家庭背景

蕭俛生年不詳。他來自一個顯赫的家族，是南朝梁的後代，祖父蕭華、曾祖蕭嵩和蕭嵩的叔伯曾祖父蕭瑀都在唐朝當過宰相。蕭俛的父親蕭恆任御史。蕭俛于唐德宗貞元七年（791年）擢進士第，和同年中進士的皇甫鎛和令狐楚發展出深厚的友誼。

唐憲宗年間

唐憲宗元和元年（806年）四月二十八日，蕭俛通過了「才識兼茂、明於體用」的賢良方正制科，為第五上等，被任為右拾遺，後升為右補闕。當時他的朋友柳宗元被貶永州司馬，寫信給他。三年（808年），僕射、判度支裴均交結權幸欲求為宰相，其黨羽意欲動搖宰相李吉甫的地位，也揚言直言極諫科中譏刺時政、忤犯權幸的言辭都是直指李吉甫。蕭俛與其他諫官李約、獨孤鬱、李正辭秘密上疏陳奏，才使憲宗意解。六年（811年）正月，奉敕與諫議大夫孟簡、給事中劉伯芻、工部侍郎歸登等于豐泉寺翻譯《大乘本生心地觀音經》。同年被召充翰林學士。李吉甫任用蕭俛卻罷免同時被召為學士的李正辭，人們都疑懼。除守起居舍人。第二年，蕭俛遷司封員外郎，仍任翰林學士。九年（814年），任駕部郎中，仍任翰林學士，知制誥。

當年，憲宗正在討伐控制彰義軍（軍部在今河南駐馬店）的叛將吳元濟，主戰的宰相李吉甫剛剛去世。蕭俛的朋友張仲方認為李吉甫主戰太草率，反對謚他為「敬憲」。憲宗認為這是在批評自己，把張仲方貶官，但也把李吉甫的謚號改為「忠懿」。由于蕭俛與張仲方交好，憲宗也免了他的翰林學士，改任太僕少卿。但十一年（816年）正月，蕭俛和翰林學士錢徽等眾多官員上疏請求罷兵。為了警告這些官員，憲宗免了錢徽的翰林學士和蕭俛的知制誥職位，雖然讓他們繼續守本官，但疏遠了他們。荊南節度使袁滋本來揣度憲宗厭兵，自己上表入朝欲議罷平淮西事，途中聽聞蕭俛、錢徽因提議罷兵被黜，就改言必勝迎合憲宗之意，才得以回到本鎮。

十三年（818年），蕭俛的朋友皇甫鎛因為憲宗斂財而得寵，拜為宰相。他推薦令狐楚拜相，而後二人又一齊推薦蕭俛為相。于是蕭俛也得寵于憲宗，被授朝議郎、飛騎尉，賜緋魚袋，任御史中丞。同年九月，他上疏彈劾因千餘百姓欠朝廷錢而將他們逮捕的宦官五坊使楊朝汶，並得到宰相裴度、崔群的支持，十月，憲宗賜楊朝汶死，並釋放被其逮捕的人。

十一月，考功員外郎李渤上奏稱蕭俛、段文昌、崔植等宰相不稱職，不能勸阻憲宗游幸驪山，請求將三宰相與翰林學士杜元穎考中下。該奏摺被留中。

十四年（819年）十月，蕭俛奏應諸司諸軍諸使公廨要求下放諸色本利錢等並設為定製，獲准。

唐穆宗、唐敬宗年間

十五年（820年）正月，唐憲宗駕崩，唐穆宗繼位。穆宗很快流放了他所不喜的皇甫鎛。諫議大夫李景儉性矜誕，使酒縱氣，言語間冒犯宰相，蕭俛和翰林學士段文昌訴于穆宗，李景儉被貶為建州刺史。閏正月，當穆宗思考用誰為相時，令狐楚推薦蕭俛。當時已襲徐國公的蕭俛被任為朝散大夫、守中書侍郎，並和段文昌一同被授予同中書門下平章事，為實質宰相，賜金紫之服、紫金魚袋。此後穆宗想殺皇甫鎛，被蕭俛和宦官們阻止。人們以為令狐楚通過皇甫鎛做宰相而驅逐裴度，群情共怒，但因蕭俛的緣故，無人敢言。二月，監察御史楊虞卿以穆宗頻繁出遊上疏切，穆宗令中使宣付宰相，說：「楊虞卿所上疏切直可獎。」令狐楚、蕭俛、段文昌在延英殿奏事時趁機以納諫為賀。蕭俛又加朝議大夫，加勛，加封爵，但將新增封地讓給弟弟。六月，贈蕭華太保、蕭恆吏部尚書，封蕭俛母韋氏為岐國太夫人。八月，轉門下侍郎。十月，吐蕃入寇涇原，穆宗命中使以禁軍援之，對宰相們說：「用兵有必勝之法嗎？」蕭俛對道：「兵是兇器，戰是危事，聖主不得已而用之。以仁討不仁，以義討不義，先務招懷，不為掩襲。古之用兵，不絕人祀，不殺病人，不擒老人，不犯田稼。安人禁暴，是出師的上等。如救之甚于水火。所以王者之師，有徵無戰，此是必勝之道。如果因小忿就輕動幹戈，使敵人怨結，師出無名，不但不勝，還是自危之道，本就應該深慎！」穆宗以為然。諫議大夫鄭覃、崔玄亮勸穆宗在吐蕃入寇之際稍減遊樂，留心政事，穆宗不悅，問蕭俛：「這些是什麼人？」蕭俛答：「諫官諫議大夫鄭覃等。」穆宗意解，說臣下規勸自己的過失是忠。

