Bao Zheng
Distinguish between right and wrong
Bao Zheng, the highly respected "Bao Xiangye" in Chinese history, is considered to be a representative of the iron-faced and selfless judgment of cases and the fairness and strictness of officials. However, the widely circulated title of "Xiangye" is really misinformation. Through a detailed investigation of the political system and Bao Zheng's career in the Northern Song Dynasty, we can make it clear that this "Qingtian Xiangye" did not really serve as the prime minister.
Bao Zheng
Background and setting
In traditional opera works such as Qin Yan's "The Case of Quanmei", Bao Zheng is respectfully referred to as "Xiangye", which forms a kind of misleading. This title is often passed on by word of mouth, leading to misunderstandings about Bao Zheng's true identity. But in fact, in the political system of the Northern Song Dynasty, the prime minister system was in a period of adjustment, and the system was flexible and changeable.
Bao Zheng
Northern Song Vizier System
During the Northern Song Dynasty, the prime minister system was not as fixed as it was later. The main and deputy rulers are set up in the same place, and many phases are parallel, in order to alleviate the contradiction between the imperial power and the relative power. In Bao Zheng's era, the chief of Zhongshu was the prime minister, known as "Tongzhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi", and the deputy prime minister was called "Governor of Political Affairs". This adjustment was aimed at centralizing imperial power and decentralizing relative power.
Bao Zheng's career
Bao Zheng became a jinshi in the fifth year of Tiansheng in the Northern Song Dynasty (1027), but due to the old age of his parents, he has not been a scholar. It wasn't until his parents died one after another and his filial piety was completed that he stepped into his career. In his career, he has served as the magistrate of the county, the governor of the state, and the supervision of the imperial history. During his tenure of office, Bao Zheng strictly enforced the law and repeatedly wrote to impeach officials who acted improperly, which won the respect of the people.
Bao Zheng's talent and achievements
In the first year of Jiayou (1056), Bao Zheng was appointed to the right to know Kaifeng Mansion, and in just over a year, he governed in an orderly manner and won the love and admiration of the people. This real political achievement has added a lot to his career. In the sixth year of Jiayou (1061), Bao Zhengguan became the deputy privy envoy, and at this time he was already the highest decision-making body for national affairs, and the power of the prime minister was equal.
Bao Zheng and the regret of the prime minister's name
However, despite his extensive political career, from the highest official to the Privy Councillor, Bao Zheng was never given the title of prime minister. The Privy Council is one of the highest state bodies in charge of military affairs, and its functions and powers are no different from those of the Prime Minister. Bao Zheng's actual power was equivalent to that of the deputy prime minister, but the name of the prime minister never belonged to him, which became a big regret for the Northern Song Dynasty.
Summary and reflection
Bao Zheng's erroneous title of "Xiangye" originated from traditional opera works, but historical facts show that he was not really the prime minister. In the adjustment of the political system of the Northern Song Dynasty, the system of prime ministers changed flexibly, and the chief and deputy prime ministers were set up at the same time. Bao Zheng's political achievements and career are outstanding, but the name of "Xiangye" does not match his actual position. This historical regret also reminds us that when we understand historical figures, we should pay attention to proceeding from historical facts and avoid being misled and misunderstood.