Song Jing

Ranked with Yao Chong as "Yao and Song," known for upholding the law and integrity.

Life

Impeached the powerful

Song Jing passed the jinshi exam at seventeen. Under Wu Zetian he became Vice Censor-in-Chief and boldly impeached the powerful Zhang Yizhi brothers, unafraid of those in power.

Renowned chancellor of Kaiyuan

In 717 he succeeded Yao Chong as chancellor. He enforced the law strictly, chose officials by talent alone, curbed string-pulling and restrained eunuchs and imperial in-laws, and together with Yao Chong ushered in the Kaiyuan Reign prosperity.

Spring on legs

He was upright and firm, and contemporaries, saying he loved the people and cared for all things, called him "spring on legs," meaning he brought spring wherever he went. He died in 737.

Legacy

Song Jing and Yao Chong, known together as "Yao and Song," one adept at adapting to circumstances and the other at upholding the law, are regarded as one of the wisest pairs of chancellors of the Tang dynasty.

Major works & achievements

• Helped bring about the Kaiyuan Reign prosperity

Did you know? The idiom "Spring on legs" comes from praise of him.

Key dates

• 680Passed the jinshi exam
• 704Impeached the Zhang Yizhi brothers
• 717Succeeded Yao Chong as chancellor
• 737Died