Cui Yuan (崔圓) | 24 Histories

Overview

Cui Yuan was an official and Military Governor.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Posthumous name	Illustrious and Assisting	昭襄

Life and dates

Death

AD 768 大曆三年六月
Age Years: 64
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 120
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 119, passage 108

Age

Years 64 · Reckoning Sui · At death
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 120

Attested activity

AD 760 to AD 764 上元至廣德
Strongly inferred · Old Book of Tang 119, passages 107-108
AD 760 代景山
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 141, passage 50
AD 756 八月…同賫冊赴行在
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passages 127-128
AD 756 to AD 758 圓守文之士
Strongly inferred · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 216
AD 768 大曆三年六月
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 120
AD 756 天寶末，玄宗幸蜀
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passages 109, 111

Show 11 more source-backed claims

AD 755 to AD 756 天寶末
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 109
AD 759 官軍不利於相州
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passages 115-116
AD 756 to AD 757 崔圓…罷知政事
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 81
AD 757 to AD 761 崔寧歷事
Dated from the passage context · New Book of Tang 144, passage 105
AD 757 從肅宗還京
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 113
AD 761 to AD 768 拜揚州大都督府長史、淮南節度觀察使
Strongly inferred · Old Book of Tang 112, passages 119-120
AD 758 明年（還京之次年）
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passages 113-114
AD 759 to AD 761 李光弼用為懷州刺史
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 118
AD 766 永泰二年十二月
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 114, passage 182
AD 756 肅宗即位
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 112
AD 713 to AD 741 開元中
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 105

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Descendant of Cui Liang (崔亮)
descendant of 之後 · paternal line
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 102
Child of Cui Jingzhi (崔景晊)
father 父
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 103

Key source chapters

Origins and identity

descendant of Cui Liang of Northern Wei 後魏左僕射亮之後
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 102

Career and standing

Grand Councilor 同中書門下平章事
AD 756 天寶末，乘輿至蜀 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 111
Vice Director of the Secretariat 中書侍郎
AD 756 天寶末，乘輿至蜀 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 111
military governor of Jiannan 劍南節度
AD 755 to AD 756 天寶末 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 109
Director of the Secretariat 中書令
AD 757 從肅宗還京 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 113
Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince 太子少師
AD 758 明年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 114
left to guard the eastern capital 留守東都
AD 758 明年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 114

Show 30 more source-backed claims

prefect of Huai 懷州刺史
AD 759 to AD 761 李光弼用為 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 118
armed palace attendant 執戟
AD 713 to AD 741 開元中 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 105
assistant magistrate of Huichang 會昌丞
Appointed
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 107
chief administrator of Yangzhou metropolitan prefecture 揚州大都督府長史
Appointed
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 119
in charge of rear affairs for the Jiannan military governorship 知節度留後
Appointed
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 108
left military aide in the Shu metropolitan government 蜀郡大都督府左司馬
Appointed
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 108
military governor and observer of Huainan 淮南節度觀察使
Appointed
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 119
secretariat director 尚書郎
Appointed
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 108
steward of the crown prince 太子詹事
Appointed
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 118
participation in government 知政事
AD 758 明年 · Ceased
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passages 113-114
censor-in-chief 御史大夫
Concurrent
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 119
acting right vice-director 檢校右僕射
Granted
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 119
chief minister 宰臣
Held · Appointing Person Id Xuanzong (玄宗)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 81
Huainan military governor and Acting Right Vice Minister 淮南節度使、檢校右僕射
AD 766 永泰二年十二月 · Held
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 114, passage 182
Huainan Military Governor 淮南節度使
Held
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 119, passage 107
Grand Preceptor of the Crown Prince 太子太師
AD 768 大曆三年六月 · Posthumously granted
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 120
chief administrator of the Shu metropolitan prefecture 蜀郡大都督府長史
AD 755 to AD 756 天寶末 · Promoted to
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 109
vice-director in the Ministry of Honors 司勛員外郎
Promoted to
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 107
tutor to the Prince of Ji 濟王傅
AD 759 尋 · Recalled as
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 117
acting left vice-director in charge of secretariat affairs 檢校左僕射知省事
Transferred to
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 119
prefect of Fen 汾州刺史
Transferred to
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 118
actual fief of five hundred households 實封五百戶
AD 757 從肅宗還京 · Granted
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 113
Illustrious and Assisting 昭襄
AD 768 大曆三年六月 · Posthumous title
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 120
court suspended three days 輟朝三日
AD 768 大曆三年六月 · Received posthumously
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 120
stele of enduring affection composed by Xuanzong in Shu 玄宗親制遺愛碑於蜀
AD 756 肅宗即位 · Received
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 112
Duke of Zhao 趙國公
AD 757 從肅宗還京 · Enfeoffed
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 113
罷知政事
Removed from government affairs
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 81
Orphaned · Phase youth
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 104
Poor · Phase youth
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 104
Punished
AD 759 官軍不利於相州後 · Stripped of rank and fief
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 116

