Li Zhuanmei (李專美)

Overview

Li Zhuanmei was an official and Diplomat.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Courtesy name	Yishang	翊商	Yishang

Life and dates

Death

AD 944 to AD 946 開運中
Cause Illness · Died of illness
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 64
AD 944 to AD 946 開運中
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 97
AD 944 to AD 946 至是善終
Peaceful
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 75

Age

62
AD 944 to AD 946 開運中 · Reckoning Sui
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 64

Attested activity

AD 938 三年
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 63
AD 934 丙辰
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 100
AD 915 to AD 921 偽梁貞明中
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 43
AD 935 十月丁丑
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 197
AD 934 to AD 936 及為端明殿學士
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 72
AD 934 to AD 936 廢帝/清泰間
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 49, 184

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AD 926 to AD 930 後唐天成中
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 45
AD 936 to AD 946 晉
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 127, passage 62
AD 934 末帝即位
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 50
AD 923 to AD 936 職岐下
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 71
AD 944 to AD 946 至是善終
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 75
AD 944 to AD 946 開運中
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 64; New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 97
AD 936 高祖入洛
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 62
AD 936 to AD 942 高祖臨朝
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 74

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Descendant of Li Zhengfan (李正範)
grandfather 祖 · paternal line · 2 generations
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 41
Descendant of Li Sui (李隨)
great-grandfather 曾祖 · paternal line · 3 generations
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 40
Child of Li Shu (李樞)
father 父 · paternal line
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 42

Kinship Role remote ancestors · Quantity unspecified · At Guzang great branch 姑臧大房
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 65

Key source chapters

Origins and identity

descendant of a distinguished clan 名族之後
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 43
great branch of the clan at Guzang 姑臧大房
Line paternal
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 65

Career and standing

scholar-official 士人子弟
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 53
Vice Director of the Court of the Imperial Insignia 衛尉少卿
AD 938 三年 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 63
sheriff of Luhun 陸渾尉
AD 915 to AD 921 偽梁貞明中 · Appointed · At Luhun 陸渾
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 43
Director of the Palace Library 秘書監
AD 935 十月丁丑 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 197
Northern Bureau commissioner of the Palace Secretariat 宣徽北院使
AD 935 十月丁丑 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 197
investigating officer 推官
AD 926 to AD 930 後唐天成中 · Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 45

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academician of the Hall of Brilliant Governance 端明殿學士
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 61
acting Director of the Imperial Library 守秘書監
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 61
acting Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs 檢校尚書右僕射
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 61
aide to the heir 贊善
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 127, passage 62
Commissioner of the Northern Bureau of the Palace Secretariat 宣徽北院使
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 61
direct academician of Military Affairs 樞密院直學士
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 49
direct academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs 樞密院直學士
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 50
Director in the Bureau of Storehouses 尚書庫部郎中
Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 50
director of the Bureau of Revenue 比部郎中
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 49
magistrate of Wuyang 舞陽令
Appointed · At Wuyang 舞陽
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 43
staff officer 從事
Appointed · At Chang'an 長安
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 49
Supervising Secretary 給事中
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 61
Vice Minister of War 兵部侍郎
Appointed
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 100
Duanming Hall academician 端明殿學士
AD 935 十月丁丑 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 197
Vice Minister of War 兵部侍郎
AD 935 十月丁丑 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 197
Academician of the Duanming Hall 端明殿學士
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 100
academician of the Hall of Brilliant Governance 端明殿學士
Held
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 72
chief clerk 掌書記
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 184
director of the Court of Judicial Review 大理卿
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 97
Vice Minister of War 兵部侍郎
AD 935 明年 · Promoted
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 61
Director of the Court of Judicial Review 大理卿
Promoted
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 63
Director of the Court of State Ceremonial 鴻臚卿
Promoted
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 63
recorder 記室
Promoted · At Fengxiang 鳳翔
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 49
one of the nine ministers 九卿
Rose to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 74
posting below Qi 職岐下
Served · At Qi 岐
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 71
Commissioner of the Palace Secretariat 宣徽使
Transferred to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 73
gold seal and purple robe 金紫
Granted
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 50
Entered
AD 936 高祖入洛 · Removed from office
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 62

Places and affiliations

Later Jin 晉
Relation Served
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 97
Polity Later Jin 晉 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passages 62-63, 74
Polity Later Liang 梁 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 43
Polity Later Tang 後唐 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passages 100, 197; Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passages 45, 50
At Guzang 姑臧 · Relation Ancestral
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 65
At Wannian in Jingzhao 京兆萬年
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 39

