Li Jiang (李絳; 764–830) was a Tang dynasty chancellor. He was also a poet and a prose writer. His courtesy name was Shenzhi (深之); he was third in birth order, a native of Zanhuang in Zhao Prefecture, and associated by lineage with Zhao Commandery (present-day Zhao County, Hebei). He was also styled Li San (李三) and was repeatedly ennobled Duke of Zhao Commandery.
Life and career
In the eighth year of the Zhenyuan era (792), under Emperor Dezong, he passed the jinshi examination and the Boxue Hongci examination, then served as a Secretariat Collator (秘書省校書郎) and Investigating Censor (監察御史); early in the Yuanhe era he became a Hanlin Academician (翰林學士). In 809 he was appointed chengzhi (承旨), then transferred to the Director of Merit’s Office (司勳員外郎) and the office of drafter of imperial edicts (知制誥).
In 811 he became Vice Minister of Revenue (戶部侍郎), then Vice Director of the Secretariat (中書侍郎) and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), entering the imperial council. He made remonstrance his vocation, repeatedly urging Emperor Xianzong to appoint worthy men, accept remonstrance, eliminate abuses, and promote beneficial measures; his earnest language won the emperor’s approval, and consultations with him often accorded with the requirements of policy.
In 814, citing an ailment of the legs, he sought release and was made Minister of Rites (禮部尚書); in 815 he was sent out as prefect of Huazhou (華州), and later served as Minister of War (兵部尚書) and Minister of Personnel (吏部尚書). He also served as prefect of Huayin, Hedong, Luoyang, Zitong, and Liangzhou; in 823 he became military governor of the Jiannan East Circuit, in 825 metropolitan governor of the Eastern Capital, and in 827 Grand Master of Ceremonies (太常卿).
In 829, under Emperor Wenzong, he became military governor of the Shannan West Circuit, concurrently holding the inspected title of Sikong (檢校司空), and was repeatedly ennobled Duke of Zhao Commandery. The military supervisor Yang Shuyuan, resentful of Li Jiang, incited recruited troops to mutiny, and Li Jiang was killed in the upheaval; he died at the age of sixty-seven, was posthumously presented with the title Situ (司徒), and received the posthumous name Zhen (貞).
Political outlook and literary work
Li Jiang advanced and withdrew according to a straight path and enjoyed a high reputation for a time; his hard and censorious character, however, made him hated by unrighteous men. He was recognized for his prose. His works include *Li Jiang's Collection on Remonstrance* (《李絳論諫集》), *Collected Works of Li Jiang* (《李絳集》), and *Collection of Discussions on Affairs* (《論事集》); two of his poems survive.
Li Jiang also took part in the literary exchanges of the mid-Tang scholar-official community. In 823 he composed an epitaph for Wang Shao; he exchanged gift poems and prose with Zhang Ji, Bai Juyi, Yu Chengxuan, Pei Du, and Cui Qun, and received poems and prose presented by Wu Yuanheng, Liu Yuxi, and Yang Sifu. Bai Juyi also wrote *A Sacrificial Text for Minister Li* (《祭李司徒文》) in his memory.
Family
His grandfather was Li Gang (李崗), who died in 817; his father was Li Yuanshan (李元善), and his father-in-law was Lu Zhu (盧渚). His son Li Xu (李頊; 805–848) was joined in the family record by the eldest son Li Qiu (李璆) and the third son Li Zhang (李璋); his grandsons were 李隱 and Li Shenwei (李慎微), and his granddaughter was Li Yin (李慇; 849–877).
References
- CBDB Li Jiang (32760)
- 搜韵 李絳 (15307)
- Wikidata Li Jiang (Q6538859)