作為宰相的蕭俛處事謙遜而謹慎，善善惡惡。他為人孝順，像普通人子一樣小心侍奉母親韋夫人。當穆宗命他為已故節度使王士真寫碑文（可能是為了取悅剛歸順朝廷的其子王承元）時，他拒絕了，認為王士真生前不忠于朝廷。但他和段文昌因為一項錯誤決策遭到譴責。他倆以為經過憲宗對藩鎮的一系列作戰，很多軍閥已被擊潰，其他軍閥也同意遵奉朝廷號令了，于是提議朝廷密令各軍隊每年裁減8%的士兵。穆宗新繼位，沉湎飲宴，沒有看出問題，同意了。結果，被開除的士兵結為土匪，盧龍（軍部在今北京）、成德（軍部在今石家莊）兩鎮在朱克融和王廷湊帶領下在長慶元年（821年）（此時蕭俛已不是宰相）反叛，匪兵們都加入了他們的隊伍。由于匪兵們有經驗，匆忙召集的官軍沒有經驗，盧龍、成德的2萬叛軍竟然在和15萬官軍的對壘中取得了優勢。

蕭俛為官清直，太僕卿韋弘景常輔佐蕭俛。

裴垍、韋貫之、李絳、崔群、蕭俛都是補闕韋顗的布衣舊交，先後都做了宰相，但朝廷典章之事多諮詢韋顗，說：「我們五人的智力比不上一個韋公。」

同年正月，穆宗饗太廟，禮畢，出朱雀門中路，日抱珥呈現五色，蕭俛等率兩省供奉官稱賀于馬前。同月，西川節度使王播給穆宗進貢並賄賂當權宦官，想當宰相，段文昌也支持。蕭俛在延英殿堅決反對，認為王播奢侈納賄且人品奸邪內外皆知，不可入相。由于穆宗不從，蕭俛累次上表辭相，優詔不許。當月王播到長安後，蕭俛被罷相，任右僕射，勛賜如故。蕭俛自認為輔政日淺，升官太快，三上表章辭僕射，于是于二月被改任為守吏部尚書。蕭俛一子得授官，蕭俛卻將此讓給三從弟蕭伸，使其得任河中府參軍。吏部尚書要處理大量乏味的工作，蕭俛認為不適合自己，也拒絕了，堅持稱病，乞求改任散官。七月，改兵部尚書，十月，進階正議大夫。同年，大理卿劉元鼎為盟會使，右司郎中劉師老副之，蕭俛奉詔與宰相們與尚書右僕射韓皋、御史中丞牛僧孺、吏部尚書李絳、戶部尚書楊于陵、禮部尚書韋綬、太常卿趙宗儒、司農卿裴武、京兆尹柳公綽、右金吾將軍郭鏦及吐蕃使者論訥羅在京師西郊會盟。第二年，他上表稱病請求分司洛陽，雖然沒有被當即批准，但三月他就被任為太子少保，分司洛陽。

唐文宗、唐武宗年間

唐敬宗寶曆元年（825年）閏七月，蕭俛在同州（今陝西渭南）刺史任上時，治下韓城縣左神策軍渚田內放牧馬群牧小將劉興裔擅自鞭打在神策軍渚田內放牧的百姓王文秀等，被攝韓城令李元珪遣縣吏擒送蕭俛處。二年（826年）三月，蕭俛再任太子太保，分司洛陽。同年，敬宗駕崩，弟唐文宗繼位，于大和元年（827年）正月召回蕭俛，二月改任為檢校右僕射，兼禮部尚書，四月又改任為檢校左僕射兼太子少師分司洛陽。五年（831年）七月，時為太子少師分司、上柱國、襲徐國公的蕭俛再次稱病，文宗准他以銀青光祿大夫守左僕射致仕。

