Zhu Jing

Life

His great-grandfather was Zhu Jizhong, his grandfather Zhu Qi, his father Zhu Wenyu (977–1049), and his wife was Lady Zong. He had four sons: Zhu Guangting (1037–1094), the eldest; Zhu Guangfeng, the second; Zhu Guangyi, the third; and Zhu Guangdan, the fourth. He also had six daughters, and his grandsons included Zhu Chunzhi and Zhu Huizhi. His examination cohort included Li Zhongshi, Wang Shangong, Wei Jingshan, and Wang Fu; Wang Fu’s identification is qualified as possibly referring to the same person as another individual.

In the Tiansheng era, Qian Wenxi served as prefect of Luoyang and Xie Jiang as deputy prefect; both encouraged education and worked to strengthen the schools. Zhu Jing, Wei Jingshan, and Wang Fu became known for their high standing; he was placed first in the prefectural recommendation and passed the jinshi examination.

His appointment after passing the examination is variously given as registrar of Yingze, registrar of Xingyang in Zhengzhou, and county secretary of Xingyang.

Offices and public service

His offices included two terms as assistant prefect (tongpan), one in Mengzhou; county magistrate of Yiyang; administrator of Qianyuan; and prefect of Shouzhou, Ruzhou, and Tongzhou. Other posts included Assistant Editor (Zhuzuo zuolang), Transport Intendant’s Judge (Fayun panguan), Erudite and Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Finance Registrar of Henan Fu, supervisor of the Western Capital Censorate’s affairs, Vice Director of the Palace Library, and the Office of Personnel Review in Luoyang.

Within the Department of State Affairs, he held langzhong posts in the Personnel, Finance, and State Farms offices, and yuanwailang posts in the War and Justice offices; he also supervised the Office of Shops and Residences. He held the title Chaofeng lang, was made Kaiguo nan in Qiantang, received the rank of Shang qingche duwei, was assigned a fief, and was granted a scarlet robe.

As prefect of Shouzhou, he opened the state granaries for relief, persuaded wealthy people to release their stored grain, and saved tens of thousands of lives. He later entered service as Guanglu qing; the title is also given as Guanglu si qing. He was recommended by Xiang Chuanshi, Sun Bian, Yu Zhouxun, and Song Xiang.

Final years and burial

After his father Zhu Wenyu died, Zhu Jing observed the mourning rites, personally carried earth to build the grave, and, following earlier instructions, chose a new site at Yitang beiyuan for the burial of his ancestors.

At the beginning of the Xining era, he became critically ill; his final memorial dealt entirely with matters of statecraft and contained no reference to personal affairs. He died at the age of seventy-one and was buried at Yanshi.

His epitaph was composed by Li Zhongshi, written by Lu Yanhui, and carved by Wang Yi and Zhang Shilian; Yang Guobao wrote the epitaph cover. Zhu Hao also composed an epitaph for Jing, identifying him as his elder brother.