Introduction:
Ancient epithets symbolize the final evaluation of a person and represent the summary of life. It belonged not only to the emperor, but also to the ministers and generals. However, not everyone can be given a nickname, and only those who have made outstanding contributions to the dynasty are eligible. The collocation of different characters has formed a variety of nicknames, which have become the lifelong glory of Wenchen and military generals. In addition to good deeds, there are also derogatory insults, which are given to some people who have committed the most heinous crimes.
Chung-wu
Among the many nicknames, the nicknames of Wenchen include Wenzheng, Wenzhong, Zhongwu, Wenchen, Wenxiang, Wenduan, Zhongxian, and so on, but which one is the number one nickname? In the Song Dynasty, the most noble nickname was "Zhongwu." Before the Song Dynasty, there was no ranking.
In addition, there are some one-word nicknames, such as Du Ruhui is "Cheng", Qin Qiong is "Zhuang", Wei Zheng is "Wenzhen", Gao Shilian is "Wenwen", Fang Xuanling's nickname is "Wenzhao", etc., these are the twenty-four heroes of Lingyan Pavilion, their merits and abilities are very important, but there is no obvious hierarchical distinction through the nickname, and the nickname represents more of their merits.
Before the Tang Dynasty, the real nickname that could be regarded as the most noble was "Zhongwu", and the first to receive the nickname "Zhongwu" was the Han Dynasty's Shache Wang Yan, who was posthumously given the nickname "Zhongwu" after his death. After that, there were many people who won the nickname of "Zhongwu", and they were basically heavyweights, such as Zhuge Liang, Sima Shi, Wei Chigong and so on. Especially Sima Shi, because the Sima family was already in power at that time, so Sima Shi was given the title of "Zhongwu", which was also the highest praise for them.
Sima Shi
Loyalty
As for the Song and Song dynasties, the most noble nickname was "loyalty". Zhao Pu was one of the founding heroes of the Northern Song Dynasty, and was given the title of Loyalty, and in terms of his outstanding contributions, he can be called the most outstanding founding hero in the history of the Northern Song Dynasty. He participated in the planning of the Chenqiao Mutiny and assisted Zhao Kuangyin in establishing the Northern Song Dynasty. After the establishment of the Northern Song Dynasty, Zhao Pu served as the prime minister, and formulated a set of unification strategies of first the south and then the north, first the easy and then the difficult, improved various systems in the early Song Dynasty, and made a significant contribution to the consolidation of the rule of the Northern Song Dynasty. It can be said that he was one of the most outstanding scholars in the early Northern Song Dynasty, and was known as the half-part of the Analects to rule the world.
Immediately afterwards, it was Han Qi who received the nickname of the literature. Han Qi went through the three dynasties of Song Renzong, Song Yingzong, and Song Shenzong, and was named king twice and served as prime minister. It can be said that Han Qi was one of the highly respected outstanding scholars of the middle Northern Song Dynasty.
As for the famous minister Qin Hui, who was later posthumously given the title of literature, although his reputation later became notorious, he was highly respected at the time. Even Emperor Gaozong of Song was in awe of Qin Hui.
During the Southern Song Dynasty, in addition to Qin Hui, another figure with a bad reputation was Shi Miyuan. Shi Miyuan held power for 26 years in the late Southern Song Dynasty, and was favored by Song Ningzong and Song Lizong. Even though he was notorious, in the end he was posthumously given the title of loyalty, because Shi Miyuan strongly supported Zhu Xi's science, which directly changed the fate of the school of science, and can be said to be the benefactor of the development of science. After his death, he was highly regarded by the scholars of science, and even the temple name of Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty contained the meaning of science, so he was posthumously awarded the highest literary title.
秦桧
Wenzheng
Since Qin Hui and Shi Miyuan were posthumously given literature nicknames, this originally good nickname was basically no longer used. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Wenzheng became the highest glory of the scholars. People have a saying that "he was named Taifu during his lifetime, and he was posthumously presented to Wenzheng after his death". During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the title of Wenzheng became the highest honor of Wenchen, and few people could get this glory. Actually, Wenzheng means Wenzhen. In the Song Dynasty, in order to avoid the name of Song Renzong, it was changed to Wenzheng. The first famous minister to receive the title of Wen Zhen was Wei Zheng of the Tang Dynasty. Later, because of their admiration for Wei Zheng, people regarded it as an honor to receive this nickname. At that time, loyalty was the highest among the civil ministers.
Fan Zhongyan, an important politician and cultural celebrity in the Southern Song Dynasty, was honored as "the first Confucian figure of the Song Dynasty, with Fan Zhongyan as the first". His thoughts, as well as the noble character of a man with lofty ideals, have widely influenced later generations of literati. His prestige surpassed that of the Northern Song Dynasty and became a representative figure of the Southern Song Dynasty.
Fan Zhongyan was highly praised by the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties for his outstanding talent and outstanding political ability. He was included in the sacrificial list of the Temple of Confucius and the temples of the emperors of the past dynasties. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, officials who received the title of "Wenzheng" were regarded as the highest honor among civil servants. During the Ming Dynasty, only five Wenchen received the nickname "Wenzheng". However, even Li Dongyang, the first assistant of the Ming Dynasty cabinet, received the nickname "Wenzheng", which was questioned. It can be seen that it is extremely difficult to obtain the nickname "Wenzheng", which is a very important symbol.
During the Qing Dynasty, there were even fewer officials who were given the title of "Wenzheng", only eight people. Among them, Tang Bin was a famous minister of science in the Kangxi period, and it was not until the first year of Qianlong that he was posthumously named "Wenzheng". Liu Tongxun was a famous minister in the Qianlong period, who was deeply loved by the people for his uprightness, and was also given the nickname of "Wenzheng". Zeng Guofan became the last person in the history of the Qing Dynasty to receive the title of "Wenzheng", and he was also the first of the famous ministers of Tongzhi Zhongxing.
In conclusion, the title of "Wenzheng" has always been regarded as the highest honor, and those who receive this title must have excellence in virtue and merit. Fan Zhongyan's influence and prestige transcended his time and became one of the most revered ministers in history.
Epilogue:
Nicknames were very important to the courtiers, as they determined their reputation in later generations and their records in the history books. Receiving a nickname is considered a great honor, and a great nickname is enough to make them have no regrets for the rest of their lives. Receiving the top nickname is undoubtedly a clear proof that will forever be recorded in the annals of history. However, although after the Ming and Qing dynasties, "Wenzheng" became a top nickname, there were also many highly regarded nicknames before the Ming and Qing dynasties. Therefore, it is not rigorous enough to regard Wenzheng alone as the most honorable title of all dynasties.