Places and affiliations

Tang 唐
Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Old Book of Tang 119, passage 107
Polity Tang 唐 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passages 81, 108-109, 128, 216; Old Book of Tang 114, passage 182
At Dongwucheng in Qinghe 清河東武城
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 101
AD 759 官軍不利於相州
At Xiangyang 襄陽 · Relation Fled to
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 116
AD 758 明年
At eastern capital (Luoyang) 東都 · Relation Posted to
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 114
At Dongwucheng in Qinghe 清河東武城 · Relation Native of
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 101

Show 2 more source-backed claims

At Shu / Jiannan 蜀郡／劍南 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 108
At Yangzhou / Huainan 揚州／淮南 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 119

Learning and skills

Earned
AD 713 to AD 741 開元中 · Credential top honors in the military-strategy examination 鈐謀射策甲科
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 105
Skill military texts 兵書 · Level avid-reader
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 104

Events and relationships

Abandoned city fled south
AD 759 官軍不利於相州 · Military · Local authority · At Xiangyang 襄陽
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passages 115-116
Delivered investiture registers
Diplomatic · Envoy
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passages 127-128
Entered court with tribute
AD 766 永泰二年十二月 · Travel · Tributary
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 114, passage 182
Passed top grade
AD 713 to AD 741 開元中 · Examination · Candidate
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 105
Prepared Shu for imperial arrival
AD 755 to AD 756 天寶末 · Political · Preparer · With Yang Guozhong (楊國忠)
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 110
Repaired walls built lodges stored supplies
AD 755 to AD 756 天寶末 · Logistical · Organizer · At Shu 蜀
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 110

Show 9 more source-backed claims

Sent to Suzong court
AD 756 肅宗即位 · Diplomatic · Envoy · With Fang Guan (房琯)
Dated from the passage context · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 112
Relation Recommended by · Person Xiao Jiong (蕭炅)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 107
Relation Assisted · Person Yang Guozhong (楊國忠)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 108
Relation Colleague of · Person Fang Guan (房琯)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 112
Relation Appointed by · Person Li Guangbi (李光弼)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 118
Relation Patron of · Person Li Cheng (李承)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 119, passage 107
Relation Superior of · Person Cui Ning (崔寧)
Directly stated · New Book of Tang 144, passage 105
Relation Colleague of · Person Wei Jiansu (韋見素)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 112
Relation Tutor of · Person Prince of Ji (濟王)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 117

Assessments and attributes

Assessment a man of routine written norms, not a defender against calamity · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 216
Assessment deeply praised by Xuanzong for ready halls and camps · Mode named-person-judgment Speaker Emperor Xuanzong (玄宗)
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 111
Assessment praised for orderly governance in each post · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 118
Assessment proud of literary talent but dissatisfied with military post · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 106
vast ambitions and a mind to order the realm
Ambition
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passage 104

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Old Book of Tang 112, passages 81, 128

References in the histories

Search passages

History

19 passages

Old Book of Tang, Chapter 112Volume 108 Biographies 58: Wei Jiansu, Cui Yuan, Cui Huan, Du Hongjian · 15 passages

Open chapter

及房琯以敗軍左降，崔圓、崔渙等皆罷知政事，上皇所命宰臣，無知政事者。 When Fang Guan was demoted after his military defeat and Cui Yuan, Cui Huan, and others were removed from office, none of the chief ministers appointed by the retired emperor still held real power.

崔圓，清河東武城人也。 Cui Yuan came from Dongwucheng in Qinghe commandery.

圓少孤貧，誌尚閎博，好讀兵書，有經濟宇宙之心。 Yuan was orphaned and poor as a youth, but his ambitions were vast. He loved military texts and dreamed of governing the realm.

