Di Renjie
Brilliant at judging cases; he recommended Zhang Jianzhi and others, laying the groundwork for the Tang restoration.
Life
Judging Cases at the Court of Judicial Review
Di Renjie entered officialdom through the mingjing examination. As an Assistant of the Court of Judicial Review, he settled a backlog of cases involving more than 17,000 people in a single year, and not one appealed claiming injustice. In local posts he was also known for leniency and integrity, and once defied orders to refuse to demolish the people's houses.
Framed by Cruel Officials
Under Wu Zetian he twice became chancellor. In 692 the cruel official Lai Junchen falsely accused him of plotting rebellion; he feigned a confession while secretly writing an account of the injustice in the lining of his clothes and sending it out, and so escaped death. After returning as chancellor, he urged Wu Zetian to halt large-scale campaigns and lighten taxes and labor service.
Recommending Talent, Restoring the Tang
On the question of the succession, he asked Wu Zetian, "Who is closer to you, a nephew or a son?", helping bring Li Xian, Prince of Luling, back to Luoyang to be named crown prince. Zhang Jianzhi, Huan Yanfan and others whom he had recommended launched the Shenlong Coup after his death, restoring the Tang dynasty's name.
Legacy
In the official histories Di Renjie is known as a wise chancellor skilled at recommending talent; from the Ming and Qing onward he was recast as a master detective judging cases, and Dutch sinologist Robert van Gulik's Judge Dee novels made him famous in the West.
Major works & achievements
- Rehabilitated victims of many wrongful cases
- Urged that Li Xian be made crown prince
- Recommended Zhang Jianzhi and other eminent ministers
Did you know? Wu Zetian called him "Elder of the State" rather than addressing him by name.
Key dates
- 676As Assistant of the Court of Judicial Review, judged cases involving 17,000 people
- 691First became chancellor
- 692Framed by Lai Junchen and jailed
- 697Became chancellor again
- 698Urged naming the Prince of Luling crown prince
- 700Died
- 705Zhang Jianzhi, whom he recommended, launched the Shenlong Coup