Zhao Nanxing

Life

Nanxing passed the Shuntian Prefecture provincial examination in 1570, ranking seventy-first, and earned the jinshi degree in the Jiaxu examination of 1574, placing 177th in the third class.

His recorded family included his great-grandfather Zhao Cunli, grandfather Zhao Zemin, father Zhao Rubi, mother Lady Hou, younger brothers Zhao Nandou and Zhao Nanming, and wife Lady Feng.

He was first appointed judicial assistant in Runing Prefecture, where his administration was described as upright and even-handed. He later became a secretary in the Ministry of Revenue, moved to the Ministry of Personnel's Office of Evaluation, and served as an assistant director in the Office of Selection; he was later recalled as director of the Office of Evaluation. He submitted a memorial on four major abuses—advancement-seeking, political instability, prefectural and county administration, and local officials—which offended powerful ministers and nearly brought punishment; he soon returned home because of illness.

In 1593, the twenty-first year of the Wanli reign, he presided over the metropolitan review, and private nominees of powerful officials were almost entirely demoted or dismissed. One account says that he was then removed by a severe edict, while another says that he was demoted to judge of Pingding Prefecture. After returning to his native place, his reputation grew; he was associated with Zou Yuanbiao and Gu Xiancheng as the “Three Donglin Leaders,” and hundreds of memorials sought his reappointment without success.

After the accession of the Guangzong Emperor, he was recalled as Taichang Shaoqing, though another account gives Taichang Qing; he then became Left Censor-in-Chief and soon Minister of Personnel. In the latter office he took the ordering of the realm as his responsibility, pursued administrative cleansing, and refused requests from the government and palace eunuchs; he also brought upright men into office, and officials and people inside and outside the court looked forward to good government.

Wei Zhongxian initially held Nanxing in high regard, but became hostile when attempts to win him over failed; Nanxing rejected his approach and admonished him openly. After Wei Guangwei, the son of an old friend, entered the Grand Secretariat, he came three times to Nanxing's gate and was refused each time; Wei Guangwei consequently joined Wei Zhongxian in opposing him.

During a court recommendation for the governor of Shanxi, Nanxing strongly supported the upright Xie Yingxiang, but Wei Guangwei obstructed the recommendation and Censor Chen Jiuchou impeached him. Censor Zhang Na then accused Nanxing of ten violations of government because his brother Zhang Pu had not received the post. The Xizong Emperor consequently condemned Nanxing and others for “plotting together and forming a faction,” forcing Nanxing to seek leave; he was later falsely accused of embezzling 15,000 liang, stripped of his registration, and sent to serve in exile at Daizhou.

Nanxing was known for his poverty, and contributions from relatives and friends secured his release, but he remained in exile at Daizhou and died there. His death is dated either to 1627 or to 23 January 1628. He was rehabilitated early in the Chongzhen reign, posthumously granted the rank of Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and given the posthumous name Zhongyi.

Works

Nanxing was also known as a literary figure. His works include 《史韻》 and 《學庸正說》, among others. Other attributed works are 《曹大家女誡直解》 in one juan, 《女兒經注》 in one juan, 《三字經注》 in one juan, 《上醫本草》 in four juan, 《趙忠毅公閑居擇言》 in one juan, and 《笑贊》 in one juan; a related collected edition is 《趙忠毅公文集》 in twenty-four juan.