大約此時，蕭俛的母親韋夫人去世，蕭俛為她服喪，有過于禮。喪期過後，文宗還想召他，但他稱病拒絕了。他認為洛陽這個都市太繁忙，也不願見客，于是在濟源山間養老。八年（834年），唐文宗立李永為太子，想召回蕭俛任李永的太子太傅，蕭俛讓弟弟蕭傑奉表持詔書到長安表示謝絕，堅稱自己有痼疾。文宗准許了，許他以太子太傅致仕。開成二年（837年），蕭俛弟諫議大夫蕭俶被授楚州刺史，辭行之日，文宗對他稱蕭俛為先朝名相，賜蕭俛詔書匹帛，要蕭俶帶到濟源表達心意，希望蕭俛可以來京。下詔賜絹三百匹，令蕭俶宣示。唐武宗會昌二年（842年）二月，蕭俛以太子太師致仕身份去世。

作品

• :s:請放免當司諸色本利錢奏

• 《辭撰王承宗先銘奏》

• 《對穆宗問兵法有必勝疏》

評價

• 《舊唐書》贊曰：蕭、李相才，致之外篇。

• 《新唐書·藩鎮宣武彰義澤潞傳》指蕭俛為導致唐朝藩鎮之亂的庸佐。

• 北宋宰相王安石認為蕭俛裁軍是正確而必要的，釀成藩鎮複叛是因為措施不得法。

• 南宋秘書郎唐文若《文思箴》：蕭俛去兵，禍亂乃萌。

Background

It is not known when Xiao Mian was born. His family was prominent, having been descended from the imperial house of Liang Dynasty, and his grandfather Xiao Hua, great-grandfather Xiao Song, and Xiao Song's great-granduncle Xiao Yu had all served as chancellors during Tang Dynasty. Xiao Mian's father Xiao Heng (蕭恆) served as an imperial censor. Xiao Mian passed the imperial examinations in 791, during the reign of Emperor Dezong. (Also passing the imperial examinations that year were Huangfu Bo and Linghu Chu, and the three developed a deep friendship.)

During Emperor Xianzongs reign

In 806, during the reign of Emperor Dezong's grandson Emperor Xianzong, Xiao Mian passed a special examination for those with strategic recommendations, and was thereafter made a consultant at the legislative bureau of government (中書省, Zhongshu Sheng), initially at the low post of You Shiyi (右拾遺) and then promoted to You Bujue (右補闕). In 811, he was made an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi) in addition to his post as You Bujue. In 812, in addition to being imperial scholar, he was moved from the You Bujue post to be Sifeng Yuanwailang (司封員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Lìbu). In 814, he was made Jiabu Langzhong (駕部郎中), a supervisorial official at the ministry of rites (禮部, Lǐbu, note different tone than the ministry of civil service affairs), but continued to serve as imperial scholar, and was also given the responsibility of drafting imperial edicts.

In 814, when Emperor Xianzong was in the middle of a campaign against the warlord Wu Yuanji, who controlled Zhangyi Circuit (彰義, headquartered in modern Zhumadian, Henan), the pro-campaign chancellor Li Jifu died. Xiao's friend, the official Zhang Zhongfang (張仲方), citing Li Jifu's support for the campaign, which Zhang considered imprudent, opposed the highly honorific posthumous name of Jingxian (敬憲, "alert and knowledgeable") for Li. Viewing this as a criticism against himself, Emperor Xianzong demoted Zhang, but nevertheless changed Li's posthumous name to Zhongyi (忠懿, "faithful and benevolent"). Xiao was considered an associate of Zhang's, and Emperor Xianzong thus stripped Xiao of his imperial scholar status and made the deputy minister of husbandry (太僕少卿, Taipu Shaoqing). Nevertheless, many officials remained against the campaign, including Xiao and the imperial scholar Qian Hui (錢徽). In 816, Emperor Xianzong, as a warning against those speaking against the campaign, removed Qian and Xiao from their responsibilities as imperial scholar and drafter of edicts, respectively, but let them stay in their main posts but away from the emperor.

By 818, Xiao's friend Huangfu Bo, due to his ability to garner revenues for Emperor Xianzong, was greatly favored by Emperor Xianzong and was made a chancellor. Huangfu recommended Linghu Chu to be chancellor as well, and both Huangfu and Linghu thereafter often recommended Xiao. As a result, Xiao was favored by Emperor Xianzong as well, and received a number of honorific titles. He was also made the deputy chief imperial censor (御史中丞, Yushi Zhongcheng). It was deputy chief imperial censor that in 818, he submitted an indictment against the eunuch Yang Chaowen (楊朝汶), who had arrested over 1,000 people for allegedly owing money to the palace. As a result of the indictment that Xiao submitted, which the chancellors Pei Du and Cui Qun also supported, Emperor Xianzong ordered Yang to commit suicide.

