Cai Jing (1047–1126) was a Northern Song political figure and a grand chancellor under Emperor Huizong. His courtesy name was Yuanchang, and he was from Xianyou.
Life
Cai Jing supported Wang Anshi's New Policies and was recommended by Xiong Ben for his study of the reforms. While traveling from Qiantang through Wu, he became acquainted with Zhu Chong, who took him back and entered his name in Tong Guan's army, through which he obtained office; Cai had an old association with Xu Que and, after becoming chancellor, sought to give him a prestigious appointment.
After passing the jinshi examination, Cai held San Cheng in 1089, governed Yangzhou from 1089 to 1090, governed Jingzhao from 1091 to 1092 and Chengdu from 1092 to 1093, and held San Guan in 1092.
In 1100 he was Duanming dian xueshi, governor of Shengzhou and Jingzhao, and Zhong Dafu.
In 1094 he became Shangshu sheng Hubu shangshu; he was Right Pushe concurrently Menxia Shilang in 1102, Left Pushe concurrently Menxia Shilang from 1103 to 1109, and again Right Pushe concurrently Menxia Shilang from 1112 to 1120.
His other offices included governor of a zhou, governor of a fu, Zhongshu Shilang, Gongguanshi, Guogong, Fengbo si, Shiyushi, Sikong, Taishi, Shangshu sheng Libu Kaogong si yuanwailang, Acting Shangshu sheng Hubu shangshu, and governor or acting governor of Kaifeng. From 1125 to 1126 he held Taishi Pingzhang Jun'guo Zhongshi.
Under Emperor Huizong, Cai Jing and Cai Bian were brought into Zhang Dun's faction, which restored the policies of the Xining and Yuanfeng eras and marginalized the Yuanyou partisans. During the Daguan era, repeated impeachments by Shi Gongbi eventually brought about Cai Jing's first dismissal as chancellor; after he returned to the chancellorship, Zhang Kegong argued against him and he was dismissed again.
After the Jin forces entered Bianjing, opponents called for Cai Jing and his sons to be executed in order to appease the realm. Following Emperor Qinzong's accession, Censor Sun Di and others denounced his conduct, and Cai Jing was demoted to Hengzhou, placed there, and later transferred to Shaozhou and Danzhou. He was subsequently condemned as the foremost of the “Six Thieves” and died in 1126.
Family
His father was Cai Zhun, and his younger brother was Cai Bian (1058–1117). Wang Anshi (1021–1086) was an uncle of his wife; Song Qiaonian (1047–1113) and Ye Que were affinal relatives.
The names Cai Tiao (蔡條), Cai Tiao (蔡鞗), Cai Tiao (蔡絛), and Cai Shu (蔡儵) appear among his sons; Cai You (蔡攸, 1077–1126) is identified as the eldest, and Cai Xiao (蔡翛) as the second, who died in 1126. His son-in-law was Ye Zhu (葉著).
Cai Song (蔡崈) was a 族子; his grandsons were Cai Qu (蔡衢, 1106–1163), Cai Xing (蔡行), and Cai Jie (蔡傑), and the husband of his great-granddaughter was Zhou Biduan (周必端).
Works
His attributed works include 《王貴妃傳》 (one juan), 《政和續編諸路州縣學敕令格式》 (18 juan), and 《哲宗前錄》 (100 juan), followed by a 94-juan sequel.
References
- CBDB Cai Jing (1649)
- Wikidata Cai Jing (Q1146610)