開元中，詔搜訪遺逸，圓以鈐謀射策甲科，授執戟。 During Kaiyuan the court sought out neglected talent; Yuan took top honors in the military-strategy examination and was appointed an armed palace attendant.

蕭炅為京兆尹，薦為會昌丞，累遷司勛員外郎。 When Xiao Jiong became Jingzhao intendant he recommended Yuan as assistant magistrate of Huichang, and Yuan rose to vice-director in the Ministry of Honors.

宰臣楊國忠遙制劍南節度使，引圓佐理，乃奏授尚書郎，兼蜀郡大都督府左司馬，知節度留後。 Chief minister Yang Guozhong controlled Jiannan from the capital and brought Yuan in to help run the circuit. He had Yuan appointed a secretariat director, made him left military aide in the Shu metropolitan government, and put him in charge of rear affairs for the military governorship.

天寶末，玄宗幸蜀郡，特遷蜀郡大都督府長史、劍南節度。 At the end of the Tianbao era, when Xuanzong fled to Shu, Yuan was promoted to chief administrator of the Shu metropolitan prefecture and military governor of Jiannan.

圓素懷功名，初聞國難，潛使人探國忠深旨，知有行幸之計，乃增修城池，建置館宇，儲備什器。 Yuan had long sought fame. When rebellion broke out he secretly learned from Guozhong's circle that the emperor meant to flee to Shu, and he hastened to repair the walls, build lodges, and stock supplies for the imperial arrival.

及乘輿至，殿宇牙帳咸如宿設，玄宗甚嗟賞之，即日拜中書侍郎、同中書門下平章事、劍南節度，余如故。 When the emperor arrived, the halls and camp were ready as though prepared long in advance. Xuanzong was deeply impressed and that same day made Yuan vice director of the secretariat, grand councilor, and military governor of Jiannan, with his other duties unchanged.

肅宗即位，玄宗命圓同房琯、韋見素並赴肅宗行在所，玄宗親制遺愛碑於蜀以寵之。 When Suzong took the throne, the retired emperor sent Yuan with Fang Guan and Wei Jiansu to Suzong's court and personally composed a stele praising Yuan's service in Shu.

從肅宗還京，以功拜中書令，封趙國公，賜實封五百戶。 When he accompanied Suzong back to the capital he was made director of the secretariat, created Duke of Zhao, and granted a fief of five hundred households.

圓棄城南奔襄陽，詔削除階封。 Yuan abandoned the city and fled south to Xiangyang, and an edict stripped him of his rank and fief.

大曆三年六月薨，年六十四，輟朝三日，贈太子太師，謚曰昭襄。 He died in the sixth month of Dali 3 at the age of sixty-four. Court was suspended for three days of mourning. He was posthumously made grand preceptor of the crown prince and given the posthumous title Illustrious and Assisting.

八月，與左相韋見素、同平章事房琯、崔圓同賫冊赴行在。 In the eighth month he went with left chancellor Wei Jiansu, Fang Guan, and Cui Yuan to deliver the investiture registers to Suzong's court.

圓守文之士，非禦侮之才。 Yuan was a man of routine administration, not a defender against calamity.

Old Book of Tang, Chapter 119Volume 115 Biographies 65: Cui Qi, Zhao Guozhen, Cui Guan, Jing Kuo, Wei Yuanfu, Wei Shaoyou, Wei Boyu, Li Cheng · 2 passages

Open chapter

淮南節度使崔圓請留充判官，累遷檢校刑部員外郎、兼侍御史。 Huainan military governor Cui Yuan asked to retain him as legal aide; he rose in turn to vice minister of justice by inspection and concurrent attending palace censor.

圓卒，歷撫州、江州二刺史，課績連最。 When Yuan died he served in turn as prefect of Fu and Jiang; his performance evaluations were repeatedly ranked highest.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 141Volume 141 Biographies 66: Cui, Deng, Wei, Wei, Li Han, Lu, Gao · 1 passage

Open chapter

展叛凡三月平，追景山入朝，拜尚書左丞，以崔圓代之。 Zhan's rebellion was pacified in about three months; Jingshan was recalled to court, appointed left vice director of the Department of State Affairs, and Cui Yuan replaced him.

New Book of Tang, Chapter 144Volume 144 Biographies 69: Lai, Tian, Hou, Cui, Yan · 1 passage

Open chapter

歷事崔圓、裴冕。 He served in turn under Cui Yuan and Pei Mian.