As a master of calligraphy, Yan Zhenqing’s calligraphy is of the highest caliber and remains magnificent for generations to come. As a supervisory inspector, Yan Zhenqing's character is high and righteous, and his blood will be remembered forever.
Yan Zhenqing was the fifth grandson of Yan Zhitui, a famous official in the Southern and Northern Dynasties. His father died when he was three years old, and he was raised by his mother. Growing up in a single-parent family, he was extremely filial to his mother, diligent in his studies, eloquent in diction, excellent in calligraphy, and of outstanding character. In the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty, Yan Zhenqing took the Jinshi examination and was admitted to the Jia Division. From then on, he entered the official career and served in the four dynasties of Xuanzong, Suzong, Daizong and Dezong throughout his life.
When Yan Zhenqing first became an official, he was appointed as the supervisory censor four times. He was once appointed as the military envoy of the Longyou Army in Hexi Province. At that time, Wuyuan was unjustly imprisoned, and the verdict could not be found out for a long time. After Yan Zhenqing arrived, he conducted case investigation and analysis. He quickly distinguished and judged the case clearly. According to historical records, the weather in Wuyuan area was dry for a long time. After the verdict of this case, it rained heavily. People in Wuyuan County called it "Yu Shi Yu". Yan Zhenqing was later appointed as the military envoy of Shuofang, Hedong. There was a local man named Zheng Yanzuo. His mother died 29 years ago. None of their brothers buried her. Instead, they temporarily buried her on the wall of the monk's house. After Yan Zhenqing learned of the situation, he impeached the Zheng family. The brothers were unfilial, and the whole world was in a state of shock, and everyone condemned this unfilial behavior. Because Yan Zhenqing was qualified in the post of supervisory inspector, he was moved to the position of censor in the palace, interview judge in Dongduji, and transferred to censor in the palace.
Yan Zhenqing was transferred from the supervisory censor to the imperial censor in 750 AD. The imperial censor served in the Chaoyuan, one of the three courts under the Yushitai. During this period, the censor Jiwen framed Song Hun, the censor's chief minister, out of personal grudges. Yan Zhenqing then stepped forward and criticized Jiwen for not using temporary anger to endanger the loyal minister Song Jing. As a result, Yang Guozhong was "angry that he would not attach himself to himself" and ostracized him as a dissident. In the twelfth year of Tianbao (753 AD), Yan Zhenqing was transferred out of Beijing and demoted to the post of governor of Pingyuan.
The Anshi Rebellion broke out soon. At a time of extreme crisis, Yan Zhenqing stepped forward to fight against the Anshi rebels in Pingyuan County. In 756 AD, Li Heng, the son of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, ascended the throne as Suzong and appointed Yan Zhenqing as the imperial censor and the interview envoy of Hebei. An Lushan took advantage of Suzong's transfer of troops from Hebei and the lack of troops in Hebei, and sent Shi Siming and others to attack the counties in Hebei. Raoyang, Hejian, Jingcheng, and Dong'an fell one after another, and Du Pingyuan, Boping, and Qinghe counties were City guard. The city was heavily besieged and people's hearts were in turmoil. Yan Zhenqing was forced to abandon the county. After going through hardships, he reached Fengxiang and met the emperor. He was ordered to serve as the Minister of the Xianbu (Ministry of Punishments) and was later promoted to the imperial censor.
Despite the difficult times, Yan Zhenqing still seriously performed his duties as a censor. Cui Yi, a member of the Zhongshu family and the minister of the Ministry of official affairs, drank wine and went to court with a drunken look to remonstrate with Li Heji, an official, who had an unserious attitude when he went to court and made fun and jokes. Yan Zhenqing was not afraid of offending his colleagues and criticized them in person and impeached them for their inappropriate behavior. , the emperor decreed that Cui Yi be demoted to You Shuzi and Li Heji to be Sima of Xiping County. Because Yan Zhenqing fulfilled his duties and spoke out everything he knew about the military and state affairs, he was eventually tabooed by the prime minister and was appointed as the governor of Tongzhou and then the governor of Puzhou. He was criticized by Tang Min, the imperial censor, and demoted to the governor of Raozhou. Later, after several twists and turns, he returned to the imperial court and became the ceremonial envoy of the imperial court.
After the Anshi Rebellion, the Tang Dynasty turned from prosperity to decline, and the vassal towns were separated. The military power sank into the hands of Jiedushi and others, creating a situation where the tail was too big to lose. Queen Guangping succeeded Su Zong as Daizong. After Daizong's death, his son Li Shi ascended the throne as Dezong. At that time, Prime Minister Lu Qi controlled the real power. Lu Qi always resented Yan Zhenqing's talent and uprightness.
In 782 AD, Li Xilie, the military governor of Huaixi, rebelled, claimed to be the marshal of the world, and challenged the imperial court. Prime Minister Lu Qi suggested sending the highly respected Yan Zhenqing as envoy to Huaixi to quell the rebellion without using swords or guns. In fact, Lu Qi wanted to use Li Xilie's help to get rid of Yan Zhenqing. Yan Zhenqing, who was nearly eighty years old, was not afraid after receiving the order. He went to Huaixi as an envoy to persuade Li Xilie to surrender. Li Xilie persuaded Yan Zhenqing to be his prime minister with the promise of a high official and a generous salary, but Yan Zhenqing sternly refused. Yan Zhenqing knew that he would die, so he wrote suicide notes, epitaphs, and memorials. He often pointed to the west wall of his bedroom and said: "This is my burial place."
Later, the rebels piled firewood in the courtyard of Yan Zhenqing's residence, fertilized it with oil, and threatened Yan Zhenqing: "If you don't surrender, I will burn you here." Yan Zhenqing said nothing and turned to face the fire. The rebels had no choice but to stop threatening and report to Li Xilie. When Li Xilie was about to be defeated, he hanged Yan Zhenqing to death at the age of 77.
Six months later, the rebellion was put down. . Only then was Yan Zhenqing’s coffin escorted back to Beijing. Dezong issued an edict in memory of Yan Zhenqing, who was “talented and loyal to Kuangguo, loyal to the point of death, possessing natural talent and outstanding public loyalty. , die without giving up, and look at the festival, it is actually still alive."