, was born in Quanzhou (now Licheng District, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province) and originally from Anyang, Xiangzhou (now Anyang City, Henan Province). He was a politician of the
. Han Qi ranked second in the imperial examination of Tian Sheng's fifth year. Later, he co-led the Qingli New Policies with
. During the
, he returned to the central government, serving successively as Chief Military Commissioner, Chancellor of the Jixian Academy, and Chancellor of the Zhaowen Hall. During his ten-year tenure as Chancellor, he assisted three dynasties and participated in the enthronement of
. He was known as a "two-dynasty founder." His highest rank was
, Minister of Works, and Duke of Wei. After his death, he was posthumously promoted to Grand Secretary and honored in the temple of Emperor Yingzong. In the reign of Emperor Huizong, he was further ennobled as Prince of Wei Commandery. His eldest son,
, both served as Chancellors.
Biography
On the second day of the seventh month in the first year of Dazhong Xiangfu era (July 5, 1008), Han Qi was born in Quanzhou. At that time, his father, Han Guohua, served as the Prefect of Quanzhou. His mother was a servant named Lianli to Han Guohua. The Han family had been officials for generations. Han Guohua held the position of Right Censor-in-Chief and Prefect of Quanzhou before his death when Han Qi was three years old. After that, Han Qi was raised by his brothers. "When he grew up, he could stand on his own, with great aspirations. He was dignified and reserved, did not enjoy playing around. His nature was pure and upright, without any deceit or crookedness, and his learning surpassed others."
In the fifth year of Tian Sheng (1027), Han Qi ranked second in the highest imperial examination, receiving an appointment as Assistant to the Director of Public Works and Vice Magistrate of Zizhou. His fellow examinees included the top-ranked Wang Yaomin, third-ranked Zhao Gai, as well as future chancellors such as Wen Yanbo, Bao Zheng, and Wu Yu.
While at the Imperial Academy, his colleagues such as Wang Gongchen and Ye Dingji often had disputes. Han Qi would sit in a tent reading scrolls as if he did not hear anything. In the first year of Jing You (1034), he was promoted to Deputy Magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture. In December of the second year, he became an Assistant to the Minister of Revenue and received the title of Doctor of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. In August of the third year, he was appointed as the Chief Censor. In the first year of Kangding (1040), he served as a military commander in Shaanxi. Han Qi advocated concentrating forces to attack Western Xia, rejecting the strategy proposed by Fan Zhongyan. His troops engaged with Western Xia forces led by Zhang Yuan at Haoshui River (Sweet Water River) below Liupan Mountain (Lingde, Ningxia). This battle, known as the Battle of Haoshui River, resulted in a catastrophic defeat for Song forces, with nearly 70,000 soldiers killed.
After this defeat, Han Qi began to accept Fan Zhongyan's military strategy and worked together to defend against Western Xia. They were known as "Han and Fan." Both served on the border for a long time and gained significant respect, leading to a popular saying: "There is one Han in the army, and the Western bandits hear it and their hearts tremble. There is one Fan in the army, and the Western bandit hears it and his heart breaks."
In the third year of Qingli era (1043), Han Qi returned to the central government as Deputy Chief Military Commissioner. He supported the Qingli New Policies proposed by Fan Zhongyan and Fu Bi.
In the first year of Jia You era (1056), the court appointed Han Qi as Commissioner of the Three Departments. Before he arrived in Bianjing, he was reassigned to Chief Military Commissioner. In the second year (1057), Su Zhe passed the imperial examination and soon wrote a letter to Chief Military Commissioner Han Qi, hoping for his support. This letter later became famous as "A Letter to Grand Secretary Han."
In June of the third year (1058), he was appointed Vice Chancellor and Grand Academician of the Jixian Hall. In August of the sixth year (1061) of the lunar calendar, he was transferred to Chancellor of the Zhaowen Academy and Chief Historian, with the title Duke of Yi. In the eighth year (1063), after Emperor Yingzong's ascension, Han Qi was appointed as Mountain Tomb Commissioner, responsible for Emperor Renzong's funeral arrangements, and received the titles of Door-Down Attendant and Duke of Wei. After Empress Dowager Cao returned power, Emperor Yingzong appointed Han Qi as Right Minister of Works and Duke of Wei.
