Xu Jie

Timeline

1. 1503–1539Huating County · HuatingXu Jie placed third in the jinshi exam (tanhua) in the second year of Jiajing (1523), entering the Hanlin Academy as compiler. Influenced in youth by Wang Yangming's teachings, he inclined toward the philosophy of mind with open-minded thought. During his Hanlin tenure, he was demoted to judge of Yanping Prefecture for remonstrating with the Jiajing emperor, later gradually promoted through posts including Deputy Director of the Guozijian and Junior Registrar of the Household Academy.
2. 1539–1562Beijing · BeijingEntered the Grand Secretariat in the 29th year of Jiajing (1550) as Junior Grand Secretary. During Yan Song's dominance, Xu Jie outwardly complied while secretly accumulating strength, maintaining good relations with the Jiajing emperor. Skilled at writing Daoist prayer texts and showing no sharp edges, he moved cautiously at court, repeatedly sheltering officials targeted by Yan Song (including Hai Rui) in secret, awaiting his opportunity.
3. 1562–1568Beijing · BeijingIn the 41st year of Jiajing (1562), Xu Jie exploited Yan Shifan's arrogance and the Jiajing emperor's anger, directing censor Zou Yinglong to memorialize impeaching the Yan father and son; the Jiajing emperor promptly dismissed Yan Song, and Xu Jie succeeded as Grand Secretary-in-Chief. He assisted the Jiajing emperor in his late years, and after the emperor's death participated in drafting the edict, promoting the Longqing emperor's accession, and posthumously rehabilitating wronged officials like Yang Jisheng.
4. 1568–1583Huating County · Songjiang PrefectureIn the second year of Longqing (1568), Xu Jie was forced to retire home amid political struggles with a new generation of officials including Zhang Juzheng. Returning to Huating in his later years, though pursued by Hai Rui (then Governor of Yingtian) for over-occupied farmland, he still enjoyed a peaceful old age, dying in the 11th year of Wanli (1583) at age eighty.