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He Zhizhong

Type Figure Region Northern Song Time 1044–1118 Also known as He Botong、Zhengxian

He Zhizhong (1044–1118), courtesy name Botong, from Longquan, Chuzhou, was chancellor under Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song, succeeding Cai Jing…

Timeline

  1. 1101–1105Bianjing · Capital CircuitIn the early Huizong reign he successively served as Minister of Works and Minister of Personnel, both with the additional post of Reader-in-Waiting, and memorialized to establish archives to preserve examination records and prevent clerical corruption, paving the way for his entry into the cabinet and chancellorship in the Chongning era.
  2. 1105–1107Bianjing · Capital CircuitIn the fourth year of Chongning (1105) he was promoted from acting Minister of Personnel to Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, entering into the great councils of state, serving Cai Jing single-mindedly and embellishing the age of peace, earning Huizong's special favor.
  3. 1107–1109Bianjing · Capital CircuitIn the early Daguan era he was advanced to Vice Director of the Central Secretariat and Vice Director of the Chancellery, accumulating the rank of Grand Master of Glorious Light, continuing to assist Cai Jing in implementing the Chongning New Policies, his prestige rising daily.
  4. 1109–1110Bianjing · Capital CircuitIn the sixth month of Daguan three (1109), censors jointly impeached Cai Jing as unfit; Huizong, wary of his autocracy, appointed He Zhizhong to replace Cai Jing as Left Chancellor of the Department of State Affairs with the additional title of Special Elevation; Chen Chaolao of the Imperial Academy memorialized at the palace gates denouncing him as mediocre and incompetent, disappointing officials and commoners alike, yet the emperor's favor only grew more exceptional.

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