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At Jingzhao 京兆 · Relation Native of
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 39
At Luhun 陸渾 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 43
At Luoyang 洛陽 · Relation Present at
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passages 52, 60, 62
At Min 閩中 · Relation Traveled to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 75
At Qi 岐下 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 71
At two Zhe regions 兩浙 · Relation Traveled to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 75
At Wuyang 舞陽 · Relation Posted to
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 43
Organization four eminent clans with Qinghe Cui, northern Lu, Zhaoguo Zheng 四望族 · Relation Member of
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 65

Learning and skills

From youth devoted to scholarship and letters
少篤學文
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 42
Never entered
Credential presented-scholar examination 進士舉 · Negated true
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 42
Skill scholarship and letters 學文 · Level devoted
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 42

Works and attributed material

某非德非勛，安可久居此位，處吾子之首乎
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Li Song (李崧) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 72
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Last Emperor of Tang (唐末帝) · Direct quotation · Units s0047
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 47
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Last Emperor of Tang (唐末帝) · Direct quotation · Units s0054, s0055, s0056, s0057, s0058
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passages 54-58
Proclamation · Author · Direct quotation
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 193

Events and relationships

Appointed sheriff then magistrate
AD 915 to AD 921 偽梁貞明中 · Appointment · Appointee · With Zhang Quanyi (張全義)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 43
Attended headquarters banquet
Banquet · Guest · With Last Emperor of Tang (唐末帝) · At headquarters 衙署
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 46
Interpreted dream as succession
Political · Adviser · With Last Emperor of Tang (唐末帝)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 47
Led counsel
Political · Counselor
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 51, 60
Made vice minister of war retaining prior post
Appointment · Appointee
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 100
Rebuked then advised against fulfilling army promises
Political · Adviser · With Last Emperor of Tang (唐末帝) · At palace 禁中
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passages 53-59

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Requested another office out of deference to Li Song
Political · Actor · With Li Song (李崧)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passages 72-73
Restored to court rank after joint memorial
Political · Beneficiary · With Li Song (李崧)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 74
Rewards paid from available funds Luoyang households spared
Political · Advocate · At Luoyang 洛陽
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 60
Sent on mission to Min, driven to the two Zhe, returned unharmed after more than a year
Diplomatic · Envoy · At Min 閩中
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 75
Dream · Dreamer · At Mount Song 嵩山 · Summary dreamed he stood atop Mount Song in court dress holding bamboo slips
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 71
Relation Old associate of · Person Sang Weihan (桑維翰)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 74
Relation Colleague of · Person Li Song (李崧)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 72

Assessments and attributes

Assessment earnest refinement · 敦雅 · Mode named-person-judgment Assessor Person Id Last Emperor of Tang (唐末帝)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 45
Assessment excellent administrative reputation · 大著政聲 · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 44
Assessment incorrupt and cautious · 廉謹 · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 44
Assessment Luoyang households were spared the lash thanks to his advocacy · 由專美之敷揚 · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 60
Assessment never flaunted his clan name; respectful to poor scholar-officials · Mode public-opinion
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 70
Assessment peaceful death attributed to spirits rewarding modesty · Mode public-opinion
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 75

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 47, passage 197; Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 65
Value historical
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 93, passage 39

References in the histories

Search passages

History

29 passages

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 47Volume 47 Book of Later Tang 23: Later Emperors Annals 2 · 2 passages

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丙辰，以端明殿學士李專美為兵部侍郎，以端明殿學士李崧為戶部侍郎，以翰林學士馬裔孫為禮部侍郎，以禮部郎中、充樞密院直學士呂琦為給事中，並充職如故。 On bingchen Li Zhuanmei, Duanming Hall academician, was made Vice Minister of War; Li Song, Duanming Hall academician, was made Vice Minister of Revenue; Ma Yisun, Hanlin academician, was made Vice Minister of Rites; Lü Qi, Director of the Ministry of Rites and direct academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs, was made Supervising Secretary—all retaining their concurrent posts.

丁丑，以端明殿學士、兵部侍郎李專美為秘書監，充宣徽北院使。 On dingchou Li Zhuanmei, Duanming Hall academician and Vice Minister of War, was made Director of the Secretariat and Northern Bureau commissioner of the Palace Secretariat.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 93Volume 93 Book of Later Jin 19: Biographies 8: Lu Zhi, Li Zhuanmei, Lu Zhan, Cui Zhuo, Xue Rong, Cao Guozhen, Zhang Renyuan, Zhao Xi, Li Xia, Yin Yuyu, Zheng Yunsou · 19 passages

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李專美，字翊商，京兆萬年人也。 Li Zhuanmei, whose courtesy name was Yishang, came from Wannian in Jingzhao.

