Su Wei

Timeline

1. c. 542–581Chang'an · GuanzhongSu Wei came from the distinguished Su clan of Wugong; his father Su Chuo was a famous statesman of Western Wei and Northern Zhou. Su Wei entered Northern Zhou service in his youth following his father's legacy, won the appreciation of Emperor Wen of Sui (then a powerful minister), and by the late Northern Zhou had accumulated considerable political standing, establishing deep political trust with Yang Jian.
2. 581–604Daxing City · GuanzhongAfter the Sui was founded, Su Wei was highly valued by Emperor Wen, holding the posts of nayan, Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, and Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, ranking among the chief ministers. He actively participated in formulating the equal-field system, the zu-yong-diao tax system, and the Kaihuang Code, and led the early standardization of the imperial examination system, being one of the main promoters of the Reign of Kaihuang.
3. 604–623Daxing City · GuanzhongUnder Emperor Yang of Sui, Su Wei continued in office but was repeatedly demoted for blunt remonstrance or misplaced flattery, his career rising and falling several times. After the late Sui chaos he attached himself to various factions, appeared at court as a former minister during the Wude era of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, died around 623 at over eighty, and was remembered in history for his and his father's service in aiding the founding of the dynasty.