Fang Xuanling

Assisted Emperor Taizong of Tang for more than 20 years; with Du Ruhui he was known for "Fang Plans, Du Decides."

Life

Staff of the Prince of Qin

Fang Xuanling passed the jinshi examination at 18. In the late Sui he joined Li Shimin and handled secretarial affairs in the Prince of Qin's household. Skilled at gathering talent, he recruited able men for the Staff of the Prince of Qin wherever a region was pacified. Together with Du Ruhui he helped plan the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Fang Plans, Du Decides

During the Zhenguan era he served as chancellor for more than 20 years, overseeing the revision of the legal codes, trimming the bureaucracy and drawing up the Zhenguan Code. He excelled at planning while Du Ruhui excelled at decision-making, so contemporaries said "Fang Plans, Du Decides."

Zhenguan Chancellor

In his last years he still urged Taizong to stop the campaigns against Goguryeo. He died in 648 and was one of the Twenty-Four Meritorious Officials of Lingyan Pavilion.

Legacy

Fang Xuanling was one of the chief ministers of the Reign of Zhenguan and is regarded by later generations as a model of the wise chancellor.

Major works & achievements

• Oversaw revision of the Zhenguan Code
• Oversaw compilation of the Book of Jin

Did you know? He and Du Ruhui were paired in the phrase "Fang Plans, Du Decides," an idiom still in use today.

Key dates

• 617Joined Li Shimin
• 626Took part in the Xuanwu Gate Incident
• 629Became Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs
• 637Led the drafting of the Zhenguan Code
• 648Died