Shi Zhongli

Life

Shi Zhongli was the son of Shi Xizai (928–984), the grandson of Shi Jiyuan (904–964), and the great-grandson of Shi Yanwei; his grandmother was Niu shi and his great-grandmother was Zhang shi. His paternal uncles included Shi Xigu and Shi Xizheng.

He had four sons—Shi Jujian, Shi Yijian, Shi Zhaojian, and Shi Congjian—and an elder daughter. Shi Congjian was born in 1003 and died in 1049. The husband of his elder daughter was Fan shi; the husbands of his second and third daughters were Guo shi and Shen shi. His grandsons included Shi Zuliang, Shi Zuchong, Shi Zuwen, Shi Zuxian, Shi Zuyuan, Shi Zuren, and Shi Zufang.

He entered office through his father's privilege as Xitou gongfengguan; from 991 to 994, he served as zhi mou junshi at Shaowu Army, then became an assistant at the Guanglu Court. In the third year of Xianping, he held the post of Dianzhong cheng while serving in the Jixian Academy.

After Emperor Renzong's accession, he served as Hubu langzhong and Shiguan xiuzhuan while inspecting judicial cases in the capital; he later held Vice Minister of Rites and supervisor of the Southern Bureau of the Ministry of Personnel, was assigned to the Sansi Hubu Gouyuan, and served as Libu langzhong and zhizhigao while overseeing the Office of Evaluating Officials. He subsequently held Right Remonstrance Counsellor, jishizhong, Hanlin Academician, and supervisor of the Secret Library; he later became Vice Minister of Rites and concurrently held xueshi chengzhi and Longtuge xueshi.

In the fourth year of Jingyou (1037), he was appointed canzhi zhengshi; the following year he left that post, became Vice Minister of Revenue, and headed the Shangshu Metropolitan Administration. He later retired as Junior Preceptor to the Heir and was advanced to Junior Preceptor. He died in the first year of Huangyou (1049), in the eighth month, in the capital of Kaifeng, at the age of 78; he was posthumously granted Grand Tutor to the Heir and given the posthumous name Wending, and was buried in Luoyang.

Character and associations

He was described as broad-minded and unconventional, fond of joking and guests, familiar with court precedents, and not eager to seek fame. After his appointment to the Jixian Academy, he became friendly with Li Zong'e, Yang Yi, Liu Yun, and others; he collated the secretarial collection, and texts that passed through his hands were widely transmitted.

Works and posthumous commemoration

His collected works comprised twenty volumes; they are now lost. Song Qi wrote his epitaph and xingzhuang, while Su Song wrote his spirit-path stele inscription.