Five Dynasties · Official and Statesman

Sang Weihan 桑維翰

Attested AD 940

Passages: 5
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Sang Weihan was an official and Statesman.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 940 source
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 55, passage 207

References in the histories

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 55Volume 55 Miscellaneous Biographies 35: Liu Xu, Lu Wenji, Ma Yinxun, Yao Yi, Liu Yue, Ma Gao, Cui Jujian, Cui Zhuo, Li Yi · 5 passages

初，棁為學士，嘗草制，為宰相桑維翰所改。 Early in his career as academician, Zhuo drafted an edict that Chancellor Sang Weihan altered.

棁以唐故事學士草制有所改者當罷職，乃引經據爭之，維翰頗不樂。 Zhuo cited Tang precedent that an academician whose draft was altered should leave office, and argued the point from the classics. Weihan was deeply displeased.

而棁少專於文學，不能蒞事，維翰乃命棁知貢舉，棁果不能舉職。 Zhuo had specialized in literature since youth and could not manage affairs. Weihan therefore assigned him charge of the examination, and Zhuo proved unable to perform the duty.

棁既受命，往見維翰，維翰素貴，嚴尊而語簡，謂棁曰：「孔英來矣。」 After receiving his commission Zhuo went to see Weihan, who was always honored, stern, and brief in speech. He told Zhuo: "Kong Ying has come."

棁不諭其意，以謂維翰以孔英為言，乃考英及第，物議大以為非，即罷學幹，拜尚書左丞，遷太常卿。 Zhuo misunderstood and thought Weihan meant to warn him against Kong Ying. He passed Ying in the examination instead, to widespread outrage. Zhuo was removed from the Hanlin Academy, made left assistant director in the Ministry of State Affairs, and transferred to director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.