A Study On The Northern Song Dynasty Prime Minister Du Yan

Du Yan is a famous minister in Northern Song Dynasty, from the late medium-term of emperor song Zhenzong to song Renzong Dynasty is the main active period of Du Yan, because as a prime minister is very famous, he become a model for officials in the Song Dynasty. By The extensive collection of relevant historical materials for Du Yan’s life story, research and discussion the problem such as his influence on the Song Dynasty society, This study will be of some help for the case study of officials in Qingli period of Northern Song Dynasty period.The study found that Du Yan had a hard life in his early years, from the lower level of society through the imperial examination, he became an official, during his lifetime, an official for forty years, finally did the prime minister. In Du Yan’s life, he served as local governor official for a long time, on each post office work, he always have great achievements:he is good at solving crimes, multiple detection difficult and important cases; he is also good at financial management, often reduce civilian taxes; for local governance, he has been deeply respected and loved by the local people. In Du Yan’s official career, he served as the central officials of the time is short, but there is also a remarkable achievement:on the Court Affairs, he often put forward views, clearly pointed out that many of the policy mistakes, he is very strict in the office, the subordinate officials have strict discipline, especially when he was the chief prosecutor and governor of the capital, he strengthened discipline, and severely crack down on corrupt officials, so that the corrupt elements are very afraid. In Qingli period, Du Yan as the Minister for five years time, he supported the Qingli New Deal, for official governance discipline and significant military such like border areas defence have great contributions, for the government he recommended a large number of outstanding talents, overall, his political achievements have ensured political stability. From the beginning of the age of Qingli, Du Yan replaced Xia Song as the defense minister, because of dissatisfaction with the opponents, he is subjected to slander. Actually in Qingli period, Du Yan and other ministers such as Fan Zhongyan, they "harmony without uniformity", their relationship is not as opponents said that "clique". In the late stage of "Qingli New Deal", in fact, Du Yan became the only prime minister in support of the reform in the imperial court. Finally, because of the impact of political struggle, and have contact with most Qingli period clique event, Du Yan was dismissed officials appointed Prime Minister. In Qingli period, of course, Du Yan also has shortcomings, but he is still the one of the most important leaders in the Qingli new deal, and become advocate the new deal makers official of the highest.While serving as the Prime Minister for only a hundred days, Du Yan was seen as a very noble and moral integrity of the officials in the Song Dynasty and received a great praise. First, Du Yan’s official ideology reflected characteristics of honest and integrity, In particular, about prudence for the relationship between officials and salary, self cultivation and processing between supervisor and subordinate relations, Du Yan have his own understanding, He is enthusiastic about the official education experience of young officials. Secondly, Du Yan pay attention to enhance personal accomplishment, his life is very frugal and simple, amateur life is interested in reading, writing poetry, calligraphy and other activities. After retirement, he is also actively concerned about the state affairs, in official work and in life style, Du Yan is a model of an ideal official, for officials in the Song Dynasty had an important influence, many literati the Du Yan regarded as example, often praised or follow his story. Again, People who associate with Du Yan most is famous Scholar bureaucrat that also is statesman and litterateur in Northern Song Dynasty, Du Yan through intercourse, let the younger officials received encouragement and education, With his rich experience, his strict self-cultivation and noble character influenced many Scholar bureaucrat. During the period of Nandu after retirement, Du Yan actively participate in cultural activities, promoted the development of Nandu culture in the Northern Song Dynasty. The gatherings of the Five Venerable Elders of Suiyang, which main organizer is Du Yan, has also become a famous cultural event and regional cultural symbol.