Fan Zhongyan

Timeline

1. 1031–1032Chenzhou · ChenzhouIn the ninth year of Tiansheng he was promoted to Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and transferred to Chenzhou as prefectural associate, burying his mother at Wan'an Mountain in Yichuan, Henan. During this period he socialized with Hu Ze and others and petitioned for posthumous honors for his parents.
2. 1033–1034Bianjing (Kaifeng) · Eastern Capital Kaifeng PrefectureAfter Empress Dowager Liu died and Renzong ruled in person, Fan Zhongyan was summoned as Right Remonstrator. Because he opposed deposing Empress Guo and argued for making Consort Yang empress dowager, he clashed with Chancellor Lü Yijian and was demoted to prefect of Muzhou.
3. 1034–1036Suzhou · SuzhouHe was transferred to Suzhou, where he managed waterworks and promoted education, founding the prefectural academy and inviting Hu Yuan to teach. In 1035 he was promoted to Attendant at the Tianzhang Pavilion and Director of the Directorate of Education, advanced to Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel, and acting prefect of Kaifeng, impeaching the eunuch Yan Wenying.
4. 1036–1039Raozhou · RaozhouBecause he submitted the 'Register of the Hundred Officials' criticizing the chancellor's appointments and advocated moving the capital to Luoyang, he clashed fiercely with Lü Yijian, was accused of factionalism, stripped of office and made prefect of Raozhou, then successively demoted to Runzhou and Yuezhou. Ouyang Xiu and others submitted memorials in his defense, an episode known as the Jingyou factional struggle.
5. 1040–1043Yanzhou · YanzhouWhen Western Xia's Yuanhao invaded the frontier, Han Qi recommended him for reinstatement. He first served as prefect of Yongxing Army, then became Hanlin Academician of the Longtu Pavilion and Vice Commissioner for Pacification and Administration of Shaanxi, concurrently Prefect of Yanzhou, repairing cities, training troops, and winning over Qiang tribes, creating conditions for the later Qingli peace settlement.