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Shen Yiguan

Type Figure Region China Time c. 1531–1604 Also known as courtesy name Kongxiu、literary name Jishan、Jiaomen、Layman Dayuan

Shen Yiguan (c. 1531-1604), courtesy name Kongxiu, literary name Jishan, from Yin County, Zhejiang;…

Timeline

  1. 1601–1606Beijing Grand Secretariat · BeijingShen Yiguan was at this time the reigning Grand Secretary, sole manager of state affairs. In Wanli 30, when the emperor fell ill, he was summoned to discuss abolishing mining taxes and releasing prisoners, but the edict was soon retracted after the emperor changed his mind. He strongly recommended Li Chengliang for a renewed tenure in Liaodong, and in the Mysterious Book Case and metropolitan review disputes he clashed fiercely with Donglin purists, rallying Zhe faction and Qi and Chu colleagues, as court debate split ever more deeply.
  2. 1601Shen residence, Beijing · BeijingAfter Matteo Ricci arrived in the capital from Nanjing, he was received and feasted by Shen Yiguan at his private residence; they exchanged gifts and discussed Western customs and the Catholic teaching of monogamy. Shen was the first Ming Grand Secretary to hold an open attitude toward the Western religion; Ricci then presented a striking clock, opening a honeymoon period of Sino-Western exchange in the late Ming.
  3. 1605–1606Beijing · BeijingIn the Wanli 33 metropolitan review, Donglin partisans Yang Shiqiao and others impeached Zhe faction member Qian Menggao; Shen Yiguan memorialized to defend his faction members, provoking successive attacks by Liu Yuanzhen, Pang Shiyong, and others. In Wanli 34, Nanjing supervising secretary Chen Liangxun and censor Sun Juxiang impeached him again; having long offended public opinion, Shen Yiguan was finally ordered to retire together with Shen Li, and Zhe faction power was thereby checked.

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