Burial | Youqiu (in today'sQi County) | ||||
| |||||
| Occupation | Politician | ||||
Pang Ji(Chinese:Bàng tịch) (988–1063) was a Chinese politician who lived during the NorthernSong Dynasty.He was thechancellorfrom 1051 to 1053 duringEmperor Renzong's reign.
Biography
[edit]After passing theimperial examinationin 1015, Pang Ji gradually moved his way up the official ranks. He successfully took control in Yanzhou (in today'sShaanxi province) afterWestern Xiatroops took a few cities fromSong.Pang Ji is known for instilling discipline in the troops; violations of the code were met with severe physical punishments including deaths. After he left thefrontierin 1045 he held some posts in the capital before being made thechancellorin 1051.
In 1053, a minor official Huangfu Yuan (Hoàng phủ uyên) from Qizhou (in today'sJinan) bribed Pang Ji's nephew Zhao Qingkuang (Triệu thanh huống) in order to get a promotion. Afterwhistleblowersdisclosed the scandal, Pang Ji ordered Zhao arrested and tried at theKaifengcourt, where Zhao was sentenced tobanishment.Zhao died along the way, and Han Jiang (Hàn thao) from the Kaifeng court accused Pang Ji of ordering Zhao killed to cover up. As a result, Pang Ji was stripped of thechancellorposition and sent to posts away from the capital. In 1060Emperor Renzongsummoned him back toKaifengbut at the age of 72, he was too old to take any position.
Legends
[edit]Infolk storiesabout thegenerals of the Yang clan,thegenerals of the Huyan clan,Di QingandBao Zheng,Pang Ji (known asPang Ji[Bàng cát], with his given name beingCát,instead ofTịch) is portrayed as corrupt, treacherous and an enemy of the upright generals and officials. In these fictionalized stories, he is known as theGrand Preceptor,and has an imperialconcubinedaughter,PangGuifei(Bàng quý phi), whom he depends on for power. His sonPang Yu(Bàng dục), the Marquis of Anle (An nhạc hầu), was executed byBao Zhengin Chenzhou (in today'sZhoukou) forkidnappingandembezzlement.
These deeds were historically tied with another contemporary official,Zhang Yaozuo( trương nghiêu tá ), who was a corruptconsort kinwith his fraternal nieceConsort ZhangbeingRenzong'sconcubine.
References
[edit]- (in Chinese)Toqto'aet al.,History of Song,vol. 311 (Pang Ji).