Yan Shu (991-1055), courtesy name Tongshu, was born in Shahe, Wengang, Linchuan, Fuzhou (Jinxian County, Nanchang). A famous writer and politician in the Northern Song Dynasty. In 1038 AD, Yan Shu was promoted to the post of deputy general at the age of 48. The prime minister reached the pinnacle of power.
The child prodigy ancestor in the Yan family tree in Yulanggaoxia, Xinyu——Yan Shu
During the years of the Song Dynasty, Jiangxi was once an important place in the country, the center of economy and culture, and one of the most developed regions. , science and technology, art and other aspects have made rare contributions. Jiangxi is known as a "state of integrity and integrity". Whenever the country is in crisis, Jiangxi scholars always sacrifice their lives for justice. This also reflects the stubbornness of the Jiangxi people and shows the universality of spiritual connection in literary creation. And Yan Shu is one of the most outstanding talents.
Yan's Ancient Well and Yanshu Ancestral Hall
According to historical records, in 1022 AD, the first year of Qianxing, the 55-year-old Song Zhenzong died, and the 12-year-old prince Zhao Zhen succeeded to the throne, with the title Song Renzong . At that time, Yan Shu, 31 years old, was already a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. When Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty passed away, Empress Dowager Liu complied with her will and temporarily came to the court to listen to the government. She studied under Yan Shu and taught the prince Zhao Zhen in the East Palace for many years. She was appointed as Liu Neiquan of the Ministry of Judges. She was responsible for evaluating state officials and formulating dispatches, which is equivalent to the work of the organization department today. .
In 1025 AD, the 35-year-old Yan Shu was promoted to Minister of Rites and Vice-Chairman of the Privy Council (today's Vice Chairman of the Military Commission) because of his participation in the compilation of "Records of Zhenzong" and his mentor Renzong. He also serves as the minister of punishment.
In 1032 AD, the 41-year-old Yan Shu was promoted to political affairs (deputy prime minister) and Shangshu Zuo Cheng.
In March 1033 AD, Song Renzong’s mother, the Queen Mother Liu, passed away. After Song Renzong came to power, the first thing he did was to demote all the ministers appointed by the Queen Mother to local officials. Yan Shu was not spared, and came to the country with the title of Minister of Rites. He served in Jiangning Prefecture (now Nanjing, Jiangsu), and soon moved to Haozhou (now Haozhou, Anhui). Later, with the title of Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice, he was transferred to Chenzhou (now Zhoukou City, Henan), which lasted for 5 years. .
In 1038 AD, the 48-year-old Yan Shu was appointed as the Yushi Zhongcheng by Song Renzong. The three ministers appointed him and sent him back to Beijing. Later, he was promoted to the prime minister. This was the peak period of Yan Shu's power.
Yan's Shahe Village - Fuhe
54-year-old Yan Shu was demoted again and was released for ten years. It was not until 1054 AD that Yan Shu, who was 64 years old, was allowed to return to Beijing due to illness.
Renzong left Yan Shu behind and named him the minister of Yiying Pavilion. He explained the meaning of the scriptures to himself. He met with Renzong every five days and still treated him according to the etiquette of a prime minister. In the first month of 1055 AD, Yan Shu died of illness at the age of 65.
My ancestor, the famous prime minister who continuously provided talents to the Northern Song Dynasty, finally ended his legendary life. Returning to the hometown of our ancestors, I often recall that in the Song Dynasty hundreds of years ago, when there were as many literati as stars, Grandfather Yan Shu has made a very colorful mark.
(Yan Songhua, the thirty-sixth generation of the Yan clan under Yulanggao, Xinyu, and the thirty-sixth generation grandson of Geng Gong, named Simin)
