Yan Zhenqing was born in Linyi County, Langya County. When Yan Zhenqing was young, he studied hard and was quite literary, especially good at calligraphy. During the kaiyuan period, he was selected and admitted to the first class ... serving his parents is famous for his filial piety. An Lushan's opposition is more obvious. Yan Zhenqing used the long rain as an excuse to build a wall to deepen the moat, secretly count the strong men and reserve food; On the surface, it is to gather scholars to play by boat, drink and recite poems in the water outside the city. Someone reported to An Lushan, and An Lushan secretly scouted, thinking that the literati were not worth worrying about.
Soon, An Lushan rebelled and Heshuo was captured; Only the battlements in the plain were well guarded, so soldiers were sent to join the army. Li Ping and Ma Fei reported. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty began to hear about the Anshi Rebellion and sighed, "Isn't there a loyal minister in the twenty-four counties north of the Yellow River?" I was very happy to get Li Ping's report, so I turned to my attendants and said, "I really don't know what Yan Zhenqing looks like. He can do so well!" An Lushan captured Luoyang, killed Li Deng and the judge Lu Yi, and sent Duan Ziguang and their heads to the north of the Yellow River.
Worried that people would be shaken, Yan Zhenqing pretended to say to the generals, "I know all three people, and none of them is true." So he cut it off and secretly hid the heads of the three people. Later, they took out their hats and ornaments, made limbs out of grass, buried them in coffins, and set up memorial tablets to cry, which made people more attached.
Su Zong toured Lingwu, and was named the Minister of Industry of Yan Zhenqing. Yan Zhenqing was also an ancient scholar. When Li Xilie defected and occupied Ruzhou, Qilu said, "Yan Zhenqing is a man who is convinced by the whole country. Send him to tell them that you don't have to let the army work hard. " The emperor agreed. Yan Zhenqing just met Li Xilie, and Li Xilie's adopted son drew his sword and rushed forward, forcing him to eat his flesh. Many generals surrounded by layers, wanton abuse, sword at him, Yan Zhenqing without fear.
Li Xilie quickly covered him with his body and dispersed the crowd. When the people retreated, he invited Yan Zhenqing to rest in his residence. Li Xilie hosted a banquet for his minions, and invited Yan Zhenqing to dinner, so that he could watch the artists accuse him of blasphemy against government affairs for fun. Yan Zhenqing said angrily, "Your Excellency is a vassal. How can you let these people do such a thing? " After brushing clothes, he got up and left. Li Xilie was ashamed and called on him to stop.
Li Xilie captured Bianzhou, proclaimed himself emperor and founded the country, and sent someone to ask about Yan Zhenqing's ceremony. Yan Zhenqing said, "I'm getting old. Although I used to be in charge of state etiquette, all I remember is the etiquette of vassal worship. " Li Xilie killed Yan Zhenqing in the first year of Xingyuan, and Yan Zhenqing was 77 years old.
Character evaluation:
Yan Zhenqing was a loyal and patriotic man, and Tang Dezong sent him as an envoy to Li Xilie army to convey the will of the imperial court. When he was arrested by rebel Li Xilie, he faced life and death many times. But he has always been fearless in times of crisis and stuck to his integrity. Li Xilie first dug a hole and buried him alive, and then set fire to him. He faced it calmly without the slightest timidity. Later, in order to avenge his brother, Li Xilie sent someone to kill him. He still insisted on his dignity and refused to stay.