Politics and factionalism: K'ou Chun (962-1023) and his 't'ung-nien'.
详细信息
文摘
This study is on Kou Chun,the early Northern Sung statesman who made his name in Chinese history by the conclusion of the Treaty of Shan-yuan in 1005 with the Northern Empire of the Liao,which brought about the peace between the two countries for more than a century. Apart from discussing Kou Chuns role in the 1004 crisis,this study attempts to view Sung bureaucratic factionalism from a new perspective through examining the activities of Kou Chun and his tung-nien,candidates who obtained their chin-shih degrees in the same year. It is found that the chin-shih of the 980 examination including Kou Chun and Wang Tan 957-1017) gradually built up a powerful faction through their tung-nien relationship. This faction dominated the Sung court for more than thirty years since the middle of Emperor Tai-tsungs reign r. 976-997). Their chief rival factions,interestingly,also came from two other tung-nien groups headed by Chang Chi-hsien 943-1014) and Wang Chin-jo 962-1025),respectively. Historically,bureaucratic factionalism always intertwined with court politics. It was no exception for early Northern Sung. Since Kou Chun and his faction were deeply involved in the succession questions of Emperor Tai-tsung and Chen-tsung r. 997-1022),this study also focuses on the power struggle that took place in the inner court. Kou Chun ultimately lost in the power struggle and died in banishment. However,his faction still managed to keep its influence during Empress Dowager Lius r. 1023-1033) regency when its junior members,headed by Wang Tseng 978-1038) and Lu I-chien 978-1043) gradually came to power. Kou Chun and his faction were traditionally praised as "gentlemen",while their rivals were mostly condemned as "petty men". Such a view will be examined through the study of their behaviors. And Kous historical image will be explored through different perspectives as well.