Xu Jingzong, courtesy name Yanzu, posthumously known as Duke Gong of Gaoyang, was a Chinese cartographer, historian, and politician who served as a chancellor in the Tang dynasty.
12 Facts About Xu Jingzong
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Xu Jingzong was born in 592, during the reign of Emperor Wen in the Sui dynasty.
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Xu Jingzong's ancestors had served as officials of the Southern dynasties during the Southern and Northern dynasties period for generations and claimed to be originally from Gaoyang Commandery before moving south of the Yangtze River in light of the Jin dynasty's loss of the north.
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Xu Jingzong himself was said to be knowledgeable of literature in his youth, and, after passing the imperial examination, was made a scribe at Huaiyang Commandery.
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Xu Jingzong was made a low level official in the imperial administration of Emperor Wen's son, Emperor Yang.
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In 618, with virtually the entire Sui state engulfed by agrarian rebellions against Emperor Yang's rule, Xu Shanxin and Xu Jingzong were at Jiangdu with Emperor Yang and his other officials, when Emperor Yang was killed in a coup led by the general Yuwen Huaji.
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In 634, eight years after Li Shimin had succeeded Emperor Gaozu as emperor, Xu Jingzong was made an imperial scholar responsible for editing imperial history, as well as a mid-level official at the legislative bureau of government.
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Xu Jingzong was demoted to the post of military assistant of the commandant at Hong Prefecture.
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Xu Jingzong was made a junior advisor to Emperor Taizong's crown prince, Li Zhi.
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At Empress Wu's instigation, Xu Jingzong submitted an accusation stating that Shangguan, who had previously served on Li Zhong's staff, was conspiring with Li Zhong and the eunuch Wang Fusheng, who had previously served on Li Zhong's staff and who had reported to Emperor Gaozong that Empress Wu had engaged in witchcraft.
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Xu Jingzong died in 672 and by order of Empress Wu was buried near Emperor Taizong's tomb.
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When Xu Jingzong discovered this, he divorced Lady Yu and, accusing Xu Ang of a lack of filial piety, exiled him.