Overview
Gu Xiancheng was an official.
Life and dates
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History of Ming, Chapter 219Volume 219 Biographies 107: Zhang Siwei, Ma Ziqiang, Xu Guo, Zhao Zhigao, Zhang Wei, Zhu Geng · 1 passage
張居正柄國，權震主．申時行繼之，勢猶盛．王錫爵性剛負氣，人亦畏之．志臯為首輔，年七十餘，耄矣，柔而懦，為朝士所輕，詬誶四起．其始為首輔也，值西華門災，御史趙文炳論之．無何，南京御史柳佐、給事中章守誠言，吏部郎顧憲成等空司而逐志臯，實激帝怒．已而給事中張濤、楊洵，御史冀體、況上進，南京評事龍起雷相繼披詆．而巡按御史吳崇禮劾其子兩淮運副鳳威，鳳威坐停俸．未幾，工部郎中岳元聲極言志臯宜放，給事中劉道亨詆尤力．志臯憤，言：「同一閣臣也，往日勢重而權有所歸，則相率附之以媒進．今日勢輕而權有所分，則相率擊之以博名．」因求退益切．帝慰諭之．
When Zhang Juzheng held power his authority overshadowed the throne; Shen Shixing succeeded him with influence still strong; Wang Xijue was proud and formidable. Zhigao as chief grand secretary was over seventy, aged, gentle and timid, looked down on by court officials, and abuse erupted on every side. When he first became chief secretary, fire struck the Gate of Western Splendor and Censor Zhao Wenbing criticized him. Nanjing Censor Liu Zuo and Supervising Secretary Zhang Shoucheng said Personnel Director Gu Xiancheng and others had emptied the bureau and, in driving out Zhigao, had truly stirred the emperor's anger. Supervising Secretaries Zhang Tao and Yang Xun, Censors Ji Ti and Kuang Shangjin, and Nanjing Reviewer Long Qilei then launched fierce attacks in succession. Touring censor Wu Chongli impeached his son Fengwei, salt transport vice commissioner of the Two Huai, who was suspended from salary. Bureau Director Yue Yuansheng said Zhigao should be dismissed; Supervising Secretary Liu Daohang denounced him with especial force. Zhigao, angered, said: 'They are all Grand Secretaries alike. When power was heavy and authority had a center, they flocked to attach themselves for advancement. Now power is light and authority divided, and they flock to attack for renown.' He asked to withdraw all the more urgently; the emperor comforted him.