專美少篤學文，以父樞唐昭宗時常應進士舉，為覆試所落，不許再入，專美心愧之，由是不遊文場。 Zhuanmei from youth was devoted to scholarship and letters. His father Shu had once taken the presented-scholar examination under Emperor Zhaozong of Tang but was failed in the repeat examination and barred from re-entry; ashamed on his father's account, Zhuanmei never entered the examination arena himself.

偽梁貞明中，河南尹張全義以專美名族之後，奏為陸渾尉，秩滿，改舞陽令。 During the Zhenming era of the Liang, Zhang Quanyi, Governor of Henan, because Zhuanmei came from a distinguished clan, had him appointed sheriff of Luhun; when his term ended he was made magistrate of Wuyang.

專美性廉謹，大著政聲。 Zhuanmei was by nature incorrupt and cautious, and his administrative reputation was excellent.

後唐天成中，安邑榷鹽使李肅辟為推官，時唐末帝鎮河中，見其敦雅，心重之。 In the Tiancheng era of Later Tang, Li Su, commissioner for the salt monopoly at Anyi, recruited him as investigating officer. The Last Emperor of Tang was then military governor of Hezhong; seeing Zhuanmei's earnest refinement, he came to esteem him highly.

末帝一日曾召肅宴於衙署，專美亦預坐，末帝謂肅曰：「某夜來夢主上召去，與宋王同剃卻頭，何也？」 One day the Last Emperor summoned Su to a banquet at headquarters; Zhuanmei was also present. The Last Emperor said to Su: "Last night I dreamed that the sovereign summoned me and that the Prince of Song and I had our heads shaved together—what can this mean?"

坐客都無對者，專美屏人謂曰：「將來必為嗣主。」 None of the guests could answer. Zhuanmei drew him aside and said: "You will surely become the heir sovereign."

末帝留守長安，奏為從事，及移鎮鳳翔，遷為記室。 When the Last Emperor served as regent at Chang'an, he had Zhuanmei appointed as staff officer; when he was transferred to Fengxiang, Zhuanmei was promoted to recorder.

末帝即位，除尚書庫部郎中，賜金紫，充樞密院直學士。 When the Last Emperor took the throne, Zhuanmei was appointed Director in the Bureau of Storehouses, granted the gold seal and purple robe, and made direct academician of the Bureau of Military Affairs.

會專美宿於禁中，末帝召而讓之曰：「卿士人子弟，常言有才術，今致我至此，不能度運以濟時事，留才術何施也！」 Once when Zhuanmei was staying in the palace, the Last Emperor summoned and rebuked him: "You are the son of a scholar-official family and always claim talent and ability—yet you have brought me to this pass and cannot read the times to rescue the situation. What good is talent left unused?"

專美惶恐待罪，良久奏曰：「臣才力駑劣，屬當興運，陛下猥垂錄任，無以裨益聖朝，然府藏空竭，軍賞不給，非臣之罪也。 Zhuanmei, trembling with fear, waited a long while and then replied: "Your servant's abilities are mean, and though I have had the honor of serving in a time of rising fortune, I have been unable to benefit the court. Yet the treasury is empty and army rewards cannot be paid—this is not my fault.

及其行賞，雖不愜於軍士，然洛陽戶民獲免鞭笞之苦，由專美之敷揚也。 When rewards were distributed the soldiers were dissatisfied, but the households of Luoyang were spared the lash—thanks to Zhuanmei's advocacy.

高祖入洛，以例除名。 When Gaozu entered Luoyang, Zhuanmei was removed from office according to precedent.

專美之遠祖本出姑臧大房，與清河小房崔氏、北祖第二房盧氏、昭國鄭氏為四望族，皆不以才行相尚，不以軒冕為貴，雖布衣徒步，視公卿蔑如也。 Zhuanmei's remote ancestors came from the great branch of the clan at Guzang. Together with the minor branch of the Cui of Qinghe, the second northern branch of the Lu, and the Zheng of Zhaoguo they formed the four eminent clans. None prized conduct or talent in one another, nor regarded rank and office as honorable; even in plain dress and on foot they looked down on dukes and ministers as beneath notice.

