Xue Wenyu (薛文遇) | 24 Histories

Overview

Xue Wenyu was an official and Statesman.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 934 應順元年，歲次甲午，四月庚午朔
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 194-195
AD 934 to AD 936 廢帝/清泰間
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 50, 67
AD 934 to AD 936 末帝朝
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 96, passages 204-205

Key source chapters

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 27 Volume 27 Later Tang Biographies 7: Zhu Hongzhao, Liu Yanlang, Kang Sili, Kang Yicheng, Yao Yanchou 10 passages
Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 96 Volume 96 Book of Later Jin 22: Biographies 11: Kong Chongbi, Chen Baoji, Wang Yu, Zhang Jizuo, Zhen Ruan, Hu Rao, Liu Suiqing, Fang Gao, Meng Chenghui, Liu Jixun, Zheng Shouyi, Cheng Xun, Li Yu, Zheng Xuansu, Ma Zhongji, Chen Xuan 1 passage

Career and standing

direct academician of Military Affairs 樞密院直學士
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 50
director of the Bureau of Appointments 職方郎中
Appointed
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 50
aide / judge 判官
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 194
Active
Powerful court favorite
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 96, passage 205

Works and attributed material

Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 67-69

Events and relationships

Urged preemptive move against Jingtang
Political · Counselor
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passages 69, 71

Assessments and attributes

Assessment petty man who ruined a great affair · Mode named-person-speech · Speaker Li Song (李崧)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 27, passage 82

References in the histories

Search passages

History

11 passages

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 96Volume 96 Book of Later Jin 22: Biographies 11: Kong Chongbi, Chen Baoji, Wang Yu, Zhang Jizuo, Zhen Ruan, Hu Rao, Liu Suiqing, Fang Gao, Meng Chenghui, Liu Jixun, Zheng Shouyi, Cheng Xun, Li Yu, Zheng Xuansu, Ma Zhongji, Chen Xuan · 1 passage

Open chapter

時薛文遇、劉延朗之徒居中用事，暠雖處密地，其聽用之言，十不得三四，但隨勢可否，不為事先。 At that time Xue Wenyü, Liu Yanlang, and their like held sway at court. Though Gao sat in the innermost councils, only three or four of every ten words he spoke were heeded; he merely assented or demurred as the tide flowed, never taking the lead.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 27Volume 27 Later Tang Biographies 7: Zhu Hongzhao, Liu Yanlang, Kang Sili, Kang Yicheng, Yao Yanchou · 10 passages

Open chapter

遣使者馳告諸鎮，皆不應，獨隴州防禦使相里金遣其判官薛文遇計事。 He sent envoys to the provinces; none answered except Longzhou commissioner Xiangli Jin, who sent his aide Xue Wenyu to counsel.

帝得文遇，大喜。 The emperor welcomed Wenyu and rejoiced.

久之，昭胤、暠為樞密使，延朗為副使，審虔為侍衛步軍都指揮使，而薛文遇亦為職方郎中、樞密院直學士。 In time Zhaoyin and Hao became chief councillors, Yanlang deputy, Shenqian commander of the palace foot guards, and Xue Wenyu director of Appointments and direct academician of Military Affairs.

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.

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.

後月余，文遇獨直，帝夜召之，語罷敬瑭事，文遇曰：「臣聞『作舍道邊，三年不成』。 A month later Wenyu held night watch alone. The emperor called him at night. When they came to Jingtang, Wenyu said: “They say, ‘Build a house beside the road and in three years it is still unfinished.’

乃令文遇手書除目，夜半下學士院草制。 He had Wenyu write the appointment order himself and at midnight sent it to the Hanlin to draft the edict.

文遇不知而繼至，帝見之色變，崧躡其足，文遇乃出。 Wenyu came in unaware. The emperor’s face changed. Song stepped on his foot; Wenyu withdrew.

帝曰：「我見文遇肉顫，欲抽刀刺之。」 The emperor said: “I see Wenyu and my flesh crawls—I want to stab him.”

崧曰：「文遇小人，致誤大事，刺之益醜。」 Song said: “Wenyu is a petty man who has ruined everything. Stabbing him would only shame the throne.”