After Emperor Shenzong's accession, Han Qi held the positions of Minister of Works and Attendant-in-Ordinary, reaching the rank of Grand Secretary. He also served as Emperor Yingzong's Mountain Tomb Commissioner. After overseeing the burial of Emperor Yingzong in Yonghou Mausoleum, Han Qi voluntarily resigned from his central government position and was appointed Military Governor of Zhenan and Wusheng, with additional titles including Minister of Works, Inspector General, and Attendant-in-Ordinary. He refused the appointment to two military governorships, citing that no officials had been given such appointments before. The court then reassigned him as Military Governor of Huainan and Prefect of Xiangzhou. Later, due to border affairs, he was assigned to Military Governor of Yongxing Army and Prefect of Daming Prefecture. As a senior statesman, he consistently opposed the reforms proposed by Wang Anshi. Emperor Shenzong once reflected: "Qi is truly a loyal minister; I initially thought his policies could benefit the people, but did not expect them to harm the people so much. Moreover, how can urban residents receive green sprout loans? Yet the envoys also force these on them."
On June 28 of the eighth year of Xi Ning (August 12, 1075), he died in his hometown of Xiangzhou at the age of 67. He was posthumously promoted to GrandSecretary and honored with the posthumous name Zhongxian. His remains were enshrined in Emperor Yingzong's temple. His works were later compiled into the "Anyang Collection."
Han Qis Tomb
In "The Record of Ancient Sites in Hebei," it is recorded: "According to records, Han Qi passed away at his residence in Xiangzhou. Emperor Shenzong was deeply saddened and ordered that he be buried alongside the imperial mausoleum. His family declined this honor, so the emperor dispatched Inner Palace Attendant Zhang Maizhe to bury Han Qi at Feng'an Township in Anyang County, 30 li northwest of the city. The emperor personally composed an epitaph titled 'The Stele of a Two-Dynasty Founder and Advisor.' He also ordered Dragon Pavilion Academician Song Minqiu to inscribe it on the tomb. A temple was bestowed for the protection of the tomb, named 'Fuxiao Baoxian Temple.'"
— "30 li northwest of Anyang County" refers to today's Huangfu Village in Feng'an Village, and the original tomb was relocated nearby in 2010 due to the South-to-North Water Diversion Project.
Evaluations
• Han Qi "served three dynasties, enthroned two emperors," and held office for ten years. He was renowned alongside Fu Bi, known as a virtuous chancellor. Ouyang Xiu praised him: "In critical situations, he made significant decisions with dignity and composure, ensuring the stability of the nation like Mount Tai, truly a minister for the state."
• Wang Fuzhi stated: "Since the Three Dynasties, only Han Wei Gong could achieve this."
Children
Six sons:
• Han Zhongyan: reached the rank of Left Minister and Door-Down Attendant, retired as a Senior Minister
• Han Duanyan: Governor of Qizhou, Senior Minister
• Han Liangyan: Proofreader at the Secretariat
• Han Chunyan: Academician of Huayou Pavilion, Supervisor of Wan Shou Temple
• Han Cuixian: Academician of Longtu Pavilion, Senior Minister, Commander and Prefect of Dingwu Military Prefecture
• Han Jiayan: Commander of Yinghai Army
Further Reading
References
• 韓琦 (Chinese)
The text above incorporates content created automatically using artifical intelligence.
Han Qi (August 5, 1008 - 1075), courtesy name Zhigui, self-styled Ganshou, posthumously honored as Zhongxian, was born in Quanzhou (now Licheng District, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province) and originally from Anyang, Xiangzhou (now Anyang City, Henan Province). He was a politician of the Northern Song Dynasty. Han Qi ranked second in the imperial examination of Tian Sheng's fifth year. Later, he co-led the Qingli New Policies with Fan Zhongyan. During the Jia You era of Emperor Renzong, he returned to the central government, serving successively as Chief Military Commissioner, Chancellor of the Jixian Academy, and Chancellor of the Zhaowen Hall. During his ten-year tenure as Chancellor, he assisted three dynasties and participated in the enthronement of Emperor Yingzong and Emperor Shenzong. He was known as a "two-dynasty founder." His highest rank was Military Governor of Yongxing Army, Minister of Works, and Duke of Wei. After his death, he was posthumously promoted to Grand Secretary and honored in the temple of Emperor Yingzong. In the reign of Emperor Huizong, he was further ennobled as Prince of Wei Commandery. His eldest son, Han Zhongyan, and his great-grandson, Han Tuozhou, both served as Chancellors.