Life

Jianwen and Yongle Reign Periods

Yang Pu grew up in poverty but was diligent in his studies. In the first year of the Jianwen era (1399), he won first place in the Huguang provincial examination (jieyuan). The following year, he passed the imperial examination and was ranked 18th in the second class of the Gengchen cohort. He was appointed as a Compiler at the Hanlin Academy, along with Yang Rong. After the Jingnan Campaign, when Emperor Chengzu ascended to the throne, Yang Pu was reassigned to serve Prince Zhu Gaoshi (later Emperor Renzong) as a Tutor. One day, while reading the Book of Han, Prince Zhu praised Zhang Shi for his talent. Yang Pu replied: "Zhang Shi indeed had great talent, but without the benevolence of Emperor Wen of Han, he would not have been able to achieve much." After this, Yang Pu compiled a biography of Emperor Wen and presented it to the prince, who was greatly pleased. Later, when Yang Pu returned home for his father's funeral, he coincidentally encountered Emperor Chengzu on a northern expedition while Prince Zhu Gaoshi was overseeing the state. The emperor ordered him to return to his post. In the twelfth year of the Yongle era, due to a delay in welcoming the returning emperor, Zhu Gaoshi incurred Emperor Chengzu's wrath. Officials who served in the Eastern Palace, including Huang Hai and Yang Pu, were all imprisoned. During this time, their families often had difficulty providing food, and it was uncertain whether they would survive. Despite these harsh conditions, Yang Pu continued to read extensively from various classics and histories for ten years without interruption.

Hongxi and Xuande Reign Periods

After Emperor Renzong ascended the throne, Yang Pu was released and promoted to Hanlin Academician. Emperor Renzong, who remembered that Yang Pu had suffered a decade of imprisonment because of him, treated him with particular kindness. The following year, Emperor Renzong built the Hongwen Pavilion next to the Sishan Gate and selected scholars known for their learning and conduct to serve there. Yang Shiqi recommended Lecturer Wang Jin and Confucian scholar Chen Ji, while Jian Yi recommended School Recorder Yang Jing and Instructor He Cheng. Emperor Renzong also appointed Yang Pu to oversee the Hongwen Pavilion and personally presented him with the pavilion's seal. Later, he was promoted to Grand Master of Ceremonies but continued to manage the affairs of the Hongwen Pavilion.

The following year, after Emperor Renzong passed away, Emperor Xuande ascended to the throne. He abolished the Hongwen Pavilion and summoned Yang Pu to join the Cabinet to handle state affairs with Yang Shiqi and others. In the fourth year of the Xuande era, he returned to Shishou for his mother's funeral but was later reappointed. In the ninth year of the Xuande era, he was promoted to Minister of Rites while continuing his roles as a Hanlin Academician and Cabinet member.

Zhengtong Reign Period

After Emperor Yingzong ascended to the throne, Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, and Yang Pu jointly requested that lectures on Confucian classics be resumed. They emphasized that the selection of lecturers must include those with sound knowledge, proper conduct, and a mature understanding of state affairs. In addition, they submitted a petition requesting careful selection of palace eunuchs. When this was presented to Empress Dowager Zhang, she was very pleased. One day, in a private hall, Emperor Yingzong stood facing west while the empress dowager sat. She summoned the Duke of Britain, Zhang Fu, and Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, Yang Pu, and Hu Ying into her presence. She said to them: "You are all experienced ministers. The current emperor is young; I hope you will work together to ensure the stability of the state." Then she called Yang Pu forward and said: "Emperor Renzong often spoke fondly of your loyalty, sighing that he never thought he would still be able to see you again today." Upon hearing this, Yang Pu was moved to tears, and the empress dowager also wept, deeply affecting everyone present.

During Emperor Renzong's time as regent for the Eastern Palace, he faced false accusations from Prince Zhu Gaohu, leading many officials of the Eastern Palace to be imprisoned. Yang Pu and Huang Hai were among those who spent ten years in prison and narrowly escaped death several times. Emperor Renzong frequently mentioned these ministers, and over time, Empress Dowager Zhang also came to sympathize with them. The empress dowager then said to Emperor Yingzong: "These five ministers have been chosen by three emperors to assist future rulers. When the emperor is busy with state affairs, he should consult with these five ministers." In the third year of the Zhengtong era, the Chronicles of Emperor Xuande was completed, and Yang Pu was promoted to Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent and Grand Secretary of the Wuying Pavilion. Since he had joined the Cabinet twenty years after Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong, the three were collectively known as the "Three Yangs." In the sixth year of the Zhengtong era, he requested leave to visit his family tomb.

At that time, eunuch Wang Zhen had not yet become overly powerful, and the country was peaceful. The court did not suffer from poor governance, and the "Three Yangs" were highly respected both within and outside the court. They were known as "West Yang" (Yang Shiqi), "East Yang" (Yang Rong), and "South Yang" (Yang Pu). Among them, Yang Pu was known for his integrity, humility, and calm demeanor, without any ulterior motives. He was always respectful and walked along the wall during court sessions. When disputes arose among officials, Yang Pu would mediate with fairness, earning admiration from all. People often said that Yang Shiqi had learning and conduct, Yang Rong had talent and insight, and Yang Pu had noble character, qualities that others could not match. However, after Yang Rong and Yang Shiqi passed away, new Cabinet members Ma Yu, Gao Gu, and Cao Nai were all inexperienced. Yang Pu became increasingly isolated, while Wang Zhen gained more influence in the court.

In the eleventh year of the Zhengtong era (1446), Yang Pu died. He was posthumously awarded the title of Grand Guardian and given the posthumous name Wen Ding. In the thirteenth year of the Zhengtong era, Wang Zhen lured the young Emperor Yingzong to campaign against the Mongols, resulting in his capture by Esen during the Tumu Incident, plunging the court into chaos. People lamented that if the "Three Yangs" were still alive, such a disaster would not have occurred.

Family

Yang Pu's great-grandfather was Yang Ying, who served as a scholar in Chaling during the Song Dynasty. His grandfather, Yang You, initially lived in Mengcheng, Jingzhou, and later moved to Shishou, where they settled. His father, Yang Wenxian, and his grandfather, Yang Guozhen, were both posthumously honored as Grand Secretaries of the Wuying Pavilion and Vice Ministers of Rites. His mother, Zhan, was posthumously honored as a Lady.

Yang Pu had three sons: Yang Jiao, Yang Yu, and Yang Dan. The eldest and second sons died before him. He had four daughters who were married to Shishou (a medical instructor), Wu Zhuo, Li Niangao (a student at the Imperial Academy), and He Chun (a scholar of the local school). His grandsons include Yang Shou and Yang Xiao, among others. One of his granddaughters was married to Mao Zhen, who passed the imperial examination in the tenth year of the Zhengtong era.

References

• 楊溥 (Chinese)