During Emperor Muzongs and Emperor Jingzongs reigns

Emperor Xianzong died in spring 820 and was succeeded by his son Emperor Muzong. Emperor Muzong, who disliked Huangfu Bo, immediately exiled Huangfu. Subsequently, when he considered whom to make chancellor, Linghu Chu recommended Xiao Mian. Thereafter, Xiao was made Zhongshu Shilang (中書侍郎) — the deputy head of the legislative bureau — and chancellor de facto with the title Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), along with Duan Wenchang. Thereafter, Emperor Muzong considered killing Huangfu, but Xiao and the eunuchs interceded, and Huangfu was not killed.

It was said that, as chancellor, Xiao was humble and careful, and he tried to do what was righteous and hated the wicked. He was also said to be filially pious, and he served his mother Lady Wei carefully as an ordinary son would despite his honored chancellor status. Further, when Emperor Muzong ordered him to draft the text of a monument for the deceased warlord Wang Shizhen (presumably to please Wang Shizhen's son Wang Chengyuan, who had become a faithful imperial subject), Xiao refused, arguing that Wang Shizhen was unfaithful to the imperial government and that he could not bear to draft such a text. However, he and Duan were blamed for a major policy error at that time. Both he and Duan thought that the realm had been permanently pacified after Emperor Xianzong's campaigns against warlords, which destroyed many warlords and caused others to agree to follow imperial orders. He and Duan submitted a proposal that secret orders be sent to each army, ordering them to reduce armies by forced attrition — such that each army was required to reduce its size by 8% each year by desertions or death. As Emperor Muzong, new to the throne, was spent much of his time in drinking and feasting, he did not see the problems with this proposal and approved it. The soldiers removed from army ranks as a result gathered as bandits as a result, and later, when Lulong (盧龍, headquartered in modern Beijing) and Chengde (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang, Hebei) Circuits rebelled under the leadership of Zhu Kerong and Wang Tingcou respectively in 821 (by which time Xiao was no longer chancellor), the former soldiers joined Lulong and Chengde forces in droves, and as they were experienced soldiers and the soldiers that the imperial armies were forced to gather quickly in response were inexperienced, the Lulong and Chengde forces eventually prevailed over imperial forces despite a major numerical disadvantage — with Lulong and Chengde having less than 20,000 soldiers combined and the imperial forces numbering 150,000.

In spring 821, Wang Bo the military governor (Jiedushi) of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu, Sichuan) submitted much tribute to Emperor Muzong and also bribed the powerful eunuchs, hoping to be chancellor. Duan also spoke on Wang's behalf. Xiao opposed vehemently, stating that Wang was "delicate and wicked" and should not be chancellor. When Emperor Muzong disagreed, Xiao offered to resign. After Wang was summoned to Chang'an, Xiao was removed from his chancellor position and made You Pushe (右僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). Xiao considered himself to have served as chancellor for too brief of a period to serve this highly honorific position, and thus declined, and was instead made the minister of civil service affairs (吏部尚書, Lìbu Shangshu). He was also created the Duke of Xu. As the minister of civil service affairs required conducting much tedious work, Xiao felt the position unfit for his lifestyle, and also declined it. In winter 821, he was made the minister of defense (兵部尚書, Bingbu Shangshu). In 822, he offered to be assigned to the eastern capital Luoyang after claiming an illness, but that offer was not accepted initially, although soon thereafter, he was made an advisor to the Crown Prince, and then sent out of Chang'an to serve as the prefect of Tong Prefecture (同州, in modern Weinan, Shaanxi).

During Emperor Wenzongs and Emperor Wuzongs reigns

In 826, by which time Emperor Muzong's son Emperor Jingzong was emperor, Xiao Mian was again made an advisor to the Crown Prince, and sent out to have his office at Luoyang. After Emperor Jingzong died later that year and was succeeded by his brother Emperor Wenzong, Emperor Wenzong recalled Xiao to serve as acting Zuo Pushe (左僕射), the other head of the executive bureau, as well as advisor to the crown prince. Xiao claimed an illness and declined to report to Chang'an; Emperor Wenzong thereafter allowed him to retire.

Around this time, Xiao's mother Lady Wei died, and he observed a period of mourning for her. After the period of mourning was over, Emperor Wenzong again tried to recall him, but he again declined based on claim of illness. As he still considered Luoyang to be too busy of a place, and particularly did not want to be receiving guests all the time, he went to live at his vacation mansion at Jiyuan, and it was said that he enjoyed life in the hills. In 834, by which time Emperor Wenzong had created his son Li Yong crown prince, he again tried to recall Xiao to serve as advisor to Li Yong. Xiao sent his brother Xiao Jie (蕭傑) to Chang'an with his petition declining the post. Emperor Wenzong accepted his petition and allowed him to remain in retirement. He died in 842.

Notes and references

• Old Book of Tang, vol. 172.

• New Book of Tang, vol. 101.

• Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 237, 239, 240, 241, 242.