Su Gui

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Su Gui (639–710), courtesy names Changrong or Tingshuo, was an official of the Tang dynasty and Wu Zhou dynasty who served as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Zhongzong, Emperor Shang, and Emperor Ruizong. He was posthumously titled Duke Wenzhen of Xu.

Born in 639, Su Gui came from a family with a long history in government service. He was the great-grandson of the Sui chancellor Su Wei; his grandfather Su Kui and his father Su Dan also held official posts. His elder sister married Li Chengqian, the crown prince of early Tang. Su Gui passed the imperial examinations before age 19 and became a military officer at Heng Prefecture. After his mother’s death, his deep mourning impressed a chancellor, who promoted him to work on the staff of Li Dan, the Prince of Yu. He earned the respect of his superiors and colleagues.

During Wu Zetian’s reign, Su Gui served as prefect of Lang Prefecture and then She Prefecture. He refused to flatter Lai Junchen, a powerful secret-police official, even though Lai could threaten his career. After Lai was recalled and resented Su, Su was kept from returning to the capital. Later he became secretary general of Yang Prefecture, a wealthy post, and then the prefect of Tong Prefecture. When a major drought struck Tong, Su suggested exempting drought-stricken people from service and recalling circuit-touring officials. Wu Zetian was said to be pleased with his humane view, though it is not clear whether she formally approved.

In 705, Wu Zetian was overthrown and her son Li Xian (the former emperor) was restored as Emperor Zhongzong. Su Gui was recalled to serve as Shangshu You Cheng, a secretary at the executive bureau, and was created the Baron of Huai. He soon revised laws and regulations and, in 706, was raised to Shizhong (head of the examination bureau) and given the title Viscount of Huaiyang. When Zhongzong visited the eastern capital Luoyang, Su was put in charge of Chang’an in his absence. He helped arrest a sorcerer, Zheng Pusi, who was suspected of treason, but Zhongzong later ordered him released; this caused a famous quarrel between Su and the emperor, though the senior chancellor Wei Yuanzhong defended Su’s actions.

In 707, when Li Chongjun, Zhongzong’s son by a concubine, led a palace rebellion, Su Gui and other chancellors helped defend the palace. Li Chongjun was killed, and order was restored. In 709, during a ritual arrangements dispute, Su opposed giving Empress Wei the second stage in the sacrifices and Li Guo’er the third; Emperor Zhongzong still allowed Empress Wei to be second, while Wei Juyuan became the third sacrificer.

Su Gui was made Shangshu You Pushe, another top bureau post, and he remained a chancellor in name as well. He was also created the Duke of Xu. When the court observed the custom of “burning the tail” to honor high officials, Su refused to perform the ritual, explaining that famine and elevated prices meant people were hungry and that he could not abandon his duties. He faced mockery for this, but stood by his explanation.

In 710, Emperor Zhongzong died suddenly, and many suspected Empress Wei of poisoning him so she could retain power as regent for her son Li Chongmao, who became Emperor Shang. A meeting of 19 officials, including Su Gui, discussed the forthcoming will and co-regency arrangements. Su objected to making Li Dan co-regent, but the plan proceeded, and Li Chongmao took the throne with Empress Wei as regent. Less than a month later, a coup led by Princess Taiping and Li Longji killed Empress Wei and Li Guo’er, and Li Dan became Emperor Ruizong again. Su Gui briefly remained a chancellor under Ruizong but soon asked to retire due to illness and left government service. He died later in 710 and was buried with simple honors as he wished. His son Su Ting would also become a chancellor later in Li Longji’s reign.