Yang Shiqi

Life

Born into poverty, he studied diligently and supported himself by teaching. In the early Jianwen reign, he entered the Hanlin Academy through recommendation, helped compile the Taizu Veritable Records, came first in the Ministry of Personnel examination, and was appointed deputy judicial administrator in the Prince of Wu's establishment while continuing his work in the court academy.

After the Chengzu Emperor's accession, he was appointed a compiler and entered the inner cabinet to take part in government affairs. He subsequently served as Professor, Judicial Administrator, Hanlin Lecturer, Left Zhongyun, Left Yude, Hanlin Academician, Grand Academician of the Left Spring Palace, Vice Minister and Minister of Rites, Grand Academician of the Huagai Palace, Minister of War, Junior Guardian, and Junior Preceptor; he also served as examiner for the metropolitan and palace examinations and as chief compiler and editor.

He served under the Hui, Chengzu, Ren, Xuan, and Ying emperors, spanning five reigns; he was an assistant in the inner cabinet for more than forty years and chief grand councillor for twenty-one. His integrity and competence were widely praised. When the Yingzong Emperor succeeded at the age of nine, opposition within the inner court was brought to an end through Yang's support for the succession.

Known for recognizing talent, he recommended Yu Qian, Zhou Chen, Kuang Zhong, and others; he also recommended Li Tian for promotion to Yude and participation in compiling the Xuanzong Veritable Records.

His great-grandfather was Yang Jingxing, his father Yang Zijiang, and his son Yang Hedao.

Early in the Zhengtong reign, he repeatedly sought retirement on account of his age but was not permitted to leave; he was allowed only to return home to visit ancestral graves and came back to the capital after a few weeks. When he was nearly seventy, he composed four ci poems under the title Gui tian qu: Four Seasons, Manjianghong.

Literary work

Yang Shiqi was counted with the early Ming's Three Yangs, and his prose was regarded as particularly accomplished; many official edicts and commemorative inscriptions came from his hand. His prose followed formal principles and the Ouyang tradition, favoring a plain, restrained, and harmonious manner; later criticism associated it with the Taige style. Although faulted for lacking novelty, it was said to retain classical form and to have shaped court-literati writing for decades.

His poetry also learned from Du Fu; some of his yuefu poems show traces of Wei-Jin poetry. His verse was considered even and well balanced, and was also praised as lucid, richly patterned, and quietly reflective.

Works

His writings include the Dongli quanji in ninety-seven juan and a separate collection in four juan; Bieben Dongli wenji is also found in a twenty-five-juan form. Other collections include Shaxian, Shitai, and Dongli, alongside Wenyuange shumu and Lidai mingchen zouyi; his bibliography further includes San chao shengyu lu in three juan and Daiyan lu in one juan.

He died in 1444 and was posthumously granted the title Grand Preceptor and the name Wenzhen.