Yan Zhiyi

Yan Zhiyi (颜之仪) (523–591), courtesy name Zisheng (子升),[1] was a native of Linyi County, Langya Commandery (琅琊郡) (now Shandong Province). He was a minister during the Northern Zhou dynasty and a governor during the Sui dynasty.[2] He died in the winter of 591-592 at the age of 69 (by East Asian reckoning).[3]

Life

During the Northern Zhou Dynasty

After the death of Emperor Xuan, court officials led by Liu Fang (刘昉) and Zheng Yi (郑译) amended the edict containing Emperor Xuan's will, making Yang Jian (the later Emperor Wen of Sui) chancellor and chief counselor for the young Emperor Jing. Yan Zhiyi, knowing that this was not Emperor Xuan's true intentions, refused to join in the plot.[4] Later, after Yang Jian had become chancellor and regent, he asked Yan Zhiyi for the Imperial Seal. Yan replied with a stern expression,"The Seal belongs to the Emperor; why is the Chancellor demanding to possess it?" Yang Jian was so angered by the reply that he ordered Yan to be dragged out and executed. However, remembering and apprehending Yan's excellent reputation with the people, Yang Jian halted the execution.[5]

During the Sui Dynasty

In 585, Yan Zhitui was made Inspector of Ji Prefecture (集州, in today Nanjiang County, Sichuan).[6]

Family

Yan Zhiyi is a member of the noble Yan clan of Langya (琅琊颜氏), and is a son of Yan Xie (颜协; 498 - 539[7]), son of Yan Jianyuan. Yan Zhiyi had a younger brother, Yan Zhitui.[8]

References
  1. In History of the Northern Dynasties, his courtesy name was recorded as simply "Sheng".
  2. Ancient and Early Medieval Chinese Literature (vol. 3 & 4): A Reference Guide, Part Three & Four. BRILL. 2014-09-18. ISBN 978-90-04-27185-2.
  3. [(开皇)十一年冬，卒，年六十九。] Book of Zhou, volume 40
  4. (宣帝崩，刘昉、郑译等矫遗诏，以隋文帝为丞相，辅少主。之仪知非帝旨，拒而弗从。) Book of Zhou, volume 40
  5. (隋文帝后索符玺，之仪又正色曰：“此天子之物，自有主者，宰相何故索之？”于是隋文帝大怒，命引出，将戮之，然以其民之望也，乃止。) Book of Zhou, vol.40
  6. (开皇五年，拜集州刺史。) Book of Zhou, volume 40
  7. According to Yan Xie's biography in Book of Liang, he was 42 (by East Asian reckoning) when he died in the 5th year of the Da'tong era of Xiao Yan's reign. (大同五年，卒，时年四十二。) Liang Shu, vol.50. Thus by calculation, his birth year should be 498.
  8. In volume 83 of History of the Northern Dynasties, it was recorded that Yan Zhitui was the elder brother, with Zhiyi as the younger one.


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