Yan Zhiyi Explained

Yan Zhiyi (颜之仪) (523–591), courtesy name Zisheng (子升),^[1] was a native of Linyi County, Langya Commandery (琅琊郡) (now Shandong Province). He was a minister during the Northern Zhou dynasty and a governor during the Sui dynasty.^[2] He died in the winter of 591-592 at the age of 69 (by East Asian reckoning).^[3]

Life

During the Southern Liang dynasty

Yan Zhiyi's father Yan Xie entered the service of Emperor Yuan of Liang, when the latter was still Prince of Xiangdong.^[4] In January 555, Western Wei (the precursor state of Northern Zhou) captured Jiangling, and Yan Zhiyi (presumably with his family) moved to Chang'an.^[5]

During the Northern Zhou dynasty

At Chang'an, Yan Zhitui first entered the service of Emperor Ming.^[6]

On 27 March 576,^[7] when Yuwen Yun (the later Emperor Xuan) was still crown prince during the reign of his father Emperor Wu, he was sent on an expedition against the Tuyuhun. Yuwen Yun made errors during this expedition; while officials like Zheng Yi (郑译) were reprimanded for failing to correct the crown prince, Yan Zhiyi was rewarded for his repeated petitions. Yan was made Baron of Pingyang County, with a fiefdom of 200 households.^[8]

During the reign of Emperor Xuan, Yan Zhiyi was made a duke and his fiefdom increased to a thousand households.^[9]

After the death of Emperor Xuan, court officials led by Liu Fang (刘昉) and Zheng Yi amended the edict containing Emperor Xuan's will, making Yang Jian (the later Emperor Wen of Sui) chancellor and chief counselor for the young Emperor Jing. Yan Zhiyi, knowing that this was not Emperor Xuan's true intentions, refused to join in the plot.^[10] Later, after Yang Jian had become chancellor and regent, he asked Yan Zhiyi for the Imperial Seal. Yan replied with a stern expression, "The Seal belongs to the Emperor; why is the Chancellor demanding to possess it?" Yang Jian was so angered by the reply that he ordered Yan to be dragged out and executed. However, remembering and apprehending Yan's excellent reputation with the people, Yang Jian halted the execution.^[11]

During the Sui dynasty

In 585, Yan Zhitui was made Inspector of Ji Prefecture (集州, in today Nanjiang County, Sichuan).^[12]

Family

Yan Zhiyi is a member of the noble Yan clan of Langya (琅琊颜氏), and is a son of Yan Xie (颜协; 498 - 539^[13]), son of Yan Jianyuan. Yan Zhiyi had a younger brother, Yan Zhitui.^[14]

Notes and References

1. In History of the Northern Dynasties, his courtesy name was recorded as simply "Sheng".
2. Book: Ancient and Early Medieval Chinese Literature (vol. 3 & 4): A Reference Guide, Part Three & Four . 2014-09-18 . BRILL . 978-90-04-27185-2 . en.
3. (开皇)十一年冬，卒，年六十九。
4. (梁元帝为湘东王，引协为其府记室参军。协不得已，乃应命。) Book of Zhou, vol. 40
5. (江陵平，之仪随例迁长安。) Book of Zhou, vol. 40
6. (世宗以为麟趾学士，稍迁司书上士。) Book of Zhou, vol. 40. "Shizong" was Emperor Ming's temple name.
7. ([建德五年]二月辛酉，遣皇太子赟巡抚西土，仍讨吐谷浑，戎事节度，并宜随机专决。) Book of Zhou, vol.08
8. (太子后征吐谷浑，在军有过行，郑译等并以不能匡弼坐谴，唯之仪以累谏获赏。即拜小宫尹，封平阳县男，邑二百户。) Book of Zhou, vol.40
9. (宣帝即位，迁上仪同大将军、御正中大夫，进爵为公，增邑一千户。) Book of Zhou, vol.40. In History of the Northern Dynasties, Yan was recorded to be bestowed with the same titles, but there was no mention of the size of his fiefdom. (宣帝即位，迁上仪同大将军、御正中大夫，进爵为公。) Bei Shi, vol.83.
10. (宣帝崩，刘昉、郑译等矫遗诏，以隋文帝为丞相，辅少主。之仪知非帝旨，拒而弗从。) Book of Zhou, volume 40
11. (隋文帝后索符玺，之仪又正色曰：“此天子之物，自有主者，宰相何故索之？”于是隋文帝大怒，命引出，将戮之，然以其民之望也，乃止。) Book of Zhou, vol.40
12. (开皇五年，拜集州刺史。) Book of Zhou, volume 40
13. According to Yan Xie's biography in Book of Liang, he was 42 (by East Asian reckoning) when he died in the 5th year of the Da'tong era of Xiao Yan's reign. (大同五年，卒，时年四十二。) Liang Shu, vol.50. Thus by calculation, his birth year should be 498.
14. In volume 83 of History of the Northern Dynasties, it was recorded that Yan Zhitui was the elder brother, with Zhiyi as the younger one.