Fei Hong

Life

In 1480, Fei Hong placed first in the literary category of the Guangxin Prefecture children's examination; in 1483 he passed the Jiangxi provincial examination as jieyuan; and in 1487 he took first place in the Dingwei examination, ranking first in the first class. He was appointed a Hanlin Academy compiler at the age of nineteen. He subsequently helped compile the Veritable Records of the Chenghua Emperor and served as Left Academician of the Eastern Palace and Left Instructor, lecturing to the heir apparent.

After the accession of the Zhengde Emperor, Fei Hong was promoted to Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, concurrently serving as a Hanlin reader, helping compile the Veritable Records of the Hongzhi Emperor, and serving as a daily lecturer. In 1505 he also became a Hanlin Academic Lecturer. In 1507 he became Vice Minister of Rites, transferred to Senior Vice Minister in 1509, and became Minister of Rites in 1510; in 1511 he concurrently became a Grand Academician of the Wenyuan Pavilion and participated in state affairs, and the following year became a Grand Academician of the Wuying Palace before transferring to the Ministry of Revenue.

While serving as Minister of Revenue, Fei Hong refused to associate with the favored courtier Qian Ning and the Prince of Ning, Zhu Chenhao, who had offered him gifts of silk and valuables. He opposed Zhu Chenhao's attempt to restore his guard, warning that Jiangxi would suffer if the prince's designs were accepted; he was attacked and forced to retire.

After the accession of the Jiajing Emperor, Fei Hong was recalled and re-entered the Grand Secretariat to assist in government, receiving the additional title of Junior Guardian. He worked with Yang Tinghe, Jiang Mian, Mao Ji, and others to undo abuses of the Zhengde reign. After Yang Tinghe's retirement, Fei Hong became chief grand secretary, successively receiving the titles of Junior Preceptor, Junior Tutor to the Heir Apparent, Minister of Personnel, Grand Academician of the J inshen Palace, and Grand Academician of the Huagai Palace. His career included three entries into the Grand Secretariat.

During the Great Rites Controversy in the early Jiajing reign, Zhang Cong, Gui E, and others attacked him because of the emperor's favor; he retired for a second time in 1527. He returned to office in 1535, when the emperor granted him a silver insignia bearing the words “舊輔元臣.” He died soon afterward, was posthumously awarded the title Grand Guardian, and received the posthumous name Wenxian.

Family and literary connections

His great-grandfather was Fei Rongzu, his grandfather Fei Yingqi, his father Fei Fan, and his mother Lady Yu. He had an elder brother, Fei Xian, nine younger brothers—Fei Cai, Fei Ning, Fei Guan, Fei Chong, Fei Wan, Fei Yu, Fei Jun, Fei Zong, and Fei Mi—and a paternal cousin, Fei Cai. His wife is named both Lady Pu and Pu Xiulan; his father-in-law is given as Sun Dexing or Pu Ji; and a daughter married Wu Xian.

In his literary associations, he wrote prefaces for works by Mao Ji, Pan Zhen, Pan Dan, Fei Yin, Pan Xuan, and Pan Jian.

Works

Works attributed to Fei Hong include Wumiao chu suo jian shi, Chenzhang jilu, Fei Wenxian ji, Ehu zhaigao in twenty juan, and Fei Wenxian ji xuanyao. Other titles associated with him include Wenji (Fei Hong) in twenty-four juan, Zizhanxin manlu, and Taibao Fei Wenxian gong zhaigao in twenty juan. His poetry includes the seven-character ancient-style poem “Climbing the Yellow Crane Tower, Following the Rhyme of Vice Censor Qin and the Junior Preceptor.”