Fang Xianfu

Family and associations

His father's name is given as Fang Sui or Fang Yunsheng; one account states that his father had already died when Fang was born. His great-grandfather was Fang Shihong, his grandfather Fang Yongzhong, and his mother Huang.

His elder brothers were Fang Guike and Fang Maoke, the latter also given as Fang Maofu. He married Zou and had two sons, Fang Qu and Fang Fan; Fang Zhi was a nephew.

His intellectual and documentary associations included Zhan Ruoshui, Wang Shouren, Lu Shen, Zhang Yue, Huang Wan, and Dai Guan: Wang was both his teacher and a correspondent who sent replies; Lu, Zhang, and Huang sent letters, while Fang received a reply from Dai.

Lü Ben wrote his spirit-way stele, Fang Hao wrote an academy inscription, and Fang Xianfu submitted a memorial in defense of Zhang Zheng.

Life

His educational and examination career included the status of shengyuan and provincial recommended candidate. In Hongzhi 18 (1505), he passed the jinshi examination, ranking 156th in the third class, and was selected as a shujishi. He requested leave to return home to care for his mother and, after her death, observed mourning.

During the Zhengde era he was appointed a director in the Ministry of Rites, transferred to the Ministry of Personnel, and successively served as a director and vice director in its Selection and Verification offices; in Jiajing 2–3 (1523–24), he also served in the Kao-gong and Selection offices. He discussed learning with Wang Shouren, asked to become his disciple, and later retired because of illness to Xiqiao Mountain, where he read for ten years; he was also a friend of Zhan Ruoshui.

At the beginning of the Jiajing reign, he returned to court. As the Great Rites Controversy remained unresolved, he drafted a memorial supporting the Jiajing Emperor's recognition of his biological father as the imperial father; he thereby won imperial favor and was appointed a Hanlin attendant lecturer. In Jiajing 4 (1525), he was promoted to Junior Supervisor of the Heir Apparent's Office. His arguments were moderate, but public opinion regarded him as treacherous; he was repeatedly impeached and eventually retired on grounds of illness.

In Jiajing 6 (1527), he was summoned, along with his fellow Nanhai native Huo Tao, to compile Minglun dadian, serving as compiler and deputy chief editor. He was then put in charge of the Court of Judicial Review, appointed vice minister of rites while concurrently a Hanlin academician, became left vice minister of personnel, and served as a daily lecturer at the Classics Mat. In Jiajing 8 (1529), he served as a reader of examination papers and chief editor.

After Minglun dadian was completed, he was granted the title Taizi Taibao and promoted to Minister of Personnel; he also held the title Taizi Shaobao. When recalled in Jiajing 10, he initially declined on grounds of illness, but went to the capital after a second summons. After a later resignation, he recommended Liang Cai, Wang Hong, and Wang Tingxiang, withdrew to Xiqiao Mountain, built the Shiquan Hermitage, amassed a large library, and lectured at Shiquan Academy.

In Jiajing 11 (1532), he was reappointed Minister of Rites and concurrently made Grand Academician of the Wuying Hall, entered the Grand Secretariat, and rose to chief grand secretary. After Minister of Personnel Wang Qiong died, Fang took charge of the ministry, and in Jiajing 13 (1534) he became Shaobao. He was later removed after further impeachments. After two years in the Grand Secretariat, three memorials citing illness secured permission for him to retire; he lived at home for ten years. He died in Jiajing 23 (1544), was posthumously granted Taibao, and received the posthumous name Wenxiang.

Scholarship and writings

Fang's scholarship combined classical learning with academy lecturing; he was also classified as a thinker. He studied under Wang Shouren and later lectured at Shiquan Academy. His works include Zhouyi Chuanyi yueshuo, also titled Zhouyi yueshuo, in 12 juan, and Xiqiao yigao in 8 juan, also titled Xiqiao gao in 5 juan. Other titles associated with his works include the 180-juan 《大明會典》, 《大禮集議》, 《明倫大典》, 《內則詩》 in 1 juan, 《大學中庸二原》, 《學解諸說》, 《慈聖太后女鑑》 in 1 juan, and 《程子語》.