Wang Xijue (1534–1610; his death is also given as 1611 or 1614) was a Ming statesman who reached the office of Grand Secretary. His courtesy name was Yuanyu, his sobriquet Jingshi, and his posthumous name Wensu. He also used the sobriquet Heshi and the birth-order name Yi. His native place was Taicang, in Suzhou Prefecture.
Life
In 1562, he placed first in the metropolitan examination and second in the palace examination, and was appointed a Hanlin Academy Compiler. He subsequently held posts including Assistant Libationer of the Imperial College, Libationer, Academician for Instruction, Junior Vice Director and Director of the Directorate of the Heir Apparent, and deputy commissioner for investiture.
At the beginning of the Wanli era, he headed the Hanlin Academy. When Zhang Juzheng resumed office despite the mourning period and moved to have Wu Zhongxing and Zhao Yongxian flogged at court, Wang remonstrated but was overruled; in the fifth Wanli year, he strongly opposed the move, and in the sixth, when Zhang returned to Beijing to resume work, Wang deliberately took leave. He was then promoted to Vice Minister of Rites, but Zhang resented him, and Wang returned home and declined to serve.
After Zhang's death, in 1584 Wang became Minister of Rites and concurrently Grand Secretary in the Wenyuan Pavilion. His first policy proposals called for a ban on sycophancy, restraint on competition for office, a guard against superficiality, limits on extravagance, suppression of irresponsible debate, and simpler state labor demands. When Shen Shixing was chief grand secretary, the two men were from the same prefecture, had passed the same examination, and were close. Wang's forceful and proud temperament often put him at odds with court opinion; he was a friend of Chen Jiru.
In spring 1593, he entered the Grand Secretariat as chief grand secretary. Because his draft edict proposed the joint enfeoffment of three princes, remonstrance officials attacked him; after submitting eight memorials asking to be dismissed, he left office. He later held the offices of Junior Guardian concurrently Grand Guardian to the Crown Prince, Minister of Personnel, and Grand Secretary of the Hall of Establishing Polity. After his death, his posthumous rank is variously given as Grand Tutor or Grand Guardian; he received the posthumous name Wensu, burial honors, and an imperial shrine.
Family
His father was Wang Mengxiang (王夢祥), and his mother was Wu; his grandfather was Wang Yong (王湧), great-grandfather Wang Shen (王侁), and younger brother Wang Dingjue (王鼎爵). His son was Wang Heng (1561–1609); his grandson was Wang Shimin (1592–1680), and his eldest daughter was Wang Taozhen (1557–1580).
Works
His works include Wang Wensu ji (《王文肅集》) and Wang Wensu shu gao (《王文肅疏草》). The fourteen-volume Wang Wensu gong wencao (《王文肅公文草》) is also associated with his name; he also authored Zengding Guochao guanke jingshi hongci (《增定國朝館課經世宏辭》).
References
- CBDB Wang Xijue (123984)
- 搜韵 王錫爵 (51212)
- Wikidata Wang Xijue (Q7967692)
- 法鼓佛教人名规范数据库 王錫爵 (A011625)