Miao Jinqing
Miao Jinqing (685–765), courtesy name Yuanfu, was a Chinese official who served as a chancellor in the Tang dynasty during the reigns of Emperor Suzong and Emperor Daizong. Known for his peaceful, humble nature, he was also seen as someone who tried too hard to please powerful people at court.
He was born in 685 in Lu Prefecture. His family traced back to the royal Chu clan, and his ancestors were Confucian scholars. His grandfather declined a government post, and his father held a modest official role. Miao passed the imperial exams and began his career as a local administrator, serving as sheriff of Xiuwu and then Fengxian. After a setback, he was appointed as a census officer at Xu Prefecture, then as the respected sheriff of Wannian in Chang’an. He later became a watchdog official and worked in the finance, defense, and civil service ministries. By 735 he was Libu Langzhong (a mid-level official in the ministry of civil service affairs), and in 736 he earned additional duties as Zhongshu Sheren (a mid-level official in the legislative bureau). In 739 he helped oversee the selection of officials, and in 741 he rose to deputy minister of civil service affairs, overseeing examinations for five years. He was known for tolerating disagreements from officials, though some subordinates abused the system during this time.
In 743 a major scandal hit the examination process. Zhang Shi, a favored examinee, was ranked top despite not studying, sparking anger among others. Emperor Xuanzong personally tested the passing examinees and found many lacking; he demoted Miao, Song Yao, and Zhang Yi. Miao then served as governor of Ankang, and later Wei Commandery and the Hebei circuit supervisor. He governed Wei well for three years, and on his way back to Chang’an he paused at his home county to show humility and generosity, inviting locals to feasts and funding education with his salary. He then governed Hedong and Fufeng, was made Baron of Gaoping, and later served as minister of public works and as an official in charge of Luoyang. He returned to Chang’an as minister of justice and a chief secretary.
In 755, as An Lushan rose in rebellion, the powerful chancellor Yang Guozhong used the moment to try to push Miao out of Chang’an. Emperor Xuanzong considered assigning him to defend Shan Commandery, but Miao, then about 70, declined the military post because of age and offended the emperor. Xuanzong removed him from office and Miao retired. In 756, when An’s forces approached Chang’an, Miao fled into a valley and then to Ankang. Xuanzong fled to Chengdu, and his son Li Heng declared himself emperor as Suzong.
During Suzong’s rise, Miao was recalled and made head of the examination bureau (Zuo Xiang) and chancellor, often advising on major affairs. He was later given the title Shizhong (a senior chancellor) and was created Duke of Han. He asked to retire several times; in 759 he was moved from the main chancellor post, though he was kept in government service as a senior adviser to the crown prince. He was briefly removed from the chancellor role in 759, then restored in 760, and he continued to influence state affairs.
Emperor Xuanzong died in 762. Suzong mourned for three days and briefly served as regent; after his death, Li Yu became Emperor Daizong and asked Miao to be regent again, but Miao declined because of his age. He preferred to govern modestly, and Emperor Daizong allowed him to report to the chancellors’ office only every other day, even letting him enter the office in a litter. He continued to meet in the Yanying Hall, a practice many later sick or old chancellors would imitate.
In 763 Tibetan forces attacked Chang’an, and Daizong fled east. Miao, ill at the time, did not follow. The Tibetans briefly forced Li Chenghong to claim the throne, but they did not harm Miao. After Daizong’s forces pushed the Tibetans away, Miao was honored as Taifu (grand tutor), but he was removed from the chancellor post. He died in May 765 and was given a high posthumous honor. Initially, officials proposed the name Yixian, but a powerful official, Yuan Zai, pushed for the more prestigious Wenzhen. In 772, Emperor Daizong ordered that Miao be worshiped in Emperor Suzong’s temple.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 03:41 (CET).