唯專美未嘗以氏族形於口吻，見寒素士大夫，恒恂恂如也，人以此多之。 Only Zhuanmei never flaunted his clan name; toward poor and plain scholar-officials he was always respectful and deferential, and people praised him for it.

專美職岐下，曾夢具裳簡立嵩山之頂。 While serving below Qi, Zhuanmei once dreamed that he stood atop Mount Song in full court dress holding bamboo slips.

及為端明殿學士，學士李崧同列而班在其上，因以所夢告崧，且言：「某非德非勛，安可久居此位，處吾子之首乎！」 When he became academician of the Hall of Brilliant Governance, Academician Li Song was his colleague, but Zhuanmei ranked above him in court order. He told Song of his dream and said: "I lack both virtue and merit—how can I long hold this position above you!"

及高祖臨朝，崧為樞密使，與桑維翰同列，維翰與專美亦有舊，乃協力以奏之，遂復朝序，位至九卿。 When Gaozu held court, Song was Commissioner of the Bureau of Military Affairs and sat with Sang Weihan; Weihan also had old ties with Zhuanmei, and together they memorialized on his behalf. He was restored to court rank and rose to one of the nine ministers.

專美曾使閩中，遇風水漂至兩浙，逾歲無恙而還，至是善終，人以為神道福謙之所致也。 Zhuanmei had once been sent on mission to Min; he was driven by storm to the two Zhe regions but returned unharmed after more than a year. When he now died a peaceful death, people attributed it to the spirits rewarding his modesty.

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 127Volume 127 Book of Later Zhou 29: Biographies 7: Lu Wenji, Ma Yisun, He Ning, Su Yugui, Jing Fan · 1 passage

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李崧相晉，用李專美為贊善，裔孫以賓客致仕，專美轉少卿，裔孫得太子詹事。 When Li Song served Jin, he made Li Zhuanmei aide to the heir; Yisun retired as guest, Zhuanmei rose to vice director, and Yisun became grand mentor of the heir.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 27Volume 27 Later Tang Biographies 7: Zhu Hongzhao, Liu Yanlang, Kang Sili, Kang Yicheng, Yao Yanchou · 7 passages

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初，廢帝起於鳳翔，與共事者五人：節度判官韓昭胤，掌書記李專美，牙將宋審虔，客將房暠，而延朗為孔目官。 When the Deposed Emperor first rose at Fengxiang, five men shared his cause: Han Zhaoyin as military aide, Li Zhuanmei as chief clerk, Song Shenqian as guard officer, Fang Hao as guest officer, and Yanlang as records clerk.

於是決反，使專美作檄書，言：「朱弘昭、馮赟幸明宗病，殺秦王而立湣帝。帝年少，小人用事，離間骨肉，將問罪於朝！」 He then rebelled and had Zhuanmei draft a proclamation: “Zhu Hongzhao and Feng Yun exploited Mingzong’s illness, killed the Prince of Qin, and enthroned Emperor Min. The boy emperor is ruled by petty men who divide the clan—they mean to bring us to court in chains!”

帝既立，以昭胤為左諫議大夫、端明殿學士，專美為比部郎中、樞密院直學士，審虔為皇城使，暠為宣徽北院使，延朗為莊宅使。 Once enthroned, the emperor made Zhaoyin Left Remonstrator and Duanming academician; Zhuanmei director of the Bureau of Revenue and direct academician of Military Affairs; Shenqian commissioner of the Imperial City; Hao commissioner of the Northern Palace Secretariat; and Yanlang commissioner of the Imperial Estates.

由是審虔將兵，專美、文遇主謀議，而昭胤、暠及延朗掌機密。 Shenqian held the armies; Zhuanmei and Wenyu shaped policy; Zhaoyin, Hao, and Yanlang held the confidential seals.

延朗等多言敬瑭可留京師，昭胤、專美曰：「敬瑭與趙延壽皆尚唐公主，不可獨留。」 Yanlang’s faction urged keeping Jingtang in the capital. Zhaoyin and Zhuanmei objected: “Jingtang and Zhao Yanshou both married Tang princesses. You cannot hold one and not the other.”

帝與延朗等日夕謀議，而專美、文遇叠宿中興殿盧，召見訪問，常至夜分而罷。 The emperor plotted with Yanlang day and night. Zhuanmei and Wenyu slept in the Zhongxing Hall and were called in for counsel, often until midnight.

專美事晉為大理卿，開運中卒。 Zhuanmei served Jin as director of the Court of Judicial Review and died in the Kaiyun period.