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Yang Yi

Type Figure Region Jianzhou Time 974–1020 Also known as Yang Danian、Yang Wengong

Yang Yi (974–1020), style name Danian, from Pucheng in Jianzhou, was a renowned Northern Song litterateur and Historiography Academy scholar.…

Timeline

  1. 1001–1003Bianjing · KaifengDuring the Xianping era Yang Yi served in Bianjing as drafter of edicts and concurrent Historiography Academy compiler, drafting imperial commands and joining in compiling the national history. Exchanging poems with academy scholars Qian Weiyuan, Liu Yun and others, the Xikun poetic style gradually took shape; vigorous in literary style and quick in wit, he was a pillar of the early-Song literary world.
  2. 1004Chanzhou · PuyangIn the first year of Jingde Liao forces invaded southward and Zhenzong personally campaigned to Chanzhou. Yang Yi attended the emperor as drafter of edicts; with Chancellor Kou Zhun he played chess and drank atop the northern city gate tower, composed and at ease. Hearing of it Zhenzong rejoiced, saying 'If Zhun is like this, what have I to fear?' — a scholar-official steadying military morale, contributing to strategic stability before the Chanyuan Treaty.
  3. 1005–1010Bianjing · KaifengAfter the Chanyuan Treaty Yang Yi returned to Bianjing, continuing his academy career, presiding with Qian Weiyuan and others over compilation of large encyclopedias such as the Cefu Yuangui, and leading Xikun-style poetic exchanges. Auspicious omens grew prevalent in Zhenzong's court; Yang Yi, upright by nature, gradually kept his distance from powerful favorites such as Ding Wei and Wang Qinruo.

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