Controversy over Wang Qinruo's Chancellorship

Timeline

1. 1022–1023Eastern Capital, Kaifeng Prefecture · KaifengAfter Zhenzong's death, Empress Dowager Liu intended to reappoint Wang Qinruo as chancellor. Wang Zeng and others, citing Qinruo alongside Ding Wei, Lin Te, Chen Pengnian, and Liu Chenggui as the 'Five Demons'—treacherous, wicked, and deceitful—vigorously opposed it. The empress dowager nonetheless decided to reappoint him, naming Qinruo Minister of Personnel and Chief Minister in Tiansheng 1, breaking the Taizong-era custom of not appointing southerners as chancellor, sparking widespread controversy.
2. 1023–1025Eastern Capital, Kaifeng Prefecture · KaifengDuring his second chancellorship, Wang Qinruo concurrently held posts including commissioner of the Zhaoying Palace, continuing the legacy of Zhenzong-era auspicious-omen politics. In the 10th month of Tiansheng 3, while serving as commissioner of scripture translation en route to the Chuanfa Academy, he fell ill and died; Renzong personally offered condolences, granting him Grand Preceptor and Grand Councilor, with the posthumous name Wenmu. Renzong later remarked: long in government, seeing what he did, truly a treacherous man.
3. 1029Yuqing Zhaoying Palace, Eastern Capital, Kaifeng Prefecture · KaifengOn the night of the 20th day of the 6th month of Tiansheng 7, the Yuqing Zhaoying Palace was struck by lightning and burned, reducing over three thousand halls to ashes. The palace had been built by Wang Qinruo, Ding Wei and others on Zhenzong's orders to enshrine the Heavenly Books. Fan Yong, a Bureau of Military Agricultural Colonies official, memorialized using the disaster as a warning, requesting cessation of non-essential construction and dismissal of sycophants, opposing rebuilding. Court and country used the occasion to settle accounts with the auspicious-omen political legacy; Wang Zeng was also dismissed as chancellor for his concurrent responsibility as palace commissioner.