Zheng Lang

Zheng Lang(Chinese:Trịnh lãng) (died 857),courtesy nameYourong(Hữu dung), was a Chinese historian and politician during theTang dynasty,who served as achancellorduring the reign ofEmperor Xuānzong.

Background and early career

It is not known when Zheng Lang was born. He came from a prominent family, as both his fatherZheng Xunyuand brotherZheng Tanserved aschancellorsduring their respective careers.Zheng Lang himself passed theimperial examinationsin theJinshiclass in 821, during the reign ofEmperor 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, includingPei Du's son Pei Zhuan (Bùi soạn),Li Zongmin's son-in-law Su Chao (Tô sào), and Yang Yinshi (Dương ân sĩ) the brother of Yang Rushi (Dương nhữ sĩ), who was one of the lead examiners, were embroiled in controversy as the officialsDuan Wenchang,Li Deyu,Yuan Zhen,andLi Shen,accused the examiners Yang Rushi and Qian Hui (Tiền huy) 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-longNiu-Li Factional Struggles.

As a result of this incident, Zheng Lang was not able to remain atChang'anto start his official service, but instead served as a staff member of the military governor (Jiedushi) Liu Gongchuo (Liễu công xước) at Shannan East Circuit ( sơn nam đông đạo, headquartered in modernXiangfan,Hubei).Zheng was eventually recalled to Chang'an to serve asYou Shiyi(Hữu thập di), a low-level advisory official at the legislative bureau of government ( trung thư tỉnh,Zhongshu Sheng).

During Emperor Wenzong's reign

During theKaichengera (836-840) of Emperor Muzong's sonEmperor Wenzong,Zheng Lang was made an imperial chronicler ( khởi cư lang,Qiju Lang). On one occasion, after Emperor Wenzong and the chancellors discussed the virtue of frugality, Emperor Wenzong saw Zheng taking notes, as an imperial chronicler was supposed to do. After the meeting, Emperor Wenzong requested to see the records. Zheng initially resisted, pointing out that if the emperor were free to read the records of the imperial chroniclers, the imperial chroniclers would feel constrained about what they could write and would not be able to be impartial, but after Emperor Wenzong insisted, stating that he wanted to see so that he could correct himself if necessary, Zheng submitted the records for his review. Zheng was later madeKaogong Langzhong(Khảo công lang trung), a supervisory official at the ministry of civil service affairs ( lại bộ,Libu). In 839, he was madeJianyi Daifu(Gián nghị đại phu), a high-level advisory official.

During Emperor Wuzong's reign

In 842, by which time Emperor Wenzong's brotherEmperor Wuzongwas emperor, there was an occasion when Zheng Lang, still then serving asJianyi Daifu,along with his colleague Gao Shaoyi (Cao thiếu dật), advised Emperor Wuzong that he was spending too much time in hunting. Emperor Wuzong thanked them and told the chancellors about their advice.He later served as an imperial attendant ( cấp sự trung,Jishizhong), then the prefect of Hua Prefecture ( hoa châu, in modernWeinan,Shaanxi), then the deputy minister of census ( hộ bộ thị lang,Hubu Shilang), also serving as the director of taxation.

During Emperor Xuānzong's reign

During the reign of Emperor Wuzong's uncleEmperor Xuānzong,Zheng Lang was made the military governor of Yiwu Circuit ( nghĩa võ, headquartered in modernBaoding,Hebei), as well as the prefect of its capital Ding Prefecture (Định châu). He was later transferred to Xuanwu Circuit ( tuyên võ, headquartered in modernKaifeng,Henan), and also served as the prefect of its capital Bian Prefecture (Biện châu). He was later recalled to Chang'an to serve as the minister of public works ( công bộ thượng thư,Gongbu Shangshu) and the director of finances. He was then made the chief imperial censor ( ngự sử đại phu,Yushi Daifu).In 856, he was further given the designationTong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi(Đồng trung thư môn hạ bình chương sự), making him a chancellorde facto.He was also madeZhongshu Shilang(Trung thư thị lang), the deputy head of the examination bureau, as well as a senior scholar at Jixian Hall (Tập hiền điện), in charge of editing the imperial history.He resigned the chancellor position on account of illness in 857, and was made a senior advisor to theCrown Prince.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.